Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Wed, August 5, 2020 20:15 531 6657ac82168da9fa101c8a4066bd53e5 1 National Citarum-River,Citarum-Harum Free A task force in charge of cleaning up the Citarum River has started investigating the cause of the black and foul-smelling water in a section of West Java's longest and dirtiest river. The team had inspected the river starting from sector 16, said Maj. Gen. Dedi Kusnadi Thamim, the head of the Citarum Harum task force. Dedi said the river's water condition was still normal from Walahar to Klari in Karawang regency. "We've done digging near the river. The water turns black and smelly from Klari downstream," Dedi said as quoted by kompas.com on Tuesday. According to reports, the water in the Citarum River in the Karawang area has been black and emitting a strong odor since Friday. Fish in the river have reportedly died due to the pollution. Theories put forward to explain the phenomenon include the possibility that river sedimentation that had built up over the years has begun to come up to the surface as the water flow rate decreased. Some people suspect new domestic or industrial waste polluting the water. The task force has cooperated with the Karawang Environmental Agency to take water samples at four different locations for laboratory tests. Authorities have also requested help from tap water company Perum Jasa Tirta II in supplying water to the Citarum River. However, Dedi said the dam gate in Walahar could only be opened for 15 minutes, since it might disrupt water supply to farming areas. This is only our first effort. We will keep monitoring it, Dedi said, adding that law enforcement members of the task force would also participate in monitoring the industrial area. Stretching 270 kilometers, the Citarum River supplies water to households and industries in West Java and Jakarta. It is also the source of power for three hydroelectric plants that can generate a combined 1,400 megawatts of electricity. The river, however, earned the status of one of the worlds 10 most polluted places in 2013 for its alarming levels of toxic chemicals due to domestic and industrial waste being dumped into it for a long time. The government has since set up an ambitious clean-up program involving the military under the Citarum Harum program, which has been hailed as a pilot project for river restoration. (dpk) "We express solidarity to the relatives of the victims and hope for the speedy recovery of the wounded citizens," the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said via Twitter. El Peru expresa sus sentidas condolencias al pueblo y Gobierno del Libano por las sensibles perdidas humanas a causa de las explosiones ocurridas en el puerto de Beirut. Nos solidarizamos con los familiares de las victimas y hacemos votos por la pronta recuperacion de los heridos Investors face a 40billion dividend black hole this year in the worst hit to payouts 'in generations' because of the coronavirus crisis. Companies will hand back 60.5billion to shareholders in 2020, according to financial administration firm Link Group. This is down a whopping 39 per cent from 98.5billion last year, as firms in virtually all industries slash costs to survive the pandemic. Divi drop: Companies will hand back 60.5bn to shareholders in 2020, according to financial administration firm Link Group. This is down a whopping 39 per cent from 98.5bn last year Dividends have been among the first cuts made to slow spending but this has hit ordinary investors who rely on the payouts as a source of income. During the second quarter, between April and June, companies halved the amount they pledged to give shareholders to 16billion, down from 32billion last year. This included a hit from Royal Dutch Shell, which has trimmed its dividend by two-thirds, reasoning that it isn't sensible to give money back that it might need to fund by taking on more debt. BP yesterday followed suit, the latest heavy-hitter to take the axe to its divi. Around 50 per cent of the second-quarter cuts came the finance sector. The Bank of England ordered all banks to cancel payouts for 2020 and urged insurance companies to do the same though Legal & General and Admiral pushed back, with Admiral only cancelling a one-off dividend. In total, around 60 per cent of companies on the FTSE 100 index and some 80 per cent on the FTSE 250 cut or cancelled divis. Susan Ring, chief executive of corporate markets at Link Group, said: 'The second quarter was truly a record breaker. Not by a whisker, nor by a nose, but by a mile. The whole of 2020 will, without doubt, see the biggest hit to dividends in generations.' She said companies resetting their books, and the legacy of the pandemic, meant it could take until 2026 for dividends to return to their 2019 level. T Muruganandham By Express News Service CHENNAI: A day after asserting that he had not joined the BJP, Ku Ka Selvam, DMK MLA from the Thousand Lights constituency, on Wednesday called upon all party functionaries above 55 to jump ship. He also charged that Udhayanidhi Stalin was calling the shots in the party now, without naming him. Selvam, who called on BJP president JP Nadda at New Delhi on Tuesday, visited the state BJP headquarters Kamalalayam on Wednesday and took part in the special pooja performed for Lord Ram to mark the foundation laying ceremony for the Ram temple at Ayodhya. ALSO READ: DMK MLA Selvam denies joining BJP but speaks saffron party's language Selvam's visit to the BJP office took place a couple of hours after DMK president MK Stalin suspended him from all responsibilities and issued a show-cause notice to him seeking an explanation as to why he could not be expelled from the DMK for his anti-party activities. Talking to reporters at Kamalalayam flanked by BJP functionaries, Selvam, with a saffron shawl around his neck, called upon the DMK functionaries who are above 55 to leave the party and join BJP since they may also come across the situation he had faced in the DMK. He also said many other functionaries in the DMK too would join the BJP. Like any other disgruntled functionary who is leaving the party, Selvam too levelled charges against the party he was working with for a few decades. "Yesterday when reporters asked what I would do if the DMK expelled me from the party, I said let them do so if they have the guts. Today, I have been suspended. I won't bother even if they expel me," Selvam said. Selvam also indicated that he was hurt by the denial of a party post in the DMK. "In 2016, I requested the party leadership to make me Chennai West district secretary. But Stalin persuaded me to accept the appointment of J Anbazhagan to that post. After Anbazhagan's demise recently, I asked for that post again. Again, someone else was appointed to that post." "Some time ago, Thalaivar (M Karunanidhi) gave directions, later, his son (MK Stalin) gave directions and now Thalaivar's grandson is calling the shots there," Selvam charged. Selvam recalled that he had told DMK organising secretary RS Bharathi that he was with Dravidian parties for many decades - first with late Chief Minister MG Ramachandran, later with the party led by his wife Janaki Ramachandran and after that with Kalaignar. Selvam said though he was with the DMK for a long time, he had performed 'Balalayam' for Bharatwajeswarar temple twice. He also reiterated his earlier demands that the DMK leadership should conduct the organisational elections immediately and condemn those who have insulted Lord Muruga. Ex-Roscosmos scientist convicted of treason to be released on parole flickr.com/ Andreas Eldh 14:58 05/08/2020 MOSCOW, August 5 (RAPSI) The Tver Regional Court upheld a lower courts ruling on the release of ex-employee of the Central Research Institute of Machine Building (the head institute for Roscosmos space corporation) and reader of the Moscow State Technical University Vladimir Lapygin convicted of treason on parole, RAPSI was told in the court on Wednesday. In December 2016, the Supreme Court of Russia upheld a 7-year jail sentence given to Lapygin in September of the same year. Lapygin was arrested in May 2015. Investigators said that the scientist was transferring technological data abroad. Specifics of the case were not published because of secrecy. The 2017 revelation about the I.R.A. was part of the special counsels whirlwind first year. In the fall it unsealed a guilty plea from the former campaign associate George Papadopoulos, who had lied to investigators. It indicted Manafort for financial crimes related to his lobbying work for pro-Russian interests in Ukraine. It then indicted the I.R.A. for interfering in the election, as well as other Russian operatives for hacking the Democrats. And in November it had what felt like an enormous breakthrough: Don McGahn, the White House counsel, told Muellers team that Trump had demanded that he fire Mueller the clearest evidence yet that the president obstructed justice. But at that point, the investigation stalled and never regained momentum, in large part, Toobin says, because Mueller was overly cautious. He chose not to probe Trumps financial ties to Russia, examine his personal finances or obtain his tax returns. Investigators tried other methods to establish connections between Trump and Russia but the presidents associates stymied efforts to penetrate Trumps orbit. Mueller didnt subpoena Trump after he reneged on an agreement to be interviewed at Camp David in January 2018 which Trump saw as a sign of weakness and Toobin as Muellers key misstep. Trump was further emboldened in May, when Muellers deputies told the White House that they would not indict the president, in deference to a Justice Department legal opinion on the matter. Trumps public attacks helped to end the bipartisan support that Mueller initially enjoyed, and made it nearly impossible for Congress to use his findings as the basis for oversight measures, or even impeachment, once opinion about him broke along party lines. Toobins absorbing, fast-paced narrative is anchored by detailed scenes of chaos inside the Trump administration and meetings between Trumps and Muellers lawyers. But it provides no hard information about how and why Mueller came to make his most significant and ill-fated decisions. As a former prosecutor and legal analyst, Toobin can offer somewhat satisfying educated guesses, but ultimately Muellers caution and restraint remain an enigma. What is clear is that the Mueller investigation ultimately taught Trump that he could largely act with impunity. No one in his administration, or in any other branch of government, stopped him from attacking the Russia probe, dodging an interview with Muellers team and dangling pardons before witnesses to keep them from cooperating with investigators. He emerged from the two-year inquiry unbroken, unbowed and emboldened. And before the ink was dry on the report, he embarked on an effort to strong-arm Ukraine into announcing that it would investigate Joe Biden and his son. It also taught the American people that our system of checks and balances no longer works when Congress believes it should enable, rather than oversee, the president. The Mueller report has been eclipsed by a parade of fresh crises, and its immediacy has faded. A whistle-blower complaint about Trumps dealings with Ukraine led to his impeachment this past winter. A pandemic has resulted in over 150,000 American deaths and brought the economy to a standstill. And several recent killings of unarmed Black people sparked a summer of nationwide protests and a revived civil rights movement. But Toobins larger argument is that Trumps attacks on democracy will grow only more extreme in the months to come. If he is right, then True Crimes and Misdemeanors stands as a chilling preview of what to expect should Trump win a second term, and also as a road map for all that needs repair should he lose. New Delhi, Aug 5 : To address various challenges faced by the students around their abroad plans due to Covid-19, IDP Education, a global leader in international education services, on Wednesday announced to host a virtual education fair from August 10 to October 10 in the country. Over 150 leading institutions from Australia, the UK, the US, Canada, New Zealand, and Ireland will participate in the virtual education fair to interact with Indian students and help them with their overseas education plan. IDP Education said the aim of the initiative is to solve the concerns of students and help them connect with their preferred institutions over a one-on-one video call from the comfort of their homes. "IDP offers Indian students the right advice and top-quality assistance to choose the right course and institution in Australia, UK, U.S. Canada, New Zealand, and Ireland to meet their career aspirations," Piyush Kumar, Regional Director (South Asia), IDP Education, said in a statement. "IDP has over 700 world-class institution partners across these six destinations and is best placed to offer students the choice to find the course most suited to them," he said. Through this virtual fair, students can apply directly to the institutions of their choice and get detailed information on scholarships, ranking, visas, etc. by IDP's experienced and certified education experts over a one-on-one video call feature. "We understand that shortlisting an institution and working through the application process can be a bit challenging for students. Our goal, therefore, is to assist and guide them through all the steps from the initial exploratory stage, application submission to safe arrival on campus," Kumar said. The Trump campaign is asking the Commission on Presidential Debates to move up the last presidential debate to the first week in September to get ahead of an expected surge in early voting. Driving the news: President Trump's personal attorney, former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani, made the request in a letter dated Wednesday and obtained by Axios. Giuliani has been leading the campaign's discussions with the debate commission, which also includes asking the commission to add a fourth debate. If the commission declines to add a fourth debate, the letter asks that the debate currently scheduled for Oct. 22 be moved up to the first week in September, before the first ballots are sent on Sept. 4 in North Carolina. What they're saying: By the time of the first presidential debate on September 29, 2020, at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio, as many as eight million Americans in 16 states will have already started voting," Giuliani writes in the letter, calling the current timetable "an outdated dinosaur." What to watch: The letter also includes a list of suggested moderators including Bret Baier and Hugh Hewitt and asks the commission to solidify backup plans for "a simple studio format with no audience" for presidential and vice presidential debates in case of further coronavirus complications. Tim Murtaugh, communications director for the Trump campaign, told Axios that with the announcement that Biden will no longer travel to Milwaukee for the Democratic National Convention, "We are convinced hell try to weasel out of debates." The Commission on Presidential Debates did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The other side: "We have said all along, including in a letter to the commission in June, that Joe Biden will appear on the dates that the commission selected and in the locations they chose," Biden campaign spokesperson Andrew Bates said in a statement. "Donald Trump has not, continually trying to insert his choice of friendly moderators, now including one who just published an op-ed offering 'the case' for Trump's reelection. Joe Biden will be there." Full list of proposed moderators: Bret Baier, Gerry Baker, Maria Bartiromo, Shannon Bream, David Brody, Rachel Campos-Duffy, Kevin Cirilli, Larry Elder, Saagar Enjeti, Harris Faulkner, Major Garrett, Michael Goodwin, Ambrosio Hernandez, Joe Kernen, Hoda Kotb, Susan Li, Bill Hemmer, Hugh Hewitt, Tom Llamas, Dagen McDowell, David Muir, Norah ODonnell, Charles Payne, Rick Santelli. Read Giuliani's letter. Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-06 01:18:58|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close LONDON, Aug. 5 (Xinhua) -- A House of Commons MP who represents a Scottish constituency at Westminster was Wednesday named as the new leader of the Scottish Conservatives. Douglas Ross was the only candidate for the vacant political job following the resignation last week of Jackson Carlaw, a member of the devolved Scottish Parliament, who had only held the job for several months. The Scottish Conservatives, officially the Scottish Conservative & Unionist Party, is the second largest party in the Scottish Parliament, behind the governing Scottish National Party (SNP) led by Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon. Ross opposes calls by the SNP for a second independence referendum for Scotland. "We had that vote six years ago and we were told it was a once in a generation event. What I want to do is leave that in the past," he told reporters. In 2014, people in Scotland voted to remain part of Britain. Currently in the Scottish Parliament, the SNP has 61 seats, with the Scottish Conservatives holding 31 and the Scottish Labour 23. The rest are held by minority parties. The opposition's total denies the SNP an overall majority at Holyrood." Enditem In this article, you will discover how to find and hire a dedicated team of industrial engineers for your business. This article also provides with such useful info like: the importance of hiring the whole dedicated engineering team; what businesses prefer this model; where to find a dedicated engineering team. So, in case you want to learn all the peculiarities of this tendency in IT recruitment, you will for sure enjoy the info. Start reading right now! A great variety of well-known businesses have already succeeded by collaborating with dedicated teams of industrial engineers in the countries from Eastern Europe. Ukraine takes a significant place there because it has already established the reputation of key IT destinations regarding the delivery of dedicated development teams. Its fast-growing IT market and excellent business environment attract a number of enterprises searching for dedicated teams of engineers. For instance, Lebara which is a leading telecom provider has placed its development center in Ukraine in the partnership with N-iX. Moreover, Lebara created a dedicated team of engineers for OpenText. The last is considered the greatest ERP company that produces software. Nowadays, the dedicated team of industrial engineers is universally being acknowledged as the most popular approach for long-lasting business partnerships. Before we start discussing the reasons for such popularity and how to hire the whole team, let's clarify the notion of a dedicated team of engineers. About Dedicated Development Teams In the IT industry, a dedicated team of engineers is defined as an engagement model when a vendor delivers a complete team of developers to their customers. As a rule, it is performed on a long-term basis. Such a team designs a certain solution exclusively for that customer. A dedicated development team works tightly with on-site engineers and other remote staff. Thus, dedicated engineers get an integral part of the customer's business. According to digital economics, around thirty-nine percent of businesses are going to invest more in dedicated development teams to design their services. This approach is growing year by year and concerns almost all the industries. Business Types Suitable for Dedicated Engineering Teams The above-mentioned approach for hiring teams is widely implemented in various industries starting from manufacturing enterprises to top IT companies and startups. Such reputable businesses as Google report that they usually hire such teams because it is the most effective way to design an excellent product. It is a dedicated team of engineers who created and introduced to the world such breathtaking solutions as SeatGeek and WhatsApp! Such a cooperation model is also used by numerous eCommerce enterprises like Alibaba. The last is considered the largest company to possess its software outsourced. It is extremely widespread that small and medium companies implement dedicated teams of industrial engineers. That is a great way out as such enterprises usually lack their funds to have their engineering teams. Additionally, startups often cooperate with dedicated teams to start up the product. A lot of enterprises just can't afford to employ a full team of highly professional developers. Well, even if they could hire them, they would face the challenge as of finding the engineers with a set of skills they require specifically for the dedicated enterprise team. To prove a point, in accordance with Cyber Security Online, approximately fifty-four percent of businesses fail to find a specialist with the relevant skills in a certain industry they demand. That is the key reason why such businesses prefer hiring the whole pack of engineers for their product needs. How to Hire a Dedicated Development Team Before discussing how to hire the whole dedicated engineering team, you should pay attention to the following moments to understand how the scheme truly works. So, when a business makes a decision to hire a dedicated team of industrial engineers, it means they employ a remote team to deliver development services they can't organize in-house (due to financial reasons). When it comes to signing up an agreement with the engineering team, you should fix all the requirements regarding the future project, its budget, roadmap, deadlines, etc. Then, a dedicated development team becomes a fully-fledged part of the team assigned to the project. Finally, as far as they finish the project, the dedicated team of engineers isn't a part of your team anymore. In case you need a dedicated team of industrial engineers for your startup, check Engre. This is a platform that allows hiring an engineering team for any project type of all the complexity levels! Other places where to find a dedicated team of developers are brightly depicted in the article called 10 best sites to find remote developers. Now, it's time to come back to the hiring procedure. The procedure of hiring a dedicated development team begins with clarifying project targets/goals. The company specifies the budget and starts researching the whole team according to the following steps: Identify product development objectives. Why do you need that? Such a thing helps to realize the targets for the team and the skills/experience it should demonstrate; Distribute the budget. You should exactly know how much money you can afford to spend on the team (the number of engineers and the location where to find them should be clarified accordingly); Establish the skills of the team you require. You should make up a list of must-have qualifications of every engineer of the team; Ask for the capabilities of your future team. It would be perfect when the customer is aware of the capabilities of every dedicated engineer. It is a good idea to ask them to represent portfolios with successful projects they held earlier; Check feedback from previous customers. You should surf for reviews/commentary from previous clients who cooperated with the team you desire to hire. This will allow receiving a point of view regarding engineers' strong and weak sides; Conduct the interview. You should have as much detailed interview as possible with applicants via virtual meetings, Google Hangouts, Skype as well as in the office (in case engineers can come); Finally, it is time to choose the dedicated engineering team that ideally fits to all the technologies and requirements of your future project. Benefits when Hiring the whole Dedicated Engineering Team Employing the whole team of engineers at once gives the following benefits to clients: 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. This was by far the biggest and the shock waves reverberated beyond the immediate tragedy of lost lives and homes. It seemed to encapsulate everything that is wrong with Lebanon at this point in its turbulent history: a weak state, inept government, corrupt officials and, many said, the existence of a parallel state run by the powerful Hezbollah movement, as well as other Lebanese factions that used the port for smuggling operations. Schools out for the summer and not a minute longer. As of Sept. 8, elementary school kids will be able to go back to class full time to attend school, with additional health measures. Premier Doug Ford and Education Minister Stephen Lecce announced the reopening plans Thursday afternoon. Ford said the government weighed the risks of COVID-19 against the harm of school closures. We need to consider the toll it is taking on the physical and mental health and personal development of our kids, he said. All publicly funded elementary schools will open five days a week. The child-care sector will open fully as of Sept. 1. Secondary schools will open with an adapted model; low-risk schools will be able to open fully. John Howitt, director of education for the Lambton-Kent District School Board (LKDSB), said final plans will be shared the week of Aug. 10 for the school boards in Chatham-Kent. Since June, Chatham-Kents school boards have been undergoing broad strokes of the planning for reopening. Boards were asked to prepare three scenarios; one for continued learning at home, for full attendance, and an adapted half-and-half model. Howitt explained that the adapted model consists of no more than 15 students per class. Classrooms will be broken down into a Monday-Tuesday group and a Thursday-Friday group, with rotations on Wednesdays. Howitt said if kids are learning from home, there will be plenty of opportunities for support. A pre-registration survey will be done to determine how the adapted model will impact staffing. Ford announced $309 million of funding to hire 500 new public health nurses to aid schools with increased testing and safety training, and 900 custodians for additional cleaning. Lecce also announced additional funding for increased mental health support and technological support. Ford said masks will be mandatory for staff, and cloth masks for students from grades 4 to 12, with exceptions for those with medical conditions. Lecce said students will only be one metre apart, hence the need for masks. The government is also allowing parents to choose whether or not their kids return to the physical classroom. But its important for parents to know if they chose to continue with learning at home and change their mind, it wont mean instant admission to the school, Howitt said. Wed have to be managing the cohort and other restrictions we are under. If parents choose to learn at home, they cant change their minds that easily. Howitt said early results from LKDSBs credit accumulation data shows a normal passing rate despite the at-home learning. LKDSB did see more students attend summer school than past years. C-K to follow provincial decision So far Chatham-Kents medical officer of health, Dr. David Colby, has no plans to override the provincial decision. I dont want Chatham-Kent to be the only jurisdiction that is not supporting a provincial decision, but I basically reserve the right to look at that very carefully, based on the local situation at the time, he said. Colby said a standardized approach is also preferable than trying to establish a plethora of local rules and restrictions, as many school boards span across several jurisdictions. Should an extreme situation arise that would require schools to close, Colby and his Sarnia-Lambton counterpart, Dr. Sudit Ranade, can only make decisions regarding the schools that fall in their respective jurisdictions, and not for the entire school board. Were still a ways off the start of school, as weve seen in the last month a lot can happen to change the situation, Colby said, referring to the recent surge of cases across southwest Ontario in the past two weeks. Thats not only true in Chatham-Kent, its true across the province, and the one thing that we have to be in handling this pandemic is resilient. Eighty-nine new cases of COVID-19 across the province were reported on Thursday. Wednesdays new cases, 76, were the lowest day-to-day increase since March 22. BEIRUT Investigators probing the deadly blast that ripped across Beirut focused Wednesday on possible negligence in the storage of tons of a highly explosive fertilizer in a waterfront warehouse, while the government ordered the house arrest of several port officials. International aid flights began to arrive as Lebanons leaders struggled to deal with the widespread damage and shocking aftermath of Tuesdays blast, which the Health Ministry said killed 135 people and injured about 5,000 others. Public anger mounted against the ruling elite that is being blamed for the chronic mismanagement and carelessness that led to the disaster. The Port of Beirut and customs office is notorious for being one of the most corrupt and lucrative institutions in Lebanon where various factions and politicians, including Hezbollah, hold sway. The investigation is focusing on how 2,750 tons of ammonium nitrate, a highly explosive chemical used in fertilizers, came to be stored at the facility for six years, and why nothing was done about it. Losses from the blast are estimated to be between $10 billion to $15 billion, Beirut Gov. Marwan Abboud told Saudi-owned TV station Al-Hadath, adding that nearly 300,000 people are homeless. Beirut as we know it is gone and people wont be able to rebuild their lives, said Amy, a woman who swept glass from a small alley beside by a tall building that served as a showroom for a famous Lebanese designer and was a neighborhood landmark. This is hell. How are they (people) going to survive. What are they going to do? she said, blaming officials for lack of responsibility and stupidity. Hospitals were overwhelmed by the injured. One that was damaged in the blast had to evacuate all its patients to a nearby field for treatment. It was the worst single explosion to strike Lebanon, a country whose history is filled with destruction from a 1975-1990 civil war, conflicts with Israel and periodic terrorist attacks. Lebanon already was on the brink of collapse amid a severe economic crisis and the coronavirus pandemic. Many have lost their jobs and seen their savings evaporate because of a currency crisis. Food security is a worry, since the country imports nearly all its vital goods and its main port is now devastated. The government is strapped for cash. A senior U.S. Defense Department official and member of the U.S. intelligence community said there were no indications the explosion was the result of an attack by either a nation state or proxy forces. Both spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss intelligence briefings publicly. They told AP that at the moment, the explosion seems to have been caused by improper storage of explosives. Fueling speculation that negligence was to blame for the accident, an official letter circulating online showed the head of the customs department had warned repeatedly over the years that the huge stockpile of ammonium nitrate stored in the port was a danger and had asked judicial officials for a ruling on a way to remove it. Ammonium nitrate is a component of fertilizer that is potentially explosive. The 2,750-ton cargo had been stored at the port since it was confiscated from a ship in 2013, and on Tuesday it is believed to have detonated after a fire broke out nearby. The 2017 letter from the customs chief to a judge could not be immediately confirmed, but state prosecutor Ghassan Oueidat ordered security agencies to start an immediate investigation into all letters related to the materials stored at the port, as well as lists of those in charge of maintenance, storage and protection of the hangar. In the letter, the customs chief warned of the dangers if the materials remain where they are, affecting the safety of (port) employees and asked the judge for guidance. He said five similar letters were sent in 2014, 2015 and 2016. The letter proposes the material be exported or sold to a Lebanese explosives company. It is not known if there was a response. Badri Daher, the head of the customs department, confirmed to the local LBC TV channel that there were five or six such letters to the judiciary. He said his predecessor also pleaded with the judiciary to issue orders to export the explosive materials because of how dangerous they are to the port and staff there. Daher said it was his duty to alert authorities of the dangers but that is the most he could do. I am not a technical expert. President Michael Aoun vowed before a Cabinet meeting that the investigation would be transparent and that those responsible will be punished. There are no words to describe the catastrophe that hit Beirut last night, he said. After the meeting, the Cabinet ordered an unspecified number of Beirut port officials put under house arrest pending the investigation. The government also said public schools and some hotels will be opened for the homeless and promised unspecified compensation for the victims. With the Port of Beirut destroyed, the government said imports and exports will be secured elsewhere, mostly in the northern city of Tripoli and the southern port of Tyre. There were signs that public anger went beyond port officials to Lebanons long-entrenched ruling class. Political factions have divided control of public institutions, including the port, using them to benefit their supporters, with little actual development. That has translated into crumbling infrastructure, power outages and poor services. May the Virgin Mary destroy them and their families, Joseph Qiyameh, a 79-year-old grocery store owner, said of the leadership. The blast damaged his store, his wife was hospitalized with injuries she suffered at home next door, and his arm was hurt. He doesnt have the money to fix his business, with his savings locked up in banks by controls imposed during the financial crisis. The Hospital of the Sisters of Rosaries was knocked out of service by the blast, with one of the nuns killed and three others badly injured. In a moment, there was no longer a hospital. It is all gone, said one of the nuns, who suffered a leg injury. Residents confronted a scene of utter devastation Wednesday, with smoke still rising from the port. The blast tore out a crater 200 meters (yards) across that filled with seawater, as if the Mediterranean had taken a bite out of the port and swallowed buildings with it. Much of downtown was littered with damaged cars and debris. Drone footage shot by the AP showed the blast tore open a silo structure, dumping its contents into the debris. Estimates suggested about 85% of the countrys grain was stored there. Economy and Trade Minister Raoul Nehme said all the wheat was contaminated and unusable. But he insisted Lebanon had enough for its immediate needs and would import more, according to the state news agency. Two planeloads of French rescue workers and aid headed to Beirut and French President Emmanuel Macron was to arrive Thursday to offer support for the former protectorate. The countries retain close political and economic ties. Several planes of medical equipment and supplies from Greece, Kuwait, Qatar and elsewhere arrived at Beiruts international airport. Turkey sent search-and-rescue teams, humanitarian aid, medical equipment and a field hospital, its Foreign Ministry said. The EU planned to send firefighters with vehicles, dogs and equipment designed to find people trapped in debris. Associated Press writers Sarah El Deeb and Hassan Ammar in Beirut, Jon Gambrell in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, and Joseph Krauss in Jerusalem contributed. Wildfires have torn through several towns near Marseille in France, leaving at least 22 people injured and forcing the evacuation of 2,700 people. Around 1,800 firefighters supported by planes and helicopters battled the worst fire through the night around the town of Martigues. They were still working to extinguish the blaze on Wednesday, more than 14 hours after it broke out on Tuesday, according to the local fire service. Flames fuelled by strong Mediterranean winds spread quickly from a wooded area towards the sea, which lies 8km away, ripping through residential areas and several campgrounds. Firefighters rushed to evacuate campers via land and sea. Eight civilians and 14 firefighters suffered minor injuries in the Martigues blaze and five others that erupted in the area on Tuesday, the fire service said. The fire also destroyed several businesses and led to the evacuation of nursing home residents and others at risk. Other fires in the towns of Port-de-Bouc, Aubagne-Carnoux, Gignac-la-Nerthe and Fontvieille were brought under control. The cause of the fire is yet unknown. Authorities have banned any controlled fires in the area or construction work involving sparks or hot equipment until the fires are extinguished, as winds continued on Wednesday morning and the weather across France is currently dry and hot. Additional reporting by AP YOKNEAM, Israel, Aug. 5, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- On Track Innovations Ltd. ("OTI") (OTCQX: OTIVF) (the "Company" or "OTI"), a global provider of near field communication (NFC) and cashless payment solutions, today provided a business update and announced financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2020. Management Commentary Mr. Yehuda Holtzman, OTI's CEO, commented, "We reported second quarter revenues of $4.9 million, representing growth of 18% compared to the second quarter of 2019. The total revenues in the first half of 2020 were just over $9.3 million, a growth of 31% compared to the same period a year ago. This growth was despite the rising impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the business environment, which mainly affected our Mass Transit Ticketing sales in the Polish Market and has lengthened the sales cycle for our payment business. However, while the current environment represents challenges for everyone, at the same time we see opportunities and increased interest due to the cashless and non-physical nature of our products. We are also executing a new sales strategy which places increased emphasis on strengthening our presence in key regions. In particular, we saw a good improvement in sales in Asia-Pacific this quarter. Overall, we continue to carefully navigate OTI through the current environment, while at the same time, looking to unlock OTI's inherent potential as headwinds from COVID-19 clear up." Mr. Holtzman added, "I would like to welcome Mrs. Sandra Hardardottir, as our new Chairman of the Board. I wish her much luck in this role and look forward to working closely with her to achieve success at OTI." Second Quarter 2020 Financial Results Summary Revenue in the quarter increased by 18% to $4.9 million , compared to $4.1 million in the second quarter of 2019. Recurring revenues were $0.9 million , compared to $1.2 million in the second quarter of last year. , compared to in the second quarter of 2019. Recurring revenues were , compared to in the second quarter of last year. Gross profit for the quarter was $1.9 million (39% of revenue), compared to $2.4 million (58% of revenue) in the same year ago quarter. The decrease is mainly attributed to a change in our revenue mix and to the decrease in Mass Transit Ticketing sales in the Polish market as a result of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. (39% of revenue), compared to (58% of revenue) in the same year ago quarter. The decrease is mainly attributed to a change in our revenue mix and to the decrease in Mass Transit Ticketing sales in the Polish market as a result of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Operating expenses totaled $2.9 million in the quarter, a 10% reduction compared to operating expenses of $3.2 million in the same year-ago quarter. in the quarter, a 10% reduction compared to operating expenses of in the same year-ago quarter. Net loss was $1.1 million , compared to a net loss of $0.9 million in the same year-ago quarter. , compared to a net loss of in the same year-ago quarter. Adjusted EBITDA loss from continuing operations was $0.7 million in the quarter, compared to an adjusted EBITDA loss from continuing operations of $0.4 million in the same year-ago quarter. in the quarter, compared to an adjusted EBITDA loss from continuing operations of in the same year-ago quarter. As of June 30, 2020 , the company had cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments of $5.2 million . Conference Call Management will host a live investor conference call at 11:00 a.m. ET on August 5, 2020, to discuss OTI's second quarter 2020 financial results, provide a corporate update, and conclude with a Q&A session taking live questions from participants as well as answering many of the previously submitted questions by investors. To participate, please use the following information: U.S. Dial-in: 1-888-281-1167 International Dial-in: +972 3 918 0644 Webcast: http://veidan-stream.com/otiq2-2020.html Please dial in a few minutes before the start of the call and request to join the "On Track Innovations Earnings Conference Call" to ensure timely participation. The conference call will also be available for replay by clicking on the above webcast link or via a link on the investor relations section of the Company's website. About On Track Innovations Ltd On Track Innovations (OTI) is a global leader in the design, manufacture, and sale of secure cashless payment solutions using contactless NFC technology. OTI's field-proven innovations have been deployed around the world to address cashless payment, automated retail and petroleum markets. OTI distributes and supports its solutions through a global network of regional offices and alliances. For more information, visit www.otiglobal.com. Investor Relations Contact: Ehud Helft GK Investor & Public Relations +1 646 201 9246 [email protected] Safe Harbor / Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains express or implied forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and other Federal securities laws. Whenever we use words such as "will," "look forward," "expect," "anticipate," "intend," "plan," "estimate," "believe," "should," "can" or similar expressions, we are making forward-looking statements. For example, we are using forward-looking statements when we discuss, among others: the Company's strategy and the realization of the Company's potential. Because such statements deal with future events and are based on OTI's current expectations, they are subject to various risks and uncertainties and actual results, including those as a result of the current COVID-19 pandemic. Performance or achievements of OTI could differ materially from those described in or implied by the statements in this press release. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated by our forward-looking statements are stated under the captions "Risk Factors" in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and other known and unknown uncertainties and risk factors including those detailed from time to time in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this release, and we expressly disclaim any obligation or undertaking to update forward-looking statements. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Use of Non-GAAP Financial Information This press release contains certain non-GAAP measures, namely, adjusted EBITDA from continuing operations, or adjusted earnings from continuing operations before interest, income tax, depreciation and amortization. Adjusted EBITDA from continuing operations represents earnings before interest or financing expenses, income tax, depreciation and amortization, and further eliminates the effect of stock-based compensation expense. OTI believes that adjusted EBITDA from continuing operations should be considered in evaluating the Company's operations since it provides a clear indication of the Company's operating results. This measure should be considered in addition to results prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP, but should not be considered a substitute for the U.S. GAAP results. The non-GAAP measures included in this press release have been reconciled to the U.S. GAAP results in the table below. ON TRACK INNOVATIONS LTD. RECONCILIATION OF NON-GAAP ADJUSTMENT The following table reflects selected On Track Innovations Ltd. non-GAAP results reconciled to GAAP results: (US dollars in thousands) Three months ended June 30, Six months ended June 30, 2020 2019 2020 2019 (Unaudited) (Unaudited) (Unaudited) (Unaudited) Net loss $ (1,123) $ (899) $ (1,792) $ (2,644) Net loss from discontinued operations 32 50 43 243 Financial expenses (income), net 123 37 (45) 106 Depreciation and amortization 297 323 604 643 Income tax (benefits) expenses, net (16) 3 (29) 8 Total EBITDA FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS $ (687) $ (486) $ (1,219) $ (1,644) Stock-based compensation 16 44 28 90 Total adjusted EBITDA FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS $ (671) $ (442) $ (1,191) $ (1,554) ON TRACK INNOVATION LTD. INTERIM UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET (US dollars in thousands) June 30, 2020 December 31, 2019 Assets Current assets Cash and cash equivalents $ 3,368 $ 2,543 Short-term investments 1,805 2,305 Trade receivables (net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $810 and $612 as of June 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively) 2,291 2,430 Other receivables and prepaid expenses 1,394 1,822 Inventories 3,147 3,332 Total current assets 12,005 12,432 Long term restricted deposit for employee benefits 474 477 Severance pay deposits 382 383 Property, plant and equipment, net 3,434 3,694 Intangible assets, net 746 733 Right-of-use assets due to operating leases 3,837 2,134 Total Assets $ 20,878 $ 19,853 ON TRACK INNOVATION LTD. INTERIM UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET (US dollars in thousands) June 30, 2020 December 31, 2019 Liabilities and Equity Current Liabilities Short-term bank credit and loans and current maturities of long-term bank loans $ 2,478 $ 2,478 Trade payables 4,086 4,126 Other current liabilities 2,474 3,054 Total current liabilities $ 9,038 $ 9,658 Long-Term Liabilities Long-term loans, net of current maturities 825 22 Long-term liabilities due to operating leases, net of current maturities 2,938 1,483 Accrued severance pay 894 884 Deferred tax liability 341 416 Total long-term liabilities 4,998 2,805 Total Liabilities 14,036 12,463 Commitments and Contingencies, see Note 7 Equity Ordinary shares of NIS 0.1 par value: Authorized 100,000,000 and 50,000,000 shares as of June 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively; issued: 55,003,076 and 47,963,076 shares as of June 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively; outstanding: 53,824,377 and 46,784,377 shares as of June 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively 1,423 1,226 Additional paid-in capital 227,170 225,970 Treasury shares at cost - 1,178,699 shares as of June 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019 (2,000) (2,000) Accumulated other comprehensive loss (1,127) (974) Accumulated deficit (218,624) (216,832) Total Equity 6,842 7,390 Total Liabilities and Equity $ 20,878 $ 19,853 ON TRACK INNOVATION LTD. INTERIM UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS (US dollars in thousands, except share and per share data) Six months ended June 30, Three months ended June 30, 2020 2019 2020 2019 Revenues Sales $3,998 $2,933 $ 7,394 $ 4,655 Licensing and transaction fees 855 1,183 1,910 2,474 Total revenues 4,853 4,116 9,304 7,129 Cost of revenues Cost of sales 2,965 1,742 5,238 3,112 Total cost of revenues 2,965 1,742 5,238 3,112 Gross profit 1,888 2,374 4,066 4,017 Operating expenses Research and development 904 817 1,802 1,688 Selling and marketing 1,193 1,320 2,335 2,605 General and administrative 775 1,046 1,732 2,011 Total operating expenses 2,872 3,183 5,889 6,304 Operating loss from continuing operations (984) (809) (1,823) (2,287) Financial (expenses) income, net (123) (37) 45 (106) Loss from continuing operations before taxes on income (1,107) (846) (1,778) (2,393) Income tax benefits (expenses) 16 (3) 29 (8) Loss from continuing operations (1,091) (849) (1,749) (2,401) Loss from discontinued operations (32) (50) (43) (243) Net loss $ (1,123) $ (899) $ (1,792) $ (2,644) Basic and diluted net loss attributable to shareholders per ordinary share From continuing operations (0.02) (0.02) (0.04) (0.06) From discontinued operations * * * * $ (0.02) $ (0.02) $ (0.04) $ (0.06) Weighted average number of ordinary shares used in computing basic and diluted net loss per ordinary share 52,706,135 41,300,641 50,248,113 41,297,526 * Less than $0.01 per ordinary share. ON TRACK INNOVATION LTD. INTERIM UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOW (US dollars in thousands) Six months ended June 30, 2020 2019 Cash flows from continuing operating activities Net loss from continuing operations $ (1,749) $ (2,401) Adjustments required to reconcile net loss to net cash used in provided by continuing operating activities: Stock-based compensation related to options issued to employees and others 28 90 Accrued interest and linkage differences, net (162) (18) Depreciation and amortization 604 643 Deferred tax benefits, net (58) (24) Gain on sale of fixed assets - (2) Changes in operating assets and liabilities: Change in accrued severance pay, net 11 44 Decrease in trade receivables, net 101 1,254 Decrease in other receivables and prepaid expenses 379 597 Decrease (increase) in inventories 174 (1,405) Increase in trade payables 110 585 Decrease in other current liabilities (245) (540) Net cash used in continuing operating activities (807) (1,177) Cash flows from continuing investing activities Purchase of property and equipment and intangible assets (490) (341) Change in short-term investments, net 511 (1,190) Proceeds from restricted deposit for employee benefits - 10 Proceeds from sale of property and equipment - 10 Net cash provided by (used in) continuing investing activities 21 (1,511) Cash flows from continuing financing activities Increase in short-term bank credit and loans, net 62 2,747 Proceeds from long-term bank loans 799 - Repayment of long-term bank loans (7) (233) Proceeds from issuance of shares, net of issuance costs 1,369 - Net cash provided by continuing financing activities 2,223 2,514 Cash flows from discontinued operations Net cash used in discontinued operating activities (526) (1,304) Total net cash used in discontinued operations (526) (1,304) Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents (86) 53 Increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash 825 (1,425) Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash-beginning of the period 2,648 5,105 Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash-end of the period $ 3,473 $ 3,680 SOURCE On Track Innovations Ltd. (OTI) Related Links https://otiglobal.com/ While filming the biopic of the King of the Rock and Roll, Elvis Presley in March 2020 in a location in Queensland, actor Tom Hanks and his wife Rita Wilson felt run down during the production process prompting them to go to the hospital for immediate care, but after numerous tests done to the actor, he was confirmed positive with coronavirus. But after the Hollywood actor went missing to the eyes of the public, a conspiracy meme circulated on social media asserting that Hanks had not been infected by coronavirus at all. Based on the meme, the report of Hanks' result was just a cover-up for the case of pedophilia and was fitted with an ankle bracelet to continue to monitor the exact location where the actor is. If a person globally known like the Hollywood actor Tom Hanks would be arrested it would have been big news, but definitely it would be bigger if he will be facing the shocking charge. But there is no evidence gathered that supports the accusation about the actor, as it is still widely considered as a rumor. Unfortunately, the Hollywood actor, Tom Hanks has been one of the numerous celebrities who have become the target of such bizarre conspiracy theories regarding their alleged involvement in pedophile sex trafficking rings among elite people. Other stars such as Ellen DeGeneres and Oprah Winfrey also faced the same issue in their respective careers, fact-checking site Snopes.com reported. In one of the videos circulated on Twitter, Ellen allegedly has a police officer standing behind her while observing and monitoring her alleged arrest. Read also :Jennifer Aniston Attitude Problem? Jay Mohr Discloses Worst Working Experience With Actress Oprah Winfrey also suffered the same accusation, as the world-renowned host was accused of being part of a large sex trafficking scandal. Not only A-list celebrities are involved in this group, based on the accusation as well-known politicians are also hit by the same issue. In a report by Reuters, University of Miami professor Joseph Uscinski shared that based on his study for decades, the accusations were just rumors coming from a group 'QAnon' which is led by a person named 'Q' who has a high-clearance among government data and information. Meanwhile, Top two photographs in the meme were taken May 2020, which means that there is no way that Hank was in the custody of Australian authorities. The photo with the least interaction shows a hem or cudd from his pant leg. The remaining photographs from the same range of time and place do not give any convincing evidence that the actor has an ankle bracelet on one of his legs or either. Even the authorities in Australia arrested Hanks with the accused charge, there is no sense placing him in custody, deemed him a flight risk, then put him on loose in his return in the US in a couple of weeks with only the monitoring bracelet as a means to hunt him down back. Recent photos of the Hollywood actor in June and July shows that there is no ankle bracelet as it can be clearly seen as Hanks only wears shorts and sandals. Related article: Fact Check: Is Julia Roberts Starving Herself Because of Her Failing Marriage? @ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. The coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19) has swept across the globe, infecting more than 19.9 million people. With the rapid spread of the virus, the World Health Organization (WHO) warns that there might never be a silver bullet to combat the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. Image Credit: Alexander Kirch / Shutterstock In a news briefing by the head and director-general of WHO, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, he said that while there is hope for a vaccine against COVID-19, as there are more than a hundred candidate vaccines on the works, one might never be found. He emphasized that though several vaccines are in phase three clinical trials, stopping outbreaks comes down to the basics of public health and disease control. A number of vaccines are now in phase three clinical trials, and we all hope to have a number of effective vaccines that can help prevent people from infection. However, theres no silver bullet at the moment, and there might never be, Dr. Tedros reiterated. He noted that testing, isolating and treating patients, and tracing and quarantining their contacts are essential steps to curb the spread of the virus. In the news briefing, Dr. Tedors noted that multiple vaccine candidates are now in the third phase of clinical trials. He hopes that a number of these candidate vaccines will be effective in preventing infection by the coronavirus. Current situation Eight months into the pandemic, the number of infections and deaths has ballooned, reaching millions of confirmed cases. The latest tally shows that more than 18.46 million people have been infected since December 2019, when the virus first emerged in China. Of these, more than 11 million have recovered, while more than 699,000 have succumbed to the infection. The United States remains as the country with the highest number of cases, reaching 4.76 million people, with more than 156,000 deaths. Brazil, which has experienced a drastic rise in cases, topping 2.8 million in just months, with more than 95,000 deaths. Other countries with high infection tolls include India, with more than 1.85 million cases, Russia, with more than 859,000 cases, and South Africa, with a staggering 521,318 confirmed cases. Vaccine race The WHO says there are more than 100 candidate vaccines are being developed and tested in the hopes of inducing an immune response against the novel coronavirus. Many countries are racing to sign agreements worth billions of dollars to secure doses for prospective coronavirus vaccines. Of the candidate vaccines, 26 groups and institutions are now in clinical evaluation or undergoing human trials. About six of these candidate vaccines are in the late and final stages of their trials. Studies have also shown that some of the vaccines showed promise in inducing an immune response in the participants of the trials. Down to the basics The WHO says that basic health measures are still the most important steps to stem the spread of the virus and prevent infection. People should keep physical distance, wear a mask at all times, especially when going out of their homes, regular handwashing, and coughing safely away from others. For governments, countries should improve surveillance, contact tracing, and ensure disrupted health services. Dr. Tedros also warned countries to keep safeguards and monitoring in place, since lifting lockdown measures and restrictions too quickly can lead to a resurgence of infections. Many countries are now reporting second waves of the outbreaks after easing lockdown measures. We have seen around the world, that its never too late to turn this pandemic around. If we act together today, we can save lives; we can save livelihoods if we do it all together, Dr. Tedros advised. Identifying the virus origin Meanwhile, the first stage of a WHO investigation into the possible source of the outbreak that first emerged in China is now complete. The WHO advance team that traveled to China has now concluded its mission to lay the groundwork for further joint efforts to determine the origin of the virus. Led by the WHO and Chinese scientists, the Terms of Reference has been drafted. The team will conduct epidemiological studies to start in Wuhan City, in the hopes of determining the potential source of the infection in the early cases of COVID-19. ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. -- A media comprised of a sandwich of materials, tested by Sandia National Laboratories, is being manufactured into N95-like respirators that could be used in local medical facilities. The project originated from the urgent need for personal protective equipment when the COVID-19 outbreak began. "I can almost assure you that no one else in the country is making respirators the way we're making them," said Dave Mayberry, technical lead for Marpac, Sierra Peaks and Sew-EZ, the companies that worked with Sandia on materials testing. "We didn't want to research the same materials already used in the typical N95 supply chain due to availability issues, so we looked into other materials we could get ahold of that seemed most likely to meet the filtration requirements." Marpac, Sierra Peaks and Sew-EZ were matched with Sandia scientists through the New Mexico Small Business Assistance program that pairs Sandia and Los Alamos national laboratories with companies seeking help to solve technical problems. Sandia worked on a project with each company. "It's been very satisfying to see NMSBA, a state program, help New Mexico businesses address COVID-19 issues," said Jackie Kerby Moore, manager of technology and economic development at Sandia. "It was also rewarding to see the Sandia team jump on the opportunity to help these three businesses with their respirators." Adapting to meet a need Marpac specializes in manufacturing medical tube securement devices and works closely with engineering and manufacturing companies Sierra Peaks and Sew-EZ. Mayberry reached out to Sandia after receiving an inquiry from a local hospital to see if the company could help address the potential shortage of N95 respirators. Certified N95 respirators are worn like masks and protect users from 95% of airborne particles and liquid contamination. Sandia has the equipment and expertise to help, and within a few days after Marpac reached out, a team of scientists began working on the challenging task of modifying systems to make sure samples were tested properly. Sandia principal investigator Michael Omana said the team modified aerosol and filtration systems typically used for nuclear nonproliferation work. They had to reduce the systems' airflow significantly to mimic the rate that humans breathe. They also modified existing test boxes to quickly mount and seal the samples inside prior to running them through the testbed. "We were tapped about the first project with Marpac on a Thursday and drafted the scope of work and contract by Friday," Omana said. "By Monday or Tuesday, we had finished all system modifications. Initial testing of the first set of materials was completed by the end of the week, and data was provided to Marpac." Initial test materials underperformed, with the best sample coming within 10% of the desired filtration levels. Within a couple of weeks, the researchers started seeing promising results from new material compositions. Creativity in combining materials resulted in samples with protection levels comparable to N95 respirators. Marpac manufactured 500 N95-like respirators using the materials Sandia tested, and Mayberry said they passed fit tests at a local hospital. They're also looking into additional medical facilities that could use the product. "We feel fortunate that the local hospital provider came to us after seeing our capabilities," Mayberry said. "This definitely stretched us out of our comfort zone, and certainly without the technical support from Sandia Labs, this would have been hard to validate all the types of materials that would be likely constructed into a respirator." Jumpstarting a solution Working quickly was critical for the projects, Sandia distinguished technologist Dora Wiemann said, and the team put in long hours -- including on weekends. The projects with each company built upon each other. For the first project with Marpac, researchers tested sheets of composite materials provided by the company in the large, modified filtration system. For the second project with Sierra Peaks, additional test-box modifications enabled the scientists to mount and seal samples cut in respirator geometries, and to complete comparison studies against certified N95 respirators. The third project with Sew-EZ, which is ongoing, involves further sample testing using the filtration system and an additional commercial-off-the-shelf system, which is typically used by industry to certify products like N95 respirators. "Sandia is not a certification lab, but the joint use of the systems enabled us to provide data that may be compared against products which have been certified through traditional avenues," Omana said. "This data will help the company if it chooses to seek certification of its product through the proper organizations." Omana and a couple of other researchers test the materials in the lab, then forward data to be processed into quantitative results. The timeline on all projects has been tight, but the researchers said promising tests have been rewarding, especially because the result has the potential to help people during a time of crisis. "I'm glad to be in the position I am so that I can help with this really big issue with characterizing materials that can be used for N95 replacements," Wiemann said. "By the end of the initial modifications and testing, we were a very close-knit team, solving an important problem. It was exhausting and exhilarating." ### CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Cleveland Public Theatre has been named winner of the 2020 Outstanding Theatre Award by the National Theatre Conference. The organization, which promotes, supports and advocates for the American Theatre and is made up of distinguished playwrights, directors, actors, producers, etc.,, typically recognizes one non-for-profit theatre for outstanding achievement at its annual meeting in New York City. This year, Cleveland Public Theatre Executive Artistic Director Raymond Bobgan will accept the award virtually on December 5. CPT was nominated for the outstanding theatre award by committee member Laurie McCants, a founding member of Bloomsburg Theatre Ensemble in Pennsylvania. Creativity! Community! Compassion! You can find these buzzwords in so many theatres mission statements. Ive seen a lot of theatre all over the country in my over 40 years as a theatre artist, and let me tell youCleveland Public Theatre is the real deal, she said in a release. Every time I get to see CPT, Im bowled over by their creativity and their compassionate commitment to their community. Carry on, brave souls! National Theatre Conference president David Fuller said CPT, founded in 1981, has become integral to the cultural fabric of Cleveland. They have been instrumental to the revitalization of their city and they continue to be standard-bearers for community engagement that is truly inspiring, he added. CPTs Gordon Square theater has been dark since the start of the coronavirus pandemic, but the company has remained active by live streaming special performances, brainstorm sessions for writers and its enrichment program for teens. Awakenings, the theatres big fundraising gala, will be held virtually Sept. 12. During an interview in April, Bobgan talked about the importance of keeping the arts scene alive during these challenging times. I believe art is an essential business and I believe theater is essential to us as a society, he said. I think that our society will become less empathetic, conscious, conscientious and innovating as a community when theater and other live arts dont exist. Thats the cost that we will pay. President Muhammadu Buhari has congratulated Innocent Ujah on his election as President of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA). The president, in a statement by his spokesman, Garba Shehu, in Abuja on Tuesday, also congratulated all the executive members for the zeal and diligence brought into the organisation within a short period. According to him, the elected officers of the NMA have admirable profiles that will take the organisation to greater heights. He particularly acknowledged that Mr Ujah, a professor, has worked extensively with national and international institutions, and progressively contributed to the shaping of national policies on health in the country in different capacities. He affirmed that the NMA played a strategic role in the growth of the country through counselling of leaders on health and development issues, and staying on the frontline during emergencies and pandemics to keep everyone safe like the ongoing fight against COVID-19. He commended the former President of the NMA, Francis Faduyile, and executive members for their investments of time and resources to improve the welfare of doctors and their working conditions by consistently negotiating and counselling governments. The president assured Mr Ujah and the executive members of the governments full cooperation to help them succeed in their leadership positions, and improve health services in the country. (NAN) Riverdale star Lili Reinhart took a 'healing' trip to Shasta-Trinity National Forest in Northern California on Tuesday. 'Took a solo trip to Mount Shasta for some mental clarity and healing,' the Ohio-born 23-year-old - who boasts 29.4M social media followers - wrote. 'Very grateful to have the opportunity to travel to such a sacred place and reconnect with myself and God. Hope all of you are using this time to take care of yourselves and reflect - it's vital.' 'For some mental clarity': Riverdale star Lili Reinhart took a 'healing' solo trip to Shasta-Trinity National Forest in Northern California on Tuesday The Ohio-born 23-year-old wrote: 'Very grateful to have the opportunity to travel to such a sacred place and reconnect with myself and God. Hope all of you are using this time to take care of yourselves and reflect - it's vital' Lili - who suffers from OCD and depression - took picturesque snaps of the 14K-foot stratovolcano Mount Shasta. Reinhart also photographed the clear waters of the largest man-made lake in California, Shasta Lake. It's unclear if The Simpsons guest star brought along her quarantine buddy Milo, whom she adopted from Furever Freed Dog Rescue B.C. in February. Lili's nature post received glowing comments from her Riverdale co-stars Vanessa Morgan, Nathalie Boltt, and Asha Bromfield, as well as Barely Lethal filmmaker Kyle Newman. Selfie time! Lili - who suffers from OCD and depression - is an outspoken mental health awareness advocate Majesty: Reinhart took picturesque snaps of the 14K-foot stratovolcano Mount Shasta Pretty: The Simpsons guest star also photographed the clear waters of the largest man-made lake in California, Shasta Lake Wildflowers: It's unclear if Lili brought along her quarantine buddy Milo, whom she adopted from Furever Freed Dog Rescue B.C. in February Reinhart ended her Tuesday evening by 'watching Eurovision for the 5th time because it makes me happy.' David Dobkin's musical comedy Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga - starring Will Ferrell and Rachel McAdams - started streaming June 26 on Netflix. Tuesday also happened to be the 28th birthday of the Hustlers actress' boyfriend of three years, Cole Sprouse, whom she allegedly split from in May. 'Cole and Lili split before the pandemic hit, and have been quarantining separately' a source told Page Six in May. 'They remain good friends.' 'Yay Lili! Smart': Reinhart's post received comments from her Riverdale co-stars Vanessa Morgan, Nathalie Boltt, and Asha Bromfield, as well as Barely Lethal filmmaker Kyle Newman Will Ferrell comedy: The Hustlers actress ended her Tuesday evening by 'watching Eurovision for the 5th time because it makes me happy' 'They've been quarantining separately': Tuesday also happened to be the 28th birthday of Lili's boyfriend of three years, Cole Sprouse (L), whom she allegedly split from in May (pictured November 25) The acting couple - collectively called 'Bughead' - originally met in 2016 on the set of the Archie Comics-inspired teen soap, which just completed its fourth season on The CW. In it, Lili plays Betty Cooper and the former child star plays Forsythe 'Jughead' Jones III. Reinhart next executive produced and stars as disabled transfer student Grace Town in Richard Tanne's romantic drama Chemical Hearts, which starts streaming August 21 on Amazon Prime Video. The high school newspaper flick, also starring Austin Abrams as the bisexual blonde's love interest Henry Page, is an adaptation of Krystal Sutherland's 2016 novel Our Chemical Hearts. 'The teenage years are limbo': Reinhart next executive produced and stars as disabled transfer student Grace Town in Richard Tanne's romantic drama Chemical Hearts, which starts streaming August 21 on Amazon Prime Video 'It's scary to reveal a part of myself that I don't often show!' The bisexual blonde's 240-page debut poetry collection, Swimming Lessons, will be published on September 29 Lili's 240-page debut poetry collection, Swimming Lessons, will be published on September 29. 'It's scary to reveal a part of myself that I don't often show, but I like to consider this book as more of a story rather than a confession of thought,' Reinhart explained last October. 'Strangers, songs, films, fictional characters, love in various forms, and of course my own experiences were my inspiration throughout the creation of Swimming Lessons. This book means a lot to me and I'm very grateful to be in the position to finally share it.' About five persons were arrested on Wednesday in connection with the #RevolutionNow protest in Abeokuta, Ogun State capital. Ayoola Babalola, an Ogun State-based student activist, was among those whisked away by operatives of the State Security Service (SSS) from the protest. Mr Babalola and his colleagues earlier planned to join the nationwide protest against bad governance, lack of infrastructure, and extra-judicial activities among others. Festus Ogun, an associate of Mr Babalola, told PREMIUM TIMES that the secret police operatives arrested the demonstrators after foiling their protest. He disclosed that the police, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and SSS deployed officers to stop the protest from holding. They (security operatives) were parading themselves around and we later ran to the NUJ secretariat with the notion that they cannot come to arrest us there. Babalola and other comrades were calling in to know our movement. They were coming from somewhere outside Abeokuta. When they got to Kuto park in Abeokuta, the SSS officers checked their phones and when they saw any RevolutionNow material on your phone, they arrested them. They picked them one after the other, about five of them, Mr Ogun told this paper. All efforts to reach the Director of the SSS in the state, David Tuska, proved abortive as his telephone was not reachable. The police spokesperson in the state, Abimbola Oyeyemi, said he was not aware of any arrest or attack against the protesters. Recall that SSS operatives in Osun state earlier arrested Olawale Bakare, a co-defendant of Omoyele Sowore, and six others at the ongoing protest in Osogbo. Also, some protesters were arrested in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. Many Nigerians and rights groups have condemned the Nigerian government over the incessant attack on protesters. Australian Defence Force reservists have been deployed to Perths quarantine hotels to bolster Western Australias defence against an overseas coronavirus case leaking into the community. The 50 troops arrived at five hotels on Tuesday where around 1170 people are quarantining; 700-800 from overseas and more than 400 from Victoria. ADF troops outside a Perth hotel on Tuesday. Credit:Nine News Perth Security lapses in Victorias hotel quarantine have been partly blamed for Melbournes second wave, with outbreaks linked to at least 19 infected security guards and their close contacts. WA Chief Health Officer Andy Robertson said three Perth security guards had tested positive for COVID-19 since mandatory quarantining was introduced in March. Ancient architects designed buildings to connect people with divinity The good, of course, is always beautiful, and the beautiful never lacks proportion. Plato Platos words continue to echo truth to this day. Architects, for example, must carefully map out their creations in an orderly fashion. While there are endless ways to do that, ancient architects knew of a hidden code: the Golden Ratio, also called the Golden Mean or the Divine Proportion, and related to the Golden Rectangle, the Golden Triangle, and other, similar terms. Architects applied this proportion throughout history, creating the worlds greatest architectural feats, such as the pyramids in Egypt and the Parthenon in Athens. The Golden Ratio runs deeply through the fabric of creation as it manifests here in this physical realm, architect and architectural photographer James H. Smith told me in a phone interview. The Golden Ratio can be understood visually if you study a special rectangle, a Golden Rectangle. The Golden Ratio is the proportion of the short to the long side, or 1: 1.618. The Golden Rectangle, from Doug Patts online course The Architects Academy. (Courtesy of Doug Patt) When you place a square inside the Golden Rectangle, it forms a new smaller Golden Rectangle (rotated vertically). Add a square within that new Golden Rectangle, and it forms a new even smaller Golden Rectangle. That pattern repeats endlessly. A fascinating aspect of the Golden Rectangle is the fact that a spiral can be drawn on the interior by connecting strategic points of each progressively larger square. The spiraling shape is identical to that found in nature, Doug Patt says in The Golden Rectangle, part of his online course The Architects Academy. You can see that same proportional spiral in the Milky Way, a hurricane, nautilus shell, sunflower head, and even our DNA. The proportion continues infinitely smaller (to the microcosm) and larger (to the macrocosm), as shown in the rectangle as it rotates and spirals smaller, Smith says. Plato would have described it, as Smith interprets him, as a shadow of a higher truth. In higher realms, Smith continues, everything is very finely ordered in proportion. This proportion, or Golden Ratio, underpins what we perceive to be beautiful Thats why classical architects employed it into their buildings (creations), for us to be in harmony with nature and the divine. But its not just a grid to slap over any random design. Its a sacred ratio. The ancients knew that its reserved for special creations, Smith says. As a designer and creator, I have yet to employ it because I dont feel like Im quite there yet. I dont feel like Ive earned that realm. Architect and architectural photographer James H. Smith. (Courtesy of James H. Smith) Smith speculates that the classicists also may not have broadcast their usage of the Golden Mean. Its a secret, a heavenly secret, possibly only known and employed by those who had the wisdom to know where and how to use it, he says. But with clues to its existence imprinted into the fabric of all of life, the Golden Ratio couldnt remain a secret forever. Ancient Egypt Built in Egypt around 2560 B.C., the Great Pyramid of Giza is one of the earliest examples of the Golden Ratio in architecture. In fact, the Golden Number appears throughout the structures geometry. For example, the surface area of the four faces divided by the surface area of its base is 1.618. Another example can be seen if you take a cross section of the pyramid, which reveals two right triangles. One triangles hypotenuse, or the pitch that runs up the pyramids face to its apex, is 186 m (610 feet); the distance from the ground center (half of the base) is 115 m (377 feet). And if you divide 186 m by 115 m, the result, again, is 1.618. Cross section of a pyramid, as seen in The Golden Rectangle, from Doug Patts online course The Architects Academy. (Courtesy of Doug Patt) We meet [the Golden Number] so often that the probability of it being due to chance is nil. It is infinitesimal to me; frankly, its like zero, says mathematician and architect Claude Genzling in the documentary The Revelation of the Pyramids. It stands to reason, even for a mathematician, meaning someone who can assess probability, that the volume of that pyramid with its numerous possibilities was picked to reveal through it the Golden Number. Ancient Greece This sacred ratio became known as Phi (or ), named after the fifth-century B.C. sculptor, painter, and architect Phidias. Phidias employed its use in the creation of the Parthenon and also in the statue of the goddess Athena, whom the temple honored. The Parthenons design also relies on the Golden Rectangle. (Courtesy of Doug Patt) In The Elements of Dynamic Symmetry, Jay Hambridge supports the premise that Phidias incorporated the Golden Ratio in his designs. For example, Hambridge explains that the Parthenons building elevation is based on the Golden Rectangle proportions. Architecture is a great place to explore the use of the Golden Rectangle because buildings are made of rectangular shapes like windows, doors, rooms, and facades, says Patt in his online course The Golden Rectangle. To further tie devotees to divinity, Phidias also sculpted the statue Athena Parthenos inside the temple to these divine proportions. For example, from the head to the waist is 1, and from the waist to the feet is 1.618. Centuries later, Leonardo da Vinci also illustrated the human anatomys relationship to the Golden Ratio in his sketchings, such as the Vitruvian Man. The Golden Spiral can be seen in a persons ear, for example; or the hand to the forearm matches the ratio of 1: 1.618. Even your fingers are separated in a decreasing series of sections, each proportion matching Phi. Leonardo da Vincis Vitruvian Man. (Public Domain) Having observed the Golden Ratio in our own makeup and in nature, the architects of the day understood it as the nature of creation, Smith says. They had much reverence and awareness of the divine in those times. They would employ that ratio within the building systems and proportions so that they too were designing in harmony with the nature of creation, reserving divine proportion to the design of significant buildings, such as temples. These places became sacred, places to connect with higher realms, divine realms. This proportional fabric isnt as prevalent in architecture today; these eternal truths are missing from the built environment, Smith says, and then asks a question before making a profound statement: Could it be that the return of beautiful classical architecture may just be one of the answers to realign with higher realms, a higher order? With this, beauty will flourish again and reconnect us with a higher truth. J.H. White is an arts, culture, and mens fashion journalist living in New York. Declaring August 5 as a golden day in Indias history, Prime Minister Narendra Modi broke ground and laid a silver brick, the first in the construction of a Ram Temple in Ayodhya at the site believed to be the Hindu gods birthplace and where the Babri Masjid once stood. Modi offered prayers to nine stone blocks with Lord Ram inscribed on it amid chanting of religious hymns to symbolise the start of construction, which is expected to take three and a half years. Modi wore a traditional gold kurta and white dhoti, along with his face mask. Beginning his speech with Jai Siya Ram, Modi compared the day to August 15. Many generations sacrificed everything in India independence movement. Just as August 15 is testimony to the sacrifices made by lakhs of people, the Ram Mandir bears testimony to centuries of struggle, the PM said. Just as people from all sections of the society had rallied behind Mahatma Gandhi to free India, the socially disadvantaged, Dalits, adivasis, every section had helped lay the foundation for Ram Mandir, he added. With RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat looking on from the dais, Modi said, "Many attempts were made to remove the very existence of Lord Ram. Structures were demolished, but finally Ram Janmabhoomi has become free of the cycle of destruction and resurrection. For crores of people in India, centuries of wait is ending. It is a very emotional moment for them. They can't believe that in their lifetime, they are witnessing this pious moment. Ram Lalla who lived in a tent for all these years is finally going to be seated in a grand temple." The construction of the temple in Ayodhya has been at the core of BJPs election pitches since the early 1990s when LK Advanis rath yatra culminated in the demolition of the 16th century Babri Masjid in December 1992, which in turn sparked a cycle of communal riots and tensions. Sending out the message that "Ram is everywhere, Ram belongs to all", Modi said the temple symbolises India's rich heritage and will be an inspiration for all of humanity. "Social harmony was the core principle of Lord Ram's governance. We have to cement the stones for construction of Ram temple with mutual love, brotherhood," he said. The groundbreaking or bhumi pujan ceremony follows a ruling by the Supreme Court last November favouring the building of a Hindu temple on the disputed site in Uttar Pradesh. Just as people accepted the Supreme Court's verdict in Ram Janmabhoomi case with grace, they should welcome the construction of the grand Ram Temple with warmth towards others, the PM said. The main roads in Ayodhya were barricaded and about 3,000 paramilitary soldiers were guarding the city, where all shops and businesses are closed. Last week, a priest and 15 police officers at the temple site had tested positive for the coronavirus, which has infected 1.9 million people in India and killed more than 39,000. Had this function been held on normal days all these roads would have been chock-a-block with people. Millions of people would have come to Ayodhya to witness this historic event, temple priest Hari Mohan said. Only 175 religious saints, priests and Hindu and Muslim community representatives were invited to the ceremony. Water from Indian rivers in 2,000 earthen pots sent by various Hindu temples and Sikh shrines was poured at the site. Those invited to the groundbreaking ceremony include Iqbal Ansari, the main Muslim litigant in the Supreme Court case, who now supports building the temple in Ayodhya. The court also ordered that Muslims be given 5 acres (2 hectares) of land to build a new mosque at a nearby site. The temple will be around 72 meters wide, 91.5 meters long and 49 meters high with five domes with a total area around 84,000 square feet. The complex will also have a prayer hall, lecture hall, visitors hostel and museum. Back in those days the name NOKIA meant TRUST, especially among us Indians. Even a small detail like the boot animation of shaking hands added a sense of identity and created a deep attachment with the masses. Most smartphone users today have a sweet past with Nokia phones, including their flagship Symbian phones. Betting on this nostalgic sentiment, Nokia, with HMD global, started their new retro series with the introduction of Nokia 3310, Which was followed by Nokia 8810 4G and the iconic flip phone Nokia 2720(not made available in India). Now in 2020, Nokia has introduced the Iconic XpressMusic legend from 2007, the Nokia 5310. Back in 2007, this phone was considered a compact music specialist, competing against Sony walkman phones. It featured a Dual speaker arrangement with dedicated music control keys. Will Nokia 5310 2020 match the legacy of the name it got from 2007 legend? Will this phone justify the Rs. 3,399 price tag? Could dropping the iconic XpressMusic branding be a signal? Lets get everything cleared below. Welcome to the review. Box contents Nokia continues packing their products in minimal looking clean white boxes with required basic information printed around and the same continuous with Nokia 5310 2020. Box contents are: Nokia 5310 2020 5V 0.550A Charger Battery Headset User Manual Key features of Nokia 5310 2020 Stereo Speakers Wireless FM Radio MicroSD slot upto 32GB Torch 30 days standby Specifications SAR Value 1.5 W/Kg in 1g tissue mass 2.4-inch (320 x 240 pixels) QVGA display MT6260A processor 8MB RAM, 16MB internal storage, expandable memory up to 32GB with microSD Dual SIM Series 30+ OS VGA rear camera with LED flash 3.5mm audio jack, Wireslss FM Radio, Dual front facing speakers Dimensions: 123.7 x 52.4 x 13.1 mm; Weight: 88.2g 2G (900/1800), Bluetooth 3.9, micro USB 1200mAh removable battery with up to 7.5 hours talk time (Single SIM & Dual SIM) and standby time up to 22 days (Dual SIM), up to 30 days (Single SIM) Design and Feel Todays phones are mostly glass slabs, so we cant see much variation out there. When it was the era of phones with hardware keypads, manufacturers were having a lot of fun by making completely different looking phones. Nokia 5310 2020 has no exception and it looks good in spite of being a feature phone powered by Series 30+. Phone feels very light to hold and is made up of plastic with matte texture which adds a good grip to it. The phones front is busy from top to bottom with stereo speaker setup and a 2.4-inch display, Nokia branding between display and T9 keyboard. The T9 keyboard feels flushed along the surface and feels perfect to click without any error. Easy to use hot keys are present along either side of the phone. Right side houses a volume rocker and Multimedia controller at left, which is unlike classic 2007 xpressmusic. As our unit is Black with Red, it was not in favor of getting dirt and strains. Bottom of the phone is clean and has a small slit near the back cover to access the battery and SIM section. At the top of the phone a 3.5mm jack and Micro USB port for charging and data transfer. Rear is clean and minimal with Nokia branding in the middle and a camera with flash above. Removing the back case provides access to battery and SIM slots. Nokia 5310 comes with dual MINI SIM support and MicroSD slot. Most users with nano and mini SIMs around would need a SIM adapter like this. The Nokia 5310 comes in White with Red and Black with Red colors, is priced at Rs. 3399 and will be available from Amazon.in and nokia.com/phones. Display Nokia 5310 2020 comes with a 2.4-inch (320 x 240 pixels) QVGA display and is protected by a tough polymer, but I strongly recommend a screen protector to be installed before use. I managed to scratch it easily. If you had an idea of use themes, sorry currently series 30+ do not support themes. Display is good for a feature phone and Sunlight legibility is good as well. Brightness should be handled manually with respect to the environment, due to the lack of ambient light sensor. At max brightness visibility under direct sunlight is good and during indoor we can manually switch it to low. When Always on display and Ambient display are getting common now, Nokia 5310 2020 comes with Glance screen as option. Glance The name which Windows phone users wont forget. Glance screen works without any issue and stays for a predefined time and then display turns off to save power. To check time or notification details on glance screen pressing the power button will help. Also, a predefined timeout option is available and which cant be changed manually. Only two wallpapers come preloaded and users can use their own pictures as well. T9 Keypad Most 80s and 90s kids should still have their muscle memory hidden related to the T9 keyboard and can be stimulated by using this phone. Some even type messages on t9 boards keeping their eyes closed! Board is good with perfect distance between buttons. Was easy to type without issues. Primary keys which we use the most at top are very good and responsive. They did not show any issues related to failed entries or multiple entries on single click. Backlight is even and good. Overall experience is very good compared to phones from lava and Jio as Nokia t9 dictionary is faster and comfortable. Network Connectivity and Notifications Being a feature phone, the main area to be considered is phone calls and SMS. Nokia 5310 2020 did good in this area as network reception was good without any doubt and also call quality is great. Vibration feedback for call connect is welcome and this helps us get notified that the person on the other end has attended the call. This is very common among android phones today. Calls through loudspeakers are very loud and clear. Speakers in this phone are good for the price tag. Both the speakers are nearly identical in strength but strangely earpiece speakers are being used for calls through loudspeakers. Mobile data worked fine and was able to use the App store, Opera Mini and preloaded apps like FaceBook. During calls accessing dialer is not that easy. Conference call initiatives are painful. Vibration is very strong and good. I am sure that users dont miss a call in vibration only mode. Speaker is the key area of this phone. Speakers are very good for listening to music and also calls. Very loud and makes sure wont miss calls in a louder environment. Bluetooth 3.0 helps in transferring data and music. Works good without any issue. Software and Performance Series 30+ is completely different from that of the regular Series 30 and 40. They were Java based and supported more games and apps. Series 30+ is completely feeling new and immature and needs more work to be done to fix missing things. Managed downloading few games and tried playing those. Everything worked fine and also try searching as, Games for Series 30+. Music player is very basic and has very limited options. Other system applications too worked without any crash or issues. Nokia 5310 2020 is powered by MT6260A processor and 8MB RAM with 16MB internal storage. Phone is smooth in performance until we fill the external MicroSD card. Phone storage can be increased up to 32 GB with the help of microSD. I personally used a 16GB card with 4GB of music and few more Series S30+ apps. There is no heating issue with the device as well. Multimedia The name Nokia 5310 is well known for the XpressMusic trademark it owned back in 2007, But the current version is not exactly the same. Music experience through loudspeaker is good for sure but that too requires few tweaking in equalizer. Music experience through speak is good if equalizer is set at BASS and through headphones is average overall. To listen through headphones I recommend using CLASSIC or NORMAL in equalizer. (Note: You cant create your own equalizer Profile) Stock Music Player is poor in options and those who are coming from Series 40 or old Nokia feature phones may feel it annoying. Comes with limited options users from past feature phones wont spot basic options like now playing or even grouping songs based on ARTISTS, ALBUM, GENRES etc are not available. Even the option to create your own PLAYLIST is missing. Only users can add songs to FAVOURITE SONGS. Music player provides options to check ALL SONGS, FAVOURITE SONGS, EQUALIZER, RECEIVED, ADD TO FAVOURITES, USE AS TONE and in SETTINGS option to enable SHUFFLE and REPEAT are available. Nokia 5310 2020 comes equipped with a good Stereo Speaker setup. Audio output is loud and good considering its price and also stereo effect can be felt very well. Even at maximum volume levels output was good and distortions were less. I even tried placing it next to Pixel 2 XL and felt Pixels output at maximum volume to be less loud but good in clarity whereas Nokia 5310 made louder output with compromise in clarity. I would personally recommend to use loudspeaker volume around 80%. Video recording and playback works fine which hardly users will prefer in this phone. Wireless Music experience is good as Nokia 5310 2020 comes with Bluetooth 3.0 and supports A2DP. Stereo output is very good and can be felt through better headphones. I personally tried using Neckband as well as true wireless headphones. Camera Camera is not a key selling point for a feature phone. Seeing a VGA camera with flash in the spec sheet made me like Why is it there?. Nokia could have added a 2MP shooter rather than VGA. At Least the flash acts as a torch when needed. Day time photos with VGA sensor is decent and can be helpful at times. Night mode is gimmicky and nothing special with it. Tried a few shots in Night mode and no difference with that of normal. Using flash can help getting some details. Video recording can be done at QCIF which most users wont prefer. But surprisingly it will look good in low resolution display of Nokia 5310 2020. Battery This will be a key area for a feature phone and Nokia 5310 2020 did not fail. 1200 mAh battery brings enough juice to keep this machine running more than a day on heavy usage. Painful area is charging it with the inbox charger. I drained the phone until it turned off and then connected it to the stock charger and it took around 3hrs to charge it full. That too if the user prefers to keep the phone stay on during the charging process it can increase charging time further like 15mins more than usual. Conclusion Nokia 5310 2020 will be a good secondary companion for smartphone users. This phone will feel good for Wireless FM and also music through the loudspeaker. A lack of 4G bands and Hotspot may disappoint a group of users, especially those with JIO SIMs. Again, we have many other options around for the same purpose. We even have in-house options like the Nokia 110, Nokia 105, Nokia 106, Nokia 3310, Nokia 150, Nokia 216 and finally the Nokia 8110 4G for the role of secondary phones. Samsung Metro series like Metro XL, Metro 313, Metro 351 and Guru music, Guru FM Plus, Guru Music 2 etc are also good to consider. Pros Good Battery Life Loudspeaker Lightweight and comfortable design to hold Dual Mini SIM + MicroSD Cons Music player Camera Series 30+ SAR value The Nokia 5310 comes in White with Red and Black with Red colors, is available from Amazon.in and nokia.com/phones. Alabama is moving forward with plans to test 200,000 or more college students for coronavirus before they return to campus this fall, even as many other residents are seeing delays of seven days or more before getting their COVID test results back. But public health and university officials say the initiative wont take resources away from others in the state who need to be tested because the college program is using a different test platform than the one experiencing the delays. Dr. Scott Harris, Alabama State Health Officer, said that Alabamas July surge in COVID cases led to widespread delays in commercial testing labs. We have all been challenged by trying to deal with the numbers, Harris said. As weve seen them increase over the past few months it has been difficult. Weve had turnaround times that have sort of individually seemed like kind of one-off situations, you know, this platform has a shortage of reagents or that platform has a particular issue, and you know all those sort of combined to add up over time, Harris said. Harris said the states college program will add to the states overall testing capability, not take away from it. The thing that is appealing to us about this is that we are adding actual capacity, Harris said. Were having additional physical capacity that wasnt there before. Dr. Michael Saag, an infectious disease expert at the University of Alabama at Birmingham who helped develop the college testing protocol, said the tests will all be processed in-house at UAB, and most of the states testing delays occur when commercial labs are overwhelmed or run out of supplies. Most of the commercial labs where clinicians are sending their tests are dependent upon pre-made kits, Saag said. And those are sort of one-size-fits-all, plug it in. And as the demand nationally has picked up for those kits, thats whats in short supply, and thats whats causing the delays because the labs are having trouble accessing kits. UAB President Dr. Ray Watts said the college testing program uses a test developed at UAB that does not rely on those test kits. Very early on, when testing was hard to come by and kits and reagents were being diverted to New York and elsewhere because of the sheer numbers, our Department of Pathology developed their own test, which is extremely sensitive and can measure down to a few RNA molecules to identify the virus, Watts said. So they developed that test and have scaled gradually over the months to serve our patients, and our population. The program is paid for by $30 million in federal coronavirus relief funds allocated to Alabama through the CARES Act. Watts said that with that funding, UAB was able to ramp up its in-house testing capacity and expand to be able to process 10-15,000 student tests per day before classes start and have results available in three days or less. With this new funding, they have doubled and tripled their capacity and are running 24-7, Watts said. And thats why they can have a turnaround time of 24 to 48 hours. Many of these other platforms, were based on reagents and kits from outside of Alabama. Pooled testing speeds results In addition to unique reagents, the college student testing program will use pooled testing to speed results. In pooled testing, partial samples from up to 10 people can be combined in one test. If the pooled test comes back negative, all 10 people are cleared. If the test comes back positive, the lab can still run the individual samples to see which of the 10 people are positive. Dr. George Netto, chair of UABs Department of Pathology, said the pooled testing can save a tremendous amount of time and supplies in a testing lab, especially since they expect most college students will test negative. The advantage of this, with the anticipated rate of positivity being 1% or lower among asymptomatic students, if we do this a lot of batches are going to be negative and we can report them right away, Netto said. And hopefully very few batches will be positive and then we can go back and assign the positivity to exactly the student who was involved. Partnerships abound The $30 million in CARES Act funding also allows UAB and the Alabama Department of Public Health to work with numerous private vendors to facilitate the testing and results. The Bruno Event Team is handling logistics at the 13 test sites across the state. Verily Life Sciences, a branch of Googles parent company Alphabet, will schedule students for testing after theyve been contacted by their school. Software company Ovation developed and implemented a customized laboratory workflow to track the results of the pooled testing and allow for such high volumes of samples to be processed daily. PWNHealth will provide the test results to each student, his/her university and to ADPH. Everlywell provides mail test kits to out-of-state students and those who are slated to return to campus early. The pathology department at the University of South Alabama will be adopting the pooled testing methodology developed at UAB to test samples in Mobile. Program will expand Dr. Selwyn Vickers, dean of the UAB School of Medicine, said the program was always designed to be expanded to the state at large and not just college students, and that when the program was being developed, testing lag times were not an issue. When this was first allocated, the turnaround times werent the issue and we obviously didnt have the surge we have, Vickers said. So were adjusting and adapting but the resources are used for both the citizens and the students which was the intent all along. Saag said that now that testing has emerged as a bigger need for the state, the program is evaluating how to help in the next several weeks. What were doing right now is we are evaluating how to pivot in the next two to three weeks, much sooner than we had originally planned, so that we can provide the service to the state, which is looking for more help, Saag said. US District Judge William Alsup has sentenced Anthony Levandowski, the former lead Waymo engineer at the heart of a trade secret legal battle between the Alphabet subsidiary and Uber, to 18 months in prison. Prosecutors sought a 27-month sentence, while Levandowski requested a one-year home confinement, telling the court that his recent bouts with pneumonia makes him susceptible to COVID19. According to TechCrunch, Alsup shot his request down, explaining that home confinement and a short prison sentence [give] a green light to every future brilliant engineer to steal trade secrets. Prison time is the answer to that. That said, he allowed Levandowski to enter custody once the pandemic has subsided. Alphabet filed a lawsuit against Uber in 2017, accusing the company of colluding with its former employee to steal secrets from Waymo. While Levandowski didnt immediately join Uber after leaving the Google division that eventually became Waymo, the ride-hailing titan quickly acquired the self-driving truck startup he founded. In its lawsuit, Alphabet said its former employee downloaded over 14,000 confidential and proprietary design files for various Waymo hardware, including its LiDAR system. The two companies reached a settlement in 2018, with Waymo making sure that Uber would develop its own self-driving technology. In midMarch this year, Levandowski agreed to plead guilty to one count of stealing materials from Google to make other criminal charges go away. He apologized to his former colleagues in a statement: The last three and a half years have forced me to come to terms with what I did. I want to take this time to apologize to my colleagues at Google for betraying their trust, and to my entire family for the price they have paid and will continue to pay for my actions. Meanwhile, Waymo told TechCrunch in a statement that Levandowkis actions erases the contributions of many and that Alsups decision represents a win for trade secret laws that promote cutting-edge technology development. The rest of the statement reads: Story continues Anthony Levandowskis theft of autonomous technology trade secrets has been enormously disruptive and harmful to Waymo, constituted a betrayal, and the effects would likely have been even more severe had it gone undetected. Although the former Google employee apologized to his colleagues, TechCrunch learned that he recently filed a lawsuit against Waymo and Uber that could make him a very rich man. He claimed that when the companies settled, one of the terms they agreed upon was that he could never work for Uber again. As a result, the ride-hailing giant reneged on its promises when it acquired Otto, his self-driving truck startup. Apparently, one of things Uber promised him was an earnout plan that would give him a percent interest of billions in profit for Ubers new trucking business. Further, the lawsuit claims that he may not have been the only Google employee to steal trade secrets from the company. Levandowski is now asking for at least $4.128 billion, which he believes he wouldve earned from the earnouts he was promised. Achieving her dream to become an IAS Officer, Former Miss India finalist, Aishwarya Sheoron, secured 93rd rank in the Civil Service Exam 2019, adding to the success stories of women from different walks of life. Her success in the modelling world stemmed from Delhi Times Fresh Face 2014, a beauty pageant show, eventually leading her to enter Miss India beauty contest. After becoming one of the top 21 finalists, Aishwariya had established her firm footing in the industry. However, to manage her modelling career and preparations of exams wasn't an easy task for the 2016 finalist. "I had to switch off my phone, social media, everything, to focus on the exam and the result is here. But it's not that I suddenly generated interest in studies. I was always studious," she told reporters. Aishwarya was a student of science and also served as the head girl of her school. She was a science student who later got admission in Sri Ram College of Commerce. Daughter of Colonel Ajay Kumar, Commanding Officer of NCC Telangana Battalion, Karimnagar, she later got admission in Sri Ram College of Commerce. She always thought of appearing for the civil services to widen the diversity in the family and to ultimately "serve the nation". "In the army, there are opportunities for women to grow, but it is still very limited. In civil services, there is no limit to what a woman can achieve," she said. Her success story was also shared by Femina Miss India on Twitter that said, "Aishwarya Sheoran, Femina Miss India 2016 finalist, Campus Princess Delhi 2016, Freshface winner Delhi 2015 made us immensely proud as she scored the All India Rank 93 in the Civil Services Examination. A huge congratulations to her on this achievement!" Aishwarya Sheoran, Femina Miss India 2016 finalist, Campus Princess Delhi 2016, Freshface winner Delhi 2015 made us immensely proud as she scored the All India Rank 93 in the Civil Services Examination. A huge congratulations to her on this achievement!#AishwaryaSheoran #CSE pic.twitter.com/SrDu4iK6T0 Miss India (@feminamissindia) August 4, 2020 Aishwarya's mother had named her after Bollywood actor and Miss India' 1994, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan wishing that Sheoron would also grow up to achieve that title. Over 25 people were feared dead after two boats capsized in swollen Gandak and Kosi rivers in Khagaria and Saharsa districts, respectively, Tuesday evening. Khagaria district magistrate Alok Ranjan Ghosh and superintendent of police (SP), Meenu Kumari, who reached the Ekania Diyara ghat where the incident took place, had to face ire of locals over the alleged delay in launching rescue operations. Police said the incident took place when a boat carrying 25 people was headed towards Ekania Diara. Eyewitnesses said the vessel capsized after it was caught in a severe storm. Five persons, including boatmen, swam to safety and alerted officials about the accident, after which SDRF personnel was pressed into the service. So far, only eight bodies have been recovered from the swollen Gandak river and most of the victims belonged to Sonbarsha village. In the accident in Saharsa, a boat carrying 14 people capsized near Sahuri village near eastern Kosi embankment. While two bodies have been recovered, four people were missing still missing even as the remaining eight swam to safety. The incident occurred when villagers were returning home after collecting wheat and rice from a public distribution shop. Four persons, including Sanjit Choudhary (22), Rajni Devi (20), Sobha Kumari (12) and a two-month-old baby, are still missing. Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar has expressed his condolences to the aggrieved families victims and directed Khagaria and Saharsa DMs and SPs to engage experienced divers in the rescue operation. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Along with the reopening of China's cinemas, the 23rd Shanghai International Film Festival (SIFF) is an important milestone in the return to normal urban life, and a strong signal that the Chinese film industry is ready to kick back into action. Faced with the challenges of COVID-19, the festival is now a blueprint for how to hold a successful film festival during these difficult times. Due to the pandemic, the film festival was delayed from June until July 25. The festival played films not just at cinemas, but at open-air spots and online too. Film tickets to the film exhibition were almost sold out within two hours, demonstrating people's enthusiasm for cinema. This festival adopted strict epidemic prevention and control measures, with audiences reduced to 30% capacity, and no more than 4 screenings per day in each screening hall. Although the number of participating cinemas was lower than last year, the total number of Chinese and foreign films was 322, including 232 films world premieres, international premieres, Asia premieres and China premieres. During the SIFF, there were 1,146 screenings of films played at 29 cinemas, with the number of audiences up to 147,502. Among all the audiences, Shanghai audiences took up 71.3%, followed by those from Hangzhou at 3.4%, and Beijing at 3.0%. In terms of the age of audiences, people aged between 20 and 29 took up 56.8%, becoming the main force of the audiences. The festival organizers introduced many measures to keep the audience safe, including: body temperature measurement; contact tracing apps; face masks requirements; and the provision of standby masks and hand sanitizers. Outdoor films were played at seven business areas during the film festival. Even in the open-air spots, strict prevention and control measures were implemented. According to the statistics, a total of 50 films were played at the outdoor spots, with 147 screenings and 13,570 audience members. This year's Shanghai International Film Festival canceled their awards, but the films selected for the Golden Goblet Awards and the Asian New Talent Award were released, which is a recognition of the creative achievements of Chinese and foreign filmmakers in the past year. A number of world premiere films, such as "Back to The Wharf," "The Reunions" and "Seeing Nara Again," were delivered to the SIFF for screening. The festival took advantage of the internet to break through the limitations of the traditional festival, and obtained far more participants and extensive attention than ever before. Between July 17 to Aug. 1, microblog topics with the keywords "Shanghai Film Festival" and "Shanghai International Film Festival" had more than 300 million views. Through online events like the forums and master classes, domestic and foreign filmmakers were able to express and exchange their feelings, suggestions and ideas. Fu Ruoqing, vice president and CEO of China Film Co., Ltd. and chairman of Huaxia Film Distribution Co., Ltd., said that they had been working hard to create works during the epidemic period, such as "Impasse" directed by Zhang Yimou, four films commemorating the 70th anniversary of the Korean War, films about the Wuhan people's anti-epidemic efforts, and those commemorating the centenary of the founding of the CPC. He said that during the epidemic period, he firmly believed that cinemas would reopen one day, so he paid close attention to creation and preparation. "When it was announced that cinemas could resume, we immediately found 35 films and distributed them to cinemas across the country. We just rolled out 4 million tickets worth 100 million yuan, targeted at medical workers and students." Famous Chinese and foreign lecturers at the master classes included Chinese director Jia Zhangke, American screenwriter and producer James Schamus, French writer and director Olivier Assayas, Japanese directors Naomi Kawase and Hirokazu Koreeda, and Filipino director Lav Diaz. Except for Jia Zhangke, who came to Shanghai, the others all communicated online through social video platforms. They expressed their feelings about the "long-lost reunion" with their peers and fans at the SIFF, and also introduced their experiences in film creation that did not stop during the epidemic. At a point during one session, Assayas became emotional: "This year is a special year for every filmmaker and the Shanghai International Film Festival is a symbol of hope." Jia added, "Shanghai Film Festival became the first internationally certified Class A film festival to resume since the outbreak of the epidemic, which reflects the remarkable achievements of the epidemic prevention and control in China. SIFF has completed its preparations, screenings and other work in such a short period of time, showing the resilience and industry spirit of Chinese filmmakers. It not only serves as a festival, but also allows us to encourage each other and to strengthen our confidence. We can do better when united." On the last day of the festival, the authorities provided a 10 yuan subsidy for each film ticket sold, which allowed film lovers to continue their exploration of Chinese and foreign film culture, the organizers said. PETALUMA, Calif., Aug. 5, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Cynthia Perthuis, a Senior Care Authority franchise owner, has been recognized by the Franchise Business Review as a Franchise Rock Star; each year, Franchise Business Review honors franchise owners who set exceptional examples of achieving success within the franchise model. This year's Franchise Rock Stars were selected from over 28,000 franchisees, representing more than 300 brands that participated in Franchise Business Review's research in the past 18 months. Senior Care Authority Regarding her inclusion as an honoree, Cynthia explains, "It is such an honor to be recognized, and it is a reminder that hard work will always pay off in the end. As a franchise owner in New York and Southwest Florida, my team is able to focus on our clients and their families' needs, in part, due to the support of the Senior Care Authority corporation. I cannot be successful without the success of my local teams and my colleagues across the country." Cynthia joined Senior Care Authority in June of 2018 as a franchise owner with multi-territory ownership. She services families in the New York City and Southwest Florida markets. The Franchise Rock Stars recognized were nominated by their franchise brand leadership in one of eight categories as franchisees who set admirable examples when it comes to leadership, business acumen, financial and professional success, and contributing to their community. Categories included: Giving Back, Women, Millennials, Veterans, Family-Owned, "Freshmen", Top-Performers, and Multi-Unit Owners. Laura Batts, Vice President of Franchise Development, added, "Cynthia has many of the skills and traits we seek in our franchise owners, which has helped her to scale her business quickly. She is an accomplished networker, an excellent communicator, and has solid sales and marketing expertise. Cynthia does what it takes to find the very best solutions for seniors and their families, leaving no stone unturned, no detail unattended." As the leading research firm serving the franchise sector, Franchise Business Review provides ratings of franchise opportunities based on survey research that measures franchisee satisfaction and performance. Franchise Business Review publishes rankings of the top franchises in its annual Guide to Today's Top Franchises, as well as guides throughout the year ranking the top franchises in specific sectors. About Senior Care Authority Senior Care Authority was founded in 2009 and expanded nationally in late 2014 through franchising, currently serving locations nationally in 25 states and Canada. The network is comprised of professionally trained and experienced local advisors who assist families with the overwhelming challenges associated with selecting the best options in assisted living, memory care, skilled nursing, and navigating through a complex healthcare system. About Franchise Business Review Franchise Business Review (FBR) is a leading market research firm serving the franchise sector. FBR measures satisfaction and engagement of franchisees and publishes various guides and reports for entrepreneurs considering an investment in a franchise business. Since 2005, FBR has surveyed hundreds of thousands of franchise owners and over 1,100 leading franchise companies. FBR publishes free and unbiased franchisee satisfaction research reports throughout the year. Contact: [email protected] (707) 939-8744 Related Images image1.jpg SOURCE Senior Care Authority Illustrative image (Photo: VNA) Hanoi - Analysts from real estate consultant Jones Lang LaSalle have said domestic and foreign investors alike are actively seeking to purchase high-end hotels in downtown areas, mostly due to limited land supply. Restricted credit going to domestic investors is also expected to see more foreign investors arrive, especially those hoping to buy shares in existing projects. The total worth of hotel purchases in Vietnam last year was 358 million USD, accounting for about 17 percent of the Southeast Asian regions total. HCM City is one of the most searched markets in Vietnam but there have been no deals recently. Coastal areas are considered more promising, with a deal for the 280-room Sheraton hotel in Nha Trang being of particular note. The capital Hanoi saw share purchases in the 138-room InterContinental Hanoi Westlake hotel and the 90-room Somerset Westlake Hanoi serviced apartment building. Since COVID-19 broke out, both Hanoi and HCM City have posted declines in their revenue per available room (RevPAR) index. The index grew 7.4 percent annually on average during 2014-2019, with hotel supply up 7.6 percent and the total tourist numbers up 9 percent on average each year. The index has rebounded in both cities since May, with month-on-month increase of 33.4 percent in Hanoi and 7.1 percent in HCM City. According to analysts, hotels in Hanoi have attracted domestic visitors and businesses from nearby localities as the city is less affected by the border shutdown. Moving to a new state can be an exciting thing to do for most drivers. However, drivers should not forget to update their insurance policies as soon as they arrive at their new locations, said Russell Rabichev, Marketing Director of Internet Marketing Company. Updating auto insurance might be one of the last things drivers consider to do when they are moving to another state. However, updating the policy is very important and there are several important things that drivers need to keep in mind when moving to another state and several steps to take to make sure they are covered. Drivers that are moving to a new state should follow the next steps: Check the current policy. Drivers that are moving to another state are protected by their current insurance policy. However, drivers that are moving far away are recommended to increase their liability limits and purchase full coverage. During a long trip, drivers should also add roadside assistance. Check if the current insurer is present in the new location. Drivers should update their policy as soon as they can after arriving at their new location. Not all insurance companies have a license to operate in all 50 states and the insurance requirements are different in all states. Drivers should contact their insurers immediately and check if they have a license to operate in their new states. If they do, drivers should keep their insurers. Search for another provider. If the current insurer is not present in their new state, drivers should search for another provider. Drivers can contact a local car insurance agency or they can go to a large national insurance carrier. The insurance requirements are different in each state, so the insurance requirements of the new state can be different from the requirements of the old state. The new policy will also be needed to get the new license plates and vehicle registrations. Update the license and vehicle registration. One of the last things drivers will need to do is to update their license with the local department of motor vehicles. Besides that, drivers will be required to update their car insurance policies with their new driver's license number. Usually, insurance providers will give drivers a reasonable amount of time do this, but it's better to do this sooner than later. For additional info, money-saving tips and free car insurance quotes, visit https://compare-autoinsurance.org/ Compare-autoinsurance.org is an online provider of life, home, health, and auto insurance quotes. This website is unique because it does not simply stick to one kind of insurance provider, but brings the clients the best deals from many different online insurance carriers. In this way, clients have access to offers from multiple carriers all in one place: this website. On this site, customers have access to quotes for insurance plans from various agencies, such as local or nationwide agencies, brand names insurance companies, etc. Sgt. Paul Parizek, with the Des Moines Police Department, had not been in uniform but had been wearing a cap with the 'Thin Blue Line' flag on it Two Dunkin' Donuts employees have been fired after they refused to service an Iowa police sergeant who was wearing a 'Thin Blue Line' cap. Sgt. Paul Parizek, with the Des Moines Police Department, was not in uniform when he went to the doughnut shop on East 14th Street. He had been a steady customer to the shop for two years but explained to KXNO's Morning Rush radio show that he would not be returning. While the 'Thin Blue Line' symbol was initially a call of support for police officers, the symbol has since been co-opted and used by counter-protesters at Black Lives Matter demonstrations across the country. Parizek shared that before he could place his order, one of the employees stopped him. 'We are not going to serve you today,' the employee said, according to Parizek. A spokesperson said that two employees have been fired from the location The woman repeated her statement for the sergeant, who inquired why. It was then that the employee looked at his hat. Parizek left and spoke with the store's manager, the local franchisee and the corporate office. He's expressed worry that someone at the location could have tampered with his drink. But while he did say he had no plans on returning, he wasn't calling on a boycott on the chain. 'No one can guarantee me they haven't been doing something to those products these last four months,' Parizek said. Parizek, shown with his wife, Heather, had been going to that particular location for the past two years but expressed worry that the staff had tampered with his order 'Back the Blue' protesters demonstrate in Chicago at the former Christopher Columbus statue that was toppled by Black Lives Matter demonstrators last month. Many counter-protesters have co-opted the symbol to speak out against the demonstrations decrying police brutality Dunkin' released a statement saying that the employee and another staffer were no longer employed at the shop. 'We are aware of the incident that took place at the Dunkin' restaurant, located at 1220 E 14th Street in Des Moines, IA. The employees' behavior is not consistent with Dunkin's goal of creating an inclusive, welcoming environment for all our of guests,' they said in a statement, KCCI reports. 'Additionally, Dunkin' respects the efforts of our police force as they work to maintain a safe community for all of us. The franchise owner, who independently owns and operates this restaurant, informs us that the two individuals responsible have been terminated. The franchise owner has also connected with the police officer to apologize for the experience.' File photo CROMWELL The Cromwell Police Department, assisted by the Connecticut Department of Transportations Highway Safety Office and U.S. Department of Transportations National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, are continuing to ticket motorists who are violating texting and driving statutes. The U Drive. U Text. U Pay. initiative is an effort to crackdown on motorists who choose to text, talk, or otherwise distract themselves from the task of driving by using a hand-held mobile phone, according to a press release. Some have more dollars than sense, they say, so even companies that have no revenue, no profit, and a record of falling short, can easily find investors. And in their study titled Who Falls Prey to the Wolf of Wall Street?' Leuz et. al. found that it is 'quite common' for investors to lose money by buying into 'pump and dump' schemes. So if you're like me, you might be more interested in profitable, growing companies, like Realty Income (NYSE:O). Now, I'm not saying that the stock is necessarily undervalued today; but I can't shake an appreciation for the profitability of the business itself. In comparison, loss making companies act like a sponge for capital - but unlike such a sponge they do not always produce something when squeezed. See our latest analysis for Realty Income Realty Income's Earnings Per Share Are Growing. If a company can keep growing earnings per share (EPS) long enough, its share price will eventually follow. That makes EPS growth an attractive quality for any company. Realty Income managed to grow EPS by 7.6% per year, over three years. That might not be particularly high growth, but it does show that per-share earnings are moving steadily in the right direction. One way to double-check a company's growth is to look at how its revenue, and earnings before interest and tax (EBIT) margins are changing. Realty Income maintained stable EBIT margins over the last year, all while growing revenue 14% to US$1.6b. That's progress. In the chart below, you can see how the company has grown earnings, and revenue, over time. Click on the chart to see the exact numbers. You don't drive with your eyes on the rear-view mirror, so you might be more interested in this free report showing analyst forecasts for Realty Income's future profits. Are Realty Income Insiders Aligned With All Shareholders? We would not expect to see insiders owning a large percentage of a US$21b company like Realty Income. But we are reassured by the fact they have invested in the company. To be specific, they have US$35m worth of shares. That shows significant buy-in, and may indicate conviction in the business strategy. Despite being just 0.2% of the company, the value of that investment is enough to show insiders have plenty riding on the venture. Story continues It means a lot to see insiders invested in the business, but I find myself wondering if remuneration policies are shareholder friendly. Well, based on the CEO pay, I'd say they are indeed. For companies with market capitalizations over US$8.0b, like Realty Income, the median CEO pay is around US$11m. Realty Income offered total compensation worth US$7.5m to its CEO in the year to . That seems pretty reasonable, especially given its below the median for similar sized companies. CEO remuneration levels are not the most important metric for investors, but when the pay is modest, that does support enhanced alignment between the CEO and the ordinary shareholders. I'd also argue reasonable pay levels attest to good decision making more generally. Should You Add Realty Income To Your Watchlist? One positive for Realty Income is that it is growing EPS. That's nice to see. The fact that EPS is growing is a genuine positive for Realty Income, but the pretty picture gets better than that. Boasting both modest CEO pay and considerable insider ownership, I'd argue this one is worthy of the watchlist, at least. We don't want to rain on the parade too much, but we did also find 2 warning signs for Realty Income (1 shouldn't be ignored!) that you need to be mindful of. Although Realty Income certainly looks good to me, I would like it more if insiders were buying up shares. If you like to see insider buying, too, then this free list of growing companies that insiders are buying, could be exactly what you're looking for. Please note the insider transactions discussed in this article refer to reportable transactions in the relevant jurisdiction. 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. Men inspect a damaged building near the site of Tuesday's blast in Beirut's port area, Lebanon August 5, 2020. REUTERS/Aziz Taher A drone picture shows the scene of an explosion that hit the seaport of Beirut, Lebanon, Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2020. A massive explosion rocked Beirut on Tuesday, flattening much of the city's port, damaging buildings across the capital and sending a giant mushroom cloud into the sky. (AP Photo/Hussein Malla) Port workers run to the scene of the explosion (Hussein Malla/AP) Lebanese rescue workers dug through rubble looking for survivors of a powerful warehouse explosion that shook the capital Beirut, killing 100 people and injuring nearly 4,000 in a toll that officials expected to rise. Tuesday's blast at port warehouses storing highly explosive material was the most powerful in years in Beirut, already reeling from an economic crisis and a surge in coronavirus infections. President Michel Aoun said that 2,750 tonnes of ammonium nitrate, used in fertilisers and bombs, had been stored for six years at the port without safety measures, and he said that was "unacceptable". He called for an emergency cabinet meeting on Wednesday. Officials did not say what caused the blaze that set off the blast. A security source and media said it was started by welding work being carried out on a hole in the warehouse. "It's like a war zone. I'm speechless," Beirut's mayor, Jamal Itani, told Reuters while inspecting damage on Wednesday that he estimated would cost billions of dollars. "This is a catastrophe for Beirut and Lebanon." The head of Lebanon's Red Cross, George Kettani, said at least 100 people had been killed. "We are still sweeping the area. There could still be victims. I hope not," he said. Kettani earlier told broadcaster LBCI that the Red Cross was coordinating with the health ministry to set up morgues because hospitals were overwhelmed. Hours after the blast, which went off shortly after 6 p.m. (1500 GMT), a fire blazed in the port district, casting an orange glow across the night sky as helicopters hovered and ambulance sirens sounded across the capital. The blast was heard throughout Cyprus, which is about 100 miles (160 km) away. It revived memories of a 1975-90 civil war and its aftermath, when Lebanese endured heavy shelling, car bombings and Israeli air raids. Some residents thought an earthquake had struck. Dazed, weeping and injured people walked through streets searching for relatives. Expand Close People gather at the damaged main entrance of Beiruts seaport (Hussein Malla/AP) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp People gather at the damaged main entrance of Beiruts seaport (Hussein Malla/AP) "The blast blew me metres away. I was in a daze and was all covered in blood. It brought back the vision of another explosion I witnessed against the U.S. embassy in 1983," said Huda Baroudi, a Beirut designer. Prime Minister Hassan Diab promised there would be accountability for the blast at the "dangerous warehouse", adding "those responsible will pay the price". The US embassy in Beirut warned residents about reports of toxic gases released by the blast, urging people to stay indoors and wear masks. Many missing "There are many people missing. People are asking the emergency department about their loved ones and it is difficult to search at night because there is no electricity," Health Minister Hamad Hasan told Reuters late on Tuesday. Footage of the explosion posted on social media showed a column of smoke rising from the port, followed by an enormous blast, sending a white cloud and a fireball into the sky. Those filming the incident from high buildings 2 km (one mile) from the port were thrown backwards by the shock. Bleeding people were seen running and shouting for help in clouds of smoke and dust in streets littered with damaged buildings, flying debris, and wrecked cars and furniture. The explosion came three days before a U.N.-backed court is due to deliver a verdict in the trial of four suspects from the Shi'ite Muslim group Hezbollah over a 2005 bombing that killed former Prime Minister Rafik al-Hariri and 21 others. Hariri was killed by a huge truck bomb on the same waterfront, about 2 km (about one mile) from the port. Officials in Israel, which has fought several wars with Lebanon, said it had nothing to do with the blast and said their country was ready to give humanitarian and medical assistance. Shi'ite Iran, the main backer of Hezbollah, also offered support, as did Tehran's regional rival Saudi Arabia, a leading Sunni power. Cyprus said it was ready to offer medical aid. At a White House briefing, U.S. President Donald Trump indicated that the blast was a possible attack, but two U.S. officials said initial information contradicted Trump's view. The United States government has imposed targeted sanctions on Zimbabwean businessman Kudakwashe Tagwirei and his company Sakunda Holdings allegedly linked to some corrupt activities said to be tied to the first family. In a statement, U.S Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said the imposition of sanctions against Tagwirei and Sakunda Holdings demonstrates to the government and people of Zimbabwe that the U.S. will not tolerate public corruption or hesitate to take action to promote accountability for perpetrators of public corruption. Two years ago, Zimbabwean authorities launched a violent crackdown against citizens who were protesting flawed elections. That same government has yet to hold anyone accountable for the six protestors who were killed that day. To mark the anniversary of their deaths, today the United States is taking action to fight corruption in Zimbabwe. Pursuant to Executive Order (E.O.) 13469, the United States is imposing sanctions against Kudakwashe Regimond Tagwirei, a notoriously corrupt Zimbabwean businessman, for materially assisting senior Zimbabwean government officials involved in public corruption. Sakunda Holdings was also sanctioned for being owned or controlled by Tagwirei. According to Pompeo, Tagwirei has longstanding ties to the ruling party in Zimbabwe and high-level governmental officials, including President Emmerson Mnangagwa and First Vice President Constantino Chiwenga, who were listed in the Annex to E.O. 13288 in March 2003. He has used his relationships to gain state contracts and receive favored access to hard currency, including U.S. dollars, especially in the Mnangagwa era. A successful businessman, Tagwirei has long been connected with Zimbabwes ruling ZANU-PF party and top officials, such as President Mnangagwa and First Vice President Constantino Chiwenga. Both individuals have been subject to previous sanctions and retain spots on the U.S. Treasurys List of Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons, a compilation of individuals who have been targeted by various sanctions programs. According to his profile on Sakunda Holdings website, Tagwirei sits on the National Procurement Board for Zimbabwes oil supply industry, in addition to serving as the companys chief executive officer. A report commissioned by the Zimbabwean government in 2019 found that Tagwirei and his associates could not account for at least $3 billion dispensed to the Command Agriculture program, a state farm subsidy financed by Sakunda Holdings and supported by Mnangagwa, the Treasury Department says. Zimbabwe has been thrust into turmoil in recent weeks, as citizens emboldened by the #blacklivesmatter movement take to the streets to protest human rights abuses and a lack of government assistance as the economy falters during the coronavirus pandemic. Several activists, authors and civilians have been arrested. The government contends the protests are being orchestrated by foreign governments and opposition leaders in an attempt to destabilize the nation. Under the new sanctions, all property and interests of Tagwirei and Sakunda Holdings that are in the U.S. or under the control of U.S. nationals must be blocked and reported to the Treasurys Office of Foreign Assets Control. Tagwirei was unavailable for comment as he was not responding to calls on his mobile phone. The Department of the Treasurys Office of Foreign Assets Control on Wednesday also removed from the sanctions list a deceased person, John Bredenkamp, and associated entities who were previously designated under E.O. 13469. This action ensures the sanctions list remains up to date and targets actors who actively undermine democracy in Zimbabwe. The United States supports a stable and democratic Zimbabwe ... Photo credit: Australian Department of Defence From Popular Mechanics A multinational search team rescued three fishermen whose boat had sank in the Caroline islands. The fishermen had survived the sinking and written SOS in the sand on tiny Pikelot Island, one of the most remote places in the world. A U.S. Air National Guard tanker discovered the group by chance after maneuvering to avoid bad weather. A search team rescued a group of castaways from a tiny Pacific island after their fishing boat sank. The searchers, made up of military and coast guard units from the U.S., Australia, and Micronesia, discovered the three missing fishermen after noticing the letters SOS written on the white sandy beach. The men airdropped supplies and eventually rescued the castaways by boat. The incident began when the U.S. Coast Guards Joint Rescue Sub-Center Guam received notification of an overdue fishing boat. On July 29, the boat had set off for a 21-mile voyage between islands 400 miles southeast of Guam, but never arrived. DIVE DEEPER: Get best-in-class military, tech, and science features and unlimited access to Pop Mech. The Coast Guard, according to the Maritime Executive , activated a full-scale search. A Coast Guard HC-130 search plane was scrambled from Air Station Barbers Point, Hawaii, 4,000 miles away from the search area. HMAS Canberra, an amphibious assault ship belonging to the Royal Australian Navy, was in the area and was alerted, as was the Federated States of Micronesia patrol boat FSS Independence. A Hawaii Air National Guard KC-135 Stratotanker located on Guam took off to assist in the search. Photo credit: Joe Raedle - Getty Images We were toward the end of our search pattern, U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Jason Palmeira-Yen, the KC-135 pilot, explained . We turned to avoid some rain showers, and thats when we looked down and saw an island, so we decide to check it out, and thats when we saw SOS and a boat right next to it on the beach. From there, we called in the Australian Navy because they had two helicopters nearby that could assist and land on the island. Story continues Here's video of the rescue: The stranded mariners were found on Pikelot Island , one of the most remote places on Earth. In addition to being 400 miles from Guam, it's approximately 1,000 miles from Japan and 1,000 miles from Australia. The tiny, uninhabited island is just over a quarter of a mile long and 1/20th of a mile wide. Photo credit: ISHARA S. KODIKARA - Getty Images The Australian Navy didnt just land any helicopterit sent a Tiger attack helo to make contact. The Australians, concerned about COVID-19 transmission, decided they couldn't risk picking the crew up. The Royal Australian Army units embarked on Canberra used landing craft to deliver food and supplies to the fishing boat crew while the HC-130 airdropped a radio and message that the Independence was headed to pick them up. The KC-135 located the crew on August 1, and Independence arrived to pick them up on August 3. The three men were rescued in good condition, and the cause of the stranding is still unknown. You Might Also Like In 1947, the authors of India's constitution envisaged a secular state where all citizens were equal before the law. But the reemergence of Hindu nationalism has been testing that ideal. Since Narendra Modi became prime minister in 2014, hard liners in his Bharatiya Janata Party, or BJP, have become increasingly emboldened in promoting the dominance of Hindus, who form 80% of the population. A restrictive new citizenship law is the latest move to worry the country's 170 million Muslims. Protests against it that broke out late last year turned deadly before the coronavirus pandemic provided the government an excuse to clamp down. 1. What does the new law do? The Citizenship Amendment Act was passed by the BJP-dominated parliament in December. It prioritizes citizenship for undocumented Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis and Christians from the neighboring Muslim-majority countries of Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan, describing them as persecuted minorities. Muslims are excluded from this list. It's the first law since India gained independence to explicitly discriminate against Muslims, and is aimed mainly at those who came across the border during the 1971 conflict that led to the creation of Bangladesh. 2. What was the reaction? Protests initially began in Assam state, where residents worried the law would encourage another influx of migrants. Elsewhere, including the capital New Delhi, opposition centered on fears the law went against India's secular nature. Sit-ins were organized on college campuses and by Muslim women in northern India. In December, Modi called for peace - two days after telling a rally that those protesting the law could be identified by their clothes, a reference to Islamic attire. The country's top court agreed to examine the law but declined to suspend it while the case proceeded. In late February, more than two dozen people died when Hindu mobs vandalized mosques and attacked Muslim-majority neighborhoods in Delhi - all during a state visit by U.S. President Donald Trump. Protest sites were cleared in March as part of lockdown measures - the world's largest - put in place to fight the coronavirus. At the same time, reports of hundreds of infections linked to an Islamic gathering in Delhi sparked another spree of anti-Muslim attacks. 3. Is this a new phenomenon? Conflicts between Hindu and Muslims go back centuries, and were aggravated by the British colonial policy of "divide and rule," leading to the 1947 partition of the Indian subcontinent into mostly Hindu India and the Islamic Republic of Pakistan. Mahatma Gandhi and the Congress Party, which led India to independence, advocated religious pluralism, but some Hindus disagreed. Gandhi was assassinated in 1948 by a former member of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, or National Volunteer Corps, a secretive, all-male society founded in 1925 that promotes India foremost as a Hindu nation. Modi joined the RSS as a teenager, then shifted to the BJP, which is inspired by its ideology, as a political organizer. He moved rapidly through the party hierarchy in his home state of Gujarat and became the state's chief minister in 2001. The following year the state saw religious riots that left more than 1,000 people, mostly Muslim, dead. 4. How has Modi harnessed it? After 13 years leading Gujarat, Modi turned to national politics, taking on a long-dominant Congress party that had mismanaged the economy and was increasingly viewed as corrupt and ineffective. After his extraordinary win in 2014, he began to focus on identity issues, whipping up nationalism while turning a blind eye to increasingly bolder Hindu groups. He and his closest aide, Amit Shah, pursued a strategy of uniting disparate voters by stressing a Hindu identity instead of one divided by castes -- the idea being that if you could unite all the caste-based parties, you could create a new majority that rules India for decades to come. His even bigger re-election victory in 2019 showed that identity issues prevailed over economic ones, giving him space to push further with such initiatives, including the citizenship law. The government, meanwhile, has sought to limit media coverage of the violence. Polls show Modi's support remaining rock solid, despite the social upheaval and economic pain from measures taken to fight the pandemic. 5. Have there been other manifestations? - After Modi's re-election, the government scrapped seven decades of autonomy for the contested region of Kashmir, the only part of India with a Muslim majority. Modi has repeatedly said his government wants to bring Kashmir, which Pakistan also claims, closer to the rest of India and improve economic conditions there. - A citizenship registry introduced in Assam threatens to render stateless close to 2 million people, mainly Muslims, who have lived there for generations and yet do not have enough paperwork to prove citizenship. Shah, who became India's home minister in 2019, wants to extend the registry nationwide, although that's been delayed indefinitely as the government fights the coronavirus. - Hindu nationalists also are pushing to build a temple in Ayodhya on the site of a mosque destroyed by Hindu activists in 1992, an event that triggered deadly riots at the time and remains sensitive for Muslims. Many Hindus believe the warrior god Ram was born there. The nation's highest court in November gave Hindus control over the site, and Modi laid the first brick on Aug. 5. - Vigilante mobs have attacked people transporting cows, which many devout Hindus consider sacred, disrupting the meat export industry. - The firebrand governor of Uttar Pradesh, Yogi Adityanath, led a campaign that accused Muslim youths of waging "love jihad" by seducing Hindu women to convert them to Islam. At least one marriage was ordered annulled by a court. 6. What representation do Muslims have in Parliament? Less and less. In 2014, only 4% of the members of the lower house were Muslim, compared with 9% in 1980, even as the Muslim share of the population rose to 14% from 11% in the same period. The BJP is the only major political party with no Muslim members of Parliament. 7. What does the government say? Shah has defended the new law, saying it doesn't revoke anyone's citizenship but is aimed at helping those specified religious groups facing persecution. Regarding the planned national registry, the government has said it's "not about any religion at all" and will be implemented in a way so as not to harass or endanger any citizen. 8. What do Modi's critics say? That the rise of religious identity politics has shifted focus from fundamental problems such as malnutrition, poor education, lack of sanitation and rising income inequality. Economic growth was slowing even before the pandemic and the country is now bracing for its first recession in three decades. Billionaire Rahul Bajaj in December provided a rare display of a corporate leader publicly expressing reservations about the government. Some outside India have chimed in, including Microsoft Corp. Chief Executive Officer Satya Nadella and Silicon Valley venture capitalist Vinod Khosla. And Freedom House, a U.S.-based advocacy group, said that among the world's major democracies, India suffered the steepest declines in civil and political liberties last year. - - - Bloomberg's Iain Marlow contributed to this report. New Delhi, Aug 5 : Congress former President Rahul Gandhi has tweeted in Hindi on the occasion of the Bhumi Pujan of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya on Wednesday. Gandhi in his tweet said that Bhagwan Ram is a symbol of the "best humanitarian qualities and He (Ram) is in our deep consciousness." The Congress, which had maintained that it will abide by the Supreme Court judgement, has welcomed the event, and Rahul Gandhi said that "Ram is love, compassion and justice and he cannot appear in hatred." Congress leaders on Wednesday extended their best wishes for the ground-breaking ceremony (Bhumi Pujan) for the construction of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya. "Best wishes for Ram Mandir's Bhumi Pujan. We hope that today's event will pave (the way) towards brotherhood and national unity. Jai Siya Ram," said the party's Chief Spokesperson Randeep Surjewala. Party leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra has expressed the hope that the Ayodhya ceremony will be an occasion for "national unity, fraternity and cultural congregation. In Indian subcontinent and across the globe, Ramayan has put a stamp on every mind and the story of Lord Ram is a catalyst for connecting humanity," she said. The Bhumi Pujan was performed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Ayodhya in the presence of seers, UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat. Latest updates on Ayodhya Ram Temple Bhumi Pujan -- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text Wrexhams population set to shrink by -1.5% by 2028 say new projections This article is old - Published: Wednesday, Aug 5th, 2020 Wrexham is one of four local authority areas in Wales that is set to shrink in population size by 2028 according to statistics released today. All other areas of Wales are set to grow by between 0.3% (Powys) and 7.2% (Newport) according to Statistics for Wales. The newly released data is a revision to figures published back in February and provides estimates of the size of the future population and are based on assumptions about births, deaths, and migration. Statistics for Wales note the projections are not forecasts and that they do not attempt to predict the impact of government policies, changing economic circumstances or other factors (like the coronavirus pandemic) on future household population. Wrexham, as defined by the council area, is set for a population of 134,100 people by 2028 the 2011 census had a total of 134,844 usual resident population recorded. The 134,100 figure is also set against a low and high prediction, with the lowest predicted population being 132,400 and the highest 135,300 both lower than the 136,100 current population figure based off 2018 data. During the period 2018 to 2028, for children and young people aged 0 to 15 years old it is projected that all local authorities, other than Newport, the Vale of Glamorgan, Bridgend, Neath Port Talbot and Merthyr Tydfil, will see a decrease in the number of children and young people aged 0 to 15 years old with the greatest percentage decreases in 0 to 15 year olds are projected to be seen in Wrexham (down 8.6%). Migration is projected to add to the population of all local authorities in Wales except for in Wrexham in the same period. Wrexham is the only local authority that is projected to see both negative natural change and negative net migration between 2018 and 2028 so people moving out of the area, as well as more deaths than births. Cardiff is projected to continue to have the largest population of all the local authorities in Wales by 2028, at over 375,700 people. This is over 121,000 more people than the second largest local authority, Swansea, and is projected to account for almost 12% of the population in Wales. The majority of local authorities in Wales are projected to have a population of between 100,000 and 200,000 by 2028. Population projections are important as they provide an input to planning for the area, for example a Welsh Government projection based off the 2011 census included in a Local Development Plan (LDP) document from 2014 had Wrexham with a population of 153,400 by 2026 and 158,600 by 2031 and by 2028 155,506. The LDP document from 2014 noted: The projections forecast an increase in population of over 20% on the 2011 baseline, the second highest figure in Wales and significantly higher than the Welsh average. Wrexham together with Cardiff, Swansea and Newport are projected to be the population growth centres in Wales. More recent LDP evidence base documents refer to a range of projections, that could indicate a 152k to 158k total population range. That recent document also states: Even taking into account there are more births than deaths, migration is the main driver of population growth in Wrexham County Borough, a view todays stats release disagrees with. Teen Mom 2's Kailyn Lowry has consumed her placenta - in smoothie form. The 28-year-old reality star took to Instagram Stories Tuesday with a clip in which she had a red smoothie and quizzed her followers of the content of her beverages. The Nazareth, Pennsylvania native later clarified, 'If you guessed my placenta, you're right. Mixed with fresh fruit and almond milk.' The latest: Kailyn Lowry, 28, reality star took to Instagram Stories Tuesday with a clip in which she had a red smoothie and quizzed her followers of the content of her beverages The mom-of-four - to Isaac Rivera, 10, with ex Jo Rivera; Lincoln six, with ex Javi Marroquin; and Lux, two, and the newborn baby with her ex-boyfriend Chris Lopez - last week delivered her fourth child July 30 in a home birth. She later said that she 'couldn't taste the placenta at all,' as it's normally taken in capsule form. The practice - which is discouraged by the CDC has been touted by people who do it as being beneficial toward relieving pain and helping with the production of milk. Other celebs who have engaged in the practice include Hilary Duff, Alicia Silverstone, Katherine Heigl and Kourtney Kardashian. Popular: Other celebs who have engaged in the practice include Hilary Duff, Alicia Silverstone, Katherine Heigl and Kourtney Kardashian Suspense: The Pothead Haircare entrepreneur has not yet announced the name of her newborn so The Pothead Haircare entrepreneur, who has not yet announced the name of her newborn son, told E! News : 'No name yet but we are all healthy and so in love ... I can check giving birth during a pandemic off my bucket list.' The baby weighed eight pounds, 15 ounces and 22.5 inches long at birth, according to the outlet. Lowrys podcast cohost Lindsie Chrisley said on their podcast Coffee Convos that Kail 'is out taking care of having a baby' on the podcast last week. Previously on her podcast, Lowry said she'd received medical clearance for the home birth amid concerns she'd harbored about the logistics. Good news: The baby weighed eight pounds, 15 ounces and 22.5 inches long at birth She said her doctor 'is very open-minded and understands why' she wants 'to have a home birth' and doesn't 'want to get induced and all of that stuff.' The MTV personality in February revealed on Instagram that she was going to have her fourth child, showing off sonograms. 'Things have been so different this time around its weird knowing the sex of this baby & trying to solidify a name so he doesnt go nameless like Lux did + my anxiety is through the roof. Im scared of doing anything wrong,' she said. Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-06 01:19:19|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close BEIJING, Aug. 5 (Xinhua) -- China hails the Philippines for rebuffing attempts of some countries to incite tensions in the South China Sea, according to a foreign ministry spokesperson Wednesday. Spokesperson Wang Wenbin made the comment at a press briefing in response to a question on Philippine Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana's recent remarks on the South China Sea and bilateral relations. Calling such attempts unpopular, Wang said some countries outside the region are trying to stir up trouble and create tension in the region, which go against the will of the regional countries. Reportedly, citing an order by Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, Lorenzana said the Philippines would not join navies of other countries in maritime drills in the South China Sea for fear of raising tension in the area. The Philippines advocates peaceful settlement of relevant disputes through legal means, Lorenzana said. The Philippines and China have carried out many exchanges in epidemic control, people-to-people exchange and military, said Lorenzana, adding that it is believed that the two countries will gradually resume exchanges in various fields after the pandemic is overcome. Wang said this statement is yet another proof of the Philippines' independent foreign policy, which embodies the common aspiration of the regional countries to pursue peace and development. China and ASEAN countries, including the Philippines, are currently focusing on the fight against COVID-19 and resuming economic activities, which call for solidarity, coordination, peace and stability, Wang said. He added that with joint efforts of China and ASEAN, two-way trade and investment grew in the first half of this year, and fast-track lanes for personnel and logistics exchanges have been established to facilitate resumption of work and production, as well as the smooth operation of industrial and supply chains. "China is confident in working with countries in the region to overcome the challenges posed by the COVID-19 epidemic, maintain development momentum and safeguard common well-being of the people in the region," he said. Enditem Buildots, the company bringing AI to construction, recently announced that it had secured $16 million in funding to leverage the power of AI to track, analyze and provide actionable data for construction project teams. The $3 million seed and $13 million series A rounds were led by TLV Partners with the participation of Innogy Ventures, Tidhar Construction Group, Ziv Aviram, co-founder of Mobileye & OrCam, Magma Ventures head Zvika Limon, serial entrepreneurs Benny Schnaider & Avigdor Willenz, and Gil Geva, chairman of Tidhar. Large projects still rely on tedious manual record-taking by project managers who often keep track of hundreds of thousands of tasks and the progress of dozens of contractors. Productivity in the construction industry has plateaued with researchers estimating that 98 percent of megaprojects suffer cost overruns of more than 30 percent and 77 percent are at least 40 percent late. Buildots uses hardhat-mounted cameras to capture imaging of every detail of an ongoing project during regular site walks. The data is then automatically compared to the design model - an electricity socket installed even a few inches from where it should be is visible in the dashboard along with a photo - allowing mistakes or omissions to be corrected immediately at a fraction of what it could cost to rectify them weeks or months later. "In the short time since we started rolling out our product, the immense value it brings to the industry has become clear," said Roy Danon, CEO of Buildots. "Any efficient process must have proper controls in place, but till now, automatic process control has been impossible to implement in construction. Thanks to the latest advancements in the fields of AI and computer vision, we've been able to bring modern systems that are ubiquitous in other industries, to construction." The Automated Process Management solution created by Buildots compares the collected data with the project's design & schedule and provides essential tools for general contractors and developers to track their projects and make better decisions. The dashboard displays the percentage of the project completed broken down by each trade while also consolidating and allowing for the easy tracking of the loose ends that need to be completed. These functionalities, and others, integrate with existing construction management tools. The UK and Israel-based company was founded in 2018 by Roy Danon, Aviv Leibovici, and Yakir Sundry. All three graduated from 'Talpiot', the creative engine of the Israeli Defense Forces and its most prestigious unit. The company has grown to 35 top developers, engineers, researchers and business professionals. They count among their clients two of the ten largest construction companies in Europe, as well as the largest Israeli construction firm. Buildots also has plans to make their product available to the US market in the coming year. "Since founding the company, we have managed to prove both technical feasibility and product-market fit, by deploying the product on large-scale construction projects and showing huge returns for our customers," explained co-founder Roy Danon. "This new funding round is a great sign of confidence by existing and new investors, and will be used to scale and improve our product, and expand to new regions." "Buildots have been able to solve a challenge that for many seemed unconquerable, delivering huge potential for changing the way we complete our projects," said Gil Geva, chairman of Tidhar Construction Group. "The combination of an ambitious vision, great team and strong execution abilities quickly led us from being a customer to joining as an investor to take part in their journey." "Analysts have identified a $1.6 trillion opportunity to close the construction productivity gap," said Shahar Tzafrir, managing partner at TLV Partners. "The team at Buildots has been able to produce a solution that will help close that gap by bringing automation and control to construction, assisting managers to complete projects on time and within budget." For further information about Buildots, please visit www.buildots.com. About Buildots Buildots, incorporates Artificial Intelligence and 3D computer vision technologies to provide on-site project teams with a platform which tracks activity and progress, optimises subcontractor productivity, increases on-site efficiency and reduces time and costs. The system works by site employees wearing a hard-hat-mounted 360 degrees sensor-camera during weekly or daily site walks, which records data. This data is uploaded, analysed using Buildots' patent pending algorithms and compared with the project's planned status. Project dashboards are then updated with latest status reports, 360 degrees site images and insights on any design or schedule discrepancies. Notifications of this information are then sent to relevant team members. The system safeguards data protection as the cameras do not record sound. Personal data from videos such as people is cleared before they are processed. - Total cash of $756 million as of June 30, 2020, a decrease of $8 million from March 31, 2020 - Signed financing commitment for $500 million of new senior secured first lien notes subject to certain closing conditions - Cash flows from operations of $31 million and unlevered free cash flow of $108 million - Operating loss of $497 million and adjusted EBITDA of $79 million - Cost savings plan expanded to deliver an expected $650 million of savings in 2020, of which approximately 85% has been implemented HOUSTON, Aug. 5, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Weatherford International plc ("Weatherford" or the "Company") announced today its results for the second quarter of 2020. On a GAAP basis, revenues for the second quarter of 2020 were $821 million, a decline of 32% sequentially and 37% year-on-year. Reported operating loss was $497 million in the second quarter of 2020, compared to an operating loss of $822 million in the first quarter of 2020 and $118 million in the second quarter of 2019. The Company's second-quarter 2020 net loss was $581 million, compared to a net loss of $966 million in the first quarter of 2020 and $316 million in the second quarter of 2019. Second-quarter 2020 cash flows from operations were $31 million and capital expenditures were $35 million. Available liquidity of $771 million as of June 30, 2020 was comprised of $680 million of cash and cash equivalents and $91 million of availability under the Company's senior secured asset-based lending agreement (the "ABL Credit Agreement"). On a non-GAAP basis: Adjusted EBITDA [1][2] of $79 million declined 56% sequentially and 39% year-on-year and associated margins of 10% decreased 503 basis points sequentially and were flat year-on-year of declined 56% sequentially and 39% year-on-year and associated margins of 10% decreased 503 basis points sequentially and were flat year-on-year Unlevered free cash flow of $108 million [1] during the quarter improved $108 million sequentially and $306 million year-on-year Karl Blanchard, Interim Chief Executive Officer and Chief Operating Officer, commented, "Disruptions to the global supply and demand of commodities and the resulting decline in prices, combined with COVID-related restrictions, led to unprecedented reductions in customer spending in the quarter. This had a material impact on the industry, with significant declines in activity in North America and internationally. As such, we aggressively expanded our cost reduction actions, and bolstered our financial strength, preserving our margins and enhancing our liquidity position. "We are pleased to announce a new $500 million financing commitment which, subject to closing conditions, will strengthen the Company's liquidity as it continues to support customers during this challenging environment. "Global oil demand is in the early stages of what will likely be an uneven path to recovery, and we expect the market environment to remain challenging over the near-term. Over the medium- to long-term, the backlog of crude inventory, continued uncertainty associated with COVID-19 outbreaks and the resulting changes to global oil consumption patterns are expected to serve as headwinds for commodity prices, yielding a protracted timeline for a rebound in activity. "We continue to focus on delivering operational excellence to our valued customers, making structural improvements to minimize the impact of activity reductions and further improve the Company's operating efficiency. We began taking action early in the year, expanded our efforts in the quarter, and will take additional actions as needed going forward. We will maintain disciplined controls on costs and spending to maximize liquidity and preserve our margins as we progress through the cycle. We are proud of how our employees managed in this difficult environment, in both supporting our customers and executing on our plans." Note: Upon completing its financial restructuring in late 2019, the Company adopted fresh-start accounting resulting in Weatherford becoming a new entity for accounting and financial reporting purposes. As required by GAAP, results up to and including December 13, 2019 are presented separately as the predecessor period (the "Predecessor" period) and results from December 14, 2019 and onwards are presented as the successor period (the "Successor" period). The results from these Predecessor and Successor periods are not comparable. Nevertheless, for discussion purposes herein, the Company has presented the results of the Predecessor and Successor periods as we believe this provides the most meaningful basis to analyze our results. Notes: [1] Adjusted EBITDA excludes, among other items, impairments on long-lived assets, including goodwill, property plant and equipment, right-of-use assets, and inventory. Unlevered free cash flow is calculated as cash flows provided by (used in) operating activities, less capital expenditures plus proceeds from the disposition of assets, plus cash paid for interest. Adjusted EBITDA and unlevered free cash flow are non-GAAP measures. Each measure is defined and reconciled to the most directly comparable GAAP measure in the tables below. [2] In the first quarter of 2020 the Company began reporting adjusted EBITDA excluding stock-based compensation expense. Additional detail for the current and historical periods is provided in the tables below. Enhancing Liquidity In conjunction with its emergence from bankruptcy, the Company obtained the $450 million ABL Credit Agreement and the $200 million senior secured letter of credit agreement (the "LC Credit Agreement"). Borrowing capacity under the ABL Credit Agreement is primarily driven by certain of the Company's assets in North America, including working capital items such as accounts receivable and inventory. As activity in North America deteriorated during the first half of the year and working capital balances decreased, the Company's availability under the ABL Credit Agreement reduced meaningfully below the $450 million facility size. This deterioration, combined with the fact that a meaningful portion of the Company's operations are derived outside of North America, created a mismatch between the Company's available liquidity and letter of credit capacity and its operational needs. As such, during the Company's first quarter 2020 earnings release, the Company highlighted concerns around the uncertainty associated with its declining borrowing base. On August 4, 2020 Weatherford signed a commitment letter for a senior secured first lien notes issuance that, assuming the conditions thereto are satisfied or waived and the notes issued, would substantially increase the Company's liquidity and enhance its financial strength. Consistent with this financing commitment, and subject to the satisfaction of the conditions thereto, Weatherford expects to issue $500 million of new senior secured first lien notes maturing in September 2024. The proceeds of this note issuance are intended to be used to repay the ABL Credit Agreement, cash collateralize any letters of credit outstanding thereunder, and increase the Company's liquidity position. This financing is subject to documentation and certain closing conditions that are more fully disclosed in the current report on Form 8-K filed by the Company on August 5, 2020. There can be no assurance that the closing conditions, many of which are beyond the control of the Company, will be satisfied or waived before the financing commitment expires on August 14, 2020. In addition, the Company has reduced capital expenditures and is monetizing net working capital, with second-quarter 2020 unlevered free cash flow of $108 million having improved $108 million sequentially and $306 million year-on-year. Preserving Margin In light of current market conditions and the outlook for the coming quarters, Weatherford has significantly expanded its cost savings plan and the Company expects to generate $650 million of savings in 2020. Approximately 85% of these actions have already been implemented, with the remainder to be completed during the second half of 2020. On an annualized basis, these actions are expected to yield over $800 million of cost savings. The Company took aggressive actions to reduce costs during the quarter, and the impact materialized in the Company's second-quarter results. Second-quarter 2020 adjusted EBITDA margins were flat year-on-year, despite a 37% reduction in revenue over the same period, yielding year-on-year adjusted EBITDA decrementals of 10%. Leveraging Our Portfolio Weatherford was awarded a five-year deepwater tubular-running service contract for work in the Gulf of Mexico. As part of this award, Weatherford will design and manufacture equipment to run high-spec tubulars and will provide mechanized equipment for an efficient, hands-free operation. This award highlights the strength of Weatherford's leading tubular-running services portfolio and leverages the Company's technology, service quality and its unique solution-based approach. The Company installed a customer's first annulus gas-lift system ("AGLS") in two wells as part of an offshore operation in Norway. The AGLS includes non-standard sizes of completion equipment in an all-new well design. To deliver the installations, the Weatherford team partnered with the customer's engineering team during the planning, design and testing phases to provide several high-value solutions to its operations achieving a successful outcome. Additionally, certain services were performed remotely from onshore. The operation highlights how Weatherford is quickly adapting operational procedures and is closely collaborating with customers to address their challenges. Weatherford deployed pressure pumping services in a high-pressure, high-temperature well for the first time in Southern Mexico. The Company used its AcidSure acidizing system to optimize formulations and applied nodal analysis from its Interpretation and Evaluation Services group to deliver hydrocarbon production that was 30% higher than initial estimates. This operation is one of many highlights of how Weatherford is leveraging its broad portfolio of products and services to increase production at the wellsite. Weatherford was awarded a large integrated project with a major drilling company in Iraq. The contract includes drilling and completing 20 wells in Southern Iraq, with the customer providing rigs, civil works and drilling services and Weatherford providing project management and all other services. This contract is a testament to the strength of Weatherford's capabilities across the Middle East. Weatherford was named "Contractor of the Year" by Santos for the operational performance the Company delivered on an offshore campaign in Australia. Weatherford replaced a competitor who had served on previous campaigns and the Company was expressly recognized for its enhancements to operational efficiency and safety. Results by Operating Segment Western Hemisphere Successor Predecessor Quarter Quarter Ended Ended Variance ($ in Millions) 6/30/20 3/31/20 6/30/19 Seq. YoY Revenues: North America $ 172 $ 341 $ 420 (50) % (59) % Latin America 138 247 299 (44) % (54) % Total Revenues $ 310 $ 588 $ 719 (47) % (57) % Adjusted Segment EBITDA $ 6 $ 76 $ 57 (92) % (89) % % Margin 2 % 13 % 8 % (1,100) bps (600) bps Second-quarter 2020 Western Hemisphere revenues of $310 million decreased 47% sequentially and 57% year-on-year. In North America, second-quarter 2020 revenues of $172 million declined by 50% sequentially due to activity reductions and production shut-ins in the United States and activity decreases in Canada associated with spring break-up and the COVID-19 pandemic. The 50% sequential revenue decline compares favorably to the market, as the average rig count in North America declined by 57% during the second quarter. Second-quarter 2020 revenues of $138 million in Latin America declined 44% sequentially, driven primarily by activity reductions due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The activity reductions were the most significant in Argentina and Colombia, where average rig counts declined approximately 90% during the quarter and, for reference, Argentina and Colombia comprised approximately 50% of Weatherford's revenues in Latin America in 2019. Second-quarter 2020 adjusted segment EBITDA of $6 million decreased $70 million sequentially and associated margins of 2% decreased by 1,100 basis points versus the first quarter of 2020. The decline in adjusted segment EBITDA was driven by activity reductions in North and Latin America which were offset by meaningful reductions in fixed and variable costs, as evidenced by year-on-year adjusted segment EBITDA decrementals of 12%. Eastern Hemisphere Successor Predecessor Quarter Quarter Ended Ended Variance ($ in Millions) 6/30/20 3/31/20 6/30/19 Seq. YoY Revenues: Middle East, North Africa & Asia $ 341 $ 403 $ 362 (15) % (6) % Europe, SSA & Russia 170 224 228 (24) % (25) % Total Revenues $ 511 $ 627 $ 590 (19) % (13) % Adjusted Segment EBITDA $ 100 $ 127 $ 99 (21) % 1 % % Margin 20 % 20 % 17 % (70) bps 280 bps Second-quarter 2020 Eastern Hemisphere revenues of $511 million declined 19% sequentially and 13% year-on-year. In the Middle East, North Africa, and Asia, second-quarter 2020 revenues of $341 million declined 15% sequentially, due to activity reductions associated with the COVID-19 pandemic and OPEC+ production cuts, which were partially offset by growth in Saudi Arabia driven by increased product sales. Second-quarter 2020 revenues in Europe, Sub Saharan Africa and Russia of $170 million declined 24% sequentially, driven by activity reductions associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly in Central and Eastern Europe as well as Sub Saharan Africa. Second-quarter 2020 adjusted segment EBITDA of $100 million decreased $27 million sequentially and associated margins of 20% declined 70 basis points versus the first quarter of 2020. The decrease in adjusted segment EBITDA was primarily driven by the aforementioned reductions in activity and was partially offset by fixed and variable cost reductions, as evidenced by the 280 basis point year-on-year improvement in adjusted segment EBITDA margins. Impairment and Restructuring Charges In accordance with accounting guidelines, the Company is required to assess its goodwill, tangible and other intangible assets for impairment if events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying value of the assets may not be recovered. Due to the challenging industry environment, management determined that impairment indicators existed and conducted an assessment resulting in impairment charges of $384 million during the second quarter of 2020. The charges are broken down as follows: Goodwill: $72 million Other intangible assets: $22 million Right of use assets: $15 million Property, plant, and equipment: $141 million Inventory: $134 million Additionally, Weatherford recorded pre-tax restructuring and other charges of $79 million related to the Company's headcount reductions, facility consolidation, and other activities. About Weatherford Weatherford is the leading wellbore and production solutions company. Operating in more than 80 countries, the Company answers the challenges of the energy industry with its global talent network of approximately 19,000 team members and 600 locations, which include service, research and development, training, and manufacturing facilities. Visit https://www.weatherford.com/ for more information or connect on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or YouTube. Conference Call Details Weatherford will host a conference call on Wednesday, August 5, 2020, to discuss the results for the second quarter ending June 30, 2020. The conference call is scheduled to begin at 8:30 a.m. Eastern Time (7:30 a.m. Central Time). Listeners can access the conference call online at https://www.weatherford.com/en/investor-relations/investor-news-and-events/events/ or by dialing +1 877-328-5344 (within the U.S.) or +1 412-902-6762 (outside of the U.S.) and asking for the Weatherford conference call. Listeners should log in or dial in approximately 10 minutes prior to the start of the call. A telephonic replay of the conference call will be available until August 15, 2020, at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time. To access the replay, please dial +1 877-344-7529 (within the U.S.) or +1 412-317-0088 (outside of the U.S.) and reference conference number 10146042. Contacts For Investors: Sebastian Pellizzer Senior Director, Investor Relations +1 713-836-7777 [email protected] For Media: Christopher Wailes Director, Global Media Engagement +1 832-851-8308 [email protected] Forward-Looking Statements This news release contains forward-looking statements concerning, among other things, the Company's quarterly and full-year non-GAAP earnings (loss) per share, effective tax rate, net debt, forecasts or expectations regarding business outlook, cost savings plans, and capital expenditures, and are also generally identified by the words "believe," "project," "expect," "anticipate," "estimate," "outlook," "budget," "intend," "strategy," "plan," "guidance," "may," "should," "could," "will," "would," "will be," "will continue," "will likely result," and similar expressions, although not all forward-looking statements contain these identifying words. Such statements are based upon the current beliefs of Weatherford's management and are subject to significant risks, assumptions, and uncertainties. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those indicated in our forward-looking statements. Readers are also cautioned that forward-looking statements are only predictions and may differ materially from actual future events or results, including the price and price volatility of oil and natural gas; the extent or duration of business interruptions associated with COVID-19 pandemic; general global economic repercussions related to COVID-19 pandemic; the macroeconomic outlook for the oil and gas industry; the duration and severity of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on oil and gas demand and commodity prices; operational challenges relating to the COVID-19 pandemic and efforts to mitigate the spread of the virus, including logistical challenges, protecting the health and well-being of our employees, remote work arrangements, performance of contracts and supply chain disruptions; our ability to generate cash flow from operations to fund our operations; the outcome of any discussions with our lenders and bondholders regarding the new senior secured notes contemplated to be issued or the terms of a potential financing or refinancing transaction and any resulting dilution to our shareholders; the outcome of any discussions with the lenders party to our LC Credit Agreement regarding an amendment thereto; realization of additional cost savings and operational efficiencies; and potential logistical issues and potential non-cash asset impairment charges for long-lived assets, intangible assets or other assets. Forward-looking statements are also affected by the risk factors described in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019, the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2020 and the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2020, and those set forth from time-to-time in the Company's other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. We undertake no obligation to correct or update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, except to the extent required under federal securities laws. Weatherford International plc Quarterly Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited) ($ in Millions, Except Per Share Amounts) Successor Predecessor Successor Quarter Quarter Quarter Ended Ended Ended 06/30/20 06/30/19 03/31/20 Revenues: Western Hemisphere $ 310 $ 719 $ 588 Eastern Hemisphere 511 590 627 Total Revenues 821 1,309 1,215 Operating Income (Loss): Western Hemisphere (23) 11 29 Eastern Hemisphere 15 28 18 Segment Operating Income (Loss) (8) 39 47 Corporate Expenses (26) (32) (26) Impairments and Other Charges [1] (463) (239) (843) Gain on Sale of Business 114 Total Operating Loss (497) (118) (822) Other Income (Expense): Interest Expense, Net (59) (160) (58) Reorganization Items (9) Other Non-Operating Expenses, Net (11) (1) (25) Net Loss Before Income Taxes (567) (279) (914) Income Tax Provision (12) (33) (44) Net Loss (579) (312) (958) Net Income Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests 2 4 8 Net Loss Attributable to Weatherford $ (581) $ (316) $ (966) Loss Per Share Attributable to Weatherford: Basic and Diluted $ (8.30) $ (0.31) $ (13.80) Weighted Average Shares Outstanding: Basic and Diluted 70 1,004 70 [1] See Quarterly Selected Statements of Operations Information Table for details of the impairments and other charges by quarter. Weatherford International plc Full Year Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited) ($ in Millions, Except Per Share Amounts) Successor Predecessor Six Months Six Months Ended Ended 06/30/20 06/30/19 Revenues: Western Hemisphere $ 898 $ 1,445 Eastern Hemisphere 1,138 1,210 Total Revenues 2,036 2,655 Operating Income (Loss): Western Hemisphere 6 20 Eastern Hemisphere 33 48 Segment Operating Income 39 68 Corporate Expenses (52) (64) Impairments and Other Charges [1] (1,306) (535) Gain on Sale of Business 112 Total Operating Loss (1,319) (419) Other Income (Expense): Interest Expense, Net (117) (315) Reorganization Items (9) Other Non-Operating Expenses, Net (36) (10) Net Loss Before Income Taxes (1,481) (744) Income Tax Provision (56) (45) Net Loss (1,537) (789) Net Income Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests 10 8 Net Loss Attributable to Weatherford $ (1,547) $ (797) Loss Per Share Attributable to Weatherford: Basic and Diluted $ (22.10) $ (0.79) Weighted Average Shares Outstanding: Basic and Diluted 70 1,003 [1] See Quarterly Selected Statements of Operations Information Table for details of the impairments and other charges by quarter. Weatherford International plc Selected Balance Sheet Data (Unaudited) ($ in Millions) 6/30/2020 12/31/2019 Assets: Cash and Cash Equivalents $ 680 $ 618 Restricted Cash 76 182 Accounts Receivable, Net 927 1,241 Inventories, Net 862 972 Property, Plant and Equipment, Net 1,367 2,122 Goodwill 239 Intangibles, Net 875 1,114 Liabilities: Accounts Payable 384 585 Short-term Borrowings and Current Portion of Long-term Debt 32 13 Long-term Debt 2,148 2,151 Shareholders' Equity: Total Shareholders' Equity 1,305 2,916 Components of Net Debt [1]: Short-term Borrowings and Current Portion of Long-term Debt 32 13 Long-term Debt 2,148 2,151 Less: Cash and Cash Equivalents 680 618 Less: Restricted Cash 76 182 Net Debt [1] $ 1,424 $ 1,364 [1] Net debt is a non-GAAP measure calculated as total short- and long-term debt less cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash. Weatherford International plc Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows (Unaudited) ($ in Millions) Successor Predecessor Successor Six Months Six Months Three Months Ended Ended Ended 6/30/2020 6/30/19 6/30/2020 Cash Flows From Operating Activities: Net Loss $ (1,537) $ (789) $ (579) Adjustments to Reconcile Net Income (Loss) to Net Cash Used in Operating Activities: Depreciation and Amortization 270 239 113 Goodwill Impairment 239 331 72 Long-Lived Asset Impairments and Other 967 78 319 Gain on Sale of Business (112) Working Capital [1] 47 (174) 130 Other Operating Activities 75 (51) (24) Total Cash Flows Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities 61 (478) 31 Cash Flows From Investing Activities: Capital Expenditures for Property, Plant and Equipment (73) (114) (35) Proceeds from Disposition of Assets 8 45 2 Proceeds from Disposition of Businesses, Net 301 Other Investing Activities (21) (9) (6) Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities (86) 223 (39) Cash Flows From Financing Activities: Repayments of Long-term Debt (5) (17) (3) Borrowings (Repayments) of Short-term Debt, Net 7 298 10 Other Financing Activities, Net (14) (12) (11) Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities (12) 269 (4) Free Cash Flow [2]: Cash Flows Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities $ 61 $ (478) $ 31 Capital Expenditures for Property, Plant and Equipment (73) (114) (35) Proceeds from Disposition of Assets 8 45 2 Free Cash Flow [2] [3] $ (4) $ (547) $ (2) [1] Working capital is defined as the cash changes in accounts receivable plus inventory less accounts payable. [2] Free cash flow is a non-GAAP measure calculated as cash flows provided by (used in) operating activities, less capital expenditures for property, plant and equipment plus proceeds from the disposition of assets. Management believes free cash flow is useful to understand liquidity and should be considered in addition to but not substitute cash flows provided by (used in) operating activities. [3] Predecessor Free Cash Flow for the second quarter of 2019 was negative $265 million and was comprised of cash used in operating activities of $229 million less capital expenditures of $55 million plus proceeds from the disposition of assets of $19 million. Weatherford International plc Quarterly Selected Statements of Operations Information (Unaudited) ($ in Millions) Successor Predecessor Successor Predecessor Quarter Six Months Six Months Quarter Ended Ended Ended Ended 6/30/20 3/31/20 6/30/19 06/30/20 06/30/19 Revenues Western Hemisphere $ 310 $ 588 $ 719 898 $ 1,445 Eastern Hemisphere 511 627 590 1,138 1,210 Total Revenues $ 821 $ 1,215 $ 1,309 $ 2,036 $ 2,655 Adjusted EBITDA[1] Western Hemisphere $ 6 $ 76 $ 57 $ 82 $ 115 Eastern Hemisphere 100 127 99 227 192 Adjusted Segment EBITDA 106 203 156 309 307 Corporate and Other (27) (25) (27) (52) (50) Total Adjusted EBITDA $ 79 $ 178 $ 129 257 257 Operating Income (Loss) Western Hemisphere $ (23) $ 29 $ 11 6 20 Eastern Hemisphere 15 18 28 33 48 Segment Operating Income (8) 47 39 39 68 Corporate Expenses (26) (26) (32) (52) (64) Long-lived Assets Impairment [2] (178) (640) (13) (818) (20) Inventory Charges [3] (134) (134) Goodwill Impairment [2] (72) (167) (102) (239) (331) Restructuring and Other Charges [4] (79) (36) (48) (115) (98) Prepetition Charges (76) (86) Gain on Sale of Business 114 112 Total Operating Loss $ (497) $ (822) $ (118) $ (1,319) $ (419) Depreciation and Amortization Western Hemisphere $ 29 47 $ 45 $ 76 $ 93 Eastern Hemisphere 85 109 70 194 142 Corporate (1) 1 1 4 Total Depreciation and Amortization $ 113 157 $ 116 $ 270 $ 239 [1] In the first quarter of 2020 the Company began reporting adjusted EBITDA excluding the burden of stock-based compensation. Historical periods have been restated to reflect this methodology. [2] Represents an impairment after a fair value assessment of our business and assets for the periods presented. [3] Represents inventory charges for the second quarter of 2020 related to the decline in demand domestically and internationally. [4] Represents primarily restructuring, facility consolidation and severance costs and includes certain other charges for the periods presented. Weatherford International plc Quarterly Selected Statements of Operations Information (Unaudited) - Product Line Revenues ($ in Millions) Successor Predecessor Predecessor Period From Period From Non-GAAP Quarter Ended 12/14/19 to 10/01/19 to Combined Quarter Ended 6/30/20 3/31/20 12/31/19 12/13/19 Results 9/30/19 6/30/19 3/31/19 Product Line [1] Revenues Production and Completions $ 405 $ 599 $ 136 $ 469 $ 605 $ 613 $ 636 $ 641 Drilling, Evaluation and Intervention 416 616 125 516 641 701 673 705 Total Product Line Revenues $ 821 $ 1,215 $ 261 $ 985 $ 1,246 $ 1,314 $ 1,309 $ 1,346 [1] During the second quarter of 2020 to support the streamlining and realignment of the businesses, we combined our prior reported four product lines into two product lines. Our two primary product lines are as follows: (1) Production and Completions and (2) Drilling, Evaluation and Intervention. Production and Completions includes Artificial Lift Systems, Stimulation and Testing and Production Services, Completion Systems, Liner Systems and Cementing Products. Drilling, Evaluation and Intervention includes Drilling Services, Managed Pressure Drilling, Wireline Services, Tubular Running Services, Intervention Services, and Drilling Tools and Rental Equipment. We report our financial results in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). However, Weatherford's management believes that certain non-GAAP financial measures and ratios (as defined under the SEC's Regulation G and Item 10(e) of Regulation S-K) may provide users of this financial information additional meaningful comparisons between current results and results of prior periods and comparisons with peer companies. The non-GAAP amounts shown in the following tables should not be considered as substitutes for operating income, provision for income taxes, net income or other data prepared and reported in accordance with GAAP, but should be viewed in addition to the Company's reported results prepared in accordance with GAAP. Weatherford International plc Quarterly Reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP Financial Measures (Unaudited) ($ in Millions, Except Per Share Amounts) Successor Predecessor Successor Predecessor Quarter Six Months Six Months Quarter Ended Ended Ended Ended 6/30/20 3/31/20 6/30/19 6/30/20 6/30/19 Operating Income (Loss): GAAP Operating Loss $ (497) $ (822) $ (118) $ (1,319) $ (419) Impairments and Other Charges 463 843 239 1,306 535 Gain on Sale of Business (114) (112) Operating Non-GAAP Adjustments 463 843 125 1,306 423 Non-GAAP Adjusted Operating Income (Loss) $ (34) $ 21 $ 7 $ (13) $ 4 Loss Before Income Taxes: GAAP Loss Before Income Taxes $ (567) $ (914) $ (279) $ (1,481) $ (744) Operating Non-GAAP Adjustments 463 843 125 1,306 423 Reorganization Items 9 9 Non-GAAP Adjustments Before Taxes 463 852 125 1,315 423 Non-GAAP Loss Before Income Taxes $ (104) $ (62) $ (154) $ (166) $ (321) Provision for Income Taxes: GAAP Provision for Income Taxes $ (12) $ (44) $ (33) $ (56) $ (45) Tax Effect on Non-GAAP Adjustments (2) (7) 2 (9) (6) Non-GAAP Provision for Income Taxes $ (14) $ (51) $ (31) $ (65) $ (51) Net Loss Attributable to Weatherford: GAAP Net Loss $ (581) $ (966) $ (316) $ (1,547) $ (797) Non-GAAP Adjustments, net of tax 461 845 127 1,306 417 Non-GAAP Net Loss $ (120) $ (121) $ (189) $ (241) $ (380) Diluted Loss Per Share Attributable to Weatherford: GAAP Diluted Loss per Share $ (8.30) $ (13.80) $ (0.31) $ (22.10) $ (0.79) Non-GAAP Adjustments, net of tax 6.59 12.07 0.12 18.66 0.41 Non-GAAP Diluted Loss per Share $ (1.71) $ (1.73) $ (0.19) $ (3.44) $ (0.38) Weatherford International plc Quarterly Reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP Financial Measures - EBITDA (Unaudited) ($ in Millions) Successor Predecessor Quarter Quarter Ended Ended 6/30/20 03/31/20 6/30/19 Net Loss Attributable to Weatherford $ (581) $ (966) $ (316) Net Income Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests 2 8 4 Net Loss (579) (958) (312) Interest Expense, Net 59 58 160 Income Tax Provision 12 44 33 Depreciation and Amortization 113 157 116 EBITDA (395) (699) (3) Other (Income) Expense Adjustments: Reorganization Items 9 Impairments and Other Charges 463 843 239 Gain on Sale of Business (114) Stock-Based Compensation 6 Other Non-Operating Expense, Net 11 25 1 Adjusted EBITDA [1] $ 79 $ 178 $ 129 [1] In the first quarter of 2020 the Company began reporting adjusted EBITDA excluding the burden of stock-based compensation. Historical periods have been restated to reflect this methodology. See continuation of Adjusted EBITDA to Unlevered Free Cash Flow and Free Cash Flow in the last table. Weatherford International plc Full Year Reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP Financial Measures - EBITDA (Unaudited) ($ in Millions) Successor Predecessor Six Months Six Months Ended Ended 06/30/20 6/30/19 Net Loss Attributable to Weatherford $ (1,547) $ (797) Net Income Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests 10 8 Net Loss (1,537) (789) Interest Expense, Net 117 315 Income Tax Provision 56 45 Depreciation and Amortization 270 239 EBITDA (1,094) (190) Other (Income) Expense Adjustments: Reorganization Items 9 Impairments and Other Charges 1,306 535 Gain on Sale of Business (112) Stock-Based Compensation 14 Other Non-Operating Expense, Net 36 10 Adjusted EBITDA [1] $ 257 $ 257 [1] In the first quarter of 2020 the Company began reporting adjusted EBITDA excluding the burden of stock-based compensation. Historical periods have been restated to reflect this methodology. See continuation of Adjusted EBITDA to Unlevered Free Cash Flow and Free Cash Flow in the last table. Weatherford International plc Quarterly and Full Year GAAP to Non-GAAP Financial Measures (Continued from EBITDA Tables) Adjusted EBITDA to Unlevered Free Cash Flow and Free Cash Flow (Unaudited) ($ in Millions) Successor Predecessor Successor Predecessor Quarter Six Months Six Months Quarter Ended Ended Ended Ended 6/30/20 3/31/20 6/30/19 6/30/20 6/30/19 Adjusted EBITDA[1] $ 79 $ 178 $ 129 $ 257 $ 257 Cash From (Used) for Working Capital 130 (83) (127) 47 (174) Capital Expenditures for Property, Plant and Equipment (35) (38) (55) (73) (114) Cash Paid for Taxes (19) (21) (16) (40) (51) Cash Paid for Severance and Restructuring (58) (17) (18) (75) (52) Other 11 (19) (111) (8) (189) Unlevered Free Cash Flow $ 108 $ $ (198) $ 108 $ (323) Cash Paid for Interest (110) (2) (67) (112) (224) Free Cash Flow[2] $ (2) $ (2) $ (265) $ (4) $ (547) [1] In the first quarter of 2020 the Company began reporting adjusted EBITDA excluding the burden of stock-based compensation. Historical periods have been restated to reflect this methodology. [2] Free cash flow is a non-GAAP measure calculated as cash flows provided by (used in) operating activities, less capital expenditures for property, plant and equipment plus proceeds from the disposition of assets. Management believes free cash flow is useful to understand liquidity and should be considered in addition to but not substitute cash flows provided by (used in) operating activities. SOURCE Weatherford International plc Related Links http://www.weatherford.com Rep. Chuck Fleischmann (R-Tenn.) questions Immigration and Customs Enforcement Acting Director Matt Albence during a hearing in the Rayburn House Office Building on Capitol Hill in Washington, on July 25, 2019. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images) Congressman Urges AG Barr to Protect Religious Freedom Following Reports of Church Vandalism A Tennessee congressman on Wednesday urged the Justice Department (DOJ) to continue their efforts to protect religious freedom and combat religious discrimination after several churches in the United States reported vandalism and other damages in recent weeks. Rep. Chuck Fleischmann (R-Tenn.) raised concerns over the spate of attacks in a one-page letter addressed to Attorney General William Barr, describing the reports as a disturbing trend. In his letter, Fleischmann highlighted the report where a statue of the Virgin Mary was beheaded at St. Stephen Catholic Church in July. Fleischmann, who is a Roman Catholic, condemned the incident at the time saying that the incident was a disturbing attack on Catholicism and religion. Sadly, it is among a series of attacks on Catholic churches that have happened in recent days. I hope that the perpetrators will be brought to justice, but I also pray that they will find their way to God as well, he wrote in a statement. Similar incidents were reported in places of worship across the country. Some of the incidents include knocking down a pro-life memorial monument over on church property, ramming a minivan into a Florida church and setting it on fire, vandalizing a statue of the Virgin Mary with the word idol outside a New York seminary, spray-painting profanity and protests slogans such as BLM on the walls of a New York cathedral, and the beheading of a statue of Jesus Christ in a Florida church. In times of uncertainty we naturally turn to religion for comfort and peace, something many Americans are seeking as we combat COVID-19, but these attacks add another level of distress for many across our nation, Fleischmann said in his letter. The spike in incidents has also been criticized by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. Last month, the organization issued a statement calling for compassion and understanding amid an extraordinary hour of cultural conflict. Whether those who committed these acts were troubled individuals crying out for help or agents of hate seeking to intimidate, the attacks are signs of a society in need of healing, the group said. The Trump administration has taken numerous steps to protect religious freedom. In 2018, the DOJ formed a religious liberty task force to coordinate its work on religious liberty litigation and policy, and to implement former Attorney General Jeff Sessionss 2017 religious liberty guidance to the executive branch on how to apply existing religious liberty protections in federal law. Barr had previously raised concerns over what he says is a comprehensive effort to drive away religion and traditional moral systems in society and to push secularism in their place. In a speech to the University of Notre Dames law school, the attorney general underscored how secularists are using societys institutions to systematically destroy religion and stifle opposing views. Thalapathy 64, which is titled Master, is one of the most anticipated films of the year. Tamil star Viajy features in the lead role with Vijay Sethupathi and Malkiva Mohanan. Due to the coronavirus, the movie has delayed its theatrical release. Meanwhile, many reports have been doing the rounds on and off that Master may come directly on OTT platform since cinema screenings are not a safe option right now. Recently, an Amazon Prime Video listing started going viral on social media that mentioned Master coming onto the streaming platform in August. However, the producer of the upcoming Tamil flick has clarified in a tweet that the 'Master' Amazon lists in its August slate of release is another 2016 Korean film and not Vijay's Master. Adding further, Seven Screen Studio confirmed that the movie will have a 'grand theatrical release' first. Read: Here's an Update on Vijay's 'Master' Trailer It is 2016 Korean film #Master listed on Amazon Prime and not #ThalapathyVijay s #Master!! We will have a grand theatrical release https://t.co/ncTTW5lttc Seven Screen Studio (@7screenstudio) August 4, 2020 Earlier, actor Arjun Das had clarified about news reports claiming Master's direct to digital premiere, saying, "No chance" adding it will happen in theaters only. Master directed by Lokesh Kanagaraj. In the action-thriller, Vijay will be playing the role of a university teacher. The films music is composed by Anirudh Ravichander. It will be released in Tamil, Telugu, Hindi, Kannada, and Malayalam languages. Aug 5 (Reuters) - U.S. energy company Sempra Energy said on Wednesday it continues to work with the Mexican government to get a 20-year export permit for the first phase of its proposed Costa Azul liquefied natural gas (LNG) export plant in Mexico. The company, which made the announcement in its second quarter earnings statement, has said it planned to make a final investment decision (FID) in 2020 to build the plant. Oil and gas companies around the world have pushed back decisions on building new LNG terminals as global demand for energy has collapsed due to the new coronavirus. Investment demand in LNG had been running high for several years due to heavier consumption from mostly Asian countries diversifying their generation mix away from coal. The growth rate for LNG use, however, is slowing now and numerous planned projects have been put on the back burner. In mid-2019, a dozen North American developers, including Sempra, said they planned to make FIDs by the end of the year. But none of those projects are under construction. All of those FIDs were delayed until 2020 or later. At the start of 2020, another dozen developers - some from 2019 - said they planned to make FIDs by the end of this year. Currently, however, that total is down to four, and analysts said they expect only Costa Azul to actually go forward this year. Sempra and Infraestructura Energetica Nova SAB de CV (IEnova), its Mexican subsidiary, plan to build the export facility at the existing Costa Azul LNG import plant, which entered service in 2008. In addition to the first phase at Costa Azul, Sempra, which owns part of the operating Cameron LNG plant in Louisiana, is developing other LNG export plants, including second phases at Cameron and Costa Azul and Port Arthur in Texas. (Reporting by Scott DiSavino; editing by Jonathan Oatis) By Medea Benjamin and Nicolas J. S. Davies July 04, 2020 " Information Clearing House " - Tensions between the United States and China are rising as the U.S. election nears, with tit-for-tat consulate closures, new US sanctions and no less than three US aircraft carrier strike groups prowling the seas around China. But it is the United States that has initiated each new escalation in U.S.-China relations. Chinas responses have been careful and proportionate, with Chinese officials such as Foreign Minister Wang Yi publicly asking the US to step back from its brinkmanship to find common ground for diplomacy. Most of the US complaints about China are long-standing, from the treatment of the Uighur minority and disputes over islands and maritime borders in the South China Sea to accusations of unfair trade practices and support for protests in Hong Kong. But the answer to the "Why now?" question seems obvious: the approaching US election. Danny Russel, who was Obamas top East Asia expert in the National Security Council and then at the State Department, told the BBC that the new tensions with China are partly an effort to divert attention from Trumps bungled response to the Covid-19 pandemic and his tanking poll numbers, and that this "has a wag the dog feel to it." Meanwhile, Democratic Presidential candidate Joe Biden has been going toe-to-toe with Trump and Secretary Pompeo in a potentially dangerous "tough on China" contest, which could prove difficult for the winner to walk back after the election. Elections aside, there are two underlying forces at play in the current escalation of tensions, one economic and the other military. Chinas economic miracle has lifted hundreds of millions of its people out of poverty, and, until recently, Western corporations were glad to make the most of its huge pool of cheap labor, weak workplace and environmental protections, and growing consumer market. Western leaders welcomed China into their club of wealthy, powerful countries with little fuss about human and civil rights or Chinas domestic politics. No Advertising - No Government Grants - This Is Independent Media Get Our Free Newsletter So what has changed? U.S. high-tech companies like Apple, which were once only too glad to outsource American jobs and train Chinese contractors and engineers to manufacture their products, are finally confronting the reality that they have not just outsourced jobs, but also skills and technology. Chinese companies and highly skilled workers are now leading some of the worlds latest technological advances. The global rollout of 5G cellular technology has become a flashpoint, not because the increase and higher frequency of EMF radiation it involves may be dangerous to human health, which is a real concern, but because Chinese firms like Huawei and ZTE have developed and patented much of the critical infrastructure involved, leaving Silicon Valley in the unfamiliar position of having to play catch-up. Also, if the U.S.s 5G infrastructure is built by Huawei and ZTE instead of AT&T and Verizon, the US government will no longer be able to require "back doors" that the NSA can use to spy on us all, so it is instead stoking fears that China could insert its own back doors in Chinese equipment to spy on us instead. Left out of the discussion is the real solution: repeal the Patriot Act and make sure that all the technology we use in our daily lives is secure from the prying eyes of both the US and foreign governments. China is investing in infrastructure all over the world. As of March 2020, a staggering 138 countries have joined Chinas Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), a massive plan to connect Asia with Africa and Europe via land and maritime networks. Chinas international influence will only be enhanced by its success, and the USs failure, in tackling the Covid-19 pandemic. On the military front, the Obama and Trump administrations have both tried to "pivot to Asia" to confront China, even as the US military remains bogged down in the Middle East. With a war-weary public demanding an end to the endless wars that have served to justify record military spending for nearly 20 years, the US military-industrial complex has to find more substantial enemies to justify its continued existence and budget-busting costs. Lockheed Martin is not ready to switch from building billion-dollar warplanes on cost-plus contracts to making wind turbines and solar panels. The only targets the US can find to justify a $740-billion military budget and 800 overseas military bases are its familiar old Cold War enemies: Russia and China. They both expanded their modest military budgets after 2011, when the US and its allies hijacked the Arab Spring to launch covert and proxy wars in Libya, where China had substantial oil interests, and Syria, a long-term Russian ally. But their increases in military spending were only relative. In 2019, Chinas military budget was only $261 billion compared to the USs $732 billion, according to SIPRI. The US still spends more on its military than the ten next largest military powers combined, including Russia and China. Russian and Chinese military forces are almost entirely defensive, with an emphasis on advanced and effective anti-ship and anti-aircraft missile systems. Neither Russia nor China has invested in carrier strike groups to sail the seven seas or U.S.-style expeditionary forces to attack or invade countries on the other side of the planet. But they do have the forces and weapons they need to defend themselves and their people from any US attack and both are nuclear powers, making a major war against either of them a more serious prospect than the US military has faced anywhere since the Second World War. China and Russia are both deadly serious about defending themselves, but we should not misinterpret that as enthusiasm for a new arms race or a sign of aggressive intentions on their part. It is US imperialism and militarism that are driving the escalating tensions. The sad truth is that 30 years after the supposed end of the Cold War, the US military-industrial complex has failed to reimagine itself in anything but Cold War terms, and its "New Cold War is just a revival of the old Cold War that it spent the last three decades telling us it already won. "China Is Not an Enemy" The US and China do not have to be enemies. Just a year ago, a hundred US business, political and military leaders signed a public letter to President Trump in the Washington Post entitled "China Is Not an Enemy." They wrote that China is not "an economic enemy or an existential national security threat," and US opposition "will not prevent the continued expansion of the Chinese economy, a greater global market share for Chinese companies and an increase in Chinas role in world affairs." They concluded that, "US efforts to treat China as an enemy and decouple it from the global economy will damage the United States international role and reputation and undermine the economic interests of all nations," and that the US"could end up isolating itself rather than Beijing." That is precisely what is happening. Governments all over the world are collaborating with China to stop the spread of coronavirus and share the solutions with all who need them. The US must stop pursuing its counterproductive effort to undermine China, and instead work with all our neighbors on this small planet. Only by cooperating with other nations and international organizations can we stop the pandemic and address the coronavirus-sparked economic meltdown gripping the world economy and the many challenges we must all face together if we are to survive and thrive in the 21st century. Medea Benjamin is cofounder of CODEPINK for Peace, and author of several books, including Inside Iran: The Real History and Politics of the Islamic Republic of Iran. Nicolas J. S. Davies is an independent journalist, a researcher with CODEPINK and the author of Blood On Our Hands: the American Invasion and Destruction of Iraq. The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Information Clearing House. Post your comment below See also U.S. Army Guard begins to reorganize force into eight divisions to prepare for possible war with Russia and China The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Information Clearing House. The number of unemployed Australians in the information, media and telecommunications sector has increased in line with national trends during the COVID-19 pandemic, with 6,900 professionals out of work in May, according to the latest data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS). ABS conducts two sets of labour force surveys: a monthly poll, and a quarterly one done during the first days of February, May, August and November. Job losses brought total tech and media unemployment to 6,900 in May, an increase of 1,300 over May 2019. In February, before lackdowns were enforced, the unemployment figure was 4,900, up by 500 over the year-earlier number. Although the jobless numbers have increased, the IT industry remains one of the strongest, with unemployment numbers being lower than all other sectors but one -- utilities and waste services. The numbers for the tech and media sector cover both full-time employment and part- time work, and the increase is in line with the rise in the overall unemployment rate for Australia, which jumped from 5.1 percent in February to 7.4 percent in June. Government provides financial support In March, the Australian government announced the JobKeeper payment program, which provides a fortnightly payment of $1,500 per eligible employee of companies that have a 30 percent fall in sales. JobKeeper was initially in place until September, with the Federal Government recently announcing an extension until 28 March 2021. Companies must have their turnover reassessed every quarter in order to retain the help. Also, the amount paid per employee will decrease in the last quarter of the year, from $1,500 to $1,200 for full-time employed and $750 for part timers, then drop again in the first quarter of 2021 to $1,000 for full time employees and $650 to part time employees. Australian organisations prioritise IT hires As previously reported, a Hays survey in June revealed that 35 percent of Australian businesses are hiring and the top area of focus is IT, with companies looking particularly for infrastructure professionals; software developers and engineers; and cloud architects and engineers. There is also a demand for data analysts among financial institutions, as the fourth area of priority listed by the survey is accountancy and finance. SEEK data showed a 16 percent increase in job ads for ICT in June 2020 and a 23 percent rise in ad for science and technology. There has also been a significant increase (76 percent) in call centre and customer services ads, likely due to several Australian companies bringing their call centres back to Australia after the pandemic caused closures and restrictions abroad. In a different report, SEEK noticed that between 22 June and 5 July there was an increase of 38 percent of applications per job ad for the ICT industry. 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 Champaign, IL (61820) Today Partly cloudy early followed by cloudy skies overnight. Low 27F. Winds WSW at 15 to 25 mph. Higher wind gusts possible.. Tonight Partly cloudy early followed by cloudy skies overnight. Low 27F. Winds WSW at 15 to 25 mph. Higher wind gusts possible. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Wednesday obtained the custody of three people, including main accused Swapna Suresh, in connection with the Kerala gold smuggling-money laundering case, officials said. They agency got their custody from a special NIA court in Thiruvananthapuram, they said. The ED has got the custody of Sarith PS, Swapna Suresh and Sandeep Nair who were arrested by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) earlier in this case, they said. The three will be questioned and their statements recorded under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), the officials said. The central probe agency had filed a PMLA case last month to probe the alleged gold smuggling using a 'diplomatic bag' after studying an NIA FIR. The central agency will investigate if proceeds of crime were generated by the accused by laundering of funds that were earned through the alleged gold smuggling racket. The case emerged on July 5 when gold, weighing over 30 kg, was seized by the Customs Department from the "diplomatic baggage" that had landed by air cargo at the Thiruvananthapuram international airport from the Gulf. The seized gold is stated to be worth nearly Rs 15 crore. The ED is the fourth central agency that is probing the accused involved in the case after the Customs, NIA and the Income Tax Department. The NIA had arrested the prime accused in the case, Swapna Suresh and her associate Sandeep Nair, from Bengaluru on July 11. Sarith P S, also a former employee of the UAE consulate in Kerala, was arrested by the Customs Department after the gold was seized. Once one of Europe's most popular royals, the former King of Spain, Juan Carlos, has abandoned his native country under a cloud. Reigning King Felipe VI, shared a letter from his father in which he announced: I am communicating my decision to leave Spain for the moment. He maintains the decision was based on the public repercussion that certain past events from my private life are generating. Juan Carlos didn't spell out the past events but Spaniards know he refers to reports concerning a 6.7bn contract awarded to a Spanish consortium to build a high-speed rail line between the Saudi cities of Medina and Mecca. The former king, who abdicated in 2014, is being investigated by the Supreme Court for allegedly receiving 100 million dollars from Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah. No charges have yet been brought and any eventually brought may focus on events post-2014 when Juan Carlos no longer enjoyed immunity. But the allegations Juan Carlos took payments for his role in negotiating contracts with Saudi Arabia have already damaged the reputation of the royal family despite the attempt by Felipe to put a distance between himself and his father. In March, Felipe cut off his father's royal stipend and renounced any inheritance from Juan Carlos, who let it be known he had never told his son he would benefit from any offshore accounts. Juan Carlos' move out of the royal palace in Madrid and out of Spain is seen by many as the latest move by Felipe to maintain the high standards and renewed monarchy he promised when he took the throne in 2014. A painful gesture to defend the crown, said the editorial of centre-right newspaper El Mundo. The necessary distance to the head of state, said the editorial by centre-left newspaper El Pais. Calls for a referendum on the monarchy Government sources told reporters Juan Carlos' exit abroad was negotiated between the palace and the Socialist-led government over the last two weeks. The far-left alliance Unidas Podemos, in a coalition government led by Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, said it knew nothing about the talks and its leader Pablo Iglesias was criticical. Out of respect for Spanish citizens and democracy, Juan Carlos I should respond for his acts in Spain and in front of the people, tweeted Iglesias. Juan Carlos' lawyer said the former king was available for prosecutors. Basque and Catalan nationalists and left-wing leaders like Barcelona mayor Ada Colau called for a referendum on the monarchy. Catalan President Quim Torra called for the abdication of Felipe VI. Spaniards let down by their former king The Juan Carlos scandal has disappointed many Spaniards who once felt they owed him a debt of gratitude. Former Socialist Prime Minister Felipe Gonzalez spoke for many when he said Juan Carlos deserved the benefit of being considered innocent unless proven guilty. Generations who lived through Spain's transition from a dictatorship to a constitutional monarchy credit the 82-year-old former king with helping deliver the democratic country they enjoy today. They remember how he helped end the 1981 coup d'etat by ordering the armed Civil Guard officers to respect the democracy. Many could forgive the former king's unregal moments like his affairs and the time he told Venezuela's Hugo Chavez to shut up during an international summit. But today's Spaniards and the Spanish courts aren't forgiving about establishment figures abusing their power, as the conviction of Felipe's brother-in-law Inaki Urdangarin showed. The latest in a string of progressive candidates unseating deeply entrenched Democratic incumbents came from the state of Missouri on Tuesday where activist Cori Bush unseated 10-term congressman William Lacy Clay Jr. The 44-year-old nurse entered politics in the aftermath of the 2014 Ferguson protests and, after two failed attempts at running for office, pulled off a stunning victory over Clay, who had taken over the seat from his father before him. Bushs victory brings to an end the Clay familys 50-year hold on the seat in the heavily Democratic district.* Advertisement That means Bush will likely be the first Black woman to represent the state of Missouri in Congress. Before Tuesdays victory, Bushs transformation from activist into a winning candidate took a few turns: She mounted an unsuccessful campaign for the state Senate in 2016 and ran for Congress in 2018, losing to Clay by 20 points. During that race, Bush was featured in the Netflix documentary Knock Down the House that followed a handful of progressive women running for office, including Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. 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. This time around, Bush raised far more money and amid national protests over the killing of George Floyd, rode a wave of Democratic enthusiasm for more progressive candidates primarying established incumbents. Following in Ocasio-Cortezs footsteps, Marie Newman unseated conservative Democratic Rep. Dan Lipinski in Illinois earlier this year and Jamaal Bowman ousted longtime New York Democratic Rep. Eliot Engel. For more of Slates news coverage, subscribe to What Next on Apple Podcasts or listen below. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Rizki Fachriansyah (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Wed, August 5, 2020 11:08 531 6657ac82168da9fa101c8a4066baf05e 1 Health vaccine,erick-thohir,COVID-19-vaccine,COVID-19,SOE-Minister,pandemic,national-economic-recovery-program,BioFarma,Sinovac Free State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs) Minister Erick Thohir, who also helms the national economic and COVID-19 recovery committee, has claimed that state pharmaceutical holding company PT Bio Farma is ready to produce 250 million doses of the Sinovac coronavirus vaccine per year by the end of 2020. I have ensured that Bio Farma is ready to produce 100 million doses of a COVID-19 vaccine per year, and by the end of the year will be able to produce 250 million doses per year, Erick said during an inspection of Bio Farmas laboratories and production facilities in Bandung, West Java, on Tuesday, as quoted in a statement. He said the committee had focused on doubling the availability of vaccines and therapies as they were crucial in accelerating the national recovery process. Lets maximize the clinical trials and production of the COVID-19 vaccine so the public could be immunized by next year, Erick said, while inspecting the third phase of the clinical trials for the potential vaccine. The Sinovac vaccine is among the most promising candidate vaccines in the country. Bio Farma president director Honesti Basyir said last month that the company had expected to distribute 40 million doses of the vaccine per year as soon as the government authorized its widespread usage. We plan to expand it to 250 million doses per year, he said, after announcing that the vaccine would undergo the third phase of clinical trials in the country. President Joko Jokowi Widodo previously urged the Padjadjaran Universitys Medical School research team in Bandung to make the vaccine available for widespread usage within three months. However, the team could not fulfill Jokowis request, as the clinical trials for the possible vaccine entailed a string of stringent protocols that would otherwise take years to complete under normal circumstances. The first class of 54 student doctors to be accepted into the new Oklahoma State University College of Osteopathic Medicine at Cherokee Nation received their white coats during a small virtual ceremony in Tahlequah. The group, which includes 12 Oklahoma natives, started classes on Monday, Aug. 3, with the aim to graduate in four years as trained primary care physicians with experience serving rural and Native American populations. Kristen McPherson, of Owasso, is a member of the OSU-COM Cherokee Nation inaugural class. These 54 medical students represent the fulfillment of many dreams over many years: to create a medical school in partnership with the largest tribal nation in the heart of Indian Country, said Kayse Shrum, D.O., OSU-CHS president and OSU-COM dean. This ceremony is historic, and marks a new era in training physicians for our rural communities. For the past decade, the Cherokee Nation and OSU Center for Health and Sciences have collaborated on the school, which is the first on tribal land in the country. The tribe broke ground on the historic 84,000-square-foot building in May 2019, and it is currently under construction on the W.W. Hastings medical campus in Tahlequah. New Delhi: Day 13 of Winter Session of Parliament started with the rocky discussion on issue of Army's presence in West Bengal. The Opposition parties raised the matter in both the Houses. The TMC has alleged that the Govt is creating an emergency like situation by deploying Indian Army to conduct unauthorised and uninformed checks at toll plazas and check points throughout West Bengal. Apart from this issue, the debate on demonetisation also raised ruckus in Lok Sabha once again. The matter of black money has created a limbo in both Houses of the Parliament since day 1 of this session. The Opposition parties are also likely to target government on the manner in which IT amendment law was passed in Lok Sabha on Tuesday. Here are the live updates: 14:45pm: Rajya Sabha adjourned till Dec 5 amid uproar as Opposition raises "Tana Shahi nahi chalegi" slogans 12:40pm: Lok Sabha adjourned for the day as Opposition stages noisy protest against demonetisation. 12:25pm: Parliament security breach video: AAP's Bhagwant Mann has been advised by the Lok Sabha speaker to not attend the house for another one week 12:07pm: Lok Sabha session begins again amidst uproar from opposition 12:05pm: Both Houses adjourned; RS to reconvene at 2:30pm 12:00pm: After discussion on various state & national level issues in zero hour of Rajya Sabha, opposition creates uproar as question hour starts 11:35am: TMC accuses RS is being misled by MoS Defence Subhash Bhamre and no conclusive answer in being given by centre on Army deployment 11:22am: Govt must not use army for political purpose: BSP chief Mayawati in RS on West Bengal issue 11:20am: Bengal was taken into confidence, Let's not drag Army into controversy: Venkaiah Naidu in RS 11:15am: It is a sensitive matter as it pertains to the Army, let us not derail from important issues: Venkaiah Naidu in RS 11:10am: The centre must clarify it, in fact PM must clarify as to why state's rights are being impinged on: GN Azad in RS 11:08am: Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar in LS #It seems out of the way. Army doesn't collect toll? There is no law and order issue in WB for Army to be deployed? #Saddening that a routine exercise has been made a controversy now #Concerned officials were intimated by Army this year too. Original dates were 28,29 & 30Dec, were changed to 1st and 2nd Dec later #It is army's routine exercise being carried out since many years, 19th and 21st November 2015 it had taken place too 11:05am: TMC raises issue of Army's presence in West Bengal in LS, RS 11:00am: Lok Sabha begins with tribute to Bhopal Gas Tragedy victims;Rajya Sabha session begins 11:00am: Opposition leaders meeting ends. Opposition concludes they are ready for debate with voting rule in LS & demand for PM's apology in RS 10:45am: Mohd Salim, CPM #Parliamentary democracy is in doldrums, in Parliament you make solemn promises not PR releases #Manufacturing of consent, stifling of dissent, voice of opposition and peoples suffering is being ignored 10:35 am: Rahul Gandhi in Congress parliamentary party meeting #Our soldiers, their families paying price. 85 soldiers martyred,thats the highest number of men we have lost in almost a decade #He (PM) has created the political vacuum that gives terrorists space to operate. But who is paying the price? Not PM, or Def Min #PM Modi will be judged by history as man who gifted massive pol space to anti-India forces by creating opportunistic BJP-PDP pol alliance #Today the same person who used to ridicule us sits silently while Kashmir burns #There have been 21 major attacks and hundreds of ceasefire violations since the strikes #Its high time Govt develops a coherent strategy,we were told that idea behind strikes was to stop Pak from cross border attacks #We never gave a PM who was ready to inflict such tremendous suffering on people of India to protect his own persona #We never gave India a PM who based his entire policy making strategy on TRPs #The country has suffered tremendous damage as a result of vanity and incompetence of our PM #We never gave India a PM who by passed the experience of those sitting in the institutions #PM Modi is more interested in TRP politics: Rahul Gandhi in Congress parliamentary party meeting 10:25am: The Congress meeting chaired by Rahul Gandhi ends 10:00am: We are ready to answer, PM will himself intervene. Also, FM Jaitley will later speak in both the houses: Ananth Kumar,Parl Affairs Minister 10:00am: PM was present in Rajya Sabha yesterday, but Congress wasn't ready.Clearly shows they are running from debate: Ananth Kumar,Parl Affairs Min 9:45am: Rahul Gandhi chairs Congress Parliament Party meet, meeting underway; Rahul Gandhi chairing Cong Parl Party meet for the 1st time, Sonia Gandhi not present in meet. Both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha MPs present. 9:30 am: Congress Parliamentary party meet begins #Opposition parties to hold strategy meet at 10:00am Also read | Recap of Day 12 of Parliament | Timeline of midnight drama in West Bengal For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Tata Sons' chairman emeritus Ratan Tata has informed the Supreme Court (SC) that he is not looking to trade charges with Cyrus Mistry over the past record of the Tata Group, which he added is for everyone to see and determine. Tata expressed that he doesn't want to get into the debate or prove what he did for Tata Group during his tenure. In the latest affidavit submitted before the SC on August 3, he said that "if this case is an appraisal of my performance and what I did for Tata Group during my tenure, then it is for others to decide" adding that he would "respectfully withdraw from such a debate", according to a report in Mint. He further stated that "at this stage of my life, I would not seek to defend or seek endorsement of my performance." Also Read: How Ratan Tata's blue-eyed boy Cyrus Mistry turned his rival Tata, in the court filing, exclaimed that Mistry, his former protege, was designated chairman of Tata Sons Ltd to lead the group into the future, not to critique the past. He further underscored in the affidavit, reviewed by the publication, that "questioning decisions of the past by looking at them through the lens of short-term returns and calling them 'value-destroying', Mr Cyrus Mistry forgets that Tata leaders are not known to criticise the past, but do something meaningful for the future." The Tata Group and Shapoorji Pallonji (SP) Group are entangled in a long-drawn-out legal battle after Mistry was fired as chairman of Tata Sons in October 2016. The SP Group, embroiled in the case through its two investment firms, filed a petition in December 2016 alleging repression and mismanagement at Tata Sons. Also Read: Big battle in Supreme Court: Ratan Tata to line up top lawyers; Cyrus Mistry to fight for family rights The National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT), had in December 2019, decided in favour of Mistry reinstating him as the executive chairman of Tata Sons and restoring his directorship in the holding company as well as three other group companies. The order, however, was stayed by the SC in January this year. Mistry, since his sacking, has made several accusations against Tata Sons and Ratan Tata, alleging suppression of minority shareholder rights and the Tata Group's operational mismanagement. Former Israeli Member of the Knesset Moshe Feiglin gleefully hailed yesterdays devastating explosion in Beirut as a gift from God in time for the Jewish festival Tu BAv. Feiglin posted on Facebook that he thanked God that the deadly blast took place in Beirut, and claimed it was just in time for Tu BAv, which is a festival of love, and in modern times has become a romantic Jewish holiday for dancing, handing out flowers and singing. Today is Tu BAv, a day of joy, and a true and huge thank you to G-d and all the geniuses and heroes really (!) who organized for us this wonderful celebration in honor of the day of love. He went on to speculate that the explosion was no accident, claiming he had experience in explosives. He said: You dont really believe that this was some messy fuel warehouse, yeah? Do you understand that this hell was supposed to fall on us as a rain of missiles?! I have some experience with explosives. The largest explosion I took part in was 2.5 tons of TNT. He added: What we saw yesterday at the Port of Beirut was much bigger. The destructive effect (without the radiation) was like a nuclear bomb. In an interview with local radio, the former Likud MK said he hoped Israel was responsible for the blast, and that he was allowed to rejoice that it was Beirut and not Tel Aviv. He said: If it was us, and I hope it was us, then we should be proud of it, and with that we will create a balance of terror. By avoiding saying its us we are putting ourselves on the dark side of morality. He continued: We are all allowed to rejoice that it exploded in the port of Beirut and not in Tel Aviv. A warehouse in Beirut exploded on 4 August , injuring thousands and killing at least 100, with the death toll rising. The blast was initially attributed to a shipment of fireworks, but it was later revealed to be 2,750 tonnes of highly explosive ammonium nitrate sitting in a warehouse which ignited, causing the huge explosion. The massive blast was said to be heard from Cyprus. On Monday, OPECs relaxation of its historic production cuts beganand oil prices responded by falling as the market braced for more oil. Monday mornings price slide highlights the power of OPEC, even as U.S. shale production pushed the countrys total output higher and higher over the last couple of years, causing some to debate the influence of OPEC on global oil markets. OPEC+ agreed in April this year to slash its combined production by a record 9.7 million barrels daily until economies emerged from their coronavirus lockdowns in the hope that this would go hand in hand with an improvement in oil demand. Data from China gave some cause for optimism in this department, but the latest news has been discouraging, with traders having to discount their crude to sell it in the worlds largest importer of oil. India is not faring much better. Reuters reported this week that fuel demand in Asias other powerhouse was down 21 percent in July year on year and 13 percent compared to June last year. The country has been among the hardest hit by the pandemic, with more than 1.8 million people infected and more than 38,000 deaths. This has prompted new lockdowns, sparking fears that this could happen elsewhere as well, weighing on prices. Imports of crude oil into India dropped to a five-year low in June, Reuters reported this month. Before, that was okay because Chinas imports of crude that month jumped to a record 12.9 million bpd. But now, with indications that China is becoming saturated with oil with demand not rebounding as fast or strong as many hoped, the Indian data becomes all the more relevant. Speculators appear to be getting more nervous about the demand recovery, with the path much more gradual than market expectations coming into the second half of the year, ING strategists Warren Patterson and Wenyu Yao said on Monday. Related: Oil Prices Jump On Significant Crude Draw As OPEC+ begins to raise its production, the economic outlook is still uncertain and largely tied to the evolution of the Covid-19 virus, BNP Paribas head of commodity strategy Harry Tchilingurian told Bloomberg. Concerns appear to be developing that a rise in OPEC+ production will coincide with an uneven recovery in oil demand. OPEC+ itself does not seem all too concerned. Russias Energy Minister Alexander Novak said two weeks ago that he expected a significant rebound in oil demand this month, to within 10 percent of pre-crisis levels. But Novak did not elaborate on how exactly this would happen. OPEC, for its part, began raising its production in July ahead of the expiry of the deepest cuts. According to Reuters, the cartels total in July was 970,000 bpd higher than it was in June, when output hit a historic low. And yet Saudi Arabia has said it will not increase its exports this month, suggesting that there is still a sense of caution in the group. Not without a good reason, either. I think were witnessing kind of a high-wire ... balancing act that OPEC+ is trying to execute here, the chief strategist of JTD Energy Services, John Driscoll, told CNBC earlier this week. Now theyve restored the balance, prices have recovered, but they have to be very careful because they dont want to be the victim of their own success, he added. It is indeed a precarious situation and not just for OPEC. Nobody knows where demand will go in the immediate term, and there are doubts for the medium and long term as well. Uncertainty is the new normal, and this new normal is keeping prices around $40 a barrel. It will be a while before the effects of OPEC+s relaxed cuts show up in data on demand and supply, but when they do, they are likely to be negative as the coronavirus continues raging in all of the biggest importers of oil with no end to it in sight. By Irina Slav for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: More localities report Covid-19 cases The new Covid-19 outbreak in Vietnam has spread to two more localities including Lang Son and Bac Giang provinces. Acting Minister of Health Nguyen Thanh Long During a meeting on August 5, Acting Minister of Health Nguyen Thanh Long said the new Covid-19 outbreak in Vietnam had become complicated. A total of 10 localities outside Danang city have reported positive cases after a new patient was detected on July 25 in the city, after 99 days without local transmission. The new wave has spread much faster than the first one and has been detected in 10 provinces and cities outside Danang including Quang Nam, Hanoi, HCM City, Quang Ngai, Thai Binh, Dak Lak, Ha Nam, Dong Nai, Lang Son and Bac Giang. "As of August 5, Lang Son and Bac Giang provinces have reported new cases," Long said. Also on the same day, 500 ventilators were donated to the ministry. Long said the Ministry of Health has implemented all preventive measures and the ventilators were a very meaningful donation. The ventilators will be sent to all localities in need. The Eliciae MV20 ventilators are worth a total of VND120bn (USD5.1m). This is part of the MV20 Project to provide 2,000 ventilators to Vietnam to fight against Covid-19. Since February, local firms have worked with Japanese manufacturers to design, test and make the ventilators. As of August 5 morning, Vietnam has 627 cases, 224 of which are related to Danang outbreak. For almost seven years more than 2,700 tonnes of ammonium nitrate had been left in a warehouse Beiruts portside, without adequate safety precautions, and no agreement on what to do with the potentially hugely lethal consignment. The authorities were fully aware of the risk: they had been writing to each other over the years, discussing various options. But nothing was done, the condition of the material in warehouse hangar 12 continued to deteriorate, and then came the devastating explosion killing more than a hundred people and injuring 4,000 a blast so powerful that it was felt in Cyprus 120 miles away. President Michel Aoun declared a three-day mourning period, and said the government will release 50.5m in emergency funding. He called the failure to deal with ammonium nitrate unacceptable and pledged the harshest punishment for those responsible. Lebanons cabinet announced later on Wednesday it would be placing all of Beiruts port officials who were responsible for storage and security since 2014 under house arrest. There will also be an investigation into what happened, but the denouement of that harshest punishment is likely to take a long time. A verdict is expected this week by a UN-backed court into the killing of former prime minister Rafik al-Hariri 15 years after his death. The ammonium nitrate, a substance which can be used to make bombs as well as for commercial use such as fertiliser and mining explosives, had arrived in Beirut in September 2013 on board Russian-owned Moldovan-flagged ship the Rhosus, bound for Beira in Mozambique from Batumi in Georgia. It had docked in Beirut after reporting engine trouble. Lebanese officials prevented the ship from continuing its journey citing safety concerns by port state control officers. Most of the Ukrainian crew were repatriated on the grounds that they were in imminent danger due to the material on board. The vessel was eventually abandoned by its owners. The Lebanese authorities impounded the cargo and put it in the hangar, a large structure which faces the highway at the main entrance to the capital. There the material stayed for months. Then, leaked official documents show, the then-director of customs, Shafik Merhi, sent a letter to the urgent matters judge pointing the need to decide what to do with it. The name of the judge is not known. Customs officials, according to these records circulating in Lebanon, sent at least five more letters between 5 December 2014 and 27 October 2017 stressing the need for the ammonium nitrate to be moved. The options proposed were exporting the material, selling it to the privately owned Lebanese Explosives Company, or asking the army to collect it. Rescue workers and security officers work at the site of the explosion in Beirut (Hussein Malla/AP) One letter sent in 2016 said: In view of the serious danger of keeping these goods in the hangar in unsuitable climatic conditions, we reaffirm our request to please request the marine agency to re-export these goods immediately to preserve the safety of the port and those working on it or to look into agreeing to sell this amount to the Lebanese Explosives Company. The letter recorded that there had been no replies from judges to previous requests. There was no reply to this letter either. A year later, in October 2017, a new customs director, Badri Daher, sent another letter to a judge asking for a decision in view of the danger ... of leaving these goods in the place they are, and to those working there. The Reuters news agency reported that the issue of storing the material had come before several committees and judges and nothing was done. It also stated that a team that inspected the cargo six months ago warned that it could blow up all of Beirut if not removed. Officials said a fire appears to have started at hangar 9 and spread to hangar 12 detonating the ammonium nitrate. The substance, however, is not an explosive by itself, but an oxidiser, drawing oxygen to a fire and making it rage faster and further. Pollutants would also add to the flames. Thats what may have happened, the ammonium nitrate got something added to it accidentally, possibly oil or some other flammable compound. Ammonium nitrate smoke is more yellow, this is rather red. An investigation would ascertain if that is the case and where contamination took place, said Robert Emerson, a British security analyst. Ammonium nitrate has been used in explosive devices by military forces in many countries. It has also been used in several terrorist attacks, including the Oklahoma City bombing in 1995 by right-wing extremists Timothy McVeigh and Terry Nichols, which destroyed a federal building and killed 168 people. Donald Trump told reporters at the White House: It would seem like it was based on the explosion. I met with some of our great generals and they just seem to feel that it was. This was not a some kind of manufacturing explosion type of event... They seem to think it was an attack. It was a bomb of some kind, yes. But there has not been any evidence to suggest that the explosion was a deliberate attack something defence officials told several American media outlets following the presidents comments.The Pentagon refused to comment on Mr Trumps claims, referring it back to the White House. Defence officials told several American media outlets that there was no evidence that the explosion was a deliberate attack. State Department sources said Lebanese officials had raised concern with US diplomats about the presidents choice of language. Speaking at the James R. Thompson Center, Pritzker announced the state was performing an average of 41,000 tests per day over the last seven days. But he said only four of the states 11 pandemic recovery regions now average a positivity rate below 5%, compared with two weeks ago when 10 of the regions were below that figure. Chicago and suburban regions are hovering near 5%, though the Will-Kankakee County region is exceeding 6%, state data shows. Housing Is Health Care "You can make an impact," says Bergen County's Julia Orlando. "You can change your homeless situation." (Photo: Rocket Mortgage by Quicken Loans) A One-Stop Facility Fernando Torres, Outreach/Housing Navigator at Avenue 360 Health & Wellness, with a client of Houston's Coalition for the Homeless. (Photo: The Way Home Continuum of Care) A Bridge to Permanent Housing More than half a million Americans are homeless, and that number has the potential to swell by as much as 45 percent before this year is over as a consequence of widespread unemployment.Federal aid for pandemic response includes billions of dollars for programs that can help states address homelessness. These funds, in combination with the urgency of stopping the spread of COVID-19, have led to a heightened level of action and commitment to aiding unhoused citizens.Groups dedicated to ending homelessness hope to build on this unanticipated support for their mission, and to build greater awareness of proven strategies for getting unsheltered Americans into housing.We are at a moment of opportunity, says Nan Roman, president and CEO of the National Alliance to End Homelessness (NAEH). Some jurisdictions seem to be taking advantage of it and some dont.Homeless or sheltered, all Americans are in the current public health crisis together. If anybodys got the virus, theres the chance of spread, says Roman. We have to attend to each other.You cant practice self-isolation if you dont have a place to live, she points out. The maxim housing is health care, first used decades ago during the AIDS crisis, has never been more relevant.More than a third of all homeless people are unsheltered. The sheltered homeless may find refuge in transitional housing or a shelter, but as HUD starkly puts it, an unsheltered person resides in a place not meant for human habitation a park, an abandoned building, the street.These men and women are 25 times more likely than sheltered people to be tri-morbid, with co-occuring disorders, such as physical and mental problems as well as substance abuse, according to Roman. Considering their extreme vulnerability to illness of any kind, much less COVID-19, not enough is being done to reach out to them even now.Thats not right in a country such as ours, to let people sleep on the street, she says.To guide government leaders in their efforts to protect the homeless, and their communities, NAEH has developed a Framework for an Equitable Homelessness Response that includes detailed suggestions about the best ways to use funding sources. The focus should be on getting as many people as possible into housing while these resources are available, says Roman.Moving ahead, we dont know what to expect, she says. It doesnt look pretty when eviction moratoria end, when supplemental employment insurance ends, when we enter a recession and local governments have fewer resources because of lost tax revenue.NAEH, along with some of the most successful government efforts around the country, advocates a housing first approach to current efforts. This model, developed in the 1990s in New York, emphasizes getting the unhoused into housing right away, without preconditions.The real-world results from such programs reflect the common-sense observation that life on the street is a weak base from which to overcome life-altering physical, mental or economic setbacks.Julia Orlando worked in New York City for 20 years, helping the mentally ill within the nations largest homeless population. Eleven years ago, she came home to New Jersey to serve as director of the Bergen County Housing, Health and Human Services Center in Hackensack.A George W. Bush-era mandate for states to develop a 10-year plan to end homelessness if they wanted HUD funding set New Jersey on the path to a uniquely effective approach, says Orlando.The state hired a consultant and interviewed 200 stakeholders for feedback on existing programs and what could be done differently. It looked at best practices across the country.One outcome of this work was that Bergen County adopted the housing first model for its programs. At the time, the county had four shelters. We decided that we wanted to have one shelter, open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, says Orlando. We were also going to make it a one-stop facility, where people can go to get a meal, a shower, get benefits, apply for housing, get clothing, get connected to medical care, anything they need.Rather than staffing the facility with its own employees, the county put out an RFP to find groups in the community that were best able to provide the services it needed. The housing component was awarded to a faith-based group already running a shelter in the county and knew the homeless population by name. Case management went to a nonprofit providing primary care, drug rehabilitation and counseling services.They contracted with the housing authority to manage the facility, says Orlando. Youre attaching the housing resources directly to the shelter thats a brilliant model, in my opinion.Since her arrival, Orlando has worked with the police, hospitals, child protective services and other agencies in the county to develop protocols for referral rather than just dropping people at the shelter, to smooth intake and assessment. Weve made everyone accountable for homelessness, she says.These efficiencies helped the collaborative end veteran homelessness in Bergen County and become the first in the nation to end chronic homelessness.Our shelter is not housing, its a place where we get people into housing, says Orlando.The pandemic brought new challenges. In mid-April, Orlando shut the shelter and placed clients in motels. She has already moved 36 from hotels into housing; to date, none have contracted COVID.Right now, landlords who were not very interested in my folks pre-pandemic are very interested in renters with subsidies, and guaranteed rent, Orlando says. Its my opportunity to show them how good it is to work with us.Since 2012, the Coalition for the Homeless of Houston/Harris County has cut the homeless population in its service area by 54 percent, from 8,000 down to about 3,900, says Ana Rausch, its vice president of program operations.Weve been able to do this primarily though permanent supportive housing interventions, and our continuum of care, says Rausch. Were very close to ending chronic homelessness.The coalition has used a mix of strategies that align with the housing first approach. Those who are most vulnerable, have been homeless for extended periods and have disabling conditions that prevent them from being able to live on their own are priorities for placement in permanent supportive housing.These individuals wont be able to address another issue, like income or health, until they are housed, Rausch says. They get a housing subsidy as well as supportive services.Those at less risk, who may be able to stay housed through rental assistance and support from a case manager, receive a short-term intervention known as rapid rehousing, which can be used temporarily to shelter the chronically homeless if permanent supportive housing is not immediately available.Whichever path the client is on, their case manager helps them develop a housing plan that outlines what they need in terms of medical care, child care, employment or other resources to achieve self-sufficiency.Funding from the CARES Act will enable the coalition to expand its rapid rehousing effort to serve those who have become homeless because of job loss or illness. They will receive 12 months of rental assistance and light touch case management to connect to child care, income, or whatever they may need in order to get back on their feet, says Rausch.Diversion strategies will be incorporated in the continuum of care, to assist those at risk of becoming homeless. This could mean resolving a family conflict through mediation. Diversion can also be used creatively, Rausch says. It can be used to pay for car repairs so an individual can get back to work, or to buy a bus ticket back to their hometown and their support system.These new efforts will be fueled by $65 million from federal funds, city support and private philanthropy. Staff from the Connecticut Coaltion to End Homelessness unload two tons of furniture donated by Ikea for cleints moving out of shelter and into housing. (Photo: Allan Vega) Call 211 Mixed Messsages and Unheard-of Numbers What Political Will Looks Like In every state, Blacks are homeless at higher rates than whites. (Chart courtesy of National Alliance to End Homelessness.) This can help us meet the needs of approximately 5,000 individuals over the next two years, and end chronic homelessness by providing a bridge to permanent housing, says Rausch.Connecticut has established a statewide network with the kind of service consolidation and collaboration that serves Bergen County so well.We used to have 16 different local continuums of care, says Richard Cho, chief executive officer of the Connecticut Coalition to End Homelessness. Now we have two, one for the whole state and one for Fairfield County, adjacent to New York City. The two coordinate closely.Instead of 60 or 70 individual shelter programs, each with their own philosophy, business model and intake and application processes, Connecticut now has one statewide system with seven service regions. Instead of every program having their own wait list, and the person having to apply to 20 or 30 programs, theres one list for the state, says Cho. The providers work with the regional system to match people to housing.The network can be accessed through a 211 information line that operates on a statewide basis, serving as a lifeline for anyone experiencing, or on the verge of, homelessness. A call responder triages the case and determines the nature of the housing crisis, then makes a referral to the appropriate service location, where intake staff will be ready to receive the caller.Once a person is in the system, the emphasis is on getting them housed. Weve made housing first the DNA of our whole system, says Cho. We use a variety of levels of financial and rental assistance, as well as connection to services, to help people resolve homelessness quickly.The coalition also practices shelter diversion, providing one-time financial assistance for rent or security deposits. Of the 13,000 households that contacted service regions last year, 5,000 were diverted from shelters, says Cho.The pandemic has had catalytic effects on how the state thinks about homeless service, he says. The infusion of federal dollars, used well, could house many who are currently homeless and make it possible to invest even more in shelter diversion.This could enable us to keep our rates of homelessness very, very low, says Cho.In addition to what's coming from the CARES Act, other federal proposals are on the table that could support local government efforts to help the homeless and keep their numbers from growing. These are largely being driven by Democrats in the House and Senate.The version of the HEROES Act passed by the House includes $11.5 billion for Emergency Solutions Grants (ESGs), $4 billion for public housing rental support and $100 billion for emergency rental assistance to help low-income renters avoid eviction.The packages that have been passed or considered by the House, and most of the conversations about them are talking about award amounts in numbers that are unheard of, says Samantha Batko, a senior research associate at the Urban Institute Batko, who worked with NAEH for more than a decade before coming to the Urban Institute, notes that the $4 billion in ESG funds provided by the CARES Act is the largest single ESG allocation ever. The only thing that would compare to it would be the $1.5 billion spent on homeless prevention and rapid rehousing in response to the Great Recession, she says.During the pandemic, more renters are falling behind than ever before and their eviction would overwhelm systems of care. Packing them into shelters or sending them onto the streets is fraught with risk, as is asking landlords to survive rent moratoria lasting as long as a year. Even so, the administration has not yet made it a high priority to push for large-scale rental assistance, says Batko.Rental assistance and diversion are important pieces of the puzzle. They are not the same as helping those already unsheltered, and the table is not set for an easy partnership between Congress and the administration.The recently-appointed homeless czar opposes a housing first orientation, and believes that food and shelter should come only as rewards for good behavior. In recent years, the administration has suggested that police enforcement with regard to the homeless should be stepped up Despite mixed messages, ambitious long-term proposals are also in the mix. The Housing is Infrastructure Act, introduced in the House in 2019, calls for an investment of $100 billion in the nations housing infrastructure. This would include $70 billion to make up for past failures to appropriate funds for public housing maintenance and repairs, $5 billion to support the creation of hundreds of thousands of affordable housing units and $1 billion to address substandard housing on tribal lands.While this may be the first time that the numbers being talked about in Washington are in line what homeless advocates believe is really needed, its too early to predict what might ultimately become available to states.In the meantime, CARES funds are flowing to local government. Based on my information, what they have currently may not be enough, says Bakto. I would expect to see more money, I just dont know how much.Even if COVID recedes soon, stimulus funds are spent wisely and the economy lurches into life, the current national shortage of affordable housing will mean that too many Americans will still be unsheltered. The consequences of a prolonged period of high case rates and economic stagnation could range from troubling to terrible.The first step toward progress is for governments to make it a priority to do something about homelessness, according to NAEH's Nan Roman. This is the common denominator of successful programs.As obvious as that may be, the needs of half a million unsheltered Americans can get lost during the nationwide public health emergency, economic turmoil and worldwide protests demanding the dismantling of police departments and systemic racism.Assisting the homeless does have something to do with untangling this chaos, however. The populations that are disproportionally contracting COVID, losing jobs and suffering violence at the hands of law enforcement are also disproportionally homeless. Though Blacks account for 13 percent of the U.S. population, they are 40 percent of the homeless population.Ignoring those at risk merely shifts burden, says Roman. We can either ensure people have their basic needs met a home, food, health care or we can allow them to become homeless and pay the significant costs of police, emergency rooms and shelters.Homelessness is a solvable problem, says Orlando. In addition to her work in her home state, she shares what shes doing in Bergen County with colleagues around the country.People always say to me, How did you convince the government there to do this?, she says. I'm always reminding them that thisthe government this is what political will looks like. (L-R) Phillipa Soo, Christopher Jackson, Lin-Manuel Miranda and Anthony Ramos attend Lin-Manuel Miranda's final performance of "Hamilton" on Broadway at Richard Rodgers Theatre on July 9, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Nicholas Hunt/Getty Images) Ask media executives how many of the big streaming services will be "winners," and you get roughly the same answer. Former WarnerMedia CEO and current AT&T CEO John Stankey said "four or five." Starz CEO Jeffrey Hirsch said "four to six." Hulu's director of product management, Jason Wong, said "three to five." With 193 million paying subscribers, barring catastrophe, Netflix will be one of them. And I'm ready to call Disney+ a second winner. Disney CEO Bob Chapek said Tuesday that Disney+ now has more than 60 million subscribers. Disney launched Disney+ in November 2019 less than a year ago. At the time, Disney estimated Disney+ would have 60 million to 90 million subscribers by 2024. It reached that goal four years early. Key to that time range is it's also when Disney has predicted the service will become profitable. More subscribers likely means the service will be profitable sooner. At more than 60 million subscribers for Disney+, Disney has reached escape velocity. It's hard to imagine a scenario where Disney+ isn't part of your complete streaming breakfast in the new media world. That means Disney has entered a new phase one that is about retention of subscribers as much as it's about adding new ones. Netflix has been in this phase for years. Don't get me wrong both services are still in global growth mode. Disney+ isn't even in a bunch of European countries yet. But Disney can start focusing on building out the service with new content beyond its reliable family-friendly library movies and shows. That focus is a huge advantage over AT&T's HBO Max, Comcast's Peacock and ViacomCBS' whatever-the-name-is-going-to-be, which still have to think about distribution (like Peacock and HBO Max getting on Roku and Amazon Fire TV), marketing, name recognition, branding and bundling partnerships to boost subscriber numbers to placate Wall Street. VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / August 5, 2020 / Zinc8 Energy Solutions Inc. ("Zinc8" or the "Company") (TSXV:ZAIR) is pleased to announce a non-brokered private placement (the "Private Placement") of up to 8,750,000 units (the "Units") at a price of $0.16 per Unit, for gross proceeds of up to $1,400,000. Each Unit will be comprised of one common share in the capital of the Company (each, a "Share") and one non-transferable share purchase warrant (each, a "Warrant"). Each Warrant will entitle the holder to purchase one additional Share in the capital of the Company (each, a "Warrant Share") for a period of 24 months from the closing date at an exercise price of $0.30. Insiders may participate in the Private Placement. Finder's fees or brokers' commissions may be paid in accordance with Canadian Securities Exchange ("CSE") policies. All securities will be subject to a four-month hold period from the closing date. The Company intends to use the proceeds from the Private Placement for general working capital. About Zinc8 Energy Solutions Inc. Zinc8 has assembled an experienced team to execute the development and commercialization of a dependable low-cost zinc-air battery. This mass storage system offers both environmental and efficiency benefits. Zinc8 strives to meet the growing need for secure and reliable power. To watch a short video outlining Zinc8's technology, please visit https://zinc8energy.com. More about the Zinc8 Energy Storage System (ESS) The Zinc8 ESS is a modular Energy Storage System designed to deliver power in the range 20kW - 50MW with capacity of 8 hours of storage duration or higher. With the advantage of rechargeable zinc-air flow battery technology, the system can be configured to support a wide range of long-duration applications for microgrids and utilities. Since the energy storage capacity of the system is determined only by the size of the zinc storage tank, a very cost-effective and scalable solution now exists as an alternative to the fixed power/energy ratio of the lithium ion battery. Technology The Zinc8 ESS is based upon unique patented zinc-air battery technology. Energy is stored in the form of zinc particles, similar in size to grains of sand. When the system is delivering power, the zinc particles are combined with oxygen drawn from the surrounding air. When the system is recharging, zinc particles are regenerated, and oxygen is returned to the surrounding air. Applications The flexibility of the Zinc8 ESS enables it to service a wide range of applications. Typical examples include: Smoothing energy derived from renewable sources such as wind and solar Commercial/Industrial backup replacing diesel generators Industrial and grid scale, on-demand power for peak shaving and standby reserves Grid-scale services such as alleviating grid congestion, deferring transmission/distribution upgrades, energy trading and arbitrage, and increasing renewable energy penetration. Architecture The Zinc8 ESS is designed according to a modular architecture that enables a wide variety of system configurations to be created from a small number of common subsystems. Each subsystem implements a single element of the technology: The Zinc Regeneration Subsystem (ZRS) provides the recharging function The Fuel Storage Subsystem (FSS) provides the energy storage function The Power Generation Subsystem (PGS) provides the discharging function Notice Regarding Forward Looking Statements All statements and disclosures, other than those of historical fact, which address activities, events, outcomes, results or developments that Zinc8 Storage anticipates or expects may or will occur in the future (in whole or in part) should be considered forward-looking statements. Forward looking statements in this press release include that we will raise up to $1,400,000 in a private placement; that we can execute the development and commercialization of a dependable low cost zinc-air battery; that our mass storage system offers both environmental and efficiency benefits; and that we can help meet the needs for secure and reliable power. Zinc8 Energy Solutions believes the material factors, expectations and assumptions reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable at this time, but no assurance can be given that these factors, expectations and assumptions will prove to be correct. The forward-looking statements included in this news release are not guarantees of future performance. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results or events to differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements including, without limitation: that we are not able to raise funds as expected; that our technology fails to work as expected or at all; that our technology proves to be too expensive to implement broadly; that customers do not adapt our products for being too complex, costly, or not fitting with their current products or plans; our competitors may offer better or cheaper solutions for battery storage; general economic, market and business conditions; increased costs and expenses; inability to retain qualified employees; our patents may not provide protection as expected and we may infringe on the patents of others; the completion of our planned private placement or are unable to raise all of the funds we are seeking to raise; and certain other risks detailed from time to time in Zinc8 Energy Solution's public disclosure documents, copies of which are available on the Company's SEDAR profile at www.sedar.com. Readers are cautioned that the foregoing list of factors is not exhaustive and are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as of the date hereof and the Company undertakes no obligations to update publicly or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, unless so required by applicable securities laws. Neither the CSE nor any Market Regulator (as that term is defined in the policies of the CSE) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. For more information please contact: Zinc8 Energy Solutions Inc. Mark Baggio Incite Capital Markets Kristian Schneck / Eric Negraeff Ph: 604.493.2004 Email: investors@zinc8energy.com SOURCE: Zinc8 Energy Solutions Inc. View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/600476/Zinc8-Announces-Non-Brokered-Private-Placement When EVFTA was about 10 days to become effective, the Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners (CIP) of Denmark, on behalf of the New Market Fund I, together with Asiapetro and Novasia Energy, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the People's Committee of Binh Thuan Province to develop La Gan offshore wind power projects. With an estimated total capital of US$10 billion, the project with a capacity of 3.5GW can enhance the position of Vietnam in the field of renewable energy in the world. And the successful cooperation between CIP, Asiapetro, Novasia Energy, and Binh Thuan in this project will be a foundation to attract other foreign investors to offshore wind power projects across the country. Earlier, Tesa announced that it would invest about 55 million euros, approximately $60.3 million, to open a high-tech adhesive factory specializing in serving for the electronics and automotive industries. According to the plan, Tesa will start production in 2023 with about 140 employees in the first phase. According to this German-based enterprise, Vietnam offers Tesa good opportunities to shorten the path to customers and suppliers in Southeast Asia and China. Moreover, more and more important customers of Tesa is moving to Vietnam. Not only new investors but also European enterprises operating in Vietnam continue to expand production, although the global economy is in crisis due to the Covid-19 pandemic. For instance, AkzoNobel, a leading paint and coatings company in the world, last week kicked off the expansion of its factory in Amata Industrial Park in Dong Nai Province to improve technology and production capacity. This is one of the strategic industrial wood paint factories of the Netherlands-based AkzoNobel, providing paints for the whole Southeast Asia region. Besides wood paints, the factory also offers other performance coating products, including coil coating for steel structure, marine coatings, and protective coatings. AkzoNobel's Asia Operations Director, Frederic Moreux, said the project once again affirms the company's commitment to growth in the Vietnamese market. Through upgrading and expansion, AkzoNobel's factory in the Amata Industrial Park will play the role of a multifunctional factory, effectively supporting the Group's business activities in the region in the future. Noticeably, this expanded area will be a green factory built with equipment under advanced sustainable development standards, such as solar power, rainwater harvesting system, and solvent recovery system. At the same time, the factory will apply the process and system of raw material management that helps minimize packaging waste. Many other enterprises that are already present in Vietnam, such as Bosch, Sonion, Nestle, FrieslandCampina, and Unilever have also increased investment expansion, partly showing the confidence of European enterprises in the investment environment in Vietnam. As of May this year, the EU has more than 2,000 valid projects in Vietnam with a total investment capital of $21.66 billion. According to Jean-Jacques Bouflet, Vice Chairman of the European Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam (EuroCham), the latest survey reports on the Business Climate Index (BCI) show that European businesses have had positive assessments about the potentials as well as the investment and trade environment of Vietnam. EuroCham affirmed that it commits to long-term cooperation to build the win-win business community in the future, at the same time, continue to promote Vietnam to become an open and competitive destination in the eyes of foreign investors. The effective EVFTA is expected to help Vietnam to receive more quality investment capital flows from EU investors. Noticeably, after the Covid-19 pandemic, investors started to realize the importance of diversifying their supply chains, avoiding focusing on a single market. Vietnam has more advantages compared to other countries in the region in attracting capital from this market. However, in the context that the Covid-19 pandemic develops complicatedly and shows no sign of ending, the capital flow from this FTA push is forecast to be unavailable at this time. On the other hand, according to Ambassador Pier Giorgio Aliberti, Head of the Delegation of the European Union to Vietnam, the high-quality FDI capital flow from the EU will flow into Vietnam when trade between the two sides increases. Because investment often comes after commercial activities. When there are strong trade activities, new investors will begin to pay attention to investment. Moreover, the EU-Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA) which reassures European investors to pour capital into Vietnam, has not been approved with the EVFTA, but it has to wait for the approvals of the parliament of member countries to go into execution. In the long term, according to experts, the opportunity to attract capital flows from the EU is very large. In the region, besides Singapore, only Vietnam has an FTA with the EU. Meanwhile, Singapore only focuses on the service sector, EU enterprises which want to move production from China will think of Vietnam. However, experts say that the decision to shift investment to a certain country is a complicated one, based on many factors. Of which, tax incentives are only a small part, EU enterprises will pay special attention to the investment environment, transparent administrative procedures, the ability to enforce and resolve disputes, and the ability to predict policies. Analysts said that EU partners have advantages in source technology, high technology, clean technology, as well as transparency in law enforcement, and commitment implementation. Therefore, FDI capital flows from the EU through projects can help Vietnam access and catch up with the new development trends of the world, promote economic development without hurting social and environmental objectives. However, in the opposite direction, according to EuroCham Vice Chairman Nguyen Hai Minh, there are three major issues that EU investors are concerned about when coming to Vietnam, including the quality of infrastructure, the quality of human resources, and administrative procedures. These issues are not only for EU enterprises but also for the foreign investors' community in Vietnam. However, they cannot be improved overnight. EU investors want a predictable, stable, and business-friendly investment and trade environment. Mr. Nicolas Audier, Chairman of the EuroCham, said that if the recommendations of EuroCham members are considered to be resolved, they will help Vietnam to fully exploit the benefits of EVFTA and move further and faster on the path of growth and development. By Xuan Loc Translated by Bao Nghi This was a very powerful storm and I am thankful that it appears no one in Cape May County was injured, said Thornton. We know many people have a lot on their hands to fix the damaged buildings and roofs. I just wanted to remind everyone to be safe out there. If you see a downed power line, stay away from it. There has been reports of damaged properties throughout the county, including between 6 and 12 structures in Marmora where an apparent tornado was responsible, officials said. The countys Regional Urban Search Team and local fire departments were dispatched. Other damage in the county includes a motel roof in the Wildwoods that was blown off, utility poles knocked over, downed trees and limbs, among other damage. County officials also reported damage at the Cape May County Park and Zoo. There are dozens of downed trees and branches throughout the area, officials said. Those have damaged several fences and one of the pavilions in the park. The Park and Zoo will be closed on Wednesday for cleanup and repairs as a result but is expected to reopen on Thursday. Premier League bosses will permit those clubs still involved in European competition to begin their domestic campaign later than the scheduled September 12 date, says Wolverhampton Wanderers manager Nuno Espirito Santo. The 46-year-old Portuguese followed Chelsea manager Frank Lampard -- whose side are in Champions League action at the weekend -- in calling for a delayed start to their season as the players are facing a shorter break than those not involved in European competition. Nuno's side host Greek outfit Olympiakos on Thursday in their Europa League last 16 second-leg clash, with Wolves holding the advantage having scored an away goal in the 1-1 draw in the reverse fixture. That was back in March before the lockdown due to the coronavirus pandemic, but Wolves' European campaign started over a year ago. The exact details for the Premier League schedule for next season will not be decided until later in August. It has already been decided in principle that all clubs should be given a minimum amount of time off, including those still in Europe. "The Premier League should acknowledge teams involved in Europe that players require more time to recover," Nuno said Wednesday. "We are playing in August. I am sure they will adjust the schedule." Nuno, whose side missed out on the Europa League for next season after Tottenham Hotspur leapfrogged them into sixth on the last day of the campaign, is happy to have advanced as far as they have done as it has given young players valuable experience. "Being involved in European competition and playing well in the Premier League brought us a lot of knowledge," said Nuno. "The balance of the squad with a lot of international players has been good. The challenge can make us better. "It was inspiring experience for the young players to come with us for the away Euro games. It is part of our process." Nuno says the away goal is welcome but that will not affect the way they play the second leg. "We have to approach this as a new game," he said. "What happened in the first game doesn't matter. We need a lot of commitment and belief. We have to commit ourselves to every challenge. "We have been good on that. Maybe it is lucky or unlucky that we have all the players available. "We don't need to win. We want to compete and achieve our goals." Wolves face Olympiakos in the second leg of their Europa League last 16 on Thursday Outdoor dining is just about the only way to go these days, since Pennsylvania dining rooms are capped while Philadelphias and New Jerseys are closed entirely. So we will take a look at the roof decks. Lots to see here this week, including: Two stories of prognostication from Jenn Ladd (the future of diners and the pandemics impact on the social experience), a visit to a tomato farm, a peek at a purple dessert, and your guide to restaurant openings. Yes, openings. If you need food news, click here and follow me on Twitter and Instagram. Email tips, suggestions, and questions here. If someone forwarded you this newsletter and you like what youre reading, sign up here to get it free every week. Michael Klein 11 options for rooftop dining Rooftop dining has always been one of my favorite dining experiences. And now, in our pandemic days, its even more appealing. When you factor in the required six-foot chairback-to-chairback spacing and the natural openness of a roof, these setups really put the distancing into social distancing. I found 11 restaurants with roof decks, in both the city and burbs. Not saying that things are looking up, but... As for outdoor dining which is the only option in Philadelphia, where the dining rooms and bars are closed critic Craig LaBan offers his suggestions, while reporter Jenn Ladd presents hers. Read on to the bottom of this newsletter for a few brand-new options. How will our diners weather the pandemic? Will diner customers come out to eat pancakes in a parking lot? How long can takeout club sandwiches and dinner specials sustain restaurants used to seating 100 customers at a time? And if they cant make ends meet in a pandemic, will diners a waning American institution fade even faster? Whatll it be? Jenn Ladd asks some veteran diner operators, who are toughing it out. It wont be over easy, they say. (Not all will survive. I see that Chestnut Diner, which opened in early February across from Liberty Place in Center City to great promise, is cleared out.) How things wont change after COVID-19 Jenn Ladd also takes an insightful look at the world ahead of us. Before the pandemic, perhaps you went out with friends and dug into a bowl of free snacks over beers, or sampled one anothers cocktails to see if you liked someone elses better before ordering a second round. Maybe you shared dessert, using the generally established formula of one wedge of cheesecake to four forks. What might dining behavior look like after COVID-19? This tomato farmer is outstanding in his field Why does Dan Waber call himself that crazy guy with all the tomatoes? Maybe, as Bryan Deemer explains, because his farm in East Greenville has 320 kinds of tomatoes. Youll want to try them all. Do not adjust your screen. This is purple pound cake, and it rocks. We do love our old-fashioned Stocks pound cake. But Jenn Ladd explains that theres another one to consider: Its the marbled ube version at Kensingtons Flow State CoffeeBar, which Melanie Diamond-Manlusoc makes with Greek yogurt, vanilla bean paste, and ube the purple yam thats an everyday ingredient in Filipino cuisine and in recent years has become an Instagram darling due to its stunning hue. Big break for Micah Harrigan, the lemonade kid Micah Harrigan, 10, whose lemonade stand outside his South Philadelphia home turned him into an Instagram hero, got two big breaks this week: He has a new location in the neighborhood, and got a sweet deposit to his college fund from a sponsor. New restaurants, closed restaurants The restaurant scene keeps churning. Though the number of closings since mid-March is pretty much in line with a normal five-month stretch, I believe that restaurateurs being the gritty optimists they are still hope to salvage their livelihoods as the pandemic wears on. Theyre hoping that the typically busy end of year helps stanch the bleeding. That said, the operators of South Street landmark Manny Browns are said to have packed it in last week, as has the crew behind Bainbridge Street Barrel House. The number of openings has fallen, but they are still coming. The last week brought a few debuts: Theres The Wayward, an American brasserie at the new Canopy by Hilton Philadelphia Center City hotel in the old Stephen Girard Building, across from the Loews at 12th and Ludlow Streets. It has 30 seats of outdoor dining on a landscaped terrace festooned with strings of lights. Initially, chef Yun Fuentes cooks dinner only as well as happy hour from 4 to 6 p.m. Char Kol, a pop-up from Michael Schulson and Nina Tinari, specializes in grill-it-yourself BBQ on 70 seats outside their idled Giuseppe & Sons and Harp & Crown (1523-1525 Sansom St.). Pizza Jawn, the brick-and-mortar reality of a home bakers dream, opens Aug. 8 at 4330 Main St. in Manayunk with takeout only. Bourbon & Branch at 705 N. Second St. in Northern Liberties has taken on the pizza stylings of partner Daniel Gutt. Speaking of which: Northern Liberties has boomed lately into a thriving outdoor scene at the Piazza and Liberties Walk, with landscaped streeteries taking over the now-shuttered traffic lane on Second Street. The area veterans Urban Village, a brewpub with pizzas, across from the granddaddy of the neighborhood, El Camino Real, with Tex-Mex have been joined by two New York City-rooted bar brands: an upmarket Mexican/tequila bar called Anejo and a comfort-food/lounge called SET NoLibs. Stay tuned for more. The Central Intelligence Agency has ignored requests to brief senators as part of a Republican-led investigation that targets presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden and his son Hunter, according to sources familiar with the matter and an email described to POLITICO. The spy agencys resistance comes amid intelligence officials deep skepticism of the probe, which is being led by Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) and focuses on Hunter Bidens role on the board of the Ukrainian energy company Burisma. Democrats argue the investigation is based on Russian disinformation aimed at tipping the outcome of the election toward President Donald Trump a charge Johnson rejects. Some intelligence officials similarly fear the Biden probe will only boost the Russian intervention. And while the motivations of the CIA are not certain, Johnson is considered toxic by some members of the intelligence community, according to people with direct knowledge of the dynamic. The agency's reluctance to engage with the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, which Johnson chairs, underscores the intelligence communitys doubts about the probe. And while it is unlikely to deter Johnson from moving forward, it could give Democrats more support as they seek to rebut Trump and GOP allegations that Biden is corrupt. The episode began earlier this year, when Democrats raised concerns about Johnsons investigation and the committee asked the FBI to brief senators. The FBI responded by saying the CIA should also participate, according to a person familiar with the matter a highly unusual ask given that the Homeland Security Committee rarely, if ever, deals with the CIA. On May 14, the Democratic committee staff sent an email to the CIAs office of congressional affairs detailing the scope of the requested briefing, according to sources who described the email to POLITICO. Republican aides on the panel were copied on the email, which was unclassified. Story continues The committee followed up the next day, but the CIA never responded. After publication of this story, CIA press secretary Timothy Barrett said, Our Office of Congressional Affairs works closely with intelligence oversight committees to ensure they are informed of our activities. Democrats have long demanded what are known as defensive briefings from intelligence officials on potential efforts by the Russian government to promote disinformation and influence the 2020 presidential election. The CIAs stance comes as Democratic congressional leaders have also been pushing senior intelligence officials to disclose more information to the public about Russias latest interference campaign. But securing a briefing for the committee has been a challenge. In addition to potential concerns about Johnsons probe, the CIA is wary of providing a briefing that could reveal sensitive sources and methods to a panel other than the Senate or House intelligence committees, which are the agencys direct oversight bodies in Congress. There is a significant trust gap there, said one current national security official. At what point does someone turn from an unwitting participant in that to a witting one? The official added that enough is known about certain bad actors that it should be out of the question to consider their information legitimate investigative material, referring to the Ukrainians who have sought to feed information to Johnson and other Trump allies on Capitol Hill. Johnson has maintained that his investigation has nothing to do with the presidential election and that his committee fully vets all the information it receives. Austin Altenburg, a spokesman for Johnson, said the criticisms are an example of the bias that exists within the federal bureaucracy, including, unfortunately, our intelligence agencies. He also accused Democrats of requesting briefings that are untethered to our work. What the email doesnt show are the intelligence briefings and documents the committee has already received and the multiple conversations in which the agencies told Democrats that they had no further information relevant to our investigation, Altenburg added. Family members gather for a road naming ceremony with U.S. Vice President Joe Biden, centre, his son Hunter Biden, left, and his sister Valerie Biden Owens, right, joined by other family members during a ceremony to name a national road after his late son Joseph R. The May email to the CIAs congressional affairs office outlined what senators wanted to hear from intelligence officials as the Biden investigation ramped up. The committee specifically asked for information about the foreign nationals pushing allegations against the Bidens, including whether they have ties to foreign governments or foreign security services. Lawmakers also wanted to know more about efforts to interfere in the 2020 election more broadly. Michigan Sen. Gary Peters, the top Democrat on the Homeland Security Committee, renewed his demand for such briefings in a letter to Johnson last month, imploring Johnson to pursue the issue if he continued with his probe. A spokeswoman for Peters declined to comment for this story. Johnsons aides, though, have blamed Democrats for the delay. Last week, Johnson sent a letter to CIA Director Gina Haspel requesting a slew of documents related to the origins of the federal investigation into Russian interference in 2016, but the letter did not mention the CIAs apparent refusal to brief his committee. Democrats first called for the briefings in March, when the FBIs Foreign Influence Task Force briefed committee staffers about Andrii Telizhenko, a Ukrainian who has amplified disputed claims about coordination between Kyiv and the Democratic National Committee in 2016. Johnson was set to subpoena Telizhenko, but he scrapped plans for a committee vote on the matter after the briefing, according to sources familiar with the matter. The day before, FBI Director Christopher Wray had briefed all senators in a classified setting about election security. POLITICO previously reported that Democratic senators pressed him about Telizhenko in the context of Russias efforts to sow disinformation in American politics, including about whether Telizhenko was a willing partner in the Kremlin-backed campaign. The briefing was described as combative and personal by attendees, who said Johnson engaged directly with some of his detractors in the Senate as he sought to defend his investigation. More recently, though, as Johnson has sought to highlight, all senators have received briefings from the intelligence community on threats to the integrity of the 2020 vote. Those briefings have touched on Telizhenko and Andrii Derkach, a Ukrainian lawmaker who has sent information about the Bidens to Trump allies on Capitol Hill, including Johnson. Director of National Intelligence John Ratcliffe and other national security and intelligence officials briefed senators on Monday about election security and foreign influence, and they appeared to signal that they were preparing to disclose more information to the public about Russias intentions. The House received a similar briefing last week, during which William Evanina, director of the National Counterintelligence and Security Center, acknowledged that Russia is again trying to boost Trumps reelection and denigrate his Democratic opponent. Evanina was chastised during that briefing by Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who along with other Democrats has urged the intelligence community to make public more details about Russias ongoing interference efforts. Pelosi told CNN on Monday morning that it could be unwitting on [Johnsons] part I dont know what he knows. Thats why we want the intelligence community to tell the American people what they know, not jeopardizing sources and methods. There is plenty they could be telling the American people, Pelosi said, and including the United States senators who may be associating with some of these people. All the motorcycles stopped near the CMs residence, and AASU activists raised slogans against the Citizenship Act After a five-month gap, the anti-Citizenship Amendment Act protests have started resurfacing, with the All Assam Students Union holding a protest march on Tuesday in east Assams Dibrugarh, where hundreds of students took part in a huge motorcycle rally. The protest, soon after the Union home ministry sought three more months to frame the CAA rules, started with a rally from Chowkidinghee and passed through all major roads in Dibrugarh before going towards the residence of chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal in Lakhi Nagar area of Dibrugarh. All the motorcycles stopped nears the CMs residence, and AASU activists raised slogans against the Citizenship Act. Our protest against the CAA has resumed. Due to the pandemic we put our agitation on hold since the beginning of March. Now it will be back in full force. As we said before, Assam will not shoulder the burden of a single Bangladeshi entering the state after 1971, be it Hindu or Muslim, AASUs Dibrugarh general secretary Sankor Jyoti Baruah said. Samsung Electronics hosted its first-ever Galaxy Unpacked virtual event livestreamed from Korea to introduce a new suite of power devices that seamlessly integrate to empower consumers navigating a rapidly changing world These include Galaxy Note20 and Galaxy Note20 Ultra, the most powerful Note series yet; Tab S7 and S7+, versatile tablets for productivity and creativity; Galaxy Watch3, a premium smartwatch along with advanced health features; Galaxy Buds Live, stylish and ergonomic earbuds with amazing sound quality; and Galaxy Z Fold2, the next generation foldable smartphone with enhanced refinements. Never before have we relied on technology like we are today. Its how we are staying connected as we navigate the extraordinary challenges faced around the world," said Dr. TM Roh, President and Head of Mobile Communications Business, Samsung Electronics. "Technology must make life easier, not more complex. Thats why we have introduced five new power devices. Alone, these devices are powerful tools to help you maximize work and play. Together, as part of the Galaxy ecosystem, they work together seamlessly so you can spend your time focused on what matters most," he added. On the Galaxy Note20 series, Samsung said it is a productivity powerhouse that works like a computer and lets you game like a pro. The series comes in two versions: Galaxy Note20 Ultra, designed for Note fans who demand the ultimate in power and productivity, and Galaxy Note20, for broader Note users looking to maximize their time for work and play. Both are built for efficiency, so you have more time to stay connected with the people you love. Now, on the Galaxy Note20 series, new S Pen and Samsung Notes features provide an even more powerful experience and extend to Galaxy Tab S7 and Tab S7+ for flexibility and convenience. Plus, a deeper relationship with Samsungs long-standing partner, Microsoft, makes the Galaxy Note20 series and your Windows PC seamlessly work together. On its new tablets series, Galaxy Tab S7 and S7+ are two versatile tablets that combine the power of a PC, the flexibility of a tablet, and the connectivity of a smartphone. Building on Samsungs legacy of Galaxy 5G leadership, Galaxy Tab S7 and S7+ will be unlocking seamless videoconferencing, fast downloads, and virtually lag-free streaming. Experience PC-level productivity on Galaxy Tab S7 and S7+ thanks to a powerful processor, an improved keyboard experience (keyboard sold separately as Book Cover Keyboard), and an improved S Pen with similar capabilities as the Galaxy Note20 seriesall empowering you to get more done in less time. For users who want even more space to work, play, and create, Galaxy Tab S7+ offers an extra-large 12.4 Super AMOLED display. Galaxy Watch3 is a next-generation companion for managing your routines, smashing your fitness goals, and taking ownership over your health. Built with premium materials and a slimmed-down version of the popular rotating bezel, Galaxy Watch3 features the craftsmanship of a luxury timepiece, while still being comfortable enough to wear all day and all night. With the Blood oxygen feature, you can measure and track oxygen saturation over time, for fitness and wellness purposes. According to Samsung, Galaxy Buds Live is the most stylish and ergonomic earbuds with amazing sound quality and a truly iconic design and comfortable fit. Combining AKGs sound expertise with a bigger, 12mm speaker compared to Galaxy Buds+, along with a bass duct, audio sounds deep and rich so you can enjoy music the way the artist intended, it stated. "Galaxy Buds Live come with three microphones and Voice Pickup Unit so you can feel like youre in the same room as your loved ones, even when youre apart. These earbuds feature Active Noise Cancellation for open type bringing the best of both: live and spacious sound quality, with the ability for you to tune in (or out) of the world around you. Get lost in an audiobook without missing the train conductors announcement, explained Roh. According to him, Samsung continues to pioneer an entirely new category of mobile devices by introducing the next generation of foldables Galaxy Z Fold2. After releasing two foldable devices and listening to user feedback on the most requested upgrades and new features, we have rolled out the Galaxy Z Fold2 with meaningful innovations that offer users enhanced refinements and unique foldable user experiences, he explained. Galaxy Z Fold2 combines the portability and flexibility of a smartphone with the power and screen size of a tablet for ultimate productivity. "Whether folded or unfolded, you can enjoy a luxury mobile experience with Galaxy Z Fold2s premium design. The Galaxy Z Fold2 comes packed with two edge-to-edge, nearly bezel-less Infinity-O Displays. The Cover Screen is 6.2-inches and the massive Main Screen is 7.6-inches , making them both larger than the Galaxy Fold," he stated. "With its sleek design and refined engineering, Galaxy Z Fold2 comes in two equally stunning colors: Mystic Black and Mystic Bronze. For users who seek a unique premium design, Samsung is again partnering with iconic New York fashion house Thom Browne to deliver a limited Galaxy Z Fold2 Thom Browne Edition. With Galaxy Z Fold2, Samsung will continue to inspire all new possibilities for the entire foldable category," he added. The Galaxy Note20 series and Tab S7 series will be available in select markets starting August 21, 2020. Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-06 05:51:07|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close DAMASCUS, Aug. 5 (Xinhua) -- Mohammad Tariq Al-Khadra, the chief commander of the Palestine Liberation Army in Syria, died on Wednesday evening, said a statement by the Palestine Liberation Army. The statement didn't reveal the cause of Al-Khadra's death. Born in 1941 in the Gaza Strip, Al-Khadra lived his childhood in several cities in Palestine and fled to Syria in 1948 when Israel was established and has since lived most of the rest of his life in Syria. In 1960, he enlisted himself in the Syrian army and later joined the Palestinian Liberation Organization in 1966. The father of three assumed the leadership of the Palestinian Liberation Organization in 1980. Enditem Two parliamentary aspirants in the Ayawaso West Constituency in the Greater Accra Region have been urged to restrain their supporters from disturbing the peace during the ongoing registration exercise. This, the Municipal Chief Executive, Sandra Owusu-Ahenkorah explained was the only way to support the Electoral Commission (EC) have clean and violence- free voter register for the area. Madam Owusu Ahenkorah said this at a meeting last Tuesday in Accra with the two, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) incumbent Member of Parliament (MP), Madam Lydia Seyram Alhassan and Mr John Dumelo, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) party contestant. The meeting sought to review the first three phases of the voters registration exercise in the constituency as well as deliberations on the busing of people to the area to register. Though the exercise has been peaceful so far, the accusations and counter accusations of the bussing of people could lead to violence, hence the swift response of the assembly to douse the flame, if any. The area was thrown into turmoil on January 31, 2018 during a bye-election that turned violent resulting in the injuring of more than six people. But the MCE indicated that as the head of the Municipal Security Committee, every available means would be used to ensure that the EC successfully complete their constitutional mandated exercise. The EC officials are our guests and are here to serve and assist the people undertake this important national assignment. It therefore behove the two contenders and their supporters and agents to conduct themselves so as to ensure the security of the officials and the residents, she said. Madam Owusu-Ahenkorah warned those bussing alleged non residents and foreigners to the area to register to desist from such acts or have themselves to be blamed. She urged the two not to use the media to report on any issue but rather the security agencies and even the assembly in order not to inflame passion. Both Madam Alhassan and Mr Dumelo expressed their appreciation to the MCE and promised to abide by the details of the discussion and also commit to the peace before, during and after the 2020 elections. 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 Mayor Mafani flanked by Sarah Loch (left) & Eric Tharday Buea Council The protracted crisis in Cameroons North West and South West Regions was the focus of a meeting between a visiting Swiss delegation and the Mayor of Buea Tuesday, August 4, 2020. According to a statement on the Facebook page of the Buea Council, Mayor David Mafani Namange Esq. received in audience H.E. Eric Tharday, Senior Adviser at the Swiss Embassy along with the Embassys Political Adviser, Sarah Loch. During the audience, the two diplomats expressed joy being in Buea, a town with characteristic features similar to Switzerland. The reason for their visit was to gather first-hand information on the happenings on the ground as regards the crisis plaguing the North West and South West Regions of Cameroon, and most importantly, to strengthen the North-South ties between Cameroon, Buea in particular, and Switzerland, said the Buea Council. North-South cooperation, which is the most traditional type of cooperation, occurs when a developed country supports economically or with another kind of resource a less favoured one, for example, with financial aid during a natural disaster or a humanitarian crisis. Corporate demands by Common Law Lawyers and Anglophone Teachers led to protests in November 2016. The street demonstrations later morphed into on-going running gun battles between state forces and armed separatist fighters in the predominantly English-speaking regions, leading to untold destruction of human lives, their habitats, and livelihoods. Buea has also had its fiar share of the troubles. For a second year running Cameroon topped the list as the most neglected crisis on the planet in 2019. Three separate emergencies faced the African nation: an exacerbation of Boko Haram attacks in the north, a violent conflict in the English-speaking North West and South West Regions, and a Central African refugee crisis. Ineffective conflict resolution, global news silence, and a massive aid funding shortfall all contributed to the country topping this years list. But the Swiss government is said to be championing talks aimed at ushering Cameroon out of the Anglophone crisis. The situation notwithstanding, Mayor Mafani is quoted as having told his august guests that life is gradually getting back to normalcy in Buea especially in the socio-economic perspective. In the course of the audience, Mayor Mafani sealed a partnership deal between the Buea Council and the Swiss Government, especially councils in Switzerland, intending to boost the tourism potential of the City of Legendary Hospitality, a statement from the council published on Facebook read in part. Conor Lishman is also accused of pulling her by the hair in a separate violent incident (stock photo) A Derry man allegedly kicked a pregnant woman in the stomach, the High Court has been told. Conor Lishman is also accused of pulling her by the hair in a separate violent incident. The 33-year-old was granted bail - but only if he can find an approved address outside part of the city. Lishman, currently of no fixed abode, is charged with two counts of common assault and a threat to damage property. The alleged offences were committed on April 4 and April 25 this year. He was arrested after domestic violence claims were made to police. Setting out the background, Lord Chief Justice Sir Declan Morgan said: "It's alleged there were two assaults, one by pulling hair and a kick in the stomach when this lady was pregnant." A threat was also made to break down the front door at her home in Derry, according to the prosecution. But according to defence counsel Sean Doherty a statement of complaint in the case has now been "categorically" withdrawn. "There doesn't appear to be any admissible evidence," the barrister said. Mr Doherty also argued that Lishman could end up spending more time in custody than any sentence imposed if he is ultimately convicted. Sir Declan held that it would be wrong to let the accused out to live in the cityside of Derry. Instead, he ruled that Lishman can be released from custody once approved accommodation is located on the other side of the River Foyle. Imposing an exclusion zone, the judge ordered him to have no contact with the alleged injured party. CENTREVILLE, Va., Aug. 5, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Parsons Corporation (NYSE: PSN) today announced financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2020. CEO Commentary "Inclusion, diversity, and equality have been a central aspect of Parsons' core values for decades, and recent watershed events have elevated our commitment to assuring we achieve our vision of equal opportunity for all in these areas. These core values enhance our creativity and entrepreneurial culture, which is a key aspect of our competitive advantage and continued growth and success," said Chuck Harrington, chairman and chief executive office of Parsons Corporation. "We delivered record second quarter profitability and strong cash flow results, while overcoming ongoing COVID-19 headwinds to achieve revenue results that were in-line with our internal expectations. Our long history of commitment to innovation, agility, and collaboration continues to differentiate Parsons and is enabling the acceleration of our transition to deliver more technology and transactional solutions. We are well positioned in our markets and will leverage our strong balance sheet to enhance our portfolio and drive future growth." Second Quarter 2020 Results Total revenue for the second quarter of 2020 decreased by $10 million, or 1%, from the prior year period to $979 million. This decrease was driven by approximately $67 million of contract work that was delayed as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Operating income increased to $46 million primarily as a result of an increase in gross profit and lower IPO-related long-term incentive compensation expenses and transaction-related costs. Net income decreased to $23 million and net income margin decreased to 2.4% from the prior year period. These decreases were driven by an income tax benefit associated with the establishment of a $56 million deferred tax asset resulting from Parsons conversion from an S-Corporation to a C-Corporation in the second quarter of 2019. Diluted earnings per share (EPS) attributable to Parsons was $0.23 in the second quarter of 2020, compared to $0.44 in the prior year period. Adjusted EBITDA including noncontrolling interests for the second quarter of 2020 was $91 million, a 20% increase over the prior year period. Adjusted EBITDA margin increased 160 basis points to 9.3%. Adjusted EPS increased to $0.49, compared to $0.43 in the second quarter of 2019. Information about the Company's use of non-GAAP financial information is provided on page nine and in the non-GAAP reconciliation tables included herein. Segment Results Federal Solutions Segment Three Months Ended Growth Six Months Ended Growth June 30, 2020 June 30, 2019 Dollars/ Percent Percent June 30, 2020 June 30, 2019 Dollars/ Percent Percent Revenue $ 482,210 $ 478,497 $ 3,713 1 % $ 959,781 $ 901,309 $ 58,472 6 % Adjusted EBITDA $ 47,756 $ 35,809 $ 11,947 33 % $ 79,465 $ 76,534 $ 2,931 4 % Adjusted EBITDA margin 9.9 % 7.5 % 2.4 % 32 % 8.3 % 8.5 % -0.2 % -2 % Second quarter 2020 revenue increased $4 million, or 1%, compared to the prior year period. The increase was driven by $28 million of increased volume on new and existing contracts, $8 million from acquisitions, offset by approximately $32 million of delayed contract work as a result of COVID-19. Excluding the impact from COVID-19, organic revenue growth would have been 6%, and 8% over the first half of 2020. Second quarter 2020 Federal Solutions Adjusted EBITDA including noncontrolling interests increased by $12 million, or 33%, compared to the prior year period. Adjusted EBITDA margin increased to 9.9%, or by 240 basis points from the second quarter of 2019. These increases were primarily driven by higher profit margins driven by an increase in incentive fee recognition and a decrease in volume on contracts with pass-through costs. Critical Infrastructure Segment Three Months Ended Growth Fiscal Year Ended Growth June 30, 2020 June 30, 2019 Dollars/ Percent Percent June 30, 2020 June 30, 2019 Dollars/ Percent Percent Revenue $ 497,249 $ 511,245 $ (13,996) -3 % $ 990,671 $ 992,838 $ (2,167) 0 % Adjusted EBITDA $ 43,405 $ 40,396 $ 3,009 7 % $ 72,192 $ 71,695 $ 497 1 % Adjusted EBITDA margin 8.7 % 7.9 % 0.8 % 10 % 7.3 % 7.2 % 0.1 % 1 % Second quarter 2020 revenue decreased $14 million, or 3%, compared to the prior year period. The decrease was primarily driven by approximately $35 million of delayed contract work as a result of COVID-19, partially offset by an increase in business volume under new and existing contracts. Excluding the impact from COVID-19, revenue growth would have been 4%. Second quarter 2020 Critical Infrastructure Adjusted EBITDA including noncontrolling interests increased by $3 million, or 7%, compared to the prior year period. Adjusted EBITDA margin increased to 8.7%, or by 80 basis points from the second quarter of 2019. These increases were primarily driven by higher earnings from consolidated joint ventures and improved project margins. Second Quarter 2020 Key Performance Indicators Book-to-bill ratio (second quarter): 1.0x on net bookings of $1.0 billion . Book-to-bill ratio (trailing twelve-months): 1.0x on net bookings of $4.0 billion . . Book-to-bill ratio (trailing twelve-months): 1.0x on net bookings of . Total backlog: $7.7 billion , a 9% decrease from the second quarter of 2019. , a 9% decrease from the second quarter of 2019. Cash flow from operating activities: $88 million compared to $12 million in the second quarter of 2019. This increase was driven by strong collections and income and payroll tax deferrals totaling approximately $33 million dollars . compared to in the second quarter of 2019. This increase was driven by strong collections and income and payroll tax deferrals totaling approximately . Debt: total and net debt were $249 million and $120 million , respectively. The company's net debt to trailing twelve-month adjusted EBITDA leverage ratio at the end of the second quarter of 2020 was 0.4x. The company defines net debt as total debt less cash and cash equivalents, which was $129 million at June 30, 2020 . Recent Significant Contract Wins Parsons continues to win large single-award, multiple-award, and joint venture projects. Awarded a $307 million contract with a classified customer to provide enterprise security, including both cyber and physical security. This contract was awarded in the third quarter of 2020. contract with a classified customer to provide enterprise security, including both cyber and physical security. This contract was awarded in the third quarter of 2020. As the lead partner of a joint venture (JV), Parsons was awarded a $224 million recompete contract for the Riyadh Metro, the largest ongoing metro project in the world. Parsons' work scope includes program, design and construction management; systems testing, and commissioning. recompete contract for the Metro, the largest ongoing metro project in the world. Parsons' work scope includes program, design and construction management; systems testing, and commissioning. Awarded a $950 million ceiling multiple-award indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for the U.S. Air Force's Advanced Battle Management System mission. The Air Force will use this contract for the maturation, demonstration and proliferation of capabilities across platforms and domains, leveraging open systems design, modern software and algorithm development in order to enable Joint All Domain Command and Control (JADC2). Recent Additional Corporate Highlights Parsons recently announced the introduction of three new solutions to maximize the health, safety and security of its communities. The company also appointed three new distinguished members to its Board of Directors. In addition, the company was recognized for its STEM workforce diversity initiatives, its Engineering excellence, and its outstanding mentorship and partnership as part of the Department of Defense's Mentor-Protege Program. During the second quarter of 2020, Parsons introduced three new solutions to maximize public safety: DetectWise , an integrated, touchless suite of solutions that monitors real-time health and facilitates the safe movement of people in public areas. , an integrated, touchless suite of solutions that monitors real-time health and facilitates the safe movement of people in public areas. In partnership with Faunhofer USA , Parsons is in the process of developing and commercializing a diamond electrode biosensor for direct and rapid detection of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes coronavirus. , Parsons is in the process of developing and commercializing a diamond electrode biosensor for direct and rapid detection of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes coronavirus. Grid Armor , a predictive resiliency solution that helps utility companies improve operational efficiency and better respond to and prevent potential catastrophic events such as wildfires, and major power outages. , a predictive resiliency solution that helps utility companies improve operational efficiency and better respond to and prevent potential catastrophic events such as wildfires, and major power outages. As announced previously, Letitia A. Long , former director of the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA), was elected to Parsons board of directors in April 2020 . In addition, General Darren W. McDew , U.S. Air Force (ret.), and David C. Wajsgras were appointed to the company's board in July 2020 . Gen. McDew served with distinction in the U.S. military for 36 years, culminating as the Commander, United States Transportation Command (USTRANSCOM). Mr. Wajsgras has 20 years of experience at the senior executive management level, including Chief Financial Officer of The Raytheon Company and President of its Intelligence, Information and Services (IIS) business unit. , former director of the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA), was elected to Parsons board of directors in . In addition, General , U.S. Air Force (ret.), and were appointed to the company's board in . Gen. McDew served with distinction in the U.S. military for 36 years, culminating as the Commander, United States Transportation Command (USTRANSCOM). Mr. Wajsgras has 20 years of experience at the senior executive management level, including Chief Financial Officer of The Raytheon Company and President of its Intelligence, Information and Services (IIS) business unit. Signed multiple value-added reseller agreements with COVID-19 health and safety screening partners. Recognized by STEM Workforce Diversity magazine for the fifth consecutive year as a top national STEM employer for minority groups, women, and people with disabilities working in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). Announced that three of the company's projects received Engineering Excellence Awards from the American Council of Engineering Companies. These prestigious awards signify the quality of the work Parsons' performs and the level of attention the company provides to its customers and to the communities in which it serves. Parsons received its third Nunn-Perry Award for outstanding mentorship and partnership as part of the Department of Defense Mentor-Protege Program with Mb Solutions, Inc. under the Missile Defense Agency. Fiscal Year 2020 Guidance The company is again reiterating the fiscal year 2020 guidance it initially issued on March 10, 2020, based on its financial results for the first half of 2020 and its current outlook for the remainder of year. The table below summarizes the company's fiscal year 2020 guidance. Fiscal Year 2020 Guidance Revenue $3.95 billion - $4.05 billion Adjusted EBITDA including non-controlling interest $330 million - $360 million Cash Flow from Operating Activities $230 million - $250 million Net income guidance is not presented as the company believes market volatility in its share price and the resulting impact on the company's equity-based compensation expense, as well as charges to interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization and other matters affecting net income will preclude the company from providing accurate net income guidance for fiscal year 2020. Conference Call Information Parsons will host a conference call today, August 5, 2020, at 8:00 a.m. ET to discuss the financial results for its second quarter 2020. Listeners may access a webcast of the live conference call from the Investor Relations section of the company's website at www.Parsons.com. Listeners may also access a slide presentation on the website, which summarizes the company's second quarter 2020 results. Listeners should go to the website 15 minutes before the live event to download and install any necessary audio software. Listeners may also participate in the conference call by dialing +1 866-987-6581 (domestic) or +1 602-563-8686 (international) and entering passcode 8494908. A replay will be available on the company's website approximately two hours after the conference call and continuing for one year. A telephonic replay also will be available through August 12, 2020 at +1 855-859-2056 (domestic) or +1 404-537-3406 (international) and entering passcode 8494908. About Parsons Corporation Parsons is a leading disruptive technology provider in the global defense, intelligence, and critical infrastructure markets, with capabilities across cybersecurity, missile defense, space, connected infrastructure, and smart cities. Please visit parsons.com, and follow us on LinkedIn and Facebook to learn how we're making an impact. Forward-Looking Statements This Earnings Release and materials included therewith contains 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. Forward-looking statements are based on our current expectations, beliefs and assumptions, and are not guarantees of future performance. Forward-looking statements are inherently subject to uncertainties, risks, changes in circumstances, trends and factors that are difficult to predict, many of which are outside of our control. Accordingly, actual performance, results and events may vary materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements, and you should not rely on the forward-looking statements as predictions of future performance, results or events. Numerous factors could cause actual future performance, results and events to differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements, including, among others: the impact of COVID-19; any issue that compromises our relationships with the U.S. federal government or its agencies or other state, local or foreign governments or agencies; any issues that damage our professional reputation; changes in governmental priorities that shift expenditures away from agencies or programs that we support; our dependence on long-term government contracts, which are subject to the government's budgetary approval process; the size of our addressable markets and the amount of government spending on private contractors; failure by us or our employees to obtain and maintain necessary security clearances or certifications; failure to comply with numerous laws and regulations; changes in government procurement, contract or other practices or the adoption by governments of new laws, rules, regulations and programs in a manner adverse to us; the termination or nonrenewal of our government contracts, particularly our contracts with the U.S. federal government; our ability to compete effectively in the competitive bidding process and delays, contract terminations or cancellations caused by competitors' protests of major contract awards received by us; our ability to generate revenue under certain of our contracts; any inability to attract, train or retain employees with the requisite skills, experience and security clearances; the loss of members of senior management or failure to develop new leaders; misconduct or other improper activities from our employees or subcontractors; our ability to realize the full value of our backlog and the timing of our receipt of revenue under contracts included in backlog; changes in the mix of our contracts and our ability to accurately estimate or otherwise recover expenses, time and resources for our contracts; changes in estimates used in recognizing revenue; internal system or service failures and security breaches; and inherent uncertainties and potential adverse developments in legal proceedings, including litigation, audits, reviews and investigations, which may result in materially adverse judgments, settlements or other unfavorable outcomes. These factors are not exhaustive and additional factors could adversely affect our business and financial performance. For a discussion of additional factors that could materially adversely affect our business and financial performance, see the factors included under the caption "Risk Factors" in our Annual Report with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019 on Form 10K, filed on March 10, 2020, and our other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. All forward-looking statements are based on currently available information and speak only as of the date on which they are made. We assume no obligation to update any forward-looking statement made in this presentation that becomes untrue because of subsequent events, new information or otherwise, except to the extent we are required to do so in connection with our ongoing requirements under federal securities laws. financial-news Media: Investor Relations: Bryce McDevitt Dave Spille Parsons Corporation Parsons Corporation (703) 797-3001 (571) 655-8264 [email protected] [email protected] PARSONS CORPORATION CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (In thousands, except per share data) (Unaudited) For the Three Months Ended For the Six Months Ended June 30, 2020 June 30, 2019 June 30, 2020 June 30, 2019 Revenue $ 979,459 $ 989,742 $ 1,950,452 $ 1,894,147 Direct cost of contracts 749,324 784,723 1,518,956 1,498,960 Equity in earnings of unconsolidated joint ventures 3,769 11,634 9,883 22,031 Indirect, general and administrative expenses 187,640 225,359 371,414 402,878 Operating income (loss) 46,264 (8,706) 69,965 14,340 Interest income 196 225 424 702 Interest expense (4,159) (6,376) (8,181) (14,668) Other income (expense), net 715 1,506 263 1,547 Total other income (expense) (3,248) (4,645) (7,494) (12,419) Income (loss) before income tax expense 43,016 (13,351) 62,471 1,921 Income tax (expense) benefit (11,891) 53,496 (16,975) 51,610 Net income including noncontrolling interests 31,125 40,145 45,496 53,531 Net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests (7,826) 114 (9,224) (3,531) Net income attributable to Parsons Corporation $ 23,299 $ 40,259 $ 36,272 $ 50,000 Earnings per share: Basic $ 0.23 $ 0.44 $ 0.36 $ 0.59 Diluted $ 0.23 $ 0.44 $ 0.36 $ 0.59 Weighted average number shares used to compute basic and diluted EPS (in thousands) (Unaudited) Three Months Ended Six Months Ended June 30, 2020 June 30, 2019 June 30, 2020 June 30, 2019 Basic weighted average number of shares outstanding 100,695 92,336 100,682 85,249 Dilutive common share equivalents 291 - 266 - Diluted weighted average number of shares outstanding 100,986 92,336 100,949 85,249 PARSONS CORPORATION CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (In thousands, except share information) (Unaudited) June 30, 2020 December 31, 2019 Assets Current assets: Cash and cash equivalents (including $31,221 and $51,171 Cash of consolidated joint ventures) $ 129,579 $ 182,688 Restricted cash and investments 7,041 12,686 Accounts receivable, net (including $257,967 and $166,355 Accounts receivable of consolidated joint ventures, net) 717,358 671,492 Contract assets (including $27,010 and $26,458 Contract assets of consolidated joint ventures) 645,556 575,089 Prepaid expenses and other current assets (including $8,524 and $11,182 Prepaid expenses and other current assets of consolidated joint ventures) 89,662 84,454 Total current assets 1,589,196 1,526,409 Property and equipment, net (including $2,672 and $2,945 Property and equipment of consolidated joint ventures, net) 124,764 122,751 Right of use assets, operating leases 225,054 233,415 Goodwill 1,045,344 1,047,425 Investments in and advances to unconsolidated joint ventures 64,905 68,620 Intangible assets, net 214,936 259,858 Deferred tax assets 129,737 130,401 Other noncurrent assets 57,246 61,489 Total assets $ 3,451,182 $ 3,450,368 Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity (Deficit) Current liabilities: Accounts payable (including $91,969 and $85,869 Accounts payable of consolidated joint ventures) $ 209,858 $ 216,613 Accrued expenses and other current liabilities (including $112,014 and $74,857 Accrued expenses and other current liabilities of consolidated joint ventures) 642,357 639,863 Contract liabilities (including $41,945 and $32,638 Contract liabilities of consolidated joint ventures) 219,037 230,681 Short-term lease liabilities, operating leases 47,648 49,994 Income taxes payable 12,053 7,231 Total current liabilities 1,130,953 1,144,382 Long-term employee incentives 22,122 56,928 Long-term debt 249,448 249,353 Long-term lease liabilities, operating leases 201,472 203,624 Deferred tax liabilities 9,117 9,621 Other long-term liabilities 131,818 125,704 Total liabilities 1,744,930 1,789,612 Contingencies (Note 12) Shareholders' equity (deficit): Common stock, $1 par value; authorized 1,000,000,000 shares; 146,495,690 and 146,440,701 shares issued; 23,929,462 and 21,772,888 public shares outstanding; 76,795,221 and 78,896,806 ESOP shares outstanding 146,496 146,441 Treasury stock, 45,771,008 shares at cost (934,240) (934,240) Additional paid-in capital 2,658,036 2,649,975 Accumulated deficit (182,753) (218,025) Accumulated other comprehensive loss (19,991) (14,261) Total Parsons Corporation shareholders' equity 1,667,548 1,629,890 Noncontrolling interests 38,704 30,866 Total shareholders' equity 1,706,252 1,660,756 Total liabilities, redeemable common stock and shareholders' equity $ 3,451,182 $ 3,450,368 PARSONS CORPORATION CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (In thousands) (Unaudited) For the Six Months Ended June 30, 2020 June 30, 2019 Cash flows from operating activities: Net income including noncontrolling interests $ 45,496 $ 53,531 Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash used in operating activities Depreciation and amortization 64,490 61,665 Amortization of debt issue costs 369 629 Gain on disposal of property and equipment (43) (24) Provision for doubtful accounts 38 (866) Deferred taxes 325 (64,924) Foreign currency transaction gains and losses 1,185 (352) Equity in earnings of unconsolidated joint ventures (9,883) (22,031) Return on investments in unconsolidated joint ventures 15,893 15,023 Stock-based compensation 6,432 - Contributions of treasury stock 29,468 24,529 Changes in assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions and newly consolidated joint ventures: Accounts receivable (49,618) (97,450) Contract assets (70,739) (50,842) Prepaid expenses and current assets (999) (4,967) Accounts payable (6,228) (4,517) Accrued expenses and other current liabilities (21,983) 17,763 Contract liabilities (11,047) 11,464 Income taxes 4,048 (7,223) Other long-term liabilities (28,648) 20,097 Net cash used in operating activities (31,444) (48,495) Cash flows from investing activities: Capital expenditures (22,938) (25,953) Proceeds from sale of property and equipment 943 1,873 Payments for acquisitions, net of cash acquired - (287,482) Investments in unconsolidated joint ventures (3,844) (5,049) Return of investments in unconsolidated joint ventures 17 4,403 Net cash used in investing activities (25,822) (312,208) Cash flows from financing activities: Proceeds from borrowings 180,600 350,000 Repayments of borrowings (180,600) (530,000) Payments for debt costs and credit agreement - (286) Contributions by noncontrolling interests 223 8,147 Distributions to noncontrolling interests (1,605) (20,787) Purchase of treasury stock - (819) Taxes paid on vested stock (1,149) - Proceeds from issuance of common stock 1,684 537,331 Dividend paid - (52,093) Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities (847) 291,493 Effect of exchange rate changes (641) (602) Net decrease in cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash (58,754) (69,812) Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash: Beginning of year 195,374 281,195 End of period $ 136,620 $ 211,383 Contract Awards (in thousands) : Three Months Ended Six Months Ended June 30, 2020 June 30, 2019 June 30, 2020 June 30, 2019 Federal Solutions $ 433,140 $ 422,829 $ 1,048,830 $ 1,231,369 Critical Infrastructure 571,951 555,313 922,356 967,841 Total Awards $ 1,005,091 $ 978,142 $ 1,971,186 $ 2,199,210 Backlog (in thousands) : June 30, 2020 June 30, 2019 Federal Solutions: Funded $ 1,308,663 $ 1,003,167 Unfunded 3,654,203 4,031,137 Total Federal Solutions 4,962,866 5,034,304 Critical Infrastructure: Funded 2,719,037 3,428,364 Unfunded 36,787 38,286 Total Critical Infrastructure 2,755,824 3,466,650 Total Backlog $ 7,718,690 $ 8,500,954 Book-To-Bill Ratio: Three Months Ended Six Months Ended June 30, 2020 June 30, 2019 June 30, 2020 June 30, 2019 Federal Solutions 0.9 0.9 1.1 1.4 Critical Infrastructure 1.2 1.1 0.9 1.0 Overall 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.2 Non-GAAP Financial Information The tables under "Parsons Corporation Inc. Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Measures" present Adjusted Operating Income, Adjusted Operating Margin, Earnings before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation, and Amortization ("EBITDA"), Adjusted EBITDA, EBITDA Margin, and Adjusted EBITDA Margin, reconciled to their most directly comparable GAAP measure. These financial measures are calculated and presented on the basis of methodologies other than in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles ("Non-GAAP Measures"). Parsons has provided these Non-GAAP Measures to adjust for, among other things, the impact of amortization expenses related to our acquisitions of Williams Electric, Polaris Alpha and OGSystems, initial public offering transaction-related expenses, costs associated with a loss or gain on the disposal or sale of property, plant and equipment, restructuring and related expenses, costs associated with mergers and acquisitions, software implementation costs, legal and settlement costs, and other costs considered to non-operational in nature . These items have been Adjusted because they are not considered core to the company's business or otherwise not considered operational or because these charges are non-cash or non-recurring. The company presents these Non-GAAP Measures because management believes that they are meaningful to understanding Parsons's performance during the periods presented and the company's ongoing business. Non-GAAP Measures are not prepared in accordance with GAAP and therefore are not necessarily comparable to similarly titled metrics or the financial results of other companies. These Non-GAAP Measures should be considered a supplement to, not a substitute for, or superior to, the corresponding financial measures calculated in accordance with GAAP. PARSONS CORPORATION Non-GAAP Financial Information Reconciliation of Net Income to Adjusted EBITDA (in thousands) Three Months Ended Six Months Ended June 30, 2020 June 30, 2019 June 30, 2020 June 30, 2019 Net income attributable to Parsons Corporation $ 23,299 $ 40,259 $ 36,272 $ 50,000 Interest expense, net 3,963 6,151 7,757 13,966 Income tax provision (benefit) 11,891 (53,496) 16,975 (51,610) Depreciation and amortization (a) 32,081 31,074 64,490 61,665 Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests 7,826 (114) 9,224 3,531 Equity based compensation (b) 12,854 43,311 5,133 47,161 Transaction-related costs (c) (2,485) 7,715 9,526 17,070 Restructuring (d) 1,143 353 1,110 2,571 Other (e) 589 952 1,170 3,875 Adjusted EBITDA $ 91,161 $ 76,205 $ 151,657 $ 148,229 (a) Depreciation and amortization for the three and six months ended June 30, 2020 is $27.0 million and $54.4 million, respectively in the Federal Solutions Segment and $5.1 million and $10.1 million, respectively in the Critical Infrastructure Segment. Depreciation and amortization for the three and six months ended June 30, 2019 is $24.2 million and $49.0 million, respectively in the Federal Solutions Segment and $6.8 million and $12.6 million, respectively in the Critical Infrastructure Segment. (b) Reflects equity-based compensation costs primarily related to cash-settled awards. (c) Reflects costs incurred in connection with acquisitions, initial public offering, and other non-recurring transaction costs, primarily fees paid for professional services and employee retention. (d) Reflects costs associated with and related to our corporate restructuring initiatives. (e) Includes a combination of gain/loss related to sale of fixed assets, software implementation costs, and other individually insignificant items that are non-recurring in nature. PARSONS CORPORATION Non-GAAP Financial Information Computation of Adjusted EBITDA Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests (in thousands) (in thousands) Three months ended Six Months Ended June 30, 2020 June 30, 2019 June 30, 2020 June 30, 2019 Federal Solutions Adjusted EBITDA attributable to Parsons Corporation $ 47,700 $ 35,700 $ 79,317 $ 76,299 Federal Solutions Adjusted EBITDA attributable to noncontrolling interests 56 109 148 235 Federal Solutions Adjusted EBITDA including noncontrolling interests $ 47,756 $ 35,809 $ 79,465 $ 76,534 Critical Infrastructure Adjusted EBITDA attributable to Parsons Corporation 35,519 40,525 62,876 68,201 Critical Infrastructure Adjusted EBITDA attributable to noncontrolling interests 7,886 (129) 9,316 3,494 Critical Infrastructure Adjusted EBITDA including noncontrolling interests $ 43,405 $ 40,396 $ 72,192 $ 71,695 Total Adjusted EBITDA including noncontrolling interests $ 91,161 $ 76,205 $ 151,657 $ 148,229 PARSONS CORPORATION Non-GAAP Financial Information Reconciliation of Net Income Attributable to Parsons Corporation to Adjusted Net Income Attributable to Parsons Corporation (in thousands, except per share information) Three Months Ended Six Months Ended June 30, 2020 June 30, 2019 June 30, 2020 June 30, 2019 Net income attributable to Parsons Corporation $ 23,299 $ 40,259 $ 36,272 $ 50,000 Deferred tax asset recognition (a) - (56,363) - (56,363) Acquisition related intangible asset amortization 22,127 21,389 44,826 42,295 Equity based compensation (b) 12,854 43,311 5,133 47,161 Transaction-related costs (c) (2,485) 7,715 9,526 17,070 Restructuring (d) 1,143 353 1,110 2,571 Other (e) 589 952 1,170 3,875 Tax effect on adjustments (8,023) (17,578) (15,591) (18,066) Adjusted net income attributable to Parsons Corporation 49,504 40,038 82,446 88,543 Adjusted earnings per share: Weighted-average number of basic shares outstanding 100,695 92,336 100,682 85,249 Weighted-average number of diluted shares outstanding 100,986 92,336 100,949 85,249 Adjusted net income attributable to Parsons Corporation per basic share $ 0.49 $ 0.43 $ 0.82 $ 1.04 Adjusted net income attributable to Parsons Corporation per diluted share $ 0.49 $ 0.43 $ 0.82 $ 1.04 (a) Reflects the reversal of a deferred tax asset as a result of the Company converting from an S-Corporation to a C-Corporation. (b) Reflects equity-based compensation costs primarily related to cash-settled awards. (c) Reflects costs incurred in connection with acquisitions, initial public offering, and other non-recurring transaction costs, primarily fees paid for professional services and employee retention. (d) Reflects costs associated with and related to our corporate restructuring initiatives (e) Includes a combination of gain/loss related to sale of fixed assets, software implementation costs, and other individually insignificant items that are non-recurring in nature. SOURCE Parsons Corporation Related Links www.parsons.com ASHEVILLE, N.C. - A county in western North Carolina has joined the neighbouring city of Asheville to apologize for its role in slavery and take the rare step of supporting reparations for Black residents. Buncombe County officials passed the measure Tuesday night 4-3 along party lines, with Democrats being in favour, the Asheville Citizen-Times reported. Similar to the one passed in Asheville last month, the countys resolution does not call for direct payments. It focuses instead on county efforts to prioritize racial equity. Priorities include reducing the opportunity gap in the local public school systems, reducing disparities in the health care and justice systems and increasing Black home ownership. Buncombe County will also participate in Ashevilles Community Reparations Commission. It will determine funding and give other recommendations for investments. Experts have said that such resolutions are rare across the nation, but momentum for such moves has grown this summer amid the racial reckoning sweeping the country after the May 25 death of George Floyd in Minneapolis. Floyd, a Black man, died after an officer pressed his knee against Floyds neck for nearly eight minutes as Floyd pleaded for air. State governments in Maryland, New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania are among those considering reparations. Californias state House passed legislation in June with the Senate expected to review the bill. Its time for us to do something, said Commissioner Al Whitesides, a Democrat and the only Black member of the Buncombe County board. I just hope we have the guts to finish what we start. Whitesides added that it was especially important to address the 800-pound gorilla of racism when we have one of the most racist presidents thats been in the White House during my time. Republican members argued the county already is trying to address racial disparities through a separate strategic plan which passed earlier this year. I cant support this in the way it is because, in my belief, youve already identified our staff theyre already working on this, Commissioner Anthony Penland said. COLUMBUS, Ohio, Aug. 5, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- As Americans and American businesses continue to struggle with the economic fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic, Nationwide Retirement Plans has taken another step to help plan sponsors and participants prioritize retirement savings. Today, Nationwide Retirement Plans announced a new fee waiver program that provides temporary financial relief to plans that move to Nationwide in 2020. "We recognize companies, families and individuals are facing financial challenges right now due to the pandemic, and we're here to support plan sponsors and their participants to help ease their burden during these challenging times," said Eric Stevenson, president of Nationwide Retirement Plans. "We want to help businesses balance the costs of offering retirement plans with the vital need for their employees to prepare for a secure retirement a challenge that has been exacerbated by recent market volatility and uncertainty." The fee waiver is available on Nationwide's flagship Flexible Advantage retirement plan solution beginning Aug. 1, 2020. If eligibility criteria are met, Nationwide will waive its portion of the plan's asset fee for 90 days from the Trust Effective Date (the date of first deposit to Nationwide). Other fees still apply. For more information call 1-800-626-3112. About Nationwide Nationwide, a Fortune 100 company based in Columbus, Ohio, is one of the largest and strongest diversified insurance and financial services organizations in the United States. Nationwide is rated A+ by both A.M. Best and Standard & Poor's. An industry leader in driving customer-focused innovation, Nationwide provides a full range of insurance and financial services products including auto, business, homeowners, farm and life insurance; public and private sector retirement plans, annuities and mutual funds; excess & surplus, specialty and surety; pet, motorcycle and boat insurance. For more information, visit www.nationwide.com. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter. This material is not a recommendation to buy, sell, hold or roll over any asset, adopt an investment strategy, retain a specific investment manager or use a particular account type. It does not take into account the specific investment objectives, tax and financial condition, or particular needs of any specific person. Investors should work with their financial professional to discuss their specific situation. The Nationwide Group Retirement Series includes unregistered group fixed and variable annuities and trust programs. The unregistered group fixed and variable annuities are issued by Nationwide Life Insurance Company. Trust programs and trust services are offered by Nationwide Trust Company, FSB. Nationwide Investment Services Corporation, member FINRA. Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company and Affiliated Companies, Home Office: Columbus, OH 43215-2220. Nationwide, the Nationwide N and Eagle and Nationwide is on your side are service marks of Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company. 2020 Nationwide PNN-1969AO Contact: Jeff Whetzel (614) 249-6349 [email protected] SOURCE Nationwide Related Links http://www.nationwide.com Two New South Wales police officers accused of trying to rape a Sydney schoolgirl allegedly filmed themselves sexually abusing her. Senior Constable James Delinicolis, 29, and Angelo Dellosa, 30, from the state's Police Transport Command, are at the centre of an alleged sex crime against a 17-year-old girl. They were arrested after a series of raids across three locations in western Sydney in the early hours of Wednesday morning. Two NSW senior constables have been charged with attempted rape and the production of child abuse material (stock image) The officers were charged with a string of offences later that afternoon before being refused bail at the Sutherland Local Court. Police set up Strike Force Bensbach after receiving an anonymous complaint about the officers in June, prompting an investigation by the Professional Standards Unit, reports the Daily Telegraph. According to police sources, the pair met up with a teenage girl who is a high school student in Sydney's south-west. Police allege the officers from Bankstown's Public Transport Command filmed sex acts with her. New South Wales police only released details of the arrest and charges late on Wednesday afternoon, meaning media were unable to attend the initial court appearance. It's believed the details were intentionally withheld to prevent media from publishing reports until after the hearing was finished. Strike Force Bensbach was established in June following reports of misconduct (stock) The officers were suspended without pay and will remain behind bars on remand until September 15 for their next appearance at the Central Local Court. Dellosa has been charged with incite aggravated sexual assault, attempted aggravated sexual assault in company and produce child abuse material. While Delinicolis was charged with attempted aggravated sexual assault in company, produce child abuse material, and misconduct in public office. The charges stem from incidents that allegedly occurred in or before June 2020. 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United Arab Emirates United Kingdom of Great Britain & N. Ireland Uruguay, Eastern Republic of Uzbekistan Vanuatu Venezuela, Bolivarian Republic of Viet Nam, Socialist Republic of Wallis and Futuna Islands Western Sahara Yemen Zambia, Republic of Zimbabwe Khartoum The Meteorological department renewed its warning of heavy rains in most states of the country, according to what was mentioned in Warning No. 2 issued since yesterday, according to the outputs of the American numerical model for the Meteorological Authority. The Department calls on citizens to take caution in the southern parts of the states of the Red Sea the River Nile and in each of the states (Kassala, Gedaref, Sennar, Al Jazeera, Khartoum, White Nile, Blue Nile) and large parts of the major states of Kordofan and Greater Darfur. The commission confirms that it's now raining heavily in parts of Kassala state, calling on citizens to be vigilant and take the requested measures in this connection. Sure, it might be warm Wednesday, but what about the rest of the week? Ottawa, August 5, 2020 - Zebrafish are a common aquarium species, of value to hobbyists and scientists alike. Researchers have now engineered an unusual change in them that has echoes of Jurassic Park--but looks alone are deceiving. A research team studying jaw evolution in the earliest known vertebrates--fishes from around 400 million years ago--have found that a single-gene mutation in the toe-sized zebrafish produced a surprising lookalike of species long extinct. The phenomenon revealed in their experiments, called developmental plasticity, explains why a real Jurassic Park will continue to remain a distant concept, best suited for cinematic storytelling rather than scientific reality. "The plasticity we found in the mutants is a key to the great mystery," says Dr. Tetsuto Miyashita, now a palaeontologist at the Canadian Museum of Nature and formerly postdoctoral scholar at the University of Chicago. He led the research team that also included scientists at the Universities of Alberta and Southern California. The results are published today in the Journal of Experimental Biology. Miyashita is interested in the evolution of key characteristics in vertebrates, of which jaws were one of the first critical developments. "We generally think evolution adds new things. For example, the first jaws evolved in fish 450 million years ago, giving them the ultimate competitive edge over other living creatures. Today, we would starve and suffocate without jaws. But sometimes evolution goes the opposite way. Take away something that's been there for millions of years, and it suddenly opens up new evolutionary directions. My idea is to see it in action." To do this, Miyashita bred zebrafish that had a mutation in a gene that instructs cells to form a hinge joint of the jaw. The mutant zebrafish are born without a jaw joint so the upper and lower jaws fuse into one - creating a gaping mouth that cannot close. With their wide eyes and gaping mouth, Miyashita reckons they resemble the figure in Edward Munch's artwork "The Scream". Surprisingly, Miyashita observed that these mutants swimming in the aquarium were able to survive and thrive - despite the lack of a hinged jaw with which to bite. "Instead of gulping for food, the fish chase it until the food ends up in their great gape," says Miyashita. "They seem unable to move the lips or close the mouth - these fish literally have their jaws dropped, fixed in that position." The researchers observed that the skulls of the jawless mutants were remodelled with a shortened face, expanded cheeks, and massive neck muscles - similar features that first appeared in some of the earliest known jawless fishes during the Silurian and Devonian Periods nearly half a billion years ago. Known as anaspids and thelodonts, these long-extinct fish that swam in ancient oceans are far removed from the zebrafish's line of ancestry. But like the mutant zebrafish, the fossils of these creatures show that they also lacked biting jaws and presumably had a similar feeding strategy. It seems like a Jurassic Park moment, as if Miyashita created Devonian jawless fish out of modern ones. But, he explains, there is a more nuanced answer. "The resemblance is more a coincidence than by design. Anaspids and thelodonts are distant cousins half a billion generations removed, " he says. "Zebrafish didn't come from them, so cannot 'go back' to them." In essence, the mutant zebrafish experiments suggest that genetic engineering does not enable restoring an ancestor. It only allows superficial convergence of characteristics that mutants develop by necessity. "The finding sets an unrealistically high bar for a Jurassic Park-like scenario. Engineered similarities are skin-deep, but origins and contents are completely different." Miyashita notes the scientific phenomenon of developmental plasticity is why features of extinct organisms sometimes appear in lab-made mutants, as in the highly publicized case of 'dino-chickens.' Although these types of mutants are sometimes referenced as a rewinding of the evolutionary clock, plasticity means they are no more than coincidences. That said, these initial experiments do offer insights for future scientific research--especially for how extinct jawless fishes (the predecessors of today's fishes) might have fed, breathed, and swam. The mutant zebrafish can be studied by biologists to explore further why evolution makes an occasional "leap". Understanding how jaw fusion occurs in the mutants may also break a path for a new treatment of certain joint diseases. Miyashita started his new position at the Canadian Museum of Nature April 1, 2020 during the COVID pandemic. This followed post-doctoral work at the University of Chicago where he completed the zebrafish experiments. Scientists at the University of Alberta contributed CT scans and analysis of the skull morphology. Miyashita plans to carry on his work with the mutant zebrafish by establishing another working "Devonian" aquarium at the museum. ### About the Canadian Museum of Nature The Canadian Museum of Nature is Canada's national museum of natural history and natural sciences. The museum provides evidence-based insights, inspiring experiences and meaningful engagement with nature's past, present and future. It achieves this through scientific research, a 14.6-million-specimen collection, education programs, signature and travelling exhibitions, and a dynamic web site, nature.ca. Information for media, and access to images: Dan Smythe Head, Media Relations Canadian Museum of Nature 613-698-9253; dsmythe@nature.ca Dr. Tetsuto Miyashita Research Scientist, Palaeobiology Canadian Museum of Nature tmiyashita@nature.ca Every street in Ayodhya was seen illuminated with earthen lamps ahead of the foundation stone laying ceremony of the Ram temple on Wednesday. People also lit diyas on the banks of Saryu river as part of the deepotsava celebrations in the temple town which will see Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other dignitaries arrive today for the bhoomi pujan ceremony of the Ram Temple. The entire Ayodhya has been decked up and massive preparations have been made for this occasion with a festive air. Also read: Ram temple is for everyone says Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath Earlier chief minister Yogi Adityanath had said that 11,000 diyas will be lit at Ram Ki Paidi on the banks of the Saryu river and that all houses and temples in Ayodhya will be celebrating with a deepotsava (festival of lights) on the nights of August 4 and 5. Adityanath burst firecrackers and lit earthen lamps at his official residence on in Lucknow as part of deepotsava. The construction work of Ram temple will begin after the foundation stone laying ceremony, in which dignitaries from various political and religious fields have been invited to participate. Apart from Ayodhya other cities in like Kanpur were also illuminated to celebrate the grand event. Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) workers light earthen lamps in the city, as part of deepotsava. Also read: 150 cops recovered from Covid-19 will be PM Modis security ring Chief Ministers residence in Uttarakhand will be decorated with 5100 diyas filled with Ghee on Wednesday evening to celebrate the occasion of the bhoomi pujan of the Ram temple in Ayodhya today by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Uttrakhand Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat has said that Lord Ram temple being built in Ayodhya is associated with our belief. He also appealed to people in the state to light diyas at their homes on the occasion. Earthen lamps were lit at Ujjains Mahakaleshwar temple in Madhya Pradesh and in Punjab too people lit lamps as part of deepotsava. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will perform pooja at Hanumangarhi and Shree Ramlala Virajman before performing bhoomi pujan of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya on Wednesday, informed Prime Ministers Office (PMO) on Tuesday. He will unveil a plaque to mark the laying of the foundation stone and also release Commemorative Postage Stamp on Shree Ram Janmabhoomi Mandir. Switch the Market flag Open the menu and switch the Market flag for targeted data from your country of choice. for targeted data from your country of choice. The government of Gombe State has donated 230 hectares of land for the establishment of Nigerian Air Force Forward Operational Base (FOB) in the state. According to a statement by the spokesperson to Governor Inuwa Yahaya, Ismaila Misilli, on Tuesday, the gesture is to facilitate swift response to the air forces counter-insurgency operations in the North-east. He said the governor has also approved a space at the Gombe airport for the smooth take-off of a full-fledged base that will enhance NAFs response capability in combating insurgency and other security threats. Mr Misilli said the governor made this known when he received a delegation of senior officers from the Headquarters of the Nigerian Airforce, led by Idi Lubo, an Air Vice Marshal, who was in the state at the instance of Chief of the Air Staff, Sadiq Abubakar. The governor said the establishment of the NAF FOB in Gombe State, being the centre of the troubled North-east will boost security in the state and stability in the region. He thanked the Chief of the Air Staff for considering Gombe to host the NAF FOB, describing the move as strategic in view of the centrality of Gombe in the North-east sub-region and the peaceful atmosphere in the state. You all know that we existed as one in the North Eastern days and we share boundaries with all the five other states in the region Borno, Yobe, Adamawa, Bauchi and Taraba states so this centrality places us at an advantage. He, however, noted that such an advantage comes with the added responsibility of having to host internally displaced persons from the neighbouring states due to the Boko Haram insurgency. Mr Yahaya said the influx of the IDPs into the state equally comes with the challenge of living with people whose real identity cannot be substantiated, adding that lack of organisational capacity and limited resources further leaves the State from achieving much in terms of profiling. He described Gombe as a peaceful state because the people have accepted and agreed to live in peace with one another regardless of tribal or religious differences. Gombe State Governor presents title documents for 230 hectares of land donated to Nigerian Airforce. PHOTO CREDIT: Gombe State Government Media Office The governor said Gombe is pleased to host individuals who seek refuge in the state but canvassed for more support from federal agencies to address some of the inherent challenges. He described the establishment of the FOB as a step in that direction. The governor said his administration will continue to run an open-door policy and a relationship that is complementary in nature. Gombe State Governor presents title documents for 230 hectares of land donated to Nigerian Airforce. PHOTO CREDIT: Gombe State Government Media Office A clear example of such a complementary relationship, the governor said, was the ceding of the NYSC orientation camp built by the state government some 13 years ago but now being used by the federal government as a de-radicalisation and rehabilitation centre for repentant Boko Haram. Speaking earlier, the leader of the delegation, Mr Lubo, said the choice of Gombe as a NAF FOB was informed by its strategic location and availability of a suitable airport. Gombe State Governor presents title documents for 230 hectares of land donated to Nigerian Airforce. PHOTO CREDIT: Gombe State Government Media Office He said the FOB, when established, will boost security and ensure stability in the North-east sub-region. The NAF FOB will facilitate the countrys overall efforts to address the menace of the Boko Haram insurgency in the North-east in general and enhance security in Gombe state in particular. Gombe State Governor presents title documents for 230 hectares of land donated to Nigerian Airforce. PHOTO CREDIT: Gombe State Government Media Office Mr Lubo said going through the field in Borno State, he understood that the people of the area are left behind in terms of physical and human capital development. He said there is a strong correlation between underdevelopment and conflict of whatever sort. He, however, observed that Gombe is lucky to have an administration that is keen and passionate for the socio-economic development of its people. Gombe State Governor presents title documents for 230 hectares of land donated to Nigerian Airforce. PHOTO CREDIT: Gombe State Government Media Office The highlight of the visit was the presentation of the title document of the 230 hectares of land allocated by the governor for the project. The UKs only Care Quality Commission accredited online mental health support service, Big White Wall, has today [Wednesday 5 August] revealed that it will be providing its signature 24/7 clinically managed platform under the new name of Togetherall. The rebrand marks the organizations renewed commitment to harness the protective and therapeutic effects of connectedness and healthy social networks to empower members in their own recovery. Togetherall, which provides a safe place for people to find relief from mental health pressures with professionally trained and registered moderators available around the clock, has also pledged to ensure that its vibrant online community fosters a sense of belonging in its members, regardless of ability, age, ethnicity, gender identity or expression, national origin, race, religious belief, sex, or sexual orientation. Henry Jones, CEO of Togetherall, explained that the company had been keen to find a new name that members, partner organizations and staff felt truly represented the service. We made a commitment in January 2020 that we would change our name to something that embodies our social impact mission and also allows us to grow and achieve our aim of providing our service to as many people as possible on an international scale. We live in a world where representing all people is essential. Rather than act as a barrier, we wanted our name to communicate a message of belonging to all. Henry Jones, CEO of Togetherall He added that the companys original name of Big White Wall had come from a good place, but it was vital that the organization continue to grow and evolve with its membership. The name Togetherall came from member research that highlighted two key aspects of our service that really stood out our dedication to bringing people together, and the fact that our community welcomes everyone. We are proud to be able to support people from all walks of life with our unique service our vibrant and inclusive community will always be accessible to support members personal journeys to better mental health. We would like to assure our members that the service provided by Togetherall will not change during this period of transition. Henry Jones, CEO of Togetherall Populations have been rapidly turning to online resources for mental health support as anxieties have risen during the coronavirus pandemic. Fears over health and wellbeing, as well as the economic impact of the crisis, continue to be top concerns for many at this time. Togetherall has seen a 102 percent spike in new user registrations and a 103 percent increase in activity on the site since the lockdown was put in place in March compared to the same period in 2019. As lockdown restrictions continue to ease in Britain, Togetherall warns that there are particular concerns amongst members around what the future will bring, with anxiety increasing as a result of the uncertainty surrounding coronavirus and lockdown. Student populations are particularly worried about the impact of continued isolation as they are unable to return to university. Online mental health service providers, such as Togetherall, are likely to play a vital role in supporting the nations wellbeing in light of a predicted surge in demand for mental health care as lockdown eases. KYODO NEWS - Aug 5, 2020 - 17:45 | World, All U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar will soon visit Taiwan and meet with President Tsai Ing-wen, the self-ruled island's Foreign Ministry said Wednesday, in a move provoking China and likely to intensify strains between the world's two major powers. It would mark the first visit to Taiwan by a Cabinet-level U.S. official in six years. It would also be the highest-level visit by a U.S. Cabinet official since 1979, the year Washington switched its diplomatic recognition from Taipei to Beijing, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. "Taiwan has been a model of transparency and cooperation in global health during the COVID-19 pandemic and long before it," Azar said in a statement, announcing his plan to lead a delegation to the island in the coming days. The secretary said he looks forward to conveying President Donald Trump's "support for Taiwan's global health leadership and underscoring our shared belief that free and democratic societies are the best model for protecting and promoting health." Azar is also expected to meet with Health and Welfare Minister Chen Shih-chung, who heads Taiwan's Central Epidemic Command Center, according to the ministry. In Beijing, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said later Wednesday that the mainland government "firmly opposes official exchanges" between the United States and Taiwan, urging Washington to adhere to the "one-China" principle. "Taiwan is the most important and sensitive issue in Sino-U.S. relations," Wang said. "The one-China principle is recognized by the international community. Any attempt to ignore, deny or challenge the one-China principle will end in failure." No concrete date for Azar's visit has yet been announced, but U.S. media said the visit is believed to be scheduled for next week. The Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in Washington, Taiwan's de facto mission in the United States, said in a statement that it looks forward to Azar's visit "further strengthening Taiwan-U.S. cooperation in areas of medical research, supply chain security, and global health." Environmental Protection Agency administrator Gina McCarthy under the previous administration of President Barack Obama visited Taiwan in 2014 and held talks with then Taiwan President Ma Ying-jeou. China, which regards Taiwan as a renegade province awaiting reunification, at the time expressed displeasure at her visit. Azar's planned trip comes as relations between the United States and China deteriorate to a level some experts liken to the emergence of a new Cold War. The world's two largest economies are locked in disputes on the trade and technology fronts as well as over Hong Kong, the South China Sea, human rights and the response to coronavirus pandemic. Maintaining unofficial ties and supplying the island with arms and military spare parts over the decades, the United States has sought closer ties with Taiwan in recent years. In 2018, the Taiwan Travel Act was enacted under the Trump administration to promote exchanges of visits by high-level U.S. and Taiwanese officials. The administration has also sent naval ships through the Taiwan Strait. The closer ties between the United States and Taiwan under independence-leaning Tsai have become a factor escalating tensions between Beijing and Washington. At the World Health Organization, Taiwan has been excluded at China's insistence. Beijing opposes its inclusion as a violation of its "one-China" policy. U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo in May condemned Taiwan's exclusion from the World Health Assembly, the WHO's annual meeting, accusing China of exerting pressure on the U.N. health agency's leadership. Democratic Taiwan and communist-led mainland China have been separately governed since they split amid a civil war in 1949. Liaa TeleServ from OnviSource Liaa TeleServ offers a reliable, prudent alternative to the costs and complexities associated with staffing, onboarding, training, managing and incentivizing live agents. OnviSource announced today a new product, Liaa TeleServ Intelligent Virtual Agent, that delivers fully automated Teleservices applications and Telephone Answering Service (TAS) and offers customer-friendly interactions using either standard touch-tone or Conversational AI driven by Artificial Intelligence technologies. Additionally, it uses process automation to automate the entire process of a live agent while providing teleservices, including automated custom greetings, conducting relevant interactions with callers, accurate recording of interactions in both audio and text using its Speech-to-Text Transcription, end-to-end multimedia message handling via standard or HIPAA-compliant messaging, and providing a full range of operational and billing reports. Liaa TeleServ is available as a stand-alone solution or integrated with Companys OnviCom platform. Both products are delivered either as on-premise software or as cloud services. In this age of convenience and increased desire for self-service, not every business relying on answering services requires a live-agent interaction, explained Francisca Alegria, Executive Vice President with OnviSource. With Liaa TeleServ, businesses using or offering teleservices can embrace the new trend of automated virtual agents to deliver optional automated self-service with new competitive price models, and to increase revenues through a large volume of service, while eliminating additional payroll expenses." Ms. Alegria went on to say, For businesses struggling to keep quality agent positions filled, particularly during this current health crisis and unpredictable economic environment, Liaa TeleServ offers a reliable, prudent alternative to the costs and complexities associated with staffing, onboarding, training, managing and incentivizing live agents. As their core value, teleservices and answering service companies traditionally relied on live agents or operators to provide their customers with personalized live interactions. However, new technologies in automation and customer conversational interactions can now deliver the same core value with human-like services that are consistent and adherent, faster and accurate, and available 24/7; as well as automate the entire process before, during and after interactions with callers. Liaas intuitive Template Generation Studio can be used to design custom interaction templates for each client, or create templates for customer surveys, notifications and response management. Templates can be designed to operate as workflows and scripts with optional branching and processing based on customer responses. Users can create an unlimited number of templates for each type of client to accommodate their specific requirements. Additionally, users have access to customizable operational and billing reports, compatible with 3rd party billing products. Liaa TeleServ automates inbound interactions, records the interaction and client information in both audio and text formats, and sends the content via automated message handling, dispatching, and confirmation through standard or HIPAA-compliant secure messaging. Convenient, secure access to audio recordings and messages using HIPAA-compliant secure messaging, makes Liaa TeleServ applicable across a wide variety of industry verticals. About OnviSource For 15 years, OnviSource has enabled several hundred small-to-large companies across a broad range of industries to cost-effectively manage, automate and improve their customer experience and business processes by offering advanced solutions in multichannel data and media capture, unification, analysis, decision making and automation for their entire enterprise, including their contact centers, back offices and IT organizations. OnviSource ia.Enterprise Intelligently Automated (IA) Solutions offer workforce optimization and workforce management (WFO/WFM), all-inclusive Teleservice Customer Engagement Management, Multichannel Customer Engagement Analytics, intelligently automated Customer Survey, Process Automation through Robotic Process Automation (RPA) and Intelligent Process Automation (IPA), and Intelligent Virtual Agent (IVA). The Company delivers its solutions as software products, cloud or Software-as-a-Service (SaaS), managed services, or any combination. OnviSources special Advantage Platinum Program assures the solutions work for customers specific needs by offering a series of customer assistance programs with no obligations, including consultation, proof-of-concept, and hands-on operation assistance. OnviSource is headquartered in Plano, Texas (North Dallas area), with additional operations in Oklahoma. Media Contact Deborah Cromwell, Marketing Manager OnviSource, Inc. 580.249.9405 deborah.cromwell@onvisource.com Anthony Levandowski, a former engineer for Google and Uber and a developer of technology for self-driving cars, was sentenced to 18 months in federal prison Tuesday for stealing trade secrets from Google. Levandowski, who pleaded guilty to the charge, was also fined $95,000 and ordered to pay $756,499.22 in restitution to Waymo, a self-driving subsidiary of Google parent Alphabet. U.S. District Judge William Alsup of San Francisco denied a defense request to sentence Levandowski to house arrest instead of prison, but said his imprisonment would be delayed until federal prisons have controlled the risks of coronavirus infection behind bars. Levandowski, now 40, was an early star in autonomous driving technology. In 2004, he was part of a UC Berkeley graduate student team that created a self-driving motorcycle to compete in races. After years of working for Google on the robot-car project, he left in January 2016 and founded Otto, a self-driving truck company. He soon sold the company to Uber, which named him leader of its autonomous vehicle department. Prosecutors said Levandowski surreptitiously downloaded more than 14,000 files in his final months with Google, information about laser sensors known as lidar that allow robot cars to adjust to their surroundings. Although he was allowed to plead guilty to only one of 33 felony charges of trade secret theft in a plea agreement, prosecutors said Levandowski admitted downloading thousands of files. Alsup called the theft the biggest trade secret crime I have ever seen. But he rejected prosecutors request for a 27-month prison sentence and instead imposed a term below federal sentencing guidelines of 24 to 30 months. The sentence also includes three years of post-imprisonment parole, during which Levandowski will be required to make speeches titled Why I Went to Federal Prison. His lawyers said in court filings that Levandowski was a family man of good overall character who had not profited from his theft. They issued a statement Tuesday saying Levandowski deeply regrets his past decisions and, while we are saddened that he will to have to spend time in prison, Anthony remains committed to his lifes mission of building innovative technologies to improve peoples lives. Prosecutors said in court papers that Levandowski took a trade secret out the door when leaving Google and was out to enrich himself. Air Quality Tracker Check levels down to the neighborhood Ratings for the Bay Area and California, updated every 10 minutes Last December, an arbitration panel found that Levandowski and a colleague, Lior Ron, had engaged in unfair competition by leaving Google with other employees to start a competing company. Levandowski was ordered to pay Google $179 million, an order that a San Francisco Superior Court judge affirmed in March. A day before the judges ruling, Levandowski had filed for bankruptcy. In a separate case, Uber agreed in February 2018 to pay Waymo $245 million in stock to settle a lawsuit accusing Uber of recruiting Levandowski in order to obtain technology that belonged to Waymo. Uber also agreed not to use the technology. And in another suit, filed in U.S. Bankruptcy Court last month and first reported by the technology website TechCrunch, Levandowski is seeking $4.128 billion from Uber for allegedly violating an agreement to defend him against claims by Google and Waymo and depriving him of the full benefits of the sale of his Otto truck company. Bob Egelko is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: begelko@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @BobEgelko BARRIE, Ontario, Aug. 05, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- MediPharm Labs Corp. (TSX: LABS) (OTCQX: MEDIF) (FSE: MLZ) (MediPharm Labs or the Company) a global leader in specialized, research-driven pharmaceutical-quality cannabis extraction, distillation and derivative products, today announced the results of matters voted on at its annual and special meeting of holders of common shares held on Wednesday, August 5, 2020 (the Meeting). The voting results for each of the matters presented at the Meeting are outlined below. There were 308 shareholders represented virtually or by proxy at the Meeting holding 40,152,300 common shares, representing 29.46% of MediPharm Labs total issued and outstanding common shares as at the record date for the Meeting. As the Meeting was held virtually, all resolutions were passed by a ballot vote. 1. Election of Directors Each of the nominees for election as directors were elected as directors of MediPharm Labs for the ensuing year or until their successors are elected or appointed. In addition to those seven (7) nominees set out in the management information circular dated June 29, 2020 (the Circular), Chris Taves and Chris Halyk, who were appointed to MediPharm Labs board on July 13, 2020 and August 4, 2020, respectively, were nominated by management at the Meeting for election as independent directors of MediPharm Labs. Voting results for the election of the individual directors are as set out below: Nominee Votes For Votes Withheld # % # % Patrick McCutcheon 35,050,179 97 1,066,328 3 Christopher Hobbs 35,183,696 97 932,811 3 Shelley Martin 35,434,171 98 682,336 2 Miriam McDonald 35,187,024 97 929,483 3 Marufur Raza 34,950,482 97 1,166,025 3 Keith Strachan 35,258,289 97 858,218 3 Dr. Paul Tam 35,286,789 98 829,718 2 Chris Taves 40,152,300 100 - - Chris Halyk 40,152,300 100 - - 2. Appointment of Auditor KPMG LLP, Chartered Professional Accountants, was appointed auditor of MediPharm Labs until the next annual meeting of the holders of the Shareholders at remuneration to be fixed by the directors. Voting results are as set out below: Votes For Votes Withheld # % # % 39,917,921 99 234,679 1 3. Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan The resolutions were passed approving a new omnibus equity incentive plan, as more fully described in the Circular. Voting results are as set out below: Votes For Votes Against # % # % 34,005,572 94 2,110,935 6 4. Private Placement The resolutions were passed approving matters related to a private placement transaction, as more fully described in the Circular. Voting results are as set out below: Votes For Votes Against # % # % 34,670,231 96 1,446,276 4 About MediPharm Labs Founded in 2015, MediPharm Labs specializes in the production of purified, pharmaceutical-quality cannabis oil and concentrates and advanced derivative products utilizing a Good Manufacturing Practices certified facility with ISO standard-built clean rooms. MediPharm Labs has invested in an expert, research driven team, state-of-the-art technology, downstream purification methodologies and purpose-built facilities with five primary extraction lines for delivery of pure, trusted and precision-dosed cannabis products for its customers. Through its wholesale and white label platforms, MediPharm Labs formulates, develops (including through sensory testing), processes, packages and distributes cannabis extracts and advanced cannabinoid-based products to domestic and international markets. As a global leader, MediPharm Labs has completed commercial exports to Australia and is nearing commercialization of its Australian extraction facility. MediPharm Labs Australia was established in 2017. For further information, please contact: Laura Lepore, VP, Investor Relations and Communications Telephone: 416-913-7425 ext. 1525 Email: investors@medipharmlabs.com Website: www.medipharmlabs.com CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION: This news release contains forward-looking information and forward-looking statements (collectively, forward-looking statements) within the meaning of the applicable Canadian securities legislation. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements and are based on expectations, estimates and projections as at the date of this news release. Any statement that involves discussions with respect to predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions, future events or performance (often but not always using phrases such as expects, or does not expect, is expected, anticipates or does not anticipate, plans, budget, scheduled, forecasts, estimates, believes or intends or variations of such words and phrases or stating that certain actions, events or results may or could, would, might or will be taken to occur or be achieved) are not statements of historical fact and may be forward-looking statements. In this news release, forward-looking statements relate to, among other things, supply of products to Hybrid Pharm for distribution pursuant to the agreement. Forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon a number of estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable, are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors which may cause the actual results and future events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, but are not limited to: general business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties; the inability of MediPharm Labs to obtain adequate financing; the delay or failure to receive regulatory approvals; and other factors discussed in MediPharm Labs filings, available on the SEDAR website at www.sedar.com. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements and information contained in this news release. Except as required by law, MediPharm Labs assumes no obligation to update the forward-looking statements of beliefs, opinions, projections, or other factors, should they change. A federal grand jury has added a further four charges to former prominent Democratic donor Ed Buck's rap sheet. The four new charges issued by the Department of Justice bringing the total number of charges in this case to nine counts include one count alleging that Buck knowingly enticed 26-year-old Gemmel Moore to travel to the Los Angeles area to engage in prostitution. Buck allegedly provided methamphetamine to Moore, who overdosed on the drug and died on July 27, 2017, inside Buck's LA home. A second new charge sees Buck charged with another count of enticing another man to travel with the intent of engaging in prostitution. The indictment also charges Buck with one count of knowingly and intentionally distributing methamphetamine, and one count of using his residence for the purpose of distributing narcotics such as methamphetamine, and the sedatives gamma hydroxybutyric acid (GHB) and clonazepam. Ed Buck (pictured) told investigators he performed CPR on Timothy Dean for 15 minutes before calling the emergency services LaTisha Nixon, pictured with her son Gemmel Moore. She filed a lawsuit is seeking damages from Buck over her son's death in 2017 The LA Sheriff's Department opened a homicide investigation into Moore's death in 2017, but a year later the District Attorney, Jackie Lacey, declined to file charges against Buck in relation to Moore's death due to insufficient evidence. Buck was later hit with a wrongful death lawsuit by Moore's mother LaTisha Nixon in February 2019 which could provide some insight into the new federal charges that have been brought in the case. The lawsuit claimed that Buck bought Moore a plane ticket from Houston to visit him at his apartment in July 2017, and that just hours after he landed, Moore was dead. Police found the apartment 'littered with multiple syringes with brown residue, a scale, several lighters and torches, a straw with white residue, glass pipes with white residue and burn marks, plastic bags with white powdery residue and a clear plastic bag containing a crystal-like substance', legal papers say. Disgraced Democratic donor Ed Buck has been charged with four more felonies. He is pictured here in September 2019 Gemmel Moore, 26, (left) was found dead of a methamphetamine overdose in July 2017 The documents claimed Buck had 'previously solicited sex' from Moore 'would insist upon injecting Mr Moore with crystal methamphetamine' then forced him to watch hardcore gay pornography. Buck has also been charged with another count of enticing another man to travel with the intent of engaging in prostitution. Timothy Dean, 55 was found dead of an overdose at Buck's apartment 18 months later in January 2019 Timothy Dean, 55, was found dead at Buck's West Hollywood home in January 2019 from a meth overdose. The new indictment which includes the four additional felonies also charges Buck of knowingly and intentionally distributing methamphetamine, and another count of using his home for the purpose of distributing narcotics such as methamphetamine and the sedatives gamma hydroxybutyric acid (GHB) and clonazepam. Buck, 65, was arrested in September after being charged with providing methamphetamine to a man who died after receiving the drug intravenously. In the original five-count indictment it was alleged Buck 'engaged in a pattern of soliciting men to consume drugs that Buck provided and perform sexual acts at Buck's apartment.' Buck is alleged to have used social media to solicit victims including a gay dating website. He is also alleged to have used a recruiter to scout and proposition men. Federal prosecutors say Buck preyed on vulnerable gay men and pressured them to let him inject them with drugs as part of a sexual ritual. Buck is also charged with providing meth to three more men, including one who overdosed. Buck is now facing a grand total of nine federal charges including those filed by the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office that includes allegations he was operating a drug house. The victims families believe their cases were ignored because the men were poor, queer, and Black. Jasmyne Cannick, an attorney representing Moore's family, said in a statement, 'The additional indictments against Ed Buck just further prove that the men who came forward and told their stories of the white man in West Hollywood who loved to inject Black men with meth were true.' 'We're happy that the Department of Justice is taking this case seriously, but we are still disappointed in L.A. County District Attorney Jackie Lacey's failure to take action against Ed Buck. Jackie Lacey's failure to take the accounts of Black gay men seriously is the reason that Timothy Dean is dead.' Moore's mother, Nixon, claims to have given details to the Los Angeles Sheriffs Department of seven men who underwent meth injections from Buck but the office and Lacey ignored her. Each of the federal charges that allege the distribution of narcotics resulting in death carry mandatory minimum sentences of 20 years in federal prison and a maximum penalty of life without parole, according to the U.S. Department of Justice. The four new charges alone carry a statutory maximum sentence of 60 years in federal prison. Buck is currently held custody without bond until his expected trial date in January 2021. Buck ran unsuccessfully in 2007 for City Council in West Hollywood, which is known for its large LGBTQ community. He has donated at least $500,000 to Democratic campaigns and causes over many years. A former model and actor, he also donated to Hillary Clinton's 2016 presidential bid. Campaigners were pictured calling for the arrest Ed Buck outside his West Hollywood home in January 2019 Actor Ankita Lokhande has expressed her happiness on social media the government accepted the request by the Bihar government to order the Central Bureau of Investigation investigation in the Sushant Singh Rajput death case. Ankita shared a post which read, The moment weve waited for has finally arrived. Sushants sister Shweta Singh Kirti also tweeted about it. CBI it is!!! #JusticeForSushant #CBIEnquiryForSSR #CBIenquiry, she wrote. Shweta had earlier requested Prime Minister Narendra Modi to scan the case and ensure no evidence is tampered. The Centre on Wednesday informed the Supreme Court that it has accepted the Bihar governments recommendation for CBI investigation into the death of Sushant. A bench of Justice Hrishikesh Roy observed that truth behind the actors death should come out. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Centre, told the court that Bihar governments recommendation for CBI investigation in the case has been accepted. Rajput, aged 34, was found dead at his apartment in suburban Bandra in Mumbai on June 14 and since then the Mumbai police has been probing the case keeping in mind various angles. An FIR was registered against Sushants girlfriend Rhea Chakraborty under charges of abetment to suicide. Also read: Sushant Singh Rajputs father releases video appeal: Alerted Mumbai Police in February my sons life in danger In an interview with Republic TV, Ankita said that she was woken up by the phone call of a journalist, who informed her about Sushants death. I was sleeping and I just got up with some reporters call. Usually, I dont take unknown numbers. I picked up the call and this reporter said, Ankita, Sushant has committed suicide! And I was finished. It was something that...you dont expect something like this, she said. Follow @htshowbiz for more SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON By Elizabeth Kwiatkowski, 08/05/2020 ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT Elizabeth Kwiatkowski is Associate Editor of Reality TV World and has been covering the reality TV genre for more than a decade. star Avery Mills has confirmed her husband Omar Albakour is safe and was not in Lebanon when a large portion of Beirut was heavily damaged and destroyed by a massive explosion in the city's port on Tuesday."Omar is not in Lebanon. Prayers to Beirut," Avery wrote in her Instagram Stories.Avery later captioned an image on her Instagram that reads "Pray for Lebanon," adding, "Donate @impact.lebanon."According to the Lebanese government, the explosion occurred when 2,750 tons of ammonium nitrate, a dangerous material used in fertilizers and bombs, that had been improperly stored in a warehouse in Beirut's port for six years exploded in a fire, CNN reported Over a hundred people have been confirmed dead and at least 4,000 people more are injured, but the death toll is expected to rise as people continue to be pulled from the wreckage, according to Reuters.Hundreds more, including children and nearly a dozen firefighters, are also reportedly still missing and feared dead across central Beirut in Lebanon, which was already facing a struggling economy prior to the blast.Lebanon Prime Minister Hassan Diab called the event "a real catastrophe" and Beirut governor Marwan Abboud told CNN the destructive scene reminded him of "Hiroshima and Nagasaki," the two Japanese cities that were destroyed by American atomic bombs during World War II.The explosion, which generated an enormous mushroom-shaped shockwave, is currently under investigation."There was a massive explosion, I mean, something that really shook this city like I've never seen before, and I've been through wars here in Lebanon, and this is something unheard of," CNN senior international correspondent Ben Wedeman said.Witnesses told CNN that homes up to six miles away from the explosion were damaged, with windows being blown out of buildings and glass and debris piled in the streets.Vibrations were reportedly felt as far away as Cyprus, which is hundreds of mile away.A massive crater filled with sea water and indistinguishable from the rest of the harbor now occupies the land where the warehouse once stood.Avery, who starred on : Before the 90 Days with Omar, wrote to her followers, "The Middle East never gets a break. To the people that think that the families in the Middle East don't matter or that they are 'less than' people in other parts of the world, please open your eyes and see that we are all one."Avery added, "To the countries who constantly deal with devastation and it seems like no one cares, I want to say I'm so sorry that the world has failed you."Avery is raising awareness on Instagram and has promoted ways for people to help Lebanon, including offering up prayers and giving blood.Avery also shared the "Impact Lebanon" disaster-relief fund with her followers and its website where people can donate money, which will be used to support the Lebanese Red Cross and provide relief for people affected by the explosion that rocked Beirut.Avery additionally supports another relief campaign called "Lebanon Needs Us" -- a "United Mission for Relief & Development" -- which she wrote on Instagram is raising "funds for medical supplies and medical aide for the blast victims."Avery was a 19-year-old former Christian who converted to Islam from Columbus, OH, and Omar was a 24-year-old Muslim man from Latakia, Syria, when they starred on Season 3 of : Before the 90 Days last year. They had met on a Muslim dating app.After just a month of talking, Omar asked Avery to marry him and sent her an engagement ring in the mail.Avery therefore made plans to fly to Lebanon to finally meet her fiance in person and get married. The couple decided on Lebanon since it was a safer place for them to meet considering there's a war in Syria.Despite a U.S. travel ban on Syrian citizens, Avery hoped to eventually bring Omar, a dental student, to the United States on a visa.Avery and Omar's wedding took place in February 2019, and their wedding was shown on : Before the 90 Days, but their bliss down quickly when Avery was forced to return to America following her brief stay in Lebanon.Avery learned once she returned to the United States that Omar realistically couldn't obtain a visa."[An immigration] lawyer said he has worked on many travel-ban cases and none of them have been approved. We can apply for a waiver, but only less than five percent of people who get waivers get approved. I would say the soonest is three years," Avery explained on the show.Avery learned if she was going to have any chance of Omar coming to the United States, she couldn't move to Syria because the only thing the government would acknowledge -- if they do acknowledge it -- is the fact the married couple was forced to live apart from each other."If we make that decision to move out of the country, we make that decision for good," Avery told her husband. "We're just giving up America altogether."On the two-part : Before the 90 Days' Tell-All special that aired in October 2019, Avery revealed she and Omar were still together but had no idea where they were going to live. She remained in the United States but videochatted with Omar every day.In March, TLC released three short-form Season 4 episodes of : What Now?, the spinoff available on the network's TLC GO streaming service, that showed Avery traveling back to Lebanon and reuniting with Omar and visiting with his family.The Blast reported in April that Avery is still trying to sponsor a visa for Omar, and so she's working hard in the United States to make money.Avery is also reportedly going to college and is patiently waiting for when she and Omar can be together on a permanent basis.Below are the two campaigns Avery is promoting where donations can be made to Lebanon victims and relief efforts:Want more spoilers or couples updates? Click here to visit our homepage! Theres a little uncertainty about the ceremony for renominating President Trump during the Republican National Convention in Charlotte later this month. On Saturday, a GOP spokeswoman said it would be conducted in private, without members of the press present. She cited the coronavirus as the reason. Though were glad convention authorities are taking coronavirus seriously, a press ban would be disappointing to many of the presidents fans, who would follow it from the safety of their homes if they could. But a committee official contradicted that assessment on Sunday, saying that no final decisions have been made and that logistics and press coverage options were still being evaluated. However it happens, Charlotte should benefit from the presence of the 336 delegates who are scheduled to attend while wearing masks and maintaining social distancing, we hope. As of last week, both Trump and Vice President Mike Pence planned to be in Charlotte to accept the nomination. Well see. It wouldnt be unusual for the presidents plans to change once again. The Andrews government has clarified the rules for residential construction, allowing tradies to work between sites and architects to inspect construction in some circumstances. Home builders feared they would have to shut down completely during stage four restrictions after Premier Daniel Andrews announced that construction workers would only be allowed to attend one work site for six weeks from 11.59pm on Friday. But after a "very long night" of consultations, Mr Andrews clarified that some tradies would be allowed to move between work sites when necessary. Platinum Developer managing director Ghan Bavadiya in front of one of his construction projects, in Mooroolbark. Credit:Luis Enrique Ascui "There will be limited movement allowed, particularly for specialist trades, who once they have completed their tasks they need to move to the next home. Building supervisors, people who are running those teams of trades people, they will also be able to move between sites," Mr Andrews said. Montreal, CA (H4T1V6) Today Partly cloudy skies early then becoming cloudy with periods of snow late. Low near --12C. Winds ESE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of snow 90%. Snow accumulations less than one inch.. Tonight Partly cloudy skies early then becoming cloudy with periods of snow late. Low near --23C. Winds ESE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of snow 90%. Snow accumulations less than one inch. There were sporadic clashes between the police and saffron activists across West Bengal on Wednesday for defying the total lockdown and holding celebrations for the ground breaking ceremony of the Ayodhya Ram Temple. In Assam, several persons were injured in a clash between two communities in Sonitpur district on Wednesday after a bike rally was organised by Bajrang Dal members to celebrate the foundation stone laying ceremony of a Ram temple in Ayodhya, officials said. IMAGE: BJP activists celebrate the ground breaking ceremony of proposed Ram temple in Ayodhya, during the complete biweekly lockdown to curb COVID-19 spread, in Kolkata. Photograph: Swapan Mahapatra/PTI Photo WEST BENGAL Normal life was completely crippled in the state due to the lockdown, the fourth in a fortnight. According to the police more than 2,550 people were arrested from various parts of the state, including 850 from Kolkata, for violating the lockdown 'irrespective of their reasons'. Clashes were reported from Kharagpur in West Midnapore district, Narayanpur in North 24 Parganas, Coochbehar and Alipurduar towns in north Bengal, among others. At Kharagpur a procession by Bharatiya Janata Party workers to mark the day was stopped by the police leading to a scuffle. "Some policemen were injured in the incident and several BJP workers were arrested," a police official said. In Alipurduar town BJP workers were stopped from organising a bhoomi poojan celebration in the midst of the total lockdown leading to a tense situation. BJP workers also tried to organise a 'yagna' at Narayanpur area but were stopped by locals. Police said 'force' had to be used to disperse the crowd. "BJP was trying to disturb the peace in the area but local people stopped them," local Trinamool Congress leader Tapas Chatterjee said. Scuffles with the police were also reported from Coochbehar district where BJP supporters were stopped from holding a rally to celebrate the bhoomi pujan for the Ram Temple at Ayodhya. State BJP president Dilip Ghosh, who organised a 'bhoomi pujan' celebration at his residence in New Town in Kolkata, said the crackdown by the police reflected the 'anti-Hindu mindset' of the state government. "The TMC government has deliberately disregarded the sentiments of the Hindus in the state," he claimed. "We were requesting (the state government) for the last few days to change the date of the total lockdown, but it was not heeded. When devotees of Lord Ram want to celebrate the day in a small way in Bengal, they are stopped by the police," Ghosh added. BJP national general secretary Kailash Vijayvargiya lashed out at the Mamata Banerjee government for the police action. 'Lord Ram is worshipped around the world. But @MamataOfficial government is insulting the beliefs of the Hindus. Are we living in the land of sharia that we can't celebrate Lord Ram in Bengal?' he tweeted. Hitting back, senior Trinamool Congress MP Saugata Roy said the allegations are baseless. "There is no harm in celebrations, but the lockdown has been clamped due to COVID-19. All of us should respect that and abide by it," he said. Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and BJP workers in Kolkata celebrated the laying of the foundation stone for the Ram Temple. Rituals were held in areas like Baghbazar and Burrabazar. Celebrations were organised by BJP and right-wing outfits in several other parts of the state and went off peacefully. A 'yagna' was organised by BJP workers at Rajganj in the Jalpaiguri district. In many districts, Trinamool Congress workers and leaders too organised 'Ram puja' to mark the day. Normal life was crippled in most parts of the state due to the lockdown on Wednesday, which was part of the twice a week measure by the state government since July 23 to break the chain of the contagion. Public transport was off the roads and government and private offices, banks and commercial establishments, remained shut. Only those involved in essential services like health establishments, besides pharmacies and petrol pumps functioned. Flight services to and from Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport were suspended for the day and long-distance trains were rescheduled due to the lockdown, the fourth in a fortnight. Schools, colleges and other educational institutions in the state had remained closed since late March when the first phase of the nationwide lockdown was imposed. The West Bengal government has imposed total lockdown in the state on August 5, 8, 20, 21, 27, 28 and 31 as per a notification issued on Monday. The state's caseload reached 83,800 while its coronavirus death toll rose to 1,846 on Tuesday, a health department bulletin said. ASSAM Police fired in the air and deployed additional forces to control the situation in Sonitpur district after many bikes and other vehicles were burnt, officials said. Indefinite curfew was also imposed in areas under the jurisdictions of Thelamara and Dhekiajuli police stations, they added. The incident took place when a large number of bikers were heading to a Shiv temple in Bhora Singori in the Thelamara police station area, playing loud music and shouting slogans. "Locals objected to the group playing loud music in their area. They also asked why the rally was organised when the people were fighting the COVID-19 pandemic. This led to arguments, which eventually turned ugly and a clash started," a senior official said. Sonitpur district's Deputy Commissioner Manvendra Pratap Singh, who reached the spot immediately, was attacked by the two groups. They threw stones at him, smashing the front windscreen of his official multi-utility vehicle. Superintendent of Police Mugdhajyoti Dev Mahanta is at the spot to monitor the situation. "To control the situation, which turned into a communal clash, police first lathi-charged and then fired in the air. We have deployed additional forces after many bikes and other vehicles were burnt," Singh said. The bikers did not have any permission to bring out the procession and an alleged minor accident involving one of the riders and a local fuelled the clash, he added. "When we were trying to pacify the people, they started throwing stones at us as well. The front windscreen of my vehicle was smashed. My escort jeep was also attacked by a bamboo but it was not damaged," Singh informed. Additional SP Numal Mahata said police fired 10 rounds in the air to disperse the mob but no arrest has been made yet. Singh said, "Our prime aim was to control the situation and bring normalcy in the area. It was not an easy task to bring the situation under control when around 500 people were engaged in a clash. However, we successfully controlled the situation." The local people burnt several bikes and a four-wheeler of the Bajrang Dal members who were also carrying sharp weapons, he added. The Bajrang Dal members alleged that at least 12 of them have been injured. When asked about the number of persons injured, the deputy commissioner said, "We cannot say it immediately as it became dark and there was a huge crowd. We will be able to say it tomorrow after taking stock of the situation." Researchers at Uppsala University have described the presence, throughout the human body, of the enzyme ACE2. This is thought to be the key protein used by the SARS-CoV-2 virus for host cell entry and development of the disease COVID-19. In contrast to previous studies, the study shows that no or very little ACE2 protein is present in the normal respiratory system. The results are presented in Molecular Systems Biology. The article presents a large-scale, systematic evaluation of angiotensin I converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) expression in more than 150 cell types, at both messenger RNA (mRNA) and protein levels, and reports that ACE2 is expressed only at very low levels, if at all, in respiratory epithelial cells. "Considering the clinical manifestations of COVID-19, with acute respiratory distress syndrome and extensive damage to the lung parenchyma, the results highlight the need for further study of the biological mechanisms responsible for COVID-19 infection and disease progression," says Dr Cecilia Lindskog, senior author of the paper and Head Director of the Human Protein Atlas tissue team at Uppsala University. A full understanding of susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 infection and its progression to a severe and sometimes deadly disease calls for study of the SARS-CoV-2 entry receptors and their cell-type-specific expression in human tissues, at both mRNA and protein levels. It has been suggested that SARS-CoV-2 employs the enzyme ACE2 for host cell entry, and that penetration of SARS-CoV-2 via this receptor would explain the severe clinical manifestations observed in various tissues and organs, including the respiratory system. The study by Hikmet et al. presents a comprehensive update on ACE2 expression throughout the human body, at both mRNA and protein levels. Consistently high expression was found in the intestines, kidney, gallbladder, heart, male reproductive organs, placenta, eye and vascular system. In the respiratory system, however, expression was limited, and in a subset of cells in a few individuals there was no or only low expression. "Previous studies have indicated that ACE2 protein is highly expressed in the human lung. But these expression profiles have not been reliably presented along with tissues and organs from the entire human body, or based on several different datasets at mRNA and protein levels," Lindskog says. "Here, in contrast to previous studies, we were able to confidently show that no ACE2 protein is present, or that it occurs at only very low levels, in the normal respiratory system." Immunohistochemical analysis of 360 normal lung samples from an extended patient cohort was based on the Human Protein Atlas (HPA) resource. Two different antibodies, which were stringently validated, were used. "The HPA programme has devoted considerable efforts to introducing and implementing a new concept for enhanced validation of antibodies, using strategies recommended by the International Working Group for Antibody Validation (IWGAV). Such strategies are crucial for determining whether the antibody staining corresponds to true protein expression," says Professor Mathias Uhlen, Director of the HPA consortium and co-author of the paper. In a News & Views article published along with the ACE2 paper, Nawijn et al. acknowledge the importance of the study and discuss potential explanations for the low expression in the respiratory system. Recent studies suggest that ACE2 could be an interferon-induced gene, leading to upregulation during SARS-CoV-2 infection. It is proposed that ACE2 may first enter and infect eye conjunctiva and cells in the upper airways, and that this is followed by ACE2 upregulation due to the antiviral response, enabling the SARS-CoV-2 to spread and infect the lung parenchyma. It has also been suggested that smoking may increase ACE2 expression in the respiratory system. "Further studies addressing the dynamic regulation of ACE2, and to confirm whether the low ACE2 expression in the human respiratory system is sufficient for SARS-CoV-2 infection or whether other factors are needed for host cell entry, are urgently needed," Lindskog says. ### The Human Protein Atlas The Human Protein Atlas (HPA) programme, based at the Science for Life Laboratory in Stockholm, Sweden, started in 2003. Its aim is to map all the human proteins in cells, tissues and organs using integration of various omics technologies, including antibody-based imaging, mass spectrometry-based proteomics, transcriptomics and systems biology. There is open access to all the data in this knowledge resource, so that scientists in academia and industry alike can freely use the data to explore the human proteome. The Human Protein Atlas programme, which has already contributed to several thousand publications in the fields of human biology and disease, has been selected by ELIXIR (http://www.elixireurope.org), the European intergovernmental organisation, as a core resource for Europe because of its fundamental importance for a wider life-science community. The HPA consortium is funded by the Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation. WASHINGTON Calls to protect corporations and schools from legal blame if workers fall ill from Covid-19 contracted on the job have incited a growing backlash as Congress and the White House negotiate over liability protections in economic relief legislation. Businesses, hospitals, schools and the trade groups that represent them have pushed for any relief package to include protections from Covid-related lawsuits. But so far, there has been little sign of a surge in litigation as the economy reopens, and prominent voices have opposed such a measure, arguing that liability shields are unfair to workers and that businesses must take responsibility to keep them safe. The issue has spilled into the world of sports. On Wednesday, College Athlete Unity, an organization that represents thousands of athletes at universities, wrote a letter to the N.C.A.A. and the Big Ten Conference urging them to revise plans for resuming fall sports. Among the proposals was to ban the use of Covid-19 waivers. The players associations for the N.F.L., N.B.A., N.H.L., Major League Baseball and Major League Soccer have made a similar plea. In a letter to top Republican and Democratic lawmakers last Friday, they said that inserting liability protections in the legislation would be wrong. Please register or log in to keep reading. No credit card required! Stay logged in to skip the surveys. Gov. Andrew Cuomo is begging wealthy New Yorkers to return to the city to save it from economic ruin while fighting off calls from other lawmakers to raise their taxes - a move he fears could permanently drive the top 1 percent out of the city. Thousands of New York City residents fled Manhattan and Brooklyn earlier this year when the city was the COVID-19 epicenter of the world. Many flocked to their second homes in the Hamptons or upstate, while others rented or bought new properties, abandoning their expensive city apartments. Now, six months on with no end to the national nightmare in sight, many are laying down permanent roots. While New York has overcome its battle against the virus, the rest of the country - where lockdown rules have been far more relaxed - is seeing a resurgence. It is preventing New York City from resuming its normal activity because Cuomo fears a second spike in cases will happen if people from worse-affected states travel in and infect residents again. At a press conference on Monday, he said of the wealthiest residents who have long left the city: 'I literally talk to people all day long who are in their Hamptons house who also lived here, or in their Hudson Valley house or in their Connecticut weekend house, and I say, "You gotta come back, when are you coming back?" "'We'll go to dinner, I'll buy you a drink. Come over, I'll cook." 'They're not coming back right now. And you know what else they're thinking? If I stay there, I pay a lower income tax because they don't pay the New York City surcharge,' he said. Scroll down for video A man washes a Mercedes G- Class on a deserted street on Manhattan's Upper East Side. Many of New York City's wealthiest residents left the city in March and have not returned Retail on the UES has taken a hit along with the rest of the city. The state of NY is now staring down the barrel of a $30billion deficit over the next two years It is not unusual for Manhattan to clear out for the month of August, when temperatures between the skyscrapers soar and send many fleeing to Long Island's beaches or further afield. But this summer, with the ongoing lack of appeal in the city, the likelihood that people will come back in the fall is shrinking. What is making matters worse are the increasing calls from other lawmakers to boost taxes on the city's highest earners to try to plug the $30billion deficit that was left by the pandemic. Cuomo said he is resisting the idea, that will send the already transient group of taxpayers running for the hills. 'A single per cent of New Yorks population pays half of the states taxes and theyre the most mobile people on the globe,' he said. He wants the federal government to step in with help in the final stimulus bill that is due to pass soon, and has warned that unless more financial aid is given, the country is on track for a 'real recession'. 'If they dont make this bill right, frankly, they shouldnt pass it because it will be the last bill. 'If this bill does not have funding for state and local government you will see a real recession, not just in New York but across the country [by] forcing state and local governments to lay off people,' he said. Crime in the Big Apple is also rising. While coronavirus deaths have dropped in New York City, they are not yet on the decline nationwide So far, there have already been more shootings in 2020 than there were by the end of the year in 2019 and there are still five months until the year's end. Robberies on the Upper East Side have also increased by more than 200 percent. With a gaping deficit in the city and state's budget, essential services like garbage collection, are suffering. The city's sanitation budget was cut by $106million to try to reduce outgoings. It resulted in trash piling up all over the city. His comments on Monday came before Bill de Blasio, the city's mayor, took the extraordinary step of announcing checkpoints would be going up all over the city. The checkpoints are in place to trace anyone who enters the city from one of the 35 lists that are on Cuomo's mandatory quarantine list. They are to identify people traveling into the city from one of the 35 states on Cuomo's mandatory quarantine list; Alaska, Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, Montana, North Carolina, North Dakota, Nebraska, New Mexico, Nevada, Ohio, Oklahoma, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin. Meanwhile in the Hamptons, stores and restaurants are enjoying bustling trade from the well-heeled city dwellers who have fled there. Pictured, the village of Sag Harbor FACEBOOK ANNOUNCES FIRST MAJOR REINVESTMENT FOR NYC Facebook has announced the first major reinvestment in New York City real estate since the coronavirus lockdown Monday by signing a lease in the landmark Farley building. The social media giant has leased all of the 730,000-square-foot office space at the 1912 Beaux Arts former post office in Manhattan, in a deal that marks a major expansion of the company's business operations in the city. According to AMNY, the move could boost the number of Facebook employees in NYC to 10,000. It comes as much of the Big Apple's office space lies empty with many employees still working from home and wealthy New Yorkers having fled the city. NYC Mayor Bill de Blasio heralded the company's investment in the city as 'part of our economic rebirth', despite smaller businesses in the Big Apple continuing to go out of businesses post-lockdown. Advertisement It's unclear how the quarantine will be enforced beyond people answering texts every day from the department of health if they are stopped and asked for their phone numbers. Cuomo is furious that the president has not issued guidance for the rest of the country. He says that because Trump - who earlier this week responded 'it is what it is' when presented with the fact that thousands of Americans are still dying - remains in denial over how serious the virus is. New York, he said, had done the work to squash the infection rate over the last six months but because no other states are doing the same, it still can't return to its former glory. 'Its so frustrating that six months later we are still talking about this on a such a level of ignorance and denial and are still so woefully unprepared,' he said. 'Facts are facts. We see the numbers going up 'We see experts saying, "We need to reset," but the reset has to start at the top. 'We have confusion, we have chaos. I think the president has to stand up and say what he didnt say six months ago. That COVID is serious. 'That we cant deny it. That its not political, and that it isnt going to go away magically. 'That the way he handled it was wrong. 'It has to start with the president,' he said. Unless there is a national plan, Cuomo said the virus will continue to bounce from state to state. 'Youll see a ping-pong of this virus across the country unless you have a national strategy Giving it back and forth to each other like family members,' he fumed. While Cuomo is begging New Yorkers to come back, those who have stayed in the city are outraged by his continuously harsh rules. An analysis of data reveals that robberies are also on the rise in other affluent New York City neighborhoods - despite the fact thefts are down citywide - which is not likely to draw residents back A whopping 80 percent of some commercial real estate tenants didn't pay rent in April and May which takes a huge chunk out of the city's tax revenue base. Retail has resumed but it remains unclear just how many stores have been able to reopen Popular destinations among so-called 'coronavirus refugees' include Martha's Vineyard, Cape Cod, Rhode Island, the Hamptons, Hudson Valley, the Jersey Shore and southern Florida Soho, Manhattan: Cardboard boxes and black trash bags line a sidewalk on Broadway and Bleecker Street on July 31 Chelsea, Manhattan: An overflowing garbage can is pictured on W. 21st Street and 7th Avenue Friday Gravesend, Brooklyn: Overflowing trash waiting for pick up covers the sidewalk near 86th Street under the El train Police appear to be turning a blind eye to a growing crowd of drug addicts shooting up in broad daylight in Manhattan's Midtown neighborhood as locals plead for someone to step in and put an end to the unsettling scenes. Pictured: One man doubles over on the ground while another holds onto a railing for support in a plaza at 34th St and 8th Ave on Thursday NYC MILLIONAIRES FLEE FOR SMALLER TOWNS Nearly 420,000 New York City residents left between March 1 and May 1 Neighborhoods such as the Upper East Side and SoHo saw populations drop by at least 40% People mostly fled to Long Island, upstate New York like the Catskills and Florida, all of which are popular summer home destinations Residents who left were in neighborhoods made up of mainly whites with household incomes of more than $100,000 per year Advertisement Most of Cuomo's lockdown strategies have been embraced, but a recent decision to force bars to sell 'substantial' amounts of food to customers dining outdoors has sparked outrage. It was prompted by a small number of the city's bars and restaurants flouting social distancing rules to allow large crowds to gather - a clear COVID catalyst. Rather than single in on those specific bars, Cuomo is now forcing everyone to serve large dishes with drinks which is putting the establishments that do comply with the rules in an impossible position. Not all of them have kitchens, and customers - many of whom have seen their own disposable income reduced - do not want to pay for an entire meal when looking to go somewhere for a drink. To get around the issue, some bars started selling $1 Cuomo fries or bags of peanuts. Cuomo responded by telling them they had to serve more substantial amounts of food. There was a huge exodus of residents from New York City at the start of the pandemic which was later compounded by the chaotic riots and looting that were triggered by George Floyd's death. The state's tax base took an unprecedented beating with the sheer number of tenants who failed to pay rent on time or at all, and with almost no retail or dining occurring for the best part of three months. New York's wealthy Upper East Side reports a shocking 286% increase in robberies - with armed gunmen holding up residents just feet from the homes of billionaires New York City's wealthiest neighborhood is grappling with a spike in armed robberies, new data reveals. Manhattan's Upper East Side has seen 27 robberies over the past four weeks - a 286 percent increase when compared to the same period last year, according to the NYPD. Alarmingly, a significant number of those have involved locals being held up at gunpoint. For the entirety of 2019, the Upper East Side only reported four armed robberies. This year, 14 have already been reported. The figures are causing alarm in the ritzy neighborhood, where residents boast an average annual income of $322,400. The NYPD is pleading with members of the public to come forward with information on recent shootings in the Upper East Side The Upper East Side is also known for its high concentration of billionaires - and some of the crimes have taken place just feet from their lavish residences. Last weekend, three teenagers held up man at gunpoint on the corner of East 65th St and Lexington Ave before making off with his wallet. According to Fox New, financier Henry Kravis - who has a net worth north of $6.5 billion - lives just a 'stone's throw away'. The trio of thieves struck again a short time later on East 84th St and Fifth Ave, snatching a woman's cell phone. Billionaires John Paulson and Glenn Dubin reside close by. NYPD Police Commissioner Dermot Shea described the current crisis as 'challenging' Cops later apprehend the teens - two aged 16 and one aged 17 - and seized a loaded gun. Meanwhile, an analysis of data reveals that robberies are also on the rise in other affluent New York City neighborhoods - despite the fact thefts are down citywide. The NYPD's 1st Precinct - which patrols the posh SoHo and TriBeCa neighborhoods -says robberies were up 175 percent in July when compared to the same month last year. Meanwhile, the wealthy West Village - where stars such as Sarah Jessica Parker and Anderson Cooper bunk down - saw a 50 percent spike in robberies. Across the water in gentrified Williamsburg, Brooklyn, there was a 40 percent surge in thefts. Meanwhile, on Monday, the NYPD released its comprehensive crime figures for the month of July 2020, showing shootings and murders were up on the same time last year. Fifty-four murders were reported citywide - an increase of 20 percent. Burglaries soared by 21 percent, while shootings were up a staggering 17 percent in comparison with July 2019. NYPD Police Commissioner Dermot Shea described the current crisis as 'challenging'. The crime increase comes after Mayor Bill de Blasio cut the NYPD's funding by more than $1 billion following weeks of anti-police protests. 'Amid the ongoing challenges of these times, the NYPD's commitment to public safety never wavers,' Shea stated on Monday 'Our men and women officers represent the best of the policing profession and work every day alongside those they serve in an ongoing joint mission to protect life, prevent crime and build safer neighborhoods for everyone across our great city.' 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 BEIRUT - The Latest on the explosion in Beirut (all times local): 6 a.m. Thursday The Australian government has pledged an initial 2 million Australian dollars ($1.4 million) to the relief effort in Lebanon following the deadly blast that ripped across the capital Beirut. Prime Minister Scott Morrison told reporters Thursday that the aid will be provided to the World Food Program and to the Red Cross for food, medical care and essential items. He says his country is considering another round of support. Morrison says some Australian Embassy personnel were injured but they are safe and accounted for and we wish them a speedy recovery. He also thanked the U.S. Embassy officials in Beirut for their support. Tuesdays blast killed 135 people and injured about 5,000 others. Investigators focused on possible negligence in the storage of tons of a highly explosive fertilizer in a waterfront warehouse, while the government ordered the house arrest of several port officials. ___ 11:30 p.m Germany has dispatched dozens of search and rescue specialists to Lebanon to help in the race to find survivors trapped beneath rubble following Tuesdays explosion in Beirut. About 50 staff of Germanys THW civil protection organization flew out of Frankfurt late Wednesday with search dogs and 15 tons of equipment to locate people below collapsed buildings. Timo Eilhardt, THWs chief of operations, said there is normally a good chance of finding survivors more than 72 hours after a disaster, which means we can expect to find people for another two to three days. ___ 9:25 p.m. Russias Ministry for Emergencies says that its first plane carrying relief teams, doctors and medical equipment has landed in Beirut. The ministry said Wednesday the aircraft has delivered a mobile hospital along with 50 emergency workers and medical personnel. Another three Russian flights are scheduled to arrive within the next 24 hours. They will carry equipment for a coronavirus testing lab and protective gear, among other relief supplies. The airlift follows a request for help from the Lebanese authorities faced with the aftermath of the massive explosion that devastated Beirut. ___ 9:20 p.m. The United Nations says it is stepping up emergency assistance to Lebanon following the explosion that devastated Beirut and is urging the international community to stand beside the Lebanese people who have generously hosted thousands of Palestinian and Syrian refugees for years. U.N. deputy spokesman Farhan Haq said Wednesday that among the thousands injured from the blast at Beiruts port are over 100 U.N. staff members and dependents, and among the more than 100 dead are two family members of U.N. staffers. He said 22 members of the U.N. peacekeeping force in Lebanon were among the injured. One of the U.N. Maritime Task Force ships docked in the port was damaged, leaving naval peacekeepers injured, some of them seriously, he said. We expect that the damage at the port will significantly exacerbate the economic and food security situation in Lebanon, which imports about 80-85 per cent of its food, Haq said. The U.N. humanitarian office also expects that it will affect the U.N.s ability to provide aid to Syria because the port in Beirut is one of the ways we are shipping aid, he said. U.N. peacekeepers and staff in Lebanon are assisting in the emergency response and specialists are en route to support urban search and rescue operations and to conduct rapid assessments about the situation on the ground and help co-ordinate emergency response activities, Haq said. A top U.N. priority is to support the existing hospitals and trauma response capacity, and the U.N. World Health Organization is working closely with the Lebanese Ministry of Health to conduct an assessment of hospital facilities in Beirut, their functionality and needs for additional support, particularly amid the COVID-19 pandemic, he said. Assessments of humanitarian needs and shelter needs following the explosion are also underway, Haq said. The United Nations is looking at all options to find ways to provide financial assistance to support ongoing response efforts, he said. Haq said it was too early to say if the U.N. will issue an international appeal to help rebuild Beirut. It would seem given the amount of damage that there will be a need for additional international support for Lebanon, he said, adding that the U.N. is heartened to see support from many governments and hopes all countries will stand beside the Lebanese people at this time. ___ 9 p.m. The U.S. Embassy in Beirut says at least one American citizen was killed and several more were injured in Tuesdays massive explosion in Beiruts port. We offer our sincerest condolences to their loved ones and are working to provide the affected U.S. citizens and their families all possible consular assistance. We are working closely with local authorities to determine if any additional U.S. citizens were affected, the embassy said in a statement Wednesday. The embassy says all of its employees are safe and accounted for. ___ 8:55 p.m. The World Food Program says it is quickly assessing the situation in Lebanon to be ready to provide emergency support for those who were left homeless overnight, lost loved ones, were injured or anyone who needs assistance in these difficult times. The U.N. humanitarian organization said in a statement Wednesday from its Rome headquarters that the explosion and port damage will exacerbate the grim economic and food security situation in Lebanon, noting that the countrys economic crisis was already being compounded by the COVID-19 pandemic. It also expressed concern that the damage to Beiruts port would push food prices beyond the reach of many. The organization cited a recent World Food Program survey that found that 50% of Lebanese saying over the past month they felt worried they would not have enough food to eat. ___ 8:40 p.m. Brazils President Jair Bolsonaro extended his condolences to Lebanon at an event on Wednesday and highlighted that the South American nation is home to millions of Lebanese people. He added his administration intended to provide aid, without specifying how. Brazil will do more than a gesture. Something concrete to attend, in part, to those tens of thousands of people who are in a rather complicated situation because, in addition to injuries, many homes were hit, Bolsonaro said. On Tuesday, he said on Twitter that because Brazil is home to the worlds largest Lebanese population, the tragedy feels as though it happened on Brazilian soil. Brazil already has a ship on a peace mission in Lebanon. The defence ministry previously said it would remove the vessel by the end of this year, citing budgetary restrictions. The Lebanese consulate in Sao Paulo, Brazils largest city, said in a statement it is in the process of asking local authorities to provide assistance. All fundraising must be swift and transparent, it said. ___ 8:25 p.m. The Tel Aviv municipality has lit up City Hall with the Lebanese flag in solidarity with the people of Beirut after Tuesdays devastating explosion, drawing an outcry from some in Israel. Tel Aviv Mayor Ron Huldai wrote on Twitter earlier on Wednesday that humanity takes precedence over every conflict, and our hearts are with the Lebanese people following the horrible disaster that befell it. Israel and Lebanon are officially in a state of war and do not have diplomatic relations. Israel fought a monthlong war in 2006 against the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah, and the sides remain bitter enemies. Current and former lawmakers criticized the decision to project the Lebanese flag. Yair Netanyahu, the prime ministers son, also lashed out against the decision on Twitter, calling it simply insane. Lebanon is officially an enemy state. By law, it is a criminal offence to fly an enemy flag. No such law exists in the Israeli legal code. ___ 8 p.m. Britain is promising a 5-million-pound ($6.6 million) humanitarian support package for Lebanon following Tuesdays devastating explosion in Beirut. Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said Wednesday that search and rescue teams and expert medical support are ready to be sent. He added that a Royal Navy ship already in the area can also be deployed to help assess the damage to Beiruts port. Raab said he spoke Wednesday to Lebanese Prime Minister Hassan Diab, who he said promised a full, thorough and rigorous investigation into the blast, and accountability for those responsible. ___ 7:30 p.m. A U.N.-backed tribunal has postponed the delivery of judgments in the trial of four members of the militant group Hezbollah charged with involvement in the 2005 assassination of former Lebanese prime minister Rafik Hariri. The move was a mark of respect to victims of the devastating explosion that rocked Beirut late Tuesday. The verdicts were to have been read out in the Special Tribunal for Lebanons courtroom in the Netherlands on Friday, but will now be delivered on Aug. 18. In a statement, the tribunal says the decision to delay Fridays court hearing was made out of respect for the countless victims of the devastating explosion that shook Beirut on Aug. 4 and the three days of public mourning announced in Lebanon. The court has expressed its solidarity with the Lebanese people in these difficult times. ___ 7:10 p.m. Palestinians in the Gaza Strip are participating in a blood donation drive to try and help victims of the explosion in Beirut that has wounded thousands. Dozens took part in a blood drive in the city of Khan Younis on Wednesday, which was sponsored by the Palestinian Red Crescent Society. Organizers said they will co-ordinate with the International Committee of the Red Cross to try to get the blood donations delivered to Lebanon. I donated my blood in a moment of loyalty to the Lebanese people, said Khan Younis resident Abu Diab Ouida. The Gaza Strip has been under a joint Israeli-Egyptian blockade since 2007, after the Islamist militant group Hamas took power from Palestinian rivals in an armed coup. It remains unclear whether the donated blood will be able to reach Lebanon. ___ 6:50 p.m. The Hungarian government says it is donating 1 million euros ($1.2 million) for rescue, salvage and reconstruction efforts in Lebanon. The donation to be made through the Hungary Helps program, which provides assistance mainly to charities of Christian churches and other religious organizations around the world, will be given to Lebanons Maronite Church. State Secretary Tristan Azbej said Wednesday that the good friend is known in trouble and the Hungarians are good friends of the Lebanese people. ___ 6:25 p.m. Two U.S. officials say there are no indications that the massive explosion Tuesday evening in Lebanons capital was the result of an attack by either a nation state or proxy forces. A senior Defence Department official and a member of the U.S. intelligence community told The Associated Press that, at the moment, the explosion appears to have been caused by improper storage of explosives. Both individuals spoke Wednesday to the AP on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss intelligence briefings publicly. The senior Defence Department official told the AP that they had no idea what President Donald Trump was referring to when he said during a press briefing at the White House on Tuesday that the explosion looks like a terrible attack. Trump later said that his great generals told him that they felt like it was an attack. Inquiries to the Pentagon on Tuesday about President Trumps attack remarks were referred to the White House. By James LaPorta in Delray Beach, Florida ___ 6:20 p.m. The Paris prosecutors office says a first assessment has established that 21 French nationals were among those injured in the Beirut port explosion. In a statement Wednesday, the office said it is opening an unintentional injuries investigation into the blast and its causes. The investigation will be carried out by the French National Gendarmerie, one of the countrys two national police forces. The prosecutors statement said the group France Victimes is working to bring help and assistance to the French who were wounded, as well as their loved ones. ___ 6:15 p.m. Tunisian President Kais Saied has ordered the dispatch of two military planes loaded with medical equipment, medicine and food to Lebanon following the deadly Beirut port explosion. A statement from the presidency Wednesday said that the Tunisian head of state gave instructions to ministers of defence Imad Hazgui and interim Social Affairs and Health Minister Mohamed Habib Kchaou, to deliver this aid urgently. According to the statement, a team of Tunisian doctors and nurses will also be sent to Lebanon to help treat the wounded, 100 of whom will be flown back to Tunisia aboard the two planes to be treated in Tunisian hospitals. The Tunisian president sent a note of condolence to his Lebanese counterpart Michel Aoun on Tuesday, in which he assured him of Tunisias support and solidarity in this ordeal. ___ 5:35 p.m. The Lebanese government has declared a two-week state of emergency, effectively giving the military full powers during this time after a massive explosion devastated the capital, Beirut. The government announced the measure during a Cabinet meeting Wednesday. It said it was putting an unspecified number of Beirut port officials under house arrest pending an investigation into how 2,750 tons of ammonium nitrate came to be stored at the port for years. The move comes amid speculation that negligence was to blame for the explosion that killed more than 100 people. ___ 5:20 p.m. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has extended his condolences to the Lebanese people and repeated an offer to send humanitarian aid to the country in the aftermath of the devastating explosion in Beirut that killed at least 100 people and injured 4,000. Netanyahu addressed lawmakers in the Knesset, Israels parliament, on Wednesday and said the Israeli government stood ready to assist the Lebanese as human beings to human beings. Netanyahu on Tuesday reached out to the UN to offer aid through indirect channels. Opposition lawmakers heckled the prime minister during his remarks, and several were ejected from the Knesset hall. Israel and Lebanon remain officially in a state of war and do not have formal diplomatic relations. ___ 5 p.m. The World Health Organization says it is airlifting medical supplies to Lebanon to cover up to 1,000 trauma interventions and up to 1,000 surgical interventions following the explosion in Beirut. WHO spokesman Tarik Jasarevic said supplies airlifted from a humanitarian hub in Dubai in the United Arab Emirates would be used to treat burns and wounds caused by broken glass and other debris from the explosion. The airlift follows a request from the Lebanese health minister, and the supplies were expected to arrive in Lebanon later Wednesday. Jasarevic said in an email that the WHO will stand ready to also provide other urgent support. Meanwhile, Russian emergency officials said the first plane with medical workers and equipment for a make-shift hospital had left the country and was en route to Beirut. Four more flights were due to follow in the next 24 hours with more rescuers and medical workers, as well as equipment for a coronavirus testing lab and protective gear. Some 150 Russian personnel will be deployed to Lebanon to help deal with consequences of the explosion that devastated Beirut. ___ 4:40 p.m. Norway is offering 25 million kroner ($2.74 million) and 40 tons of medical equipment to Lebanon after the huge explosion in the harbour of the Lebanese capital. The situation is pretty confusing right now. In the coming days we will know more about what is needed in the long-term, Norwegian Foreign Minister Ine Eriksen Soereide told reporters on Wednesday. She said the Norwegian embassy in Beirut suffered damage in the explosion but all staff members were safe. She said there is no indication of Norwegian citizens being injured in Tuesdays blast, which killed at least 100 people. ___ 4:30 p.m. Turkey is sending search and rescue teams along with emergency medical personnel to aid Lebanon in the aftermath of a devastating explosion. Foreign Ministry spokesman Hami Aksoy said Wednesday that Turkey also is preparing a field hospital, humanitarian aid, medical equipment and medicine for use in Beirut. We will continue giving Lebanon all support with the hope that these difficult days will be overcome as soon as possible through solidarity and co-operation, the spokesman said. ___ 4 p.m. A government minister says the Netherlands is sending a search and rescue team made up of police, firefighters, trauma doctors and nurses to help find survivors and victims of the huge blast in Beirut. Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation Minister Sigrid Kaag told Dutch public broadcaster NPO Radio 1 the 67-strong team is leaving Wednesday evening and will start work immediately. Kaag said one or two people were seriously wounded at the Netherlands Embassy and others suffered minor injuries as the diplomatic office suffered damage from the devastating explosion. Kaag previously served as a United Nations under-secretary general in Lebanon and says she has friends there who are injured or have lost a home. ___ 3:55 p.m. Gulf Arab states have offered various forms of support for Lebanon, though any sustained financial assistance is complicated by the Iranian-backed Hezbollah groups presence in government and on the ground. Saudi-funded medical teams were dispatched from north Lebanon to Beirut to care for and to help transport the wounded on Tuesday, while a specialized team from a Saudi-funded medical centre provided emergency health care services in the Lebanese capital, according to the state-run Saudi Press Agency. Kuwait and Qatar dispatched airplanes full of medical cargo. Qatari officials told The Associated Press that cargo from Doha included two large air-conditioned tents, kits for 1,000 beds, generators and diesel tanks, 50 ventilators, emergency medical supplies like first aid kits, gauze and needles, and medicine. A search and rescue team was also being sent to support. Meanwhile, urgent medical and humanitarian supplies were being sent from the International Humanitarian City in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. ___ 3:50 p.m. Turkish authorities say six Turkish citizens are among thousands of people injured in the massive explosion in Beirut that killed at least 100 people. Turkeys Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu tweeted that one Turkish national was in surgery and the others were lightly injured. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan spoke on the phone with Lebanese President Michel Auon late Tuesday and tweeted his condolences. Erdogans communications director, Fahrettin Altun, tweeted: All our government agencies are ready to help the Lebanese people. There were no immediate details. Separately, Greek diplomatic officials say one Greek woman appears to be among the dead and two other Greek women are injured. Authorities say Greece has sent a search and rescue team to Beirut and will send more aid if needed. ___ 3:20 p.m. Cyprus foreign minister says two police helicopters are on their way to the Lebanese capital with 10 emergency response personnel and eight sniffer dogs to help locate survivors in the rubble of buildings destroyed in Tuesdays massive blast. Cyprus is approximately 120 miles (180 kilometres) away from Beirut, but the explosion was heard and felt by many on the east Mediterranean island nation. Minister Nikos Christodoulides told The Associated Press that Cyprus will also dispatch additional rescue crews, paramedics, non-perishable food items, aluminum and glass that Lebanese authorities have requested. Cyprus will also send chartered flights to Lebanon to repatriate Cypriot citizens wishing to return home. ___ 2:55 p.m. Indonesian peacekeepers have been contributing in the evacuation of victims of the explosion in Beirut. The Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs says in a statement that the Garuda Contingent, as a member of United Nations Interim Forces in Lebanon, is helping in the aftermath. Of the 1,447 Indonesian citizens registered as living in Lebanon, 1,234 are part of the UNIFIL mission, while 213 others are civilians. One Indonesian national was injured in the explosion. 2:45 p.m. French President Emmanuel Macron will travel to Lebanon on Thursday to offer support after a massive explosion in Beirut killed at least 100 people and injured more than 4,000. Macrons office tells The Associated Press that the French leader will meet with Lebanese political leaders. Lebanon is a former French protectorate and the countries retain close political and economic ties. France is also sending several tons of aid and emergency workers. ___ 2:20 p.m. Australia says it will donate 2 million Australian dollars ($1.4 million) in humanitarian support to Lebanon to help Beirut recover from Tuesdays massive explosion. Australian Foreign Minister Marise Payne says in a statement the money will go to the World Food Program and the Red Cross to help ensure food, medical care and essential items are provided to those affected. She says Australia and Lebanon have a strong relationship built on extensive community ties, and more than 230,000 Australians have Lebanese heritage. An Australian was killed and the Australian Embassy in Lebanon was damaged in the explosion. ___ 2:10 p.m. The European Union is activating its civil protection system to round up emergency workers and equipment from across the 27-nation bloc to help Beirut after Tuesdays devastating explosion. The EU commission says the plan is to urgently dispatch over 100 firefighters with vehicles, sniffer dogs and equipment designed to find people trapped in urban areas. The Czech Republic, France, Germany, Greece, Poland and the Netherlands are taking part and others are expected to join. The EUs satellite mapping system will help Lebanese authorities to establish the extent of the damage. Crisis Management Commissioner Janez Lenarcic says the EU shares the shock and sadness of Beirut residents and stands ready to provide extra help. Separately, Iraqs Health Ministry spokesman says Baghdad will send six trucks of urgent medical supplies and an emergency medical team. Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi has offered condolences to Lebanons Prime Minister Hassan Diab, according to a statement from his office. ___ 1:25 p.m. Germany says it is ready to send a team of 47 search-and-rescue experts to Beirut after the enormous explosion in the citys port on Tuesday killed at least 100 people and injured thousands. Germany also says its embassy was damaged in the blast but diplomats have reactivated an old building and are able to work. Interior Ministry spokesman Bjoern Gruenewaelder says Germanys THW technical assistance agency will send a team on Wednesday to assist the embassy. Gruenewaelder says Berlin is waiting for confirmation from Lebanon on the separate search-and-rescue team. France is sending two planes with aid. French emergency workers include members of a special unit with chemical and other technological expertise trained to intervene in damaged industrial sites. Among their tasks will be to identify specific risks for products stored in the area and other risks resulting from the explosion, national civil security spokesman Michael Bernier says. The 55 French workers also include disaster response experts, emergency nurses, doctors and firefighters. ___ 1:15 p.m. The flag is flying at half-staff outside a United Nations-backed tribunal in the Netherlands that is set to announce verdicts this week in the trial of four Hezbollah members charged with involvement in the 2005 assassination of former Lebanese prime minister Rafik Hariri. Special Tribunal for Lebanon spokeswoman Wajed Ramadam says the flag is at half-staff to honour those who lost their lives, who were wounded and who are still missing as a result of the explosion in Beirut yesterday. The tribunal will announce verdicts Friday in the long-running trial in absentia of four defendants charged in the Feb. 14, 2005, truck bombing that killed Hariri and 21 others and injured 226 more people. ___ 1:05 p.m. International troops serving in the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon are among those injured by the massive explosion that hit Beiruts port on Tuesday. Bangladeshs military says at least 21 Bangladesh Navy members of the multinational force in Beirut were injured. The militarys Inter-Service Public Relations Office says one of the injured is in critical condition and had been admitted to the American University of Beirut Medical Center. Bangladesh Navy members have been working in Lebanon with the U.N. force since 2010 to prevent entry of illegal arms and ammunition. Separately, Italys defence minister, Lorenzo Guerini, says one soldier assigned to Italys contingent in Lebanon is injured. Guerini also offers the help of Italian forces serving in the U.N. mission. Italy is the second largest contributor to the U.N. peacekeeping force in Lebanon after Indonesia, with 1,021 troops deployed. ___ 12:05 p.m. Pope Francis has offered prayers for the victims, their families, and for Lebanon after the enormous explosion in Beiruts port on Tuesday. At least 100 people were killed and thousands injured. The pontiff appealed that through the dedication of all the social, political and religious elements, Lebanon might face this extremely tragic and painful moment and, with the help of the international community, overcome the grave crisis they are experiencing. International aid is heading to Beirut, with Poland sending a team of about 50 firefighters, including 39 rescuers with 4 dogs and a chemical rescue module. A Greek military transport plane is heading to Lebanon with a search and rescue team with specialized equipment and a sniffer dog, while Cyprus says it will be sending help. ___ 11:05 a.m. Russias emergency officials say the country will send five planeloads of aid to Beirut after an explosion in the Lebanese capitals port killed at least 100 people and injured thousands on Tuesday. Russias Ministry for Emergency Situations will send rescuers, medical workers, a makeshift hospital and a lab for coronavirus testing to Lebanon. France, Jordan and other countries also say aid is on the way. ___ 10:35 a.m. International aid in the form of emergency workers and medical personnel is heading to Lebanon a day after a massive explosion devastated Beiruts port, killing at least 100 people and wounding thousands. France says it is sending two planes with dozens of emergency workers, a mobile medical unit and 15 tons of aid. French President Emmanuel Macrons office says the aid should allow for the treatment of some 500 victims. French peacekeepers stationed in Lebanon, a former French protectorate, have been helping since the explosions, Macrons office said. Jordan says a military field hospital including all necessary personnel will be dispatched, according to the Royal Court. Egypt has opened a field hospital in Beirut to receive the wounded. Czech Interior Minister Jan Hamacek says Lebanon has accepted an offer to send a team of 37 rescuers with sniffer dogs to Beirut. Denmark says it is ready to provide humanitarian assistance to Lebanon, and Greece says it is ready to help Lebanese authorities with all means at its disposal. ___ 09:45 a.m. Prime Minister Hassan Diab, in a short televised speech, has appealed to all countries and friends of Lebanon to extend help to the small nation, saying: We are witnessing a real catastrophe. He reiterated his pledge that those responsible for the massive explosion at Beiruts port will pay the price, without commenting on the cause. Diabs speech came the morning after the blast killed at least 100 people and wounded thousands. Smoke was still rising from the port Wednesday morning. Major downtown streets were littered with debris and damaged vehicles, and building facades were blown out. Lebanese Red Cross official George Kettaneh said at least 100 people were killed and more than 4,000 were wounded, and said the toll could rise further. Sorry! This content is not available in your region Basic laws of physics spruce up machine learning ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. -- A proposed project to help scientists use the laws of physics to view multiscale physical events with a clarity never before achieved has won an Early Career Research Program award from the Department of Energy for Sandia National Laboratories researcher Nathaniel Trask. Such work may require observations over a millionfold change in scale, with features ranging from the meter- to microscale. Sandia National Laboratories researcher Nat Trask, winner of the Department of Energy's Early Career award, is researching how to clearly present huge changes in scale. (Photo courtesy Sandia National Laboratories) Click on the thumbnail for a high-resolution image. Among areas that would benefit from increased accuracy, he says, are the design of microelectronic devices, resilient energy storage systems and the study of discrete fracture networks in subsurface flows, important in harvesting oil from sparse underground locations. To achieve this, Trask expects to pre-insert basic laws of physics into machine-learning calculations to eliminate errors that otherwise would have to be found and remediated. Machine learning, a form of artificial intelligence, is the application of tools from statistics that enable limited amounts of data to improve working models created by neural networks. Neural networks, a concept inspired by the firing of neurons in the human brain, create the overall architecture of the model through algorithms designed to recognize patterns. Physics, meet neural networks By bringing together traditional physics simulations with neural-network architectures, a machine-learning framework will be created that preserves unvarying physical laws, such as the conservation of mass, momentum and energy, he says. "The presence of these known laws of physics are crucial to accurately handling problems in mechanics and electromagnetics. In this manner, physics is engineered directly into the neural network, guaranteeing accurate properties even in small data limits," he says. His project, titled "Physics-informed Graph Neural Networks for Data-driven Multiscale Modeling," will be supported by grants of at least $500,000 a year for five years to cover salary and equipment. Paul Dabbar, DOE undersecretary for science, said, "The Department of Energy is proud to support funding that will sustain America's scientific workforce and create opportunities for our researchers to remain competitive on the world stage. By bolstering our commitment to the scientific community, we invest in our nation's next generation of innovators." "Nat's novel approach to scientific machine learning should [make an] impact [on] many applications of DOE interest," said his Sandia manager Michael Parks. "This is a very important area of research for the DOE, and the Early Career Research Program is highly competitive," said Sandia senior manager Jim Stewart. "Nat's work stands out through his high level of creativity and mathematical depth." Seventy-six scientists from across the nation this year were selected to receive Early Career program funding. The 11-year-old program, according to the organization, "is designed to bolster the nation's scientific workforce by providing support to exceptional researchers during crucial early career years, when many scientists do their most formative work." Trask has organized workshops and symposiums at a variety of computing meetings. He has published 30 papers and given 57 conference talks, many on mesh-free simulations that produce more interesting results than the formerly standard method of breaking surfaces into small pieces and summing them. He earned his doctorate and master's degrees in applied mathematics from Brown University in 2016 and 2012 respectively, a master's degree from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst in mechanical engineering in 2010 and double major bachelor's degrees in math and mechanical engineering from that university in 2008. Trask joined Sandia as a research staff member in 2018, after employment as a National Science Foundation postdoctoral fellow at Sandia for the preceding two years. ### Sandia National Laboratories is a multimission laboratory operated by National Technology and Engineering Solutions of Sandia LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Honeywell International Inc., for the U.S. Department of Energy's National Nuclear Security Administration. Sandia Labs has major research and development responsibilities in nuclear deterrence, global security, defense, energy technologies and economic competitiveness, with main facilities in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and Livermore, California. This story has been published on: 2020-08-05. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. Advertisement What are the new lockdown rules imposed in Aberdeen? Bars, restaurants, cafes and pubs must close by 5pm today by law Hotel restaurants can remain open to provide food for existing guests, and takeaway services can continue People are asked not to meet other households indoors or travel more than five miles for leisure or recreational purposes People can continue to travel for work, or education purposes Visiting in hospitals and care homes will return to essential visits only Advertisement The city of Aberdeen was today put back into lockdown as pubs, cafes and restaurants were shut and its population of more than 200,000 people were banned from travelling more than five miles from their homes. Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said 54 infections have now been reported in the local Covid-19 outbreak - double yesterday's figure - and all indoor and outdoor hospitality venues were ordered to close by 5pm today. Speaking in Edinburgh this afternoon, Ms Sturgeon said the rise in cases heightens fears the Scottish Government is 'dealing with a significant outbreak in Aberdeen that may include some community transmission'. Residents were told not to enter each other's houses - while extra police officers will be on the streets in the city to ensure residents comply with the reintroduced rules, with Police Scotland saying it will 'continue to engage, educate and encourage people' to follow the restrictions. The Scottish Tourism Alliance has warned the move will be a 'devastating blow' for the community and the Scottish Licensed Trade Association (SLTA) described the imposed lockdown as a 'bitter blow' to the area. Meanwhile, some restaurants saw a flurry of last minute bookings after the announcement of the 5pm curfew, but many bar and hotel owners were left furious about the rule change after investing thousands of pounds in new signage, sanitizing stations, outside seating areas and marquees to keep customers dry. It comes a day after the Queen and Prince Philip landed at Aberdeen Airport where they were met by a driver and whisked off to Balmoral Castle, which is roughly an hour away. Their staff in Scotland have been quarantined for two weeks to minimise the Covid risk, and the couple are expected to stay there until early October as they enjoy a delayed summer holiday. The Aberdeen lockdown also comes just six days after parts of the North West of England were also put back under restrictions, with 4.5million people in Manchester facing 100 fines if they breach the rules. In other Covid-19 developments today: Ministers are coming under pressure to allow face masks to be worn in schools in England from next month; A factory in West Lothian is expanding in a deal to secure 60million doses of a coronavirus vaccine candidate; 21% of people shielding because of Covid said they plan to continue working from home, while 35% indicated they would return to their previous place of work; A second wave of coronavirus struck Europe as Spain reimposed lockdowns and cases spiked in Greece; Some contact tracers working for NHS Test and Trace in England are making just a handful of calls a month. The measures in Aberdeen, which apply to the city area, will be backed by government regulations, the First Minister said, and will be enforced if the rules are not followed. The Scottish Government later announced that visits to hospital and care homes from a named family member or friend will be stopped, with only essential visits being allowed. Large crowds of revellers gather outside Soul Bar on Union Street in Aberdeen city centre on Saturday evening The city centre of Aberdeen hours before the lockdown restrictions are put in place, as of 5pm this afternoon People enjoying the cafes at Aberdeen Beach before the lockdown began at 5pm today following the city's Covid-19 outbreak The Union Cafe on Union Street displays a 'sorry we're closed' sign as the city went under local lockdown at 5pm today Two people walk down the street wearing face masks in Aberdeen city centre hours before the restrictions are put in place Positive cases by specimen date in Aberdeen city centre are shown in this graph from Public Health Scotland This graph shows the same figures but for the county of Aberdeenshire, based on data from Public Health Scotland First Minister Nicola Sturgeon speaks at a Scottish Government press conference at St Andrew's House in Edinburgh today The Queen arrives at Balmoral Castle in Aberdeenshire yesterday at the start of her delayed summer holiday with Prince Philip The Queen and Prince Philip landed at Aberdeen Airport before being whisked off to Balmoral, which is roughly an hour away The decision was taken following a meeting of the Scottish Government Resilience Committee (SCOR), which also included leaders of Aberdeen City Council, NHS Grampian and Police Scotland. Ms Sturgeon added the decision to reimpose some measures was taken to 'prevent further spread and to give the Test and Protect teams the best possible chance of successfully breaking these chains of transmission'. Nicola Sturgeon could ban PUB CRAWLS in Scotland after Aberdeen Covid outbreak is linked to bars in the Granite City Pub crawls could be banned across Scotland to prevent the spread of coronavirus after an outbreak of cases linked to bars, Nicola Sturgeon warned today. The First Minister said her government was researching how to tighten up rules for hospitality businesses after Aberdeen was put back into lockdown. Pubs, cafes and restaurants have been ordered to shut by 5pm and people are banned from travelling in and out of the city in the north east, home of the Scottish oil industry. Addressing the public at a press conference this afternoon, Ms Sturgeon said: 'It could be that what we see here is a pattern which involves people going from one pub to another in the same night. 'Now it may be that we have to look at some of those lessons to think about whether we need to tighten up some of the restrictions about how hospitality is operating across the wider country. 'I don't want to rush to conclusions on that but equally I want to make sure we are fairly rapidly doing some assessment of that nature. I may have more to say on that later in the week.' According to the First Minister, more than 20 other pubs and restaurants are involved in the cluster. Advertisement The First Minister said people should not travel to Aberdeen, but those who are already there can remain. She added the changes will be reviewed next Wednesday, when she hopes they could be removed, either in entirety or in part. Ms Sturgeon said they could be extended beyond that seven-day period if necessary. Speaking at the Covid briefing in Edinburgh today, she said the rise in cases has contributed to a greater fear there has been a 'significant outbreak' in the city. According to the First Minister, more than 20 other pubs and restaurants are involved in the cluster. NHS Grampian has named 28 bars and restaurants, three golf clubs and a football club as venues visited by people linked to the cluster. The bars and restaurants are The Bieldside Inn; The Bobbin; Brewdog; Buckie Farm Carvery; Cafe Andaluz; Cafe Dag; Cafe Drummond; The Cock and Bull; The College Bar; The Dutch Mill; Dyce Carvery; East End Social Club; Ferryhill House Hotel; The Hawthorn; The Howff, The Justice Mill, The Marine Hotel, McGinty's; McNasty's; Malmaison; Moonfish Cafe, No 10 Bar; O'Donoghues; Old Bank Bar; Prohibition; Soul; The Spiders Web, and The Draft Project. Aboyne Golf Club, Deeside Golf Club, Hazlehead Golf Club and Banks O' Dee Football Club were also cited by the health board. Across Scotland, Ms Sturgeon said 18,781 people have tested positive for the virus, up by 64 from 18,717 the day before. 'The last thing we want to do is to reimpose these restrictions but this outbreak is reminding us just how highly infectious Covid is,' Ms Sturgeon said. 'Our precautionary and careful judgment is that we need to take decisive action now, difficult as that undoubtedly is, in order to try to contain this outbreak and prevent further harm later on. 'As I said earlier, this is about doing all we can to ensure our children can return to schools next week.' She added: 'Acting now, we judge, gives us the time and the space to protect the ability of our young people to return to education.' There have been no coronavirus deaths in Scotland for the 20th day in a row, Ms Sturgeon said. A total of 2,491 patients have died in Scotland after testing positive for Covid-19. There were 267 people in hospital with confirmed Covid-19, down by three. Of these, three were in intensive care, with no change. Large groups of people gather outside Prohibition bar on Langstane Place in Aberdeen city centre over the weekend Residents walk around a relatively busy Aberdeen city centre in eastern Scotland, following the announcement today Keith McKenzie wears a shielding mask as he prepares to close the pub The Grill in Union Street in Aberdeen this afternoon Mr McKenzie closes the door of The Grill in Aberdeen at 5pm after bars, restaurants and cafes have been ordered to close Residents enjoy a coffee in Aberdeen, eastern Scotland, today ahead of the local lockdown being imposed on the city at 5pm First Minister Nicola Sturgeon wears a face mask during a visit to the NHS Louisa Jordan at the SEC Glasgow on July 27 The First Minister told the briefing that she was aware the lockdown changes were 'deeply, deeply unwelcome news'. She added: 'The last thing we want to do is to reimpose these restrictions but this outbreak is reminding us just how highly infectious Covid is. 'Our precautionary and careful judgement is that we need to take decisive action now, difficult as that undoubtedly is, in order to try to contain this outbreak and prevent further harm later on. 'As I said earlier, this is about doing all we can to ensure our children can return to schools next week.' She added: 'Acting now, we judge, gives us the time and the space to protect the ability of our young people to return to education.' But in a mild attack on Ms Sturgeon, Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Willie Rennie said: 'The risk with easing the lockdown was always that fresh outbreaks would arise and have to be dealt with. Caution is the correct response that we support so we cannot afford to let our guard down. 'Hopefully this outbreak can be swiftly addressed but these additional restrictions will bring with them a significant impact on the economy of Aberdeen. Which venues have been visited by people linked to the Aberdeen cluster? NHS Grampian has named 28 bars and restaurants, three golf clubs and a football club as venues visited by people linked to the cluster. The bars and restaurants are: The Bieldside Inn The Bobbin Brewdog Buckie Farm Carvery Cafe Andaluz Cafe Dag Cafe Drummond The Cock and Bull The College Bar The Dutch Mill Dyce Carvery East End Social Club Ferryhill House Hotel The Hawthorn The Howff The Justice Mill The Marine Hotel McGinty's McNasty's Malmaison Moonfish Cafe No 10 Bar O'Donoghues Old Bank Bar Prohibition Soul The Spiders Web The Draft Project Also cited by the health board: Aboyne Golf Club Deeside Golf Club Hazlehead Golf Club Banks O' Dee Football Club Advertisement 'Scottish Liberal Democrats have been asking for weeks for more detail about how local lockdowns will be enforced and what support will be made available for businesses and employees. It is time for the First Minister to provide some much-needed clarity.' CBI Scotland director Tracy Black added: 'While this news will come as a disappointment to many people and businesses, it's essential that we keep on top of the virus and public safety must come first. 'Aberdeen won't be the last local area that faces renewed restrictions in the coming months, so the Scottish Government must do everything it can to provide clear, timely advice and appropriate support to firms and individuals. That's a must to maintain public confidence. 'This will be a particular blow to the local hospitality sector, which has now faced a double-whammy of lockdowns, and emphasises the need for government support to evolve in-line with the trajectory of the virus.' A spokesman for the Scottish Tourism Alliance said: Todays announcement that restrictions will be imposed in Aberdeen from 5pm today for at least the next seven days will come as a devastating blow to the many hospitality businesses who have invested significant amounts of money in reopening and providing a safe experience to their staff and the public. Aberdeen serves as an example of how quickly the virus can reignite and illustrates the immediate impact that this has on a local economy and public health. The Chester Hotel in the citys West End invested a significant sum of money into setting up an al-fresco dining area. General manager Stephen Gow said: We have made significant investment to create an alfresco offering, so it is unfortunate that we have marquees which we will require to pay the rental for, despite them being unused for the next seven days at least. For some reason taking in the chairs and tables this afternoon has been more disheartening than shutting up shop on Friday 20 March. He added: We are supportive of the localised lockdown in Aberdeen to keep as many people as safe as possible. As a business we chose to remain operating wholly outdoors with proper physical distancing even when we were permitted to move indoors again as we felt our guests would appreciate and feel safer - being served alfresco. We also made the decision not to reopen our bedrooms until we felt confident that the risks remained very low in the area. We have been serving up to 400 guests every day since we opened in two open sided marquees with a host of new measures in place to make everyone feel safe. We have had terrific guest feedback on all of our new ways of operating and the levels of service which our very hard-working team has been able to deliver under trying circumstances. Its extremely unfortunate that a minority of the population was unable to abide by sensible physical distancing and this has led to us having to send all of our staff home again when they have all done the hotel proud. The SLTA described the Scottish Governments imposed lockdown in Aberdeen as a bitter blow for the area. Colin Wilkinson, SLTA managing director, said: Responsible operators, as demonstrated by the Hawthorn Bar, have gone above and beyond to comply with the guidance that was put in place by the government to allow the industry to reopen, and some operators also demonstrated their commitment by voluntary closing their premises before the First Ministers announcement today. Obviously the forced closure was not a decision taken lightly by government. The SLTA acknowledges the fragile situation we are all operating in and we cannot emphasise enough the need for everyone to adhere to the guidance, businesses, staff and customers alike. All premises must also operate the Test and Protect scheme which is so important in stopping the spread of the virus. 'The outcome in Aberdeen reflects the difficulties faced by a social industry operating in these unprecedented times and highlights the need for ongoing sector-specific support through an extension of the furlough scheme plus additional grant aid for the industrys survival and for the protection of the jobs it provides. There can be no doubt that customers also have their part to play and the SLTA asks those heading to, visiting our pubs and bars, and returning home, to comply with the necessary restrictions that are now in place. Responsible operators in our industry will continue to do everything they can to provide as safe an environment as possible for all customers who visit our pubs and bars. Men walk past a cafe on Union Street today in Aberdeen as all indoor and outdoor hospitality venues in the city closed at 5pm A general street view in Aberdeen today following the announcement from Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon A general street view showing a closed Caffe Nero today as all indoor and outdoor hospitality venues were forced to close A general view of an empty street today in Aberdeen, Scotland, after the city was swiftly put back into lockdown People pictured standing in a group on the street in Aberdeen following the announcement lockdown will begin from 5pm Extra police officers will be on the streets in Aberdeen to ensure residents comply with the lockdown rules. Police Scotland Deputy Chief Constable Will Kerr said: 'It's really important that people follow the instructions and guidance from the Scottish Government. To support that, we will have additional patrols in Aberdeen, where local restrictions have been reintroduced. 'Our approach to these local restrictions will reflect the consistent approach taken by Police Scotland since the outset of this pandemic, and our officers will continue to engage, educate and encourage people to comply, as we all support the public health efforts to stop the spread of the virus 'As a national service, Police Scotland is able to quickly flex capacity to support local communities across the country and we will provide whatever additional resources are necessary to protect and support the communities affected.' He reiterated comments from Chief Constable Iain Livingstone that everyone should take personal responsibility to prevent the virus spreading. Mr Kerr added: 'Throughout the response to the pandemic, the majority of the public followed the law and Scottish Government advice. I realise that this situation will be frustrating for people in the affected area but it's really important that we all continue to do so. 'Our officers will continue to explain the legislation and guidance but, for the minority who may choose to breach the regulations and risk the health of others, we will not hesitate to take enforcement action where appropriate.' Meanwhile, some dining establishment saw a flurry of last minute bookings and others reported that some reservations after the 5pm curfew had asked for an earlier table. Karen Simpson, 50, from Aberdeen, had already booked a table in an Italian restaurant in Aberdeen for lunch before the lockdown was announced. It was the first time she had ventured into the city since March. After the meal with her friend she stopped by the Kirkgate Bar for a pint of cider. A general street view showing a relatively busy Aberdeen city centre today following the local lockdown announcement A man wearing a mask in Aberdeen as the city's population is banned from travelling over five miles away from their home A woman walks past a retail units to let today in Aberdeen, Scotland as residents are no longer allowed to meet up in shops A general street view in Aberdeen, Scotland, as pubs, cafes and restaurants were shut in the city during the 5pm curfew today Residents carrying shopping bags walk past a Five Guys in Aberdeen city centre following Sturgeon's announcement today She said: It was inevitable. We already had a meal booked. So we were out for a meal and we walked passed here and just decided we will have a drink before we go home. The restaurant was preparing to shut too. There was only one other table in with us. After what happened on Saturday in some places it was inevitable that it would come to this. This is the first time Ive been in town and as I walked through the city centre it didnt feel normal. It was strange. For mother-of-two Erin Strachan, 30, from Banchory, Aberdeenshire, a trip into town was not for the pubs but rather to pick up school and nursery clothes for her two littles ones aged six and three. She said: I hope that weve got the cluster early enough that it doesnt cause a backlash on anything else. I think people could have used their brains a bit more and thought I could wait for a pub. At the same I understand its a hard job for the bars to police. But they really need to do a better job at it. Bars and police have to hope that people use their common sense and clearly there has been a lack of that. Its now going to have a knock on effect for people like me who are trying to make sure their kids can see grandparents and get back to school. Its all been for the sake of someone else getting a pint. I just hope that people make the sacrifices to get things back to normal now. Siberia Vodka Bar in Aberdeen announced its closure on Tuesday ahead of the official lockdown announcement. Bar director Stuart McPhee has been speaking to fellow pub and restaurant owners and said there was a hostility towards the members of the public who were social irresponsible and caused the cluster and subsequent lockdown. He said: Im trying to speak to everybody because this is a big crisis moment for us all. Regardless of what you as an individual business have or have not done we are all lumped in together now. Weve got to come out the other side of this having learned the lessons of what we have done. Guests in the pub The Grill in Union Street today in Aberdeen, Scotland, before the city was swiftly put under lockdown Residents wearing face masks walk in central Aberdeen, east Scotland today following the announcement of a local lockdown A pedestrian sits on a bench while wearing a face mask in central Aberdeen after a spike in the number of cases in the city The city centre of Aberdeen hours before the restrictions were put in place after Nicola Sturgeon's announcement today The staff of Spirit Level Pub in Aberdeen today as bars, restaurants and cafes were ordered to close for the local lockdown The city centre of Aberdeen hours before the restrictions are in place, with people sitting outside and drinking coffees Ive spoken to most people and theres hostility and anger from some who have invested a fair amount of money to get themselves back up and operating. Thats understandable. Its a kneejerk reaction because they were the ones of who should be carrying on trading and now feel hard done by - by a minority of people who have not followed the rules. There is not really a way to mitigate against the general public and their inability to follow simple instructions. Theres no mitigation against stupidity. Its very difficult. Mr McPhee added: Theres also a couple of layered issues in that weve had a couple of pop-up bars in the city which has actually increased the capacity for drinking in the city centre. They all curtail at 10pm but then other places are still open so the default setting becomes lets go find somewhere else. The two hour time slot, which is prevalent everywhere, seems to have been interpreted by the general public up here is that okay two hours here, two hours there, then two hours another place. Thats why we are seeing something along the lines of the pattern that we are seeing with multiple pubs involved. Yesterday the First Minister said she 'wanted to cry' over pictures of pubgoers not social distancing at the weekend as 27 cases of were linked to one bar. SNP MP Stephen Flynn yesterday tweeted two photos he had spotted online of the city centre, where an outbreak took place in The Hawthorn Bar. The MP said he was 'scunnered' by the images, which showed dozens of people queuing to enter pubs in the city. SNP MP Stephen Flynn yesterday tweeted two photos he had spotted online of the city centre, where an outbreak took place Retweeting Mr Flynn's images, Ms Sturgeon said the scenes were 'dangerous', warning they could result in the closure of bars NHS Grampian later announced 27 cases of the virus had been linked to the bar, adding it is 'aware' of photos being shared online of 'extremely busy bars'. Scottish factory could help produce 60 million doses of Covid vaccine A factory in West Lothian is expanding as part of a deal to secure 60 million doses of a coronavirus vaccine candidate developed by the French firm Valneva. The UK Government and the drugs firm are investing in the Livingston plant, with 75 new jobs expected to be created. The Government had struck a deal for early access to Valneva's 'promising' vaccine candidate. If clinical trials are successful, the site could provide up to 100 million doses of the vaccine across the UK and internationally. Business Secretary Alok Sharma will visit the factory on Wednesday to hear about plans to scale-up production. Valneva's vaccine, which is called VLA2001, is one of four potential vaccines which the UK Government has secured rights for. Mr Sharma said: 'I'm incredibly grateful to our highly-skilled scientists and technicians in Livingston who are supporting the global effort to research, develop and manufacture a safe and effective coronavirus vaccine. 'The multimillion-pound upfront investment we have agreed with Valneva today means that their vaccine can be manufactured in quantity right here in Scotland. If clinical trials are successful, millions of people in priority groups across the UK will be protected by their life-saving vaccine.' In a call with journalists following his visit, Mr Sharma said that a potential vaccine from AstraZeneca was 'ahead of the pack in terms of clinical trials', but added: 'It is entirely possible to imagine that you have a number of potential vaccines, but they are deployed in different parts of the population.' Mr Sharma also urged caution about the prospect of a working vaccine, stressing there was 'no guarantee' that any attempt would be effective. Asked about the timeline for when a asked about a potential vaccine could be available, he said: 'Ultimately, we'll just have to see where any of these vaccines come out in terms of their efficacy. I don't think anyone can predict precisely when this will happen.' Advertisement Addressing the Aberdeen cluster, the First Minister thanked the owners of the Hawthorn bar, where the outbreak is believed to have started, and said work was being done to address the cluster. She added the coronavirus outbreak was 'exactly what we feared' when the decision was taken to reopen the hospitality industry. Retweeting Mr Flynn's images on Monday morning, Ms Sturgeon described the scenes as 'dangerous', warning it could result in the closure of more bars. She said: 'Spot on from @StephenFlynnSNP - Covid remains a real and present threat to our health and wellbeing. 'Scenes like these are dangerous, and could easily result in pubs being closed again - which no one wants. We all have a responsibility here. Please, please everybody #keeptheheid.' Mr Flynn, who represents Aberdeen South, said: 'A bit scunnered by some of the photos appearing online from the city centre over the weekend. 'Covid-19 has not gone away - as is evident from the cluster linked to The Hawthorn Bar. Should act as the wake-up call some folk clearly need.' NHS Grampian tweeted earlier on Monday: 'We can confirm the number of cases detected in the Aberdeen COVID-19 cluster associated with The Hawthorn Bar now stands at 27.' It added: 'We aware that many photos have been shared on social media over the weekend of extremely busy bars and venues in Aberdeen. 'Our Environmental Health colleagues at Aberdeen City Council are in contact with licensees in the city to reiterate the safety rules and regulations. ' Dr Emmanuel Okpo, Consultant in Public Health Medicine, said: 'It is not entirely surprising further cases have been detected. This virus is still circulating in our communities. It poses a risk to all of us. 'People who have not gone to this bar, or who live in other parts of Grampian, should not assume they are somehow 'safe'. 'If you develop the symptoms of COVID-19 a loss of sense of taste or smell, a fever, or a new, continuous cough, isolate at home & arrange a test.' The owners said customers - who were there on July 26 - tested positive but it was confirmed by NHS Grampian they were only showing mild symptoms. Physical distancing measures were put in place within the pub and contact tracing is being carried out to identify any other potential cases. The Queen and Duke of Edinburgh arrive at RAF Northolt in West London yesterday before flying to Aberdeen Airport The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh arrived at Aberdeen Airport yesterday for the start of their summer holiday The couple were followed off the plane at Aberdeen yesterday by royal aides carrying luggage and their faithful dorgis - a cross between a dachshund and a Welsh corgi. Pictured, a member of royal staff carries one of the dorgis off the flight Balmoral: The Royal Family's summer retreat A group of aides have already travelled up to the Scottish home of the Royal Family to prepare the castle for the couple's arrival. The Queen and Philip will stay in the main castle, pictured Balmoral Castle has been the Scottish home of the Royal Family since it was purchased for Queen Victoria by Prince Albert in 1852, having been first leased in 1848. In the autumn of 1842, two and a half years after her marriage to Prince Albert, Queen Victoria paid her first visit to Scotland. They were so struck with the Highlands that they resolved to return. A further visit to Perthshire and then Ardverikie encouraged them to seize the opportunity to purchase Balmoral. After Queen Victoria bought the Castle in 1852, plans were made to build a new castle about 100 yards north-west of the old building designed by the city of Aberdeen architect William Smith. On 28 September 1853 the foundation stone of the new Castle was laid by Queen Victoria. Prince Albert took a great interest in the design and construction which was completed by 1856, also in the Scottish Baronial style. The Castle is constructed from local granite, which was precision cut using the modern machinery of the day, producing a much smoother finish to the building than usual. Prince Albert set about landscaping the area, starting a programme of improvements lasting several years, which was done in accordance with a model he had constructed in sand. The main works were completed by 1859 and included new houses, stables, workshops and schools. Royals continue to make improvements to the castle and the ruggedly beautiful surroundings have captivated generations of royals since. The Queen has visited Balmoral almost every year of her reign and it holds a special place in her heart. Advertisement Yesterday, the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh arrived in Scotland for the start of their summer holiday. The couple, who had been isolating at Windsor Castle, travelled by car earlier to RAF Northolt, in West London, where they boarded a private jet. After a short flight, the Queen, 94, and Prince Philip, 99, touched down at Aberdeen Airport where they were met by a driver and taken on the hour journey to Balmoral. They landed in overcast weather, with the Queen donning a rain mac over her smart powder blue suit as her husband followed her down the stairs of the plane in his own practical waterproof coat. They were followed by royal aides carrying luggage and a pair of dorgis, the Queen's beloved dogs which are a cross between a dachshund and a Welsh corgi. Her Majesty and the Duke will stay at the 50,000-acre estate until early October and will be joined by family members throughout their visit. It will be a welcome change of scenery for the couple, who have not left the grounds of Windsor Castle since March. A group of royal aides travelled up to the sprawling 50,000-acre Scottish estate ahead of yesterday to prepare the castle for the couple's arrival. It is understood staff quarantined for two weeks in order to minimise the risk of the Queen or Prince Philip, who are both in their 90s, being exposed to Covid-19. Reports suggest the hand-picked team of royal aides who will join the couple include Vice-Admiral Tony Johnstone-Burt, master of the household; Sir Edward Young, the Queen's private secretary, and Paul Whybrew and William Henderson, her pages. Major Nana Kofi Twumasi-Ankrah, her equerry; Terry Pendry, her head groom; Angela Kelly, the Queen's personal assistant and her senior dresser; Jackie Newbold, Kelly's PA; and three assistant dressers will also join, according to The Sunday Times. It is thought staff will minimise their contact with people outside the royal household in order to create a 'Balmoral bubble' designed to keep the Queen and Prince Philip safe. Measures will also be taken if any members of the royal family come to visit. Typically the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh are joined by their children and grandchildren, as well as close friends, throughout the summer holiday. But this year any visitors, who typically include the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall and Prince Edward and the Countess of Wessex, will likely maintain social distancing while on site. Family members will not stay in the castle with the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh as they have done in previous years and will instead be housed in other properties in the grounds of the estate. They will be able to meet her for outside activities instead including walks, horse riding and picnics. Infection rates released by health officials yesterday - for the period of July 25 to 31 - show how cases are increasing in all but three of the ten boroughs of Greater Manchester Manchester was packed with revellers on Friday night despite a local lockdown brought in to tackle the rise in Covid cases. Previous reports suggest Balmoral staff have been banned from social activity and the annual Ghillies Ball has also been cancelled due to coronavirus. Which areas of North West England are affected by law change? The legislation imposes restrictions on all local authority areas covered by: Bolton Metropolitan Borough Council Bury Metropolitan Borough Council Manchester City Council Oldham Metropolitan Borough Council Rochdale Borough Council Salford City Council Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council Tameside Metropolitan Borough Council Trafford Metropolitan Borough Council Wigan Metropolitan Borough Council Burnley Borough Council, Hyndburn Borough Council, Pendle Borough Council, Rossendale Borough Council Calderdale Metropolitan Borough Council Kirklees Metropolitan Council But the restriction zone could change at any time as directed by the Health Secretary Matt Hancock, according to the legislation. Advertisement Aberdeen's lockdown is six days after parts of the North West of England were also put back under restrictions. Some 4.5million people in Manchester and surrounding areas face 100 fines if they breach reimposed lockdown rules that come into force at midnight. The new laws include a ban on sex with anyone who does not live with them, with people only allowed to stay overnight with someone from another household if they were previously in a support bubble with them. Ministers signed off the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions on Gatherings) (North of England) Regulations 2020 which sees a heavier shutdown re-imposed in Greater Manchester, parts of east Lancashire and West Yorkshire after a massive surge in cases in the area. They had originally said the rules would be effective from midnight on July 31. Anyone found flouting them could be fined 100 and up to 3,200 for repeat offences. They prevent people from meeting those they do not live with inside homes or public settings like 'pubs, restaurants, cafes, shops, places of worship, community centres, leisure and entertainment venues, or visitor attractions'. But 'support bubbles' formed from two households, where one of them is a single person living alone, or a single parent family will still be allowed to meet up indoors. And outdoor groups of up to six people will be allowed to meet socially distanced outdoors in public spaces - but not gardens. A localised approach to tackling the crisis has been adopted by Downing Street. It came as local coronavirus contact-tracing teams were set up in the worst-affected part of England to plug holes left by the creaking national test and trace system, it was revealed yesterday. Staff from Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council said its staff will use their local knowledge to help find people who have come into contact with someone who has tested positive for the virus. This graph shows the number of infections across Greater Manchester from July 1 to July 29, two days before the new lockdown measures were reintroduced The weekly coronavirus infection rate the number of cases diagnosed for every 100,000 people has doubled in a fortnight in Trafford, from 10.2 in a report released on July 23 to 36.8 in the most recent Public Health England figures published on Friday The infection rate in Oldham, the second worst-hit authority in all of England, has also risen from 18.3 to 54.3 The city of Manchester's Covid-19 case rate was 21 at the end of June and dipped slightly over the first few weeks of July. But it has shot back up in the past fortnight, from 13 to 22.1 Details will be passed on to the local service if the national NHS Test and Trace system cannot make contact with a local resident after two days of trying. Ministers urged to allow face coverings in schools ahead of full return Ministers are coming under pressure to allow face coverings to be worn in schools in England ahead of their full reopening next month. Shadow health secretary Jonathan Ashworth has said face coverings for older children in schools 'should be considered' as students return in September. Speaking on BBC Radio 4's Today programme this morning, Mr Ashworth said Labour would accept 'tough decisions' to make sure all children can get back to class after months of partial closures. Government guidance for schools returning in September says face coverings are not required as pupils and staff are mixing in consistent groups - and they should be removed on arrival at the school gates. But the NASUWT teachers' union has called on the Department for Education (DfE) to revise its guidance on face coverings 'as a matter of urgency' to help staff return to school in the autumn with 'confidence'. It said the Government should encourage school and college staff to wear clear facial visors if there are concerns that teaching and learning may be impeded by the use of face masks. Patrick Roach, general-secretary of NASUWT, said the position in schools is 'out of step' with public health guidance that suggests face masks should be worn when physical distancing cannot be assured. The GMB union has also called on ministers to allow school staff to wear face masks if they want to when they return in September. School standards minister Nick Gibb said the guidance remains that secondary school pupils will not have to wear face coverings in school. Advertisement A home visit from the local public protection team will take place if another 48 hour passes and the resident has not responded by email, text or phone. The announcement came as ministers admitted the struggling national coronavirus contact tracing system must improve - but insisted schools will reopen in September despite fears of a catastrophic second peak. Scientists said the only way of bringing back schools and avoiding another crisis around Christmas was to ramp up dramatically the NHS test and trace operation. To prevent a second wave when schools reopen, the NHS contact tracing system must reach 68 per cent of cases and their contacts, according to researchers from University College London and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. But the current NHS system is 'not good enough' as it reaches just half of contacts and only a fraction of symptomatic cases are tested. Groups of Friday drinkers flocked to Manchester's pubs and bars on the hottest day of the year with beer gardens rammed despite the Government introducing new lockdown measures. As temperatures rose across the country, people were seen standing close together in pubs, contrary to recommendations from the government. And similar temperatures are expected again this weekend. Eighty per cent of new Covid-19 cases in one badly-hit part of Greater Manchester are among white people, according to a local official. Councillors in other parts of the North West including Blackburn have warned spikes in coronavirus cases are being driven by the Asian community. But Eleanor Roaf, director of public health in Trafford, says cases in the borough home to 235,000 people are centered in the 'nice leafy suburbs'. She fears a 'complacent white middle class' will wrongly believe the disease is 'not affecting them because it's about overcrowding in ethnic minority families'. Official NHS figures show the infection rate in Trafford, one of the wealthiest of the 10 boroughs in Greater Manchester, is now starting to decline. The borough saw 32.6 cases for every 100,000 people between July 26 and August 1 10 per cent lower than the week before. Separate data released on Friday showed Trafford's infection rate had tripled in just one week, from 10.2 to 36.8. Only one authority in Greater Manchester Wigan is not named in the list of the 20 areas with the highest infection rates in England. A Ghanaian company has introduced a new organic liquid fertiliser onto the local market to help farmers increase their crop yields and incomes. Manufactured in Switzerland, the Begreen-F fertiliser is produced from organically grown plants to provide nutrients for faster and healthy plant growth. It was introduced through its African representative, Eco Index Agro Solutions Limited, which is a subsidiary of Strategic Security Systems Group Limited. Although the product has been in the country for the past three years, it was launched in Kumasi last Wednesday to provide an opportunity for more farmer groups to increase their productivity. Promoters of the product said the organic fertiliser would promote food safety, increase yield and enhance general agricultural productivity in Ghana. Launch At the launch, the Chairman of Strategic Security Systems Group Limited, Dr Francis Akuamoah Boateng, said the introduction of the product was to discourage the use of chemicals which were injurious to human health. "To be honest with you, the future of farming is organic and the reliance of organic fertiliser," said. Dr Boateng said he got to know of the fertiliser through a friend in Vietnam while on a business trip and followed it up to the manufacturer in Switzerland to strike the deal. Natural A scientist and the Managing Director of Eco Index Agro Solutions Limited, Dr Emmanuel Moses, said the livelihoods of farmers were deteriorating because of the chemicals they inhaled which needed to be discouraged. "This is purely natural and friendly to humans and I think it's the way to go to reduce our poison intake," he said. The new organic fertiliser, he said, increased the number of buds, flowers and fruits, hence the yields. Dr Moses said nutrients in Begreen-F caused considerable increase in the numbers of cell and cell walls, producing cellulose, which influenced the taste of the crop. Source: Graphic.com.gh Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Senior US and Chinese officials will review the implementation of their Phase 1 trade deal and likely air mutual grievances in an increasingly tense relationship during an August 15 video conference, two people familiar with the plans said. US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer and Chinese Vice Premier Liu He, the principal negotiators for the two countries, will participate in the meeting, an initial six-month review of the pact activated on February 15. The meeting plans were first reported by the Wall Street Journal. The US Trade Representative's office and the US Treasury did not respond to requests for comment. Under the Phase 1 trade deal signed in January, China had pledged to boost purchases of US goods by some $200 billion over 2017 levels, including agricultural and manufactured products, energy and services. But China, battered by the global coronavirus recession, is far behind the pace needed to meet its first-year goal of a $77 billion increase. Imports of farm goods have been lower than the 2017 level, far behind the 50% increase needed to meet the 2020 target of $36.5 billion. Beijing has bought only 5% of the energy products needed to meet the Phase 1 first year goal of $25.3 billion. One of the people familiar with the plans said Chinese officials hoped to discuss other issues beyond the Phase 1 trade deal implementation. "It's both the normal semi-annual review and also comes at a time when the relationship continues to deteriorate. Naturally there is much to discuss," the person said. China's ambassador to the United States, Cui Tiankai, said on Tuesday that there was always a plan for high-level consultations six months into the pact, but the two sides have remained in regular contact over the trade deal. "If they do have such a meeting I guess it will be very positive," Cui told a virtual event sponsored by the Aspen Security Forum. Trump has threatened to end the trade pact over China's handling of the coronavirus, which originated in the city of Wuhan, and tensions have risen over US sanctions related to China's security crackdown on Hong Kong. The latest irritant between the world's two largest economies is Trump's threat to ban US use of the Chinese-owned video app TikTok unless it is sold to a non-Chinese buyer. White House officials on Tuesday could not say how Trump's suggestion that the US Treasury get a significant portion of the proceeds of the sale - potentially to US software giant Microsoft - could be implemented. Also read: US likely to scale up arms sales to India amid clashes with China Offers of support and medical aid flooded into Lebanon on Wednesday after 2,750 tonnes of ammonium nitrate exploded in northern Beirut killing at least 73 people and injuring nearly 4,000. The two blasts happened in a warehouse in the port area of the city. Medical services said that with so many badly injured survivors, the death toll was likely to rise. "It is unacceptable that a shipment of 2,750 tonnes has been present for six years in a warehouse, without taking preventive measures," said Lebanons prime minister Hassan Diab at a defence council meeting. Diab vowed to bring those responsible for the storage of the chemicals to justice during a televised address to the nation. Support Worldwide reaction to the explosions was swift. Gulf nations such as Qatar and Kuwait promised to send medical supplies to Beirut. Leaders of the United Arab Emirates and Dubai sent their condolences to Diab. Mike Pompeo, the US secretary of state, echoed their sentiments on Twitter: Id like to extend my deepest condolences to all those affected by the massive explosion at the port of Beirut," said Pompeo. Israel - technically still at war with Lebanon - proffered medical and humanitarian aid. Defence minister, Benny Gantz, and the foreign minister, Gabi Ashkenaz, said the emergency assitance would be via international intermediaries. Jordan's foreign minister Ayman Safadi said his country was ready to provide any help Lebanon needed while Iran also offered assistance. France was among the first European nations to respond to Diabs appeal for help. French foreign minister, Jean-Yves Le Drian, tweeted that his government was ready to assist. President Emmanuel Macron said his thoughts were with the Lebanese people. Macron's Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, added: "Russia shares the grief of the Lebanese people. Britain's prime minister, Boris Johnson, said he was shocked by video images emerging in the aftermath of the blast. Story continues "All of my thoughts and prayers are with those caught up in this terrible incident," he wrote on Twitter. "The UK is ready to provide support in any way we can, including to those British nationals affected. While the politicians pledged aid, emergency services continued to look for victims and survivors and tackle the blaze. Canadian prime minister, Justin Trudeau, also wrote on social media. We think of all those who were injured in this tragic explosion as well as those who are trying to find a friend or family member or who have lost a loved one. We're ready to help you." The Pope to donate 100,000 to help migrants on border of Belarus and Poland Fourth vaccine against COVID-19 is not enough for Omicron World is on verge of country defaults French Foreign Ministry considers unacceptable Azerbaijan statements about Pecresse US to return two valuable artifacts over 4,000 years old to Iraq Germany may consider halting Nord Stream 2 if Russia attacks Ukraine Israel successfully completes test of anti-ballistic missile system Plane landing in Sochi struck by lightning Putin and Aliyev discuss Ukraine situation Greek PM Mitsotakis threatens Turkey with sanctions Handelsblatt: US and EU abandon idea of disconnecting Russia from SWIFT international payment system Artsakh President meets representatives of non-governmental organizations Avalanche kills person in Iran Erdogan says he is pleased with decline in volatility of lira NEWS.am daily digest: 18.01.22 Turkey and Azerbaijan to start laying gas pipeline to supply Nakhichevan UK begins to supply Ukraine with anti-tank weapons Armenian PM holds meeting on Armenia's Transformation Strategy until 2050 Nagorno-Karabakh: Remains of another Armenian soldier found in Jrakan region Tehran to not accept any border change in South Caucasus Dollar holding relatively steady in Armenia Armenia special representative: Future process depends on Turkeys constructiveness degree Erdogan: Gas from Mediterranean to Europe can only be pumped through Turkey Iranian Consul General discusses customs cooperation in Nakhijevan Inecobank brings Apple Pay to customers Parliament vice-speaker says he is familiar with Armenia proposals on border demarcation commission work US Secretary of State to visit Kyiv Russia, Iran and China to hold joint naval drills OSCE Chairmanship on Aliyev statement: We reiterate our full support to Minsk Group Co-Chairs Artsakh NSS denies rumors about penetration of Azerbaijanis into Karabakh villages Indonesian parliament approves bill to relocate capital Armenia PM to Bulgaria colleague: Our interstate relations are marked by continuous development of cooperation Armenian President meets Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Azerbaijan to ban foreigners from visiting Nagorno-Karabakh occupied part European Parliament new speaker elected Armenian National Interests Fund participates in Abu Dhabi Sustainable Development Week summit North Korea fires missiles for fourth time this year ECHR recognizes violation of Armenian PM's rights after 2008 elections Turkey reveals plans to produce combat aircraft Karabakh official: Azerbaijan presidents impudent behavior is due to OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs silence Azerbaijan special services force Artsakh resident to intelligence work Copper price is stable Minister of State: OSCE MG Co-Chairs must accept exercise of Karabakh people's right to self-determination Armenia President, UAE Minister of State discuss possibilities of cooperation in science and technology Investigation into criminal case of several Armenia soldiers returned from Azerbaijan captivity is over Canada sends detachment of special forces to Ukraine Armenia ex-President Kocharyan, former deputy PM now MP Gevorgyan case trial resumes 2 more persons die of coronavirus in Artsakh Armenia family has 10th child Converse Bank brings Apple Pay to customers Gold is getting weaker Lacote: French institute to operate in Armenia (PHOTOS) Ardshinbank Brings Apple Pay to Customers Armenia President in UAE, meets with Emirati environment minister Armenia legislature approves changes to several laws Differences in data on coronavirus deaths in Armenia are corrected 360 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Armenia Norway to begin Breivik early release hearing Economy minister to head Armenia side of commission on economic cooperation with Kazakhstan Mexico crime photojournalist killed Newspaper: Criminal case against Armenia archbishop dropped Newspaper: Opposition Armenia Bloc in parliament to toughen its tactics Scientists discover large breeding colony of icefish in southern Antarctica China creates low-gravity artificial moon Tehran welcomes normalization of Armenia-Turkey relations Russian and Iranian Foreign Ministers discuss regional issues UN Secretary-General: Vaccinate whole world to end pandemic Giant asteroid to fly past our planet Armenian President meets with Executive Director of Mubadala Investment Company UAE counting on Turkey Indonesia to move capital by 2024 Passenger traffic at Armenian airports decreased by 30% Armenian Investigative Committee: Six soldiers captured in November arrested Turkish government to discuss Rubinyan-Kilic meeting results German FM threatens Russia in case of aggression against Ukraine Armenian MFA senior staff meets with ambassadors to European countries Turkish court acquits German journalist Mesale Tolu Turkish UAV intercepted over Greek island Protest in front of Armenian Health Ministry France introduces vaccine passes Bitcoin begins to lose out competitors Exchange rates in Armenia Safari browser caught leaking user data Xi Jinping: Confrontation between major powers can have disastrous consequences Lukashevich: Russia concerned that OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs may not be able to visit Nagorno-Karabakh Court obligates Armenia ruling force MP to prove ex-President Sargsyan lost more than $100M in casinos Ex-ruling party official: Armenia authorities may renounce Genocide, Karabakh Armenian PM's party decides to provide free textbooks to non-state schools Times: Johnson prepares cadre purge to save his own skin Pecresse accuses French government of inaction after Aliyev's statements on her Karabakh visit Armenia President attends Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week forum opening Armenia legislature ruling majority member: It is possible for us to have neighborly relations with Azerbaijan President approves Artsakh government decisions on provision of financial assistance Armenia parliament opposition faction leader on canceling US visit: We must fulfill our international duties Fire in Abu Dhabi kills three people ANIF Anti-Crisis Fund to invest in Armenia cargo transportation Azerbaijan to soon open bus routes to Artsakhs occupied Shushi Armenia ruling force MP, businessman: Turks will be able to use our medical services in Gyumri, Yerevan Erdogan wants to save Turkish economy with oil production in the Black Sea Copper rises in price New Delhi: The Centre has accepted Bihar government's request for a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the death case of actor Sushant Singh Rajput, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta told the Supreme Court on Wednesday. The Bihar government, headed by Nitish Kumar, recommended the CBI probe into the case on Tuesday. The Chief Minister said that Sushant's father KK Singh spoke to Bihar Director General of Police (DGP) and gave his consent for the same. Meanwhile, the Supreme Court is hearing Sushant's actress-girlfriend Rhea Chakraborty's petition seeking direction for the transfer of investigation from Patna to Mumbai in the death case. Senior advocate Shyam Divan represented Rhea while Senior lawyer Mukul Rohatgi appeared for the Bihar government. Earlier, Rhea's lawyer had said that the Bihar government cannot transfer the case related to the death of the actor to the CBI as it does not have jurisdiction in the matter. "There cannot be a transfer of the case as there is no legal basis for Bihar to get involved. At most, Bihar Police can register a Zero FIR and transfer it to the Mumbai Police. The transfer of a case on which they had no jurisdiction to the CBI has no legal sanctity," advocate Satish Maneshinde, lawyer of Rhea, told media persons. He had said that the petition filed by Chakraborty in the Supreme Court claiming that the Bihar Police had no jurisdiction to investigate the case will continue. "Having realised that Bihar has no jurisdiction, this illegal method has been adopted. Otherwise, you are interfering in the federal structure of our nation in a backdoor manner. It touches the very root of the federal structure," Maneshinde had said. An FIR was filed against Rhea by KK Singh last week, under several sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) including abetment of suicide. After which, a team of Bihar Police is in Mumbai to probe the case. Sushant Singh Rajput was found dead in his Mumbai residence on June 14. The Mumbai Police is also investigating the case. Amid mounting pressure for a CBI probe into the case, the Maharashtra government had said the case won't be transferred to the CBI as the Mumbai Police is carrying out its duty well. 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Quarantining of Bihar Police officer has not sent good message despite the fact that Mumbai Police has good professional reputation, the bench said. The lawyer representing Rajputs father KK Singh said that the Maharashtra Police are destroying evidence in the case. The Centre had earlier told the top court that it has accepted the recommendation sent by the Bihar Police for a CBI probe into the actors death. Truth should come out so far as actors death is concerned, the bench then said. The Maharashtra Police, meanwhile, said that the Bihar Police has no jurisdiction to either lodge an FIR or investigate it and this has been made a political case. The submissions were made during a hearing of a plea by actor Rhea Chakraborty seeking transfer of the case registered in Bihars capital of Patna to Maharashtras Mumbai. A case was registered by Rajputs father in Patna against Rhea Chakraborty, accusing her of abetting his sons alleged suicide in June. IPS officer Vinay Tiwari had gone to Mumbai for investigation, but was quarantined. The BrihanMumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) said that the decision was taken due to the spead of the coronavirus disease. But Bihar Director General of Police (DGP) Gupteshwar Pandey said that Tiwari was forcibly quarantined. Rajput was found dead in his apartment in Mumbais Bandra on June 14. Mumbai Police, which are investigating the case along with a parallel investigation by Patna Police, said have he died by suicide. The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) is making a conscious effort to project the Ram temple as a symbol of cultural and national renaissance, functionaries aware of the matter said, asking not to be named. In line with this attempt, Mohan Bhagwat, the RSS chief, on Wednesday said the temple construction in Ayodhya is the beginning of a new India and will serve to establish the self-confidence needed for making India self-reliant. Bhagwats speech at the temples groundbreaking ceremony sought to de-link the shrine from religion and focused on Lord Rams values and teachings and how imbibing those could help India regain the past glory. It is a matter of joy that the auspicious beginning of building a Bharat [India] which is prosperous and ensures the welfare of all, starts at the hands of those who are at the helm of affairs in a system that is entrusted with the responsibility to bring this change. Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the first brick of the temple at a grand bhoomi pujan (ground breaking ceremony) in Ayodhya on Wednesday. The reference to the temple as a cultural icon and a unifying edifice, and Bhagwats assertion that Ram belongs to everyone are a continuation of the RSSs outreach, the functionaries added. RSS does not want the issue to be seen as communal or polarizing, they said. Ahead of the Supreme Courts verdict in November that paved the way for the construction of the temple, the RSS launched a massive exercise to reach out to Muslims. Bhagwat met Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind president Arshad Madani to ensure peace and harmony following the verdict. Other senior leaders travelled across the country to meet a cross-section of people. After the verdict, Bhagwat said it should not be seen as a victory or defeat for anyone. Referring to the temples cultural connotations, Manmohan Vaidya, RSSs joint general secretary, said it will help people connect with their roots. Till now the realization of the self was not allowed. Vaidya said the Ram temple, besides a holy shrine, is a symbol of Indias glorious past, the epitome of cultural values and economic prosperity. He added it will help people connect to our cultural roots to prosper economically and expand culturally as a model to guide humanity how to live together in harmony, peace, and prosperity in this ethnic, religious, culturally diverse world. RSS general secretary Suresh Bhaiyyaji Joshi last week said the groundbreaking ceremony at Ayodhya marks the completion of one part of the struggle but is also a new beginning of a new era. BJPs Rajya Sabha member Rakesh Sinha said Ram transcends the limits of geography and time and RSSs definition of secularism consists of culture, which is historic and progressive in nature. Still, it is difficult to overlook the religious aspect of the event an expert said. According to Jawaharlal Nehru University professor Ajay Gudavarthy: Construction of a temple does bring a sense of cultural celebration among a large section of the Hindus but one cannot deny a sense of humiliation among the Muslims and this is what makes religion a political ideology. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON A majority of rural Nebraskans surveyed said their community was harmed by extreme weather events in 2019, according to the 2020 Nebraska Rural Poll. Twenty-six percent of respondents to the Rural Poll -- an annual survey of 7,000 rural Nebraska households conducted by the University of Nebraska--Lincoln's Department of Agricultural Economics -- reported their household was harmed either a moderate amount or a great deal by extreme weather in 2019, and 57% said their community was harmed at least a moderate amount. In addition, most respondents said their extended family and friends outside their community but living in Nebraska were impacted by extreme weather or natural disasters at least a moderate amount. Impacts of the weather events were not uniform across the state, according to Becky Vogt, survey research manager for the Rural Poll. While those living in or near smaller communities were more likely to say their household was impacted at least a moderate amount, residents of larger communities were more likely to say their community was harmed at least a moderate amount. When viewing results by region, Panhandle residents were most likely to say their household was harmed at least a moderate amount, and residents of the Northeast region were most likely to say their community was harmed either a moderate amount or a great deal. The perceived impact of extreme weather in rural areas may be related to rural Nebraskans' strong ties to agriculture, said Brad Lubben, extension associate professor and policy specialist at Nebraska. "City residents may not feel much impact or focus on weather unless it directly hits their home, community, occupation or activities, but for those involved in or connected to agriculture, weather is always front and center, affecting not just the day but the year's production, as well," Lubben said. Rural Nebraskans experienced many different extreme weather events in 2019. Most rural Nebraskans said their household experienced extreme high winds (62%), and many experienced an extreme rainstorm (46%) or an extreme winter storm (42%). Similar proportions reported that their community also experienced these weather events. However, rural Nebraskans were more likely to report their community, rather than their household, experienced a flood (53% compared to 32%). Certain regions of the state were more likely to have experienced different weather phenomena. Residents of the Northeast region were more likely than residents of other regions to have experienced a flood -- both at their home and in their community. Forty-one percent of Northeast residents surveyed experienced a flood at their home, and 78% said their community experienced flooding. Panhandle residents were the regional group most likely to report their community experienced extreme high winds, drought or an extreme winter storm. At least three in 10 rural Nebraskans surveyed reported minor or major impacts from the extreme weather events in the following areas: having to drive extra miles for shopping, damage to their house, and increased levels of anxiety and stress. The personal impacts of extreme weather differed by community size, region and various demographic characteristics. Those living in or near smaller communities were more likely to report having to drive extra miles for work, school, shopping or health care. For example, 45% of respondents living in or near the smallest communities -- those with 500 or fewer residents -- reported having to drive extra miles for shopping because of extreme weather. By comparison, 16% of people living in or near the largest communities -- those with 10,000 or more residents -- said they had to drive extra miles for shopping. Residents of smaller communities were also more likely to report receiving damage or losing economic activity to a non-farm business -- 17% of people living in or near the smallest communities compared to about 6% of people living in or near communities with populations of 5,000 or more. "The direct personal impacts of the weather events in general were around or below 30%, but nearly half of rural Nebraska felt the impact of the weather events psychologically, with increased levels of stress and anxiety," said L.J. McElravy, associate professor of youth civic leadership at Nebraska. "The current COVID-19 pandemic and economic downturn may be hitting Nebraskans with higher-than-normal levels of stress and anxiety. The psychological resilience of rural Nebraska and their ability to bounce back from adverse events may not be as high as it would typically be." Residents of both the Panhandle and South Central regions were more likely than residents of other regions to report their homes were damaged as a result of extreme weather. Just over 40% of respondents living in these regions received at least minor damage to their house, compared to 17% of respondents in the Northeast region. Northeast residents were most likely to report that they evacuated their homes for a time as a result of extreme weather events -- one in 10 Northeast residents compared to less than 1% of Southeast residents. Farmers and ranchers were more likely to experience financial impacts from the weather events than those in other occupations. Forty-nine percent of farmers, ranchers and others who work in agriculture reported reduced household earnings or income. Now in its 25th year, the Rural Poll is the largest annual poll of rural Nebraskans' perceptions on quality of life and policy issues. The margin of error is plus-or-minus 2%. This year's response rate was 33%. Complete results are available at http://ruralpoll.unl.edu. You must be logged in to react. Click any reaction to login. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 The seven lakes that supply water to Mumbai have shown slight increase in water stock as water level reached 37.36% on Wednesday morning, up from 34.95% useful water content on Tuesday morning. The water level in the lakes was 89.96% this time last year. The current water stock is sufficient to supply water to Mumbai for a little over 100 days. Owing to the heavy rainfall since the past two days, Vihar lake situated inside Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP) overflowed at 10pm on Wednesday, according to the civic body. Vihar lake, with a capacity of 27,698 million litre, is the second lake to overflow in the city. Earlier, Tulsi lake, also situated in SGNP, had overflowed on July 28. However, Vihar and Tulsi lakes do not have significant contribution towards drinking water supply to Mumbai. Starting Wednesday, Mumbai has imposed 20% water cut in the city owing to meagre rainfall in catchment areas. Between Tuesday and Wednesday morning, rainfall added 33,411 million litre (ML) water to the seven lakes, taking the total the water content to 539,307ML on Wednesday. However, this is much less compared to the stock this time last year when there was 1,301,984 ML water in the seven lakes. In 2018, the water level was 1,2,18,692 ML. About two weeks ago, on July 21, the water stock in the lakes was at 28%. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) supplies 3,850 million litre water per day (MLD) to Mumbai as opposed to a demand of 4,200MLD. After the 20% water cut, BMC will supply 3,080MLD water to Mumbai, according to information from BMC. In the past 24 hours, Upper Vaitarna received 97mm rainfall, Modak Sagar received 141mm rainfall, Tansa received 83mm rainfall, Middle Vaitarna received 99mm rainfall, Bhatsa received 88mm rainfall, Vihar received 105mm rainfall, and Tulsi 154mm rainfall. The seven lakes are bifurcated into two systems the Vaitarna system which supplies to the western suburbs and the island city and the Bhatsa system which supplies to the eastern suburbs. The lakes are situated in Mumbai, Thane and Palghar districts. In the early 1900s, British archaeologist Sir Arthur Evans unearthed almost 3,000 tablets on the island of Crete, inscribed with a language he had never seen before. The discovery began a decades-long race to read the language of Europes oldest civilization. And the final deciphering of the script, which Evans called Linear B, ended up overturning an accepted history of ancient Greek origins as we learn in the TED-Ed video above scripted by classics professor Susan Lupack. The tablets, found among the ruins of the ancient city of Knossos, belonged to a people who thrived 3,000-4,000 years ago, and whom Evans named the Minoans after the mythical king Minos, keeper of the Minotaur. Evans spent a good part of thirty years trying to decipher Linear B with no success, keeping most of the tablets locked away. He did, however, find two keys that allowed future researchers to translate the ancient language. One of those scholars, Alice Kober, became interested in the Minoan script while an undergraduate at Hunter College in New York. By the time she earned her doctorate, she had devoted herself to the decipherment of the phonetic signs, notes Rutgers University. To do so, she studied archaeology in New Mexico and at the ASCSA, acquainting herself with the scripts of as many ancient languages and cultures as she could. Scholars around the world speculated about Linear B. Was it the lost language of the Etruscans? they asked. Or an early form of Basque? Kober herself spent two decades trying to decode the script. Like Evans, she died before she could complete her work, but she came closer than anyone had before. Meanwhile, architect Michael Ventris became obsessed with Linear B, even working on it while he served in World War II. Building on Kobers methods and new tablets excavated at a Greek site, Pylos, he was able to isolate the names of ancient places. From these geographical references, Ventris unraveled Linear B, with each word revealing more clearly that the language it represented was not Minoan, but Greek. It is, in fact, the oldest preserved form of written Greek that we know of, the Ancient History Encyclopedia explains, likely devised in Knosses (Crete), somewhere around 1450 BCE when the Mycenaeans took control of Knosses, and spread from here to Mainland Greece. It had previously been assumed that the opposite occurred, that the Minoans had invaded Greece. This was Evans supposition, but Ventris discovery showed, whether by peaceful annexation or armed invasion the Minoan culture was replaced, both in Crete and in mainland Greece, by the Mycenean cultureGreeks from the mainland who adopted the Minoan script to write in Greek. This means that the ancient Minoan language Evans hoped to find still remains a mystery, locked away in the labyrinth of another ancient script, called Linear A. When this primal linguistic ancestor is finally deciphered, it will probably not be through decades of painstaking efforts by dedicated scholars, but through the singular breakthrough of a machine language. Related Content: What Did Etruscan Sound Like? An Animated Video Pronounces the Ancient Language That We Still Dont Fully Understand Hear What the Language Spoken by Our Ancestors 6,000 Years Ago Might Have Sounded Like: A Reconstruction of the Proto-Indo-European Language Learn Latin, Old English, Sanskrit, Classical Greek & Other Ancient Languages in 10 Lessons Josh Jones is a writer and musician based in Durham, NC. Follow him at @jdmagness A further 65 people have died in the UK after testing positive for the coronavirus, bringing the country's official pandemic death toll to 46,364. In the 24-hour period up to 9am on Wednesday a further 892 Covid-19 cases were also confirmed across the UK, the Department of Health and Social Care reported. The DHSC records deaths in hospitals, care homes and the wider community. However, separate figures published by the UKs statistics agencies show there have now been 56,600 deaths registered in the UK where Covid-19 was mentioned on the death certificate. NHS England said 13 people had died in hospital after testing positive for the virus. They were aged between 52 and 92 and all had known underlying health conditions. Scotland reported zero new virus deaths in hospitals for the twentieth consecutive day, although the milestone was dampened as Nicola Sturgeon announced the reimposition of lockdown restrictions in Aberdeen. The First Minister declared the move as the city continues to tackle a cluster of 54 cases. She said the spike in cases had contributed to a greater fear there has been a significant outbreak in the region. She told a Holyrood briefing: The last thing we want to do is to reimpose these restrictions but this outbreak is reminding us just how highly infectious Covid is. There were no new deaths in Northern Ireland. Thousands more were injured in the blast, which flattened much of the city's port on Tuesday afternoon. Smoke was still rising from the port, where a towering grain silo was shattered. Major downtown streets were littered with debris and damaged vehicles, and building facades were blown out. At hospitals across the city people had been waiting all night for news of loved ones who had gone missing or were wounded. Others posted requests for help online. Authorities at least 70 people were killed and 3,000 wounded, with the toll likely to rise as more bodies were pulled from the rubble. The Lebanese Prime Minister has blamed an "unsecured" shipment of ammonium nitrate, which was left in a warehouse for the last six years. However, US President Donald Trump has contradicting Lebanese officials, saying her was told by his generals that the explosion was not an accident. Advertisement "This seems to be, according to [the generals], they would know better than I would, but they seem to think it was an attack. It was a bomb of some kind." It was the most powerful explosion ever seen in the city, which was on the front lines of the 1975-1990 civil war and has endured conflicts with neighbouring Israel and periodic bombings and terror attacks. The blast sparked fires, overturned cars and blew out windows and doors. It struck with the force of a 3.5 magnitude earthquake, according to Germanys geosciences centre GFZ, and was heard and felt as far away as Cyprus more than 180 miles across the Mediterranean. LApocalypse, read the front page of Lebanons French LOrient Le Jour newspaper. Another paper, al-Akhbar, had a photo of a destroyed port with the words: The Great Collapse. Lebanon was already on the brink of collapse amid a severe economic crisis that has ignited mass protests in recent months. Its hospitals are confronting a surge in coronavirus cases, and there were concerns the virus could spread further as people flooded into hospitals. Interior Minister Mohammed Fahmi told a local TV station it appeared the blast was caused by the detonation of more than 2,700 tons of ammonium nitrate that had been stored in a warehouse at the dock since being confiscated from a cargo ship in 2014. Advertisement Witnesses reported seeing an orange cloud like that which appears when toxic nitrogen dioxide gas is released after an explosion involving nitrates. Videos showed what looked like a fire erupting nearby moments earlier, and local TV stations reported a fireworks warehouse was involved. The fire appeared to spread to a nearby building, triggering the explosion, sending up a mushroom cloud and generating a shock wave. It was a real horror show. I havent seen anything like that since the days of the (civil) war, said Marwan Ramadan, who was about 500 metres from the port and was knocked off his feet by the force of the explosion. The blast destroyed numerous apartment buildings, potentially leaving large numbers of people homeless at a time when many Lebanese have lost their jobs and seen their savings evaporate because of a currency crisis. The explosion also raises concerns about how Lebanon will continue to import nearly all of its vital goods with its main port devastated. There is also the issue of food security in Lebanon, a tiny country already hosting more than a million Syrian refugees amid that countrys years-long war. The ports major grain silo is run by the Lebanese Ministry of Economy and Trade. Drone footage shot on Wednesday by The Associated Press showed the blast tore open the silos, dumping their contents into the debris and earth thrown up by the blast. Some 80% of Lebanons wheat supply is imported, according to the US Agriculture Department. Estimates suggest some 85% of the countrys grain was stored at the now-destroyed silos. Lebanons state-run National News Agency quoted the Raoul Nehme, the minister of economy and trade, as saying that all the wheat stored at the facility had been contaminated and could not be used. However, he insisted Lebanon had enough wheat for its immediate needs. The tiny Mediterranean nations economic crisis is rooted in decades of systemic corruption and poor governance by the political class that has ruled the country since the end of the civil war. Lebanese citizens have held mass protests calling for sweeping political change since last autumn but few of their demands have been met as the economic situation has steadily worsened. U.S. President Donald Trump speaks to reporters before leaving the White House in Washington D.C., the United States, on March 3, 2020. (Xinhua/Liu Jie) President Donald Trump said Monday that the coronavirus is "receding" in the United States, one day after his White House Coronavirus Task Force coordinator said the country has entered a "new phase" of the pandemic that is increasing outbreaks in both rural and urban areas. "We are beginning to see evidence of significant progress nationwide," Trump said during a news conference at the White House. "An encouraging sign, very encouraging, I have to add, that the virus is receding." But Dr Deborah Birx told CNN on Sunday that increasing outbreaks in both rural and urban areas are "different from March and April" and now are "extraordinarily widespread". The comment sparked Trump to tweet earlier Monday that Birx was "pathetic", the first time Birx has publicly drawn Trump's criticism, though he has previously criticized Dr Anthony Fauci, the nation's top infectious disease specialist and a fellow member of the administration's coronavirus task force. Trump tweeted that after House Speaker Nancy Pelosi criticized Birx for being "too positive" on his handling of the pandemic, Birx "took the bait & hit us". Asked at his Monday news conference about his tweet on Birx, Trump said: "She's a person I have a lot of respect for," while defending his administration's response to the virus. But Fauci defended Birx for saying that the US has entered a "new phase" of the pandemic, putting himself at odds with Trump. Fauci said Monday that Birx had been referring to the "inherent community spread" that is occurring in some states, adding: "When you have community spread, it's much more difficult to get your arms around that and contain it." Speaking during a news conference with Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont, Fauci called the community spread "insidious" and noted that it was happening outside of confined spaces like nursing homes and prisons. Fauci also warned Monday against reopening schools in coronavirus hot spots. He said that while the nation's "default principle" should be that children return to school, "to say that every child has to go back to school is not really realizing the fact that we have such a diversity of viral activity". Fauci, the head of the National Institute of Allergy and Infections Diseases, made his comments by video online to physicians and medical students at New Hampshire's Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center. Trump also said that he signed an executive order Monday aimed at expanding access to telehealth and improving rural healthcare. In March, the Trump administration temporarily expanded benefits to reimburse doctors for certain telehealth services for Medicare beneficiaries. Trump said he is looking at steps he can take with executive orders on issues like stopping evictions from federally backed housing if a deal can't be reached soon with Democrats in Congress. "A lot of people are going to be evicted, but I'm going to stop it because I'll do it myself if I have to," Trump told reporters. "They're not interested in the people, they're not interested in unemployment. They're not interested in evictions which is a big deal," Trump said. "They're going to be evicted. But I'm going to stop it I have a lot of powers with respect to executive orders, and we are looking at that very seriously right now." It is unclear what sort of unilateral steps Trump can take without input from Congress. Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin and White House chief of staff Mark Meadows on Monday continued to work with top congressional Democrats to reach a deal on coronavirus aid. Mnuchin said they are a "little" closer to an agreement. Pelosi, Democrat of California, described Monday's meeting as "productive" and "moving down the track" but said that there are still differences as the parties work to "understand what the needs are". Expanded unemployment benefits of $600 a week as well as a stay in evictions from federally financed housing for millions of Americans expired last week after the House, Senate and White House were unable to reach a deal. Mulan (Credit: Disney) News that Disney is preparing to release its remake of Mulan on the Disney+ streaming service is a potential game-changer. Side-stepping cinemas many of which remain closed due to the worldwide coronavirus lockdown could test the water for the studio to see if it can potentially still make money with its new movies without theatrical release. Were looking at Mulan as a one-off, as opposed to saying theres some new business windowing model that were looking at, said Disney CEO Bob Chapek. We find it very interesting to take a premiere offering to consumers at that $29.99 price and learn from it. Read more: Most cinemas will remain closed until 2021, says analyst While it might be a one-off, this is certainly also a toe in the water. However, the premium cost of the movie on top of users' Disney+ subscription, is not sitting well among some fans. Quite apart from the fact that many have issues with the new live-action version being different from the much-loved original (no Mushu, Eddie Murphy's fast-talking dragon for a start, and also no songs), the cost is proving to be a sticking point. Aimed squarely at families, and set at a figure reminiscent of a family cinema ticket, some fans are pointing out that this is a pricey outlay. So @disneyplus besides the monthly subscription is gonna charge $30 for the release of Mulan 2020 without NO songs, nor Mushu pic.twitter.com/eqHIOBKKk6 RubenjayR (@RubenLee5G) August 5, 2020 I wouldn't pay $30 for a movie ticket in the theater. So im not going to pay that to see the new Mulan, especially when it doesn't have Mushu or classic songs form the animated version #DisneyPlus Louis McAtee (@louis_mcatee) August 5, 2020 So they're making us pay for it while paying for the subscription? For a movie that has no music and no Mushu? Nah fam, I'm good https://t.co/1zuyeBwNKR (@Wise_Ravenclaw) August 5, 2020 am i really expected to pay $30 to watch a version of Mulan without Mushu, Li Shang, and some raggedy a$$ witch as the bad guy... pic.twitter.com/Z27ZCU0DKz manny | cancelled era (@sweetenermanny) August 5, 2020 And that's all quite apart from the fact that this version isn't a musical. Story continues Some, however, are cool with it. It cost me and my lady at least $50 to go to a movie theater (with snacks) so paying $30 to watch #Mulan from the comfort of my home is no problem. Im with it. Luke Wessman (@LukeWessman) August 5, 2020 I go to movies at 10 am to save money and avoid crowds, so Mulan for $30 is a non-starter for me. However, I also realize most people are not me, and that's not the calculus for families. There's plenty of room for both PVOD and theaters--it's win-win for consumers. Tom Bricker (@Tom_Bricker) August 4, 2020 Equally, its worth noting that the cost of the stream will come with continued access to the movie as long as youre a Disney+ subscriber. For those who have Qs about #Mulan's $29.99 price point. You're not paying for a one time rental. Rep confirms to me, "Once purchased, Disney+ subscribers will have continuous access to the film for as long as they remain subscribers to the service." https://t.co/8V2JSsZDZC Kirsten (@KirstenAcuna) August 5, 2020 The movie, which follows the story the daughter of a famous warrior who disguises herself a man in order to join the imperial army fighting invaders from the north, stars Liu Yifei as Mulan alongside Donnie Yen, Jason Scott Lee and Jet Li. With cinemas remaining shuttered around the world, and only some tentatively re-opening (and some shutting again having re-opened, as seen in California), the move echoes others currently being made in the movie business as loss of revenue begins to bite at the major studios. Last week, the AMC chain, which owns Odeon in the UK, announced a deal with Universal Pictures to reduce the window for theatrical movie releases from the usual 90 days to just three weeks. Disney is planning to release Mulan in the US on Disney+ from 4 September, and in cinemas where possible. A UK release date has not yet been specified. Disney UK has been contacted for clarification. Uniquely Bad 'No Urgency and No Leadership' A Decade of Failures Cover Oregon's Legacy (TNS) The meltdown at Oregons Employment Department that left tens of thousands of jobless Oregonians stranded for weeks or even months during the pandemic was, at its heart, a failure by state leaders and a dysfunctional agency to correct a computer problem they knew of for a decade, an analysis byshows.They had federal funding and the time to fix their antiquated system but failed to heed repeated warnings to act. The consequences for many Oregonians have been wrenching.Megan Wilber-Fuchs has been out of work since April, when her old employer laid her off and a new job she had lined up evaporated as businesses pared back in the early days of the pandemic.The 38-year-old account manager promptly filed for jobless benefits and found herself in the same predicament as tens of thousands of newly out-of-work Oregonians. Wilber-Fuchs checks didnt show up, the employment departments phone lines were jammed so she couldnt find out why, and her savings were running out. The Northeast Portland resident and her husband, who have a toddler and are expecting another child in November, had to ask for extra time to pay their rent and are otherwise struggling to get by.The fundamental cause was the departments decade-long failure to upgrade its obsolete computer system, built on technology from the 1990s. Agency leaders and top state officials have known since at least 2012 that the computers were in desperate need of replacement, and since 2009 has been sitting on more than $80 million in federal money to pay for one.State auditors warned for years that the computers were a disaster waiting to happen rigid and inflexible, the system was ill-prepared to handle an uptick in claims let alone the deluge that came with the coronavirus pandemic. In 2013, the agencys director told lawmakers Oregon was just one of just two states that had not even started the planning process to replace their legacy systems.Yet Oregon squandered years of opportunities to make a fix as the agency struggled with dysfunction, infighting and a lack of urgency from top state leaders. After governors replaced the department director in 2013 and again in 2016, the agency still proceeded at a glacial pace setting an eight-year timetable to upgrade the computers starting in 2017.But even that may prove too ambitious.Internal department documents and a new report by legislative fiscal analysts show the modernization project veered dangerously off track in the months before the pandemic. With the department now overwhelmed, its ability to carry off the computer upgrade is in doubt.The computer system failures expose a decade of ineffective leadership under three successive governors. The employment departments last three directors all were fired or forced from their jobs after major setbacks at the agency.The lapses suggest a tendency for one of the states largest and most important safety net programs to fall off Oregon leaders radar until its too late. It also illustrates how difficult it is for Oregon agencies to adopt new technologies, even when the consequences of not acting will be severe.In Oregons Silicon Forest, We have these tech megastars and yet our government system is using antiquated software or infrastructure from the 90s? Thats the part that really makes me very frustrated, Wilber-Fuchs said.Oregon leaders and lawmakers have the agencys failures top-of-mind now that they arefeeling the heat. Thousands of Oregonians in dire circumstances have called lawmakers to complain and ask for help sorting out their claims.We have had everything from people needing liver transplants, to they need a new transmission to the vehicle, theyre bankrupt and had their cars repossessed because they cant make payments, and on and on and on, said Rep. Brad Witt, a Democrat from Clatskanie. It is unbelievable.Witt, who served on a budget committee overseeing the employment department from 2009 to 2012, is lining up bipartisan support to ask Secretary of State Bev Clarno to launch an audit.Oregons failures were entirely predictable. In fact, the state said so repeatedly, with audits in 2012 and 2015 warning the employment departments obsolete system could not handle a surge of claims, nor make the quick adjustments necessary to implement new federal programs. Both problems became clear during the Great Recession.Oregon, like nearly every other state, was utterly overwhelmed by the flood of jobless claims that poured in during March as the pandemic set in. Gov. Kate Brown shut down much of the economy to contain the outbreak and new jobless claims soared from just a few thousand a week to as many as 89,000.The state has fielded more than 600,000 claims since the middle of March. Even now, with the pandemic well into its fifth month, the number frequently tops 8,000 a week nearly twice the average before the pandemic.Nearly every state has a large backlog of claims. Oregons problems, though, are among the very worst.Thats because its computer systems are woefully outdated, built on technology from 1993 using the antiquated programming language COBOL. Some components date to the Reagan administration.That left Oregon struggling in the midst of a pandemic to adapt its system to major changes in the unemployment claims process, including the huge expansion of benefits Congress approved in March to pay self-employed people who are out of work.Even ordinary claims present a big challenge because the system routinely issues erroneous rejections.In times of low unemployment, its relatively simple for the department to manually override those mistakes. During the pandemic, though, the whole process went off the rails.Computers can rapidly scale up to handle additional tasks, but people cannot. So Oregon quickly fell weeks, then months behind leaving tens of thousands of the newly jobless without income while they waited.Other states are stumbling technologically, too. But Oregons crisis may be unique in one key way.In March, Congress allocated money for states to waive the usual one-week delay before newly unemployed workers are eligible for benefits. Most states moved quickly to make the change.Four months later, though, Oregon still hasnt. As simple as the change sounds, the states computers cant handle it. As a result, Oregon cant deliver several hundred million dollars in federal funds to the states unemployed workers.The state estimates fixing the blockade would require 4,000 hours of computer programming and perhaps a great deal more. Its a task so huge that Oregon postponed even trying to pull it off until August, waiting until it had regular jobless claims under control.If the state cant qualify its unemployed workers for immediate benefits by the end of the year it risks forfeiting the federal money altogether. Its not clear how much that is, but it could easily top $300 million.Oregon says its not aware of any other state that has failed to get that first-week money for its workers.Asdocumented in 2013, 2016 and again in April, the employment department was beset for years by infighting, accusations of nepotism, internal dysfunction and what one state report characterized as bullying behavior by employees.The department also suffered a succession of technological failures, including a 2014 hack that exposed the personal information of more than 850,000 Oregonians.Legislative documents and hearings reviewed byshow that leaders in the department which reports directly to the governor did not tell lawmakers Oregon needed to replace its core technology until 2013. The agency originally planned to use the more than $80 million in federal money instead to pay unemployment benefits.We are the only two states right now that are running legacy systems and havent developed a plan for this modernization, then-director Laurie Warner told lawmakers in April 2013. Still, despite what Warner described as a drive by the U.S. Department of Labor for states to adopt new systems to cut down on errors and reduce administration costs, she didnt ask lawmakers for approval to start down that road. Instead, then-Gov. John Kitzhabers budget proposal called for smaller IT projects, including a program to help job seekers find work.The computer modernization project began in earnest in 2017, according to state records, with the department ultimately targeting 2025 to have it complete. Recent reports, though, show that even with the federal funds in hand, it isnt going well.The state still hasnt picked a new software vendor and four key personnel left in recent months, including a project manager and the modernization program director, who quit in July.It is an unprecedented time for the agency, with incredible attention being brought to bear on every division, modernization director Ethan Benatan wrote in an email to his team notifying them of his exit. Modernization is second only to (unemployment insurance) in the amount of scrutiny we are under. New leadership will provide an opportunity to reset and restart in a way that nothing else can do.A February project update attributed earlier turnover with the project to burnout or stressful conditions.That report found several other problems with choosing a vendor and managing the projects budget. It shifted the projects health rating from yellow to red, indicating Unacceptable variances or issues or high rated risks that are not being appropriately managed.A subsequent July report from the Legislative Fiscal Office documented a litany of department failures over the past decade and concluded the computer upgrade remains in woeful shape.The Employment Department has not yet had the necessary combination of organizational stability and sustained professional and technical capacity needed to ensure project success, that report concluded.None of that was evident in a rosy update the agencys then-Director Kay Erickson delivered to the Legislature in January, in which she claimed the project was progressing within expected parameters.Preparing the system for the next economic bust never seemed to be a priority for Oregons governors and lawmakers, as they focused on high-profile initiatives such as green energy, expanding Medicaid and passing a new business tax to boost public education spending.Oregon Sen. Betsy Johnson, D-Scappoose, sits on the powerful Ways and Means committee and another committee that oversees information technology in state agencies. Johnson also served on the transportation and economic development budget subcommittee overseeing the employment department from 2009 through 2019.Like other lawmakers, she has been inundated by calls from constituents who have waited months for benefits. She said the departments failures stem from a lack of direction and accountability.For me, all trails lead to the same place: no urgency and no leadership, Johnson said.State Treasurer Tobias Read, who as a state representative served on the transportation and economic development budget subcommittee from 2013 to 2015, said lawmakers were reluctant to authorize big-ticket projects due to their distrust of leaders at the troubled agency.Ultimately, I think its managements troubles at the employment department that really got in the way of securing the trust that was necessary to make those upgrades, Read said in an interview Tuesday. Oregonians are all paying the price for that now. Read said one of his takeaways is that Oregon needs to prioritize important infrastructure replacement projects, even when the systems problems arent getting public attention.The succession of problems at the employment department date to the administrations of former governors Ted Kulongoski and Kitzhaber. Brown was secretary of state when her office produced scathing audits of the departments culture and technology.As governor, Brown installed Erickson as director in 2016 and Erickson appeared to corral the interpersonal drama and misconduct that plagued the agency.When the pandemic hit, though, Erickson hid. As the department suffered catastrophic failures in its phone system and technology and stumbled to communicate with laid-off workers, she refused for weeks to speak to reporters or address the departments setbacks publicly.The disinterest in telling Oregonians what was going on extended to the governors office, where Brown was silent on the crisis through most of May. She fired Erickson at the end of the month after lawmakers compelled the director to come before them and she gave a disastrous performance.The governor and her staff declined interview requests for this article, but Browns official calendar paints a picture of a hands-off executive who had no meetings with Erickson in the more than two months leading up to her firing and no written or electronic communication during that time, when the departments crisis was at its worst. The governors calendar doesnt show any with the director who replaced her either.During the same period, Brown made time for three interviews with cable television host Chris Hayes, calls with members of Oregons congressional delegation who were outraged over the unemployment fiasco and ceremonial events such as Women in Wine: Fermenting Change in Oregon.The departments new director said he communicates mostly with Browns workforce and labor policy adviser Christian Gaston, who also declined to be interviewed.Liz Merah, a press secretary for the governor, wrote in an email that after years of inaction by the previous administration, Gov. Brown has made sure that the Oregon Employment Department prioritizes modernization of its unemployment insurance system. She said the governor expects new leadership at the department is prioritizing modernization and ensuring Oregonians get the benefits theyve earned.To some degree, the agencys failures reflect the states chronic problems implementing large technological upgrades.The employment department launched its computer upgrade project in the dark shadow of the notorious Cover Oregon debacle. The state spent $300 million to develop its own online health care marketplace but ultimately jettisoned the bug-ridden project that couldnt perform basic functions.Desperate to prevent a similar catastrophe, Oregon adopted a painstaking process to monitor each step. That may make an outright failure less likely, but it also means big projects move so methodically that they take years.We cant fail. Or at least were very averse to that, said Mike Jordan, formerly the states chief operating officer and now director of Portlands Bureau of Environmental Services.Tech companies typically build software rapidly, fail quickly, learn from their mistakes and adapt. The process may be messy but the end result can be faster, more flexible technology.In government agencies, Jordan said, failure creates a public spectacle. The result is systems that take years to develop.The political and risk-aversion kind of drivers in the culture caused that process to be the way it is, Jordan said.When the governor fired Erickson in May, she appointed David Gerstenfeld as interim director. He has worked at the department since 2011 and acknowledges an overall lack of cohesiveness delayed the computer upgrade, leaving the agency without the foundation for a successful project.While the departments current computers have hamstrung its efforts to cope with this years flood of jobless claims, Gerstenfeld maintains better technology wouldnt have prevented all the problems caused by the deluge of jobless claims.Wed still be struggling, Oregonians would still be struggling, if we had modernized, he toldAt times this spring, the department had more than 100,000 unprocessed claims for regular jobless benefits.It took a month for Oregon to launch a program to pay benefits for self-employed workers after Congress funded the payments in March, and even then the state had no idea how many workers had filed for those benefits.The state ultimately determined the number was more than 70,000, and very few of those people received payments until July. Still, most of their money didnt arrive until Oregon installed a new, $240,000 portal based on Google technology that automated weekly claims processing.The most distinctive feature of Gerstenfelds two months running the agency is communicative he has been.Gerstenfeld reversed several of Ericksons communications policies. He holds a weekly media call, waived thousands of dollars in public records fees Erickson sought to charge for routine email searches, and personally called a number of unemployed Oregonians and department staffers for their view on the crisis.The plight of unemployed Oregonians has improved considerably over the past month, as the state processed nearly all outstanding jobless benefits claims. It has now worked through the majority of unprocessed claims from self-employed workers and expects to address the remaining backlog by the end of this week.However, processing claims isnt the same as paying them. While Oregon has paid $3.4 billion in jobless benefits since the pandemic began, Gerstenfeld said tens of thousands of claims remain unpaid because they must go through an additional step known as adjudication.The department still doesnt have a handle on just how many claims are in that pipeline, and the unemployed still face waits of up to 16 weeks. The state launched a program last week to speed the process for some of them.The department now appears able to keep up with new claims. Thats largely because it has increased staff tenfold since March to work claims by hand instead of turning them over to the dysfunctional computers.Its not efficient but it is, increasingly, effective.The department has continued to shed managers, imperiling the computer system upgrade. Gerstenfeld attributes the exits to normal attrition, accelerated somewhat by working conditions during the pandemic.Theres always some amount of turnover, he said. Working right now, at the employment department, it is stressful I will say. Everyone here feels the pressure of helping people.The department has paused its selection process for a vendor to build the new computer system while it recalibrates its needs based on the experience during the pandemic. But Gerstenfeld expects it will be completed on schedule in 2025. Much of the departments internal dysfunction is behind it, he said.We didnt have that strong foundation and the congruence of all those needed ingredients, Gerstenfeld said. I think that we are in a good place now. By PTI AGARTALA: The Tripura government has ordered a magisterial inquiry against BJP MLA Sudip Roy Barman for visiting a COVID Care Centre here allegedly without authorisation, officials said on Wednesday. The inquiry was ordered by the state Home Department, which asked the District Magistrate of West Tripura, Sandeep Namdeo Mahatme, to submit the report within 15 days, they said. Wearing a PPE kit, the former health minister visited the COVID Care Centre set up at the Bhagat Singh Youth Hostel on Sunday and distributed fruits among the patients. Deputy Secretary A Deb, in the order issued on Tuesday, asked the district magistrate to inquire on "three aspects nature of breach of security, risk to health of self and others, including inmates, and fixing of responsibility on all those who connived or facilitated, and nature of connivance or facilitation". A suo motu case was also filed against Barman, who was removed as the health minister in May last year, under the Epidemic Diseases Act at the Capital Complex police station, a police officer said. Following the visit, the administration also asked Barman to go on quarantine but he refused, calling it a "conspiracy" to get him exposed to coronavirus. The district magistrate served a memo to him on Monday, stating that he entered the COVID Care Centre "unauthorisedly" and exposed himself to COVID-19 patients there. He put himself at a high risk of developing the disease and due to this, he would be put in institutional quarantine for seven days, followed by seven days of home quarantine, the memo said. In his reply, Barman said that he feels the district magistrate wrote the memo "under duress" and claimed some group with vested interest hatched a conspiracy to get him exposed to coronavirus, putting his life at risk by quarantining him with other COVID-19 patients. The district magistrate said that the matter was referred to him by the Health Department and he would send Barman's letter back to the department. Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, Barman said his visit was not unauthorised as prior information was given about it to the Director of Health Services and Medical Superintendent of Govind Ballabh Pant (GBP) Hospital, the apex dedicated COVID facility. He said he visited the centre after seeing on social media a clip of a pregnant COVID-19 patient complaining about lack of doctors and the facility being unhygienic. Barman said that he visited the centre only after wearing a full-body PPE kit. The laying of the foundation stone for the Ram temple in Ayodhya by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday sparked off celebrations in Gorakhpur. Earthen lamps (diyas) were lit on the premises of the Gorakhnath temple where the priests recited verses from the Ramcharitmanas and devotees organised bhajan- kirtan to mark the occasion. The mahants of the Gorakhnath Math belonging to the Nath panth have played a pivotal role in the Ram temple movement since the British period. The present mahant, Yogi Adityanath, who is the chief minister of the state, also gave momentum to the movement after he joined the Nath panth in 1992. After becoming chief minister, he not only named Ayodhya district, but also upgraded the town to a municipal corporation. He has launched several projects for development of the temple town, said Kamalnath, a priest at Gorakhnath temple. Today is a historic day for us. Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone of the (Ram) temple. Chief minister Yogi Adityanath, as well as a large number of seers from across the country were present on the occasion. Lamps were lit on the samadhis of Mahant Digvijay Nath and Mahant Avaidyanath, two leading lights of the Ram temple movement, he said. The Covid-19 guidelines were implemented during the celebrations, Kamalnath said. Religious songs were played in other temples of Gorakhpur too. People played with colours at crossings of the city. Besides, a special programme was organised at the Vishwa Hindu Parishads local office. Gorakhpur MP and actor Ravi Kishan too joined the celebrations. I have urged people to light lamps at their houses to celebrate the groundbreaking ceremony for the Ram temple. For people across the country, its Diwali, he said. President Zoran Milanovic of Croatia marked the 25th anniversary of the end of the war with Serbia on Tuesday by awarding medals to ten wartime generals. The ceremony commemorated 'Operation Storm' in 1995 which saw the Croatian army defeat Serb rebel forces, bringing the military conflict to a close. It marked the moment that Croatian troops seized all Serb-controlled areas of the country, causing some 200,000 Serbs to flee to neighbouring Serbia and Bosnia. Several high ranking Croatian army officers were indicted for war crimes over their role in the operation, but a court in The Hague found them not guilty. Serbia is still demanding that some of those officers are brought to justice. Speaking at the awards ceremony, Croatian president Zoran Milanovic insisted that it had been a "just" war, although he accepted that not everyone took that view. By Associated Press WASHINGTON: In the early days of the coronavirus crisis, President Donald Trump was flanked in the White House briefing room by a team of public health experts in a seeming portrait of unity to confront the disease that was ravaging the globe. But as the crisis has spread to all reaches of the country, with escalating deaths and little sense of endgame, a chasm has widened between the Republican president and the experts. The result: daily delivery of a mixed message to the public at a moment when coherence is most needed. Trump and his political advisers insist that the United States has no rival in its response to the pandemic. They point to the fact that the U.S. has administered more virus tests than any other nation and that the percentage of deaths among those infected is among the lowest. Right now, I think its under control, Trump said during an interview with Axios. He added, We have done a great job. But the surge in infections, hospitalizations and deaths tells a different story. And it suggests that the president is increasingly out of step with the federal governments own medical and public health experts. The U.S. death toll, which stands at more than 156,000, is expected to accelerate. The latest composite forecast from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention projects an average of nearly 1,000 deaths per day through Aug. 22. Dr. Deborah Birx, White House coronavirus task force coordinator, warned this week that the virus has become extraordinarily widespread." Trump didn't like that. He dismissed her comment as pathetic and charged she was capitulating to criticism from House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who had earlier criticized Birx. Adm. Brett Giroir, the assistant secretary of Health and Human Services, who has avoided contradicting the president throughout the crisis, said on Sunday it was time to move on from the debate over hydroxychloroquine, a drug Trump continues to promote as a COVID-19 treatment even though there is no clear evidence it is effective. Dr. Robert Redfield, head of the CDC, last week acknowledged during an ABC News interview that the initial federal government response to the virus was too slow. Its not a separation from the president, its a cavernous gap, said Lawrence Gostin, a public health expert at Georgetown University. What were seeing is that scientists will no longer be cowed by the White House. Until recently, the medical experts on the White House coronavirus task force have walked a tightrope. They have been pressing to deliver the best science to the public while trying to avoid appearing to directly contradict Trump in hopes of maintaining influence in the decision-making process. The effort has played out, at moments, as an awkward dance. For months now, the West Wing has controlled the media schedule of Dr. Anthony Fauci, who drew the ire of the president and his advisers in the early days of the pandemic because of the outsized media attention he received and his perceived willingness to contradict the president, according to three White House officials and Republicans close to the West Wing not authorized to speak publicly about private conversations. Fauci, the nations top infectious disease expert, has struck a far more cautious tone than Trump or any other member of the task force about the nations move to reopen, provoking the frustration of a president who sees a resurgent economy as key to winning another four years in office. Birx, until recently, had largely stayed on the presidents good side, though her rosy depictions of the pandemic fight drew recent skepticism from Democrats and other public health officials. But Trump also shredded Birx privately as well as in his public comments this week for not striking a more optimistic tone about states that are doing well and for saying she had tremendous respect for Trumps rival Pelosi, the officials said. Throughout the pandemic, some government public health officials have privately expressed worry to West Wing staffers that they are fearful of contradicting the president even as they try to focus on the data and the science behind the administrations response to the virus, officials said. But publicly, there has been a concerted effort to appear that the team and the Oval Office are speaking with one voice. Redfield disputed on Monday that the health officials were looking to distance themselves from the president. I dont think thats an accurate characterization, Redfield said in an interview. He added, I think we communicate freely and directly as we see the outbreak as members of the task force. On Monday, Trump seemed to walk back from his criticism that Birx was taking the bait from Pelosi and said that he had great respect for the doctor. He suggested his frustration was spurred by his administration not receiving proper credit for testing so many people or for pushing to replenish the stockpile of ventilators early in the crisis. On Tuesday, he boasted that the U.S. has increased testing capacity by 32,000% since March 12 and has far and away the most testing capacity in the world. Trump in early March declared anybody that needs a test gets a test." Yet, in many parts of the country, it can still take a week or longer for patients to receive test results. His positive self-evaluation gives short shrift to the fact that the U.S. has the worlds fourth highest per capita virus death rate, according to Johns Hopkins Universitys coronavirus resource center. In the Axios interview, Trump insisted that the appropriate statistic to judge the virus response is the ratio of deaths to cases. By that metric, the U.S. ranks 14th among the 20 countries most affected by COVID-19. Chile, India, Argentina, Russia, South Africa and Bangladesh all have lower rates of deaths to infections, according to the Johns Hopkins-compiled data. Its not a bragging right that over 3% in your country thats infected is dying, Georgetown University's Gostin said. Trumps undercutting of his health advisers makes it all but impossible for the federal government to speak with a single, authoritative voice at a time of national crisis, critics say. Its a very dangerous place for the country to be, said Kathleen Sebelius, health and human services secretary under President Barack Obama. The reason I say it is very dangerous, is that we continue to have a White House that has made a public health crisis in this country into a debate about whether people like Donald Trump or not. We have never seen a situation like this before, and we are paying the price. DENVER - Five people were found dead Wednesday after an early morning fire destroyed a suburban Denver home a blaze authorities said they suspect was intentionally set. Three people escaped the fire by jumping from the homes second floor. Investigators believe the victims were a toddler, an older child and three adults, Denver Fire Department Capt. Greg Pixley said. Their bodies were discovered after firefighters extinguished the fire, which was first reported by a Denver police officer at 2:40 a.m., Pixley said. The three survivors were hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries, Denver police spokesman Jay Casillas said. Pixley spoke outside the charred house in the Green Valley Ranch neighbourhood, a relatively new development of tightly packed homes near Denver International Airport. A police officer attempting to rescue people on the first floor was pushed back by the fires heat, and it appears that those who died were all on the first floor, he said. Police are investigating the fire along with firefighters because there are indications that it was arson, said Joe Montoya, division chief of investigations for Denver police. He would not elaborate on the evidence because he said he did not want to compromise the investigation. The U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives was assisting the investigation, ATF spokesman Matthew Deasaro said. The ATF frequently assists agencies in arson investigations. This is a devastating time for Denver and this community. Our heart and our prayers go out to this community, Pixley said. Abou Djibril, who said he was a relative of the victims, told The Denver Post the people who died were members of a family that had immigrated from Senegal. Another friend, Ousmane Ndiaye, told the newspaper the father was an engineer with Kiewit, a construction and engineering firm. An email sent to Kiewit for comment wasnt immediately returned. Amadou Ba, a friend of the father, stood outside the charred home with a group of other men from West Africa to bring my respect for the people who passed away and to support the family and the community. He was a very good guy. ... He liked to help everybody, help the community and do a lot of things for everybody, Ba said of the father. Ba said he is working with officials in Senegal and raising money to send the bodies back to the West African country. Its tradition because everybody wants to see their family come back home, he said. Neighbour Maria Mendoza said she was awakened by noise and someone screaming, Get the baby out! Get the baby out! at 2:40 a.m. She ran to a window and saw flames and plumes of smoke rising from the home just down the street. I awoke my husband, and he ran outside to see if he could help but there was nothing he could do. The fire was too big, Mendoza said. Firefighters arrived moments later. It all happened so fast, less than 10 minutes. These are big houses but theyre all made of wood, Mendoza said, holding back tears. May God and the community help this family. Mendoza said she didnt know the family but would wave or say Hi whenever she saw the children. She said the neighbourhood was built about two years ago. Investigators erected a white tent outside the nearly destroyed home, its frame blackened in stark contrast to neighbouring beige houses with neatly manicured lawns. Croatia marks the 25th anniversary of a military victory against Serb rebels that ended the countrys independence war. Croatias top ethnic Serb official joined a ceremony on Wednesday, marking the 25th anniversary of a military victory that ended the countrys independence war, setting a rare tone of reconciliation on a day normally charged with tension. Deputy Prime Minister Boris Milosevic is the first ethnic Serb political representative to attend the annual memorial for the Operation Storm offensive, in which Croatian troops reclaimed territory held by rebel Serbs during the 1991-1995 independence war. While Zagreb celebrates the day as a victorious moment of liberation, Belgrade mourns the fate of ethnic Serbs who were killed or fled Croatia in the aftermath of the offensive. In Croatia this year, a small olive branch was extended as the Serb minister joined other top officials at a ceremony which began at a fortress in Knin, where the names of nearly 200 dead soldiers were read. Milosevic, whose grandmother was killed in the wake of the offensive, wrote on Facebook the time has come for the politics of understanding and of respecting each other to defeat the politics of hatred. Milosevic, front, is the first ethnic Serb political representative to attend the annual memorial [Denis Lovrovic/AFP] The gesture was symbolic of the Croatian governments pledge to improve still fragile relations with ethnic Serbs, who make up about 4.5 percent of the 4.2 million population. It will send a new message for Croatian society, relations between Croatians and Serb minority between Croatia and Serbia, said Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic. Yet the move was met with backlash across the border in Serbia, where pro-government tabloids attacked the Serb politician as shameless. We do not want to celebrate the tragedy of the Serbian people and Serbia will never accept humiliation, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said at the countrys own memorial service on Tuesday evening, held on a bridge that was crossed by the thousands of Serb refugees who fled Croatia after Operation Storm. The proclamation of independence The war was sparked by Croatias proclamation of independence from Yugoslavia in 1991, which was opposed by Serb rebels. Politically and militarily backed by Belgrade, the rebels occupied one-third of Croatias territory, forcing more than 500,000 Croatians and other non-Serbs to flee. On August 4, 1995, Zagreb launched Operation Storm, recapturing the rebel-held lands in an 84-hour offensive. The assault effectively ended the war that killed about 20,000. Yet hundreds of mostly elderly Serb civilians were killed in the aftermath, while more than 200,000 others fled to Serbia and Bosnia as their property was looted, seized or burned down. About half have since returned. In another highly symbolic move, Croatias Defence Minister Tomo Medved agreed to attend a commemoration later this month in a village where six Serb civilians were killed by Croatian forces after the operation. Senator Josh Hawley on Wednesday demanded that Microsoft assure that TikTok has severed all ties with the Chinese Communist Party as a prerequisite of any potential acquisition of the social media platform. TikToks Chinese owner ByteDance is under pressure from Washington to sell TikTok or face being potentially blacklisted in America. Microsoft has reportedly been in talks to acquire the video-sharing platforms U.S. operations. It is not clear whether Microsoft is moving toward a partnership with ByteDance to continue offering the app in the United States, or whether Microsoft will be taking full and independent control of the app and its data, Hawley wrote in a letter to Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella. Let me be clear: Any resolution of the TikTok investigation that fails to sever all links between TikTok and potential proxies for the Chinese Communist Party, including but not limited to ByteDance, is unacceptable, the Missouri Republican said. If TikTok is allowed to preserve ties with its parent company or the Chinese government, vulnerabilities in the app could allow the CCP to collect the data of Americans, Hawley argued. Hawley requested that Microsoft offer details about the steps the tech giant plans to take to ensure TikTok does not share user data with Chinese stakeholders, how they will use such data, as well as disclose any co-investors to Congress. President Trump said Monday that TikTok has until September 15 to find an American buyer for the app, and if they fail to secure a purchaser he will shut down the app in the U.S. Right now they dont have any rights unless we give it to them. So if were going to give them the rights, then it has to come into this country, Trump said. Its a great asset, but its not a great asset in the United States unless they have approval in the United States. In March, Hawley and Senator Rick Scott of Florida introduced the No TikTok on Government Devices Act, which would ban federal employees from using the Chinese video platform on phones or other devices issued by the government or a government corporation. More from National Review Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Ron Lopez (Agence France-Presse) Manila, Philippines Wed, August 5, 2020 07:20 532 6657ac82168da9fa101c8a4066b9ae1a 2 SE Asia SARS-CoV-2,virus-corona,Philippines,coronavirus,coronavirus-restrictions,novel-coronavirus,COVID-19,COVID-19-lockdown,pandemic Free Broke and jobless, Ruel Damaso is sleeping on cardboard and surviving on food handouts at Manila airport where dozens were left stranded after a partial coronavirus lockdown was reimposed Tuesday. More than 27 million people in the capital and four surrounding provinces were given 24-hours notice of the new restrictions that have shut many businesses, halted public transport and grounded flights as the government struggled against a COVID-19 surge. Struggling to survive on part-time factory work after the first lockdown in March crippled the economy and stripped millions of their jobs, Damaso had decided to leave Manila. With nowhere else to stay, he arrived at the airport on Saturday with two former colleagues and was supposed to fly home Tuesday to the southern city of Zamboanga. Now, he is stuck at the terminal, where staff wearing white protective suits, face shields and masks deal with the stranded passengers. "We've run out of money. We can't leave the airport because we don't have any relatives here," the 36-year-old told AFP inside the terminal, a towel wrapped around his shoulders for warmth in the freezing air conditioning. "We will have to stay here for two weeks until our flights are back on." President Rodrigo Duterte reluctantly reimposed stay-at-home orders and other measures in response to a plea from overwhelmed health workers, who had warned that the country was losing the battle against the virus. The number of cases in the Philippines has surged past 100,000 -- a fivefold increase from June when the country emerged from one of the world's longest lockdowns. It is now reporting several thousand new cases every day -- the 6,352 on Tuesday was a record-high. The government has blamed people flouting virus protocols for the sharp increase in infections, which have been concentrated in Manila and the central city of Cebu. In a bid to curb rampant local transmission, police have been deployed to force people who have tested positive for the virus and cannot self-isolate at home into government-run quarantine facilities. Now, police are back on checkpoints to ensure only people with special travel passes to work or go shopping for essential items are moving around. Everyone else is supposed to stay home. An official in Quezon City, which is part of the capital, threatened a "shoot-to-kill policy" for violators, sparking uproar. He later retracted his statement on Facebook. 'No more money' The new measures -- affecting a quarter of the country's population -- have shuttered much of the Philippine economy, presidential spokesman Harry Roque said, as he warned of a "big drop" in economic activity in the first half. Hair salons, cinemas and gyms are closed, while restaurants are only allowed to do take-outs. Other businesses are allowed to operate but at a limited capacity. Many people from the provinces are trying to leave Manila, but mandatory COVID-19 testing has made it difficult. After losing their jobs, Gina Balos and her family had planned to fly to the southern city of Butuan, the closest airport to their hometown on Dinagat Island. They used their savings to buy the tickets, abandoned their house in a slum where they were five months behind on the rent, and sold some of their furniture to pay for the transport to the airport. But they had no money left to cover the cost of the virus tests and were not allowed to board their flight on Monday. Then the lockdown was imposed. "We've been stranded here since yesterday because of the rapid test requirement in our province. It's too expensive for the 11 of us," said Balos, 45. "We have no more money. We also have a pregnant relative who's due this August." A Togolese civil society coalition on Wednesday accused the government of spying on the public after it was reported that six critics of President Faure Gnassingbe, including Catholic leaders, had been victims of a hacking campaign. According to an investigation published on Monday by the French daily Le Monde and Britain's Guardian newspaper, individuals in Togo were alerted by WhatsApp last year that their mobile phones had been targeted in a spyware attack. "We are in a police state that uses and abuses espionage against its own citizens," David Dosseh, spokesman for the FCTD, an umbrella organisation of civil society groups, told AFP. Quoting from a lawsuit filed by WhatsApp against the Israeli firm NSO Group, the newspapers said 1,400 users around the world had been targeted by a sophisticated eavesdropping tool called Pegasus. According to details in the lawsuit, the technology would have potentially given access to emails, texts and images, and could also have been used for recording by remotely operating a phone's camera and microphone. In Togo, the software was reportedly used against opponents, civil society activists and Catholic clerics, including the president of the Togolese Bishops' Conference, Benoit Alowonou, who is known for his activism. Elliott Ohin, a former government minister who is in the opposition party, and Raymond Houndjo, a close associate of a leading opposition politician were also named in the report. The investigation "confirms and provides material evidence of a situation that many suspected," said Dosseh. "Many Togolese are afraid of being followed, especially spied on, when they are members of civil society or opponents," he said. Gnassingbe, who was re-elected this year for a fourth term, has led the country of eight million people since taking over in 2005 after the death of his father Gnassingbe Eyadema, who ruled with an iron fist for 38 years. The government, contacted by AFP, did not comment on the international investigation, which also found targets of the attacks included journalists in India and Morocco, political activists from Rwanda and Catalan separatist politicians in Spain. "Faure Gnassingbe's regime exceeds all the limits of political decency," Nathaniel Olympio, president of the opposition Togolese People's Party, told AFP. "Weapons intended to fight terrorism have been turned against opponents, clerics and human rights defenders," he said. Sens. Mark Warner (D-Va.) (L) and Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), both members of the Senate Intelligence Committee, participate in a discussion at the Atlantic Council in Washington on July 16, 2018. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images) Senate Intelligence Committee Adopts Final Russia Report, Working on Public Release The Senate Select Committee on Intelligence (SSCI) voted on Aug. 4 to approve the fifth and final volume of its report on Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election. The fifth report, which will cover the counterintelligence aspects of the committees inquiry, will cap-off one of the longest running Russia inquiries. Today, the Senate Intelligence Committee voted to adopt the classified version of the final volume of the Committees bipartisan Russia investigation, SSCI Acting Chairman Marco Rubio (R-FL) and Vice Chairman Mark Warner (D-VA) said in a joint statement. In the coming days, the Committee will work to incorporate any additional views, as well as work with the Intelligence Community to formalize a properly redacted, declassified, publicly releasable version of the Volume 5 report. The committee has already reached a bipartisan conclusion early last year that there was no evidence of collusion between the Trump campaign and Russia. Special counsel Robert Mueller reached the same conclusion after a 22-month investigation. In four of the prior instalments of its Russia report, the committee covered Russias targeting of U.S. election infrastructure and use of social media, the U.S. response to the interference and the creation of the January 2017 intelligence community assessment on Russian interference. The committee completed the fifth volume of the report on May 5. At the time, the unclassified version of the report was nearly 1,000 pages long. In the months since May, the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) conducted a classification review of the material. The ODNI did not immediately respond to a question about when the classification review was completed. Despite its hefty volume, the report is unlikely to look into the many problems with Crossfire Hurricane, the FBIs codename for the investigation of the Trump campaign. SSCI operates under a bipartisan consensus and the Democrats are unlikely to agree to publicize the damning aspects of the probe, such as the bureaus use of an unverified, Clinton campaign-funded dossier to obtain a secret court warrant to spy on a Trump campaign associate. Despite years of investigations by the House, Senate, the Justice Department inspector general, the FBI and the special counsel, the keystone crime of the 2016 electionthe theft and release of the Democratic National Committee (DNC) emailsremains shrouded in mystery and riddled with contradictions. Mueller alleged the emails were stolen during a hack on or around May 25, 2016. More than three weeks earlier, the DNC discovered hackers on its network and retained private cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike to protect its systems. CrowdStrike told The Epoch Times earlier this year that there is no indication that there was ever a breach on any DNC server or computer protected by CrowdStrikes technology. The committee is likely on track to release the report before the Nov. 3 presidential election. The ODNI recently reminded Americans that China, Iran and Russia are actively working to undermine the election. ICM Partners' deal with the WGA follows a similar pact between the guild and UTA in July. (ICM Partners) ICM Partners said Wednesday that it signed a deal with the Writers Guild of America, ending a standoff of more than a year. Under the deal, the Century City agency agreed to end longstanding agency practices including negotiating packaging fees for pulling talent together for projects by June 30, 2022. The agreement also caps the agency's ownership in a content production company at 20%. ICM does not currently have a stake in any production companies. The guild maintains that such practices create conflicts of interest between the financial interests of agents and their obligation to represent their writer clients. Agencies have argued they could manage such conflicts. In April 2019, thousands of writers fired their agents and the WGA instructed its members to not sign with any agencies that did not make individual deals with the union. The WGA negotiated franchise deals with more than 80 agencies and last month made an agreement with United Talent Agency the first of the so-called big four agencies, a group that includes William Morris Endeavor and Creative Artists Agency as well as ICM Partners, to reach a pact with the union. Talent agencies have been hit hard by the pandemic as Hollywood productions and live events have been delayed or canceled, with several companies, including all of the big four, implementing cost-cutting initiatives such as layoffs and pay cuts. In June, ICM Partners said it would lay off 40 of its support staff and raise the wages of its assistants to $20 an hour, up from $15 an hour. Company leaders said in a memo that the decision was part of an effort to make the company more efficient and to improve its assistants program. The pandemic has caused tremendous hardship and every facet of our industry is greatly challenged because of it," said Kevin Crotty, ICM Partners' co-president, of the WGA deal. "It was time to bridge this gap and get back to helping our clients tell stories that entertain, enlighten, connect and comfort audiences everywhere. Story continues ICM Partners' deal triggers a clause in UTA's agreement whereby UTA would also end packaging in two years. UTA in its deal also agreed to limit its ownership in Civic Center Media to the current level of 20%. The more writers and agents can reunite, especially in these times, the better for our industry, said a senior source at UTA who declined to be named. The priority for all of us must be helping writers getting back to making great content. Meanwhile, CAA and WME remain in a dispute and legal battle with WGA. Last year the guild sued the agencies, alleging that the practice of collecting packaging fees was illegal. In April a judge dismissed many of the claims, including that the agencies took part in an illegal group boycott and unlawful racketeering. The agencies also have sued the WGA , contending that the union organized an illegal group boycott that violated antitrust laws. A trial in that case could begin in March 2021. CAA did not immediately return a request for comment. WME declined to comment. Indian paramilitary soldiers patrol a deserted street on the first anniversary of Indias decision to revoke the disputed regions semi-autonomy, in Srinagar (Dar Yasin/AP) Authorities enforced security restrictions in many parts of Indian-controlled Kashmir, a year after New Delhi revoked the disputed regions semi-autonomy in a decision that set off anger and economic ruin amid a harsh security clampdown. Officials lifted a curfew in the restive regions main city of Srinagar late Tuesday, but said restrictions on public movement, transport and commercial activities would continue because of the coronavirus pandemic. Government forces placed steel barricades and razor wire across many roads, bridges and intersections. Shops and businesses remained shut and police and soldiers stopped residents at checkpoints, only letting an occasional vehicle or pedestrian pass. Several residents said government forces stopped them at checkpoints, saying the curfew was still in place. You call it a curfew or virus lockdown, the fact is that were under a brutal siege and this siege is a year old now, said Ishfaq Ahmed, a Srinagar resident. Expand Close Kashmiri activists of Indias ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) raise slogans after hoisting the national flag as they mark the first anniversary of Indias decision to revoke the disputed regions semi-autonomy, in Srinagar, Indian controlled Kashmir (Mukhtar Khan/AP) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Kashmiri activists of Indias ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) raise slogans after hoisting the national flag as they mark the first anniversary of Indias decision to revoke the disputed regions semi-autonomy, in Srinagar, Indian controlled Kashmir (Mukhtar Khan/AP) On August 5 2019, prime minister Narendra Modis Hindu nationalist government stripped Jammu and Kashmirs statehood, scrapped its separate constitution and removed inherited protections on land and jobs. The region was also split into two federal territories, Ladakh and Jammu-Kashmir. Following the move, Indian authorities enforced an information blackout and a security clampdown in Kashmir for months. Thousands of Kashmiri youths and pro-independence leaders, as well as pro-India Kashmiri politicians, were arrested. Hundreds are still incarcerated. As some of the restrictions were eased, India enforced another harsh lockdown to combat the spread of the coronavirus, deepening the economic crisis in the region. In Ladakhs Muslim-majority Kargil district, where people have resented Indias move, religious and political groups demanded revocation of the order, calling August 5 a black day. Businesses and shops remained closed in most of the district. Pakistani prime minister Imran Khan demanded Wednesday that the international community force India to reverse its present course against the Kashmiri people. I will address the AJK Assembly today to show solidarity with Kashmiris on Youm-e-Istehsal. Kashmiris in IIOJK have been subjected to a brutal fascist military siege by India since its illegal actions of 5th Aug last year followed by efforts to change the demography of IIOJK. Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) August 5, 2020 I will continue to be an ambassador for all Kashmiris whose voices India has tried to silence through its brutal illegal occupation of IIOJK. After many years, my govt raised the Kashmir issue effectively before the UN & exposed the Hindutva Supremacist fascism of the Modi Govt Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) August 5, 2020 We have also depicted the aspirations of the Kashmiri people & our commitment to UNSC resolutions in the political map of Pakistan released yesterday. Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) August 5, 2020 Pakistan will always be with its brothers and sisters in Indian-controlled Kashmir, Mr Khan said in a statement. On Tuesday, Mr Khan unveiled a new map of Pakistan that includes Indian-held Kashmir and Junagadh, part of the western Indian state of Gujarat, within the Muslim-majority countrys boundaries for the first time in 70 years. India rejected the move as an exercise in political absurdity. On Wednesday, Pakistans military accused Indian troops of targeting civilians in a border village in Pakistan-controlled Kashmir, killing a teenage girl and wounding six others. In a statement, it said a combination of mortars and heavy fire hit the village of Hot Spring, and Pakistani troops retaliated. Pakistans foreign ministry summoned a senior diplomat at the Indian Embassy to protest, another Pakistani statement said. There was no immediate comment from India. While most Kashmiris were confined to their homes Wednesday, over a dozen activists from Modis Hindu-nationalist governing party assembled in Srinagar to celebrate the scrapping of regions special status. Today were celebrating because ever since Bharatiya Janata Party came into being its slogan always has been one constitution, one leader and one flag. That has been completed, said Altaf Thakur, the partys regional spokesman. Expand Close Jammu Kashmir policemen watch as local activists of Indias ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) hoist the Indian National flag as they mark the first anniversary of Indias decision to revoke the disputed regions semi-autonomy, in Srinagar (Mukhtar Khan/AP) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Jammu Kashmir policemen watch as local activists of Indias ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) hoist the Indian National flag as they mark the first anniversary of Indias decision to revoke the disputed regions semi-autonomy, in Srinagar (Mukhtar Khan/AP) Authorities barred some pro-India Kashmiri leaders who have opposed the decision from meeting in Srinagar. BJP displaying its hypocrisy. They can gather & celebrate, tweeted Omar Abdullah, the regions former top elected official who was released after about eight months in detention. The rest of us cant even meet to discuss whats happening in the region, he said. In Pakistan, several anti-India rallies were organised to denounce last years changes by India. In the capital, Islamabad, President Arif Alvi addressed a rally and sought a solution to the Kashmir issue under 1948 UN resolutions. The status of Kashmir has been a key point of dispute between Pakistan and India since the two split after the end of British colonial rule. They each control part of Kashmir and have fought two wars over their rival claims. Expand Close Women hold crossed out portraits of Indian prime minister Narendra Modi as they participate in a train march (Fareed Khan/AP) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Women hold crossed out portraits of Indian prime minister Narendra Modi as they participate in a train march (Fareed Khan/AP) Initially, the anti-India movement in the Indian-controlled portion of Kashmir was largely peaceful, but after a series of political blunders, broken promises and a crackdown on dissent, Kashmiris launched a full-blown armed revolt in 1989. Meanwhile, 18 UN human rights experts urged India and the international community to take urgent action to address the alarming human rights situation in Indian-administered Kashmir. They asked India to allow UN teams to visit the disputed region. If India will not take any genuine and immediate steps to resolve the situation, meet their obligations to investigate historic and recent cases of human rights violations and prevent future violations, then the international community should step up, they said in a statement. The logo of Lilly is seen on a wall of the Lilly France company unit, part of the Eli Lilly and Co pharmaceuticals group, in Fegersheim, near Strasbourg, France, February 1, 2018. REUTERS/Vincent Kessler WASHINGTON - Republican National Convention planners are considering the White House South Lawn as the site of President Donald Trump's nationally televised nomination acceptance speech later this month, according to a Republican familiar with the discussions. The decision to stage the most high-profile political event of Trump's reelection campaign at the national seat of presidential power would be just the latest break by Trump in presidential norms, which have historically drawn clear lines between official business of the president and campaign events. People involved in the planning said that no final decision had been made on the location of the Republican convention's celebratory events. Trump abandoned plans to hold the full convention in Charlotte, and later Jacksonville, Fla., over concerns that large crowds could spread the novel coronavirus. The South Lawn, which can be subject to intense heat and afternoon thunderstorms in late August, is one of several sites under consideration for the week of festivities, including the Trump International Hotel in the District of Columbia, which the president leases from the federal government, officials said. Any costs incurred by the government to host the events would be repaid, said the Republican, who, like others, spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss internal deliberations. Several hundred Republican delegates plan to gather for a pared-down session of official meetings on Aug. 24 in Charlotte, N.C., to nominate Trump. That will be followed by three more days of speeches and programming from undetermined sites, culminating in Trump's acceptance speech on Aug. 27. In a press briefing last month, Trump dodged a question about holding the acceptance speech in the White House. "We haven't set that yet," Trump said. "We'll probably announce that over the next few days." The Republican familiar with the convention planning discussions said former Trump campaign manager Brad Parscale, who was moved to a senior adviser role last month, has been tasked with preparing videos that will be mixed in with live speeches over the four nights from Aug. 24-27. Republican officials hope to highlight average Americans who have benefited from Trump's policies, a second Republican official said, and will not focus extensively on the coronavirus pandemic. Democrats are also planning a four-day celebration, with a mix of live speeches and prerecorded video. Their program will run two hours a night, based out of a convention center in Milwaukee, with satellite sites around the country for other speeches, according to convention planners. Former president Barack Obama and former first lady Michelle Obama are both scheduled to speak, as well as Biden and his running mate. Biden will speak from Milwaukee, but other details have not been released. Under federal law, government employees and property are generally barred from being used for political purposes, with notable exceptions. The Hatch Act, which prevents federal officials from certain forms of political activity at work, exempts both the president and the vice president from any restrictions. The act also does not apply to "rooms in the White House or in the residence of the Vice President, which are part of the residence area or which are not regularly used solely in the discharge of official duties." The New York Times reported Monday that a Trump speech from the confines of the White House was under consideration. Past occupants of the White House, including Obama and former president George W. Bush, limited expressly political activity in the West Wing, choosing to take campaign meetings in the White House residence, or in the case of the Obama administration, in the Map Room which sits below the White House residence. Kedric Payne, the senior director of ethics at the Campaign Legal Center, said a political speech at the White House would "become another example of the president exposing gaps in the law that must be closed," while raising a number of complications. "Government employees cannot wear or display campaign material at the White House," he said. "The RNC would have a difficult time arguing that they can reimburse for the expenses, because how do you calculate such things as the fair market value of the White House lawn?" Richard Painter, a Trump critic who served as chief White House ethics lawyer under Bush, said the challenge of staging a convention from the White House is not that Trump himself would be violating the law. "He may not be violating the Hatch Act, but he is ordering other people to," Painter said. "At a certain point you are using White House resources, and that is a violation of the Hatch Act." Potential Hatch Act violations are investigated by the Office of Special Counsel, which refers its findings back to the White House to take further action. But two Democratic lawyers, who requested anonymity to discuss private deliberations, said that while Hatch Act violations do not result in criminal prosecutions, the misuse of congressionally appropriated funds for a political purpose could be criminally enforceable, and the statute of limitations would not have run out in 2021, when the winner of this year's election takes office. The presumptive Democratic nominee, former vice president Joe Biden, has offered mixed signals about his interest if he wins in November in pursuing Trump and his allies with investigations. Biden has said he would not pardon Trump for any criminal convictions. But he has also said he would not involve himself in Justice Department decisions about whether to launch any investigations of the Trump administration. "In terms of having the Justice Department go look at an individual or whatever, the Justice Department is not my lawyer," Biden said in a May appearance on "The Late Show With Stephen Colbert." Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-05 22:07:55|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close BERLIN, Aug. 5 (Xinhua) -- Net profit of BMW Group plummeted 82.5 percent year-on-year to 362 million euros (428 million U.S. dollars) during the first half (H1) of the current financial year, the German carmaker announced on Wednesday. Revenues of BMW fell by 10.3 percent to 43.2 billion euros in H1, according to the German company. In total, BMW delivered 962,575 vehicles of its brands BMW, MINI and Rolls-Royce to customers worldwide, a drop by 23 percent. "The negative impact of the coronavirus pandemic was felt more sharply in the period from April to June," BMW noted. In the second quarter (Q2), group profit before financial result fell sharply to a negative amount of 666 million euros, down from 2.2 billion euros at the same quarter last year. However, a "strong performance" by the BMW Brilliance Automotive Ltd. joint venture in China contributed to an improved financial result. "Our swift responsiveness and consistent management strategy enabled us to limit the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on the BMW Group during the first half of the year," said Oliver Zipse, chairman of the board of management of BMW AG, in Munich on Wednesday. After implementing cutbacks at many of its plants in March as a response to the COVID-19 crisis, BMW "initiated a coordinated restart" of its production facilities in the second quarter. Since mid-June, all its manufacturing plants had again been working in regular shifts. In Europe, deliveries of BMW, MINI and Rolls-Royce vehicles dropped by 32.3 percent to 372,754 during the first six months of the year. Sales recorded in Germany fell by 27.9 percent to 116,362 units. In China, a "more positive trend" occurred from April onwards, BMW noted. Due to the growth of sales in Q2 compared to the previous year, six-month sales in China only decreased by 6 percent to 329,447 units. Despite the overall decline of sales, the number of electrified BMW and MINI vehicles delivered to customers rose by 3.4 percent to 61,652 units in H1, according to BMW. "We are now looking ahead to the second six-month period with cautious optimism," stressed Zipse. BMW continued to expect an EBIT margin between 0 and 3 percent for its automotive segment in 2020. Enditem India requests Pakistan government to allow Srinagar-Sharjah flight to use its airspace Curfew lifted in Srinagar, but COVID-19 restrictions to continue India oi-Vicky Nanjappa Srinagar, Aug 05: The Srinagar administration on Tuesday evening announced the lifting of curfew as the situation remained incident-free, but strict restrictions would continue in areas which have seen a spike in Covid-19 cases, officials said. An order was issued by Deputy Commissioner Shahid Choudhury on Tuesday saying that after assessing the situation in the area, it has been decided to prematurely end the curfew which was slated to continue till Wednesday night. The order, however, states that restrictions ordered earlier under Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code and the Disaster Management Act, in view of the prevailing situation due to the Covid-19 disease, will remain enforced across the district as directed through an order issued on July 31. Two day curfew in Srinagar ahead of 1st anniversary of Article 370 repeal It states there shall be restrictions on public movement including transport and that commercial and other establishments shall remain closed. Meanwhile, Choudhury has said avoiding public gatherings is an important part of the efforts to contain the spread of Covid-19 and urged the general public to ensure strict compliance with all preventive guidelines and protocols that the government has issued in regard to it. Kashmir curfew: A year since special status was revoked| Oneindia News He has directed for strict adherence to restrictions as ordered. Iran's President Hassan Rouhani on Wednesday offered condolences and medical support to Lebanon after a huge blast at Beirut port devastated entire neighbourhoods of the city. Tehran "is ready to offer medical and medicinal aid and help treat the injured and other assistance," Rouhani wrote in a message to his Lebanese counterpart, according to the government website. Rouhani also expressed hope the cause of the deadly blast would be uncovered and calm restored to Beirut as soon as possible. The Lebanese Red Cross said on Wednesday that the blast killed over 100 people and injured more than 4,000, according to the latest toll. Read: All you need to know about the Lebanon explosions that killed over 100 people The explosion appeared to have been sparked by a fire igniting 2,750 tonnes of ammonium nitrate left unsecured in a warehouse. The head of Iran's Red Crescent Society said in a statement that it would send nine tonnes of food aid as well as medical supplies to Lebanon. Karim Hemmati added that Iran would also provide Lebanon with a field hospital as well as specialised medical teams and equipment. Lebanon's current government, which was unveiled in January, is made up of the pro-Iranian Shiite movement Hezbollah and its allies. Such businesses and their workers are uniquely tethered to air travel and have been and will continued to be significantly impacted by the decline in air travel due to the coronavirus pandemic, the senators said in a letter to Senate GOP and Democratic leaders. They said Congress should also consider more help for airport concessionaires and aircraft manufacturers. The husband of a Collingswood business owner has been charged with aggravated assault after he allegedly struck the employee of a neighboring business in the head with a shovel. Brian McBride, 42, of Washington Township, was arrested Tuesday in connection with the incident Monday, the Camden County Prosecutors Office said Wednesday. Police who responded to the area after receiving a report of an armed subject who assaulted a man found the victim on the ground with a wound to the head, the office said. A witness told police he saw McBride swing and hit the victim in the head with a shovel, causing the victim to fall to the ground, the prosecutors statement said. Through the investigation, detectives discovered surveillance footage that shows the victim stumbling to the ground after being assaulted. McBride, of Washington Township, was arrested on charges of aggravated assault and two weapons charges. He was released from jail Wednesday, the office said. The prosecutors office identified McBride as a business owner, however corporation filings list him as the registered agent and his wife as the principle of the corporation that runs a coffee shop in town. The statement did not identify the victim or the business where he worked, but news site NJ PEN identified him as a chef at Macona BBQ and said he suffered a concussion. (Editors note: This story was revised to correct information about the ownership of the coffee shop.) Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. Rebecca Everett may be reached at reverett@njadvancemedia.com. Tell us your coronavirus story or send a tip here. Literacy and learning difficulties groups are calling on education ministers to commit to ensuring no student finishes primary school unable to read, warning school systems have grown used to an unacceptable rate of failure. Last year, more than 15 per cent of year 7 students in NSW were at or below the national reading minimum standard, leaving them struggling to follow the high school curriculum. Principals say some year 7 students have the reading skills of an eight- or nine-year-old. Campaigners warn too many students struggle to read when they leave primary school. Credit:Craig Sillitoe Three organisations on Thursday launched the Primary Reading Pledge campaign, calling on education ministers and the heads of public school systems to commit to more rigorous intervention throughout primary school so that number can be drastically reduced. Critics of the campaign say teachers are already working hard to help weak readers, but there is no magic bullet because students struggle for myriad reasons. Its now or never, said Emily Oster, an economist at Brown University who has written extensively about reopening. While the citys virus incidence rate is among the lowest in the country, it is widely predicted that those numbers will tick up later this fall, she noted. Either you do it for September, or no one is opening until theres a vaccine, she added. The question of reopening has presented the mayor and governor with one of the weightiest conundrums of their careers. The citys former position as a global epicenter of the virus has made many parents and teachers extremely wary of school reopening. That is particularly true of Black and Latino New Yorkers who saw their communities ravaged by the virus. Mr. de Blasio has laid out a series of safety measures over the last few days in an attempt to assuage fears and boost the chances that reopening really happens and to try to quiet mounting criticism from the teachers union and Mr. Cuomo. The mayors plan calls for children to report to school one to three days a week with masks and social distancing required and learn online the rest of the time. The city is also home to vast numbers of vulnerable children. Remote learning has been a failure for many of the citys children, but has been particularly disastrous for the 200,000 students with disabilities and 114,000 who are homeless. Even if the city succeeds in opening schools, there is little certainty that it will be able to keep them open all semester. One Indiana school that opened last week reported a positive case on the very first day of classes. Health experts predict the same is almost certain to happen at some point in some of New Yorks 1,800 schools next month. Just two cases in different classrooms of the same school could force its closing for two weeks. Balancing the risks and rewards of reopening is hugely challenging on its own. But the mayor and governors mutual dislike and Mr. Cuomos determination to undermine the mayor have compounded the problem. Businesses with strong neighbourhood connections have been better able to weather COVID-19, a countrywide study looking at the impact of the pandemic has found. The study published by Vancity, Vancity Community Investment Bank (VCIB), and the Canadian Urban Institute examined seven Canadian main streets in Ontario and British Columbia to uncover the impact of COVID-19 on small businesses. The research, based on conversations with business improvement associations and business owners as well as data, looked into business closures, foot traffic, the proportion of independently owned businesses, and the nearby residential population, to determine what factors led to the pandemics effects on specific communities. In Ontario, The Beaches (Queen Street East from Woodbine Avenue to Lee Avenue), Wexford Heights in Toronto (along Lawrence Avenue East between Tower Drive and Ellington Drive), and King and Catharine Streets in downtown Hamilton were studied. In B.C. main streets in Surrey-Newton, Downtown Victoria, Strathcona and Kamloops North Shore were put under the microscope. Main streets are crucial to the development of cities, said Mary Rowe, president and CEO of the Canadian Urban Institute. But many were already struggling before COVID-19 due to rising commercial rents and an increase in online shopping. COVID-19 exposed the harsh reality businesses would either become more important to local residents, or would close altogether, Rowe said. The study found that main streets with a strong local culture or a particular cultural market with loyal customers did better throughout the pandemic than areas that relied more heavily on tourists or commuters. In Wexford, a neighbourhood in Torontos northeast, where 82 per cent of the businesses are independently owned, only two of 87 businesses have closed since the pandemic began, despite a 56 per cent decline in visitor traffic to the area. The study notes that the Wexford block along Lawrence Avenue East has a diverse set of businesses catering to Middle Eastern, Asian and African clientele. Nonetheless, Wexford Restaurant, a local staple founded in 1958 is one of the two businesses that closed forever. Meanwhile, areas like Queen Street East in The Beaches struggled more than other areas, such as Wexford, because of pre-existing problems including higher commercial rents. The Beaches Queen Street East strip has seen nine permanent business closures so far out of 104 during the pandemic, more than the other main streets studied. Overall, businesses with the ability to pivot restaurants to takeout, in-store sales to online fared better, Rowe said. For example, the study notes that Buds Coffee Bar in The Beaches was able to expand onto the sidewalk, and the Fox Theatre has been selling naming rights to seats and concessions to bring in revenue while it couldnt show movies. Rowe said its important to protect these main streets throughout the pandemic. Theyre like community hearts, she said. And they also drive larger economies. Rowe believes businesses will continue to need support going forward including protection from rent increases and high property taxes. Christine Bergeron, Vancitys interim CEO and president, said one finding of interest was that the areas with strong local connections, fared better than more affluent areas. If you can get what you need close by, youre more likely to purchase locally than to go to a different neighbourhood, she said. Bergeron said more research is needed to help communities figure out what they need to do to grow and survive. Correction Aug. 5, 2020: This story was edited to correct the name of Ellington Dr. in the Wexford Heights neighbourhood. Washington: US President Donald Trump has surprised military officials by claiming, without presenting evidence, that the giant explosion that killed at least 100 people in Beirut was an "attack". Lebanese officials have not stated that the incident was an attack, instead saying that the explosion occurred at a depot containing highly explosive ammonium nitrate. US President Donald Trump made the surprising claim at his regular White House briefing. Credit:AP At a White House press conference on Tuesday (Wednesday AEST) Trump said the explosion "looks like a terrible attack". Asked if he was confident if the explosion was an attack rather than an accident, Trump said: "It would seem like it based on the explosion. YEREVAN. The number of Armenians killed in the explosion in Beirut is currently six. Anna Naghdalyan, spokesperson for the Republic of Armenia Ministry of Foreign Affairs (RA MFA), noted about this on Facebook. "A working group has been set up at the MFA to coordinatewith the crisis structure of Lebanonthe provision of targeted assistance to Lebanon. The RA embassy in Lebanon is in constant contact with the relevant local authorities to jointly assess the needs of the Lebanese side and the scope of assistance. In parallel, contact is maintained with Armenian community structures [in Beirut] to assess [their] needs. The embassy in Lebanon is working in an emergency mode; there is a hotline," Naghdalyan added, in particular. WASHINGTON - Fiona Hill, a key witness in President Donald Trump's impeachment inquiry, is going to be sharing her views about the future of a polarized America. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 5/8/2020 (531 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. FILE - In this Nov. 21, 2019 file photo, former White House national security aide Fiona Hill testifies before the House Intelligence Committee on Capitol Hill in Washington. Hill, a key witness in President Donald Trump's impeachment inquiry, is going to be sharing her views about the future of a polarized America. The New York-based Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Books & Media announced on Wednesday that it has acquired a book by Hill, former deputy assistant to the president and senior director for European and Russian affairs on the National Security Council at the White House. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh) WASHINGTON - Fiona Hill, a key witness in President Donald Trump's impeachment inquiry, is going to be sharing her views about the future of a polarized America. The New York-based Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Books & Media announced on Wednesday that it has acquired a book by Hill, former deputy assistant to the president and senior director for European and Russian affairs on the National Security Council at the White House. Hill's testimony last year on Capitol Hill reinforced the central complaint of the impeachment inquiry that Trump used his leverage over Ukraine, a young Eastern European democracy facing Russian aggression, to pursue political gain. Senior editor Alex Littlefield acquired North American rights to the book from Andrew Nurnberg Associates, based in London. Hill's book, titled There Is Nothing for You Here: Opportunity in an Age of Decline," is to be released in the fall of 2021. The book will draw on Dr. Hills deep expertise in the United States and Europe, as well as her personal experience on both continents, to explain how our current, polarized moment is the result of long historical trends from imperial overreach to postindustrial decline that have long afflicted Russia and the United Kingdom, and which now are beginning to affect the United States, the publisher said in a statement. Hill will describe the origins and growth of deep, geographically concentrated opportunity gaps, and show how they have fueled the rise of populism at home and abroad. Hill, a British-born coal miners daughter who became a U.S. citizen in 2002, worked for Republican and Democratic administrations. She said she joined the Trump White House because she shared the Republican presidents belief that relations with Russia needed to improve. Still, she was adamant that Russia was gearing up to intervene again in the 2020 U.S. election, declaring, We are running out of time to stop them. Trump was impeached by the Democratic-led U.S. House of Representatives over charges he abused the power of his office by enlisting a foreign government to investigate a political rival ahead of the 2020 election and obstructed Congress in its investigation. He was acquitted by the Republican-led Senate. New Delhi, Aug 5 : While India is set to miss its first national offshore wind target, global offshore wind capacity will surge to over 234 GW by 2030 from 29.1 GW at the end of 2019, led by exponential growth in the Asia-Pacific region and continued strong growth in Europe, a new report by the Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC) said on Wednesday. In India nearly 70 GW potential has been earmarked for offshore wind development. However, the tender for the first 1 GW project in the Gulf of Khambhat in Gujarat has been delayed and attention has now turned to the stronger wind resource area off Tamil Nadu. India has a national target to have 5 GW installed capacity by 2022 and 30 GW by 2030. The GWEC in the second edition of its Global Offshore Wind Report finds that 2019 was the best year on record for offshore wind, with 6.1 GW of new capacity added globally, bringing total global cumulative installations to 29.1 GW. China remains in the number one spot for the second year in a row for new installations, installing a record 2.4 GW, followed by the UK at 1.8 GW and Germany at 1.1 GW. While Europe continues to be the leading region for offshore wind, countries in the Asia-Pacific region, such as Taiwan, Vietnam, Japan, and South Korea, as well as the US market are quickly picking up pace and will be regions of significant growth in the next decade. The report finds that offshore wind in India is expected to compete with cheaper land-based renewables and it has stalled the market. The GWEC Market Intelligence forecasts that through 2030, more than 205 GW of new offshore wind capacity will be added globally, including at least 6.2 GW of floating offshore wind. This represents a 15 GW increase from the forecasts in GWEC Market Intelligence's pre-COVID forecast, demonstrating the resilience of the sector to play a major role in powering both the energy transition and a green recovery. GWEC CEO Ben Backwell said: "Offshore wind is truly going global, as governments around the world recognise the role that the technology can play in starting post-COVID economic recovery through large-scale investment, creating jobs and bringing economic development to coastal communities. "Over the coming decade we will see emerging offshore markets like Japan, Korea and Vietnam move to full deployment, and see the first offshore turbines installed in a number of new countries in Asia, Latin America and Africa." The report shows that 900,000 jobs will be created in the offshore sector over the next decade -- and this number can only increase if policymakers put in place recovery strategies that can further accelerate the growth of the sector. The global offshore market has grown on an average by 24 per cent each year since 2013. Europe remains the largest market for offshore wind at the end of 2019, making up 75 per cent of the total global installations. Europe will continue to be a leader in offshore wind, with an ambitious 450 GW goal by 2050 driven by installations in the UK, the Netherlands, France, Germany, Denmark and Poland, with several other EU markets posting double-digit volumes. Taiwan is set to become the second largest offshore wind market in Asia after Mainland China, with a goal of 5.5 GW by 2025 and an additional 10 GW by 2035. By PTI NEW DELHI: India on Wednesday slammed China for describing the reorganisation of Jammu and Kashmir in 2019 as "illegal and invalid", and advised Beijing not to comment on the internal affairs of other nations. In a sharp reaction to China's comments on the first anniversary of India's decision on J and K, External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Anurag Srivastava said China has no locus standi on the matter. Earlier, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson said in Beijing that any unilateral change to the status quo of Jammu and Kashmir is illegal and invalid. ALSO READ | J&K politicians express disappointment on Twitter on first anniversary of revocation of Article 370 "We have noted the comments of the Chinese MFA spokesperson on the Indian Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir. The Chinese side has no locus standi whatsoever on this matter and is advised not to comment on the internal affairs of other nations," Srivastava said, replying to a question on China's comments on the issue. On August 5 last year, India announced its decision to withdraw special status of Jammu and Kashmir and bifurcate the state into two union territories. China has been critical of India's reorganisation of J-K, and has particularly criticised New Delhi for making Ladakh a union territory. China lays claim over several parts of Ladakh. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said China's position on the Kashmir issue is "consistent and clear". "First, the Kashmir issue is a dispute left over from history between Pakistan and India, which is an objective fact established by the UN Charter, relevant Security Council resolutions and bilateral agreements between Pakistan and India," he said. "Second, any unilateral change to the status quo in the Kashmir region is illegal and invalid. Third, the Kashmir region issue should be properly and peacefully resolved through dialogue and consultation between the parties concerned," Wang said. ALSO READ | Will continue to raise Kashmir issue at world stage: Imran irks India again China has always been siding with its all-weather ally Pakistan on the Kashmir issue. The Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson said peaceful coexistence serves the fundamental interests of both India and Pakistan, and the common aspiration of the international community. Following India's decision, China had made multiple attempts to raise the Kashmir issue in the UN Security Council. However, these attempts were rejected by other member nations of the global body. "Pakistan and India are neighbours that cannot be moved away. Harmony between the two countries serves the fundamental interests of both sides and the common aspiration of the international community," Wang said. The Chinese spokesperson made the comments following a question by a Pakistani correspondent on the completion of one-year of the reorganisation of Jammu and Kashmir. The comments by the spokesman came amid the border face-off between India and China in eastern Ladakh. The Norseman pub in Temple bar, which remains boarded up since March. Photo: Arthur Carron Pubs and restaurants should be closed by 10.30pm and be more robustly policed, public health officials recommended to government. Yesterday, it was announced that the reopening of pubs would be delayed. As a result, 3,500 'wet-pubs' have been prevented from getting back to business next Monday. Taoiseach Micheal Martin said that there is no guarantee pubs will be allowed to reopen this year. This news has been met with "fury and despair". A spike in cases of the coronavirus across several counties outside of Dublin was behind health advice not to move into the next phase of reopening the country. Public health officials also recommended to government that pubs and restaurants should be closed by 10.30pm and be more robustly policed. The National Public Health Emergency Team (Nphet) advised a cautious but measured approach to entering into the final stage of the Roadmap for Reopening Society and Business which including postponing the reopening of pubs. It insisted restaurants and pubs that serve food should be closed by 10.30pm. However, Tanaiste Leo Varadkar yesterday said the customer should be off the premises by 11pm. Its 11pm but obviously they can stay open for takeaways and deliveries and for staff to clean up and all that, he said. Expand Close Education: Norma Foley said she understood pub owners difficulties. Photo: Gareth Chaney/Collins / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Education: Norma Foley said she understood pub owners difficulties. Photo: Gareth Chaney/Collins In its advice to Government, Nphet said: Restaurants and cafes (including pubs/bars/hotels serving food) are required to close by 10.30pm than for take out or delivery service. Nphet also insisted all staff in pubs and restaurants should wear face coverings if they are not working behind protective glass. Nphet emphasised that in recommending the reopening of these premises in late June, it was on the basis of strict adherence to the detail and spirt of public health guidelines, and on the basis that the intended premises are controlled restaurant environments, it said. Nphet recognises the vast majority of such premises have adhere to the guideline in place, but also calls for continued robust inspection and enforcement of these arrangements when necessary, it added. The public health experts also warned against easing restrictions on indoor and outdoor gatherings. Read More The Green List of countries to which it is considered safe to travel has been cut by one-third. And it will now be mandatory to wear a face covering in shops. Asked whether pubs will be able to open before the end of the year, Mr Martin said: "A lot depends upon the prevalence of the virus and how high a number we get or how low [it goes]. "If we nip this in the bud, there may be prospects, but we can't give any guarantees right now." He would commit only to reviewing the ban on pubs on August 31. The news was met by anger by groups representing publicans, who said it had become "increasingly obvious" that the Government did not have a plan for the industry. In a joint statement, the Licensed Vintners' Association (LVA) and the Vintners Federation of Ireland (VFI) said the sector was facing a "full blown crisis" that would place "intolerable pressure" on publicans, staff, suppliers and all their families. Owners of gastropubs and restaurants, which have already reopened, were also annoyed by the latest set of health rules that demand they close by 11pm. Meanwhile, the three Government leaders, Mr Martin, Leo Varadkar and Eamon Ryan, back-tracked on plans to ease restrictions on outdoor gatherings to allow more people attend GAA matches. Until hours before the Cabinet met, it was expected the rules would be changed to allow 500 rather than 200 people attend outdoor events. However, after a meeting with acting chief medical officer Dr Ronan Glynn, it was decided to ditch plans to ease the restrictions on indoor and outdoor gatherings. Ministers said the National Public Health Emergency Team's (Nphet) analysis of the spike in cases suggested it could go higher rather than lower in the coming days and weeks. The Cabinet was also told there would be serial testing put in place for people in direct provision as well as other vulnerable communities including the homeless and Roma. There is serious concern about the rising number of cases linked to direct provision centres. Separately, ministers were told restaurants and pubs should adhere to "the spirit" of the guidance in place, meaning they should close to customers at 10.30pm and have no customers on site at 11pm, according to a Cabinet source. Tanaiste Leo Varadkar said: "It's 11pm but obviously they can stay open for takeaways and deliveries and for staff to clean up and all that. But the customer should be off the premises by 11pm. "What we want to stop is what was kind of happening, which is pubs or restaurants were kind of operating almost as pubs so that's a risk." The Restaurants Association of Ireland said it was seeking an urgent meeting with the Taoiseach to discuss the rationale for the new guidance. "Restaurants are now one of the safest social outlets in the country and by closing restaurants at 11pm you will drive people to impromptu house parties," said the association's chief executive Adrian Cummins. "The loss of an hour will be the difference to people making wrong decisions and will affect the economics of viable businesses," he added. Taoiseach Mr Martin said he understood publicans and other businesses would be "very upset" but said the priority was to "save lives", look after the vulnerable and "reopen our schools". "The life chances of our children depend on us getting the schools open in a safe way," he said. He asked the country to continue to "have patience" in the fight against Covid-19 and to follow all the public health advice in keeping the virus under control. Education Minister Norma Foley said she understood the difficulties that publicans and other businesses found themselves in and was very sympathetic to their concerns, "but this is what the public health experts have advised and we have been guided by public health advice thus far". More than a week on from the publication of the roadmap for re-opening schools, Ms Foley expressed confidence that the planned full re-opening would happen on target. She said there had been "a very positive engagement and a desire to make things work coming from schools, parents, students and general society. Government sources said a new "medium to long term" roadmap would be drafted in the coming weeks to set out how the country could "learn to live with the virus". The new roadmap will seek to set out how the country can manage a rise in new cases while allowing schools and businesses operate as near to normal as possible. The new roadmap will be developed by Nphet in conjunction with officials at the Department of the Taoiseach. "The virus isn't going to go away and the new plan will be looking at how we deal with it on a medium- to long-term basis," the source said. "Places like Germany and Denmark are interesting examples where they opened everything including schools and pubs while containing outbreaks and clusters as they arise," they added. Visit our Covid-19 vaccine dashboard for updates on the roll out of the vaccination program and the rate of Coronavirus cases Ireland A Cabinet minister said: "We may need to, as the WHO says, learn to live alongside the virus at a certain level." At a glance: What rules change and what will stay the same New Delhi: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on August 5, 2019 had announced the abrogation of Article 370 and 35A in Parliament, which resulted in the bifurcation of the state of Jammu and Kashmir into two union territories. A year on, section 144 has been imposed in Srinagar to prevent some terrorist outfits from marking the day as a 'Black Day' also to keep a check on the coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic that has swept the UT. According to a circular issued the district magistrate, the section 144 has been imposed for August 4 and 5. What has changed with the revocation of Article 370? The abrogation of Article 370 and 35A has extended the reach of Parliament and Indian Constitution over the region effectively ending the autonomous status and provisions where they could make their own laws on most issues. Since the abrogation of the Articles, a number of state laws were scrapped and both union territories got lieutenant governors after the bifurcation came into effect on October 31, 2019. Also, the scrapping of Article 35A has paved the way for a new domicile law. As per Article 35A certain privileges were given to Kashmir's permanent residents. It prevented non-Kashmiris from applying for government jobs, scholarships, or from buying local land. Such provisions are not valid anymore. According to new domicile regulations notified by the newly formed union territory of Jammu and Kashmir, the scope of Kashmiri domiciles has been widened. Further, the Right to Information Act, 2005 and the Representation of People Act, 1951 are among the laws that have been extended to these union territories. Meanwhile, in a first political development in J&K since the abrogation of Article 370, National Conference (NC) president and former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Farooq Abdullah on Tuesday called for an all-party meeting on August 5. However, sources in the administration said that no leader would be allowed to come out of their respective residences on August 5. A curfew is already in place across Srinagar. While according to a report, a total of 120 terror-related cases have been reported till July, 2020, and during the same period - between January and July in 2019 - a total of 188 cases were reported. Till July, 2020, atleast 35 security personnel lost their lives in the line of duty, and last year during the same period 75 security personnel had lost their lives fighting terrorists. Croatia marked the 25th anniversary of a victorious military offensive against rebel Serbs with an ethnic Serb politician attending the annual ceremony for the first time, an event seen as an important step toward reconciliation. Government officials, military leaders and former fighters in the 1991-1995 war over Croatian independence gathered in the former rebel stronghold of Knin for the observance, which had fewer participants than usual because of the coronavirus pandemic. Guests sat at a distance from each other, and some wore face masks. Croatian officials called for overcoming the legacy of the war that erupted after Croatia declared independence from the former Yugoslavia and ethnic Serbs in Croatia, backed by neighbouring Serbia, took up arms and seized territory. About 10,000 people were killed and thousands expelled from their homes before Croatia in August 1995 retook most of the land in the Oluja, or Storm, offensive. The triumphant blitz triggered an exodus of over 200,000 ethnic Serbs, and hundreds more were killed in the aftermath of the attack. Expand Close Croatias deputy prime minister Boris Milosevic, an ethnic Serb, arrives at the ceremony (Darko Bandic/AP) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Croatias deputy prime minister Boris Milosevic, an ethnic Serb, arrives at the ceremony (Darko Bandic/AP) Croatian prime minister Andrej Plenkovic expressed regret and honour for all of the victims, both Croat and Serb. He condemned war crimes committed against Serb civilians and pledged those responsible will be prosecuted. Croatia must move forward. Reconciliation must be based on the facts and justice for all victims, Mr Plenkovic said. Conflicting views on the offensive reflect the gap among the Balkan former war foes. Serbia on Tuesday evening remembered the ethnic Serbs who died in the offensive, calling the Croatian army attack as a crime and pledging it would not allow anything similar to happen again. Serbian president Aleksandar Vucic indirectly criticised ethnic Serb politician Boris Milosevic for his decision to attend the state ceremony in Croatia. Expand Close Croatias honour guards (Darko Bandic/AP) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Croatias honour guards (Darko Bandic/AP) We will not celebrate the tragedy of the Serbian people, the killing of Serb civilians, the killing of the Serb children. We will not be humiliated, Mr Vucic said at the commemoration in Sremska Raca, at the border with Bosnia. Reconciliation, yes. Humiliation no. Mr Milosevic, who is the deputy prime minister in the Croatian government, said in Knin that the spiral of hatred should be cut so that the horrors of war never repeat. I heard messages of peace and reconciliation, and I think that this is the first step, he said. I consider my arrival here as an investment for the future. During Operation Storm, Serbs fled Croatia in huge columns of cars, tractors and horse-drawn carts, extending for miles through Bosnia and toward Serbia. Many still have not returned to their homes in Croatia, where anti-Serb sentiments still run high among right-wing extremists. In his book Poverty and Unbritish Rule in India, one of the pioneers of Indian independence movement, Dadabhai Naoroji explained how steadily and clinically, the British were draining Indias wealth all the while poverty was visibly increasing in the country. He wrote: The British rule caused only impoverishment in India with their knife of sugar. That is to say there is no oppression, it is all smooth and sweet, but it is a knife notwithstanding. Author Dinyar Patel, in his new work, Naoroji: Pioneer of Indian Nationalism, decodes the life of the Grand Old Man of India who became Britains first Asian MP. Naoroji influenced numerous Indian leaders including Mahatma Gandhi, Bal Gangadhar Tilak and Gopal Krishna Gokhale among others and yet, the country, at large remains oblivious of his contributions. Excerpts from an interview: How did the idea of writing this book come about? This book grew out of my PhD dissertation which I completed at Harvard University. While in graduate school, you spend the first two years reading the important scholarship in your field, and I was struck by how little has been written on Indian nationalism before Gandhi and the important nationalist leaders who helped launch the nationalist movement and the Congress. Indian history, in general, suffers from a paucity of good biographies, and many academic scholars have shied away from studying elite political leaders, although this scenario is rapidly (and thankfully) changing. Every year in the United States, UK, France, and other countries, so many biographies are churned out on important leaders -- why has the situation been so different here in India? Aside from Gandhi and Nehru, why cant we have more books on Patel, Ambedkar, Azad, Gokhale, Ranade, Sarojini Naidu, or -- in this case -- Naoroji? In Naorojis case, the last good and comprehensive biography was written in 1939. It was high time for a new study. You mention the instance when Naoroji irked the conservatives when he set out to open a school for girls. What was it, according to you, that invoked this strong sense of progressiveness in him and who were his influences? At the outset, his mother was a strong influence. Manekbai Naoroji Dordi was widowed and illiterate, and yet she overcame quite incredible odds in order to raise Dadabhai Naoroji and give him a good education at what was probably Bombays best school at the time, the Central English School run by the Bombay Native Education Society. His education also played a formative role. In the 1840s, Elphinstone College had a number of progressive, forward-minded professors -- both Britons and Indians. Among the Britons, many of these were young Irishmen or Scotsmen, and they tended to mix much more freely with their Indian students than their more reserved and older English counterparts. These professors introduced Naoroji and his fellow students to political, philosophical, and economic ideas that were on the cutting edge of thought in Europe, and many of these ideas had something to do with liberal reform. There already were many Indians who were advocating female education, but Naoroji was of the first generation in Bombay to translate those sentiments into deeds and establish a network of schools for them. In the 1840s, Elphinstone College had a number of progressive, forward-minded professors -- both Britons and Indians. They tended to mix much more freely with their Indian students. These professors introduced Naoroji and his fellow students to political, philosophical, and economic ideas that were on the cutting edge of thought in Europe. You also write about how important that first visit to England was I think it is at this moment that he really realizes the contrast between the utter poverty of India and the wealth of Western Europe. Naoroji made his first trip to the UK in 1855, and on the way he passed through Aden, Egypt, Malta, and France. In Aden and Egypt he was confronted with sights similar to what one would see in India: some modernization, like the building of railways in Egypt, but overwhelming impoverishment. Once he landed in Marseilles in France, and while taking a train north to Paris, he was stunned at how the average French people appeared so prosperous and how bountiful the land was, maintained through canals and forms of modern infrastructure. That comparison is key: How the average person in Britain or France was so well off in comparison to the average Indian, who was deeply impoverished if not already on the very cusp of starvation. And it is important to remember that the cities he lived in -- London and Liverpool -- were some of the most modern and prosperous places in the world at the time -- London was the biggest and richest city in the world. Being in London in the 1850s, one realized what a small, relatively poor place Bombay was in comparison. At this stage of his life, Naoroji was involved in the cotton business, and it is through cotton that Naoroji gets another lesson in poverty versus plenty. Cotton was grown to a very large degree in India, and yet the profits of Indian cotton were squeezed out in Britain, where it was turned into cloth, and then sold back to Indians at a healthy further profit to British firms. The cover of Patels new book Once he landed in Marseilles he was stunned at how the average French appeared so prosperous and maintained through canals and forms of modern infrastructure. That comparison is key: How the average person in Britain or France was so well off in comparison to Indians, who were deeply impoverished if not already on the very cusp of starvation. How important was his theory of drain of wealth in understanding the clinical British exploitation of India? Extremely important. The drain theory explains precisely why colonialism was an economically exploitative force: it lays bare the rationale of enriching the mother country (Britain in this case) at the expense of the colony (India). It has been similarly applied in other colonial contexts, such as in west Africa or the Caribbean. Naorojis drain theory was complex and multifaceted, but a few things stand out. First, he explained how modern infrastructure such as railways and canals actually made India poorer. Infrastructure was built by British firms, which were guaranteed high rates of return, and thus pushed India further into debt and sucked capital out of the country. The railways sped up the extraction of natural resources or crops (like cotton) out of the countryside. Naoroji noted that the drain of wealth created an ever-worsening spiral of impoverishment: with every passing year, as more and more money was taken out of India, the average Indian became poorer and even less able to pay taxes or buy food. There comes a point where enough Indians are poor enough so that things like a drought or late monsoon turn into deadly famines. So this was perhaps the most devastating conclusion of the drain theory: that the British, by making India so poor, were also directly responsible for a spate of deadly famines in the late nineteenth century that killed millions. Naoroji also talked about a moral drain of wealth: by employing Britons instead of Indians as experts, government officials, engineers, teachers, etc., you were denying Indians the experience to develop their talents and become leaders and experts themselves. That is ultimately one of the ingredients which contributes to Naorojis idea of swaraj: if Indians were actually in control of their own government, they could also gain the skills and experiences to improve their country. Naoroji tried strenuously to recruit other Muslims to the organization and show how the Congress could represent the interests of all Indians. He would certainly have been opposed to the idea of a partition. We must remember that, prior to returning to India in the late 1930s, Jinnah had been called the Ambassador of Hindu-Muslim Unity -- he was someone very much in the mould of Gokhale, championing communal unity and incremental political reform. Dadabhai Naoroji influenced many young leaders through his progressive nationalist ideas, including Mohammed Ali Jinnah. How do you view the change a young man listening Naorojis speech at the House of Commons from the visitors gallery to the formation of Muslim league and the two nation theory? The two-nation theory and the Muslim League had absolutely nothing to do with Naorojis ideas. Naoroji argued throughout his life that a person was an Indian before he or she was a Hindu, Muslim, Christian, etc. He was distraught by Sayyid Ahmad Khans opposition to the Congress and his argument that Muslims were a nation that were separate from other Indians. Naoroji tried strenuously to recruit other Muslims to the organization and show how the Congress could represent the interests of all Indians. Naoroji would certainly have been wholeheartedly opposed to the idea of a partition of India. We must remember that, prior to returning to India in the late 1930s, Jinnah had been called the Ambassador of Hindu-Muslim Unity -- he was someone very much in the mould of Gokhale, championing communal unity and incremental political reform. It is in this early stage of Jinnahs career -- and only in this stage -- where we can see some influence of Naorojis career and ideas. I should mention that, while Jinnah claimed Naoroji to be an influence on his ideas, there is basically no reference to Jinnah in the Naoroji papers. I went through 15,000 of Naorojis papers, and I only found one passing reference to Jinnah -- nothing significant. Jinnah claimed that he knew Naoroji in London while a student and that he served as a secretary to Naoroji at the 1906 Congress. But Naoroji knew hundreds of Indian students in London, and he didnt know Jinnah well enough for there to be any trail of correspondence. As for the 1906 Congress, there were many people working around Naoroji in a secretarial capacity, so it was not a unique distinction. One cant help but think that sometimes in India, leaders are owned by particular communities before they attain a respectful stature in the country. Do you feel that the dwindling Parsi population is the reason he does not enjoy as much popularity as others? This is the other important reason for why Naoroji is so forgotten today. Parsis are numerically insignificant, although they still exert great economic and cultural influence. But, theres simply no Parsi vote bank (outside of pockets of South Bombay, of course!), and theres therefore little way to make political capital out of a Parsi political leader. This is a shame, because Naoroji was much more than just a Parsi leader: he can be seen as an emblem of the cosmopolitan culture that emerged in late 19th/early 20th century Bombay and made it into such a modern, successful city -- one where Indians of all backgrounds and walks of life could work together. So, at the very least, he deserves to be remembered as part of Mumbais civic heritage. Within the Parsi community, Naoroji is of course quite a revered figure still, although few people know many of the details of his career. Yes -- I do think that, as Parsis diminished as a proportion of the population of Bombay/Mumbai, memory of Naoroji and other Parsi figures (Pherozeshah Mehta, for example) has diminished. Again, this is ironic, because both Naoroji and Mehta were very cosmopolitan political figures who played important roles in developing an Indian national identity out of particular communal identities. Some Parsi contemporaries even criticized Naoroji and Mehta for putting the interests of Indians (Hindus and Muslims, in their view) above those of their own community. Since there is no cure or vaccine for COVID-19, European governments have turned to technology to contribute to broader efforts to contain the pandemic. So far, more than 20 countries and territories in Europe have launched or are planning for smartphone apps that seek to break the chain of coronavirus infection by tracking encounters between people. Most countries in the region have opted to use Bluetooth short-range radio to monitor close encounters that could spread the disease. Such apps could alert people who have been in proximity to an infected person for a certain time, like 10 minutes or 15 minutes. The use of apps is not obligatory and they will no longer be used once the pandemic is over. The Bluetooth-based apps typically show a "green," or safe, status. While the user would get an exposure notification if they spend more than a pre-defined period of time set by the country's health officials, such as 10 or 15 minutes within two metres of another app holder who has tested positive for the virus. What happens next varies: Germany's app advises users to seek medical advice; the Swiss shares a hotline number to call; while in Ireland users can opt to sharing their phone number and get a callback from a contact tracer. In the EU, Austria, Croatia, Denmark, Germany, Italy, Ireland, Latvia and Poland have launched apps using the Google-Apple standard. Outside the bloc, similar apps are now live in Switzerland, Northern Ireland and Gibraltar. Another nine EU countries plan Google-Apple apps, which would by design be interoperable. France and Hungary have launched a different type of app that stores information on a central server. The resulting rift in standards means it will be difficult to make all of the apps work seamlessly across Europe. Juan Fernando Lopez Aguilar, chair of EU Parliament's civil liberties committee, has welcomed the introduction of the toolbox, saying these mobile apps could play a key role in mitigating the COVID-19 crisis and enable safe travel in the region. Germany Chancellor Angela Merkel said in April she would use one herself when the app is ready. Christophe Fraser, a professor from Oxford University's Big Data Institute, who helped the National Health Service(NHS)develop the app, said in a statement that the app would do better in containing the coronavirus infection than the social distancing rules. "Our analysis suggests that about half of transmissions occur in the early phase of the infection before you show any symptoms of infection," Fraser told CNN. "Traditional public health contact tracing approaches provide incomplete data and cannot keep up with the pace of this pandemic." A screenshot showing the tracking application StopCovid is seen on a mobile phone in this illustration picture taken in Nantes, France, June 2, 2020. /Reuters Privacy concerns European governments want more citizens to download and use the apps, hoping EU data protection rules, including the most notable regulations like the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the ePrivacy Directive, will allay privacy concerns. However, the use of the apps has been stoking concerns from privacy-conscious citizens. Critics argue that though users are anonymous on the app, one can still recognize the people when he/she has been in sustained contact with this specific person who tested positive. Under the GDPR rules, exceptions are allowed for public health emergencies, which means its stringent data protection rules may not apply to tools intended for use in fighting COVID-19. UK Health Secretary Matt Hancock, who has recovered from the virus, tweeted that "GDPR has a clause excepting work in the overwhelming public interest. No one should constrain work on responding to coronavirus due to data protection law." He added that "we are all having to give up some of our liberties; rights under GDPR have always been balanced against other public interests." Tracking apps used for fighting COVID-19 have been used in China, Singapore, South Korea, Israel and other countries during earlier stages of the pandemic. They've been criticized by some Western media outlets for intruding the privacy of citizens, though their governments have explained that these data are only used for coronavirus control in a legal framework, that it is encrypted and that it will be deleted when the pandemic is over. Subhajit Basu, a professor in Information Technology Law at the University of Leeds, said that in a situation like the pandemic, it is critical that citizens trust their government and trust the steps their government takes. Of course, the premise is that the governments need to be "much more transparent and ensure this data is kept securely." (CGTN) A Perth couple charged with dozens of firearm offences after police allegedly uncovered a massive haul of powerful weapons have faced court. Joshua David Burnside, 28, appeared at Joondalup Magistrates Court via videolink on 26 charges after organised crime squad detectives last month raided a warehouse where he worked. Police alleged they seized 10 guns at the Wangara warehouse on July 14, including a disassembled AK-47, a SKS semi-automatic rifle, handguns and pistols. Burnside's fiancee Natasha Kate Millias, 27, was charged with firearm and drugs offences after police executed a second search warrant at the couple's Madeley home that day. Joshua David Burnside and his fiancee Natasha Kate Millias (pictured) have been charged with a string of firearms and drugs offences Police allegedly found a double-barrel shotgun, $35,115 cash, pepper spray, 2g of methylamphetamine and drug paraphernalia at the home. Burnside, a self-employed panel beater, remains behind bars after an application for bail on Wednesday was refused by Magistrate Sandra De Maio, the West Australian reported. 'The list of what is found is terrifying quite frankly,' she said. 'It's a small armoury that is found.' The police prosecutor described the stash of the firearms allegedly seized as 'ready to go to war.' Some of the weapons were allegedly found hidden in vehicles at the Wangara warehouse while a shotgun allegedly found at the Madeley home was buried in the backyard, the court was told. Police allege they found 10 guns at the Wangara warehouse where Joshua David Burnside (left) worked, along with a shotgun at the Madeley home of his fiancee Natasha Kate Millias (right) Western Australian Police have released footage of the 11 firearms seized from a warehouse and home in Perth Burnside's lawyer Anthony Eyres said his client would be pleading not guilty. Mr Eyres told the court his client's fingerprints weren't found on any of the seized weapons but added DNA test results on were pending. 'There is no evidence Mr Burnside has touched these weapons,' he said He told the court the money allegedly seized by police was from the recent sale of a car. Burnside was remanded in custody until October 14. His fiancee faced court on Monday, charged with possessing a firearm/ammunition, possessing a controlled weapon and two counts each of possessing stolen or unlawfully obtained property and possessing any drug paraphernalia in or on which there was a prohibited drug or plant. She will reappear in court on August 31. The accused couple portray a glamorous lifestyle on their social media accounts, regularly posting selfies of themselves at fancy restaurants. Natasha Kate Millias was charged with six offences and will reappear in court on August 31 A magistrate describes the stash of weapons allegedly seized as a small armoury A police prosecutor described the stash of the firearms allegedly seized as 'ready to go to war.' An Organised Crime Squad spokesperson said illicit firearms such as those allegedly seized pose a significant threat to Western Australia. 'Whether they are used for the purposes of intimidation or threats, to aid the committing of violent crimes, or exchanged for other illicit commodities such as drugs, their presence in situations that could escalate to violence is a concern,' the spokesperson said in a statement. 'The identification of people involved in the supply and distribution of illicit firearm remains a priority for law enforcement agencies across the country, and WA Police Force will continue to actively pursue any person involved the illicit firearms trade regardless of whether they are a buyer, a seller or a facilitator.' Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-05 15:26:18|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close SUVA, Aug. 5 (Xinhua) -- Fiji voiced its willingness on Wednesday to assist Lebanon after the latter's capital Beirut was rocked by huge explosions on Tuesday. Fiji's Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama said on Wednesday that Fijians are saddened and stunned by the blasts and Fijian peacekeepers in Lebanon are ready to assist if called upon. "Fijians are saddened and stunned by the devastating explosions at Beirut Port in Lebanon. Our prayers are with the families of the victims, the thousands who have been injured, and the staff of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon. Our peacekeepers in the region are ready to help in any way we can." Two huge explosions rocked Lebanese capital Beirut on Tuesday, leaving at least 73 people dead and 3,000 others injured. The cause of the blasts remains unknown, but Lebanese Interior Minister Mohammad Fahmi said the explosive chemicals stored at Port of Beirut may have led to the explosions. Enditem Clemson Universitys Center for Human Genetics opened July 1, 2018, and is dedicated to advancing knowledge of the fundamental principles by which genetic and environmental factors determine and predict both healthy traits and susceptibility to disease. The Center for Human Genetics, which is part of the College of Science, is housed in Self Regional Hall, a 17,000-square-foot building that opened in February 2017. The sparkling facility is nestled within the sprawling campus of the Greenwood (S.C.) Genetic Center, which has a long history of clinical and research excellence in the field of medical genetics and caring for families impacted by genetic disease and birth defects. MEDIA RELEASE Renowned scientist named director of Center for Human Genetics Clemson University has further enhanced its standing as a pioneer in the field of human genomics by hiring a renowned scientist to lead the way. Groundbreaking geneticist Trudy Mackay has been named director of Clemsons Center for Human Genetics and has been tasked with building a team of researchers whose goal will be to significantly advance our understanding of genetic disorders. Read more about the Center for Human Genetics Additional stories Oct. 25, 2018: Mackay to be honored at Trinity College Dublin Oct. 8, 2018: CHG receives $1.87 million from NIH to advance research Aug. 8, 2018: CHG opens its doors to the world Feb. 15, 2017: CHG unveils new facility on Greenwood Genetic Center campus There remains a lack of clarity on whether the blast was an attack, the kind of crude tool used for decades to shape Lebanons political landscape, or just an accident resulting from mismanagement Beirut: The blasts came within seconds of each other. First, an explosion in Beiruts port, possibly from a fireworks warehouse, sent a plume of smoke billowing over the capital skyline early on Tuesday evening. Then a much larger explosion from a building nearby shot a chrysanthemum of orange and red smoke into the air followed by a massive shock wave of whitish dust and debris that rose hundreds of feet and spread out for blocks. The seaside capital rocked like an earthquake. Cars tumbled upside down and bricks rained down from apartment buildings. Glass flew out of windows miles away and roofs collapsed. The wounded stumbled through debris-choked streets to hospitals, only to be turned away in some cases because the hospitals, already reeling from the coronavirus pandemic, were overwhelmed. By late evening, the health ministry said, more than 70 people were dead and at least 3,000 wounded in the worst carnage to hit the city in more than a decade. For many of Lebanons 5.2 million people, the images that ricocheted through social media recalled the scenes of urban destruction from the long-troubled countrys decades of war. It was unclear exactly what caused the explosions, but Prime Minister Hassan Diab said an estimated 2,750 tonnes of highly explosive ammonium nitrate had been stored in a depot at the port for six years, according to a government statement. As head of the government, I will not relax until we find the responsible party for what happened, hold it accountable and apply the most serious punishments against it, Diab said. Major-General Abbas Ibrahim, the head of Lebanons general security service, told the State-run news agency that highly explosive materials had been seized by the government years ago and were stored near the blast site. Although the thought of an attack was in the front of everyones mind, he warned against getting ahead of the investigation and speculating about a terrorist act. In a televised statement, Diab hinted that neglect had led to the blast and said the government would hold those responsible to account. Facts on this dangerous depot, which has existed since 2014 or the past six years, will be announced, Diab said. Those responsible will pay a price for this catastrophe. At a briefing in Washington, President Donald Trump suggested the explosion was the result of an attack. He said he consulted with military generals and that they seem to think its an attack, a bomb of some kind. However, a senior US official said, Everything Im seeing thus far points to a tragic accident. The explosion was the latest in a string of events in recent months that have plunged Lebanon, a sectarian-based democracy with a long history of civil strife, into simultaneous political and economic crises. Since last fall, waves of protests calling for the ouster of the countrys political class for decades of mismanagement and corruption have shut down cities and towns across the country, and a severe financial crisis has eroded the value of the Lebanese pound by 80 percent, plunging many Lebanese into poverty. More recently, the number of new coronavirus cases has begun to rise quickly, raising fears that a new government-imposed lockdown could further damage the economy. Many of the countrys hospitals were already on the verge of capacity. Lebanons last major war was in 2006, between Israel and Hezbollah, the Iranian-backed militant group and political party that remains committed to the destruction of the Jewish State. In recent years, Israel has launched frequent airstrikes on Hezbollah targets in neighbouring Syria, but has mostly avoided bombing it in Lebanon to avoid setting off a cycle of retaliation that could lead to a new war. Tensions between Hezbollah and Israel have flared lately on Lebanons southern border, leading many Lebanese to speculate that Israel had targeted materials connected to Hezbollah and hidden in Beiruts port. An Israeli official said that Israel had nothing to do with the incident on Tuesday. The blasts emanated from Beiruts port but were felt as far away as Cyprus, more than 180 miles to the west. They ravaged Beiruts downtown business district, a nearby waterfront full of restaurants and nightclubs, and a number of crowded residential neighbourhoods in the citys eastern and predominantly Christian half. Nearly all the windows along one popular commercial strip had been blown out and the street was littered with glass, rubble and cars that had slammed into each other after the blast. All around, families struggled to get wounded relatives out of their buildings so they could be piled into ambulances or onto the backs of motor scooters. The Lebanese Red Cross said that every available ambulance from North Lebanon, Bekaa and South Lebanon was dispatched to Beirut, but so many roads had been rendered impassible that many of the wounded had to walk to the hospital themselves. Space, medics and supplies were lacking. Hospitals in the hardest-hit areas were heavily damaged, with at least one shutting down altogether and others treating bleeding patients in their parking lots. Another hospital farther out received so many patients that medics lined them on the floor and in hallways. Those with non-life-threatening injuries had them cleaned and stapled shut before being sent on their way. Diab said Wednesday would be a national day of mourning. The governor of Beirut, Marwan Abboud, speaking on television, could not say what had caused the explosion. Breaking into tears, he called it a national catastrophe. It was unclear how the disaster would affect the countrys tense political situation. Many Lebanese are already fed up with a political class they feel has looted the country for years, leaving it virtually bankrupt and with a collapsing currency. Greater anger would likely follow should it turn out that the blast was yet another example of governmental neglect. When the explosion struck, meetings were in full swing less than a mile away, at the hillside headquarters of the Kataeb Party, a Christian political group that was once one of Lebanons most powerful. The blast shook the building so badly that party members thought a bomb had gone off inside. The partys general secretary, Nazar Najarian, was killed by falling debris. He had been through explosions, assassination attempts, wars with the Palestinians and Syrians, said Elias Hankach, a Kataeb member of Parliament. Our headquarters looks like a bomb went off inside. The inside is a mess, its madness. He said the party was waiting for clarity on whether the blast was an attack, the kind of crude tool used for decades to shape Lebanons political landscape, or just an accident resulting from mismanagement. If it turned out to be accidental, he said, then the disaster is not particularly surprising, the product of cumulative nonchalance at all levels. Whether you talk about the economy, safety standards, the port, the corruption none of the countrys issues have had a serious attempt at resolution, Hankach said. We are living in this doomed management of the country. Ben Hubbard The lobby of the New Ohio Theater was simultaneously comforting and spooky on a recent evening. Look, its the ticket counter! And theres the concession stand, now with LaCroix water and Purell. Nobody was buying, though: The place was deserted. I wasnt actually at the West Village venue, of course, but watching on a screen, from a roaming hand-held cameras point of view. It was a preshow of sorts to we need your listening, a play in this years Ice Factory festival, and the audience on Zoom was milling about as light jazz played. It felt strange, and a little sad, because we were there, but not really. A certain sense of dislocation is an integral part of the festivals brand of cutting-edge, progressive theater, which makes audiences reconsider their familiar moorings. Livestreaming adds more layers to this dislocation. Theater, usually anchored by the here and now of physical proximity, has become slippery. We are not sure where the actors actually are, or where they are meant to be. T ributes have been paid to a brilliant former house captain at one of Londons leading grammar schools after he was killed in a collision with a lorry during a charity bike ride. Pathushan Sutharsan, 20, who represented Wallington County Grammar at rugby, was hit by a tipper truck during a 120km ride from London to Brighton to raise money for people affected by the war in Yemen. Witnesses said Mr Sutharsan, an architecture student at the University of Brighton, had been crossing the A281 Guildford Road in Rudgwick, West Sussex, to reach a forest cycle track when he was hit. Paramedics and an air ambulance attended but he was pronounced dead at the scene. An experienced cyclist, he was part of a larger team of fundraisers, called Team A1, who were donating to Islamic Relief. The money would provide a lifeline for those suffering in the Yemen humanitarian crisis, Mr Sutharsan wrote on his JustGiving page. Donations have flooded in since his death with more than 14,000 raised over his 200 target. Paramedics and an air ambulance attended but he was pronounced dead at the scene His cousin Jayarishi Shankar said: Pathu was a brilliant, vibrant, colourful person. He was a go-getter, he wanted to change the world, we called him our hero because he just wanted to help people. "He was so positive and wanted to make a difference, which is why he was taking part in the charity ride. He cycled everywhere and had been training for the ride. A post from Wallington County Grammars Twitter account the day after the crash on July 22 read: He is a credit to his school and its values. An experienced cyclist, he was part of a larger team of fundraisers, called Team A1, who were donating to Islamic Relief Mr Sutharsan was also a keen musician and rapper and had released music on Spotify under the name RXNIN. Friends and family said he had dreamed of being a musician and had recorded tracks in his own studio at the family home in Morden, where he lived with his two brothers, mother, a pharmacist, and father, who owns a shop. Sussex Police are appealing for witnesses. A spokesperson said: Around 10.45am on Wednesday July 22 officers responded to reports of a road traffic collision involving a cyclist and a Renault HGV tipper lorry. There have been no arrests. Virgin and Jetstar planes get ready to take off from Sydney Airport on Aug. 28, 2014. (Peter Parks/AFP via Getty Images) Virgin Australia to Cut 3000 Jobs, Refocus on Domestic Market Virgin Australia will come out of voluntary administration under the ownership of Bain Capital with 3,000 fewer staff and slimmer operations, refocusing on the lower demand of the domestic Australian market and suspending long-haul international routes. While these changes are important to manage the impact of COVID-19, they involve some very tough decisions, said CEO Paul Scurrah. Virgin will try to retain at least 6,000 staff and hopes to expand up to 8,000 when the aviation market fully recovers. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, the airline boasted 15,000 employees, directly or indirectly. Scurrah said in a media release: The plan will help to re-establish Virgin Australia as an iconic Australian airline, bringing strong competition for travellers while securing approximately 6,000 direct jobs and indirect employment for more than 30,000 Australians. Qantas CEO Alan Joyce (R) And Virgin Australia CEO Paul Scurrah arrive at National Press Club in Canberra, Australia on Sept. 18, 2019. (Tracey Nearmy/Getty Images) The airline will retain its Boeing 373, and regional and charter fleet, but remove its ATR, Boeing 777, Airbus A330, and Tigerair Airbus A320 aircraft types. Prior to the pandemic, the airline carried $7 billion debt owed to thousands of creditors. Scurrah also announced Virgins low-cost offshoot Tigerair will be shut down due to a lack of customer demand but it may consider resurrecting a similarly positioned carrier in the future. Tiger Air and Virgin sit idle on the tarmac at Melbournes Tullamarine Airport on April 12, 2020. (William West/AFP via Getty Images) Demand for domestic and short-haul international travel is likely to take at least three years to return to pre-COVID-19 levels, with the real chance it could be longer, Scurrah said. While the sale agreement with Virgins administrators is still to be ticked off by creditors, its expected to be completed in the coming weeks. Its Brisbane corporate headquarters will be retained, albeit it at new offices in the citys Southbank district. The Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of Liberia, Major General Prince Charles Johnson III has disclosed that the United Nations has asked Liberia to increase its military strength in Mali by 45 percent. General Johnson declined to clearly state the number of AFL Soldiers the 45% represents on grounds that doing so might compromise the security of the current troop in Timbuktu, Mali. "The soldiers are doing well. Currently as I speak to you, the United Nations has asked us to increase by 45% of what we have there. The 45% will be a company plus size," Maj. General Johnson said. The AFL's boss said "I can't tell now the number of soldiers the 45% represents. The issue of stating exact number could compromise the security of the soldiers we currently have on Mission in Timbuktu, Mali." Gen. Prince C. Johnson According to General Jonson, the AFL soldiers will be leaving for Sector West in Timbuktu, Mali mid-August to help enforce the UN Peacekeeping Mission in that African country. "I will tell you that the information coming from Mali is very rewarding for the Armed Forces of Liberia that's why the UN has requested us (Liberia) to increase the size we currently have there," General Johnson noted. "In Southern Sudan the newest country in Africa, we also have Military Staff Officer (MSO) there. We also have Military Staff Officer (MSO) in Sudan so our presence is in three countries where we are making sure with the help of others to restore peace," The AFL Chief of Staff said. He further added "We are doing extremely well I will tell you. I am happy with the work the guys are doing in Mali, Sudan and South Sudan." "I will tell you it means a lot. You may be aware that our last peacekeeping mission was in the 1960s in the Congo and after so many years, in 2013 former President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf decided to launch the AFL into peacekeeping. I think we will say all credits go to the people of Liberia first, the government under Madame Sirleaf and the current government under President George Manneh Weah for always providing all necessary support for us to be in those countries," General Johnson mentioned. "The national army then was disbanded and restructured because of activities that went on during our civil war. If you read the Truth and Reconciliation Commission report (TRC) our institution was rated number seven for worst atrocities committed during the civil war among 27 warring fractions and just imagine from 2006 to 2013 to launch the army into peace keeping, I am proud," he said. General Johnson noted that the progress made by the soldiers in Mali, Sudan and South Sudan, shows how much Liberia is committed in keeping peace across the African Continent. He boasted that the army is ever ready to tackle the issue of terrorism that is sweeping across Africa. "Terrorism has crossed the Sahara and is creeping fast south of the Sahara in West Africa. Today Mali, Burkina Faso and other countries we keep hearing news of terrorist activities in those countries. It is time we move to put a halt to that issue. We have to swiftly move to work with the ECOWAS and the UN to put a halt to the spread of terrorism," General Prince C. Johnson III said. "With Liberia been in it, I will tell you say the experience is there just in case we have any issue of such, the army is trained to be able to counter any activity of terrorism. We are ready for that," he mentioned. General Johnson then praised the United Nations for always prioritizing the empowerment of Liberian soldiers and noted it was a good thing to partner with the UN in Mali. "We are getting a lot of benefits from the United Nations. For now, the soldiers in Mali are receiving 80% allowances from the UN; while the 20% goes for operational cost," General Johnson said. Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Mali Liberia Arms and Armies By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later. Meanwhile, the Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of Liberia is calling on the government of Liberia to capture peacekeeping support in the national budget. "For now, it is not there all the time the soldiers been out. It is the 20% we been using for operational cost including getting passports, contingency cost all come from the same 20%," General Johnson noted. Contributed by Trokon Wrepue/trokon19 NEWS REPORTER Alphonso Toweh Alphonso has been in the profession for over twenty years. He has worked for many international media outlets including: West Africa Magazine, Africa Week Magazine, African Observer and did occasional reporting for CNN, BBC World Service, Sunday Times, NPR, Radio Deutchewells, Radio Netherlands. He is the current correspondent for Reuters. Mr. Toweh holds first MA with honors in International Relations and a candidate for second master in International Peace studies and Conflict Resolution. Every new housing development in England will be required by law to have tree-lined streets as part of the biggest shake-up of planning laws for more than 70 years. Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick will today pledge to cut red tape and streamline the planning process, with an insistence that developments are beautiful. The changes will however strip local councillors of power to decide on individual developments in an attempt to get the country building. The plans have also attracted criticism from housing charities, planning officers and architects who warned the changes could lead to a 'generation of slums' and kill off affordable housing projects. The Town and Country Planning Association (TCPA) condemned it as disruptive and rushed, saying there are currently up to 1million unbuilt permissions, according to The Guardian. Alan Jones, president of the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) described the proposals as 'shameful', adding 'theres every chance they could also lead to the development of the next generation of slum housing.' Under the plans, every area in England will be designated for either growth, renewal or protection. In growth areas individual developments will not require planning permission, so the default position will be that homes can be built The Government insisted that there would be no lowering of building standards as a result. Mr Jenrick will launch a consultation on proposals that include fast-tracking approvals of housing projects that are in keeping with local character and design. Developers will be able to skip stages of the planning process if buildings are based on designs in official pattern books drawn up by local authorities. There will also be a requirement for all new streets to be tree-lined unless there are exceptional circumstances. Mr Jenrick last night told the Mail: We want our communities to get behind our plans to build much needed homes, which is why we fast-tracking developments that keep in with local character and design. We will insist development is beautiful and meets local peoples high standards. Attractive design that fits in with local heritage and character is the best antidote to local objections to building. Under the plans, every area in England will be designated for either growth, renewal or protection. In growth areas individual developments will not require planning permission, so the default position will be that homes can be built. Renewal areas will have permission in principle to build, but all developments will have to be approved. In protected areas such as green belt land, most new developments will be banned. There will also be a requirement for all new streets to be tree-lined unless there are exceptional circumstances. Pictured, a row of newly built houses in central Scotland Local councillors will be stripped of power to decide on individual developments in an attempt to get the country building. Pictured, an unfinished housing estate in Bordon, Hampshire Local councils will decide how to designate all the land in their area. All planning applications will be registered online via an interactive map, intended to help local residents participate in decision making. Planning shake-up to get homes built Local councils will be given two and a half years to draw up plans for building more homes or will face sanctions. Developments that follow locally-agreed pattern books on home design will be fast-tracked, with a requirement for tree-lined streets in all new schemes. Every piece of land in England will be designated as for growth, renewal or protection. Residents will be able to access online maps and data to see what is planned in their local communities. Advertisement However, there are concerns that those living in growth areas could be confronted with huge new developments they will get little say over. As part of the overhaul all councils will be given two-and-a-half years to draw up plans for the building of more homes or will face sanctions that are yet to be decided. Mr Jenrick last night said the existing complex planning system has been a barrier to building the homes people need. He said the changes would provide a major boost for small building companies across the country by making it easier for them to navigate through the planning process. Thirty years ago small builders were responsible for 40 per cent of new build homes compared with 12 per cent today. Mr Jenrick will also replace the community infrastructure levy used by councils to secure money from developers to pay for amenities such a new roads with a standard national levy. But campaigners voiced concerns about how much say residents would have about developments. Tom Fyans of the Campaign to Protect Rural England said: The key acid test for the planning reforms is community involvement and its still not clear how this will work under a zoning system. We also need robust legal guarantees that the public are consulted regarding new development. Nikki Williams of The Wildlife Trusts said: Its critical that government weaves nature into the heart of every housing development. Proposals for tree-lined streets are nothing like enough. Chief Minister was discharged from the Chirayu Hospital in Bhopal on Wednesday after recovering from COVID-19. Greeting the corona warriors, Chief Minister Chouhan thanked all the medical staff. He said, "There is no need to fear corona. We do not have to be negligent as it can fatal on negligence." "One should not panic on getting infected with Corona or hide the symptoms," he said. Chouhan further said, "To fight the infection, it is necessary to put face mask and keep proper distance." Calling himself a corona warrior, Chouhan said, "I myself have become a corona warrior. We need cooperation to end " "We will fight and will win over the virus," he added. The hospital has advised the Chief Minister to isolate himself at home and self-monitor his health for seven more days. Chouhan had tested positive for the disease on July 25. "I was having COVID-19 symptoms. After the test, my report came back positive. I appeal to all my friends that whoever has come in contact with me, should get their corona test done. Those who came in close contact with me should quarantine," Chouhan had said on July 25 in a tweet. (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.) Classrooms in Chicago are expected stay closed and start the school year with all-remote learning in response to coronavirus concerns and fears of a teachers' strike. Chicago Public Schools (CPS) is expected to announce today that it will start the next school year with all-remote learning, the Chicago Sun Times reported. The announcement will come before Friday's deadline, when parents were to decide if they wanted to start the year from home, or using a hybrid plan of remote and classroom learning. CPS officials stressed that they will only reopen schools if it is safe to do so, but adding that they will likely open at some point before a Covid-19 vaccine is implemented. Classrooms in Chicago public schools will stay closed in September as Chicago Public Schools (CPS) is set to announce an all-remote learning plan. Pictured, demonstrators outside City Hall call for remote learning The 'hybrid learning' plan was proposed by Mayor Lori Lightfoot and would see children attend classes two days a week and learn from home for the remaining three days. But earlier this week, members of the Chicago Teachers Union (CTU), parents and students took to City Hall in protest of 'hybrid learning'. This comes after concerns of a teachers' strike, as it was reported on Tuesday that the Chicago Teachers Union (CTU) may convene its House of Delegates next week. But a city source insisted that CPS's decision had nothing to do with a potential teachers strike. The union were set to consider a plan of action that could lead to a strike if public schools do not institute an all-remote learning plan for the start of the school year. The union's governing body includes members representing schools from across the city. Educator unions, including the Illinois Federation of Teachers and American Federation of Teachers, said they would support local unions in insufficient coronavirus precautions lead to 'health and safety strikes'. The CTU's bylaws require a full membership vote to allow a strike after the matter goes before the House of Delegates. Mayor Lori Lightfoot (above) previously announced a plan for 'hybrid learning', where children would be expected to attend classes in-person two days a week It was reported that the Chicago Teachers Union (CTU) may convene its House of Delegates next week to discuss action if remote learning was not implemented. Pictured, protestors hold signs in Chicago during a CTU demonstration on August 3 School districts around the country are deciding how to teach children amid the coronavirus pandemic. The Los Angeles Unified School District decided against reopening later this month for in-person learning. School officials say it would not be safe for students to do so while coronavirus continues to spread. And the New York City Department of Education has yet to come up with a plan to reopen its schools. Jim Malatras, an aide to Gov. Andrew Cuomo, said Sunday the district has come up an outline to reopen the city's schools, but not a plan. On Monday, Donald Trump demanded schools reopen in the fall, even though the majority of American parents do not want children going back to in-person classes. 'Cases up because of BIG Testing! Much of our Country is doing very well. Open the Schools!' Trump urged in a series of tweets. The president has been pushing for schools to reopen, even amid a surge in confirmed cases over the last month. Case rates have increased in many sunbelt states, including Florida, Texas, Arizona and Southern California leading to several regions reinstating lockdown orders. New polling shows that 64 per cent of parents do not want their children returning to full-time in-person learning in the fall. Pictured, a sign urging 'distance learning' at Proviso West high school, Illinois, on April 18 Trump, however, says it is safe for students to return to the classroom in the fall. But a Gallup poll taken July 13-27, revealed that only 36 per cent of parents said they want their children to return to full-time in-person learning when classes resume. The survey, which was released Monday, shows that 64 per cent of parents do not want that option. Instead, 28 per cent want their children to remain in a full-time distanced or remote learning situation, while the other 36 per cent want a hybrid of in-person and remote teaching. But earlier this week, Chicago's health commissioner said she does not think the 'risk of spread is significant' in schools if the outbreak is 'broadly in control'. Dr Allison Arwady said at a weekly news conference: 'Where the child is at school wearing a mask with the social distancing, with the appropriate procedures in place, I honestly do not think the risk of spread is significant. 'I wouldn't be promoting this if I thought it was.' Chicago Public Schools CEO Janice Jackson speaks during a news conference at the CPS headquarters, announcing a preliminary reopening framework for public schools in Chicago Arwady added that an 8% positivity rate in Chicago would indicate that it would not be safe to risk in-person learning. Chicago's positivity rate is currently 4.8%, and the daily case count is at 273 and rising, Arwady announced on Tuesday. Her comments came a day after members of the CTU, parents and students took to City Hall to protest Mayor Lori Lightfoot's 'hybrid model' of learning. The decision over in-person or remote learning has caused controversy across the country, as many teachers and parents continue to oppose calls for children returning to school. On Monday, CTU president Jesse Sharkey said it would not be appropriate to have in-person learning 'in an environment with raging contagion'. She added: 'They're putting it on us to close the schools. That's what we feel like is happening.' There is "civil society in Donbas", with whom it is necessary "to communicate and negotiate." The first Prime Minister of Ukraine (1990-1992), Vitold Fokin, a newly-appointed member of the Trilateral Contact Group for Donbas settlement will be coordinating communications among all parties involved. That's according to the Ukrainian delegation chief, the country's first president Leonid Kravchuk, 112 Ukraine reports. Read alsoPotential pick for spot in TCG team, ex-PM Fokin "watches too much TV", delegation member says "As for Vitold Pavlovych [Foin], he is an acclaimed person in Donbas, and therefore, as far as I can tell you, as far as I know, he is offered the following position: coordinator of talks, or communication, of all parties," Kravchuk said. The delegation chief added that in Donbas "not everyone is a militant: there's civil society, there are people who think differently, who see the situation differently." "We need to find them, communicate, and negotiate," said Kravchuk. I am not shorting the market, however, I am not taking any fresh long position in the market. We are advising our investors to rebalance their 'Asset Class' & 'Sectors' to protect their gains of the last four months, Amit Jain, Co-founder & CEO at Ashika Wealth Advisors said in an interview to Moneycontrol's Sunil Shankar Matkar. Edited excerpt: Q: Are you convinced about the current market rally given the rising COVID cases? Yes, Market rally has been too sharp to be anticipated by anyone. As mentioned in my last interview, behind this liquidity driven rally, there is cohesive effort by Global Central banks to create new money, particularly by the US Federal Reserve. In the current rally, the market has already factored in further stimulus packages by the US Federal Reserve & European Union. I am cautiously bearish on Markets at Nifty level of 11,300. I am not shorting the market, as by doing so, I am shorting the US Fed, however, I am not taking any fresh long position in the market. We are advising our investors to rebalance their 'Asset Class' & 'Sectors' to protect their gains of the last four months. Q: Most experts feel the June quarter earnings so far announced by leaders among sectors are either better or inline with expectations. What are your thoughts? Yes, earnings have been better compared to expectations for Q1, as each analyst was to pessimist in the beginning of April & anticipated complete washout of Q1 earnings. In our view, earnings will continue to be under pressure till Q3, however, we may continue to see divergence in corporate earnings & their stock price performance, due to high liquidity in global markets. In the ongoing decade, India may be the most favoured market Globally, as there are higher chances that the Global Business Community may follow "economic distancing" with China. Q: Auto sector index with 60 percent rally from March lows outperformed benchmark Nifty50, but sales so far and June quarter earnings are not so good. What is driving the sector and is it just a hope rally? The Auto sector has done very well in line with our expectations shared with you in April, when Nifty was near to its bottom. We are continuing to be bullish on the personal mobility sector like two-wheeler & affordable four wheeler segment as during this ongoing pandemics, every individual will prefer personal transport rather than public transport to avoid infections. Hence we may see excellent numbers in personal mobility space once we see more leniency in lockdowns. Markets are discounting these good numbers well in advance. Q: DIIs so far have been net sellers in July and MFs too. Do you expect the significant fall in inflows into equity funds in July and SIP to moderate further, why? DIIs were sellers to the tune of almost Rs 10,000 crore in July. At this level of market, risk-reward ratio seems to be unfavourable, hence we may see much lesser long rollovers in August series. Also a lot of good news already factored in, so the market is awaiting for some fresh clues before it decides its direction. In my view we may see less fresh inflows in equity funds at this level of market, however older SIPs will continue to give a cushion to any significant downfall in markets. Q: What are key sectors one should consider, especially after COVID-19 crisis, and why? Sectors which seem to be more resilient from a medium-term perspective are: A) IT companies which focus on artificial intelligence & automation processes: As all businesses will focus on AI & automation in the ongoing decade. In fact we are bullish on this sector even before COVID-19 , now we are even more bullish. B) Personal mobility space particularly two-wheeler & affordable four-wheelers C) Healthcare: Post COVID-19, all individuals will focus more on their health & immunity, which otherwise was taken for granted as a God gift. They will incur more money to avoid any healthcare crisis in life. In my view India may be a Pharma & IT hub for the world by 2030. D) Telecom Sector: As of now there are only two players which exist in the market unlike sixteen players almost a decade back. This lesser competition will improve ARPU along with more data consumptions during pandemic. We have advised all these four sectors to our investors in March 2020 to have the right entry point. Also we continue to hold the same stance in medium term. At the current market level of Nifty at 11,300 we are not advising any fresh long positions. Q: What are your thoughts on geopolitical tensions - US-China and also India-China? Will both really hit Indian economic growth or is it just a sentimental effect than fundamental? In my view, these current geo-political tensions may be very positive for India in the ongoing decade till 2030. As I mentioned in my previous interviews as well, I am extremely bullish on India for this decade. As of now almost all countries are talking about "Economic Distancing" with China due to pandemic & I believe India is the only country which can offer such large scale operations for being the Manufacturing Hub of the World, if we implement due reforms in our Land, Labour, Legal & Tax structures. Demographically we are well poised to replace China as we have the youngest & cheapest labour available with the largest Democratic & Transparent Economic Structure in the World. Q: Banking sector is expected to be hit by asset quality stress once the moratorium gets lifted from September onwards. But do you really think it is a big concern and as a result one should avoid the complete sector for investment? Also, what are your thoughts on NBFC? Today India's banking sector has a loan book of close to Rs 97 lakh crore, out of which 9-13 percent has exposure to those sectors, whose business model has become unviable in the last 13 years. This may be an overhanging sword to Indian banking system going forward. We have already seen Yes Bank & some other cooperative banks gone bust due to the above-mentioned challenges. To share a broader view, the entire banking sector has capital of Rs 11-12 lakh crore, if above mentioned risky sectors has 40 percent NPAs, then half of the banking industry capital shall be wiped out. Also, above view was before COVID-19 era, hence we advised all our investors to exit banks stocks on January 16, 2020. I believe, post COVID-19 era, this situation may go worse, as we don't have power like the US Fed to print fiat money without depreciating our currency, hence I am very cautious about this sector post loan moratorium period ends. Also, at the current lower level of repo rates, bank treasury income shall also be under check. If you see globally banking is a zero-sum game, they grow with an expansionary balance sheet of economy & bust with a decrease in growth rate. What banks' call 'Asset' in a bull phase, it becomes 'Bad asset' in a bear phase. My view is strictly from the sector's point of view, however I am not commenting on their share price by any means, as there are some different factors which play in the stock market. However, for reference, I am happy to share below stock price performance for some of the global banks which still exist after the 2008 financial crisis. For investors quick recap, from 2008 till 2012 almost 400 banks were declared failed in the US Economy by FDIC. Hence one should be cautious of being too casual with banks. Just to conclude my view on banking sector, if right steps to attract foreign capital are not taken by Government now, then it can be India's 'Lehman moment'. In last 16 years we have seen banking & NBFC stocks done well, however now, it looks, it is time to invest in ARC's from a medium term perspective. Q: Do you think the demand for consumer staples is back to pre-COVID levels. And is it one of the reasons for the rally in the market? Consumer staples are an essential product that includes typical products such as foods & beverages, household goods, and hygiene products. If you look at the Quarter 1 results, they have been above par for most of the companies; the liquidity flow has followed its way to the markets as well as in consumers stocks. The demand for consumer staples is not at the level where they were left off in January, However, the revival that looks on the cards is based on the number of things which will be turning up in the coming few months. Any recession including 2008 has managed to have consumer staple businesses rally up and become the alpha generators for the portfolios. The demand for consumer staples is squeaked for now with drop in volumes on YoY growth and performance. The lockdown has affected the timings and occupancy of the stores but it still manages to be at levels of par in terms of performance. Going ahead, we believe that consumer staples demand revival will be turning up in a few months. However, in terms of investments, the time to invest has already passed & now, it's time to rebalance & switch out to undervalued sectors. : The views and investment tips expressed by investment expert on Moneycontrol.com are his own and not that of the website or its management. Moneycontrol.com advises users to check with certified experts before taking any investment decisions. The world is slowly getting back to normal. Businesses are reopening across the globe, which is good news for consumers and business owners alike. However, rising cases in Kenya and second wave outbreaks in other countries is leading people to ask serious questions about the timelines. Some countries like the US have seen the virus come back in a bigger way after easing restrictions on public gatherings. Most of this re-opening is guided by the economic downturn, but experts agree that the global economy will only return to normal once the virus has a vaccine or an effective treatment. Among the most affected businesses of them all are casinos. Here in Kenya, they have been closed for months with the same trend seen in other countries like South Africa and the United States where infection rates are much higher. Customers who regularly visited physical casinos either to gamble or socialize have had their lives interrupted in a big way. As of now, the jury is out on whether this industry as we know it will experience a paradigm shift, or it will be business as usual in a few months. It is really had to say when the global pandemic will be truly over, and even harder to know whether customers will want to return. As for the second questions, we can look for clues in regions that have been quicker to get back to business. Macau, a special administrative region of China which draws virtually all its income from gambling and tourism related activities, was among the first to ease restrictions. However, they are doing so with social distancing in mind. Only half the tables on casino floors are operational and temperature checks and masks are mandatory. Still, the customers are not coming in droves. The same case has been observed in the Phillipines which also eased restrictions a few weeks back. In fact, in a recent survey of 1000 American adults published by Synergy Blue a manufacturer of arcade-style casino games, only 51% said they will return to physical casinos once they re-open. This was in April and the numbers may have shifted either way. The silver-lining for the industry appears to be the internet as regular customers have turned to online gambling for betting and casino offers. Perhaps a global pandemic is the catalyst that was needed to make this shift. A Different Story in Africa In Africa, the story is quite different. Casino was not a particularly big business before the pandemic, and things will not get any better. In a continent where most people live from hand to mouth, gambling in flashy establishments is a luxury few can afford. Very few casinos exist in African countries, and the ones that do can only be found in big cities. This pre-disqualifies hundreds of millions from even participating. Thats why most marketers here are trying to sell online gambling first, making Africa the continent that skipped physical gambling. It is therefore more likely that as more people on the continent join the middle class, the biggest beneficiary in this industry will be the online space, not the physical one. To be clear, this was the trend long before the Covid-19 pandemic. It will only accelerate now that establishments are closed. All in all, the future of land-based casinos appears to be bleak. The shift to online gambling is arguably unstoppable. If a bunch of students who are committed to four-year schools in the next three weeks say, You know what? Im just not doing that. Im going to defer for a year ... or Im going to withdraw and reapply a year from now or six months from now, then I think we definitely could see a bump in community college enrollments, Rhyneer said. Over a three-month period dominated by the coronavirus pandemic and a slowdown in advertising, The New York Times Company for the first time reported quarterly revenue that owed more to digital products than to the print newspaper. As much of its staff worked remotely, The Times brought in $185.5 million in revenue for digital subscriptions and ads during the second quarter of 2020, the company announced on Wednesday. The number for print revenue was $175.4 million. The company added 669,000 net new digital subscribers, making the second quarter its biggest ever for subscription growth. The Times has 6.5 million total subscriptions, a figure that includes 5.7 million digital-only subscriptions, putting it on a course to achieve its stated goal of 10 million subscriptions by 2025. In a statement, Mark Thompson, the chief executive, called the companys shift from print revenue to digital a key milestone in the transformation of The New York Times. New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday reached out to South-east Asian countries like Indonesia and also parts of Indias immediate neighbourhood like Nepal and Sri Lanka, where the cultural influence of the ancient epic Ramayana is still felt, adding significantly that when a nation is strong, it is able to ensure peace. At a time of Sino-Indian military tensions, PM Modi also mentioned China in his speech as a country where references to Lord Rama have been found. He also pitched for a continued strong cultural outreach by India to the world. In his address at the temple town of Ayodhya, on the occasion of the foundation stone-laying ceremony for construction of a grand temple dedicated to Lord Rama, PM Modi mentioned five south-east Asian nations Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Laos and Cambodia where the cultural influence of the Ramayana and Lord Rama are still felt. In Indias immediate neighbourhood, he mentioned Nepal and Sri Lanka in this regard. PM Modi also said references to Lord Rama were found even in China (in Indias immediate neighbourhood) as well as Iran (in Indias extended neighbourhood). India has been ramping up ties with ASEAN comprising the 10 South-east Asian nations, a move seen as extremely important for India in the Indo-Pacific maritime region. India also continues to nurture close strategic and cultural ties with Indonesia which has the worlds largest Muslim population. Not surprisingly, therefore, Indonesia was also the first foreign nation to be mentioned by PM Modi in his speech on Wednesday at Ayodhya. In addition, the fond reference to Nepal in PM Modis speech in the cultural context of the Ramayana is also being seen as significant, given the recent turbulence in Indo-Nepal bilateral ties. It may be recalled that Nepalese Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli, widely seen as pro-China and anti-India, had recently 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 had then immediately swung into damage-control mode, saying 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 had said its Prime Minister Oli also did not mean to debase the significance of Ayodhya or its cultural value. Three men were rescued from a tiny South Pacific island after they wrote a giant "SOS" sign in the sand, later spotted from search aircraft above, authorities say. From the Associated Press: The men had been missing in the Micronesia archipelago for nearly three days when their distress signal was spotted Sunday on uninhabited Pikelot Island by searchers on Australian and U.S. aircraft, the Australian defense department said Monday. The men had apparently set out from Pulawat atoll in a 7-meter (23-foot) boat on July 30 and had intended to travel about 43 kilometers (27 miles) to Pulap atoll when they sailed off course and ran out of fuel, the department said. Swarms of immature pink locusts and adult yellow locusts are currrently active. Not only are fresh locusts swarms expected to arrive in the coming weeks, but even those already present in India have mated and are breeding new offspring. Photograph: Njeri Mwangi/Reuters It has been more than three months since the second wave of locusts hit India after the first attack earlier this year. However, so far there are few signs that the menace is abating and if the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)'s latest advisory is anything to go by, the problem of locusts is expected to get worsen, going ahead. This is because of new breeding the Horn of Africa, and fresh swarms are likely to move towards the India-Pakistan border in the coming weeks. This may have serious implications for farmers, particularly in the worst-affected western parts of Rajasthan, where they lean heavily on monsoon kharif output due to paucity of water in the remaining months of the year. Pearl millets, pulses, moong and moth are some of the main crops under threat due to the locust menace. Though the government claims no significant crops loss has been reported so far from anywhere in the country except some parts of Rajasthan, experts said the fear will linger unless the locusts are completely brought under check. Swarms of immature pink locusts and adult yellow locusts are currrently active in Jaisalmer, Barmer, Jodhpur, Bikaner, Churu, Sikar, Nagaur, Hanumangarh, Sriganganagar, Ajmer Pali, Alwar and Tonk districts of Rajasthan. Not only are fresh locusts swarms expected to arrive in the coming weeks, but even those already present in India have mated and are breeding new offspring. Therefore, even if hypothetically no new locust swarms come from the Horn of Africa and countries such as Somalia in the next few weeks, the problem will not go away. In India, adult groups and swarms are maturing throughout Rajasthan where laying is underway in many areas. "So far, a few hopper groups and bands have formed but substantial hatching is expected in the coming weeks, FAO said in its latest advisory on desert locusts. Till July 20, the Central government claimed that field operations to control locusts has been carried out in almost 200,000 hectares of land Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, Haryana, Uttarakhand and Bihar by state and central governments. So, what exactly are locusts and why are they so harmful to crops, even as they dont harm human beings? The characteristics of desert locusts Photograph: PTI Photo Locusts are insects that belong to the family of grasshoppers. FAO considers them as the oldest migratory pests in the world, with the desert locust being the "most devastating" of them all. Locusts are usually solitary and harmless. But, certain environmental conditions such as prolonged monsoon and heavy cyclones help them reproduce faster almost 20-fold within three months. As per FAO, an adult locust can eat a quantity equal to its weight about two grams every single day. However, a single square kilometer of the swarm can contain somewhere between 40-80 million adult locusts. Every single day, if they cover 130-150 kilometers, they can eat the food consumed by as many as 35,000 people. Therefore, if a swarm forms in the Horn of Africa and moves towards western Rajasthan via Iran and Afghanistan, it should take just 5-7 days for it to reach. A desert locust lives for about three to five months. Studies show that a locust swarm the size of Paris eats the same amount of food in one day as half the population of France; the size of New York City eats, in a single day, the same quantity as everyone in New York and California. But, yes, locusts don't attack human beings or animals and feed only on green crops. Climate change and locusts Photograph: Baz Ratner/Reuters Though not yet conclusively proved, experts say there is direct link between climate change and increase in locust attacks. The World Meteorological Organization (WMO), a specialised agency of the United Nations, recently said extreme weather events and climatic changes such as increases in temperature and rainfall over desert areas, and strong winds associated with tropical cyclones, provide a new environment for breeding, development and migration of pests such a locusts. Citing an article in Nature Climate Change, WMO said while desert locusts have been around since biblical times, recent intense outbreaks can be linked to anthropogenic climate change and the increased frequency of extreme weather events. Attribution of a single event to climate change is difficult. However, climatic changes such as increases in temperature and rainfall over desert areas, and the strong winds associated with tropical cyclones, provide a new environment for pest breeding, development and migration. "This suggests that global warming has played a role in creating the conditions required for the development, outbreak and survival of the locusts, said scientists at the Intergovernmental Authority on Climate Prediction and Applications Centre (ICPAC). ICPAC, is a designated regional climate centre of the WMO. The article cited Indian Ocean warming, intense and unusual tropical cyclones in the region and heavy rainfall and flooding as playing a key role in the proliferation of the pests. The recent locust outbreaks and the role of Indian Ocean warming show that the impact of climate change is not merely the consequence of changes in mean temperature, but also of increases in extreme and unprecedented events, the article said. Experts say locusts attacks in India usually last till November, but this year the swarms stayed on till February, as monsoon got extended providing natural vegetation for the pests to feed on and create ideal breeding conditions. Thereafter, new swarms started coming April onwards. India's control measures Photograph: Njeri Mwangi/Reuters So far, till July 21, the Central government claims that it, along with state agencies, has performed locust control operations on almost 200,000 hectares of land in about 10 states during the past four months. As on date it has also deputed 104 control teams with spray vehicles in Rajasthan, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh, while more than 200 central government personnel are engaged in locust control operations. India has also imported new 45 Ulvamast sprayers from the United Kingdom, of which 15 have already reached India and another 30 are on their way. These high-capacity sprayers can cover large areas in one filling. In addition, five companies with 15 drones have been deployed at Barmer, Jaisalmer, Bikaner, Nagaur and Phalodi in Rajasthan for effective control of locusts on tall trees and in inaccessible areas through spraying of pesticides. India is the first country to use drones for locust control. Aerial spraying capacity has also been strengthened for anti-locust operations. A Bell helicopter has been deployed for use in Rajasthan's affected areas as per the need. The Indian Air Force also has conducted anti-locust operations on trial basis by using an Mi-17 helicopter. In addition, weekly virtual meetings on desert locusts of South-West Asian countries (Afghanistan, India, Iran and Pakistan) are being organised by FAO. So far, 15 such meetings of technical officers from South-West Asian countries have taken place on ways and means to control the pests. Despite all the measures, however, locusts have stubbornly refused to leave. National disaster and compensation demand Photograph: Reuters As locusts continue to wreak havoc in several parts of country despite best efforts, farmers groups and experts have called for declaring the attacks as a natural calamity, given their scope, spread and intensity. This is because, though locusts have been attacking India for decades, this years infestation is among the worst in recent times. That apart, several farmers groups have demanded adequate compensation to mitigate their losses and the incident should be included under the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) so that crops can be insured. To me, the efforts made so far have been not up to the mark and a more coordinated approach between the Centre and states needs to have been there, Bhagirath Choudhury of the South-Asia Biotechnology Centre (SABC), a not-for-profit organisation working in the field of science and agriculture, told Business Standard. He said the problem has become chronic now because early warnings were ignored by the government. Had there been adequate coordination and measures from the time locusts were first sighted, such a situation would never have arisen, he said. He said now that locusts have come and are not showing any signs of abating despite several measures for the past four months, the government should strengthen its coordination with states and neighbouring countries, so that control measures can be taken on time. We shouldnt be chasing the locusts as we are doing now, but should pre-empt their movement instead, he said. Now that the menace is getting worse, the government should seriously consider compensating farmers for the loss they have incurred, and including locusts attack under the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana, Choudhury said. Or else, farmers will suffer big losses because, as per all information, new swarms are coming from Africa, he said. PHILIPSBURG:--- The St. Maarten Police Department (KPSM) bid farewell to the Dutch Police officers and support staff. Post-Hurricane Irma in 2017, the Netherlands and other countries within the kingdom, provided extra manpower to secure the safety and security of the island. At the end of the direct assistance, it was agreed between St. Maarten and the Netherlands that the Dutch police's support would remain for an extended period, allowing KPSM to implement their recovery plan. With the support of the Dutch Police officers and support staff, KPSM was able to implement new policing strategies and crisis management structures to keep St. Maarten safe. Additionally, several pieces of training and projects have been finalized during this time, including crisis management training, upgrading of the forensic department, supporting business operations, and assisting with the assessment of the police building after the hurricane. The extra assistance of our Dutch counterparts was essential in the realization of these efforts. A total of 15 Dutch Police Officers and three support staff will be returning to the Netherlands tomorrow, August 5, 2020. A farewell ceremony was held to thank the Dutch Police, who departed today, after three years of support post-Hurricane Irma. Minister of Justice Anna Richardson was in attendance and addressed the team. Minister Richardson stated, "The support we've experienced over the last years has been invaluable. Today, on behalf of the Government of St. Maarten, the Ministry of Justice, and the People of St. Maarten, I want to express my gratitude for all your hard work and delegation to country St. Maarten. We hope you had the opportunity to learn from us as well; from what I have understood, the KPSM has indeed learned a lot from you." Minister Richardson also expressed her gratitude to the Netherlands and wished the Dutch Police officers and support staff well on their future endeavors. Kenya's tourism minister has clarified that hotels and resorts are allowed to sell alcohol in rooms. Minister Najib Balala clarified that the establishments were allowed to sell alcohol "only on room service basis". He said the clarification was with regards to hotels that have checked-in clients. The minister warned that the rest of the establishments should strictly adhere to the president's directive and not to sell alcohol. President Uhuru Kenyatta banned the sale of alcohol in hotels and restaurants while extending nationwide curfew to prevent the spread of coronavirus. Hotels and restaurants that had opened to holidaying visitors had sought a clarification from the ministry as they had offered clients deals that included alcoholic drinks. 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 The president hardly needs encouragement to act unilaterally. One of his first directives in office was a ban on entry to the United States by citizens of several majority-Muslim countries, which went through three editions before being approved by the Supreme Court. His administration has moved aggressively on other issues, such as changing asylum rules and declaring a national emergency to shift money from the Pentagon to fund construction of a southern border wall. Tropical Storm Isaias has been clobbering New Jersey all day Tuesday with fierce winds that are uprooting trees and knocking out utility poles, leaving more than a quarter of the state without power. Winds reached 109 mph and two tornados formed in Upper Township and Barnegat Township. In Wildwood, the Brittany Hotel and several other businesses lost their roofs. And all over the state, residents reckoned with property damage that destroyed their homes and vehicles. In Scotch Plains, two trees ruptured from the sidewalk on Church Avenue within an hour of each other, knocking out power for the neighborhood. Homeowners noticed the pavement buckling, before it finally gave, crushing Scotch Plains resident Scott Blaess car. I went to the bathroom, I was going to move it into the driveway and two minutes later it was gone, he told NJ Advance Media. Blaes and other homeowners without power may be waiting days for the lights to come back on, Gov. Phil Murphy said during a briefing on the storm. Below are scenes from across the state. Tropical Storm Isaias knocks a tree over and on top of a car on Church Avenue in Scotch Plains.Josh Axelrod for NJ Advance Media Homes and businesses on the 500 block of South Shore Road in Upper Township suffered damage from a tornado during Tropical Storm Isaias, Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2020. Lori M. Nichols | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com Tuesday, August 4, 2020 - An uprooted tree blocks a lane of Limcoln Avenue in Trenton as the area feels the effects of Tropical Storm Isaias.Michael Mancuso | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com Jane Merryfield's home was severely damaged as a tornado rolled through the Pine Hill Mobile Home Court in Upper Township during Tropical Storm Isaias, Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2020. Lori M. Nichols | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com 73 Tropical Storm Isaias hits New Jersey MERRILLVILLE A man who fled Region police in a stolen car was arrested Wednesday after crashing into other vehicles near U.S. 30 and Mississippi Street, police said. Police identified the suspect as a 19-year-old Gary man. Lake County police and other agencies chased the suspect on Interstate 65 after an officer noticed him speeding earlier Wednesday morning, Lake County Sheriff Oscar Martinez said. Officers ran the vehicle's plates and determined it had been stolen out of the Indianapolis area, Martinez said. Police tried to stop the driver, at which point he fled northbound on the interstate toward U.S. 30, Martinez said. The driver exited in Merrillville and continued speeding away from officers on U.S. 30 before crashing into three other vehicles, Martinez said. The man then fled on foot toward Southlake Mall and was apprehended near a Luke Oil gas station after a brief chase, Martinez said. As officers were processing the scene, they found a loaded 9 mm handgun with an extended magazine inside the car the suspect was driving, Martinez said. She went 'Facebook official' on Tuesday with her 25-year-old boyfriend, Love Island star Matthew Zukowski. And just hours later, Bachelor in Paradise's Keira Maguire, 34, was forced to defend their nine-year age gap after a fellow reality star, Leah Costa, cruelly described her as a 'cradle snatcher'. The fiery confrontation took place in the comments section of an Instagram post shared by the So Dramatic podcast. Hitting back: Keira Maguire, 34, was forced to defend her nine-year age gap with boyfriend Matthew Zukowski, 25, on Tuesday after a rival reality star labelled her a 'cradle snatcher' 'Congrats to Keira Maguire and Matthew Zukowski who took the next step in their relationship today and are now Facebook official! Love is not dead guys!' the post announced. Leah, 27, who was the villain on Matty Johnson's season of the Bachelor in 2017, couldn't let the opportunity pass by to take a swipe at her old Paradise nemesis. 'LOL Cradle snatcher. Isn't he like 12?' she commented. Shots fired! The confrontation between Keira and Leah Costa, from Matty J's season of The Bachelor in 2017, took place in the comments section of an Instagram post shared by the So Dramatic podcast. The post was about the fact Keira and Matthew had gone 'Facebook official' What went down: 'LOL Cradle snatcher. Isn't he like 12?' Leah commented. Keira clapped back, 'No he's 25.' Keira clapped back: 'No he's 25.' The two reality stars fell out back in 2018, when Leah swooped in to steal Keira's date with intruder Grant on the first season of Bachelor in Paradise. It comes after Keira and Matthew confirmed their long-rumoured romance on Tuesday night, just hours after her exit from season three of Paradise aired on TV. Enemies: The two reality stars fell out back in 2018, when Leah (pictured) swooped in to steal Keira's date with intruder Grant on the first season of Bachelor in Paradise 'Went on the wrong show... but doesn't matter, I found you,' Keira wrote on Instagram, alongside a photo of herself cuddling her toyboy. Their relationship first made headlines last month when they were spotted kissing in Melbourne. During Tuesday's episode of Paradise, Keira decided to throw in the towel - forcing Alex McKay to do the same. Big debut: It comes after Keira and Matthew (both pictured) confirmed their long-rumoured romance on Tuesday night, just hours after her exit from season three of Paradise aired on TV The veteran reality star was upset when she learned that no more contestants would be arriving in Paradise, meaning the pair, who had no romantic interest in each other but had agreed to exchange roses for the time being, couldn't form a new couple. So she sat Alex down and broke the news that she was leaving, which meant he had to go home too. 'Obviously we've talked a few times and there's nothing there, so what's the point of sticking around?' she said. 'That's it. Fair enough. If you want to go home, I'm more than happy to go home as well,' Alex replied, diplomatically. Bachelor in Paradise continues Wednesday at 7.30pm on Channel 10 Mark Dupree wins reelection as Wyandotte County District Attorney KANSAS CITY, Kan. - Mark Dupree has won the Democratic primary and will become the next Wyandotte County District Attorney. The race saw incumbent Mark Dupree run against challenger Kristiane Bryant. The race was close with Dupree getting 8,790 votes to Bryant's 7,334. Dupree won the seat in 2016, unseating the district attorney at that [...] Low-rent challenger didn't earn much traction against the controversial and outspoken politico who has many detractors but, obviously, a great many fans. Read more: The Shiv Sena said the 'bhoomi pujan' performed for Ram temple construction at Ayodhya on Wednesday "fulfils" the dream of its founder Bal Thackeray, while the party's ruling ally in Maharashtra, the Nationalist Congress Party, termed the development as a "matter of joy". IMAGE: Prime Minister Narendra Modi performs Bhoomi Pujan at Shree Ram Janmabhoomi Mandir, in Ayodhya. Photograph: PIB/PTI Photo Prime Minister Narendra Modi performed the ground-breaking ceremony in Ayodhya for a temple at the spot where many devout Hindus believe Lord Ram was born. The Shiv Sena, an ex-BJP ally which has been a strong supporter of the Ram Janmabhoomi movement, congratulated the people of the country over the long-awaited foundation stone laying ceremony for the grand temple. The NCP, one of the constituents in the Sena-led Maha Vikas Aghadi government, said the ceremony is a "matter of joy" for all and that Lord Ram is the deity of Indians. "The bhoomi pujan of Lord Ram's temple which is the source of faith of all Hindus was held today. This is the day of fulfillment of the dream of Hinduhridaysamrat Shiv Sena chief venerable Balasaheb Thackeray and a joyous moment for all of us. Hearty congratulations to all the countrymen!, Maharashtra minister and Shiv Sena leader Aaditya Thackeray tweeted even as he hailed the Lord, saying Jai Shree Ram. The late Sena patriarch, termed by party followers as "Hinduhridaysamrat" (Emperor of Hindu hearts), was a strong proponent of the temple cause. Shiv Sena's Rajya Sabha member Sanjay Raut also expressed similar sentiment. "Fulfillment of Balasaheb's dream," reads a graphic Raut shared on Twitter. The graphic also depicts a temple and carries text "Shree Ram" and "garv se kaho hum Hindu hai (say with pride that we are Hindus)". Earlier in the day, state NCP chief and minister Jayant Patil said he always worships at the temple of Lord Ram in his constituency in Sangli district. "Today 'bhoomi pujan' of Ram temple construction is being performed in Ayodhya. It is a matter of joy for all of us. We always worship with devotion in Lord Ram's temple built in my constituency. "Maryadapurushottam Prabhu Shree Ram will forever be deity of Indians," Patil tweeted with the hashtag "RamMandirAyodhya". As readers will be well aware, 2020 marks the 75th anniversary of the end of WWII, and many celebrations of this milestone had been in the works until the global pandemic forced so many changes upon our lives. One of the more significant events involved the Arsenal of Democracy flyover in Washington, DC, which had been due to take place in early May. Since this date proved untenable, the organizers tentatively postponed Arsenal of Democracy until September 25th. However, given the fluid nature of our times, anyone could be forgiven for wondering whether this too might fall through. Well, we have received word that the Arsenal of Democracy flyover will indeed take place. The Commemorative Air Force released the following statement regarding this event, along with others to celebrate the end of the Pacific War in Hawaii; we thought our readers would like to see the details WASHINGTON, D.C., August 2, 2020 To commemorate the 75th anniversary of the end of World War II, aerial tributes in Hawaii and Washington D.C. will take place in August and September. After lengthy discussions and coordination with federal and local officials, the 75th WWII Commemoration Executive Committee has made modifications to planned events in Oahu and the Washington D.C./Northern Virginia area to address health protocols established by state, county, and local officials as they pertain to public gatherings. Commemoration events are in place to pay tribute and thank our veterans of World War II, the Greatest Generation, for their service and sacrifice on behalf of the United States, said Mike Carr, President and CEO of the Battleship Missouri Memorial. We have worked very hard to ensure this important anniversary would not go unnoticed and look forward to recognizing those who fought for our ultimate freedom. A special evening is planned on Pier Foxtrot 5, where the USS Missouri is berthed, on September 1, honoring our guests of honor. At 9:02 the next morning, the official 75th Commemoration Ceremony will take place on board the ship where dignitaries from 10 nations gathered in 1945 to sign the Instrument of Surrender, formally ending World War II. The 75th anniversary of the end of World War II is a historic milestone and it is important that we recognize the service and sacrifice of our heroes, from the battlefield to the home front. After a tremendous amount of thoughtful planning, we will be able to continue with our rescheduled VE-Day aerial tribute of World War II aircraft over our nations capital. Recent flyovers around the country have uplifted spirits and we aim to do the same while honoring our Greatest Generation. Rest assured that the health and safety of our participants and spectators, especially our World War II veterans, is of utmost importance as we continue working to put on this memorable event, said Pete Bunce, President and CEO of the General Aviation Manufactures Association (GAMA), and Arsenal of Democracy Executive Committee member. The 75th Anniversary of World War II Commemoration Act was signed into law last year to establish a commemorative program to honor World War II veterans, highlight the service of those who served on the home front during the war, recognize the contributions of U.S. allies, remember the horrors of the Holocaust, and educate the public about the history of these events. The flyover events in Hawaii and Washington D.C. were established as part of the commemorative program. Originally, the Washington D.C. flyover was to take place on May 8, in conjunction with VE-Day (Victory in Europe Day) 75-year anniversary events but was rescheduled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Hawaii events are to coincide with the 75th anniversary of the Japanese surrender (VJ-Day) on board the U.S.S. Missouri. The window to honor these commitments for the 75th anniversary of the end of World War II is closing and those that this special commemoration is meant for are getting older in age. Recent flyovers during the pandemic have been done in a responsible and safe manner and the planned aerial tributes of World War II warbirds in Hawaii and Washington D.C. aim to do the same. BEST PLACES TO WATCH THE FLYOVER: ALONG THE NATIONAL MALL MARINE CORPS MEMORIAL (VIRGINIA SIDE) THEODORE ROOSEVELT BRIDGE LINCOLN MEMORIAL (POTOMAC SIDE) NATIONAL WORLD WAR II MEMORIAL ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY ANACOSTIA PARK IN A BOAT IN THE POTOMAC RIVER Planning committees for both events are working closely with federal and local government officials, aircraft operators, and volunteers to find the best and safest ways to carry out these tributes. With safety in mind and following the guidance of health officials, the Arsenal of Democracy Victory Gala in Washington D.C. that was scheduled for the evening before the flyover, will not take place. Gatherings of air and ground crews as well as support volunteers at the staging bases will be closely monitored and limited, and participating aircraft will not be available for public viewing prior to the events. The commemoration events will begin in Honolulu on August 29 with educational programs and tributes to honor our veterans. A dinner will be held on September 1, followed, the next day with a public ceremony to be held at the Battleship Missouri Memorial. The events will require tickets to control the number of people in attendance. The public is encouraged to visit 75thwwiiCommemoration.org for the latest information and tickets. The Arsenal of Democracy, Washington D.C. Victory Capital flyover will take place on Friday, September 25, and include over 60 aircraft from across the U.S. and Canada that will fly down the Potomac River across the National Mall in a historic sequence representing the significant battles of World War II. The aircraft will be over the National Mall at approximately 11:30 AM EST, and the entire flyover will last approximately one hour. Spectators will be able to view the aircraft from several points along the route and watch a live streamed broadcast, complete with narration. Look for additional information on the September 25 flyover at WW2Flyover.org. To access a PDF version of this newsletter, please click here http://share.thomsonreuters.com/assets/newsletters/Morning_News_Call/MNCGeneric_CA_08042020.pdf You can read Morning News Call Canada via TOPNEWS Canada page. If you would like to receive this newsletter through your email, please register at: http://solutions.refinitiv.com/MorningNewsCallENsubscriptionpage ECONOMIC EVENTS 0930 Markit Manufacturing PMI SA for July: Prior 47.8 COMPANIES REPORTING RESULTS August 4: Gibson Energy Inc (GEI). Expected Q2 earnings of 20 Canadian cents per share Great-West Lifeco Inc (GWO). Expected Q2 earnings of 60 Canadian cents per share Innergex Renewable Energy Inc (INE). Expected Q2 earnings of 9 Canadian cents per share August 5: B2Gold Corp (BTO). Expected Q2 earnings of 12 cents per share Badger Daylighting Ltd (BAD). Expected Q2 loss of 2 Canadian cents per share Ballard Power Systems Inc (BLDP). Expected Q2 loss of 4 cents per share Franco-Nevada Corp (FNV). Expected Q2 earnings of 48 cents per share Genworth MI Canada Inc (MIC). Expected Q2 earnings of 89 Canadian cents per share GFL Environmental Inc (GFL). Expected Q2 loss of 7 Canadian cents per share Iamgold Corp (IMG). Expected Q2 earnings of 4 cents per share Keyera Corp (KEY). Expected Q2 earnings of 29 Canadian cents per share Kinaxis Inc (KXS). Expected Q2 earnings of 29 cents per share Manulife Financial Corp (MFC). Expected Q2 earnings of 62 Canadian cents per share Norbord Inc (OSB). Expected Q2 earnings of 8 cents per share Pan American Silver Corp (PAAS). Expected Q2 breakeven per share Parex Resources Inc (PXT). Expected Q2 loss of 1 cent per share Pretium Resources Inc (PVG). Expected Q2 earnings of 15 cents per share Spin Master Corp (TOY). Expected Q2 loss of 17 cents per share Stantec Inc (STN). Expected Q2 earnings of 44 Canadian cents per share Stella-Jones Inc (SJ). Expected Q2 earnings of 73 Canadian cents per share Thomson Reuters Corp (TRI). Expected Q2 earnings of 38 cents per share TMX Group Ltd (X). Expected Q2 earnings of C$1.54 per share Torex Gold Resources Inc (TXG). Expected Q2 loss of 7 cents per share Tricon Residential Inc (TCN). Expected Q2 earnings of 17 cents per share WSP Global Inc (WSP). Expected Q2 earnings of 80 Canadian cents per share CORPORATE EVENTS No major events are scheduled. EX-DIVIDENDS There are no major exdivs for the day. For Morning News Call U.S. -- a preview of market-moving news for the trading day: - type US/MNC in a news browser if you are an Eikon user, or type RT/US/MNC in a news browser if you are a Thomson One user For The Day Ahead -- a recap of the day's events and preview of the next trading day: - type DAY/US in a news browser if you are an Eikon user or type RT/DAY/US in a news browser if you are a Thomson One user For an index of our newsletters click on (Compiled by Swathi Nair in Bengaluru) PLANS are afoot to launch the first ever Braille dictionary that would help people who are blind or have low vision to boost their learning capabilities. This was revealed by Deputy Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, Dr Avemarie Semakafu during Education Day commemoration in Dodoma. Being the first time to commemorate the day in the country, the Education Day was organised by the President's Office Regional Administration and Local Government. Speaking at the occasion, Ms Semakafu said the new dictionary would be another milestone in the education sector for the blind and those with low vision as well as their teachers, parents, and others who are not visually impaired, because its read by finger touch. "The dictionary will be using a standard language that will help visually impaired persons to learn," she said. At the same time, the Minister of State in the President's Office Regional Administration and Local Government, Selemani Jafo used the occasion to outline the achievements realised during the past five years of President John Magufuli's reign in office. He said that for the past four years, the government had managed to provide free basic education for all, whereas so far, about 1.09tril/- had been provided by the government. "For the past five years, the government has recorded outstanding performance in the education sector and about 501.8bn/- had been spent in putting up proper infrastructures in both primary and secondary schools countrywide." In yet another move to boost the education sector, Mr Jafo said that the government was planning to purchase motor vehicles for all District Education Officers countrywide. This according to the minister will help the officers to easily inspect their duty stations in a bid to increase efficiency. On the repair of 89 old schools, the minister said that the government had so far spent about 89bn/- , where proper infrastructures in those schools had been completed. Loopers have been thrown a loop in their annual cruise along the Trent-Severn Waterway. And whats a looper? Theyre boat owners, usually wealthy, who like to sail a loop around the eastern half of North America. Their near-10,000-kilometre route that connects the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of St. Lawrence all done via quiet, safe inland waterways usually takes a year or more. But not this year: Canadian boats cant enter America waters and vice-versa, all because of the coronavirus. Closing the Canadian-American border applies to pleasure boats too. More than 250 vessels completed the loop last year; many loopers say the most enjoyable portion of the entire trip was along the Trent-Severn Waterway that connects Lake Ontario to Georgian Bay. The boaters, who come from around the world, are impressed by the technical features of the Peterborough Lift Lock, once the highest hydraulic lift lock in the world. It was the largest concrete structure in the world without reinforcing rods when it opened in 1904. It lifts boats 20 metres from the Lower Trent to the Upper Trent and was named a National Historic Site in 1979. The American Society of Mechanical Engineers declared it a Historic Mechanical Engineering Landmark in 1987. The Loopers are normally hosted each year at the Peterborough Marina, but not this summer. Another favourite along the waterway is the Big Chute Marine Railway, where boats up to 30.4 metres long are carried on a railway flat car that submerges under boats in one lake and carries them over an embankment and county road into another lake. Its the only marine railway in North America. The 386-kilometre-long Trent-Severn Waterway opened in 1920 with 44 locks. It usually takes a week to go from Trenton on Lake Ontario to Honey Harbour on Georgian Bay, a climb of 51 metres. After entering Georgian Bay, the loopers head into Lake Huron and then Lake Michigan to enter the Chicago River in downtown Chicago. They follow that river to the Illinois River, which joins the Mississippi River just north of St. Louis. From there its 1,100 kilometres south to New Orleans on the Gulf of Mexico. The protected waters of an inland waterway run along the north shore of the Gulf to the Cross Florida Barge Canal near Yankeetown, Fla. That canal empties into the Atlantic at Jacksonville and they follow the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway all the way up Americas east coast to New York City. From New York, the loopers go up the Hudson River to Albany, where they have the choice of following the Erie Canal west to Lake Ontario or heading north to Lake Champlain in Vermont, where they connect with Quebecs Richelieu River that leads to Montreal and the St. Lawrence Seaway. Some loopers go up the Ottawa River to join the Rideau Canal and follow it to Kingston and then on to Lake Ontario. At each Trent-Severn lock there are harbour hosts who are available to the loopers as local experts on anything and everything they need. The Americas Great Loop Cruisers Association says among their most popular harbour hosts are Pam Vaters and her husband Gary, who welcome loopers to Bobcaygeon and Fenelon Falls. Theyve been harbour hosts for only three years, but have become close friends with loopers from around the world who tied up for a while in the area. The Vaters moved to Fenelon Falls from downtown Toronto four years ago and opened a gift and clothing store The Water Street Clothesline near Lock 34 in the heart of Fenelon Falls. Their store was an obvious place for a looper to pop in and ask where a laundromat is located or how can they reach a diesel mechanic. So the Vaters soon became official harbour hosts. Theyve met hundreds of loopers and have stayed in touch with them after their boats pull out of Fenelon Falls. Their daughter Kimberly operates the Kicking Cowgirl in Bobcaygeon, a retail store specializing in western attire. Its close to Bobcaygeons Lock 32, so she sees lots of loopers needing information. She calls her parents and they bring over the answers, plus a hug. Every looper we meet gets a hug, Pam said. It costs $50,000, on average, for a looper to complete the circuit and they are big spenders along the Trent-Severn. The Trent-Severn communities are really feeling the effect of COVID-19 blocking the loopers from visiting, she said. A Florida looper had diesel trouble in Fenelon Falls last autumn and eventually his $250,000 yacht was towed to Orillia for repairs. Its fixed now and ready to cruise, but the owner cant get into Canada to take the helm. More information is available at Americas Great Loop Cruisers Association at the groups website, greatloop.org. Chron.com is following the latest headlines on the COVID-19 pandemic and its effects on the Houston area. 9 a.m.: The latest Houston, Texas numbers Texas on Tuesday saw a 2.2 percent increase in new COVID-19 cases, or 10,039 cases, bringing the statewide total number of cases to 466,276, according to a Houston Chronicle analysis of state data. The statewide death count increased by 213 new deaths to a total of 7,757. Tuesday marks the 12th highest day for new cases and the seventh-highest day for new deaths since the pandemic began. The positive test rate statewide increased to 13.88 percent. In the Houston region, cases increased by 2,252 to 111,837 cases total while deaths increased by 61 to 1,808 deaths total. Harris County reported 1,438 new cases and is now at 79,543 cases total. ON HOUSTONCHRONICLE.COM: So, how bad is COVID-19 in Houston? A guide to reading the data The city of Houston and the Houston Food Bank will distribute food, masks, backpacks and school supplies for elementary students at the upcoming 10th Annual Mayors Back 2 School Fest. The drive-thru event runs 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday and Saturday at the NRG Yellow Parking Lot. Health protocols will be in place. To register, visit the city's website. NOTE: The numbers included in this report represent a one-day change in data from Monday, August 3 through Tuesday, August 4. 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. The Houston Chronicle's analysis of COVID-19 case data now includes probable and pending cases. This change is based on interviews with multiple public health officials and epidemiologists, as well as in line with CDC guidelines on reporting. DSHS is now using death certificate data for its counts of COVID deaths, leading some Texas counties to have dramatically higher counts than others and some counties to have higher numbers than state figures. rebecca.hennes@chron.com A brand new season of outdoor theatre will come to The Landmark in Ilfracombe in August. The north Devonshire venue's programme will feature a staging of Illyria's The Wind In The Willows across two nights, with tickets costing 12, including an ice cream. Magician and Britain's Got Talent finalist Ben Hart will perform, as will 1940s vocal group The Femmes and comedian Simon Brodkin. Family-friendly show Pirates Ahoy will run twice on 30 August, and on 31 August Three Inch Fools will present their musical version of Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream. David Hutchinson, CEO of Selladoor Worldwide, said "It's now been nearly five months since we were forced to close the doors at our theatres and whilst we are still not able to present work inside our auditoriums, we didn't want to miss the chance to connect with our North Devon audiences this summer and so are delighted to announce our Summer Festival at The Landmark at the end of August. "We have a curated programme from family performances to comedians and magicians, to complement our cafe and bar offering at the Quarterdeck. It has been a really tough year for theatres across the country and as we launch our first live shows in the beautiful grounds of The Landmark we urge our loyal patrons to come back and show their support for both the theatre and incredible artists who are presenting work this month for the first time since March." Social distancing measures will be in place, with face coverings recommended. ISTANBUL (Reuters) - Turkey's Humanitarian Relief Foundation (IHH) is among those searching for survivors in Beirut after a massive blast in the city killed 100 people and injured nearly 4,000, and Ankara has offered to build a field hospital and help as needed. "We've relayed our offer to help" including immediate work on the hospital, and "we are expecting a response from the Lebanese side," a senior Turkish official told Reuters. Tuesday's blast at port warehouses storing highly explosive material was the most powerful in years in Beirut and prompted aid offers from countries including the United States, Israel and Turkey. Members of the IHH group were digging through debris to look for people and recover bodies, and the group mobilised a kitchen at a Palestinian refugee camp to deliver food to those in need, said Mustafa Ozbek, an Istanbul-based official from the group. "We are providing assistance with one ambulance to transfer patients. We may provide help according to the needs of the hospital," he said. (Reporting by Orhan Coskun and Yesim Dikmen; Writing by Ali Kucukgocmen; Editing by Jonathan Spicer) Whataburger may be celebrating its 70th birthday, but it's the customers who are receiving a gift with free food from the iconic Texas fast food chain. When you purchase one Whataburger through its app, you will get a second one free. Chicago schools will start the fall semester remotely, dropping a previously debated hybrid plan, it was announced Wednesday. The city had planned to have students attend in-person classes two days a week, but decided to abandon the idea after strong pushback from the powerful teachers union and hesitant parents. Mayor Lori Lightfoot announced the nation's third largest school district will not welcome students back into the classroom when the school year starts on September 8. After the end of the first quarter, which ends November 9, district officials will reconsider the hybrid model for the system's 355,000 students. 'As a district, we value parent feedback and we cannot overlook that a large percentage of parents have indicated they do not feel comfortable sending their students to school under a hybrid model for the start of the school year,' CPS CEO Dr. Janice Jackson said in a Wednesday news conference. Chicago Public Schools will start the fall semester remotely, dropping a previously debated hybrid plan, it was announced Wednesday. CPS CEO Dr. Janice Jackson announcing the decision on Wednesday from City Hall above Only one in five African-American and Latinx families said they planned to send their children back to school in person this fall Another poll showed students and families were very uncomfortable or somewhat uncomfortable with returning to in-person classes on September 8 Just last month Chicago officials announced their hybrid-learning plan and accepted feedback from families and teachers, which led to a wave of criticism. A survey showed that 41 percent of the parents of elementary school students and 38 percent of the parents of high school students didn't plan to send their children back to the classroom this fall, the district said in a news release Under the original plan, parents were allowed to opt out of in-person instruction. 'I understand the uncertainty this pandemic has caused our parents, especially communities of color who have been disproportionately impacted. We are making every possible effort to provide a high-quality remote learning experience in the fall, utilizing live, virtual instruction for every student, every day, and we are committed to ongoing engagement and communication with parents,' Jackson said. Mayor Lightfoot attributed the change in plans to a recent uptick in confirmed COVID-19 cases in the city. 'Here in Chicago, we are in a better place than most other areas in the country and in the surrounding area,' she said a news conference from City Hall. 'But the fact of the matter is, we are seeing an increases in cases. The decision to start remotely makes sense for a district of CPS' size and diversity,' she added. The announcement comes a day after the the Chicago Teachers Union (CTU) reportedly planned to convene their House of Delegates early next week to discuss taking a strike vote to demand remote learning. Chicago Public Schools announced Wednesday they will not reopen buildings for in-person classes and lessons will be held remotely for the first quarter Mayor Lori Lightfoot, right, with Chicago Public Schools CEO Janice Jackson, announces CPS will begin the school year with remote learning, at a news conference in Chicago on Aug. 5, 2020. (Jose M. Osorio/Chicago Tribune via AP) Illinois has seen a troubling rise in daily coronavirus cases over the past two months. The states seven-day average of new daily cases was more than 1,500 this week. 'The decision to begin the 2020-2021 CPS school year remotely during the first quarter is rooted in public health data and the invaluable feedback we've received from parents and families,' Lightfoot said. The Chicago Teachers Union firmly opposed the district's hybrid proposal and called for virtual-only instruction to start the year. Union officials said it wasnt possible to keep staff and students safe in hundreds of schools around the city. The union also took preliminary steps this week toward a strike vote by its members if the district's proposal for in-person instruction went forward. The union's president, Jesse Sharkey, tweeted Tuesday night as rumors of the shift circulated: 'A win for teachers, students and parents. It's sad that we have to strike or threaten to strike to be heard, but when we fight we win!' The union's president, Jesse Sharkey, tweeted Tuesday night as rumors of the shift circulated: 'A win for teachers, students and parents. It's sad that we have to strike or threaten to strike to be heard, but when we fight we win!' The announcement comes a day after the the Chicago Teachers Union (CTU) reportedly planned to convene their House of Delegates early next week to discuss taking a strike vote to demand remote learning. CTU President Jesse Sharkey pictured speaking at Occupy City Hall Protest on Monday to demand adequate classroom safety measures A teacher in union red pictured participating in a caravan protest on Monday in Chicago with a sign that said 'The Hybrid Model is Not Safe' Demonstrators pictured participating in a protest outside City Hall in downtown Chicago on Monday with a sign that said, 'Distance learning won't kill us but COVID Can' Lightfoot said the union's position didn't force the city's hand, although the union holds powerful sway in Chicago Public Schools decisions Lightfoot said the union's position didn't force the city's hand. She said the data on confirmed coronavirus cases changed during the past month. 'People are fearful and they are concerned,' she said. 'This was not an easy decision to make.' The Los Angeles Unified School District decided against reopening later this month for in-person learning. School officials said it wouldn't be safe for students to do so while the coronavirus continues to spread. New York City has announced a plan to do hybrid instruction, where students would be in school buildings in small groups on some days of the week but would learn remotely from home on other days. The state's governor hasn't said yet whether he will approve the city's plan. Former Deputy Attorney General Sally Yates appeared before a Senate panel Wednesday where she pushed back against attacks by Republicans aimed at undercutting the legitimacy of the investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election. Yates, who served as deputy attorney general in the final year of the Obama administration and then briefly as acting attorney general under President Trump until her firing in January 2017, defended her role in overseeing aspects of the probe and at times directly disputed claims by Republicans who have alleged President Donald Trump and his associates were unfairly targeted by the FBI. Countering a key claim by Trump, Yates told the committee that she did not believe former President Barack Obama or former Vice President Joe Biden sought to influence the FBI's investigation into former national security adviser Michael Flynn, recalling a Jan. 5, 2017 Oval Office meeting where she first learned from Obama about Flynn's contacts with the former Russian ambassador. MORE: Sally Yates says she warned White House that Flynn could be 'blackmailed' by Russians "Something like that would have set off alarms for me and it would have stuck out both at the time and in my memory. No such thing happened," Yates said. "The president was focused entirely on the national security implications of sharing sensitive intelligence information with Gen. Flynn during the transition, a process at was already underway at the White House." Early in the hearing, Trump took to Twitter to attack Yates as having "zero credibility" and being "a part of the greatest political crime of the Century." Sally Yates has zero credibility. She was a part of the greatest political crime of the Century, and ObamaBiden knew EVERYTHING! Sally Yates leaked the General Flynn conversation? Ask her under oath. Republicans should start playing the Democrats game! Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 5, 2020 Senate Judiciary Chairman Lindsey Graham, by contrast, said in his opening remarks at the hearing that he believed Yates acted properly and "exercised good legal judgment" in January 2017 when the FBI was investigating Flynn's contacts with Russian ambassador Sergey Kislyak. Story continues MORE: A timeline of Sally Yates' warnings to the White House about Mike Flynn "My view of Ms. Yates is that she exercised good legal judgment in January 2017 and if people had followed her advice, things might be different today," Graham said. "I want to let you know, Ms. Yates, from my point of view, you analyzed the situation fairly correctly and we will get into that later on." Graham's statement was in reference to Yates' criticism of former FBI Director James Comey, who Yates agreed "went rogue" when he authorized two FBI investigators to visit the White House to interview Flynn. Yates has said she believed the proper course was to instead inform the White House first about Flynn's false public statements regarding his conversations with Kislyak, which she said posed a potential counterintelligence threat that could make him vulnerable to Russian blackmail. Yates sought to correct Graham several times as he stated that the basis for the investigation of Flynn was rooted in the Logan Act -- an antiquated law barring U.S. citizens from unauthorized negotiations with foreign governments. "It was a counterintelligence threat, not a criminal prosecution of the Logan Act that was the focus," Yates said. Additionally, Yates disputed Graham's repeated claims that the FBI had closed its investigation into Flynn on Jan. 4, prior to their interviews with him -- as well as his claim that Flynn was being investigated over a mere "policy difference" with the Obama Administration's sanctions targeting Russia's election meddling. "The concern was not about the policy difference here, senator. The concern was about him undercutting the Obama Administration and then covering it up," Yates said. MORE: Everything you need to know about former acting Attorney General Sally Yates Earlier this year, Attorney General William Barr moved to drop the DOJ's criminal case against Flynn for lying to the FBI in his interview at the White House, a decision which Yates described as "highly irregular." "I was a prosecutor in the Department of Justice for almost 30 years, and I've certainly never seen a pleading like this," Yates said. Yates was also questioned about her sign-off on two FISA applications authorizing surveillance of former Trump campaign aide Carter Page in October 2016 and January 2017. A report last year from DOJ Inspector General Michael Horowitz detailed a troubling series of omissions and errors in the applications, which Yates said she was unaware of at the time she approved it. Asked by Graham about whether she would have signed off on the applications knowing what she knows now, Yates answered she "would not sign anything I knew to include errors or omissions." Former deputy AG Yates pushes back on Republican criticism of Russia investigation origins originally appeared on abcnews.go.com Samsung has two new mid-range smartphones for US customers dubbed the Galaxy A51 5G and Galaxy A51 5G UW. Announced as incoming back in April, the new Samsung devices are engineered to offer the best flagship features. But each of those ships in a far less expensive package and budget-friendly internals to ensure great value. As already noted, there are going to be two variants of this particular smartphone too. Thats to account for the fact that Verizon actually offers a much speedier 5G experience. Built on a different technology than its competitors, the company started its low-range high band network before its nationwide low-band network. So a slightly different set of internals had to be used. Hence the UW or, Ultra-Wideband branding. Heres what the Samsung Galaxy A51 5G and Galaxy A51 5G UW bring to the table Now, the Samsung Galaxy A51 5G, in both forms, will effectively be the same device as the previously launched standard Galaxy A51. So its going to be packed with not just next-gen networking. But also a ton of flagship features on the software side via Android 10 and One UI. Advertisement For hardware, Samsung built its latest device around a 6.5-inch FullHD+ resolution, Super AMOLED Infinity-O display. That means sharper contrasts and deeper blacks alongside more vibrant colors. But it also means that the camera is front and center in a punch-hole at the top of the display itself. Around the back of the handset, Samsung utilized a two-tone design with both featuring a special colorization to help hide fingerprints and smudges. And, in that back panel, there are no fewer than four cameras to offset the 32-megapixel selfie snapper. Thats a 48-megapixel main camera, 12-megapixel secondary camera for ultra-wide shots, and a 5-megapixel macro sensor. The fourth sensor is for depth and also comes in at 5-megapixels. 128GB of onboard storage is part of that package too, expandable via microSD card up to 1TB. As is a fast-charging battery. Advertisement Pricing and availability For pricing, Samsung says the Galaxy A51 5G will be somewhat cheaper than the Galaxy A71 5G, which costs $599.99. In fact, itll be $100 less expensive at $499.99 to start, when it becomes available starting on August 7 at Samsung.com. T-Mobile will be the first carrier to offer the gadget from that date, with subsidiary Metro to follow shortly after. Verizon customers will be able to order the UW variant of the gadget from August 13. Samsung says that details on other carriers and retailers will be forthcoming but hasnt provided any other details at this time. Democratic presidential candidate and former Vice President Joe Biden speaks about his plans to combat racial inequality at a campaign event in Wilmington, Del., July 28, 2020. (Jonathan Ernst/Reuters) In Apparent Reversal, Biden Says He Hasnt Taken Cognitive Test Presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden said in a new interview that he hasnt taken a cognitive test, an apparent reversal from remarks he made earlier this year. No, I havent taken a test. Why the hell would I take a test? Biden said during a virtual interview. Come on, man. Thats like saying to you, Before you got on this program, did you take a test where youre taking cocaine or not? What do you think, huh? Are you a junkie? Biden asked Errol Barnett, a CBS reporter. Why the hell would I take a test?@JoeBiden scoffs at idea of taking a cognitive test. Suggests @realDonaldTrump cant figure out the difference between an elephant and a lion. Full interview at @NABJ @NAHJ virtual convention Thursday 8am ET.@CBSNews pic.twitter.com/rGNJpjfbF6 errol barnett (@errolbarnett) August 5, 2020 The 77-year-old continued, accusing the reporter of trying to goad him. Look, come on man. I know youre trying to goad me, but I mean, Im so forward-looking to have an opportunity to sit with the president, or stand with the president, in debates. Therell be plenty of time. I am very willing to let the American public judge my physical and mental fillmy physical, as well as my mental fillfitness, he said. During a rare press conference in June, Biden suggested he had taken a cognitive test. A reporter said that he is 65 and has seen his own ability to recollect words diminish over time. I forget my train of thought from time to time, the reporter said. Youve got 12 years on me, sir. Have you been tested for some degree of cognitive decline? Ive been tested and Ive been constantly tested, Biden responded. Look, all you got to do is watch me, and I can hardly wait to compare my cognitive capability to the cognitive capability of the man Im running against. Thank you so much. Questions about the cognitive abilities of both Biden and President Donald Trump, 74, have swirled for years, with little concrete evidence to support them. President Donald Trump speaks to the press before departing from the White House on July 27, 2020. (Nicholas Kamm/AFP via Getty Images) Trump said in July that he took a cognitive test and got a perfect score. Biden, he asserted, could not answer those questions. Lets take a test right now. Lets go down, Joe and I will take a test. Let him take the same test that I took, Trump told Fox News Sunday anchor Chris Wallace. According to then-White House physician Ronny Jackson, Trump received a 30 out of 30 on the Montreal Cognitive Assessment in 2018. The test was created by Dr. Ziad Nasreddine, who said one five-word question in the test is challenging. Only 10 percent of normal individuals get 30 out of 30, he said during a recent appearance on CNN. It could be somewhat hard for somebody who is normal, especially certain questions are harder than others, especially the five-word recall. Most patients do not get the five words. In a press release in 2018, Nasreddine said Trumps cognitive performance ruled out mild Alzheimers or dementia. Bidens campaign didnt respond to a request for comment. National Alliance of Peoples Movements (NAPM) National Office: 6/6, Jangpura B, New Delhi a 110 014 E-mail:napmindia...at gmail.com | Web:www.napm-india.org Monument of Violations: aAyodhya-Ram Mandir Inaugurationa: A Frontal Attack on our Constitutional Democracy Led by the Prime Minister Resist the aHindu Rashtraa Project of Lies, Hatred and Violence Perpetrators of the Criminal Demolition of Babri Masjid must be held legally accountable 5th Aug, 2020: National Alliance of Peopleas Movements (NAPM) expresses deep anguish at the initiation of the construction of the Ram Temple at Ayodhya, through the Bhumi Pujan ceremony which culminated in the laying of the foundation stone today. The participation of none less than the Prime Minister, the Uttar Pradesh administration and its Chief Minister in the ceremony, even though these offices are constitutionally mandated to remain secular, is yet another blow against our constitutional principles. The significance of the adaya is not lost on anyone. 5th August marks the first anniversary of the revocation of Article 370 which dismembered Indiaas only muslim majority state, Jammu and Kashmir, snatching away its political autonomy. Under such circumstances, the laying of the foundation stone on 5th August carries a deep symbolic meaning, marking yet another step in our countryas rapid drift towards a aHindu Rashtra.a At present, there is a petition pending in the Supreme Court that asks for the removal of the words asocialista and aseculara from our constitution! The present moment marks the culmination of a violent process through which a mosque has been forcibly converted into a temple through a combination of street violence, mass mobilization and manufactured histories, and with the complicity of the police and courts as well as that of so-called secular political parties. Last yearas judgement by the Apex Court awarded the entire disputed structure to the aHindu partya based on dubious logic. The civil case was abstracted from the criminal case and the violence and disruption that lay behind the aHindua claim were completely overlooked, rather legitimized! The Supreme Court, despite noting that namaz was offered at the adisputed sitea until 1949, accepting that idols of Ram were sneaked into the masjid that year, that the masjid was unlawfully demolished in 1992 and that it was not built by razing down any temple, did not hold the violators accountable and rather rewarded them by offering adisputed landa to build the temple! The blatantly biased judgement came in the wake of a series of judgements (notably, Ismail Farooqui judgement of 1994 and the Allahabad High Court judgement of 2010) and administrative moves (most importantly, silently enabling the demolition of the mosque in 1992) which have progressively weakened the aMuslima case. The Supreme Court judgement of 2019 not only accepts the problematic logic of previous judgements, but also legitimizes the Hindutva narrative of acivilizational conflicta between Hindus and Muslims and the distortions of history have been central to the Ram Mandir demand. Indeed, the courts and the administration have repeatedly betrayed the secular cause and constitutional principles over the years. The Hindu Rashtra is all around us today. The spectacular inauguration of the Ram Mandir becomes a governmental priority despite crucial problems such as the hunger, health and economic crisis and the glaring life and livelihood challenges, especially in the flood-ravaged eastern and North Eastern states. The mass gathering held today despite the Covid-19 pandemic conditions, in the presence of a sexagenarian PM is hailed as an act of anational pridea while gatherings like the one organized by the Tablighi Jamaat are selectively called out by Hindutva politicians and their crony media for perpetuating acorona-jihada ! Diyas and thaalis are being used to fight the Covid virus while little is being done to strengthen the crumbling public health system. The New Education Policy talks of aIndianisationa even as the public sector in education is further weakened and the perpetuation of socio-economic inequalities in and through education are not acknowledged as burning issues. Sector after sector is being privatized, electricity to environmental to labour laws weakened, entire coal blocks in adivasi heart lands opened up to private auctions and the nation literally put up on sale by the self-acclaimed patriots in power! The aHindu Rashtraa is thus not only sectarian but deeply anti-people in multiple ways. The fight against the fascist and corporate Hindu Rashtra cannot be waged without seeking justice for the evils perpetuated in its name, including the conversion of the Babri Masjid into a Ram Mandir through lies, manipulation and violence. The fight gets even tougher, given the complicity and betrayal of the courts, administrations, large sections of the media and the so-called secular political parties, whose amasksa are rapidly and repeatedly falling off! We observe 5th August as Day of National Protest, a day of unforgivable breach of democratic and constitutional principles and rights by the highest offices and institutions that are mandated to uphold these values. We resolve to stand with the overwhelming number of common people, strengthen their cultures of co-existence, fight for the real needs of the poor, working and marginalized people a jobs, livelihood, dignity, security of life and work a and not allow religion to be misused to fuel sectarian strife, to distract us from peoplesa pressing issues and to destroy our secular fabric and constitutional democracy. We will continue to democratically resist, challenge and question the powers that be on all forms of biases, legal distortions, normalization of Hindutva hate, violence and toxic efforts to erase the historical memory of fascist politics. Presiding Member for Birim North District Assembly who doubles as the Assemblyman of Akoasi Ahenbronum Electoral Area, Hon George Krobea Asante has described the promise of former President Mahama to enroll all the assembly members into the consolidated funds for monthly salaries as an empty promise. According to him, the promise made by former President John Dramani Mahama as mere political talk, clearly meant to deceive the assembly members into voting for him to become President again, asking his colleagues not to take him seriously. In a press release copied to Peacefmonline.com, Krobea Asante acknowledged that even though the activities of the assembly members are key to the development of the country, they are completely under-resourced and totally ignored by all successive governments. He added that their neglect over the years has become a major source of concern and worry for all the assembly members in the country. But for any person to take advantage of our situation to score cheap political mark is unfortunate, unacceptable and I, therefore, call on all the Honourable Assembly members across the country to be alert and smart in order not to allow ourselves to be deceived and misled by any desperate politician seeking for power, he cautioned. Having served consecutively for two terms as Assemblyman and currently as a Presiding Member, I can state on authority that the erstwhile Mahama administration was worse in terms of helping to fight for the plight of our members and his government did nothing significant to address our plight as Assembly members. He accused Mr. Mahama's administration of having failed to procure for Assembly members the motorbikes to facilitate their movement as agents of development for their respective electoral areas. He again reminded his colleague assembly members that the statutory payments such as District Assemblies Common Funds were in arrears for several years under the John Mahama administration. it is not only deceptive for Mr. Mahama to posits that when he is given the nod as President again, but he will also ensure all Assembly members in Ghana are given monthly payment. To me, this is the joke of the century and the comment is laughable. I do not think any Assemblymember in our country will be swayed by this empty promise which is targeting our votes and support as December polls draw nearer, he charged. I would like to state emphatically that all the various governments since 1992 have failed in terms of the championing for the development and empowerment of Assembly members. This topic needs to be given serious attention as a country and calls for a national debate to ensure the welfare and the overall development of the local governance system is given the needed attention. Assembly members in Ghana deserve better treatment but not with an empty promise from a desperate politician, he stated. Source: Daniel Adu Darko/Peacefmonline.com/[email protected] Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video PHOENIX Republican Sen. Martha McSally and Democratic astronaut Mark Kelly secured their parties nominations Tuesday in the Arizona race to finish the late John McCains U.S. Senate term. It sets up a heated contest between two former combat pilots in what is expected to be one of the most expensive and spirited Senate races of 2020. The race will test Democrats growing strength in sprawling Sun Belt suburbs and Republican efforts to blame China for the coronavirus outbreak. In early returns, a conservative challenger to McSally, businessman Daniel McCarthy, garnered about 20% of the vote with his anti-establishment message and an appeal to voters who think government is overreacting to the pandemic. McCarthy spent only about $500,000 and was not well known, so his share of the Republican vote suggests that McSally still has work to do to win over the GOPs conservative base despite President Donald Trumps endorsement. Kelly faced only a write-in opponent for the Democratic nomination. Hes married to former U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, who was shot in the head in an attempted assassination during a constituent event in Tucson. With the pandemic leaving Americans anxious about their health and the ailing economy, McSally has been a leading Republican lawmaker looking to pin the blame on China. She routinely deflects from criticism of the U.S. response to the virus, saying Chinese cultural practices and obfuscation let the disease take root. Republican leadership and policies unleashed record economic growth, rebuilt our military, and finally began to hold China accountable for years of ripping off American workers, McSally said in a statement after her primary win. Kelly and his Democratic allies are doubling down on a strategy they have pursued for well over a year: focusing on GOP efforts to repeal former President Barack Obamas health care law, including its requirement for insurers to cover people with preexisting conditions. In an acceptance speech on YouTube, Kelly said the nation faces a crisis of leadership and portrayed himself as an independent voice. Even during a national emergency, Washington still isnt working together to solve problems, Kelly said. Over and over again weve been a step behind because leaders in Washington have been too focused on politics, and not on public health. An influx of new voters in the fast-growing Phoenix suburbs and extensive organizing in the Latino community have helped put Arizona, a longtime Republican stronghold, in play for Democrats. The trend has accelerated with the shift away from the GOP among white suburban women who have turned against Trump. The 2018 victory of Sen. Kyrsten Sinema, who was the first Democrat to win an Arizona Senate seat in 30 years, showed the changing nature of the state. If Kelly wins the general election, it would be the first time Democrats held both of Arizonas Senate seats since before Barry Goldwater defeated Earnest McFarland in the 1952 election. Sinema defeated McSally, who had represented Tucson and southeastern Arizona in the House for several terms. McSally was then appointed to McCains seat and is fighting to finish his term. The winner would face reelection to a full six-year term in 2022 to keep the seat. McSally was a trailblazing woman in the U.S. Air Force, the first woman to fly in combat and to lead a fighter squadron out of Davis-Monthan Air Force Base in Tucson. More recently, she revealed a darker side of her military career, disclosing last year that she was raped by a superior officer. Kelly flew combat missions for the Navy during Operation Desert Storm before becoming a test pilot and later an astronaut. He flew four missions to the International Space Station. After retiring, he and Giffords founded a gun-control advocacy organization. Kelly has a big fundraising advantage, raising more than $46 million, one of the largest hauls of all 2020 Senate candidates and a sum unheard of in Arizona. McSally also has been a top Senate fundraiser, pulling in more than $30 million so far. Yves here. Weve featured some of John Weeks pieces over the years; he was prolific and energetic despite technically having retired. As youll see below, he also had extensive, direct experience in developing economies. That led ultimately to the University of London asking Weeks to establish a new Department of Development Studies with an existing department. Another accomplishment was getting himself blacklisted in 1985. By Ben Fine, Emeritus Professor of Economics at the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London and is Chair of the International Initiative for Promoting Political Economy (iippe.org) and Alfredo Saad-Filho, Professor of Political Economy and International Development at Kings College London. Originally published at openDemocracy John Weeks, Emeritus Professor of Economics at the School or Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), has died aged 79 from leukaemia. In the almost fifteen years since retiring, he focused on popularising radical economics, achieving it with considerable aplomb, through the (social) media and publishing Economics of the 1% (2014) and The Debt Delusion: Living Within Our Means and Other Fallacies (2020). His journey to this success sheds light both on the challenges facing revolutionaries of his generation, and contemporary capitalist economies, developing as well as developed. Born in Texas of an accountant father and shop assistant mother, the seeds of radicalism were sewn by virtue of the blacklisting of his father for blowing the whistle on corruption in the state governments relationship with the powerful oil industry. Such perspectives on the abuse of power (and sleaze) within his immediate locale were reinforced by direct experience of overt racism in the segregated US south where Weeks joined campaigns to break colour bars and promote civil rights whilst still an undergraduate at the University of Texas. Early exposure to racism, and the struggles against it, informed a more general opposition to authority, allowing him never to forget that far from being benign, under capitalism democracy and freedom only extend as far as they are struggled for and for whom, as strikingly brought to life recently by the Black Lives Movement, decades after white supremacy had been seen by too many as something mainly confined to the past. On a different plane, Weeks himself would later come to the attention of Accuracy in Academia (AIA), an American organisation committed to driving left-leaning scholars out of teaching, and he was placed in 1985 on the AIA list of dangerous academics, making him persona non grata at many US universities. Weeks went to graduate school at the University of Michigan to study for a PhD in economics. His greatest wish was to leave Texas and never go back, except for occasional family visits, and his wish came true. At Michigan he became active in the anti-Vietnam war movement, and like many men of his generation joined the U.S. Marine Corps Reserves to avoid the draft. More grist to the mill of radicalism. For his PhD, he studied the roots of industrialisation in Nigeria, first serving as an associate at the University of Ibadan and then teaching Economics at Ahmadu Bello University in Zaria, in the Northern region, opening windows onto the African post-colonial condition. After a short interlude at the School of African and Asian Studies, AFRAS, University of Sussex, he joined the Economics Department at Birkbeck College, University of London, in 1972, where he began to engage fully with Marxist economics for the first time. Within a few years, though, he married Liz Dore, and willingly put his career on hold to join her on her fieldwork in Peru, an opportunity to extend his expertise leading to the publication of his first book The Limits to Capitalist Development: The Industrialization of Peru, 1950-1980. In 1977, he returned to the US to take a job at the American University (AU), in Washington, DC, in one of few departments specialising in heterodox economics. Here he published his highly influential take on Marxist economics, Capital and Exploitation, emphasising how capitalism is subject to crises precisely because of its strengths and successes rather than because of its failings and weaknesses. Forged out of relations with international students at American University who were involved in anti-colonial and anti-capitalist movements in their home countries, Weeks and Dore were invited to serve as advisors to the Sandinistas who had come to power in Nicaragua in 1979. This proved a mixed experience as advice was unwelcome if joined with critical analysis, and Weeks shifted institutional affiliations in Nicaragua to find a home with which he was comfortable before being forced to return to his post at AU, to resume his duties there as well as care for what were then two three-year-old children, with Dore remaining for several months longer in Managua. In the meantime, he published The Economies of Central America. From AU, he took a job at Middlebury College, Vermont, where John and Liz struck up an acquaintance with Bernie Sanders. Ultimately, in 1990, the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) University of London invited Weeks to establish a new Department of Development Studies, an offspring of the heterodox Economics Department, one of the few in the UK and remaining one of the leading in the world. From there he retired as Emeritus Professor in 2006, having played leading (and headship) roles in establishing and strengthening political economy in both Departments. The invaluable threads running through all of Johns experiences and contributions have been to situate development globally and not as a national challenge alone; draw upon Marxist political economy for its insights into development and transformation to and within capitalism, not least in light of class analysis; and understand the exercise of power and the power of resistance and how these combine to inform the logic of capitalist development. John exposed and fiercely rejected the fallacies of orthodox economics, and proposed pragmatic, immediately realisable, policy alternatives in support of progressive movements. Radicalisation around opposition to the Vietnam War gave birth to a new wave of radical economics, and John Weeks definitely rode that wave, contributing to the founding of Union of Radical Political Economy (URPE) in the late 1960s. Hopes for a better world were dashed by monetarism, releasing the globalised, financialised, neoliberalised world of today, with an ineffectual mainstream economics as its counterpart. Despite the global financial crisis of 2007/8 and the current pandemic in which the state has made an interventionist comeback of astonishing proportions, mainstream economics has become more dominant and increasingly intolerant of alternatives. For this reason, the lives and works of those who have stood out against the tide of orthodoxy, with Weeks a leading figure, must be respected for their commitments against establishment dismissal but, more importantly, remain invaluable as the basis for constructing alternatives for the future. John Franklin Weeks, born 1 April 1941, died 26 July 2020. Survived by wife Elizabeth Dore, children Matthew and Rachel Dore-Weeks, and two grandchildren. The Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys TD, has announced details of the first 2.8 million in funding approvals from her Department to help rural towns and villages to adapt to the COVID-19 pandemic. 90,000 will be given to projects in Offaly. The funding will benefit 106 towns and villages throughout every county in Ireland. In Offaly, 40,000 will go towards a shop front scheme in the form of an enhancement grant to improve shop facades. A further 25,000 will provide supports for businesses in Offaly to assist with increasing capacity for customers and queueing by providing weatherproofing for outdoor areas, outdoor furniture and utilising unused space. 25,000 has also been given to Shannonbridge to enhance the public realm space at the Shannonbridge Tourist Office and Lock Hous. "It is vitally important that we increase footfall in rural towns and villages by supporting them to adapt to this new normal as a result of COVID-19," Minister Humphreys said. "This funding will benefit communities by altering the streetscapes so that people can shop, work and socialise safely. I have increased the funding for the Town and Village Renewal Scheme as part of the 17 million rural package that my Department secured under the July Jobs Stimulus. This means that even more towns and villages will benefit from supports." Minister Humphreys continued: "Local Authorities throughout the country have been developing creative and innovative proposals to increase footfall and assist businesses in our rural towns and villages. "This tranche of funding is part of an enhanced 25 million Town and Village Scheme which will continue to rejuvenate rural communities across Ireland. "Further approvals under this hugely popular scheme will follow in a series of funding rounds that will be announced in the coming weeks. I expect that up to 500 towns and villages will be supported this year under the Town and Village Renewal Scheme. The Ministry of Aviation has debunked claims that Ghana's border entry points will be reopened next week. They have labelled the suggestions as false and urged the public to disregard. This follows news circulating on various social media platforms claiming government was considering reopening Ghanas borders in the wake of the coronavirus-induced closures to human traffic. According to a circular issued and signed by the Public Relations Officer at the Aviation Ministry, Madeleine Insaidoo, the sector minister, Joseph Kofi Adda has in no way stated, granted an interview or issued a press release to that effect for the reopening of the countrys borders. The Ministry wishes to inform the general public that the above news item is false and that no point in time has Hon. Joseph Kofi Adda, Minister for Aviation stated this in an interview or press release. So, it should be disregarded, the circular read. For now, Ghanas borders will remain closed to human traffic despite governments resolve to repatriate some stranded Ghanaians citizens from abroad in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic. Foreign Affairs Minister, Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, earlier on June 16, 2020, at the Ministers press briefing, disclosed that some 856 Ghanaians citizens who had been stranded abroad due to the pandemic have since returned. Citizens returning from abroad and foreign nationals with Ghanaian residence permits will be subject to a 14-day mandatory quarantine period, should they show symptoms of the virus. Background President Akufo-Addo, earlier in May this year announced an indefinite extension of the closure of the country's borders to human traffic as a result of the persistent spread of the coronavirus pandemic. At the present, only domestic flight operations are ongoing at the Kotoka International Airport (KIA) as announced by the Aviation Ministry on May 1, 2020, following the adoption of safety measures amongst other protocols developed to guide operators of domestic flights to contain the spread of coronavirus on-board flights. Read the Aviation Ministrys circular below: The Ghaziabad police on Wednesday said they have arrested the last remaining accused in the journalist Vikram Joshi murder case. Joshi, 35, was shot in the head by goons near his home at Mata Colony in Vijay Nagar on the night of July 20 while he was on a two-wheeler with his two daughters. He had succumbed to the injuries on July 22 while undergoing treatment at a private hospital, Senior Superintendent of Police, Ghaziabad, Kalanidhi Naithani said. "Nine of the accused were arrested immediately after the incident. One accused, Akash Bihari, was absconding and searches were carried out for him. A reward of Rs 25,000 was also announced on his arrest. Akash has also been arrested early on Wednesday," Naithani said. "All accused in the case have been arrested now," he said. The family of Joshi had alleged that the local police took no action on complaints made earlier against the goons, who allegedly harassed his niece. Joshi had confronted the accused on July 16, after which a fight broke out between the two sides and one of the accused had got injured. The Ghaziabad Police had suspended the police station incharge of the area where Joshi was shot. The probe in the case was transferred from the local Vijay Nagar police station to the Kotwali Nagar police station. Lebanese rescue workers dug through the mangled wreckage of buildings on Wednesday looking for survivors after a massive warehouse explosion sent a devastating blast wave across Beirut, killing at least 100 people and injuring nearly 4,000. Officials said the toll was expected to rise after Tuesdays blast at port warehouses that stored highly explosive material. The blast was the most powerful ever to rip through Beirut, a city still scarred by civil war three decades ago and reeling from an economic meltdown and a surge in coronavirus infections. It sent a mushroom ... CDEs Illinois Capacitor brand DGH Series of supercapacitors has been its most popular to date, with a winning combination of low ESR and low cost. 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Custom modules, with active or passive balancing, are also available, to meet higher voltage or capacitance requirements. http://www.cde.com Landing page: https://cde.com/new-product/dgh Data Sheet: https://cde.com/resources/catalogs/DGH-series.pdf Donald Trump has been roundly criticised for his remarks suggesting that an "attack" or "bomb" caused deadly explosions in Beirut. The president said the explosions which killed more than 70 people and injured thousands of others "looked like an attack" despite no immediate evidence suggesting the blasts were intentional. Lebanese officials have not publicly determined the cause of Tuesday's explosions but have pointed to a warehouse that was improperly storing thousands of tonnes of unsecured ammonium nitrate for several years. "I met with some of our great generals and they just seem to feel that it was [an attack]," the president said. "This was not some kind of a manufacturing explosion type of event. This was a seems to be, according to them, they would know better than I would but they seem to think it was an attack. It was a bomb of some kind, yes." US Department of Defence officials said there was no immediate indication that the explosions were the result of an attack, according to CNN. The Pentagon has also referred requests for comment to the White House. Brett McGurk, a former national security official in the Trump administration as well as under former presidents Barack Obama and George W Bush, said the president's remarks were "wildly irresponsible". "It's wildly irresponsible for a president to stand at the [White House] podium and spitball about an international incident like this as hundreds of casualties are still missing or being treated," he said on Twitter. He added that the Defence Department "should clean this up tonight". Walter Shaub, a former director of the US Office of Government Ethics, added that the US should "avoid speculation and wait until we have information from a reliable source". "The President of the United States of America is not a reliable source." Lebanese General Security chief Abbas Ibrahim said the explosions were likely set off by material that had been seized several years ago, according to the Associated Press. Former Vice President Joe Biden puts on a mask after a campaign event on July 28, 2020. Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP via Getty Images Former Vice President Joe Biden will no longer be traveling to Milwaukee to formally accept his Democratic presidential nomination. The Democratic National Convention Committee announced on Wednesday that all speakers will not travel to the city this month, citing coronavirus concerns. After the pandemic shifted the in-person convention online, Biden had still planned to go to the city for his virtual speech. Biden will now give his speech from Wilmington, Delaware, where he lives. Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories. Former Vice President Joe Biden will no longer travel to Milwaukee this month to formally accept his Democratic presidential nomination. The Democratic National Convention Committee announced on Wednesday that Biden will instead be giving his virtual acceptance speech from Wilmington, Delaware, where he lives. "After ongoing consultation with public health officials and experts who underscored the worsening coronavirus pandemic the Democratic National Convention Committee announced today speakers for the 2020 Democratic National Convention will no longer travel to Milwaukee, Wisconsin," a DNCC statement read, "to prevent risking the health of our host community as well as the convention's production teams, security officials, community partners, media and others necessary to orchestrate the event." The latest change to the 3-day event scheduled for Aug. 17-20 comes after several alterations have been made as a result of the public health crisis. The convention was originally supposed to be held in July and at a bigger site, but was postponed and downsized due to the pandemic. Though the ceremony is being conducted virtually, Biden had still planned to appear in Milwaukee to deliver his acceptance speech. "From the very beginning of this pandemic, we put the health and safety of the American people first," DNC Chair Tom Perez said in a statement. "We followed the science, listened to doctors and public health experts, and we continued making adjustments to our plans in order to protect lives. That's the kind of steady and responsible leadership America deserves. And that's the leadership Joe Biden will bring to the White House." Story continues The Biden campaign did not immediately return a request for comment Wednesday. Biden has continued to host in-person, socially distanced campaign events in his home state of Delaware, wearing a mask when speaking to small crowds. He also has appeared on cable news segments and participated in virtual interviews from his home during the pandemic. Read the original article on Business Insider A signage encouraging citizens to report any form of corruption in Kigali. An Electronic Auctioning System will officially be launched on Wednesday, August 5, as courts move to reduce corruption in the auctioning process of loan defaulters' property. The system is aimed at reducing the human element in the auctioning process thereby tackling corruption and undervaluation of auctioned properties. The Registrar General Richard Kayibanda told The New Times in an interview on Tuesday that with the electronic collateral auctioning system (https://cyamunara.gov.rw/auction/), any interested bidder will be able to bid from wherever they are, whether in Rwanda or abroad, as the bidding will be done online. He said that the use of the digital collateral auctioning system will make the process more transparent and make the bidding environment friendlier contrary to some past instances where some 'brokers' would physically harass genuine bidders due to human interaction. "It will be easier, faster and more transparent. The client can place their bid at any time and will be able to see the bidding results at the opening time, which will be communicated through email," he explained. Kayibanda added that interested bidders will be able to visually assess the asset before bidding as the system will contain, in addition to the normal asset details in the auction public advert, the pictures of the assets to be auctioned. "Those interested in visiting the asset physically will be given that opportunity as well," he said. How it will work A resident in Rwanda or abroad, who intends to bid for the property with reference price equal to or more than Rwf5 million pays refundable bid security of five per cent (5%) of the reference price of the property. Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Rwanda ICT Corruption By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later. Article 5 of the Ministerial Order stipulates that interested bidders enter offer prices through the electronic system where they are kept confidentially. Six hours before the auction hour, the prices are disclosed, again through the electronic system and also submitted by email to both the bailiff and each bidder. According to the Head of the Access to Justice Services in the Ministry of Justice, Martine Urujeni, this fee will help weed out 'mafia rings' formed by some brokers to distort prices and value. "This fee is deposited onto the bank account specified by the Ministry of Justice and is refunded if the bidder is not awarded the property in question within three working days," she explained. Urujeni added that should the successful bidder pay the price within the time limits specified by law, he or she deducts the bid security from the price to be paid. Washington In an abrupt reversal, President Donald Trump now is encouraging voters in the critical swing state of Florida to vote by mail after months of criticizing the practice, and only days after threatening to sue Nevada over a new vote-by-mail law. His encouragement follows a surge in Democratic requests to vote for mail in Florida. Democrats currently have about 1.9 million Floridians signed up to vote by mail this November, almost 600,000 more than the Republicans 1.3 million, according to the Florida Secretary of State. In 2016, both sides had about 1.3 million signed up before the general election. Whether you call it Vote by Mail or Absentee Voting, in Florida the election system is Safe and Secure, Tried and True. Floridas Voting system has been cleaned up (we defeated Democrats attempts at change), so in Florida I encourage all to request a Ballot & Vote by Mail!, Trump tweeted Tuesday. White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany rejected the notion that the president has changed his views. She said he supports absentee voting by mail for a reason, as opposed to states mailing out ballots to all voters regardless of whether they requested them. Most election officials say there is little effective difference between absentee voting and voting by mail. More voters during this year's primary elections opted to vote by mail, and several states relaxed restrictions for voting absentee through the mail. Trump himself voted by mail in the Florida primary earlier this year. Five states have relied on mail-in ballots since even before the coronavirus pandemic raised concerns about voting in person, but there is no evidence to support Trump's assertion that voting by mail leads to widespread fraud. Trump has gone so far as to suggest by tweet that the November election should be delayed until people can properly, securely and safely vote. States that use mail-in votes exclusively say they have necessary safeguards in place to ensure that a hostile foreign actor doesnt disrupt the vote. Election security experts say voter fraud is rare in all forms of balloting, including by mail. With Floridas large retirement population, voting by mail is expected to become a more popular option this November. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., was asked Saturday if he had concerns about the option. No, Im not concerned about mail-in voting in Florida, he said tersely. Florida GOP officials welcomed Trump's tweet. Thank you for the clarification Mr President! This is very helpful, said Joe Gruters, the chair of Floridas Republican Party. Florida will deliver you the 29 electoral votes! Nevada lawmakers have recently passed a bill that would add the state to a growing list of U.S. states mailing active voters ballots ahead of the November election. The bill, which was passed Sunday, was signed into law Monday by Gov. Steve Sisolak, a Democrat. Nevada joins seven states that plan on automatically sending voters mail ballots, including California and Vermont, which moved earlier this summer to adopt automatic mail ballot policies. Trump called the bills passage an illegal late night coup in a tweet Monday morning. He accused Sisolak of exploiting Covid-19 to ensure votes in Nevada would favor Democrats. MORE ON CORONAVIRUS: Coronavirus update: Hospitalized patients down to 17 in Onondaga County, fewest since March Join us live Wednesday on Facebook for a Paycheck Protection Program update and Q&A No masks, no social distancing? Wedding vendors share coronavirus concerns TDT | Manama Northern Governor Ali bin Al Shaikh Abdulhussain Al Asfour has praised the efforts made by Team Bahrain, led by His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Prime Minister, in committing to combat the coronavirus (COVID-19) and mitigate its spread. This came during his follow-up of the governorates sanitisation campaign, carried out in solidarity with national efforts to address the pandemic. Deputy Northern Governor Brigadier Khaled bin Rabia Sinan Al Dossary was on hand along with other officials from the General Directorate of Civil Defence and the Northern Governorate Police Directorate. The operations were conducted along a number of commercial complexes across the governorate. The Northern Governor praised the efforts of the volunteers who participated in the campaign, and expressed his appreciation for their service to the Kingdom and its people. The Northern Governor also stressed the importance of such activities to continue the fight against the pandemic, in accordance with precautionary and preventive measures issued by authorities. Testimony revealed that Board of Election officials hadnt printed enough ballots to send out to voters and had placed a massive printing order on June 21 for a June 23 election. That meant more than 34,000 ballots were dropped off at the USPS in Brooklyn on June 22 to be sent out to voters, who would have to then receive them, fill them out, and make sure they were postmarked by June 23 for them to be considered valid. The two masterminds with a shared mission of improving lives touch on topics including the biology of aging hair and the prospect of biohacking grey hair by altering follicles that Bauman equates to the methodology of a liquid tan. Dr. Bauman, a self-proclaimed "hair junkie" reveals the treatments he has employed to maintain his enviable head of lustrous locks and sheds light on a plethora of advanced personalized treatments for hair restoration and the use of specific state-of-the-art quantification tools developed for optimal results. During the podcast, Bauman emphasizes the importance of the presence of the hair follicle for any treatment to work and when that follicle is dead and gone how the role of the hair transplant comes into play. This leads to the evolution of transplants from the pluggy and obvious work of yesteryear to today's minimally-invasive no-linear-scar approach which is both natural-looking and sans the dreaded painful and once thought of lengthy recovery that was oftentimes a deterrent in undergoing the procedure. Bauman highlights the artistry involved in developing a natural hairline that transitions into the goal of Asprey's transplant to address his balding crown and receding hairline. Bauman explains that while every procedure is unique the motive is always to design and recreate a youthful hairline and coverage that achieves the most natural-looking results. The podcast was recorded prior to the pandemic and immediately prior to Dave's 4,087 graft FUE hair transplant procedure which also included PRP Platelet Rich Plasma with Extracellular Matrix and follow-on hair regrowth treatments like Dr. Bauman's FDA-cleared TURBO LaserCap. Now months later Dave's keen social media followers are already noticing "something different" about his hair. "It was an honor to be interviewed on Bulletproof Radio," exclaimed Dr. Bauman from his headquarters aptly dubbed 'The Hair Hospital,' in Boca Raton, FL. "And even more so to restore and upgrade Dave's hair to its youthful vigor. It's only fitting for a public figure whose aim is to age backwards and journey to 180 to have a permanently full head of hair that embodies his quest for essential eternal longevity and exceptional health inside and out." About Alan J. Bauman, MD, ABHRS Alan J. Bauman, MD, ABHRS is a full-time board-certified Hair Restoration Physician who has treated over 30,000 patients and performed over 9,000 hair transplant procedures since starting his medical hair loss practice Bauman Medical in 1997 in Boca Raton, FL. Dr. Bauman received his M.D. degree from New York Medical College and surgical residency training at Mt. Sinai Medical Center and Beth Israel Medical Center in New York City. Dr. Bauman is one of only approximately 200 physicians worldwide to achieve certification from the esteemed American Board of Hair Restoration Surgery (ABHRS), become an accepted member of the International Alliance of Hair Restoration Surgeons (IAHRS), and also be recommended by the American Hair Loss Association. Dr. Bauman has achieved the coveted Fellow status within the International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery (ISHRS), is a frequently invited faculty member at numerous international scientific meetings and live surgery workshops, and has published numerous articles and textbook chapters in the field of hair restoration and hair transplantation. Dr. Bauman has consistently been shortlisted for numerous Top Hair Transplant Surgeon recognitions and awards worldwide. He has been named "#1 Top Hair Restoration Surgeon" in North America by Aesthetic Everything for four years running and recently named by Forbes as one of "Ten CEOs Transforming Healthcare in America." As a respected global expert specialist in hair loss and hair restoration and a pioneer of many techniques, technologies and devices in the field, he has appeared in hundreds of feature stories and live interviews in the mass media and the world's most popular health podcasts. In addition to lecturing and consulting worldwide Dr. Bauman sees patients virtually and personally and operates in his nearly 12,000 square foot stand-alone facility in downtown Boca Raton, FL. Listen to and watch this podcast with Dr. Alan Bauman's pioneering approach to hair loss and hair restoration at https://www.baumanmedical.com/bulletproofhair Listen to this Bulletproof Radio podcast at https://blog.daveasprey.com/dr-bauman-727/ CONTACT Danna Can 305-776-7715 [email protected] SOURCE Bauman Medical Related Links https://baumanmedical.com/ Katie Price has arrived home to the UK following her disastrous holiday in Turkey which saw her break both feet and ankles. The mother of five was pushed in a wheelchair out of the airport by airport staff, accompanied by her children Junior, 15, and Princess, 13. With both legs in casts, she relied on boyfriend Carl Woods to lift her into their waiting car, with a new report revealing the smitten couple are making plans to move in together after just one month of dating. Home: Katie Price has arrived home to the UK following her disastrous holiday in Turkey which saw her break both feet and ankles Katie dressed in rose-print shorts and a black hoodie as she was pushed through the terminal by an airport employee. She carried a Moschino bag on her lap and was wearing her face mask, looking in good spirits despite her ordeal. Holding hands with her new beau Carl, Katie's heavily bandaged legs could be seen as she was pushed in the airport wheelchair. Carl provided plenty of support for Katie, gently lifting her off a cart which had driven them from their gate and into the chair. Help: With both legs in casts, she relied on boyfriend Carl Woods to lift her into her wheelchair as it's revealed the smitten couple are planning to move in together in Essex Her hero: Katie wrapped her bandaged legs around Carl's waist as he gently got her into the airport wheelchair Once outside, Princess, 13, and Junior, 15, kept close behind their mum, waiting patiently as Carl lifted her out of the wheelchair and carefully carried her to the car. Katie was rushed to A&E in Turkey last week for emergency surgery after doctors realised the extent of her horrific injuries. The TV personality had to spend a night in hospital after fracturing both ankles after she jumped off a wall at the holiday theme park, Land Of Legends. Special assistance: The couple were driven from their gate to the terminal via a cart The journey to recovery will be a long road for Katie as she won't be able to walk for three to six months. According to doctors, she will need pins in her feet which will undoubtedly be another agonising experience. Katie thought she might have to cut her holiday short to head home with her Love Island beau, Carl. However, she decided to endure the pain and ride it out in Turkey for the sake of her children so that they could enjoy the rest of their holiday. Helping hands: An airport employee took charge of the wheelchair as the family left the terminal Carl has been by Katie's side throughout the ordeal, and as they arrived back home on Wednesday it's been revealed the smitten pair are planning to move in together. A source told The Sun: 'She was talking about moving in with Carl before the holiday to Turkey, and being together 24/7 has only encouraged her to officially move in together. 'They're house-hunting together in Essex this week and can't wait to live together. They're extremely loved up and her kids have given him the thumbs up. She's over the moon.' Support: Carl was on hand again to lift Katie into their waiting car as staff watched on Family: The mother of five was pushed in a wheelchair out of the airport, accompanied by her children Junior and Princess Love: Katie's Love Island beau Carl led the way as staff helped the family get to their car. He is acting as Katie's carer with the couple planning to hunt for a new house in Essex that is wheelchair accessible A representative for Katie confirmed the plans, explaining: 'As Katie is temporarily wheelchair-bound, something no one could have foreseen, she has voiced the possibility of looking for a property that would work better for her wheelchair access and mobility scooter. 'Carl as Katie's carer would be living with her. There is a lot to consider: Katie's rehabilitation, the children, school, respective family, work commitments. 'Essex would be a probable location - Katie however remains in her current rented property in Surrey.' Relying on others: Katie waited patiently as the team worked out how to get her into the car Her man: The star put her trust in Carl as he prepared to lift her out of the wheelchair Earlier this week Katie slammed trolls who accused her of faking her injury - as her daughter Princess claimed her mother won't walk properly for a year. Taking to an Instagram video, the mother and daughter addressed those who have accused them of lying - after one troll claimed Katie was in fact abroad having bunion surgery. 'By the way, someone said on my Instagram, "Oh she has had bunions done on both feet!" 'Well, when I have the X-rays and show you, I haven't had bunions, I have never had bunions in my life!' Katie insisted. Princess then chimed in, saying: 'She'll be in a wheelchair for three to six months - but she won't walk for a year!' Got her: Her rose-print shorts were on show as she wrapped her legs around Carl's waist She then asked her mother what bunions were. Attempting to explain the condition - which sees a painful bump appear where the toe and foot connect - Katie seemed unsure herself, saying: 'Like, you know, the side where you get like... that is one thing perfect about me, my feet! But obviously they are not perfect now! 'At least I am learning to use the wheelchair better now!' Katie and the family travelled to Turkey for a relaxing getaway last week but things quickly turned to disaster when the mother-of-five broke both her ankles. Long recovery: Katie was rushed to A&E in Turkey last week for emergency surgery after doctors realised the extent of her horrific injuries. It's thought she may not walk for months Ouch: The TV personality had to spend a night in hospital after fracturing both ankles after she jumped off a wall at the holiday theme park, Land Of Legend The reality star shared a clip of her trip to hospital on Monday as she writhed in agony and she cried out 'it f***ing hurts' and 'someone help me' as medics tended to her injured feet. Katie posted a video online from her stint in hospital as she got her feet bandaged up by medical staff and she cried out from the horrendous pain. As the doctor attempted to reposition her broken leg, the former glamour model yelled out 'help, ouch, It's hurting me,' and pleaded with staff to operate on her. Agony: Katie posted a video on Monday of her experience at the hospital in Turkey as she fractured both ankles by jumping off a wall at a theme park on her holiday Radford City Council on Tuesday banned gatherings of more than 50 people through August in anticipation of a spike of COVID-19 cases as Radford University students return to campus. The emergency ordinance that council members adopted at a special meeting comes as thousands of students are moving into the city, which has seen COVID-19 cases increase from 11 to 34 in the last 30 days. Students began moving in Saturday, and classes begin Aug. 12. I know this weekend, weve already had problems with gatherings, Councilwoman Jessie Foster said. Especially with students moving in this is imperative. The temporary measure adopted late Tuesday was watered down from a more aggressive ordinance that would have allowed police to penalize restaurants and other businesses for hosting large groups of people. Another provision would have imposed a 10 p.m. curfew on alcohol sales, a mandate that Gov. Ralph Northam has imposed on Hampton Roads businesses amid a spike in COVID-19 cases there. The council also tabled an ordinance that would have required people to wear face masks in public. Council members are expected to bring the issue up again on Monday. Under Virginias Phase Three reopening guidelines, gatherings are limited to 250 people. Radfords limitations on gatherings wont apply to religious ceremonies, weddings, funerals, day cares, sporting events or large-scale employers. Mayor David Horton characterized the ban as another tool law enforcement can use to break up a party if noise or alcohol violations arent involved. People who host a gathering of more than 50 people could face a civil fine of $300, and $150 for attendees, if they ignore officers warnings. Michael Bedsaul, the citys attorney, told the council he had spoken with the citys police chief, and that the chief saw no reason why law enforcement couldnt impose civil penalties. He did express concern about the police department having the resources to enforce it, which is a different issue, Bedsaul said of the ordinance, though it had originally encompassed restaurants, bars and other businesses. Councilman Forrest Hite led the charge against including the provision on businesses, saying that he would not vote for an ordinance that would include that. Its very difficult for me to add additional strain to our businesses, Hite said, expressing discomfort at involving law enforcement with certain types of violations that are handled by the health department. Many of our local restaurants are in survival mode. Council members agreed that instead they would work with local businesses to educate them on guidelines, and to resolve any issues within 48 hours. While the size limits apply to a variety of gatherings, the ordinance specifically cites the anticipated increase in population from RU students. And council members expressed concern that college parties could hasten the spread of COVID-19. There will be more gatherings on our college campus and our college housing, Foster said. If you doubt me, ride out with our officers and see where most of their time is spent. The ordinance will go into effect midnight Thursday through Aug. 31. Staff writer Sam Wall contributed information to this report. 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. Allentown, PA (18103) Today Partly sunny, brisk, and chilly. Winds should ease up later in the day.. Tonight Partly to mostly cloudy and cold. By Laman Ismayilova The United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) is inviting you to join a global photo contest on flora and fauna during coronavirus pandemic. To take part in the contest, please submit up to 3 of your best photographs and provide the information using the form below by September 15, 2020. By taking part in this contest, your photographs will gain a chance to appear in a web-based gallery and to be promoted by the United Nations. The best 13 photographs will be used to illustrate a 2021 calendar of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe which will be widely distributed among delegates worldwide. Moreover, a photography exhibition will be organized in the Palais des Nations in Geneva this autumn to celebrate and promote the start of the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration. For more details, please visit Nature Unlocked. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz Iraq president welcomes PM Kadhimi's call for early elections Iran Press TV Tuesday, 04 August 2020 1:31 PM President Barham Salih welcomes a call by Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi for Iraq to hold early elections next year as a means of meeting a key demand of the protesters seeking economic reforms. Kadhimi proposed on Friday that the general elections be pushed forward by almost a year and held on June 6, 2021. Salih praised the decision, calling "free and fair" early elections one of the necessary requirements of political reform and a national right. The country held its last such elections in 2018 that featured no more than a 44.5-percent voter turnout, the lowest since the 2003 ouster of former dictator Saddam Hussein. The polls were followed by sometimes thousands-strong rallies across the country, with protesters decrying various shortcomings, including reported corrupt practices at high political levels and economic hardships. The protests were intervened by instances of deadly violence blamed on suspicious elements trying to take advantage of the existing social and political turmoil. Former prime minister Adel Abdul-Mahdi was forced to step down amid the rallies last November. His resignation was followed by two unsuccessful attempts at appointing a premier, who would secure the long-term mandate of the political elite, until Kadhimi was appointed in May. The United Nations also praised the premier's announcement, saying it would promote "greater stability and democracy." Salih added that Iraq could not keep withstanding the political crisis that it has for the past several years. "Resolution of the crisis entails a courageous national decision" that materializes in the form of holding the elections, he added. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Business Secretary Alok Sharma has visited a farm in North Wales to gain insight into British farming's net zero emissions ambition. The visit was hosted by farmer Llyr Jones, whose 1,600-acre sheep, beef and egg farm near Corwen produces renewable energy to satisfy its energy needs, exporting the surplus power to the grid. As part of his visit to Derwydd Farm, the Secretary of State for Business was also able to learn about the scale of work carried out on the farm as part of the Glastir agri-environment scheme. This has helped Mr Jones create habitats for wildlife, tree planting, and protecting some 30 acres of peatland. During his visit on Tuesday (4 August), Mr Sharma planted an apple tree as an example of the environmental work the agricultural sector carries out to sequester carbon. The event also saw NFU Cymru launch a new document which sets out that farmers are part of the solution to climate change. NFU Cymru President John Davies presented the report to the Secretary of State, who also holds the role of nominated President for COP26, as part of the on farm meeting. Mr Davies said: "Llyrs farm is just one of a wide network of farms across Wales who are harnessing innovation to reduce emissions and produce climate friendly food. "These businesses are net zero leaders not just in the respect of farming, but in a wider business context. Mr Sharma welcomed the industry's commitment to reach net zero by 2040: I was pleased to visit Jones farm and see first hand the actions being taken to mitigate climate change and support nature." Llyr Jones added that his aim was to 'positively influence' the carbon impact of his farming business. "I hope Mr Sharma enjoyed his visit to my hill farm and that what he has seen shows him that our industry has a vital role to play in the climate change challenge now and in the future." Dominic Raab has pledged 5million of international aid to help Lebanon in the aftermath of Beirut's devastating explosion which has killed at least 135. The Foreign Secretary spoke to Lebanon's prime minister Hassan Diab today to set out what support the UK could offer the country which has been plunged into a state of emergency. Britain's aid package will also include expert assistance and the potential for a Royal Navy survey ship to help assess the damage caused to the port. Mr Raab said the Lebanese prime minister told him there would be a 'full, thorough and rigorous investigation to get to the truth I think the people of the Lebanon deserve no less and that there will be full accountability'. The Government has said all embassy staff based in Beirut are accounted for, but some have suffered 'non-life-threatening injuries'. Lebanon has begun the daunting task of trying to clean up its capital Beirut after a devastating explosion tore apart the city's port (pictured) and caused damage across the city after several tons of explosive chemicals ignited Mr Raab said the details of Britons caught up in the Beirut blast were still being established. 'We are not sure on the precise figures in relation to UK nationals there, we will obviously want to bottom out that in the days ahead,' the Foreign Secretary said. 'Obviously we have a consular team there which are monitoring that very carefully.' Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said the UK must offer Lebanon 'full support' to deal with the crisis, with the Government yet to set out its response. The British Red Cross has launched an emergency appeal for Britons to support the relief effort. French Civil Security personnel are seen boarding an Airbus A330 as France is sending search and rescue experts aboard three military planes loaded with a mobile clinic and tonnes of medical equipment to Beirut Poland is sending a group of search and rescue firefighters, chemical rescuers and searching dogs to Beirut The UAE are among several countries sending planeloads of humanitarian aid to Lebanon Dominic Raab has pledged 5million of international aid to help Lebanon in the aftermath of Beirut's devastating explosion which has killed at least 135 More than a dozen countries have made offers of humanitarian aid and assistance following an appeal by Prime Minister Hassan Diab in a short televised speech Mr Diab called on friends of Lebanon to extend help to the small nation, saying: 'We are witnessing a real catastrophe.' France, Russia and Greece announced plans to send planeloads of medical aid to Lebanon, where Jordan and Egypt have set up field hospitals to help prevent hospitals being overcome with the number of injured turning up. Palestinians in the Gaza Strip are participating in a blood donation drive in partnership with the Red Cross to help wounded victims. A helicopter flies above the port which has been destroyed by the explosion yesterday that has left thousands of people destitute A warehouse fire sparked by a welder set light to 2,750 tons of ammonium nitrate that was being stored at the city's port, causing an explosion with force roughly equal to a fifth of the atomic bomb which levelled Hiroshima Lebanese officials have called Beirut 'disaster city' and 135 have been declared dead, 5,000 wounded and dozens missing. The Lebanese government has put an unspecified number of Beirut port officials under house arrest pending an investigation into how 2,750 tonnes of explosive ammonium nitrate came to be stored at the port for years. Mr Aoun said the blast stemmed from the ammonium nitrate being stored unsafely in a warehouse, amid suggestions the material was confiscated from a ship in 2013. As many as 300,000 people may have been left homeless, Beirut's governor Marwan Aboud said, with many buildings reduced to an uninhabitable mess of rubble and glass. Senior Conservative MP Tom Tugendhat said the Royal Navy should be sent to help reopen the port to get food, fuel and medical supplies in. 'Beirut has been a haven of tranquillity in a very troubled region for many hundreds of years,' the chairman of the Commons Foreign Affairs Committee said. 'To find it now in such a rocky road is extremely worrying for all of us.' The Queen's message to Mr Aoun said: 'Prince Philip and I were deeply saddened by news of the explosion at the port in Beirut yesterday. 'Our thoughts and prayers are with the families and friends of those who have been injured or lost their lives, and all those whose homes and livelihoods have been affected.' Destruction laid bare: Aerial photos show the gutted frames of the warehouses in Beirut's port following the massive explosion yesterday French President Emmanuel Macron is to fly to Beirut, while his nation has dispatched two planeloads of rescue workers and aid. Turkey is also sending rescue teams and emergency medical personnel. There are concerns of food shortages and unrest in the city, with the blast compounding anger stemming from a severe economic crisis and the coronavirus pandemic. Former Middle East minister Alistair Burt said he expects the tragedy to lead to 'some degree of political shake-up' in Lebanon. He told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: 'Whether or not something like this does bring the political processes in Lebanon together to appreciate they can't go on as they are, that will be another thing, but at the moment I think we should focus on the disaster consequences, be as supportive as possible in relation to that.' IRGC chief: Iran to avenge Gen. Soleimani's blood, continue his path Iran Press TV Tuesday, 04 August 2020 4:15 PM The chief commander of Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) has renewed the pledge to avenge the blood of top anti-terror commander Lieutenant General Qassem Soleimani and continue his path until the liberation of all Muslim territories from enemies. Speaking on the sidelines of an exhibition in Tehran on Tuesday, Major General Hossein Salami said enemies wrongly believe that the martyrdom of great men would grind the Islamic Revolution to a halt, but the historical realities of the past four decades have shown otherwise. He said martyrdom is in fact the driving force behind the resistance and defense agenda of Iran and other Muslim nations. The rule is the same in the case of the martyrdom of General Soleimani, the "great" and "unforgettable" commander, who belonged to the entire Muslim world, Salami added. The IRGC chief said not only will Iran take revenge for the US assassination in January of General Soleimani, but it will also "continue the sacred path of General Soleimani until the end, which is the liberation of al-Quds, the elimination of enemies of Islam and their expulsion from Muslim lands." Avenging his blood has "turned into an ideal. We will be pursuing our ideals," he emphasized. The US military assassinated General Soleimani, the commander of the IRGC's Quds Force, along with Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, deputy head of Iraq's Hashd al-Sha'abi, and their companions by targeting their vehicles outside Baghdad International Airport on January 3. The act of terror was carried out under the direction of US President Donald Trump, while General Soleimani was on an official visit to neighboring Iraq. The IRGC chief was echoing Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, who said last month that Iran will never forget Washington's crime and will definitely serve it with a "counterblow." Shortly after the assassination, Ayatollah Khamenei vowed "harsh revenge" against the Americans, with the IRGC launching missile raids on two US bases on Iraqi soil in a "first slap." Enemies sought to institutionalize instability in region: Defense chief Iran's Defense Minister Brigadier General Amir Hatami also said on Tuesday that the enemies had hatched a "big plot" for the West Asia and were bent on institutionalizing insecurity in the region for the decades to come. Led by General Soleimani, the resistance fighters, however, stood up against the conspiracy and thwarted the scheme thanks to the sacrifices of the fighters and martyrs, he added. He noted that the resistance fighters have managed to resist against all those who "brought their money of weapons and crimes" to the region to create insecurity under General Soleimani's "courageous" command and with full support of Iran's Armed Forces. The defense chief said Iran is prepared to provide the Armed Forces with the necessary military hardware wherever the need arises so they will be able to safeguard the nation and work to "uproot oppression and crimes in the region and the world." Terrorists, their supporters sought to endanger Iran security: Military chief Chairman of the Chiefs of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces Major General Mohammad Baqeri said terrorists and their supporters attempted in vain to pose major threats to Iran's security by gaining dominance over Iraq and Syria. However, he added, the battles that led to the enemy's defeat enabled the Iranian nation to tread the path of progress in peace. He noted that enemies have created terrorist groups to endanger freedom and security of the regional countries, especially Iraq and Syria. Had it not been for the advisory presence of General Soleimani, his companions and other commanders, these countries would have been definitely fallen to terrorists such as Daesh. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address The Coalition for the Homeless estimates nearly 80,000 people are experiencing homelessness in Chicago, including people who have lost their homes and are living with someone else, and it expects the number to increase during COVID-19. The city, which uses a less-expansive definition of who is homeless, says the 2019 count of people who are homeless, living on the streets or in shelters, showed about 5,200 people who are homeless. The last time a temple existed in Ayodhya, Krishnadevaraya was emperor in the South ruling over the Vijayanagara empire, Nuno da Cunha was governor of Portuguese India, Spanish conquistadors were setting foot in Texas, and Suleiman the Magnificent was inaugurating the era of Ottoman supremacy in West Asia. With the bhoomi pujan on August 5, the long saga of struggle of a people has come to an end. This day falls on the first anniversary of the full constitutional integration of Jammu and Kashmir to India, making it a symbolic date in post-colonial India. This is the twilight of the first Republic. The first Republic was founded on the myth of a secular-socialist India supposedly born out of the anti-colonial struggle. However, the Indian freedom movement was always a Hindu movement. From its origin, symbolism, language, and support base, it was the continuation of a Hindu resurgence already underway, but which was disrupted by the British conquest. The coming together of various pagan traditions in the Indian subcontinent under the umbrella of Hinduism is a long-drawn-out process. But it began to consolidate as a unified political entity in the colonial era in the form of Hindutva. The Hindutva concept is driven by an attempt by the older pagan traditions, united by a dharmic framework and intertwined by puranas, myths and folklore, to navigate the modern political and intellectual landscape dominated by nations and nation-states. Hindutva is not Hinduism. Hindutva is a Hindu political response to political Islam and Western imperialism. It seeks to forge Hindus into a modern nation and create a powerful industrial State that can put an end to centuries of persecution that accelerated sharply over the past 100 years when the Hindu-Sikh presence was expunged in large swaths of the Indian subcontinent. Indias freedom struggle was guided by the vision of Hindu nationalism and not by constitutional patriotism. The Congress brand of nationalism was but a subset of this broader Hindu nationalism with the Congress itself as the pre-eminent Hindu party. The Muslim question forced the Congress to adopt a more tempered language and symbolism later and to weave the myth of Hindu-Muslim unity. But it failed to prevent the Partition of India. The Congress was taken over by Left-leaning secular denialists under Jawaharlal Nehru who, instead of confronting reality, pretended it did not exist. After centuries, Hindus were the dominant power. Despite self-denial, the post-colonial State was essentially a Hindu State. The misleading secular-communal debate blinded us to the obvious; the Republic of India is a Hindu reformist State. It abolished the caste system, integrated and Sanskritised the Dalits and large sections of tribals, codified Hindu social laws, revived classical and folk art forms and replaced Urdu-Persian with Hindi and native languages, controlled Hindu temples, introduced an element of uniformity in temple laws and even harmonised rituals and continues to intervene in Hindu social and religious matters with popular legitimacy. At the same time, it has left Islam outside its ambit in the guise of minority rights and freedom of religion. The Indian state intensified the historical process of Hindu consolidation even as Nehruvian elites denied that India is a Hindu polity above all. Hindu nationalism has never been fringe; it is Nehruvian secularism that was the fringe. And with the fall of the old English-speaking elites, the system they created is also collapsing along with accompanying myths like Ganga-Jamuni tehzeeb and Hindu-Muslim unity. The fact is that Hindus and Muslims lived together, but separately. And they share a violent and cataclysmic past with each other, which has never been put to rest. Ganga-Jamuni tehzeeb was an urban-feudal construct with no serious takers outside a limited circle. In villages, whatever unity existed was because the caste identities of both Hindu and Muslims dominated instead of religious identities or because Hindu converts to Islam maintained earlier customs and old social links with Hindus like common gotra and caste. But all that evaporated quickly with the Islamic revivalist movements such as the Tabligh and pan-Islamism from 19th century onwards. It never takes much for Hindu-Muslim riots to erupt. There was nothing surprising about the anti-Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) protests and widespread riots. As political communities, Hindus and Muslims have hardly ever agreed on the big questions of the day. What we are witnessing today is twilight of the first Republic. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is but a modern vehicle of the historical process of the rise of the Hindu rashtra. In the north, Jammu and Kashmir is fully integrated. In the south, Dravidianism is melting away. In the east, Bengal is turning saffron. In the west, secular parties must ally with a local Hindutva party to survive. The political debate has decisively shifted from the pseudo- secular paradigm to the Hindu-pseudo Hindu one. The Ram mandir is reborn. The CAA is the law. The National Population Register is underway. And the National Register of Citizens will happen sooner or later. Although history is never linear, it is time to face the truth: Hindu nationalism has always been the bedrock of the Indian State and polity. However, as we witness the rise of a new republic, the question which we must ask is what its shape will be? Is becoming a Hindu State Indias destiny? There are no clear answers given the lack of precedent, barring a few instances such as the Vijayanagara empire. Even the Hindutva movement has concerned itself with the Hindu rashtra and not Hindu rajya. Abhinav Prakash Singh is an assistant professor at SRCC, Delhi University The views expressed are personal The opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) on Tuesday, August 4 published what it calls, video evidence of acts of intimidation in settler communities in the ongoing voter registration exercise. The NDC also insists the Nana Akufo-Addo government has been encouraging voter suppression through ethnocentrism. The National Communication Officer of the NDC, Sammy Gyamfi who addressed the partys weekly press briefing at the partys headquarters referenced recent pockets of violence at some registration centres and developments at Banda where residents in settler communities were allegedly prevented by the military from registering in the voter registration exercise. Indeed, we in the NDC have long known about this diabolic and nation-wrecking agenda. As part of our resistance against the compilation of a new voters register, we argued forcefully that the ECs entrenched and unjustifiable decision to compile this register at all cost was part of a grand scheme to help the NPP and President Akufo-Addo to suppress votes and disenfranchise many in NDC strongholds but Ghanaians did not believe us but called on us to produce evidence to back our claims. And so today we will be showing you evidence of some State-sponsored discrimination and unlawful prevention of thousands of Ghanaians belonging to various ethnic groups, including Ewes, Northerner and other non-Akans from registering at various registration centres across the length and breadth of the country. We hope Ghanaians will understand this time the NPPs clandestine agenda through ethnocentric agenda to rig the 2020 general election and the danger that harbours for the peace and stability of our beloved country. Mr. Gyamfi further expressed the worries of the party in what the NDC claims are happening. The NDC is deeply worried and totally aghast at what appears to be a deliberate agenda of tribal discrimination hatched by President Akufo-Addo and the New Patriotic Party to frustrate and disenfranchise Ghanaians of certain tribes from acquiring the voters ID cards that will qualify them to exercise their democratic rights to choose a president and Members of Parliament on December 7, 2020. ---citinewsroom WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A U.S. Republican congressman urged the Trump administration to review millions in coronavirus stimulus loans paid to U.S. companies with ties to China's aviation and defense industries, amid deepening tensions between Beijing and Washington. The letter by Jim Banks is addressed to Small Business Administrator Jovita Carranza and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, tasked with overseeing the Paycheck Protection Program. That program, which loans money to firms to encourage them to retain employees during the coronavirus-related shutdown, has drawn fire for technical glitches, a lack of transparency and for doling out funds to large companies with ample access to credit. Banks called for the probe, citing loans to companies whose Chinese parents, including aircraft manufacturer Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC) [SASADY.UL] and weapons maker China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation (CASIC), were recently designated as owned or controlled by the Chinese military by the U.S. Defense Department. "China's activity in ... defense and aerospace, presents a direct and present threat to America's national security. These companies' entire mission is to make America less secure," Banks wrote in the letter dated Wednesday. "A review of the ... loans to firms affiliated with the PLA is warranted." The companies include Continental Aerospace Technologies Inc, which is owned by AVIC and received $5 million to 10 million from the program. It also includes Honghua America LLC, the U.S.- based subsidiary of Chinese drill rig manufacturer Honghua Group, which is in turn owned by CASIC. Honghua received up to $1 million, according to SBA data. Continental and Honghua did not immediately respond to requests for comment and the SBA declined to comment. A Treasury Department representative confirmed receipt of the letter but declined to comment further. Banks also cites a report suggesting that over 125 Chinese companies obtained up to $419 million through the lending program. "It's unacceptable for the Chinese Communist Party to receive taxpayer funds intended to relieve American businesses from a crisis that the CCP significantly worsened," he added. (Reporting by Alexandra Alper in Washington; Additional reporting by Brad Heath in Washington; Editing by Matthew Lewis) Advertisement Protesters have stormed the Brooklyn offices of landlord attorneys to protest evictions as the New York moratorium is set to end tonight and up to 14,000 households are at risk of becoming homeless. Dozens of New Yorkers marched through the streets of Brooklyn Wednesday morning before entering two landlord attorney firms buildings and Brooklyn Borough Hall calling for a ban on evictions and cancellation of rent in the Big Apple. The demonstration comes just hours before New York's residential eviction moratorium expires, leaving thousands of tenants vulnerable to homelessness. Fears are mounting over how many residents will manage to keep a roof over their heads as dismal research released at the end of July revealed almost half of New York renters were unable to pay rent. Concerns have been exacerbated further by the reality that jobless Americans will now lose out on the $600-per-week enhanced unemployment benefits from the federal government if a new coronavirus stimulus bill is not urgently reached on Capitol Hill. A separate protest was held in Manhattan Wednesday calling for an extension to the enhanced benefits that many desperate residents need. New Yorkers were especially hard hit by the pandemic as the state - once the virus epicenter - endured a longer and stricter lockdown than others and thousands lost their jobs overnight when businesses shuttered back in March. Protesters storm inside Stern & Stern landlord attorneys building as they call for a ban on evictions and cancellation of rent in the Big Apple Demonstrators inside Brooklyn Borough Hall as they take part in a 'Shut down evictions and cancel rent' protest Wednesday Crowds march up the stairs of Brooklyn Borough Hall Wednesday where New York State Senator Brian Kavanagh is based New Yorkers carry a huge 'Cancel rent' banner as they march through the streets of New York Wednesday The crowds stormed the Brooklyn offices of landlord attorneys including Slochowsky & Slochowsky (above) Swathes of masked protesters gathered with placards reading 'shut down evictions' and 'cancel rent' in downtown Brooklyn Wednesday. Several signs called out New York Mayor Bill de Blasio and Governor Andrew Cuomo urging them to extend protections to tenants in the city. The demonstration started outside Brooklyn Eviction Court before marching through the streets and storming past security and police to enter two landlord attorney firms buildings as well as Brooklyn Borough Hall, where New York State Senator Brian Kavanagh is based. People chanted 'no landlords, no cops, all evictions gotta stop' as they gathered in the city. Inside the Stern & Stern and Slochowsky & Slochowsky real estate law firm offices, dozens of protesters were seen holding banners aloft, before they moved onto Brooklyn Borough Hall where they marched up the stairs. The group is protesting evictions and calling for rent to be canceled as the New York eviction moratorium is set to end tonight Several signs called out New York Mayor Bill de Blasio and Governor Andrew Cuomo urging them to extend protections to tenants in the city Protesters inside Slochowsky & Slochowsky real estate law firm offices. Up to 14,000 households are at risk of becoming homeless after the moratorium ends tonight Dozens of New Yorkers marched through the streets of Brooklyn Wednesday morning before entering two landlord attorney firms buildings (including Slochowsky & Slochowsky above) and Brooklyn Borough Hall One protester wears a coronavirus face mask reading 'Cancel rent' amid calls for a ban on evictions and cancellation of rent in the Big Apple The demonstration comes just hours before New York's residential eviction moratorium expires, leaving thousands of tenants vulnerable to homelessness Thousands of tenants across the Big Apple risk being turfed out into the streets as the residential eviction moratorium expires Wednesday night. Cuomo first issued a statewide executive order banning landlords from evicting tenants amid the coronavirus pandemic from March through to June. On June 30, Cuomo then extended the moratorium until August. He also introduced the Tenant Safe Harbor Act providing protection for renters who have suffered financial hardship due to the pandemic. But the residential eviction moratorium will expire Wednesday night and there has been no sign of another extension. Fears are mounting over how many residents will manage to keep a roof over their heads as dismal research released at the end of July revealed that almost half of New York renters were unable to pay rent Demonstrators hold up a Crown Heights Tenants Union banner inside the offices of Slochowsky & Slochowsky Concerns for tenants have been exacerbated further by the reality that jobless Americans will also lose out on the $600-per-week enhanced unemployment benefits from the federal government if a new coronavirus stimulus bill is not agreed on in Capitol Hill New Yorkers were especially hard hit by the pandemic as the state - once the virus epicenter - endured a longer and stricter lockdown than most others and thousands lost their jobs overnight when businesses shuttered back in March Masked protesters gathered with placards reading 'shut down evictions' and 'cancel rent' in downtown Brooklyn Wednesday One woman holds up a sign reading 'People over poverty' as calls mount for rent to be canceled in New York The demonstration started outside Brooklyn Eviction Court before marching through the streets and storming past security and police to enter two landlord attorney firms buildings as well as Brooklyn Borough Hall One protester holds aloft a sign with two eyes and the names of De Blasio and Cuomo along them, reading 'We see you doing nothing' This means that eviction orders brought against tenants before the pandemic, which were then put on hold due to the moratorium, can now be carried out. More than 14,000 households are currently facing cases like this and are at risk of homelessness, according to Legal Aid Society. The dire picture could be far worse, the legal services provider has warned, with another 200,000 New York City rentals also no longer protected by the order. This includes tenants who face eviction for non-payment related reasons and who had eviction cases brought against them before March. Protesters enter Brooklyn Borough Hall, where New York State Senator Brian Kavanagh is based during Wednesday's protest One protester leaves a note reading 'We'll be back' in the offices of real estate law firm Stern & Stern Thousands of tenants across the Big Apple risk being turfed out into the streets as the residential eviction moratorium expires Wednesday night Cuomo first issued a statewide executive order banning landlords from evicting tenants amid the coronavirus pandemic from March through to June On June 30, Cuomo extended the moratorium until August and also introduced the Tenant Safe Harbor Act providing protection for renters who have suffered financial hardship due to the pandemic But the residential eviction moratorium will expire Wednesday night and there has been no sign of another extension - meaning eviction orders brought against tenants before the pandemic, which were then put on hold due to the moratorium, can be carried out Protesters make their way past security guards in the landlord attorneys firms buildings in downtown Brooklyn More than 14,000 households are facing eviction cases from before the pandemic and are at risk of homelessness, according to the Legal Aid Society Renters unable to pay rent due to financial hardships sparked by the pandemic and who have missed payments between March 7 and the full reopening of their county are still protected from eviction under the Tenant Safe Harbor Act. However landlords can take these tenants to court to recover missed rent payments during that period. New Yorkers continue to be devastated economically by the toll of the pandemic, as several businesses shuttered for good and thousands lost their livelihoods. The dire picture could be far worse, the legal services provider has warned, with another 200,000 New York City rentals also no longer protected by the order People leave Brooklyn Borough Hall after storming inside to demand extra protections for tenants Tenants who face eviction for non-payment related reasons and who had eviction cases brought against them before March are now at risk of being made homeless Security guards grapple to stop the crowds swarming the building of Stern & Stern The figure rose even higher in the Big Apple, where 46 percent could not afford to pay rent People wearing masks to protect against the coronavirus shout through loudspeakers and hold banners aloft Protesters make their way through Brooklyn Borough Hall where a security guard tries to keep them at bay Demonstrators link arms during the rally in New York during the day on Wednesday New Yorkers are demanding protection for tenants after the city - once the virus epicenter - was ravaged by the pandemic and thousands lost jobs Stark research global advisory firm Stout Risius Ross last month found that 40 percent of American renters were unable to pay their rent. This figure rose even higher in the Big Apple, where 46 percent could not afford to pay rent. A separate demonstration also took place Wednesday calling for an extension to the $600 Pandemic Unemployment Assistance benefit. The uplift to state benefits was put in place to help people thrown out of work amid the outbreak. It ended on July 31. Protesters gathered for a 'NYC Rally for Relief: Extend and Expand PUA' in Manhattan where they marched from Times Square to the office of Senator Charles E Schumer where they performed a die in. A separate demonstration also took place Wednesday calling for an extension to the $600 Pandemic Unemployment Assistance benefit The uplift to state benefits was put in place to help people thrown out of work amid the outbreak. It ended on July 31 Welcome back to Tech Chronicle. If you want something that appreciates in intellectual value, try this fine newsletter. Microsoft wants to make a big dive into social media by buying a piece of the hot social network of the moment. I feel like Ive seen this video before, and its a short one. Im not talking about the proposed purchase of the U.S. assets of TikTok, the hot Chinese mobile app on which people OK, mostly teens share video clips of themselves dancing, lip-syncing or just goofing around. When Microsoft took its first big dive into social media, TikTok wasnt even a hit song by Ke$ha, let alone an app, because the App Store was still a year away. In October 2007, the software company made an investment in a tiny Palo Alto social network that had barely escaped college campuses. It was controversial mostly for the price: $240 million for 1.6% of the company, valuing the Mark Zuckerberg production at $15 billion. Subsequent rounds would be done at a fraction of the price Microsoft paid, as the world slumped into recession and social media hype faded into skepticism. It worked out in the end: Facebook is now worth more than $700 billion, and 1.6% of that is a cool $11 billion. Microsoft didnt clear nearly that much, because its holdings were diluted in subsequent financings, it got rid of a chunk of its stake after Facebooks 2012 initial public offering, and sold off more shares in the years that followed. Gabrielle Lurie / The Chronicle 2016 But the deal was never about financial engineering. It was about keeping Google from getting its hands on Facebooks advertising inventory and dipping Microsofts toes in the social waters. (Steve Ballmer, then Microsofts CEO, reportedly wanted to buy the whole thing, or structure a deal to buy Facebook in stages, but Zuckerberg wanted to stay independent.) The companies collaborations yielded little fruit. Social-network-powered Bing search results? Docs.com? All faded memories. The deal was invaluable for Facebook, though. Besides giving it a lofty multibillion-dollar valuation long before anyone had labeled a startup a unicorn, Microsofts stamp of approval opened doors for the company. I also understood from people involved in the negotiations that Microsoft agreed not to compete in social networking as part of the deal. Google Plus would still be years away, but not having to worry about Microsoft as a competitor was some small measure of relief for Facebook. So now, Microsoft wants to pick up some street cred with the generation that knows it mostly as the company that bought Minecraft. If the deal goes through, I cant wait to see Microsoft CEO Satya Nadellas dance moves on the short-form, video-heavy social network. But I think investors should worry about what exactly Microsoft will be buying, what it will get for its money, and how well it will manage it. And for Facebook, theres a clear message: Thanks for nothing. Owen Thomas, othomas@sfchronicle.com Quote of the week Defining hate is really difficult. Well, let me take that back. Reddit CEO Steve Huffman, explaining the sites long civil war with a popular but hate-filled subsection to Wired Air Quality Tracker Check levels down to the neighborhood Ratings for the Bay Area and California, updated every 10 minutes Coming up More earnings: Uber and Dropbox report Thursday. Prediction: less ride-hailing, more file-sharing. What Im reading Shelly Banjo and Dina Bass on Silicon Valleys failure to innovate its way to a diverse and representative workforce. (Bloomberg Businessweek) Bob Egelko on the sentencing of disgraced self-driving car engineer Anthony Levandowski. (San Francisco Chronicle) Nathaniel Popper, Kate Conger and Kellen Browning on the teenage mastermind behind a global Twitter hack. (New York Times) 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 As China-US ties grow increasingly tense, their chief negotiators will reportedly talk on August 15 to review the pact. Senior United States and Chinese officials will review the implementation of their phase one trade deal and likely air mutual grievances in an increasingly tense relationship during an August 15 videoconference, two people familiar with the plans told the Reuters news agency. US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer and Chinese Vice Premier Liu He, the principal negotiators for the two countries, will participate in the meeting, an initial six-month review of the pact activated on February 15. The meeting plans were first reported by the Wall Street Journal newspaper. The US Trade Representatives office and the US Treasury did not respond to requests by Reuters for comment. Under the phase one trade deal signed in January, China had pledged to boost purchases of US goods by about $200bn over 2017 levels, including agricultural and manufactured products, energy and services. Behind the curve But China, battered by the global coronavirus recession, is far behind the pace needed to meet its first-year goal of a $77bn increase. Imports of farm goods have been lower than the 2017 level, far behind the 50 percent increase needed to meet the 2020 target of $36.5bn. Beijing has bought only 5 percent of the energy products needed to meet the phase one first-year goal of $25.3bn. One of the people familiar with the plans said Chinese officials hoped to discuss other issues beyond the phase one trade deal implementation. Its both the normal semi-annual review and also comes at a time when the relationship continues to deteriorate. Naturally there is much to discuss, the person said. Chinas ambassador to the US, Cui Tiankai, said on Tuesday that there was always a plan for high-level consultations six months into the pact, but the two sides have remained in regular contact over the trade deal. If they do have such a meeting I guess it will be very positive, Cui told a virtual event sponsored by the Aspen Security Forum. Trump has threatened to end the trade pact over Chinas handling of the coronavirus, which originated in the city of Wuhan, and tensions have risen over US sanctions related to Chinas security crackdown on Hong Kong. The latest irritant between the worlds two largest economies is Trumps threat to ban US use of the Chinese-owned video app TikTok unless it is sold to a non-Chinese buyer. White House officials on Tuesday could not say how Trumps suggestion that the US Treasury get a significant portion of the proceeds of the sale potentially to US software giant Microsoft could be implemented. Bengaluru, Aug 5 : After the detection of coronavirus cases in the cargo section of Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) here, employees are asking for more tests as well as a temporary stop to the work. An airport official admitted to corona infections in the cargo section on Wednesday but did not give the numbers. Nearly 10 cases have been reported there so far, including of four Customs officials. Menzies Bobba and Air India SATS buildings at the airport have recorded coronavirus infections, with the employees pointing out that the virus is spreading in these two buildings. As many as 500 employees on an average work out of these two buildings daily, with quite a few staff above the age of 50 and suffering from comorbidities. Inner Mongolia villager makes himself a millionaire by raising cows and crabs The harsh natural condition of his hometown in a barren desert forced poverty-stricken Naranmandakh to emigrate in 2007.About 10 years later, the 51-year old man of Mongolian descent decided to come back, still poor. Since then, however, he has become a millionaire. Naranmandakh's success may leave many people astonished, but they might be even more astounded to see the change that has occurred to his hometown in the Kubuqi Desert in the Inner Mongolia autonomous region. People in the area no longer suffer from severe water shortages. Instead, they have even developed an industry that depends heavily on aquatic farming. For decades, Naranmandakh's family made a living from cow and goat herding. The increasingly scarce water resources near his village of Bayanundur, however, made it hard for him to continue his business. "I raised 200 goats before I moved away," he recalled. "As the ecological condition deteriorated, however, some natural wetlands we heavily depended on to get water for the animals shrank. It was increasingly difficult for us to get drinking water." Naranmandakh, along with 18 other families, moved away to an area closer to the Yellow River with the help of the local government in 2007. Though the village was suffering from a water shortage, about 31 billion cubic meters of water flow along a river across Hanggin Banner, where the village is located. Due to the frequent ice jams that block the water flow during winter, however, people near the river in the banner often endured floods, said Liu Haiquan, head of the banner's water resources bureau. But this is where the local government turned hazards into advantages that have made Naranmandakh a millionaire. In 2016, Hanggin invested over 40 million yuan ($5.6 million) to build a 38.5-kilometer channel to direct water from the Yellow River into the Kubuqi during the winter. The project has helped generate a 20-square-kilometer body of water and create a wetland of 60 square kilometers, according to the local government. While greatly reducing the risk of ice jams, "the project has promoted the restoration of the local ecological system and brought marked benefits to people living nearby," Liu said, citing Naranmandakh as an example. "Because of the water shortage, we were unable to raise many cows. Now that there is plenty of grass and water, the animals can easily find food to fill their stomachs. Cow herding has become a lot easier," Naranmandakh said, adding he plans to increase his cattle to 1,000 from the current 600. According to Elion Resources Group, which has been promoting sand control in the Kubuqi for over 30 years, the vegetation coverage rate in the desert has increased from less than 3 percent to 53 percent. It said there have been 20 species of plants growing in the wetland generated by the water diversion project, and the area now serves as a habitat for 10 species of birds. While cow raising has greatly increased the incomes of over 30 households, local people are eying more opportunities brought by the project to lead wealthier lives. Naranmandakh, for example, has tried aquatic farming and running a rural resort. He also started to raise crabs in 2018. Though many of the crabs escaped because of a sudden rise in the water level, he still profited as the price of his crabs reached over 50 yuan per kilogram when he sold them around the Mid-Autumn Festival, a time many Chinese people think is the best to eat crabs, he said. He plans to farm crayfish while expanding crab raising. "It should be no big problem for me to make over 1 million yuan a year from raising cows and crabs," he smiled. Real stories of three SMB owners pivoting their operations during these uncertain times Small Business COVID-19 Diaries: Part 5 Fifth installment of the Small Business COVID-19 Diaries highlights the uncertainty of what is to come Fifth installment of the Small Business COVID-19 Diaries highlights the uncertainty of what is to come WALTHAM, Mass., Aug. 05, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Today business.com , a trusted source of information for small to medium-sized business looking to start, run or grow their operations, released the latest installment of its popular small business COVID-19 Diaries series. Showcasing real stories from three small business owners as they navigate the turbulent times caused by the pandemic, each new segment details how these members of the business.com community cope with the evolving challenges of running a business during a global pandemic. For more COVID-19 business resources visit, www.business.com/covid-resources/ . The COVID-19 Diaries Series includes: First installment highlights how four small business owners handled the process with the U.S. Small Business Administration's (SBA)s Paycheck Protection Program and Economic Injury Disaster loan program. Second installment showcases how three of same entrepreneurs dealt with the loan process and waiting for funding, as they managed fears that they might have to pivot or close their businesses due to sharply declining revenues. Third installment delves deeper into these three business owners and how their lives and the lives of their employees were upended by the COVID-19 outbreak. Fourth Installment features the owners discussing easing pandemic restrictions in some states across the country and whether their businesses are recovering and adapting to the "new normal. Fifth Installment spotlights the three entrepreneurs, each in a very different stage of recovery, as they begin planning the strategies to move their businesses into an uncertain future. One owner even grapples with the decision to shut down his business altogether if things don't improve before 2021. Story continues The series is part of business.com s expansive COVID-19 Business Resources section, dedicated to offering tools and recommendations for how to best weather this unexpected downturn. Featuring editorial content covering the latest news, tips and resources; plus, expert advice directly from those on the front lines, business.com is empowering small businesses nationwide to take action to save their businesses and their livelihoods. For more tips, news, tools and resources or to join our community, visit www.business.com/covid-resources/ . If you are interested in discussing your own experience during the COVID-19 crisis, join our community and share your story . About business.com Business.com is a comprehensive resource for small and medium-sized businesses who want to start, run or grow their business. Backed by a community of experts, our platform is designed to connect small business owners, industry experts, and vendors through an array of services, tools, and insights. Featuring relevant content and proven strategies, business.com provides information business owners you can trust. Our company is privately held and headquartered in Waltham, Massachusetts. To learn more or to join our growing community, visit www.business.com . A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/408aa029-90cd-4c70-aa7e-c57f277a02b6 CONTACT: Media contact: Julie Crotty Attune Communications 978-877-0053 julie@attunecommunications.com Silver coin illustrating the diverse Indigenous cultures of the Northwest Territories designed by Inuvialuk artist Myrna Pokiak OTTAWA, Aug. 5, 2020 /PRNewswire/ - True to its commitment to celebrating Canada's history, cultures and values, the Royal Canadian Mint has issued a collector coin in honour of the 150th anniversary of the creation of the Northwest Territories. Designed by Inuvialuk artist Myrna Pokiak, this piece of history is also a tribute to the various Indigenous cultures that have shaped the spirit and identity of this special part of Canada. The landscape illustrated on the coin features 11 ulu traditional knives, representing the Inuvialuit people as well as each of the Territories' official languages. It also displays a Dene tipi and Metis sash flowing like a river across the coin. This 2 oz. pure silver work of art, along with several other numismatic creations, is available for order as of today. The Mint is also revealing another technological first, with a trio of double-incuse, black rhodium-plated gold and silver coins celebrating the iconic reverse design of its famed Maple Leaf bullion coin. Surrounded by the matte black finish of the rhodium plating, the sugar maple at the centre of this design shines with exceptional brilliance on a 1 oz. pure gold coin, as well as 1 oz. and 3 oz. pure silver coins. Other products available for order this month include: The 2020 $50 Fine Silver Coin - Real Shapes - The Coat of Arms; Fine Silver Coin - Real Shapes - The Coat of Arms; The 2020 $30 Fine Silver Coin - Imposing Icons Moose, designed by artist Maurade Baynton; and Fine Silver Coin - Imposing Icons Moose, designed by artist Maurade Baynton; and The 2020 $2,500 Pure Gold Coin - Summertime Polar Bear by Robert Bateman . Due to the pandemic-related modification of operations, the 150th Anniversary of the Northwest Territories and Summertime Polar Bear coins are scheduled for delivery on November 24, 2020. Mintages, pricing and full background information on each product can be found on the "Shop" tab of www.mint.ca. Coin images are available here. These products can be ordered directly from the Mint at 1-800-267-1871 in Canada, 1-800-268-6468 in the US, or on the Mint's web site. They are also available at the Mint's Winnipeg boutique. About the Royal Canadian Mint The Royal Canadian Mint is the Crown corporation responsible for the minting and distribution of Canada's circulation coins. The Mint is recognized as one of the largest and most versatile mints in the world, offering a wide range of specialized, high quality coinage products and related services on an international scale. For more information on the Mint, its products and services, visit www.mint.ca. Follow the Mint on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. SOURCE Royal Canadian Mint Related Links https://www.mint.ca/ Psychology behind mask resistance isnt new, Sismondo, Aug. 4 Christine Sismondos questioning of peoples psychology to discover what motivates them to resist following the rules is fascinating human-interest reporting. But focusing on quirks of personality overlooks a more meaningful discussion of the social responsibility a dissenting individual owes to society. Henry David Thoreau maintained convincingly that individuals should not permit governments to overrule their consciences. Those among us who dont want to follow the safety rules masking, distancing, testing and contact tracing during this deadly pandemic dont have to. But then, just like Thoreau, they must isolate themselves from society. Thoreau stopped paying taxes to protest his government waging war and withdrew from society to live alone beside Walden Pond. Those advocating civil obedience as their legal human right should exile themselves during this pandemic. A new center hosted at the University of Chicago -- co-led by the largest medical imaging professional organizations in the country -- will help tackle the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic by curating a massive database of medical images to help better understand and treat the disease. Led by Maryellen Giger, PhD, of UChicago, along with leaders from the American College of Radiology (ACR), Radiological Society of North America (RSNA), and American Association of Physicists in Medicine (AAPM), the Medical Imaging and Data Resource Center (MIDRC) will create an open source database with medical images from thousands of COVID-19 patients. Funding is from the National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering at the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The MIDRC is responding to an unmet need of the medical imaging community as doctors and scientists seek to better understand SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes coronavirus disease 2019, or COVID-19, and its effects on the human body. By collecting and integrating images and their data via a dynamic, secure networked system, the MIDRC will provide a large-scale, open, common framework to enable technological advancements, guide researchers' validation and use of AI (artificial intelligence), and translate clinical systems for the best patient management decisions. "We have not sufficiently explored imaging for its role in helping us fight COVID-19, especially in terms of developing machine intelligence tools and systems," said Giger, the A.N. Pritzker Professor of Radiology. "There currently are not enough curated data available to study. But having these top imaging organizations involved will make a difference -- almost every scientist or clinician in medical imaging belongs to at least one of these organizations." Medical images provide important windows into the detection, diagnosis and monitoring of diseases like COVID-19; for example, X-rays or CT scans of the lungs have the potential to help doctors determine the severity of the disease and decide on an optimal treatment course for a patient. But examining individual images is time consuming and difficult for physicians, and automated systems can improve accuracy and speed. For artificial intelligence (AI) to accurately analyze any given scan, many thousands of images first must be collected and annotated to train machine-learning algorithms. Funded under the NIH's special emergency COVID-19 process, MIDRC proposes to create an open access platform to collect, annotate, store and share COVID-related medical images to enable effective and efficient clinical task-based distribution, analyses and validations. "Through the MIDRC Data Commons Portal, investigators will be able to access images and data to expedite research that will provide solutions to the COVID-19 pandemic," Giger said. "This will speed up the sharing of new research on COVID-19, answering questions about COVID-19 presentation in the lungs, the efficacy of therapies, associations between COVID-19 and other co-morbidities, and monitoring for potential resurgence of the virus." The project will involve five infrastructure development projects, conducted under the oversight of the MIDRC executive advisory committee. These projects include: Creation of a platform for COVID-19 imaging and associated data. Development of a real-world testing and implementation platform with direct, real-time connections to healthcare delivery organizations. Implementation of quality assurance and evaluation procedures across the MIDRC. Launch of a data commons portal for data intake, access and distribution. Linking of the MIDRC to other clinical and research data registries. The committee also will oversee 12 research projects in support of solutions to the COVID-19 pandemic, overall providing funding and other resources to investigators at the ACR, RSNA and AAPM, as well as across 20 universities and the Food and Drug Administration. Within three months, the MIDRC plans to upload more than 10,000 COVID-19 thoracic radiographs and CT scan images via the existing input portals of the RSNA repository and the ACR registry, allowing researchers worldwide to access the images and accompanying clinical data to answer new questions about the disease. "The University of Chicago is well prepared to host the MIDRC, as members of our faculty have led the development of data commons repositories in the past, including the National Cancer Institute's Genomic Data Commons," said Kenneth S. Polonsky, MD, Dean of the Division of the Biological Sciences and Pritzker School of Medicine. "Under the leadership of Dr. Giger and representatives from the top professional organizations in medical imaging, the MIDRC will provide a resource that will accelerate the transfer of knowledge and innovation around SARS-CoV-2 and give us the tools needed to fight the pandemic." While COVID-19 will be its initial focus with the $20 million two-year federal contract, it will not be their only target; the team hopes to expand the MIDRC to become a resource that would span diseases and disciplines, creating focused medical imaging data commons and machine intelligence pipelines for chronic and other infectious diseases, with the federal contract renewable to $50 million over five years "This effort will enable the rapid open distribution of curated COVID-19 imaging and associated data to empower a broad community of data scientists in academia, government and industry to answer, quickly and rigorously, critical questions about patient care," Giger said. "Ultimately, it will be expanded to incorporate additional data from multiple registries and repositories to support the NIH's data collection efforts, allowing researchers to address topics no single archive could inform independently." ### A number of British nationals are believed to be among those caught up in the aftermath of the huge blast that rocked the Lebanese capital of Beirut on Tuesday. The explosion killed at least 100 people and injured more than 4,000 others, while more than 100 people are believed to be missing. Boris Johnson said the UK government is "ready to provide support in any way we can", while the Foreign Office said it is "monitoring the situation closely". A drone picture shows the scene of the explosion that hit the seaport of Beirut, Lebanon. (AP) Smoke rises above the devastation caused by the explosion in Beirut. (AP) Buildings in Beirut lie in ruins following the huge blast on Tuesday. (AP) Lebanon president Michel Aoun said the blast was caused by 2,750 tonnes of ammonium nitrate being stored unsafely in a warehouse. According to a report that was shared following the explosion, the ammonium nitrate was on board a vessel that entered the Beirut port in September 2013 before being moved into warehouses the following month where it has remained ever since. Economic crisis The blast destroyed numerous apartment buildings, potentially leaving large numbers of people homeless at a time when many Lebanese have lost their jobs and seen their savings evaporate because of a currency crisis. Estimates suggest some 85% of the country's grain was stored at the now-destroyed silos. Lebanon's state-run National News Agency quoted the Raoul Nehme, the minister of economy and trade, as saying all the wheat stored at the facility had been "contaminated" and could not be used. People inspect their damaged cars after the massive explosion in Beirut. (AP) Men on a scooter pass cars and buildings that were damaged after the explosion in Beirut on Tuesday. (AP) Lebanese soldiers search for survivors among the ruins caused by the Beirut blast. (AP) The tiny Mediterranean nation's economic crisis is rooted in decades of systemic corruption and poor governance by the political class that has ruled the country since the end of the civil war. Lebanese citizens have held mass protests calling for sweeping political change since last autumn but few of their demands have been met as the economic situation has steadily worsened. The coronavirus crisis which has so far seen 65 deaths out of over 5,000 cases in Lebanon added to the countrys woes, piling pressure on hospitals, where medical supplies reached critical levels. Injured people walk through the damage caused by the explosion in Beirut. (AP) Sides of buildings were completely torn away by the force of the blast in Beirut. (AP) An army helicopter drops water at the scene of Tuesday's massive explosion in Beirut. (AP) Britons in Beirut UK schools minister Nick Gibb that all embassy staff based in Beirut are accounted for, but that some have suffered "non-life-threatening injuries. Story continues In a tweet on Tuesday evening, Boris Johnson said the UK is ready to provide support in any way we can, including to those British nationals affected. A spokesman for the Foreign Office said: "All embassy staff are accounted for. A small number have sustained non-life-threatening injuries and, where necessary, are receiving medical attention. "It is a fast-moving situation and we are monitoring the situation closely. We stand ready to offer consular support to British nationals affected. Injured people stand among destroyed cars and buildings after the Beirut explosion. (AP) An aerial view shows the massive damage done to Beirut port's grain silos (centre) and the area around it. (AP) The destroyed silo sits in rubble and debris after the explosion in Beirut. (AP) Pink smoke rises in the immediate aftermath of the explosion in Beirut. (Getty) Cause of blast investigated Abbas Ibrahim, chief of Lebanese General Security, said the blast might have been caused by the ammonium nitrate stored at the port but Donald Trump said US military generals had told him they "seem to feel" the explosion was the result of a "terrible attack" most likely caused by a bomb. "It would seem like it, based on the explosion," the US president told reporters in Washington. A ship is engulfed in flames in Beirut following the huge explosion. (Getty) The wreckage of a ship is seen following Tuesday's blast in Beirut. (Getty) The explosion in Beirut flattened much of the port, damaging buildings and blowing out windows and doors. (AP) But schools minister Gibb said the president was "premature to speculate. "The Lebanese government have announced that they are conducting an inquiry and we are ready to help support the Lebanese government with any technical support that they need, but this is a tragedy and the Lebanese authorities are, of course, investigating the cause of that tragedy and I think before we have the results of that inquiry, I think it is premature to speculate," he told Sky News. Every 6 years, ANEX will combined with SINCE. Next ANEX-SINCE 2021 will be held during 22nd-24th Jul, 2021 in Shanghai World Expo Exhibition and Convention Centre (SWEECC), Shanghai, China. Global industry leaders congregate ANEX-SINCE has formed an industry value chain covering from nonwovens raw materials, nonwovens production machinery & accessories, nonwovens roll goods, testing and inspection machinery to converted goods. The related industries covering from hygiene, filtration, fabrics & apparels, medical, automotive, wiping, home furnishings & upholstery etc. SINCE 2019 has attracted almost 500 exhibitors from 25 countries and regions. Audience numbers also grew significantly, with 26,866 professional viewers and buyers from around the world. Focusing on the most advanced nonwovens technology As a technical and trade platform of nonwovens industry, both ANEX and SINCE focus on the latest intellectual and development trends. In 2021, Global Nonwovens Summit (GNS), launched by Asia Nonwoven Fabrics Association (ANFA), EDANA, INDA will also land on the exhibition site. At that time, industry leaders will give speeches at the seminar and talk about the latest market trends, advanced technology and innovative applications of nonwoven materials. Booth Reservation for ANEX-SINCE 2021 Begins ANEX-SINCE 2021 is expected to attract more than 600 exhibitors and 30,000 professional visitors, with 35,000 square-meters display area. To seize the opportunities of the world developing nonwovens market, join ANEX-SINCE 2021 and talk with decision makers face to face. About ANFA Asia Nonwoven Fabrics Association (ANFA) is the only international trade association, which represents the nonwovens industry in Asia both in name and substances, to contribute to healthy growth of nonwovens-related industries in Asia. ANFA has more than 300 members companies, presenting the primary companies of global or Asian nonwovens industry from Japan, Mainland China, Taiwan, Korea, Hong Kong, India, Thailand, Indonesia, Pakistan, etc. countries and areas. Since the establishment, ANFA has made a great contribution to the sound growth of the nonwovens industry all over the Asia region. Besides, representing Asia, ANFA keeps a close linkage with INDA in North America and EDANA in Europe. About CNTA China Nonwovens Technical Association (CNTA) devotes to Technical innovation and R&D in nonwovens, filtration Import and export of nonwovens (roll goods, converted products), filter media, and related raw materials, machine parts, equipments, chemical, instruments etc. Consulting of investment, cooperation, trade, etc. for foreign companies. Organizing international S&T exchange, conference and exhibition etc. Promoting trade, cooperation, between Chinese companies and foreign partners. About Informa Markets Informa Markets creates platforms for industries and specialist markets to trade, innovate and grow. Our portfolio is comprised of more than 550 international B2B events and brands in markets including Healthcare & Pharmaceuticals, Infrastructure, Construction & Real Estate, Fashion & Apparel, Hospitality, Food & Beverage, and Health & Nutrition, among others. We provide Customers and partners around the globe with opportunities to engage, experience and do business through face-to-face exhibitions, specialist digital content and actionable data solutions. As the world's leading exhibitions organizer, we bring a diverse range of specialist markets to life, unlocking opportunities and helping them to thrive 365 days of the year. For more information, please visit www.informamarkets.com. SOURCE ANEX-SINCE 2021 Svyatlana Tsikhanouskaya, who is hoping to unseat Belarusian President Alyaksandr Lukashenka, Europes longest-serving leader who has been called the continents last dictator, stepped up to the microphone, gazed out at the crowd, and apologized. Sorry.... Im kind of nervous. There are so many people here, the 37-year-old said as she began her address on July 24 in Navapolatsk, a city of some 100,000 in the north of the Eastern European country of some 9.5 million. Tsikhanouskaya is running in the August 9 Belarusian presidential election, despite saying she does not really want the job and vowing to relinquish it quickly if she somehow wins. She entered the race after her husband, Syarhey Tsikhanouski, a firebrand vlogger, was arrested and then barred from collecting signatures to get on the ballot. He was one of many candidates -- three deemed serious challengers to Lukashenka -- barred from running by the Central Election Commission. The 65-year-old Lukashenka, in power since 1994, is facing what many experts are calling his most serious challenge ever as he seeks a sixth term. Belarus has been hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic, and many blame Lukashenka, who refused to institute any lockdown measures, dismissing the virus as nothing more than mass psychosis. The World Bank is predicting the economy will contract 4 percent this year, the biggest drop in 25 years. Belarus's Presidential Vote Read our ongoing coverage as Belarusian strongman Alyaksandr Lukashenka continues his brutal crackdown on NGOs, activists, and independent media following the August 2020 presidential election, widely seen as fraudulent. With Lukashenkas popularity apparently waning, challengers stepped forward, drawing large crowds in Belarus, where unsanctioned rallies are usually dispersed by police. Since May, more than 1,100 people have been detained as Lukashenka vowed there would be no Maidan, a reference to the 2014 protests in Ukraine that led to the ouster of a Moscow-friendly president. Lukashenka has lashed out at the West, Poland, even longtime ally Russia, accusing them of fomenting unrest. Thirty-three Russian mercenaries were rounded up in what Lukashenka claimed was a plot to sow instability ahead of the vote, charges the Kremlin denied. Campaign Taking Off Despite her early doubts and nervous moments, the almost accidental candidate Tsikhanouskaya has managed to wow crowds across Belarus, seeming to tap into pent-up frustration with Lukashenkas handling of the coronavirus pandemic and the stagnant economy, which is still largely reliant on inefficient state-run firms. Tsikhanouskayas campaign has taken off, aided by two other high-profile women, in what has been hailed as a new wave of female political activism in conservative Belarus. Veranika Tsapkala headed the campaign of husband, Valer, a former ambassador to Washington and the founder of Minsks High Tech Park, who fled amid threats first to Moscow and then to Kyiv. The other woman to join Tsikhanouskayas team was Maryya Kalesnikava, who led the stymied campaign of Viktar Babaryka, former board chairman at Russian-owned Belgazprombank. Lukashenka has dismissed the three as poor things and contended Belarus was not ready for a woman as president. Hes even suggested the constitution be changed to allow only those who served in the military -- virtually an all-boys club in Belarus -- be allowed to run for president. Valer Karbalevich, a Belarusian political analyst based in Minsk, said Lukashenka let Tsikhanouskaya into the race, figuring she was no rival. He thinks that if Belarusians are forced to choose between voting for a housewife or voting for a wiser, more experienced politician, then even those who are skeptical of him, will, facing this choice, vote for him. That's his logic, his thinking," Kabalevich explained in July to Current Time, the Russian network led by RFE/RL in cooperation with VOA. However, the throngs at her rallies across Belarus suggest Tsikhanouskaya will be no pushover in the election, especially if it is free and fair, something no ballot under Lukashenka has ever been deemed by the West. On July 30, some 63,000 people, according to the Belarusian NGO Vyasna, (Spring), turned out for a Tsikhanouskaya rally in Minsk. It has been called the biggest opposition gathering in the capital in decades. It came hours after Tsikhanouskaya and other candidates were called in for a meeting with Belarusian security officials who warned them of possible provocations during the rest of the campaign, while announcing stepped-up security measures. A day earlier on July 29, Belarusian officials announced 33 individuals from a Kremlin-linked private military company, Vagner, had been detained outside Minsk. Lukashenka claimed they had come to sow instability ahead of the vote, charges the Kremlin denied as absurd. Ominously, Belarusian officials linked the 33 to Belarusian opposition leaders, including Tsikhanouski. At the Minsk rally with her campaigns symbol of a heart, a clenched fist, and a victory sign in the background, Tsikhanouskaya said: My husband, Syarhey Tsikhanouski, is not a criminal. "I entered politics not to seek power but to seek justice, she added. She said Lukashenka was trying to discredit the opposition and justify a further crackdown by contending they were in cahoots with the mercenaries, adding Belarusians wouldnt buy Lukashenkas story. "No one will believe that these hitmen have been dispatched here specifically for the election," Tsikhanouskaya told the crowd. Tsikhanouskaya and her family have faced threats. In July, she moved her two children out of Belarus to an undisclosed European Union country amid fears for their safety. Tsikhanouskaya told Current Time that despite facing moments of doubt, she no longer regrets her decision to enter the presidential race, even despite the threats. I see how many people come to our rallies and how many have wanted to come but just couldn't, or those who come whether I take part in it or not, she said. It's a clear sign that people want change. People have woken up. They no longer want to live in fear and humiliation. They want to feel that they are citizens of their country. It's inspiring. I realize there are people behind me, around me, and ahead of me. As his popularity wanes and the opposition rises, Lukashenka has sharpened his barbs. In a speech to parliament on August 4, Lukashenka called his opponents well-paid foreign agents bent on returning Belarus to the chaos of the 1990s. 'She Was A Good Girl' Tsikhanouskaya was born Svyatlana Pilipchuk on September 11, 1982, in Mikashevichy, some 200 kilometers south of Minsk, in a typical Soviet-style five-floor apartment block where her parents still reside. "They live here, I think, at this entrance, one woman, who requested her name not be used, points to the grey, concrete brick building. Yura and Valya Pilipchuk, a simple family. She is a cook and he is a driver. I still remember Svyata as a girl. What can I tell you? I will vote for peace, she said, making clear she will vote for Tsikhanouskaya. Eva Ivanauna, a retired schoolteacher, says everyone here is for Svyatlana, recounting how the would-be president was an exemplary person and student. I still remember her as a child. She was a good girl. There were never any problems with her. She didnt drink or smoke. She had a good upbringing. Her parents were good, down-to-earth people, Ivanauna said to RFE/RLs Belarus Service. After graduating from Mazyr State Pedagogical University, Tsikhanouskaya met her future husband, Syarhey. After marrying, they moved to Minsk where she raised the kids while Syarhey turned more and more to exposing corruption on his YouTube channel. A Country For Living has nearly 270,000 subscribers. Before his detention, Tsikhanouski was attracting big crowds across Belarus, many brandishing bedtime slippers to squash the cockroach Lukashenka, the epithet Tsikhanouski tarred him with. It came as Belarusians used social media to mock the Belarusian leader, with Sasha 3% becoming a particularly popular meme, poking fun at Lukashenkas alleged low public support based on informal Internet polling. While Tsikhanouskayas candidacy may have been almost accidental, women were long overdue for a leading political role in Belarus, argued Ninina Stuzhynskaya, a Belarusian women's rights activist. "I think Belarusian society has long been ripe for a woman in a leadership role," she told RFE/RLs Belarus Service in July. "The appearance of these women in the public arena is a beautiful thing. It's encouraging and optimistic." Belarusian author and Nobel laureate Svetlana Alexievich has given her backing to Tsikhanouskaya, saying women in Belarus have often answered historys call, although they were later forgotten. When I wrote The Unwomanly Face Of War, about how millions of women fought in [World War II], I became convinced that women are at the forefront of their society, Alexievich told RFE/RLs Belarus Service. They made sacrifices on the altar of victory, and after the war it was not appreciated and forgotten by the state and the people. I'd like that something like that doesn't happen again. Tsikhanouskaya is not the only female candidate in the race. Hanna Kanapatskaya, who was an opposition member in parliament from 2016 to 2019, is also on the ballot. Despite her opposition bona fides, many analysts have dismissed her as a spoiler candidate. Despite her early campaign jitters, Tsikhanouskaya has sharpened her political message. In a speech on state-run television on July 28, Tsikhanouskaya blamed Lukashenka for poverty in the country, blaming it on his mismanagement of the economy. She vowed Belarus would no longer be poor and dependent. We say that we want a new president, and the government answers that there will be a Maidan, Tsikhanouskaya said, referring to the protests in Ukraine in 2014 that led to the ouster of the pro-Moscow President Viktor Yanukovych. We say that a majority of Belarusians want to live in a free, rich country, and the government threatens us with Maidan. Shes spoken little of foreign affairs. But Tsikhanouskaya has called for good ties with Russia while voicing opposition to any deeper integration. We want to be independent. We want to find friends and not enemies among other countries, she recently told a Russian news site. Tsikhanouskaya says that if elected she will call for the release of all political prisoners, a return to the 1994 constitution as it was before Lukashenka stripped it of checks and balances, and crucially, a rerun of the presidential election including the barred candidates. I am not a politician, she has said. I am going to perform my mission and quietly step aside, and Belarus will be ruled by a new, decent president. Many Belarusians may think theyve already found one. Written by Tony Wesolowsky with material from Yuri Drakakhrust of RFE/RL Belarus Service, and Current Time Catapulted to national prominence by a profane call to impeach President Trump uttered on the day she was sworn in, and insulted with racist tropes by Mr. Trump, Ms. Tlaib has become one of the best-known members of Congress. She is a member of the so-called squad, a group of progressive Democratic women of color, including Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York, who were elected to the House in 2018 and have come to embody the vanguard of the party. We have a resounding mandate to put people before profits, Ms. Tlaib said in her victory statement. Let it be known that in the 13th District, just like in communities across our country, we are done with establishment politics that put corporations first. If I was considered the most vulnerable member of the squad, I think its safe to say the squad is here to stay, and its only getting bigger. Two years ago, Ms. Jones eked out a two-point victory over Ms. Tlaib in a special primary election to finish the remainder of the term of John Conyers, the long-serving congressman who had abruptly resigned. In a six-way primary held the same day, Ms. Tlaib then defeated Ms. Jones to win the nomination for the race to succeed him, effectively ensuring she would win the election for the next full term in the solidly Democratic district. That outcome prompted bad blood on both sides, and Ms. Jones vowed to reclaim the seat. This year, Ms. Jones has leveled withering criticism against Ms. Tlaib, arguing that she had become too preoccupied with national issues to tend to her district. Ms. Jones also pledged to start her own squad on Capitol Hill, focused on helping the countrys poorest neighborhoods. But Ms. Tlaib, a Palestinian-American who made history in 2018 as one of the first two Muslim women elected to Congress, posted strong fund-raising numbers, bringing in more than $3 million compared with just $165,000 for Ms. Jones. She secured the endorsement of Speaker Nancy Pelosi and a wide range of unions and highlighted her deep connections to the district, opening four community offices, holding more town hall-style events than most in Congress, and ensuring funding for her district in coronavirus relief legislation. Australia's heaviest greenhouse-gas emitter, AGL, will face a shareholder push to bring forward the closures of its remaining coal-fired power plants by at least 12 years to help limit the worst impacts of climate change. In a new effort to align the energy giant's plans with stronger climate action goals, investors will vote on a resolution demanding the closure of AGL's carbon-intensive coal-fired generators in Victoria and New South Wales by 2036, much sooner than the intended 2048 retirement of its Loy Yang A plant in Victoria's Latrobe Valley. AGL plans to run its Loy Yang A coal-fired power station in Victoria until 2048. Credit:Simon O'Dwyer AGL operates coal-fired and gas-fired power generators and renewable energy assets around the country, supplying 3.7 million customer accounts. In the 2019 financial year, it was responsible for more than 42 million tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions, the most of any Australian business. The Australasian Centre for Corporate Responsibility, the shareholder activist group that filed the resolution ahead of the company's next annual investor meeting, said AGL's emissions were "not a matter to be taken lightly". WATERLOO REGION If a second wave of COVID-19 hits Waterloo Region, those showing symptoms will once again be asked to isolate at home. A researcher from Wilfrid Laurier University says if that happens, phone apps like WhatsApp that allow for large group chats could play a role in helping patients stay in touch with medical staff and with each other while in quarantine. In January, before the novel coronavirus was given the name COVID-19, Chun Qiu, an associate professor at the Lazaridis School of Business and Economics, collaborated with doctors in Wuhan, China, to test a telemedicine system for coronavirus patients using the popular smartphone app WeChat. Their study was published in the Journal of Medical Internet Research in July. WeChat is similar to WhatsApp, Qiu said. By creating a group chat and bringing together patients and a small medical team into one big conversation, doctors were able to monitor the status of patients and people with symptoms could connect with each other. Qiu said patients would type how they were feeling into the chat and doctors or other patients would respond. Ideally, other patients would offer words of comfort, while doctors would offer medical expertise. This kind of connection, interaction relieves the depression on them, Qiu said, speaking of those in isolation. You can share information, you can comfort each other. Thats really important for recovering. The study involved a medical team at Tongji Hospital, made up of two doctors, three nurses, a rehab physician and a psychologist. While working full time at their regular duties, the team would check in with the group daily and provide patients with news updates, physical exercise suggestions, and even jokes. The most important thing the team shared was a link to an assessment form that patients were asked to fill out each day to track changes in symptoms. At the start of the study, 188 people showing mild COVID-19 symptoms were sent home to self-isolate. Of that group, 74 were positive cases, and six became critically ill with the virus. In the end, everyone in the study recovered, but those six critical cases needed additional medical treatment. Using the daily assessment form, medical staff were able to spot specific patterns in their symptoms and intervene, bringing them to hospital. Qiu said this type of monitoring system could work in Canada, but there would be challenges around privacy concerns with patients talking to each other directly. Waterloo Region public health already has a system in place for connecting with people in isolation at home. Anyone who tests positive will be contacted by a public health nurse within the first 24 hours of getting the result. The patient will then be contacted daily, either by phone call, text or login-based portal, until the case is considered resolved. Public health officials did not provide an interview about this process but provided The Record with an email response. The public health case and contact team made is currently made up of 25 staff members who are specifically focused on this role. If the number of local cases rise, the team may be scaled up too, a region spokesperson said. The region is in regular conversation with the Ministry of Health about possible supports should a sharp rise in cases occur. Qiu said if a second wave causes hospitals to become overrun with cases, this is where the group chat model combined with a daily assessment form would be beneficial. Think about the patient and medical staff ratio here: 188 patients versus seven medical staff. And those seven medical staff still have a normal job, still do their job in the hospital, he said, noting this work could even be done by medical staff who are isolating at home themselves. In terms of effectiveness and efficiency, this kind of medicine system works. The Vice-Presidential Candidate of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, on Friday, July 30th, 2020, ended her first official visit to the Central Region since being named the Vice Presidential candidate of the party. She made the first stop at her hometown, Komenda, in the Komenda-Edina-Eguafo-Abirem District, where she paid a visit to the Chief and spoke to the excited crowds that desperately wanted to see her and hear from her. She emphasized the need for peace and harmony in the community. She also encouraged them to adhere strictly to the Covid-19 prevention guidelines and do everything to avoid being infected by the virus. On Wednesday 31st July 2020, Prof Opoku-Agyemang started the day with a visit to Mrs. Effie Amissah-Arthur (mother of the late Vice- President H.E. Paa Kwesi Amissah-Arthur). The Vice-Presidential candidate was accompanied by the Chairman of the Party Hon. Samuel Ofosu-Ampofo, the Central Regional Chairman of the Party and other party executives. Prof. Opoku-Agyemang indicated to Mrs. Amissah-Arthur that she had come to pay respects to her and to inform her formally about her nomination as Vice-Presidential candidate. Mrs. Effie Amissah-Arthur thanked her for the visit and advised the Vice-Presidential candidate and the delegation to work towards their objectives in unity. She also prayed for Gods strength and grace for the Running Mate and the Flagbearer John Dramani Mahama. Professor Opoku- Agyemang thanked her for the warm welcome, words of encouragement, and the support she had provided to her over many years. Professor Opoku-Agyemang proceeded to call on the family of the late President John Evans Atta-Mills, who warmly welcomed her back home. On behalf of the family, Hon. Samuel Atta-Mills MP for Komenda-Edina-Eguafo-Abirem expressed joy and pride in her selection as the Vice-Presidential Candidate of the NDC and pledged the full support of the family throughout the campaign. Professor Opoku- Agyemang thanked the family for their kind words and blessings as the Party pursues its critical mission to put the country back on the path to recovery and prosperity. The Vice-Presidential candidate, along with the National Chairman and party delegation, then paid a courtesy call on the Central Region House of Chiefs, where they were welcomed by Nananom led by Daasebre Kwebu Ewusi, President of the National House of Chiefs. On behalf of the delegation, Chairman Ofosu-Ampofo thanked Nananom for blessing the NDC and Ghana with their daughter and pledged to ensure that she is fully supported in the journey to elect the NDC in December 2020. Professor Opoku-Agyemang expressed appreciation for the counsel of Nananom and asked for their guidance and prayers throughout the campaign. Daasebre Kwebu Ewusi expressed pride in the high recognition of their daughter and advised her to remain objective, stay focused and to resist any attempts to be drawn into the politics of insults that has dominated political discourse in the country. He advised her to focus on leaving a legacy for current and future generations. Finally, Professor Opoku-Agyemang met with some community leaders from the Central Region to listen to their concerns, challenges, and hopes for the future. She expressed joy and pride in their activism and efforts to make the country better, and she challenged them to stay involved and never give up despite the many hardships they indicated they were suffering under the current government. A 2021 NDC government led by President John Dramani Mahama will build an inclusive society that gives everyone equal opportunity to succeed in our great country, she said. 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 Join us for an oral history of Coyote Ugly on the films 20th anniversary!@katelloud: https://t.co/0YWYK7JRf0 The Ringer (@ringer) August 4, 2020 --The inspiration for the movie came from a 1997 article inwritten byauthor Elizabeth Gilbert, who worked at the real Coyote Ugly bar. Gilbert was surprised her article was turned into a movie about a bar that didnt really have anything to do with alcohol and that young girls would watch during sleepovers.--Liliana Lovell, the real life owner (who the character played by Maria Bello was based on), opened Coyote when she was 25. She graduated from NYU and worked on Wall Street for a year before starting bartending because she wasnt making any money. Shes only seen the movie once and hates the part where Bellos character in the movie buys a round for the entire bar because she would never do that herself.--There were many drafts of the script. The first was written by Gina Wendkos () and was more of a romantic comedy. Other drafts followed, including a raunchy version written byandwriter-director Kevin Smith. Smith says he was paid $100,000 for his work and only one line of his was kept in the movie (Izabella Mikos character Cammie discussing her bisexuality and saying, Ive played in the minors but never went pro). Carrie Fisher also did a pass on the script, but ultimately it was screenwriter Jeff Nathanson () who combined elements of all the different drafts and worked with director David McNally to shape together the movie as it is.--According to casting director Bonnie Timmermann, Christina Aguilera, Jessica Simpson, and Vanessa Carlton all auditioned for roles. Tyra Banks, although a huge supermodel at the time, had to audition for her role as well. Adam Garcia, who Timmermann brought in after seeing him inon London's West End and played the love interest to lead Piper Perabo, recalls that while she had to go through many auditions and call backs, they cast him after she was asked to put up his headshot next to her face to see if they essentially looked good together.--Miko was a trained ballet dancer on a tourist visa from Poland when she was cast and struggled to get a visa that would allow her to work. During rehearsals and fittings, she passed other girls in the production office reading for her part in case she couldnt do it. She said she called the ambassador of Poland 17 times in one day and when she finally got through, he helped her secure her visa. Also, she was only 18 during filming, so she had to get a fake ID to visit bars with the rest of the cast and crew to do research.--The dance scenes on the bar were difficult for the actors and their dance doubles since the area was so small. The crew would douse the bartop with Coca-Cola the night before filming these scenes to make it more sticky and allow the dancers to get a better grip. Owner Lovell decided to add choreographed dances at the real Coyote Ugly after the movie since people expected them now.--Kaitlin Olson () appears in the movie during Garcias infamous bachelor auction scene as a bidder. She only had one line in the script but decided to improvise and start yelling things out like, Come to mama! which ended up in the final cut.--The films final song, Cant Fight the Moonlight, was added to the movie during reshoots after the powers that be decided that the original finale song, a track called Fine Now, didnt quite work. Legendary songwriter Diane Warren, who composed all the songs in the film, was tasked with writing a new finale song and came up with Moonlight pretty quickly and everyone loved it. She played it for Leann Rimes, who loved it and wanted to crossover from country to pop, and Rimes recorded it and joined the cast for a reshoot of the finale.--Perabo originally recorded all the soundtracks songs herself, but director McNally and producer Jerry Bruckheimer decided that her real voice didnt fit the character. Rimes was brought in to re-record all the songs in Perabos characters voice. Perabo says she didnt mind as long as she was still in the movie. Cori Bush, a Black Lives Matter activist, and Rashida Tlaib, member of the new progressive Squad in the US House, win. Progressive Democratic candidates for the House of Representatives scored victories in primary elections in the United States on Tuesday. Cori Bush, a Black Lives Matter activist, defeated longtime member of the Democratic establishment, US Representative William Clay, in a Missouri Democratic primary. At the same time, Representative Rashida Tlaib, one of the most visible new members of Congress, claimed victory over challenger Detroit City Council President Brenda Jones in a Michigan primary election. It is historic that this year, of all years, were sending a Black, working-class single mother, who has been fighting for Black lives since Ferguson, all the way to the halls of Congress, Bush said in her victory speech. Bush was endorsed by Justice Democrats, a progressive activist group that helped launch Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez in New York City two years ago. Bush became a community activist after Michael Brown, a Black teenager was shot and killed by police in Ferguson, Missouri, a suburb of St Louis, in 2014. Bush and congressman Clay are both Black. Longtime Representative William Clay, right, was defeated on August 4 by Cori Bush, a once homeless woman who led protests following a white police officers fatal shooting of a Black 18-year-old in Ferguson. Clays loss ends a political dynasty that had spanned more than 50 years [File: Jim Salter/AP Photo] Clay had represented the area around St Louis since 2001 after succeeding his father Bill Clay who was first elected to the district in 1968. In Detroit, results on Wednesday morning showed Tlaib with 63,650 votes to Jones 32,582 with 90 percent of precincts reporting in the nomination contest, a decisive edge. Voters sent a clear message that theyre done waiting for transformative change, that they want an unapologetic fighter who will take on the status quo and win, Tlaib said in a statement. Tlaib is a member of the Squad of four progressive congresswomen elected in 2018 that includes Ocasio-Cortez, Ilhan Omar and Ayanna Pressley. US Representative Rashida Tlaib won decisively in Michigans August 4 primary in a rematch with Detroit City Council President Brenda Jones whom she had only narrowly defeated two years ago [File: Paul Sancya/AP Photo] Tlaib, who backed Democratic socialist candidate Bernie Sanders in the presidential primaries, has so far refrained from endorsing the partys presumptive nominee, former Vice President Joe Biden. The race for the Democratic nomination in Tlaibs district, which contains Detroit and some of its suburbs, had been a rematch of a close 2018 election that Jones lost by fewer than 1,000 votes. Tlaib had a fundraising and polling edge over Jones, 60, a prominent politician in the predominantly Black city of Detroit who had endorsed Biden. Tlaib, 44, born to Palestinian immigrants, was one of the first two Muslim women elected to Congress. In Kansas, Republican US Representative Roger Marshall won the nomination to run for a seat in the US Senate on Tuesday, defeating right-wing Republican Kris Kobach, an anti-immigration firebrand who had advised President Donald Trumps 2016 campaign. Marshall, 59, was supported by establishment Republicans who feared a polarising figure like Kobach could lose the Republican-leaning Kansas seat in November to Democrats. Marshall is a doctor who has represented western Kansas in the House since 2017. He won with 38 percent of the votes, beating Kobach by nine percentage points. Republicans presently have a 53-47 majority in the US Senate. US political analysts see the competition for Senate control in November as either a toss-up or slightly favouring Democrats. Earlier in June, Jamaal Bowman, a public school teacher in the Bronx, New York, backed by Justice Democrats, unseated longtime US Democratic Representative Eliot Engel, the chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, in a primary contest. Congratulations @coribush, looking forward to making good trouble with you in DC next year. pic.twitter.com/tm8a9YAHf5 Jamaal Bowman (@JamaalBowmanNY) August 5, 2020 A Reuters/Ipsos poll conducted on August 3-4 found that Democratic candidate Joe Biden leads Trump by 10 percentage points in support among registered voters nationwide, with fewer than 100 days to go before the election. A plurality, 44 percent, believe Biden would be better than Trump at steering the USs response to the coronavirus pandemic which has now killed more than 157,000 people in the US. About 57 percent of Americans said they disapproved of the way Trump was dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic, while 38 percent approved. The survey had a credibility margin of plus or minus 4 percentage points. Gov. Bill Lee on Monday announced hes calling lawmakers back to the Capitol to address legislation that would provide health care providers, schools and businesses broad protections against coronavirus lawsuits. Lee said the special legislative session will convene Aug. 10 to address not only COVID-19 liability but also telehealth services and laws governing the Capitol grounds. The GOP-dominated Statehouse failed to advance the proposal earlier this year when negotiations among lawmakers broke down in the hectic waning hours of legislative work. The main dividing line over the liability bill was whether to make its protections retroactive to early March, which the Senate supported and the House opposed. Key lawmakers not only questioned whether it would be upheld in court but also whether adding a retroactive clause would make it blatantly illegal. Critics of such legislation argue the legislation is unnecessary, pointing out that liability lawsuits are already one of the toughest cases to bring before a judge adding additional restrictions would only punish those seeking justice. Tennessee was one of the first states to begin reopening in late April after Lee reluctantly issued a safer-at-home order that forced businesses to close. Since then, case numbers have continued to rise, in part due to more testing but also because of an increase in community spread of the disease. Meanwhile, protesters have held demonstrations outside the Capitol for more than 50 days demanding police reform. The protests have resulted in multiple arrests by state troopers. During the early days of the protests, the Tennessee House advanced legislation that would have significantly increased penalties against demonstrators who violated certain state laws. That bill failed to clear the Senate. Its unclear how much access the public will have during the special session. The Senate had prohibited the public earlier this year when in session, while the House had allowed some people to attend meetings and floor sessions. Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Topics COVID-19 Legislation Tennessee New Book Offers Insider's Glimpse Into Life in North Korea By Jason Strother August 04, 2020 A new book offers an on-the-ground account of the rewards and roadblocks faced by an American scholar as he engaged one of the world's most closed-off states. In Being In North Korea, Andray Abrahamian reflects on the near decade he spent working for an international nonprofit organization that teaches business skills and market economic policy to aspiring entrepreneurs who have only ever lived under Pyongyang's tightly controlled system. "The idea of using markets and individuals making market choices and participating in ways that benefit them, that idea has powerfully taken hold in North Korea," Abrahamian, the former executive director of Choson Exchange, told VOA in an interview. But, even though many of his North Korean colleagues hoped for an economic transformation in their country, he had to steer clear of using the word "reform" during his seminars or discussions with officials, Abrahamian said. "The word reform implies there's a problem that needs to be fixed," he said. "It echoes what China did and [North Korea] wants to make it clear that they are not copying the Chinese." Selecting noncontroversial vocabulary was just one of the many challenges he encountered. Abrahamian was among a relatively small number of foreign experts working for non-governmental organizations that have built trust with the North Korean government. These international organizations have been largely responsible for providing the North with humanitarian relief and in some cases guiding Pyongyang as it has taken steps to gradually liberalize its economy. According to Abrahamian, North Korea attracts particular types of interlopers; there are adventure-seekers, aid workers and Christian missionaries that feel "called" to save souls. "There's a lot of people who are genuinely driven by compassion and the desire to help a population that generally has a difficult life," he said. "I think that is a motivating factor for me also." Few of these individuals and entities openly discuss or write books about their endeavors, and those that speak with media are often careful to not stray far from the party line and risk losing their access. Abrahamian left the NGO world in 2018 and is now an adjunct senior fellow at the Honolulu-based Pacific Forum and was a Koret Fellow at Stanford University's Asia-Pacific Research Center while writing his manuscript. He had previously earned a PhD from a university in South Korea, where he also studied the Korean language. In his book, Abrahamian attempts to provide a more nuanced perspective of the North Korea while not holding back criticism of the regime and its policies that he says "isolate its people from the rest of the world. He says through his former role, he wanted to help reshape international perceptions of North Korea that mainly focused on the country's famine of the 1990s, weapons programs and sensational stories such as an alleged requirement that all men receive a haircut like Kim Jong Un. Abrahamian says he tells people that when it comes to the daily lives of ordinary North Korean people, the country is not so different and many of their concerns would seem familiar to Americans or anyone else around the world. Like parents anywhere, he says, "mothers fret about their children's' grades and dads drink too much after work because their jobs are stressful" and young men and women worry about finding the right partner to marry. But Abrahamian doesn't deny that political life in North Korea is "just so alien." Workers attend routine self-criticism sessions and families must hang portraits of the country's rulers in their homes -- some of the examples he describes in the book. It's "80% normal, 20% profoundly weird," he writes. Abrahamian recalls there had been cautious optimism that North Korea would begin to open when Kim assumed power after the December 2011 death of his father, Kim Jong Il. In subsequent years, he oversaw numerous educational initiatives, including holding business and trade workshops that focused on female entrepreneurship and in another, a presenter introduced participants to the Big Mac Index, which measures the purchasing power of world currencies. Abrahamian says because of the state's restrictions on political, social and economic activities, there are many limitations on how entrepreneurial any North Korean can be. But through his programs and role-playing exercises, he and his students found hypothetical ways to "circumvent the rules." "The times you feel closest with North Koreans is when you are mutually trying to solve problems that the system has put up," he said. He also took groups of North Koreans on trips to China, Vietnam and Singapore, where in addition to learning about those countries' market reforms, some participants indulged in downing liters of Coca-Cola and consuming pints of ice cream -- rarities back home. Despite developing these professional and sometimes personal relationships, Abrahamian was acutely aware that these same people could report him to the authorities for saying anything that seemed too critical of the government and its policies. "I really learned how difficult it can be to live in a system where you have to regulate your thoughts very carefully, because thoughts can be dangerous," he said, adding that this made working in North Korea "mentally exhausting." External factors also frustrated his work. International sanctions and U.S.-imposed financial restrictions on North Korea increasingly complicated efforts to entice foreign partners to collaborate on projects. After the breakdown of the February 2019 Hanoi summit between Kim and U.S. President Donald Trump, Abrahamian says conservatives in Pyongyang's leadership who favor stronger restrictions over economic activity became more powerful. These setbacks have made Abrahamian more cynical about the effectiveness of gently guiding North Korea to reform to widely benefit its people. But he asserts that attempts by foreign powers to force change through economic or military pressure will also fail. "They have the tools to keep running their country like this for a long time," he said. And that, Abrahamian argues, is why efforts to engage North Korea are still needed. "Engagement doesn't solve all the problems," he said, but when considering failed efforts to force the regime to reform "engagement provides more opportunities for individuals to take control over some aspects of their lives." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Comptroller of Statutory Corporations Steward Ligomeka has said Office of the President and Cabinet (OPC) should discipline 10 heads of parastatals who missed the deadline of submitting reform proposals to vice president Saulos Chilima. Ligomeka said OPC should move in on the matter because boards were dissolved in statutory corporations. "In the absence of boards of directors, the OPC should discipline the heads of the statutory corporations," he said. However, Ligomeka could not be drawn to comment on the possible nature of the disciplinary action. Chilima, who is also Minister of Economic Planning and Development and Public Sector Reforms, has embarked on a crusade to reform the public sector. Someone approached the victim while he was standing outside, and an argument ensued. At some point, the person pulled out a gun and shot the victim in the stomach area and the right side of his body, police said. Rep. James Comer (R-Ky.) listens at a hearing before the House Committee on Oversight , Environment Subcommittee in the Rayburn Building in Washington on July 24, 2020. (Michael A. McCoy/Getty Images) Lawmakers Demand 6 Universities, Including Harvard, Yale, UPenn, Disclose Their Foreign Funding Reps. James Comer (R-Ky.), Jim Jordan (R-Ohio), and Virginia Foxx (R-N.C.) have jointly sent a letter to six universities demanding that they submit records about their foreign funding. The six universities are the University of Chicago, University of Delaware, Harvard University, New York University, University of Pennsylvania (UPenn), and Yale University. According to their letter dated Aug. 3, the schools must hand over all unredacted records of gifts from, contracts, or contracts or agreements with foreign sources since January 2015. They are to submit the records to the lawmakers before Aug. 10. The three lawmakers made their requests in light of transparency concerns and to help us better understand the foreign influence and investment in U.S. higher education. Section 117 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 requires U.S. colleges and universities to report gifts from, and contracts with, any foreign source that are valued at $250,000 or more in a calendar year. The three lawmakers specifically named five countries of concern for foreign funding: China, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Iran, and Russia. Read @RepJamesComer, @Jim_Jordan & @virginiafoxxs letters to Harvard, Yale and other universities demanding records of donations from foreign actors including Communist China. https://t.co/tmmivmO1ey Oversight Committee Republicans (@GOPoversight) August 3, 2020 For China, the lawmakers want to see records of funding from the Chinese government, Chinese Communist Party (CCP), state-affiliated organizations, any Chinese national, or any business primarily located in China. Citing records from the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), the letter stated that the six universities have received tens of millions from the five countries since 2015. For example, UPenn declared 92 gifts or contracts totaling $62.2 million, Harvard declared 31 gifts or contracts totaling $101 million, while Yale declared 18 gifts or contracts totaling $22 million. The DOE announced in February that after probes, it found that U.S. universities failed to report more than 6.5 billion in previously undisclosed foreign money since July 2019. The agency also said it launched investigations into Harvard and Yale, after it discovered that Yale may have failed to report at least $375 million in foreign gifts and contracts. The DOE also raised concerns about Harvards policies over foreign funding after the indictment of Charles Lieber, former chair of Harvards chemistry department. Lieber, who was arrested in January, has been charged in relation to his participation in a Chinese state-run job recruitment program called the Thousand Talents Plan, whereby he was contracted to work for a Chinese universitywithout disclosing such ties to federal authorities. The talent program was rolled out by Beijing in 2008 to recruit promising science and tech researchers from foreign countries to work in Chinafor the ultimate goal of fulfilling its ambition for global tech dominance. In May, online news site The College Fix reported that attorneys for universities currently under DOE investigation were claiming exemptions under the Freedom of Information Act to prevent Congress from obtaining documents about schools ties with China. The three lawmakers also wrote in the letter that they were concerned about many countries using donations or contract agreements to leverage their money into some type of benefit, or quid pro quo. The letter highlighted an example of how two U.S. universities that had contracts with Chinas state-run Jilin University defended the CCP after media reports revealed that negligence at a lab in Wuhan may be the cause of the current COVID-19 pandemic. These two universities claimed those reports were false, according to the letter. The lawmakers didnt name the schools. Comer is a ranking member of the House Committee on Oversight and Reform. Jordan is a ranking member of the House Committee on the Judiciary. Foxx is a ranking member of the House Committee on Education and Labor. Renowned sand artist Sudarsan Pattnaik has created a replica of the Ram Temple on Puri beach ahead of the 'bhumi puja' in Ayodhya. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will lay the foundation stone of Ram Temple at Ayodhya on Wednesday. Pattnaik has created a 5ft high replica of Ram Mandir with Lord Ram on sand sculpture at the Puri beach. He used about 4 tonne of sand which took him five hours to create this sculpture. "We are very happy that after a long time, the Ram temple will be constructed. It is a historic day for us," said the sand artist. So far, Pattnaik has participated in more than 60 international sand art competitions around the world and won many prizes for the country. #JaiShriRam ...My SandArt at Puri beach in Odisha, On the eve of foundation stone laying ceremony by Honble PM Shri @narendramodi Ji for #RamMandirAyodhya . pic.twitter.com/HMYAjAJwQI Sudarsan Pattnaik (@sudarsansand) August 4, 2020 Several top leaders, including some from Congress, took to Twitter to welcome the historic day and chant 'Jai Shree Ram'. The 'bhumi pujan' of the grand temple in Ayodhya, at a spot where devotees believe that Lord Ram was born, is said to take place at 12:40 pm, which is the 'muhurat' for the foundation stone laying ceremony. PM Modi along with CM Adityanath and 175 people who figure in a select guest list of seers and politicians will attend the ceremony. Meanwhile, Shiv Sena has posted a controversial advertisement in today's 'Saamana' with picture of Babri Masjid demolition with Balasaheb Thackeray's statement: "I am proud of those who did this". B oris Johnson has confirmed that Brits are among those caught up in the aftermath of a huge explosion which rocked the Lebanese capital Beirut. The Prime Minister said the Government is "ready to provide support in any way we can, including to those British nationals affected". Meanwhile, Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said the UK stands in solidarity with Lebanon after the explosion, which killed at least 50 people and injured thousands. In a tweet, Mr Johnson said: The pictures and videos from Beirut tonight are shocking. All of my thoughts and prayers are with those caught up in this terrible incident. The UK is ready to provide support in any way we can, including to those British nationals affected. Lebanon: Beirut explosion aftermath - In pictures 1 /90 Lebanon: Beirut explosion aftermath - In pictures The scene of an explosion in Beirut AFP via Getty Images A man reacts at the scene of an explosion at the port in Lebanon's capital Beirut AFP via Getty Images Firefighters spray water at a fire following an explosion in Beirut's port area, Lebanon REUTERS A helicopter puts out a fire at the scene of an explosion at the port of Lebanon's capital Beirut AFP via Getty Images An aerial view of ruined structures at the port Getty Images A Lebanese couple drive past the debris of a building in the damaged neighbourhood of Mar Mikhael AFP via Getty Images An aerial view of ruined structures at the port Getty Images Lebanese activists take part in a campaign to clean the damaged neighbourhood of Mar Mikhael AFP via Getty Images An aerial view of ruined structures at the port, Getty Images A statue representing the Lebanese expatriate is seen in front of a building that was damaged by an explosion that hit the seaport of Beirut, Lebanon AP A fireball exploding while smoke is billowing at the port of the Lebanese capital Beirut MOUAFAC HARB/AFP via Getty Image Lebanese firefighters work at the scene of an explosion in the Lebanese capital Beirut AFP via Getty Images The scene of an explosion at the port in the Lebanese capital Beiru AFP via Getty Images A helicopter puts out a fire at the scene of an explosion at the port of Lebanon's capital Beirut AFP via Getty Images TALAL TRABOULSI via REUTERS A view shows the aftermath of yesterday's blast at the port of Lebanon's capital Beiru AFP via Getty Images Lebanese soldiers search for survivors after a massive explosion in Beirut, Lebanon AP A man walks by an overturned car and destroyed buildings on August 4, 2020 in Beirut, Lebano Getty Images Lebanese soldiers search for survivors after a massive explosion in Beirut, Lebanon AP A view shows the aftermath of yesterday's blast at the port of Lebanon's capital Beiru AFP via Getty Images Smoke rises after an explosion in Beirut, Lebanon via REUTERS A drone picture shows the scene of an explosion that hit the seaport of Beirut, Lebanon AP People gather outside American University of Beirut (AUB) medical centre following an explosion in Beirut, Lebanon REUTERS People ride past a car destroyed after a building wall collapsed after a large explosion in Beirut Getty Images Damaged church and vehicles are seen following yesterday's blast that shook the Lebanese capital Beirut AFP via Getty Images A drone picture shows the scene of an explosion at the seaport of Beirut, Lebanon AP The scene of an explosion at the port of Lebanon's capital Beirut AFP via Getty Images Buildings and cars are partially destroyed in the neighbourhood of Mar Mikhael following an explosion at the port of Beiru AFP via Getty Images A rescue worker tends to an injured man following an explosion at the port of Beirut AFP via Getty Images Smoke rises from a port facility after large explosions Getty Images The destroyed silo sits in rubble and debris after an explosion at the seaport of Beirut, Lebanon AP Smoke is seen after an explosion in Beirut, Lebanon GABY MAAMARY via REUTERS Civilians help an injured man at the explosion scene that hit the seaport of Beirut, Lebanon AP Smoke rises as people walk near the site of an explosion in Beirut, Lebanon REUTERS Lebanese soldiers stand outside American University of Beirut (AUB) medical centre following an explosion in Beirut, Lebanon REUTERS Smoke rises from a port facility after large explosions Getty Images Damaged vehicle and buildings are pictured near the site of Tuesday's blast in Beirut's port area, Lebanon REUTERS A general view shows the damage near the site of Tuesday's blast in Beirut's port area, Lebanon REUTERS People stand near damaged cars following an explosion in Beirut, Lebanon REUTERS Smoke rises from a port facility after large explosions Getty Images People inspect the damage near the site of Tuesday's blast in Beirut's port area, Lebanon REUTERS A view shows the damaged facade of a building following Tuesday's blast in Beirut's port area, Lebano REUTERS A wounded man walks next to a damaged car on a street, following an explosion in Beirut, Lebanon via REUTERS Damaged buildings are seen after an explosion in Beirut, Lebanon via REUTERS Smoke rises over destroyed structures following large explosion Getty Images A view shows the aftermath at the site of Tuesday's blast in Beirut's port area, Lebanon REUTERS Smoke rises from a port facility after large explosion Getty Images AFP via Getty Images AFP via Getty Images AFP via Getty Images AFP via Getty Images AFP via Getty Images AFP via Getty Images REUTERS AFP via Getty Images AFP via Getty Images AFP via Getty Images AFP via Getty Images AFP via Getty Images AFP via Getty Images REUTERS REUTERS AFP via Getty Images Getty Images Getty Images REUTERS REUTERS Getty Images Videos of a huge mushroom cloud rising above the Middle Eastern city were shared extensively on social media on Tuesday evening local time. The death toll is expected to rise as bodies buried in the rubble are recovered, officials said. Authorities in Lebanon are yet to announce the cause of the explosion. In a tweet, Mr Raab said: My thoughts and prayers are with those affected by the devastating explosion in #Beirut today. The UK stands in solidarity with the people of Lebanon and is ready to offer help and support, including to those British nationals impacted. The explosion in Beirut / AFP via Getty Images Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said in a tweet: The images of explosions in Beirut are deeply worrying. Our thoughts are with those affected, the emergency services and the people of Lebanon. Former chancellor Sajid Javid tweeted to say his thoughts and prayers were with the people of Lebanon, while London mayor Sadiq Khan said the city stood with Beirut amid truly horrifying images emerging from Beirut. Loading.... Liberal Democrat acting leader Sir Ed Davey said in a tweet there were truly awful scenes and in a city that has already seen so much heartbreak. -- Says World Bank The World Bank (WB) has projected that an additional 335,000 to 526,000 Liberians are now at risk of falling below the poverty line in 2020. This disclosure is contained in the Bank's updated report on the country's economy. The report was launched on Thursday, 30 July 2020, at midday. The report notes that the share of households living below the national poverty line is projected to rise to 65.2 percent in 2020 under the baseline scenario and to 68.9 percent under the (moderate) downside scenario. The World Bank captured that Liberia's fiscal deficit widened from 4.8 percent of GDP in FY2018 to 6.2 percent in FY2019; domestic revenue mobilization remained low and non-discretionary expenditures accounted for almost 80 percent of domestic revenues in FY2019. Approval of FY2020 budget was a critical step towards fiscal consolidation. Liberia faces a high current account deficit, low reserves and an elevated financial sector vulnerability. The Bank projected that the path to Liberia's economic recovery will be especially challenging due to the country's vulnerable public health and economic impacts of COVID-19 and being that the country's range of potential policy responses is narrow. Large macroeconomic imbalances, low fiscal reserves, and forex buffers limit the government's options for addressing COVID-19 crisis, the economic updated report stated. Potential policy response for the repair of the economy is also complicated and exposed to shocks, given the fact that an estimated 80 percent of total employment in the country is on the payroll of the government. As the current outlook is highly uncertain, with risks tilted heavily to the downside, real GDP is projected to contract by 2.6 percent in 2020, down 3.2 percentage points from the pre-COVID baseline projection in January 2020. Under the moderate downside scenario, real GDP could contract by an additional percentage point to 3.6 percent in 2020 and recover more slowly. According to the World Bank, COVID-19 has thrown the world in the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression. The COVID-19 pandemic poses an unprecedented negative shock to the Liberian economy, affecting people's lives and livelihoods, but also delaying implementation of the government's Pro-poor Agenda for Prosperity and Development. The near-term outlook is uncertain and the risks are tilted to the downside. The economy is projected to contract in 2020, and poverty rates are projected to increase. Given limited domestic resources, timely support from Liberia's development partners will be vital to funding social protection policies to safeguard household welfare and prevent the erosion of human capital during the crisis. There is cause for cautious optimism. A continued focus on macroeconomic stability and structural reforms to promote productivity-driven growth and economic diversification while coordinating an effective response could build resilience and spur a robust recovery over the medium-term. As the current outlook is highly uncertain, with risks tilted heavily to the downside, real GDP is projected to contract by 2.6 percent in 2020, down 3.2 percentage points from the pre-COVID baseline projection in January 2020. Under the moderate downside scenario, real GDP could contract by an additional percentage point to 3.6 percent in 2020 and recover more slowly. Actions Needed for Recovery The report noted that productivity-driven growth and diversification will be central to Liberia's post-pandemic recovery and continued development. This will require: (i) upgrading the country's existing production and export base; and (ii) building institutions to broaden the country's endowments, strengthen competitiveness, and expand opportunities for productivity-driven private-sector growth. To accelerate progress on economic diversification, build on the institutional and structural reforms initiated prior to COVID-19 crisis. For example, structural reforms supported by the programmatic Inclusive Growth DPO will alleviate constraints on productivity and facilitate economic diversification; and the series encompasses measures targeting agriculture, energy, trade, tax administration, SOE oversight, and debt management. The series also supports reforms to promote economic and social inclusion by facilitating access to digital financial services and building a viable national social safety-net system, with a special focus on women and girls. Accelerating the development of special economic zones (SEZs) could address key policy and infrastructure constraints. Macroeconomic stabilization will be vital to support improvements in productivity and competitiveness. Key fiscal policy reforms include: (i) increased revenue collection, including revenues from natural resources and agricultural concessions; (ii) systemic improvements in expenditure efficiency, including the efficiency of external aid; (iii) a prudent debt-management policy; and (iv) structural reforms to promote growth and encourage economic diversification. Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Liberia Coronavirus Sustainable Development By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later. Macroeconomic stabilization measures should be accompanied by reforms to strengthen institutions, improve the business environment, and enhance the provision of basic services and infrastructure which include: Accelerating the development of special economic zones (SEZs) could address key policy and infrastructure constraints. Introducing a National Single Window for trade would lower the cost of importing and exporting and curb opportunities for corruption. Improving the PPP framework could mobilize additional sources of funding and financing for infrastructure. Accelerating the development of financial infrastructure to support a more robust and equitable recovery. Leveraging the digital economy to accelerate job creation, promote inclusive growth, boost productivity and competitiveness, and enhance governmental efficiency at a modest fiscal cost. Implementing a mix of health, education, worker training, and social protection policies to improve productivity and enhance the employment prospects of working-age Liberians. Strengthening the social protection system's resilience to shocks and improving job quality in the informal sector to promote the welfare of poor households. Building statistical capacity and monitoring the impacts of COVID-19. Compression Therapy Market Research Report by Product (Bandage, Stocking, and Tape), by Technology (Dynamic Compression and Static Compression), by Application - Global Forecast to 2025 - Cumulative Impact of COVID-19 New York, Aug. 05, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Reportlinker.com announces the release of the report "Compression Therapy Market Research Report by Product, by Technology, by Application - Global Forecast to 2025 - Cumulative Impact of COVID-19" - https://www.reportlinker.com/p05913918/?utm_source=GNW The Global Compression Therapy Market is expected to grow from USD 2,952.91 Million in 2019 to USD 3,768.92 Million by the end of 2025 at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 4.15%. Market Segmentation & Coverage: This research report categorizes the Compression Therapy to forecast the revenues and analyze the trends in each of the following sub-markets: Based on Product, the Compression Therapy Market studied across Bandage, Stocking, and Tape. Based on Technology, the Compression Therapy Market studied across Dynamic Compression and Static Compression. Based on Application, the Compression Therapy Market studied across Leg Ulcer Treatment and Varicose Vein Treatment. Based on Geography, the Compression Therapy Market studied across Americas, Asia-Pacific, and Europe, Middle East & Africa. The Americas region surveyed across Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Mexico, and United States. The Asia-Pacific region surveyed across Australia, China, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Philippines, South Korea, and Thailand. The Europe, Middle East & Africa region surveyed 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 Compression Therapy Market including Arjo Huntleigh Healthcare India Private Ltd, Bio Compression Systems, Inc., BSN medical Inc., Julius Zorn GmbH, Medi GmbH & Co., Medtronic plc, PAUL HARTMANN AG, Smith & Nephew PLC, and Thuasne SA. FPNV Positioning Matrix: The FPNV Positioning Matrix evaluates and categorizes the vendors in the Compression Therapy 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 the market 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 Compression Therapy Market? 2. What are the inhibiting factors and impact of COVID-19 shaping the Global Compression Therapy Market during the forecast period? 3. Which are the products/segments/applications/areas to invest in over the forecast period in the Global Compression Therapy Market? 4. What is the competitive strategic window for opportunities in the Global Compression Therapy Market? 5. What are the technology trends and regulatory frameworks in the Global Compression Therapy Market? 6. What are the modes and strategic moves considered suitable for entering the Global Compression Therapy Market? Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p05913918/?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. __________________________ Story continues CONTACT: Clare: clare@reportlinker.com US: (339)-368-6001 Intl: +1 339-368-6001 Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said "golden history" was written Wednesday as he launched construction of a new Hindu temple at a flashpoint religious site that has sparked some of the country's bloodiest sectarian violence. The colourful ceremony in Ayodhya, with Modi surrounded by saffron-clad priests, came on the first anniversary of the removal of the special status enjoyed by divided Kashmir, India's only Muslim-majority region. For his Hindu nationalist supporters, both steps confirm Modi as a decisive, visionary and heroic leader -- and India's most important in decades. His critics see him as remoulding the officially secular country of 1.3 billion as a Hindu nation at the expense of India's 200 million Muslims, and taking it in an authoritarian direction. "Modi has certainly been India's most transformative leader in recent memory," Michael Kugelman, from the Wilson Center, told AFP, making him "wildly popular, but also highly controversial and quite divisive". The holy city of Ayodhya in northern India has long been a religious tinderbox, providing the spark for some of its worst sectarian violence. In 1992, a Hindu mob destroyed a centuries-old mosque there that they believed had been built on the birthplace of Ram, an important deity. This triggered religious riots that killed 2,000 people, most of them Muslims. A lengthy legal battle ensued, but in November India's top court awarded the site to Hindus, allowing a temple "touching the sky" to be built on top of the ruined mosque. Wednesday's elaborate religious ceremony, involving priests in saffron masks, bricks made of silver and 135 living saints, was broadcast live on television. Images that appeared to show how the temple would look like when completed were displayed in New York's Times Square. - Crackers and dancing - Small celebrations took place across India including in Pune where people danced around a Ram statue and in Amritsar where Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) youth members burned crackers. Modi, 69, sharing a stage with the head of the RSS militaristic hardline Hindu group, compared the building of the temple to India's struggle for independence from Britain. "Just as 15 August (Independence Day) symbolises the untiring tenacity, millions of sacrifices and the fervent desire for freedom... similarly this day reminds of the sacrifice made by several generations... for the Ram temple," he said. "A wait that lasted centuries is ending today. Golden history has been scripted." Modi's biographer, Nilanjan Mukhopadhyay, told AFP earlier that the premier was looking to "make his position permanently in history" on the strength of this temple. Further cementing his place in the country's annals is his action on Kashmir, divided between India and Pakistan since 1947 and the spark of two wars and much bloodshed. The BJP had long seen the special status enjoyed by the part of Kashmir controlled by India as a historical wrong, and on August 5 last year, Modi abolished it. An accompanying security operation turned the region into a fortress for weeks, with all telecommunications cut and thousands taken into custody. Even now, India has "maintained stifling restraints on Kashmiris in violation of their basic rights", according to Human Rights Watch. People from outside Kashmir are now allowed to buy land for the first time, igniting fears Modi wants to change the region's demographic makeup with an Israel-style "settler" project. Fearing protests ahead of the anniversary, thousands of Indian troops imposed a tight curfew in Kashmir and the streets were largely deserted. - 'India exposed' - But in Pakistan-administered Kashmir, Prime Minister Imran Khan led a rally as "solidarity marches" took place in major cities. "India stands exposed before the world, yet again, as an oppressor and aggressor," Khan said in a statement. Other actions have also alarmed Modi's critics and delighted his fans. Last year, a new law made it easier for millions of illegal immigrants from three neighbouring countries to get citizenship -- but not if they are Muslims. More may be in the pipeline, including a mooted nationwide register obliging people to prove they are Indian, and a uniform civil code doing away with Islamic rules in areas such as marriage. "Clearly, it's full speed ahead with the Hindu nationalist agenda," Kugelman said. pzb-ash-abh-stu/grk/jme Bharatiya Janata Party activists and supporters shout slogans as they celebrate the groundbreaking ceremony of the Ram Temple in Ayodhaya Bharatiya Janata Party activists and supporters shout slogans as they celebrate the groundbreaking ceremony of the Ram Temple in Ayodhaya A coalition of advocacy organizations ? including Muslim, human rights, anti-fascist and secular groups ? has asked advertisers in Times Square not to display the images from a Hindu group that is celebrating the building of a temple on disputed grounds in northern India. In Pakistan, protests were held against India's action in Kashmir Johnny Nunez/WireImageFans were fired up on social media over the prospect of Bobby Shmurda's potential early release from prison later this month. In a matter of weeks, fans could be hitting the infamous "Shmurda Dance" in the streets of Brooklyn in his honor. In 2016, the rapper, born Ackquille Pollard, was sentenced to seven years in prison after pleading guilty to one count of criminal possession of a weapon with the intent to use and one count of conspiracy to commit criminal weapons possession with intent to use, as part of a plea deal. According to a Department of Corrections and Community Supervision official, per Complex, "Mr. Pollard is currently scheduled to appear before the Board of Parole the week of August 17, 2020. The Board of Parole has two weeks from the date of the interview with the incarcerated individual to render a decision." Meanwhile, as Shmurda's mother, Leslie Pollard, awaits her son's return, she paid tribute to him on his 26th birthday. "I am screaming Happy Birthday to my youngest Chewy Chew and man I don't know where to start. I guess you had to be there," she wrote in an Instagram post Tuesday. "Special" is being modest. I am trying to make those of you who don't know the character relate. This guy is overloaded with everything he has so much personality and talent. My boy is caring, sharing, sweet, loving, loyal energetic, empathetic, and brave he is such a unique person." By Rachel George Copyright 2020, ABC Audio. All rights reserved. An online survey involving nearly 800 cigar smokers found while the majority of the people surveyed intended to quit smoking due to concerns about elevated health risks if they contracted COVID-19, more than twice as many reported they increased rather than decreased their tobacco use since the pandemic's onset. The multi-institutional study led by researchers from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill examined cigar smokers' perceived risk of COVID-19, quit intentions, and behaviors during the pandemic. Their findings were published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. "We are not sure why many participants reported increasing their tobacco use, but it is possible that they are stressed or anxious, they are bored at home, they stockpiled tobacco products in advance of sheltering-in-place orders, or they are not able to easily access evidence-based cessation resources like pharmacotherapy or behavioral support," said Sarah Kowitt PhD, MPH, the paper's first author, and an assistant professor in the UNC School of Medicine Department of Family Medicine. Adam Goldstein, MD, MPH, director of UNC Tobacco Intervention Programs and professor of family medicine at UNC School of Medicine, is the study's senior author. The researchers conducted an online survey for two weeks starting on April 23 as part of an ongoing study examining perceptions of health effects of cigars. All respondents reported using cigars during the past 30 days and most used other tobacco products, like cigarettes. The average age of those surveyed was 39.3 years, most were white (66.2%), and nearly half (48.9%) were women. Far more respondents reported increasing their tobacco use since COVID-19 started (40.9%) vs. decreasing their tobacco use (17.8%). This finding was significant, Kowitt said, "because cigar use is associated with multiple cancers and other health effects." However, Black or African American participants, those who used a quitline (a telephone-based tobacco cessation service), and those with higher COVID-19 risk perceptions had higher intentions to quit using tobacco due to COVID-19 and higher odds of making a quit attempt since COVID-19 started. Nearly half (46.5%) of the respondents reported they had tried to quit smoking since the pandemic's onset and 70.8% were planning to quit within six months. Kowitt said this finding has important public health policy implications. Studies have shown that to convert quit attempts into successful cessation, support should be made available during this time, including increased access to nicotine replacement therapy, virtual support with tobacco treatment counselors, and mental health assistance, particularly since better perceived mental health was associated with increased intentions to quit. Kowitt said tailoring support to sub-groups of tobacco users may also be important. For instance, tobacco users who have increased their tobacco use in response to COVID-19 may need additional help with higher dependency, as well as with coping strategies targeting stress and anxiety. Those who have decreased their tobacco use have an even greater chance of successfully quitting with clinician support. "It is important, especially during the pandemic, that we provide support for tobacco users who want to quit smoking," said Kowitt. "A growing body of research suggests that tobacco users, compared to non-users, may be at greater risk for experiencing COVID-19 complications, so it is critical that we identify opportunities and approaches to encourage tobacco users to consider quitting and to provide them the support they need to quit successfully." ### In addition to Kowitt and Goldstein, the paper's other authors are Kristen L. Jarman, MSPH, Christine E. Kistler, MD, MASc, and Leah M. Ranney, PhD, UNC School of Medicine Department of Family Medicine; Jennifer Cornacchione Ross, PhD, Wake Forest School of Medicine; Allison J. Lazard, PhD, UNC Hussman School of Media and Journalism; Paschal Sheeran, PhD, UNC Department of Psychology and Neuroscience; and James F. Thrasher, PhD, Department of Health Promotion, Education, and Behavior, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina. The study was funded in part by the National Cancer Institute (R01CA240732). Mainstream social media platforms such as Twitter and Facebook say they are trying to delete posts about QAnon, a far-right conspiracy theory that grew out of another conspiracy theory, Pizzagate. Of course, attempts to scrub QAnon from social media only add fuel to the fire. According to this Axios catch-up article, interest in the movement is growing faster than ever: There was more than 10 times as much Google search interest in QAnon in mid-July than in mid-January, according to Google Trends data. as much Google search interest in QAnon in mid-July than in mid-January, according to Google Trends data. QAnon pages and groups on Facebook had nearly 10 times more likes at the end of last month than they did last July, according to data tracked by the Atlantic Council and shared with Axios. more likes at the end of last month than they did last July, according to data tracked by the Atlantic Council and shared with Axios. There has been a 190% increase in the daily average number of tweets with popular QAnon hashtags since March as compared to the seven months prior, according to data from GroupSense provided to Axios. Parts of the mainstream Republican party have latched on, helping drive its conspiracy theories mainstream. 11 QAnon supporters are now 2020 Republican Congressional nominees. President Trump himself has retweeted QAnon followers at least 90 times since the pandemic began, and others in Trump's inner circle have also shared Q content. Why is QAnon growing in popularity? Ethan Zuckerman, director of MIT's Center for Civic Media has an explanation: "The idea that pedophile alien lizard people led by Hillary Clinton are running everything is more comfortable than the truth that no one has their hand firmly on the tiller." A new study which provides a global estimate of rock cover on the Earth's glaciers has revealed that the expanse of rock debris on glaciers, a factor that has been ignored in models of glacier melt and sea level rise, could be significant. A new study which provides a global estimate of rock cover on the Earth's glaciers has revealed that the expanse of rock debris on glaciers, a factor that has been ignored in models of glacier melt and sea level rise, could be significant. The Northumbria University study, which has been published in Nature Geoscience this week, is the first to manually verify the rock debris cover on every one of the Earth's glaciers. As glaciers shrink, their surrounding mountain slopes become exposed and eroded rock debris slides down and accumulates on glacier surfaces. This debris forms a protective layer that can be many metres thick, reducing the rate at which the ice below melts. Although the effects of this protective cover are known, it has never been carefully mapped until now, and so has not been included in global glacier models. As well as revealing where rock debris is located on Earth's glaciers, the researchers also found and corrected key errors within the Randolph Glacier Inventory - a global inventory of glacier outlines on which hundreds of studies are based. Using Landsat imagery, the research team from Northumbria University's Department of Geography and Environmental Sciences and the Swiss Federal Research Institute WSL spent three years painstakingly examining and manually verifying more than 923,000 square kilometres of glacier worldwide. The exercise allowed them to analyse the debris cover on a global-, regional-, as well as individual glacier-scale and created the world's first baseline dataset of glaciers in their current state. They found more than 29,000 square kilometres of the world's mountain glacier area is covered in rock debris - an area equivalent to almost 500 Manhattan Islands. Lead researcher Sam Herreid undertook the study for his PhD at Northumbria University and is now believed to be the only person who has examined every glacier on Earth, manually correcting the Randolph Glacier Inventory and bringing a level of consistency that has never before been present in a global glacier dataset. He explained: "The structure of the debris cover of each glacier is unique and sensitive to climate, but until now, global glacier models have omitted debris cover from their forecasts of how glaciers respond to a changing climate. "We now know that debris cover is present on almost half of Earth's glaciers, with 7.3% of the world's total mountain glacier area being debris covered. "When we consider that much of this debris cover is located at the terminus, or toe, of a glacier where melt would usually be at its highest, this percentage becomes particularly important with respect to predicting future water resources and sea level rise." The study also uncovered errors within the Randolph Glacier Inventory, finding an error rate of 3.3%. One of their findings revealed that 10,000 square kilometres of mapped glacier area was not actually glacier, but rather bedrock or vegetated ground that was either incorrectly mapped previously or glacier area that has since melted away. This, combined with the melt reduction from debris insulating the ice below, means that all past global glacier models based on the Inventory are likely to have overestimated the true volume of glacier melt, run off and subsequent contribution to global sea level rise. They described the 10.6% of glacier area that requires an updated approach to estimating melt as "an alarmingly high number" and said that their work provides a key dataset for revising, and likely lowering, the glacier contribution to sea level rise. The team also devised a way to analyse how the world's debris-covered glaciers will evolve over the coming centuries. By comparing the many states of glaciers present on Earth today, from those considered to be 'young' and icy in Greenland, to 'old' and rock covered in the Himalaya, they were able to piece together a conceptual timeline which they believe outlines how a glacier might evolve in the future. Their timeline reveals that many glaciers are at the older end of the spectrum and can therefore be considered to be on the decline. Co-author Francesca Pellicciotti of the Swiss Federal Research Institute WSL and an Associate Professor at Northumbria University, explained: "The upper levels of the glaciers are constantly accumulating snow and will always be debris free, so we looked only at the lower levels of glaciers which is where rock debris can accumulate. "Ice melts and flows away as water, but the rocks do not, and accumulate at the surface. Changes in the rate of mountain erosion as well as glacier changes in a warming climate will affect the size and shape of the rock layer at the surface of a glacier at any one time. "Although we can't say exactly what year a glacier will evolve to a certain state, say, a state where it is almost entirely covered in rocks, we were able to place each glacier on a conceptual timeline and learn roughly how far along this line each glacier is to becoming almost entirely covered in rocks. She added: "We found that the bulk of glaciers that have a debris cover today are beyond a peak debris cover formation state and are trending closer to the "old" Himalayan glaciers that might not be around for much longer. "From a climate change perspective this is one more indication of the toll a warming climate is having on Earth's glaciers. However, we now have a benchmark measurement of debris cover for all of Earth's glaciers and new tools to monitor and predict the rate of changes couple to a warming climate." ### Northumbria University is renowned for being one of the leading centres in Europe for research into cold and palaeo environments. In recent years the University has been granted major research funding to investigate and model changes to Antarctica's major glaciers. It is the only UK university to be involved in two investigations in the 20 million UK-US International Thwaites Glacier Collaboration. The study The state of rock debris covering Earth's glaciers is now available in Nature Geoscience. Patna Superintendent of Police (SP) Vinay Tiwari, who is in Mumbai to probe a case related to the death of actor Sushant Singh Rajput, is being kept as if he has been arrested, said Bihar Director General of Police (DGP) Gupteshwar Pandey on Wednesday. Tiwari was quarantined by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) after he travelled via flight to Mumbai to investigate the case. "We requested the BMC to exempt IPS officer Vinay Tiwari from being quarantined. We told them at least send him back as he is an IPS officer. This is not a professional behaviour. This officer is being kept as if he has been arrested," Pandey told reporters here. Earlier, the DGP had said that a team has examined the quarantine guidelines of Maharashtra government and asserted that the quarrantine of Vinay Tiwari was not needed. Responding to a question about actor Rhea Chakraborty, Pandey said, "she is not in touch with us. She is absconding, she is not coming forward. We don't have any information about her being in touch with even Mumbai police." Advocate Satish Maneshinde, lawyer of actor Rhea Chakraborty, had said that her statement has been recorded by the Mumbai Police in connection with the case. He had also said that the Bihar government cannot transfer the case to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) as it does not have jurisdiction in the matter. Meanwhile, the central government today submitted before the Supreme Court that the request of the Bihar government to recommend a CBI probe in the case has been accepted. An FIR was filed by the Patna Police against Chakraborty on a complaint filed by KK Singh, father of the late actor, under several sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) including abetment of suicide. A team of is in Mumbai to probe the case. Rajput was found dead at his Mumbai residence on June 14, after which Mumbai had registered a case and is investigating the matter. (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.) STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- New York found less than 1% of COVID-19 test results reported Tuesday came back positive, according to state officials. Gov. Andrew Cuomo credited New Yorkers with the .87% infection rate and the progress the state has made since it started dealing with the pandemic in March. Our progress is thanks to the hard work of New Yorkers - even after two and a half months of reopening, the numbers have continued to go down, Cuomo said. But we learned from this crisis that nobody is safe until everybody is safe, and an outbreak anywhere is an outbreak everywhere. Overall, labs reported 636 new positives on Tuesday of the 72,668 tests results that came in, according to a media release from the governors office. The state reported that four people died with the virus on Tuesday -- one in the Bronx, one in Brooklyn, and two in upstate New York. In New York City, the state reported 301 new coronavirus cases, and a 3-day infection rate average of 1%, according to the media release. The governor continued to urge caution as cases and infection rates continue to rise in other parts of the country. As of Tuesday, travelers from 34 states, and Puerto Rico fall under New Yorks 14-day quarantine order. Levels necessitating quarantine are based on a seven-day rolling average of either 10% statewide infection or a new-case rate of 10 per 100,000 residents. Surging infection rates across the country threaten that progress, so we must continue to wear our masks, socially distance and stay New York Tough, Cuomo said. Although surgery during pregnancy is often feared, in the case of cholecystitis or acute gallbladder disease, surgery may lead to better outcomes for mom and baby. PHILADELPHIA -- Painful gallstones are common during pregnancy. The pain can be intense, coming on suddenly, increasing and often radiating to the back. When gallstones cause inflammation of the gallbladder, a condition called cholecystitis, the symptoms can worsen, with fever nausea and vomiting in addition to the pain. Surgical removal of the gallbladder is the most effective treatment, but surgery during pregnancy is often feared and at times postponed. In the largest US study to date, Jefferson surgeons observed that mothers experiencing cholecystitis during pregnancy had better outcomes if they had surgery during their pregnancy than if surgery was delayed until after childbirth. "Current guidelines recommend surgery for acute cholecystitis during pregnancy, but many patients and providers delay surgery," says senior author on the study, Francesco Palazzo, MD, Vice Chair of Surgery at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital. "We wanted to know how often the guidelines were followed, and whether following those guidelines did indeed improve outcomes for pregnant women." The study was published in the Annals of Surgery. The study examined the records of a national sample of 6,390 pregnant women admitted to a hospital with acute cholecystitis from the Nationwide Readmission Database between the dates of January 2010 and September 2015. Despite national guidelines, only 38.2% of women had surgery to remove their gallbladders at the time they presented with cholecystitis during pregnancy. Pregnant women with cholecystitis who did not undergo gallbladder surgery were three times more likely to have maternal-fetal complications relative to those who did have surgery. The maternal-fetal complications investigated included a combination of stillbirth, poor fetal growth, abortion, preterm delivery, C-section, obstetric bleeding, venous thromboembolism and intraamniotic infection. These differences were mostly driven by an increase in poor fetal growth, preterm delivery and C-section among those pregnant women who did not have gallbladder surgery. "The data doesn't tell us exactly why these complications occurred, just that they were more common in women whose surgeries were delayed after accounting for differences between the groups," says first author Arturo J. Rios-Diaz, MD, a 4th year resident in the department of Surgery. Women who did not have surgery during their pregnancy were also 61% more likely to be readmitted to the hospital within 30 days of being discharged, and 95% more likely to be readmitted with a maternal-fetal complication. "It can be quite scary and painful for pregnant women to experience cholecystitis," says co-author Vincenzo Berghella, director of the Division of Maternal Fetal Medicine at Jefferson. "Many physicians are uncomfortable recommending surgery for pregnant women. But these data clearly show that there are risks with waiting out surgery. Patients and physicians should always first discuss the management option which would be chosen if the patient were not pregnant. Like for almost all other medical conditions which can occur in pregnancy, the best option, in this case surgery with removal of the gallbladder, should be done regardless of being pregnant or not." "Classically, physicians have been trained that surgery should be discouraged in the first trimester, and third trimester," says Dr. Palazzo. "But those beliefs have been based on poor-quality and outdated studies. The data suggest that the risks may be much greater for women with cholecystitis who don't get surgery until after childbirth." ### The following work received support from the Saligman Family Grant, a pilot grant from the Department of Surgery at Thomas Jefferson University for data acquisition. None of the authors declare financial conflict of interest. Article Reference: Arturo J. Rios-Diaz, Emily A. Oliver, Lisa A. Bevilacqua, David Metcalfe, Charles J. Yeo, Vincenzo Berghella, Francesco Palazzo, "Is It Safe to Manage Acute Cholecystitis Nonoperatively During Pregnancy? A Nationwide Analysis of Morbidity According to Management Strategy," Annals of Surgery, DOI: 10.1097/SLA.0000000000004210, 2020. Media Contact: Edyta Zielinska, 215-955-7359, edyta.zielinska@jefferson.edu. Turkey is considering quitting an international treaty on violence against women, amid a nationwide debate accusing the government of failing to do enough to protect women and girls. Officials in the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) told Reuters they will decide by next week whether to withdraw from the Council of Europe's 2011 Istanbul Convention on preventing and combating violence against women. Last month, AKP Deputy Chair Numan Kurtulmus said that signing the accord in 2011 and ratifying it in 2012 had been a mistake. He suggested the government was considering withdrawing from the convention, which would make Turkey the first state among 35 signatories to do so. Religious and conservative groups in Turkey say the international accord undermines traditional family values. Femicide, which is defined as killing women and girls because of their gender, remains a major problem in Turkey. At least 474 women in the country were murdered in 2019, many for wanting a divorce, according to We Will Stop Femicide. The Istanbul-based group says most of the murders were committed by current or former partners, relatives or men whose advances the women rejected. The murder of Pinar Gultekin at the hands of her ex-boyfriend has galvanized the debate and triggered widespread protests across Turkey. The 27-year-old woman's body was found in a wooded area in the Aegean province of Mugla strangled, burned and covered with concrete. The United Nations says roughly 38% of women in Turkey will experience physical or sexual partner violence at some point in their lifetimes. Rights groups blame the Turkish government for failing to fully implement the Istanbul Convention and related laws. There is a bitter irony to the fact that the Turkish authorities are considering withdrawing from a convention bearing the name of its most iconic city, Amnesty Internationals Womens Rights Researcher Anna Blus said in a statement. This discussion is deeply worrying, coming at a time when COVID-19 measures such as lockdowns have led to a spike in reports of violence against women and girls, with many women and girls trapped at home with their abusers or unable to easily access safety and support services, she added. WASHINGTON, Aug. 5, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Will Shafroth, President and CEO of the National Park Foundation, the official nonprofit partner to the National Park Service, made the following statement following the ceremony where President Trump signed the Great American Outdoors Act into law: "Today we celebrate a watershed moment in the conservation community. Enactment of the Great American Outdoors Act affirms our shared commitment to caring for America's national parks and public lands. Tackling our parks' longoverdue maintenance needs will ensure they are safe and accessible for all, offering inspiration for generations to come. The National Park Foundation is grateful for the bipartisan action that made success possible and looks forward to working with Congress and the Administration to support the National Park Service and its partners to preserve America's special places, while offering a world class visitor experience. Federal funding directed to national parks by the Great American Outdoors Act will ease a tremendous burden on the National Park System, and it positions the National Park Foundation and a growing community of national park champions to better leverage resources, expertise and innovation to respond to future needs and opportunities to protect our parks and connect people to them. In addition to addressing national park infrastructure, the Great American Outdoors Act enshrines our nation's conservation legacy through permanent, mandatory funding for the Land and Water Conservation Fund. This hallmark program will conserve precious lands in national parks as well as boost access to close-to-home recreation opportunities in communities throughout the United States. Enactment of the Great American Outdoors Act is a truly historic triumph for our national parks and all who cherish them. The National Park Foundation commends all national park and public lands supporters who have worked to ensure our public lands thrive in the future." ABOUT THE NATIONAL PARK FOUNDATION The National Park Foundation is the official charity of America's national parks and nonprofit partner to the National Park Service. Chartered by Congress in 1967, the National Park Foundation raises private funds to help protect more than 84 million acres of national parks through critical conservation and preservation efforts and connect all Americans with their incomparable natural landscapes, vibrant culture, and rich history. Find out more and become a part of the national park community at www.nationalparks.org. SOURCE National Park Foundation Related Links https://www.nationalparks.org Assyrian Stories Will Come to Life Some estimates count 250,000 Assyrian people massacred in Turkey, northern Iraq, northwest Iran and northeast Syria by Ottoman Turks and allied Kurds between 1915 and 1918 -- but the Assyrian Genocide is an often-overlooked moment in history. Stan State, located in the heart of one of the first Assyrian American communities, has worked to change that with the 3-year-old Sarguis Modern Assyrian Heritage Project and the Sarguis Modern Assyrian Heritage Collection in the VaschA Library. The project is dedicated to student projects and research documenting Assyrian history and culture with a special emphasis on Assyrians in California. This effort is going global, thanks to a California Humanities grant that will fund "Tell Our Stories: Artifacts from the Assyrian Genocide." Proposed as an exhibit in the University Art Gallery with memorabilia, photographs, deeds and other artifacts that fleeing Assyrians carried with them to America, the exhibit also will include oral histories of descendants of those who survived. The exhibit will be digitized, in part by students, under the direction of Erin Hughes, professor of history and political science at Stan State, who is collaborating on the project with Kathy Sayad Zatari, whose grandmother escaped the genocide, and fellow scholars Ruth Kambar and Hannibal Travis. "I feel honored to be part of this amazing team," said Hughes, who began teaching at Stan State in fall 2019 and is the director of the Modern Assyrian Heritage Project. "It's an important topic, and important for the University." Hughes, who teaches modern Assyrian history, explained the work toward the California Humanities grant, one of 16 awarded in June and worth nearly $20,000, was underway before she arrived and gives credit to her colleagues. Sayad Zatari admits to having the original dream of a collection, which was inspired by tracing her own genealogy, but heaps praise on the team's scholars. The grant is a matching grant, although it need not be matched with funds. Instead, Stan State is providing the exhibition space and technology to create a virtual version of the collection. When Hughes arrived last fall, Stan State's Modern Assyrian Heritage Project was in place, and she was impressed with the collection assembled in the VaschA Library. "I was thinking about how we can support Assyrian scholarship within and outside the University," Hughes said. "I was approached about the Cal Humanities Grant, and in the course of that, it gave me the idea to build a website for the project that has a lot of public history on it. We hope to do a virtual version of the exhibition that we'll have up permanently." That Stan State should be a partner of the project initiated by Sayad Zatari, who grew up in Chicago and lives in Phoenix, is a testament to the legacy of Turlock's Assyrian community. "There are social groups in California of descendants from little towns in the Middle East where parents and grandparents were from," Sayad Zarati said. "One of those little towns is Aada, a suburb of Urmia, Iran, where my grandmother was from. Every year in Modesto or Turlock they have a get-together, and I go to it. On one of those occasions I met Carmen Morad, a local Assyrian who knows everything about the Assyrian community." That connection led to Sayad Zatari speaking at Stan State. She told the story of her grandmother, whose husband and two young sons were slaughtered in the genocide. But she managed to walk hundreds of miles across the desert to the safety of a British refugee camp. Sponsored by the Presbyterian Church, she moved to Chicago, married and started a new life. "That's where I showed the land deeds my grandmother brought with her, more to illustrate this is real to the holocaust deniers. People were fascinated by these things," Sayad Zarati said. Morad connected her to James Tuedio, dean of the College of the Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences, who connected Sayad Zarati to Hughes. The goal, pandemic willing, is to open the exhibit in June 2021, where it will remain until August. In the meantime, the work goes on. Digital materials Sayad Zarati called for have been submitted from around the world, and she is transferring them to the University, which will archive the collection. Hughes and Kambar, who is based in New York and did her Ph.D. dissertation on oral stories of Assyrians, will handle the oral histories. Anyone interested in sharing a story is encouraged to reach out to Hughes via email. Even in its early stages, the project has been eye-opening for Hughes. "A lot of my scholarship looked at power structures: government, community leaders, things like that," Hughes said. "With this, it's the power of individual stories, the power of one family's experience. It personalizes it and strikes you and breaks your heart and inspires you in all those ways that previously I had not thought about." Sayad Zatari has just one such story. To hear them all, to see this project come to fruition, is a dream come true for her. "I learned, as an adult, about my grandmother's experience and that this happened to tens of thousands of people, and nobody knew unless you were from an Assyrian family," Sayad Zatari said. "You can't go back and fix this. As an attorney, I know how important it is to make a record of what happened so there is no denying. Turkey denies to this day they slaughtered all those people. This happened. It's important to us. They're not going to give us anything, but they need to acknowledge it." Johnson has said he is investigating whether Hunter Bidens involvement with the gas company posed a conflict of interest to then-Vice President Bidens work on Ukraine policy. His committee has been collecting documents and in recent days interviewed three witnesses, including a top State Department official who testified during the impeachment hearings, according to people familiar with the inquiry, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because of the ongoing investigation. Johnson told the Hill newspaper that he is planning to publish his report by mid-September, weeks before the Nov. 3 election. Mexican authorities have arrested a high-ranking leader and hitmen recruiter of the Cartel Del Noreste in Nuevo Laredo, officials said. Early Tuesday, the Secretariat of the National Defense, known as SEDENA, and the Mexican National Guard arrested Eden Guadalupe Villarreal Gomez, also known as "La Teniente," as part of the National Plan of Peace and Security 2018-2024. SEDENA, the Guard and the Assistant Attorney General's Office for Special Investigations on Organized Crime arrested Villarreal Gomez and her girlfriend Edna N in Colonia La Sandia in west Nuevo Laredo. Villarreal Gomez is identified as a high-ranking member of the Cartel Del Noreste. Troops said they found Villarreal Gomez in possession of a firearm made exclusively for the army and multiple fentanyl pills. Authorities said not a single shot was fired in the apprehension of La Teniente. Its not easy to carry out these types of apprehensions in a small colonia that is surveilled by criminals. However, the army, the National Guard arrived at the location, (effected the arrest) and left quietly without raising any suspicion, Mexican authorities said in a statement. Authorities further stated that this arrest deals a blow to the operational structure of the violent Cartel Del Noreste. Villarreal Gomez had warrants out for her arrest on the charges of murder, organized crime and crimes against public servants. She was also responsible for the lookouts, also known as Halcones, who reported the movements of the military or rival groups. Villarreal Gomez was also in charge of the bars and nightclubs in Boys Town, Nuevo Laredos red district where illicit activities such as human trafficking, extortion, kidnapping, torture and murder would occur. She was also in charge of hitmen recruitment for the Cartel Del Noreste, the co-optation of the three levels of government, drug sales and firearms smuggling to supply criminal cells of the cartel. She is considered to be one of the most violent criminals in the area, since she planned and executed armed (attacks) against public servants, which is why an increase in violence has been generated in that entity, authorities said. Villarreal Gomez is a person of absolute trust of Juan Gerardo Trevino, also known as Huevo. Trevino is the head of the cartel, officials said. Thousands more children are likely to be placed in out-of-home care due to the coronavirus pandemic, but advocates for minors say it is a human tragedy that could be avoided. A report commissioned by Victorias largest child and family services organisation, Berry Street, found that in the most severe scenario recurring virus outbreaks resulting in long periods of lockdown the number of children in out-of-home care would more than double from almost 12,000 to 27,500 within six years. The number of children in out-of-home care is expected to soar by thousands due to coronavirus. Credit:John Donegan The Social Ventures Australia projections build on existing increases in the numbers of Victorian children in care, which jump by about 10 per cent a year. It adds the risk factors associated with the coronavirus pandemic that contribute to abuse and neglect, such as rising family violence, substance abuse and financial stress. Under a constrained pandemic scenario, in which a vaccine becomes available next year and there is high unemployment, the modelling predicts demand for child protection would increase by an additional 10 per cent for three years. The Supreme Court will on Wednesday (August 5) hear a petition filed by Bollywood actress Rhea Chakraborty who has approached the apex court seeking transfer of an FIR, lodged against her in connection with the death of actor Sushant Singh Rajput, from Patna to Mumbai. Rhea's plea will be heard by a bench of Justice Hrishikesh Roy. Sushant, 34, was found hanging in his apartment in Bandra in Mumbai on June 14. Notably, caveats have been filed by both Maharashtra and Bihar governments in the SC seeking to be heard before passing any order on Rhea's petition. The Bollywood actress is accused of alleged offence of abetment of suicide. A caveat has also been filed by Sushant's father Krishna Kishore Singh in the apex court in the matter. Sushant's father had lodged an FIR on July 25 at Rajiv Nagar police station in Patna against Rhea and six others, accusing them of abetting the actors suicide. In her plea, Rhea has claimed that Sushant's father has used his influence in filing the FIR at Patna and naming her as an accused in abetment of suicide of his son. It is pertinent to mention that the deceased and petitioner were in live-in relationship since a year up till June 8, 2020 when the petitioner had temporarily shifted to her own residence in Mumbai, she has said in her plea. Chakraborty has also said in her plea that, The deceased (Rajput) was suffering from depression for some time and was also on anti-depressants and he committed suicide on the morning of June 14, 2020 at his Bandra residence by hanging himself. An FIR has been registered against her and others at Patna for alleged offences under various sections of the Indian Penal Code, including 306 (abetment of suicide), 341 (punishment for wrongful restraint), 342 (punishment for wrongful confinement), 380 (theft in dwelling house), 406 (punishment for criminal breach of trust) and 420 (cheating and dishonestly inducing delivery of property). Mughal-e-Azam has everything in a movie that appeals to the quintessential millennial: Love, defiance, rebellion, tragedy. K Asif's magnum opus is as grand as it gets and 60 years after its release, can still be a captivating watch. The terrific performances by Prithiviraj Kapoor, Madhubala and Dilip Kumar breathed life into Akbar, Anarkali and Salim. The director, quite literally, put his heart and soul into this movie, which was around 10 years in the making. K Asif directed only two movies in his life, this was his last but it made him a legend. And for a decade, the movie was all he lived for. The music by Naushad and lyrics by Shakeel Badayuni can still make your heart sing, the dialogues are legendary, not despite but because they are so dramatic and the sheer grandeur takes us all back to an era of Indian history when people lived in castles, strolled around fountains and fought battles with elephants in iron armour. The producers Shapoorji-Pallonji spared no expense and believed in K Asif's vision, investing a whopping 1.5 crore into the movie, making it the most expensive film in Indian cinema at that time. In 1960s, an average film budget was around 10-15 lakh. Mughal-e-Azam's budget would be equivalent to around 250 crore in present times. Everything about Mughal-e-Azam is epic and larger than life. It is considered to be a textbook for cinema enthusiasts. At a time when we have learnt to appreciate movies and series made across the world, depicting different cultures and sensibilities, perhaps it's time to reflect on one of the greatest classics that the Indian film industry has ever produced. Here's why I think millennials MUST watch Mughal-e-Azam. The Romance: Salim and Anarkali's impossible romance is at the heart of this fable. A lovelorn prince who was banished to grow up on the battle field to keep him away from the luxuries and spoils of the royal palace, returns home a changed man to prove his worth to his emperor father... only to be struck with love at first sight. And who wouldn't fall in love with Anarkali, a courtesan who is both incredibly beautiful and very charming. Dilip Kumar and Madhubala's electrifying chemistry has truly immortalised Salim-Anarkali's tragic romance. The iconic song Jab Pyaar Kiya toh Darna Kya wherein Anarkali declares her love for Salim right in front of the all-powerful emperor has taught generations of young couples that love knows no fear. And Salim literally goes to war with his father for the love of his life. Watch out for the feather scene in the courtyard (which millennials know as the background of many memes). It is a cinematic treasure. Prithviraj Kapoor as Shahenshah-e-Hind Jalaluddin Mohammed Akbar I refuse to believe that there can ever be another man who brings Akbar's character to life the way Prithviraj Kapoor did. The formidable walk of the emperor, the baritone, the intense and enraged eyes - Kapoor personified Akbar. After all, he is Mughal-e-Azam (the greatest Mughal). Right from the first scene to the last, Kapoor as Akbar captures your imagination. He makes you fall in love with the character who put a tragic end to the film's central romance. Keep an open mind and an Urdu dictionary by your side and just listen to Prithviraj Kapoor as Akbar talk the way only he can. Watch out for the intense war of words between Akbar and Salim where he says, "Hum apne bete ke dhadakte hue dil ke liye, Hindustan ki takdeer nahi badal sakte." The revolutionary spark: Millenials love to rebel and there's plenty of rebellion in this movie. There's one particular character who shines, that of a sculptor Sangtarash who talks about dissent in a 16th century monarchy. Sangtarash represents the woes of the common folk in midst of all that royalty. Like every ideal artist, he stands up for what he believes to be right even in the face of death. He talks about love and freedom and about breaking the shackles of injustice. He's relevant and relatable even in 2020. You can't not love Sangtarash. Watch out for the song 'Zindabad! Zindabad! Aye Mohabbat, Zindabad!' Sangtarash helps Salim and Anarkali while almost sparking a revolution at the gates of the palace. War scenes and authenticity We are a generation which has raved about the battle scenes in Game of Thrones (Battle of Bastards). Which is why, millenials need to appreciate the battle scene in Mughal-e-Azam which is pure cinematic excellence. K Asif got the then government's approval and shot the sequence with 2000 real soldiers, the Jaipur cavalry, 56 Regiment. Asif built a batallion of around 8000 troops with 400 horses and 2000 camels (camels were dropped from the final cut) and he made this possible 60 years ago with no CGI! The chains worn by Madhubalas Anarkali in the prison were not fake. Both the director and the actress thought that it was needed to truly understand what it takes to break someone's spirit inside a prison cell and to portray Anarkali's pain and suffering. K Asif left no stone unturned in recreating the grandeur of Mughal royalty. Clothes were stitched with real 'zardozi' embroidery, goldsmiths from Hyderabad made the jewellery, artisans from Kolhapur made the crowns and Rajasthani blacksmiths created the shields, swords and armoury. The magnificent sets and the costumes were modelled very close to the chronicled reality. Watch out for the 'Sheesh Mahal' in the song 'Pyaar kiya toh darna kya'. K Asif practically created his own Sheesh Mahal, a set which was 30 ft high, 80 ft wide and 150 ft long, created with lakhs of small convex mirrors by craftsmen from Ferozabad. This set was open for public viewing for 3 years at Mohan studio. The shoot itself remains a lesson in cinematography even today with all the technological advancement that we have, to capture Madhubala's dance in thousands of mirrors without the camera reflecting in even a single frame. Hindi movie stereotypes that you'll hate to love Durga Khote as Maharani Jodha, the typical Indian mother who loves her son unconditionally. This may be too much melo-drama for some young people. But don't give up on the movie on account of this. There's something to love here, as well. There's a scene where Maharani Jodha stands up to her emperor husband demanding that her son be freed. Akbar says, "Aap maa hain, sirf maa." Drum rolls... Jodha replies, "Aur aap shahenshah hain, sirf shahenshah." Nigar Sultana as Bahaar, the supposed vamp if we're speaking strictly in Hindi film terminology. She's the head courtesan who's fiercely ambitious. Her only wish is to be the queen. She feels she should be the love of Salim's life. In any other movie, I would despise this character. But Nigar Sulatana's Bahaar makes it very difficult to not like her. There's a qawaali face-off between Bahaar and Anarkali, judged by Salim. Anarkali sings about love in all its tragic glory. Bahaar is the one who makes some seriously valid points against love and ultimately wins the contest. Millenials would identify with her school of thought. And she's got immensely beautiful eyes! Ajit as Durjan Singh, Salim's best friend and Raja Man Singh's son. He's the simple guy who is fiercely loyal to his prince, helps him in everything from exchanging love letters with Anarkali to fighting besides him on the battle field. You will love him when he says, "Rajput jaan haarta hai par vachan nahi haarta." Tragedy The film is long and there can be some parts where millenials may wish to fast-forward. It is after all, a 60-year-old movie. But if you patiently invest your time and emotions in this eternal romance between two star-crossed lovers, you'll feel their pain. It will move you, it will stay with you. What makes a movie great is whether it connects to your emotions and this one surely does. My father wrote a book on the making of this movie, so I grew up watching it. But I clearly remember, when the coloured version of the movie was released, there was a young couple seated next to me who couldn't stop crying during the climax. Watch out for the song 'Khuda nigehban ho tumhara, dhadakte dil ka payaam le lo. Tumhari duniya se jaa rahe hai, utho humara salaam le lo'. The profound lyrics, the beautiful set, Madhubala's terrific performance and Dilip Kumar's helplessness makes it a complete tearjerker. US Troop Size in Afghanistan Will Reduce to 4,000 'Very Soon', Trump Says By Ayaz Gul August 04, 2020 U.S. President Donald Trump has said the U.S. military presence in Afghanistan will be reduced to "anywhere from 4,000 to 5,000" troops by November this year. Trump's remarks to Axios for HBO came as the Afghan Taliban has said its chief peace negotiator in a video meeting on Monday with U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo discussed the state of the Afghan peace process. "It's already planned. We'll be down in a very short period of time to 8,000 [troops], then we're going to be down to 4,000, we're negotiating right now. We have been there for 19 years," Trump told the media outlet. The U.S. president declined to specify the exact time but said that it would happen "very soon." When asked how many American troops will be in Afghanistan on U.S. election day in November, Trump said it would be "probably, anywhere from 4,000 to 5,000." Speaking to reporters on Saturday, the U.S. president also stressed "We're leaving Afghanistan fairly shortly." The U.S military began a gradual drawdown soon after the Trump administration sealed a peace pact with the Taliban insurgency in February to close the 19-year-old Afghan war, America's longest. The United States has since reduced the number of its troops to 8,600 from around 13,000 and vacated five Afghan military bases. The deal called for all American and allied troops to leave Afghanistan by July 2021 in return for assurances that the Islamist insurgency would prevent the country from becoming a safe haven for transnational terrorists. U.S. officials say the agreement also binds the Taliban to negotiate a political settlement with rival Afghan groups to end decades of hostilities in the conflict-torn country. The proposed intra-Afghan peace dialogue, however, is tied to the release of 5,000 Taliban prison inmates under a protracted prisoner swap between the insurgent group and the Afghan government, which was not part of the U.S.-negotiated pact. The Taliban has completed its part of the prisoner exchange and freed 1,000 Afghan security personnel from its custody. But Afghan President Ashraf Ghani has refused to release a last set of about 400 insurgent prisoners for their involvement in "serious" crimes, including killing innocent Afghans. Ghani has announced he would convene a consultative Loya Jirga, the traditional assembly of Afghan elders and lawmakers, to determine the fate of the remaining Taliban prisoners. The Afghan leader defended his move, saying the constitution does not allow him to free the detainees. Taliban spokesman Suhail Shaheen said that in Monday's video meeting with Pompeo, Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, the group's Qatar-based deputy leader, stressed that "release of the remaining prisoners is essential for the commencement of intra-Afghan negotiations." Shaheen asserted that Pompeo also welcomed announcement of the three-day Eid cease-fire by the Taliban that ended on Sunday. The insurgent spokesman also tweeted images from the Pompeo-Baradar video meeting. The U.S. State Department has so far not commented on Pompeo's interaction. Afghan officials alleged that there was no let up in insurgent attacks during the Eid festivities, saying the violence killed more than 20 civilians. The Taliban has rejected the allegations as baseless. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address President Donald Trump on Wednesday denied any involvement in the effort by rapper Kanye West to get on the ballot in presidential battlegrounds amid a skein of revelations about GOP-connected officials aiding the effort. 'I'm not involved,' Trump said at the White House when DailyMail.com asked him about new disclosures about figures assisting West in his petition-drive to get on state ballots for his 11th-hour presidential campaign. 'I like him. Hes always been very nice to me,' Trump said, praising the rapper-producer who appeared with him at the White House in 2018 and sported his trademark red Make America Great Again hat. But Trump denied a role in West's latest actions. 'I'm not involved,' President Donald Trump said when DailyMail.com asked him about officials with longtime Republican ties helping Kanye West get on the presidential ballot in key states 'No, not at all. No, not at all. Other than I get along with him very well. I like him. I like his wife. His wife recommended certain people as you know for, including Alice Johnson whos a fantastic woman,' Trump continued, praising Kim Kardashian and pointing to her successful push for Trump to grant clemency for her life sentence on a drug conviction. The president briefly veered into a discussion about prison reform. 'But his wife recommended certain people to get out of prison. They were in prison for a long time. A long, long time. And should have never happened. And I took what she said very strong Kim Kardashian,' Trump continued. 'And she's got a good heart. A very good heart. And I like Kanye very much.' Then he added: 'No, I have nothing to do with him getting on the ballot.' The president briefly mulled how having West's name on the ballot might impact his race against Democrat Joe Biden, then stopped short. Kanye West's presidential campaign dropped off signature papers Tuesday at the state Elections Commission building in Madison.Saying "no comment" to WISN 12 News, Lane Ruhland entered the building just after 5 p.m. Tuesday in Madison to drop off the signatures Kanye West had, until recently, been a feverent public supporter of Trump, insisting he and the incumbent president shared a dragon energy 'I like him. Hes always been very nice to me,' Trump said of West, while also saying he likes his wife, Kim Kardashian West West first announced his intentions to run for president in a tweet on July 4. Since then, the rapper-producer has filed paperwork in seven states to become the next White House occupant, including Oklahoma, Illinois, Missouri, Arkansas, Vermont, West Virginia and now Wisconsin Wests nominating petitions were dropped off with state regulators in Madison by Lane Ruhland before Tuesdays 5pm deadline. Ruhland, a top Republican lawyer and former general counsel for the state GOP, was filmed dropping off the signatures Wests ties to four individuals has raised questions about the intentions of his White House bid and whether it is a GOP-designed effort to siphon votes from Joe Biden 'Well have to see what happens. We'll see if he gets on the ballot. But i'm not involved,' he concluded. Trump's 2016 victory came in a year when Green Party candidate Jill Stein, Libertarian Gary Johnson were on the ballot, with a late push by Evan McMullen to try to throw a wrench into the outcome. The president's comments come as a series of GOP officials have been tied to West's effort. West turned in ballot petitions Tuesday in Wisconsin, a critical swing state that Trump carried narrowly in 2016 where Biden is leading in public polls. Gregg Keller, the former executive director of the American Conservative Union, has been listed as a contact for Wests campaign in Arkansas The rapper announced his campaign July 4th on Twitter, then filed papers in Oklahoma, Illinois, Missouri, Arkansas, Vermont, and West Virginia. Top GOP lawyer Lane Ruhland was filmed and identified dropping off West's Wisconsin petitions at the state capital in Madison. She is a former general counsel for the state Republican Party. It appears that Kanye West made a smart decision by hiring an experienced election attorney, said state GOP spokeswoman Alesha Guenther told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Another official, Gregg Keller, the former executive director of the American Conservative Union, was listed as a contact for West's effort to get on the ballot in Arkansas. Trump reportedly consider Keller to be chair of his 2016 campaign before settling on Corey Lewandowski. Chuck Wilton is listed as a convention delegate for Trump in Vermont and an elector for West. His wife, Wendy is a Trump Agriculture Department appointee. New York Magazine identified officials assisting West with GOP ties. The group Let The Voters Decide is also assisting West. The driver accidentally hit the accelerator rather than the brake. (SWNS) A Jaguar driver with a 2FAST4U number plate was left embarrassed after she crashed her luxury 60,000 car into a cafe. Diners had to scramble for safety as the Jaguar F-Type Coupe ploughed through barriers at the Botanicum Cafe & Grill in South Africa. The woman, who has not been named, was lucky to escape with just wounded pride having accidentally hit the accelerator rather than the brake. Pictures show the extent of the damage at the cafe and how the white V8 vehicle came to a rest at a 45-degree angle on a wall. Read more: Man struggling with last song syndrome took his own life, inquest concludes Luckily no one was hurt in the incident. (SWNS) Katie Dijzel, who took the photos, said: "I guess it brings a whole new meaning to a drive-through breakfast but the driver was just so mortified. "The car was gleaming and looked straight out of the showroom, but it seems with the new rules of social distancing what with coronavirus her car was not having any of it at all! "The fortunate thing is that it was raining at breakfast time, as on a usual day there would have been diners sat at the table where the Jaguar came through the crash barriers. "A man I assumed to be the husband turned up a short while later in his Mercedes, and it is fair to say he did not look best pleased when he saw the car several feet in the air. Read more: Shoplifter banned from every Waitrose and M&S in UK after five years of stealing Diners had to scramble for safety as the Jaguar F-Type Coupe ploughed through barriers. (SWNS) Dijzel said a waiter joked that if the lady wanted a table she only had to ring to make a reservation. She added: "The man who turned up was not impressed and emptied her shopping out of the crashed Jaguar and put it in his Mercedes and she just sat in the front looking so embarrassed. "I have sat at the very table where that car ended up, which brought it home to me what could have happened, but I still couldnt help smiling when I saw the plate on the car." No one was hurt in the incident. Photo Illustration by The Daily Beast/Getty The federal agency primarily responsible for the distribution of foreign aid has been roiled in recent days by the most Trumpian of dramas, one involving an anti-LGBT political appointee, blundering conservative operative Jacob Wohl, accusations of stalking, prostitution, and the potential hiring of a young conservative with past racist writings. The chaos seemed set to crest with a slap-dash press conference scheduled for this Thursday. But within a day of the pressers announcement, the main protagonist was apparently recanting her accusations and insinuating that Wohl had stolen her phone and signed into her Twitter account to send the offending messages that set off the fireworks that got her fired. The setting of the entire mess was the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), an agency known largely as a bit of a backwater when it comes to the governments foreign policy apparatus, but one with a $16.8 billion foreign aid budget. On Monday a political appointee and deputy White House liaison there, Merritt Corrigan, took to Twitter to accuse her employer of anti-Christian bias. Corrigans appointment at USAID has been under fire for months over anti-gay tweets she made in 2019 and 2020, including accusing the United States of being a homo-empire devoted to a tyrannical LGBT agenda, tweeting that female empowerment is a civilizational calamity, and advocating for the creation of a Christian patriarchy. But on Monday, her targets were both USAID itself and House Foreign Relations Affairs Committee Chair Eliot Engel (D-NY), whom she accused of soliciting prostitutes. As Corrigans initial tweets went up, she claimed USAID gave her a 3 p.m. deadline to resign or be fired. When the deadline passed, Corrigan said she was fired. On its own, the episode was bizarre. But then it got much weirder. Jacob Wohl Charged With Felony in California Corrigan, who is/was apparently dating Wohl, announced that shed be appearing Thursday in front of Wohl associate Jack Burkmans Northern Virginia housea site that has previously hosted farcical attempts to smear Sens. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) and Kamala Harris (D-CA) with lurid sexual allegations. There, she would further denounce USAID, accuse a Politico reporter who covered her resignation of stalking her, and demand that Engel debate her and Burkman. In a press release announcing the press conference, Burkman and Wohl claimed that Wohl, who is currently facing two felony charges related to security sales in California, had been working behind the scenes with Corrigan for months. Story continues Jacob Wohls Bogus Warren Accuser Exaggerated His Military Service Record Engels office did not return a request for comment. And, perhaps, for good reason. The accusations have no proof or merit, and as the story unfolded it became increasingly difficult to get a read on where the truth actually began and the innuendo and smears ended. On Tuesday afternoon, Corrigan deleted her tweets attacking USAID and stopped responding to messages from The Daily Beast. Wohl claimed in an interview Tuesday that a coterie of Trumpworld personalities had convinced Corrigan to backtrack on her claims. And Burkman claimed that Corrigan had buyers remorse after sending her tweets. Somebody does something and then they regret it, Burkman said. But later in the day, a conduit sent a statement from Corrigan herself that was darker in implication. Corrigan now claimed shed become the pawn of individuals who had attempted to ruin her. "I would like to apologize, it read. Especially to the people who have been affected or hurt by the messages sent from my Twitter account, and the claims made in my name over the past 24 hours. I did NOT send these messages, and while I vehemently protested about them being sent in my name, my devices were not in my control. I see now that I was part of an abusive scheme and I was used to attack people that have nothing to do with me. I will not be participating in any press conferences as claimed in my name, and will have nothing to do with individuals who forced me to hand over my devices so they could control me and the output in my name. Due to naivete and inexperience, I became involved with people who abused my trust, conned me, and claimed they were working in my interest. I became powerless in a situation, and I deeply regret not reaching out to people who knew better, or could help me. Corrigan is far from the first Wohl associate to bail on one of his press conferences. But she does appear to be the first to have formally held such a high post at a government agency. And her drama illustrates the degree to which the once-staid USAID has become a stomping grounds for a twisted, absurdist circus involving Trumpian figures who despise one another and are notorious for trying to conduct botched operations against their political foes. Prior to the apparent change of course, Corrigan had also made one other noteworthy assertionthat USAID was set to hire yet another controversial political appointment: conservative personality Kyle Kashuv, whose admission to Harvard was revoked last year over racist remarks he made in high school. Kashuv, a survivor of the 2018 Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting in Parkland, Florida, rose to fame on the right in the aftermath of the shooting as a conservative counterweight to pro-gun control Parkland students. Kashuvs opposition to the gun control measures pushed by his classmates earned him a visit to the White House, and a position at conservative campus group Turning Point USA. Along the way, Kashuv antagonized Wohl and some of his right-wing associates for actions like criticizing anti-Muslim activist Laura Loomer for wearing a Nazi-era Jewish star to protest her Twitter ban. Harvard Pulls Pro-Gun Parkland Survivor Kyle Kashuvs Admission Over Racial Slurs But Kashuvs star on the right imploded in May 2019, when he was exposed by a fellow classmate for writing racist messages and Google Doc notes. In one text message, Kashuv complained that a classmate dated ni**erjocks. In the aftermath of the reporting on Kashuvs remarks, Harvard revoked Kashuvs admission to its undergraduate class. Corrigan claims Kashuv has been offered a political appointment to be a special assistant to USAID Deputy Administrator Bonnie Glick, after initially being considered for a congressional liaison position. That job offer, she adds, was one point of disagreement with her fellow USAID officials that ultimately led to her speaking out against the agency. I dont believe that hes a real conservative, and his prior media was going to bring a lot of negativity to USAID, Corrigan told The Daily Beast. The Daily Beast wasnt able to confirm that Kashuv has been offered a position at USAID, but did obtain a document dated July 31 purporting to be an offer letter from USAID, offering Kashuv a position with roughly $50,000 annual salary as an assistant to Glick, pending a security clearance. The purported offer letter to Kashuv listed the phone number of a USAID employee. When a reporter for The Daily Beast called the number, the woman who answered identified herself as a USAID employee but refused to answer questions about the letter. Im sorry, I cant answer your call, the woman said, before hanging up. USAID declined repeated requests to comment on whether the agency had offered Kashuv a position, but a spokesperson said USAID would investigate any complaints of anti-Christian bias made by Corrigan. Kashuv didnt respond to multiple requests for comment. Glick, who called Kashuv a rockstar in a May tweet, also didnt respond to requests for comment. 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. Washington: US President-elect Donald Trump on Friday warned US companies of "consequences" if they relocate abroad and promised to slash tax from 35 per cent to 15 per cent to make America attractive for businesses. "Companies are not going to leave the US any more without consequences. Not going to happen. It's not going to happen, I'll tell you right now," Trump said as he visited a plant of leading air conditioning manufacturer Carrier in Indiana where he announced that he has struck a deal with the company to change their plan to relocate to Mexico and saved more than 1,100 jobs in the process. Trump said he called the top leadership of Carrier to make the deal happen."We're losing so much. So one of the things we're doing to keep them is we're going to lowering our business tax from 35 per cent, hopefully down to 15 per cent, which would take us from the highest-taxed national virtually in the world -- this is terrible for business -- to one of the lower taxed. Not the lowest yet, but one of the lower taxed," he said. During the presidential campaign, the Republican billionaire had threatened to slap tariffs on firms quit Ameica for places like Mexico, China and India where labour costs are cheaper. It became a repeated refrain of his victorious campaign. "I just want to let all of the other companies know that we're going to do great things for business. There's no reason for them to leave anymore because your taxes are going to be at the very, very low end, and your unnecessary regulations are going to be gone," he said assuring companies that the US would be a business friendly destination.Trump also blamed people from Middle East 'pouring in the US. "People are pouring in from regions of the Middle East. We have no idea who they are, where they come from, what they're thinking and we?re going to stop that dead, cold flat," he said.Trump insisted that his administration will build the wall across the Mexico border."We're going to build the wall. People are saying: Do youthink Trump's going to build the wall? Trust me, we're goingto build a wall. And by the way, people are going to comethrough that wall. We're going to have doors in that wall, butthey're going to come through legally," he said. "People are going to come through on worker permits towork the fields. We're going to have a lot of people are goingto come through. But it's going to be done through a legalprocess," he asserted. Addressing the gathering, the vice president-elect MikePence said Trump personally called the top leadership ofUnited Technologies, which owns Carrier. "President-elect Donald Trump did just what he said hewould do. He picked up the phone. I was actually in the room.He picked up the phone. He talked from one American toanother. He talked about our plans, our plans to make Americamore competitive, to reduce taxes, to roll back regulations,to put American jobs and American workers first again. He madethe case for America," he said. For all the Latest World News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Modi broke ground on a long-awaited temple of Hindu God Ram at the site of a demolished 16th-century mosque. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveiled a plaque on Wednesday to kick off the construction of a Hindu temple in the northern city of Ayodhya on a spot where a mosque was demolished nearly 30 years ago, prompting deadly riots nationwide. Modi offered prayers to nine stone blocks with Lord Ram inscribed on it amid chanting of Hindu religious hymns to symbolise the start of construction of the temple, which is expected to take three and a half years to complete. I am grateful to witness history being made. Crores [millions] of Indians cannot believe that this day has come. The entire country is in the spell of Lord Ram Ram is an emblem of Indias unity in diversity, Modi said in a speech. The Hindu nationalist leader wore a traditional outfit of a gold Kurta, a long shirt, and white Dhoti, a loose cloth wrapped around his waist, along with his face mask. Hindu-first agenda A masked Modi, 69, shared the stage with the head of the RSS, the militaristic Hindu supremacist group that is parent to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and which Modi joined as a young man. Police stand guard ahead of the arrival of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Ayodhya [Prabhat Kumar Verma/EPA] Its an emotional and historic moment. Wait has been worthwhile, said Lal Krishna Advani, a 92-year-old leader of the governing BJP who was in the forefront of the partys temple campaign in the 1990s. Organisers said the ceremony was set on an astrologically auspicious date for Hindus but Wednesday also marked a year since the Modi government revoked the semi-autonomous status of Indian-administered Kashmir the countrys only Muslim-majority region. The symbolism was impossible to miss since the BJP had long pledged in its manifesto to strip the disputed region of Kashmir of its autonomy and to build a temple to the Hindu God Ram where the Mughal-era mosque once stood. The main roads were barricaded and about 3,000 paramilitary soldiers were guarding Ayodhya city, where all shops and businesses are closed. Last week, a priest and 15 police officers at the temple site tested positive for the coronavirus, which has infected 1.9 million people in India and killed nearly 40,000. Had this function been held on normal days all these roads would have been chock-a-block with people. Millions of people would have come to Ayodhya to witness this historic event, temple priest Hari Mohan said. Only 175 religious saints, priests and Hindu and Muslim community representatives were invited to the ceremony. Water from Indian rivers in 2,000 earthen pots sent by various Hindu temples and Sikh shrines was poured at the site. Hindu-Muslim tension The groundbreaking follows a ruling by Indias Supreme Court last November favouring the building of a Hindu temple on the disputed site in Uttar Pradesh state. Many Hindus believe their God Ram was born at the site and claim Muslim Emperor Babur built a mosque on top of a temple there. The Babri mosque was destroyed by Hindu mobs with pickaxes and crowbars in December 1992, sparking big Hindu-Muslim violence that left some 2,000 people, mostly Muslims, dead. The Supreme Courts verdict allowed a temple to be built in place of the demolished mosque. The temple will be about 72 metres (235 feet) wide, 91.5 metres (300 feet) long and 49 metres (161 feet) high with five domes with a total area of about 7,804 square metres (84,000 square feet) [Rajesh Kumar Singh/AP Photo] Those invited to the groundbreaking ceremony include Iqbal Ansari, the main Muslim litigant in the Supreme Court case, who now supports building the temple in Ayodhya. The court also ordered that Muslims be given two hectares (five acres) of land to build a new mosque at a nearby site. The temple will be about 72 metres (235 feet) wide, 91.5 metres (300 feet) long and 49 metres (161 feet) high with five domes with a total area of about 7,804 square metres (84,000 square feet). The complex will also have a prayer hall, lecture hall, visitors hostel and museum. Houses and other buildings close to the temple site in the city of Ayodhya have been painted yellow to recreate the look when the Hindu God Ram ruled there for thousands of years, according to the Hindu epic Ramayana. Yellow is an auspicious colour. As per Hindu tradition, yellow symbolises purity and light, temple priest Mahant Kamal Narain Das said. Embolden Hindu nationalists Muslims comprise about 14 percent of Hindu-majority Indias 1.3 billion people. The temple-mosque dispute badly divided Hindus and Muslims, often triggering communal clashes. Prominent Muslims have said the community was resigned to the new reality but fear the new temple could embolden Hindu nationalists to target two other mosques in Uttar Pradesh. The Modi government should assure Muslims that Hindu outfits will not ask for the construction of temples in Varanasi and Mathura after demolishing existing mosques there, said Ansari, the main litigant in the Babri mosque case. The Gyanvapi mosque in the city of Varanasi is in a temple complex dedicated to Lord Shiva. In the city of Mathura, the Shahi Idgah mosque stands adjacent to the temple complex that marks the birthplace of the Hindu God Krishna. Hindu organisations say both were built over razed temples. PHOENIX Grand Canyon Education Inc. (LOPE) on Tuesday reported second-quarter earnings of $47 million. The Phoenix-based company said it had profit of $1 per share. Earnings, adjusted for one-time gains and costs, came to $1.03 per share. The for-profit education company posted revenue of $185.8 million in the period. For the current quarter ending in October, Grand Canyon Education expects its per-share earnings to be $1.11. The company said it expects revenue in the range of $197.5 million for the fiscal third quarter. Grand Canyon Education expects full-year earnings to be $5.47 per share, with revenue expected to be $842.4 million. Grand Canyon Education shares have dropped almost 2% since the beginning of the year. In the final minutes of trading on Tuesday, shares hit $94, a decline of 19% in the last 12 months. _____ This story was generated by Automated Insights (http://automatedinsights.com/ap) using data from Zacks Investment Research. Access a Zacks stock report on LOPE at https://www.zacks.com/ap/LOPE Kigali bound passengers on SN Brussels were on Tuesday, August 4 barred from boarding their flight to Kigali by Belgian authorities. The decision was explained to the passengers as part of the implementation of travel restrictions to reduce incoming flow at external borders of the European Union as well as discouraging outbound travel of EU citizens and residents to reduce vulnerability against Covid-19. The move affected not only Belgian citizens and residents seeking to travel to Rwanda but also citizens and residents (who hold EU resident permits) of other European Union countries. Passengers were informed that only those considered travelling for essential purposes such as work, funeral and medical reasons with attestations to prove it would be allowed to board. "I am in Brussels now and half of our flight have been turned away! It's absolute chaos! No one knows what they are doing," a Kigali bound passenger who spoke anonymously said. Another passenger who was traveling to Kigali as a tourist to be reunited with her partner told The New Times that in her planned travel to Kigali, she was confident of Rwanda's efforts to curb the pandemic. The German citizen said that she would attempt to travel to Kigali via another city. "I am well informed about the situation in the country and I think Rwanda is doing an incredible job against Covid-19. I am happy with the steps that the government has taken and glad that the airport is finally open. I am not afraid of coming and will try via another country," she said. However, the European Union Embassy in Kigali distanced itself from the move saying that it was not an EU directive but rather a Belgian one. The Belgian Embassy in Kigali told The New Times that they had learnt of the incident and were in contact with the Belgian government to understand the developments before commenting further. SN Brussels is the only airline that has so far been affected by passengers on KLM expected to board. Rwanda has been listed as one of the few countries globally that put ideal measures in curbing the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic. Kigali International Airport was opened on August 1 with measures set up to test arriving passengers. Tourism facilities across the country have also been re-opened with measures set up by the Ministry of Health to curb vulnerability. Thiruvananthapuram, Aug 5 : The Kerala Police on Wednesday took into custody an accountant as it continued its probe into the Rs 2 crore treasury fraud case that was committed using online ID of a retired official. The accused has been absconding for sometime. Accountant, M.R. Bijulal, has been attached to a city office of the Treasury. He surfaced last week after absconding for days after the fraud surfaced and claimed that he has done no wrong. Bijulal on Wednesday morning reached his counsel's office and spoke to the media even as he was being taken into custody by two people in plain clothes. "I am innocent and I have done no wrong. I am a person who plays online rummy card games. Not a single rupee of the state government has been taken by me. If so let the probe prove it. "I am an avid player of online games and the money that I transferred to my account was the money that I got playing these games," said Bijulal. He said he has no clue about these reports that have surfaced saying he has siphoned off the Rs 2 crore of the Treasury. Soon after his interaction with the media, he was taken away in a police jeep. His counsel Poonthura Soman told the media that Bijulal had called him on Wednesday morning expressing his desire to surrender. "I had told him to come to my office and he came. He told me that he has done no wrong. As he was speaking to the media, two people came and took him away. I expressed my strong protest that police cannot take anyone into custody from any advocate's office," said Soman. Bijulal's wife, who is a schoolteacher and named accused in the case has already pleaded innocence. Bijulal was absconding for the past few days and both the local police and the newly appointed Crime Branch police team have been tracking him. The fraud was detected on July 28. According to the preliminary probe, it was committed using the password and login name of a recently retired official. As such a fraud can't be committed by just one person -- there are three points of online checking -- it remains to be seen how many other officials were involved in it. Kerala Finance Minister Thomas Issac has already said in a Facebook post that Bijulal would be summarily dismissed from the service and the process for that is currently underway. He has transferred all but one official who found out the fraud to other offices. While Kerala Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) chief K. Surendran demanded probe by a federal agency into the fraud committed by the treasury official, the Congress sought a comprehensive vigilance probe. An exoplanet the size of Saturn orbiting a small faint star 35 light years away has been discovered after a radio telescope spotted a wobble in the stars motion. This is the first time a radio telescope has been used to detect an exoplanet using the 'wobble' technique - the wobble is caused by the gravitational pull of the planet. An international team of astronomers led by the Max Planck Institute used a network of radio antennas linked together called the Very Long Baseline Array (VLBA). The star is known as an ultracool dwarf and it is difficult to spot planets around these very faint objects - but this new technique could see many more discovered. This is the first time a radio telescope has been used to detect an exoplanet using the 'wobble' technique - the wobble is caused by the gravitational pull of the planet Study author Gisela Ortiz-Leon from the Max Planck Institute for Radio Astronomy (MPIfR) said the discovery was possible thanks to the extremely high precision measurements of the star's position only possible with a radio telescope network. The planet, called TVLM 513, has a similar mass to Saturn and an orbit similar to that of Mercury in our Solar System. Only a handful of extrasolar planets with characteristics similar to TVLM 513 have been discovered so far around small, cool stars due to their faintness. Astronomers discovered the planet using the supersharp radio 'vision' of the continent-wide Very Long Baseline Array (VLBA). This is the first discovery of an exoplanet with a radio telescope using a technique that requires extremely precise measurements of a star's position in the sky. It's also only the second time a planet has been discovered using that technique for any type of telescope. The planet was discovered thanks to a wobble in the movement of the star as it completes its orbit - the planet's gravitational pull causes it to move slightly The technique has long been known, but has proven difficult to use as it involves tracking the star's actual motion in space, then detecting a minuscule 'wobble' in that motion caused by the gravitational effect of the planet. The star and the planet orbit a location that represents the centre of mass for both combined and the planet is revealed indirectly if that location - called the barycenter - is far enough from the star's centre to cause a wobble detectable by a telescope. This technique, called the astrometric technique, is expected to be particularly good for detecting Jupiter-like planets in orbits distant from the star. When a massive planet orbits a star the wobble produced actually increase the further the planet is away from its host. Starting in June 2018 and continuing for a year and a half, the astronomers tracked a star called TVLM 51346546, a cool dwarf with less than a tenth the mass of our Sun in the constellation Bootes. In addition, they used data from nine previous VLBA observations of the star between March 2010 and August 2011. THE ASTROMETRIC TECHNIQUE: A WAY TO FIND EXOPLANETS There are a number of ways to find planets surrounding distant stars but a relatively untested one is the astrometric technique. The technique has long been known, but has proven difficult to use as it involves tracking the star's actual motion in space. Astronomers then work to detect a minuscule 'wobble' in that motion caused by the gravitational effect of the planet on the star. The star and the planet orbit a location that represents the centre of mass for both combined. The planet is revealed indirectly if that location - called the barycenter - is far enough from the star's centre to cause a wobble detectable by a telescope. This is expected to be particularly good method for detecting Jupiter-like planets in orbits distant from a star. When a massive planet orbits a star the wobble produced actually increase the further it is away from its host star. Advertisement Extensive analysis of the data from those time periods revealed a telltale wobble in the star's motion indicating the presence of a planet comparable in mass to Saturn, orbiting the star once every 221 days. This planet is closer to the star than Mercury is to the Sun. Small, cool stars like TVLM 51346546 are the most numerous stellar type in our Milky Way Galaxy, and many of them have been found to have smaller planets, comparable to Earth and Mars. 'Giant planets, like Jupiter and Saturn, are expected to be rare around small stars like this one, and the astrometric technique is best at finding Jupiter-like planets in wide orbits, so we were surprised to find a lower mass, Saturn-like planet in a relatively compact orbit,' according to Salvador Curiel from the University of Mexico. 'Detecting the orbital motions of this sub-Jupiter mass planetary companion in such a compact orbit was a great challenge', he added. More than 4,300 planets have been discovered orbiting stars other than the Sun, but the planet around TVLM 51346546 is only the second to be found using the astrometric technique. Another, very successful method, called the radial velocity technique, also relies on the gravitational effect of the planet upon the star. That technique detects the slight acceleration of the star, either toward or away from Earth, caused by the star's motion around the barycenter. 'Our method complements the radial velocity method which is more sensitive to planets orbiting in close orbits, while ours is more sensitive to massive planets in orbits further away from the star', said Ortiz-Leon. 'Indeed, these other techniques have found only a few planets with characteristics such as planet mass, orbital size, and host star mass, similar to the planet we found. Extensive analysis of the data from those time periods revealed a telltale wobble in the star's motion indicating the presence of a planet comparable in mass to Saturn, orbiting the star once every 221 days 'We believe that the VLBA, and the astrometry technique in general, could reveal many more similar planets.' A third technique, called the transit method, also very successful, detects the slight dimming of the star's light when a planet passes in front of it, as seen from Earth. The astrometric method has been successful for detecting nearby binary star systems, and was recognised as early as the 19th Century as a potential means of discovering extrasolar planets. Over the years, a number of such discoveries were announced, then failed to survive further scrutiny. The difficulty has been that the stellar wobble produced by a planet is so small when seen from Earth it requires extraordinary precision in the measurements. 'The VLBA, with antennas separated by as much as 5,000 miles, provided us with the great resolving power and extremely high precision needed for this discovery', said Amy Mioduszewski, of the National Radio Astronomy Observatory. 'In addition, improvements that have been made to the VLBA's sensitivity gave us the data quality that made it possible to do this work now', she added. The results are published in the current issue of the Astronomical Journal. The police in Oyo State have arrested three more suspected members of the gang that robbed the First Bank branch in Okeho, Kajola Local Government Area of the state. The police spokesperson in the state, Olugbenga Fadeyi, confirmed the arrest of the suspects in a statement on Tuesday in Ibadan. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the bank was attacked on July 29 by armed robbers who took away an undisclosed amount of money. Mr Fadeyi, who said that the total number of suspects so far arrested in connection with the robbery was now five, added that they were being interrogated by the Special Anti-Robbey Squad in Ibadan. He said that the suspects were arrested with the cooperation of vigilance group members, hunters and residents of the community. NAN reports that the robbers had used dynamite to blow open the security doors of the bank to gain entry and killed a police sergeant in the process. The robbers, who came in an 18-seater bus, were later chased by members of a vigilance group, resulting in their bus summersaulting due to overspeeding. Three of the robbers were set ablaze by an angry mob while others escaped. (NAN) Police in Belarus broke up an opposition rally on Tuesday, five days before the country's long-time leader President Alexander Lukashenko faces elections. Officers dispersed several hundred people who had gathered in support of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, the wife of a jailed opposition blogger. The rally, in the town of Slutsk, about 100 kilometres (about 60 miles) south of Minsk, had previously been authorised, but was abruptly halted under the pretext of road repairs. According to the human rights organization Viasna rights center, 20 people were detained. The police action marked the first police crackdown on Tsikhanouskaya's sanctioned campaign rally and appears to signal the toughening of the authorities' stance ahead of the vote. Early balloting began Tuesday in Belarus ahead of Sunday's presidential election, which the opposition sees as fertile ground for vote-rigging. This time, Lukashenko faces the toughest challenge yet from the opposition, amid public fatigue with his rule and fallout from the coronavirus pandemic. (Image Credit Pixabay) Cori Bush, a onetime homeless woman who led protests following a white police officer's fatal shooting of a Black 18-year-old in Ferguson, ousted longtime Rep. William Lacy Clay Tuesday in Missouri's Democratic primary, ending a political dynasty that has spanned more than a half-century. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 4/8/2020 (531 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Cori Bush, a onetime homeless woman who led protests following a white police officer's fatal shooting of a Black 18-year-old in Ferguson, ousted longtime Rep. William Lacy Clay Tuesday in Missouri's Democratic primary, ending a political dynasty that has spanned more than a half-century. Bush's victory came in a rematch of 2018, when she failed to capitalize on a national Democratic wave that favoured political newcomers such as Bushs friend, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. FILE - In this Jan. 27, 2019, file photo Cori Bush poses for a portrait to promote the film "Knock Down the House" at the Salesforce Music Lodge during the Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah. Bush, a onetime homeless woman who led protests following a white police officer's fatal shooting of a Black 18-year-old in Ferguson, Mo., ousted longtime Rep. William Lacy Clay Tuesday in Missouri's Democratic primary, ending a political dynasty that has spanned more than a half-century. Bush's victory came in a rematch of 2018, when she failed to capitalize on a national Democratic wave that favored political newcomers such as Bushs friend, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. (Photo by Taylor Jewell/Invision/AP, File) But this time around, Bushs supporters said protests over the death of George Floyd in police custody in Minneapolis and outrage over racial injustice finally pushed her over the edge. An emotional Bush, speaking to supporters while wearing a mask, said few people expected her to win. They counted us out, she said. They called me I'm just the protester, I'm just the activist with no name, no title and no real money. That's all they said that I was. But St. Louis showed up today. FILE - In this Oct. 12, 2017, file photo, Rep. Trey Gowdy, R-S.C., chairman of the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, confers with Rep. William Lacy Clay, D-Mo., and Rep. Elijah Cummings, D-Md., the ranking member, before a hearing on preparations for the 2020 Census, on Capitol Hill in Washington. Cori Bush, a onetime homeless woman who led protests following a white police officer's fatal shooting of a Black 18-year-old in Ferguson, Mo., ousted longtime Rep. Clay on Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2020, in Missouri's Democratic primary, ending a political dynasty that has spanned more than a half-century. Bush's victory came in a rematch of 2018, when she failed to capitalize on a national Democratic wave that favored political newcomers such as Bushs friend, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, File) Bush's campaign spokeswoman, Keenan Korth, said voters in the district were galvanized. Theyre ready to turn the page on decades of failed leadership," Korth said. Bush, 44, also had backing from political action committee Justice Democrats and Fight Corporate Monopolies this election. She campaigned for Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders during his presidential bid. Bushs primary win essentially guarantees her a seat in Congress representing the heavily Democratic St. Louis area. Missouris 1st Congressional District, which encompasses Ferguson, has been represented by Clay or his father for a half-century. Bill Clay served 32 years before retiring in 2000. William Lacy Clay, 64, was elected that year. Clay didn't face a serious challenger until Bush. This year, he ran on his decades-long record in Congress. This election is a simple choice, Clay said in a Monday statement. "Cori Bushs Empty Rhetoric, or my record of real results and real reforms for the people." Both Clay and Bush are Black, and Black residents slightly outnumber whites in the district that includes St. Louis and north St. Louis County. Bush became ill while pregnant with her second child in 2001 and had to quit her job at a preschool. When she and her then-husband were evicted from a rental home, the couple, their newborn and 14-month-old son lived out of a Ford Explorer for several months. 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. Eventually, the couple divorced. Bush earned a nursing degree. She also became a pastor. Michael Browns death in 2014 in Ferguson vaulted her into another role: activist. She became a leader of some of the many protests that followed the fatal police shooting of the Black, unarmed 18-year-old. She was back on the streets in 2017 after a white St. Louis officer was acquitted in the shooting death of a Black suspect. She continues to lead protests. Shes being buoyed by this movement, and the movements origin is in Ferguson, Justice Democrats spokesman Waleed Shahid said. - Associated Press writer Sara Burnett contributed to this report from Chicago. Reporter Jim Salter contributed from O'Fallon, Mo. Gandhinagar, Aug 6 : Quashing the July 16 order directing private schools not to charge any kind of fees during the Covid-19-induced lockdown, the Gujarat High Court on Wednesday asked the government that "if teaching was a noble and charitable cause", why was it not sparing students of engineering and medical colleges. It ordered the government and private educational institutes to hold talks and reach an amicable solution where every stakeholder's interests were taken care of. Disposing of four PILs filed by self-financing and private schools associations and federations against the Gujarat government's no fee order, the bench of Chief Justice Vikram Nath and Justice J.B. Pardiwala also set aside the government order for returning the fees already collected. "If teaching is a noble and charitable cause as stated by the government in its GR (government resolution), why the state does not take steps to to waive collection of tuition fees of colleges? Why should the waiver not be for all educational institutes, engineering and medical colleges," the court asked. It observed that as there was no alternate educational system in place in such a public health crisis, at this juncture, online teaching was the best alternative as education of children should continue for their well-being. The court also held that managing education remotely was a tedious job and the efforts and hard work of the schools should not be ignored. As professionals, they must be paid for their time and service justly, it added. The court also advised the educational institutes that they must be conscious of the economic instability faced by the students' families and they needed to adopt a non-profit outlook for the next few months and be compassionate. Disposing of the petitions, the HC ruled that it would be too much to say that private school shall not demand fees. At the same time, it was expected that the government and the schools federations sit across the table and arrive at some understanding with an open mind and an open heart to resolve all the issues amicably and following this, a fresh government resolution be issued. The Gujarat government had issued an order on July 16 that the schools would not levy online education charges on parents during this academic year and the money so would have to be returned. It had also prohibited private schools from taking any type of fees from the students till the regular functioning resumed. Further, those schools which had taken tuition fee and other fees from parents, during the period, would have to return this by adjusting it in the regular fees when they resumed functioning. Former Madhya Pradesh chief minister Uma Bharti finally attended the foundation stone laying ceremony for construction of the Ram temple in Ayodhya on Wednesday after initial reluctance. Bharti, earlier on August 3, had declared her intention to skip the main ceremony in Ayodhya citing the threat from coronavirus infection to dignitaries such as Prime Minister Narendra Modi. She had said she will instead be present chanting hymns at the banks of Sarayu river in the city. However, Bharti, a prominent figure of the Ram Janmabhoomi movement, tweeted on Wednesday to say she was bound by her faith in Lord Ram and since she was invited by the top officials of the Ram Janmabhoomi Trust and asked by them to attend the grand event, she would oblige. I am bound by the values of Maryada Purshottam Ram. I have been instructed to be present at the site for the groundbreaking ceremony by a senior official of the Ram Temple trust. Therefore I will be attending this programme., she tweeted this morning. Also Read: Ayodhya relives Ramayan days; People throng shops with TV sets to watch Ram Mandir bhoomi poojan Bharti was seen seated next to Sadhvi Rithambara, another prominent leader of the Ram temple movement, during the ceremony. Yoga guru Baba Ramdev and Swami Avadeshanand Giri, head of the Juna Akhara, were also present at the ceremony. Senior Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh (RSS) leader Dinesh ji, who goes by one name, introduced RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat to saints present at the venue. Iqbal Ansari, a Muslim litigant in the Ayodhya title suit, too, attended the ceremony. But Mohammad Sharif, a Padma Shri awardee, could not attend the event due to ill-health. Both are residents of Ayodhya. Also Read: Lord Ram is within all of us: PM Modis top quotes after Ayodhya bhoomi poojan After Prime Minister Narendra Modi left the venue, some of the invitees also went to the ceremony site and paid their respects there. Other stalwarts of the Ram Janmabhoomi movement including former deputy Prime Minister LK Advani, former BJP president Murli Manohar Joshi and former Uttar Pradesh chief minister Kalyan Singh were not present in person for the ceremony due to the greater threat Covid-19 infection poses to elderly people. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (Agence France-Presse) Washington, United States Wed, August 5, 2020 08:40 532 6657ac82168da9fa101c8a4066ba11d9 2 World US,US-China,US-China-Hong-Kong-tension,US-China-tension,Hong-Kong,Hong-Kong-activist,Hong-Kong-security-law Free US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Tuesday vowed to protect Hong Kong pro-democracy campaigners who have fled the city and denounced China after Beijing said that police had ordered the arrests of overseas activists. "The Chinese Communist Party cannot tolerate the free thinking of its own people, and increasingly is trying to extend its reach outside China's borders," Pompeo said in a statement. "The United States and other free nations will continue to protect our peoples from the long arm of Beijing's authoritarianism." In an accompanying tweet, Pompeo said that Washington "condemns the Chinese Communist Party's attempt to prosecute pro-democracy advocates resident outside of China, including in the United States." Chinese state media said late Friday that Hong Kong police had ordered the arrest of six pro-democracy activists living in exile on suspicion of violating a tough new security law. One of them, Samuel Chu, head of the Washington-based Hong Kong Democracy Council, wrote on Twitter that he has been a US citizen for 25 years. The most prominent person targeted was 27-year-old campaigner Nathan Law, who recently fled Hong Kong for Britain and called the charges against him "trumped up." Hong Kong police refused to comment on the charges. But China's ambassador to the United States, Cui Tiankai, appeared to confirm and defend the charges. "All these law enforcement actions are taken according to the law," Cui said in response to a question at the Aspen Security Forum. "Anybody, if they violate the law, they should be punished. That's it. It doesn't matter what kind of political views they might have." China in late June passed a security law that bans subversion and other perceived offenses in the financial hub, sending a chill through a city that witnessed wide and occasionally destructive pro-democracy protests last year. The United States has denounced the law and said it would end special treatment for Hong Kong, to which Beijing promised freedoms before Britain handed back the territory in 1997. Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has said the federal government intends to examine every possible option in the development and distribution of a vaccine against COVID-19, as the health and safety of Nigerian citizens is the priority of the Buhari administration. Mr Osinbajo disclosed this on Wednesday during a virtual meeting with representatives of the BNT162 COVID-19 vaccine candidate on the progress of the vaccine development around the world, including Africa. The meeting was attended by the health minister, Osagie Ehanire, and the Executive Director of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency, Faisal Shuaib, with representatives of Pfizer and Biotech, the international pharmaceutical firms promoting the BNT162 vaccine candidate. In a statement released by his spokesperson, Laolu Akande, on Wednesday, Mr Osinbajo said the interaction between the federal government and the promoters of the vaccine candidate is an important conversation and it is important for us that we are prioritized-as the largest country in Africa-in the distribution of the best COVID-19 vaccine when its eventually ready. Our priority is the health of the Nigerian citizens. We continue to engage and intend to look at every possible option -from all manufacturers- of a good vaccine. We want to do the very best for our people in this regard. During the meeting, the vice president asked several questions about the the COVID-19 vaccine candidate including how quickly can Nigeria get the vaccine once it is ready. Responding, the Pfizer Country Manager and Representative in Africa, who spoke for the promoters, Subair Olayinka, disclosed that Nigeria will be priority, for the vaccine supply to Africa. Although the vaccine trials are not going on in Nigeria currently, he said the trials are ongoing in parts of the African continent and would be entering the third phase, having concluded the first two phases successfully. Also speaking, the health minister noted that the federal government would consider quality, appropriate volume and how well and quick a vaccine can be delivered to Nigeria in deciding which manufacturer to make the supply. A deadly explosion in Lebanon has reignited concerns about the stockpiling of ammonium nitrate near residential areas across Australia, including a proposal for a storage facility just three kilometres from Newcastles city centre. The proposed storage plant and an existing storage plant near Newcastles CBD could together stockpile 15 times the amount of ammonium nitrate believed to have triggered the blast in Beirut, which has killed at least 100 people. Retired explosives expert Tony Richards is concerned about ammonium nitrate stored near Newcastle, NSW. Credit:Janie Barrett "If that went off, people in Sydney would say what the hell was that?" explosives expert Tony Richards said. "And the answer would be: it used to be Newcastle." The ammonium nitrate in Lebanon is believed to have been left in an unsecured warehouse and a NSW EPA spokesperson said Australian storage facilities were subject to strict conditions and regular inspections to ensure compliance. A huge rescue operation and an international aid effort got underway Wednesday, less than 24 hours after much of Beirut was buried by rubble and choked by smoke in a colossal explosion Tuesday afternoon. Lebanese health minister Hamad Hasan said 135 people have been killed and 5,000 injured in the explosion. Dozens of people are still missing. Those figures look set to rise with hospitals overwhelmed and victims still trapped underneath debris. "There is no word to describe the horror of the catastrophe that occurred in Beirut yesterday," Lebanese President Michel Aoun said during an emergency cabinet meeting on Wednesday, the Lebanese News Agency reported. "I extend my heart and feelings to the families...and I ask God to heal the wounded, heal the broken hearts, and provide us with all the energy and determination to stand together to confront the painful burns that have scarred the face of Beirut." Aoun thanked emergency workers and officials and vowed to conduct a full investigation into the cause of the deadly blast, which is still not clear. Image: LEBANON-BLAST (ANWAR AMRO / AFP - Getty Images) The governor of Beirut, Marwan Abboud, also said on Wednesday the cost of the damage to the capital, already under economic pressure, could be between $3 billion and $5 billion. The United Nations Children's Fund said that more than 300,000 people had been displaced by the disaster. The explosion occurred at a port warehouse near the city center where an estimated 2,750 tons of ammonium nitrate were being stored, Prime Minister Hassan Diab said. The blast had the same explosive power as 1,100 tons of TNT and registered a 3.3 magnitude earthquake, according to the United States Geological Survey. Local broadcaster LBCI reported that the Lebanese cabinet announced a two-week state of emergency in Beirut and put all port officials under house arrest until they determine who was responsible. "Those responsible will be held accountable whomever and wherever he is," interior minister Mohammed Fahmi told reporters Wednesday, adding that the investigation will take a maximum of five days. Story continues Many in Lebanon's capital saw their apartments destroyed and family members injured as the city was brought to its knees, with daylight revealing scenes of destruction not witnessed in the country since its devastating civil war, which ended in 1990. Rescue workers were digging in the rubble, as plumes of smoke still rose above the city. This is a catastrophe for Beirut and Lebanon, Beirut Mayor Jamal Itani told Reuters while inspecting damage. Lebanese army command asked city residents to evacuate areas surrounding the site of the explosion, where rescue operations were continuing. Download the NBC News app for breaking news and politics Hasan, the health minister, said they are looking into putting field hospitals in place to treat the wounded quickly. The deadly blast came as the Middle Eastern country was dealing with an unprecedented economic crisis that has seen its currency lose 80 percent of its value and unemployment spiral, with fed-up citizens frequently taking to the streets in protests this year. The country is also grappling with the effects of the coronavirus pandemic. Image: Beirut explosion (IHH / via Reuters) Messages of support poured in from world leaders, heads of state and religious leaders, including the UK's Queen Elizabeth II and the Pope. Reflecting both the gravity of the disaster and Frances special relationship with its former protectorate, French President Emmanuel Macron said he will travel to Beirut on Thursday to offer a message of "fraternity and solidarity from the French." He also said France was sending emergency assistance. At least 21 French nationals were wounded in the explosion, the Paris prosecutor's office said in a statement. Egypt, Iran, Greece, Germany and Russia were among dozens of countries that have offered humanitarian and medical aid. "We are witnessing a real catastrophe," Prime Minister Diab told reporters, appealing for international aid and promising full accountability. "This is the time for work," he added on Wednesday, urging government ministers to strive for the country. Diab said it was "unacceptable" that the ammonium nitrate had been in a warehouse for six years without "preventive measures" to protect it. The chemical compound, which is commercially available, is often used in fertilizers and explosives. It is still not clear what exactly ignited the shipment, but the blast could be felt and heard throughout much of the city and as far as the nearby island of Cyprus about 145 miles away. Image: LEBANON-BLAST (- / AFP - Getty Images) Images and videos were being feverishly circulated on social media with #PrayforLebanon trending on Wednesday, while the front pages of Lebanese newspapers depicted striking scenes of chaos and destruction. At a White House briefing on Tuesday, President Donald Trump said the explosion looked "like a terrible attack," although he offered no evidence and said later that the conclusion was based on the presumptions of U.S. generals. Speaking to the Aspen Security Forum about the blast, U.S. Secretary of Defense Mark Esper said Wednesday that "most believe it was an accident as reported, and beyond that [I] have nothing to report on that. Its obviously a tragedy." Esper's remarks, made via Zoom, were the Pentagon's first official comments on the incident. Asked about Espers comments during a coronavirus task force briefing Wednesday, Trump said he'd heard about the explosion both ways. It could have been an accident and it could have also been something that was very offensive and I wouldnt be very happy with that, he said. A U.S. State Department spokesperson said Wednesday it was aware of at least one U.S. citizen killed, and several more injured, in the explosion. "We offer our sincerest condolences to their loved ones and are working to provide the affected U.S. citizens and their families all possible consular assistance," the spokesperson said. "We are working closely with local authorities to determine if any additional U.S. citizens were affected." Secretary of State Mike Pompeo also spoke with Prime Minister Diab on Wednesday, expressing his condolences and offering assistance with the aftermath. The U.S. embassy in Beirut warned residents about reports of toxic gases released by the blast, urging people to stay indoors and wear masks. Mustafa Kassem reported from Beirut, Charlene Gubash from Cairo, Adela Suliman and Yuliya Talmazan from London, and Tim Stelloh from California. Reuters contributed to this report. 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 Justin Sullivan/Getty ALBANY As the deadline to complete the 2020 census rapidly approaches, and with billions of federal dollars at stake, Capital Region officials and immigration advocates are concerned about turnout from historically undercounted populations particularly undocumented immigrants following a recent memorandum from the federal government. President Donald Trump issued the memorandum on July 21, which bans undocumented immigrants from being counted for the apportionment section of the Census the first time in U.S. history such a proposal has been made. New Yorks reaction was swift, with the American and New York Civil Liberties Unions, along with Attorney General Letitia James, sued the federal administration last week on behalf of a number of New York-based immigrant advocacy groups. The lawsuit argues that Trumps memorandum is unconstitutional and discriminatory. The Constitution is very clear that you count the whole number of persons in any state, said Perry Grossman, a NYCLU attorney on the case. The president has been consistently racist and xenophobic. The president and this administration are doing everything possible to try and get a count that is going to marginalize immigrants and communities of color. During a federal court hearing Wednesday morning, attorneys argued that the memorandum will not only impact the apportionment section, but the census as whole. As the Presidents memorandum has penetrated immigrant communities, there is a high degree of awareness, said Matthew Colangelo, an attorney in the state Attorney Generals office. The awareness of the memorandum will cause and has caused immigrant families to determine that they cannot trust the federal government with their responses, and that if they are going to be excluded on the apportionment case, theres no reason to participate. Local immigration advocates said they have already been struggling to get undocumented immigrants, and communities of color in general, to fill out the census this year. The community that were trying to reach is fearful of course, because they think any data they give the Census bureau will be used to find them or used against them or somehow affect their immigration status, said Juan Flores, secretary of the Columbia County Sanctuary Movement board. Flores said access has also proved to be an obstacle to completing the census access to computers, or enough literacy to complete it by telephone. Dan Irizarry, the chair of Capital District Latinos, classified Trumps memorandum as racist. If you look at the Constitution, it says every person, he said. And we know by virtue of his policies and having listened to the president, that he doesnt regard immigrants as people. The impact of an undercount would be detrimental to the Capital Region, community leaders and city officials said, cheating all residents of funding for education, housing, medical services, and more - as well as political representation and influence. This could lead to a skewed tally, and that leads to an impact on funding not just in Saratoga Springs, but in the entire region, said that city's Finance Commissioner Michele Madigan. The census count leads to what the federal government will fund in terms of Housing and Urban Development funding and community and development block grant funding. Its been 10 years and a lot changes in 10 years. Troy Mayor Patrick Madden echoed Madigan, and added that he saw the memorandum as a political move. This is clearly an effort to shift power away from states like California and New York that are more populous and have more immigrants, Madden said. And with the Trump administrations earlier decision to roll back the census deadline by one month, the memorandum added salt to the wound. Its just making a mockery of the whole process, Madden said. It seems like a calculated effort to undercount. Similarly, Albany Mayor Kathy Sheehan said in a statement that both the memorandum and the deadline change are very deliberate attempts to make it even more difficult to count our neighbors in historically undercounted communities that are predominantly home to immigrants and people of color. Sheehans staff added that more than one in ten Albany residents are born in a country other than the U.S. The impact will be the continued marginalization and under-representation of the immigrant community and our city as a whole, David Galin, Sheehans spokesman, said. This move will continue to dissuade our neighbors regardless of documentation status from completing the census. The Navy vowed that a runaway budget wouldn't be allowed again after the USS Gerald Ford, the first in a new class of aircraft carriers, cost a record $13.3 billion. Now, the price for the second ship is creeping up. The service's estimate for shipbuilder Huntington Ingalls Industries to design and construct the USS John F. Kennedy has increased to $3.58 billion, up 7% from the $3.35 billion contract awarded in 2015, according to the carrier program's Selected Acquisition Report for fiscal 2021. That underscores previous warnings that the fully outfitted carrier may exceed an $11.4 billion cost cap imposed by Congress. The contractor is falling short by a key measure of labor efficiency, the Navy said in the report obtained by Bloomberg News. Its workforce performed 91 cents of work for every Navy dollar spent in the last year, down from the more acceptable level of 95 cents per dollar over the same timeframe, according to the report. Huntington Ingalls also is falling short of a Navy goal to reduce cumulative labor hours by at least 18% from the first ship. With the vessel 69% complete, the Kennedy is performing at a 16% improvement over the Ford at the same point, Captain Danny Hernandez, a Navy spokesman, said in an email. Hernandez said the cost report's figures stem in part from changes such as improvements in warfare capability and lessons learned from the Ford's recent post-delivery "shakedown" sea trials. There are additional costs "from congressional direction" requiring that the Kennedy be capable of deploying with F-35 jets by mid-2025, he said. The cost increases are also "due to delays relating to electrical, sheet metal, painting and platform engineering work," the Navy said in the Selected Acquisition Report. The JFK is expected to be delivered in 2024. But the report warned that "if the current cost performance continues, then the budget will be exhausted prior to the completion" of the carrier. That could force the Defense Department to make the case to lawmakers for easing the cost cap. Beci Brenton, a spokeswoman for Newport News, Virginia-based Huntington Ingalls, said the carrier's construction is about 72% complete. The company "continues to see the benefits associated with significant build strategy changes and incorporation of lessons learned" from its predecessor. "We track cost and schedule trends continuously and share that information with our customer," the Navy, Brenton said. The company reports earnings Thursday. Shelby Oakley, an acquisition director for the Government Accountability Office, said in an email that "our past work has shown that during the last phases of construction, programs generally experience their highest levels of cost growth as they are finishing the detailed stages of construction." Earlier, the cost of the Ford soared as it was plagued by technical problems with its combat systems. Since 2008, its cost has increased $2.8 billion amid congressional criticism. The Navy needs to retain congressional and public support to boost funds for shipbuilding if it's to achieve its goal of a 355-ship fleet, up from 300 today. The newly disclosed information indicates construction cost performance on the second carrier "has been eroding gently over time," said Ronald O'Rourke, naval analyst for the non-partisan Congressional Research Service. He said "the Navy believes there is more than a 50% chance that the ship will experience cost growth" driving it above the $11.4 billion congressional cap. The cap is supposed to apply to the fully outfitted ship, including its nuclear reactor, aircraft launch and recovery systems and radar system. O'Rourke's assessment matches that of the Congressional Budget Office, which in October said the Navy informed it "that there is a greater than 60% chance that the ship's final cost will be more than the current estimate." 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. Takeoff, from the hip-hop trio Migos. (Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times) A new civil lawsuit filed Wednesday morning in Los Angeles Superior Court alleges that rapper Takeoff, of the popular hip-hop group Migos, raped a woman at a party in Encino in June. The suit, with the plaintiff filing anonymously, claims that the rapper (born Kirshnik Khari Ball) pursued her at a June 23 house party she attended with a Migos backup performer, called "Durel" in the suit. She claims that after Takeoff, 26, offered her marijuana and began a conversation, she declined his advances. After later running into her and Durel in a stairwell, Takeoff followed the plaintiff into an upstairs bedroom, where he allegedly raped her, the lawsuit says. The woman filed a report with the LAPD and underwent a medical exam later in the day after the alleged assault, but so far no charges have been filed in the case. The suit alleges sexual battery, assault and gender violence, among other claims. "She's terrified," said Neama Rahmani, the woman's attorney. "There's a significant disparity in wealth and power. He's a famous artist, he had security, there were weapons on the premises. She is someone who doesn't have those resources and is also concerned about safety and retaliation. That adds an extra element in a case like this when he's rich and powerful." Representatives for Takeoff did not immediately return requests for comment. The chart-topping trio, featuring members Offset and Quavo, has an album planned for release on Quality Control/Motown/Capitol this year. The group has collaborated on many popular singles like "Bad and Boujee," "MotorSport" and "Walk It Talk It" with artists like Drake, Nicki Minaj and Cardi B. Takeoff, from left, Quavo and Offset of Migos at the 2018 Met Gala in New York City. (Jamie McCarthy / Getty Images) While the suit will seek yet-unspecified damages, Rahmani said the suit was mainly intended to speed up the criminal investigation. "I don't want to disparage law enforcement, but I've never seen a case handled like this," Rahmani said. "It's been a very drawn-out investigation and not much has been done. I'm hoping that after beginning discovery in this suit, other witnesses will come forward. Were committed to supporting the criminal investigation, but the time for waiting for LAPD has passed." After a year of headaches, fainting spells and nosebleeds they think were caused by a black mold infestation, Christina Partidas family has returned to normal health in a new, cleaner apartment a recovery they do not want to risk by returning their children to Aldine ISD schools amid the coronavirus pandemic. Why am I going to put my children back in an environment where they could get sick? the mother of three said. Twelve miles to the east, in neighboring Humble ISD, Melody ODell wants her third-grade daughter Cashlee back in Summerwood Elementary School with her classmates after a sluggish, lonely summer. If I dont encourage her to get up and move around, she doesnt do anything, ODell said. Im worried shes feeling hopeless, that this has just become her norm. Godofredo A. Vasquez, Houston Chronicle / Staff photographer As the new school year approaches, families across Greater Houston are agonizing over whether to send their children back to campuses in the coming weeks, a decision fraught with personal and public health implications amid the widespread COVID-19 outbreak throughout the region. In recent weeks, as public school districts surveyed families about their preferences for in-person or online classes, the level of comfort with face-to-face instruction appears to cut largely across the demographic and political lines that divide the highly diverse Houston region. In five districts serving large numbers of lower-income, Black, Latino and Democrat-leaning families, about 25 percent to 35 percent are choosing in-person classes. The districts include Aldine, Sheldon and Spring ISDs, as well as the KIPP Texas Public Schools and YES Prep Public Schools charter networks. By contrast, about 55 percent to 70 percent of families in Clear Creek, Conroe, Humble and Spring Branch ISDs want to send their children to campuses to start the school year. All four districts are home to more affluent, white and Republican-leaning parents. The results illuminate the level of fear about COVID-19 that remains in many communities. They also split some districts where most families want schools reopened but education leaders are wary of spurning advice from local health authorities. Children rarely show severe symptoms caused by COVID-19, though health experts warn it is too soon to know the extent of any long-term damage caused by disease. People under the age of 20 account for nearly 30 percent of Texas population but represent 6 percent of confirmed cases investigated by health officials, according to the Department of State Health Services. About 10 children in Texas have died from COVID-19 complications. Researchers largely agree, however, that kids still catch and spread the virus, albeit likely at lower rates than adults. When you think about the moment were in this summer, there is no objective truth in that your own risk of catching the coronavirus is a very personal calculation, said Joshua Blank, research director for the Texas Politics Project at the University of Texas at Austin, who has polled extensively about attitudes on COVID-19. Its made up of how prevalent the virus is in your community, your own health risks, the amount of exposure youre willing to tolerate. While lower-income, Black and Latino families appear more likely to keep their children home from school, educators and researchers believe their children will suffer the most from missing out on in-person classes. Im quite concerned that this could exacerbate the gaps we already see by quite a bit, said Ruth Lopez Turley, director of the Houston Education Research Consortium housed at Rice University. Even if everything were to be back to normal this fall, Id already be concerned because of the time away from school since March. The district survey data represents a small percentage of families in Greater Houston. Some of the regions largest districts have not yet requested back-to-school commitments; others have not publicly released data on family choices to date. Many districts have pushed their school start dates into September or announced plans to remain in virtual classes to begin their academic year. Health officials in Harris County have recommended schools remain online-only through September, while Montgomery County health authorities have targeted Sept. 8 as the earliest day for on-campus instruction. Marie D. De Jesus, Houston Chronicle / Staff photographer A domino effect Partida lives with her husband, three children and godson in an apartment complex that straddles two ZIP codes 77039 and 77093 predominantly home to Latino residents in northern Harris County. Over the past several weeks, Partida has heard about several relatives and nearby friends testing positive for COVID-19, including a cousins in-law who died. For Partida, the rate of the coronavirus spread in her neighborhood means her children who will enter the third, eighth and 10th grades this year and a high school sophomore godson will stay home from school for now. Were a heavily populated people, and if one gets the virus, its a domino effect, Partida said. For families in Greater Houstons most disadvantaged communities, decisions about sending children back into classrooms carry a greater burden. Black and Latino Texans account for 53 percent of the states population, but they represent 65 percent of confirmed cases and 63 percent of deaths, according to Department of State Health Services data. Public health experts reason they are more likely to live in high-density areas, work in jobs that require more face-to-face interaction and suffer from more preexisting health issues that increase the risk of COVID-19 complications. In addition, the threat of child-to-adult coronavirus transmission is particularly heightened for multigenerational families living together. About 17 percent of Latino seniors and 11 percent of Black seniors live with school-age children, compared with 4 percent of white seniors, according to estimates by the Kaiser Family Foundation using Census Bureau data. The majority of our parents are just nervous, said Jane Ocanas, principal of Aldines Eisenhower Ninth Grade School, where two-thirds of families have chosen to remain online-only to start the year. Theyve had members of their family who have gotten sick, and so they know how it can really turn for the worse. Multiple polls show Black and Latino families perceive the virus as a greater threat than white families. Asked their level of concern about coronavirus community spread in a late June poll by the Texas Politics Project, about 59 percent of Black respondents and 55 percent of Latino respondents were extremely concerned or very concerned, compared with 41 percent of white respondents. Tiara Williams, the mother of two children entering eighth grade and ninth grade in Aldine, said she fears district administrators cannot adequately prevent coronavirus spread in schools, putting her at potentially greater risk of contracting the disease. Yes, you can have hand sanitizer and stuff in hallways, but how are you going to keep them 6 feet apart in a room of 20 people? Williams said. To me, theres no logic there. I dont see it. Godofredo A. Vasquez, Houston Chronicle / Staff photographer A different fear As the ODells weighed their family situation a healthy daughter, two young and fit parents, a home in a corner of Harris County with less COVID-19 they quickly determined Cashlee should return to school as soon as possible. We know that kids can get the coronavirus, but, luckily, they seem to have very mild cases or asymptomatic ones, ODell said. Were pretty hopeful that if she does catch it, it will be pretty mild and shell be able to get over it easily. Were pretty confident health-wise, and honestly its the same for us. For many families in districts with high return-to-campus rates, the harm of keeping their children in virtual classes is greater than the potential cost of additional COVID-19 spread. Before deciding whether to send their two kids back to Clear Creek ISD schools, Christine Parizo and her husband read studies about the coronavirus, as well as guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the American Academy of Pediatrics. The two organizations generally advocate for the reopening of schools but warn campuses may be better off closed in areas with widespread outbreaks. I dont think theres a huge risk to my children, Parizo said of her fourth- and eighth-graders. Ever since the pandemic broke out, Ive been telling them, Wash your hands. Dont touch your face. Im much more worried about the effects to their emotional well-being. In districts with higher want-to-return rates, school boards and administrators have sought to balance the competing interests of parents, staff members, state officials and local health experts. In Humble ISD, 65 percent of families signaled their desire for in-person classes to start the year, with the majority choosing their preference before Harris County health officials issued their recommendations. School board members voted Monday to delay the beginning of in-person classes by one week, to Aug. 17, and gradually bring back students. In Spring Branch, district leaders also pushed their school start date back one week, to Aug. 24, but opted to remain online-only for the first two weeks of classes. About 55 percent of families chose in-person classes to begin the year. Well reevaluate as we get guidance and direction from the medical professionals at the county, Spring Branch ISD Superintendent Jennifer Blaine said. I feel really strongly that Im not a medical doctor, and I do not feel comfortable making medical decisions. jacob.carpenter@chron.com The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) authorities in their response to Bihar Polices letter seeking exemption for coronavirus disease (Covid-19)-induced home quarantine for Bihar cadre Indian Police Service (IPS) officer Vinay Tiwari stated that the latter has been advised to use digital platforms while proceeding with the investigation regarding the actor Sushant Singh Rajputs alleged suicide case. The BMC officials said that the use of digital platforms would ensure that the IPS officer, if asymptomatic, would not transmit the contagion to others, nor would he himself get infected by SARS-CoV-2, which causes the disease. They cited the spike in the viral outbreak cases in Bihar and urged Tiwari to take the preventive measures in line with the Maharashtra governments rules and regulations. Earlier, Bihar Police authorities had alleged that Tiwari was forcibly quarantined by the BMC on Sunday night upon reaching Mumbai, even though they were intimated in advance about his arrival to pursue the further investigation in the Rajput death case. On Monday morning, the BMC authorities issued a clarification and said Tiwari was quarantined as per the rules of the Maharashtra government, but the IPS officer was allowed to apply for an exemption from home quarantine. The BMC clarification had led Bihar Police to write to the civic body amid a slanging match between the two states Maharashtra and Bihar over the Rajput death probe. BMC has also drawn the Bihar Polices attention that Tiwari has been urged to follow all rules and regulations enforced by Maharashtra government as far as the prevention of the viral outbreak in the state is concerned, according to P Velrasu, additional municipal commissioner, BMC. Rajput was found dead in his Bandra apartment on June 14 following which the Maharashtra government handed over the probe to the Mumbai Police. Hundreds of thousands of Eversource customers are still without power in Connecticut, including more than 118,250 in the Danbury area. Nearly all of Redding, Bridgewater, Roxbury and Washington are without power. Several towns have declared states of emergency to help with the cleanup, which could take days, if not weeks. Eversource will be arriving in Redding today, Redding First Selectwoman Julia Pemberton wrote on Facebook on Wednesday morning. No restoration times are or will be available for some time. For most of us that means not today ... and hopefully tomorrow. This is a statewide event. Eversource operates in a worst first order. You are more likely to get your power back sooner if you are among a large group of outages on a large circuit. For small clusters it can take longer. There also wont be a charging station in town because of the coronavirus pandemic. Brookfields town hall and senior center is closed because it doesnt have power. About 69 percent of Brookfield is without power as of 10:30 a.m. Danbury Mayor Mark Boughton said he has been told restoration of power will take days or weeks. He urged residents to get supplies. Our crews have been out all night clearing as much of the roads as we can, he wrote on social media. We need Eversource to be able to open the rest of the roads and restore power. There are 16,000 Eversource customers without power in the city as of around 9:30 a.m. Thats 42.7 percent of Danbury. Both Danbury and New Milford have tables set up outside of fire stations with outlets. Danburys is at fire headquarters on New Street and Water Witch Hose Company in New Milford. About 74 percent of New Milford is without power. Bethel has opened its municipal center as a charging station from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. Residents must use the designated entrances, sign in and complete a health screening. The general purpose room will be open to six to eight people at a time due to coronavirus restrictions. We ask for your patience during this time and limit your visit to charging phones and other necessary devices, not to use the space as a remote work site, the town said on Facebook. More than 5,700 Eversource customers are without power in Bethel as of around 9:30 a.m about 63.9 percent of the town. As yet I have no official word from Eversource as to restoration time, but based on prior experience I expect it will take many days, and in some locations more than a week, First Selectman Matt Knickerbocker said. Power outages are widespread throughout the state and New England. Alma OConnor will be sentenced at circuit criminal court A Dublin woman has pleaded guilty to a drug-dealing charge after more than 13,000 worth of tranquilliser tablets were found at her home. Alma O'Connor (51) told gardai "I regret it" when she was charged, Dublin District Court heard. Judge Ann Ryan sent her forward for sentence to Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. O'Connor was charged with possession of Alprazolam tablets worth more than 13,000, with intent to sell or supply at her home at Finn Street, Oxmanstown Road, Dublin 7, on December 5, 2018. She is also charged with related counts of simple possession and sale or supply of the drug at the same time and place. The prosecuting garda said the accused was charged with three offences before the court sitting. After caution, she replied "I regret it" and the garda said that reply related to all three charges. He said the DPP directed trial on indictment in the Circuit Court, but consented to the case being sent forward on a signed plea of guilty if this should arise. Mask Andrew Broderick, defending, said there was a signed plea. He had no objections to a technical amendment to the charges. After the accused signed the plea, Judge Ryan asked her to confirm that it was her signature. Ms O'Connor, who was wearing a surgical mask, nodded and Mr Broderick said his client had "indicated that that is her signature". Gardai had no objection to bail, subject to conditions. Judge Ryan granted bail on condition that the accused continues to reside at her home address and is contactable at all times on a phone number she had already provided to gardai. Mr Broderick applied for free legal aid, saying his client was not working. The judge granted this, assigning Michael French as solicitor and to cover one barrister in the circuit court. Ms O'Connor, dressed in a blue denim jacket and jeans, nodded again after the judge asked her to acknowledge her signature on the bail bond. She was remanded on bail to appear before the circuit court on October 9. Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-05 13:59:06|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close WASHINGTON, Aug. 4 (Xinhua) -- The White House and congressional Democrats aim to strike a deal on the next COVID-19 relief bill by the end of this week, while the two sides remain far apart on some important issues, according to U.S. media. "We're not at the point of being close to a deal, but we did try to agree to set a timeline," U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said on Tuesday after meeting with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer, Bloomberg reported. "We're going to try to reach an overall agreement, if we can get one, by the end of this week -- so that legislation could then pass next week," Mnuchin said. During an interview with PBS NewsHour on Tuesday evening, Pelosi also said that she hoped a deal could be reached this week. "That would be the plan... But we have to have an agreement and we will have an agreement," she said. Earlier in the day, Schumer said that the White House and Democrats are "still far away" on a lot of important issues. "In my view, the fundamental disagreement is the scope and depth of the problem and its solution. This is the greatest crisis America has faced in 75 years economically, in a hundred years health-wise. We believe it needs a big, bold solution," Schumer told reporters after meeting with Mnuchin and White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows. "They are still wrapped in this idea that the government shouldn't do much and leave it to the private sector. And it just doesn't work. They're also not unified. They admit that there are a large number of the Republicans in the Senate will not vote for anything," Schumer said. As negotiations for the new relief package stall, the extra 600-U.S. dollar unemployment benefits per week for roughly 30 million Americans expired on Friday. Republican and Democratic lawmakers, facing immense pressure to reach a deal to salvage the economy from COVID-19, have blamed each other for failing to make progress. The U.S. economy contracted at an annual rate of 32.9 percent in the second quarter of the year, the steepest decline since the government began keeping records in 1947, the Commerce Department reported last week. Enditem Collette Nugent and her father Noel in their pub The Market Bar in Drogheda Collette Nugent, who is the manager of The Market Bar in Drogheda, said she had been very hopeful of reopening again next Monday. "There was a flurry of activity in getting stock and getting all the jobs done and sanitisers." Her father Noel (86) is the owner of the bar on Magdalene St, and the family have been in the licensed trade for over 60 years, and have been in Drogheda for 34 years. She said that the pub will have no choice but to go down the route of offering food. "I will reopen, but it wont be Monday because I am trying to organise staff and everything else, but I have no choice but to open next week at some point and serve food." Expand Close Owner of The Market Bar, Noel, standing outside of his pub in Drogheda / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Owner of The Market Bar, Noel, standing outside of his pub in Drogheda She pointed that this will be an additional cost for elderly people, or low income workers who simply want to have a drink. The pub has been closed since March but they still have incurred costs such as insurance, heating, telephone and other expenses. There have also been expenses associated with reopening, including staff training. "We put in leather seating in the pub so we could sanitise it better." They have six staff, two full time and four part time. She said that is a small family run pub. "There would be a lot of retired, elderly people, people living on their own, widows and widowers." The pub would have live music four or five sessions a week. "We are ringing our customers, they are ringing us. But it is not the same. These elderly people have done what the Government asked them and stayed indoors." She said that she is upset for them. "It has been an emotional rollercoaster," she said. "We feel that the Government have completely abandoned us and left our trade decimated." "The Irish pub is one of the top ten tourist attractions in Ireland." "I was devastated," she said about the decision to push the reopening date out again. "We still have no reopening guidelines for the wet pub trade." "We are seeking clarity on this. We are desperately in need of support. Where is the substantial stimulus package to give businesses a lifeline? What has been offered is insufficient." After more than three years of study, the city is poised to adopt new regulations aimed at fostering more walkable neighborhoods, easing Houstons overwhelming reliance on automobiles and directing more residents toward a growing transit system. City council is set to vote Wednesday on a slate of ordinances that would bring buildings closer to the street, force parking lots to the side or behind buildings, expand sidewalks, and require buffer zones between sidewalks and the road. The ordinances would apply to new buildings and redevelopment only in certain parts of the city. The ordinances would create two distinct programs: areas with a Walkable Places designation, where the city seeks to foster pedestrian-friendly development; and areas in the Transit-Oriented Development Program, where the city hopes to bring the same principles to most streets that fall within a half-mile of a bus or train station. Mayor Sylvester Turner called the plan an effort to modernize Houston and move away from the citys automobile-oriented planning of the 1990s. Failing to do so, he said, would stifle the citys growth. I am a strong believer that we cannot design a city for yesterday, Turner said. If we do that, we have failed. While the underlying regulations are similar, the Walkable Places program initially will take shape in three pilot projects, including Emancipation Avenue, Midtown, and Hogan and Lorraine Streets in the Near Northside. Other areas would be able to pursue a Walkable Places designation if a majority of property owners support it. City council will have final say over all such designations. Houston Chronicle The Transit-Oriented Development program will apply to areas across the city that are close to transit stops. Streets where more than half of developments are single-family residential buildings would be exempt. If adopted by council, the changes would take effect Oct. 1. For the streets covered by either program, the plan would undo many of the car-centered rules adopted in the 1990s. For example, under those rules, all development on major streets must be set back 25 feet from the road, which results in parking lots facing the streets. Businesses, whether they are in Midtown or Meyerland, must offer a prescribed number of parking spaces for customers. And sidewalks must be 5 feet wide. The new rules would waive the set-back requirement, bringing buildings closer to the road, and force parking lots to the side or behind new buildings. The transit-oriented development ordinance would cut or eliminate the number of parking spaces developments must provide, depending on the street. The new framework would see developers widen sidewalks to between six and 10 feet, and include a 4-foot buffer zone between the road and sidewalks to further protect pedestrians and cyclists. The ordinances also would limit the height of fencing in these areas to no more than four feet, and require that a certain percentage of commercial buildings ground floors be visible through doors or windows. This makes doing the right things for pedestrians something that is easier, cheaper and faster for a property owner, said Margaret Wallace Brown, the citys planning director. James Llamas, a transportation engineer who served on the committee that drafted the plan, said the existing regulatory structure would make something like 19th Street in the Heights, or the lower section of Westheimer Road, unlikely today. Developers would have to seek variances from the planning department to build something similar now. The new ordinances would make such developments the norm, instead of an exception, in the areas where they apply, he said. The type of walkable, urban building form thats been the standard for cities for thousands of years was made illegal in Houston because of various planning decisions in past decades that were designed around making it easier to drive, Llamas said. Mark Mulligan, Houston Chronicle / Staff photographer Bill Fulton, director of Rice Universitys Kinder Institute for Urban Research, said the organizations annual survey shows many Houston-area residents have wanted this kind of development for years. Since 2007, the survey has asked Harris County residents whether they would rather live in a single-family residential area or a smaller, more urban home within walking distance of shops and other development. Respondents consistently have been split, Fulton said. That means the demand is ahead of supply. Fifty percent of the neighborhoods in Houston are not walkable, Fulton said. Youve got to start somewhere. Theres clearly a demand for this type of living, even in Houston and even in this climate. Still, the proposed rules have drawn some criticism. Civic leaders in Museum Park, which includes some streets in the transit-oriented development program, questioned whether moving buildings closer to the street will endanger the historic oak trees that line that neighborhood, and whether the looser parking requirements will lead to more cars outside their homes, according to Sandra Stevens, president of the Museum Park Neighborhood Alliance. There also is concern the new rules will spur more high-rise development, changing the character of the neighborhood altogether. We dont want to become a Midtown, Stevens said. We want to stay Museum Park. Stevens said the association has asked for Museum Park to be omitted until those concerns are addressed. The city did insert language to say that tree canopy cannot be trimmed, though Stevens said that conflicts with other ordinances that allow owners to do so when it hangs over their property. The city is taking up some of the concerns in a new Livable Places Committee. Wallace Brown said several groups already have expressed interest in pursuing a Walkable Places designation for their neighborhoods. Previously, there was very little emphasis put on making a safe and interesting place for Houstonians to walk, she said. On Hogan Street, one of the three pilot projects, resident Mario Abelas said Tuesday that the most significant danger to pedestrians and bicyclists there is speeding cars. Abelas said the cars turning onto Hogan from Main Street go especially fast. They dont have any respect. Why are you driving so fast? Abelas said. Theres no reason. Wallace Brown said the modifications to buildings there would result in slower car speeds, citing research she said showed drivers will slow down if they feel constrained by tighter streets. It reduces the design speed of the road, even if it doesnt change the speed limit, she said. Chronicle photographer Mark Mulligan contributed to this report. dylan.mcguinness@chron.com BANGKOK, Aug. 5 (Xinhua) -- A Thai senator on Wednesday questioned the necessity of the arrival of U.S. troops in Thailand, for joint exercises with their Thai counterparts, despite objections from the government's Center for COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA). The CCSA said previously in a press briefing that it would pose too much health risk to conduct joint military exercises with countries with high number of COVID-19 cases. "The CCSA had already warned of second wave to COVID-19 infections, and now we have U.S. troops in Thailand to conduct joint military exercises in the face of the world pandemic," said Thai senator Kamnoon Sidhisamarn on his Facebook page, "also the United States is experiencing one of the world's highest number of infections." A total of 110 U.S. troops arrived from Guam and Japan on Monday and Tuesday for the joint exercise with Thai troops, code-named "Hanuman Guardian 20." The U.S. troops underwent swab tests on arrival and are currently in state supervised quarantine in private hotels, in Bangkok and neighboring Pathum Thani Province, at the expense of the U.S. government. Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-06 01:59:13|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close WASHINGTON, Aug. 5 (Xinhua) -- A second-grade student in southern U.S. state of Georgia has tested positive for coronavirus after attending the first day of school, local media reported Wednesday. The child of Sixes Elementary School in Canton, about 44 miles north of Atlanta, did not begin to show symptoms until after school on Monday, the first day students returned, said an NBC news report. Parents were notified of the diagnosis on the following day. The Cherokee County School District said in a statement that it had asked 20 other students and a teacher to self-quarantine for two weeks. The child's classroom was also temporarily closed and deep-cleaned. The district does not require students or teachers to wear face masks. In its reopening guidelines, it says that masks are encouraged and recommended "whenever social distancing is not possible in our schools and on our school buses." The district also stated in the guidelines that schools will not conduct temperature checks and encourage parents and employees to do a self-check at home prior to arriving at school, according to the report. Besides the second-grader, no other positive cases have been reported since school began, the district told NBC News. Enditem Virtual banks / In Depth: Virtual banks pick a tough time to launch in Hong Kong More than a year after Hong Kongs banking regulator issued licenses to eight virtual banks, only three have opened for business. The Covid-19 pandemic is a factor, but the new ventures face other headwinds in a particularly competitive and highly regulated market. In a city with a population of almost 7.5 million and more than 160 traditional banks, the competition in Hong Kongs banking sector is exceptionally fierce. How much market share the new challengers can grab away from traditional banking giants with deep roots in the international financial hub is still unknown. In the longer term, the virtual banks aim to build on success in Hong Kong and expand to the Chinese mainland and other markets. Winning the first battle in Hong Kong is crucial for them and their parent companies. FINANCE & ECONOMICS Ant Groups headquarters in Hangzhou, East China's Zhejiang Province, on July 23. Fintech / As Ant Group saturates its home market, overseas expansion becomes priority Financial services giant Ant Group is intensifying efforts to expand overseas as it scrapes its head on the ceiling of the domestic market. The company plans to broaden revenue streams and secure more than 1 billion users overseas by 2025. The company, which removed its home province of Zhejiang from its official name in June, has been talking a big game about global growth since it added internationalization last year to its three business growth pillars alongside digital payments, financial services and technology. Ants strategic investment in Paytm, India's answer to Ant's Alipay, seems to have been a largely successful step in this direction as the company has mimicked Ant Groups model of combining financial management, e-commerce, insurance, and built-in mini programs. Banking / HSBC paints grim outlook in hugely unpredictable times HSBC Holdings Plc joined the chorus of banks warning about a difficult economic outlook to cap a costly earnings season. The Asia-focused lender missed estimates after reporting first-half profit that fell by half to $5.6 billion because of higher credit provisions. It is speeding up a shakeup of its global operations after warning that the fallout from the coronavirus pandemic may trigger loan losses of as much as $13 billion this year. HSBC has been seeking to pivot away from Europe and the U.S. to expand its business in the fast-growing Chinese market. The lender, which has been singled out by Washington for its backing of Beijing, said it will continue to shift capital toward Asia, which provided nearly all of its earnings. CEO Noel Quinn said the tensions between China and the U.S. inevitably create challenging situations for an organization with HSBCs footprint. Visas / Beijing says it will retaliate if U.S. denies visas to Chinese journalists Beijing will retaliate if Washington declines to renew U.S.-based Chinese journalists visas, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin said Tuesday. The length of the visas was already shortened to 90 days following a previous diplomatic spat involving journalists in May. The ministry learned that Chinese journalists in the United States have already submitted their applications for visa renewals, but none has so far received a clear response from the U.S. side, Wang said. For a long time, the U.S. has been stepping up its political suppression of the Chinese media out of its Cold War mentality and ideological bias," Wang said. "If it is bent on going down the wrong path, China will have to take legitimate necessary reactions and resolutely safeguard its own legitimate rights and interests. Fraud / Investigators reveal how Kangde Xin carried out $1.65 billion fraud Investigators from Chinas securities watchdog Monday revealed a complex web of accounts and transactions with illegal underground lenders that employees at Kangde Xin Composite Material Group Co. Ltd. used to carry out a four-year fraud that has brought the company to its knees. The scheme was disclosed during a three-day hearing by the China Securities Regulatory Commission (CSRC) in Beijing to determine what administrative punishment should be imposed on the Zhangjiagang, Jiangsu province-based company. Investigators found that about 15 billion yuan ($2.1 billion) of cash and bank deposits shown on the Shenzhen-listed companys financial statements turned out to be an illusion. Sales and other documents had been systematically falsified over a four-year period and inflated profits by a total of 11.9 billion yuan, a figure subsequently adjusted to 11.5 billion yuan. Quick hits / Chinese researchers find mutation that could make Covid-19 10 times more infectious BUSINESS & TECH Ran Chengqi, director of the China Satellite Navigation System Management Office and spokesman for the BeiDou Navigation Satellite System, speaks at a press conference Monday in Beijing. Beidou / Chinas homegrown satellite navigation system has 'world-class' tech, official declares China says it has mastered world-class satellite navigation technology for its BeiDou system and has promised to ramp up investment to create a complete industrial chain of manufacturing and services. The BeiDou Navigation Satellite System was officially commissioned Friday by Chinese President Xi Jinping. In June, the 55th and final satellite was put into orbit, completing the navigation network that has been in development since 1994. BeiDous core components are 100% made in China, said Ran Chengqi, director general of the China Satellite Navigation Office, Monday at a press conference. Luckin Coffee / Two Luckin Coffee affiliates fined by CSRC for disclosure violations Chinas securities regulator fined scandal-plagued Luckin Coffee Inc. founder Lu Zhengyao and two companies he controls for violations of disclosure requirements. Ucar Inc., a limousine services company controlled by Lu, was fined 500,000 yuan ($71,600) because it failed to consolidate the results of Borgward Automotive China Co Ltd. in first-quarter and first-half financial reports last year. That violated information disclosure rules, the China Securities Regulatory Commission (CSRC) said. Ucar acquired 67% of Borgward in January 2019. In addition, Qwom Digital Technology Co. Ltd., a marketing company controlled by Lu that provides advertising services to Luckin, was fined 300,000 yuan for failure to disclose related-party transactions with Luckin, the CSRC said. TikTok / Bytedance founder doubts probe intentions with company poised to sell U.S. TikTok under duress The notoriously low-profile billionaire behind TikTok-owner ByteDance blasted the U.S. government, saying a national security probe into the app was always intended to result in a comprehensive ban. In his second company-wide letter to Chinese staff in two days, ByteDance founder and CEO Zhang Yiming blamed an atmosphere of anti-China sentiment for the intense scrutiny of his company. ByteDance, which is poised to sell under duress a large portion of its overseas operations to Microsoft Corp. following sustained attacks by the Trump administration. Zhang said the U.S. regulatory investigation of his companys 2017 purchase of Musical.ly, which began in November, was not really intended to force a sale which would have been unreasonable but within a legal framework. Microsofts long history in China complicates potential TikTok deal Metals / Rio Tinto, Chalco progress on long-delayed Guinea iron ore project Anglo-Australian metals and mining giant Rio Tinto Group and its Chinese partner Chalco are making progress on their long-delayed development of an iron ore mine in Guinea, the company told Caixin Monday. The Simandou iron ore project (Blocks 3 and 4) in Guinea is progressing as we collaborate with our partners to optimize the program, the company said. The West Africa project also was mentioned earlier in Rio Tintos half-year earnings report after being on hold for several years, mostly due to infrastructure financing issues. The change followed the Guinea governments approval for the development of two other blocks of Simandou deposits in June, Rio Tinto said. This provided hope for the potential construction of sites owned by the company. Quick hits / Alibaba boosts investment in EV maker Xpeng before New York IPO Burberry opens its first real-world social media store in Shenzhen Thanks for reading. If you haven't already, click here to subscribe. The fireball was like no other Ive ever seen or felt before, and I have seen my fair share. At its centre, a huge, intense red ball of flame that spewed smoke, ash and debris high into Beiruts late afternoon sky, like an angry volcano. In a millisecond, a seismic eruption tore through the city, wreaking death and destruction. The explosion was so vast it was heard across the Mediterranean in Cyprus, 160 miles away, like a small non-nuclear version of Little Boy, the atomic device dropped on Hiroshima almost 75 years ago to the day. And like a nuke, Lebanons fireball was shaped into a mushroom, before the terrifying aftershock split from the epicentre to engulf a million people. The fireball was like no other Ive ever seen or felt before, and I have seen my fair share. At its centre, a huge, intense red ball of flame that spewed smoke, ash and debris high into Beiruts late afternoon sky. Pictured: Brent Sadler and wife Jelena in front of a devastated building Buildings collapsed like cardboard. Trees bent and snapped. Cars were tossed in the air like toys and a hailstorm of deadly broken glass rained down on the hapless city. As the sky turned dark with smoke over the devastated Beirut port, streets were littered with the dead and bloodied faces of innocent victims. As I write, it is the day after one of the biggest-ever explosions to hit a capital city. More bodies were pulled from the rubble as calls grew for an independent international inquiry into the cause of the blast. Church bells, which rang until the early hours of the morning, fell silent on a day of national mourning as prayers and priests did their best for the living and the dead from a doomsday event that spared no religion in Lebanons fractious and volatile sectarian mix. At the time of the blast I was writing a book about my time at ITN and CNN. At our home in downtown Beirut, the 8th floor balcony windows were open. The explosion was so vast it was heard across the Mediterranean in Cyprus, 160 miles away, like a small non-nuclear version of Little Boy, the atomic device dropped on Hiroshima almost 75 years ago to the day My wife Jelena and her mother were on the terrace when we heard a noise which sounded like a sonic boom, often heard when Israeli warplanes break the sound barrier over the capital, a violation of Lebanons sovereignty yet something happening more and more frequently of late. Ten to 15 seconds later we saw the fireball rising above rooftops, less than a mile away, while the aftershock travelled at subsonic speed. When it hit us, we saw everything in slow motion. A pair of sliding windows in our living room, each weighing around 100kg, were blown off their tracks and flew across the room like feathers, such was the fearsome power of the explosion. Thankfully the glass didnt shatter and we survived with a few bumps and scrapes. Buildings collapsed like cardboard. Trees bent and snapped. Cars were tossed in the air like toys and a hailstorm of deadly broken glass rained down on the hapless city But friends are in hospital, some are missing and many have lost their homes. If anyone wanted to inflict a defeat on the country, already on its knees in the midst of an economic crisis and close to bankruptcy, this could have been a way to do it. For now, though, the main theory is an accident. Official incompetence, negligence and ignorance are all high on the list of explanations. Similar to a nuclear explosion, then came the fall-out. The first reaction was a fear of toxic fumes from almost 3,000 tons of ammonium nitrate stored at the port facility. The second focused on the recriminations. Ammonium nitrate can be used to make bombs, a terrorists go-to weapon. But why was a vast stockpile of explosive material there in the first place, not far from residential areas? The president, Michel Aoun, a close political ally of Hezbollah, has called for an urgent investigation. It may not have been an Israeli air-strike, as was widely suspected at first, but it certainly felt like one as we ran down the internal fire escape stairs His government is backed by the armed, militant terror group not all in Lebanon will have much faith in it, especially those who oppose Hezbollahs stranglehold over the country. It may not have been an Israeli air-strike, as was widely suspected at first, but it certainly felt like one as we ran down the internal fire escape stairs, dogs in hand, to take shelter in the underground parking garage. We saw that every metal elevator door on the way down was buckled and ceilings had collapsed nothing was spared. Hezbollahs leadership called for national unity, while Lebanese prime minister Hassan Diab promised that whoever was responsible for storing the ammonium nitrate would face the full weight of the law. But it is seen as a hollow threat in the eyes of many here. Some 15 years ago, Lebanons five-time prime minister Rafik Hariri was assassinated alongside 21 others in a two-ton truck bomb attack on his armoured convoy in downtown Beirut. Tomorrow, the UN Special Tribunal for Lebanon, set up to investigate those killings and bring the perpetrators to justice, is expected to deliver verdicts against four members of Hezbollah who were tried in absentia. Lebanon was bracing for trouble ahead of those verdicts, but nothing of this magnitude. It is now begging for help. The port installations are destroyed along with huge quantities of vital wheat which were stored in concrete grain silos. The famed shopping district of Hamra is in ruins, few have escaped the firestorm up to a radius of several miles. There isnt enough glass in the country to repair all the damaged property and coronavirus is running rampant. Hospitals are overflowing with casualties and a two-week state of emergency has been imposed on the capital. For those of us whove lived, worked and survived through Lebanons tumultuous wars, invasions, car bombs, assassinations, kidnappings and litany of lost opportunities, the country faces the kind of vacuum that a loss of trust in responsible and effective leadership brings, especially after such a violent event. And when theres a vacuum in the Middle East, it can get a lot worse before it gets better. There were two new cases of COVID-19 detected in Manitoba as of Wednesday morning, according to a media release sent out by the province. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 5/8/2020 (531 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Advertisement Advertise With Us There were two new cases of COVID-19 detected in Manitoba as of Wednesday morning, according to a media release sent out by the province. Both cases are in the Winnipeg health region. One of the cases was found in a woman in her 20s with the other in a man in his 30s. The release says that there have now been 444 confirmed and presumed positive cases of COVID-19 with 94 of those currently active. Nine people are hospitalized with the virus with five of those people currently in intensive care. The total number of deaths remains at eight. On Tuesday, 990 tests were performed, bringing the total amount to 94,984. Public health officials are warning passengers on Air Canada flight 873 from Frankfurt, Germany to Toronto and Air Canada flight 265 from Toronto to Winnipeg both on July 26 that they may have been exposed to COVID-19. The Brandon Sun At a cavernous factory in the Chinese city of Xuzhou, 100 new workers have just been hired to produce giant construction cranes. Nearby, at another sprawling factory, employees toil until midnight to assemble drilling and tunnelling machines. A few blocks away, their colleagues at a factory that makes dump trucks have received enough orders to keep them busy well into next year. These factories, and half a dozen more in the city, are all owned by Xuzhou Construction Machinery Group, a state-owned industrial behemoth that manufactures the outsize machines behind China's latest construction boom. China is using a familiar strategy to get its economy back on track. Credit:Bloomberg The company, China's largest producer of construction equipment, is at the centre of Beijing's strategy to revive the country's economy in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic by doubling down on a tested strategy: investing in infrastructure projects at home. China appears to have mostly eradicated the coronavirus within its borders. But outbreaks overseas have caused economic downturns elsewhere that have hurt foreign demand for Chinese exports, including the trucks and machines made in Xuzhou. Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - August 5, 2020) - Silver Sands Resources Corp. (CSE: SAND) ("Silver Sands" or the "Company") is pleased to report that the Company and Mirasol Resources Ltd. technical teams have reviewed and approved the Virginia Silver Project Phase I exploration program and budget. The initial program will include diamond drilling, excavator supported trenching and Pole Dipole Induced Polarization (PDP IP) surveys directed at a number of the under-explored veins peripheral to the veins hosting the current resource. Highlights Initial fieldwork is expected to commence at the end of August/ early September; 2,570 metres of diamond drilling over 6 veins; + 1,500 linear metres of excavator trenching over 12 veins; and, 40-line km of PDP IP over 8 veins. "We are eager to advance the Virginia Project in collaboration with Mirasol Resources as the operator of this program," commented Keith Anderson, President & CEO. "Phase I will test a number of high quality under-explored vein targets and drill known targets with the goal of increasing the resource and continuity. With full anticipation of exploration success, we look forward to providing a steady flow of catalysts to our shareholders in the coming months." Figure 1. 2020 Drilling Plan To view an enhanced version of Figure 1, please visit: https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/6972/61082_2d8ed66fd4e8797b_002full.jpg The initial phase of diamond drilling this year will focus on the following vein structures: Ely Central, Martina, Margarita, Naty West, Roxanne and Magi. These veins, along with additional untested veins, were one of the key features that attracted Silver Sands to the Virginia project, as they show similar characteristics and/or grades to the previously drilled structures, suggesting a high likelihood of further drilling success. Ely Central - drill between the Ely North and Ely South Resource Blocks Magi - follow up down dip drilling of initial results of 37.97 g/t Ag over 5.4 m and 40.73 g/t Ag over 16.7 m Margarita - drill test beneath surface and trench samples with highlight values to 1720 g/t Ag Naty West - drill test beneath surface and trench samples with highlight values to 25,080 g/t Ag Roxanne - drill test beneath surface and trench samples with highlight values to 2,880 g/t Ag Martina - drill test to the north of the existing Martina Resource Block Patricia / Daniela - drill test beneath surface and trench samples with highlight values of 29,387 g/t Ag Figure 2. Trenching Plan To view an enhanced version of Figure 2, please visit: https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/6972/61082_2d8ed66fd4e8797b_003full.jpg The initial program of trenching will concentrate both on extending the more advanced veins and also on defining new veins, including those discovered at the southern extension area during the 2016 exploration season, including Julia South Extension, Eastern Extension and Margarita Vein: Rock chip sampling at Margarita returned assays ranging from background to 1,723.3 g/t Ag from outcrop, subcrop and float blocks of epithermal veins up to 1.5 m wide; The Julia South Extension, traced over 2 km, and defined by intermittent vein and vein-breccia subcrop and float samples to a maximum width of 0.88 m returned assays ranging from background to 6,586.3 g/t Ag; and, The East Zone covering a 1.2 km x 600 m area, consists of sub-cropping epithermal vein-breccia and aligned float blocks defining multiple NW and NE trends up to 1 km in length, and returned assays ranging from background to 2,609.7 g/t Ag. Figure 3. 2020 PDP IP Plan To view an enhanced version of Figure 3, please visit: https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/6972/61082_2d8ed66fd4e8797b_004full.jpg The PDP IP will survey the same veins targeted for the Phase I drilling program. PDP has shown to be very efficient at highlighting zones of silicification, essentially veining, along vein structures and will be utilized to pinpoint final drill hole locations. Mirasol has advised Silver Sands that the technical team anticipates commencing fieldwork toward the end of the month or early September, with drilling to follow upon completion of the PDP IP, anticipated to be early to mid-October. About Virginia Virginia is a low to intermediate sulphidation epithermal silver deposit located in the mineral rich Deasado Massif, lying within the mining friendly state of Santa Cruz in the Patagonia region of Argentina. Through initial discovery in 2009 to four drill programs between 2010 and 2012, Mirasol Resources Ltd. was able to define an initial indicated mineral resource of 11.9 million ounces of silver at 310 g/t Ag and a further inferred 3.1 million ounces of silver at 207 g/t Ag within seven outcropping bodies. This resource is documented in a Mirasol Resources Ltd. technical report entitled: "Amended Technical Report, Virginia Project, Santa Cruz Province, Argentina - Initial Silver Mineral Resource Estimate" with an effective date of October 24, 2014 and a report date of February 29, 2016. Several additional vein structures within the property package remain highly prospective, as Mirasol concentrated the bulk of its exploration effort on the resource area at the expense of continuing exploration on the under-explored additional veins. Several of these structures have highlight silver values in excess of 1000 g/t Ag and have a high probability of hosting additional silver resources. These veins structures will be the primary focus of the Silver Sands 2020/2021 exploration efforts. Silver Sands is earning a 100% interest in Virginia by issuing sufficient shares for Mirasol to end up with 19.9% of the issued and outstanding of Silver Sands and completing US$6 million in exploration over 3 years. Mirasol will retain a 3% Net Smelter Return Royalty with Silver Sands having the option of purchasing 1/3 of the Royalty for US$2 million. About Silver Sands Resources Corp. Silver Sands is a well-financed, Canadian-based company engaged in the business of mineral exploration and the acquisition of mineral property assets in mining-friendly jurisdictions. Its objective is to locate and develop economic precious and base metal properties of merit. Its key asset is the Virginia Silver Project, located in the mining friendly Santa Cruz state of Argentina. The technical content of this news release has been reviewed and approved by R. Tim Henneberry, P.Geo. (BC) a Qualified Person under NI 43-101 and a Director of Golden Opportunity. On Behalf of the Board of Directors Keith Anderson Chief Executive Officer, Director For further information, please contact: Keith Anderson Chief Executive Officer, Director (604) 786-7774 Forward-Looking Statements: This news release includes certain forward-looking statements and forward-looking information (collectively, "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, included herein including, without limitation, statements regarding the negotiation and execution of the Definitive Agreement, the timing and payment the Exercise Price, future capital expenditures, anticipated content, commencement, and cost of exploration programs in respect of the Project, anticipated exploration program results from exploration activities, resources and/or reserves on the Project, the terms and conditions of the Private Placement and the anticipated business plans and timing of future activities of the Company, are forward-looking statements. Although the Company believes that such statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. Often, but not always, forward looking information can be identified by words such as "pro forma", "plans", "expects", "will", "may", "should", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates", "believes", "potential" or variations of such words including negative variations thereof, and phrases that refer to certain actions, events or results that may, could, would, might or will occur or be taken or achieved. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to differ materially from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Such risks and other factors include, among others, statements as to the anticipated business plans and timing of future activities of the Company, including the Company's option to acquire the Project, the proposed expenditures for exploration work thereon, the ability of the Company to obtain sufficient financing to fund its business activities and plans, delays in obtaining governmental and regulatory approvals (including of the CSE), permits or financing, changes in laws, regulations and policies affecting mining operations, the Company's limited operating history, currency fluctuations, title disputes or claims, environmental issues and liabilities, as well as those factors discussed under the heading "Risk Factors" in the Company's prospectus dated August 30, 2019 and other filings of the Company with the Canadian Securities Authorities, copies of which can be found under the Company's profile on the SEDAR website at www.sedar.com. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to update any of the forward-looking statements in this presentation or incorporated by reference herein, except as otherwise required by law. The Canadian Securities Exchange has not approved nor disapproved the contents of this news release. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/61082 Voters in Arizona and Michigan on Tuesday were finalizing two key matchups in November that could determine the balance of power in the Senate. A contentious GOP Senate primary in Kansas could possibly elevate the state to be another potential pickup opportunity for Democrats on the expanding battlefield for the upper chamber. An endangered member of the "squad" -- Michigan Rep. Rashida Tlaib -- and her formal rival, Detroit City Council President Brenda Jones, were closing out a highly competitive primary in Detroit and its surrounding suburbs. And in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, chief executives on the frontlines of the response were meeting their general election opponents. MORE: Tuesday's primaries across 5 states: 5 things to watch Here's how election night unfolded. Please refresh for updates. PHOTO: A person drops off a ballot for Washington state's primary election Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2020, at a collection box at the King County Administration Building in Seattle. (Ted S. Warren/AP) 12:48 a.m.: Missourians nominate progressive Cori Bush to oust incumbent establishment Lacy Clay, vote to expand Medicaid Progressives have reason to celebrate tonight as St. Louis area voters have opted to vote out incumbent Rep. William Lacy Clay, who has held the seat since 2001, and replace him with progressive Cori Bush 48.6% to 45.5%, the Associated Press has projected. Bush unsuccessfully ran against Lacy Clay in 2018 and in the deep-blue district, home to Ferguson, is almost guaranteed a spot in the next Congress. She will be the first Black woman to represent Missouri in Congress in a remarkable win, which unseated a powerful player in Missouri politics. Lacy Clay was the second incumbent to fall tonight, after Rep. Steve Watkins lost his primary in Kansas' 2nd district. Bush was endorsed by Sen. Bernie Sanders and Justice Democrats and thanked supporters tonight, saying, "Tonight, Missouris 1st has decided that an incremental approach isnt going to work any longer." With 100% of the vote reporting, Bush brought in nearly 73,000 votes Tuesday night. Voters also cast their ballots in favor of expanding Medicaid in the state, which has been ravaged by rural hospital closures, passing the measure by six points, 53% to 47%. Story continues The move could bring Medicaid eligibility to as many as 217,000 low-income Missourians under the Affordable Care Act. Missouri now becomes the 38th state plus D.C. to expand Medicaid. 12:05 a.m.: Hiral Tipirneni wins Democratic primary in AZ-06, will face Rep. Dave Schweikert, who was just slapped with ethics violations Hiral Tipirneni has won the Democratic primary for Arizona's 6th Congressional District, the Associated Press has projected. She will face Republican Rep. David Schweikert in November. Tipirneni, a member of the DCCC's "Red to Blue" program, nabbed a win in a four-person primary. She's a former emergency room physician and has put the issue of health care at the center of her campaign. The congressional district went for President Donald Trump by a 10-point margin in 2016, but Democrats view the district, which covers the suburbs of Phoenix -- a voting bloc the president is increasingly losing, according to recent polling -- as one they could win this cycle. In addition to earning the backing of House Democrats' campaign arm, Tipirneni was also endorsed by EMILY's List, and Arizona Reps. Ann Kirkpatrick and Tom O'Halleran. The primary comes after the sitting congressman was dealt an unwelcome blow with just three months until voters will decide his electoral fate. On Friday, the House unanimously voted to reprimand Schweikert after he admitted guilt in 11 ethics violations related to campaign finance violations, improper spending and other rule violations. The congressman has agreed to pay a $50,000 fine. The ethics investigation into Schweikert unanimously determined that the Arizona Republican violated House rules, the Code of Ethics for Government Service, federal laws and other applicable standards. 11:55 p.m.: Candidates vying to fill retiring Rep. Justin Amash's seat will be Republican Peter Meijer and Democrat Hillary Scholten Peter Meijer has won the crowded Republican primary for Michigan's 3rd Congressional District, the Associated Press has projected. Meijer will face Democrat Hillary Scholten, who ran unopposed and out-fundraised every Republican candidate. Five candidates sought the Republican nomination. Meijer is an Army veteran who served in Iraq as between 2010 and 2011, working in an intelligence unit. Scholten, the Democrat, worked in the Obama administration's Justice Department as an attorney. Ahead of the primary, Meijer nabbed endorsements from several prominent Republican lawmakers, including Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, Minority Whip Steve Scalise and Sen. Tom Cotton. Republican John James, who is facing Sen. Gary Peters in the state's Senate race this November, also endorsed him. Meijer is a "contender" in the House Republicans' campaign arm's "Young Guns" program. The seat is currently held by Rep. Justin Amash. Amash, who declared he was leaving the Republican Party on the Fourth of July last year, weighed running for the Libertarian Party's presidential nomination, but ultimately decided not to, and chose to retire from Congress after finishing his current term. The race is rated as "Lean Republican" by Cook Political Report, Inside Elections and Sabato's Crystal Ball. 11:45 p.m.: Match-up between Republican Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler and Democrat Carolyn Long set for WA-03 The Associated Press has projected the two candidates who will be advancing to the November election for Washington's 3rd Congressional District: Republican incumbent Jaime Herrera Beutler will face off against Democrat Carolyn Long. In Washington, a state that predominantly votes-by-mail, all candidates compete on the same ballot, regardless of party affiliation. With 31% of the expected vote in, Herrera Beutler was leading with 54.8% of the vote and Long had 41.2% of the vote. Herrera Beutler, one of the few women of color in the House Republican caucus, has served in Congress since 2007. She faced Long in the 2018 midterms and won reelection by about 16,500 votes. The district in Washington, a reliably blue state statewide, went for President Donald Trump over Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton by a more than seven-point margin in 2016. But Democrats are hoping to win the seat this cycle, and add to their House majority. Long is part of the House Democrats' campaign arm's "Red to Blue" program, meaning the party views her as a "top-tier candidate" who could flip a red district. 11:15 p.m.: Democrat Mark Kelly officially facing Republican Sen. Martha McSally in Arizona special Senate election Fundraising powerhouse Mark Kelly, who ran unopposed, is officially facing Republican Sen. Martha McSally in November's special Senate election in Arizona, according to projections from the Associated Press. Kelly, a retired Navy combat pilot, engineer, NASA astronaut and the husband of gun control advocate and former Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, launched his Senate campaign in February 2019, and earned the backing of the DSCC -- Senate Democrats' campaign arm, in April of last year. Since that launch through July 15, he's raised a whopping $45 million and boasts a $21.2 million war chest as the campaign heads into its final three months. McSally, who narrowly lost her race against Democrat Kyrsten Sinema in 2018, was appointed to fill the late Sen. John McCain's seat, after the man Republican Gov. Doug Ducey initially appointed, former Sen. Jon Kyl, resigned at the end of 2018. The freshman senator who has tethered herself to President Donald Trump faces a tough reelection battle. In a July 26 CNN/SSRS poll, Kelly was backed by 50% of Arizona registered voters while McSally was supported by 43%. Since the start of the campaign through July 15, McSally has raised $28.7 million, and has nearly $11 million cash-on-hand. Arizona has trended purple in recent years, and Democrats are eyeing the Kelly-McSally matchup as one of their best pick up opportunities as they try to flip control of Congress's upper chamber. Sabato's Crystal Ball and Cook Political Report rate the race as "lean Democratic." 10:35 p.m.: Rep. Steve Watkins defeated by Kansas State Treasurer Jake LaTurner, KS GOP chair nabs nomination Rep. Steve Watkins, who in July was convicted of three felonies and one misdemeanor related to voter fraud, has been defeated by Kansas State Treasurer Jacob LaTurner, the youngest statewide elected official in the country in the race to represent the state's 2nd district. LaTurner is seen as a rising star in the Republican party in Kansas. He is endorsed by neighboring Rep. Ron Estes, who also endorsed Watkins early on but rescinded his endorsement following Watkins' charges. Watkins denied the charges in late July, but was stripped of his committee assignments, per House rules, due to the felony charges. LaTurner will face Topeka Mayor and Democrat Michelle de la Isla. This district is home to Lawrence, a liberal college town, and Topeka, de la Isla's home city. The race is rated as Lean Republican by Cook Political. In the 3rd district, KS GOP chair Amanda Adkins won a crowded primary to take on freshman Rep. Sharice Davids in the Kansas City suburbs. Adkins was a prolific fundraiser on the GOP side, but Davids significantly outpaced her across the aisle. Republicans are looking to flip the seat back into their territory after Davids flipped it in 2018. 10:20 p.m.: Rep. Roger Marshall defeats former Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach Rep. Roger Marshall, who currently represents Kansas' 1st Congressional District, has defeated former Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach in the Republican Senate primary. Marshall will face Democratic state Sen. Barbara Bollier in November. The president did not offer an endorsement before the primary, but Tuesday night called Marshall and congratulated him on his win, despite the fact that he endorsed Kobach's failed gubernatorial bid in 2018. "Well, I want to congratulate everybody and Roger on an incredible race," Trump said while on a speakerphone at Marshall's victory party. "We have to win the one on Nov. 3. You have my total support, you know it." PHOTO: Kris Kobach, a candidate for the Republican nomination to U.S. Senate, talks with reporters at his primary-night watch party in Leavenworth, Kan., Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2020. (Orlin Wagner/AP) 9:04 p.m.: Sen. Gary Peters officially facing Republican John James in Michigan Senate race Democratic Sen. Gary Peters will be facing Republican John James as he tries to win a second term. The AP projected the results of both races when all polls closed, but both candidates ran unopposed. James was the 2018 Republican nominee who faced Democratic Sen. Debbie Stabenow. Stabenow got 52.3% of the vote, and James got 45.8%. As the race stands now, it's in Peters' favor. All three major race raters -- Cook Political Report, Inside Elections and Sabato's Crystal Ball -- have the race in the "lean Democratic" column. In a CNN/SSRS poll (airworthy) published on July 26, Peters had 54% and James had 38% among registered voters. Election results: Progressive Cori Bush ousts establishment Democrat Lacy Clay in Missouri originally appeared on abcnews.go.com Kabul Gurudwara-Jalalabad: ISIS terrorists from Kerala feature in the list again India oi-Vicky Nanjappa New Delhi, Aug 05: The investigation into the Jalalabad terror attack has sprung up the name of a youth from Kerala's Kasargod. A doctor by profession, he has been identified as Kallukettiya Purayil Ijas, who was living in Nangarhar. He had fled with his family from Kasargod in Kerala in 2016. He had reached Muscat from the Hyderabad airport before reaching Afghanistan. It may be recalled that in March, a recruit of the ISIS Khorasan, Mohammad Mushin hailing originally from Kannur had been identified as one of the suspects in the Kabul Gurudwara attack. Kabul Gurdwara attack was masterminded in Pakistan by ISI-former Lashkar commander This week a terrorist assault on a prison complex at Jalalabad left 29 persons dead. The attack was claimed by the Islamic State. After hours of gun battle, the Afghan forces finally re-took the prison. At least 10 ISIS fighters involved in the assault were also killed while trying to free their fellow men from the prison. The name of an operative from Kerala is cropping up for the second time in an attack in Afghanistan. Two years back, several persons from Kerala had left the country to join the ISIS Khorasan in Afghanistan. Purayil had fled to Afghanistan with his wife and child. Both are in the custody of the Afghan authorities. A red alert had been issued against Ijas in 2017. The NIA said that he was born on May 10 1984 at Padanna, Kasargod, Kerala. In furtherance of a conspiracy hatched by Ijas and 14 others from 2015 onwards n Kasargod district, their aim was was to strengthen the ISIS. Ijas and others left India between mid May 2016 to July 5th 2016 to join the ISIS, the NIA had also said. In March, the agencies had recognised one Mushin of Kannur as the main suspects in the Kabul Gurdwara attack. IB sources tell OneIndia that Muhasin had left for Afghanistan in 2018. A year later 21 more persons from Kerala left for Afghanistan to be part of the Islamic State Khorasan, a wing of the outfit that operates out of Afghanistan. Muhasin had gone to Dubai looking for a job. However he came in contact with some persons part of the Islamic State. The dossier prepared on him states that he was lured into the ISIS by these persons, following which he agreed to travel to Afghanistan. These were early days for the ISIS in Afghanistan and they were at that time setting up their modules in the country. PM Modi lays foundation of Ram Temple, says 'finally a temple for Ram Lalla' | Oneindia News The ISIS sought to recruit a large number of persons from the sub-continent for their operations in Afghanistan. The officer cited above said that the ISIS did have some success in recruiting persons from India. The largest number of recruits into the ISIS for the Khorasan module were from Kerala, the officer also said. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Wednesday, August 5, 2020, 8:53 [IST] Travel company shares took off after a buoyant update from budget airline easyJet. Demand for last-minute summer holidays has been so much better than expected that the company has expanded its schedule. It had been planning to operate at about 30 per cent of its capacity between July and September. Take-off: Demand for last-minute summer holidays has been so much better than expected that budget airline Easyjet has now expanded its schedule But it will now bump this up to 40 per cent, and will be running 1,000 or so flights a day in August. Some of the most popular destinations have been Nice in the south of France and Faro in Portugal, even though Portugal has not yet been included in any air bridge agreements. Chief executive Johan Lundgren said customers still have 'an underlying desire and willingness to book and travel', especially to get away on a beach break. He also said the UK's swift decision last month to impose a two-week quarantine on those arriving from Spain hadn't caused customers to cancel their plans en masse but said that late bookers were just looking elsewhere at places such as Greece and Croatia. Stock Watch - Genedrive Genedrive surged after the diagnostics firm said it was working on technology to speed up coronavirus testing. The London-listed company said its collaboration with US-based Beckman Coulter Life Sciences would involve automating the laboratory process to deliver faster results, aiming to process 1,000 tests in eight hours. Genedrive boss David Budd said he hoped the technology could be introduced in labs in six weeks' time. Shares rose 27.5 per cent, or 19.5p, to 90.5p. Unsurprisingly, the fact that it ran a mere 709 flights in the three months to June, compared with 165,656 a year ago, pushed it to a 325million loss. This was down from a 174million profit in 2019. But these figures weren't what the stock market was focused on. The change in tone about summer holidays, following news rivals were curbing services to Spain and being hammered by the shock quarantine, was exactly what traders wanted to hear. EasyJet rose 8.8 per cent, or 44.4p, to 551.6p and it brought the rest of the sector up too. British Airways owner IAG climbed by 7.1 per cent, or 11.55p, to 175.4p on the FTSE 100 index, while Tui rocketed 9.1 per cent, or 26.3p, to 314.2p on the mid-cap index. The rally helped keep both of London's top indexes in the black, though only just. The Footsie rose 0.05 per cent, or 3.15 points, to 6036, while the FTSE 250 rose 0.9 per cent, or 149.58 points, to 17307.7. The blue-chip index also got a boost from GKN-owner Melrose, which managed to thrash out new terms with its banks that it says will give it 'considerable headroom and flexibility'. The company, which makes parts for the hard-hit car making and aerospace sectors, has already scrapped its dividend and says job cuts are inevitable. But the breathing room sent shares 9.4 per cent higher, up 8.28p, to 96.5p and straight to the top of the Footsie leaderboard. Defence contractor Babcock International had a more difficult start to the week. The company won't pay a dividend for the past year after profits took a 40 per cent knock in its most recent quarter and revenues fell. It said this was an 'appropriate' decision given that it had been tapping into the Government's coronavirus furlough scheme. Doing the honourable thing didn't do much for its shares, though, with its stock falling 9.4 per cent, or 27.2p, to 261.8p. Direct Line and Centamin both unveiled better news on dividends. Insurer Direct Line rose 5.3 per cent, or 16.4p, to 324p after pledging a 7.4p per share half-year payout and a one-off 14.4p divi to replace the annual one that it previously suspended. It came as the number of motor claims dropped by as much as 70 per cent at the peak of lockdown. And gold miner Centamin rose 2.1 per cent, or 4.3p, to 211.8p, after the coronavirus-driven surge in gold prices so far this year helped push first-half profits from 45.6million last year to 146million. It increased its divi by 50 per cent to around 4.6p per share. Residents of Beirut awoke to a scene of utter devastation on Wednesday, a day after a massive explosion at the port sent shock waves across the Lebanese capital, killing at least 100 people and wounding thousands. Smoke was still rising from the port, where huge mounds of grain gushed from hollowed-out silos. Major downtown streets were littered with debris and damaged vehicles, and building facades were blown out. An official with the Lebanese Red Cross said at least 100 people were killed and more than 4,000 were wounded. The official, George Kettaneh, said the toll could rise further. Scores of people were missing, with relatives pleading on social media for help locating loved ones. An Instagram page called ``Locating Victims Beirut'' sprang up with photos of missing people, and radio presenters read the names of missing or wounded people throughout the night. Many residents moved in with friends or relatives after their apartments were damaged and treated their own injuries because hospitals were overwhelmed. It was unclear what caused the blast, which appeared to have been triggered by a fire and struck with the force of an earthquake. It was the most powerful explosion ever seen in the city, which was on the front lines of the 1975-1990 civil war and has endured conflicts with neighboring Israel and periodic bombings and terror attacks. Lebanon was already on the brink of collapse amid a severe economic crisis that has ignited mass protests in recent months. Its hospitals are confronting a surge in coronavirus cases, and there were concerns the virus could spread further as people flooded into hospitals. Saint George University Hospital, one of the major private hospitals in Beirut which had been receiving COVID-19 patients, was out of commission Wednesday after suffering major damage. A physician who identified himself as Dr. Emile said 16 staff and patients, including four nurses, died in the blast. He declined to give his last name out of privacy concerns. Interior Minister Mohammed Fahmi told a local TV station that it appeared the blast was caused by the detonation of more than 2,700 tons of ammonium nitrate that had been stored in a warehouse at the dock ever since it was confiscated from a cargo ship in 2014. Ammonium nitrate is a common ingredient in fertilizer but can also be highly explosive. It was used in the Oklahoma City bombing in 1995, when a truck bomb containing 2,180 kilograms (4,800 pounds) of fertilizer and fuel oil ripped through a federal building, killing 168 people and wounding hundreds more. Videos showed what looked like a fire erupting nearby just before, and local TV stations reported that a fireworks warehouse was involved. The fire appeared to spread to a nearby building, triggering the explosion and sending up a mushroom cloud. Security forces cordoned off the port area on Wednesday as a bulldozer entered to help clear away debris. A young man begged troops to allow him to enter and search for his father, who has been missing since the blast occurred. He was directed to a port official who wrote down his details. In Beirut's hard-hit Achrafieh district, civil defense workers and soldiers were working on locating missing people and clearing the rubble. At least one man was still pinned under stones from an old building that had collapsed. Volunteers hooked him up to an oxygen tank to help him breathe while others tried to free his leg. The blast destroyed numerous apartment buildings, potentially leaving large numbers of people homeless at a time when many Lebanese have lost their jobs and seen their savings evaporate because of a currency crisis. The explosion also raises concerns about how Lebanon will continue to import nearly all of its vital goods with its main port devastated. Prime Minister Hassan Diab, in a short televised speech, appealed to all countries and friends of Lebanon to extend help to the small nation, saying: ``We are witnessing a real catastrophe.'' He reiterated his pledge that those responsible for the disaster will pay the price, without commenting on the cause. There is also the issue of food security in Lebanon, a tiny country already hosting over 1 million Syrians amid that country's yearslong war. Drone footage shot Wednesday by The Associated Press showed that the blast tore open a cluster of towering grain silos, dumping their contents into the debris and earth thrown up by the blast. Some 80% of Lebanon's wheat supply is imported, according to the U.S. Agriculture Department. Estimates suggest some 85% of the country's grain was stored at the now-destroyed silos. Lebanon's state-run National News Agency quoted the Raoul Nehme, the minister of economy and trade, as saying that all the wheat stored at the facility had been ``contaminated'' and couldn't be used. However, he insisted Lebanon had enough wheat for its immediate needs and would import more. *This story has been edited by Ahram Online Search Keywords: Short link: A member of Irans Chamber of Commerce has said that Chinas Kunlun Bank is refusing to deal with Iran, as warnings from the international watchdog, the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) regarding banking ties with the Islamic Republic have become tougher this year. Ali Shariati told local news website ILNA August 5 that for Iran the toughest challenge is in importing basic goods from China and occasionally Russia. China is reverting to excuses regarding [sanctions on] shipping and money transfers, Shariati said. New pressures on Irans trade relations come from the fact that FATF finally put Iran back on its black list earlier this year after Tehran failed to fully comply with its demands to put legislative safeguards against money laundering and financing of terrorism. Shariati told ILNA that FATFs new restrictions have definitely created new problems even with neighboring and regional countries. The Paris-based FATF is a financial watchdog monitoring the legal performance of banks and governments in the world and if it detects problems with transparency or signs of money laundering it issues warnings that can put banks and countries in a difficult situation. Irans presidential administration tried since 2017 to have new legislation passed to satisfy FATFs concerns but hardliners allied with the countrys Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei prevented the full passage of four bills. Shariari has reiterated that Iran currently has no banking relations with China and Russia, its two diplomatic allies. Recently, Tehran has been advertising a proposed 25-year economic deal with Beijing, but so far there has been no public response from the Asian economic powerhouse. We're always interested in hearing about news in our community. Let us know what's going on! Go to form Sam Moyer has long found energy where edges meet. Bringing two things together, creating a vibrationthat vibration is the art, says the Brooklyn-based artist, best known for her mesmerizing compositions of shaped paintings and jagged stone pieces, which she fits together tightly like puzzle pieces. Now, in collaboration with Public Art Fund, Moyer is generating that same creative friction on an urban scale. On September 16, shell unveil a monumental new work on Doris C. Freedman Plaza, at the southeast corner of Central Park. Comprising three portals, each fitted with a door, the installation both finds and creates meaning at the intersection of two worlds. Chris Mottalini Its this place where the industrial matter that is Manhattan ends and a controlled but natural environment begins, explains Moyer, who quickly became interested in revolving doors while generating ideas for the site. (Support for the project comes from a number of individuals and groups, including Sean Kelly Gallery.) I wanted to create something that was a transition between those two spaces but also echoed them, marrying a physical representation of the city and a physical representation of the park. In homage to local nature, the arches themselves are built from large hunks of indigenous granite, quarried not far from the city. The doors, on the other hand, feature her signature stone remnants, all leftover from countertops, lobbies, and other hallmarks of the built Big Apple. She mapped these out on her studio floor before having them set in massive concrete pours. Often when you work at this scale, theres no way for you as the artist to be involved with the production physically, reflects Moyer. Ive enabled this so that Im making a very large portion of the sculptures myself. Courtesy of Kayne Griffin Corcoran The remnants themselves spark conversations about inclusivity, globalization, privilege, and politics at a time when the world feels particularly fragile. These stones all come from different places and connect us to different cultural identities, she says. New York is this amazing place, which despite many hostilities and complications has historically been a haven for immigration. Viewers, of course, can enjoy the installation at face value, passing through the fixed doors and weaving among the portals, a kind of cosmopolitan Stonehenge. Theres this brilliant connection between the local and the global, but because of its abstract quality the work doesnt prescribe a specific meaning, says Public Art Fund curator Daniel S. Palmer. Though, as Moyer notes, its hard to resist the hopefulness of an open door. I am trying to hold on to whats good right now. Public art is good; public parks are good. In general, I am an optimist. Courtesy of Sean Kelly Gallery Originally Appeared on Architectural Digest Less than a week after he was sentenced to four years in a penitentiary for hiding a quantity of drugs in his groin, a Toronto man returned to a Niagara court to answer to an additional drug charge. This time around, the 25-year-old was convicted of concealing drugs in his rectum. Tirone Hazel appeared via audio conference in Ontario Court of Justice in St. Catharines Tuesday and pleaded guilty to charges of possession of fentanyl and assaulting a corrections officer. Court heard the defendant was admitted to Niagara Detention Centre in Thorold in October 2018 and a body scan indicated he was hiding contraband inside is body. He was placed in a dry cell and monitored. A few days later, security officers rescanned the man and determined there was something concealed against his thigh. He was searched and officers seized six packages, each 2.5 inches in length, containing mixtures of tobacco, marijuana, powdered fentanyl and rolling papers. The packages had a foul odour and appeared to be covered in fecal matter, said federal prosecutor Michelle Colacarro. The Crown is seeking a penitentiary term of three years, consecutive to the sentence the offender is currently serving. Bringing drugs into a jail causes absolute chaos, Colacarro said. The drug trade can cause significant violence within the jail, just as drug trafficking often does outside the prison. It puts everyones safety at risk. It is a pernicious situation that ought to be adequately denounced and deterred by the courts. Judge Joseph De Filippis is expected to deliver his decision Aug. 14. Hazel appeared in a St. Catharines court last Thursday and received a four-year penitentiary term. That sentence was reduced to 15 months due to the time he had spent in pretrial custody. That case involved a police investigation in October 2018 regarding the sale of drugs in St. Catharines. When he was arrested in that matter, police conducted a pat down and discovered two cellphones, a wad of cash and a hard object in the mans groin area. While the man maintained the large lump in his groin were his testicles, Niagara police had their suspicions. During a strip search, police discovered a large quantity of fentanyl, crack cocaine and cocaine stashed in a compartment sewn into his underwear. The drugs had an estimated street value of more than $12,000. Tropical Storm Isaias rips steeple off historic chapel in New Jersey beach town Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment The strong winds from Tropical Storm Isaias, which has left millions across the East Coast without power and has taken the lives of at least eight people, knocked the steeple off of a historic chapel in Ocean City, New Jersey, on Tuesday morning. WPVI reports that the steeple that was sitting on top of the interdenominational Central Ocean City Union Chapel was ripped off the church building around 11:30 a.m. as the area felt the effects of the tropical storm that hit the northeast region on Tuesday. A video posted online by Action News Julianna Torres shows the white steeple being ripped from its position at the top-front of the chapel and then sliding down the churchs sloped roof, as onlookers watched in shock. Oh my God, one onlooker said in the video as others shouted. The Central Ocean City Union Chapel was founded in the early 1900s to serve vacationing ministers. Funds for the building and the property were raised by Christian ladies of the community who held Strawberry Festivals and sold ice cream during the summer seasons, according to the chapels website. A group of five women, consisting of both cottagers and residents, incorporated the chapel as a nonprofit organization in September 1915. The chapels corner lot at 32nd Street and Central Avenue was bought on Sept. 20, 1915. The building was completed and opened to the community in August 1916. Today, a board of trustees that consists of mostly laypeople continues to provide worship and study for those vacationing in the beach town. The chapel is supported through free will offerings. The Christian Post reached out to the chapel for comment. A response is pending. The chapel is far from the only victim of Tropical Storm Isaias. According to the New York Police City Department, 60-year-old Queens man Mario Siles was found inside of a 2014 Dodge van "with trauma about the head and body after a tree fell on top of his car. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Delaware State Police told CNN that an 83-year-old woman was found Tuesday under a large branch in a pond near her home. In Southern Marylands St. Marys County, a driver was killed Tuesday morning when a tree fell on his car. According to the Baltimore Sun, it took rescuers several hours to extract the drivers body from the car. In Naugatuck, Connecticut, a man was killed Tuesday afternoon by a falling tree when he got out of his car to move debris, local police told NBC Connecticut. Early Tuesday morning, a tornado-ravaged a mobile home park in Bertie County, North Carolina, killing at least two people, according to a county official. A driver in Allentown, Pennsylvania, died after he was swept away during the storm Tuesday, according to the Lehigh County Coroner's Office. In New Hampshire, a woman was found dead inside her house after it was crushed by a tree, according to police. In Cape May County New Jersey, across the bay from Ocean City, a tornado struck down reportedly pushing cars together, causing property damage and forcing trees to topple, WPVI reported. According to PowerOutage.us, over 2.4 million homes are without power as of Wednesday afternoon, including nearly 850,000 homes in New Jersey. As of late Tuesday, as many as 3.7 million customers suffered from power outages. Isaias made landfall as a Category 1 Hurricane in Ocean Isle Beach, North Carolina, on Monday but was downgraded to a tropical storm Tuesday. Narendra Modi New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday morning left for Ayodhya where he will lay the foundation stone of Ram temple. The Prime Minister's Office shared a picture of Modi boarding an Air Force plane. Advertisement PMO tweet "PM Narendra Modi leaves for Ayodhya," the PMO tweeted. Prior to the function, the prime minister will take part in 'pooja' and 'darshan' at Hanumangarhi, a statement by the PMO said on Tuesday. Advertisement From Hanumangarhi, the prime minister will travel to 'Shree Ram Janmabhoomi' where he will take part in pooja and darshan of 'Bhagwan Shree Ramlala Virajman'. Narendra Modi Modi will subsequently perform 'bhoomi poojan', the statement said. Advertisement He will unveil a plaque to mark the laying of foundation stone and also release a commemorative postage stamp on the 'Shree Ram Janmabhoomi Mandir'. Leading Entrepreneurs from Around the World Join VIP Founders in Athens To Share Insight and Uncover New Investment Opportunities VIVA Investment Partners (VIP), the Swiss private equity firm which hosts the Follow the Entrepreneur (FTE) Investment Campaign and Summit, today announced that it will host the 10th Annual FTE Investor Summit on October 10 14, 2020, in Athens, Greece. The Summit will offer leading global investors and entrepreneurs the opportunity to come together to build relationships, to learn about new ecosystems and to identify opportunities in which to invest and grow. "Greece is the new Golden Child in Europe. Their technology and venture capital ecosystem is maturing and becoming an attractive place for private equity firms to invest in," said Julie Meyer, Founder CEO of VIP. "We're thrilled to celebrate the 10th FTE Summit in Greece, which has not only been able to manage the pandemic better than most, but is also experiencing a rebirth in entrepreneurship and innovation. No one questions remote working anymore, and the opportunity to remotely work in Greece while building a business domiciled elsewhere is one whose time has come." The FTE Investor Summit Greece 2020 sponsors will be announced in early September and will include some of the biggest firms in the country. Held at the Four Seasons Astir Palace in Athens, Greece, the FTE Investor Summit Greece 2020 will welcome more than 200 multi-family offices (MFOs), sovereign wealth funds (SWs), high net worth individuals (HNWIs), venture capital firms (VCs) and corporate investors to share insight, inspiration, intelligence, and networking. "The FTE Investor Summit Greece 2020 will enable entrepreneurs to showcase their plans for the redesign of the world post-COVID," said Rene Eichenberger, Chairman of VIVA Investment Partners. "The investors who come each year are from more than 40 countries all with a common goal to better understand and manage the impact of their capital, networks and time." In addition to the live event in Athens, FTE is hosting the Summit's Live Stream, which will enable thousands of investors from around the world to participate virtually. To date, the community has reached more than 2,000 delegates with 50,000 tuning into the FTE Live Stream in years past. The organization has a sole focus of idea-based intelligence and is not selling financial service products. The FTE Briefing series offers interested parties and confirmed participants an early preview of the themes addressed at the FTE Summit. For an invitation, to purchase tickets or inquire about partnership opportunities, visit www.globalftenetwork.com/buy-tickets/, or contact the VIP Relations Manager at vip@vivacapital.com. About VIVA Investment Partners: VIVA Investment Partners was founded by successful entrepreneurs and venture capital investors to acquire equity stakes in and provide financing to established alternative asset managers (fund investments) and emerging growth companies (direct investments). To learn more about VIP, visit www.vivapartners.net/, or email Liz Whelan at liz@lwprconsulting.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200805005632/en/ Contacts: Liz Whelan liz@lwprconsulting.com +1 (312) 315-0160 Nearly 150 Indians including diplomats families, officials of multilateral banks and private individuals are expected to return to China on a special Air India flight from New Delhi to Guangzhou on Thursday. The final sanction from Beijing for their return was preceded by intensive rounds of discussions between Indian and Chinese officials in the backdrop Beijing not allowing Indians into China in the last special flight, which flew in on June 29. Chinese officials had made it clear this time that Indians will only be allowed on Thursdays flight if each individual had done serum antibody detection and nucleic acid tests within five days (before boarding) and their individual health forms were endorsed by the Chinese embassy in New Delhi. A fresh nucleic acid test has to be done once the passengers disembark in Guangzhou if positive, the passenger would have to return to New Delhi on the same flight. Also read | Indias move in J&K illegal: China on one year of Article 370 abrogation Privately employed Indians planning to return to China had another mandatory requirement to be completed an invitation letter signed by the local Chinese foreign affairs office where they work. On its way back to New Delhi from the southern Chinese city of Guangzhou on Thursday morning, the flight, part of the fifth phase of the Vande Bharat Mission to evacuate Indians stranded abroad because of the pandemic, is expected to fly back more than 200 Indians. Most returning Indians are students studying medicine in China. The Chinese government allowed Thursdays VBM flight to bring Indians back to China more than a month after blocking Indian nationals from returning because two returning Indians were diagnosed with Covid-19 on a Shanghai-bound special flight on June 20. Among those returning to China on Thursday are Indians working for the multilateral banks, the New Development Bank and the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank. The arriving Indians will be quarantined at hotels designated by local health authorities in Guangzhou for two weeks. China has increasingly restricted foreign nationals from returning to the country unless their return is deemed important by the companies they work. The country has also made it mandatory for everyone to apply for a fresh visa. Also read: Upset at Indias big review of Confucius institutes tomorrow, China says be fair China has also implemented a strict medical protocol to be followed by those hoping to return. China suspended the entry of foreign nationals holding normal visas or residence permits from March 28 because of the spreading pandemic. Entry of persons with diplomatic visas were not affected except for the fact they could only return on special or chartered flights. In February, India had evacuated hundreds of its citizens from the worst-hit Hubei province in central China, and the first pandemic epicentre, Wuhan city, the provincial capital in two special flights. China has seemingly controlled the Covid-19 outbreak, barring the 300 domestically transmitted cases in Beijing in June, more than 600 cases in Xinjiang in the northwest and 90 cases in the northeastern city of Dalian. The health authorities are monitoring imported cases of Covid-19 mostly among Chinese nationals returning from abroad. The Chinese mainland reported five new imported Covid-19 cases Tuesday, bringing the total number of imported cases to 2103, the National Health Commission said Wednesday. No deaths had been reported from the imported cases. The Summer Shrine of the String Quartet The New Yorker (Falls Village, CT) Live From Music Mountain presents acclaimed pianist Fei-Fei performing works by Schumann, Chopin, Rachmaninoff and Ennio Morricone. This weekly program of conversation and music continues to explore the work of artists during the time of Covid-19. Fei-Fei, who was showcased prominently as a Cliburn finalist in the documentary film, Virtuosity, premiered on PBS, and has offered riveting performances at Music Mountain since 2017. During the pandemic Fei-Fei has continued to share her bountiful gifts and passionate immersion into the music she touches (The Plain Dealer) via live streams and various recordings from her home in New York City. Fei-Fei is a winner of the Concert Artists Guild Competition and a top finalist at the 14th Van Cliburn International Piano Competition. The 2019-2020 concert season took her across the globe in concerto performances, recitals and chamber music collaborations alike. Highlights include performances with the Baden-Baden Philharmonic touring in Germany, a tour of Spain with the New York Youth Symphony, as well as concerto engagements with the Costa Rica National Symphony Orchestra, Columbus Symphony, Big Springs Symphony and Symphony in C. This season also brought a new special project titled The Inner Voices with violist Dana Kelley and clarinetist Yoonah Kim, featuring the music of Mozart, Schumann and Brahms. Live From Music Mountain starts at 3 pm ET on Sunday, August 9, 2020, at musicmountain.org, on YouTube and on Facebook Live. Questions can be submitted in advance via email to info@musicmountain.org. Fei-Fei, Piano. Photo by Dario Acosta About Fei-Fei, Piano Praised for her bountiful gifts and passionate immersion into the music she touches (The Plain Dealer), pianist Fei-Fei is a winner of the Concert Artists Guild Competition and a top finalist at the 14th Van Cliburn International Piano Competition. She continues to build a reputation for her poetic interpretations, charming audiences with her passion, piquancy and tenderness and winning stage presence (Dallas Morning News), both in the US and internationally, including her native China. Fei-Feis 2019-2020 concert season will take her across the globe in concerto performances, recitals and chamber music collaborations alike. Highlights include performances with the Baden-Baden Philharmonic touring in Germany, a tour of Spain with the New York Youth Symphony, as well as concerto engagements with the Costa Rica National Symphony Orchestra, Columbus Symphony, Big Springs Symphony and Symphony in C. This season also brings a new special project titled The Inner Voices with violist Dana Kelley and clarinetist Yoonah Kim, featuring the music of Mozart, Schumann and Brahms. Additional career highlights include performances with the Fort Worth Symphony, Kansas City Symphony, Buffalo Philharmonic, Calgary Philharmonic, Aspen Music Festival Orchestra, Spokane Symphony, Corpus Christi Symphony, Austin Symphony, Denver Philharmonic, Anchorage Symphony, Youngstown Symphony, and the Juilliard Orchestra. Internationally, she has performed with Canadas Calgary Philharmonic, Germanys Rostock and Baden-Baden philharmonic orchestras, and in China with the Hong Kong Philharmonic, China National, and Shenzhen Symphony orchestras. Fei-Fei was showcased prominently as a Cliburn finalist in the documentary film, Virtuosity, about the 2013 Cliburn Competition, which premiered on PBS in August 2015. She is currently based in New York City. About Music Mountain Music Mountains mission is the performance and teaching of the string quartet literature. While this mission remains vibrant in Music Mountains world-class Chamber Music Concert Series and Music Mountain Academy, it has expanded over the years with the addition of its popular Twilight Jazz Concert Series and new education and community programs. Since 1930, generations of music lovers have come to Music Mountain for an exceptional concert experience and audiences continue to praise the outstanding quality and consistency of the events at Music Mountain, the exceptional acoustics of air-conditioned Gordon Hall, and the beauty and peaceful serenity of Music Mountains mountaintop grounds. While The New Yorker has described Music Mountain as the summer shrine of the string quartet, recent concertgoers see Music Mountain as a peaceful green oasis and highlight its amazing venue, ambience, and experience. Music Mountain, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, began as the unique vision of Jacques Gordon, Chicago Symphony concertmaster from 1921 to 1930 and the founding first violinist of the Gordon String Quartet, one of the leading quartets of its time. The buildings at Music Mountain form a well-designed campus in the Colonial Revival style. They were built by Sears, Roebuck & Companys prefabricated housing division and are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Today, artistic director Oskar Espina-Ruiz and Music Mountains dedicated board of directors steer Music Mountain through a period of continued growth, record-breaking attendance, campus improvements, and the expansion of its education and community programming. Music Mountain is supported in part by the National Endowment for the Arts, Connecticut State Department of Economic and Community Development Office of the Arts, the Peter N. Krysa Fund of Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation, and two funds of the Northwest Connecticut Community Foundation, Inc., the Khurshed Bhumgara Fund and the Lucia Tuttle Fritz Fund. # # # News Providence, Rhode Island - Business taxpayers in Rhode Island finally got their state tax refunds recently, including 176 of them who received extra special checks. Some were signed by Mickey Mouse and others bore Walt Disneys moniker, reports the Association of Mature American Citizens. An embarrassed Chief of Staff at the Rhode Island Department of Revenue, Jade Borgeson, was quick to offer an official apology, explaining that "The invalid signature lines were incorrectly sourced from the Division's test print files." Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-05 19:16:45|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close SANAA, Aug. 5 (Xinhua) -- The Yemeni government and the Houthi rebels exchanged 22 prisoners through a local mediation in the country's southwestern province of Taiz, a local mediator said on Wednesday. A total of "nine soldiers and 13 rebels were set free on Tuesday," lawyer Abdullah Shaddad, one of the mediators told Xinhua by phone. Both pro-government media outlets and the Houthi-run al-Masirah TV confirmed the deal, without providing more details. Previous mediation had succeeded in achieving several swap deals between the two sides. The United Nations is trying to resume peace talks between the Yemeni warring parties to end the more than five years of war. Taiz, the second most populated province in Yemen, is about 156 km south of Houthi-held capital Sanaa. The government forces control much of the province, while Houthi rebels surround it from the top of the mountains. 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 and forced the government of President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi out of the capital Sanaa. Enditem S cotland Yards counter-terrorism chief today urged Londoners to be on the alert for potential extremists as he warned a new attack on the capital is likely as the country emerges from lockdown. Commander Richard Smith said counter-terrorism officers and MI5 are pursuing 800 different leads and investigations into possible deadly plots and that the publics help in providing further tip-offs was vital in preventing more killings. He added there was a real threat that had not gone away during the pandemic and that the danger came from both lone jihadis and terrorists radicalised here, as well as others directed or inspired by Islamic State supporters overseas. He said officers were also concerned about the risk of vulnerable people being radicalised online during the coronavirus lockdown, out of sight of teachers, health workers or others who might normally raise the alarm. His comments follow the life sentence handed to 28-year-old Mohiussunnath Chowdhury at Woolwich crown court last month for plotting to attack last years Pride event in London and the jailing of Safiyya Shaikh, 37, for her plan to bomb St Pauls Cathedral and a hotel this Easter. Chowdhury, who had boasted of deceiving a jury to acquit him over an earlier attack on soldiers outside Buckingham Palace, had tried to buy a gun to carry out his murderous intentions, while Shaikh, who was also jailed for life at the Old Bailey, had posted vile images online in a bid to inspire others to kill. Commander Smith said the convictions of Chowdhury and Shaikh highlighted the continuing threat and that an attack on a crowded place or other London site was a risk as the lockdown restrictions are eased and numbers on the streets increase. Despite all the other changes we have seen, there is still a real threat. An attack is likely, he told the Standard. We are following 800 different leads and investigations at present to keep people safe from terrorism and a very substantial proportion of those will have a London element. A police officer at the scene of the Streatham terror attack / REUTERS "As weve seen with the attacks at Fishmongers Hall last November and again on Streatham High Road in February, London is and has been a target. Terrorists focus on the capital city for lots of obvious reasons. He added: The public are very much our eyes and ears on this and so if they feel something is not right and are concerned, my message is always be vigilant and if you see something you are concerned about tell us. "We will investigate because our aim is to keep people safe. We will continue to do that as thoroughly as we possibly can with our colleagues from MI5. The public are absolutely critical to our counter-terrorism effort. The information they give us is vital to preventing attacks in the capital. Commander Smith said police attention is very much on the growth of the Right-wing but that supporters of Islamic State, including those overseas, and al-Qaeda remained a potent danger. On IS, he said: Theres a very clear message they remain a threat and that threat is not constrained to overseas. Loading.... He went on: In an increasingly connected world its more difficult to differentiate what is entirely domestic and what has an overseas element. There are some individuals who may be directed by terrorist organisations based abroad. "But equally there will be individuals inspired by what they see online which is being posted either in this country or elsewhere, and people who will act entirely of their own accord as lone actors. He said an additional reason for todays warning was a decline in lockdown of the number of alerts being received via the Governments Prevent scheme for countering radicalisation. He said this meant there was a risk some people had become radicalised out of sight. We know terrorists and other radicalisers will always look for opportunities to exploit people and to spread their ideology. Lockdown may have provided more of those opportunities as other activities were more curtailed, he said. Part of our concern is the number of people who have been locked down away from public services, away from people who might have identified behaviour of concern. All of those people will still have been able to access material online. "As we saw with Safiyyah Shaikhs sentencing recently not only was she planning an attack in this country but she was also posting some quite horrendous material online with the intent of radicalising others. As well as the foiled plots cited by Commander Smith, London has also suffered two attacks in the past nine months. The first was at Fishmongers Hall last November when freed terrorist convict Usman Khan, 28, killed two people with a knife before being shot dead. Loading.... The other was carried out in Streatham in February by 20-year-old Sudesh Amman, another released terror offender. He injured three before police shot him dead. WASHINGTON - After fewer than three months on the job, the internal watchdog of the State Department has resigned, U.S. officials said, marking another significant shake-up for an office sworn to investigate malfeasance and wrongdoing. Stephen Akard's departure was announced to staff members by his deputy, Diana Shaw, who told colleagues that she will become the temporary acting inspector general effective on Friday. Akard became inspector general after President Donald Trump abruptly fired Steve Linick in May at the recommendation of Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. That decision immediately prompted criticism from lawmakers because Linick had been investigating allegations that Pompeo and his wife, Susan, had improperly used State Department resources. Linick was also examining several other issues, including Pompeo's decision to expedite arms sales to Saudi Arabia over the objections of Congress. Trump and his administration have come under increasing criticism for trying to evade oversight because the president has fired five officials in recent months who lead inspector general offices across the federal government. In a note to her inspector general's office colleagues that was obtained by The Washington Post, Shaw said Akard was taking a position with a law firm in Indiana, his home state. It's unclear whether there were other factors in his decision. Pompeo dismissed a question about Akard's departure during a news conference on Wednesday. "He left to go back home," Pompeo said. "This happens. I don't have anything more to add to that." Akard's resignation again throws into turmoil an office responsible for ongoing investigations into wrongdoing at the department, including those started by Linick. Shaw told colleagues: "I will do my best not to let this latest change negatively affect our operations." Akard had been under consistent pressure from Democratic lawmakers since his appointment. He is an ally of Vice President Mike Pence, whom he worked for as the head of the Indiana Economic Development Corp. That connection to Pence and his decision to keep his title as head of the State Department Office of Foreign Missions, a position that comes under the oversight responsibilities of the inspector general, drew criticism from good-government experts. In recent days, Akard promised to recuse himself from ongoing investigations of Pompeo and his wife after congressional Democrats questioned whether Pompeo pushed for Linick's ouster to bury the investigations. Pompeo has denied those allegations and said he didn't know about the content of Linick's investigations except for the one involving arms sales to Saudi Arabia. Pompeo called Linick a "bad actor" and said he refused to advance the interests of the secretary and the State Department. Critics have pointed out that the inspector general is designed to be independent of the secretary and often plays an adversarial role to shed light on problems in the department. On Monday, senior Democratic lawmakers in Congress continued their investigation into the reason behind Linick's firing, issuing subpoenas for the depositions of four senior U.S. officials: Undersecretary for Management Brian Bulatao; Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Political-Military Affairs Michael Miller; acting legal adviser Marik String; and senior adviser Toni Porter. On Wednesday, the top Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Sen. Robert Menendez of New Jersey, said Akard was not the "right choice to lead the office, but I am concerned that his sudden resignation leaves another opportunity for the Trump administration to try to weaken oversight and accountability." He added that the Democrats' investigation into Linick's firing "will continue full speed ahead." In June, Linick told lawmakers in a video interview that he doesn't think there is "any valid reason" that would justify his firing. He has said he was investigating five matters of wrongdoing at State, which included the probes into arms sales and inappropriate use of department resources. - - - The Washington Post's Carol Morello contributed to this report. PANAMA CITY - A third suspect in the killings of seven young people in Panama has been arrested, authorities said Wednesday. Panamanian prosecutors said via Twitter that the suspect was arrested in Espinar, in Colon province. A second suspect had turned himself in to police earlier this week. That 18-year-old was scheduled to appear before a judge Wednesday. The July 17 killings stunned Panama, a country where mass murders are rare. Authorities have not offered a motive for the killings. The first suspect, arrested the day after the attack, was charged with homicide, femicide and aggravated robbery among other crimes. Relatives found the bodies of four women and three men between the ages of 17 and 22 near Lake Gatun after they did not return from an outing. The youth were among 13 who had gone to the lake that day. Five of the bodies were found Saturday in an abandoned military bunker probably dating from the time of U.S. control of the Panama Canal. Investigators said the bodies bore signs of bullet wounds. As the country dips in festivity ahead of today's Ram Temple foundation laying ceremony, Madhya Pradesh CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan, who tested Covid-19 positive earlier this month, has hailed PM Modi's resolve, called today's ceremony a culmination of a 500-year old 'mahayagya'. On the occasion of bhoomi pujan for the Ram temple in Uttar Pradeshs Ayodhya, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Wednesday hailed Prime Minister Narendra Modi, stating that the willpower and resolve shown by him has today made him the tallest leader of India in the last 500 years. The Chief Minister also said that the mahayagya which started 500 years ago, is culminating today. The Prime Minister will lay the foundation stone of Ram temple today in Ayodhya. The mahayagya which started 500 years ago, is culminating today. The willpower and resolve shown by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has today made him the tallest leader of India in the last 500 years, Chouhan told media after being discharged from the hospital. Earlier in the day, Chouhan was discharged from Bhopals Chirayu Hospital after recovering from COVID-19. He had tested positive for the disease on July 25. The hospital has advised him to isolate himself at home and self monitor his health for a further 7 days. Also read: Covid-19 tally crosses 19 lakh mark, spike of 52,509 cases in 24 hours Also read: Bigger, taller, grander: All the details on what the Ram Temple will look like Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has arrived in Lucknow from where he will move to Ayodhya to take part in the Ram temple bhoomi pujan ceremony scheduled to be held later in the day. In Ayodhya, Prime Minister Modis first halt will be at Hanumangarhi temple, marking the first-ever visit by any Prime Minister to this temple. He will also be the first Prime Minister to visit Ram Janmabhoomi site. The much-awaited foundation stone-laying ceremony of the Ram temple in Ayodhya will take place amid much fanfare. Prime Minister Modi will unveil a plaque to mark the laying of the foundation stone and also release a commemorative postage stamp on Shree Ram Janmabhoomi Mandir. Also read: Ayodhya Ram Mandir LIVE Updates: PM Modi arrives in Lucknow What does WHO say about COVID-19 and TB? In this regard, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) , a regional office of the World Health Organization (WHO) , states that while experience on COVID-19 infection in TB patients remains limited, it is anticipated that people ill with both TB and COVID-19 may have poorer treatment outcomes, especially if TB treatment is interrupted. By Akbar Mammadov The influential US-based Pakistani organization Council of Pakistan - has issued a statement strongly condemning the violence committed by Armenian nationalists against members of the Azerbaijani community during the rally oustsude of the Consulate General of Azerbaijan on July 21. On July 21, hundreds of Armenian Dashnak radicals violently attacked a handful of peaceful Azerbaijani counter-protestors in Los Angeles. As a result, 9 Azerbaijanis were injured, including a woman and 5 were hospitalized. LAPD is investigating the incident as a hate crime, reads the statement. The statement also touched upon the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and pointed out that the international community has voiced support for Azerbaijan's territorial integrity. The nation of Armenia refuses to agree with international coalitions and continues to illegally occupy that strip of land [Nagorno-Karabakh]. The US position on this issue is quite clear: it recognizes Azerbaijans territorial integrity as does the rest of the world, the statement reads. The Coucnsil stressed that in America, people have long appreciated the ability to peacefully express their views without being attacked by those with opposing viewsuntil now. What we saw on July 21 outside the Azerbaijan consulate was an all-out attack on 50 peaceful protestors by hundreds of Armenians on foot and in cars. What we did not see or hear was an unequivocal denunciation of this violence by elected officials. In some instances, some could say that Armenians were exercising their 1st Amendment freedoms. But in too many cases, an unprovoked crossing of the line occurredfrom peaceful protest to destructive, demon-inspired hate speech, vulgarity, intimidation and perpetration of violence on innocent people, the Council said. The Pakistani Council also questioned how elected officials can remain silent in such a situations and called this attack as barbarism. The Pakistani Council emphasized the need for leadership to stand up and speak out publicly against Armenian aggression. Justice needs to be served on the group of individuals who chose to attack another group just because of their nationality, reads the statement. The statement also said that many of the Armenian perpetrators of the violence against Azerbaijanis in Los Angeles were young people and added that true leadership would call for the elders of these two communities to stand together, denounce the violence and teach the young people what it means to be civil, to be an American. We cannot stand for this type of foolishness to take over our streets. We must teach the next generations to understand that hatred and violence are detrimental to the integrity of this great nation, reads the statement. The Council urged the authorities to intervene to help find solutions and heal hurts and seek reconciliation. the statement was concluded with the reference to the quote by Dr Martin Luther King. Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter. It should be noted that about 1 million Pakistanis live in the United States and 250,000 in the state of California. Earlier, starting from July 24, influential Jewish organizations in the United States and the world - The Simon Wiesenthal Center (SVM), the Los Angeles offices of the American Jewish Committee (AJC) and Israeli-American Council (IAC) condemned hate crimes committed by Armenians against Azerbaijanis during a protest held outside of the Azerbaijani Consulate in Los Angeles on July 21. The Israeli-American Council unites 250,000 Israeli-Americans and the Simon Wiesenthal Center (SVM) with 400,000 members. --- Akbar Mammadov is AzerNews staff journalist, follow him on Twitter: @AkbarMammadov97 Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo yesterday unveiled the first Volkswagen (VW) car assembled in the country, and restated the resolve of government to stimulate the local automotive industry to boost the economy. The 'Tiguan Highline Plus' brand, is the product of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)signed by the government and the German automobile company in 2018 to establish a vehicle assembly facility in the country. Other brands displayed at the event, attended by government officials, industry players, were the Teramont, Amarok, Polo and Passat, which were all assembled by Universal Motors Limited, on behalf of the VW. According to President Akufo-Addo, the creation of a vehicle manufacturing and assembling industry was one of the anchor industries of the government's development agenda. Noting that the vehicle imports in the country was estimated at 1.5 billion dollars annually, he said the new industry would promote import substitution, enhance Ghanaian exports in the African Free Continental Trade Area (AfCTA) framework, when it becomes operational. Additionally, he said, it would decrease the importation of used vehicles, create jobs, strengthen the local currency, and increase foreign exchange through exportation of made-in-Ghana vehicles. The President, therefore, reiterated the government's commitment to create the enabling environment and incentives for both local and foreign companies to thrive in the sector through the Ghana Automotive Development Policy. "The Volkswagen means the people's car and I am expecting that the brands being assembled in Ghana would not only be affordable but be of the highest quality. I assure Volkswagen Ghana that government will continue to support the company in diverse ways to ensure substantiality," he said. President Akufo-Addo, restated the government's directives to all state agencies and the Public Procurement Authority to give first preference to locally assembled vehicles in the procurement of vehicles. "In developing the new automotive industry in Ghana, it is not our intention to destroy the livelihood of local stakeholders engaged in the industry's value chain," he said and stated that government would introduce policies to protect their interests, he said. The Minister of Trade and Industry, Alan Kyeremanten, said the stimulation of the local automotive industry was a step in making the country's economy robust since all the countries with strong economies had vibrant automotive industries. Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Ghana Manufacturing By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later. "We have sewn the seed of what will lift Ghana to the global stage," he said. Testifying of the high quality and cost effectiveness of the German vehicles, the Trade Minister said, "VW is here and as it is often said the sweetness of the pudding is in the eating". The Chairman and Managing Director of VW Group, South Africa, Thomas Schaefer, in a virtual address, said the company had the capacity to produce 5,000 units annually depending on market demand and poised to deliver. He described the Ghana Automotive Development Policy as groundbreaking and while commending the government and other stakeholders for the collaboration so far and pledged to play a leading role in realising the country's vision. According to the VW Ghana Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Jeffrey Oppong Peprah, Ghana was now the 5th assembling plant in the sub-Saharan Africa and would enjoy value- for- money service amongst the benefits of its existence. The German Ambassador to Ghana, Christoph Retzlaff, who joined the event virtually, described the feat achieved as a milestone in the Ghana-German relations and rallied German companies to do business with Ghana. For his part, the CEO of Universal Motors Limited, Subhi Accad, pledged to live up to expectation in the assembling of the vehicles. Salzburg is like a rock in turbulent waters, said Frank Sellentin, 57, who has attended the festival since 1993. He added that the event could serve as a model for cultural activities in Berlin, where he works. Art must remain a part of life. If circumstances demand that it be presented differently, you need to at least try to figure out what that could look like. There was something gently surreal to the combination of opulent evening gowns and surgical masks. According to an announcement before each performance, masks can be removed while the show is in progress, although keeping your face covered at all times is recommended. Many audience members kept their masks on. Even with a drastically reduced number of tickets 80,000 instead of 242,000 very few performances are sold out. In the festival venues, every other seat is left free. At one performance, a woman in back of me was furious that she could not sit alongside her partner. This is a mistake, she hissed before trying unsuccessfully to pry open the roped-off seat. On Saturday, in 90-degree heat, the festival opened with a new production of Elektra. Richard Strausss one-act 1909 opera was given a visually bold and psychologically probing staging by the Polish director Krzysztof Warlikowski. Amarin Corporation PLC AMRN reported second-quarter 2020 adjusted earnings of 4 cents (excluding stock-based compensation) per American depositary share, in contrast to the Zacks Consensus Estimate of a loss of 4 cents. The company had recorded adjusted earnings of 2 cents in the year-ago period. Revenues, primarily from its cardiovascular drug, Vascepa, were up almost 34.3% year over year to $135.3 million in the quarter, missing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $149.86 million. Shares of Amarin were up 3.8% on Aug 4, following the earnings announcement. The stock has declined 67.2% so far this year against the industrys 6.7% increase. Quarter in Details Product revenues, entirely from Vascepa, were $133.7 million, up 33.2% year over year. Strong demand for the drug continues to drive sales higher. Sales in ex-U.S. market, primarily from Canada, were $1.8 million. Per IQVIA, normalized prescriptions for Vascepa increased approximately 44% year over year in the United States. However, sales were down 12.2% sequentially. We note that revenue and prescription growth for Vascepa was slower than the past few quarters. The decline in pace was due to lower patient visits to medical offices and lower number of routine lab tests amid travel and mobility restrictions related to COVID-19. The company stated that patient visits to physicians remained approximately 35% below pre-COVID-19 levels during the week ending Jul 3 per IQVIA. Licensing revenues were $1.6 million in the second quarter compared with $0.4 million in the year-ago period. Adjusted selling, general and administrative expenses were up 23.6% to $82.3 million due to costs related to an expanded sales force, partially offset by decrease in consumer-focused promotion. Adjusted research & development expenses surged 34.6% to $8.2 million due to further analysis of samples collected from REDUCE-IT patients, payment of milestone to its partner and costs to support various publications and pilot studies. Story continues The company ended the quarter with $611.3 million in cash and investments, compared with $623.7 million as of Mar 31, 2020. Vascepa Update Amarin initiated phased redeployment of sales representatives in the United States in a manner consistent with all regulations in June. The company also launched its first ever direct-to-consumer campaign for Vascepas expanded label approved late last year. The company plans to maximize the blockbuster potential of the drug in Europe through its own dedicated European commercial organization, following a potential approval. The company anticipates an approval in Europe to come in early 2021. It recently began expansion of its commercialization team for Europe. Patent Litigation In March 2020, Amarin announced that the United States District Court for the District of Nevada ruled in favor of the generic companies related to patent litigations against Vascepas hypertriglyceridemia indication. Please note that the patent litigations do not include Vascepas expanded label based on REDUCE-IT study. However, the company has strongly opposed the courts ruling and has filed an appeal against it. A hearing date of Sep 2 has been scheduled by the U.S. Court of Appeals. Amarin Corporation PLC Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise Amarin Corporation PLC Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise Amarin Corporation PLC price-consensus-eps-surprise-chart | Amarin Corporation PLC Quote Zacks Rank and Other Stocks to Consider Currently, Amarin is a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) stock. Some other top-ranked stocks from the biotech sector include Emergent Biosolutions Inc. EBS, Horizon Therapeutics HZNP and Unum Therapeutics Inc. UMRX, all sporting a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). You can see the complete list of todays Zacks #1 Rank stocks here. Emergent Biosolutions earnings per share estimates have moved up from $3.45 to $3.58 for 2020 in the past 30 days. The company delivered an earnings surprise of 127.41%, on average, in the last four quarters. The stock has risen 145.7% so far this year. Horizon Therapeutics earnings per share estimates have increased from $1.78 to $2.00 for 2020 in the past 30 days. The company delivered an earnings surprise of 43.99%, on average, in the last four quarters. The stock has surged 97.9% so far this year. Unum Therapeutics loss per share estimates have narrowed from 53 cents to 47 cents for 2020 in the past 30 days. The company delivered an earnings surprise of 36.6%, on average, in the last four quarters. The stock has surged 294.3% so far this year. Biggest Tech Breakthrough in a Generation Be among the early investors in the new type of device that experts say could impact society as much as the discovery of electricity. Current technology will soon be outdated and replaced by these new devices. In the process, its expected to create 22 million jobs and generate $12.3 trillion in activity. A select few stocks could skyrocket the most as rollout accelerates for this new tech. Early investors could see gains similar to buying Microsoft in the 1990s. Zacks just-released special report reveals 8 stocks to watch. The report is only available for a limited time. See 8 breakthrough stocks now>> Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report Emergent Biosolutions Inc. (EBS) : Free Stock Analysis Report Horizon Therapeutics Public Limited Company (HZNP) : Free Stock Analysis Report Amarin Corporation PLC (AMRN) : Free Stock Analysis Report Unum Therapeutics Inc. (UMRX) : Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. Zacks Investment Research Lizette Crause, general manager of Customer Quality and Dealer Network Development at Nissan South Africa How is Nissan encouraging diversity in the automotive industry? Are South African women getting enough of a chance to shine in the automotive industry? We see more and more women shining in the automotive sector. I am myself a living example of that. Does Nissan have any women empowerment programmes? If so, what are they? How can women break into the automotive industry? When combined with hard work, passion can help one overcome adversity and rise to the top. To achieve this, we need our male counterparts to walk the journey with us, to make sure we have more women coming into the automotive industry. Who or what is your biggest motivation? To motivate yourself, you need to know yourself as an individual, you need to know what drives you, and you need to focus on that Could you list a few, if any, specific challenges females face in this industry? How do women overcome these challenges? What advice do you have for the future generation of women wanting to get into the automotive space? At the end of the day its about the competence that you have, the capability that you have, the skills that you have, and you should not restrict yourself and think that, Im a woman and I need to have some special treatment of some sort. Lizette Crause is the general manager of Customer Quality and Dealer Network Development at Nissan South Africa. She is responsible for the dealer network, including ensuring profitability, returns, customer quality and people development at the dealerships.To ensure that Nissan fulfils its mandate to enhancing their presence in the SSA markets, Crause oversees the partner and network strategy to deliver exciting and diverse customer experience to secure Nissans sustainable growth in Africa.Lizette Crause shares with us what it takes to be a woman in the automotive industry.At Nissan, we believe that the participation of women, particularly in management positions, is essential to providing diverse value to customers. One of the companys mottos is to increase female representation in all levels of management by providing training ensuring diversity in the workplace.I believe the reality has changed now in our country compared to what it used to be in the past.Nissan South Africa has given me the opportunity to shine in the automotive industry as a woman.Yes we do. We have a global Female Talent Development Programme available in all regions where Nissan operates.We have developed talent development trainings and networking events targeting women, besides mentoring programs and round table sessions.In the manufacturing environment, weve put together a very good supervisory program, with learning happening here, locally and in our top plants in the world, where we send our employees for continuous learning. We also run automotive learnership programs, apprenticeship programs working together with the SETAs. Every year we take quite a number of young people into a 12 months to two-year program, ensuring that we have a 50/50 gender intake.I believe passion is the key to success.This collaboration is important, we can't do it alone.Its about self-motivation.. So thats very, very important.To name a few... the stigma that women can't do jobs predominantly done by men still exists in the industry.You sometimes find men who still believe that the automotive sector should be restricted to them. Working with such male counterparts could be one of the biggest challenges, especially at apprenticeship level. To overcome these challenges, I believe that employers as well society in general, have to educate the masses and push for more diversity in the workplace.Don't restrict yourself in terms of what you can or can't do. More importantly is, once you are inside, don't make yourself any more different than your male colleagues.I think if you create that mind-set, you will find you will be successful in any environment, at the end of the day. All women need to succeed is within us, and the environment is increasingly open to us, so lets claim it and enjoy it. According to a new report from China, Samsung wont manufacture Qualcomms 5nm chips after all. Do note that this is just a report, and nothing has been confirmed just yet. If this report is to be believed, however, Samsung has lost Qualcomms 5nm chips business to TSMC. This is quite surprising considering that Samsung confirmed it started mass production of a 5nm chipset at the end of last month. Samsung wont manufacture Qualcomms 5nm chips it seems, due to issues that occured If youre wondering why Samsung lost Qualcomms orders, well, it seems like there are problems in the development process. Samsung Foundry had issues with low yields of its 5nm EUV (Extreme Ultraviolet) process. Advertisement It seems like such issues havent been amended, or at least thats what this report is suggesting. This is causing Qualcomm to shift to TSMC for manufacturing the Snapdragon 875 and its X60 modem. Do note that the report claims Qualcomm will not revert to TSMC completely. It will split its orders between the two companies. To our knowledge, the company will still manufacture the Snapdragon 735 on a 5nm node, though that could be up in the air as well. Samsung is also working on its very own 5nm processor, the Exynos 1000, at least thats what has been reported. Things may change in the near future, though. Advertisement Do take this report with a grain of salt. The source is not that well known, and if Qualcomm did revert to TSMC for the Snapdragon 875 and X60 orders, the company may confirm it soon. TSMC is the worlds largest contract SoC manufacturer Those of you who are unaware, TSMC is the worlds largest contract SoC manufacturer. The company already started mass-producing 5nm processors, starting with Apples A14 SoC for the iPhone 12 handsets. TSMC is a Taiwanese company that can produce 60,000 5nm processors a month, or at least thats whats been reported. TSMC is looking to up this output to 80,000 90,000 units, though. Advertisement The Snapdragon 865, for those of you who dont know, is made using a 7nm manufacturing process. 5nm chips are expected to be more power-efficient, and more powerful in general. The Snapdragon 875 is expected to bring a lot of improvements to the table, as is the case every year. Chipsets are evolving at an incredible rate. Were expecting to see quite a few 5nm processors both this and next year, as some of them will be announced in 2020. The Snapdragon 875, Apples A14 chip, and the Exynos 1000 are only some examples. Back home, Cornyn is facing the first serious reelection challenge of his 18 years in the Senate as Trumps sagging approval and Texas rapidly changing suburbs has the GOP nervous about their grip on Americas biggest red state. His opponent, Democrat M.J. Hegar, is attacking Cornyn for opposing the $600 per week benefit as too generous in a majority of cases since it pays most people more to not work than to work. He said in June that the benefit would not be reinstated. South Africa: SADC gears up for 40th summit The 40th Ordinary Summit of the Heads of State and Government of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and preceding meetings will be held virtually from 10 - 17 August 2020. In view of the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, the summit and preceding meetings will be conducted virtually, with a reduced agenda, focusing on the handover of the SADC chairpersonship and critical institutional matters. The Republic of Mozambique will host the virtual meetings as the incoming chair of the 16-member regional economic bloc. The SADC Summit is responsible for the overall policy direction and control of functions of the community, ultimately making it the policy-making institution of SADC. The SADC Summit is made up of all SADC Heads of States and Government and is managed on a Troika system that comprises the current SADC chairperson, the incoming chairperson and the immediate previous chairperson. The Ordinary SADC Summit usually meets once a year around August or September at the member State of the incoming SADC chairperson. The current SADC troika comprises Dr John Pombe Joseph Magufuli, the President of the United Republic of Tanzania, as the chairperson of SADC; his predecessor Dr Hage G. Geingob, the President of the Republic of Namibia, as the outgoing chairperson and Filipe Jacinto Nyusi, the President of the Republic of Mozambique, as the incoming chairperson. The troika for the SADC Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation comprises President Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa of the Republic of Zimbabwe as the chairperson of the Organ; his predecessor President Edgar Chagwa Lungu of the Republic of Zambia as the outgoing chairperson of the Organ and Dr. Mokgweetsi Masisi, the President of the Republic of Botswana, as the incoming chairperson of the Organ. Mozambique last hosted the SADC Summit in 2012 under the chairpersonship of former President Armando Emilio Guebuza. The Ordinary SADC Summit will be preceded by the meeting of the SADC Standing Committee of Senior Officials, the SADC Finance Committee, SADC Council of Ministers Meeting, as well as the Organ Troika Senior Officials and Ministerial Council of the Organ Troika and the Troika Summit. SAnews.gov.za This story has been published on: 2020-08-05. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. If you want to know who really controls Severn Trent Plc (LON:SVT), then you'll have to look at the makeup of its share registry. Generally speaking, as a company grows, institutions will increase their ownership. Conversely, insiders often decrease their ownership over time. We also tend to see lower insider ownership in companies that were previously publicly owned. With a market capitalization of UK5.9b, Severn Trent is rather large. We'd expect to see institutional investors on the register. Companies of this size are usually well known to retail investors, too. Our analysis of the ownership of the company, below, shows that institutions are noticeable on the share registry. Let's take a closer look to see what the different types of shareholder can tell us about Severn Trent. View our latest analysis for Severn Trent What Does The Institutional Ownership Tell Us About Severn Trent? Many institutions measure their performance against an index that approximates the local market. So they usually pay more attention to companies that are included in major indices. Severn Trent already has institutions on the share registry. Indeed, they own a respectable stake in the company. This implies the analysts working for those institutions have looked at the stock and they like it. But just like anyone else, they could be wrong. It is not uncommon to see a big share price drop if two large institutional investors try to sell out of a stock at the same time. So it is worth checking the past earnings trajectory of Severn Trent, (below). Of course, keep in mind that there are other factors to consider, too. Investors should note that institutions actually own more than half the company, so they can collectively wield significant power. Severn Trent is not owned by hedge funds. Our data shows that BlackRock, Inc. is the largest shareholder with 7.3% of shares outstanding. The second and third largest shareholders are Qatar Holding LLC and Lazard Asset Management LLC, with an equal amount of shares to their name at 4.9%. Story continues Looking at the shareholder registry, we can see that 50% of the ownership is controlled by the top 17 shareholders, meaning that no one shareholder has a majority interest in the ownership. While it makes sense to study institutional ownership data for a company, it also makes sense to study analyst sentiments to know which way the wind is blowing. There are a reasonable number of analysts covering the stock, so it might be useful to find out their aggregate view on the future. Insider Ownership Of Severn Trent While the precise definition of an insider can be subjective, almost everyone considers board members to be insiders. The company management answer to the board; and the latter should represent the interests of shareholders. Notably, sometimes top-level managers are on the board, themselves. Insider ownership is positive when it signals leadership are thinking like the true owners of the company. However, high insider ownership can also give immense power to a small group within the company. This can be negative in some circumstances. Our most recent data indicates that insiders own less than 1% of Severn Trent Plc. It is a pretty big company, so it would be possible for board members to own a meaningful interest in the company, without owning much of a proportional interest. In this case, they own around UK12m worth of shares (at current prices). It is good to see board members owning shares, but it might be worth checking if those insiders have been buying. General Public Ownership The general public, with a 17% stake in the company, will not easily be ignored. While this group can't necessarily call the shots, it can certainly have a real influence on how the company is run. Next Steps: While it is well worth considering the different groups that own a company, there are other factors that are even more important. Consider for instance, the ever-present spectre of investment risk. We've identified 3 warning signs with Severn Trent (at least 1 which is significant) , and understanding them should be part of your investment process. 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. NB: Figures in this article are calculated using data from the last twelve months, which refer to the 12-month period ending on the last date of the month the financial statement is dated. This may not be consistent with full year annual report figures. 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 Union health ministry has released data to show that India is continuously ramping up its Covid 19 testing capabilities to cross two crore cumulative tests mark including more than 6 lakh samples tested over 24 hours for two consecutive days. The health ministry release follows WHO chief scientist Soumya Swaminathans observations that India had not conducted an adequate number of tests compared to some other countries like Germany, Taiwan, South Korea and Japan that she claimed had successfully managed the disease. The health ministry data released on Wednesday says Indias tests per million has increased sharply to reach 15,568. India has continued testing over 6 lakh Covid-19 samples for the second consecutive day. With 6,19,652 tests conducted in the last 24 hours, the cumulative testing as on date has reached 2,14,84,402. The tests per million has seen a sharp increase to 15,568, a health ministry release said. For Coronavirus Live Updates On Tuesday, Swaminathan had said that there was a need for a benchmark figure of tests per million to indicate satisfactory level of testing. We need to have some benchmark and every public health department needs to have benchmarks on what is the rate of testing per lakh or per million, what is the test positivity rate, she was quoted as saying by news agency PTI. She added that without an adequate number of tests, fighting the virus is like fighting fire blindfolded. The Centre had announced its intention to sharply increase testing levels to reach one million tests a day by the end of August. The health ministry statement on Wednesday says that the Center and states are committed to aggressive testing for early detection and treatment of coronavirus cases. The resolve of Union and State/UT Governments to follow aggressive testing as the first important step in the early detection and treatment/home isolation of COVID-19 positive cases has resulted in India rapidly increasing the number of tests done per day, it said. Also Read: Covid-19 pandemic: Proportion of youth infected with virus triples in five months, says WHO The centre maintains that it is following a graded and evolving response which has translated into widening of the testing network in the country. To keep up with the comprehensive TEST, TRACK and TREAT strategy, the testing lab network in the country is being continuously strengthened. The lab network as on today consists of 1,366 labs in the country with 920 labs in the government sector and 446 private labs, the statement says. As per a break of Covid 19 testing facility currently available in the country, there are 696 Real-Time RT PCR based testing labs including 421 in the government sector and 275 in the private sector. India also has 561 TrueNat based testing labs including 467 government owned labs and 94 private labs. The number of CBNAAT based testing labs stands at 109 including 32 run by the government and 77 operated by private entities. India is currently the third-worst affected country by coronavirus with 19,08,254 total confirmed cases of the disease including 12,82,215 cases that have been cured from the disease. A Chinese villager has been acquitted of murder after being wrongfully convicted of killing two boys in 1993 and given a suspended death sentence. Zhang Yuhuan, 52, cried inconsolably when he finally met and hugged his 83-year-old mother as well as his ex-wife in their rural village after proving his innocence yesterday. Mr Zhang, who had spent nearly 27 years in prison and been on death row since 2001, said police had tortured and threatened him to force him to confess to the crime. Footage shows Zhang Yuhuan, 52, embracing his mother and his ex-wife after being declared a free man in China. He had been jailed for nearly 27 years before being acquitted of murder Touching footage shows the emotional man breaking down in tears during the long-awaited family reunion. He held his elderly mother and former partners in his arms tightly upon his return to his home in the Zhang Family Village of the Jinxian County in southern China's Jiangxi Province. Overcome by emotion, his ex-wife collapsed on the scene and had to be taken to hospital for treatment, according to video outlet Pear. Another clip shows Mr Zhang crying and embracing his long-separated younger son, who was only a toddler when he was unfairly arrested. His elder son was four at the time. Mr Zhang's ex-wife, Song Xiaonv, and their younger son are seen waiting for the man to return (left) after he was declared a free man on Tuesday. A picture (right) circulating on social media shows Mr Zhang and Ms Song together before he was unfairly arrested. They divorced in 2001 In the space of nearly three decades, Mr Zhang and his family never gave up hope and repeatedly appealed against the court's ruling. His ex-wife, Song Xiaonv, supported Mr Zhang all along, but the couple decided to divorce in 2001 because they were unsure whether or not the man would ever leave prison. Mr Zhang finally proved his innocence on Tuesday when the Jiangxi Provincial High People's Court withdrew its suspended death sentence for the man from 2001. The court made the U-turn after questioning the authenticity of Mr Zhang's confessions, according to a statement. It also claimed that no direct evidence could prove that the man had killed the children. Another video clip shows Mr Zhang crying and embracing his long-separated younger son (right), who was only a toddler when he was forced to leave his family behind and imprisoned The controversial case dates back to a fateful day of October 1993, when the bodies of two boys, aged six and four, were found in a pond in the Zhang Family village. As the boys' neighbour, Mr Zhang was identified as the main suspect and arrested by police two days later. In January 1995, the Intermediate People's Court of Nanchang gave Mr Zhang a suspended death sentence with a two-year reprieve after finding him guilty of intentional homicide. Death sentence with reprieve is a type of death sentence under the Chinese Criminal Law. The convicted individual is given a two-year reprieve from the execution. At the end of the two-year term, the sentence will be reduced to life imprisonment if the individual does not commit further crimes within the period. Overcome by emotion, Mr Zhang's ex-wife collapsed during the reunion and was hospitalised Mr Zhang had admitted to the crime to the police, but he insisted that he had made forced confessions due to threats, blackmailing and torture during interrogations. Two months later, the provincial high court demanded the intermediate court retry the case due to 'unclear facts and insufficient evidence'. But a retrial was not held until November 2001 for unknown reasons, and the intermediate court stood by its original ruling. Mr Zhang appealed against the decision, but the court rejected his petition, reported state-run China Daily without giving more details. While serving his jail sentence, Mr Zhang insisted on his innocence. His family sent numerous documents to judicial departments to help him get another hearing. Mr Zhang officially sent a petition to the Jiangxi Provincial High People's Court in August 2017, demanding the judge review the verdict. In March last year, the high court decided to reopen the case, and a trial was held on July 9 this year. On August 4, the court retracted the suspended death sentence on Mr Zhang and declared him a free man. He returned to his home village on the same day. A handout shows Mr Zhang in court during a retrial on July 9 in the provincial high court The court retracted Mr Zhang's suspended death sentence and declared him a free man Tian Ganlin, the judge responsible for the case at the high court, was quoted saying: 'After we reviewed the materials, we have found there is no direct evidence that can prove Zhang's conviction. 'So we accepted the prosecutors' suggestion and have declared Zhang innocent.' The high court said relevant officials from the court had apologised to Mr Zhang for the wrongful conviction and informed him of his rights to apply for compensation from the state. His lawyer, Wang Fei, said they were discussing an acceptable amount of payout. He also said that they planned to hold those who had committed judicial miscarriages in the case legally responsible. Wang told Shangyou News after the retrial: 'I am not just defending Zhang Yuhuan, but the numerous Zhang Yuhuans in the entire society. 'If you think about it, faced with cruel, forced interrogations, anybody could become the next Zhang Yuhuan.' The lawyer continued: 'I suggest the court provide the information of the inspectors and those who participated in the forced confession to supervisory authorities to be dealt with.' It remains unclear who, or if anyone, is responsible for the boys' deaths 27 years ago. Presumptive Democratic presidential nominee former Vice President Joe Biden delivers a speech on July 28, 2020 in Wilmington, Delaware. Mark Makela/Getty Images Former Vice President Joe Biden clarified that he has not taken a cognitive test, following challenges from President Donald Trump to take one. The presumptive Democratic presidential nominee was pressed on the topic as Trump and his allies have continuously argued that Biden is mentally unfit to hold office. Trump has recently taken a cognitive test himself, which he says he "aced." Biden and Trump will face off for the first time in the first presidential debate scheduled for September. Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories. Former Vice President Joe Biden balked at the idea of taking a cognitive test and revealed that he has not taken one, following ongoing charges against his mental acuity from President Donald Trump and his allies. "No, I haven't taken a test," Biden said during a panel interview hosted by the National Association of Black Journalists and National Association of Hispanic Journalists, to be aired in full on Thursday. "Why the hell would I take a test?" he added, scoffing at the question posed by CBS' Errol Barnett. Biden pushed back at the implication that he would need to examine his mental state and compared the suggestion to being tested for drugs. "Come on, man," he said. "That's like saying you, before you got on this program, you take a test where you're taking cocaine or not. What do you think? Huh? Are you a junkie?" "What do you say to President Trump who brags about his test and makes your mental state an issue for voters?" Barnett asked. "Well, if he can't figure out the difference between an elephant and a lion, I don't know what the hell he's talking about," Biden responded, laughing. The presumptive Democratic presidential nominee mocked Trump for boasting in multiple interviews about taking a cognitive test, which he said he "aced." Story continues "They say, 'That's amazing,'" Trump said of the doctors who administered the test."'How did you do that?' I do it because I have, like, a good memory. Because I'm cognitively there." Trump has suggested that Biden take the test to compare results between the two. "In a way, he has an obligation to," Trump said. Medical records are not required to be disclosed for presidential candidates. Biden, 77, is three years older than Trump. The Trump campaign has also falsely accused Biden of being unwilling to face the president one-on-one in a presidential debate. Biden shut down the allegation in the interview and signaled he is eager to duel with the president during the first debate scheduled for next month. "I'm so forward to looking to have an opportunity to sit with the president, or stand with the president, in debates," Biden said. "I am very willing to let the American public judge my physical as well as my mental fitness and to make a judgement about who I am." Read the original article on Business Insider A pair of enterprising, but apparently not too bright, homeless people were busted over the weekend for setting up a meth lab in the city-leased South of Market hotel room where they were staying. According to police, officers were dispatched to the Civic Center Motor Inn in the 300 block of Ninth Street at 2:27 p.m. Saturday regarding a strong chemical odor. The call was apparently prompted by a caller concerned about smoke coming from a room that faces the courtyard parking lot. Officers arrived on scene and discovered an illegal drug manufacturing operation, police spokesman Robert Rueca said. Police and city officials are being tight-lipped about the bust, but sources tell us it was a meth lab. Two adults were arrested for the operation, which was isolated to one room, Rueca said. The incident is currently under investigation by the San Francisco Department of Public Health and the San Francisco Police Department. Police didnt give the names of the suspects or the charges. The incident was deemed a hazardous material incident, and San Francisco Fire Department responded to the scene, Rueca said. The scene was contained and deemed environmentally safe. The two-story Civic Center Motor Inn has served as a home for 47 homeless people since the coronavirus shutdown order in March prompted a reduction in the number of people permitted to use the citys homeless shelters to allow for proper social distancing. The inn is one of 27 hotels leased by the city at an estimated cost of $250 per room per night when meals, staffing and security are factored in. A city official, who asked not to be named because of the ongoing investigation and who is being granted anonymity in accordance with The Chronicles anonymous source policy, said the rooms and residents were supposed to be checked regularly by the staff of the nonprofit organization working at the motel. They were supposed to be inspecting the rooms, the official said. As the incident at the motor inn shows, the citys move to take thousands of homeless people off the streets and place them in hotels is an ambitious program with its share of controversy. The conservative national press had a field day in May when the San Francisco health department confirmed that the city was helping to provide alcohol, cigarettes, cannabis and other substances to a handful of homeless people quarantined or isolating in city-leased hotels. The drugs and cigarettes were being paid for by local nonprofit organizations as part of a harm reduction program, in the hope of keeping the quarantined homeless from going out on the streets to satisfy their cravings and risks spreading the virus. The hotel residents are also receiving medications such as methadone, delivered by methadone clinics. In April a sheriffs deputy shot a dog at a homeless hotel on Market Street following a dispute between its owner and deputies working security there. Jeff Cretan, spokesman for Mayor London Breed, said such incidents are to be expected. The mayor has consistently said that opening and operating these hotels isnt easy and that it requires significant staffing and oversight, Cretan said. This is an important part of our COVID response, but when you move thousands of people into hotel rooms, trailers and safe sleeping sites, there are going to be individual challenges that we will continue to manage, he added. All appeared calm at the motel Tuesday morning, with workers setting out tables and food. It was just that one situation. Everything else is OK, said a worker who declined to give her name as she was not as authorized to speak for the city and is also being granted anonymity. Stephen Lam/Special to The Chronicle High anxiety: California voters at all levels are anxious about fallout from the coronavirus pandemic, especially the economic impacts, according to a new statewide poll by FM3 Research and Baughman Merrill. 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. Respondents described themselves as feeling fearful, anxious, depressed or worried when it came to the coronavirus pandemic with 89% saying the economic impacts of the virus are an extremely or very serious problem. Economic anxiety runs across party lines, with 91% of Democrats, 90% of independents and 83% of Republicans expressing concern. A majority of those surveyed also believe the economic downturn will last up to two years. Concern about the economic impacts is broad, strong and completely bipartisan, pollster Dave Metz said. But when it comes to health impacts of the virus, partisan politics come back into play. Nearly three-quarters of the 1,026 likely voters surveyed said the health impacts of the virus are either an extremely or very serious problem that broke down to 92% of Democrats and 75% of independents, but just 40% of Republicans. And no one appears overly optimistic about a recovery, with 61% of voters thinking the worst of the pandemic is yet to come. As for reopening, 65% of the respondents said they would be uncomfortable going to a bar, 73% uncomfortable attending a concert or professional sporting event, 65% about going to the movies and 68% flying on a plane. The news for mass transit systems wasnt good, either, with 65% saying they would be uncomfortable getting back on a bus or train. The poll had a bit of good news for Gov. Gavin Newsom, with a majority of Californians believing the state is handling the pandemic better than other states, even as the recent spike in cases occurred over the course of the survey. The online poll was conducted from June 27 to July 17 and has a margin of error of plus or minus 3.1 percentage points. Both FM3 and Baughman Merrill normally work for Democratic clients, but they did this poll for themselves. San Francisco Chronicle columnist Phil Matier appears Sundays and Wednesdays. Matier can be seen on the KGO-TV morning and evening news and can also be heard on KCBS radio Monday through Friday at 7:50 a.m. and 5:50 p.m. Got a tip? Call 415-777-8815, or email pmatier@sfchronicle.com. Twitter: @philmatier A former Wisconsin regulator sought to lead one of the states largest utilities just months after voting to approve two of the companys projects. Mike Huebsch, who resigned from the Public Service Commission in February, later applied for the job of chief executive officer of Dairyland Power Cooperative, according to documents obtained by a group suing the agency over approval of a controversial power line through southwestern Wisconsin. In his last five months on the PSC, which oversees utilities in Wisconsin, Huebsch voted to authorize two projects in which Dairyland is a major partner: the $492 million Cardinal-Hickory Creek transmission line and a $700 million natural gas plant. Though he did not land the job, the timing of his application has prompted allegations of bias by opponents of both projects. In a cover letter to Dairylands board, the longtime Republican lawmaker from West Salem cited his years of government experience, which included four years in Gov. Scott Walkers cabinet before being appointed to the PSC in 2015. For over 25 years I have served the people of the state of Wisconsin in our state government, Huebsch wrote. My career of representing the people of western Wisconsin in the legislature and then in the executive and regulatory branches have provided me unique and diverse experiences that will allow me to immediately step in as the Chief Executive. Huebsch last month provided a copy of his letter and resume to the PSC, which turned them over to attorneys for the Driftless Area Land Conservancy in response to a demand for communications regarding his future employment by any of the parties to the Cardinal-Hickory Creek project, of which Dairyland will own 9%. An attorney representing the conservancy said the revelation that Huebsch sought employment with one of the projects owners casts doubt on the impartiality of his decision. The public can fairly ask, would Commissioner Huebsch have felt free to vote against Dairyland ... if he were thinking about, in the near future, seeking a job as CEO? said Howard Learner, executive director of the Environmental Law and Policy Center. It just stinks. No comment Huebsch, who now runs a government and regulatory consulting firm, did not respond to requests for comment. PSC spokesman Matt Sweeney said the agency, which is representing Huebsch in legal challenges to both utility projects, has advised him against commenting publicly. In his application letter, Huebsch cited his regulatory experience in the delicate process of moving our state and nations energy portfolio toward a more carbon free, renewable future. Wisconsin law prohibits former state officials from profiting off their past positions to aid private interests. Specifically, they are barred from receiving pay to appear before or negotiate with state agencies for 12 months after their public service. But the law does not preclude them from seeking employment in industries they oversaw, and Huebsch would not be the first utility regulator to go to work for a utility. Utilities recognize that former regulators are extremely valuable to assist them with navigating the regulatory process, said Tyson Slocum, director of the energy program at the nonprofit consumer advocacy group Public Citizen. He suggested Wisconsin needs tighter revolving-door laws: Its inherently a problem, because deep-pocketed entities are willing to pay to retain the services of a former regulator. But Phil Montgomery, a retired Republican legislator who served as PSC chairman under Walker, said Huebsch was an honorable public servant who deserves to be able to earn a living using the skills he gained as a regulator. Hes one of the most morally centered and ethically conscious people I know, Montgomery said. Whats he supposed to do? Is he supposed to be a truck driver? Two big projects The PSC voted unanimously in September to approve the Cardinal-Hickory Creek project, a joint venture of American Transmission Company, ITC Midwest and Dairyland that will run between Dubuque, Iowa, and Middleton. Construction is scheduled to begin in late 2021 pending the outcome of legal challenges. Huebsch, who led the discussion of the project at the PSC, reiterated the utilities claim that the line is needed to enable the development and delivery of cheap wind power from states to the west and suggested this will not be the last such project considered. The Driftless Area Land Conservancy sued in federal court, claiming conflicts of interest on the part of Huebsch and Chairwoman Rebecca Valcq, who previously worked for WEC Energy Group, the majority owner of ATC. Both have denied any bias and dismissed the allegations, which were raised after the commissions preliminary vote to approve the application. The Dairyland job was not open at the time of the vote, and the lawsuit, filed by the Environmental Law and Policy Center, does not allege the commissioners stood to benefit from their votes but that the decision-making process was imbued with at least an appearance of bias and a lack of impartiality. Former Dairyland CEO Barbara Nick announced her plans to retire on Jan. 7. Huebsch announced six days later that he would step down the following month from his $128,500 job with a little more than a year of his six-year term remaining. On Jan. 16, Huebsch and fellow Walker appointee Ellen Nowak voted to authorize Dairyland to build the Nemadji Trail Energy Center, a jointly-owned 625-megawatt natural gas-fired generator in Superior. Dairylands choice Huebsch applied on April 23 for the Dairyland position, which paid just over $888,000 a year in 2018, according to Dairylands tax filings. Dairyland, which serves about 290,000 customers of municipal and cooperative utilities in four states, instead hired Brent Ridge, an executive with a consortium of public and municipal utilities in Washington state. Greg Wannier, a staff attorney for the Sierra Club, said the group is reassessing its strategy in its court challenge of the Nemadji Trail decision and news of Huebschs interest in the Dairyland job raises profound ethical concerns. This entire incident only underscores the broader concerns we have about overly close relationships between public servants and the industries they regulate, Wannier said. Matt Rothschild, executive director of the Wisconsin Democracy Campaign, said it was unseemly for Huebsch to apply after voting in favor of projects that benefit the company and added that Wisconsin needs tighter laws. This is the revolving door that makes people sick to their stomach to watch: public officials cashing in on their connections and going to work for companies they used to regulate, Rothschild said. Its an invitation to corruption an invitation that is all too often accepted. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Jim Farley has been an executive at Ford Motor Co. for more than a decade, having come home to Detroit by way of Toyota. He's a native son who returned to work at the company that employed his grandfather in a factory. Now Farley, 58, will lead the multibillion dollar automaker into the future when he takes charge Oct. 1. The Free Press had a few minutes to talk with Farley about his promotion Tuesday, and with outgoing CEO Jim Hackett, by phone after the big announcement. Below are their thoughts, edited for length: Greatest concern right now? "First of all, Im very optimistic. We have momentum as a company," Farley said. "The transition will be well-planned and smooth. We really have a great view of where we can grow the company profitably and the intersection between technology and traditional products. Yes, theres always things to be concerned about. The global economy, COVID, a long list of things. But I guess I would turn around a little bit and say what I think about is the opportunity that we can go after. Id phrase it differently than a concern. We dont want to miss the opportunity that we see in front of us, that Jim (Hackett) has helped to build a foundation." Layoffs: 1.4M more workers likely filed jobless claims Coronavirus reality: Remove the mundane with days to celebrate white wine, cookies, beer and more Jim Farley is president, New Businesses, Technology & Strategy at Ford Motor Company. In January, Jim Farley introduced the new 2020 Mustang Shelby GT 500 during the 2019 North American International Auto Show held at Cobo Center in downtown Detroit. Is this fulfilling a family wish? "My grandfather and I were very close and he only wanted whats best for me. When I did join Toyota, I have to say it was not super popular. But he died before I came back to Ford. I was very close to my mom too, and she was alive, and I think everyone was really happy, especially me," Farley said. "I guess, for me, its just a sense of paying it forward to him and to Ford. He didnt have much. He wasnt an educated man. He worked in manufacturing plants. But he rose himself up by his own bootstraps to eventually become a dealer and supplier from really nothing, a typical American story. I felt like Ford gave him that chance. Story continues Jim Farley, who becomes Ford CEO on Oct. 1, 2020, is the grandson of Emmet E. Tracy one of Henry Fords earliest employees. Tracy was a factory worker while the Model T was being built. "And I believe my role at Ford is really serving the employees and giving someone like my grandfather a chance, for their family more of a sense of service and humbly paying it forward for my grandfather and for Ford, for giving our family such a great start." What about Wall Street? "I cant handicap that, but I think Ford is in a unique position in our industry to take advantage of that intersection between technology and our traditional auto business," Farley said. "And theres no bigger opportunity in our eyes than the commercial vehicle space, as it not only goes electric, it goes digital. We think that Ford is so well placed, has such a big opportunity to create value for investors because we have the relationship with customers. Weve created a unique business model in the past. We can do it again. "We have the deep know-how of how customers use their vehicle and how it fits into their larger business. So that the infrastructure and software business that can accompany the product is informed. We're not a newcomer. Will it require some new talent in the company, absolutely." Have you talked to former CEO Alan Mulally? "No," Farley said. "Im sure Ill talk to lots of folks today. But, you know, this is really not about me. Its about the employees and about celebrating Jim's (Hackett) contribution to the company." What about unhappy customers? "We will work 24/7 to make sure the company lives up to its values of commitment to the customer," Farley said. "I see great commitment throughout the company, to deal with the issues weve had in the past. Weve made a lot of progress on long-term quality. What I would tell customers is same thing Id tell our team: The pursuit is perfection." Any wrong turns in retrospect? Hackett: "I think the first thing Id like to say, you asked about the case to Wall Street. The way Ford thinks about this family businesses think about the case to employees first. I think my three years lifes work at Ford has been making the case to employees about how to change. "That will speak to 'why now?' If you talk to them, youll find two things. One, they now can recite some of the principles that I was bringing forth that would help us modernize the company. Secondly, the morale in the company, as we test it or pulse it, is the highest its been in decades. I was certain we were reaching them when we started seeing that. "Finally, you asked about unhappy customers. Ford made the most gains of 100 brands in the last year in terms of its recognition. During the COVID crisis, its ranked in the top three brands of all brands in terms of its role and response to the tragedy of the virus. "As we make the case to the employees of how we have to modernize, you go through an uncomfortable period," Hackett said. "There's a number of people who can't make that transition, who don't really want the company to change and a bunch that do. "And so, while going through the whitewater of that, it takes some resilience. What I got to witness in that is the best ally I had beyond Bill (Ford Jr., executive chairman) was Jim Farley. He never ever complained about the change, he leaned into all of it. In fact, during the COVID crisis, he emerges as a leader. That explains, 'why now.' "I didn't expect the pandemic. What crisis does is it exposes real core talent. Theres no choreographed game plan. I got to witness Jim Farley. ... I thought, one more year just delays what Bill and I and the board thought Jim could take control of next years plan really secure the execution of that. It's just wiser to do it now. That was the thinking behind 'lets do it,' so that Jim can plan 2021." Contact Phoebe Wall Howard: 313-222-6512 or phoward@freepress.com. Follow her on Twitter @phoebesaid. Read more on Ford and sign up for our autos newsletter. This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Q&A: Jim Farley, Jim Hackett about Ford leadership change Amsterdam begins an "experiment" with mandatory face masks in the busiest streets of the city By Toby Sterling AMSTERDAM (Reuters) - The City of Amsterdam on Wednesday began ordering use of face masks in crowded areas such as its "Red Light" prostitution district, in a drive against the coronavirus that stands in contrast with national policy. Last week the national Dutch government decided not to advise the public to wear masks, saying their effectiveness against the disease has not been proven and they may weaken adherence to social distancing rules. The World Health Organization has recommended using masks in areas where it is impossible to maintain social distancing since June. Amsterdam mayor Femke Halsema ordered the measure, in agreement with health authorities, as part of an experiment to see whether they may be effective after all, as some scientific studies have found, her spokesman said. "We do think it can have an immediate effect," Sebastiaan Meijer said. "We want people to wear masks and be aware of the pandemic, so we do think it's going to help stop the virus from spreading." City workers on Wednesday handed out leaflets to tourists and residents, most of whom do not currently wear masks, explaining the new rules. Failure to wear a mask could lead to a fine of 95 euros ($112). Like other European countries, the Netherlands is facing a spike in coronavirus cases after it eased lockdown measures on July 1. On Tuesday, health authorities reported new cases had doubled in the past week to 2,588, with clusters among young adults and in major cities. In the past week Amsterdam has ordered the closure of several bars and one strip club where clusters were detected among staff and recent customers. Prime Minister Mark Rutte is cutting short a vacation to address the country on Thursday about the rising cases. (Reporting by Toby Sterling; Editing by Giles Elgood) Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 5) Jose Reyes Memorial Medical Center, a government hospital in Manila, is looking into the death of one of its health workers amid accusations of neglect. Judyn Bonn Suerte was among the 39 healthcare workers who succumbed to the coronavirus disease, but his colleagues blamed the government and hospital management for his death last July 31. The group Alliance of Health Workers hit the Department of Healths defective protocol of transferring employees with severe symptoms to the designated COVID-19 referral hospitals. While we are honoring him, we also denounce the injustice of what happened to our dear colleague, during that time he was already in a critical condition, and yet the hospital where he works was able to abandon its obligation and transferred him to Dr. Jose N. Rodriguez Memorial Hospital, the group said in statement. It also reiterated calls for free mandatory coronavirus testing and more personal protective equipment for all health workers, which Suerte also fought for. DOH told reporters on Wednesday that it is expecting a report from the Jose R. Reyes Memorial Medical Center next week. According to JRRMMC Medical Chief Dr Emmanuel Montana, an investigative body has been created to look into the death of their employee Judyn Bonn Suerte, the DOH said. However, the report may only be available next week as the Hospital Personnel Order has just been released. A total of 5,245 health workers nationwide have caught the coronavirus. Majority of them, or 4,776, have recovered, while 430 remain sick. DOH said it is working with medical societies for a recalibrated plan and strategies to manage COVID-19 in hospitals. Updated guidelines will be released this week, it said. Last weekend, frontline healthcare workers feeling the strain of attending to the increasing number of COVID-19 patients called for a two-week enhanced community quarantine in Metro Manila and nearby regions to help the government buy time to address several issues, including the hospital workforce shortage, as well as failures in contact tracing, case finding, and isolation, among others. President Rodrigo Duterte partially granted their call, imposing a modified ECQ in Metro Manila, Bulacan, Cavite, Rizal, and Laguna until August 18. Political reporters and talk show hosts have achieved a special place in society, and are often the subject of as many headlines as movie stars and other celebrities. One of the biggest stars of the political scene is Tucker Carlson, the controversial Fox News television host. Carlson has become popular with viewers for his outspoken beliefs and tenacious habit of engaging his guests in tough conversations. However, there is a whole other side to Carlson, one that he works hard to keep out of the public eye. How did Tucker Carlson become famous? Tucker Carlson | Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images Tucker Carlson was born in California in 1969. Carlsons father was politically active, and when Carlsons mother left the family, his father ended up raising Carlson and his brother all on his own. After relocating to a prestigious area of California, young Tucker Carlson enjoyed the finest education that money could buy and began pursuing a career in journalism. All throughout the eighties and nineties, Carlson worked as a reporter for many publications, including The Weekly Standard, Readers Digest, and The Daily Beast. In the early 2000s, Carlson launched his television career. He began working as the host for the show Crossfire, followed by a stint at hosting his very solo effort, Tucker. He hosted Tucker from 2005 until 2008, all while working on other political projects, including the hard-hitting opinion website, The Daily Caller. He also worked as a contributor for other networks and published several bestselling books. Carlson was criticized by some for his political opinions and praised by others through all the ups and downs, he remained unapologetic and intense, always earning high ratings. Who is Tucker Carlsons wife? RELATED: The 1 Topic Tucker Carlson Never Talks About In 2016, Tucker Carlson began hosting his biggest television project to date, Tucker Carlson Tonight. In short order, the show became one of televisions most popular political talk shows and Carlson began his run as one of Fox Newss most influential talking heads. The show features interviews, monologues, special sections, and opinion pieces from Carlson, as well as in-depth political analysis. Carlson has become a very controversial, often divisive figure over the years. He had a long-running feud with fellow television host Jon Stewart and had often made headlines for his remarks on immigration and the Black Lives Matter movement. In addition, Carlson became the subject of some ridicule when he participated in season three of the reality series Dancing with the Stars. However, the personality that Carlson cultivates onscreen seems to be the opposite of how he is off-screen. Carlson is actually happily married to his longtime partner Susan Carlson. The two were high school sweethearts and got married in 1991, in their high school chapel, and have been together ever since. Does Tucker Carlson have children? Tucker Carlson prefers to keep his wife and children well away from the spotlight, so not much is known about them. One possible reason for Carlsons extreme privacy regarding his family could be due to his own controversial place in politics it is likely that Carlson wants his family to remain private for their safety. Carlson and his wife have four children: Lillie, Buckley, Hopie, and Dorothy. Besides their names, not much has been publicly revealed about his children. Carlsons children could eventually decide to pursue their own political careers, or do something else entirely and when they do, it is possible that they could become more public and utilize their family name. Either way, they will have the backing of their father, one of the most powerful political pundits of the past few decades. WH Smith yesterday culled 1,500 jobs and shut 14 stores as commuters and shoppers stayed at home. Bosses cited the impact of coronavirus on passenger numbers at stations and airports and fewer shoppers on UK high streets as they cut headcount to slash costs. At the same time Scottish fashion chain M&Co shed 380 jobs and William Hill closed 119 bookmakers. Deserted: There are fears that footfall on Britain's high streets will never return to pre-Covid levels It followed announcements earlier this week from Pizza Express, Currys PC World, Hays Travel and DW Sports, who are slashing up to 4,470 jobs between them. More than 40,000 staff in the UK have been laid off in hospitality and retail since the start of the pandemic, according to a Mail audit. In total, large British firms have laid off 230,000 employees, with around 130,000 of these from the UK, the analysis found. Experts fear this is just the tip of the iceberg and that a tsunami of job losses will come as the furlough scheme tapered off. WH Smith has suffered a double whammy from the collapse in custom at train stations and its stores at airports such as London Heathrow and Gatwick. Revenue was down 73 per cent in travel locations and 57 per cent overall in July due to a slow recovery, and it believes it will make a loss of between 70million and 75million in the year to the end of August. Yesterday, it announced it would close 14 small kiosk-style stores but most job cuts will come at existing stores. New data from researchers Springboard yesterday showed the number of shoppers fell 47 per cent in July compared to the same period last year. The opening of the hospitality industry on July 4 boosted footfall by a fifth over the month, but fears over a second coronavirus wave are still leading many to stay at home. The Government has been criticised for failing to get office staff back to their place of work and support local businesses. On Monday, as few as one in six office employees of major British firms commuted to work. London commuters alone would have spent 2.3billion in retailers, pubs and eateries close to the centre between March and June if they had not been at home, according to the CEBR economic thinktank. Many firms are not expected to ask staff to return until well into the autumn, and Facebook, RBS and Google are allowing home working until 2021. Thousands of jobs have already been axed at firms including sandwich specialists Upper Crust and Pret A Manger, along with restaurant chains Byron, Chiquito and Carluccios. As the recession bites and unemployment rises sharply, consumers are less likely to spend, exacerbating the downturn. The Office for Budget Responsibility forecasts that joblessness will rise to 3.6m, or 12 per cent, by the end of the year. Retail analyst Andrew Busby said: This is now the perfect storm. Despite Government help businesses have got all these costs and no revenue. Were still only seeing the tip of the iceberg if we think this is bad we havent seen anything yet. Weve got 8m furloughed but in reality theyve been made redundant. Nobody is immune. M&Co, founded in Glasgow in 1961, hit trouble almost as soon as the lockdown came into force, going into administration in April. It reopened stores in June, but remained under severe pressure from Covid-19. It said it would shut 47 stores and shed 380 jobs. It said a smaller network of high street stores leaves it in a strong position with the outbreak reducing appetites to travel longer distances on public transport. William Hill said that retail footfall will not return to pre-Covid levels. Figure 1 Toroparu Project Map showing Northern and Southern Access Road Network Toroparu Project Map showing Northern and Southern Access Road Network Figure 2 Photograph of Toroparu Project Infrastructure Photograph of Toroparu Project Infrastructure Gold X signs agreement with CM Engineering of Suriname for design of Northern Access Route connecting Toroparu to tidewater at Buckhall LIDAR based engineered design expected to be completed in September 2020 Remaining US$250,000 of debt has been converted into equity at C$3.20 per share leaving Gold X debt free and 100% owner of Toroparu VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Aug. 05, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Gold X Mining Corp. (TSX.V: GLDX, OTCQX: SSPXF) (Gold X or the Company) is pleased to announce commencement of engineering and design for a new road link that will replace use of the historical road route between the Toroparu Gold Project and Tidewater, decreasing both capital and operating costs of access for the project. The new road link will connect Toroparu to the Barama Buckhall Landing Road (the Barama Road) which also serves as the Aurora Mines access to Tidewater (see Figure 1: Toroparu Project Map showing Northern and Southern Access Road Network). As shown on the map, the new 58 km (36 mi) link will connect to the Barama Road approximately 14 km east of the Aurora mine, creating the Northern Access Route between Toroparu and Tidewater. When the new link is completed, the Northern Access Route will replace the Southern Access Route as the primary access road for construction and operation. The engineering and design team is being led by CM Engineering located in Paramaribo, Suriname. CM-Engineering, in partnership with Haukes Construction NV, are experts in the design, engineering, and construction of roads, ports and other facilities in the tropical rainforest environments specific to the Guiana Shield. Experience with similar projects in Suriname including construction of 23 km ore haul road construction for IAMGOLDs Gros Rosebel Mine, as well as contracts with Newmont, Surgold, Suralco, Staatsolie, and Ministry of Public Works uniquely qualify the team to provide site specific designs for the Northern Route project in an efficient manner. The initial engineered designs based on Gold X recently completed LIDAR and Photogrammetry survey completed earlier this year are expected in 60-days allowing for initial road construction works to commence in Q4 2020. Story continues Figure 1 is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/48a75235-77c9-4537-a1e9-98f7582060be Paul Matysek, CEO commented, The participation of regional engineering and construction companies will allow us to efficiently design and build out our northern route access infrastructure while early stage construction activities can begin in parallel at Toroparu via our southern access route, 120-person man-camp, airstrip, heavy equipment maintenance and administration facilities. It also provides a direct and rapid link between the Guyana Goldfields/Zijin gold operation and processing facility which will clearly enhance potential collaboration and synergies between our companies. The historical link to Tidewater has been via the Southern Access Route over the Itaballi-Puruni-Papishou Landing Road (the Puruni - Papishou Road). Gold X subsidiary, ETK Inc., extended a road between Itaballi Landing and Puruni Landing in the early 2000s to service mining communities from Puruni Landing to Papishou Landing west of Toroparu. To support the local mining community, ETK has continued to operate the barge crossing at Puruni Landing without charging any tolls to the Guyanese small miners community. The final section of the Puruni Papishou Road links Toroparu to the Kurupung River Hydroelectric Project over a 58 km distance. Existing infrastructure at Toroparu includes administration building, camp with 120-person capacity, heavy equipment maintenance shed/warehouse and night certified gravel airstrip (see Figure 2: Photograph of Toroparu Project Infrastructure). Figure 2 is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/1cbb25aa-6556-4437-b93b-43a12954f87a Convertible Debentures Update Further to the Companys announcement on July 16, 2020, the outstanding balance of US$250,000 convertible debentures have been converted into Gold X common shares at C$3.20 per share. This leaves the Company debt free and the 100% owner of the 7.35 million ounces Measured and Indicated and 3.15 million ounces Inferred gold resources1 at Toroparu Project and over 538 Km2 of highly prospective and underexplored permits. On behalf of the Board of Directors of Gold X Mining Corp. Paul Matysek Director and Chief Executive Officer ____________________________ 1 Preliminary Economic Assessment Report of the Toroparu Gold Project, Upper Puruni River Area, Guyana, Effective Date: June 11,2019 (SRK Consulting (USA) Inc.) filed on www.sedar.com on July 18, 2019 and is available on SEDAR (www.sedar.com). About Gold X Mining Corp. Gold X Mining Corp. is a Canadian junior mining company developing the Toroparu Gold Project in Guyana, South America. Gold X has spent more than US$150 million on the Project to date to both classify 7.35 million ounces of Measured and Indicated and 3.15 M-oz of Inferred Gold Resources1, develop engineering studies for use in a feasibility study, and define a number of exploration targets around Toroparu on its 53,844 hectare (538 km2) 100% owned Upper Puruni Concession. A Preliminary Economic Assessment study (Preliminary Economic Assessment Report, Toroparu Gold Project, Upper Puruni River Area, Guyana, dated July 18, 2019 completed by SRK Consulting (U.S.), Inc.) (the Technical Report) Gold defined a 5.02 M-oz Potentially Mineable Gold Resource producing 188 thousand ounces of gold per year over a 24-year mine-life. The Technical Report is available on SEDAR (www.sedar.com) and on the Companys website (www.goldxmining.com). Contact Gold X Mining Corp. Telephone: +1 (604) 609-6132 Email: investors@goldxmining.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. Forward-looking Statements This press release includes certain forward-looking statements concerning future performance and operations of the Company, including the expected positive results from the Toroparu Project based on the estimates and findings contained in the PEA, as summarized herein, as well as management's objectives, strategies, beliefs and intentions. Forward-looking statements are frequently identified by such words as "may", "will", "plan", "expect", "anticipate", "estimate", "intend" and similar words referring to future events and results. Forward-looking statements are based on the current opinions and expectations of management at the time such statements are made. All forward-looking statements and information are inherently uncertain and subject to a variety of assumptions, risks and uncertainties, including the speculative nature of mineral exploration and development, fluctuating commodity prices, changes in project parameters as plans continue to be refined, uncertainties of project cost overruns or unanticipated costs and expenses, uncertainties inherent in conducting operations in a foreign country, uncertainties related to the availability and costs of financing needed in the future, the risk that the conclusion of pre-production studies may not be accurate, the Company's successful advancement of the Toroparu Project toward feasibility and obtaining positive results from ongoing evaluation and testing of multiple gold targets located in the Company's landholdings in Guyana and Colombia, among other risks as described in our public filings available at www.sedar.com. Actual events or results may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements and we caution against placing undue reliance thereon. Gold X Mining Resources Ltd. has an ongoing obligation to disclose material information, as it becomes available. Two historic homes owned by the Alton Museum of History and Art, having fallen into disrepair after years of neglect, leave the museum facing fines on one property and demolition on the other if repairs arent made. The Koenig House, 829 E. Fourth St. and the Wilhelm House, 314 Oak St., which have been vacant for years, were donated to the museum by native Altonian Corida Koenig Hanna in 1987 under the condition that they be maintained in their (then) current condition. She loved the house, said former museum board president Charlene Gill about Hanna and the Koenig House in a Telegraph news article dated Aug. 26, 1990. She didnt want it cut into apartments, but felt it should be preserved for the people of Alton. Hanna, whose father built the house in 1897, also said in an interview from the same time that it wouldnt have seemed right if anyone but Koenigs had lived in the house. My heart is still in that house, she said at the age of 93 from her home in Annandale, Virginia. Id die happy knowing it was taken care of, The Koenig House, designed by noted Alton architect Lucas Pfeiffenberger, is unusual for its lack of modifications through the years. Still containing all of its original and ornate brass registers, along with a stained glass window, golden oak interiors, pocket doors and cut glass transitions, the house was restored in 1990 with a grant from the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency and donations from local residents and McDonnell Douglas employees. Renovating the Koenig House at 829 E. 4th St. was a daring and daunting undertaking for members of the Alton Museum of History and Art, read the news report from Mary Ann Mazenko in the August 26, 1990 edition of The Telegraph. Theyd never tackled such a task. After repairing years of water damage, cracked plaster, sagging bricks, peeling wallpaper and missing mortar in the course of its restoration, the museum utilized the house for a number of years as a teahouse and Alton Area Historical Society Museum and Research Library. Without speculating as to what Hanna might have thought about the houses current condition, the original deed specified that ownership of the Koenig House and neighboring Wilhelm House would return to the family in the event that conditions were not met. Despite this, both properties and their historical contents remain in the hands of the museum, which has no plans or funds for their repair and relocation of historical contents. There are storage places that are climate controlled, but they would cost money, said board member Ruth Bell. We have made two dollars a month for the past three or four months. I didnt know last year if we had any money that could be used. The Wilhelm house is currently on the citys demolition list, but no date has been given for when it may be raised. Any fines for ordinance violations at the Koenig House are awaiting an August 21, court date. The Alton Museum of History and Art, 2809 College Ave., remains closed due to concerns associated with the spread of the coronavirus. City officials and the Hanna family could not be reached for comment. 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. After a restricted existence during the 3-4 months of lockdown, India has now entered the unlock mode. While brand activity remained muted during the lockdown period, it is slowly picking up now as market sentiments have improved and looks like we on our road to recovery. Brands are now opening up to spend and the TV spends are slowly climbing as the festive season is starting. As we enter the new normal, brands will be closely monitoring their advertising performance and will expect a good ROI on the monies spent. While digital is moving on the fast lane and TV advertising is likely to accelerate as India unlocks, it will however take some more time for the market sentiments to shore up. Also read: 900+ new advertisers & 1,400+ new brands seen in Jun-Jul20: TAM AdEx Marketing experts are expecting the rural markets to stimulate demand and help in Indias revival. Signs of this are already visible. Therefore, we can certainly look at TV being deployed by more brands here to garner good growth and market share. Brands might also look at adoption of new technologies to measure the impact and ensure that every rupee spent is delivering the end objectives. Impact on Television spends due to the Pandemic As per the report from AdEx, the month of April was kind of a washout month, while May month saw some 60 per cent climb. June saw some 60-70 per cent uplift, but from July onwards it has been a very positive move. While, TV advertising did get impacted, but there were a lot of our clients in the insurance space and health space advertising during this period. FMCG, especially the essential categories, also continued to advertise during this period, which will benefit them in the long run," said Priti Murthy, CEO, OMD India. Sharing her views on the impact of TV, Murthy said that with new content coming up on TV, it will definitely allow us to go back to normal in terms of how television planning is done. At the same time, the way we are partnering with our channel partners has also changed a lot. It is not considered regular now for just the plan being made or the deal being done. I think there is a lot of ownership and partnership thats getting created now specifically for clients and discussions are much more well-ingrained and theres more depth in the way in which we are customising things for our clients, he added. Anubhav Sharma, Founder and CEO at SyncMedia, added here, If I we pay closer attention, the impact of the pandemic has clearly led to an acceleration towards digital. More brands are now focused on and are working towards increasing their digital footprint than ever before. Role of TV advertising during the new normal Despite the digital transformation, TV will continue to take a prominent place in advertising. A lot of brands that stayed away from TV are back on TV, such as auto. There is a depth of conversation and innovation, as well as the kind of channel mixes that we are going to see through not just from an original content perspective, but the signs behind the planning of ROI will become much stronger now. Sharma affirmed that the role of Television will remain critical and attribution would be the key. Digital media has for years been able to measure the lower funnel effect of an advertising schedule, such as brand consideration, purchase intent and finally, sales. On the other hand, television was used for upper funnel objectives, such as building reach and brand awareness. With the adoption of advance technologies in the space of ACR and Signal Processing coupled with AI/ML based inputs, brands can now also attribute and understand the impact of TV advertising on lower funnel attributes and business KPIs, he added. Speaking on the role of Television, Murthy, too, agreed that Television will continue to dominate even with the lockdown. She further said, We saw transparent increase and reach increase in the AdEx Data, so its not like that people didnt watch the repeat content what Ramayan did for Doordarshan was not imagined in the long decade. Similarly, TV didnt vanish, it just changed its face. TV will come back with original content. We didnt see a viewership decline at all on TV, so that is the strength of the medium. At the same time, Sharma said that with more businesses having larger digital footprint, it would be imperative to measure the impact of TV advertising on digital footprints like site visits, app installs, conversions, etc. Transformation in Television, possible changes However, transformation will take time. Both experts believed that linear TV has to transform itself once we see more change. India will take time to evolve and adapt eventually to the way OTT is behaving and what it is offering. Sharma elucidated, Everyone knew TV worked, but had no way to prove it or pinpoint the efficiencies within a plan with 100-150+ channels in the mix. Today, thanks to attribution, it can be measured and tied directly to business outcomes and that is going to be the key, driving ad dollars back to the medium in times to come. Its really quite simple: when you can prove TV works and quantify its impact on business outcomes, advertisers will spend more money. Expressing his views on attribution, Sharma said, We at SYNC are seeing the sell-side start to wake up to the fact that marketers are now exploring to look at actionable data and insights that go much beyond the regular reach and frequency curves for the campaign. This is a great opportunity for media owners and publishers to adapt to meet the demands of marketers that want to measure and optimise TV campaigns, but to also capitalise on the convergence of linear and digital. Some marketers and ad agencies have advanced more and are already employing platform-based attribution models to measure incremental reach, to understand optimal frequency basis the impact on core business KPIs, to optimise spends across linear and digital platforms. Challenges faced in adopting adopt newer technologies While Murthy believed that there are no challenges, Sharma pointed out that TV attribution requires multiple data points, starting with the granular tuning data from set top boxes of cable/ satellite TV providers, Automatic Content Recognition (ACR) from Smart TVs, the People Meter sample and mobile apps, among others. He further said, The commingled data from TV is then integrated with inputs from various digital data points such as online visits/ sales, in-store traffic and on demand first-party information from marketers, to name a few. There are a number of ad tech companies providing TV attribution to buyers and sellers; however, there remains no standardisation. The other issue is the lack of understanding, there is, what I call, a data quality - quantity - quandary that most media agencies and clients tend to not look at; cost optimisation being the premise. But the data at the cheaper price point would never be as qualitative as anything that can really serve the purpose better and more effectively. While looking at data, one must take into consideration the nature of data like dynamic versus static, ageing of data like how recent it is, and what it can deliver. Sharma commented that he was surprised to know how most media agencies and clients understood that a start-up in hyper location domain can give them in-store footfall attribution on every impression that they served during the campaign, knowing very well that cookies in itself are not location aware or that the apps are not fetching hyper location data in the background all the time. Then the obvious questions should have been how many of the devices (% terms) were actually tracked and how they are getting extrapolated to the entire impression served base and so on. However, I must further add that adoption rates are now much better than ever before, he added. Murthy concluded by saying, I think if you are using newer technology as an experiment and learning, it is great. We are doing a lot of work around that to make it sustainable. We need to see what ROI brings in and how it is connected with the consumers life journey with the product. Eight new COVID-19 deaths have been recorded in Ghana. This raises the death toll to 199. Some 574 new cases of covid-19 have also been recorded. This pushes the case count to 39,075. The latest update was announced in a post on the Ghana Health Services website. According to the Service, the cases were reported in the lab on August 2. A total of 35,563 clinical recoveries have also been recorded in Ghana. Ghana's current active case count stands at 3,313. Out of this number, seven are in a critical condition, five on ventilators, and 23 in severe condition. There have been no casualties among Ukrainian defenders. Ukraine has reported three enemy provocations on Tuesday, August 4 as Russia's hybrid military forces three times violated the newly-agreed truce in Donbas, eastern Ukraine. "In particular, enemy troops once opened fire overnight, using a hand-held anti-tank grenade launcher near the village of Pisky. Later, the enemy tried to provoke our soldiers with a single shot employing an under-barrel grenade launcher outside the village of Mayorsk. The same tactic was used by the village of Luhanske," the press center of Ukraine's Joint Forces Operation (JFO) said in a Facebook update as of 07:00 Kyiv time on August 5, 2020. Read alsoRussia continues to supply weapons, military equipment, ammo, to occupied Donbas intelligence Ukrainian soldiers didn't return fire, the report stresses. There have been no casualties among Ukrainian defenders. Since Wednesday midnight, enemy troops have also opened fire using an under-barrel grenade launcher to stage an act of provocation near the village of Shumy. Ukraine Armed Forces held their fire. The situation is under full control of Ukrainian military, the report reads. Banjul, August 3, 2020 - Feyifolu Boroffice, an American/Nigerian national, has been appointed as World Bank Resident Representative for The Gambia. Ms. Boroffice joined the Bank in 2010 in the Europe and Central Asia (ECA) Region. She has since held several positions in Africa and ECA, her most recent assignment being as Senior Private Sector Specialist in Nigeria. Prior to joining the Bank, Feyi worked for a decade in the private sector including as an auditor at Ernst & Young and in corporate finance at ExxonMobil Corporation. In her new position, Feyifolu Boroffice will implement the Country Engagement Note FY18-21 and lead the implementation of the new Country Partnership Framework that will leverage The Gambia - Systematic Country Diagnostic and incorporate the post-COVID-19 pandemic response. She will also maintain and enhance good working relations with the Government and other stakeholders in Gambia and with the international community. Her appointment is effective since August 1, 2020. Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-06 01:13:27|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close MUSCAT, Aug. 5 (Xinhua) -- Oman on Wednesday expressed its sorrow for the explosions that hit Beirut port on Tuesday. The sultanate issued an official statement saying that "Oman is deeply affected and saddened by the unfortunate explosions that took place at Beirut Port," according to official Omani News Agency. Oman also extended its condolences and sympathy to the families of the victims. Enditem Hospitals, which themselves sustained damage and were already dealing with Covid-19, were inundated with patients. Buildings were flattened and vehicles wrecked after the explosion which caused damage that will need considerable reconstruction efforts. Tesla Chief Executive Elon Musk. (Jack Plunkett / Associated Press) Despite winning a standoff with local health officials over reopening his factory, Tesla Chief Executive Elon Musk is sticking with his threat to move company headquarters to another state. Theres no question that our headquarters will remain in California for the short term, he said in a recent interview with Automotive News. Long term, well have to wait and see. He didn't specify what he meant by short term and long term, or what might eventually prompt such a move. Musk's take-his-ball-elsewhere warnings first came in a May 9 tweet, after Alameda County officials ordered him not to reopen Tesla's Fremont assembly plant until COVID-19 closure restrictions were lifted. The county had agreed to a May 18 reopen date, not soon enough for Musk. Musk tweeted he'd move the company's headquarters out of California for Texas or Nevada "immediately" if county health officials did not relent. He said he'd think about closing the Fremont plant, too, depending on "how Tesla is treated in the future." He reopened the plant a week earlier than the county allowed, and dared the county to arrest him. Alameda's health officer, Erica Pan, relented, and Tesla resumed operations on May 12. Pan was later appointed state epidemiologist by Gov. Gavin Newsom and sworn in on July 15. Musk's comments came in a three-part report on Automotive News' "Daily Drive" podcast recorded on July 26 and released over several days ending Tuesday. The interview covered a wide array of topics including Tesla's recent choice of Austin, Texas, as the site for a new vehicle manufacturing plant. Other states including Oklahoma were considered. "When talking to key members of the team that would need to move to Austin from California in order to get the factory going, Austin was their top pick," Musk said. "I guess a lot of people from California, if you ask them what's the one place you would move outside of California, it's Austin .... I went to our team and said, 'Where do you want to spend time? And where would you potentially move?' And they were like, 'Well, Austin is just the No. 1 choice.'" Musk is selling his houses in Bel-Air and recently applied for a Texas driver's license. Tesla did not respond to a request for comment. Italys Exor said on Monday that French insurer Covea had agreed to invest a total of 1.5 billion euros ($1.8 billion), partly in entities managed by PartnerRE, after walking away from a deal to buy the reinsurer from Exor earlier this year. The agreement is set to normalize relations between the two companies, a source close to the matter told Reuters, after Covea in May pulled out of its planned $9 billion cash acquisition of the Bermuda-based reinsurer. This agreement draws a line under the failure of the PartnerRe deal, the source said. We preferred to find a productive and practical way to look ahead, which was beneficial for both parties, rather than looking into any potential controversy. Italian daily Il Sole 24 Ore reported that when the deal fell through the memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed by the two companies included a $175 million penalty for Covea to get out. Exor, the holding company of Italys Agnelli family, said Covea would allocate 750 million euros for undisclosed investments related to Exor. Covea would also allocate a similar amount with a three- to five-year lock-up period in a number of special purpose insurance vehicles managed by PartnerRE, investing in property catastrophe and other short-tail reinsurance contracts. After having decided definitively to continue our project to build one of the worlds leading independent reinsurers, were more than happy now to have been able to agree with Covea this constructive cooperation extending also to other fields of our activity, Exor Chairman and Chief Executive John Elkann said. ($1 = 0.8519 euros) Days after the first case of the novel coronavirus was reported in the United States on Jan. 21, San Francisco's Chinatown was preparing for its annual Chinese New Year festivities. With many people traveling between China and S.F. for the holiday, fears heightened that an outbreak could explode in this 24-block slice of the city. Mayor London Breed held a press conference reassuring the city it was safe to celebrate, and Breed rode in a car in the parade on Feb. 8. Thousands turned out for events, but an uncontrollable outbreak never hit, and even after a July surge of cases in San Francisco, Chinatown continues to have among the lowest number of cases in the city. After Sea Cliff, where fewer than 10 cases have been detected, Chinatown has the second-lowest count in the city with 28 cases, according to data from S.F.'s Department of Public Health. By comparison, three of the city's hardest-hit neighborhoods, the Mission District, Bayview Hunters Point and the Tenderloin have seen 980, 916 and 610 cases respectively. Chinatown's low case numbers are perplexing. While the neighborhood is home to only about 15,000 residents, it's among the most densely populated areas of the city and known for crowded living conditions with seniors and families packed into single-occupancy residences (SROs), ideal conditions for the transmission of COVID-19. S.F. public officials have said cramped conditions, with multigenerational families cohabitating in small quarters, have contributed to a surge in the Mission District, where the case rate stood at 207 positive tests per 10,000 residents as of Tuesday. In Chinatown, the case rate is dramatically lower with 19 cases per 10,000 residents. Why? Douglas Zimmerman/SFGATE Health experts in San Francisco have noticed the trend, and they don't know exactly why the cases are significantly low in Chinatown, but they suspect it's due to a lack of testing and cases going undetected, or a result of residents embracing wearing masks early in the pandemic and following the shelter-in-place order with vigilance. At the Chinese New Year Parade, before the first case was detected in the city and long before any health officials encouraged face coverings, a handful of people wore masks, according to news reports. I dont think we have enough information to know," said Dr. Kent Woo, executive director of the NICOS Chinese Health Coalition. "My guess would be it's some combination of both. Weve done a little too good of a job of sheltering in place. We havent left home, and we havent even left home for the health care we need to get tested. The S.F. Department of Public Health provides data on the total number of tests implemented in the city but doesn't break it down on a neighborhood level. The exact number of people tested in Chinatown is unknown, but Woo said the rate of testing could be low as a result of a number of factors, including lack of education on testing in the Chinese language. "We probably dont have a true rate," said Woo. "The Chinatown population probably hasnt been going out and seeking the test." UC San Francisco helped test 4,000 residents in the Mission District at a free four-day community event in April and some 850 residents in the Bayview in May. Chinatown hasn't seen a widespread testing effort at this scale, but it has led the city in testing residents of SROs. The Chinese Hospital, an acute care facility in the heart of Chinatown and the city's only remaining community-led hospital, spearheaded an effort to offer free testing in the SROs and follow up with contact tracing. "We set up a hotline for them to call," said Dr. Jian Zhang, chief executive of the hospital. "If they have any symptoms, we do their testing right away. They can be quarantined so it doesnt spread to other people." Woo applauded the effort but said some residents were reluctant to receive testing. He noted that in one residence with 100 people, 40 said they would get tested but only 19 actually showed up. There needs to be a greater outreach and education to get the community to break down whatever barrier there is to actually go out and get the test, said Woo. Dr. Sunny Pak, director of the Chinatown Public Health Center, said the goal is to test more residents. "The question is how to get it done effectively," Pak said. "The question is if we set up a testing site, will they come? They worry they may contract the virus at the testing site, the elderly may not want to show up. We see what has been done in the Mission District, and the question is, should we replicate that here in Chinatown? Its complicated. Its not that simple. It may or may not work, so we have to be very careful. We've been meeting many weeks to try to figure out how to do it." Douglas Zimmerman/SFGATE Another hypothesis to explain Chinatown's low case rate is that the neighborhood's organizations and residents embraced social-distancing measures and mask-wearing guidance earlier than other neighborhoods, preventing widespread transmission. San Francisco issued an order requiring face coverings in late May, but residents of Chinatown were using them as early as January and February. Dr. Ben Lui with the nonprofit On Lok Lifeways explained the neighborhood's population has close ties with family members in China who experienced the 2003 SARS outbreak, during which the practice of wearing face masks became common. "Even in non-pandemic times it's common for East Asians to wear face masks when they have a common cold because its considered rude to cough in public," said Lui, chief medical informatics officer at On Lok, an organization providing care to the elderly. "There are a lot of immigrants, people going back and forth, children of immigrants, theres a comfort level with wearing face masks." What's more, residents were in touch with family members in China who were in the throes of the coronavirus pandemic that started in Wuhan. "It was rumored or said a lot of people with family in Asia had been advised by family in Asia to wear a mask before Dr. Fauci or public health officials said that," added Woo with NICOS. Elaine Xhu who works at Fashion Bag & Gifts on Grant Avenue in Chinatown said she started wearing a mask from the start of the pandemic. "For Chinese people being healthy is the most important thing," said Xhu. "Everybody in China, including my fiance, they started shipping me masks by air. My friends here, they all received masks from their family in China." Douglas Zimmerman/SFGATE Chinatown has its own network of media and outlets, including the Sing Tao Daily and World Journal newspapers, and they helped educate the community early on in the importance of mask wearing, washing hands and keeping a distance from others. Zhang said education in the neighborhood started in January. "Thats when we started converting the clinics into testing centers, started the hotline to educate people, worked closely with the Chinese media to educate the community and community leaders," said Zhang. "I think everyone thought the outbreak would be in Chinatown because of Chinese New Year and also we have a lot of residents going back to China so thats why we did so much early." The San Francisco Department of Public Health also began focusing on prevention in the neighborhood in January, distributing fact sheets to multiple organizations, health care providers and media; inviting community leaders to COVID-19 roundtables; and holding a parent forum in partnership the S.F. Unified School District to answer questions and concerns regarding the virus. Douglas Zimmerman/SFGATE Another striking point in San Francisco's COVID-19 data is that the death toll in San Francisco reveals a disproportionately high number of deaths among Asian Americans. In S.F., 26 of 61 people who have died due to complications with COVID-19 are Asian Americans, even though the group accounts for 10% of the total cases and about a third of the city's total population. The city doesn't share the exact number of deaths in Chinatown, but notes in its data that it's less than 10, the same number in neighborhoods with higher rates of cases. "Our death rate is very high," said Zhang. "You notice almost half the deaths are Asian. I think thats something we need to look at." Compared to some other cities, such as New York City with more than 23,000 deaths, San Francisco's death toll has remained relatively low, though experts caution against drawing conclusions. But the high case-to-death ratio among Asian Americans isn't unique to San Francisco and exists in other parts of California and the country, according to recent research from the Asian American Research Center on Health, or ARCH. "Wherever we could find evidence, we found that this pattern persisted," said Dr. Tung Nguyen, a UCSF professor of medicine and an author of the ARCH report. For example, Nguyen said, in Los Angeles where 15% of the population are Asian Americans, 3.8% of cases and 16.84% of deaths were in this group. Nguyen and his colleagues list possible reasons for the high case-to-death ratio among Asian Americans, including limited access to testing, higher rates of underlying health conditions, and an older population. Most states and counties do not provide "data stratified simultaneously by race and age, but data from Santa Clara County suggests Asian American deaths are clustered among older adults, ages 80 and older," the report says. This could also be the case in San Francisco. "Everyone wants to know why," said Nguyen. "You dont know why unless you collect data. Across the country, they dont collect good Asian American data. A lot of states lump them with Pacific Islanders. You need to do more sophisticated data collection so we can get more answers." MORE CORONAVIRUS COVERAGE: Sign up for 'The Daily' newsletter for the latest on coronavirus here. UCSF doctor calls Dolores Park as scary as 'American Horror Story' Only one Bay Area county may be able to get off the state COVID-19 watch list soon 'Heartbroken': Four Bay Area food pantry delivery trucks vandalized Technical issue has California under-reporting virus cases What Lockdown 2.0 Looks Like: Harsher Rules, Deeper Confusion Amy Graff is the news editor for SFGATE. Email her: agraff@sfgate.com. Ohorongo Cement sale blocked by competition commission 05 August 2020 The Namibian Competition Commission has reportedly blocked the NAD1.5bn (US$86.67m) sale of Schwenk Namibia, which manages and owns 69.8 per cent of Ohorongo Cement, to West China Cement, according to The Namibian. "The Namibian Competition Commission [has] made a decision to prohibit the acquisition of Schwenk Namibia (Pty) Ltd by West China Ltd due to the fact that it would result in coordination between Ohorongo Cement (Pty) Ltd and Whale Rock Cement," said notes on the decision. The commission noted that entering the cement industry is a challenge and the merger would make it more difficult for a Namibian company to enter the sector. It also marks the second time that the acquisition of Schwenk Namibia by a foreign investor has fallen through. "Given the relationship between Whale Rock Pty Ltd and the acquiring group, the implementation of the proposed merger will increase and strengthen the dominant position of the merged undertaking," the commissioned continued. Published under MILTON Since July 1, the Kesselring Naval Nuclear Laboratory has seen 47 positive cases of COVID-19 among its 2,000 employees. A spokesman for the laboratory, where U.S. Navy officers and personnel train in nuclear powered aircraft carriers and submarines, said the state Department of Health does not find its numbers alarming because they are aligned with nominal rates in the area. In an effort to identify positive cases at the laboratory, it has partnered with both the state and Saratoga County Department of Health to administer tests to 1,110 at the site between July 30 and Aug. 3. The testing was performed to identify and quarantine additional individuals who may have COVID-19 in order to minimize the risk of spreading the virus further, Naval Public Affairs Officer Gene Terwilliger said. The Naval Nuclear Laboratory appreciates New Yorks and Saratoga Countys willingness to provide their medical expertise and logistics support to make this testing happen so quickly. During that recent testing cycle, two more positive cases resulted. He said those employees, made up of civilians, Navy personnel and subcontractors, have been quarantined and contact tracing has resulted in quarantining four more people. Special Investigation 147 NY dams are 'unsound,' potentially dangerous Thousands of dams have not been inspected in over 20 years. These results are comparable to the COVID-19 positivity rate in the Capital District, Terwilliger said. Based on the results NNL, NYS DOH and Saratoga DOH will determine if additional testing will be conducted. The Kesselring Site continues to be able to operate safely in support of the Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program. Milton Supervisor Benny Zlotnick said that he was made aware of the cluster last week by the county. He said he has no concerns as it appears it is under control. "It's a very well-run organization and well-run site," Zlotnick said. "They would let us know if there was anything more to be concerned about." American religious-liberty watchers are likely familiar with the case of Barronelle Stutzman. A grandmother from Washington State, Stutzman has worked as a florist for most of her professional life. For more than nine years, she willingly served Robert Ingersoll and his same-sex partner. She created numerous floral arrangements to help them celebrate anniversaries, birthdays, and other special events. In 2012, an employee told Stutzman that Ingersoll was going to ask her to provide flowers for his wedding ceremony. She talked it over with her husband and concluded: My faith teaches me that marriage is between one man and one woman. Marriage is a sacred covenant between a man and a woman, as Christ is to the church. To create and design something from my heart that helps celebrate their marriage would be dishonoring to God, and my convictions. When Ingersoll came to Stutzmans store with his request, she gently told him no, gave him a hug, and referred him to a florist who had no such objections. Washington States attorney general and the American Civil Liberties Union responded with ruinous lawsuits that may drive her out of business. Attorneys from the Alliance Defending Freedom representing Stutzman contend that religious-freedom guarantees in both the state and federal constitutions protect her decision. Do they? Historian Jack N. Rakove considers such questions in Beyond Belief, Beyond Conscience: The Radical Significance of the Free Exercise of Religion. The book, an account of religious liberty in America that Rakove calls intentionally provocative, is serviceable as a work of history. But as a polemic it represents yet another assault on the ability of some citizens to act on their religious convictions. The Boundaries of Toleration Historically, religious toleration has been the exception rather than the rule. But early modern thinkers such as John Milton and John Locke argued in favor of tolerating dissenters, and in 1689 Englands Parliament passed the Toleration Act, which offered limited protections to non-Anglican Protestants. Rakove states that the act did not legally bind Americans, but he suggests that it did influence their behavior. However, Rhode Island, Maryland, and Pennsylvania were already doing a superior job protecting religious liberty, and many American colonies soon joined them in surpassing their mother country. (I do not mean to imply that religious liberty was always and everywhere advancing in British North America. For instance, in 1692, following the Glorious Revolution, Maryland repealed its groundbreaking 1649 toleration act.) In the Anglo-American world, the boundaries of religious toleration were regularly tested by members of the Society of Friendsbetter known as Quakers. Among other peculiarities, Friends decline to swear oaths, a practice Rakove attributes to the Fourth Commandment. I suspect he means either the Second or Third Commandments admonition not to take the name of the Lord your God in vain (Ex. 20:7, ESV). (Different traditions number the commandments differently.) But even citing Exodus is incorrectQuakers refuse to swear oaths because they take literally biblical passages such as Matthew 5:3437, where Jesus says, Do not swear an oath at all. All you need to say is simply Yes or No; anything beyond this comes from the evil one (NIV). Furthermore, Quakers are pacifists and so refuse to serve in the military. They were routinely jailed because they acted on these convictions. In 1696, Parliament passed a law permitting Quakers in England to affirm rather than swear some oaths. However, they were not allowed to be witnesses in criminal cases or hold civic officesdisabilities that remained until 1826 and 1832, respectively. Yet as early as 1647, Rhode Island permitted them to affirm rather than swear. Many American colonies followed this example and, in addition, exempted them from militia duty. The United States Constitution bans religious tests for office and permits anyone to affirm rather than swear oaths, which enabled Quakers to serve in the national government 44 years before they could do so in England. Rakove almost completely ignores these important advances for religious liberty in America. Article continues below The View Beyond Monticello and Montpelier Religious toleration suggests that majorities will put up with religious minorities. Rakove is correct that by the late 18th century, many Americans rejected toleration in favor of the more robust idea that all citizens have a natural right to religious liberty. This freedom includes the ability to believe whatever one desires and, significantly, the ability to act upon ones religious convictionsalbeit within reasonable boundaries. Like far too many scholars, Rakove exaggerates the influence of Thomas Jefferson and James Madison. Indeed, his introduction is titled The View from Monticello and Montpelier, his chapter on the founding era is called The Revolutionary Legacy: Jeffersons and Madisons Great Project, and his final section is Madisons Razor. He occasionally concedes that Jefferson and Madison are not the sole or supreme representatives of the best American thinking on religious liberty, but these qualifications are too few and far between. Overemphasizing Jefferson and Madison makes little difference with respect to religious liberty, because by the late 18th century, most civic leaders agreed that this right must be vigorously protected. But it is misleading with respect to American church-state relations because, as I have argued elsewhere, Jefferson and Madison desired a greater degree of separation between these institutions than almost any other founders. Only in the context of an excessive focus on Jefferson and Madison can the following claim, from Rakove, seem viable: An enlightened skepticism that had little interest in doctrinal orthodoxy was present in late eighteenth-century America. The intellectual advantage seemed to be shifting to the secular and the skeptical rather than the devout and the orthodox. Many of the nations Founders shared the Deist sentiments that this attitude supported. This is a reasonable description of Jeffersons views, and it fits a few other founders (like Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Paine, and Ethan Allen) as well. But as I demonstrate in Did America Have a Christian Founding?, it is wildly inaccurate to suggest that deist sentiments were the norm among Americas founders. Debating Exemptions The concluding chapters of Beyond Belief, Beyond Conscience show that ratifying the First Amendment did not immediately result in religious liberty for all. Minorities such as Roman Catholics, Mormons, and Jehovahs Witnesses often faced discrimination because of their religious convictions. Only in the mid-20th century did the United States Supreme Court begin taking significant steps to protect religious freedom. Today, no one would argue that a legislature can pass a law deliberately targeting a religious practice purely as a gesture of religious disapproval. Debates begin when a neutral law applying to all citizens has the incidental effect of keeping some citizens from acting on their religious convictions. To address such problems, legislatures often create religious exemptions or accommodations to protect citizens of faith. Rakove briefly acknowledges that Americas founders were aware of religious exemptions, but he thinks that nothing they contemplated verges anywhere near our modern disputes over exemptions and accommodations. Article continues below Rakove is very concerned about religious traditionalists who object to funding abortions and participating in same-sex wedding ceremonies. He suggests that a historian has no ready answers to such disputes but then follows progressive law professors in contending that exemptions are impermissible in these areas. Among the objections he raises is that such exemptions create third party effects. However, concerns about third-party harms are nothing new. From the early colonies to the present day, religious pacifists have been granted exemptions from military service. Surely, increasing non-pacifists chances of being drafted constitutes a harm to non-pacifists who do not want to serve in the military. An unwilling draftee might well view this burden as substantially greater than the burden faced by a same-sex couple unable to obtain custom flowers from a particular florist. Or consider the harms caused by speech protected by the First Amendment. The Supreme Court has ruled in favor of a constitutional right to burn the American flag as a form of political protest. It has ruled, as well, to protect demonstrations by members of the Westboro Baptist Church at military funerals. In both cases, the court has permitted these forms of free expression even though they are virtually certain to cause pain and give offense. Of course, religious liberty is not a trump card that must win in every dispute. Legislatures may reasonably ban practices when they have a compelling reason to do so. For instance, states can and do prohibit female genital mutilation, and they appropriately require Christian Scientists to provide medical care for their children. As mentioned earlier, Rakove cautions that his book is intentionally provocative, and indeed, the last dozen pages contain a great deal of provocation. For instance, in language better suited for Twitter than a careful work of history, he calls President Trump as woeful a sinner and morally wretched an individual as has ever occupied the White House. This is quite a claim, especially as the White House has been occupied by numerous slave owners and womanizersand even a slave owner who killed another man in a duel (Andrew Jackson). Beyond Belief, Beyond Conscience provides a serviceable treatment of religious liberty in America. Alas, Rakoves approach to religious traditionalists today shows that he fails to grasp the fundamental importance of protecting religious freedom for all citizens. If we hope to live up to the founders vision, we should work to ensure that all Americans can act upon their religious convictions whenever possible. Mark David Hall is the Herbert Hoover Distinguished Professor of Politics at George Fox University. He is the author of Did America Have a Christian Founding?: Separating Modern Myth from Historical Truth (Thomas Nelson). FILE PHOTO: The brand logo of Nissan Motor Corp. is displayed during a press preview of the company's new Ariya all-battery SUV in Yokohama By Joan Faus BARCELONA (Reuters) - After a 30-hour marathon of negotiations, Nissan Motor Co <7201.T> and the unions at its three Barcelona plants agreed to postpone the closure of the plants by one year, until December 2021, the company and unions said. The Japanese carmaker guaranteed in a statement there would be no mass layoffs until that date, and in exchange production at the plants will resume in late August. Workers have been on strike since early May, a few weeks before Nissan announced the decision to leave Barcelona as part of a global turnaround plan. The UGT union leader at Nissan, Javier Hernandez, said the plants should gradually resume output starting Aug. 24. The factories, which employ around 3,000 workers and indirectly an additional 20,000, were originally due to close by the end of this year, but Nissan said recently it was open to postponing that to give more time for authorities to find another company interested in the units. There has been no new information on potential companies interested in the plants once Nissan leaves, Hernandez said. The company also announced a voluntary redundancy and pre-retirement plan for workers. "We think this is the best solution for all parties ... as it buys more time to seek alternative re-industrialisation projects, and if those fail to materialise, offers exit conditions well above the maximum legally established limits," Nissan's chief negotiator, Frank Torres, said. (Reporting by Joan Faus and Andrei Khalip; Editing by Leslie Adler) By Express News Service DEHRADUN: Officials from India and Nepal held an informal meeting on Tuesday and agreed to 'maintain status quo' at the 'No Man's Land' along the border in Champawat district of Uttarakhand. From the Indian side, Champawat district magistrate, superintendent of police, and commandant of Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) attended the meeting. SN Pandey, district magistrate of Champawat district said, "We shared our concerns with each other and agreed upon moving forward to identify the exact location of (border) pillar number 811 so that the issue can be solved permanently. Till then there will be no activity from both the sides as it could worsen the relations." Pandey further said that officials from both the sides have agreed to conduct independent and joint surveys to identify the pillar for once and all. Both the sides agreed for the next round of talks but the date has yet to be decided. The Nepalese team comprised of Kanchanpur chief district officer (equivalent to DM in India), police chief and SP of Armed Police Force (SSBs counterpart). On July 22, people in Nepal had erected pillars for fencing the No Mans Land. Nepalese residents also reportedly built around 23 wooden and concrete structures in 'No Man's Land on Indian side last week which became a thorny issue between India and Nepal. The Nepalese people are claiming that the land is theirs while India says the said land spanning about 150 square meters is 'No Man's Land'. According to the Indian officials, Nepalese nationals had encroached upon area near Pillar 811 and Tanakpur barrage in Champawat district claiming to be theirs. Meanwhile, Nepalese authorities wrote to their Indian counterparts not to stop Nepalese people's movement to Limipiyadhura, Kalapani, and Lipulekh areas saying that they belong to the Himalayan nation. The letter, dated July 28, 2020, addressed to the sub-divisional magistrate of Dharchula in Pithoragarh district, mentioned Sugauli Treaty between Nepal and British East India Company in 1815 saying that the movement of the Nepalese people in these areas are natural and Indian authorities should not obstruct them. The letter was written in response to a letter by Indian authorities dated July 14, 2020, asserting that according to the treaty, areas which are east to Kali (Mahakali) river such as Limpiyadhura, Kalapani, Lipulekh, Gunji, Nabi and Kuti are Nepals. Advertisement These astonishing images show the scale of the destruction in Beirut after an explosion tore through the port killing more than 100 people, leaving thousands injured and 300,000 people now homeless. Rescuers worked throughout the night and into Wednesday morning scouring ground zero for survivors after the cataclysmic blast that has wrecked entire neighbourhoods in the Lebanese capital. The scale of the destruction was such that the capital resembled the scene of an earthquake, with thousands of people left homeless as smoke rose from fires still burning this morning. Hospitals across the wrecked city were overwhelmed with patients, as medics worked in impossible conditions after the electricity was knocked out in the blast. Beirut's governor, Marwan Abboud, broke into tears as he toured the blast site. 'Beirut is a devastated city,' he said. Marwan Ramadan was 500 yards away from the port but was still blown off his feet by the blast. 'It was a real horror show,' he said. 'I haven't seen anything like that since the days of the war.' The streets on Wednesday morning were littered with glass and entire buildings have been destroyed or left without roofs or balconies as people walked the streets dazed and weeping as they surveyed the ruins around them. Prime Minister Hassan Diab vowed those responsible will 'pay the price' as he declared a two-week state of emergency to deal with the crisis. As crestfallen residents surveyed the damage today, the true cost of the explosion could hit 5billion according to the governor of Beirut Marwan Abboud. The blast - in a country already in the midst of an economic crisis - appeared to have been caused by a fire igniting 2,750 tonnes of ammonium nitrate left unsecured in a warehouse and was felt as far away as Cyprus, some 150 miles to the northwest. It is thought to have been sparked when a welder caused a fire at the port, which in turn set light to a warehouse storing chemicals which had been seized from a ship six years ago. A destroyed silo is seen amid the rubble and debris following yesterday's blast at the port of Lebanon's capital Beirut This photo shows the scene of devastation that the blast has caused on the city, which is already struggling from economic woes Lebanese soldiers search for survivors after a massive explosion in Beirut, Lebanon on Tuesday Police and forensic officers work at the scene of an explosion which took place yesterday at the port of Lebanon's capital Beirut The scene of an explosion near the the port in the Lebanese capital Beirut as rescuers search for survivors A survivor is taken out of the rubble after a massive explosion in Beirut, Lebanon. The city is starting three days of mourning A Lebanese army helicopter flies over the site of Tuesday's blast on Wednesday morning at the Port area The scene of the explosion that devastated the capital of Beirut last night. Rescuers worked throughout the night to look for survivors A Lebanese army helicopter throwing water at the scene of the explosion on Wednesday morning. Smoke continued to pour from the scene of the disaster throughout the night A man walks through the devastated port area that is filled with mangled buildings and storage facilties A drone picture shows the scene of an explosion that struck the port in Beirut yesterday and has caused devastation in the capital An aerial view shows the massive damage at Beirut port's grain silos, pictured centre, and the area around it 'We've had some dark days in Lebanon over the years but this is something else,' said Rami Rifai, a 38-year-old engineer, speaking from a hospital where his two daughters were receiving treatment after sustaining cuts despite being half a kilometre from the seat of the blast. 'We already had the economic crisis, a government of thieves and coronavirus. I didn't think it could get worse but now I don't know if this country can get up again. Everyone is going to try to leave. I will try to leave,' he said, his voice choked by tears. In the areas closest to the port, the amount of destruction caused by the long years of civil war between 1975 and 1990 was achieved in a second by a blast that levelled buildings within a radius of several hundred metres. One resident of Mar Mikhail, one of the most affected neighbourhoods, said she saw bodies strewn in the middle of the street, apparently thrown off balconies and rooftops by the blast. The mushroom-shaped explosion - which seismologists said was logged as the equivalent of a 3.3 magnitude quake - and the scope of the damage drew nuclear analogies in many people's accounts of the tragedy. 'The Apocalypse' read the headline of L'Orient-Le Jour, the main French-language daily in Lebanon, a country that has seen its share of explosions in its recent past, but none quite this big. A survivor is taken out of the rubble as rescuers search for survivors today after the blast that wrecked the Lebanese capital A woman sweeps at a damaged hospital following Tuesday's blast. Offices, restaurants and other buildings have also been destroyed by the blast A view of the partially destroyed Beirut neighbourhood of Mar Mikhael this morning close to the epicentre of the blast People inspect a damaged petrol station near the scene of an explosion. Destroyed vehicles can also be seen and the nearby buildings all have shattered windows The explosion has ripped a huge hole in the middle of this building as a man inspects the damage at the front A woman takes pictures by her mobile phone for a damaged church, with smashed pews littering the floor A man walks past a completely destroyed building and cars covered in dust and rubble in the Lebanese capital A man inspects the damage near the scene of yesterday's blast in the Lebanese capital Beirut A damaged facade is seen following the blast. The explosion was so devastating it blasted many windows out of their frames Critical infrastructure was affected by the blast, including the port, the airport and hospitals. Firefighters had already been on the scene dealing with an initial blaze when the explosion took place. One security source told Reuters today that the initial fire was caused during welding work on a hole in a warehouse wall. That fire spread, and before firefighters could control it, apparently detonated the ammonium nitrate. One Israeli bomb expert suggested fireworks could have been involved in the initial blaze. Ammonium nitrate - the terrorist's bomb ingredient: Chemical at Beirut warehouse is a common fertiliser chemical but once ignited it intensifies explosions with devastating force Ammonium nitrate, a chemical used in fertiliser bombs, has been identified as the cause of one of the largest ever peacetime explosions at a warehouse in Beirut. The chemical is an odourless crystalline substance that has been the cause of numerous industrial explosions and terrorist attacks over the decades. Experts say a fire in Beirut started after a spark from a welder likely ignited the highly reactive chemical, causing a blast the equivalent to three million kilotons of TNT. There were 2,750 tonnes of the hazardous chemical held in the warehouse at the time of the explosion - which measured as the equivalent of a 3.5 earthquake. The massive explosion created a mushroom cloud and left apocalyptic scenes in its wake, killing at least 100 people and leaving thousands more injured. Death and injury from the explosion would have come in a number of phases, according to Dr David Caldicott from the Australian National University. 'Primary injuries are blast-related, as a consequence of the overpressure wave interacting with the hollow space in victims; lung injuries are often survived, but subsequently fatal, and bowel injuries are common. 'Secondary injuries are caused by flying debris; effectively environmental shrapnel. 'Tertiary injuries are as a consequence of being thrown by the blast, and quaternary injuries by other features such as inhalation.' When combined with fuel oils, ammonium nitrate creates a potent explosive widely used in the construction industry, but also by insurgent groups such as the Taliban and the IRA for improvised explosives. Two tonnes of it was used to create the bomb in the 1995 Oklahoma City attack that destroyed a federal building, leaving 168 people dead. In agriculture, ammonium nitrate fertiliser is applied in granule form and quickly dissolves under moisture, allowing nitrogen to be released into the soil. However, under normal storage conditions and without very high heat, it is difficult to ignite ammonium nitrate, Jimmie Oxley, a chemistry professor at the University of Rhode Island, said. 'If you look at the video (of the Beirut explosion), you saw the black smoke, you saw the red smoke - that was an incomplete reaction,' she said. 'I am assuming that there was a small explosion that instigated the reaction of the ammonium nitrate - whether that small explosion was an accident or something on purpose I haven't heard yet.' That's because ammonium nitrate is an oxidiser - it intensifies combustion and allows other substances to ignite more readily, but is not itself very combustible. For these reasons, there are generally very strict rules about where it can be stored: for example, it must be kept away from fuels and sources of heat. In fact, many countries in the European Union require that calcium carbonate to be added to ammonium nitrate to create calcium ammonium nitrate, which is safer. In the United States, regulations were tightened significantly after the Oklahoma City attack, with inspections required if more than 2,000lbs of it are stored in one place. Despite its dangers, Oxley said legitimate uses of ammonium nitrate in agriculture and construction have made it indispensable. 'We wouldn't have this modern world without explosives, and we wouldn't feed the population we have today without ammonium nitrate fertilizer,' she said. 'We need ammonium nitrate, we just need to pay good attention to what we're doing with it.' That doesn't change how dangerous it can be. For example, an explosion at a Texas fertiliser plant in 2013 killed 15 and was ruled deliberate. Another at a chemical plant in Toulouse, France in 2001 that killed 31 people but was accidental also involved ammonium nitrate. Many of those killed or injured by the explosion in Beirut would have been hit by the shock wave or fire - but shrapnel from destroyed buildings would also have had a devastating impact. Advertisement Explosives certification expert Boaz Hayoun said: 'Before the big explosion ... in the center of the fire, you can see sparks, you can hear sounds like popcorn and you can hear whistles. This is very specific behavior of fireworks.' After the second, more devastating explosion, images showed port buildings reduced to tangled masonry, devastating the main entry point to a country that relies on food imports to feed its population of more than six million. Charbel Haj, who works at the harbour, said the explosion started as small explosions like firecrackers before he was suddenly thrown off his feet by the huge blast. The explosion damaged the Roum Hospital, which put out a call for people to bring it spare generators to keep its electricity going as it evacuated patients because of heavy damage. Outside the St George University Hospital in Beirut's Achrafieh neighbuorhood, people with various injuries arrived in ambulances, in cars and on foot. The explosion had caused major damage inside the building and knocked out the electricity at the hospital. Dozens of injured were being treated on the spot on the street outside, on stretchers and wheelchairs. Lebanon's Red Cross said it had been drowning in calls from injured people, many who are still trapped in their homes. Miles from the scene of the blast, balconies were knocked down, ceiling collapsed and windows were shattered. Beirut's main airport, six miles away from the port, was reportedly damaged by the explosion, with pictures showing sections of collapsed ceiling. Beirut's governor told journalists he does not know the cause of the explosion and said he had never seen such destruction, comparing the sobering scenes to Hiroshima and Nagasaki. For a long time after the blast, ambulance sirens sounded across the city and helicopters hovered above. Residents said glass was broken in houses from Raouche, on the Mediterranean city's western tip, to Rabieh 10 km (6 miles) east). And in Cyprus, a Mediterranean island lying 110 miles (180 km) northwest of Beirut, residents reported hearing two large bangs in quick succession. One resident of the capital Nicosia said his house shook, rattling shutters. 'We do not have information about what has happened precisely, what has caused this, whether its accidental or manmade act,' he said. Condolences poured in from across the world with Gulf nations, the United States and even Lebanon's arch foe Israel offering to send aid. France also promised to send assistance. The blast revived memories of a 1975-90 civil war and its aftermath, when Lebanese endured heavy shelling, car bombings and Israeli air raids. Some residents thought an earthquake had struck. 'The blast blew me off metres away. I was in a daze and was all covered in blood. It brought back the vision of another explosion I witnessed against the U.S. embassy in 1983,' said Huda Baroudi, a Beirut designer. UN chief Antonio Guterres expressed his 'deepest condolences ... following the horrific explosions in Beirut' which he said had also injured some United Nations personnel. Boris Johnson offered to help the crisis-hit country, tweeting: 'The pictures and videos from Beirut tonight are shocking. 'All of my thoughts and prayers are with those caught up in this terrible incident. The UK is ready to provide support in any way we can, including to those British nationals affected.' The UK Foreign Office has said a few of its embassy staff sustained non-life threatening injuries in the blast. Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said in a tweet: 'The images of explosions in Beirut are deeply worrying. Our thoughts are with those affected, the emergency services and the people of Lebanon.' Offers of aid also came from bitter rivals Israel, with which it is still technically at war. Defense Minister Benny Gantz and Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi, on behalf of the State of Israel, have offered the Lebanese government - via international intermediaries - medical and humanitarian aid, as well as immediate emergency assistance,' said a joint statement from the two ministries. French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said that France stood 'alongside Lebanon' and was ready to help, tweeting: 'France stands and will always stand by the side of Lebanon and the Lebanese. It is ready to provide assistance according to the needs expressed by the Lebanese authorities. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo tweeted: 'We are monitoring and stand ready to assist the people of Lebanon as they recover from this horrible tragedy.' Iran's foreign minister has said it is standing by to help Lebanon recover from the fallout of the explosion. Countries in the Gulf paid tribute to victims of the explosion as Qatar said it would send field hospitals to support Lebanon's medical response. Qatar's ruler Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani called President Michel Aoun to offer condolences, according to the state-run Qatar News Agency. Sheikh Tamim wished 'a speedy recovery for the injured,' adding that he 'expressed Qatar's solidarity with brotherly Lebanon and its willingness to provide all kinds of assistance'. A survivor is taken out of the rubble after the huge explosion that has flattened neighbourhoods in Beirut People on the street in Beirue which is strewn with debris from damaged buildings following the explosion A man reacts at the scene of an explosion at the port in Lebanon's capital Beirut on August 4 A huge explosion rocked the Lebanese capital Beirut, wounding dozens of people, shaking buildings and sending huge plumes of smoke billowing into the sky Entire buildings were razed to rubble in Beirut yesterday after a chemical explosion punched through the city and wreaked devastation for miles A large explosion rocked the Lebanese capital Beirut today. The blast, which rattled entire buildings and broke glass, was felt in several parts of the city Sombering scenes showed citizens in despair as their homes were damaged, with walls blown through and windows shattered The blast inflicted severe damage to people's homes. Paola Rebeiz was watching television when a blast in central Beirut hit her home in St Nicolas, around a kilometre south of the site of the explosion, shattering all of her windows (right) A view shows the damages entrance of a store in Burj Abu Haidar area in Beirut Glass is shattered by the explosion at the Cavalier Hotel in Beirut following the explosion A mobile phone image showing a general view of the harbor area with smoke billowing from an area of a large exoplosion, with damage and debris after a large explosion rocked the harbor area of Beirut It lay waste to the immediate surrounding buildings, where firefighters were still battling flames this evening, and even wreaked havoc on districts miles away from the blast site Fires burning at the port on Beirut well into the night following an explosion, believed to be from chemicals Smoke billows at the site of the large explosion and buildings are reduced to twisted wreckages The blast ripped through buildings and blew bricks out of walls and brought them crashing down on to the street. Dramatic footage shows smoke billowing from the port area shortly before an enormous fireball explodes into the sky and blankets the city in a thick mushroom cloud People ride past a car destroyed after a building wall collapsed because of the blast which wreaked havoc for miles Images showed port buildings reduced to tangled masonry, devastating the main entry point to a country that relies on food imports to feed its population of more than six million The explosion laid waste to sections of the city as Lebanon grapples with its worst economic crisis in decades Firefighters douse a blaze at the scene of an explosion at the port of Lebanon's capital Beirut The lobby of a building overlooking the Lebanese capital Beirut's central Martyrs' Square, with rubble and debris from covering the street following massive explosions earlier at the nearby port of Beirut Outside one hospital, Omar Kinno sat on the pavement, holding back tears. Kinno, a Syrian, said one of his sisters was killed when the blast rocked their apartment near the port, and another sister's neck was broken. His injured mother and father were taken to a hospital but he didn't know which, and he was making calls trying to track them down. 'I have no idea what happened to my parents. I am totally lost,' he said. Vital infrastructure was damaged, with Roum Hospital putting out a call for generators. One medical centre received 300 emergency patients. 'I've never seen this. It was horrible,' a medic there said. Confusion reigned across the city, as people cleared out of damaged homes or tried to locate family. Motorcyclists picked their way through traffic, carrying the injured. Soldiers cordoned off the port last night, amid warnings that the burning chemicals could give off toxic fumes. Regardless, relatives of the missing arrived at the perimeter. A woman in her twenties stood screaming at security forces, asking about the fate of her brother, a port employee. 'His name is Jad, his eyes are green,' she pleaded, to no avail as security forces would not let her enter. Nearby another woman almost fainted while also asking about her brother who worked at the port. But even the security forces were not immune from emotion. The body of one of their colleagues was brought to them on a stretcher. A fellow officer pulled out a photograph of the dead man with his fiancee, and the comrades wept. Firefighters spray water at a fire after an explosion was heard in Beirut A car was flung upside down by the blast which hit Beirut yesterday and caused widespread damage There was a structure fire near the port of Beirut followed by a second massive explosion, which damaged surrounding buildings and injured thousands Vital infrastructure such as hospitals sustained damage, as did the city's airport despite its location six miles away from the blast site, laying bare the magnitude of the trauma Rescue crews search a street for survivors after a large explosion caused buildings to collapse In St Maron Parish, the priest was broadcasting his sermon to his congregation, as is the norm during coronavirus. The video shows an initial blast knocks out the power and the candles behind him blow out ominously - but he perseveres, unaware of what is approaching. Seconds later the main blast wave hits, bringing stained-glass windows crashing onto the altar. As he flees, footage shows one piece of masonry smashes into his back, sending him to the ground. But in a rare piece of positive news yesterday, locals reported he was not badly hurt. Inside the port itself, the hangars looked like charred cans, everything destroyed beyond recognition as fire-fighting helicopters flew overhead, dumping water. Out at sea, ships burned. The UN peacekeeping mission in Lebanon, UNIFIL, said one of its boats in the port was damaged and a number of its peacekeepers were injured, some seriously. Authorities worried that fires on boats could trigger yet more explosions, or oil slicks if they sink. 'The explosion caused an opening in it, and there are serious injuries on board,' said one Egyptian sailor, pointing at his craft, the Mero Sar, in the harbour. Reporters from the city's newspaper, the Lebanon Daily Star, released footage of their own office obliterated. Miles from the scene of the explosion, balconies were knocked down, ceiling collapsed and windows were shattered. Even areas largely undamaged were in darkness last night, with power cuts across the city. One woman covered in blood from the waist up walked down a devastated street while talking furiously on her phone. On another street, a woman with a bloodied face looked distraught, staggering through traffic with two friends at her side. A young man passed by. 'This country is cursed,' he muttered. Firefighters douse a blaze at the city's port tonight following the deadly explosion which has wreaked devestation on Beirut Pictures shows the scene of an explosion at the port in the Lebanese capital Beirut, which lay waste to surrounding buildings A general view of the harbor area with smoke billowing from an area of a large explosion, with damage and debris after a large explosion rocked the harbor area of Beirut A car if left flipped on its roof on a motorway as a result of the devastating impact of the explosion earlier today Israel denies any involvement in Beirut port blast that comes amid rising tensions in between Lebanon and its neighbour by Ryan Fahey and William Cole for MailOnline Israel has denied having anything to do with the huge explosion in Beirut, adding that the country was ready to give humanitarian and medical assistance to Lebanon. The huge explosion in port warehouses near the city centre as killed more than 100 people, injured over 4,000 and sent shockwaves that shattered windows, smashed masonry and shook the ground. Officials said they expected the death toll to rise further after Tuesday's blast as emergency workers dug through rubble to rescue people and remove the dead. It was the most powerful explosion in years to hit Beirut, which is already reeling from an economic crisis and a surge in coronavirus infections. Lebanon's interior minister said initial information indicated highly explosive material, seized years ago, that had been stored at the port had blown up. Israel, which has fought several wars with Lebanon, denied any role. Lebanon's interior minister said initial information indicated highly explosive material, seized years ago, that had been stored at the port had blown up 'Israel has approached Lebanon through international security and diplomatic channels and has offered the Lebanese government medical and humanitarian assistance,' a written statement from Israeli Defence Minister Benny Gantz and Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi said. The offer comes after two weeks of heightened tensions between the rival neighbours, which involved a series of border clashes between the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) and Hezbollah on Israel's northern frontier. Earlier this month, Israel accused Hezbollah of trying to send gunmen across the UN-demarcated Blue Line and said it held the Lebanese government responsible for what it termed an attempted 'terrorist' attack. There have been numerous similar border spats in recent years but the most recent full-scale conflict broke out between the two sides in 2006 after Hezbollah killed eight Israeli soldiers and kidnapped two, sparking the 34-day Israel-Lebanon war. Hezbollah launched rockets at its southern neighbour and Israel returned fire, bombing Lebanese towns, villages and key infrastructure targets. Israeli soldiers monitor the country's border with Lebanon near the northern town of Metula earlier this month Wounded people are treated at a hospital following the explosion, which has left hundreds of casualties in Beirut last night The conflict ended inconclusively and the two sides are still, technically, at war. Lebanon is one of 31 UN member states that does not recognise Israel's existence as a state. International aid in the form of emergency workers and medical personnel is already on its way to Lebanon. France says it is sending two planes with dozens of emergency workers, a mobile medical unit and 15 tons of aid. French President Emmanuel Macron's office says the aid should allow for the treatment of some 500 victims. French peacekeepers stationed in Lebanon, a former French protectorate, have been helping since the explosions, Macron's office said. Jordan says a military field hospital including all necessary personnel will be dispatched, according to the Royal Court. Egypt has opened a field hospital in Beirut to receive the wounded. Czech Interior Minister Jan Hamacek says Lebanon has accepted an offer to send a team of 37 rescuers with sniffer dogs to Beirut. Denmark says it is ready to provide humanitarian assistance to Lebanon, and Greece says it is ready to help Lebanese authorities 'with all means at its disposal.' Prime Minister Hassan Diab, in a short televised speech, has appealed to all countries and friends of Lebanon to extend help to the small nation, saying: 'We are witnessing a real catastrophe.' He reiterated his pledge that those responsible for the massive explosion at Beirut's port will pay the price, without commenting on the cause. Diab's speech came the morning after the blast killed at least 100 people and wounded thousands. Smoke was still rising from the port Wednesday morning. Major downtown streets were littered with debris and damaged vehicles, and building facades were blown out. Lebanese Red Cross official George Kettaneh said at least 100 people were killed and more than 4,000 were wounded, and said the toll could rise further. After yesterday's explosion, Shi'ite Iran, the main backer of militant political party Hezbollah, also offered support, as did Tehran's regional rival Saudi Arabia, a leading Sunni power. 'What we are witnessing is a huge catastrophe,' the head of Lebanon's Red Cross George Kettani told broadcaster Mayadeen. 'There are victims and casualties everywhere.' Hours after the blast, which struck shortly after 6 p.m. (1500 GMT), a fire still blazed in the port district, casting an orange glow across the night sky as helicopters hovered and ambulance sirens sounded across the capital. A security source said victims were taken for treatment outside the city because Beirut hospitals were packed with wounded. Ambulances from the north and south of the country and the Bekaa valley to the east were called in to help. The blast was so big that some residents in the city, where memories of heavy shelling during the 1975 to 1990 civil war live on, thought an earthquake had struck. Dazed, weeping and wounded people walked through streets searching for relatives. 'I promise you that this catastrophe will not pass without accountability,' Prime Minister Hassan Diab told the nation. 'Those responsible will pay the price,' he said in his televised address, adding that details about the 'dangerous warehouse' would be made public. The interior minister told Al Jadeed TV that ammonium nitrate had been stored at the port since 2014. The U.S. embassy in Beirut warned residents in the city about reports of toxic gases released by the blast, urging people to stay indoors and wear masks if available. Footage of the explosion shared by residents on social media showed a column of smoke rising from the port followed by an enormous blast, sending up a white cloud and a fireball into the sky. Those filming the incident from high buildings 2 km (one mile) from the port were thrown backwards by the shock. It was not immediately clear what caused the initial blaze on Tuesday that set off the blast. Lebanon's health minister said more than 50 people had been killed and more than 2,750 injured. Lebanon's Red Cross said hundreds of people had been taken to hospitals. The governor of Beirut port told Sky News a team of firefighters, who were battling the initial blaze, had 'disappeared' after the explosion. President Michel Aoun called for an emergency cabinet meeting on Wednesday and said a two-week state of emergency should be declared. He said it was 'unacceptable' that 2,750 tonnes of ammonium nitrate were stored for six years without safety measures. The explosion occurred three days before a U.N.-backed court is due to deliver a verdict in the trial of four suspects from the Shi'ite Muslim group Hezbollah over a 2005 bombing which killed former Prime Minister Rafik al-Hariri and 21 others. Hariri was killed by a huge truck bomb on the same waterfront, about 2 km (about one mile) from the port. Western countries including the United States, Britain and France also said they were ready to assist. Images showed port buildings reduced to tangled masonry, devastating the main entry point to a country that relies on food imports to feed its population of more than 6 million. It threatens a new humanitarian crisis in a nation that hosts hundreds of thousands of Syrian refugees and which is already grappling with economic meltdown under one of the world's biggest debt burdens. Residents said glass was broken in neighbourhoods on Beirut's Mediterranean coast and inland suburbs several kms (miles) away. In Cyprus, a Mediterranean island 110 miles (180 km) across the sea from Beirut, residents heard the blast. One resident in Nicosia said his house and window shutters shook. Lebanon continues to deal with the shocking aftermath of Tuesdays massive explosion in its capital, Beirut. The blast has killed at least 100 people, and the death toll is expected to rise. More than 100 people are believed to be missing. Some 4,000 people have also been injured by the explosion, which is said to have been felt 150 miles away in Cyprus. Lebanon said it was caused by 2,750 tonnes of ammonium nitrate being stored unsafely in a warehouse. Entire streets have been wiped out, while the Save The Children charity said complete damage to Beiruts main port will leave families short of basic necessities. The aftermath of the blast on Wednesday. (ANWAR AMRO/AFP via Getty Images) Dr Julie Norman, a teaching fellow in politics and international relations at University College London, also warned the country faces a long and dire economic downturn without its port, which was a key hub for food, grain and fuel imports. Meanwhile, Save The Children also pointed out the explosion could not have occurred at a worse time: during the COVID-19 pandemic. Cases in the country are beginning to increase, with more than 200 reported on Tuesday. Attention is now turning to aiding the recovery efforts. Boris Johnson was among the world leaders to pledge help on Tuesday, saying the UK government is ready to provide support in any way we can. UK business secretary Alok Sharma said on Wednesday the government is working quickly and at speed to look at a package of support after the tragedy. The aftermath of the blast in Beirut. (STR/AFP via Getty Images) How can I help? In the meantime, there are a number of ways Britons can aid the recovery efforts at home. Impact Lebanons fundraising page on JustGiving is dedicated to providing disaster relief following the explosion, and as of 1.30pm on Wednesday had already raised 2.5m. Its target is 5m. People can also donate to the Lebanese Red Cross, the main provider of ambulance services in the country. The charity says it is currently unable to respond to 20% of emergency calls. MUSKEGON COUNTY, MI Muskegon Township residents voted in favor of two millage renewals Tuesday, continuing their support for public safety and street lighting for another five years. The public safety millage passed with a vote of 2,524 yes and 834 no, while the street lighting millage passed with 2,199 yes and 1,136 no, according to unofficial Tuesday, Aug. 4, election results from the Muskegon County clerks office. Township voters renewed the 2.75-mill property tax to fund police and fire services through 2024. The millage will raise $1.04 million the first year. One mill of tax equals $1 for every $1,000 of taxable value. Owners of a home with a market value of $150,000 and a taxable value of $75,000, would pay $206.25 per year for the public safety millage. The 0.7-mill street lighting millage was also renewed through 2024, and will raise about $265,000 in its first year, according to the ballot proposal. Muskegon Township Police Chief Tim Thielbar previously told MLive the millage helps the department with proactive and community policing, including the placement of officers at Reeths-Puffer and Orchard View high schools. By renewing this, voters will ensure we will maintain the same resources there to help the community, Thielbar said. Muskegon Township Fire Chief Dave Glotzbach said without the approved millage, the fire department would have to make reductions to its current services. Glotzbach said that the level of fire service provided in the township has improved property insurance fire ratings, which can reduce premiums enough to offset a homeowners millage cost. The streetlight millage, which will raise an estimated $265,000 annually, covers the entire cost of streetlights in the township, said Muskegon Township Supervisor Jennifer Hodges. For the owners of a home with a market value of $150,000 and a taxable value of $75,000, the street lighting tax equates to $52.50 per year. If voters dont renew the millage, township officials would have to figure out a new way to budget for streetlights or discontinue streetlights, Hodges said. Click here for more of MLives Election Day coverage from across the state, or here for full coverage of Muskegon-area elections. More on MLive: Learn about candidates, millages on Muskegon County primary ballot Tuesday Live election results from Aug 4. primary in Muskegon County Muskegon County Sheriff faces challenger in Democratic primary Two Republicans vying for 92nd House seat in Muskegon County Muskegon County drain commissioner faces challenger in Democratic primary Tara Wilson We are so proud of our current group and the talented individuals who have been promoted. said Valerie Colin, Tax Department leader and Jon Shoemaker, Audit & Accounting leader. Seven recognized led by Wilson, Cha and Shiao Gumbiner Savett Inc. congratulates the newly promoted staff members as of July 2020. The firm promoted Tara Wilson to Tax Principal, Vivian Cha to Tax Senior Manager, Kimberlie Shiao to Audit & Accounting Senior Manager, Suresh Narayanamoorthy to Tax Manager, Kathryn Hoppers to Tax Senior, and Yvette Zhu and Megan Jiang to Audit & Accounting Seniors. I am so proud of our current tax group and the four talented individuals who have been promoted, said Valerie Colin, Tax Department leader. Tara and Vivian have shown to be rising stars in the department and are excellent supervisors. They are both proactive and committed to providing stellar client service. Suresh and Kathy are both well regarded by staff and clients. Wilson has more than 12 years of public accounting and taxation experience, with expertise in partnership taxation and real estate investments. Tara works with clients in the non-profit, real estate, restaurant, professional service, retail, and manufacturing industries. A graduate of Georgia State University, she received her Master of Science in Taxation from Golden Gate University in San Francisco and currently serves on the Executive Board of Fostering Media Connections, a non-profit organization that works to improve the lives of vulnerable children and their families through incisive, ground-breaking journalism. Cha currently provides a full range of tax services working primarily with closely held businesses. Vivians areas of expertise also include state and local taxation, partnership income tax compliance, nonprofit tax compliance and income tax planning. She has a Bachelor of Management in Business Administration and Economics, from Kyungwon University, S. Korea and a Master of Business Taxation from University of Southern California, Los Angeles. Narayanamoorthy has been with the firm for three years. He graduated from Madurai Kamaraj University with a Bachelor of Commerce and obtained his MS in Taxation from Cal State Fullerton. Hoppers has a BS in Accountancy from California State University, Northridge. She has been with Gumbiner Savett for approximately 3 years. Kimberlie, Megan and Yvette are all knowledgeable auditors, said Jon Shoemaker, Audit & Accounting Leader. Kimberlie has made strong contributions to the department as a manager, all while managing several large and important firm clients. All three professionals are invaluable to our department and Im confident they will be major contributors to its growth. Shiao specializes in work for the SEC practice, where she provides audit and financial reporting services for SEC registered and privately held entities. A graduate of UCLA with a B.A. in Business Economics, Kimberlie has more than seven years of experience in the audit and assurance field. Zhu has been with the firm almost one and a half years and has a BBA in Accounting from Shanghai Business School and an MS in Accounting from Hofstra University. Jiang received her Bachelor of Economics, International Business from Southwestern University of Finance and Economics and her MS in Corporate Finance from The University of Arizona. She has been working at Gumbiner Savett for about one and a half years. About Gumbiner Savett Inc. (http://www.gscpa.com) Celebrating its 70th year in business, Gumbiner Savett Inc. is a full-service accounting and consulting firm headquartered in Santa Monica, California. Its purpose is to enrich clients lives by facilitating the achievement of their financial objectives and providing career fulfillment for its employees. Gumbiner Savett an independent member firm of BKR International is dedicated to being a preeminent assurance, tax, and business advisory firm for growth-oriented businesses, middle-market enterprises, and high-net-worth individuals in Southern California. In addition to traditional private and public company accounting and tax services, the firm specializes in general business consulting, estate and trust planning, fraud examination studies, business services and bookkeeping and litigation support. The blowup at WAMU has been closely watched among public broadcasters, who see WAMU as one of public radios flagship stations. As a public service, stations that have had harassment claims must be transparent, said Mike Savage, a veteran public radio manager and NPR board member who heads WEKU in Kentucky. As journalists, we never want to become the story, but the revelations of harassment and inequity must be reported on so that stations maintain the high degree of credibility and trust with our audience. Miniter Group has named Donald Marthey as vice president of Business Strategy and Tracking Operations. In this role, Marthey will oversee the strategic direction of Miniters Borrower-CentricSM insurance tracking operations. He joined Miniter as a vice president of sales in 2019 and helped contract lenders in the Western states, including Alaska and Hawaii. Earlier this year, Marthey was called upon to transition to operations and assist with the growth of the tracking operation. He began his career as operations section manager at National City Bank, where he managed a customer service team. He then moved to the American Modern Insurance Group, where he spent the next 21 years. During this time, he took on roles with increasing responsibility, culminating in a position as strategic planning director overseeing tracking operations for five million loans. Before joining Miniter Group, Marthey was the director of operations for Seattle Specialty. Miniter Group is a Norwell, Mass.-based provider of collateral risk transfer solutions to the lending industry, providing blanket and lender-placed insurance solutions to more than 550 lenders in 45 states. Miniters in-house software development team continues to work with lenders to enhance the Borrower-CentricSM Insurance Tracking System. Source: Miniter Group The company that owns the Edenville and Sanford dams whose breach lead to unprecedented flooding of the Tittabawassee River following heavy rainfall in May has filed for bankruptcy. Boyce Hydro filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy on Friday in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Michigan in Bay City. The filing is signed by Lee W. Mueller and by Stephen B. Hultberg, co-managers of Boyce Hydro, LLC and co-trustees of the William D. Boyce Trust. Speaking on behalf of Boyce Hydro, attorney Lawrence Kogan, of Kogan Law Group, told the Daily News that the bankruptcy filing is partly the result of actions by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE), which has had regulatory oversight of the Edenville Dam since 2018. You have overzealous agency officials who took it upon themselves to arbitrarily enforce environmental laws, which disrupted Boyces dam maintenance and resulted in the dam revocation license for Edenville, and eventually resulted in the dam breach," Kogan said. With these state officials acting without any reasonable basis against Mr. (Lee) Mueller, you have a perfect recipe for a bankruptcy filing resulting from all these disruptions," Kogan continued. "The state officials continue to believe they can do anything they want without regard to rule of law. The state hasnt learned its lesson yet. The state is highly irresponsible and is trying to cover up its past misdeeds. EGLE Public Information Officer Nick Assendelft emailed the Daily News a response to Kogan's comments and to the bankruptcy filing. Boyce Hydros bankruptcy filing shows once again the companys disregard for the residents of mid-Michigan," Assendelft wrote. "For years, it ignored pleas by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to make sure its dams met strict safety standards. Now, its ignoring pleas from area residents to take responsibility for the companys two collapsed dams. Despite Boyces bankruptcy, the investigation into the dam failures will go forward, even though Boyce has refused since early June to meet its legal obligation to sign a contract with an independent investigative team. The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) is working to arrange an alternative contracting procedure in light of the bankruptcy. The team will examine the contributing factors that led to the failures of the Edenville and Sanford dams in mid-May. The teams recommendations will inform next steps in the dams futures. In taking proactive steps following the dam failures and flooding, EGLE aided residents and communities with post-flood recovery, has made plans to hire a third dam safety engineer, is partnering with the Association of State Dam Safety Officials (ASDSO) to perform an independent deep-dive analysis of EGLEs Dam Safety Program, and is working to identify stakeholders to participate in the Michigan Dam Safety Task Force, which will provide recommendations to help prevent future dam failures," Assendelft concluded. Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel also released the following statement in response to Boyce's bankruptcy filing: This is a clear example of the problem that can arise when private entities own public infrastructure," Nessel said. "Boyce Hydro has been a negligent owner and manager for years, and now, rather than dealing with the tragic circumstances that resulted from its negligence and paying the cost to fix those problems, the company is declaring bankruptcy and potentially leaving Michigan taxpayers holding the bag. "Boyce Hydro has failed to properly maintain its infrastructure, it has failed to abide by federal and state environmental requirements, it has failed to address the concerns of state and federal regulators in the aftermath of the dam failures, and it has failed to be a good partner to this community. My office will do everything it can to make sure Boyce and the related entities and individuals responsible for this disaster are held accountable to the people of Michigan," Nessel concluded. In the bankruptcy filing document, Boyce is designated as having less than $7.5 million in noncontingent liquidated debts. Boyce's estimated assets are listed in the category of $10 million to $50 million, and its liabilities are listed in the category of $1 million to $10 million. Boyce is employing Goldstein & McClintock LLLP of Chicago as general bankruptcy counsel. A required accompanying Form 204 lists Boyce's creditors with the 20 largest unsecured claims who are not insiders. The total of those claims is $7,109,584.81; however, 10 of the 20 claims are designated as "pending litigation" and "disputed" and therefore have no designated dollar amount. Those include a lawsuit filed by the State of Michigan and multiple class action lawsuits. Kogan sent the Daily News a copy of a "Response-in-Opposition to Defendant's Motion to Dismiss" document filed on Monday by Kogan Law Group on behalf of plaintiffs Lee Mueller; Boyce Hydro Power, LLC; Boyce Hydro, LLC; Edenville Hydro Property; and Boyce Michigan, LLC. The named defendants are EGLE; Michigan Department of Natural Resources; and Brian Rudolph, David Pingel, and Kyle Kruger, individually. The 40-page document reads, at one point: " ... the three lawsuits and related negative media and further regulatory oversight these individual defendants acts have spawned have so adversely affected plaintiffs finances and public reputation, and consequently, their ability to continue revenue generating operations at their four hydro dams that they have resulted in plaintiffs bankruptcy and insolvency." What does this mean for those suing Boyce? Since the flooding events in May, several lawsuits have been filed against Boyce Hydro. However, attorney Ven Johnson, of Johnson Law, PLC, said even though Boyce is filing for bankruptcy, it does not mean the lawsuits are over. The filing creates a hurdle, but Johnson said its one his company is prepared to tackle as one of the law firms heading a mass tort against Boyce. These cases are huge, complex pieces of litigation and this is just yet another trick that they try and pull, but I can tell you we are 100% committed to jumping down that rabbit hole to get them, Johnson said. Johnson explained there will be a bankruptcy stay, which means nothing can be done within the lawsuits until further order from the court. However, he said since lawsuits are already lengthy process, this wont cause much of a delay in the long run. The concern about suing somebody who is in bankruptcy, is the bankruptcy judge wants to make sure that whatever assets whatever money, property, etc. that those entities have doesnt get squandered or given to some people without the involvement of the bankruptcy court, Johnson explained. He said a few things are likely to happen. Because Boyce Hydro had insurance, a bankruptcy judge could allow the lawsuits to continue to pursue the policy that Boyce had. Also, Johnson said those who have sued Boyce will likely hire expert bankruptcy attorneys to join their cases and argue against Boyce being dissolved in bankruptcy court. He said one of the avenues they could take would be to argue intentional misconduct on Boyces part, so that the debt they owe is not dissolved. Bankruptcy discharges negligent behavior, but not intentional behavior, Johnson said. The worst-case scenario for those suing Boyce, in Johnsons opinion, is that they will only be able to collect compensation from Boyces insurance policy, rather than corporate assets. However, Johnson said he doesnt foresee that happening in this case. They can run, but they cannot hide. We will be pursuing them on all avenues, he said. Russian companies confirmed requests for supplies of 1.21 mln tonnes of crude oil to Belarus in August, press secretary of Belneftekhim holding Alexander Tischenko said. "Russian companies confirmed requests for supply of 1.21 mln tonnes of oil to Belarus in August, including 77,000 tonnes to be shipped by rail and the remaining volume over the oil pipeline," TASS cited the press secretary as saying. Belarusian refineries will need 1.37 mln tonnes of oil in August, Tischenko said. Deficient volumes will be covered by supplies of Azerbaijani and US oil amounting to 160,000 tonnes, he added. The Mozyr Refinery with already completed overhaul will account for the bulk of refining in August because scheduled repairs will start at a range of facilities at the Novopolotsk Refinery, the press secretary said. Moscow and Minsk negotiated the pricing for oil supplied to Belarus in late March and resumption of supplies from Russian oil majors. Scheduled shipments restarted in April 2020. A Westmeath man has been found not guilty of raping a woman after they met at a New Years Eve ball at a GAA clubhouse, in what was the first jury trial to conclude at the Central Criminal Court since the Covid-19 lockdown. The 33-year-old man had pleaded not guilty to rape at his home in Westmeath on January 1, 2017. The complainant was visiting a friend and had planned to spend the night in that woman's home after going to a ball in the local GAA clubhouse. She met the accused, who was of a similar age, and they were kissing in the clubhouse. She told the jury that towards the end of the night she couldn't find her friend and her mobile phone had gone dead. She said she decided she had no other option but to accept an invitation to the man's house. She said that she told him there would be no sexual activity and he agreed but that minutes after entering his home he attacked and raped her in his sitting room. She said she was kicking out at him and telling him to stop and afterwards she was crying hysterically. The accused told the jury that he and the woman never discussed what would happen in the house in advance of going back and that all sexual activity that night was consensual. His lawyers submitted that his mother was sleeping upstairs and heard no noises from the sitting room. After a 10-day trial the jury of five women and seven men spent 3 hours and 38 minutes in deliberations. On Tuesday, the jury came back with a unanimous verdict of not guilty. Wearing a navy suit and tie, the man collapsed into his arms and took a deep breath when the verdict was read out. Mr Justice Paul McDermott said he was particularly grateful to the jury for their service during the Covid-19 pandemic when the country was trying to come back from lockdown. This was the first trial to conclude since lockdown, the judge added. Mr Justice McDermott said the courts were applying public health advice during the trial process, which helped the courts prepare for reconvened trials due to take place in September. So I thank you for that, particularly because it was more difficult in the circumstances, the judge said to the jury before offering them an exemption from jury duty for five years. The accused was then discharged and walked free from court. An Australian model who had to stop working earlier this year because of her acne has shared the products and dermatologist advice she followed to clear up her skin for good. Harmony A'Bell, who lives in Sydney's Sutherland Shire region, uploaded a blog post to her website titled 'Let's Talk About Skin' on August 3, where she opened up about her two-year battle with pimples. 'I never had issues with my skin until I turned 19. My first experience of mild acne was in 2018,' the 21-year-old, who is engaged to NRL rising star Nat Butcher, said. An Australian model who had to stop working earlier this year because of her acne has shared the products and dermatologist advice she followed to clear up her skin for good Harmony A'Bell uploaded a blog post to her website titled 'Let's Talk About Skin' on August 3, where she opened up about her two-year battle with pimples (pictured left June 12 and right July 4) 'I received some professional help from my doctor who put me on some antibiotics. These worked for a while and my skin was back to normal. However, at the start of 2020 the mild acne resurfaced and it continued to worsen.' Harmony, who has 36,000 Instagram followers, has worked for iconic Australian brands like Kookai and Seafolly, but was forced to stop modelling during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown because of her skin. She visited a dermatologist in an effort to heal the angry red dots and was placed on a very low dosage of Roaccutane. Roaccutane belongs to a group of medicines called retinoids, which are similar to vitamin A, NPS Medicinewise reported. Harmony, who has 36,000 Instagram followers, has worked for iconic Australian brands like Kookai and Seafolly, but was forced to stop modelling during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown because of her skin She believes a balance of all five areas of her health - physical, mental, emotional, social and spiritual - was the key to clearing her skin (pictured on August 3) How did Harmony cure her acne? * A dermatologist placed her on a low dosage of Roaccutane. * She uses QV's gentle cleanser and moisturiser to wash her face. * A warm wash cloth brings out a 'head' on her pimples in order to pop them. * She covers the sores in tea tree oil. Advertisement Retinoids work by reducing the amount of the oily substance, known as sebum, made by glands in your skin, reducing bacteria and inflammation and opening clogged pores. 'Some mornings I would wake up, look in the mirror, and just cry. I disliked what I saw and I felt helpless as my skin condition was out of my control and everything I was doing wasn't helping it,' Harmony wrote. 'I believe that seeking medical advice is just as important as the things that I can do for myself. A balance of both is needed! Health care professionals are here to help so it is absolutely necessary to utilise their help.' She believes a balance of all five areas of her health - physical, mental, emotional, social and spiritual - was the key to clearing her skin. That meant diminishing stress and managing negative self-talk to prevent her emotions from taking over her day-to-day life. 'Some mornings I would wake up, look in the mirror, and just cry. I disliked what I saw and I felt helpless as my skin condition was out of my control and everything I was doing wasn't helping it,' Harmony wrote When it comes to skincare she's a big believer in 'less is more' and steers clear of a complicated routine. She uses QV Foaming Cleanser ($19.99) and QV Oil-Free Moisturiser ($12.99), which are available at most supermarkets and chemists. A hot face washer compressed to an active pimple can help bring the sebum, cells and bacteria to the surface - creating a white 'head' - that can then gently be popped. She rubs a small amount of tea tree oil into the sore after popping it because of the oil's anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties. She uses QV Foaming Cleanser ($19.99) and QV Oil-Free Moisturiser ($12.99), which are available at most supermarkets and chemists Harmony's blog post was met with words of encouragement from her followers, who thanked her for her 'authenticity' in addressing a common problem. 'It is amazing that you use your social media platform for good. I have struggled with acne for the past eight years and it has really taken a toll on my mental health. THANK YOU for sharing with the world that beautiful models like you struggle with the same issues,' one woman said. 'Thanks for your willingness to put yourself out there! You're really brave and strong,' said another. The plan outlines the tasks for ministries, ministerial-agencies, State agencies and localities, one of which is to promote the dissemination of information related to the agreement through the media, websites, training courses, and seminars. Information and forecasts related to import, export, trade and investment should be updated to Vietnamese enterprises, helping them understand more about Cubas technical requirements, rules on management of goods import and export, as well the markets demand. Illustrative image (Photo: Alianza News) Regarding policy and institutions building work, ministries, ministerial-level agencies, Government agencies, People's Committees of provinces and centrally-run cities must consult related parties in the process. Ministries and sectors were asked to continue coordination with the Cuban side to develop and complete necessary institutions for the implementation of the agreement. Attention should be paid to building market development programmes for Vietnams potential export items and training enterprises in specific commitments related to the agreement. The Vietnam-Cuba Trade Agreement was signed on November 9, 2018 after two years of negotiation. The Agreement replaces the earlier deal between the two governments on trade exchange and other economic cooperation forms signed on April 8, 1996. It features 14 chapters, covering the trade of goods, rules of origin, customs administration and trade facilitation, trade remedies, technical standards and regulations and conformity assessment procedures (STRACAP), sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) measures, trade of services, economic and trade cooperation, review and management, and dispute resolution. In addition, the agreement, which officially took effect on April 1 this year, also contains annexes, mainly related to commitments on market opening. Under the pact, the two sides have pledged to eliminate or reduce tariffs on nearly all commodities currently traded between them over the next five years. The Vietnamese Government recently issued Decree No.39/2020/ND-CP on a list of Vietnams special preferential import tariffs to implement the trade agreement with Cuba from now until 2023. Accordingly, import tariffs on 514 items from Cuba, including some types of shrimp, fish, honey and fruit, cement, chromium ore, disinfectants, protective suits and wireless internet devices have been slashed to zero percent. For the 49 remaining tariff lines, tax rates will be cut gradually. Commodities such as sugar and unprocessed tobacco will have their tariff rates reduced to 15 percent in four years, cigarettes and cigars to 70 percent, and liquor and alcohol to 20 percent./. L'Oreal partners with POWA on Women's Month campaign L'Oreal Paris has partnered with South African NGO People Opposing Women Abuse (POWA) on the EmpoweRED campaign, which aims to raise funds to assist women affected by gender-based violence (GBV). POWA provides advocacy, training, psychosocial support, legal services and shelters to survivors of abuse and violence. For this campaign, LOreal Paris collaborated with 12 female social media influencers, who added their voices to the clarion call to combat the scourge of gender-based violence in South Africa. The women also promote the LOreal Paris Rouge Signature EmpoweRED lipstick range and LOreal Paris Revitalift Red Cream, as a portion of the sales in the month of August will be donated to POWA. The EmpoweRED campaign will run throughout August, which is Womens Month in South Africa. LOreal Paris is extremely proud of this partnership because of its alignment with the brands ethos of championing self-worth and promoting the empowerment of women. The empowerment of women has always been a priority for LOreal Paris. Our brand slogan 'Because Youre Worth It' is as relevant in todays context where we grapple with GBV as it was 1973, when the focus was on the emancipation of women," says Marketa Havlik Liebenberg, general manager, LOreal Consumer Products Division. Havlik-Liebenberg says she applauds POWA for its "incredible work" in helping vulnerable women rebuild their lives and move forward with renewed confidence. POWAs chief executive officer Mary Makgaba comments, There is power and resilience within beauty and the collaborative partnership with LOreal Paris is important because it adds value and impacts the lives of ordinary South African women who are survivors of GBV." Makgaba adds that resource mobilisation through this partnership will enable POWA to continue empowering women and create safe spaces for conversations while also offering shelter and counseling. KYIV. Aug 5 (Interfax-Ukraine) Ukrainian government bodies are not ready to hold local elections amid the coronavirus pandemic, said Oleksiy Koshel, Chairman of the Committee of Voters of Ukraine (CVU). "Unfortunately, we have every reason to believe that the Ukrainian government is not ready to hold elections in context of the coronavirus. According to the experts of our organization, the government is not ready for either a tough scenario or a soft scenario for organizing elections in a pandemic," said Koshel during a press conference at Interfax-Ukraine. According to him, it regards the material support of commissions members, which is necessary for the safe conduct of local elections and additional expenses from the state budget for the purchase of protective equipment. "We are talking about quite large numbers. There are about 33,400 sites in Ukraine, where hundreds of people will work: members of commissions, observers, representatives of law enforcement agencies. Each of these sites must be provided with a sufficient amount of disinfectants. We are not talking about small tubes, but about tons, liters of disinfectants. Each member of the commission must be provided with protective masks, change them every few hours. As a result, we will get a figure of millions of protective masks," said the chairman of CVU. New Delhi: With 'Bhoomi Pujan' of Ram temple in Ayodhya on Wednesday (August 5), Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation of new India, paving a new beginning for the country and its people. The construction of Ram temple is also expected to change the definition of politics. DNA analysis will discuss what other things will change after this momentous day. The Ram temple in Ayodhya is likely to put an end to politics being practiced in the name of Lord Ram. There have been three types of ideology in practice on this issue; the first category belonged to those who were opposing the Ram temple; the second category was of those who supported the Ram temple; while the people from the third category remained neutral. Those who remained neutral will have to face the truth. The Congress remained neutral and has shifted its stands from time to time. Sometimes, it appeased Muslims in the name of the Shahbano case, it refused to believe in the existence of Ram, and now supporting the Ram temple after Bhoomi Pujan. Congress appears to have created confusion in the minds of people on this issue. When the Ram Mandir movement was at its apex in 1990, people in India for the first time started a fresh analysis of secularism. The majority realized that India is a secular country, but the country's politics is based on Muslim appeasement under the guise of Pseudo-Secularism. They also felt being treated like other citizens. Hindutva emerged as a major force in mainstream politics with the Ram Mandir movement in the year 1990. This was probably happening for the first time in India, but there were several other countries in the world where politics was influenced by religion. Israel was founded for people who believed in Judaism, but Israel is now a democratic country. There are 50 nations all over the world who call them Islamic countries. Religion is the dominating force in the politics of these nations, and due to political recognition of Islam, its influence has increased manifold. The process of construction of Ram temple has started, but the question is being asked what will happen next? There is a possibility that India will slowly get out of the clutches of caste and religion. Because when Narendra Modi became Prime Minister for the second time in the year 2019, election results made it clear that people are now fed up with vote bank politics in the name of castes, and that is why the BJP got the votes of almost all castes in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. Although Ram temple has been presented as the biggest cause of dispute between Hindus and Muslims, the truth is that Ram temple will bridge the gap between these two communities. The person who was also sent an invite for the Bhoomi Poojan ceremony is Iqbal Ansari, who was the biggest face to oppose the Ram Temple in the Ayodhya dispute. The construction of Ram temple will also begin development of Ayodhya, which remained at the center of India's biggest legal litigation, but remained miles away from development. Now, this holy city of Ram is expected to grow at a fast pace as it is being developed as a big tourist destination. The Ram temple is likely to become the biggest soft power for India because of Lord Rama and his life influences the majority of South Asian nations. A Ramayana circuit is also being constructed which will not only pass through different parts of India but will also include those countries whose history is associated with Lor Ram's life. Nepal is one such country. It is believed that Sita was the daughter of King Janak of Janakpur in Nepal. Ramayana is staged in many countries of the world and his Lord Ram's life also impacts countries like Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Indonesia, Malaysia and even China and Iran. Apart from these countries, the whole world will now be able see his new Avatar. The nation is celebrating the beginning of Ram temple construction, but there are some people who are not happy with this development and are crying for India's secularism. They are pretty aware of the fact that the construction of Ram temple has been allowed after a long agitation and a long legal battle. They are not ready to accept the Supreme Court verdict. They have started a false notion that India will now become a Hindu nation and secularism will come under threat. At the forefront of this campaign is AIMIM president Asaduddin Owaisi, who alleged that PM Modi has laid the foundation not only of a temple but also a 'Hindu Rashtra'. The All India Muslim Personal Law Board has also reiterated that Babri Masjid was and always will be, while citing the example of Turkey's Haya Sophia, which has now been converted into a mosque after several centuries. Prime Minister Narendra Modi gave a 36-minute speech after Bhoomi Pujan. He spoke about the Ram temple movement, and specially mentioned how India's future can also improve while following the example of Lord Rama. Consumer Reports' experts offer tips on how to fix some of the most common problems that CR members shared with us about their infotainment systems. My car doesnt have Android Auto or Apple CarPlay. Your options are limited. A few manufacturers, including Ford, Hyundai, and Mazda, offer software upgrades for certain vehicles as far back as the 2014 model year, but most dont. Installing an aftermarket system that replaces the factory-installed setup can be complex and costly, and your steering wheel controls and backup camera might not work afterward. We recommend buying a good smartphone mount instead. Install it securely where you can see and reach it easily, and connect your phone via Bluetooth so that you can easily make calls and access navigation and music. Many will wirelessly charge your phone, too. The voice recognition in my car isnt as good as on my phone. Many newer cars allow you to bypass the cars voice recognition and use Amazon Alexa, Apple Siri, or Google Assistant. Even without Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, many 2011 and newer vehicles let you press and hold the voice recognition button on the steering wheel to use Google Assistant or Siri through a Bluetooth-connected phone, though your cars infotainment system may need a software update for this. Check your owners manual or call your dealer to find out more. My vehicle doesnt recognize my phone. Make sure its plugged into the correct USB port (often the one outlined with a white square); other ports might work only for charging. Also, older phones, such as the iPhone 4, might not work with certain vehicles. Most automakers post a list of compatible phones online. Android Auto or Apple CarPlay stopped working. Use a fresh cable. Older, worn-out cables may still charge your phone but may no longer be able to transfer data from your phone to your car. Charge-only cables wont work, either. A growing number of vehicles have added ports using the newer USB-C standard in addition to traditional USB-A ports, so get the right cable for the job. Story continues Android Auto or Apple CarPlay is slow and buggy. Check the settings on your phone to make sure it remains connected to your car even when the phones screen turns off. Then check your phone and vehicle to make sure theyre running the latest software; manufacturers often send out updates that fix bugs and errors. Updating the software on your car could be as simple as a download or as complex as a trip to the dealership. You can also unpair and restart your phone, then start a fresh connection to see whether that helps. My car has wireless charging, but it doesnt work. Wireless charging zones often have a power button that needs to be turned on. Also try removing your phones case, because certain cases can block a charge from reaching a phone. If it still doesnt work, try rebooting your phone. My wireless connection doesnt work. A growing number of new vehicles offer wireless Apple CarPlay, and a few have wireless Android Auto. These connect to a vehicle over WiFi, not Bluetooth. Our testers found that these systems dont always stay connected as reliably as a wired connection. If you still have problems, try disabling wireless connectivity in your cars settings, or tell your phone to forget your cars WiFi network and just plug in instead. Editors Note: This article also appeared in the September 2020 issue of Consumer Reports magazine. Consumer Reports has no financial relationship with advertisers on this site. More from Consumer Reports: Top pick tires for 2016 Best used cars for $25,000 and less 7 best mattresses for couples Consumer Reports is an independent, nonprofit organization that works side by side with consumers to create a fairer, safer, and healthier world. CR does not endorse products or services, and does not accept advertising. Copyright 2020, Consumer Reports, Inc. Chinese Vice Premier Liu He and US President Donald Trump sign a trade agreement between the US and China in the East Room of the White House in Washington, DC, January 15, 2020. Senior U.S. and Chinese officials will review the implementation of their phase one trade deal and likely air mutual grievances in an increasingly tense relationship during an August 15 video conference, two people familiar with the plans said. U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer and Chinese Vice Premier Liu He, the principal negotiators for the two countries, will participate in the meeting, an initial six-month review of the pact activated on February 15. The meeting plans were first reported by the Wall Street Journal. The U.S. Trade Representative's office and the U.S. Treasury did not respond to requests for comment. Under the phase one trade deal signed in January, China had pledged to boost purchases of U.S. goods by some $200 billion over 2017 levels, including agricultural and manufactured products, energy and services. But China, battered by the global coronavirus recession, is far behind the pace needed to meet its first-year goal of a $77 billion increase. Imports of farm goods have been lower than the 2017 level, far behind the 50% increase needed to meet the 2020 target of $36.5 billion. Beijing has bought only 5% of the energy products needed to meet the phase one first year goal of $25.3 billion. One of the people familiar with the plans said Chinese officials hoped to discuss other issues beyond the phase one trade deal implementation. "It's both the normal semi-annual review and also comes at a time when the relationship continues to deteriorate. Naturally there is much to discuss," the person said. China's ambassador to the United States, Cui Tiankai, said on Tuesday that there was always a plan for high-level consultations six months into the pact, but the two sides have remained in regular contact over the trade deal. "If they do have such a meeting I guess it will be very positive," Cui told a virtual event sponsored by the Aspen Security Forum. Trump has threatened to end the trade pact over China's handling of the coronavirus, which originated in the city of Wuhan, and tensions have risen over U.S. sanctions related to China's security crackdown on Hong Kong. The latest irritant between the world's two largest economies is Trump's threat to ban U.S. use of the Chinese-owned video app TikTok unless it is sold to a non-Chinese buyer. White House officials on Tuesday could not say how Trump's suggestion that the U.S. Treasury get a significant portion of the proceeds of the sale potentially to U.S. software giant Microsoft could be implemented. Lexi Menth of Seattle holds up her vote-by-mail ballot as supporters line up at a rally for U.S. Democratic 2020 presidential candidate Senator Elizabeth Warren at the Seattle Center Armory in Seattle, Washington, U.S. February 22, 2020 REUTERS/Jason Redmond Mail deliveries have slowed in recent weeks as a confidant of President Trump took over the US Postal Service. With voting by mail of extra importance in the face of the coronavirus, Trump has attacked it as a potential source of election fraud. There is no evidence of voter fraud in mailed ballots, nor is there evidence of mailed ballots skewing to one party of the other. Trump himself voted by mail earlier this year in Florida. Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories. In the face of attacks from President Donald Trump, the US Postal Service is seeking to assure Americans that it will be able to handle a surge in voting by mail amid the coronavirus pandemic. The Post Office said in a statement Tuesday, the day after Trump once again attacked mail-in voting despite having done it himself, that it has "ample capacity" to handle a surge in mailed ballots in the likely event that the US fails to contain its virus outbreak by November. "The Postal Service has ample capacity to adjust our nationwide processing and delivery network to meet projected Election and Political Mail volume," the agency said, per CNN, "including any additional volume that may result as a response to the COVID-19 pandemic," the agency said in a statement. Trump's attacks on the Post Office aren't new by any means, and the attacks on remote voting resemble his previous unfounded claims of in-person voter fraud. Now, with Trump-loyalist Louis DeJoy as newly installed Postmaster General, Democrats and election officials fear the operational changes already instituted that have resulted in mail delays (the Post Office calls them "operational efficiencies") could plague the election. On Monday, the American Postal Workers Union, which represents some 200,000 employees, said the new changes were an affront to the Constitution. Story continues "Postal workers have been serving the 'vote by mail' needs of US citizens for generations including for overseas military personnel and their families. We proudly do so as a civic duty regardless of who voters are casting their ballots for," it said. "This assault on the US Constitution, our democratic rights and the ongoing attempt to discredit 'vote-by-mail' and demonize postal workers is wrong and heads us down a dangerous path toward dictatorship," the APWU continued. Voting by mail is legal for some voters in all states, and 34 allow it with no eligibility requirements. In five states, ballots are automatically sent to all voters. Contrary to some Republican claims, mailed ballots do not tend to skew one political direction or the other, The New York Times reported. But with the virus still ravaging the US, which leads the world in cases, the Post Office and its struggling finances will be front and center on Election Day. Even Trump seems to recognize those pain-points, which have been years in the making. "The Post Office for many, many years has been, you know, run in a fashion that hasn't been great great workers and everything, but they have old equipment, very old equipment," Trump said in a press conference Monday. "And I don't think the Post Office is prepared for a thing like this. You have to ask the people at the Post Office, but how can the Post Office be expected to handle?" Read the original article on Business Insider Dhaka, Aug 6 : Bangladesh Army chief General Aziz Ahmed and police chief Benazir Ahmed said on Wednesday that the killing of retired Army officer Sinha Md Rashed Khan was a stray incident. Both the chiefs held a joint press briefing in Cox's Bazar. They said the incident should not jeopardise the relationship between the Army and the police. Aziz Ahmed said: "Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has spoken to the mother of the slain ex-Army officer, who was allegedly shot dead last month on Marine Drive Road in Teknaf and assured her of justice over the incident." Soon after the incident, a committee was formed on Sunday by the Ministry of Home Affairs. "The Army and the police have trust in the investigation team," Aziz added. Urging people not to do anything that could possibly endanger the relation between the forces, the Bangladesh Army chief said, "We want to unequivocally say that nothing will happen that can sour the relation between the two forces." He said the death of Khan should not have any negative impact on the relation between the Army and the police which is based on mutual respect and trust. Police chief Benazir Ahmed said the probe panel will investigate the incident with transparency and action will be taken based on the findings of the investigation. Retired Army man Sinha Mohammad Rashed Khan, 36, was killed in police firing at a Marine Drive check-post in Teknaf Upazila in Cox's Bazaar on the night of July 31. "The Army and the police have always been working together. Both the forces are shocked at the incident. I want to give a message through you that we want to see it as a stray incident," said Aziz Ahmed. Meanwhile, Sharmin Shahrier Ferdous, the elder sister of Khan, has filed a case at the Teknaf Senior Judicial Magistrate's Court on Wednesday, said senior lawyer Mohammad Mostafa. Judge Tamanna Farah asked the OC of Teknaf Police Station to register it as a regular case. She also asked the Rapid Action Battalion to investigate the death and submit a report on the progress of the investigation within seven days. Khan was killed in alleged police firing on Marine Drive Road last month. A three-metre statue of Irish nationalist and human rights activist Roger Casement is to be erected next April, nearly a year behind schedule. The Mark Richards-designed sculpture will be situated on Dun Laoghaire pier. The memorials committee of the county council commissioned the statue of Casement, who was sentenced to death in 1916 for his role in planning the Easter Rising. Casement was born into an Anglo-Irish family in Sandycove in 1864 and served as a British diplomat before helping to establish the Irish Volunteers. Wreath News of the delay in unveiling the bronze sculpture comes as members of the DLR Roger Casement Summer School and Festival placed a wreath outside what was once the Casement family home, at Doyle's Cottage on Sandycove Road, marking the day of his hanging - August 3, 1916. The wreath-laying ceremony is in its third year due to the demand to mark Casement's legacy as a nationalist and humanitarian, Roger Cole of the Summer School said. Acclaimed Welsh sculptor Richards said the completion of the work has been delayed due to the pandemic and the ditching of his original sculpture, when he realised it would not suit its environs on the sea front. "Covid-19 did affect work on the sculpture in one way as it hindered me being able to get supplies," he said. "I also use models for creative insight and they couldn't travel due to restrictions, so that set me back." The statue will stand on a bronze base on an already created plinth on the pier, and is being created to withstand whatever nature might throw at it. "The piece is so large, it allows me to reflect Casement's stature, defiance and confidence, along with his hope and sensitivity," said Richards. "Last September, I was three- quarters of the way through, but when I visited Dun Laoghaire to meet with council members I realised what I was creating wouldn't work. "It would be lost in its surrounds as it would be too small and I had to scrap that work. I didn't panic, instead I felt liberated by being able to change the sculpture. "This time I know I've got it right. I can't wait for it to be unveiled to everyone as I feel Casement is coming back home." Richards is known for specialising in fine figurative work, with his previous Irish commissions including the Nicky Rackard Statue in Wexford and the Athy Shackleton. The 10m redevelopment of Dun Laoghaire Baths will be unveiled to coincide with the raising of the Casement sculpture, which is costing 120,000. The incident-hit baths project had originally been due to be completed earlier this year, but that was pushed out to the middle of the summer following a site spillage that resulted in up to a million plastic shards used in construction work spilling into Dublin Bay. Storms and the reinforcement of marine walls had not been envisaged, then the Covid- 19 crisis hit, delaying the project even further. Iconic Bob Hannon, a senior architect with the local authority, said the sculpture was the first it had ever commissioned. "The location is on a plinth at the end of the jetty that will be constructed as part of the baths project," he said. "This location has been chosen specially for its dramatic position overlooking Dublin Bay and for the potential of an iconic relationship with the water. "Because of the location, the sculpture will have a changing relationship also to the street level opposite the People's Park, the intermediate walkway and as experienced from the lower level of the jetty. "By placing Casement amid the arrangement of levels, it suggests that he is stepping ashore." A UN-backed tribunal has postponed the delivery of judgments in the trial of four members of the militant group Hezbollah charged with involvement in the 2005 assassination of former Lebanese prime minister Rafik Hariri. The move was a mark of respect to victims of the devastating explosion that rocked Beirut late on August 5. The verdicts were to have been read out in the Special Tribunal for Lebanon's courtroom in the Netherlands on Friday, but will now be delivered on Aug. 18. In a statement, the tribunal says the decision to delay Friday's court hearing was made out of respect for the countless victims of the devastating explosion that shook Beirut on Aug. 4 and the three days of public mourning announced in Lebanon. The court has expressed its solidarity with the Lebanese people in these difficult times. Palestinians in the Gaza Strip are participating in a blood donation drive to try and help victims of the explosion in Beirut that has wounded thousands. Dozens took part in a blood drive in the city of Khan Younis on Wednesday, which was sponsored by the Palestinian Red Crescent Society. Organizers said they will coordinate with the International Committee of the Red Cross to try to get the blood donations delivered to Lebanon. I donated my blood in a moment of loyalty to the Lebanese people, said Khan Younis resident Abu Diab Ouida. The Gaza Strip has been under a joint Israeli-Egyptian blockade since 2007, after the Islamist militant group Hamas took power from Palestinian rivals in an armed coup. It remains unclear whether the donated blood will be able to reach Lebanon. The Hungarian government says it is donating 1 million euros ($1.2 million) for rescue, salvage and reconstruction efforts in Lebanon. The donation to be made through the Hungary Helps program, which provides assistance mainly to charities of Christian churches and other religious organizations around the world, will be given to Lebanon's Maronite Church. State Secretary Tristan Azbej said Wednesday that the good friend is known in trouble and the Hungarians are good friends of the Lebanese people. Embattled former Police Commissioner General, Augustine Chihuri has been sucked into an alleged vehicle auction sale scandal. The now exiled ex-police boss is reportedly having aided former officer-in-charge Vusumuzi Ncube to award himself two luxury vehicles through a 'staged' car auction. This was revealed in opposing papers filed by Assistant Commissioner Criminal Investigation Department (CID) Chrispen Charumbira, Commissioner-General Godwin Matanga and Home Affairs Minister Kazembe Kazembe after being sued by the former senior police officer, Ncube. Ncube filed an application at the High Court seeking an order for the seizure of the said vehicles by the police, which are now being held as exhibits, to be declared unlawful. In their responses, Charumbira and Matanga claimed Ncube used his influence as officer in charge of Transport and in connivance with former police boss Chihuri to allocate himself the cars. They claimed that Ncube was responsible for maintenance of records of all recovered vehicles subject to disposal, receipt of all purchased, donated and forfeited vehicles. "Using his privileged position and in connivance with Chihuri and Robert Tendero Masukusa simply allocated himself the State vehicles which he converted to his own use without paying any value for the two vehicles," read Charumbira's affidavit which was later withdrawn with costs. "Applicant never attended any auction viewing as the vehicles were at his workplace. Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Zimbabwe Governance Legal Affairs By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later. "The registration of the vehicles does not confer title to the applicant as the property belongs to ZRP." According to Ncube, sometime in January 2015, the ZRP auctioned cars at their Craneborne Workshop in Harare and Ncube purchased a Land Rover Freelander and Mazda Capella. On May 29, 2018, Ncube was called by an officer from Charumbira's office to bring the cars to CID headquarters claiming there were details to be verified. The Mazda Capella was in Bulawayo and was delivered to the CID offices there while the Land Rover was taken to the Harare office where they were subsequently seized, respectively. Ncube claims that when he made efforts to recover his cars, the police told him that they were being held as exhibits in cases of theft and criminal abuse of office. "I have waited until this date but there had been no communication from the respondents regarding the two vehicles or the progress of the alleged cases of theft and criminal abuse of office in terms of which the vehicles are being held as exhibits," Ncube said. "The continued seizure of the vehicles has caused immeasurable prejudice on my part and my family as well as deterioration of the vehicles as I have a physically challenged child who constantly needs physiotherapy medical attention." Ncube said Charumbira and Matanga ought to have affirmed him in writing that investigations relating to the case which had caused his cars to be seized were actively being pursued without undue delay. He argued that since he was not issued with a notice of continued retention after expiry of the prescribed 21 days and no prosecution is initiated he had lawful right to recover the cars from police. FILE PHOTO: A woman using a mobile phone walks past the logo of SoftBank Corp in Tokyo By Sam Nussey TOKYO (Reuters) - SoftBank Group Corp's domestic wireless unit raised its free cash flow 50% in its first quarter, part of a broader effort to stabilise the group and help it weather the coronavirus outbreak. SoftBank Corp said on Tuesday it generated adjusted free cash flow of 236 billion yen ($2.23 billion) in the April-June quarter, compared with 159 billion yen a year earlier, in part through securitisation of receivables. CEO Ken Miyauchi said the wireless carrier aims to cut costs and reduce debt. After a wave of consolidation among Japanese internet companies there would be no large deals for a while, he said, adding share buybacks would be considered. SoftBank Group has cut its stake in the telco to 62.1% from 67.1% as Chief Executive Masayoshi Son sells assets to buttress the parent's finances and fund a record 2.5 trillion yen share repurchase plan. The group buyback has fuelled a divergence in market valuation, with SoftBank Corp's share price languishing below its 1,500 yen initial public offering price from December 2018, even as its parent's shares rocket to two-decade highs. SoftBank Group reports its earnings on Aug. 11. The telco reported a 4% rise in first-quarter operating profit, beating analyst estimates, as falling profit at its consumer business was offset by growth in enterprise as it benefits from growing demand for teleworking services amid the coronavirus outbreak. SoftBank is making a major push into online retailing through companies it controls. Z Holdings Corp last week said operating profit from e-commerce topped its media business for the first time. Online fashion retailer Zozo Inc also reported a big profit jump as shoppers moved online. Japan's third-largest wireless carrier maintained its forecast of flat operating profit of 920 billion yen for the current financial year through March 2021. Separately on Tuesday, the telco said it had under-reported 3 billion yen of income during the financial year to end-March 2019, entailing additional taxes. (Reporting by Sam Nussey; Editing by Christopher Cushing and Tom Hogue) South Africa: Sisulu appoints interim board members at Umgeni Water Human Settlements Water and Sanitation Minister Lindiwe Sisulu has announced the appointment of 11 interim board members at Umgeni Water. Umgeni Water is the second largest water board in the country with an annual turnover of more than R2.4 billion and a capital expenditure budget of more than R7 billion. Umgeni Water has consistently been achieving excellent financial and non-financial performances. It has successfully achieved clean audit reports annually from the Office of the Auditor-General. We are confident that the interim board will conduct its business to oversee Umgeni Water in the best interests of its clients, especially with regards to sound governance and stability of the utility," Sisulu said. The organisations performance will be monitored and overseen by various mechanisms, including committees of the board and an independently-chaired Ethics Committee. There will also be regular Umgeni Water stakeholder engagements to assess compliance with contractual obligations and quarterly reporting to the Executive Authority. SAnews.gov.za This story has been published on: 2020-08-04. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. Ayodhya is considered to be the birth-place of the Hindu deity Ram - Sanjay Kanojia/AFP Narendra Modi, the Indian Prime Minister, has invigorated his Hindu support base after laying the foundation stone of a controversial new temple on a site contested by Muslims. In November, after a decades-old legal battle, Indias highest court ruled a temple could be built in the city of Ayodhya, where a mosque had stood until it was destroyed by Hindu mobs in 1992. Mr Modi made its construction a key pledge as part of his Hindu nationalist campaign, which saw him re-elected with a landslide victory last year. Many Hindus believe the deity Ram was born at the temple site in Ayodhya, and soil was gathered from more than 2,000 holy sites for its building work. Calling it the dawn of a new era, Mr Modi said: India is emotional as decades of wait has ended. For years, our Ram Lalla [the infant Lord Ram] lived beneath a tent; now he will reside in a grand temple. Mr Modi, left, worships at Shree Ram Janmabhoomi Mandir in Ayodhya - INDIA PRESS INFORMATION BUREAU HANDOUT/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock Coverage of the event was broadcast across the nation, and reports say that devotees from across the country have been sending silver and gold - in the form of coins, bricks and bars - to use in the construction of the temple. Police officers are said to have been ordered to guard these donations. As many as 200,000 bricks inscribed with "Shri Ram" (Lord Ram) that have been collected over the years will be used to build the foundation of the temple, according to the Times of India. Goosebumps as PM Modi-ji speaks from Ram Janambhoomi in Ayodhya. Privileged to be born in this era and exist on this historic day. Never in life felt so devout and elated, wrote one Twitter user. The struggle was 500 years old and finally we won, Jai Shree Ram, echoed another. Hindu devotees celebrate the laying of the foundation stone - SANJEEV GUPTA/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock Activists and observers say the construction of the temple is the latest example of Mr. Modi and his ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) discriminating against Indias 200-million strong Muslim minority. Wednesday also marks one year since Mr Modi scrapped the autonomous status for Indias only Muslim-majority state of Jammu and Kashmir, which it had held since independence from British rule in 1947. Story continues In February, New Delhi experienced its deadliest inter-religious riots in decades after a BJP politician called on residents to clear the roads of Muslims who had been protesting against an exclusionary citizenship bill, the Citizenship Amendment Act. Police were deployed onto the streets of Ayodhya on July 31 in anticipation of unrest, despite a spike in recent Muslim emigration from the city. The ceremony passed peacefully and was attended by two prominent Muslim figures, although, in general, Muslims expressed frustration at the temples construction. Members of the Socialist Democratic Party of India protest against the stone laying - ARUN SANKAR/AFP via Getty Images Usurpation of the land by an unjust, oppressive, shameful and majority-appeasing judgment cant change its status, the All-India Muslim Personal Law Board said. Mamata Banerjee, the Chief Minister of West Bengal, also appealed for India to embrace unity in its diversity. Mr Modi arrived in Ayodhya in the morning and, after leading prayers, laid a 40kg silver foundation stone to start construction. We have to ensure that the message of Lord Shri Ram, the message of [the] Ram temple, the message of our thousands of years of tradition - how it can continue to reach the whole world, he proclaimed, in an emotionally-charged speech. Mr Modi also said the construction of the temple, which will take up to three years, will invigorate Ayodhyas economy by attracting Hindu pilgrims. Amit Shah, Mr Modis long-time political ally and Indias current home minister, was conspicuous in his absence after testing positive for Covid-19 on Sunday. Rumours had circulated that Mr Modi may have been forced to miss the ceremony after holding a cabinet meeting with Mr. Shah at his residence last Wednesday. SUNNYVALE, Calif., Aug. 5, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Falkonry Inc., the innovation leader in operational AI, today announced it has been awarded a strategic expansion contract by the Air Force innovation hub (AFWERX) as part of the Strategic Financing (STRATFI) program. This award, made to a select few startups, represents the strategic fit of Falkonry's products and the Air Force's core strategic pillar of rapid, effective decision making. It is also proof of the broadening of Falkonry's operational AI adoption within the Department of Defense (DoD). According to the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics, Will Roper, who announced the STRATFI program earlier this year in March, STRATFI contracts represent a strategic investment in the future of the nation. "If we're not working with the best innovators in the world, then we will lose the technology advantage that we have. Getting this right is not just innovation, it is imperative." As part of achieving this recognition, Falkonry had to demonstrate that its predictive operations and pattern detection capabilities were leading to real benefits within the Defense community. Endorsement from the Air Combat Command (ACC) based on work Falkonry has done with the Joint Warfare Analysis Center (JWAC) was one key part of securing this honor. "Falkonry's machine learning approach to mining ELINT (Electronic Intelligence) has proven invaluable in carrying out our mission. We are pleased to continue our relationship and look forward to wider deployment," said Laura Stuart, JWAC R&D Project Manager. Another important milestone was confirmation from the Program Executive Office (PEO) Digital asserting significant interest within the Air Force community. With this award, Falkonry has expanded its footprint within the Air Force and a cohort of DoD organizations with similar operational mission challenges such as JWAC. Foremost among them is the Air Force Distributed Common Ground System (AF DCGS), the Air Force's primary intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance collection, processing, exploitation analysis and dissemination system. According to Scott Mangrum, C2ISR Division Chief Engineer, "The AF DCGS program is eager to bring Falkonry's operational AI technology into the weapon system to provide actionable insights into our critical mission data. We look forward to enhancing our mission effectiveness by leveraging their system." "Falkonry is building the core intelligence engine for critical operations in every industrial aspect of our society. We provide the same artificial intelligence to our defense customers such as USAF and JWAC as we provide to our commercial customers such as Ternium and Siemens," said Dr. Nikunj Mehta, Founder and CEO of Falkonry. "Multi-purpose Industry 4.0 technology that benefits manufacturing, defense, and intelligence reduces risks and costs for all parties involved in innovation and its adoption." About Falkonry Falkonry enables predictive operational excellence for manufacturing and defense organizations by detecting and predicting events before they impact operations. By applying AI on real-time operational data from plants and field systems, Falkonry solutions deliver significant improvement in production uptime, quality and yield without requiring data scientists or data engineers. Falkonry products easily scale across the enterprise either on-premises, in the cloud or at the edge, and are optimized to run on major cloud platforms including Microsoft Azure and AWS. For more information on Falkonry predictive operations, please visit www.falkonry.com PRESS CONTACT: Sheetal Birla Falkonry [email protected] +1 (669) 268-4812 SOURCE Falkonry Related Links falkonry.com Mami Minteh, the wife to Yankuba Touray has on Tuesday, 4th August begun giving testimony before the Banjul High Court. Minteh said she married to Touray in 1991, adding they used to live together at Tobacco Road, Banjul. She said after July 1994, she moved with her husband, Touray to Cape Point where they lived for some months before finally settling in Kerr Sering. Touray was a onetime long serving Minister of Local Government and Lands. He was also a member of the Armed Forces Provisional Ruling Council (AFPRC) after toppling the PPP 30-year regime. His arrest and subsequent prosecution came after his refusal to testify before the Truth, Reconciliation and Reparations Commission (TRRC) in June 2019. The former military officer turned politician was accused of the murder of former Minister of Finance, Ousman Koro Ceesay under the AFPRC reign. The prosecution alleged that Touray used a pestle-like weapon to murder Ceesay in June 1995 at his (Touray's) residence. Touray denied any wrong doing as he pleaded his constitutional immunity, but the court entered a plea of not-guilty for him. The witness who is the second defence witness recalled that while living in Cape Point, she used to live with the accused person, Awa Minteh, Fatoumata Touray, Mariama Minteh and a house maid. "When you were living in Cape Point do you have any relationship with your neighbours?" Asked Lawyer Abdoulie Sisoho. "No," the witness replied. "When you were living in Cape Point have you visited any of your neighbours?" Lawyer Sisoho asked. "No," the witness replied. The matter was adjourned to the 5th, 6th, 10th, 11th, 12th and 13th August at 12 pm to 1:30 pm, 2 pm to 3 pm, 2 pm to 3 pm, 2 pm to 3 pm, 1 pm to 2:30 pm and 2 pm to 3 pm respectively. MUNICH The box was in transit for nearly two months. Every day, from the end of April until mid-June, Tiffany Schureman, 42, would track the package her mother had sent from Dallas to Athens, where Ms. Schureman lives and writes about travel. She has not seen her family in a year, and like many Americans living abroad, she doesnt expect to for at least several more months because of the pandemic. Ms. Schureman said she cried when she picked up the package, which included a homemade Chex mix that her mother throws together on holidays, a block of Velveeta cheese and a new credit card. It wasnt the stuff, she said. It was that it was stuff that my mother had touched. In mid-March, the State Department raised its global health advisory to Level 4, recommending that U.S. citizens return home immediately or prepare to stay where they were indefinitely. Since then, the number of infections in the U.S. has continued to soar, reaching at least 4.7 million, while in many other countries infections have dropped. In Greece, for example, an average of 5 people out of every 100,000 have been infected over the last week. In the United States, that number is 129. Local experts agree: kids need to be back in school. But is the provinces return-to-school plan the best way to send them back? The jurys out. As Hamilton parents, teachers and students await more information from local school boards about how Ontarios school plans will be applied in practice, local medical experts are weighing in on the good, the bad and the unclear when it comes to the provinces plan. Ultimately though, only time will tell how it all pans out. To get the experts feedback, The Spectator spoke with Dr. Jeffrey Pernica, head of infectious diseases in the department of pediatrics at McMaster University, Dr. Sarah Khan, associate medical director of infection prevention and control with Hamilton Health Sciences; and Sarah Neil-Sztramko, assistant professor in McMasters department of health research methods, evidence, and impact. On masks The province says masks will be mandatory for teachers, staff and students in Grades 4 and up, with some exceptions. The experts largely agreed this was a good plan, but Khan questioned how teachers will ensure students younger ones especially use masks properly. Kids are kids, she said, noting some can handle proper mask use but for others, a mask on the floor will be back on the face in a matter of seconds. Pernica was glad to see mandatory masks as part of the plan, but he emphasizes masks are not the first line of defence; things like rapid testing and isolation of sick students to nip outbreaks in the bud are more important. But its easier to say, Everybody wear masks, he said. On testing Pernica wants to see priority rapid testing for students, staff and teachers. This is important since identifying positive cases early allows public health to start contact tracing early, potentially mitigating an outbreak. And the earlier a symptomatic student finds out they tested negative, the earlier theyll be allowed to return to school. The public board has said students who show symptoms will need to stay home until they test negative and even then must wait 24 hours after symptoms have resolved or until 14 days have passed if they dont get tested. Hamilton public health has said in recent weeks turnaround time for a positive test is usually less than 24 hours, but it can take three days or more before a negative test result is posted online. A coding glitch earlier this summer meant up to 6,700 Hamiltonians faced significant delays in getting negative test results some waited two weeks or longer for results. On physical distancing The province says students in elementary school should be kept one metre apart and students in high school should be kept two metres apart. Most high schools will see classes capped at 15 students, but elementary schools could have as many as 30 students in one class. A return-to-school guidance document from Torontos Hospital for Sick Children, which both Pernica and Khan contributed to, recommended the one- and two-metre spacing, but it also recommended smaller class sizes. Speaking to The Spec, Khan said the distance COVID-19 droplets can spread depends on a number of factors including the size of the person, ventilation and the activity the person is engaging in say, singing versus talking. There is a lot of greyness to this, she said. On screening and support Hamilton parents will be expected to screen their children for symptoms of COVID-19 daily before sending them to school. The experts wonder what training theyll get to be able to do that. The way they sent their kids to school last year is not the way they can do it this year, Pernica said, noting something as minor as a runny nose will keep a kid home. Schools, too, are going to need resources to safely isolate a student showing symptoms until parents can pick them up. The province has said it will hire 500 public health nurses to provide rapid-response support in schools. On transmission A recent review co-authored by Neil-Sztramko looked at 33 studies from around the world on COVID-19 infections in kids at school, daycare and home. It found children under the age of 10 are less likely than adults to transmit the virus to others. Children seem less likely to contract the virus and tend to have milder cases, Neil-Sztramko said. But we know less about teacher-to-children transmission. What we can learn from outbreaks involving high schools in other countries including recent ones in Israel is the need to emphasize mask-wearing and physical distancing, she said. The Trump administration is amplifying its calls for a cease-fire in Libya as the Tripoli-based Government of National Accord (GNA), backed by Turkey, threatens to advance on the coastal city of Sirte. Over the past weeks, President Trump has spoken with several world leaders about Libya, and it is clear there is no winning side, US national security adviser Robert OBrien said in a press release on Monday, referring to the United States as an active but neutral actor in the conflict. OBrien called on all parties to the conflict, both those responsible for the current escalation and those working to end it, to enable the [Libyan] National Oil Corporation (NOC) to resume its vital work with full transparency and to implement a demilitarized solution for Sirte and al-Jufra, respect the UN arms embargo, and finalize a cease-fire under the UN-led 5+5 military talks. Why it matters: The United States is seizing on the GNAs momentum to try and peel Hifter away from his foreign backers by pushing for a restoration of economic cooperation between both sides in the civil war. After the United States reportedly threatened Hifter with sanctions if he did not reopen the countrys oil flow, Wagner mercenaries moved into southern oilfields and the coastal al-Sidr terminal. Washington then publicly broadened its threat, saying it would sanction Hifters foreign backers if they obstruct the return of oil flow. The warning prompted a conciliatory statement from the United Arab Emirates, which Libyas NOC blamed after Hifter reversed his decision to cooperate with the oil body. US Africa Command (AFRICOM) has expressed pointed concern that escalation in Libya could lead to deeper Russian military entrenchment, which could pose a potential problem for NATO. Whats next: Though Russia, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia have publicly called for a cease-fire, signs on the ground indicate they may be preparing for the worst, and its not clear, at least publicly, that Turkey and the GNA are interested in resolving the situation peacefully. AFRICOM said last month that Russian fighter aircraft and possibly troops had been spotted near Sirte a sign the Kremlin is taking few chances on its sunk costs. Doubling down on rhetoric earlier this week, Hifter likened Turkey's intervention to colonialism and threatened to meet Ankara's forces with bullets." Turkeys maritime agreement with the GNA has riled Mediterranean neighbors. Last week, Saudi Arabia renewed a diplomatic push to rally North African countries' opposition to Ankaras designs. Mughal-e-Azam is a larger-than-life epic that can easily be considered an important chapter for cinema-lovers. The magnum opus, directed by K Asif, is still a captivating watch, 60 years since its release in 1960. Gifted actors such as Prithiviraj Kapoor, Dilip Kumar and Madhubala became synonymous with their onscreen personas - Akbar, Salim and Anarkali. Salim and Anarkali, who play star-crossed lovers, in this feature film, also became the flag-bearers of unfinished love stories, or tragic romances in Bollywood, so to speak. The chemistry between then-real-life couple, Dilip Kumar and Madhubala unravelled beautifully on screen through Salim and Anarkali. Although Mughal-e-Azam revolves around the love story of Salim and Anarkali, maintains its focus on Emperor Akbar. The film even being named after the strong historical character. The films screenplay is based on the play called Anarkali written by Imtiaz Ali Taj, in 1922 and rewritten in 1931. The intriguing story takes place in Lahore and is woven around the growing love between a servant girl and the crown prince. The offended emperor puts an end to this love story by ordering Anarkali to be buried alive in four walls (of a dungeon). This end scene was, however, changed in the film as the reviews from the preview came back negative hinting at the thought at should Anarkali indeed be buried alive, it would make the emperor the ultimate villain in film history. At the time of its release in 1960, the film had an all-India release in 150 theatres simultaneously. A digitally-colourised version of the epic re-released in theatres in 2004, bringing out the beautiful colours of the places it was shot in, especially the classic song of a rebel in love, Pyaar Kiya Toh Darna Kya, and the shots of Sheesh Mahal. via GIPHY The cinema classic celebrates its 60th anniversary this week with director K Asifs son Akbar Asif presenting the screenplay of the film to the Oscars library in Hollywood. Akbar Asif, the UK-based son of the late director, said he presented the screenplay to the Academy Awards to mark the big anniversary of his fathers historical epic. Three versions of the legendary screenplay in Hindi, Roman text and English translation are now available at the Margaret Herrick Library, a world-renowned reference and research collection of the Academy devoted to the history and development of the motion picture as an art form and an industry. The journey of Mughal-e-Azam started with words from the greatest writing team ever assembled in Hindi cinema and I thought the best way to honour them was to permanently preserve their screenplay in the worlds most renowned film library, said Akbar Asif, a businessman based in London. I hope future generations can learn and get inspired by the work of my late father and his incredible team of writers. I want to humbly thank the Academy Awards for accepting the screenplay, he said. The screenplay of the film, which hit the screens in India on August 5, 1960, was crafted by a team comprising Aman, Kamal Amrohi, Wajahat Mirza, Ehsan Rizvi as well as director K. Asif. In 2013, to mark the 100th anniversary of Indian cinema, it was declared the greatest Bollywood film ever made. In 2016, an official live musical based on the film made history as one of the biggest theatre productions ever staged anywhere in the world. Filmmakers can submit their films to the Oscars library by filling up a form. Movies released in Los Angeles are automatically invited to be a part of the library. -- with PTI inputs Follow more stories on Facebook and Twitter Far-right-wing extremist chat groups involving members of the German military and security apparatus have been publicly exposed over recent days. At the same time, a growing number of threatening e-mails and faxes, almost all signed NSU 2.0, have been sent to left-wing artists, immigrants, politicians, journalists and lawyers. Social Democrat leader Saskia Esken recently received a death threat signed NSU 2.0. Many of the threats contain personal information about those targeted that is not publicly available. In at least three cases, the data was accessed from police computers. The best-known case is of the lawyer Seda Basay-Yildiz, whose secret address was accessed on a police computer in Frankfurt. The lawyer, who represented some of the victims of the far-right National Socialist Underground (NSU) terrorist group, received a death threat several days later signed NSU 2.0. Der Spiegel reported on July 29 that the police officer whose computer was used to access the data had not been seriously investigated, because another officer could have logged on to her computer with a password displayed nearby. On this basis, she was not initially considered a suspect. However, after officers found out that she was an active participant in a right-wing extremist chat group, they were finally compelled to launch an investigation against her. The far-right group Itiotentreff was almost exclusively made up of police officers in the state of Hesse. A total of 102 pictures, caricatures and messages were shared, of which 40 were deemed to be relevant to the investigation by the state prosecutor. Group members made fun of disabled people, survivors of concentration camps, black people and Jews. The messages showing Alan Kurdi, the Syrian refugee child who drowned in 2015, were especially inhumane. Whoever finds it can keep it was written beneath the picture of his lifeless body on a Turkish beach. The chat group had an openly fascistic character and aimed to serve as a platform for sharing right-wing extremist material and possibly planning acts of violence, apparently all under the protection of the security agencies and local politicians from the government parties. One of the groups members lived in 2018 in Kirtorf, a stronghold of the far-right that has played host to several right-wing extremist major events since the turn of the century. In addition, a search of the home of another police officer in Kirtorf in late 2018 uncovered a collection of Nazi memorabilia that investigators described as a Nazi museum. The mayor of Kirtorf at the time, Ulrich Kunz (Christian Democrats), justified the find by saying that it is normal for people to collect historical material. He described the Nazi memorabilia collector and his brother, who was also a police officer in Hesse, as nice guys, friendly, very integrated into clubs and associations. This is just one example of the building up of far-right structures within the state apparatus. Across Germany, new far-right networks are continually being exposed, from Revolution Chemnitz in Saxony, to the chat group led by the special forces soldier Andre S., better known as Hannibal, and the nationwide far-right Telegram chat group #WIR. On July 23, Die Zeit published extracts from these chats in an article headlined Soldiers who are planning a revolt. The author and right-wing extremist expert Christian Fuchs wrote that among #WIRs members, which at times totalled around 240, were several soldiers, reservists and army veterans. According to his research, several right-wing extremist and neo-Nazi members of the army are active in the #WIR chat group. One member was Hartmut T., who holds at least the rank of sergeant in the military. In the Telegram group, he has been presented a series of awards for parachuting and individual bravery during his 12-year career as a soldier, is stationed at an army air base in the Luneburg region and is now a member of the rapid response division. This unit is part of the same division as the special forces (KSK), which was so heavily infiltrated by right-wing extremists that Defence Minister Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer felt compelled to restructure the force last month. Like the network organised by Hannibal in the KSK, the #WIR network also planned to murder left-wing figures and establish a fascist regime in Germany on Day X. Hartmut T. wrote in the #WIR chat, among other things, Can you add me to the group Antifa Reconnaissance? I want to know who my enemies are...so I can take action against these terrorists. Another contribution cited by Die Zeit underscores just how concrete the plans for a far-right revolt were. Patriots must now keep themselves safe so that when the first wave is over with, we can rebuild our country, wrote T. in November 2019. The author of the article in Die Zeit adds, These statements were made in November 2019, so the wave has nothing to do with the coronavirus; it probably refers to the initial phase after a putsch. The material presented by Fuchs leaves no doubt about the groups fascist outlook, its close ties to the German army and other European militaries, and its plans for a violent putsch. Anti-Semitic slogans and racist violent fantasies were among the messages shared, as well as free social national. Andreas E., another group member, was, according to his own admission, active for five years in the French Foreign Legion in French Guyana, Congo and Papua New Guinea. Another member of the group was Heiko Herbert G., who according to Fuchs is a member of the military reserves, Lower Saxony group. In December 2019, he directed a threat to anti-fascists, Its not enough just to slap those guys in the face! I dont want to write any more about it. The plans were apparently far advanced, and links had already been established with other far-right groups. My preparations are complete. Own weapons, fighting gear, civil war, wrote Heiko Herbert G. in the chat group. He has everything up to calibre 3845. In addition, the reservist posted a picture of a mountain of rucksacks, helmets and a sleeping bag with German army insignia. One of the administrators of #WIR was Marion G., who consciously wanted to bring together patriots...and National Socialists. She was an alleged supporter of the right-wing extremist terrorist S Group, whose members were arrested by the police in February. But Marion G. remained free and continued to be active in the digital underground. And this in spite of the fact that the S Group was reportedly on the brink of striking. According to a report in Der Spiegel in February, the group had already hoarded weaponry and munitions and planned in a concerted military action to launch attacks on mosques across Germany and kill Muslims as they prayed. The goal was to provoke a counter-response and a civil war. The investigating state prosecutor summarised the groups aim as having been the rattling and overcoming of the Federal Republics state structure and social order. The fascist networks in the German security forces are now so widespread and threatening that the New York Times felt compelled for the second time in a few weeks to warn of the danger of a right-wing putsch. After an initial article on July 3, the Times wrote last weekend about the plans for Day X of the Northern Cross group, which emerged out of the network operated by Hannibal. Increasingly, the German authorities consider the scenario a pretext for domestic terrorism by far-right plotters or even for a takeover of the government, wrote the Times . It may well be the case that sections of the state apparatus and government are troubled by the putsch plans and terrorist activities. But the fact is that there is no force within the political establishment or state, including the judiciary, investigative authorities, and political parties, capable of or willing to deal with the far-right threat. The strengthening of far-right terrorist networks in the police, military and intelligence agencies is directly linked to the German bourgeoisies return to militarism and war. The only way to stop the right-wing extremist terrorists is through the independent mobilisation of the working class on the basis of a socialist programme. Andy Ngo, a Portland-based journalist, is seen covered in unknown substance after unidentified Rose City Antifa members attacked him in Portland, Ore., on June 29, 2019. (Moriah Ratner/Getty Images) Journalist Warns Congress Antifa Plans to Spread Violence Across America Independent journalist Andy Ngo and his family have been so threatened by the violent, insurrectionary group Antifa that he feared testifying before Congress, but he said he was even more afraid of remaining silent. Ngo, who has covered Antifa since 2016, told a hearing on Aug. 4 of the Senate Judiciary Committees Subcommittee on the Constitution that unless we take action, what is happening in Portland today will soon be happening in cities across the country. Thats because, Ngo said, what we have witnessed are almost daily violent protests and riots led by Antifa. Even when they arent starting fires, using explosives, and trying to maim officers, they leave threatening messages like decapitated pig heads outside the courthouse. Ngo was referring to the more than two months of nightly destructive rioting seen in the Oregon city organized and led by the radical left-wing group, using as its pretext the nations outrage over the May 25 death of George Floyd in the custody of Minneapolis police. As editor-at-large of The Post Millennial digital news site, Ngos highly detailed and well-sourced reporting has exposed Antifas decentralized organizational structure, fundraising methods, recruitment of new members, training in violent tactics, and insurrectionary plans to destroy the United States and replace it with a totalitarian regime. Antifa is not a myth. I have been reporting on its activities since 2016. Its threats to me and my family have proven all too real. As any good journalist knows, the most important stories are often those that are not being told. This story is not being told, Ngo told the panel. The American public knows little about this violent insurrectionary group and its radical ideology, Ngo testified. I made Antifa my beat, and that makes me a target. Its followers regard my reporting as a threat to their mission, so they use violence and intimidation to try to frighten me into silence. When Antifas attempts in 2018 to discredit him as a white supremacist failed, he said the group turned to direct threats to kill him and hurt his family. They almost succeeded last year when they surrounded me in the middle of downtown Portland. I was beaten so badly that I was hospitalized with a [brain hemorrhage], he said. Ngo said he still suffers from the aftereffects of his beating, and he said local authorities have yet to arrest and charge anybody in connection with the assault. Unfortunately, too many in the media have chosen to ignore or downplay this extremism masquerading as demands for racial justice, he told the subcommittee. The Portland violence has been organized and led by the Youth Liberation Front (YLF), which he described as a shadowy Antifa organization with secret membership. The YLF has fronts across the U.S., organized on social media sites like Twitter. They openly advocate for violent uprisings in Portland and elsewhere, Ngo said. On July 25, for example, Ngo said the YLF issued calls for national action that were followed by riots in Seattle, Portland, Oakland, Austin, Atlanta, and Richmond, among others. There were multiple shootings, dozens of officers injured, and even a homicide, he said. I have seen with my own eyes how hundreds of so-called protestors work together to carry out acts of organized criminality against government and civilians. Antifa has mastered the art of making its violence appear innocuous. Projectiles that look like water balloons can be filled with chemicals, small slingshots can be used to project rocks, glass, and ball bearings into police lines, umbrella tips can be fastened with discrete pocket knives, and powerful, handheld lasers can cause serious damage to the eyes, he said. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), the subcommittees chairman, repeatedly challenged Sen. Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), the panels ranking minority member, to reject violence specifically by Antifa, but she refused to do so, saying only, We all agree to reject violence by groups of any stripe. When Cruz repeated his challenge toward the end of the hearing, Hirono got up and left the hearing, prompting the Texas senator to remark: She declined to speak, so that is the position of the Democratic Party. I would note also that of the seven Democratic senators who spoke, not a one of them apologized for or denounced multiple Democrats calling law enforcement officers storm troopers and Gestapo. Cruz was referring to recent remarks by Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and House Majority Whip Jim Clyburn (D-S.C.). Contact Mark Tapscott at Mark.Tapscott@epochtimes.nyc The Bhupesh Baghel-led Chhattisgarh government on Wednesday launched a social security scheme for tendupatta collectors in the name of the slain Congress leader Mahendra Karma, who was killed by the outlawed Communist Party of India (CPI)-Maoist rebels in May 2013, to provide financial aid to the family of collectors after their death. About 12.5 lakh tendupatta labourers families will be benefitted because of the new social security scheme. The government said that Saheed Mahendra Karma Tendupatta Sangrahak Samajik Suraksha Yojana would provide a one-time financial aid of Rs 2 lakh to the nominee, or the heir in case of normal death of the head of the registered tendupatta labourer of a family. It is a social security scheme under which we will provide Rs 4 lakh to the family members in case of death due to accident or permanent disability caused because of the accident, said Rakesh Chaturvedi, principal chief conservator of forests (PCCF), Chhattisgarh. The state forest department and Chhattisgarh State Minor Forest Produce Cooperatives Union Limited (CSMFPCUL) have jointly launched the scheme to provide social security to the labourers families engaged in tendupatta collection. CSMFPCUL authorities have been entrusted with the responsibility to implement the scheme. Each district authority has been instructed to process the claims within a month and the financial aid will be directly credited to the bank account of a tendupatta collector. The Congress government has also increased the tendupatta collection wage rate from Rs 2,500 to Rs 4,000 per standard sack since it came to power in end-2018 after 15 uninterrupted years of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) rule. However, the Chhattisgarh unit of the BJP took potshots at the Congress government. The BJP claimed that the insurance scheme for tendupatta labourers was stopped by the careless Congress government. The careless Congress government stopped the insurance scheme for the tendupatta labourers that was introduced during the BJP rule. The Baghel government has been forced to start its new social scheme because of the pressure from our party leaders, said Ajay Chandrakar, an ex-BJP minister. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON New Delhi: America's largest consumer appliance brand White -Westinghouse has announced entry into Indian market with licensee partner SuperPlastics Private Limited (SPPL) with the launch of its range of washing machines in India. White-Westinghouse in collaboration SPPL will be investing Rs 300 crores for setting manufacturing unit in the country. The brand will launch washing machines in the range of 7 kg, 8kg, and 9kgs category, with price starting at Rs 7,499 on Amazon. The manufacturing unit will be spread over 300,000 square feet in Noida and will come up with a wide range of consumer appliances in the coming years. Pallavi Singh, Senior Vice President, SPPL, India Brand Licensee White-Westinghouse adds, These are unprecedented times, however, we are excited to bring a brand of global repute and equity to the Indian market. Positioned as a product for the masses, WWH aims at capturing over 5% of the market share in the smart TV category in just 2 years. We are hopeful about the Washing Machine segment and looking forward to adding an array of products to the brand. White-Westinghouse sells appliances in more than 45 countries across the world ranging from sealed refrigeration units, Auto-defrost refrigerators, air conditioners, portable dishwashers and automatic washing machines. ONEILL Where does the Convention of States Project (COS) stand on the Second Amendment protected right to Keep and Bear Arms? Presumably they will have convention supporters assume that they are staunch supporters of the Second Amendment and that their claimed limited convention would n While attention has been focused on the challenges of managing the rise of China, a humanitarian and economic disaster playing out on our doorstep in south-east Asia could prove just as important. The COVID-19 pandemic is raging out of control in key countries in the region, especially Indonesia and India. The lack of adequate testing and weak health services there make it hard to know the exact number of cases and deaths, but on one estimate, Indonesia has about 1 million people who have been infected. The burden of lockdowns and treating the sick is laying waste to economies, especially those in places heavily dependent on tourism, such as Thailand, Bali and the Pacific islands. The suffering is undermining popular faith in governments and could send the cause of democracy back in many countries. Some democracies have mangled their response, while Vietnam, an authoritarian communist state, has until now been a standout success among developing countries in controlling the disease. OTTAWA (Reuters) - Canadian Finance Minister Bill Morneau on Wednesday said he spoke to counterparts from the United States and Britain and discussed the need to support global supply chains amid the coronavirus outbreak. Finance ministers from Australia and New Zealand were also on a call that Morneau hosted. The nations are members of the so-called Five Eyes intelligence-sharing network. "The Finance Ministers and I discussed the importance of working together to support the resilience of global supply chains from which we all benefit," he said in a statement. "(This) is important for economic recovery and long-term prosperity, and we discussed ways to further cooperate on supply-chain challenges." The call was the third in a series of what Morneau called regular conversations between Five Eyes finance ministers. (Reporting by David Ljunggren; Editing by Sandra Maler and Aurora Ellis) Ahead of the foundation stone laying ceremony for Ram temple in Ayodhya, the All India Muslim personal Law Board (AIMPLB) questioned the Supreme Court judgement in Ayodhya. On Twitter, it told its followers that there is no need to be heartbroken. #BabriMasjid was and will always be a Masjid. #HagiaSophia is a great example for us. Usurpation of the land by an unjust, oppressive, shameful and majority appeasing judgment cant change its status. No need to be heartbroken. Situations dont last forever, the AIMPLB tweet said. #BabriMasjid was and will always be a Masjid. #HagiaSophia is a great example for us. Usurpation of the land by an unjust, oppressive, shameful and majority appeasing judgment can't change it's status. No need to be heartbroken. Situations don't last forever.#ItsPolitics pic.twitter.com/nTOig7Mjx6 All India Muslim Personal Law Board (@AIMPLB_Official) August 4, 2020 The tweet also carried a press statement as attachment. The AIMPLB was among the litigants which had filed a review petition against the Supreme Court judgement in the Ayodhya case in November last year. The court had also directed the central government to allot a five-acre plot of land in Ayodhya for construction of a mosque. AIMPLB said it will not accept the alternative five-acre land. Another Muslim body, the Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind (JUH), had also said that they opposed the unanimous Supreme Court decision. The AIMPLB was not a party to the case but had roped in three litigants - Mohammad Umar Khalid, a resident of Ayodhya town; Misbahuddin, a resident of Ayodhya district and Mehfusur Rehman, a resident of Tanda town in Ambedkar Nagar district - to file the review petition. However, all the review petitions were dismissed by the top court. The 136-year-old Ayodhya dispute ratcheted up communal tensions on December 6, 1992 when a mob scaled the Babri Masjid and demolished it, triggering a cycle of violence that killed at least 2,000 people across India. Many Hindus believe the site was the birthplace of warrior god Ram, and the 16th-century mosque was built after pulling down a temple dedicated to Ram. In 2010, the Allahabad high court ordered the land be distributed equally to the Nirmohi Akhara, Ram Lalla and the Sunni Central Waqf Board. But a five-judge Supreme Court bench, led by former Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi, unanimously set aside the high court ruling and awarded title of the land to Ram Lalla. It also ordered the government to set up a trust to oversee management of the site and the construction of a temple, and awarded five acres of land at an alternative site for a mosque. August 05 : It is a big day in the history of India, a day to remember as finally after years of struggle, Ram Mandir is being built in Ayodhya and today marks the Bhumi Pujan ceremony. The whole city of Ayodhya has been painted yellow. On this auspicious occasion, actress Dipika Chikhlia also known as the Sita of Television, congratulates her fans and followers. Holding a lighted diya in her hand, the actress asked all the fellow Indians to light a diya today. She wrote, "This is a matter of pride for all Indians. home coming and welcoming the Lord back after a struggle of 500 years...#ram #mandir #ayodhya #sita #ramsita #sitaram #narendramodi #ramayan #ramayana #lights #diwali #deepavali" Through the video, the actress who rose to fame with her portrayal of Sita in the famous mythological show 'Ramayana' has congratulated everyone on this auspicious day. People all over the country are excited for the day as today PM Narendra Modi will unveil a plaque to mark the laying of the foundation stone of the Ram Temple. This will be followed by the release of a commemorative postage stamp on 'Shree Ram Janmabhoomi Mandir'. The whole city of Ayodhya has been decked up and lit for the special occasion. The ceremony will be attended by 175 people, led by PM Modi and Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh chief Mohan Bhagwat. Latest updates on Ayodhya Ram Temple Bhumi Pujan The Melbourne International Film Festival is a big deal for David Geoffrey Hall. "I moved to Melbourne from Perth in 2012 and I've been to an opening or closing night every year since," the 31-year-old marketing executive says. "It's a great way to get out of the house in the middle of a deep and dark Melbourne winter." Not this year, though. For the first time in its 68-year history, MIFF will not be a real-world physical event, but rather an online-only virtual event, as with many other similarly reconstituted and reimagined festivals around the world. But it will still aim to deliver a genuine festival experience, with close to 70 feature films and documentaries, plus 44 short films, including a dozen world premieres, on the line-up. David Geoffrey Hall and Charles Purcell will be enjoying the opening night of MIFF at home with Wyatt the dog. Credit:Jason South Even if it is an at-home on-your-TV-or-computer experience this year, MIFF still offers a point of difference from your regular streaming experience, says Mr Hall. "What I love is that it gives you the chance to see something that isn't going to come up on your Netflix or Stan feed," he says. Mr Hall will work his way through a 10-film mini-pass at home in Brunswick with his partner Charles Purcell, an actor, and their dog Wyatt. They plan to dress up to watch the opening-night film First Cow from 7pm on Thursday, and to make an event of it. "We'll order in dinner from a local restaurant that's doing it tough, and we'll pop the cork on some champagne too." Former vice president and 2020 presidential candidate Joe Biden wont travel to Milwaukee for the 2020 Democratic National Convention, organizers announced Wednesday. After ongoing consultation with public health officials and experts who underscored the worsening coronavirus pandemic the Democratic National Convention Committee announced today speakers for the 2020 Democratic National Convention will no longer travel to Milwaukee, a statement said. Wisconsin in order to prevent risking the health of our host community as well as the conventions production teams, security officials, community partners, media and others necessary to orchestrate the event. According to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, the DNC will be mostly virtual and Biden will accept the Democratic nomination from his home in Delaware. From the very beginning of this pandemic, we put the health and safety of the American people first, Democratic National Committee Chair Tom Perez said in a statement. We followed the science, listened to doctors and public health experts, and we continued making adjustments to our plans in order to protect lives. Thats the kind of steady and responsible leadership America deserves. And thats the leadership Joe Biden will bring to the White House. The 2020 Democratic National Convention is scheduled to run from Aug. 17 to 20. The 2020 Republican National Convention will begin a week later, on Aug. 24, and is similarly being disrupted by COVID-19 concerns. President Donald Trump was expected to speak at the RNC in Charlotte, North Carolina, then Jacksonville, Florida. Trump told Fox News on Wednesday that hes considering accepting the GOP nomination from the White House South Lawn, raising questions about the Hatch Act. Were thinking about it, Trump told Fox & Friends. It would be the easiest from the standpoint of security. The Hatch Act prohibits federal employees from using government property for political purposes, but the president is exempt from those restrictions. The Guardian points out any other government employees involved in the event could be considering in violating of the rule. More: Vote by mail, absentee ballot, in-person voting: Presidential election 2020 terms to know Chasm grows between Trump and government coronavirus experts Neil Young suing the Donald Trump campaign for unauthorized use of his music WILMINGTON, Del., Aug. 5, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Carvertise, Inc., a rideshare-based transit advertising company, announced the launch of its #TeamMASK advertising campaign with the New Castle County Government in an effort to promote the continued importance of mask-wearing to stop the spread of COVID-19. The New Castle County #TeamMASK fleet unveiled. Mac Macleod, CEO of Carvertise, with the help of New Castle County Executive Matt Meyer, affixes a mask on a New Castle County vehicle at their August 5 launch event. As a part of this initiative, eleven high-mileage county vehicles, including the County Executive's very own car, were selected to don gigantic custom-made "Car Masks" that fit over the grill of the vehicles. The vehicles also prominently feature a #TeamMASK slogan on both driver and passenger sides, to proudly state the county's position on wearing face masks to curb the spread of COVID-19. The county vehicles selected are a medley of paramedic and public works sedans and trucks that will be seen at COVID-19 testing sites, public parks, and construction sites. Each vehicle travels a minimum of 1,100 miles a month which will create an estimated 82,500 monthly impressions, according to Carvertise's proprietary impression calculating algorithm. For the duration of this three-month advertising campaign, 2.7 million impressions will be created generating significant reach and frequency throughout the entire county. Carvertise CEO, Mac Macleod, stated, "New Castle County has become the first government entity in the country to transform their fleet of vehicles into moving billboards promoting public safety messaging specific to COVID-19. Not only does the creativity of the face masks make it memorable, but it is also highly cost-efficient. These vehicles are driving around the county everyday as it is; now, however, they're holding the dual purpose of marketing to county residents. That's a 2-for-1 benefit." "The #TeamMASK campaign is a great way for us to drive home an important public safety message to our county residents," said Matt Meyer, County Executive, New Castle County, Delaware. "What better way to show a sense of community spirit and pride around public mask compliance than to have these larger-than-life face masks adorned to our highest mileage vehicles? I'm highly confident this will get people thinking and talking about mask-wearing," said Meyer. Macleod added, "This is innovative advertising at its finest. It's creative, it's memorable, it's culturally relevant, it's reaching the right audience, and it's effectively communicating the right message through the use of humor. Everyone who sees these cars stops in their tracks, takes a picture of it, and understands the message being promoted. Big kudos to New Castle County for being bold enough to be first." #TeamMASK wraps and Carvertise's gigantic "Car Masks" are available in all 50 states and can be leveraged by other government and healthcare entities looking to make a big marketing splash in their communities. About Carvertise: Carvertise is America's Largest Rideshare Advertising Company on a mission to revolutionize the way brands communicate with consumers outdoors. Leveraging a built network of 550,000 registered drivers, Carvertise is running wrapped-car ad campaigns around the country for clients including 7-Eleven, EA Sports, NASCAR, and GlaxoSmithKline. Geo-targeted, highly memorable, with a heavy emphasis on analytics, Carvertise is proudly spearheading the future of transit advertising. For more information, please visit Carvertise.com . Contact Information: Lauren Spinelli Director of Marketing, Carvertise (302) 273-1890 [email protected] SOURCE Carvertise, Inc. BEIRUT -- All I could think about was finding the cat. It was an irrational sentiment but I kept thinking: If I could find Sunday, then everything would suddenly be OK. I don't even normally like pets, and have no idea how during lockdown, I fell in love with this ginger cat who's constantly swishing her bushy tail. I kept imagining that dramatic tail lying flat, her eyes glazed over, dead under a beam. But if Sunday was alive, I decided, then maybe my close friend, a fellow journalist, was too. Normally I would have been with him, speeding to the scene on his motorcycle like we often do when news breaks in Beirut. So when I saw him tweet that the city's port was on fire, I grabbed my helmet and changed into a pair of jeans. My boyfriend asked why I was going. He said the fire didn't seem like big news. "Why are you wasting your time?" he asked as I walked into the living room. Then everything blew up. Every door inside my apartment, hinges and all, was ripped out of the walls. So was my air conditioner. My big fan split right in half. My massive living room windows flew at me. The glass didn't just shatter; the windows themselves flew clean off. I genuinely, even now, have no idea how I am not dead. I stood in a whirlwind of nails and glass and splintered wood. I saw Sunday for a split second. Then we heard loud humming that sounded like planes and within moments, the second blast hit. I was barefoot and had glass in my feet. My legs were bleeding, but only at the bottom because I luckily changed into my jeans. We lunged at the front door, then hid in the intact bathroom not knowing what to do. When the humming stopped, we dashed into the rubble and started throwing passports and cash and anything valuable into bags to leave. Then we paused, took a moment to look at each other caked in dust, and decided there was no point. We didn't know what might come next. And we had nowhere to go. No one knew where was safe. We figured the city was being bombed by the Israelis. Every summer, Beirutis proclaim that this is the summer an attack will happen. This was before we knew that the blast was linked to 2,750 tons of ammonium nitrate being stored at the port. The streets were drowning in the sound of screams. There were bloodied bodies everywhere. There was no glass left in any windows of the old historic buildings on our famous street. WhatsApp messages started flooding in, friends making sure everyone they knew was alive. But my friend still wasn't answering my calls. His fiancee was calling me, screaming in a panic. And we couldn't find the cat. Ironically, my horribly damaged apartment turned into a kind of temporary safe house. Friends and neighbors piled inside as we tried to figure out what was going on and where everyone was. We asked everyone to shout Sunday's name. It truly felt insane, looking for a cat when people were dying. But I was not feeling rational. In the end, my friend and the cat surfaced at the same time. Sunday was hiding behind a piece of steel our neighbors had propped up to cover their door downstairs. She trembled uncontrollably for hours but wasn't hurt physically, from what we could tell. Another friend spotted our missing friend on TV, confirming he was alive. He was in shock, and severely concussed, but he wasn't dead. We spent the evening working and looking down to the street from my blown-out windows as people loaded bodies - the injured and the dead - into random people's cars. Volunteers and paramedics were combing the streets late into the night, shining blue lights and calling out for people to signal to them if they were stuck in the rubble. By 3 a.m., everyone had fled the area and I think we were the only ones left. The street was engulfed in darkness, except for one candle flickering on my neighbor's balcony. It felt like someone left it to keep someone else calm. It kept me sane for hours. Warnings started going around that the air could be toxic, so we decided to leave for a house on the mountainside outside of Beirut in the middle of the night. Sunday's cage disappeared in the blast so we put her in a cooler. The usually-abrasive cat ended up shaking in my lap the whole ride, clutching onto my shoulder, her face resting on my arm as she watched a quiet and destroyed Beirut through the window. We could hear the glass relentlessly crunching under us. Other times we felt the tiny shards from the shattered rear window fly at our necks and the sound of slabs of concrete sliding on the roof. I stayed in the mountains until Wednesday morning when I took a taxi back to town. Despite street closures, I forced myself back into my neighborhood and negotiated my way to my apartment. The building next door was on the verge of collapsing. Civil defense and police told us our building will fall soon. By the time I reached my hotel in the afternoon, I realized that Wednesday marks the 10-year anniversary of my leaving Syria for the United States. When Syria became too dangerous to return to, Beirut, a short trip away from my hometown of Damascus, became like a second home. It's the only place I've had to come back to since 2015. And now I don't know if I have an apartment anymore. A friend I went to high school with in Damascus texted me, "You can't have survived Syria to die in Beirut, laws of physics won't allow it." But the collective trauma of Beirut really started to hit when I walked into my destroyed apartment. I knew at that moment that I don't know if I'll see my new home again. "What books do you want to pack?" a civil defense member who came upstairs with me asked. I looked at my 400 books, most of them lined up in front of a large custom-made mirror from Istanbul. Another pile sat by my favorite yellow chair that I shipped here. These are the first furniture items I have ever owned. I threw some of my favorite books in the suitcase: "Revenge of the Lawn" by Richard Brautigan, a book about octopuses, the novel "Milkman" by Anna Burns. But these are all just things. Sunday is just a cat. The Lebanese have lost loved ones, many watching them die in front of them. I carried my suitcase and some tote bags filled with I-don't-know-what, walked down my stairs, and felt myself grow untethered, like I could just float away with no place to go. - - - Dadouch, a Beirut-based correspondent for The Post, shared her experience of Tuesday's explosions with The Post's Siobhan O'Grady. The account was condensed and edited for clarity. Immigrants wait in line to become U.S. citizens at a naturalization ceremony in New York City, N.Y., on Feb. 2, 2018. (John Moore/Getty Images) Appeals Court Upholds Block on Public Charge Rule, Limits Scope of Injunction A federal appeals court on Tuesday upheld a block on a rule that makes it easier for the Trump administration to deny legal status to immigrants who receive public assistance, but limited the scope to three states. A three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit in a 110-page ruling affirmed a lower courts ruling in October 2019 to grant preliminary injunctions to block the public charge immigration rule from being implemented. However, the appeals court scaled back the scope of the nationwide injunction to only three states in its jurisdictionNew York, Connecticut, and Vermont. The Second Circuits ruling wont have an immediate effect because of a Supreme Court decision in January that allowed the rule to go ahead pending a review by the top court. The public charge rule, which was issued in 2019, provides clarification about what factors would be considered when determining whether someone is likely at any time in the future to become a public charge. A public charge refers to an individual who is likely to become primarily dependent on the government for subsistence through assistance such as food stamps or Medicaid. The rule will consider a person a public charge if they receive at least one government benefit for more than 12 months in a three-year period. The panel found that the rule was unlawful because it was issued contrary to a federal immigration law, the Immigration and Nationality Act, and was arbitrary and capricious. They found that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) failed to provide a satisfactory justification for expanding the definition of public charge and expanding the list of benefits to be considered in a public charge determination. The judges say the DHS did not provide any factual basis for its rationale for changing the rule. Of course, DHS is free to change its interpretation and we do not suggest it is under any obligation to consult with its sister agencies in so doing, the judges wrote in their opinion (pdf). But what DHS may not do is rest its changed interpretation on unsupported speculation, particularly when its categorical assumptions run counter to the realities of the non-cash benefits at issue. The Justice Department had no comment in response to Tuesdays ruling. Last year, the Supreme Court agreed to temporarily put a hold on nationwide injunctions issued by the New York District Court until the appeal in the 2nd circuit, and, if necessary, the Supreme Court is resolved. This allowed the rule to take effect in February. The rule was challenged by several state and local governments and immigration groups, leading to injunctions that prevented the rule from going into effect on Oct. 15, 2019. Two federal appeals courtsthe 4th Circuit and the 9th Circuitlifted similar injunctions in December 2019. But the 2nd Circuit has refused to set aside a pair of injunctions issued by the New York District Court, prompting the Trump administration to file an emergency request (pdf) to the top court earlier in January to lift those blocks. Several conservative justices on the Supreme Court issued sharp criticism against the use of nationwide injunctions in their January ruling. Justice Neil Gorsuch, who was joined by Justice Clarence Thomas, said the real problem in the cases was the increasingly common practice of trial courts ordering relief that transcends the cases before them. Whether framed as injunctions of nationwide, universal, or cosmic scope, these orders share the same basic flawthey direct how the defendant must act toward persons who are not parties to the case, Gorsuch wrote. The Second Circuit acknowledged Gorsuchs opinion and addressed the issue in their ruling. The panel said there was no doubt that the law allows district courts to enter nationwide injunctions, and can be an appropriate remedy in certain circumstances. But the court also expressed concern that nationwide injunctions could conflict with other court rulings when numerous challenges are filed against the same agency action. When confronted with such a volatile litigation landscape, we encourage district courts to consider crafting preliminary injunctions that anticipate the possibility of conflict with other courts and provide for such a contingency, the judges wrote. Such approaches could take the form of limiting language providing that the injunction would not supersede contrary rulings of other courts, an invitation to the parties to return and request modification as the situation changes, or the limitation of the injunction to the situation of particular plaintiffs or to similarly situated persons within the geographic jurisdiction of the court. This comes after the same New York District Court issued a second nationwide injunction last week blocking the rule from being implemented during the length of the national public health emergency, which was declared in response to the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus pandemic. Rep. William Lacy Clay lost the Democratic primary in Missouri on Tuesday night, falling to Cori Bush, an activist who entered politics after the Ferguson protests in 2014 and tapped into the recent energy of the Black Lives Matter movement to upset the 10-term congressman. The Associated Press projected Bush as the winner in the St. Louis-based district. "We've been called radicals, terrorists," Bush told supporters in St. Louis. "We've been dismissed as an impossible fringe movement. But now, we are a multiracial, multiethnic, multigenerational, multifaith mass movement." Bush, a 44-year old nurse and pastor, had never run for office before the Ferguson protests after the fatal shooting of unarmed Black teenager Michael Brown by Darren Wilson, a White police officer. She made a bid for state Senate, then turned her attention to Clay, whose family had held a safe seat from St. Louis since 1969. For the 2018 Democratic primary race, she raised less than $150,000 and, despite a late burst of attention after Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez ousted a longtime congressman in a Democratic primary in New York, she lost by 20 points. But Bush remained deeply involved in direct action and liberal politics, becoming a surrogate for the Bernie Sanders presidential campaign and getting featured in "Knock Down the House," a Netflix documentary about Justice Democrats and its project to replace moderate members of Congress with grass-roots activists. Ahead of Tuesday's primary, Bush more than tripled her fundraising, even while contracting covid-19 and growing deeply involved in the protests that followed the killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis police custody. At campaign events, she would talk about surviving the novel coronavirus pandemic and enduring physical harm as protests were broken up and demonstrators were tear-gassed. "I burned for almost 24 hours! My skin burned!" Bush said during a July 8 "virtual rally" organized by Sanders, the independent Vermont senator. "We keep fighting, thinking we're getting somewhere, and then they hit us again. But we have people sitting in these seats who could have made change for us." Clay, whose only previous primary challenge came when he and a former colleague were forced into the same district, was slow to respond to Bush. According to the Federal Election Commission, he spent less than $600,000 on the race, and his final mail advertising was largely negative, accusing Bush of being irresponsible with her finances and working closely with critics of Israel. By that point, Bush and allies had spent plenty of money defining him, with Justice Democrats and another liberal group, Fight Corporate Monopolies, buying ads that accused the incumbent of voting for big corporations on behalf of his donors. Read more at PowerPost Virgin Atlantic Airways is seeking protection from creditors in the United States under Chapter 15 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code, which allows a foreign debtor to shield assets in this country, according to a court filing on Tuesday. Virgin Atlantic's filing in U.S. bankruptcy court in the southern district of New York said it has negotiated a deal with stakeholders "for a consensual recapitalization" that will get debt off its balance sheet and "immediately position it for sustainable long-term growth." The U.S. filing is in addition to a proceeding filed in a British court, where Virgin Atlantic obtained approval Tuesday to convene meetings of affected creditors to vote on the plan on Aug. 25. A Virgin Atlantic spokeswoman said the restructuring plan was before a British court "to secure approval from all relevant creditors before implementation." Bloomberg reported Virgin Atlantic told a London court it could run of money in September if a restructuring deal is not approved. Non-U.S. companies use Chapter 15 to block creditors who want to file lawsuits or tie up assets in the United States. In July, the airline said its private deal with stakeholders eliminates the need for support from the British government that billionaire founder Richard Branson had sought. The reorganization is expected to be completed towards the end of this summer and be spread across the next 18 months. The airline, 51% owned by Branson's Virgin Group and 49% by U.S. airline Delta, closed its Gatwick base and cut more than 3,500 jobs to contend with the fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic, which has grounded planes and hammered demand for air travel. It said it needed to recapitalize "to not only survive the exigent threats posed by the COVID-19 global pandemic but to thrive once the immediate global health crisis passes." In July, Virgin Atlantic said it has agreed a rescue deal with shareholders and creditors worth 1.2 billion pounds ($1.57 billion) to secure its future beyond the coronavirus crisis.Virgin said in a court filing reservations are down 89% from a year ago and current demand for the second half of 2020 is at approximately 25% of 2019 levels. Virgin Atlantic also owns Virgin Atlantic Holidays, a tour operator business and Virgin Atlantic Cargo. The high-profile Branson had attracted criticism after calling for government help for Virgin Atlantic to survive the downturn. Phoenix, Arizona--(Newsfile Corp. - August 5, 2020) - The Stock Day Podcast welcomed Nevada Exploration Inc. (OTCQB: NVDEF) (TSXV: NGE) ("the Company"), a company that has spent 15 years developing and integrating new hydrogeochemistry (groundwater chemistry) and low-cost drilling technology to build an industry-leading, geochemistry-focused, under-cover toolkit specifically to explore for large new Carlin-type gold deposits ("CTGDs") in the more than half of Nevada where the bedrock is hidden beneath post-mineral cover. President of the Company, James Buskard, joined Stock Day host Everett Jolly. Jolly began the interview by asking about the Company's background and current projects. "We're a junior exploration company focused in Nevada. We're really looking for the second half of Nevada's gold endowment," shared Buskard. "More than 50% of the state's bedrock is hidden beneath large valleys that haven't yet been effectively explored. While there's nowhere on the planet that produces more gold by area, half of Nevada's gold is sitting there waiting to be uncovered. So, we set up Nevada Exploration to develop and apply the best geoscience to go after this second half of Nevada's gold endowment," explained Buskard. For more information regarding the opportunity to find large new gold deposits under cover in Nevada, be sure to check out this video. Buskard then elaborated on the value and potential of gold moving forward, while also providing insight into the historical mistakes of this industry. "It's about getting back to making the big discoveries that traditionally have sustained the industry. It's about coming up with new exploration targets," said Buskard. "As an investor wanting to participate in this, if they really want to enjoy the discovery upside, it's about focusing on projects and districts that haven't been exhaustively turned over," he continued, noting the advantage of investing during the early stages of an exploration project. Story continues Jolly then asked about the potential of new technology in regards to finding new discoveries of significant value. "When I look at new technology, it's about: How do we go into new search spaces to be the early entrant to take a ride on the early part of what we call the creaming curve?" said Buskard. "It's all about trying to open up new search spaces, and that's what we're doing in Nevada." The conversation then turned to the location of the Company's flagship project. Buskard shared Nevada's prolific gold production primarily comes from three mining camps or "districts": Carlin, Getchell, and Cortez. "Those three camps together are responsible for more than 200 million ounces of gold," he explained. "If we just look at the Cortez camp, it currently produces a million ounces per year," continued Buskard. "It is an incredible, billion-dollar cornerstone at the hub of Nevada's mining infrastructure, and what we're looking to do is to find another one of these camps." To close the interview, Buskard shared that the demographics of mining investors are continuing to evolve. "It's up to us to connect to a new generation of mining investors," said Buskard. "This is a new day for the industry and we appreciate opportunities like this to utilize an unconventional medium." To hear James Buskard's entire interview, follow the link to the podcast here: https://audioboom.com/posts/7650010-president-of-nevada-exploration-inc-james-buskard-is-featured-on-the-stock-day-podcast Investors Hangout is a proud sponsor of "Stock Day," and Stock Day Media encourages listeners to visit the company's message board at https://investorshangout.com/ About Nevada Exploration Inc. With mature, exposed search spaces seeing falling discovery rates, NGE believes the future of exploration is under cover. The Company has spent 15 years developing and integrating new hydrogeochemistry (groundwater chemistry) and low-cost drilling technology to build an industry-leading, geochemistry-focused, under-cover toolkit specifically to explore for large new CTGDs in the more than half of Nevada where the bedrock is hidden beneath post-mineral cover. Nevada's exposed terrains have produced more than 200 Moz of gold, and experts agree there is likely another +200 Moz waiting to be discovered under cover in Nevada. NGE has completed the world's largest hydrogeochemistry exploration program, focused on north-central Nevada, and is now advancing a portfolio of three district-scale projects in the heart of the Cortez (Battle Mountain-Eureka) Trend. NGE's most-advanced project is South Grass Valley, located south of Nevada Gold Mines' Cortez Complex. Based on the Company's work to date at the project, NGE believes it has discovered a mineral system at South Grass Valley with the architecture and scale to support multiple Carlin-type gold deposits (CTGDs), and the potential to host an entire new district. NGE believes South Grass Valley is one of the most exciting new district-scale, Carlin-type projects in Nevada. For more information, the Company's latest videos are available at: https://www.nevadaexploration.com/investors/media/ For further information, please contact: Nevada Exploration Inc. Email: info@nevadaexploration.com Telephone: +1 (604) 601 2006 Website: www.nevadaexploration.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. Wade A. Hodges, CEO & Director, Nevada Exploration Inc., is the Qualified Person, as defined in National Instrument 43-101, and has prepared the technical and scientific information contained in this News Release. Cautionary Statement on Forward-Looking Information: This news release contains "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" (collectively, "forward-looking information") within the meaning of applicable securities laws, including, without limitation, expectations, beliefs, plans, and objectives regarding projects, potential transactions, and ventures discussed in this release. In connection with the forward-looking information contained in this news release, the Company has made numerous assumptions, regarding, among other things, the assumption the Company will continue as a going concern and will continue to be able to access the capital required to advance its projects and continue operations. While the Company considers these assumptions to be reasonable, these assumptions are inherently subject to significant uncertainties and contingencies. In addition, there are known and unknown risk factors which could cause the Company's actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking information contained herein. Among the important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements are the risks inherent in mineral exploration, the need to obtain additional financing, environmental permits, the availability of needed personnel and equipment for exploration and development, fluctuations in the price of minerals, and general economic conditions. A more complete discussion of the risks and uncertainties facing the Company is disclosed in the Company's continuous disclosure filings with Canadian securities regulatory authorities at www.sedar.com. All forward-looking information herein is qualified in its entirety by this cautionary statement, and the Company disclaims any obligation to revise or update any such forward-looking information or to publicly announce the result of any revisions to any of the forward-looking information contained herein to reflect future results, events or developments, except as required by law. About The "Stock Day" Podcast Founded in 2013, Stock Day is the fastest growing media outlet for Nano-Cap and Micro-Cap companies. It educates investors while simultaneously working with penny stock and OTC companies, providing transparency and clarification of under-valued, under-sold Micro-Cap stocks of the market. Stock Day provides companies with customized solutions to their news distribution in both national and international media outlets. The Stock Day Podcast is the number one radio show of its kind in America. Stock Day recently launched its Video Interview Studio located in Phoenix, Arizona. SOURCE: Stock Day Media (602) 821-1102 To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/61101 Delta Air Lines and its affiliates were in second place, with 3,098 boardings, down from 38,800. Allegiant Air moved into third, with 1,546 boardings, down from 2,694. United Airlines and its affiliates were fourth, with 1,473 boardings, down from 11,375. Spirit primarily has served the Orlando, Fla., market out of PTI since June 2018. It had 120 boardings in June before it suspended service. On May 5, Spirit received U.S. Transportation Department permission to suspend flights from six destinations, including Charlotte Douglas International Airport, through Sept. 30. Later in May, Spirit asked the agency for permission to suspend flights to five additional destinations, including PTI and Asheville. USA Today reported that Spirit and other airlines require the Transportation Departments approval to end flights as a condition for getting money from the $2 trillion federal COVID-19 economic-stimulus package. The Associated Press reported Tuesday that Spirit has warned up to 30% of its 9,100 employees that they will lose their jobs in October. Spirit said it hopes to restore the jobs eventually. Elon Musk admits he prayed about SpaceX project: 'Im not very religious, but I prayed for this one' Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment Tech entrepreneur Elon Musk is not a religiously observant person, but he admitted earlier this week that he prayed about his Space X project. In remarks after the Dragon Capsule completed a splash landing in the Gulf of Mexico on Sunday, bringing home two U.S. astronauts, the chief engineer and CEO of SpaceX, said at one point during his speech: You know, Im not very religious, but I prayed for this one. Musk has long planned to make living on Mars a viable option. Were going to go to the moon, were going to have a base on the moon, were going to send people to Mars and make life multi-planetary, he said. NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine believes space travel is going to become increasingly common in part because of private-sector innovation. We are entering a new era of human spaceflight, where NASA is no longer the purchaser, owner and operator of all the hardware. We are going to be a customer, Bridenstine said. One customer of many customers, in a very robust commercial marketplace for human spaceflight to low-Earth orbit. He added: We also want to have numerous providers that are competing against each other on cost, and innovation, and safety, driving down costs and increasing access to space in a way thats never been seen before. Musk believes the recent space accomplishments represent an "achievement of humanity." I think this is something that the whole world can take some pleasure in," he said. "These are difficult times when you know, theres not that much good news and I think this is one of those things that is universally good no matter where you are on planet Earth, this is a good thing, and I hope it brightens your day. Astronauts Doug Hurley and Bob Behnken splashed into the ocean just before 3 p.m. Eastern time on Sunday, concluding their approximately two-month stint at the International Space Station. Were both super, super proud to have been just a small part of the team that accomplished bringing those spaceflights back to the Florida coast and bringing that capability back to America, Behnken said after landing. The Dragon Capsule was launched from a Falcon 9 rocket owned by SpaceX in May and was both the first private launch of NASA astronauts and the first launch of NASA astronauts from U.S. soil since 2011. What is known as space tourism, traveling into space for recreational purposes, is sometimes referred to as citizen space exploration, personal spaceflight, or commercial human spaceflight, covering spaceflights which are suborbital, orbital, and even beyond Earth's orbit. Several companies have emerged in recent years for those wealthy enough to travel to space. Southwest Airlines is scaling back on COVID-19 cleaning measures and will no longer sanitize seat belts in between flights to speed up turnaround time in between trips. Starting August 1 Southwest stopped wiping down arm rests and seat belts as well as areas around occupied seats. However, 'high touch' areas including tray tables and lavatories will be disinfected before each takeoff, the company said Monday. Deep cleanings, which take six to seven hours a plane, will continue overnight. 'As our flight schedule evolves, we are returning to standard turnaround time,' a Southwest Airlines memo to flight attendants obtained by CNN said. The move to cut back on aircraft-cleaning measures was designed to speed up turnaround operations in between flights, which averaged about 47 minutes in March and is now 50 minutes. Southwest Airlines is scaling back on COVID-19 cleaning measures and will no longer sanitize seat belts or arm rests in between flights to speed up turnaround time in between trips. File image of man in protective suit disinfecting an airplane Southwest Airline cleaning protocols Before pandemic: The airline used an EPA approved, hospital-grade disinfectant in the lavatories and an interior cleaner in the cabin. Tray tables and seats were cleaned after long-haul flights but not typically between turns on short flights. Starting in March due to pandemic: Hospital-grade disinfectant is used throughout the aircraft. Under a new enhanced cleaning program 'interior windows and shades, every seat belt buckle, passenger service units (including the touch buttons that control reading lights and vents that direct personal air), as well as seat surfaces, tray tables, and armrests' are cleaned between trips. Planes undergo six to seven hour overnight cleanings per plane. Each plane also undergoes a 'deep' electrostatic cleaning once a month, a procedure that kills viruses for 30 days. All aircraft are equipped with HEPA (High-Efficiency Particulate Air) filters, which filter out airborne particles as the air onboard is recirculated with outside air, and are often used in hospitals. Middle seats are left open and passengers board in groups of 10 to maintain social distancing. Masks required Advertisement Minimizing the time planes spend on the ground between flights is a key part of Southwests lower-cost business model. The airline reduced the standard 60-minute turnaround to just 10 minutes in the 1970s, boosting profits, according to The Verge. In 2019 during peak travel season Southwest operated more than 4,000 flights a day. Southwest spokeswoman Ro Hawthorn said the crews would conduct a more thorough cleaning process at least once a day. Each plane also undergoes a 'deep' electrostatic cleaning once a month, a procedure that kills viruses for 30 days. 'Since flight schedules have increased, other areas of the aircraft will be disinfected during our overnight cleaning process, when Southwest Teams spend six to seven hours per aircraft cleaning all interior surfaces,' Hawthorne said. Passengers can also ask for sanitizing wipes if they want to clean other surfaces amid the pandemic. In March Southwest, based in Dallas, announced an enhanced cleaning program that mandated 'interior windows and shades, every seat belt buckle, passenger service units (including the touch buttons that control reading lights and vents that direct personal air), as well as seat surfaces, tray tables, [and] armrests' were cleaned. The airline says it will limit plane capacity through October 31 enough for middle seats to be empty during trips. The unions says flight attendants will monitor the situation while urging the company to ensure the public 'feel comfortable flying again.' 'Southwest has been ahead of the industry in a lot of ways including electrostatic spraying, overnight deep cleaning and most recently requiring all passengers to wear face coverings with no exemptions,' Thom McDaniel, a representative with the Transport Workers Union said. 'We will monitor this change and continue to advocate for best practices at every carrier for the safest possible air travel.' The airline also recently announced that they will test out thermal cameras at select airports to check passengers' temperatures prior to boarding. Delta, American, United are also using electrostatic sprayers with differing frequency. Delta disinfects and cleans each aircraft after every flight. United Airlines deploys electrostatic spraying before 'most flights' and each plane undergoes deep cleanings for six to seven hours every night. American Airlines said the airline disinfects high-touch surfaces at every turnaround with a solution similar to what competitors use. It also uses electrostatic fogging with a disinfectant the airline claims provides seven days of protection against COVID-19, according to the New York Times. The move to cut back on aircraft-cleaning measures was designed to speed up turnaround operations in between flights, which averaged about 47 minutes in March and is now 50 minutes Marine Corps releases solicitation for rocket system US Marine Corps News 4 Aug 2020 | Matt Gonzales Marine Corps Systems Command QUANTICO, Va. -- Marine Corps Systems Command is looking to field a next-generation, shoulder-fired rocket system that will increase lethality and safety for Marines. With guidance from MCSC's Program Manager for Ammunition, the Army in July released a Request for Proposals for the M72 Light Assault Weapon Fire from Enclosure munition. The Army is procuring the system on behalf of MCSC, fulfilling a requirement for the Corps. The M72 LAW FFE is a compact, lightweight, single-shot weapon system. It incorporates an improved launcher, featuring an enhanced in-line trigger mechanism and improved sling design. "It is a shoulder-fired rocket that you can fire from inside an enclosure, room or bunker," said Richard Dooley, a project officer for Maneuver Ammunition and Missile Programs with MCSC's PM Ammo. Managed by PM Ammo, the FFE technology is an upgraded version of the legacy M72 LAW system. The newer system enables Marines to fire several shots per day from inside a rooma capability the legacy system lacked. When firing at night, the flash from the M72 FFE's muzzle and back blast is less than that of an M9 pistol. The ability to fire from an enclosed position combined with reduced noise and flash allows Marines to maintain a covered and concealed position, reducing the enemies' ability to identify the point of origin. "The new LAW FFE is a true Fire-from-an-Enclosure capability unlike anything the Marine Corps has ever seen," said Warren Clare, the program manager for Ammunition at MCSC. "It will become a force multiplier." 'Lethal, dependable, flexible' The M72 FFE comprises two configurations: the M72A8 anti-armor and the M72A10 multi-purpose, anti-structure munition. The anti-armor warhead improves armor penetration while the multi-purpose warhead gives Marines the added capability of an anti-structure round capable of eliminating hardened structures, such as buildings. "The M72A10 incorporates an advanced warhead design with a multipurpose explosive and a self-discriminating fuse that operates in either fast- or delay-mode based on target construction," said Dooley. "These advancements enable Marines to engage various targets, such as structures, bunkers and enemy personnel." The system supports the Marine Corps' ongoing mission to lighten the warfighter's load and increase lethality. The M72 FFE and the legacy system are the lightest shoulder-fired rocket systems the Marine Corps fields. The FFE's light weight allows smaller units to increase the amount of shoulder-fired munitions available during operations. It also provides them with an easy-to-carry, fast-to-employ system designed to defeat multiple targets in all conditions. "Advancements made to the M72 FFE rounds makes it one of the most lethal, dependable and flexible munitions available in the world today," said Dooley. PM Ammo expects to field the M72 FFE in fiscal year 2022. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address SRINAGAR, India - Indian-controlled Kashmir has remained on edge in the year since New Delhi scrapped the disputed regions semi-autonomy and imposed a near-total clampdown. While deeply unpopular in Muslim-majority Kashmir, the sudden move last August resonated in much of India, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi was cheered by supporters for fulfilling a long-held Hindu nationalist pledge to scrap the restive regions special privileges and assimilate Kashmir into the rest of the country. Since then, the Indian government has imposed overarching restrictions, ranging from curfews to communication blackouts, and enacted new laws that have created a climate of fear. Here is an overview: ___ WHAT HAPPENED On Aug. 5, 2019, the Modi government passed legislation in Parliament that stripped Jammu and Kashmirs statehood, scrapped its separate constitution and removed inherited protections on land and jobs. The region was also split into two federal territories Ladakh and Jammu-Kashmir. To forestall any public revolt, the region was flooded with soldiers manning roadblocks of razor wire. Phone lines and internet connections were switched off and residents were under a 24-hour curfew for several weeks, and then an intermittent lockdown for months. Indian authorities detained and arrested thousands of young people as well as pro-freedom Kashmir leaders and pro-India politicians. ___ FORCED INTEGRATION Officials began the work of integrating Kashmir into the rest of India with a slew of administrative changes enacted without any public input. Many Muslim ethnic Kashmiris viewed the changes as an annexation, while members of minority Hindu and Buddhist communities initially welcomed the move but later expressed fear of losing land and jobs in the pristine Himalayan region. A domicile law rolled out in May makes it possible for any Indian national who has lived in the region for at least 15 years or has studied for seven years and taken certain exams to become a permanent resident of Jammu-Kashmir. New residency documents are required for all. Many ethnic Kashmiris see the move as an attempt to use settlers to engineer a demographic change in Indias only Muslim-majority region. In July, the government also eased rules for Indian soldiers to acquire land in Kashmir and build strategic settlements. Pro-India Kashmiri political parties slammed the move, with the mainstream National Conference party deriding it as a major land grab to turn the entire region into a military establishment. ___ ECONOMIC STRAINS Indias security restrictions choked business across the region. With the addition of further nationwide restrictions because of the coronavirus pandemic, many businesses have been abandoned. The Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industries estimated a $5.3 billion hit to the economy and about half a million jobs lost since last August. A cutting of internet access followed by sharp limits on speed has affected education, entrepreneurship and healthcare. Thousands of students and scholars could not apply for exams and educational opportunities. Students struggled to study online with slow internet connections, which often were cut completely during gunbattles between rebels and Indian soldiers. ___ SECURITY AND GEOPOLITICS As India partially lifted the restrictions, fighting between rebels and government forces intensified, especially during the coronavirus pandemic, as India stepped up counterinsurgency operations. Militants also continued their attacks on government forces and alleged informants. The sheer scale of daily violence goes contrary to the statements made by Indias prime minister that Aug. 5 changes will end militancy in Kashmir, said Parvez Imroz, a local human rights lawyer. In April, authorities introduced a new policy of not identifying militants killed in gunbattles and secretly burying their bodies far from their family homes to prevent typically large funerals. Indias decision to take direct control over Ladakh, also claimed in part by China, may have exacerbated border tensions between the two countries. Meanwhile, Pakistan has sharply criticized Indias unilateral actions in Kashmir, which it also claims, sending their tortured relationship to new lows. Given that Kashmir is surrounded by three nuclear weapon states with huge conventional capabilities, Indian unilateralism in Kashmir is creating a deadly situation, said U.S.-based Kashmiri political anthropologist Mohammed Junaid. ___ GOVERNMENTS DEVELOPMENTAL POSSIBILITIES In a document issued ahead of the Aug. 5 anniversary, Indias government said the revocation of Kashmirs special status has resulted in a wide range of accomplishments allowing the people of the region to realize their full developmental possibilities in peace and security. It said, without providing much detail, that it had rooted out corruption, reduced unemployment, provided affordable health care, boosted agricultural revenues and accelerated infrastructural development. The Modi government has maintained that the changes are for the public good and national security to stop threats from Pakistan and anti-national elements. ___ SHIFTING BATTLEGROUND In the last year, thousands of people have been detained and allegations of torture and ransom kidnappings have been rampant. The Jammu-Kashmir High Court Bar Association said in a June 25 letter that out of 600 habeas corpus petitions requests to courts to review whether a detention is lawful not even 1% of such cases have been decided. With so many people locked up, Kashmirs decades-long protests calling for independence from India have shifted from the streets to social media. For months, authorities blocked popular social media sites such as YouTube and WhatsApp, and charged several people under Indias anti-terror law for social media posts. Kashmirs press has also faced major difficulties. Many journalists in the region were intimated, harassed, summoned to police stations and sometimes arrested. The administration also implemented a new media policy that seeks to control reporting. The government says the new media policy is aimed at creating a sustained narrative on the functioning of the government in media and empowers the government to decide anti-national news. The policy came into effect in June. The changes have deepened anger and frustration among ordinary people, intensifying anti-India sentiment in the region. They have also energized the Kashmiri diaspora around the world. This has been the most hurtful and humiliating year in our lives, said Javaid Ahmed, a 50-year-old businessman from the outskirts of Kashmirs main city, Srinagar. Read more about: JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) President Donald Trump's eldest son agreed Tuesday with calls to block a proposed copper and gold mine near the headwaters of a major U.S. salmon fishery in southwest Alaska. Donald Trump Jr. responded to a tweet by Nick Ayers, a former aide to Vice President Mike Pence and a senior adviser to the Trump campaign. Ayers, in his tweet, said he hoped the president would direct the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to block the proposed Pebble Mine. Trump Jr., in response, said: As a sportsman who has spent plenty of time in the area I agree 100%. The headwaters of Bristol Bay and the surrounding fishery are too unique and fragile to take any chances with. This comes as the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers weighs a key permitting decision for the project, which is being pursued by the Pebble Limited Partnership. The Pebble partnership is owned by Canada-based Northern Dynasty Minerals Ltd. An environmental review released by the corps last month stated that under normal operations, the alternatives it looked at would not be expected to have a measurable effect on fish numbers and result in long-term changes to the health of the commercial fisheries in Bristol Bay. The review shows that Trump Jr. and Ayers are wrong, the Pebble partnership said in a statement, adding it is confident the corps will issue a final decision in the next few months. We do not believe that the President will interfere with this statutory process. The EPA has said the Bristol Bay watershed supports the largest sockeye salmon fishery in the world and contains significant mineral resources. Under the Obama administration, the agency proposed restricting development in the region, though those restrictions were never finalized. The EPA retains the option to invoke that so-called veto process again if it elects to do so. Pebble argued the proposed restrictions were unfair and said it should have a chance to have the project vetted through the permitting process. Story continues Critics of the Pebble project have said the corps' review is deficient and complained of what they say has become a politicized process. Alannah Hurley, executive director of United Tribes of Bristol Bay, which opposes Pebble, said she was shocked by Trump Jr.'s tweet. As shocking as it is, at the same time, to us, it's really a confirmation that Bristol Bay is valued by the nation, and people from every side of the political spectrum ... can agree on the fact that this place needs to be protected from Pebble Mine, she said. The Chinese Communist Partys Cold War Against the US: A Historical Perspective Commentary A new cold war, initiated recently by the Chinese regime against the United States, has many similarities with the one launched by the former Soviet Union, but there is also a key difference. The United States is presently involved in a second cold war. The first one was with the former Soviet Union; the one with the Chinese regime has only just begun. Both cold wars were launched by communist regimes opposed to democratic values and intended to replace the democratic values with their own red Marxist values through global conquest. As the most powerful democracy, the United States has always been considered the enemy by both the Soviet Union and the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). The CCPs political dependence on red ideology was exactly the same as that of the Soviet Communist Party, but its approach in the war against the United States is different from that of the Soviets. The Soviets advocated the so-called peaceful race between East and West in order to avoid a nuclear war. The CCP, on the other hand, has been working to build up economic and military pressure so as to deter the United States, in the hope of laying a foundation for its eventual domination over parts of the world. This has always been its ultimate strategic goal. In June 2019, The New York Times published an article headlined Is It Too Late to Stop a New Cold War With China? Only a year later, the prediction of a new cold war between China and the United States seems to have come true. Not only have Western media frequently talked about a new cold war between China and the United States, but even CCP officials and Chinese media have started to discuss the concept. The French newspaper Liberation published an article on May 26 quoting a commentator in Beijing as saying that the possibility of a new Cold War between China and the United States is the concern of most observers. In an article published on June 12 by Chinese media GuanCha.cn, University of Chicago professor John Mearsheimer was quoted as saying: Before the [coronavirus] outbreak controversy, people could argue whether China and the United States were really in a Cold War. But by now, I think its pretty clear that there is a Cold War. When the Trump administration released the U.S. defense report United States Strategic Approach to the Peoples Republic of China on May 20, the CCPs media outlet Duowei News called it a new Cold War declaration. But in fact, no cold war begins with a declaration; they begin with a series of actions. Duowei News ran another article on June 19 titled If Chinas Rise Leads to a World War, It Should Be With the U.S., Not India. The article stated: The road to the rise of great power is never a smooth one. If China needs war to establish its role and status in the global order, it should be a war between China and the United States. After this cold war between China and the United States began, some Beijing-leaning Western scholars stated it would be better for China and the United States to build trust and avoid confrontation. Why does the world repeatedly perceive communist countries as being in serious opposition to the United States? There are historical reasons. Is a Cold War Inevitable? In the past, the experience of the Cold War was summed up mainly by Western experts on the Soviet Union. Beijing-leaning Western history scholars didnt know anything about that Cold War and werent interested in it. Now that theres a cold war happening between China and the United States, it poses a big problem for these historians. They know nothing about the U.S.Soviet Cold War, the Soviet Union, or the Russian language. They are able to read Chinese, but they dont know what to think of the U.S.China cold war. Some of them hope there is actually no such cold war and that the whole problem will just go away. The Cold War between the United States and the Soviet Union provided merely an isolated example, and it was easy to attribute it to chance. But with the advent of this second cold war, the study of such conflicts will enter a new space, because we now are able to compare the two. And comparing the causes of the two cold wars, as well as their similarities and differences, is of great practical significance and reference value to judge the future direction of China and the United States. In 2020, the opening year of this new cold war, it is already clear that these two cold wars share the following characteristics: The biggest socialist country is pitted against the biggest capitalist country. The conflict was launched by the socialist country. The cause of the cold war in the socialist country was democracy phobia and a constant hostility toward the most powerful democracy, the United States, for fear that its citizens might find democracy more attractive. The red values of socialist countries have global conquest as their goal. Evidence for this can be seen in the post-World War II history of the Soviet Union and in the international relations strategy of the CCP under Mao Zedong. Before these two cold wars, there existed a honeymoon phase, with the United States maintaining the honeymoon with constant courtship and gifts. But in the end, the United States found it had only cultivated and strengthened its adversaries. Although the United States was often ill-prepared before the beginning of the cold war, once it entered into the cold war state, it would exert its institutional advantages and bring great pressure on its opponents. While the Soviet Union and China, the worlds two biggest communist countries, both initiated a cold war out of their fear of democracy, they each made different choices. The Soviet Union eventually chose to give up the Cold War, whereas the CCP chose to hide its strength and bide its time for 30 years. Having gained a little bit of a technical and economic foundation, it cant help showing off. From the progression of the first Cold War, we find that it ended with the failure of the largest socialist country. With this insight, perhaps we can predict the fifth cold war characteristic: The communist state that initiates the cold war will inevitably be defeated by its own institutional characteristics. The Cold War Initiators: Red Regimes The Cold War between the United States and the Soviet Union began after World War II when the Soviet Union installed communist regimes in the eastern European countries occupied by the Soviets Red Army. On March 5, 1946, Winston Churchill delivered a speech known as The Sinews of Peace (or the Iron Curtain Speech) at Westminster College in Fulton, Missouri. In it, he said, From Stettin in the Baltic to Trieste in the Adriatic, an iron curtain has descended across the Continent. This prediction was soon confirmed by the Soviet plan for the conquest of Eastern Europe, and it culminated in the construction of the Berlin Wall in 1961. The war between the two sides started in earnest in 1962 with the crisis caused by the Soviet Union placing nuclear missiles in Cuba. After more than two decades of military expansion, the Cold War between the two sides finally ended during the Gorbachev era. The cold war between the United States and China began with a series of drawing sword actions by the CCP this year. First, Chinas navy fleet and electronic spy ships went out to the waters off Midway Island, a U.S. military base on Sand Island, to conduct in-depth multi-service joint exercises and training with the CCP air force, rocket force, and strategic support forces, aiming at the U.S. forces on Midway Island and Pearl Harbor. Secondly, after occupying the high seas in the South China Sea and building islands and military bases, China publicly declared that it had turned the high seas waters near Vietnam and the Philippines into a fortress sea for its strategic nuclear submarines to hit the United States with nuclear-armed intercontinental missiles. Thirdly, the CCP announced its completion of space war deployment against the United States. The first two provocations show that the CCP is able to aim and fire a nuclear missile at the United States at any time. In regard to the third drawing sword action, Ill cite the words of Duowei News in a June 26 article: On June 23, China successfully launched Big Dipper 3, the last global networking satellite, completing the deployment of its Global Navigation Satellite System constellation. The total completion of the Big Dipper system also means a significant increase in Chinas military capabilities, with both global and precision capabilities, capable of more precise surgical strikes on global targets and detailed deployments on specific war sites. The article implies that the CCP can strike the United States with precision and destroy any place with a single shot. The CCPs high-profile declaration of readiness for a space war marks the official beginning of its challenge of the United States in space. Now, China and the United States have entered into a cold war state of military expansion and war preparation, drawing swords against each other. Moreover, the CCPs military expansion extends from the traditional areas of ground and air warfare to space warfare. The Soviets Advocated So-called Peaceful Race Between East, West Communist countries have global conquest as their goal. Like the Soviet communist regime, the CCP tightly adheres to Marxist ideology and the belief that the Communist Party will always be in power. This requires that the CCP always keeps up pressure on the United States. Its ideological rationale is that Marxism holds that capitalism would inevitably lose to socialism, and the Communist Party would represent the future of humanity. To succeed at it, communist regimes must keep preaching to their people about the achievements of socialism and the decline of capitalism, while demonstrating that their red regime is successfully overtaking the United States. On Nov. 18, 1956, Nikita Khrushchev, the first secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union, addressed Western diplomats at a reception at the Polish Embassy in Moscow with the words, We will bury you! This is what the Communist Party calls institutional confidence over Western democracies. Around the time of Khrushchevs visit to the United States in 1959, the Soviet Union made a major adjustment to its foreign policy with the United States. It put forward the slogans of peaceful coexistence, peaceful competition, and peaceful transition between socialist and capitalist camps to create a world with no weapons, no army, no war. The ideological assumption was that socialism and its institutional advantages can prevail over capitalism and replace it, and they also expected that the leftist parties in democratic countries would seize power through the parliamentary road. In fact, compared with the United States, the Soviet Unions institutional disadvantages were far greater than its advantages. But no matter to what extent it realized this, the Soviet Communist Party tended to avoid war during the Cold War, especially a nuclear war with the United States. In his memoirs, Mikhail Gorbachev, the terminator of the Cold War, wrote of the Soviet Communist Partys perception of the Cold War: The nuclear age demands a new political mindset. There are no winners in nuclear war. Whatever divides us, we live on the same planet, and Europe is our common home. Mao Advocated Burying American Imperialism by Force The CCPs political dependence on red ideology was exactly the same as the Soviets, but its position on war with the United States was the opposite of the Soviets. In November 1957, the conference of communist parties and workers parties around the world was held in Moscow. At the meeting, Mao Zedong said: Since our power is so strong, why do we still hold talks with it [the United States]? Just fight! Whats the big deal about nuclear war? There are 2.7 billion people in the world, and even if half of them died, another half remained alive. There are 600 million people in China and 300 million will be left. Then what am I afraid of? Mao always adhered to his idea of defeating the United States by force. Speaking at the expanded Central Working Conference on Jan. 30, 1962, he said: From now on, within and outside the 50 years to 100 years, there will be a great era of radical changes in the worlds social system. It will be an earth-shaking era, unmatched by any other historical era. At such an age we must be prepared for a great struggle with many different forms of struggles from the past. The real meaning of his words was later revealed openly. In the book Long Live Mao Zedong Thought, printed in China in 1968, there is the following passage of Mao speaking to Chen Boda, Ai Siqi, and other comrades in Hangzhou on Dec. 21, 1965: The next few decades is a precious and important period for the future of the motherland and the fate of humanity! Young people in their 20s now will be in their 40s or 50s in another 20 or 30 years. Our generation of young people will build our impoverished motherland into a great socialist country and take part in the battle to bury imperialism with our own hands. We have a long way to go. The ambitious Chinese youth must strive all their lives to fulfill our great historical mission. Our generation must make up its mind to work hard all ones life! This passage was imprinted on the minds of CCP cadres children during the Cultural Revolution, and it shaped the worldview of the young people who now dominate the CCP hierarchy and its generals. Maos so-called burying imperialism means burying American imperialism. If you want to find the ideological root of the CCPs present cold war with the United States, Maos words were probably the declaration of war against the United States that was made public domestically at that time. Mao initiated more than just a war of words. He helped North Vietnam launch its offensive against South Vietnam and dragged the United States into the Vietnam War as part of his battlefield experiment to defeat American imperialism. American troops eventually withdrew from Vietnam, and Western leftists deepened their fascination with Mao during the anti-war movement. Although todays CCP no longer dares to bury American imperialism by force, it is confident that the threat of force can enhance its international dominance and has identified this strategy as the main means of rising. Consequently, the CCP has long sought to create economic and military pressure to deter the United States, in the hope of laying the foundation for its domination of parts of the world. That has always been its ultimate strategic goal, alongside the cold war between China and the United States. Dr. Cheng Xiaonong is a scholar of Chinas politics and economy based in New Jersey. He is a graduate of Renmin University, where he obtained his masters degree in economics, and Princeton University, where he obtained his doctorate in sociology. In China, Cheng was a policy researcher and aide to the former Party leader Zhao Ziyang, when Zhao was premier. Cheng has been a visiting scholar at the University of Gottingen and Princeton, and he served as chief editor of the journal Modern China Studies. His commentary and columns regularly appear in overseas Chinese media. Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times. Five Lao men arrested near Dansavan international border gate in Laos for trying to bring 60,000 ecstasy pills into Vietnam, August 4 2020. Photo courtesy of Quang Tri Border Guard. Five Lao men linked to a cross-border trafficking ring were detained Tuesday while transporting 60,000 ecstasy pills into Vietnam. Borders in the central Quang Tri Province teamed up with Lao police to capture the drug runners, aged between 20 and 35, near Dansavan international border gate in Savannakhet Province. Officers seized 60,000 ecstasy pills, a Ford car, a motorbike, 11 smartphones and a knife. Colonel Le Van Phuong, commander of Quang Tri Border Guard, said the suspects were an important link in a trafficking ring active between northern Laos, Savannakhet and Vietnam. The arrested men were handed over to Lao police for further investigation. Quang Tri border guards said they five are part of a ring they have kept tabs on since February. So far, they have seized 479,000 ecstasy pills worth more than VND11 billion ($674,650) from the operation. Last month, three Laotians were sentenced to death while two others got 20 years each for trafficking 28 kg of heroin and meth into Vietnam. Vietnam is a major trafficking hub for narcotics from the Golden Triangle, an intersection of China, Laos, Thailand, and Myanmar and the world's second largest drug producing region after the Golden Crescent in South Asia. August 05, 2020 In this article, we want to look at the trends that will significantly influence marketing within this field. 1. New keywords: Health and sustainability For a few years now, there has been a change in the keywords involved with food. In simple words, there has been a change in public sentiment. This has generally influenced brand strategy in terms of marketing and production. In general, two trends seem to be very solid and ever-growing. For starters, there is a new focus on the aspect of environmental sustainability; its not a niche awareness anymore, but something thats increasing its popularity, particularly among the younger members of the society. In this situation, its not only about the drink and food itself but also about the overall packaging. Lots of leading companies are members of the Ellen MacArthur Foundation - the body is dedicated to eliminating plastic from their products, substituting it with bio-sustainable materials. Furthermore, Ipso CEO Nicola Neri puts much emphasis on how companies are putting attention on the packaging, citing the enhanced awareness of consumers with regards to waste and pollution and how it is influencing the measures that companies must make. Whats more, Health is another crucial keyword that you cant afford to forget. There is an enhanced focus on the effect of food on our lives, wherein various topics such as fitness, slow food, food intolerances, and organic are also getting much attention. Examples still surround us. Take a look at Proper Popcorn. For a second, just think of how some brands are changing their identities, changing national regulations, trends on social media, and TV commercials themselves, spontaneously, or by the decisive push of micro-influencers and influencers. 2. Social networks are at the center If you dont know what the king of social is, it is food. To comprehend the extent of this fact, you need to check out some data. While still referring to Instagram research, one of the most intriguing topics for users of social networks is Food & Beverage. And the dimensions of this social universe are huge. There are 3.48 billion active users on social networks worldwide, in 2019, which is an increase of 9% yearly. In fact, 3.26 billion users access social networks from their mobile devices at a 10% annual increase. Bearing this in mind, we may understand the significance of strategies being mobile-first. Lastly, whats the social network with the most effective growth? Instagram! It is an ecosystem-based on videos and images, the form of media thats significantly more impressive for storytelling when it comes to the Food Industry. For storytelling on social media, User Generated Content, or UGC, it is the holy grail, which is spontaneously created by users. Generally speaking, this is precisely what encourages the most confidence in the public - theyre regarded as more authentic and sincere. Based on research by Harvard Business Review, around 70% of users like authentic content (and also informative) to traditional marketing from brands. Its in this situation that the significance of the so-called influencers comes in. Generally, the new trend involves moving more towards micro-influencers to intercept better their clearly identified and, still, authentic audiences. 3. SEO is vital Search Engine Optimization, or simply SEO, is the set of practices and strategies used to optimize the positioning of a websites organic results on various search engines. Generally, understanding SEO will be of much more significance in digital marketing when it comes to this very competitive sector, where ranking among the top Googles (News - Alert) SERPs really matters. For certain services and products, not appearing on Google implies almost not existing for customers. In the food sector, this is relevant for producers as well as restaurants and retail outlets. According to Finances Online, it is no coincidence that the best marketing strategy is taking care of SEO because as much as 56% of the Food Industry sites traffic comes from organic search. 4. Personalization and targeting Earlier, we had started to address the centrality and significance that digital entrust to people. For brands, both small and large, it is imperative to be able to comprehend the individuals that make up their target audience: this includes who they are, their behaviors, where they live, their desires (including potential ones), and their preferences. All of this is possible with digital; this includes large audiences. But how? All thanks to data analysis, and, therefore, the dynamics of data-driven advertising. Think about the sentiment analysis, which enables producers to recognize trends even before they become popular, with the huge potential for competitive advantage. Perhaps, think about the power of consumers to recommend restaurants depending on preferences, geolocation data, and previous research expressed on the most diverse channels. In addition, think about loyalty opportunities and enhance the rate of loyalty (which ultimately, of course, also improves the image and reputation of a brand, a delivery service, a chain of restaurants, or even a single restaurant). In simple terms, a functional and correct analysis of Big Data results in a better understanding of your target audience, the potential audience, and the real one to influence and predict their possible behaviors. Therefore, the first step is to divide the target audience into portions, into very specific segments with consistent and aligned characteristics. However, that is not all. Personalization is the frontier, going as far as the single individual to a really tailored, interactive, and one-to-one dialog. This is exactly what companies such as MWD, which deal with personalized internet marketing, deal with. 5. Not so distant future: Augmented Reality, Virtual Reality, Voice Technology Looking ahead, we can see three major trends for the future. For starters, all-vocal technologies like Alexa, Google Assistant, and Siri. For instance, McDonalds recently declared that it had acquired a start-up dealing with voice technology for specific drive-through orders. Virtual Reality is the second element, while Augmented Reality is the third. The application of the two technologies will be huge in all sectors: think of the unmatched possibilities of storytelling, beginning with the packaging itself (when we are talking about beverages and food), of Customer Service for restaurants and stores, and, in turn, of broadening the consumer experience itself. At least 550 farmers from five local government areas of Gombe State have benefitted from the Federal Governments seed palliative. Joseph Hussaini, Director Technical Services, Gombe State Agricultural Development Programme (GADP), disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Gombe on Wednesday. Mr Hussaini said the palliative was meant to cushion the impact of coronavirus on rural farmers. He said the state ADP received the seeds in July and immediately distributed them, considering the fact that many farmers had already gone far with farming activities in the state. According to him, the seed palliative was distributed by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development through the International Crops Research Institute for Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) According to him, 300 bags of 8kg of sorghum, 200 bags of 5kg of millet and 50 bags of 8kg of cowpea were made available for distribution to five local government areas of the state. The local governments are Yamaltu-Deba, Nafada, Shongom, Balanga and Dukku LGAs, he told NAN. He said the seeds were packaged for distributions to carefully listed beneficiaries. Mr Hussaini said 110 farmers from each were chosen from each of the local governments. They comprised 60 sorghum farmers, 40 millet farmers and 10 cowpea farmers in each LGA, he said. He, however, said that many farmers had already planted sorghum and millet before the seed palliative arrived, except cowpea that came to time. He explained that in some locations, especially in Shongom LGA, some farmers declined the seed as they had already completed planting. As a result, about 15 bags of sorghum and 10 bags of millet were not collected, he said. He noted that reports from ADPs field officers indicated that all seeds collected by farmers have been planted in Balanga, Dukku and Nafada local governments. He commended the federal government for assisting rural farmers in the state. It was really a challenge to get genuine seeds and the federal government came to the rescue and this will assist farmers a lot because the seeds are improved seeds, which boost productivity and farmers income. These seeds are early maturing varieties with 90 to 100 days period as against the ordinary seeds that take between 120 and 150 days to mature. This will mitigate the impact of COVID-19 on farmers. He also commended the Gombe State Government for supporting and strengthening the GADP to improve the agricultural sector towards boosting food security in the state and country. (NAN) The twice-yearly Television Critics Association press tours usually offer their share of surprises, as TV critics and reporters ask questions of network executives, producers and stars who show up to discuss and promote their projects. This year, however, coronavirus-mandated guidelines against mass gatherings mean the summer press tour isnt happening at a hotel in Los Angeles, as is typically the case. Instead, some networks are doing virtual events, with reporters and journalists connecting thanks to the wonders of internet conference technology. Not surprisingly, the remote version of press tour, which began with sessions conducted by PBS, and continues this week, has had some surprises of its own. Reporters try and get their audio to work so they can ask questions. Panelists talk over each other, because theyre not in the same room and cant always tell when someone else has begun to answer a question. Actors children make unexpected cameos, as their parents talk from the comfort of their homes, rather than onstage, inside a hotel ballroom. But even with the occasional tech troubles, the untraditional press tour events have, as usual, included news about upcoming shows, and thoughts from actors, writers and others about why viewers should make the effort to watch their shows. Here are some highlights from what has transpired so far during this most unusual TV summer press tour: Hugh Laurie hears a noise: The panel for Roadkill, a drama about a self-made British politician, Peter Laurence (played by Hugh Laurie), whose enemies are intent on revealing career-ending secrets Laurence would rather keep hidden, was as brisk and intelligent as you might hope discussion of an upcoming Masterpiece series would be. Laurie, whos reliably witty and self-deprecating in his press tour appearances, shared some thoughts about why the character of Laurence sparked his interest. Asked how much he thinks politicians have to be actors, Laurie said, I suppose since television became the predominant instrument by which you disseminate any idea about anything, whether youre trying to sell Coca-Cola or a presidential candidate, I suppose yes, to a degree politicians have to be not necessarily actors, but at least aware of the theatrical element of what it is they (are) trying to do. There are certain skills that they have to acquire -- Laurie started to say, then stopped, after a thump! noise was heard, presumably from the home of one of the other participants in the Zoom call. Is someone being murdered somewhere? Laurie joked. I just heard a violent struggle. I dont think my answer was that objectionable, so far. David Hare, the playwright and Oscar-nominated screenwriter who created and wrote Roadkill, talked about his own experience in having COVID-19, and the theater monologue he has written about it. Hare also answered a question about the outrageousness of real news now, and how it compares to what a dramatist might imagine. I think it is true that satire is having a very difficult time these days, Hare said, noting that the outrageous populism of the leaders in Brazil, say, or in your country, or in my country, render them beyond satire. In other words, Hare said, It would normally be expected that by committing certain crimes against convention, you would, as it were, be expelled from society. This is no longer the case. Clearly, anyone who does outrageous things is now welcome by society, and is elevated by a society to the very top of being a convention-breaker, a rule-breaker, an outsider, a revolutionary. You know, you can disguise all sorts of bad behavior now as someone radical. And the very word radical, which used to suggest an affiliation, or a sense of identity with the people who are suffering most in society, radical is now taken to mean, no, not giving a damn about anyone in society. The four-episode thriller, Roadkill, is scheduled to premiere on Masterpiece Nov. 1, on PBS. Nicholas Ralph plays James Herriott in a new version of "All Creatures Great and Small," coming to "Masterpiece" on PBS. (Photo: Matt Squire/PBS/Playground Television (UK) Ltd) . Another old favorite gets a new look: Also coming to Masterpiece is a new adaptation of All Creatures Great and Small, which charmed viewers when the BBC series aired on public television in the late 1970s. Based on books by James Herriot (whose real name was Alf Wight), about his work as a veterinarian in Yorkshire during the 1930s, the new version stars Nicholas Ralph as Herriott, Samuel West as Siegfried Farnon, Callum Woodhouse as Tristan Farnon, Anna Madeley as Mrs. Hall, Rachel Shenton as Helen Alderson, and more. During the Zoom session, the actors agreeably talked about working with animals, which they said were generally cooperative (though the cats were a bit tricky), and kept their good humor, even when Wests young daughter unexpectedly turned up. A new version of "All Creatures Great and Small" is coming as a series to "Masterpiece." From left, top: Samuel West and Callum Woodhouse; middle, Nicholas Ralph; bottom, Anna Madeley. (Photo: Matt Squire/PBS/Playground Television (UK) Ltd.) The seven-part Season 1 of All Creatures Great and Small is scheduled to premiere on Masterpiece in January 2021. When a cartoon creation became a meme used by alt-right hate groups: Artist Matt Furies creation, Pepe the Frog, first started gaining notice after Furie featured Pepe in a comic called Boys Club, and Pepe was shown urinating with his pants down, explaining the activity with the catchphrase, Feels good man. Pepe and the catchphrase became popular on the internet. But things took a darker turn when some white nationalists co-opted Pepes image, and appropriated it as an internet meme associated with white supremacy. The documentary, Feels Good Man, features interviews with Furie, and explores how the artist fought to reclaim his character, even as social media was distorting what Furie had created. Artist Matt Furie's creation, Pepe the Frog, became an internet meme after members of the alt-right adopted the cartoon figure as a symbol of hate. The documentary, "Feels Good Man," tells the story of Furie's efforts to regain control of his creation. (Photo: Courtesy of Christian Bruno) Asked if he should have jumped in earlier to try and take control of his character, Furie said, Its hard to control anything on the Internet. The films director, Arthur Jones, noted that Furie was confronting something unprecedented when it came to enforcing his copyright on Pepe. This is something that has never happened before, Jones said. The Anti-Defamation League never has declared a copyrighted character a hate symbol before. So, it was a process for Matt to figure out how to handle this. As a sign of how quickly things evolve online, Jones said, In terms of Pepe right now, we have seen Pepe shift and change since we have completed the film this winter. Hes now being used by platforms like Twitch, and platforms like TikTok, by a new generation of Internet users that werent even old enough to vote in 2016. Feels Good Man is scheduled to premiere Oct. 19 on Independent Lens on PBS. The limitations of Laura Ingalls Wilder: History has shown the author of Little House on the Prairie, and other novels that were beloved by generations and inspired the hit TV series starring Melissa Gilbert and the late Michael Landon, was more complicated than the homespun image many still cherish. Laura Ingalls Wilder, author of the "Little House on the Prairie" series of books, is the subject of an upcoming "American Masters" documentary. (Photo: Courtesy of PBS) A new American Masters documentary, Laura Ingalls Wilder, will examine both why Wilders books became popular and how aspects of her work specifically depictions of non-white characters strike many contemporary readers as racist. Mary McDonagh Murphy, director of the documentary, said, I think in the entire body of her work, we are talking about five to eight racist scenes, particularly with respect to Native Americans. What we try to do in this documentary is show you that historical context, Murphy said, and show how Laura Ingalls Wilder came to have this view as a child. Lizzie Skurnick, who is interviewed in the documentary and who wrote, Shelf Discovery: The Teen Classics Well Never Stop Reading, said that acknowledging the racist scenes in Wilders work can be a wonderful way to teach about racism, and to teach about sexism, because they still exist. Melissa Gilbert, who played the young Laura Ingalls in the Little House on the Prairie TV series, said that, in these hard time, when the country is struck by a pandemic and a reckoning with systemic racism after the killing of George Floyd, shes hearing from people who turn to Little House on the Prairie as an escape. Since the world and our nation in particular have been dealing with this pandemic, Gilbert said, I began hearing more and more on social media from people saying, I am rewatching Little House on the Prairie. It is bringing me so much comfort. I am finding my way through. With the documentary scheduled to air at the end of the year, Gilbert said, she thinks it will be not just a source of comfort but a reminder of where we came from. The books and TV series, about a strong, happy family, depicts people helping build a nation. And that, Gilbert said, may be a reminder of how that is done, and thats only done with community, and love and understanding. Laura Ingalls Wilder is scheduled to air Dec. 29 on American Masters on PBS. More of our coverage: -- Kristi Turnquist Subscribe to our What to Watch newsletter. Email: kturnquist@oregonian.com 503-221-8227 @Kristiturnquist Subscribe to Oregonian/OregonLive newsletters and podcasts for the latest news and top stories. Kitui County has reportedly recorded an alarming 3, 207 teen pregnancies since the Covid-19 pandemic hit the country in March. According to a report by KNA, Kitui Children Officer Augustine Nyamai on Monday said the numbers could be more. We suspect that there could be more unreported cases within the community that have not been documented. We have joined hands with security agencies, Ministry of Health and NGOs such as World Vision to mitigate this vice, Nyamai said during a community awareness campaign against teen pregnancies in the county. According to the Children officer, parental laxity, lengthy closure of schools, and poverty has exposed the girlchild to pedophiles. Nyamai noted that the loss of livelihoods due to the corona crisis, particularly in low-income households, may force some children into income-generating activities to support their families. Lengthy school closure has stopped the provision of school meals and sanitary towels, which children from disadvantaged families rely on significantly, said Nyamai. Lower Yatta Deputy County Commissioner Gerald Mutuku confirmed that police with the help of chiefs and village elders are tracing the men responsible for the pregnancies. Let those responsible for teenage pregnancies rest assured that we shall apprehend and prosecute them. The government is committed to protecting the rights and welfare of minors in this country, said Mutuku. The deputy commissioner further cautioned parents and guardians against hiding the pregnancy of their under-age daughters. We are also aware parents and village elders have been holding kangaroo courts to mediate between the culprits and the aggrieved families. We shall not allow the rights of the children to trampled upon, those found in contravention of the law will be arrested and taken to court, said the administrator. Kitui and Machakos Counties World Vision Manager Winfred Mukonza noted that some of these teen pregnancies could be are as a result of sexual violence, which is projected to rise during Covid-19 lockdowns. Our hope is in children. The lengthy closure of schools has affected the girl child due to exposure to pedophiles when they go out in search of water or fetch firewood. This campaign is meant to create awareness and mitigate the abuse. We are extremely concerned about their wellbeing and their access to health care and other support services, said Mukonza. Former vice president and 2020 presidential candidate Joe Biden wont travel to Milwaukee for the 2020 Democratic National Convention, organizers announced Wednesday. After ongoing consultation with public health officials and experts who underscored the worsening coronavirus pandemic the Democratic National Convention Committee announced today speakers for the 2020 Democratic National Convention will no longer travel to Milwaukee, a statement said. Wisconsin in order to prevent risking the health of our host community as well as the conventions production teams, security officials, community partners, media and others necessary to orchestrate the event. According to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, the DNC will be mostly virtual and Biden will accept the Democratic nomination from his home in Delaware. From the very beginning of this pandemic, we put the health and safety of the American people first, Democratic National Committee Chair Tom Perez said in a statement. We followed the science, listened to doctors and public health experts, and we continued making adjustments to our plans in order to protect lives. Thats the kind of steady and responsible leadership America deserves. And thats the leadership Joe Biden will bring to the White House. The 2020 Democratic National Convention is scheduled to run from Aug. 17 to Aug. 20. The 2020 Republican National Convention will begin a week later on Aug. 24 and is similarly being disrupted by Covid-19 concerns. President Donald Trump was previously expected to speak at the RNC in Charlotte, North Carolina, then Jacksonville, Florida. Trump told Fox News on Wednesday that hes considering accepting the GOP nomination from the White House South Lawn, raising questions about the Hatch Act. Were thinking about it, Trump told Fox & Friends. It would be the easiest from the standpoint of security. The Hatch Act prohibits federal employees from using government property for political purposes, but the president is exempt from those restrictions. The Guardian points out any other government employees involved in the event could be considering in violating of the rule. State officials confirmed Tuesday night that emerald ash borer has infested some trees in the Warren County town of Chester. The invasive bug has been documented all around the outskirts of the Adirondack Park, but this is the first time the state Department of Environmental Conservation has confirmed an infestation within the park. Emerald ash borers are metallic, green-winged beetles whose larvae feed on an inner layer of an ash tree. Once theyre grown, the adults exit the tree, leaving behind a D-shaped hole. Over time, the beetles lifecycle ends up killing the tree. Theyre not great at flying, either, and typically get spread through people transporting wood shipping pallets or firewood. State Department of Transportation employees identified the infected trees at the Warren County Canoe Launch on the Schroon River, according to a DEC news release. See the Adirondack Explorer story and website here Tammara Van Ryn, manager of the Adirondack Park Invasive Plant Program, said her organization is assisting DEC in surveying the site and determining how widespread the damage is. At first glance, Van Ryn said the spread appears to be regional and it is unlikely the state will use pesticides or remove the trees at this point. Considering nearly all the counties surrounding the Adirondacks have emerald ash borer, too, the outlook for the rest of the park is looking a little grim. I like to always think that theres hope on the horizon though, Van Ryn added. The hope part is, this is often spread by firewood. Its really, really important not to transport firewood and especially if you are in Warren County, or around the Schroon Lake access site. Environmental conservation law allows untreated firewood to be transported a maximum of 50 miles. Van Ryn said people should be extra cautious with the current outbreak, and recommended buying firewood on site or buying treated firewood. Van Ryn and DEC staff will be surveying the Schroon River site in the coming weeks. A spokesperson for DEC said they will use remote sensors, traps and other survey methods. Some parts of the state are part of a federal program that releases a wasp to control emerald ash borer. Van Ryn said DEC and the U.S. Department of Agriculture will be in discussion about whether the Adirondack Park site is a candidate for that control. DEC Commissioner Basil Seggos added that DEC and our partners will continue our significant investments in finding strategies that mitigate and address invasive species in our environment and raise public awareness so that all New Yorkers can take part in helping to protect the Adirondacks our entire state. Ash isnt a very prevalent tree in the Adirondacks. About 7% of New Yorks forests are ash, while DEC said less than that is in the Adirondack Park. But Van Ryn said there are beautiful stands of the trees, iconic to certain lowlands in the Adirondacks. Another tree under threat in the Adirondacks is the hemlock, which accounts for almost one-third of New Yorks tree species, according to the New York State Hemlock Initiative. In 2017, an infestation of hemlock woolly adelgid was found on Prospect Mountain in Lake George. It was the first time officials had documented it in the Adirondack Park. The aphids lay eggs under a hemlock trees needles. The insects feed off of the trees stored starches, according to DEC, which over time kills the tree. A spokesperson for DEC said so far the state has not confirmed any additional infestations at the Prospect Mountain site or anywhere else in the Adirondacks. Van Ryn said the woolly adelgid infestation was different from the emerald ash borer find because only one tree was infected. That made pesticide treatment easy. With emerald ash borer, however, Van Ryn said its rare that just one tree is impacted. Telltale signs of an infestation of either invasive bug include canopy dieback. For emerald ash borer, DEC officials encourage the public to look for the D-shaped exit holes and yellowing or browning of ash leaves. For hemlock trees, look for graying needles and cotton masses underneath the branches. Talk of Banning TikTok Sparks Calls For A More Open Internet in China 2020-08-04 -- Ongoing negotiations between Microsoft and Beijing-based software company ByteDance over the possible acquisition of the Chinese-owned video platform TikTok have highlighted security and privacy concerns among Chinese internet users, while sparking a rare public call to open up the Great Firewall. TikTok could become totally independent from ByteDance, leaving it free to continue operating overseas amid growing security concerns, especially in the U.S., Hong Kong's English-language South China Morning Post cited sources close to the negotiations as saying. But ByteDance is reportedly reluctant to go along, the paper said. U.S. President Donald Trump will take action "in the coming days" against TikTok, as it poses a national security risk, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on Aug. 3, accusing the platform of "feeding data directly to the Chinese Communist Party." Meanwhile, the Global Times, which has close ties to the official paper of the ruling Chinese Communist Party, the People's Daily, hit out at the threat, saying it had turned the negotiation into a "fire sale." Some in China's growing high-tech sector have called for TikTok to bring the case to the New York-based United States Court of International Trade on intellectual property grounds, it said. TikTok, which is widely known in China as the international arm of video platform Douyin, would keep its name and branding under the spinoff plan, the South China Morning Post reported. Regular users of Douyin and Alibaba's online selling platform Taobao told RFA that those platforms are already a privacy and security risk for their users. One user, who gave only her surname Yang, said she had recently received a number of notifications of products after she mentioned them in face-to-face conversations with friends, suggesting that the Taobao app was listening to her through her phone's microphone. "It's Douyin and also Taobao," Yang said. "If I talk about something with my colleagues, it will really push related things at me.I think it may be an eavesdropping function." Jin Chun, a former big data engineer at Huawei's Southern Research Institute, believes that Taobao and other apps are quite likely to be monitoring users' data in such ways. "Big data will usually monitor your clipboard, or some of the more important calls," Jin said. "Taobao will have all of her private information. This definitely happens, on WeChat, too." "Any app approved by the Chinese Communist Party can be instructed by it to engage in surveillance and spying activities to collect information of all kinds," he said. "I have no doubt about that." Requests to ByteDance for comment were received but not responded to by the time of writing. Taobao didn't respond to requests for comment. The dispute briefly sparked calls for China to respond by loosening its complex system of blocks, filters and human censorship that make up its Great Firewall, and effectively seal off Chinese internet users in a bubble of content approved by their government. 'Diplomatic warfare' James Liang, founder of the online travel agency Ctrip, said in an article on Sina.com that the U.S. is using "diplomatic warfare" to persuade its allies to block Chinese technology companies, citing the barring of Huawei from 5G bidding processes in several countries. "If we simply adopt a tit-for-tat strategy and implement the same xenophobic barriers, we will leave matters in the hands of the U.S.," Liang wrote, in an article that was later deleted from the Chinese internet. "Our countermeasures should be to open up further," Liang wrote, according to a cached copy of the deleted article available on Tuesday. "The United States wants to block WeChat and TikTok, so we can do the opposite." Liang proposed opening up China's internet to overseas players like Google, which left China amid a censorship row in 2020. "Suppose we open up to Google and other international mainstream internet companies, and the United States blocks WeChat and Tiktok," he wrote, adding that such a move would make life easier for Chinese researchers and innovators to communicate with their overseas counterparts. "Our cultural and creative workers need to keep up with trends and fashions in global culture in order to create cultural products that global consumers like," he wrote, flying in the face of general secretary Xi Jinping's insistence that China block foreign cultural products and produce more content approved by the Communist Party. Liang said opening up China's internet would also attract more overseas talent to live and work in China, citing the inconvenience of censorship to expats and their families, while enabling overseas Chinese to promote Chinese products and companies on overseas platforms. He said such a move would quickly undermine U.S. criticisms of China's protectionism and lack of freedom and human rights protection, and strike a huge blow to the U.S.' image internationally and win Beijing more allies. Reported by Han Jie for RFA's Mandarin Service, and by Wong Siu-san and Sing Man for the Cantonese Service. Translated and edited by Luisetta Mudie. Copyright 1998-2020, RFA. Used with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. For any commercial use of RFA content please send an email to: mahajanr@rfa.org. RFA content August not be used in a manner which would give the appearance of any endorsement of any product or support of any issue or political position. Please read the full text of our Terms of Use. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Two Royal Canadian Air Force CF-188 Hornet aircraft execute high-speed manoeuvres at the 4 Wing Cold Lake fighters base in Alberta on June 1, 2017. (MCpl HJL MacRae, 4 Wing Imaging, CK05-2017-0460) Canadas Military Hits 2 Milestones but Procurement and Funding Concerns Linger New fighter jets at least five years away as threat environment worsens News Analysis Canadas military passed two key milestones to end July. It received three bids to build the next fleet of fighter jets and saw the delivery of its first new Arctic warship since the 1950s. But after the accolades subside, what remains sobering is the reality and gravity of Canadas ponderous defence procurementdelivery of the first new jet is not expected until 2025and doubts about military funding amid growing threats from China and Russia. Both milestones come after lengthy delays and arent a sign of any procurement process improvements, defence expert and Macdonald-Laurier Institute senior fellow Richard Shimooka told The Epoch Times. Its the rate of progress thats probably most problematic, he said, adding that things eventually get done and delays cant last forever. The procurement process has to be honed to be more timely and effective, J. Paul de B. Taillon, adjunct professor at Royal Military College of Canada, told The Epoch Times. Nowhere is that more clear than in Canadas attempt at replacing its current CF-18 fleet, which is more than 30 years old. The contract for getting 88 new fighter jetsworth up to $19 billionis expected to be awarded in 2022. Canada is also buying used Australian jets to supplement the CF-18s until a permanent fleet is operational. Both experts agree that Canadas top priority for new fighter jets is to achieve so-called interoperability with the United States. Canada has to be able to share in the joint defence of the Canadian and American territory. Our closest ally is the United States, and so we have to look at interoperability among our allies and friends, particularly when were dealing with coalitional operations and power projection, Taillon said. We actually jointly defend our airspacewere stronger because of it, Shimooka said. If youre not interoperable, youve become actually, in some ways, a hindrance. Evaluating Capabilities Its not as simple as buying new fighter jets that may be able to win one-on-one duels. The aircraft must support highly advanced technology like artificial intelligence that allows it to share information and logistics with bases and other planes as part of an overall system to meet NORAD and NATO obligations. For Taillon, a critical requirement is that the aircraft must be long-range for interception operations. We need constant surveillance over there [in the Arctic]. And we need the ability to project our power, and an aircraft that actually can operate from rudimentary fields, he said. What also needs to be considered, according to Shimooka, is how the system will operate in 2050, 2060, and even 2070, since Canada has the dubious distinction of trying to run aircraft longer than it should. These requirements have a role in determining which aircraft is ultimately chosen from the three bidderstwo American companies and one Swedish firm. The choice is between Lockheed Martins F-35, Boeings Super Hornet, and Saabs Gripen respectively. HMCS Harry deWolf heads from the Irving-owned Halifax shipyard on its way to being delivered to the Royal Canadian Navy dockyard in Halifax on July 31, 2020. (The Canadian Press/Andrew Vaughan) Similar to the predicament of Canadas fighter jets, the HMCS Harry DeWolf is the first new warship in decades for Arctic military operations. Its the first of six ships of its class being built for the Royal Canadian Navy under the National Shipbuilding Strategy. It will be deployed to the Arctic in the summer of 2021. Demonstrating Domestic Benefits The government is giving a 20 percent weighting to economic benefits in its evaluation of the fighter jet bids, along with 20 percent to cost and 60 percent to capability. Additionally, Canadas Industrial and Technological Benefits (ITB) Policy applies to the procurement, which requires the successful vendor to invest the entire value of the contract back into the Canadian economy. A bidder will score higher if it makes economic benefit commitments based on specific criteria set out by the policy, such as supporting the growth of Canadas defence industry and investing in Canadian research and development. Its almost like a subsidy for Canadian industry that has nothing to do with the program, and it costs more money for the company to meet those obligations, Shimooka said. But it also provides the government with a publicity opportunity. As one example of the ITB Policy, General Dynamics, which won a roughly $2 billion contract last September to produce armoured combat support vehicles, will re-invest that same amount in creating jobs across Canada. Thus far, subcontracts have been awarded to companies in seven provinces varying in value from $38,800 to $24 million, according to an Aug. 4 National Defence press release. Defence Dollars More Critical Now The post-COVID environment is shaping up to be one of reduced defence spending due to massive deficits built up to counter the pandemic. And its coming at a precarious time when China and Russia seek to exploit growing vulnerabilities. Theres always going to be trade-offssocial programs versus defence issues, Taillon said. Shimooka argues that Canadas first fully costed and funded national defence policy, called Strong, Secure, Engaged (SSE), is inadequate for the post-COVID security environment. It was far too rigid in how it addressed military technological innovation, and made questionable military assumptions on capability purchases past 2030, largely for budgeting purposes, he writes in an upcoming paper on the post-COVID global environment. SSE states that defence spending will grow from $18.9 billion in 201617 to $32.7 billion in 202627; however, defence spending is becoming increasingly backloaded, which raises the risk that it gets cut. SSE was supposed to have major military funding increases starting now and going forward, Shimooka said. I think a lot of people in the Canadian Forces are just fingers crossed. Several countries, such as South Korea, are planning to cut defence spending in light of the pandemics grievous economic damage, writes Shimooka in his upcoming paper. But others, like France, that are increasing defence purchases as a form of economic stimulus are focusing on domestic procurement, which tends to be more costly than acquiring capabilities from international sources. Prior economic downturns, like the 2008 subprime mortgage crisis, have shown that such spending is likely to be curtailed as some form of belt-tightening takes hold. The Canadian military faces a plethora of other priorities: Submarines are aging into obsolescence and have no replacements lined up; the North Warning Systema network of radar across Canadas Arcticis a multibillion-dollar upgrade project that has not been accounted for in SSE; and Canadas search-and-rescue planes are also badly in need of upgrades. Just everywhere you look, theres systems that need replacement, and they just cant be operated anymore, Shimooka said, adding that at some point, the Canadian government will have to accelerate a process that has, for the past few decades, operated at a snails pace. Meanwhile, the U.S. Air Force is already looking at speeding up design processes and procurement to find a successor to the F-35 to stay one step ahead of Russia and China. It is really important to understand that your phone is a surveillance device. The reason why the advertisements on your phone seem so perfectly tailored for you is because of all the information that your phone has gathered on you previously. To this day, many people are still amazed when they see an ad pop up for something that they were just talking with a friend about, but that doesnt happen by accident. The following comes from Fox News Perhaps youve been talking to a friend about an island vacation, when suddenly deals for the Maldives or Hawaii pop up on your Facebook feed. Or you are talking to your co-worker about yard renovations when advertisements for lawnmowers litter your Twitter, or maybe you were talking about why you stopped drinking and a random sponsored article about the growing trend of elective sobriety is suddenly in front of your eyes. Industry experts insist that our phones are not actively eavesdropping on us, but they do admit that our phones are actually spying on us in other ways Its easy to feel like our phone is spying on us. It is actually spying on us, but it is not eavesdropping, Alex Hamerstone, Government, Risk and Compliance practice lead at information technology security firm, TrustedSec, told Fox News via email. The reason why we see ads pop up that seem to be correlated to the exact thing we were just talking about is because technology and marketing companies gather extensive amounts of personal and behavioral data on us, but its not from eavesdropping its from surfing the web, shopping, posting on social media, and other things people do online. Most Americans have come to accept targeted ads as a part of life, but what most people dont realize is that the information our phones gather is being used for far more intrusive purposes. Surveillance scores are being created, and these surveillance scores seem quite similar to the social credit scores that China has been compiling since 2014. In China, if you do good things like paying your taxes or taking a parent to the doctor, your social credit score will go up. But there are also lots of things that will cause your social credit score to go down It aims to punish for transgressions that can include membership in or support for the Falun Gong or Tibetan Buddhism, failure to pay debts, excessive video gaming, criticizing the government, late payments, failing to sweep the sidewalk in front of your store or house, smoking or playing loud music on trains, jaywalking, and other actions deemed illegal or unacceptable by the Chinese government. And if your social credit score gets too low, the consequences can be quite dramatic Punishments can be harsh, including bans on leaving the country, using public transportation, checking into hotels, hiring for high-visibility jobs, or acceptance of children to private schools. It can also result in slower internet connections and social stigmatization in the form of registration on a public blacklist. Here in the United States, private companies are doing something very similar. Information collected from our phones is being used to create secret surveillance scores, and selling those scores has become very big business. The following comes from the Houston Chronicle Operating in the shadows of the online marketplace, specialized tech companies youve likely never heard of are tapping vast troves of our personal data to generate secret surveillance scores digital mug shots of millions of Americans that supposedly predict our future behavior. The firms sell their scoring services to major businesses across the U.S. economy. And just like Chinas system, high scores come with rewards and low scores come with punishments. For example, your scores can determine whether or not someone will rent a property to you, whether or not you will be hired for a job, and even how long you will have to wait for customer service CoreLogic and TransUnion say that scores they peddle to landlords can predict whether a potential tenant will pay the rent on time, be able to absorb rent increases, or break a lease. Large employers use HireVue, a firm that generates an employability score about candidates by analyzing tens of thousands of factors, including a persons facial expressions and voice intonations. Other employers use Cornerstones score, which considers where a job prospect lives and which web browser they use to judge how successful they will be at a job. Brand-name retailers purchase risk scores from Retail Equation to help make judgments about whether consumers commit fraud when they return goods for refunds. Players in the gig economy use outside firms such as Sift to score consumers overall trustworthiness. Wireless customers predicted to be less profitable are sometimes forced to endure longer customer service hold times. To me, all of this is extremely creepy. Eventually, it may get to a point where you are basically a societal outcast if you are not willing to conform to a particular set of politically-correct standards, values and behaviors. You may not get thrown in jail the moment you do something unacceptable, but your phone will be watching you every step of the way. Each mistake that you make will be recorded by your phone, and that information will be stored and used against you for the rest of your life. I know that all of this sounds very strange, but without a doubt we are living in very strange times. My advice would be to only use your phone when necessary, but of course the vast majority of the population will never listen to such advice. Most of us have become highly addicted to these marvelous little devices, and in the process we are helping the elite construct a system of surveillance and control that is unlike anything ever seen before in all of human history. BAKU, Azerbaijan, Aug. 5 Trend: A film in honor of fascist of Garegin Nzhdeh who was Armenian, Nazi collaborator and commander of the Wehrmachts Armenian Legion was shot in Bulgaria, Trend reports. According to the information disseminated by Armenian websites operating in Russia, the film was financed by a Bulgarian benefactor of Armenian origin. As reported, a Bulgarian sculptor has also created a bust of the Armenian fascist, which will be opened soon. The land to place the pedestal of the bust on will be brought from Zangazur, where Nzhdeh committed genocide against Azerbaijanis. Commenting on the fact, Azerbaijans MP Sevil Mikayilova said that the world community should resolutely protest against the erection of a monument to the fascist of Armenian origin Nzhdeh in Bulgaria and the shooting of a film in honor of this executioner. However, the construction of a monument to a fascist of Armenian origin in Bulgaria is not accidental, Mikayilova noted. Everyone knows that the Soviet court sentenced Nzhdeh to imprisonment for 25 years, as well as other facts of this kind. This is recent history, and the world is well aware of what fascism is. The countries that won the victory over fascism in 1945 must now clearly recognize its threat to the world security. The fact that years earlier, the Azerbaijani state exposed Armenia's interest in developing fascist tendencies should become an alarm signal for the whole world, the MP stressed. Mikayilova added that the destructive actions of the Armenians must be unequivocally suppressed. "Otherwise, we will witness the flourishing of Armenia's unbridled acts, which pose a threat to security in the whole world," she noted. Then, all countries will become eyewitnesses of the consequences of the terrible disaster that will befall the world community, the MP concluded. Tropical storm Isaias is threatening critical oil infrastructure along the U.S. East Coast as it barrels towards the Northeast, Bloomberg reports, noting that the risk has pushed up regional prices of various fuels. The Coast Guard has limited the traffic in Delaware Bay, which contains infrastructure serving three refineries, which, in turn, serve drivers and airports along the Atlantic seaboard. The combined capacity of the refineries is 530,000 bpd. The regions largest oil port is also risking at least partial closure as the storm draws near. As a result of the disruption, the New York Harbor physical gasoline benchmark jumped to their highest relative to Nymex gasoline futures since November, to close to $0.03 per gallon. Isaias made landfall in North Carolina as a hurricane and has been moving up the East Coast, bringing tornadoes and torrential rains that have caused floods along its path. The storm is currently moving towards Canada. Experts warned earlier this year that the Atlantic hurricane season would be a busy one, with more than the average number of storms. Normally, there 12 named ones during a hurricane season, but for this year, meteorologists expect anywhere from 13 to 19. Things are unfortunately shaping up to be an active hurricane season in the Atlantic, which is probably not what people are wanting to hear, one such expert, Phil Klotzbach from Colorado State University, told National Geographic in July. Even earlier in the year, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration predicted above-normal activity during the 2020 hurricane season, with between 6 and 10 hurricanes, of which 3 to 6 could become major ones. The weather conditions conducive to an above-normal hurricane season included the absence of El Nino, which would have suppressed hurricane activity, warmer than usual seas surface temperatures in the tropical Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean, and weaker winds. By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: Foreign Minister Marise Payne said the Australian government was "shocked and saddened" by the massive blast in Beirut, the capital of Lebanon, and that it would direct $2 million in humanitarian support to the country. She confirmed one Australian had been killed in the devastating explosion. She also said the Australian embassy had been "significantly" damaged and several staff wounded but "all [staff] were safe and accounted for". Lebanese rescue workers have been digging through the mangled wreckage of buildings on Wednesday looking for survivors after a massive warehouse explosion sent a devastating blast wave across the city, killing at least 100 people and injuring nearly 4000. "Our hearts go out to the people of Lebanon and to those worried for friends and family," she said in a statement. A health officer at PT Indonesia Morowali Industrial Park takes the temperature of a Chinese worker in Morowali, Central Sulawesi, Jan. 28, 2020. A Chinese national who works at a nickel smelter in Indonesias Southeast Sulawesi province will stand trial on charges of involuntary manslaughter after he allegedly drove a truck over and killed a colleague last month, police said Tuesday. The incident came amid public opposition to the recent arrivals of 500 Chinese workers to the province, where they are employed at China-owned nickel smelters. Lee Shang Bing, 35, allegedly drove a dump truck over the Indonesian mechanic, who was lying under the vehicle, and killed him while the two were doing repair work on July 18, said the head of the local polices criminal investigation unit, Husni Abdi. We have sent the file to the prosecutors office, Husni told BenarNews, adding that a date for Lees trial had not been decided. Lee could face a maximum of five years in prison if convicted, Husni said. Lee, who works as a mechanic at PT Virtue Dragon Nickel Industry (VDNI) in Konawe regency, had been assigned to repair the 10-wheel dump truck along with Yusran, a 30-year-old Indonesian coworker, Husni said. Lee asked his subordinate to fix it together. When Yusran was checking a cable under the truck, Lee started the engine and the truck ran over the victim, Husni said. It was a case of negligence, either because of miscommunication or something else, said Husni, adding that during the investigation, the suspect was accompanied by an interpreter from the company. The companys external affairs manager, Indrayanto, declined to comment on the case. It was the second fatal incident involving Chinese workers in the province this year. In May, Dong Ming, a Chinese worker at PT Obsidian Stainless Steel (OSS), was charged with manslaughter after his truck allegedly collided with a motorcycle carrying a fellow Chinese and a local colleague, killing them both. A date for his trial has not been set, a police official said. 500 Chinese workers Since June, about 500 Chinese workers have arrived at Konawe to work at VDNI and Obsidian, replacing other Chinese staff whose contracts had expired. VDNI is a subsidiary of Delong Nickel Industry Co. Ltd, based in Jiangsu, China, while Obsidian is a unit of Singapore-based Hongkong Xiangyu Hansheng Co., Ltd. The two companies are building nickel smelters in a 5,500-hectare (13,590-acre) industrial estate in Konawe. Their arrivals prompted rallies by students and others who fear that the Chinese will take jobs from locals. They also said the new workers could spread coronavirus at a time when the country is struggling to contain the pandemic. A director at the Ministry of Manpower, Aris Wahyudi, said the Chinese were skilled workers whose contracts required them to transfer their knowledge to local colleagues, and who would not steal their jobs. He also said they had passed health examinations and did not have COVID-19. When their job is done, they will return to their country, he told BenarNews. He declined to comment on the state of work safety at the two projects. Indonesian President Joko Jokowi Widodo has made improving the countrys infrastructure a priority during his second term in office and has been trying to woo Chinese investment. Prior to his re-election last year, Jokowi attended the 2017 unveiling of Beijings One Belt, One Road (OBOR) initiative, an estimated U.S. $1 trillion-plus initiative to build a network of railways, ports and bridges across 70 countries. A $6 billion high-speed railway linking Jakarta and Bandung is OBORs flagship project in Indonesia. The perceived influx of Chinese workers into the country in recent years has caused unease among Indonesians, who fear that Chinese workers are stealing jobs from them. In recent years, local media have reported about foreigners, most of them Chinese nationals, being caught working illegally in parts of the country. Fears of foreigners taking over jobs from locals are often inflamed by baseless rumors spreading on social media and online messaging platforms that millions of Chinese have flooded the country. The Manpower Ministry said in February that there were just over 40,000 Chinese workers in Indonesia. Exterior view of a boarded up, vacant PHA property at 1919 Turner St. in North Philadelphia, August 4, 2020. PHAs chief executive, Kelvin Jeremiah, said fewer than 600 of its scattered-site properties remain vacant today. Of those, about 225 are slated for rehab; the rest have been deemed nonviable. Read more A few months ago, plywood covered the doors and windows of the three-story North Philadelphia rowhouse on a block where boxy new construction is sprouting amid vacant lots. The beige linoleum was cracked and curling. The white stove top was filthy black. But the 41-year-old mother of eight saw the potential: After a year of homelessness, her children scattered in juvenile facilities and foster care, it was a home. So, she moved in and set about deep-cleaning, painting, hanging curtains, laying down floor tiles. A plumber still has to be called to address a leak in the upstairs bathroom and a problem with the downstairs sink. What looks like an unassuming slice of domestic life is, in fact, a radical undertaking: This is one of 11 (and counting) formerly homeless families who have recently taken over properties left vacant by the Philadelphia Housing Authority, supported by the same activists who have set up homeless encampments on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway and outside PHAs North Philadelphia headquarters. Its a response to the intersecting problems of homelessness, lack of affordable housing, and family separation. Philadelphia has the highest rate of family separation of any big city, and homelessness is the second most common reason (after substance abuse) for a child to be brought into the child-welfare system. Squatting is an unconventional, illegal and, PHA says, dangerous solution. PHA also argues it is unfair to the 40,000 other families on a waiting list thats been closed since 2013, all in line for fewer than 500 properties that come available each year. But the mother, who asked not to be named for fear it could lead authorities to her doorstep, said she tried following the rules and it didnt work. Ive been on the housing waiting list for over 10 years, she said. I feel like if you sit there waiting, you will always be homeless. Someone blessed me with a home and I wasnt going to turn it down. It was a desperate situation. READ MORE: Organizers and city officials still talking as Day 50 of the Parkway homeless encampment dawned PHA has accused the squatters of hooking up illegal utility connections, even setting a disastrous fire. Many houses, they say, require far more than cosmetic fixes. PHAs chief executive, Kelvin Jeremiah, said the organizers have refused PHAs request for a list of occupied homes. However, PHA has identified about 20 units with squatters, including some PHA had planned to ready for occupants. When [work crews] get there, we find unfortunately there are squatters in that unit, he said. We will be going through an ejectment process [in court] to remove those folks. On visits to two of the houses and a virtual visit to a third, what was most evident was not the hazards but the relief of parents and children who were reunited after months or years bouncing among couches, homeless shelters, hotels, and the street. The North Philadelphia mother knows its probably temporary. But its buying her time to prepare for whatever comes next. For now, shes working hard for that contingency, putting in at least eight hours a day selling her handmade statement jewelry, crystals set in metal wire that go for up to $40 apiece. But with her poor credit, informal income, and large family, shes been rejected by landlord after landlord in the past. As her 4-year-old daughter bounced down the stairs, she said allowing her family to be separated again is not an option. I feel like housing is by any means necessary. You cant expect me to work or do anything if I dont have a home to come to, she said. A mission for accountability The peaceful house is a small, private corner of a larger, messier fight playing out in homeless encampments that, in just two months, have become living, seething, growing protests of a system residents say has locked them out. It started when a group of people pitched tents on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, with support from a grassroots group called Workers Revolutionary Collective. As that encampment grew, Jennifer Bennetch a 34-year-old mother of two who has been protesting PHA relentlessly for the last year, helped another group set up outside PHAs one-year-old, $45 million headquarters. Bennetchs beef with PHA is personal. It started, she said, when the housing authoritys police force began showing up at the house owned by her husband, Gerald Williams-Bey: The house neighbors three PHA properties. In a lawsuit filed in 2016, she and Williams-Bey allege PHA police failed to stop, and indeed escalated, harassment by a neighbor, culminating in Williams-Beys near-fatal stabbing. A federal judge in February denied PHAs petition to dismiss the lawsuit, which is still pending. In the interim, Bennetch was galvanized. I went on this mission to try to get some accountability, she said. She started attending PHA board meetings, where she noticed how frequently PHA was selling off properties and people were being displaced. It started happening really rapidly, houses being boarded up by the dozens. READ MORE: Outside a Philly officials home, protesters call for better housing options for the homeless and disabled She questioned the agencys strategy for its portfolio of nearly 4,000 scattered-site properties, among the largest in the nation. In its most recent annual report, PHA said those aging units require repairs that vastly outweigh PHAs limited capital funding. So, it is preserving some properties 212 units in fiscal 2019 while auctioning others, including 179 properties over the last two fiscal years, for just over $14 million. Jeremiah said he has prioritized those scattered properties, rehabbing 1,800 of them at a cost of $75 million. Fewer than 600 remain vacant today, he said. Of those, about 225 are slated for rehab; the rest have been deemed nonviable. He noted that PHA housing standards are set by the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development, whereas its unclear what standards the DIY renovations have taken. We dont know if the work they have done is within code. We dont know if they did all the necessary tests, for example, with lead. But to Bennetch, who has been scouting vacant PHA properties, for months they were easy to spot with their boarded-up doors and windows those numbers dont add up. Shes compiled a list of more than 500 just in North Philadelphia. As she and others began to investigate, they found the properties unlocked. And while some were beyond repair, others seemed to require only modest plumbing, electrical, or carpentry work. No illegal utility hookups were necessary, she said: Utilities were left on, so new occupants only needed to transfer the accounts into their own names. Mostly, the houses were filled with junk. Volunteers found old eviction notices, graduation photos, yellowing obituaries. Most jarring was when she walked into the home of a woman shed tried to help fight eviction. Bennetch encountered a poster shed made herself, advertising home-cooked meals for a fund-raiser. At first, organizers tried placing a group of adults together, but conflicts ensued. Now, they stick to families. There is no screening process, she said. We believe everyone deserves a place to stay, especially if they have children. She and other volunteers try to teach the new residents the basics of home maintenance. Its mutual aid, not a charity, she said. We let them know what theyre doing, what could happen. In July, PHA officers showed up at one of the houses with a notice giving the residents 48 hours to vacate. But Bennetch rushed over and began streaming on Facebook, warning officials against acting without a legal court order. Eventually, they left. And as recently as Tuesday night, PHA police showed up at a North Philadelphia house occupied by a 26-year-old mother of one and told the family to leave. They basically came into the house and told me I had 15 minutes to get some stuff and go, said the woman, who called Bennetch. Bennetch, who began livestreaming the situation, demanded the officers leave. They finally did so, and the family shakily returned to the house. Im relieved I can get another night here of sleep, the woman said. But I dont know what tomorrow may bring. Mostly, PHA has restricted its response to social media postings, media interviews, and cease-and-desist demands. Jeremiah continues to argue the encampment is a nuisance, blocking construction of a long-awaited grocery store. He also blames squatters for a fire that ravaged a house on the 2000 block of Turner Street. Bennetch said she is familiar with that house and believes it was not occupied, but was being used for illegal activity. The families she helps settle, she argues, help deter crime and reduce blight. But in an interview, Jeremiah said he has come to appreciate the groups advocacy. I think that in the last three weeks they have done a masterful job in conveying what is a desperate crisis for affordable housing in the city, he said. Unlike many big cities across the country, we dont receive any funding from the city or the state. My PHAs coming!' For a 33-year-old mother of four who moved into a rowhouse on a sleepy, porch-lined block in Southwest Philadelphia in late July, its not about housing policy. Its about a safe place to spend the night, after months separated from her kids, sleeping on couches, in cars and hotel rooms. The mother, who declined to be named for fear of repercussions from PHA or DHS, said this tidy new home with fresh white walls and diaphanous red curtains, represented the first flicker of hope after months of despair. Her monthly income is just $294 plus food stamps. Worse, after 15 years on PHAs waiting list, shed lost her spot in line after she became homeless and lost touch with the agency. I used to call all the time just to know where I was on the list, she said, wiping away tears. Can you imagine being on the list all that time? Going through hell and high water to try to survive, but youre banking on it My PHAs coming! My PHAs coming! just to get heartbroken and be told you were dropped off the list? READ MORE: Coronavirus killed panhandling and closed food pantries. This volunteer is scrambling to keep homeless Philadelphians alive. The house had been cleaned, minor electrical and plumbing repairs completed, the walls painted and furniture brought in. She let an incense stick smolder. Overnight, it was home. Now, with the daily panic of where shell spend each night lifted, shes able to focus on the bigger picture: what to do about school, how to rein in her teenage sons who, staying with relatives, had drifted into the streets. As the pandemic drags on, a third mother said, more families may be considering similar paths. Unlike the others, this 45-year-old mother of five said she had never been homeless before. A licensed practical nurse and an ultrasound technician, she worked long hours to get by. When money was tight, shed uproot her family for temporary work contracts. Now, though, shes unemployed, immobilized with a knee injury and terrified living in a shelter would expose her to the coronavirus. Usually I can move and shake and work my way out of something. At this point, though, my back is up against the wall, said the mother, who had been toying with the idea of finding an abandoned house before meeting the organizers. When I met with them, I thought: Its a thing. Its not just us. There is a guide. Someone is helping people to get into safe housing by squatting, she said. It was the realization that we werent the only ones, that this is the answer for a lot of people. Natural gas price surged this week on hot weather forecast and this summer trend is likely to continue. Warmer-than-normal temperatures are expected in most of the Midwest and east coast over the next two weeks, and this should propel natural gas demand for air conditioning. An intense hot weather will spur cooling demand in homes and business, and ease pressure on storage injection levels, bolstering natural gas prices. Industrial energy demand is also showing signs of increasing as global economies are emerging from coronavirus-imposed lockdowns. Per the latest data from the Energy International Agency, demand rose across all domestic sectors last week, with power generation reaching a summer high. Additionally, an increase in liquefied natural gas export demand added to the strength. Per Reuters, U.S. liquefied natural gas exports are set to rise in August for the first time in six months. Investors should note that the natural gas price had plunged to a 31-year low in June on falling demand due to the pandemic (read: Time to Cash in On the Depressed Oil Price? ETFs in Focus). Given the bullish fundamentals, investors should tap this trend with lower risk using the ETFs. These ETFs might be easier plays for investors seeking to deal directly in the futures market: United States Natural Gas Fund UNG The fund provides direct exposure to the price of natural gas on a daily basis through futures contracts. If the near month contract is within two weeks of expiration, the benchmark will be the next month contract to expire. It has AUM of $410.5 million and trades in volume of around 5.5 million shares per day. The fund has 1.28% in expense ratio and has surged 21.1% so far this week (see: all the Energy ETFs here). United States 12 Month Natural Gas Fund UNL This product seeks to offer spread-out exposure across the futures curve in order to mitigate contango, a huge problem in the natural gas ETF market. The investment objective of UNL is to reflect the daily changes in the price of natural gas delivered at the Henry Hub Louisiana. Its benchmark is the near month futures contract to expire and the contracts for the following 11 months, for a total of 12 consecutive months. If the near month futures contract is within two weeks of expiration, the benchmark will be the next month contract to expire and the contracts for the following 11 consecutive months. UNL has accumulated $6.1 million in its asset base and charges 90 bps in annual fees. The product trades in paltry average daily volume of 27,000 shares and has gained 5.7% over the past couple of days this week. iPath Bloomberg Natural Gas Subindex Total Return ETN GAZ The note provides exposure to the Bloomberg Natural Gas Subindex Total Return, which consists of the contract in the Bloomberg Commodity Index Total Return that relates to natural gas. The product is unpopular and illiquid with AUM of $3.4 million and average daily volume of 6,000 shares. Expense ratio comes in at 0.75%. GAZ has added 5.7% in the past couple of days. ProShares Ultra Bloomberg Natural Gas BOIL Story continues For investors seeking to play on the natural gas spike for outsized profits in a short span, a leveraged bet might be a way to go. BOIL offers two times (2X) the daily performance of the Bloomberg Natural Gas Subindex. It charges 95 bps in annual fees and has amassed $120.4 million in its asset base. The ETF has jumped 43.4% so far this week (read: 6 Leveraged ETFs That Gained More Than 25% in July). Bottom Line If the hot weather continues, demand for fuel for cooling purposes will likely grow and could lower the huge stockpiles of natural gas, pushing the price upward. As a result, investors could definitely tap the surge in natural gas price with the above-mentioned ETFs provided the weather is hotter in the weeks ahead. Want key ETF info delivered straight to your inbox? Zacks free Fund Newsletter will brief you on top news and analysis, as well as top-performing ETFs, each week. Get it free >> Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report ProShares Ultra Bloomberg Natural Gas (BOIL): ETF Research Reports iPath Series B Bloomberg Natural Gas Subindex Total Return ETN (GAZ): ETF Research Reports United States 12 Month Natural Gas ETF (UNL): ETF Research Reports United States Natural Gas ETF (UNG): ETF Research Reports To read this article on Zacks.com click here. Zacks Investment Research Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report Sen. James Lankford (R-Okla.) said at an Axios virtual event Wednesday that the next coronavirus relief package needs to be as "narrowly focused" on COVID-specific issues as possible in order to resolve the differences between Republicans and Democrats. Why it matters: Democrats and negotiators from the Trump administration remain far apart on a deal for the next tranche of relief. The fraught negotiations come as millions of Americans continue to suffer from the health and economic effects of the pandemic without the unemployment benefits from the first stimulus bill. The big picture: Lankford called the $3 trillion bill passed by House Democrats in March a liberal "wish list," arguing that the package should be targeted at vaccines, treatments, schools, small businesses, and providing liability protections to universities and businesses. He pointed out that much like the coronavirus itself, the economic impacts of the pandemic have affected different businesses in different ways. Some, like grocery stores, have seen record revenue, while others, like restaurants and travel companies, have been forced into bankruptcy. What he's saying: "There shouldn't be a focus on giving everyone 100%. ... We can't do that," Lankford said. "Whatever package we put out next, we should treat it like we treat the virus." "Remember, this is other people's money we're dealing with. This is not just invented money. It's borrowed from the future or it's taken from your next-door neighbor in tax dollars, so let's target it to what we need, in the areas that need it, and not just do a blanket amount to everybody." What to watch: Lankford said lawmakers hope to reach an agreement in days, not weeks. Authorities in Brazil have zeroed in on a gang that terrorized a neighborhood in an overnight attack last week, robbing a bank and shooting three cops, all of whom survived. Surveillance video and footage uploaded to social media by residents showed the moment Botucatu, Sao Paulo, was held under siege by at least 40 armed individuals July 30. The gang attacked three bank branches and successfully robbed one, stealing $377,043, most of which has been recovered. Brazilian news outlet G1 reported that the police have identified some of the gang members. Police in Sao Paulo,Brazil, engage a gang during a shootout that started at 11:30pm on July 29 and lasted three hours after almost 40 individuals took a family hostage, robbed a jewelry store and a bank. Three cops were shot, but their injuries are not life-threatening Two members (picture first top left; right with arms raised) of a family are led out of a home by armed gang members in the Sao Paulo neighborhood of Botucatu, which was under siege for three hours July 29 into the early hours of July 30 A cop lies on the ground after he was shot by the assailants who participated in an all-out assault against three banks and the police in Botucatu, a town in the Brazilian state of Sao Paulo Television network Globo reported the assailants were heavily armed, wore bulletproof vests and attacked multiple bank branches in the city. The network also said some residents were taken hostage during the attacks and that the suspects shot up a police station and set vehicles afire before escaping. Two suspects, who provided logistical support to the gang, were arrested Wednesday in the Parques dos Pinheiros region, south of Sao Paulo. Police were able to track them down after they raided their home and found clothes with blood stains and ammunition. Cops apprehended a 42-year-old man on Tuesday night in the Sao Paulo municipality of Sapopemba. The suspect, whose name was withheld, was carrying $3,992 and admitted to participating in the bank heist but said he was never involved in the assault against the cops. On Monday, the police also arrested five people who were traveling in a vehicle with one of the suspects, before he fled through a forest in Boituva. The cops killed one of the suspects during a shootout last Thursday morning on a highway in Botucatu. The man was pulled over and tried to flee into the woods before he fired at the police officers and subsequently was shot. He was taken to a local hospital where he died. Pictured above are some of the weapons that the military police in Sao Paulo have recovered Armed gang members allow vehicle passengers to continue their ride after they were interrogated Police in Sao Paulo, Brazil, arrested Tuesday night a 42-year-old man who admitted to having a role in the July 29 bank robbery that was highlighted by a shootout that left one cop wounded The first Botucatu attacks were launched at 11:30pm local time last Wednesday and extended into the early hours Thursday. A building security camera recorded the moment the police descended upon a street and were fired at by the gang as they sped down the street in an SUV. A police officer shot at the gang before one of his partners fell to the ground after he was shot. Home surveillance shared by a Botucatu family showed the moment some of the gunmen led three of them out of their residence as the garage gate was being lowered while several shots were being fired in the distance. Additional video footage shows what appeared to be three male hostages sitting in the middle of a street before the masked gunmen allowed them to get back into their SUV and leave. Rosangela Alves told TV TEM that she and her husband witnessed their jewelry shop being ransacked via a surveillance camera application on her husband's phone. 'We started to see everything live,' Alves said. 'People were shooting at the door, breaking everything, dragging everything, and we were apprehensive because we couldn't do anything and our things were being taken.' Just two months after owners Jesse and Roberta Fink of Toy Boat Dessert Cafe announced their plans to put the beloved shop up for sale after 35 years, one local has announced she will be taking up the mantle: Amanda Michael, owner of Jane the Bakery, said she will be taking over the spot and preserving much of what makes this place well-loved. The news was first reported by Hoodline and Michael confirmed the takeover to SFGATE, saying if all goes to plan, it will be a "done deal" this week. "My kids are beyond excited," Michael said. Having grown up in San Francisco, Michael said that Toy Boat has long been part of her experience of living in the city. From her time as a teenager and Toy Boat being her "high school hangout place" to more recent times of bringing her own children there, the cafe has long held a "soft spot" in her heart, and the plan is not to change it too much, and to preserve the vibe of the place, toys and all. "It'll be mostly a Toy Boat experience," Michael said of her plans. "We're going to keep the Double Rainbow ice cream, we're going to change the menu a little bit in terms of offering grab-and-go [items], similar to what we have at Jane the Bakery. "We'll have our salads and sandwiches, but everything will be packaged sort of for the quick, in and out transaction," she added. "And we'll also be doing our desserts and pastries there, although the plated desserts will not come back until there's proper dining again." READ ALSO: Reopened brewery goes totally contactless with new 'Beer-O-Mat' a quirky contraption to serve customers When asked what sparked her interest in buying the dessert place, given the uncertainty of businesses under the pandemic, Michael called the venture a "boondoggle" but stated that she loves the community of the Inner Richmond neighborhood. "When we saw that they were selling it, I was like, 'Oh God, [running Toy Boat] would be so great.' It would be such a bummer for that to go away. And it just started the wheels turning a little bit for me, because part of this whole pandemic you really start to reevaluate your business model and try to figure out what's working. ... I love that neighborhood and looking at that location on the corner there, it just made me start thinking we could sort of go in there and like [the former owners] were making all their food and doing everything there but we can do it a little bit differently ... just a smaller footprint really focused on the grab-and-go. And I love being along the Geary corridor, so it works for us." "I also felt like there's so much stuff that's just so stressful right now and there was a part of me that's like, 'You know what, an ice cream shop is just what I need,'" Michael added. "There's something about it that sort of feels like those simple pleasures, that you can actually just enjoy a scoop of ice cream and it's like, maybe that's not a bad thing to look at right now." Michael said she hopes to open by the end of August or by early September, after some minor upgrades to shop, opening under the moniker Toy Boat by Jane. Although the hours aren't quite set yet, Michael imagines they'll have an early start at 7 or 8 a.m., and stay open into the evening hours, depending on the crowd. Despite the re-opening of Toy Boat being weeks away, already the community and even Jane the Bakery staffers have expressed excitement over the news of the takeover. It's something positive to look forward to, in an industry with plenty of bad news happening around it. "You think about all these kids and their whole schooling has been disrupted, and all of these [other] things have been disrupted," Michael said. "For us in hospitality, staying open through this is to have that sort of day to day touch point with your customers, still. You might be behind a mask and you have had to go behind the plexiglass, but you can still make eye contact, say hi, and I think these little touch points of normalcy are really good for us." Especially when ice cream is involved. Toy Boat by Jane is located at 410 Clement St. in San Francisco. It is set to open in late August. Dianne de Guzman is the Food + Drink Editor at SFGATE. Email: dianne.deguzman@sfgate.com One ship was reported to be in difficulty because of the storm on the South Coast last night, and gale force winds and very rough seas were expected overnight. The Weather Bureau issued a strong wind warning for the whole of the NSW coast. The western suburbs of Sydney bore the brunt of floods yesterday which saw the evacuation of up to 1,500 people from homes in low lying areas along the Hawkesbury River. The river was expected to rise by a further three metres during the night. First published in The Sydney Morning Herald on August 7, 1986 The Sydney deluge has claimed the lives of at least five people. Mr Brian Griffiths, 35, the captain of the Lithgow Volunteer Rescue Association, is still missing in floodwaters. A two-day search has failed to find him. The NRMA estimates flood damage will cost insurance companies more than $100 million. The Cabinet natural disasters committee will meet today to consider the size of Government relief for flood victims. D'Leanne Lewis, Teresa Begg and Yvette Lewis evacuate their Toongabbie home, August 5, 1986. Credit:John Noble "The natural disasters committee will consider the scope of cash assistance for hardship cases," the Premier, Mr Unsworth, said after a helicopter trip over the western a suburbs. "These grants will allow the replacement of personal effects and essential household items, as well as s repairs necessary to restore homes to a safe and habitable condition, 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. Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-05 23:18:03|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close BEIJING, Aug. 5 (Xinhua) -- Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Wednesday spoke of the need to put in place a clear-cut framework for China-U.S. relations amid the most complex situation since the establishment of the bilateral diplomatic relations in 1979. China's U.S. policy is always consistent and stable, and in the meantime, China is also prepared for possible bumps and storms ahead, Wang said during an exclusive interview with Xinhua. "The U.S. move to turn China into an adversary is a fundamental, strategic miscalculation. It means that the United States is funneling its strategic resources in the wrong area," he said. "We are always ready to develop a China-U.S. relationship featuring no conflict, no confrontation, mutual respect and win-win cooperation based on coordination, cooperation and stability," he added. In the meantime, China will firmly defend its sovereignty, security and development interests, because this is a legitimate right inherent in China being an independent sovereign state, Wang stressed. The United States should honor the principle of sovereign equality enshrined in the UN Charter, learn how to get along with different systems and civilizations and adapt itself to peaceful coexistence, and accept the reality that the world is moving toward multipolarity, said Wang. Wang expounded on the clear-cut framework for the relationship. First, steer clear of red lines and avoid confrontation. For China-U.S. relations to develop soundly, the most critical thing is mutual respect, Wang noted. China never intends to and will never interfere in U.S. elections or other U.S. internal affairs. Likewise, the United States must abandon its fantasy of remodeling China to U.S. needs. It must stop its meddling in China's internal affairs, and stop its irrational cracking down on China's legitimate rights and interests, he said. Second, keep the channels open for candid dialogue. Dialogue is the prerequisite for addressing problems, and without dialogue, problems will only pile up and even get out of control, he said. "China's door to dialogue remains open. We are willing, in the spirit of equality and open-mindedness, to talk and interact with the United States, and resume dialogue mechanisms at all levels and in all fields," said Wang. Third, reject decoupling and uphold cooperation. The interests of the two countries are deeply entwined. Forced decoupling will inflict a lasting impact on bilateral relations, and endanger the security of international industrial chains and interests of all countries, Wang said. With COVID-19 still raging across the world, China is prepared to have mutually beneficial cooperation with the United States on epidemic control and economic recovery, learn from each other and share experience on containing COVID-19, and join together with the United States the global response and multilateral cooperation in fighting COVID-19, he said. Fourth, abandon the zero-sum mentality and stand up to shared responsibilities. "Our world still faces many global challenges. Traditional and non-traditional security challenges are intertwined. Almost all regional and international hotspot issues require a coordinated response from China, the United States and other countries," he said. China and the United States must always bear in mind the well-being of mankind, live up to their responsibilities as two major countries, coordinate and cooperate as needed in the UN and other multilateral institutions, and work together for world peace and stability, said Wang. Enditem 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. 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Digital Editor Strain Rec MPX International Introduces Canadian Retail Brand, Strain Rec to be Used by Its Wholly-Owned Subsidiary, Canveda Inc., a Licence Holder Under the Cannabis Act (Canada) MPX International Introduces Canadian Retail Brand, Strain Rec to be Used by Its Wholly-Owned Subsidiary, Canveda Inc., a Licence Holder Under the Cannabis Act (Canada) Announces First Shipments to Saskatchewan NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO NEWSWIRE SERVICES IN THE UNITED STATES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES. ANY FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THIS RESTRICTION MAY CONSTITUTE A VIOLATION OF UNITED STATES SECURITIES LAWS. TORONTO, Aug. 05, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- MPX International Corporation (MPX International, MPXI or the Corporation) (CSE:MPXI; OTCQX:MPXOF), a multinational diversified cannabis company, is pleased to announce the launch of its Canadian recreational brand, Strain Rec by its wholly-owned subsidiary Canveda Inc. (Canveda) with initial shipments made to the Province of Saskatchewan. For additional information on Strain Rec visit the website www.strainrec.ca. Canveda has introduced its unique Canadian recreational brand Strain Rec . Brand recognition is pivotal to success in the marketplace and we are pleased to have been able to develop a brand concept which will be representative of the recreational market, said Michael Arnkvarn, Chief Operating Officer, Canada of MPXI. We received positive initial feedback on our first shipment and have since followed up with a second shipment which was sent to the distributor in July. The initial Strain Rec offering by Canveda consists purely of flower and was introduced to eight (8) Saskatchewan retailers during the last week of June by its Saskatchewan-approved distributor. This is our initial salvo into the Canadian recreational marketplace and we believe that we are in a strong position to succeed. The adult use market demands differentiated products that contain high THC levels and our Canveda facility is able to offer unique strains that meet that demand, noted W. Scott Boyes, Chairman, President and CEO of MPX International. Saskatchewan is a relatively small market with only a little over 50 stores, making this province a great place for MPXI to test the waters. As we expand our offerings to include extracts, topicals and edibles, the revenues generated by the recreational market will become an integral component of MPXIs Canadian growth strategy. Story continues MPXI is also developing distribution channels for the Strain Rec brand with additional provincial cannabis marketing boards and will inform its shareholders of these developments in due course. About MPX International Corporation MPX International Corporation is a multinational diversified cannabis company focused on developing and operating assets across the global cannabis industry with an emphasis on cultivating, manufacturing and marketing products which include cannabinoids as their primary active ingredient. Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information This news release includes certain forward-looking statements under applicable Canadian securities legislation that are not historical facts. Forward-looking statements involve risks, uncertainties, and other factors that could cause actual results, performance, prospects, and opportunities to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements in this news release include, but are not limited to, MPX Internationals objectives and intentions. Forward-looking statements are necessarily based on a number of estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable, are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause actual results and future events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, but are not limited to: general business, economic and social uncertainties; litigation, legislative, environmental and other judicial, regulatory, political and competitive developments; delay or failure to receive board, shareholder or regulatory approvals; those additional risks set out in MPX Internationals public documents filed on SEDAR at www.sedar.com , including its audited annual consolidated financial statements for the financial years ended September 30, 2019 and 2018 and the corresponding annual managements discussion and analysis; and other matters discussed in this news release. Although MPX International believes that the assumptions and factors used in preparing the forward-looking statements are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on these statements, which only apply as of the date of this news release, and no assurance can be given that such events will occur in the disclosed time frames or at all. Except where required by law, MPX International disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise. For further information, please contact: MPX International Corporation W. Scott Boyes, Chairman, President and CEO T: +1-416-840-4703 info@mpxinternationalcorp.com http://mpxi.tv For additional information on MPXI visit our website www.mpxinternationalcorp.com or http://mpxi.tv . A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/45008bc6-0183-4ccb-b79b-f19754d25823 North Platte Community Playhouse productions and other events at the Neville Center for the Performing Arts are shut down until February after at least two Mamma Mia! cast members were confirmed as having COVID-19. The musical completed a six-show run on Sunday. Stu Shepherd, the president of the Playhouses board of directors, said news of the first case came Monday. The call came about 10 minutes into the first night of tryouts for Fiddler on the Roof. He said the tryouts which included Mamma Mia! cast members were stopped and the show was postponed until 2021. It had originally been scheduled for Sept. 25-Oct. 4. Shepherd said the individual began to show symptoms after Sundays final Mamma Mia! performance and and was tested. Shepherd said a second case was confirmed Tuesday afternoon. That individual began feeling symptoms about a day earlier. He added the rest of the cast members, concession workers and ushers who were all notified Monday will be tested Wednesday morning. Shepherd said the West Central District Health Department does not consider the audiences to be at risk at this point. Over 90 administrative cases against religious organizations in Crimea have been documented. The Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) condemns the eviction of the community of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine (OCU) from the Cathedral of the Holy and Equal-to-the-Apostles Volodymyr and Olha in Simferopol. "This decision by the occupying authorities reflects the policy of systemic oppression of the Ukrainian Orthodox community in temporarily occupied Crimea," the ministry said in a statement on August 5. Read alsoUkrainian Orthodox Church in occupied Crimea under imminent threat following top ourt ruling Only a week ago, the Russian occupying administration handed over to Archbishop Klyment an order on the demolition of the temple in Yevpatoria, the ministry said. In the course of the last year, the occupying administration detained Archbishop Klyment himself without justification in March, refused to register the local religious organization following his application in April, and terminated the lease of the premises of the acting cathedral in June. In July 2019, all the church utensils of the diocesan administration were stolen from this cathedral under the guise of building renovation. "Oppression of the Ukrainian Orthodox community in Crimea aims at erasing the Ukrainian identity on the temporarily occupied territories and is a part of the policy of oppression of all religious communities in Crimea uncontrolled by Moscow," the ministry said. The largest-scaled oppression is unfolded against the Crimean Muslims. According to human rights defenders, 71 Crimeans of Muslim confession are behind bars under the fabricated charges. Contrary to international humanitarian law, the Russian Federation extended the application of its legislation to Ukrainian Crimea thus outlawing about 8,000 followers of the Jehovah's Witnesses. The occupying administration imprisoned two members of that community for their religious beliefs. "The Russian occupying administration in Crimea abuses the anti-extremist legislation and uses the administrative legislation to the effect of oppressing the religious communities. Administrative pressure is being exercised not only against the Orthodox Church of Ukraine. This year, the fines for missionary activities were issued to the rabbi of the Jewish Messianic community and imam of the Alushta Muslim community," the ministry said. Overall, since the beginning of the occupation, human rights defenders have documented 91 administrative cases against religious organizations and their members in Crimea, resulting in 73 administrative fines for a total amount exceeding 1 million Russian rubles (about US$13,700). Only Orthodox churches controlled by the Moscow Patriarch enjoy freedom from obstacles to their religious activities. "We call on Russian Federation as an occupying power to abide by the norms of international law, including the international humanitarian law, and to stop the oppression of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine and other religious communities in Crimea," the ministry said. SAGINAW, MI Two Saginaw County bars are temporarily closed after employees may have been exposed to coronavirus. Cotys Landing, 777 Midland Road, and Baywood Lounge, 2734 Bay Road, both in Saginaw Township, are closed under similar but apparently unrelated circumstances, according to posts on their respective Facebook pages. As of Monday, Aug. 3, test results for many staff members at Cotys Landing were pending and a reopening date had yet to be determined, according to the post. In the meantime, the owner had notified the health department of the situation and was having the building cleaned and disinfected. Coty's Landing, 777 Midland Road in Saginaw Township, is temporarily closed as employees await COVID-19 test results, according to a post on the bar's Facebook page. Signs regarding the temporary closure and prompting customers to check the Facebook page for updates were posted at the entrance on Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2020.Heather Jordan | MLive.com It was brought to my attention that several of my staff members may have been exposed to Covid-19 while attending a private, social gathering. While nothing has been confirmed, I have decided to temporarily close Cotys Landing in the interest of public safety. We will remain closed until such time I feel it is safe for everyone to return. We will use this time to thoroughly clean and sanitize the restaurant as well as follow any recommendations set by the health department, reads a letter from the owner, Theresa Miller, to customers. Also in Saginaw Township, Baywood Lounge closed on Saturday, Aug. 1, after a few staff members may have been exposed to Covid-19 through a mutual friend, according to a post on the bars Facebook page. All staff were to be tested and the bar sanitized. A second post on Tuesday, Aug. 4, sought to clarify that the bar had not closed because an employee tested positive. The bar will be closed for two weeks, according to a note posted on the door on Wednesday, Aug. 5. Neither the owners of the bars nor a health department official could immediately be reached for comment Wednesday. COVID-19 PREVENTION TIPS In addition to washing hands regularly and not touching your face, officials recommend practicing social distancing, assuming anyone may be carrying the virus. Health officials say you should be staying at least 6 feet away from others and working from home, if possible. Use disinfecting wipes or disinfecting spray cleaners on frequently-touched surfaces in your home (door handles, faucets, countertops) and carry hand sanitizer with you when you go into places like stores. Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has also issued an executive order requiring people to wear face coverings over their mouth and nose while inside enclosed, public spaces. Read all of MLives coverage on the coronavirus at mlive.com/coronavirus. Additional information is available at Michigan.gov/Coronavirus and CDC.gov/Coronavirus. Read more on MLive: Michigan county-level coronavirus data for Wednesday, Aug. 5: Border counties seeing spike Frankenmuth is open for business, but coronavirus impacting one of Michigans top tourism spots To get more rapid coronavirus tests made, 6 states including Michigan team up Teen COVID-19 cases in Genesee County soar from 19 to 94, up in Livingston, Oakland counties The foreign ministry earlier on Wednesday said two Egyptians were killed in the blast and another was missing, before the third person was confirmed dead by the Egyptian embassy Three Egyptian nationals were killed in a massive warehouse explosion that hit the Lebanese capital, Beirut, on Tuesday, the Egyptian foreign ministry and the Egyptian embassy in Lebanon said. The foreign ministry earlier on Wednesday said two Egyptians were killed in the blast and another was missing, before the third person was confirmed dead by the Egyptian embassy later on the day. They were identified as Ibrahim Abdel-Mohsen Abu Qasaba, Aly Ismail Shehata and Roshdy Ahmed El-Gamal. Authorities will take all necessary measures to bring home the bodies of the Egyptian victims, the ministry said. A large blast at the citys port damaged buildings across the capital and sent a giant mushroom cloud into the sky, with Lebanese officials blaming a highly explosive material, ammonium nitrate, stored in a warehouse for six years. The explosion has killed at least 100 people and injured more than 4,000, according to Lebanon's Red Cross. An Egyptian field hospital in Beirut is providing assistance to the victims of the devastating blast, the ministry said earlier, adding that the facility started to receive a number of cases on Tuesday. The Egyptian embassy said Egypt was sending a planeload of medical supplies to Beirut on Wednesday. Egyptian officials have been in contact with the Lebanese side to identify their needs, it added. Earlier on Wednesday, Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi promised to provide full support to Lebanon during a phone call with his Lebanese counterpart Michel Aoun. El-Sisi affirmed the solidarity of the government and people of Egypt with its brothers in Lebanon, and the willingness to harness all capabilities to assist and support Lebanon in its ordeal, the Egyptian presidency said. Search Keywords: Short link: Military personnel have been deployed in the state of Victoria to back up police enforcing lockdown measures - William West/AFP Australia has suffered its worst day of the Covid-19 pandemic as the second wave in the state of Victoria produced the country's highest daily death toll and number of cases. Victoria recorded 725 new Covid-19 cases and 15 deaths overnight, one of them Australia's youngest coronavirus fatality to date -- a man in his 30s. As the grim trio of records came, the northern state of Queensland closed its border with neighbouring New South Wales in a bid to prevent the spread of the outbreak from the south-east. Twelve new cases in New South Wales have fanned fears of the second wave's march, though it was Victoria's cases which made up the bulk of Australias record-high of 739. The 15 deaths in Australia's second most populous state mark the most deadly day for the entire country. Twelve of the fatalities were linked to outbreaks in residential care facilities. Queensland has also barred residents of the Australian Capital Territory, which has not reported a new case for many weeks but is located within New South Wales. In Victoria, a police officer staffing a checkpoint was injured and two others threatened with serious injury in a string of violent outbursts against personnel enforcing new restrictions over the past 24 hours. Police have made a number of arrests, including a 36-year-old man who allegedly breached lockdown measures four times in the past 14 days. On Tuesday the state authorities said the military would be brought in to aid enforcement efforts. In Western Australia, the army has been deployed to run security at quarantine hotels. Western Australias border has been closed to all other states and territories since early in the pandemic crisis, but that is being challenged in the High Court by mining magnate Clive Palmer. Australias national government has dropped its backing for Mr Palmers case, which it had previously denied, after the Western Australian government produced documents exposing their position and sparking a public outcry. The state of Tasmania had been considering opening its borders to Western Australia, South Australia, the Northern Territory and Queensland but has postponed those plans. Police Minister General Bheki Cele has welcomed Jennifer Ntlatseng as the new Executive Director for the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID). Ntlatseng, who is the first female to occupy the position, is a criminal justice system and community-policing administrator with 20 years of experience. Minister Cele has wished the new Executive Director well, urging her to exercise her duties without fear or favour at the police watchdog body. "The role of the IPID is a very important one for us as the South African Police Service and we hope the Directorate remains a corrective body and not a punitive one for our members," said Cele on Tuesday. The 49-year-old Soweto-born mother of two, kick started her professional career in an Administrative role in the Gauteng Provincial Department of Community Safety. She went on to obtain a Bachelor degree qualification from the University of South Africa (UNISA). From 2001 to 2004, Ntlatseng served as an Assistant Director in Youth Crime prevention in the Gauteng Provincial Department of Community Safety. She then took over as the Deputy Director in Community Police Relations for a year before being promoted to Director of the same unit. Ntlatseng held this role until 2017 and for two decades also served as a member of the Gauteng Community Forum board. Ntlatseng has expressed her enthusiasm to hit the ground running in her new role. "I want to steer this ship in the right direction and at the same time be open and transparent while trying to rebrand IPID to win back the confidence of the community," she said. The Minister is confident the appointment of the new Executive Director will bring much needed stability into the organisation. "Ntlatseng's appointment couldn't have come at a better time as the country marks Women's Month and when government is improving gender representation by appointing more women in positions of power as heads of institutions and in senior management positions," said the Office of the Minister of Police. The second quarter of 2020 began with government-mandated shutdowns, disruption, and uncertainty, as small businesses faced new restrictions to prevent the spread of Covid-19. Business buyers paused their search, deals were postponed, and transactions dropped 39 percent, according to BizBuySell's Insight Report on the small-business market. By the end of the quarter, the dust had settled and new trends in consumer activity had emerged. Entrepreneurs adjusted their strategy and acquisitions began steadily bouncing back. Given the various forces at play, combined with the Cares Act stimulus loan program, business buyers have been presented with some unique opportunities. Low-Risk, High-Performing Essential Businesses While many small businesses have been struggling in the face of this pandemic, those deemed essential have continued to receive a steady stream of customers, and many have even thrived. Consumer behavior has shifted, fueling demand for their products and services. Businesses we rely upon for our everyday needs, such as grocery stores, liquor stores, medical and health care businesses, and auto repair shops, continue to perform well. Others, such as cleaning services, IT services, quick-service restaurants, and logistics services, have seen business skyrocket. For buyers looking for stability in uncertain times, or even emerging growth opportunities, these businesses are very attractive. Even in the midst of a pandemic, BizBuySell data shows that the financials of sold businesses during Q2 2020 held steady. The median revenue declined an insignificant 0.2 percent, while the median cash flow increased 5.6 percent. Furthermore, these high-performing businesses hold value. This is driven by two factors: 1) the low risk in reliable cash flow, and 2) the lower availability of these types of resilient businesses on the market. Buying a business that is profitable during the pandemic might mean paying a premium for the reduced risk. In fact, the median sale price of businesses sold in Q2 rose 6.1 percent compared with 2019, from $270,000 to $286,500. Alison Hall, owner of a UPS store in Pennsylvania, observes, "If anything, the last few months has made my business more marketable." When faced with the task of identifying essential businesses, it can be easy to stop at grocery stores, cleaning services, and health care services. Challenge yourself to think outside the box to meet the needs of consumers. Buying the Dip Through Distressed Businesses Buyers seeking lower prices can achieve business ownership by acquiring distressed businesses. According to a recent BizBuySell study, at the right value, 59 percent of buyers would consider buying a business closed because of the pandemic. Buyers in the restaurant sector may be in the best position to take advantage of this, as the pandemic is leaving thousands of fully built-out closed restaurants available for purchase. Buying a distressed business requires knowing how to manage risk. Buyers looking to find value in a distressed business should search for one at a low price and invest time and energy into making it successful. According to BizBuySell's survey, 68 percent of owners experiencing a decline expect their companies to rebound within the next year. Buyers committed to buying a distressed business should keep this timeline in mind when evaluating how much cash flow is necessary to sustain operations as demand returns to normal. Asset Sales Provide an Opportunity to Secure Prime Commercial Real Estate Businesses sold as asset sales present a rare opportunity for buyers to secure coveted real estate in prime locations, allowing for growth and expansion. They also offer valuable material assets in the form of leasehold improvements, FF&E, inventory, and transferable permits and licenses, saving buyers substantial amounts of money. Asset sales can be purchased without having to pay for the historical cash flow a business would generate under normal circumstances. According to Andy Kocemba, president and CEO of Calhoun Companies, some owners will be forced to sell specifically to exit the lease. Kocemba concludes, "In these cases, you're essentially helping them sell their assets only." More Opportunities Expected in the Pipeline as Market Uncertainty Continues As the coronavirus pandemic remains a major influence over the small-business economy, business buyers can expect to find an interesting mix of both high-performing and distressed businesses, as well as asset sales. Baby Boomers nearing retirement and facing economic volatility will continue to supply the market, with some owners exiting thriving businesses and receiving premium prices, and others liquidating in hopes of getting out before rent is due. To navigate this market volatility, buyers should do plenty of research, including talking to experienced business brokers, before deciding on a plan of action. Consider the various things each of these types of businesses offer business buyers: essential businesses, distressed businesses, and asset sales, to find opportunities that are surfacing during this time. WH Smith sales were less than half levels a year ago in June and July, despite the easing of UK lockdown rules and re-opening of more stores. Photo: John Keeble/Getty Images WH Smith has announced up to 1,500 staff could face redundancy, as it warned sales remained well below pre-crisis levels. It marks the latest in a string of well-known UK firms to announce mass job losses in recent months, with Pizza Express and Hays Travel among them in the past week alone. The company (SMWH.L), which dates back to 1792, said total revenues in July were down 57% on a year earlier, despite the easing of UK lockdown rules. High street revenue has recovered better than sales at airports and train stations, with sales down 25% and 73% respectively, according to a trading statement published on Wednesday. READ MORE: 1,100 Pizza Express jobs at risk as 67 restaurants could close The company said it had taken the difficult decision to review its store operations, and had begun a consultation with staff on a proposed restructure. It said the plans would cost between 15m ($20m) and 19m, reflecting the groups enhanced redundancy policy. Carl Cowling, WH Smiths chief executive, said COVID-19 continued to have a significant impact on the group, with recovery slow at transport hubs. He said further cost-cutting was needed. I regret that this will have an impact on a significant number of colleagues whose roles will be affected by these necessary actions, and we will do everything we can to support them at this challenging time. The update added that the board was confident the company had sufficient funds to sustain itself during a prolonged downturn, despite burning through 15-20m in July. It has 63m of cash and access to 320m of borrowing facilities. The companys shares were trading 4.5% higher on Wednesday. In a predominantly Latino neighborhood in the Bronx, New York, doctors working through the non-profit group SOMOS Community Care have spent months on the frontlines of the coronavirus pandemic. Now, those same doctors are traveling to other cities around the country that have been seeing surges in new COVID-19 cases in an effort to get free testing to communities of color, which have already been hit disproportionately hard by the virus and face scarcities in access to testing as well. One of these doctors is Dr. Jacqueline Delmont, chief medical officer of SOMOS, who has been working for free operating a pop-up free testing site in Miami Lakes, Florida for the past two weeks.. The doctor, who is originally from Venezuela and has devoted her career to helping fellow immigrants, said the moment they arrived, people were lining up as early as 4 a.m. to get tested. PHOTO: Dr. Jacqueline Delmont is the chief medical officer of SOMOS, which has expanded from New York City to other cities affected by the coronavirus to provide testing. (ABC News ) The pandemic has pushed Delmont to use all the skills shes learned during her career. Its an unprecedented time. Ive been able to use my administrative skills, but my clinical skills, the empathy coming from a family with limited resources, understanding that there are definitely differences in the communities in terms of access to information, to medication, to mobile devices, to appropriate internet, she said. Dr. Yomaris Pena, a volunteer with SOMOS, said working at one of the organizations testing sites is another mission where Im helping my Hispanic, my Latinos, my African American family everyone that is underserved. PHOTO: Dr. Jacqueline Delmont, Chief Medical Officer of SOMOS Community Care, prepares to take blood from Eddie Mena to test for COVID-19 antibodies in a medical tent, July 22, 2020, in Miami Lakes, Fla. (Joe Raedle/Getty Images) Medical experts have said testing is a key tool in stopping the viral transmission of COVID-19. Yet, an ABC News and FiveThirtyEight review review of U.S. Census data and testing site info throughout the 50 states and the District of Columbia found that in many cities, testing sites in and near predominantly Black and Latino neighborhoods were likely to serve more patients than those in predominantly white neighborhoods. The review also found disparities between richer and poorer neighborhoods, with testing sites scarcer in poorer ones. Story continues It noted particularly large disparities in testing access in and around many cities, so called urbanized areas, like San Antonio, Baltimore, Los Angeles and Miami. MORE: White neighborhoods have more access to COVID-19 testing sites: ANALYSIS Its devastating that the communities that need it the most, the communities that have been most affected, the communities that we could have made a greater impact in controlling the pandemic, have not had the access to testing, Delmont said. PHOTO: Dr. Jacqueline Delmont, Chief Medical Officer of SOMOS Community Care, asks Eddie Mena to move forward into the medical tent to be tested for COVID-19 at a testing site, July 22, 2020, in Miami Lakes, Fla. (Joe Raedle/Getty Images) She said its very disheartening being unable to test many within these communities early because it doesnt allow them to be proactive in isolating those who become ill. With many people in these communities living with their families -- including elders -- this puts them at risk. Natalie Choy, 16, recently received a second COVID-19 test two weeks after her first one came back positive. She says her whole family has been sick with the virus, and hopes the second test will give her the all clear. My mom, my dad, my little brother and then my two little baby siblings and my grandpa all live with me, and pretty much everyone experienced symptoms, including the babies, Choy said. PHOTO: Natalie Choy, 16, says her entire family became ill with COVID-19. She was at a testing site in Miami Lakes, Florida, after testing positive two weeks earlier to see if the virus had passed. (ABC News) She said it was easier to social distance inside the house when it was just her father who was sick -- he was the first to test positive. Once other people in the family contracted the virus, it became more difficult. I share a room with my brother, so it wasnt realistic at all. We really couldnt do anything at all except wear a mask. We still do. MORE: Black Americans and Latinos nearly 3 times as likely to know someone who died of COVID-19: POLL With such a large family, the SOMOS testing site has also helped people, who otherwise may not be able to afford testing, have access to the service. People who can have the money and the things just to be able to pay for every single test, they have much easier access. Thats fine, but when its five, six or seven people, some people simply cant afford it. Delmont pointed out that some families have other obstacles to receiving these services. Many patients have lost their insurance. They fear that theyre going to get a bill. Many of them are undocumented, she said. We understand that the federal government is not necessarily covering these tests for undocumented [immigrants]. PHOTO: Dr. Jacqueline Delmont, Chief Medical Officer of SOMOS Community Care, prepares a COVID-19 testing kit for use in a medical tent at a testing site locate at the Miami Lakes Youth Center, July 22, 2020, in Miami Lakes, Fla. (Joe Raedle/Getty Images) Carmen Guerra, an associate professor of medicine at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, specializes in health disparities. She says that for people who dont have insurance, the only other options are to rely on publicly funded means of testing, whether thats through public health sites in your city or town, or through philanthropic funds. MORE: COVID-19 test access disparities in some south Florida communities fall along racial, socioeconomic lines: ANALYSIS SOMOS is one of the organizations around the country that has been there to fill in these gaps. In Houston, Sonia Gomezs husband had been reluctant to get a test despite their family showing symptoms of the virus. When they arrived at SOMOS Houston site, she said her husband was very happy that they werent asking for any information about status or papers. Gomez said she drove 30 minutes to get to the testing site and that they were taken in quickly by SOMOS doctors -- she said she had tried other places and the wait was about three to four weeks because the testing sites are very full right now. PHOTO: Sonia Gomez (right) with her daughter. Gomez spoke to ABC News about getting tested for COVID-19. She ultimately came back positive. (ABC News ) A few days after receiving a test, Gomez tested positive for the virus. It was very shocking and scary to know that all of us are tested positive and its so dangerous. People are dying. Its just crazy, she told ABC News. SOMOS was co-founded in 2015 by Dr. Ramon Tallaj after he immigrated to the U.S. from the Dominican Republic in the 1990s, and now has over 2,500 doctors who can speak five languages with their patients. PHOTO: Dr. Ramon Tallaj, the co-founder of SOMOS Community Care, says the organization has provided nearly a quarter-million COVID-19 tests. (ABC News ) Our patients are immigrants like us, he said. We speak the same language. We know exactly whats their problem about housing, money, jobs. Then we had to work with them in any way possible. When the pandemic first swept through New York City, the Bronx was the epicenter of the epicenter, and SOMOS was there to help -- the organization partnered with New York State to expand to 28 additional sites. As the organization has expanded its efforts to other cities, Tallaj says SOMOS doctors have conducted close to a quarter million tests. From the beginning, weve been crying to get testing in our community, Tallaj said. But we did it ourselves. We put on the line a lot of money and we want to continue for our own people. In communities of color, one organization is helping to fill the COVID-19 testing gap originally appeared on abcnews.go.com Nigerias President, Muhammadu Buhari is planning to overhaul the nations security architecture, National Security Adviser (NSA), Major General Babagana Monguno (Rtd.) disclosed this on Tuesday. Monguno, who spoke with newsmen after the security council meeting presided over by Buhari in Abuja, said the president had ordered an overhaul of operational strategies of the nations security network to effectively counter the security situation across the country. The NSA stated that the government was working on a solution to the security crisis in some parts of the country, saying that the Minister of Defense, Major General Bashir Salihi Magashi (Rtd), was working on something to give effect to President Buharis earlier marching orders to service chiefs. According to him, the council decried proliferation of drugs, which it said was driving insecurity in the country. Monguno said the manner of killings of their victims could only mean one thing and that is, the bandits, kidnappers and terrorists were out of their minds. He said Buhari reaffirmed his last marching orders to the nations security chiefs that their best effort was not good enough. Monguno said the president told the security chiefs that Nigerians had lost confidence in the security sector and that he was determined to restore that confidence. Related By Michelle Nichols and Humeyra Pamuk NEW YORK/WASHINGTON, Aug 5 (Reuters) - The United States is pushing ahead with its bid to extend an international arms embargo on Iran by way of a second draft U.N. Security Council resolution, despite what some diplomats say is a lack of enthusiasm for such a move among its 15 members. The U.S.-drafted resolution needs at least nine votes in favor to force Russia and China to use their vetoes, which Moscow and Beijing have signaled they will do. Some diplomats question whether Washington can even secure those nine, however. "We have tabled a resolution that we think accomplishes what we think needs to be accomplished," U.S. Iran envoy Brian Hook told the Aspen Security Forum, held virtually, on Wednesday. "The easy way is to do a rollover of the arms embargo. It's not difficult, there's all the reasons in the world to do it. But we will do this one way or another." The arms embargo on Iran is currently set to end on Oct. 18 under Tehran's 2015 nuclear deal with world powers, which Washington quit in 2018. The second draft circulated by Washington is virtually unchanged from the first text shared with the council in June. If the United States is unsuccessful in extending the embargo, it has threatened to trigger a return of all U.N. sanctions on Iran under a process agreed in the 2015 deal. Such a move would kill the deal, touted as a way to suspend Tehran's suspected drive to develop nuclear weapons. Washington argues it can trigger the sanctions because a Security Council resolution still names it as a participant. Iran has breached parts of the nuclear deal in response to the U.S. withdrawal and Washington's reimposition of sanctions. "For as long as Iran is allowed to enrich, we're going to be having this discussion - how close is Iran to a nuclear breakout? ... We need to restore the U.N. Security Council standard of no enrichment," Hook said. Story continues Iran denies it is seeking to build a nuclear bomb. Diplomats say Washington would face a tough, messy battle if it tries to trigger a return to sanctions. The United States would have to submit a complaint to the council, which would then have to vote within 30 days on a resolution to continue Iran's sanctions relief. If such a resolution is not put forward by the deadline, sanctions would be reimposed - what is known as a snapback. Some diplomats have suggested the United States will submit its complaint by the end of August to ensure the 30 days ends in September, before Russia takes the monthly rotating council presidency in October. (Reporting by Michelle Nichols Editing by Sonya Hepinstall) - Beauty queen Winwyn Marquez has officially joined the military training amid COVID-19 crisis - She decided to become a reservist for the Philippine Navy - Winwyn also shared some photos of the training with her batchmates - The beauty queen mentioned that she was even elected as the president of their class PAY ATTENTION: Click "See First" under the "Following" tab to see KAMI news on your News Feed Kapuso star and beauty queen Winwyn Marquez already underwent her basic citizens military training. KAMI learned that Winwyn was also voted as the class president of her batch. Photo from Flickr Source: UGC In an Instagram post, the beauty queen congratulated all of her batchmates in the said training. BCMC CLASS 01 2020 - Class President, Marquez. Hooyah!! #PhNavyReserveForce, she said. Congrats sa lahat! Class 01 lets do this. Strict protocol was followed and everyone was required to do a rapid test before anything else, she added. PAY ATTENTION: Shop with KAMI! The best offers and discounts on the market, product reviews and feedback The netizens also praised Winwyn for her courage to join the military training. Here are some of their comments on her Instagram post: OMG!!!!!!! I LIVE FOR THIS!!!!! Congratulations! Iba ka, Wyn! Wow.. Keep.it up.. Good for u... fight2 PAY ATTENTION: Enjoyed reading our story? Download KAMI's news app on Google Play now and stay up-to-date with major Filipino news! Teresita Ssen "Winwyn" Marquez is an actress, dancer, and a beauty queen. She was the first to be crowned as Reina Hispanoamericana Filipinas in the Miss World Philippines 2017. She also won the Reina Hispanoamericana 2017 in Bolivia. Winwyn was previously in a relationship with Mark Herras. Months ago, she responded to the netizen who brought up the topic about her ex-boyfriend. The beauty queen also replied to a basher who commented on her decision to join the military training in the Philippine Navy. Please like and share our Facebook posts to support KAMI team! Dont hesitate to comment and share your opinion about our stories either. We love reading about your thoughts! Source: KAMI.com.gh Hours after Missouri became the 38th state to expand Medicaid coverage for low-income residents, Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly urged lawmakers in her state to do the state thing."Last night, Missourians voted to join our neighbors in Colorado, Nebraska and Oklahoma to expand Medicaid coverage," Kelly said. Smoke rises after an explosion was heard in Beirut, Lebanon August 4, 2020. (Image: Reuters) Lebanese rescue workers dug through the rubble looking for survivors of a powerful warehouse explosion that shook the capital Beirut, killing 78 people and injuring nearly 4,000 in a toll that officials expected to rise. Tuesday's blast at port warehouses storing highly explosive material was the most powerful in years in Beirut, already reeling from an economic crisis and a surge in coronavirus infections. President Michel Aoun said that 2,750 tonnes of ammonium nitrate, used in fertilisers and bombs, had been stored for six years at the port without safety measures, and he said that was "unacceptable". He called for an emergency cabinet meeting on Wednesday. Officials did not say what caused the blaze that set off the blast. A security source and local media said it was started by welding work being carried out on a hole in the warehouse. "What we are witnessing is a huge catastrophe," the head of Lebanon's Red Cross George Kettani told broadcaster Mayadeen. "There are victims and casualties everywhere." Hours after the blast, which struck shortly after 6 p.m. (1500 GMT), a fire still blazed in the port district, casting an orange glow across the night sky as helicopters hovered and ambulance sirens sounded across the capital. The blast revived memories of a 1975-90 civil war and its aftermath, when Lebanese endured heavy shelling, car bombings and Israeli air raids. Some residents thought an earthquake had struck. Dazed, weeping and injured people walked through streets searching for relatives. aThe blast blew me off metres away. I was in a daze and was all covered in blood. It brought back the vision of another explosion I witnessed against the U.S. embassy in 1983," said Huda Baroudi, a Beirut designer. Prime Minister Hassan Diab promised there would be accountability for the deadly blast at the "dangerous warehouse", adding "those responsible will pay the price." The U.S. embassy in Beirut warned residents about reports of toxic gases released by the blast, urging people to stay indoors and wear masks if available. MANY MISSING "There are many people missing. People are asking the emergency department about their loved ones and it is difficult to search at night because there is no electricity," Health Minister Hamad Hasan told Reuters. Hasan said 78 people were killed and nearly 4,000 injured. Footage of the explosion shared by residents on social media showed a column of smoke rising from the port, followed by an enormous blast, sending a white cloud and a fireball into the sky. Those filming the incident from high buildings 2 km (one mile) from the port were thrown backwards by the shock. Bleeding people were seen running and shouting for help in clouds of smoke and dust in streets littered with damaged buildings, flying debris, and wrecked cars and furniture. The explosion occurred three days before a U.N.-backed court is due to deliver a verdict in the trial of four suspects from the Shi'ite Muslim group Hezbollah over a 2005 bombing which killed former Prime Minister Rafik al-Hariri and 21 others. Hariri was killed by a huge truck bomb on the same waterfront, about 2 km (about one mile) from the port. Israeli officials said Israel, which has fought several wars with Lebanon, had nothing to do with Tuesday's blast and said their country was ready to give humanitarian and medical assistance. Shi'ite Iran, the main backer of Hezbollah, also offered support, as did Tehran's regional rival Saudi Arabia, a leading Sunni power. At a White House briefing, U.S. President Donald Trump indicated that the explosion was a possible attack, but two U.S. officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, said initial information contradicted Trump's view. The Muslim Brotherhood is believed to be the main driver of tension between Egyptian expats and the Kuwaitis As thousands of Egyptian migrant workers in Kuwait are frustrated by the decision to ban flights between Cairo and Kuwait, many circles are active on a mission to poison relations between the two countries. When Kuwait announced it will open its airspace and airport for commercial flights with six countries banned, Egyptian carrier EgyptAir announced it will resume its flights to Kuwait on 1 August. Then, Kuwait amended the list of countries banned from flights to and from Kuwait to include Egypt which was not on the first list. Thus, EgyptAir cancelled planned resumption of flights between Cairo and Kuwait to the dismay of many in the Gulf country who wanted to get back to Egypt. Egyptian expats in Kuwait, like other expats who constitute more than 70 per cent of the workforce in the oil-rich country, were not seeing their best days even before the crisis of the pandemic started in March. UN and international human rights bodies have been reporting about xenophobia in Kuwait and rising discriminatory attitudes towards expat workers especially those low-skilled workers who had to put hard effort to earn less. Some elements in the Kuwaiti society were targeting Egyptian expats in particular long before the pandemic. Though leadership of the two countries played down incidents as isolated, the trend kept rising. Yet, it might be wrong to generalise and assume that Egyptians are not welcome in Kuwait. On the contrary, Egyptian professionals are appreciated by many Kuwaitis. When xenophobic locals target Egyptians other Kuwaitis stand up to them and remind themselves and others of the valuable contributions of Egyptians and other expats. As an Arab expat in Kuwait, who wanted his name withheld, puts it: This happens with almost all other expat communities, but social media and publicity focus light on Egyptians. Even Saudi Arabia, considered the elder of the Gulf, was not spared from xenophobic outbursts or slurs that soured bilateral relations and demanded Kuwaiti authorities intervention to punish those involved. Since the cooperation between Egypt and Kuwait a year ago to arrest a number of terrorists in Kuwait and hand them over to Cairo, social media bots linked to Brotherhood have kept hyping any incident to sabotage relations between the two countries. Kuwait has been trying to mediate between Qatar and the Arab Quartet, comprising Egypt, Saudi Arabia, UAE and Bahrain, that boycotted Qatar for its support of terrorist groups. But the Brotherhood is well established in Kuwait and its Kuwaiti leaders were main financiers of the international organisation. The leadership is neutral in the crisis which it is trying to mediate, but Kuwaiti Brotherhood is siding with Qatar. They have been in contempt about Egypt since popular protests ousted their group from power in Egypt in 2013. A Dubai-based political scientist agrees with the Egyptian Foreign Mnistrys latest statement describing calls on social media for torching the Kuwaiti flag as those who seek to drive a wedge between the Egyptian and Kuwaiti brotherly people. But he hints that it is not only the Brotherhood saying that the group is part of the political system and cant go far away from Kuwaits official position. He cites the fact that new generation of Kuwaitis educated not in Egyptian universities or spending holidays in Egypt are different from older generations who were even taught by Egyptian teachers in Kuwaiti schools. The government in Kuwait sent a message the Brotherhood are not above the law and their social or political clout doesnt privilege them to sabotage Kuwaits Gulf and Arab relations. When tape recordings of two Kuwaiti former MPs linked to the Brotherhood conspiring in the tent of late Libyan Leader Muammar Gaddafi to destabilise Egypt and Saudi Arabia surfaced recently, Kuwaiti authorities investigated them and an ex-MP is out on bail pending trial. Back to the plight of immigrant workers in Kuwait, you see Indian media and media of other Asian countries awash with stories of their citizens helplessly suffering in Kuwait during the pandemic. And of course a good chunk of Egyptians there are in a similar situation. Authorities in both countries are between a rock and a hard place, trying to deal with the plight of expats and in the meantime curb xenophobic attitudes. Saboteurs, whether Brotherhood or those affiliated with Qatar or even Turkey, are exploiting the situation to the maximum. *A version of this article appears in print in the 6 August, 2020 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly Search Keywords: Short link: More than a decade ago the SNP came to power on a promise to revitalise a country grown tired of Labour rule. It won by offering a positive vision of change and leadership in marked contrast to Labours dead grip. Today, however, it is the SNP that is running out of steam. And once again, Scotland is in need of a fresh start. We have come together one of us a former leader, and one now preparing to lead to offer Scotland that vision of positive change for the future. United in purpose, we want to take on the SNP and take Scotland forward. Our vision is very clear. Douglas Ross and Ruth Davdison enjoy a socially distanced walk together in Edinburgh on July 31 The coronavirus pandemic has shown we must leave the old divisions behind us. We cannot go back to the politics of nationalism of us v them. We believe, therefore, what Scotland needs is a party with a patriotic vision that focuses less on opening up divisions than on opening up opportunities and life chances for our people. That means ending the focus on the grievance culture that so dominates Scotlands national life. Instead, it means putting all the energies, talents and powers of Scotland into where they should be: on restoring Scotlands reputation for educational excellence, on creating the jobs that ensure our people dignity and opportunity, and on securing a health service with clean, safe hospitals. In short, if you want Scotland to move forward from a decade of division and come back together, then both of us are going to be asking for your vote. We believe we have a lot to offer. Between us, we represent much of Scotland one of us living in the Highlands, from an agricultural background; one of us in the Central Belt with a career in media. We come from ordinary backgrounds, went to our local schools and supported our local communities. We are passionate about wanting to see our young children grow up in a country which is optimistic, exciting and united in nature. Nor, unlike most joint tickets, is there any rivalry between us: we know our roles as we think we can help each other. And we share something else too: a genuine belief, borne of experience, that SNP rule isnt as inevitable as some people feel, and that change at next years Holyrood election is eminently achievable. We abhor the sense of defeatism that has crept into some quarters and we want to show that the fight is there for the winning. Weve both been through elections in Scotland where weve been told our chances were dead. Ms Davidson - pictured on July 31 - was the former leader of the Scottish Conservative Party Were used to being told by armchair experts that you cant be a Tory and win in Scotland. Along with everyone else, weve lived through times recently of enormous unpredictability, where everyone got things wrong. So while we respect the SNP as political opponents, and we are aware of their strengths, we do not fear taking them on. We know how to win. And we can make people a clear promise we wont be giving in. Instead, we will set out a plan. Ahead of next years election, we will place all our focus and energy on the priorities of people in Scotland. We will work hard to reach out to people across Scotland who might never have voted Conservative before to show them that we can do a job for them. Just as the SNP has broken through the red wall, our aim is to show that the SNP wall standing in the way of progress is built on sand, and is there for the taking. There is an essential difference between us and the SNP. For the Nationalists, independence is the purpose of their politics everything else must be subsumed within that one goal. For us, Unionism is not an end but a means to a fairer and more prosperous Scotland. It is on delivering that better Scotland that we want to focus our own efforts over these coming months. The coronavirus pandemic now makes that economic focus urgent. We are facing the deepest recession in living memory. Thousands of Scottish jobs are on the line. Douglas Ross now leads the Tory Party in Scotland The big problem is uncertainty with the prospect of a second wave of the disease looming, it is desperately difficult for businesses to plan and it is understandable people do not want to go out and spend. This is where government can step in. As we outlined yesterday, we intend to set out a jobs plan for Scotland within the next month. Crucially, we want to make this plan stand alongside not fight against the proposals outlined by the UK Government. We are not interested in using politics to create difference: we want to see both our governments working in tandem for the benefit of us all. The pandemic has been a human and economic tragedy. That makes it vital the recovery we build is seated on the firmest of foundations. We need to hit the refresh button in every area of our economic life, because thats the scale of the challenge Covid has brought. For starters, we must re-examine the support provided to businesses through existing structures such as Scottish Enterprise and Business Gateway. Public sector procurement must be redesigned to ensure small and medium-sized companies get a fairer shot at securing contracts. We need to refocus efforts to grow exports, not just abroad but within the UK itself. We must overhaul our too-often creaking national infrastructure and commit to ensuring that every corner of Scotland large and small, urban and rural shares in the sustained growth and prosperity that is our goal. Crucially, we must drive forward a skills revolution that has at its heart a simple principle; that when it comes to making a contribution to society, and to providing for your familys future, an apprenticeship has the same value as a university degree. B UT in doing all of this we need to understand something profound. However much we may strive to return to it, life after the Covid pandemic will never be the same again and nor will our economy. We cant go back to the way things were because in many areas that wont be possible. So lets ensure that, out of the Covid tragedy, something better is built, here in Scotland and across our United Kingdom. Lets resolve that the children whose earliest days have been lived in the shadow of a global pandemic can look forward instead to a future of prosperity and security. And lets all pull in the same direction to make that better future a reality. Yesterday, in its editorial column, the Scottish Daily Mail laid down a challenge; that the party we hope to lead must be knocked into shape. That fresh ideas on the economy, education and health must be brought to the table, to challenge the SNPs mediocre record in these areas and others. Its right that this challenge has been set. We accept it in the spirit intended. Indeed, we should do nothing less because the future of Scotland and the livelihoods and wellbeing of millions of our fellow Scots depends on that challenge being met. We are up for the fight. Denis Fortier, a retired education specialist from Lewiston, Me., has worked as a deputy election warden for several years. But both he and his wife Pauline, an election clerk, decided they werent comfortable working the Maine primary in July due to the coronavirus pandemic. Both are over 70. It was not an easy decision, Fortier says. Its not an easy decision whichever way I go for the November elections. Ive not made up my mind yet whether Im going to work or not. Fortier fits the profile for a standard election worker: A retired, engaged citizen who comes back cycle after cycle to keep democracy running smoothly. According to the U.S. Election Assistance Commissions (EAC) Election Administration and Voting Survey for the 2016 presidential election, 917,694 poll workers ran voting sites across the country. More than half the poll workers the commission gathered data from were 61 or older. This year, many of those workers are considering sitting November out, leaving election officials scrambling to recruit replacements. What weve heard from election officials is just a massive dropout of poll workers, says Benjamin Hovland, commissioner of the U.S. Election Assistance Commission. That has real consequences. You cant open polling places if you dont have poll workers. The increase in mail ballots this year is expected to relieve some of the demand, but an adequate election-day workforce will still be needed to staff polling sites and count the ballots. In 2018, states used an average of eight poll workers per location, and nearly 70% of jurisdictions that responded to the EACs survey said they struggled to recruit workers. The primaries have already demonstrated why its so important to plan ahead and ensure there are enough people to keep things running. Many states reported no-shows, resulting in long lines and even closed polling locations. Story continues In Milwaukee, Wis., an expected 180 voting sites for the April 7 presidential primary were consolidated into five. The city typically requires at least 1,400 election workers, but had less than 400 as Election Day approached. The result was long wait times for voters. Due to the citys large Black population, the delays disproportionately affected voters of color. Shauntay Nelson, the Wisconsin state director for All Voting is Local, says the voting-rights group has been working with the City of Milwaukee municipal clerk and other local organizations to find nontraditional ways to recruit poll workers. Among their efforts are using social media, holding information sessions, and even hosting a job fair. She says theyre trying to recruit people from public-facing jobs, like bartenders, that may not be working on Election Day. Make sense of what matters in Washington. Sign up for the daily D.C. Brief newsletter. Efforts like this are underway in other states and on the national level. Ohio is offering lawyers Continuing Legal Education credit for taking part in the election. Iowa launched a recruitment campaign specifically requesting younger Iowans participate. Colorado offered election judges $3 more per hour and paid sick leave for the primary, while the West Virginia Real Estate Commission will allow agents and brokers to earn Continuing Education credit for their service. Many of the campaigns tap into patriotic themes. The Election Assistance Commission, Hovland says, also plans to announce soon that the agency will launch a poll-worker recruitment day for September 1, a new initiative spurred by the demand. In Texas Bexar County, which encompasses San Antonio, several voting sites had to close during the states July 14 run-off elections because of a lack of poll workers. County Judge Nelson Wolff, who oversees guidelines and funding for elections on the local level as part of the Commissioners Court, says coronavirus concerns were to blame. Looking ahead to November, Wolff says the county is planning to create four supersites to reduce the need to staff so many places for early voting. While Bexar County typically has 280 voting sites for elections, Wolff says he anticipates cutting that figure to between 25 and 50 sites in November. Were taking a number of steps in anticipation that we will not be able to man all the polls on Election Day that we have done in the past, Wolff says. In South Windsor, Conn., poll workers will be paid an additional $100 in hazard pay for the presidential preference primaries on August 11, and may get the same bonus in November. The 26,000-person city would face a shortage of poll workers had younger poll workers not stepped in, according to Sue Larsen, the Democratic registrar. The hazard pay was because we understood that this was a tough financial time and the fact that they were putting themselves in a situation that could be detrimental to their health, Larsen says. Poll workers are recruited and hired locally and help with tasks such as verifying voters identities, answering questions, and assisting voters who require it. Most of these roles are temporary and paid, requiring a short training period commitment and attendance on the day of the election. A majority of states even have youth poll workers programs, allowing minors to participate. Because so many of the workers build up a base of knowledge by returning election after election, training will be crucial this year because so many are likely to be first-time poll workers. In Seminole County, Fla., Chris Anderson, the Republican Supervisor of Elections, said that because of the pandemic, the county had to build its bench of backup workers. While a lot of workers are returning, there will be a very high degree of new folks, Anderson says, estimating 30% of the poll workers for the August 18 primary election will be first-timers. What we do for all three elections, regardless of turnout, is we overstaff, says Anderson. Were planners by nature, so we are always kind of looking at the what-if scenario. Nearly $5.7 million in federal coronavirus relief funds from the $2 trillion CARES Act is headed to Michigan to help small business. The money is intended to be be added to revolving loan funds operated by counties or nonprofit entities across the state, the federal government announced. The local groups can lend the money to small businesses and entrepreneurs affected financially by the coronavirus pandemic. The U.S. Department of Commerce announced the Michigan distributions in a news release issued Wednesday, Aug. 5. These investments will provide small businesses across Michigan with the necessary capital to rebound from the coronavirus pandemic and, in turn, create a stronger and more resilient state economy for the future, said Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross in the release. The Department of Commerces s Economic Development Administration is overseeing the grants and issued a request for applicants May 7. Recipients include: $2.9 million to the Detroit Economic Growth Corporation. $1.7 million to Iosco County for small loans to local businesses, including firms in neighboring Alcona County, for support of the areas aircraft maintenance, tourism, agricultural and manufacturing sectors. $550,000 to the East Michigan Council of Governments, which administers small-business loans in 14 counties: Arenac, Bay, Clare, Gladwin, Gratiot, Huron, Isabella, Iosco, Midland, Ogemaw, Roscommon, Saginaw, Sanilac, and Tuscola. $550,000 to the Economic Development Corporation of Marquette County These investments come at a crucial time to help Michigans and our nations economy come roaring back and provide hard-working Americans with new opportunities, said Dana Gartzke of the U.S. Economic Development Administration. Small businesses are the lifeblood of our communities, and EDA is pleased to invest these CARES Act funds so that Michigan businesses have access to capital to respond to and recover from the coronavirus pandemic. Separate from the $5.7 million in loans, as many as 5,000 small Michigan businesses are expected to share $100 million in CARES Acts grant funds being administered by local governments and nonprofits through the Michigan Small Business Restart Program. COVID-19 PREVENTION TIPS In addition to washing hands regularly and not touching your face , officials recommend practicing social distancing, assuming anyone may be carrying the virus. Health officials say you should be staying at least 6 feet away from others and working from home, if possible. Use disinfecting wipes or disinfecting spray cleaners on frequently-touched surfaces in your home (door handles, faucets, countertops) and carry hand sanitizer with you when you go into places like stores. Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has also issued executive orders requiring people to wear face coverings over their mouth and nose while in public indoor and crowded outdoor spaces. See an explanation of what that means here . Additional information is available at Michigan.gov/Coronavirus and CDC.gov/Coronavirus . For more data on COVID-19 in Michigan, visit https://www.mlive.com/coronavirus/data/ More on MLive: Whitmer declares racism a public heath crisis Portion of grant funds must go to minority-owned businesses 185 Michigan businesses got at least $5 million in federal paycheck protection dollars More than 2 million Michigan workers have received unemployment benefits since pandemic began Actress Alyssa Milano revealed that she has tested positive for COVID-19 antibodies in lengthy Instagram post on Wednesday. The 47-year-old opened up about her weeks-long battle with the coronavirus and the lingering symptoms she was left with after struggling to get a positive diagnosis. Milano said she was tested twice for the virus and once for antibodies and received negative results but pushed for a fourth test that finally revealed she was positive. Telling her story: Actress Alyssa Milano revealed that she has tested positive for COVID-19 antibodies after suffering from severe symptoms but getting negative results three times in lengthy Instagram post on Wednesday 'This was me on April 2nd after being sick for 2 weeks,' she began in an Instagram caption. 'I had never been this kind of sick. Everything hurt. Loss of smell.' 'It felt like an elephant was sitting on my chest. I couldnt breathe. I couldnt keep food in me. I lost 9 pounds in 2 weeks. I was confused. Low grade fever. And the headaches were horrible,' she said detailing her symptoms. The Charmed star added: 'I basically had every Covid symptom.' In the image posted, Milano is seen at the height of her illness sitting in bed with her reading glasses on, wearing a medical breathing mask. 'It felt like an elephant was sitting on my chest. I couldnt breathe. I couldnt keep food in me. I lost 9 pounds in 2 weeks. I was confused. Low grade fever. And the headaches were horrible,' she said detailing her symptoms. Confusion: The actress said she was tested twice for COVID-19 in March and did a 'finger prick test' for antibodies once she was feeling better and all three came back negative The actress said she was tested twice for COVID-19 in March and did a 'finger prick test' for antibodies once she was feeling better and all three came back negative. Despite the negative tests results, Alyssa explained that she had brutal lingering symptoms like 'vertigo, stomach abnormalities, irregular periods, heart palpitations, shortness of breath, zero short term memory, and general malaise.' The Who's the Boss star decided to listen to her body and seek out some additional blood work. 'I am POSITIVE for covid antibodies. I had Covid19,' Alyssa told her followers. 'I just want you to be aware that our testing system is flawed and we dont know the real numbers.' COVID-19: Despite the negative tests results, Alyssa explained that she had brutal lingering symptoms like 'vertigo, stomach abnormalities, irregular periods, heart palpitations, shortness of breath, zero short term memory, and general malaise' so she went back to get blood drawn and got a positive result The podcaster added gravely: 'I also want you to know, this illness is not a hoax. I thought I was dying. It felt like I was dying.' Along with her sick bed selfie, the star shared a screen grab of her positive antibody result on social media. Milano said she is going to donate her plasma for antibody research with the hopes that it could save lives. 'Please take care of yourselves. Please wash your hands and wear a mask and social distance,' she implored. 'I dont want anyone to feel the way I felt. Be well. I love you all (well, maybe not the trolls. Just the kind people.)' Doing what they can: Alyssa joins other celebrities like Tom Hanks and Bryan Cranston (pictured) who have since recovered from the fatal virus and have donated their blood plasma to COVID-19 research Alyssa joins other celebrities like Tom Hanks and Bryan Cranston who have since recovered from the fatal virus and have donated their blood plasma to COVID-19 research. Her experience with lingering symptoms echoed a similar experience by Lena Dunham who recently revealed that she too had COVID-19. In Dunham's case, she tested positive and was under a doctors care but she too had weeks of lingering symptoms of the virus. Both Milano and Dunham said that they decided to talk about their traumatic experiences fighting the disease in the hopes that people will take social distancing and disinfecting more seriously. - The InterContinental Hotels cited operational reasons as the basis of the intended closure - The management notified all staffers their positions would be declared redundant in 45 days -The hotel further asked its workers to raise any concerns they may have regarding the redundancy process The InterContinental Hotel Corporations Limited has conveyed its plans to permanently close down business in Kenya and fire all its staff. The management cited "operational reasons" as the base behind its intention to shut down its renowned InterContinental Hotel. READ ALSO: Papa Shirandula's Njoro, Wilbroda light up internet with cute dance InterContinental Hotel premises. The hotel said it would close down its business. Photo: InterContinental. Source: UGC READ ALSO: Police officer who collapsed while guarding Equity Bank succumbed to heart attack, not COVID-19 - Family In a notice sent out to employees, the company said all employment positions will be declared redundant in 45 days. "We write to inform you that InterContinental Hotels Corporation Limited Kenya (IHCL) is for operational reasons, considering a permanent closure of InterContinental Nairobi (The Hotel) and winding up its operations in the Republic of Kenya," The Hotel said in statement. The management further asked its workers to channel any concerns they may have regarding the redundancy process through the laid out communication channels. READ ALSO: Stivo Simple Boy discloses he gave parents his first big cheque of KSh 50k to drill borehole This came at the backdrop of an ailing hospitality industry due to the COVID-19 pandemic which has adversely affected operations in the sector. InterContinental did not, however, point out the pandemic as the reason for its upcoming closure. On May 27, Fairmont Hotels and Resorts also announced it had fired all staff citing economic hardship occasioned by the coronavirus pandemic. READ ALSO: Makachero 3 wa DCI wakamatwa kuhusiana na wizi wa kimabavu Machakos However, Attorney General Paul Kihara intervened and demanded an explanation of why the staffers were being sacked. Later, the hotel's General Manager Mehdi Morad said on Thursday, June 4, the hotel had revoked the redundancy letter to allow for stakeholder consultations. Do you have a groundbreaking story you would like us to publish? Please reach us through news@tuko.co.ke or WhatsApp: 0732482690. Contact Tuko.co.ke instantly. Corona has totally ruined our lives - Walter Waweru | Tuko TV Source: TUKO.co.ke AU PM Scott Morrison Guarantees Vic Childcare Places, Jobs Childcare places, centres and jobs will be guaranteed during Melbournes harsh six-week pandemic lockdown under a Morrison government pledge to save the sector. Education Minister Dan Tehan will unveil a rescue package on Aug 5 before ramped up measures to shut businesses take effect. Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the initiative would secure childcare spots, while ensuring no centres close or jobs are lost. A triple guarantee for parents, the services themselves, as well as for the employees, he told the Seven Network on Wednesday. This is necessitated by this big lockdown in Melbourne. There will be payments made to childcare centres to remain in operation and staff employed during the six-week period. The federal government will pay subsidies so children can be kept at home without losing their place. Victoria recorded 439 new cases on Tuesday and another 11 deaths, bringing the national toll to 232. Sick Victorians face harsher penalties to stop people spreading the disease by refusing to isolate. More than 500 Australian Defence Force troops are also being deployed to Victoria to enforce stay-at-home orders, joined by hundreds more health officials. All of the deaths recorded in Victoria on Tuesday were linked to aged care. The prime minister has announced $1500 disaster payments for Victorians who need to self-isolate for two weeks and have exhausted their sick leave. But unions argue it does not go far enough and should be extended across the country. Morrison said he is open to extending the scheme to other states and territories if governments request the payment. Matt Coughlan in Canberra A Yellowstone County man in his 60s died early Wednesday at a hospital, making him the 28th COVID-19 related death in the county, according to RiverStone Health. The statewide death total from COVID-19 is now at 66. As of Tuesday there were 52 people with COVID-19 hospitalized in Yellowstone County, including nine in an ICU and seven on ventilators. Of those hospitalized, 31 were Yellowstone County residents, according to RiverStone Health. Also on Wednesday, the Richland County Health Department in Sidney announced the county's second death in a week. The most recent person to die is a woman in her 80s. The first death in Richland County was a woman in her 80s who died July 28th. The county had five active cases Wednesday morning and more than 30 contacts were being monitored. Yellowstone County has had 24 people die since July 6. County Health Officer John Felton said Tuesday during a press conference that 17 of the deaths in the county were residents of senior living facilities, including 15 from an outbreak at Canyon Creek Memory Care. We cant imagine the sadness that the deceaseds family and friends are experiencing and we offer our heartfelt condolences, Felton said in the Wednesday morning press release about the most recent death. Only five days into August and our community has said goodbye to two people whose loss will be forever felt. Lets resolve to do all we can to prevent more COVID-19 illness and death by following the 3 Ws wear a mask, watch your distance and wash your hands. The county had 25 of the 115 new cases reported by the state Wednesday morning. There are 593 active COVID-19 cases in Yellowstone County and 1,544 active cases statewide. Yellowstone County has had 1,144 of the state's 4,429 people testing confirmed COVID-19 cases since March. More than 850 of those cases were confirmed by testing in July. The high presence of COVID-19 in Yellowstone County was directly cited by Carbon County Public Health Officer Dr. Bill George in his proposing the county Board of Health mandate mask wearing even below Governor Steve Bullock's threshold of four active cases. George listed several reasons for supporting of the broader mask mandate in Carbon County, including the high number of local cases that through contact tracing had connected to a "surging" Yellowstone County. Felton, in Yellowstone County, announced on July 16 that 13 counties and two reservations, had cases connected to Yellowstone County. George also argued that testing delays make active case counts unreliable in real time and therefore put an unrealistic expectation on businesses to be able to remain up to date on mitigation measures dependent on those numbers. Earlier in the update, George said Montana was at "crisis capacity level for testing ability" and that delayed result times were impeding contact tracing and isolation. "This means we must rely even more on our other preventative measures keeping our distance from others, washing and sanitizing hands, wearing a face covering, keeping frequently touched surfaces clean and staying home if you feel sick." Monday, Carbon County issued a Public Health Order in alignment with George's recommendation, meaning the general guidelines of Bullock's masking order remain in effect in the county until public health determines otherwise, as opposed to when the county drops below four active cases. Carbon County had 12 active cases Wednesday morning. The 25 new cases in Yellowstone County reported Wednesday morning include a young male between the ages of 10 and 19, a girl between the ages of 10 and 19, two men in their 20s, two women in their 20s, four women in their 30s, two men in their 30s, two women in their 40s, a man in his 40s, a woman in her 50s, two men in their 50s, two men in their 60s, two women in their 60s, a man in his 70s, a man in his 80s and a woman in her 80s. The Yellowstone County Unified Health Command operates an online COVID-19 dashboard showing the status of various public health categories and functions related to COVID-19. The dashboard uses three different colors to indicate status. Green means operating at expected/normal capacity. Yellow means "Needs beginning to outpace capacity" and red means "stressed operations/critical concerns." The dashboard statuses, last updated Tuesday, are as follows: Health Department Capacity, defined as having sufficient staff for COVID-19 monitoring and follow-up, was in yellow status. Case Investigation, defined as the ability to manage investigations and contact tracing for all COVID-19 positive results, was in yellow status. Testing Capacity, defined as staff and supplies to screen and test all individuals recommended for COVID-19 testing, was in yellow status. Health care System Capacity, defined as sufficient hospital staff, beds, and equipment to treat patients with COVID-19 and all other patients safely, was in yellow status. Disease Surveillance, defined as monitoring emergency department visits for respiratory symptoms, was in green status. Regional impact, defined as active COVID-19 cases in UHC's regional service area including surrounding counties, Wyoming, North and South Dakota, was in yellow status. 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. New Delhi, Aug 5 : The Supreme Court on Wednesday denied any interim protection to Bollywood actor Rhea Chakraborty in the Sushant Singh Rajput death case. Rhea's counsel contended before Justice Hrishikesh Roy that his client needs interim protection from questioning in the case registered by the Bihar Police. But, the top court did not grant any relief. As counsel for Rhea pressed for interim protection, the judge replied: "We want all parties to hold their hand for the time being. Lawyers are here and I am sure they have all heard you." Rhea's plea for interim protection was vehemently opposed by senior advocate Vikas Singh, appearing for Sushant's father K.K. Singh. Citing the quarantining of the Bihar Police officer, sent to assist the team sent earlier, he argued that the entire attempt of the Mumbai Police is to destroy the evidence by disabling the police team from Patna. He also asked the top court for a direction to Mumbai Police to assist Bihar Police till the next date of hearing on the matter. Vikas Singh, opposing the contention of Rhea's counsel for interim protection, reiterated that evidence is being tampered with and after the Centre has accepted the Bihar government recommendation seeking a CBI probe into the matter, her petition doesn't even survive. He contended that Rhea's plea for transfer of the case from Patna to Mumbai is also not maintainable, as the case is at investigation stage and not before a court. After the top court denied interim protection to Rhea in the matter, she cannot cite pendency of the transfer plea in the apex court. The top court has also sought response from the governments of Bihar and Maharashtra in the matter. Vikas Singh also contended that if the CBI were not to take up the matter, then the Bihar Police's investigation into the case must continue and it should receive cooperation in all respect. The top court has scheduled the matter for further hearing next week. Latest updates on Sushant Singh Rajput Death Mystery -- Except for the title, this story has not been edited by Prokerala team and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed Hollister Biosciences Inc., the creator of California's most hash-infused pre-roll HashBone, is pleased to announce that it's entered into a letter of intent to manufacture pre-rolls for some of the biggest names in rock and metal music. VANCOUVER, BC, Aug. 5, 2020 /PRNewswire/ - Hollister Biosciences Inc. (CSE: HOLL) (OTC: HSTRF) (FRANKFURT: HOB) (the "Company", "Hollister Cannabis Co." or "Hollister") a diversified cannabis branding company with products in over 230 dispensaries throughout California, and over 80 dispensaries throughout Arizona, is pleased to announce that it has entered into a letter of intent (the "LOI") to complete a Definitive Agreement (the "Agreement") with Heavy Brands Inc. ("Heavy"), a rock and heavy metal lifestyle cannabis branding company. Under the terms of the Agreement, Heavy intends to license its Heavy Grass brand for use by Hollister in connection with branding, production and sale of cannabis products primarily via collaborations with its roster of music artists. Hollister will grant to Heavy a limited license for use of its HashBone brand for incorporation into any packaging and/or logo design of products. Heavy will retain ownership of all co-brand designs. Products will be introduced in time and will include separate product branding. Heavy will lead the marketing initiatives of the new products leveraging their unique access to the live music industry. Heavy-Hollister co-brand products will be distributed exclusively by Hollister's distribution partner, Indus Holdings Inc. (CSE: INDS), with the first product anticipated to be ready for distribution by October 1, 2020. When asked about the Agreement, Dez Mitchell, head of Product Development from Heavy shared: "We are so thrilled to begin our partnership with Hollister and cannot wait to launch our first products together this fall. For our Heavy Grass family, music and cannabis go hand in hand. We have been fortunate to get to know Carl and his team over the last year and they have proven to uniquely understand our vision. We are excited to show the world what we've been working on together." CEO of Hollister Biosciences, Carl Saling, also shared: "Music and cannabis have gone together for so many years; and lately, for the most part, it's been all connected to rap and hip hop. I have always wanted to bring more attention to cannabis and connect with fans of heavy metal in a truly authentic way. We have big things in store for our initial launch, and looking forward to many awesome rock and metal collaborations that Hollister and Heavy Grass will be bringing to market." About Heavy Brands Heavy Brands Inc. is a Southern California lifestyle cannabis branding and marketing company building globally recognized cannabis lifestyle brands based in Los Angeles. It's flagship brand, Heavy Grass, has grown organically by connecting hard rock and heavy metal fans to cannabis products that speak to their lifestyle. Additionally, Heavy Grass releases a seasonal line of apparel that is worn by some of the largest rock artists and fans around the world. Website: https://getheavy.com/ About Hollister Biosciences Inc. Hollister Biosciences Inc. is a multi-state cannabis company with a vision to be the sought-after premium brand portfolio of innovative, high-quality cannabis & hemp products. Hollister uses a high margin model, controlling the whole process from manufacture to sales to distribution or seed to shelf. Products from Hollister Biosciences Inc. include HashBone, the brand's premier artisanal hash-infused pre-roll, along with concentrates (shatter, budder, crumble), distillates, solvent-free bubble hash, pre-packaged flower, pre-rolls, tinctures, vape products, and full-spectrum high CBD pet tinctures. Hollister Cannabis Co. additionally offers white-labeling manufacturing of cannabis products. Our wholly-owned California subsidiary Hollister Cannabis Co is the 1st state and locally licensed cannabis company in the city of Hollister, CA birthplace of the "American Biker". Website: www.hollistercannabisco.com ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD "Carl Saling" CEO and Director The CSE does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. The CSE has not in any way passed upon the merits of the Proposed Transaction and has neither approved nor disapproved the contents of this press release. This news release may include forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties. All statements within, other than statements of historical fact, are to be considered forward looking. Although the Company believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those in forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include market prices, exploitation and exploration successes, continued availability of capital and financing, and general economic, market or business conditions. There can be no assurances that such statements will prove accurate and, therefore, readers are advised to rely on their own evaluation of such uncertainties. We do not assume any obligation to update any forward-looking statements except as required under the applicable laws. SOURCE Hollister Biosciences Inc. Families face new levels of risk, uncertainty, and safety concerns for the fall semester. One step parents can take to protect their college-age children is to make sure they have Health Care Proxies and Powers of Attorney in place. Without legally binding estate documents in place, parents may not be able to make medical or financial decisions on behalf of their children or discuss medical care with their child's doctor. "If a child over eighteen gets sick with COVID, parents may assume they can step in," said Renee Fry, CEO of Gentreo. "Parents' rights are limited when their child is legally an adult. Adult children are given medical privacy and financial rights which can prevent parents from getting immediate information or from making decisions. Worse, courts may be closed or delayed and travel may be limited, so it's more critical now than ever for college students to be legally prepared to head back to school." Some universities are already requiring that students have Health Care Proxies before they come back on campus to prepare for worst-case pandemic scenarios. The Gentreo College COVID Young Adult Legal Prep Kit includes: Health Care Proxy (also known as a Power of Attorney for Health Care) which includes a HIPAA release and advance directives Power of Attorney for Finances (also known as a Power of Attorney) Emergency Card Digital Family Vault to securely store and share documents and other important information For more information visit: https://www.gentreo.com/college-covid-prep-kit/ About Gentreo: Gentreo provides easy to use, affordable estate planning solutions that stay with customers throughout their lives. Gentreo helps members create legally binding, state-specific essential estate planning documents including Health Care Proxies, Powers of Attorney, Wills, and more. Gentreo members can securely store and share these documents and other important information in the Gentreo Digital Family Vault, where documents are always accessible. Gentreo is not a law firm or a substitute for a law firm or attorney or an attorney's advice or recommendations. For more information, visit www.gentreo.com. SOURCE Gentreo Inc. Related Links https://www.gentreo.com Hackers playing porn and loud music forced a judge to end a bond hearing for the alleged mastermind behind a massive hack of high-profile Twitter accounts belonging to Elon Musk, Barack Obama, Kanye West and many others. The virtual hearing of Graham Ivan Clark lasted all of 25 minutes after several Zoombombers posing as staffers from CNN and BBC entered the chat app on Wednesday. Judge Christopher Nash closed the stream for a few minutes before resuming, only for the hearing to be interrupted again. Ill apologise to everybody for that display, Mr Nash said after a Porn Hub sex clip. I was removing people as quickly as I could. Security expert Brian Krebs commented on Twitter that the judge didnt enable settings that would prevent people from taking over the screen. My guess is he didnt know he could, Mr Krebs said. Judges holding hearings over Zoom need to get a clue. Clark, of Tampa in Florida, has pleaded not guilty to 30 felony charges over the hack of high-profile celebrities, politicians and business leaders. In announcing the arrest, Hillsborough State Attorney Andrew Warren said the mastermind behind the Bit-Con hack was no ordinary teenager. He said Mr Clark gained access to the accounts and internal Twitter controls through compromising a company employee, before selling access to some accounts and using high-profile identities to solicit bitcoin. Twitter said the hack exposed 130 accounts, with tweets made from 45, direct messages accessed in 36 in-boxes, and data download from seven users. Attorneys for Clark filed a motion to lower the bond of $725,000 to a more financially feasible amount for the teenager, who had just recently graduated from high school. They argued that it was unreasonable since the amount hes accused of stealing, $117,000, is just a fraction of the bond. According to WFLA News Channel 8, which tuned into the virtual hearing, the judge kept the bond unchanged and made a pointed promise when scheduling the next appearance. October 7, 1.30, by Zoom. That will be a password protected Zoom conference, Mr Nash said. A paper published today in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society reported results of an initiative designed to enhance implementation of hospital mobility programs aimed at improving quality of care and outcomes for older patients. Sharon K. Inouye, M.D., M.P.H., Director of the Aging Brain Center in the Hinda and Arthur Marcus Institute for Aging Research at Hebrew SeniorLife, headed the effort and is the paper's senior author, and her mentee, Songprod Jonathan Lorgunpai, M.D., Division of Geriatric Medicine, Mount Auburn Hospital, is the paper's lead author. Research shows that keeping older hospitalized patients confined to their beds often does more harm than good. Immobility contributes to poor patient outcomes, including increased risk of injurious falls, delirium, aspiration pneumonia, pressure ulcers, functional decline, prolonged length of stay, institutionalization, readmissions, increased healthcare costs, and mortality. Despite this reality, older adults are largely immobilized throughout their hospital stay. According to estimates in 2009 and 2013, patients spent more than 95 percent of their time in a bed or chair. Protocols in place to prevent falls are a driving force behind this statistic. In 2008, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services enacted new payment provisions that would no longer reimburse hospitals for diagnosis-related groups resulting from hospital-acquired conditions, including falls with injury. As an unintended consequence, many hospitals routinely use bed and chair alarms that discourage mobility as part of their fall prevention programs, despite large randomized clinical trials that have clearly demonstrated bed and chair alarms are ineffective at reducing falls. As part of a 2016-2017 Health and Aging Policy Fellowship, Dr. Inouye worked with the Center for Medicare & Medicaid Innovation (CMMI) to develop a new care delivery model designed to promote quality improvement related to mobility in hospitals participating in CMMI's bundled payment programs. The overarching goal of the initiative was to improve mobility and decrease use of bed and chair alarms with hospitalized older adults. To achieve this goal, Dr. Inouye and her team developed a Mobility Action Group (MACT) Change Package that provides a conceptual framework, roadmap, and step-by-step guide to help hospital mobility teams set and meet their mobilization goals. The MACT Change Package provided more than 40 participating hospitals of varying sizes across the United States with an innovative framework of peer support, expert faculty, and resources to create a successful culture of mobility in the care of hospitalized older adults. "The Change Package was an essential tool and starting point for each hospital, while the peer support and assistance they received through the group meetings proved to be another key factor in their success," said Dr. Inouye. Results indicate that successful implementation of mobility programs was achieved at most (76 percent) participating sites in medical, surgical, and intensive care units, with 43 percent of mobility programs fully implemented and an additional 33 percent partially implemented by the end of the active initiative. Most (54 percent) reported a high likelihood that their mobility program would continue long-term. There was a more than twofold increase in the proportion of patients who received at least three walks per day and a 1.8-fold reduction in the use of bed or chair alarms across sites. "I'm greatly encouraged by the results of this effort," said Dr. Lorgunpai, who is also an Instructor in Medicine at Harvard Medical School. "While additional study is needed to determine if this approach can improve patient outcomes such as decreased falls, functional decline, and readmissions, this initiative demonstrates that emphasizing system-wide change through a flexible approach can catalyze a culture of mobility in hospitals and improve care of older adults." Explore further Limiting patient mobility in hospitals may do more harm than good Provided by Hebrew SeniorLife Hinda and Arthur Marcus Institute for Aging Research Starting today, US residents 21+ can enter for the chance to win $5,000 from West Elm towards building out their dream at-home oasis this year, and a once-in-a-lifetime all expenses paid trip to Tequila Don Julio's home in Jalisco, Mexico next year. To enter the sweepstakes, participants can head to SummerOn.DonJulio.com or enter on Instagram by tagging #SummerOnWithDon, #Sweepstakes, and @DonJulioTequila to show how they've invited Tequila Don Julio into their homes, for the chance to visit our home, the home of tequila, next year. 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For each sweepstakes entry, Tequila Don Julio is donating $1 to Restaurant Workers' Community Foundation, up to $25,000, to support continued COVID-19 relief for our friends and familia in the bar and restaurant world. Not only that, but 20 runners up will also be chosen to receive $500 toward creating their at-home paradise this year, along with limited edition Tequila Don Julio merchandise. Giving back while entering to win prizes with the click of a button? Like we said, Tequila Don Julio and West Elm are here to help everyone Summer On. About Tequila Don Julio Founded on the pioneering agricultural principles of Don Julio Gonzalez and his personal pursuit of perfection, Tequila Don Julio revolutionized the tequila industry and set the standard for ultra-premium tequila. The original luxury tequila of choice in Mexico, Tequila Don Julio uses only the highest caliber, fully matured and ripened Blue Agave that has been hand-selected from the rich, clay soils of the Los Altos region of the state of Jalisco. The Tequila Don Julio portfolio includes Tequila Don Julio Blanco, Tequila Don Julio Reposado, Tequila Don Julio Anejo, Tequila Don Julio 70, Tequila Don Julio 1942, and Tequila Don Julio REAL. For more information on Tequila Don Julio, please visit www.DonJulio.com. About West Elm Born in Brooklyn in 2002, West Elm is a global design company dedicated to transforming people's lives and spaces through creativity, style, and purpose. We create original, modern, and affordable home decor, and curate a global selection of local, ethically sourced, and Fair Trade Certified products available online and in 100+ stores worldwide. We are a part of Williams-Sonoma, Inc. (NYSE:WSM) and participate in The Key Rewards, a free-to-join loyalty program that offers members exclusive benefits across the fleet of best-in-class brands. Learn more at www.WestElm.com. About Restaurant Workers' Community Foundation Restaurant Workers' Community Foundation is an advocacy and action nonprofit created by and for restaurant workers. RWCF was founded in 2018 to advocate for and raise funds for other nonprofits working toward gender equity, racial justice, fair wages, and healthy work environments in the restaurant industry. In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, RWCF's additional focus is on supporting workers in crisis and small business owners with the Restaurant Workers COVID19 Crisis Relief Fund. RWCF is America's first nonprofit using the community foundation model to support people in a particular labor segment. We are a community dedicated to making the restaurant industry more hospitable to everyone. In our normal model (prior to the establishment of the crisis relief fund) one third of the funds we raise goes to our own community-building and advocacy efforts, one third to grantmaking to other nonprofits (ones that provide career training, advocate for fair wage policies and worker rights, or provide services for restaurant workers related to gender and racial equity, and mental health and substance abuse) and one third is allocated to an impact investing fund, with which we aim to positively affect worker rights in the industry. www.RestaurantWorkersCF.org @RWCFUSA on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn SOURCE Tequila Don Julio Related Links http://www.DonJulio.com The lieutenant general overseeing the Army's hypersonic weapons program said the service will soon accelerate testing of the ultra-fast missile effort to compete with Russia and China in the race to field the deadly new technology. In a joint effort with the Navy, the Army has been designing the Common-Hypersonic Glide Body, which will be used by all U.S. services, and is preparing to transition it to the defense industry, which will mass produce the technology. The Army will soon begin ramping up the testing schedule so it can field the first operational hypersonic missile battery by fiscal 2023, Lt. Gen. Neil Thurgood, director of Hypersonics, Directed Energy, Space, and Rapid Acquisition, said Wednesday during a Defense News space and missile defense webinar. Read Next: Air Force OKs Pants for Women's Mess Dress Uniforms "The flight test program is very aggressive, and we need to be aggressive in order to keep on case and be competitive with our near-peer competitors, namely Russia and China," he said. Following a successful test in March, "we will actually accelerate our program; our next flight test will be mid-year of 2021, followed very quickly by two shots later in 2021," Thurgood said, adding that, until now, tests had been completed every three years. The Pentagon's hypersonics effort is under real pressure to create a new class of ultrafast, maneuverable, long-range missiles capable of flying at five times the speed of sound. The Defense Department made hypersonic technologies a priority, nearly doubling its long-term investment, with almost $5 billion more in fiscal 2020 funding for hypersonics development alone in the next five years. The increased funding follows advancements made by adversaries such as Russia, which claims to have unveiled a hypersonic glide vehicle capable of traveling more than 20 times the speed of sound. Over the next 12 to 14 months, the Army will transfer the high-priority glide-body work from government laboratories to Dynetics Technical Solutions, the firm selected last August to produce the first commercially manufactured set of prototype Common-Hypersonic Glide Body systems. "We have to transition the technology ... from the government labs to our commercial industrial partners who can build this kind of weapon system in quantity," Thurgood said. Over the past year, teams from Dynetics have been based at Sandia National Laboratories, training to build the glide bodies. The Army has a plan to select and train a second firm if demand goes up for more glide bodies, Thurgood said. "At the same time, we are about 14 months away from getting our first set of support equipment to the first unit, so it's happening very, very quickly," he added. If all goes well, soldiers from the unit scheduled to receive the first hypersonics battery -- consisting of four trucks with launchers, hypersonic missile rounds, and a command-and-control system -- will participate in the flight test scheduled for the fall of 2021, Thurgood said. "It is our intent to use those flight tests not just for engineering work but also for training work for our soldiers," he said. In a parallel effort, the Army is also working to develop the training and tactics units will need to take this new weapon system into the fight, Thurgood added. "It's not sufficient to show to a unit and give them a piece of kit; we have to give them the training that goes with it, we have to give them the doctrine that goes with it, the leadership training, the policy -- all of those things have to be provided in parallels to just providing them kit," he said. -- Matthew Cox can be reached at matthew.cox@military.com. Related: Navy, Army Flight Test a Common Hypersonic Weapon Glide Body 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. In Latin America, no good deed goes unpunished. So here's news from Colombia in a New York Times report in what's a warning about what to expect from the rabid left in President Trump's post-presidency: BOGOTA, Colombia Colombia's Supreme Court ordered on Tuesday the detention of a former president and longtime giant of Colombian politics, Alvaro Uribe, amid an investigation into whether he committed acts of fraud, bribery and witness tampering. The decision is a landmark in a nation accustomed to back door deals between politicians who were rarely called to answer for their actions in court. While some other nations in Latin America have tackled corruption aggressively in recent years, sometimes prosecuting presidents, Colombia has infrequently indicted major political players. Widely viewed as the most powerful Colombian politician of the last two decades, Mr. Uribe had been the subject of investigation for years, but this is the closest he has come to facing a panel of judges. His ability to avoid prosecution had led many Colombians to call him the "Teflon president." The court order has the potential to upend the political landscape in Colombia. And it makes him the first president in modern Colombian history to face detention. This is beyond disgusting. President Uribe, who was America's top ally in Latin America during his presidency from 2002 to 2020, was the Lincoln of his country, freeing it from its horrific chains of FARC gangster Marxist narco-terrorism, bankrolled by Venezuelan dictator Hugo Chavez. The result was almost night and day he brought Colombians the foremost of all human rights, the right to personal security, the thrill of being able to walk outside and not fear a kidnap or a car bomb. He was also the Reagan of his country, freeing its economy from decades of socialist sludge regulations and state takeovers that rendered it a typical Latin American basket case and a net exporter of illegal aliens, turning Colombia into Latin America's brightest star. The flow of illegals reversed on his watch; that's a prime instance of voting with one's feet. And yes, he was a proto-Trump, too, populist in nature, going out to Colombia's back boonies to places the government had never had control over until he brought Colombia its victories and holding weekly televised town halls there with the astonished locals, as well as fighting like hell against the biased, mendacious press and the far-left squadsters of the country sounding exactly like Trump. He once looked at Hugo Chavez, the nightmare to his country's east, and at a Mexican conference told him, "Ay, sea varon," or "Oh, be a man!" In 2008, he freed three Americans and more than a dozen Colombians held by FARC Marxist terrorists, kidnapped, starved, terrorized, and held in the depths of jungle for five years in the most spectacular raid since Entebbe. The Americans' book, Out of Captivity, is a dazzling, riveting read, and Uribe is a hero. For transforming his country from Latin American hellhole to bright shining star with a great future the left has done to him exactly what it did to Augusto Pinochet, a man reviled by the Castroite left, because he destroyed Castro's little empire in Chile in 1973 gone after him with every legal technicality (Pinochet appeared to have misappropriated some money, not much, to have cash to pay lawyers to fight off leftist legal attacks, despite his exit with immunity) to accomplish what they couldn't on the assassination front (they tried to kill him several times and came close). Pinochet was painted as the devil by the left, the Castroite left, same as the people going after Uribe, even though the post-Marxist death count in his country was almost entirely attributable to Marxist guerrillas who attacked soldiers first, and the human rights violations in his country were absolutely minuscule compared to what went on in Brazil and Argentina. P inochet's real crime to the left was turning Chile into a first-world country, a peaceful place, a desirable, low-corruption place, on a foundation of private savings accounts that created huge pools of development capital and the basis for rule of law. That was Pinochet's real crime, and the left never forgave him, going after him in his old age in the most disgraceful manner. Lady Thatcher made one of her most eloquent speeches on the entire travesty of the picture. It is a tradition no good deed goes unpunished. We saw some similar outrages of this kind last year as the left went after Peru's best president, Alan Garcia, an ex-leftist who learned his lesson and, on his second run, made Peru great, too. The rabid left drove him to suicide as they had finally engineered an arrest. And no, this stuff isn't about rule of law. As Daniel Duquenal, a brilliant Venezuelan blogger who is of all things a left-leaning rule-of-law liberal, noted: Comentario ocioso Con lo de @AlvaroUribeVel preso hoy veo que cuando la derecha se defiende y logra algo termina en el banquillo. Cuando la izquierda hace sus fechorias y solo logra miseria a nadie le quita el sueno, pareciera. daniel duquenal (@danielduquenal) August 4, 2020 Translation: Idle Comment: What with @AlvaroUribeVel prisoner today I see that when the right wing defends itself and achieves something, it ends up on the bench. When the left does its misdeeds and only achieves misery, nobody takes away their sleep, it seems. This really is the ugly picture. Whatever Uribe did, it must be recalled that he did it as someone fighting a hydra-headed beast of multiple enemies, taking them out one at a time, making deals with some in order to prioritize others. He's the guy who made Colombia a great country; he ended its reign as the most vile place on Earth and made it a beautiful place. He fought communists with the passion with which we fight communists, and yes, he calls himself a conservative, too. And the icky little leftist slimebag, a creep named Ivan Cepeda, who set into motion all of these events for Colombia's very tainted Deep State, did his crowing about "rule of law" in, of all places, the far-left Chavista propaganda organ of the Venezuelan state, Telesur, known as Telechavez in the region. It shows you that something is way wrong. But it also shows that the rabid left will follow a president who does good into his post-presidency. Ever wondered why Latin America is such a cesspit of crime and revenge and vigilantism? This distortion of the law is a good guess. Ever wonder why Latin America's people are so cynical about change for the better ever happening? This, again, is a good guess why. They'll try that with Trump, too, but now that we have these three examples from Latin America of what happens to effective transformative presidents who take on the left, we will have to be ready not to let it happen to Trump. This shows what they do their willingness to bring down heroes, their willingness to distort law, and their relentless hate for all those who bring good. All we can say now with this latest example is that the task before us is to politically destroy them first. Image credit: Bush White House archives, public domain. Opinion Article 5 August 2020 Foreword Advertisements The restrictions imposed due to the COVID-19 pandemic have severely hit every sector across the globe, and the hospitality industry is undeniably among the hardest hit. In Israel, strict lockdown measures were implemented in mid-March, forcing all except non-essential businesses to close, including most of the country's hotels. Fortunately, there is light at the end of the tunnel for the lockdown phase and, on 4 May 2020, Prime Minister Netanyahu outlined a gradual easing of lockdown restrictions; the focus of hoteliers has thus shifted from how to manage the closure to developing a sound reopening strategy. While this was a positive sign for hoteliers, it is important to make a distinction between when hotels will be allowed to reopen and when they should reopen. As with the rest of Europe, we expect hotels to reopen gradually in Israel and that they will likely need to continue making use of the government's unemployment benefits until demand returns in sufficient quantities, especially from international visitors, to justify a more profitable operation than the cost of remaining closed. Photo: HVS No-one knows the timeline as to how long this pandemic will last or the final net impact on the economy. What we do know is that the hospitality industry is extraordinarily resilient. Past 'shock' events and downturns have caused business to plummet; however, the industry performance has always recovered and Israeli hotels have become especially adept at managing the impact of such events. Even though the pace and degree of the COVID-19 downturn are unparalleled, we are of the opinion that the hospitality industry in Israel will recover and, as in the past, this downturn will create the opportunity for strong returns through well-timed and well-executed investment strategies. In this report, we examine a set of recovery scenarios addressing the range of potential impacts on hotel values in Israel. We analyse the past hotel performance to determine the baseline for this and we review the tourism market profile to understand the factors affecting the anticipated short- and mid-term return of travel. Key Takeaways Tourism arrivals to Israel hit another record in 2019 , growing to 4.5 million (see Figure 1) and resulting in improved hotel performance throughout. , growing to 4.5 million (see Figure 1) and resulting in improved hotel performance throughout. Hotel values across Israel gained a further 5.2% in 2019 on the back of similar average RevPAR growth for all markets. on the back of similar average RevPAR growth for all markets. We expect a gradual but accelerated recovery following COVID-19 - RevPAR projected to return to 2019 levels by 2024. - RevPAR projected to return to 2019 levels by 2024. Supply growth slows - projects will be delayed or abandoned altogether. - projects will be delayed or abandoned altogether. Hotel values to decline in 2020 - to remain depressed until EBITDAs 'hit the bottom' and there is evidence of recovery. - to remain depressed until EBITDAs 'hit the bottom' and there is evidence of recovery. Longer term, values will recover as cash flows improve and capital markets return to more traditional parameters. as cash flows improve and capital markets return to more traditional parameters. Opportunity for high returns - well-capitalised buyers could take the opportunity to buy distressed assets well below replacement cost and recent norms. The Context in Recent Years A Thriving Economy The Israeli economy has flourished over the last decade and has recorded one of the best performances across all OECD countries. Since 2008, GDP growth has averaged 4.0% a year, which compares to the OECD average of 2.9%. Israel's economy is characterised by its strong service and industrial sectors, which mainly focus on high-tech products, biomedical equipment, chemicals, and military technology. The country is also referred to as the 'Start-up Nation' owing to its incredible number of start-ups, rumoured to be the highest per capita in the world. Undeniably, the travel and tourism industry has also played an important role, being one of the largest economic sectors in Israel. It contributed US$22 billion (5.6%) to GDP in 2019 and provided close to 230,000 jobs (5.7% of total employment), according to the WTTC. Figure 1: Tourist Arrivals and GDP Change (Israel) Source: Central Bureau of Statistics Photo: HVS Tourism Acceleration The political situation in the region has had a crucial impact on inbound and outbound tourism flows. Following years of geopolitical tension in Israel and the neighbouring states, 2017 marked the turning point and was among the best years in the country's history in terms of international visitation. Combined with targeted marketing actions, easing of regulations for visas and an increased number of air routes thanks to the Open Skies agreement which came into effect in 2013, the Israel tourism industry showed impressive growth from 2.9 million tourist arrivals in 2016 to 4.5 million in 2019 (see Figure 1). Local hoteliers benefitted from this inflow, as reflected in the solid performance of all markets under review (see Figure 3). Figure 2: Supply and Demand Growth in Israel (Index, 2014 = 100) Source: Central Bureau of Statistics Photo: HVS Supply is Lagging Behind As shown in Figure 2, demand growth has outpaced supply growth over the last three years, highlighting the strong potential of the destination to welcome new hotels, especially at the budget end of the spectrum. To accelerate the construction of new hotels, the Ministry of Tourism launched a number of initiatives in 2016. One of the main pillars was the creation of a governmental grant scheme in order to provide additional support to developers in a country where banks are generally hesitant to lend for hotel purposes. Another important initiative was the implementation of a centralised planning process and other regulatory improvements. Before this was introduced, investors had to deal with a number of different planning committees in order to obtain a permit, thus making the entire process extremely lengthy (sometimes between five and ten years). This process has now been centralised and is handled by the National Infrastructure Committee, thus cutting bureaucracy. These initiatives have been proven to be effective; more than 22,000 rooms are expected to enter the market in the next couple of years, albeit that the realisation of this might be delayed owing to the current pandemic. Hotel Market Performance Mirroring the positive trends in demand and limited supply growth, Israel's hotels recorded a RevPAR increase from US$137 in 2016 to US$169 in 2019, representing a compound annual growth rate of 7%. The strongest RevPAR growth was recorded in Jerusalem at a compound annual growth rate of 14% between 2016 and 2019. This was followed by Tel Aviv (8%), Haifa (6%), the Dead Sea (4%) and Eilat (3%). Figure 3: Occupancy and Average Rate Comparison Source: HVS Research Photo: HVS Like much of the world, Israel's hotel industry took a massive nosedive as travel came to a halt in mid-March 2020. Only a small number of hotels remained in operation, and the occupancy levels for these opened hotels are generally in single digits. The Path to Recovery Israel began reopening the country to domestic tourism with a phased approach on 4 May 2020. Simultaneously, the Tourism Recovery Task Force has been working alongside Ministry officials to outline a recovery strategy by implementing the appropriate health and safety measures to keep travellers safe, including the 'Purple Standard' protocol, a new Standard Operating Procedure for hotels operating in the country. Our report next year will clearly need to contain a deeper reflection of what actually transpires. As many countries in Europe reopened their borders in June, many of Israel's hoteliers had hoped to see their country taking a similar decision but, as the country is currently experiencing a second wave of the virus, this is likely to be delayed. However, Greece, Cyprus and Israel are considering setting up a 'corona corridor', allowing cross-border travel between those countries in a common effort to partially revive international tourism; it is planned to take effect on 1 August, although the situation remains unclear. In terms of fiscal policy, the Israeli government announced a NIS94 billion (US$27 billion) economic stimulus package to support vulnerable sectors and some NIS300 million (US$86 million) will be allocated to the tourism sector. While regulations and stimulus packages will frame and assist recovery, they will represent just a fraction of the rebound equation. The characteristics of the market, from its demand sources to the destination's transport links or its supply dynamics, will play a significant role in the recovery of the hospitality industry once international travel resumes. The Tourism Market is Going Local Countries and markets with less reliance on international demand and air travel are likely to see a faster recovery than others. Figure 4 provides an overview of the proportion of room nights arising from domestic guests. In comparison to many southern Mediterranean countries, Israel should be in a relatively good position with more than 50% of overnight demand derived from domestic tourism. However, in markets such as Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, overseas tourists represent some 80% of total overnights, implying a greater challenge than those relying primarily on domestic demand such as Eilat and the Dead Sea region. It is also important to look at this from the other side of the equation and consider what happens when holidaymakers who typically travel overseas for their holiday instead book 'staycations'. In 2019, Israelis took more than 9 million trips abroad, and we are carefully monitoring this space and to what extent these holidaymakers will replace the international demand in the short term. Figure 4: Comparison of Domestic Share of Tourism Overnights (%) Source: TourMIS Photo: HVS Assessing Israel's Traveller Profile Hoteliers must drill down into the details of their region's source markets, demographics and segmentation to guide their strategy for recovery. As shown in Figure 5, the top feeder market visiting Israel in 2019 was the USA with more than 1.25 million visitors, followed by Russia, France, Germany and the UK. These five markets together accounted for 47% of total international visitation to the country in 2019 and the economic recovery and containment of the virus in those countries, as well as the rate at which international travel resumes, are crucial for Israel's tourism recovery. Figure 5: Key International Source Countries (% of International Arrivals, 2019) Source: Central Bureau of Statistics Photo: HVS Leisure Tourism to Recover First As shown in Figure 6, the vast majority of Israel's visitors are leisure-related, and we expect those to return first - particularly those visiting friends and family - whilst long-haul travellers are likely to be slower to return. The country also has a high percentage of returning guests (some 50% of all international tourism to Israel), which we hope hoteliers recognise and take advantage of. People in the age group of 45 and under account for almost half of total visitation. Not surprisingly, recent trends from China show that the young and the non-family segment are resuming travel earlier, and we expect a similar trend in Israel. Business demand is likely to return unevenly and more slowly depending on company travel policies and type of sector. We expect MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences and events) and group business to be the slowest to return. Figure 6: Traveller Profile (Israel, 2019) Source: Central Bureau of Statistics Photo: HVS RevPAR Recovery Anticipated by 2024 Taking into consideration the factors mentioned in this report, along with the performance thus far in 2020, the forecast presented in Figure 7 reflects the current expectation for the timing and pattern of recovery. HVS's RevPAR outlook for Israel envisages a 60% decrease in 2020 followed by a sharp increase, driven primarily by occupancy, in 2021. Occupancy is expected to recover by 2023, roughly 3 years from now, followed by average rate a year later (in real terms). We note that the situation remains fluid; forecasts may change as time passes and as more light is shed on the rate of recovery. We expect occupancy in economy and midscale hotels to be less vulnerable, especially those which primarily rely on transient segments. The more vulnerable hotels are likely to be luxury and upper-upscale hotels and those most reliant on meetings, incentives, conferences and events (MICE). These general trends are consistent with what we have seen in previous downturns. Following 9/11 and the Global Financial Crisis, hotel RevPARs typically took some six years to be restored to their previous peak levels, and we consider it likely that this will be the case with regard to COVID-19, albeit that the pace of growth will be slower owing to certain markets taking longer to return. Figure 7: Performance Outlook for Israel's Hotel Market Source: HVS Research Photo: HVS Hotel Development At the start of 2020, the pipeline across the country had never been as strong, with more than 12,000 rooms (22% of existing supply) expected to open in the next few years. However, we expect the current situation to delay the construction and opening of some of the hotels, while some projects in the planning phase may be cancelled. Moreover, there may also be some hotels, currently closed, which might never reopen because of cash or capital shortages and may need to be repurposed. We are carefully watching this space to determine which projects will be delayed or cancelled. Figure 8 provides an overview of recently opened properties and new supply in Israel. The opening dates exclude possible delays caused by the current situation, and we expect more certainty around those projects over the next 12 months. Figure 8: New Supply and Recently Opened Properties Source: HVS Research Photo: HVS Hotel Values and Investment Historical Market Value Changes The indications for changes in hotel values in Israel are based on trading results from 2013 to 2019 and our view of trading prospects and investment appetite as of 31 December 2019. 2019 saw increased momentum with an overall increase in values of 5%, with growth recorded across all markets. Jerusalem and Tel Aviv hotels led the growth, which is not surprising given the impressive performance of hotels in both markets. Figure 9: Percentage Change in Hotel Values (Based on US$) Source: HVS Research Photo: HVS Scenario Analysis: Estimating Future Values of Israeli Hotels Looking forward, and to give some perspective in these uncertain times, we have modelled three scenarios addressing the range of potential impact on hotel values in Israel. Our model considers a base line and three alternative scenarios which reflect the range of potential impact on hotel performance. We stress that the impact of current conditions on an individual property will depend on the characteristics of the property, its market, and its location - some hotels might experience a stronger recovery and appreciation, while some may take longer to recover. Similarly, creativity and flexibility are likely to be the fuel of the recovery. Hotels that will thrive after this crisis are likely to be those that embrace agile principles and rapidly understand customers' evolving needs beyond the health and safety measures now being implemented. We consider that Israel's history of volatility has not only demonstrated the value of being agile, but also how to succeed in such environments. We therefore remain cautiously optimistic when considering the Israel hotel industry's ability to recover at an accelerated pace compared to other countries in the Mediterranean region. Figure 10 illustrates our base line and valuation scenarios as described, leading to our conclusions of value in Figure 11. We stress that these are illustrative only and an actual valuation of an individual hotel may not produce the same results. Figure 10: Scenario Analysis and Key Assumptions Photo: HVS Figure 11: Hotel Value Evolution (Index, 2019 = 1) Source: HVS Research Photo: HVS Photo: HVS For context, the overall European market showed a 23% decline in value in the Global Financial Crisis in 2008-09 (please refer to our 2020 European Hotel Valuation Index report). Conclusions No-one knows the timeline as to how long this pandemic will last or the final net impact on the economy. What we do know is that the hospitality industry is extraordinarily resilient. Travel will return in the long run and we are cautiously optimistic when considering the Israel hotel industry's ability to recover at an accelerated pace compared to other countries in the Mediterranean region. Although this crisis is unprecedented and still deeply uncertain, Israel's hoteliers have had exceptional experience on how to thrive in periods of uncertainty. Hotel values in Israel will remain depressed until EBITDAs 'hit the bottom' and there is evidence of recovery, but we strongly consider they will recover as cash flows improve and capital markets return to more traditional parameters. Last year saw a phenomenal increase in the number of visitors to Israel, and hoteliers will benefit greatly from persuading a proportion of them to return as quickly as circumstances allow to help spearhead the recovery of international demand. Islamabad, Pakistan Pakistani Prime Minister has reiterated a call for the world community to intervene in the Kashmir dispute by demanding Kashmiris right to self-determination be implemented, one year after New Delhi revoked a special constitutional status for, and imposed a siege on, Indian-administered Kashmir. Khan addressed the legislative assembly of Pakistan-administered Kashmir in the city of Muzaffarabad on Wednesday, reiterating the Pakistani governments support for the long-standing dispute to be settled via a United Nations-mandated plebiscite. Today, [Indian Prime Minister] Narendra Modi is exposed in the world, said Khan. And the biggest thing to come from that is that the world is now looking at Kashmir. On August 5, 2019, Modis Hindu nationalist government revoked Kashmirs limited autonomy, promising that the move would facilitate economic development by bringing the territory into the countrys administrative mainstream. Khan also said Pakistan would maintain its neutral stance in the dispute between Saudi Arabia and Turkey [B.K. Bangash/AP Photo] Since then, hundreds of thousands of Indian security forces have enforced a virtual siege of the territory, implementing widespread curfews and lockdowns, controlling citizens movement, banning protests and cutting off the regions mobile internet connectivity. Cross-border shelling India and Pakistan have fought two of their three full-scale wars since gaining independence in 1947 over Kashmir, which both claim in full but administer separate portions of, divided by the Line of Control (LoC). Since 2003, a ceasefire has been in effect on the LoC, but it is frequently violated by both sides. On Wednesday, Pakistans military said Indian shelling in the Tatta Pani sector of Pakistan-administered Kashmir killed a woman and wounded six others. Pakistan says Indian forces have violated the ceasefire 1,877 times this year, resulting in 15 civilians killed and 144 wounded. Speaking in Muzaffarabad, Khan said the world community had earlier ignored the plight of Kashmiri civilians, but was now beginning to pay attention after the alleged rights abuses, documented by several rights groups and the United Nations, by Indian security forces. [Modi] knew that in the world, India is a very big market right now, with 1.25 billion people and that the world would want to keep good relations with such a big market, he said. So he thought the world would remain silent. Illegal and unilateral Earlier, Khan issued a statement on the anniversary of Indias action, terming it illegal and unilateral and the result an unprecedented, inhuman military siege and communication blockade. It is a crime against humanity that has destroyed lives, crippled livelihoods, and imperiled the very identity of the people of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu & Kashmir (IIOJK), he said in the statement. A day earlier, Pakistans government released an updated official map of its territory, reiterating its claims to Kashmir and two other, smaller disputed territories. The new map updates the official nomenclature on the Kashmir dispute, terming Indian-administered Kashmir to be Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir, and stating that the dispute must be resolved in line with a 1948 UN Security Council (UNSC) resolution calling for a plebiscite. India similarly rejects Pakistans claims over territory it currently administers, claiming the entirety of Kashmir as its own territory. The Indian government does not, however, recognise the applicability of the UNSC resolution, which accords Kashmiris a right to self-determination. Earlier in the day, Khan led a protest rally in Muzaffarabad, walking alongside political leaders from the territory. Similar protests were held across the country. Speaking on Wednesday, Pakistan-administered Kashmir Prime Minister Raja Farooq Haider called for Pakistan to do more on the diplomatic front to push for a resolution to the Kashmir dispute. The foreign ministry should sit with us, the government of Kashmir, and trust us we will never harm your cause, we should all work together, he said. Photo: Getty Images Today is Meghan Markles birthday, which she is celebrating privately with Prince Harry and baby Archie in L.A. Shes also being publicly celebrated by members of the royal family, including the queen, Prince William, and Kate Middleton. The whole affair might have felt a bit tense given its the first birthday Meghan has celebrated since she and Harry stepped down as senior members of the royal family in January but everyone seems to be acting perfectly nice, or at least very British and polite. While the royal family did wish Archie a happy birthday in May, things were pretty frosty the last time the adults got together, which was at the Commonwealth Day Service in March, when Kate appeared to completely ignore Meghan (all while wearing a ridiculous hat.) But could things be thawing, or do birthdays call for a cease-fire? Its a little unclear: The queens official social-media accounts shared a beautiful photo of her first jaunt with Meghan back in 2018, when the two of them went solo to a royal engagement in Cheshire. Kate and Williams social channels did the same, with an identical caption, sharing a photo of Meghan greeting a little girl at an event. Charles and Camilla also shared their birthday wishes. The posts also come on the heels of several juicy excerpts from an upcoming book by royal reporters Carolyn Durand and Omid Scobie. Finding Freedom, which is out next week, chronicles the escalating tension between Harry, Meghan, and the rest of the royal family leading up to the couples royal exit. One of these excerpts notes that William gave Harry warnings about Meghan, saying that he didnt want his brother to be blindsided by lust. It also revealed more about Kate and Meghans relationship, which apparently struggled to move past distant politeness. Though it was not necessarily her responsibility, Kate did little to bridge the divide, the authors write of their relationship. (A spokesperson for Meghan and Harry said the couple did not in any way contribute to the book.) So what might these little birthday wishes mean then? Probably nothing, but some sites are positing that the queens pic of her and Megs out in Cheshire is a subtle message of support. Im positing that whoever handles the royal social-media accounts had these things scheduled well in advance. Stay in touch. Get the Cut newsletter delivered daily 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. MONTREAL - About 125,000 people in Quebec aged 18-69 are estimated to have contracted COVID-19, according to a new study published Wednesday by Quebec's blood collection agency more than three times the official number reported by health authorities. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 5/8/2020 (531 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. People wear face masks as they walk along Sainte Catherine Street in Montreal, Saturday, Aug. 1, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graham Hughes MONTREAL - About 125,000 people in Quebec aged 18-69 are estimated to have contracted COVID-19, according to a new study published Wednesday by Quebec's blood collection agency more than three times the official number reported by health authorities. But the Hema-Quebec study indicates the majority of Quebecers remain vulnerable to being infected by the novel coronavirus, agency vice-president Dr. Marc Germain said. "The conclusion is obvious," Germain said in an interview Wednesday. "It's a very small proportion of the population who have been exposed to the virus during the first wave. And that means there are many people in the population who are susceptible to being infected." It also means Quebec is far from developing what's known as a natural or herd immunity against the virus, said Dr. Gaston De Serres with Quebec's institute for national health, which collaborated on the study. So-called herd immunity occurs when enough of a population has contracted a virus and developed an immune response to it, helping to prevent them from getting reinfected and transmitting it. "With this data, it shows that herd immunity in Quebec is not present," said De Serres. "Forget it." Germain noted the increased case numbers mean the death rate from COVID-19 is far lower than portrayed in official figures. Germain said while it's encouraging that the "vast majority" of people infected with COVID-19 survive, "we can't forget there is still a significant amount of death. This is not a benign disease." Quebec reported 155 new COVID-19 cases Wednesday, bringing the total number of people with confirmed infections to 60,000. The province also reported two additional deaths attributed to the novel coronavirus, for a total of 5,687. Hema-Quebec's antibody study involved a sample of 7,691 people aged 18-69 who donated blood between May 25 and July 9. It revealed 2.23 per cent of donors had been infected with COVID-19. The study indicated the highest rates of infection were found in Montreal and Laval, with just over three per cent, while in most of the rest of the province the rate was much lower at 1.29 per cent. Researchers extrapolated that about 124,880 people in the same group were infected across the province. Health authorities, meanwhile, had reported about 37,000 cases for the 20-to-69 age group during the same period. Germain said the study sample was likely representative of the general population because "there is no fundamental difference regarding the susceptibility of infection between someone who comes to give blood versus someone taken at random from the public." De Serres explained the study is not complete. Everyone who donated blood and tested positive will be called in the coming weeks by Hema-Quebec to determine whether they felt symptoms, with results expected by the end of August. The key to managing the pandemic, De Serres said, is to know how many people infected with COVID-19 are symptomatic. "The higher the number of asymptomatic people, the more difficult it is to control the pandemic," he said, explaining that people who don't feel sick are less likely to be careful about hygiene or to get tested. Wednesday's study is part of a series of COVID-19 research produced by Hema-Quebec. The agency recently studied the plasma donations of 15 people who recovered from COVID-19 and concluded the concentration of antibodies developed to fight the virus declined over time. In some cases, Germain said, they disappeared. "But does that mean there is no protection? Not necessarily," he said, adding that a person's immune system has other ways of protecting someone from being reinfected. But the doctor said he is not particularly worried that people who have recovered from COVID-19 are looking at a reactivation of the disease years down the road, as is the case with those who catch such viruses as chicken pox or herpes. Given what scientists know about coronaviruses and what researches already know about COVID-19, he said, "I'd be very, very surprised if we discover all of a sudden, in many years, that a good number of people have a chronic infection or reactivation." This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 5, 2020. Pizza Express has said it could close around 67 of its UK restaurants, with up to 1,100 jobs at risk. Photo: Matthew Horwood/Getty Images Pizza Express said on Tuesday that a sweeping restructuring process could lead to it closing around 67 of its UK restaurants, putting up to 1,100 jobs at risk. The chain said that it expected to launch a company voluntary arrangement (CVA) process, which would allow it to negotiate its debts and potentially reduce its rents, in the near future. The company cited the significantly more challenging environment caused by the coronavirus pandemic, which forced it to close all of its restaurants on 23 March. Pizza Express said that, while the outcome of the CVA process had yet to be determined, the move may result in the closure of 15% of its 449 restaurants across the country or around 67 restaurants. This decision is a very difficult one; however, against the current unprecedented backdrop, Pizza Express believes reducing the size of its estate will help it to protect 9,000 jobs, it said in a statement. READ MORE: European stocks mixed as investors assess surging coronavirus cases UK and Ireland managing director Zoe Bowley said that UK-wide coronavirus restrictions had hit the hospitality industry particularly hard. As a result, it is with a heavy heart that we expect to permanently close a proportion of our restaurants, losing valued team members in the process, Bowley said. The company had already been struggling under the weight of a 1.1bn ($1.4bn) debt pile, with interest payments on its loans more than offsetting its operating profits. Pizza Express said that it had also hired advisers from financial advisory firm Lazard to conduct a sale process for the business. The company is now owned by Chinese private investment firm Hony, which acquired it in 2014 from UK private equity firm Cinven. READ MORE: BP halves dividend as it swings to record $6.7bn loss While we have had to make some very difficult decisions, none of which has been taken lightly, we are confident in the actions being taken to reduce the level of debt, create a more focused business and improve the operational performance, all of which puts us in a much stronger position, said Andy Pellington, the companys group chief finance officer. Story continues The news comes in spite of the rollout of the governments landmark Eat Out to Help Out scheme, which will see the Treasury pay up to 50% of a customers bill at participating restaurants this month. Pizza Express is one of the more than 72,000 businesses that have signed up to take part in the scheme. Independent eateries and well-known restaurants such as Nandos and Costa Coffee are also taking part. The discount, which aims to keep more money in hardworking families pockets, applies to all food and non-alcoholic drinks, with a maximum discount of 10 per person, saving a family of four up to 40. Anyone visiting a participating restaurant, cafe or pub on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays in August is eligible to receive the half-price discount. Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-05 13:24:52|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close BEIJING, Aug. 5 (Xinhua) -- China's economic rebound was better than expected in the second quarter (Q2) amid the COVID-19 epidemic, said a World Bank official. "It is indeed higher than what we had projected back in June when we released our Global Economic Prospects report, and we have upgraded our forecast accordingly," Martin Raiser, World Bank country director for China, told Xinhua in an exclusive interview. China's economy grew 3.2 percent year on year in the second quarter, following a 6.8-percent contraction in the first quarter, according to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS). NBS figures showed that China's value-added industrial output expanded by 4.4 percent year on year in the second quarter as factories stepped up production amid COVID-19 control. Indicators such as fiscal revenue, foreign trade and foreign direct investment also charted substantial recovery, especially in June. China has benefited from significant policy space in rolling out its fiscal and monetary response, Raiser said. To shore up the economy against the epidemic shock, the country has introduced an array of measures, including more fiscal spending, tax relief and cuts in lending rates and banks' reserve requirements to revive the coronavirus-ravaged economy and support employment. "Structural reforms to boost markets and competition would also help to stimulate more private investment and rekindle productivity growth," Raiser said. It will be critical that global trade and investment remain open, countries cooperate in the search for effective treatments and a vaccine against COVID-19, and further steps are taken to cushion the impact of the global recession on the poorest countries, including where needed, through debt relief, Raiser added. Enditem Zimbabwe's Vice-President Constantino Chiwenga has been appointed as health minister, about a month after the ministry was rocked by a scandal surrounding the procurement of coronavirus tests and equipment. Mr Chimwenga is a former head of the army who led the military takeover from former President Robert Mugabe. His predecessor at the health ministry, Obadiah Moyo, appeared in court in June over corruption charges related to a $20m (16m) contract awarded to a Hungary-registered firm, allegedly without going through proper processes. He was granted bail. "President Mnangagwa has noted the urgency needed to stabilize the health delivery system in the context of the Covid-19 pandemic where the country has registered an acute surge of cases," a statement from the presidency on Tuesday said. Zimbabwe has confirmed nearly 4,200 coronavirus cases, including 81 deaths, but the actual number of cases is thought to be higher. 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 NEW YORK - A large digital billboard in Times Square is displaying images of a Hindu deity and a temple being built on disputed ground in India, despite calls from a coalition of advocacy organizations including Muslim, human rights, anti-fascist and secular groups asking advertisers not to show the images. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi participated in the groundbreaking for the Hindu temple Wednesday in the Indian city of Ayodhya. Modi supporters planned to gather in New York Citys Times Square throughout the day to mark the occasion. Around a dozen people stood in front of the billboard on Wednesday morning, snapping selfies when the bright yellow image of the multi-level, arched temple along with an image of the Hindu deity Ram and the Indian flag came across the screen. The billboard wraps around the corner of 47th Street and Seventh Avenue and the website of the Times Square Alliance says it is owned by Clear Channel, which did not immediately return a request for comment. Modi laid the first silver bricks at the Uttar Pradesh site of the planned temple, which will be built were the Babri Masjid mosque stood. The mosque was destroyed by Hindu hard-liners in 1992, sparking communal violence that left some 2,000 people dead. Hindus believe Ram was born at the site and claim that the Mughal Emperor Babur built a mosque on top of a temple there. The organizers of the celebration in Times Square bought the prime billboard space, Jagdish Sewhani told the Press Trust of India, which described him as the president of the American India Public Affairs Committee. We are just doing a celebration and it is not against anyone. This is a once in a mankind event and we thought what better place for it than Times Square, Sewhani told The Associated Press on Tuesday. The American India Public Affairs Committee itself does not have a website, nor is a 1099 tax form available on ProPublicas non-profit database. There is no corporation registered under that name in New York State. When asked specifically for details about his organization, Sewhani described it as a group of people concerned with U.S.-India relations and then said, Let us focus on our Lord Ram. In an interview with the South Asian Insider Show, Sewhani described himself as one of the founders of a U.S. wing of the Bharatiya Janata Party, the Hindu nationalist ruling party of India a secular nation since independence from Britain in 1947. Wednesdays groundbreaking ceremony followed a ruling by Indias Supreme Court last November favouring the building of a Hindu temple. The court also ordered that Muslims be given 5 acres (2 hectares) of land to build a mosque nearby. But the ruling disappointed Muslims, who comprise around 14% of Indias 1.3 billion people. The coalition opposing the billboards wrote to New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio, asking him to stand against the planned Times Square display, which they called Islamophobic and a symbol of violence against Muslims in India. It shows not only glamorizing and glorifying an evil and cruel act, Shaik Ubaid, president of Indian Minorities Advocacy Network, told the AP. They are so confident they are doing this in Times Square, the heart of America. The mayors office did not return a request for comment. The coalition also asked supporters to call major advertising companies to ask them not to run the images on their billboards. A representative of the company Branded Cities told the coalition Monday that they would not run digital advertising for the celebration in Times Square, Clarion India reported. Branded Cities didnt return an email from the AP. Sewhani disputed that any of the planned billboard advertisements had been cancelled. In reaction to hearing that the display went forward, Ubaid said, This ad controversy gave us an opportunity to educate Americans and the world about what is happening in India and its losing its secular constitution. Ubaid posted images on Twitter on Thursday of a truck hired by the Indian American Muslim Council displaying opposing panel ads, including one with a picture of the Babri Masjid that read: Once stood this beautiful mosque in India which was demolished by Hindu extremists. The truck was driving a few blocks from Times Square in the video. The Indian American Muslim Council is part of a coalition that plans to demonstrate in Times Square on Wednesday evening against the Hindu supremacy movement, according to a press release on its website. Zafaryab Jilani, who represents the All India Muslim Personal Law Board, previously said that while the Muslim community in India is not satisfied with the Supreme Courts ruling, it will respect the decision and not protest the building of the temple. Several prominent Muslim writers, academics and activists, who didnt want to be identified, refused to discuss the issue, suggesting that the community in India was resigned to the new reality. ___ Associated Press journalists Biswajeet Banerjee in Lucknow, India, and Ted Shaffrey in New York contributed to this report. OTTAWA - Canada now has deals in place with pharmaceutical giant Pfizer and U.S.-based biotech firm Moderna to secure millions of doses of their experimental COVID-19 vaccines, in case either of the candidates is approved for wide-scale use. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 5/8/2020 (531 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Public Services and Procurement Minister Anita Anand listens to a translation aid during a news conference, Tuesday, July 21, 2020 in Ottawa. Canada is signing deals with Pharmaceutical giant Pfizer and U.S.-based biotech firm Moderna to procure millions of doses of their experimental COVID-19 vaccines. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld OTTAWA - Canada now has deals in place with pharmaceutical giant Pfizer and U.S.-based biotech firm Moderna to secure millions of doses of their experimental COVID-19 vaccines, in case either of the candidates is approved for wide-scale use. But Procurement Minister Anita Anand will not yet say how much Canada is spending or how many doses of either vaccine candidate Canada will get because she says Canada is in talks with other domestic and international firms to secure doses of their experimental vaccines as well. "The information we can reveal at the current time regarding doses in particular is being kept confidential because we are taking a prudent approach to the negotiations while we are engaged with other suppliers," she said Wednesday at a news conference in Toronto. She said there will be firm orders with multiple suppliers and options to purchase more should further doses be needed. After a company pronounces a vaccine safe and effective, Health Canada must approve it for use here before it can be used. Anand said once that happens, she anticipates delivery of approved vaccines in 2021. "As the situation evolves and as the number of suppliers becomes more firm for Canada we can isolate precisely how many doses we might need," Anand said. Anita Anand, Minister of Public Services and Procurement makes an announcement regarding vaccine procurement, in Toronto, on Wed., Aug., 5, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Christopher Katsarov Last month Public Services and Procurement Canada issued bids to supply 75 million syringes and other vaccine administration supplies like alcohol swabs and bandages, to be delivered by the end of October. The goal is to have enough supplies to give every Canadian two doses of a vaccine. "These agreements with Moderna and Pfizer are indicative of our aggressive approach to secure access to vaccine candidates now so that Canadians are at the front of a line when a vaccine becomes available," Anand said. "These vaccine candidates are very promising and we all look forward to the day when restrictions can be lifted entirely." Both Pfizer and Moderna began Phase 3 clinical trials of their vaccine candidates in the last week, which are large-scale tests to determine how well the vaccines work. Both of these vaccine candidates use something called messenger RNA (mRNA) to try to provoke an immune response to COVID-19. They are among about two dozen COVID-19 vaccine candidates in clinical trials around the world. Dozens more are in earlier stages of development. Both Pfizer and Moderna are part of the U.S. government's Operation Warp Speed program to facilitate the development and production of COVID-19 vaccines quickly. Pfizer said July 22 that it has a US$1.95-billion agreement to supply 100 million doses to the U.S. government, with an option for 500 million more. Moderna CEO Stephane Bancel said in a conference call Wednesday that small amounts of Moderna's vaccine have been priced between US$32 and US$37 a dose, but that the price would be lower for big orders. Pfizer also said it expects it can produce 100 million doses of its vaccine by the end of December, and another 1.3 billion doses in 2021. Last month both Pfizer and Moderna reported positive results from smaller trials. Moderna's vaccine was tested on 45 healthy adults between 18 and 55 years old in a Phase 1 trial in May and June, and reported a strong immune response in all people, with mild or moderate side effects such as fatigue, fever and body aches. 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 Phase 3 trials will both test the vaccines on 30,000 people, and results are expected in the fall. Anand and Innovation Minister Navdeep Bains stressed they are looking for both domestic and international vaccine solutions for COVID-19. Bains announced a $56-million contribution to Variation Biotechnologies Inc. to support clinical trials of its vaccine candidate. Bains also said Ottawa hasn't yet decided whether it will make getting a vaccine mandatory. Canada's chief public health officer Dr. Theresa Tam warned Tuesday against expecting a vaccine to provide a quick end to the pandemic, saying they provide hope but likely no silver bullet for the novel coronavirus. Anand echoed that sentiment, urging Canadians to continue to practice physical distancing, wash their hands and wear masks in public to prevent the spread of the virus while waiting for a vaccine. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 5, 2020. Raipur: A CoBRA jawan was injured on Friday in an exchange of fire with Naxals in the dense forests of Chhattisgarhs insurgency-hit Sukma district, police said. The skirmish took place in the wee hours when a team of CRPFs elite CoBRA (Commando Battalion For Resolute Action) 201st battalion was conducting an anti-Naxal operation in the interiors of Chintalnar police outpost a Naxal hotbed, Sukma Additional Superintendent of Police Jitendra Shukla told PTI. Based on a specific input about a meeting of ultras in Surpanguda forests, the operation was launched by the paramilitary personnel from Chintalnar last evening, he said. While cordoning-off the region, located around 450 Kms from the state capital, when the security men reached Surpanguda village forests, the Naxals opened indiscriminate fire on them leaving head constable Rajeev Tomar, a radio operator, injured, the ASP said. However, the Maoists soon fled from the spot as the jawans launched a retaliatory attack on them, he said. Tomar, belonging to CoBRA 201st battalion, sustained bullet injuries on his shoulder, he said. Reinforcement was immediately rushed to the spot and the injured jawan was evacuated from the forest, the ASP said, adding that he has been airlifted to Raipur for treatment. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-05 21:53:19|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close HANOI, Aug. 5 (Xinhua) -- Vietnam reported 43 new cases of COVID-19 infection on Wednesday, bringing its total confirmed cases to 713, with eight deaths from the disease so far, according to the Ministry of Health. Only one case has recently returned to Vietnam from abroad and being quarantined upon arrival while the rest were recorded domestically, according to the ministry. Among the new cases, 20 people are patients, patients' caregivers or have worked at Da Nang Hospital in Vietnam's central city of Da Nang, while 14 cases have reportedly been in contact with COVID-19 patients that were linked to the hospital, according to the ministry. Three more patients were given all-clear in Vietnam on Wednesday, raising the total cured cases to 381, while there are over 120,000 people being quarantined and monitored in the country, according to the ministry. The central Quang Nam province's People's Committee on Wednesday decided to put more areas at high risk of disease transmission under lockdown, Vietnam News Agency reported, noting that part of Dong Phu town in the province will be under lockdown from Wednesday to August 19. People not wearing face masks at public places in southern Ho Chi Minh City will face a maximum fine of 300,000 Vietnamese dong (13 U.S. dollars) starting from Wednesday. Such behavior will also bring a similar fine in the capital city of Hanoi, where people throwing used masks on streets and sidewalks can face a maximum fine of 7 million Vietnamese dong (about 304 U.S. dollars), according to the news agency. The health ministry is working on the procedures of pooled testing for COVID-19, which can test more people with less time and resources. Enditem Local affiliates of Boys & Girls Clubs of America do not uniformly respond to reports of sexual misconduct according to a third-party review of the organizations policies made public Tuesday. While the organization has enhanced policies to prevent abuse over the years, its programming is not consistently implemented at local clubs, according to a summary of the review, conducted by law firm Alston & Bird and the nonprofit Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network. The review, which has been in the works for nearly a year, was prompted by a six-month Hearst Connecticut Media investigation into allegations of child sex abuse connected to Boys & Girls Clubs of America affiliates across the country that found 280 people in 31 states who say they were sexually abused as children by employees, volunteers and other members of the clubs. RAINN found that Clubs are not fully utilizing the national resources, training programs, or guidance currently offered by BGCA, reads the summary of the report that Boys & Girls Clubs of America provided to the public. Clubs are not fully executing a consistent and methodical response to reported incidents of sexual misconduct. The recommendations for change in the report include the organization developing a 3- to 5-year strategic plan to make comprehensive, intentional, and measurable changes at all of its clubs. The Hearst investigation was spurred by three lawsuits against the Greenwich Boys & Girls club alleging ongoing sexual abuse there in the 1970s and 1980s. Since last year, Hearst has found an additional 61 victims alleging sexual abuse and the investigation now includes clubs in 34 states. One new lawsuit was filed July 2 against the Greenwich club, and several lawsuits were filed against New York clubs under the Child Victims Act there, which extends the statute of limitations for child sexual abuse victims to come forward. The national organization is currently named as a defendant in 15 pending sexual abuse lawsuits in state and federal courts, nine of which were filed in the past year. Some of the lawsuits claim that club leadership knew of the abuse, did not report it to law enforcement and allowed it to continue; that administrators at some clubs did not adhere to Boys & Girls Clubs of America safety guidelines or failed to conduct sufficient background checks. There are also 12 pending criminal cases across the country against men who have in some way been affiliated with local clubs and stand accused of sexual misconduct. Several of those cases are set for trial this fall after having their court hearings delayed over the summer due to COVID-19. An official from the national organization said that it strives to keep kids physically and emotionally safe, which is why it opted to organize the review. Boys & Girls Clubs of Americas number one priority is the safety and protection of youth, reads a statement from an official. Enhancing our safety protocols is a continuous process. Despite the finding that some local clubs lack the support to be able comply with national safety guidelines, the report recognizes Boys & Girls Clubs of Americas ongoing commitment to continuing enhancement of policies and practices in child safety. BGCA has an extensive organizational network that analyzes, develops, trains and responds to the complex issues that Clubs face, the report reads. BGCA has made significant strides in their sexual misconduct prevention and response programming and it continues to roll out new initiatives to protect their community and keep their members safe. Recommendations The issues identified in the report include difficulty for clubs in accessing resources, limits on the ability to execute programs at individual clubs and a lack of understanding of the purpose of those programs on the part of club staff. The review recommends the organization make existing resources more easily available by updating its website to make documents and links to other materials more accessible. RAINN advocates in the report that Boys & Girls Clubs of America focus on actively engaging clubs to use the abuse prevention resources already available to them, including policy templates and training videos. By doing this, clubs will be better prepared to respond to abuse and to prevent it, according to the review. Another challenge identified by RAINN is that the same resources are not always available at each club. The abuse prevention training program used by club staff also reportedly poses issues. The online learning offered is time intensive and requires a supervisor to help navigate the content, according to the review. The need for assistance to access these materials diverts the time and attention of staff members and negatively impacts the Clubs ability to meet staff-child ratios, reads the report. The review suggests creating a more flexible learning process, with a reformatted curriculum that builds a pathway specific to preventing abuse. Evaluating and updating the training material to be trauma-informed and more victim-centered, as well as diversity training that examines vulnerabilities of specific communities, was also recommended by RAINN. It is important that BGCA consistently communicate the message that they believe survivors and will support them through a fair and equitable response process, the report says. Recent changes Last week, the Boys & Girls Clubs of America National Council made up of local club leaders voted to make some safety measures mandatory for all clubs, which was not previously the case. The measures include standardizing all local club safety committees to ensure that each and every one is being held accountable to the same metrics and responsibilities, officials said this week. The board also voted to strengthen the reference check requirement to clarify that all clubs must receive rehire eligibility information for all prospective staff and volunteers who previously worked at other clubs before being allowed to be employed or volunteer at another one. The RAINN review found that BGCA meets or exceed current background check best practices. In Sonoma, Calif., a perpetrator was able to move to another club even after the abuse was reported to staff at the original club, according to an ongoing civil lawsuit. He was later convicted of child sexual abuse and is now in prison. The club denied every allegation made in the complaint in documents filed in the civil case and the national organization has denied wrongdoing on its part. BGCA has said it cant comment on specific cases. Existing requirements for what kinds of criminal convictions should prohibit someone from being hired are being enhanced, according to the organization. Since 2005, Boys & Girls Clubs of America has required all staff members and volunteers who have contact with children to undergo criminal background checks annually. Violent felonies, convictions of any charges related to harming a child are already disqualifying. Clubs will now be required to report any licensing inspection failures within 24-hours to the national organization, to display its safety helpline and crisis text line and tell parents about safety policies when their child applies. Changing policies on paper isnt enough to bring systemic change, said Marci Hamilton, CEO of CHILD USA, a nonprofit child safety advocacy group. The problem is, every youth-serving organization can adopt procedures, she said. But if not theyre not being carried out on the ground, children simply are not protected. Rules need to be routinely enforced across the organization, she said. Viktoria Sundqvist contributed to this report. The former Howard government environment minister who negotiated for Australia on the Kyoto Protocol has urged the Morrison government to lead global action on climate change, starting with binding reduction targets for greenhouse gases. Speaking on Tuesday to a webinar of the Coalition for Conservation group which bills itself as a centre-right political group for climate action, Robert Hill said Australia "can afford to be a leader" on the urgent changes needed to limit the impact from natural disasters like the Black Summer bushfires. Former PM John Howard with Robert Hill, who says Australia should set emissions reduction targets to help lead the world in limiting global warming. Credit:Penny Bradfield "If we don't take the lead, how can we we expect anyone else to? There hasn't been a sense of urgency in Australia. It's been, rather, what is the global budget to achieve a certain outcome ... and what's our fair share?" Mr Hill said. "What burden can we fairly take to contribute to achieving that outcome rather than a sense that maybe Australia should be the initiator, be out there creating a sense of leadership." Sally Yates, former deputy attorney general, is sworn in to testify during a Senate Judiciary Committee oversight hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington on August 5, 2020, to examine the Crossfire Hurricane investigation. (Carolyn Kaster/POOL/AFP via Getty Images) Yates Contradicts Strzok, Says Comey Brought Up Use of Archaic Law on Flynn Former Deputy Attorney General Sally Yates on Aug. 5 contradicted the content of notes written by an FBI special agent about the Jan. 5, 2017, White House meeting during which President Barack Obama personally discussed the investigation of President-elect Donald Trumps incoming national security adviser, Lt. Gen. Michael Flynn. Yates told the Senate Judiciary Committee that it was FBI Director James Comey, not Vice President Joe Biden, who suggested that Flynn violated the Logan Act in his conversations with then-Russian Ambassador to the United States Sergey Kislyak. She said she couldnt recall whether Comey brought up the 18th-century law during the White House meeting or at another time. Yatess testimony directly contradicted handwritten notes taken by then-FBI Deputy Assistant Director Peter Strzok, who plainly wrote that Biden mentioned the Logan Act during the conversation about intercepted calls between Flynn and Kislyak. Yates also contradicted Strzoks notes about the rest of the conversation. The special agent wrote that Obama told Comey to make sure you look at things and have the right people on it. Yates testified that Obama had merely mentioned that he was aware of the calls, didnt want to know or influence anything, and asked whether certain intelligence should be withheld from Flynn during the transition. At this point, I didnt know why the president was asking this question, because this was the first I had heard of the calls between Flynn and Kislyak, Yates said in her opening remarks. I was really surprised both that General Flynn engaged in these discussions and that Director Comey knew about them but I didnt. Yates had already provided similar testimony to special counsel Robert Mueller, although she left Biden off the list of attendees when she described the meeting to the investigators. The contradictions unearthed by Strzoks notes raised the question of whether she would stand by what she told Mueller. The Senate Judiciary Committee is conducting the latest in a series of congressional probes into Crossfire Hurricane, the FBIs investigation of the Trump campaign during and after the 2016 presidential election. As part of the investigation, the bureau used an unverified dossier funded by the election campaign of Trumps rival, Hillary Clinton, to secure a warrant to spy on a Trump campaign associate. The FBI failed to inform the secret court that approved the warrants that Clinton funded the document behind some of the allegations in the paperwork. Yates signed the initial spy warrant application and the first renewal request. At the Aug. 5 hearing, she said she wouldnt have signed the two applications if she had known then what she knows now. Contradictions in the accounts of the Jan. 5, 2017, White House meeting continue to pile up. Strzoks notes suggest the outgoing president directly engaged in the investigation of an incoming administration, undermining a long-running tradition of a peaceful transition of power. Yatess highly-contradictory recollection of the events only raised more questions about what really happened. Notably, Strzoks handwritten notes appear to have been written in real time while he was either listening in on or being briefed about the meeting. Strzok had reason to believe the notes would never see the light of day and had little reason to record something that wasnt said. Its still unclear how Obama learned of the FlynnKislyak intercepts. Comey said then-Director of National Intelligence James Clapper briefed the president. Clapper told Congress he never briefed Obama on the calls. Yates said she doesnt know how Obama came to learn of the intercepts. Trump on Aug. 5 suggested that Yates was the one who leaked the calls. Sally Yates has zero credibility, Trump wrote on Twitter. She was a part of the greatest political crime of the Century, and ObamaBiden knew EVERYTHING! Sally Yates leaked the General Flynn conversation? Ask her under oath. In phone calls with Kislyak, Flynn asked the Russian ambassador to not escalate Russias response to the outgoing Obama administrations expulsion of Russian diplomats. When Moscow didnt escalate, Obama asked the intelligence community to find out what happened, according to Yates. The call intercepts were flagged as part of the resulting search, she said. In late 2017, Flynn pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI about his conversations with the ambassador. He has since moved to withdraw the plea, citing government misconduct and a conflict of interest by his former counsel, who he said advised him to plead guilty. The Department of Justice has since asked a federal judge to dismiss the case after an internal audit concluded that the FBI had no basis to interview Flynn in the first place. Yates agreed on Aug. 5 that Comey went rogue when he sent Strzok and special agent Joe Pientka to the White House to interview Flynn. Yates had planned to inform the White House about Flynn the same day, but discovered that Comey had sent in the agents without consulting her. She nonetheless said the agents had sufficient reason to conduct the interview. On the day before the Jan. 5, 2017, meeting at the White House, the FBI agent working Flynns case had submitted paperwork to close the investigation. The agent wrote that the probe didnt turn up any derogatory information on Flynn. Strzok intervened the same day to keep the case open, telling the agent that bureau management had gotten involved. Dr. Michael Ryan(L), executive director of the World Health Organization (WHO) Health Emergencies Program, addresses a press conference in Geneva, Switzerland, Feb. 18, 2020. (Photo by Chen Junxia/Xinhua) Wuhan is not necessarily the place where the COVID-19 disease crossed from animals into humans, said a senior WHO expert. GENEVA, Aug. 3 (Xinhua) -- Although the first clusters of atypical pneumonia were reported in Wuhan, China, it doesn't necessarily mean that is where the COVID-19 disease crossed from animals into humans, a senior World Health Organization (WHO) expert said on Monday. Dr. Michael Ryan, executive director of the WHO Health Emergencies Program, said at a routine COVID-19 briefing on Monday that a much more "extensive retrospective epidemiological study" should be taken to fully understand the links between the cases. Senior students study in a classroom with transparent boards placed on each desk to separate each other as a precautionary measure against the spread of COVID-19 at Wuhan No. 23 Middle School in Wuhan, central China's Hubei Province, May 6, 2020. (Xinhua/Xiao Yijiu) He stressed the need to start studies on the first reported human clusters in order to systematically look for the "first signal at which the animal-human species barrier was crossed," before moving to the studies on the animal side. The WHO advance team that traveled to China in preparation for an international mission of identifying the zoonotic source of COVID-19 has concluded its mission recently, according to the WHO expert. Future studies will build on the initial investigations done by Chinese experts around the Wuhan seafood market. Ryan also noted that WHO is moving forward with agreeing on the international team and ensuring that right expertise will be in place to work with the Chinese counterparts to design and implement further studies. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Rizal Harahap (The Jakarta Post) Pekanbaru Thu, August 6 2020 Police in Indragiri Hulu, Riau, have arrested two men for their alleged involvement in the killing of a wild elephant in April, though the mastermind behind the illegal slaughter remains at large. An investigation into the killing began after the Riau Natural Resources Conservation Agency (BKSDA) and the local police received a report regarding the finding of a male elephant carcass with its trunk cut off in a community plantation at the regency's Kelayang district on April 15. The necropsy conducted by the agency revealed that the elephant had been shot dead. 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 When Beau Phillips checked into a hotel near Toledo recently, a table in front of the counter barricaded him from getting too close to the clerk, who wore a mask and stood behind a plastic window. The key is gently tossed at you from three feet away, said Mr. Phillips, a public affairs executive who was staying at a Radisson Country Inn & Suites while visiting family. The hotels breakfast buffet was gone, the fitness center closed, elevators limited to two riders. And to reduce the risk of an in-person visit, after Mr. Phillips left his room each day, no ... Hearst Connecticut Media / Hearst Connecticut Media STAMFORD A city man faces criminal charges after a serious crash in June that left two people critically injured, police said Tuesday. Sarmad Hussain, 22, was arrested at his Stamford home Tuesday. Police said he was charged with three counts of second-degree assault, operating under the influence and reckless operation. SHMU does not recommend recreational sailing on the river. Font size: A - | A + Comments disabled Bratislava may be hit by floods in the following hours. The Slovak Hydrometeorological Institute (SHMU) has issued a first-degree warning valid until Thursday, August 6, morning. Taking into consideration the rainfalls in German and Austrian river basin of the Danube, we expect the culmination in the water level exceeding the first degree of flood activity in the upper part of the Danube at a Slovak section in Bratislava and at lower sections of the Morava River in Devinska Nova Ves, SHMU wrote, as quoted by the TASR newswire. Skryt Remove ad Article continues after video advertisement Skryt Remove ad Article continues after video advertisement (Source: SHMU) The first degree warning means that there is a relatively small danger and a little damage on property. STAMFORD It will be a multi-day effort to get everyone in the city back on the power grid following the pummeling Stamford took from Tropical Storm Isaias, Public Safety Director Ted Jankowski said Wednesday. Twenty-four hours after the storm had passed through, Eversource utility crews had not begun restoration efforts, Jankowski said. The workers were still responding to 911 calls regarding arcing wires, fires and other emergencies, he said. The storms strong winds knocked power out in roughly 9,000 Stamford households and businesses. Two city tree crews were working with Eversource crews, Jankowski said. A number of city trucks, including with five front loaders, were out clearing the roads. There were still as many as 25 roads around the city blocked to traffic Wednesday afternoon, Jankowski said. That was down considerably from the more than 140 roads reported blocked, at least partially, after Isaias swept through. Assistant Police Chief Tom Wuennemann said motorists should be careful driving, despite most roads being open, as debris such as fallen branches and tree trunks remains in the roadways. I took a drive around through North Stamford and there are still some wires down and tress pushed off to the side, he said. People should use caution because there are wooden sawhorses and yellow tape placed around where they should not drive. Arthur Augustyn, special assistant to Mayor David Martin, warned residents to stay away from downed wires. The Mayors Office released a statement encouraging residents with storm debris on their property to bring it to the city Transfer Station, 101 Harborview Ave. The station is open weekdays and Saturday from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. The city announced it is waving its 200 pounds per day limit at the station for residents through Aug. 15. Despite the havoc inflicted on the city by Isaias, Stamford appears to have made it through the storm relatively injury free. Wuennemann said he knew of no storm-related injuries that occurred in Stamford. He said one city police officer was injured while leaving his house in a neighboring community to come to work. While he was in his car in his driveway, a tree fell on his car, Wuennemann said. The officer was taken to a hospital and released after being treated. Jankowski said there were 864 emergency 911 calls and 450 nonemergency calls. The vast majority of the police and fire calls were about trees and wires down. At the height of the outages, Eversource reported nearly 9,800 customers, or nearly 16 percent of Stamford, without power. Many towns around the state reported much higher percentages of customers losing electricity. Greenwich, for instance, had 34 percent without power and New Canaan 83 percent, while Darien reported 46 percent without power. jnickerson@stamfordadvocate.com BLOOMINGTON Joe Gawthorp doesnt like to purchase anything made outside of the U.S. and so when he received a packet of seeds from China in his rural Bloomington mailbox, he never intended to keep them. But I was wondering what kind of mailing list I was on, he said. It brought back memories of back in the day when you would get records or cassettes in the mail from some record club someone signed you up for. It just seemed off. Gawthorp threw the seeds away, not thinking too much about it, until he started seeing social media posts from other Illinois residents who had received the same type of mail. I still dont know why I received them, he said. I talked to friends and neighbors and none of them received any. Turns out, Gawthorp is in plenty of company: People across the country have received mysterious seed packages. State and federal agriculture officials warn that people should not plant the seeds, and they have been trying to track down the source of the mailings. The Illinois Farm Bureau has been closely following investigations into the unsolicited seed packages sent to Illinois residents, said Bill Bodine, director of business and regulatory affairs with the Illinois Farm Bureau. He said the Illinois Department of Agriculture is working closely with the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service to address the issue. "These agencies are taking all necessary precautions to ensure our environment is protected, Bodine said. County farm bureau offices in McLean, Macon, and Coles counties said they were not aware of any other residents receiving the seeds. State agriculture officials say the seeds appear to be harmless but stress that they should not be planted. Recipients should contact IDOA by email at agr.seeds@Illinois.gov to provide their name and contact information and await further instructions. We emphasize that recipients of these seed packages should not open the mailing, plant the seeds or throw them away, Bodine added. The USDA said there have been reports of the seeds in at least 22 states. Rosemary, sage, mint, hibiscus, mustard and cabbage were among the plants identified. Gawthorp regrets not taking any pictures of the packages before throwing it away, but said it was in a package marked jewelry. The USDA believes that more than 1,000 households received the packages. How much do Central Illinois city managers earn? Contact Kevin Barlow at (309) 820-3238. Follow him on Twitter: @pg_barlow Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 As previously noted by the California Department of Corrections & Rehabilitation (CDCR), all incarcerated persons eligible must test negative for COVID-19 within a week prior to early release. (Archived file photo by Uriel Avendano/Palo Verde Valley Times) Stephen Harrison has been the CEO of Forterra plc (LON:FORT) since 2016, 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 Forterra. View our latest analysis for Forterra Comparing Forterra plc's CEO Compensation With the industry At the time of writing, our data shows that Forterra plc has a market capitalization of UK342m, and reported total annual CEO compensation of UK1.1m for the year to December 2019. Notably, that's an increase of 26% over the year before. We think total compensation is more important but our data shows that the CEO salary is lower, at UK428k. For comparison, other companies in the same industry with market capitalizations ranging between UK153m and UK613m had a median total CEO compensation of UK414k. Accordingly, our analysis reveals that Forterra plc pays Stephen Harrison north of the industry median. What's more, Stephen Harrison holds UK219k worth of shares in the company in their own name. Component 2019 2018 Proportion (2019) Salary UK428k UK418k 38% Other UK696k UK475k 62% Total Compensation UK1.1m UK893k 100% On an industry level, roughly 40% of total compensation represents salary and 60% is other remuneration. Forterra is largely mirroring the industry average when it comes to the share a salary enjoys in overall compensation. If total compensation is slanted towards non-salary benefits, it indicates that CEO pay is linked to company performance. Forterra plc's Growth Forterra plc's earnings per share (EPS) grew 20% per year over the last three years. It achieved revenue growth of 3.4% over the last year. This demonstrates that the company has been improving recently and is good news for the shareholders. 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.. Story continues Has Forterra plc Been A Good Investment? Since shareholders would have lost about 41% over three years, some Forterra plc investors would surely be feeling negative emotions. So shareholders would probably want the company to be lessto generous with CEO compensation. In Summary... As previously discussed, Stephen is compensated more than what is normal for CEOs of companies of similar size, and which belong to the same industry. But the company has impressed with its earnings per share growth, but we cannot say the same about the uninspiring shareholder returns (over the last three years). Although we'd stop short of calling it inappropriate, we think Stephen is earning a very handsome sum. 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. We did our research and identified 4 warning signs (and 1 which is a bit unpleasant) in Forterra we think you should know about. 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. YEREVAN, AUGUST 5, ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyans spouse Anna Hakobyan has addressed a telegram to Lebanese President Michel Aouns spouse Nadia Al Chami to express condolences and support over the Beirut explosion. I am deeply shocked by this great tragedy in Lebanon, Hakobyan said in the letter. I share this heavy sorrow with you and I express my support to the families of the victims. I wish speedy recovery to those injured. The Armenian people stand by the brotherly Lebanon and pray for the speedy overcoming of the consequences of this tragedy and the countrys return to normal life. Our thoughts and prayers are with you during these difficult days. May God give patience, resilience and peace to the friendly people of Lebanon. I am convinced, that the Pearl of the Middle East will emerge even stronger and more united from this crisis. The blast erupted at a port warehouse in the Lebanese capital on Tuesday. More than 100 people are dead and 4000 are injured. The enormous blast was reportedly heard as far away as Cyprus, some 150 miles away from the port. Beirut authorities have traced the blast to a massive stash of explosive ammonium nitrate in a warehouse at the port. The cause of the explosion is under investigation. Editing and Translating by Stepan Kocharyan CHICAGO, Aug. 5, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- The Elks National Foundation is proud to announce the start of the 2021 Most Valuable Student scholarship contest. The Most Valuable Student scholarship is available to high school seniors who are United States citizens. Applicants do not need to be related to a member of the Elks. Applicants are judged on academics, leadership, service and financial need. The application is completed online and must be submitted by the November 15, 2020, deadline. The 500 national winners will be announced in April 2021, after the top 20 finalists participate in the Leadership Weekend and interview for the top awards. This year, the ENF is investing $4.2 million in college scholarships. We've invested wisely. MVS scholarsall of whom demonstrate outstanding leadership skills and a commitment to serviceare graduating from college at a rate of 90 percent, 30 percent higher than the national average. The ENF will award 20 top scholarships ranging from $20,000 to $50,000. The remaining 480 runners-up will receive $4,000 scholarships. Since 1931, the ENF has awarded life-changing scholarships to thousands of students like Santiago Alvillar of California, last year's top winner. The first of his family to receive a formal education, academics became an outlet for Alvillar, and he used his studies to dream of a future that includes greater opportunities for those he cares about. "[The scholarship] is helping me make strides within my family and future generations that really are indescribable," Alvillar says. "This award acts as a representation of being able to conquer terrifying circumstances to my younger family members, to the students in similar situations, and to anyone who thinks goals become impossible if faced with extraneous circumstances. It's helped me create a ripple effect, and I'm sure it's going to have a positive impact not only in my family, but in my community." Alvillar will make his dreams a reality this fall when he attends Stanford University to study engineering and physics, with a specialty in energy alternatives. Applications for the 2021 contest are available on the Elks National Foundation's website. For complete Most Valuable Student scholarship contest details including the application, visit elks.org/scholars or enf.elks.org/MVS. Contact: Elks National Foundation Christine Robinson | Communications Manager 2750 N. Lakeview Ave. | Chicago, IL 60614-2256 773/755-4860 | [email protected] Helping Elks Build Stronger Communities With more than 750,000 members and nearly 1,900 Lodges nationwide, Elks are providing charitable services that help build stronger communities across the United States. The Elks National Foundation, the charitable arm of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, helps Elks build stronger communities through programs that support youth, serve veterans and meet needs in areas where Elks live and work. To learn more, visit elks.org/enf. SOURCE Elks National Foundation The beverage company Coca Cola recently made its foray into the immunity space by launching two new variants under its Minute Maid brand - Vita Punch and Nutri Force. Minute Maid Vita Punch is a fruit cocktail that claims to provide daily requirement of Vitamin C to support immunity. Minute Maid Nutriforce is apple juice with iron, zinc and other essential vitamins. Food brands today are riding the wave of 'immunity boosting products' led by consumer demand. As the world waits for a COVID-19 vaccine, people are trying to cope by what they can do best - by building their body's resilience. The word immunity has captured consumers' imagination and the category awareness has increased dramatically in the last few months. A recent Nielsen report said that immunity was one of the key factors that influenced consumers' purchasing decisions. "Earlier the word immunity was associated with preventive medication or home remedies, such as with items like chyavanprash, churans or kadha made from different herbs," says Ankur Bisen Ankur Bisen, Senior Vice President - Retail and Consumer Products, Technopak. Now the word is used very loosely, something like the word digital. "Immunity is the new digital. The word is being used with all kinds of food products," says Bisen. He explains that food brands are interpreting the word 'immunity' from the perspective of their product portfolio and making new launches. They are suddenly changing the product introduction, launching variants or developing new products that have a strong immunity angle so they can offer relevance to the consumer. There are those like Emami and Dabur that have a direct connect with immunity, and there are many others who don't but are exploiting it in their product portfolio, says Bisen. No wonder the line of immunity-related products that have entered the market in recent times is quite long. Gujarat-based Amul introduced Haldi ice cream, Haldi Doodh, Ginger Doodh and Tulsi Doodh. ITC Foods along with Amway launched immunity boosting juices under B-Natural Plus brand. Hindustan Unilever launched an immunity-building variant of Horlicks, which promises to have Vitamins C & D as well as zinc. Punjab-based Bonn Group launched herb and seeds bread, which the company claims contain immunity-boosting ingredients such as turmeric, oregano and black pepper. Harminder Sahni, Founder and Managing Director of consulting firm Wazir Advisors, says that the core of any food product is to provide two things: energy and immunity. "Any beverage or food item is supposed to meet both these functions anyways. There shouldn't have been a need for a crisis like COVID-19 to get firms to revamp their offerings. If it were such a case, then it means they were not true to their purpose earlier." "What brands should be saying is we have been selling what you should be eating and drinking to maintain good health. A food company should be true to that all the time," says Sahni. He questions the brands' move to jump on the immunity bandwagon and losing their uniqueness. "Everybody is talking about the same thing so where does the uniqueness lie. How are you going to stand out?," he asks. "It is all marketing if you ask me. People who have bigger marketing budgets are just making more noise about it," says Sahni. ALSO READ: BT BUZZ: How Indian consumers are going the extra mile to build immunity ALSO READ: Russia claims its COVID-19 vaccine is ready for rollout in September The order had instructed the Commerce Department, essentially, to petition the FCC to appoint itself arbiter of when a platforms policies are not sufficiently politically neutral. Last week, the department did just that. The FCC has opened a public comment process, kicking off an evaluation of whether it has the congressional or constitutional authority to carry out the request. Both propositions are dubious at best; Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act was designed to allow platforms to moderate content as they pleased, not to prevent them from doing so. The Constitution was designed to enable free expression, not enable the government to stifle it. Mr. ORielly, though he has been careful to say the White House is within its rights to seek a review, appears to agree. Mr. Trump obviously does not. (Natural News) Police in Melbourne, Australia now have the power to enter peoples homes without a warrant and perform spot checks to enforce compliance with new coronavirus lockdown rules. (Article by Paul Joseph Watson republished from Summit.news) After the state of Victoria announced a state of disaster in response to a spike in coronavirus cases, Premier of the state Daniel Andrews told residents, We can no longer have people simply out and about for no good reason whatsoever. In addition to an 8pm to 5am curfew, residents can only leave their homes outside those hours to shop for food and essential items, carry out care and caregiving, as well as daily exercise and work. The new powers also give police the right to enter your home to carry out spot checks even if you dont give them permission and they dont have a warrant, reports LockdownSkeptics.org. Controls on buying have also been introduced, restricting citizens to purchases of no more than two of certain essential items, including dairy, meat, vegetables, fish and toilet paper. As we highlighted earlier, immediately after the government announced the new draconian measures, police in their hundreds positioned themselves around residential tower blocks to ensure no one could leave. People were told they must stay in the residence in which they slept the previous night for the next six weeks. Anyone who violates the new rules faces a fine of up to $1,652, an amount which is set to be increased. As Toby Young writes, the spike in COVID-19 cases in the region could simply be due to the fact that more tests are being conducted. Victoria tested almost 43,000 on Sunday, July 26th, twice as many as on normal days, and the peak on Wednesday could be due to the few days delay before the results come through. In addition, a percentage of the positive results are likely due to the extensive contact tracing introduced in the past few weeks, with targeted testing of those whove been in contact with other infected people. It looks like a familiar pattern: on the advice of public health officials, a political leader ramps up testing and introduces a track-and-trace programme, then, when the number of cases inevitably increases, the leader panics and introduces draconian new measures. Read more at: Summit.news When President Donald Trump directed late Monday that states now pick up some of the tab for the nationwide deployment of the National Guard to respond to the coronavirus, he carved out two big exceptions: Texas and Florida. While all other states and territories will have to shell out millions to cover 25 percent of their National Guard costs starting later this month, Texas and Florida will be fully covered. The two key states, which voted for Trump in 2016 and are hotly contested this year, are struggling to contain the coronavirus surges. But other states are worse off by several metrics including total Covid-19 cases and the percentage of people testing positive. An estimated 25,000 Guard troops are on duty across the country running testing sites, contact tracing positive virus cases, building hospitals and carrying out a host of other logistical tasks, including delivering supplies to nursing homes and food banks. The decision to fully fund the Guard deployments was hailed by officials in Texas and Florida on Tuesday, but also prompted accusations from others of an ulterior motive. "With American lives at risk, the president is continuing to manipulate our nation's pandemic response to benefit his own political fortunes," said Noam Lee, the executive director of the Democratic Governors Association. "While the coronavirus doesn't discriminate between 'red' states or 'blue' states, it is disturbingly clear that our president does." The National Guard Association, which represents tens of thousands of Guard personnel, told POLITICO it received no explanation for why Texas and Florida are getting special treatment when they are far from the only states relying heavily on the citizen-soldiers to battle spikes of sickness and death and are similarly under enormous financial strain. There are some other states with very high rates and they werent included," the advocacy groups spokesperson John Goheen said. Were shrugging our shoulders." Story continues He added that the White House's decision to also extend the deployment of all Guard troops nationwide through Dec. 31 is bittersweet because while it allows critical operations such as testing, contact tracing and other work to mitigate to the public health crisis to continue, it also puts more of the burden on states struggling with tax revenue. The White House declined to comment publicly on the funding disparity and referred POLITICO to the Defense Department, which did not respond to multiple requests for comment. The states in question also did not offer an explanation as to why their costs alone will be fully covered. A senior administration official, responding to POLITICO'S queries by email, declined to address the funding disparity, but called the 25 percent burden for all other states "common sense." In order to help states respond to the pandemic, the Federal Government took the unprecedented step to fully fund National Guard deployments," the official said in a statement. "Now, as conditions warrant, it should be common sense that States will resume normal cost sharing. But the National Guard Association said that cost sharing for a federal deployment like the coronavirus relief effort is anything but "normal," and they know of no other time states were asked to pick up part of the tab for a mission like this. Much of the Guard's coronavirus relief work has been carried out under what's known as Title 32, meaning troops are deployed for an emergency and the the federal government bears the full cost while personnel are eligible for a series of health and retirement benefits. But governors remain in command of the Guard troops in their state. Under a different status, known as state active duty, states can get reimbursed for part of the cost by FEMA. Another Trump administration official told POLITICO that the White House Office of Management and Budget, not Trump, made the call to single out Florida and Texas for increased support. OMB also declined to comment. The National Guard Bureau, which is managing the nationwide deployment, similarly provided no explanation and declined to provide a state-by-state breakdown of how many of the more than 20,000 troops currently on federal status are deployed in which states. According to the office of Florida governor's Ron DeSantis, some 1,400 National Guard troops were responding to the pandemic as of Tuesday roughly five percent of the nationwide total. "The Florida National Guard is an integral component of our states COVID-19 response with more than 1,400 guardsmen and women mobilized," Cody McCloud, a DeSantis spokesperson, told POLITICO in a statement. "To date, they have assisted in the testing of nearly 1 million individuals through state-supported drive-thru and walk-up testing sites. The Florida National Guard also remains a key part of our logistics operation, helping to send PPE to health care workers and first responders statewide." "We thank President Trump for recognizing the Florida National Guards importance to these efforts," he added. Texas declined to provide its Guard totals. But Gov. Greg Abbott, a key ally of the president's, touted the higher funding level for his state's Guard deployment at a press conference Tuesday. "The president has reauthorized and extended federal funding for the National Guard to continue in service for the remainder of this calendar year at a 100 percent reimbursement rate," Abbott said. "That is a tremendous financial as well as personnel assistance for the response by the state of Texas to Covid-19." Others say they are puzzled by the special treatment given that dozens of states are in the same boat. Maj. Gen. Matt Quinn, head of the Montana National Guard, said hes received no explanation from the administration. Florida and Texas are the worst in some regards, thats not true across the board, said Quinn, who is also president of the Adjutants General Association of the United States. You have other hot spots and other states that could certainly use the 100 percent support. Now, the rest of the states who are trying to figure out how to cover the 25 percent will be left scrambling. Indeed, while Texas and Florida do have the highest number of current hospitalizations, by some metrics they are in better shape than other states. California has more total cases, according to the Centers for Disease Control. As for cases per 100,000 people, Louisiana and Arizona have more than Florida, while Texas ranks 17th. Mississippi and Alabama have a higher percentage of people testing positive than in Florida, while Texas is the 9th highest. Meanwhile, other states are also in worse financial shape. Tax revenues in Texas are down by nearly a third compared to last year, forcing the state to weigh tough budget cuts. Florida is down 26 percent and has been hit particularly hard by a drop off in tourism. The state is now starting down a more than $2 billion shortfall. But other states are faring worse. Tax revenues are down nearly 45 percent in California and more than 50 percent in Oregon, for example. The analysis by the Urban Institute was based on states' tax revenue between March and May of this year, compared to the same period last year. The National Conference of State Legislatures estimates that the cost of the deployment is as much as $9 million per month for every 1,000 troops. The presidential directives, issued Monday night, extended the deployment of all Guard members nationwide until Dec. 31 marking the National Guards longest active-duty mission for a domestic national emergency. The extension came after months of lobbying from governors and lawmakers, who argued the longer timeline, matched by federal support, is needed as cases, hospitalizations and deaths spike in much of the country. Now, state leaders and lawmakers say they're thankful for the extension but critical of the decision to fully fund just two states. "This isnt just a Texas or a Florida problem, its an American problem," Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), told POLITICO in a statement Tuesday. "Thats why Ive continued to push for extensions on Title 32 authorizationdespite the administrations previous efforts to shortchange our servicemembersand urge Trump to provide full coverage for all of our National Guard servicemembers who are responding to this crisis. "Our states still need as much help as the federal government can give," she added. Lara Seligman and Daniel Lippman contributed to this report. The All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB), a key Muslim party in the Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid title suit, said on Wednesday that the Ram temple ground-breaking ceremony wouldnt change the reality that the 16th century mosque was illegally demolished even as another litigant in the suit held out hope for communal amity. AIMPLB secretary Zafaryab Jilani said that, for the board, the land on which the Babri Masjid was demolished on December 6, 1992, would continue to be mosque land. We are quiet because we had said that we would respect the law of the land and go by the courts verdict. The SC verdict came on November 9, but its also a fact that the Supreme Court had held that Babri mosque was illegally demolished and that it was a shameful act and the same view was repeated on November 9, Jilani said. He was referring to the November 2019 judgment of the top court on the title suit that cleared the way for the Ram temple. As far as we are concerned, we also didnt agree with the Prime Minister and the chief minister participating in the event, Jilani said. But another litigant Iqbal Ansari, the only one among three Muslim invitees who attended the event said he respected the top courts judgment and that the dispute was over. Lord Ram belongs to everyone. Ram temple will also bring overall development to Ayodhya, he added. In Ayodhya, a section of Muslims said they were ready to leave behind decades of communal strife and move forward. Athar Jamal, a 25-year-old student at the citys Saket PG Degree College, said his generation yearned for development. Now, with construction of Ram temple, I think big companies will also set up their offices in Ayodhya, generating job opportunities for youth. Another local resident, Amzad Ali, hoped the temple will usher in opportunities for him to start his own business. I want to do my own business. In the coming days, Ayodhya will witness a lot of activity, said Ali. As a part of my job, I have to review almost every phone that launches in the country. However the one problem that always annoyed me with Android devices has been the lack of an easy way to transfer files between phones. Apple introduced AirDrop with iOS 7 nine years ago and after waiting for almost a decade, Android users are finally getting something similar. Google The feature was rumoured to launch soon with a different name but now it will be a part of every Android 6.0 phone or above. It is called Nearby Share and Google finally announced the rolling out of this feature. It is a dedicated file sharing function just like AirDrop where it does not require you to use a dedicated app or locate files to figure out which one to send. The new feature is now deeply integrated with the Android system where one needs to simply select an image or file, tap on the share icon and then select nearby. Your phone will locate all the phones that have sharing enabled and you can transfer the file with ease; just like how it works on AirDrop. The feature will use the best transfer method automatically depending on where you are. For example, the process can use peer-to-peer WiFi, WebRTC, Bluetooth LE, and Bluetooth. You also get privacy controls such as making your phone visible only to certain contacts or all of them. However, heres the problem; the feature is currently being rolled out only to Pixel and Samsung devices at the moment. Google has said they are working with other partners to roll out this feature for other devices at a later stage. Having said that, it is still a start where soon millions of phones will be able to use this feature. Nearby Share will also be compatible with Googles Chromebooks and could expect to be a feature on Windows PCs as well. iPhones and MacBooks can communicate with each other and transfer files using AirDrop and it seems like Google may not want to miss on that action either. Google While this feature is coming nine years too late, it is still handy to have as long as it works as advertised. It will make it easier and faster for Android users to transfer files amongst themselves or between multiple devices. Currently, one has to rely on uploading documents/images to either cloud services, messaging apps or email. Using services like WhatsApp often degrades the quality of an image which has been a major complaint since WhatsApp and other messaging apps compress images when sharing. Hopefully, the new Nearby Share feature will solve all these problems that have been the source of envy for Android features ever since AirDrop rolled out. Tomball Independent School District has pushed back the start of the school year, moving the first day of school from August 18 to September 8. The Tomball ISD school board held an in-person special meeting Tuesday afternoon, August 4, in the John P. Neubauer Administration Building to approve revisions to the 2020-21 instructional calendar. District offers new app: Tomball ISD teams up with Axiom Medical to offer health care assistance districtwide On Tuesday, Sept. 8, instead of all students attending online school only, the learning environment of face-to-face or remote learning for each student will be based on the option chosen on the commitment form. It allows those people who wanted face-to-face to go face-to-face, Superintendent Martha Salazar-Zamora said. Now, if a family chose virtual, they can continue to have virtual, so the choices that parents have made are still the choices that they have. She said the approval moves up the start of face-to-face instruction by a week, from Sept. 15 to Sept. 8, which aligns with some of the neighboring districts as well. The fall semester will include 68 instructional days and the spring semester 94 days. There will be four reporting periods Oct. 23, Dec. 18, March 12, May 17 and June 1-4 are considered make up days, if needed. On HoustonChronicle.com: With schools starting online only, Houston districts work to convince skeptical families to log on According to the district website, besides 15 extra minutes added to each school day to adjust for the delay in the start of school, some staff development and student holidays were removed to attain additional minutes for the late start. Salazar-Zamora said the district built bad weather days into the calendar. The last day of school is still scheduled before Memorial Day on Thursday, May 27, 2021. We have also eliminated our half days that were in the previous calendar, Salazar-Zamora. In years past, our calendar was based on number of days not minutes. Now it is based on minutes, not necessarily days. Fluid situation Director of Administrative Services Karen Graves said teachers must work 187 days and students must finish with 75,600 operational minutes. What operational means is if we have in the morning activities that can involve every student, every student is able to come to those things, we can count those (as) operational minutes and we have, Graves said. Graves said the district will continue to use up to 2,100 waiver minutes, provided by the state and taken away from the 75,600, and use them for staff development for teachers. She added that they need five days of staff development built in between the first day of instruction and the last day. Graves said that in order to get teachers the staff development days theyre going to need, Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Presidents Day will become staff development days instead of teacher holidays. However, those days will still be student holidays. She added that October 12 and March 22 were already student holidays and staff development days but will have to become instructional days, so students will no longer be off those days. Graves said there will be 162 student days with 455 minutes per day to get the minutes where they need to be. She said that if there were a weather event the district would have to make adjustments by either attaching additional days to the end of the school year or adding minutes at some point in the year. You have a lot of days built in at the front for staff development, which would enable the teachers to have a lot of time to prepare, get used to Schoology, get things as optimal for students as possible, Graves said. It scales back a few of the student days off and some of those holidays for teachers become staff developments. The board also went through an overview of the Schoology management system, an online learning platform. Since the approval of Schoology during the previous board meeting, the Texas Education Agency has made it available for all districts in the state. Therefore, the district will be reimbursed for the amount paid for the program for a two-year period. Chief Academic Officer Amy Schindewolf said the normal roll out and onboarding of Schooology according to PowerSchool, is approximately a nine-month period. We have been doing that in the course of about four weeks, so it has been fast and furious, Schindewolf said. Although we do feel like were in a very good place to be able to start our school year with this, we are very blessed that we had already begun the work before the state chose this because now were way ahead of the line and were pleased with that. Schindewolf added that students will not receive their accounts until schedules are done and loaded into the system, with training protocols in place for students to be able to be onboarded quickly. Lee Wright is the School Support Officer and was asked by Schindewolf to be the project lead for Schoology. Wright works with all campuses and departments to look at how the new system can be implemented across the board for staff, students and parents. He said there will be a fully manned help desk. Its a learning management system and has all the tools the institution needs to create engaging content, design lessons and access student understanding, Wright said. Wright said that as part of PowerSchool, Schoology will sync with eSchool, meaning that all courses, master schedule and student data will be loaded into eSchool once the master schedules are created and students are in the system. He added that students will be able to earn badges for different things they display like leadership to honor them in various ways. Teachers will be helping the students get acclimated and its very visual, Wright said. Its really easy to navigate through courses and assignments. You know where to go next. Tuesdays meeting was held on-site and with safeguards in place to lessen the risk of COVID-19 spreading and face coverings were required, with seating reduced and live streaming accessible on the district Facebook page. We may have made a decision and then a decision had to change, Salazar-Zamora said. I continue to ask people to understand that this is a fluid situation. I want to remind our community of how important that is. alvaro.montano@chron.com Russia has been taking steps to implement its aggressive plans to restore the Russian Empire, the ministry stresses. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) of Ukraine has urged the international community not to turn a blind eye to the collapse of democracy in Russia, the rehabilitation of Stalin and the censorship of history. In a statement released August 5, the ministry recalled today Ukraine commemorates the victims of the Great Stalinist Terror. It was on this day in 1937 that the resolution of the Politburo of the Central Committee of the All-Union Communist Party (Bolsheviks) "On Anti-Soviet Elements" came into force and launched the process of mass extermination. Millions of people fell victim to repression. No one was insured against unjust arrest, concentration camps and execution as the purpose of terror was to break everyone, to kill the very possibility of having one's own opinion. "Therefore, in Ukraine, the Great Terror became a continuation of the Holodomor, only this time the main blow was aimed not at the peasantry, but the intellectual elite of the nation. The repression was particularly severe in Ukraine, where the Kremlin was to subdue not only the society but also the rebellious Ukrainian nation, who had just attempted to form its independent state," the MFA said. Thus, in just a few days in October-November 1937, almost three hundred of the best Ukrainian writers, artists, and scientists, including Les Kurbas, Mykola Kulish, Mykola Zerov, Marko Vorony, and Valerian Pidmohylny, were executed in the Karelian tract of Sandarmokh. Now they are called the Executed Renaissance. Read alsoMFA Ukraine explains why severing diplomatic ties with Russia no option "Unfortunately, Stalin's terrible past has not become the past. Today, the cult of Stalin is being actively revived in Russia, and his crimes are being silenced, belittled, or even justified. Moreover, there occurs repression in the spirit of the Stalinist NKVD. Repression is especially brutal and widespread in the Russian-occupied Ukrainian territories of Crimea and Donbas. Murders, disappearances of people, arrests, unjust trials, and cruel torture have become commonplace there," reads the report. The ministry reiterates the victim of persecution in the Crimea has become a whole nation - the Crimean Tatars, who are the indigenous nation of the peninsula. The deportation of 1944, which killed almost half of the Crimean Tatar people, was also a manifestation of Stalinist terror. Ukraine's MFA says the worldwide attention should be drawn to the frequent cases of political persecution in Russia of those who are fighting for the establishment of historical justice. On July 22 this year, a well-known historian and human rights activist, Yuri Dmitriev, was sentenced to three and a half years in prison on trumped-up charges. It was namely Yuri Dmitriev who exposed the truth about Sandarmokh to the world. "And it was Yuri Dmitriev's thirty years-long activity in exposing the crimes of the Soviet regime during the Great Terror that became the real reason for his persecution," the ministry says. "The international community has no right to turn a blind eye to such flagrant human rights abuses in Russia, as well as to the collapse of democracy, the rehabilitation of Stalin and the censorship of history. After all, the actual Kremlin leadership Stalin's needs spirit to secure unlimited power and to implement its aggressive plans to restore the Russian Empire," the report says. France and the Netherlands are gearing up for stricter mask-wearing rules to fight the coronavirus as the global death toll from the pandemic neared 700,000. Paris, Toulouse and other cities announced that the wearing of masks would be compulsory in particularly busy streets and squares. People already have to wear them inside most private businesses and all public buildings. A scientific committee advising the French government warned that the country could lose control of its spread "at any time." In the Netherlands, the same mask-wearing measure will be applied in Rotterdam and the famous red-light district of Amsterdam from Wednesday. And Ireland postponed the reopening of pubs and other nightspots on the advice of scientists, concerned about rising infections. In other developments, the Philippines placed millions of people back under lockdown. And the hunt for an effective treatment continued with the United States launching trials of an antibody treatment for COVID-19. Philippines resumes lockdown Millions of people in the Philippines were ordered to stay home Tuesday in a bid to contain the rising rate of infections, and relieve pressure on overwhelmed hospitals. More than 27 million people on the main island of Luzon, including the capital Manila, went back into a partial lockdown. New coronavirus cases and deaths, with 7-day rolling average, in the Philippines. By Gal ROMA (AFP) People have been told to stay home unless going out to buy essential goods, for exercise or for work, after the number of recorded infections surged past 100,000. But with only 24 hours' notice of the shutdown, many people were stranded in Manila, unable to get back to their hometowns after public transport and domestic flights were halted. More than 18 million people worldwide have been infected with the virus since it first emerged in China late last year. The worst hit country, the United States, had added 1,300 new deaths as of Tuesday evening, bringing its toll to nearly 156,000, according to Johns Hopkins University. The caseload grew by 53,847 to nearly 4.8 million, it said. Far from slowing down, the latest figures show that the rate of infection is accelerating. A Colombian health worker takes a break outside Medellin's General Hospital, amid the COVID-19 pandemic. By JOAQUIN SARMIENTO (AFP) Brazil is driving a surge in Latin America and the Caribbean, where infections passed five million on Monday. South America's largest country has recorded more than 2.75 million cases, and nearly 95,000 deaths, nearly half the region's 203,800 deaths. US announces clinical trials The world's hope of ending the current cycle of outbreaks and lockdowns rests on finding a treatment. The United States announced Tuesday it had begun late-stage clinical trials into a drug they hope will be an antibody against the coronavirus. Teachers led the protests across the US, demanding adequate classroom safety measures as schools debate reopening. By KAMIL KRZACZYNSKI (AFP) The Phase 3 trial will initially enroll some 300 volunteers around the world who have been hospitalized with mild to moderate COVID-19 with fewer than 13 days of symptoms. On Monday, Russia said it aimed to launch mass production of a vaccine in September and turn out "several million" doses per month by next year. In response, the World Health Organization on Tuesday urged Russia to follow the established guidelines for producing safe and effective vaccines. Just a day earlier, the agency's chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus called on countries to focus on basic suppression measures, such as contact tracing, maintaining physical distance and wearing a mask. "There's no silver bullet at the moment -- and there might never be," he warned. 'Extraordinarily widespread' Despite the grim numbers in America, President Donald Trump adopted a resolutely optimistic tone. "We're seeing indications that our strong mitigation efforts are working very well, actually, especially to protect those who are most at risk," he said during a White House press conference addressing the pandemic. In a morning tweet, he lashed out at his coronavirus response coordinator Deborah Birx after she warned the virus was "extraordinarily widespread" in the US. Trump -- angered by what he sees as overly pessimistic media coverage of his much-criticized handling of the epidemic -- accused her of giving in to pressure to sound negative about the new surge. "Deborah took the bait & hit us. Pathetic!" Trump wrote on Twitter Monday. Despite rising infection numbers in Europe, some countries are pushing ahead with plans to reopen schools and finding ways to keep their battered tourism sectors functioning. Angry Nadal withdraws from US Open Fears over the virus led defending champion Rafael Nadal to announce on Tuesday that he will not play the US Open, which is due to start in New York on August 31. Defending champion Rafael Nadal has withrawn from the US Open over fears of coronavirus. By Johannes EISELE (AFP/File) "The situation is very complicated worldwide, the COVID-19 cases are increasing, it looks like we still don't have control of it." Nadal said on Twitter. "This is a decision I never wanted to take... for the time being I rather not travel." Women's world number one Ashleigh Barty withdrew from the tournament last week citing "significant risks" from COVID-19. burs-amj/jj/bsp/dw/to In an abrupt reversal, President Donald Trump now is encouraging voters in the critical swing state of Florida to vote by mail after months of criticising the practice, and only days after threatening to sue Nevada over a new vote-by-mail law. His encouragement follows a surge in Democratic requests to vote for mail in Florida, a state that Trump almost certainly must win to secure a second term. Democrats currently have about 1.9 million Floridians signed up to vote by mail this November, almost 600,000 more than the Republicans 1.3 million, according to the Florida Secretary of State. In 2016, both sides had about 1.3 million signed up before the general election. Whether you call it Vote by Mail or Absentee Voting, in Florida the election system is Safe and Secure, Tried and True. Floridas Voting system has been cleaned up (we defeated Democrats attempts at change), so in Florida I encourage all to request a Ballot & Vote by Mail!, Trump tweeted Tuesday. White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany rejected the notion that the president has changed his views. She said he supports absentee voting by mail for a reason, as opposed to states mailing out ballots to all voters regardless of whether they requested them. Most election officials say there is little effective difference between absentee voting and voting by mail. Trump elaborated on why he supports voting by mail in Florida, but not elsewhere. Theyve been doing this over many years and theyve made it really terrific, Trump said. This took years to do, he added. This doesnt take weeks or months. In the case of Nevada, theyre going to be voting in a matter of weeks. And you cant do that. Yet Florida hardly has a history of flawless elections, most notably in 2000 when the states disputed vote count had to be resolved by the U.S. Supreme Court, delivering the presidency to George W. Bush over Al Gore. Trump cited a New York race as an example of what can go wrong, claiming no one could know the winner. In that race, a judge ruled Monday that about 1,000 disputed ballots should be counted. That will likely not affect the outcome since the incumbent, longtime Democratic Rep. Carolyn Maloney is leading her closest challenger by about 3,700 votes. I think they have to do the election over. That election is no good, Trump said. More voters during this years primary elections opted to vote by mail, and several states relaxed restrictions for voting absentee through the mail. Trump himself voted by mail in the Florida primary earlier this year. Five states have relied on mail-in ballots since even before the coronavirus pandemic raised concerns about voting in person, but there is no evidence to support Trumps assertion that voting by mail leads to widespread fraud. Trump has gone so far as to suggest by tweet that the November election should be delayed until people can properly, securely and safely vote. States that use mail-in votes exclusively say they have necessary safeguards in place to ensure that a hostile foreign actor doesnt disrupt the vote. Election security experts say voter fraud is rare in all forms of balloting, including by mail. With Floridas large retirement population, voting by mail is expected to become a more popular option this November. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., was asked Saturday if he had concerns about the option. No, Im not concerned about mail-in voting in Florida, he said tersely. Florida GOP officials welcomed Trumps tweet. Thank you for the clarification Mr President! This is very helpful, said Joe Gruters, the chair of Floridas Republican Party. Florida will deliver you the 29 electoral votes! Florida is considered a must-win state for Trumps reelection prospects. Its presidential contests are usually close, with Trump winning by just 1.2 percentage points in 2016, and George W. Bush winning Florida by just 537 votes in 2000. Nevada lawmakers have recently passed a bill that would add the state to a growing list of U.S. states mailing active voters ballots ahead of the November election. The bill, which was passed Sunday, was signed into law Monday by Gov. Steve Sisolak, a Democrat. Nevada joins seven states that plan on automatically sending voters mail ballots, including California and Vermont, which moved earlier this summer to adopt automatic mail ballot policies. Trump called the bills passage an illegal late night coup in a tweet Monday morning. He accused Sisolak of exploiting COVID-19 to ensure votes in Nevada would favor Democrats. __ Associated Press writers Bobby Caina Calvan in Tallahassee, Florida, and Terry Spencer in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, contributed to this report. Evolv, a company that offers screening technology for places such as airports, schools, transit stations and concert venues, has received an investment from an arm of the massive hardware maker Stanley Black & Decker.Massachusetts-based Evolv uses a combination of optical sensors, magnetic fields, millimeter wave and AI algorithms to rapidly screen people in fact, according to a press release , Evolv Express can work without requiring people to stop or take anything out of their bags. As a result, the company says, the Express can screen 3,600 people per hour, which is many times more than a standard metal detection system.Evolv has worked with Oakland International Airport Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority , schools, venues and other places that routinely host large numbers of people. According to the statement, it has screened more than 50 million people.As COVID-19 has upended the rules for physical gatherings, the company has also begun offering virus screening via thermal imaging.The investment from STANLEY Security, part of the Stanley Black & Decker umbrella perhaps known primarily for tool brands such as Craftsman and DeWalt, comes after Evolv had already raised more than $75 million, according to VentureBeat . Previous financial backers of the company included firms tied to Bill Gates and Jeb Bush.The deals terms were not disclosed, but it gives Evolv a large corporate strategic partner.Evolvs innovative, touchless security screening solutions are an integral part of the security industrys future, STANLEY Security Global President Matthew Kushner said in the statement. When paired with data analytics and expertise from STANLEY Security, these solutions will deliver even more value to organizations as they adjust operations and enhance security measures to reopen and stay open safely.Since Evolv already uses optical technology, it offers a facial recognition feature to help track down people after theyve walked past one of its systems. Facial recognition is routinely criticized by civil rights advocates, and this year several large tech companies have walked back their commitments in the field. The EU has provided to Lebanon after the heavy Explosion in Beirut's assistance in view. "The European Union is ready to provide help and support," said EU Council President Charles Michel on Tuesday evening. His thoughts were to the Lebanese people and the families of the victims. The EU's foreign policy chief Josep Borrell wrote: "The European Union expresses its full solidarity and full support for the families of the victims and for the Lebanese people and the Lebanese authorities." The possible cause of the disaster, the EU politicians are not expressed. the Federal government Also expressed shock over the reports and images from Lebanon, writes government spokesperson Ulrike Demmer on Twitter. "Our thoughts are lost in those of the members. To the injured we wish a speedy recovery. We will be offering Lebanon our support, it says. The Foreign office reported that employees of the German Embassy in Lebanon, are among the injured. Macron twitter in Arabic And France has pledged support for the course. France will send aid to Lebanon, wrote to the French state, chief Emmanuel Macron on Tuesday evening on Twitter. France stand always side by side with Lebanon, so Macron in Arabic. Macron've been on the phone with his Lebanese counterpart Michel Aoun, announced the Elysee Palace. In the interview, Macron expressed, therefore, his support and that of the French for the Lebanese people. Today's Lebanon was formerly part of the French mandate territory in the Middle East, the two countries still have a close relationship. Also, Israel offers humanitarian aid to Similarly, the neighboring country of Israel, the Lebanon humanitarian aid offered. "Under the instructions of defense Minister Benny Gantz and Minister of foreign Affairs Gabi Ashkenazi, Israel has turned to the Lebanon by international diplomatic and defense channels," informed both Ministers in a joint statement. The Lebanese government had been offered "medical humanitarian aid". The Lebanon and Israel have no diplomatic relations. Officially, the two countries are still at war. Lebanese are forbidden any contacts with Israelis. At the border it always comes back to tensions between the Israeli army and the Lebanese Shiite militia Hizbullah. This was last updated in 2006, in a month-long war with Israel. Updated Date: 04 August 2020, 23:19 Haiti - News : Zapping... The residence of the Mayoress of Saut-d'eau set on fire The private residence of the Mayor of Saut-d'eau, Marie Andree Ruth Thelus, was set on fire on the evening of July 30 by unidentified armed individuals. Recall that the Mayoress is the subject of dispute for having been appointed president of the Municipal Commission of Saut-d'eau by President Moise. 75% of schools ready for reopening 75% of schools are ready for the reopening of classes for 2019-2020 in accordance with the health protocol adopted by the Ministry of National Education, informing Pierre Josue Agenor Cadet the Minister of Education. See official revised school calendar : https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-31439-haiti-flash-official-revised-school-calendar-2019-2020.html EDH : End of strike for some of the employees Following an agreement between Michel Presume, the new Director General of Electricity of Haiti (EDH) and a minority union, many employees have returned to work after a month of strike. However, nothing has been settled with the Federation of Unions of Workers of the ED'H (FESTREDH) at the origin of the strike... Digicel precision "The Digicel Business letter does not state that all Digicel customers must pay in dollars. The decision concerns only our 7,000 post-paid customers who, by the way, have fully understood the measure. Post-paid: pay with an invoice at the end of the month," specifies Maarten Boute Chairman and CEO of Digicel See also : https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-31452-haiti-digicel-notice-adjustment-of-rates-and-monthly-fees-expressed-in-us-dollars.html Hurricane : Awareness in song As part of its strategy to prepare for the hurricane season, Lolo and Manze by Boukman Eksperyans and the young artist Tafa Mi-Soleil composed an awareness song to help communities prepare and react in the event of a hydrometeorological phenomenon. Song used by the Directorate of Civil Protection in its awareness campaigns. Name of the 4 winners of the artistic residency program Following the call for applications last May https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-30804-haiti-notice-artistic-residency-program-call-for-candidacy.html , the Association Quatre chemin (A4C), unveiled the names of the four laureates selected for a residency program dedicated to artistic research in Haiti for the year 2020, they are Magdala Jean Louis, Vladimir Delva, Stephanie Jeanty and Ar Guens Jean Mary. HL/ HaitiLibre By RON TODT A 5-year-old autistic girl who disappeared from a Philadelphia-area home during the height of Tuesdays storm was found dead Wednesday and was believed to have been swept away by floodwaters in the creek behind her house, authorities said. Police in Montgomery County's Towamencin Township said Eliza Talal, described as autistic and nonverbal, was found at about 10:40 a.m. Wednesday in Fischer's Park next to a creek after waters receded. An iPad she was believed to have been carrying was found under a neighbor's deck. Chief Paul Dickinson said she had last been seen at about noon in a Lansdale home, and several hundred people searched for her with the aid of boats and two helicopters. Police tried unsuccessfully to ping the iPad as part of the search, he said. We believe, based on the circumstances, that she left the house and somehow got into the water and then of course was pulled into the water, Dickinson said. MONTGOMERY CO.: UPDATE Missing/Endangered Person Advisory. Eliza Talal was located deceased. Our thoughts are with her family. Towamencin Twp. PD continues to investigate. PA State Police (@PAStatePolice) August 5, 2020 Meanwhile, the National Weather Service has confirmed that tornadoes touched down in Bucks and Montgomery counties during Tuesdays storm. More details were to be released later on the strength and exact location of the storms, which were among six that struck the region. Tornadoes also touched down in Ocean and Cape May counties in New Jersey, Kent and New Castle Counties in Delaware and Queen Annes County, Maryland. In Bucks County on Tuesday, high winds partially tore the roof off a day care center on the grounds of a suburban Philadelphia hospital, injuring four children. Doylestown Health said four children and some staff members were treated for minor injuries, and all of the children were moved to a local middle school to reunite with family. An eastern Pennsylvania coroner on Wednesday released the name of a woman who died after her vehicle was swept away by floodwaters. The Lehigh County coroners office said 44-year-old Yesenia Then of Allentown was pronounced dead just before 4:30 p.m. Tuesday after her vehicle entered high water in Upper Saucon Township and was swept downstream. An autopsy is slated Thursday. Tens of thousands of electric customers remained without power in the Philadelphia suburbs, with PECO reporting more than 55,000 customers without power in Chester County, more than 32,500 in Bucks County and more than 10,500 in Montgomery County. Regional rail service was suspended Wednesday in Philadelphia after the storm raised the Schuylkill River and sent an unsecured construction barge into the Vine Street Expressway Bridge, upstream from a rail bridge at 30th Street. Interstate 676, which crosses the bridge, also was closed in both directions. Pennsylvania Department of Transportation officials said three tugboats will be brought up the river Thursday afternoon when the current slows to remove the barge, and then the expressway bridge will be inspected for structural damage. Fire commissioner Adam Thiel said his department made close to 200 rescues, more than half of them in the hard-hit Eastwick neighborhood, and evacuated an apartment building in Manayunk, where floodwaters sent cars floating and caused significant damage to buildings City officials said they were looking into securing disaster aid. Red Cross officials said about 130 people were sheltered Tuesday night and they were anticipating sheltering 160 Wednesday night. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to lehighvalleylive.com. The Worcester Public Schools is considering a remote start to the upcoming school year, though a decision on what class will look like will not be final until next week. Amid the coronavirus pandemic, Worcester has been considering two plans: a school year with only online learning versus a hybrid model with in-person and remote classes. The district has not focused on a plan to bring all students back to school buildings. Ahead of a public meeting on Thursday, district documents indicate Worcester may start classes remotely for the first term and then switch to a hybrid model of in-person and online learning. Layouts for the upcoming year have shifted slightly since the district last month released its first preliminary plans, one of which had aimed for getting 50% of students back into school buildings but is not possible given bus guidelines since released by the state. The Worcester School Committee is slated to make a final vote on Monday. With school starting in a few weeks, the online learning plan is now much more structured than what students saw in the spring after schools abruptly closed in March. School district documents indicate this remote model is a rigorous plan, but that the most at-risk students will receive in-person learning. With online learning, students will have: Synchronous learning four days a week in all core content subject, electives, and enrichment Small group synchronous learning from support teachers according to their needs Asynchronous learning one day each week When it is time to return to the classroom, the hyrbid in-person and online model is based on having students assigned to cohorts with about a quarter of students occupying a school building at a time. There will be: One day per week in-person learning support at schools either Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays or potentially Thursdays Synchronous remote learning 3 days a week in all core content subject, electives, and enrichment Small group synchronous remote learning from support teachers according to their needs Asynchronous remote learning one day each week More specific schedules are posted in a presentation for Thursdays public meeting to discuss back-to-school plans. Schedules are adjusted for each grade level. For students in kindergarten, first or second grade, computer time should be limited and not include extended periods, according to district documents. For grades three through six, days will have 45- and 90-minute blocks for core classes, which will be taught synchronously/asynchronously for four days. Clear and consistent routines and schedules are required for all learners, per the districts presentation. Middle school students will focus on a few classes each day with a blend of synchronous and asynchronous learning and frequent check-ins, per the presentation. There will be predictable schedules and regular interaction between teachers and students. Students in high school will have longer class periods and fewer periods each day to allow for in-depth, focused learning, according to the districts plan. The daily schedule gives room for students to participate in advanced placement, dual enrollment, career technical education and internship opportunities. Class composition will have opportunities for direct instruction and time for extended learning, during which teachers will monitor student progress. There will be after-school help sessions and daily chances for support from teachers and staff, the plan indicates. The district has also planned to provide additional support for students who need it. Examples of such support vary from daily check-ins to routine reminders, English language development and emotional support, and medical support. For students who have the highest level of needs, school administrators plan to contact families to discuss any potential in-person learning options, according to the presentation. Once rooms for in-person learning are identified, the district will determine the number of weekly in-person days the student will require and will also determine transportation needs and coordinate staffing and service. To transition to the hybrid model, the district will have to assess the availability of staff to provide in-person and online learning. Teachers will receive ongoing training to meet the social and emotional needs of their students, according to the district. Families will be able to choose whether they want to continue learning online or return to the classroom. If students do return to school buildings, they will be assigned to one of four cohorts, taking into account sibling consistency, bus routes, high school programs and hardships considerations, the presentation indicates. However, the hybrid learning plan will be impacted by changes with the ongoing pandemic, collective bargaining with unions, federal and state funding and any changes to guidance from the Massachusetts Department of Education or state and local public health guidance, the district said. Related Content: YEREVAN, AUGUST 5, ARMENPRESS. Three Lebanese-Armenians have been killed in the devastating Beirut explosion Tuesday, according to local media reports. Arevelk newspaper reported that one of the victims is Jessica Beckjian, a nurse at the Saint George Hospital University Medical Center, a hospital near the port which was heavily damaged by the blast. Beckjian was trapped under the rubbles in her office. The other Lebanese-Armenian victims were identified by local media as politician Nazar Najarian and Jack Paramakian. Najarian was the General Secretary of the Kataeb Party. Details about Paramakian weren't immediately clear. The blast erupted at a port warehouse in the Lebanese capital on Tuesday, killing dozens and leaving thousands injured. The death toll climbed to 100 Wednesday morning. The enormous blast was reportedly heard as far away as Cyprus, some 150 miles away from the port. Beirut authorities have traced the blast to a massive stash of explosive ammonium nitrate in a warehouse at the port. The cause of the explosion is under investigation. Editing and Translating by Stepan Kocharyan New York: New York City will erect quarantine checks at key entry points to ensure travellers from 35 states comply with a 14-day coronavirus quarantine order. "Travellers coming in from those states will be given information about the quarantine and will be reminded that it is required, not optional," New York mayor Bill de Blasio said on Wednesday. Breadfolks, a bakery and cafe in Hudson, New York asks staff to wear face masks. Credit:Bloomberg Under certain circumstances, fines for not observing the quarantine order could be as high as $US10,000 ($14,000), he said. The checkpoints will be set up at major bridge and tunnel crossings into New York City. Photo: The Canadian Press The Supreme Court of Canada is shown in Ottawa on Friday, Nov. 2, 2018. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick An advocacy group is asking the Supreme Court of Canada to hear a case on passenger refunds as frustration over flights cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic continues to simmer. The Air Passenger Rights organization sought leave to appeal Monday a Federal Court of Appeal decision that dismissed the group's attempt for an injunction compelling the Canadian Transportation Agency to remove a post about refunds from its website temporarily while a broader case about the statement's validity is ongoing. The CTA said in March that airlines have the right to issue travel credits instead of a refund for cancelled trips in the "current context," though the agency later clarified that the online statement was "not a binding decision." Canadian airlines have generally offered credit valid for two years or more but avoided offering reimbursement to customers whose flights were called off because of the coronavirus crisis, with carriers citing the agency's stance in response to consumer complaints and analyst questions. Air Passenger Rights founder Gabor Lukacs says the CTA's statements misled travellers about their right to a refund and contradict the quasi-judicial body's previous decisions. "If people believe they have no right to a refund, they will just not pursue it," he said in an interview. "This case is about whether a public body can mislead the public without facing some kind of judicial scrutiny." Some passengers may not be able to fly in the next two years for health or financial reasons, advocates say. Meanwhile, the airfare they paid amounts to a no-interest loan to airlines. The pandemic has devastated the airline industry, with billions of dollars in losses for Canadian carriers amid grounded flights and tight international borders. In contrast to Canadian authorities, the European Commission and the U.S. Department of Transportation have required airlines to refund passengers. The U.S. and European countries including France and Germany have also offered billions in financial relief to struggling carriers, however, while Ottawa has provided no industry-specific bailout to airlines. Since February, passengers have filed a handful of proposed class-action lawsuits and three petitions garnering more than 109,000 signatures that call for customer reimbursement. The CTA did not respond to requests for comment Tuesday. In March, the agency said passengers "should not simply be out-of-pocket for the cost of cancelled flights," but also stated that airlines facing a plunge in revenues and customer volumes "should not be expected to take steps that could threaten their economic viability." "The CTA believes that, generally speaking, an appropriate approach in the current context could be for airlines to provide affected passengers with vouchers or credits for future travel, as long as these vouchers or credits do not expire in an unreasonably short period of time (24 months would be considered reasonable in most cases)," it said on March 25. The online statement is not an official CTA decision these are issued periodically on complaints brought before the body but Lukacs argues it amounts to an unsolicited advance ruling on how the agency will treat passenger complaints, and thus deters them. Responses by officials in the airline industry and government suggest the post is viewed authoritatively. On a conference call Friday, Air Canada CEO Calin Rovinescu told analysts that "the CTA spoke clearly on the topic, and at this point...I've got no reason to believe that they'll change that." Transport Minister Marc Garneau has also framed the online post as an authoritative ruling. "The Canadian Transportation Agency has ruled on this issue and has ruled that, in the present circumstances and in a non-binding way, it is acceptable for airlines to offer credits for up to two years," Garneau told the special all-party COVID-19 committee on May 28. Customer reimbursement for services that were never rendered is a fundamental principle of consumer protection legislation across multiple provinces, Lukacs said. The CTA's statement touting travel credit as an alternative has served to "undermine" that right, the court submission says, particularly since some credit card and insurance companies have cited the statement as a reason "to deny policy coverage for actual travel disruptions," the court submission says. The Supreme Court does not automatically hear appeals and instead issues a written decision, usually within one to three months, on whether it will consider a case. Air Passenger Rights' leave to appeal relates to the Federal Court of Appeal's dismissal of its request for an injunction against the CTA while the case over the travel credits statement is ongoing. Air Passenger Rights states that the appeal court's test to determine eligibility for such an injunction is too stringent, and could affect not only interprovincial transportation but all areas of federal law, including immigration and refugees, intellectual property law and Indigenous claims. On Nov. 8, 1864, Abraham Lincoln defeated former Gen. George B. McClellan to win reelection as president of a divided United States. Barely 100 miles from Washington, D.C., Robert E. Lees Confederate army was encamped in a line that began at the capital of the Confederacy, Richmond, Va., and stretched to Petersburg, Va., as Lee faced off against the Northern forces of Ulysses S. Grant. Just a few months before the election, another Confederate army, led by Gen. Jubal Early, had threatened the capital, marching to within five miles of Washington before being driven back. Still, the election took place, and four months later, at his second inaugural, Lincoln declared, With malice toward none; with charity for all; with firmness in the right, as God gives us to see the right, let us strive on to finish the work we are in. Last week, President Donald Trump suggested that a country facing a presidential vote during a viral epidemic should consider postponing its election amid fears of voter fraud. The unprecedented suggestion from a sitting president up for reelection that, for the first time in history, the United States delay a presidential election, was typical of the mystifying strategy if thats the right word of Trump, an incumbent all too ready to accentuate the divisions, vulnerabilities, and uncertainties of our society. His proclamation sounded more panicked than presidential. READ MORE: Trump floats a nearly impossible Election Day delay in another attack on mail-in voting Some critics accused Trump of looking to distract attention from a sharp drop in the U.S. gross domestic product, announced shortly before Trumps tweet. Though its sometimes hard to fathom the presidents motives (or those of his most persistent critics), the GDP decline was anticipated and not hard to explain; indeed, Germany just reported its largest drop in GDP in 50 years. But if Trump or anyone else thought floating an election delay was a shrewd distraction strategy, world financial markets certainly didnt. They dropped precipitously July 30. As market analyst Jim Cramer said about Trumps tweet: It sows chaos, and chaos is bad for the stock market. Chaos is generally not great for incumbents, either. One neednt dwell long on Trumps tweet without remembering that the president doesnt have the power to delay the election. Only Congress can do that, and the opposition party controls the House of Representatives, so even if congressional Republicans thought that a ballot postponement was a good idea and key Republicans quickly said that they didnt there is little chance of it actually happening. One cant be sure that our impulsive chief executive even bothered to check and see if that was the case before issuing his tweet, though his most passionate supporters suggest that he knew exactly what he was doing. If Trump understood the example of Lincoln, he would see the problem of holding a presidential election in such a tumultuous year as a challenge to be overcome, a way to reaffirm the commitment to free choice in the worlds first modern democracy. Rather than sounding panicked, he would reach for inspiration. He might even call the election a teachable moment in which the United States demonstrated to the world that its democracy remains sound. Instead, his tweet only fostered more concerns about political stability in a year that has already generated enough worries on that score. Trumps tweet is even more frustrating considering that the U.S. election system contains genuine vulnerabilities. Legitimate concerns exist about local election officials threatening to eliminate in-person voting entirely, and the chaos that such steps could provoke in a tight race as it has after some primaries. Rapid expansion of mail-in voting has increased the number of ballots invalidated by election officials, raising concerns that even legitimate votes will be thrown out. Techniques such as ballot harvesting, in which advocacy groups collect votes and file them en masse, suggest the possibility of new kinds of voter fraud in an age of increasing remote voting. The prospect of votes taking weeks to count, delaying a presidential result indefinitely, is troubling and could undermine the credibility of an election and stoke conspiracy theories especially in the current climate. We know that such problems are real because they occurred in presidential primary races Democrat against Democrat and Republican against Republican belying the claims of some that voter fraud is a canard, and that systems put in place to discourage it are merely cooked up to suppress voting. But it is Trump, of course, who has the bully pulpit and the machinery of federal investigation and enforcement at his command to call for change. Its not a trivial or self-serving task to defend democracy but it requires coherent expression. Trump should take inspiration from Lincoln, who told us that, We the people are the rightful masters of both Congress and the courts, not to overthrow the Constitution but to overthrow the men who pervert the Constitution. We could use some of that kind of talk from the chief executive. Steven Malanga is the senior editor of City Journal, the George M. Yeager fellow at the Manhattan Institute, and the author of Shakedown: The Continuing Conspiracy Against the American Taxpayer. Joe Biden will accept the Democratic nomination for president during a speech in his home state of Delaware and skip the party's convention in Milwaukee because of the coronavirus pandemic. 'The mayor has put in place a 225 person limit on people assembling in any one place. I think it's the right thing to do. I've wanted to set an example as to how we should respond individually to this crisis,' he told a virtual fundraiser on Wednesday afternoon. 'I think it's going to be an exciting convention,' he added. It's not just Biden but other scheduled speakers, who included Biden's yet-to-be announced running mate, and Barack and Michelle Obama amid others, will also no longer travel to Milwaukee to address the party faithful, the Democratic National Committee announced on Wednesday. The party cited advice from health officials as the reason behind their decision. Joe Biden will accept the Democratic nomination for president during a speech in his home state of Delaware Earlier this summer, Democrats announced plans for a scaled back convention, including moving the location to the smaller Wisconsin Center and advising delegates to stay home 'From the very beginning of this pandemic, we put the health and safety of the American people first,' DNC chair Tom Perez said in a statement. 'That's the kind of steady and responsible leadership America deserves. And that's the leadership Joe Biden will bring to the White House,' he added. Wisconsin officials are still expected to speak from the Milwaukee site but no major addresses will happen there, in a blow to the city. It could also be a blow to Democratic chances of winning the state. Donald Trump unexpectedly won the state by less than 1 per cent in the 2016 election after Hillary Clinton didn't campaign there. Biden will formally accept the Democratic nomination on Thursday, August 20th, in Wilmington but no other details have been announced. Traditionally, the acceptance speech is the equivalent of a coronation for the party's new leader with music, a balloon drop and thousands of cheering delegates. The Democratic National Convention is scheduled to begin on Monday, August 17 after being pushed back from its original July date because of the virus. Democratic officials were in the process of planning a virtual gathering but had insisted Biden would travel to Wisconsin to formally accept the party's nomination. In June, plans for a scaled back gathering were announced: state delegates were told not to come to Milwaukee because of the virus, the location was changed to the much smaller Wisconsin Center venue and the party added satellite events around the country. Jill and Joe Biden at the 2016 Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia Delegates wave 'Joe' signs when Biden addressed the 2016 convention at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia Coronavirus deaths across the United States have increased by 36 percent this week with states in the Sunbelt and Midwest seeing the largest weekly spikes. Democrats aren't the only one changes their convention plans. Republicans scrapped holding the main part of their convention in Jacksonville, Florida, after that state saw a spike in coronavirus cases. President Donald Trump is now weighing giving his acceptance speech from the South Lawn of the White House. The Chinese Communist Party is harnessing an online cyber policing portal, accessible in Australia, to increase its international influence, as it encourages Chinese internet users to dob in acts that undermine Beijing's image. Australian universities have been engulfed in a fresh row over academic freedom after co-ordinated protests from nationalist Chinese students forced UNSW to take down social media posts critical of the Chinese Communist Party's actions in Hong Kong. UNSW vice-chancellor Ian Jacobs on Wednesday apologised for the decision, telling staff there was "no excuse for our failure in this instance" and the social media posts should never have been removed. "I apologise for this mistake and reaffirm unequivocally our previous commitment to freedom of expression and academic freedom," he said. The Chinese Communist Party's Cyberspace Administration portal has encouraged Chinese residents to report political crimes online. Credit:Pixhall / Alamy Stock Photo A second Australian educational institution was embroiled in controversy on Wednesday after Charles Darwin University apologised following complaints from Chinese students. The students said an introduction to an assignment was racist after it stated that the coronavirus had originated in China. A 27-year-old woman and a 35-year-old man were arrested in connection with a shooting earlier this week that left a man from Boston dead on King Street in Worcester, police said. Amber Gravel, of Worcester, was charged with being an accessory after the fact to murder. Jacob Grice, of Worcester, was charged with assault and battery by firearm, assault and battery by means of a dangerous weapon resulting in serious bodily injury resulting, unlawfully carrying a firearm, unlawfully carrying a loaded firearm, possession of ammunition without an FID card and drug trafficking. On Monday, a 31-year-old man from Boston was killed in a shooting that occurred in the area of King Street in Worcester, police said. Officers arrived at 38 King St. for a report of gunshots around 5:40 a.m., police said. After arriving, they found a man suffering from gunshot wounds. The victim was treated on scene and taken to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead, police said. Police didnt publicly identify the victim, but authorities said he was not previously known to the Worcester Police Department. The death continues a month-long plaque of gun violence experienced in Worcester. Last week, Worcester police responded to a pair of reports of gunshots within 15 minutes of each others. A few days later on July 30, police responded to five reports of gunfire. Last Monday, Javier Moctezuma was arrested in connection with a July 3 shooting that left Davie Harmon dead and another person injured, police said. Two people were shot on Main Street on July 22, according to police. Earlier that week, on July 20, a 20-year-old man was shot near Pleasant and Piedmont streets. On July 10 one person was shot and two were arrested in an incident on Hope Avenue. On July 9, a man was shot on Mount Pleasant Street. And, a few days before that incident, a 24-year-old man was fatally shot on Almont Avenue. Ricky Gervais poked fun at himself on Twitter on Tuesday as he retweeted a hilarious bath snap alongside a well-groomed photo of himself from his 80s pop career. The fan account had posted the two photos side by side with the caption: 'How the hell does this happen?'. Ricky, 59, seemed to agree with his follower as he decided to post the comparison to his own account. Funny: Ricky Gervais poked fun at himself on Twitter on Tuesday as he retweeted a hilarious bath snap alongside a well-groomed photo of himself from his 80s pop career Ricky's latest bath photo showed the comedian posing shirtless in the bath showing off his beard and hairy chest as he pulled an unflattering face. The 80s throwback photo showed a younger, ambitious Ricky wearing make-up as he posed for a photoshoot in a bid to launch his pop career. Fans commented on the post, saying the Golden Globes presenter looked great and discussed the ageing process. Throwback: The 80s photo showed a younger, ambitious Ricky wearing make-up as he posed for a photoshoot in a bid to launch his pop career Ageing: The fan account had posted the two photos side by side with the caption: 'How the hell does this happen?' One wrote: 'He's real. Not addicted to plastic surgery or air brushing,' while another follower added: 'It'll happen to all of us. It's called a reality of life.' 'I think you have improved with age- you are very handsome- you just love making people laugh with these goofy faces!', chimed another. 'Say what you think about the photos but he looks happier on the right' a fourth fan typed. 'Still sexy though! Admittedly more so in the first picture but @rickygervais could never look bad', another follower commented. Getting older: Fans commented on the post, saying the Golden Globes presenter looked great and discussed the ageing process Ricky began his attempt at a singing career in 1983, during his final year as a student at University College London, Gervais and university friend Bill Macrae formed the new wave pop duo Seona Dancing. They were signed by London Records, which released two of their singles; More to Lose and Bitter Heart. The songs failed to make the UK Singles Chart. He achieved greater mainstream fame the following year with his BBC television mock documentary series, The Office in 2001. Last month, Ricky revealed the third series of After Life will be the last of the hit Netflix sitcom. The comedian delighted fans on Friday when he revealed he had penned a draft for the first episode of the new series. Two series of the dark comedy have been released so far, both to widespread acclaim from critics and viewers. But Ricky told The Mirror: 'I've already made my mind up there won't be a fourth series. 'And you do put those things out there to make you remember as it's tempting but... there's an old saying that "to lead the orchestra, you've got to turn your back on the audience". 'That's true. The audience think they want another one, but they're not sure. So you've got to be careful.' OTTAWA The Pallister and Trudeau governments unveiled a plan in 2018 to finally bring Manitobas internet access up to speed, but it fell apart over an ongoing split within the provinces First Nations. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 4/8/2020 (532 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. OTTAWA The Pallister and Trudeau governments unveiled a plan in 2018 to finally bring Manitobas internet access up to speed, but it fell apart over an ongoing split within the provinces First Nations. Two years later, internal records show the unresolved conflict raises the risk of the province further losing out in a looming federal spend to connect rural Canadians during the COVID-19 pandemic. Grand chief denies conflict of interest OTTAWA Manitobas grand chief rejects the idea he is in a conflict of interest over Ottawas preferred bid for bringing broadband internet to the provinces rural communities. click to read more OTTAWA Manitobas grand chief rejects the idea he is in a conflict of interest over Ottawas preferred bid for bringing broadband internet to the provinces rural communities. The Wekitowak bid has Mathias Colomb Cree Nation as its main Indigenous partner. Arlen Dumas is currently head of the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs, but was recently the local chief of that community. The Cross Lake band, which often asserts its autonomy from larger groupings, alleged in August 2018 the Wekitowak bid contains an institutionalized conflict of interest, as it is linked to Dumas home community. Numerous chiefs supporting the competing Clear Sky bid have quietly cited Dumas involvement for rejecting Wekitowak. Dumas confirmed to the Free Press he was involved in the Wekitowak bid as the former chief of his community, but said he stepped back when he was elected AMC grand chief in July 2017. I immediately formally removed myself from all previous initiatives and community aspects that may lead to the perception of a conflict of interest in any respects upon becoming grand chief, and continue to do so at present, he wrote. Dylan Robertson Close In January 2018, Premier Brian Pallister joined federal Industry Minister Navdeep Bains in announcing a joint $55.5 million in funding to connect 72 remote communities across the province by March 2021. In the weeks before the announcement, Ottawa merged two competing bids, who each had a mix of First Nations support. However, the partnership dissolved within weeks; Ottawa favoured one bidder, prompting swift outcry from some First Nations. Emails exchanged by Industry Canada bureaucrats show staff scrambling to arrange endorsements from chiefs, bands accusing Ottawa of planning infrastructure without local consent, and allegations of Manitobas top chief holding a conflict of interest. "Its caused a lot of division in Manitoba," said Lisa Clarke, who leads one of the two bids, Clear Sky Connections (CSC). Ottawa opted for a competing bid, Wekitowak, which the public service deemed to have a cheaper proposal (Clarke disputes the math). Both aim to piggyback on Manitoba Hydros optic-fibre cables to link remote communities who currently have internet akin to a dial-up connection. In January 2018, Premier Brian Pallister joined federal Industry Minister Navdeep Bains in announcing a joint $55.5 million in funding to connect 72 remote communities across the province by March 2021. (Adrian Wyld / Canadian Press files) Manitobas rural zones have some of the worst internet speeds in Canada. "Northern Manitoba has the worst connectivity in all of Canada," reads an August 2018 report to the top bureaucrat at Industry Canada. Internal records show the Wekitowak project sought $30 million in federal funds for its $62.5-million budget, after having Manitoba Hydro and private investors cover $20 million in expenses. Clarke said CSC planned between $90 million and $150 million, based on connecting more communities, and installing cable in a method that withstands deep freezes and shifting muskeg. The bids differed in how fibre optic would be laid out, and how to pay for the local loop of connections, which by length tend to be more expensive than the main "backhaul" connection. According to Industry Canada reports, the department sided with the cheaper bid, "given that both proposals were similar in terms of benefiting the FN communities in MB, but that were far apart in terms of the amount of funding being requested" and "both proposals were targeting the same FN communities and were both being championed by different Aboriginal representatives." Wekitowak had partnered with Brandon-based firm RFNow, which would cover construction costs and thus a much cheaper option, in exchange for a decade of shared profits. Yet in August 2018, Manitoba chiefs voted unanimously on a resolution to "arrive the support for Clear Sky Connections," saying only that bid has "the mandate to negotiate" with the federal and provincial governments. In June, Rural Economic Development Minister Maryam Monsef said shed launch a $1.7-billion broadband fund "in the coming days," though nothing has been announced. Federal sources say minister is set to announce a major package around mid-August. (Justin Tang / Canadian Press files) Some chiefs felt Wekitowak would be building infrastructure in their territory without their consent. (The group has always allowed chiefs to opt-out of having their communities connected to the backbone network it would be building, and opt for another provider.) Aware of those concerns, Ottawa had tried to smooth things over in late 2017, by merging Wekitowak and CSC under the name Clear Sky Communication. In order to secure provincial and federal funds, bureaucrats got chiefs to endorse the joint venture, navigating a rotating set of band elections to make sure the project had local consent. But the partnership fell apart over disagreements in how much control and work (and thus profit) each of the two would be given. Wekitowak and CSC reverted to their former names within a few months of the funding being announced. Industry Canada documents show this confused chiefs over which partnerships theyd already endorsed some appear to have signed on with each competing bid, as well as the defunct joint one. By the end of summer 2018, Industry Canada offered an external mediator, in a failed attempt to bring the two groups back together. Clarke says both bids spent a decade laying the groundwork, and blames federal bureaucrats for fumbling the project. "It took a long time to get the unity, and then to be pushed into this partnership," she said. All of the ugliness from then until now, has done nothing but hurt the communities that deserve this service. Chris Kennedy Chris Kennedy, who runs RFNow and shepherded the Wekitowak bid, also blames Ottawa for rushing out an announcement on the assumption the unresolved issues would fall into place. "All of the ugliness from then until now, has done nothing but hurt the communities that deserve this service," Kennedy said. Things got worse by the fall of 2018, as bureaucrats struggled to keep the Wekitowak bid going. It had just one-third of Manitoba reserves issuing support in writing a process that often involved flying to a remote community after newly elected council took office. The department organized a phone-in meeting to present Wekitowak to chiefs, and clear up confusing over the different bids. Kennedy and his business partners at Mathias Colomb Cree Nation worked the phones last-minute to drum up interest. Some chiefs pushed back, arguing Wekitowak wasnt lead by Indigenous people. Others took issue with the involvement of Arlen Dumas, who hails from Mathias Colomb and recused himself from the bid when he became the provinces grand chief. "Community support is critical to any project going ahead," reads one senior bureaucrats email. In an early September email to Industry Canada, Bains office requested "to speak with someone urgently about Clear Sky." It is getting hard to be patient with attacks from an entity that will lie, mislead, whatever words should be used. Chris Kennedy The next day, chiefs endorsing Clarke's bid wrote to Pallister and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, accusing Industry Canada of "setting a dangerous precedent" by ignoring their will, and even perpetuating "economic genocide." She claimed Industry Canada bureaucrats were unfairly extending deadlines to allow Wekitowak to fulfill its requirements. That same week, Kennedy expressed dismay at CSC accusing his Wekitowak bid of lacking Indigenous leadership and support. "It is getting hard to be patient with attacks from an entity that will lie, mislead, whatever words should be used," he wrote to the Industry Canada team. At that point, Clarke suggested in an email Ottawa split the cash between the two bids, based on how many communities supported each. Instead, the project came to a standstill by late 2018. 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. For a year-and-a-half, Wekitowaks only progress has been occasional meetings with the department and requests for documents. Separately, CSC has used cash from Indigenous Services Canada to build a fibre-optic link from Thompson to Nisichawayasihk Cree Nation, 80-plus kilometres away. The service should start by October, and CSC is preparing to link five other reserves. Federal sources say Rural Economic Development Minister Maryam Monsef is set to announce a major package around mid-August. Eight weeks ago, Monsef said shed launch a $1.7-billion broadband fund "in the coming days," though nothing has been announced. Federal sources who werent authorized to speak on record say the lack of a clear plan for Manitoba is holding back the announcement. Industry players suspect Ottawa will cancel any existing deals and restart bids for connecting Manitoba communities. They expect separate companies will drive up costs by tapping into the same pool of contractors. dylan.robertson@freepress.mb.ca PVMBG reported that on 5 August an ash plume rose 500 m above Ibu's summit and drifted N. A few hours later the Darwin VAAC reported that an ash plume rose to 4.3 km (14,000 ft) a.s.l., or 2.9 km above the summit. The Alert Level remained at 2 (on a scale of 1-4), and the public was warned to stay at least 2 km away from the active crater, and 3.5 km away on the N side. ... Channel samples returned up to 122 grams/tonne (3.56 oz/ton) gold over a meter Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - August 4, 2020) - FALCON GOLD CORP. (TSXV: FG), (FSE: 3FA) ("Falcon" or the "Company") is pleased to announce it has sampled and confirmed the high-grade gold mineralization on its Spitfire & Sonny Boy project near Merritt, B.C. The Company's field crew completed a preliminary geological investigation on the claims to assess the economic potential of the past producing Master Vein. The Company geologist mapped and channel sampled the Master Vein in a blasted trench and along strike. The highlight sample averaged 59.8 g/t Au (1.74 oz/ton Au) over 2.2 m which included a 1 m interval assaying 122 g/t (3.56 oz/ton) Au. Approximately 125 m southeast along strike, another channel sample of the Master Vein returned a second strong assay of the vein that showed 11.4 g/t Au over 1 meter. A new potential vein structure, the Cliff Vein, was discovered down slope from the Master Vein, approximately 25 meters lower in elevation. A grab sample of the Cliff vein assayed up to 22.8 g/t Au. In addition to the vein and mineralized rock sampling, the geological team conducted a sampling of outcrops throughout the claims. These samples are undergoing whole rock geochemical analyses. These results are pending but will give further insight into the deposit scale and potential for more gold occurrences yet to be discovered. Table of selected assay results from the Spitfire & Sunny Boy Claims 2020 sampling program. Station ID Sample # Sample Type Width (m) Assay (g/t Au) Assay (oz/t Au) Location CH20-01-01 467712 Channel 1.0 122.00 3.56 Master Vein CH20-01-02 467713 Channel 1.2 7.99 0.23 Quartz stringers CH20-02-01 467714 Channel 1.0 11.40 0.33 Master Vein Cliff Vein 467716 Grab n/a 22.80 0.67 Cliff Vein "The Merritt area has a long history of exploration and gold discoveries. Explorers focused on narrow high-grade veins while not seeing the less obvious geological indications of broader mining widths. The Company's field crew has dedicated their work this season to studying the structure and geochemistry. The project continues to impress us as results come in. We believe the Nicola Lake area hosts the makings of a significant new gold camp," states Karim Rayani Falcon's Chief Executive Officer. Story continues The Spitfire & Sunny Boy Project The first recorded discoveries were made on the Spitfire & Sonny Boy claims in 1908, which is currently located in the north east portion of the property claim block. Most of the early exploration focused on quartz veins that hosted gold, copper and silver. High grade gold values have been reported at 124 to 127 g/t Au and 309 to 514 g/t silver ("Ag") in quartz vein material from underground workings by Quilchena Mining and Development Company Ltd. The high-grade veins have been trenched, pitted, blasted, and drilled but have never been commercially mined. The main showing, Master Vein, boasts high-grade gold mineralization up to 50.53 oz/t as sampled by Ken Sanders, P. Eng in 1974. To the south-west of the Sunny Boy Zone in an area referred to as the "AL" showing soil geochemistry, geophysics (magnetometer/VLF), trenching, sampling and diamond drilling have been performed on the mineralized veins. The best drill result was reportedly 3.77 g/t Au, 0.24 % copper, and 32.9 g/t Ag over 13.4 meters. The Spitfire & Sunny Boy discovery has been referred to as an epithermal gold deposit by past operators. The gold zones are hosted within the Quesnellia terrane, characterized by submarine volcanic and volcaniclastic rocks of the Nicola group to the south and the Takla group in the north. The gold mineralization and geological setting of the project bear strong similarities to other developed projects in the region such as the epithermal gold deposits, Prospect Valley and Shovelnose, currently being explored by Westhaven Ventures Inc. Falcon's due-diligence work in 2019 confirmed the presence of gold mineralization along the Master Vein over a 300-meter strike length with samples ranging from 0.33 to 2.74 ounces per ton ("oz/t") Au. Based on the sporadic past exploration, the Company has identified EM and IP geophysics, structural mapping, and excavating large surface blast pits to expose insitu bedrock as the best approach for identifying new mineralized structures for both gold and base metals discoveries. In closing, Karim Rayani comments, "We are keeping a close eye on similar projects in the area. We are noting the success of certain larger operators and the exploration techniques used to delineate gold mineralization along strike. Our next steps are to confirm the extent of gold mineralization at depth. Our discovery of 7.99 g/t Au in the silicified wallrock could open up significant new zones for our pending drill program. Furthermore, the recent acquisition of new claims adding 500 meters of strike length (Previously announced June 4th 2020) will further add to the exploration potential as we continue to press along strike and to depth." Qualified Person The technical content of this news release has been reviewed and approved by Mr. Alex Pleson, P.Geo., who is a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101, Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects. About Falcon Gold Corp. & the Central Canada Gold Mine Project Falcon is a Canadian mineral exploration company focused on generating, acquiring, and exploring opportunities in the Americas. Falcon's flagship project, the Central Canada Gold Mine, is approximately 20 km south east of Agnico Eagle's Hammond Reef Gold Deposit which has Measured & Indicated estimated resources of 208 million tonnes containing 4.5 million ounces of gold. The Hammond Reef gold property lies on the Hammond fault which is a splay off of the Quetico Fault Zone ("QFZ") and may be the control for the gold deposit. The Central Gold property lies on a similar major splay of the QFZ. History of Central Canada gold mine includes; 1901 to 1907 - Shaft constructed to a depth of 12 m and 27 oz of gold from 18 tons using a stamp mill. 1930 to 1934 - Central Canada Mines Ltd. installed a 75 ton per day gold mill. Development work included 1,829 m of drilling and a vertical shaft to a depth of 45 m with about 42 m of crosscuts and drifts on the 100 m level. In December, 1934 the mine had reportedly outlined approximately 230,000 ounces of gold with an average grade of 9.9 g/t Au. 1935 - With the on-going financial crisis of the Great Depression, the Central Canada Mines was unable to fund operations and the mine ceased operations. 1965 - Anjamin Mines completed diamond drilling and in hole S2 returned a 2 ft section of 37.0 g/t Au and hole S3 assayed 44.0 g/t Au across 7 ft. 1985 - Interquest Resources Corp. drilled 13 diamond holes totaling 1,840 m in which a 3.8 ft intersection showed 30.0 g/t Au. 2010 to 2012 - TerraX Minerals Inc. - conducted programs that included line cutting, geological surveys and drilled 363 m. The Company also holds 3 additional projects. The Camping Lake Gold property in Red Lake, a 49% interest in the Burton Gold property with IAMGOLD near Sudbury Ontario, and the Spitfire and Sunny Boy Gold Claims near Merritt, B.C. CONTACT INFORMATION: Falcon Gold Corp. "Karim Rayani" Karim Rayani Chief Executive Officer, Director Email: info@falcongold.ca Telephone: (604) 716-0551 Cautionary Language and Forward-Looking Statements 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, 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. 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/61030 As global warming dials up sea levels and storm surges, the Bay Area will see not only more flooded streets and shorelines, but more traffic, a new study shows, with commuters converging on drier routes and backups rippling sometimes 20 miles or more from the water. The research, released Wednesday by Stanford University scientists, suggests that some of the regions biggest traffic delays from flooding will be in Santa Rosa, Napa and Vacaville, all far from where the flooding occurs. In these areas, with water just a foot higher along San Francisco Bay, as many as half of commuters would face backups of 30 minutes or more within the next 20 years, the study shows. The higher water could result from any combination of long-term sea level rise and periodically strong surf. The projected delays dont bode well for a region thats already socked with congestion. Daily commutes average 30 minutes, and many people drive for much longer to and from work. Shelter-in-place orders during the coronavirus pandemic have provided some relief, but traffic levels already have begun to rebound. John Blanchard Theres this common thinking that coastal flooding will only affect residents and businesses in that area, said Indraneel Kasmalkar, a doctoral student in computational and mathematical engineering at Stanford and lead author of the new traffic study. But the disruptions are going to propagate. These disruptions, the researchers say, are because of the cascading effect of traffic that often makes areas with few major highways more congested, even if theyre far from the trouble spot. Some of the worst areas for flooding in the Bay Area are San Mateo and Marin counties, as a result of low-lying bay shore. While Marin County will see the regions worst traffic delays, according to the study, San Mateo County will have minimal problems because drivers there have more alternative routes. If you think about it, its not really surprising, Kasmalkar said. Its the road network that really is the key. With few options outside of Highway 101 in Marin, more than half of drivers in parts of this county, primarily the San Rafael and Novato areas, would see 30-minute-plus delays with a foot of higher bay water over the next 20 years, the study shows. Other parts of the North Bay would see an only slightly better traffic situation, also because drivers have fewer ways to get around. Liz Hafalia / The Chronicle The new research, published in the journal Science Advances, does not speculate on how often the nuisance flooding will occur. But climate models show that 12 inches of coastal flooding, which the researchers used as their low-end estimate for projecting traffic delays, will become increasingly common. Sea levels alone could rise nearly a foot by 2050 as temperatures climb, many models show. On top of that, high tides and big storms, also partly influenced by climate change, will push water levels occasionally higher, sometimes much more so. If theres 12 inches of sea level rise and 12 inches of storm surge youre already at 2 feet of flooding, and thats not what you were experiencing before, said Jessica Fain, director of planning for the San Francisco Bay Conservation and Development Commission. Fain was not involved in the Stanford study, though her agencys flood maps were used by the researchers to model what traffic would look like with higher water levels. The traffic data used for the modeling were from the Metropolitan Transportation Commission and the U.S. Census Bureau. The study focuses on commutes in private vehicles during morning rush hour. The BCDC has done its own evaluations of how flooding will impact Bay Area traffic. The agencys projections show that 12 inches of higher water would affect 700,000 vehicle trips per day in some way. The analysis looked at areas where the flooding occurred, in contrast to the Stanford study, which looks at the ripple effects beyond. 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. San Francisco, Santa Clara County and most of the East Bay, like San Mateo County, would experience few delays with a foot of flooding over the next two decades, according to the new study. With 3 feet of water, however, which represents a more severe climate scenario but still within the range of expectations, San Francisco, San Mateo County and Santa Clara County would continue to see little additional congestion, though commuters in western Alameda and Contra Costa counties would begin to experience significant delays, the study shows. Along parts of the bay shore, some residents wont even be able to get to work because their route will be cut off with 3 feet of flooding, according to the study. Fain, with the San Francisco Bay Conservation and Development Commission, says the potential for huge transportation problems underscores the need for regionwide preparations. In 2016, Bay Area residents approved a nine-county parcel tax that generates about $25 million annually for restoration projects to help combat rising seas. Efforts to improve more vulnerable transportation corridors, such as Highway 37 in the North Bay, are already under way. Maybe San Francisco can build a seawall and Foster City can build a levee, but we need a regional way to coordinate all this, she said. You cant just do it piecemeal. Kurtis Alexander is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: kalexander@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @kurtisalexander Commenting on the motivations behind what triggered the development of Wai-Eye, prominent Emirati philanthropist, Head of Board at GT and Chairman of Al Otaiba Group of Companies Ahmed Khalaf Al Otaiba said, "The Founding Father of our country, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, was the first to prioritize education because he strongly believed it was an important catalyst to building a modern nation. Following in his path, His Highness Sheikh Khalifa has continued to support education development projects. And now, during this crisis, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed stressed the importance of ensuring the continuity of education as a national duty. This technological innovation is our way of supporting the UAE government's education drive and helping schools reopen responsibly." Over and above the basics of accurately monitoring mask usage, physical distancing and space occupancy, GT's R&D Lab, the creators of this plug-and-play App, have also integrated facial recognition to facilitate automated school attendance, contactless door access, secure child pick up and contact tracing. Talking about the technology, Khadeer Peer Shariff, CEO & Executive Director of GT, said, "Getting future ready is at the heart of our vision. Over the last 2 years our R&D Labs have been testing out various technology-enabled solutions. We were already ahead of the curve in AI technology so when this unprecedented situation presented itself, we were able to respond quickly with a comprehensive tailor-made, cost-effective and easy to deploy solution." Customizable to the needs of the school, Wai-Eye can be set up to generate Compliance and Monitoring reports. Although primarily designed for the use of school authorities and support staff, administrators can also choose to offer access to parents to get alerts on authorized child pick up and estimated time of arrival of school bus via GPS tracking. "In a bid to improve the accuracy of operations like contact tracing, mask detection and occupancy management, schools are currently on the look out for automated data driven solutions. This is where Wai-Eye comes in. We have already started working with school leaders and administrators to help implement their Readiness Plans in time to welcome children back to a safer environment in September," enthused Shariff. Notes to Editors About Wai-Eye Wai-Eye, an AI-based mobile app created by Gibraltar Technologies R&D Lab, is a plug-and-play digital solution enabling educational institutions to comply with Government health and safety protocols to combat COVID-19. Leveraging the institutions' existing CCTV infrastructure, Wai-Eye monitors key parameters including body temperature, mask usage, physical distancing and sanitization processes. The App automates Government required compliance reports and provides real time alerts to parents and administrators, addressing the larger objective of keeping the community safe. https://www.gt.technology/Wai-Eye%20School.pdf About Gibraltar Technologies Formerly HCL Infosystems MEA, Gibraltar Technologies (GT) is a technology company offering AI-based digital solutions. With offices in 7 countries across the Middle East, India, Singapore and the US, GT has over 20 years of experience and expertise providing IT solutions for Fortune 500 companies. The company's client base also includes large Government organizations and financial institutions. As an enterprise committed to creating solutions for the future, GT continues to invest in its R&D Labs focused on 3 IT specializations: Digital Mobility, Robotics and AI. www.gt.technology LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/gibraltar-technologies-llc/ Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1219872/Gibraltar_Technologies.jpg For further information contact: PR Shereen Saif +97150 754 3528 [email protected] SOURCE Gibraltar Technologies L.L.C Related Links https://www.gt.technology By Ben Blanchard and Yimou Lee TAIPEI (Reuters) - U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Alex Azar will visit Taiwan in coming days, his office said on Tuesday, making the highest-level visit by a U.S. official in four decades - a move that angered China, which claims the island as its own. Azar's visit will worsen already poor Beijing-Washington relations, inflamed over trade, the pandemic and human rights, even as democratic Taiwan has welcomed the show of support in the face of unrelenting Chinese pressure. During his visit, Azar will meet with President Tsai Ing-wen, Taiwan's Foreign Ministry said, which may infuriate China further. "Taiwan has been a model of transparency and cooperation in global health during the COVID-19 pandemic and long before it," Azar said in a statement. "I look forward to conveying President Trump's support for Taiwan's global health leadership and underscoring our shared belief that free and democratic societies are the best model for protecting and promoting health." His department, describing the trip as "historic", said Azar would be accompanied by Mitchell Wolfe, chief medical officer of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and other members of the administration. Taiwan Health Minister Chen Shih-chung, who will also meet Azar, said he was looking forward to the visit. "It also greatly boosts our global status in public health," Chen told reporters. "This is a major step forward." But China denounced the trip, saying it opposed any official interactions between the United States and Taiwan and had lodged "stern representations" with Washington. "Taiwan is the most important and sensitive issue in Sino-U.S. relations," Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said in Beijing. Taiwan has been especially grateful for U.S. support for its requests to get meaningful access to the World Health Organization during the pandemic. Story continues Taiwan is not a member because of Chinese objections; Beijing considers the island merely one of China's provinces. Taiwan has denounced Chinese efforts to block its access, though Beijing says the island has been given the help it needs. U.S. President Donald Trump signed a new law in March requiring increased support for Taiwan's international role. China threatened unspecified retaliation in response. The United States, like most countries, has no formal diplomatic ties with Taiwan, having ditched Taipei in favour of Beijing in 1979, but is its main arms supplier and strongest backer on the international stage. Gina McCarthy, then-head of the Environmental Protection Agency, was the last U.S. Cabinet-level official to visit Taiwan, in 2014. Her position is technically lower-ranking than Azar's. Taiwan has won praise for its response to the coronavirus pandemic, having kept its case numbers low due to effective and early prevention steps. The United States has more coronavirus cases and deaths than any other country. (Reporting by Ben Blanchard and Yimou Lee; Additional reporting by Yew Lun Tian in Beijing; Editing by Simon Cameron-Moore and Gerry Doyle) Assistant Superannuation Minister Jane Hume says the government has no plans to backflip on increasing the super guarantee, but concedes the decision will be "controversial" amid opposition from a group of government backbenchers. Compulsory superannuation contributions are legislated to increase incrementally from 9.5 per cent to 12 per cent starting from next year, which would add up to $20 billion a year to superannuation funds to assist workers in retirement. Senator Jane Hume is hearing from a diverse group that the legislated super guarantee increase should not go ahead. Credit:Wayne Taylor Ms Hume said "unwinding something that is already legislated is a very difficult thing to do but, particularly in this environment, there will be much pressure to do so". A group of Liberal backbenchers, including first-term MPs Katie Allen and Dave Sharma, Jason Falinski and former ministers Eric Abetz and Barnaby Joyce, have all voiced opposition to lifting the rate in the current economic climate. Others, including Andrew Bragg and John Alexander, have pushed for significant changes to the existing super system, including allowing more early access to allow home buyers to use retirement funds to pay for property deposits. (Bloomberg Opinion) -- More than a hundred dead, thousands injured and hundreds of thousands rendered homeless: The human toll of the massive explosions in Beirut on Tuesday demands an immediate response from the rest of the world. It is no exaggeration to say that many will die, or be permanently maimed, if succor doesnt come quickly. But the tragedy also puts the worlds leaders and lenders on the horns of a familiar dilemma: How to help a stricken people without empowering their shady and sinister rulers? The quandary was raised recently in Iran, when the government of the Islamic Republic sought $5 billion from the International Monetary Fund to deal with the coronavirus outbreak. At the time, I argued that the regime in Tehran could not be trusted with cash: The risk was too great that the money would be siphoned into Irans well-established program of spreading terrorism and sectarian violence across the Middle East. Better to offer material help food, medicine, doctors and nurses instead. Tellingly, the Iranian government insisted on cash, which it has not received, and chose to let its people suffer rather than accept Western offers of non-monetary assistance. It has since tried to conceal the extent of the coronavirus crisis by fudging the figures. The real death toll may be more than three times higher than announced. Lebanon, for all its political dysfunction and economic chaos, is for the most part an open society. The government of Prime Minister Hassan Diab will gladly accept offers of assistance from all comers with the possible exception of Israel. Rescue and relief groups from all over the world are on their way to Beirut. Food and other emergency supplies will be arriving, as well. But the profoundly corrupt political elite that runs the country will not miss this opportunity to ask for money too. And therein lies the dilemma. Theres no question Lebanon will need the cash. Beirut has suffered enormous physical damage: The citys governor estimates it will cost between $3 billion and $5 billion to repair. Story continues Under normal circumstances, the Lebanese diaspora could be relied upon to pick up much of the tab. But in recent months, the parlous state of the Lebanese economy and especially the collapse of its currency has prompted many to take their money out of the country. They will send cash back in to support friends and family, but investing in reconstruction requires a faith in the management of the economy and confidence in the banking system that doesnt currently exist. As with Iran, there is a danger that aid money will be diverted from its intended purpose whether to line the pockets of Lebanons famously venal politicians, or worse, furnish the coffers of Hezbollah, which acts as Irans catspaw across the region. Fear of money falling into the hands of Hezbollah has kept the Gulf Arab states from bailing Lebanon out of its current economic crisis, as they have in the past. That leaves the IMF, which even before Tuesdays tragedy was in talks with the Diab government for a $10 billion loan. But those negotiations had stalled over the governments inability to agree on an economic reform plan. Economy Minister Raoul Nehme was being optimistic when he said he might get half that amount last week. The IMF might now be willing to talk of a larger sum, to incorporate Beiruts reconstruction needs. But the risk of misuse may be greater in the chaos following the blasts, so it should be even more insistent on transparency. The scale of the tragedy should shake the government and the entire political class into its senses about the need for reforms. Even Hezbollah, surely, must now recognize that a bailout, with strings attached, is inevitable and urgent. At a bare minimum, the government should allow a system of international supervision of how reconstruction money is spent. Failure to secure assistance at a moment when there is so much sympathy for Lebanon would be disastrous. The world wants to help the Lebanese. The politicians in Beirut must help us help them. This column does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the editorial board or Bloomberg LP and its owners. Bobby Ghosh is a Bloomberg Opinion columnist. He writes on foreign affairs, with a special focus on the Middle East and the wider Islamic world. For more articles like this, please visit us at bloomberg.com/opinion Subscribe now to stay ahead with the most trusted business news source. 2020 Bloomberg L.P. Kolkata: Urging political parties to refrain from dragging army into politics, senior congress leader Sachin Pilot asked both the TMC government in West Bengal and the BJP government at the Centre not to indulge in petty politics over functioning of the armed forces. "Army should not be dragged into politics. Army fights for the nation, sacrifices their life for the safety and security of our country," Pilot told reporters in Kolkata. "If the army was doing the checking without informing the state, then defence minister should make a statement and if the army has done the checking after informing the state, then the state government should come out clean on why they are making such statements. I would request both TMC and BJP not to drag army into politics," Pilot, a former Union minister, said. The row over Army taking over road toll plazas in West Bengal today echoed in Parliament with TMC seeing "sinister" designs behind the move and the government vehemently denying the charge, saying it was a routine exercise conducted in full knowledge of the local authorities. The issue was raised in both Houses of Parliament with main opposition Congress too seeking clarification on the army deployment at 19 toll plazas in West Bengal. In Lok Sabha, defence minister Manohar Parrikar termed it a "routine exercise not unique to West Bengal" and saying that similar operations to collect information on heavy vehicle movement that can be used during national emergencies was conducted in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Jharkhand. West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee continued to stay put at the state secretariat on Friday protesting against army presence at toll plazas in several places of the state and asked whether it was an "army coup". For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 5) wo Filipinos were killed and more than 20 were injured in a massive explosion that ripped through Lebanon's capital Beirut, the Department of Foreign Affairs said on Wednesday. Undersecretary Sarah Arriola said the two who died were in their employers' homes during the explosion on Tuesday in Port of Beirut. The other Filipinos who were hurt were also household workers. Meanwhile, a domestic worker remains missing following the blast that sent a shockwave that caused massive destruction to property and buildings across a radius of several kilometers. In a latest development, Arriola said that all the 11 missing Filipino seafarers from the explosion have been found alive. The seafarers were onboard the MV Orient Queen cruise when the explosion happened. The DFA said the ship was just 400 meters away from the blast site. Aside from the one missing seafarer, DFA said the other missing Filipino is a domestic worker. The official said they are working to repatriate Filipinos who wish to go home. There are over 31,000 Filipinos in the war-torn country, mostly undocumented workers. The DFA is planning to repatriate 230 Filipinos over the weekend, including the remains of those killed in the explosion. "We stand ready to bring everyone home. Ang handa nang umuwi, pauuwiin na sila. Ang maiiiwan, gagawin natin ang makakaya para mapauwi sila. We see that we have to fastrack the repatriation," she said in an online media briefing. [Translation: We are ready to bring everyone home. Those who have complete documents and ready to go home will be brought home. For those who can't leave yet, we will work hard to bring you home. We see that we have to fasttrack the repatriation.] Meanwhile, the Department of Labor and Employment said that the families of the victims were already notified of the situation and necessary assistance will be extended to them. The next of kin of those who died have been duly notified and the necessary assistance is being extended to the family for the immediate repatriation of the dead OFWs to their families in the country, said Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III in a statement. We shall expedite the release of appropriate insurance and OWWA (Overseas Workers Welfare Administration) benefits for all victims of the tragedy. The explosion killed at least 80 people and wounded over 4,000 people, Lebanese Health Minister Hamad Hassan told Reuters. It's still unclear what caused the blast. Lebanon's Prime Minister Hassan Diab said that 2,750 tons of ammonium nitrate, a highly explosive material used in fertilizers and bombs, had been stored for six years at a port warehouse without safety measures, "endangering the safety of citizens," according to a statement. Lebanese officials have not called the explosion an attack. Kanye West withdrew his petition to get into New Jersey's presidential ballot. New Jersey officials are challenging West to prove the validity of its nominating petition on Monday. According to the email chain between the judge and West's campaign email address, the rapper withdrew his appeal to appear as a presidential candidate in the ballot in New Jersey. An unidentified person wrote from a Kanye 2020 address to Administrative Law Judge Gail Cookson that West wants to drop his appearance on New Jersey's Ballot. Kanye 2020 email said on Monday, "At this time, Kanye 2020 has no further option than to regrettably withdraw from New Jersey and cease further efforts to place Mr. West's name on the New Jersey ballot." Meanwhile, judge Cookson accepted the withdrawal on Tuesday, as per ABC News. Cookson wrote that he would consider the email as a request for a withdrawal of West's petition to have a spot for the nomination of president of the United States in the state of New Jersey. Last month, the election law attorney Scott Salmon objected to the petition of Kanye West. Salmon urged that West's appeal failed to pass the legal muster due to incomplete signatures, and some signatures West provided were very similar in handwriting. The registered Democrat, Scott Salmon, brought the complaint on his behalf and positively reacted to the news that West had withdrawn. telling that he is glad that West's campaign realized that their petition was deficient and not worth defending. "It sort of highlights that it shouldn't have been submitted in the first place," Salmon said in a phone interview. According to MSN, the administrative judge said the campaign had not properly withdrawn West's candidacy despite the email sent for West's decision to bow out. Judge Cookson ordered to dismiss Kanye's petitions due to unfollowed basic requirements of New Jersey election law. West previously won ballot spots in six states, and two of those petitions are in dispute. Failing to be on the ballot of New Jersey adds another hurdle for West's presidential bid. Kanye's departure is said to leave the presidential race in New Jersey with six independent candidates. The petition in New Jersey was submitted last week with over 1,300 signatures. West only needs 800 to get on the ballot as an independent candidate. Wherein Scott Salmon complained to the state election officials that many signatures were invalid, and West's petition should be rejected. In West's appeal, he included names like old Farley and Baby Raw, from Toms River. On the other hand, West filed to appear on the West Virginia ballot yesterday. Kanye had an estimated 14,800 signatures before the midnight deadline as related by the spokesperson for the Secretary of State in West Virginia to Fox News. West needs 7,144 registered voters to complete the required signatures and get on the ballot in the state. The rapper also filed to be on the ballot in Arkansas and Vermont yesterday, where his running mate Michelle Tidball appeared for the first time in Vermont. Check these out: Netflix's Top 10 Most Popular Movies Naya Rivera's Death Certificate Says She Died Within Minutes Selena Gomez Explains Why She's Been Off Social Media Lately With support from Russian officials and the Orthodox Church, Syria will begin construction on a replica of the Hagia Sophia that will serve as an Orthodox cathedral, according to the Lebanese Al-Modon news website. The decision follows a controversial order by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan last month to reconvert the Hagia Sophia, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Istanbul that was built in 537, into a mosque. Erdogans decree followed a ruling by the Council of State, Turkeys highest administrative court. The Hagia Sophia was built as a cathedral in what was then Constantinople; after Constantinople fell to the Ottoman Empire in 1453, it became a mosque. In 1935, it was turned into a museum. Russia will help fund a scaled-down version of the cathedral in the western Syrian province of Hama. Syria, unlike Turkey, is a country that clearly shows the possibility of peaceful and positive interfaith dialogue, Russian legislator Vitaly Milonov told the RIA Novosti news agency. President Bashar al-Assad would never transfer a cathedral from one denomination to another. This is some kind of madness. The decision to build a replica was sparked by a statement by Nabel Abdullah, the commander of the National Defense Forces militia, who first sought approval to build the church from Bishop Nicola Baalbaki, the Greek Orthodox metropolitan of Hama, according to the Lebanese news site. Abdullah has donated the land for the church in the city of Suqaylabiyah, an area with a large Greek Orthodox population. Why it matters: The Hagia Sophia was designated a World Heritage site by UNESCO in 1985. For almost a millennium, it stood as the largest cathedral in all of Christendom and became a symbol of Christendom and the city itself. Erdogan has for years called for the building to be reconverted into a mosque. The issue of deciding the purpose of Hagia Sophia is about the sovereign rights of Turkey, he said at a news conference last month. But the decision was met with unease in Moscow; Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko told the Interfax news agency that while the Hagia Sophia is in Turkey, without any exaggeration it is a common heritage. Russia has a history of using soft power to achieve its goal of peace and stability in the region, said Alexander Bick, a global fellow at the Wilson Center. Bick cited Moscows cultural efforts in Syria as a means to strengthen relations with Damascus, including the 2016 Russian orchestra performance at the ruins of Palmyra in Syria that took place only two months after the site was recaptured from the Islamic State. This is Russia showing that it can take actions across a variety of different domains, military, economic, and in this case cultural, in its relationship with Syria, he told Al-Monitor. Russia has supported the Syrian government against Turkish-backed rebels in the western part of the country through the nations ongoing civil war. A shaky cease-fire brokered by Turkey and Russia in March has been mostly holding. Whats next: In a July 13 call between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Erdogan, the Turkish president noted that access to the Hagia Sophia would still be allowed for anyone to visit, including foreign nationals, and he vouched for the safety of sacred Christian items. Two weeks later, Erdogan recited from the Quran and sat front and center as thousands attended Friday prayers at the site, the first such prayers in 85 years. Russia will begin site preparation on Syrias scaled down version of the cathedral in August, according to Global Construction Review. Know more: Correspondent Matt Hanson examines Erdogans efforts to promote interfaith dialogue across the country despite a mounting international outcry over the reconversion of the Hagia Sophia. The Coalition of Domestic Election Observers (CODEO) says it has observed that a fundamental challenge in the compilation of the new voters register is the widespread abuse of the guarantor system. CODEO added that the lack of due diligence in the application of that protocol threatens the legality of the guarantor system. Aside from the National Identification Card (Ghana Card) or the Ghana passport being acceptable documents for registering onto the voters' register, two persons who have already been captured on the new register can vouch for others to register. CODEO which has deployed 100 observers for the mass registration says, it is appalled by the level of abuse of this particular arrangement. Project Manager at CODEO, Rhoda Osei Afful, who spoke on Eyewitness News said, despite some other successes chalked in the exercise, the indiscriminate use of guarantors remains a major setback. One of the issues that we found was the abuse of the processes. First is the abuse of the voucher or guarantor system. The EC requires that people come to the registration centre with either a Ghana card or Passport. In the absence of these two documents, people must come with two people who have already registered to guarantee for them. The expectation is that the people who are vouching for others should know such people because by vouching, they consent that one is a Ghanaian who is eligible to register. So this is the expectation that people are supposed to have to guarantee for others. In expressing shock, Rhoda Osei Afful continued by saying that silence of political parties and their agents makes the situation even more worrying. We noticed that, in some instances, people were just guaranteeing for people that they didnt know from anywhere. In some instances, it was as serious that the forms had already been filled. This is not acceptable because it is a violation of the law. It makes it possible for people who are not eligible to be registered, simply because someone has made his or her services available. We also noted that the political parties and their agents were also comfortable with this situation. They are interested in making sure that as many people they suspect to be comfortable with their interest are registered. This was one thing we were not quite enthused about. A few days ago, the electoral management body disclosed that it had begun prosecuting persons who guaranteed for non-eligible persons. It cautioned Ghanaians to be wary of persons they guarantee for and ensure that they only guarantee for persons they personally know. The exercise is expected to end on Thursday, August 6, 2020. ---citinewsroom Sonakshi Sinha shared a gorgeous photo of herself on Instagram, in which she was seen sporting perfect curls. Gulshan Devaiah took the opportunity to tease her and commented, Guess who else has curly hair??, followed by a number of grinning emojis. He quickly added, actually dont guess no dont guess. In response to Gulshan, Sonakshi said that the names of two boss girls came to mind - Taapsee Pannu and Huma Qureshi. She also asked if he was trying to spark a fire and wrote, @gulshandevaiah78 i can only think of 2 #BossGirls - @iamhumaq and @taapsee. gulshan are you being a chingari (spark)????? Gulshan seemed to be making a reference to Kangana Ranaut, who is known for her curly hair. While Sonakshis father Shatrughan Sinha has supported Kangana as she launched a campaign against movie mafia, Sonakshi has not commented on the issue. However, she has shared cryptic posts after Sushant Singh Rajputs death, slamming certain people trying to garner publicity and highlight THEIR issues using the death of a member of our fraternity. More recently, Sonakshi lauded Taapsee for her dignified response to Kanganas comments against her. Proud of you @taapsee! The dignity, maturity and integrity with which you have responded has my respect and I am sure of most others too. More power to you, she wrote in her Instagram stories. Also read: Shweta Nanda tells brother Abhishek Bachchan to hang in there as he remains hospitalised for Covid-19 Saqib Saleem also teased Sonakshi, pointing out her resemblance to his sister, Huma. Hi Huma, he wrote in the comments section. Sonakshi replied asking him to not be jealous: @saqibsaleem ya shes anyway more my sister than urs... dont be J. In June, Sonakshi deactivated her Twitter account to protect herself from the hate being directed at star kids after Sushants death. She later wrote on Instagram that she was better off without the negativity and wished her trolls lots of love and healing. Sonakshi will be seen next in Bhuj: The Pride of India alongside Ajay Devgn, Sanjay Dutt and Nora Fatehi. The film will be directly released on the streaming platform Disney+ Hotstar. Follow @htshowbiz for more Barge hits I-676 ramp to I-76 in Center City Philadelphia, closing road to traffic during morning commute. Remains of heavy rain from Tropical Storm Isaias that passed over Philadelphia on Tuesday left its damage on Wednesday morning August 5, 2020. Read more Of course an unmoored barge was pinned beneath one of Philadelphias prime pieces of interstate highway on Wednesday. Of course this happened because a tropical storm of biblical wrath had, the day before, turned suburban yards into whitewater rapids, and sent tornadoes tearing through Shore points. Its all, officially, topsy-turvy: 2020 is a year so twisted, so out of whack, so impossibly insane and becoming more so with each passing day, that we may be forgiven for thinking we are losing our marbles with every new, unwelcome calamity. We are not hallucinating. I think. Also really happening: the coronavirus pandemic; political and social unrest on a massive scale; mass unemployment; no hugs for Grandma for fear of killing her with COVID-19; no vaccine for the disease that has killed more than 150,000 Americans since March; little to no in-person school for millions of children as autumn nears, due to said disease; no idea how parents will stay employed or keep their kids from rotting on the couch while, it is hoped, all remain alive; a presidential election in which the incumbent appears unwilling, should he lose, to vacate the premises. So much adventure. And all just an appetizer for the whopper that came Tuesday. THE STORM: Isaias rolled up the Atlantic Coast and woke us up at 7:30 or so in the morning with tornado warnings. We rushed to our basements as skies turned a greenish hue. Then came the deluge. The heavens tore open and dumped unholy quantities of water onto the Pennsylvania suburbs, which were the worst hit by the wet part of this brutal storm. In South Jersey, the winds were the worst; at the Shore, power went out on vacationers, and even some tornadoes made devastating appearances. Flooding followed, even as the sun tried to whitewash previously ferocious skies with a sudden, flashy, bright late-afternoon change of mood. THE BARGE: So yeah. Then the barge thing happened. I did a triple take after first spying the unbelievable Twitter dispatch Tuesday night. A barge on the Schuylkill got loose in the torrent unleashed by the storm. It came to a rest apparently wedged beneath the I-676 highway overpass that threads straight down Vine Street and past all the shiny high-rises of downtown Philadelphia. The highway was closed Wednesday as officials tried to figure out if the overpass was structurally safe. Did I mention the rainfall totals that caused the Schuylkill to be so unbridled? NOAH WOULD BE LIKE, WHOA!: Released by the National Weather Service on Wednesday morning, the tallies of destruction brought both comfort (I wasnt imagining that weather nightmare!) and despair (How long will this real-life nightmare that is 2020 go on? I mean, really?) Doylestown: 4.34 inches. West Chester: 6.61 inches. St. Davids: 7.48 inches. Collegeville: 8 inches. Bala Cynwyd: 6.43 inches. Wynnewood: 8.59 inches. That Wynnewood rainfall doozy the highest in our region corresponds with the amount of water that would produce 9.3 feet of snow in winter. These are the-gods-are-angry levels of vengeance, on top of our pandemic. Its too much. The barge, at first blush on Twitter, seemed hoax-y. I had to read the early Tweets over and over to believe them. But yep a real-life barge was stuck under a real-life highway, thanks to the real-life tropical storm that turned peoples real-life homes into straw huts in a monsoon. As my colleague Will Bunch wearily Tweeted while the wayward vessel continued to capture headlines in the light of day Wednesday: We are all the unsecured barge on the Schuylkill River. I made my way into Center City anyhow. I dialed up my Philly-cabdriver-level street-detour moves (my own internal Waze) and made it into town without coming within a mile of that mess. I parked along a curb in the historic district and headed to a doctors appointment. Even that, though, felt unreal. Independence Hall, normally a locus of sweat-drenched tourists from around the world this time of year, was instead a ghost town. There were no lines outside awaiting tours. Here, too, months of COVID-19 concerns had taken their toll. A few hours later on my way back to the car and out of town, I saw a cluster of young moms pushing baby strollers into Washington Square Park. I saw a woman on a towel doing workout squats. A man on a bench in a suit and tie looked utterly out of place in a city whose skyscrapers remain largely empty. Like I said, topsy-turvy. Pinch me. Im still not convinced any of this is real. Former Obama administration deputy attorney general Sally Yates will testify before the Senate Judiciary Committee this morning. The Committee chairman, Senator Lindsey Graham, has said her appearance might provide insight into the Russiagate probe i.e., the Obama administrations monitoring of Donald Trump and his campaign as well as into the abuse of FISA-surveillance powers. I suspect the testimony will be a dud, although there is some intrigue to it. Yates became acting attorney general when AG Loretta Lynch stepped down toward the end of the Obama administration. She was thus present at the important January 5, 2017, Oval Office meeting, when she and the FBIs then-director, James Comey, met with President Obama, Vice President Biden, and Susan Rice, Obamas national-security adviser. The meeting centered around a scheme to withhold from the incoming Trump administration information about the Trump-Russia investigation whats now often called Russiagate because of its similarity to Watergate-era domestic spying, part of what led to President Nixons resignation to stave off impeachment. Yates stayed on as acting AG in the early days of the Trump administration, but she was quickly fired for insubordination when she declined to enforce the new presidents travel-restriction order. Prior to that, it was she who informed Trumps then-White House counsel, Don McGahn, that, on January 24, the FBI had interviewed retired Army general Michael Flynn, then Trumps national-security adviser, in connection with Flynns late December 2016 conversation with Russian ambassador Sergey Kislyak. Committee Republicans expect to home in on three aspects of Yates tenure: The fact that the FBI informed President Obama of the Flynn-Kislyak call before Yates learned about it at the January 5 Oval Office meeting; her role in the Flynn investigation; and her approval of the second application for a FISA-surveillance warrant against Carter Page. Story continues None of this will be very illuminating because, for the most part, we already know Yatess version of events. She was interviewed by the FBI in connection with the Mueller investigation. When the Justice Department moved to dismiss the charge against General Flynn earlier this year, included in its motion was the extensive report summarizing Yatess interview (see the motion, Exhibit 4). Furthermore, in 2017, Yates testified before the Senate Judiciary Committee and was interviewed by the House Intelligence Committee regarding some of these matters. While the January 5 meeting itself has sinister overtones, there is nothing significant about the fact that Obama knew about the Flynn-Kislyak call before Yates did, even though the FBI reports to the Justice Department. On January 4, Comeys then-deputy, Andrew McCabe, provided a briefing about the call to Mary McCord, then the head of DOJs National Security Division, with the expectation that she would brief Yates. Apparently not realizing Yates was scheduled to meet with the president on the morning of January 5, McCord scheduled the briefing for that afternoon. The information was not kept from Yates indeed, Comey and Obama freely discussed it in front of Yates (and Biden and Rice) in the Oval Office. Her failure to be up to speed is explained by a scheduling snafu at the Justice Department, not by anything devious. (McCords FBI interview is Exhibit 3 in the Justice Departments motion to dismiss Flynns case, linked above.) After the Trump administration took power on January 20, 2017, Yates is said to have believed that the FBI should notify McGahn, the new presidents White House counsel, about the bureaus investigation of Flynn. She got angry on January 24, when she called Comey to instruct him to notify McGahn about the bureaus desire to interview Flynn . . . only to learn that it was too late Comey had already dispatched two agents (Peter Strzok and Joe Pientka) to interview Flynn at his White House office. Yates and McCord subsequently went to the White House to tell McGahn that the interview had taken place. On the FISA issue, Yates will undoubtedly say that it is not the attorney generals job to vet a FISA application to ensure that the probable-cause information provided by the FBI is verified, corroborated, and accurate. She will say that Congress requires the AGs sign-off on an application to make sure that the Justice Department believes all the legal requirements of the statute have been met. Having been a federal prosecutor for many years, and having worked on high-profile investigations, I believe it was a dereliction of duty for top DOJ officials to have approved the Trump-Russia warrants before carefully examining them and making certain that their factual allegations were reliable. The investigation, implicating the president of the United States, was extraordinarily significant and sensitive. Every responsible supervisor I ever worked for in the Justice Department would have demanded to be fully informed before proceeding in court on such a matter. That said, though, it is true that, during the investigative phase of a case (i.e., before any charges are filed), Justice Department lawyers heavily rely on the FBIs assessment of the reliability of sources and their information. The intrigue regarding Yates involves her role in the investigation of the Trump campaign and, later, of the Trump administration. In its Flynn-case submissions, the Justice Department has portrayed Yates as something of a dupe, shifting responsibility for investigative irregularities to a small group of upper-echelon FBI officials during Comeys tenure. I am not convinced. The goal of the Obama White House and the FBI was to continue the investigation after Trump took office. That could not have happened without the cooperation of Yates, who transitioned into the Trump administration as the nations top law-enforcement official (and was planning to remain in that slot until Jeff Sessions was confirmed as AG). Yates may not have been briefed early about the Flynn-Kislyak communications, but she was fully informed about them, and Obama and Comey had no hesitation about discussing with her the absurd suggestion of charging Flynn under the Logan Act and the plan to withhold information from the incoming Trump administration. Moreover, while Yates may have been angered by Comeys violation of protocol in sending agents to interview Flynn without getting pre-approval from Yates and McGahn, she ended up supporting the Flynn investigation. In informing McGahn about it, she speciously suggested that Flynns communications with Kislyak had been inappropriate and potentially illegal. Memorably, when Yates was fired by Trump, she was lauded for her insubordination by Andrew Weissmann, the high-ranking Obama Justice Department official and overt Hillary Clinton supporter who became Robert Muellers top deputy on the Trump-Russia special-counsel investigation. In a highly politicized Justice Department, Yates knew which side she was on. More from National Review Government Model Senior Secondary Smart School at Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) here was shut down on Wednesday after a computer teacher tested positive for Covid-19. Those who came in contact with the employee have been told to self-quarantine. School principal Sanjeev Thapar confirmed that they have informed the health department and the school will remain closed for the week. All the teachers have been coming to the school on rotational basis to distribute textbooks, conduct online classes, and in the last 15 days, many of them visited the premises to handover character certificates to the students who cleared the Class 12 board exams. Thapar said, For the last five days, the computer teacher was not coming to school and informed that he is having fever. On getting tested, he was found suffering from mild symptoms of Covid-19. The teacher has been home quarantined for 14 days by the health department and his family members have also been tested and their reports have turned out negative. We are taking all precautionary measures and other teachers have been asked to work from home. A message has been sent to all the staff including teachers, Class IV employees today to stay at home and there is no need to visit the school this week. The teachers have been asked to conduct the online classes from home. A granddaughter has slammed 'selfish' coronavirus-infected Victorians who fail to self-isolate after both her grandparents died from COVID-19 in a matter of days. Jackie Micallef lost her grandmother Carmen after she contracted the deadly virus in an aged care home amid a horror second wave of coronavirus infections in Victoria. Ms Micallef and her family were dealt another cruel blow just 31 hours later when her grandfather Charlie died in hospital from COVID-19. 'It's completely surreal what we're feeling,' Ms Micallef told Today on Wednesday morning. 'We just come to terms with our grandmother and our, you know, mother passing away. Jackie Micallef lost her grandparents Carmen and Charlie (pictured) in just 31 hours. The pair contracted the coronavirus in separate clusters 'And then a couple of days later, the same thing happened with our grandfather and we just are pretty numb and shocked to say the least.' Charlie had been in hospital for an unrelated health issue for about a month before he tested positive to coronavirus. The family were shocked by the news of his death as his condition rapidly deteriorated in a matter of minutes. 'On the morning that he passed away, 15 minutes before he passed, he was up and talking to nurses, asking for water and then 15 minutes later, he's gone,' Ms Micallef said. 'Like, it just happened so quickly that we didn't see it coming really.' The family did not get the opportunity to farewell the Carmen and Charlie before their death's but had been lucky enough to speak over the phone in their final weeks. Jackie Micallef slammed 'selfish' coronavirus-infected Victorians who fail to self-isolate. 'If you've tested positive for the virus and you're outside, you're being selfish and your actions directly affect others like my grandparents' Ms Micallef implored Victorians who have tested positive to COVID-19 to self-isolate and stop the spread of the virus. 'Don't be selfish. If you've tested positive for the virus and you're outside, you're being selfish and your actions directly affect others like my grandparents,' she said. 'So it's really life or death the consequences of those actions.' Victoria recorded 439 new coronavirus infections on Tuesday - the state's 30th consecutive day of a triple-digit increase. The state's death toll jumped to 147 - and the national figure to 232 - after another 11 coronavirus patients died. There are 1,186 active coronavirus cases linked to aged care and 731 active cases among health care workers. Ms Micallef said Victoria's COVID-19 crisis has exposed problems in the private aged care sector but she did not blame individual workers for her grandparent's deaths. 'It's really highlighted the deficiencies in the system,' she said. 'We don't begrudge those particular staff members or that facility, it is a more widespread issue that needs to be addressed.' Anger mounted in Lebanon on Wednesday as rescuers searched for survivors of a cataclysmic explosion at Beirut port that wreaked destruction across the city, killing at least 113 people, wounding thousands and plunging crisis-striken Lebanon further into the abyss. The blast on Tuesday, apparently triggered by a fire igniting 2,750 tonnes of ammonium nitrate fertiliser left unsecured in a warehouse of Beirut port, was heard as far as Cyprus, some 150 miles (240 kilometres) away. It struck the Lebanese capital like an earthquake, with dozens still missing on Wednesday, thousands of people left destitute and thousands more cramming into overwhelmed hospitals for treatment. One doctor, his own head bandaged like those of his patients, described the scene as "Armageddon". "Wounded people bleeding out in the middle of the street, others lying on the ground in the hospital courtyard," said Dr Antoine Qurban outside Hotel Dieu Hospital in central Beirut. And as volunteers led the clear-up effort, public outrage mounted over how such a vast haul of highly combustible material -- sometimes used for homemade bombs -- had been stored next to a densely populated area for at least six years. The government vowed to investigate and cabinet urged the military to place those responsible for storing the substance under house arrest. But Lina Daoud, a 45-year-old resident of the devastated Mar Mikhail district where the explosion had strewn bodies in the street, blasted the country's politicians as "enemies of the state". "They killed our dreams, our future," she said. "Lebanon was a heaven, they have made it hell." An initial explosion and fire at the port had sent many people to balconies and rooftops where they were filming when the fertiliser exploded, sending out a massive shockwave across the city. In an instant, the blast left destruction likened to that caused by the country's 1975-1990 civil war, levelling buildings several hundred metres (yards) away. City mayor Abboud said the devastation may have left 300,000 people temporarily homeless, adding to the cash-strapped country's economic misery with an estimated $3 billion in damages. "Even in the worst years of the civil war, we didn't see so much damage over such a large area," said analyst Kamal Tarabey. - Warnings ignored - The disaster came with Lebanon already on its knees with a months-long economic crisis and currency devaluation sparking spiralling poverty even before the coronavirus pandemic hit. The embattled government of Prime Minister Hassan Diab vowed that "those responsible for this catastrophe will pay the price". The ammonium nitrate had been stored in a rundown port warehouse with cracks in its walls, officials told AFP. Security forces launched an investigation in 2019 after the warehouse started to exude a strange odour, concluding the "dangerous" chemicals needed to be removed, but action was not taken. Analyst and Georgetown University professor Faysal Itani was not optimistic that anybody would be held accountable. "There is a pervasive culture of negligence, petty corruption and blame-shifting endemic to the Lebanese bureaucracy, all overseen by a political class defined by its incompetence and contempt for the public good," he wrote in a New York Times op-ed. "These politicians are well practiced in shifting the blame." Messages of support poured in from around the world, including Britain's Queen Elizabeth who said she was "deeply saddened" by the disaster. France said it would send three planes of aid, followed by a visit Thursday by President Emmanuel Macron. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo offered assistance, while Defense Secretary Mark Esper played down President Donald Trump's earlier suggestion that a bomb had been responsible. "Most believe that it was an accident as reported," Esper told the Aspen Security Forum. The UN's Food and Agriculture Organization warned Wednesday that the destruction of the port and grain silos would cause critical severe flour shortages, in a country heavily reliant on imports. Social media user voiced outrage at the government, saying such a disaster could only strike because of the ineptitude and corruption riddling Lebanon's institutions. - Hariri verdict suspended - Hospitals already stretched to the brink by a spike in coronavirus cases were pushed to new limits by the influx of wounded and were forced to turn many away. Lebanon has recorded 5,417 cases of COVID-19, including 68 deaths. "We've had some dark days in Lebanon over the years but this is something else," said Rami Rifai, a 38-year-old engineer. He spoke to AFP from a hospital where his two daughters were receiving treatment after sustaining cuts despite being half a kilometre from the seat of the blast. "We already had the economic crisis, a government of thieves and coronavirus. I didn't think it could get worse but now I don't know if this country can get up again," he said. In the Netherlands, a UN-backed tribunal said it had suspended a verdict on the 2005 murder in a huge Beirut bomb blast of former Lebanese premier Rafic Hariri, scheduled for Friday, following the latest carnage. The damaged grain silo and a burnt boat at Beirut's harbour, a day after a powerful twin explosion tore through Lebanon's capital after a huge depot of ammonium nitrate at the port caught fire Satellite images show Beirut's port before and after Tuesday's massive blast Beirut's Mar Mikhail district was devastated by the blast The blast obliterated Beirut's port facilities and triggered fires on board ships in dock 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. The long shadow of Trumps it is what it is quote. Executives at Axios, which taped an interview with Mr. Trump by the reporter Jonathan Swan that aired on HBO this week, estimate that the conversation, which spread widely, will ultimately reach roughly 40 percent of the countrys population in one form or another. The reason the conversation resonated so deeply is simple: Mr. Trump was addressing the gravest responsibilities of his office, matters of life and death, on the cusp of an election. And it produced, arguably, his most memorable quote about a pandemic that has thus far killed about 160,000 people in the country. They are dying. Thats true. And you it is what it is, said Mr. Trump, moments after undercounting the number of dead Americans at 140,000. Mr. Trump, the most unconventional of presidents, finds himself in the teeth of the most conventional of presidential dilemmas, trying to escape a slow-motion disaster he cannot control or talk out of existence. That thought control was clearly on the mind of a president who has branded himself as a take-charge executive. Its under control, as much as you can control it, he added. In this respect, Mr. Trump is little different from President George W. Bush, whose popularity sank as the bloody Iraq war raged on, or the predecessor whose legacy he ridiculed in his interview with Mr. Swan Lyndon Johnson, whose ambitious domestic agenda was undermined by the daily death toll from Vietnam. Ask aides to Mr. Obama about the most frustrating point of his time in office, and many will point to the protracted 2010 oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, a far less serious crisis over which they too had little control. (An earlier version of this briefing item incorrectly stated that the oil spill was in 2011.) Migos rapper Takeoff has been sued by a woman accusing him of having raped her at a party in Los Angeles. The woman, named as Jane Doe in the lawsuit, claims the attack happened in June, according to legal documents obtained by TMZ. She's suing the 26-year-old artist -whose real name is Kirshnik Khari Ball- 'for sexual battery, assault, emotional distress and more' according to the gossip site. Migos rapper Takeoff has been sued by a woman accusing him of having raped her at a party in Los Angeles. The artist -whose real name is Kirshnik Khari Ball- seen here in 2018 Per TMZ, the accuser claimed in her filing that during the party in question, Takeoff 'stared' at her, making her feel 'extremely uncomfortable'. She also says she declined his offer of 'weed'. Later, Doe says she was heading upstairs with the party's host when Takeoff descended the same staircase and 'got into an argument' with the host. This prompted her 'to go into the man's bedroom to wait it out,' after which she alleges Takeoff 'entered the bedroom and started touching her buttocks.' Takeoff [center, in 2019] makes up one third of the hip hop trio Migos, along with fellow members Offset (Kiari Kendrell Cephus, seen here on the right) and Quavo (Quavious Keyate Marshall) The Bad and Boujee rapper 'then flipped her over face-down, pulled down her clothing and raped her,' she claimed. Doe then says she went to a hospital, at which point hospital staff 'observed physical evidence of forceful rape' and notified LAPD. LAPD confirmed to TMZ that they are investigating the incident. DailyMail.com has reached out to Takeoff's reps for comment, however the rapper's lawyer told TMZ, 'We have reviewed the allegations and have similarly done our own due diligence. What has become abundantly clear is that the allegations made against Takeoff are patently and provably false. The claims and statements made regarding this lawsuit indicate that the plaintiffs representatives have not spoken with relevant witnesses or reviewed available evidence.' He also called the lawsuit 'an obvious exploitative money grab' playing on Takeoff's 'quiet, reserved and peaceful personality'. The rapper took to his Instagram Stories on Wednesday to show off his Rolex, jeans and shoes Takeoff makes up one third of the hip hop trio Migos, along with fellow members Offset (Kiari Kendrell Cephus) and Quavo (Quavious Keyate Marshall). The Lawrenceville, Georgia group was formed in 2008. Two of the group's albums, Culture and Culture II, debuted atop the US Billboard 200 chart. Kourtney Kardashian has declared she is 'not OK' after revealing her son Reign Disick now has a shaved head. The reality star, 41, debuted her youngest child's new look as she posted an Instagram picture of him posing in the backyard of their family home on Tuesday with a hand placed on his new buzz cut. Kourtney, who previously defended her son from social media trolls who criticized his long hair, simply captioned the shot: 'I am not ok.' New look: Kourtney Kardashian has declared she is 'not OK' as she posted a snap of Reign Disick new hairdo 'I am not ok': The reality star, 41, debuted her youngest child's new look as she posted an Instagram picture of him posing in the backyard of their family home on Tuesday The Keeping Up With The Kardashians star co-parents Reign and her two other children son Mason, 10, and daughter Penelope, seven, with her former long-term partner Scott Disick, 37. In April, when an Instagram commenter urged Kourtney to have Reign's hair cut, another chimed in to compliment the little one. 'He's allowed to have long hair if he wants and stop telling people what to do with there own kids x his hair is lovely,' wrote the social media user. Kourtney replied to that comment writing that her son has the 'Most gorgeous hair on earth anyone who says otherwise ABCDEFG.' 'Most gorgeous hair on earth': In April, when an Instagram commenter urged Kourtney to have Reign's hair cut, another chimed in to compliment the little one The TV personality was reusing a phrase she coined on an episode of Keeping Up With The Kardashians during a disagreement with Scott. The Poosh founder eventually ended the argument by saying: 'ABCDEFG...I have to go,' with the 'g' standing for 'goodbye.' Scott was non-plussed by her new tagline, so Kourtney explained: 'It's just a phrase I like use... that means the conversation is over.' Kourtney and Scott have retained an amicable co-parenting relationship since their last break-up, which occurred in 2015. Hair today, gone tomorrow: Kourtney shared snaps of her son with his long locks prior to the chop and then the impressive amount of hair she had cut off The former couple spent this past weekend together on a family trip to Santa Barbara with their three children. Since splitting from his former partner of 10 years, Scott has been linked to numerous women. The entrepreneur is recently rumoured to have rekindled his relationship with model ex-girlfriend Sofia Richie, 21, who he split from in May after almost three years together. A source told People last month: '[They are] trying to make things work while taking things slow.' Greater Independence Through Voice with Voiceitt Voiceitt, a Ramat Gan, Israel-based commercial speech recognition technology platform, raised an additional $10m in a Series-A funding round. Investors included Viking Maccabee Ventures, Microsofts M12, AMIT Technion, Cahn Capital Corp, Connecticut Innovations and AARP along with Quake Capital, SLJ Family Office, Dreamit Ventures and The Disability Opportunity Fund, The round brought total funds raised to over $15M. Led by Danny Weissberg, CEO and Co-Founder, and Sara A. Smolley, EVP & Co-Founder, Voiceitt provides an application that translates unintelligible and atypical speech in real time, enabling people with severe speech impairments to communicate by voice. The companys network of international partners includes healthcare providers, speech and occupational therapists, researchers, and disability organizations in the United States and throughout Europe. The 25-person software startup is headquartered in Israel with offices in the United States. It participated in the Alexa Accelerator, powered by Techstars in Seattle in 2018 and is an Amazon Alexa Fund portfolio company. FinSMEs 05/08/2020 The authorities have imposed a curfew across Indian-administered Kashmir as the region marks a year since its autonomy was revoked. With security stepped up on the first anniversary of the scrapping of Jammu and Kashmir's special status, a village headman was critically injured by armed gunmen in Kulgam in south Kashmir. In another incident, militants attacked a police party in Pulwama district injuring two officers but both are said to be stable, according to police sources. State authorities have ordered the imposition of restrictions in the Kashmir Valley, following intelligence reports suggesting that "Pakistan-sponsored groups" were planning to observe 5 August as a "Black Day" and the area could witness violent protests endangering life and property. Police vehicles patrolled the main city of Srinagar with periodic announcements on megaphones directing residents to remain indoors. Barbed-wire and steel barricades have been placed on main roads in Srinagar, the summer capital as thousands of government troops fanned across the city and surrounding villages. We have lived in this way for over a year now. Every day is like a curfew and we have nothing to look forward to, Majid Dar, a shopkeeper told RFI. Our resolve will only get stronger. Tense and uncertain In the 12 months since, the region has remained on edge. Communications are still slow, arrests are routine, and now the coronavirus pandemic threatens to throw Kashmir, and India, into an even deeper tailspin. Last year on 5 August, New Delhi decided to abrogate Article 370 of the Indian constitution - which granted special status to Jammu and Kashmir and downgraded the state into two federally governed territories. Thousands of Kashmiri youth, pro-freedom leaders and politicians who have traditionally supported Indian rule were arrested. Hundreds of them are still incarcerated or in detention centers across the region without charge. The Left parties demanded the release of all those detained since August 2019, the restoration of full communications to the region and the lifting of curbs to allow free movement of people. Kashmiris pay a high price Last year, the Modi Government made many tall promises about what this move would accomplish and how it would benefit India and the people of Jammu and Kashmir, said Left leaders Sitaram Yechury and D Raja. A year later, the government's promises stand exposed betraying the people of who continue to be caged and silenced, they added. Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government insists that the revocation of the special status was needed to halt the conflict and boost economic development in Kashmir. The impact of the government's actions over the past year on Kashmir's already fragile economy has been enormous, shuttering shops and small businesses. Indian government claims that it was determined to improve Kashmiri lives ring hollow one year after the revocation of Jammu and Kashmir's constitutional status," Meenakshi Ganguly from Human Rights Watch said in a statement. "The authorities instead have maintained stifling restraints on Kashmiris in violation of their basic rights." The Concerned Citizens Group, an activist organization led by former Indian finance minister Yashwant Sinha has demanded that Kashmiri farmers and businessmen be compensated for their economic losses, which the group attributes to the upheaval caused by the region losing its special status. Observers point out that Kashmir will complete one year without 4G internet. It is one of the longest internet shutdowns in the world, surpassed only by Myanmar, which blocked internet in parts of Rakhine and Chin states in June last year and is yet to restore it. PHILADELPHIA, Aug. 5, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- New COVID-19 projections released today by PolicyLab at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) show clear evidence that mitigation efforts recommended by the White House Coronavirus Task Force are working to reduce risk of continued widespread transmission in states that have adopted them. Conversely, the model's four-week forecasts have worsened for states that have not enacted masking mandates or adopted strong social distancing practices, such as Oklahoma, Missouri, Tennessee and Georgia. In addition to their regular four-week COVID-19 case projections for 747 counties across the U.S., the researchers have been closely following a special analysis of rollback scenarios involving universal masking and tightening of social distancing and occupancy policies in 158 of the country's largest counties. These modeled scenarios reflect guidance being shared with state governments by the White House Coronavirus Task Force, for whom the scenarios were originally prepared. The researchers are beginning to see improved forecasts in the states that have adopted these policy recommendations, many of which are considered hotspots. For example, transmission risk for the next four weeks has consistently decreased in communities across Louisiana, Alabama, Ohio, Indiana, Arizona and Colorado, which have all established universal masking mandates. Still, many hotspots continue to see concerning forecasts for continued resurgence. The Upper Midwest and communities along the western coast of Lake Michigan, including Chicago and Milwaukee, continue to have high risk for resurgence in the coming weeks. The model shows heightened risk for growing case counts to quickly reproduce in Baltimore and the Virginia and Maryland suburbs of Washington, D.C., which will likely threaten the nation's capital in the coming weeks. Forecasts for Boston now look worse than those of New York City, which has been largely insulated from current resurgence in the Northeast, but still remains at risk from increasing infections in New Jersey, the Philadelphia region and south following the I-95 corridor. Data from the model also shows that residents in states across the Heartland and to the south, including Oklahoma, Nebraska, Kansas and, once again, the Dallas and Houston metro areas, are not practicing enough social distancing to reduce the surging spread of the virus in those regions. "In the face of unwillingness to invoke federal powers mandating practical, evidence-based strategies to combat widespread transmission of coronavirus throughout the county, it's encouraging to see that the White House Coronavirus Task Force's work to align state leaders on sensible distancing and masking policies is gaining traction with most governors, leading to improved forecasts and declining national daily case rates," 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. "We can only hope that other governors who have been holding out on enacting these strong public health measures will fall in line to unify our response as a nation and sufficiently protect all communities as we head towards fall." 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-regaining-control 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 747 U.S. counties with active outbreaks, representing 80% of the U.S. population and 89% 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. The application of this model, which focuses on time-varying transmission rates during the early months of the pandemic in the U.S., was released on July 23, following peer review, in JAMA Network Open. You can read more about how the team validates their models for accuracy in this blog post. 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 https://policylab.chop.edu Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-05 15:20:13|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close JAKARTA, Aug. 5 (Xinhua) -- Indonesia's East Nusa Tenggara province's administration will limit the number of visitors to Komodo Island to 50,000 people per year as part of efforts to conserve the Komodo dragons, the world's largest living lizards which only occur in eastern Indonesia. "Komodo Island is to be set as a conservation island. We will limit the number of visitors, not to be more than 50,000 people per year," the province's governor Viktor Laiskodat was quoted by state news agency Antara as saying on Wednesday. In July last year, President Joko Widodo said during his visit to the province's tourist resort of Labuan Bajo that there should be a visitor limit on the island, where more than 170,000 holiday makers visited the national park in 2018. According to government data, more than 2,800 Komodo dragons currently live in the Komodo National Park. Enditem Photo: Moores facebook Moores Clothing for Men, which has locations in Kelowna and Kamloops, is the latest retail chain to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection amid the pandemic. Tailored Brands, which also owns Mens Wearhouse and Jos. A. Bank stores, said over the weekend it will continue to operate most stores during restructuring and expected to reduce its funded debt by $630 million. COVID-19 restrictions have severely limited weddings and office work since March, hitting the clothing retail and rental sectors particularly hard. It is still not known whether the Kelowna or Kamloops locations will stay open. The company said online in a statement it is still deciding what stores will close permanently. Dinesh Lathi, chief executive of Tailored Brands, said in a statement to clients over the weekend the pandemic has altered the way people live and work. It means fewer in-person meetings, wedding celebrations and special events. Simply put, people are staying home more, and our clothes are better suited to being out and about, Lathi said. He said the company is making major shifts by creating a leaner structure to adapt to the realities of todays retail environment. In July, we announced some store closures. However, we will continue to have stores across Canada operating as usual. Nothing about our decision to seek Chapter 11 protection changes that. Meanwhile, Lord & Taylor, the oldest retailer in the U.S., also said it was seeking bankruptcy protection over the weekend, lengthening the list of major retail chains that have faltered during the pandemic. Household names, many longtime anchors in malls, were already struggling to keep up with consumers moving to online sales. Lord & Taylor, which began as a Manhattan dry goods store in 1824, was sold to the French rental clothing company Le Tote Inc. last year. Both filed for bankruptcy protection, separately, on Sunday. Lord & Taylor says its looking for a buyer. Tailored Brands was struggling even before the pandemic lockdowns smothered any demand for suits or ties. It wasnt alone. Last month, Brooks Brothers, the 200-year-old company that dressed nearly every U.S. president, filed for bankruptcy protection. Its rival, Barneys New York, is being dismantled after filing for bankruptcy last year. Dozens of retailers, big and small, have filed for Chapter 11 protection this year. The pace through the first half of 2020 far exceeds the number of retail bankruptcies for all of last year. About two dozen stores have sought bankruptcy protection since the pandemic started. Others include J. Crew, J.C. Penney, Neiman Marcus, Stage Stores, and Ascena Retail Group, which owns Lane Bryant in addition to Ann Taylor. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Ivany Atina Arbi (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Wed, August 5, 2020 17:42 531 6657ac82168da9fa101c8a4066bcbdb9 1 World Middle-East,explosion,Foreign-Affairs-Ministry,Lebanon,blast,Beirut Free The Indonesian government has expressed its deepest condolences to the people of Lebanon and the victims of the deadly twin blasts that shook the port in the capital Beirut on Tuesday afternoon. "Our hearts are with the Lebanese people during this difficult and sorrow-filled time," the Foreign Affairs Ministry said in a statement on Wednesday, adding that the Indonesian government would keep monitoring developments in Lebanon after the explosion. The ministry was maintaining close communication with the Indonesian Embassy in Beirut to ensure the safety of all Indonesian citizens in the country. Almost 1,450 Indonesian citizens reside in Lebanon currently, comprising over 200 civilians and 1,234 United Nations peacekeepers in the Garuda Contingent, who will apparently help with the evacuation process after the incident that left at least 100 people dead and nearly 4,000 others injured. Read also: Beirut reels from huge blast, as death toll climbs to at least 100 The number is expected to rise as many people are still missing. An Indonesian national, identified only as NNE, was reportedly injured in the explosion but he had safely returned home after getting treatment at a local hospital. The Indonesian Embassy in Beirut can be reached at +961 70 817 310, kemlu.go.id reported. Lebanese President Michel Aoun said that 2,750 tons of ammonium nitrate, used in fertilizer, had been stored for six years at the port without safety measures. Officials did not reveal the cause of the blasts, but a security source and media said it was started by welding work being carried out on a hole in the warehouse. Prime Minister Hassan Diab promised there would be accountability for the blast at the dangerous warehouse, adding those responsible will pay the price, Reuters reported. BGR The Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument (or DESI for short) has created the largest 3D map of the universe weve ever seen. DESI created the map over the course of seven months. Each month, DESI continues to build off of it. In fact, DESI is only 10 percent of the way through its proposed five-year mission. The post This is the most detailed 3D map of the universe ever made, and its mesmerizing appeared first on BGR. Harpreet Bajwa By Express News Service CHANDIGARH: IRS officer Pradeep Singh (29) from Sonepat in Haryana has topped the Civil Services exam 2019. Singh topped the list of 829 successful candidates for various services, including the IAS, IPS, IFS among others. A farmers son, Singh, a 2019-batch Indian Revenue Service (Customs and Central Excise) officer, is a probationer at the National Academy of Customs, Indirect Taxes and Narcotics (NACIN) in Faridabad. It is a dream come true. ALSO READ | More Muslim candidates crack civil service exam I always wanted to be an IAS officer and would like to work for the deprived sections of society. His emphasis would be on improving education and farm sectors. I have opted for my home state Haryana. I am happy I will now get the chance to work for my state, said Singh, who had taken leave to prepare for the exam. This was Singhs fourth attempt in the civil service exam twice he could not clear, last time he got into IRS. In the third attempt, I cleared and got the sixth rank. Singh had at one stage thought of leaving the IRS, but his father persuaded him to continue. It is very difficult to study while working because UPSC demands consistency and focus. At one time I thought I was dragging it. But my father motivated me to keep studying.Singhs main focus was on finishing the syllabus, not on study hours. This was because I was working. My family totally supported me. Id like to give credit for my success to two of my friends who studied with me for the exams. His father is a farmer, while mother a house-maker. His elder brother is into insurance and his younger sister is studying. Among others who cleared the exams from the region are: Dr Darpan Ahluwalia, an MBBS student from Rajindra Medical College, Patiala, (80th rank) and Muskhan Jindal of Baddi in Himachal Pradesh, (87th rank in her first attempt). New Delhi, Aug 5 : Smartphone maker Xiaomi's Mi Browser Pro and Meitu Technology's short video and prediction tool Meipai feature in the list of 47 Chinese apps that India banned late in July, media reports said. These 47 apps were banned after the government banned 59 Chinese apps late in June including TikTok and Helo over national security concerns. While the government made the list of 59 apps public, it did not reveal all the apps included in the second list. It was believed that most of the apps in the new list were largely clones of the previously banned apps. Media reports now suggest that this list also includes a few new apps. Besides Xiaomi's Mi Browser Pro and Meipai, this list also includes gaming app Heroes War, photo editor AirBrush and camera app BoXxCAM. Meipai, AirBrush and BoXxCAM are owned by China's Meitu Technology. Meitu was included in the first list of apps released by the government. Other apps in the new list include video editing app CapCut, Baidu Search, NetEase email service and Search Lite. The first list of 59 apps included Baidu Maps and Baidu Translate. Many of the apps in the two lists have temporarily become inaccessible for Indian users at app stores as the government examines these apps for security and privacy. On the eve of Ram Mandir bhoomi poojan, veteran BJP leader LK Advani, who became the face of temple movement, said it is a historic and an emotional day for him and for all Indians, as he recalled the "pivotal duty" he performed in carrying out the Ram Rath Yatra from Somnath to Ayodhya in 1990. Advani said that Ram occupies an esteemed place in India's cultural and civilisational heritage and is an embodiment of grace, dignity and decorum. History of Ayodhya | Uttar Pradesh's temple town that is ready to house Ram Mandir "I am humbled that during the Ram Janmabhoomi movement, destiny made me perform a pivotal duty in the form of the Ram Rath Yatra from Somnath to Ayodhya in 1990, which helped galvanise the aspirations, energies and passions of its countless participants," he said. The construction of the Ram temple will begin nearly three decades after Advani undertook his yatra. He said, "Sometimes significant dreams in one's life take a long time to fruition, but when they are finally realised, the wait becomes very worthwhile." Track this LIVE blog for the latest updates Ayodhya Ram Mandir Bhoomi Pujan Advani is considered a key figure in the Ram Janmabhoomi movement, as he had undertaken the " Ram Rath Yatra" in 1990 as the then BJP president to mobilise the masses for building a Ram temple at the Ayodhya site where believers hold that Lord Ram was born. The 92-year-old BJP leader, however, is not among the invitees for the ground-breaking ceremony of the temple by Prime Minister Narendra Modi due to his advanced age amid concerns over the spread of COVID-19 epidemic. Slideshow | This is how the Ram Temple in Ayodhya will look like on completion "One such dream, close to my heart is now getting fulfilled... A grand mandir for Shri Ram at Ram Janmabhoomi has been a desire and mission for the Bharatiya Janata Party," he said. Ayodhya railway station set for a makeover, Railways increases budget The Ram Janambhoomi-Babri Masjid dispute was resolved in 2019 after the Supreme Court gave a go-ahead for a temple to be built by a specially appointed trust. The Centre was asked to give Muslims land elsewhere in Ayodhya for a mosque. (With PTI inputs) NSA Doval led panel discusses sustained diplomatic-political efforts with China India oi-Vicky Nanjappa New Delhi, Aug 05: A high powered panel headed by National Security Advisor, Ajit Doval held discussions on the China issue. The discussions were held following the meeting of the military commanders of India and China on Sunday. The efforts with China will need to be sustained both on the political and diplomatic front officials informed. The meeting that lasted three hours was also attended by Defence Minister, Rajnath Singh, Foreign Minister, S Jaishankar and Army Chief General M M Naravane. NSA Doval led panel to review outcome of India-China commander level talks The fifth meeting of the commanders was held on August 2. The panel headed by NSA Doval is informally known as the China Study Group. It met on Tuesday and reviewed the discussions, sources told OneIndia. PM Modi lays foundation of Ram Temple, says 'finally a temple for Ram Lalla' | Oneindia News The source said that India reiterated to China for complete disengagement and de-escalation. India also sought for full restoration of peace and tranquility in the border areas as had been agreed upon during the earlier meetings. The Indian side also sought for restoration of status quo ante along the Line of Actual Control, the source also added. The official cited above said that the Doval led panel would analyse China's response during the talks. During the meeting of the military commanders on Sunday, India said that it wanted immediate disengagement at patrolling point 17 (Gogra) and Pangong Tso fingers. While the de-escalation at these points would be a short term solution, diplomatic channels are looking at a long term solution as well which would ensure that the soldiers of both sides are kept apart. The Indian security establishment does not trust the PLA. The official said that the Chinese side should not object to border infrastructure development as long as it is within the LAC limits. There should be no objection as long as the development is carried out without encroaching on each other's perception of where the border lies. The Chinese border infrastructure allows for rapid deployment of troops, when compared to India. Hence it is important that India also continues with the border infrastructure development, the officer cited above also said. 'Hope India treats Confucius Institutes and higher education cooperation in fair manner: China A long term solution would be needed to ensure that flare ups and tense stand offs do not take place between the Indian and Chinese armies. For this India and China would need to exchange maps indicating the presence of troops along the Line of Actual Control. Following this patrolling protocols would have to be introduced. Earlier both India and China would undertake patrolling once a month by avoiding stand offs. However the patrolling intensity has gone up drastically now as both sides are building border infrastructure right up to the LAC. The PLA has been building roads, setting up posts powered by solar panels, laying fibre optic cables. The Indian Army too is matching the effort. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Wednesday, August 5, 2020, 8:36 [IST] 3 Stranded Mariners Rescued After Spelling Out SOS in Sand of Tiny, Uninhabited Island People Much Of Maines Lobster Fishery Loses International Sustainably Fished Designation Maine Public Radio (DL). As forests disappear in India, leopards have learnt to live and prey among human habitats Scroll.in (J-LS). FBI Raids U.S. Company With Ties to Ukrainian Oligarch Bloomberg What Years of Emails and Texts Reveal About Your Friendly Tech Companies NYT #COVID19 Too Good to Be True? Osaka Says Gargling Formula Can Beat Virus Bloomberg Bloomberg. n=41 mildly symptomatic patients. The finding isnt based on data from a large, randomized, controlled trial the gold standard for assessing the safety and efficacy of any potential therapy. But see Tricia Greenhalgh here: In a complex system, the question driving scientific inquiry is not what is the effect size and is it statistically significant once other variables have been controlled for? but does this intervention contribute, along with other factors, to a desirable outcome?' Povidoneiodine gargle as a prophylactic intervention to interrupt the transmission of SARSCoV2 Oral Diseases * * * Evidence favouring the efficacy of convalescent plasma for COVID-19 therapy (preprint) medRxiv. From the abstract: Fixed-effects analyses demonstrated that hospitalized COVID-19 patients transfused with convalescent plasma exhibited a 57% reduction in mortality rate (13%) compared to matched-patients receiving standard treatments (25%; OR: 0.43, P < 0.001). These data provide evidence favouring the efficacy of human convalescent plasma as a therapeutic agent in hospitalized COVID-19 patients. Mayo Clinic affiliations. By boat and on foot, Indian state hunts for plasma for COVID patients Reuters * * * These dogs are trained to sniff out the coronavirus. Most have a 100% success rate The Conversation. Put sniffer dogs at the jetways for international flights, and I dont see why we shouldnt our passports back. K9s against coronavirus: The UAE implements sniffer dogs to detect COVID-19 The Points Guy. NC was early on medical detection dogs, too. * * * Clinical Trials Over, New Russian Vaccine to Be Given to Doctors and Teachers Soon, Population by October, for Free, Murashko Says Window on Eurasia * * * Masks Do More Than Protect Others During COVID-19: Reducing the Inoculum of SARS-CoV-2 to Protect the Wearer Journal of General Internal Medicine Maskne: How to Take Care of Your Skin While Wearing a Face Mask Teen Vogue * * * Transmission of SARS-CoV-2 in Australian educational settings: a prospective cohort study The Lancet. From the Findings: SARS-CoV-2 transmission rates were low in NSW educational settings during the first COVID-19 epidemic wave, consistent with mild infrequent disease in the 18 million child population. With effective case-contact testing and epidemic management strategies and associated small numbers of attendances while infected , children and teachers did not contribute significantly to COVID-19 transmission via attendance in educational settings. Contact tracing during Phase I of the COVID-19 pandemic in the Province of Trento, Italy: key findings and recommendations (preprint) medRxiv. From the abstract: Although childhood contacts were less likely to become cases, children were more likely to infect household members, perhaps because of the difficulty of successfully isolang children in household settings. * * * Yes, the Coronavirus Is in the Air NYT. Good round-up. Houston Officials Are Using Sewage To Help Fight Coronavirus. Heres Why Texas Standard Covid-19 vaccine trials worry US minority communities FT More lifesaving ventilators are available. Hospitals cant afford them. WaPo Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms (D) condemned President Trump for appearing to downplay civil rights icon John Lewis' legacy in an interview with "Axios on HBO," telling CNN Tuesday: "He's delusional. He's a narcissist and he is delusional." Driving the news: Trump declined to say whether he found Lewis "impressive" in the Axios interview, which aired Monday and was taped as the late congressman was lying in state in the Capitol. Instead, the president only said that Lewis made a "big mistake" by not coming to his inauguration and claimed that he has done more for Black Americans than anyone. What she's saying: "I'm disgusted by that," Bottoms said after watching the clip. "Donald Trump shows us time and time again the only thing he believes in is himself. He doesn't care anything about the American people. He doesn't care anything about the history of this country. He doesn't care anything about the future of this country." "He's delusional. He's a narcissist and he is delusional. The only person that believes that is him," Bottoms said in response to Trump's claim that he has done more from African Americans than anyone. "He's done nothing for African Americans in this country and to speak that in the same sentence as speaking of John Lewis is almost blasphemous." Go deeper: Watch the full interview Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Nina Loasana (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Wed, August 5, 2020 17:30 531 6657ac82168da9fa101c8a4066bca5d4 1 National COVID-19,coronavirus,virus-korona-indonesia,2020-regional-elections,Pilkada-2020,Joko-Widodo,President-Jokowi Free President Joko Jokowi Widodo is urging all parties to prioritize the health and safety of voters and polling station officers in the upcoming 2020 regional elections in December amid the COVID-19 pandemic. He conveyed his concerns that the election would spawn new clusters of the coronavirus disease, as people would gather in polling stations on voting day. Health protocols should be implemented in every stage of the regional elections. We should have elections that are safe from COVID-19, Jokowi said on Wednesday. The President added he was optimistic the country could hold elections amid the pandemic just like other countries, such as Singapore, Germany, France and South Korea. The most important thing is to assure voters that the General Elections Commission [KPU] and the government are concerned about their health. Read also: Majority of public want regional elections delayed: Surveys The strict health protocols, he added, would be enough to help voters feeling safe during voting day on Dec. 9, eventually leading to a high voter turnout. Jokowi also said that the upcoming regional elections could be the perfect opportunity for innovation for democracy. However, surveys indicate that most Indonesians, citing COVID-19 concerns, disagree with the governments decision to hold the 2020 simultaneous regional elections in December. Jakarta-based pollster Indikator Politik Indonesia found that 63 percent of 1,200 respondents preferred that voting day be postponed. Another survey held by pollster Charta Politika Indonesia found that many respondents also wanted a postponement of this years regional elections. Some experts and activists are concerned about a low voter turnout in December, with the risk of contracting the coronavirus disease at polling stations potentially discouraging voters from participating in the elections. The simultaneous elections seek to elect 270 leaders comprising nine governors, 224 regents and 37 majors across the archipelago. When Cheyenne Brown, a student at Saint John Paul Middle School in Boston, started to get overwhelmed with online assignments as school abruptly went remote in the spring, she would pause and take a deep breath. The practice helped, Brown recalled Wednesday during a virtual listening session held by U.S. Rep. Ayanna Pressley over Zoom to offer students in her district a chance to discuss concerns about the upcoming school year. Students are torn about what feels best for the upcoming year. While remote learning allows students to work more safely from the comfort of their home, not everyone has access to the internet. And, learning online is difficult for students with disabilities. While being in school provides more structure, it also brings the threat of spreading coronavirus between students, who then will go home and possibly infect other family members. I feel as though that it would be scary for going back to school in person because of the interactions and dealing with people who dont take it as serious as they should and who dont take all the precautions that they should be taking, that it would be best to stay home even with all of the precautions that the school is providing, Brown said. The shift to online learning was difficult, the students told Pressley and others listening in on the session. Its not yet known what the next academic year will look like, as districts across Massachusetts work to finalize plans for three options: a full return to school buildings, a hybrid in-person and online learning model, or fully remote education. Its all been so unpredictable, so I had to adjust and get used to doing all my school work online and not having my teachers and friends helping me every day, said Emmanuelly Fernandes, who just graduated from Everett High School. For Adam Gould, a student at Cambridge Rindge Latin School, the spring was especially difficult. Goulds grandfather contracted coronavirus and had to move in with his family. He later succumbed to illness from the virus. It was a shock for Goulds family, he said. Students said that remote learning allows more flexibility for completing assignments, but that the courses dont feel as engaging or as challenging as they are in front of a live teacher. I would probably say that remote learning is kind of weird, said Chris Hopkins, a Somerville High School student. When we do online school, a lot of it is assignments and stuff like that so its a lot more of just straight just going through it and doing stuff, which is kind of annoying and its really easy to just get bored. Faridah Azeez, a student at Blue Hills Regional Vocational High School, said online learning assignments were straightforward. She felt it halted her learning because it was too simple. Gould said he has ADHD and that it was hard to focus on online courses. Its really hard to stay motivated when youre not there and having to do it in person, he said. Some teachers didnt realize that many students needed to work or take care of younger siblings, said Jasmine Jovel, a Chelsea High School student. As districts across Massachusetts prepare to finalize back-to-school plans next week, students feel uneasy about returning to the classroom. On Thursday, Boston released its preliminary plans and said a full return to school is not possible considering social distance guidelines. Jovel said she knows people who got sick with coronavirus despite being careful about washing their hands and taking safety precautions. I think thats terrifying to me, going back to a classroom with my peers and were all just trying to get through the year but with that ongoing fear that no matter how safe youre trying to be, that theres still that chance that we could get the virus, Jovel said. People go home and they go to work and they interact with so many other people that were not aware of. Azeez said she worried about what parents who are essential workers would do if school is remote, as daycare is costly and not in the budget for all families. A hybrid program might work but I think it should be up to the students choice, and their family, if they want to go back to school fully or do a hybrid program because their family can keep them at home, Azeez said. If schools stick with online learning, Gould said hes really concerned about how districts will make sure children with disabilities dont fall behind and that students without laptops or internet access can get online to learn. Fernandes told Pressley shed like to see schools offering hot spots to students who need internet access and for schools to release information in a wider array of languages. Related Content: The Salvation Army Emergency Disaster Services (EDS) in Connecticut is continuing to prepare for hurricane season as a part of their recurring initiatives in Southern New England, according to a statement. Regional EDS teams in Connecticut and Rhode Island are prepared to respond with immediate feeding, hydration, and other key resources utilizing response feeding vehicles (canteens) and have been provided instruction in COVID service guidelines during operations and distributions. All our local operations have been in disaster response mode really, since the Pandemic began in mid-March, said Major Gregory Hartshorn, Divisional Commander of The Salvation Armys Southern New England Division. As we continue to serve our neighbors, we are also preparing our teams to be ready if storms should come our way. We certainly pray for peace and safety. Salvation Army locations throughout the state of Connecticut are available to prepare individual meals as well as support with bulk/shelf stable food product. This will enable The Salvation Army to support multiple housing and feeding options. Salvation Army locations are also preparing to support with emergency assistance needs such as clothing, hygiene kits, and clean-up kits as needed. The Salvation Army Emergency Disaster Services is continuing in conversation and planning with local, state and federal Emergency Management and is also prepared to stage assets and resources in locations near potential impact zones that can increase the speed and efficiency of mobilization, according to the statement. The Salvation Army is invested and committed to helping those affected in all phases of the disaster including preparedness, response, and recovery. Trained Emotional and Spiritual Care (ESC) providers can deploy and/or provide remote crisis support to survivors and first responders. To volunteer, contact Katie Perrett, Volunteer Coordinator for The Salvation Army Southern New England Division, at Kathryn.Perrett@use.salvationarmy.org or 860-702-0042 For more detailed information on hurricane preparedness, including COVID-19 specific information, go to www.ready.gov/hurricanes Society to hold Virtual ResearcHERS Celebration Women make invaluable contributions to cancer research, yet they are consistently underrepresented in the field. Aiming to change that dynamic, the American Cancer Society launched the ResearcHERS: Women Fighting Cancer campaign. This movement brought together influential female leaders from Western Massachusetts down to New Haven, CT to fuel the work of women scientists, according to a statement. The inaugural ResearcHERS of the Knowledge Corridor campaign is part of a national movement to engage women to raise awareness and funds to bolster women-led cancer research, members said. With support from our presenting sponsor Pfizer, female leaders from a variety of industries and sectors across the Knowledge Corridor, an area from Western Massachusetts and south through Hartford all the way to New Haven, have worked to ensure the unique perspective of women remains a powerful and growing force in cancer research, members said. The 2020 ResearcHERS of the Knowledge Corridor Ambassadors include Anne Campbell Maxwell, ACS Board Member; Cara Cole, Team 413 William Raveis Real Estate; Carol Campbell, Chicopee Industrial Contractors; Deb Reardon, Boehringer Ingelheim & ACS Board Member; Debbie Allen Wright, Brand Spokesperson; Dr. Harriet Kluger, Yale Researcher; Heather Veach, Registered nurse; Kate Kane, Northwestern Mutual; Krissy Sullivan, FASTSIGNS; Lisa Verville, O'Connell Development ; Maitreyee Shah, American Cancer Society; Melinda Irwin, Yale Researcher; Molly Burich, Boehringer Ingelheim; Nicole Kuhnly, Nursing Researcher, ACS grantee; Sarah Rosecrans, Boehringer Ingelheim; Sneha Jayaraj, MetroHartford Alliance; and Wendy Matthews, American Cancer Society. The society is holding a virtual event, 9-10 a.m. Aug. 14. The keynote speaker is national researcher Alpa Patel. There is no cost to attend, but donations are needed more than ever due to a cancer research funding crisis created by the pandemic, according to the statement. . To register, go to https://bit.ly/30oZL8g Credit union invites program nominations EAST HARTFORD - American Eagle Financial Credit Union invites its members and the general public to nominate qualified, local nonprofit organizations to be considered for its participatory funding program, Cash Back to the Community, according to a statement. Third quarter nominations for Cash Back to the Community runs through Aug. 16 at americaneagle.org/cashbacktothecommunity. An organization only needs to be nominated once to be considered for the third quarter ballot. Voting to decide the top three qualified nonprofit organizations runs from Sept. 7-20. The three recipients that receive the most votes will be announced by early October, according to the statement. . American Eagles Cash Back to the Community donates 1 percent of its credit and debit card interchange income in each quarter to three nonprofit and/or 501(c)(3) organizations that receive the most votes from its members and the public. Funding is generated each time its members use an American Eagle Financial Credit Union credit or debit card. At the end of each quarter, one percent of the total interchange income - the fee paid for credit and debit card transactions - will be distributed to the three top qualified nonprofits. Nominations and voting for Cash Back to the Community will be conducted via American Eagles website or social media sites, including Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn. Thus far in 2020, American Eagle has donated $40,266 among six nonprofits through the Cash Back to the Community program. For more information about American Eagle Financial Credit Union, visit www.americaneagle.org. Photodynamic therapy can be an efficient ally to combat secondary infections in COVID-19 patients. Use of the technique, which combines light and a photosensitizing chemical substance to kill microorganisms in the respiratory tract, is advocated as a complementary treatment in a feature published in Photodiagnosis and Photodynamic Therapy and written by researchers affiliated with the Optics and Photonics Research Center (CEPOF ) in Sao Carlos, state of Sao Paulo, Brazil. COVID-19 can lead to complications that go beyond the virus, and we should also strive to find treatments for these other problems. Treating coinfections and secondary infections can improve the prognosis in severe cases, above all for patients who are intubated and face a higher risk of infection by other microorganisms such as the bacteria that cause pneumonia." Vanderlei Bagnato, CEPOF's Principal Investigator CEPOF is a Research, Innovation and Dissemination Center (RIDC ) supported by Sao Paulo Research Foundation - FAPESP and hosted by the University of Sao Paulo (USP) in Sao Carlos. The compounds used in photodynamic therapy interact with light to produce singlet oxygen, a highly reactive oxygen species that kills viruses and bacteria by oxidizing their membranes. "When the patient inhales these substances, the drug can be activated with extracorporeal light, which then attacks pathogens in the airways," Bagnato said. Photodynamic therapy cannot be used to attack the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 directly since it does not eliminate harmful microorganisms present in the bloodstream (only in the airways). However, researchers stress the importance of developing techniques to combat COVID-19 coinfections caused by bacteria and other viruses, avoid the need for intensive medical care, and minimize transmission of the disease to other people. CEPOF has conducted several studies on the use of photodynamic therapy to treat pneumonia, skin cancer, and other diseases. "We're about to begin a study to evaluate the use of photodynamic therapy in cases of pneumonia in pigs. This stage precedes clinical trials in humans," Bagnato said. The study will be conducted by CEPOF in partnership with researchers at the University of Toronto in Canada. "We hope it will be fast-tracked because, although we don't know for sure yet, it's quite likely that people who survive COVID-19 may be more prone to respiratory complications such as pneumonia because of the severe inflammation," Bagnato said. "We need to develop novel techniques and alternative treatments." In the journal, the researchers note that "the propagation of opportunistic pathogens occurs mainly through the upper respiratory tract owing to natural colonization of the oropharynx" and that photodynamic therapy "can help not only to reduce the number of these microorganisms present in the oropharynx but also to prevent their penetration into the mucosal barrier" and hence their proliferation. Carson City, Nevada--(Newsfile Corp. - August 4, 2020) - Cell MedX Corp. (OTCQB: CMXC), ("Cell MedX" or the "Company"), a bio-tech company focusing on the discovery, development and commercialization of therapeutic and non-therapeutic products that promote general health and wellness, is pleased to announce that on July 30, 2020, the Company closed its non-brokered private placement offering (the "Offering") at a price of $0.25 per unit (the "Unit"), by issuing 988,000 Units for total gross proceeds of $247,000. Each Unit sold under the Offering consisted of one common share of the Company and one share purchase warrant entitling the holder to purchase one additional common share for a period of two years after closing at an exercise price of $0.35 per share expiring on January 30, 2021, and at $0.50 per share from January 30, 2021 to July 30, 2022. The Units were issued pursuant to the provisions of Regulation S of the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Act") to the persons who are not residents of the United States and are otherwise not "U.S. Persons" as that term is defined in Rule 902(k) of Regulation S of the Act. The Units to U.S. Persons were issued pursuant to the provisions of Rule 506(b) of Regulation D of the Act who qualify as "accredited investors" as that term is defined under Regulation D of the Act. The Company will use the proceeds from the Offering to fund its current business operations and to continue the ongoing development of its eBalance Home System and eBalance Pro System. The above does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any of Cell MedX's securities in the United States. The securities have not been registered under the U.S. Securities Act and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to U.S. persons unless an exemption from such registration is available. About Cell MedX Corp. Story continues Cell MedX Corp. is an early development stage bio-tech company focused on the discovery, development and commercialization of therapeutic and non-therapeutic products that promote general health and wellness and alleviate complications associated with medical conditions including, but not limited to, diabetes, Parkinson's disease, and high blood pressure. For more information about the Company and its technology please visit our website at: www.cellmedx.com, for the Company's newsletter, please go to www.cellmedx.com/media/newsletters/ On behalf of the Board of Directors of Cell MedX Corp. Frank McEnulty CEO, Director Forward Looking Statements The information included in this press release has not been reviewed by the FDA or Health Canada, nor has it been peer reviewed. This press release contains forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions and are identified by words such as "expects", "intends", "estimates", "projects", "anticipates", "believes", "could", and other similar words. All statements addressing product performance, events, or developments that the Company expects or anticipates will occur in the future are forward-looking statements. Because the statements are forward-looking, they should be evaluated in light of important risk factors and uncertainties, some of which are described in the Company's Quarterly, and Annual Reports filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"). Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should any of the Company's underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those currently anticipated. In addition, undue reliance should not be placed on Company's forward-looking statements. In particular, the Company's eBalance technology is still in development. Except as required by law, Cell MedX Corp. disclaims any obligation to update or publicly announce any revisions to any of the forward-looking statements contained in this press release. 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. No stock exchange, securities commission or other regulatory body has reviewed nor accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Investors are advised to carefully review the reports and documents that Cell MedX Corp. files from time to time with the SEC, including its Annual, Quarterly and Current Reports. SOURCE: Cell MedX Corp. For further information visit: www.cellmedx.com. Investor Relations: 1-310-409-6614 To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/61006 The following letter was sent to Gov. Andrew Cuomo: I was most pleased to read of your support in preserving the statue of Christopher Columbus in as much as it had come to represent and signify the appreciation that Italian-Americans have for this wonderful country of ours. Mindless mobs that are set on tearing up history and tearing down statues must not prevail, certainly not in a civilized society. As a proud first generation American of Italian descent, as a Korean War Veteran (U.S. Army, 1952-1955), and as a retired police officer (lieutenant,NYPD) with 22 years of experience, I believe I have standing to state unequivocally and categorically that no one should take down the statue of Christopher Columbus. I believe my contention is supported by tens of thousands of Italian-American veterans of all wars, members of the various law enforcement agencies, and, of course, world-recognized organizations such as the Knights of Columbus, Sons & Daughters of Italy, and the all-too-numerous-to-mention Italian clubs and organizations of professionals in every field of endeavor. It is a fact that Christopher Columbus set sail in 1492 from Spain with three ships looking for a route to the far east. We who know history know that he failed in that. But he didnt fail in letting the world know about the new land that he had found, and thus opened up the path to the new world and eventually to thousands of Italian immigrants seeking the opportunities offered by this great nation called America and pledging allegiance to it. First and foremost, Columbus was an explorer and an excellent sea captain. He had a remarkable understanding of the earth and the seas by studying the ocean currents and learning to navigate by studying the stars, hence his appellation Admiral of the Seas. His existing ship journals and diaries stand as tribute to him and his incredible knowledge and undaunted courage. (Roland Benedetti is an Oakwood resident.) The Massachusetts House will add a memorial to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on the wall of the chamber, commemorating a 1965 address the civil rights leader delivered before state legislators. Gov. Charlie Baker on Tuesday signed into law a resolve to install a bronze plaque in the House chamber. The plaque will include text from Kings April 22, 1965 speech to the Legislature during a two-day visit to Boston. Rep. Bud Williams, a Springfield Democrat, filed the proposal in early 2019. The House engrossed the resolve in December. The Senate followed suit on July 23. Lawmakers voted to enact the resolve last week, sending it to the governors desk. I look at it as progress, said Williams, a member of the Black and Latino Legislative Caucus. Weve made one step ... a step toward creating a new history. Yes, the history behind Kings visit already existed, Williams said. Yet few understand the significance of Kings visit in the context of the states long-term history, which is marred by its own racist past. In 1641, Massachusetts became the first colony to legally sanction slavery. The Supreme Judicial Court took up a series of cases in the early 1780s and determined slavery was inconsistent with the commonwealths constitution, which took effect in 1780. By some accounts, abolition took much longer to truly achieve in the commonwealth. Weve come a long way from colonial days, Williams said. The plaque is expected to include an excerpt of Kings address, in which he urged a joint convention of the Legislature to work harder toward creating a better, more just society. The proposed excerpt, provided by the BLLC, reads, Let me hasten to say that I come to Massachusetts not to condemn but to encourage! It was from these shores that the vision of a new nation conceived in liberty was born, and it must be from these shores that liberty must be preserved; and the hearts and lives of every citizen preserved through the maintenance of opportunity and through the constant creation of those conditions that will make justice and brotherhood a reality for all of Gods children. The superintendent of the Bureau of the State House, with input from the State House Art Commission, will be expected to install the plaque in a suitable space of the chamber, according to the law. The commission is expected to take input from the House Rules Committee and the BLLC. Baker signed two other proposals into law Tuesday: a three-month interim budget and a bill requiring certain public K-12 schools to serve breakfast after the school day begins. The breakfast after the bell bill, as its commonly called, requires K-12 schools with 60% of more students eligible for free or reduced-price meals under the National School Lunch Program to offer breakfast after the bell rings as a way to ensure students have time to get breakfast and arent deterred because of the stigma of receiving free or reduced food. Related Content: ENDEAVOUR REPORTS Q2-2020 RESULTS On track to meet FY-2020 guidance Significant improvement in leverage ratio Dividend initiation approaching HIGHLIGHTS Production of 149koz at an AISC of $939/oz in Q2-2020; Production of 321koz at an AISC of $918/oz in H1-2020 Integration process is largely complete with the SEMAFO assets slotted into Endeavour's well-established West African operating model On track to achieve full year production and AISC guidance for both Endeavour and SEMAFO assets despite COVID-19, resulting in a Pro Forma guidance of 995-1,095koz at an AISC of $865-915/oz Operating Cash Flow before Working Capital of $85m or $0.77/share for Q2-2020; $205m or $1.85/share for H1-2020 Adjusted Net Earnings of $53m or $0.48/share in Q2-2020; $86m or $0.78/share in H1-2020 Strong deleveraging as Net Debt / Adjusted EBITDA ratio stands at below 0.5x following the SEMAFO transaction close, compared to 2.75x for the same period last year Endeavour expects to reach a net cash position in the coming quarters, at which point it intends to pay an initial dividend George Town, August 5, 2020 - Endeavour Mining (TSX:EDV) (OTCQX:EDVMF) is pleased to announce its financial and operating results for the second quarter and half year 2020, with highlights provided in table 1 and 2 below. Table 1: Endeavour Operational and Financial Highlights in US$ million unless otherwise specified. THREE MONTHS ENDED SIX MONTHS ENDED June 30, 2020 March 31, 2020 June 30, 2019 June 30, 2020 June 30, 2019 - YTD PRODUCTION AND AISC HIGHLIGHTS Gold Production, koz 149 172 171 321 292 +10% Gold Sold, koz 150 175 171 324 292 +11% Realized Gold Price2, $/oz 1,689 1,546 1,285 1,612 1,271 +27% All-in Sustaining Cost1, $/oz 939 899 790 918 826 +11% All-in Sustaining Margin1,3, $/oz 750 647 494 694 445 +56% CASH FLOW HIGHLIGHTS 1 All-in Sustaining Margin4, $m 112 113 84 225 130 +74% All-in Margin5, $m 73 80 46 153 68 +124% Operating Cash Flow Before Non-Cash Working Capital, $m 85 119 57 205 105 +94% Operating Cash Flow Before Non-Cash Working Capital, $/share 0.77 1.08 0.52 1.85 0.96 +92% Operating Cash Flow, $m 57 126 62 183 85 +115% Operating Cash Flow, $/share 0.52 1.14 0.57 1.66 0.78 +113% PROFITABILITY HIGHLIGHTS Revenues, $m 253 270 219 523 371 +41% Adjusted EBITDA1, $m 120 130 94 250 135 +86% Net Earnings Attr. to Shareholders1, $m (37) 26 1 (11) (14) n.a. Net Earnings1, $/share (0.34) 0.24 0.01 (0.10) (0.13) n.a. Adjusted Net Earnings Attr. to Shareholders1, $m 53 34 9 86 4 n.a. Adjusted Net Earnings per Share1, $/share 0.48 0.30 0.08 0.78 0.03 n.a BALANCE SHEET HIGHLIGHTS1 Net Debt, $m 473 473 660 473 660 (28)% Net Debt / Adjusted EBITDA (LTM) ratio 1.00 1.06 2.75 1.00 2.75 (64)% 1This is a non-GAAP measure. Refer to the non-GAAP measure section of the MD&A. 2Realized Gold Price inclusive of Karma stream; 3Realized Gold Price less All-in Sustaining Cost per ounce; 4Net revenue less All-in Sustaining Costs; 5Net revenue less All-in Sustaining Costs and Non-Sustaining capital. Table 2: Pro Forma Highlights3 (in US$ million) THREE MONTHS ENDED 30 JUNE, 2020 SIX MONTHS ENDED 30 JUNE, 2020 Endeavour SEMAFO3 Pro Forma3 Endeavour SEMAFO3 Pro Forma3 PRODUCTION AND AISC HIGHLIGHTS Gold Production, koz 149 79 228 321 158 479 Gold Sold, koz 150 68 218 324 145 469 All-in Sustaining Cost1, $/oz 939 1,021 979 918 951 942 BALANCE SHEET HIGHLIGHTS1 Net Debt inclusive of La Mancha investment2 $m 473 (64) 309 473 (64) 309 Net Debt / Adjusted EBITDA (LTM) ratio 1.00x n.a. 0.44x 1.00x n.a. 0.44x 1This is a non-GAAP measure. Refer to the non-GAAP measure section of the MD&A for Endeavour and refer to the non-IFRS measures note in this press release for SEMAFO. 2La Mancha $100 million investment occurred as subsequent event on July 3, 2020. SEMAFO cash amount excludes restricted cash related to the transaction. 3Pro Forma and SEMAFO figures are non-GAAP. Endeavour believes that operating and financial figures for SEMAFO are representative of the period ended June 30, 2020 as the Transaction closed on July 1, 2020. Figures presented and disclosed relating to SEMAFO operations represent classifications and calculations performed using consistent historical SEMAFO methodologies. Potential variances to existing Endeavour classifications and calculation methodologies may result in adjustments affecting results. Potential differences may include, but not limited to, classification of corporate costs and operating expenses, classification of mining, processing, and site G&A costs, classification of capitalized waste as sustaining and non-sustaining, valuation of stockpiles and gold in circuit. Accounting treatments and classifications will be aligned with Endeavour methodologies and policies. Pro forma information has not been adjusted and is comprised of the simple sum of information provided for each of Endeavour and SEMAFO. Sebastien de Montessus, CEO, commented: "We are proud of our achievements during the first half of the year as we continued to deliver on our strategic priorities, despite the global pandemic. I'd like to thank our employees and partners for their dedication to ensuring business continuity. Thanks to these efforts, we remain on track to achieve our full year production and AISC guidance and expect a significantly stronger performance in the second half of the year with higher grades. We have also maintained our exploration activities, with 85% of our FY-2020 budget already spent in the first half of the year, ahead of the rainy season. The team continue to deliver successful results, with 0.8 million ounces of M&I resources recently added at our Ity and Hounde mines while an updated resource at Fetekro is expected to be published shortly. We are very pleased with the progress made to integrate the SEMAFO assets within our well-established West African operating model, which is now largely complete. These operations are already benefiting from our strong local presence and regional expertise and we look forward to realizing synergies. The combined group is now a top 15 global gold producer, with significant optionality within its portfolio and a healthy balance sheet with a leverage ratio of below 0.5 times. Our goal is to completely deleverage the balance sheet in the coming quarters to further derisk the business, at which point we intend to initiate dividend payments." UPCOMING CATALYSTS The key upcoming expected catalysts are summarized in the table below. Table 3: Key Upcoming Catalysts TIMING CATALYST Q3-2020 Hounde Start of mining higher grade Kari Pump deposit Q3-2020 Ity Updated Le Plaque reserve estimate Q3-2020 Hounde Maiden reserve estimate for Kari West, Kari Center and Kari Gap Q3-2020 Fetekro Updated resource estimate Late Q3-2020 Fetekro Preliminary Economic Assessment Q4-2020 Boungou Re-start of mining operations MANAGEMENT CHANGE With the successful integration of the SEMAFO assets into Endeavour's West African operating model largely complete, Benoit Desormeaux, former CEO of SEMAFO who joined Endeavour as President upon transaction close, has decided to step down to pursue other opportunities. "I would like to thank Benoit for his significant efforts to build SEMAFO over the last decade and his help over the recent months in completing the transaction and the integration. On behalf of the Board of Directors I wish him all the best in the future." added Sebastien de Montessus. Benoit Desormeaux stated, "It has been a distinct pleasure to be part of the SEMAFO team for the past 23 years and I look forward to following Endeavour's activities as a leading West African producer. In the wake of the smooth integration process, I wish the combined company and its people every success." COVID-19 UPDATE Since the outbreak of the global COVID-19 pandemic, Endeavour has focused on the well-being of its employees, contractors and local communities, while ensuring business continuity. In addition, host governments in Cote d'Ivoire, Burkina Faso and Mali have taken strict and pro-active measures to minimize overall exposure in their countries. Protecting the well-being of employees, contractors, and local communities Endeavour has implemented a range of preventative measures across all its sites, including social distancing, health screening, augmented hygiene and restricted access to sites. Endeavour operates in close coordination with the national health authorities and is using the epidemiological surveillance system it developed to assist host countries (Cote d'Ivoire, Burkina Faso and Mali) with the monitoring and tracking of the pandemic in these countries. Endeavour's donations of key medical equipment and supplies to regional, community and on-site medical centers continued during the quarter across all three countries of its operations. A range of community programs were implemented during the quarter including micro-credit programs, which help to support people in host communities whose livelihoods have been impacted by the pandemic, and e-learning programs in Burkina Faso to facilitate access to distance learning for students. Business continuity response plan In early March 2020, Endeavour put in place a business continuity plan to mitigate the risks and potential impact of the global COVID-19 pandemic, which has three levels of response: Level 1, which the Group is currently operating under, involves a range of preventative measures including temperature checks, restricted access to sites, social distancing, increased hygiene standards and mandatory quarantine periods for employees arriving in-country, while otherwise continuing operations as normal. Level 2 is designed to be initiated should COVID-19 become more prevalent in the countries in which the Group operates and involves comprehensive restrictions on movement into and out of the mines. Under these circumstances, Endeavour's mines would be isolated, but mining operations and the shipment of gold would continue. Level 3 involves the full or partial suspension of mining and processing operations. In addition, the Group has also taken a number of proactive steps, including: Assessing the supply chain with a focus on ensuring continuity of supply in a range of scenarios. Endeavour's shift to national suppliers located within host countries over the past 12 months has mitigated the impact of closed borders. To ensure that Endeavour would have substantial liquidity and financial flexibility to operate under various stress-test scenarios, Endeavour drew down the entirety of its available Revolving Credit Facility ("RCF") in Q1-2020. Endeavour has now commenced repaying the RCF and expects to continue to reduce the drawn amount during Q3-2020 and Q4-2020. Endeavour assessed its ability to curtail its operations to selectively mine higher grade ore with low strip ratios should mining activity need to be reduced in response to an increase in COVID-19 prevention measures. Each of Endeavour's operations are continuing to operate at normal levels with gold shipments and sales continuing, albeit with increased health and safety measures and decreased efficiencies. Employees in a role that enabled them to work from home were asked to do so. The Company's cloud-based strategy ensured that employees could access all the relevant applications, systems and collaboration tools that they needed to perform their duties. In addition, the cyber security response was updated and is constantly tracked in light of the increased cyber security risk generally observed during the pandemic. OPERATIONAL PERFORMANCE SUMMARY Continued strong safety record for the Group, with a low Lost Time Injury Frequency Rate ("LTIFR") of 0.21 for the trailing 12 months. As described in the Outlook Section on page 21, Endeavour remains on track to achieve its Group production and AISC guidance, despite the COVID-19 pandemic, as it expects a higher grade profile in H2-2020. Endeavour is also maintaining SEMAFO's production and AISC guidance on Mana and Boungou, and therefore expects the FY-2020 Pro Forma Group production to amount to 995-1,095koz in 2020 at an AISC of $865-915/oz. Endeavour expects stronger cash flow generation in the second half of the year, due to higher production, lower non-sustaining spend (already 65% of FY-2020 guidance completed in H1), lower exploration spend (already 85% of FY-2020 guidance completed in H1), the benefit of higher gold prices and its gold collar program (with a cap of $1,500/oz for half its production) finishing at the end of June 2020. H1-2020 production for Endeavour's assets amounted to 321koz, an increase over H1-2019 mainly due to the start-up of the Ity CIL operation in late Q1-2019 while AISC increased in line with guidance. Q2-2020 production for Endeavour's assets amounted to 149Koz, a decrease over Q1-2020, due to a lower production at Ity and Karma. Table 4: Group and Pro Forma Group1 (All amounts in koz, on a 100% basis) THREE MONTHS ENDED SIX MONTHS ENDED June 30, 2020 March 31, 2020 June 30, 2019 June 30, 2020 June 30, 2019 Agbaou 24 27 35 52 66 Ity Heap Leach - - - - 3 Ity CIL 47 61 58 108 66 Karma 20 28 21 48 43 Hounde 57 56 58 113 114 ENDEAVOUR PRODUCTION 149 172 171 321 292 Mana1 48 50 37 97 78 Boungou1 31 29 63 61 125 PRO FORMA PRODUCTION2 228 251 271 479 494 1Pro forma information has not been adjusted and is comprised of the simple sum of information provided for each of Endeavour and SEMAFO. 2 See Footnote 2 below Table 5. Table 5: Group and Pro Forma Group All-In Sustaining Costs1 (All amounts in US$/oz) THREE MONTHS ENDED SIX MONTHS ENDED June 30, 2020 March 31, 2020 June 30, 2019 June 30, 2020 June 30, 2019 Agbaou 955 951 788 953 786 Ity Heap Leach - - - - 1,086 Ity CIL 784 651 585 707 585 Karma 952 866 1,047 904 999 Hounde 965 1,077 836 1,020 808 Corporate G&A 34 30 30 32 38 Sustaining Exploration - - - - - ENDEAVOUR AISC1 939 889 790 918 826 Mana2 1,251 1,051 1,152 1,137 1,113 Boungou2 710 549 476 635 505 PRO FORMA AISC2 979 910 n.a. 942 n.a. 1This is a non-GAAP measure. Refer to the non-GAAP measure section of the MD&A for Endeavour and refer to the non-IFRS measures note in this press release for SEMAFO. 2Endeavour believes that operating and financial figures for SEMAFO are representative of the period ended June 30, 2020 as the Transaction closed on July 1, 2020. Figures presented and disclosed relating to SEMAFO operations represent classifications and calculations performed using consistent historical SEMAFO methodologies. Potential variances to existing Endeavour classifications and calculation methodologies may result in adjustments affecting results. Potential differences may include, but not limited to, classification of corporate costs and operating expenses, classification of mining, processing, and site G&A costs, classification of capitalized waste as sustaining and non-sustaining, valuation of stockpiles and gold in circuit. Accounting treatments and classifications will be aligned with Endeavour methodologies and policies. Pro forma information has not been adjusted and is comprised of the simple weighted average of information provided for each of Endeavour and SEMAFO. ITY MINE Ity CIL Q2 2020 vs Q1 2020 Insights Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, Ity continued to operate at near-normal levels under the Level 1 Response Environment, as describe in COVID-19 Section. The mine plan prioritized both waste extraction and the completion of the TSF raise in Q2-2020 which provides the Company with increased operational flexibility should the mine be forced to operate under a Level 2 or 3 Response Environment which would restrict the number of employees on site and reduce mining activity. Production decreased as the mine plan prioritized both waste extraction and the TSF raise which resulted in a sub-optimal processed ore blend leading to short-term variances in mill throughput, recoveries and processed grade Total tonnes mined remained flat, however tonnes of ore mined decreased by 16% as a greater focus was placed on waste extraction. More waste was extracted at the Ity pit as a result of accelerating the previously planned cutback. In addition, pre-stripping commenced at the Colline Sud Pit, following a change in the mine plan to provide greater operational flexibility. In addition to the operating data presented in the table above, 0.9Mt of waste were mined outside of existing pits to accelerate the planned TSF raise. The processed grade decreased slightly as a higher proportion of the mill feed was supplemented by the lower grade oxide stockpiles as mining focused on waste extraction. Tonnes milled decreased due to lower mill availability driven by longer maintenance shutdowns related to COVID-19 (more time required to get technicians and spare parts on site), however throughput remained within 5% of the nominal plant capacity throughput. Recovery rates reduced, as expected, due to greater quantities of transitional and fresh ore processed from Daapleu with associated lower recoveries. AISC increased due to lower ounces of gold sold, higher royalty rates, a higher strip ratio, lower recovery rates and higher unit mining costs. Mining unit costs increased from $2.37 to $3.12 per tonne mined due to the higher drill and blast and equipment maintenance costs associated with mining an increased proportion of fresh material. Processing unit costs remained broadly flat, despite greater downtime and lower mill throughput. Sustaining capital increased from $1.1 million to $2.3 million for the quarter due to the change-out on heavy mining equipment. Non-sustaining capital remained flat. Q2-2020 includes accelerated waste capitalization for the new Colline Sud pit as well as the TSF raise which was completed within the same period. H1 2020 vs H1 2019 Insights Production increased as the Ity CIL plant operated for the full six month period in H1-2020 compared to half the period in H1-2019 as the plant had its first gold pour in March 2019 with commercial production declared on April 8th 2019. AISC increased as guided due to mining at deeper elevations and increased sustaining capital related to the component change-out associated with heavy mining equipment. Table 6: Ity CIL Quarterly Performance Indicators For The Quarter Ended Q2-2020 Q1-2020 Q2-2019 Tonnes ore mined, kt 1,650 1,909 1,409 Strip ratio (incl. waste cap) 2.26 1.74 1.75 Tonnes milled, kt 1,180 1,410 934 Grade, g/t 1.59 1.63 2.03 Recovery rate, % 77 84 90 PRODUCTION, KOZ 47 61 58 Cash cost/oz 639 558 537 AISC/OZ 784 651 585 Table 7: Ity CIL Half Yearly Performance Indicators For The Half Year Ended H1-2020 H1-2019 Tonnes ore mined, kt 3,559 2,523 Strip ratio (incl. waste cap) 1.98 1.86 Tonnes milled, kt 2,590 1,191 Grade, g/t 1.61 2.03 Recovery rate, % 81 90 PRODUCTION, KOZ 108 66 Cash cost/oz 592 537 AISC/OZ 707 585 H2 2020 Outlook Ity is expected to achieve the bottom end of its full year 2020 production guidance range of between 235,000 - 255,000 ounces and the top end of its AISC guidance of $630 - $675 per ounce. Plant feed in H2-2020 is expected to be sourced primarily from the Daapleu pit, while continuing to be supplemented by ore from the Ity pit and lower grade historic heap dumps. As initially guided, the proportion of fresh ore is expected to remain high for the remainder of the year as the pits become deeper whilst processed grades and recovery rates are expected to remain stable. Sustaining capital spend for FY-2020 is expected to amount to approximately $8.0 million (of which $3.4 million has been incurred in H1-2020), an increase compared to the initial FY-2020 guidance of $4.0 million due to increased waste extraction following the change in the mine plan. Non-sustaining capital spend for FY-2020 is expected to amount to approximately $35.0 million (of which $21.7 million has been incurred in H1-2020), an increase compared to the initial FY-2020 guidance of $26.0 million as the infrastructure and river diversion work for the Le Plaque high grade deposit, which was originally planned for 2021, is now expected to be brought forward given the high confidence in obtaining a mining permit in the coming months and the expected positive impact of this deposit. Exploration Activities An exploration program of up to $14.0 million totaling approximately 100,000 meters has been planned for 2020, with the aim of growing the Le Plaque, Bakatouo, and Daapleu deposits, and testing other targets such as Floleu and Samuel. In H1-2020, $12.0 million was spent, comprised of nearly 85,000 meters drilled, with eight rigs active over the greater Ity area. The majority of drilling was focused on the Le Plaque area and on near-mill targets such as Verse West and Leach pad and Daapleu SW. As announced on July 7, 2020, drilling has resulted in a 43% increase in Le Plaque's Indicated resource estimate to 689,000 ounces. In addition, several other nearby targets have also been identified. At least 15,000 meters of drilling are planned for the remainder of 2020. Following the recent resource addition, the updated Le Plaque reserve estimate is expected to be published in Q3-2020 and integrated into the Ity mine plan. HOUNDE MINE Q2 2020 vs Q1 2020 Insights Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, Hounde continued to operate at near-normal levels under the Level 1 Response Environment, as describe in COVID-19 Section above. Given the flexibility available within the Hounde mine plan, notably due to the slightly earlier than expected receipt of the mining permit for the high grade Kari Pump deposit, a portion of the initially scheduled waste capitalization activity was delayed to later in the year. As such, Hounde's performance was better than initially anticipated. Production increased slightly as higher processed grades and a slightly better recovery rate more than offset the slightly lower throughput. Tonnes of ore mined increased due to the lower overall strip ratio as scheduled waste capitalization activity was delayed to later in the year. Ore was mainly sourced from the Vindaloo Central and Bouere pits, which have a lower strip ratio, and supplemented by ore from the Vindaloo Main and Vindaloo North pits which have a slightly higher strip ratio. Tonnes milled reduced slightly, however continued to perform well above nameplate, as the ore blend continued to be mainly fresh. Processed grades increased as the strong waste capitalization at Vindaloo Central during the previous quarter provided access to high grade ore. In addition, less low grade stockpiles were used to supplement mill feed given the increased mining activity. Recovery rates increased slightly based on the ore blend characteristics. AISC decreased mainly due to slightly higher sales volumes and lower mining unit costs which more than offset higher royalties and higher processing and G&A unit costs. Mining unit costs decreased from $2.25 to $2.15 per tonne due to lower production drilling and blasting activities required for the oxidized ore mined at the Vindaloo Central pit. Processing unit costs increased from $12.49 to $14.31 per tonne driven by increased reagent costs. Sustaining capital decreased slightly decreased from $11.8 million to $11.1 million due to the change in the mine plan. Non-sustaining capital increased from $1.8 million to $5.8 million with the Q2-2020 spend mainly comprised of compensation and resettlement for the Kari Pump area, as well as a TSF raise. H1 2020 vs H1 2019 Insights Production remained steady as increased tonnes milled offset the lower recovery rate while processed grades remained flat. AISC increased as expected due to higher sustaining waste capitalization, higher royalty costs and a shift to mining and processing a higher proportion of harder fresh ore. Table 8: Hounde Quarterly Performance Indicators For The Quarter Ended Q2-2020 Q1-2020 Q2-2019 Tonnes ore mined, kt 1,072 900 917 Strip ratio (incl. waste cap) 9.73 11.57 8.97 Tonnes milled, kt 1,035 1,066 1,043 Grade, g/t 1.91 1.76 1.88 Recovery rate, % 92 91 93 PRODUCTION, KOZ 57 56 58 Cash cost/oz 632 744 621 AISC/OZ 965 1,077 836 Table 9: Hounde Half Yearly Performance Indicator For The Half Year Ended H1-2020 H1-2019 Tonnes ore mined, kt 1,972 1,686 Strip ratio (incl. waste cap) 10.57 10.00 Tonnes milled, kt 2,101 2,076 Grade, g/t 1.83 1.84 Recovery rate, % 91 93 PRODUCTION, KOZ 113 114 Cash cost/oz 687 630 AISC/OZ 1,020 808 H2 2020 Outlook With the recent receipt of the Kari Pump mining permit, Hounde is expected to achieve the top end of its full year 2020 production guidance range of 230,000 - 250,000 ounces and the bottom end of its AISC guidance range of $865-$895 per ounce. Higher grade material is planned to be processed in the second half of the year with mill feed from Vindaloo Main and Central supplemented by Kari Pump, which will be ramped up in Q4-2020. The overall expected capital spend for FY-2020 is expected to remain unchanged at $59.0 million (of which $30.5 million was incurred in H1-2020). Sustaining and non-sustaining capital spends for FY-2020 are expected to amount to approximately $49.0 million and $10.0 million, respectively. Exploration An exploration program of $11.0 million totaling approximately 94,000 meters has been initially planned for 2020, with the aim of delineating additional resources in the Kari area and at the Vindaloo South and Vindaloo North targets. In addition, other targets such as Dohoun and Sia/Sianikoui are expected to be tested. In H1-2020, over 73,000 meters were drilled with up to 11 rigs active. Of the meters completed, over 44,000 meters were drilled for geotechnical and metallurgical purposes at Kari West, Kari Centre and Kari Gap, and sterilization and grade control at Kari Pump. The majority of remaining drill metres focused on the Kari area along with small reconnaissance drill campaigns at Sianikoui, Mambo and Marzipan which provided positive initial results. A new mineralized area was discovered, named Kari Gap, which is the extension of the Kari Center Main area. An updated resource estimate, incorporating 554,000 additional Indicated ounces for the entire Kari area, was published in early Q3-2020. A reserve estimate update is expected to be released in Q3-2020, which will include maiden reserves for Kari West and will be followed by the publication of an updated mine plan for Hounde. In addition, a second reserve estimate update is expected to be published in Q4-2020 to include Kari Center Main and Kari Gap. AGBAOU MINE Q2 2020 vs Q1 2020 Insights Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, Agbaou continued to operate at near-normal levels under the Level 1 Response Environment, as describe in COVID-19 Section above, with no material changes to its mine plan required. Production decreased due to lower average processed grades and throughput while recovery rates remained flat. Total tonnes mined decreased due to both fewer tonnes of ore mines and a lower overall strip ratio. Mining was focused on the deeper elevation of the North and South pits. Tonnes of ore mined decreased mainly due to the impact of higher rainfall and lower equipment productivity as mining focused on the fresh material zones. Tonnes milled decreased due to the planned higher proportion of fresh ore in the blend. Processed grades decreased as a result of higher tonnage from the lower grade South pit and the use of low grade stockpiles to supplement the plant feed. Recovery rates remained flat. The AISC remained flat as lower sustaining capital spend offset higher unit mining, processing and G&A costs and increased royalties. Mining unit costs increased from $2.66 to $2.76 per tonne mined due to mining more fresh material at a deeper elevation in the North and South pits. Processing unit costs increased from $7.10 to $8.88 per tonne mainly due to lower tonnes milled and a greater proportion of fresh ore in the blend. Sustaining capital costs decreased from $5.4 million to $1.4 million primarily due to the lower capitalized waste. Non-sustaining capital remained low, marginally increasing from $0.1 million to $0.3 million. H1 2020 vs H1 2019 Insights As guided, production decreased due to lower grades which were slightly offset by higher plant throughput. AISC increased as a result of lower ounces sold and higher royalties, unit mining costs and processing costs, which were offset by lower sustaining capital and G&A unit costs. Table 10: Agbaou Quarterly Performance Indicators For The Quarter Ended Q2-2020 Q1-2020 Q2-2019 Tonnes ore mined, kt 659 757 564 Strip ratio (incl. waste cap) 6.97 7.50 10.60 Tonnes milled, kt 675 732 644 Grade, g/t 1.14 1.31 1.75 Recovery rate, % 94 94 94 PRODUCTION, KOZ 24 27 35 Cash cost/oz 801 668 665 AISC/OZ 955 951 788 Table 11: Agbaou Half Yearly Performance Indicators For The Half Year Ended H1-2020 H1-2019 Tonnes ore mined, kt 1,416 1,015 Strip ratio (incl. waste cap) 7.25 11.58 Tonnes milled, kt 1,407 1,365 Grade, g/t 1.23 1.58 Recovery rate, % 94 94 PRODUCTION, KOZ 52 66 Cash cost/oz 731 592 AISC/OZ 953 786 H2 2020 Outlook Agbaou is expected to achieve the bottom half of its full year 2020 production guidance range of 115,000-125,000 ounces and the middle of its AISC guidance range of $940-$990 per ounce. Mining is expected to continue principally in the North and South pits with contributions from the West pit ceasing in the second half of the year. Throughput and recovery rates are expected to decrease slightly in the second half of the year as greater volumes of harder fresh ore are expected to be processed. The average grade milled is however expected to increase throughout the second half of the year. Sustaining and non-sustaining capital spends for FY-2020 remain unchanged compared to the initial guidance, and are expected to amount to approximately $17.0 million and $1.0 million, respectively. Exploration Activities An exploration program of up to $2.0 million has been planned for 2020 with the aim of continuing to test targets located along extensions of known deposits and on parallel trends. Minimal work was done in H1-2020 as the Cote d'Ivoire exploration efforts were concentrated on Ity and Fetekro. KARMA MINE Q2 2020 vs Q1 2020 Insights Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, Karma continued to operate at near-normal levels under the Level 1 Response Environment, as describe in COVID-19 Section, with no material changes to its mine plan required. Production decreased despite higher stacker throughput rates due to lower grades stacked, a slight decrease in recovery rate and increased gold in the circuit. Total tonnes mined remained relatively flat. As guided, a higher proportion of ore mined was sourced from the lower grade GG1 pit. In addition, a waste stripping campaign commenced at the Kao North pit. Ore tonnes stacked increased due to the benefit of the recently completed conveyor and stacking system upgrades. The stacked grade decreased due to lower grade ore sourced from the GG1 pit. Recovery rates decreased slightly as a portion of the ore stacked was transitional material. In addition, gold in circuit increased due to gold locked in the heap which is expected to be recovered in the upcoming quarters. The AISC increased, albeit outperforming guidance, mainly due to increased sustaining capital spend, higher royalty rates, and increased unit processing cost which were partially offset by lower unit G&A costs. Mining unit costs remained flat. Processing unit costs increased from $6.14 to $6.56 per tonne due to higher use of cyanide and cement associated with the low grade GG1 materials stacked. Sustaining capital costs increased from $0.6 million to $2.0 million due to increased capitalized waste at the Kao North pit. Non-sustaining capital spend increased from $2.1 million to $3.8 million due to security upgrades and various process plant upgrades. A mining contact was awarded to SFTP Mining BF S.A.R.L ("SFTP"), a local contractor, in late Q2-2020. As such, Karma successfully transitioned from owner mining to contract mining on June 8, 2020. As a part of the transition, the mining fleet at Karma and associated spare parts were sold to SFTP for $12.8 million. H1 2020 vs H1 2019 Insights As guided, production increased due to the higher throughput rate and grade stacked. AISC decreased as a result of higher ounces sold, lower unit processing and G&A costs and a lower strip ratio. Table 12: Karma Quarterly Performance Indicators For The Quarter Ended Q2-2020 Q1-2020 Q2-2019 Tonnes ore mined, kt 1,288 1,229 1,057 Strip ratio (incl. waste cap) 2.73 3.03 4.35 Tonnes stacked, kt 1,238 1,114 1,047 Grade, g/t 0.81 1.02 0.86 Recovery rate, % 80 82 83 PRODUCTION, KOZ 20 28 21 Cash cost/oz 723 722 902 AISC/OZ 952 866 1,047 Table 13: Karma Half Yearly Performance Indicators For The Half Year Ended H1-2020 H1-2019 Tonnes ore mined, kt 2,517 1,891 Strip ratio (incl. waste cap) 2.87 4.52 Tonnes milled, kt 2,352 2,142 Grade, g/t 0.91 0.77 Recovery rate, % 81 82 PRODUCTION, KOZ 48 43 Cash cost/oz 722 875 AISC/OZ 904 999 H2 2020 Outlook Karma is expected to achieve the bottom end of its full year 2020 production guidance range of 100,000 - 110,000 ounces and the middle of its AISC guidance range of $980 - $1,050 per ounce. Mining activity is expected to continue at the Kao North pit and GG1 throughout the remainder of the year. Processed grades are expected to increase in the latter portion of the year as production from GG1 increases. Tonnes stacked are expected to remain fairly stable outside of the rainy season. Recovery rates are expected to decline slightly throughout the year as the proportion of transitional ore increases, while gold-in-circuit is expected to be recovered. Sustaining capital spend for FY-2020 is expected to amount to approximately $9.0 million (of which $2.7 million has been incurred in H1-2020), a decrease compared to the initial FY-2020 guidance of $13.0 million due to less mining maintenance required following the transfer to contract mining. Non-sustaining capital spend for FY-2020 is expected to amount to approximately $9.0 million (of which all $5.9 million has been incurred in H1-2020), an increase compared to the initial FY-2020 guidance of $5.0 million due to process plant upgrades. Exploration Activities An exploration program of up to $2.0 million has been planned for 2020 with the aim of in-fill drilling and testing extensions of known deposits. Minimal work has been done in H1-2020 as the Burkina Faso exploration efforts were focused on the numerous Hounde exploration targets. MANA MINE Q2 2020 vs Q1 2020 Insights Following the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic, a large portion of the underground mining team was placed in a 14-day quarantine as a preventive measure. Due to this, the underground operation was temporarily halted which resulted in a shortage of higher grade ore feed. In addition, the mill experienced downtime following a quarantine period once the roster change was made. As such, production during the quarter was slightly impacted. Production decreased as a result of lower tonnes milled and a slightly lower recovery rate which were partially offset by higher processed grade. Tonnes of ore mined from the open pit operations increased as mining focused on ore extraction, benefiting from the lower overall strip ratio. Open pit ore mined was sourced from both the Siou and Wona pits, while towards the end of the quarter stripping activities commenced in the northern part of Wona pit. Tonnes of ore mined from the underground operation decreased due to a temporary halt of the underground mining activities as a result of the COVID-19 precautions. During the quarter, 1,636 meters of development were completed at Siou compared to 2,053 meters during Q1-2020. Ore tonnes processed decreased as a result of a harder ore blend (additional ore sourced from Siou as less underground ore tonnes were extracted) and lower plant utilization due to quarantine periods following expatriate roster changes. Recovery rates decreased slightly as the characteristics of the ore milled remained similar to Q1-2020. AISC increased due to higher underground mining costs, higher processing unit costs and lower gold sales, partially offset by lower sustaining capital spend. Mining open pit unit costs decreased from $4.79 to $4.46 per tonne in part due to a lower fuel price. Mining underground unit costs per tonne of ore increased from $60.26 to $69.31 as a result of the lower tonnes extracted. Processing unit costs increased from $18.19 to $21.42 per tonne due to lower tonnes milled. Sustaining capital decreased from $16.9 million to $11.9 million due to less underground development in Q2-2020 and more waste stripping in the Wona North pit during Q1-2020. Non-sustaining capital remained minimal. H1 2020 vs H1 2019 Insights Production increased due to higher head grade and recovery rate which reflects the relative contribution of Siou underground and open pit (higher head grade and better recovery rate) than the ore from Wona pit. AISC increased slightly due to a higher royalty cost related to the increase in the average realized selling price. Table 12: Mana Quarterly Performance Indicators For The Quarter Ended Q2-2020 Q1-2020 Q2-2019 OP tonnes ore mined, kt 390 211 479 OP strip ratio (incl. waste cap) 9.94 20.70 14.60 UG tonnes ore mined, kt 138 164 - Tonnes milled, kt 546 665 619 Grade, g/t 2.84 2.49 2.12 Recovery rate, % 93 94 88 PRODUCTION, KOZ 48 50 37 Cash cost/oz 857 645 805 AISC/OZ 1,251 1,051 1,152 Table 13: Mana Half Yearly Performance Indicators For The Half Year Ended H1-2020 H1-2019 OP tonnes ore mined, kt 602 887 OP strip ratio (incl. waste cap) 13.72 15.80 UG tonnes ore mined, kt 302 - Tonnes milled, kt 1,211 1,259 Grade, g/t 2.65 2.20 Recovery rate, % 93 87 PRODUCTION, KOZ 97 78 Cash cost/oz 736 759 AISC/OZ 1,137 1,113 H2 2020 Outlook Good progress has been made to swiftly integrate Mana within Endeavour's West African operating model. A key difference between SEMAFO's operating model and that of Endeavour is the reporting structure, where Endeavour's mines benefit from the presence of technical experts and a logistics platform based locally at site rather than at the head office which allows for quick decision making and synergies. The integration planning process was launched with the SEMAFO team after the transaction announcement in March 2020 and implemented on transaction close. Several key personnel changes were made at Mana to accelerate the integration process into Endeavour's operating model. Mana is expected to achieve its full year guidance, as published by SEMAFO, and produce between 185,000 to 205,000 ounces in 2020 at an AISC of between $1,050 - $1,120 per ounce. Open pit mining activity in H2-2020 is expected to focus solely on Wona once the Siou open pit mining activities are completed later this year, while underground mining activity is expected to increase. AISC is expected to decrease in H2-2020 following higher contribution of the underground operation and sourcing more oxide ore from the Wona North pit which is expected to offset the slightly lower anticipated recovery rate due to change in ore blend. Sustaining and non-sustaining capital spends for FY-2020 remain unchanged compared to SEMAFO's published guidance, and are expected to amount to approximately $70.0 million and $2.0 million, respectively (of which $28.8 million and $0.3 million were incurred in H1-2020, respectively). BOUNGOU MINE Q2 2020 vs Q1 2020 Insights Following the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic, Boungou continued to process stockpiles with minimal impact. Production decreased slightly as lower processed grades were partially offset by increased mill throughput. No mining activity took place during the quarter. Tonnes milled increased during the quarter as the plant processed stockpile over a three-month period compared to a two-month period in the first quarter. As expected, the processed grade decreased due to the declining grade profile of the available ore stockpile. Recovery rates remained flat as the characteristics of the ore milled remained similar to Q1-2020. As expected, AISC increased due to the processing of lower grade stockpiles in the period. Processing unit cost increased from $34.40 to $39.31 per tonne mainly due to higher rehandling costs. Sustaining capital decreased from $0.5 million to $0.2 million. Non-sustaining capital increased slightly from $0.6 million to $0.8 million in Q2-2020, mainly related to the air strip build. H1 2020 vs H1 2019 Insights Production decreased from the comparative period in 2019 as a result of processing only stockpiles in H1-2020. Table 16: Boungou Quarterly Performance Indicators For The Quarter Ended Q2-2020 Q1-2020 Q2-2019 Tonnes ore mined, kt - - - Strip ratio (incl. waste cap) - - - Tonnes milled, kt 270 200 200 Grade, g/t 3.69 5.29 7.19 Recovery rate, % 94 94 94 PRODUCTION, KOZ 31 29 63 Cash cost/oz 598 434 350 AISC/OZ 710 549 476 Table 17: Boungou Half Yearly Performance Indicators For The Half Year Ended H1-2020 H1-2019 Tonnes ore mined, kt - 51 Strip ratio (incl. waste cap) - 18.50 Tonnes milled, kt 470 591 Grade, g/t 4.37 6.83 Recovery rate, % 94 96 PRODUCTION, KOZ 61 125 Cash cost/oz 521 343 AISC/OZ 635 505 H2 2020 Outlook Good progress has been made to swiftly integrate Boungou within Endeavour's West African operating model. A key difference between SEMAFO's operating model and that of Endeavour is the reporting structure, where Endeavour's mines benefit from the presence of technical experts and a logistics platform based locally on site rather than at the head office which allows for quick decision making and synergies. The integration planning process was launched with the SEMAFO team after the transaction announcement in March 2020 and implemented on transaction close. Several key personnel changes were made at Boungou, including the appointment of a West African General Manager, to accelerate the integration process into Endeavour's operating model. Boungou is expected to meet its full year guidance as published by SEMAFO and produce between 130,000 and 150,000 ounces in 2020 at an AISC of between $680 - $725 per ounce. Boungou is expected to recommence mining activities in Q4-2020 once a new mining contract is awarded, the air strip is built and the security practice is fully integrated within Endeavour's operating model. In the meantime, processed grades and recovery rates are expected to decrease as higher quality ore stockpiles are processed in priority. Sustaining and non-sustaining capital spends for FY-2020 remain unchanged compared to SEMAFO's published guidance, and are expected to amount to approximately $10.0 million and $3.0 million, respectively (of which $0.7 million and $1.3 million were incurred in H1-2020, respectively). PROJECT UPDATE While the main focus for 2020 is cash flow generation, Endeavour is continuing to build optionality within its portfolio by advancing studies and conducting exploration on both the Fetekro and Kalana projects. Studies are underway with the aim of publishing a Preliminary Economic Assessment ("PEA") on Fetekro and a Preliminary Feasibility Study ("PFS") on Kalana during H2-2020. At Fetekro, an exploration program of up to $6.0 million had been budgeted for 2020, which has already been exceeded with approximately $8.0 million spent in H1-2020. The program mainly focused on the Lafigue deposit, in addition to initial drilling on the Iguela target. An updated Lafigue deposit resource estimate is planned to be published in Q3-2020. At Kalana, an exploration budget of up to $2.0 million has been planned for 2020 to follow-up on nearby targets, with the program expected to be conducted in H2-2020. Once these studies on Fetekro and Kalana are published, Endeavour will be better positioned to decide which project to prioritize and advance to Feasibility stage. EXPLORATION ACTIVITIES The H1-2020 Group exploration spend was $36.0 million, comprising of 234,866 meters drilled. Details by asset are provided in the mine sections above. The main areas of focus in H1-2020 were Hounde and Ity near-mine exploration, aimed at extending their mine lives to beyond 10 years, and Fetekro with the aim adding optionality to Endeavour's project pipeline. H1-2020 greenfield exploration spend includes a 5,000-meter drilling campaign on the Tanda/Bondoukou property in Cote d'Ivoire which has yielded positive results. Table 18: Exploration Expenditures (in US$ million unless otherwise stated) Q2-2020 Q1-2020 H1-2020 Ity 6 6 12 Hounde 7 6 13 Fetekro 5 3 8 Agbaou 0 0 0 Karma 0 0 0 Kalana 0 0 0 Other greenfield 1 1 2 TOTAL 19 16 36 Amounts include expensed, sustaining, and non-sustaining exploration expenditures. Amounts may differ from MD&A due to rounding CASH FLOW BASED ON ALL-IN MARGIN APPROACH The table below presents the cash flow for Endeavour for the three and six month periods ending June 30, based on the All-In Margin approach, with accompanying notes below. Table 19: Cash Flow Based on All-In Margin Approach THREE MONTHS ENDED SIX MONTHS ENDED June 30, 2020 March 31, 2020 June 30, 2019 June 30, 2020 June 30, 2019 in US$ million unless otherwise specified. GOLD PRODUCTION, koz 149 172 171 321 292 GOLD SOLD, koz (Note 1) 150 175 171 324 292 Gold Price, $/oz (Note 2) 1,689 1,546 1,285 1,612 1,271 REVENUE 253 270 219 523 371 Total cash costs (101) (115) (108) (216) (188) Royalties (Note 3) (18) (17) (11) (35) (20) Corporate costs (5) (5) (5) (10) (11) Sustaining mining capital spend (Note 4) (17) (19) (11) (36) (22) Sustaining exploration capital spend 0 0 0 0 0 ALL-IN SUSTAINING MARGIN (Note 5) 112 113 84 225 130 Less: Non-sustaining mining capital spend (Note 6) (22) (18) (17) (40) (29) Less: Non-sustaining exploration capital spend (Note 7) (17) (15) (21) (32) (33) ALL-IN MARGIN 73 80 46 153 68 Changes in working capital and long-term assets, $ (Note 8) (28) 9 2 (19) (29) Taxes paid (Note 9) (20) (9) (30) (29) (31) Interest paid, financing fees and lease repayments (Note 10) (16) (20) (21) (36) (33) Cash settlements on hedge programs and gold collar premiums (Note 11) (17) 0 (1) (17) (1) NET FREE CASH FLOW (8) 59 (3) 52 (26) Growth project capital (Note 12) (2) (2) (20) (4) (86) Greenfield exploration expense (2) (1) (2) (3) (6) M&A, restructuring and asset sales (Note 13) 9 (10) 0 (1) 0 Cash paid on settlement of share appreciation rights, DSUs and PSUs 0 0 0 0 (1) Foreign exchange (losses) /gains 1 (1) (4) 0 (5) Other (expenses) /income (Note 14) (4) 3 1 (1) (2) Proceeds (repayment) of long-term debt (Note 15) 0 120 20 120 80 CASH INFLOW (OUTFLOW) FOR THE PERIOD (6) 167 (6) 162 (46) Certain line items in the table above are NON-GAAP measures. For more information and notes, please consult the Company's MD&A. NOTES: Gold sales decreased by 25Koz in Q2-2020 compared to Q1-2020 as a result of lower production at the Ity, Karma and Agbaou mines. Gold sales increased in H1-2020 compared to H1-2019 due to higher production from the Ity mine which was commissioned in Q2-2019. The realized gold price for H1-2020 was $1,612/oz compared to $1,271/oz in H1-2019. Both these amounts include the impact of the Karma stream, amounting to 10,000 ounces sold in H1-2020 and 10,938 in H1-2019, at 20% of spot prices. The realized gold price excluding the gold stream at Karma, would have been $1,653/oz for H1-2020 and $1,311/oz for H1-2019. The royalty expense increased from $100/oz in Q1-2020 to $119/oz in Q2-2020. The H1-2020 royalty expense was $109/oz, up from $69/oz for H1-2019, due to both the higher realized gold price and an increase in the underlying royalty rate based on the applicable sliding scale (above a spot gold price of $1,300/oz, government royalty rates in Burkina Faso increase from 4.0% to 5.0%, and above a spot gold price of $1,600/oz rates increase from 4.0% to 5.0% in Cote d'Ivoire). The sustaining capital expenditure for Q2-2020 decreased slightly over Q1-2020 mainly due to a decrease in spend at Agbaou. The sustaining capital expenditure for H1-2020 increased compared to the corresponding period of 2019 mainly due to the scheduled waste capitalization at Hounde and the commissioning of the Ity CIL project, as shown in the table below. Further details by asset are provided in the above mine sections. Table 20: Sustaining Capital (All amounts in US$m) THREE MONTHS ENDED SIX MONTHS ENDED June 30, 2020 March 31, 2020 June 30, 2019 June 30, 2020 June 30, 2019 Agbaou 1 5 3 7 10 Ity CIL 2 1 0 3 0 Karma 2 1 1 3 2 Hounde 11 12 7 23 10 Total 17 19 11 36 22 The All-In Sustaining Margin for Q2-2020 remained flat over Q1-2020 as the higher realized gold price offset lower gold sales. The All-In Sustaining Margin for H1-2020 increased compared to the corresponding period of 2019 due to increased gold sales and increased realized gold price (described in Notes 1 and 2) which was partially offset by a higher cash costs, royalties and sustaining mining capital spend. The non-sustaining capital spend increased in Q2-2020 compared to Q1-2020, due to increases at Hounde and Karma. The non-sustaining capital spend for H1-2020 increased compared to the corresponding period of 2019 mainly due to the TSF raise and waste capitalization at Ity, while spend decreased at Agbaou, Karma and Hounde, as shown in the table below. Further details by asset are provided in the above mine sections. Table 21: Non-Sustaining Capital (All amounts in US$m) THREE MONTHS ENDED SIX MONTHS ENDED June 30, 2020 March 31, 2020 June 30, 2019 June 30, 2020 June 30, 2019 Agbaou 0 0 3 0 5 Ity CIL 11 11 0 22 0 Karma 4 2 9 6 12 Hounde 6 2 3 8 9 Non-mining 1 3 3 4 3 Total 22 18 17 40 29 The non-sustaining exploration capital spend for H1-2020 continued to remain high, in line with Endeavour's strategic objective of unlocking exploration value through its aggressive drilling campaign. The majority of the exploration work planned for 2020 was conducted in H1-2020, ahead of the rainy season, with approximately 85% of the original full year guidance already completed. The tables below summarize the Q2-2020 and H1-2020 working capital movements. Table 22: Working Capital Movement - Q2-2020 compared to Q1-2020 THREE MONTHS ENDED June 30, 2020 March 31, 2020 Q2-2020 Comments Trade and other receivables (11) (7) Increased mainly due to a $7 million increase in VAT receivables at Hounde and a $5 million short-term loan to the BCM Group. Trade and other payables (10) +3 Settlement of Accounts Payable in the normal course of business. Inventories (7) +11 Increase of $8 million of GIC at Karma and Agbaou which was slightly offset by a decrease in inventory supplies. Prepaid expenses and other - - Changes in long-term assets 0 +2 Total (28) +9 Table 23: Working Capital Movement - H1-2020 compared to H1-2019 SIX MONTHS ENDED June 30, 2020 June 30, 2019 H1-2020 Comments Trade and other receivables (18) (4) Increase is mainly due to the increase in VAT receivable at Hounde and an increase in the receivable from BCM. Trade and other payables (7) +9 Settlement of Accounts Payable in the normal course of business. Inventories +3 (21) Inflow mainly related to the decrease in stockpiles, GIC and consumables at Ity and Hounde offset by an increase in GIC at Karma. Prepaid expenses and other 0 (4) Changes in long-term assets +2 (8) Increased due to a $4.5 million inflow from BCM related to the Tabakoto sale, which was offset by a reclassification from long-term to short-term inventory at Ity Total (19) (29) Taxes paid increased by $11.6 million in Q2-2020 compared to Q1-2020. This was due to corporate income tax payments made at Agbaou and Ity of $11.9 million and $7.5 million respectively. Taxes paid in H1-2020 decreased slightly compared to the previous year, despite significantly higher revenues, mainly due to a decrease of taxes paid at Hounde (due to installment payments being made). Table 24: Tax Payments THREE MONTHS ENDED SIX MONTHS ENDED June 30, 2020 March 31, 2020 June 30, 2019 June 30, 2020 June 30, 2019 (in US$ million) Agbaou 12 0 0 12 0 Karma 0 0 0 0 0 Ity 8 0 4 8 5 Hounde 1 6 25 7 25 Kalana 0 0 0 0 0 Exploration 0 2 0 2 0 Corporate 0 0 1 0 1 Total 20 9 30 29 31 The interest paid, financing fees and lease repayments decreased in Q2-2020 compared to Q1-2020 as the convertible bond coupon is payable during the first and third quarters. The amount for H1-2020 increased slightly compared to the corresponding period of H1-2019 mainly due to interest payment on equipment leases at Ity. Cash settlements on hedge programs in H1-2020 includes a $5 million fee for the gold collar program and $20 million for its associated settlements, and an inflow of $7 million related to short-term forward sales in Q1-2020. The collar expired at the end of June 2020 with the final payment on the collar due to early Q3-2020. Growth project spend decreased to $2 million in Q2-2020 as the Ity CIL plant was completed in Q1-2019. The amount for H1-2020 of $4 million relates mainly to the Kalana project. M&A, restructuring and asset sale activities in Q2-2020 include an inflow $10 million related to the sale of mining equipment, in addition to $2 million received for associated spares, to the newly appointed contactor miner at Karma and a $7 million outflow associated to advisory fees for the SEMAFO transaction. The $1 million outflow in H1-2020 also includes a $5 million payment for the increased Ity ownership (contingent consideration based on ounces discovered) and advisory M&A fees. Other expenses in Q2-2020 were mainly comprised of COVID-19 expenses relating to items such as donations. $120 million was drawn on the RCF as a proactive measure in Q1-2020 to secure the company's liquidity as part of its COVID-19 business continuity program. NET CASHFLOW, NET DEBT AND LIQUIDITY SOURCES The table below summarizes operating, investing, and financing activities, main balance sheet items and the resulting impact on the company's Net Debt position, with notes provide below. Table 25: Cash Flow and Net Debt Position for Endeavour THREE MONTHS ENDED SIX MONTHS ENDED (in US$ million unless stated otherwise) June 30, 2020 March 31, 2020 June 30, 2019 June 30, 2020 June 30, 2019 Net cash from (used in), as per cash flow statement: Operating activities (Note 16) 57 126 62 183 85 Investing activities (Note 17) (48) (57) (69) (105) (178) Financing activities (Note 18) (16) 100 (1) 84 47 Effect of exchange rate changes on cash 1 (1) 1 0 0 INCREASE/(DECREASE) IN CASH (6) 167 (6) 162 (46) Cash position at beginning of period 357 190 84 190 124 CASH POSITION AT END OF PERIOD (Note 19) 352 357 78 352 78 Equipment financing (Note 20) (64) (70) 98 (64) 98 Convertible senior bond (Note 21) (330) (330) (330) (330) (330) Drawn portion of revolving credit facility (Note 22) (430) (430) (310) (430) (310) NET DEBT POSITION (Note 23) 473 473 660 473 660 Net Debt / Adjusted EBITDA (LTM) ratio (Note 23) 1.00 1.06 2.75 1.00 2.75 Net Debt and Adjusted EBITDA are Non-GAAP measures. For a discussion regarding the company's use of Non-GAAP Measures, please see "note regarding certain measures of performance" in the MD&A. Table 26: Pro Forma Net Debt Position (in US$ million) AS AT 30 JUNE, 2020 Endeavour SEMAFO Pro Forma Cash, $m 352 93 445 Cash from La Mancha equity investment, $m 0 0 100 Debt, $m 824 30 854 Net Debt, (Net Cash), $m 473 (64) 309 Net Debt / Adjusted EBITDA (LTM) ratio 1.00 n.a. 0.44 NOTES: Net cash flow from operating activities for H1-2020 was $183 million, up $98 million compared to H1-2019. The main drivers were a $152 million increase in revenue, as a result of more gold sold (Ity commercial production only commenced in Q2-2019) at a higher realized gold price, a $5 million decrease in losses due to foreign exchange and a $3 million decrease in taxes paid which was partially offset by a $15 million increase in royalty costs and a $23 million increase in settlements related to the gold collar. In Q2-2020, there was a decrease in net cash flow from operating activities of $69 million compared to Q1-2020. This was mainly attributable to the negative non-cash working capital variance of $28 million compared to the positive $9 million variance in Q1-2020 (details in note 8 above), coupled with a $17 million decrease in revenue as a result of 25koz fewer gold sold, a $17 million outflow related to gold collar fees and settlements, and an $12 million increase in taxes paid. Net cash used in investing activities during H1-2020 was $105 million, down $73 million compared to H1-2019, mainly due Ity CIL construction being completed in Q1-2019. Net cash used in investing activities in Q2-2020 was down $9 million as Endeavour received $12 million of proceeds for the sale of its fleet at Karma and associated spares, as part of the shift to owner mining, whereas Q1-2020 included a $5 million payment for the increased Ity ownership (contingent consideration based on ounces discovered) Net cash generated in financing activities in H1-2020 was $84 million, mainly related to the $120 million drawdown on the RCF in Q1-2020, which was offset by $17 million in interest payments and $19 million repayment of finance lease obligations. The equipment finance lease obligations decreased in Q2-2020 due to scheduled lease payments. At quarter-end, Endeavour's liquidity remained strong with $352 million of cash on hand. Subsequent to quarter-end, Endeavour closed both the acquisition of SEMAFO and the associated $100 million investment from La Mancha. As such, as at June 30, 2020, its Pro Forma liquidity stood at $545 million. In 2018, Endeavour issued a $330 million convertible note, maturing in February 2023. In Q1-2020 as a precaution to ensure that Endeavour would have substantial liquidity and financial flexibility to operate under various stress-test scenarios relating to the COVD-19 pandemic, Endeavour drew down the entirety of its available revolving credit facility. Reimbursement of this facility has commenced and will continue during Q3-2020 and Q4-2020. Net Debt for Endeavour amounted to $473 million at the end of H1-2020, a decrease of $187 million compared to the corresponding period in 2019. The Net Debt / Adjusted EBITDA ratio for Endeavour improved slightly over the quarter, decreasing from 1.06 times to 1.00 times mainly due to a slightly higher LTM adjusted EBITDA. Subsequent to quarter-end, Endeavour closed both the acquisition of SEMAFO and the associated $100 million investment from La Mancha. As such, as at June 30, 2020, its Pro Forma Net Debt stood at $309 million and its Pro Forma Net Debt / Adjusted EBITDA ratio stood at 0.44x. OPERATING CASH FLOW PER SHARE Operating cash flow increased by $98 million in H1-2020 compared to H1-2019, amounting to $183 million or $1.66 per share in total. Further insights have been provided in Note 16 above. Operating cash flow amounted to $57 million in Q2-2020 (or $0.52 per share), a decrease of $69 million compared to Q1-2020 with the largest factor related to the non-cash working capital variance of $37 million. Table 27: Operating Cash Flow Per Share (in US$ million unless stated otherwise) QUARTER ENDED YEAR ENDED June 30, 2020 March 31, 2020 June 30, 2019 June 30, 2020 June 30, 2019 CASH GENERATED FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES 57 126 62 183 85 Divided by weighted average number of O/S shares, in millions 111 111 110 111 110 OPERATING CASH FLOW PER SHARE 0.52 1.14 0.57 1.66 0.78 Operating Cash Flow Per Share is a NON-GAAP measure. For a discussion regarding the company's use of NON-GAAP Measures, please see "note regarding certain measures of performance" in the MD&A. Operating cash flow before non-cash working capital increased by $99 million in H1-2020 compared to H1-2019, amounting to $205 million or $1.85 per share. Operating cash flow before non-cash working capital for Q2-2020 amounted to $85 million (or $0.77 per share) in Q2-2020, down $34 million over Q1-2020, mainly due to lower ounces sold, an outflow of $17 million related to hedging programs and an $11 million increase in taxes paid which was partially offset by an $11 million decrease in operating expenses. Table 28: Operating Cash Flow Before Non-Cash Working Capital Per Share (in US$ million unless stated otherwise) QUARTER ENDED YEAR ENDED June 30, 2020 March 31, 2020 June 30, 2019 June 30, 2020 June 30, 2019 CASH GENERATED FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES 57 126 62 183 85 Add back changes in non-cash working capital (28) 7 5 (21) (20) OPERATING CASH FLOWS BEFORE NON-CASH WORKING CAPITAL 85 119 57 205 105 Divided by weighted average number of O/S shares, in millions 111 111 110 111 110 OPERATING CASH FLOW PER SHARE BEFORE NON-CASH WORKING CAPITAL 0.77 1.08 0.52 1.85 0.96 Operating Cash Flow Per Share is a Non-GAAP measure. For a discussion regarding the company's use of Non-GAAP Measures, please see "note regarding certain measures of performance" in the MD&A. ADJUSTED NET EARNINGS PER SHARE Adjusted Net Earnings amounted to $53 million in Q2-2020 (or $0.48 per share), an increase of $19 million compared to Q1-2020 due to the benefit of a strong gold price and lower depreciation. Adjusted Net Earnings amounted to $86 million in H1-2020 (or $0.78 per share), an increase of $83 million compared to H1-2019 due to the benefit of higher production at a higher realized gold price. Adjustments made in Q2-2020 and H1-2020 relate mainly to the loss on financial instruments, deferred income tax expense, share based compensation, and acquisition and restructuring costs. Table 29: Net Earnings and Adjusted Net Earnings (in US$ million unless stated otherwise) QUARTER ENDED YEAR ENDED June 30, 2020 March 31, 2020 June 30, 2019 June 30, 2020 June 30, 2019 TOTAL NET EARNINGS (23) 35 7 13 (5) Adjustments (see MD&A) 92 7 8 99 18 ADJUSTED NET EARNINGS 69 43 15 112 13 Less portion attributable to non-controlling interests 16 9 7 26 9 ATTRIBUTABLE TO SHAREHOLDERS 53 34 9 86 4 Divided by weighted average number of O/S shares 111 111 110 111 110 ADJUSTED NET EARNINGS PER SHARE (BASIC) 0.48 0.30 0.08 0.78 0.03 FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS Adjusted Net Earnings is a Non-GAAP measure. For a discussion regarding the company's use of Non-GAAP Measures, please see "Note Regarding Certain Measures of Performance" in the MD&A. 2020 OUTLOOK: PRODUCTION AND AISC GUIDANCE MAINTAINED DESPITE COVID-19 As presented in the tables 30, 31 and 32 below, Endeavour is maintaining its FY-2020 production and AISC guidance. The Company expects to mitigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic due to the higher grade profile expected in H2-2020. Endeavour is also maintaining SEMAFO's production and AISC guidance on Mana and Boungou and therefore expects the full year Pro Forma Group production to amount to 995-1,095koz in 2020 at an AISC of $865-915/oz. The Group consolidated amounts will be based on production and AISC commencing July 1, 2020, for the SEMAFO acquired assets. Pro Forma Group production is expected to be higher and AISC lower during the second half of the year, notably due to the mining of the higher-grade Kari Pump deposit at Hounde and the restart of mining activities at the Boungou mine. More details on the updated individual mine guidance and outlook have been provided in the above sections. Endeavour expects stronger cash flow generation in the second half of the year due to higher production, lower non-sustaining spend, lower exploration spend, the benefit of higher gold prices and the expiry of its gold collar program (with a cap of $1,500/oz for half its production) at the end of June 2020. Table 30: Guidance Summary1 ENDEAVOUR SEMAFO PRO FORMA Production, Koz 680 - 740 315 - 355 995 - 1,095 AISC, $/oz 845 - 895 895 - 960 865 - 915 Table 31: Detailed Production Guidance1 (All amounts in koz, on a 100% basis) H1-2020A 2020 FULL-YEAR GUIDANCE Agbaou 52 115 - 125 Ity 108 235 - 255 Karma 48 100 - 110 Hounde 113 230 - 250 Mana 97 185 - 205 Boungou 61 130 - 150 PRO FORMA PRODUCTION 479 995 - 1,095 Table 32: Detailed AISC Guidance1 (All amounts in US$/oz) H1-2020A 2020 FULL-YEAR GUIDANCE Agbaou 953 940 - 990 Ity CIL 707 630 - 675 Karma 904 980 - 1,050 Hounde 1,020 865 - 895 Mana 1,137 1,050 - 1,120 Boungou 635 680 - 725 Corporate G&A 36 30 Sustaining exploration - 5 PRO FORMA AISC 942 865 - 915 1This is a non-GAAP measure. Refer to the non-GAAP measure section of the MD&A for Endeavour and refer to the non-IFRS measures note in this press release for SEMAFO. 2Endeavour believes that operating and financial figures for SEMAFO are representative of the period ended June 30, 2020 as the Transaction closed on July 1, 2020. Figures presented and disclosed relating to SEMAFO operations represent classifications and calculations performed using consistent historical SEMAFO methodologies. Potential variances to existing Endeavour classifications and calculation methodologies may result in adjustments affecting results. Potential differences may include, but not limited to, classification of corporate costs and operating expenses, classification of mining, processing, and site G&A costs, classification of capitalized waste as sustaining and non-sustaining, valuation of stockpiles and gold in circuit. Accounting treatments and classifications will be aligned with Endeavour methodologies and policies. Pro forma information has not been adjusted and is comprised of the simple weighted average of information provided for each of Endeavour and SEMAFO. The royalty cost, incorporated into the AISC calculation for Endeavour, has been guided on a gold price of US$1,350/oz. A portion of the higher royalties due to the higher gold price is expected to be netted against lower expected fuel costs. As detailed in the table below, the FY-2020 mine sustaining capital expenditure guidance for Endeavour's mines is expected to remain unchanged at $83 million as an increase at Ity is expected to be offset by a decrease at Karma. While the nominal amount for H2-2020 is higher than that of H1-2020, due to higher expected production, it is expected to remain similar on a per ounce basis. Endeavour is also maintaining SEMAFO's sustaining capital expenditure guidance on Mana and Boungou, and therefore expects the FY-2020 Pro Forma Group amount to stand at $163 million. More details on individual mine capital expenditures have been provided in the above sections. Table 33: Mine Capital Sustaining Expenditure Guidance (All amounts in US$m) H2-2020 GUIDANCE H1-2020 ACTUAL 2020 FULL-YEAR GUIDANCE Agbaou 10 7 17 Ity 5 3 8 Karma 6 3 9 Hounde 26 23 49 ENDEAVOUR MINES 47 36 83 Mana 41 29 70 Boungou 9 1 10 PRO FORMA 98 65 163 As detailed in the table below, the FY-2020 non-sustaining mine capital expenditure guidance for Endeavour's mines is expected to increase from $42 million (as per initial guidance) to $55 million. The increases are at Ity where the aim is to commence the infrastructure work for the Le Plaque high grade deposit which was originally planned for 2021, and at Karma due to the capital already incurred in H1-2020. The FY-2020 non-sustaining mine capital expenditure was mainly H1-2020 weighted, with only 35% of the remaining capital spend to be incurred in the second half of the year. Endeavour is maintaining SEMAFO's non-sustaining capital expenditure guidance on Mana and Boungou, and therefore expects the FY-2020 Pro Forma Group amount to stand at $60 million. More details on individual mine capital expenditures have been provided in the above sections. Table 34: Mine Capital Non-Sustaining Expenditure Guidance (All amounts in US$m) H2-2020 GUIDANCE H1-2020 ACTUAL 2020 FULL-YEAR GUIDANCE Agbaou 1 0 1 Ity 13 22 35 Karma 3 6 9 Hounde 2 8 10 ENDEAVOUR 19 36 55 Mana 2 0 2 Boungou 2 1 3 PRO FORMA 23 37 60 FY-2020 growth capital spend is expected to amount to approximately $12 million, a slight increase of $2 million from the initial FY-2020 guidance of $10 million, mainly due to studies in progress on Kalana and Fetekro. Roughly 85% of Endeavour's FY-2020 exploration expenditure guidance amount was incurred in H1-2020 ahead of the rainy season. As shown in the table below, the Pro Forma FY-2020 exploration spend is expected to amount to $45-50 million, inclusive of the SEMAFO assets. Table 35: Exploration Guidance (All amounts in US$m) H2-2020 GUIDANCE H1-2020 ACTUAL FULL-YEAR 2020 GUIDANCE Endeavour assets 4 - 9 36 40 - 45 SEMAFO assets 5 n.a 5 PRO FORMA 9 - 14 36 45 - 50 CONFERENCE CALL AND LIVE WEBCAST Management will host a conference call and webcast on Wednesday August 5, at 8:30am Toronto time (ET) to discuss the Company's financial results. The conference call and webcast are scheduled at: 5:30am in Vancouver 8:30am in Toronto and New York 1:30pm in London 8:30pm in Hong Kong and Perth The webcast can be accessed through the following link: https://edge.media-server.com/mmc/p/mx9zr7tx Analysts and investors are also invited to participate and ask questions using the dial-in numbers below: International: +44 (0) 203 0095709 North American toll-free: +18662801157 UK toll-free: 08006941461 Confirmation Code: 4792808 The conference call and webcast will be available for playback on Endeavour's website. Click here to add Webcast reminder to Outlook Calendar Access the live and On-Demand version of the webcast from mobile devices running iOS and Android: QUALIFIED PERSONS Clinton Bennett, Endeavour's VP Metallurgy and Met Improvement - a Fellow of the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy, is a "Qualified Person" as defined by National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects ("NI 43-101") and has reviewed and approved the technical information in this news release. CONTACT INFORMATION Martino De Ciccio VP - Strategy & Investor Relations +44 203 640 8665 mdeciccio@endeavourmining.com (mailto:mdeciccio@endeavourmining.com) Brunswick Group LLP in London Carole Cable, Partner +44 7974 982 458 ccable@brunswickgroup.com (mailto:ccable@brunswickgroup.com) Vincic Advisors in Toronto John Vincic, Principal (647) 402 6375 john@vincicadvisors.com (mailto:john@vincicadvisors.com) ABOUT ENDEAVOUR MINING CORPORATION Endeavour Mining is a multi-asset gold producer focused on West Africa, with two mines (Ity and Agbaou) in Cote d'Ivoire, four mines (Hounde, Mana, Karma and Boungou) in Burkina Faso, four potential development projects (Fetekro, Kalana, Bantou and Nabanga) and a strong portfolio of exploration assets on the highly prospective Birimian Greenstone Belt across Burkina Faso, Cote d'Ivoire, Mali and Guinea. As a leading gold producer, Endeavour Mining is committed to principles of responsible mining and delivering sustainable value to its employees, stakeholders and the communities where it operates. Endeavour is listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange, under the symbol EDV. For more information, please visit www.endeavourmining.com . CAUTIONARY STATEMENT ON FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION This news release contains "forward-looking statements" including but not limited to, statements with respect to Endeavour's plans and operating performance, the estimation of mineral reserves and resources, the timing and amount of estimated future production, costs of future production, future capital expenditures, and the success of exploration activities. Generally, these forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "expects", "expected", "budgeted", "forecasts", and "anticipates". Forward-looking statements, while based on management's best estimates and assumptions, are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements, including but not limited to: risks related to the successful integration of acquisitions; risks related to international operations; risks related to general economic conditions and credit availability, actual results of current exploration activities, unanticipated reclamation expenses; changes in project parameters as plans continue to be refined; fluctuations in prices of metals including gold; fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates, increases in market prices of mining consumables, possible variations in ore reserves, grade or recovery rates; failure of plant, equipment or processes to operate as anticipated; accidents, labour disputes, title disputes, claims and limitations on insurance coverage and other risks of the mining industry; delays in the completion of development or construction activities, changes in national and local government regulation of mining operations, tax rules and regulations, and political and economic developments in countries in which Endeavour operates. Although Endeavour has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Please refer to Endeavour's most recent Annual Information Form filed under its profile at www.sedar.com for further information respecting the risks affecting Endeavour and its business. AISC, all-in sustaining costs at the mine level, cash costs, operating EBITDA, all-in sustaining margin, free cash flow, net free cash flow, free cash flow per share, net debt, and adjusted earnings are non-GAAP financial performance measures with no standard meaning under IFRS, further discussed in the section Non-GAAP Measures in the most recently filed Management Discussion and Analysis. SEMAFO NON-IFRS MEASURES Some of the indicators used by Endeavour in this press release represent non-IFRS financial measures. These measures are presented as they can provide useful information to assist investors with their evaluation of the SEMAFO's and the pro forma performance. Since the non-IFRS performance measures presented in the below sections do not have any standardized definition prescribed by IFRS, they may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other companies. Accordingly, they are intended to provide additional information and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for measures of performance prepared in accordance with IFRS. The non-IFRS financial performance measures are defined below and reconciled to reported IFRS measures. SEMAFO reports total cash costs based on ounces sold. Endeavour believes that, in addition to conventional measures prepared in accordance with IFRS, certain investors may find that the total cash cost per ounce sold provided useful information to assist investors with their evaluation of SEMAFO's performance and ability to generate cash flow from its operations. All-in sustaining cost represents the total cash cost plus sustainable capital expenditures and stripping costs presented per ounce sold. Endeavour believes that, in addition to conventional measures prepared in accordance with IFRS, certain investors may find that the all-in sustaining cost per ounce sold better meets their needs by assessing SEMAFO's operating performance and its ability to generate free cash flow. SEMAFO classified sustaining capital expenditures which are required to maintain existing operations and capitalized stripping. Corporate Office: 5 Young St, Kensington, London W8 5EH, UK Attachments STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Nearly 24 hours after Tropical Storm Isaias rolled through Staten Island, knocking out power in neighborhoods from the North to South shores, Con Edison Wednesday confirmed to local politicians that full restoration of power will be a multi-day effort frustrating borough residents and officials who say the delay is unacceptable. They confirmed this is a multi-day recovery restoration, said Councilman Steven Matteo (R-Mid-Island), who last night descended on the New York City Emergency Management mobile command site at the Staten Island Mall in search of answers for constituents wondering when their power would be restored. While Matteo said Tuesday that he was hopeful significant progress would be made overnight, approximately 20,000 homes remain without power on the borough as of noon Wednesday. Its unacceptable, Matteo said. On a morning call with Con Edison, borough officials said 166 crew members for the agency were scheduled for the day shift and were focused specifically on a section of 7,500 customers before moving onto other parts of the Island. Details regarding estimated time of restoration to individual areas of the Island werent specific, said Matteo, who explained that Con Edison hopes to have the 7,500 done on this shift. Obviously this isnt fast enough, obviously this can go into tomorrow, and my constituents some are emailing me that theyre hearing from Con Ed when they do get through that it could be Friday too, said Matteo, who urged Con Edison to double their efforts and restore power to wide swaths of the Island as quickly as possible. This is extremely frustrating, were going to keep pushing, said Matteo. Weve got to make a dent in these numbers today. Emergency Management established a mobile command center in the parking lot of the Staten Island mall on Tuesday. (Staten Island Advance/Joseph Ostapiuk) As the hours progress, some frustrated Staten Islanders remain without power a full day after Isaias causing concerns for those on life-saving equipment, wasting food for many and leaving residents in the dark about when their power will be switched back on. Over 18 hours without power in Oakwood, Staten Island. Its getting hot and #ConEd has no updates, wrote one resident on Twitter. We just went grocery shopping this weekend and its all going bad. Rosaria Portelli, a resident of Corbin Avenue in Great Kills, said her and her family have been without power since 3 p.m. on Tuesday. Shame on ConEd, she said, We have a newborn here and someone with a c pap machine. Con Ed should be ready for this. They never have a plan for emergencies, she said. Con Edison did not immediately respond to a request for comment at the time of publication; however, Island officials said the company is currently prioritizing approximately 170 customers with critical needs, such as requiring electricity for oxygen and other equipment, and coordinating with the NYPD to conduct wellness checks. Borough President James Oddo said that Con Edison received 1,466 individual jobs concerning outages related to the storm on Staten Island, which gives you an idea of this being a wind event all across Staten Island. Over 1,000 downed trees have been reported to 311 on Staten Island alone after the storms high winds swept through the borough, up from a total hovering around 900 as of 7 p.m. Tuesday, the Advance/SILive.com previously reported. In total, approximately 52,000 homes were without power on Staten Island at one point, Oddo said, and slightly over 30,000 have been restored. Well over 100,000 homes remain without power in other parts of the city. During Wednesday mornings call, Oddo said he was told that restoration delays were strongly tied to the sheer volume of outages that occurred and that Con Edison was in a full-scale response, which means all of the companys resources are being utilized. The South Shore seems to have been hit harder than the North Shore, but no part of the Island was immune, said Oddo. Update: This story was updated at 9 a.m. Aug. 5 to reflect final unofficial results. MUSKEGON COUNTY, MI Muskegon attorney Paula Baker Mathes was the top vote-getter against three other opponents in the race to be Muskegon Countys newest district court judge. Unofficial results posted by the Muskegon County clerks office show Mathes received the most votes --10,360 votes in the race for a seat on the 60th District courts bench. Mathes and attorney Jason D. Kolkema, the other top vote-getter, will face off in the Nov. 3 general election. Kolkema received 6,061 votes. Matthew Kacel received 5,974 votes while Marc Curtis received 5,075, according to final unofficial results. The candidates are seeking to replace longtime 60th District Judge Harold F. Closz III, who is not seeking re-election after more than 17 years on the bench. The race is non-partisan. Court terms are for six years. District court judges oversee civil suits $25,000 and under, adult criminal misdemeanor cases punishable by up to one year in jail, civil infractions and traffic violations, landlord/tenant disputes, small claims and land contract forfeitures. They also handle felony arraignments and preliminary examinations to determine if theres enough evidence for trial in circuit court. Muskegon County District Judge Maria Ladas Hoopes seat on the bench also is open, and she is the only registered candidate for that position. Mathes is an attorney/public defender and has spent 26 years as a practicing lawyer, including as a prosecuting attorney, defense attorney and private practitioner, according to background information submitted to the League of Women Voters. She is active in community organizations and has a bachelors degree from Tulane University and a law degree from Thomas M. Cooley Law School. Kolkema has been a general practice attorney for Kolkema Law PLC the last 6 years and previously was a municipal defense attorney from 1999-2012 and a general practice attorney for David T. Bowen PC from 1996-99. He is a 1989 graduate of Fruitport High School and has a bachelors degree from Michigan State University and a law degree from the University of Detroit-Mercy. Kacel is an attorney and president of Kacel & Associates. He has a bachelors degree in public administration and public policy and a law degree from Michigan State University. His qualifications and experience include being a small businessman/solo practitioner attorney for more than 10 years with appearances in 18 Michigan counties, including daily appearances in Muskegon County courtrooms, and the U.S. District Court for Western Michigan. Kacel is a volunteer for Muskegon Catholic Central and St. Francis de Sales, a former clerk for former 55th District Judge Thomas Boyd in Ingham County, former clerk for the Michigan Tax Tribunal and former clerk at Legal Aid of South Central Michigan. Curtis is a criminal and family law attorney and staff attorney for the Fraternal Order of Police. He has degrees from Michigan State University and Thomas M. Cooley Law School. His qualifications and experience include U.S. Army combat veteran, military police K-9 handler, former senior assistant prosecutor, law clerk for former state Attorney General Frank Kelly and private practice attorney for eight years. Click here for more of MLives Election Day coverage from across the state, or here for full coverage of Muskegon-area elections. More on MLive: Incumbent Muskegon County commissioner defeats challenger in Democratic primary Voters pass Muskegon Township tax proposals for public safety, street lighting Learn about candidates, millages on Muskegon County primary ballot Tuesday Libyan tribes sue rebel commander at ICC over civilian massacre Iran Press TV Tuesday, 04 August 2020 6:27 PM Libyan tribes have filed a lawsuit with the International Criminal Court (ICC) over the massacre of civilians by rebel militia led by military strongman Khalifa Haftar and Emirati fighter jets in southern Libya last year. Libya's Toubou tribes announced the filing of the lawsuit in a statement on Tuesday, saying they sought to "punish criminals and terrorists who committed the massacre of bombing a residential neighborhood in the city of Murzuq." At least 40 people lost their lives and dozens of others sustained injuries in the airstrike by rebel forces under Haftar's command in Murzuq on August 4, 2019. "The painful massacre that was committed intentionally against the Toubou tribes in Murzuq by Haftar's militias were carried out by warplanes belonging to the United Arab Emirates," tribal leader Issa Abdel-Majid Mansour said. The non-Arab Toubou tribes, residing in southern Libya, are among the ethnic minorities in the North African country and have expressed support for the internationally-recognized government in the capital, Tripoli. Libya has been beset by chaos since the overthrow of ex-dictator Muammar Gaddafi and a NATO military intervention in 2011. Since 2014, two rival seats of power have emerged, namely the internationally-recognized Libyan government headed by Prime Minister Fayez al-Sarraj in Tripoli, and another group based in the eastern city of Tobruk and supported militarily by Haftar's rebels. The rebels who are backed by the UAE, Russia, and Egypt launched an offensive to seize the capital and unseat Sarraj's government in April 2019. But the government launched a counter-offensive and has recently managed to reverse many of their gains both around the capital and elsewhere in the country with crucial help from Turkey. The Turkish military has been providing air cover, weapons, and proxy militia from Syria to help the Libyan government. Haftar's rebels claim attack on government, Turkish forces In another development on Tuesday, media sources in eastern Libya claimed that Haftar's rebel forces had carried out airstrikes and inflicted "very serious damage" on the positions of the Tripoli-based government and Turkish forces. The sources claimed that the rebels' warplanes had targeted Misrata International Airport in the northern city of the same name. The sources claimed that the attacks had targeted Turkish helicopters, drone hangars, and a military cargo plane carrying weapons from Turkey to Libya. The Libyan government confirmed the attacks, saying they had been carried out from an unknown location, most likely a distant one. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Advertisement The attention of the Nigeria Police Force has been drawn to a misleading report published on the Sahara Reporters online platform on August 03, 2020 under the heading Exclusive: How Nigerias Inspector-General of Police, Adamu, Illegally Raised Millions of Naira for Construction of Training School in Nasarawa. In the report, spurious allegations were made to the effect that the Inspector General of Police, IGP M.A. Adamu was involved in a multi-billion Naira fraudulent scheme. The publication which referenced several unnamed and unverifiable sources alleged, essentially, that the IGP used his office to unlawfully compel and in fact threaten Mobile Police Commanders into generating millions of Naira monthly through illegal means for the purpose of establishment of a MOPOL Training School in his home town of Endehu in Nasarawa State. 2. The Force wishes to state unequivocally that the publication in its entirety is false and baseless. It was published in the tradition of Sahara Reporters to blackmail and impugn the credibility of strategic leaders of the country in an apparent attempt to advance their ignoble and unpatriotic intentions. 3. While being conscious of the need not to glorify the falsehood contained in the reportage, it is considered expedient and in national security interest to put the facts straight. In this regard, it is to be clarified as follows: i. The establishment of the Police Mobile Training School in Endehu, Nasarawa State, North Central Geopolitical Zone of Nigeria was informed by overriding national security consideration on the need to strengthen the operational capacity of the special forces of the Nigeria Police Force. ii. Also, the insinuation that the IGP sited the facility in his hometown of Endehu in Nasarawa State, is also utterly misleading. For the avoidance of doubts, Endehu is not the hometown of IGP Adamu. He is, in the contrary, from Lafia. iii. The allegations that the IGP used his office to threaten Mobile Police Commanders into generating Millions of naira monthly through illegal means for the establishment of the institution is also totally false. It is on record that the parcel of land where the institution was sited was donated to the Police with the full complement of the Certificate of Occupancy which the Executive Governor of Nasarawa State publicly presented to the Nigeria Police. The acquisition of the land was, therefore, without any financial commitment by the Police. iv. Furthermore, the construction of the facility was achieved with the support of the Nasarawa State Government and well-meaning corporate bodies within the context of their Corporate Social responsibility (CSR). In all instances, all the support so extended were not in cash but in form of donation of materials. The only involvement of some Squadron Commanders was to ensure the delivery of some of the construction materials so donated by the corporate bodies. Hence, the allegation that the IGP had each Squadron Commander cough out nothing less than N500,000 monthly for the purpose of erecting different structures in the training school is a preposterous and feeble attempt to discredit the innovative reasoning that engendered the successful implementation of the critical national security asset that the facility represents. 4. The construction of the project through corporate intervention is a demonstration of the commitment of the Force leadership to meet its obligation to citizens in terms of their safety and security and in furtherance to the Reform agenda of the Nigeria Police Force. It was not established as a personal asset of the IGP. Rather, it is a national security legacy project. It is worth mentioning that this is not the first time that corporate organisations and governments at all levels are assisting the police to bridge operational and infrastructural gaps. Dangote Foundation, the Central Bank of Nigeria, Nigeria Bankers Forum, State Governments, Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC), and well-meaning individuals among others have in the past donated fleets of vehicles and have rendered other supports to the Police. 5. The attempt by Sahara Reporters to malign the Force leadership shall not in any manner impact on the firm determination of the Nigeria Police Force to advance its strategic plan and to continue to adopt innovative reasoning in changing the policing narratives in Nigeria towards stabilizing the internal security order. While members of the public are called upon to discountenance the content of the publication in its entirety, it is to be noted that the Nigeria Police Force has instructed its legal team to initiate legal actions against Sahara Reporters to address the defamatory and libellous components of the report. DCP FRANK MBA FORCE PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER FORCE HEADQUARTERS ABUJA Demonstration of how process information can be used for more efficient BOP creation TOKYO, Aug 5, 2020 - (JCN Newswire) - Fujitsu today announced a new version of the Fujitsu Manufacturing Industry Solution COLMINA Digital Production Preparation VPS(1), a series of tools developed by Digital Process Ltd. to support the digitization of production preparation tasks in manufacturing. Sales will commence for the Japanese market today, August 5, with availability in international regions including Central Eastern Europe at a later date.In this version, Fujitsu has enhanced the function for creating a Bill of Process (BOP) that stores and manages data (hereafter referred to as process information) such as parts, work procedures, locations, equipment and tools, and manufacturing know-how used in product assembly in product preparation processes. This enables high-quality, efficient production by leveraging valuable data on product assembly to help customers get products to market faster and more competitively.By promoting the digitization of the production preparation process in the manufacturing industry through VPS (Virtual Product Simulator), Fujitsu will ultimately support the continuity of its customers' businesses by furthering their DX (Digital Transformation) efforts as they transition to a "New Normal," amidst measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19.BackgroundIn the manufacturing industry, production methods are becoming more complex due to the rise of multi-product, small-lot production. Therefore, there is a growing awareness about the necessity to approach production with speed and balance by creating BOP, which involves the quick and accurate collection of data on product assembly in production preparation processes. In addition, measures to improve business continuity (such as the promotion of remote work through digitization of the production preparation process) are required as the spread of COVID-19 and actions to prevent it are ushering in an era of new normal.Features of the New Version1. VPS Standard and VPS Manufacturing support rapid and flexible BOP creationVPS Standard and VPS Manufacturing make it possible to carry over BOP from previous models to the new models. As a result, it is possible to create process sequences and process information on VPS in half the time(2). Process verifications can be carried out efficiently and quickly when planning a new model or producing the same product at another plant.In addition, a new function has been added to allow tabular form entry on VPS.of the QC process flow chart and process FMEA table(3), which are created to control the quality of work in the product manufacturing process. As a result, BOP, which contains information on process control methods, can be created on VPS in an integrated manner. This reduces duplication and omission of transfer information when QC process diagrams and process FMEA tables are individually created and managed, and improves the productivity of process verification.Furthermore, Fujitsu has enhanced design modification functionality, which reflects information about changes to design. The design structure tree(4) obtained from CAD and the manufacturing structure tree created in VPS are displayed side by side, and the modified parts are displayed in different colors on the comparison screen of the product models before and after the design change. This makes it easier to understand modifications in design information and enables the latest design information to be reflected more efficiently and flexibly.2. VPS GP4 creates more accurate BOP by improving the adherence on the production lineVPS GP4 has added functionality that automatically places equipment on the production line. This is based on layout information and equipment names set in the product model of VPS Standard and VPS Manufacturing upon inspection of the layout of a production line. This feature reduces the time required to create a layout on a production line by 20%(5), thereby accelerating and shortening verification periods. When conducting productivity reviews, the ability to review work procedures (including tasks related to in-progress products between processes) has also been enhanced. This makes it possible to easily generate in-progress products, which are in the middle of the assembly, and reduces the time required for creating production line improvement proposals on VPS by 80%(6). These features enable users to create a production-ready BOP more efficiently and without any errors or omissions while achieving high yields immediately after production begins.Future PlansGoing forward, Fujitsu will continue to support the continuity of our customers' businesses in the era of "new normal" by enhancing the functions of VPS to contribute to the further digitization of production preparation tasks, and to encourage customer DX initiatives to streamline productivity.Sales Target2,500 licenses over three years.Related WebsitesFUJITSU Manufacturing Industry Solution FJVPS: https://bit.ly/2XvbTm5(1) Fujitsu Manufacturing Industry Solution COLMINA Digital Production Preparation VPS Please note that outside the Japanese market the product is officially referred to as Fujitsu Manufacturing Industry Solution FJVPS.(2) In half the time tested sample model on the assumption that it will be produced on the same line as the previous model.(3) QC process charts and process FMEA tables The QC process chart is a form that describes the work procedure and quality control method in accordance with the flow of the manufacturing process. The process FMEA table is a form that describes measures to prevent defects in the manufacturing process. It is used to control the quality of work in the manufacturing process.(4) The design structure tree A parts list that is a tree representation of the product structure, taken from design CAD.(5) On a production line by 20% Calculations are based on the percentage of time required to create the layout of a production line as part of the total time required for equipment layout.(6) Reduces the time required for creating production line improvement proposals on VPS by 80% This result was obtained by comparing the previous version with the new version using sample models and verifying the creation time of production lines, including in-progress products.(7) Sales Price Network license price. Licenses purchased from client terminals on the same network are available at the same time, and there is no limit to the number of installations.(8) VPS Standard V15L22 Set of VPS Digital Mockup and VPS Manufacturing.(9) VPS Manufacturing V15L22 A VPS Digital Mockup license is required to use VPS Manufacturing.About Fujitsu LtdFujitsu is the leading Japanese information and communication technology (ICT) company offering a full range of technology products, solutions and services. Approximately 130,000 Fujitsu people support customers in more than 100 countries. We use our experience and the power of ICT to shape the future of society with our customers. Fujitsu Limited (TSE:6702) reported consolidated revenues of 3.9 trillion yen (US$35 billion) for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2020. For more information, please see www.fujitsu.com.Source: Fujitsu LtdCopyright 2020 JCN Newswire . All rights reserved. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. A New Brighton mans payoff for peddling cocaine and illegally selling a gun is three years behind bars. Shawn Mitchell has pleaded guilty to one count each of third-degree criminal sale of a controlled substance and third-degree criminal sale of a firearm to resolve his case, online state court records show. Mitchell, then 31, was busted on March 3. The defendant sold cocaine to undercover cops on multiple occasions between last November and February in his community, said a criminal complaint, citing a Narcotics Borough Staten Island Investigation. The defendant also traded a gun for money in January, the complaint said. Mitchell was indicted on multiple counts of criminal sale of a controlled substance and single counts of criminal firearm sale and criminal firearm possession. In exchange for his pleas, Mitchell will be sentenced on Oct. 8 in state Supreme Court, St. George, to three years in prison and two years post-release supervision. Defense counsel Victor Knapp said the defendant is a graphic artist who was battling a drug problem. He unfortunately got caught up in a situation, said Knapp. Hes young. Hes never been in trouble before. Its his first offense. Knapp said hes not happy about Mitchell going to prison but said the defendant plans to take advantage of any programs available to him while incarcerated to help turn his life around. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Ben Blanchard and Yimou Lee (Reuters) Taipei, Taiwan Wed, August 5, 2020 12:45 531 6657ac82168da9fa101c8a4066bb517a 2 World US,US-China,US-China-tension,Taiwan,health Free US Secretary of Health and Human Services Alex Azar will visit Taiwan in coming days, his office said on Tuesday, making the highest-level visit by a US official in four decades in a move likely to anger China, which claims the island as its own. During his visit, Azar will meet with President Tsai Ing-wen, Taiwan's Foreign Ministry said in a separate statement. China describes Taiwan as the most sensitive issue in Sino-US ties, and Azar's visit will probably further inflame already poor Beijing-Washington relations. "Taiwan has been a model of transparency and cooperation in global health during the COVID-19 pandemic and long before it," Azar said in a statement. "I look forward to conveying President Trump's support for Taiwan's global health leadership and underscoring our shared belief that free and democratic societies are the best model for protecting and promoting health." His department, describing the trip as "historic", said Azar would be accompanied by Mitchell Wolfe, chief medical officer of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and other members of the administration. Taiwan's Foreign Ministry said the visit showed the firm US support for Taiwan and the closeness of their relationship. Taiwan has been especially grateful for US support for its requests to get meaningful access to the World Health Organization during the pandemic. Taiwan is not a member because of Chinese objections; Beijing considers the island merely one of China's provinces. The United States, like most countries, has no formal diplomatic ties with Taiwan, having ditched Taipei in favor of Beijing in 1979, but is its main arms supplier and strongest backer on the international stage. Gina McCarthy, then-head of the Environmental Protection Agency, was the last US Cabinet-level official to visit the island, in 2014. Her position is technically lower-ranking than Azar's. Taiwan has won praise for its response to the coronavirus pandemic, having kept its case numbers low due to effective and early prevention steps. The United States has more coronavirus cases and deaths than any other country. In April, Azar held a teleconference with Taiwan Health Minister Chen Shih-chung, whom he will also meet on his trip. US President Donald Trump signed a new law in March requiring increased support for Taiwan's international role. China threatened unspecified retaliation in response. UN Report Claims DPRK 'Probably' Developed Miniature Nuclear Devices for Ballistic Missiles Sputnik News 01:01 GMT 04.08.2020(updated 01:03 GMT 04.08.2020) A new report submitted on Monday by an independent, 15-member panel of experts on the United Nations Security Council Sanctions Committee on North Korea claims that the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) is violating sanctions and is likely developing miniature nuclear devices that attach to ballistic missile warheads. "The Democratic People's Republic of Korea is continuing its nuclear program, including the production of highly enriched uranium and construction of an experimental light water reactor. A Member State assessed that the Democratic People's Republic of Korea is continuing production of nuclear weapons," the confidential report observed by Reuters reportedly read. The interim report also detailed that several countries believe Pyongyang has "probably developed miniaturized nuclear devices to fit into the warheads of its ballistic missiles." Furthermore, the document reportedly revealed that many unnamed countries in the UN believe that North Korea's past six nuclear tests have been tied to an effort to develop those miniature nuclear devices. One country, which also went unnamed in the report, assessed that the DPRK "may seek to further develop miniaturization in order to allow incorporation of technological improvements such as penetration aid packages or, potentially, to develop multiple warhead systems." Just last week, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un asserted that nuclear weapons function as a "reliable, effective" deterrent against "high-intensity pressure and military threats and blackmailing by imperialistic reactionaries and hostile forces." However, the UN report detailed that North Korea is not stopping at nuclear development and has continued to violate sanctions "through illicit maritime exports of coal, though it suspended these temporarily between late January and early March 2020." The UN experts went on to accuse Pyongyang of continued cyberattacks and online criminal initiatives. "The Panel continues to assess that virtual asset service providers and virtual assets will continue to remain lucrative targets for the Democratic People's Republic of Korea to generate revenue, as well as mining cryptocurrencies," the report read. The experts' report comes a few weeks after Japan released its annual defense white paper, which not only expressed that Beijing was a continued threat to the island nation, but also that Pyongyang poses "a grave and imminent threat to the security of Japan." The white paper detailed that the DPRK has been making strides in its ballistic missile technology at "an extremely rapid pace" and could use a low-trajectory ballistic missile to deliver a nuclear weapon to Japan. A Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Chinese lithium producer Sichuan Zhiyuan Lithium has signed a supply agreement to sell lithium hydroxide to South Korea's LG International, its parent company Guangdong Weihua Corp said on Tuesday August 4. Sichuan Zhiyuan Lithium, a wholly owned subsidiary of Guangdong Weihua Corp, has signed a supply agreement for micro-grade lithium hydroxide with LG international Corp, an investment and trading company owned by LG Group. Zhiyuan Lithium will sell 1,500 tonnes of micro-grade lithium hydroxide to LG International to be delivered between July and December 2020, while the purchasing volume for 2021 will be settled by both companies before the end of this year. LG International will issue purchase orders to Zhiyuan Lithium on a monthly basis. The supply agreement has not locked in prices, which will be negotiated by both parties. Zhiyuan Lithium has a total lithium production capacity of 23,000 tonnes per year, while it is expected to reach 43,000 tpy by the end of 2020, according to Guangdong Weihua Corp. Demand for lithium hydroxide is expected to increase in the coming years, coinciding with the trend for the development of high performance batteries and vehicles with longer driving range. Usually, micro-grade hydroxide trades at a 5,000-10,000 yuan ($716-1,433) premium over the Fastmarkets' battery-grade lithium hyrdroxide price range. Fastmarkets lithium hydroxide monohydrate, 56.5% LiOH.H2O min, battery grade, spot price range exw domestic China was at 45,000-51,000 yuan per tonne on Thursday July 30, steady since July 9. Home Ministry states that Valley's top politicians were released within seven months of scrapping of Article 370, but many leaders like Soz claim they were kept under illegal detention A spate of arrests and detentions followed the revocation of Jammu and Kashmir's special status on 5 August last year with three former chief ministers coming under radar. Even as the Centre readies to observe the first anniversary of abrogation of Article 370, life in the region is far from what defines normalcy in rest of the country. The erstwhile state -- which was granted the status of a Union Territory a year ago following the abrogation -- is yet to elect a government over two years after a split in the PDP-BJP combine led to President's rule. High speed internet is still a distant dream for residents of the Valley, while mobile connectivity too can be disrupted by the authorities on need basis. The last serving chief minister of the semi-autonomous state, Mehbooba Mufti is still under house arrest even though the the government has seen fit to release several key opposition leaders and former chief ministers. Muftis detention was extended by three months under the Public Safety Act (PSA), ahead of the expiry of her current detention order on 5 August this year. Her residence, where she was shifted in April after spending over eight months at two government facilities, has been declared a subsidiary jail. Her former aide and ex-MLA Sajad Lone, who founded the Jammu and Kashmir People's Conference, was released from detention this week. After being taken into custody on 5 August, he was kept at makeshift jail at Srinagar's Centaur hotel, along with other leaders from mainstream parties before they all were moved to an MLA hostel. In February, he was shifted to his residence and kept under house arrest. Finally 5 days short of a year I have been officially informed that I am a free man. So much has changed. So have I. Jail was not a new experience. Earlier ones were harsh with usual doses of physical torture. But this was psychologically draining. Much to share hopefully soon. Sajad Lone (@sajadlone) July 31, 2020 Controversy over claims of detentions The curious case of Congress leader Saifuddin Soz has been making headlines recently. While the former Union minister claims he is still under detention, the Jammu and Kashmir administration vehemently claims that he is a free man. "I continue to be under house arrest. The only thing that has changed is; a lock has been put on my gate from inside also," Soz has claimed in a statement. However, the Supreme Court closed a habeas corpus petition by his wife after being told by the administration that he was never detained nor under house arrest. The order came even as videos went viral of policemen stationed at Sozs residence pulling him away from the boundary wall of his home as he talked to media persons. Another video showed cops stopping him from leaving his residence. National Conference leader Omar Abdullah says that Soz's story is neither unique nor unusual. He claims that 15 leaders of his party were also illegally detained like Soz. "Soz Sahibs plight is not unique. JKNC has gone to court because more than 15 of our colleagues are similarly illegally detained and I have no doubt the administration will claim they arent detained." The party had filed a petition on 13 July in the Jammu and Kashmir High Court, seeking the release of 16 party leaders still under house arrest. A letter to Principal Secretary, Home, Jammu and Kashmir noted that no order (preventive or otherwise) justifying such confinement has till date been served upon the detained leaders. Soz Sahibs plight is not unique. @JKNC_ has gone to court because more than 15 of our colleagues are similarly illegally detained & I have no doubt the administration will claim they arent detained. As if any of these people would sit at home for a year of their own free will. https://t.co/pBuMsoQOCa Omar Abdullah (@OmarAbdullah) July 30, 2020 The leaders names are: Ali Mohammad Sagar, Abdul Rahim Rather, Nasir Aslam Wani, Aga Syed Mehmood, Mohammad Khalil Bandh, Irfan Shah, Sahmeema Firdous, Mohammad Shafi Uri, Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi, Chaudhary Mohammad Ramzaan, Mubarak Gul, Dr Bashir Veeri, Abdul Majeed Larmi, Basharat Bukhari, Saifudin Bhat Shutru and Mohammad Shafi. From among the gamut of leaders who have been arrested since the abrogation of Article 370 last year, Peoples Democratic Partys Waheed Parra, arrested on 5 August and later booked under a preventive detention law, said "disgrace and defeat have been both personal and political. My work became a reason for my arrest. My dossier said I was motivating people to be part of democratisation and elections, he told Outlook. Even though PDP leader Nizamuddin Bhat was released from detention at the MLA hostel in Srinagar in January, party spokesman Suhail Bukhari said this week that top PDP leaders are still not allowed to move out of their houses. "Naeem Akhtar, GN Hanjura, Sartaj Madani, Peer Mansoor, AR Veeri, all former legislators and ministers, remain under house arrest since their release from sub-jails," he said. Peoples Conference leader Abdul Ghani Vakil and Peoples Movement chief Shah Faesal and leader Javaid Mustafa Mir are also placed under house arrest, according to party spokesmen. Hurriyat leader Mirwaiz Umer Farooq has also been under house arrest since 5 August, while Yasin Malik has been in Tihar jail for 18 months. Tehreek-e-Hurriyat chairman Mohammad Ashraf Sehrai, who was among those placed under house arrest in August 2019, was arrested by police in Srinagar on Sunday, with sources telling New Indian Express that he was booked under PSA. Home ministry data stated that top political leadership from NC and PDP were released in multiple batches within seven months after the scrapping of Article 370. As many as 6,605 persons including political heads, overground workers, stone-pelters and separatists were taken into preventive custody. But, 90 percent of them were released in the first three months, central government officials told The Economic Times. A leadership vacuum created by the long absence of major leaders from parties with strong regional presence saw the emergence of newer faces. While Mufti's daughter Iltija took control of her mother's Twitter account in her absence and spoke on "issues of the common people", former PDP leader Altaf Bukhari launched a new outfit Apni Party in March. The BJP too started grooming entrants like Aijaz Hussain and Sheikh Khalid Jehangir. The Block Development Council elections were held from 8 to 16 October last year, recording a voter turnout of 98 percent. While the PDP and JKNC boycotted the first elections to be held after the revocation of Jammu and Kashmir's special status, 109 of the 128 winning candidates turned out to be Independents. The erstwhile state, however, has not had a stable government since June 2018, when Mufti stepped down from the chief ministerial post. Petitions say courts overlooked grounds of detention Soz had left his residence twice in September and December 2019 after seeking permission from authorities and said that he would sue the government for his unlawful arrest, blaming the UT administration for lying to the apex court. The court stressed heavily on the omission of Sozs travels in the petition, even as the question of the grounds of detention did not arise. A petition challenging Muftis detention remains pending before the Supreme Court. Meanwhile, Sitaram Yechurys habeas corpus petition challenging the detention of Communist Party of India (Marxist) leader Mohammed Yousuf Tarigami was met with conditions by the court allowing a meeting between the two leaders. The petition remains pending and was last listed on 28 January. The case against the detention of Kashmir Bar Association president Mian Abdul Qayoom lasted almost as long as his detention period, with the court suggesting his early release and the government accepting the suggestion, while not giving any answers on the legality of the detention. Awami National Conference (ANC) leader Muzaffar Ahmad Shah had approached the High Court on 11 September last year along with his family, alleging that they had been detained. Srinagar authorities told the court that they had not been put under house arrest. While the court did not look into the allegations of illegal detention, it passed directions to withdraw the security personnel deputed at their residence in March. 4G internet remains suspended in UT Meanwhile, Jammu and Kashmirs Lieutenant Governor GK Murmu said that high-speed internet should not be an issue days after the home ministry said no to the restoration of 4G internet in the Union Territory. The Jammu and Kashmir administration, however, ordered to continue the curb on internet speed across the Union Territory in an order released on Wednesday that says that internet speed shall be restricted to 2G only and available on post-paid sim cards. Orders were passed by authorities on 4, 17 and 26 March restricting internet speed for mobile data services to 2G. The order has brought concerns about not being able to access telemedicine and information from the government on the coronavirus pandemic. Slamming the Centres attempt to hide what is happening in the Valley by shutting down 4G services, Farooq Abdullah said, "Every country in the world knows what is happening here. Packing up media, shutting telephones down, and using your media to put false stories -- one day this will rebound on you. When you will be sitting in the opposition and you have to answer for your misdeeds," he said. Officials, on the other hand, cited relaxations in curbs within two weeks of abrogation of Article 370 when seventeen landlines exchanges out of 96 were restored. Postpaid mobile services were re-activated on 14 October last year, however, 4G internet services still continue to remain suspended, an official said. With inputs from agencies DF: Through my Instagram, there will be sort of a virtual art gallery where people will be able to see each portrait and learn who this person is. I am doing my best to create links and other social initiatives where people will be able to stay updated on how they can support places like Mannys Deli. That will hopefully be a part of the longevity of this project that people will be able to learn about who these people are and then hopefully support their business or initiative that they are supporting. Im just trying to use what little voice I have to connect the dots between other people. As best I can, there will be a living document on my Instgaram where people can go to if nothing else, learn who this person is, what their name is, why I chose to paint them and then hopefully moving forward, shine a light on their business or on a social initiative that they care about. CHANDLER, Ariz., Aug. 5, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Rogers Corporation today announced the launch of Griswold GripON, a next generation natural sponge solution designed to address slippage and skidding issues prominent within the electronics, furniture, automotive, and appliances industries. Engineered to reduce noise, minimize vibration, and eliminate the risk of scratching, Griswold GripON material provides stability and resistance to address sliding challenges presented in a multitude of markets. Griswold GripON adhesive-backed, pressure-sensitive materials are well-suited to meet the spacing and stability needs of a wide range of applications such as skid-resistant feet for electronic equipment, medical devices, computers, calculators, household appliances or cushioning within electronic devices. Key performance features include: High skid-resistance Minimized vibration Noise reduction Protection/prevention of surface scratching Flexibility in size and shape- can be cut to meet specific application needs Flat surface allows for even wear over time High coefficient of friction Resilient Simple application "Rogers Corporation is excited to introduce the industry's most advanced solution for addressing slippage and sliding challenges facing a broad range of applications from furniture to appliances," said Miles Natorski, Product Line Manager of Rogers' Elastomeric Material Solutions division. "With Griswold GripON material we are able to tackle material issues related to skid resistance as well as those associated with noise and vibration reduction with a product based on performance and innovation." The Griswold GripON product offering features a natural rubber formulation that promotes a high coefficient of friction (CoF) along with a film backing to which converters can easily apply their own pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA). The black sponge material is available in 18", 9" and 4.5" widths that can be cut to the desired shapes to meet customers' unique material requirements. About Rogers Corporation Rogers Corporation (NYSE:ROG) is a global technology leader in engineered materials to power, protect, and connect our world. With more than 180 years of materials science experience, Rogers delivers high-performance solutions that enable clean energy, Internet connectivity, advanced transportation and other technologies where reliability is critical. Rogers delivers Power Electronics Solutions for energy-efficient motor drives, vehicle electrification, and alternative energy; Elastomeric Material Solutions for sealing, vibration management, and impact protection in mobile devices, transportation interiors, and performance apparel; and Advanced Connectivity Solutions materials for wireless infrastructure, automotive safety and radar systems. Headquartered in Arizona (USA), Rogers operates manufacturing facilities in the United States, China, Germany, Belgium, Hungary, and South Korea, with joint ventures and sales offices worldwide. For more information, visit www.rogerscorp.com. SOURCE Rogers Corporation Related Links http://www.rogers-corp.com TikTok has become the latest platform to ban deepfakes. Under its new policy, the app says it prohibits synthetic or manipulated content that misleads users by distorting the truth of events in a way that could cause harm. Our intent is to protect users from things like shallow or deep fakes, so while this kind of content was broadly covered by our guidelines already, this update makes the policy clearer for our users. TikToks General Manager Vanessa Pappas wrote in a statement. The deepfake ban is part of a broader set of policy changes meant to fight misinformation and election meddling. The new rules also make the companys policy barring coordinated inauthentic activities unambiguous. TikTok also says its expanding its work with outside fact-checkers ahead of the 2020 election, and that it will allow users to report election-related misinformation in its app. And the company is working with the Department of Homeland Security in order to combat foreign interference in the election. Though Pappas writes that TikTok isn't the go-to app to follow news or politics, the app has dealt with extremism, fringe conspiracy theories and other unsavory content. Together, the updates are similar to steps other social media companies have taken to fight election meddling and disinformation campaigns. The changes may also help address some concerns around the app, which lawmakers have labeled a national security threat. Microsoft is currently in talks to buy TikTok from Chinese parent company ByteDance, after Donald Trump threatened to ban the app. By Trend A film in honor of fascist of Garegin Nzhdeh who was Armenian, Nazi collaborator and commander of the Wehrmachts Armenian Legion was shot in Bulgaria, Trend reports. According to the information disseminated by Armenian websites operating in Russia, the film was financed by the Bulgarian benefactor of Armenian origin. As reported, a Bulgarian sculptor has also created a bust of the Armenian fascist, which will be opened soon. The land to place the pedestal of the bust on will be brought from Zangazur, where Nzhdeh committed genocide against the Azerbaijani Turks. Commenting on the fact, Azerbaijans MP Sevil Mikayilova said that the world community should resolutely protest against the erection of a monument to the fascist of Armenian origin Nzhdeh in Bulgaria and the shooting of a film in honor of this executioner. However, the construction of a monument to a fascist of Armenian origin in Bulgaria is not accidental, Mikayilova noted. Everyone knows that the Soviet court sentenced Nzhdeh to imprisonment for 25 years, as well as other facts of this kind. This is recent history, and the world is well aware of what fascism is. The countries that won the victory over fascism in 1945 must now clearly recognize its threat to the world security. The fact that years earlier, the Azerbaijani state exposed Armenia's interest in developing fascist tendencies should become an alarm signal for the whole world, the MP stressed. Mikayilova added that the destructive actions of the Armenians must be unequivocally suppressed. "Otherwise, we will witness the flourishing of Armenia's unbridled acts, which pose a threat to security in the whole world," she noted. Then, all countries will become eyewitnesses of the consequences of the terrible disaster that will befall the world community, the MP concluded. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz Its an app for posting video clips of up to 60 seconds that has been downloaded more than 2 billion times since its launch in 2016. The app, called Douyin in China and previously known as Musical.ly in the U.S., is a popular platform for lip-syncing videos. Users can film and edit clips inside of the app and share them immediately. TikToks central feature is the ForYou page, where algorithms generate an infinite scroll of videos based on a users behavior. Fans consider TikTok special because of the sense that anything can show up on your page. WCG FDAnews Maintaining Your Risk-Based Cleaning and Disinfectant Programs: Best Practices During COVID-19 An FDAnews Webinar Wednesday, Aug. 19, 2020, 1:30 p.m.-3:00 p.m. EDT https://www.fdanews.com/riskbaseddisinfectant The task of maintaining a controlled cleanroom is never simple and COVID-19 has made it more challenging. From COVID-19 monitoring to contact tracing and social distancing, cleanliness and sterilization remain essential during the pandemic. This webinar will discuss the newest technologies to keep a cleanroom in a state of control. Well also tackle the regulatory expectations around this requirement, including those of the FDA and international regulatory agencies. Cleaning and disinfecting expert Jim Polarine will share tips on how to best design a risk-based program during this global health crisis. He will discuss industry trends, global regulatory expectations and how to maintain a controlled cleanroom. From his experienced perspective, attendees will learn what is needed to know to both meet written guidance and create the most sterile cleanroom feasible. During this webinar, we will cover: Regulatory Expectations a. Requirements of FDA, Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), Agencia Nacional de Vigilancia Sanitaria (ANVISA), National Administration of Drugs, Foods and Medical Devices (ANMAT), Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA), European Medicines Agency (EMA) and Agence Nationale de Securite du Medicament et des Produits de Sante (ANSM) inspectors as they relate to COVID-19 b. Lessons learned from FDA warning letters and 483s Guidance Documents a. Details in USP 43 1072, PDA Technical Report #70 and other industry documents b. New guidance in Draft Annex I Basis Cleaning and Disinfection Frequencies a. Keeping cleanrooms controlled to ensure safe, pure and efficacious products Industry Best Practices a. Disinfecting during the COVID-19 pandemic b. Managing fungal and bacterial spore excursions The Latest Advances in Application Equipment and Cleaning Methods a. Disinfectant rotation, sterility, application, and rinsing b. COVID-19 monitoring, contact tracing and social distancing requirements Maintaining a cleanroom has become more difficult due COVID-19 but not impossible. With expert guidance, you can manage cleaning, disinfecting and sterilizing with best practices and a risk-based program. Interested in registering multiple sites? Call (888) 838-5578 in the U.S. or +1 (703) 538-7600 globally to learn about our special multisite discount. Webinar Details: Maintaining Your Risk-Based Cleaning and Disinfectant Programs: Best Practices During COVID-19 An FDAnews Webinar Wednesday, Aug. 19, 2020, 1:30 p.m.-3:00 p.m. EDT https://www.fdanews.com/riskbaseddisinfectant Tuition: $287 per site Easy Ways to Register: Online: https://www.fdanews.com/riskbaseddisinfectant By phone: 888.838.5578 or 703.538.7600 About FDAnews: FDAnews is the premier provider of domestic and international regulatory, legislative, and business news and information for executives in industries regulated by the US FDA and the European Medicines Agency. Pharmaceutical and medical device professionals rely on FDAnews' print and electronic newsletters, books and conferences to stay in compliance with international standards and the FDA's complex and ever-changing regulations The population of Japan has fallen for the 11th straight year. The amount of the decline has set a record for six years in a row. The internal affairs ministry compiled the country's population based on the Basic Resident Register. The number of Japanese living in the country on January 1 was over 124.27 million. That's down about 500,000 from the previous year, and the biggest drop since record-taking began in 1968. Japan's population peaked in 2009. The number of births last year was about 866,900, the fewest since record-keeping began, while the number of deaths was a record high of over 1.37 million. Natural population decline, which is calculated by deducting the number of births from the number of deaths, has increased for 12 years in a row. By prefecture, Tokyo was the most populous with 13.25 million, followed by Kanagawa and Osaka Prefectures. Tottori Prefecture had the smallest population of about 556,000. Only Tokyo, Kanagawa and Okinawa saw their populations increase. Tokyo saw its population grow by nearly 70,000, marking the 24th consecutive year of increase. Around Tokyo, Saitama Prefecture saw its population fall for the first time since record-keeping began. Chiba Prefecture saw the first drop in six years. The population in Hokkaido Prefecture fell by about 42,000, the biggest drop in the country in the eighth straight year of decline. By municipality, the city of Fukuoka had the greatest increase in population, at more than 10,000, while the city of Kitakyushu saw the largest fall, at over 6,000. The number of foreign residents of Japan stood at over 2.86 million, up about 200,000, or 7.5 percent. That's the sixth consecutive year of increase. Tokyo topped the list with about 580,000 foreign residents, followed by Aichi Prefecture with some 270,000 and Osaka Prefecture, about 250,000. Akita Prefecture had about 4,300, the smallest in Japan. (Natural News) Communist Party leader Bob Avakian has announced his support for former Vice President Joe Biden in the upcoming presidential election. (Article by Alana Mastrangelo republished from Breitbart.com) Avakian, the founder and leader of the Revolutionary Communist Party USA, told his followers in a statement on Saturday that they should vote for Joe Biden in the 2020 presidential election. At this critical hour, every appropriate means of non-violent action must be utilized to remove this regime from power, said Avakian in his statement. And if, in spite of mass protest demanding the removal of the Trump/Pence regime, this regime remains in power when it is time for voting, then using all appropriate means to work for the removal of this regime must include voting against Trump. Avakian went on to clarify that he does not want his followers to vote for a third party candidate, and that their vote must be for Biden. To be clear, this means not a protest vote for some candidate who has no chance of winning, but actually voting for the Democratic Party candidate, Biden, in order to effectively vote against Trump, wrote the communist leader. Avakian added that he still considers Biden and the Democrat Party representatives and instruments of this exploitative, oppressive, and literally murderous system of capitalism-imperialism, but that all of that needs to be disregarded for now, as ousting Trump is more important. But this election is different, affirmed the communist leader. The question is not whether Biden and the Democrats represent something good, Avakian continued. Biden is not better than Trump, in any meaningful way except that he is not Trump and is not part of the move to consolidate and enforce fascist rule, with everything that means. To approach this election from the standpoint of which candidate is better means failing to understand the truly profound stakes and potential consequences of what is involved, he added. The fact is that there can be one and only one good that can come out of this election: delivering a decisive defeat to Trump and the whole fascist regime. Bob Avakian has also endorsed violent fringe movements in the past, such as the Shining Path a Maoist rebel movement that tried to overthrow the government of Peru by using guerrilla warfare in the late 1980s and early 1990s. In May before the death of George Floyd Biden called for revolutionary institutional changes in America. Read more at: Breitbart.com A group calling itself ''Friends of Dr. Appiah-Kubi'' (FOAK) has asked Ashanti Regional First Vice Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Kwabena Nsenkyere to retract and apologize for making what they believe are derogatory comments about the Member of Parliament (MP) for Atwima Kwanwoma in the Ashanti Region, Dr. Kojo Appiah Kubi. In a publication by Ghanaweb, the NPP Regional Chairman is said to have accused Dr. Kojo Appiah Kubi and Manhyia North MP, Collins Owusu Amankwa of working against their own party, the NPP. He described the two MPs as saboteurs saying they have shown disinterest in the party and also plotting against its aim to win Parliamentary seats in the Region, after they lost their Parliamentary seats in the party's primaries. I have been to Atwima Kwanwoma constituency and Manhyia North and what I observed was that, the two MPs there are not cooperating with their constituency executives in the exercise...Well urge them to come on board or else they should be prepared to face our wrath, Mr. Kwabena Nsenkyere warned the MPs. But the friends of Dr. Appiah-Kubi have issued a statement debunking the claims by the NPP Regional Chairman and warned him to stay absolutely clear off their MP. ''We, friends of Hon Dr Appiah Kubi, are proud of our hard working, respected and learned Member of Parliament of Atwima Kwanwoma, who has over the years distinguished himself positively within and outside the corridors of Parliament of Ghana and abroad as an astute politician, policy maker and an academician as well as international respected consultant. He has served as a senior lecturer at the University of Ghana, a manager, as well as a director of a public organisations. Above all he has represented the people of Atwima Kwanwoma for 12 years in parliament, an honour that he is also grateful to the NPP. As a full member of the NPP he has always dedicated himself to the good course of the NPP and has therefore contributed in various ways towards the victory of the party and Nana Akuffo Addo. Concerning the on-going voter registration exercise, for instance, Hon Dr Appiah-Kubi has made available and fuels a Toyota pick up, which the party is using to transport people to and from registration centres. He is also a staunch member of a parliamentary group planning to do house to house campaign in 'difficult' constituencies. He is currently in the constituency on the ground motivating people to go out to register.'' To them, Mr. Nsenkyere's claims are born out of envy and pure hatred for their MP. ''A public allegation that Dr. Appiah-Kubi has turned his back on the party can therefore only come from a person filled with hatred or envy of Hon Dr Appiah-Kubi. And for that to have come from Nsenkyire of all people is truly beyond reasoning. This is a man who for more than 3 months was out of the coverage area of the NPP, and for the sake of peace in the party, is not being accused of having deserted the party, now has the audacity to accuse a sitting MP of a constituency for having turned his back on the party, barely three weeks after the just ended primaries on June 20th, 2020.'' The group has therefore issued a 72-hour ultimatum to Mr. Nsenkyere to render an unqualified apology to Dr. Appiah Kubi or face their wrath. ''We are, by this press release, calling on Kwabena Nsenkyere, to do...to desist from unnecessary attacks on Hon. Dr. Appiah-Kubi, because he is not competing with Nsenkyire for anything. Nsenkyire swore by his own gods to make him to lose his parliamentary primaries for no apparent reason. Ironically Hon. Dr. Appiah-Kubi cannot even remember having talked to you, Nsenkyire, before in his life apart from exchanging casual greetings during party meetings. You have been apparently successful in making him to lose the 2020 primaries. He is quietly thinking of himself. What else do you want from him? ''...To retract that malicious publication about Hon Dr. Appiah-Kubi and render an unreserved and unconditional apology to Hon. Dr. Appiah-Kubi within 72 hours for bringing his name into public ridicule and tarnishing his reputation or face the wrath of Friends of Hon. Dr. Appiah-Kubi'', portions of the statement copied to Peacefmonline.com read. See attached full statement 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 Toronto and Peel Region are firmly settled into Phase 3 of reopening and while its too early to say if case numbers will remain low, high mask use is likely behind a sustained drop in numbers, a local epidemiologist said. For more than two weeks, Toronto has trended behind the rest of the GTA in daily new cases, something that is more likely linked to the citys high compliance on mask use than to a delayed move to Stage 3, said Colin Furness, a University of Toronto epidemiologist. The fact that Toronto has a mask policy in effect might actually be a bigger explanation for a drop in numbers than waiting to open bars, he said. Given the data we have, weve been doing better than I thought, Furness continued. However, he cautioned against celebrating too soon. Were going to see an uptick. We need to be patient in waiting for that uptick, he explained, noting that Toronto followed the rest of the province into Stage 3 without waiting long enough to see the true effects of reopening. It seems to me you have to wait something like a month two months maybe to see the impact of bars, Furness explained. Thats because we have low community spread right now. In other regions, there may not be compulsory mask use indoors or on transit, meaning the likelihood for spread increases, he said. If I had to bet, I would (say) not that the rest of the province is suffering from bars being open, but that Toronto is doing better than expected because of masks, Furness said. Ontarios public health units are reporting 125 new cases as of Tuesday, an increase of 55 cases over Monday. Meanwhile, there have been three more deaths. Over the long weekend, Ontario reported a jump of 419 new cases across the province. Toronto vs. GTA On Tuesday, Toronto reported 12 new cases of COVID-19, compared to 39 in the rest of the GTA. The average new cases continue to trend downwards for both. It might trend up again when we go back to school, said Anna Banerji, an epidemiologist with the Dalla Lana School of Public Health. She estimated that cases may rise over the next week as cases begin to appear from Torontos move to Stage 3. That said, the city currently doesnt have a huge surge upwards, Banerji said. Well have to see what happens in the next one or two weeks because everyones wearing masks, everyones physical distancing it seems to work. GTA vs. rest of Ontario Outside of the GTA, average daily new cases continue to trend higher than the urban centres a trend that has been consistent for more than a week. Overall, though, cases have been steeply declining across the province for weeks, in spite of the majority of the province transitioning to reopening. In regions such as Windsor-Essex, daily case totals have continued to trend high. Windsor-Essex reported 10 new cases of the virus Tuesday, with 262 cases currently active. Windsor-Essex remains in Stage 2 of reopening, and is the only region in the province that has not yet progressed to stage three. However, Windsor does not account for the majority of new cases outside of the GTA. Across all non-GTA public health units, there has been an uptick of 86 total cases with 76 of those from regions outside of Windsor. Banerji said she wasnt surprised these trends have continued, and that its likely communities that havent experienced outbreaks may begin to now. Often, the virus has hit communities and then outbreaks have resolved, she explained. I wouldnt be surprised if (COVID-19) starts . . . to have little outbreaks into other communities that havent had it before. Thats typically what this virus does. Ontario vs. Canada Nationally, case averages are rising in the rest of Canada faster than they are in Ontario. While Ontarios cases have been continuously declining through July, the rest of the country has begun to trend upwards. That said, the Atlantic provinces have really shown exemplary control of the virus, Furness said. Protective factors such as smaller international airports mean that importing the virus in that region is more difficult, he said. In major cities like Calgary and Vancouver, however, its possible that cases could be creeping in through airports, Furness said. We also have to remember were importing a couple hundred thousand people a week from the U.S. into Canada . . . So COVID is entering the country on its own. Both Furness and Banerji cautioned that it can be difficult to accurately compare Ontario against the rest of Canada given the provinces larger size and population density. Basically what we are doing and have been doing for the past four months, it seems to be working, she said. However, Banerji stressed that COVID-19 is very infectious, and that while the country currently has a handle on cases, that could change as we move further away from lockdowns. We may still have outbreaks, she said. With files from Ed Tubb and Rob Ferguson The views expressed by public comments are not those of this company or its affiliated companies. Please note by clicking on "Post" you acknowledge that you have read the TERMS OF USE and the comment you are posting is in compliance with such terms. Your comments may be used on air. Be polite. Inappropriate posts or posts containing offsite links, images, GIFs, inappropriate language, or memes may be removed by the moderator. Job listings and similar posts are likely automated SPAM messages from Facebook and are not placed by WFMZ-TV. tech2 News Staff After launching the Redmi 9 Prime in India yesterday, 4 August, Xiaomi will be hosting another launch event today, where it will unveil the Mi TV stick in India. A few months ago, Xiaomi also launched the Mi Box 4K in India at Rs 3,499. Mi TV Stick India launch: How to watch it live The launch livestream will kick off at 12 pm IST. Xiaomi will be streaming the event on its official YouTube channel. The webcast video is also embedded below. You can also tune in to our live blog to receive all the updates from the launch event. Mi TV Stick India launch: What to expect The Mi Stick has already been launched in Europe at 39.99 (approx Rs 3,500). The one launching in India is expected to be priced along the same lines as in Europe, and is also believed to carry the same specifications. In Europe, the Mi TV Stick comes with a built-in Chromecast and runs on the Android TV 9.0 version. It will be powered by a quad-core Cortex-A53 processor with ARM Mali-450 GPU. In terms of storage, it will offer 1 GB RAM and 8 GB of internal storage. As per a previous report, the Mi TV Stick will come with support for Google Assistant, Netflix, and Amazon Prime Video and will come in black colour option. The Supreme Court, on Wednesday, reserved its verdict on the contempt case initiated against lawyer Prashant Bhushan for posting two tweets in June, one of which accused the judiciary of destroying democracy and the other criticised Chief Justice of India (CJI) SA Bobde for keeping the courts shut during the Covid-19 lockdown. A three-judge bench headed by justice Arun Mishra heard Bhushans counsel, senior advocate Dushyant Dave, before reserving its order. Attorney general KK Venugopal was also present at the hearing although he did not make any arguments. Heard the senior counsel appearing in the matter. Arguments concluded. Judgment reserved, the bench, which also comprised justices BR Gavai and Krishna Murari, said. The court also dismissed a petition filed by Bhushan against the secretary general of the Supreme Court alleging that court procedures were not followed while listing the contempt case against him. This petition was heard on Wednesday along with the contempt case. The apex court , on Tuesday, heard and reserved its verdict in another contempt case against Bhushan over a statement made in 2009 that many past CJIs had been corrupt. That case was listed by the top court after more than eight years. The top court had issued notice suo motu (on its own) to Bhushan on July 22 over the two tweets and directed him to respond by Wednesday. The first tweet of June 27, which was reproduced in the court order of July 22, said: When historians in the future look back at the last six years to see how democracy has been destroyed in India even without a formal Emergency, they will particularly mark the role of the SC in this destruction, and more particularly the role of the last four CJIs. The second tweet of June 29 referred to CJI Bobde. It was also cited in the order and said: The CJI rides a Rs 50-lakh motorcycle belonging to a BJP [Bharatiya Janata Party] leader at Raj Bhavan, Nagpur, without wearing a mask or helmet, at a time when he keeps the SC on lockdown mode denying citizens their fundamental right to access justice! Bhushan filed an affidavit on August 2, stating that his tweets fell within the domain of free speech and expression of opinion, however outspoken, disagreeable or unpalatable to some, cannot constitute contempt of court. Dave argued on Wednesday that Bhushan was exercising his freedom of speech and giving his opinion about the functioning of the court and that would not amount to obstruction of justice necessitating contempt of court proceedings. Neither of the tweets can be said to cause interference or obstruction to administration of justice, Dave said. Dave also referred to Bhushans contributions towards public interest litigation and his role in exposing various corruption scandals before the court. Hundreds of cases have been brought to courts notice by Mr. Bhushan. This court has appreciated his work on so many occasions 2G licenses, coal block allocation, mining in forests etc. If he (Bhushan) makes a mistake, will you initiate contempt proceedings against him? His remarks are only for betterment of court, Dave submitted. With specific reference to the June 27 tweet, Dave argued that it was not contemptuous but was only Bhushans opinion about the court which is widely held by many people. It is his opinion. In that regard I would say that the four CJIs were conservative in their approach towards executive actions, Dave said. But it was not a criticism of any judgment of court , which is permissible. It is about the Supreme Court and four CJIs. It said that we have lost our independence, justice Arun Mishra said. The tweet is about the judicial approach adopted by the Supreme Court and the four CJIs, Dave responded. Regarding the tweet of June 29 about CJI, Dave said that scores of people had tweeted the photograph of the CJI on the bike. Somebody said Justice is riding on a bike. Are Your Lordships going to call them all? Dave asked. Dave also made some critical submissions on the functioning of the court. If judges (of Supreme Court) can criticize the institution, then why not Mr Bhushan?, he said in a veiled reference to the press conference held by four judges of the Supreme court in January 2018 against the functioning of justice Dipak Misra, who was then the CJI. Are you referring to the press conference? justice Arun Mishra queried. Holding of press conference was justified. Can you hold the judges (who held the press conference) in contempt? Dave responded. Dave also referred to the sexual harassment case against former CJI Ranjan Gogoi, pointing out that the victim, a Supreme Court employee who was terminated from service after she complained against Gogoi in 2019, was subsequently reinstated by the Supreme Court with full back wages. Does that not mean she was speaking the truth? The judge sat on a Saturday to hear the case on sexual harassment against himself. Judgments like Rafale and Ayodhya are delivered and the CJI later gets a Rajya Sabha seat and plush bungalow. What impression does it give? Dave asked The top court in December 2018 dismissed petitions seeking a court-monitored probe into the Rs 59,000 crore contract for Rafale fighter planes made by Dassault Aviation of France. In November last year, the Supreme Court cleared the way for the construction of a Ram Temple at a disputed site at Ayodhya. Dave also demanded to know why certain judges of the Supreme Court are never assigned politically sensitive cases. Justice Rohinton Nariman, for example, never gets assigned such matters, Dave said Jutice Mishra pointed out that justice Nariman has been part of many Constitution bench cases. I meant politically sensitive cases. Not Constitution bench, Dave said. live bse live nse live Volume Todays L/H More Indian market rallied by over 7 percent in July pushing benchmark indices above crucial resistance levels. Sensex reclaimed 38,000, while Nifty had a touch-and-go moment with 11,300 levels during the month. Tracking the momentum, select small & mid-cap stocks dominated the price action on D-Street. As many as 73 stocks in the S&P BSE 500 index hit fresh 52-week highs in July, and 50 of them rose 10-80 percent during the month. Strong price action in select stocks makes you wonder what is driving the prices higher. Well, experts are of the view that investors should focus on specific sectors and leaders among those sectors could help them catch winners. Stocks which hit fresh 52-week high include Cadila Healthcare, Ipca Laboratories, Ambuja Cements, Bharat Dynamics, Info Edge, Muthoot Finance and Laurus Labs. The rally in small & midcaps is likely to continue, suggest experts, and investors could selectively take a call on specific names on a dip. "Practically speaking, in pre-COVID time, we were observing a strong divergence between the benchmark index Nifty and the small/ midcap indices for more than a year, Sameet Chavan, Chief Analyst Technical, and Derivatives at Angel Broking Ltd told Moneycontrol. Post the coronavirus outbreak in March, we witnessed a massive fall in heavyweight counter to bring them to equilibrium and with this, the divergence between the benchmark and small/midcap spaces narrowed down drastically," he said. Chavan further added that with markets recovering in the last three months, a lot of individual themes played out and in the midst of all, lot of small and midcap stocks attracted buyers attention, leading to a colossal rally in few quality smaller names. Experts are of the view that healthcare especially pharma stocks which have been witnessing some consolidation in the 2-3 months consolidation are now ready for a big rally. Under the healthcare/pharma/API theme, there are many stocks that hit fresh 52-week high which include names like Laurus Labs, Thyrocare Technologies, Natco Pharma, Syngene International, Dr. Lal Pathlabs, Ajanta Pharma, Divis Laboratories and Dr. Reddys Laboratories, etc. among others. Despite Donald Trumps orders to restrict the pricing power in generics, pharma stocks did not correct significantly. In fact they bounced back shortly thereafter. This shows the resilience and positive sentiment in the pharma sector. The results too portray some sound operating efficiency despite the dip in toplines, Umesh Mehta, Head of Research, Samco Group told Moneycontrol. Another theme that has got the attention of investors is the IT pack. Most of the stocks in the technology sector touched fresh 52-week high that includes names like Persistent Systems, Thyrocare Technologies, Infosys, Wipro, HCL Technologies, L&T Infotech, MindTree and TCS, etc. among others. The recent outperformance in IT stocks has been driven by the better than expected Q1 results and positive management commentary regarding demand going forward. Except for some minor disappointments, most of the companies have posted better than expected set of numbers for the quarter led by Infosys, suggest experts. Large IT companies like Infosys, TCS and HCL Tech too have provided positive commentary on demand and growth going forward. Given improving demand outlook and strong revenue visibility we expect the IT will continue to do outperform the markets in the near term, Jyoti Roy, DVP Equity Strategist, Angel Broking Ltd told Moneycontrol. However, post the rally we believe that investors will need to be a bit more circumspect and take a bottom s up approach in the sector. In the large cap space HCL tech is our top picks given the companys exposure to the Infrastructure management space which is expected to benefit from greater adoption of Hybrid cloud, he said. Roy further added that in the mid-cap space Persistent Systems is are our top picks given attractive valuations and high exposure to the Hi-Tech vertical which is the least impacted due to the COVID-19 outbreak. Stocks that have a potential to outperform in August Gaurav Garg, Head of Research at CapitalVia Global Research Limited Investment Advisor shortlisted three stocks that could outperform in August as well. Wockhardt: This stock gave a trend line breakout in its weekly charts and seems bullish for the month of August. Also, the pharma sector is expected to remain positive for the month. Therefore, this stock is expected to continue its rally if it holds above 280. ICICI Lombard General Insurance: This stock is trading above its important moving averages. It has also formed an insider bar pattern in its weekly charts and has a support level placed at 1280. The overall trend of this stock is bullish and thus is expected to remain positive above 1350. Tata Elxsi: This stock has given a consolidation level breakout in its weekly charts and is trading above its important moving averages. After trading on a positive note for two consecutive months, this stock is expected to continue its rally above 980. Expert: Viral Chheda, Analyst, SSJ Finance & Securities. In the month of July, we have seen broad-based rally in the market. This makes us believe that the worst is over for the markets. Indices are likely to consolidate in a range before making a fresh up move. More than half the stocks in the list belong to either the pharma sector or chemical sector. We also believe that these 2 sectors have the potential to deliver good returns over the next 3-5 years. Few stocks we like are Aarti Drugs, Alkyl Amines, Balaji Amines, Deepak Nitrite, Dixon Technologies, JB Chemicals, PI Industries and Rallis India as these have strong fundamentals and good growth prospects. Some of these companies will also be benefitted from countries looking for alternatives to China. Expert: Ajit Mishra, VP Research, Religare Broking The auto stocks ,especially the tractor, 2-wheelers and PVs, have the potential to continue their winning run as the monsoon continues to remain normal and agriculture activity has also improved. Within the broader market space, we would prefer investing in selective stocks such as Alembic Pharma, Coromandel, Escorts, Gujarat gas, PI Industries, Rallis, Tata consumers, Bayer, ICICI securities, Bayer Crop Science and Biocon as these stocks have decent financials, strong long term growth prospects and prudent management. Also, sectors in which they are present have too shown resilient growth during lockdown due to high demand. Investors willing to invest for 1-2 years can accumulate them in a staggered manner. : The views and investment tips expressed by experts on Moneycontrol.com are their own and not those of the website or its management. Moneycontrol.com advises users to check with certified experts before taking any investment decisions. As students begin to return to the University of Alabama campus, the school moved to empty dorm rooms to isolate those infected with the coronavirus. The UA board of trustees voted Wednesday to spend $1.2 million renting 252 apartment beds in the Lofts at City Center to free up space on campus. The plan is to isolate students who live on campus in apartment-style dorms at Bryce Lawn and The Highlands. This leaves 450 beds for those on-campus students who test positive after arriving. We felt Bryce Lawn and the Highlands were best-suited to isolate students that were positive with COVID because of the apartment-style spaces with refrigerators and cooking spaces, said Matthew M. Fajack, vice president for the division of finance and operations. And that they are on campus so it will be easier to deliver them meals and provide other services including medical services to those students. A total of 8,281 students (98.6 percent of capacity) have been assigned on-campus rooms for the 2020 fall semester, according to the bid documents obtained by AL.com. RELATED: Alabama strips racists name from campus building AL.com on July 10 reported UA was seeking bids from local hotels and apartment complexes anticipating the need to isolate up to 300 students who become infected with COVID-19. The apartments leases UA approved Wednesday are for the students who were originally set to live in the Bryce Lawn and Highlands apartments. The 252 beds in furnished apartments leased for $400 a month for 12 months. The leases can be renewed for four years. Hopefully, we dont have to, Fajack said. Unless we have a lot of freshman coming in. UA expects on-campus students who live within a 2-hour radius of campus would return home if possible, according to the bid documents. Students living off campus who test positive are required to self-isolate in their house or apartment. The only other bid for a 12-month lease for 201-300 rooms came from The Hub. That bid was for $680 per bed as opposed to the $400 bid by The Lofts at City Center. Bids for shorter leases came in as high as $1,314 per month. The Lofts at City Center is a massive complex built on the land near the McFarland Boulevard-15th Street intersection once occupied by Wood Square shopping center. The April 27, 2011 tornado destroyed the strip mall. Ground was broken in November 2012 for the 1,226-bed mixed-use facility expected to cost $100 million. Apartments are currently renting for as much as $719 a month for a private room in a 2-bedroom unit. A room in a four-bed, four-bath unit costs $479 a month. Michael Casagrande is a reporter for the Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @ByCasagrande or on Facebook. Sri Lankans, wearing face masks, on Wednesday started voting in the twice-postponed parliamentary election which is expected to be won by the powerful Rajapaksa family-run party. Polling stations opened at 7 AM and would be open for voters until 5 PM local time. The election, which was postponed twice due to the coronavirus, is to elect a 225-member Parliament for a 5-year term. Over 16 million people are eligible to vote to elect 196 out of a total of 225 lawmakers for the next five years. Twenty-nine others will be named from a national list according to the number of votes received by each party. Election Commission Chair Mahinda Deshapriya was one of the early voters as polling got underway. I voted at an election for the first time since 2011. My aim is to show that everyone will be safe while voting, especially elderly, Deshapriya, 65, who is due to retire in November, told reporters outside his Colombo city polling station. The election, originally scheduled for April 25, was put off until June 20 as the COVID-19 outbreak hampered the preparations. The August 5 date was later fixed as the health authorities issued guidelines on holding the poll. No one can bring corona to the polling station, there is no corona at the polling station so no one could carry corona outside. I can guarantee that voting will be 100 per cent corona free, Deshapriya said. Under the guidelines, every voter's hands will be cleaned before and after voting as special arrangements have been made to transfer the indelible ink to the index finger, with no physical contact with any surface at the polling station, election officials said. Although no long queues were seen near polling stations compared to the previous one, sizeable lines were seen at a few. Despite the health concern, Deshapriya expects an 80 per cent voter turnout from the 16.2 million eligible voters. The 12,985 polling stations throughout the country are being manned by over 8,000 health officials, Director General of Health Services Anil Jasinghe said. Some 20 political parties and 34 independent groups are in the fray with over 7,200 candidates from 22 electoral districts. The western province cities of Colombo and Gampaha have the largest number of voters, 1.7 million each, while the lowest number 287,024 is registered from the Tamil-dominated north's Wanni district. The election is expected to be a victory for President Gotabaya Rajapaksa's People's Party (SLPP) led by his brother -- Prime Minister The president is not a candidate while Mahinda is running from the north western capital district of Kurunegala. Former president Maithripala Sirisena is running from the north central region of Polonnaruwa under the SLPP banner while former prime minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and former leader of the Opposition Sajith Premadasa are running from the Colombo district. The counting would take place only on the following morning - a departure from the practice of counting the ballots from 8 PM on the election night. President Gotabaya hopes for a two-thirds majority for the SLPP in the general election so that he can amend the Constitution to restore presidential powers curbed by a 2015 constitutional change. (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.) Uh-oh! It could be you, or it could be us, but there's no page here. As we struggle with the COVID-19 pandemic, it is easy to lapse into self-pity and to forget about other human tragedies, many of which have been made worse by the crisis. One of these is the fact that more than 13 million Syrians have been displaced because of civil war, nearly half of whom have left the country. Everyone knows the names Assad and Putin, Erdogan and Trump. But the stories of everyday people killed or torn from their homes and setting off in search of a better life for themselves and their children are largely unknown. To be honest, sitting in my comfy house in Chicago, streaming The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, it is hard to relate. After all, Im a privileged, white, rich American, which is about as good as it gets, even in times like these. And yet the only reason I am here living this life is because of a Syrian woman who set out against all odds 100 years ago in circumstances not unlike those facing Syrian refugees today. Her name was Warde Abi-Habib Salameh, and she was my great-grandmother. In 1919, she was 33, living in Roumieh, a small village in the mountains east of Beirut in what is now Lebanon. The Salamehs were Maronites, a sect of Christians that were tolerated by their Ottoman masters in Constantinople. But then, as now, war and a global pandemic changed everything. The Ottoman Empire, dubbed the sick man of Europe, was already in decline before the great powersEngland, France, Germany, Russia and Austria-Hungarybrought their war to Syria. World War I ended the centuries of Ottoman rule, and, in turn, brought incalculable suffering to innocents. In the three years before Warde left for America, half the population in what is now Lebanonsome 200,000 peoplestarved to death. The Spanish flu of 1918-20 killed countless more. The horrors of surviving those times reverberated through the hollers of West Virginia, some six decades later. I remember sitting on the laps of old women speaking Arabic and drinking arak, listening to them wail in remembrance of the lost. Story continues Perhaps one of the victims of the Great Famine or the Spanish flu was my great-grandfather. Or perhaps he was killed by a Russian bullet. Or maybe he died from a heart attack in an olive orchard. Ive heard all these possibilities. But, whatever the cause, he left Warde alone with three young children: Camille (15), Emil (9), and Jacob (6). (Her oldest daughter, Amalia, was married and stayed behind.) They must have been without hope. The Armistice of Mudros that ended the war in the Middle East changed nothing for them. It didnt bring them food or work or opportunity. Syria was in limbo. (The San Remo Resolution of 1920, which gave the French control over Syria, was in the future.) As the great powers jockeyed for position and power, Roumieh was not high on anyones list of priorities. Wardes daughter, Amalia, and her grandchildren. | Courtesy Todd Henderson So Warde gathered up what little she hada few suitcases full of clothesand headed off for America. She had some relatives who had traveled there when World War I broke out, ultimately settling in the area around Wheeling, West Virginia. Did she get word from them that there was hope there, or did she just hope there was? In either case, setting out for America was an act of pure desperation. Records from Ellis Island tell me that Warde and the children arrived on the French ship La Touraine, which set sail from Le Havre, France, in 1920. The Atlantic crossing took about six days then. But that was the easy part. From Roumieh to Le Havre is some 4,400 kilometers by land or sea. If they traveled by land, the journey would have taken them through war-ravaged Serbia, the carcass of Austria-Hungry and what was left of villages in Germany and France. The flu still haunted every village. More likely, they went by boat, traversing the Mediterranean Sea during the stormy and cold months of winter. The journey took several weeks at that time. In total, Warde and her childrenmy grandfather Jacob the youngestlikely spent a month in transit. What did they eat? How did they entertain themselves? What were they thinking awaited them in America as they huddled together against the cold, the sea and the flu? I have three childrenWardes great-great-grandchildrenbetween the ages of 9 and 15, about the same age as my grandfather, his brother and his sister when they left Syria for America. Traveling downtown in our seven-passenger Volvo can be arduous, as we fight over space, the music and whose iPhone gets the charger. We are all tremendously spoiled, even today. Even when I try to feel humbled by the toughness of my ancestors or try to use it to recalibrate, the rush of my relatively petty concerns overwhelms me. Yet I suspect Warde would be proud of her great-great-grandchildren, and believe her sacrifice was worth it. The citizenship papers of Henderson's grandfather. | Courtesy Todd Henderson My family came ashore at Ellis Island. Viewing their scrawls and chosen names and made-up birthdaysJacob chose January 1, like so many other immigrantsin their immigration records, I try to imagine them. I try to imagine what they felt waiting in linethe uncertainty, the possibilities, the cold. I try to imagine them in quarantine. I try to imagine how they felt when their quarantine ended and how they felt when America opened to them. The spirit of welcoming that America showed my family then is increasingly closing. In 2018, the United States welcomed fewer than 100 of the millions of Syrians wishing, as Warde did, for a better life here. How Warde and her young children made it overland to West Virginia and what awaited them there is unknown to me. I know that she started her own soda shop and rarely stopped moving. Everyone remembers her as stern and focused. How could she not have been? Jacob went to military high school, studied at Ohio State and became a doctor. He had three children, my mother the middle. She grew up a Jacobs, not a Salameh, because my grandfather changed his name to fit in and leave the strife of the Old World behind. He was reborn and lived very much the American dream. But it was never easy. He worked constantly at Wardes side as a young boy, and there was always a shortage of something. By the time they found their footing, they suffered again through the Great Depression and more war. Even in the best of times, it wasnt easy for the Salamehs. PapPap Doc, as I called him, often talked about being different, about wearing a costume and about the struggles of integration. Being different didnt go away. When my mom fell in love with an Ohio farm boy, the facts of her ancestry were a problem, not a curiosity. She was the wrong color and the wrong religion. She ate the wrong food. Associated with the wrong kinds of people. My parents persevered, and again I benefited from the toughness of my ancestors. It is not too late for me to thank my parents, as I did my grandfather before he died. He characteristically shrugged it off. I never met Warde, who died before I was born. I never got to hear her stories or understand what it took and how she felt. Knowing what I do about her and about people of that time, I likely wouldnt have heard much. What needed to be done was done. The good fortune that made her survive the famine, the flu, the war, the journey and work that awaited her here was the hand of God, I suspect shed have said. I credit her instead. She survived what few did or could. She made it all happen. But her greatness was only possible because a door was opened and a hand extended. She was welcomed by a country confident enough in itself to realize that several generations later, Wardes descendants would not only reap this countrys benefits, but sing its praises. When this pandemic ends, as it will, here is hoping we open our doors again. By Trend Uzbekistan, along with Kazakhstan, is a key partner of Poland in the region of Central Asia, Press Office Director of Polands Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Andrzej Fafara told Trend in an interview. "Significant demographic potential as well as political, economic and social reforms, initiated in 2016 by a change in the office of president, are factors that induce Warsaw to deepen contacts with Tashkent. Mutual interest in expanding cooperation were evidenced by two visits of Poland's Deputy Ministers of Foreign Affairs to Uzbekistan (2018, 2019), visit of the Secretary of the National Security Council of Uzbekistan Viktor Makhmudov to Warsaw and raising the status of head of the Uzbekistan diplomatic mission in Warsaw to the rank of Ambassador in 2019," noted Fafara. Minister of Foreign Affairs of Poland Jacek Czaputowicz maintains his willingness to pay a visit to Uzbekistan as soon as the COVID-19 pandemic situation makes it possible, he said. "Poland assesses positively the changes in Uzbekistan's internal policy that have taken place in the last four years. They were manifested, among others, by the adoption of the Development Strategy of Uzbekistan for the period from 2017 through 2021, providing for a comprehensive modernization of the country's economy and achieving sustainable economic growth. The program of reforms was recognized by 'The Economist', which declared Uzbekistan "the country of the year 2019" the country which was the most outstanding in the world in terms of the importance of introduced changes," Poland's MFA said. Fafara said Poland is convinced that the new approach of the Uzbekistans authorities to socio-economic issues will contribute to improving the standard of living of citizens, as well as a more complete fulfilling of the demographic, economic and political potential of the country. "We are interested in deepening contacts with Uzbekistan in all spheres in the field of political as well as economic, social and cultural cooperation and Uzbekistan is interested in deepening cooperation with Poland in many fields too, including trade, healthcare, social policy or education. Further priorities include good governance, agriculture, scientific collaboration as well as historical and cultural heritage," he said. "Moreover, Poland has recently engaged in Uzbekistan in establishment of institutional mechanisms for achieving gender equality and preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence, initiating joint projects and allocating funds from Polish Aid to development assistance and humanitarian aid on an annual basis," said Fafara. Also, he noted the importance of the fruitful cooperation with the Uzbekistans authorities regarding the issues concerning cemeteries of the Polish soldiers from the General Wladyslaw Anders Army and promoting shared historical ties. Furthermore, Fafara noted that Poland consider the field of education as its main priority. "Poland, together with Latvia, served as the state-coordinator of the EU-Central Asia Education Platform (CAEP) in the period from 2015 through 2019. We are interested in continuing our commitment concerning education in the Central Asia region and look forward to the European Commission's proposals in this regard. Polish experts are also involved in the reform of the pre-school education system in Uzbekistan, particularly implementing Polish teaching methods and experience of alternative forms of early education," he pointed out. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz Fast fashion giant Missguided has been accused of 'blatantly' copying the design of black-owned business with one of their latest swimsuits. The UK-based online retailer was branded 'beyond lazy' by furious shoppers, who spotted similarities between their design and that of independent label, Destinationswimwear. Critics of the brand slammed it for hypocrisy, stating it claims to stand for 'diversity and equality' while appearing to have copied the work of Desintationswimwear's black owner, Racquel Simone, who is based in Brooklyn, New York. Missguided has been accused of 'blatantly' copying the design of black-owned business with one of their latest swimsuits. Missguided's version is pictured right, while the 'original' designed by Racquel Simone is pictured left Racquel became aware of the similarity after a friend called out Missguided on social media for their alleged copying. Her friend, known only as Nikki, tweeted on Saturday: 'A friend of mine has her own bikini line and posted this today' Photos shared on Twitter show the resemblance between Missguided's $13 Orange Leopard One Shoulder swimsuit and Destinationswimwear's $80 'Palm Springs' suit. Both feature the exact same striking purple and orange animal print pattern, as well as an asymmetrical shoulder. While Missguided's bathing suit features a cut-out portion which is not featured on the 'original', both swimsuits also feature an on-trend high leg design and thong fit at the back. Racquel says she 'deserves recognition' for her design, which was launched back in March 2019. Racquel , pictured, says she 'deserves recognition' for her design, which was launched back in March 2019 Photos shared on Twitter show the resemblance between Missguided's $13 Orange Leopard One Shoulder swimsuit (left) and Destinationswimwear's $80 'Palm Springs' suit (right). Both feature the exact same striking purple and orange animal print pattern, as well as an asymmetrical shoulder. Missguided's bathing suit (right) features a cut-out portion which is not featured on the 'original', both swimsuits also feature an on-trend high leg design and thong fit at the back. Missguided denied there had been any duplication. A spokesman for Missguided said: 'This is not a copy. The Missguided design was first created in-house in 2019 and the orange and blue leopard print was one we also sourced last year. 'We'd be more than happy to share our bespoke designs and sources with this swimwear company if they get in touch.' Racquel (pictured) explained that she was 'feeling a little overwhelmed by the reaction to the tweet' and that she had seen her designs copied before Racquel became aware of the similarity after a friend called out Missguided on social media for their alleged copying. Her friend, known only as Nikki, tweeted on Saturday: 'A friend of mine has her own bikini line and posted this today! 'Missguided clearly ran out of creativity and had to look at a smaller business. 'Support Destinationswimwear, a black-owned business, instead of Missguided.' Nikki's tweet quickly went viral, racking up more than thousand likes and retweets, many echoing her thoughts and slamming Missguided Racquel said: 'I'm feeling a little overwhelmed by the reaction to the tweet, I didn't think it would get this much traction. 'This also has happened before with another brand taking one of my designs. 'I try not to let it affect me, because I do know that imitation is a form of flattery but at the same time I work hard as a creative and deserve recognition. 'A few of my friends have messaged Missguided about it, they said they have seen the messages but have not responded. Her tweet quickly went viral, racking up more than thousand likes and retweets. One user was annoyed Missguided openly supports the Black Lives Matter movement while appearing to 'copy designs' from black designers One user quoted the tweet, saying: 'Don't make me cancel Missguided. Is it that hard to come up with your own designs?' If you have to look at other black artists for inspiration that's one thing. But having the balls to copy the exact suit is so grimy and weak. At least ask if you can use it.' Another added: 'This is beyond lazy, they literally just took scissors to one side and said 'buy it'. A third said: 'Theirs look cheap and ugly compared to hers. Y'all gotta stop copying people's hard work and creativity because you make yourself and your business look bad.' A fourth fumed: 'These brands come out saying how much they support BLM and do s*** like this.' GLEN ALLEN, Va., Aug. 5, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Decisiv, Inc., the industry leader in Service Relationship Management (SRM) solutions, announced today an agreement to integrate the Cummins Guidanz suite of web-based and mobile products into the Decisiv SRM Ecosystem in support of their mutual fleet and service provider customers. With the integration of Cummins Guidanz products in the Decisiv SRM Ecosystem, fleets, managed care providers and service providers will benefit from having necessary Cummins supplied engine information available in a single location at the point of service. "The integration of Cummins Guidanz will provide more efficient and streamlined support of Cummins engines within the Decisiv SRM Ecosystem," said Dick Hyatt, President and CEO of Decisiv. "The combination of features and capabilities from Decisiv and Cummins will maximize equipment uptime, improve service efficiency and enhance customer satisfaction. "The Cummins Guidanz solution will also be featured in the Decisiv SRM Marketplace, which is rapidly becoming the one stop shop for OEMs and component and parts suppliers to deliver actionable, real time information at the point of service," Hyatt added. "Cummins is pleased to take this integral step to enhance operations for our service providers by integrating with Decisiv to set a new standard for service quality and efficiency," said Ryan Kikendall, Executive Director of Service Event Solutions at Cummins. "Incorporating our Cummins Guidanz system into the growing Decisiv SRM Ecosystem will streamline service workflows by providing users with accurate and timely information to drive efficiency in the service process." Cummins engines are powering more than 40% of commercial vehicles in operation in North America. This new addition to the Decisiv SRM Ecosystem will be of immediate benefit to Decisiv's broad base of dealer and independent service provider networks as well as fleets and fleet maintenance companies. By optimizing the Guidanz software with Decisiv SRM, fleet and shop managers, service advisors and technicians will no longer have to go to multiple systems to capture and share key elements of related service work, improving data accuracy while reducing costs. Additionally, reporting features will help ensure the highest level of service quality, and asset utilization and performance across Decisiv and Cummins customer networks. Early adopters among Decisiv and Cummins customers are expected to begin using the integrated solution next year. About Cummins Inc. Cummins Inc., a global power leader, is a corporation of complementary business segments that design, manufacture, distribute and service a broad portfolio of power solutions. The company's products range from diesel, natural gas, electric and hybrid powertrains and powertrain-related components including filtration, aftertreatment, turbochargers, fuel systems, controls systems, air handling systems, automated transmissions, electric power generation systems, batteries, electrified power systems, hydrogen generation and fuel cell products. Headquartered in Columbus, Indiana (U.S.), since its founding in 1919, Cummins employs approximately 61,600 people committed to powering a more prosperous world through three global corporate responsibility priorities critical to healthy communities: education, environment and equality of opportunity. Cummins serves its customers online, through a network of company-owned and independent distributor locations, and through thousands of dealer locations worldwide and earned about $2.3 billion on sales of $23.6 billion in 2019. See how Cummins is powering a world that's always on by accessing news releases and more information at https://www.cummins.com/always-on. About Decisiv, Inc. Decisiv provides a cloud-based Service Relationship Management (SRM) platform that revolutionizes how the service supply chain for commercial assets communicates and collaborates. As the industry leader in SRM technology, Decisiv is driving unrivaled improvement in asset performance and utilization for manufacturers, service providers and asset owners in the commercial vehicle market. The SRM platform's service orchestration capability that harnesses, shares and analyzes connected asset data, and intelligently enables service management, is the key to driving asset uptime and availability. Decisiv is the partner of choice for major commercial vehicle manufacturers, including Volvo, Mack, Hino, Isuzu, Peterbilt, Kenworth and Michelin, as well as their dealers and call centers, service networks and asset owners. For more information, visit www.decisiv.com. Contact: Mark Wasilko VP Marketing Decisiv Phone: (804) 762-4153 [email protected] SOURCE Decisiv, Inc. Related Links www.decisiv.com Five Republican Texas lawmakers are suing Gov. Greg Abbott over the state's $295 million COVID-19 contact tracing contract to a small, little-known company, alleging the agreement is unconstitutional because it wasnt competitively bid and because the funds should have been appropriated by the Legislature in a special session. In the Travis Country district court suit filed Monday, State Reps. Mike Lang, Kyle Biedermann, William Zedler, Steve Toth and state Sen. Bob Hall named as defendants Abbott, the Texas Department of State Health Services and the company awarded the contract, the Frisco-based MTX Group. It was first reported by Courthouse News. Abbott and Attorney General Ken Paxton have defended the contract. Abbott did not immediately respond to a request for comment. DSHS and Paxtons office said as a policy, they do not comment on pending litigation. The lawmakers are seeking a court order voiding the contract for lack of statutory authorization and deeming unconstitutional the governors application of the Texas Disaster Act of 1975, which gives him broad powers in the case of an emergency, in granting the contract. The Texas Constitution requires a separation of powers, and that separation leaves policy-making decisions with the Texas Legislature, the lawsuit states. These decisions are not changed by pandemics. NEW GOP CHAIR WARNS OF TYRANNY : Texas Republicans oust party chairman in favor of firebrand Allen West The contract in question was signed in May by the state health services department and the MTX Group, a tech startup that has a headquarters in North Texas. The bid for the work was never publicly posted and was awarded without input from top state leaders. At the time, more than a dozen legislators subsequently called for the state to cancel the contract. Hearst Newspapers reported last month that former employees working on the contact tracing project reported that they spent hours doing little or no work, received confusing or erroneous instructions and often could not give people the advice they expected. A DSHS spokesman said the problems were old and outdated and were resolved in June. Abbott has declined to convene a special session since March when the coronavirus pandemic began, instead leaning on his emergency powers to issue a series of sweeping executive orders governing which businesses can open, where people can gather in public, and mandating safety measures including wearing face coverings in public. While the law has been used by governors for years, the time span of the coronavirus-related orders is unprecedented and raises questions about the durability of that legal justification. More than a half dozen court cases have also alleged Abbotts orders are unconstitutional, many filed by conservative activist Steven Hotze, though most have been unsuccessful. Last week, the Texas Supreme Court whose members are all Republicans dismissed a petition from Hotze that aimed to strike down the orders for lack of jurisdiction. In a concurring opinion, Justice John Devine sympathized with the plaintiffs and said he shared their concern that the executive branch has overtaken the duty of the legislative branch in this case but said he doubted a suit seeking to overturn the orders is the proper vehicle to make such a challenge. KEEPING THE PRESS OUT: As COVID infections soar, Gov. Greg Abbott eludes media scrutiny But this is not to say that a governors emergency-related actions are categorically immune from judicial review, Devine wrote. There are of course other ways in which we mayand indeed mustweigh in on questions of constitutional magnitude. And when we do, we must not shrink from [our] duty to say what the law is. Warren Norred, attorney for the plaintiffs, who also represented Dallas salon owner Shelley Luther who was jailed for defying a court order to close her business during the states lockdown, said this case stands apart from others like it. Norred said thats because it does not ask the court to overturn a governors executive order, something the Texas Supreme Court has shown it does not believe it has jurisdiction to do, but instead a specific document, the contract. It also doesnt challenge the constitutionality of the Disaster Act, though Norred said he agrees with Hotze and others that it isnt, and instead challenges just this particular application of the law. The case also is unique, he said, in that it raises new questions about the legality of the contract, such as the lack of competitive bidding and its length the Texas Constitution limits appropriations to time periods of less than two years; the MTX contract, which ends Aug. 13, 2022, exceeds two years. Were talking about the failure of the competitive bidding, were talking about the fact that the state Legislature never approved the appropriation I dont think the other suits talked about that, Norred said. Its just not something you can do. The governor doesnt get to say, I think Ill handle this disease problem this way, whenever he wants to. Thats just not how this works. The Syracuse.com | The Post-Standard police blotter of arrests from police agencies around Central New York has been updated today. Most of the new arrests are from the last couple weeks. Press Release 5 August 2020 London, UK - Nearly three million jobs in the UK - and 197 million worldwide in the Travel & Tourism sector globally - look set to be lost due to the collapse of travel, according to the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC). Advertisements WTTC economic modelling conducted less than two months ago predicted this 'worst case scenario' would occur if barriers to global travel, such as quarantine measures and blanket travel restrictions were to remain in place. While some travel bans have been removed, many others remain, with new restrictions likely to come into force to tackle the continuing threat posed by COVID-19 and possible second spikes. However, the confusing patchwork of bans, quarantines and uncoordinated international testing and tracing measures, have deterred many people from travelling at all with the peak summer 2020 travel season all but being wiped out. Last week travel to Spain was thrown into chaos when the UK government changed its travel advice to re-impose a 14-day quarantine period for people arriving back in the UK. This countrywide 'travel ban' came despite parts of Spain, such as Andalucia, the Balearics and Canaries having a lower COVID-19 infection rate than the UK. WTTC estimates the UK now looks close to losing a staggering $186 billion from the Travel & Tourism sector's contribution to UK GDP, equating to a 73% percent drop compared with 2019. Gloria Guevara, WTTC President & CEO, said: "It's heartbreaking to see our worst fears for the UK and global Travel & Tourism sector coming true. The jobs and livelihoods of millions of people who work throughout the sector are disappearing by the day, despite our warning this could happen." "While we acknowledge the UK government's efforts to support Travel & Tourism during this crisis, the UK alone looks set to lose three million jobs in the sector, creating an economic black hole of US$186 billion in the country's finances. This is due to an international failure to implement proper coordination to combat the pandemic." "However, we still have time to turn this around if we act together now as one and replace ineffective quarantines with comprehensive rapid testing, a worldwide accepted standard of contact tracing and widespread face mask usage. Employing the latest technology, combined with mass adoption of protective face coverings, will help restore confidence to the traveller." "Governments around the world must align their policies and work hand in hand with the private sector to revive Travel & Tourism, so we can restore jobs and help revive the global economy." "We strongly believe that by working as one we can beat COVID-19 and return to safe travels with world class standards of hygiene to travellers and regenerate the jobs and livelihoods of the 300 million people who worked in the sector before COVID-19. That is a much more, cost effective and efficient option which will alleviate the terrible economic impact of mass unemployment." The health and safety of travellers and those who work within the sector is always the number one priority. However, there is ample evidence from other countries which suggests only those who test positive should be quarantined. This would protect public health and save lives, whilst restoring consumer confidence, driving the global economic recovery, and saving the jobs of millions of people whose very livelihoods depend upon a thriving Travel & Tourism sector. WTTC had urged governments to follow a four-point plan to avoid the 'worst case scenario' it feared could take place. The plan recommended the immediate removal and replacement of travel bans and 14-day quarantine measures, with 'air corridors' to stimulate the Travel & Tourism sector and the wider economy. It also urged the adoption of global health and safety protocols, such as the 'Safe Travels' initiative launched by WTTC, to provide assurance to travellers and those working within the sector. WTTC believes the implementation of a rapid test and trace strategy is a critical step to help contain the spread of the virus, while still allowing people to travel responsibly and encouraging greater and sustained collaboration between the public and private sectors to ensure a standardised, global approach to the crisis. WTTC has continually been at the forefront in leading the private sector in the efforts to rebuild global consumer confidence and encourage the return of Safe Travels. According to WTTC's 2020 Economic Impact Report, during 2019, Travel & Tourism was responsible for one in 10 jobs (330 million in total), making a 10.3% contribution to global GDP and generating one in four of all new jobs. External Article 5 August 2020 The company says up to 25% of the site's global workforce of 17,500 will leave as part of a major restructuring of the organization. Advertisements Details as to where the cuts at Booking.com will be being made across its portfolio of businesses will be worked out as it negotiates with its various unions. A statement from the company said the Covid-19 crisis has "devastated the travel industry," and it continues to feel the impact as bookings are still "significantly reduced." It added: "While we have done much to save as many jobs as possible, we believe we must restructure our organization to match our expectation of the future of travel." Latest steps Booking.com owner Booking Holdings (operator of Agoda, Priceline, Kayak, OpenTable, Momondo and others) has operations in 65 countries around the world and currently 26,000 staff. The cost-savings at Booking.com come three months after the group halted stock buybacks, dramatically reduced marketing spending the first quarter figure was $851 million compared to $1.2 billion a year earlier implemented a hiring freeze and reduced executive compensation. In May, the company completed a "strategic evaluation" of sister brands Kayak and OpenTable, which led to layoffs and furloughs that CFO David Goulden says cut costs at those particular brands by about 20%. At the outset of the pandemic in March, Booking Holdings put into place a number of steps around supporting its financial position, including an offering of senior notes, which is expected to raise $3.23 billion, as well as an offering of convertible senior notes to net an additional $735 million. The proceeds would go toward "general corporate purposes which may include the repayment of debt." Meperia strives to reassure our customers and partners that their data is safe, secure, and confidential in Meperia systems, and to show that users can rely on our applications to be stable, reliable, and suitable for enterprise use, explained Leslie Haan, Director of Marketing for Meperia. Meperia, a content management company focused on solving supply chain challenges for healthcare providers, today announced the successful completion of their 2020 System and Organizational Controls (SOC) 2 Type 2 examination. The achievement reflects their long-standing commitment to data security, while giving them a competitive edge in their industry. Having completed SOC examinations for the past three years, Meperia strives to reassure our customers and partners that their data is safe, secure, and confidential in Meperia systems, and to show that users can rely on our applications to be stable, reliable, and suitable for enterprise use, explained Leslie Haan, Director of Marketing for Meperia. Meperia was audited against the AICPA Trust Services Criteria for Security, Availability, and Confidentiality. The SOC 2 Type 2 examination provided assurance regarding the effectiveness of the company's controls over a period of time. Not only does the achievement provide validation of the companys ongoing security practices, but it also makes it easier for Meperia to communicate these efforts to their customers. Before we had the SOC 2, we would have to fill out complex questionnaires or have meetings describing our security, backup, and application development practices. There may still be the occasional questionnaire, but a lot of questions can be answered by forwarding our SOC 2, continued Haan. The effort was completed by the professional and independent third-party audit firm, 360 Advanced, Inc. The SOC 2 process is complicated, lengthy, and detail-oriented. This is our third year of SOC 2 [reporting], and each new year has required additional documentation and description, whether due to changes in our business environment or updates in the SOC 2 standards. We appreciate 360 Advanceds help in making clear what kind of information is being sought and navigating new requirements, commented Michael Hannemann, Vice President of Technology at Meperia. About Meperia Meperia is the first supply chain content enabler to bring predictive intelligence solutions to the healthcare market. Our patented artificial intelligence imitates the ease of consumer on-line shopping. Meperias SaaS-based solution puts controls and real-time visibility around an organizations spend at the point of requisitioning to ensure every purchase is on contract, on price and on target to their product formulary goalsbefore users buy! Our offerings include Data Normalization, Content & Contract Management, Sourcing Tools, Requisition/Formulary Management and soon will be releasing our new Implant Management Solution. Learn more at http://www.meperia.com. For Meperia inquiries, please contact: Leslie Haan Director of Marketing lhaan@meperia.com About 360 Advanced 360 Advanced is Making Better Businesses through their Cybersecurity and Compliance offerings. Services provided include SOC 1, SOC 2, SOC 3, SOC for Cybersecurity, SOC for Supply Chain, CSA STAR, HIPAA/HITECH, ISO 27001, PCI-DSS, HITRUST CSF, Microsoft SSPA Attestation, Penetration Testing, GDPR, CCPA and more. In certain states, 360 Advanced may operate under the name of Hiestand, Brand, Loughran, P.A. to meet State Board requirements for CPA firms. To learn more about 360 Advanced, visit http://www.360advanced.com. For more information on compliance solutions, contact Jim Brennan at jbrennan@360advanced.com. Pastor Nduka Anyawu in police custody 05.08.2020 LISTEN A Nigerian pastor, Nduka Anyawu, has been nabbed for allegedly defiling and impregnating two underage sisters. The suspect, according to a DGN Onlines source in Nigeria, is a pastor in a church called the Lord's Chosen Church. He is alleged to have defiled the sisters aged 17 and 13 in Lagos, Nigeria for years. He allegedly had sexual intercourses with them under the guise of casting out bad luck from them but ended up impregnating them recently. An NGO named Stop The Abuse, is said to have stumbled on the defilement case and reported the matter. The NGO indicated that Nduka allegedly started defiling the younger girl when she was just 9 and began defiling the older girl when she was 16. The NGO also alleged that the parents of the girls knew but allowed the pastor to carry on because he told them it's the only way he could remove the spiritual mark on them that repels good things. Following a petition by the NGO, police officers from Makinde police station arrested the suspect amidst some resistance from the parents of the victim. Reports from the NGO indicated that Nduka had promised to marry the 17-year-old and had also promised to pay for an abortion for the 13-year-old. ---Daily Guide EDWARDSVILLE The Third Judicial Circuit is the recipient of a grant from the Illinois Supreme Court Commission on Access to Justice. The grant funds will be used to create a domestic violence services outreach program. Self-represented litigants throughout Madison County will be provided with current information, resources and procedures to guide them through domestic violence issues. In addition, the grant will fund two part-time positions dedicated to assisting at the Order of Protection and Stalking and Civil No Contact dockets. Will the stories on police brutality ever make sense? Police officers have a duty to protect and serve, but sometimes, it seems as if the police only harass the innocent. The latest story on police brutality comes from Aurora, Colorado. In a video that went viral, a group of officers held a African American family at gunpoint in a 'high-risk' stop. The driver of the vehicle, Brittany Gilliam, was taking the group of girls to the nail salon when officers surrounded the car. Gilliam said that she, her sister, and 17-year-old niece were handcuffed while police verified that the car Gilliam was driving was not stolen, as reported by CNN. According to Vice, the youngest of the family was a 6-year-old girl. The officers had believed that the vehicle was stolen. The Aurora Police Department has released a statement, apologizing for their carelessness. "We have been training our officers that when they contact a suspected stolen car, they should do what is called a high-risk stop. This involves drawing their weapons and ordering all occupants to exit the car and lie prone on the ground," the statement reads. "But we must allow our officers to have discretion and to deviate from this process when different scenarios present themselves." The issued apology doesn't appease me. Social media was in an uproar over the incident, and many Twitter users expressed their thoughts, including Gabrielle Union. Among all of the other violent, and sometimes fatal run-ins Black people have with the police, what disturbs me the most here is drawing a loaded weapon on children. The children can be heard crying in the video. I can't begin to imagine the trauma these children will have to deal with for the rest of their lives. It's situations like these that distort perceptions of police officers. There has to be another way. Driving while Black has proven to be deadly for African Americans. When I see those lights in my rearview, I can only imagine if I'll be the next hashtag. The European Research Group of Tory MPs which drove the UK to a hard Brexit is branded a corruption of Conservatism by a senior party figure, in a new book. The organisation which wrecked Theresa Mays agreement, leading to Boris Johnsons hardline EU exit is made up of climate change deniers who were quite happy to see Trump win, a former colleague says. The book, by the journalist Peter Geoghegan, seeks to map the transformation of the once little-known ERG into an ultra-powerful player in Conservative politics, as the Brexit fight developed. Despite not taking a public stance at the 2016 referendum, it then campaigned for a clean break from Brussels and was instrumental in defeating Ms Mays attempts at compromise. Guto Bebb, a former Tory minister who stood down last December, told the author of Democracy for Sale: Dark Money and Dirty Politics: It morphed into a no-deal Brexit sect. Recommended Fears of dead chicks in lorries and 10 months of chaos after Brexit And Tom Tugendhat, the influential Tory chairman of the Commons foreign affairs committee, was damning in his verdict of the group, now led by the outspoken Mark Francois. Its a corruption of Conservatism. It is rampant libertarianism. Its the very opposite of what it means to be a Conservative, Mr Tugendhat said. The ERG formed way back in 1993, to oppose closer EU integration was attacked as a party within a party for its trench warfare against the former prime minister. It ran its own whipping operation to defeat her deal, prompting Anna Soubry, then a Tory MP, to say Jacob Rees-Mogg was running our country. Theresa May is no longer in charge. Brexit day: UK says goodbye to EU Show all 66 1 /66 Brexit day: UK says goodbye to EU Brexit day: UK says goodbye to EU A message projected onto the White Cliffs of Dover Sky News/AFP via Getty Brexit day: UK says goodbye to EU Getty Brexit day: UK says goodbye to EU Big Ben, shows the hands at eleven o'clock at night AFP via Getty Images Brexit day: UK says goodbye to EU Nigel Farage speaks to pro-Brexit supporters PA Brexit day: UK says goodbye to EU Pro-Brexit demonstrators celebrate on Parliament Square REUTERS Brexit day: UK says goodbye to EU The Union flag is taken down outside the European Parliament in Brussels PA Brexit day: UK says goodbye to EU Pro-EU campaigners outside the Scottish Parliament, Edinburgh PA Brexit day: UK says goodbye to EU A pro-Brexit supporter jumps on an EU flag in Parliament Square PA Brexit day: UK says goodbye to EU EU Council staff removed the Union Jack-British flag from the European Council in Brussels, Belgium EPA Brexit day: UK says goodbye to EU A pro-Brexit supporter pours beer onto an EU flag PA Brexit day: UK says goodbye to EU Pedestrians pass in front of the Ministry of Defence Building on Whitehall, illuminated by red, white and blue lights in central London AFP via Getty Images Brexit day: UK says goodbye to EU A Brexit supporter shouts during a rally in London AP Brexit day: UK says goodbye to EU Pro-EU campaigners outside the Scottish Parliament, Edinburgh PA Brexit day: UK says goodbye to EU Pro-EU campaigners take part in a 'Missing EU Already' rally outside the Scottish Parliament, Edinburgh PA Brexit day: UK says goodbye to EU A large pro-EU banner is projected onto Ramsgate cliff in Kent PA Brexit day: UK says goodbye to EU Pro-EU supporters light candles in Smith Square in Westminster PA Brexit day: UK says goodbye to EU A man waves Union flags from a small car as he drives past Brexit supporters gathering in Parliament Square AFP via Getty Images Brexit day: UK says goodbye to EU The five-year old Elisa Saemann, left, and her seven-year old sister Katie hold a placard during a rally by anti-Brexit protesters outside the Scottish parliament in Edinburgh AP Brexit day: UK says goodbye to EU Pro Europe supporters gather on Brexit day near the British embassy in Berlin, Germany EPA Brexit day: UK says goodbye to EU Anti-Brexit protester hugs a man while holding a placard REUTERS Brexit day: UK says goodbye to EU A decorated, old fashioned fire pump in Parliament Square PA Brexit day: UK says goodbye to EU Pro Brexit Elvis impersonator performs at Parliament Square Getty Images Brexit day: UK says goodbye to EU An anti-Brexiteers stands with his dog in Parliament Square AFP via Getty Images Brexit day: UK says goodbye to EU Paddy from Bournemouth wears Union colours as he sits next to an EU flag decorated bag in Parliament Square AFP via Getty Images Brexit day: UK says goodbye to EU A pro-EU activist plays a guitar decorated with the EU flag during a protest organised by civil rights group New Europeans outside Europe House, central London AFP via Getty Images Brexit day: UK says goodbye to EU People celebrate Britain leaving the EU REUTERS Brexit day: UK says goodbye to EU A Pro Brexit supporter has a Union Jack painted onto his face at Parliament Square Getty Images Brexit day: UK says goodbye to EU Men hold placards celebrating Britain leaving the EU REUTERS Brexit day: UK says goodbye to EU Pro Brexit supporters dance in the street draped with Union Jack flags at Parliament Square Getty Images Brexit day: UK says goodbye to EU An anti-Brexit demonstrator spreads his wings during a gathering near Downing Street AP Brexit day: UK says goodbye to EU Pro EU supporters display a banner ' Here to Stay, Here to Fight, Migrants In, Tories Out' from Westminster bridge EPA Brexit day: UK says goodbye to EU Pro-Brexit supporters burn European Union flags at Parliament Square Getty Brexit day: UK says goodbye to EU A man poses for a picture on Parliament Square in a 'Brexit Day' t-shirt Reuters Brexit day: UK says goodbye to EU People celebrate Britain leaving the EU Reuters Brexit day: UK says goodbye to EU AFP via Getty Brexit day: UK says goodbye to EU A man wears a pro-Brexit t-shirt Reuters Brexit day: UK says goodbye to EU Anti-Brexit demonstrators visit Europe House to give flowers to the staff on Brexit day Reuters Brexit day: UK says goodbye to EU Pro Brexit supporter wears a novelty Union Jack top hat outside the Houses of Parliament Getty Images Brexit day: UK says goodbye to EU Customers Scott Jones and Laura Jones at the Sawmill Bar in South Elmsall, Yorkshire, where a Brexit party is being held throughout the day PA Brexit day: UK says goodbye to EU AP Brexit day: UK says goodbye to EU Getty Brexit day: UK says goodbye to EU Getty Images Brexit day: UK says goodbye to EU Pro-EU activists protest Getty Images Brexit day: UK says goodbye to EU A pro-Brexit demonstrator burns a European Union flag AP Brexit day: UK says goodbye to EU Pro Brexit supporters Getty Images Brexit day: UK says goodbye to EU Pro Brexit supporters Getty Images Brexit day: UK says goodbye to EU A Brexit supports holds a sign in Parliament Square AP Brexit day: UK says goodbye to EU A man carries an EU themed wreath Reuters Brexit day: UK says goodbye to EU Ann Widdecombe reacts with other members of the Brexit party as they leave en masse from the European Parliament PA Brexit day: UK says goodbye to EU Anti-Brexit demonstrators in Parliament Square PA Brexit day: UK says goodbye to EU Pro EU supporters let off flares from Westminster Bridge Getty Brexit day: UK says goodbye to EU British MEPs Jonathan Bullock, holding the Union Jack flag and Jake Pugh leave the European Parliament, in Brussels on the Brexit day AFP via Getty Brexit day: UK says goodbye to EU Newspapers and other souvenirs at a store, near Parliament Square Reuters Brexit day: UK says goodbye to EU Brexit supporters hold signs in Parliament Square AP Brexit day: UK says goodbye to EU Pro-EU protesters hold placards in Parliament Square AFP via Getty Brexit day: UK says goodbye to EU French newspapers PA Brexit day: UK says goodbye to EU Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald with a Border Communities Against Brexit poster before its unveiling in Carrickcarnon on the Irish border PA Brexit day: UK says goodbye to EU National growers organisation British Apples & Pears has renamed a British apple to EOS, the Greek goddess of dawn, to commemorate Brexit day AP Brexit day: UK says goodbye to EU Pro-EU protesters hold placards in Parliament Square AFP via Getty Brexit day: UK says goodbye to EU Britain's departure from the European Union was set in law on January 29, amid emotional scenes, as the bloc's parliament voted to ratify the divorce papers. After half a century of membership and three years of tense withdrawal talks, the UK will leave the EU at midnight Brussels time (23.00 GMT) on January 31 Reuters Brexit day: UK says goodbye to EU A man poses with paintings on Parliament Square Reuters Brexit day: UK says goodbye to EU People sporting Union Flags gather in Parliament Square Getty Brexit day: UK says goodbye to EU A man walks with a St. George's flag at Westminster bridge on Brexit day Reuters Brexit day: UK says goodbye to EU A British bulldog toy and other souvenirs at a souvenir store Reuters Brexit day: UK says goodbye to EU British pro-brexit Members of the European Parliament leave the EU Parliament for the last time Reuters Brexit day: UK says goodbye to EU Jonathan Bullock waves the Union Jack as he leaves the European Parliament EPA In the book, Mr Bebb who joined the ERG in 2010 describes how it was then a genuine research group examining developments in Brussels, saying: It was pretty nerdy. Which appealed to me. At the time, it met only every couple of months, but prominent members such as Michael Gove, Chris Grayling, Iain Duncan Smith and Liam Fox led Vote Leave when the referendum arrived. Mr Geoghegan argues that the ERG quickly changed shape, emerging as a vocal and highly organised opponent of a soft exit from the EU. Its members started to appear frequently on television, listed as ERG spokespeople. Supporters such as Dominic Raab, Priti Patel and Mr Rees-Mogg had not even been involved before the shock Leave vote. Mr Bebb said senior Tories believed they could get the ERG to fall into line by bringing them into government, but added. It simply didnt work. It was a disaster. He described the group as becoming Singapore on steroids advocating a low-tax, regulation-lite society as well as being populated by climate change deniers relaxed about Donald Trump. Democracy for Sale: Dark Money and Dirty Politics by Peter Geoghegan, a journalist at the website openDemocracy, is published by Head of Zeus on Thursday 6 August. Governor of the Reserve Bank of Australia, Philip Lowe, makes a speech on March 19, 2020 in Sydney, Australia. (Brendon Thorne/Getty Images) Australian Reserve Bank Boss Warns of One-in-10 Jobless Risk The Reserve Bank concedes predicting the economic outlook is difficult in the face of the pandemic, but its baseline case would see unemployment rise to around 10 percent by the end of the year. This would be the result of locked-down Victoria suffering further job losses and more people elsewhere in Australia seeking work, Reserve Bank governor Philip Lowe said after the central banks monthly board meeting on Aug 4. Over the following couple of years, the unemployment rate is expected to decline gradually to around seven percent, Lowe said in his post-meeting statement after leaving the cash rate at a record low 0.25 per cent for another month. Two weeks ago the Treasury had forecast a year-end jobless rate of 9.25 percent, compared with 7.4 percent in June and 5.1 percent before the pandemic reached Australian shores. Since then Victoria has imposed even tougher restrictions in its attempt to stifle COVID-19. Lowe said the board discussed a number of scenarios for the outlook, which will be detailed in Fridays quarterly statement on monetary policy. He said a stronger recovery is possible if progress is made in containing the virus in the near future. But on the flip side, if Australia and other countries were to experience further widespread lockdowns, the recovery in both output and the labour market would be delayed. Figures on Tuesday also showed Australia recording its worst quarterly retail spending result since the GST was introduced 20 years ago and consumer confidence falling for a sixth week in a row. But this grim news was offset by Australia posting another large trade surplus in June, aided by iron ore exports. Economists expect exports will have been a rare sector supporting the economy during the June quarter. Home lending figures for June will be released on Wednesday, which economists at Westpac expect to show a two percent decline after tumbling 11.6 percent in May. Australias banking and company watchdogs will also both face the House of Representatives economics committee on Wednesday. The Australian Prudential Regulation Authority and Australian Securities and Investments Commission will have their annual reports scrutinised. The COVID-19 pandemic has created unprecedented disruption and uncertainty in the financial sector, committee chair and Liberal MP Tim Wilson says. Now, more than ever, it is essential to maintain strong prudential regulation and ensure fair and transparent dealings to safeguard financial stability and consumer trust in the financial sector. Colin Brinsden in Canberra The temple is being built at the site of the former Babri Mosque, which was completed in the 16th century. The legal tussle over whether Hindus or Muslims should control the site began 70 years ago. But it did not emerge as a national flash point until the late 1980s when the Bharatiya Janata Party, or BJP, made the construction of the temple its signature issue and organized processions to Ayodhya, where party leaders rallied supporters to their cause. The initial results of the investigation of the most powerful blast in the port of Beirut, which leaves over 100 people dead, point to negligence, Reuters reported referring to a source familiar with the investigation. According to Lebanese President Michel Aoun, 2,750 tons of saltpeter, used to make fertilizers and explosives, were stored in the port for six years without proper security measures. It is negligence, the official source told Reuters, noting that the issue on storing the material safely had come before several committees and judges and nothing was done to order the material be removed or disposed of. According to him, the fire started in warehouse 9 and then spread to warehouse 12, where the saltpeter was stored. The head of the Lebanese customs service, Badri Daher, told LBCI TV that customs officers sent documents 6 times warning of the potential danger of the stored material. We requested that it be re-exported but that did not happen. We leave it to the experts and those concerned to determine why, Daher noted. Another source close to the port authorities said the team, which had inspected the cargo six months ago, warned that it could blow up all of Beirut if not removed. According to two documents reviewed by Reuters, Lebanese customs approached the authorities in 2016 and 2017 to authorize the "concerned maritime agency" to re-export or approve the sale of saltpeter that was offloaded from the Rhosus vessel. In one of the documents, similar proposals were announced in 2014 and 2015. A 2015 report posted on Shiparrested.com, a specialized database, said the Rhosus, sailing under a Moldovan flag, docked in Beirut in September 2013 due to technical issues. The vessel was sailing from Georgia to Mozambique with 2.750 tons of saltpeter on board. The report says that the inspectors banned the ship from going to sea, and soon after, its owners abandoned the ship. Riyadh Travel Fair 2020 has been postponed for the second time in 2020 due to the Covid19 pandemic. The decision was made in the interest of public health and safety by officials at ASAS Exhibitions and Conference Organizing Company, the company responsible for organising the annual travel fair. Riyadh Travel Fair 2020 was initially scheduled to be held last March, with the date then postponed to September. Riyadh Travel Fair is planning to return in 2021, with dates fixed for March 15-18, 2021. Bandar Al-Quraini, General Manager of ASAS Exhibitions and Conference Organizing Company, said: "While our travel partners and visiting public were looking forward to another exciting edition of the Riyadh Travel Fair, our concern for public health and safety during this pandemic necessitated its second time postponement. He added: "We are now planning for the 2021 edition, and look forward to welcoming back all our travel industry partners and public then, once the health and safety of visitors can be fully assured and as always in accordance with Saudi government regulations and advisories. Riyadh Travel Fair is the largest tourism and travel exhibition in Saudi Arabia, attracting visitors and exhibitors from countries in the Middle East and North Africa, Asia, Australia, and Europe. The 2020 edition was to see 275 exhibitors representing more than 50 countries participating, with visitors expected to surpass 30,000 during the three-day event. - TradeArabia News Service Threats related to the Covid-19 crisis defined the cybersecurity landscape in the second quarter of 2020, said ESET, a global Internet security company in Q2 2020 Threat Report. The report summarizes key statistics from ESET detection systems and highlighting notable examples of ESETs cybersecurity research, including exclusive, previously unpublished ESET research updates. Our telemetry showed a continued influx of Covid-19 lures in web and email attacks, as well as an increase in attacks targeting Remote Desktop Protocol, with persistent attempts to establish RDP connections more than doubling since the beginning of the year, said Roman Kovac, ESET Chief Research Officer. The ESET Q2 2020 Threat Report reviews the most important findings and achievements by ESET researchers. For example, they analyzed a ransomware operation targeting Android users in Canada under the guise of a Covid-19 tracing app. We quickly put a halt to this operation and provided a decryptor for victims, added Kovac. Among many other findings, ESET researchers uncovered Operation In(ter)ception, which targeted high-profile aerospace and military companies; revealed the modus operandi of the elusive InvisiMole group; and dissected Ramsay, a cyberespionage toolkit targeting airgapped networks. Some exclusive research presented in the Q2 2020 Threat Report includes malicious Google Chrome extensions targeting hardware wallets for cryptocurrencies, a renewed targeted attack on a Hong Kong university by the Winnti Group, as well as further targeted attacks on high-profile defence- and military-focused companies in Brazil, Czech Republic, Qatar, Turkey, and Ukraine by the attackers behind Operation In(ter)ception. Besides these findings, the ESET Q2 2020 Threat Report also provides an overview of ESETs contributions to the MITRE ATT&CK knowledge base, as well as invitations to upcoming ESET conference talks and workshops. TradeArabia News Service FILE PHOTO: Cars line up at a mobile COVID-19 test centre at the outskirts of the town of Machtum BRUSSELS (Reuters) - Luxembourg, which has been added to Britain's coronavirus quarantine list, is being unfairly held up as the sick man of Europe and its large number of COVID-19 cases reflects its unrivalled level of testing, a government source said on Friday. The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control says Luxembourg had 240.6 COVID-19 cases per 100,000 population over the last 14 days, much higher than any other country in the European Economic Area. The rate in Spain, another country from which passengers arriving in Britain must quarantine for 14 days, stood at 50.7. Luxembourg was added to the quarantine list late on Thursday. "We are not happy, obviously, but what is most important is that we keep borders open with our neighbours," the government source said. In the week to July 26, Luxembourg tested 65,436 residents, about 10% of its population. Positive tests were fewer than 1%, a number which Luxembourg officials say is much lower than the equivalent in the country's neighbours. About a third of the positive tests were from people without symptoms. German plans to introduce a requirement that Luxembourg visitors can enter the country only after having a negative COVID-19 test have caused more consternation than the British order. Luxembourg is the only European Union country on the German 'high-risk' list although parts of Spain are also included. Luxembourg Foreign Minister Jean Asselborn summoned the German ambassador on Wednesday to say Germany should take into account Luxembourg's special situation and its world-leading tests per capita rate. Cross-border workers make up just under half of all workers in Luxembourg, while for the health sector over half of the workforce lives in neighbouring Belgium, France or Germany. (Reporting by Philip Blenkinsop; additional reporting by Michele Sinner in Luxembourg; editing by Timothy Heritage) Four years later, Stevenson writes, Parks was thrown into a river by three White boys who knew he couldnt swim. He would go on to become one of the 20th centurys greatest photographers, as well as a groundbreaking filmmaker, writer, choreographer and composer. But first he had to learn how to defeat what he called the elaborate conspiracy of evil that once beckoned me towards such a death, meaning the state execution he had witnessed in 1957. The statement attests to Parkss instinctive identification with his subjects. He didnt witness that execution as a pitying observer. He looked at it with horror, imagining that the executed man could have been him. Uber Technologies has begun to offer a food delivery subscription in Japan that replaces per-order fees, tapping into the growing demand from consumers holed up at home from the coronavirus. Uber Eats Japan will start delivering unlimited meals to customers for 980 yen ($9.30) a month, as long as each order contains at least 1,200 yen worth of food -- a threshold most orders already meet, the company says. The subscription became available to some customers on Thursday, and will be available to all on Saturday. Uber Eats Japan normally calculates delivery fees for each order based on distance, the number of delivery staff available, and the number of orders in the system. Delivery people will continue to receive the same commissions on subscription-based orders. Uber Eats is Japan's biggest player in meal delivery, with roughly 30,000 restaurants on its platform. But with second-ranked Demae-can hot on its heels, it hopes to solidify its market share through the new subscription model. Russia says a fighter jet intercepted two U.S. military surveillance planes in the Black Sea -- the latest in a series of midair encounters between U.S., NATO, and Russian forces. Military officials told the state TASS news agency on August 5 that the Su-27 jet met the U.S. planes in international waters in the Black Sea. "The Russian fighter jet crew approached the aircraft at a safe distance and identified them as an RC-135 strategic reconnaissance aircraft of the U.S. Air Force and an R-8A Poseidon, the U.S. Navy's maritime patrol aircraft," the Defense Ministry said. There was no immediate confirmation of the incident from U.S. or NATO officials, though civilian radar-tracking sites showed U.S. aircraft in the Black Sea region on August 5, not far from Ukraine's Crimean Peninsula. Crimea was forcibly annexed by Russian in 2014, a move that few foreign countries have recognized. The peninsula is home to the Russian Black Sea Fleet and multiple military installations. U.S. and NATO jets routinely intercept Russian surveillance and strategic bomber aircraft off NATO member countries and U.S. airspace over the Pacific and Atlantic oceans. The vast majority of incidents are routine and considered nonthreatening. In May, a NATO official told RFE/RL that Russian military aircraft activity in the Black Sea and other parts of Europe had increased since 2014. Last year, the official said that NATO aircraft took to the skies 290 times to escort or shadow Russian military aircraft across Europe. With reporting by TASS The country is ready to become more progressive, and it is becoming more progressive, he said. The country is tired of Democrats taking corporate money. They dont understand how someone can be in office 10 or 20 or 30 years and theyre struggling with housing and jobs and criminal justice. This does not mean that the progressives are without challenges, or that their current ascension in the Democratic Party is linear or inevitable. Incumbents have beaten back progressive challengers in Ohio, New York and Texas this year, and Mr. Bidens victory ensures that a moderate voice will lead the party at least for the near future. Some Democrats also believe the grass-roots energy is a consequence of the unique political environment, with liberals anger toward President Trump supercharging fund-raising and political interest in a way that could dissipate in the future. In an interview this spring, Representative Gregory Meeks of New York, the head of the Congressional Black Caucuss political arm, dismissed the idea that an influx of new representation would be a reason to adjust the caucuss electoral strategy. The group almost exclusively endorses incumbents, even when they are running against Black challengers. This has led it to be on the wrong side of some recent progressive victories, including those by Representative Ayanna Pressley of Massachusetts, Mr. Bowman and now Ms. Bush. Theres many other races that went the other way and the incumbent won, Mr. Meeks said. Its about the record of the person while they were in Congress and the relationships they have with the African-Americans they represent. Thats what we think is important. That speaks to how a growing left-wing movement could further alter the balance of power among Washington Democrats, on Capitol Hill and potentially in a Biden administration. More than simply being left of party leaders on the ideological spectrum, those in the new crop of House leftists have an inside-outside view of political power and are open to pushing their party publicly if they deem the tactic necessary. The Congressional Progressive Caucus in the House, though large in number, has rarely had enough members willing to buck party leadership, a key point of distinction between it and the famed Freedom Caucus, the collection of House Republicans who often pressure their party to be more conservative. Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-05 16:07:20|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close A Virgin Australia airplane taxis at Sydney Airport in Sydney, Australia, July 22, 2020. Australia's second largest airline Virgin Australia will cut 3,000 jobs and reduce other costs in a bid to be more profitable and competitive in the post COVID-19 world. (Xinhua/Bai Xuefei) SYDNEY, Aug. 5 (Xinhua) -- Australia's second largest airline Virgin Australia will cut 3,000 jobs and reduce other costs in a bid to be more profitable and competitive in the post COVID-19 world. In a statement published on the Australian Securities Exchange on Wednesday, Virgin Australia said it would reduce costs and axe 3,000 roles to adapt to uncertainties caused by the pandemic. As the airline prepares to exit voluntary administration under the new owner Bain Capital, it will focus on domestic and short-haul international business, and will only retain the Boeing 737 mainline fleet, together with the regional and charter fleet, while all other aircrafts will be removed. Virgin Australia will also drop its budget airline brand Tigerair Australia, however at the same time, retain the air operator certificate to provide options for low-cost operations when market recovers. Virgin Australia chief executive Paul Scurrah said the airline had to streamline operations in order to survive the current pandemic. "Our aviation and tourism sectors face continued uncertainty in the face of COVID-19... demand for domestic and short-haul international travel is likely to take at least three years to return to pre-COVID levels, which means as a business we must take changes to ensure Virgin Australia Group is successful in this new world," he said. "Working with Bain Capital, we will accelerate our plan to deliver a strong future in a challenging domestic and aviation market." With a view to start informal classes till restriction on opening educational institutions because of COVID-19 pandemic continues, Assam government has framed a set of guidelines and sought views from stakeholders. Schools, colleges and other educational institutions have remained closed in Assam as well as rest of India since March because of the pandemic. Assam is mulling resumption of informal education in both government and private schools from September 1, if possible. N. Laskar, joint secretary in the Assam higher education department issued the guidelines on Tuesday which have been uploaded in the state Sarba Siksha Abhiyan website for public viewing and to submit opinions. The guidelines state the classes wont be compulsory and interested students would have to inform their institutions beforehand, wear masks to attend informal classes and maintain physical distance of 8 feet while attending classes. Other conditions include mandatory COVID-19 tests for teachers, resource persons, education department staff etc. between August 23 and August 30 to be able to attend classes and santisation of venues to be used for informal classes before classes start and thereafter on interval of every 15 days. However, online education being imparted to students at present by using digital devices will continue without any break. As per the guidelines, students from classes I to IV dont have to come to school but their parents/guardian can collect hard copies of their assignments while collecting rations meant for mid-day meals. The completed assignments can be submitted during the next visit to school and teachers will evaluate them to use as results for unit tests/exams. Teachers for these classes will have to visit school. For classes V to VIII, four venues like community halls, libraries, open fields, courtyard of houses etc. will have to be identified outside school premises where students in groups of 15 will be imparted classes for anywhere between 90 to 120 minutes in batches. These resource persons/teachers shall teach in the style which was earlier used in gurukul (style of imparting knowledge by teachers in informal setup like underneath large trees). They will use improved techniques like storytelling, project preparation, assignments, tests etc., the guidelines read. As a parent, I want schools to reopen as studies have been impact by COVID. But it wont be wise to conduct classes in open fields like gurukul due to the weather conditions at present. Instead classes should be held in classrooms after sanitizing them properly, said Juri Saikia, mother of the class VIII student in Tezpur. Students from classes IX to XII will have to attend classes in schools where they will attend 4 classes of 45 minutes duration each in groups of 15 for six days of the week except Sunday. Students can attend classes nearest to their homes even if they are not enrolled there and retired teachers can opt to take classes. We are already conducting online classes for all our students. At present we would prefer continuing with the same format of imparting education instead of reopening schools till the COVID-19 situation eases, said Geeta Dutta Baruah, principal, Shrimanta Shankar Academy-Guwahati. Students of final semester of graduation in colleges as well as students of classes XI and XII studying in colleges will have to follow the guidelines for classes issued for students of classes IX to XII in schools. A separate set of detailed rules will be issued after receiving feedback from public. Final semester students in medical and engineering colleges have also been asked to follow the same set of rules for classes as those framed for classes IX to XII. Other guidelines will be issued by directorates of medical and technical education at later dates. All the universities are also directed to start academic activities as per their own suitability and as per the guidelines received from University Grants Commission (UGC), said the guidelines. All stakeholders have been asked to submit their views on or before August 20 on the following email id: sopschoolopeningassam@gmail.com We are yet to go through all the guidelines. The only issue that could pose a problem is that the one about conducting classes in open fields. Not many schools in urban area will have such fields. Schools should be allowed to teach students in classrooms while maintaining social distance, said Ratul Goswami, general secretary, Assam State Primary Teachers Association. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON BROOKLINE, MA Even amid uncertainty about what the school year will look like, Brookline school officials are working to finalize a reopening plan and send their recommendation to the state Thursday. "This is a decision that is not cast in stone forever," said Interim Superintendent Jim Marini during a school committee meeting Tuesday night. "As conditions on the ground change, so, too, should what we will be doing in schools." Schools have been closed since March 15 in an effort to help stop the spread of the coronavirus outbreak. The town has had groups discussing reopening of the schools since the beginning of June, according to the district. But for months they were hampered with uncertainty of not having state guidelines. Then, in late June updates and guidelines came. And with those, the state asked districts to plan for three scenarios: remote and in-person learning as well as a hybrid model and include in those models requirements for new safety measures including face coverings, hand-washing and more when classes resume in the fall. All districts have to send their plans and their top choice to the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education on Aug. 10. Brookline sent its preliminary plan July 31 and is set to vote on final plans Thursday afternoon. "Each week our plan gets more detailed and moves closer to what we want to see in the fall," said School Committee chair Suzanne Federspiel during the meeting Tuesday night. Earlier this summer, the district surveyed families and teachers to get a sense of which model they might prefer. More than 7,000 people responded, including 77 percent of families responded and 74 percent of staff. Some 40 percent of the families who responded said they preferred a hybrid model with some time, either a couple days in person, and a couple days remote each week, or a week on and a week off model. It's unclear whether the remaining 45 percent of families who responded indicated they preferred a fully online return. On the heels of that, 39 percent indicated they would feel comfortable returning to school, according to the survey. Story continues When it came to staff, of those surveyed, 41 percent preferred remote learning and 40 percent preferred a hybrid learning model about 19 percent indicated they would prefer a fully remote model. Only 15 percent of staff members felt comfortable with returning to school. Marini acknowledged the process has been a rough one and no decision would make everyone happy. He also said once a decision is made, the district will work with the educators union on drawing up a memorandum of understanding. "Everybody knows this has been a hard process, no kidding, this has been a horrific process," he said. "There is a lot of anxiety, let's roll up our sleeves and see if we can get this done." Take a look at the latest Reopening Update from the district: Although the majority of teachers indicated they preferred a fully remote school experience, that did not mesh with what families seemed to want. The district seems to be focused on the hybrid model, which is "We believe it's really important for students to be come in see their teachers and be with their teachers to the extent possible," Marini said Tuesday night. Marini said the team working on the proposed plans went into the schools to see what it would look like for all students to physically return for in person learning and keep the state's recommendation of keeping 3 feet apart. They set up desks, put up plexiglass and got a general feel for it. Marini called it uncomfortable and crowded and said he would not recommend that model. The plan to hold classes completely online hasn't been fully developed, said Marini. "We still have more work to do on that quite frankly," he told the committee. To Catch up, watch the August 4 School Committee Meeting here: Got a tip? Patch reporter Jenna Fisher can be reached at Jenna.Fisher@patch.com or by calling 617-942-0474. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram (@ReporterJenna). Have a press release you'd like posted on the Patch? Here's how to post a press release, a column, event or opinion piece. This article originally appeared on the Brookline Patch Mulan To Stream On Disney+ With Additional Costs Since Disney+ is not available everywhere, the company has plans to release it in theatres in limited cities as well. Disney charging an additional fee for Mulan is not out of the usual, since the film's production costs over 200 million dollars. Yet it is unclear as to why Disney chose to release the film digitally, unlike Warner Bros., who have decided to wait for a theatrical release with Tenet. Mulan's Live Action Version Is One Of The Most Awaited Release On 2020 Earlier in June, Disney executives Alan Horn and Alan Bergman said that Mulan was, "Everything the cinematic experience should be, and that's where we believe it belongs-on the world stage and the big screen for audiences around the globe to enjoy together." Mulan Will Release On September 4 The live-action version of the animated film Mulan was originally set for a March 27 release but was pushed back due to the COVID-19. Mulan first postponed to late July, was pushed back once again in August, but as COVID-19 cases increase across the US, the film has now moved to the streaming platform. The information presented will be unbiased. What the Science Says is committed to the principles of the International Fact-Checking Network (IFCN)* and run in accordance with them. More details can be found on the IFCN website. Commenting on the need for a fact-checking resource like this, Teresa Dent said: The way people access the media has changed dramatically in recent years. Half of British people now get their news from social media and Facebook is the third biggest news source in Britain, bigger than any newspaper. Fake news is a massive problem, so accuracy is even more important as bad information travels fast online. Traditional media is not, says the GWCT, exempt from misinformation either. The BBC continues to lead audience figures for news and current affairs. Yet there are recent examples of inaccuracy or misrepresentation in its scientific reporting. In March BBC Radio 4s Short Cuts programme told its audience that there were just 100 grey partridges left in the UK. The real figure is closer to 70,000, as verified by the Avian Population Estimates Panel, the British body responsible for these figures. When challenged by the GWCT the BBC blamed human error: the producers had misread the data supplied by the Zoological Society of London. While the BBC was quick to remove the inaccuracy from the recorded version of the programme available to those listening on catch up, for those who listened live this fact was already out there. Arising from a misunderstanding of the data, this error highlights not a lack of impartiality, but a lack of specialist knowledge. In future, What the Science Says will provide journalists with an easy way to fact-check conservation and environmental stories. What the Science Says includes Fact Checks, which look at specific claims in the media. Topics covered so far include hen harriers on grouse moors, the numbers of mountain hares, and whether or not there are only 100 harvests left in British soil. The site also offers comprehensive Briefings, answering questions on topics ranging from curlew, lynx and woodcock to the issues around lead shot. The site is searchable by subject or species and offers users the opportunity to suggest topics for the research team to examine. Ammonium nitrate, which Lebanese authorities have said was the cause of the Beirut blast, is an odorless crystalline substance commonly used as a fertilizer that has been the cause of numerous industrial explosions over the decades. These include notably at a Texas fertilizer plant in 2013 that killed 15 and was ruled deliberate, and another at a chemical plant in Toulouse, France in 2001 that killed 31 people but was accidental. When combined with fuel oils, ammonium nitrate creates a potent explosive widely used by the construction industry, but also by insurgent groups like the Taliban for improvised explosives. It was also a component in the bomb behind the 1995 Oklahoma City attack. In agriculture, ammonium nitrate fertilizer is applied in granule form and quickly dissolves under moisture, allowing nitrogen -- which is key to plant growth -- to be released into the soil. Lebanese Prime Minister Hassan Diab said 2,750 metric tons of ammonium nitrate that had been stored for years in a Beirut portside warehouse had blown up, killing dozens of people and causing unprecedented damage to the Lebanese capital. However, under normal storage conditions and without very high heat, it is difficult to ignite ammonium nitrate, Jimmie Oxley, a chemistry professor at the University of Rhode Island, told AFP. "If you look at the video (of the Beirut explosion), you saw the black smoke, you saw the red smoke, that was an incomplete reaction," she said. "I am assuming that there was a small explosion that instigated the reaction of the ammonium nitrate -- whether that small explosion was an accident or something on purpose I haven't heard yet." That's because ammonium nitrate is an oxidizer -- it intensifies combustion and allows other substances to ignite more readily, but is not itself very combustible. For these reasons, there are generally very strict rules about where it can be stored: for example, it must be kept away from fuels and sources of heat. In fact, many countries in the European Union require that calcium carbonate to be added to ammonium nitrate to create calcium ammonium nitrate, which is safer. In the United States, regulations were tightened significantly after the Oklahoma City attack. Under the Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards, for example, facilities that store more than 2,000 pounds (900 kilograms) of ammonium nitrate are subject to inspections. Despite its dangers, Oxley said legitimate uses of ammonium nitrate in agriculture and construction has made it indispensable. "We wouldn't have this modern world without explosives, and we wouldn't feed the population we have today without ammonium nitrate fertilizer," she said. "We need ammonium nitrate, we just need to pay good attention to what we're doing with it." Toronto police have released a sketch of a woman found dead near the Don Valley Parkway last month, hoping that someone can identify her. Police found the woman on the Don Valley Parkway northbound on-ramp from Dundas Street East at around 2:10 a.m. on July 17. Initially, police believed that she had been struck by a motorist before ruling it out. Investigators are still unsure about the circumstances around her death and how she ended up in the area. It may be that she was recently living a transient lifestyle or was confused and disoriented, and left her home going unnoticed, police said in a news release Wednesday. The Ontario Forensic Pathology Service and the OPP have come up with a sketch of the woman in the hopes that someone may recognize her. Police would only say that the woman is white and are not providing any other description to get as many potential tips as possible. Officers want to avoid tunnel vision and anyone dismissing someone that they may think of because they feel they may not have the right descriptive features such as age, height and weight, police said. Police have also released photos of the womans clothing a blue and white T-shirt, blue shorts and white flip flops. You have permission to edit this article. Edit Close Novavax Inc announced its experimental vaccine produced a promising immune response against the novel coronavirus, according to early data from clinical trials. The Maryland-based company said participants generated high levels of neutralizing antibodies and T-cells, both of which are needed to build up immunity. What's more, the levels were higher than those seen among patients who've recovered from COVID-19, the disease caused by the virus. The company said it could start a large pivotal Phase III trial as soon as late September and, on a conference call, added that it could produce between one billion and two billion doses of the vaccine in 2021. Novavax research chief Gregory Glenn told Reuters the late-stage clinical trial could potentially glean enough data to obtain regulatory approvals as early as December. Novavax's vaccine uses synthesized pieces of the surface protein that the coronavirus uses to invade human cells and spurs antibody production. Pictured: Three potential coronavirus vaccines are kept in a tray at Novavax labs in Gaithersburg, Maryland, March 20 Participants who received two shots of a low- or medium-dose with or without an adjuvant, which is an agent that boosts the immune response, had higher levels of antibodies than those seen in recovered coronavirus patients. Pictured: Clinical trial participants are given a coronavirus vaccine in Melbourne, Australia, May 26 Novavax, which has not produced a vaccine before, created a shot that contains synthesized pieces of the surface protein that the coronavirus uses to invade human cells. The idea is that the protein will cause human cells to spur production of antibodies to fight the infection. The Phase I trial, which began in late May, tested the vaccine in 106 participants between ages 18 and 59 while 25 people were given a placebo at two sites in Australia. The inoculation, named NVX-CoV2373, was given with or without an adjuvant, which is an agent that boosts the immune response. Volunteers were split into four groups and given either five micrograms or 25 micrograms with or without the extra ingredient. For those who were immunized they were given the jab via intramuscular injection about 21 days apart. Eight study participants experienced adverse side effects after receiving a second vaccine dose during the trial, although none required medical intervention, the company said. Headache, fatigue, and muscle pain were among the more common side effects, and the vaccine was 'well tolerated' overall, according to a statement. Novavax said the addition of the adjuvant did enhance the effect of the vaccine in the study. Officials say, for further trials, they likely move forward with the lower dose. The Phase II portion of the study will be conducted in multiple countries, including the US. It will gauge the vaccine's ability to prevent infections or reduce severity of COVID-19, in addition to safety and immune response, among a broader range of volunteers. The Novavax vaccine is among the first of a handful of programs singled out for US funding under Operation Warp Speed, the White House program to accelerate access to vaccines and treatments that can fight the virus. Effective vaccines and treatments are considered essential to halting a pandemic that has claimed more than 695,000 lives worldwide. In July, the Trump administration agreed to pay Novavax $1.6 billion to help cover costs related to testing and manufacturing the vaccine, with the aim of procuring 100 million doses by January 2021. Because COVID-19 vaccines are being developed at unprecedented speed, safety issues are being watched very closely. 'When you are talking about vaccinating the entire world, safety is almost more important than efficacy,' said Brad Loncar, chief executive of Loncar Investments, an investment fund specializing in biotechnology companies. Elderly people including some still infected with COVID-19 will be returned to the site of Australias deadliest outbreak as early as this weekend under a repatriation plan being developed by St Basils Homes for the Aged and the federal government. Under arrangements to be overseen by the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission, the Fawkner facility that evacuated less than a week ago will reopen under its previous management from Friday, with up to 80 hospitalised residents to be gradually invited home. Victoria on Wednesday recorded its worst day of the pandemic, with 725 new cases and 15 fatalities in the previous 24 hours. This included Australias youngest coronavirus victim, a 33-year-old man. Of the state's 162 coronavirus deaths, 125 were the result of outbreaks in aged care facilities. St Basil's residents were evacuated last week due to the cluster of COVID-19 cases. Credit:Justin McManus The chairman of St Basils, Konstantin Kontis, told The Age and The Sydney Morning Herald that under the repatriation plan, hospitalised residents not in a critical condition will be invited to return in groups of five, with COVID-positive residents to be quarantined from those without the virus. He said the buildings had been deep cleaned and the centre would be run by his regular staff. ARE YOU LOVING YOUR SERVITUDE? A really efficient totalitarian state would be one in which the all-powerful executive of political bosses and their army of managers control a population of slaves who do not have to be coerced, because they love their servitude. Aldous Huxley, Brave New World Every record has been destroyed or falsified, every book rewritten, every picture has been repainted, every statue and street building has been renamed, every date has been altered. And the process is continuing day by day and minute by minute. History has stopped. Nothing exists except an endless present in which the Party is always right. George Orwell, 1984 Huxley and Orwell were contemporaries. Huxleys dystopian masterpiece was published in 1932 at the outset of the rise of totalitarianism, while Orwells was published in 1949 after 65 million people perished in a World War and Stalin had already murdered tens of millions of his own citizens. Those were dark times. They also coincided with Edward Bernays 1928 publication of Propaganda, in which he revealed the existence of an invisible government who used propaganda to manipulate the minds of the public to insure those controlling the levers of power were able to engineer their desired outcomes. Debate has raged over the decades whether Huxleys or Orwells dystopian vision of the future would be more accurate. Both visions required the successful use of propaganda by those in power to achieve their agendas. Huxley wrote a letter to Orwell after reading 1984 in 1949, shortly before Orwells death. His conclusion was as follows: Within the next generation I believe that the worlds rulers will discover that infant conditioning and narco-hypnosis are more efficient, as instruments of government, than clubs and prisons, and that the lust for power can be just as completely satisfied by suggesting people into loving their servitude as by flogging and kicking them into obedience. In other words, I feel that the nightmare of Nineteen Eighty-Four is destined to modulate into the nightmare o f a world having more resemblance to that which I imagined in Brave New World. The change will be brought about as a result of a felt need for increased efficiency. Meanwhile, of course, there may be a large-scale biological and atomic warin which case we shall have nightmares of other and scarcely imaginable kinds. I would assess Huxleys vision was more accurate in the West, but Orwells was more accurate in regards to Russia, China, and numerous dictatorships in South America and Africa. The key word is was. Since 9/11, the United States has unequivocally moved in the direction of Orwells 1984 vision. We are now experiencing a dystopian amalgamation of the worst of both novels. Virtually every conspiracy theory ridiculed by the corporate controlled media pundits, captured academics, and government apparatchiks over the last few decades have proven to be accurate and true. But very few are able to discern the truth because The Party/Invisible Government/Deep State has been hugely successful in utilizing propaganda and public education indoctrination to dumb down and manipulate the minds of the masses into believing whatever they are told by their masters. The complete success of this mass psychological conditioning has been on display for the last four months, as the majority have come to love their enslavement and servitude based upon the inept and hysterical misinformation propagated by medical experts, government bureaucrats, corrupt politicians, and the fake news media complex. Huxleys infant conditioning and narco-hypnosis were close, as public education has not been about learning critical thinking skills for decades, but indoctrination to what the government desires, producing non-questioning workers who can be easily manipulated through propaganda into obedience and conformity. The pervasive use of Ritalin to make boys act more like girls has been heavily pushed by the educational complex (dominated by women), attempting to produce zombies who dont cause trouble or act like boys should. The feminization of males has contributed greatly to the downward spiral of our society. Huxley did foresee technology being used to distract the masses, producing a trivial culture, egotism, pleasure seeking and passivity. The boob tube, internet, and social media have fulfilled this prophecy, producing generations of pliable, easily controlled victims, whose minds have been molded and ideas formed by those pulling the strings of our society behind the scenes. The willingness of tens of millions to unquestioningly believe what they have been told by their leaders and supposed medical experts regarding a virus which will not kill 99.97% of the American population is a fascinating exploration of herd mentality and the power of fear propaganda. This nasty virus, supposedly let loose from a Wuhan bio-lab, is less deadly than the annual flu among those under 65 years old and more deadly when purposefully introduced into nursing homes by politicians. The virus has less negative impact on school age children than the annual flu. But governors, mayors and teachers unions are refusing to open schools in the Fall, despite the data and actual experience in European schools proving it is safe to do so. The path of history during 2020 has not been natural or propelled by normal un-manipulated circumstances. The manner in which events have transpired seems staged, well planned, and designed for a purpose not yet revealed to the masses. The year started with fears of war with Iran after the assassination of a key general in Iraq. The three-year Trump coup by Obama, Clinton and their co-conspirators in the FBI, CIA and Congress was once again collapsing under the weight of lies, fake news, and blind hatred, as Schiffs impeachment farce crashed and burned. It was Trumps turn to go on the offensive, as Barr and Durham investigated the coup. Meanwhile, the gears of the financial system had been seizing up since the middle of 2019 and the Fed was propping up its Wall Street owners, hedge funds, and the billionaire class with not QE, while publicly lying that all was well. The Fed was desperately trying to keep the wheels from falling off. The QE, as planned, was pumped into the stock market, driving prices to all-time highs in February, showing all the signs of a blow-off top. This was when the eleventh year of this Fourth Turning really began to get interesting. It was almost as if the Federal Reserve needed a disaster catalyst as a reason to unleash a torrent of easy money to save their Wall Street benefactors, their corporate crony parasites, and the billionaire oligarchs who constitute the invisible government pulling the wires controlling the nation. Just in the nick of time the Chinese coronavirus conveniently spread across the globe, dutiful government funded scientists produced models predicting millions of deaths in the U.S., medical experts at the behest of Bill Gates convinced Trump to shut down the country based on apocalyptic forecasts, and the stock market plummeted 32% in a matter of weeks. This was the cover Powell and his money printing minions needed to bailout bankers and billionaires with trillions in newly fabricated digital greenbacks. It is funny the 2009/2010 swine flu pandemic was estimated by the CDC and WHO to have infected 700 million to 1.4 billion people and killed between 150,000 and 575,000, but there were no shutdowns of businesses, no lockdowns of cities and states, no mandatory mask wearing, no school closures, and no deviation from our normal lives. A critical thinking individual might question why no mass panic and fear mongering by the media during the Obama administration pandemic, but hysteria and terror spread by medical experts, the left-wing corporate media, the Hollywood elite, and Democrat politicians during this similar scale virus outbreak. The purposeful destruction of our economy over a bad flu couldnt be for political purposes. Could it? Has the old never let a crisis go to waste mantra been put to good use once again by the left? Those in control of the messaging have panicked the nation and created a 2nd Great Depression over a flu that will not kill 99.97% of the American population. They have been so effective with their panic propaganda a recent poll found Americans believe 9% of the population (30 million people) have died from Covid-19. The stupid, it burns. I no longer believe in coincidences. The fake news media would classify me as a conspiracy theorist because I question this plandemic, the coordinated and suspiciously funded BLM protests/riots, and the extraordinary transfer of trillions from the public coffers into the pockets of bankers and billionaires. Its as if a curtain of disbelief has descended upon a nation of actors, all playing a part in this tragic comedy. Shakespeare would be amazed by the plot of this play. The level of pretending has reached levels that would have been incomprehensible at the outset of this century, when the annual budget was essentially balanced and the Feds balance sheet was just over $500 billion. Today we are running a $4 trillion budget deficit and the Feds balance sheet is $7 trillion, with Powell, Trump, CNBC, Wall Street, Congress and Robinhood traders pretending this is normal and nothing to be concerned about. Best time to buy stocks. Its a new paradigm. The government pretends only 18 million Americans are unemployed when 118 million working age Americans are not working. The government has been sending $600 per week to unemployed Americans, borrowed from future generations, so they will spend it today and make it appear like the economy is recovering. Small businesses pretend they are not bankrupt by pretending to pay employees with money borrowed from the government that they will not pay back, also borrowed from future generations. The Federal Reserve and their Wall Street owners pretend the three trillion increase in the Fed balance sheet was to help Main Street, when it was nothing but another transfer of public wealth to the oligarchs before they pull the plug on this farce of a financial system. Homeowners and renters pretend to pay their mortgages and rent to banks and landlords. Landlords pretend to pay their mortgages with the pretend rent payments. Consumers pretend to pay their credit card bills and auto loan payments to financial institutions. Young college graduates pretend to make their student loan payments. Wall Street banks and local financial institutions pretend they got paid because the Fed has their back and will print the country back to prosperity. Who needs to honor their obligations when the Fed is in control? Why do we need to pay taxes, if $4 trillion deficits arent a problem? This game of extend and pretend can only last for a short time frame. The avalanche of consumer, commercial, and corporate defaults poised to wipe out this financially engineered pretend recovery is greater than anything witnessed in human history. And the masses are willfully ignorant, because they have been trained to believe in the all-powerful Fed. The surge in precious metals prices and the rapidly declining dollar tells a different story. I cant help but visualize our country as Wile E. Coyote hovering in mid-air after going off the cliff, about to plunge into the gully below, and then the anvil lands on his head. The events taking place, the actions of politicians, the blatant disregard for the best interests of the working class by the Powell and his Fed cronies, and the disgraceful display of mis-truths and misinformation spread by the media mouthpieces on behalf of their financial masters, has created a surreal spectacle of impending catastrophe. I find myself asking whether Im the one thats crazy. I have trouble processing what Im witnessing on a daily basis because the insanity of what is being done is incomprehensible for someone who believes in prudently managing their finances, obeying the law, valuing free speech, allowing free markets to determine winners and losers, having interest rates determined based on risk, and having the freedom and liberty to determine my future based upon my own efforts and initiative. The part that has me most puzzled, because it seems inconceivable that politicians running large states and major cities would purposefully destroy their economies and businesses while encouraging the looting and burning of their communities, is this is all being done to defeat Trump in November. The economic and physical destruction wrought by the national lockdown for a bad flu and now this engineered race war is inexplicable, unless the true motive is still being hidden by the Deep State/Invisible Government oligarchs who are pulling the levers of this concocted scenario to introduce their new world order, based upon Marxist/Fascist principles and socialized economic policies. It appears to be a controlled demolition with a nefarious purpose, which wont be revealed until it is too late. And the majority, just trying to make a living, raise a family, live according to a social contract that worked for centuries, and find some enjoyment during their short time on this earth, are allowing themselves to be led to slaughter by incomprehensibly evil men seeking unlimited wealth, power and control over everyone on the planet. In Part Two of this article I will attempt to decipher the true motives of the ruling elite and estimate a timeline for this crisis to play out. If you feel youve received some value from this article and this blog dedicated to free speech and truth in the face of lies, corruption and fake news, feel free to make a Donation to keep the lights on at The Burning Platform. By James Quinn quinnadvisors@comcast.net James Quinn is a senior director of strategic planning for a major university. James has held financial positions with a retailer, homebuilder and university in his 22-year career. Those positions included treasurer, controller, and head of strategic planning. He is married with three boys and is writing these articles because he cares about their future. He earned a BS in accounting from Drexel University and an MBA from Villanova University. He is a certified public accountant and a certified cash manager. These articles reflect the personal views of James Quinn. They do not necessarily represent the views of his employer, and are not sponsored or endorsed by his employer. 2019 Copyright James Quinn - All Rights Reserved Disclaimer: The above is a matter of opinion provided for general information purposes only and is not intended as investment advice. Information and analysis above are derived from sources and utilising methods believed to be reliable, but we cannot accept responsibility for any losses you may incur as a result of this analysis. Individuals should consult with their personal financial advisors. James Quinn Archive 2005-2019 http://www.MarketOracle.co.uk - The Market Oracle is a FREE Daily Financial Markets Analysis & Forecasting online publication. MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 05th August, 2020) Syrian President Bashar Assad offered condolences to his Lebanese counterpart, Michel Aoun, as well as to Lebanese people over a major explosion that hit Beirut on Tuesday. "We are deeply upset by those events that took place at the Beirut port and resulted in a huge number of deaths and injuries. On behalf of the Syrian nation, we extend our sincere condolences to the Lebanese people, begging God for mercy for victims and the speedy recovery for all injured," Assad said in a telegram to Aoun, as quoted by the president's office. Assad said that Syria was standing in solidarity with Lebanon amid the tragic incident in Beirut. According to the latest data, 63 people died and over 3,000 more were injured following the blast in the port of the Lebanese capital. The main cause of the explosion remains unknown. Several weeks after the June shooting of an ice cream vendor from Texas who was known by kids in the community as "Grandpa," Austin police officers identified three men on Tuesday who are charged with the man's death. Disheartening murder According to USA Today, 68-year-old Adelaido Bernabe Urias was selling ice cream in the community with his cart on June 23 when three suspects attempted to rob him, said Detective Nathan Sexton of the Austin police. Reports state one of the suspects shot his gun at Urias multiple times before leaving the scene of the incident. Police officers said they would not be revealing which of the three men was responsible for the shooting. Police said emergency personnel discovered the man lying in the middle of the parking lot of an apartment complex covered in blood from a gunshot wound. Urias was immediately brought to the hospital to be treated but lost his life on July 1. The Lone Star Fugitive Task Force members successfully arrested the first two suspects, 20-year-old Jermaine Jones and 19-year-old Devlon Wardy on Monday. Authorities arrested Marquis Davis, 18 years old, on July 13 who is considered the third suspect in Urias' case due to an unrelated charge of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. Authorities are charging the three individuals with capital murder. They are currently being held in the Travis County Correctional Complex located in Del Valle, Texas. Officials have also set a bail of $1 million for each of the suspects. Authorities are seeking assistance with information on a fourth suspect who police say was in charge of driving the vehicle on the day of Urias' shooting but have not been able to identify one yet. Also Read: Children Becoming Victims to Surging Gun Violence in the United States After the man's death, homicide detectives of Austin police took responsibility for the case. Police said anonymous tips provided investigators with helpful information to identify the suspects, as reported by Freep. Sexton said the community was outraged and in mourning for the death of the kind and harmless old man who was only making a living by selling ice cream who was beloved by all and considered to be a grandfather. He said citizens could not believe Urias was killed over something so petty. Police said it was still unclear if the suspects successfully robbed Urias of money because he still had his wallet when authorities found him at the crime scene. He added none of the three men knew the old man before they attempted to rob him. Similar incident A similar incident happened when a man was shot and killed while sitting inside his car that was parked outside a grocery store in Del Valle. Sheriff Maurice Cook of Bastrop County said authorities are investigating the case and suspect it to be a homicide. According to KXAN, Cook said the victim, Ambrosio Gonzales, was discovered lifeless inside his vehicle in the parking lot of Country Groceries in Del Valle but nobody had been arrested for the crimes as of yet. Cook said the grocery store had working surveillance cameras and will be working on getting footage to assist in the investigation. He added the Medical Examiner's Office of Travis County was in charge of Ambrosio's autopsy. Related Article: Prison Break: ISIS Bombs Afghan Prison Entrance Freeing Hundreds, Killing 29, 300 Still At Large @ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Pictured in this file image is Kiahuna Beach on Kaua's South Shore. Three Hawaiian Islands are considering "resort bubbles," where visitors can quarantine at hotel properties. (Daniel Beekman/The Seattle Times/TNS) A new species of pygmy grasshopper, discovered after 116 years by a group of foreign researchers in Sri Lanka, has been named after a 28-year-old Indian orthopterist (one who studies grasshoppers) and conservation biologist Dhaneesh Bhaskar of Kerala. The new species, which was discovered by a group of Croatian and German researchers in Sinharaja rainforests of Sri Lanka, hails from Cladonotus genus and has been named as Cladonotus Bhaskari. The discovery is based on a single specimen of the species photographed in 2016 by Tom Kirschey in its natural rain forest habitat in Sri Lanka. The researchers then studied it and found it to be distinct from all the other discovered species of grasshoppers and then declared it as a new species in research journal Zootaxa in July this year. Also read: At Ayodhya Ram temple event, PM reiterates mantra to fight coronavirus The newly discovered species Cladonotus Bhaskari. (Josip Skejo/University of Zagreb ) Bhaskar, who is a grasshopper researcher in Kerala Forest Research Institute and a member of the Species Survival Commission (grasshopper specialist group) of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), expressed happiness after knowing about the development. Bhaskar said, I am deeply honoured with the move of the researchers. It will surely motivate me in pursuing my research on grasshoppers and contribute in a more significant manner in the Indian Orthoptera research. One of the researchers from the group, Josip Skejo from Faculty of Science, Department of Biology, University of Zagreb, Croatia said, We decided to name the new species of pygmy grasshopper after our good friend Bhaskar to honour him on his research he had done on the grasshoppers in India. We believe he is one of the few Indian researchers who have researched on the species of grasshoppers in India and Sri Lanka because, before this, all such research on grasshoppers in this area was done by foreign researchers only, said Skejo. The other researchers of the group include Josef Tumbrinck, Maks Deranja, Karmela Adzic and Marko Pavlovic. Lauding Bhaskars research, Skejo also said, Bhaskar made it possible for all the people around the world to get familiar with the grasshopper species of India after he initiated a project on digitalisation of all the specimens discovered here. I think naming a new species after him will give him huge motivation in his research of grasshoppers in India, he said. On the significance of the discovery of the new species, he said, It is very important because our study suggests it is the first specimen in last 70 years and the first new Cladonotus species in the last 116 years. On the new species, Skejo said, Cladonotus Bhaskari is the largest known specimen of genus Cladonotus and it is the only known female. Its body is robust and dark in colour. The living specimen in dark brown in colour while pale brown when the specimen is dried. Its whole body, head and legs are covered in fine and minute spine-like tubercles. It resembles tiny twigs hence its also called Twighopper, he said. It is also clearly distinguished from other species of the genus by its long and spine-like frontomedial projection and cockscomb shaped promedial projection, he added. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Email Whatsapp Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment In 2012, Duck Dynasty a show about our God-fearing, gun-toting, redneck family swept Middle America. We owned our time slot and had millions of viewers. Over 11 seasons, we drew viewers from across the country, particularly from the South and the Midwest. We were unconventional for a television family. We didnt cuss or drink. We prayed on television. We spoke about God openly. We loved each other and lived out Gods intention for a family as best we could. And as we did, our popularity only rose. I cant exactly say why Duck Dynasty was so popular, but I have an educated guess. I reckon the American people were waiting to see a functional family they could identify with, maybe even aspire to. They wanted to see men who were godly men, who worked hard, played hard, taught the gospel in every facet of their lives, and werent mocked at every turn by their wives. They wanted to see godly women who honored God, cared for their family and community, and were loved by their husbands. The American people needed to believe the God-centered family was still important to American life. Weve done our best to create the kind of family the Almighty honors. One man, loving one wife, raising children to love, honor and serve the King. But if youve followed me for any amount of time, you know I didnt always practice these godly principles. In fact, for the first two decades of my life, I was pretty unruly. If you wanted to drag a skeleton out of my closet from all those years ago, it wouldnt take you long to find one. Truth be told, Ive dragged out plenty of my own skeletons over the years in an effort to be honest about who I was before the Almighty got hold of me. I recently broke the news that 45 years ago, I sinned and had an affair outside of my marriage. This was at a time in my life where I didnt know Gods love and forgiveness. Before I met Christ, I didnt give a lick about the King or the ways hed instructed his people to operate. I didnt care to be the head of my family or to partner with Miss Kay in bringing up godly children under my roof. Instead, I wanted to party and leave Miss Kay to raise the children. I was more interested in flirting and carousing with any woman who crossed my path. I denied the godly order of family, and what did I get for it? A wife who left me. Children who didnt know me. A life that was tearing apart at the seams. Miss Kay could have divorced me, could have thrown me to the wolves. She didnt, though. Instead, she prayed for me, and when I realized how miserable I was, when I asked her to take me back, she first took me to the preacher, Bill Smith. He helped me to see how broken my life was, how wrecked I was with sin. He shared the good news of King Jesus with me. I followed Christ into the waters of baptism and was introduced to a group of men who taught me what the Bible had to say about becoming a man of God. Im happy to say I learned how to be a godly husband to Miss Kay, who took me back. I learned to love, honor, and lead Miss Kay the way the Bible teaches and how to partner with her to raise up our children. I learned how to discipline my children and teach them the good news of the Almighty. I learned the power of embedding our family in the local church. When I walked away from those years of lawlessness, when I walked into the saving work of the Almighty, I found a God who forgave every sin and dealt with me in great mercy. I found a church full of people who did the same, who didnt hold any of my past sins against me. Why were these people so forgiving? Why were they kind to me? They followed the way of King Jesus. I experienced this forgiveness when I repented for my affair 45 years ago. Truth be told, I repented for a whole lot more than one affair. I repented for my rebellion against the Holy God. I felt His mercy, and now, I have a new-found daughter who is a blessing to my life. Miss Kay and I agree she is the best thing to come out of my past. She is a beautiful, God-fearing woman, and I am proud to be her father. This is how God works. He takes our wickedness and turns it into something beautiful. For me that something beautiful is my precious daughter. Some of you reading this have made a mess of your life. You think that there is no way to find meaning to your life and an identity not overshadowed by shame. For others, this describes someone you love. Here is my message to you and those you love. There is a Way. Jesus says that He alone is the Way. He is the truth and the life. None of us can get to the Father except through Him. So give up, lay down your arms, repent and turn to the only one who can save you. Turn to Jesus, who is the fullness of Deity in bodily form, God in flesh. Its never too late. Taken from Jesus Politics: How to Win Back the Soul of America by Phil Robertson. Copyright 2020 by Phil Robertson. Used by permission of Thomas Nelson. Following months of lockdown due to the coronavirus pandemic, people may find themselves gravitating to one of two camps: those who are craving interaction with society, or those who have embraced the alone time and consider with regret the prospect of returning to normality. A Yahoo! life report suggests that those who prefer their alone time might be interested to know about an opportunity that would make remote-living their new normal. The Isle of Rum, a rocky island - just eight miles end-to-end - located in Scotlands Inner Hebrides, is actively seeking people who are looking for a slice of the quieter life, the report said. The remote Scottish outpost neighboring the Isle of Skye, is currently home to only 40 residents. The island wants to add to their community by seeking out like-minded people to join them, the report said. According to the report, only six children currently live there, so, it needs to attract more families to fill up schools and provide a future for the island. Currently under construction are four new eco-homes, located on the outskirts of Kinloch village. The Isle of Rum Community Trust says it wants new residents to move into the two-bedroom properties, the report said. The report said anyone who fancies a change of pace is being encouraged to register their interest on the islands website, and anyone with a special set of skills or trades who could help diversify the island and its economy will seemingly get extra points. Recruitment has not been easy. The Isle of Rum has had a difficult job trying to encourage people to re-locate to the far-flung location. The community is hoping that the extra houses and new job opportunities, might make the prospect more appealing, the report said. The report cited the islands website, which said job opportunities including childcare, food production, house maintenance, fish farming or marine and mountain tourism are already available, and the island is also set up for people with young families. The Forbidden Island The report suggests that if youre into animal watching, youll appreciate this location even more. Prior to 1957, the Isle of Rum was called The Forbidden Island. But, according to the report, it was then sold to a wildlife conservation team, which allowed wild animals to thrive under its care. It now is the home to deer, wild goats, ponies, golden and white-tailed eagles, as well as a colony of Manx shearwaters on its eight-mile stretch, Yahoo!life reports. 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. With 31.52 percent of the registered voters in Gladwin County showing at the poles, it was clear that they wanted change, beginning with ousting the county drain commissioner and electing a former sheriff and commissioner chair. Terry Walters, a former county sheriff, was voters top pick Tuesday yielding 1,671 votes, thus ousting current drain commissioner Bob Evans, who earned 814 votes, and contender Delynne Schneider, with 1,158 votes. All three ran as Republicans. As the former Gladwin County Commissioner Chair, Walters spearheaded the Four Lakes Task Force to involve residents on the lakes thus giving them a voice, while also being involved in the chats with the former Department of Environmental Quality to negotiate to lower fines from millions to $37,000. In addition to meeting with the residents harmed by faulty drains, Walters said it was seeing these people hurt, some who cant fully use their property due to damages involving seven drains in the county and hearing people nearly begging him for help while he was a county commissioner that led to him seeking the drain commissioner seat. Evans, a retired engineer from Dow after 29 years, said he is ready to enjoy the retired life. He said he hopes Walters does a good job and knows he has some struggles to contend with. Evans said he has nearly 40 lawsuits against him, seven alone from Geoffrey Fieger, stemming from problem drains and soil erosion. Evans said some of the lawsuits are frivolous, noting he had nothing to do with some of the issues. Walters said he likes Evans but heard from constituents, both as a commissioner and while seeking the drain commissioner seat, that there was a lack of communication. Walters said he learned Wednesday morning that he would soon be seated as the new county drain commissioner. In prepping for the possibility, Walters said he read every book he could get about it and contacted other area drain commissioners for support. Other contests Gladwin County Commissioners are welcoming two new faces following the near departure of the first Gladwin County Commissioner Chair Sharron Smith, who decided not to run again, and soon-to-be new Secord Township Supervisor Joel Vernier. Attorney Karen Moore is stepping into Smiths seat. Also joining is Kyle Diller, a Beaverton High School graduate, who seeks Verniers seat. Republican incumbent county road commissioner, Ronald Brabon didnt fare well in his contest. Branbon garnered 1,182 votes while his competitors David Greaves, a Republican, secured 2,357 votes, and Larry Miller, a Democract, earned 1,947 votes. Brabon was not immediately available for comment. Buckeye Township voters kept Republican incumbent trustee Pauline Brabon on top in the race. She earned 162 votes in the contest against Democrats Martin Looker and Justin Eastman, who respectively earned 51 and 52 votes. Butman Township Supervisor Danny Gonzales secured 184 votes against challenger Thomas Pellegrin Jr., who received 138 votes. Both ran as Republicans. In Sherman Township, Democractic incumbent Ron Grabowski garnered 65 votes against newcomer challenger Sarah Paisley, a Republican who secured 146 votes. The pair competed for one trustee spot. In quarantine, everyday can begin to feel like Groundhog Day, with similar rituals in the morning or late at night: checking your phone to catch up on the latest to see what upsetting and controversial news is happening now. From rising COVID-19 cases and death tolls, to the long-overdue reckoning against racism and class inequality, to fights about mask safety and public health protocols not to mention the sheer volume of daily news to digest it can all start to feel like a lot to handle. But you probably cant stop checking your phone for another news article, another video, another chart to help you make sense of whats happening. And theres a (relatively) new word for it: Doomscrolling. Doomscrolling is the knowledge that even though the latest stories can make you angry and anxious, you cant help but stay tethered to your phone or laptop. Your choices can start to feel binary: either unplug and get left out of the changing times or stay on top of social media and carry a big mental burden. Doomscrolling is becoming our reality and a part of our 2020 lexicon, as Merriam-Webster Dictionary calls it one of the Words Were Watching this year. Navneet Alang, technology columnist for the Toronto Star, and This Matters host, Adrian Cheung, talk about their terrible doomscrolling habits, why were all doing it and maybe, just maybe, how we can stop. Listen to this episode and more at This Matters, or subscribe at Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts or wherever you listen to your favourite podcasts. BEIJING, Aug. 5 -- According to the news from Russian Eastern Military Region, a train carrying the Chinese PLA Army team and its equipment has arrived at the Zabaikalsk railway station in the Trans-Baikal Territory on August 4, 2020, to participate in the Tank Biathlon competition of the annual International Army Games (IAG). This team includes 27 Army soldiers and 18 armored and wheeled vehicles. It is learned that all the Chinese military members have undergone the tests for the COVID-19.They were warmly welcomed at the railway station by the Russian side with bread and salt in a traditional way. The 6th International Army Games will be held in Russia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus and Uzbekistan from August 23 to September 5, involving more than 160 teams from 30 countries. There will be 31 competitions for IAG 2020, of which Tank Biathlon is considered as the highlight. This is the 7th time that PLA Armys armored force has participated in the competition since 2014, with the second place as best result for three times. This years contestants are assigned to a brigade under the PLA 78th Group Army. "At such a critical moment in fighting COVID-19, the Chinese military's participation in Russia's IAG aims to further strengthen the strategic cooperation between the Chinese and Russian militaries and deepen their practical cooperation in military training," Ren Guoqiang, spokesperson for Ministry of National Defense of China, said at a news briefing on July 30. Hryvnia weakens to UAH 27.82 to U.S. dollar on August 5 10:40, 05.08.20 8180 The official forex rate against the euro for Wednesday is fixed at UAH 32.73 per euro. The suit, with the defendant filing anonymously, claims that the rapper (born Kirshnik Khari Ball) pursued her at a June 23 house party she attended with a Migos backup performer, called "Durel" in the suit. She claims that after Takeoff, 26, offered her marijuana and began a conversation, she declined his advances. After later running into her and Durel in a stairwell, Takeoff followed the plaintiff into an upstairs bedroom, where he allegedly raped her, the lawsuit says. Who are those perpetrators of horrific crimes who continually manage to escape police surveillance? How do they manage to vanish into thin air when the world's highest authorities have been hunting them for years? The documentary series "World's Most Wanted," co-produced by Nova Production and Premieres Lignes, is out Wednesday, August 5 on Netflix. The streaming platform continues to develop a rich catalogue of true crime documentaries which fascinate as much as they horrify. While many of these productions focus on the investigation of sordid tales such as that featured in "Don't f** with cats," Netflix also has a line of shows dedicated to the criminals themselves. This is where "World's Most Wanted" fits in. Nova Production and Premieres Lignes introduce us to the planet's most-hunted outlaws via 52-minute episodes. Who is Semion Mogilevich, the top boss of the Russian mafia? He's accused of human trafficking, arms trafficking, fraud, smuggling... The Russian gangster is one of the FBI's 10 most wanted suspects. Matteo Messina Denaro, for his part, has been on the run for 27 years. He's the Sicilian mafia's 'last godfather.' Ismael Zambada Garcia has never seen the inside of a cell for the crimes he's accused of. Contrary to his predecessor Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman, the current head of the Sinaloa cartel has repeatedly slipped through the grasp of the police thanks to his low profile. Felicien Kabuga is the only criminal featured on "World's Most Wanted" to have been captured by the authorities. The financier of the Rwandan genocide was caught after 26 years in hiding. Only one woman features in the series: Samantha Lewthwaite, the "White Widow," who emerged in 2005 as the widow of one of the London suicide attackers. Six years later, the British woman reappeared at the head of a terrorist cell in Kenya. She's still one of the world's most-wanted terrorism suspects. The documentary series "World's Most Wanted" has been translated into 150 languages. Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-05 15:45:41|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close Girls of Zhuang ethnic group holding red umbrellas attend a diving matchmaking activity on the second day of the local diving festival at Gangbian Village of Gangbian Township of Congjiang County, southwest China's Guizhou Province, Aug. 4, 2020. People of Zhuang ethnic group celebrate the traditional diving festival in Gangbian Village on the 14th day of the sixth month on the Chinese lunar calendar. (Photo by Wu Dejun/Xinhua) "The irresponsibility of a few is a risk for us all," Xinhua news agency quoted Steinmeier as saying in a video message on Monday. Berlin, Aug 4 (IANS) German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier has urged citizens to "show consideration, caution and responsibility" in the wake of increasing COVID-19 cases in the country. "If we are not particularly careful now, we are endangering the health of many. And we also endanger the recovery of our society, our economy, our cultural life." Steinmeier addressed the nation after protests against COVID-19 restriction measures took place in Berlin on August 1. Although organizers had initially announced up to half a million people, the rally was attended by 20,000 people, according to German police. By keeping a minimum distance, by observing the rules of hygiene and by wearing mouth and nose protection in specified places, it had been possible to re-open restaurants and cafes and to ease travel restrictions in Germany, said Steinmeier. "But the interim success must not make us careless... The summer mood is good for us all. But it must not lead us to become inattentive in our fight against the pandemic. "Let us be particularly careful now, in our leisure time, at work, but also at our holiday destination and after returning from a journey," said Steinmeier. From August 1, all travellers returning to Germany from abroad were asked to be tested for COVID-19 within 72 hours after their return voluntarily and free of charge, according to the Ministry of Health. Returnees from COVID-19 risk areas would have to undergo mandatory testing upon request when entering the country, if a corresponding order comes into force this week. "The increasing number of infections in Germany is a clear warning signal," said Minister of Health Jens Spahn, adding, "the coronavirus does not take a holiday". As of Tuesday, Germany accounted for a total of 212,111 COVID-19 cases, with 9,154 deaths. --IANS ksk/ Are we looking after each other? The cruel and inflexible devastation of Covid-19 brought with it an accidental grand social experiment. It challenged the gap between how much we need people and how much we value them: healthcare, childcare and education staff, for example. Covid-19 stripped things back; when our economy failed, our communities stepped in. The pandemic has also brought the way we treat the most vulnerable and marginalised in society into sharp relief. Things that have become almost everyday inequalities, like living conditions in Direct Provision, were brought to extremes. There have been 21 clusters in Direct Provision centres, four in the last week alone. Asylum seekers themselves, and NGOs which represent them, have been pleading with the government for months to consider the health risk of the controversial accommodation centres. Contrary to what ministers say, people cannot in practice just leave Direct Provision whenever they choose. Most cant afford to. Social distancing is a luxury they dont have. It was only this week, five months into Irelands Covid-19 crisis, that the government conceded that it should extend the same Covid-19 social welfare payments that everyone else gets to asylum seekers. Read More This was announced in charitable language but the state was admitting that asylum seekers had been too afraid to take Covid-19 tests, because they were so worried about losing work if they tested positive. Before now, they had no entitlement to the Pandemic Unemployment Payment. A lot of asylum seekers work in meat processing factories or nursing homes. This, combined with what can be cramped or overcrowded living conditions, creates the perfect deathly cocktail for uncontrollable and sustained spread of Covid-19. Communities which have been left behind by politics, healthcare, education and society have been left behind by our national Covid-19 recovery, too. While the rest of us have enjoyed the slow dawn of our old normal, the deathly virus has lingered and spread among Traveller and Roma communities. We are no longer all in this together, this is a two-tier pandemic. When Covid-19s deadly infliction on nursing homes was revealed, we were all rightly seized by horror. Most of us had someone in a nursing home who we were worried about. Now, many of us have the luxury of worrying about when our next meal-free pint or foreign flight will be. Were all fatigued by lockdown. At this late stage, our strongest sympathy is for the people we can relate to. Of course parents of schoolchildren and publicans deserve support as we try to get society back to normal. But Covid-19, the virus itself, was something that happened to all of us collectively. As the rest of us move forward and leave vulnerable groups behind, we risk Covid-19 becoming something that will only happen to other people. When things were at their worst, all we had for a while was unity. As Covid-19 keeps spreading disproportionately among marginalised and vulnerable groups we have to resist the alluring comfort of our own lives going back to normal. If some of us are still enduring the spread of the virus, all of us are. The national effort still needs to be everyone, together. GREENBELT, Md., Aug. 5, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- The United States District Court for the District of Maryland has scheduled a preliminary injunction hearing next week on Friday, August 14, 2020 at 10 a.m. At the hearing, the Court will consider plaintiffs', represented by Joseph Greenwald & Laake, request to enjoin the Montgomery County Health Officer's order prohibiting classroom instruction at religious and private schools in Montgomery County. The hearing will be held before Federal Judge George J. Hazel. An announcement will be made later concerning the logistics of the hearing to ensure safe public access. The hearing has become necessary because the Montgomery County Health Officer has so far failed to comply with Governor Hogan's revised emergency order, which removes any potential legal authority for the Health Officer's blanket closure order. The Health Officer's order is the only one of its kind in Maryland or the country which targets religious and private school classroom instruction for closure. The Health Officer issued this order while allowing restaurants, bars, day care facilities, colleges to remain open. There have been no Covid-19 reported cases in Montgomery County religious and private schools. The Health Officer has continued to assert that he has authority independent of the Governor to issue a blanket order shutting down classroom instruction in all religious and private schools. The Health Officer now has State-retained private counsel who has asserted that the Health Officer has independent authority for his order.1 At a press briefing today at 12:30 p.m. with the County Executive, the Health Officer stated that "as it stands today, the order has not been rescinded." The Health Officer issued an order on Friday, July 31 at 7:58 p.m. prohibiting all religious and private schools in Montgomery County from conducting in-person classroom instruction until October 1, 2020. The order was effective Monday morning, August 3, 2020 at 6:00 a.m. The order included criminal penalties for violation of the order, including fines and incarceration. The Health Officer had made no meaningful review of private schools' detailed safe reopening plans before issuing his order. In issuing his order, the Health Officer premised his authority on Governor Hogan's emergency executive order that had been issued on Wednesday, July 29, 2020, which gave political subdivisions the authority to issue more stringent restrictions "requiring any businesses, organizations, establishments, or facilities to close and/or modify their operations" than the State requirements. Since the pandemic began, Governor Hogan's emergency executive orders have not applied to schools. Instead, school reopenings have been subject to detailed guidelines issued by the State Superintendent of Schools, Karen B. Salmon. In the Maryland School Reopening Plan, she advised religious and private schools that they should make their own determinations as to how and when to reopen, consistent with CDC and State guidelines. On Monday, August 3, 2020, Governor Hogan issued a revised emergency executive order in response to the Health Officer's order. The revised order exempted schools from the new authority given to political subdivisions in his Wednesday order. Governor Hogan made it clear that the Health Officer's order was "inconsistent with the power intended to be delegated" to the County: Private and parochial schools deserve the same opportunity and flexibility to make reopening decisions based on public health guidelines. The blanket closure mandate imposed by Montgomery County was overly broad and inconsistent with the powers intended to be delegated to the Health officer. When he learned about the Governor's Monday order at a press conference, the Health Officer was publicly dismissive. He stated that, "It doesn't matter if we see the tweet. It doesn't matter if we see the statement." Despite Governor Hogan's clear and unequivocal statement and order, the Health Officer has refused to rescind his unlawful order. On Friday, the Health Officer expressly premised his emergency order on the Governor's July 29 executive order. The Health Officer is a State employee. He is jointly appointed by the State. He is paid by the State. He is required by State law to carry out State health policy. Since the Governor clarified his executive order on Monday, the Health Officer has been openly insubordinate. He has defied clearly articulated State health policy. Governor Hogan has made it explicitly clear that State policy does not permit blanket closures of religious and private schools and that each school can make its own reopening decisions "as long as schools develop safe and detailed plans that follow CDC and state guidelines." The Maryland State Department of Education's "Recovery Plan for Maryland Education" makes it clear that each private school has the right to make its own reopening decisions consistent with CDC and State Department of Education guidelines. The Health Officer's continued refusal to comply with the law and the Governor's order is creating continued chaos and confusion for thousands of Montgomery County families and the schools they have chosen. As schools are ready to reopen, the Health Officer's continued failure to rescind his illegal order exacerbates the confusion he created Friday night. This uncertainty has been created because the Governor has issued a clear directive but the Health Officer has refused to comply. The Health Officer must act immediately to unequivocally and irrevocably rescind his unlawful order. The failure of the Health Officer, a State employee, to follow clearly established State policy and the explicit directive of the Governor, constitutes insubordination. He should not continue in office if he cannot comply with the Governor's clear directive and the State's established health policy. The rule of law is important. If the Health Officer cannot follow the law and the clear directive of the Governor, plaintiffs will seek an order from the Federal court enforcing the law. Statement of Counsel for Plaintiffs Beahn, et al. v. Gayles, et al. 1 Because the County Health Officer is a State employee, actions against a county health pfficer are usually defended by the Office of the Maryland Attorney General. In this case, the Maryland Attorney General has determined that private counsel to represent the Health Officer. Timothy F. Maloney Attorney at Law Office in Greenbelt, MD Direct Dial: (240) 553-1107 Direct Fax: (240) 553-1737 Email: [email protected] SOURCE Joseph Greenwald and Laake Related Links jgllaw.com The All Progressives Congress (APC), UK chapter, says it has received favourable response from the British Government to prosecute former petroleum minister, Diezani Alison-Madueke and other Nigerians suspected of fraud, bribery and corruption offences, living in the United Kingdom. According to a statement signed by Mr Jacob Ogunseye, the APC UK Publicity Secretary, issued on Tuesday in Abuja, the assurance was given by British Minister of State for Security, James Brokenshire. In the statement made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the British government also promised to help Nigeria fight corruption to a standstill. It said Brokenshire's promise followed a petition initiated by the APC UK legal department to the British government on the need to prosecute the former petroleum minister and other Nigerians suspected of fraud, bribery and corruption. The statement said the petition was sequel to a plea by Ibrahim Magu, former Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) at a virtual meeting before his suspension. It said that Magu had appealed to Nigerians in Diaspora to assist the commission in putting pressure on the British government to repatriate the former minister to Nigeria to answer charges against her. It said the APC UK legal department took up Magu's challenge by initiating a legal process reminding the British government of Alison-Madueke's arrest on October 2, 2015 by its National Crime Agency (NCA) in London. It recalled that Alison-Madueke was arrested along side four other persons on suspicion of bribery and corruption offences, but was released on bail. It added that the APC UK legal team went further to request for reasons for the loss of traction by the United Kingdom NCA in prosecuting the former minister since her bail in 2015. The statement said the department also demanded for a speedy trial of the former petroleum minister in the UK or in the alternative, facilitate her immediate repatriation to Nigeria to face graft charges. The statement quoted Mr Ade Omole, leader of the chapter, as saying that a fair trial as enshrined in Article 6 of the Human Rights Act would be followed if Madueke was repatriated to Nigeria to face trial. "APC UK supported the legal process with petitions through Members of Parliament and Peers in the House of Lords, the British Government was left with no choice but respond promptly to the issues raised. "The British government responding through its Minister of State for Security, Rt. Hon. James Brokenshire, promised to work with the Federal Republic of Nigeria in ensuring that corruption is fought to a standstill and persons involved in criminal acts are duly prosecuted," Omole said. He added that the response from the British government was a strong indication of good things to come regarding suspects hibernating in the UK. He stressed that the APC in UK had a good strategy and dedicated legal team that would ensure that looters did not commit crime in Nigeria and run to the United Kingdom to hide. He said Nigerians should expect some traction on the near comatose criminal case involving the former petroleum minister going forward. "Though COVID-19 lockdown down is not helping matters, we hope the pandemic will soon be over so we can double our efforts from this end," Omole said. The statement quoted Brokenshire, as saying that: "The UK is continuing to lead international efforts to combat corruption, as evidenced by the commitments in the UK's Anti-Corruption Strategy and the Economic Crime plan." He said the UK was determined to ensure that its society and economy remained hostile to illicit financial flows. "As you will know, in 2018 the Financial Action Task Force assessed the UK as having the strongest controls of any country assessed to date. "I am acutely aware of the negative impacts of grand corruption, including on developing countries. "The International Anti-Corruption Coordination Centre, hosted by the NCA, is working to recover stolen assets, share intelligence across jurisdictions, and build capacity to support grand corruption cases in developing countries," he said. Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Nigeria Legal Affairs By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later. He added that the centre had supported a number of high profile arrests involving politicians and public officials across the world. "We are working closely with the government of Nigeria to prevent corruption, including providing support in-country. "The NCA runs a number of multi-agency projects in Nigeria which target corruption as one of the threats to the UK," Brokenshire said. According to him, these projects provided specialist training, equipment, buildings and infrastructure. He said it also provided UK-based mentors and intelligence to fight corruption at all levels, adding that the Department for International Development funds programmes to tackle corruption in the Nigerian public sector and oil industry. Brokenshire assured the APC UK of UK's commitment to combating corruption in Nigeria and other African countries.(NAN) The coronavirus will make the 2020 presidential election different from any in modern history: Voting that begins earlier, results that take longer, mail carriers as virtual poll workers and October Surprises that pop in September. The big picture: Perhaps 80 million Americans will vote early, by mail or in person, Tom Bonier, CEO of TargetSmart, a Democratic political data firm, tells Axios. That's going to set up more of an Election Season than an Election Day and increase the odds of national turmoil over the vote count. The more than 40 million who did so in the 2016 general election could double this year, he says. 60% of respondents in a May survey for TargetSmart said they plan to vote early. "We may have a majority of Americans voting in a way that they have never voted before," Lawrence Norden, director of the Brennan Centers election reform program, tells Axios. Driving the news: Early voting options begin in just six weeks in some states, including Virginia, Minnesota and South Dakota, according to RepresentUs and Vote.org. In addition, Texas and Massachusetts have extended their timeframes for in-person, early voting, both starting in October. Texas and Massachusetts have extended their timeframes for in-person, early voting, both starting in October. Meanwhile, in a preview of the potential demand for absentee alternatives, 24 states and Washington, D.C. had half or more of their ballots cast as absentee ballots in already-held statewide elections during the pandemic. That's a dramatic increase from 2016 for most, per FiveThirtyEight. And there could be higher turnout for the general election. Ahead of massive demand for mailed ballots, the U.S. Postal Service already is dealing with days-long backlogs caused by new "cost-cutting" measures. Those backlogs prevented some voters from getting absentee ballots for Michigan's Tuesday primaries, as the Washington Post reported. And millions of voters could depend on the Postal Service to deliver their ballots on time in November. There's also a greater risk of mailed-in votes getting thrown out because of mistakes, compared to in-person ballots. More than 100,000 mailed ballots cast in the March presidential primary were rejected in California. in-person ballots. More than 100,000 mailed ballots cast in the March presidential primary were rejected in California. Experts are already warning that final election results could be delayed for weeks. "We talk about the election being three months away, but really voting is going to start in a month and a half." Lawrence Norden, Brennan Center The old-school notion of an "October Surprise" will morph or see its power diminish. "When you assume a week before Election Day that maybe half of the votes that will be cast have already been cast, well then your ability to impact the electorate is limited," said Bonier of TargetSmart. Everything that happens between mid-September and Election Day, however, will matter more. Longer lines: Voters who wait for the last day will likely face longer lines than usual in some places due to consolidation of polling places, shortages of poll workers who tend to be elderly and therefore at risk of the coronavirus as well as high turnout. " Some traditional polling sites wont be usable, such as senior centers, perhaps schools" because of the virus, said NYU's Richard Pildes, a specialist in legal issues concerning democracy. Some traditional polling sites wont be usable, such as senior centers, perhaps schools" because of the virus, said NYU's Richard Pildes, a specialist in legal issues concerning democracy. Still, issues with or distrust of absentee ballots could also force more voters to polling centers on Election Day, according to Richard Hasen, an election law expert at the University of California, Irvine. Late results: With the increase of absentee voting, counting results will take longer. Outcomes could seemingly shift after election night once more absentee ballots are counted. If the presidential election takes longer than a night to determine, Norden says, "there could be Senate races where it goes on much longer than that." Nearly six weeks after election day there were still two undecided congressional primary races in New York City. Challenged outcomes: Trump has already made accusations of voter fraud, and has been railing against vote-by-mail. Close races and delayed results would fuel those accusations and lawsuits. Misinformation and disinformation: Don't forget the 2016 Russian disinformation crisis. "It remains and is worse than in 2016. Intelligence officials have publicly warned of not just increased efforts by Russia, but other countries, China and Iran," says NYU's Pildes. David Nather contributed to this story. BRUSSELS/FRANKFURT/PARIS (dpa-AFX) - U.K. stocks rose on Wednesday after a survey showed the U.K.'s services sector emerged from the doldrums of the coronavirus crisis and expanded at its fastest pace since 2015. The IHS Markit's purchasing managers' index (PMI) reading for the services sector came in at 56.5 in July, up from 47.1 in June and sharply higher than the all-time record low of 13.4 in April. Underlying sentiment was also helped by hopes that U.S. lawmakers would reach a deal on a new coronavirus stimulus package this week. The benchmark FTSE 100 climbed 67 points, or 1.11 percent, to 6,103 after closing up 0.1 percent the previous day. Life insurer Legal & General fell nearly 2 percent after it reported a 2 percent decline in first-half operating profit. Ferrexpo shares surged 9 percent. The iron ore producer declared a second interim dividend after both sales and production volumes increased in the first half of the trading year. PageGroup climbed 3.1 percent. After posting a half-year loss, the recruiter said activity has started to pick up and there have been improvements such as new opportunities, candidates sent to clients, interviews and offers. Bookmaker William Hill soared 5.2 percent. The company said that trading has recovered well post-lockdown and it is repaying 24.5m of U.K. furlough funds. 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. Karl Stefanovic has praised an intensive care nurse for slamming anti-maskers in Melbourne. Michelle Spence told the Today show on Wednesday what she thought about anti-maskers who are attacking police and refusing to wear the vital PPE. In the fiery segment on Wednesday, she told viewers to listen to her as a 'humble nurse working on the front line'. 'We have got patients in their 30s, 40s, 50s, 60s, this does not discriminate, this could absolutely be you,' she said. Karl, who was quick to support Michelle, said: 'Well said! Hear hear from all of us here at the Today Show, and I think we can almost hear it around Australia, good on you Michelle. You do a terrific job.' PICTURED: A pop up hospital set up at the Melbourne Showground to cope with the rise in COVID-19 patients during stage 4 restrictions Melbourne is currently under Stage 4 restrictions with a curfew from 8pm to 5am and stay-at-home orders. The number of coronavirus cases has continued to soar with 725 new cases on Wednesday as well as 15 reported deaths, including someone in their 30s. Today show co-host Allison Langdon asked Ms Spence about her view on the anti-masker's campaign which saw a policewoman bashed after she asked someone why they weren't wearing a mask earlier this week. She said her intensive care unit at the Royal Melbourne had been discussing the minority group this week and urged Victorian's to act as part of a team to fight the virus instead. Ms Spence said the fight against COVID-19 has to be a team effort and the hospital was the end of the line. 'You don't want to be at the end of the line but we all have to be in this together. Victoria is an amazing place. We really need to pull together,' she said. ICU nurse Michelle Spence (far right) spoke to Karl Stefanovic (left) and Allison Langdon (middle) about the 'disgusting behaviour' of anti-maskers and pleaded with them to realise coronavirus doesn't discriminate Karl expressed concerns for health workers and said he wouldn't want to work in the ICU as more than 1,200 frontline workers have already been infected with the disease. Ms Spence compared Melbourne to coronavirus cases in the UK and the US and said unlike those countries, Australia has had time to review their processes and work out how to scale up operations. 'I bet they were scared and I have friends who worked overseas who faced some really awful times and still do. The difference with us is that we've had six months to get to this point.' The brave nurse explained: We're absolutely ready. This is what we've signed up for. When asked if she felt safe working in ICY, Ms Spence (pictured) said 'we're absolutely ready, this is what we've signed up for' Microsoft confirmed that it has held talks with Chinese technology company ByteDance to acquire its popular social app TikTok in the United States. Microsoft said it will work with the U.S. government on a deal that they hope to wrap by September 15. Matt Dibble has the story. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday offered prayers and laid the foundation stone for a grand temple at the site believed to be the birthplace of Lord Ram in Uttar Pradeshs Ayodhya. The groundbreaking ceremony marks the formal launch of the temples construction promised by the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party nearly three decades earlier. LK Advani, 92, and Murli Manohar Joshi, 86, the two BJP stalwarts who had led the campaign to build the temple in its early days, are said to have watched the live telecast of the event because of the coronavirus pandemic. Home Minister Amit Shah, from his bed in a Gurugram hospital where the 55-year-old top BJP leader was admitted last week due to the virus. A grand temple will now be built for our Ram Lalla who had been staying in a tent for decades. Today, Ram janmbhoomi breaks free of the cycle of breaking and getting built again - that had been going on for centuries, PM Modi said at the event who expressed gratitude to all the people who had made huge sacrifices for the temple moment. India is creating a golden chapter in Ayodhya. The wait of centuries ends today, PM Modi said in his televised address at the event. PM Modi used silver bricks during the rituals. But for the foundation stone, bricks donated by devouts from across the world in 1989 would be used. There are 275,000 such bricks out of which 100 bricks with Jai Shri Ram engraving have been taken, the priest said as the vedic rituals, which have continued for three days, were coming to an end. Follow Ram temple ceremony live updates here Dressed in the traditional kurta and dhoti, PM Modi offered prayers at the Hanuman Garhi temple soon after landing in the riverside town of Ayodhya from Uttar Pradesh capital Lucknow. Anil Mishra, member of Sri Ram Janmabhoomi Tirth Kshetra Trust, said this puja was performed to seek Lord Hanumans permission to start construction work of Ram Mandir. PM Modi next headed straight to the temple for the ceremony. Security has been tight for the event, particularly in light of the coronavirus pandemic and the need to adhere to social distancing. Only 175 guests have been invited. Among them are Mohan Bhagwat, the chief of the ruling BJPs ideological fountainhead Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh. But the temple trust has ordered 100,000 packets of laddus for distribution to people and dignitaries. PM Modi is the first prime minister to visit the Ram Janambhoomi and offer prayers at the sanctum sanctorum where the deity has been worshipped since 1949, escalating the row over the small plot of land on which a mosque had been built in the 16th century. Hindus believe the Babri Masjid, was built over a temple dedicated to Lord Ram, whose birthplace is also considered to be at the site. The temple construction has been made possible because of a Supreme Court verdict nine months ago that ended a legal battle lasting decades and awarded the site to Hindus. The Muslim community has been given a 5-acre plot at another location to build a new mosque to make up for the 500-year-old Babri Masjid demolished by a mob in 1992. The case against a man charged in connection with an alleged attack on a Newbridge man was adjourned again at Naas District Court on July 28. Brian Ibe, whose address was given as 35 Moore Park, Newbridge, and no fixed abode, is alleged to have entered that address as a trespasser and committed an arrestable offence and assault causing harm on April 28. He appeared via video link from Cloverhill Prison. Read more County Kildare news The latest adjournment was granted after Inspector Damien Gannon said no toxicology report was available as of last week. Sgt Brian Jacob sought a four week adjournment but defending solicitor Tim Kennelly said he was not consenting to this, adding that the delay in providing the report should not necessitate a further adjournment. Mr Kennelly said that an an autopsy has already been carried out on the deceased man, and if an adjournment is granted it should be for two weeks; and that the case should be struck out if the report is not available at that time. Judge Desmond Zaidan commented that the State has to be certain of the cause of death before they can proceed with any allegation. He added it had been stated previously that staff at Forensic Science Ireland wer working on a week on week off basis because of the coronavirus. Adjourning the case until August 6, Judge Zaoidan commented that Mr Kennellys client is entitled to what is going on but a fellow citizen has died. He added: The defendant has pleaded innocent and the State has to be certain of its proofs. By Lee Gyu-lee The film "Fukuoka," starring Oscar-winning "Parasite" actress Park So-dam, is set to hit local movie theaters on Aug. 27, after a long delay due to the coronavirus. Indiestory, the film's distributor, announced the new date Wednesday, saying, "the release date has finally been set." The drama was originally planned to premiere on March 12, but was canceled as virus infections surged in the country. The movie, directed by Chinese filmmaker Zhang Lu, follows two friends from college Hae-hyo, played by Kwon Hae-hyo, and Je-Moon (Yoon Je-moon) who lost touch a long time ago. In the film, a mysterious woman played by Park approaches Je-moon and talks him into finding his old friend in Fukuoka with her, beginning a strange journey. The film premiered at the Berlin International Film Festival in February. Uttarakhand BJP MLA Saurabh Bahuguna has tested positive for Covid-19. He is the third legislator to test positive for the coronavirus infection. Bahuguna, the MLA from Sitarganj in US Nagar tested positive for Covid-19 in Delhi. He is under treatment at a private hospital in Delhi. Also, he has advised those people who came into contact with him, to quarantine themselves and conduct their Covid-19 test. Bahuguna said, On having fever I left for Delhi on Saturday and underwent a medical check-up where my report revealed that I had Covid-19. Now, I am at a private hospital for treatment. Bahuguna also shared the information regarding him testing positive on social media. He was under home quarantine at his Sitarganj residence in May when he had returned from Delhi. Earlier two legislators had tested positive for Covid-19 in the state. On July 30, Raj Kumar, Congress MLA from Purola in Uttarkashi district had tested positive. He was admitted to the Government Doon Medical College Hospital. In June, state tourism minister Satpal Maharaj had tested positive for Covid-19. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON US president Donald Trump criticised over comments on Beirut incident: Getty Images Donald Trump will 'probably' accept the Republican nomination for its presidential candidate at the White House instead of in North Carolina. This solution was pitched even though federal and government employees can not participate in events relating to a political campaign, which could cause ethical problems within the White House. This comes as a historian, who has correctly predicted the presidential election results since 1984, has said presumptive Democratic candidate Joe Biden will win against Mr Trump. Historian Allan Lichtman predicted correctly Ronald Reagan would win in 1984 all the way through Mr Trump's win in 2016. Mr Trump also went on the attack against Barack Obama on Wednesday morning, saying his predecessor's eulogy for John Lewis was "terrible" and evidenced an "anger that people don't see". After claiming that children are "almost immune" from coronavirus symptoms, Facebook removed a video with the claim even as the president repeated himself at a coronavirus press conference. He also said the virus would simply "go away" as he stood before a "Covid-19 action" list saying what The Healthcare President "has done for you". The comments came after new research found at least one person in the United States has died every 80 seconds on average over the last seven days, while more than 158,000 total deaths have been recorded nationwide. One US citizen died in a massive explosion in Beirut, which has been reported as an accident. Mr Trump, however, said that he had heard it could have either been an accident or a deliberate act. And despite reports that suggested people associated with the Trump campaign were involved with Kanye West getting on the ballot in key swing states, the president said he was not involved but that he gets along "very well" with and likes the rapper. Almost as soon as President Donald Trump's tense interview with Axios's Jonathan Swan aired, Twitter accounts started comparing it to HBO's political satire "Veep." "It's like an episode of Veep but real," tweeted Rep. Justin Amash of Michigan. "'Oh my god it's just like VEEP!' I shouted as I plunged to my death," tweeted comedian and actor Billy Eichner. "Yes, this is like a scene from Veep. Except on Veep this scene would have been re-written after the table read, because a president being this stupid is too gaggy and unrealistic," tweeted Sam Richardson, who portrayed the honest-to-a-fault Richard Splett on that very show. Some added the "Veep" theme music over part of the interview in which Trump downplays covid-19's impact on the United States. David Mandel, who became the showrunner of "Veep" when its creator Armando Iannucci left after Season 4, retweeted one clip with the note, "Now we DEFINITELY should be eligible for" the Emmys. The Post gave Mandel a ring to see how he felt about the comparisons. The veteran of "Seinfeld" and "Curb Your Enthusiasm" - who is decidedly anti-Trump - did not hold back. - - - Q: When you wake up, and you see something like this, you see everyone making the comparison to "Veep" and playing the music over it . . . what is your reaction to that? A: The honest answer is at this point, it's almost a weekly occurrence. I'm almost bored by it at this point. Honest to gosh, this was new two years ago, the idea that occasionally they drifted near us. At the end of the day, this is why we ended the show. The stupidest, dumbest, craziest things we could think of to make a president and his staff say and do . . . I bow to my betters. We're being outdone regularly. He's stupider than a room full of the best comedy writers in Los Angeles can come up with, and it's that simple. - - - Q: In that little clip where they added the "Veep" theme, Trump pulls out the piece of paper with a bar graph on it, and it feels like the segment at the end of an episode. A: Honestly, it's a perfectly written comedy. It's like they set it up. We've been hearing for years that this guy can't read and can only look at big charts, and clearly he can't even read the charts. It's like he's been given a chart, he's been taught blue is the color of the United States, and off he goes. It's hilarious. It would be a lot funnier if it was another country. ALSO Trump bashes deceased civil rights leader for skipping his inauguration - - - Q: I know you said at this point they're growing old, but do you like the comparisons? A: I love the fact that we have now been off the air for a year and change, and the fact that we seem as relevant as the day we left the air, if not more so. - - - Q: I suppose you're probably asked this all the time, but what "Veep" character would you say Trump is closest to? A: It's funny, people constantly want to put him in the Selina [Meyer, the titular character portrayed by Julia Louis-Dreyfus] category. And she certainly has Trumpian characteristics. I wrote a thing for New York Magazine a couple of months ago, and basically the joke of it was even Selina, the worst TV president, would have dealt with he pandemic normally and listened to advisers, if for no other reason than she's grossed out by sick people. . . . A lot of people want to hang it on Selina, but she . . . is a smart politician. I guess the closest is [the obnoxious staffer-turned-congressman] Jonah Ryan. . . . But the good people of "Veep" world sort of managed never to elect Jonah Ryan [at least as president]. He never tricked average Joes and farmers into thinking he was one of them. He never tricked people into thinking he would build a wall and Mexico would pay for it. It's kind of like Jonah Ryan, if Jonah Ryan got hit in the head repeatedly with a mallet. . . . We had characters like Dan, who you would argue would push his grandparents in front of a train if he thought it would get him somewhere. We had Mike, who didn't know which end was up. And Jonah. And Amy sort of chewing at her own nails for her desire to be close to the power center. Then somebody over in the White House is writing up these characters like [press secretary] Kayleigh [McEnany], and you just kinda go, "I tip my cap." - - - Q: Do you ever look at all this and wish the show was still on, that you were still able to - A: No, no, no, no, no. I cannot imagine a world . . . Sometimes I have the horrible thought of if we had filmed a show last fall that was supposed to be on right now, and between when we were done filming and began editing, the pandemic and all of this stuff happened. I think you'd have to throw the show in the garbage. I don't know what you would do with it. As far as I'm concerned, the show we need right now is a sort of a second coming of "The West Wing." I'm as cynical as they come, but at this point, I would like to see a show that reminds people government can occasionally do well and be good, because I think certainly the Trump administration's forgotten that. - - - Q: Is anyone out there, in your view, doing a good job satirizing this administration? A: Again, I'm just not sure it's doable. Don't get me wrong, I make sure I'm watching John Oliver every Sunday. I love watching Seth Meyers's "A Closer Look" [segments], and Trevor Noah on "The Daily Show." I think there are great jokes, but I just don't know how you parody this stuff. In our final season of "Veep," we had Jonah Ryan . . . talking about crazy immigration policies with no one out and no one in. And we're sort of there, do you know what I mean? - - - Q: It must be a weird feeling, seeing things from "Veep" actually happen in real life. A: I really do take pride in the fact that when we were doing "Veep," we always had wonderful consultants from both sides of the aisle, Democrats and Republicans, plus we'd bring in loads of specialists. So when we were dealing with an issue, we did attempt, even when something was fringe, [to make sure] the facts were right. So when we had Jonah embrace the anti-Daylight Savings movement, it did exist. And it was considered really dumb. - - - Q: The last thing I wanted to ask you is about your reaction to the Axios interview, in general. A: I guess this is Trump's one true talent: I honestly was numb to it. I laughed; I couldn't believe what I was seeing. And yet part of me is like, "Well, I wonder what will happen by this afternoon." . . . And that's the problem. It doesn't stop. . . . You're writing this article right now, and right now he could be saying, "Nobody has died in America." 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. Advertisement Coronavirus deaths across the United States have increased by 36 percent in a week with states in the Sunbelt and Midwest seeing the largest weekly spikes - even after President Donald Trump claimed fatalities were going down and the virus was under control. Deaths related to COVID-19 have now risen nationally for four straight weeks with more than 8,500 Americans dying in the seven days ending August 2. The US has now racked up more than 156,000 coronavirus deaths, by far the most of any country, and is fast approaching an off-the-charts five million confirmed cases, easily the highest in the world. A total of 22 states have now reported increases in deaths for at least two straight weeks, including hotspots California, Texas and Florida, according to an analysis of data by Reuters. Deaths in Arizona, another hotspot state, decreased last week for the first time since they started to surge in early July. It comes as Trump insisted the virus was well-controlled across the US despite the country averaging about 65,000 new cases and 1,000 deaths per day. In an interview with Axios on HBO, which was filmed last Tuesday but aired on Monday, Trump said deaths were declining in states including Florida, Texas and Arizona. He did not elaborate on what data he was referencing to draw those conclusions. Coronavirus deaths across the United States have increased by 36 percent in a week with states in the Sunbelt and Midwest seeing the largest weekly spikes Deaths related to COVID-19 have now risen nationally for four straight weeks with more than 8,500 Americans dying in the seven days ending August 2 Based on an analysis of weekly death tolls, West Virginia saw the biggest weekly spike, compared to the previous seven days, with deaths soaring by more than 366 percent after adding 14 new deaths to its 117 total. The number of deaths in Virginia rose by 174 percent after increasing by 140, bringing the death toll to 2,218. South Dakota's deaths spiked 140 percent after adding 12 new fatalities, bringing the total to 135. Deaths also surged 130 percent in Texas when 2,407 new deaths were added, bringing the total to 7,500. The death rate is a lagging indicator and can continue to rise weeks after new infections drop. A coronavirus death, when it occurs, typically comes several weeks after a person is first infected. Even though deaths are now rising across the US, they are below the levels seen in April when an average of 2,000 people a day were dying from the virus. Deaths surged in April in the weeks after coronavirus infections spiked mostly in the Northeast. The number of fatalities are now increasing in Sunbelt states and across the Midwest after infections surged there throughout June and July. While deaths have risen for a month, the number of new cases across the US has fallen for a second straight week. The number of new COVID-19 cases reported last week fell 5 percent from the previous week. California, Florida and Texas collectively accounted for nearly 180,000 of the new cases, though new infections were lower in all three states compared to the previous week The number of new cases across the US has fallen for a second straight week The number of new COVID-19 cases reported last week fell 5 percent from the previous week. California, Florida and Texas collectively accounted for nearly 180,000 of the new cases, though new infections were lower in all three states compared to the previous week. Cases rose week-over-week in 20 states, including in Oklahoma where cases have risen for nine weeks in a row, in Montana where cases are up for eight straight weeks, and in Missouri where infections have risen for seven weeks. Testing for COVID-19 fell by 6 percent in the United States last week, the first decline since late May, according to data from The COVID Tracking Project. Nationally, 8.2 percent of tests came back positive, still higher than the 5 percent level that the World Health Organization considers concerning because it suggests there are more cases in the community that have not yet been uncovered. Thirty-one states had positivity test rates above 5 percent, including Alabama at 22 percent, Mississippi at 21 percent and Florida and Kansas at 19 percent. Confirmed infections in the US have now topped 4.7 million, with new cases running at more than 60,000 a day. While that's down from a peak of well over 70,000 in the second half of July, cases are still on the rise in 20 states. Trump, in his Axios interview, declared that coronavirus was 'under control' in the US and that the country's death rate was 'lower than the world'. 'They are dying, that's true. And you have - it is what it is. But that doesn't mean we aren't doing everything we can. It's under control as much as you can control it. This is a horrible plague,' Trump said. Citing a series of charts and graphs regarding death rates in comparison to cases, Trump said: 'The United States is lowest in numerous categories. We're lower than the world, than Europe.' In an interview with Axios on HBO that was filmed last Tuesday but only aired Monday, Trump said the virus was well-controlled across the US despite the country averaging about 65,000 new cases and 1,000 deaths per day After checking the charts, Axios reporter Jonathan Swan clarified that he was asking about deaths as a proportion of the population, saying: 'That's where the US is really bad. Much worse than South Korea, Germany, etc.' Trump hit back claiming he 'couldn't do that'. 'You have to go by where - look, here is the United States,' Trump said, holding out of his charts. 'You have to go by the cases.' 'Why not as a proportion of the population?' Swan asked. 'What it says is that when you have someone where there's a case, the people that live from those cases,' Trump said. Swan argued that it was relevant to compare the number of deaths to a country's population but Trump insisted: 'You have to go by the cases'. Trump went on to say: 'Death is way down from where it was. Where it was is much higher than where it is right now.' When Swan pointed out that deaths were now going back up nationally after initially declining throughout May, Trump claimed 'it's going down again'. 'It's going down in Arizona. It's going down in Florida. It's going down in Texas,' Trump claimed. Swan, who had pointed out that it's national numbers that had gone down, asked with disbelief: 'It's going down in Florida?' 'Yeah it leveled out and it's going down, that's my report as of yesterday,' Trump said. It wasn't immediately clear what day Trump's latest reports were referring to. While cases in Florida now appear to be declining, deaths continued to spike to single day highs last week. After Trump repeated his previous claims that the US has more cases that anywhere else in the world because more tests are being undertaken, the reporter pointed to the surge in hospitalizations and deaths. 'If hospital rates and deaths were going down I'd say terrific, you deserve to be praised for testing, but they're all going up. 60,000 Americans are in hospital, 1,000 dying a day,' Swan said. Regarding the increased testing, Trump said: 'Don't we get credit for that? Because we do more tests, we have more cases.' Germanys foreign ministry advised the public on Friday against unnecessary tourist trips to the northern Spanish regions of Catalonia, Navarre and Aragon, as concerns grow that travel could bring a second wave of COVID-19 infections. The Robert Koch Institute, a German public health agency, put the three Spanish regions on its list of high risk locations, meaning people returning to Germany are required either to quarantine for 14 days or present a negative coronavirus test. With virus numbers ticking up in Germany, fears have grown that tourists returning from destinations experiencing a surge in new cases could spread infection quickly. Germany reported 870 confirmed coronavirus cases on Friday, the highest daily total since mid-May. From next week, Germany plans to make coronavirus tests mandatory at airports for all returning holidaymakers from high-risk areas in order to slow the spread of infections. Tourists wheel luggage down Las Ramblas in Barcelona, Spain, on Saturday, Aug. 1, 2020. (Bloomberg) The travel warning is the latest blow to Spains economy, which is already in a steep recession and depends on tourism for 12.3% of its economic output. Germans made up around 5% of tourists to Catalonias main city Barcelona in 2019, according to the citys tourism activity report. Germanys travel warning follows moves by other European countries to restrict travel from Spain, above all Britain, which accounts for the largest share of foreign visitors. It has introduced a 14-day quarantine on all arrivals from Spain and recommended against all but essential travel to the Spanish mainland. Norway has also imposed a 10-day quarantine. France has advised against travel to Catalonia. (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 Dublin, Aug. 05, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Epidermolysis Bullosa Pipeline Research Monitor, 2020 - Drugs, Companies, Clinical Trials, R&D Pipeline Updates, Status and Outlook" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. PIPELINE HIGHLIGHTS Epidermolysis Bullosa is one of the widely researched conditions during 2020 with 33 companies actively focusing on realizing pipeline's potential. Development of Epidermolysis Bullosa medicines is identified as integral to the strategy of the majority of companies operating in the industry. Global Epidermolysis Bullosa market presents promising new product pipeline with NME Projects, pivotal trials, and rapidly phase-advancing therapeutic candidates. Increasing number of companies are assessing the feasibility of developing treatment options for Epidermolysis Bullosa. Good progress is anticipated during 2020 and 2021 with Epidermolysis Bullosa pipeline molecules advancing from pre-clinical investigation to completion of advanced Phase clinical trials. Epidermolysis Bullosa pipeline continues to expand and progress with novel mechanisms and diverse routes of administration being tested by companies. DRUG DEVELOPMENT PIPELINE OVERVIEW The Epidermolysis Bullosa pipeline Research Monitor, 2020 report is an analytical research study on the progress achieved by pipeline companies during the year along with its historical development, current status, and outlook. This Epidermolysis Bullosa pipeline review explores high-potential early to late-stage pipeline projects with a continued focus on new insights, accelerated processes, and pipeline progression. The competitive intelligence report on Epidermolysis Bullosa presents detailed insights into therapeutic drug pipeline development, industry news, deals, and analysis across the length and breadth of the Epidermolysis Bullosa pipeline. Information on R&D pipeline updates, results of key clinical trials are also included in the report. DRUG PROFILES Epidermolysis Bullosa development pipeline including projects in early- and late-stage development are detailed in the report. 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This research work assists decision makers in pharmaceutical companies towards successful pipeline development through critically evaluated pipeline data Buyers can identify most promising drug candidates for treatment of Epidermolysis Bullosa It allows users to strengthen their pipeline through acquisitions, licensing and collaborations Users can estimate possible delays in the delivery of pipeline or launch of new products Stay ahead of competition through understanding their pipeline progression, strategies and outlook The report details all the pipeline candidates under investigation in various stages of development from Phase I through to Phase III to enable business development managers to understand the impact of new launches. Optimize your licensing and technology transfer strategies through identification of prospect partners Companies Mentioned Abeona Therapeutics Inc Aegle Therapeutics Corp Almirall SA Amryt Pharma plc Anterogen Co Ltd APR Applied Pharma Research SA Berg Pharma LLC BridgeBio Inc Castle Creek Biosciences Inc Celularity Inc Constant Pharmaceuticals LLC CSA Biotechnologies LLC CSL Ltd FIBRX Derm Inc Holostem Terapie Avanzate Srl Immusoft Corp InMed Pharmaceuticals Inc Krystal Biotech Inc LambdaGen Therapeutics Life Sciences Institute Inc Mesoblast Ltd OTR3 SAS Palvella Therapeutics LLC Phoenix Tissue Repair Inc Quoin Pharmaceuticals Ltd RegeneRx Biopharmaceuticals Inc RHEACELL GmbH & Co KG Shionogi & Co Ltd StemRIM Inc Tetra Bio Pharma TWi Biotechnology Inc Wings Therapeutics Zikani Therapeutics For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/aeij49 Research and Markets also offers Custom Research services providing focused, comprehensive and tailored research. Al Jazeera profiles five Kashmiris whose lives have been adversely affected by the revocation of autonomy. Budgam, Indian-administered Kashmir On August 5, 2019, India stripped Indian-administered Kashmir of its limited autonomy saying the unprecedented move was meant to integrate the Muslim-majority region into India to bring development and end violence. For six months, the Himalayan region faced an internet blackout and security lockdown that adversely affected the Kashmir Valleys nearly eight million people. Thousands of politicians and activists were jailed, some of whom have since been released. The regions economy was devastated while schools and colleges were shut, many of them emptied out to accommodate Indian soldiers. Activists have accused Indian authorities of using draconian laws to stifle dissent and committing human rights abuses against Kashmiris. One year on, there is palpable anger against the governments move to abrogate Article 370 of the constitution that granted the Muslim-majority region a measure of autonomy. But the spokesperson of the governing Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Indian-administered Kashmir, Ashok Koul, refuted such allegations and said Article 370 was removed to bring progress and development in Kashmir. Al Jazeera profiles five Kashmiris whose lives have been adversely affected by last years decision. Nazir Ahmad Sheikh, a bus-conductor, at his home in Budgam village holding his paralysed son in his arms. Nazir has been left jobless due to the second consecutive lockdown in the region which marks a year on August 5 [Masrat Zahra/Al Jazeera] An unfortunate father The months of curfews last year meant transport services came to a halt in Kashmir. Nazir Ahmad Sheikh, who worked as a bus conductor for decades, was rendered jobless as hundreds of passenger vehicles were barred, creating a dire situation for the families dependent on the industry. With a daily income of 300-500 rupees ($4-6.6), the 45-year-old from central Budgam district barely managed to make ends meet. He was the sole breadwinner for the family which includes his wife and three children aged 5-11. His oldest son is paralysed. As businesses gradually started to reopen earlier this year, new restrictions were imposed due to the coronavirus pandemic, burying any remnants of hope for Sheikh, who had no option but to beg to be able to feed his family. He sought his wifes permission. I knew I had no other option, Sheikh told Al Jazeera. I was without work for so many months and I had to find a way to feed my family. I thought I had two options either to become a thief or to beg. I chose the latter, he told Al Jazeera at his house in Sholipora village in Budgam. I am an unfortunate father, he said with tears in his eyes. I just wanted to educate my children and provide two meals to my family but in this situation, I am not able to do anything, I am feeling extremely helpless. To save his family from shame, Sheikh decided to travel to the nearby district of Srinagar, the main city in the Kashmir region, to beg. Sheikh began sitting on roadsides where he would carry his young paralysed son in his arms. According to the Kashmir Transporters Welfare Association, the lockdown affected nearly 150,000 people associated with the transport sector. Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI), a local body of industrialists in the region, has put the preliminary amount of losses to $5.3bn from last years lockdown. The traders body also said about half a million jobs had been lost since August last year. Abdul Majeed sitting on his boat at Dal lake in Srinagar [Masrat Zahra/Al Jazeera] A long wait All his life, Abdul Majeed has followed a dedicated routine he would leave home in the morning to row his boat on the famous Dal lake where he would take tourists on joyrides. During the last 12 months, Majeed stayed loyal to his routine but earned nothing as the security lockdown forced tourists from the picturesque region. Last year, on August 3, we were towing our boats and there were hundreds of tourists. But suddenly, police came and started taking away tourists to the airport, Majeed, 45, told Al Jazeera. Every tourist was made to leave and hotels were emptied as the Indian government was preparing to impose the unprecedented lockdown. We watched helplessly whatever was happening. We could not question anyone. One year on, tourists have not returned and that has paralysed the regions tourism industry which provided jobs to thousands of people. Srinagar was turned into a ghost town immediately after the lockdown was announced. We were in shock. Thats the last time we had some work, Majeed told Al Jazeera. Majeed has three children and a wife to feed. Without work, he feels frustrated and restless. From my childhood, I have been doing this work and I never felt this much anxiety, he said, adding that even at the peak of the armed rebellion against Indian rule in the 1990s, things were not as bad as it is now. I avoid going to my home because I cannot afford to buy most things that my wife asks me to buy, he said. Majeed says he just tries to find an escape. I am sure if this deprivation of our work continues we will all be facing psychiatric issues. It seems we will have to sell everything ultimately. The tourism sector contributes nearly 6.92 percent to the regions gross domestic product (GDP), according to the government economic survey. In this situation, we do not even feel that we have anyone to listen us like a politician or a leader. We are feeling abandoned by everyone. There is no one to hear us, he said. We have completely submitted our fate to Allah. For Javaid Ahmad Ganai, a 44-year-old apple farmer, life has not been the same since last year [Shabir Bhat /Al Jazeera] Apples turn sour The horticulture industry is one of the pillars of Kashmirs rural economy and apples remain the jewel of this industry. For Javaid Ahmad Ganai, an apple farmer, life has not been the same since last year. A resident of south Kashmirs Tahab village, Ganai said farmers like him are now taking loans and keeping their land on mortgage to run homes. Last year, after the lockdown, we were not able to sell our produce. Most of it either rotted on the trees or in the vehicles or fruit mandis, said the father of four. Ganai said the government last year announced measures to help farmers sell their produce at good rates but on the ground, the reality was different. I sent my first 50 apple boxes and was paid money for them, Ganai said. When I sent the second lot of 250 boxes, I was told that they could not find a buyer and I was never paid for it. The 44-year-old said before the lockdown he used to earn at least $300 a month. It would help me feed my family of six which includes my three sons, a daughter and wife. I could also fund for the education of my children, he said. The income is completely lost. The only way left is loans or selling my own property or trees to help feed my family. In the villages it is the same situation for everyone. It is just on the mercy of Allah that we are surviving. But I fear to think about the future. I dont even go to my orchards now, it causes anxiety. Horticulture contributes nearly 5,000 crore rupees ($666,000) annually to the regions economy. Nearly 3.3 million people in the region are directly or indirectly associated with horticulture, according to government figures. Last years lockdown had coincided with the harvest season, with one farmer describing it as one of the finest crops he has seen in his lifetime. Ganai says they will have to bear the consequences of the lockdown for many years to come. We are not able to maintain our orchards. We could not take care of the trees like buying fertilisers on time because we had no resources, Ganai said. This time 50 percent of the produce on trees has a disease and we can already see our economy for the next many years in shambles. At home, Ganai said he has no answers to his childrens demands. He said the only option available before him is taking loans but he fears that he might have to mortgage his land. In my village, more than 90 percent growers are taking loans. I know most of us cannot repay (the loans) and we will have to surrender our land, he said, referring to a general sentiment in the region that New Delhi wants to bring about demographic changes by allowing Indians to buy land there. I think its a deliberate policy to push us towards giving away land. They know we are very helpless and they are making these loans easy for us. Shariq Ahmad, who was hit with pallets last month, sitting at his home [Shabir Bhat /Al Jazeera] Dark life At her home in Karimabad village in southern Pulwama district, Shaheena Akhtar, 37, has to nurse her two children: An 18-year-old daughter who is suffering from severe gastroenterology illness and her 20-year-old son who was hit with pellets on his right eye. This year has been the worst, Akhtar told Al Jazeera. We have been hit by a storm one after another. For most of her life, Akhtar has struggled with poverty. Her hope, however, was her elder son, Shariq Ahmad, whom she hoped would one day earn and support the family. I have only seen struggles in life. My hope was my son. He dropped out of studies three years ago when the situation in the family became difficult, she said. Shariq worked as a carpenter and earned a meagre amount of 5,000 rupees ($67) every month. It was just enough to support him and the family. Last month, Shariq was hit by a burst of pellets fired during a protest near his village. He was partially blinded. One of the earning hands for the family suddenly found himself confined to his room. The use of pellets to disperse protesters has widely been condemned as hundreds of people, most of them teenage boys, have been blinded by the shots of iron projectiles to ward off demonstrators in recent years. I dont know whether to buy medicine for my kids, take them to the doctor or eat two meals, she said. My husband is daily-wage worker and he is also out of work for a year. My son had his surgery last week but we were not able to get it done because it would cost 25,000 rupees ($334). This is an extra burden on us. Its not only the wound on my sons eyes, we are dead deep inside too, struggling for survival, she said. Asma Shakeel, a student from Indian-administered Kashmir at her home in the main city of Srinagar [Masrat Zahra/Al Jazeera] Shut schools Asma Shakeel, 19, a resident of the main city of Srinagar, has a story of hope and an unending struggle. She says the situation in Kashmir has made her tough and strengthened her will to move forward. She could not attend school in the wake of the lockdown announced last August while the internet blackout meant she struggled to continue her studies. Kashmiri students could not attend classes after August 2019, making it one of the longest pauses for the regions education sector and it has affected more than a million school-going students. For months, she did self-study at home. When she would feel unable to concentrate due to the dire political situation, she says she would cry on a prayer mat. In Kashmir, what we see mostly is a shutdown after someone dies. And in such situations as a student it is hard to study at home, said Shakeel who has an older brother and a twin sister. She remembers her last day at the school before lockdown when she was busy with her friends discussing upcoming school events. For months last year, Shakeel struggled to prepare for the exams and apply for scholarships in colleges outside India, which has always been her dream though her parents were against the decision. In the absence of the internet and phones last year, Shakeel described it as the hardest time. My parents did not want me to apply for colleges outside. But I have been dreaming for it for years. I finally convinced them but the worst part during the communication blockade was that my teachers could not send me letters of recommendation, she said. Applying for scholarships was difficult. I knew I could not even ask a penny from my father whose business has already suffered a lot, she said, adding that she had to travel to the Indian capital New Delhi last year twice to apply for scholarships. I feared that my situation might keep me behind despite my hard work. I had made it a point last year to study day in and day out because I wanted to do it. Schools and colleges in Kashmir were turned into barracks for additionally deployed paramilitary forces. While authorities asked schools to opt for online education during the coronavirus pandemic, the students had little chances as the high-speed internet remains banned due to security reasons. The slow internet causes connectivity issues in e-learning and online classes, students say. According to the Private Schools Association in Kashmir only 20 percent of students in Kashmir who had fixed-line broadband at home could take advantage of the online classes. We cant even study in the Zoom classes like students everywhere else. Our situation is not normal, Shakeel said. I had to work on my own at home and seek help from my school teachers. We cant watch educational videos. Its extremely tough for students in Kashmir to stay without internet. In other places [outside Kashmir] at least students have access to high-speed internet and other facilities. They can order books online or could approach their teachers but for us everything has become very tough because of the place we come from, she said. Despite the hardships, Shakeel is a success story. She passed her high schools exam in July this year with flying colours. She secured 98 percent in her grade 12 exams and topped in Kashmir. Her scholarship bid also turned out to be successful. She got a full scholarship to study at Georgetown University in Qatar. I am trying to get best out of this situation. We are denied many rights but need to give our best in this suffocating environment, she told Al Jazeera. WATERLOO REGION Canada released its COVID-19 exposure tracing app on Friday to help notify individuals if theyve come into close contact with someone who has tested positive for the virus. Its only available in Ontario so far, and was more than three weeks overdue after its original July 2 launch was delayed, but experts agree it is one way for the population to know if theyve possibly been exposed to someone who has tested positive for the virus in order to help limit its spread. But how does the app work? And how much personal information does it track and transmit? How it works The free app is known as COVID Alert and uses a phones Bluetooth signal to exchange random codes with nearby phones that are also running the app in the background. If someone tests positive for coronavirus, that individual is given a one-time code to enter into the app. The network then sends a signal to all phones that came within two metres of that user for 15 minutes or more over the previous 14 days to say they may have been exposed to the virus. Anyone who receives an alert will be given instructions on what to do next, and how to contact their local public health unit. It was way simpler than I thought it would be, said Zayna Khayat, an adjunct professor of health sector strategy and health care innovation at the Rotman School of Management in Toronto. Khayat was previously the lead of health system innovation at MaRS Discovery District. She had early access to the app as a beta tester for about a week before it launched, and said it was prudent to keep it simple to start. It went to No. 1 in the Apple store for medical apps, and as of Tuesday afternoon had a 4.8 rating out of 5 from more than 1,900 reviews. It takes only a few minutes to download and activate, and has reportedly been downloaded more than one million times across Canada. Use of the app is voluntary, but the federal government is asking as many Canadians as possible to download it in order to help slow the spread of the virus and help prevent future outbreaks. The app will be most effective in helping limit the spread of COVID-19 when a majority of Canadians use it, the government stated as part of the release of the app. Security concerns One of the biggest concerns with tracking apps such as COVID Alert is how much personal information it collects and transmits. The government says the app doesnt know a users current location, their name or address, the time or place they were near someone who possibly tested positive, or if the user is currently near someone who was previously diagnosed with coronavirus. The Privacy Commissioners of Canada and Ontario were consulted on the development of COVID Alert to ensure the highest level of privacy for Canadians using the app, the government said. BlackBerry and the Canadian Centre for Cyber Security completed their own assessment of the app prior to launch to ensure it was secure. Canadian technology law expert Michael Geist, a law professor at the University of Ottawa and Canada Research Chair in internet and e-commerce law, wrote in an Aug. 2 blog post the app is as notable for what it doesnt do as for what it does. The Bluetooth exchange of randomly-generated codes that are deleted from the device every 14 days is very low risk, and the use of random identifiers ensures that identification of [any] individual is very unlikely. Geist also cited the federal Privacy Commissioners review of the app, which found very strong safeguards are in place for data security, independent oversight, and a pledge to decommission the app (including deletion of all data) within 30 days of the Chief Public Health Officer of Canada declaring the pandemic over. Those security safeguards combined with the public health benefits of the technology helped sway him to download the app. That was reason enough for me and hopefully many others to install it, Geist wrote. Social inequities exposed The launch of the app has also raised concerns it may not be accessible to everyone, even if they already own a smartphone. It only operates on Apple or Android devices that are five years old or less, and must be run on a newer operating system that is incompatible with many older phones. Experts are worried this could leave older Canadians, or those from low-income communities who are already at a higher risk of contracting the virus, unable to use the technology. Geist highlights those worries in his blog, stating: That obviously means that those with older phones or no wireless access at all are unable to use it. While it isnt reason enough to abandon the initiative, he said, the government should be exploring alternatives to allow all citizens to implement these safeguards. Khayat shares some of those concerns, saying its a pretty big barrier to entry if a certain portion of the population cant access the app. More than 39,000 people in Ontario have tested positive for coronavirus, and about 2,800 people have died. HOUSTON, Aug. 5, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- ION Geophysical Corporation (NYSE: IO) today reported total net revenues of $22.7 million in the second quarter 2020, a 46% decrease compared to $41.8 million one year ago. Year-to-date revenues of $79.1 million are greater than or equal to revenues in the comparable prior five years. ION's net loss was $5.2 million, or a loss of $0.37 per share, compared to a net loss of $8.6 million, or a loss of $0.61 per share in the second quarter 2019. Excluding special items in both periods, the Company reported an Adjusted net loss of $12.1 million, or a loss of $0.85 per share, compared to an Adjusted net loss of $8.3 million, or a loss of $0.59 per share in the second quarter 2019. ION's net loss was $7.5 million in the first half of 2020, or a loss of $0.53 per share, compared to a net loss of $30.0 million, or a loss of $2.13 per share in the first half of 2019. Excluding special items in both periods, adjusted net loss in the first half of 2020 was $7.0 million, or a loss of $0.49 per share, compared to an adjusted net loss of $25.2 million, or a loss of $1.79 per share in the first half of 2019. A reconciliation of special items to the reported financial results can be found in the tables of this press release. Net cash provided by operating activities was $23.3 million in the second quarter 2020 compared to net cash used in operating activities of $1.1 million in the second quarter 2019. The Company reported Adjusted EBITDA of $0.2 million for the second quarter 2020, a decrease from $7.3 million one year ago. A reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to the closest comparable GAAP numbers can be found in the tables of this press release. At quarter close, the Company's total liquidity of $71.3 million consisted of $62.5 million of cash (including net revolver borrowings of $22.5 million) and $8.8 million of remaining available borrowing capacity under the revolving credit facility. Total liquidity increased by $17.5 million compared to the first quarter 2020. In response to the market uncertainty from the COVID-19 pandemic and lower oil and gas prices, the Company drew under its credit facility during the first quarter 2020, of which $22.5 million remains outstanding and in the Company's cash balances as of June 30, 2020. "Our second quarter revenues were in line with our expectations and the broader oilfield services market," said Chris Usher, ION's President and Chief Executive Officer. "Although commodity prices rebounded significantly, the sharp decline earlier this year triggered E&P companies to reduce 2020 budgets, which tends to disproportionately impact discretionary purchases such as seismic data sales. By quickly scaling our asset light business to meet anticipated demand, we mitigated some of the near-term impacts to the bottom line and cash position. "Despite unprecedented market conditions, our first half revenues are higher than or consistent with 2014-2019 results. Liquidity improved significantly from $54 million to $71 million. Cash increased by $24 million (excluding net revolver borrowings) primarily from collecting accounts receivables related to the strong first quarter sales and realizing near full benefits of cost reductions made earlier this year. In April, we scaled back our flexible cost structure by another $18 million for the remaining nine months of 2020, building on the over $20 million of permanent cost savings announced in January. During the quarter, we received $7 million of government relief to prevent further reducing headcount, which we expect will be entirely forgiven. "We are laser focused on executing our strategy and delivering better results to shareholders. In spite of reduced offshore activity and COVID-19 travel challenges, I'm pleased we garnered commercial support and permits for a new 3D multi-client program in the North Sea. While we expect to acquire the majority of the program next summer, we may start an initial phase later this year to avoid disruptions around large windfarm installations. We continued to build on our highly successful portfolio of low cost, high return reimaging programs with a new program in Mauritania. The global 2D data collaboration with PGS is progressing well and comes at an opportune time as E&P companies are looking for more efficient ways to identify lower cost prospects to rebalance their portfolios. In the ports and harbors space, we continue to receive excellent feedback on how Marlin SmartPort is optimizing operations. Our concerted sales and marketing campaign generated several promising digitalization opportunities globally and we are in the midst of rolling out new Marlin SmartPort trials in Europe and Africa. "Thankfully, we have had very few documented COVID-19 cases among our staff worldwide, and I am very pleased with the success of our remote operations. The shift to new digital mediums has elevated client engagement and expanded our networks. We continue to see strong uptake of new technology solutions that enable remote offshore operations management. "I believe we are better positioned to mitigate some of the near-term impacts of the market disruption given our improved cash position, lower cost basis and strategy execution progress. While the second half of 2020 will remain challenging, we expect continued improvement in E&P market dynamics unless there is a second major wave of COVID-19." SECOND QUARTER 2020 The Company's segment revenues for the second quarter were as follows (in thousands): Three Months Ended June 30, 2020 2019 % Change E&P Technology & Services $ 15,226 $ 28,523 (47) % Operations Optimization 7,505 13,252 (43) % Total $ 22,731 $ 41,775 (46) % Within the E&P Technology & Services segment, multi-client revenues were $11.6 million, a decrease of 49%, primarily due to reduced sales of ION's global data library. Imaging and Reservoir Services revenues were $3.7 million, a decrease of 36%, due to lower proprietary tender activity. Within the Operations Optimization segment, Optimization Software & Services revenues were $3.4 million, a 41% decrease due to reduced seismic activity and associated services demand resulting from COVID-19. Devices revenues were $4.1 million, a 45% decrease from the second quarter 2019, due to lower sales of towed streamer equipment spares and repairs. Consolidated gross margin for the quarter was 20%, compared to 47% in the second quarter 2019. Gross margin in E&P Technology & Services was 15% compared to 43% one year ago resulting from the decline in revenues. Operations Optimization gross margin was 31%, compared to 55% one year ago primarily from the decline in revenues as well as the increase in cost of sales from an adjustment to towed streamer repairs. See further discussion of the adjustment in Note 1 of the Summary of Segment Information. Excluding this adjustment, Operations Optimization gross margin would have been 48%. Consolidated operating expenses were $10.1 million, down from $22.1 million in the second quarter 2019. Operating margin was (24)%, compared to (6)% in the second quarter 2019. The decline in operating margin was the result of the decrease in revenues, partially offset by lower operating expenses from cost reduction measures made earlier in the year. YEAR-TO-DATE 2020 The Company's segment revenues for the first six months of the year were as follows (in thousands): Six Months Ended June 30, 2020 2019 % Change E&P Technology & Services $ 61,740 $ 55,626 11 % Operations Optimization 17,405 23,105 (25) % Total $ 79,145 $ 78,731 1 % Within the E&P Technology & Services segment, multi-client revenues were $53.1 million, an increase of 15%. This result was driven by increased sales of ION's global 2D data library during the first quarter, partly offset by a reduction in new venture revenues. Imaging and Reservoir Services revenues were $8.6 million, a decrease of 9%, due to lower proprietary tender activity. Within the Operations Optimization segment, Optimization Software & Services revenues were $7.8 million, a 27% decrease from the first half of 2019 due to COVID-19 related reduced seismic activity and associated services demand. Devices revenues were $9.6 million, a 23% decrease from the first half of 2019, due to decreased sales of towed streamer equipment spares and repairs. Consolidated gross margin for the period was 42%, compared to 37% in the first half of 2019. Gross margin in E&P Technology & Services was 42% compared to 32% one year ago. The improved E&P Technology & Services gross margin resulted from the increase in 2D data library revenues. Operations Optimization gross margin was 40%, a decrease compared to 51% one year ago primarily resulting from the decline in revenues as well as the increase in cost of sales from an adjustment to towed streamer repairs as previously highlighted in the second quarter section. Excluding this adjustment, Operations Optimization gross margin would have been 47%. Consolidated operating expenses were $32.1 million, compared to $48.0 million, and operating margin was 1%, compared to (23)% in the first half of 2019. Excluding special items, consolidated operating expenses, as adjusted, were $25.8 million, compared to $43.2 million in the first half of 2019, and operating margin, as adjusted, was 10%, compared to (17)% in the first half of 2019. The improvement in operating margin, as adjusted, was primarily due to the increase in multi-client revenues combined with lower operating expenses from cost reductions made earlier in the year. Income tax expense was $8.9 million, compared to $4.1 million in the first half of 2019. The income tax expense includes a $2.2 million valuation allowance established against our recognized deferred tax assets in our non-U.S. businesses. The Company's income tax expense primarily relates to results generated by our non-U.S. businesses in Latin America. CONFERENCE CALL The Company has scheduled a conference call for Thursday, August 6, 2020, at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time that will include a slide presentation to be posted in the Investor Relations section of the ION website by 9:00 a.m. Eastern Time. To participate in the conference call, dial (877) 407-0672 at least 10 minutes before the call begins and ask for the ION conference call. A replay of the call will be available approximately two hours after the live broadcast ends and will be accessible until August 20, 2020. To access the replay, dial (877) 660-6853 and use pass code 13698480#. Investors, analysts and the general public will also have the opportunity to listen to the conference call live over the Internet by visiting iongeo.com . An archive of the webcast will be available shortly after the call on the Company's website. About ION Leveraging innovative technologies, ION delivers powerful data-driven decision-making to offshore energy, ports and defense industries, enabling clients to optimize operations and deliver superior returns. Learn more at iongeo.com . Contact Mike Morrison Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer +1.281.879.3615 The information herein contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. These forward-looking statements may include information and other statements that are not of historical fact. Actual results may vary materially from those described in these forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements reflect numerous assumptions and involve a number of risks and uncertainties. These risks and uncertainties include the risks associated with the timing and development of ION Geophysical Corporation's products and services; pricing pressure; decreased demand; changes in oil prices; political, execution, regulatory, and currency risks; the COVID-19 pandemic; and agreements made or adhered to by members of OPEC and other oil producing countries to maintain production levels. For additional information regarding these various risks and uncertainties, see our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019, filed on February 6, 2020. Additional risk factors, which could affect actual results, are disclosed by the Company in its filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"), including its Form 10-K, Form 10-Qs and Form 8-Ks filed during the year. The Company expressly disclaims any obligation to revise or update any forward-looking statements. Tables to follow ION GEOPHYSICAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (In thousands, except per share data) (Unaudited) Three Months Ended June 30, Six Months Ended June 30, 2020 2019 2020 2019 Service revenues $ 15,547 $ 30,407 $ 63,032 $ 58,535 Product revenues 7,184 11,368 16,113 20,196 Total net revenues 22,731 41,775 79,145 78,731 Cost of services 13,267 16,795 35,542 39,241 Cost of products 4,880 5,397 9,508 9,995 Impairment of multi-client data library 1,167 Gross profit 4,584 19,583 32,928 29,495 Operating expenses: Research, development and engineering 3,036 5,186 7,044 10,543 Marketing and sales 1,219 6,060 6,077 11,853 General, administrative and other operating expenses 5,801 10,890 14,803 25,589 Impairment of goodwill 4,150 Total operating expenses 10,056 22,136 32,074 47,985 Income (loss) from operations (5,472) (2,553) 854 (18,490) Interest expense, net (3,414) (3,111) (6,635) (6,223) Other income (expense), net 6,771 96 7,200 (696) Income (loss) before income taxes (2,115) (5,568) 1,419 (25,409) Income tax expense 3,052 2,719 8,926 4,126 Net loss (5,167) (8,287) (7,507) (29,535) Less: Net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interest (52) (335) 25 (447) Net loss attributable to ION $ (5,219) $ (8,622) $ (7,482) $ (29,982) Net loss per share: Basic $ (0.37) $ (0.61) $ (0.53) $ (2.13) Diluted $ (0.37) $ (0.61) $ (0.53) $ (2.13) Weighted average number of common shares outstanding: Basic 14,241 14,098 14,236 14,065 Diluted 14,241 14,098 14,236 14,065 ION GEOPHYSICAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (In thousands) (Unaudited) ASSETS June 30, 2020 December 31, 2019 Current assets: Cash and cash equivalents $ 62,540 $ 33,065 Accounts receivable, net 10,577 29,548 Unbilled receivables 12,937 11,815 Inventories, net 11,862 12,187 Prepaid expenses and other current assets 4,462 6,012 Total current assets 102,378 92,627 Deferred income tax asset, net 7,987 8,734 Property, plant and equipment, net 11,920 13,188 Multi-client data library, net 51,935 60,384 Goodwill 18,029 23,585 Right-of-use assets 40,467 32,546 Other assets 3,513 2,130 Total assets $ 236,229 $ 233,194 LIABILITIES AND DEFICIT Current liabilities: Current maturities of long-term debt $ 23,685 $ 2,107 Accounts payable 37,254 49,316 Accrued expenses 25,606 30,328 Accrued multi-client data library royalties 21,316 18,831 Deferred revenue 4,058 4,551 Current maturities of operating lease liabilities 8,355 11,055 Total current liabilities 120,274 116,188 Long-term debt, net of current maturities 119,234 119,352 Operating lease liabilities, net of current maturities 40,409 30,833 Other long-term liabilities 422 1,453 Total liabilities 280,339 267,826 Deficit: Common stock 142 142 Additional paid-in capital 957,746 956,647 Accumulated deficit (981,773) (974,291) Accumulated other comprehensive loss (21,833) (19,318) Total stockholders' deficit (45,718) (36,820) Noncontrolling interest 1,608 2,188 Total deficit (44,110) (34,632) Total liabilities and deficit $ 236,229 $ 233,194 ION GEOPHYSICAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (In thousands) (Unaudited) Three Months Ended June 30, Six Months Ended June 30, 2020 2019 2020 2019 Cash flows from operating activities: Net loss $ (5,167) $ (8,287) $ (7,507) $ (29,535) Adjustments to reconcile net loss to cash provided by (used in) operating activities: Depreciation and amortization (other than multi-client data library) 1,008 1,063 1,848 2,098 Amortization of multi-client data library 4,681 8,296 12,701 19,396 Amortization of debt costs Stock-based compensation expense 477 1,538 1,094 2,831 Impairment of multi-client data library 1,167 Impairment of goodwill 4,150 Amortization of government relief funding expected to be forgiven (6,923) (6,923) Deferred income taxes (83) 931 338 (467) Changes in operating assets and liabilities: Accounts receivable 40,546 11,604 18,678 8,734 Unbilled receivables (4,746) (7,923) (2,080) 21,575 Inventories 951 654 179 735 Accounts payable, accrued expenses and accrued royalties (8,618) (4,041) (6,930) (6,054) Deferred revenue (821) (3,004) (466) (3,337) Other assets and liabilities 2,012 (1,964) 102 (1,711) Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities 23,317 (1,133) 16,351 14,265 Cash flows from investing activities: Investment in multi-client data library (4,928) (6,015) (14,596) (14,782) Purchase of property, plant and equipment (201) (605) (697) (1,412) Net cash used in investing activities (5,129) (6,620) (15,293) (16,194) Cash flows from financing activities: Borrowings under revolving line of credit 27,000 Payments under revolving line of credit (4,500) (4,500) Proceeds from government relief funding 6,923 6,923 Payments on notes payable and long-term debt (767) (691) (1,527) (1,406) Other financing activities 15 (312) 5 (551) Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities 1,671 (1,003) 27,901 (1,957) Effect of change in foreign currency exchange rates on cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash 68 (183) 538 (102) Net increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash 19,927 (8,939) 29,497 (3,988) Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of period 42,688 38,805 33,118 33,854 Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period $ 62,615 $ 29,866 $ 62,615 $ 29,866 ION GEOPHYSICAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES SUMMARY OF SEGMENT INFORMATION (In thousands) (Unaudited) Three Months Ended June 30, Six Months Ended June 30, 2020 2019 2020 2019 Net revenues: E&P Technology & Services: New Venture $ 4,686 $ 5,018 $ 6,127 $ 18,489 Data Library 6,867 17,794 46,998 27,742 Total multi-client revenues 11,553 22,812 53,125 46,231 Imaging and Reservoir Services 3,673 5,711 8,615 9,395 Total 15,226 28,523 61,740 55,626 Operations Optimization: Devices 4,128 7,532 9,601 12,352 Optimization Software & Services 3,377 5,720 7,804 10,753 Total 7,505 13,252 17,405 23,105 Total net revenues $ 22,731 $ 41,775 $ 79,145 $ 78,731 Gross profit: E&P Technology & Services $ 2,264 $ 12,357 $ 25,994 $ 17,797 Operations Optimization 2,320 7,226 6,934 11,698 Total gross profit $ 4,584 $ 19,583 $ 32,928 $ 29,495 Gross margin: E&P Technology & Services 15 % 43 % 42 % 32 % Operations Optimization 31 % (1) 55 % 40 % (1) 51 % Total gross margin 20 % 47 % 42 % 37 % Income (loss) from operations: E&P Technology & Services $ 442 (2) $ 5,237 $ 18,394 (3) $ 3,622 Operations Optimization (474) 2,644 (3,733) (4) 2,814 Support and other (5,440) (10,434) (13,807) (24,926) Income (loss) from operations (5,472) (2,553) 854 (18,490) Interest expense, net (3,414) (3,111) (6,635) (6,223) Other income (expense), net 6,771 (5) 96 7,200 (5) (696) Income (loss) before income taxes $ (2,115) $ (5,568) $ 1,419 $ (25,409) (1) Operations Optimization segment gross margin is negatively impacted by an out of period adjustment to cost of sales related to towed streamer repairs of $1.3 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2020. Excluding this adjustment, gross margin would have been 48% and 47%, respectively, for the three and six months ended June 30, 2020. The net impact of this and the adjustment discussed in Note (2), was an increase to the Company's loss from operations of $0.3 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2020. (2) E&P Technology & Services segment income from operations was positively impacted by an out of period adjustment to marketing & sales expenses of $1.0 million for the three months ended June 30, 2020. (3) Includes impairment of multi-client data library of $1.2 million for the six months ended June 30, 2020, in addition to the adjustment highlighted in Note (2). (4) Includes impairment of goodwill of $4.2 million for the six months ended June 30, 2020. (5) Includes amortization of the government relief funding expected to be forgiven of $6.9 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2020. ION GEOPHYSICAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES Summary of Net Revenues by Geographic Area (In thousands) (Unaudited) Three Months Ended June 30, Six Months Ended June 30, 2020 2019 2020 2019 North America $ 5,631 $ 13,645 $ 37,441 $ 20,802 Latin America 4,966 14,321 14,770 27,852 Asia Pacific 2,631 3,676 11,919 5,543 Europe 6,176 6,123 9,986 16,515 Middle East 942 1,106 1,896 2,465 Africa 1,004 2,278 1,595 4,667 Other 1,381 626 1,538 887 Total net revenues $ 22,731 $ 41,775 $ 79,145 $ 78,731 ION GEOPHYSICAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES Reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to Net Loss (Non-GAAP Measure) (In thousands) (Unaudited) The term EBITDA (excluding non-recurring items) represents net loss before net interest expense, income taxes, depreciation and amortization and other non-recurring charges such as impairment charges, severance expenses and government relief. The term Adjusted EBITDA is EBITDA (excluding non-recurring items) but also excludes the impact of fair value adjustments related to the Company's outstanding stock appreciation awards. EBITDA (excluding non-recurring items) and Adjusted EBITDA are not measures of financial performance under generally accepted accounting principles and should not be considered in isolation from or as a substitute for net income (loss) or cash flow measures prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles or as a measure of profitability or liquidity. Additionally, EBITDA (excluding non-recurring items) and Adjusted EBITDA may not be comparable to other similarly titled measures of other companies. The Company has included EBITDA (excluding non-recurring items) and Adjusted EBITDA as a supplemental disclosure because its management believes that EBITDA (excluding non-recurring items) and Adjusted EBITDA provides investors a helpful measure for comparing its operating performance with the performance of other companies that have different financing and capital structures or tax rates. Three Months Ended June 30, Six Months Ended June 30, 2020 2019 2020 2019 Net loss $ (5,167) $ (8,287) $ (7,507) $ (29,535) Interest expense, net 3,414 3,111 6,635 6,223 Income tax expense 3,052 2,719 8,926 4,126 Depreciation and amortization expense 5,689 9,359 14,549 21,494 Impairment of multi-client data library 1,167 Impairment of goodwill 4,150 Severance expense 2,810 3,102 2,810 Amortization of government relief funding expected to be forgiven (6,923) (6,923) EBITDA excluding non-recurring items 65 9,712 24,099 5,118 Stock appreciation rights expense (credit) 85 (2,450) (1,010) 2,010 Adjusted EBITDA $ 150 $ 7,262 $ 23,089 $ 7,128 ION GEOPHYSICAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES Description of Special Items and Reconciliation of GAAP (As Reported) to Non-GAAP (As Adjusted) Measures (In thousands, except per share data) (Unaudited) The financial results are reported in accordance with GAAP. However, management believes that certain non-GAAP performance measures may provide users of this financial information, additional meaningful comparisons between current results and results in prior operating periods. One such non-GAAP financial measure is adjusted income (loss) from operations or adjusted net income (loss), which excludes certain charges or amounts. This adjusted income (loss) amount is not a measure of financial performance under GAAP. Accordingly, it should not be considered as a substitute for income (loss) from operations, net income (loss) or other income data prepared in accordance with GAAP. See the tables below for supplemental financial data and the corresponding reconciliation to GAAP financials for the three and six months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019: Three Months Ended June 30, 2020 Three Months Ended June 30, 2019 As Reported Special Items As Adjusted As Reported Special Items As Adjusted Net revenues $ 22,731 $ $ 22,731 $ 41,775 $ $ 41,775 Cost of sales 18,147 18,147 22,192 22,192 Gross profit 4,584 4,584 19,583 19,583 Gross margin 20 % % 20 % 47 % % 47 % Operating expenses 10,056 (85) (1) 9,971 22,136 (360) (1) 21,776 Income (loss) from operations (5,472) 85 (5,387) (2,553) 360 (2,193) Operating margin (24) % % (24) % (6) % 1 % (5) % Interest expense, net (3,414) (3,414) (3,111) (3,111) Other income (expense), net 6,771 (6,923) (2) (152) 96 96 Income (loss) before income taxes (2,115) (6,838) (8,953) (5,568) 360 (5,208) Income tax expense 3,052 3,052 2,719 2,719 Net income (loss) (5,167) (6,838) (12,005) (8,287) 360 (7,927) Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest (52) (52) (335) (335) Net income (loss) attributable to ION $ (5,219) $ (6,838) $ (12,057) $ (8,622) $ 360 $ (8,262) Net loss per share: Basic $ (0.37) $ (0.85) $ (0.61) $ (0.59) Diluted $ (0.37) $ (0.85) $ (0.61) $ (0.59) Weighted average number of common shares outstanding: Basic 14,241 14,241 14,098 14,098 Diluted 14,241 14,241 14,098 14,098 (1) Represents stock appreciation rights awards expense for the three months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019. (2) Represents amortization of the government relief funding expected to be forgiven for the three months ended June 30, 2020. Six Months Ended June 30, 2020 Six Months Ended June 30, 2019 As Reported Special Items As Adjusted As Reported Special Items As Adjusted Net revenues $ 79,145 $ $ 79,145 $ 78,731 $ $ 78,731 Cost of sales 46,217 (1,167) (3) 45,050 49,236 49,236 Gross profit 32,928 1,167 34,095 29,495 29,495 Gross margin 42 % 1 % 43 % 37 % % 37 % Operating expenses 32,074 (6,243) (4) 25,831 47,985 (4,820) (6) 43,165 Income (loss) from operations 854 7,410 8,264 (18,490) 4,820 (13,670) Operating margin 1 % 9 % 10 % (23) % 6 % (17) % Interest expense, net (6,635) (6,635) (6,223) (6,223) Other income (expense), net 7,200 (6,923) (5) 277 (696) (696) Income (loss) before income taxes 1,419 487 1,906 (25,409) 4,820 (20,589) Income tax expense 8,926 350 (3) 9,276 4,126 4,126 Net loss (7,507) 137 (7,370) (29,535) 4,820 (24,715) Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest 25 25 (447) (447) Net loss attributable to ION $ (7,482) $ 137 $ (7,345) $ (29,982) $ 4,820 $ (25,162) Net loss per share: Basic $ (0.53) $ (0.52) $ (2.13) $ (1.79) Diluted $ (0.53) $ (0.52) $ (2.13) $ (1.79) Weighted average number of common shares outstanding: Basic 14,236 14,236 14,065 14,065 Diluted 14,236 14,236 14,065 14,065 (3) Represents impairment of multi-client data library of $1.2 million and the related tax impact of $0.4 million for the six months ended June 30, 2020. (4) Represents impairment of goodwill of $4.2 million and severance expense of $3.1 million, partially offset by stock appreciation right awards credit of $1.0 million for the six months ended June 30, 2020. (5) Represents amortization of the government relief funding expected to be forgiven for the six months ended June 30, 2020. (6) Represents severance expense of $2.8 million and stock appreciation right awards expense of $2.0 million for the six months ended June 30, 2019. SOURCE ION Geophysical Corporation Related Links http://iongeo.com Advertisement This is the dramatic moment a small girl was found alive in Beirut after spending 24 hours under the rubble. As a frantic hunt for missing people continued in the Lebanese capital tonight, footage emerged of rescue workers finding the child lodged between debris. By torchlight, the crew are seen trying to shift the rubble from around the girl, whose head pokes out from what appears to be the debris from a collapsed building. Local media report the video was from tonight and that she spent 24 hours buried following yesterday's massive blast. Dozens are still unaccounted for in Beirut, which officials have called a 'disaster city' following the huge blast at the city's port after 2,700 tonnes of ammonium nitrate went up in flames. At least 135 people have died, although this figure is expected to rise, and 5,000 have been wounded, the health minister said tonight. Desperate relatives have been scouring the wreckage for missing loved-ones, and earlier today a man was pulled alive from the rubble of an apartment building. People could be heard cheering 'Issam is alive!' as the wounded man was placed on a stretcher and taken to hospital, one of more than 4,000 injured in the blast. Meanwhile other desperate citizens launched searches for their loved ones online and in hospital, as dozens of people were reported missing. Among them were workers at the port where the blast occurred, and a fireman who was dispatched to deal was a fire at the docks before the larger explosion rang out. Meanwhile a nurse was hailed a hero after saving three newborn babies from a hospital that was shredded by the shockwave from the blast. By torchlight, the crew are seen trying to shift the rubble from around the girl, whose head pokes out from what appears to be the debris from a collapsed building This is the moment a man - named only as Issam - was pulled alive from the ruins of a destroyed apartment block in central Beirut on Wednesday, 10 hours after the city was hit by a massive explosion The man was rushed to a waiting ambulance and taken to hospital, one of more than 4,000 people who were wounded during the tragedy which continued unfolding on Wednesday Dozens of people have been left missing following the blast, which is thought to have been sparked after a fire at the port ignited 2,750 tons of ammonium nitrate - a highly explosive chemical A nurse working at one of Beirut's hospitals was hailed a hero after she was pictured holding three newborn babies in a destroyed reception area, that was filled with bodies and wounded people The woman, who has not been publicly identified, was pictured cradling the newborns in the reception of the hospital by photographer Bilal Marie Jawich. He said the reception area was filled with dozens of bodies and people who had been wounded in the explosion. Four nurses at the hospital were killed, while 200 patients were wounded and the entire building was left without power for several hours. At least 100 people were killed in the explosion, thought to have been triggered by a fire in a warehouse used to store ammonium nitrate, a highly explosive chemical. A welder is thought to have been working in an adjacent building, sparking a blaze that eventually reached the ammonium and caused it to go off with the force of 3 kilotons - roughly a fifth of the power of the Little Boy bomb used on Hiroshima. An Instagram page called 'locate victims Beirut' sprung up in the wake of the tragedy, featuring images of those whose fates were unknown while emergency rooms were thronged with people looking for news. Marwan Chamaouni (left) and Leila Nasser Fawaz (right) were among those reported as missing by Lebanese media following the explosion in Beirut which killed at least 100 people A firefighter named Ralph Mallahi (left and right) was also listed among the missing online, with relatives saying he was sent to the site of the initial fire before the main explosion and has not been seen since Appeals were also issued online for Ali Abbas Ismael (left) and Marwan Chamouni (right), who could not be found after the explosion The intensity of the blast threw victims into the sea and rescue teams were still trying to recover bodies. Many of those killed were port and custom employees and people working in the area or driving through during rush hour. The Red Cross was coordinating with the Health Ministry to set up morgues because hospitals were overwhelmed. As thousands of walking wounded made their way into hospital, search and rescue teams were dispatched into the ruins of the city's port and surrounding area to hunt for survivors and victims. Authorities warned that the death toll is likely to rise as the day goes on. Prime Minister Hassan Diab vowed those responsible will 'pay the price' as he declared a two-week state of emergency to deal with the crisis, urging all world leaders and 'friends of Lebanon' to donate aid to the country, adding: 'We are witnessing a real catastrophe.' A badly-injured man sits in the waiting room of a hospital in Beirut as staff try to cope with huge numbers of walking wounded and critical patients in the wake of the blast Medics retrieve a body from close to the site of the blast at Beirut's port, which was entirely destroyed by the explosion More than 100 people have been confirmed dead in the explosion, but authorities warned that number is likely to rise A wounded man is carried from a boat to waiting medics on Tuesday evening, following the explosion Wounded men are evacuated following of an explosion at the port of the Lebanese capital Beirut last night The US, UK, France, Gulf states and even bitter rivals Israel have offered money and assistance, as President Michel Aoun declared three days of mourning and announced he would release $66million of emergency funds. The European Union said Wednesday it would rush rescuers, search dogs and equipment to Beirut to look for any survivors trapped in rubble after the massive blast that struck the city. 'The EU Civil Protection Mechanism is now coordinating the urgent deployment of over a 100 highly trained firefighters, with vehicles, dogs and equipment, specialised in search and rescue in urban contexts,' the European commission for crisis management, Janez Lenarcic, said in a statement. 'They will work with the Lebanese authorities to save lives on the ground.' Lebanese authorities requested help under the mechanism after the port of Beirut was hit by twin explosions on Tuesday - the second one a blast that mushroomed out with the force of an earthquake. Lenarcic said the Czech Republic, Greece and the Netherlands have already committed to the operation, while France, Germany and Poland were offering assistance. He called it 'an immediate first step'. 'We stand with Lebanon and its people and are ready to mobilise further help,' he said. The EU's Civil Protection Mechanism, created in 2001, enables the European Union to coordinate aid efforts to respond to emergency situations around the world. As coronavirus spreads again in Turkey after President Recep Tayyip Erdogans government re-opened the economy on June 1, backed by bourgeois opposition parties like the Republican Peoples Party (CHP), businesses are forcing even infected workers to work. Last week, a canned fish company, Dardanel, in the western city of Canakkale, forced all workers into its factory for 14 days after more than 40 workers tested positive for coronavirus. According to a Bianet report, All workers of the factory, including those who were in quarantine in their homes and those on annual leave, were placed in student dormitories. Also, workers diagnosed with Covid-19 were brought to the factory with shuttles and worked. Our psychology deteriorates in the workplace, we cannot breathe in the bands, even going to and from the toilets is a problem. Managers, supervisors always keep an eye on us, one worker told the daily Evrensel, adding: Our life is almost hostage. The final decision is already a concrete example of this. They throw us all into the fire so that the bosss job is not interrupted. The companys move came after the Canakkale Governorate Provincial Public Hygiene Committee declared: The personnel of enterprises that operate in a closed system shall be taken to the factory and then to the place they will be isolated. This decision was approved not only by the office of the governor, but also by citys CHP mayor. This reactionary collaboration shows how workers are forced to remain at work under deadly conditions and exposes the anti-working-class character of the middle-class parties and trade unions that lined up behind the CHP as an alternative to Erdogan. Their focus is not to contain the pandemic and save lives, but to restrain growing anger and opposition within the working class and divert it into safe channelseven as the pandemic spreads and living conditions plummet. News of forced labour in Canakkale came just a few weeks after the CHP supported a massive attack on the working class in parliament. With CHP votes, the Erdogan government extended the forced unpaid leave process until July 2021 for hundreds of thousands or millions of workers. They have been forced to take unpaid leave, receiving only 1,170 Turkish liras (about US$170) per month from the state unemployment fund. After the pandemic, the number of unemployed rose to over 17 million in Turkey, an all-time record. The criminal practice in Canakkale follows a stated project by the Independent Industrialists and Businessmens Association (MUSIAD). In May, MUSIAD announced a project to build isolated production bases to avoid stopping production amid this pandemic and continue exploitation of the working class. Coronavirus reports continue to increase from other factories. In the Vestel factory in Manisa, workers report that there are hundreds of infected employees; seven have already died. This white goods factory employs more than 16,000 workers. It is the largest factory in Turkey and one of the largest in Europe. Workers continue to work. Everyone is very nervous. Cases are coming out, but there is no quarantine application, one worker told daily BirGun. At Ugur Konfeksiyon, a factory in the Istanbul Ikitelli organised industrial zone, 96 workers have been reportedly infected within two weeks. Companies are running rampant, imposing criminal policies on their employees. At the end of June, though 40 workers working in railway construction in the southeastern city of Mardin had been infected in one week, Cengiz Holding threatened workers if they refused to keep working. In May, in the same workplace, 118 workers were fired after they protested against working under unsafe conditions. Growing reports on positive cases and factory deaths come amid an escalation in the pandemic across Turkey amid the international back-to-work campaign. As the total number of cases in Turkey reaches 232,000, with more than 5,700 deaths, the proportion of COVID-19 patients in intensive care in Turkey rose from 2 percent on June 1 to nearly 12 percent at the end of July. In this period, the number of active cases fell from around 30,000 to less than 12,000, but the number of patients in intensive care nearly doubled. Despite these signs of serious spread of COVID-19 disease, the Health Ministrys official figures remained almost the same. The total daily new cases were between 900 and 1,000 since July 14, and death toll was 15-20. On July 29, the Turkish Health Ministry stopped announcing figures on intensive care and intubated patients, amid growing suspicion and anger among workers that the government is hiding the true scope of the coronavirus crisis in Turkey so as to keep promoting tourism and extracting profits from workers. As of July 28, there were 1,280 patients in intensive care. This amounts to 11.8 percent of active cases, with 403 patients on ventilators. There are growing warnings from scientists that the COVID-19 pandemic is spiraling out of control due to a herd immunity policy implemented by the government with tacit support from local governments led by so-called opposition parties. Turkish Medical Association (TTB) official Prof. Sinan Adyaman said, They do not want to give the number of patients in intensive care. Because we could make inferences by looking at them. We were dividing the number of active patients into the number of patients in intensive care. We have explained that this proportion is over 10 percent in Turkey but it is around 1.5 percent in the world. Prof. Dr. Bengi Baser also attacked the governments deliberate neglect in a tweet on Monday, stating: We only use PCR tests for those who show symptoms; so we do it to only 30 percent. The diagnostic value of the test is 60 percent. We do not apply tests to those who come from abroad. We also no longer make a test for close contacts of positive cases. She warned, Focus on reality, not on numbers. In an interview on Monday, Halis Yerlikaya, a TTB official, also declared that the official figures are not true: On the day of death of 8 patients in one night in Diyarbakr, the number of deaths announced throughout the country was 17. Warning of a serious spread in many cities, Yerlikaya claimed intensive care units in Diyarbakr, Mardin and Sanlurfathe Kurdish-majority cities in the southeastare already full. The daily number of cases in Diyarbakr or Urfa alone is somewhat more than 300, though the official figure across all of Turkey is barely over 900. As coronavirus spreads unrestrainedly in Turkey and internationally due to the ruling classs deadly response to the pandemic, leading to hundreds of thousands of deaths, the only way forward for the working class is to intervene independently. Autoworkers in the US, who built rank-and-file safety committees in their factories independent of pro-capitalist trade-unions, show what is can be done to save millions of lives by workers around over the world. China's economic rebound was better than expected in the second quarter (Q2) amid the COVID-19 epidemic, said a World Bank official. "It is indeed higher than what we had projected back in June when we released our Global Economic Prospects report, and we have upgraded our forecast accordingly," Martin Raiser, World Bank country director for China, said. China's economy grew 3.2 percent year on year in the second quarter, following a 6.8-percent contraction in the first quarter, according to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS). NBS figures showed that China's value-added industrial output expanded by 4.4 percent year on year in the second quarter as factories stepped up production amid COVID-19 control. Indicators such as fiscal revenue, foreign trade and foreign direct investment also charted substantial recovery, especially in June. China has benefited from significant policy space in rolling out its fiscal and monetary response, Raiser said. To shore up the economy against the epidemic shock, the country has introduced an array of measures, including more fiscal spending, tax relief and cuts in lending rates and banks' reserve requirements to revive the coronavirus-ravaged economy and support employment. "Structural reforms to boost markets and competition would also help to stimulate more private investment and rekindle productivity growth," Raiser said. It will be critical that global trade and investment remain open, countries cooperate in the search for effective treatments and a vaccine against COVID-19, and further steps are taken to cushion the impact of the global recession on the poorest countries, including where needed, through debt relief, Raiser added. KYIV. Aug 5 (Interfax-Ukraine) The President's Office and the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine are preparing to use administrative resources until the results of the Servant of the People party improve in local elections, Chairman of the Committee of Voters of Ukraine (CVU) Oleksiy Koshel said. "We are observing individual facts that can be characterized as preparation for the use or use of the administrative resource in the elections," Koshel said at a press conference at the Interfax-Ukraine agency on Wednesday. According to him, over the past few years, the Committee of Voters of Ukraine has not observed any attempts to use the administrative resource on the part of the authorities however the events of June and July indicate that this method is likely to be used in the next local elections. The committee selected five examples that, in its opinion, indicate the future use of political corruption to improve the results of the party in power in the elections. "During a speech at a meeting of the Servant of the People faction on organizing primaries for the post of Kyiv mayor, which took place with the participation of the president of Ukraine, MP Oleksandr Dubinsky said that he had discussed criminal cases against Vitali Klitschko with the head of state. We warn that the discussion of the MP with the president of possible pre-election criminal cases is the story that has all the signs of an administrative resource or political corruption," the committee's chairman said. Koshel also said that President Volodymyr Zelensky said at a briefing on July 16 that candidates from the Servant of the People in local elections would be checked by the Security Service and other law enforcement agencies: "I want to emphasize that there is a law on the Security Service of Ukraine, where in no way provides for the possibility of verifying either individuals or candidates for elections." As the third example, the Committee of Voters cited the words of Head of Zakarpattia Regional State Administration Oleksiy Petrov, who said that he would be involved in the party's headquarters, "conduct some kind of 'shifting' of people who can be toxic, have some kind of negative background that would prevent the formation of a normal party rating." Koshel calls such actions of Petrov unacceptable. The fourth example of the possible use of the administrative resource in the local elections by the authorities in the interests of the Servant of the People party, the Committee of Voters calls the statement of First Deputy Chairman of the Servant of the People faction Oleksandr Korniyenko that Deputy Head of the President's Office Serhiy Trofimov and the team of Minister of Digital Transformation Mykhailo Fedorov were involved in the selection of candidates for mayor from the party. The committee said that PM of the Servant of the People faction Oleksandr Kachura said that the employees of the President's Office were counting votes in the internal party primaries. OTTAWA - A new study suggests Canadians, especially women, will face a potentially explosive increase in mental illness for years after the COVID-19 pandemic is finally over. Over the long term, the Deloitte study estimates that visits to emergency rooms for stress and anxiety-related disorders will increase one to three per cent from pre-pandemic rates. Moreover, the study estimates that 6.3 million to 10.7 million Canadians will visit a doctor for mental health issues a whopping 54 to 163 per cent increase over pre-pandemic levels. The consulting firm says governments should be funding mental health services, providers should be getting ready for the demand and insurance companies should look at revising coverage options. The estimates are based on an analysis of what transpired in the years following the Fort McMurray wildfire in 2016, which forced the evacuation of 88,000 people and destroyed more than 2,400 homes in Alberta. Its also based on an analysis of the long-term impact on Canadians of the great recession of 2008-09, a global economic crash that was nowhere near as deep or as long-lasting as the expected impact of the COVID-19 crisis. The country is still gripped by the pandemic-induced health crisis and the resulting economic crisis but the study warns that a third-order crisis is simmering. This is a human crisis. Our previous research on the impact of natural disasters on humans shows that once the public health and economic crises have subsided, the human crisis will endure for months, if not years, Deloitte says. The human crisis includes poorer educational outcomes, increased substance abuse and crime, as well as a hike in the incidence of mental illness. The study focuses strictly on mental health because there was not enough data available to analyze the other social impacts, said co-author Matt Laberge, Deloittes senior economic advisory manager. We did expect obviously some human impacts from COVID-19, especially around mental health, Laberge said in an interview. But the sheer magnitude of them were pretty surprising to us. Laberge said the statistics from Fort McMurray suggest that the mental health impact will linger for years. Visits to mental health professionals and prescriptions for antidepressants shot up in the months following the May 2016 wildfire and as of the most recent data of late 2018, theres no sign of coming back to the pre-disaster normal. The message, Laberge said, is that once the pandemic-induced health and economic crises subside, the third crisis of human impacts will still be with us for quite some time and people will need help. He noted that factors the study did not analyze such as the disruption in education opportunities and potential increase in substance abuse could have a lifelong impact on some Canadians. Particularly heartbreaking is the impact on women, he said. Whereas the 2008-09 recession hit the goods-producing sector hardest, resulting in mostly men being thrown out of work, the COVID-19 pandemic has hit the retail and services sectors hardest, with women bearing the brunt of job losses. The study says women who were already disproportionately represented among low-income Canadians, especially single mothers account for 68 per cent of the jobs lost due to the pandemic. It notes that a Statistics Canada survey conducted in April and May found that women were more likely than men to report that their mental health was somewhat or much worse since the pandemic began in March (57 per cent versus 47 per cent). And they were more likely to report that their mental-health needs were not being met. Women are the epicentre of the human impact of COVID-19, the study concludes. The study urges governments to mobilize school and daycare networks to identify people who need mental-health support and to direct them to available resources. It also urges mental health professionals to prepare their facilities to handle an influx of patients. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 5, 2020. Read more about: Vogue editor Edward Enninful has spoken out about being refused entry into his own office by a doorman, saying: 'It's not the first time I've been profiled, and it certainly won't be the last'. The journalist was turned away from Vogue House in Mayfair by the temp guard who not only failed to recognise him, but then told him to use the tradesmen's entrance by a loading bay at the back of the building. Recalling the incident, he told CNN: 'It wasn't an isolated incident. Had I been younger I would have been so upset. 'I wouldn't be able to say anything, but now I can talk about it. I've got the platform to speak about it and I don't want this to happen to the next generation.' Edward Enninful also spoke to Sky News yesterday about being turned away from his own office by a doorman. In a separate interview with CNN he said it 'wasn't an isolated incident' The doorman involved in the incident in July was a temp covering for the normal, older doorman who was shielding from Covid-19, MailOnline previously revealed. He was swiftly sacked. Mr Enninful said changes were needed to prevent similar incidents in the future. 'We need education, we need people behind the scenes so that we can get a seat at the table,' he said. The 48-year-old, who became the first non-white person to be appointed editor of Vogue in 2017, revealed in another interview that he was actually glad about what happened because it reminded him never to think of himself as 'too successful'. He told Sky News: 'It's important that something like this did happen, because it reminds me never to think I am too well-known or too established, because to somebody you are another black person.' The magazine's offices have been largely closed during the pandemic with almost all staff working remotely. Enninful was told to enter via a loading bay at the back of the building in Mason's Arms Mews Enninful wrote on social media after the incident: 'Today I was racially profiled by a security guard whilst entering my work place' Enninful turned up to work at Vogue's offices in Hanover Square on July 15 only to be advised to enter via a loading bay at the back of the building in Mason's Arms Mews. Edward Enninful says it's wrong to claim criticism of Meghan Markle's issue was solely motivated by racism Edward Enninful has denied criticism of Meghan Markle was racist as he suggested it 'took a minute' for the Duchess to 'understand the rules' of the royal institution. The editor-in-chief of British Vogue, 47, and the Duchess of Sussex, 39, collaborated on September 2019's special 'Forces for Change' edition, which featured a grid of 15 'incredible' women on the cover with articles commissioned by the royal inside. Speaking in an interview with Sky News, Edward said he wouldn't put criticism of the royal 'down to racism', explaining: 'The Duchess of Sussex is a brave woman. I feel that it wasn't. Parts of it were probably racism, but it was more of an institution.' He added that while criticism was 'harsh', he 'wouldn't just blame it on racism', saying: 'She walked into an institution and everyone expected her to know the rules. And I think sometimes it takes a minute to understand the rules.' Advertisement At the time he was described as 'very upset' at the way he was treated and wrote on social media: 'Today I was racially profiled by a security guard whilst entering my work place. 'As I entered, I was instructed to use the loading bay. Just because our timelines and weekends are returning to normal, we cannot let the world return to how it was. Change needs to happen now. 'Conde Nast moved quickly to dismiss the security guard, but it just goes to show that sometimes it doesn't matter what you have achieved in the course of your life: The first thing that some people will judge you on is the colour of your skin.' Supermodel Naomi Campbell, a Vogue covergirl, demanded: 'When will this change? Been happening in UK for so long so sorry you had to go through that.' Enninful was born in Ghana but grew up in West London. After succeeding the long-serving Alexandra Shulman, he reportedly told friends that his priority was to 'get rid of the posh girls'. His arrival at the magazine prompted a mass exodus of staff, including baronet's daughter and deputy editor Emily Sheffield, who is Samantha Cameron's sister. Famous friends were shocked by his experience with the security guard. Supermodel Naomi Campbell demanded: 'When will this change? Been happening in UK for so long so sorry you had to go through that.' Actress Gemma Chan commented: 'There's so much more to do. Sorry this happened to you.' Television presenter Trisha Goddard told him: 'I was once mistaken for the tea lady, but this is mad.' A Conde Nast spokesman said: ' It is understood the security guard, who works for a third party contractor, was dismissed from the site immediately and placed under investigation by their employer.' Attorney Laura Conover had a sizeable lead over two veteran prosecutors in the race to become the next Pima County attorney. Conover had 57% of the vote and her closest competitor, Jonathan Mosher had 37%. Shortly before 10 p.m. Mosher conceded the race to Conover, who appears headed to replace longtime County Attorney Barbara LaWall, who did not run for-relection. Prosecutor Mark Diebolt was third with 6%, according to unofficial and incomplete results from Pima County Elections Tuesday night. Mosher released the following statement: Tonight, the voters of Pima County have spoken. I congratulate Laura Conover and her supporters, and give my sincere thanks to everyone who worked so hard to bring our campaign of meaningful reform to the people. It has been an honor to serve the families of Pima County. Of the early results, Conover said, "I feel good. I am certainly thankful for what appears to be a real mandate from the community for our vision for reform. "We are honoring the retirement of a 40-year administration, and thanking Ms. LaWall for her dedication to the community," said Conover. This is misleading. As of Tuesday evening, the number of new cases in California, Florida and Texas was declining, but the number of deaths had plateaued or even increased. Over all, cases are increasing in 16 states and have remained level in 28 states, while deaths are increasing in 27 states. what Mr. Trump said A lot of our numbers were based on the New York had a very tough time, as you know New York, New Jersey, that area. And when you take them out, just as an example, take a look at Florida relative to New York. Thats not to say anything wrong with New York, its just a very tough place. People are close together, its crowded, its not easy. But when you take that out, our numbers are among the lowest and even with them in I will get back to you but we have among the lowest numbers. Theyve done a fantastic job. False. Mr. Trump was responding to a reporter who accurately pointed out that the United States has one of the highest rates of deaths per 100,000 population in the world. But he is wrong that omitting New York and New Jersey would place the United States among the lowest. The entire countrys rate of 47.5 deaths per 100,000 is currently the fourth highest among the 20 countries most affected by the coronavirus, and the 10th highest among more than 160 countries, according to data collected by Johns Hopkins University. As of Tuesday evening, New York and New Jersey combined account for 48,268 of the 157,119 deaths nationwide, and 28.3 million of the total population of 328.2 million. Omitting the two states would result in a rate of 36.3 deaths per 100,000 placing the United States at sixth highest among the most infected, and 14th in the world. opinion EVEN though there has been some decline in Boko Haram activities in the past five years, the Islamic terror group and the newcomer, the Islamic State in West Africa, ISWAP, continue to claim the lives of our soldiers through deadly ambushes. Soldiers, civilians and aid workers are routinely abducted and executed by the terrorists. The North East remains unsafe and peace remains elusive there. Also, in the past five years, a third leg of widespread insecurity - herdsmen terrorism and land-grabbing - is another threat to peace in Nigeria. They have been running riot all over the four geopolitical zones of North Central, South East, South-South and South West. They kidnap, kill, rape and forcibly settle on people's lands. They have thrown fear into farmers, and the state security agencies to date have failed to rein them in. The worst part is that despite the Fulani militias being ranked after Al Qaeda, ISIS, Boko Haram and Al Shabbab in the global terrorism index in 2018, the terrorist group does not seem to be officially recognised by the Muhammadu Buhari government as a security threat. Their attacks on hapless communities are officially described as "farmers/herders clashes", and no action is taken to protect the people. How can an army chief whom President Buhari recently told (along with the rest of the Service Chiefs): "your best is not good enough", come out and give himself such a pass mark? How can a service chief whom the two chambers of the National Assembly and the general Nigerian public have serially called for his sack over perceived incompetence have the temerity to say that Nigerians now live in peace? Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Nigeria Arms and Armies By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later. Where is the decorum required of a military professional when an officer gives himself a pat on the back in the face of obvious failure? Anyone who is allowed to mark his own examination papers will always score straight A's. It is unbecoming for a service chief to resort to the cheap antics of Nigerian politicians who award them pass marks even after being written off as failures. If the prevailing atmosphere of general insecurity is seen by Gen. Buratai as peaceful, it means the nation will never know the real peace for as long as he and others remain in charge. They could never deliver Buhari's agenda of securing the nation. Change is necessary to restore the confidence of Nigerians in the capacity of the armed forces to protect them, even if in the short term, and shore up confidence and morale in our gallant troops at the various war fronts. Over to President Buhari. In what could be termed as a historic day for millions of Indians, the construction of Ram Temple in Ayodhya begins today. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will attend the Bhoomi Pujan ceremony and lay the foundation brick. At least 170 eminent guests have been invited for the foundation stone-laying ceremony of the Ram temple in Ayodhya. Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath and Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh chief Mohan Bhagwat are among the people who will attend the ceremony. The site of the Ram Temple had been disputed for decades until last year, when the Supreme Court in November awarded a Hindu group the ownership of the site. A long battle has been fought between several parties who claimed the land, including the demolition of Babri Masjid by Hindu fringe groups. AFP Here's a quick timeline of the events that led to today's historic day: 1528: Babri Masjid is constructed in Ayodhya 1853: First recorded instance of religious violence near the site 1859: Fence erected to allow separate access to both community members 1949: Ram & Sita idols placed inside the site. The government declares the site disputed 1984: Committee created to build a temple on the site 1989: VHP lays the foundation for the Ram temple 1990: BJP supremo LK Advani undertakes Rath Yatra' gulfnews Dec 6, 1992: Babri Masjid is demolished 1992: Liberhan Commission is formed 2010: Allahabad High Court rules that the site should be split 2011: Supreme Court suspends the High Court ruling 2017: SC calls for out of court settlement March 2019: SC refers the case for mediation August 2019: Mediation fails. SC begins day-to-day hearing of the case AP October 2019: Hearing concludes November 2019: Supreme Court unanimously decides that a temple will be built at the disputed Ayodhya site. An alternate site was given to the Sunni Waqf board December 2019: Maulana Syed Ashhad Rashidi files review petition against the ruling, following many other review petitions. Supreme Court dismisses all petitions February, 2020: The Uttar Pradesh Sunni Central Waqf Board accepts five acres of land allotted to it by the state government for building a mosque August 5, 2020: Bhoomi Pujan at the Ram Temple site in Ayodhya Photo: The Canadian Press Sami Basbous is shown in this undated handout photo. Sami Basbous was sitting at his computer when smoke billowing from the Beirut port caught his eye. The next thing he remembers is feeling an earthquake, said the Canadian artist from Montreal who is visiting Lebanon in a WhatsApp interview. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO - Sami Basbous A Canadian artist from Montreal heard nothing but thought his apartment in Beirut had been hit by an earthquake as a massive explosion tore through the city's port district Tuesday. "The whole building shook, paintings fell, things broke, chairs moved. Like two seconds later, I heard the blast," said Sami Basbous in a WhatsApp interview. Basbous, who is visiting Lebanon said he lives about five kilometres from the site of the blast in an apartment with an unobstructed view of the port. "It was like the air was sucked out of the city and was sucked out of people. It was sucked out of me," he said. Basbous had been watching a plume of smoke billowing from the port when the blast hit. He described a "strange, red, ochre colour mushroom cloud" coming from the area of the fire within seconds of the explosion. "The whole city was engulfed by the smoke. It was terrifying. It almost took your breath away. And it threw me off. It was absolutely devastating." Rawane Al Zahed also lives about five kilometres from the blast site and said she ran through her home to check on her family after she heard explosions and felt the ground shake. Al Zahed, 24, said she felt two explosions a few seconds apart. The first felt like an earthquake, while the second sent shock waves through her family's fifth-floor apartment. "I was super afraid," Al Zahed said. "I didn't want to die. I was screaming, 'I don't want to die now.' " Al Zahed, who has filed paperwork to join her Canadian husband in Vancouver, said the second explosion left a wood and iron door cracked, and shattered the television screen in her house. The explosion has killed at least 135 people, among them a long-time Montreal resident identified by a Montreal city councillor. Thousands more are injured, and the federal government said a member of the Canadian Armed Forces is among those hurt, although the injuries are not considered life threatening. The Lebanese government said it had put an unspecified number of port officials under house arrest pending an explanation about how 2,750 tonnes of ammonium nitrate came to be stored at the port for years. The scale of the damage, from the epicentre of the explosion to the windows blown out kilometres away, resembles other blasts involving the chemical compound commonly used as an agricultural fertilizer, experts said. Basbous, who came to Canada from Beirut in 1981 and returned for a visit, only to be stranded there by the COVID-19 pandemic, said the blast was so powerful it took his breath away. "Never have I ever experienced something like this, and I hope I will never experience it again," he said. The blast has compounded the various problems already facing the people of Lebanon, said Basbous. "And I have love for this beautiful country that sadly is terribly complicated." Since the blast on Tuesday, he said he has been in constant contact with friends and family. He has been calling various non-profit organizations, food banks and shelters to offer his services and mobilize resources for them, he added. Al Zahed said she called her husband. He tried to lighten the mood with a couple jokes, but she said she was far too panicked to sleep. "I wake up, I tweet. I wake up, I open Facebook. I want to see what's happening," she said. "All I can think of (is) how I ran. All I can remember (is) when I ran." The blast has been described as the most powerful explosion ever seen in the city, which was divided by the 1975-1990 civil war and has endured conflicts with neighbouring Israel and periodic bombings and terror attacks. Lebanon was experiencing a severe economic crisis that has ignited mass protests in recent months. Its health system is confronting a surge of COVID-19, and there are concerns the virus could spread further as people flood into hospitals. Al Zahed said she's still trying to come to terms with what happened, noting that because of her age, she was spared from much of Lebanon's recent tragedy. "I'm 24 years old. I didn't live through any other big Lebanese wars," Al Zahed said. "I was too young for the one in 2006, and I didn't pass through any trauma before like this one. It was really scary." By Samia Nakhoul and Ellen Francis BEIRUT (Reuters) - Lebanese rescue teams pulled out bodies and hunted for missing people on Wednesday from the wreckage caused by a massive warehouse explosion that sent a devastating blast wave across Beirut, killing at least 135. Prime Minister Hassan Diab declared three days of mourning from Thursday as early investigations blamed negligence for the explosion at Beirut port, which has left tens of people missing and injured more than 5,000 others. Up to a quarter of a million people were left without homes fit to live in, officials said, after shockwaves smashed building facades, sucked furniture out into streets and shattered windows miles inland. The death toll was expected to rise from the blast, which officials blamed on a huge stockpile of highly explosive material stored for years in unsafe conditions at the port. The explosion was the most powerful ever in Beirut, a city still scarred by civil war that ended three decades ago and reeling from an economic meltdown and a surge in coronavirus infections. The blast rattled buildings on the Mediterranean island of Cyprus, about 100 miles (160 km) away. "No words can describe the horror that has hit Beirut last night, turning it into a disaster-stricken city," President Michel Aoun said in an address to the nation during an emergency cabinet session. Aoun said 2,750 tonnes of ammonium nitrate, used in fertilisers and bombs, was stored for six years at the port after it was seized. The government was "determined to investigate and expose what happened as soon as possible, to hold the responsible and the negligent accountable," he said. An official source familiar with preliminary investigations blamed the incident on "inaction and negligence", saying "nothing was done" by committees and judges involved in the matter to order the removal of hazardous material. The cabinet ordered port officials involved in storing or guarding the material to be put under house arrest, ministerial sources told Reuters. Story continues Officials have not confirmed the origin of an initial blaze that sparked the explosion, although a security source and local media said it was started by welding work. Graphic: Blast rocks Lebanese port area https://graphics.reuters.com/LEBANON-SECURITY/BLAST/xklvydjjqpg/chart.png 'COLLAPSE OF LEBANON' For many, the blast was a dreadful reminder of the 1975-1990 civil war that tore the nation apart and destroyed swathes of Beirut, much of which had since been rebuilt. Ordinary Lebanese, who have lost jobs and watched savings evaporate in the country's financial crisis, blamed politicians who have overseen decades of state corruption and bad governance. "This explosion seals the collapse of Lebanon. I really blame the ruling class," said Hassan Zaiter, 32, a manager at the heavily damaged Le Gray Hotel in downtown Beirut. Relatives gathered at a cordon to Beirut port seeking information on those still missing as the search continued. Many of those killed were port and custom employees, people working in the area or those driving nearby during the Tuesday evening rush hour. Some victims were hurled out to sea by the powerful blast. The Red Cross was coordinating with the Health Ministry to set up morgues as hospitals were overwhelmed. Health officials reported that hospitals were running out of beds and equipment to attend to the injured. Beirut's Clemenceau Medical Center was "like a slaughterhouse, blood covering the corridors and the lifts," said Sara, one of its nurses. Beirut Governor Marwan Abboud told Al Hadath TV that collective losses from the blast might reach as high as $15 billion, including indirect losses related to business. "This is the killer blow for Beirut, we are a disaster zone," said Bilal, a man in his 60s, in the downtown area. The World Bank Group said on Wednesday it would work with Lebanon's partners to mobilize public and private financing for reconstruction and recovery. It was unclear what effect the disaster would have on the country's difficult negotiations with the International Monetary Fund, however. Offers of international support poured in. Gulf Arab states, who in the past were major financial supporters of Lebanon but recently stepped back because of what they say is Iranian meddling, sent planes with medical equipment and other supplies. Turkey said it would send 20 doctors to help treat the injured, as well as medical and relief assistance. Iraq pledged fuel aid, while Iran offered food and a field hospital. Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei tweeted: "We sympathize with the dear Lebanese citizens and stand by them in the painful tragedy of the Beirut port explosion ... Patience in the face of this incident will be a golden leaf of honour for Lebanon." The United States, Britain and other Western nations, which have been demanding political and economic change in Lebanon, also offered aid. Germany, the Netherlands and Cyprus offered specialised search and rescue teams. Two French planes were expected to arrive on Thursday with specialist rescue personnel and equipment, and President Emmanuel Macron was due to visit on Thursday. FOOD SECURITY "This is a catastrophe for Beirut and Lebanon," Mayor Jamal Itani told Reuters while inspecting damage. The port district was left a tangled wreck, disabling the nation's main route for imports needed to feed a nation of more than 6 million people. The country's main grain silo at the port was destroyed in the blast and Beirut Governor Abboud said a crisis might develop without international intervention. Lebanon was already struggling to house and feed refugees fleeing conflict in neighbouring Syria and has no trade or other ties with its only other neighbour Israel. "On a scale, this explosion is scaled down from a nuclear bomb rather than up from a conventional bomb," said Roland Alford, managing director of British explosive ordnance disposal firm Alford Technologies. "This is huge." The blast also prompted the Special Tribunal for Lebanon on Wednesday to postpone its verdict in the trial over the 2005 bombing that killed ex-Prime Minister Rafik al-Hariri to Aug. 18. The tribunal's decision had been expected this Friday. The U.N.-backed court put on trial four suspects from the Iranian-backed Shi'ite Muslim group Hezbollah. Hariri and 21 others were killed by a big truck bomb in another area of the Beirut waterfront, about 2 km (about one mile) from the port. White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows said the U.S. government had not totally ruled out the possibility that Tuesday's explosion was an attack, and said it is still gathering intelligence on the blast. (Reporting by Ayat Basma, Samia Nakhoul, Ellen Francis, Ghaida Ghantous, Alaa Swilam and Omar Fahmy; Additional reporting by Reuters bureaus; Writing by Tom Perry and Dominic Evans; Editing by Edmund Blair, Mark Heinrich, Sonya Hepinstall and Jane Wardell) Azerbaijani President expressed his condolences to President of the Republic of Lebanon His Excellency Mr Michel Aoun. "Dear Mr President, I was deeply saddened by the news of mass casualties and destruction in the wake of a horrible explosion in the city of Beirut," Azerbaijani president said. "In this difficult time, I wish to note that the people of Azerbaijan are in solidarity with the Lebanese people. The Republic of Azerbaijan will render financial aid to the friendly Republic of Lebanon to help eliminate the consequences of this tragedy," head of state wrote. "I offer heartfelt condolences to you, the families of the victims and the people of Lebanon and wish a speedy recovery to the injured," Azerbaijani president wrote. -- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz Analysts at Tokyo-based wealth management company Akita Michinoku Capital have said that renowned alternative asset manager, Blackstone Group Inc. is ready to acquire around 75% of Ancestry.com Inc., the business known for DNA testing and family history research. "The deal is valued at $4.7 billion, including debt, with Singaporean sovereign-wealth fund GIC Pte, who purchased a stake in 2016, continuing to own around 25%," said Martin Thornton, Head of Corporate Trading at Akita Michinoku Capital. "This acquisition will be the first from Blackstone's biggest ever private equity fund," he added. Headquartered in New York, Blackstone is flush with cash as investors keep betting big on the company despite the uncertainty triggered by the Covid-19 pandemic. In recent months, executives have reported success in surviving the financial crisis of 2008 to prove that the business, which has $156 billion in dry powder, would be better placed to take advantage of the latest upheavals. Many of Blackstone's recent investments have been in growth companies and businesses expected to profit from shifts in consumer habits. The group announced last month it was investing in popular plant-based drink, Oatly AB, which has partners including Oprah Winfrey. The company also holds a controlling stake in MagicLab, the creator of the dating app Bumble. "The Ancestry.com deal negotiations began a few months back when most of the world was sat at home looking for stuff to do," said Oliver Wright, Director of Corporate Equities at Akita Michinoku Capital. "The deal could be announced as early as Wednesday," he added. Ancestry.com is headquartered in Lehi, Utah and has over 3 million paying subscribers and over 18 million people on its DNA network. It sells at-home DNA testing kits to customers and competes with 23andMe Inc. In 2009, Ancestry.com first went public and raised $100 million. In 2012, it went private in a $1.6 billion buyout deal led by private equity firm Permira and has since considered going public again on at least two occasions, though it never got the valuation it was aiming to achieve. Four years ago, Silver Lake and GIC purchased a majority stake in a deal which valued the business at $2.6 billion. Prior owners, including management, Permira and Spectrum Equity, also hold minority interests in the company. According to data collected by Akita Michinoku Capital, Blackstone, the world's largest alternative asset manager with assets worth $564 billion, is now focused on expanding its life sciences business. It has invested more than $1 billion this year on drugs that target high cholesterol, kidney disease in children and devices for patients with diabetes. In early 2020, as values fell and markets became increasingly volatile, the firm purchased $11 billion of public equities and liquid debt. It also took stakes in businesses including 21Vianet, a Chinese data centre company, and a Hollywood film studios portfolio. About Akita Michinoku Capital Established in 2009, Akita Michinoku Capital is a respected wealth management company with a global network reaching over 40+ countries. By uniting financial markets from East to West, we can support our clients through all facets of wealth management and provide our clients with the best possible investment performance through a broad range of investment products. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200805005704/en/ Contacts: Mr. James Kenta, Head of Research. Switchboard +81 (0) 3 4572 0730 Email james.kenta@amctradinggroup.com 28F Kachidoki View Tower, 8-11-1, Kachidoki, Chuo-ku, Tokyo, Japan 104-0054 Disha Salian, former manager of the late Sushant Singh Rajput, died after falling from the 14th floor of a residential building on June 8, 2020. The Mumbai Police declared Disha's death to be a suicide but Disha's mother Vasanti stated in a recent interview that her daughter's death could have been an accident too and that they still don't know if it was a suicide. Vasanti said in an interview with Times Now, that Disha's may have been an accident and not suicide. "We don't know if it was suicide. It could be an accident too," she said. When asked if she suspects anyone of foul play, she said, "No, we don't suspect anyone." While some are alleging that her death could be linked to Sushant's death, who passed away on June 14, Vasanti does not believe so. She had earlier brushed aside rumours linking Disha's death to Sushant's questioning how can there be a connection when the two had met just once. Recently, Maharashtra's former Chief Minister Narayan Rane alleged that Disha was raped and murdered. He claimed that her autopsy report revealed injury marks on her private parts. He also accused the Maharashtra government of trying to cover up both Disha and Sushant's cases and protecting the culprits. Meanwhile, a PIL has been filed in the Supreme Court requesting a CBI probe into Disha's case, after the central government accepted Bihar government's request for a CBI probe into Sushant's death. The PIL seeks the Supreme Court to examine Mumbai Police's investigation report of Disha's case, and refer the case to the CBI if found to be unsatisfactory. ALSO READ: PIL Filed In Supreme Court Seeking CBI Probe Into Disha Salian's Death: 'Sushant's Death Is Linked' ALSO READ: Sushant Singh Rajput's Ex-Manager Disha Salian's Death: Folder With The Case Details Gets Deleted Worried about your mental well-being or of someone you know? Help is just a call away. Reach out to the nearest mental health specialist at COOJ Mental Health Foundation (COOJ)- 0832-2252525, Parivarthan- +91 7676 602 602, Connecting Trust- +91 992 200 1122/+91-992 200 4305 or Sahai- 080-25497777/ SAHAIHELPLINE@GMAIL.COM Shimla: A Nepalese woman was arrested for murdering her father in Himachal Pradeshs Kinnaur district, police said on Wednesday. Aarti Singh, 24, stabbed her father Sagar Singh, 52, with a knife at their rented house at Det Aungra village on the night of August 3 after which he was rushed to the community health centre at Bhabhanagar, where he was declared brought dead. The father had been staying in the village for eight months. On August 2, his wife and daughter came to live with him from Shimla but on Monday night he had an argument with his daughter which turned into a fight. During the fight, the woman stabbed her father in the stomach, injuring him fatally. She fled the spot but was later arrested. Kinnaur superintendent of police SR Rana said that a special investigation team (SIT) has been constituted to investigate the case after the woman was booked under Section 302 of the Indian Penal Code. In a nationally-televised event, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is to lay the foundation stone today for a temple devoted to the mythical Hindu god Ram on the site of the former Babri Masjid (mosque) in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh. The razing of the 475-year-old Babri Masjid on December 6, 1992 was an historic crime, perpetrated by Hindu fanatics incited and organised by Modis Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP), and allied Hindu supremacist groups. It precipitated weeks of communal violence across much of northern and western India that resulted in the deaths of more than 2,000 people, most of them poor Muslims. Todays ceremony has been timed to coincide with the first anniversary of another monstrous political crime. One year ago today, Modi and his chief henchman, Home Minister Amit Shah, working in close concert with the high command of the military-security apparatus, carried out a constitutional coup, illegally rewriting Indias constitution by executive fiat to abrogate the semi-autonomous status of Jammu and Kashmir, Indias only Muslim-majority state. They then divided Jammu and Kashmir into two Union territories, effectively placing the region under permanent central government control. To suppress mass popular opposition to these dictatorial actions, the Modi government imposed a months-long state-of-siege on the Kashmir Valley, with blanket curfews, mass detentions without charge, and the suspension of cell phone and internet service. Fearing an explosion of popular anger, many of these measures have been re-imposed in the run-up to todays anniversary. The building of a Ram temple on the site of the Babri Majid and the assertion of unfettered Indian central government control over the disputed Kashmir region have been central to the communalist agenda of the BJP and its ideological mentor, the RSS, for decades. Modi intends to use the coincidence of the official inauguration of the Ram temples construction and the anniversary of Jammu and Kashmirs full integration into the Indian Union to trumpet a supposed new era of Indian assertion, and otherwise advance the BJP-RSS agenda to transform India into a Hindu state, where Muslims and other minorities live in sufferance. The Modi government is ratcheting up communalism in response to its apprehensions that its ruinous response to the COVID-19 pandemic is fueling mass anger and opposition among Indias workers and toilers. The governments ill-conceived, hastily imposed ten-week COVID-19 lockdown and its subsequent back-to-work drive have produced a health and socio-economic disaster. Tens of millions have lost their jobs and hundreds of millions have seen their meagre incomes slashed. Meanwhile, the pandemic is surging across India. When Modis unlockdown officially began on June 8, India had just over 250,000 confirmed COVID-19 cases and 7,200 deaths. Today, less than two months later, the official cases have almost quadrupled to 1.85 million and the deaths have increased by more than five times to 38,938. Facing popular anger over the spread of the pandemic and its attempts to kick start the economy by implementing a new wave of pro-investor measures and by forcing workers back on the job in unsafe conditions, the Modi government is doubling down on its Hindus supremacist agenda. Its aim is to confuse and split the working class, and mobilize its fascistic base to intimidate and threaten its opponents. Todays ceremony is the direct outcome of a ruling by Indias Supreme Court last November that validated the Babri Masjids destruction, rewarding those who had orchestrated itin defiance of the Courts own express orderswith effective sole ownership of the disputed sited. Indeed, the court, in what it provocatively proclaimed an act of national reconciliation, officially ordered the BJP to oversee the construction of a Ram temple on the ruins of the Babri Masjid. This shameful ruling underscores the extent to which all the institutions of the still nominally secular Indian state have become infused with Hindu communalism. No less reactionary and revealing is the response of the BJPs ostensible establishment political opponents. The Congress Party, the only all-India rival to the BJP and until 2014 the Indian bourgeoisies preferred party of national government, has furiously attacked the Ram Mandir Trust, the body officially charged with the temples construction, for not inviting its party leadership for the temples bhoomi pujan (ground-breaking) program and turning it into an exclusive BJP-RSS ceremony. One Congress leader after another has accused the BJP of stealing credit for the Ram temple, citing their own partys despicable record of conniving with the Hindu chauvinist campaign to raze the Babri Masjid. Most notoriously, in December 1992 the Narasimha Rao-led national Congress government stood by and allowed the historic Ayodhya mosque to be destroyed, although it was forewarned of the BJP-RSS conspiracy to raze it to the ground. Senior Congress leader and former External Affairs Minster Salman Khurshid complained, People from across the political spectrum should have been invited just as a courtesy to Lord Ram. For her part, Priyanka Gandhi, a senior Congress leader in her own right and the daughter, granddaughter and great granddaughter of Congress Prime Ministers Rajiv Gandhi, Indira Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru, declared, By Lord Rams grace, let this ceremony promote national unity, brotherhood, and cultural confluence. Kamal Nath, the former Congress Chief Minster in Madhya Pradesh, boosted the BJP-RSS claim that the campaign to build a Ram temple in Ayodhya enjoys mass support. People of the country were expecting and wishing for this since long, he said. The construction of the temple is being carried out with the consent of every Indian. Congress veteran Digvijaya Singh was eager to tout Rajiv Gandhis support for the Ram temple movement. He tweeted: The centre of our faith is Lord Ram!. . . Thats why we all wish that a grand temple should be built at the birthplace of Ram in Ayodhya. Rajiv Gandhi also wanted the same. Continuing in this reactionary obscurantist vein, Singh went on to claim that the reason Home Minister Shah recently tested positive for COVID-19 is because BJP leaders have defied the warnings of a Hindu fundamentalist priest that August 5 is not an auspicious day to inaugurate the Ram temple. The Congress response to todays vile Hindu supremacist celebration flows from its decades of conniving with the Hindu right and instrumentalization of caste and communal divisions. Renouncing its own democratic program for a united secular India, the Congress of Nehru and M.K. Gandhi implemented, in collaboration with South Asias departing British colonial overlords, the 1947 communal partition of the subcontinent into a Hindu-dominated India and a Muslim Pakistan. Despite this record, the twin Stalinist partiesthe Communist Party of India (Marxist) or CPM and the Communist Party of India (CPI)have long promoted the big business Congress Party as a secular bulwark against the BJP. In response to todays inaugural ceremony, the CPM Politburo has issued a statement reiterating its support for the Supreme Courts reactionary verdict of last November in what it calls the Ayodhya dispute. It then goes on to echo the Congress complaint that the bhoomi pujan ceremony at Ayodhya has been taken over by the BJP, thus implying that if Modi and Shah were not trying to take sole credit for the successful campaign to build a Ram temple, there would be nothing objectionable in consecrating and completing the communalist crime of December 6, 1992. The Stalinists bear central political responsibility for the rise of the BJP and the Hindu right. For decades, they have justified their systematic subordination of the working class to the Congress Party, various reactionary caste-based regional bourgeois parties, and the putrefied state institutions of the democratic Indian Republic in the name of blocking the fascist BJP from power. From 1989 through 2008, the Stalinists played a pivotal role in the formation of a succession of governments, most of them Congress Party led, that implemented the Indian ruling elites neo-liberal reform agenda and pursued closer ties with US imperialism. Moreover, in those states where they have formed the government, the CPM and CPI have similarly pursued pro-investor polices. This opened the door for the BJP to cynically exploit growing popular anger over mass poverty, ever-widening social inequality, and endemic corruption. There is mass opposition to Modi and the BJP government and to the Indian ruling elites class-war agenda and incendiary strategic partnership with US imperialism. But this opposition must find a new political road. This requires the mobilization of the working class as an independent political force, in opposition to all the parties of the capitalist establishment, including the Stalinist CPM and CPI, and the fight to rally the rural toilers and all sections of the oppressed behind it in the struggle for a workers and peasants government and international socialism. On Tuesday, Pakistan issued a new political map of the country showing several parts of India as its territory. This includes all of Kashmir, Ladakh, Sir Creek and Junagadh in Gujarat. DAWN While Pakistan's claim over Jammu and Kashmir is well documented, the story of Junagadh is not. The history goes back to 1947 and the partition of British India into India and Pakistan. Like Hyderabad which was ruled by the Muslim Nizam, the princely state of Junagadh in coastal Gujarat, wanted to join Pakistan following the partition. Muhammad Mahabat Khanji III, the last Nawab of Junagadh wanted to merge his princely state with Pakistan. STAR OF MYSORE This, however, did not go down well with the Hindu citizens of Junagadh, who formed the majority of the population and India which saw it as a threat. Following a revolt, India sent in troops and in September the then Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru proposed a plebiscite there. In the plebiscite that was held in February 1948, around 95 per cent of the voters backed integration with India while Pakistan got a little over 100 votes. But Pakistan has refused to accept the verdict and had taken the issue to the UN Security Council in 1948. Unlike Kashmir, Pakistan did not pursue Junagadh much and it was eventually dropped from the map. BRITISH LIBRARY It was largely forgotten by both sides for years until 2007, when Muhammad Jahangir Khan, the successor of the Nawabs who was now settled in Karachi raked up the issue again. Even in 2016, he claimed that the Instrument of Accession of Junagadh was still valid under the Vienna Convention Law of Treatise. The new political map of Pakistan is unlikely to flair up the issue again. India dismissed Pakistan's move as an exercise in political absurdity, saying it was laying untenable claims to territories in the Indian state of Gujarat and our Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir and of Ladakh. The statement from the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) further said these ridiculous assertions have neither legal validity nor international credibility. "In fact, this new effort only confirms reality of Pakistan's obsession with territorial aggrandisement supported by cross-border terrorism," it added. Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani lashed out at Pakistan, calling the changes in the map "preposterous". "This so called "political map" of Pakistan released by Prime Minister Imran Khan today is a glaring example of how disconnected Pakistan PM is with ground realities. Pakistan will never succeed in its wicked design of undermining the unity and integrity of India," Rupani tweeted. "This action of Pakistan is both preposterous and obnoxious. Gujarat condemns this absurd act of Pakistan unequivocally," he added. Johnson and Johnson logo is seen at an office building in Singapore By Michael Erman (Reuters) - The United States government will pay Johnson & Johnson over $1 billion for 100 million doses of its potential coronavirus vaccine, as it stocks up on vaccine and drugs in an attempt to tame the pandemic. The latest contract is priced at roughly $10 per vaccine dose produced by J&J, or around $14.50 per dose, including a previous $456 million the U.S. government promised to J&J for vaccine development in March. That compares with the $19.50 per dose that the U.S. is paying for the vaccine being developed by Pfizer Inc and German biotech BioNTech SE. J&J is studying both one and two-dose regimens of its vaccine. Pfizer and BioNTech's candidate would require two doses per person treated. The drugmaker said on Wednesday it would deliver the vaccine to the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) on a not-for-profit basis to be used after approval or emergency use authorization by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The U.S. government may also purchase an additional 200 million doses under a subsequent agreement. J&J did not disclose that deal's value. As the race for vaccines and treatments for COVID-19 intensifies, the U.S. government has been signing deals to buy them through its Operation Warp Speed program. Other drugmakers who have signed deals include Sanofi SA and Regeneron Inc. This is J&J's first deal to supply its investigational vaccine to a country. Talks are underway with the European Union, but no deal has yet been reached. J&J's investigational vaccine is currently being tested on healthy volunteers in the United States and Belgium in an early-stage study. There are currently no approved vaccines for COVID-19. More than 20 are in clinical trials. Shares of J&J were up around 1 percent in early trading on the New York Stock Exchange. (Reporting by Michael Erman in Maplewood, New Jersey, Shariq Khan in Bengaluru and Josephine Mason; Editing by Shinjini Ganguli, Emelia Sithole-Matarise and Jonathan Oatis) PM Hassan Diab says 2,750 tonnes of ammonium nitrate stored in warehouse by port had blown up, sparking a disaster. The mega-blast that tore through Lebanons capital with the force of an earthquake, killing more than 100 people and injuring more than 4,000 others, resulted from the ignition of a huge depot of ammonium nitrate at Beiruts port, officials say, but many questions remain. Here is what we know so far. What happened? A colossal explosion in the port area of Beirut took place at about 6pm local time (15:00 GMT) on Tuesday. It is believed there was a fire leading up to the explosion that flattened the harbour front and surrounding buildings. Seismologists measured the event, which blew out windows at the citys international airport nine kilometres (more than five miles) away, as the equivalent of a magnitude 3.3 earthquake. Video stills show an intense blazing fireball rising above a line of massive storage silos, then a billowing cloud towering into the sky as a powerful shockwave rips through Lebanons biggest city. Why such a big blast? Lebanons Prime Minister Hassan Diab said 2,750 tonnes of ammonium nitrate, an agricultural fertiliser, stored in a portside warehouse had blown up, sparking a disaster in every sense of the word. Ammonium nitrate is an odourless crystalline substance that has been the cause of numerous industrial explosions over the years. When combined with fuel oils, it creates a potent explosive widely used in the construction industry, but also by armed groups such as the Taliban for improvised explosive devices. Lebanons General Security chief Abbas Ibrahim said the material had been confiscated years earlier and stored in the warehouse, located close to Beiruts shopping and nightlife districts. Was it deliberate? There has been no indication from Lebanese officials that the explosions were caused deliberately. United States President Donald Trump said late on Tuesday that US generals had told him the explosions appeared to have been caused by a bomb of some kind. It looks like a terrible attack, Trump said. But a Pentagon spokesman, when asked about the presidents remarks, told the AFP news agency that we dont have anything for you and you will have to reach out to the White House for clarification. Diabs government described the circumstances at the port that led to the explosion as unacceptable and promised to investigate. How many casualties? The explosion killed more than 100 people and injured more than 4,000, the Lebanese Red Cross said on Wednesday in the latest updated toll. Search and rescue teams were still sifting through areas surrounding the port, it added, with rubble from flattened buildings spread across a wide area. Injuries were recorded right across the city, with glass blown out of buildings in multiple districts. What happens next? Lebanons national defence council has declared Beirut a disaster zone and Diab has appealed to Lebanons allies to stand by the country and send aid. President Michel Aoun has announced he will release 100 billion lira ($66m) of emergency funds. But the country is in the middle of an enormous economic crisis and its hospitals are already overwhelmed by the coronavirus pandemic. The US, France, Qatar, Iran and even Lebanons arch foe Israel have offered to send aid. Two workers installing internet cables in Pella, Iowa, died after striking an underground, high-voltage electrical cable. Pella Police Lt. Paul Haase said the workers died Saturday morning after striking the electrical line. Haase said residents nearby reported hearing a loud boom at the time. A third worker for Excel Utility Contractors suffered minor injuries and was treated at a local hospital. The crew was installing internet cables for Pella Fiber. Haase said 35-year-old Genis Urgell Rueda and 20-year-old Nelson Joani Figueroa died. They were both from Richmond, Virginia. People who lived near where the electrical line was struck were evacuated for about an hour while officials checked for any natural gas or electrical hazards. Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Topics Energy Iowa The University of Melbourne will slash 450 jobs in response to a $1 billion loss of revenue caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The decision follows a previous failed attempt to convince university staff to vote to accept a 2 per cent pay cut. The University of Melbourne will slash 450 jobs in response to a loss of international student revenue. Credit:Eddie Jim The 450 jobs, equivalent to about 7 per cent of the university's workforce, will include academic and non-academic roles. A number of casual and fixed-term roles will also go, although the university said it was still determining which roles were no longer needed. University of Melbourne vice-chancellor Professor Duncan Maskell said the pandemic meant that many thousands of international students had been unable to join the university this year, in a blow that would be felt for years. Advertisement Jake Paul's neighbors said Wednesday they hear 'mysterious explosions in the night' after the FBI seized multiple high-powered firearms from the YouTube star's Los Angeles mansion. Heavily-armed agents dressed in tactical gear descended on the $6.9million Calabasas property in military vehicles around 6am local time after executing a sealed search warrant in connection to his arrest during an Arizona mall looting in May. One neighbor told CBSLA he hears 'big loud explosions at night', adding: 'These are just mysterious, things in the night.' Aerial footage of the raid, taken by ABC7, showed law enforcement officers walking out of Paul's sprawling home with several rifles in hand, before loading them onto police vehicles as apparent evidence. A second FBI raid was also conducted at a separate property belonging to fellow social media personality and friend of Paul, Armani Izadi in Las Vegas, the outlet said. Izadi was also arrested during the looting in Arizona. In June, Paul was charged with criminal trespass and unlawful assembly by authorities in Scottsdale, Arizona who say they were sent 'hundreds of tips' claiming Paul was 'a participant in the riot' at the mall which broke out following protests in the days after George Floyd's death. The case against both Paul and Izadi was later dropped by the City Attorney ahead of Wednesday's raid by the FBI. In a statement the Scottsdale Police Department said: 'It is in the best interest of the community to dismiss misdemeanor charges without prejudice so that a federal criminal investigation can be completed. Scottsdale retains the option to refile charges depending on the outcome of the federal investigation.' Paul is also said to have a $2 million unpaid federal tax bill from July last year, according to The Sun. Scroll down for video Law enforcement officers were seen walking out of Jake Paul's Calabasas mansion on Wednesday with multiple firearms in hand Authorities were seen loading the weapons onto the back of a police vehicle as apparent evidence Footage showed what appeared to be a high-powered rifle resting against the star's hot tub in the backyard that appears in many of his recent YouTube videos Aerial footage of the raid, taken by ABC7, showed law enforcement officers walking out of the sprawling Calabasas mansion with several rifles in hand, before loading them onto police vehicles as apparent evidence Jake Paul's Calabasas home was searched by FBI agents early Wednesday morning. Above, two agents clad in tactical gear are seen at the gates of the mansion during the operation Several federal agents dressed in tactical gear arrived in armored vehicles after serving the YouTube star with a search warrant Similar scenes unfolded at the Graffiti Mansion owned by Izadi, where heavily-armed units were seen descending on the home Jake Paul, 23, rose to fame alongside his brother Logan Paul (right with his brother) 25, on now defunct-video app Vine before transitioning to YouTube where he now has more than 20million users who subscribe to his reckless and adventurous videos. A second FBI raid was also conducted at a separate property belonging to fellow social media personality and friend of Paul, Armani Izadi in Las Vegas, the outlet said. Izadi, left with Jake, was also arrested during the looting in Arizona TIME OF JAKE PAUL'S ARREST AND RESULTING FBI RAID May 30: Looting at the Scottsdale Fashion Square mall, Arizona May 31: Paul tried to distance himself from the situation in a statement, saying he was in no way involved in any looting or vandalism June 4: Scottsdale, Arizona authorities charged the 23-year-old internet star with criminal trespass and unlawful assembly - both misdemeanors August 5: Paul's home in LA and Armani Izadi in Las Vegas are both raided by the FBI Charges are dropped against both men by Scottsdale police; they remain the subjects of a federal investigation Advertisement In one shot from the scene in LA, a long-barreled gun was spotted in the backyard resting against a hot tub that has been featured in many of the social media influencer's recent YouTube videos. At least 20 federal agents were seen riding in on a procession of military vehicles, including an armored truck during the operation. Several U.S. government marked cars were also spotted in the vicinity. Authorities refused to comment on the nature of the raid since the warrant has been sealed by a judge, but confirmed they did not plan to make any arrests in the search. A source told TMZ: 'The FBI is investigating allegations of criminal acts surrounding the incident at Scottsdale Fashion Square in May, 2020.' In a statement shared on social media, the City of Calabasas confirmed that it was Paul's home that was being raided by the FBI, which was using the city hall parking lot as a staging area. The 23-year-old YouTuber however, had been out of state during the search operation, his attorney Richard Schonfeld told TMZ. The lawyer said they plan to cooperate with the investigation. Jake, known for posting reckless and adventurous videos on YouTube, faced widespread backlash after cell phone footage shared by Paul's videographer Andrew Blue in May showed the social media star at the Arizona mall at the time of the looting. He is first spotted outside the Fashion Square Mall as protesters appear to shoot fireworks at the building's entrance. Later, Paul films a group of police officers stationed at the mall to curb any looting or violence amid the George Floyd protests. 'Bunch of f****** idiots, bro,' he says. The caption on the video reads 'American is in ruins.' He claims to have walked on a sidewalk near the officers who allegedly teargassed him. 'Literally I walked right here, right up to there. these f****** idiots teargassed me. I ain't doing s***, bro. Look at them pointing guns at me,' Paul said. 'Look at them. Twenty guns on me. Twenty guns on me right now,' he adds before saying 'Rest in Peace, George Floyd' and flipping his middle finger at the officers. Paul later tried to distance himself from the situation in a statement saying he was in no way involved in any looting or vandalism. He said that he and friends went to the mall to attend a protest against the death of George Floyd while in custody of Minneapolis. They instead found people engaged in looting and property damage that included shattered windows of offices and stores, Paul said, adding that he didn't participate in that activity. 'That's the way it looked on camera. However that isn't the case,' he said. Paul said he kept walking in the mall area despite encountering the criminal activity because he still wanted to find the protest. He said it was upsetting that social media posts accused him of vandalism. 'I'm above that. I don't'need to vanadalize. I don't need to loot and I know it's not the way forward.' Paul said he was an 'easy target' and that he has learned a lesson about entering situations that could pose problems. 'But it's not going to stop me from doing what I need to do.' Jake Paul was charged with two misdemeanor crimes after he was seen at an Arizona mall that was being looted in June At least 20 federal agents hanging off military trucks were seen on the 23500 block of Parksouth Street during the mystery operation The FBI refused to comment on the nature of the search since the warrant has been sealed by a judge. Pictured: FBI units cling on to government vehicles while leaving Paul's property The raid was reported to have lasted an hour and half. It is unknown exactly what was seized from the house Footage showed at least one person being taken away in handcuffs. Sources told TMZ the raid was related to the investigation at Paul's home They also reportedly confirmed the probe is connected to 'allegations of criminal acts' surrounding an incident involving Paul at Scottsdale Fashion Square in Arizona in May A second FBI raid was also conducted at a separate property belonging to fellow social media personality and friend of Paul, Armani Izadi in Las Vegas, the outlet said. Izadi was also arrested during the looting in Arizona WHO IS JAKE PAUL? Jake Paul rose to fame alongside his brother Logan Paul, 25, on now defunct-video app Vine before transitioning to YouTube, where he now has over 20 million subscribers. His channel features stunts, pranks, stories from his personal life, and more recently music videos. In 2017 Paul was kicked off the Disney channel after his neighbor complained about him who called residing next door to him a 'living hell' and a 'war zone.' In July, last year Paul made headlines for his shotgun wedding to Tana Mongeau, which was later revealed to not be legally binding. People accused the couple of getting married for views and money, but they claimed their love was real. The wedding was livestreamed and fans could pay $50 to watch the nuptials. The couple ended their 'open marriage' just five months after tying the knot. His brother Logan Paul, another YouTube star, is also no stranger to controversy. He came under fire in late December 2017 into early 2018 when he uploaded a vlog on his YouTube channel about a trip to Japan in which he visited a 'suicide forest' near Mount Fuji, a place where people were known take their own lives, and depicted a recently deceased corpse. The video was removed from YouTube and Paul issued a public apology. Advertisement Sources told the LA Times a SWAT team had been deployed to gain entry into the viral star's house. The armed units are usually called in to situations that are deemed high-risk, such as at properties where weapons are believed to be present. Agents were reported to have searched the 15,000 square-foot home for about an hour and half. 'The FBI is executing a federal search warrant at a residence in Calabasas in connection with an ongoing investigation,' a bureau spokesperson said. 'The affidavit in support of the search warrant is sealed and we are, therefore, prohibited from commenting as to the nature of the investigation.' Similar scenes unfolded at the Graffiti Mansion owned by Izadi, where heavily-armed units were seen descending on the home. Footage showed at least one person being taken away in handcuffs. Sources told TMZ the raid was related to the investigation at Paul's home. DailyMail.com has contacted Paul's reps for comment. Paul rose to fame alongside his brother Logan Paul, 25, on now defunct-video app Vine before transitioning to YouTube, where he now has over 20 million subscribers to his channel which features stunts, pranks, stories from his personal life, and more recently music videos. He most recently drew backlash last month for blatantly flouting social distancing guidelines as COVID-19 cases spiked in California, by throwing a massive party at the mansion. Calabasas mayor Alicia Weintraub expressed 'outrage' over the 'outrageous gathering' in which dozens of people without masks drank and danced. Paul later indicated to Insider last week that he would continue to do what he wants. Videos emerged on social media shortly after the party, where revelers showed no concern for social distancing or wearing protective masks. People were seen drinking, playing beer pong, and swinging off a construction backhoe at the gathering. Revelers were both indoors and outdoors, crowded closely together without a mask in sight. Calabasas mayor Alicia Weintraub was left outraged after learning of the party and says she's looking into 'all options' for penalties for Paul. Paul told Insider that he spoke to the mayor and 'everything is cool,' though he didn't elaborate on what she said. The mayor, meanwhile, said she didn't speak to Paul at all, and only a representative for the the YouTuber. She said that possible fines would be issues in the future and the sheriff's department would intervene. But Paul didn't say that would put an end to his wild bashes, and insisted that it wasn't clear to him how he should be behaving. 'I don't know what to think of it, to be honest. I don't think anyone really does,' he said. 'No one has answers, our leadership is failing us, and everyone kind of just doesn't know what to do. 'But I personally am not the type of person who's gonna sit around and not live my life,' he added. The FBI said no arrests were planned in Wednesday's search but it is unclear as to why the operation required heavily armed units Paul was nowhere to be seen during the FBI raid on Wednesday Several military vehicles were seen departing the mansion following the operation Paul purchased the 15,000 square-ft mansion in Calabasas for a hefty $6.925million when he was 20 years old in 2017 Paul moved into the neighborhood in 2017 after his previous home in Beverly Grove had become the subject of noise complaints Paul's July 16 party was thrown in spite of California Gov. Gavin Newsom's desperate plea for people to be wary of the virus. His brother Logan Paul, another YouTube star, is also no stranger to controversy. He came under fire in late December 2017 into early 2018 when he uploaded a vlog on his YouTube channel about a trip to Japan in which he visited a 'suicide forest' near Mount Fuji, a place where people were known take their own lives, and depicted a recently deceased corpse. The video was removed from YouTube and Paul issued a public apology. Tana Mongeau, Arman Izadi, Jake Paul and Logan Paul as Jake Paul and Tana Mongeau get married at Graffiti House on July 28, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada The 23-year-old faced backlash after throwing a wild party at his Calabasas mansion on July 14 Chattanooga protesters said a "Good Trouble Ride" with 500 or more protesters from Atlanta is due in Chattanooga on Friday night. One posting says, "Inspired by the Freedom Rides of the 1960s, the People's Uprising task force has organized a 'Good Trouble Ride' to Louisville, Kentucky and Chattanooga, Tennessee to demand justice for Breonna Taylor and Reginald Arrington. The ride also honors the life of the late Congressman John Lewis, who said, 'Never, ever be afraid to make some noise and get in some good trouble, necessary trouble.' "This is a one-day event where buses will depart Atlanta, Georgia then arrive in Louisville, Ky., and continue on to Chattanooga, then return to Atlanta on Aug.7. The second destination is Miller Park, with an estimated arrival of 6:30 p.m. "(There is ) Mandatory COVID-19 testing for the Good Trouble Ride. Testing is also open for the community." Marie Mott, a protest leader who has been arrested twice in recent weeks, said, "We're bringing out the city, but we're not just bringing out the city, we're also bringing out Atlanta. So make sure that you share this information." "We had civil unrest for over 30 days with I Can't Breathe CHA and other organizations that have been fighting injustice. In the middle of one of our protests, we found out about Mr. Arrington, who was beaten by five officers who are sheriff's deputies on camera. But he's not the only one. He's just one victim of violence and brutality at the hands of the sheriff." "The sheriff brought charges against me and C-Grimey, and the CPD brought charges against me and C-Grimey and several other people. The police have been targeting us because we've been putting pressure on them. We've been messing with the city's money. "We are not stopping. Yes, we are transitioning beyond this, because we believe that protest is just one stage of civil unrest. But we believe the best way to disrupt power is to break the pipeline of power by getting people civilly engaged and making sure people are getting out and voting. "So we're super excited to announce we have been presented an opportunity to collaborate with the people's uprising in Atlanta, which is a group of activists as well as city council persons in Atlanta who came together in the midst of civil unrest to fight the injustices going on down there. "They have extended that to a modern-day freedom ride, which they're calling the Good Trouble Ride in honor of John Lewis and C.T Vivian, folks who have gone on to be with the ancestors and have transitioned from earth to glory. "At a minimum, we're going to have 500 folks, just from our Atlanta side. So if you haven't been to the protests, this is your excuse to come down to the protests. We want to let them know that we see what they're doing. We're not letting any politicians speak. This is still a people's movement, so no pastors with the exception of Pastor Charlotte, who is the people's pastor and will have the microphone." No one has applied for a permit for the rally. The city has not been issuing permits for events since the virus struck in March. Ministers today vowed to push ahead with reopening schools despite warnings they will have to close pubs or impose other curbs to keep coronavirus under control. Neil Ferguson - known as 'Professor Lockdown' for his role in modelling the impact of the disease - said the 'R' rate could rise by as much as half when all pupils come back next month. He insisted that secondary schools in particular will contribute to infections, and unless the government drops its vow for a full return it will need to 'row back' on easing of wider restrictions. The comments fuel fears about the desperate efforts to get the economy up and running to save millions of jobs, with signs that Covid cases are are already increasing and requiring a series of local lockdowns. But schools minister Nick Gibb underlined the government's determination to get all children back in class for the new term, while Labour backed making education of the young generation an 'absolute priority'. Asked if pubs and other leisure activities could be sacrificed so schools can return, he said: 'Our priority is to make sure that children are back in school with their friends.' Mr Gibb also rejected calls from unions for teachers to be allowed to wear face masks. The developments came after a major study predicted a second peak of the disease unless the contact tracing system gets better - and said it could be twice as bad as in the Spring. Neil Ferguson - known as 'Professor Lockdown' for his role in modelling the impact of the disease - said the 'R' rate could rise by as much as half when pupils come back Professor Ferguson raised the possibility of social venues such as pubs being closed again to offset the impact of schools reopening next month A packed venue in Stoke-on-Trent as revellers enjoy the looser restrictions in England Schools must stay open in any future lockdown, says children's tsar Schools must be kept open ahead of pubs or shops in any future coronavirus lockdown, the Children's Commissioner for England has warned. In a major intervention, Anne Longfield said children had been treated as an 'after-thought' in the first lockdown and insisted they must be at the heart of future plans. She said schools should always be the first to open and the last to close. She also declared that, if necessary, they should be prioritised over other sectors and kept open at the expense of pubs, restaurants or non-essential shops. Mrs Longfield called for regular testing of pupils and teachers, saying this was essential in keeping schools open and preventing 'bubbles' or year groups being sent home after just one positive test. Advertisement Keir Starmer ramped up pressure on Boris Johnson today warning he has just a month to solve the problems of the UK will face a 'long bleak winter' But Prof Ferguson - who resigned from the Government's advisory group Sage after breaking lockdown rules - said there was a 'limit' to what contact tracing could achieve. He stressed that restricting social contacts between people was the main way to control the spread of the virus, and ministers needed to 'plan for all contingencies' when it came to the reopening of schools. He told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: 'I think it is important to say that not all schools are the same. 'We have a lot of evidence now that primary schools, young children, pose very little risk of transmission. 'I think the concern is with secondary schools, teenagers, further education colleges and universities where the evidence is still not certain, but it looks like older teenagers can transmit just as well as adults. 'The risk then is that big schools, comprehensives, universities, FE colleges, link lots of households together, reconnect the social network which social distancing measures have deliberately disconnected. And that poses a real risk of amplification of transmission, of case numbers going up quite sharply.' He added: 'In terms of the reproduction value, the 'R' value, opening high schools could increase it by as much as a half, but by as little as 0.2 or 0.3, but it will go up. 'Given we're at 'R' equal to one at the moment, clearly we don't want 'R' going up to 1.5 or so, that would ... lead to quite rapid growth of the epidemic.' Prof Ferguson said trade-offs will have to be made to keep the virus under control. He said: 'Whether, in high schools, FE colleges, it is necessary for children to go back 100 per cent or whether we can have other alternative means of provision, children being in one week and out the other week, therefore reducing contacts in school and outside school, or whether we row back on the relaxation of restrictions in the rest of society to allow schools to be fully opened, for instance social venues, leisure venues, more working from home... Ministers reject calls for masks in schools Ministers have rejected call to allow face coverings to be worn in schools in England when they reopen next month. Shadow health secretary Jonathan Ashworth said face coverings for older children in schools 'should be considered' as students return in September. Speaking on BBC Radio 4's Today programme, Mr Ashworth said Labour would accept 'tough decisions' to make sure all children can get back to class after months of partial closures. Government guidance for schools returning in September says face coverings are not required as pupils and staff are mixing in consistent groups - and they should be removed on arrival at the school gates. Schools minister Nick Gibb said today: 'Within a school, of course, you're not with people that you don't meet normally, you see these same children every day, so there are different circumstances - when you're on public transport for example, when you're encountering people you've not come across or met before.' But the NASUWT teachers' union has called on the Department for Education (DfE) to revise its guidance on face coverings 'as a matter of urgency' to help staff return to school in the autumn with 'confidence'. It said the Government should encourage school and college staff to wear clear facial visors if there are concerns that teaching and learning may be impeded by the use of face masks. Advertisement 'I mean that really is a policy decision, but I'm just saying, in my view, it is likely that some form of those measures will be necessary to maintain control of transmission.' Prof Ferguson said there was 'absolutely' a need for ministers to spell out the 'Plan B' on how they will react if cases increase. On whether the virus can be controlled in winter, he added: 'Things could get quite difficult. I mean, I'm reasonably confident that as long as there is the political will in place to maintain control of transmission that we can do it, we've have good enough surveillance now to know what is going on.' In a round of interviews this morning, Mr Gibb said: 'We're very clear that all children will be returning to school in September, including in areas of local lockdown such as Greater Manchester. 'It is hugely important for children's education, for their wellbeing, that they do return to school and schools are working enormously hard in preparation for September to make sure that the risk of transmitting the virus within the school environment is kept to an absolute minimum. 'We have issued very detailed guidance to schools about hygiene, about keeping children in these bubbles - class-sized bubbles in primary schools, year-group bubbles in secondary schools - making sure children aren't unnecessarily mixing with other children in the school, staggered lunch breaks, staggered play times, doing everything that we can to minimise contact - one-way systems through schools and so on - so that children are safe in school.' Asked whether the Government would consider closing pubs and restaurants to ensure all children can return to school safely in September, Mr Gibb replied: 'Our priority is to make sure that children are back in school with their friends.' But Mr Gibb warned that central government cannot decree that schools must be prioritised over pubs and that the matter will depend on local cases and health experts. Asked whether, if infection rates rise, schools should be the last to close with other sectors shut down first, Mr Gibb told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: 'What I'm saying is that all children will be returning to school in September, including in those areas that are currently subject to a local lockdown - Manchester, Greater Manchester, Leicester and so on - because it is important that children are back in school. 'But you can't decree this for every single case and it will depend on the circumstances of a local increase in the infection rate, and that is why it is being led by the director of public health in localities. 'But we want all children back in school.' We conservatives are quite the enigma. On the one hand, we shake our fists at the Beelzebubs of Antifa and denounce their lawless barbarism. On the other, we demand that government schools stay open so that we can send our children to the leftist factories that produce the very Marxists we loathe. We make our young people the targets of the Socialists' weapons of mass instruction and then bemoan the loss of patriotism among our youth. Are we self-destructive? Or simply daft? Maybe neither. Perhaps we are fearful. As products of the School System ourselves, we have been conditioned to believe that the only people qualified to teach our children are those who hold government credentials. Yes, we have a vested interest in our children and love them in a way that a government employee cannot. And yes, we see them for the individuals they are rather than as one of the dozens of kids in Mrs. Peabodys class. But teach them? Is that even possible? To answer that question, we could look to statistics showing that homeschooled students outperform their public-schooled peers on standardized tests and the SAT; that they fare better in college and graduate at a higher rate. But doing so merely perpetuates the moderns myth that the chief end of education is cramming for tests and regurgitating information that is forgotten five minutes later. We set our sights too low. If we are to preserve Western Civilization, we must aim higher. Instead of fashioning competent test-takers, we ought to be in the business of grooming minds for greatness -- minds like those of the home-educated Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, Thomas Edison, and C.S. Lewis (to name a few). It isnt a classroom our kids need, but a proper education. As Abraham Lincoln exemplifies, even the backwoods of Illinois can be mightier than the most distinguished of schools. erhaps it isnt academics we fret about, but socialization. We worry that our children wont make it in the real world if they spend more time with Mommy and Daddy than with their peers in the non-binary, Marxist world of wokeness. Never mind that the autodidact Benjamin Franklin was the toast of the town or that the self-taught Alexander Hamilton was as dashing as he was valiant. We grew up learning in artificially age-segregated classrooms; our offspring should, too. Or should they? Instead of sending our children to government institutions where they spend their days dodging bullies and revisionist drivel, why not avail ourselves of homeschool communities where field trips, co-ops, park dates, and extracurricular activities abound? Let the statists rely on Uncle Sam to supply friends for Johnny and Jane. And let patriots look to like-minded families and neighbors for the same. If not socialization, might it be finances that keep us slavishly chained to government schools? If so, it may come as a surprise that a good education is far more affordable than the teachers unions would have us believe. We dont need to pay for buildings and a school nurse. We just need a Bible, a library card, a math curriculum, and a Latin curriculum (and in high school a formal science curriculum). I can personally vouch for the efficacy of this multum non multa (much not many) approach to schooling. Yes, my children do exceedingly well on standardized tests -- and on the National Latin Exam. But its more than that. Much more. My kids spend their school days in the corner of the world where Jerusalem, Athens, and Rome intersect. From reading Esthers Mordecai, they have learned that they are to prostrate themselves before Almighty God, not Hamans henchmen. From Homer, they have learned that the unbridled anger and seething resentment of an Achilles can bring down a nation. In translating the Vulgate, they have gained gratitude for the monks who helped to civilize Western Europe. And in studying German (one of their electives), they have gained an understanding of the language and culture that launched the Reformation. Western Civilization, with all its virtues and vices, forms the warp and woof of their scholastic endeavors. My children could no more smash a statue of George Washington than they could take a hammer to their right thumbs. For them, its personal. Western Civ isnt a classroom subject but a heritage bequeathed to them. Their forbears arent their enemies, but their benefactors. Still, I wont deny that there are those among us who face economic hardships. Some folks genuinely need government schools to help provide daycare and meals. For now, at least, it seems they are destined to languish in public schools. But maybe well help to free them one day. Maybe well raise money to provide scholarships for private schools. Or maybe well start schools of our own. We put a man on the moon. We can figure this out. And figure it out, we must. The time for a mass exodus from government schools is long overdue. We can defund the liberty-loathing teachers unions. All we have to do is walk away. Its that simple; we have that kind of power. The lefties cant indoctrinate our children if they arent there to be indoctrinated. Nor can they undermine the family unit if families are far from their crosshairs. We dont need legislation or a government plan. We just need to stop feeding our children to the Minotaur. India on Wednesday hit out at China for calling reorganisation of Jammu and Kashmir as "illegal and invalid" and asserted that Beijing does not have any locus standi on the matter. External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Anurag Srivastava said China is advised not to comment on the internal affairs of other nations. "We have noted the comments of the Chinese MFA spokesperson on the Indian Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir. The Chinese side has no locus standi whatsoever on this matter and is advised not to comment on the internal affairs of other nations," he said. India's reaction came hours after a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson said in Beijing that any unilateral change to status quo of Jammu and Kashmir is illegal and invalid. The Chinese spokesperson made the comments following a question by a Pakistani correspondent on the completion of one year of the revocation of special status to Jammu and Kashmir and its bifurcation into two union territories--Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh. Two congressional Republicans are calling for investigations into U.S. Transportation Command's selection of American Roll-On Roll-Off Carrier Group, or ARC, to run the Defense Department's household goods moving contract. Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., wrote Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment Ellen Lord, while Rep. David McKinley, R-W.Va., sent a letter to the House Armed Services Committee, asking for thorough examinations of the $7.2 billion contract award. Read Next: US Could Bring Home 4,000 Troops from Afghanistan Before Election Day: Trump The two questioned the command's decision to re-award the contract to ARC just two weeks after deciding to rescind it while military officials looked into allegations made by rival companies over the company's bid proposal and its ownership. The companies with losing bids, Home Safe Alliance LLC and Connected Global Solutions LLC, filed protests against the decision, saying ARC's bid was $2 billion higher than other proposals and the company failed to disclose that it is owned by a Norwegian company with a history of criminal conduct. "Considering the significance of this contract to our national security, an independent investigation is imperative," McKinley wrote Reps. Adam Smith, D-Wash., and Mac Thornberry, R-Texas, the Armed Services Committee chairman and ranking member, respectively. "As corrective actions normally take four months or longer, I remain concerned that TRANSCOM's two-week corrective action was incomplete and superficial at best," Tillis wrote. ARC, based in Parsippany, New Jersey, is owned by Wallenius Wilhelmsen ASA, or WWASA, a publicly traded Norwegian-Swedish shipping company formed in 2017 that also owns Wallenius Wilhelmsen Logistics, or WWLAS, a shipping company that paid nearly $100 million in fines in 2016 for conspiring to fix prices and rig international cargo bids in the port of Baltimore and elsewhere in the U.S. But at the time WWLAS pleaded guilty to charges, the parent company was known as Wallenius Wilhelmsen Logistics ASA, or WWLASA, and Hakan Larson, who now serves as chairman of the board of WWASA, represented WWLAS in the 2016 court proceedings in the U.S. In June 2017, three WWLAS executives were also indicted for conspiring to rig bids and fix prices of international shipments of cargo to and from the U.S. ARC officials have maintained that it is a wholly owned American subsidiary of WWASA with no ties to its sibling, WWLAS. ARC spokesman Charles Diorio told Military.com in June that the company "has never been accused of any anti-competitive or criminal activities." In its review of the allegations against the company, TRANSCOM concluded that ARC had selected the wrong company -- sibling WWLAS -- as its parent company from a drop-down menu in its application. TRANSCOM officials called it a "clerical error" and decided to re-award the contract to ARC. "Over the course of the following week, the contracting officer and legal counsel reviewed the response and other relevant information. After a thorough review of all relevant information, the contracting officer made an independent determination that the allegations were unsubstantiated," said U.S. Transportation Command officials in a statement. In his letter to Lord, Tillis also expressed concerns that ARC and its partners, including UniGroup -- the parent company of United Van Lines and Mayflower Transit; Atlas World Group and its international arm; the moving companies Suddath and The Pasha Group; and Deloitte, will not be able to accommodate all military household goods shipments because the partners make up just 35% of the military moving market, according to the senator. Moreover, he added, Suddath has been "plagued with complaints and is oft referred to within the military as 'Sudden Death,'" Tillis wrote. "The protests outlined several serious questions related to ARC's ability to meet the needs of our military families," he added. The consortia that filed the protests in the contract award, worth up to $20 billion over the next decade, are HomeSafe Alliance -- a relocation team that has not publicly disclosed its partners and is spearheaded by Houston-based KBR -- and Connected Global Solutions of Jacksonville, Florida, a partnership between Crowley, Total Military Management and several van lines and logistics companies, including Interstate, National, Smarter Movers, Conser Moving and Storage and Agility. The Defense Department first considered outsourcing its household goods management system in 2018, following a disastrous year in which 10% of all service members who moved reported breakage, loss of items, damage and delivery delays of their household goods. A DoD Inspector General report earlier this year found that 41% of shipments were not delivered on time. Nearly 105,000 military families signed a petition on Change.org calling for systemic improvements. The contract is designed to address these longstanding problems with scheduling, overseeing and monitoring household goods shipments. The decision to re-award the contract triggered a 30-day deadline for TRANSCOM to explain its decision to the Government Accountability Office. "We expect TRANSCOM to conduct a thorough review of all concerns as our service members and the American taxpayer deserve our due diligence," Tillis wrote. -- Patricia Kime can be reached at Patricia.Kime@Monster.com. Follow her on Twitter @patriciakime. Related: DoD's $7 Billion Military Household Goods Moving Contract Hit With Another Protest Prince Harry and Meghan Markle aim to be financially independent after Megxit, but a royal critic revealed that the two continue to leech off the U.K. taxpayers' money shamelessly. The CEO of Republic disclosed that Prince Harry and Meghan are still enjoying funds from the U.K. through Prince Charles. Republic is a political organization aiming to abolish the British monarchy and change the government to a democratic republic. In an interview with The Express, Republic's CEO Graham Smith said that the country is "still losing" despite the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's relocation to America. "Prince Charles funds are from the Duchy of Cornwall, the Duchy of Cornwall belongs to us. We are giving him more than 20 million a year from the Duchy of Cornwall profits," Smith said. Per the CEO, the country is not charging the Prince of Wales' Duchy with corporation tax. Thus, the "extra" funds for the Duchy are being used to support the lavish lifestyle of the Sussexes outside the monarchy. He added that this setup proves that the royals have a deep sense of entitlement, especially since Prince Harry and Meghan already left their senior royal positions months ago. "They just do not see why they should have to live on less than a multi-million-pound fortune so they always find a way to ensure that they are funded beyond the dreams of your average person," he went on. Smith has been slamming the Sussexes for months now over the same issue, but Prince Harry and Meghan still squander Britain's money despite that. Last month, he also questioned why the Duke and Duchess of Sussex continue to enjoy the taxpayers' money when the United Kingdom does not owe them a living. "I think most people would be surprised by any suggestion that people sitting on 30million in the bank might struggle in anyway finically," Smith said. "So I think if they want to live the lifestyle that people with 100million to then they have a problem." He suggested that they should find a new source of income rather than unceasingly misspending the budget, which is supposed to be for Britons. If they cannot find one, the CEO demanded that they should live off with what they have. Royal Commentators Called Out Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, Too! Even the supporters of the monarchy are not happy with the fact that the royal couple still enjoys things that are not reserved for them. Following Smith's remarks, royal commentator Tom Harwood also condemned the two in an interview with talkRADIO. He pointed out how the two left every Commonwealth country to fully sever their ties from Queen Elizabeth II and the royal family. Their decision to relocate also proved that Los Angeles was their last card to get away from the monarchy. "Fine, if they want to be private citizens, they can be private citizens. But they should rescind their title, stop taking taxpayer money and they should go live like the Hollywood celebrities they so desperately and clearly want to live like," he went on. If this continues, if some fans will demand changes in the monarchy sooner rather than later. READ MORE: Meghan Markle's Problematic Attitude FRUSTRATED Colleagues [REPORT] In a major turn of events, Punjab Police has now claimed arrest of a Ludhiana-based paint-owner accused of supplying three drums of spurious liquor causing several deaths and casualties in the state. The Punjab government said that the state police have arrested a Ludhiana-based paint store owner, allegedly responsible for triggering the chain of events that ultimately resulted in the hooch tragedy. In a major breakthrough in the hooch tragedy case, Punjab Police has arrested Ludhiana-based paint store owner, allegedly responsible for triggering the chain of events that ultimately resulted in the death of 111 persons across 3 districts, Punjab government said. Earlier on Monday, the Punjab Police apprehended 12 more people, including two businessmen in connection with the spurious liquor case. The police had launched a manhunt for a Ludhiana-based paint business owner who had initially supplied three drums of spurious liquor that had caused several deaths in the state. Also read: Ayodhya Ram Mandir LIVE Updates: PM Modi leaves for Ayodhya Also read: Pak opens new front with India, claims Junagarh in Gujarat as its territory Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh had directed Director General of Police (DGP) Dinkar Gupta to put the full might of the police force in tracking and apprehending every single person involved in the case and move swiftly to ensure stringent action against each of them. The magisterial inquiry ordered by the Chief Minister is also probing the involvement of all suspects, as well as the six police and seven Excise and Taxation Officers whose suspension was ordered by the Chief Minister on Saturday. The Chief Minister had on Saturday announced Rs 2-lakh compensation each to the families of the deceased. Also read: Three fall in open drain after their rooms collapse as heavy rains batter Mumbai The risk of COVID-19 infection from breastfeeding is negligible and has never been documented, the World Health Organization (WHO) said on Tuesday. The health agency made this known via a statement published on its website to commemorate the 2020 World Breastfeeding Week which runs from August 1 to August 7. The theme of World Breastfeeding Week 2020 is Support breastfeeding for a healthier planet. WHO said both infants and mothers are protected from any risk the COVID-19 virus poses if they practice exclusive breastfeeding. We have never documented, anywhere around the world, any (COVID-19) transmission through breastmilk, Laurence Grummer-Strawn, head of the World Health Organizations Food and Nutrition Action in Health Systems unit said. Exclusive breastfeeding for six months has many benefits for the infant and mother which far outweigh any risk from the new coronavirus pandemic. The official explained that although a few samples tested had contained the virus, when they followed up to see whether the virus was actually viable and could be infective, they could not find any actual infective virus. The international agency urges women to continue breastfeeding their infants exclusively irrespective of the COVID-19 pandemic. WHO has been very clear in its recommendations to say absolutely breastfeeding should continue. Exclusive Breastfeeding WHO and UNICEF earlier noted that exclusive breastfeeding could save more lives and generate additional income. Indeed, analysis indicates that increasing rates of exclusive breastfeeding could save the lives of 820,000 children every year, generating $302 billion in additional income. Exclusive breastfeeding is when a child is only fed with breast milk without water, infant formula, any other liquid, or food. Breast milk contains antibodies and lymphocytes from the mother that helps the baby resist infections. Health experts say breast milk gives infants a good start to life because it contains all the vitamins and nutrients needed in the first six months of their life. WHO and UNICEF recommends that infants should be exclusively breastfed for the first six months of life to achieve optimal growth, development and health. Thereafter, to meet their evolving nutritional requirements, infants should receive nutritionally adequate and safe complementary foods, while continuing to breastfeed for up to two years or beyond. The breastmilk including milk which is expressed provides lifesaving antibodies that protect babies against many childhood illnesses. This is only one of the reasons why new mothers should initiate skin-to-skin contact and room-in with their babies quickly, as the risks of transmission of the COVID-19 virus from a COVID-positive mother to her baby seem to be extremely low, Mr Grummer-Strawn said. COVID undermining essential support Mr Grummer-Strawn warned that the pandemic has weakened essential breastfeeding support usually provided to families with new-borns. Oftentimes, the health services that would provide maternal child health have been diverted to take care of the COVID response; Sometimes families do not feel comfortable in going into the health services, because theyre afraid that they might get COVID and so they dont come for the routine kinds of support, Mr Grummer-Strawn said. North Adams School Committee Seeks Candidates for Vacant Seat NORTH ADAMS, Mass. The School Committee and City Council hope to fill the vacancies on their respective boards next week. The committee at its regular meeting Tuesday agreed to request statements of interest from prospective candidates. The deadline for letters of interest is Monday, Aug. 10, at 4 p.m. at nrauscher@napsk12.org Aug. 11 Thursday, Aug. 13, at 6 p.m. with the City Council for a joint vote on a replacement candidate. The council will meet on Tuesday, Aug. 11, at 7:30 to vote on a candidate The committee will convene onThursday, Aug. 13, at 6 p.m. with the City Council for a joint vote on a replacement candidate. The council will meet on Tuesday, Aug. 11, at 7:30 to vote on a candidate to fill its own vacancy. The two governmental seats were left vacant by the resignation of Robert Moulton Jr., who last November was returned to the council after an absence and elected to a first term on the School Committee. Candidates must be able to vote in the city and will be able to make a case for their selection at the meeting, which will be held over Zoom. They will have 3 minutes each to speak and the committee and council will have up to 10 minutes to question them. The selection will be made by a majority vote. Mayor Thomas Bernard, chairman of the committee, said the city charter is "instructively vague or vaguely instructive" in that it only states the vote on replacement is made by a vote of both committee and council. He drew up a document of procedure that had also been reviewed by the committee's labor counsel, who he said felt it was an appropriate process. It sets out the call for candidates beginning Wednesday and the process through which the votes would be taken and makes the mayor the presiding officer. School Committee member Tara Jacobs wondered if there was sufficient time for candidates to come forward, noting it would be less than a week. Bernard said he had wanted to align the vote with that of the City Council. "They did have the advantage of a meeting immediately following the notification of vacancy so they were able to get their notice out a little more," he said. "I didn't want to act without the discussion that we couldn't have until until tonight. ... I think it's important that we fill this seat." Moulton resigned from both seats on Monday, July 27, and the council met the day after. Committee member Heather Boulger noted that there were two other candidates who ran unsuccessfully last November. "There are people in line to join," she said. "I think it's enough time from past experience." Bernard said he would get the posting out "far and wide." In other business, Superintendent Barbara Malkas went over preliminary back-to-school plans of fully reopening, a hybrid model and remote. These plans will be presented to parents on Thursday and Friday. The committee approved two resolutions from the Massachusetts Association of School Committees. The first calls on the state to provide funding to help school districts open safely during the pandemic. "The state cannot expect mandatory COVID-19 safety guidelines to be followed without also ensuring that each school district has the funds required to implement these guidelines," the resolution reads. The second was on equity and anti-racism and stated that "school committees have the responsibility to equip students with their civil rights of obtaining a free and appropriate public education. It is the responsibility of each school to ensure we create a welcoming community for all students." Committee members Boulger, Jacobs and Ian Bergeron were assigned to the School Building Committee for Greylock School. The district had been accepted into the Massachusetts School Building Authority's Committee members Boulger, Jacobs and Ian Bergeron were assigned to the School Building Committee for Greylock School. The district had been accepted into the Massachusetts School Building Authority's eligibility phase in December but had postponed creating a committee when the pandemic hit. The committee voted to amend the contract with the business administrator for completing credentials as a Massachusetts Certified Public Purchasing Official. Malkas said the salary adjustment would compensate her for additional work she would now be qualified to do for Greylock School project and that the district would no longer have to contract out on large purchase orders. Bergeron and Jacobs both expressed reluctance that a raise in wage would be made during a time of budget concerns. "It's a very bad time for this," Bergeron said. "That said, I have to vote for this as a cost-saving measure. Overall, institutionally, this will save us in the long run." Editor's note: Please note date change for joint meeting of the School Committee and City Council. A Mississippi man has shared the emotional story of how he was adopted in a touching tribute to his adoptive mother and how she changed his life. Richard Kyle Ripley, 32, opened up to Humans of New York creator Brandon Stanton, who posted the heartwarming account on social media on Monday. Richard detailed how he was abused and had terrible experiences in foster care for years until the Ripleys took him in, and how the patient and loving Ms. Ripley encouraged him, comforted him, and healed him so he could grow into the adult he is today. Opening up: Richard Kyle Ripley, 32, shared a heartwarming story with Humans of New York For the better: In a social media post, he explained how his adoption changed the course of his life after he was born to two addicts who abused him, leaving him covered in scars by age two Parents: Richard spent three years in foster homes, while his brother Kevin was taken in by the Ripleys who soon took him in, too 'My brother [Kevin] and I were both placed into foster homes at a young age,' Richard, whose birth parents were addicts, began. 'He was lucky he went to a family called the Ripleys. I went through four different homes in three years, and each one was worse than the next.' At his foster homes, he'd be locked into his bedroom, with locks on the outside of the door. He was molested, and one foster family even made him change his name to one that started with the letter H. 'Id get to see my brother every few months. Ms. Ripley would take us for lunch at McDonalds, and thats when she first noticed the scars all over my body. She immediately made arrangements for me to join their family.' 'Back then the word "family" didnt mean much to me. But the Ripleys made me feel welcome in their home. Whenever I did something wrong, Ms. Ripley would sit me down and explain why it wasnt OK. 'But then shed say: "Youre not going anywhere. Because you belong to us now."' Touching: His adoptive mother gave words of affirmation and encouragement and helped 'heal' him Family: After Mr. Ripley died of cancer, Ms. Ripley officially adopted Richard and Kevin Future: He said that when he joined the Marines, his adoptive mother cried. But it was how he was able to get a college education, and he went on to graduate from law school Unfortunately, it wasn't long after Richard joined the Ripley family that Mr. Ripley was diagnosed with cancer, and died soon after. 'Ms. Ripleys entire world fell apart,' he recalled. 'Theyd been high school sweethearts. And now she was alone with two foster kids. 'Nobody would have blamed her for taking us back. But instead she took us to court and made it permanent.' Ms. Ripley and the two boys moved into a single wide trailer in Mississippi, and she worked 'whatever odd jobs' to support them. 'We never had much, but we went to movies. We had family game nights. She kept us busy with little league and Boy Scouts,' he said. 'She must have been super stressed, but thats not at all what I remember. I just remember the affirmation that she gave me. It was always: "Youre smart." And "Youre handsome." And "You survived all that stuff because youre strong."' He said: 'I should be broken, but Im not. Because thirty years ago my Mom decided to keep me... despite her sadness and heartbreak, she poured enough love into me so that I could heal' Dad: Now, Richard has a daughter of his own which put him into 'an emotional tailspin': 'I realized how every little choice I make is going to affect her future, ' he said He said that when he joined the Marines, his adoptive mother cried. But it was how he was able to get a college education, and he went on to graduate from law school. Now, Richard has a daughter of his own which put him into 'an emotional tailspin.' 'I realized how every little choice I make is going to affect her future, ' he said. 'And then I started thinking about how different my life could have been. Because my early development had been the opposite of what a childs should be. 'I should be broken, but Im not. Because thirty years ago my Mom decided to keep me. And somehow, despite all her sadness and heartbreak, she poured enough love into me so that I could heal.' Richard's story has quickly touched the hearts of over 1.2 million people, who have liked Humans of New York's posts across Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. The courage, determination and presence of mind a 30-year-old tribal man in Umaria district, 516 km east of Bhopal, not only saved him but also his wife and brother after they were attacked by a tigress in Bandhavgarh tiger reserve while they were on their way home on a bike, said a forest official on Wednesday. Ram Milan Baiga, a resident of Garhpuri village which is located in core area of Bandhavgarh reserve, was returning to his village on Monday evening on a bike with his wife Meera Baiga, 25 and brother Shyam Baiga, 28, when a tigress attacked them in Khitauli range of the reserve, said NP Kartikeya, a range officer. The forest officer confirmed that pug marks of a tigress found on the spot after the incident. All three fell on the ground after the tigress attacked but instead of running away, Ram Milan stood there, asked wife and brother not to run away and started making noises as taught by his elders in his childhood on how to shoo away wild animals. They continued to stand there and kept making noises for about 15 minutes to drive away the tigress. Later deputy range officer Gajraj Singh reached there and took them to the outpost, said Kartikeya. Ram Milan and Meera suffered injuries on their hands and legs and were admitted to the district hospital where their condition is stable, the official said. Kartikeya said, If these three had tried to run away this could have been dangerous for all of them but Ram Milans courage, presence of mind and strategy worked perfectly for all of them. Ram Milan said, I had seen my elders making noises loudly to shoo the wild animals away while taking the cattle in the forest areas for grazing. Despite living in a village, that too in the core area of tiger reserve, I had never had such an encounter with any wild animal so far. This was quite a different experience on Monday and scary moments for us that I would never be able to forget. He said he was initially stunned when the tigress attacked before he remembered the survival trick. I saw the tigress standing just a few metres away from us after it attacked us and we fell on the ground. For some moments I froze and was at my wits end before I used the trick taught to us by our elders and it really worked. When I started making noises my wife and brother too followed. I am overjoyed because I not only could save my life but also the lives of my wife and brother. Nothing could be more joyous a moment for me than this. Retired conservator of forest Jagdish Chandra said, Sometimes a tiger or tigress attacks a human being in self-defence too sensing a threat to its life from him if he or she gets close to it in any particular situation. Standing still is a good practice to avoid conflict as running away may further strengthen the perceived threat felt by the tiger or tigress. Making noises too can help one while not running away as it may take the tiger by surprise but it all depends on particular situations in which a person is confronting a wild animal. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Adama Barrow, President of the Republic of the Gambia, at a Chatham House event in 2018. State House said in a statement the President of the Gambia has tested negative for the deathly COVID-19. "The public is hereby informed that H.E Adama Barrow, President of the Republic of The Gambia has tested negative for the Coronavirus. The President's sample was taken on Thursday, 30th July 2020 and the results came out last night, Monday, 3rd August 2020," the press release sated. The Office of the President seizes the opportunity to wish all those infected a speedy recovery and pray for the departed souls to rest in eternal peace. Readers could recall that the Vice President of the Gambia Dr. Isatou Touray tested positive for the deadly coronaries (COVID-19) and as a result, Gambian President Adama Barrow went on self-isolation with immediate effect for two weeks. Subsequently those that were closer to the vice president were advised to self-isolate including President Adama Barrow. The Office of the President on Monday 3rd August 2020 also informed the general public that three Cabinet Ministers, Honourable Minister of Finance and Economic Affairs, Mambureh Njie and Honourable Minister of Petroleum and Energy, Fafa Sanyang, and Honourable Minister of Agriculture, Amie Fabureh have tested positive for the deathly coronavirus epidemic. A fire erupted at an Iranian industrial facility this morning, state TV reported, marking the latest in a wave of unexplained blasts at civilian and military sites across the country. "The fire broke out at the industrial area of the Jajrud district in the Pardis county this morning. ... There were no casualties. ... Firefighters are trying to contain the fire," it said, according to Reuters. Since late June, Iran has seen an increasing number of mysterious explosions and fires. Incidents include a huge explosion in an industrial gas tank at a military complex developing rockets and ammunition in eastern Tehran on June 25. Nineteen people died after a gas leak caused an explosion at a private medical clinic north of the capital June 30. A fire that ripped through the Natanz nuclear facility July 2 caused significant damage, which experts say likely set back the countrys uranium enrichment. Iran watchers speculate that Israel, a longtime adversary of the Islamic Republic, has carried out the blasts in an attempt to sabotage Irans nuclear weapons development. Israels Defense Minister Benny Gantz stopped short of acknowledging his governments role, saying only that Israel was not necessarily involved in every incident. A Middle Eastern official, believed to be an Israeli intelligence source, told The New York Times that the Jewish state had used a powerful bomb in the Natanz explosion. MIDDLETOWN Local and state officials joined Gov. Ned Lamont Wednesday afternoon at Veterans Memorial Green to assess the significant damage the city suffered in the wake of Tropical Storm Isaias. Middletown took a direct hit, according to Fire Chief and Emergency Management Services Director Robert Kronenberger. Around 2:30, 3 oclock, there was the talk of tornadoes, however, I think everything that hit us was very powerful, straight-line winds. When you see trees come down on Main Street, you know the winds are extremely strong. We never see damage on Main Street like that, he said. That was quite surprising. There were no injuries reported due to the storm. On the Washington Street green, Lamont marveled at several large trees that had just missed two war monuments. Restoration is expected to take between three and four days, said Lamont, who was set to meet with the CEO of Eversource at 4 p.m. Were going to push like hell. Weve got 90-degree weather, seniors living at home with no power. You cant survive that way. In total, 609,180 Eversource customers in Connecticut remained without service early Wednesday evening. In upper Middlesex County, Durham was hit hardest, with 100 percent (3,134) of households without power. Middletown had 34 percent (7,887) of customers out by early Wedneday evening; 73 percent (3,407) in Portland; 70 percent (2,763) in Haddam; 56 percent (3,528) in East Hampton; and 20 percent (1,406) in Cromwell. The impact from this storm, in terms of power outages, is greater than Superstorm Sandy. The fierce winds with this storm caused widespread power outages and historic damage, affecting customers in all of the 149 communities we serve in Connecticut, Michael Hayhurst, Eversource vice president of electric operations in Connecticut, said in a statement. Mayor Ben Florsheim, whose house remained without electricity, was pleased to report outages were on the decline, after peaking at about 9,000. However, they could go back up again. Crews were working to reopen a handful of streets where trees were tangled in power lines, he said. The Police Department kept officers who work the day shift on duty Tuesday night to help block off intersections with tons of traffic lights out, the mayor said. With those outages on Route 66, people know how extraordinary that is, Florsheim said. This is the third-worst hit in terms of outages in the history of the state, so were not going to over promise, Lamont said. He said he was anticipating receiving support from the Connecticut National Guard and the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Lamont asked whether the city needed shelters for residents who suffered a lot of damage. If this was a wintertime storm, it would have been a different story, the fire chief said. We should be able to bounce back. People already are struggling after losing their jobs and having unemployment insurance run out amid the coronavirus pandemic, and are worried about sending their children back to school in the midst of the pandemic, the mayor said. Now they might have a couple-thousand-dollar bill for removal of debris from their property. Its one thing after another, after another, he said. Thats true for residents, and its also true for municipalities across the state. Resources are going to be the most important thing, and theyre all interlaced with one another, Florsheim said. Lamont spoke about challenges facing utility service providers during the pandemic. You probably cant keep full-time staff in place just for that type of emergency. People always say, why dont you trim the trees next to the power wires on a sunny day, then they say youre not taking care of the beauty of the area. Moving power lines underground, such as those in New Britain, Lamont said, is a long-term solution. State Rep. Quentin Phipps, D-Middletown, told the governor the city set up microgrids after the last major storm to hit the area, including at Wesleyan University and Middlesex Hospital. As a result, outages were minimal there. Middletown Public Works crews identified several high-priority areas where streets were still blocked late Wednesday morning, due to trees and wires in the roadway, including Highland Avenue, Camp Street, and Coleman, Freeman and Bretton roads, according to Director William Russo. It is essential the emergency personnel are able to access these areas, Russo said. In some cases, the department is working with Eversource to confirm the power is cut off before clearing the wreckage. With temperatures in the 90s, Russo is asking people to be as patient as possible as restoration efforts continue. I know its warm. This could be a lot worse an ice storm in the cold and frozen pipes. We are working as quickly as we can to restore everyone, and are pairing up with Eversource as needed, he said. Were managing safety precautions, and managing COVID, too. We cant forget this is here, Russo said. Lightning from the storm Tuesday afternoon sparked a fire in a tree outside the Board of Education building on Hunting Hill Avenue, cutting off electricity in the primary power wires, Russo said. The facility remained without power late Wednesday morning. Essential city personnel are keeping in touch via tablets, cellphone and text instead of email because City Hall was without Internet service, Russo said. While that presents a complication, he assured residents that alternative methods of communication were running smoothly. Russo urged motorists to treat non-working traffic control lights at intersections as stop signs, and to pay close attention. Areas of particular concern include South Main Street and Loveland Street, near the entrance and exit ramp to Route 9, and the intersection of Route 3/Newfield Street and Route 66/Washington Street, where stop signs were put in place. Dispatchers have been fielding calls around the clock about outages and other issues, as well as medical calls, he said, praising their efforts. He reminded people to contact elderly neighbors and family members to be sure they have everything they need, If they have any medical needs, check on them. Its safer if neighbors are looking out for each other. Due to a lack of electricity, Xavier High School delayed the release of its 2020-21 reopening plan, the administration posted on Twitter. Autonomous vehicles (AVs) will challenge cities in ways that are difficult to fully predict, and yet critical to address early. A particular challenge is the potential for AVs to upset municipal budgets, as they upend traditional auto-related funding streams like vehicle registration fees and parking revenues. To prepare for this uncertain future, cities should practice scenario planning to understand revenue implications and identify alternative solutions. As a proxy for AVs, researchers often examine transportation network companies (TNCs) like Uber and Lyft, because in many ways they operate as AVs will. In a 2019 NITC Small Starts project, "How Will Autonomous Vehicles Change Local Government Budgeting and Finance?" Benjamin Clark of the University of Oregon (UO) examined Seattle's parking demand and revenue implications for several downtown neighborhoods. Building on that work, Clark and UO colleague Anne Brown took a deeper dive into how new transportation technologies affect on-street parking revenues. Expanding their analysis to the entire City of Seattle, they compared Uber trip data with built environment and parking data from the City. The goal was in part to learn what other localized factors, including TNCs, might explain changes in parking demand. They found that up to a certain point, more Uber trips meant more parking spaces occupied: each additional 1,000 Uber trips was associated with a 17.1 percent increase in parking occupancy. Download the Final Report "What Makes Cents? How Uber Shapes Municipal On-Street Parking Revenue" at: https://nitc.trec.pdx.edu/research/project/1215 Yet findings reveal that the relationship between TNC trips and parking occupancy is not linear. The model predictions show that parking revenues will decline if or when TNC (or possibly AV) trips are about three times greater than the average number of daily trips taken in 2016. WAIT...SO WHY IS PARKING MORE OCCUPIED? Intuition might say that more people using Uber should mean less parking occupation. While some travelers may hail an Uber instead of driving, it's not a simple substitution. Rather than reshuffling a fixed number of travelers from personal cars into Ubers, the advent of TNCs means more people are traveling to and from popular destinations using a combination of modes. TNCs complement other modes and may enable more people to travel on preferred routes and at more convenient times. The data used in this study do not provide insight into which TNC trips substitute for driving, which carry people who previously traveled by other modes or at other times of the day, or which are new trips entirely. Additional research is needed to better understand the potential mode shift dynamics between driving, TNCs, and other modes. POLICY OPTIONS FOR CITIES The analysis presented in this report assumes no policy action by cities. The researchers discuss several possible courses of action in the final report. Adjust parking policies by time/day While cities are not in immediate danger of losing parking revenues due to TNCs, parking revenues may erode at high levels of TNCs or AV trip-making. However, TNCs are not the only factor. Parking occupancy and revenue also depend on the local built environment, time of day, number of parking spaces, and parking price. This finding affords a policy opportunity across land uses: Policymakers and planners can adjust parking prices or policies by the time of day, or day of the week, to achieve desired occupancies or outcomes. Lower parking prices A simple option would be to lower parking prices to reflect lower demand for parking. However, this approach could run counter to many cities' efforts to encourage car-alternative travel. Reduce on-street supply Instead of lowering prices, cities could maintain parking prices but reduce their on-street parking supply; repurposing on-street spaces for other uses such as parklets, loading spaces, or non-auto parking spaces. This action could produce ancillary benefits such as managing congestion through additional loading spaces, facilitating micromobility with additional non-auto parking spaces, or enhancing the streetscape and public outdoor space. Find alternative sources of revenue Many cities are already experimenting with alternative uses for parking spaces: Washington, D.C., recently completed an on-demand, curb-space reservation pilot for a variety of commercial uses including TNCs, food deliveries, and commercial deliveries. Boston, too, is experimenting with similar pilots with some success. In both cases, the city replaced traditional parking revenue with another source (loading zone reservations) while simultaneously addressing congestion issues. Focus on mixed-use and commercial areas Per-space parking revenues in Seattle were highest in commercial and mixed-use areas. This may indicate that cities should, in the longer run, focus policy efforts on commercial and mixed-use areas for more revenue opportunities since they are projected to have larger revenue shortfalls. Finding replacements for these revenues, such as the piloted projects in Washington, D.C. or Boston, could help offset projected revenue losses, but may not be a panacea. WHAT ELSE DO WE NEED TO KNOW? Parking demand will not disappear overnight. Nevertheless, cities should engage in scenario planning to understand revenue implications as people take more TNC trips--and eventually AV trips--in the coming years. Dynamic analyses are needed to assess how parking rates change in response to higher TNC use, and how those changes could affect revenue. ### This research was funded by the National Institute for Transportation and Communities, with additional support from the City of Seattle, WA, and the University of Oregon. UO graduate student Jay Matonte provided data collection and research assistance. The National Institute for Transportation and Communities (NITC) is one of seven U.S. Department of Transportation national university transportation centers. NITC is a program of the Transportation Research and Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University. This PSU-led research partnership also includes the Oregon Institute of Technology, University of Arizona, University of Oregon, University of Texas at Arlington and University of Utah. We pursue our theme -- improving mobility of people and goods to build strong communities -- through research, education and technology transfer. TORONTO, Aug. 05, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Flowr Corporation (TSX.V: FLWR; OTC: FLWPF) (Flowr or the Company) is pleased to announce that the Company has closed on a second tranche of funding (the Second Tranche) in the amount of C$500,000 pursuant to the Equity Line and Profit Share Agreement (the Agreement) with Terrace Global Inc. (TSXV: TRCE) (Terrace Global). The Second Tranche will be used to fund the Companys outdoor medical cannabis site in Aljustrel, Portugal which is jointly operated with Terrace Global (the Partnership). We are very pleased by the progress in Aljustrel and continue to work closely with Terrace Global towards a successful harvest later this year, commented Vinay Tolia, Chief Executive Officer of Flowr. Thus far the crops in Aljustrel look very promising and we continue to be on track to harvest the fields in Q4 2020. Its exciting to be leading what we believe to be one of the largest outdoor THC cultivation projects in Europe to date. As part of the Partnership and under the terms of the Agreement, Terrace Global has agreed to fund the operations and certain capital expenditures at the Companys outdoor facility located in Aljustrel, Portugal in exchange for common shares and warrants in Flowr. As part of the Second Tranche announced today, Flowr has issued to Terrace Global 961,538 common shares of the Company at a price of $0.52 and an equal amount of common share warrants (the Warrants). Each Warrant is exercisable into one full common share of the Company at an exercise price of $0.76 per common share for a period of 36 months from August 5, 2020. The Second Tranche remains subject to the final approval of the TSX Venture Exchange. All securities issued under the Second Tranche are subject to the customary four-month hold period and may not be traded before December 6, 2020. The parties continue to expect Terrace Global to fund at least C$3 million under the Agreement. About The Flowr Corporation The Flowr Corporation is a Toronto-headquartered cannabis company with operations in Canada, Europe, and Australia. Its Canadian operating campus, located in Kelowna, BC, includes a purpose-built, GMP-designed indoor cultivation facility; an outdoor and greenhouse cultivation site; and a state-of-the-art R&D facility. From this campus, Flowr produces recreational and medicinal products. Internationally, Flowr intends to service the global medical cannabis market through its subsidiary Holigen, which has a license for cannabis cultivation in Portugal and operates GMP licensed facilities in both Portugal and Australia. Flowr aims to support improving outcomes through responsible cannabis use and, as an established expert in cannabis cultivation, strives to be the brand of choice for consumers and patients seeking the highest-quality craftsmanship and product consistency across a portfolio of differentiated cannabis products. For more information, please visit flowrcorp.com or follow Flowr on Twitter: @FlowrCanada and LinkedIn: The Flowr Corporation. About Terrace Global Terrace is a Canadian company focused on the development and acquisition of international cannabis assets. Its single-minded goal is to unlock value in new jurisdictions. Terrace was created by a group of pioneers in the cannabis space who have come together to build a best in class portfolio of assets, across international markets. With decades of cross-continent relationships, the Terrace team is uniquely positioned to unlock value in new jurisdictions like no one else can. For more information about Terrace Global, please visit terraceglobal.ca. On behalf of The Flowr Corporation: Vinay Tolia CEO and Director CONTACT INFORMATION: INVESTORS & MEDIA: Thierry Elmaleh Head of Capital Markets (877) 356-9726 ext. 1528 thierry@flowr.ca Forward-Looking Information and Statements This press release contains forward-looking information within the meaning of Canadian securities laws, which may include but is not limited to: the Second Tranche being used to fund the Companys outdoor medical cannabis site in Aljustrel, Portugal; a successful harvest in Portugal later this year; crops in Aljustrel looking promising and being ready for harvest in Q4 2020; the Companys belief that Aljustrel is one of the largest outdoor THC cultivation projects in Europe to date; Terrace Global funding operations and certain capital expenditures at the Companys Aljustrel facility in exchange for securities of the Company; TSX Venture Exchange approval of the Second Tranche; the total amount of funding by Terrace Global under the Agreement; Flowr servicing the global medical cannabis market and operating GMP-designed manufacturing facilities in Portugal and Australia; Flowr supporting improving outcomes through responsible cannabis use and striving to be the brand of choice for consumers and patients seeking highest-quality craftmanship and product consistency; and Flowrs business, production and products. Often, but not always, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of words such as plans, is expected, expects, scheduled, intends, contemplates, anticipates, believes, proposes or variations (including negative and grammatical 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. Such information and statements are based on the current expectations of Flowrs management and are based on assumptions and subject to risks and uncertainties. Although Flowrs management believes that the assumptions underlying such information and statements are reasonable, they may prove to be incorrect. The forward-looking events and circumstances discussed in this press release may not occur by certain specified dates or at all and could differ materially as a result of known and unknown risk factors and uncertainties affecting Flowr, including risks relating to: the Company being unable to fund its outdoor medical cannabis site in Aljustrel, Portugal with the funds received under the Second Tranche, or at all; the Company and Terrace Global being unable to successfully harvest in Portugal later this year; crops in Aljustrel not achieving the Companys expectations or not being ready for harvest in Q4 2020, or at all; Terrace Global not funding operations and certain capital expenditures at the Companys Aljustrel facility in exchange for securities of the Company; the Company being unable to obtain TSX Venture Exchange approval of the Second Tranche; Terrace Global not funding the anticipated amount under the Agreement; Flowr being unable to service the global medical cannabis market and/or operate GMP-designed manufacturing facilities in Portugal and Australia; Flowr being unable to support improving outcomes through responsible cannabis use and/or striving to be the brand of choice for consumers and patients seeking highest-quality craftmanship and product consistency; the construction and development of the Companys cultivation and production facilities; general economic and stock market conditions; adverse industry events; loss of markets; future legislative and regulatory developments in Canada and elsewhere; the cannabis industry in Canada generally; the ability of Flowr to implement its business strategies; Flowrs inability to produce or sell premium quality cannabis, risks and uncertainties detailed from time to time in Flowrs filings with the Canadian Securities Administrators; the Companys inability to raise capital or have the liquidity to operate or advance its strategic initiatives and many other factors beyond the control of Flowr. Although Flowr has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking information or statements, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results to differ from those anticipated, estimated or intended. No forward-looking information or statement can be guaranteed. Except as required by applicable securities laws, forward-looking information and statements speak only as of the date on which they are made and Flowr undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking information or statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. When considering such forward-looking information and statements, readers should keep in mind the risk factors and other cautionary statements in Flowrs Annual Information Form dated April 29, 2020 (the AIF) and filed with the applicable securities regulatory authorities in Canada. The risk factors and other factors noted in the AIF could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those described in any forward-looking information or statements. Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Roanoke College said it will investigate allegations that its former front-line anti-discrimination officer responded to student complaints about sexual misconduct with insensitivity, sexism and victim-blaming. Dean of Students Brian Chisom did not respond to requests for comment. His campus role over sexual misconduct matters was curtailed when he left the front-line position after a reorganization in 2018. His supervisory authority over such matters as Title IX coordinator ended this week, college spokeswoman Melanie Tolan said Tuesday. Aaron Fetrow, vice president for resource development, was named interim Title IX coordinator for the college, Tolan said. Title IX is a federal law that prohibits sex discrimination at schools and other entities that rely on federal money. Sexual misconduct is a form of sex discrimination. Last week, an anonymous petition calling for the resignation or removal of Chisom and other changes drew 1,500 signatures and biting commentary shortly after being posted at change.org. It was titled Demanding Accountability for Misconduct Cases Neglected by Roanoke College and was directed to the board of trustees at the private, nonprofit college in Salem. The petition also seeks a stronger commitment from Roanoke College to protect and believe survivors and a recognition of past shortcomings on the colleges behalf stemming from a lack of support for those willing to come forward. In addition, it seeks more training in sexual misconduct response for college personnel. An investigation of Chisom, the petition said, should focus on how his alleged shortcomings compromised safety and protected assailants. Signatures poured in. Thursday, the college released a statement in response to the petition that was roundly condemned as inadequate on social media. In a letter posted to Facebook on Friday, even the college president said the response fell short. After first saying it would review the matter raised by the petition, the college then announced an outside, independent investigation to probe criticisms of Chisom. You have my personal commitment to communicate clearly and with measurable detail about our work to address sexual violence in our community and society, read the letter signed by President Michael Maxey. Chisom is a 27-year employee of Roanoke College, according to his LinkedIn page. He was the campus point person for student reports of sexual misconduct from an unknown date up until a reorganization in 2018, when that duty shifted to Amy Perkins, the assistant dean of students. Perkins is still in that role and is accepting input from people who have information for the investigator, Tolan said. Chisom had retained overall responsibility for Title IX compliance but was replaced this week in light of the investigation, Tolan said. Chisoms status at the college is otherwise unchanged, Tolan said. According to the petition, numerous individuals who attend or attended Roanoke College have had the unfortunate experience of relying on Dean Chisoms assistance in cases of sexual misconduct. Dean Chisoms line of questioning and general tone of conversation is based in victim blaming and sexism that has even gone as far as bigoted commentary when interacting with students. The petition doesnt cite specific instances or individuals or tie the allegations to a specific year or time period. There was no response to two queries seeking further information sent to an email address provided with the petition. Tolan said the investigator has been selected, but she declined to identify the party or predict how long the inquiry would take. Roanoke College is scheduled to begin its fall semester Aug. 19. According to the colleges annual safety report for 2019, there were five reports of rape in 2018, four on campus and one at an off-campus building or property associated with the university. There was one report of fondling and one report of dating violence, both on campus, the report said. The 2020 report with 2019 data is not yet out. The college has 1,900 students. In Maxeys letter, the president apologized for the colleges initial Facebook post responding to the petition, which Maxey said contained a wrong and insufficient message. It had provoked a bevy of negative replies, including for a passage that said Chisom has ably held several staff roles and made many outstanding contributions to Roanoke College. Your comments and calls and we have listened to them all made clear your disappointment in our failure to recognize the community pain on this issue, Maxey wrote in his follow-up letter. We care deeply about this community, and it was difficult to hear how we have let you down. A new round of social media commentary followed on the colleges Facebook page, much of it positive toward the college and Maxey for the change in tone and new action plan. 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. There is no legal reason preventing government ministers from answering questions publicly about the quarantine hotel debacle that has contributed to Victoria's second peak in coronavirus cases. The comment by the head of a probe into the bungle, which saw security guards infected while working at the hotels accommodating returned overseas travellers, came as she gave her strongest indication yet that she will call ministers to testify. Justice Jennifer Coate. Credit:Getty Premier Daniel Andrews and ministers have used the inquiry to deflect questions about hotel quarantine, consistently saying it would be inappropriate to comment while the inquiry was afoot. Health Minister Jenny Mikakos on Wednesday also missed a deadline to respond to questions she refused to answer in Parliament the day before, sparking further fury from the opposition and accusations of contempt for Parliament. Betting giant William Hill is keeping 119 of its betting shops across the UK closed for good amid fears in-store customer levels will not return to pre-pandemic levels. A spokesperson for William Hill told This is Money that less than 20 people would lose their jobs, with around 300 set to be redeployed to other sites within the company. The closures will leave the betting firm with over 1,414 stores across the UK. William Hill has not yet revealed the location of the 119 sites staying shut. Closing for good: William Hill is keeping 119 of its stores across the UK closed for good A spokesperson for William Hill told This is Money: 'We are very comfortable with the scale and performance of our retail estate; we think we have got the balance right. 'But we will always look at performance as leases are up for renewal. This is just part of normal business practice.' The company's management also announced today that it will be repaying the 24.5million received from the Government as part of the coronavirus job retention scheme. William Hill said in its latest results today: 'Our retail format remains popular with our customers and we saw flat like-for-like net revenue during the last two weeks of the reporting period as the estate re-opened gradually and safely. 'Nonetheless, we anticipate that longer term retail footfall will not return to pre-COVID levels and 119 shops will remain closed following early lease breaks, with the majority of colleagues redeployed within the estate. 'The recently announced integration of UK Retail with UK Online will further optimise the value of our shop estate and deliver an even better experience with one view of our UK customer base.' The group said the cost of the store closures would be 'minimal.' The company's closure revelations emerged as the group posted a stinging slump in profits for the six months to June. 'Popular': William Hill insisted its high-street stores remain 'popular' with customers today Axed: This year has been marred by the mass cancellation of sporting events Profits fell 85 per cent to 11.8million, while revenues shrunk by 32 per cent to 554.4million on the previous year. The betting firm has been hit hard by the pandemic amid the enforced temporary closure of its stores and the mass cancellation of sporting events. It was allowed to start reopening its stores again from 15 June. William Hill said that its betting shops remain 'popular' with customers and had been encouraged by footfall levels over the last few weeks. It said: 'The business has traded well since mainstream sport resumed and our UK shops have re-opened and we are encouraged by the early indications.' The company said its online arm was also enjoying 'good progress' after a 'robust' first half. Its international online arm saw growth of 17 per cent, while its expansion in the US has helped expand its market share there to 29 per cent. Chief executive Ulrik Bengtsson said: 'I am delighted with William Hill's performance in these extraordinary times. Our team has been remarkable, supporting each other and our customers throughout the pandemic, and I would like to thank them for their continuing efforts. 'The furlough scheme provided welcome and timely support, and meant we could protect the jobs of our 7,000 UK retail colleagues. Therefore, given the strength of our recovery post-lockdown, we have decided to repay the furlough funds.' FTSE 250-listed William Hill's share price is up 3.63 per cent or 4.25p to 121.40p this morning. A year ago the company's share price stood at around the 138.80p mark. Russ Mould, investment director at AJ Bell, said: 'An encouraging performance post lockdown as sport returned and news it is further streamlining its estate of shops helped give William Hill a lift as it announced first half results. 'While the cancellation of nearly all sporting events, at least for a large part of the period, was a negative, the company managed to show some flexibility in generating increased revenue from online casino games and the like instead. 'In an environment where many businesses are struggling financially a reduction in net debt is also welcome for shareholders.' Ejaz Kaiser By Express News Service RAIPUR: With the foundation laying ceremony at Ayodhya been observed by some political parties as national pride, the Congress government in Chhattisgarh is aggressively illustrating significant places associated with the 14-year exile route of Lord Ram in the state. The move apparently is seen as an attempt to outdo playing the religious card or stand no less compared to the BJP. Recently the Chhattisgarh government outlined a scheme on creating a magnificent temple of Mata Kaushalya at Chadrakhuri, the birthplace of Rama's mother, as a heritage site. The state government has asserted that the way Lord Ram established shivling in Rameshwaram before leaving for Lanka, he similarly also installed shivling at Rampal in Bastar, ahead of moving towards southern India. Rampal is situated in south Chhattisgarh, where the shivling established by Lord Ram is still present. Before entering the south India, Lord Ram had visited Rampal. And later he worshipped Bhudevi in Ramaram area of Sukma district (south Bastar). Chhattisgarh government plans to develop and beautify the two places associated with Lord Rama and promote as the tourist destinations, the chief minister Bhupesh Baghel said. The Congress government further decided to include Sitamadi-Harchauki in north Chhattisgarhs Koriya district and Ramgarh area in Sarguja as another location linked to Lord Rams visit to the state and develop them. Ramgarh is also known for one of the oldest natyashala (Amphitheater) where poet Kalidas composed his literary masterpiece Meghdootam. During his exile, he entered Chhattisgarh via Koriya district. Sitamadi-Harchauka in Janakpur area is believed to be his entry point in the state. Cave in Sitamadi-Harchauka near Mavai river has 17 rooms, which is also known as Sita Ki Rasoi. There is a stone in the cave, which is believed to have footprints of Lord Ram. From Harchauka Lord Ram came to Sitamadi-Ghagra situated on the bank of Rapa River. It is believed that during his exile period, Lord Ram had spent some days here with wife Sita and brother Lakshaman. The caves here therefore known by their names in folk tales, such as Jogimara, Sita Bengra and Lakshman Gufa. The plan of action to develop and beautify these places by the Bhupesh Baghel government at the cost of Rs 137 crore 45 lakh has been prepared in the first phase. With the key locations vouching for the Sita-Ram journey through Chhattisgarh, the Congress-ruled government gears-up to identify them along the route -- Ram Van Gaman Path, undertaken by Lord Ram during his exile, which is corroborated by Valmikis Ramayana and another research-based bookDandakaranya Ramayan. All these would be developed as tourist destinations. The international community has no right to turn a blind eye to Stalin's rehabilitation in Russia and the censorship of history as the current Kremlin leadership needs the Stalinist spirit to carry out their aggressive plans to revive the Russian Empire, the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry has said in a statement on the day marking the beginning of the Great Purge of the 1930s. "Today, the cult of Stalin is being actively revived in Russia, and the policy of historical memory is aimed at silencing, belittling or justifying the crimes of the Soviet government. Moreover, repression in the spirit of the Stalinist NKVD continues today. Having occupied Crimea and part of Donbas, Russia is carrying out massive repression in these territories. Murders, disappearances, arrests, unfair trials and brutal torture have become commonplace there. The victim of persecution in Crimea is a whole nation - the Crimean Tatars, the indigenous people of the peninsula," the statement reads. Unfortunately, the inhumane repression of freedom of speech and expression did not go away with the collapse of the Soviet Union, the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry said. Ukrainian diplomats believe that the whole world should draw special attention to the frequent cases of political persecution in Russia of those who are fighting for the establishment of historical justice. In this context, the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry said that on July 22, a well-known historian and human rights activist, Yuri Dmitriev, was sentenced to three-and-a-half years in jail on trumped-up charges for revealing the truth about repression at Sandarmokh. "The international community has no right to turn a blind eye to such flagrant human rights abuses in Russia, the collapse of democracy, the rehabilitation of Stalin, and the censorship of history. After all, the current Kremlin leadership needs the Stalinist spirit to secure unlimited power, as well as to implement their aggressive plans to revive the Russian Empire," the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry said. It added that on August 5, Ukraine honors the memory of the victims of the Great Purge it is on this day in 1937 that a resolution of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union "On Anti-Soviet Elements" came into force. In Ukraine, the Great Purge was a continuation of the Holodomor, but the main attack was aimed not at the peasantry, but at the nation's intellectual elite. As a result of the decision made on August 5, 1937, almost 300 Ukrainian intellectuals - scientists, artists, statesmen - were executed in the Karelian forest massif of Sandarmokh. op Taipei (AFP) - The United States announced Wednesday its highest-level visit to Taiwan since it switched diplomatic recognition to China in 1979, a move Beijing blasted as a threat to "peace and stability". The visit, headed by health chief Alex Azar, comes as relations between the world's two biggest powers plunge to historic lows. Azar, speaking to Fox News, praised Taipei as an example of good governance, singling out its successful handling of the coronavirus pandemic. "Taiwan has been a model of transparency, cooperation and collaboration in the international community," he added. "Their response to COVID has been incredible." He has previously accused China of attempting to conceal the outbreak, which first emerged in the city of Wuhan late last year. Azar will be the first cabinet member to visit in six years, and the "highest level visit" by a US cabinet official since 1979, according to Washington's de facto embassy, the American Institute in Taiwan. No date was given yet for the visit. Washington remains the leading arms supplier to the island but has historically been cautious in holding official contacts with it. Beijing views Taiwan as its own territory -- vowing to one day seize it -- and bristles at any moves by other countries to recognise or communicate with Taipei. "China firmly opposes official exchanges between the US and Taiwan," Wang Wenbin, a spokesman for China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said as he called for the visit to be cancelled. "We urge the US to abide by the one-China principle... to avoid seriously endangering Sino-US relations, as well as peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait." Taiwan said Azar would meet President Tsai Ing-wen. "(The) timely visit is another testament to the strong Taiwan-US partnership based on our longstanding friendship and shared values," Tsai wrote on Twitter. Relations have warmed dramatically under President Donald Trump, who has used embracing democratic Taiwan more closely as a way to hit back at authoritarian Beijing as he clashes with China on a host of issues, including trade and coronavirus. Story continues - Blossoming friendship - Taiwan's success at stopping its own virus outbreak -- and its emergence as one of Asia's most progressive democracies -- has also earned the island growing bipartisan support in Washington. "The Trump administration is increasing its relations with Taiwan to a record-high level, sending a message to China that the US will not sacrifice Taiwan for its relations with China," Eric Huang, an international relations analyst at Tamkang University in Taipei, told AFP. Shortly after Trump's election win in 2016, Tsai phoned to congratulate him, making him the first president -- sitting or newly elected -- to speak directly with a Taiwanese leader since 1979. Taiwan is massively outgunned by China and Trump's administration has sold a number of big-ticket military items -- including fighter jets -- that previous presidents more wary of angering Beijing had balked at. Trump also signed a bipartisan bill in 2018 upgrading relations and allowing more high-level visits to take place. In their statements Washington and Taipei painted Azar's visit as linked to Taiwan being a leading example in the battle against the pandemic. Despite its proximity and close economic ties to China -- where the outbreak emerged late last year -- Taiwan has fewer than 500 cases and just seven deaths thanks to a world-class tracing and testing regime and a virtual shutdown of its borders. - 'Less contentious' - But Beijing sees Azar's visit as part of a wider attempt to give Taiwan greater international recognition. It has ramped up diplomatic, economic and military pressure on Taiwan ever since the 2016 election of Tsai, who rejects Beijing's view that the island in part of "one China". It keeps Taiwan diplomatically frozen out of global bodies such as the World Health Organization, and has poached its dwindling number of official allies. That pressure campaign has only bolstered Tsai, who won a landslide re-election earlier this year. "Beijing... will likely view (the visit) as further evidence of the Trump administration moving away from the 'one China policy'," Bonnie Glaser, director of the China Power Project at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, told AFP. "But it isn't precedent-setting and it is justifiable given Taiwan's exemplary performance in responding to COVID-19 and Beijing's exclusion of Taiwan from the World Health Assembly." Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-04 22:57:32|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close A man works at Tiexi Plant of BMW Brilliance Automotive (BBA) in Shenyang, capital of northeast China's Liaoning Province, Feb. 17, 2020. (Xinhua/Pan Yulong) "We stand firm on BMW's long-term strategy in China, and are committed to our large-scale investments and will continue introducing new products and technologies into BMW's largest single market, especially on e-mobility and digitalization." BERLIN, Aug. 4 (Xinhua) -- German carmaker BMW remains fully confident about the positive mid- and long-term business prospects of China, a spokesman of the company told Xinhua in a recent interview. "We stand firm on BMW's long-term strategy in China, and are committed to our large-scale investments and will continue introducing new products and technologies into BMW's largest single market, especially on e-mobility and digitalization," the spokesman said. At BMW, the production follows the market, according to the spokesman. As China is by far BMW's largest market, the company has set up two plants for vehicle production and one for powertrain. Undated file photo shows industrial robotic arms paint a car at Dadong Plant of BMW Brilliance Automotive (BBA) in Shenyang, capital of northeast China's Liaoning Province. (Xinhua) "We've announced some big investments in additional plant capacities. So, from a China perspective, we will see an even stronger effect on the local production and supply chain and we have no plans to have any adverse effects here," he said. "Signs of business rebound have been seen in China since March. This is because, on the one hand, the market was recovering thanks to the series of targeted economic measures announced by the government; On the other hand, the economy in China is proving to be very resilient due to the economic foundation built up over the past decades," he noted. According to BMW, BMW has more than 400 suppliers in China, and the China market registered an annual sales volume of more than 720,000 units of BMW and MINI vehicles in 2019. China is also a large production base for the Bavarian company, as about one fifth of the BMW vehicles were produced in China's northeast city of Shenyang last year. ROSA DONQ2 Quantitative Test The DONQ2 test is FGIS approved for 21 commodities and the 2-minute incubation time allows for rapid measurement to meet the demands of the program. Charm Sciences, Inc. is pleased to announce that the United States Department of Agricultures Federal Grain Inspection Service (USDA-FGIS) awarded Charm a five-year contract to use the ROSA DONQ2 Quantitative Test to monitor vomitoxin (DON) in feed and grains. USDA-FGIS operates and oversees official grain inspection services throughout the United States and will use the DONQ2 test for official vomitoxin (DON) testing. USDA-FGIS used Charm to test for vomitoxin over the last five years as well, first with Charms ROSA FAST5 DON test, and then with the DONQ2 test. Charm is excited to be awarded the DON contract for another five years to test grains in the FGISs testing program, said Mark Tess, Ph.D., Mycotoxin Product Manager at Charm Sciences. The DONQ2 test is FGIS approved for 21 commodities and the 2-minute incubation time allows for rapid measurement to meet the demands of the program. The DONQ2 test utilizes Charms patented Rapid One Step Assay (ROSA) technology to quantitate DON in just two minutes. The easy-to-run test uses water as the extraction solvent. Like all of Charms ROSA mycotoxin tests, the DONQ2 test can be read and recorded using the all-in-one Charm EZ-M system. Your browser does not support the iframe HTML tag. Try viewing this in a modern browser like Chrome, Safari, Firefox or Internet Explorer 9 or later. This interactive profiles some of the women Democratic presidential candidate Joe Bidens team has vetted in the candidates search for a running mate. This interactive is current as of July 31, 2020 and will update as events warrant. Democrat Joe Biden is days away from announcing the winner of the veepstakes. The public and private jockeying among the prospective picks has intensified, but expect it to get even hotter before its over. Beleaguered Republicans are praying for a flawed pick who would help make the 2020 contest a binary choice instead of a referendum on President Trump. And the veepstakes winner is? A smart operative told us over the weekend that only an extremely small circle maybe three or four people truly knows Bidens thinking regarding his running mate, and those people arent talking. That means much of what you see and hear in the coming days is likely a reflection of spinning by the supposed finalists and by Washington group think that may or may not be connected to reality. We know for sure that Biden will pick a woman, and he said he would make his decision this week, although his campaign has raised the possibility that a formal announcement wouldnt come until next week. The finalists are thought to include California Sen. Kamala Harris, former national security adviser Susan Rice, Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren and California Rep. Karen Bass, and its always possible the choice will be someone else. Many establishment voices are urging Biden to go with Harris, a potential fundraising star who has already been vetted on the presidential stage and been elected statewide multiple times. Some Obama allies are pushing Rice, who has never run for public office but has an unrivaled command of global affairs and experience working at Bidens side. Many progressives are hoping for a more exciting pick such as Warren or Bass who could help energize the partys left flank. This marks the last major moment of the 2020 campaign truly under Bidens control. Will Trump do anything to strengthen vote by mail? Trump last week floated the idea of delaying the November election until the pandemic improves to a level where its safer for most people to vote in person. To be clear, the election date will not be delayed. Republicans and Democrats in Congress, who would have to change federal law to move the election, have overwhelmingly rejected the idea. The question then becomes whether the Trump administration will do anything to address his concerns about mail voting. Experts say that the threat of major fraud is virtually nonexistent, but the postal service is legitimately overwhelmed and state elections officials struggled to count the explosion of mail ballots throughout the primary season, which delayed final results by weeks in some cases. This is a very foreseeable crisis. Yet so far, Trump seems far more willing to undermine voter confidence in the election than address serious concerns. Republicans have an opportunity to strengthen mail voting in the new coronavirus rescue package, but absent Trumps support, its hard to imagine Trumps party doing much to address the issue. Whats happening to the economy? Last months optimism about the economy seems to be fading. The government released new numbers last week documenting a record drop for the nations gross domestic product last quarter in addition to rising unemployment applications. At the same time, Republican governors, including staunch Trump allies like Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves, are openly contemplating rolling back reopening plans, if they havent already, should coronavirus infections continue to strain their states health care systems. This is bad news for Trump politically and bad news for millions of Americans whose livelihoods are at stake. To make matters worse, Congress failed to pass an economic relief package last week as enhanced unemployment benefits expired for nearly 30 million people. Its easy to imagine the loss of such income having a further chilling effect on an already shaky U.S. economy. The longer this economic pain lasts, the harder it will be for Trump to convince voters that hes better positioned than Biden to rebuild the economy. The coronavirus death toll, meanwhile, continues to surge. Will anyone see Trumps formal nomination? GOP officials said over the weekend that the vote to formally give Trump his partys 2020 presidential nomination will be conducted in private later this month. While Trump called off the public components of the convention in Florida last month because of the pandemic, more than 300 delegates are scheduled to gather in Charlotte, North Carolina, on Aug. 24 to make Trump the GOP standard-bearer once more. The moment is usually a highlight of the national presidential conventions, but a spokeswoman for the Republican National Convention said that the press would not be allowed to cover it because of health concerns. While Trumps nomination is assured, the decision to block coverage of the historic moment is curious. Nominating conventions are traditionally meant to be media bonanzas, as political parties seek to leverage the attention the events draw to spread their message to as many voters as possible. If the GOP decision stands an official later said the decision wasnt final it will be the first party nominating convention in modern history to be closed to reporters. _Final Thoughts One of Obamas top advisers, David Axelrod, said a presidential campaign is an MRI of the soul. Thats especially true for a first-time candidate. But most Americans know Biden from his long tenure. This time, it may be his running mate who gets even more scrutiny. The less time that person has spent on the national stage, the more likely of unforeseen controversy. Bass, who has never sought national or statewide office, faced tough questions on the Sunday morning talk show circuit about her decades-old travels to Cuba and, more recently, her warm description of its leader Fidel Castro after his death. As shes learning, that kind of thing doesnt play so well in Florida, a vital general election battleground. And thats before the video surfaced of Bass seeming to praise aspects of Scientology at a ribbon-cutting ceremony. Just two of Bidens finalists Harris and Warren have been vetted already under the bright lights of presidential politics. For everyone else, there is a real element of uncertainty. With every risk, however, there could be a reward. Related Content: By Express News Service NEW DELHI: The Bharatiya Janata Party in Delhi will distribute diyas (eastern lamps) among city residents with an appeal to light them to mark the celebration of the Ram Temples Bhoomi Pujan (groundbreaking) ceremony in Ayodhya on Wednesday. Delhi BJP president Adesh Gupta launched the distribution programme on Monday. As part of the campaign, BJP workers will give diyas to families in the national capital. The party aims to distribute 11 lakh diyas in total with at least 1000 families to be given diyas in 272 wards of the city. The party leaders said that point persons have been appointed in every district as well as booth and wards levels to ensure that each family gets four diyas at least. The party workers and leaders have been directed to make arrangements to decorate temples in markets and residential areas, hold community kitchens and install LED screens in all 70 Assembly constituencies to live-stream the Bhoomi Pujan ceremony. The party is installing LED TV screens in 70 assembly constituencies on which the ceremony will be telecasted live. My appeal to all is to celebrate the day of Bhoomi Pujan like a festival and should light diyas in the evening, said Gupta. The party has also planned a kavi sammelan (poetry symposium) on Tuesday at its city unit headquarters on Pandit Pant Marg. The poetry symposium has been named Kaviyon ki sham - Ayodhya ke naam. It will be attended by the union ministers, MPs, MLAs and other dignitaries. This will be a virtual event and all participants will connect digitally., said Ashok Goel, media head and spokesperson of BJPs city unit. In the evening, party workers will light diyas and will also encourage their neighbours to do so to celebrate the occasion, he added. Meanwhile, religious rituals began in Ayodhya on Monday, two days ahead of the groundbreaking ceremony to be attended by PM Narendra Modi. LED screens to watch ceremony BJP has appointed point persons in every district as well as booth and wards levels in the national capital to ensure that each family gets four diyas at least. party workers will light diyas at their houses in the evening on Wednesday and will also encourage their neighbours to do The party workers and leaders have been directed to make arrangements to decorate temples, hold community kitchens and install LED screens to live-stream the Bhoomi Pujan ceremony Australians and Kiwi expats who wrongly withdraw $10,000 from their superannuation by New Year's Eve face a hefty $12,600 fine plus a big tax bill. The federal government last month extended the deadline to cash in another $10,000 worth of super savings from September 24 to December 31, 2020. Those who withdrew $10,000 before July 1 will be allowed to claim up to $10,000 again by the end of this calendar year - provided they only made one lump sum withdrawal. Under coronavirus rules, workers are only allowed to take out $10,000 from their superannuation if they had lost their job or seen their rostered hours drop by 20 per cent or more. Australians and Kiwi expats who mistakenly withdraw $10,000 from their superannuation by New Year's Eve face a hefty $12,600 fine plus a big tax bill. Pictured is Lara Howe, a cafe worker at Portsea south-east of Melbourne, who faces a big economic hit from COVID-19 restrictions H&R Block director of tax communications Mark Chapman said those who mistakenly withdrew cash from their super could be hit with a $12,600 fine unless they managed to convince the Australian Taxation Office they had made an honest mistake. Accessing super early Australians and New Zealand citizens can withdraw up to $10,000 from their superannuation by December 31 They must prove they have either lost their job or seen their working hours plunge by 20 per cent Otherwise they face a $12,600 fine Workers who illegally withdraw their super would also be taxed at marginal rates Australians born after July 1, 1964 usually have to wait until they are 60 to access their superannuation That falls to 55 for those born before July 1, 1960 Advertisement 'Further down the track, the ATO could come back and ask for some evidence that you met that eligibility criteria,' he told Daily Mail Australia. 'If it turns out you didn't, you first of all would have to pay tax on the amount you've taken out and secondly, you could be looking at a fairly hefty penalty. 'The penalties would kick in if there's been some element of culpability on the part of the taxpayer, if they knew that they weren't eligible but applied anyway, they made some kind of false statement.' Those who legitimately withdraw from their compulsory super, so they could pay their bills and put food on the table, don't have to pay tax. Workers who wrongly claim their retirement savings have to pay marginal tax rates on the amount they take out. Higher-income earners would have a $4,500 tax bill if that $10,000 amount took their income beyond $180,000. Lower-income workers illegally accessing their super would also have a big tax bill, ranging from $1,900 for those earning less than $37,000, to $3,250 for incomes between $37,001 and $90,000, and $3,700 for those on more than $90,000. Mr Chapman said those who mistakenly withdrew money from their super would still face a big tax bill. 'People have made mistakes, that would not prevent the ATO from taxing the amount you have taken out,' he said. Honest mistakes can occur when people miscalculate the hours they have lost or wrongly anticipated they would lose their hours or their job only for that not to happen. H&R Block director of tax communications Mark Chapman said those who mistakenly withdrew cash from their super could be hit with a $12,600 fine unless they managed to convince the Australian Taxation Office they had made an honest mistake. Pictured are empty shops at Surfer Paradise on the Gold Coast The tax office is also cracking down on those who claim car expenses that hadn't changed since 2019, considering COVID-19 lockdowns had seen many more people work from home. Pictured is an image of Punt Road in East Melbourne tweeted by Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews The tax office is also cracking down on those who claim car expenses that hadn't changed since 2019, considering COVID-19 lockdowns had seen many more people work from home. This would apply for those claiming 5,000km of work-related car travel using the flat 68 cents per kilometre rate. 'If you claimed 5,000km last year and you also claimed 5,000km this year, the ATO would look at that and say, 'Well, hang on, you would only have been using your car for eight or nine months of the year, we'd expect to see that claim come down a bit',' Mr Chapman said. This would particularly so for those in Melbourne, where new stage four lockdowns mean workers will be required to show permits to visit their workplace. The Pennsylvania State Police Media Station is seeking the publics help in looking for and identifying a young white male approximately 18-19 years of age, wearing a black shirt with the number 19 on the back, wearing black knee-high socks and sneakers. The individual was last been seen at approximately 2:28 p.m. Tuesday in the Ridley Creek State Park area near West Bishop Hollow Road and Chapel Hill Road. Troopers have currently have members searching the area at this time. If there is a sighting of this individual, or if someone can provide any information at all, please contact the Pennsylvania State Police Barracks at 484-840-1000. Bangladesh logs 2,654 new virus cases in a day, another 33 die The death toll climbed to 3,267 after 33 fatalities were registered in the 24 hours to 8 am Wednesday, according to government data. Another 1,890 patients recovered from the disease at home and in hospital care in the same period, bringing the total to 141,750, DGHS Additional Director General Nasima Sultana said in a media briefing. The official figures put the recovery rate at 57.46 percent in the country, while the mortality rate stands at 1.32 percent. A total of 11,160 samples were tested at 83 authorised labs, 23.78 percent of which returned positive results, said Nasima. Globally, over 18.54 million people have been infected by the novel coronavirus and 700,741 have died, according to a tally by Johns Hopkins University. Infections have been reported in more than 210 countries and territories since the first cases were identified in China in December 2019. Source: bdnews24.com A brother sister duo is winning hearts on social media with an image that has gone viral. The image shows the boy and the girl celebrating the festival of Raksha Bandhan. Raksha Bandhan is a festival which is celebrated in India, Nepal and parts of Pakistan to celebrate the beautiful bond of a brother and sister. Brother like Bridger The boy who is six years old celebrated the festival after his family came to know about the reason why it is celebrated. The image is shared by his aunty, Nikki Walker, on her Instagram handle. The image shows the sister tying rakhi on her brothers wrist. Along with this, she also shared a cartoon which said, #BrotherLikeBridger. The image has been captioned as, Bridgers story has resonated with people across the world and has traveled to places like Mexico, Brazil, Ireland, Iran, South Africa, Japan, and Indiajust to name a handful. Our new connections to these places have allowed us to cross boundaries, unifying us in the love that a brother can have for his sister. I know that my brother @robertwalker307 already made a similar post, but I would like to reiterate his thoughts: I recently learned about Raksha Bandhan. Its a festival being celebrated today in India, Nepal, and regions of Pakistan. Read: Trump Wants A Cut For US From Any Microsoft-TikTok Purchase In Unprecedented Demand Talking about Raksha Bandhan, aunt Nikki wrote in her caption, "in the Hindi language, raksha means to protect, and bandhan means bond. During this festival, a sister ties a thread around her brothers wrist as a symbol of their love and as a testament that the brother will protect his sister. I read that this action is also meant to protect the brother from bad influences. I love this sentiment of brothers and sisters caring for one another and find it very appropriate that we would get to celebrate Raksha Bandhan today". The post has left netizens in complete awe. Some of them also took over to the comment section to express love for the duo. While some said that they had no idea if Raksha Bandhan was also celebrated in America, others applauded Bridger for his bravery. Read: Salman Khan Shares Raksha Bandhan Video Featuring His Sisters, Brothers, Nieces & Nephews Read: Activists, Villagers Tie Rakhis To Trees In Aarey Colony Also Read: Kashmiri Women Celebrate Raksha Bandhan By Tying Rakhi To Indian Army Personnel (Image Credits: Twitter/Instagram/nicolenoelwalker) 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. WASHINGTON - President Donald Trump on Wednesday threatened to take executive action to extend an eviction moratorium, suspend the payroll tax and boost unemployment benefits unless a coronavirus relief deal can be reached quickly with Democrats on Capitol Hill. And in a sign that the White House could be preparing to act, the Trump administration has asked federal agencies to identify all of the money they have not yet spent from the $2 trillion Cares Act, which passed in March, according to two people briefed on the effort. White House officials are trying to determine whether this money could be redirected and used for other purposes, such as temporary unemployment benefits or the eviction moratorium. The president has been floating the possibility of acting unilaterally for several days, but he detailed his specific plans for the first time Wednesday at the beginning of a coronavirus news conference at the White House. It came as negotiations continued between top Trump administration officials and congressional Democrats, but agreement remained elusive. "We're negotiating right now as we speak and we'll see how that works out," Trump said. "In the meantime, my administration is exploring executive actions to provide protections against eviction. . . . As well as additional relief to those who are unemployed as a result of the virus. Very importantly, I'm also looking at a term-limited suspension of the payroll tax." It's unclear how far Trump could actually go on his own, and some allies have described the threat of executive action as a way to gain leverage over Democrats in the talks. Administration officials and congressional Democrats agreed this week to try to make a deal by Friday to pass legislation next week, but disagreements remain between the two sides so it's unclear whether that is a realistic goal. White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows said earlier Wednesday that if no deal is struck by Friday, further negotiation will be pointless and Trump will act on his own. But Democrats insisted that they wanted to keep negotiating until they could agree on an overall relief bill. "I feel optimistic that there is a light at the end of the tunnel, but how long that tunnel is remains to be seen," House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., said. Pelosi addressed the issue of executive actions in an interview Wednesday on MSNBC, saying Trump might be able to extend the moratorium on evictions - which expired last month - on his own, but she argued that it would be of limited use without money attached. Democrats are pushing for rental assistance and housing assistance as part of the talks. "And, again, he can't do the money without the Congress of the United States," Pelosi said. "The power of the purse begins in the House," she said, referring to Congress's constitutional authority over spending. Meadows told reporters that he was exploring all of Trump's options to be able to act unilaterally. "I've been working around the clock to look at the options the president has at his disposal within the confines of his legal authority within the executive branch," Meadows said. "We are looking at a number of creative ways to address the real needs." Trump has long sought to suspend the payroll tax cut, even though lawmakers of both parties oppose this move. An outside adviser, Stephen Moore, co-wrote an opinion piece in The Wall Street Journal on Sunday that said Trump could declare a "national economic emergency" and suspend the tax. The issue of expired unemployment benefits has emerged as a flash point in the negotiations. Congress in March approved a $600 weekly federal benefit for people who lose their jobs - on top of whatever state unemployment offices pay - but that payment expired Friday. The approximately 30 million workers who had been receiving it are now in increasingly desperate straits as the economic recovery has stalled and deaths from the coronavirus continue to rise in a number of states. Many Republicans say the $600 enhanced benefit acted as a disincentive for people to return to the workforce because large numbers of unemployed people made more money on unemployment than they had at their jobs. In negotiations on Tuesday, Trump administration officials proposed reducing the figure to $400 weekly through early December, according to two people with knowledge of the talks. The offer was first reported by Politico. However, Democrats have refused to move off the $600 figure, and they dispute the notion that it acts as a disincentive. A recent study by three Yale University economists found that workers receiving the extra benefits returned to work at about the same rate as others. Meadows and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and have been meeting with Pelosi and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., almost daily for more than a week, with the talks seeming to show real progress on Tuesday as the negotiators set a timeline for making a deal and began trading offers. But by Wednesday, Meadows and Trump were back to making public threats and criticisms of the Democrats. The enhanced unemployment benefit is one of multiple issues dividing the parties. Democrats' starting point is a wide-ranging $3.4 trillion bill passed by the House in May, but Republicans say they can't support a figure anywhere near that level. Last week the Trump administration tried to force Democrats to accept a stopgap extension of unemployment benefits and a lapsed eviction moratorium. Democrats have continued to insist on a comprehensive bill. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., last week introduced a long-delayed $1 trillion counteroffer, but it has not attracted the support of many Senate Republicans, and Trump never endorsed it. Another issue dividing the parties is aid to state and local governments. Democrats are seeking about $1 trillion in new aid for states and localities that have laid off more than 1 million workers since February and that face the prospect of more mass layoffs because of a huge drop in tax revenue. Trump repeated his argument Wednesday that Democrats want a "bailout" of poorly managed states. The Trump administration is now offering $150 billion in state and local aid, according to the two people with knowledge of the talks, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to describe them. Republicans also say other money - such as the $105 billion they support for schools - should qualify as state aid, an argument Democrats reject. Democrats also have grown increasingly focused on issues with the U.S. Postal Service. Mail delays have been occurring in various places, an issue that feeds into Trump's baseless warnings about the dangers of mail-in voting. Schumer and Pelosi demanded to meet with Postmaster General Louis DeJoy, who participated in a portion of Wednesday's negotiating session and left without answering reporters' questions. Schumer said they had a "heated" exchange in which Democrats pressed DeJoy on mail delays and other issues. Democrats are now seeking $10 billion in spending for the Postal Service over a year, a change from the $25 billion over three years that was their original proposal, said the two people with knowledge of the talks. - - - The Washington Post's Tony Romm contributed to this report. The newly launched smart TVs come at a startling cost of 16,999 and they go all the way up to 24,250. They will be available to Amazon Prime members between August 6 and August 8 at a special discounted price. Indian smart TV brand Shinco on Wednesday launched three new smart TVs in India. The three newly launched smart TVs are a part of the companys Make in India initiative and they will be available in the country via Amazon India during its upcoming Prime Day 2020 sale. The newly launched smart TVs come at a startling cost of 16,999 and they go all the way up to 24,250. They will be available to Amazon Prime members between August 6 and August 8 at a special discounted price. Talking about the lineup, the Shinco SO43AS 43-inch Full HD Smart TV comes with a resolution of 1920x1080 pixels. It runs on Android 8.0 with UNIWALL-UI, which includes apps like Disney+Hotstar, Zee5, Sony Liv, Voot, Sun NXT, Jio Cinema, Eros Now, Hungama Play, Alt Balaji, Movie Box, Bloomberg Quint, The Quint, HomeVeda, Epic On, Docubay and many more. It also supports Netflix, Prime Video and Youtube. On the hardware side, this smart TV has 2 USB ports, three HDMI ports, an A-53 quad-core processor, 1GB RAM and 8GB space with Wi-Fi connectivity. On the audio front, it has 20W surround box speakers. It costs 18,199. However, during the Prime Day 2020 sale, it will be available for 16,699. The second smart TV model that the company has launched is the Shinco SO50QBT 49-inch 4K UHD Smart TV. It comes with a screen resolution of 3840x2160 and support for HDR 10. It runs on Android version 9.0 with inbuilt UNIWALL - UI. It has two USB ports, three HDMI ports, an A-55 quad-core processor, 2GB RAM and 16GB space with Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity in terms of the hardware. It also has 20 Watts speakers with support for Total Sonics, Total Volume, Total Surround and dbx-tv audio technologies. It costs 25,999 but it will be available for 24,250 during the Prime Day 2020 sale. ALSO READ: Shinco to Onida: Smart TV brands made in India Last in the lineup is the Shinco SO55QBT 55-inch 4K UHD Smart TV. It features similar specifications as the companys 49-inch smart TV but with a bigger screen. It costs 29,999 but it will be available for 28,299 during Amazons upcoming sale. Apart from introducing new smart TVs, Shinco also revealed the prices at which its other smart TVs will be available during the Amazon Prime Day 2020 sale. During the sale, the Shinco 80 cm (32 inches) HD Ready LED TV that costs 8,599 will be available for 7,599, while the Shinco 80 cm (32 inches) HD Ready Smart LED TV with Uniwall that costs 10,599 will be available for 9,599. We have now August. So the summer is slowly coming to an end. More and more people come back from your vacation. The more the are, the more restless I will be, to be honest. I see pictures from Spain, from other Parts of Europe, Turkey and Egypt. People throng to the beaches, often dense, and also in the towns of lively operation. There, the Locals and the tourists without a stroll through the streets, some with masks, some. Keep your distance, and the Wearing of masks seem to disturb the holiday feeling. really queasy me, when I see the Party on the beaches. A large amount of young adults celebrating without distance and with any amount of alcohol and wild parties. Under normal circumstances, this can be a man in my age of course, but we are not living in normal times. We are living in a pandemic. travel ban for 16 - to 26-Year-old to do in my practice, I have been using holiday returnees. Two of my patients were on the Worthersee. At the Moment, a Corona-Hotspot, because young people have celebrated in their homes. My patients have felt a cold, we have carried out Tests, both were negative. So that was all right this time. Overall, but new infections are rising in Germany again. You can call now, as you want, but in my opinion we are at the beginning of a second wave. And really, the concept is missing to me still, how we deal with it. We have in-house doctors will now test in NRW, all 200,000 day - care centre and school staff, and to every 14 days, and also the holiday returnees. I have considerable doubt as to whether the to create to and our health care system so clearly is. Updated Date: 05 August 2020, 16:19 Australian man Adam Malouf near Mt Lebanon this week. Credit:Adam Malouf Mr Malouf said he initially thought the noise was from an aircraft. "For that split second looking around I could see other people going, 'What is this?' " he said. "Then we looked over to the city skyline and saw this massive plume of smoke and we knew it was something a lot worse than that. "Then I realised, this is not a sonic boom this is an explosion." While the investment manager, originally from Sydney, is safe and unscathed north of the city, he said the densely populated city centre had been decimated. "Ive been talking to people who are down there and they said its just complete chaos and carnage," he said. Albert Ariss, who has lived in Beirut most of his life, said in the 15 years of war, he has never seen anything like the explosion and its aftermath. Mr Ariss had just finished a meeting about 100 metres from Port Beirut. He said when the explosion occurred, his experience of living with a war for 15-years kicked in. He placed his head against the wall and his hands on top to protect his head from any falling debris. While parts of the room fell onto him, he said his injuries were nothing compared to that of others. "Our great city, our great people have never seen anything like this," he said. "We have never seen this in 15 years of war, you cannot imagine." Mr Ariss said there was a lot of anger towards those who had allowed ammonium nitrate to be stored at the port. "Who are the criminals who put this highly explosive ammonium nitrate in the middle of the city?" he asked. Beirut surgeon and general manager of the Rafik Hariri University Hospital Dr Firass Abiad described the current strain on the health system as "extreme" "One of the silver linings of what I saw yesterday in the emergency room has been the action of the staff," he told ABC's Radio National. An Instagram page with the names and faces of the missing after the blast in Beirut. Credit:Instagram (@locatevictimsbeirut) "A lot of staff had been finishing their shifts and leaving, they all turned back. Dr Abiad said they had lot of volunteers from nearby hospitals as well. "This is one small thing that gives us a bit of heart as we go through this," he said. In a desperate search to find loved ones, residents have begun posting pictures of missing people to a dedicated Instagram page. Footage circulating on social media shows widespread destruction across the city, including at the Australian embassy where a number of staff received glass injuries when the blast took out most of the building's windows. President Michel Aoun said that 2750 tonnes of ammonium nitrate, used in fertiliser and bombs, had been stored for six years at the port without safety measures. It was "unacceptable", Aoun said. He called for an emergency cabinet meeting on Wednesday and said a two-week state of emergency should be declared. A security source told Reuters that victims were taken for treatment outside the city because Beirut hospitals were overwhelmed with the wounded. Ambulances were called in to help from other parts of the country. The private lender on Tuesday launched a qualified institutional placement (QIP) of shares and set the floor price for the offering at Rs 442.29 a share. The bank is reportedly targeting a base deal size of Rs 8,000 crore, with an option to up size the deal by Rs 2,000 crore. In July, Axis Bank had taken an enabling resolution to raise up to Rs 15,000 crore via the equity route. Axis Bank said the committee of whole-time directors of the bank at its meeting held on 4 August 2020, decided to open the issue for receiving bids. The committee may, at its absolute discretion may offer a discount of not more than 5% to the said floor price. The committee will consider the issue price at its meeting on Monday, 10 August 2020. The private lender's net profit dropped 18.82% to Rs 1,112.17 crore while total income remained almost flat at Rs 19,125.57 crore in Q1 June 2020 over Q1 June 2019. Axis Bank is the third largest private sector bank in India. As on 30 June 2020, it had a network of 4,528 domestic branches and extension counters situated in 2,559 centres compared to 4,094 domestic branches and extension counters situated in 2,380 centres last year. Shares of Axis Bank were trading 2.47% higher at Rs 439.50. Powered by Capital Market - Live News (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Rep. Roger Marshall won the GOP primary for an open Senate seat in Kansas on Tuesday, turning aside the controversial Kris Kobach to the relief of Republicans concerned that Kobach could put not just the state but the party's Senate majority at risk this fall. With nearly all the votes tallied, Marshall had 40 percent of the vote, to only 26 percent for Kobach. The result was a more decisive victory for Marshall than expected by many Republicans, who had predicted with deep concern that the race was a tossup going into Tuesday. GOP leaders had been outspoken in their opposition to Kobach since he entered the race last summer, but failed in their efforts to steer the race away from him, leaving it up in the air on primary night. Party officials couldnt convince Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to run, and some eventually consolidated behind Rep. Roger Marshall in the closing weeks of the race. But President Donald Trump did not endorse or oppose anyone, frustrating some Republicans who thought he could have ended the concern by weighing in. Republicans got another piece of good news in Kansas on Tuesday, when Rep. Steve Watkins was ousted in his primary by state Treasurer Jake LaTurner, who has seized on Watkins litany of ethical and legal transgressions, including felony charges of voter fraud in the closing weeks of the primary. Some Republicans feared Watkins' renomination could have jeopardized the party's hold on an otherwise GOP-leaning House seat. Both the House and Senate primaries have been expensive, with a flurry of late spending and a crowded field of candidates leaving the threshold for victory lower and the outcome less certain. Its also possible that the massive increase in absentee ballots could delay results for several days as all votes are counted; ballots postmarked on Tuesday can still be counted as long as they are received by the end of the week. In the Senate race, nearly $5 million in spending from a super PAC with Democratic ties upended the contests final month. The group's ads bashed Marshall, hurting his image while lifting Kobach up as a pro-Trump conservative. The group, which will not reveal the source of its funding until later this month, was by far the biggest spender in the Republican primary, outspending all GOP outside groups and campaigns. Republicans repeatedly tied the super PAC to Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, though it will not have to reveal the source of its funding until later this month. Story continues "Chuck Schumer spent over $5 [million] trying to impact GOP primary voters, which is another chapter in this cycles edition of 'Schumer's follies,'" said Scott Reed, the chief political strategist at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, which backed Marshall. Marshall's victory leaves Republicans confident in their ability to retain the seat this fall. A Kobach win would have forced Senate Republicans to face a difficult choice between supporting a candidate whom they have publicly bashed as unelectable, or leaving the state to chance with their already tenuous majority in peril. "Kansas Republicans knew what was at stake in this primary, and tonight's results prove voters will reject any Democrat efforts to buy this seat," said Sen. Todd Young (R-Ind.), the National Republican Senatorial Committee chairman. "I'm more confident than ever Kansas will remain part of the Republican Senate majority." In this Feb. 1, 2020 file photo, former Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach, a candidate for the U.S. Senate, answers a question during a debate in Olathe, Kan. Critics of U.S. Rep. Roger Marshall, R-Kan. on the political right are working to hobble the western Kansas congressman's bid for the U.S. Senate in the final three months of a primary campaign as he fights to overcome conservative immigration hardliner Kobach in a crowded field. (AP Photo/John Hanna File) Marshall, a two-term congressman, garnered support from across the spectrum after Pompeo declined to run: The Chamber of Commerce spent on his behalf, and the anti-abortion group Kansas for Life and the agricultural heavy Kansas Farm Bureau endorsed him. Newt Gingrich, the former speaker of the House, sent a robocall on his behalf late last week. Senate Leadership Fund, which is run by allies to Majority Leader Mitch McConnell spent nearly $2 million on positive ads for him. Kobach brushed aside criticism over his loss in the gubernatorial race two years ago and said a federal race with control of the Senate in play and Trump on the ballot would be different. Marshall will face Barbara Bollier, a state senator, physician and former Republican who officially won the Democratic nomination Tuesday after running against only nominal opposition. Bollier has outraised all of her potential GOP opponents, and her campaign announced $4.5 million on hand as of primary night, a large advantage over any of her potential opponents. She has been running weeks worth of positive TV ads while Republicans fight it out. Bollier in an interview Tuesday that she believed the race would be competitive regardless of the result in the GOP primary. I'm just looking out for what's best for the people of Kansas, and what I have seen on the other side, all of the opponents, they're just about partisan politics. That's their top priority, Bollier said. She called herself independent and said she wouldnt be afraid to disagree with her party leadership. Asked specifically where she disagreed, she cited her opposition to Medicare for All and support of a public health care option, though that position is held by most of her partys Senate candidates. In the Topeka area, Watkins saw his brief congressional career end after only one term. An Army veteran and Iditarod racer, Watkins has been on shaky political footing since he won the district by 1 point in 2018, narrowly beating Democrat Paul Davis in a district that Trump carried by 18 points. Bashing his poor fundraising and coalition building, former Gov. Jeff Colyer, whom Kobach defeated in the 2018 primary, personally enticed LaTurner out of the Senate race where he was dividing the anti-Kobach race and into the 2nd District. LaTurner had a well-funded operation and has received outside help from a super PAC. But his biggest break came last month, when the Shawnee County district attorney charged Watkins with three felony counts of voter fraud, a move that forced him to step down from his House committee assignments and out of the National Republican Congressional Committees Patriot Program for endangered incumbents. LaTurner will face Topeka Mayor Michelle De La Isla, who won Tuesday's Democratic primary. Elsewhere in the Midwest, another House incumbent. Democratic Rep. Lacy Clay, a St. Louis fixture whose family has represented the area since the late 1960s, narrowly lost to Cori Bush, a nurse and Black Lives Matter activist. Bush was endorsed by the Justice Democrats and Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), and her win is a resounding victory for progressives who were hoping to capitalize on their momentum from New York primaries. But it will also further worsen the feud between the left and the Congressional Black Caucus, of which Clay's father was a founding member. In Michigan, Democratic Rep. Rashida Tlaib, a member of the Squad, faced a rematch with Detroit City Council President Brenda Jones. Jones served a brief stint in Congress in 2018 after she won the special election to replace former Rep. John Conyers (D-Mich.). But Tlaib won the primary election, held on the same day, to represent the seat for a full term in Congress. Few votes had been tallied in the race as of early Wednesday morning. Republicans also picked battleground nominees in top House battlegrounds held by Reps. Haley Stevens (D-Mich.), Elissa Slokins (D-Mich.) and Tom OHalleran (D-Ariz.), but no winners were determined as of early Wednesday morning. Washington states top-two primaries set up a rematch between Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler (R-Wash.) and 2018 Democratic nominee Carolyn Long. And in Arizona, Democrats nominated an emergency room physician, Hiral Tiprineni, to take on embattled GOP Rep. David Schweikert. Elsewhere on the Senate map, contests in Arizona and Michigan were locked in. In Arizona, appointed Republican Sen. Martha McSally easily won her primary ahead of her special-election matchup against Democrat Mark Kelly in the fall. And in Michigan, both Democratic Sen. Gary Peters and Republican John James were unopposed. Tuesdays primaries also set up two governors races for the fall. In Missouri, GOP Gov. Mike Parson and Democratic state Auditor Nicole Galloway finalized their long-awaited matchup, after each won primaries on Tuesday. And in Washington, Democratic Gov. Jay Inslee will face Loren Culp, a local police chief, in November. If you decide to fly, the odds that you will pick up Covid-19 are low, according to one expert analysis. Despite the known dangers of crowded, enclosed spaces, planes have not been the sites of so-called superspreading events, at least so far. Thats not to say flying is perfectly safe safety is relative and subjective. But as restrictions continue to change, the only way to move forward through this long pandemic is to start thinking in terms of risk-benefit ratios. Very little is without risk, but perhaps some risks such as flying are small enough to warrant taking. Arnold Barnett, a professor of management science at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, has been trying to quantify the odds of catching Covid-19 from flying . Hes factored in a bunch of variables, including the odds of being seated near someone in the infectious stage of the disease, and the odds that the protection of masks (now required on most flights) will fail. Hes accounted for the way air is constantly renewed in airplane cabins, which experts say makes it very unlikely youll contract the disease from people who arent in your immediate vicinity your row, or, to a lesser extent, the person across the aisle, the people ahead of you or the people behind you. What Barnett came up with was that we have about a 1/4300 chance of getting Covid-19 on a full 2-hour flight that is, about 1 in 4300 passengers will pick up the virus, on average. The odds of getting the virus are about half that, 1/7700, if airlines leave the middle seat empty. Hes posted his results as a not-yet-peer-reviewed preprint. The odds of dying of a case contracted in flight, he found, are even lower between 1 in 400,000 and 1 in 600,000 depending on your age and other risk factors. To put that in perspective, those odds are comparable to the average risk of getting a fatal case in a typical two hours on the ground. The numbers all sound low enough, though Barnett says they are still high compared to the 1 in 34 million odds your flight will end in a deadly crash. He told me he wouldnt fly right now because his age, 72, puts him at higher risk than the average American, and he says you have to consider the risk of adding to the problem by getting the virus and unknowingly passing it on to others. Other experts have been mixed on whether they, personally, would fly. The Boston Globe recently reported that of 15 epidemiologists and infectious disease experts surveyed, 13 said they would not fly at this time however it wasnt clear whether they had any reason to get on a plane. University of Massachusetts biology professor Erin Bromage says he is flying every week, as he advises federal, state and district courts on how to reopen while minimizing risks. Whereas many experts are taking a zero-tolerance for risk approach, hes trying to find a middle ground and helping others do it in a rational way. Drawing on a background in industrial mechanics and pilot training (an injury forced him to switch career paths into biology), Bromage says that the air exchange system in planes is better than in hospitals, with the air in the cabin being completely replaced 30 times every hour. He agrees with MITs Barnett, though, that its possible to transmit the disease to or from your close neighbors. He and Barnett both suggested that customers should, if possible, choose an airline, such as Jet Blue, that promises to keep the middle seat open. That cuts way back on the odds of getting or giving the virus. JetBlue also promises that solo travelers wont have a neighbor in a two-seat row. Real-world data bodes well for flying, too. Australia has been using contact tracing to investigate Covid transmission on hundreds of flights, and has found that while infected people got on planes, nobody got infected on a plane. Worldwide, there have been a couple of individual transmissions possibly linked to flights, but no superspreading-type events. Assuming well be living with this disease for months to come, we will need ways to separate low-risk activities from high-risk ones. Keeping informed of relative risks can help us do that. By worrying less about the relatively safer part of a trip the actual flight we can pay more attention to the potentially riskier parts, such as crowds and tightly packed lines at the airport. Of course, were all obligated to avoid adding to the spread of the disease, and this means taking precautions in the air, such as wearing a mask and staying home if sick, and keeping a distance from others at the airport. What happens at your destination matters too. Traveling around and mingling with distant contacts can increase the risk of spreading the virus more than mingling with a comparable number of people closer to home. So people can help themselves and others by driving their own cars to the airport and renting cars wherever they arrive, rather than taking taxis or ride-shares. In the old normal, Bromage would wrap up his advisory duties and have dinner with the people hes working with. Now, he just goes back to his hotel room. Its quite lonely, he says. Like so much this year, its a compromise. Copyright 2022 Bloomberg. To the Editor: My wife and I are in the same position as parents across our state. We have three children going into eighth, ninth and tenth grades. Back to school issues have consumed our discussions. The governors leadership has allowed our state to not just flatten the curve; we bent it to the floor. However, we remain in Phase 2 of reopening as Covid-19 cases spike across the country and now Rhode Island. If it is not safe enough for Phase 3 (fully open), how can it be for schools? Reopening schools should be consistent with the phases being used to reopen the rest of the state. Start the school year in Phase 2 (hybrid model) and monitor progress so we have the flexibility to transition to Phase 3 (fully open), or pull back to Phase 1 (full distance learning), depending on local conditions. Parents that prefer distance learning should be given the option and resources to do so. But that is not enough. We can achieve distance learning for working parents by using schools, libraries, day cares, community centers, as distance-learning centers. Ultimately, we need creative solutions that come from our communities. If parents have to stay home with children, then unemployment, workers comp, paid family medical leave, should all be available with corresponding support for employers. We need to rise to this moment with the resources and leadership it requires. There is no room on this field for elected officials to stand on the sidelines. I appreciate that not everyone will agree with my proposals. I will be talking about these issues and providing opportunities to listen to your concerns. We want to craft policy that accommodates as many people as possible. I look forward to hearing from you. Good luck and God Bless in this difficult times. David Gronbach Daytime TV mainstay General Hospital is temporarily replacing actress Amanda Setton with another talent. The star's character Brook Lynn Quartermaine will get a new face for a short time, according to Daytime Confidential. Stetton, 34, is briefly stepping aside for maternity leave but a replacement has yet to be named. Taking leave: Daytime TV mainstay General Hospital is temporarily replacing actress Amanda Setton while she goes on maternity leave Amanda is relatively new to the medical melodrama, first joining the cast in 2019. Her character began the show as a child and was played by Brooke Radding from 1996 to 2001. In 2004, Adrianne Leon assumed the role, but she appeared as an adult version of the character, despite the math not working out. Leon left in 2006, joined the cast again in 2010 and then took her final bow in 2011. Newbie: Amanda is relatively new to the medical melodrama, first joining the cast in 2019 as Brook Lynn Quartermaine On-off: Adrianne Leon (above) began playing the character Brook in 2004. She left in 2006, rejoined in 2010 and left once more in 2011 Stetton's hiatus comes after news actress Kelly Monaco was being replaced due to 'breathing problems.' Monaco was quarantined for two weeks after she had breathing problem during her return to work on the long-running ABC soap opera, her mother Carmina said on Twitter Sunday. Lindsay Hartley - who continues to use ex Justin Hartley's last name though they divorced in 2008 - will be taking the role in the meantime. The latest: Kelly Monaco, 44, is being temporarily replaced Lindsay Hartley, 42, amid a breathing problem her family said was due to a face mask issue At work: Hartley, whose ex is This Is Us actor Justin Hartley, posted a selfie in which she donned a mask as she worked on the set of the show, writing, 'Masked... Covid set life' Production on General Hospital resumed last month after the coronavirus pandemic shut down almost all of Hollywood. The show - which is the longest-running American soap opera - is in its 47th season, and was recently renewed through to 2024. Episodes resumed daily rotation this week, starting to air once more on Monday, August 4th. Rating Action: Moody's downgrades most ratings for Triumph Group (CFR to Caa3) Global Credit Research - 04 Aug 2020 New York, August 04, 2020 -- Moody's Investors Service ("Moody's") downgraded its ratings for Triumph Group, Inc. ("Triumph"), including the company's corporate family rating (CFR, to Caa3 from Caa2) and probability of default rating (to Caa3-PD from Caa2-PD). Concurrently, Moody's downgraded its ratings for the company's senior secured second lien notes (to Caa2 from Caa1) and senior unsecured notes (to Ca from Caa3). Moody's also assigned a B2 rating to the company's proposed new first lien senior secured notes. Proceeds from the notes issuance will be used to repay borrowings and terminate the company's revolving credit facility, with excess cash to be carried on the balance sheet in support of requisite liquidity needs over the coming years. The speculative grade liquidity (SGL) rating was changed to SGL-3 from SGL-4, predicated on the assumed successful completion of the new first lien notes offering. The ratings outlook remains negative. "The downgrades reflect our assertion of rising default risk over the next few years given the company's deemed unsustainable leveraged capital structure and the multi-year recovery of the aerospace industry as anticipated," says Eoin Roche, Moody's Vice President and senior analyst covering Triumph. "This is notwithstanding the temporarily improved liquidity profile that Triumph will enjoy pending successful completion of its secured debt financing and targeted asset dispositions, albeit which we believe will again be substantially depleted over the coming years and is likely to be insufficient to fully refinance maturing debt obligations," added Roche. RATINGS RATIONALE The Caa3 corporate family rating broadly balances Triumph's high financial leverage and weakening liquidity over time against its considerable scale and well-established presence as an aerospace supplier. Over the next few years, Moody's anticipates a very challenging operating environment for Triumph's commercial aerospace markets (about 55% of sales), precipitated in large part by the adverse impact of the coronavirus pandemic on the airline industry and the more pronounced and extended disruption that it has brought to manufacturers and suppliers in the commercial aerospace industry. Moody's expects fundamentally lower OEM production rates for most commercial aerospace platforms, coupled with significantly reduced aftermarket activity, both of which will weigh materially on future earnings and cash flow generation. Story continues Moody's recognizes Triumph's de-risking efforts over the last few years, as well as its meaningful exposure to military end markets (about 30% of sales), which are likely to remain relatively stable compared to the commercial aerospace business. That said, Moody's has concerns about what is expected to be very material and a prolonged period of cash consumption for Triumpch through at least fiscal year 2023. This cash consumption will be against a backdrop of an already highly leveraged balance sheet that will weaken meaningfully (with Moody's-adjusted debt-to-EBITDA of around 10x expected to about double over the next year), the absence of a committed revolver, and a persistently weak quality of earnings including a history of multiple large add-backs that reduce visibility into sustainable margin levels. The negative outlook incorporates Moody's expectation of material and prolonged disruptions from the coronavirus that will continue to weigh on Triumph's credit profile over the next few years. The negative outlook also reflects the company's anticipated weakening liquidity profile over time given significant cash burn and the absence of a committed revolving credit facility, and nothwithstanding sizable excess cash balances proforma for the pending financing transaction which will persist over the coming year or more. FACTORS THAT COULD LEAD TO AN UPGRADE OR DOWNGRADE OF THE RATINGS Factors that could lead to a ratings upgrade include an improving liquidity profile and meaningful strengthening of the company's key credit metrics. De-risking of the business through a divestiture or the use of sale proceeds to meaningfully reduce debt could also support upward ratings movement over time. Factors that could lead to a ratings downgrade include expectations of cash consumption beyond what is already contemplated in terms of cash consumption within the business. Delays or costs relating to the transfer of work on the G280, or if the strategic review of the Structures business pressures liquidity, could also cause downward ratings pressure. The following summarizes today's rating actions: Issuer: Triumph Group, Inc. Corporate Family Rating, downgraded to Caa3 from Caa2 Probability of Default Rating, downgraded to Caa3-PD from Caa2-PD New first lien senior secured notes, assign B2 (LGD1) Senior Secured Regular Bond/Debenture, Downgraded to Caa2 (LGD3) from Caa1 (LGD3) Senior Unsecured Regular Bond/Debenture, downgraded to Ca (LGD5) from Caa3 (LGD5) Speculative Grade Liquidity rating, upgraded to SGL-3 from SGL-4 Outlook, Remains Negative Headquartered in Berwyn, Pennsylvania, Triumph Group, Inc. designs, engineers, manufactures, repairs, overhauls and distributes a broad portfolio of aero-structures, aircraft components, accessories, subassemblies and systems. The company serves the commercial aerospace (53% of sales), military (20%), business jet (23%) and regional and other markets (4%). Pro forma revenues (after completed divestitures) for the twelve months ended March 31, 2020 were approximately $2.9 billion. The principal methodology used in these ratings was Aerospace and Defense Methodology published in July 2020 and available at https://www.moodys.com/researchdocumentcontentpage.aspx?docid=PBC_1224306. 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. 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SEATTLE Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan and police Chief Carmen Best are objecting to proposals by a City Council members that would seek to reduce the police force by as many as 100 officers this year through layoffs and attrition. In a remote news conference Tuesday, Durkan and Best urged the council to hold off on additional cuts until the 2021 budget, arguing reductions would be too hard to make right away and ill-advised, anyway. That has been their stance since Black Lives Matter demonstrations erupted in Seattle and many protesters began demanding that Police Department funding be reallocated to community-based solutions. Defunding advocates say the departments budget is bloated and reforms have failed to curb discrimination and to stop police killings. Durkan and Best balked last month when seven of nine council members agreed to support a defunding road map laid out by Decriminalize Seattle and King County Equity Now, at least as a goal. Those community coalitions have asked the council to cut 50% of the Police Departments remaining 2020 budget and 50% of its entire 2021 budget. A package unveiled last week by council members Lisa Herbold, Tammy Morales, Teresa Mosqueda and M. Lorena Gonzalez would include 70 layoffs and assume 30 unplanned resignations. They also have acknowledged their proposals would reduce the Police Departments $409 million budget by only $3 million this year, assuming the layoffs would be delayed until November by collective bargaining. Our proposals are a modest reflection of our recognition of the calls from the community, Herbold said Tuesday. Defunding advocates have scheduled a march for Wednesday, when the councils budget committee may vote. Meanwhile, Durkan took aim Tuesday, accusing council members of overpromising. I would just urge the council again, take some time, Durkan said. Its a step forward to have admitted you were wrong. The mayor and chief previously identified about $20 million in Police Department savings for this year, mostly in response to the COVID-19 budget woes, rather than in response to the Black Lives Matter movement. In July, Durkan announced a rough plan to reduce the departments budget by $76 million in 2021, mostly by transferring the citys 911 call center, parking-enforcement officers and some other services out of the department. Council members have indicated support while suggesting some additional services also be transferred, such as victim support. But other points of contention have emerged. A Public Safety Civil Service Commission rule requires police layoffs to occur by reverse seniority, which would result in diverse recruits and new cops being laid off first, Durkan and Best have said. Council members have noted that an exception allows layoffs out of order when the chief shows that approach is necessary. Durkan and Best contend the process would be difficult. The employees set to be laid off out of order each would be entitled to hearings, the layoffs would require bargaining and litigation could ensue, the Durkan administrations labor-relations director wrote in a memo Tuesday. Were the layoffs to happen, there would be a gap in services, Best added, suggesting someone calling 911 could get a slower response without explaining exactly why. The council proposals would ask the chief to reduce patrol staffing and eliminate mounted, schools, public affairs and homeless-encampment removal units. Council members have suggested that layoffs could be prioritized for officers with sustained misconduct complaints. The mayor and council disagree on how to scale up community solutions this year. Herbold, Morales, Mosqueda and Gonzalez want to use $13 million from the citys rainy day fund; Durkan opposes that. A philosophical split exists, too. Defunding advocates say City Hall should shrink the Police Department while scaling up community solutions. Durkan said Tuesday the city must build capacity for alternatives before cutting cops. --Daniel Beekman/The Seattle Times/Tribune News Service Martian meteorites, seen as gifts from Mars and also a way to study the red planet, have attracted increasing interest from Chinese scientists in the past decades. Recently, researchers from the Institute of Geology and Geophysics (IGG) under the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) discovered coesite, a form of silicon dioxide, in a Martian meteorite for the first time, said a report by the Science and Technology Daily. In the country's first Mars exploration mission, China launched its Tianwen-1 probe, heading for the red planet, on July 23. The study on the "precious stones" has been moving forward since the first known Martian meteorite landed on Earth in 1815. As of Aug. 2, a total of 276 pieces of Martian meteorites have been discovered on Earth, according to the meteorite database of the Meteoritical Society. However, more than 70,000 named meteorites in the world are contained in the database. "In all, the number of Martian meteorites found on Earth is very small and the total weight is only over 200 kg," said Xu Weibiao with the Purple Mountain Observatory under the CAS, adding that a Martian meteorite is less likely to fall to Earth than other asteroid meteorites. In the database, the heaviest Martian meteorite, which landed in Nigeria in 1962, has a weight of 18 kg, and the lightest only weighs about 0.48 g. Methods for identifying Martian meteorites are also constantly being updated with scientific and technological advances. Initially, one method of identification was to measure whether the gas in the meteorite glass was consistent with the composition of the Martian atmosphere, said Zhang Aicheng, a professor from Nanjing University. Asteroids landing on Mars at high temperatures would form molten glass, which would contain Martian gases. Consisting of gases like carbon dioxide, nitrogen, neon and krypton, the composition of the Martian atmosphere was analyzed by a U.S. Mars exploration rover in 1975. Another method is to confirm the meteorite's age by measuring its radioisotopic composition, Xu said. Mars was volcanically active even 200 million years ago. Therefore, Martian meteorites are generally between 200 million and 2 billion years old, whereas the age of meteorites from asteroids or the Moon are much older. In addition, the content of specific elements in Martian meteorites also provides support for identification. For example, a Martian meteorite has a different composition of oxygen isotopes from that of the Moon and Earth, Xu added. At present, Martian meteorites are mostly found in deserts and the Antarctic region, said Zhang, adding that with a thick ice sheet, Antarctica can bury the fallen meteorites, and preserve them well for a long time. Also, meteorites can be preserved in deserts owing to a dry environment for hundreds of thousands of years. But compared to the Antarctic region, where solid ice holds meteorites in place, they will not be concentrated in one area, said Lin Yangting with the IGG . For years, Chinese scientists have devoted themselves to exploring clues about Martian life and evolution with the meteorites as a medium. In 2014, Lin's team discovered that the Martian mantle contained about a tenth as much water as Earth's mantle, indicating that Mars is a very dry planet. About 3 billion years ago, there was running water on the surface of Mars. As it gradually cooled, some of the water escaped from the red planet and some turned into underground glaciers and frozen soil, according to their research results. "We always wish to know what major geological changes took place on Mars and whether it is habitable for human beings, and we are expected to find more answers from Martian meteorites," said Xu. The ambulance driver who ferried the body of Sushant Singh Rajput claimed on Wednesday that he has been receiving hundreds of hate and threat calls every day from the deceased actors fans. Rajput was found dead at his Bandra home on June 14 and both Mumbai and Bihar police are carrying out separate probes in connection with his death. My brother and I provide ambulance service to various hospitals in the city, but ever since we ferried Sushants body, we have been receiving threat calls for a month now, said Vishal Bandgar. Callers often used foul language and alleged that the actor was alive when he was moved into the ambulance, Bandgar claimed. They allege that we strangled Sushant to death and that we will be punished by God and killed, he said. The Bandgar brothers own four ambulances, with four contact numbers displayed on them and calls keep coming on every number from all over the country, he said, adding that they plan to lodge a police complaint soon. Kim Gardner, the incompetent and corrupt Soros-funded St. Louis prosecutor, won the Democratic primary yesterday. She defeated Mary Pat Carl, 61-39. I believe that one day, rampant homicides and other serious crimes will cause voters in cities like St. Louis to toss out far left prosecutors like Gardner whose policies favor criminals. But that day has not arrived certainly not in St. Louis. The good folks in that city will have to endure a huge amount of anguish as a result. Elsewhere in St. Louis, BLM activist and potential squad member Cori Bush defeated Rep. William Lacy Clay, the incumbent, in Missouris first congressional district. The margin in that race was three points, 49-46. Clay, the son of Congressional Black Caucus co-founder William Clay, is plenty radical, but apparently not radical enough for Black voters in the first district. Clays sin may have been his ties with Nancy Pelosi, who endorsed him. Or maybe the much younger Bush appealed to voters wanting a fresh face. Finally, Rep. Rashida Tlaib, a charter member of the squad, has defeated her challenger, Brenda Jones, by a 2-1 margin. Tlaib was considered vulnerable, and perhaps was. However, Jones entered the campaign late and failed to raise much money. Victories by squad members and potential members are bad news for Nancy Pelosi, but not necessarily for Republicans and conservatives. Its sad to see odious, America-hating far leftists enter Congress and, despite their small numbers, gain influence in the Democratic Party. However, their presence and influence are a minus for the Dems, and therefore a plus for the GOP. As always, partisan politics is a zero sum game. Editors note: An earlier version of this editorial incorrectly described recent comments by U.S. Rep. Chip Roy about COVID-19. He described fear about COVID-19 as a fraud that is being perpetrated on the American people. Masks are lifesavers, as indispensable as any item in your home. There is a great chasm between science and politics today, but science is driven by facts, not emotions, and the facts are indisputable: Masks save lives. Some Americans, guided by misinformation from politicians and others, believe the wearing of masks is a civil rights issue a perspective that is an insult to our great freedom fighters, including Rep. John Lewis, who was hailed as a hero during his funeral last week. It is time way past time to realize while we have two parties, we are one country. And what is good for our nation transcends the petty differences that distract and divide us. This is a health issue, as critical as laws that require seat belts in cars and ban smoking in businesses. New research indicates that face coverings help reduce the transmission of droplets carrying the novel coronavirus a powerful weapon against the pandemic that rages across the country. Top government scientists who wavered, early on, in their support for wearing masks recently expressed their strongest support yet for facial coverings, saying masks could bring the pandemic under control in the next four to eight weeks. The data is clearly there that masking works, Robert Redfield, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, wrote in a recent editorial for the American Medical Association. Masking is not a political issue. It is a public health issue. It really is a personal responsibility for all of us. The key phrase is all of us. We are in this together, and a bad decision by one individual can impact thousands. This virus is insidious; the last thing it needs is an assist from the very victims it targets. U.S. Rep. Louie Gohmert, R-Texas, who had so often refused to wear a mask, tested positive for the novel coronavirus last week. The results came before a scheduled trip back to his home state with President Donald Trump aboard Air Force One. The president headed to the fundraiser without his Texas ally. Gohmert was vilified and rightly so but it does no good when partisans use these incidents as opportunities to attack. These are best served as teaching moments, not gotcha moments full of snarl, devoid of substance. Politicians are role models, and when they act irresponsibly, they encourage their supporters to do the same. Wearing a mask is a non-partisan issue, one of his daughters, Caroline Gohmert, wrote on social media. The advice of medical experts shouldnt be politicized. My father ignored medical expertise and now he has COVID. This is the kind of blunt but sensitive commentary we need, although some politicians test our resolve to remain decorous. Enough. Trump has been a front-line soldier in the war against science, going so far as to brand Dr. Deborah Birx, the coordinator of his own coronavirus task force, pathetic. Her transgression? Telling the American people the virus was extraordinarily widespread. And South Texas summers are also hot. Yet it should be noted that Trump, long a critic of wearing masks, has changed his stance recently. He has even been seen wearing a mask in public. He should have done this long ago, but instead of dwelling on what should have been, well just hope that all Americans mask up going forward. A German neo-Nazi on trial over the murder of pro-refugee politician Walter Luebcke has admitted to the killing. 'I fired the shot,' Stephan Ernst, 46, told the court in Frankfurt earlier today in a statement read out by his defence. Federal prosecutors have said Ernst was motivated by 'racism and xenophobia' when he shot Luebcke in the head on June 1, 2019. Stephan Ernst, 46, (pictured) has admitted to killing pro-refugee politician Walter Luebcke during his trial in Frankfurt earlier today Apologising to the victim's family, Ernst said he had carried out a 'cowardly and cruel' act. He insisted that he did not act alone but along with co-defendant Markus Hartmann, who stands accused of helping him train with firearms - including the murder weapon. 'I know that what I and Hartmann did to you will always be inexcusable. What we did was wrong,' he told the family in the statement. 'No one should die because he has another view,' said Ernst, adding that he had been 'misled by wrong ideas'. The killing of Mr Luebcke (pictured in 2012) is believed to be Germany's first far-right political assassination since World War II Federal prosecutors have said Ernst (pictured being led away by officers earlier today) was motivated by 'racism and xenophobia' when he shot Luebcke in the head on June 1, 2019 The killing of Luebcke, which shocked the country and highlighted the growing threat of right-wing extremism, is believed to be Germany's first far-right political assassination since World War II. The 65-year-old belonged to Chancellor Angela Merkel's conservative CDU party and headed the Kassel regional council in the western state of Hesse. He supported Merkel's 2015 decision to open the country's borders to refugees and spoke in favour of hosting asylum seekers in a local town. Prosecutors say Ernst and his accomplice attended a speech by Luebcke in October 2015 when the politician defended helping refugees, adding that anyone who did not agree with those values was 'free to leave the country'. The remark was widely shared online and turned Luebcke into a hate figure for the far right. After the speech, Ernst 'increasingly projected his hatred of foreigners' on to Luebcke, prosecutors said in the indictment. Angered by mass sexual assaults by migrants against women in Cologne on New Year's Eve 2015 and the 2016 terror attack in the French city of Nice, Ernst 'began planning the murder in earnest' and started tracking Luebcke's movements, the indictment said. Apologising to the victim's family, Ernst said he had carried out a 'cowardly and cruel' act. Pictured: Photo of Walter Luebcke stands behind his coffin during the funeral service in Kassel, Germany, in 2019 Between 2016 and 2018, prosecutors say Ernst worked with Hartmann to improve his skill with firearms, and the two attended right-wing demonstrations together. In the course of their investigations, prosecutors separately charged Ernst with attempted murder for allegedly stabbing an Iraqi asylum seeker in the back in 2016. Ernst has a long criminal history and was known to police as a neo-Nazi sympathiser. He was convicted of an attempted bomb attack on an asylum home in 1993. In 2009, German media say he took part in neo-Nazi clashes targeting a union demonstration. But Ernst then slipped off the security services' radar, leading to criticism that the authorities were not taking the far-right threat seriously enough. Iran's President Hassan Rouhani on Wednesday offered condolences and medical support to Lebanon after a huge blast at Beirut port devastated entire neighbourhoods of the city. Tehran "is ready to offer medical and medicinal aid and help treat the injured and other assistance," Rouhani wrote in a message to his Lebanese counterpart, according to the government website. Rouhani also expressed hope the cause of the deadly blast would be uncovered and calm restored to Beirut as soon as possible. The Lebanese Red Cross said on Wednesday that the blast killed over 100 people and injured more than 4,000, according to the latest toll. The explosion appeared to have been sparked by a fire igniting 2,750 tonnes of ammonium nitrate left unsecured in a warehouse. The head of Iran's Red Crescent Society said in a statement that it would send nine tonnes of food aid as well as medical supplies to Lebanon. Karim Hemmati added that Iran would also provide Lebanon with a field hospital as well as specialised medical teams and equipment. Lebanon's current government, which was unveiled in January, is made up of the pro-Iranian Shiite movement Hezbollah and its allies. Search Keywords: Short link: The Middle East has the worlds most positive outlook ahead of the looming recession with 27% of Saudi Arabians and Emiratis predicting their economies would boom in 12 months time, a report said. Viet Nams population stood out as the most upbeat, with 65% of respondents believing their economy would remain stable and less than a quarter expecting a recession, according to the survey conducted by YouGuv, which uncovers wide variation in peoples economic circumstances. Viet Nam has been praised internationally for its quick action on coronavirus, though it has recently had to reimpose localized restrictions after new cases of the virus emerged in the city of Danang. Before this incident, it had not registered a community infection in more than three months. The Financial Times has called it the worst global economic contraction since at least the 1930s. Advanced economies are set to shrink by 7% this year while emerging and developing economies collectively face a contraction of 2.5%. YouGov asked 27,000 people in 26 economies about their expectations for the economy over the next 12 months. While respondents were largely united in their fears over a global recession ranging from 95% of Spaniards to 67% of Norwegians the survey uncovered a wide spread of views on the fates of national economies. The most pessimistic views came from economies as diverse as Mexico, Hong Kong and France, where three-quarters of those surveyed expected to be in recession in 12 months time. Mexico has recently become one of the countries worst affected by coronavirus. On the other side of the globe, Hong Kongs attitudes were markedly different from the rest of China, where half of respondents saw their economy remaining stable. Third-ranked France was slightly separated from its European neighbours in Spain and the United Kingdom. Only around two-thirds of Spaniards and Brits said they were expecting an economic depression next year. The hit to household incomes Household finances had largely stayed the same for the majority of respondents compared to the month before. The Nordic countries reported the greatest levels of financial stability, ranging from 69% in Norway to 79% in Denmark. Mexicans had suffered the greatest financial impact, with 58% reporting that their finances had declined in the past month. Next in line were the Philippines and India, where 50% and more reported a drop. This aligned with the strong concerns over a looming economic depression that all three economies had expressed elsewhere in the study. Viet Nam, again, showed itself as optimistic, with a third of respondents stating that their household finances had actually improved from the previous month. Job losses and economic concerns Furlough, reductions in working hours and job losses have shaken up national economies in the wake of Covid-19. Mexico topped the list of the worst job losses (17%). Along with France, it also had the highest number of employees on furlough (24%). Emiratis were worst affected by unpaid leave, with one in four respondents retaining a job but not getting paid. Reduced working hours were the most prevalent way of dealing with the pandemic in South-East Asia, with upbeat Viet Nam (42%) ahead of the Philippines and India, with around a third each. Finland (59%) and Germany (57%), Taiwan, China (53%) and the UK (51%) were the only economies where a majority of workers said their jobs were unaffected. Beyond the threat of recession and jobs, respondents were most concerned about the impact of the pandemic on local businesses. Other fears such as paying rent or mortgages, banks failing and paying bills were more differentiated. Across the board, Indonesians and Filipinos emerged as the most worried, while the Nordic countries and Germany were the least concerned, according to YouGov. That people in very diverse markets emerging and advanced take a positive stance underscores that the aftermath of coronavirus presents not just substantial challenges: it is also a window of opportunity to stage what has been called a Great Reset. How this can be achieved will be the theme of a World Economic Forum twin summit in January 2021, which will focus on building a new, more resilient economic and social system for the post-Covid world. TradeArabia News Service On Tuesday, the National Security Agency (NSA) released new guidance for military and intelligence-community personnel that cautions of the risks with using cellphone location tracking via apps, wireless networks, and Bluetooth technology. Selling off location data? According to the Wall Street Journal, the warning is an acknowledgement by the country's top intelligence agency of the national security threat that Silicon Valley's collection and sale of cellphone location information poses to those within the government. The NSA bulletin wrote that location data is particularly useful and extremely valuable; hence the need to protect it. The agency notes the data could be used to reveal details about the number of users in a given location, movements of users and supplies, daily routines (both user and organizational), and expose otherwise hidden associations between different parties. With the agency's warnings, it also recommends disabling location-sharing services on mobile devices, giving apps as few permissions as possible, and turning off permissions to advertisements. The NSA said it would also be helpful to limit web browsing in mobile devices, block browsers from using location data, and switch off settings that enable a user to locate the device with the use of its location data. Reportedly, apps frequently gather and share anonymized location data to third-party location data brokers who then proceed to market the digital products to government and corporate customers. There are also other services that can estimate the location of a mobile phone through its proximity to other Bluetooth devices or wireless networks. Law enforcement and intelligence services have access to more invasive technologies such as "Stingray;" cell-tower simulators that gather location information and Wi-Fi "sniffers" that use network information to track a phone's data. The NSA's warning goes beyond mobile devices. It continues to caution that use of fitness trackers, smartwatches, internet-connected medical devices, smart-home devices, and modernized automobiles that are equipped with location-tracking technology may be at risk as well. Also Read: Donald Trump Plans to Ban TikTok for Allegedly Providing China Sensitive Information Growing technology Several governments around the world, including the United States, have steadily become more aggressive in gathering location data and other information for surveillance purposes as well as finding crime suspects, as reported by the New York Post. The agency's warning also comes at a time when tensions between the US government and Chinese-owned video app TikTok are on the rise with United States President Donald Trump saying he will move to have the app banned from the US. Tech giant Microsoft had intervened to say that it planned to purchase TikTok to and conduct a security review and overhaul to ensure it does not pose a risk of leaking security and sensitive information to China. Government officials have shared their anxiety over a Chinese-owned company having access to the nation's data information and could have ramifications on the international level. Technical director for cybersecurity at the NSA, Neal Ziring, said despite the many benefits to using mobile devices, the exposure of location data poses a significant risk to users across the nation. Ziring said the agency considers the needs of its authorities and customers to publish technical and threat analyses. The director noted that with the increase of connected mobile devices that expand into several more networks, it had received a surge of queries from national security customers of the guarantee of being able to use them securely. Related Article: Donald Trump Suggests Delaying Presidential Election Due to Possible Fraudulent Results in Mail-In Voting @ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. This dedicated team of research scientists, engineers and imaging professionals will produce new tools for the detection, diagnosis and prognosis of COVID-19 by aggregating massive amounts of imaging and other clinical data from COVID-19 patients. New Medical Imaging and Data Resource Center will aid AI development and medical advancement to battle COVID-19 The nations largest medical imaging associations are working together to develop the new Medical Imaging and Data Resource Center (MIDRC), an open-source database with medical images from tens of thousands of coronavirus (COVID-19) patients. The MIDRC will help doctors better understand, diagnose, monitor and treat COVID-19. The National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering (NIBIB) at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) is funding the effort through a contract to Maryellen Giger, PhD, of the University of Chicago, which will host the MIDRC. The MIDRC effort is co-led by the three medical imaging associations with Etta Pisano, MD, and Michael Tilkin, MS, from the American College of Radiology (ACR), Curtis Langlotz, MD, PhD, and Adam Flanders, MD, representing the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA), and Maryellen Giger, PhD, and Paul Kinahan, PhD, representing the American Association of Physicists in Medicine (AAPM). The MIDRC database will provide a critical tool to help the medical imaging community, doctors and scientists better understand COVID-19 and its biological effects on humans. This knowledge, and the technological advancements the registry can enable, will ultimately help providers save lives, said Etta Pisano, MD, ACR chief research officer. Medical imaging helps radiologists detect, diagnose and monitor disease. However, many unanswered questions remain about how imaging could be deployed against COVID-19. For example, artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms could help radiologists better prioritize and analyze scans. But thousands of images must be collected and annotated to train these algorithms. The MIDRC will bring together engineers, physicians and scientists to collect and organize the data to answer these crucial questions. The RSNA is pleased to collaborate on this vital resource for COVID-19 research. This dedicated team of research scientists, engineers and imaging professionals will produce new tools for the detection, diagnosis and prognosis of COVID-19 by aggregating massive amounts of imaging and other clinical data from COVID-19 patients. We look forward to linkages with other national data repositories to enable a comprehensive analysis of COVID-19 disease and its imaging manifestations, said RSNA Board Liaison for Information Technology and Annual Meeting Curtis Langlotz, MD, PhD, of Stanford University. Funded under the National Institutes of Healths special emergency COVID-19 process, the MIDRC will create an open access platform to collect, annotate, store and share COVID-related medical images. The MIDRC will soon leverage existing data collection efforts to upload more than 10,000 COVID-19 thoracic radiographs and CT images, including many from the ACR COVID-19 Imaging Research Registry and the RSNA International COVID-19 Open Radiology Database (RICORD). This will allow researchers worldwide to access a wealth of images and clinical data to answer COVID-19 clinical and logistical questions. Access to this unprecedented resource will soon fuel expedited AI research to provide better diagnosis, new treatments and more-effective monitoring to guard against COVID-19 resurgence. This is a significant step in the effort against COVID-19, said Maryellen Giger, PhD, of the University of Chicago; principal investigator of the NIBIB MIDRC contract and chair of the AAPM Data Science Committee. The MIDRC will include five infrastructure development projects and oversee twelve research projects, including approximately 20 university labs, in support of solutions to the COVID-19 pandemic. The MIDRC will initially focus on COVID-19 but will work to expand services to provide imaging data and AI pipelines to aid the fight against other diseases. COVID-19 is our immediate target, but the MIDRC will ultimately enable the medical and scientific communities to mobilize images and data for work against other existing diseases and future healthcare threats, said Paul Kinahan, PhD, of the University of Washington and chair of the AAPM Research Committee. About the Radiological Society of North America RSNA is an association of radiologists, radiation oncologists, medical physicists and related scientists promoting excellence in patient care and health care delivery through education, research and technologic innovation. The Society is based in Oak Brook, Ill. RSNA.org Media Contact: Linda Brooks RSNA Media 630-590-7762 About the American College of Radiology The American College of Radiology (ACR), founded in 1924, is a professional medical society dedicated to serving patients and society by empowering radiology professionals to advance the practice, science and professions of radiological care. acr.org Media Contact: Meghan Swope pr@acr.org 703-390-9822 About the American Association of Physicists in Medicine The AAPM is the premier organization in medical physics, a scientific and professional discipline that uses physics principles to address a wide range of biological and medical needs. The mission of the AAPM is to advance medicine through excellence in the science, education and professional practice of medical physics. Currently, the AAPM represents over 9,000 medical physicists in over 96 countries. aapm.org Media Contact: Justin Stewart justin@aapm.org 571-298-1254 TCN News Geneva: As India marks one year of abrogation of Article 370, United Nations (UN) Human Rights Special Rapporteurs have called on the international community to take urgent action against the alarming human rights situation in the Valley. Support TwoCircles Urgent action is needed, said the experts, urging Indian human rights defenders to respond to the rising press gag and rights violation in the territory. It stated in its latest session that if India fails to take any genuine and immediate steps to resolve the situation, then the international community should step up. The Special Rapporteurs have also demanded an investigation into the historic and recent cases of human rights violations so that any such future events can be prevented. The statement has also noted that since the Indian Parliament revoked the constitutionally mandated status of the state of Jammu and Kashmir on 5 August 2019, the human rights situation in Jammu and Kashmir has been in free fall, highlighting that the conditions have become concerning particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. Elaborating on recent attacks on journalists and activists, the Special Rapporteurs have resonated that many protestors are still in detention and Internet restrictions remain in place although it has been almost a year since a dozen and more UN experts wrote to the Indian Government to end the crackdown on freedom of expression. In its latest meet, UN experts have accused India of blocking access to information and peaceful protests, and of subsequently launching arbitrary detention, torture and ill-treatment of activists. We have yet to receive any reply to three of the four letters, the experts said. The UN Human Rights experts committee has detailed that it had written four letters seeking response to such violations, and more lately, of criminalization of journalists covering the situation and the detention under deteriorating health condition of a high profile human rights lawyer, but none of those received any fruitful consideration from the Indian government. It further mentioned that the October 2019 closure of the Jammu and Kashmir State Human Rights Commission, which had been one of the few ways victims of human rights violations could seek remedy, is particularly concerning. What is worse is no information was provided to the public about what would happen to the ongoing cases the body had been investigating, including hundreds of suspected enforced disappearances dating from as far back as 1989. Allegations regarding thousands of unmarked and some mass graves sites have also not yet been properly investigated. The UN experts reiterated that it has been decades that families are still waiting in anguish and now there is a stream of new alleged rights violations. In fact, reporting these cases have become even more difficult with no State Human Rights Commission and internet restrictions. The experts committee stated that in 2011 India had extended an open invitation to Special Rapporteurs to visit, but currently has several requests pending. We call on India to schedule pending visits as a matter of urgency, particularly of the experts dealing with torture and disappearances, the UN session concluded. The Supreme Court on Wednesday referred to a five-judge Constitution Bench pleas challenging the central government's decision to grant 10 per cent quota to Economically Weaker Sections (EWSs) in jobs and admissions in the general category. A three-judge bench headed by Chief Justice Justice (CJI) Sharad Arvind Bobde said that a larger bench will decide the pleas filed by 35 petitioners challenging Centre's decision. The petitions filed by NGOs 'Janhit Abhiyan' and 'Youth For Equality' along with 33 others sought directions to quash the Constitution (103 Amendment) Act, 2019, saying that the economic criterion cannot be the sole basis for reservation. Earlier, the top court had refused to stay the central government's decision to grant 10 per cent quota in jobs and admissions to poor candidates in the general category. The Centre had earlier defended its decision and contended that the Constitution (103 amendments) Act, 2019 granting 10 per cent reservation to EWS is intended to uplift around 200 million people who are still below the poverty line. The pleas said the bill violates basic feature of the Constitution of India as reservation on economic grounds cannot be limited to the general category and the overall 50 per cent ceiling limit cannot be breached. Referring to the nine-judge bench decision of the apex court in the landmark 1992 Indira Sawhney case, the petition had submitted that the latest amendment completely violated the Constitutional norm that economic criterion cannot be the only basis of reservation. The quota will be over and above the existing 50 per cent reservation to Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Other Backward Classes (OBCs). Akard had been under consistent pressure from Democratic lawmakers since his appointment. He is an ally of Vice President Pence, for whom he worked as the head of the Indiana Economic Development Corp. That connection to Pence and his decision to keep his title as head of the State Department Office of Foreign Missions, a position that comes under the oversight responsibilities of the inspector general, drew criticism from good-government experts. NEW YORK, N.Y. -- New York City will set up random checkpoints at major bridges and tunnels around the city starting today to enforce a mandatory two-week quarantine for travelers from 35 high-infection states. Officials from the Sheriffs Office will require travelers to complete a New York State Department of Health traveler form and quarantine for 14 days upon entry into the city. Those who refuse to fill out the form will be fined $2,000 and travelers caught violating the two week quarantine could get hit with a $10,000 fine. The important thing is that the checkpoints I think are going to send a very powerful message, that this quarantine law is serious and important and crucial, and people have to follow it, Mayor Bill de Blasio told reporters during a press conference Wednesday announcing the citys latest coronavirus restrictions. Officials did not say where they would set up checkpoints or whether they would be at all bridges and tunnels across the city. The only location announced was Penn Station, where the Mayors Public Engagement Unit plans to go to educate travelers about New York State home-quarantine orders. De Blasio was also vague about how officials would minimize any potential traffic congestion the checkpoints might cause. The mayor said traffic congestion was a concern but that officials were still in talks about potentially moving around checkpoint locations or have them set up for limited periods of time to ease congestion. There is a random component and were looking at a full fledge checkpoint where it is viable, and were also looking at individualized stops, where we think would be more suited to avoid having a traffic condition, Sheriff Joseph Fucito told reporters. Fucito said many of the Sheriffs vehicles are equipped with license plate reader technology to help them identify out of state vehicles. De Blasio indicated the checkpoints could last into the foreseeable future, saying they could continue as long we think makes sense, and as extensively as we think makes sense. [The checkpoints are] something that well start at a certain level, if we think its an important tool and its really reaching people effectively, we might keep expanding it, de Blasio said. If we think the word has gotten across and were really seeing a high level of compliance, we might see it less, but were going to have to do it for a while to see what makes sense. During the two-week quarantine period, contact tracers will call travelers and offer them free food delivery, help them get any medication or a hotel if they need, and connect them with doctors over the phone. Non-essential workers will not be permitted to leave their residence for two weeks or invite any guests over, other than caregivers. While essential workers will only be required to self-monitor their symptoms and limit their activities with other people for 14 days. Essential workers will also be encouraged to get tested for the coronavirus if they are staying in New York City for more than 36 hours. See the full list of high infection states here. FOLLOW SYDNEY KASHIWAGI ON TWITTER. AKRON, Ohio, Aug. 5, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Media Statement From Carey Jaros, President and CEO, GOJO Since February, demand for hygiene products especially hand sanitizer and surface disinfectant has been exponentially higher than any time in history. As the pandemic has evolved over the past several months, we have continually adapted our response. What started as a rush for products at retailers in February quickly became urgent demand by those on the front lines of the crisis hospitals, first responders and grocery stores. This summer, the country started reopening to public life, and businesses, restaurants, and other institutions raced to secure PURELL Hand Sanitizer, PURELL brand HEALTHY SOAP, and PURELL Surface Spray. As we head into the fall, with reopening continuing while at the same time many areas are seeing a resurgence in illness, demand continues to be extraordinary. We recognize the immediate and urgent need to provide K-12 schools with safe and effective hand hygiene and surface disinfecting products as they bring children and teachers back into classrooms over the coming weeks. There has been significant media coverage of the FDA's recent ban of over 100 brands of hand sanitizer for containing toxic ingredients. In line with our GOJO Purpose of Saving Lives and Making Life Better, never have we felt more responsibility to ensure trusted PURELL products which are made with only the best raw materials, are always produced in strict compliance with all FDA and EPA requirements, and are rigorously tested for both safety and efficacy are available in K-12 schools. As families shop for back-to-school supplies, we know they may have some difficulty finding PURELL Hand Sanitizer on store shelves. While we have returned to shipping product to stores and online retailers at more than double 2019 levels, and while these retailers are enforcing limits to how much any one customer can buy, PURELL Hand Sanitizer is often wiped out as soon as it is restocked. Our investments in manufacturing, including activating more than two-million additional square feet of production space, will allow us to make exponentially more PURELL products available in stores and online, over the next six months. In the meantime, however, GOJO and our distributor partners are actively working directly with as many school districts throughout the country as we can to provide the PURELL Hand Sanitizer, PURELL brand HEALTHY SOAP, and PURELL Surface Spray they need to reopen with confidence. For example, we have rapidly developed and launched some new solutions designed especially for schools. We are also providing protocols, training materials, and educational content to support schools in maximizing the impact of the products they have available, including when and how these products should be used, and where to place wall-mounted dispensers, floor stands, and tabletop bottles so sanitizing and washing fit into the normal flow of the school day. One of our GOJO Guiding Principles has always been "We Do What's Right for the Long Haul." Ensuring our children and those who teach and care for them have access to safe and effective hand sanitizer, soap, and clean surfaces has never been more important. We are proud that PURELL Hand Sanitizer has been the #1 Most Trusted Brand in Hospitals* for decades, and we are committed to bringing that same peace of mind to parents, students, teachers, and staff during these unprecedented times. We will work tirelessly with our distributor partners to outfit as many schools as we can over the coming weeks and months while also building out our manufacturing capacity to support these schools and the communities they serve, into the future. *52 Week IRI Data ending April 2018; 2017 HPIS Data; Hall & Partners, September 2017 Brand Survey About GOJO GOJO, the inventor of PURELL Hand Sanitizer, is a leading global producer and marketer of skin health and hygiene solutions for away-from-home settings. The broad GOJO product portfolio includes hand cleaning, handwashing, hand sanitizing, skin care formulas, and surface sprays under the GOJO, PURELL, and PROVON brand names. GOJO formulations use the latest advances in the science of skin care and sustainability. GOJO is known for state-of-the-art dispensing technology, engineered with attention to design, sustainability, and functionality. GOJO programs promote healthy behaviors for hygiene, skin care, and compliance in critical environments. GOJO is a family enterprise headquartered in Akron, Ohio, with operations in the United Kingdom, France, Australia, Japan, Mexico, and Canada. Learn more about GOJO. SOURCE GOJO Related Links http://www.gojo.com An "American Ninja Warrior" winner and Central Florida resident is facing accusations of seeking sex with a minor, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office in New Jersey. St. Cloud resident Drew Drechsel, who won last seasons American Ninja Warrior, was arrested Tuesday in Central Florida. He is charged with seeking sex with a New Jersey teen, manufacturing child pornography, enticing a minor to travel for illicit sexual conduct, traveling with the intent to have sex with a minor, and using interstate commerce to entice a minor, according to a release from the New Jersey District Attorney. According to the complaint, Drechsel sought to have sex with a minor girl and traveled to New Jersey with the intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct with that minor. He also enticed and coerced a minor to travel to Connecticut to engage in illicit sexual conduct and engaged in online sexual communications with a minor and induced her to manufacture sexually explicit images of herself and send them to Drechsel, the complaint said. He made his initial appearance Tuesday in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida and will be transferred to New Jersey. The count of use of interstate commerce to entice carries a maximum sentence of life in prison Josephine Sheridan (nee McCabe), Cloncovid, Kilcogy, Cavan The death occurred, peacefully, in her 94th year, surrounded by her loving family at Castlemanor Nursing Home, Cavan, on Wednesday, August 5 of Josephine Sheridan (nee McCabe), Cloncovid, Kilcogy, Cavan. Predeceased by her husband John T. Sadly missed by her loving children Packie, Terry, John V. Mary Margaret, Bridget, Anne, Gerard, Josephine and Thomas, sons in law, daughters in law, grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, relatives, neighbours and a large circle of friends. May she rest in peace. Removal from her home on Friday morning, August 7 arriving Our Lady of Lourdes Church Mullahoran for Funeral Mass at 11am. ( Mass can be viewed on Patrick Hughes facebook page. ) Internment afterwards in adjoining cemetery. In compliance with government and HSE guidelines the Funeral Mass and house is private. Messages of sympathy can be left by clicking on the condolence section below. Family flowers only donations in lieu if desired to Castlemanor residence comfort fund c/o the undertaker or any family member. The family thank you for your cooperation and understanding at this difficult time Maureen Lee, Gort Mhaoilir, Athenry, Galway / Ballybane, Galway / Ballymahon, Longford The death occurred, peacefully, at home as she wished in the loving care of her family; Benny, Jackie, Dee, Aidan, Edward and Elaine, together with her partner Alec and devoted sisters Liz and Ann, on Sunday, August 2 of Maureen Lee, Gort Mhaoilir, Athenry, Galway and formerly Clareview Park, Ballybane and Marian Terrace, Ballymahon, Longford. Sadly missed by her sons and daughters, her partner, sisters, grandchildren, great-grandson, the extended family and friends. Reposing at home in Athenry on Tuesday, August 4 from 6-8pm. Removal to the Church of the Assumption, Athenry, on Wednesday, August 5 to arrive for Requiem Mass at 11.30am. Funeral after Mass to Forgney Cemetery, Ballymahon. Family flowers only, please. Donations in memory of Maureen to the Galway Hospice. Please visit St Marys Parish website for up to date guidance on attending the church for Mass. The Mass can be viewed live by clicking the Parish Webcam facility. If you are attending the Funeral reposing, Requiem Mass and or the interment, please follow social distancing guidelines to reduce the spread of Coronavirus. Please refrain from physical contact and keep six feet apart. Those who would like to attend the funeral but cannot due to the current restrictions are invited to leave a message on the condolence section on RIP.ie. "If every tiny flower wanted to be a rose, Spring would lose its loveliness" May Maureen's kind and gentle soul rest in peace and may she be reunited with her loved ones. Maureen Flood (nee Costello), Clonmore, Lismacaffrey, Westmeath The death occurred, peacefully, in the loving care of her family and the matron and staff of St Lukes Hospital, Dublin, on Sunday, August 2 of Maureen Flood (nee Costello), Clonmore, Lismacaffrey, Mullingar, Co Westmeath. Deeply regretted by her loving husband Sean, daughters Bernadette, Margaret, Frances and Eleanor, grandchildren Aoife, Mia, Ciara, Ronan and Pierce, sons-in-law, relatives and friends. May Maureen rest in peace. Reposing at her home at Clonmore, Lismacaffrey, on Tuesday, August 4 from 5pm, concluding with prayers at 9pm. Removal on Wednesday, August 5 to St Marys Church, Boherquill, arriving for 12 noon Funeral Mass, followed by removal thereafter to the Lakelands Crematorium, Cavan for final prayers. Family flowers only. House private on Wednesday morning, August 5 please. donations, if desired, to the Friends of St Lukes c/o Cassidys Funeral Directors. All arrangements are subject to compliance with Government Covid-19 guidelines. Messages of sympathy can be left at the condolences link on RIP.ie. We thank you for your cooperation at this sad time. John O'Shaughnessy, Ballyleague, Roscommon The death occurred, peacefully, at his home, surrounded by his family, after a long illness bravely borne, on Sunday, August 2 of John O'Shaughnessy, Ballyleague, Roscommon. Beloved husband of Phyllis, much loved Dad to Deirdre, Sinead, Aisling and Sean and devoted grandad to Ella and Emily. He will be very sadly missed by his family, sister Marian, brother Jim, sons-in-law Alan and Laurent, daughter-in-law Laura, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, relatives, neighbours and many friends. May John rest in peace. Please note that in an effort to follow current government guidelines and with the support and agreement of the family, Johns funeral will be private to family and close friends only please. The funeral cortege will depart from the family home in Ballyleague on Wednesday morning, August 5 at 10.40am arriving at the Church of the Holy Rosary, Ballyleague for Mass of the Resurrection at 11am. Burial afterwards in St Marys Cemetery, Carrick-on-Shannon. For those who wish to offer their sympathies, we suggest using the online condolence link on RIP.ie. The OShaughnessy family very much appreciate your support at this time. Dave Farrington, Coolbawn, Corlismore, Ballinagh, Cavan / Castleknock, Dublin The death occurred, peacefully, in the wonderful care of the staff at St Christopher's Hospice, Cavan, surrounded by his loving family, on Saturday, August 1 of Dave Farrington, Coolbawn, Corlismore, Ballinagh, Co Cavan and formerly Castleknock, Co Dublin. Beloved husband of Gerardine and dear father of Kevin and Hannah (McCormack), treasured grandad to Carl, Aoife, Niamh, Michael and Rosie. Sadly missed by his loving wife, son, daughter, grandchildren, mother Norma, son in law Michael, daughter in law, Aisling, brother Steve, sister Sue, sisters in law, brother in law, nieces, nephews, relatives and friends. Service of thanksgiving for Dave's life on Thursday, August 6 at 12 noon at Lakelands Crematorium, Dublin Road, Cavan. Due to government and HSE regulations, Dave's funeral service and cremation will be restricted to family only, please. Those who would like to attend but cannot do so due to these restrictions may leave a personal message in the condolence section on RIP.ie. The family would like to thank you for your consideration and cooperation at this difficult time. If you wish to have a death notice published on www.longfordleader.ie you can email it to newsroom@longfordleader.ie And if you wish to submit an obituary for publication in the Longford Leader, you can submit it along with a photograph of the deceased to newsroom@longfordleader.ie TROY City detectives have started an investigation into the July 30 fatal shooting by an off-duty police officer of a man who was repeatedly stabbing his estranged wife during a domestic violence incident, which includes listening to 911 calls and interviewing eyewitnesses. The investigation of the citys third fatal police shooting in five years, however, is expected to move slowly and be in-depth, according to those familiar with the case. Officer Adam Harbour shot Colin E. Davis, 25, when he refused to obey the officers orders to stop attacking the woman in an assault with a knife that began in her second-floor apartment in a 17th Street two-family residence, according to authorities. Harbour, who joined the department in January 2017, fired a shotgun at Davis on the front porch of the building, according to police radio calls and witnesses in the Beman Park neighborhood. Harbour lives in the first-floor apartment. The investigation is moving ahead methodically. We are working with our partners in the DAs office and the AGs office, Chief Brian Owens said Tuesday. Owens declined to comment further on the case citing the ongoing investigation. Mayor Patrick Madden has said he is awaiting the outcome of the investigation. Harbour was assigned to desk duty. Rensselaer County District Attorney Mary Pat Donnelly called the state Attorney Generals Office into the investigation under Gov. Andrew Cuomo's executive order to determine if it would take over the case as special prosecutor. The order calls for such a review in a situation where a police officer causes the death of a civilian. Earlier this year, Cuomo signed legislation that empowers the state attorney general's office to investigate police misconduct and probe police-involved deaths. The legislation expands on the previous executive order that allowed the attorney general to investigate fatal encounters between unarmed civilians and New York police agencies. Special Investigation 147 NY dams are 'unsound,' potentially dangerous Thousands of dams have not been inspected in over 20 years. The departments investigation is expected to move slowly similar to the Aug. 2015 case in which Officer Joshua Comitale was severely wounded in the legs during a shootout with Thaddeus Faison, who died after being shot four to six times in the torso. That investigation took nearly three months before it went to a county grand jury that declined to file charges against Comitale. Faison had also shot and wounded Officer Chad Klein before facing off with Comitale. The third fatal shooting occurred in April 2016 involving Sgt. Randall French and Edson Thevenin. In that case, then-District Attorney Joel Abelove presented the case to a grand jury within five days of the shooting. Abelove faces trial on his handling of the case and for allegedly lying to a grand jury. A trial date has not yet been set. The Thevenin family has a civil rights lawsuit against the city pending in U.S. District Court. Sgt. French died this year from COVID-19. This song and video crossed my transom last week and it's been haunting me ever since. Lee Hazelwood allegedly wrote this song (and others) at the request of Frank Sinatra in an effort to help boost daughter Nancy's career and send it in new directions. The video and duet with Hazelwood and Sinatra premiered on her 1967 TV special "Movin' with Nancy." That night, Lee and Nancy also performed "Jackson" and Sinatra performed "Sugar Town," "This Town," and several other Hazelwood compositions. Lee Hazelwood would end up writing most of Nancy Sinatra's hits. "Some Velvet Morning" is a strange mash-up of country and pop psychedelia with apparent references to sex, drugs, and Greek mythology. Hazelwood said that he was fascinated by mythology at the time and was particularly interested in the character of Phaedra, a tragic figure in the Greek mythos. Hazelwood said he felt sorry for her and decided to invoke her spirit in a song. Bonus Track: There are a zillion covers of "Some Velvet Morning." Here is Rowland S. Howard and Lydia Lunch's take: Image: YouTube The immune system's memory helper T cells which recognise the common cold virus and help the body fight it off, also identifies some parts of the novel coronavirus, according to a study whose findings may explain why some people have milder COVID-19 cases than others. The research, published in the journal Science, noted that the immune system's memory T cells keep track of the viruses they have seen before, giving the cells a headstart in recognising and fighting off repeat invaders. However, the scientists, including those from La Jolla Institute (LJI) in the US, cautioned that it is too soon to say whether such pre-existing immune cell memory affects COVID-19 clinical outcomes. "We have now proven that, in some people, pre-existing T cell memory against common cold coronaviruses can cross-recognise SARS-CoV-2, down to the exact molecular structures," said Daniela Weiskopf, a co-author of the study from LJI. "This could help explain why some people show milder symptoms of disease while others get severely sick," Weiskopf said. COVID-19 Vaccine Frequently Asked Questions View more How does a vaccine work? A vaccine works by mimicking a natural infection. A vaccine not only induces immune response to protect people from any future COVID-19 infection, but also helps quickly build herd immunity to put an end to the pandemic. Herd immunity occurs when a sufficient percentage of a population becomes immune to a disease, making the spread of disease from person to person unlikely. The good news is that SARS-CoV-2 virus has been fairly stable, which increases the viability of a vaccine. How many types of vaccines are there? There are broadly four types of vaccine one, a vaccine based on the whole virus (this could be either inactivated, or an attenuated [weakened] virus vaccine); two, a non-replicating viral vector vaccine that uses a benign virus as vector that carries the antigen of SARS-CoV; three, nucleic-acid vaccines that have genetic material like DNA and RNA of antigens like spike protein given to a person, helping human cells decode genetic material and produce the vaccine; and four, protein subunit vaccine wherein the recombinant proteins of SARS-COV-2 along with an adjuvant (booster) is given as a vaccine. What does it take to develop a vaccine of this kind? Vaccine development is a long, complex process. Unlike drugs that are given to people with a diseased, vaccines are given to healthy people and also vulnerable sections such as children, pregnant women and the elderly. So rigorous tests are compulsory. History says that the fastest time it took to develop a vaccine is five years, but it usually takes double or sometimes triple that time. View more Show Alessandro Sette, another co-author of the study from LJI, noted that the reactivity of the immune system may translate to different degrees of protection. "Having a strong T cell response, or a better T cell response may give you the opportunity to mount a much quicker and stronger response," Sette said. An earlier study by Sette and his team had shown that 40 to 60 per cent of people who were never exposed to the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 had T cells that reacted to the virus. According to the study, the immune systems in these individuals recognised fragments of the virus it had never seen before -- a finding which was also reported among people in the Netherlands, Germany, Singapore, and the UK. In the current research, the scientists assessed samples collected from study participants who had never been exposed to SARS-CoV-2. They defined the exact parts of the virus that are responsible for the cross-reactive T cell response. Their analysis showed that unexposed individuals can produce a range of memory T cells that are equally reactive against SARS-CoV-2, and four types of common cold coronaviruses. Based on the finding, the scientists said fighting off a common cold coronavirus could teach the T cell compartment to recognise some parts of SARS-CoV-2 as well. They believe this process provides evidence for the hypothesis that common cold viruses can, in fact, induce cross-reactive T cell memory against SARS-CoV-2. "We knew there was pre-existing reactivity, and this study provides very strong direct molecular evidence that memory T cells can 'see' sequences that are very similar between common cold coronaviruses and SARS-CoV-2," Sette said. The scientists found that while some cross-reactive T cells targeted the SARS-CoV-2's spike protein -- the region of the virus that recognises and binds to human cells -- pre-existing immune memory was also directed to other SARS-CoV-2 proteins. Sette noted that the finding is relevant since most vaccine candidates target the spike protein. The findings, according to the researchers, suggest the hypothesis that inclusion of additional SARS-CoV-2 targets might enhance the potential to take advantage of this cross reactivity, and could further enhance vaccine potency. Follow our full coverage of the coronavirus pandemic here Chicagos segregated residents are unexpectedly becoming friends in a project that an artist hopes will smash barriers and stereotypes. When Tonika Johnson started photographing houses with corresponding addresses in the citys North and South sides in her Folded Map Project, she decided to bring the residents together. The North Side is a largely affluent, white area, while the South Side is traditionally African-American, and has suffered with poverty and gun violence. It just naturally evolved into me one day asking one resident if they wanted to meet their map twin resident, Johnson said. And they said, yes. And I was like, oh my gosh, what am I going to have them talk about? Johnson asked awkward but necessary questions such as how much they paid for their house. On the project website, videos of these interviews join photos of their homes side by side to highlight the effect of decades of segregation and disparities in city resources - and how things can change. It opened the eyes of Jonathan Silverstein and his wife Paula Hermann, who enjoy many shops, restaurants and food markets in Rogers Park on the North Side. I guess it is really striking, you know, how lucky we are, and we certainly dont think of ourselves as living in a rich neighborhood but compared to some we are very privileged, he said. Their South Side map twin Maurice Perkins in Englewood needs to travel far just to find a grocery store. They couldnt even imagine being in a community, or a community not having the things that, its, I guess, basic necessities, said the local community leader and rapper. The meeting with his map twins was encouraging, he said. There was, like, a genuine connection, right? It was, like, nothing forced or fake. Inspired by the recent US racial justice protests, Johnson plans to expand Folded Map into other neighbourhoods, and add resources on her website for people to help desegregate their own cities. Id like to think maybe its the start of a movement, Silverstein said of the project. Id love to see more and more people in the city start to build these relationships. (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 MINSK Under President Alexander Lukashenko, the average monthly wage in Belarus has risen in dollar terms to $500 from $50 in 1999. For voters, theres just one problem: it hit $500 in 2010, and has been stuck there ever since. As Lukashenko, a 65-year-old former collective farm manager with a fondness for a Soviet-style command economy, seeks re-election on Sunday after 26 years in power, his economic record is being found wanting by some voters. My daughter tells me all the time: I love my country, I want to live in my country," said Dmitry, a 53-year-old Minsk resident protesting against Lukashenko last week. But with what is happening here, there are no prospects for young people. No future," he said, saying his daughter lived in the Czech Republic and had no plans to return. He declined to give his surname for fear of reprisals in a country where little dissent is allowed. Once cast by Washington as Europes last dictator", Lukashenko controls the levers of power in the strategically important country between East and West through which Russia sends its oil. He is expected to be re-elected. But he faces protests by opposition supporters rallying around his main opponent, a former English teacher whose husband was jailed and cannot run himself. Lukashenko is also facing criticism over his human rights record and dismissal of COVID-19 as a psychosis". His once popular promise of $500 for everyone" was a reflection of rising prosperity in the 2000s, but has become the butt of internet memes. People are really sick of it, people want change, people want some kind of development," said Vadim Iossub, a senior analyst at financial company Alpari Eurasia. Fraying ties between Belarus and Russia have prompted Moscow to scale back subsidised energy supplies that previously propped up Lukashenkos rule, creating a $700-million budget hole as the coronavirus pandemic tipped the economy into recession. Hundreds of thousands of Belarusians have moved abroad in recent years. Lukashenko said on Tuesday the population had fallen by 8%. UNWRITTEN AGREEMENT Around 70% of the economy and two-thirds of the workforce have remained in state hands in the former Soviet republic. While the government has cut red tape for private entrepreneurs, whom Lukashenko once derided as leeches", the economy is dominated by public companies receiving government loans and subsidies. The model has been underpinned by cheap Russian gas and crude oil, processed in Belarusian refineries and exported. Addressing the nation on Tuesday, Lukashenko promised to double wages within five years and resisted calls for rapid change, casting Belarus as an island of stability at a time of global turmoil. Lukashenko said he expected the economy to grow by 3-4% in coming years. He said his statist model should deliver that if production and exports are ramped up and Belarus starts to manufacture $4 billion of goods it currently imports annually. For the entire term of my presidency, I have not found an answer to the question: why are state-owned enterprises such an eyesore to everyone?" he said. Belarus grew by an average of less than 1% annually between 2010-2020. In 2012, the purchasing power of Belarusian wages was 73 percent of that in neighbouring Poland. By 2020, it had dropped to 60 percent, according to official data. Valery Tsepkalo, an election opponent who fled abroad fearing arrest, told Reuters Lukashenko had broken an unwritten agreement" with voters to deliver prosperity in exchange for political obedience. He deprived Belarus people of political freedoms and he also deprives Belarus people of economic growth. This is one of the reasons society started to protest," he said. (Additional reporting by Gabrielle Tetrault-Farber in Moscow; writing by Matthias Williams, Editing by Andrew Osborn and Timothy Heritage) Disclaimer: This post has been auto-published from an agency feed without any modifications to the text and has not been reviewed by an editor A father of two has lost his life in Lake Michigan in an attempt to rescue his children from a deadly rip current. The children, aged 12 and 17, were retrieved and assisted back to shore by a first responder. The 44-year-old father from Lakeville, Indiana, was visiting Lions Park Beach in St. Joseph with his kids on July 30 when the outing took a tragic turn. Four swimmers, including the fathers two children, went into the water and got caught in an undertow, St. Joseph Public Safety Department said in a statement. On Thursday July 30, 2020 8:08 p.m. officers from the St. Joseph Department of Public Safety were dispatched to Lions Park Beach for the report of a water rescue in Lake Michigan, they explained. Upon arrival four individuals were struggling in the water. Lions Park Beach in St. Joseph, Michigan (Screenshot/Google Maps) Officer Fabian Weber was able to reach two of the swimmers, Meghan Lynch and Vincent Ball, on a surfboard, proceeded to pull the swimmers onto the board, and returned them to the safety of the shore. The 17 and 12-year-old were rescued by St. Joseph Reserve Officer Everett Gaston, the safety department said. However, the 44-year-old male drowned while trying to save his children. The father was pulled from the water but was later pronounced dead at Spectrum Health Lakeland in St. Joseph. The authorities made the decision not to release his name to the media before notifying his extended family of the incident. We were being kind of reckless, rescued swimmer Meghan Lynch told WSBT, probably shouldnt have been swimming, but thats kind of the lesson to be learned. Dont go out there when its this bad. On the day the father of two lost his life, southeastern Michigan beaches had received a high swim risk warning from the National Weather Service of Northern Indiana and had planted red warning flags by the water in response. The shore at Lions Park Beach in St. Joseph, Michigan (Screenshot/Google Maps) Last night the rip current, undertow was severe, Berrien County undersheriff Chuck Heit told the South Bend Tribune on July 31, adding that the county police departments marine patrol division and the U.S. Coast Guard were searching for two additional missing persons. A 13-year-old girl disappeared near Warren Dunes, and a 25-year-old man went missing near New Buffalo on the same day. The body of the teen was later found at Lakeside, southwest of Grand Rapids, reported the Associated Press. On Aug. 3, search efforts resumed for the 25-year-old, four days after he was first reported missing. If you see those [4- to 7-foot] waves developing or you see those red flags you want to stay out of the water, WSBT 22 meteorologist Cari Peugeot advised. The rip current risk is going to be high. Earlier in July, a female swimmer drowned at the same location at Lions Park Beach after getting trapped with her sister in heavy surf, Daily Mail reported. We would love to hear your stories! You can share them with us at emg.inspired@epochtimes.nyc * Euro zone periphery govt bond yields http://tmsnrt.rs/2ii2Bqr By Yoruk Bahceli AMSTERDAM, Aug 4 (Reuters) - German government bond yields held near their recent lows on Tuesday, with investors expected to focus on headlines given a lack of data releases to steer the market. Safe-haven euro zone bonds held their ground despite strong U.S. manufacturing data pushing equities higher overnight, particularly in the tech sector, while European stocks also opened higher. Focus remains on deadlocked stimulus negotiations in the U.S. which will continue on Tuesday, Danske Bank analysts told clients. European assets have become more appealing to investors as a 750 billion euro recovery fund has boosted sentiment, while U.S. coronavirus cases have surged. German 10-year government bond yields were unchanged in early trade at -0.52%, having hit 2-1/2 month lows of -0.56% last week. Italian 10-year yields were down 2 bps to 1.06%, after rising to near two-week highs of 1.12% on Tuesday. "The back-up in Bund yields at the start of the week still appears very modest," Commerzbank's head of rates and credit research Christoph Rieger told clients, pointing to the rally in equities, better than expected economic data - including purchasing manager indexes and Germany's ISM survey - and a reversal of month-end flows. Ten-year German yields are up around 2 basis points this week after falling 9 basis points last week. Focus was also on the European Central Bank's breakdown of its bond purchases, released late on Monday, which showed Italy continued to benefit from oversized ECB purchases of its debt in June and July under both the emergency and conventional bond buying programmes. That made Italy the one large euro zone country where the ECB is purchasing more bonds than its share of the capital key, a quota based on how much money each country has paid into the bank. The data also showed the ECB now holds 9.95 billion euros of Greek government bonds, or 13.5% of the outstanding market, according to Reuters calculations. It made an exception to start purchasing junk-rated Greek debt for the first time in March. In the primary market, Austria is scheduled to sell 1.15 billion euro of bonds due 2024 and 2030 via auction. (Reporting by Yoruk Bahceli; Editing by Kirsten Donovan) Age proved to be a considerable factor in the likelihood of re-offending, with 79.6% of under 21s re-offending compared to 29.5% of those over the age of 50. The data examined prisoners released between 2011 and 2017, examining the number of prisoners who committed further offences within one and three years of their release. The statistics were determined using information from the Irish Prison Service and the garda PULSE system. Overall, 55% of prisoners released in 2014 re-offended within three years, down from 64% in 2011. In 2014, females had a higher rate of re-offending within three years (58%), compared to males (55%). Of the prisoners released in 2014, 93% were male. The number of people re-offending within one year of their release is also down. In 2014, 40.2% of prisoners committed an another crime compared to 46.2% in 2011. In the regular drumbeat of arrests of alleged Chinese spies, one case last month stood out. It did not involve the U.S. or another rival of China, but Russia, whose security services accused a prominent arctic scientist of selling classified data on technologies for detecting submarines. Meanwhile a court in Kazakhstan in October convicted the Central Asia nation's preeminent China specialist of espionage, a move widely interpreted at the time as a warning against increased meddling by the superpower next door. Both men maintain their innocence and if China is spying on Russia, Moscow is surely doing the same. Even so, the fact the two cases were made public suggests a more assertive China has become a concern for nations considered its partners, too. Countries such as Russia, Iran and Kazakhstan need to still get the investment, trade and in some cases diplomatic support they want from Beijing, while preserving some economic independence and pursuing foreign policy goals that at times conflict. "These are all fragile relationships," James Dorsey, senior fellow at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies at Singapore's Nanyang Technological University, said of the web of ties between China, Russia and Iran, plus Turkey. "They have been extremely good at finding common ground and managing differences, but it is very opportunistic." Most of the focus has been on China's economic partners in the so-called Global West - from the U.S. to Europe to Australasia - as they roll back once enthusiastic engagements amid growing alarm at President Xi Jinping's heavy handed response to covid-19, including the emergence of so-called wolf-warrior diplomacy, plus Beijing's crackdown on the pro-democracy movement in Hong Kong. The U.K. recently reversed a decision to let tech giant Huawei Technologies build parts of the nation's sensitive 5G networks, and suspended an extradition treaty with Hong Kong. France and Germany are pushing for greater scrutiny of foreign - especially Chinese - investment in the European Union, which last year labeled China a "systemic rival." Supply chains are being shortened. There's no such recoil among China's strategic partners. Russia is working with Huawei on a 5G rollout. Iran is trying to close a deal that would pledge $400 billion of Chinese investment, as well as arms sales, in exchange for discounted oil, according to as-yet unverified leaks of the draft agreement. Russia doesn't feel threatened itself, because right now China can ill-afford to alienate a neighbor that's an important military and resource power in its own right, according to Vasily Kashin, a senior research fellow at the Russian Academy of Sciences' Institute of Far Eastern Studies. Still, "Russia's government and experts have of course noticed a significant change in Chinese diplomacy and behavior, which sped up during the last several months and especially during the covid-19 crisis," Kashin says, adding there's potential for China's greater risk-taking to create problems in Russia's relations with third countries. "We're watching." Take India, Russia's biggest market for arms sales, where fighting along a disputed border with China led to the deaths of at least 20 Indian troops in June, the worst such incident in four decades. While that flare-up has since moderated, "it's quite possible that the new politics on the Chinese side contributed to the behavior of Chinese commanders in the field," Kashin says. The clash was awkward for Russia, which hosted a virtual meeting of the three countries' foreign ministers in an attempt to de-escalate the crisis. India's Defense Minster Rajnath Singh then traveled to Moscow to press for acceleration of a $5 billion delivery of sophisticated S-400 air defense systems, currently scheduled for December 2021. China got its first S-400s in 2018. Similar tensions apply in Vietnam, another long term Russian security partner, where state-owned oil and gas major Rosneft PJSC has a joint venture exploring waters inside Vietnam's 200 mile (322 km) exclusive economic zone that are claimed by China. Last year, a Chinese vessel buzzed a Japanese rig that Rosneft had leased for the project. There's little sign any of this is poisoning the overall relationship between Xi and Russian President Vladimir Putin. The two have a mutual understanding on their freedom to act with third countries, according to Alexander Lukin, a prominent Russian author on China and head of the international affairs department of the Higher School of Economics in Moscow. "But of course if it comes to a serious confrontation, that would not be profitable for Russia and it would have to choose," Lukin said. Last week, India was preparing to move an additional 35,000 troops to the so-called line of actual control. The still unpublished agreement with Iran, meanwhile, has triggered fierce controversy in Tehran. Opponents - including the former conservative President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad - accuse the government of selling off the nation's sovereignty. "On the surface, a more assertive China that's willing to take risks in its relationship with the U.S. is good for Iran, it's very good," said Sanam Vakil, deputy director of the Middle East and North Africa Program at Chatham House, a London think tank. Even an empty promise of investments that might relieve sanctions pressure can be leveraged in the Islamic Republic's dealings with the U.S. and Europe, she said. At the same time, though, past experience suggests both that actual Chinese investment will fall dramatically short of any number pledged, and that Iran will do nothing that risks its autonomy, leaving both sides frustrated. "Ultimately, Iran needs strategic and economic diversification," said Vakil. Iran, India, Russia and Azerbaijan this year took two essential steps toward completing the long delayed International North South Transport Corridor - a Belt and Road-style initiative of their own - for a ship-and-rail cargo route from India to Northern Russia. That corridor would also connect Kazakhstan, often described by China as the "buckle" in the Belt and Road Initiative. Even so, the Kazakh government found itself on the receiving end of the wolf warrior diplomacy that has emerged from some Chinese embassies since the pandemic. Most recently, the embassy in Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan's capital, claimed an unknown pneumonia more deadly than Covid-19 had broken out in the country. Tensions were already growing last year over what China saw as Kazakhstan's harboring of some Muslims who had escaped across the border from Xinjiang's Uighur re-education camps. Then came the arrest and conviction for espionage of Konstantin Syroyezhkin, a China specialist at the Kazakh presidency's Institute for Strategic Research. "Yes these are fellow authoritarian states, but they are also self-interested states," said Parag Khanna, author of "The Future is Asian: Commerce, Conflict & Culture in the 21st Century". Recalling the urge to defect from partners in game theory, he said: "Everything seems stable until it is not." Image: Twitter live bse live nse live Volume Todays L/H More A former employee has filed a lawsuit against HCL America, the US unit of the Indian IT major HCL Technologies, for unlawful termination based on his caste by his superior. Moneycontrol has reviewed the copy of the lawsuit. To keep the employees identity anonymous, as per his request, Moneycontrol is using the pseudonym Vikram. The case, which was filed on March 25 in a superior court in California, has now emerged after the much-publicised Cisco lawsuit that kick-started debates around caste bias in Silicon Valley companies. Ironically, the Cisco case was filed three months later, on June 30. The lawsuit filed by Vikram against HCL America is similar in the sense that it alleges that his superior Srinivas Chakravarty, a Kamma Naidu by caste, harboured animosity against Vikram, who is a Kapu Naidu. The two groups have a history of rivalry that could date back to the riots in 1980s in the Vijayawada region of Andhra Pradesh, the lawsuit said. Fight between the two castes, Kamma and Kapu, resulted the in death of over 40 people and Rs 100 crore in damages, reports had then pointed out. Chakravarty is from Vijayawada, and his caste sentiments are deep-rooted, alleged Vikram. According to the lawsuit, Chakravarty was in Vijayawada during the time of riots. Substantial motivating factors for termination of employment were, without limitation, his ethnicity (including as it relates to caste), race, national origin, ancestry, religious creed and/or color, and/or any such perceived characteristics, and/or his association with members of such protected classes, as well as his complaints about discrimination within the company, the lawsuit said. Vikram said that he had come to know that Chakravarty was terminated soon after the lawsuit was filed, but could not independently verify the same. HCL refuses to comment HCL Technologies, the parent company of HCL America, did not respond to queries about Chakravartys termination and the action taken on two senior managers -- Vikas Soni and Prasanna Subramanian-- to whom Vikram complained. The company also did not respond to queries by Moneycontrol on the allegations raised in the lawsuit or steps taken by the company to address unfair treatment meted out to Vikram based on his ethnicity. According to Vikram, discrimination against him started from October 2018 when Chakravarty joined the team and came to know about the formers caste. Nothing else justifies his behaviour, Vikram told Moneycontrol over a teleconference call from the US. What is the Cisco lawsuit? The Cisco lawsuit was filed by the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing (DFEH) for discrimination of a Dalit employee by two of his two upper caste superiors -- Sundara Iyer and Raman Kompella. Cisco was sued for allegedly denying the worker, who immigrated to the US from India, professional opportunities as well as making him endure a hostile work environment. This lawsuit has now put the spotlight on caste discrimination that has long pervaded the Indian community in Silicon Valley, and the tech industry, in particular. This has gained even more significance in the backdrop of the #BlackLivesMatter movement. Charges of harassment in HCLs case Vikram said that before joining HCL, he had worked with major tech giants in Silicon Valley, and had always been appreciated for his work. He joined HCL America in August 2018 as a technical architect. In that capacity, he helped design computer chips for companies like Intel, the lawsuit said. During his tenure in HCL, Vikram was appreciated by Intel for his efforts. The lawsuit pointed out Intels appreciation: had been doing a great job on his project as evidenced by the very productive and positive relationship he had fostered with the client, Intels team, and his routine completion of assigned projects correctly and on time. Intel liked him, and he got the job done well, the lawsuit pointed out. All that changed when Chakravarty became his superior after October 2018. Chakravarty, the lawsuit said, started rating Vikram poorly on weekly or biweekly reviews. Chakravarty would generally be very critical of (his) work product, which objectively met or exceeded expectations, the lawsuit added. Vikram alleged that Chakravarty would often shout at him during one-on-one review meetings and did not take action when a fellow colleague called him black due to his complexion. Complaints to senior managers bore no fruit, says Vikram. He complained to Vikas Soni, then Worldwide Director for Technical Teams and Prasanna Subramanian, the Program Manager and Chakravartys boss, about the unfair treatment, both orally and in writing. Other than paying lip service that the matter will be looked into, absolutely nothing was done, the lawsuit alleged. Vikram said that he was eventually placed on performance improvement plan, designed for poor performers to assess if they can be deployed in projects. I cleared it and I was made to work on weekends. But I was still terminated, he said. He was told he was fired for missing a day that he called in sick, the lawsuit pointed out. Vikram said that he started preparing for legal recourse in December 2019, soon after he was terminated. The arbitration date on the matter is now set for April 2021, he said. Before filing the lawsuit, Vikram sought mediation with HCL. However, the company did not respond. Upon this, Vikram filed the lawsuit after obtaining a right to sue letter from the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing (DFEH). We approached DFEH, which does not take all cases. But they gave us the right to sue letter, which means that the case has merit, Vikram pointed out. Sensex, Nifty Highlights on August 5: Domestic benchmarks Sensex and Nifty turned voaltile, erasing early gains and ended marginally lower on Wednesday, despite positive global equities amid weak dometsic investor sentiments. Reversing trend from yesterday's gains, S&P BSE Sensex ended 24 points lower at 37,663 and NSE Nifty 50 index closed 6 points higher at 11,101. Meanwhile, April-June quarterly earnings announcements by Cadila, DLF, Canara Bank, Adani Gas, Apollo Tyres, Inox Leisure, Strides Pharma, Godrej Properties, Jyothy Labs, VIP among others will also set the tone for the stock market today. Yesterday, Sensex ended 748 points higher at 37,687 and NSE gained 211 points to 11,102. Investors will also keep an eye on whether RBI extends moratorium beyond August 2020. The MPC will announce its policy stance tomorrow, 6 August 2020. Here's a look at the updates of the market action on BSE and NSE today 3. 45 PM: Closing Domestic benchmarks Sensex and Nifty turned voaltile, erasing early gains and ended marginally lower on Wednesday, despite positive global equities amid weak dometsic investor sentiments. Reversing trend from yesterday's gains, S&P BSE Sensex ended 24 points lower at 37,663 and NSE Nifty 50 index closed 6 points higher at 11,101. 3. 26 PM: Godrej Consumer share price declines almost 3% Godrej Consumer shares were trading almost 3% lower in Wednesday's volatile trade after the company posted weak earnings for the April-June quarter. The company reported a 3.1% drop YoY in its consolidated net profit at Rs 395 crore during the June quarter, after adjusting one-off items of Rs 95 crore. This was Rs 407.6 crore reported in the year-ago period. Company's revenue fell by 12.5% YoY to Rs 2,327.3 crore in Q1 FY21 versus Rs 2,348.8 crore in Q1 FY20. Following the news, Godrej Consumer Products share price opened at Rs 692.10 and later touched an intraday low of Rs 672.95, falling 2.79% against the earlier close of Rs 692.25 on BSE. 3. 13PM: Godrej Consumer result update Commenting on 1QFY21 results of Godrej Consumer Products, Rajit Rajoriya, Equity Research Associate, Angel Broking said, "Both India and Indonesia business (which contributed to over 76% of overall sales) showed strong resilience and grew by 5% each. Africa, USA and the Middle East sales declined by 23% YoY, on a constant currency basis. Latin America & SAARC sales grew by 23% year-on-year, on a constant currency basis. From a category perspective, Household Insecticides, Hygiene and Value For Money (which contributed to 85% of our overall sales) grew by 9% YoY. Household Insecticides grew by 27% and Hygiene grew by 15%. Going forward we see good demand traction in the Household Insecticides and Hygiene segment with the ongoing product innovations in these segments." 2.51 PM: TVS Motor update As per Geojit report on TVS Motors Ltd-Q1FY21 results, "The near term outlook is uncertain and the demand preference is slowly shifting towards lower price 2W, where, TVS presence Is minimal. Sales expectation from export is also remain blurry.At CMP the TVS is trading at a premium valuation based on a 1yr fwd. basis. We value TVS at 23x FY22E EPS and downgrade our rating to sell with a target price of Rs355". 2. 34 PM: Maruti Suzuki share price gains 3% Maruti Suzuki share price rose in trade today as India's largest car maker launched the 2020 version of S-Cross at a price of Rs 8.39 lakh today. Share price of Maruti Suzuki gained 3.7% to Rs 6596 against previous close of Rs 6360 on BSE. The large cap stock has gained 6% in the last 2 days. Maruti Suzuki share is trading higher than 5 day, 20 day, 50 day, 100 day and 200 day moving averages. Maruti Suzuki share price gains 3% as firm launches S-Cross 2020 2. 15 PM: Gold outlook Prathamesh Mallya, AVP- Research, Non-Agri Commodities and Currencies, Angel Broking said," Gold has been really precious for investors in 2020 with an astounding double digit returns of 34 percent YTD in dollar terms and still continues its shine. The liquidity push by Central Banks across the globe has been a deciding factor for premium in gold prices as the pandemic continues to ravage global economy. The easy money policy is resulting in to chasing higher yields on asset classes which are considered to be safe in times of uncertainty, and nothing like gold, the safe haven asset which has historically been a go to investment for investors. Unless, global economy starts its recovery path, precious metals will continue to shine for the rest of 2020." 1. 45 PM: Axis Bank shares rise over 4% Axis Bank shares were trading 10% higher in Wednesday's early trade as the private lender launched a Rs 10,000 crore qualified institutional placement (QIP). Lender's board had approved the launch of the share sale and had fixed a floor price of Rs 442.19 per share for the QIP offering, as per Axis Bank's latest filing. Following the news, shares of Axis Bank opened at Rs 438 and later touched an intraday high of Rs 446.70, rising 4.15% against the earlier close of Rs 428.90 on BSE. 1.19 PM: Real estate sector update Speaking on outlook for real estate sector, Abhishek Bansal, Executive Director, Pacific Group said, "The market is already witnessing demand and the coming year will see windfall especially for the projects that meet the new age requirements of the buyers. The sentiment is positive in all the segments of residential- high end, mid-segment, and affordable. The sale will be back to its pre-Covid times in the coming few months and is likely to increase as many fence-sitters are expected to expedite the process of buying. Commercial segment will also see increased investment as people want to have an additional source of income as they have seen tough times during lockdown. A renewed interest in owning a property in tier 2 cities is expected. Tier 2 cities will rise as people have understood the luxury of living in serene and less crowded places. In residential, second or third home seekers will throng these cities as these places offer lucrative prices as against the high prices in metros or tier 1 cities." 1.02 PM: PI Industries update Commenting on Q1 earnings in PI Industries, Jyoti Roy, DVP- Equity Strategist, Angel Broking said," PI industries reported Q1FY21 numbers which have come in significantly above street and our expectations. Company reported a 40.6% yoy growth in revenues for the quarter to Rs. 1,060 cr. EBIDTA for the quarter was up by 50.3% yoy to Rs. 229.2 cr. while EBIDTA margins expanded by 140bps yoy to 229.2 cr. Growth was driven by both exports and domestic revenues which grew by 23% and 76% yoy respectively. The management has highlighted that both domestic and export supplies have picked up pace with all manufacturing facilities being operational and capacity utilization building back to pre-COVID levels. Contribution from recently acquired Isagro too has also added to growth during the quarter. The company has also successfully completed a Rs. 2000 cr. QIP recently, proceeds of which will be used for strategic growth initiatives both organic and inorganic. A good monsoon bodes well for the domestic business while the export order book of USD 1.5bn provides strong revenue visibility for the exports business. We remain positive on the future prospects of the company and PI Industries remains one of our top picks in the chemical space." 12. 40 PM: Rupee surges 17 paise to 74.87 Indian rupee in the domestic currency market gained 17 paise to 74.87 per US dollar on Wednesday's opening trade, tracking positive domestic equities and weak US currency. At the interbank forex market, the domestic unit opened at 74.93 per dollar, then gained further ground to touch 74.87 against per dollar, registering a gain of 17 paise over its previous close of 75.04 on Tuesday. Rupee surges 17 paise to 74.87 amid weak dollar, positive domestic equities 12.22 PM: Tata Consumer share touches all time high Tata Consumer Products share price scaled all-time high in early trade today after the firm reported 81.78 per cent rise in net profit. Share price of Tata Consumer Products gained 4.88% to Rs 471 against the previous close of Rs 449.75 on BSE. Earlier, Tata Consumer Products share opened higher at Rs 465.50. Total 3.74 lakh shares changed hands amounting to turnover of Rs 17.36 crore on BSE. Market cap of the firm rose to Rs 41,852 crore. Tata Consumer Products share price hits all-time high on Q1 earnings 12.09 PM: Market update Domestic benchamrks extendded yesterday's gains and traded higher today, amid gains in Reliance Industries, ICICI Bank, Axis Bank and Kotak Bank. Besides stock-specific action, positive cues from global markets and sustained foreign fund inflow buoyed domestic benchmarks. 11.45 AM: Earnings today Cadila, DLF, Canara Bank, Adani Gas, Apollo Tyres, Inox Leisure, Strides Pharma, Godrej Properties, Jyothy Labs, VIP among others are among the top companies that will be reporting their April-June quarterly earnings. 11. 34 AM: Top gainers and losers Axis Bank, followed by IndusInd Bank, UltraTech Cement, Tata Steel, Bajaj Finance, SBI, Bajaj Finserv, ICICI Bank, Axis Bank and Reliance Industries. On the other hand, PowerGrid and Nestle India were among the laggards. 11. 10 AM: Gold hits new high Gold price rose to an all-time high of Rs 54,797 per 10 gm today in India as sentiment in global equity market remained wobbly amid escalating tensions between US and China and concerns over the expectations of more stimulus measures. On a similar note, Silver September futures was trading Rs 164 higher at Rs 69,961, after hitting a lifetime high of Rs 70,223 earlier today. Precious metal prices have been surging to fresh record highs in domestic as well as international commodity markets, amid intensifying US-China tensions and COVID-19 pandemic. Gold price scales all-time high; overseas rate crosses $2,000 mark 11. 02 AM: Gold outlook On gold's near term outlook, Hareesh V, Head Commodity Research at Geojit Financial Services said," Diminishing hopes of an immediate economic recovery amid rising pandemic cases continue to support gold's bullish outlook. More economic stimulus measures from central banks to combat the economic blow due to the pandemic, escalating geopolitical uncertainties and a weaker US dollar will continue to lift gold's safe haven appeal and demand for the commodity. Anyhow, a technical correction cannot be ruled out as prices breached the psychological level of $2000 an ounce." On London spot's technical outlook, he added," Bullish outlook will continue and prices may look towards the next target of $2280 as long as it stays above $1980. However, a direct drop below $1880 could negate the outlook and take prices lower." 10. 53 AM: FII, DII data Foreign portfolio investors (FPIs) bought shares worth Rs 703.74 crore, while domestic institutional investors (DIIs), were net sellers to the tune of Rs 665.69 crore in the Indian equity market on 4 August, exchange data showed. 10. 40 AM: Market outlook "We believe Indian markets would continue to take cues from global peers and the upcoming RBI policy would be the next major trigger. At the same time, as more companies would announce their Q1FY21 earnings, stock-specific action would continue to induce high volatility. We reiterate our advice to focus on stock selection and risk management," said Ajit Mishra, VP - Research, Religare Broking. 10. 31 AM: Gold in overseas markets crosses $2K mark Overseas, bullion price traded near record high to surpass $2,000 mark. Comex gold was trading 0.51% higher at the day's low of $2,011.50 per ounce, after hitting all-time high of 2,024 an ounce earlier in the session. Spot gold was up 0.2% at $2,022.42 per ounce after rising above $2,030 in early session, while US gold futures rose 0.9% to $2,039. 10. 15 AM: US- China trade review meet An initial six-month review meet has been planned between the senior US and Chinese officials over the implementation of their Phase 1 trade deal. The two countries are likely to air mutual grievances in an increasingly tense relationship during the August 15 videoconference. 10. 02 AM: Global cues Asian equities, barring Nikkei were trading higher today, global investors counted on a fresh COVID-19 stimulus in the United States. Wall Street ended higher after a choppy session on Tuesday. White House negotiators late Tuesday vowed to work 'around the clock' to reach a spending deal by the end of the week, but the Treasury Secretary warned they were not 'going anywhere close' to the $3.4 trillion Democratic leaders sought.Europe trading exchanges, barring Germany's DAX also closed on a positive note yesterday. 9. 54 AM: Nifty technical outlook Ruchit Jain (Senior Analyst - Technical and Derivatives, Angel Broking) said," With this pullback, the index continues the 'Higher Top Higher Bottom' structure and forms a higher low i.e. a higher support base at 10880. Thus, the near term continues to be positive now till 10880 remains intact. On the flipside, 11250-11300 would be immediate target zone to watch our for." 9. 40 AM: RBI MPC meet outcome Investors will also keep an eye on whether RBI extends moratorium beyond August 2020. The MPC will announce its policy stance tomorrow, 6 August 2020 9. 31 AM: Nifty technical indicators Reliance Smart Money said in daily note that NSE-NIFTY took support around its long-term moving average (200-day SMA) and breached its daily falling trend. Yesterday, positive global cues and recovery across key sectors has supported the up-move. Despite such a sharp recovery in the index, its key technical indicators remained negatively poised. Hence, we will maintain our bearish view on the index. On the higher side, the index will face hurdle at around 11,340 level, which coincides with its upper band of prior narrow range (11,055-11,340). In case of decline, the index will initially find support around its 200-day SMA and then around its 50-day EMA, which are now placed at 10, 855 and 10, 555 levels, respectively. As for the day, support is placed at around 10,970 and then at 10,837 levels, while resistance is observed at 11,174 and then at 11,245 levels. 9. 19 AM: Opening session Sensex and Nifty traded on a bullish note on Wednesday, extending yesterday's gains amid positive global equities. Sensex was rising 286 points higher at 37,986 and Nifty50 traded 60 points higher at 11,155. 9. 09 AM: Stocks to watch today on August 5 Axis Bank, Tata Consumer, Unichem Labs, HPCL, Havells India among others are the top stocks to watch out for in Wednesday's trading session Stocks in news: Axis Bank, Tata Consumer, Unichem Labs, HPCL, Havells India 9.00 AM: Nifty outlook On Nifty's technical outlook, Manish Hathiramani, proprietary index trader and technical analyst, Deen Dayal Investments said,"The Nifty remained positive for the entire trading session but I would still maintain a cautious stance. For any upside to trigger, we would need to go past 11200 on a closing basis as that would be the confidence builder to reverse this short term weakness and enter back into the medium-term positive trend. Until then, traders should look for opportunities to go short on the index for a target of 10800. Sensex rises 748 points, Nifty reclaims 11k: Five factors behind the rally 8. 50 AM: Earnings today Cadila, DLF, Canara Bank, Adani Gas, Apollo Tyres, Inox Leisure, Strides Pharma, Godrej Properties, Jyothy Labs, VIP among others are among the top companies that will be reporting their April-June quarterly earnings. 8. 40 AM: Rupee closing On the currency front, rupee ended at 75.05 per dollar compared to the previous close of 75.01 per dollar. 8. 30 AM: Closing Yesterday, benchmark indices Sensex and Nifty closed higher after four straight sessions of losses on back of upbeat global equities. Sensex ended 748 points higher at 37,687 and NSE gained 211 points to 11,102. Share Market Highlights: Sensex ends 748 points higher, Nifty at 11,102; RIL, HDFC Bank, ONGC top gainers African Union, AU, and leaders of the continent have been urged to fast track implementation of the high-speed rail to support the implementation of the continental free trade area. The call was made by participants at the webinar on the African High-Speed Railway Project, moderated by Mr. Olawale Rasheed of the African Railway Roundtable. The webinar was organised by the African Union Development Agency-NEPAD, AUDA-NEPAD, and facilitated by the agency's Project Advisor Louis Napo Gnagbe, with top railway and infrastructure leaders on the continent participating. Mr. Raila Odinga, the AU High Representative for Infrastructure Development in Africa, who chaired the event, challenged the continent to walk the talk. He said: "If Europe and North America could transform their railway systems in the time they did, Africa can even do better now." Odinga noted the many railway developments across Africa said the continent has spent a lot of time on planning and emphasised that now is the time to hit the ground running, as the world will not wait any longer. Citing the new free trade area, the African Continental Free Trade Area, AfCTA, the AU High Representative said transport logistics and interconnectivity are critical to the success of the project, decrying the very low connectivity among Africans due to poor transport connection. The Director of Infrastructure and Energy at the AU Commission, Mr. Cheikh Bedda, noted the strategic importance of the high-speed rail to Africa's development. Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Africa Nigeria By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later. He informed the participants that the Commission is set to push ahead with the implementation process. While noting the disruption occasional by the COVID-19 pandemic, Mr. Bedda said the commission's leadership is committed to transforming the pandemic into opportunity, stressing that the commission is open to credible collaboration and partnership to make the project a reality. Among the many recommendations of the webinar was the need to launch the implementation of the high-speed project after the design and planning issues have been sorted out. Other takeaways included the need to possibly shorten the implementation timetable, fast track ratification of the Luxembourg protocol for rolling stock acquisition and engagement with the African private sector. Others are the need to create African Railway Standard, enforcement of localisation to boost job creation, and the urgent need to explore internal financing through sovereign wealth and pension funds, among others. VANGUARD A graduation ceremony of the Faculty of Human and Social Sciences at the North West University, Mafikeng Campus, in 2015. analysis Higher education is usually seen as a way for individuals and families to improve their economic status. Research shows, though, that graduates can remain unemployed for up to a year. In developing countries, in particular, the labour force is often growing faster than the labour market. Graduate unemployment remains a reality for many in South Africa. The most recent figures from Statistics South Africa put the graduate unemployment rate at 31% in the first quarter of 2019. Among the reasons for the unemployment rate are the needs and expectations of the labour market and the quality of graduates leaving higher education institutions. Research into graduate work readiness has shown that there's a gap between what universities produce in their graduates and what employers expect. Employers are often cited as saying that the graduates who enter the workplace are ill-equipped for the realities of the South African labour market. This gap between employers and universities is referred to as the skills gap. There are critical skills shortages in the science, engineering, technology and information technology fields while universities are seeing increasing enrolment in business, economics and commerce, followed by education and engineering. Despite the enrolments aligning more recently, there remains a gap between the skills graduates possess and what employers expect. Work-integrated learning is one of the techniques that higher education institutions use to address the skills gap. It exposes students to real or simulated work environments where they can develop the skills their future employers expect. Work-integrated learning has a long history in higher education, with studies as far back as 1976. While the evidence on work-integrated learning has been mixed in some disciplines, there is a general consensus that these programmes improve the skills and employability of graduates. Work-integrated learning is therefore an integral component of the Research Masters programme on which we teach. We conducted a study that was aimed at understanding how students in the discipline of psychology benefited from this alternative approach to teaching and learning. The findings of the study indicated that students primarily focused on developing technical skills. Secondly, they worked on developing their identities as researchers. Thirdly, students made use of multiple sources of information to develop their sense of the workplace. Reflective learning During their studies, students keep reflective diaries about what they are learning. We analysed the diaries of six cohorts of students to understand the work placement learning experiences that take place from the students' perspective. These were work placements where students worked for companies for a period of 10 to 20 weeks. In the reflective diaries students described the strategies they used to evaluate new or complex information. They reflected on gaps in their learning and identified areas in which they required further development. They recorded their thoughts about how they expected to contribute to the organisation they joined. For instance, very few students had worked in a formal work environment prior to the course and therefore had never seen or signed an employment contract. By consulting lecturers and peers, students were able to decipher the contracts to understand the commitments they were undertaking. At a more technical level, students were exposed to skills such as data cleaning and analysis. Again, they used networks to fill in the gaps in their knowledge about these processes. These reflections highlighted gaps in graduates' knowledge. A previous study indicated that employers in this field, such as market research firms, held strong preferences for statistical skills, the ability to present and the ability to draft professional reports as key skills. Students' experiences and feedback were integrated into group discussions in their academic programme. The findings of our study highlight how integrating work experiences and the course curriculum can support students during their transition from formal learning to the first phases of career development. Connected learning When we viewed student learning as a network, we were able to incorporate industry partners into the learning process. This shift also changed our role as lecturers from conveyors of knowledge to facilitators who help students find their way. Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines South Africa Education Labour By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later. One of the key benefits of our work-integrated learning programme was that students were able to build and develop relationships that would follow them into their early years in the workplace. In turn, lecturers became part of more extensive networks when students entered the workplace. Being connected with them created learning opportunities for future students. The extensive network assists the university to understand what skills the workplace actually uses and needs. Work-integrated learning thus proved to be a crucial part of our programme. It's an approach that has been followed successfully in many countries but there's still much to be done to standardise it in South Africa. We propose that the learning process should be created through collaboration between the student, the host organisation (which is often the potential employer) and the higher education institution. This will help develop skills that are specific to an industry. Angelo Fynn, Specialist Researcher, University of South Africa PHILADELPHIA, Aug. 5, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Zavodnick, Zavodnick & Lasky, LLC has officially launched its new website in order to better serve its clients and keep up with current design standards. As the premier personal injury law firm in Philadelphia, PA, Zavodnick, Zavodnick & Lasky, LLC required a cutting-edge website to showcase the firm's strengths and tremendous results. Ryan Zavodnick, Howard Zavodnick, Todd Lasky The new website incorporates state-of-the-art design techniques meant to improve site navigation for the users. The new website design also adapts to fit all mobile devices in addition to laptops and desktop computers. This will provide a seamless experience to mobile users as the mobile website provides full functionality and great visuals even on compact devices. Contact Zavodnick, Zavodnick & Lasky, LLC if you need the assistance of a top-rated personal injury attorney. About Zavodnick, Zavodnick & Lasky, LLC: Zavodnick, Zavodnick & Lasky, LLC is one of the top personal injury and workers' compensation firms in Philadelphia, PA. With over 80 years of combined experience, the firm's partners have handled some of the toughest injury and accident cases in Pennsylvania. According to Ryan Zavodnick, the firm's mission is to "treat each client like family and get them the maximum compensation possible." Partner Todd Lasky agrees, "We're a family firm, and our clients always tell us that they appreciate the time we spend getting to know them." The personal injury team at Zavodnick, Zavodnick & Lasky, LLC has secured millions of dollars in compensation for their clients. They handle all personal injury practice areas including car accidents, motorcycle accidents, truck accidents, wrongful death and workers' comp claims. Contact Zavodnick, Zavodnick & Lasky, LLC if you need the assistance of an experienced Philadelphia personal injury lawyer. The attorneys at Zavodnick, Zavodnick & Lasky, LLC believe that everyone should have access to quality legal representation. As such, they offer their services on contingency. Accident victims in the Philadelphia area can schedule an in-office or virtual meeting. We're also available to meet you at your home or hospital. Media Contact: Company Name: Zavodnick, Zavodnick & Lasky, LLC Contact Person: Ryan Zavodnick Address: 123 S Broad St #1220 City: Philadelphia State: PA Zip: 19109 Country: United States Phone: (215) 875-7030 Website: https://www.zavodnicklaw.com/philadelphia-personal-injury-lawyer/ Related Images zavodnick-zavodnick-lasky-llc.jpg Zavodnick, Zavodnick & Lasky, LLC Ryan Zavodnick, Howard Zavodnick, Todd Lasky Related Links About Our Philadelphia Injury Lawyers Philadelphia Personal Injury Blog SOURCE Zavodnick, Zavodnick & Lasky, LLC The second season of The Umbrella Academy is reuniting the Hargreeves once again, but this time around, the superhero siblings are stuck in the 1960s. Allison Hargreeves (Emmy Raver-Lampman), who can rumor anyone into doing anything, joins the fight for civil rights and marries an activist named Raymond Chestnut. If the actor who plays Raymond looks familiar to viewers, its probably because hes been in a number of popular projects. Heres everything we know about Yusuf Gatewood, the talented new addition to Netflixs The Umbrella Academy Season 2. Yusuf Gatewood and Emmy Raver-Lampman in The Umbrella Academy Season 2 | Netflix Who is Yusuf Gatewood and what else has he been in? Gatewood is a 37-year-old American actor who grew up in Hillsborough, North Carolina. He isnt very active on social media, and he rarely does interviews, so its not clear how or why he started his career in Hollywood. But we do know that he landed his first on-screen role at the age of 17, when he played Howard in the 2000 film, Wonder Boys, starring Michael Douglas and Toby McGuire. Gatewood then went on to star on episodes of Law & Order: Criminal Intent, CSI: MIami, and Lincoln Heights. He also had a small role in the 2005 Nicole Kidman film, The Interpreter. And he was also featured in the 2016 comedy, Barbershop: The Next Cut. RELATED: Where Is Netflixs The Umbrella Academy Filmed? But Gatewood is most recognized for his recurring role on the CWs vampire drama, The Originals. On the show, which ran from 2014 to 2018, he played the dual roles of Vincent Griffith and Finn Mikaelson. His character has also been mentioned in the spin-off series, Legacies, but has yet to be seen on screen. After The Originals, Gatewood starred in the 2019 Amazon miniseries, Good Omens, in which he portrays Famine, one of the four horsemen of the apocalypse. Gatewood plays Allisons husband, Raymond on The Umbrella Academy Season 2 In Season 2 of The Umbrella Academy, Gatewood takes on the role of Raymond Chestnut, a civil rights activist in 1960s Dallas, Texas. After Vanya (Ellen Page) brings on the apocalypse at the end of Season 1, Five (Aiden Gallagher) tries to save his siblings by bringing them to another timeline. However, because hes unable to precisely control the time-jump, each Hargreeve sibling lands in Dallas at different times between 1960 and 1963. When Allison lands in Dallas, she becomes a dedicated civil rights activist. Not knowing her other siblings are nearby, she falls in love with Raymond. They get married, and Allison finds a full and meaningful life for herself in the new timeline. The Umbrella Academy star is getting lots of love from fans After seeing Gatewoods amazing performance on Season 2 of The Umbrella Academy, viewers shared their love for the actor on his social media pages. So, in a recent Instagram story, he reached out to his fans and thanked them for their support. So, last week a certain show premiered on Netflix, and my notifications have been buzzing ever since, Gatewood said. I just cant tell you how appreciative I am of all the super kind comments from all of the fandoms coming together. Yusuf Gatewood in The Umbrella Academy Season 2 | Netflix Gatewood noted that he doesnt like to post on social media often. But after seeing all the outpouring of love, he just wanted to take time and show his gratitude. Just because I dont respond to everything, and Im not active on social media does not mean that I dont see it, he added. You guys make my day I appreciate the hell out of it. That is the reason a lot of us do what we do. If we did not have an audience, we would not have a show. So we are very appreciative of you. I am very appreciative of you. The Umbrella Academy is currently streaming on Netflix. BANGKOK (Reuters) - The heir to the Red Bull energy drink fortune was believed to have been driving much faster than initially thought when he was involved in a fatal hit-and-run in 2012, a prosecution spokesman said on Tuesday, in a case that has stirred anger in Thailand. Vorayuth Yoovidhya was accused of crashing his Ferrari into policeman Wichien Klanprasert and dragging his body for dozens of metres before fleeing the scene. He missed eight summonses to appear in court and his case raised angry questions about impunity for the rich. He was eventually charged with reckless driving causing death, with a statue of limitations until 2027, but his whereabouts are not known. Last month, in a surprise move, police said the charges against him were being dropped. But that decision was questioned in parliament and elsewhere and the police, the government and the Attorney General's office all said they would investigate. A spokesman for the Office of the Attorney-General said new evidence had been found about the speed at which Vorayuth was believed to have been driving when he crashed into the policeman, who was on a motorcycle, on a Bangkok street. "This case is not over because the law says if there is new evidence, we are able to proceed," Prayut Phetkun, the office's deputy spokesman, told reporters. Previously, the speed of Vorayuth's Ferrari at the time of the accident was allegedly 80 kph (50 mph) but Prayut said, according to an expert opinion not previously included in the police report, the speed was closer to 170 kph (105 mph). "This is new evidence according to the law." Vorayuth could also face a new charge because blood tests after the accident showed traces of cocaine, but he was not charged at the time due to a possible false positive from the use of other medication, Prayut said. Vorayuth, the grandson of the late Chaleo Yoovidhya, creator of the Krating Daeng, or Red Bull, energy drink was 27 at the time of the accident. Prayut said the Attorney-General's office would recommend that police re-investigate the case due to discrepancy over the vehicle's speed. (Reporting by Panarat Thepgumpanat and Chayut Setboonsarng; Editing by Robert Birsel) Millions of Americans and their families are at risk of not receiving their stimulus checks because they have no idea how to get them. In Pennsylvania, more than $337 million in uncollected stimulus checks are at risk of disappearing from citizens' reach. Stimulus checks on hold The United States government considers an estimate of about 360,000 citizens in Pennsylvania as non-filers, meaning they would not be getting their direct payments given as support amid the coronavirus pandemic. According to Business Wire, the affected individuals would have to file a tax return or complete an online form on the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) website before October 15 to receive their stimulus payments for this year. Non-profit organization Campaign for Working Families (CWF) is lending a hand to all PA residents in completing their pending tax returns with no service charge just to help them get their direct payments. If the massive amount of at-risk funds get delivered and spent by those who need it, it would result in reducing the difficulties most families are facing and could also give the economy a much-needed boost with the added spending. Director of Partnerships for CWF Graham O'Neill said they know plenty of people from Pennsylvania who are hardly getting by every day and noted that uncollected payments could go a long way to helping them stand on their own again. O'Neill added the organization is ready and willing to help those who are confused with the qualifications of receiving stimulus checks and the process of how to get them. The non-profit organization is assisting people in understanding the eligibility of the direct payments through two methods; virtual and in-person tax prep programs certified by the IRS, which can be accessed via their website. Also Read: $1,000 Stimulus Check: When Will It Be Given and Who Are Qualified Distribution of direct payments The United States government passed the CARES Act that included the first stimulus checks that supported Americans during the coronavirus pandemic. The first direct payments worth $1,200 were available to be received by individuals who had no source of income or those earning less than $75,000 (or $150,000 if married and filed taxes jointly) every year, as reported by Yahoo Finance. Individuals who had higher salaries received less amount than those who earned less. Dependents who were 17 years old or below who had a social security number or an adoption taxpayer identification number were eligible to receive an additional $500 benefit. For someone to get the payment, an individual must have a social security number and must not be counted as a dependent on someone else's tax return. Military couples who are legally married only needed one social security number to receive their stimulus payments. The IRS automatically distributed stimulus checks to Americans who filed their taxes for 2018 and 2019, receive social security insurance or those who are retirees or Veterans Affairs (VA) beneficiaries. In the first month of deliveries, the IRS distributed more than five million payments that totaled $8.8 billion in stimulus payments in the state of Pennsylvania alone. Related Article: Fact Check: FEMA Offering $4,800 Hazard Pay During Coronavirus Pandemic? @ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Deputy Minister of Planning and Investment Vu Dai Thang receiving his appointment as Secretary of Quang Binh Party Committee Vu Dai Thang was born in 1975 in Hanoi and graduated from Waseda University in Japan with a Master of International Relations. He was Deputy Chairman of Ha Nam Peoples Committee in the 2010-2015 period. In March 2018, he was appointed as Deputy Minister of Planning and Investment. In this office, he has been assisting the Minister of Planning and Investment in following and assigning works related to foreign economic relations, official development assistance (ODA), foreign direct investment (FDI), state-owned enterprise restructuring, developing small- and medium-sized enterprises, and bidding management. Thang was the leader of the teams compiling three laws, including Law on Investment (amended), Law on Enterprises (amended), and the Law on Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Investment, which were approved by the National Assembly in June. This is a time for New Mexico indeed for America to celebrate the crowning achievement of the late Sen. Clinton P. Anderson, D-N.M. On a steamy hot day in Independence, Missouri, 55 years ago, our proud and distinguished senator joined the president of the United States for a bill-signing ceremony that would provide national health care to millions of Americans. It was July 30, 1965. Sen. Anderson joined President Lyndon Johnson and former President Harry S. Truman for the official birth of Medicare the national health care act for the elderly. Johnson signed the Medicare bill an amendment to the Social Security Act at the Truman Library in honor of the former president who was a lifelong advocate for national health care. And it marked the successful end to a grueling congressional battle for Anderson, a proud Albuquerque resident who dedicated four years of his 24-year Senate career to this one issue. It would eventually prove to be one of the most successful legislative acts of the 20th century. Anderson beamed as he accepted the pen used by Johnson to sign the King-Anderson Bill, as it was known in Congress. Its name honored U.S. Rep. Cecil King of California and Anderson. King, also a Democrat, was the manager of the bill in the House of Representatives and Anderson guided the bill through the Senate. The bill was introduced in the Senate by Anderson on Feb. 13, 1961. King introduced it on the same day in the House. It took four years of horse trading, numerous committee hearings, floor debate and amendments before it became law and officially took effect in January 1966. The original bill covered health care for citizens 68 and older. Anderson successfully lowered the age to 65. Anderson used a full chapter of his autobiography, Outsider in The Senate, to describe the intense battles as many Republicans and some southern Democrats fought to scuttle Medicare. They failed and, because of Medicares success and popularity, it has become part of the national health care debate. As Anderson noted in his book, President Franklin Roosevelt contemplated including health care for the elderly in the Social Security Act. But FDR dropped that idea, according to Anderson, out of concern it might defeat the Social Security bill. A decade later, President Truman proposed a national health insurance plan. It was labeled socialist by the Republicans in the Senate and by organized medicine groups. The bill died. The first Senate vote on the Medicare Act was on July 17, 1962, when it was defeated on the Senate floor by a vote of 52-48. Anderson vowed to make Medicare the hottest issue of that coming fall campaign and we would not relent until we passed it. Finally, after three more years of committee hearings and floor debate, the Medicare bill passed the House, 313-115, on April 8, 1965. Meanwhile, in the Senate, the final GOP move to scuttle the bill occurred in the Finance Committee, where the bill had swelled to a 409-page document. The roll call to send the bill to the Senate floor was 12-5, with four Republican senators joining Democrat Harry Byrd in voting no. On July 9, 1965, the $7.5 billion Medicare Act passed the Senate floor 68-21. A conference committee ironed out differences between the House version and Andersons Senate bill and quickly OKd the measure. Medicare was a reality and could not be abolished, Anderson said. The bill was far better than we ever dreamed it could be. Medicare is now recognized as one of the great acts of Congress alongside the Social Security Act, Civil Rights Act, and the GI Bill of Rights. It is appreciated and supported by our countrys senior citizens. Indeed, Sen. Anderson and his Medicare legacy have made New Mexico proud. Ed Mahr is a former assistant managing editor of the Journal and was secretary of corrections under former Govs. Jerry Apodaca and Bruce King. He recently retired as a long-time New Mexico contract lobbyist. Re: Protest outside Castanet It is imperative that all clear-thinking people in Canada, regardless of political affiliation, quickly repudiate the claims of any and all COVID conspiracy protesters. Our governments throughout Canada at all levels have been working incredibly hard to provide leadership in an effort to protect all citizens during this pandemic. In conjunction with the scientific community and health officials, they have done an admirable job of guiding us through this challenging time. At a time like this where we need the cooperation of all persons to minimize the harm done by this pandemic, the last thing we need as a nation is to have individuals and groups undermining trust in the very institutions that we have established to represent us and protect our health and safety. This is especially true when conspiracy protestors have little, if any, proof to base their claims on. One example of how dangerous such conspiracy nonsense can be is the case of the anti-vaxxers. Their claims that the increase in autism over the last few decades has been caused by vaccinations has been clearly debunked by the scientific community and yet we see the recent spread of serious childhood diseases that at one point were almost eliminated. We also see the harm being done in the United States as a result of the widespread undermining of trust in reputable institutions by those that propagate unsubstantiated conspiracy theories that have no basis in fact. We must all strongly and quickly repudiate the nonsense being put forward by the COVID conspiracy protesters and not allow their baseless claims to spread through our community. Doug Cruikshank (Newser) Looks like a cop really did show off Lauren McCluskey's explicit photos to male co-workersincluding on the night she was killed, the Salt Lake Tribune reports. A report released Wednesday finds that Miguel Deras, the University of Utah police officer in charge of her sexual-extortion case, needlessly showed her photos to at least three male colleagues and said he can "look at them whenever he wants." Per the Utah Department of Public Safety reportwhich echoes earlier findings by the universityofficers made crass remarks and said Deras was "lucky" to get the case of a "cute girl." On Oct. 22, 2018, the night of McCluskey's murder, Deras showed one of the pics to a sergeant who said, "I wonder what she looked like." story continues below But investigators found no evidence of Deras sharing the photos or downloading them to his personal phone, despite an earlier Tribune report to the contrary. He did, however, open the images on his phone via his work email at least four times. "It is inexcusable for any law enforcement officer to discuss photos or information provided by a victim outside of clear and legitimate law enforcement reasons," says Police Chief Rodney Chatman, per KUTV. The university says it is "pursuing action" against the officers involved, but the fate of Deraswho has relocated to another stationremains unclear. McCluskey, 21, was shot dead by an ex-boyfriend who had been blackmailing her. He then committed suicide. (Read more sexual exploitation stories.) Millions of people around the world reacted with horror to footage of a massive explosion that killed dozens of people and injured thousands more in Beirut on Tuesday. It is still too early to say what caused the blast, which Lebanese authorities attributed to a fire igniting explosive materials stored in a "dangerous warehouse." It has been reported that nearly 3,000 tons of ammonium nitrate had been impounded in 2014 and left in storage there. An early statement sourced to an unnamed official denied Israeli involvement; Gabi Ashkenazi, Israel's foreign minister, later claimed that the explosion was most likely an accident. What we do know is that the blast will only exacerbate one of the world's worst humanitarian crises. Never mind the ongoing pandemic. Well before COVID-19 was on the lips of a single person outside Wuhan, Lebanon's debt-to-GDP ratio was the third highest in the world. The unemployment rate is over 30 percent. Its currency is being exchanged for American dollars on the black market at more than four times the official exchange. Half of the population lives in poverty. Prices of food and other goods have been increasing at an unsustainable rate, and there are severe shortages of fuel. Electricity works two or three hours a day, including on airport runways. The once-praised head of the country's central bank has been caught in what is essentially the state-run equivalent of a Ponzi scheme. The explosion also comes as a verdict is expected in the trial of four men who have been accused of murdering Rafik Hariri, the prime minister of Lebanon who died in a car bomb incident in 2005. Hariri, who first came into office in 1992, was instrumental in the drafting of the agreement that ended the Lebanese Civil War of 1975-1990, which killed 120,000 people and led to the emigration of nearly a million others. Almost immediately following his death the country returned to war again, this time with Israel. Story continues In recent years the situation in Lebanon has gone mostly unremarked upon in the United States, at least outside of our sizable Lebanese diaspora. Americans are an inward-facing people at the best of times; during the last six months of lockdowns, economic downturn, civil unrest, and rising crime it is almost unimaginable that the horror in Lebanon would have captured our attention at all had it not been for videos of Tuesday's explosions. This is not to suggest that there are any straightforward solutions to Lebanon's problems or that increased American attention to the country or the region more generally would improve things. (The last two decades have shown us how effective we are in the Middle East and Central Asia when we put our thinking caps on.) Whatever our State Department or the European Union might insist in their designations, Hezbollah, the Iran-backed militia, enjoys widespread support and considerable political influence in Lebanon. The idea that destroying the organization is either possible or desirable should be dismissed out of hand. Instead the only course of action available at present is the one already being proposed by leaders of countries around the world: humanitarian aid, including emergency food and medical supplies, and eventually some kind of bailout of Lebanon's devastated economy that could perhaps be offered in exchange for a reduction in Hezbollah's stock of weapons. Such a relief package would almost certainly have to sidestep the conditions usually imposed by the International Monetary Fund and similar groups regarding transparency, which are unlikely to be adhered to even if they are somehow agreed upon. If this seems inadequate to the scale of the misery there, we should remember that the vast majority of those who will call for more sweeping actions in the days and months to come were not even aware of the crisis 24 hours ago. More stories from theweek.com Trump has a new evangelical-friendly attack line New Lincoln Project ad crowns Jared Kushner 'Secretary of Failure' The Republican problem no one knows how to solve August 5, 2020 - release at 7:30 am CET Sophia Antipolis, France Nicox SA (Euronext Paris: FR0013018124, COX), an international ophthalmology company, announced today that it will implement a liquidity contract with Kepler Cheuvreux, effective as of August 5, 2020, with respect to Nicox shares listed on Euronext Paris. The implementation of this liquidity contract, pursuant to the authorization granted by the fifth resolution of the ordinary shareholder meeting of June 16, 2020, will be carried out in accordance with the legal provisions in force and, more specifically, with the provisions of Regulation (EU) No. 596/2014 of the European Parliament and of the Council of April 16, 2014 on market abuse (MAR); the delegated Commission Regulation (EU) 2016/908 of February 26, 2016 supplementing Regulation (EU) No 596/2014 of the European Parliament and of the Council with regulatory technical standards concerning the criteria, procedure and requirements for establishing an accepted market practice and the requirements for maintaining, withdrawing or amending the conditions for admission; and Articles L. 225-209 et seq. of the French Commercial Code, and the AMF decision no. 2018-01 of July 2, 2018, applicable as of January 1, 2019. The following resources have been allocated to the liquidity account: the sum of 500,000 Euros (which may be increased up to 1,000,000 Euros) The execution of the liquidity contract may be suspended under the conditions described in Article 5 of AMF decision no. 2018-01 of July 2, 2018. The execution of the liquidity contract may also be suspended in the following circumstances: by Nicox, in the event that Kepler Cheuvreux has not made reasonable efforts to meet its obligations with respect to the liquidity of transactions and the regularity of quotations by Kepler Cheuvreux, when the information provided by the client makes it impossible for Kepler Cheuvreux to meet its obligations by Kepler Cheuvreux, when the sums due to Kepler Cheuvreux under the liquidity contract have not been paid on the payment date as stated in the invoice provided by Kepler Cheuvreux, and The liquidity contract may be terminated subject to the following conditions: at any time by Nicox, subject to two (2) business days' notice at any time by Kepler Cheuvreux subject to thirty (30) calendar days' notice without notice and without formality if the shares are transferred to another stock market Tropical cyclones, also known as typhoons, wreak havoc in Asia and the Pacific. The storms can be deadly -- in 2013, Typhoon Haiyan, the strongest ever recorded, was responsible for 6,340 deaths -- and cost billions in damages. Current forecast models can only predict these storms 10 days in advance, at most, and they cannot precisely predict how intense the storms will become. To rectify this, an international team of researchers has developed a model that analyzes nearly a quarter of Earth's surface and atmosphere in order to better predict the conditions that birth typhoons, as well as the conditions that lead to more severe storms. They published their results on July 27 in Advances in Atmospheric Sciences. "The target problem of this study is how to foretell the genesis of typhoons," said paper author Mingkui Li, associate professor in the Key Laboratory of Physical Oceanography in the Ocean University of China and the Pilot National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology (QNLM). "We specifically address three aspects: the onset time, central pressure and maximum wind speed." With those three variabilities in mind, the researchers coupled prediction models of the atmosphere and the Earth's surface covering Asia and the Pacific Ocean. They examined three coupled models, each accounting for a different area depth. The researchers also accounted for the influence of one variable on another, such as wind speed on sea surface temperature, a phenomenon known as coupled data assimilation. This influence is well understood and accounted for in climate predictions and in weather forecasts, but it has not been fully applied in understanding how long-term climate affects day-to-day weather and vice versa, according to Li. "A fine-resolution ocean-atmosphere coupled model that is initialized by downscaled coupled data assimilation is a key for forecasting the typhoon genesis," said Shaoqing Zhang, paper author and professor in the Key Laboratory of Physical Oceanography, QNLM and the International Laboratory for High-Resolution Earth System Model and Prediction (iHESP). "We aimed to provide insights on the time scale that can be used to forecast typhoons in advance, as well as how the resolution of coupled models can affect the prediction of formation, intensity, and track." From their study, the researchers determined that a high-resolution coupled model with the ability to better understand the relationship between warm sea surface temperatures and weak wind shears -- conditions that favor tropical cyclone formation -- could improve typhoon predictability. "Although completely addressing these problems, which are important in understanding issues of regional climate and extended-range forecasts, requires plenty of further study, our paper attempts to open the door for it," Zhang said, noting that the team will further improve the physics of the coupled models. "Our goal is to develop a 10 to 30-day extended range prediction system that will ultimately lead to seamless weather-climate predictions." ### This work was supported by the National Key Research & Development Program of China, the National Natural Science Foundation of China and Shandong Province's "Taishan" Scientist Project. This research is also part of a collaborative project between the Ocean University of China, Texas A&M University and the National Center for Atmospheric Research. Other contributors include Lixin Wu, Xiaopei Lin, Xiaolin Yu, Xiaohui Ma, Weiwei Ma, Haoran Zhao, Kai Mao and Xue Wang, all of whom are affiliated with the Key Laboratory of Physical Oceanography in the Ocean University of China. Qu, Lin, Yu, and X. Ma are also affiliated with QNLM, along with Huiqin Hu, Dongning Jia and Yuhu Chen. Ping Chang and Gohkan Danabasoglu, both with iHESP, also contributed. Chang is also with the Department of Oceanography at Texas A&M University, and Danabasoglu is also with the National Center for Atmospheric Research in Colorado. Other contributors include Xin Liu and Guangliang Liu, both with the National Supercomputing Jinan Center; and Youwei Ma, with the College of Oceanic and Atmospheric Sciences, Ocean University of China. The project was another milestone of the Memorandum of Understanding signed between the Ministry of Health, Ha Tinh Department of Health and Novartis Vietnam in 2019 to strengthen primary healthcare in Vietnam, according to Universal Health Coverage and United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Ha Tinh is a pioneer among eight provinces in the Ministry of Healths partnership with Novartis Vietnam in strengthening primary healthcare at local level. An estimated 10,000 targeted individuals - adults at or above 40 years old or under 40 with a family history of or symptoms of high blood pressure and high blood pressure-leaving cardiovascular diseases - stand to benefit from the project. Le Ngoc Chau, Director of Ha Tinh Department of Health, speaks at the workshop on Strengthening Primary Healthcare in the central province. This project involves a public-private partnership between Novartis Vietnam and Ha Tinh Department of Health, implemented over 18 months, from August 1, 2020 to December 31, 2021. It aims to strengthen the local health capability through prevention and management of non-communicable diseases. The project also seeks to increase community awareness of primary healthcare and adoption of healthy behavior and living habits for the better management of non-communicable diseases, with a focus on cardiovascular diseases related to high blood pressure to more complex ailments like heart failure. The project is supposed to reinforce two-way referral and linkages between commune health stations and district general hospitals for more effective treatment of non-communicable diseases at local health facilities. It is also expected to strengthen local health capability, increase availability and accessibility of healthcare services at commune health stations, especially for the better prevention and treatment of non-communicable diseases such as high blood pressure, diabetes and high blood pressure leading to cardiovascular diseases. Another objective is project evidence-based outcomes for sustainable health system strengthening and expansion of modality across Ha Tinh. The workshop is attended by representatives from the Ha Tinh Department of Health, Ha Tinh Center for Disease Control and Prevention, district health centers. Roeland Roefofs, Country President of Novartis Vietnam, said: "Standing together to strengthen grassroots healthcare is essential. Grassroots care remains vital in containing Covid-19. Primary care is equally essential in treating the increasing burden of chronic diseases, focusing on cardiovascular diseases from high blood pressure to more complex ailments like heart failure. "The specific focus agreed in the detailed workplan is quickly coming to life with the workshop taking place today. We look forward to seeing a positive impact on the health status of the 10,000 or so eligible adults across the four blue-print commune health stations and support Ha Tinh to scale up successful intervention across the remaining 178 communes in the coming years." The kick-off workshop on Strengthening Primary Healthcare in Ha Tinh Province reaffirms Novartiss long-term commitment to help improve the healthcare status at community level in Vietnam, contributing to reduce the overcrowded situation at higher levels, as well as enhancing Vietnamese awareness of primary healthcare. Novartis is a leading global pharmaceutical company. From using innovative science and digital technologies to creating transformative and groundbreaking treatments in areas of great medical need, Novartis is reimagining medicine to improve and extend life. The company's products reach nearly 800 million people globally. About 109,000 of more than 145 nationalities work at Novartis around the world. Senators Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn) Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), and Kelly Loeffler (R-Ga.), introduced the Protect Our Prosecutors and Judges Act, a bill that expands the Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act - which allows current and retired law enforcement officers to carry concealed firearms - to include current and retired state, local, and federal prosecutors, as well as federal judges. Right now, law enforcement officials are facing increased threats to their safety just for doing their jobs, said Senator Blackburn. Cities across the country have seen a spike in crime in the wake of weeks-long protests, making the thin blue line appear even thinner than usual. I am pleased to join my colleagues in this crucial effort to ensure members of law enforcement are able to protect themselves in case of emergency. Prosecutors and judges make difficult decisions daily that have the potential to put them in harms way, said Senator Loeffler. In a day and age when personal information is so easily accessible online, these public servants should be able to protect themselves and their families at all times. I'm proud to support this commonsense legislation that extends the right to self-protection for those working for justice every day. Officials said prosecutors and judges have recently been the target of attacks due to their role in the criminal justice system. They said according to a U.S. Marshals Service report from this year, threats and inappropriate comments against protected persons increased by a magnitude of four since 2015. The legislation is supported by the National District Attorneys Association and the National Sheriffs Association. Text for the Protect Our Prosecutors and Judges Act may be found here. Prominent broadcaster and mayoral hopeful Basil Zempilas has been accused of a conflict of interest over his push to bring a university campus to the Perth CBD. Election opponent Tim Schwass said Mr Zempilas was so conflicted he would likely spend more time recusing himself to the corridor than making decisions in the council chambers. But Mr Zempilas rejected the claims, saying he was "an open book" and had no secrets. In a social media post on Tuesday, Mr Zempilas expressed his support to relocate Edith Cowan University's Mount Lawley campus and the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts to a site in the CBD. According to the USDA's latest analysis of Food Insecurity in America, over 11 million households undergo limited access to food sources and suffer from food insecurity [1] . In the COVID-19 era, Brookings estimates households with insufficient food supply was estimated between 22-38 percent [2] . This year, food agencies have experienced a staggering demand and growing need to provide food for children who have been prematurely released from annual school schedules and unable to attend summer school resulting in record lows for food bank inventories across the country. Now more than ever, Grocery Outlet has strengthened its commitment that was born a decade ago with its Independence from Hunger campaign to find solutions that ensure all families have access to high-quality meals. "We are extremely proud to support food agencies in our back yards across the nation, raising over $11 million since the campaign began is a big milestone we've reached," said Eric Lindberg, CEO at Grocery Outlet Inc. "To celebrate Independence from Hunger's 10th year anniversary, it was important to augment the great work our Independent Operators do with local partners, as a company we're excited to contribute $1M to match their efforts." Since its launch in 2011, the Independence from Hunger campaign efforts have collected over $11 million in total donations nationwide. Throughout the campaign, Grocery Outlet customers and employees were encouraged to contribute to the campaign through: Purchase of a pre-made food bags filled with an assortment of nonperishable items Give $5 , Get $5 at the register. Donate $5 or more in a single transaction and receive a $5 coupon , Get at the register. Donate or more in a single transaction and receive a coupon Contribution of a monetary donation through in-store and online platforms Each of Grocery Outlet's 350-plus stores identified local food agencies in their respective locations to partner with throughout the campaign. Grocery Outlet's San Francisco Bay Area partner, Alameda County Community Food Bank, will receive all donations completed online at GroceryOutlet.com/Donate. In addition, Grocery Outlet has partnered with regional area partners such as, Central Pennsylvania Food Bank, Los Angeles Regional Food Bank and Oregon Food Bank, who will also receive generous donations from long-time supplier partners Campbell's, ConAgra, Frito-Lay, Gamesa-Quaker, Harris Ranch, Kellogg's, MW Polar Foods, PepsiCo, Tyson Foods, Sanderson Farms, Thomas Foods and United Salad (Del Monte). No administration or collateral fees are deducted from the funds collected by Grocery Outlet. For more information on the Independence from Hunger campaign and Grocery Outlet, visit GroceryOutlet.com. About Grocery Outlet Extreme-value grocery retailer Grocery Outlet, based in Emeryville, California, offers big savings on brand name products every day, at more than 350 locations in California, Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, Pennsylvania, and Washington. Grocery Outlet carries a full range of products from fresh produce, meat, deli and dairy to a wide assortment of natural and organic choices. They also offer a large selection of beer and wine, health and beauty care, as well as seasonal items. A third-generation, family-led company founded in 1946, Grocery Outlet exists to provide customers an exciting place to find WOW deals on name brands they trust. Grocery Outlet stores are run by an Independent Operator in the local community. For more information about Grocery Outlet, please visit www.GroceryOutlet.com SOURCE Grocery Outlet Related Links http://www.GroceryOutlet.com Graham Ivan Clark, 17, faces multiple charges over the bitcoin Twitter hack: via REUTERS A Florida teenager who is accused of participating in last months Twitter bitcoin scam, which saw several of the worlds highest-profile accounts hacked, has reportedly been linked to an attempted robbery that ended in a lethal shooting. An investigation by the Tampa Bay Times has found that 17-year-old Graham Ivan Clark, who is credited by police as one of the masterminds of the scam, has also been named in the case of a burglary seven months ago that saw one teenager killed and another wounded. The violent incident took place in January. According to local police, it began when two teenagers from Tampas Gaither High School broke into an apartment, one holding a gun; a resident shot them both, and one of them died. Two other teenagers were stopped at the same building, and remain suspects in the incident. The Times quotes a local state attorney saying that while Clark was not in the apartment when the shooting took place, his involvement in other investigations jived with his being the mastermind of a sophisticated global fraud. Clark is one of three people charged in relation with the Twitter hacking, one of the most serious security breaches in the platforms history, which saw the profiles of people including Joe Biden, Elon Musk, Bill Gates and many more hijacked to fraudulently solicit bitcoin payments. The scams perpetrators apparently sold access to some of the accounts, and Twitter had to take the drastic step of temporarily suspending all verified accounts while it established what had happened and tried to secure what had been breached. Clark now faces 30 felony charges in the case. Two other men 22-year-old Nima Fazeli and 19-year-old Mason Sheppard are accused of benefiting from the hack and have been charged in California federal court. The United Nations (UN) awarded medals to Chinas peacekeepers in Lebanon on Wednesday. A ceremony was held for the 418 personnel at their camp in Hinniyah village in the south of Lebanon, with the event attended by Chinese Ambassador to Lebanon Wang Kejian, Lebanese Army Commander Jean Kahwaji and a number of Lebanese and UN officials. Pierre Liot de Nortbecourt, the chief of staff of UNIFIL, addresses a medal parade ceremony in honor of the Chinese contingent in southern Lebanon. /Xinhua Picture Pierre Liot de Nortbecourt, chief of staff of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon, praised the Chinese troops for their commitment, dedication, professionalism and sacrifices since being deployed in May 2016. He said their duties which have included mine clearing, medical services and humanitarian aid have been vast and important. Fighting from the Syrian Civil War has spilled over into Lebanon, fueling a resurgence in sectarian violence there in recent years. Hundreds of thousands of Syrian refugees have poured across the border, placing great pressure on resources. A major gathering of two Pashtun tribes in western Pakistan has requested that the government give their restive homeland its resources if security forces fail to establish peace in the region reeling from years of militant attacks and military operations. Political and clan leaders of Wazir and Dawar, the two major tribes whose members make up the vast majority of residents in the remote North Waziristan district, say they are fed up with increasing insecurity years after officials claimed to have completely pacified the region following a major military operation in 2014. The state must ensure peace in North Waziristan, but if it continues to fail in establishing security it should hand over its resources to the local tribes, noted a declaration from the August 4 jirga or tribal council. The Uthmanzai tribes will then ensure peace with these same resources, it added while referring to the Wazir and Dawar tribes. While the declaration was vague on what specific resources the tribes demanded, it implied that locals want the government to give them weapons and funding if they deem security forces as not being up to the task. Some Pashtun tribes, particularly those in Waziristan, have raised posses to enforce peace, disrupt violent conflicts, and enforce collective decisions. Our basic aim in convening this event was to ensure that the increasing insecurity can be stopped in its tracks, lawmaker Mohsin Dawar, who represents North Waziristan in the Pakistani Parliament, told Radio Mashaal. We deliberated over why the state has failed to establish peace despite committing so many [military] resources to the region. The demand follows nearly two years of increasingly frequent attacks that have seen local elites and government officials killed in a targeted assassination campaign. The Pakistani military says its soldiers are regularly attacked by what it calls terrorists in North Waziristan -- a euphemism for remnants of anti-government Taliban factions who once controlled parts of the vast region bordering southeastern Afghanistan. The tribal gathering called on Islamabad to swiftly resettle thousands of local families who were displaced during 2014s Zarb-e Azb military offensive and compensate the regions civilians for losses to their properties and businesses during subsequent fighting. Zarb-e Azb forced more than 1 million North Waziristan residents to flee their homes. Senior Pakistani military officials have repeatedly characterized the offensive that involved airstrikes, long-range artillery barrages, and infantry operations as a resounding success. They maintain that they killed thousands of militants and reclaimed North Waziristan, which once headquartered Pakistani, Afghan, Central Asian, Chinese, and Arab militants affiliated with the Taliban, Al-Qaeda, and a host of other groups. We want to restore peace to North Waziristan, which is why we gathered people from all walks of life to determine a path forward, Malik Khan Marjan, a Wazir tribal leader, told Radio Mashaal. We cannot allow our children to suffer endlessly. A senior security official in North Waziristan, however, says they have made tremendous progress in restoring peace to the district. Speaking with Radio Mashaal on the condition of anonymity because he is not authorized to speak to the media, the official said the security situation in North Waziristan has undergone a sea change since before Zarb-e Azb, when militant practically ruled parts of the region. We are now acting against remnants of militants in intelligence-based operations, he said. Some elements still hiding in remote mountains will be handled with an iron hand. He pointed to the return of more than 90 percent of North Waziristans displaced as evidence of their success in rebuilding peace in the region. We are acting to eventually control all elements responsible for fomenting insecurity in the region, he said. But independent observers are not convinced. Journalist Ihsanullah Tipu Mahsud recently observed that surrendered Taliban returning under an opaque government amnesty scheme are wreaking havoc in North Waziristan and neighboring South Waziristan. He wrote that locals see these reconciled militants as being behind a string of assassinations that have provoked local anger and protests. To prevent the resurgence of militancy in the region, a comprehensive national policy incorporating security, social, political, and economic factors needs to be devised with the consent of parliament, local tribal jirgas, and civil society, Mahsud wrote in a recent op-ed. Tribal leader Marjan says they will soon meet with senior civil and military officials in North Waziristan to press their demands. The tribes will convene another jirga on August 14 to review the governments response and decide the next course of action. Radio Mashaal correspondent Shaheen Buneri contributed reporting to this story. Three arrested for drug trafficking in Carlisle County The US is an important export market targeted not only by large Vietnamese corporations but also small enterprises. The Ministry of Industry and Trade (MOIT) noted that travel restrictions applied all over the globe to stop the spread of the coronavirus have had a negative impact on economic activities and trade. However, Vietnamese exports to China in H1 brought turnover of $19.5 billion, an increase of 17.4 percent compared with the same period last year, while exports to the US brought $30.3 billion, an increase of 10.3 percent. According to Nguyen Ngo Vi Tam, general director of Vinh Hoan Seafood JSC, the companys exports to the US have recovered since July. Song Hong Garment JSC, which specializes in exporting products to the US, said its clients such as Walmart and Cosco still maintain orders and commitments they made before Covid-19. The Ministry of Industry and Trade noted that travel restrictions applied all over the globe to stop the spread of the coronavirus have had a negative impact on economic activities and trade. In September 2019, Hoang Gia Group cooperated with Pha Le Plastics Production and Technology set up a joint venture to make stone plastic composite (SPC) for exports to the US. In June, its SPC factory became operational with the capacity of 8.7 million square meters a year. The first consignments of SPC, meeting GreenGuard Gold standards, have been shipped to the US and will be available in the market in August. Meanwhile, Nguyen Xuan Phu, chair of Sunhouse Group, revealed that Sunhouse has established two joint ventures with foreign partners that make LED lamps for export to the US. According to Dinh Viet Anh, chair of Hoang Gia Group, the US, with 330 million people and high spending level, is a market that all businesses lust for, but notes that it has high standards. Bui Kim Thuy, representative of the US-ASEAN Business Council in Vietnam, confirmed that the US sets strict requirements on imports. However, if enterprises can satisfy the requirements, they will have opportunities to exploit the vast market. Large American corporations now are gathering strength on developing fields related to technology and energy, so foreign manufacturing fields have many opportunities to penetrate the US market. Anh said that, in order to export products to the US, Vietnams businesses have to ensure a stable supply of goods on a large scale. Even in the current first phase of development, Hoang Gia Pha Le is required to supply 50 containers a month. That is why they have to move ahead with the plan to set up a second factory in Hai Phong. Luong Bang Despite Covid-19, Vietnam exporters still find new markets Vietnams fruit exporters has been striving to sell to new markets because they understand that reliance on the Chinese market will bring high risks. TORONTO, Aug. 5, 2020 /PRNewswire/ - Superior Gold Inc. ("Superior Gold" or the "Company") (TSXV: SGI) announced today that it will release its second quarter 2020 financial and operating results before market open on Tuesday August 11, 2020. Following the release, management will host a conference call and webcast at 10:00AM ET to discuss these results. Conference Call and Webcast Date: Tuesday August 11, 2020 10:00AM ET Toll-free North America: (888) 231-8191 Local or International: (647) 427-7450 Webcast: https://produceredition.webcasts.com/starthere.jsp?ei=1343215&tp_key=66a388e6c0 Conference Call Replay Toll-free North America: (855) 859-2056 Local or International: (416) 849-0833 Passcode: 6264678 The conference call replay will be available from 1:00PM ET on August 11, 2020 until 23:59PM ET on August 25, 2020. The presentation will be available on the Company's website at www.superior-gold.com. About Superior Gold Superior Gold is a Canadian based gold producer that owns 100% of the Plutonic Gold operations located in Western Australia. The Plutonic Gold operations include the Plutonic Gold mine and central mill, the Hermes open pit gold projects and an interest in the Bryah Basin joint venture. Superior Gold is focused on expanding production at the Plutonic Gold operations and building an intermediate gold producer with superior returns for shareholders. SOURCE Superior Gold Related Links https://www.superior-gold.com/ I was incredibly irritated when the prime minister finally announced that masks would be compulsory in shops here in England. Not because I dont think we should all be wearing them, but because it was long overdue. I was frustrated by the angry no mask brigade. They seemed to have no regard at all for helping to protect their fellow citizens from a potentially lethal disease. Apparently their freedom trumped all else. I have been wearing a mask in supermarkets and other shops here in the UK since my return from Singapore on 24 May. I came home armed with a box of 50 because they were so much more plentiful and cheaper over there. Back in mid-February, I made a last-minute decision to go to Singapore to visit an old university friend. So it was pure coincidence that I found myself in the safest part of the world, where they knew what to do and acted with great speed to aggressively suppress the lethal virus. By contrast, Europe and the US ignored and downplayed the threat and they unsurprisingly became the epicentre of the pandemic from early March. I was in no rush to return to the unfolding disaster in the UK. Ignoring the Foreign Secretarys call for Brits to return home, I kept rescheduling my BA return flight to London, originally booked for 8 March. There were only 385 cases in total on 20 March, but newly imported cases due to Singaporeans and permanent residents returning home from Europe and the US had led to a modest rise in infections, despite the issued 14-day stay at home notices for new arrivals. The government quickly moved to enforce quarantine in designated hotels. We began a preemptive semi-lockdown on 7 April very similar to the UK lockdown, it included closures of businesses and schools, and asking people to stay home as Singapores prime minister Lee Hsien Loong told the nation that he wanted to stamp out the virus and limit new cases to fewer than 10 a day. New clusters in cramped foreign workers dormitories housing around 300,000 meant lockdown was extended to early June. All the dorms were quarantined while a huge targeted dorm testing programme allowed healthy workers to be moved to alternative accommodation such as vacant apartment blocks. 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 Despite the surge in the number of cases among migrant workers, they were able to stop the spread of the virus into the wider community and cases among Singaporean nationals and expats remained under control. Masks played a key role in the citys fight against the spread of the virus from the beginning. By mid-April, they became compulsory and there were pick-up points for all citizens to collect a free washable mask if they wished. At first, I was far from delighted. Like most Brits, I had never worn a mask before and it felt and looked incredibly strange. Worse than that, I could barely breathe. But within a few days I was over it. Masking up soon became as natural as slipping on my sunglasses and flip flops. And that was in the searing heat and humidity of Singapores tropical climate. We have it easy here in the UK as it is only mandatory in shops and on public transport. In Singapore they were mandatory everywhere outside of the home, including outdoors, unless you were doing vigorous exercise. Singapore achieved its goal of very low community cases by mid-May but waited until the beginning of June to start to ease out of lockdown. Shops and restaurants only reopened on 19 June and the countrys borders remain tightly shut to this day to everyone but their own returning residents or essential business travellers from a tiny number of countries. Everyone must quarantine for 14 days upon arrival. They are advising against any travel from Singapore, instead encouraging locals to staycation and support their own tourist sector. Bars and other places where safe distancing is impossible are still closed and large gatherings were the first to be banned and will remain so indefinitely. Their test, trace and isolate strategy, brilliant from the beginning, is now even better. We were temperature checked and required to hand over contact details when entering shops and restaurants back in mid-March. But during lockdown, they rolled out a new super fast high tech contact tracing system so it would be fully functional before restrictions are eased. This involved checking in and out of a supermarket or pharmacy by scanning a giant barcode each one unique to the shop using our mobile and providing our contact details digitally. Before lockdown ended, every shop and restaurant had to instal the new system. From the very beginning, Singapore was testing everyone with symptoms, isolating them, and doing the same to all contacts. No one was discharged from hospital or isolation without two negative tests over 24 hours. The care homes truly had a protective ring around them. In comparison, the care home disaster in the UK is nothing less than a national scandal. I finally returned to London on 24 May, sobbing into my mask on touchdown at Heathrow. I had grown so fond of Singapore and its people that I had not wanted to leave. By then wearing a mask non-stop from the moment I got into my taxi to Changi Airport, right through to exiting Heathrow airport, for a total of around 18 hours, was second nature to me. There can be no doubt that masks are a crucial tool in the war against the virus. Singapore had one new community case on 28 July. But mask wearing remains compulsory for everyone outside of their homes. Singapore may be much smaller, but 27 deaths, in total, is an incredible achievement. They simply got it right. They learned from the Sars epidemic and were prepared and ready to spring into action. If wed followed Singapores example, we could have saved many thousands of lives. We now know that the UKs epidemic was imported from Spain and Italy due to a shambolic failure to impose strict border controls or enforced quarantine from those countries in March, when they lost control of the virus. That was one of the UKs catastrophic mistakes. Lets not make the same mistakes again Melissa Jacobs is a freelance journalist with a background in biological sciences. She worked for the UK diplomatic and civil service before retraining in multimedia journalism. MONROVIA, August 4-Former Liberian president, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf is supporting protest against the regime of Zimbabwean leader, Emmerson Mnangagwa. According to the BBC, Zimbabwean's President Emmerson Mnangagwa has given a stark warning to opposition figures and human rights campaigners amid growing uproar over corruption and economic mismanagement. But in her official Twitter page, madam Sirleaf who is known for her support for human right globally and also her role in mounting pressure on previous governments, wrote: Fadzayi, Tsitsi, Julie, Terrence, Loveridge, and all the others in Zimbabwe's protest may God give you strength and courage in your pursuit of freedom." President Emmerson Mnangagwa. Madam Sirleaf has been critical of the protection of human rights in Liberia during her regime. However, there were series of protest carried out by the current ruling party, Congress for Democratic Change-CDC. In one of the protests, a man believed to a partisan of the CDC was shot dead by state security. When contacted a person close to her for comment, the aid said: "someone will get to you later on today to speak on the matter. But I think she did that like any world leader who wants to see human rights respected. TNR NEWS REPORTER Alphonso Toweh Alphonso has been in the profession for over twenty years. He has worked for many international media outlets including: West Africa Magazine, Africa Week Magazine, African Observer and did occasional reporting for CNN, BBC World Service, Sunday Times, NPR, Radio Deutchewells, Radio Netherlands. He is the current correspondent for Reuters. Mr. Toweh holds first MA with honors in International Relations and a candidate for second master in International Peace studies and Conflict Resolution. L.A. County-Supported Testing Sites Continue To Expand; Targeting Vulnerable Communities Monday, August 3, Los Angeles received updates regarding the COVID-19 outbreak. To meet high demand for testing, the county continues to expand COVID-19 testing sites. They are planting them in areas where residents could be at high-risk. Los Angeles Director of Public Health Dr. Barbara Ferrer disclosed the recent numbers behind the spread of coronavirus. County officials provided their plans to navigate through the ongoing battle against coronavirus. Chairwoman Kathryn Barger disclosed that the County is looking to expand testing accessibility in communities where people are most susceptible to the virus. This includes areas such as Montebello, South Gate, and Panorama City. Over 1.7 million people in L.A. have been tested with a 10% positivity rate. Barger also addressed the effects of COVID-19 on small business, there are over 100,000 unemployment claims filed in California during this pandemic. Employers and employees are still struggling, Barger shared that the L.A. Regional COVID Fund will provide small grants to eligible businesses, non-profits, and micro-enterprises. The L.A. Public Health Department remains on high alert, the trends surrounding coronavirus continue to fluctuate. Dr. Ferrer confirmed that closing in-door dining and bars worked; latest numbers are reflecting signs that Los Angeles is breaking the speed of increased cases. Ferrer emphasized the main goal is to slow the spread of COVID-19. ADVERTISEMENT Recent statistics reflect 12 additional deaths, two of these individuals were over the age of 80 with underlining health conditions. Four people who died were between the ages of 65-79, two victims had preexisting health concerns. Three individuals were between the ages of 50-64, two of them had underlining health problems. Two people who passed were between the ages of 30-49 and they both had previous medical issues. This brings the total COVID-19 related deaths in L.A. County to 4,701. The relationship between COVID-19 infection and ethnicity were provided. The racial background collected from 4,397 fatal cases showed 11% were African American, 15% were Asian, slightly less than 1% were Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander, 48% were LatinX, 25% were White, and 1% identified as a different race or ethnicity. 92% of those who died due to COVID-19 had preexisting health concerns. There were 1,634 new COVID-19 reports. In summary, there is a total amount of 193,788 coronavirus cases in the Los Angeles region. 8,285 incidents were reported in the city of Long Beach and 2,004 cases in the city of Pasadena. Amid the unsheltered, there were 1,120 positive cases, with 363 victims were temporarily housed in a shelter and properly isolated. L.A. County testing sites have the capacity to test up to 55,000 Angelenos per week. This has been over a 40,000-slot increase, the mission for this additional threshold is to improve the coverage in vulnerable neighborhoods. One of the new sites is located at the MLK Medical Campus, it will accommodate walk-up and drive-up testing services. In additional to that facility, there will be a testing site at California State University and Hawthorne Memorial Center. The County remains very adamant about bringing more testing to communities that are high at risk. Released in the County press release, L.A. County Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas stated, We are focused and committed to reducing the disparities of COVID-related illness across our communities of color and these additional sites are an important step, among broader efforts, to expand access to testing and halt the spread of this disease, while this virus doesnt discriminate, many of our vulnerable communities are bearing a heavier burden. We will continue to take every step necessary to address the underlying economic and other factors driving this epidemic. Director of the Department of Health Services Dr. Christina Ghaly said, Expanding testing capacity among the communities that need it most is one of our top priorities as we address the impact of COVID-19 here in LA County, this is an equity and access issue and a big step in the right direction as we strengthen our support for vulnerable communities. Melbourne's stage four lockdown has ruined hopes of an economic rebound through the September quarter with warnings the growing number of state border closures will prolong the recession and hurt Australians' job prospects. Economists with Westpac on Wednesday downgraded their GDP forecasts, saying it is unlikely the economy will grow through the three months to the end of September. An expected September quarter bounce in the economy is now considered unlikely because of the stage four restrictions imposed on Melbourne. Credit:Janie Barrett Treasury, most private sector analysts and the Reserve Bank, which updates its forecasts on Friday, had been expecting a strong economic bounce in the September quarter following a deep decline through the June quarter. But Westpac chief economist Bill Evans said the lockdowns across Victoria, plus flow-on effects to the rest of the country, meant the recovery would be delayed. New Delhi, Aug 5 : In a sensational daylight robbery, a businessman and his son were held hostage inside their own car by robbers in east Delhi's Geeta Colony and robbed of 4.503 kgs of gold bars and 14 lakh in cash. The father-son duo were abducted and taken to various places in Delhi before finally being dumped near Burari. The robbers also tried to run over the man's son when he put up resistance. Seven people, including a dismissed Haryana police constable named Somvir, who the police say is the mastermind of the armed heist, have been arrested in the case. The victim, a bullion trader in Delhi who has a jewellery shop in Chandni Chowk, told police that on July 22 at about 1:30 pm, he along with his son left for his shop in their car. His son was driving while the complainant was carrying the gold bars and cash. At about 1:35 pm, when they reached a U-turn on Pushta road at Geeta Colony flyover towards Rajghat, a white Swift suddenly overtook their car, forcing them to stop while a Santro car blocked them from behind. "Two persons, who were carrying weapons, posed as officials of the Crime Branch and asked the victim and his son to come to the Crime Branch office. The accused then abducted him and his son and took them in the cars and kept on driving on several roads from Daryaganj to New Delhi Railway Station and ultimately, took them to Burari on outer Ring Road. They then forced the duo out of the car and robbed their bag containing the gold bars and cash," said Rajesh Deo, DCP, Crime Branch. The ordeal did not end there, as when his son tried to resist, the robbers tried to run him over leaving him injured. "Seven persons have been arrested in this case. While Durga Das, Chirag and Dayaram had provided the information and tipped off Somvir, he with the other accused had actually committed the robbery. Somvir and the others posed as Crime Branch officials while abducting and robbing the victims. Somvir is a dismissed constable of Haryana Police," said the officer. Two kgs of gold and Rs 35 lakh in cash were recovered from their possession. The two cars used in the crime have also been seized. Register with JOC.com and receive 5 free pieces of content for the first thirty days. After thirty days, you will receive 3 pieces of content and after sixty days you will receive 1 piece of content. To receive full access, Subscribe Today . You can also subscribe to our daily newsletter. Register An Instagram model who filmed a man aggressively accosting her for going without a face mask on the Tube said he was the one not being conscious of coronavirus. Duana W, 22, filmed the man confronting her in a foul-mouthed tirade on the platform at Tottenham Court Road station on the London Underground on Sunday. Duana, who has 11,000 Instagram followers, was not wearing a mask herself while using the Tube and came under fire from observers after the video was shared. But she defended herself to MailOnline and claimed the man who abused her was actually the one not being health conscious. Duana - who has asked for her full name not to be used - said: 'I actually do wear a mask when its needed however in my opinion it wasn't needed on a virtually empty, socially distanced, hot Central Line platform at 11pm on a Sunday night. 'I can assure you no one was put at risk by me not wearing it apart from the man in the video who came into my personal space harassing me. 'He was clearly looking for a fight which is why I didn't provoke him further by answering him and I doubt he cared for anyone's health as he claims when he clearly doesn't care for his own when he stepped right in front of my face.' The Instagram model, who goes by Duana W and boasts 11,000 followers, has now defended herself and claimed the man who abused her was actually the one not being health conscious The 22-year-old model goes by the name of Duana W and boasts 11,000 Instagram followers Instagram model Duana W was approached by the blue-bearded man while she waited for a train at Tottenham Court Road station in London just before midnight on Sunday Despite her complaints about the man's aggressive conduct, she had been inundated with criticism from observers who pointed out that she was breaking laws designed to slow the spread of coronavirus through London by not wearing a mask. The video starts with the man walking down the platform, shouting: 'There might be other people who are scared to confront you. 'But I'm not. F****** sort your s*** out, yes film me because you're a d******* without a mask. You're a c*** putting people's lives at risk.' England's rules on face masks: How flouting lockdown rules could cost you 100 Face masks became compulsory on public transport from June 15. Anyone caught flouting the rules can be fined up to 100 - so far 285 notices have been handed out. On July 24 the rules were expanded to shops, supermarkets and inside other public buildings such as banks and post offices. The rules are being widened on August 8 to prevent a second spike, with cinemas, places of worship and funeral directors all set to be covered by new legislation. Advertisement It has been compulsory to wear face coverings while travelling on public transport since June 15. When another passenger intervenes and asks the man to leave her alone, he refuses to back away, before shouting: 'Put a f****** mask on.' After the footage went viral, the 22-year-old model wrote: 'I actually do wear a mask when its needed however it wasn't needed on a virtually empty, socially distanced, hot Central line platform at 11pm on a Sunday night. 'I can assure you no one was put at risk by me not wearing it apart from the blue bearded Peter Griffin looking a** who came into my personal space harassing me. 'He was clearly looking for a fight which is why I didn't provoke him further by answering him and I doubt he cared for anyone's health as he claims when clearly doesn't care for his own.' She later claimed to be 'medically exempt' from wearing a mask. As of yesterday, British Transport Police and Transport for London workers have had to remind more than 80,000 passengers to wear face coverings on buses, trains and trams. Around 6,200 have been asked to leave the network, and 285 people have been fined for not following the rules. Other Twitter users had replied to point out rules on face coverings, which came into effect nearly two months ago. Duana has since suffered backlash for sharing the footage, as some Twitter users point out face coverings have been compulsory on public transport since the middle of June Duana said the barrage of abuse was 'completely unprovoked,' as she tried to travel on the Central Line without a mask on Sunday night Face coverings are now mandatory in shops and supermarkets across England, there are exemptions for people with disabilities One wrote: 'He is moving a bit excessive but the rules do say you have to wear a mask when using public transport. Think about others who are more vulnerable.' Responding to criticism, the model wrote: 'My mentions are full of uneducated hypocrties pretending to be health experts but I guess that's Twitter for ya(sic). 'Everyone's entitled to their own opinions but no amount of online bullying can ever guilt trip me into believing that I'm killing people by not wearing my mask when I am practicing pretty much all safety measures to protect me from getting the virus.' She then asks critics to 'find out why we can catch Covid-19 on a train platform but not in a restaurant, pub or gym.' A British Transport Police spokeswoman said: 'We are aware of this video that is being circulated on social media and our officers are looking in to it further. 'We're asking anyone with further details to text us on 61016 with the reference 399 of 3 August.' The latest champion of NBCs American Ninja Warrior, Drew Drechsel, was arrested in Florida and charged with seeking sex with a New Jersey teen other sex crimes Tuesday, federal prosecutors said. Drechsel, 31, was also charged with manufacturing child pornography, enticing a minor to travel for illicit sexual conduct, traveling with the intent to have sex with a minor, and using interstate commerce to entice a minor, according to a release from the New Jersey District Attorney. NBC and studio A. Smith said in a joint statement: We are shocked and disturbed to learn about the charges alleged against Drew Drechsel. American Ninja Warrior is a family show that has inspired countless people, and we will not let the actions of one contestant tarnish the hard work and amazing stories of so many. Moving forward, the American Ninja Warrior brand will sever all ties with Mr. Drechsel, including his appearance on future seasons of the show. Also Read: NBCUniversal Begins Layoffs Ahead of Another 2020 Reorganization Drechsels lawyer, Frank J. Riccio II, gave the following statement: Mr. Dreschel [sic] is presumed innocent of the charges and that presumption will remain throughout the pendency of his case. He intends on entering a not guilty plea, he tweeted. It is respectfully requested that you respect the privacy of Mr. Dreschel [sic] and his family. According to a criminal complaint, the minor came forward in June 2019 alleging that she had met and exchanged numbers with Drechsel at an American Ninja Warrior event in 2014. She said that she and Drechsel had sex multiple times starting 2015 when she was 15 and he was 26 years old. The first tryst occurred when, for her 15th birthday, Drechsel invited her to his gym in Hamden, Connecticut, where they had sex after his girlfriend left the building, the complaint alleges. The minor told her mother about the incident the next day, but when confronted, Drechsel claimed to have not known her age. Story continues Also Read: Teenage 'Mastermind' Behind Twitter Hack Arrested in Florida The sexual contact continued for two more years up until the minor turned 17. The complaint continues that Drechsel had brought her to different parking lots around New Jersey for sex, and had often asked her for naked Skype calls and to send nude photos and videos, which he kept on an old phone. Drechsel made his first appearance in U.S. District Court in Florida on Tuesday before being transferred to the District of New Jersey. Read original story American Ninja Warrior Champion Drew Drechsel Charged With Sex Crimes Involving Teen Girl At TheWrap TORRINGTON Public works crews were working at full speed Wednesday, cutting trees and clearing debris to open roadways in the aftermath of Tropical Storm Isaias to allow for the focus on restoring electricity. But nearly 7,500 people remained without power late Wednesday afternoon in the city, according to Eversource, after the storm pounded Connecticut with heavy rain and wind Tuesday. While the storm has passed, there is still a great deal of work being done to identify priority areas for public safety (downed wires) and road safety (downed trees that do not involve wires), Mayor Elinor Carbone said on her Facebook page. Please do not drive around a fallen tree when wires are visibly impacted. The mayor also thanked Torringtons first responders and public works crews who were back out in force this morning assessing the damage and facilitating work with Eversource. Eversource and United Illuminating reported Wednesday that it may take days to restore power to the hundreds of thousands of customers whose homes were impacted by the storm. In Winsted, Mayor Candy Perez headed into town Wednesday to check in, since her home on Highland Lake is without power or cell service. Town Halls out, she said. The only place that seems to have power or internet is the Department of Public Works. She got a update from Town Manager Robert Geiger on the storm cleanup, and said Eversource was assessing the damage in town all day. They say it could be at least four days before people are back online, but some people could be up before others, Perez said. Theyre calling in crews from Canada to help out. Winsteds public works crews did as much as they could to help out by clearing debris from the roadways. Theyre not able to do more, Perez said. They cant take trees off power lines. Torringtons Emergency Management Director and Fire Chief Peter Towey also was busy dealing with the numerous outages in the city, and was concerned for the safety of residents. About 40 percent of the city is without power at this time, and theres no clear restoration plans or time frame from Eversource, Towey said. Of course, we continue to advocate for Torrington, to get power restored as soon as possible. But it looks like there might be an extended power outage. We will be forwarding updates as they are available. We are asking residents to exercise caution and take steps to prepare for the extended outage, he said. Towey reminded residents to be careful while cleaning up their yards and streets. If a trees down, use caution, he said. There might be an electrical wire caught in the branches. Any lines that are down should be considered energized and dangerous. Also, if the police or fire department is secured an area with tape or cones, its been done for a reason, he said. Make sure you stay away ... Dont remove cones and drive around them. Towey also reminded drivers that many traffic signals are not working. With all the traffic signs out, make sure you change your driving habits accordingly, he said. Stop. Treat traffic signal intersections as a four-way stop, not a right-of-way. The city of Torrington will is offering a charging a station in front of City Hall during business hours. Residents are asked to bring their own charging device and limit charging time to one hour. Social distancing and masks must be worn while utilizing the charging stations, Towey said. Residents are encouraged to evaluate and implement their emergency preparedness plan. Additional information on actions to take after a power outage can located at www.redcross.org/prepare and or www.ready.gov The emergency management director also encouraged people to call the police or fire department if they have an emergency. Emergency alerts will be posted on torringtonct.org. According to Eversources power outage map, more than 4,800 Winsted households were also without power. Perez said some calls have come in about medical needs and charging stations. If you have a medical concern, call 211 or 911, she said. If youre having a problem with electricity or oxygen, an EMT or the hospital can help. People shouldnt be shy about calling for a medical need or an emergency. Perez said the storm caught her by surprise. I think it surprised a lot of people It was underestimated, she said. Weve been fortunate with todays weather, though. At least its not too hot. And luckily, people didnt get hurt. Also on Wednesday afternoon, in Sharon, the storm knocked had out power to more than 1,900 homes. In Salisbury, 1,200 homes lost power, and in Roxbury, more than 1,300 were without power, while more than 1,400 households were knocked out in North Canaan; Norfolk, nearly 1,100; New Hartford, 3,200; Morris, more than 1,100; Litchfield, nearly 2,600; and in Kent, more than 1,600. Goshen had about 1,900 people without power; and Colebrook had 666; Burlington, more than 2,900; Bethlehem, 978; and Barkhamsted, 845. The reimposition of quarantine measures in the Philippines at short notice left many workers stranded France and the Netherlands are gearing up for stricter mask-wearing rules to fight the coronavirus as the global death toll from the pandemic neared 700,000. Paris, Toulouse and other cities announced that the wearing of masks would be compulsory in particularly busy streets and squares. People already have to wear them inside most private businesses and all public buildings. A scientific committee advising the French government warned that the country could lose control of its spread "at any time." In the Netherlands, the same mask-wearing measure will be applied in Rotterdam and the famous red-light district of Amsterdam from Wednesday. And Ireland postponed the reopening of pubs and other nightspots on the advice of scientists, concerned about rising infections. In other developments, the Philippines placed millions of people back under lockdown. And the hunt for an effective treatment continued with the United States launching trials of an antibody treatment for COVID-19. Philippines resumes lockdown Millions of people in the Philippines were ordered to stay home Tuesday in a bid to contain the rising rate of infections, and relieve pressure on overwhelmed hospitals. New coronavirus cases and deaths, with 7-day rolling average, in the Philippines More than 27 million people on the main island of Luzon, including the capital Manila, went back into a partial lockdown. People have been told to stay home unless going out to buy essential goods, for exercise or for work, after the number of recorded infections surged past 100,000. But with only 24 hours' notice of the shutdown, many people were stranded in Manila, unable to get back to their hometowns after public transport and domestic flights were halted. More than 18 million people worldwide have been infected with the virus since it first emerged in China late last year. The worst hit country, the United States, had added 1,300 new deaths as of Tuesday evening, bringing its toll to nearly 156,000, according to Johns Hopkins University. The caseload grew by 53,847 to nearly 4.8 million, it said. Far from slowing down, the latest figures show that the rate of infection is accelerating. Brazil is driving a surge in Latin America and the Caribbean, where infections passed five million on Monday. South America's largest country has recorded more than 2.75 million cases, and nearly 95,000 deaths, nearly half the region's 203,800 deaths. A Colombian health worker takes a break outside Medellin's General Hospital, amid the COVID-19 pandemic US announces clinical trials The world's hope of ending the current cycle of outbreaks and lockdowns rests on finding a treatment. The United States announced Tuesday it had begun late-stage clinical trials into a drug they hope will be an antibody against the coronavirus. The Phase 3 trial will initially enroll some 300 volunteers around the world who have been hospitalized with mild to moderate COVID-19 with fewer than 13 days of symptoms. On Monday, Russia said it aimed to launch mass production of a vaccine in September and turn out "several million" doses per month by next year. In response, the World Health Organization on Tuesday urged Russia to follow the established guidelines for producing safe and effective vaccines. Just a day earlier, the agency's chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus called on countries to focus on basic suppression measures, such as contact tracing, maintaining physical distance and wearing a mask. "There's no silver bullet at the momentand there might never be," he warned. Teachers led the protests across the US, demanding adequate classroom safety measures as schools debate reopening 'Extraordinarily widespread' Despite the grim numbers in America, President Donald Trump adopted a resolutely optimistic tone. "We're seeing indications that our strong mitigation efforts are working very well, actually, especially to protect those who are most at risk," he said during a White House press conference addressing the pandemic. In a morning tweet, he lashed out at his coronavirus response coordinator Deborah Birx after she warned the virus was "extraordinarily widespread" in the US. Trumpangered by what he sees as overly pessimistic media coverage of his much-criticized handling of the epidemicaccused her of giving in to pressure to sound negative about the new surge. "Deborah took the bait & hit us. Pathetic!" Trump wrote on Twitter Monday. Despite rising infection numbers in Europe, some countries are pushing ahead with plans to reopen schools and finding ways to keep their battered tourism sectors functioning. Defending champion Rafael Nadal has withrawn from the US Open over fears of coronavirus Angry Nadal withdraws from US Open Fears over the virus led defending champion Rafael Nadal to announce on Tuesday that he will not play the US Open, which is due to start in New York on August 31. "The situation is very complicated worldwide, the COVID-19 cases are increasing, it looks like we still don't have control of it." Nadal said on Twitter. "This is a decision I never wanted to take... for the time being I rather not travel." Women's world number one Ashleigh Barty withdrew from the tournament last week citing "significant risks" from COVID-19. Explore further Follow the latest news on the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak 2020 AFP The May death of 46-year-old George Floyd in police custody in Minneapolis, and the subsequent protests across the United States and globally, led lawmakers from around the world to social media to discuss race relations, according to a new analysis from the U.S.-based Pew Research Center. The research shows that almost half of lawmakers who are active on Twitter in four countries Britain, Canada, Australia and New Zealand posted messages referencing Floyds death and the Black Lives Matter protests. Floyd was African American. Prior to George Floyd's killing, very few had used the phrase Black Lives Matter or hashtags related to that movement, only about 4%. And now we see that after George Floyd's killing, those who are weighing in on these topics shoots up to about half, said Kat Devlin, a Pew research associate who spoke to VOA via Skype. Black Lives Matter protests were held in London and cities across Britain, as well as Paris, Berlin, Tokyo, Sydney, Auckland and elsewhere. FILE - People look at a statue of a Black Lives Matter protester by British artist Marc Quinn erected in the spot once occupied by the statue of a slave trader in the English city of Bristol, July 15, 2020. Devlin said events in the U.S. sparked renewed debates on domestic race relations in many countries. Sixty-nine percent (of legislators) in Australia who were talking about George Floyd or the Black Lives Matter movement also began to talk about Indigenous people in their countries the same with a majority of the legislators in New Zealand, Devlin said. Almost two-thirds of all British lawmakers using Twitter posted messages about George Floyd or Black Lives Matter. Around a third posted tweets critical of U.S. President Donald Trumps handling of the protests. Most tweeted support and solidarity for the protesters. Many used the #BlackLivesMatter hashtag to highlight perceived racial inequality in Britain. One widely shared June 1 tweet from British Labor Party MP Clive Lewis compared the situation in the United States to that in Britain: Any liberal democracy, including our own, where historic wealth accumulation is inextricably linked to racist ideology will be capable of #GeorgeFloyd levels of racial injustice. Its not an accusation, simply the current reality. FILE - A protester stands in front of the US embassy during the Black Lives Matter protest rally in London, June 7, 2020. Shola Mos-Shogbamimu, a Black lawyer and political activist based in Britain, told VOA that the debate in the U.S. resonates across the Atlantic. The protests in solidarity, for instance, in the United Kingdom personally, I don't think that's just about the U.S. It's also recognizing that these this systemic racism exists here in the U.K., Mos-Shogbamimu said in a Skype interview at the time of the London protests. And social media platforms have become the wireless platform to communicate this information worldwide, in real time, instantly. Not all lawmakers tweets expressed solidarity with the protests. Twenty percent of British legislators posts were critical of the demonstrations in Britain. Five percent of these posts made reference to the coronavirus pandemic, criticizing the large gatherings and accusing authorities of double standards for allowing the protesters to congregate despite social distancing and lockdown measures in force at the time. Legislators were talking about the coronavirus in respect to the protests, but then also turned that conversation to the fact that non-white groups within the U.K. are suffering worse outcomes, Devlin noted. In Australia, Sen. Pauline Hanson of the One Nation Party wrote on Twitter June 8: "ANGER OVER DOUBLE STANDARDS GROWS: Premiers are facing a growing backlash over Covid-19 social-distancing restrictions after allowing tens of thousands of protestors to defy health warnings & attend Black Lives Matter rallies." Hanson recently shared an article on Twitter that described the Black Lives Matter movement as neo-Marxist. In the weeks since Floyds death, statues of slave traders have been torn down, colonial histories are being rewritten, and demands for racial equality have become louder, amplified by social media. In the United States, the House of Representatives last month voted to rid the Capitol of Confederate statues. It is not clear if the measure will be brought to a vote in the Senate. Trump has described the destruction of Civil War-era statues and other memorials, including those honoring Christopher Columbus, as an attempt to cleanse the U.S. of its history. The tech trade is on fire. The Technology Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLK) hit another all-time high on Wednesday, heading for a six-day winning streak amid a busy but largely successful earnings season for its underlying companies. Apple and Microsoft make up 23% and 21%, respectively, of the XLK's portfolio as its top two holdings. They are followed by the stocks of Visa, Mastercard and Nvidia, each at a roughly 4% weighting. "We at CFRA continue to recommend an overweight towards the technology sector," Todd Rosenbluth, the firm's senior director of ETF and mutual fund research, said Monday on CNBC's "ETF Edge." It is, however, important to remember how much of the sector is driven by its heavyweights, Rosenbluth said. He cited the Vanguard Information Technology Index Fund ETF Shares (VGT), an XLK alternative that also has a nearly 40% position in Apple and Microsoft. "You have to really like Apple and Microsoft, as we at CFRA do we have buy and strong buy recommendations on those companies or you need to make sure you're diversified in either the more thematic-oriented ETFs ... or your equally weighted ETF like RYT," Rosenbluth said. The Invesco S&P 500 Equal Weight Technology ETF (RYT) weighs Microsoft and Apple at around 1.5% each, roughly the same as the rest of its holdings. On the thematic side of things, three distinct themes can help investors continue to capitalize on tech's recent run, Jay Jacobs, senior vice president and head of research and strategy at Global X ETFs, said in the same "ETF Edge" interview. "We don't see this coming to an end anytime soon," he said of tech's rally to new highs. "It's one of the two sectors that saw revenue growth during Q2: It's technology, and it's health care." Within technology, three areas continue to make sense for buyers, Jacobs said: genomics, cloud computing, and video gaming and esports. Global X offers ways to play those three themes via its Genomics & Biotechnology ETF (GNOM), its Cloud Computing ETF (CLOU) and its Video Games & Esports ETF (HERO). Cloud computing is a particularly good investment because of the group's defensive positioning everybody needs the cloud in this environment and its growth characteristics, with much of the group growing revenues 20% year over year, Jacobs said. "These are companies that we can't survive without, whether it's video conferencing, whether it's chat functions, whether it's accessing data and being able to do remote work. Cloud computing technologies are at the very center of every part of our daily lives, and they're proving it," he said. "These are very valuable companies that are just really beginning to take off for what we think is a long-term structural trend." Genomics have also been "at the forefront of Covid-19," Jacobs said, highlighting the importance of DNA sequencing in fighting the virus. "Using this really powerful technology, they can figure out what the virus looks like, figure out who has it and figure out potential treatments. So, this is probably one of the most critical segments in all of health care right now," he said. Disclaimer British broadcaster and conservationist David Attenborough is a much-loved figure for his natural history documentaries Belgian scientists have named a new "very large and robust" Vietnamese sub-species of praying mantis after British television naturalist David Attenborough. According to the Royal Belgian Society of Entomology, a recent expedition to the Annamite mountains in central Vietnam uncovered a mantis now known as Titanodula attenboroughi. The Belgian Journal of Entmology describes 94-year-old Attenborough as "one of the world's most beloved naturalists". It describes the new-found insect as a "very large and robust praying mantis. Head triangular, antennae filiform. Long but robust pronotum, with smooth dorsal surface." Mantises were once assigned to the catch-all Herodula genusdubbed a "wastebasket taxon" by the journalbut species of this group display a great variety of male genitalia, suggesting they are separate. The research has allowed scientists to assign Attenborough's eponymous mantis to a new group, Titanodula. Attenborough was director of programming for British public broadcaster the BBC in the 1970s, but is best known for presenting an ambitious series of wildlife documentaries, beginning with Life on Earth in 1979. He is a much-loved public figure and has received other honours, including a knighthood. In 2016 the British polar research vessel was named the RRS Sir David Attenborough despite a poll of Internet users suggesting it be dubbed "Boaty McBoatface". 2020 AFP WASHINGTON - The D.C. Board of Elections said Wednesday an initiative to decriminalize psychedelic plants, including "magic mushrooms," will appear on November's ballot after supporters gathered more than 25,000 signatures amid the coronavirus pandemic. On a conference call, Alice P. Miller, the board's executive director, said supporters of the Entheogenic Plant and Fungus Policy Act of 2020, known as Initiative 81, had gathered 25,477 signatures - 600 more than needed to get the initiative on the ballot. Miller said staff working remotely had checked the addresses of petition signers and verified a random sample of signatures with those in voter registration files before the board voted unanimously to certify the initiative. On the call, Miller thanked Board of Elections staff members who reviewed the signatures "in a short window." "It was indeed a pretty heavy lift," Miller said. "As was to be expected, they did it." Melissa Lavasani, a budget officer at the D.C. Department of Energy and Environment who took "microdoses" of illegal psychedelic mushrooms after suffering postpartum depression in 2018, proposed the initiative in December because she thought everyone should have access to what advocates call "plant medicines." Psychedelic drugs have been used as a treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder and other mental health problems. "I knew going into this we had it," Lavasani said ahead of Wednesday's hearing. "This is all just a matter of formality." Finding its way to voters amid covid-19's threat, Initiative 81 is part of a push for decriminalized psychedelics on both coasts, its turbulent path to the ballot complicated by election laws, mail delays and at-home printers. After the Board of Elections said in February the proposal had merit to be placed on the November ballot, organizers with Decriminalize Nature DC, the group backing Initiative 81, had to suspend a search for signatures when Democratic Mayor Muriel Bowser declared a coronavirus public health emergency. In May, the D.C. Council adopted emergency changes to rules governing petitions proposed by council member Charles Allen (D-Ward 6), allowing them to be returned electronically and by mail, and letting supporters verify their own signatures. The size of the petition sheets was even changed from legal to letter so they could be more easily printed at home. Liberated by the changes - and by D.C.'s eventual Phase 2 reopening - Decriminalize Nature embarked on a $675,000 campaign to collect the signatures, paying more than 150 people as much as $10 per name to get the petitions to the Board of Elections by its July 6 deadline. Nikolas Schiller, the campaign's field director, said more than 200,000 petitions were mailed - one to every household with a registered voter - as staff sought signatures outside grocery stores using social distancing, even disinfecting pens before offering them to passerby. Only about 7,000 petitions were returned by mail, Schiller said. In the end, the campaign focused on meeting what election law demands of a ballot initiative: 5% of registered voters across the District and 5% of voters in five of eight wards. "The mail delays in Wards 7 and 8 were one of the main issues we had," he said. Campaign finance documents show Initiative 81 was largely underwritten by New Approach, a political action committee supported by, among others, natural soap company Dr. Bronner's. New Approach donated $536,000 to Decriminalize Nature on July 1, documents show. David Bronner, the company's cosmic engagement officer and grandson of its founder, said Dr. Bronner's has seen a 40% increase in profits as people buy more cleaning products during the pandemic. Because the company limits executive compensation and focuses on philanthropy, the windfall boosted its support of Decriminalize Nature DC and an effort to decriminalize psychedelics in Oregon, to which New Approach donated $1 million. Dr. Bronner's also donated the hand sanitizer with which Decriminalize Nature DC cleaned its pens. "Our whole model is to be socially responsible business," Bronner said. "My family is a big believer in this. We're no stranger to depression." Decriminalize Nature has until Nov. 3 to convince voters to back Initiative 81 - though because of the coronavirus, the Board of Elections has said every D.C. voter will receive a ballot in the first week of October. "D.C. is an important place for us to start dismantling the war on drugs," Schiller said. "People need to have access to any healing modality without fear of arrest." If Initiative 81 passes, the District would join other cities that have decriminalized psychedelics, including Denver, Oakland, Calif., and Santa Cruz, Calif. Rep. Andy Harris, R-Md., who has worked against cannabis legalization in the District, criticized the initiative earlier this month. "We certainly - I would hope - don't want to be known as the drug capital of the world," he said. Harris did not return a request for comment on Wednesday. Lia Kuduk, an organizer with Decriminalize Nature, said she used ayahuasca, a brew traditionally consumed in some indigenous communities that contains the psychoactive chemical DMT, to overcome child trauma. She said the pandemic and police brutality that led to nationwide protests following the death of George Floyd are "a major collective trauma" that psychedelics can overcome. "The campaign sees these medicines - unlocking them - as critical to helping us heal," she said. "We urgently do need to improve access to these substances for everyone." By Anwer Hussain Azad The construction of a Ram Mandir in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh was a political promise of BJP which is formally coming up as a reality on 5 August 2020. The UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath himself is taking care of the preparations for BhumiPujan anusthan (foundation stone laying ceremony) in Ayodhya, following which the construction of grand Ram temple will be carried out. Support TwoCircles According to local Hindi dailies, Yogi Adityanath is being hailed as the bigger Hindu Hirday Samrat than Kalyan Singh, the former Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh. It was during Kalyan Singhs tenure as the CM of UP on the 6 December 1992 the historic Babri Mosques Dome was demolished by the Kar Sevaks (volunteers for religious cause) organized by the Vishwa Hindu Parishad and RSS. Kalyan Singh had to resign and his government was dissolved. Later he was booked in a case related to Babri Mosque demolition. After Supreme Courts order to the CBI court to deliver verdict in Babri Demolition case by 31 August this year, CBI Court questioned Kalyan Singh on 13 July. He pleaded innocence to the CBI Court. However, while talking to the media he said that he prevented police from using force on Kar Sevaks who were trying to demolish the structure. BJP and radical Hindutva forces adore Kalyan Singh for enabling the demolition of the mosque. It is a historic fact that after being sworn in as Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh he went to Ayodhya and vowed to build the Ram temple in the place where Babri mosque was standing. This made him a firebrand leader. Since then it has always been in the manifesto of the BJP. Consequently, he got awarded in the form of position of Governor in the states of Rajasthan followed by Himachal Pradesh. Though he could not lay the foundation of the temple that time but finally it is being built on the place of Babri mosque. He calls this event the Cultural Independence of India. According to him India was never independent fully. And now only after Bhumi Pujan of Ram temple the country will be independent in true senses. Sharing his feelings and eagerness he said that he just wanted to see the Ram temple being built during his lifetime. This time only the Chief Minister is different i.e. Yogi Aditynath who is closely looking after the preparations for building Ram temple. He is known for his staunch Hindutva image. To boost his image, the Hindi dailies and news channels are portraying him as the biggest rising firebrand icon in Hindutva politics vested with the duty to reclaim god Ram Jis place of birth. It seems his stature has been raised equivalent to the current Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Hindutva mouthpieces have hailed this foundation stone laying ceremony as Bhumi Pujan in Ayodhya as an epoch-making event. I believe, the Bhumi Pujan of Ram Mandir by Indias Prime Minister, CM Yogi, RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat, Uma Bharti & other BJP and RSS leaders will be the monumentalization of Muslim persecution in India. Although the Ayodhya Ram Janmabhumi dispute was settled by the honourable Supreme Court and the verdict was said to be accepted by most of us however, it did not satisfy the justice conscience of Muslim minorities in India. Although the Court has held the installation of idols in the mosque in December of 1949 and the demolition of the mosque on 6 December 1992 as illegal the title suit was decided in the favor of Hindu parties. While the Babri demolition case is still pending with the CBI Court since 1992, the case has shaken the hope of Muslims on Indian judicial system. A criminal act, a historic wrong done in 1992 cannot be called correction of an alleged historic wrong. No clear evidence of a temple in the place of the mosque was excavated and the structure was given to the non-entitled party. Anything the paramount court decides becomes a law, but it being a bad law based on bad reasoning shall never be accepted to any citizen of this country irrespective of religion. The court order is the approval of a design in which sentiments prevail over legal facts, in which myths prevail over historic facts, in which communal biases prevails over archaeological facts, and in which injustice prevails over justice. A country claiming to be the biggest democracy has failed to ensure the democratic treatment to its aggrieved minorities. There is a prolonged history of injustice that has led to the growing unsatisfied justice conscience among Muslims. We saw Muslims being beaten and abused with communal slurs for allegedly being responsible for spreading the COVID-19 pandemic in India. We saw people from the government demonizing Muslims as sole perpetrators of a deadly virus outbreak in the capital of the country. Appeals were being made in urban societies to boycott Muslims. They were economically boycotted, targeted and thrashed for selling vegetables and fruits to feed their poor families. Muslims have not yet received justice after seeing 1983, Nellie massacre, 1987 Hashimpura massacre, 1989 Bhagalpur riots, 2002 Gujarat genocide and 2013 Muzaffarnagar killings and many more. They feel persecuted at the hand of Hindutva communalism and Hindu majoritarianism. The Delhi riots earlier this year in the wake of protests against the amendment of new controversial Citizenship law have only worsened the wounds of the Muslims. Repeated cases of mob lynching on the pretext of beef or cow slaughter, the jailing of Muslim youths based on fake terror cases and framing of Muslim activists and politicians for protesting Citizenship law acted as final blows to the Muslims justice conscience and blows to the promises of protection and equal citizenship rights enshrined in the constitution. Today we see BJP celebrating the making of a historic otherization of Muslims in India. But other political parties, who call themselves secular, are not far behind the Hindutva nationalist party. Statements and tweets are being made by prominent leaders like Priyanka Gandhi and the Congress leader Kamal Nath supporting the Bhumi Pujan of alleged Ram Janambhumi on 5 august. Priyanka Gandhi without taking into consideration the partys secular ethos called the event an occasion of national unity. Former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath went on to say that he will send 11 silver bricks to the congregation for the temple which were bought from a donation by Congress members. By demolishing Babri mosque and permission to erect a temple in the place of the demolished mosque, a very deep and scary statement has been made against 172 million Muslims in India. With this move, India has joined the category of nations where minorities are a persecuted community. It is high time now that international communities have to raise their voices against the persecution of minorities in India before its too late. Anwer Hussain Azad is an Advocate with Delhi Bar Council. Accra, 5th August 2020 - The Vice-Presidential Candidate of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, on Friday, July 30th, 2020, ended her first official visit to the Central Region since being named the Vice Presidential candidate of the party. She made the first stop at her hometown, Komenda, in the Komenda-Edina-Eguafo-Abirem District, where she paid a visit to the Chief and spoke to the excited crowds that desperately wanted to see her and hear from her. She emphasized the need for peace and harmony in the community. She also encouraged them to adhere strictly to the Covid-19 prevention guidelines and do everything to avoid being infected by the virus. On Wednesday 31st July 2020, Prof Opoku-Agyemang started the day with a visit to Mrs. Effie Amissah-Arthur (mother of the late Vice- President H.E. Paa Kwesi Amissah-Arthur). The Vice-Presidential candidate was accompanied by the Chairman of the Party Hon. Samuel Ofosu-Ampofo, the Central Regional Chairman of the Party and other party executives. Prof. Opoku-Agyemang indicated to Mrs. Amissah-Arthur that she had come to pay respects to her and to inform her formally about her nomination as Vice-Presidential candidate. Mrs. Effie Amissah-Arthur thanked her for the visit and advised the Vice-Presidential candidate and the delegation to work towards their objectives in unity. She also prayed for Gods strength and grace for the Running Mate and the Flagbearer John Dramani Mahama. Professor Opoku- Agyemang thanked her for the warm welcome, words of encouragement, and the support she had provided to her over many years. Professor Opoku-Agyemang proceeded to call on the family of the late President John Evans Atta-Mills, who warmly welcomed her back home. On behalf of the family, Hon. Samuel Atta-Mills MP for Komenda-Edina-Eguafo-Abirem expressed joy and pride in her selection as the Vice-Presidential Candidate of the NDC and pledged the full support of the family throughout the campaign. Professor Opoku- Agyemang thanked the family for their kind words and blessings as the Party pursues its critical mission to put the country back on the path to recovery and prosperity. The Vice-Presidential candidate, along with the National Chairman and party delegation, then paid a courtesy call on the Central Region House of Chiefs, where they were welcomed by Nananom led by Daasebre Kwebu Ewusi, President of the National House of Chiefs. On behalf of the delegation, Chairman Ofosu-Ampofo thanked Nananom for blessing the NDC and Ghana with their daughter and pledged to ensure that she is fully supported in the journey to elect the NDC in December 2020. Professor Opoku-Agyemang expressed appreciation for the counsel of Nananom and asked for their guidance and prayers throughout the campaign. Daasebre Kwebu Ewusi expressed pride in the high recognition of their daughter and advised her to remain objective, stay focused and to resist any attempts to be drawn into the politics of insults that has dominated political discourse in the country. He advised her to focus on leaving a legacy for current and future generations. Professor Opoku-Agyemang also met with some community leaders from the Central Region to listen to their concerns, challenges, and hopes for the future. She expressed joy and pride in their activism and efforts to make the country better, and she challenged them to stay involved and never give up despite the many hardships they indicated they were suffering under the current government. A 2021 NDC government led by President John Dramani Mahama will build an inclusive society that gives everyone equal opportunity to succeed in our great country, she said. About the National Democratic Congress The National Democratic Congress (NDC) is the party on whose platform President Rawlings, President Mills and President Mahama successfully won elections and became President of the Republic of Ghana. The NDC has won four out of the seven elections held in Ghana during the Fourth Republic, which followed the coming into force of the 1992 Republican Constitution. It is a social-democratic party. The current leader and Flagbearer of the Party for the upcoming 2020 presidential and parliamentary elections in December is John Dramani Mahama. He holds the sole distinction in the countrys governance history of having served as a Member of Parliament, a Deputy Minister of State, a Minister of State, a Vice President, and a President of Ghana. The Vice-Presidential candidate of the NDC is Professor Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang, who was Vice-Chancellor of the University of Cape Coast and the first female Vice-Chancellor of a University in Ghana and has also served as a Minister of Education, among her numerous internationally acknowledged credentials. If you thought it was strange to see shares of Eastman Kodak (NYSE:KODK) rise significantly on the day before the company officially announced a big deal with the U.S. government, you're not alone. The Securities and Exchange Commission is investigating the way Eastman Kodak disclosed a $765 million loan from the government to produce ingredients for generic drugs. During the trading week ended July 31, shares of Kodak soared 941%, with most of that gain occurring after Kodak released an official statement regarding the 132-year-old imaging company's new focus on generic drug manufacturing. On Tuesday, Sen. Elizabeth Warren, the Massachusetts Democrat, called on the SEC to probe the events that led to unusually strong trading volume for Kodak shares on Monday, pushing them up 25% on the day before Kodak made the announcement official. During an interview on CNBC, Kodak's executive chairman told investors the company was aware of the deal for over a week before making an official announcement. It's bad form, but letting inside information that will obviously move a stock price leak out isn't illegal. However, trading on that information before it's available to the public, even if you're just an everyday investor who got a juicy tip from an insider, is illegal. The chances that this investigation will result in an indictment seem extremely slim. The company released information about the loan to local reporters on Monday, July 27, a full day before making the announcement official. Several news outlets published the information ahead of the announcement, instead of waiting like they were supposed to. The early releases were quickly deleted at Kodak's request, but it's going to be hard to argue that the information wasn't already public ahead of the official announcement. The research is critically important to solving problems such as mapping, localization, atmospheric transmission spectroscopy, electromagnetic radiation detection of all kinds, seismic and other planetary sensing, and more. Woosoon Yim, Ph.D. and professor of mechanical engineering in UNLV's Howard R. Hughes College of Engineering, will serve as principal investigator and his team at UNLV will work in tandem with Geisel Software's engineers to address the complex issues inherent in swarming applications. "Geisel Software is honored to be selected for this Phase I STTR in cooperation with UNLV," commented Brian Geisel, Chief Executive Officer at Geisel Software. "We're excited to be working with such a well-regarded university that's committed to serving minority and underrepresented students. This STTR will give students an opportunity to grow not only in the initial phase as students, but also through the eventual productization phase as engineers." "Space is a challenging experimentation environment and developing a realistic simulation platform for studying coordination and control of swarms of the ground and aerial vehicles is integral to safe space exploration," said Yim. "Geisel Software has technical expertise in solving complex software challenges and experience building custom solutions for government organizations. This partnership builds off our combined strengths to help NASA achieve their exploration goals." The STTR program is a highly competitive three-phase program that reserves a specific percentage of federal research and development funding to award to small businesses in partnership with nonprofit research institutions to move ideas from the laboratory to the marketplace, to foster high-tech economic development, and to address the technological needs of the federal government. About Geisel Software, Inc. Founded in 2011, Geisel Software, Inc. (http://geisel.software) is a Massachusetts-based custom software development firm. Geisel's highly trained, innovative team creates elegantly designed, world-class web / cloud, mobile apps and embedded software for some of the most visionary hardware, software and security companies in the medical and robotics industries. Geisel Software is committed to understanding our customer's business and clearly defining project parameters to deliver powerful, unique solutions that allow them to innovate, create and succeed. We serve federal and state government and commercial enterprises across the United States. About UNLV UNLV is a doctoral-degree-granting institution of more than 31,000 students and 3,900 faculty and staff that has earned the nation's highest recognition for both research and community engagement from the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. UNLV offers a broad range of respected academic programs and is committed to recruiting and retaining top students and faculty, educating the region's diverse population and workforce, driving economic activity, and creating an academic health center for Southern Nevada. Learn more at unlv.edu. SOURCE Geisel Software, Inc. Related Links https://geisel.software Vietnam reported two new coronavirus patients on Wednesday morning, both traced to the outbreak epicenter Da Nang. The two cases were registered in Quang Nam Province, which is Da Nangs neighbor and located on the central coast, according to the National Steering Committee for COVID-19 Prevention and Control. Patient 671 is a 33-year-old man living in Duy Xuyen District, Quang Nam. He had come into close contact with a COVID-19 patient, then undetected, at Da Nang Hospital in the eponymous city before his diagnosis. Patient 672 is 37 years old and has a registered address in Dai Loc, Quang Nam. He had taken care of a relative at the same hospital and been closely exposed to another undetected coronavirus patient prior to testing positive for the virus. Vietnam has recorded 672 COVID-19 patients as of Wednesday morning, including 308 imported cases quarantined upon arrival at airports, the Ministry of Health said. The country has announced 378 recoveries and eight virus-related deaths that all had serious pre-existing conditions. Two hundred and twenty-four local infections have been associated with Da Nang since July 25, when Vietnam confirmed the first local transmission after having gone 99 days with no documented community spread. The 224 cases consist of 158 in Da Nang, 46 in Quang Nam, three in Quang Ngai Province, three in Dak Lak Province, two in Dong Nai Province, eight in Ho Chi Minh City, two in Hanoi, one in Ha Nam Province, and one in Thai Binh Province. Vietnam is in control of the outbreaks in Da Nang and Quang Nam, the National Steering Committee for COVID-19 Prevention and Control said. Eleven cases are in a critical condition, the committee announced, adding that it expects more fatalities and community-based infections in the coming days. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Ram Mandir Bhumi Pujan: Full text of PM Narendra Modis speech India oi-Vicky Nanjappa New Delhi, Aug 05: Prime Minister, Narendra Modi performed the Bhumi Pujan and laid the foundation stone for the construction of a grand Ram Mandir in Ayodhya. Speaking on the occasion, Prime Minister congratulated fellow countrymen and Ram Bhakts all across the world on the holy occasion. Terming it as historic, he said that India is starting a glorious chapter today, when people all across the country are excited and emotional to have finally achieved what they had been waiting for centuries, several of whom are scarcely able to believe that they are witnessing this day in their lifetime. He highlighted that Ram Janmabhoomi has become liberated from the cycle of cycle of breaking down and building up again, and a grand temple for Ramlala will be constructed in place of tents now. Ram Mandir Bhumi Pujan: Ram Lalla lived in a tent, now will live in Temple says PM Modi PM Modi lays foundation of Ram Temple, says 'finally a temple for Ram Lalla' | Oneindia News PM Modi said that just like 15th August is representative of sacrifices by people all across the country towards the freedom struggle, this day marks the immense dedication and continuous struggle across generations for the Ram Mandir. He recalled and paid obeisance to those whose struggles have resulted in the dream of Ram Mandir coming true. Shree Ram - the foundation of our culture: Prime Minister observed that while several attempts were made to wipe out his existence, Shree Ram continues to be the foundation of our culture. He said that Ram Mandir will be a modern symbol of our culture, eternal faith, national spirit and collective will power which will inspire generations to come. The construction of the temple will also open up several opportunities across sectors and will change the economy of the region. Prime Minister noted that this day stands testimony to the truth of the faith and resolution of crores of Ram Bhakts. He praised the dignity and restraint with which fellow countrymen responded, keeping the feelings of everyone in mind, when the judgement was passed by Supreme Court last year, and similar dignity and restraint is visible today also. Prime Minister recalled how people from all walks of life including the poor, backwards, Dalits, tribals had been instrumental in several feats such as victory of Shree Ram, Shree Krishna lifting Govardhan, Chatrapati Shivaji establishing Swaraj, Gandhiji leading independence movement etc. Similarly, the construction of Ram Mandir has started with the help and contribution of common citizens, he said. Recounting the character traits of Shree Ram, Prime Minister remarked that he always stuck to the truth, and established social harmony as the cornerstone of his rule. He loved his subjects equally, but had a special kindness for the poor and the needy. There is no aspect of life where Shree Ram doesn't serve as an inspiration, and his impact is visible in several aspects of culture, philosophy, faith and tradition of the country. Shree Ram - the thread of unity in diversity: Prime Minister said that Shree Ram has acted as a guiding light for people, through Valmiki Ramayan in ancient times, through Tulsidas, Kabir and Guru Nanak in medieval times and was also present in the bhajans of Mahatma Gandhi as the power source of ahimsa and satyagrah. Lord Buddha is also associated with Shree Ram, and the city of Ayodhya has been a center of faith of Jains since centuries, he said. Recounting the different Ramayans written in various languages, Prime Minister noted that Shree Ram is the common thread of unity in diversity in the country. PM Modi fulfilled dreams of generations: Adityanath on Ram Mandir Bhumi Pujan Prime Minister noted that Shree Ram is revered in several countries. He listed out the Ramayans popular in countries such as Indonesia, the country with the maximum Muslim population, Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia, Thailand, Sri Lanka, Nepal, and said that references to Shree Ram are also found in Iran and China and Ram Kathas are popular in several countries. He said that people in all these countries must be feeling glad today, with the start of construction of Ram Mandir. Inspiration for entire humanity: Prime Minister expressed hope that the temple will serve as an inspiration for the entire humanity for eras to come. He noted that it is important that the message of Shree Ram, Ram Mandir and of our age old tradition reaches out to the entire world. Keeping this in mind, Ram Circuit is being made in the country. Ram Rajya: Prime Minister recounted the contours of Ram Rajya dreamt by Mahatma Gandhi. He said that the teaching of Shree Ram, which have continued to guide the country, include: no one should be poor or unhappy; men and women should be equally happy; farmers and animal keepers should always be happy; the old, the kids and the doctors should always be protected; it is the duty of all to protect those seeking asylum; homeland is more than heaven; and, the more power a nation has, the greater its capacity to further peace. Prime Minister said that Shree Ram stands for modernity as well as change. The country is progressing, following these ideals of Shree Ram. Foundation of mutual love and brotherhood: Prime Minister emphasised that the temple should be constructed on the foundation of mutual love and brotherhood. He said that through 'sabka saath' and with 'sabka vishwas', we need to achieve 'sabka vikaas' and make a self-confident and Aatmanirbhar Bharat. He underlined that the message of Shree Ram, that there should not be any delay and we should move forward, is the message which the country needs to follow. 'Maryada' during COVID: Prime Minister ended by recalling the significance of the path of 'maryada' of Shree Ram in the backdrop of the COVID situation. He said that the current situation demands the maryada to be 'do gaz ki doori - mask hai zaroori' and exhorted everyone to follow the same. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Wednesday, August 5, 2020, 15:43 [IST] PM Narendra Modi (File image) Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in the temple town of Ayodhya on Wednesday to lay the foundation stone of the Ram temple. Wearing traditional dhoti-kurta, the prime minister deboarded an Air Force helicopter which flew him here from Lucknow. He was welcomed at the Saket helipad by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, among others. The ground-breaking ceremony by Prime Minister Modi for the temple's construction, in the presence of leading lights of Hindutva movement including RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat, is being held on a day which coincides with the first anniversary of the annulment of Article 370, a key ideological plank for the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party. To read all of our coverage on Ayodhya Ram Mandir groundbreaking ceremony follow this link. Prior to the function, the prime minister will take part in 'pooja' and 'darshan' at Hanumangarhi Temple, a statement by the PMO said on Tuesday. In Pics | This is how the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya will look like on completion From Hanumangarhi Temple, the prime minister will travel to 'Shree Ram Janmabhoomi' where he will take part in pooja and darshan of 'Bhagwan Shree Ramlala Virajman'. He will also plant a Parijat (Indian night jasmine) sapling. Modi will subsequently perform 'bhoomi poojan'. He will unveil a plaque to mark the laying of the foundation stone and also release a commemorative postage stamp on the 'Shree Ram Janmabhoomi Mandir'. Gambia imposes curfew as cases surge 60% in a week Gambia, mainland Africa's smallest country, imposed a three-week curfew on Wednesday after coronavirus cases surged over 60% in the last seven days to nearly 800. Authorities attributed the rise to people relaxing their guard on protective measures that had so far kept Gambia's case total the lowest in Africa. Testing has also increased in the country, where the number of deaths is 16. A 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. curfew will go into effect on Thursday, public gatherings will be banned and markets will have to close by 2 p.m., government spokesman Ebrima Sankareh told the national broadcaster. He had said earlier in the day that authorities would increase police, paramilitary, marine and immigration presence on its border with Senegal as scores of Senegalese who live in Gambia return from celebrating Eid al-Adha with their wider families. Senegal has recorded over 10,500 cases. The minister for womens affairs, children and social welfare, Fatou Kinteh, tested positive on Wednesday for Covid-19, becoming the fourth minister to do so this week. Vice President Isatou Touray also tested positive on July 29, leading President Adama Barrow to enter self-isolation. The government said on Tuesday the president had tested negative. The Health Ministry said six people who were confirmed cases were still at large, while two other positive cases had fled from a treatment centre in the capital. The US secretary of Health and Human Services is scheduled to visit Taiwan in the coming days in the highest-level visit by an American cabinet official since the break in formal diplomatic relations between Washington and Taipei in 1979. The visit by Alex Azar, and especially a planned meeting with Taiwans president, will likely create new friction between the US and China, which claims Taiwan as its own territory to be annexed by force if necessary. Taiwan is a key irritant in the troubled relationship between the worlds two largest economies, which are also at odds over trade, technology, territorial claims in the South China Sea and Chinas response to the coronavirus pandemic. In Beijing, foreign ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin said China has lodged solemn complaints over the visit with US officials in both Beijing and Washington. The Taiwan issue is the most important and sensitive issue in China-US relations, Wang said at a daily briefing. He said Washington needs to stop all forms of official contact with Taiwan and make good on its commitment to Beijing to avoid serious damage to China-US relations and peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait. The US maintains only unofficial ties with Taiwan in deference to Beijing, but is the islands most important ally and provider of defence equipment. The American Institute in Taiwan, which operates as Washingtons de facto embassy on the island, said on Wednesday that Azars historic visit will strengthen the US-Taiwan partnership and enhance US-Taiwan cooperation to combat the global Covid-19 pandemic. In a tweet, Taiwans Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it looks forward to welcoming Azar and his delegation. This is the highest-level visit by a US Cabinet official since 1979! Taiwan and the US are like minded partners cooperating closely in combating coronavirus and promoting freedom democracy & human rights worldwide. The ministry said Azar will meet with independence-minded President Tsai Ing-wen, with whose government Beijing cut off virtually all contacts four years ago, and with Foreign Minister Joseph Wu and top health officials. Tsai tweeted to Azar that Your timely visit is another testament to the strong Taiwan-US partnership based on our longstanding friendship & shared values. AIT said Azar will discuss the disease, global health and Taiwans role as a supplier of medical equipment and technology. The visit is believed to be scheduled for next week, although AIT said details on the timing and agenda would be announced later. Azar would be the first HHS secretary to visit Taiwan and the first cabinet member to visit in six years, the last being then-Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Gina McCarthy. His cabinet ranking is higher than previous US visitors. Taiwan has been a model of transparency and cooperation in global health during the Covid-19 pandemic and long before it, Azar said in the AIT statement. This trip represents an opportunity to strengthen our economic and public health cooperation with Taiwan, especially as the United States and other countries work to strengthen and diversify our sources for crucial medical products. Azars visit was facilitated by the 2018 passage of the Taiwan Travel Act that encouraged sending higher-level officials to Taiwan after decades during which such contacts were rare and freighted with safeguards to avoid roiling ties with Beijing. McCarthys visit to Taiwan in 2014 sparked a protest from Chinas foreign ministry, which accused the US of betraying commitments made to it about maintaining only unofficial links with Taipei. China objects to all official contact between Taiwan and the US But its increasing diplomatic pressure, including poaching Taiwans few remaining diplomatic allies and excluding it from international gatherings including the World Health Assembly, have fostered already considerable bipartisan sympathy for Taipei in Washington and prompted new measures to strengthen governmental and military ties. Taiwans strong performance in handling its Covid-19 outbreak has also won it plaudits while highlighting its exclusion from the World Health Organization and other UN bodies. Despite its close proximity to China, where the global pandemic is believed to have originated, the island of 23 million has recorded just 476 cases and seven deaths from Covid-19, largely as a result of rigorous testing and case tracing. In contrast to authoritarian systems, US and Taiwan societies and economies are uniquely equipped to drive global progress in areas such as medicine and science to help the world tackle emerging threats, AIT said. The COVID-19 pandemic is the most recent example of joint US-Taiwan efforts to confront global challenges for the good of the world. AP Ahmedabad: An elderly man died after suffering a heart attack on Friday afternoon when he was standing in a queue outside the branch of a nationalised bank in Tenpur village of Arvalli district, said police. The deceased has been identified as 62-year-old Badarsinh Solanki, a resident of nearby Chandrej village. He came to Tenpur village in Bayad taluka to withdraw money from the bank, sub-inspector of Ambaliyara police station R H Solanki said. Locals told us that Solanki was a pensioner as he retired as a peon few years back. When he was waiting for his turn in queue outside bank, he suddenly fell unconscious. He was rushed to a nearby hospital where he was declared as brought dead. Doctors informed us that he suffered heart attack, said Solanki. Last month, three persons had died due to heart attack in Botad, Anand and Surendranagar districts while standing in the queue outside banks, either to exchange their scrapped notes or to withdraw money. Meanwhile, Jamnagar city police have arrested a scrap dealer who was in possession of new as well as scrapped currency having a total face-value of Rs 4.16 lakhs. The accused, identified as Suresh Kankhara (24) was arrested by Hanumangate police today, following seisure of 205 new notes of Rs 2000, two new notes of Rs 500 and 10 scrapped notes of Rs 500 from him during patrolling near Panchvati society. Since Kankhara, a scrap dealer, could not give any satisfactory explanation about the source of the cash, we arrested him and seized the cash, having total face-value of Rs 4.16 lakhs, police sub-inspector K P Gohil said. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Egypt's Ambassador in Lebanon Yasser Elwi said on Wednesday the Egyptian field hospital in Beirut is receiving the wounded cases of the traumatic explosion that rocked the Lebanese capital on Tuesday. Elwi visited the field hospital which had already started receiving the injured on Tuesday, the embassy said. On Tuesday, a fire at Beirut's port turned shortly after into a massive explosion with a huge mushroom cloud that Lebanese officials said came from a stockpile of ammonium nitrate in a warehouse. The blast resulted in the death of at least 100 people, injuring more than 4,000, according to Lebanon's Red Cross. Egypt has been following up closely on the disaster, with Elwi calling on Wednesday several Lebanese officials, including Prime Minister Hassan Diab, Defence Minister Zeina Adra and Interior Minister Mohamed Fahmy. He stressed to the Lebanese officials Egyptians' condolences and deep sorrow for the traumatic incident, assuring Egypts solidarity with the brotherly Lebanese people. The ambassador affirmed Egypt's readiness to meet the needs of Lebanon to help overcome the crisis. In the latest development in Bollywood actor Sushant Singh Rajput's death case, the Centre has accepted the request by the Bihar government to order a CBI (Central Bureau of Investigation) probe in the matter. Sushant Singh Rajput ; CBI enquiry | FilmiBeat Solicitor General Tushar Mehta stated before the Supreme Court that the Centre has given its nod for a CBI investigation in Sushant Singh Rajput's death case. Mehta said, "Union of India has in principle accepted the request by Bihar to have a CBI probe. Notification regarding the same will be issued by end of day today." Sushant Singh Rajput's sister Shweta Singh Kirti reacted to this news and wrote on her Twitter page, "CBI it is!!! #JusticeForSushant #CBIEnquiryForSSR #CBIenquiry." The Supreme Court has directed all parties to file their respective replies within three days. The further hearing in the matter will be held after a week. The Supreme Court order has also granted no stay on the investigation. The notification for CBI probe in the matter will be released by the end of the day. The SC has directed Mumbai Police to file status report on the probe conducted so far in Sushant Singh Rajput death case. The SC has also asked Maharashtra, Bihar and Sushant Singh Rajput's father to file replies on Rhea Chakraborty's plea seeking transfer of case from Patna to Mumbai. "Truth should come out so far as the actor's death is concerned," said the apex court. Earlier, Maharashtra Home Minister Anil Deshmukh had ruled out a CBI probe in Sushant's death case. Later, the actor's family requested Bihar Chief Minister to order a CBI investigation in the matter. ALSO READ: Sushant's Friend Siddharth Pithani Claims Actor Was Worried About Expenses, Had Confronted Rhea ALSO READ: Mumbai Cop Says Sushant's Family Is Misleading The Public; 'Actor's Kin Wanted Us To Slap Rhea' Worried about your mental well-being or of someone you know? Help is just a call away. Reach out to the nearest mental health specialist at COOJ Mental Health Foundation (COOJ)- 0832-2252525, Parivarthan- +91 7676 602 602, Connecting Trust- +91 992 200 1122/+91-992 200 4305 or Sahai- 080-25497777/ SAHAIHELPLINE@GMAIL.COM The Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Hon Hajia Alima Mahama at a sod-cutting ceremony for the construction of the Nsukwao Basin Drainage System in Koforidua has assured that the Akufo-Addo is making efforts to soon allocate a portion of the District Assembly Common Fund to the assembly members to undertake developmental projects in their areas. According to her, the promise by former President John Dramani Mahama as President again in the December 2020 election to pay all the assembly members in the country monthly allowances should be disregarded. The Minister of Local Government and Rural Development describing the promise made by the NDC Flagbearer as a rooftop promise, insisted that it cannot be materialized. Coming on, we will ensure that we all realize some resources for development projects in their various electoral areas and it will be coming from the Common Fund. Within the Common Fund formula, we will ensure that some sum is put for you to pursue development in your various electoral areas, she said. Former President John Mahama while addressing a meeting with the Ghana Association of Assembly Members in his office in Accra, pledged that the next NDC administration will work closely with them to deepen their role in governance. Among other assurances he gave the association, he said the next NDC government will design training programs to build the capacity of assembly members as well as pay them monthly allowances to encourage them to do more for their communities. He said the allowances will be paid with the savings his government will make by drastically cutting down the number of ministers in his next administration in 2021. Source: Daniel Adu Darko/Peacefmonline.com/[email protected] Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Peter Marks: Some people warn that you enter the bilious environs of social media at your peril. But I say, power up your device and be Zen about whatever transpires. Because you just might innocently scroll down one morning and end up with an honorary doctorate in hairdressing from a large chain of salons in Ireland. The Washington Post EDWARDSVILLE A Glen Carbon man was charged Tuesday with several charges relating to an alleged sex assault on a child. Jesse W. Chartrand, 40, of the 1100 block of Village Circle Drive, Glen Carbon, was charged Aug. 4 with predatory criminal sexual assault of a child, a Class X felony; and two counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse, both Class 2 felonies. According to court documents, between August 2019 and July 30, 2020, he committed sex acts and touched the breasts and buttocks of a girl under the age of 13. No further information was available. Bail was set at $200,000. In other criminal filings Tuesday, two people were charged with stealing items from RP Lumber Co., located on Vandalia Street in Edwardsville. Jason D. Williams, 40, of Springfield; and Courtney L. Smith, 36, of Auburn, Illinois, were both charged with retail theft over $300, both Class 3 felonies. According to court documents, on July 15 the two attempted to take cordless tools and battery packs with a value in excess of $300 from the company. Bail was set at $15,000 each. Other felony charges filed recently by the Madison County States Attorneys Office include: Derek S. Marshall, 48, of Mascoutah, was charged Aug. 4 with aggravated driving under the influence, a Class 2 felony. According to court documents, on Aug. 4 he was driving a 2009 BMW SUV when he was stopped by Edwardsville police and found to be under the influence of alcohol, and had a previous conviction for a related crime. Bail was set at $50,000. Amber E. Bruenenfelder, 35, of Litchfield, was charged Aug. 4 with retail theft over $300, a Class 3 felony. According to court documents, on July 9 she attempted to take personal hygiene and miscellaneous household items valued at more than $300 from Target on Troy Road in Edwardsville. Bail was set at $15,000. Michael P. Edmonds, 31, of Arnold, Mo., was charged Aug. 4 with two counts of retail theft under $300 (second subsequent offense), both Class 4 felonies. According to court documents, on June 13 and Aug. 2 he took items from Walgreens in Maryville, and the KP Quick Stop on Edwardsville Road in Troy. Bail was set at $30,000. Kegan N. Herrin, 29, listed as homeless out of Alton, was charged Aug. 3 with burglary, a Class 3 felony; and unlawful possession of a controlled substance, a Class 4 felony. According to court documents, on Aug. 2 Herrin broke into a car in the 2600 block of Amelia, Alton, to commit theft. At the time of his arrest by Alton police he was found to be in possession of less than 15 grams of fentanyl. Bail was set at $20,000. Tanner S. Unterbrink, 25, of the 2200 block of N. Rodgers, Alton, was charged Aug. 3 with unlawful possession of a controlled substance, a Class 4 felony. According to court documents, on July 31 Alton police found him in possession of less than 15 grams of heroin. Bail was set at $15,000. T ensions between City Hall and Number 10 escalated further today after the Home Secretary accused the mayor of threatening to cut police numbers. Priti Patel said crime was up in the capital despite London having the highest police funding settlement in the country and a cash increase of over 190 million this year. She said: Astonishingly, we have a mayor threatening to cut the number of police officers on the streets of London just at a time where across the country the public are rightly seeing more police officers on the beat in their local communities. But a source close to the mayor Sadiq Khan rubbished the accusation, saying: Sadiq has done everything in his power to fight for more funding for our police since long before he was Mayor - while Shaun Bailey and his minister mates are forcing yet another round of huge Tory cuts on officers. Mayor of London Sadiq Khan / PA The Mayor of London has warned of potential cuts of almost 110million to policing as a result of a collapse in City Halls income due to the economic impacts of coronavirus. It comes amid a fractious relationship between City Hall and Downing Street who have come to blows over coronavirus in recent weeks. The Mayor accused Boris Johnson of riding roughshod over local leaders after plans for an M25 quarantine ring around the capital were reported in the Sunday papers. Meanwhile ministers have accused the mayor of playing politics. Ms Patel made the comments as she introduced the Tory mayoral candidate Shaun Bailey ahead of his speech at the Centre for Social Justice. A spokeswoman for Mr Khan said: Shaun Bailey simply has the wrong values for London and once again put his political party ahead our city today by standing next to the Home Secretary and refusing to urge her to properly fund Londons police. BOSTON, Aug. 5, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Over the course of a few months, the COVID-19 pandemic has changed life as we know it, ushering in a wave of regulations and measures that, for many industries, will translate to long-term policy and procedural change. The way we view the world right now, from both business and personal perspectives, is entirely different from the way we viewed it prior to the onset of the pandemic. Understandably, the travel industry finds itself especially vulnerable in this new world. The meeting and event management segment faces unique challenges as companies establish effective ways to meet despite current restrictions. Alisa de Gaspe Beaubien, the CEO of Groupize, discusses the questions and issues facing the industry, adaptation strategies, and the increased role technology will now have to play in meeting programs. With years of travel experience and a proven track record of success in group travel management, Alisa can leverage her expertise to shed light on the new normal for meeting programs. The reality-check During this crisis, the companies with an SMM program and centralized tool were able to act quickly and responsibly to manage their current and future events and meetings, while also having access to valuable insights from past meetings. But, do enough companies have a travel program that includes meeting policy? According to Alisa, no. "The reality is that for most companies - meetings and events are a blind spot," she explains. "It was the industry's dirty little secret that decentralized and offline management of events and meetings was the status quo. While everyone agreed there was a big risk in not managing the 43% of travel spend related to meetings, no one agreed on whose responsibility it was to fix it. Now both the C-Suite and Travel Managers have a spotlight on this issue to close the gap in their program, to eliminate risk and liability." For the first time in Alisa's career, she's hearing stories of unabashed support from all stakeholders in an organization to solve the problem. Finally, Travel Managers are finding allies in new places, including Human Resources, Security, Finance, Marketing, and more. "I'm not comfortable calling this point in time a 'new normal' because nothing about this is normal," Alisa notes. "It has, however, established a now indisputable reality that organizations of all sizes need to change the way they manage the meetings and event category." Alisa makes an important point here; although the beginning of the pandemic represented a turbulent time for the industry, it also exposed shortcomings that were in desperate need of attention and action. Right now, most companies are using this pause in travel to prepare for an ever-changing travel landscape; preparations which, in many cases, have begun with new travel and meeting policies. These policies are critical, but the only way for smart companies to implement, enforce, and audit these policies is with technology. "Travel Managers are a critical stakeholder in the return to travel. However, without technology to support their requirements for every component of a meetings program and the actual events themselves, the risk is unquantifiable," Alisa explains. "Every company that ever thought about implementing a meeting program in the past, but decided not to, has since regretted that decision. Perhaps more importantly, companies that had not thought they needed a meeting program now recognize the value and have an urgency to take action." We are all in this together While travel has slowed down, some companies have become invaluable to their customers during these trying times, solidifying their position as a 'necessity' for the new reality. "The pandemic has highlighted the importance of the core tenants of our value proposition cost containment, risk management, and traveler safety with visibility to all stakeholders with flexible workflows. We did not need to pivot post-pandemic. We were able to stay on course with simple enhancements such as virtual and hybrid meetings. Simply put, these market conditions have elevated our solution from a nice to have to a must-have. Every company with corporate travelers has a spotlight on them to de-risk meeting management." "Groupize has always valued partnerships, admired competitors, and continued to learn from our customers and industry trends. In April, we were proud to unite 12 industry leaders on an eBook: Meetings Culture for Modern Companies - which compiled peer to peer insights and best practices to help companies structure their programs moving forward. In mid-July, we released a Groupize Assurance, helping companies with meeting program Preparedness, Readiness, and Response. Content like this, as well as many other recent publications from industry groups such as TAMS, are invaluable in a time of rapid and continuous change. The people behind the ideas are resilient and driving change in the industry, and we really are all in this together." What companies can do today Alisa shares her belief that this moment in time will drive further innovation in many areas of the industry as we look to emerging trends and evolving industry demands. In the months ahead, the travel industry will be expected to adapt quickly to the 'new normal,' while acting proactively to address attendee concerns and wellness. In-person events and meetings are mission-critical to business, whether for revenue generation, employee development, team building, customer retention, or essential reasons. This begs the question; what is to come? And what do companies do today? "While we added features to our platform to support both virtual and hybrid events, we recognize that people are resilient and want to travel. I hear this every day from our customers, and people want to plan new events. While the structure of meetings and events may look different for the next one to three years, they will continue. But even if a company has just one meeting on the books in the future, they still need to manage every component every step of the way. The liability is just too large to ignore, and change is no longer an option; it's an outright demand and mandate." Moving forward, industry experts agree that every event, regardless of the size and scale, will require pre-event approval, along with budget and pre-trip approvals to follow. More importantly, meeting planners, travel managers, executives, and travelers will all need to become more flexible in their process, as meeting logistics will always be in flux. Alisa explains that core components such as dates, locations, venues, attendee lists, social distancing guidelines, attendance protocols, and virtual attendance that, in the past, never changed, will now be increasingly subject to change. Fortunately, the Groupize platform not only tracks these changes but also helps to manage them. The ability to centrally cancel all flights/hotel rooms for registered attendees in the event of a cancellation, perform contract tracing, and establish collaborative workflows will be increasingly valued and necessary. Moreover, some experts anticipate an increase in smaller and simpler meetings, a category for which Groupize is the industry leader. "Ultimately, it's clear that doing nothing is not an option. Technology will help companies meet their responsibilities. Just this week, we released a risk assessment calculator, aimed at helping companies calculate the risk in their program as well as in each meeting. We recognize that the focus in most organizations has moved from savings to safety, and we are developing resources to help companies understand their obligations and take action. We want to keep the CEO's of our customers out of the headlines for lax or incomplete policies leading to bad press. Finally, we must see 'meeting program management' via a new lens in order to get back to business." Like Zoom to WebEx "We have spent five years listening to the needs of the industry, and have developed the easy to use, easy on the budget, easy to deploy meeting management tool that planners want to use. Our path is very similar to Zoom when market needs changed; Zoom became the virtual meeting tool of choice because of its focus on accessibility to any user. We expect a similar trajectory for Groupize as SMM standards receive a much-needed makeover in the post-pandemic world." Groupize is the only complete self-service meeting management platform designed for enterprise-wide use. The technology manages all of the core meeting logistics, such as venue sourcing, registration, attendee management, and travel, as well as delivers mission-critical data for both risk and spend management. The platform brings oversight and insight into the largest area of unmanaged spend in a corporation. It can manage up to 97% of meetings and events not traditionally recognized as a meeting such as training, recruiting, projects, and engagements. Groupize simplifies event and meeting management with easy to use tools that manage all processes in the lifecycle of a corporate event, creating better outcomes for all stakeholders. "At times like these, containing costs, managing risk and minimizing liability while focusing on traveler safety is a priority for every company. We are the entry point for all employees in a company to begin to manage any and all components of a meeting," says Alisa. Alisa also shares that the company has some exciting enhancements in their registration module that will make Groupize the solution of choice not only for enterprise customers but SMB's as well. In the meantime, Groupize will continue to develop features that align with the needs of their channel partners and customers, and this includes more functionality on approvals and budgets and for use cases like projects and recruiting. Currently, the Groupize Assurance enhancement is focused on lowering end-to-end risk related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Groupize Assurance includes modules to assess, update, and standardize managed meeting processes, policy, and logistics making every step trackable and auditable our central platform. "As a company, we are fortunate that we are not in a position that would require reinventing ourselves or pivoting from our core vision, we can continue to focus on our mission and ways to get better at delivering our brand promise." Groupize is supporting companies that are starting or restarting their meeting programs or switching vendors by offering risk-free terms. About Groupize Winner of Phocuswright Innovation Award, BTN Top 25 Most Influential of 2017 and Skift 2019 Corporate Travel Innovators, Groupize is committed to reinventing event management with easy to use tools that simplify all processes in the lifecycle of a corporate meeting, creating better outcomes for all stakeholders. We turn difficult into simple, make the unknown known, and put an end to tedious tasks while controlling the largest area of unmanaged spend in a corporation. For more information, please call 1.855.GROUPIZE, or visit groupize.com. Groupize Madison Harris 508-232-7719 x 215 [email protected] www.groupize.com SOURCE Groupize Related Links http://www.groupize.com "Make no mistake about it. The reality of voter fraud is undeniable. We've seen case after case around the country where there have been prosecutions. . . . In my own state of Indiana in 2012, there was a Democrat super PAC that was involved in our elections, that literally, there was a group of people that were prosecuted for falsifying ballots. This happens, Martha." - Vice President Mike Pence, remarks during an interview on "The Story With Martha MacCallum," July 28, 2020 - - - Everyone sometimes mixes up dates, and Pence did not get the year right. In 2012, the most noteworthy voter fraud case in Indiana involved a Republican - when former secretary of state Charlie White was convicted of six Class D felony charges, including voter fraud, perjury and theft. "Prosecutors said he voted and took pay as a Fishers Town Council member of a district in which he no longer lived," the Indianapolis Star reported. Pence actually meant to say 2016. We have noted before that there are relatively few cases of voter fraud, not "case after case." But for the purposes of this fact check, is Pence correct when he claims people associated with a Democratic super PAC were prosecuted for "voter fraud" and "falsifying ballots"? This case emerged when Pence was governor of Indiana and President Donald Trump's running mate in the 2016 election. One week before the state's deadline to register to vote, state police raided the Indianapolis office of the Indiana Voter Registration Project (IVRP), seizing computers, cellphones and records. IVRP was associated with Patriot Majority USA - which actually was not a super PAC - and had registered 45,000 people, many of whom were Black. The registrations were put on hold after election officials said at least 10 of the applications appeared to be amiss. The raid essentially shut down a project that was trying to boost minority registration in the state after Black turnout had declined dramatically in 2014. "The Indiana State Police has uncovered strong evidence of voter fraud by Patriot Majority USA," a spokesman for the governor said at the time. Indiana State Police then announced that its investigation had expanded to 57 counties - over half the counties in Indiana. When a case was finally filed in 2017, eight months later, the announcement earned national headlines. Twelve IVRP employees, along with IVRP, were charged with submitting falsified voter registration applications. But the case was filed in only one county, Marion, which includes Indianapolis. Moreover, Marion County Prosecutor Terry Curry told reporters that officials did not find any evidence the employees committed voter fraud or that any fraudulent ballots had been cast. Instead, a quota system requiring at least 10 registrations during every five-hour shift led some employees to cut corners. "We do not believe this was a widespread effort to infringe voters, intentionally register ineligible individuals, or to impact the election," Curry said. "Instead we allege that a bad business practice led to illegal actions by the local association and these 12 individuals." OK, so this wasn't "falsifying ballots" or "voter fraud," as Pence claimed. He appears to be going off memory of the original police statement, before there was any substantive investigation. But the story does not end there. Amazingly, there was never a single news report on what happened after the charges were filed, even in the Indiana media. So here's what happened: Not a single person did any jail time. First, the court on Nov. 3, 2017, dismissed all charges against Holiday Burke, 25, the IVRP supervisor, after her attorney filed a motion saying the state had failed "to provide any material facts regarding the elements of the alleged crime," including any specific individual registration forms, "which it claims Ms. Burke knew to be materially false, fictitious or fraudulent or which she submitted." "There was nothing there," said her attorney, Karen Celestino-Horseman. Moreover, nine of the defendants agreed to pretrial diversion deals, meaning they admitted wrongdoing, but the cases eventually were dismissed without prosecution, according to Michael Leffler, communications director for the Marion County prosecutor's office. Two defendants, Claude Nash and Valerie Franklin, pleaded guilty to perjury but served no jail time. Nash received one year of probation and Franklin 1 years of probation, Leffler said. What was the perjury? The Indiana voter registration form requires the person taking possession of the form from the registrant to complete an affidavit affirming under penalty of perjury that they "accepted custody of this completed application from the applicant." (If the workers had used the federal registration form, there would have been no basis for a perjury charge because it does not have the same affidavit.) But, again, only a few examples of falsified registrations were uncovered. In the case of Nash, 13 registrations with made-up addresses or phone numbers were cited, as he had told police he "had signed up 'drunks and bums' all day to get his quota for IVRP." In the case of Franklin, eight registrations were found for people who had not asked to register again but which she had copied from a list of registered voters to meet her quota. These numbers were a drop in the bucket, given the 45,000 voter registrations compiled by IVRP. Note also that these registrations were submitted on behalf of people who were not intending to vote. "The whole thing shows the system worked," said Celestino-Horseman, who is also an attorney for the Indiana Democratic Party. "Clerks discovered the discrepancies in the registrations, which is what is supposed to happen. They check the information on the registration forms, and if there are no telephone numbers or the address is incomplete, they mail the registrant a letter." Leffler said the case against IVRP is still pending. The case record shows that the last action taken was on June 21, 2017, when the prosecutor filed an appearance. Neither Patriot Majority USA or IVRP exist anymore; their email accounts are dead. Bill Buck, who had been a spokesman for Patriot Majority at the time, said IVRP itself was the main reason the clerks looked more closely at the registrations. "The IVRP, following the law, identified the questionable registrations," he said, after reviewing emails from that period. "IVRP also followed the law in turning them in because it would be illegal to not turn in filled-in registrations." (This is to ensure organizations are not filtering out people according to party preference.) He added that "the individuals responsible for the work were let go by the project before the police raid that shut down the voter registration project." In a May 2018 report, the Indiana Advisory Committee to the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights said the state's actions against IVRP "may have delayed or hampered legitimate voter registration efforts and incited fear among voters." The committee heard "testimony from an individual who tried to register to vote at the Genesis Center in Gary, IN shortly before registration forms were seized in Marion and Lake County. By the time she checked to see if her registration was processed and learned it was not, it was too late to register and she was unable to vote in the 2016 presidential election." Buck said the raid had a "chilling effect" on the registration efforts of the group. He had estimated at the time that an additional 5,000 registrations would have been completed if not for the state's actions. The Fact Checker sought comment from Pence's office but did not receive much that was useful except for an assertion that fraudulently submitting voter registration forms is a form of voter fraud. It is worth noting that the conservative Heritage Foundation does not list voter-registration fraud as one of its nine examples of voter fraud. Instead, it says voting under a false registration is a voter fraud. The FindLaw website also defines "voter fraud" as "the illegal behavior of individual voters." Submitting a false voter registration form is certainly illegal. But none of the registrations submitted by IVRP led to an illegal vote, and all were actually flagged and removed before they were processed. To recap, Pence said that "there was a group of people that were prosecuted for falsifying ballots." That is wrong. They were charged with relatively minor infractions related to filing false registration forms, apparently the result of pressure to meet quotas. The prosecutor said they were not engaged in voter fraud or trying to affect the outcome of the election. Ultimately, charges were dropped against the supervisor and nine other people, while two people who admitted to perjury served no jail time. Meanwhile, the state's action also halted a successful effort to register minority voters in Indiana. That may have been the biggest outcome out of this case, not the hyped-up claims of voter fraud. Pence earns Four Pinocchios. (in U.S. dollars unless otherwise noted) Assets returning to normal operations TORONTO, Aug. 5, 2020 /PRNewswire/ - Franco-Nevada's diversified portfolio performed well despite the impact of COVID-19 during the quarter. "We recognise the efforts of our operators and their related communities during this difficult period", stated Paul Brink, CEO. "Of our original 56 cash generating mining assets, 15 experienced some form of temporary curtailment in Q2. All except Golden Highway have since resumed operations. The return to normal operations and higher gold prices makes us optimistic about the second half. In addition, we see the potential for longer-term organic growth from our over 240 exploration and development royalties due to increased capital available to the gold sector. Our energy assets should benefit now that oil & gas prices have stabilized since the lows experienced in Q2. Franco-Nevada is debt free, has a growing cash balance and expects good growth in our gold equivalent ounces over the next few years." Q2/2020 Financial Highlights 104,330 Gold Equivalent Ounces 1 ("GEOs") sold ("GEOs") sold $195.4 million in revenue in revenue $94.4 million of Net Income, or $0.50 per share of Net Income, or per share $91.8 million of Adjusted Net Income 2 , or $0.48 per share of Adjusted Net Income , or per share $27.0 million in Cash Costs 3 , or $259 per GEO sold in Cash Costs , or per GEO sold $158.1 million of Adjusted EBITDA4, or $0.83 per share Revenue and GEO Sales by Asset Categories Q2/2020 Q2/2019 GEO Sales Revenue GEO Sales Revenue # (in millions) # (in millions) Gold 79,758 $ 136.6 80,606 $ 105.9 Silver 11,630 20.2 12,278 16.6 PGMs 11,367 21.4 10,540 14.7 Other Mining Assets 1,575 2.6 4,350 5.7 Mining 104,330 $ 180.8 107,774 $ 142.9 Energy 14.6 27.6 104,330 $ 195.4 107,774 $ 170.5 For Q2/2020, revenue was sourced 92.5% from gold and gold equivalents (69.9% gold, 10.3% silver, 11.0% PGM and 1.3% other mining assets) and 7.5% from energy (oil, gas and NGLs). The focus of the portfolio is on precious metals (gold, silver and PGM) with a target of no more than 20% in revenue from energy. Geographically, revenue was sourced 82.3% from the Americas (41.1% Latin America, 22.9% U.S. and 18.3% Canada). Corporate Updates Alpala Royalty Interest: On May 11, 2020 , Franco-Nevada agreed, subject to due diligence, to acquire a 1% NSR with reference to all minerals produced from the Alpala copper-gold-silver project in northern Ecuador for $100 million . On , Franco-Nevada agreed, subject to due diligence, to acquire a 1% NSR with reference to all minerals produced from the Alpala copper-gold-silver project in northern for . At-the-Market Equity Program ("ATM Program"): In Q2/2020, the Company issued 474,900 shares under its ATM Program for net proceeds of $66.8 million . The ATM Program was established on May 11, 2020 permitting the Company to issue up to an aggregate of $300 million worth of common shares. 2020 Guidance After withdrawing guidance for the year on April 7, 2020 due to uncertainties related to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Company is now issuing new guidance. Franco-Nevada expects attributable royalty and stream sales to total 475,000 to 505,000 GEOs from its mining assets and revenue of $60 to $75 million from its energy assets in 2020. For this guidance, silver, platinum and palladium metals have been converted to GEOs using assumed commodity prices of $1,800/oz Au, $20.00/oz Ag, $900/oz Pt and $2,200/oz Pd. The WTI oil price and Henry Hub natural gas price are assumed to average $40 per barrel and $2.00 per mcf, respectively. The 2020 guidance is based on public forecasts and other disclosure by the third-party owners and operators of our assets or our assessment thereof. COVID-19 Updates Franco-Nevada supports measures to address the COVID-19 pandemic. All of our employees continue to work remotely and there are no known cases in the Company. The Company is closely monitoring the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on its portfolio of assets. Gold and Gold Equivalent Mining Assets: Franco- Nevada has a diversified portfolio that originally included 56 producing assets consisting of four larger cash-flowing assets, Antamina, Antapaccay, Candelaria and Cobre Panama and 52 smaller cash-flowing assets. Operations at Cobre Panama and Antamina were temporarily suspended in Q1/2020 but have since restarted. 15 of the cash-flowing assets experienced temporarily reduced or curtailed production. All except Golden Highway have since resumed operations. With the assets from Golden Highway currently in temporary suspension, our total producing mining assets have reduced from the original 56 at the beginning of Q2/2020 to 53 at the end Q2/2020. Franco- has a diversified portfolio that originally included 56 producing assets consisting of four larger cash-flowing assets, Antamina, Antapaccay, Candelaria and Cobre Panama and 52 smaller cash-flowing assets. Operations at Cobre Panama and Antamina were temporarily suspended in Q1/2020 but have since restarted. 15 of the cash-flowing assets experienced temporarily reduced or curtailed production. All except Golden Highway have since resumed operations. With the assets from Golden Highway currently in temporary suspension, our total producing mining assets have reduced from the original 56 at the beginning of Q2/2020 to 53 at the end Q2/2020. Energy Assets: Recent geopolitical and market factors impacting global energy markets (including those related to the COVID-19 pandemic) have contributed to a significant decrease in the price of oil and gas. Reduced demand and a lack of available storage contributed to oil prices and future contracts reaching historical lows in April 2020 . Prices have since rebounded from the lows. Q2/2020 Portfolio Updates Gold Equivalent Ounces Sold: GEOs sold for the quarter were 104,330, a decrease of 3.2% from the 107,774 sold in Q2/2019. Lower contributions from Antapaccay, Goldstrike and Sabodala were partly offset by higher contributions from Cobre Panama and Hemlo. Latin America: Cobre Panama (gold and silver stream) On April 7, 2020 , First Quantum announced that Cobre Panama was placed on care and maintenance as the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Panama ("MINSA") ordered the temporary suspension of labor activities at the mine due to COVID-19. On July 7, 2020 , First Quantum announced that it had received notice from MINSA lifting the temporary suspension and it is implementing a reopening plan. The operation is expected to ramp up to full production by mid-August, depending on successful implementation of the reopening plan. Franco- Nevada sold 10,344 GEOs from the asset in Q2/2020. On , First Quantum announced that Cobre Panama was placed on care and maintenance as the Ministry of Health of the Republic of ("MINSA") ordered the temporary suspension of labor activities at the mine due to COVID-19. On , First Quantum announced that it had received notice from MINSA lifting the temporary suspension and it is implementing a reopening plan. The operation is expected to ramp up to full production by mid-August, depending on successful implementation of the reopening plan. Franco- sold 10,344 GEOs from the asset in Q2/2020. Candelaria (gold and silver stream) Franco-Nevada sold 15,463 GEOs from the mine in Q2/2020. On July 29, 2020 , Lundin Mining reported that copper production at the Candelaria mine was higher quarter-over-quarter due to higher copper head grades and recoveries as more higher grade open-pit and underground ore was mined. However, throughput was lower than planned due to ore hardness, operational issues and an unplanned maintenance stop. In addition, COVID-19 has further delayed the Candelaria Mill Optimization Project and installation of the final ball mill motor is now planned for January 2021 . In Lundin Mining's revised guidance, Candelaria is expecting annual production of 145,000 155,000 tonnes of copper and 80,000 90,000 ounces of gold, compared to original guidance of 160,000 175,000 tonnes of copper and 90,000 100,000 ounces of gold. Franco-Nevada sold 15,463 GEOs from the mine in Q2/2020. On , Lundin Mining reported that copper production at the Candelaria mine was higher quarter-over-quarter due to higher copper head grades and recoveries as more higher grade open-pit and underground ore was mined. However, throughput was lower than planned due to ore hardness, operational issues and an unplanned maintenance stop. In addition, COVID-19 has further delayed the Candelaria Mill Optimization Project and installation of the final ball mill motor is now planned for . In Lundin Mining's revised guidance, Candelaria is expecting annual production of 145,000 155,000 tonnes of copper and 80,000 90,000 ounces of gold, compared to original guidance of 160,000 175,000 tonnes of copper and 90,000 100,000 ounces of gold. Antapaccay (gold and silver stream) Antapaccay production was lower quarter-over-quarter due to anticipated lower grades based on the life of mine plan. GEOs delivered and sold were lower due to concentrate shipment delays in April and May as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Antapaccay production was lower quarter-over-quarter due to anticipated lower grades based on the life of mine plan. GEOs delivered and sold were lower due to concentrate shipment delays in April and May as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Antamina (22.5% silver stream) GEOs sold from Antamina were lower quarter-over-quarter due to COVID-19 related temporary suspension of mine operations that was announced on April 13, 2020 . On May 27, 2020 , Teck announced that Antamina had resumed operations with plans to start operating at 80% capacity with a gradual ramp up to full production expected in the third quarter of 2020. GEOs sold from Antamina were lower quarter-over-quarter due to COVID-19 related temporary suspension of mine operations that was announced on . On , Teck announced that Antamina had resumed operations with plans to start operating at 80% capacity with a gradual ramp up to full production expected in the third quarter of 2020. Guadalupe-Palmarejo (50% gold stream) Sales from Guadalupe-Palmarejo were slightly lower quarter-over-quarter. As a result of COVID-19, operations at the mine were suspended on April 7, 2020 . On May 13, 2020 , Coeur Mining announced that it had taken steps to restart active mining, processing and exploration activities at the Palmarejo gold-silver complex. Sales from Guadalupe-Palmarejo were slightly lower quarter-over-quarter. As a result of COVID-19, operations at the mine were suspended on . On , Coeur Mining announced that it had taken steps to restart active mining, processing and exploration activities at the Palmarejo gold-silver complex. Cerro Moro (2% royalty) Due to COVID-19, operations at Cerro Moro were temporarily suspended on March 20, 2020 but restarted on April 3, 2020 following the Argentine Government declaring mining an essential service; however, ongoing provincial restrictions over interprovincial travel have temporarily extended the length of the operational ramp-up. Following the ramp-up, Cerro Moro's plant is expected to return to its optimized 1,110 tpd throughput. U.S.: Stillwater (5% royalty) Stillwater benefited from strong palladium prices during the quarter. On March 23, 2020 , Sibanye-Stillwater announced the deferral of non-essential growth capital expenditures at the mine in response to COVID-19, which may impact the development schedule of the Blitz project. benefited from strong palladium prices during the quarter. On , Sibanye-Stillwater announced the deferral of non-essential growth capital expenditures at the mine in response to COVID-19, which may impact the development schedule of the Blitz project. South Arturo (4-9% royalty) El Nino mine production exceeded the operator's expectations during the second quarter despite a planned shutdown of the Goldstrike roaster which resulted in minimal ore processing during the month of June. 4,764 ounces of gold were produced at South Arturo during the quarter prior to the shutdown. El Nino mine production exceeded the operator's expectations during the second quarter despite a planned shutdown of the Goldstrike roaster which resulted in minimal ore processing during the month of June. 4,764 ounces of gold were produced at South Arturo during the quarter prior to the shutdown. Castle Mountain (2.65% royalty) Phase 1 operation targeted by Equinox to start in Q3/2020 anticipates production of 45,000 ounces per year for three years. Phase 1 construction was more than 75% complete by May 2020 . Feasibility and permitting for Phase 2 is underway and is expected to be completed by late 2020. Annual average production of 200,000 ounces is expected for Phase 2. Canada: Detour Lake (2% royalty) Production from the Detour Lake mine totaled 131,992 ounces in Q2/2020 despite disruptions caused by COVID-19. Kirkland Lake Gold re-issued guidance on June 30, 2020 , with annual production of 520,000 540,000 ounces of gold in 2020 expected from Detour, unchanged from its original guidance in February 2020 . Production from the Detour Lake mine totaled 131,992 ounces in Q2/2020 despite disruptions caused by COVID-19. re-issued guidance on , with annual production of 520,000 540,000 ounces of gold in 2020 expected from Detour, unchanged from its original guidance in . Kirkland Lake (1.5-5.5% royalty & 20% NPI) Kirkland Lake Gold reported that workers at Macassa began to be recalled starting in early May after the mine transitioned to reduced operations due to COVID-19 around the end of March. Exploration drilling and work on key projects resumed early in Q2/2020. Kirkland Lake reported that exploration results at Macassa were encouraging including the identification of a new, large corridor of high-grade mineralization in close proximity to the #4 shaft, currently under development, and also the continued expansion of the South Mine Complex. In Kirkland Lake's re-issued guidance on June 30, 2020 , Macassa is expecting annual production of 210,000 220,000 ounces of gold in 2020, compared to original guidance of 240,000 250,000 ounces in its original guidance in February 2020 . reported that workers at Macassa began to be recalled starting in early May after the mine transitioned to reduced operations due to COVID-19 around the end of March. Exploration drilling and work on key projects resumed early in Q2/2020. reported that exploration results at Macassa were encouraging including the identification of a new, large corridor of high-grade mineralization in close proximity to the #4 shaft, currently under development, and also the continued expansion of the South Mine Complex. In re-issued guidance on , Macassa is expecting annual production of 210,000 220,000 ounces of gold in 2020, compared to original guidance of 240,000 250,000 ounces in its original guidance in . Hemlo (3% royalty & 50% NPI) Royalties from Hemlo increased quarter-over-quarter. The 50% NPI at Hemlo increased significantly year-over-year as a result of an increase in the gold price. Barrick Gold reported that Q2/2020 production from Hemlo totaled 54,000 ounces. Royalties from increased quarter-over-quarter. The 50% NPI at increased significantly year-over-year as a result of an increase in the gold price. reported that Q2/2020 production from totaled 54,000 ounces. Golden Highway (Holt, Holloway and Taylor mines) Kirkland Lake Gold announced that Golden Highway operations were placed on temporary suspension as part of its COVID-19 protocols effective April 2, 2020 with production for Q2/2020 totaling 807 ounces. Golden Highway will remain on temporary suspension while Kirkland Lake continues to assess options for the future of the assets. Kirkland Lake's June 30, 2020 re-issued guidance assumes no production from Golden Highway in the second half of the year. announced that Golden Highway operations were placed on temporary suspension as part of its COVID-19 protocols effective with production for Q2/2020 totaling 807 ounces. Golden Highway will remain on temporary suspension while continues to assess options for the future of the assets. re-issued guidance assumes no production from Golden Highway in the second half of the year. Canadian Malartic (1.5% royalty) Canadian Malartic production in Q2/2020 exceeded its production plan despite the government-mandated temporary suspension of operations between March 24, 2020 to April 15, 2020 due to COVID-19. Rest of World: MWS (gold stream) Due to COVID-19, operations at MWS were suspended on March 26, 2020 . On April 15, 2020 , AngloGold Ashanti announced it had been granted permission for a limited restart, with a third of its usual workforce. Due to COVID-19, operations at MWS were suspended on . On , AngloGold Ashanti announced it had been granted permission for a limited restart, with a third of its usual workforce. Sabodala (gold stream) Teranga Gold announced on May 26, 2020 that Sabodala mine operations continued uninterrupted during the COVID-19 pandemic. Gold shipment logistics were a challenge in mid-March, however regular shipments to refineries in Europe have since resumed in early April. Teranga Gold announced on that Sabodala mine operations continued uninterrupted during the COVID-19 pandemic. Gold shipment logistics were a challenge in mid-March, however regular shipments to refineries in have since resumed in early April. Tasiast (2% royalty) Kinross Gold reported on July 29, 2020 that the Tasiast 24k project continues to advance and remains on schedule to increase throughput capacity to 21,000 tonnes per day by the end of 2021, and to 24,000 tonnes per day by mid-2023. The project team continues to explore measures to mitigate potential impacts on the global movement of people and supplies caused by COVID-19. However, by late June, the company reinstated more regular rotations of expatriate staff in Mauritania , which has improved the situation. Kinross also reached an agreement with the Government of Mauritania to resolve outstanding matters between the parties. The agreement will provide Kinross with a 30 year license for Tasiast Sud with expedited permitting. Energy: Revenue from the energy assets decreased to $14.6 million in Q2/2020 compared to $27.6 million in Q2/2019. Revenues were negatively impacted by lower realized commodity prices and lower volumes associated with a reduction in drilling by operators in the SCOOP/STACK, and negative revenue from Weyburn as operating and capital costs exceeded revenue. The overall decrease for the energy assets was partially offset by revenue from new investments in the Marcellus. U.S.: Marcellus (1% royalty) The royalty, acquired in Q3/2019 from Range Resources, contributed $4.9 million to revenue in Q2/2020. The asset will benefit from its first full year of revenue in 2020. The royalty, acquired in Q3/2019 from Range Resources, contributed to revenue in Q2/2020. The asset will benefit from its first full year of revenue in 2020. SCOOP/STACK ( various royalty rates) Royalties from SCOOP/STACK decreased quarter-over-quarter due to lower realized commodity prices and lower volumes through reduced drilling by the operators on royalty lands. In Q2/2020, Franco-Nevada recorded capital contributions of $2.5 million to the Royalty Acquisition Venture. Franco- Nevada has a remaining commitment of $124.5 million to be funded in future periods. The pace of acquisition in the Royalty Acquisition Venture has been slowed with a focus on acquiring acreage at lower prices. The anticipated range of capital contributions for H2/2020 is expected to be between $10 million to $20 million . Royalties from SCOOP/STACK decreased quarter-over-quarter due to lower realized commodity prices and lower volumes through reduced drilling by the operators on royalty lands. In Q2/2020, Franco-Nevada recorded capital contributions of to the Royalty Acquisition Venture. Franco- has a remaining commitment of to be funded in future periods. The pace of acquisition in the Royalty Acquisition Venture has been slowed with a focus on acquiring acreage at lower prices. The anticipated range of capital contributions for H2/2020 is expected to be between to . Permian Basin (various royalty rates) Revenue from Franco-Nevada's interests in the Permian Basin decreased quarter-over-quarter due to lower drilling activity on royalty lands and lower realized prices. Canada: Weyburn (NRI, ORR, WI) Revenue from Weyburn was negative for the quarter due to accounting treatment for the NRI. While our ORR and WI royalties are accounted for on a gross basis, our NRI is recorded on net basis, after deduction of costs. Operating and capital costs in the quarter exceeded sales due to lower realized prices and higher capital spending. Revenue from was negative for the quarter due to accounting treatment for the NRI. While our ORR and WI royalties are accounted for on a gross basis, our NRI is recorded on net basis, after deduction of costs. Operating and capital costs in the quarter exceeded sales due to lower realized prices and higher capital spending. Orion (4% GORR) Revenue from Orion decreased quarter-over-quarter due to lower production and lower realized prices. Production volumes have since returned to more normal levels. Dividend Declaration Franco-Nevada is pleased to announce that its Board of Directors has declared a quarterly dividend of $0.26 per share. The dividend will be paid on September 24, 2020 to shareholders of record on September 10, 2020 (the "Record Date"). The Canadian dollar equivalent is to be determined based on the daily average rate posted by the Bank of Canada on the Record Date. Under Canadian tax legislation, Canadian resident individuals who receive "eligible dividends" are entitled to an enhanced gross-up and dividend tax credit on such dividends. The Company has a Dividend Reinvestment Plan (the "DRIP"). Participation in the DRIP is optional. The Company will issue additional common shares through treasury at a 3% discount to the Average Market Price, as defined in the DRIP. However, the Company may, from time to time, in its discretion, change or eliminate the discount applicable to treasury acquisitions or direct that such common shares be purchased in market acquisitions at the prevailing market price, any of which would be publicly announced. The DRIP and enrollment forms are available on the Company's website at www.franco-nevada.com. Canadian and U.S. registered shareholders may also enroll in the DRIP online through the plan agent's self-service web portal at www.investorcentre.com/franco-nevada. Canadian and U.S. beneficial shareholders should contact their financial intermediary to arrange enrollment. Non-Canadian and non-U.S. shareholders may potentially participate in the DRIP, subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions. Non-Canadian and non-U.S. shareholders should contact the Company to determine whether they satisfy the necessary conditions to participate in the DRIP. This press release is not an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer of securities. A registration statement relating to the DRIP has been filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and may be obtained under the Company's profile on the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission's website at www.sec.gov. Shareholder Information The complete Consolidated Interim Financial Statements and Management's Discussion and Analysis can be found today on FrancoNevada's website at www.franco-nevada.com, on SEDAR at www.sedar.com and on EDGAR at www.sec.gov. Management will host a conference call tomorrow, Thursday, August 6, 2020 at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time to review FrancoNevada's Q2/2020 results. Interested investors are invited to participate as follows: Via Conference Call: Toll-Free: (888) 390-0546; International: (416) 764-8688 Conference Call Replay until August 13, 2020 : Toll-Free (888) 390-0541; International (416) 764-8677; Code 213924 # Webcast: A live audio webcast will be accessible at www.franco-nevada.com Corporate Summary Franco-Nevada Corporation is the leading gold-focused royalty and streaming company with the largest and most diversified portfolio of cash-flow producing assets. Its business model provides investors with gold price and exploration optionality while limiting exposure to many of the risks of operating companies. Franco-Nevada is debt free and uses its free cash flow to expand its portfolio and pay dividends. It trades under the symbol FNV on both the Toronto and New York stock exchanges. Franco-Nevada is the gold investment that works. Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws and the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, respectively, which may include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to future events or future performance, management's expectations regarding Franco-Nevada's growth, results of operations, estimated future revenues, carrying value of assets, future dividends and requirements for additional capital, mineral reserve and mineral resource estimates, production estimates, production costs and revenue, future demand for and prices of commodities, expected mining sequences, business prospects and opportunities, audits being conducted by the Canada Revenue Agency, the expected exposure for current and future assessments and available remedies, the remedies relating to and consequences of the ruling of the Supreme Court of Panama in relation to the Cobre Panama project, the aggregate value of Common Shares which may be issued pursuant to the ATM Program, and the Company's expected use of the net proceeds of the ATM Program, if any, and the acquisition of the SolGold royalty interest. In addition, statements (including data in tables) relating to reserves and resources and gold equivalent ounces ("GEOs") are forward-looking statements, as they involve implied assessment, based on certain estimates and assumptions, and no assurance can be given that the estimates and assumptions are accurate and that such reserves and resources and GEOs will be realized. Such forward-looking statements reflect management's current beliefs and are 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", "budgets", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "predicts", "projects", "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. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of Franco-Nevada to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. A number of factors could cause actual events or results to differ materially from any forward-looking statement, including, without limitation: the price at which Common Shares are sold in the ATM program and the aggregate net proceeds received by the Company as a result of the ATM program; fluctuations in the prices of the primary commodities that drive royalty and stream revenue (gold, platinum group metals, copper, nickel, uranium, silver, iron-ore and oil and gas); fluctuations in the value of the Canadian and Australian dollar, Mexican peso, and any other currency in which revenue is generated, relative to the U.S. dollar; changes in national and local government legislation, including permitting and licensing regimes and taxation policies and the enforcement thereof; regulatory, political or economic developments in any of the countries where properties in which Franco-Nevada holds a royalty, stream or other interest are located or through which they are held; risks related to the operators of the properties in which Franco-Nevada holds a royalty, stream or other interest, including changes in the ownership and control of such operators; influence of macroeconomic developments; business opportunities that become available to, or are pursued by Franco-Nevada; reduced access to debt and equity capital; litigation; title, permit or license disputes related to interests on any of the properties in which Franco-Nevada holds a royalty, stream or other interest; whether or not the Company is determined to have "passive foreign investment company" ("PFIC") status as defined in Section 1297 of the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended; potential changes in Canadian tax treatment of offshore streams; excessive cost escalation as well as development, permitting, infrastructure, operating or technical difficulties on any of the properties in which Franco-Nevada holds a royalty, stream or other interest; access to sufficient pipeline capacity; actual mineral content may differ from the reserves and resources contained in technical reports; rate and timing of production differences from resource estimates, other technical reports and mine plans; risks and hazards associated with the business of development and mining on any of the properties in which Franco-Nevada holds a royalty, stream or other interest, including, but not limited to unusual or unexpected geological and metallurgical conditions, slope failures or cave-ins, flooding and other natural disasters, terrorism, civil unrest or an outbreak of contagious diseases; the impact of the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic; and the integration of acquired assets. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are based upon assumptions management believes to be reasonable, including, without limitation: the ongoing operation of the properties in which Franco-Nevada holds a royalty, stream or other interest by the owners or operators of such properties in a manner consistent with past practice; the accuracy of public statements and disclosures made by the owners or operators of such underlying properties; no material adverse change in the market price of the commodities that underlie the asset portfolio; the Company's ongoing income and assets relating to determination of its PFIC status; no material changes to existing tax treatment; risks related to the completion of the acquisition of the SolGold royalty interest; the expected application of tax laws and regulations by taxation authorities; the expected assessment and outcome of any audit by any taxation authority; no adverse development in respect of any significant property in which Franco-Nevada holds a royalty, stream or other interest; the accuracy of publicly disclosed expectations for the development of underlying properties that are not yet in production; integration of acquired assets; and the absence of any other factors that could cause actions, events or results to differ from those anticipated, estimated or intended. However, there can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Investors are cautioned that forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance. In addition, there can be no assurance as to the outcome of the ongoing audit by the CRA or the Company's exposure as a result thereof. Franco-Nevada cannot assure investors that actual results will be consistent with these forward-looking statements. Accordingly, investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements due to the inherent uncertainty therein. For additional information with respect to risks, uncertainties and assumptions, please refer to Franco-Nevada's most recent Annual Information Form filed with the Canadian securities regulatory authorities on www.sedar.com and Franco-Nevada's most recent Annual Report filed on Form 40-F filed with the SEC on www.sec.gov. The forward-looking statements herein are made as of the date of this press release only and Franco-Nevada does not assume any obligation to update or revise them to reflect new information, estimates or opinions, future events or results or otherwise, except as required by applicable law. NON-IFRS MEASURES: Cash Costs, Adjusted EBITDA, and Adjusted Net Income are intended to provide additional information only and do not have any standardized meaning prescribed under IFRS and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for measures of performance prepared in accordance with IFRS. These measures are not necessarily indicative of operating profit or cash flow from operations as determined under IFRS. Other companies may calculate these measures differently. For a reconciliation of these measures to various IFRS measures, please see below or the Company's current MD&A disclosure found on the Company's website, on SEDAR and on EDGAR. Comparative information has been recalculated to conform to current presentation. GEOs include production from our Mining assets and do not include Energy assets. GEOs are estimated on a gross basis for NSR royalties and, in the case of stream ounces, before the payment of the per ounce contractual price paid by the Company. For NPI royalties, GEOs are calculated taking into account the NPI economics. Silver, platinum, palladium and other mining commodities are converted to GEOs by dividing associated revenue, which includes settlement adjustments, by the relevant gold price. The price used in the computation of GEOs earned from a particular asset varies depending on the royalty or stream agreement, which may make reference to the market price realized by the operator, or the average price for the month, quarter, or year in which the mining commodity was produced or sold. For Q2/2020, the average commodity prices were as follows: $1,711 gold (Q2/2019 - $1,310 ), $16.38 silver (Q2/2019 - $14.89 ), $790 platinum (Q2/2019 - $842 ) and $1,965 palladium (Q2/2019 - $1,388 ). Adjusted Net Income and Adjusted Net Income per share are non-IFRS financial measures, which exclude the following from net income and earnings per share ("EPS"): impairment charges related to royalty, stream and working interests and investments; gains/losses on the sale of royalty, stream and working interests and investments; foreign exchange gains/losses and other income/expenses; unusual non-recurring items; and the impact of income taxes on these items. Cash Costs attributable to GEOs sold and Cash Costs per GEO sold are non-IFRS financial measures. Cash Costs attributable to GEOs sold is calculated by starting with total costs of sales and excluding depletion and depreciation, costs not attributable to GEO sales such as our Energy operating costs, and other non-cash costs of sales such as costs related to our prepaid gold purchase agreement. Cash Costs is then divided by GEOs sold, excluding prepaid ounces, to arrive at Cash Costs per GEO sold. Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA per share are non-IFRS financial measures, which exclude the following from net income and EPS: income tax expense/recovery; finance expenses and finance income; depletion and depreciation; non-cash costs of sales; impairment charges related to royalty, stream and working interests and investments; gains/losses on the sale of royalty, stream and working interests and investments; foreign exchange gains/losses and other income/expenses; and unusual non-recurring items. Reconciliation to IFRS measures: For the three months ended For the six months ended June 30, June 30, (expressed in millions, except per GEO amounts) 2020 2019 2020 2019 Total costs of sales $ 80.3 $ 86.3 $ 188.3 $ 179.6 Depletion and depreciation (52.3) (58.9) (116.7) (119.8) Energy operating costs (1.0) (1.8) (3.1) (3.2) Cash Costs attributable to GEOs sold $ 27.0 $ 25.6 $ 68.5 $ 56.6 GEOs, excluding prepaid ounces 104,330 107,774 239,271 229,823 Cash Costs per GEO sold $ 259 $ 238 $ 286 $ 246 For the three months ended For the six months ended June 30, June 30, (expressed in millions, except per share amounts) 2020 2019 2020 2019 Net Income (loss) $ 94.4 $ 64.0 $ (4.4) $ 129.2 Income tax expense (recovery) 11.5 13.7 (33.4) 26.7 Finance expenses 0.8 2.5 1.9 5.0 Finance income (1.0) (1.2) (1.9) (1.9) Depletion and depreciation 52.3 58.9 116.7 119.8 Impairment of royalty, stream and working interests 271.7 Foreign exchange (gains)/losses and other (income)/expenses 0.1 0.2 Adjusted EBITDA $ 158.1 $ 137.9 $ 350.8 $ 278.8 Basic weighted average shares outstanding 190.2 187.2 189.6 187.1 Adjusted EBITDA per share $ 0.83 $ 0.74 $ 1.85 $ 1.49 For the three months ended For the six months ended June 30, June 30, (expressed in millions, except per share amounts) 2020 2019 2020 2019 Net Income (loss) $ 94.4 $ 64.0 $ (4.4) $ 129.2 Impairment of royalty, stream and working interests 271.7 Foreign exchange (gains)/losses and other (income)/expenses 0.1 0.2 Tax effect of adjustments (2.7) (66.5) Adjusted Net Income $ 91.8 $ 64.0 $ 201.0 $ 129.2 Basic weighted average shares outstanding 190.2 187.2 189.6 187.1 Adjusted Net Income per share $ 0.48 $ 0.34 $ 1.06 $ 0.69 FRANCO-NEVADA CORPORATION CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL POSITION (unaudited, in millions of U.S. dollars) At June 30, At December 31, 2020 2019 ASSETS Cash and cash equivalents (Note 4) $ 378.5 $ 132.1 Receivables 78.4 97.8 Loan receivable (Note 5) 15.0 Prepaid expenses and other (Note 6) 43.8 48.8 Current assets $ 515.7 $ 278.7 Royalty, stream and working interests, net (Note 7) $ 4,423.8 $ 4,797.8 Investments and loan receivable (Note 5) 179.9 183.2 Deferred income tax assets 54.0 6.8 Other assets (Note 8) 8.8 14.1 Total assets $ 5,182.2 $ 5,280.6 LIABILITIES Accounts payable and accrued liabilities $ 35.3 $ 41.8 Current income tax liabilities 2.8 11.6 Current liabilities $ 38.1 $ 53.4 Debt (Note 9) $ $ 80.0 Deferred income tax liabilities 69.4 82.4 Other liabilities 4.3 2.6 Total liabilities $ 111.8 $ 218.4 SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY (Note 15) Share capital $ 5,531.9 $ 5,390.7 Contributed surplus 15.1 14.2 Deficit (265.8) (164.4) Accumulated other comprehensive loss (210.8) (178.3) Total shareholders' equity $ 5,070.4 $ 5,062.2 Total liabilities and shareholders' equity $ 5,182.2 $ 5,280.6 Contingencies (Note 19) The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements and can be found in our Q2/2020 Report available on our website FRANCO-NEVADA CORPORATION CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF (LOSS) INCOME AND COMPREHENSIVE (LOSS) INCOME (unaudited, in millions of U.S. dollars and shares, except per share amounts) For the three months ended For the six months ended June 30, June 30, 2020 2019 2020 2019 Revenue (Note 10) $ 195.4 $ 170.5 $ 435.9 $ 350.3 Costs of sales Costs of sales (Note 11) $ 28.0 $ 27.4 $ 71.6 $ 59.8 Depletion and depreciation 52.3 58.9 116.7 119.8 Total costs of sales $ 80.3 $ 86.3 $ 188.3 $ 179.6 Gross profit $ 115.1 $ 84.2 $ 247.6 $ 170.7 Other operating expenses (income) Impairment of royalty, stream and working interests (Note 7) $ $ $ 271.7 $ General and administrative expenses 11.7 5.6 17.9 12.5 Gain on sale of gold bullion (2.4) (0.4) (4.4) (0.8) Total other operating expenses $ 9.3 $ 5.2 $ 285.2 $ 11.7 Operating income (loss) $ 105.8 $ 79.0 $ (37.6) $ 159.0 Foreign exchange gain (loss) and other income (expenses) $ (0.1) $ $ (0.2) $ Income (loss) before finance items and income taxes $ 105.7 $ 79.0 $ (37.8) $ 159.0 Finance items (Note 13) Finance income $ 1.0 $ 1.2 $ 1.9 $ 1.9 Finance expenses (0.8) (2.5) (1.9) (5.0) Net income (loss) before income taxes $ 105.9 $ 77.7 $ (37.8) $ 155.9 Income tax expense (recovery) (Note 14) 11.5 13.7 (33.4) 26.7 Net income (loss) $ 94.4 $ 64.0 $ (4.4) $ 129.2 Other comprehensive income (loss) Items that may be reclassified subsequently to profit and loss: Currency translation adjustment $ 29.4 $ 14.1 $ (34.2) $ 28.1 Items that will not be reclassified subsequently to profit and loss: Gain on changes in the fair value of equity investments at fair value through other comprehensive income (loss) ("FVTOCI"), net of income tax (Note 5) 37.0 24.8 1.7 47.7 Other comprehensive income (loss) $ 66.4 $ 38.9 $ (32.5) $ 75.8 Comprehensive income (loss) $ 160.8 $ 102.9 $ (36.9) $ 205.0 Earnings (loss) per share (Note 16) Basic $ 0.50 $ 0.34 $ (0.02) $ 0.69 Diluted $ 0.50 $ 0.34 $ (0.02) $ 0.69 Weighted average number of shares outstanding (Note 16) Basic 190.2 187.2 189.6 187.1 Diluted 190.6 187.5 189.6 187.4 The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements and can be found in our Q2/2020 Report available on our website FRANCO-NEVADA CORPORATION CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (unaudited, in millions of U.S. dollars) For the six months ended June 30, 2020 2019 Cash flows from operating activities Net (loss) income $ (4.4) $ 129.2 Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) income to net cash provided by operating activities: Depletion and depreciation 116.7 119.8 Share-based payments 2.5 2.6 Impairment of royalty, stream and working interests 271.7 Unrealized foreign exchange loss (gain) 0.4 (0.1) Deferred income tax (recovery) expense (57.9) 5.3 Other non-cash items (5.6) (1.9) Acquisition of gold bullion (17.6) (15.6) Proceeds from sale of gold bullion 28.1 17.9 Operating cash flows before changes in non-cash working capital $ 333.9 $ 257.2 Changes in non-cash working capital: Decrease in receivables $ 19.4 $ 4.7 Decrease (increase) in prepaid expenses and other 2.3 (5.4) (Decrease) increase in current liabilities (10.2) 6.2 Net cash provided by operating activities $ 345.4 $ 262.7 Cash flows from investing activities Acquisition of royalty, stream and working interests $ (38.3) $ (95.6) Acquisition of energy well equipment (0.2) (0.5) Issuance of loan receivable (15.0) Proceeds from sale of investments 6.3 Net cash used in investing activities $ (53.5) $ (89.8) Cash flows from financing activities Repayment of revolving credit facilities $ $ (210.0) Proceeds from draw of credit facilities 275.0 (Repayment) proceeds from draw of term loan (80.0) 160.0 Proceeds from at-the-market equity offering 107.3 Credit facility amendment costs (0.8) Payment of dividends (76.0) (70.0) Proceeds from exercise of stock options 6.0 2.5 Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities $ (42.7) $ 156.7 Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents $ (2.8) $ (0.4) Net change in cash and cash equivalents $ 246.4 $ 329.2 Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period $ 132.1 $ 69.7 Cash and cash equivalents at end of period $ 378.5 $ 398.9 Supplemental cash flow information: Cash paid for interest expense and loan standby fees $ 1.3 $ 4.4 Income taxes paid $ 33.5 $ 25.1 The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements and can be found in our Q2/2020 Report available on our website SOURCE Franco-Nevada Corporation Related Links www.franco-nevada.com Gaborone ACHAP has joined forces with government in the fight against COVID-19 because of the organisation's experience in dealing with communities especially on HIV/AIDS and Tuberculosis issues. Briefing the media on Tuesday, ACHAP chief executive officer Dr Khumo Seipone said the organisation had diverted resources, including human, equipment as well as finance towards the COVID-19 pandemic. Dr Seipone pointed out that with the support of ACHAP, to date 44 717 persons had been tested for COVID-19. She said ACHAP had developed and employed real-time tracing and tracking system (RTTS), used for screening and contact tracing which enabled processing in a short period of time, at ports of entry. "We have also collaborated with BoFiNet for faster internet connectivity, which helped in the effective and efficient use of RTTS," she said. She noted that the maximum time for the results to be released was now 48 hours. Timely reporting enabled decisions or interventions to be made well in time, she said. Dr Seipone said the focus was currently at entry points after the realisation that a large number of infected people were from outside the country. She pointed out that the truck industry was the most affected hence the idea to intensify testing at border posts. Furthermore, Dr Seipone indicated that COVID-19 had highlighted the need for health facilities at border posts. She revealed that the organisation's said main donor, Global Fund and The President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) had encouraged ACHAP to ensure that gains made in HIV/AIDS and TB were not eroded by COVID-19. Dr Seipone advised the nation to adhere to the health protocols in order to reduce the risk of coronavirus transmission. Source : BOPA NEW YORK and TORONTO, Aug. 4, 2020 /PRNewswire/ - iAnthus Capital Holdings, Inc. ("iAnthus" or the "Company") (CSE: IAN) (OTCQX: ITHUF), which owns, operates, and partners with regulated cannabis operations across the United States, announces the resignation of Elizabeth Stavola, founder of MPX and CBD for Life, as Chief Strategy Officer and as a director of the Company, effective immediately. About iAnthus iAnthus owns and operates licensed cannabis cultivation, processing and dispensary facilities throughout the United States, providing investors diversified exposure to the U.S. regulated cannabis industry. Founded by entrepreneurs with decades of experience in operations, investment banking, corporate finance, law and healthcare services, iAnthus provides a unique combination of capital and hands-on operating and management expertise. iAnthus currently has a presence in 11 states and operates 36 dispensaries (AZ-4, MA-1, MD-3, FL-16, NY-3, CO-1, VT-1 and NM-7 where iAnthus has minority ownership). For more information, visit www.iAnthus.com COVID-19 Risk Factor The Company may be impacted by business interruptions resulting from pandemics and public health emergencies, including those related to COVID-19. An outbreak of infectious disease, a pandemic, or a similar public health threat, such as the recent outbreak of COVID-19, or a fear of any of the foregoing could adversely impact the Company by causing operating, manufacturing, supply chain, and project development delays and disruptions, labor shortages, travel, and shipping disruption and shutdowns (including as a result of government regulation and prevention measures). It is unknown whether and how the Company may be affected if such a pandemic persists for an extended period of time, including as a result of the waiver of regulatory requirements or the implementation of emergency regulations to which the Company is subject. Although the Company has been deemed essential and/or has been permitted to continue operating its facilities in the states in which it cultivates, processes, manufactures, and sells cannabis during the pendency of the COVID-19 pandemic, subject to the implementation of certain restrictions on adult-use cannabis sales in both Massachusetts and Nevada, which have since been lifted, there is no assurance that the Company's operations will continue to be deemed essential and/or will continue to be permitted to operate. The Company may incur expenses or delays relating to such events outside of its control, which could have a material adverse impact on its business, operating results, financial condition, and the trading price of the Company's common shares. Forward Looking Statements Statements in this news release that are forward-looking statements are subject to various risks and uncertainties, including concerning COVID-19 and the specific factors disclosed here and elsewhere in iAnthus' periodic filings with Canadian securities regulators. When used in this news release, words such as "will, could, plan, estimate, expect, intend, may, potential, believe, should, our vision" and similar expressions, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements may include, without limitation, statements relating to the Company's financial performance, business development and results of operations, the expectations of management with respect to the anticipated filing of the Required Filings, and the additional actions which may be taken by the OSC. 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. iAnthus disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise such information, except as required by applicable law, and iAnthus does not assume any liability for disclosure relating to any other company mentioned herein. The Canadian Securities Exchange has not reviewed, approved or disapproved the content of this news 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. SOURCE iAnthus Capital Holdings, Inc. Related Links https://www.ianthuscapital.com/ BEIRUT (Reuters) - Lebanese rescue workers dug through the mangled wreckage of buildings on Wednesday looking for survivors after a massive warehouse explosion sent a devastating blast wave across Beirut, killing at least 100 people and injuring nearly 4,000. Officials said the toll was expected to rise after Tuesdays blast at port warehouses that stored highly explosive material. The blast was the most powerful ever to rip through Beirut, a city still scarred by civil war three decades ago and reeling from an economic meltdown and a surge in coronavirus infections. It sent a mushroom cloud into the sky and rattled windows on the Mediterranean island of Cyprus, about 100 miles (160 km) away. President Michel Aoun said 2,750 tonnes of ammonium nitrate, used in fertilisers and bombs, had been stored for six years at the port without safety measures. He told the nation the government was determined to investigate and expose what happened as soon as possible, to hold the responsible and the negligent accountable, and to sanction them with the most severe punishment. An official source familiar with preliminary investigations blamed the incident on inaction and negligence, saying nothing was done by committees and judges to order the removal of hazardous material. Ordinary Lebanese, who have lost jobs and watched savings evaporate in Lebanons financial crisis, blamed politicians who have overseen decades of state corruption and bad governance. This is a catastrophe for Beirut and Lebanon. Beiruts mayor, Jamal Itani, told Reuters while inspecting damage he estimated ran into billions of dollars. The head of Lebanons Red Cross, George Kettani, said at least 100 people were killed and search efforts continued. TRACING THE MISSING Relatives gathered at the cordon to Beirut port seeking information on missing relatives, Lebanons MTV footage showed. The intensity of the blast threw victims into the sea where rescue teams tried to recover bodies. Many of those killed were port and custom employees and people working in the area or driving through during the Tuesday evening rush hour. The Red Cross was coordinating with the Health Ministry to set up morgues because hospitals were overwhelmed, Kettani said. Sara, a nurse in Beiruts Clemenceau Medical Center, described scenes at her hospital after the blast as like a slaughterhouse, blood covering the corridors and the lifts. Facades of central Beirut buildings were ripped off, furniture was sucked into streets and roads were strewn with glass and debris. Cars near the port were flipped over. This is the killer blow for Beirut, we are a disaster zone. My building shuddered, I thought it was an earthquake, said Bilal, a man in his 60s, in the downtown area. Like others, he blamed the political elite, Who will compensate for those who lost their loved ones, he said, describing politicians as thieves and looters for driving Lebanon into economic crisis. Offers of international support poured in. Gulf Arab states, who in the past were major financial supporters of Lebanon but recently stepped back because of what they say is Iranian meddling, sent planes with medical equipment and other supplies. Iran offered food and a field hospital, ISNA news agency said. The United States, Britain, France and other Western nations, which have been demanding political change in Lebanon, also offered help. The Netherlands said it was sending doctors, nurses and specialised search and rescue teams. CRIME AGAINST THE PEOPLE This explosion seals the collapse of Lebanon. I really blame the ruling class, said Hassan Zaiter, 32, a manager at the heavily damaged Le Gray Hotel in downtown Beirut. For many it was a dreadful reminder of the 1975 to 1990 civil war that tore the nation apart and destroyed swathes of Beirut, much of which had been rebuilt. Prime Minister Hassan Diab promised to hold people to account, but Beirut driver Abou Khaled said Diab and his ministers are the first that should be held accountable for this disaster. They committed a crime against the people of this nation with their negligence. Officials did not say what caused the initial blaze at the port that set off the blast. A security source and media said it was started by welding work being carried out on a warehouse. The port district was left a tangled wreck, disabling the nations main route for imports needed to feed a nation of more than 6 million people. Lebanon has already been struggling to house and feed hundreds of thousands of refugees from Syria. The U.S. embassy, which moved to another part of Beirut after a bomb attack struck its original waterfront embassy in 1983, warned about reports of toxic gases released by the port blast. The explosion came three days before a U.N.-backed court delivers a verdict in the trial of four suspects from Iranian-backed Shiite Muslim group Hezbollah over a 2005 bombing that killed former Prime Minister Rafik al-Hariri and 21 others. Hariri was killed by a truck bomb on another part of the Beirut waterfront, about 2 km (about one mile) from the port. (Graphic: Blast rocks Lebanese port area, here) Islamabad, Aug 4 (IANS) On the eve of the first anniversary of the revocation of the contentious Article 370 and Article 35A, Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan unveiled a new political map which includes the UT of J&K as part of Pakistan on Tuesday. Khan has decided to present the new political map at the United Nations as well. The Imran Khan cabinet approved the new map in which the complete Jammu and Kashmir, is shown integrated with Pakistan. The illegal map shows J&K as "Indian illegally occupied J&K -- disputed territory -- final status to be decided in line with relevant UNSC resolutions." Thereby cocking a snook at the Govt of India. "This is the most historic day in Pakistan's history," he said while addressing a news conference after chairing the meeting of federal cabinet, which approved the new map on Tuesday. Khan said that Pakistan has launched a political map which shows the whole Kashmir region, including "Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir" as part of his country's territory. In the press conference, Khan said: "Today is a historic day we have launched a new political map of Pakistan which is as per the aspirations of the entire nation as well as the people of Kashmir." He also said the new map is backed by all political parties of the country. "This map also opposes the Indian government's illegal act of August 5 last year," the prime minister said. "The settlement of Kashmir dispute only lies in the UN Security Council resolutions. "Pakistan will continue to make efforts for the people of Kashmir," said Khan adding that the dispute can only be resolved through political means not military. --IANS sk/in The US government will pay Johnson & Johnson more than $1 billion in exchange for 100 million doses of its potential coronavirus vaccine. It's the latest move by the Trump administration as it stocks up on inoculations and drugs in an attempt to tame the pandemic that has killed 156,000 Americans. The latest contract is priced at roughly $10 per vaccine dose, including a previous $456 million the government promised to Johnson & Johnson for vaccine development in March. That compares with the $19.50 per dose the US is paying for the immunization being developed by Pfizer Inc and German biotech BioNTech SE. Meanwhile, the jab being developed by AstraZeneca and the University of Oxford is estimated to cost between $3 and $4 per dose. The US government is paying Johnson & Johnson more than $1billion to produce more than 100 million coronavirus vaccine doses by 2021. Pictured: The experiment vaccine being produced by Johnson & Johnson The latest contract is priced at roughly $10 per dose in comparison with the $19.50 Pfizer Inc has priced for its jab. Pictured: The Johnson & Johnson logo is seen above an entrance to a building at their campus in Irvine, California, August 2019 According to the US Department of Health and Human Services, Johnson & Johnson's vaccines will be free if they're used in a vaccination campaign. This means the New Jersey-based drugmaker and AstraZeneca are the only two companies to pledge not to price their inoculations for profit. The announcement states that, under the deal, the US government can order an additional 200 million dose of the vaccine. Johnson & Johnson said it hopes to produce one billion doses throughout 2021, if clinical trials prove its vaccine is safe and effective. 'We are scaling up production in the US and worldwide to deliver a SARS-CoV-2 vaccine for emergency use,' said Dr Paul Stoffels, chief science officer at Johnson & Johnson, in a statement. As the race for vaccines and treatments for COVID-19, the disease caused by the virus intensifies, the US government has been signing deals to buy them through its Operation Warp Speed program. Other drugmakers who have signed deals include Sanofi SA and Regeneron Inc. This is Johnson & Johnson's first deal to supply its investigational vaccine to a country. Talks are underway with the European Union, but no deal has yet been reached. The company recently began phase I clinical trials, testing safety and efficacy for a one-dose and two-dose jab, in the US and Belgium. This places Johnson & Johnson behind others such as AstraZeneca, Moderna and Pfizer, which have started phase III clinical trials looking at large-scale volunteer use and examines if the vaccine is better than what's already available. However, the drugmaker is also planning a phase two study in Germany, the Netherlands and Spain and hopes to begin late-stage human trials by September. Johnson & Johnson's vaccines combines genetic material from the new virus with the genes of the adenovirus - which causes the common cold - to induce an immune response. It is the same technology the company used to make an experimental Ebola vaccine for people in the Democratic Republic of Congo in late 2019. Reuters reports that shares of Johnson & Johnson were up around one percent in early trading on the New York Stock Exchange. According to the World Health Organization, more than 100 COVID-19 vaccines are under development around the world and at least 23 are in human trials. Hong Kong: Police condemn netizens' rumour Police today severely condemned netizens for spreading fake news that the Commissioner of Police was infected with COVID-19 and sternly stated that such a rumour is totally groundless and fictitious. The force emphasised that it severely condemns the ill-intentioned parties who intend to cause chaos by spreading fake news and warned that resolute follow-up action will be taken. This story has been published on: 2020-08-05. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. Yesterday, unforgettable videos of a cataclysmic blast in Beirut, Lebanon, roared around the internet. They showed black-tinged fumes from an initial, smaller explosion rising from the citys port area, followed by an almighty eruption that belched a huge, bloodred cloud into the air and expelled a veil of detritus that formed a sort of dome, then billowed rapidly across town. By this point, the videos were shaky, as the force of the blast knocked the people filming them off their feet and sent them scrambling for safety. Apocalyptic images of the aftermath quickly started to circulate. As time progressed, a grim drumbeat of push notifications kept readers around the world updated on the damage: At least 10 dead, officials say. At least 30 people died and thousands were hurt, officials said. At least 50 people were killed. The death toll has risen to at least 100, according to the Red Cross, with 4,000 people wounded. The cause of the blast was not initially clear. During a TV interview, Marwan Abboud, the governor of Beirut, found himself at a loss for an explanation, and broke down crying. Later, Hassan Diab, Lebanons prime minister, said that nearly 3,000 metric tons of ammonium nitrate had been stored at the blast site, without adequate safety precautions. The explosion shattered windows and mangled infrastructure for at least six miles from the epicenter, and its tremors were felt as far away as Cyprus, a European island nation that lies more than a hundred miles from Lebanon. Jamal Itani, Beiruts mayor, went as far as to compare the scene to Hiroshima. Many questions remain unanswered. Today, Lebanon began three days of national mourning. ICYMI: As election looms, a network of mysterious pink slime local news outlets nearly triples in size The explosion affected journalists from Lebanese news organizations and from international outlets, many of which use Beirut as a base for reporting on the wider region, including Syria. Maryam Toumi, a journalist with BBC News Arabic, was filming a live interview when the blast tore through the building she was in. Her cries can be heard on the video; the BBC has since reported her safe. The APs office in Beirut was wrecked. It was empty at the time of the blast; Dalal Mawad, an AP staffer, noted grimly that the coronavirus saved us. The offices of the Daily Star, a local English-language paper, were damaged, too. At the time, they were occupied by employees finishing off an evening edition; miraculously, no one was badly hurt. Hanna Anbar, the papers executive editor, told Canadas CBC that the glass walls of his office cracked and rained shards down upon him. I have covered the wars in this part of the world since 1965, he said. But this was the mostwell, it made the whole country panic. Amid the carnage, many reporters on the ground got to work. The French broadcaster RTL patched in one of its journalists, Monique Younes, who is currently on vacation in Beirut. At first, I thought it was a car bomb, Younes, who is Lebanese, recalled. I said to myself, Thats it, the war is starting again. Some journalists sought treatment for their injuries while taking in the scene around them. Vivian Yee, a reporter for the New York Times, suffered cuts to her face after the explosion ripped through her apartment. After a hospital turned her away, passersby attended to her wounds. The Lebanese who would help me in the hours to come had the heartbreaking steadiness that comes from having lived through countless previous disasters, Yee wrote, in a first-person piece about her experience. Nearly all of them were strangers, yet they treated me like a friend. After night fell, Sarah Dadouch, of the Washington Post, tweeted a photo of a single candle illuminating her devastated street. I cannot explain how much calm its small light keeps lending me, she wrote. For Lebanonand the reporters who cover itthe explosion is a crisis on top of a crisis on top of a crisis on top of a crisis. The country is living through a crippling economic downturn. It recently defaulted on its debts; since then, its currency has nosedived, and talks surrounding an international aid package have stalled. Late last year, the worsening economic picture helped fuel mass protests that, in turn, nourished a longer-term cycle of political chaos, and forced the resignation of Saad Hariri, then the prime minister. Hariri is the son of another former prime minister, Rafic Hariri, who was assassinated in 2005; a verdict in that highly sensitive case was slated for this week. Roughly a fifth of Lebanons population is made up of refugees, many of whom fled the war in neighboring Syria. They have proved especially vulnerable to the health and economic effects of the pandemic. Overall, Lebanons official covid-19 case and death counts remain relatively low, but they have spiked recently, putting severe strain on hospitals that now must also deal with the fallout from the blast. Compounding everything, the port that the explosion destroyed was a crucial conduit for grain imports, on which Lebanon is heavily reliant. Sign up for CJR 's daily email My newsletter yesterday dealt with coverage of overlapping crises in America right now. Theyre preoccupying andwhen it comes to the pandemic and race relations, in particularbad by any international metric. As The Atlantics Ed Yong has noted, fixing Americas many problems will require radical introspection. Introspection is a dominant mood in the US news cycle right now, and its mostly welcome. But we must avoid falling into the trap of exceptionalism, the philosophycommon among columnists and cable punditsthat conceives of America as the natural center of world affairs, and has recently been preoccupied with Trumps subversion of that norm. In recent weeks, weve heard many variations on the lament that the rest of the world is agog at Americas inept pandemic response. Its partly true. But the rest of the world has big problems of its own. (Some of them are a direct legacy of American exceptionalism.) Theres still a humanitarian crisis in Yemen. The virus remains a mass killer in countries as varied as India, Brazil, and Iran. Even countries that have handled covid much better than the US face fresh spikes and lockdowns. A great many journalistsincluding those braving the destruction in Beirut right noware doing a fantastic job of chronicling such crises. In general, though, their reporting often gets lost in a US news cycle that can feel, at times, relentlessly inward-looking. The videos of the Beirut explosion were a jarring reminder of tragedies beyond American borders. Such massive blasts are rare. But covid deaths and economic misery are routineincluding in Lebanon. Below, more on Lebanon: Other notable stories: ICYMI: It is possible to compete with the New York Times. Heres how. 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. Autopsy findings show that Ramseur died as a result of a shotgun blast to the head. Wilson died from gunshot wounds to the neck and head from a shotgun and 9-millimeter handgun. As part of his plea agreement, Powells sentencing was delayed so he could be interviewed and videotaped by investigators regarding his involvement in the planning and execution of the burglary, robbery and murder of the victims. He also agreed to provide truthful testimony against co-defendants in the double homicide, according to the release. The state argued that Powell was asked to search the residence for marijuana and money, and he was present when Ramseur and Wilson were shot and killed. Ramseurs mother, Teresa Rippy, said she wished peace for Powell and both families who lost loved ones, and she asked him to use his story to help others steer clear of a similar fate. Weve all been tormented by the tragedy that occurred, she said. I pray that you think about what you did, get God in your life and do something to better yourself. Im praying for your soul. New Delhi/Mumbai, Aug 5 : The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has summoned Bollywood actor Rhea Chakraborty on Friday for questioning in connection with a money laundering probe related to late actor Sushant Singh Rajput's case, officials said on Wednesday. A senior ED official told IANS: "The agency has asked her to present herself at our Mumbai office to get her statement recorded in the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) case." Earlier in the day, the ED questioned Sushant's house manager Samuel Miranda in the case. Miranda is the third person to be questioned by the agency in the matter. The ED had on Tuesday grilled Rhea's chartered accountant Ritesh Shah. On Monday, the agency had questioned Sushant's CA Sandeep Sridhar. The action comes in the wake of a case registered by the ED on Friday last against Rhea and her family members. The ED's money laundering case pertains to transactions involving Rs 15 crore and allegedly related to the 'suicide' of Sushant Singh. The development comes after an FIR was lodged by Sushant's father KK Singh in Patna against Rhea, accusing her of cheating and threatening his son. Sushant's family has also accused her of keeping him away from his family. The ED named Rhea and her family members in the case on the basis of the police FIR. The official said that the central agency will summon a number of people for questioning in the case in the coming days. The Central Bureau of Investigation has since received a notification from the government to register a case. Latest updates on Sushant Singh Rajput Death Mystery Thank you for reading! Please log in, or sign up for a new account and purchase a subscription to continue reading. There are different kinds of love stories that spark a special type of romance, and right now, let us discover the world of Noona (a term that means older sister) romances that will give us magical and thrilling feels. This kind of romance proves that the love that is meant for you will always find its way to you no matter the circumstances and no matter the age. When destiny and fate work together, there is no stopping it. We can most definitely say that love conquers all. If you're still craving for the heart-racing chemistry between a noona and her dongsaeng, you can't miss these k-dramas we listed below! So, scroll down and see if your favorite Noona character is included on the list. Witch's Romance (2014) This drama is considered one of the best classic noona Korean drama that started it all. Witch's Romance tells the story of a young man portrayed by Park Seo Joon who is not so sure with what to do with his life and felt lost after his girlfriend died in an accident. Then he meets a professional lady, who is a matured and well-known reporter (Uhm Jung Hwa), she is doubtful when it comes to love. Still, as the story continues, both characters find themselves falling for each other. Temperature of Love (2017) Temperature of Love is a Korean drama that features a more modern set up at the same time has all the cute aspects in it. The story starts when a striving drama series writer, played by Seo Hyun Jin, meets a young chef portrayed by Yang Se Jong through an online site. After meeting in real life, both characters realized that their lives, as well as their ambitions, are more intertwined than they have expected. Their laid back and cheerful personality make undeniable chemistry that is just so refreshing to witness. Secret Love Affair (2014) Secret Love Affair will take you to a captivating and serious secret romance between Lee Sun Jae portrayed by Yoo Ah In and a woman who is much older than him(twice his age), Oh Hye Won played by Actress Kim Hee Ae. The secret affair grows even more interesting and intense when Oh Hye Won works as the director for the Seohan Arts Foundation, and Lee Sun Jae is a talented and aspiring pianist in the said foundation. Something In The Rain (2018) Something In The Rain tells the story about a childhood friendship that developed into something more. It all started when Yoon Jin-A, portrayed by Son Ye Jin, starts to look at the younger sibling of her best friend in a different light. It is a solemn drama that exhibits the beauty of overpowering love, as well as the struggles of being in a relationship that feels like you need to hide. Encounter (2018) Encounter tells the loves story about two people coming from completely different worlds, and these two people meet each other in a memorable and short encounter in the place called Cuba. After their encounter, they both went back to live their separate lives. However, as destiny had it when they returned to their home country, which is Seoul, Cha Soo Hyun portrayed by Song Hye Kyo and Kim Jin Hyeok played by Park Bo Gum surprisingly meet again when Kim Jin Hyeok land a job at the hotel where Cha Soo Hyun is the CEO. These dramas do prove that age is just a number, and love knows no limits! A senior U.S. Defense Department official and member of the U.S. intelligence community said there were no indications the explosion was the result of an attack by either a nation state or proxy forces. Both spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss intelligence briefings publicly. They told AP that at the moment, the explosion seems to have been caused by improper storage of explosives. Gujarat has emerged as the most tax-compliant state in the country in terms of proportion of return filers to PAN holders in the assessment year 2018-19. The state had 22.3 per cent income tax return filers out of the total PAN card holders in AY 2018-19, followed by Delhi, with a filing rate of 20.5 per cent, Punjab (16.74 per cent) and Telangana (16.68 per cent). Among large states, the lowest rate of return filing with respect to PAN card holders was seen in case of Bihar at 5 per cent, followed by Uttar Pradesh (8.11 per cent), both much below the national average of 12 per ... Equipped with customized search, customers can explore on-demand seminars and technical literature Thermo Fisher Scientific, the world leader in serving science, announced the launch of a new website for its chemicals business offerings. This website will serve as a dedicated platform towards an extensive range of Laboratory and Production chemicals. The new website will bring all major chemical brands from Thermo Fisher Scientific including Alfa Aesar, Acros Organics, Fisher Chemicals, Qualigens, Fisher Bioregaents and Maybridge under one umbrella. Qualigens, the locally manufactured brand in India, will have its first online presence through this website. This will enable customers to explore the chemicals portfolio and have a consistent digital experience. Thermo Fisher invites customers from various segments including educational institutions, research and development, pharmaceuticals, diagnostics, food & beverage and environmental sector, to get acquainted with the capabilities that the new website will offer. The website is equipped with customized chemical search capabilities like structure search and element search and options to view availability and pricing for specific brands. The website has also been designed to cater to distinct purchase lifecycles of buyers and customers, who can also explore on-demand seminars and technical literature. "At Thermo Fisher, we offer a robust portfolio of chemicals that are used from bench to production spanning across industries. I am delighted that this website is getting launched at a time when our customers need us more than ever digitally. Customers can now access our chemical brands and experience our entire portfolio offering, all in one place. With this new platform we are now one step ahead in serving our customers better. said Amit Chopra, managing director, India and Middle East, Thermo Fisher Scientific The global coronavirus outbreak is a powerful reminder of the importance of our mission- to enable our customers to make the world healthier, cleaner and safer. We are profoundly aware of our obligation towards our customers as essential partners and these initiatives reinforce our commitment to serve our customers, said Amit Chopra. The website is exclusive to India. Login to the new website to explore the solutions at- https://www.thermofisher.in/chemicals/en/home.html A massive explosion in the port warehouse district of Beirut, the capital city of Lebanon, sent shockwaves across the city. The explosion was so strong that cars driving in the vicinity were damaged, whereas doors and balconies collapsed in homes, offices and religious places. The explosion in Beirut's port area claimed 25 lives, while more than 2,500 people were injured, informed Lebanon's health minister. The number of casualties is expected to rise as emergency workers dig through the debris to rescue trapped people and remove the dead. The Beirut port sustained severe damages. Lebanon's interior minister said initial information indicated highly explosive material, seized years ago, that had been stored at the port had blown up. The minister later told Al Jadeed TV ammonium nitrate had been in storage there since 2014. "What we are witnessing is a huge catastrophe," the head of Lebanon's Red Cross George Kettani told broadcaster Mayadeen. "There are victims and casualties everywhere - in all the streets and areas near and far from the explosion." Three hours after the blast, which struck shortly after 6 pm local time, a fire still blazed in the port district, reported Reuters, casting an orange glow across the night sky as helicopters hovered and ambulance sirens sounded across the capital. A security source told the news agency that victims were being taken for treatment outside the city because Beirut hospitals were already packed with wounded. Red Cross ambulances from the north and south of the country and the Bekaa valley to the east were called in to cope with the huge casualty toll. However, it was not immediately clear as to what caused the explosion. Notably, this explosion happened three days before an UN-backed court is due to deliver a verdict in the trial of four suspects from the Shi'ite group Hezbollah over a 2005 bombing which killed former Prime Minister Rafik al-Hariri and 21 others. The blast that killed Harari also occurred close to the waterfront, caused by a truck bomb. Videos shared on social media shows a column of smoke rising from the port warehouse district. A few sparks at the base of the smoke column were followed by a huge explosion that sent a ball of white smoke and fire across the city. People as far as 2 km from the site of the explosion were physically thrown back from the shockwaves that swept through the city, Reuters reported. The seismic waves were so prominent that residents initially thought it was an earthquake. The port area was severely damaged. "I saw a fireball and smoke billowing over Beirut. People were screaming and running, bleeding. Balconies were blown off buildings. Glass in high-rise buildings shattered and fell to the street," a witness told Reuters. Residents said glass was broken in houses from Raouche, on Beirut's western tip, to Rabieh 10 km east. In Cyprus, a Mediterranean island 180 km across the sea from Beirut, residents heard the blast bangs. One resident in Nicosia said his house and window shutters shook. Parents clutched their wards and rushed to safety as the city was swept by shockwaves. (With Reuters input) The U.S. death toll from COVID-19 has topped 150,000, including almost 8,000 fatalities in Texas, and still, too many Americans underestimate the expanding damage to our society and economy. Republican politicians still justify reopening businesses because they fear the economic toll of taking wise precautions. Business owners routinely, desperately complain that necessary restrictions will bankrupt them. Libertarians and some conservatives reject the governments authority to stop the spread of disease, marching through the streets with military-style rifles slung across their chests. Their argument: Americans should stay at home if they dont want to be around people who refuse to wear masks. Too many Americans are simply unwilling to sacrifice for the greater good, and we are all paying a very high price. TOMLINSONS TAKE: Competing COVID economic plans pit workers and investors in age-old match up Economists and public health professionals have argued from the beginning that the economic toll of fatalities and illness would be far higher than shutting down parts of the economy. The past five months have borne this out. COVID-19 cost the U.S. five years of economic growth between April and June, and the country will need years to grow back to 2019 levels. In the long term, 8,000 deaths in Texas alone translates to an economic loss of $72 billion, using the federal statistical value of life. Nationwide, more than 155,000 fatalities have drained $1.4 trillion from the countrys economic potential. Economists came up with a roughly $9 million value on human life by asking people how much more pay they would require to take life-threatening risks. Federal agencies use the figure for cost-benefit analyses. Contracting and surviving COVID-19 also comes with a high toll. The median treatment cost for patients who do not require hospitalization is $3,045, while the median bill for someone who spends time in the hospital is $14,366, according to a study by the journal Health Affairs. Godofredo A. Vasquez, Houston Chronicle / Staff photographer Since 80 percent of COVID patients are outpatient, the medical cost to the United States for the soon to be 5 million infections is $26.5 billion. That figure only covers the medical bills and not lost wages and productivity. Consider the viruss current pace. Every day that 200 Texans die from COVID, our economy loses $1.8 billion in potential. Every day 7,000 Texans contract COVID-19 costs us $371 million. We all pay this toll. If we have private insurance, our premiums pay for treating other people with insurance. Our federal and state tax dollars pay for those who rely on Medicare and Medicaid. And we all pitch in to help hospitals and doctors care for the uninsured by paying higher prices for care. No one was expecting these enormous costs in January, and they add up every day we fail to contain COVID. The virus also spreads fear. A frightened population battens down the hatches and slashes their spending, crushing economic growth. So far, two public coffers have kept us from a depression: the Federal Reserve Bank flooding the world with cash, and the federal stimulus programs keeping businesses and families afloat. The only way to fully restart the economy is to contain the virus, which other countries have done quite successfully while the United States has floundered. Of course, when China ordered hundreds of millions of people to stay indoors and forced the sick into isolation camps, U.S. public health officials knew Americans would never accept such stringent measures. TOMLINSONS TAKE: Masks help fight COVID, but more aid needed to heal economy When Taiwan, Vietnam, Spain and Italy ordered people to remain indoors and aggressively enforced quarantines, politicians deemed even those measures too harsh for Americans. But those countries contained their outbreaks, set up excellent testing programs and started contact tracing. Those countries have control of the virus. They have reopened safely. And they have banned Americans. In the U.S., as our experts predicted, we have tallied the highest number of cases in the world, and our death rate is working its way up to number one among wealthy countries. Our infection rate has plateaued at a sickening, uncontrolled pace of 45,000 a day. President Donald Trumps claim that we have done the best we can is a lie. From the beginning, a chorus has shared sound science and economic theory arguing we must spend months at home and limit our social contact to people we love and trust. Some will suffer more than others, but the nation needs time to contain the virus and establish containment strategies. The sad truth, though, is that if you have not lost a friend or colleague to COVID-19, as I have, you probably feel little urgency to sacrifice for your fellow Americans. That selfishness will ensure the virus will continue to spread, relentlessly damaging our health and our economy. Tomlinson writes commentary about business, economics and policy. twitter.com/cltomlinson chris.tomlinson@chron.com Netflix star Daisy Coleman has died by suicide, aged 23. Documentary subject Coleman appeared in 2016 film Audrie & Daisy. Her body was found after her mother, Melinda, urged police to undertake a welfare check. She called Coleman my best friend and [an] amazing daughter as she announced the news on Facebook. She continued: I think she had to make it seem like I could live without her. I cant. I wish I could have taken the pain from her! Audrie & Daisy revealed Coleman and Audrie Potts experiences of sexual assault in 2012. The documentary explores the bullying faced by teenage assault victims. Melissa added: She never recovered from what those boys did to her and its just not fair. My baby girl is gone. The documentary details Colemans allegations that she was raped at a party when she was 14 years old by Matthew Barnett, who was 17. After the news made national headlines, her family were forced to move out of Maryland. The case was eventually dropped, which Colemans family claimed was due to the fact Barnetts family had local political connections. Coleman went on to co-found SafeBAE (Before Anyone Else), a non-profit organisation focused on stopping sexual assault among school students, as well as helping young survivors. A statement released by SafeBAE said: [We are] shattered and shocked by her passing. She had many coping demons and had been facing and overcoming them all, but as many of you know, healing is not a straight path or any easy one. She fought longer and harder than we will ever know. Access unlimited streaming of movies and TV shows with Amazon Prime Video Sign up now for a 30-day free trial Sign up The statement added that Coleman would want the young survivors she helped to know they are heard, they matter, they are loved, and there are places for them to get the help they need. Audrie & Daisy premiered at the Sundance Film Festival. It went on to win a Peabody Award. When life is difficult, Samaritans are here day or night, 365 days a year. You can call them for free on 116 123, email them at jo@samaritans.org, or visit www.samaritans.org to find your nearest branch. BEIRUT I was just about to look at a video a friend had sent me Tuesday afternoon the port seems to be burning, she said when my whole building shook, as if startled, by the deepest boom Id ever heard. Uneasily, naively, I ran to the window, then back to my desk to check for news. Then came a much bigger boom, and the sound itself seemed to splinter. There was shattered glass flying everywhere. Not thinking but moving, I ducked under my desk. When the world stopped cracking open, I couldnt see at first because of the blood running down my face. After blinking the blood from my eyes, I tried to take in the sight of my apartment turned into a demolition site. My yellow front door had been hurled on top of my dining table. I couldnt find my passport, or even any sturdy shoes. Later, someone would tell me that Beirutis of her generation, who had been raised during Lebanons 15-year civil war, instinctively ran into their hallways as soon as they heard the first blast, to escape the glass they knew would break. I was not so well-trained, but the Lebanese who would help me in the hours to come had the heartbreaking steadiness that comes from having lived through countless previous disasters. Nearly all of them were strangers, yet they treated me like a friend. When I got downstairs, dodging the enormous broken window that rested jaggedly in my stairwell, my neighborhood, with its graceful old-Beirut architecture and arched windows, looked like a picture from the wars I had seen from afar a mouth missing all its teeth. Someone passing on a motorbike saw my bloody face and told me to hop on. When we couldnt get any closer to the hospital, our way blocked by hillocks of broken glass and stranded cars, I got off and started walking. Everyone on the street seemed to be either bleeding from open gashes or swathed in makeshift bandages all except one woman in a chic, backless top leading a small dog on a leash. Only an hour before, we had all been walking dogs or checking email or shopping for groceries. Only an hour before, there had been no blood. As I neared the hospital, elderly patients sat dazed in wheelchairs in the streets, still hooked to their IV bags. A woman lay on the ground in front of the exploded emergency room, her whole body dripping red, not moving much. It was clear that they werent taking new patients, certainly not any as comparatively lucky as I was. Someone named Youssef saw me, sat me down and started cleaning and bandaging my face. Once he was satisfied I could walk, he left and I started wandering, trying to think of another hospital I could try. I ran into a friend of a friend, someone I had met only a few times before, and he bandaged the rest of my wounds, disinfecting the lacerations with splashes of Lebanons national liquor, an anise-flavored drink called arak. His roommate swept up their terrace as I bloodied their towels. I cant think unless its clean, he explained. Until then, I hadnt had more than the vaguest guesses about what might have happened. Someone was reporting that fireworks had exploded at the port. Much later, Lebanese officials acknowledged that a large cache of explosive material seized by the government years ago was stored where the explosions occurred. Survivors walked by, moving faster than the jammed-up traffic. To anyone who appeared unhurt, people called out, alhamdulillah al-salama, or, roughly translated, thank God for your safety. Before the end of the night, after my co-workers had found me, after a passing driver named Ralph had offered to take us to one of the few hospitals still accepting patients, after a doctor had put 11 staples in my forehead and another sprinkling on my leg and arms, people would be saying the same thing to me: Thank God for your safety. Thank you, I said in reply, truly thank you, and I didnt mean just for the good wishes. This article originally appeared in The New York Times. Photo: Contributed It's no secret there's been some tension created by the presence of U.S. license plates in and around Canada during the pandemic, particularly in B.C. But that's not a good enough reason to call 911, says E-Comm representative Kaila Butler. Although COVID-19 related calls to both 911 and non-emergency police lines have decreased in volume from previous months, Butler says they must be reserved for genuine situations where people require help. "A lot of callers are dialing 9-1-1 or the police non-emergency lines to report vehicles with U.S. license plates. We want to urge potential callers to remember that there are many valid reasons a U.S. registered vehicle may be in Canada. "If someone is still interested in filing a report, they can reach out to the Canada Border Services Agency border watch line at 1-888-502-9060 instead of dialing 9-1-1. E-Comm also has a COVID-19 guide listing additional resources on its website. BANGALORE, India, Aug. 4, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Light Detection and Ranging( LiDAR) is a remote sensing system used to monitor an area using light. Automotive LiDAR devices use pulsed laser light to measure the distance between two vehicles using a sensor to illuminate the desired target and to measure the reflected pulses. This system is used to enhance the navigational capability by identifying and avoiding obstacles in the route. LiDAR does so by offering simple, 3D snapshots of each object in the vicinity of the vehicle. The global Automotive LiDAR market size is projected to reach USD 772 Million by 2026, from USD 184 Million in 2019, at a CAGR of 22.7% during 2020-2026. The study provides a detailed overview of current & emerging industry patterns and dynamics in the global automotive LiDAR market. The Automotive LiDAR Market report provides the industry's quantitative analysis, along with current trends and future estimates to identify the market opportunities. Get Free Sample: https://reports.valuates.com/request/sample/QYRE-Othe-2Y319/Automotive_LiDAR TRENDS INFLUENCING THE AUTOMOTIVE LiDAR MARKET SIZE Increasing demand for self-driven cars has increased the demand for LiDAR sensors in autonomous vehicles. Increasing research and development activities and government funding for the advancement of automated driving systems is expected to boost the LiDAR automotive market in the forecast period. LiDAR technology has been widely used in many other end-user industries such as the aerospace, agricultural, and civil engineering industries, resulting in mass production of LiDAR devices leading to declining LiDAR sensor market costs. The declining manufacturing cost is further expected to propel the growth of Automotive LiDAR Market size. Increasing adoption of safety systems in autonomous and semi-autonomous cars at different levels of automation is expected to attract massive investment from key players, thereby driving the growth of Automotive LiDAR Market size. Furthermore, due to stringent regulatory scenarios in many countries have forced manufacturers to include safety sensors in vehicles. This is further expected to increase the LiDAR market size during the forecast period. Over the years, the trend in the procurement of passenger cars is rising at a substantial pace. The more passenger cars are procured, the greater is the demand for the LiDAR system to have trouble-free driving experience. The lack of understanding of LiDAR systems' advantages and the high cost of using costly components in these systems, such as laser scanners, navigation systems, and high-resolution 3D cameras, might hinder market development. View Full Report: https://reports.valuates.com/market-reports/QYRE-Othe-2Y319/automotive-lidar AUTOMOTIVE LiDAR MARKET SHARE ANALYSIS Based on Region, North America is expected to hold the largest Automotive LiDAR market share during the forecast period. This dominance of North America is due to the high penetration of vehicles equipped with LiDAR for adaptive cruise control and automatic emergency braking. In Europe, the automotive industry is a strategic and robust industry that drives the region's economic growth. Europe is working on developing the region's linked and automated driving network by incorporating autonomous LiDAR-based self-driven vehicles. France and Germany are the leading countries in the region that are contributing to the growth of Automotive LiDAR Market size. The Asia Pacific is expected to witness the fastest growth during the forecast period. This accelerated growth can be attributed to the region's increasing demand for robust technology and autonomous automobiles. China is a major contributor to the growth of LiDAR automotive market size in the Asia Pacific region. Furthermore, the increasing need for infrastructure growth and increased R & D activities for autonomous vehicles is driving the APAC region's Automotive LiDAR market size. Inquire for Regional Report: https://reports.valuates.com/request/regional/QYRE-Othe-2Y319/Automotive_LiDAR AUTOMOTIVE LiDAR MARKET SEGMENTATION Breakdown Data by Type Advanced Driver Assistance Systems(ADAS) Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) Autonomous Cars. Breakdown Data by Application Passenger Cars Commercial Vehicles. The following companies are covered in this report: Continental AG Garmin Ltd Infineon Technologies Innoviz Technologies LeddarTech Osram Licht AG Phantom Intelligence Princeton Lightwave Inc. Velodyne Lidar Quanergy Others. Buy Now for Single User: https://reports.valuates.com/api/directpaytoken?rcode=QYRE-Othe-2Y319&lic=single-user Buy Now for Enterprise License : https://reports.valuates.com/api/directpaytoken?rcode=QYRE-Othe-2Y319&lic=enterprise-license SIMILAR REPORTS Automotive Lidar Sensor Market Report In 2019, the global Automotive Lidar Sensor market size was USD 63 Million and it is expected to reach USD 348.4 Million by the end of 2026, with a CAGR of 27.5% during 2021-2026. North America is the largest supplier of Automotive Lidar Sensor, with a production market share nearly 84% in 2016. Europe is the second-largest supplier of Automotive Lidar Sensor, enjoying the production market share by nearly 11% in 2016. North America is the largest consumption place, with a consumption market share nearly 28% in 2016. Following China, Europe is the second-largest consumption place with the consumption market share of 22%. View Full Report: https://reports.valuates.com/market-reports/QYRE-Auto-12G310/global-automotive-lidar-sensor Covid-19 Impact on the LiDAR Market Report The global LiDAR market size was valued at USD 700.2 Million in 2019 and is projected to reach USD 2.90 Billion by 2027, growing at a CAGR of 20.1% from 2020 to 2027. The global impacts of the 2019 coronavirus disease (COVID-19) are already starting to be felt, and will affect the LIDAR market significantly in 2020 The improvement of LiDAR systems' automated processing capability in terms of image resolution and data processing capabilities over other technologies is the major factor driving the growth of LiDAR market size. Furthermore, the rise in demand for 3D imaging technology across various application areas and an increase in the adoption of aerial LiDAR systems to explore and detect places and historical details are expected to fuel the LiDAR market growth. View Full Report: https://reports.valuates.com/market-reports/ALLI-Manu-4A11/lidar Asia-Pacific Automotive Lidar Sensor Market Report View Full Report: https://reports.valuates.com/market-reports/QYRE-Othe-1P326/asia-pacific-automotive-lidar-sensor EMEA ( Europe , Middle East , and Africa ) Automotive Lidar Sensor Market Report Geographically, this report split EMEA into Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, With sales (Units), Revenue (Million USD), market share and growth rate of Automotive Lidar Sensor for these regions, from 2013 to 2025 (forecast) Europe : Germany , France , UK, Russia , Italy , and Benelux; : , , UK, , , and Benelux; Middle East : Saudi Arabia , Israel , UAE, and Iran ; : , , UAE, and ; Africa : South Africa , Nigeria , Egypt , and Algeria . View Full Report: https://reports.valuates.com/market-reports/QYRE-Othe-2F320/emea-automotive-lidar-sensor United States Automotive Lidar Sensor Market Report View Full Report: https://reports.valuates.com/market-reports/QYRE-Othe-2K321/united-states-automotive-lidar-sensor Korea Automotive Lidar Sensor Market Report This report provides the Korea Automotive Lidar Sensor Market size and future trend. The Korea Automotive Lidar Sensor Market report focuses on top players in Korea and provides an in-depth analysis of various segments in the market along with their forecast. View Full Report: https://reports.valuates.com/market-reports/QYRE-Othe-3T282/korea-automotive-lidar-sensor China Automotive Lidar Sensor Market Report View Full Report: https://reports.valuates.com/market-reports/QYRE-Othe-3U283/china-automotive-lidar-sensor Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) Market Report In 2018, the global Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) market size was USD 11000 Million, and it is expected to reach USD 58600 Million by the end of 2025, with a CAGR of 27.0% during 2019-2025. Automotive ADAS are electronic components installed in vehicles that provide the driver with smart driving experience. These systems are composed of specific sensors such as ultrasonic, image, RADAR, LiDAR, LASER, and infrared. The growing trend in the automotive sector is to deploy ADAS to increase comfort levels and ensure road safety is expected to drive the Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) Market size. View Full Report: https://reports.valuates.com/market-reports/QYRE-Auto-621/global-advanced-driver-assistance-systems-adas Automotive Adaptive Cruise Control System Market Report View Full Report: https://reports.valuates.com/market-reports/QYRE-Auto-31S1172/global-automotive-adaptive-cruise Asia-Pacific LiDAR Market Report: View Full Report: https://reports.valuates.com/market-reports/ALLI-Auto-3Q79/asia-pacific-lidar 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 detail research methodology employed to generate the report, Please also reach to 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 Logo : https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1082232/Valuates_Reports_Logo.jpg SOURCE Valuates Reports Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-05 19:25:04|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close TOKYO, Aug. 5 (Xinhua) -- The Tokyo metropolitan government confirmed 263 new COVID-19 cases on Wednesday, while a resurgence of cases in Aichi Prefecture has seen a state of emergency to be declared in the central Japanese region. Tokyo's latest figure marks the ninth consecutive day that new daily cases have topped 200, but the number of infections has dropped from the previous day's tally of 309 and retreated from its record 472 cases reported Saturday. Of the 263 latest cases, those testing positive in their 20s and 30s comprised 163 people, accounting for around 62 percent of the total. Tokyo's cumulative total of confirmed infections has reached 14,285 people, with the metropolitan government maintaining its highest alert level on its four-tier scale meaning "infections are spreading." Until the end of the month, establishments serving alcohol including bars, clubs, restaurants and karaoke parlors have been requested to close their doors at 10 p.m. in a bid to prevent the further spread of the virus. The Tokyo metropolitan government has also asked customers to only patronize such establishments displaying a sticker indicating that antiviral measures have been taken. Tokyoites have also been asked to avoid drinking and dinner parties with large groups of people, especially those taking place over extended periods of time, and refrain from holding smaller gatherings taking place in close proximity with others. Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike has not ruled out the possibility of declaring a Tokyo-specific state of emergency if deemed necessary. Meanwhile, as Aichi Prefecture reported 144 new COVID-19 cases Wednesday pushing its cumulative total up to 2,528 cases, its governor Hideaki Omura said the prefecture would declare a state of emergency from Thursday through Aug. 24. Residents of the prefecture will be asked to refrain from making non-essential trips across prefectural borders. Nationwide, new infections in Japan increased by 1,284, bringing the nation's cumulative total to 42,740, not including those connected to a cruise ship that was quarantined in Yokohama near Tokyo in February. New infections in Osaka Prefecture rose by 196 to total 4,916 cases, while those in Kanagawa increased by 81 to 2,831. Saitama Prefecture reported 50 new infections bringing its cumulative total to 2,606, while Fukuoka Prefecture saw cases increases by 123 to reach a total of 2,479, according to the latest figures Wednesday evening. The nation's death toll from the pneumonia-causing virus currently stands at 1,027, Wednesday evening's figures showed. Enditem A woman wanted by city police since June was arrested Tuesday by city police. A warrant was issued June 25 for the arrest of the woman on charges of theft under $5,000, failing to comply with an undertaking and two counts of breach of probation. While city police were investigating an unrelated matter on Tuesday officers found her inside a home. Carolyn McDonald of no fixed address was arrested and held in custody for a bail hearing on Wednesday. Hoosac Valley Considering Phased-In, Hybrid Model for Schools CHESHIRE, Mass. The Hoosac Valley Regional School District is expected to eliminate the full in-person education model from its plans for reopening. Superintendent Aaron Dean said on Tuesday morning that the School Committee next week will decide what school will look like in the fall and that it is leaning toward a hybrid model. "In next Monday's committee meeting, I am planning on sharing the timeline and framework of instruction for the coming school year," Dean said. "Still many questions to answer, but I'm confident we'll get there." School districts throughout the commonwealth have been asked to design three education models in preparation for the next school year. Plans have included a fully remote plan, a hybrid plan, and the state preferred full in-person model that requires students to be spaced out. The Pittsfield Public Schools last week determined that reopening the schools as normal was not optimal. Dean said the two district schools the middle and high school and the elementary school cannot accommodate 6 feet of social distancing so this option is off the table. Instead, a hybrid model of some kind is being considered. Currently, the plan to start fully remote and transition into a partially remote and partially in class format. "We are going to be in some form of hybrid," Dean said. "It is currently our plan to onboard students on our remote learning platform to start the school year and gradually build in-person opportunities through the months of September and October, if the metrics of COVID-19 allow." Dean said there is still much to work out and that the school district is still negotiating with the teachers union. About 800 people responded to a districtwide survey, which is still open, on learning options. About a third of responding parents indicated that they would choose full remote learning even if a form of in-person instruction was offered. Others thought some sort of hybrid model was acceptable. "The results cited above, as well as input from staff, have pushed us in the direction of the phased-in approach," Dean said. "We want to be sure we proceed in a way that allows us to be successful and keeps everyone safe." He said there was no clear preference for the type of hybrid model offered. "We ... found no clear winner in terms of preference with items such as alternating days or weeks," Dean said. "In terms of planning models, this has at least allowed us to plan on a cohort that is fully remote and gave us an idea of some challenges we will face as we work to implement a hybrid model." He said the survey data has provided them with a "good starting point" for transportation numbers. Dean said transportation will be one of their bigger challenges. The School Committee will meet remotely Monday night. Almost half of Germans support reduction of U.S. troops in Germany: survey Forty-seven percent of German citizens generally supported a reduction of U.S. troops in Germany, according to a survey published by the market research institute YouGov on Tuesday. Only 32 percent of Germans wanted U.S. troops to stay in the country at current strength or even increase their numbers, according to the survey conducted among more than 2,000 German citizens on behalf of the German Press Agency (dpa). Last week, U.S. Secretary of Defense Mark Esper announced that the United States would withdraw a total of 11,900 soldiers from Germany. Around 6,400 soldiers would be sent home while almost 5,600 would be relocated from Germany to other countries of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). In June, U.S. President Donald Trump ordered the U.S. military to withdraw 9,500 troops from Germany. Trump argued that Germany was not fulfilling its obligation to invest sufficiently in defense as a member of NATO. One in four Germans, or 25 percent, even wanted all U.S. troops stationed in their country to leave, the survey found. Currently, about 36,000 U.S. troops are deployed in Germany. 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 Even before the explosions, Lebanon had been suffering from a series of crises, including the plunging value of its currency, an influx of refugees from neighboring Syria and the coronavirus pandemic. Since last fall, waves of protesters have taken to the streets to vent anger with Lebanons political elite over what they consider the mismanagement of the country. How big were the blasts? The second explosion was like an earthquake, witnesses said, and was felt in Cyprus, more than 100 miles away. The seismic waves that the explosion caused were equivalent to a 3.3-magnitude earthquake, according to the United States Geological Survey. It remains unclear how the ammonium nitrate was stored in the warehouse, which would affect its explosive power. But the chemical can be up to 40 percent as powerful as TNT. Ammonium nitrate explosions have caused a number of disasters before. A ship carrying about 2,000 tons of the compound caught fire and exploded in Texas City, Texas, in 1947, killing 581 people. About two tons of the chemical were used in the 1995 terrorist bombing of the federal building in Oklahoma City, which killed 168 people. More recently, an explosion at a factory in the southern French city of Toulouse killed 31 people in 2001. In 2013, 15 people were killed in an explosion at a West Fertilizer Company plant in Texas; and in 2015, more than 150 people were killed at one of Chinas busiest seaports, Tianjin, after hundreds of tons of ammonium nitrate, among other chemicals, exploded. How bad was the damage? Ceilings collapsed, walls and windows were blown out and debris was found as far as two miles from the port. Cars and a 390-foot-long cruise ship 1,500 feet away were flipped, and rubble from shattered buildings filled city streets. Near the site of the explosion, a ship was blasted out of the water and landed on a dock. A Trinamool Congress leader and a councillor of Bidhannagar Municipal Corporation (BMC), Subhash Bose, succumbed to COVID-19 on Wednesday, a health department official said. The councillor, who was in his 50s, had tested positive for the disease a fortnight ago and was undergoing treatment at a private hospital. "His condition kept on deteriorating and he died this morning," the official said. West Bengal Chief Minister and TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee expressed grief over the death of Bose, a party leader of Bidhannagar in North 24 Parganas district. "Saddened at the demise of our colleague and councillor of Ward 6, Bidhannagar Municipal Corporation, Subhash Bose. One of the many brave souls who risked his life while working in the frontline. My condolences to his family, well wishers and friends," Banerjee tweeted. (Photo : Screenshot from Twitter post of @SciGuySpace) SpaceX's Starship SN5 Flew the Skies for 40 Seconds: Musk Said 'Mars is Looking Real' (Photo : Screenshot from Twitter post of @TrevorMahlmann) SpaceX's Starship SN5 Flew the Skies for 40 Seconds: Musk Said 'Mars is Looking Real' Elon Musk said, "Mars is looking real" after his SpaceX's Starship SN5 prototype completed its first flight test. According to Space.com's latest report, SpaceX flew its Starship mars-colonizing spacecraft's full-size prototype for the first time. The first test flight of Starship SN5 prototype flew the skies in the afternoon of Aug. 4 at SpaceX's facilities near the South Texas village of Boca China. The small hop of the space company, which only took about 40 seconds, could be a big leap toward Mars's human exploration. Elon Musk replied to a Twitter post of @austinbarnard45, saying that "Mars is looking real" after the test flight. Today marks the beginning of a new era, even though this is a small step. We are a giant leap closer to mars than we were yesterday, the future of interplanetary travel is upon us. MARS HERE WE COME! pic.twitter.com/PM73bTBS5k Austin Barnard (@austinbarnard45) August 5, 2020 You can check the latest news update of Elon Musk's Starship SN5 here at TechTimes. You might also want to check out how SpaceX's first manned mission to space became a success. During the brief, uncrewed flight, the stainless-steel SN% flew sideways for a while, which the space CEO had recently said would target a maximum altitude of about 150 meters (500 feet). The Starship SN5 made a successful landing since its landing legs were deployed just as planned. Starship SN5's missions SpaceX's powerful next-generation engine called Raptor will be a feature in both SN5 and Starhopper. Elon Musk confirmed that six Raptor engines would be featured in the final Starship, which will stand about 165 feet or 05 meters, capable of accomodating up to 100 people. I believe this to be my smoothest tracking launch video to-date link to watch in 4K: pic.twitter.com/ehMA5oVBwA My SpaceX Starship SN5 150 Meter Hop video is live! Full-resolution version will be processed shortly. @elonmusk I believe this to be my smoothest tracking launch video to-datelink to watch in 4K: https://t.co/MqsyFQEOyf Trevor Mahlmann (@TrevorMahlmann) August 5, 2020 The operational Starhips will be deployed from Earth together with a gigantic rocket called Super Heavy. This massive rocket will have 31 Raptor engines of its own. Both of the space vehicles will help the space company to lessen the cost of space flight since they will be rapidly and thoroughly reusable. The amount that can be saved will make crewed trips to and from the Mars, moon, and other space destinations. The giant tech CEO also said that if Super Heavy and Starship's development goes well, SpaceX's future spaceflights could help human beings get a million-person city running on Mars in the next 50 to 100 years. Want to know more about the latest updates of Elon Musk's space adventure? Always keep your tabs open here at TechTimes. Also Read: Mysterious Spiral Structures Found Extending out of a Young Star: Is a New Planet About to be Born? This article is owned by TechTimes. Written by: Giuliano de Leon. 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. At the outset, Trump proclaimed himself a wartime president. He said, We must sacrifice together, because we are all in this together. But he had no appetite for requesting sacrifice or making it. He sided with protesters who rejected the minimal inconvenience of wearing masks in public and, until July, refused to be seen wearing one himself. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- A road block near a local hospital prompting residents to take action; a Jeep crushed under an uprooted tree in Annadale, and thousands who remain without power Wednesday across Staten Island. Felled trees on property, streets and power lines continue to cause chaos after Isaias, and its so far been a joint effort including Con Edison, Emergency Management, the FDNY, Metropolitan Transportation Authority, the citys Parks Department -- and even residents -- to navigate the situation. Said Council Minority Leader Steven Matteo (R-Mid Island): We need as much help as we can, he said. Weve got to get these trees out of the streets, out of wires that are dangerous. More than 1,000 downed trees have been reported to 311 on Staten Island alone after Isaias swept through the borough, up from a total hovering around 900 as of 7 p.m. Tuesday. Many of them uprooted by whats been described as the strongest wind gusts since Hurricane Sandy. Gary Grecco, left, and neighbor Judy Rizzo have been directing traffic Wednesday away from a downed tree on Bard Avenue, which often is used by first responders as a route to a nearby hospital. (Staten Island Advance/Jan Somma-Hammel) DOWNED TREES EVERYWHERE In West Brighton, a tree blocking Bard Avenue not far from Richmond University Medical Center has nearly caused multiple crashes, according to residents. Its an emergency route for the ambulances and they dont know the street is blocked, so were turning the cars around, said Gary Grecco, a former Sanitation worker who lives nearby. The section of Bard Avenue blocked by the tree is narrow, creating a dangerous situation as first responders and civilians attempt to turn around and in some cases have nearly crashed into each other. Theres gonna be an accident, said Grecco, 61, who along with a neighbor has been attempting to re-direct drivers before they reach the road block. Meanwhile, on the opposite end of the Island, helpless bystanders watched Tuesday as a tree fell onto a Jeep parked along Vespa Avenue in Annadale. In Great Kills, a resident of Driggs Street set up a hand-made sign in the intersection warning drivers tree down: no thru traffic. POLS WEIGH IN According to a tweeted Wednesday by Councilman Joe Borelli (R-South Shore), the city Emergency Management department notified him theyre pulling resources from other parts of New York State for assistance with tree removal. The NYS Department of Transportation and the NYS Parks Department deployed a number of personnel and equipment to assist with the response to storm impacts, a spokeswoman for Emergency Management confirmed. The personnel is made up of seven crews from NYS Parks and six crews from NYS DOT, who are assisting where needed in the five boroughs, including Staten Island. The cost for the additional support will likely be shared between New York City and New York State. Borough President James Oddo told the Advance/SILive.com hes reached out to Gov. Andrew Cuomos office to request help with the removal process. Our crews have restored power to more than 90,000 customers less than 24 hours after #StormIsaias struck the New York region with devastating force. Restoration will continue around the clock, report outages at https://t.co/hgXDG4KNXM. https://t.co/nVldD6TiDu #safetyfirst pic.twitter.com/EzQxWffKbH Con Edison (@ConEdison) August 5, 2020 LOOKING AHEAD In planning for similar storms in the future, Staten Island Deputy Borough President Ed Burke has drafted a letter to the citys Parks Department in regard to replacing downed trees. Burke argues it would be a mistake to plant trees of the same species and height, which he cites as an ongoing issue across the five boroughs. In the letter, he argues city officials should partner with Staten Island in planting trees that arent so easily uprooted, as was the case in the borough 10 to 15 years ago. Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-05 18:52:46|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close BEIJING, Aug. 5 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping sent on Wednesday a message of condolence to his Lebanese counterpart, Michel Aoun, over the huge explosions in the Lebanese capital Beirut. In his message, Xi said he was shocked to learn about the huge explosions in Beirut, which caused heavy casualties. On behalf of the Chinese government and people and in his own name, Xi extended profound condolences to the victims, conveyed heartfelt sympathies to the bereaved families and the injured, and wished the injured a quick recovery. Enditem Sharing online could also lead to image theft by pedophiles. Bath and beach pictures could be prime targets, but other images could be wrongly appropriated as well. A pedophile could potentially take any image of a child, use computer technology to morph it with a separate nude or sexual image of an adult, and share it as child pornography. While it is difficult to know with any confidence the frequency of such occurrences, the impact can be devastating, said Mary Anne Franks, a professor at the University of Miami School of Law and an adviser on online privacy to legislators and the technology industry. Why Parents Share I have seen firsthand the power that sharing on social media has on my life and on the lives of my children and community. I have advocated on behalf of issues that are important to my family, sharing our own experiences facing anti-Semitism in the hopes of changing school curriculum, for example. Ive photographed families whose lives have been touched by childhood cancer who shared their childrens story alongside my pictures to help fund medical research and the costs associated with treatment, raise awareness of rare conditions, and create supportive communities that allow children to feel connected to others during long hospital stays. In our current era of social distancing, social media has become a primary way to stay in touch. I have watched as friends shared stories of medical challenges, employment discrimination and racial injustice, and I have learned from the power of their narratives. While I am still working on remembering to put the phone down more frequently, I can also appreciate the appeal of having a community at my fingertips. When we share openly, others similarly situated gain support and knowledge. As a result, we deeply connect with one another and recognize the rich diversity in society. Social media might also offer tools to help us become better parents. A Pew Research study out last week reported that 82 percent of parents who use social media post about their children online. Many of these parents turn to the internet and social media to get advice about screen time, with 40 percent of parents who use the internet getting advice from parenting websites or blogs, 29 percent of parents who use social media turning to social media sites and 19 percent of internet-using parents getting information from online message boards. When I started this work, I expected to walk away from the research never wanting to share again. That did not happen Im still on Facebook. I found that despite its drawbacks, social media has added valuable connections to my life. What has changed for me is that the conversations around sharing my story, and sharing my childrens stories, have become more nuanced. Getting to know the families I met through my photography project constantly reminded me of the power of vulnerability. Working as a child abuse prosecutor reminded me of the dangers lurking past a parents newsfeed. Being the parent of a growing teen reminded me that if I do not teach my children to exercise restraint online, they will have a harder time learning how to respect others privacy in digital spaces. OnePlus has started rolling out a new update for the OnePlus 7 and 7 Pro. The OnePlus 7 and 7 Pro are receiving OnePlus Buds support via that update, along with some other features / improvements. This update is marked as OxygenOS 10.0.7 in the EU, while its known as OxygenOS 10.3.4 in India and other markets. The update is rolling out in stages, like every other OxygenOS update. That means that not everyone will get it straight away. Some of you may get it in an hour, others in a couple of hours, while some of you already got it. Just be patient, its coming. Advertisement There is always a chance OnePlus will halt the update if problems arise, but that is not a frequent occurrence. In any case, lets check out what exactly does this update brings, shall we. This update brings full OnePlus Buds support to the OnePlus 7 and 7 Pro First and foremost, this update for the OnePlus 7 and 7 Pro brings full support for OnePlus Buds, the companys first pair of TWS earbuds. On top of that, youll get a variety of new clock styles that you can customize. The company has also fixed the double tap gesture. Some users had problems with it in some settings. This update also brings a new Android security patch, a security patch for July. Advertisement The company has also added a new reading mode to the two phones, the Chromatic effect option. This option will adapt color range and saturation intelligently for a better reading experience. You can enable this in Settings -> Display -> Reading mode -> Turn on reading mode -> Chromatic effect. Some Bluetooth-related fixes are also included here. The company has adapted the devices to Bluetooth hearing aid app connection under the Android 10 Audio Streaming for Hearing Aid (ASHA) Agreement. The last entry in this changelog has to do with Network. OnePlus has fixed the wrong display of names of inserted SIM cards for different carriers. Advertisement This is a stable update, by the way. It will roll out your way only if you are currently running a stable build of OxygenOS on your phone. If youre running a beta version, youll need to revert back. Installing a VPN wont help you get this update faster Do note that installing a VPN probably wont help you get the update faster. This update is not region-based, it is rolling out to users randomly, so just be patient. If youre still unsure whether to download the update or not, you can always consult other users. Hit this link in order to access a forum post dedicated to this update, and see what other users are saying. Editor's note: This story contains unofficial results for the August 2020 primary election in Manistee County with 16 of 16 precincts reporting. Entries in italics are winners; results are not final until certified by the Manistee County Board of Canvassers. (updated at 12:34 a.m.) U.S. SENATOR 6 year term Vote for not more than 1 Gary Peters (D): 2,652 John James (R): 3,485 REP IN CONGRESS (1ST DISTRICT) 2 year term vote for not more than 1 Dana Ferguson (D): 1,554 Linda ODell (D): 1,013 Jack Bergman (R): 3,500 REPRESENTATIVE (101ST DISTRICT) 2 year term vote for not more than 1 Beth McGill-Rizer (D): 1,825 Cary L. Urka (D): 799 Carolyn Cater (R): 504 Jack OMalley (R): 3,324 PROSECUTING ATTORNEY 4 year term vote for not more than 1 Jason H. Haag (R): 3,416 SHERIFF 4 year term vote for not more than 1 Kenneth Falk (D): 2,281 Brian Gutowski (R): 3,364 COUNTY CLERK 4 year term vote for not more than 1 Jill M. Nowak (R): 3,527 COUNTY TREASURER 4 year term vote for not more than 1 Rachel Nelson (R): 3,380 REG DEEDS 4 year term vote for not more than 1 Marilynn Wrzesinski (D): 2,400 DRAIN COMM 4 year term vote for not more than 1 Gary R. Schwaiger (R): 3,319 SURVEYOR 4 year term vote for not more than 1 Patrick Bentley (R): 3,351 COUNTY COMM (MANISTEE COUNTY/1ST DISTRICT) 2 year term vote for not more than 1 Pauline Jaquish (R): 691 COUNTY COMM (MANISTEE COUNTY/2nd DISTRICT) 2 year term vote for not more than 1 Allen OShea (D): 252 Richard A. Schmidt (R): 320 Joshua Edward Wheelock (R): 170 COUNTY COMM (MANISTEE COUNTY/3rd DISTRICT) 2 year term vote for not more than 1 Gene Lagerquist (D): 120 Nikki D.C. Koons (R): 226 COUNTY COMM (MANISTEE COUNTY/4th DISTRICT) 2 year term vote for not more than 1 Rolf Wucherer (D): 413 Scott A. Fredericks (R): 239 Eric D. Gustad (R): 304 COUNTY COMM (MANISTEE COUNTY/5th DISTRICT) 2 year term vote for not more than 1 Jeffrey Dontz (R ) 599 COUNTY COMM (MANISTEE COUNTY/6th DISTRICT) 2 year term vote for not more than 1 Karen Wrzesinski Goodman (D) 430 Andrew W. Reed (R ) 361 COUNTY COMM (MANISTEE COUNTY/7th DISTRICT) 2 year term vote for not more than 1 Margaret Batzer (D) 261 ARCADIA TOWNSHIP SUPERVISOR 4 Year Term - Vote for not more than 1 Jay Alam (D): 83 Robert Leon Clark (R): 82 Janice McCraner (R): 115 BEAR LAKE TOWNSHIP SUPERVISOR 4 Year Term - Vote for not more than 1 Jeffrey Harthun (R): 297 BROWN TOWNSHIP SUPERVISOR 4 Year Term - Vote for not more than 1 Paul Adamski (R): 135 CLEON TOWNSHIP SUPERVISOR 4 Year Term - Vote for not more than 1 Jeff Stanton (D): 61 David Myers (R): 109 DICKSON TOWNSHIP SUPERVISOR 4 Year Term - Vote for not more than 1 Sharon Buning (D): 117 FILER TOWNSHIP SUPERVISOR 4 Year Term - Vote for not more than 1 Terry Walker (D): 319 MANISTEE TOWNSHIP SUPERVISOR 4 Year Term - Vote for not more than 1 Dennis R. Bjorkquist (R): 443 MAPLE GROVE TOWNSHIP SUPERVISOR 4 Year Term - Vote for not more than 1 H. Wayne Beldo (R): 156 MARILLA TOWNSHIP SUPERVISOR 4 Year Term - Vote for not more than 1 Douglas A. Glick (D): 32 NORMAN TOWNSHIP SUPERVISOR 4 Year Term - Vote for not more than 1 Richard D. Mobley (D): 118 ONEKAMA TOWNSHIP SUPERVISOR 4 Year Term - Vote for not more than 1 Ray Franz (R): 233 Kenneth W. Hilliard (R): 150 PLEASANTON TOWNSHIP SUPERVISOR 4 Year Term - Vote for not more than 1 No candidates on ballot SPRINGDALE TOWNSHIP SUPERVISOR 4 Year Term - Vote for not more than 1 Brian A. Moore (R): 131 STRONACH TOWNSHIP SUPERVISOR 4 Year Term - Vote for not more than 1 Phil Vadeboncoeur (D): 96 ARCADIA TOWNSHIP CLERK 4 Year Term - Vote for not more than 1 Patricia Wilson (R): 148 BEAR LAKE CLERK 4 Year Term - Vote for not more than 1 Deanna Pattison (R): 300 BROWN TOWNSHIP CLERK 4 Year Term - Vote for not more than 1 Deborah Knutson (R): 129 CLEON TOWNSHIP CLERK 4 Year Term - Vote for not more than 1 Amy Herrst (D): 58 DICKSON TOWNSHIP CLERK 4 Year Term - Vote for not more than 1 Wendy Maier (R): 141 FILER TOWNSHIP CLERK 4 Year Term - Vote for not more than 1 Shirley A. Ball (R): 365 MANISTEE TOWNSHIP CLERK 4 Year Term - Vote for not more than 1 Dianne Taylor (R): 437 MAPLE GROVE TOWNSHIP CLERK 4 Year Term - Vote for not more than 1 Fran Beldo (R): 157 MARILLA TOWNSHIP CLERK 4 Year Term - Vote for not more than 1 Betty Buda-Joy (D): 33 NORMAN TOWNSHIP CLERK 4 Year Term - Vote for not more than 1 Mary E. Soule (D) : 117 Colleen J. Sexton (R): 233 ONEKAMA TOWNSHIP CLERK 4 Year Term - Vote for not more than 1 Shelli Johnson (R) 326 PLEASANTON TOWNSHIP CLERK 4 Year Term - Vote for not more than 1 Amy Cross (R): 141 SPRINGDALE TOWNSHIP CLERK 4 Year Term - Vote for not more than 1 Penny Nelson (R): 111 STRONACH TOWNSHIP CLERK 4 Year Term - Vote for not more than 1 Barbara J. Rishel (R): 106 ARCADIA TOWNSHIP TREASURER 4 Year Term - Vote for not more than 1 Greg Wisner (D): 96 BEAR LAKE TOWNSHIP TREASURER 4 Year Term - Vote for not more than 1 Julie L. Griffis (R) 296 BROWN TOWNSHIP TREASURER 4 Year Term - Vote for not more than 1 Lani F. Millsap (D): 84 CLEON TOWNSHIP TREASURER 4 Year Term - Vote for not more than 1 Linda S. Cudney (R): 121 DICKSON TOWNSHIP TREASURER 4 Year Term - Vote for not more than 1 Bertha Asiala (R): 141 FILER TOWNSHIP TREASURER 4 Year Term - Vote for not more than 1 Thomas G. Stege (R): 362 MANISTEE TOWNSHIP TREASURER 4 Year Term - Vote for not more than 1 Connie Jankwietz (R): 449 MAPLE GROVE TOWNSHIP TREASURER 4 Year Term - Vote for not more than 1 Cathryn M. Jezowski (R): 159 MARILLA TOWNSHIP TREASURER 4 Year Term - Vote for not more than 1 Camie Bay (D): 33 NORMAN TOWNSHIP TREASURER 4 Year Term - Vote for not more than 1 Merrill Tighe (R): 241 ONEKAMA TOWNSHIP TREASURER 4 Year Term - Vote for not more than 1 LaVonne Beebe (R): 228 Edward Bradford (R): 157 PLEASANTON TOWNSHIP TREASURER 4 Year Term - Vote for not more than 1 Judy Girven (R): 147 SPRINGDALE TOWNSHIP TREASURER 4 Year Term - Vote for not more than 1 Joan Cramer (R): 64 Kimberly A. Jones (R): 70 STRONACH TOWNSHIP TREASURER 4 Year Term - Vote for not more than 1 No candidates on ballot ARCADIA TOWNSHIP TRUSTEE 4 Year Term - Vote for not more than 2 Patrick Manke (D): 67 Laurel E. Mason (D): 77 BEAR LAKE TOWNSHIP TRUSTEE 4 Year Term - Vote for not more than 2 (in each party) Janette May (R): 264 William P. Ringel (R): 236 BROWN TOWNSHIP TRUSTEE 4 Year Term - Vote for not more than 2 (in each party) Tim Joseph (D): 85 Paul Wondolowski (R): 120 CLEON TOWNSHIP TRUSTEE 4 Year Term - Vote for not more than 2 Todd Humphrey (D): 59 Abraham L. Canfield (R): 78 Gary L. Porter (R): 83 DICKSON TOWNSHIP TRUSTEE 4 Year Term - Vote for not more than 2 (in each party) Tracy Weaver Wilks (D): 115 Koreen MacNeil (R): 140 FILER TOWNSHIP TRUSTEE 4 Year Term - Vote for not more than 4 (in each party) Tom Chycinski (D): 255 Al Frye (D): 268 Brian D. Krus (D): 270 Dale A. Kolanowski (R): 323 Dean H. Kruse (R): 300 MANISTEE TOWNSHIP TRUSTEE 4 Year Term - Vote for not more than 2 (in each party) John M. Dontz (R): 378 Guy E. Finout (R): 343 MAPLE GROVE TOWNSHIP TRUSTEE 4 Year Term - Vote for not more than 2 (in each party) Joseph H. Barnett (R); 152 MARILLA TOWNSHIP TRUSTEE 4 Year Term - Vote for not more than 2 (in each party) Bruce H. Bahr (R): 52 Walter Rewerts (R): 40 NORMAN TOWNSHIP TRUSTEE 4 Year Term - Vote for not more than 2 (in each party) Jerry Self (D): 116 Jason Fraley (R): 142 Jordan A. Skiera (R): 145 Dick Stapley (R): 136 ONEKAMA TOWNSHIP TRUSTEE 4 Year Term - Vote for not more than 2 (in each party) Robert Blackmore (R): 213 Jennifer Smeltzer (R): 184 Allen Taylor (R): 244 PLEASANTON TOWNSHIP TRUSTEE 4 Year Term - Vote for not more than 2 (in each party) Linda W. Schweyer (D): 77 Brenda K. Monk (R): 136 SPRINGDALE TOWNSHIP TRUSTEE 4 Year Term - Vote for not more than 2 (in each party) Keith Moore (D): 61 Judy Wallace Wheelock (R): 123 STRONACH TOWNSHIP TRUSTEE 4 Year Term - Vote for not more than 2 (in each party) Rick Gerber (D): 91 Phil Landis (R): 91 Terry Lindeman (R): 92 ARCADIA TOWNSHIP PARK COMMISSIONER 4 Year Term - Vote for not more than 7 No candidates on ballot MANISTEE COUNTY PROPOSALS Manistee County Medical Care Facility Millage Renewal Ballot Proposition YES: 4,530 NO: 1,512 Shall the County of Manistee renew a previous voted increase in the tax limitation imposed under Article IX, Section 6 of the Michigan Constitution on general ad valorem taxes within Manistee County, Michigan, for a period of five (5) years, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024 and 2025, inclusive, by up to 0.5000 mills ($.50 on each $1,000 of taxable value), to be used as payment of the financial obligation of the County of Manistee for the support and operation of the Manistee County Medical Care Facility; and shall the County levy such renewal in millage for said purpose, thereby raising in the first year of such levy an estimated $578,000? ARCADIA TOWNSHIP PROPOSAL Arcadia Township Parks Commission YES: 168 NO: 129 Should the Arcadia Township Parks Commission be dissolved? Proposal For Renewal of Street Lighting Millage YES: 228 NO: 80 Shall the expiring (in 2020) previous voted increase in the limitation on general ad valorem taxes in the Township of Arcadia imposed under Article 9, Section 6 of the Michigan Constitution, which has been reduced to 0.1976 mill by required millage rollbacks, be further renewed at and increased to not more than the previously voted 0.2 mill ($0.20 per $1,000.00 of taxable value) and be levied for 5 years in 2021-2025, inclusive, on all taxable real and personal property in the Township of Arcadia for disbursement to the Township of Arcadia for the purpose of street lighting, thereby raising an estimated $15,397.55 in the first year the millage is levied? Proposal For Renewal of Fire Protection Millage YES: 260 NO: 46 Shall the expiring (in 2020) previous voted increase in the limitation on general ad valorem taxes in the Township of Arcadia imposed under Article 9, Section 6 of the Michigan Constitution, which has been reduced to 0.9882 mill by required millage rollbacks, be further renewed at and increased to not more than the previously voted 1.0 mill ($1.00 per $1,000.00 of taxable value) and be levied for 5 years in 2021-2025, inclusive, on all taxable real and personal property in the Township of Arcadia for disbursement to the Township of Arcadia for the purpose of fire protection, thereby raising an estimated $ 76,987.76 in the first year the millage is levied? Proposal for Public Road Maintenance/Improvement Millage YES: 232 NO: 72 Shall the limitation on general ad valorem taxes in the Township of Arcadia imposed under Article 9, Section 6 of the Michigan Constitution be increased by not more than 0.6 mills ($0.60 per $1,000 of taxable value) and shall such increase be levied for 5 years in 2020-2024, inclusive, on all taxable real and personal property in the Township of Arcadia for disbursement to the Township of Arcadia for the purpose of funding maintenance/improvement of public roads in the Township of Arcadia in coordination with the Manistee County Road Commission, thereby raising an estimated $46,192.66 in the first year the new additional millage is levied? NORMAN TOWNSHIP PROPOSAL Ambulance operations YES: 282 NO: 128 Shall Norman Township, Manistee County, Michigan, increase the constitutional limitation on the total amount of general ad valorem taxes imposed upon real and tangible personal property for all purposes in Norman Township, Manistee County, Michigan, by an additional one (1) mill ($1.00 per $1000 taxable valuation) and levy an additional one (1) mill ($1.00 per $1000 of taxable valuation) for a period of two (2) years (2020-2021, inclusive) for Township ambulance operations and maintenance? (This is a renewal request of the one (1) mill for ambulance operations and maintenance for two (2) years which expired in 2019. If approved, it is estimated that the revenue generated by this proposal in the first year would be approximately $65,117.) Fire department operations YES: 268 YES: 142 Shall Norman Township, Manistee County, Michigan, increase the constitutional limitation on the total amount of general ad valorem taxes imposed upon real and tangible personal property for all purposes in Norman Township, Manistee County, Michigan, by an additional two (2) mills ($2.00 per $1000 of taxable valuation) and levy an additional two (2) mills ($2.00 per $1000 of taxable valuation) for a period of two (2) years (2020-2021, inclusive) for Township Fire Department operations and maintenance? (This is a renewal of the two (2) mills for Township Fire Department operations and maintenance for two (2) years which expired in 2019. If approved, it is estimated that the revenue generated by this proposal in the first year would be approximately $130,234.) ONEKAMA TOWNSHIP PROPOSAL PROPOSITION Millage renewal for public road construction, repair and maintenance YES: 450 NO: 110 Shall the expired previous voted increase in tax limitation on general ad valorem taxes imposed under Article IX, Sec. 6 of the Michigan Constitution in Onekama Township of one mill ($1 per $1,000.00 of taxable value), reduced to .9973 mills ($ .9973 per $1,000.00 of taxable value) by the required rollbacks, be renewed at and increased up to the original voted one mill ($1 per $1,000.00 of taxable value) and be levied for five years 2021 through 2025, inclusive, for the purpose of constructing, improving, maintaining and repairing certain gravel and paved public roads within Onekama Township; and shall the Township levy such increase in millage for said purpose, thereby, raising an estimated $149,334.04 in the first year the millage is levied. PLEASANTON TOWNSHIP PROPOSAL Proposal For Fire Millage YES: 162 NO: 48 This proposal will permit the Township to levy up to 1 mill for the purpose of providing funds for fire protection. Shall the limitation on the amount of ad valorem taxes which may be levied by the Township of Pleasanton, Manistee County, Michigan, against taxable property in the Township be increased by up to 1 mill ($1.00 per $1,000 of taxable value) for a period of four (4) years, 2020 through 2023, inclusive, for the purpose of providing funds for fire protection, and shall the Township levy such millage for this purpose? If approved and levied in its entirety, this millage would raise an estimated $55,198 for the Township when first levied in 2020. BENZIE COUNTY CENTRAL SCHOOLS PROPOSAL Bonding proposal YES: 157 NO: 191 Shall Benzie County Central Schools, Benzie, Manistee, Grand Traverse and Wexford Counties, Michigan, borrow the sum of not to exceed Thirty-Eight Million Six Hundred Eighty-Five Thousand Dollars ($38,685,000) and issue its general obligation unlimited tax bonds therefor, in one or more series, for the purpose of: erecting, furnishing, and equipping a new elementary school; erecting, furnishing, and equipping additions to Lake Ann Elementary School and the Middle/High School; remodeling, furnishing and refurnishing, and equipping and re-equipping existing school buildings; erecting, furnishing, and equipping a new bus garage; purchasing school buses; acquiring and installing instructional technology in school buildings; and preparing, developing, improving, and equipping playgrounds, playfields, and sites? The following is for informational purposes only: The estimated millage that will be levied for the proposed bonds in 2020 is 2.10 mills ($2.10 on each $1,000 of taxable valuation) for a 0.5 mill net increase over the prior years levy. The maximum number of years the bonds of any series may be outstanding, exclusive of any refunding, is twenty-five (25) years. The estimated simple average annual millage anticipated to be required to retire this bond debt is 2.10 mills ($2.10 on each $1,000 of taxable valuation). The school district does not expect to borrow from the State to pay debt service on the bonds. The total amount of qualified bonds currently outstanding is $0.00. The total amount of qualified loans currently outstanding is $0.00. The estimated computed millage rate may change based on changes in certain circumstances. (Pursuant to State law, expenditure of bond proceeds must be audited, and the proceeds cannot be used for repair or maintenance costs, teacher, administrator or employee salaries, or other operating expenses.) A sugar baby has avoided jail after she blackmailed a father for $5,000 after threatening to expose fake details of their raunchy relationship. Melissa Aras tried to make a citizen's arrest on a photographer who took her photo outside Brisbane District Court on Wednesday. The 22-year-old was moved on by security after she pleaded guilty to extortion following her relationship with the 55-year-old in 2019. Aras used the Seeking Arrangement dating site to meet the man and set up a fake Facebook account under the name Johnny Cox to bribe him after their meeting. Melissa Aras made a fake Facebook account to extort her sugar daddy in 2019 (stock image) Using the fake account, Aras threatened to tell her sugar daddy's family and friends he had slept with a 17-year-old girl unless he transferred $5,000 to her bank account. The Courier Mail reported the messages read: 'Im going to need you to transfer $5,000 or else Ill be showing the message of you and my 17-year-old girlfriend that you met through Seeking Arrangement. 'I have all of your friends, daughter, family and girlfriends names saved from Facebook from you contacting me if you attempt to block me the screenshots of the messages will immediately be going to the people close to you.' Barrister Penelope White said her client had a troubled childhood and was under financial strain when she sent the messages in May. Judge Nicole Kefford said it was no excuse for her actions and sentenced her to 18 months in jail, which was wholly suspended for two years. Aras' actions left the victim, who wished to remain anonymous, with severe trust issues. He warned others using dating sites to be vigilant with their messages and accounts after his experience. 'She got it easy with an 18-month suspended sentence,' the victim said. TCN News Indian American rights group, The Coalition to Stop Genocide in India, has organized a mass protest at Times Square on August 5 against the construction of Ram Temple at Ayodhya in India. Support TwoCircles The Coalition to Stop Genocide in India is a network of US-based civil rights organizations and activists including dozens of organizations like Indian American Muslim Council (IAMC), The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), Hindus for Human Rights, Ambedkar Association of North American, Ambedkar King Study Circle, Council for Minority Rights in India, Coalition Against Fascism in India (CAFI) and others. The public protest scheduled for August 5 is in response to the American India Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC)s celebration of the Ram temple foundation stone ceremony. AIPAC, a group of Indian Americans have announced a celebration in New York City as a symbol of glorification of the demolition of the historic Babri Masjid of Ayodhya on whose ruins the Ram Temple is going to be built. The final verdict by Indias Supreme Court on the Ayodhya dispute was pronounced in November 2019 where the disputed site was handed over to the trust for building Ram Janmabhoomi temple. The verdict had noted that the demolition of Babri Masjid was unlawful. We strongly reject such a vulgar celebration of hate, bigotry and chauvinism, said IAMC President Ahsan Khan, opposing AIPACs celebration. He called on Indian Americans to stand in solidarity with Indias religious minorities. He also said that it was unfortunate that Indias Prime Minister Narendra Modi had seized power by fanning Islamophobia and hatred of non-Hindus. In the protest call statement, Khan iterated that The Coalition to Stop Genocide in India has organized a massive protest at 6:30 PM at Times Square on August 5 against the display of Hindutva Supremacy by AIPAC. He mentioned that AIPAC is advocating its own religious freedom in the US and are bigots doing everything possible to turn India into a majoritarian Hindu state. The Coalition highlighted that Modi has brought India to the medieval ages when the destruction of places of worship and mass murder of faith-based communities was the order of the day. It further recalled that the BJP government in India is bent on relegating Muslims, Christians and other religious minorities to the status of second-class citizens and therefore people of conscience must protest against every such celebratory event, including the one by AIPAC in New York to mark the building of Ram temple. Choosing August 5 to do so is a new act of aggression against Kashmiris, said Ms Ania from CAFI. She outlined that as India completes one year of abrogation of Article 370 on August 5, the inauguration of the temple is actually a celebration of power to hate and hurt with impunity. She added that it is actually, aggressive gloating over Indian Muslims and all others who cherish secular pluralistic culture of India. She stated that the strategic placing of Ram temple ceremony on August 5, while Kashmir has been witnessing the worlds longest and most brutal lockdown and untold human suffering from this day in 2019, is inflammatory. Speaking about the pogrom against Muslims in New Delhi in February 2020, Imran Pasha of IAMC, New York, resonated that Hindutva supremacists in India are akin to Ku Klux Klan in the US. He added that goons of BJP led the Delhi riots while thousands of victims and protestors against the discriminatory Citizenship Act have been suffering a tremendous loss of lives and property. In its ending statement to call citizens to protest against Ram temple foundation ceremony, The Coalition to Stop Genocide in India has strongly resonated its commitment to ensuring that American institutions and discourse are safeguarded from the virulent Hindutva ideology. (Photo : TALAL TRABOULSI/REUTERS) Black smoke could be seen at the scene before the massive explosion. The world was rocked by the news of the Beirut explosion this Tuesday, August 4--but it turns out that the Lebanon capital was not the only one shaken by massive explosions as a chemical factory in Wuhan, China, and a house in Hyesan, North Korea, also exploded on the same day. Besides these three explosions, a white van also exploded on a residential London street in Feltham recently, with the explosion caught on camera showing black smoke from the van. According to reports, the gas cylinders behind the van ignited. Fortunately, no one was killed during the explosion with the driver escaping from the vehicle with only minor injuries. The Massive Explosion in Beirut According to BBC, the explosion happened after 6:00 p.m. (15:00 GMT) this Tuesday after a fire at the port area of the capital Beirut. Eyewitnesses were able to capture a video of the massive fire and uploaded them on social media but did not expect the explosion that happened after that was also caught on camera, showing the mushroom cloud that spread throughout the port area. The massive blast is believed to have killed at least 100 people, with rescuers still searching for more than a hundred people in the rubbles of the port area. Moreover, 4,000 people were wounded, according to a CNN report. Lebanon President Michael Aoun announced that the explosion was caused by 2,750 tonnes of ammonium that was stored unsafely in one of the warehouses in the area. After the explosion, the US Embassy in Beirut urged the public living near ground zero and the affected areas to wear face masks due to the toxic gases released during the explosion. The country is in a state of mourning after the tragic incident. Read Also: [VIRAL] Watch How This Giant Ostrich Walks Towards a Running Car While Being Chased Down by a Dog Chemical Factory in China Exploded Meanwhile, in China, a chemical factory in the city of Wuhan has also exploded around 5:30 p.m. local time. According to a Daily Mail report, the factory in question is the Lanhua Silicone Company located in the town of Xiliuhe in Xiantao with the explosion originating in a workshop within the factory that stores butanone oxime, a silicone-curing agent. The explosion was also caught on camera and was released by state broadcaster CCTV, showing people gathering outside of the factory where black smoke was rising. The city officials sent 14 fire engines to control the fire along with more than a hundred rescuers, including paramedics, firefighters, and environmental officials tasked to find and secure any survivors. Unfortunately, six people have died, four were wounded, and five people remain missing. Explosion in North Korean Province North Korea has also experienced an explosion that led to nine people dead and 30 more wounded after several explosions that happened at a house in Hyesan, Yanggang Province. Unfortunately, six of the wounded people who were rushed to the hospital after the explosion has succumbed to the injuries they acquired. According to Daily NK, the explosion was caused by an apparent gas leak. A source of the news outlet in the area said that the gasoline that was stored in the house had somehow ignited around 6:10 p.m. local time, leading to the explosion of a liquid petroleum gas (LPG) cylinder. According to the source, other LPG cylinders attached to the house also caught fire and exploded around 10 times. Read Also: Beirut Blast Update: More Than 70 Killed, Nearly 3,000 Injured From the Explosion That Triggered a 3.3 Magnitude Quake This article is owned by TechTimes Written by: Nhx Tingson 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. 84app.com scored 40 Social Media Impact. Social Media Impact score is a measure of how much a site is popular on social networks. 2/5.0 Stars by Social Team This CoolSocial report was updated on 17 Apr 2016, you can refresh this analysis whenever you want. The total number of people who shared the 84app homepage on Google Plus by a google +1 button. This is the sum of two values: the total number of people who shared the 84app homepage on Twitter + the total number of 84app followers (if 84app has a Twitter account). The total number of people who shared the 84app homepage on Delicious. The total number of people who shared the 84app homepage on StumbleUpon. This is the sum of two values: the total number of people who shared, liked or recommended the 84app homepage on Facebook + the total number of page likes (if 84app has a Facebook fan page). Basic Information PAGE TITLE - siphone/ipad _ _ Z DESCRIPTION s w iPhone5/iPhone4s/iPhone4/iPhone/iPad L KEYWORDS iPhone5 , iPhone4s , , iphone , ipad , OTHER KEYWORDS iphone, iphone4, iphone4s, split lens, iphone, split, champ man 15 CoolSocial advanced keyword analysis tool is able to detect and analyze every keyword on each page of a site. The keywords meta-tag found in the head section of the homepage. The description meta-tag found in the head section of the homepage. The title found in the head section of the homepage. The URL (Uniform Resource Locator) is the address of the site. Domain and Server DOCTYPE XHTML 1.0 Transitional CHARSET AND LANGUAGE GB2312 DETECTED LANGUAGE English English SERVER nginx OPERATIVE SYSTEM The language of 84app.com as detected by CoolSocial algorithms. Operative System running on the server. Type of server and offered services. Character set and language of the site. 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Twitter account link TWITTER PAGE LINK NOT FOUND A "clear message" about adhering to "strict social distancing" for all staff was among the "learnings" from the St Mary's nursing home Covid-19 outbreak, the board of the HSE was told. Twenty-four residents have died from Covid-19-related causes in the HSE-run nursing home in Dublin's Phoenix Park. A review team has been set up to examine allegations made by a whistleblower. Newly released documents show the HSE board was briefed on the situation at the home on April 29 after it requested an "urgent update". Board meeting minutes outline how the HSE's national director of community operations, David Walsh, told members that St Mary's was "badly" affected by the pandemic. Twenty-two deaths had occurred at that point, despite the facility being described as a "well-supported service". The meeting was told that "out of the 200 beds in the service, 150 are newly constructed individual units and the first set of deaths occurred within these units". The minutes say: "When asked about learnings from this facility, the ND Community Operations [Mr Walsh] informed the board that the clear message was to adhere to strict social distancing for all staff members while in work and at home, highlighting the importance of providing staff with accommodation options." The document adds: "It has also become equally important to test asymptomatic staff." Last night, the HSE said there was "no current evidence" that staff St Mary's weren't adhering to strict social distancing. The HSE said it had provided temporary accommodation for healthcare workers affected by Covid-19 since April. Workers can apply for the accommodation if they live with family members who are self-isolating and they can't return home, live with vulnerable people, or share housing where they are at increased risk of getting or spreading Covid-19. The HSE said all staff in nursing homes - including those who are asymptomatic - were going through cycles of Covid-19 testing. The HSE has appointed a review team to examine allegations made by a member of staff at St Mary's in a protected disclosure. Among the whistleblower's allegations are claims there was a failure to identify, isolate and test residents in a timely and appropriate manner during the outbreak. The HSE said it could not comment on ongoing protected disclosures. Increase in immigration has little impact on the wages of US citizens A new study in Review of Economic Studies suggests that a large increase in the stock of immigrants to the United States would have little impact on the wages of native US citizens. Allowing for more high-skill immigration could be detrimental to some highly skilled workers in the country, but disproportionately beneficial to low skilled workers. The researcher involved in the study, Suphanit Piyapromdee of the economics department at University College London, quanti?ed the impact of immigration in a spatial equilibrium model. Using a framework that incorporates characteristics of workers and local labour markets, Piyapromdee studied welfare implications of changes in the skill mix and stock of immigrants as well as the welfare effects of the border wall between the United States and Mexico. The researcher measured the wage, rent, and welfare effects of immigration on different groups of workers across cities. Piyapromdee also measured the increased rental income accruing to landlords, highlighting a potential bene?t that is often not included in welfare analysis of immigration. Ultimately the study found that a policy favoring the entry of high-skill immigrants leads to wage gains for natives, particularly those with low skill. The average wage gains are about 4% for low skilled natives and low skilled immigrants. There is a small positive effect on the average wages of high skilled natives. The adverse wage effects, however, are concentrated on the incumbent high skilled immigrants--the average wage loss is about 5%. Although rents may initially go up more proportionately in popular destinations of immigrants and offset some of the wage gains of low skill workers, internal migration can equalize the rent effects across locations. Overall, this policy also reduces local real wage inequality across workers. "The adverse effects are concentrated on the wages of incumbent high skilled immigrants since they are in direct competition with the new high skilled immigrants," said Piyapromdee. "But since these new arrivals are not close substitutes to high skilled natives, and given some complementarity between the new arrivals and low skill workers, a skill selective policy can lead to higher productivity and raise natives' wages regardless of their skill levels. However, the gains are larger for low than high skilled natives. As a result, this policy can reduce local real wage inequality." The same research methods were additionally used to analyze the potential benefits of President Donald Trump's proposed border wall between Mexico and the United States, and whether those benefits would outweigh the cost of the wall's construction. The study found the effects on wages, rent, and welfare would be small for workers in the four states adjacent to Mexico as well as in other cities. Given the number of workers, the proposed construction cost of the border would be approximately $47 per worker. Calculations suggest that even if 80% of the in?ow of potentially undocumented immigrants was removed, the additional gains relative to the baseline (the case of no wall) would be $5 per worker. These results show that the potential bene?ts of the border wall are considerably lower than the estimated construction cost. "In all cases, there is a signi?cant increase in rental income accruing to landlords from increased immigration," said Piyapromdee. "An appropriate tax scheme on rental income and housing regulations would be an important consideration if policymakers want to redistribute gains or losses more evenly." ### The paper "The Impact of Immigration on Wages, Internal Migration and Welfare" in The Review of Economic Studies will be available at: https:/ / academic. oup. com/ restud/ article-lookup/ doi/ 10. 1093/ restud/ rdaa029 Direct correspondence to: Dr. Suphanit Piyapromdee Department of Economics University College London s.piyapromdee@ucl.ac.uk To request a copy of the study, please contact: Emily Tobin emily.tobin@oup.com Sharing on social media? Find Oxford Journals online at @OxfordJournals This story has been published on: 2020-08-05. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. TAIPEI, Taiwan The U.S. secretary of Health and Human Services is scheduled to visit Taiwan in coming days in the highest-level visit by an American Cabinet official since the break in formal diplomatic relations between Washington and Taipei in 1979. The visit by Alex Azar, and especially a planned meeting with Taiwans president, will likely create new friction between the U.S. and China, which claims Taiwan as its own territory to be annexed by force if necessary. Taiwan is a key irritant in the troubled relationship between the world's two largest economies, which are also at odds over trade, technology, territorial claims in the South China Sea and China's response to the coronavirus pandemic. In Beijing, foreign ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said China has lodged solemn complaints" over the visit with U.S. officials in both Beijing and Washington. The Taiwan issue is the most important and sensitive issue in China-U.S. relations," Wang said at a daily briefing. He said Washington needs to stop all forms of official contact with Taiwan and make good on its commitment to Beijing to avoid serious damage to China-U.S. relations and peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait." The U.S. maintains only unofficial ties with Taiwan in deference to Beijing, but is the islands most important ally and provider of defense equipment. The American Institute in Taiwan, which operates as Washingtons de facto embassy on the island, said Wednesday that Azars historic visit will strengthen the U.S.-Taiwan partnership and enhance U.S-Taiwan cooperation to combat the global COVID-19 pandemic. In a tweet, Taiwans Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it looks forward to welcoming Azar and his delegation. This is the highest-level visit by a U.S. Cabinet official since 1979! Taiwan and the U.S. are like minded partners cooperating closely in combating coronavirus and promoting freedom democracy & human rights worldwide. Story continues The ministry said Azar will meet with independence-minded President Tsai Ing-wen, with whose government Beijing cut off virtually all contacts four years ago, and with Foreign Minister Joseph Wu and top health officials. Image: (Chiang Ying-ying / AP) AIT said Azar will discuss the disease, global health and Taiwans role as a supplier of medical equipment and technology. The visit is believed to be scheduled for next week, although AIT said details on the timing and agenda would be announced later. Azar would be the first HHS secretary to visit Taiwan and the first Cabinet member to visit in six years, the last being then-Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Gina McCarthy. His Cabinet ranking is higher than previous U.S. visitors. Taiwan has been a model of transparency and cooperation in global health during the COVID-19 pandemic and long before it, Azar said in the AIT statement. This trip represents an opportunity to strengthen our economic and public health cooperation with Taiwan, especially as the United States and other countries work to strengthen and diversify our sources for crucial medical products. Azar's visit was facilitated by the 2018 passage of the Taiwan Travel Act that encouraged sending higher-level officials to Taiwan after decades during which such contacts were rare and freighted with safeguards to avoid roiling ties with Beijing. McCarthy's visit to Taiwan in 2014 sparked a protest from Chinas foreign ministry, which accused the U.S. of betraying commitments made to it about maintaining only unofficial links with Taipei. China objects to all official contact between Taiwan and the U.S. But its increasing diplomatic pressure, including poaching Taiwan's few remaining diplomatic allies and excluding it from international gatherings including the World Health Assembly, have fostered already considerable bipartisan sympathy for Taipei in Washington and prompted new measures to strengthen governmental and military ties. Taiwan's strong performance in handling its COVID-19 outbreak has also won it plaudits while highlighting its exclusion from the World Health Organization and other U.N. bodies. Despite its close proximity to China, where the global pandemic is believed to have originated, the island of 23 million has recorded just 476 cases and seven deaths from COVID-19. In contrast to authoritarian systems, U.S. and Taiwan societies and economies are uniquely equipped to drive global progress in areas such as medicine and science to help the world tackle emerging threats," AIT said. The COVID-19 pandemic is the most recent example of joint U.S.-Taiwan efforts to confront global challenges for the good of the world." To be located on the 16th floor of the Seoul International Financial Center ("One IFC"), SIFO is a dedicated space for domestic and international financial institutions, featuring offices of various sizes that can accommodate from one to 30 people. With the completion of SIFO, the Seoul Metropolitan Government will select ten financial institutions to move into SIFO. Applications will be accepted for two days from August 20 to 21. The selected institutions will be allowed to move into SIFO from the end of October. The interested companies may get more detailed information and the documents to be submitted from the Seoul Metropolitan Government's website (www.seoul.go.kr). Applications should be submitted to the Economic Policy Division at the Seoul Metropolitan Government. Those unable to visit the City Hall may apply online ([email protected]). The final selection will be made through written evaluation and face-to-face interviews around the end of August. The eligible companies for the application are the head offices, branches, and regional headquarters of domestic and foreign financial firms, and finance-related international organizations or non-profit corporations or groups that have a plan to newly locate or re-locate their office in Yeouido. Financial institutions that plan to run temporary offices to check the area before they decide to move in Yeouido are eligible for the application. The final selection will be conducted based on comprehensive evaluations of the applicants' organizational capacity, human resources' expertise, and contribution to the area's financial industry, such as attracting investment and creating jobs. Each selected firm is allowed to use an independent office space within SIFO for two years. After the two years, they can stay there for up to three years (five years in total) through performance evaluation. They also can use a lounge for networking, international conference rooms, seminar rooms, and meeting rooms free of charge. Various support programs will be offered including legal and investment consulting, educational seminars, networking with financial firms in Yeouido, and provision of foreign executives and employees. The Seoul Metropolitan Government plans to foster SIFO as a hub for the domestic and international financial industry while making it the key to enhancing the financial competitiveness of Yeouido by linking it with "Seoul FinTech Lab*," and "Financial Graduate School," a digital financial education hub. * 640 financial institutions and Seoul FinTech Lab lncluding 70 FinTech companies are based in Yeouido Networking events and IRs will be held throughout the year to link financial institutions in SIFO with Seoul FinTech Lab. The Financial Graduate School will be opened on the 17th floor of the same building in September and will provide opportunities for financial institutions to participate in the digital financial curriculum. Employees of the financial firms at SIFO can observe the digital financial expert courses operated by KAIST through a certain screening process. Mr. Kim Eui-seung, Deputy Mayor for Economic Policy, said, "Seoul will attract competitive domestic and international financial institutions in Yeouido to make Seoul an international financial hub. We will provide intensive support so that SIFO can become a driving force to do so and enhance synergy effects through the cooperation of domestic and foreign financial companies." For more information, please visit our website at http://english.seoul.go.kr/seoul-accepts-applications-for-moving-into-seoul-international-finance-office/ SOURCE Seoul Metropolitan Government Related Links http://www.seoul.go.kr August 4, 2020 News By JIM GARAMONE , DOD News Defense.gov Nuke Sea-Launched Cruise Missile Would Bolster Deterrence, Officials Say Developing and deploying a sea-launched nuclear cruise missile is essential to deter Russia, U.S. officials have said. A recent State Department paper says the new weapon would help fill a gap identified in the 2018 Nuclear Posture Review. The United States retired its last nuclear sea-launched cruise missile in 2010 one of only two remaining U.S. theater or tactical ("non-strategic") nuclear weapons. In contrast, Russia continued a comprehensive program to modernize and expand its low-yield theater and tactical nuclear weapons. What is more disturbing, officials said, is that Russian strategy actually contemplates the use of these nuclear capabilities in conflict. Russian strategic thought mistakenly believes that limited nuclear first use with low-yield weapons could provide Russia with a "coercive advantage" in a conflict, the State Department paper says. Russia may have pursued this strategy because the United States, unlike Russia, retired most of its non-strategic nuclear systems. Russia may believe it can use theater or tactical weapons, the paper says, because the United States could not effectively respond and might be reluctant to escalate further by responding with strategic nuclear weapons.. The 2018 Nuclear Posture Review calls for adjustments to U.S. nuclear forces to close this perceived gap on the escalation ladder and reinforce deterrence against low-yield nuclear use, DOD officials said. A nuclear-armed sea-launched cruise missile would address alarming developments in the forces and doctrine of nuclear competitors, the posture review says, adding that Russia and China both are investing significant sums to improve and expand their nuclear forces with no clear indication as to where that expansion will stop. Russia's "adventurism" is the most immediate concern, officials said. The nation invaded Georgia in 2008 and still occupies two provinces. Russia illegally occupied Crimea in 2014 and sponsors a shooting war in the eastern part of Ukraine today. Russia has propped up the Assad regime in Syria and has prolonged the civil war in that nation. Russia has also sent forces to Libya, and Kremlin-associated contractors have seized two of its largest oil facilities. Finally, Russia has done its best to divide the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, seeking more leeway to intimidate the frontline states of Latvia, Estonia, Lithuania, Poland, Bulgaria and Romania. There are credible concerns that theater and tactical nuclear capabilities are central to a Russian approach to regional conflict that envisions the early, limited use of non-strategic nuclear weapons to end a war on terms favorable to Russia. "This approach may be premised on Russia's belief that its expanding anti-access/area denial networks will be able to neutralize the airborne nuclear deterrent forces of the United States and NATO," the 2018 U.S. Nuclear Posture Review concluded. "In the future, it is possible that China could adopt a similar doctrine. Developing and fielding (sea-launched cruise missile-nuclear) signal the leaders of nuclear competitors in a concrete way that the United States has the capability and will to maintain operationally effective nuclear options to deter regional aggression." The SLCM capability could also help allay the concerns of regional allies shielded by the U.S. nuclear umbrella, officials said. The United States having such a capability would make any adversary think twice about using nuclear weapons. Without requiring nuclear testing or violating any treaty, the SLCM "will lower the risks of nuclear conflict, bolster the confidence of allies and restore a degree of balance in non-strategic nuclear weapons that could create conditions more conducive to addressing this category of forces through arms control," the posture review says. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address KNIN, Croatia - Croatia marked the 25th anniversary of a victorious military offensive against rebel Serbs with an ethnic Serb politician attending the annual ceremony for the first time Wednesday, an event seen as an important step toward reconciliation. Government officials, military leaders and former fighters in the 1991-1995 war over Croatian independence gathered in the former rebel stronghold of Knin for the observance, which had fewer participants than usual because of the coronavirus pandemic. Guests sat at a distance from each other, and some wore face masks. Croatian officials called for overcoming the legacy of the war that erupted after Croatia declared independence from the former Yugoslavia and ethnic Serbs in Croatia, backed by neighbouring Serbia, took up arms and seized territory. About 10,000 people were killed and thousands expelled from their homes before Croatia in August 1995 retook most of the land in the Oluja, or Storm, offensive. The triumphant blitz triggered an exodus of over 200,000 ethnic Serbs, and hundreds more were killed in the aftermath of the attack. Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic expressed regret and honour for all of the victims, both Croat and Serb. He condemned war crimes committed against Serb civilians and pledged those responsible will be prosecuted. Croatia must move forward. Reconciliation must be based on the facts and justice for all victims, Plenkovic said. Conflicting views on the offensive reflect the gap among the Balkan former war foes. Serbia on Tuesday evening memorialized the ethnic Serbs who died in the offensive, calling the Croatian army attack as a crime and pledging it would not allow anything similar to happen again. Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic indirectly criticized ethnic Serb politician Boris Milosevic for his decision to attend the state ceremony in Croatia. We will not celebrate the tragedy of the Serbian people, the killing of Serb civilians, the killing of the Serb children. We will not be humiliated, Vucic said at the commemoration in Sremska Raca, at the border with Bosnia. Reconciliation, yes. Humiliation no. Milosevic, who is the deputy prime minister in the Croatian government, said in Knin that the spiral of hatred should be cut so that the horrors of war never repeat. I heard messages of peace and reconciliation, and I think that this is the first step, he said. I consider my arrival here as a investment for the future. During Operation Storm, Serbs fled Croatia in huge columns of cars, tractors and horse-drawn carts, extending for miles through Bosnia and toward Serbia. Many still have not returned to their homes in Croatia, where anti-Serb sentiments still run high among right-wing extremists. . Gayles has said even schools with comprehensive reopening plans can do so only with low community transmission rates, which in Montgomery means fewer than 10 daily cases. While the county has avoided the kind of spikes in infections seen in the Baltimore region, it is still reporting a seven-day average of about 100 cases a day. The operatives of the State Security Service (SSS) have again arrested Olawale Bakare, a co-defendant of Omoyele Sowore, and six others at the ongoing #RevolutionNow protest in Osun State. Mr Bakare, alongside others, converged at the Olaiya junction in Osogbo, Osun capital on Wednesday to express their displeasure against bad governance, lack of infrastructure, extra-judicial activities among others. Similar protests are ongoing in other 36 states of the country and the Federal Capital Territory. PREMIUM TIMES recalled that #RevolutionNow protest, which took place last year, led to the arrest of Messrs Sowore and Bakare who were detained unjustly for several months. READ ALSO: A court had earlier ruled that the disruption of last years protest by police is against the right to freedom expression and assembly of the arrested individuals. International communities have also condemned the Nigerian government over the incessant attack on protesters. Karnataka Examination Authority (KEA) has released the provisional answer key of the Karnataka Common Entrance Test (KCET) 2020. Candidates who have taken the entrance examination conducted on 30 and 31 July can check and download the answer keys from cetonline.karnataka.gov.in and kea.kar.nic.in. Karnataka Examination Authority (KEA) has released the provisional answer key of the Karnataka Common Entrance Test (KCET) 2020. Candidates who have taken the entrance examination conducted on 30 and 31 July can check and download the answer keys from cetonline.karnataka.gov.in and kea.kar.nic.in. The answer key for all the subjects of KCET Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics and Biologyis preliminary. The result of KCET 2020 will be based on the final answer key. According to The Indian Express, students having any objections can raise their queries with officials till 5:30 pm on August 8. The objections will be assessed before releasing the final answer key and results. KEA has provided a separate portal on cetonline.karnataka.gov.in for raising objections against the answer key, The Times of India reported. While entering the objections, candidates will have to select subject, version code and question number. Objection without justification, version code or question number will not be accepted. Jagran Josh reported that candidates will need to provide valid justification for the challenge or objection. The supporting document should be sent in a PDF format. Steps to download KCET Answer Key Step 1: Log on to the official website of kea.kar.nic.in Step 2: Click on KCET 2020 Answer Key on the homepage under latest announcement tab Step 3: Select applicant or non-applicant link Step 4: Enter details to login such as CET roll number and date of birth Step 5: Answer key will be displayed on the screen. Download it KCET is a pen-and-paper based exam conducted for admission to different courses of engineering in the states institutes. The exam is held in English or Kannada medium. Each subject is divided into different sections. There are 180 questions in the question paper with 60 from each section. The duration of the exam is 3 hours. For every correct answer one mark is allotted and there is no negative marking for the wrong answer. Union Food Ministry on Wednesday said free under PMGKAY were distributed via ration shops to up to 75 crore beneficiaries during April-June period. In March, the government had announced distribution of 5 kg of for free under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY) to ration card holders for three months as part of the Rs 20 lakh crore economic package in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Besides foodgrains, 1 kg pulses per beneficiary family were also to be distributed. This was over and above the subsidised grains given under the National Food Security Act. The PMGKAY scheme has now been extended till November. "About 37.5 lakh tonnes of were distributed in the months of April and May covering about 75 crore beneficiaries in each month and 36.54 lakh tonnes foodgrains in June covering about 73 crore beneficiaries," the Food Ministry said in a statement. States and union territories (UTs) had lifted 118 lakh tonnes of foodgrains from the Food Corporation of India (FCI), it said. They have reported distribution of 111.52 lakh tonnes (93.5 per cent) of allocated foodgrains in April-June, the statement added. Under PMGKAY, a total of about 81 crore ration card holders are to be covered, including beneficiaries of Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) and Priority Householders. (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.) Ted Cruz has accused Democrats of 'facilitating' riots and violence in US cities after a senator furiously walked out of a committee hearing when he laid into the party for not criticizing Antifa. 'Sometimes I don't think you listen,' Senator Mazie Hirono, D-Hawaii, snapped at Cruz as she walked out of the Senate Judiciary subcommittee hearing on Antifa. Hirono lost her temper after Cruz, R-Texas, laid into her party for not condemning the 'anti-fascist' group, which Republicans claim have fomented riots after George Floyd's death. After a ten-minute broadside from Cruz, Hirono fired back: 'How many times have I had to say that we all should be denouncing violent extremists of every stripe.' 'Sometimes I don't think you listen,' Senator Mazie Hirono, D-Hawaii, snapped at Cruz as she walked out of the Senate Judiciary subcommittee hearing on Tuesday A Department of Homeland Security officer emerges from the Mark O. Hatfield United States Courthouse after demonstrators lit a fire on Sunday, Aug. 2, 2020, in Portland, Oregon Cruz, who was chairing the committee, retorted: 'Does that include Antifa?' Hirono replied: 'I hope this is the end of this hearing, Mr. Chairman, and that we don't have to listen to any more of your rhetorical speeches. Thank you very much. I'm leaving.' As she packed up her files, Cruz continued to lambaste the Hawaiian senator for declining to specifically denounce Antifa. 'Well I appreciate the, as always, kind of uplifting words of Senator Hirono,' Cruz said. 'And I would also note that throughout her remarks she still did not say a negative word about Antifa nor has any Democrat here.' Cruz later appeared on Fox News to tell Hannity that the Democrats had made a 'cynical decision' not to denounce Antifa, claiming they wanted to encourage radical leftism. 'What's happening, unfortunately, is not free speech,' Cruz told Sean Hannity, 'and those who are peaceably protesting are seeing their protests hijacked by violent anarchists, by Marxists who are engaged in acts of terror. 'At the end of the day, none of this is complicated,' he said. 'Don't assault your fellow citizens. Don't firebomb a police car. Don't loot and destroy small businesses. Don't murder police officers.' The hearing, titled 'The Right of the People Peaceably to Assemble: Protecting Speech by Stopping Anarchist Violence,' had been a partisan face-off. Senate Judiciary Subcommittee Chairman Ted Cruz (R-TX) references photographs while presiding over a hearing about 'anarchist violence' in the Dirksen Senate Office Building on Capitol Hill August 04, 2020 in Washington, DC. As she packed up her files, Cruz continued to lambaste the Hawaiian senator for declining to specifically denounce Antifa Cruz played video of Martin Luther King and Mahatma Gandhi protests to contrast their peaceful protests with the actions of the mob throughout US cities over the last few months. Hirono meanwhile displayed her own footage of what she claimed was police brutality and disproportionate force used against peaceful demonstrators. She also disagreed with the title for the hearing, saying it should instead be called: 'The right of the people peaceably to assemble without being beaten up by unidentifiable federal agents.' Cruz told Hannity: 'Seven Democrats spoke and ... questioned the witnesses. Not a single one dared to ... criticize Antifa in any way, because they're making a cynical decision that they want to encourage these radical leftists who are assaulting and threatening American citizens.' Jonathan Turley, a lawyer who gave evidence at the hearing, opened his remarks by saying that the protests in the wake of Floyd's death had 'focused the nation on the transcendent issues of racial discrimination and police misconduct.' But he said, this important national dialogue 'is increasingly turning into a diatribe on our campuses, on our streets, and in our media. We are losing this opportunity to reach a consensus because of rising violence and intolerance for opposing views.' After the hearing, the law professor tweeted: 'The hearing ended with Sen. Hirono walking out after confrontation with Sen. Cruz over Antifa. In roughly 50 hearings, this was a first for me. I was not sure if I should turn off the lights when I left. 'This actually could be the pilot for Survivor: Capitol Hill where senators vote themselves off the island. The good thing is that it meant I could make it home for the Cubs game.' Highlights Gold-bearing quartz vein intersected in step-out drilling on Buckingham Vein Extension of 150 m along-strike and 50 m down-dip to Buckingham Vein from 2019 drilling Vein remains open to southeast and at depth Sampling of other prospective brownfields properties in Virginia underway TORONTO, ON / ACCESSWIRE / August 5, 2020 / Aston Bay Holdings Ltd. (TSX-V:BAY)(OTCQB:ATBHF) ("Aston Bay" or the "Company") is pleased announce that it has completed Phase 2 of the Company's 2020 diamond drill program at its Buckingham Gold Property located in Central Virginia, USA (see March 24, 2020 Aston Bay press release). Seven large diameter (HQ) oriented diamond drill holes totaling 803 metres (m) were completed, adding to the 1,218 m drilled in ten holes in Phase 1 in March (see July 22, 2020 Aston Bay news release). In the Phase 2 drilling, four of the drill holes (BUCK-018 through BUCK-021, see Figure 1) targeted the along-strike projection of the Buckingham Vein; all four holes intersected gold-bearing quartz vein material indicating an along-strike extension of 150 m from the 2019 drilling. Photographs of the quartz vein intercepts are presented in Figure 2. The three remaining drill holes (BUCK-017, -022 and -023) targeted gold-in-soil anomalies to the west and southwest of the vein and intersected broad zones of sericite-quartz-pyrite mineralization similar in character to gold-bearing mineralization intersected in previous drilling. Previous drilling on the Buckingham Vein included core-length intercepts of up to 35.6 g/t Au over 2.03 m and 24.7 g/t Au over 3.57 m (2019 drilling) and 5.81 g/t Au over 6.29 m including 29.9 g/t Au over 0.92 m, 19.25 g/t Au over 1.4 m and 14.54 g/t Au over 1.06 m (2020 Phase 1 drilling) in quartz vein material (refer to the June 27, 2019 and July 22, 2020 Aston Bay news releases). Drill core samples from the initial three drill holes of Phase 2 (BUCK-017, -018 and -019) were shipped for analysis in mid-July. The remaining four drill holes (BUCK-020, -021, -022 and -023) have now been processed and are in transit to the lab. Analysis will be by standard fire assay techniques which will include metallic screen assaying of selected intervals with visible alteration and mineralization (including visible gold). Results are anticipated in the coming weeks. "We are encouraged by these additional gold-bearing quartz vein intercepts in our step out drilling on the Buckingham Vein," stated Thomas Ullrich, CEO of Aston Bay. "The 2020 program has extended the strike length of the vein by 150 m to the southeast as well as additional 50 m in depth and remains open in those directions. We look forward to following up on the results with additional work to expand both the Buckingham Vein and adjacent zones of disseminated gold mineralization." Figure 1: Plan map with drill hole locations for 2020 Phase 2 drilling. Buckingham Gold Project, Virginia. Select significant assay intervals from previous drill program noted. Local grid in metres. Figure 2: Photographs of quartz vein intervals intersected in HQ-sized diamond drill holes: a) BUCK-018, b) BUCK-019, c) BUCK-020 and d) BUCK-021 with examples of visible gold noted in each intersection depicted at right, indicated by red arrows. Assay results pending. Scale as noted. Virginia Gold-Pyrite Belt Brownfield Exploration A prospecting program, including surface rock and soil sampling, has also been completed on parcels of land located over and adjacent to a historic past-producing mine in the region. Results are expected in the coming weeks. In addition to the 4,953 acres surrounding the Buckingham vein, Aston Bay has exploration agreements in place for 4,399 acres of private land surrounding several historical gold mine workings and other prospective areas in Virginia. Continued exploration in these brownfields areas is planned throughout the summer and fall. About the Buckingham Main Zone The NW-SE trending Buckingham Main Zone, which comprises a series of visible gold-bearing quartz vein outcrops that extend over a strike length of some 150 m have yielded grab sample assay values up to 701 grams per tonne (g/t) Au. Previous drilling included core-length intercepts of up to 35.6 g/t Au over 2.03 m and 24.7 g/t Au over 3.57 m (2019 drilling) and 5.81 g/t Au over 6.29 m including 29.9 g/t Au over 0.92 m, 19.25 g/t Au over 1.4 m and 14.54 g/t Au over 1.06 m (2020 Phase 1 drilling) in gold-bearing quartz veins, as well as 2.2 g/t Au over 18.1 m and 1.9 g/t Au over 22.2 m in adjacent but separate sericite-quartz-pyrite alteration zones (see June 27, 2019 and July 22, 2020 Aston Bay releases). The gold-bearing system is hosted within a package of likely Cambrian-age sediments, including greywackes with minor quartz-arenites (phyllite, schist and quartzites), within the Appalachian orogenic belt. This region is the site of the historically prolific Pyrite Belt which hosted a reported 250 gold mines that were in production prior to the California gold rush of 1849 but has seen little recent mineral exploration. Gold production has also occurred to the south in the Carolina Slate Belt, notably at OceanaGold's Haile Mine located in South Carolina with commercial production commencing in 2017 and slated to produce up to 150,000 ounces of gold per year. QUALIFIED PERSON As per National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects, Andrew Turner, P.Geol., a consultant to Aston Bay, is the Qualified Person for the Company and has prepared, validated and approved the technical and scientific content of this news release. The Company strictly adheres to CIM Best Practices Guidelines in conducting, documenting, and reporting its exploration activities. About Aston Bay Holdings Aston Bay is a publicly traded mineral exploration company exploring for gold and base metal deposits in Virginia, USA, and Nunavut, Canada. The Company is led by CEO Thomas Ullrich with exploration in Virginia directed by the Company's advisor, Don Taylor, the 2018 Thayer Lindsley Award winner for his discovery of the Taylor Pb-Zn-Ag Deposit in Arizona. The Company has acquired the exclusive rights to an integrated dataset over certain prospective private lands and has signed agreements with timber and land companies which grants the company the option to lease the mineral rights to 11,065 acres of land located in central Virginia. These lands are located within a gold-copper-lead-zinc mineralized belt prospective for Carolina slate belt gold deposits and Virginia gold-pyrite belt deposits, as well as sedimentary VMS, exhalative (SEDEX) and Broken Hill (BHT) type base metal deposits. Don Taylor, who led the predecessor company to Blue Ridge and assembled the dataset, has joined the Company's Advisory Board and will be directing the Company's exploration activities for the Blue Ridge Project. The Company is actively exploring the Buckingham Gold Project in Virginia and is in advanced stages of negotiation on other lands in the area. The Company is also 100% owner of the Aston Bay Property located on western Somerset Island, Nunavut, which neighbours Teck's profitable, past-producing Polaris (Pb-Zn) Mine just 200km to the north. The Aston Bay Property hosts the Storm Copper Project and the Seal Zinc Deposit with drill-confirmed presence of sediment-hosted copper and zinc mineralization. The Company's public disclosure documents are available on www.sedar.com. FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS Statements made in this press release, including those regarding the closing and the use of proceeds of the private placement, management objectives, forecasts, estimates, expectations, or predictions of the future may constitute "forward-looking statement", which can be identified by the use of conditional or future tenses or by the use of such verbs as "believe", "expect", "may", "will", "should", "estimate", "anticipate", "project", "plan", and words of similar import, including variations thereof and negative forms. This press release contains forward-looking statements that reflect, as of the date of this press release, Aston Bay's expectations, estimates and projections about its operations, the mining industry and the economic environment in which it operates. Statements in this press release that are not supported by historical fact are forward-looking statements, meaning they involve risk, uncertainty and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Although Aston Bay believes that the assumptions inherent in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on these statements, which apply only at the time of writing of this press release. Aston Bay disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except to the extent required by securities legislation. We seek safe harbour. Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its regulation services provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release. FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION CONTACT: Thomas Ullrich, Chief Executive Officer thomas.ullrich@astonbayholdings.com (416) 456-3516 Sofia Harquail, IR and Corporate Development sofia.harquail@astonbayholdings.com (647) 821-1337 SOURCE: Aston Bay Holdings Ltd. View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/600367/150-m-Extension-to-Gold-bearing-Buckingham-Vein-Revealed-as-Aston-Bay-Holdings-Completes-Phase-2-Drilling-at-its-Buckingham-Gold-Project-Virginia-USA Gujarat was the most tax-compliant state in assessment year 2018-19, based on the proportion of returns filed to PAN holders. The state saw 22.3 per cent income tax (I-T) returns filers (of the total PAN holders), followed by Delhi with a filing rate of 20.5 per cent, Punjab with 16.74 per cent, and Telangana with 16.68 per cent. Among large states, the lowest rate of filing was seen in Bihar at 5 per cent, followed by UP at 8.11 per cent much below the national average of 12 per cent. The returns filing data may not be the most accurate indicator ... Three Years After the Caliphate, Iraq's Assyrians Find Little Incentive to Return It's been three years since the guns fell silent in Mosul, the onetime capital of the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS). With the Caliphate finally pushed out, it seemed the nightmare of extremist rule was finally coming to an end, giving Iraq's Christian minority a chance to reclaim their homes after years spent sheltering under brutal conditions, fleeing to refugee camps, or taking flight abroad. Instead, their hopes of rebuilding have diminished even as the threat of the Caliphate has faded. The region's few remaining Christians find themselves caught between Iran-backed Shia militias and an Iraqi government that, nearly twenty years after the American invasion, is politically paralyzed and still unable to provide basic security and services--let alone protect the country's embattled minority populations. As a result, most Iraqi Christians are searching for brighter pastures, even if it means forever parting with the land of their ancestors. "Of the twenty thousand Christians that fled Mosul when ISIS came, only one hundred have returned," said Reine Hanna, director of the Assyrian Policy Institute. "People can't work and earn a living among ruins. There's little incentive to return." The country that is now Iraq has been home to various Christian communities for more than two thousand years. Falling mostly outside the Roman Empire, where the Christianity familiar to most Westerners today took its basic shape, Iraqi Christians developed their own unique forms of Christian worship and theology which endure to this day; they draw heavily on ancient liturgical rites, prayers, and customs. The fortunes of the region's Christians vacillated with the many empires that rose and fell over the centuries. Prior to the US-led invasion in 2003, the country was home to 1.5 million Christians. But, despite their endurance over the centuries, the subsequent occupation and insurgency proved to be a breaking point. By 2014, shortly before the rise of ISIS, over eight hundred thousand of Iraq's Christians had fled abroad, with many making new homes in the United States and Western Europe. The establishment of the ISIS Caliphate drove the few remaining Christians out of the region to avoid living under a regime that gave them an ultimatum: pay a special tax for non-believers or leave or be killed. Nearly all chose to leave to the Kurdish north. While ISIS' territorial defeat provided an opening for the return of Mosul's Christians, that hope has quickly faded in the face of the grim state of Iraqi politics. The biggest challenge facing the country are the militias that control the territory formerly occupied by the Caliphate. Today, the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF), an umbrella group of various militias--mainly backed by Shia clerics and Iran--that were once seen as integral to the fight against ISIS, are now focused on controlling the areas they liberated. They are also determined to further their own political agenda. The PMF have already been documented committing a number of crimes across Iraq, including looting, revenge killings against Sunni Arabs, and seizure of property. There is a growing fear that many PMF units will ultimately occupy towns indefinitely, since they have not left the ones they liberated. This is creating a climate where they mete out whatever justice or injustice their militia leaders dictate. Exploiting Iraq's fractured political and security landscape, PMF units have erected their own system of check points and recruitment offices in towns across the country, giving them an advantage over the domestic security situation. They have even entered politics, helping Iran-backed groups gain even more leverage over Iraqi affairs, such as its economy. A glaring example of their influence is visible in newly-elected Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi's inability to hold them accountable despite having support from Iraq's different political factions. After ordering the arrest of fourteen members of Kataib Hezbollah--one of the largest Iran-backed militia groups in Iraq--for launching rockets at US targets, the militiamen brazenly drove around the premier's house in Baghdad's Green Zone. Ultimately, the apprehended men were placed under the supervision of the security directorate of the PMF, headed by a member of Kataib Hezbollah, who released the militia men shortly afterwards. The situation is no different in the Nineveh Plains, the one remaining region of Iraq where Christians form a plurality and where a PMF militia, the Babylon Brigade, maintains control over a number of villages. The Babylon Brigade is part of the group politically allied with the Badr Organization, an Iraqi Shia Islamist political party and military organization that was once headquartered in Iran. The Babylon Brigade touts Rayan Kildani, a local Christian, as its leader, but he is merely seen as a Iran's token figure in an attempt to broaden the political alliance's appeal. Kildani enjoys little support from his community or Iraqi Christian clerics and was sanctioned by the US Department of Treasury for human rights abuses. As for the Babylon Brigade itself, the group's fighters are primarily Shia Arabs, who do not originate from the Nineveh Plain, and Shabak. The latter are a Shia minority seen as close to Iran and have been accused of widespread corruption, intimidation, kidnapping, and extortion. To add insult to injury, the Babylon Brigades' political wing took two of the parliamentary seats reserved for Christians in the previous legislative elections, with the heavy backing of Shia votes on the Badr List. This cemented the group's rule over the area and community. Posters of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei have been erected in the area and even a school bearing the name of the Iranian leader's predecessor was opened. People seen as close to the PMF have begun to construct or purchase properties in the area. The once Christian majority town of Bartella is now majority Shabak, eroding the identity of one of the area's few remaining Christian towns. "When you control an area, you're the [decision-maker] on who gets to return and what rehabilitation looks like," said Hanna, who has done extensive research on the return of Iraqi Christians in post-ISIS Iraq. "There's a general fear that the PMF control the local institutions and it is not safe to return. And [Iraqi Christians] believe there are biases [by] the Shabak community against them," says Adam Lucente, an Al-Monitor reporter based in Iraq before the COVID-19 pandemic. It is these fears that have deterred many Iraqi Christians from coming back to their villages. The return rate amongst Christian families in the area is discouragingly low, according to Hanna. "In areas [in the Nineveh Plains] under the Babylon Brigade, the rate of return has almost been negligible--only 7 percent of families have returned." "If you go to these villages under [the Babylon Brigade], you will only find just a few old people. No families or youth return," says Athra Kado, a native resident of Alqosh, a village in the Nineveh Plain. Zaid Kathawa, an Iraqi Christian also residing in the area concurs. "In Telkef district, Tesqopa, Batnaya and Sharafiya [villages in the Nineveh Plain] most of the people didn't return. The security situation is in the hands of the militias." The militia has also placed a bottleneck on the local economy, which relies on the more prosperous Kurdish north, according to Kathawa. "People who have their own businesses face big problems in transportation of their goods between Erbil and Nineveh and they have to bribe the men at checkpoints despite [that] being illegal." Since the PMF units enjoy support from the central government, which uses them as a proxy for its own ineffective governance, Iraqi Christians feel there is little hope in wresting power from the group. "We do not have the ability to fight official forces and these forces are recognized by the Iraqi government," laments Athra. In Mosul, the situation is even more dire. The city lies in ruins due to tepid reconstruction efforts under the Iraqi government. Furthermore, international donors have been hesitant to help due to corruption, which has bedeviled international aid programs since the US-led invasion. Besides the city's devastated state, there are also fears that an ISIS resurgence is a possibility, which has kept many from returning in a city mixed between religious sects. "We know there are ISIS members who have returned to their homes. We only feel safe amongst each other," says Zaid. In fact, ISIS has even posted videos of a number of its members slipping back into Iraq. And, so far, the Iraqi government's attempts at reconciliation and reconstruction have been mostly cosmetic. Despite Kadhimi visiting Mosul and the Nineveh Plains himself this summer, hailing the region as a "symbol of coexistence," he made sure to temper reconstruction expectations and hopes of compensation by reminding locals of Iraq's dire economic situation. Even major clergy members have voiced their doubts in his leadership. The Syriac Orthodox bishop of Mosul blatantly told Kadhimi during the same trip that "We have no confidence in the government" and "Our people have left, Your Excellency." Baghdad is also doing little in terms of fostering any sense of justice for victims. The government is merely putting on show trials--some lasting less than twenty minutes--and summarily executing ex-ISIS members without receiving proper testimonials of the crimes perpetrated. Ultimately, the failure of both the PMF and the Iraqi government to provide meaningful economic and security reforms--let alone reconciliation efforts--might ultimately dash any hopes of Iraq's Christians from returning. If the next twenty years look no better than the last two decades, there's little hope that this ancient community will play more than a piecemeal role in the country's future, assuming they remain inside Iraq at all. "There is this inherited trauma that it could happen again," said Athra. "How can people go back when some of your own neighbors perpetrated crimes?" Paul Gadalla is a former Beirut-based journalist who also worked in communications at the Carnegie Middle East Center in Lebanon. A Queensland nurse who allegedly dosed a woman he met on a dating app with sedatives before sexually assaulting her has been denied bail The 30-year-old man, who cannot be named for legal reasons, appeared by videolink in a Brisbane court on a string of offences including stupefying to commit an indictable offence, stalking and making recordings in breach of privacy. Police allege a woman in her early 20s was sexually assaulted inside a Brisbane city apartment last month. A Queensland nurse who allegedly dosed a woman he met on a dating app with sedatives before sexually assaulting her has been denied bail (file picture) The nurse allegedly drugged the woman with sedatives police believe came from the southeast Queensland hospital where he works. The stalking charge relates to another victim. Magistrate Anthony Gett denied the man bail on Wednesday saying he had serious concerns about the method and nature of the alleged offences. The court heard police have seized two phones and a computer to look for evidence as the man used social media platforms like Tinder and Snapchat to meet women. The man is expected to appear in court on August 24. For the third day in a row, Ontario reported fewer than 100 cases of COVID-19 while the hard-hit Windsor-Essex region had just one new infection as it works to get into Stage 3 and join the rest of the province. Health Minister Christine Elliott said the numbers continue to improve, with 86 cases down from 91 the previous day and a higher number of health units reporting no new cases at all 22 of 34 with no new infections and seven with fewer than five new cases. The new case in Windsor-Essex was in the agri-farm sector, which has been plagued by outbreaks that continue at six farm and greenhouse operations in addition to seven manufacturing firms and one construction company. But it was the lowest number since March for the region of less than 500,000 people that has the most active cases of COVID-19 in the province and has been getting help from the province and the federal government with more inspectors and emergency medical teams. We are seeing a shift in the number of cases recently, which is definitely an encouraging sign, local medical officer of health Dr. Wajid Ahmed told a news conference Wednesday. I would just like to still urge caution and continue to follow the same measures to keep the number at that level, he added, calling the lowercase counts in recent days much more reasonable given the size of the community. NDP Leader Andrea Horwath said Premier Doug Ford should have sent more resources to Windsor-Essex sooner and called for paid sick days for all workers in the agribusiness sector, including migrant workers, along with more consistent testing at all farms and greenhouse operations to help get the region to Stage 3 faster. The prolonged health and economic crisis in the Windsor-Essex region is a direct result of Doug Ford failing to test in this region, and having migrant workers work while sick, she said in a statement. Going to Stage 3 means bars and restaurants can serve patrons indoors and gyms, movie theatres and playgrounds can reopen. The Ministry of Health reported Wednesday the number of patients in hospital for COVID-19 dropped by 12 to 66, while the number of patients in intensive care increased by two to 30 and 15 of them remained on ventilators to breathe. Seven of the hospital patients are in Windsor-Essex, the health unit said. Toronto and Ottawa had the highest number of cases in the ministry report, which is based on reports from health units as of 4 p.m. the previous day, at 18 and 16 respectively, followed by 14 in Chatham-Kent, 11 for Peel and 10 in York Region. Niagara had five new cases. More than half the new cases across the province 56 people were 39 years of age or younger, with 40 infections in the 20-39 group. A Star compilation of data from health units at 5 p.m. Wednesday showed 78 new and probable infections in the previous 24 hours down from 125 at the same time the previous day and lifting the tally to 41,760 since January. There was one more death, which occurred in Chatham-Kent where cases have picked up lately, for a total of 2,821. A great-grandmother who was arrested for having CBD oil at Magic Kingdom last year has filed a lawsuit against The Walt Disney Company. Hester Burkhalter is being represented by attorney Benjamin Crump, who announced the lawsuit during a press conference on Wednesday. Thanks to generations of efforts in taming desertification, people in Yulin, northwest Chinas Shaanxi province, have turned the Mu Us Desert, one of the four major deserts in the country, into an oasis. Photo taken on August 16, 2019 shows a wetland park in Jingbian county, Yulin, northwest Chinas Shaanxi province. (Photo by Tao Ming/Xinhua) As of today, the forest coverage rate of the city has increased from 0.9 percent in 1949 to 34.8 percent. Meanwhile, 93.2 percent of the desertified land in Yulin is now under control, extending the green part of Shaanxi 400 kilometers northward. Planting trees is the key to the ecological miracle in the city. In 1974, 54 young girls with an average age of 18 in Yulin responded to the countrys call for afforestation and formed a desertification control company. Xi Yongcui, now 64 years old, is one of the first-generation members of the company, who spent eight years on the team pursing the mission of the group. After getting married at the age of 26, her husband became a tractor driver for the company. Now Xi Caie, the couples post-90s grandniece, is the current commander of the desertification control company. Over the past 46 years, militiawomen of the company removed more than 800 dunes, built 30 windbreak and sand fixation forest belts and 35 kilometers of water channels, turning about 961.7 hectares of the sandy land into green land. Because of people like these militiawomen, about 573,333 hectares of the desert sand in Yulin has been transformed. In November 2019, Yulin received an award with the title of a state-level forest city by the National Forestry and Grassland Administration. The miracle is also attributable to science and technology. In 2002, Zhang Yinglong, an executive of a foreign company in Beijing at the time, returned to his hometown Shenmu, the northernmost city in Yulin, to obtain 28,533 hectares of sandy land in the Mu Us Desert by contract. Relying on the role of science and technology from the very outset, he has become a sand control expert under the influence of Shao Mingan, an academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS). Zhang has also worked together with the CASs Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, the Chinese Academy of Forestry, the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, and foreign research institutes for afforestation of the land he had contracted. After years of hard work, Zhang has restored the sandy land, turning it into forests, meadows, and fertile land. Land sales in Perth have boomed as buyers snap up new lots before government subsidies rolled out during the COVID-19 pandemic end in December. But it also means Perth's urban sprawl is set to continue, with the mortgage belt suburbs in the fringes of the metropolitan area topping the list as the hottest postcodes to buy new land in. Land sales in Perth boomed in the June 2020 quarter. Credit:Erin Jonasson New data released on Tuesday by the Urban Development Institute of Australia shows Perth saw 3322 new lots sold in the June 2020 quarter, a new record according to the property body. This was a 126 per cent increase from the previous quarter, which saw 1999 blocks sold across the metropolitan area. This month, CNN launches a brand-new cross-platform series which showcases life-changing technologies that are helping people overcome personal hurdles and take their passions to new heights. Tech For Good is a television and digital series which sees CNN anchor and correspondent Kristie Lu Stout share a collection of intimate, inspiring and transformative stories from every corner of the globe. In the first of four 30-minute shows, CNN meets five incredible artists who have harnessed the power of tech for creative expression. Lu Stout first speaks with South Korean percussionist Kyungho Jeon, whose blindness meant his dream of playing in an orchestra initially seemed out of reach. Jeon then co-created the haptic baton, a wearable device that converts movements into vibrations allowing him to be led by a conductor and perform with an ensemble. Based in the coastal town of Santa Cruz, California, artist Colleen Flanigan has seen first-hand the threats facing marine biodiversity. CNN learns how Flanigan has merged her two worlds of art and activism by using the Google Tilt Brush to design reef habitats for endangered organisms. The system allows users to create 3D imagery with a controller that mimics a paintbrush bringing ideas to life, literally. Assistive technology is a rapidly growing industry. Lu Stout meets Sarah Ezekiel, whose ALS a condition that has rendered her unable to speak or move has not stopped her from creating. Ezekiel uses EyeGaze technology from Tobii Dynavox to paint with the movement of her eyes. She shares the artistic processes behind her artworks and explains how the EyeGaze device has allowed her to take back control of her life. For filmmaker Chase Burton, technology has provided a whole new way to experience music. CNN joins him working on a musical score, using a vibrating suit which stimulates parts of his body allowing him to feel, rather than hear the sounds because Burton is deaf. He describes the technology not as compensatory, but as a gateway to an entirely new, holistic method for appreciating music for both deaf and hearing audiences. Finally, Tech for Good catches up with Indian YouTube megastar, Gangavva. The farmers life was changed by technology when she started appearing in the video series My Village Show, which propelled her to internet stardom and has since attracted millions of views, subscribers, and generated a steady income for her entire village. "My journey with the Loeries started back in 1999 as a junior copywriter sitting on the Super Bowl grandstand at Sun City. It was very different back then. For starters the entire show was a formal sit-down dinner, and if you were not a finalist you would spectate while the winners ate. The Loeries has since become a world-class creativity showcase thanks to the tireless, behind-the-scenes work the various committees do," said outgoing Loeries chairperson, Tseliso Rangaka, CCO at FCB Joburg and Hellocomputer, commenting on his Loeries journey in our interview as his two-year tenureship comes to a close. Outgoing Loeries chairperson, Tseliso Rangaka. Looking back on the last two years, what do you feel your brought to the Loeries as chairperson? In our incoming chairperson interview a couple of years back, you referred to your relationship with the Loeries as almost age peers and that you would draw from some of the lessons youve learnt over your life so far to help advance the Awards. Speaking of lessons, any new lessons you learnt during your tenure? You said back then that it [ones 40s] is a time where you stop and take stock and make sure that you focus on whats important and your mission to open up the industry. Given whats happened since, I think the industry has certainly adopted this mentality. What is your view of the impact of the pandemic and lockdown on the industry, locally and across the region? Do we need buildings with ten thousand lights on to make great work? Does creative culture rely on proximity? Can a client sitting in Nairobi feel just as connected to their agency team as one a few blocks away? I dont have the answers but its great that were asking the questions. That said, comment on your hope for the future of the Loeries specifically and the greater industry more generally speaking. What advice would you give to incoming chairperson, Fran Luckin? And whats next for you? And then lastly, incoming chairperson, Fran Luckin, CCO at Grey Africa, has asked which parts of the tenureship you enjoyed most. I joined the team and got the privilege to serve as its chairperson for three incredible years. Ill never forget the feeling of being backstage, seeing the winners, the nervous presenters, and the impeccable clockwork that makes this event one of the best. Its going to be hard to top that, he continued.Here, Rangaka goes on to tell us what he feels he brought to the Loeries, some of the lessons learned and his hope for the future of the Awards and the greater industryEvery chairperson builds on what was started before their term. Id like to think that I helped shoulder the important work of making the circle bigger in terms of diversity and inclusion, challenging implicit bias in the judging of work and lowering historical barriers to entry into the industry.Yes. Lots. I have learnt that change may be uncomfortable, but it is both necessary and inevitable. Coming out better depends on how much one embraces such change. Our industry is an exceptionally difficult one and can inflict crippling personal body blows. Its important to always have some perspective. We all should learn how to take care of ourselves as we give. When our minds, bodies and relationships are healthy, our work and industry reflect this. Im no guru but being on the public facing end of this gig has taught me that much.Lockdown and the pandemic forced us into a time-out. The effects have been devastating. But not all is bad. The unexpected consequence has been a sharper focus by the industry on people. Not just colleagues, clients and consumers but humanity. Ive seen agencies trade profits for staff wellbeing. Campaigns driven by self-interest are giving way to work that tries to make sense of where we are. Working remotely has rendered geographical borders almost irrelevant and is opening up new possibilities for collaboration.I think the Loeries is well positioned to play a much bigger role in bringing creativity and commerce together. The move to Johannesburg will no doubt help with that. The more marketers we show the correlation between outstanding creative work and great business results, the better off well be as an industry. There is no business of advertising without successful business.Bring your own shoes to fill.Well, Ive just started in my new role at FCB Joburg. I would like to focus on making that a good story.Seeing it all come together. Creative Week is a buzz. Its nerve wracking and exhausting but a thrill all the same. Ive also had some great moments backstage with the various people that came and went throughout the awards evenings. Everyone, and I mean Everyone, draws a deep, staccato breath before walking on stage. Youll love it. DENVER The new leader of a suburban Denver police department whose officers put Elijah McClain in a chokehold before the young Black man died last year and handcuffed Black girls over the weekend said Wednesday that she wants to empower police to veer away from strict training protocols and think about whether they are acting on their biases. Vanessa Wilson, who was named chief of the Aurora Police Department this week after serving as its interim leader, told The Associated Press that she is committed to rebuilding the publics trust. She takes the job as the agency reels from encounters with Black people that have drawn widespread attention on social media and triggered a series of investigations. Auroras first female chief, who is white, said the scene captured on video of the girls lying face down on the ground Sunday next to a car that police thought was stolen was inhumane and just unbelievable to watch. Two of the girls were placed in handcuffs and a 6-year-old girl wearing a pink crown cried for her mother. It wouldnt have happened if officers had used their common sense to respond to what they observed, Wilson said. I know that people are angry and disgusted by what they saw. And so am I, Wilson said. I also want to tell you that a lot of our own officers are dismayed and angered about why in the world that call went that way. The car was later determined not to be stolen. The police chief said an internal investigation has begun. Officers are trained to draw guns and put people on the ground when stopping a suspected stolen car because its considered high risk, but when the mother, Brittney Gilliam, told police the car was not stolen and there were children inside, they should have put their guns away and talked to her from a safe distance, Wilson said. The car had the same license plate number as a motorcycle reported stolen from another state, but officers failed to crosscheck an alert about Gilliams vehicle with the original stolen motorcycle report, Wilson said. While interim chief, Wilson decided that because of implicit bias and racism in the world, officers no longer had to contact a person reported to be suspicious, as McClain was as he walked home from a store last August, if they didnt see evidence of a crime. Police stopped McClain, 23, put him in a chokehold and then paramedics gave him 500 milligrams of ketamine to calm him down. McClain suffered cardiac arrest and was later taken off life support. The Colorado attorney general is now investigating after a local prosecutor said last year there wasnt enough evidence to charge the officers. Its one of a handful of investigations into McClains death, including a city review of police policies like use of force. I have changed the directive on suspicious-person calls so that if someone is called in as suspicious just because of the color of their skin, that officers dont have to be robotic in their response, Wilson said. She noted that residents sometimes complain if they dont see a police presence after those calls. She said that the community needs to support the shift in policing and that she would defend her officers for using their best judgment. Wilson said everyone, including police, should be aware of their implicit biases and check themselves to see if theyre acting on them. I think the call to action across the nation has been heard loud and clear, not only for me as the chief of Aurora, but other chiefs across the nation, she said. And we need to do better, and we need to listen to the community and give them a voice and police them the way they want to be policed. Activists and leaders in Colorado say they hope Wilson, whos been with the department for 23 years, can create meaningful change. Gov. Jared Polis told reporters Tuesday that he hopes Wilson is ready to work to increase transparency and rebuild trust. McClain family lawyer Mari Newman said shes wary of Wilsons experience within a department riddled with brutality and racism but is also an optimist. My hope is that she will prove that she has not just the moral compass but also the fortitude to do the right thing and to overhaul a broken department, Newman said Tuesday. Shenika Carter, a community activist, wants Wilson to require anti-racist and anti-oppression training for officers. Carter said the department cannot tolerate any bad apples because the actions of those officers can be life or death for people of color. She also wants police to acknowledge that racism exists within the department and the role it played in McClains treatment. Acknowledge the mistake, acknowledge that he is deceased because of the biases that existed, she said. Marc Sears, president of the local Fraternal Order of Police chapter, said Wilson is the right person to lead the department and is free as permanent chief to make the changes she wants without fear of a replacement undoing them. ____ Patty Nieberg, a corps member for the Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative, contributed to this report. Dublin, Aug. 05, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Eosinophilic Esophagitis (Eoe) Pipeline Research Monitor, 2020 - Drugs, Companies, Clinical Trials, R&D Pipeline Updates, Status and Outlook" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. PIPELINE HIGHLIGHTS Eosinophilic Esophagitis (EoE) is one of the widely researched conditions during 2020 with 18 companies actively focusing on realizing pipeline's potential. 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Optimize your licensing and technology transfer strategies through identification of prospect partners For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/pasfgh Research and Markets also offers Custom Research services providing focused, comprehensive and tailored research. NEW YORK, Aug. 5, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- The Lupus Research Alliance (LRA) announced today that its 2020 Lupus Insight Prize will go to Jane Salmon, MD for her work in improving the health of pregnant women with lupus and antiphospholipid syndrome. The prize will be formally "presented" to Dr. Salmon during a virtual award ceremony September 25 during the Lupus 21st Century meeting. The LRA is recognizing Dr. Salmon's discoveries of the causes of pregnancy complications and miscarriage in patients with lupus and in another autoimmune disease, antiphospholipid syndrome (APS), that may occur in patients with lupus and is often associated with poor pregnancy outcomes. The prize will allow Dr. Salmon to develop a tool to identify patients with high-risk pregnancies and conduct a trial to determine whether certolizumab, a drug used for rheumatoid arthritis, will reduce pregnancy complications in lupus patients with APS. Dr. Salmon is the Collette Kean Research Professor at Hospital for Special Surgery and Professor of Medicine and Professor of Medicine in Obstetrics and Gynecology and Associate Dean for Faculty Affairs at Weill Cornell College of Medicine. The $100,000 Lupus Insight Prize recognizes a major, novel insight and/or discovery that holds the promise of advancing the understanding of lupus and has a high likelihood of improving the diagnosis and treatment of the disease. Over the past 15 years Dr. Salmon has focused on lupus and APS and how they cause complications during pregnancy. In her early work, Dr. Salmon identified immune molecules, known as the complement, as drivers of pregnancy complications caused by APS. In mouse models of APS, the complement system is turned on by autoantibodies on the surface of the developing placenta. This activation unleashes inflammation that harms the placenta and can lead to pregnancy loss and/or impaired fetal growth and development. In a recent study of pregnant women, Dr. Salmon showed that complement activation is a strong predictor for adverse pregnancy outcomes in patients with lupus and/or APS. "Forty-four percent of pregnant women with APS experience pregnancy complications, including preterm delivery and miscarriage, due to inflammation in the placenta. Therapies that reduce placental inflammation appear to be a promising treatment for patients with APS and lupus at high risk for pregnancy complications," said Dr. Salmon. In addition to her work on complement, Dr. Salmon has studied the role of tumor necrosis factor (TNF), a potent inflammatory molecule that causes joint destruction in rheumatoid arthritis and kidney damage in lupus. Dr. Salmon and her team found that treatment with drugs that block the action of TNF can protect pregnant mice with APS and their fetuses from harm. This work suggested that release of TNF contributes to pregnancy loss in women with APS and lupus and served as the basis for a clinical trial (IMPACT study) to test certolizumab, a TNF blocking drug, in high risk pregnancies in women with APS and/or lupus. The Lupus Insight Prize will allow Dr. Salmon and her colleagues to extend the IMPACT trial and determine whether and how certolizumab improves pregnancy outcomes. In the second part of her project, Dr. Salmon and her colleagues will develop a tool to risk stratify lupus pregnancies, that is, to determine the likelihood that a pregnancy will be uncomplicated or will lead to preeclampsia or other serious problems for the mother or fetus. She and her team will first apply powerful computer technologies to data from the PROMISSE study, a multicenter clinical study she led that followed over 500 pregnant patients with lupus and/or APS. They hope to identify patterns of clinical features and biomarkers present at the very beginning of pregnancy that predict increased risk for complications. She will then test her prediction algorithm with extensive data from 1,000 lupus pregnancies followed by collaborators from Europe and North America. Once validated in this diverse patient population, her team will develop an online tool to assist physicians and patients in clinical decision making and counseling lupus patients. "Using this tool, doctors will identify women with lupus whose pregnancies are high-risk and require increased monitoring and, when indicated, additional treatment to protect the health of mother and fetus," said Dr. Salmon. "And, they can reassure women who are at low risk for complications." "Dr. Salmon has found critical links between lupus and antiphospholipid syndrome with pregnancy complications and fetal loss," said Kenneth M. Farber, President and CEO, Lupus Research Alliance. "We are excited to fund her new work which has enormous potential to prevent pregnancy complications, such as preeclampsia, placental insufficiency, and fetal loss, using certolizumab, an FDA approved drug commonly used to treat rheumatoid arthritis." About Lupus Lupus is a chronic, complex autoimmune disease that affects millions of people worldwide. More than 90% of people with lupus are women; lupus most often strikes during the childbearing years of 15-45. African Americans, Latin Americans, Asians and Native Americans are at two to three times greater risk than Caucasians. In lupus, the immune system, which is designed to protect against infection, creates antibodies that can attack any part of the body including the kidneys, brain, heart, lungs, blood, skin, and joints. About the Lupus Research Alliance The Lupus Research Alliance aims to transform treatment while advancing toward a cure by funding the most innovative lupus research in the world. The organization's stringent peer review grant process fosters diverse scientific talent who are driving discovery toward better diagnostics, improved treatments and ultimately a cure for lupus. Because the Lupus Research Alliance's Board of Directors fund all administrative and fundraising costs, 100% of all donations goes to support lupus research programs. SOURCE Lupus Research Alliance Related Links http://www.lupusresearch.org T he number of people who died in the deadly explosion that rocked Lebanon's capital Beirut has risen to 135, with around 5,000 left injured. Health Minister Hamad Hassan, speaking to Al Manar TV, confirmed that the death toll from the blast on Tuesday has risen from 100 to at least 135, with dozens more still missing. It comes as Foreign Secretary Dominic said the UK's aid to Lebanon was "ready to go". Mr Raab said the UK is poised to deliver medical experts, humanitarian aid of 5 million, and search-and-rescue experts to Lebanon. Lebanon: Beirut explosion aftermath - In pictures 1 /90 Lebanon: Beirut explosion aftermath - In pictures The scene of an explosion in Beirut AFP via Getty Images A man reacts at the scene of an explosion at the port in Lebanon's capital Beirut AFP via Getty Images Firefighters spray water at a fire following an explosion in Beirut's port area, Lebanon REUTERS A helicopter puts out a fire at the scene of an explosion at the port of Lebanon's capital Beirut AFP via Getty Images An aerial view of ruined structures at the port Getty Images A Lebanese couple drive past the debris of a building in the damaged neighbourhood of Mar Mikhael AFP via Getty Images An aerial view of ruined structures at the port Getty Images Lebanese activists take part in a campaign to clean the damaged neighbourhood of Mar Mikhael AFP via Getty Images An aerial view of ruined structures at the port, Getty Images A statue representing the Lebanese expatriate is seen in front of a building that was damaged by an explosion that hit the seaport of Beirut, Lebanon AP A fireball exploding while smoke is billowing at the port of the Lebanese capital Beirut MOUAFAC HARB/AFP via Getty Image Lebanese firefighters work at the scene of an explosion in the Lebanese capital Beirut AFP via Getty Images The scene of an explosion at the port in the Lebanese capital Beiru AFP via Getty Images A helicopter puts out a fire at the scene of an explosion at the port of Lebanon's capital Beirut AFP via Getty Images TALAL TRABOULSI via REUTERS A view shows the aftermath of yesterday's blast at the port of Lebanon's capital Beiru AFP via Getty Images Lebanese soldiers search for survivors after a massive explosion in Beirut, Lebanon AP A man walks by an overturned car and destroyed buildings on August 4, 2020 in Beirut, Lebano Getty Images Lebanese soldiers search for survivors after a massive explosion in Beirut, Lebanon AP A view shows the aftermath of yesterday's blast at the port of Lebanon's capital Beiru AFP via Getty Images Smoke rises after an explosion in Beirut, Lebanon via REUTERS A drone picture shows the scene of an explosion that hit the seaport of Beirut, Lebanon AP People gather outside American University of Beirut (AUB) medical centre following an explosion in Beirut, Lebanon REUTERS People ride past a car destroyed after a building wall collapsed after a large explosion in Beirut Getty Images Damaged church and vehicles are seen following yesterday's blast that shook the Lebanese capital Beirut AFP via Getty Images A drone picture shows the scene of an explosion at the seaport of Beirut, Lebanon AP The scene of an explosion at the port of Lebanon's capital Beirut AFP via Getty Images Buildings and cars are partially destroyed in the neighbourhood of Mar Mikhael following an explosion at the port of Beiru AFP via Getty Images A rescue worker tends to an injured man following an explosion at the port of Beirut AFP via Getty Images Smoke rises from a port facility after large explosions Getty Images The destroyed silo sits in rubble and debris after an explosion at the seaport of Beirut, Lebanon AP Smoke is seen after an explosion in Beirut, Lebanon GABY MAAMARY via REUTERS Civilians help an injured man at the explosion scene that hit the seaport of Beirut, Lebanon AP Smoke rises as people walk near the site of an explosion in Beirut, Lebanon REUTERS Lebanese soldiers stand outside American University of Beirut (AUB) medical centre following an explosion in Beirut, Lebanon REUTERS Smoke rises from a port facility after large explosions Getty Images Damaged vehicle and buildings are pictured near the site of Tuesday's blast in Beirut's port area, Lebanon REUTERS A general view shows the damage near the site of Tuesday's blast in Beirut's port area, Lebanon REUTERS People stand near damaged cars following an explosion in Beirut, Lebanon REUTERS Smoke rises from a port facility after large explosions Getty Images People inspect the damage near the site of Tuesday's blast in Beirut's port area, Lebanon REUTERS A view shows the damaged facade of a building following Tuesday's blast in Beirut's port area, Lebano REUTERS A wounded man walks next to a damaged car on a street, following an explosion in Beirut, Lebanon via REUTERS Damaged buildings are seen after an explosion in Beirut, Lebanon via REUTERS Smoke rises over destroyed structures following large explosion Getty Images A view shows the aftermath at the site of Tuesday's blast in Beirut's port area, Lebanon REUTERS Smoke rises from a port facility after large explosion Getty Images AFP via Getty Images AFP via Getty Images AFP via Getty Images AFP via Getty Images AFP via Getty Images AFP via Getty Images REUTERS AFP via Getty Images AFP via Getty Images AFP via Getty Images AFP via Getty Images AFP via Getty Images AFP via Getty Images REUTERS REUTERS AFP via Getty Images Getty Images Getty Images REUTERS REUTERS Getty Images Government schools minister Nick Gibb said all embassy staff based in Beirut are accounted for, but some have suffered non-life-threatening injuries. Mr Gibb said: All embassy staff are accounted for. A small number have sustained non-life-threatening injuries and, where necessary, are receiving medical attention. It is a fast-moving situation and we are monitoring the situation closely. The Foreign Office said the situation was "fast moving" / REUTERS "We stand ready to offer consular support to British nationals affected. People should check FCO travel advice, which is updated regularly and includes contact details for those requiring consular assistance. Sky News has reported that the UK is preparing to send assistance including medics and search and rescue teams. "We don't know what the assistance is going to be but we understand that it will include search and rescue teams, as well as teams of medics," Sky News' Foreign Affairs editor Deborah Haynes said. The UK is ready to send aid / AFP via Getty Images However, when approached by the Standard the Foreign Office refused to comment on whether the report was true. It comes as the Queen sent a message to the President of the Republic of Lebanon to say she and the Duke of Edinburgh were deeply saddened by the news. The Queen's message said: "Prince Philip and I were deeply saddened by news of the explosion at the Port in Beirut yesterday. "Our thoughts and prayers are with the families and friends of those who have been injured or lost their lives, and all those whose homes and livelihoods have been affected." Dominic Raab said the details of Britons caught up in the Beirut blast were still being established. We are not sure on the precise figures in relation to UK nationals there, we will obviously want to bottom out that in the days ahead, the Foreign Secretary said. Obviously we have a consular team there which are monitoring that very carefully. The UK is poised to send aid to Lebanon / AFP via Getty Images Speaking outside the Foreign Office, Mr Raab said: We are ready and now poised to deliver medical experts, humanitarian aid of 5 million, search-and-rescue experts. We have also got a Royal Navy survey ship in the area which can be deployed to help assess the damage to the port. All of that is ready to go, obviously we will make sure we have got exactly what is tailored towards the Lebanese needs. Mr Raab said a full, thorough and rigorous investigation had been promised by the Lebanese prime minister. The Foreign Secretary spoke to Hassan Diab on Wednesday to discuss the blast in Beiruts port. He has been very clear with me that there will be a full, thorough and rigorous investigation to get to the truth I think the people of the Lebanon deserve no less and that there will be full accountability, subject of course to the results and the outcome of that investigation. Validus Vietnam comprises of a dedicated team rich in experience of SMEs banking With its young, tech-savvy population and burgeoning emerging market, Vietnam presents a unique reserve of untapped financial services opportunities. According to the International Finance Corporation, SMEs play an essential role in Vietnams economy, accounting for 98 per cent of enterprises whilst contributing to 40 per cent of the GDP. Yet 60 per cent of SMEs have unmet financing needs, with the financing gap estimated at $21 billion. Access to finance is key to the creation, growth, and productivity of SMEs. However, a large number of domestic small businesses lack financial literacy as well as the necessary collateral and credit records to borrow from traditional lenders like banks. In comes Validus Vietnam, the local arm of Singapore-headquarted Validus Capital (Validus), which boasts distinct advantages of deep understanding of Vietnam, along with extensive expertise and a reputation to bridge the SME financing gap. Based in Ho Chi Minh City, Validus Vietnam is going full throttle on its journey to connect Vietnamese SMEs to individual and institutional investors for reliable and safe financing. With its innovative financing model, Validus Vietnam is boosting lending to small businesses in key supply chains, deploying a sustainable finance product offering that provides working capital to SMEs in a timely and affordable manner, helping local businesses increase trade and create employment. As the largest SME financing platform in Singapore, we understand how access to affordable financing can enable their exponential growth, and we are capable in assisting cash-strapped SMEs to seek funding. Specifically, those supported by Validus in Singapore saw a 17 per cent increase in revenue on average, and supported more than 10,000 jobs, noted Ajit Raikar, co-founder and executive chairman of Validus. As the global health crisis continues to inflict hardship on every sector, financing remains critical for SMEs. Weve witnessed a sustained demand for unsecured loans from viable SMEs looking to prime their business for recovery and growth. In Vietnam, Validus has forged key partnerships with corporates to address financing in various sectors, such as with pharmacy group Medicare Vietnam, and Nafoods a fast-growing agri-food business and manufacturer. Such partnerships reiterate the firms commitment in bridging the financing gap for SMEs and building a more prosperous Vietnam as a part of its customer-centric culture. Swaroop Shah, CEO of Validus Vietnam told VIR, In addition to working with credible local corporate partners, Validus Vietnam has a professional and dedicated team with in-depth experience in SMEs banking. This is essential as each market is differentiated that is why weve adopted a glocal approach in every country we enter. Furthermore, investing in technology has been part of the Singapore-headquartered leading fintechs strategic focus to offer clients a superior experience. Validus digital platform implements cutting-edge credit scoring systems, proven proprietary algorithms and AI catered to fulfil bespoke demands of Vietnams SMEs on accessing to fast, reliable, and affordable financing sources. These technologies help Validus improve its credit scoring and fraud detection capabilities, strengthening the risk mitigation process to safeguard investors interests. We are committed to delivering our top-notch lending services to meet the working capital needs of Vietnamese SMEs, coupled with the strong governance framework already in place from our Singapore operations, Shah added. With easier access to financing options, businesses are able to manage their operational expenses, therefore deepen expertise in their landscape, to thrive and transform locally and globally. Backed by big names such as VinaCapital Ventures, Vertex Ventures, and AAA-rated Dutch Development Bank FMO, Validus Capital has a strong growing presence in the region in Singapore, Indonesia, and Vietnam, with Thailand launching later this year. The award-winning company has facilitated more than $365 million in business financing to-date. The firm has also garnered a number of prestigious awards, including Best Supply Chain Finance Company Singapore 2020 and Best SME Financing Platform Singapore 2020 at the International Business Magazine Awards; and Best P2P Lending Platform Singapore 2020 by Global Banking & Finance Review. In May, Validus successfully raised $14 million in its ongoing Series B+ funding round, reflecting its immense potential, growing strength, and huge influence on the regions financial landscape. The company looks forward to partnering with more corporations to provide Vietnams SMEs access to convenient and affordable sources of growth financing across industries like agriculture, manufacturing, wholesale trade, and healthcare. The Vietnamese government is set to polish up mechanisms, policies, and the legal framework in the finance sector, in order to adapt to the Fourth Industrial Revolution. We believe were evolving in sync with our clients fast-paced, burgeoning needs to accelerate SMEs development in Vietnam, Shah emphasised. Bhim B Subba Every August, Beidaihe, a summer seaside resort around 200 kilometres from Beijing, witnesses secretive and elaborate security preparations for visiting political luminaries of the Communist Party of China (CPC). Apart from relishing the sun and sea, and swimming, this informal gathering is an opportunity for the incumbent leadership and party elders to exchange views a Chinese equivalent of the marg darshak mandal. However, with COVID-19 still lurking, who and how many of the older party leaders will attend this secretive conclave is to be keenly watched. Some Chinese language media reports indicate that the meeting will be underway as security drills and sanitising railway stations, airport terminals and public places were supervised by the provincial and local public security bureau officials to welcome party leaders, advisers and experts. For a China watcher, apart from the formal National Peoples Congress sessions in spring and the annual central committee plenums in late autumn, this summer meeting is one of the most awaited political events in China. Many discussions on important national development plans and economic policies are settled at Beidaihe. In other words, the resort is often an epicentre of power showdowns and palace politics. Following an ongoing trade war with the United States and the COVID-19 pandemic, CPC General Secretary Xi Jinping is right at the centre and a target of potential criticism. In Chinese politics, the role of informal power is much more diverse and extensive than of formal power, and more so after Mao Zedong. In the reform period, prominent Long March generation leaders such as Deng Xiaoping, Chen Yun and Peng Zhen commanded immense informal power even though they occupied only ceremonial posts. They provided guidance in shaping the reform process and also keeping their successors on toes by political purges and criticisms. Deng even purged his proteges Hu Yaobang in 1987 and Zhao Ziyang in 1989, both enjoying formal party and state positions with ease. However, with the Long March elders long gone, former statesmen such as Jiang Zemin, Zhu Rongji, Hu Jintao and Wen Jiabao have become new party elders in the Xi era. Although they do not command the same political stature as that of the revolutionary veterans, Xi cannot relegate them to retirement completely either. Jiang, Zhu and Zeng Qinghong of the current cohort, were instrumental in promoting Xi in the early years but have off late resented his leadership style and policies. Thus, an informal setting such as the Beidaihe conclave gives these leaders an opportunity to discuss and deliberate and, thereby, turn the tables on Xi through criticisms of policies and factional management. Xi, anticipating this challenge from the elders and power brokers, has been marshalling his resources. A recent reshuffle of more than 20 senior officials of National Development and Reforms Commission (a more powerful version of Indias Niti Aayog), provincial and ministerial cadre involving seven central ministries and commissions in July, appointments of 29 senior provincial vice-governors in early March-April, and other changes currently still underway seems to indicate Xis intent to stabilise his position within the CPC and groom future elites under his tutelage. This ensures cultivation of his own informal power and a power base for the future. Already Xi has accumulated power unparalleled in the post-Mao period and the politburo is stacked with his proteges. A case in point is the powerful Political and Legal Affairs Commission (PLAC) responsible for overseeing all legal enforcement authorities including the police force at all levels of the CPC and government. Even after the purge of former head and politburo standing committee member Zhou Yongkang, as well as of other senior officials, the PLAC has been a power base of Xis political opponents, i.e. Jiang loyalists. Xis campaign however, is again not led by Guo Shengkun politburo member and current head of the PLAC and presumed Jiang loyalist but by its secretary general and Xi confidante Chen Yixin. Overall, however, although Xi has been successful in resurrecting his image that took a beating in the wake of COVID-19 and the passing of the Hong Kong National Security Law, this years Beidaihe conclave can be a litmus test for his handling of a political crisis. As the Chinese saying goes old ginger is still very sharp and the old guard can try to undermine Xis authority through factional power and criticism. COLUMBIA The novel coronavirus remains a deadly threat to scores of South Carolina nursing homes, but gaps in the states public tracking of the virus keep families in the dark on how effectively the facilities where their loved ones live have controlled infections. For some large nursing homes that hosted some of the states worst initial outbreaks, whether infections have continued to mount at those facilities in recent weeks is anybodys guess. Thats because the state Department of Health and Environmental Control, unlike other models, does not report the number of tests performed at nursing homes, or the percentage of tests that come back positive both key measures for tracking the virus at large. In fact, nursing homes arent required to do any testing at all. The state health agency tested all patients and staff at the states 194 nursing homes in May roughly 40,000 tests. But that effort only gathered a baseline. DHEC has not continued universal testing, though health authorities point to it as a key measure for infection control. Since June, while the state health agency has recommended regular testing, it has left the matter up to the nursing homes themselves. Its unclear if some homes have heeded the advice. Consider Greer Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center in the Upstate. According to DHECs latest update, the 133-bed facility has had one of the states worst outbreaks, with nearly 100 patients and staff infected and 11 dead. But that information is two months old. DHEC has not recorded a single new infection at the facility since the beginning of June, and its unclear how often the facility has tested residents or staff. A spokesman for the facility, reached by The Post and Courier, said that staff are screened daily for symptoms, but that the last time all patients and staff were tested was in May. Its possible that other tests have been performed sporadically, such as when someone shows a common symptom. But the spokesman, Adam Smith, said he didnt have more details. In Columbia, its also unclear how often staff and residents are being tested at Midlands Health and Rehabilitation Center. The 88-bed facility at one point had the highest rate of infection in the state 100 cases among patients and staff, and 12 people dead. But like with Greer, DHEC has not published any new information about the facility since June. DHEC spokeswoman Laura Renwick said she couldnt immediately determine what test results the agency has recently received from the facility, if any. Federal health officials stress that outbreaks should only be considered controlled after rigorous testing for at least a two-week period. Specifically, federal guidance calls for all residents and staff even those not showing symptoms to be tested at least once a week, until those results yield zero positive cases for 14 straight days. Some nursing homes may have cleared that hurdle, but its impossible for the public to know. In DHECs bi-weekly tally of infections and deaths at nursing homes, the agency does not indicate when tests were performed, if there was any lag in results or what percent of tests per facility came back positive. Other models tracking infections at nursing homes are more detailed. North Carolinas state health agency identifies facilities considered to have their outbreaks under control, based on test results. Even a private provider, Pruitt Health, on a tracker it maintains on its website reveals more information, such as the number of nursing home patients who have been tested. At Pruitt Healths nursing home in North Augusta, for instance, the companys public tracker shows four suspected cases of COVID-19. Because DHEC has not received a positive test from that facility, the agency has not included it in its tally. Renwick, the DHEC spokeswoman, stressed that the health agency has kept close watch over nursing homes, including sharing federal guidance on testing as it is updated. DHEC also performed spot infection control inspections at all 194 nursing homes in June and July, she said. During those inspections, we were able to assess that appropriate disease prevention protocols were in place at each facility and to perform follow-up surveys at facilities when warranted, Renwick said. For lawyers who practice nursing home litigation, the lack of information has only made matters worse for families who have been unable to visit loved ones since nursing homes locked down in mid-March. Because watchful family members have long been key watchdogs against abuse and neglect at nursing homes, lawyers have called on Gov. Henry McMaster to roll back his restrictions on visitation at the homes. McMaster seemed prepared in early July to release DHEC guidelines for how nursing homes may begin to allow limited visitation. But as infections mounted statewide, he put those plans on hold. Brian Symmes, a spokesman for McMaster, said the governor shares the concerns about the lack of visitation, and expects to release the DHEC guidelines soon. Nobody wants to open up these facilities more than the governor does, Symmes said. Especially for those residents who may be unable to communicate their own conditions directly, lawyers contend its critical that families have access to as much information as possible. They need to know what the positivity rates are, said Matt Christian, a Greenville lawyer. They need to know what the testing procedures are at the facility. And they need to know this information right now. (Natural News) In a letter to the Seattle City Council which is filled entirely by Democrats and socialists the chief of the Seattle Police Department (SPD), Carmen Best, wrote about how Antifa and Black Lives Matter rioters and agitators targeted one of her homes in nearby Snohomish County, directly to the north of Seattle. According to Best, a large group of aggressive protesters went to her private residence in Snohomish County late in the evening of Saturday, August 1. This violent mob was confronted by Bests neighbors, who quickly used their vehicles to block the road. Many of her neighbors also carried their firearms to deter the crowd. They claimed that some of the demonstrators tried talking to them to explain why they were there and to get them to move their vehicles, but the residents refused, which helped make sure that the aggressive crowd was unable to continue further into the area, where they would no doubt either trespass on Bests private property or engage in other criminal acts in the neighborhood. The sheriff of Snohomish County is currently monitoring the situation. I assured [Chief of Police Best] that the Snohomish County Sheriffs Office would deploy whatever resources were necessary to protect her, her family and her property, said Snohomish County Sheriff Adam Fortney. I urge both of you, [President of the City Council Lorena Gonzales and Chairwoman of the Committee of Public Safety Lisa Herbold], and the entire council, to stand up for what is right, wrote Best in her letter. These direct actions against elected officials, and especially civil servants like myself, are out of line with and go against every democratic principle that guides our nation. (Related: BLM rioters in Olympia, Washington vandalized their mayors home in an act of domestic terrorism but she still DEFENDS them.) Best continued her letter by stating that elected officials such as the members of the city council need to intervene strongly before the protesters way of conducting their affairs by mob rule affects Seattle and the entire nation. She also said that the council needs to act by forcefully calling for an end to the tactic of rioters and provocateurs dropping in on the homes of public officials. Best ended her letter by stating that the righteous cause of Black and Brown Americans standing up against people suffering injustice must be rescued from the violent tactics that many demonstrators are participating in. Listen to this episode of the Health Ranger Report, a podcast by Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, as he talks about how the Radical Leftist Antifa and Black Lives Matter movements are engaging in man-trapping techniques as a way to lure unsuspecting police officers into deadly ambushes. Rioters march to Bests home shakes neighborhood Many people living in the neighborhood spoke about how terrified they felt by the arrival of the violent mob, especially since many are not certain if the threat really has passed. Several of Bests neighbors shared that theyve been seeing the same vehicles a yellow van and a motorcycle patrolling the area as though waiting for an opening to get closer to Bests home. I feel incredibly unsafe, said one resident who spoke with reporters from the Lynnwood Times. We think it will happen again. Their objective was not completed; they never made it to her house, we stopped them. So we think they will be back. One resident even talked about how the rioters were very organized. Many were apparently communicating using radios and the vehicles they came with had distinctive decals on them that identified them. They came with a mission, the same resident said. They were out here intimidating us. Several other residents who were interviewed talked about how peaceful the area was before the violent mob arrived. Many of the residents, some of whom have been living there for over 10 years, talked about how many of the neighbors knew each other, and many families had children who freely went about in the area riding their bicycles or playing with their skateboards. Seattle City Council remains quiet as they deliberate budget cuts for SPD The only person to have come out with any kind of statement or comment regarding the incident and Chief Bests open letter is Councilwoman Tammy Morales, a Democrat, who stated that she does not approve of how Best celebrated the fact that her neighbors used firearms to defend their neighborhood and deter the violent mob. This silence comes as unsurprising, as almost the whole local government of Seattle has capitulated to the demands of the Black Lives Matter movement to defund the citys police department. Democratic Mayor Jenny Durkan has even supported slashing the SPDs budget by 50 percent. She even told the officers to expect deeper cuts in future budget hearings. The Seattle City Council has also come out in support of defunding the police, as they are currently beginning a new round of discussions concerning deep cuts to the SPDs budget. A resolution has already been filed, and dozens of amendments have already been pushed, which the city council will deliberate over the next month. According to the new resolution, the council wants to divert many emergency calls that are not criminal in nature away from the police by creating a new Department of Community Safety and Violence Prevention, which would be led by a civilian and will work alongside the SPD. The council proposes taking a lot of money away from the police department to fund this new one. If the resolution passes, many people working in the SPD will soon find themselves without jobs. Keep an eye out for the latest criminal acts perpetrated by Antifa and the Black Lives Matter movement by reading the articles at Rioting.news. Sources include: TheEpochTimes.com KING5.com SeattleTimes.com LynnwoodTimes.com KOMONews.com A friend of Ghislaine Maxwell has revealed details of the 'creepy' song he was commissioned to perform at the birthday of Jeffrey Epstein - which included lyrics about 'schoolgirl crushes' and '24-hour erections'. Society writer Christopher Mason, 54, who lives in Manhattan, writes and performs musical roasts and topical satirical songs, and after meeting Maxwell in 1989 was asked to perform at the millionaire paedophile's 40th birthday. Speaking to FEMAIL ahead of Crime + Investigation's Surviving Jeffrey Epstein, he told he was led into a room in Epstein's New York townhouse where a 'gentleman's club' of six or seven men wearing black tie and smoking cigars were waiting for him. He was asked to sit on the floor cross-legged to perform his song, all while wearing the disgraced paedophile's own karate suit, which Maxwell, 54, had asked him to put on as a practical joke designed to 'freak Jeffery out'. Christopher claimed that following the death of disgraced British media mogul Robert Maxwell, Epstein had become a paternal figure in Ghislaine's life, and she was desperate for his approval because of her 'monster' father. Former friend of Ghislaine Maxwell, Christopher Mason, 54, pictured with Maxwell in 2013, has revealed details of the 'creepy' song he was commissioned to perform at the birthday of Jeffrey Epstein Despite having no formal qualifications, in the 1970s Epstein taught physics and mathematics teacher at the prestigious Dalton School and Maxwell asked for lyrics about 'crushes' school girls would have had on him 'I was instructed to knock on the door', Christopher told FEMAIL. 'Introduce myself, sit in the middle of the room, cross legged in Jeffery's Karate outfit, which Ghislaine had asked me to wear. 'He was studying karate, he was going for his black belt and she somehow knew he would figure out I was wearing his karate outfit and that would freak him out slightly.' 'I had to sit cross legged in this room, there was a real sense of - they were drinking brandy and smoking cigars - and it was this gentleman's club atmosphere of guys enjoying each others company. It was kind of a Masters of the Universe undertone.' Christopher went on to tell how Maxwell sought 'approval', from Epstein in the same way she did her father - claiming he became a paternal figure in her life. Maxwell and Epstein's tight-knit relationship meant Christopher was banned from asking anyone else about the millionaire. The pair are pictured as guests of Prince Andrew at Sandringham, Norfolk in 2000 'My impression was her father was a famous monster', he told, 'And she was his favourite and she would do anything to please her father and get his approval.' Maxwell and Epstein's tight-knit relationship meant Christopher was banned from asking anyone else about the billionaire, and despite the light-hearted nature of the song - all information was to go through her. '[It's] very creepy to think about it in retrospect, he told. 'Usually when I write these songs I usually try to speak to as many people as possible, to get a real sense of the person and get as much comedy as I can for the song. 'But in this case, Ghislaine was insistent I shouldn't speak to anyone else. All the information had to come from her.' Despite having no formal qualifications, in the 1970s Epstein taught physics and mathematics teacher at the prestigious Dalton School in Manhattan, after being hired by then- headmaster Donald Barr - the father of current US Attorney General, William Barr. Christopher was asked to include 'specific odd and quirky' lyrics in his song, including lines about being an object of lust to his students during his time at the prestigious school. Maxwell commissioned Christopher to write a song and asked to include lyrics about 'schoolgirl crushes' and '24-hour erections' 'There were very specific things she wanted in the song', said Christopher. 'She wanted me to mention that when he was teaching at the Dalton school, he was subject to many school girl crushes. It seemed like an odd thing to request to be in the song. 'And she wanted me to claim that Jeffery had 24-hour erections, these were odd quirky things she wanted to have in the song.' Epstein's stint at the elite private school proved to be the beginning of four decades spent in the midst of power and privilege. During his two-year tenure at the school, Epstein met Bear Stearns CEO Alan Greenberg, whose two children were students at Dalton. Greenberg was reportedly impressed by Epstein's quick mind, and offered him a job as a trader at Bear Stearns in 1976. Epstein quickly found success in the field, and went on to work as a financial consultant.He opened his own financial management firm, J. Epstein & Company, in 1988. Maxwell met Epstein in the early 1990s at a New York party following a difficult break-up with former boyfriend Count Gianfranco Cicogna Mozzoni - and Christpher described her at the time as 'incredibly engaging, supremely social, staggeringly well connected'. Maxwell met Epstein in the early 1990s at a New York party following a difficult break-up with former boyfriend. The pair are pictured at the Mar-a-Lago club, Palm Beach, Florida, 1995 Maxwell is currently in custody in Brooklyn and faces 35 years behind bars if convicted of the charges, while Epstein, who killed himself in jail last year on similar charges, escaped justice According to Christopher, Maxwell met Epstein after she had moved to a 'modest' one-bedroom apartment in New York, but after sparking a relationship with the financier, was soon galavanting on 'private planes and yachts' once again. He told: 'Within no time at all it seemed everything changed and she was hanging out with Jeffery and there was talk of private planes and yachts. In November 1991, Ghislaine's media mogul father Robert Maxwell, who at the height of his career was estimated to be worth a staggering $1.9 billion, died - with his publishing empire collapsing soon after. Following his death, huge discrepancies in his companies' finances were revealed, with the discovery he had completely emptied his employee pension funds to the tune of at least $900 million. 'The next thing I knew was her father dying and we're hearing these reports of what a horrible monster he was,' said Christopher. 'The story was that Ghislaine and her family were now destitute and at the time, she really seemed like she was down on her luck.' Maxwell is currently in custody in Brooklyn and faces 35 years behind bars if convicted of the charges, while Epstein, who killed himself in jail last year on similar charges, escaped justice. Christopher, pictured in New York this year, revealed that while peers had no idea of the extent of the pair's crimes, it was common knowledge that Epstein 'liked younger women' Prosecutors say she procured underage girls for Jeffrey Epstein in the 1990s and that the pair both he sexually abused them. She denies the claims. Christopher revealed that while peers had no idea of the extent of the pair's crimes, it was common knowledge that Epstein 'liked younger women' and 'part of Ghislaine's remit' was introducing the millionaire to those younger women. 'At that point I'd heard not directly from Ghislaine, but from close friends of Ghislaine', told Christopher, 'That part of their relationship was that they were boyfriend girlfriend, or had been until recently, but Jeffery liked younger women, and part of Maxwell's remit was introducing Jeffery to younger girls. 'At the time we had no sense of what that really meant was it was girls from posh private schools in New York.' Surviving Jeffrey Epstein premieres on CRIME+INVESTIGATION with a double episode airing on Tuesday 25th August at 9pm. Parts three and four will be broadcast the following evening on Wednesday 26th August at 9pm. A spokeswoman for Virgin Atlantic said the bankruptcy filing is part of a court process in the United Kingdom to carry out a restructuring plan that the airline announced last month. The process is supported by a majority of the airlines creditors, and the company hopes to emerge from the process in September, she said. Samsungs first virtual Unpacked ranked somewhere between Microsoft and Apples recent events in terms of overall presentation and general awkwardness. The show kicked off seven minutes late, and a number of on-screen presenters certainly tended toward the moreawkward side of things, but overall, it was a decent first virtual event as the company embraces what its branded as The Next Normal. Toward the end of the show, mobile head TM Roh noted, Going forward, 5G and foldable will be the major pillars of Samsungs future. 5G is certainly a no-brainer. The event saw the company taking a step toward standardizing the next-gen wireless technology across its flagship mobile devices as well as making its first appearance on the companys tablets. Image Credits: Samsung As expected, the big news is the latest version of Samsungs perennial favorite phablet line. The Note 20 gets 5G for both models and now comes in 6.7 and 6.9-inch models. The Ultra version gets a 120Hz refresh rate along with a hybridized 50x super zoom, using the same technology introduced with the Galaxy S20 earlier this year. The most unsung addition might be UWB (ultra-wideband), which will enable a number of new features, including close proximity file sharing, a future unlock feature (with partner Assa Abloy) and a find my phone-style feature with an AR element. Xbox head Phil Spencer also made a brief remote cameo to announce Game Pass access, bringing more than 100 streaming titles to the device. The models start at $1,000 and $1,300, respectively. Theyll start shipping August 21. New to the 5G game is the Galaxy Tab series. Samsung says the line includes the first tablets that support 5G available in the United States. The S7 and S7+ sport an 11 and 12.4-inch display, respectively, and start at $650 and $850, respectively. No word yet on pricing for the 5G versions. Image Credits: Samsung The event included a pair of new wearables. The more exciting of the two is probably the Galaxy Buds Live. Samsung has made consistently solid wireless earbuds, and the latest version finally introduce active noise canceling, along with some cool features like the ability to double as a mic for a connected Note device. The bean Buds are available today for $170. Story continues Image Credits: Samsung Id be lying if I said the most exciting part of the Galaxy Watch 3 wasnt the return of the physical bezel long the best thing about Samsungs smartwatches. Also notable is the addition of improved sleep and fitness tracking, along with an ECG monitor, which Samsung announced has just received FDA clearance. The Galaxy Watch 3 runs $400 and $430 for the 41mm and 45mm, respectively. There will also be LTE models, priced at $50 more. Image Credits: Samsung As for the foldable side of things, the event also found Samsung announcing its latest foldable, the Galaxy Z Fold 2, with help from superstar boy band, BTS. The focus on the new version mostly revolves around fixing the numerous problems surrounding its predecessor. That includes a new glass reinforcement for the screen and a hinge that sweeps away debris that can fall in and break the screen in the process. More information on the foldable will be announced September 1. RTHK: Indian Kashmir in lockdown ahead of anniversary Thousands of Indian troops imposed a curfew in Kashmir on Tuesday, with razor wire and steel barricades blocking main roads a day ahead of the one-year anniversary of the restive region being stripped of its autonomy. Prime Minister Narendra Modi imposed direct rule last August 5, promising peace and prosperity after three decades of violence that have seen tens of thousands of people killed in an anti-India uprising. Officials announced a two-day "full curfew" on Monday citing intelligence reports of looming protests in the Muslim-majority region of seven million people, where locals have called for the anniversary to be marked as a "black day". A "full curfew" means people can only move around with an official pass, usually reserved for essential services such as police and ambulances. The curfew was unexpectedly lifted in Srinagar late on Tuesday, with authorities saying in a statement that Kashmir's main city had been "incident-free" since Monday. But the government added that restrictions introduced in recent days to reduce the spread of the coronavirus would remain in place, with most economic activities limited and public movement curtailed. On Monday morning, new barricades were placed on main roads on Srinagar, and on Tuesday thousands of government troops fanned across the city and surrounding villages. "Police in vehicles moved through our locality and from loudspeakers ordered us to stay indoors for two days as if we were not already caged," said Imriyaz Ali, who lives in the Srinagar old town. For locals, the new curfew brought back memories of the weeks-long clampdown a year ago. Then, a total communications blackout was imposed, with phone and internet access cut and tens of thousands of fresh troops moved into the valley already one of the world's most militarised regions. Around 7,000 people were taken into custody including three former chief ministers. Hundreds remain under house arrest or behind bars to this day, mostly without charge. (AFP) This story has been published on: 2020-08-05. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. A VARIETY of outdoor events will place across Limerick in the coming weeks having received support from Limerick City and County Council. Band recitals, outdoor yoga, a craft market and a regatta are some of the events which, its hoped, will attract more people into the city centre. To support businesses post Covid-19, the local authoritys Tourism Culture and Arts Department launched the Animate Your Street Outreach grant scheme calling on local groups, businesses and communities to propose creative ways to use urban public spaces safely and support family friendly activities this summer. Events taking place this summer include band recitals, outdoor yoga, a craft market & a regatta, as part of our Animate Your Street Outreach grant scheme for local groups, businesses & communities to create ways to use urban public spaces safely MORE: https://t.co/ptHn97LHjE pic.twitter.com/8UKGQP6YsS Limerick Council (@LimerickCouncil) August 5, 2020 Fourteen applications have received funding support for activities or events including the food and craft market in the Potato Market (Saturday), the Limerick Boat Club Regatta, outdoor yoga classes in the Peoples Park and a series of performances by Fidget Feet Various street performers and bands have also received support to perform across the city in a variety of locations and a proposal for an outdoor Art Exhibition of local artists work on the railings of the Peoples Park has also received support. A mural and treasure hunt in Pallasgreen has also received support from the council.. Decorative lighting has been installed in the trees on Bedford Row and Thomas Street to enhance the atmosphere for outdoor diners at restaurants located in this area. Pop-Up Movies in the Park have been facilitated to show three movies in the Peoples Park on Saturday, August 22. All of the events which have received funding are subject to the organisers capacity to proceed safely in line with national public health guidelines. Aoife Potter-Cogan, Festivals and Events with Limerick City and County Council said: All applicants should be commended for their can-do spirit and enthusiasm; we understand that the current situation changes daily and makes it very difficult to plan. We will however continue to work with activity organisers to support them to deliver their proposals safely. The funding scheme was established to support activities from mid-July until the end of August and funding is limited. The scheme will close to applications on Friday 7 August. For more Limerick news click here 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 In pics: PM Modi's mother Heeraben Modi watches Ram Mandir Bhumi Pujan on TV with folded hands India oi-Madhuri Adnal Ahmedabad, Aug 05: Heeraben, the mother of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, watched the live telecast of 'Bhoomi Poojan' of Ram Temple earlier today, at her residence in Gandhinagar. The state information department released the photos of Hiraba watching the event on TV. The photos showed her sitting on a chair with folded hands and watching the programme when PM Modi performed the bhoomi poojan. Hiraba lives with her younger son Pankaj Modi in Raysan area on the outskirts of Gandhinagar. The PM laid the foundation of the temple, bringing to fruition the BJP's 'mandir' movement that defined its politics for three decades and aided its ascendance to the heights of power. Celebrations were held in various parts of Gujarat on the occasion and special prayers were offered in many temples across the state. People also expressed their joy by distributing sweets and bursting crackers. Hoardings in celebration of the event were also put up in various cities of Gujarat. Earlier in the day, Modi performed the 'bhoomi pujan' of a Supreme Court-mandated Ram temple in Ayodhya, bringing to fruition the BJP's 'mandir' movement that defined its politics for three decades and took it to the heights of power. RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath were among those who attended the event at the site where a large number of devout Hindus believe Lord Ram was born. The guest list, including religious leaders who formed part of the movement that started in the 1980s, was restricted to 175 in view of the COVID-19 crisis. As a priest chanted Sanskrit 'shlokas' and the ground-breaking ceremony got under way under a giant marquee decorated in shades of reds and yellows, Modi and the other dignitaries, all in masks, maintained social distancing and sat a safe distance away from each other. Golden chapter in Indian history says Amit Shah on Bhumi Pujan at Ayodhya Slogans of 'Bharat Mataki Jai' and 'Har Har Mahadev' went up as the ritual ended and the prime minister laid the foundation of the temple. Bhajans and 'shlokas' were heard as the town, festooned with marigold flowers and yellow and saffron flags, celebrated the beginning of the construction of a grand Ram temple. Roads leading to Ayodhya were adorned with hoardings of the proposed temple and of Ram Lalla, the infant Ram, the deity now housed in a makeshift temple. Most shops were painted in bright yellow. The prime minister arrived in Ayodhya in a helicopter where Adityanath among others received him. Before the function to lay the foundation stone of the 'Shree Ram Janmabhoomi Mandir', the prime minister took part in prayers at the Hanumangarhi temple. India bans more Chinese apps | Ram mandir foundation laid & more news | Oneindia News From there, he travelled to the 'Shree Ram Janmabhoomi' where he performed prayers at the 'Bhagwan Shree Ramlala Virajman'. He also planted a Parijat (Indian night jasmine) sapling. He will unveil a plaque to mark the laying of the foundation stone and also release a commemorative postage stamp on the 'Shree Ram Janmabhoomi Mandir'. In a letter to the Parliament on Tuesday, President Rouhani introduced the current Caretaker of Iranian Ministry of Industry, Mine and Trade, Hossein Modarres Khiabani, as the new minister of the Iranian body, Trend reports via Mehr. The Parliament will discuss the issue in an open session on Wednesday, August 5, and will hold a session to give vote of confidence to him on August 12. Rouhani appointed Hossein Modarres Khiabani as the caretaker of the Ministry of Industry in mid-May to replace ex-minister Reza Rahmani. At the time Rouhani urged Khiabani to pay a specific focus on market management and supply of basic goods, organizing car prices, removing production barriers, improvement of domestic production, development of non-oil exports, and improving the business environment in Iran. The Supreme Court on Wednesday directed deposed Jalandhar Bishop Franco Mulakkal to face trial as it dismissed his plea seeking discharge in the rape case lodged against him by a nun, saying that there is no merit in his petition. You dont have a case, we do not see any merit in your petition, said an SC bench headed by CJI SA Bobde. Appearing for Mulakkal, senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi sought to convince a bench that his client was being made a victim for proceeding against the nun. The bench, also comprising Justices AS Bopanna and V Ramasubramanian, however, was not convinced. Mulakkal, while serving as Bishop of Jalandhar Diocese of the Roman Catholic Church, was accused of raping a nun belonging to the Missionaries of Jesus congregation. The complaint was filed with the Kerala police in June 2018. Mulakkal was accused of raping the 43-year-old nun on more than 13 occasions during his visits to the Kerala convent between 2014 and 2016. The victim was the Mother Superior of the convent in question. He was later removed from the charge of the Jalandhar diocese. He first approached the local court in Kerala praying for discharge, claiming that he was being falsely implicated by the victim who had an axe to grind against him after he initiated disciplinary proceedings against her for alleged financial misdemeanors. The plea was dismissed in March following which he approached Kerala High Court. His petition before the HC stated, Due to the disciplinary proceedings initiated by the petitioner (Mulakkal) against the sister, she has maliciously and falsely implicated him with an ulterior motive to wreak vengeance on him and cooked up this story just because of her personal grudge towards him, without any justification. After examining the wealth of evidence against him, the July 7 HC order dismissing his petition, noted, Rape is the most revolting, cruel and hated crime to a woman Thus when the records indicate that prima facie materials are available to show that the Sister was subjected to sexual assault, including rape, at the hands of the superior authority who is the Bishop of the Diocese, it is not possible to infer that this Bishop was falsely implicated by the Mother Superior of the Home functioning under him, on mere enmity as contended by him. Mulakkal pinned hopes on the Supreme Court to avert a possible trial. The Kerala government had filed a caveat in the Supreme Court anticipating an order on his plea. The state police filed the charge-sheet in April 2019 naming Mulakkal. Even the Kerala High Court had said that the antecedents of the victim do not make out a case to doubt the prosecution story. The Rev. William Lawson held my fathers hand as they prayed and talked about marching together with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Ive heard my father tell many stories of his youth, but somehow I missed that one. King visited Houston several times during the 1960s and, on his last visit in October 1967, he drew nearly 5,000 people to the Sam Houston Coliseum. Six months later, King was assassinated. My father isnt really the protesting type. Richard Sewing is an architectural engineer and businessman who focused on working hard. His form of social justice meant getting his education, making money on his own terms and taking care of his family. My father and Lawson, a civil rights leader, revered peacemaker and founder of Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church, are old friends. So to listen to the two men ages 87 and 92 respectively reminisce about their younger years was a treat. They both grew up in Kansas City, Kansas, and attended the same high school. My dad was the first Black student to graduate in architectural engineering from Kansas State University. When my parents moved to Houston in the 1960s, they were one of a handful of Black families in Riverside Terrace. Lawson and his late wife, Audrey, were the first to welcome them. She was the first person outside of my family to hold me as a baby, Ive been told. Judging by the Kansas neighborhood that raised them and the time in which they came of age, Lawson and my father werent expected to go far. Greatness tends to come from adversity. But too often we miss those incredible stories of the past in our rush to deal with life right now. But this pandemic, in effect, has forced many of us to be still and listen. In the Black community, the oral tradition of storytelling is how we learned about the atrocities of slavery, which are often left out of history books, and the triumphs of the human spirit in the Black community. We have to tell the story, civil rights icon John Lewis once said. We have to make it plain so people can feel it. So people can be inspired Without storytelling, the civil rights movement would have been like a bird without wings. Lewis, who spent more than 30 years in Congress, died July 17 at age 80 and was buried last week. In Houston, the civil rights movement was led by Texas Southern University students who challenged segregated lunch counters at what was then Weingartens supermarket in Third Ward. The property, now a post office, has a Texas Historical Commission marker commemorating the event. Compared to the rest of South, integration in Houston came quietly. White business owners and leaders in the Black community were committed to keeping it that way. Even local media owners agreed to a news blackout so that lunch counters, buses and other businesses once closed to Black people would be integrated without making headlines. Marlon Hall, a Houston anthropologist, believes storytelling is imperative for the future of humanity. Theres something powerful that comes out of telling your story, lives are transformed, he said. Every cultures future is directly related to how they receive the past. Hall is set to move to Tulsa in January to work with Houston artist Rick Lowe as the visual anthropologist and social media archivist for the Greenwood Art Project, an effort to bring awareness of the Greenwood community, the site of the 1921 race massacre of Black Wall Street. The thriving community was burned to the ground and 300 Black people were killed. In 2019, Hall curated a series of dinners to bring Black men together to share their stories in six cities. He plans to host a similar dinner for the descendants of the Black Wall Street massacre to create a space where they can share stories of their ancestors and empower a better future for Black Wall Street. My father and Lawson talked for nearly two hours that afternoon in Third Ward. They laughed and marveled at how many random details my dad recalled he remembered that the Lawson family once owned a T-shirt shop that made shirts for Yates Senior High School, Texas Southern University and other Black organizations and that Lawson had an old car that he would let anyone in the community drive for free. Lawson, himself, shared that he had wanted to become a cartoonist. Most people who are called to preach, who are really called, dont want to go, he said. They have to resist God and sometimes fight God. But sooner or later God is going to make them go. I had wanted to be a cartoonist. God said, No, youre not going to be a cartoonist. You are going to be a preacher. Very few people volunteer for ministry. Most of us fight it. At the heart of their conversation was a mutual respect for each other and a deep love of family. Being a friend of the Lawson family is an honor, my father told Lawson. Its the truth. Ive been around you ever since Ive been in town. Ive been here over 50 years. I marched with you. I was part of your house. You still are, said Lawsons daughter Melanie, who calls my dad Flip because of his resemblance to the late comedian Flip Wilson. The KTRK 13 anchor attended this family visit with her sister, Cheryl Lawson, the head of The Lawson Academy school in Third Ward. My dad grew contemplative for a moment. A man who stays with his family and tries to contribute as much as he can to their development, boy, hes made a hell of an investment, he said. Yes, that he can be proud of, Lawson said. EDITOR'S NOTE: Richard Sewing lost his fight with cancer on Sunday, the same day this story appeared in print. The Rev. William Lawson and his daughter, Melanie Lawson, were at his side with the Sewing family to say a final prayer. joy.sewing@chron.com Local man Donal Greene has been living and working in Slovakia - a country with a comparable population size to Ireland - for the past number of years now, and speaking to the Democrat this week, he says that Ireland's response to the pandemic is not "anything to be proud of" compared to Slovakia's. Slovakia has a population of 5,459,902, while Ireland's is 4,943,283, however, in terms of both confirmed cases of Covid-19 and deaths from the virus, Ireland comes out badly by comparison. Slovakia has just 29 deaths, while Ireland currently has 1763 confirmed fatalities. As for confirmed cases, the eastern European nation has 2,417 so far, but Ireland has 26,253. Speaking about the actions taken by Slovakia, Donal says the country "acted fast and decisively". He made the point that face mask-wearing became mandatory in Slovakia on March 25 - a full 20 weeks before Ireland will have brought in the same measure on August 10. The 30-year-old biometrics professional ran through the timeline of Slovakia's restrictions. "The strictest precautions only lasted from 17th March until 22nd April; just over five weeks," the local man explained. "After this, bars and restaurants began to reopen with restrictions which were gradually lifted." He continued: "From the outset, the government in Slovakia made people aware of exactly what was happening and what the plan was. They set out a 5-phase reopening plan, with the original plan being to move through the five phases at 2-week intervals. The statistics were so positive, that they actually moved from phase 1 to 3 within two weeks." Speaking via email about the situation in Slovakia right now, Donal says things are "more or less back to normal". "Bars and clubs are open with no restrictions, the only sign that there's an ongoing pandemic is the requirement to wear face masks indoors in common areas. Other than that, it's back to normal." He feels the Government in Slovakia should be praised for their actions. "The government has done a good job keeping people up to date, each news bulletin on radio or TV starts with a brief update. Also, the Ministry of Interior sends text messages to anyone who leaves Slovakia reminding them of their responsibilities in terms of reporting their movements outside countries on the 'green list'." Donal says he is less than enthusiastic about Ireland's own response. "People back home seem to think that Ireland is doing well but the numbers say otherwise. In Ireland, I'd statistically have a 10 times higher chance of getting Covid-19 than in Slovakia. Add to that the economic impact, as well as the untolled impact on people's mental health, I don't think Ireland's response to this pandemic is anything to be proud of." On a personal level, Donal said that being unable to get home to Ireland for such a long period of time was tough. "Usually, I'm home every five or six weeks, so not getting home for over five months was difficult, especially since most of my family is in Ireland. "At the same time, my 10-year-old son lives in Vienna with his mum and even though it's just a 45-minute drive from here, the border was closed for the best part of three months and I didn't get to see him either." However, with Slovakia's success in combating Covid-19, he was quick to jump on a plane and return just last week. "I managed to get home for a few days last week. As soon as Ireland published its green list and Slovakia was on it, I got a flight booked and was in Dundalk the same day! It was great to catch up with family and friends after such a long time." Ethnocentric politics is a major drawback to development as well as a source of insecurity in a multi-ethnic country such as ours. Unfortunately, it is being forcefully promoted to the front burner by selfish politicians who could not care a hoot about its fallouts on a country they claim they love with all their hearts. Nationals of countries which experienced ethnocentric-driven wars will marvel at why those behind this inappropriate occupation won't learn the morals from their scars. It is regrettable that for the sake of their interests of assuming the reins of power such personalities would exploit this subject in all its ramifications even as their knowledge of the repercussions of their devious occupation is not in doubt. In recent times, in the run-up to the December polls, the subject has witnessed a heightened exploitation and decibel. For those engaged in the exploitation of the subject from their positions in opposition trenches it is a subject of last resort, their bid to woo Ghanaians not encouraging enough; from all indications they would continue on the tangent until their objectives are met. Until such politicians took ethnocentric politics to this worrying level, the subject was all but dormant, hardly mentioned even in street-side political gossip. Today, the defaulters are hiding behind the ongoing registration exercise to fan the embers of ethnocentric politics to their advantage but contrary to the nation's. If that is not parochial interest, we do not know what else is. From unsubstantiated allegations that soldiers are being used to torment indigenes of the Volta Region to claims that applicants perceived not to be Akan speakers, the cynics have continued to push the subject with the hope that it could yield them electoral dividends. The spread of social intervention programmes in the country, among them the Free SHS, which the NDC flagbearer claimed in 2020 would collapse the educational system in the country is ample evidence about the insensible propagandist allegation being perpetrated by the NDC leadership. We have observed the number of registrants in the Volta Region as the registration exercise enters its last lap; honest persons who do not dignify lies would attest to the fact that the NDC flagbearer is not exhibiting the qualities of a former president when he claims people of this part of the country are being prevented from registering. The development of Ghana is one thing which unites, whereas ethnocentric politics on the other hand creates a schism among us and constitutes a retardant of progress which is not what we need at this time of our national growth. Sowing and nurturing the toxic seed of hatred with the hope that it would translate into votes for the brains behind the anomaly is sufficient grounds for the good people of Ghana, some of them products of bi-ethnic marriages to reject those perpetrating politics of hatred for votes. The first few months of the COVID crisis turned everyone into instant epidemiologists. But its looking like the long haul of the pandemic will be a crash course in sociology. Whether its contact tracing or the eventual development of a vaccine, future success in the fight against this coronavirus increasingly depends on how well we understand behaviour modification, group dynamics and that elusive concept of trust. A new poll by Angus Reid shows that a significant segment of the population some would say a surprising number will be taking a wait-and-see approach to any new vaccine in Canada. Nearly one half of the people surveyed by Angus Reid said they would step right up for an immediate shot as soon as a COVID vaccine was available. But 32 per cent of the respondents said they would wait awhile and 14 per cent said they wouldnt be getting a vaccination at all. What that means is that Canadians are evenly divided in their belief that life can snap back to normal as soon as a vaccine is developed. If nothing else, this tells us how much Canadians have learned to accept that the COVID-19 crisis is an enduring one, and that quick fixes are not part of our future. Canadians are also divided on whether they will be using the new contact tracing apps that are being rolled out to track how the virus continues to travel among us. A Statistics Canada study released late last week showed that while 56 per cent of Canadians were either somewhat or very likely to use a contact tracing app, another 35 per cent said they were unlikely to do so. The StatsCan survey added a significant condition to its question, asking respondents whether they would use an app if it was recommended by public health authorities. Asking the question that way presumes that Canadians continue to place their trust in those authorities and thats not always automatic, as weve seen. The year 2020 will be remembered as one long experiment in various forms of science, but certainly social science is becoming crucial as the pandemic wears on, most probably into next year. Who would have predicted back in March that Canadians could be convinced to modify their behaviour as they have already? Everything about the longer-term scenario rests on where people place their trust in terms of changing their day-to-day routines well into 2021, or whenever a vaccine is widespread and effective. Canadas chief public health officer, Dr. Theresa Tam, warned on Monday that could be a long time. Politicians know better than most how difficult it is to manage public trust over the long term. This is why the past month of the WE Charity controversy is potentially so damaging; not just to Justin Trudeau and his governments political fortunes, but in their capacity as trusted authorities when citizens are asked to opt into contact tracing or vaccines. It is also why it will be interesting to see how Conservatives navigate the politics around the pandemic in the coming weeks and months, before and after their Aug. 21 leadership vote. The usual dont-trust-Liberals rhetoric is relatively harmless in ordinary political times, but when that gets mixed up with dont-trust-government talk, the consequences could be felt in public health. Angus Reids newest survey, for instance, showed that suspicion of a vaccine ran highest in the provinces where Conservative support is highest: Saskatchewan, Alberta and Manitoba. Conservatives were far less likely to say they would be vaccinated immediately only 33 per cent than either Liberals (58 per cent) or New Democrats (60 per cent.) The StatsCan survey also showed that residents of the Prairie provinces lagged well behind others in saying they would be very likely to use a contact tracing app: 17 per cent in Saskatchewan, Alberta and Manitoba, compared to 28 per cent in Ontario and the Atlantic Provinces. In short, where you live and how you vote actually makes a difference as the COVID fight turns from simple epidemiology to long-term behaviour modification among the citizenry. The virus is not just testing our immune systems, but also citizens trust in the institutions managing the pandemic, including the political ones. Twice this year, Proof Strategies has done extensive polling on Canadians trust levels once in January and again in May, after the pandemic was well under way. The good news was that trust in science, doctors and government showed a marked increase during the pandemic, but overall faith in politics and political institutions was fragile. At the beginning of this year, few Canadians would have predicted they would become experts in how viruses travel. By the end of this year, and beyond, we may know a lot more about how public trust waxes and wanes too. Susan Delacourt is an Ottawa-based columnist covering national politics for the Star. Reach her via email: sdelacourt@thestar.ca or follow her on Twitter: @susandelacourt Read more about: A US judge on Tuesday sentenced former Google engineer Anthony Levandowski to 18 months in prison for stealing a trade secret from Google related to self-driving cars months before becoming the head of Uber Technologies Inc's rival unit. US District Judge William Alsup in San Francisco said Levandowski, who was convicted on Tuesday following a March plea agreement, said Levandowski could enter custody once the Covid-19 pandemic has subsided. Alsup said a sentence short of imprisonment would have given "a green light to every future brilliant engineer to steal trade ... BOSTON, Aug. 5, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Integrated marketing and public relations agency Three Rings Inc. (TRI) today announced it has formally launched its TRI Content Lab and Frictionless international services. The agency also announced it won three prestigious Bell Ringer awards for PR and digital marketing campaigns at last month's virtual award banquet, hosted by the PR Club of New England. The TRI Content Lab provides comprehensive content strategy and services across the entire PR, marketing communications and digital marketing spectrum. According to Three Rings Principal Lisa Paglia, content development has become highly fragmented in most companies and agencies the digital marketing team develops social media posts, the PR team press releases, the marketing communications team sales collateral, the internal communications team newsletters and speeches, and so on. This often results in inconsistent messaging and content quality. "The Three Rings Content Lab solves this problem by giving clients a single source for professionally developed content across all facets of PR, digital, marketing and internal communications," she said. "And unlike most agencies that simply repurpose PR or digital marketing people as content developers, our Content Lab is staffed by professional writers, designers and strategists, which translates into extremely high quality and effective content." Paglia added that Three Rings has added multiple Content Lab clients just since April, including a large international business consulting firm, a digital video surveillance company, a healthcare IT company, and a global network operator. "These clients realize Three Rings can deliver higher quality and higher capacity content than is possible through other approaches, because our Content Lab team members are B2B technology veterans who understand the subject matter on day 1. On a dollar-for-dollar basis, there is no way to match our depth of expertise, production capacity and quality of content with overstretched internal personnel, or with general-purpose PR and digital marketing agencies." Frictionless International Services Three Rings has also launched its Frictionless international PR and marketing services, so clients have a simple, scalable solution for extending PR and digital marketing programs across multiple geographies. As part of these services, TRI has welcomed UK-based Omarketing as a charter member of its Frictionless network, and created a business model where clients pay a single retainer for services across the UK and mainland Europe. Three Rings and Omarketing function as a single team and "load balance" activities so client priorities are always properly prioritized across geographies. "Companies typically have two choices for international PR: They can choose multiple best-of-breed agencies, which creates a management headache, or hire a large international agency due to the promise of simplified management, only to find the agency's offices have their own P&Ls and compete with each other," said Three Rings Principal Andy Murphy. "Our Frictionless services provide a third and better way: one retainer for one fully integrated team, deployed across geographies. This provides a single point of accountability for clients, and all ideas, content and strategies are inherently coordinated and shared across geographies, because we function as a single team." Award-winning Social Media and PR Campaigns TRI also won three awards in the 2020 Bell Ringers in the Op-Ed, Print/Digital Series and B2B Social Media categories. "This is the first year we entered for these awards, so winning three of them right off the bat was especially gratifying," said Three Rings Principal Doug Broad. "And winning them across diverse categories speaks to the quality of our people across all of our service offerings." About Three Rings Inc. Three Rings Inc. (TRI) provides a full spectrum of PR, marketing and digital services to B2B technology clients worldwide. The company combines a comprehensive array of expert skills, with a highly flexible business model that enables clients to shift services, priorities and geographies on demand. This delivers superior results for clients while also providing a dynamic work environment for employees. TRI is based in Boston with additional operations across the US, UK and the EU. SOURCE Three Rings Inc. Related Links http://www.threeringsinc.com Gov. Phil Murphy will hold another press conference to provide updates on the coronavirus pandemic at noon Wednesday. The press conference will from the Trenton War Memorials George Washington Ballroom will be streamed live on the governors YouTube channel. Murphy, though, figures to spend plenty of time discussing and answering questions about the states response to Tropical Storm Isaias as more than 944,000 homes and businesses remained without power as of 8 a.m. Wednesday. Other officials scheduled to attend the gathering will be state health commissioner Judy Persichilli, communicable disease service medical director Dr. Edward Lifshitz and State Police Superintendent Colonel Pat Callahan. The state on Tuesday removed information from its COVID-19 dashboard disclosing how many patients are in the states 71 hospitals with coronavirus or a suspected case. That data had been listed for months and often cited by the governor at his frequent press conference. As of 10 p.m. Sunday, 738 were hospitalized. In mid-April there were more than 8,000 hospitalized. On Tuesday, Murphy announced 416 new cases and 11 new deaths. New Jerseys death toll from the coronavirus increased Tuesday to 15,857 confirmed and suspected fatalities as the total number of cases climbed to 182,970, though most have long since recovered. The virus rate of transmission dipped slightly on Tuesday to 1.41 from 1.48. Murphy has said the rate must fall below the benchmark of 1 to continue re-openings. Earlier Wednesday, Murphy toured storm damage in Jackson. He also appeared on Talk Radio 95.5 WPGG in Atlantic City to discuss Tropical Storm Isaias. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. Jeff Goldman may be reached at jeff_goldman@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JeffSGoldman. Find NJ.com on Facebook. China said on Tuesday that the United States should immediately stop the political suppression of the U.S.-based Chinese media and journalists. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin made the remarks when commenting on the fact that no Chinese journalists in the United States have had their applications for visa renewal approved since May. In May, the U.S. side issued new guidelines, restricting visas for journalists of Chinese origin to 90 days with the possibility of extension. Let us pray for the victims of the explosions in Beirut as well as Lebanon said the pontiff, so that, through the dedication of all its social, political and religious elements, it might face this extremely tragic and painful moment and, with the help of the international community, overcome the grave crisis they are experiencing. Vatican City (AsiaNews) At this weeks General Audience, Pope Francis called on the faithful to pray for Lebanon, following the explosions that hit Beirut yesterday, adding that country had to overcome a crisis with the participation of all its social, political and religious elements. The pontiff also announced a series of catechises dedicated to the pandemic, above all, the social ills it brought to the fore. Todays audience followed a summer break during the month of July. As he has done since the start of the pandemic, the Holy Father spoke from the library of the Apostolic Palace. In his address, Francis cited the Gospel story about the healing of the paralytic man (Mk 2:1-12) in Capernaum. The pandemic continues to cause deep wounds, he said, exposing our vulnerability. On every continent there are many who have died, many are ill. Many people and many families are living a time of uncertainty because of socio-economic problems which especially affect the poorest. Thus, we must keep our gaze firmly fixed on Jesus (Heb 12:2): in the midst of this pandemic, our eyes on Jesus; and with this faith embrace the hope of the Kingdom of God that Jesus Himself brings us (Mk 1:5; Mt 4:17; CCC 2816). A Kingdom of healing and of salvation that is already present in our midst (Lk 10:11). A Kingdom of justice and of peace that is manifested through works of charity, which in their turn increase hope and strengthen faith (1 Cor 13:13). Within the Christian tradition, faith, hope and charity are much more than feelings or attitudes. They are virtues infused in us through the grace of the Holy Spirit (see CCC, 1812, 1813): gifts that heal us and that make us healers, gifts that open us to new horizons, even while we are navigating the difficult waters of our time. Renewed contact with the Gospel of faith, of hope and of love invites us to assume a creative and renewed spirit. In this way, we will be able to transform the roots of our physical, spiritual and social infirmities and the destructive practices that separate us from each other, threatening the human family and our planet. And so we can ask ourselves: today, in what way can we help heal our world? As disciples of the Lord Jesus, who is the physician of our souls and bodies, we are called to continue His work, work of healing and salvation (CCC, 1421) in a physical, social and spiritual sense." Although the Church administers Christs healing grace through the Sacraments, and although she provides healthcare services in the remotest corners of the planet, she is not an expert in the prevention or the cure of the pandemic. She helps with the sick, but she is not an expert. Neither does she give specific socio-political pointers (see St Paul VI, Apostolic Letter Octogesima adveniens, 14 May 1971, no. 4). This is the job of political and social leaders. Nevertheless, over the centuries, and by the light of the Gospel, the Church has developed several social principles which are fundamental (see The Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church, 160-208), principles that can help us move forward in preparing the future that we need. I cite the main ones which are closely connected: the principle of the dignity of the person, the principle of the common good, the principle of the preferential option for the poor, the principle of the universal destination of goods, the principle of the solidarity, of subsidiarity, the principle of the care for our common home. These principles help the leaders, those responsible for society, to foster growth and also, as in the case of the pandemic, the healing of the personal and social fabric. In the next few weeks, I invite you to tackle together the pressing questions that the pandemic has brought to the fore, social ills above all. And we will do it in the light of the Gospel, of the theological virtues and of the principles of the Churchs social doctrine. We will explore together how our Catholic social tradition can help the human family heal this world that suffers from serious illnesses. It is my desire that everyone reflect and work together, as followers of Jesus who heals, to construct a better world, full of hope for future generations (see Apostolic Exhortation, Evangelii gaudium, 24, November 2013, no. 183). Yesterday in Beirut, near the port, there were massive explosions causing dozens of deaths, wounding thousands and causing serious destruction, Francis said at the end of the audience. Let us pray for the victims, for their families, let us pray for Lebanon so that, through the dedication of all its social, political and religious elements, it might face this extremely tragic and painful moment and, with the help of the international community, overcome the grave crisis they are experiencing. BAKU, Azerbaijan, Aug. 5 By Ilkin Seyfaddini - Trend: Entrepreneurs of Azerbaijan and organizations-exporters of Uzbekistan will hold Made in Uzbekistan Textile online business forum from August 25 through August 27, 2020, Trend reports. The forum participants will include leading textile companies from Uzbekistan as well as Azerbaijani enterprises and retailers interested in Uzbek products. The main purpose of the forum is to create opportunities for manufacturers of export-oriented textile products to find new distributors, expand partner network, and create joint ventures with Azerbaijani companies, the message said. The business meetings will be attended by buyers, distributors, specialists of sewing enterprises, ateliers, representatives of retail chains and investors from Azerbaijan. The Uzbek side is represented by leading companies in the textile industry, including Urganch Bakhmal LLC, Alliance Textile LLC, Oqsaroy Textile LLC, Khantex-Group Ltd., Imron Textile Group and others. "Bilateral meetings will be held on a fully automated platform specially developed by Azerbaijan's Caspian Event Organizers. The program allows companies to independently arrange meetings with potential partners to be held in their personal virtual offices," the message said. --- Follow author on Twitter: @seyfaddini By the start of this year, some researchers were redesigning their work to sidestep fetal tissue. Others had proposals in limbo, with little sense of when a board would exist. NIH published a Federal Register notice in late December, saying that another notice would be forthcoming, inviting nominations to such a board. The second notice arrived in late February. It said the board must send its report by mid-August and would disband a month after that. It did not say when the board would be created. (Photo : REUTERS/Issam Abdallah) Smoke rises from the site of an explosion in Beirut, Lebanon August 4, 2020. (Photo : REUTERS/Mohamed Azakir) A man is evacuated at the site of an explosion in Beirut, Lebanon August 4, 2020. (Photo : REUTERS/ Mohamed Azakir) A Lebanese man shouts for help for a wounded man near the site of a car bomb explosion in Beirut February 14, 2005. (Photo : REUTERS/Yara Abi Nader) People gather outside American University of Beirut (AUB) medical centre following an explosion in Beirut, Lebanon August 5, 2020. (Photo : Maxar Technologies/via REUTERS) A satellite image shows the port of Beirut, Lebanon July 31, 2020, picture taken July 31, 2020 Satellite image 2020 (Photo : REUTERS/Mohamed Azakir ) The dead body of a man is seen at the site of an explosion in Beirut, Lebanon August 4, 2020. President Aoun declared a three-day mourning period after a massive explosion near the port of Beirut today, August 4, killed more than 70 and injured thousands across the center of Lebanon. He also ordered the release of 100 billion lira or $66 million of emergency funds. According to CNN, Health Minister Hamad Hassan told reporters that at least 73 people were killed and more than 2,750 were injured in the catastrophic blast that registered a 3.3 magnitude earthquake in Beirut. It formed a mushroom cloud and huge black smoke while damaged distant buildings and felt even hundreds of miles away in Cyprus. Beirut Explosion Cause Authorities are still investigating the cause of the explosion. However initial reports pointed to a warehouse near the port. BBC reported that President Michel Aoun said it was "unacceptable" to have "2,750 tonnes of ammonium nitrate," which was allegedly stored unsafely in the said warehouse. The director of the general security directorate later stated the explosion was due to "high explosive materials confiscated years ago," although no further details were given. Meanwhile, Lebanese Prime Minister Hassan Diab said the on-going probe will include details about the "dangerous warehouse" that has existed since 2014. He also said in a statement that "those responsible will pay for what happened." Read also: [BREAKING] 18 Dead, Over 180 Injured on China Truck Explosion, Causing 10-Meter Crack on Highway Hospitals in chaos After the blast, hospitals across Lebanon's central were in complete chaos as doctors cram to admit injured people, mostly from shattered glasses. There were unconscious patients and those with broken limbs and wounds. The Red Cross in Lebanon has already asked for blood donations as more wounded are brought in hospitals. A staff in Hotel Dieu, one of Beirut's major hospitals said they already admitted at least 400 injured patients, according to CNN. Meanwhile, Beirut's governor Marwan Abboud said he has never seen such destruction in this scale throughout his life. He also said the incident was "a national catastrophe" that seemed like "Hiroshima and Nagasaki." Firefighters rushed to the scene to try to put out the initial fire, but the governor said that at least 10 of them have gone missing. Beirut Blast Video Videos of the incident that transpired at about 6 p.m. Lebanon Time (11 a.m. ET) circulated across social media platforms. One video shared by Kevin Alan Leversee on Facebook shows the huge blast as the person was zooming in to the fire near the port. Another angle of the blast caught from the sea was posted on Twitter showing the black smoke after the huge mushroom cloud. The current situation in Lebanon Lebanon has been seriously trampled by a series of adverse events, causing an economic meltdown. Like all other countries, the Lebanese government struggles to contain the coronavirus which has already affected more than 5,000 people that resulted in 65 deaths. Poverty rates across the country already soared to over 50% as unemployment continues to increase. Also, tensions on the border with Israel arise as Hezbollah tried to penetrate Israel. However, the Israeli government was quick to deny any connection with the Beirut blast. Meanwhile, the blast also happened near the scene of the huge car bombing that killed ex-PM Saad Hariri in 2005. The verdict against four men accused of orchestrating the attack is expected to come out on Friday, August 7, in a special court in the Netherlands. Read also: Nashville Tornado Damages Dell Partner Facility; Why is This A Major Blow To The Tech Giant? This article is owned by Tech Times Written By CJ Robles 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. In a cautious initial assessment, Defense Secretary Mark Esper said Wednesday that the massive and deadly explosions that devastated Beirut were most likely a tragic accident and not the result of a terrorist attack. Esper said he was "still getting information on what happened" in Beirut Tuesday, but "most believe it was an accident as reported." Beyond that, he said, he had nothing further to add. Read Next: There Are No Women Leading Marine Infantry Platoons. The Corps Wants to Change That His assessment contrasted with that of President Donald Trump, who said the explosions that killed at least 135 and injured thousands may have been caused by a "terrible attack. It would seem like it based on the explosion." At a White House briefing Tuesday, shortly after the blasts sent up huge clouds of smoke and ash over the Lebanese capital, Trump raised the possibility that a bomb may have triggered the explosions in the port area.. "I've met with some of our great generals and they just seem to feel that it was not a -- some kind of manufacturing explosion type of event," Trump said. "This was a -- seems to be according to them, they would know better than I would, but they seem to think it was an attack. It was a bomb of some kind." In a virtual discussion on defense matters at the Aspen Security Forum, Esper said of the situation in Beirut that "It's really, really bad," and "It could have been much worse." He said his priority was on getting aid to the Lebanese people. Esper said he spoke Wednesday morning with Secretary of State Pompeo on ways the Defense Department might assist. "We're reaching out to the Lebanese government, have reached out," he said. Without giving details, he said the DoD was readying to offer "whatever assistance we can, humanitarian aid, medical supplies, you name it, to assist the people of Lebanon." Pompeo later spoke by phone with Lebanese Prime Minister Hassan Diab to express condolences and offer assistance, according to State Department officials. In a readout of the call, State Department Principal Deputy Spokesperson Cale Brown said that Pompeo "reaffirmed our steadfast commitment to assist the Lebanese people as they cope with the aftermath of this terrifying event." In statements, Diab has said that the main force of the explosions came from more than 2,700 tons of ammonium nitrate that had been stored at a waterfront warehouse for at least six years. Diab and other Lebanese officials said a fire at a nearby fireworks factory may have set off the ammonium nitrate, a common fertilizer that is also used as a component in explosives used for mining. Ammonium nitrate mixed with fuel was used by Timothy McVeigh in the April 1995 bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah federal building in Oklahoma City, killing 168. -- Richard Sisk can be reached at Richard.Sisk@Military.com. Related: Fireworks, Ammonium Nitrate Likely Fueled Beirut Explosion On November 4, the United States will officially leave the Paris climate accord. The accord, agreed upon five years ago by virtually every country on earth, commits governments to keeping global temperature rise well below two degrees Celsiusa sensible ambition considering the record heat waves, hurricanes, and other forms of climate chaos now erupting around the world after only one degree of warming. Whether the US departure from the accord is sustained (in the event that Republican president Donald Trump is reelected) or reversed (if Democratic nominee Joe Biden wins) is one of many reasons why the 2020 US election is, as much as anything, a climate-change election. With fewer than a hundred days remaining before Election Day, journalists at some of Americas leading news organizations are working with their own newsrooms and others to make sure voters and the public at large understand whats at stake. Its not our responsibility to tell people who to vote for, but it is important to lay out the consequences of what those decisions are, and that we can do very, very clearly, Al Ortiz of CBS News said at a July 30 Talking Shop webinar of Covering Climate Now, a global consortium of four hundredplus news outlets committed to improving climate coverage. Ortiz, vice president of news standards and practices at CBS, has covered presidential campaigns since the 1980s and will direct the networks election night coverage this year. The challenge, he said, is that climate change can be drowned out by other urgent stories, including covid-19, Black Lives Matter protests, and the dismal state of the economy. But theres a climate connection to just about everything. For example, he said, reconstructing from this economic disasteris going to involve a lot of choices about whether we try to rebuild [using] old technologies or environmentally responsible technologies. Countries and financial institutions around the world have spent some $11 trillion [to stimulate their covid-ravaged economies], and theyre going to be spending trillions more, Justin Worland, the environment and energy correspondent for Time, said. In the magazines July 9 cover story, One Last Chance, Worland wrote that 2020 will be remembered as the year when humanity decided whether to keep driving off the climate cliffor take the last exit. To wit, the debate around covid stimulus spending is between folks who want to bail out coal and build new roads to lock us into a carbon-intensive economy and others [who] are focusing on ways to build a greener economy, Worland told the webinar audience. Who controls Washington will be central to those decisions. (On August 3, an open letter published by some of the worlds leading economists urged that covid stimulus spending help end the carbon economy, arguing that If we attempt an economic rebuilding whose guiding principle is a return to business as usual we will simply substitute one crisis for another.) People consider climate like [its] one menu item when you go in to vote, and Im saying, No, its the whole restaurant, said Bill Weir, the chief climate correspondent at CNN. Everything on that menu ties back to the health of a living planet. Foreign policy, economics, social justice, civil unrest, novel virusesall of these things just get intensified in a warmer world. In April, CNN broadcast Weirs landmark ninety-minute special on the climate crisis and its solutions, The Road to Change. Critical reaction was so positive that CNN will air the special again on August 8. Its pretty clear what side is more aligned with science and which isnt, and thats not a partisan statement. Thats just reality, and its important not to shy away from that in the name of false balance. The Guardian, meanwhile, has launched 100 Days to Save the Earth, a series counting down the days to the US departure from the Paris accord. Its a big banner across our site every day, with an animated clock that [counts down from] one hundred, and a new factoid about climate change that corresponds to each day, Jane Spencer, the deputy editor of Guardian US, said. We also have a series landing page where were doing all kinds of climate coverage. Its a way to keep climate change in the national conversation during the election, reminding people that its really one of the core issues at stake. Sign up for CJR 's daily email The Guardian will join other Covering Climate Now partners, including Vice Media Group, NBC News, the Columbia Journalism Review, The Nation, and NowThis, in hosting a First-Time Voter Youth Takeover Day to amplify the voices of the generation whose lives will be most profoundly shaped by how the next US president and Congress handle the climate crisis in this critical moment. On September 21, participating outlets are highlighting the experiences of first-time voters and other young people. In some cases, those young people will collaborate with newsroom editors on reporting stories, making videos, and producing radio, podcast, or TV segments. In others, newsrooms will hand over the reins to their social media accounts. Still others will run climate-focused op-eds by young people or simply interview them for reported pieces. The day will kick off a week of joint coverage by Covering Climate Nows partners, from September 21 to 28, that will feature newsmaker interviews, in-depth reporting, and cutting-edge analysis focused on the climate-politics connection in 2020. Spotlighting young people is already central to the mission of Stay Tuned, a twice-daily NBC News show that draws between four and ten million viewers a day. The show appears not on television but on Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, and other online platforms. The audience is mainly Gen Z and millennials, and climate change is something they care very, very much about, Savannah Sellers, the shows anchor, told the webinar group. When you ask, Why are you voting for this [candidate]? climate change [is] the first thing out of their mouth 90 percent of the time. Noting that her program has huge viewership in very red states, Sellers added that climate is no longer an ideological issue as much as it is generational. A second divide is between people who accept science and those who reject it, the panelists added, emphasizing that science has to guide climate coverage regardless of the political implications. Its pretty clear what side is more aligned with science and which isnt, and thats not a partisan statement, Worland remarked. Thats just reality, and its important not to shy away from that in the name of false balance. The 2020 US elections carry staggering consequences for life on this planet, and the climate story will only get bigger in years to come. Heat-trapping emissions must be cut in half by 2030 to avoid catastrophic, possibly irreversible climate impacts, scientists say. That will require transforming the world economy at an unprecedented scale and speed. Humanitys race to meet this deadline is the defining story of our time; newsrooms that want to remain relevant should prioritize it sooner rather than later. Eventually, said Weir, were all going to be climate reporters, whether we call it that or not. Because its going to touch everything in more obvious ways every year. RECENTLY: The Atlantics Ed Yong tells the whole story of Americas pandemic Has America ever needed a media watchdog more than now? Help us by joining CJR today Mark Hertsgaard is the co-founder and executive director of Covering Climate Now and the environment correspondent for The Nation. A further 12 translators in Afghanistan have revealed fears of being hunted down Two former Afghan war generals have urged ministers to do the right thing and give brave interpreters sanctuary in Britain. General Lord Dannatt, who was head of the army from 2006 to 2009, last night said it was disgraceful that the plight of the translators had dragged on for so long. Meanwhile, General Lord Richards, in charge of the armed forces from 2010 to 2013, said Britain owed them an incredible debt, saying it was unacceptable they were still waiting. Their interventions came after the Daily Mail published the names and stories of 48 interpreters living in fear of the Taliban and Islamic State after being refused sanctuary in the UK. A further 12 translators stuck in Afghanistan have revealed their fears of being hunted down and killed because of their work with the UK military. Ministers promised two years ago that 50 interpreters and their families would come to the UK under new qualifying rules. So far just two have been given a visa. General Lord Dannatt, left, who said it was disgraceful the translators' plight had dragged on for so long and General Lord Richards, right, who said Britain owed them an incredible debt This newspapers Betrayal of the Brave campaign has also revealed how ministers have failed to honour a promise to have those already in the UK united with their families. Piling the pressure on ministers to act quickly, General Lord Dannatt said: Its disgraceful that this has dragged on for such a long period of time. We have often said we should do the right thing and stand by those who stood beside us in our uniforms in Afghanistan. We owe it to those who stood beside us to stand beside them in their hour of need. He questioned why Britain could promise to take in up to three million people from Hong Kong but not around 150 interpreters left facing Taliban threats in Afghanistan. General Lord Richards of Herstmonceux said: We owe these men an incredible debt. Surely it does not take much imagination to understand how much more difficult and dangerous our task in Afghanistan would have been without them. If anyone is allowed to settle in our country, these people must surely be at the top of any list. I would ask those in the Home Office charged with implementing the Governments promises to be as bold and generous-hearted as our Afghan interpreters were. It is unacceptable that this is taking so long. The intervention of the two generals, who worked in Afghanistan with several of the translators currently refused sanctuary or help by Britain, will increase pressure on Home Secretary Priti Patel. Last week, Miss Patel met Defence Secretary Ben Wallace to discuss the policy towards translators. Afghan Interpreter 'Shaffy' who once translated for David Cameron in 2011 is pleading for help from the British after they refused to protect him or his family from Taliban threats Waheed, 29, who worked for three years on the frontlines with military spies and is in hiding after suffering death threats because of his work, said: To receive the backing of the generals is very welcome as they know how important we were to the soldiers and the many risks we took to help keep them alive. The British could not have operated without us, the military know that and recognise they owe us a debt of honour to allow us to live normal safe lives. He added: Many people have lost patience and hope Britain will help which is why more and more are going with the human traffickers to try to reach a new life in Europe and especially the UK. Last night, one of those interpreters was trying to find news of his wife and four children after becoming separated from them when border guards opened fire as they tried to cross from Iran to Turkey. Wazir, 30, who worked for three years on the frontlines for the British military, was held for 20 days and deported back to Afghanistan. Former translator Rafi Hottak, who was granted asylum in the UK after paying people smugglers and now works to help colleagues left behind, said: Wazirs case shames the British Government. He faced many threats and attacks because of his work. Now he is separated from his loved ones. The Government must act quickly and not just speak warm words because for some it could simply soon be too late. Meghan is suing the Mail On Sunday and MailOnline. (Getty Images) The identity of five close friends of Meghan Markle who disclosed information about a private letter written to her father cannot be revealed, a judge has ruled. Meghan, 39, is suing the Mail On Sunday and MailOnline over five articles that reproduced part of a letter she wrote to her father Thomas Markle a few months after she married Prince Harry. As part of the case, she confidentially named five friends who spoke about the letter to People magazine, she says without her knowledge, but claims Associated Newspapers Ltd (ANL), the publisher of Mail On Sunday and MailOnline, wanted to name them publicly. Her team launched an urgent bid to keep the friends names private throughout court proceedings, saying they have a right to stay anonymous based on being confidential journalistic sources and private citizens. On Wednesday, the judge, Mr Justice Warby, ruled the names should stay private for the time being at least, hinting that the decision could be reversed at a later date. After the ruling, a source close to the Duchess of Sussexs team said: The duchess felt it was necessary to take this step to try and protect her friends as any of us would and were glad this was clear. We are happy that the judge has agreed to protect these five individuals. ANL has resisted the application. Part of its case hinges on the fact that Meghans friends mentioned the letter to her father when they spoke to People magazine, which led to Thomas Markle, now 76, releasing it to the Mail On Sunday. In the ruling, Mr Justice Warby said the case ought to proceed at a greater pace, having been afoot for 10 months but moving slowly. He added: At this stage, continued anonymity not only upholds the agreement made between People magazine and the five friends, and the reasonable expectations which that generated; it also supports the proper administration of justice by shielding the friends from the glare of publicity in the pre-trial stage. Story continues Generally, it does not help the interests of justice if those involved in litigation are subjected to, or surrounded by, a frenzy of publicity. However he said naming them might be a price to be paid at trial in the interests of transparency. Meghan's team said they were happy with the judgement. (Getty Images) The judge also criticised both sides for a tit-for-tat approach to the proceedings. He added: Both sides have demonstrated an eagerness to play out the merits of their dispute in public, outside the courtroom, and primarily in media reports. Last week Justin Rushbrooke QC, representing the duchess, said in written submissions to the court: To force the claimant, as the defendant urges this court to do, to disclose their identities to the public at this stage would be to exact an unacceptably high price for pursuing her claim for invasion of privacy against the defendant in respect of its disclosure of the letter. On her case, which will be tried in due course, the defendant has been guilty of a flagrant and unjustified intrusion into her private and family life. Given the close factual nexus between the letter and the events leading up to the defendants decision to publish its contents, it would be a cruel irony were she required to pay that price before her claim has even been determined. Rushbrooke says the defendant has forced Meghan to name them privately in the documents. Meghan announced the legal action after the 2019 royal tour in South Africa. (Getty Images) Read more: Why is Meghan Markle suing the Mail On Sunday? Antony White QC, acting for ANL, said the friends were important potential witnesses on a key issue. He said: Reporting these matters without referring to names would be a heavy curtailment of the medias and the defendants entitlement to report this case and the publics right to know about it. No friends oral evidence could be fully and properly reported because full reporting might identify her, especially as there has already been media speculation as to their identities. White claimed Meghans order would mean she could name them to anyone, including other media publications, but ANL would be barred from reporting on them. ANL won the first court battle on 1 May when Mr Justice Warby struck out parts of Meghans arguments, including that ANL acted dishonestly in leaving out some parts of the letter she wrote to her father. Losing the skirmish left Meghan with a bill for 67,888 as she agreed to pay ANLs costs for the hearing. Read more: Eight times the Royal Family has sued the media The main article headline Meghan is suing over was: Revealed: The letter showing true tragedy of Meghans rift with a father she says has broken her heart into a million pieces. She is seeking damages from ANL for alleged misuse of private information, copyright infringement and breach of the Data Protection Act. ANL denies the allegations, particularly her claim the letter was edited in any way. The case is expected to go to full trial next year. By Express News Service NEW DELHI/KOCHI: Former dentist from Kerala, Ijas Kallukettiya Purayil, is reportedly among the suicide bombers killed during a deadly attack on a prison in Jalalabad in Afghanistan on Sunday, which left 29 people dead and several others injured. According to sources, Ijas wife Rafilla and his 5-year-old son Ayaan are currently in the custody of Afghan officials. While there has been no official confirmation from the Ministry of External Affairs, sources said the confirmation of identity in such cases would be done only after matching the DNA samples. This could take time as currently there are no flights between the two countries due to the coronavirus pandemic, they said.Sources also said that the information of Ijas death was conveyed to the family after social media posts regarding the attack were made viral by the terrorist organisation. On Sunday night, terrorists belonging to the Islamic State launched an assault on the Jalalabad prison complex, in a bid to free hundreds of Islamic State and Taliban prisoners.With this, the number of Keralites killed in Afghanistan and Syria fighting for ISIS has touched 14. In March, a 21-year-old school dropout from the state Muhammad Muhsin was killed during an attack on a gurudwara in Kabul, which claimed 27 lives.Ijaz was among the first batch of 21 persons who left their homes in Kasaragod and Palakkad districts in Kerala to join the Islamic State in May 2016. A native of Padna in Kasaragod, Ijas was a government doctor when he chose to leave home with his wife and son. They were accompanied by his brother Shihaz Rahman, his wife Ajmala. They flew to the UAE, from where they entered Iran and then Afghanistan. IjaS was in first batch to join I.S. Ijas Kallukettiya Purayil, 36, was among the first batch of 21 persons who left their homes in Kasaragod and Palakkad districts to join the IS in May, 2016 The Padna native was a government dentist in Vadakara when he chose to quit and leave home with his wife Rafilla (then 25 years) and son Ayaan, 2 In one of the messages Rafilla sent to her relatives in Nileshwar, she said Ijaz ran a clinic there and did not have to take up arms Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Sanjay Kanojia and Parvaiz Bukhari (Agence France-Presse) Ayodya/Srinagar, India Wed, August 5, 2020 16:45 531 6657ac82168da9fa101c8a4066bc8071 2 World India,Narendra-Modi,hindu,Muslim,temple Free Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi took center stage Wednesday at a ceremony laying the foundations for a temple at a flashpoint holy site exactly a year after imposing direct rule on Muslim-majority Kashmir -- twin triumphs for his Hindu nationalist government. The site at Ayodhya, and divided Kashmir, have been two of the most divisive communal issues of the past 30 years in India, and Modi has attempted to draw a line under both. For his fans, both steps confirm Modi -- elected to a second-straight term in a landslide last year -- as a decisive, visionary and heroic leader, and India's most important in decades. His critics see him as remolding the officially secular country of 1.3 billion as a Hindu nation at the expense of India's 200 million Muslims, and taking it an authoritarian direction. "Modi has certainly been India's most transformative leader in recent memory," Micheal Kugelman, from the Wilson Center, told AFP, making him "wildly popular, but also highly controversial and quite divisive". The holy city of Ayodhya in northern India has long been a religious tinderbox, providing the spark for some of its worst sectarian violence. In 1992, a Hindu mob destroyed a centuries-old mosque there that they believed had been built on the birthplace of Ram, an important deity. This triggered religious riots that killed 2,000 people, most of them Muslims. A lengthy legal battle ensued, but in November -- in a major victory for Modi's BJP party -- India's top court awarded the site to Hindus, allowing a temple "touching the sky" to be built. Wednesday's elaborate religious ceremony was shown live on television and was reportedly set to be beamed in Times Square in New York. Small celebrations also took place across India. A masked Modi, 69, shared the stage with the head of the RSS, the militaristic hardline Hindu group that is parent to the BJP and which Modi joined as a young man. "Not only mankind, but the entire universe, all the birds and animals, are enthralled by this golden moment," chanted the main priest. "[Modi] is going to make his position permanently in history purely on the strength of this temple," his biographer Nilanjan Mukhopadhyay told AFP. Righting wrongs Further cementing Modi's place in his country's annals is Kashmir, divided between India and Pakistan since 1947 and the spark for two wars and the source of much bloodshed. The BJP had long seen the special status enjoyed by the part of Kashmir controlled by India as a historical wrong, and on August 5 last year, Modi abolished it. An accompanying security operation turned the region into a fortress for weeks, with all telecommunications cut and thousands taken into custody. Even now, India has "maintained stifling restraints on Kashmiris in violation of their basic rights", according to Human Rights Watch. People from outside Kashmir are now being granted the right to buy land for the first time. This has ignited fears that Modi wants to change Kashmir's demographic makeup with an Israel-style "settler" project. Fearing protests ahead of the anniversary, on Tuesday thousands of Indian troops imposed a tight curfew in Kashmir. The streets were all but deserted the following morning. In Pakistan-administered Kashmir, Prime Minister Imran Khan -- who on Tuesday released a new map showing all of Kashmir as part of Pakistan -- was due to lead a protest march. "We will never accept, and neither will the Kashmiris, the illegal Indian actions and oppression of the Kashmiri people," said Khan in a statement released on Wednesday. Full steam ahead Other actions have also alarmed Modi's critics and delighted his fans. Last year, a new law made it easier for millions of illegal immigrants from three neighboring countries to get citizenship -- but not if they are Muslims. More may be in the pipeline, including a mooted nationwide register obliging people to prove they are Indian, and a uniform civil code doing away with Islamic rules in areas such as marriage. "Clearly, it's full speed ahead with the Hindu nationalist agenda," Kugelman said. Questo comunicato e stato pubblicato piu di 1 anno fa. Le informazioni su questa pagina potrebbero non essere attendibili. The global bone grafts and substitutes market size is expected to reach USD 4.15 billion by 2026 according to a new study by Polaris Market Research. The report Bone Grafts and Substitutes Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report, By Material Type (Natural, Synthetic); By Application Type (Spinal Fusion, Craniomaxillofacial, Long Bone); By Region, Segment Forecasts, 2020 2026 gives a detailed insight into current market dynamics and provides analysis on future industry growth. For decades, bone grafts have been utilized in regenerate the bone, restore the structure and relieve pain. Autographs were traditionally utilized for bone grafting, using the bone of patience itself as a graft. Added to this, autologous bone grafts have been regarded as bone transplant gold standard. However, the use of autologous bone grafts in both tissue harvesting and transplant locations includes the danger of transferring infection during surgical procedures. This can lead to delayed healing of wound and extended stays in hospital. In order to overcome the drawbacks associated with autologous grafts, allografts were introduced in the market. Request for a sample of this research report @ https://www.polarismarketresearch.com/industry-analysis/bone-grafts-substitutes-market/request-for-sample Increasing instances of orthopedic surgery and musculoskeletal illnesses (MSD) requiring the use of bone grafts and replacements will drive market growth. Approximately 3 million musculoskeletal interventions operate annually in the United States, for instance, according to the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons. Moreover, bone grafts are also reported to be used worldwide in approximately 2.2 million orthopedic procedures. Increasing use of bone grafts combined with growing instances of illnesses requiring the use of these products will therefore increase the development of the market for bone grafts and replacements. Allografts have both osteo-inductive and osteo-conductive characteristics and therefore serve as autograph replacements. During the forecast period, ready availability of allografts in different shapes and sizes that can be processed in different forms like chips and others as required is likely to increase the allografts segment of the bone grafts and replacements market. Bone grafts and substitutes have been used to treat flaws considerably. Osteogenesis, osteoinduction, osteoconduction, and structural support are the basic characteristics of bone graft. The fast advances seen in technology and product innovations fuel the development of the worldwide industry for bone grafts and replacements. In addition, the growing amount of musculoskeletal circumstances such as osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and psoriatic arthritis is another key factor likely to further boost the worldwide bone grafts and replacements market over the timeframe forecast. Increasing the amount of bone grafting processes, growing aging population with demand for high-quality musculoskeletal function in ancient age, and increasing penetration of specialty orthopedic clinics and health insurance are the main drivers of industry growth. The danger and complications of bone grafting processes and elevated bone graft therapy costs, however, restrict industry growth. Growing consumer awareness of appearance, increasing preference for natural / organic goods, increasing disposable income in emerging economies, the accessibility of technologically sophisticated are driving this industrys development. On the other side, it is probable that deceptive marketing methods will restrict market growth. It is anticipated that the increasing number of middle-aged people, a fast-paced life and a burgeoning urban population will further drive demand. In the years ahead, North America is expected to lead the worldwide bone grafts industry. North America retained approximately 38 percent of worldwide bone grafts and replacement market share in 2019. In specific, the US is leading the worldwide industry by generating enormous demand for products due to a large incidence of trauma-related accidents and orthopedic illnesses. Rising osteoarthritis events have resulted to increased demand for bone grafts and replacements used for therapy and transplantation. This also drives the North American bone grafts & substitutes market. In the years ahead, Europe is expected to demonstrate fast development in bone grafts and replace the globally. Due to the increasing demand for innovative and technologically advanced therapies for chronic disease therapy and the existence of major players, Europe was the worlds second major industry in 2019. Some of the main players on the industry are Orthofix Holdings, Inc.; DePuy Synthes; Medtronic PLC; Stryker Corp, Nuvasive, Inc.; and AlloSource, Inc. among other players. Complete Summary with TOC Available @ https://www.polarismarketresearch.com/industry-analysis/bone-grafts-substitutes-market Polaris Market research has segmented the bone grafts and substitutes industry report on the basis of material, application type, and region Bone Grafts and Substitutes Material Type Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2015 2026) Natural Synthetic Bone Grafts and Substitutes Application Type Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2015 2026) Spinal Fusion Craniomaxillofacial Long Bone Bone Grafts and Substitutes Regional Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2015 2026) North America U.S. Canada Europe UK Germany France Italy Russia Asia Pacific India Japan China South Korea Latin America Brazil Mexico Colombia Middle East & Africa Saudi Arabia South Africa Israel UAE Avail discount on this report @ https://www.polarismarketresearch.com/industry-analysis/bone-grafts-substitutes-market/request-for-discount-pricing About Polaris Market Research Polaris Market Research is a global market research and consulting company. We provide unmatched quality of offerings to our clients present globally. The company specializes in providing exceptional market intelligence and in-depth business research services for our clientele spread across different enterprises. We at Polaris are obliged to serve our diverse customer base present across the industries of healthcare, technology, semi-conductors and chemicals among various other industries present around the world. We strive to provide our customers with updated information on innovative technologies, high growth markets, emerging business environments and latest business-centric applications, thereby helping them always to make informed decisions and leverage new opportunities. Contact us- Polaris Market Research Phone: 1-646-568-9980 Email: sales@polarismarketresearch.com Web: http://www.polarismarketresearch.com A Virginia mayor is being urged to quit after he joked on social media that Joe Biden had announced Aunt Jemima as his running mate for the November election. Former Vice President Biden has vowed to select a woman for the position and among the politicians up for the job are many women of color, including California Sen. Kamala Harris, California Rep. Karen Bass, Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms, former National Security Adviser Susan Rice, and former Orlando police chief Congresswoman Val Demings. As Biden delayed the announcement set for this week, Luray Mayor Barry Presgraves posted on Facebook Sunday: 'Joe Biden just announced Aunt Jemima as his VP pick.' The shocking comparison comes after Quaker Oats announced in June that it will retire the Aunt Jemima brand, saying the company recognizes the character's origins are 'based on a racial stereotype.' Luray Mayor Barry Presgraves posted on Facebook Sunday: 'Joe Biden just announced Aunt Jemima as his VP pick' Quaker Oats announced in June that it will retire the brand, saying the company recognizes the character's origins are 'based on a racial stereotype' of mammies Final contenders for the vice presidential spot on the Democratic ticket include former National Security Adviser Susan Rice (left) Congresswoman Karen Bass (center) and California Sen. Kamala Harris (right) That stereotype is of the 'mammy' mascots which is widely considered to be a racist caricature because it depicts an African-American devoted to taking care of a white family. The imagery of the servant with exaggerated features and a wide smile helped further spread the false idea that the worker was content in their role. Presgraves insisted that his social media post doesn't stem from a belief that white people are superior to black people because he has purchased the Quaker Oats brand for years. 'I don't even depict that as racist,' the 77-year-old continued. 'I ate Aunt Jemima all my life.' 'I saw it last week, and I thought it was funny,' Presgraves said on Monday afternoon. He deleted the post after about 30 minutes following a backlash. 'I consider it sad that everyone wants to jump on the bandwagon,' Presgraves told Page Valley News about recent protests over racial equality, petitions to remove Confederate statues and his own comparison of politicians to mammies. 'The many voices of our community welcome all to Luray,' the Facebook post from the town said on Monday. There are 200 black people in the town of 5,000 The statement made no mention of the mayor but invited people to share 'constructive suggestions' to help them accomplish their goal to serve the community. People called for Presgraves to leave the position as mayor 'I'm sorry I done it there was no [bad] intent behind it,' Presgraves told PVN. 'I don't post that often. I had to call someone to get them to tell me how to take it down.' 'I thought it was humorous. I had no idea people would react the way they did. I think people have gone overboard on this It's an election year.' The mayor called the post a 'mistake' but admitted he doesn't think he did anything wrong. 'If I had a chance to do it over again, I wouldn't do it. You can apologize all you want, but no one will believe it.' Despite the mayor's reluctance to admit any wrongdoing, the Town of Luray tied to reassure people that racism isn't at its core. 'The Town of Luray's Mission Statement included in our Personnel Policies Manual states "It is the mission of every Town employee to deliver quality service to our residents, customers, and visitors in an efficient, effective, and equitable manner in order to promote pride in our community." 'I don't even depict that as racist,' the 77-year-old mayor said. 'I ate Aunt Jemima all my life.' Older imagery of the mammy stereotype is pictured on the Aunt Jemima brand 'We believe that our employees and every person in our community deserves fair and just treatment,' it said in a Facebook post on Monday. 'The many voices of our community welcome all to Luray,' the Facebook post continued. 'The Town of Luray rejects racism and is committed to working together with the community through understanding, compassion, and opportunity. The Town Council will discuss the events leading to this statement at their August 10th meeting.' The statement made no mention of the mayor but invited people to share 'constructive suggestions' to help them accomplish their goal to serve the community. There are fewer than 200 African American people in the town of 5,000 residents. Presgraves said on Sunday that he has no intention of resigning as the people elected him and he had several months to go. He will not be running for another term. The Assam Rifles said that for the first time in Kashmir, 'Rifle Women' have been deployed on duty. In a tweet, Assam Rifles said, "Women soldiers of Assam Rifles deployed for the first time in Kashmir make a positive impact on the local populace in a matter of days. Smiling faces of locals is a testimony of professionalism of the Riflewomen of Assam Rifles." The Rifle Women is an unit of the Assam Rifles, the oldest paramilitary force of India. It has been a year since Parliament took the historic decision to abrogate Article 370 in Jammu-Kashmir. As per the data, after the abrogation, the number of youth joining terror groups dropped by 40 per cent. The year only witnessed 67 youth taking to terror. All photographs: @official_dgar/Twitter The internal US State Department watchdog chosen by Donald Trump to replace his fired predecessor has now himself resigned, marking the latest turmoil at the office that was investigating Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. Stephen Akard took over the office of inspector general at the State Department in an acting capacity in May after the president fired former IG Steve Linick, who had been probing the details of a US-Saudi arms deal as well as allegations that Mr Pompeo was abusing the power of his office for political gain and to keep his household orderly. Ambassador Stephen J. Akard, the State Departments Acting Inspector General and the Director of the Office of Foreign Missions, has announced he is returning to the private sector after years of public service, an internal statement from the department announced to staff this week, The Washington Post reported. We appreciate his dedication to the Department and to our country. The Deputy Inspector General, Diana R. Shaw, will become the new Acting Inspector General, the statement read. Mr Akard is a former foreign affairs adviser to Vice President Mike Pence when Mr Pence was governor of Indiana. Trump has previously said Mr Pompeo had asked him to fire Mr Linick in May, though the secretary has denied in testimony before Congress that Mr Linick's ongoing investigation into his conduct was a factor in his decision to oust him. Mr Linick refused to take care of his team in important ways, Mr Pompeo told the Senate Foreign Relations Committee at a budget hearing last week. Morale in Mr Linick's office was the worst of any at the department. I know what a good IG can do. ... Linick wasnt that," Mr Pompeo said. House Democrats are not so sure. House Foreign Affairs Chairman Eliot Engel subpoenaed four of Mr Pompeo's senior aides at the State Department after they allegedly dodging questions in previous interviews about Mr Linick's firing. "The Administration continues to cover up the real reasons for Mr. Linicks firing by stonewalling the Committees investigation and refusing to engage in good faith," Engel, House Oversight Chairwoman Carolyn Maloney, and Democratic Senator Bob Menendez, said in a joint statement on Tuesday. "That stonewalling has made todays subpoenas necessary," the Democratic lawmakers said. Mr Linick was one in a string of high-profile inspectors general whom Mr Trump has fired this year, causing consternation among Democrats that the president is intentionally eroding institutional checks on his own administration. Mr Trump has removed inspectors general from the intelligence community, the Health and Human Services Department, and the Defence Department, whose IG at the time was slated to assess the government's coronavirus response. In May, the president even openly questioned the need for department-specific inspectors general, which are in place to ensure top officials do not abuse their power or break the law. "This removal is part of a pattern of undermining the integrity of the inspectors general and, therefore, our government," Ms Pelosi wrote at the time of Mr Linick's firing. Virgin Australia will deny Qantas a monopoly in the lucrative corporate travel market by maintaining a full-service business class product as part of a relaunch plan under its new owners Bain Capital. Australia's number-two airline will, however, emerge from administration significantly slimmed down after announcing on Wednesday it will axe 3000 jobs - or a third of its workforce - drastically reduce its fleet, put long-haul flying on ice and shut down its loss-making budget Tigerair brand. Virgin CEO Paul Scurrah, pictured in Brisbane on Wednesday, said he was trimming the airline back to its profitable parts. Credit:Albert Perez/Getty Images After announcing a plan he said would make Virgin stronger, profitable and more competitive in the post-coronavirus world, chief executive Paul Scurrah revealed Bain had walked back its plan to move Virgin downmarket by turning it into a "hybrid" carrier positioned somewhere between Qantas and Jetstar. "We were not about to create a business travel monopoly," Mr Scurrah said, with Virgin to offer "very good value" business class tickets and maintain its airport lounges. Mr. Erving was drafted into the U.S. Army during World War II and served in China, Burma, and India. Read more Johnnie Erving Sr., 95, of West Philadelphia, a retired police officer and a World War II veteran, died Saturday, July 25, of cancer at Pennsylvania Hospital. Mr. Erving was born in 1925 in Burke County, Ga., not far from Augusta, where his family worked as sharecroppers. Mr. Erving credited his mother with pushing him to go to school over the objections of the farm owner, who wanted him to work in the fields. He attended Boggs Academy, a private school established for Black children after the Civil War. He had to walk five miles to get the bus to take him there, said daughter Delores J. Brown. Mr. Erving showed his independent spirit at an early age by changing his name while in grade school. His parents were Alice Stokes and Arcy Irvin. But he altered his last name to Erving because his father was not active in his life. As an adult, he reconnected with his father. Mr. Erving began a lifelong fascination with cars as a boy. When the farm owner asked him if he wanted a car, however, he said no. He told us if he had gotten a car from that man, he would never get away from Georgia. He would never finish paying for it, Brown said. His family said he hated the oppressive life of segregation and farm work so much that he often looked up at the night sky and pleaded, Lord, please let me get out of here. When he was 16, an aunt living in Philadelphia invited Mr. Erving to travel north, and he later told his children, I got on the first train smokin'. He arrived in Philadelphia without finishing high school and immediately found work. Jobs were easy to find in a city with factories then. After a few years, he was drafted into the Army during World War II and served in China, Burma, and India. He later told his children how angry he was, upon his return to Fort Gordon, Ga., that he faced discrimination even while in uniform. Can you imagine? they said he told them. Im fighting for this country, and a German prisoner of war gets taken to the restaurant to sit at the counter to eat a meal, and I was told to go to the back door to get mine. After the Army, Mr. Erving married Juanita Griffin, also from Georgia. They moved to Philadelphia and had six children. Mr. Erving drove a cab and held various jobs until he joined the Police Department in 1955 at age 30. He later worked as a plainclothes officer. He cared about being a good police officer, his daughter said. One of the things he was most proud of was that he never had to fire his gun, Brown said. He was good at negotiating and smoothing out a situation. His first marriage ended in divorce, and Mr. Erving had three sons with companion Helen Crute. He later married Ellen Coleman, with whom he had a daughter. That marriage also ended in divorce. He was a great father, said son John Jr. He provided for all the kids. He was involved in our lives. He motivated us to do the best we could. Mr. Erving was a trustee emeritus and served on the usher board at Mount Carmel Baptist Church. He also enjoyed entertaining family and friends, and taking long drives to Florida and Canada. In addition to his daughter and son, Mr. Erving is survived by sons Gregory Erving, Odell Erving, Arcy Crute, Michael Crute, and John Johnson; daughters Veronica Erving and Andrea Johnson; 30 grandchildren, more than 25 great- and great-great grandchildren; and other relatives. His former wives predeceased him. A son, Zachary, died in infancy. A private graveside service is set for Thursday, Aug. 6. State and county officials are stepping up efforts to recruit poll workers for the Nov. 3 general election as some longtime workers bow out because of concerns about exposure to COVID-19. Secretary of State John Merrill has started a webpage with information for those interested in working at the polls. It includes an application and contact information for counties. Merrill said the initiative is more of an effort to be proactive than a response to an expected shortage. Its not that we have a shortage, Merrill said. Its not that we have issues with people saying, Im not going to work. Its that were trying to get a larger pool than weve ever had before. And were trying to do it before we need it. Poll workers must be registered to vote at the precinct where they want to work and must attend training. They cant be an immediate family member or second-degree relative of a candidate, or a member of a candidates political committee. Poll workers receive a minimum of $100 for working on election day. They receive more in some counties. For the July 14 runoff, Merrills office used federal funding from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act to pay poll workers an additional $25. For the general election, Merrill said poll workers will again receive a CARES Act supplement, possibly up to $50. Montgomery County Probate Judge J.C. Love said the county had 457 poll workers for the July 14 runoff, about 200 fewer than normal. Its been difficult considering the average age of poll workers is in the 70s and this is some of the main group of people that suffers some of the more severe effects of this COVID pandemic, Love said. We had a lot of them who decided to not work that election for us. So we are trying to be very aggressive to attract new poll workers. Love said the Montgomery County Commission increased the pay for poll workers from the state minimum of $100 to $150. The commission boosted pay for chief inspectors and assistants from $150 to $200. The CARES Act supplement will be in addition to those increased amounts. The Montgomery County Election Center has an information sheet on its website for people interested in working at the polls. Love said his office is talking to groups in the community about the need for poll workers. Were reaching out to large civic organizations trying to attract younger people, younger citizens, who would be willing and are interested in the process and want to see it from the ground up, as well as reaching out to churches so they could reach out to their members and see if they want to help us out as poll workers, Love said. He said the county has had discussions with the Alabama State Bar about the possibility of attorneys earning continuing education credit for training to work at the polls. Jefferson County Probate Place 1 Judge James Naftel said the county has already received several applications through Merrills initiative. The county has posted information about poll worker requirements and duties and an application on its website. In general, as you know, our poll workers are dedicated to serving Jefferson County and many of them have years, even decades, of experience, Naftel said in an email. We have had (for the July 14 primary runoff) and will have for the general election some long-time poll workers who decline to serve because of the current COVID-19 pandemic, and we are working to fill in those gaps. Naftel said he does not expect there to be a shortage of workers. Part of what will help with that is making sure that our poll workers and potential poll workers know that their safety is a priority for us -- this means, among other things, that we will require all poll workers to wear masks (covering mouth and nose) as a condition of working, and that we will strive to educate our voters with respect to wearing masks, social distancing, and other health protocols. The county had almost 1,400 poll workers for the July 14 primary workers and expects to need more than 2,000 for the general election, Naftel said. Madison County Probate Judge Frank Barger said a few older poll workers have stepped aside because of COVID-19, but not enough to keep the county from staffing its 72 voting locations. He said the county draws from a pool of about 1,000 poll workers and will need 800 to 900 for the general election. Just like we experience in any election, you have certain precincts or certain areas that shift every election where you might have a shortage, Barger said. But in general, weve had the manpower that we need. If we see things take a different turn or we see numbers spike again, it could change that dynamic but right now, so far, so good. Poll workers in Madison County earn $150 and inspectors earn $200, plus the CARES Act bonus coming from the Secretary of State. Barger said poll worker training will take place in October and generally takes three full days to cycle all the workers through 90-minute sessions. He said some training will be offered online. Barger said the county has received a couple of dozen inquiries via the secretary of states poll worker recruiting initiative. Merrill said he wants counties to take advantage of the opportunity to use student interns to work at the polls under a program authorized by legislation that passed in 2019. Information about the program, including an application, can be found here. They need to take advantage of this endless pool of poll workers thats available to them, Merrill said. These students can actually do anything other than actually handle a ballot. Thats a real benefit in utilizing them. Merrill said his office plans to produce a public service announcement about the need for poll workers. He said people who are interested in the work might not know where to turn. We want to raise awareness for that by making sure that they know they can reach out to their probate judge, Merrill said. They can get on the list. They can get trained and they can get paid for being a poll worker on election day. And this is just another day for people to give back. And we think that a number of people will respond to that message. Updated at 3:40 p.m. on August 5 to add that Jefferson County posted poll worker information and an application on its website. August 05, 2020 Is it useful to log into a VPN when you are at home? You have nothing to hide, do you? Internet criminals will therefore not easily visit you. That is what many users of internet services often think. However, this is very different. This way, many different parties watch what you do. Your privacy is therefore anything but guaranteed when you go online. This is not so attractive at all. When you use a VPN, you can significantly increase the level of privacy. This is an important advantage. Why use a VPN? By logging into a VPN at home, you can make sure that you change or hide your IP address. With the advantage that it becomes much less easy, if not impossible, for hackers to take information away from you. All information you share online therefore remains protected. This concerns, for example, payment details when you use your credit card or bank account online. But it is also about the more simple things such as your surfing behavior. Even if you just surf the internet, nobody cares about what you do there of course. Many other advantages The security and protection are not the only advantages of logging into a VPN at home. It is also a way to give yourself more freedom. For example, you can bypass censorship and you can get information anywhere in the world where servers are located. You can also get past geographical blockades. Viewing the content of streaming services from countries such as America, Canada and England has therefore become a good option. There is nothing or no one who can stop you from looking at it. This includes the ability to download safely. That is therefore also important. Searching for the best VPN? We would recommend NordVPN. In a tuxedo at a gallery opening or in shirt sleeves at the city desk, he looked like a fighter: a muscular, grizzled, chain-smoking raconteur who told stories in a whiskey baritone of growing up in a big Irish family in Brooklyn, of newsmen he had known, stories he had covered and characters he had met around the world grist for the novels he churned out, sometimes holing up for weeks and working around the clock. He was widely respected in newspaper circles, not only for his innovative writing and advocacy of underdogs, but for promoting higher tabloid news standards and for standing up to publishers in squabbles over pay and treatment of employees and his own autonomy as an editor. In 1993, when Peter S. Kalikow, who had bought The Post from Rupert Murdoch in 1988, went bankrupt, Mr. Hamill got the chance to run a newsroom. (He had done so once before, in late 1986 and early 1987, when he served as editor of The Mexico City News.) Steven Hoffenberg, a shady financier who later went to jail, secured control and asked Mr. Hamill to become editor in chief and rescue the shaky paper. He was enthusiastic about it, had fresh ideas, and seemed a perfect choice to resuscitate the patient. He would also write a column. But he had three conditions: restoration of a 20 percent pay cut recently imposed on the staff, money to hire more reporters, and absolute editorial autonomy. Mr. Hoffenberg agreed. A month later, however, Abraham Hirschfeld, a buffoonish parking lot mogul who knew nothing about newspapers, won a court case to buy The Post. He fired Mr. Hamill. The staff mutinied, publishing an entire edition filled with scathing pieces about the new owner. Mr. Hamill was rehired with a big, wet Hirschfeld kiss. Later, in his own protest over staff dismissals, he briefly edited the paper from a nearby diner. New Yorkers relished the uproar, but the turmoil ended when Mr. Murdoch bought The Post back and terminated Mr. Hamill. A priority for at-risk students in the common lottery is a way to improve access to some schools for some students furthest from opportunity, Chelsea Coffin, the author of the D.C. Policy Center report, testified Friday in front of the D.C. Council. In one of the toughest years to come as we recover from the impact of school closures due to covid, it has the potential to make real change for individual students who are at risk and to alleviate the socioeconomic segregation that persists at some of our schools. Philadelphia, PA, Aug. 04, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- VSBLTY Groupe Technologies Corp. (CSE: VSBY) (Frankfurt: 5VS) (OTC: VSBGF) (VSBLTY), a leading provider of security and retail marketing technology, and its Mexico partner Retailigent Media have been contracted to provide advanced audience analytics and customer engagement technology in a Mexican chain of pet stores, it was announced today by VSBLTY Co-founder & CEO Jay Hutton. Retailigent Media, with offices in Mexico and five other Latin American countries, is the leading company in Mexico for smart retail solutions, analytics and smart displays. Retailigent provides advertising and marketing insights to some of the worlds leading brands, including P&G, Coca Cola, Diageo and Telefonica. The company specializes in providing brands and retailers with personalized shopping experiences for their customers. The pet store deployment will utilize digital shelf strips, small interactive surfaces, real-time audience analytics and touchless interface for customer engagement. The initial installations will be in 10 locations but is expected to roll to 85 locations in the short term, according to Rodrigo Velasco, Retailigent Media CEO & Co-founder. Hutton added, This represents an interesting and exciting move into a new brand category for VSBLTY and Retailigent. We are anxious to see if the sales lift experienced with other brands will be duplicated in the pet food category. VSBLTY technology provides enhanced customer engagement and audience measurement using machine learning and computer vision. Its industry-leading VisionCaptor and DataCaptor software combine motion graphics and interactive brand messaging with cutting-edge computer vision measurement and insights. VSBLTYs AI-driven software, Vector, provides advanced facial recognition that is crucial to enhancing todays security requirements when recognizing weapons or suspicious persons in a crowd. Story continues Investor Relations MarketSmart Communications Inc., +1-877-261-4466 info@marketsmart.ca CHF Capital Markets Cathy Hume, CEO, +1-416-868-1079, x231 cathy@chfir.com CONTACT: Linda Rosanio, 609-472-0877 lrosanio@vsblty.net About VSBLTY (www.vsblty.net) Headquartered in Philadelphia, VSBLTY (CSE: VSBY) (Frankfurt: 5VS) (OTC: VSBGF) (VSBLTY) is the world leader in Proactive Digital Display, which transforms retail and public spaces as well as place-based media networks with SaaS-based audience measurement and security software that uses artificial intelligence and machine learning. About Retailigent Media (www.retailigentmedia.com) In Mexico, VSBLTY partners with Retailigent Media that has been a pioneer throughout Latin America in making smart deployments at retail with digital displays and analytics. The firm also provides OOH traffic measurements and predictive advertising triggered by gender and age. Now Retailigent Media is helping retailers and even cities improve their security with VSBLTYs Vector Face Recognition and Alerts. CONTACT: Rodrigo Velasco, +52 1 55 9196 7427 rvelasco@retailigentmedia.com CONTACT: LINDA ROSANIO VSBLTY, INC 609-472-0877 LROSANIO@VSBLTY.NET A wealthy Silicon Valley angel investor is facing backlash over his privilege after he tried to create a 'microschool' in his backyard and looked for a teacher on Twitter offering a salary that will 'beat whatever they are getting paid'. Jason Calacanis, who lives is the Bay Area and invests in start-ups like Uber and Robinhood, posted an ad looking for 'the best 4th to 6th grade teacher' on Sunday to teach a group of young children at his home. The father-of-one also offered a $2,000 UberEats giftcard as a referaral bonus. He used the hashtag #microschool and said the educator would teach two to seven students in his backyard. However, the post was met with backlash on Twitter and he was criticized for exacerbating the privilege gap in education. Wealthy Silicon Valley angel investor Jason Calacanis, 49, is facing backlash for posting a Twitter ad looking for 'the best 4-6th grade teacher' to start microschool and teach two to seven students in his backyard Calacanis, who lives is the Bay Area, is a well-known investor who has invested in start-ups like Uber and Robinhood His proposal was a part of a new fad known as 'learning pods' or 'pandemic pods', a small group of students to gather to learn in a shared space whether by online school instruction or by a hired tutor to simulate a classroom dynamic amid the pandemic. His Twitter was inundated with negative comments calling him out for his privilege. 'You offering tenure? full benefits? a retirement package? summers off for prep and recharging? no? you're just some dude who will give them a wad of cash if they don't displease you? this isn't how American education works, dude. you're not a minor 19th century French aristocrat,' one Twitter user replied. 'Everything thats wrong with the Bay Area all wrapped up in a nice little tweet,' another added. 'Rethink everything about your familys priorities,' Clara Jeffrey, the Editor in Chief at Mother Jones, replied. 'We have a child in public school, were in the Bay Area. Schools are not going to open up. Our child does not learn well over Zoom. Im not an expert on health, Im not an expert on education, but I do have some expertise in starting entrepreneurial companies,' Calacanis said on his microschool plan After some negative comments he said he'd offer scholarships for half of the students in the microstudents to help children in need He defended the idea of microschools and 'pandemic pods' where parents gather children to learn with tutors or their own teachers as schools are closed 'YAY! Lets use "free market capitalism" to utterly destroy the social fabric of society because, hey, F*** IT, were rich!' another critic quipped. Re-opening schools has been a heated debate across the country. However, many Bay Area parents have already started to hire tutors and form learnings pods. But the pods only add to concerns of widening inequities and racial and class disparities within school districts. Last week Oakland Unified School District says that it does not endorse the formation of learning pods. 'Although we appreciate parent resourcefulness in creating small "pandemic pods" to help manage the demands of this time, we do have some concerns,' the district said in a statement. 'Rethink everything about your familys priorities,' Clara Jeffrey, the Editor in Chief at Mother Jones, replied. 'I found a topic that is much more polarizing than wearing a maskstarting a school in your back yard,' Calacanis tweeted Monday morning in the wake of the backlash. Calacanis explained he wanted to start the microschool for his own young child. 'We have a child in public school, were in the Bay Area. Schools are not going to open up. Our child does not learn well over Zoom. Im not an expert on health, Im not an expert on education, but I do have some expertise in starting entrepreneurial companies,' Calacanis said to TMZ on Monday. 'I decided I would put up a tweet and todays tweet went viral. I think the applications we're getting are from people who are not currently working so this would be a net new job for society and were going to give spots to families in need. In other words families who, like myself, was the product of the public school system in Brooklyn. 'Of six kids, three will go to people for free,' he added. He defended his microschool idea despite backlash saying: 'I think its a viable solution for kids who dont have the ability to self direct like maybe a high school or college kid does.' After 13 years leading Gujarat, Modi turned to national politics, taking on a long-dominant Congress party that had mismanaged the economy and was increasingly viewed as corrupt and ineffective. After his extraordinary win in 2014, he began to focus on identity issues, whipping up nationalism while turning a blind eye to increasingly bolder Hindu groups. He and his closest aide, Amit Shah, pursued a strategy of uniting disparate voters by stressing a Hindu identity instead of one divided by castes -- the idea being that if you could unite all the caste-based parties, you could create a new majority that rules India for decades to come. His even bigger re-election victory in 2019 showed that identity issues prevailed over economic ones, giving him space to push further with such initiatives, including the citizenship law. The government, meanwhile, has sought to limit media coverage of the violence. Polls show Modis support remaining rock solid, despite the social upheaval and economic pain from measures taken to fight the pandemic. A team led by Massimo Squatrito, Head of the Seve Ballesteros Foundation Brain Tumour Group at the Spanish National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO), have made important findings of how some gliomas can acquire chemoresistance. Carried out together with the laboratory of Jiguang Wang from the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) and a clinical team led by Tao Jiang from Beijing Neurological Institute, and published in Nature Communications, the study provides also new clues on how to monitor the efficacy of therapy. At present, the main, and virtually only, treatment for glioma - a very common type of tumour originating in the brain - is a combination of radiotherapy and the chemotherapy agent temozolomide. This type of treatment can improve patients' survival rates by up to 30%. Similar to most of the chemotherapy drugs, temozolomide induces DNA damage in cancer cells. Gliomas can progress by repairing this damage through an enzyme encoded by the MGMT gene. In patients whose MGMT activity is blocked because of a modification of its promoter called 'hypermethylation', cancer cells cannot repair the temozolomide-induced damage and collapse. Unfortunately, up to 40-50% of patients are intrinsically resistant to temozolomide. These patients express high levels of MGMT and the tumour continue growing under treatment. Now, the recent study carried out by the CNIO and the HKUST team shows that a subset of patients acquires a specific genetic alteration that can evade the combined therapy. Control changes hands Translocation of the MGMT gene was observed in a group of patients. These genomic rearrangements involve the fusion of MGMT with other genes, which means that MGMT is now regulated by the promoters it is fused with, that contributes to its overexpression. When this type of rearrangements take place, the temozolomide-induced DNA damage is very efficiently repaired and the glioma continues growing even under treatment." Massimo Squatrito, Head of the Seve Ballesteros Foundation Brain Tumour Group at the Spanish National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO) The team at the HKUST validated the presence of the genetic rearrangement in a subset of a large cohort of recurrent tumours, coming from different hospitals, mainly from Beijing Tiantan Hospital. Using the CRISPR-Cas9 genomic editing tool, the team at CNIO replicated some of these translocations in different cell and animal models and confirmed that they can confer resistance to temozolomide. "It appears that the translocations are not present in the original tumour, only in recurrent ones, that are, tumours that emerge after the original cancer is treated," Squatrito says. "This indicates that the resistance may occur as a consequence to the treatment itself." The findings may lead to changes in the methods to monitor therapy efficacy: "Currently, the only known therapeutic biomarker in gliomas is the analysis of MGMT promoter status. When methylated, the MGMT gene is silenced and the patient is predicted to respond to temozolomide. The study shows this method is no longer valid when there has been a genetic translocation. The promoter might still be blocked, but the gene is being overactivated by other promoters and hence could contribute to tumour recurrence." Another relevant finding from animal models is that the MGMT translocations are present in exosomes -extracellular vesicles released by glioma cells into the bloodstream. "If this finding is validated in patients, it could become a useful tool for early resistance detection. A liquid biopsy, that is, a simple test using blood samples, could tell us when patients are developing resistance to temozolomide, and they could be advised to switch to other therapeutic options when they will become available." The next step will be identifying novel treatment intervention for the temozolomide resistant patients. Just around the time Prime Minister Narendra Modi set foot in Ayodhya to lay the foundation stone for the new Ram temple, the beginnings of a fiery debate around the identity of Lord Rams arch rival, Ravanan, was taking root on Tamil Twitter. Social media circles were abuzz after the trend "Tamil Arasan Ravanan" began to emerge. It is not unusual for a cohort of Twitter handles promoting anti-Modi opinion to reach trend-levels it has happened on numerous occasions when the Prime Minister visited the state. On Wednesday morning, the emergence of such a trend quickly got embroiled in the question over the identity of Ravanan itself, with some claiming him Shaivites, while others pointing to the Sinhalas celebrating him as an ethnic God, while others postulated him as Brahmin. Within no time, Tamil Twitter was in a bind over Rams arch-rival on a day the BJP-led Centre celebrated a "historic" success of what has been a "500-year struggle," according to UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. Take a look at chaotic opinion-making in Tamil Twitter land: India is the land of ravanan there is no space for any Rama #LandOfRavanan pic.twitter.com/MbVEMzCZyI (@Learnedpolitics) August 5, 2020 Yes , he is a king of Tamil , protected sits without abusing her, but your rama forced her to get down in fire for her innocence!! What nonsense is this !! Is it a work of rama!! Therefore we have been continuously praise our king Ravanan#LandOfRavana #TamilPrideRavanaa Durai Arun (@duraiarunan) August 5, 2020 Lanka ruled by Ravana has been a thousand times higher than Rama's Ayodhya. Then why, we call good rule Rama rule and bad rule Ravanaa rule ?#TamilPrideRavanaa#LandOfRavana Fight against #HindutvaHasbara (@Zahid_iok) August 5, 2020 According to the Ramayana, Ravana was a Brahmin and a Shiv bhakth. For avowed atheists and brahmin haters to trend his name and identify themselves with him to show their antipathy to Rama (a Kshatriya ) and what he represents makes little sense. Sumanth Raman (@sumanthraman) August 5, 2020 I wouldn't touch her against her will - Ravanan This one reason is enough to celebrate him. #LandOfRavana #TamilsPrideRavanan pic.twitter.com/pHSNd406Ib Kanimozhi Manoharan (@kani_manoharan) August 5, 2020 #TamilsPrideRavanaa ?? Really?? Ok then listen, Lord Rama ki||ed your pride... Lord Rama and his small army destroyed your so called Ravana dynasty... And listen you fools, Rama is avtar of Bhagwan vishnu where #Ravana is avtar of gatekeeper of lord Vishnu#HindusPrideLordRama A4aadi (@akki_aditya) August 5, 2020 Tamil Nadus social media circles have been severely polarised grounds of late, with right-wingers, now rising in volume, continuously taking on those espousing the Dravidian cause. An Iraqi delegation headed by the Iraqi oil minister met the Lebanese prime minister, Hassan Diab, on Wednesday and informed him that Baghdad will provide fuel aid to Beirut after the blast on Aug. 4, according to a statement by the Lebanese government. Lebanese local media also said that an amount of wheat will arrive on Friday from Iraq as an aid after the blast left the Lebanese capital short on wheat, according to the governor. Search Keywords: Short link: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has expressed shock over the explosion in Lebanons Beirut in which more than 70 people were killed. Shocked and saddened by the large explosion in Beirut city leading to loss of life and property. Our thoughts and prayers are with the bereaved families and the injured, the Prime Ministers Office (PMO) said on Twitter on Wednesday. The massive explosion rocked Beirut on Tuesday, flattening much of the citys port, damaging buildings across the capital and sending a giant mushroom cloud into the sky. It was not clear what caused the blast, which struck with the force of a 3.5 magnitude earthquake, according to Germanys geosciences center GFZ, and was heard and felt as far away as Cyprus more than 200 kilometres across the Mediterranean. Shocked and saddened by the large explosion in Beirut city leading to loss of life and property. Our thoughts and prayers are with the bereaved families and the injured: PM @narendramodi PMO India (@PMOIndia) August 5, 2020 Global leaders gave offered help and support to Lebanon in the wake of the explosion. French President Emmanuel Macron on Tuesday said France will deploy a civil security detachment and several tonnes of medical equipment to Lebanon. Emergency doctors will also reach Beirut as soon as possible to strengthen hospitals. France is already engaged, the French President said in a tweet. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, also extended his deepest condolences to all those affected by the massive explosion at the port of Beirut. UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson said his country is ready to provide support in any way it can. A scheme set up by five University of Bristol undergraduates has begun to support charities across the globe during the COVID-19 pandemic. The COVID-19 Student Response Network (CSRN), founded by Ameya Vikram, Jack Elliot, Immy Ireland, Lee DArcy and Tom Steggall, began in Bristol with the aim of helping up to 30 local charities in Bristol. The scheme has now rolled out internationally, with nearly 1,000 students from universities across the country volunteering for 75 charities in 12 different countries, including England, Germany, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Fiji, Ghana, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Zambia, and Malawi. Working with local government and charitable organisations such as Student Minds, CoppaFeel!, Black South West Network, Quartet Community Foundation, childrens charity Variety and Age UK Bristol, student volunteers are assisting charities on a range of areas including management and fundraising strategies, digitization, social media and marketing, data analytics and machine learning. CSRN is running throughout the summer, with volunteers receiving training and access to professional mentors from the schemes official training partners Accenture, Tata Consultancy Services and Data Cubed. The scheme was founded and is led by students from the Bristol branch of 180 Degrees, a worldwide collective of student groups partnered with major consultancies which empower students with training to assist charities with pro-bono support. The scheme is partnered with branches of 180 degrees across the country including Nottingham, St Andrews (Playfair Consultancy Group), Edinburgh (The Wednesday Group), Oxford (Six Degrees), Warwick, and Westminster. It has also teamed up with CoronaUnity to recruit students to the scheme in universities without an official student consultancy, such as Exeter. Immy Ireland, one of the founders of CSRN, said: The charity industry has been heavily affected by the pandemic, with 75 per cent of the sector furloughed and most major fundraising events cancelled. When the pandemic hit the UK, many of our friends had their internships cancelled and we realised that their insight and skills could add real value to a sector which has been devastated by the pandemic. Weve been overwhelmed with the level of interest from students across the country, which I feel is a real testament to the student community and their passion to help others. One project is currently underway is with Student Minds, the UKs leading student mental health charity which trains and supports students to run peer support programmes for mental health. The pandemic has forced all universities to cancel campus gatherings and mass participation events and as a result, the charity is looking to innovate its service offering throughout the next academic year and beyond. A team of four students from across the country is currently using machine learning, sentiment analysis and market research to support the charity with their aims. Dominic Smithies, Student Voice and Equality Lead for Student Minds said: We've been working with a really passionate group of students to help us with our listening work to ensure we're understanding what students are experiencing. These insights will help us in having the most effective response to COVID-19 so that we can do all we can to ensure students and staff are empowered to look after their own mental health, support others and create change." Immy added: So many people, now more than ever, rely on the support of charities and Im incredibly proud of what weve managed to achieve so far. The impact of the pandemic will be felt for a long time, and our hope is that we can continue building on the network, and support charities across the world as they navigate the long-term challenges brought about by COVID-19. 'Jesus Politics': Phil Robertson says we dont need a political fix' for a spiritual war Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment "Duck Dynasty" patriarch Phil Robertson tackles the problems facing America in his new book,Jesus Politics: How to Win Back the Soul of America, and says the solution is a spiritual one, not a political one. In the book, the New York Times bestselling author bluntly expresses his beliefs about the destructive nature of American politics. As an outspoken Christian, he charges other believers to do everything they can in these times to advance the Kingdom of Heaven on Earth. Robertson encourages Christians to invite Jesus into the issues facing the nation. He details, from Scripture, how he believes Jesus would respond to the issues of our day by offering a manifesto of how to do good by King Jesus, bringing the Kingdom of Heaven to homes, neighborhoods, churches, communities, and the nation. The following is an edited transcript of The Christian Post's interview with Robertson, where he journeys through Scripture to share what he believes the problems in America are and how Christians can work to overcome those issues. CP: What message are you trying to get across through your new book, Jesus Politics? Robertson: You got to remember, when Jesus got here roughly, by my count, 5,300 years ago, the prediction was made way back in Genesis: "Someone born of a woman would crush the evil one." So everyone waited, and in the Old Testament from Genesis all the way through Malachi up to Matthew, it says: "Jesus is coming!" All the prophecies, hundreds. "We've got Jesus coming. This is where He'll be born." All these prophecies. Well, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, Jesus is here and John the Baptist was hollering, "Repent, for the Kingdom of God is near." And then Jesus went out and He preached, "Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is near." He sent out the disciples, and they all said, "Repent, for the Kingdom of God is near." It came, and in Acts Chapter 2, He gave these Apostles the ability to speak in any language worldwide. He sent them out and it reached worldwide, and now there's about 3 billion of us. What we're trying to do through this book is just to get the human race to put their faith in Jesus. He'll remove their sin and He'll guarantee them they can be raised from the dead, for crying out loud! All they have to do is love Him and love each other. I just don't see the downside. Thats the best deal we're ever going to get. Someone says, "I think I'll take my chances without Jesus." I'm like, "And what chance is that? Cause physical death, as we all know, it's all around us. It's coming at some point." At least with this, I've never heard a story that said, "Every wrong thing you ever did won't be counted against you. Nothing in the future will be counted against you. He'll be interceding for you back in Heaven. And on top of that, don't fear death, if you believe in me," Jesus said. "Even if you die, yet shall you live, and whoever lives and believes in me will never die" [John 11]. Your body goes into the cemetery and your soul, your spirit goes to live with God. And when Jesus returns, He's going to raise your dead cold body, and it'll be an immortal body that'll live forever. I'm like, this is about the best rescue I've ever heard of. So that's the message we're getting out there. We're still trying to get people to just love God, love your neighbor. I'm not asking for the moon here. There's a lot of people who come down here all the time. So we are making an impact. We can't stop because God has afforded us to do whatever we do in the Kingdom. I happen to be a proclaimer. CP: Are you like a voice crying out in the wilderness in these times? Robertson: In the book of 1 Peter, the Apostle he's the one that ran out on Jesus at one time listen to this, "You are a chosen people, a royal priesthood." So think about it. When I'm walking down the road and somebody drives by and looks at me, he may say something like, "I wonder where that homeless guy is going? Cause I look a little scruffy." He would never think I was a member of a royal priesthood and I'm actually a priest in the Kingdom of God. "We are a chosen people, a holy nation of people belonging to God" [1 Peter 2]. Here's my point: We're a Kingdom, a spiritual Kingdom, with Jesus being the King. We bow to Him. He's a good King because He's our brother, our friend, our Savior. He's a great King! He's never going to desert us. He'll always be there. He's removed our sin. He's going to raise us from the dead, and so we go forth and share that with others because I don't think it's a political fix. I call it (the book) Jesus Politics because I wanted them to see it's a spiritual war we're in. Not so much a political fix. It's a spiritual fix. So we need to get back to God. They ran Him out of our schools, out of Hollywood, out of the news media, and out of the education. I have two degrees. I know I don't look like I do, but I actually do. Not one of my college professors ever said the word Jesus or God or the Holy Spirit. Not one word in any history class. Nothing! [In college,] I was just out there getting high, getting drunk, running around it was the '60s until I was 28. I sat down with [someone] and I thought, "He What? God became flesh." We're counting time by it. This calendar says 2020. Last year was 2019, 2018, walk it back, you're going to get to year one. Well, it just so happens that's when Jesus showed up. Well, I would at least investigate Him. CP: Jesus Politics exposes the destructive nature of American politics. What inspired the book? Was this some kind of a divine deposit? Robertson: It wasn't like I heard an audible voice that said, "Phil, write a book, no." I'm just watching what Lot observed, way back in Sodom and Gomorrah. The Bible says he was tormented in his righteous soul. "If God did not spare the angels when they sinned, but sent them to hell, putting them into gloomy dungeons to be held for judgment. If He did not spare the ancient world when He broke the flood on its ungodly people" [2 Peter 2:4]. There was a period in history before now, way back in the days of Noah, what was the problem? God said, "Their every thought was evil. Except for eight" [Genesis 6]. Noah and his family. Well, he drowned them all. "But He protected Noah, a preacher of righteousness and others. If He condemned the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah ..." They were wicked, kind of like we are. "For burning them to ashes and He made them an example of what's going to happen to the ungodly. He rescued Lot, a righteous man who was distressed by the filthy lives of lawless men. For that righteous man being among them day after day was tormented in his righteous soul by the lawless deeds, he saw and heard" [2 Peter 2]. If this is so, then the Lord knows how to rescue godly man from trials and hold the unrighteous for the Day of Judgment or continuing their punishment. That's what motivated [me] to say, "Please read this; please think about what you're doing." The fruit of the Spirit. We're trying to get America to understand. Because if I look at them in the streets of New York and I'm thinking, wait a minute, spray cans, the F-word follows them everywhere they go. They're grown. They're adults. ... They're full of hate. And I'm thinking, the fruit of the Spirit "Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control" [Galatians 5:22-23]. It's a spiritual war! That's why I don't think it's a political fix. I think it's a spiritual fix from bottom to top. CP: Some Christians confuse their spiritual identity with their political ideologies. Can you talk about that, and why as Christians, we have to be careful not to do that? Robertson: The source of love is the God of Heaven. God, the Apostle John said, "is love." Listen to this: "If I had the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains ..." this answers your question ... "but have not love. I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor, and surrender my body to the plains, but have not loved, I gained nothing. Love is patient" [1 Corinthians 13]. So even Christians get tangled up in these local events and these evil things that they see. "Love is patient." Think about a person being patient, the people in your streets in New York and all across the country. They are on the other side of patient. "Love is kind. It does not envy." You've got it and I need it, and it's not fair because you've mistreated my ancestors. They're envious. "Your white privilege." [The Bible says,] "Love does not boast. Love, it's not proud, it's not rude." How about that for the streets of America? Love is not rude. "It is not self-seeking. It's not easily angered." They form these groups under the banner. Oh you say, "It seems we may have a problem in the country." The Bible says, "Love keeps no record of wrongs." We weren't even here. I didn't do it. I wasn't there. You're going back 100, 200 years. 1 Corinthians 13 continues: "Love does not delight in evil. Love rejoices with the truth." Check this one, "Love always protects" shields, defends "Love always trusts. Always hopes, always perseveres and Love never fails." Do you realize how difficult it is to get human beings to do that? So for everyone I see who drives down here, flies out here, I take them to the river and they start over again, they give their life to Jesus. They're members of the Kingdom of God. They are guaranteed to be raised from the dead. For everyone that does it, I'm like, "it's worth it." Even if just one turned, it would be worth it. CP: So how would Jesus Politics deal with the current climate of racism and social injustice? Robertson: You know what the saddest thing in the world is to see people not realizing? The Apostle Paul was speaking to the smartest individuals that the Greek Empire had. Check this out: "The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by hands. He's not served by human hands as if he needed anything. Because he himself gives all men life and breath and everything else. From one man He made every nation of men" [Acts 17]. You say, "We all came from Adam? Well, how come that one is a different color than I am?" God did it. God made him that way. He Himself gives all men life, everything else. He determines the time set for them, the exact places where they should live. God did this so men would seek Him and perhaps reach out for Him and find Him. So He's not far from each one of us. My college professors said there were three races. But the bottom line is, God said,[theres] just one race on the planet Earth, it's called the human race. We all came from the same two: Adam and Eve. They've traced that DNA all the way back and then it just stops. Therefore, if we all come from one man, there's only one race on planet Earth, the human race. Where we meet up [together], it's a pretty rough part of town, as they would say, but Miss Kay and I, we go up on Sunday mornings. Now, since the pandemic, there's about 100. But before that, there was a couple hundred. About 60% of them are African American, and 40% of them are white. I told them one day, I said, "this is pretty cool. There's no black churches with us, no white churches. It's just the Kingdom of God worldwide." This is the way it ought to be. We have a meal, some of the homeless people come in. They've been sleeping under a bridge, we help them out, try to get them out from under the bridge if they want to. But the homeless are there, we're all eating a meal together. We stop and we remember the blood that was shed for us, the Lord's supper the bread, the body that was nailed to cross. We just stop in the middle of the meal. So let's remember Jesus here with the Lord's Supper. When I go down there I'm baptizing some of these dudes that live on the street and they haven't had a bath probably, some of them six months. But I don't care. I love them. They're my brother and they're in the audience. So it is a pretty cool thing to be a part of. Blacks, whites altogether. Brothers, sisters in the Lord. So that's what we're trying to show America. We're reaching a lot of them but we could always reach more, so that's why I wrote a book. CP: The subtitle of the book reads, "How to win back the soul of America." Would you say that America has sold its soul? Robertson: Here's the Apostle Paul, he's talking to the young evangelist named Timothy. Check this out, because you ask who stolen their soul, it's the evil one. "The Lord's servant must not quarrel." That's me. "Instead He must be kind to everyone." I'm the Lord's servant. I don't bad mouth the people that are tearing up and shooting up the streets and the spray cans. You say, "You don't hate them?" Not at all. I would love to sit down with them and have a little Bible study. "The Lord's servant must be able to teach, not resent those who oppose him." I have plenty "He must gently instruct, in the hope that God will grant them repentance and leading them to a knowledge of the truth." The truth in the Bible is Jesus' death, burial and resurrection. "Hoping they'll come to a knowledge of the truth that they'll come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil who has taken them captive to do His will" [2 Timothy 2]. So every time I [answer] a question [I] read a Bible verse to let [you] know [I] didn't write this, [I] just read it. That's why when you become a faithful soldier, for God, and you realize that "You'll know the truth and the truth does set you free" [John 8]. Set you free from what? Set you free from Satan! He's taken you captive to do His will. [Jesus will] set free from sin take your sins away. Set free from guilt. "My life's in shambles, I'm on drugs." Set you free from law, having to be perfect. He'll remove your mistakes. He'll intercede for you not counting your future sins against you. Also the final thing, He sets you free from is the grave. That's what I call game, set, match! Set free from Satan, sin, guilt, law, and the grave. CP: In the book, you provide a manifesto that shows us how to do right by King Jesus. Any last words? Robertson: Vote for people who are godly and love them all. Forgive and be quick to forgive. It's God who granted us repentance you and me. He gave us repentance. I never dreamed I'd be following Jesus. But I am, and now that I am I'm like, "What was I thinking [before]?" Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (Agence France-Presse) Washington, United States Wed, August 5, 2020 09:50 531 6657ac82168da9fa101c8a4066ba59da 2 World US,ballistic-missiles,test,intercontinental-ballistic-missile Free The United States on Tuesday successfully tested an unarmed Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) in a launch directed from an airborne command center, the Air Force said. The missile was launched at 12:21 am (0721 GMT) from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, travelling 6,700 kilometers (4,200 miles) over the Pacific Ocean before landing in the sea near the Marshall Islands. "The test demonstrates that the United States' nuclear deterrent is safe, secure, reliable and effective," the Air Force said in a statement. "Airmen... were aboard the US Navy E-6 aircraft to demonstrate the reliability and effectiveness" of the airborne launch control system, it said. Colonel Omar Colbert, commander of 576th Flight Test Squadron, said "the Minuteman III is 50 years old, and continued test launches are essential." "This visible message of national security serves to assure our allies and dissuade potential aggressors," he said. The Air Force added that test launches were "not a response or reaction to world events or regional tensions." The Minuteman III has been the only surface-to-air missile in the US nuclear arsenal since 2005. It is installed at bases in Wyoming, North Dakota and Montana. Trident nuclear missiles are deployed on US submarines, and US strategic bombers also carry nuclear devices. If Amazon packages filled with items you didn't order have been appearing on your doorstep lately, you're not alone. "Brushing" is a deceitful technique sometimes used in e-commerce to boost a seller's ratings by creating fake orders, and according to KPRC2, it's happening to families right here in the Bayou City. I go into my order history and theres an order for 22 items that I would never order, ever. And theyre all under 11 cents each, Kathy Mars told KPRC2. Numerous things, electronics, cables, baby items, books. It variedjust none of it made sense." PAUSE ON PARTIES: Turner asks Houston to stop partying as COVID-19 cases climb The items only added up to be $2.40 altogether, and Leah Napoliello with the Better Business Bureau of Houston told the news org that's because the sellers are looking for another form of repayment: a positive review for their product. And sure enough, Mars, who said she has only left about 10 reviews personally, had over a thousand reviews left on Amazon under her name. "I dont know how that happened, she told KPRC2. If you fall victim to this scam, you should first check your bank account to see whether or not you were charged. If so, contact Amazon then change your password. As far as the items go, Amazon and the Federal Trade Commission says you are free to keep them. HALIFAX - An estimated $634-million plan aimed at improving Nova Scotia's long-term care sector released Wednesday by the province's Opposition Progressive Conservatives focuses on adding more resources and support to the network. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 5/8/2020 (531 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. HALIFAX - An estimated $634-million plan aimed at improving Nova Scotia's long-term care sector released Wednesday by the province's Opposition Progressive Conservatives focuses on adding more resources and support to the network. Tory Leader Tim Houston said his party would immediately add 2,500 single-bed rooms to the system, hire 2,000 nurses and continuing care assistants and establish a new option of incremental supportive living funding if it eventually forms government. Houston said the COVID-19 pandemic had "shone a light" on the importance of single rooms for long-term care residents when it comes to infection control and to slowing the spread of illness within a facility. "It's really important for the province moving forward to give dignity to seniors and to make sure that proper infection controls can be put in place," Houston said in an interview. Of Nova Scotia's 64 deaths so far in the pandemic, 53 occurred at the Northwood long-term care facility in Halifax an older facility lacking in single-occupancy rooms. The province's Liberal government has since appointed a two-person review committee to delve into the Northwood outbreak and a separate review to look at infection control procedures in the health system. Houston said that even without the challenges caused by the pandemic, the province has an aging population that will add more stress to the system over the coming years. "We have somewhere in the range of 8,000 beds today. In 20 years that could be 20,000 . . . so we have to think about how the system is designed," he said. Houston said he's also submitted a proposal to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau seeking federal support for a further 1,000 single-bed rooms. The Tories said the total investment for the larger project with federal support would come in at $821-million to be cost shared between the two levels of government. The party's proposal would include help for seniors who require more assistance than can be provided by home care but who don't have complex medical needs and can't afford assisted living. So-called "supportive living" would establish assisted living choices for seniors, where they can continue to live in a comfortable home environment such as an apartment. "When you don't offer preventive care, when you don't offer support to seniors there is a cost to the primary and acute care system, Houston said. "We can't look the other way it has to be done." This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 5, 2020. A health worker carries out a COVID-19 coronavirus test on a resident in a testing vehicle in Shenyang in China's northeastern Liaoning Province, China, on July 29, 2020. (STR/AFP via Getty Images) Chinese City Residents Run Out of Food as Authorities Enforce Lockdown Due to Virus Outbreak As the CCP virus outbreak in northeastern Chinas Dalian city continued to spread and authorities enacted mandatory lockdowns, residents said they were starting to run out of food. Residents told The Epoch Times that they could not access essential supplies, and that local authorities did not assist them. Chinas National Health Commission continued to announce dozens more infections on Aug. 4, but locals in both regions feared that the true scale of the outbreak was worse than officially reported. The Epoch Times has previously reported, based on leaked documents, how authorities dilute infection data. In Dalian, authorities sealed off 24 villages and neighborhoods, as well as 80 residential compounds to prevent the virus from spreading, said Tang Yi, director of the Dalian Municipal Civil Affairs Bureau, at a press conference. Nobody can enter or leave, Tang added. Dalian residents told the Chinese-language Epoch Times that they were running out of food amid the lockdown. Mr. Chen lives at the Jindi Yijing residential compound in Dalian Bay. He said the authorities locked down the residence at 5 a.m. on July 23, after someone at a neighboring apartment complex was diagnosed with COVID-19. On the morning of July 23, Chen and his neighbors found out that they couldnt leave the compound when they woke up. The compound was locked down suddenly, and we had no preparation time, no food storage, Chen complained. Since then, Chen and his fellow neighbors could not go out for shopping, and the e-commerce platform that authorities provided for people to purchase food did not have enough supplies. No fruit, meat, or seafood. The vegetables were very limited. Soon after, there was no more food to buy on that platform for a whole week, Chen said. We kept on calling the mayors hotline, community committee, and the complexs management company, but nobody answered our requests. He also mentioned there was a child living in his compound who became sick one night, but authorities did not allow the parents and child to visit a hospital, nor go to the pharmacy to buy medicine. In the end, a neighbor found some medicine at home and gave it to the childs parents, Chen said. The next day, the parents collected five signatures appealing for permission to bring the child to the hospital, including officials from the community committee, management company, and police bureau. Eventually, authorities relented. On Aug. 2, Chen and several neighbors created a shopping platform by themselves and hired people who live in areas outside the mandatory lockdown to purchase and deliver food for them. Lin Meng, a resident of the Lishui Haoting residential compound in Dalian Bay, was also required to stay at home. He said that the e-commerce platform set up by authorities only supplies 1,000 vegetables for tens of thousands of residents. Lin complained that the vegetables were very expensive and in limited supply. For the elderly, they are in a bad situation. They dont know how to use an e-commerce platform, Lin added. In the past few days, Dalian Bay residents also sent videos to The Epoch Times of scuffles that erupted due to peoples complaints about lack of food. One video shared on Aug. 3 showed that residents in an apartment complex asked the management company to allow sellers into the area to deliver food. They were refused. The argument turned into a fight. In the end, more than ten police officers, some armed with weapons, and a tactical team arrived at the scene and detained several residents. BENGALURU : Bengaluru: Hospitality unicorn Oyo Hotels and Homes Ltd. India on Tuesday told its employees that it will be reinstating salaries of employees in a phased manner, at a town hall, which was addressed by Oyo India CEO Rohit Kapoor and chief human resources officer Dinesh Ramamurthi, said two people familiar with the development. Salaries of employees with a fixed compensation of up to 8 lakh will be reinstated beginning the August payroll, said one person mentioned above, who didnt wish to be named. An Oyo spokesperson told Mint that this constitutes 60% of their India and South Asia workforce. All other employees earning above 8 lakh will see phased reversal in their pay cut, with 12.5% of the total 25% cut restored from October, this year, and the remaining 12.5% pay cut restored effective December, 2020. On 8 April, in the wake of pandemic, Oyo founder Ritesh Agarwal had announced furloughs and temporary leaves globally, for a certain number of employees. In the last week of April, Oyo had furloughed several of its India employees and announced salary cuts up to 25%. It had then said that the furlough will last for four months starting 4 May. However, OYOyoefused to comment on the exact number of furloughed employees and when the company plans to bring them back. When asked about the status of the furloughed employees, Kapoor said that a decision on the same has not been taken yet and there will be clarity in the last week of August. In a recent interview with Mint, Agarwal confirmed that the business continues to be 30% of pre-covid levels in India, with dynamic lockdowns across the country hurting its recovery. In June, Oyo had informed that it will be laying off a large number of its employee base in the US. Back in its home market, it suspended contracts with over 250 hotel owners for its Townhouse properties across India, as it hoped to renegotiate fixed payment agreements after its revenues took a hit. Later, in July, the hospitality unicorn also said that it will be offering all its employees deeply discounted ESOPs comparable to Restricted Stock Units (RSUs). This meant that all 'OYOPrenuers' were enabled to buy the stock of the company at a deeply discounted pre-determined price of value (referred to as RSUs) subject to the necessary corporate approvals. The employees also include the OYOpreneurs who were furloughed starting May, and were given these RSUs. Agarwal has also foregone 100% of his compensation for 2020. 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 WONDER POTIONs action-platformer has new content to test in this limited-time preview version of the next side-scrolling hit from NEOWIZ Kolkata, Aug 5 : Even as the nation was busy celebrating bhumi pujan for the new Ram temple in Ayodhya in Uttar Pradesh, hundreds of BJP supporters in West Bengal fought pitched battles with police in different parts of the state after they were alleged stopped from celebrations. Sporadic clashes took place in different districts as police baton-charged the Bharatiya Janata Party activists and made random arrests. Many BJP workers were arrested for gathering during a statewide lockdown on Wednesday. Sources said the police tried to stop BJP activists in West Midnapore's Kharagpur town after they assembled to offer 'puja' at a Ram temple. Disgruntled devotees pelted police with stones, injuring a Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO-Kharagpur) Sukamal Das. Later, the police lathi-charged the crowd. In Jalpaiguri district, the religious celebrations at a BJP office in Shalbari area was stopped by the police, leading to heated exchanges between police and district BJP workers. A clash between police and BJP activists also took place in Birbhum's Suri area as the district administration tried to stop a rally taken out to mark the events at Ayodhya. Hundreds of BJP activists hit the road, chanting slogans in the name of Lord Ram. Similar incident was reported from Dholahat-Simulbera area in South 24-Parganas. Three policemen were injured in a clash with BJP supporters, police said. In East Midnapore's Mahishadal area, the police also stopped BJP workers from celebrating the 'bhumi pujan' in Ayodhya. When BJP workers gathered at a party office, officials from the area police station went to the spot and asked everyone to disperse. Later, religious rituals were performed by BJP workers. At least eight rounds were allegedly fired in Narayanpur area of Rajarhat in North 24-Parganas district as ruling Trinamool Congress' workers and BJP supporters fought over the issue of putting BJP flags in the area. "Miscreants attacked BJP supporters when they were putting up party flags in the area. The attack was organised by Bidhannagar's Deputy Mayor Tapas Chattopadhyay. The TMC-backed miscreants opened fire and also hurled crude bombs at our supporters," claimed West Bengal BJP President Dilip Ghosh. He said that the state government tried to stop BJP workers from celebrating the occasion in various districts. "The West Bengal government deliberately announced a lockdown on August 5 in the state to stop temple-related celebrations," Ghosh added. The BJP state chief said that he also offered prayers to Lord Shiva this morning at his home. "This is not related to any political agenda. Everyone offers 'puja' and so did I this morning," he said. The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has disclosed that the list of contract beneficiaries released by Godswill Akpabio, minister of Niger Delta affairs, is authentic and was not compiled by him. Prominent names on the list compiled in 2018 are former Governors, Orji Uzor Kalu (Abia), James Ibori (Delta}, Emmanuel Uduaghan (Delta) and Senator Peter Nwaoboshi. While some of these politicians have denied benefitting from NDDC contracts, the commission however enjoined those whose names appeared in the list not to panic as it has been uncovered that some people used their names to get the jobs. The NDDC who further disclosed that the 2018 list was part of the avalanche of documents submitted to its forensic auditors, added that there were other sets of lists of emergency project contracts awarded in 2017 and 2019 not submitted to the National Assembly. Charles Odili, NDDCs director of corporate affairs also revealed that the list does not include a case of 250 contracts which were signed for and collected in one day by one person for members of the National Assembly. He expressed confidence in the ongoing forensic audit unearthing persons behind the contracts and also disclosed that the commission has positioned 185 media support specialists to identify the site of every project captured in its books for verification by the forensic auditors. Odili said; National Communications Officer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Sammy Gyamfi was upset when asked to clarify his partys affiliation with the Adontenhene of Bongase Community in the Banda District of the Bono Region. Nana Issah Yakubu has been captured on video expressing his concerns over the deployment of military personnel in his community. According to the chief, the armed personnel are intimidating residents in the ongoing voters registration exercise. He noted that there has been a tension in the region to the extent that fisherfolks are unable to partake in the registration exercise. Ever since his video went viral, some NPP executives have tagged him a card bearing member of the NDC who is fighting for the partys interest to help rig the December 7, polls by registering aliens in the community. Sammy Gyamfi in an interview with NEAT FMs morning show Ghana Montie was asked by host Kwesi Aboagye to clarify the hanging allegation on the chiefs affiliate with his party. But he showed no interest in doing so and opted to prematurely end the interview for lack of appropriate questions. I dont have time for such rubbish, he vehemently said adding that, I respect our traditional rulers and will not discuss this on radio. 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 With some schools in the state of Georgia in United States opening for the first time since the coronavirus lockdown, parents are becoming increasingly worried about their children's safety. And images going viral from a school where maskless children can be seem crammed in a hallway without maintaining social distancing is only adding to the concerns. In a viral photo from Georgia's Paulding County, children can be seen crowding a packed hallway in North Paulding High School in Dallas which opened on Monday. In-person schools were also opened in two suburban Atlanta school districts. In the viral photos from Monday and Tuesday, only a handful of children can be seen wearing masks. One such image caused outrage on social media. This is the first day of school in Paulding County, Georgia. pic.twitter.com/fzdidaAABM BlackAzizaNANsi (@Freeyourmindkid) August 4, 2020 Paulding County, Georgia: First day of school.4 masks - if you zoom in and zero social distancing. This is gonna end badly... pic.twitter.com/pGUwzRr6VN Rex Chapman (@RexChapman) August 4, 2020 This is a photograph from the first day of school in Paulding County, GA. What are your thoughts? pic.twitter.com/FyTSNWeuGh Stone (@stonecold2050) August 4, 2020 According to Paulding County Schools superintendent Dr Brian Otott, the viral social media photo did not "look good" but ensured that the school was following appropriate COVID-19 protocols. "Some individuals on social media are taking this photo and using it without context to criticize our school reopening efforts, Otott told WSB-TV Atlanta. "Under the COVID-19 protocols we have adopted, class changes that look like this may happen, especially at a high school with more than 2,000 students." Meanwhile, reports confirm that at least one student in Georgia who started going to in-person school since the reopening of schools has tested positive for coronavirus already. The child, a second-grader studying at a school in Georgia's Cherokee County, attended school on Monday. OPEN THE SCHOOLS!!! Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 4, 2020 With the new school year beginning this week in some states, many children and parents have been struggling to balance her fears for their children's safety with their beliefs regarding the need for socialization and in-school education for children. On august 4, President Donald Trump tweeted, 'Open the schools' on the microblogging site, even as the U.S. death toll from the coronavirus hits about 155,000 and cases are rising in numerous places. (With inputs from Associated Press) Advertisement Magnetic resonance imaging (or MRI) is especially useful in diagnostics of breast cancer at its early stages.explains Alena Shchelokova, first co-author of the paper and research associate at ITMO's Faculty of Physics and Engineering.However, despite the possibilities opened to medical specialists by MRI, this method is rarely used to produce breast scans because apart from the scanner itself, this procedure requires additional specialized equipment.At the heart of every standard MRI scanner is a large coil used to excite magnetic resonance in the human body. Its size is comparable to that of the human body, and the coil itself is sometimes referred to as the birdcage.This coil that excites protons in the human body, while the responding magnetic resonance signal is received by another, smaller coil located in the vicinity of the organ that is of particular interest to the clinicians. This second coil allows them to produce a high-quality image of the organ under examination.says Alena Shchelokova.A group of scientists, including ITMO University researchers, has suggested another approach to the problem.The novel concept of targeted clinical MRI applied to breast imaging is based on a local redistribution and passive focusing of the radio frequency magnetic field of the large body coil through electromagnetic coupling with an additional dielectric resonator surrounding the target area. The resonator itself is made from a special type of ceramics produced by a company in St.Petersburg.This new ceramic material has high dielectric permittivity and extremely low dielectric losses. If set to work in the frequency of the scanner, it localizes and increases the magnetic field in the breast, while the excitation and reception of the signal are conducted by the body coil.At the same time, the device doesn't generate or receive the signal, but only serves the purpose of focusing the field in a specific place and then transmitting the energy of excited protons point wise to the large coil.Thanks to the fact that the electromagnetic field is now concentrated inside the area of interest, the power of the body coil can be sufficiently turned down. Consequently, this MR examination becomes safer for patients than the standard one.The device itself is also cheaper than the specialized receive coil for the breast provided by manufacturers.Additionally, it doesn't need to be connected to the scanner with a complex system of wires.It is completely wireless and doesn't have so many fragile parts. Moreover, the resonator is compatible with all models of standard clinical scanners, while the standard receive coils need to be purchased from the same manufacturer that produced the scanner.Source: Eurekalert Belarusian authorities have again canceled campaign events by presidential contender Svyatlana Tsikhanouskaya ahead of the August 9 election, claiming that repair work needed to be carried out where the political rallies were to be held. In the city of Slutsk, located 100 kilometers south of the capital, Minsk, local authorities on August 4 said there was an urgent need for repair work at an event place and announced that a planned opposition rally was canceled. Riot police and plainclothes officers then detained at least 17 people as hundreds of opposition supporters gathered for the political rally, according the Vyasna human rights center. Among those detained was the editor of a local news website. Tsikhanouskaya was also forced to cancel a rally in the city of Salihorsk, scheduled for the evening of August 4 after the one in Slutsk. Local authorities in Salihorsk, about 130 kilometers south of Minsk, brought excavators to dig up the ground at a stadium where the rally was to be held and told campaign organizers that the event was canceled. Police then dispersed people who had come to the rally and arrested at least five people. The day before, authorities in the city of Stolbtsy disrupted a meeting organized by Tikhanouskaya's campaign by driving construction equipment to the local stadium. Analysts say the authorities can't cancel Tikhanouskaya's rallies because they are legal, but they can use construction and other pretexts as an excuse to disrupt campaign events and claim they are unauthorized. President Alyaksandr Lukashenka's 26 years of authoritarian rule looks increasingly vulnerable ahead of the August 9 presidential election, although most analysts say he will likely win through a combination of fraud and repression against an energized opposition. Tens of thousands of opposition supporters have attended daily rallies in recent weeks in support of Tsikhanouskaya, a 37-year-old political novice backed by disqualified presidential candidates. The lead-up to the vote has been marred by dubious disqualifications and an unprecedented scale of detentions and other persecution against a backdrop of a pandemic and pro-democracy protests. With about 6.8 million eligible voters, Belarus began early voting on August 4; it will continue through August 8. However, most voters are expected to cast their ballots on August 9. The Central Election Commission said on August 5 that turnout on August 4 was just under 5 percent of all eligible voters. SAO PAULO, Aug 5 (Reuters) - Brazilian telecom Oi SA ended exclusive negotiations on Monday with Highline do Brasil, a portfolio company of U.S. private equity firm Digital Colony, for the sale of its mobile assets, a source familiar with the matter said. Highline presented the best bid for Oi's mobile unit on July 18, which had a minimum value established by the Brazilian telecom firm of 15 billion reais ($2.86 billion). Four days later, however, telecoms operators TIM Participacoes, Telefonica Brasil SA and America Movil SAB de CV's Claro submitted a joint 16.5 billion reais ($3.15 billion) new bid for Oi's mobile assets, higher than Highline's offer. Oi kept its exclusive talks with Highline after that, but decided to terminate it after Digital Colony's portfolio company did not raise its bid for the mobile unit, the source said. Highline has also presented bids for other two units of Oi. It has delivered a binding proposal to acquire Oi's tower unit for 1.08 billion reais and also a non-binding offer for the company's fiber unit. It is unclear, however, how Oi will proceed now at the end of the exclusive talks with Highline. The telecoms companies had demanded from Oi the right to cover potential new bids by rivals. They also offer Oi a long-term contract to rent its telecom infrastructure. Contrary to Highline, which has a small presence in Brazil, the telecoms firms would come under careful scrutiny as they are the top three players in the country. Highline and Oi did not immediately comment on the matter. Newspaper Valor Economico reported earlier on the end of Highline's exclusive talks with Oi. ($1 = 5.2420 reais) (Reporting by Carolina Mandl; Editing by Bernadette Baum) (Bloomberg Opinion) -- Europe has the motivation, but not the means, to break up Big Tech. For the U.S., the inverse is true. Thats bad news for anyone hoping for a full regulatory reckoning with Silicon Valleys and Seattles giants over their monopolistic tendencies. Washington lawmakers see their job as protecting the consumer first and foremost, while Brussels wants to make sure other companies are allowed to compete with the incumbents. Sadly for Europe, the Americans have all the power but their approach is unlikely to produce radical change (as my Opinion colleague Tara Lachapelle wrote this week). That isnt to say the European Union is wasting its time in leading the charge against Big Tech. Congresss grilling last week of the chief executives of Apple Inc., Amazon.com Inc., Google parent Alphabet Inc. and Facebook Inc. showed that the Brussels Effect is in full force. The EU plays an outsized role when it comes to regulation because other regions even the Americans tend to follow its lead. Up to a point, at least. As U.S. lawmakers made the case against the West Coast giants, time and again their arguments echoed efforts already well underway in Europe. When the Democratic Representative David Cicilline tackled the way Google displays news snippets in search results without reimbursing the publishers, he evoked new copyright laws proposed by the EU last year. For two years Brussels has been looking at whether Amazon uses its marketplace data to compete unfairly with the sellers on its website; thats now a hot topic on Capitol Hill too. The market power of Apples App Store and of virtual assistants such as Siri and Alexa, both of which are the subject of new EU investigations, were also on Congresss agenda. QuicktakeHow the Brussels Effect Helps the EU Rule the World When people ask Margrethe Vestager and other European trustbusters what power they really have to moderate the behavior of trillion dollar U.S. companies, this is often their answer: When Brussels uncovers bad corporate behavior, it lays out a road map for Washington D.C. to follow. Story continues Tackling companies with combined annual revenue of $782 billion, more than the gross domestic product of Switzerland, is a huge challenge, meaning competition authorities benefit from the work thats already been done elsewhere. Even the British Competition and Markets Authoritys study of the digital-advertising market got a shout out from Rep. Pramila Jayapal, who cited the agencys findings on Googles dominant market share. The European Commission does have the legal authority to try to break companies up, but no one thinks it would ever try this on a U.S. company. The political blowback would be too severe. The Americans could themselves seek breakups, and would have the power to do so, but their antitrust regime has different priorities. While the problems and the levels of exasperation at the cavalier behavior of the companies might be the same, the types of punishment that lawmakers have in mind are different, according to Nicolas Petit, the joint chair in competition law at the European University Institute. Thats because American antitrust law focuses on the interests of the consumer primarily around pricing while Europe considers the broader market dynamics and effect on competition. While Vestager probably wants to foster the creation of a company that could counterbalance Google and Facebooks might in search and social media, her U.S. peers only worry if the impact of their dominance is detrimental to consumers. That narrower American focus limits the likelihood of far-reaching action, says Tommaso Valletti, the head of Imperial College Londons Department of Economics and Public Policy, and a former chief competition economist at the European Commission. The U.S. has, de facto, abdicated any enforcement for 20 years in this area, he told me. In her submission to the House of Representatives antitrust subcommittee, Vestager called for common policy responses, according to a document obtained by the website Euractiv. Its an admirable goal and should be the logical conclusion of investigations tackling many of the same topics. Its also a pipe dream. This column does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the editorial board or Bloomberg LP and its owners. Alex Webb is a Bloomberg Opinion columnist covering Europe's technology, media and communications industries. He previously covered Apple and other technology companies for Bloomberg News in San Francisco. For more articles like this, please visit us at bloomberg.com/opinion Subscribe now to stay ahead with the most trusted business news source. 2020 Bloomberg L.P. First Minister says reopening of schools could take up most of the headroom ahead of next lockdown review This article is old - Published: Wednesday, Aug 5th, 2020 The First Minister Mark Drakeford has said his government will prioritise reopening of schools, possibly meaning there may be little scope to go beyond that in the next review of lockdown regulations. The First Minister has updated the Senedd today to place the state of the virus in Wales in context, and has given more information about the trio of issues in Wrexham the Rowan Foods outbreak, the wider community transmission concerns and the issues at Wrexham Maelor Hospital. Nobody should be under any illusion that this virus could not return rapidly and adversely here in Wales as well. And, to be clear, local spikes in coronavirus have been experienced, and continue to be experienced, here in Wales. We have on-going outbreaks in Wrexham. The outbreak at Rowan Foods is, we believe, now fully under control, and the last case associated with this outbreak was identified on 24 July. At the Wrexham Maelor hospital actions continue to be taken to address a spike in cases. There, since the outbreak was declared on the 25 July, 7 cases have been identified as new hospital acquired infections. No further hospital acquired cases have been reported on 6 of the last 7 days. The Outbreak Control Team continues to meet daily and is being supported by a range of partners, including experts from Public Health Wales and the Health and Safety Executive. Because of these two site specific outbreaks, a decision was taken by local public health leaders to offer mass voluntary community testing in parts of Wrexham. Of the 1,418 people tested only 11 new positive cases were identified, a positivity rate of 0.7%. Given that the Joint Biosecurity Centre cites a positivity rate of 4% as the threshold for any emerging concern, the focus in Wrexham remains on bringing the site specific outbreaks to an end. The TTP system will be at the forefront of this effort. The First Minister said in the community testing in Wrexham over 95% of samples were tested within 24 hours of being received, demonstrating that when such a turnaround is needed, the system is geared to provide it. Last week the highest ever number of tests in Wales were completed within 24 hours. The First Minister said the R number in Wales is estimated to be between 0.6 and 0.9, explaining In a model published on Friday last, the R number for Wales was calculated as lower than for Scotland and England, although the lower the circulation of the virus, the more volatile the R number becomes, leading us to rely on a wider basket of indicators, including the results of testing. The Senedd was told last week 41,451 tests were carried out in Wales, of which 0.8% were new positive cases. The First Minister said that his Cabinet decided last week to devote much of the headroom available to provide new flexibilities for meetings between family and friends. A note of caution was issued, along with a postponement of some future easement, But our discussions have recognized that this the most risky of any easing of lockdown measures. We have therefore decided to delay any decision on this until later in the cycle. Our aim remains to restore to people some of the freedoms they have had to forego in this part of their lives. We will only do so, however, if the public health case can be made. To look ahead to the end of the cycle which has already begun. The Chief Medical Officer for England, Professor Chris Whitty has warned there that easing the lockdown may already have reached its limits. Here in Wales we have taken a different, step by step approach, but on 21st August we will be only two weeks away from the reopening of schools in September. We will need to prioritise any headroom we may have at that point to ensure that this vitally important moment for our children and young people can be accomplished safely and successfully. There may be little scope to go beyond that in the next review. tech2 News Staff The US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has given Amazon unanimous approval to launch and operate a constellation of 3,236 internet-providing satellites as part of its 'Project Kuiper' a codename that is said to be changed once the project begins commercial operations. According to a blogpost announcing the approval, Project Kuiper is aiming to offer its services to individual households, schools, hospitals, businesses and other organizations operating in places without reliable broadband internet. Other potential customers include people in developing countries, passengers on airplanes and boats, and business customers that want real-time data from their equipment, like oil rigs and ocean buoys, as per a report in Fortune. "We have heard so many stories lately about people who are unable to do their job or complete schoolwork because they dont have reliable internet at home," Dave Limp, Senior Vice President of Amazon said in a press statement. "There are still too many places where broadband access is unreliable or where it doesnt exist at all. Kuiper will change that." "We are doing an incredible amount of invention to deliver fast, reliable broadband at a price that makes sense for customers," Rajeev Badyal, VP of Technology for Project Kuiper told The Hindu. Along with its approval for the project, the FCC said that Amazon must deploy half of the satellites by 2026, and have the remaining constellation in place by 30 July 2029, as per an Engadget report. The constellation is planned as a network of 784 satellites at the lowest altitude (590 kilometres), 1,296 satellites at the next-highest altitude (610 kilometres) and the remaining 1,156 satellites at the highest (630 kilometres) orbit above the Earth. If all goes to plan, the completed Project Kuiper could reach roughly 95 percent of the world's population with its broadband coverage area. Amazon has said that the satellites will first provide internet services to the United States and then gradually expand them globally. To deal with the ever-growing problems of space junk, Amazon will deorbit satellites within 355 days following the completion of their mission, instead of the 25-year window as per NASA's current standard. It also promises to comply with NASAs guidelines regarding surviving debris. What is Project Kuiper? Project Kuiper is an initiative to build low earth orbit (LEO) satellite constellation that is capable of providing reliable, affordable, high-speed internet service in regions that are out of reach of traditional fibre or wireless networks. While first rumblings of the project surfaced in September 2018, it could be a decade before the project is completed, and the first internet services are open to users. Project Kuiper is said to have gotten its name from the region of the Solar System that exists beyond the eight major planets, called the Kuiper belt. "Project Kuiper" could be a play on the number of Kuiper belt objects and the range of their orbits, which, taken (very) broadly, resembles the range of the 3,000+ satellite network. Amazon is investing upwards of $10 billion to build the infrastructure and launch the satellites under Project Kuiper. Tech Crunch reports that the investment will also include testing satellites for the constellation and building the ground network infrastructure thats required in order to actually make the connectivity available to consumers. Other players in the satellite internet race SpaceX has already begun launching its Starlink satellites that will blanket the earth with nearly 12,000 LEO satellites by 2027. Apart from SpaceX and Amazon, Facebook, Boeing, OneWeb - backed by Richard Bransons Virgin Group and Telesat are all trudging along in the LEO-based internet business. Bridger Walker became a household name when his bravery saved his little sister from a dog attack, and the little boy ended up getting over 90 stitches on his face. He was hailed a hero for risking his own life - after the incident, he had told his parents that, "If someone had to die, I thought it should be me." Instagram Now, the 6-year-old boy is in the news again as his aunt posted a picture of him and his sister celebrating Rakshabandhan. Also read: Robert Downey Jr Promises 'Better Gift' Than Captain America Shield To Boy Who Saved Sister From Dog Attack Instagram 'Bridger's story has resonated with people across the world and has traveled to places like Mexico, Brazil, Ireland, Iran, South Africa, Japan, and India-just to name a handful. Our new connections to these places have allowed us to cross boundaries, unifying us in the love that a brother can have for his sister', Nicole Walker, Bridger's aunt, wrote in the caption of the photo in which Bridger's sister is tying a rakhi on his wrist. Also read: Hyderabad Shopkeepers Are Selling 'Corona Rakhis' Made Of Cow Dung & People Seem To Love It She added, 'In the Hindi language, raksha means "to protect," and bandhan means "bond." During this holiday, a sister ties a thread around her brother's wrist as a symbol of their love and as a testament that the brother will protect his sister. I read that this action is also meant to protect the brother from bad influences. I love this sentiment of brothers and sisters caring for one another and find it very appropriate that we would get to celebrate Raksha Bandhan today'. On July 9, a German Shepherd mix dog attacked Bridger's four-year-old sister and that is when he jumped in to save his sibling. He had to go through emergency surgery as the dog bit his face. The incident took place in Wyoming, USA. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Moch. Fiqih Prawira Adjie (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Wed, August 5, 2020 13:16 531 6657ac82168da9fa101c8a4066bb74ba 1 World Lebanon,blast,Indonesian,embassy,explosion Free The Foreign Ministry says an Indonesian was injured in an explosion that hit the main port of Beirut. In a statement published Wednesday, the ministry said the Indonesian Embassy in Lebanon had contacted the victim, who was in stable condition. The embassy will accompany [the injured] until they recover, the statement published on the ministrys website said. In a separate statement, Indonesian Ambassador to Lebanon Hajriyanto Y. Thohari said all 1,447 Indonesian citizens in the capital city had been accounted for, comprising 1,234 United Nations peacekeepers under the Garuda Contingent and 213 civilians, and that they were all safe. He added that one Indonesian in quarantine at Rafiq Hariri Hospital, located 6 kilometers from the port, was also confirmed to be safe. The ambassador reported that the blast occurred Tuesday at 6:02 p.m. local time at the Port of Beirut near the downtown Beirut area and around 7 km from the Indonesian Embassy-- and caused property damage within several kilometers of the blast. So far, there has been no official statement about the cause of the explosion. Initial sources said the explosion occurred in one of the large hangars that stored explosive materials at the port, the ambassador wrote in Wednesdays statement. However, AFP reported that Prime Minister Hassan Diab said 2,750 tons of the agricultural fertilizer ammonium nitrate that had been stored for years in a portside warehouse had blown up, sparking "a disaster in every sense of the word". The Indonesian Embassy has conveyed the appeal through WhatsApp groups and through the Indonesian nodes [...] to report immediately if [any Indonesians] are in an unsafe situation, the statement wrote, adding that the embassy had communicated with the police to report updates regarding Indonesian citizens. AFP reported that at least 78 people were killed by the blast, with thousands more injured. Videos of the explosion and its impact began circulating on social media late on Tuesday. Topics : Lebanon blast Indonesian embassy explosion Were excited to continue partnering with under-resourced families in new and exciting ways and to try to find innovative solutions to encourage families to learn and play together. In order to support summer and at-home learning for under-resourced families within Greater Boston, Boston Children's Museum has recently launched three activity kit projects. The kits are designed for families with young children (under age 10) and are filled with fun and engaging materials to help children and families play, explore, and create together. Through conversations with the Museums many community partners and surveys to families, it was discovered that families were getting a great deal of activity ideas from online sources but did not always have the materials at home to do the activities. These kits are designed to provide some of these materials to families, along with ideas for how the materials might be used. The three kit projects include: 200 kits with school and craft supplies for school-aged children generously supported by the Vertex Foundation and distributed over the summer to Boston's PA Shaw Elementary School. 265 kits with school and craft supplies for school-aged children and activity ideas in English and Spanish to be distributed over the summer or during school year within Lawrence Public Schools. 300 Tools for Tiny Hands multilingual kits for children ages 2 to 5 and their caregivers generously supported by Liberty Mutual Foundation and The Counts Family. The Museum is working with two Boston Family Engagement Network (BFEN) Neighborhood Agents in Mattapan and Roslindale to distribute kits to families in August. Since the kits are intended to support summer and at-home learning, the Museum has provided suggestions of some developmentally-appropriate activities that families could engage in to use the materialsbut there are many ways these materials could be used, and no one right way. One of the Museum's aims in crafting activities is to allow for open-ended exploration and discovery. Were excited to continue partnering with under-resourced families in new and exciting ways and to try to find innovative solutions to encourage families to learn and play together, said Kacy Hughes, director of Community Engagement at Boston Childrens Museum. The world has thrown us a curveball but building strong relationships with community agencies like Boston Family Engagement Network and the Boston and Lawrence Public Schools will help us persevere. The Tools for Tiny Hands kits are designed for very young children, ages 2 to 5 years, and their adult caregivers to focus on activities that build fine motor skills. Fine motor skills are essential for children to develop and practice in the early years. With many young children not able to go to childcare right now, they may be less able to practice their fine motor skills. The kits offer families the tools and confidence to practice these skills at home. The kits are filled with tools that build fine motor skills, like scissors, paint brushes, eye droppers, and playdough. Activity resources for caregivers have been shared in languages identified by the Museums community partners, including Spanish, Haitian Creole, Arabic, and English. Educators from the Museum will work with community partners to introduce the kits to families during existing online playgroups. The Museum is working with BFEN partners to develop and execute an evaluation plan to assess kits, messages, and partnership to inform future efforts. The Museum is also creating kits for school-aged children (over age 5) that contain materials that were gathered in consultation with classroom teachers that support children to engage in school activities. These kits will contain things like pencils, scissors, crayons, glue sticks, construction paper, and some outdoor toys to encourage physical activity, such as jump ropes, beach balls, and sidewalk chalk. The kit projects provide materials and activities designed with a certain range of ages and skill development in mind. Through these projects, the Museum is providing families with resources that will support the caregivers and children with fun activities from a source they trust. The Museum hopes to expand the work to reach more families in more neighborhoods. For more information, please visit BostonChildrensMuseum.org. About Boston Children's Museum Boston Childrens Museum engages children and families in joyful discovery experiences that instill an appreciation of our world, develop foundational skills, and spark a lifelong love of learning. More information about Boston Childrens Museum can be found at BostonChildrensMuseum.org. Become a fan of the Museum on Facebook and follow us on Twitter. WASHINGTON 1130 WISN is a conservative talk radio station in southeastern Wisconsin and, by dint of its reach, is not a regular stop for high-level White House officials. But as it happens, southeastern Wisconsins swing counties, which voted for Donald Trump in 2016, are critical for his reelection chances. Which may explain why late last week, Interior Secretary David Bernhardt appeared on the 1130 WISN talk show of conservative commentator Vicki McKenna to discuss an issue seemingly unrelated to local concerns: the tearing down of Confederate and other statues by antiracism protesters. The president believes that preserving those statues could be a potent campaign message, and Bernhardt was reinforcing that message in a state where Confederate imagery is scant. Interior Secretary David Bernhardt testifies before the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources on March 10. (Caroline Brehman/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images) That hardly mattered to Bernhardt, who condemned protesters for destroying everything that America holds dear, describing them as unified in the message of destruction. He made no distinction between those who had legitimate concerns with Confederate iconography and those who vandalized statues or memorials that had no obvious connection to the history of American racism. You erase somebodys history, McKenna said at one point, and all of the great things that are about this country, a generation or two from now, are now gone. Bernhardt also confirmed that federal authorities were monitoring social media postings from the protests, potentially in order to arrest people defacing or vandalizing government property. The bad-doers are great, Bernhardt said at one point, speaking with obvious sarcasm. Theyre really great at posting their actions on Facebook or utilizing their camera. And thats great in one way, but its not great for them when we come to get em. Civil libertarians have long worried about law enforcement agencies monitoring social media. Such monitoring has been facilitated by the ubiquity of smartphones at the protests that followed the killing of George Floyd by Minneapolis police officers, and the widespread use of social media by attendees and organizers of those protests. Story continues The Interior Department did not answer detailed questions about Bernhardts description of such surveillance. The Secretarys interview speaks for itself, department spokesman Benjamin Goldey told Yahoo News. After the story was published, the Interior Departments communications office responded on Twitter. If a criminal commits a federal crime and posts photos about it on their social media, it will be used to hold them accountable, the message said. Play stupid games, win stupid prizes. In July, the legal blog Lawfare reported on a Department of Homeland Security memorandum that authorized expanded intelligence activities necessary to mitigate the significant threat from protests in many American cities that sometimes turned violent. That directive was intended for the DHS Office of Intelligence & Analysis. It is not clear whether Bernhardt was referring to that program or another. We are at a point now where were rounding these people up, Bernhardt continued, going on to describe how some protesters were supposedly turning themselves in ahead of being apprehended. The protesters, he claimed, are actually beginning to just simply call and say, Hey, Im on my way, because theyre realizing that were not messing around. The appearance on McKennas program followed closely what appeared to be Bernhardts first appearance as a Trump Cabinet member on Fox News, during which he echoed the presidents tough rhetoric on the protesters. He did the same in an interview with Matt Schlapp, president of the American Conservative Union, to whom the secretary described how the Trump administration was coming down hard on protesters. Bernhardt joins President Trump onstage at a rally on Feb. 20 in Colorado Springs, Colo. (Michael Ciaglo/Getty Images) In his combative condemnation of protesters, Bernhardt was wading into the culture wars with a zeal that does not ordinarily attach to the role of interior secretary. But these are extraordinary times, and since Bernhardt happens to be the federal official in charge of public lands, national parks in particular, he can effectively campaign for Trump while claiming to do agency work. Until this summers protests, the 50-year-old former lobbyist had kept a meticulously low profile and rarely made news. But one would hardly guess as much from his conversation with McKenna, the Wisconsin radio host. This goes to the very fabric of our historical soul, Bernhardt told the host. He called the protests an assault on our history, and on us. He did not say who us referred to, or address the argument that images of Confederate generals like Robert E. Lee glorify slavery and make Black Americans feel like second-class citizens. And the president gets it, Bernhardt added. Hes leaning way into this. Bernhardts agency not only controls both national parks and vast open spaces across the West that are managed by the Bureau of Land Management, but also oversees the U.S. Park Police. Members of that force were involved with the much-criticized clearing of peaceful protesters from Lafayette Square, across from the White House. In the two months since the Lafayette Square incident, Bernhardt has adopted an increasingly vocal law-and-order persona, one that seems to fit more closely with Trumps political imperatives than with the mission of the Department of Interior, which also controls the Bureau of Indian Affairs and the U.S Geological Survey, among other agencies. There are, by one count, 233 memorials dedicated to the Confederacy at sites administered by the National Park Service, including at the famed battlefields of Gettysburg and Antietam. And if Trump and Bernhardt have their way, they arent going anywhere. They know we are not messing around, we are not accepting this, Bernhardt told McKenna during the interview. And were going to put these guys in jail. Most Americans still believe that Confederate statues should not be moved or destroyed, according to recent polling, but support for symbols of the South has recently been eroding. In July, Mississippi decided to change its state flag, which contains the stars and bars symbol most commonly associated with the Confederacy. The Pentagon has also prohibited the Confederate flag, along with other flags, from being flown at its bases. Confederate flags are also no longer welcome at NASCAR events. A statue of Confederate States President Jefferson Davis in Richmond, Va., lies on the street after protesters pulled it down on June 10. (Parker Michels-Boyce/AFP via Getty Images) Jayson ONeill, executive director of the Western Values Project, told Yahoo News that Bernhardt should be thinking about how to protect national parks in the midst of a pandemic instead of appearing on a hypocritical right-wing talk show trying to rewrite history. Trump has sought to turn the fate of Confederate symbols into a campaign issue, denouncing moves like the one NASCAR made. He has maintained that beautiful statues honoring the South many of which were actually mass-produced in the North must remain standing where they are, making no evident concessions to the antiracism protesters or their demands. A native of rural western Colorado, Bernhardt does not appear to be a natural culture warrior, having worked in mainstream conservative politics for decades. And yet he has eagerly embraced the role. And though he is hardly a long-standing ally of Trump, the president did single him out for praise at a rally in Colorado shortly before the coronavirus pandemic shut down the nation. Bernhardt, the president mused, was a nice, slim, beautiful-looking man. He looks beautiful, Trump added for emphasis as some in the audience laughed. _____ Read more from Yahoo News: The decision was left to surrogates, who can get so entangled in their own feelings that they lose sight of what is in the best interest of the children. This was the wrong time for teachers to float the idea of a strike to force Chicago Public Schools to drop plans to reopen in September in favor of all-remote learning. We need all voices contributing to a solution. Malaysian police together with Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) raided global broadcaster Al Jazeera and the offices of two local broadcasters Astro and Unifi TV. The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) condemns the raids and expresses its serious concerns regarding the ongoing probe into the global broadcaster and threats against media freedom in Malaysia. Police raided Al Jazeeras office on Tuesday, August 4 and seized two computers following the announcement of a probe into Al Jazeera for alleged sedition, defamation and violation of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998. The raid is a part of an ongoing investigation into the 101 East investigative report Locked Up in Malaysias Lockdown that focuses on alleged mistreatment of undocumented migrant workers during the coronavirus outbreak. Critics including top government officials claimed the 25-minute episode was inaccurate and misleading. The investigation against Al Jazeera is being conducted under Section 500 of the Penal Code and Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998. Al Jazeera has dismissed the claims and accusations against it as not credible. The police executed search warrants from the Kuala Lumpur Magistrate Court and Sepang Magistrate Court in raiding the three broadcasters. Two computers have been seized and will be analysed by the MCMC. Police have also recorded additional witness statements. Outcome of the probe will be submitted to the office of attorney general. In a statement, Al-Jazeera condemned the raid as a troubling escalation. "Conducting a raid on our office and seizing computers is a troubling escalation in the authorities' crackdown on media freedom and shows the lengths they are prepared to take to try to intimidate journalists," Giles Trendle, the managing director of Al Jazeera English, said. The raids also involved Astro, which runs a satellite TV service, and Unifi Internet TV service. The two broadcasting companies offer Al Jazeeras program. Earlier, Communications and Multimedia Minister Datuk Saifuddin Abdullah said that Cabinet was committed to upholding press and individual freedom. The IFJ said: The intimidation and harassment of Al Jazeera journalists and Malaysian TV networks is deeply troubling. IFJ urges the authorities to drop the charges, ensure journalists rights and recognise media freedom as the cornerstone of a democracy. OSTERSUND, Sweden, Aug. 5, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Located in the Montrose neighborhood of Houston, in between Midtown and River Oaks, Skanska plans to develop a mixed-use project which could consist of multi-family, retail, and office tower for the local community. The project will target LEED Platinum certification. Since 2009, Skanska USA Commercial Development has invested more than USD 2 billion in office and multi-family projects, and has developed office headquarters for tenants including, Waste Management, Bank of America, Brooks Sports, PricewaterhouseCoopers and Tommy Bahama. Skanska is one of the leading construction and development companies in USA, specializing in building construction, civil infrastructure and developing commercial properties in select U.S. markets. Skanska USA had sales of SEK 74 billion and about 7,900 employees in its operations in 2019. This and previous releases can also be found at www.skanska.com. For further information please contact: Alicia Jones, Director Communications, Skanska USA tel + 1-703-835-2762 Jacob Birkeland Head of Press and Public Affairs, Skanska AB tel + 46-(0)76-899-72-69 Direct line for media, tel +46-(0)10-448-88-99 This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com https://news.cision.com/skanska/r/skanska-invests-in-land-in-texas--usa-for-usd-27-m--about-sek-236-m,c3164194 The following files are available for download: https://mb.cision.com/Main/95/3164194/1287368.pdf 20200805 US land Texas SOURCE Skanska Your browser does not support the audio element. Police in the southern Vietnamese province of Ba Ria-Vung Tau on Monday launched legal proceedings against and arrested a local man for property appropriation after he posed as a reporter to blackmail a company leader out of VND40 million (US$1,700). Le Van Ly, 46, was caught red-handed receiving the sum in cash outside a supermarket in Ba Ria, the provincial capital city, on the afternoon of Tuesday last week. Ly was later identified as a resident of Bau Chinh Commune, Chau Duc District of Ba Ria-Vung Tau Province, around 90 kilometers east of Ho Chi Minh City. He allegedly used an invalid reporter certificate for the fraud. According to a preliminary investigation, while crossing Phu My Town in Ba Ria-Vung Tau Province on July 26, Ly spotted an outdoor sand depot. After snapping photos of it, Ly learned from local residents that the owner of this depot is Pham Van M., who lives in District 11 of the provinces Vung Tau City. Identifying himself as a reporter who was collecting further information about the depot for a news story, Ly sent pictures he took to M., intimidating the victim with the hypothetical detriment a news story might cause. Ly asked to meet with M. to discuss the situation, which M. agreed. On the afternoon of July 27, Ly and M. met at a coffee shop in Ba Ria City. Ly presented himself as a reporter for the Nhan Dao & Doi Song (Humanitarian & Life) magazine, then asked M. about the license he had for the sand depot. After a discussion, Ly settled on a price of VND40 million to halt the news story. The two met again at the same coffee shop at about midday on June 28, where M. tried to hand Ly the money but Ly refused, fearing the patrons in the packed shop might bear witness to the illicit transaction. They agreed to regroup at a supermarket in Ba Ria, where Ly was caught red-handed receiving the sum by police officers. Police officers search the workplace of Le Van Ly (second left) at an office of the Nhan Dao & Doi Song magazine in Ba Ria-Vung Tau Province, Vietnam after he allegedly posed as a reporter to blackmail a local company leader. Photo: Quynh Giang / Tuoi re Invalid reporter certificate Upon investigation, police found Ly carrying a so-called reporter certificate issued by a representative office of Nhan Dao & Doi Song in July 2020. Your correspondents research revealed that Ly was recently transferred to work for the e-magazine edition of Nhan Dao & Doi Song. A representative of Ba Ria-Vung Tau's Department of Information and Communications divulged that the reporter certificate Ly carried with him was wrongfully issued and is therefore completely invalid. Lys name is not found in the registry of Nhan Dao & Doi Song reporters kept by the provincial department, the official added. An invalid reporter certificate carried by Le Van Ly, who posed as a reporter to blackmail a local company leader in Ba Ria-Vung Tau Province, Vietnam. Photo: Quynh Giang / Tuoi re Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Several states held primary elections yesterday, and despite worries about timely vote-counting during the pandemic, a surprising number of races were called. Kris Kobach was upended in his G.O.P. Kansas Senate race, and Cori Bush scored a stunning upset for progressives in her Missouri House primary. Still, by the end of the night, final results in several contests, including Representative Rashida Tlaibs in Michigan, hadnt yet arrived. Its a familiar Tuesday night scene by now, as states across the country have confronted the vagaries of voting during a pandemic. And its one we should think about getting used to, as we look ahead to a November general election that will probably be plagued by many of the same problems and delays. With President Trump stepping up his attacks on mail-in voting, some voting-rights activists worried that the appearance of any volatility in the process could feed into the argument that absentee voting is dangerous and unreliable no matter how unfounded those claims are. This week Trump pointed to the lack of final numbers from some of New Yorks primary elections as evidence that expanding absentee balloting was a bad idea. He even threatened to take executive action to stop the broader use of mail-in ballots nationwide, though he did not say how he would justify overriding state laws to do so. (Results did finally come in yesterday from a couple of those New York primaries, which had taken place back in June. In one especially closely watched contest, Ritchie Torres, 32, a progressive city councilman, emerged victorious from a field of 12 candidates vying for the Democratic nod in the 15th Congressional District.) But officials in most of yesterdays voting states which included Michigan, Arizona, Kansas and Missouri reported relatively smooth operations. In Michigan, more than 1.6 million people had cast mail-in ballots by Tuesday evening, election officials said. Voting-rights advocates in Detroit reported some poll-worker shortages, closed polling places and missing absentee ballots. But over all, the kinds of widespread meltdowns that bedeviled primaries this year in states like Wisconsin and Georgia did not materialize yesterday. Many of the days primary elections pitted progressive and right-wing candidates against more moderate, establishment-backed figures in both parties. In Michigans 13th Congressional District, Tlaib one of the four left-wing congresswomen known as the Squad was facing a tough re-election battle against the more centrist Brenda Jones, the president of the Detroit City Council. Tlaib narrowly defeated Jones two years ago, when she was first elected to Congress. As of early this morning, most precincts still hadnt reported full results. In St. Louis, Bush, a progressive backed by the Justice Democrats, toppled a Democratic stalwart, Representative William Lacy Clay. Bush, a nurse, was running for the second time to unseat Lacy Clay, who has been in Congress since 2001, when he succeeded his father, who had first been elected to the House in 1968. In Kansas, Kobach, a polarizing former state secretary of state and a staunch Trump ally, was beaten by Representative Roger Marshall, a conservative congressman from western Kansas, whom many establishment Republicans had supported, judging him to be the stronger candidate to win in November. In Arizonas most populous county, Maricopa, another divisive Trump ally Joe Arpaio, 88, who instituted harsh, anti-immigrant policies in his nearly quarter-century career as sheriff was vying for a chance to win back his old job in November. No winner has been called yet, and from the initial returns last night, it was looking like a nail-biter. Apparently theres at least one state in which Trump thinks mail-in voting is a fine idea: Florida. Floridas Voting system has been cleaned up (we defeated Democrats attempts at change), so in Florida I encourage all to request a Ballot & Vote by Mail, he tweeted yesterday afternoon. Florida happens to be full of older white voters who have historically tended to vote Republican, and who may have a particular interest in absentee voting during a pandemic that especially threatens them and its widely seen as critical to a Trump victory in November. Its also the state in which Trump himself now votes, since he officially became a Florida resident last year. Trump has personally voted by mail multiple times. Oh, and theres one more reason he apparently feels comfortable letting Florida proceed with widespread mail-in balloting. Floridas got a great Republican governor, he said yesterday at a White House news conference, when asked to explain why he supported voting by mail there specifically. Floridas a very well-run state. Earlier this year, the Census Bureau said it would need more time than usual to complete this years count of the countrys roughly 330 million residents. But now its taking that back, saying that it will shave four weeks off its planned schedule. Census experts said the change would make it considerably harder for the bureau to collect an accurate tally of the population, and four former directors of the Census Bureau issued a statement yesterday arguing that the administration should restore the lost weeks. The directors who served under both Democratic and Republican administrations warned that a shorter timeline will result in seriously incomplete enumerations in many areas across our country. Immigrants, racial minorities and young people tend to be some of the hardest-to-reach demographics when conducting a census. Shortening the collection period can deny census-takers the opportunity to make a critical last attempt to reach these groups, exacerbating the self-selection bias that may lead to their underrepresentation in official statistics. An attempt by the Trump administration to block legally documented immigrants from using public services like food stamps, housing vouchers and Medicaid has been thwarted at least for now. An appeals court in New York yesterday blocked the administrations efforts to deny permanent residency to legal immigrants if they use such services. In a 114-page ruling affirming a lower courts decision, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit said that the so-called public charge rule, introduced last year by the administration, amounted to a wealth test and could discourage residents from seeking medical care during the coronavirus pandemic. The National Science Foundation, or NSF, announced today that it has awarded a $26 million Engineering Research Center grant to the University of Minnesota and Massachusetts General Hospital, in collaboration with UC Riverside and UC Berkeley. The center, called Advanced Technologies for the Preservation of Biological Systems, or ATP-Bio, aims to develop and deploy breakthrough bioengineering technology to preserve a wide range of biological systems: cells, tissues, organs and whole organisms. The grant is UC Riverside's first successful bid for an Engineering Research Center in the campus's history. Mechanical engineering professor Guillermo Aguilar leads the project at the Marlan and Rosemary Bourns College of Engineering. He is joined by Lorenzo Mangolini, also in mechanical engineering, and chemistry professor Yadong Yin. The prestigious grant comes after a grueling highly competitive two-year process that resulted in just four final awards. This award is additional confirmation of the deep faculty expertise that defines UCR. We are excited about the new center and look forward to the discoveries the team and their collaborators will develop." Kim A. Wilcox, Chancellor, UC Riverside The University of Minnesota will serve as the grant's administrative home with co-leadership from Massachusetts General Hospital and collaboration with the University of California, Riverside, and the University of California, Berkeley. "As the University of California, Riverside's first successful ERC, this marks a significant milestone not only for the Bourns College of Engineering, but also the university as a whole," said Bourns Dean Christopher Lynch. "This exciting collaboration will leverage our researchers' expertise and create even more student and scholar exchange opportunities with institutions across the country and later on with our international partners. We look forward to seeing this project serve as a catalyst of workforce development, which will sustain these important scientific and technological efforts toward biopreservation." The ability to "stop biological time" has potential benefits such as revolutionizing organ transplant and tissue banking, accelerating and reducing the cost of drug research and discovery, improving treatment of severe injuries, and advancing cryopreservation of animal embryos. "We are delighted by this opportunity that NSF has given us," Aguilar said. "With the University of Minnesota, UCR will co-lead the research on rapid and uniform warming of tissues and cells, capitalizing and expanding on our collective expertise in nanomaterials synthesis, biomedical optics, and laser thermal processes. The outcome of our studies will contribute to the development of technology to bring biological systems back from suspended animation." ATP-Bio also includes educational programs and research, initiatives to increase the diversity of students and professionals in science, technology, engineering, and math fields, a robust innovation ecosystem involving over 50 companies and organizations, and a team devoted to guiding the ethical development and deployment of ATP-Bio technologies. "This award will boost UCR's efforts to position the Inland Empire as a hotbed of innovation and entrepreneurial spirit," said Rosibel Ochoa, associate vice chancellor of technology partnerships. "With this NSF ERC, we are emerging as one of the important players in biotechnology advances." The award, which is renewable in 2025 for another five years, includes principal investigators John Bischof and Gillian Roehrig from the University of Minnesota; Mehmet Toner from Massachusetts General Hospital; Guillermo Aguilar from the University of California, Riverside; and Kevin Healy from the University of California, Berkeley, with the participation of 30 senior personnel from seven institutions across the U.S. and Canada. "For the last 35 years, engineering research centers have helped shape science and technology in the United States by fostering innovation and collaboration among industry, universities, and government agencies," said NSF Director Sethuraman Panchanathan. "As we kick off a new generation of centers, NSF will continue to work with its partners to ensure the success of these collaborative enterprises and the transformative, convergent research impact they produce." Dancer and actor Nora Fatehi took to her social media to urge her fans to pray for Beirut. On Tuesday, a massive explosion rocked Lebanons capital city Beirut. The Street Dancer 3D star, apart from sharing a heart-warming message, also shared an important note with her fans on social media. Nora Fatehi shared an important message (Image credits: Nora Fatehi's Instagram) ALSO READ: Nora Fatehi Goes Gaga Over A Marriage Proposal From Her Little Fan; Watch (Image credits: Nora Fatehi's Instagram) Nora Fatehi initially shared a video of the blast that took place in Beirut. She then shared a social media chat, in which a person from Lebanon can be seen expressing his concern over people from the city inhaling toxic gases. In the chat, he mentioned that the smoke is filled with acid which is toxic for people who have taken up to the streets to help those in need. Norah Fatehi shared the chat saying that it was an important message. ALSO READ: Nora Fatehi's Best Friend's Father Succumbs To COVID-19, Actor Recalls Experience (Image credits: Nora Fatehi's Instagram) Fatehi urged anybody staying in Lebanon to be careful while helping those in need. She wrote that she is praying for Lebanon while sharing a flag of the country. Blasts in Beirut, Lebanon According to news agency AP, the blasts in Beirut, Lebanon flattened the countrys port and also damaged several buildings in the area. The blast that took place in the capital city of Lebanon created a giant mushroom cloud into the sky. The news agency also stated that more than 70 people have been killed due to the explosion, while 3,000 are injured. The officials also stated that there are many bodies buried under the rubble. ALSO READ: Nora Fatehi's Latest Post Grabs Eyeballs; Fans Say Her Look Is 'simple Yet Stunning' According to news agency AP, it was not clear what caused the blast, which struck with the force of a 3.5 magnitude earthquake, according to Germanys geosciences centre GFZ, and was heard and felt as far away as Cyprus more than 200 kilometres (180 miles) across the Mediterranean. Lebanons interior minister said it appeared that a large cache of ammonium nitrate in the port had detonated. According to AP, Interior Minister Mohammed Fahmi told a local TV station that it appeared the blast was caused by the detonation of more than 2,700 tons of ammonium nitrate that had been stored in a warehouse at the dock ever since it was confiscated from a cargo ship in 2014. The news agency also stated that the blasts in Beirut, Lebanon, that took place on Tuesday are reported to be the most destructive explosion in Lebanons history. It has been reported that windows and doors of houses kilometres away from the port have been blown due to the explosion. Beiruts only international airport has also been damaged and the explosion has caused mass destruction in the city. (With Inputs from AP) ALSO READ: Nora Fatehi Says She cant Wait To Start Her Own Family And Have beautiful Kids 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. Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds speaks after signing an executive order granting convicted felons the right to vote during a signing ceremony at the Statehouse in Des Moines, Iowa, on Aug. 5, 2020. (Charlie Neibergall/AP Photo) Iowa Governor Signs Order Letting Felons Vote After Completion of Sentences Felons in Iowa will automatically be allowed to vote upon completion of their sentences, under a new executive order signed by Republican Gov. Kim Reynolds on Wednesday. Quite simply, when someone serves their sentence, they paid their price our justice system has set for their crimes, Reynolds said at the bill signing. They should have the right to vote restored automatically. Plain and simple. Before the order, Iowa was the only state prohibiting anyone convicted of a felony from voting or holding public office unless they petitioned the governor. That creates the potential for uneven justice. It means people who have served their sentence and are seeking to get their lives back on track permanently are prohibited from one of the most basic rights of citizenship, unless a single individual decides otherwise, Reynolds said. The prohibition disproportionately affected minorities, according to state officials. The order has two parts. It restores the right to vote for Iowans who have already completed their felony sentences. Those who complete their sentences in the future will see their rights restored by the governor upon completion. People convicted of homicide are excluded. The executive action comes after Reynolds failed to garner enough support in the state Senate in June for a proposed amendment to the state Constitution. It is portrayed as a temporary measure. Whereas, a constitutional amendment continues to be the only permanent solution to this issue, but the process for proposing and ratifying such an amendment will likely take several additional years during which time Iowans would be deprived of these advantages, the order states (pdf). Iowa House Speaker Pat Grassley, a Republican, said in a statement that he commended Reynolds for signing the order. Betty Andrews, president of the Iowa-Nebraska NAACP, speaks after Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds signed an executive order granting convicted felons the right to vote during a signing ceremony at the Statehouse in Des Moines, Iowa on Aug. 5, 2020. (Charlie Neibergall/AP Photo) I also appreciate that she has ensured that those individuals convicted of the most serious and heinous crimes will not receive blanket restoration, he said. The House took action on the constitutional amendment in 2019 and I look forward to continue working with the Governor and Senate to find resolution next session. State Sen. Jerry Behn, a Republican, told a local radio station earlier this year that hes more concerned about victims than felons. To be perfectly blunt, Im more concerned about the victim of the crime than the perpetrator of the crime. If the perpetrator of the crime gets in trouble, as they should, thats fine, Behn said. The idea that just because you served some prison time somehow youve paid your debt to society is not necessarily accurate in my mind. If you stole an amount of money there should be some restitution to the victim. At the bill signing on Wednesday, state Rep. Ako Abdul Samad, a Democrat, praised the governor. Many hands have went into this, but it boils down to the governor taking a stand, standing up to a promise that I know we had talked about over two years ago, he told reporters at the bill signing. I wanted to say from all of us: thank you for doing this. It is imperative that we get it done. It is imperative for the rights for everyone to be able to vote. The American Civil Liberties Union of Iowa also applauded the move but said workers were disappointed felons convicted of homicide were excluded. Betty Andrews, president of the Iowa-Nebraska NAACP, told those assembled at the Statehouse that the order would restore the rights to some 40,000 felons. In addition to groups like the union and the NAACP, Black Lives Matter activists pressured the Reynolds administration to take action to allow felons to vote in the upcoming presidential election. Shes gonna sign it by July 4 or we are going to raise hell and by that I mean we are going to be up here every single day making a bunch of noise and whatever else, Jake Sahr, one activist, said during a rally at the state capitol in June. Whatever we have to do to get her to sign that. Either that or impeach her. 'US's Pompeo, Taliban deputy leader discuss intra-Afghan talks' Iran Press TV Tuesday, 04 August 2020 3:12 PM US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has reportedly held a video meeting with the Taliban militant group's Doha-based deputy leader Mullah Baradar Akhund to discuss a "peace" process between the Afghan government and the group. Suhail Shaheen, a spokesman for the Taliban's office in Qatar, said in a Twitter post on Tuesday that Pompeo and Akhund had discussed the issue of the 400 Taliban prisoners allegedly still held by the Afghan government as well. "Both sides talked about the inception of intra-Afghan negotiations" and they "emphasized that the release of the remaining prisoners are essential for commencement of intra-Afghan negotiations," the Taliban spokesman wrote. The prisoner swap has been an Afghan government obligation under a deal between the United States and the Taliban that was struck in February. Kabul was excluded from the talks, and the obligation was imposed on it. The exchange has been regarded as a first step toward broader talks between the government and the Taliban. Its implementation has faced hurdles since the deal was signed in February. The US-Taliban deal, which sets the stage for the withdrawal of all US-led foreign forces from Afghanistan, required Kabul to free some 5,000 Taliban prisoners in exchange for 1,000 Afghan security personnel held by the Taliban. The Taliban say they have already fulfilled their side of the exchange. While the government has released most of the 5,000 Taliban prisoners stipulated in the deal, authorities in Kabul have refused to free hundreds of inmates accused of serious crimes that the militant group has requested to be released. Last week, Afghan President Ashraf Ghani said he had "no authority" under the country's constitution to release the remaining inmates because of their involvement in serious crimes. Ghani said the decision on the release of those militants had to be made by the Loya Jirga, a grand assembly of Afghan elders. Meanwhile, official data shows that bombings and other assaults by the Taliban have surged 70 percent since the militant group signed the deal with the United States. The United States led a military coalition of its allies in 2001 to invade Afghanistan to topple a Taliban regime, believing it was harboring the al-Qaeda terrorist group. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address US President Donald Trump on Tuesday suggested that the massive explosion that killed at least 78 people and wounded thousands in Beirut, Lebanon was an attack caused by a bomb of some kind. It looks like a terrible attack, President Trump said to reporters at a White House news briefing on the Covid-19 epidemic. When pressed for details he said he had met with some of our great generals, and they just seem to feel that it was. This was not a -- some kind of a manufacturing explosion. He aded: They seem to think it was an attack. It was a bomb of some kind. No further details were available. Unidentified defense department officials told CNN they had no evidence to suggest it was an attack, as the president indicated. Lebanese authorities have not yet called the explosion as an attack. I will not relax until we find the responsible party for what happened, hold it accountable and apply the most serious punishments against it because it isnt acceptable that a shipment of ammonium nitrate estimated to be 2,750 tons was in a depot for the past six years without precautionary measures being taken, a senior official said in a televised statement from Prime Minister Hassan Diab, according to The New York Time. It also quoted Maj. Gen. Abbas Ibrahim, the head of Lebanons general security service, hours earlier that highly explosive materials were stored at the site. Ammonium nitrate has been used in deadly accidents such as one in Texas in 1937 that killed over 580 people, and in bombings as in Oklahoma City in 1995 in which 168 people died. Shortly before Trumps remarks, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said, Id like to extend my deepest condolences to all those affected by the massive explosion at the port of Beirut today,. We are closely monitoring and stand ready to assist the people of Lebanon as they recover from this tragedy. Girish Chandra Murmu, the former bureaucrat appointed as Jammu and Kashmirs first Lt Governor, has resigned, public broadcaster All India Radio said on Wednesday evening. Murmu was appointed Lt Governor on 31 October, Jammu and Kashmirs first when the union territory carved out of the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir was notified. There has been no official word on Murmus exit from Kashmirs Raj Bhawan. But there is speculation that he could be in line to be the next Comptroller and Auditor General when Rajiv Mehrishi completes his term this week on 7 August. Rajiv Mehrshi was appointed Indias top public auditor in 2017 after his retirement from the civil services. Before this, Mehrishi - a former IAS officer of the 1978 batch - has been Indias finance secretary and home secretary. Mehrishi can hold the CAGs office till he turns 65, on 8 August. There is buzz that Mehrishi could be appointed as Jammu and Kashmirs Lt Governor. There have been no formal orders about the changes but as the first news about the changes in Jammu and Kashmir emerged, National Conference leader and former chief minister Omar Abdullah took to Twitter. Whats with all this chatter surrounding the LG of J&K? Came out of nowhere a few hours ago and suddenly its all over social media and WhatsApp in J&K, Abdullah wrote on Twitter. This is not the first time that GC Murmu, a 1985 batch IAS officer from Gujarat cadre, is resigning ahead of his tenure. Lt Governors of union territories, quite like governors of states, are appointed on a five-year term. Murmu was the expenditure secretary in the Union finance ministry when Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah decided to elevate him to the new union territorys Raj Bhawan. Murmu had then resigned from the IAS a month before his retirement in November-end 2019. Murmu, who is said to have the trust of PM Modi and Shah, had worked with them in Gujarat when he was posted in the home department. After PM Modi came to Delhi in 2014, Murmu moved to the Gujarat chief ministers office as principal secretary to Anandiben Patel who had succeeded Modi in the state. He joined the central government less than a year later as a joint secretary in the finance ministry. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON The UN weather agency warned that average temperatures in Siberia were 10C (18F) above average last month, a spate of exceptional heat that has fanned devastating fires in the Arctic Circle and contributed to a rapid depletion in ice sea off Russias Arctic coast. The Arctic is heating more than twice as fast as the global average, impacting local populations and ecosystems and with global repercussions, World Meteorological Organisation secretary-general Petteri Taalas said in a statement. He noted that Earths poles influence weather conditions far away, where hundreds of millions of people live. WMO previously cited a reading of 38C (100.4F) in the Russian town of Verkhoyansk on June 20, which the agency has been seeking to verify as a possible record-high temperature in the Arctic Circle. It comes as fires have swept through the region, with satellite imagery showing the breadth of the area surface. The agency says the extended heat is linked to a large blocking pressure system and northward swing of the jet stream that has injected warm air into the region. But WMO also pointed to a recent study by top climate scientists who found that such a rise in heat would have been nearly impossible without human-caused climate change. WMO said information collected by the US National Snow and Ice Data Centre and the US National Ice Centre showed the Siberian heat wave had accelerated the ice retreat along the Arctic Russian coast, in particular since late June, leading to very low sea ice extent in the Laptev and Barents Seas. Geneva: Young people who are hitting nightclubs and beaches are fuelling a rise in fresh coronavirus cases across the world, with the proportion of those aged 15 to 24 who are infected rising three-fold in five months. World Health Organisation analysis of 6 million infections found people aged between 15 and 24 represented a 4.5 per cent share of COVID-19 cases on February 24 compared with 15 per cent on July 12. Barcelona's bars and clubs have been restricted, but young people are gathering in the streets instead. Credit:AP In addition to the United States, which leads a global tally with 4.8 million total cases, Spain, Germany, France and Japan have all said that many of their newly infected are young people. "Younger people tend to be less vigilant about masking and social distancing," Neysa Ernst, nurse manager at Johns Hopkins Hospital's biocontainment unit in Baltimore, Maryland said. What happened Shares of Capri Holdings (NYSE:CPRI) were trading higher on Wednesday, after the company reported a narrower-than-expected quarterly loss and said that demand in China and online has been strong. Shares of the company, which owns the Michael Kors, Jimmy Choo, and Versace luxury brands, were up about 12.3% from Tuesday's close as of 2:30 p.m. EDT on Wednesday. So what Capri Holdings reported earnings for the quarter that ended on June 27, the first quarter of its 2021 fiscal year, and the results were better than Wall Street had expected. On an "adjusted" basis, excluding one-time items, Capri lost $1.04 per share on revenue of $451 million. Wall Street analysts polled by Thomson Reuters had expected an adjusted loss of $1.11 per share on revenue of $427.3 million, on average. Capri said that sales of its Jimmy Choo and Versace brands in China were running about even from the year-ago quarter, suggesting that China's huge luxury-goods market was largely recovered from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic as of the end of June. In addition, sales via its online storefronts have continued to run well above year-ago levels. Those factors, and the better-than-expected financial results, were likely the catalyst for Wednesday's rally. Now what While China's outlook is good, Capri warned that sales in North America and Europe are still running well below year-ago levels. Though it declined to give detailed full-year guidance, it warned consumer discretionary investors that its revenue is likely to be down 40% in the current quarter, and down 35% for the full fiscal year, as those markets continue to work through the effects of the pandemic. Capri confirmed that it continues to expect a return to growth in its next fiscal year. Unsolicited seed packet shipments being received by residents in Hunterdon County should not be opened and must be reported immediately to the United States Department of Agriculture, according to a warning issued by the New Jersey Department of Agriculture. The insidious, unsolicited delivery of seed packets, sometimes disguised and labeled as jewelry, has been designated as smuggling by the USDA, Freeholder John Lanza said in a press release shared with NJ Advance Media. Residents are warned to not open or plant the seeds. Any shipment of seeds, exotic produce and meat products into the U.S. should be reported immediately. If they receive an unsolicited seed packet in the mail, Hunterdon County residents should take a photo of the package and the seeds if opened. All photographs should be emailed to Joseph Zoltowski, director for the Division of Plant Industry for the NJDA, at joseph.zoltowski@ag.nj.gov and to SITC.Mail@aphis.usda.gov, a representative account for the USDA. The seeds and packaging can be mailed to the USDA Office, which is located at 1500 Lower Road, Linden, NJ, 07036, for inspection. According to Bob Hornby, Hunterdon County agriculture development board administrator and agriculture resource specialist, these seeds could be invasive and have the potential to be both harmful to local plants and livestock. Understanding the potential for harm to the local environment, farms, food supply chain, and livestock, I would ask that anyone who has been in contact with these seed packets follow the NJDA and USDA instructions, Hornby said in the release. Multiple states have now issued this warning and prevention is our best method to keep Hunterdon County safe. Individuals can visit the Rutgers University website or the USDA website for more information. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. Caroline Fassett may be reached at cfassett@njadvancemedia.com. Nearly two dozen state attorneys general demanded that Facebook do more to stop the spread of disinformation, discrimination and hate in an open letter on Wednesday, the latest volley in a growing campaign targeting the company's civil rights record. Citing a rise in hate crimes and online harassment, the attorneys general asked Facebook chief executive Mark Zuckerberg to step up enforcement of the social media company's hate speech policies. They also asked the company to allow independent audits of the hateful content on the site and of Facebook's measures to eliminate it. And they called for the company to improve its responsiveness to victims of hate-filled attacks. Their requests add to a growing chorus of demands by civil rights advocates, advertisers, politicians and others that the company improve its handling of some of the most charged and divisive issues involving free speech and harm in U.S. society. Facebook is facing a boycott of 1,000 advertisers, including Disney and Verizon, over its civil rights record. While the boycott did not hurt the company's bottom line when the company reported earnings last week, the pressure from the attorneys general is significant because they have the power to sue Facebook if their requests are not met. Democrats from states including California, Connecticut, Illinois and New Jersey signed the letter. "Hate speech is an issue across the internet and we are working to make Facebook as safe as possible by investing billions to keep hate off our platform and fight misinformation," Facebook spokesman Andy Stone said in a statement. "We share the Attorneys General's goal of ensuring people feel safe on the internet and look forward to continuing our work with them." Facebook is the target of ongoing investigations by dozens of state attorneys general into the social network's market power and its abuse of data in the Cambridge Analytica privacy scandal. The company is also facing an antitrust investigation from the U.S. Federal Trade Commission, and Zuckerberg was subject to a congressional grilling last week by lawmakers concerned about its market practices. During the hearing, Rep. Pramila Jayapal, D-Wash., pointed to a report that Zuckerberg was flippant about the impact of the boycott. She asked whether he was saying he did not care about it. "No, Congresswoman, of course we care" about the advertising boycott, he said. But he said the company would not let advertisers dictate the company's content policies. Zuckerberg has also said the company will not change its policies because of financial pressure. Facebook has already made some changes, though. It has restricted far right "boogaloo" groups that were involved in violent acts at protests. It has added labels to speech by politicians that break its policies. And it is hiring a high-level executive who will focus on civil rights issues and issues of race throughout the company. In an interview, New Jersey Attorney General Gurbir Grewal, who is Sikh, said that as an ethnic minority he had personally experienced online harassment and knows "how deeply those wounds can cut." He said that in April 2019, his office's civil rights division had alerted Facebook to an anti-Semitic page called Rise Up Ocean County. Facebook managers allowed the page, which had comments referring to Orthodox Jews, including, "We need to get of them like Hitler did," and "when they resist, bulldoze them," to stay up for nearly a year and was only removed after a shooting at a kosher supermarket frequented by Orthodox Jews in Jersey Cityn N.J. On Tuesday, the president of the American Psychological Association, the largest U.S. professional organization for psychologists, took Facebook's handling of hate speech to task, saying the company was "knowingly harming the welfare of consumer, employees, and shareholders." Iran Guards Launch Drone, Missile Attacks Against Kurdish Insurgents Radio Farda August 04, 2020 The Kurdistan Democratic Party of Iran (KDPI) announced on Monday, August 3, that the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) had launched a drone and missile attack on its bases in Iran-Iraq border areas. "The Peshmerga forces did not suffer any casualties in the attacks," the anti-Islamic Republic party tweeted. A website that disseminates Kurdish-related news cited the head of the Kurdistan Peshmerga Command affiliated with KDPI - as saying, "The strikes hit the mountainous Barbzin area of Erbil, close to the Kurdistan Autonomous Region in Iraq and the Iran border." However, the KDPI official cited, Kawa Bahrami reiterated that the drones targeted KDPI bases with missiles but failed to leave any casualty. Earlier on June 17, Iranian local news outlets reported that the IRGC had launched rocket attacks on the Kurdistan KDPI and Komala Party of Iranian Kurdistan in the Alaneh, Chuman, and Haji Omran heights. The region is located on the border between Iranian Kurdistan province and Iraqi autonomous Kurdistan. The Islamic Republic's official news agency, IRNA, reported a day later that as the IRGC continued its artillery attacks, the leaders of the KDPI, Mostafa Hijri (Hejri) and Khalid Azizi, "ordered their forces" to return to their main camp in Koy Sanjaq, in northern Iraq. IRNA reported that members of Komala and two KDPI factions were "relocated" on that date, moving to other mountainous areas in northern Iraq to establish new bases in more remote areas. The IRGC attacks on June 17 coincided with Turkish Army airstrikes and artillery attacks on PKK positions in the Haftanin area of northern Iraq. According to Rudaw, since 2016, several the Iranian Kurdish parties, including the KDPI, have transferred their bases from populated areas of the Kurdistan Autonomous Region in Iraq to the border with Iran. "The Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) has called on armed Iranian Kurdish opposition groups not to launch attacks against neighboring countries from Kurdistan Region territory," Rudaw reported on August 3. Source: https://en.radiofarda.com/a/iran-guards- launch-drone-missile-attacks-against- kurdish-insurgents/30764547.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 In the northwest of the ancient city Angkor, despite the fact that on-site excavations are being suspended, preparatory work for the preservation and restoration of the project and archaeological investigation is still being maintained. The Royal Palace site is located in Angkor Monuments World Cultural Heritage Area and covers a 142,000-square-meter area. The China-Cambodia archaeological team entered the Royal Palace site and started archaeological work in November last year. Wang Yuanlin, head of the project, said that the reinforcement of the northwest tower gate and overall archaeological investigation works have been completed. In the next step, the research will continue to carry out excavation work on the outer courtyard of the northwest gate and the trench, and will clean up the stone remnants scattered in the courtyard. Cambodia and UNESCO launched an international action project to preserve the ruins in 1993. China was one of the initiators and earliest participants in the preservation work and has helped restore the Chau Say Thevoda and Ta Keo sites in Angkor. In January 2018, Chinese and Cambodian governments signed the agreement on the Exchange of Notes on the Implementation of the Restoration Project of the Royal Palace Ruins of Angkor Wat. Iranian petrochemical output capacity to rise up by 4m tons despite sanctions IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Tehran, Aug 4, IRNA -- Managing Director of National Petrochemical Company of Iran says that the country will witness four million tons of increase in petrochemical output capacity with inauguration of three important projects on Thursday. Behzad Mohammadi told IRNA on Tuesday that President Hassan Rouhani is to open three big petrochemical projects on Thursday. The projects with investment of 1.57 billion dollars include Kimia Pars Middle East, Kaveh and Lorestan Catalyst, he said. Among total 27 petrochemical projects planned to be inaugurated by the next two years, some 17 plants will open till the end of the current Iranian year on March 20, Mohammadi said. With opening 17 plants, industrial capacity in the country will reach from 66 million tons to 90; and the figure will be 100 million tons earning some 25 billion dollars income at the end of the next Iranian year, Mohammadi added. Elaborating on petrochemical projects to open on Thursday, the official said Kaveh Methanol is the biggest in the world. About the projects, Iranian Minister of Petroleum Bijan Zangeneh has said "Kimia Pars Middle East with a daily production capacity of 5,000 tons of methanol, Kaveh Plant with a daily production capacity of 7,000 tons of methanol and Lorestan Catalyst Plant will be inaugurated this week." Despite the US maximum pressure and highest level of sanctions on Iran's industry and oil exports, the country's petrochemical industry continued its development activities. 1483**1416 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address FREDERICTON - New Brunswick reported four new cases of COVID-19 Wednesday, the first cases detected in the province in more than two weeks. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 5/8/2020 (531 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. A security guard takes the temperature of a passenger arriving at Montreal-Trudeau International Airport in Montreal, on Friday, July 31, 2020. New Brunswick is reporting four new cases of COVID-19 today. Premier Blaine Higgs told reporters the cases involve temporary foreign workers who arrived from Mexico. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Paul Chiasson FREDERICTON - New Brunswick reported four new cases of COVID-19 Wednesday, the first cases detected in the province in more than two weeks. Premier Blaine Higgs told reporters the cases involve temporary foreign workers who arrived from Mexico. Higgs said they were identified during screening when they arrived in Moncton, N.B., and they remain in isolation. He said the workers were destined for jobs in Miramichi, N.B. "The system caught these workers before they went out," Higgs said. "The contact tracing is being done. It (the screening system) has been able to contain it to this group, and we feel confident that's as far as it will go at this stage." The provincial Health Department confirmed the workers are between the ages of 30 and 39. It said they had immediately self-isolated upon their arrival in the province and before taking up their jobs. The workers were tested on the 10th day of the required 14-day period and were subsequently diagnosed as positive for the virus. They will continue to self-isolate until cleared by public health officials. "Self-isolation at the time of diagnosis is the goal, which means the risk of transmission is the lowest it can possibly be, limiting the number of cases," Dr. Jennifer Russell, chief medical officer of health, said in a news release. "Our protocols are working." New Brunswick has had a total of 174 confirmed cases with 168 people recovered from the virus and two deaths. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 5, 2020. National Review is bigger than any one of us writers, subscribers, or readers on the Web. And thats why we need your help. America is bigger than the narrow orthodoxies of the Left, and National Review is one of the only institutions left where the big ideas about the future of our country are honestly and openly debated. And this is personal. If you havent noticed, I sometimes disagree with my bosses, Charles C. W. Cooke and Rich Lowry. In fact, they invite me to disagree with them almost every week on The Editors podcast. A few years ago National Review ran a cover story by Kevin Williamson accusing me personally of being bitter and angry at the kind of people who work at National Review. A few months later, National Review offered me a job, and I accepted. Its a good reminder that, even if the last article you read in NR got your blood boiling, you still have something to contribute to the fight. Back in 2006, in one of my first published articles, I made a joke at William F. Buckleys expense. A few weeks later, I got a letter from him, expressing his wish that I would write for National Review one day. And so it has come to pass. Why? Because this magazine and its mission are more important than any one person. We dont cancel each other. The magazines history is one of big personalities clashing. Frank Meyer, James Burnham, and Russell Kirk didnt cancel each other. And we intend to carry on that way. The rest of the media world is asphyxiated, and fearful. Its choking to death on faddish little orthodoxies that were invented just yesterday, imposed on men and individuals who have cervixes alike. Members of the New York Times, the prestigious magazines, and the broadcast media live in open, sweaty fear of their co-workers. Theyve allowed a vindictive Stalinist climate to stifle open debate. Still sore from 2016, the most powerful and influential people in our culture, people such as Barack Obama, want the Big Tech platforms to throttle, censor, and supervise what you read. They want the tech giants to slowly grind down, down-rank, even block National Review. Story continues We know the playbook by now. They want open borders, and closed minds. Open season on conservatives, closed ranks for the Left. They get to run riot, while they muffle your voice and impose stay-at-home orders on you. We have been leading the fight for free speech in the courts, in the intellectual sphere, and across the Web. We oppose the imposition of cancel culture, and weve refused to practice it ourselves. We held the banner high through the riots of the 60s and 70s. Were holding it still. Were going to beat them this time, too. With your help! Support the NR Summer webathon here. More from National Review Of all the emotions humans show, jealousy is one of the most common and unsettling. It tends to bring out the worst in us, even though most of us know better. It's an age-old problem, having been recorded since biblical times, and no doubt experienced even before that. And it's not limited to humans, either. Even wild animals like chimpanzees and elephants exhibit jealous tendencies. Long-surviving tales of jealousy include David, the second king of Israel, who until he triumphed against the Philistines and the legendary Goliath, was well liked by King Saul. Following these substantial successes, however, Saul forced him out of the country, due to a ripe case of jealousy. David had the last laugh, though -- he eventually became king of Israel and built quite an empire for himself. Advertisement The Greek goddess Hera, wife to the philandering Zeus, may not have been jealous without cause, but she certainly expressed her displeasure in unflattering ways, choosing to harass her husband's lovers and children, rather than dealing with his infidelity directly. If jealousy impacts humans negatively, then why do we continue to behave this way? Cultural psychologists tend to believe that humans are inherently jealous, simply because our jobs, relationships and material goods mean a lot to us, and we don't want to lose them. A popular misconception about jealousy is that it is the same as envy. In fact, the feeling of envy refers to wanting something that someone else has, such as a fast car or a house in the Hamptons. Jealousy, however, is more aptly described as the fear of losing something (a lover, promotion, friend, etc.) to someone else. "Jealousy is an anticipatory emotion. It seeks to prevent loss," said Ralph Hupka, Professor of Psychology, Emeritus at California State University at Long Beach. "Jealousy causes us to take precautionary measures. Should those fail and the partner has an affair, the new situation arouses anger, depression, disappointment, and so on." In this article we'll delve further into the nitty-gritty of jealousy, when it begins and how it can quickly get out of control. You will also learn about the different types of jealousy and how experts say it can be controlled. We'll start with the people most likely to be jealous. Who are they? You'll see on the next page. Concerns have heightened among some Yonge and Eglinton area residents, business owners and politicians after a City of Toronto worker was stabbed Tuesday evening at a temporary shelter operated by the city. The city and Toronto police say the worker was attacked on her shift by a shelter resident. Police said Wednesday that a 55-year-old Toronto man has been arrested after he allegedly assaulted a woman and rushed at other staff while brandishing a knife. Security held the man until police arrived. Darren Hynes has been charged with aggravated assault, assault with a weapon and weapons dangerous. The female staff member was hospitalized in serious condition, according to police. The shelter on Broadway Avenue began operating in April and is housed in two vacant, adjoining buildings the city leases from a private developer, the Times Group corporation. It is slated to close near the end of this month and demolished afterwards. But the stabbing incident along with other issues such as break-ins and discarded needles outside and near the facility have upset local residents and business operators. Similar issues have called into question the sustainability of a longer-term shelter nearby at the Roehampton Hotel, on Mount Pleasant Road, which some critics argue needs to be vastly improved or relocated. The COVID-19 outbreak created the clash. In an interview, Mayor John Tory defended the shelters, saying that while local concerns about community safety must be heeded, the coronavirus made the shelters necessary. A balance needs to be struck, he said. We simply have to look after these vulnerable people, especially during a pandemic that imposed extra responsibilities on us that were absolutely necessary to fulfil, Tory said. He went on to say that significant security steps have been taken at both sites recently. In a July 29 letter to the local BIA (Business Improvement Area) group, Tory pointed out steps that he has personally overseen including: Setting up community safety teams, a contracted company that specializes in patrols around the clock, seven days a week. The teams will monitor the shelters, surrounding schools, businesses and any hot spots identified by community members. The team will pick up needles; Increased security patrols in vehicles; Placement of four security guards at each site 24 hours every day, to monitor all security cameras and respond to any security issues and conduct perimeter patrols of the area immediately surrounding the two properties. The installation of five additional security cameras, brings the total to 33 at the hotel to monitor the building; Increase in the frequency of garbage pickup, including exterior cleaning of the hotel, local TTC shelters and nearby school properties. The mayor added that thousands of homeless people in Toronto needed to be moved quickly out of the citys shelter system and into alternate housing, including into over a dozen hotels in the city, measures taken to ensure social distancing. Homeless people were also recently moved out of crowded makeshift encampments outdoors to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, the mayor noted. The Roehampton site, which opened July 3, has 109 units for up to 174 clients. The city recently extended its lease to use the building for an additional two years with an option for a third year. The Broadway shelter houses about 150 homeless residents that the city is trying to find alternate housing for, given the pending closure. The city isnt required to seek community input or permission on the location of new shelter sites, the city said in a statement to the Star on Wednesday. However, the city is committed to engaging communities and the focus of the engagement process is on how to best support and integrate (shelters) as part of the neighbourhood, the statement said. Gord Tanner, a director in the citys Shelter, Support and Housing Administration, said due to the speed of new shelters opening during the pandemic, in order to accommodate the need to physically distance people, consultation with local residents and other stakeholders didnt happen. Both sites offer harm-reduction services inside for residents. But the shelters have raised the ire of many in the surrounding area. In a statement, Coun. Josh Matlow (Ward 12, Toronto-St. Pauls) called recent behaviour around the shelters unacceptable. In no context is it acceptable to leave needles on our streets and school yards, harass people, break into stores, steal, defecate in public or make people feel intimidated and unsafe, Matlow said. He noted that the community understands and supports the need to provide shelter for vulnerable people, but emphasized the need for new policies and community consultation on the shelters. The city has engaged a third-party community engagement team, that is working with Matlow to establish a community liaison committee to address the problems. There will be an online community town hall on Aug. 19 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Matlow said in his statement that the city should have let residents know what was going on given the length of the lease for the Roehampton Hotel. More importantly, he says, the city should have had a plan to address the impacts of the behaviour of some new residents on the surrounding community. Pui-Wah Yip, a neighbourhood resident, told the Star that the city has been ineffective in its handling of the situation. This is worsening daily, Yip said. The increased security is only for optics and does not deter any crime. The slow actions from the city and lack of results will endanger nearby seniors and the children as they start school. Two weeks ago, a pair of Toronto District School Board trustees sent a letter to the citys general manager of shelter, support and housing administration, echoing these concerns. The trustees, Shelley Laskin and Rachel Chernos Lin, note that the shelters are near to a high school and several elementary schools. Laskin and Chernos Lin want the city to re-evaluate if these shelters truly make sense in their current locations, appealed to the city to immediately provide additional security and cleaning, and argued that the shelters be relocated. Harley and Eric, two residents in the Roehampton shelter, said in an interview Wednesday that while there are some problems inside the facility, its a welcome change from living on the street. Harley, who was homeless and had slept on a lawn chair before coming to the shelter a few weeks ago where she shares a room, said she is saddened to hear that some people from the nearby community want the shelter gone. Theres already so much shame when youre poor. Added to that the fact that people dont us here, it further degrades your self-worth. No one wants you. You dont deserve the basic necessities. You deserve to suffer, she said. Eric, formerly homeless but who now has his own one-bedroom in the hotel, said bad behaviour isnt tolerated at the site. Theyre pretty strict here. They kick people out. Police and security are working with residents and staff, he said. Doug Johnson Hatlem, a street pastor with Sanctuary Toronto, an organization that helps the homeless, has been to the Broadway Avenue shelter many times. He believes it was set up to fail, noting that incidents like overdoses that took place there seemed to prompt overwhelming visible responses from police, ambulances and firefighters each time. Thats what people are constantly seeing on the street, he said, adding that has contributed to the tension with neighbours. With files from Victoria Gibson Jennifer Pagliaro is a Toronto-based reporter covering city hall and municipal politics for the Star. Follow her on Twitter: @jpags Read more about: Let's face it Texas students, teachers and parents have enough to worry about when it comes to in-person school reopenings slated for this fall. Now, there's another potential wrinkle in the plan a possible COVID-19 superspreader could be the air-conditioning systems in U.S. schools. According to a report published by the U.S. Government Accountability Office, 41 percent of schools districts across the U.S. need to to replace heating, ventilation and air condition (HVAC) systems in more half of their schools. This potentially impacts around 36,000 schools around the United States. A group of influential Democratic lawmakers has urged the Trump administration to exempt healthcare workers from the temporary suspension of the entry of certain foreign workers including those on H-1B visas, the most sought-after among Indian IT professionals. President Donald Trump, in his June proclamation, banned the entry into the US of workers in several key non-immigrant visa categories, including the H-1B, arguing that they eat into American jobs during the COVID-19 pandemic. The H-1B visa is a non-immigrant visa that allows US companies to employ foreign workers in speciality occupations that require theoretical or technical expertise. Companies depend on it to hire tens of thousands of employees each year from countries like India and China. In a letter to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, Acting Secretary of Homeland Security Chad Wolf and Labour Secretary Eugene Scalia, the lawmakers on Tuesday said that the restrictions hit the healthcare at large and particularly for the rural and underserved communities that rely on immigrant physicians. Even though the proclamation provides relaxations to the individuals working on the COVID-19 related care and research, they said it is overly restrictive, and limiting the supply of healthcare workers during this crisis puts all Americans at risk. 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 letter was signed by House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerrold Nadler, House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Richard Neal and House Subcommittee on Immigration and Citizenship Chairwoman Zoe Lofgren. Critical to controlling any pandemic is the ability to rapidly deploy the health workforce to care for patients, mitigate spread and advance health research agendas that offer rapid solutions, the Chairs wrote. Without an adequate health and research workforce, we risk the unnecessary loss of more lives and further obstacles to our economic recovery, the letter said. As noted by the American Association of Medical Colleges (AAMC), restricting these gifted international researchers and physicians from entering the US will not help the economy, but will hamper the ability of the country's medical schools and teaching hospitals to make scientific progress. Ultimately, it will reduce healthcare access across the US, the letter said. Nadler, Neal and Lofgren emphasised that the United States needs the strongest possible healthcare and research workforce now more than ever. Importantly, this includes individuals who provide care or conduct research in areas other than COVID-19. Health workers and researchers working on issues unrelated to COVID-19 free up others to focus on COVID-19, while continuing to provide essential care and conduct critical research that cannot stop because of the pandemic. The lawmakers explained how the proclamation directs the Secretary of Homeland Security to consult with Secretaries of State and Labour and to recommend to the President any necessary modifications to the Proclamation. As such, we urge you to recommend that the President modify Proclamation 10052 to exempt all health workers and researchers from the suspension on entry because they all serve the national interest, they said. As the US surpasses 4.6 million coronavirus cases with over 154,000 deaths, it is important to consider infections and deaths of health workers and researchers when projecting workforce needs, the top Democratic congressmen said. Researchers project that in the first year of the pandemic, millions of healthcare workers will test positive for COVID-19 and thousands will die from it. As such, visa programmes are more important than ever to ensure that the health workforce is resilient and prepared both for the current wave of COVID-19 as well as the subsequent waves predicted to hit the country in the near future, they added. Follow our full coverage of the coronavirus pandemic here European stocks closed higher on Wednesday as investors digested another round of major corporate earnings reports, but weaker-than-expected euro zone economic data capped gains. The pan-European Stoxx 600 closed up by 0.5%, paring earlier gains after July's final euro zone PMI (purchasing managers' index) reading came in at a modest 56.5, with the bloc's dominant services sector showing a weaker rebound than expected. Basic resources and travel and leisure stocks climbed more than 3% to lead gains while food and beverage stocks slid 1% lower. On Wall Street, stocks rose for a fourth straight day on the back of coronavirus vaccine hopes and strong earnings from Disney. However, private payrolls data slowed sharply in July. Investors also have an eye on negotiations in Washington over a new U.S. coronavirus aid package, where White House negotiators on Tuesday vowed to work "around the clock" with Democratic counterparts to get a deal over the line by the end of the week. Gold has continued to surge to record highs with spot gold changing hands at around $2,041 per troy ounce during afternoon trading in Europe. U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo's anti-China speech at the end of July has undermined long-term U.S. interests, and appears likely to fail, like the country's many other foreign policies, according to a report published on The New Yorker on Wednesday. The comments in the article named "Why Trump Will Never Win His New Cold War with China" came after Pompeo delivered a speech at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library, where he launched a fusillade of ill-founded attacks, inciting an ideological hatred against China and the Communist Party of China, and tried to coax others into forming an alliance against Beijing. "To mindlessly hurl yourself against China is a misunderstanding of the situation in China -- and in East Asia," the U.S. weekly magazine quoted Stapleton Roy, U.S. ambassador to China in the 1990s, as saying. Many of America's old friends in the Asia-Pacific region have more trade with China than with the United States, he said, pointing out that U.S. allies do not want confrontation and a U.S. Cold War with China could be "quite lonely." Noting that China has improved living conditions for hundreds of millions of people with unprecedented speed, he said that "self-deception is very dangerous in diplomacy." In response to Pompeo's claim that the United States is more dependent on China than vice versa, The New Yorker said the fact is that the United States relies on China for many basic commodities, taking the example that China has surpassed Canada to become its second largest source of car parts. China has provided "the greatest contribution to global growth and fastest-growing destination for U.S. exports for fifteen years, until the Trump Administration," Robert Zoellick, former World Bank president, said at the Aspen Security Forum last month, according to the magazine. China has expanded its influence largely by investing in development projects, while the U.S. administration has reduced its engagement globally, the report said. China will be "the most consequential issue" in U.S. foreign policy for generations to come, Kurt Campbell, an Asia specialist who has worked at the State Department, the Pentagon, and the National Security Council, predicted at the Aspen Security Forum, according to the article. Yet, the United States is "really plummeting down a staircase towards an extraordinarily competitive, confrontational set of relations, which will have consequences that are very difficult to predict," he said. Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-05 13:44:51|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close KABUL, Aug. 5 (Xinhua) -- Afghan President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani has expressed sympathy over deadly blast in the Beirut port and condolences to the victims' families, said a statement of Presidential Palace released here Wednesday. In the statement, the Afghan president also hoped that the government and the people of Lebanon could overcome the challenges arising out of the deadly and destructive blast. At least 80 people were reportedly killed and some 4,000 others injured in the port blast that rocked Beirut on Tuesday. Enditem She recently returned home from her idyllic getaway to European hot spots with her boyfriend Sam Thompson. And Zara McDermott pined for sunnier times as she uploaded a sizzling Instagram snap on Tuesday from her trip to Fuerteventura before the UK imposed a 14-day quarantine for travellers from Spain. The Made In Chelsea star, 23, ensured all eyes were on her as she slipped into a newspaper print bikini by Shein while posing up a storm by an orange door. Radiant: Zara McDermott pined for sunnier times as she uploaded a sizzling Instagram snap on Tuesday from her trip to Fuerteventura, where she wore a newspaper print Shein bikini Highlighting her two-stone weight loss, the model put on a racy display in the patterned two-piece, which featured plunging underwired bralet and matching briefs. The former policy advisor proved less is more as she went make-up free and wore her tresses in a straight fashion. Over the weekend, the TV star ensured the good times kept rolling on as she threw her boyfriend Sam a lavish 28th birthday party on a boat on London's River Thames. Loved-up: The Made In Chelsea star, 23, recently returned home from her idyllic getaway to European hot spots with her boyfriend Sam Thompson The media personality declared how 'proud' she was of herself for pulling off the Spanish-themed party complete with 'personalised cocktails' and a 'tapas dinner'. Zara shared a collection of snaps from the boat including blue and gold balloon arches, branded with 'Sam turns 28', and a lavish table complete with flower arrangements and cocktails. The former Love Island contestant tagged the businesses in the Instagram post, including a private chef and bespoke cake company, for helping her organise the birthday bash. Wow: Over the weekend, the TV star ensured the good times kept rolling on as she threw her boyfriend Sam a lavish 28th birthday party on a boat on London 's River Thames Things look like they could be getting more serious between Sam and Zara in the not too distant future, amid claims he is planning to propose. The Sun reports during a screening of Celebs Go Virtual Dating with the cast, agent Paul Brunson told the hunk: 'I have one question, have you proposed to your girlfriend? 'Sam, this is very important, you two are perfect, make that happen, put a ring on it. You need to propose by the end of the year.' The former contestant of the E4 show reportedly replied: 'I will. I actually will.' The historian who has correctly predicted every presidential election since 1984 including President Donald Trump's win in 2016 has announced his pick for 2020: Presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden. Allan Lichtman, an author and history professor at American University, revealed his prediction in an op-ed video for The New York Times published Wednesday. Lichtman's predictive method which puts him squarely in the minority of analysts who were right in calling Trump's win largely ignores the detailed cross-tab polling analyses and swing state bean counting that are often prioritized in modern political punditry. "The pollsters and the pundits cover elections as though they were horse races," Lichtman said in the Times' video. "But history tells us voters are not fooled by the tricks of the campaign. Voters vote pragmatically according to how well the party holding the White House has governed the country." Polls are "snapshots in time," Lichtman said. "None of this in the end has any impact whatsoever on the outcome of a presidential election." Lichtman's prediction model looks at 13 different categories, dubbed the "Keys to the White House," which have more to do with the record of the incumbent party occupying the White House than the nominees themselves. The keys are presented as true-false statements, framed to favor a win for the incumbent party if true. But if six or more of the statements are false, the challenger in this case, Biden is predicted to win the election. Lichtman's verdict? "The keys predict that Trump will lose the White House." Over 50 killed, 2,500 injured in Beirut blasts, Beirut, blast in beirut, world news Over 50 people have been killed and around 2,500 wounded in two huge explosions that rocked Lebanese capital Beirut, Health Minister Hamad Hassan said. The blasts took place on Tuesday evening (around 6.10 p.m. -- local time), shaking buildings all over the city while also causing severe damages and casualties, Xinhua reported. Hassan was quoted by al-Jadeed TV as saying that more than 50 people were killed and 2,500 others were injured in the blasts. The number of casualties were expected to rise as the counting continued. Lebanese Prime Minister Hassan Diab has urged his country's allies to help Lebanon overcome the repercussions of the disastrous explosions. Meanwhile, Diab declared Wednesday a national mourning day for the victims of the explosions. Lebanese President Michel Aoun called for an emergency meeting of the Higher Defence Council to discuss the reasons and repercussions of the explosions. The causes of the blasts remained unknown, but Lebanese Interior Minister Mohammad Fahmi said that the explosive chemicals stored at Port of Beirut may have caused the explosions. "Customs' authorities must be asked about the reasons behind storing such chemical materials at Port of Beirut," Fahmi said. Many countries in the region expressed solidarity and sympathy with Lebanon over the explosions that have dealt a further blow to the country already plagued by the Covid-19 pandemic and an economic crisis. Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said on Tuesday that Iran is ready to offer help to Lebanon after the huge blasts caused massive casualties and damages in Beirut. "Our thoughts and prayers are with the great and resilient people of Lebanon," Zarif tweeted. "As always, Iran is fully prepared to render assistance in any way necessary," he said. "Stay strong, Lebanon," he added. Turkey on Tuesday expressed sorrow over the massive casualties and damages caused by the huge explosions in Lebanon. Two Turkish citizens were slightly injured in the blasts, said the Turkish Foreign Ministry in a statement. Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi extended his condolences to Lebanon over the deadly explosions that rocked the Lebanese capital. "My sincere condolences and sympathy go to the government and people of Lebanon, over the tragic explosions that happened today in the Lebanese capital Beirut," Sisi wrote on his official Facebook page. Sisi also wished speedy recovery for those injured in the blasts, while extending condolences to the families of the killed. Palestine has also expressed its solidarity with Lebanon following the massive explosions in Beirut. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said his country is ready to provide any support it could to Lebanon to help it recover from the tragedy, while sending his condolences to the families of the victims. Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammed Ishtaye said in a press statement that Palestine is "ready to put all its capabilities" for the service of Lebanon and provide any needed assistance immediately. BAKU, Azerbaijan, Aug. 5 Trend: The influential Council of Pakistan, based in Los Angeles, issued a statement condemning the violence committed by Armenians against Azerbaijani-American community members in Los Angeles on July 21, 2020, Trend reports with reference to Azerbaijani Consulate General in LA. Speaking about the violence, the statement notes that Not in recent history have we seen a conflict embedded in an international dispute take the ugly shape of what transpired on the streets of Los Angeles on July 21. It is noted that Armenians, instead of protesting peacefully, made a destructive, demon-inspired hate speech, vulgarity, intimidation and perpetration of violence on innocent people. It is also said that Armenians attacked Azerbaijani community members because of their nationality. Highlighting the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict, the statement emphasizes that despite the international community's recognition of Azerbaijans territorial integrity, Armenia continues the illegal occupation of Azerbaijans territories. It also notes the position of the US on this issue highlighting that the US recognizes Azerbaijans territorial integrity. The full statement can be read here: https://conta.cc/39Ywk00 Around 1 million Pakistanis live in the US, including 250,000 in Southern California. The Council of Pakistan is the largest Pakistani-American organization. The Consulate General of Azerbaijan has had a strong relationship with the Pakistani-American community as well as with other faith and ethnic communities in Los Angeles in order to strengthen the sorely needed intercultural and interfaith dialogue here, and to educate the local communities about Azerbaijans working model of multiculturalism and interfaith harmony. In 2019, the Council of Pakistan awarded Azerbaijans Consul General in Los Angeles Nasimi Aghayev with its highest award in recognition of his outstanding and exemplary service in fostering dialogue, mutual understanding and cooperation among religions, communities and cultures. New York state may consider a bill that would tighten antitrust rules so that the state can better prosecute Big Tech. The Twenty-First Century Anti-Trust Act would broaden the scope of whats considered antitrust behavior, increase penalties and allow class action antitrust lawsuits. The legislation, introduced by Senators Michael Gianaris and Rachel May, is meant to update existing antitrust laws, which can only go after two players who collaborate in anticompetitive behavior. These laws were written over 100 years ago. Today, Big Tech companies dont need to collude with others to box out their rivals, so the bill proposes allowing prosecutors to go after individual companies acting on their own. Essentially, it removes a major loophole. The bill would make criminal offenses by individuals punishable by up to 15 years in prison. Thats up from four years under the existing law. Its also more time than the current federal maximum sentence of 10 years. Corporations could be fined up to $100 million, up from the current maximum New York state penalty of $1 million. The proposed changes would also allow class action lawsuits, which could lead to an increase in private antitrust litigation. This proposed legislation comes just after federal lawmakers grilled Apple, Facebook, Amazon and Google over their business practices as part of a federal antitrust investigation. Apple and Google are under investigation in the EU, and New York and California are reportedly helping the Federal Trade Commission investigate Amazon. Apple and Amazon are under investigation in Italy, as well. While there seems to be growing concern about the concentrated power Big Tech companies have, dont expect New Yorks bill to bring about immediate change. Most likely, the Twenty-First Century Anti-Trust Act will be discussed when New Yorks senate returns in August. Even if it is passed eventually, a vote probably wont happen until next year. Los Angeles officials are cracking down on house parties after a woman was fatally shot Tuesday at a large gathering at a mansion. The county's Department of Public Health said in a statement that it "has issued a legally binding health officer order" that bans gatherings, including parties, during the coronavirus pandemic. Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti followed up Wednesday by authorizing the city's Department of Water and Power to shut down utilities at locations that have hosted big gatherings. "These large parties are unsafe and can cost Angelenos their lives," Garcetti said at a news conference. The county order is to "protect the health and lives of county residents," the health department said. Violation or failure to comply could result in a fine, jail time or both. "We urge every resident in Los Angeles County to follow the health officer order and avoid organizing and attending gatherings that include people outside their own household," the health department said. "The highest risk settings are large in-person gatherings where it is difficult for individuals to remain spaced at least 6 feet apart and where face coverings are not worn. The consequences of these large parties ripple throughout our entire community because the virus can quickly and easily spread," the department continued. The announcements follow a deadly shooting at a mansion party around 1 a.m. Tuesday on Los Angeles' Mulholland Drive. A 35-year-old woman was killed; two men and two women who were wounded are expected to survive, police said. As of Wednesday afternoon, no arrests had been made. Full coverage of the coronavirus outbreak Los Angeles police Lt. Chris Ramirez said Tuesday that the shooting was being treated as "gang-related." Social gatherings are prohibited under California's stay-at-home order. Before the shooting in the Beverly Crest neighborhood, police had received calls about a party taking place near the shooting scene around 6:30 p.m. Monday. Story continues Police officials told NBC Los Angeles that officers helped with traffic and parking control but did not enforce the county's health order prohibiting large gatherings during the pandemic. An NBC Los Angeles helicopter captured video of a long line of cars going up to the home's driveway, as well as a party bus dropping off partygoers. In late March, Los Angeles police in riot gear broke up a celebration of a 1-year-old's birthday in South Los Angeles after receiving reports of a disturbance. At the time, department spokesman Josh Rubenstein called its enforcement in such situations "consistent." Law enforcement agencies in California, including Los Angeles police, have generally opted for "education" over action against people not keeping social distance or those who refuse to wear masks in public. Ramirez confirmed that officers were called to the home for a report of a public disturbance. "It was a private party. It was indoors. How do you enforce the fact it's a private party? And If the city attorney wants to, we can always file additional complaints," he said. Garcetti's authorization to cut off water and power at party locations fell short of ordering police to shut down big gatherings they come across. "This enforcement is not focused on small and ordinary gatherings in people's homes," he said. The directive, which has a 48-hour window for utilities to be turned off, is aimed at locations that repeatedly violate the prohibition on large gatherings, he said. Organizers could be gone by then: Garcetti acknowledged that such events often take place at homes offered up as short-term rentals. "These large house parties have essentially become nightclubs in the hills," he said. BAKU, Azerbaijan, Aug. 5 By Nargiz Sadikhova - Trend: The value of trade turnover between Kazakhstan and South Korea amounted to $1.7 billion over first five months of 2020, compared to $1.9 billion during the same period of 2019, Trend reports with reference to Kazakhstans Statistics Committee. The share of South Korea in total value of Kazakhstans trade turnover stood at 5.1 percent during the reporting period compared to 5.2 percent during the same period of 2019. Kazakhstans export to South Korea amounted to $667.4 million over the period from January through May 2020, compared to $1.15 billion during the same period of 2019. South Koreas share in total volume of Kazakhstans export amounted to 3 percent during the reporting period of 2020 compared to 4.9 percent during the same period of 2019. In turn, Kazakhstans imports from South Korea amounted to $1.12 billion over the reporting period, compared to $784.5 million during the same period of 2019. South Koreas total share in Kazakhstans import was 8.9 percent during the reporting period of 2020, while the figure was 5.6 percent during the same period of 2019. The total volume of Kazakhstans trade turnover amounted to $34.9 billion over the period from Jan. through May 2020 which indicates a decrease from $37.5 billion during the same period of 2019. Kazakhstans export amounted to $22.3 billion during the reporting period of 2020 ($23.6 billion in the same period of 2019), whereas import amounted to $12.6 billion ($13.9 billion in 2019). --- Follow the author on twitter: @nargiz_sadikh Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-05 23:05:01|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close BRUSSELS, Aug. 5 (Xinhua) -- The European Union (EU), as well as its officials, have expressed their condolences to those who have lost loved ones in the lethal blasts that took place in Beirut, Lebanon on Tuesday. "We share the shock and sadness of the people of Beirut following the deadly explosion that has taken many lives and left many more injured," said EU Commissioner for Crisis Management Janez Lenarcic in a statement on Wednesday. The EU Civil Protection Mechanism has been activated, coordinating the urgent deployment of over a 100 firefighters, with vehicles, dogs and equipment, who will work with the Lebanese authorities to save lives on the ground, according to the statement. It said the Netherlands, Greece and the Czech Republic have confirmed their participation in the operation. France, Poland and Germany have also offered assistance via the Mechanism. The EU has also activated its Copernicus Satellite mapping system to support the Lebanese in assessing the extent of the damage, added the statement. Meanwhile, officials including European Council President Charles Michel and European Parliament President David Sassoli have tweeted about their sympathy with the families of the victims. The blasts hit the Port of Beirut at around 6:10 p.m. local time (1510 GMT) on Tuesday, killing at least 100 and injuring thousands, with many more missing, among whom were EU citizens. The number of casualties is expected to rise as the counting continues. Local media outlets have been announcing the names of hundreds of people still missing, in the hope of helping their families find them. The causes of the blasts remain unknown, but Lebanese Interior Minister Mohammad Fahmi said the ammonium nitrate stored since 2014 in warehouse No. 12 at the port may have caused the explosions. Enditem Egypt fears the $4bn project could lead to water shortages upstream, while Sudan is concerned about dams safety. Egypt has decided to withdraw from the latest round of tripartite negotiations over Ethiopias multibillion-dollar dam on the Blue Nile for internal consultations after Addis Ababa proposed a new draft of filling guidelines. The Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), which is being built about 15km (nine miles) from the Ethiopian border with Sudan on the Blue Nile, has become a major sticking point between the three countries. Egypt fears the $4bn project could lead to water shortages upstream, while Sudan said it is concerned about the dams safety. The Egyptian water ministry, in a statement on Tuesday, said Ethiopia put forward a draft proposal that lacked regulations on the operation of the dam or any legal obligations. Addis Ababas draft also lacked a legal mechanism for settling disputes, according to the Egyptian ministry. Egypt and Sudan demanded meetings be suspended for internal consultations on the Ethiopian proposal, which contravenes what was agreed upon during the African Union summit, it said. The Blue Nile is a tributary of the Nile river, from which Egypts 100 million people get 90 percent of their fresh water. Sudans safety concerns Meanwhile, Sudans irrigation ministry said the latest Ethiopian position presented in talks on Tuesday raised new fears over the track the negotiations had been on. Khartoum also threatened to withdraw from the talks, saying Ethiopia insisted on linking them to renegotiating a deal on sharing the waters of the Blue Nile. Sudans water and irrigation minister, Yasser Abbas, said he received a letter from his Ethiopian counterpart who proposed the deal under discussion be limited to filling up the dam and any deal concerning its management be linked to the question of sharing Blue Nile waters. Egypt and Sudan invoke a historic right over the river guaranteed by treaties concluded in 1929 and 1959. But Ethiopia uses a treaty signed in 2010 by six riverside countries and boycotted by Egypt and Sudan authorising irrigation projects and dams on the river. This new Ethiopian position threatens the negotiations under the aegis of the African Union, and Sudan will not participate in negotiations which include the subject of sharing Blue Nile waters, Abbas said. Sudan will not allow the lives of 20 million citizens who live along the Blue Nile to be tied to an agreement on sharing the water of this river. The call came after a meeting of technical and legal committees from the three countries aimed at pushing for a deal on the filling and operation of the GERD. The meeting was also attended by observers from the United States and the European Union as well as experts from the African Union. Nestle Nigeria Plc has appointed Wassim Elhusseini as its new Managing Director. Mr Elhusseini takes over from Mauricio Alarcon who has been appointed as the Market Head of Nestle Central and West Africa Region comprising 25 countries with head office in Ghana. A statement issued on Wednesday by Victoria Uwadoka, Corporate Communications and Public Affairs Manager, Nestle Nigeria Plc stated that the appointments would take effect from September 1. Notwithstanding this new appointment, Alarcon will remain on the Board of Nestle Nigeria Plc as a Non-Executive Director. The Board expresses its appreciation of Alarcons outstanding achievements in all ramifications since he was appointed as the Managing Director of the Company in October 2016 and is pleased that the Company will continue to benefit from his experience. Mr Wassim Elhusseini, currently the Country Manager and Sales Director of Nestle Middle East & North Africa (MENA). Elhusseini joined Nestle Kuwait in 2002 as Channel Category Sales Development (CCSD) Manager for Coffee & Creamers. In 2015, he moved to Nestle Middle East to lead the CCSD Unit. Appointed Sales Director of Nestle Middle East in 2016, Elhusseini positively contributed to the business from a functional and leadership perspective. READ ALSO: Mrs Uwadoka said in the statement that Elhusseini played an integral role in the creation of the new Middle East and North Africa region, comprising 16 countries, before his role was expanded to Country Manager and Sales Director in 2020. The company further stated that it had notified its shareholders, the Nigerian Stock Exchange and the investing public of the appointments. (NAN) CANBERRA, Australia - Virgin Australia plans to scale down its operations under new U.S. owners and shed a third of its staff as the carrier adjusts to the pandemic, the nations second-largest airline said on Wednesday. The Brisbane-based company in April became the worlds largest airline to seek bankruptcy protection after the coronavirus pandemic virtually grounded the aviation industry. Virgins administrator Deloittes has entered into a binding agreement to sell the airline to the Boston-based investment firm Bain Capital. The deal will go within weeks for final approval to a meeting of Virgin creditors who are owed 7 billion Australian dollars ($5 billion). The Virgin Australia Group chief executive and managing director Paul Scurrah announced plans to cut 3,000 jobs plus long-haul flights from Australia to Los Angeles and Tokyo to try to reset the business for lower global demand. The domestic and short-haul international fleet would become all Boeing 737s, except for regional and charter aircraft. Boeing 777s and Airbus A330s would be shed. Virgins budget subsidiary Tigerair Australia would be discontinued, as would its Airbus A320s. Demand for domestic and short-haul international travel is likely to take at least three years to return to pre-COVID-19 levels, with the real chance it could be longer, which means as a business we must make changes to ensure the Virgin Australia Group is successful in this new world, Scurrah said in a statement. While the workforce would be slashed to 6,000, the airline hopes to build back up to 8,000 staff as the aviation market recovers. Backed by Bain Capital, with more than $100 billion assets under management, Virgin Australia would have a strong balance sheet to withstand material future shocks to the industry, Scurrah said. Virgin Australias major shareholders are Singapore Airlines and Etihad Airways and Chinese investment conglomerates Nanshan Group and HNA Group. Its British billionaire founder Richard Branson holds a 10% stake. The airline sought bankruptcy protection after the Australian government refused its request for a AU$1.4 billion ($1 billion) loan. Australias Treasurer Josh Frydenberg told reporters at the time his government was not going to bail out five large foreign shareholders with deep pockets who together own 90% of this airline. Rival Qantas Airways argued that it had three times more revenue than Virgin and was therefore entitled to a AU$4.2 billion ($3 billion) loan if the smaller airline was not to gain an unfair advantage. In the 2018 midterm elections, about six out of 10 U.S. poll workers were over the age of 60, and more than 80% were over 40. That presents a major problem for the 2020 presidential contest. The age group from which most poll workers are drawn is particularly at risk for COVID-19, and primaries held after the global pandemic made clear that finding enough poll workers to staff the November election is likely to be difficult. In Wisconsins April primary, for instance, a lack of available poll workers caused the city of Milwaukee to drastically pare the number of polling locations, from its typical 180 to a mere five. Luckily, this is a problem with a relatively simple solution: Young people should step up and be poll workers. Its what I did for the Texas primary in March. It was relatively easy, I was paid for my work, and it was wildly rewarding to help hundreds of people vote, many of them college students voting for the first time. In the days leading up to the March election, I heard rumblings about a severe shortage of poll workers in Travis County due to fears of COVID-19. One of the few polling locations that serves the University of Texas at Austins student community was struggling to find a full contingent of poll workers to staff it. As a former student, I knew that polling locations near the university already face hourslong lines of voters. If we couldnt staff this polling location for the primaries, it might shut down by November, making it even harder for students to vote. So I volunteered to pitch in as a poll worker, struggling out of bed at 5 a.m. on Election Day to help my community cast ballots until 10 p.m. that night. Of course, not all young people are able to serve as poll workers. Election Day is always on a Tuesday, when many of us have work or school. The pandemic has exacerbated challenges around financial stability, physical and mental health and family responsibilities for young people, as for everyone else. But for those who have the time and ability to volunteer, the process is relatively easy and has few requirements. In addition, almost all poll workers are compensated for their work, although the amount depends on your state and local jurisdiction. While the process to become a poll worker varies by state, workelections.com offers a one-stop location for information about staffing your local polling place. Initiatives such as Power the Polls, which hopes to recruit 250,000 Americans to serve as poll workers this year, also help guide people through the process. The number of polling locations across the country has been rapidly falling in recent years even before the coronavirus, and many fear that the closures have disproportionately harmed impoverished areas and communities of color. During the 2018 midterms, Latinx and Black voters were more likely to report longer wait times at polling locations than white voters. It should be no surprise that polling location closures often worsen wait times, making voting less accessible to certain communities. In the wake of the Supreme Courts 2013 decision in Shelby County v. Holder, which diluted the Voting Rights Act, the Leadership Conference Education Fund found that at least 1,688 polling locations were shut down in areas where closures would have previously required approval under the Voting Rights Act. Texas alone closed 750 polling locations during that period, the largest number of them in Dallas County, which has a majority Latinx and Black population. Travis County, where I worked as a poll worker last March, had the second largest number of closures, in a county that is over 30% Latinx. Fully staffed polling places arent a panacea to the much larger issue of voter suppression and the availability of places to vote. But during the last four years, as Ive fought to place polling locations on college campuses across the country, a common pushback Ive heard from election officials is that they dont have the capacity to staff additional polling locations. Having adequate numbers of poll workers is a crucial prerequisite to advocating for additional polling locations and a powerful way to fight back against the potential closure of locations in marginalized communities. Maya Patel is a voting rights activist and the Texas state coordinator at Campus Vote Project. Twitter: @maya_m_patel. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Facebook-owned Instagram on Wednesday launched its answer to the popular karaoke app TikTok, whose future remains in limbo. The big picture: Facebook has a long record sometimes successful, sometimes not of adopting features that have proven popular on rival platforms and rolling them out to its billions of users worldwide in an effort to avoid being eclipsed by younger upstarts. Driving the news: Reels enters the fray as TikTok, threatened with a ban by President Trump because of its Chinese ownership, has opened negotiations to be acquired by Microsoft. A world where Reels must compete with a Microsoft-owned TikTok will present a very different challenge to Facebook than a world in which TikTok has been shut down in the U.S. Be smart: Reels is the first product Instagram has created that focuses more on creators than everyday users. Reels' video distribution algorithm will resemble TikTok's: users will see the most popular videos at the moment, rather than a selection tailored to their individual profile. Details: The new product will be embedded within Instagram, so that the app's 1 billion+ user base can tap into it and help it achieve wide adoption. The product will debut in over 50 countries on Wednesday, including the U.S., India, Brazil, France, Germany, the U.K., Japan, Australia and others. on Wednesday, including the U.S., India, Brazil, France, Germany, the U.K., Japan, Australia and others. It will allow users to create 15-second videos using editing tools that are embedded in Instagram's camera, like a countdown clock, a timer and a new align tool, which gives users an easy way to string together different video cuts. using editing tools that are embedded in Instagram's camera, like a countdown clock, a timer and a new align tool, which gives users an easy way to string together different video cuts. It will include music from a big library of titles that Instagram has recently licensed from music labels. of titles that Instagram has recently licensed from music labels. Reels differs from TikTok thanks to Instagram's augmented reality effects, which let users overlay images and filters onto their videos. Between the lines: Reels gives Instagram an opportunity to tap into a new creative community, one that's more focused on talent than the beauty-and-aesthetics topics that dominate Instagram today. "We've not been historically good at helping new creators find an audience," said Vishal Shah, Instagram's VP of product, on a call with reporters Tuesday. "The pitch for new creators is that Reels is a good way to get discovered, even if you don't have a follower base." What creators like about TikTok is that they can amass huge audiences quickly if their video gains traction. Instagram says creators will be able to share Reels videos privately with their friends and followers via direct messages or on their Stories, but they also now have the opportunity to be discovered by Instagram's massive audience within its Explore tab if they wish to do so and if their accounts are set to public. Reels videos will live in a dedicated space within the Explore tab called the Stage. Because Instagram doesn't have a "share" button, it's been hard for content on Instagram to go viral to lots of people fast. Be smart: Instagram had previously launched a Reels-like product called Lasso, that it later shut down. Executives told reporters on a call Wednesday that it's hard to get a new app to reach mass adoption hence the reason for making Reels a feature within Instagram. Context: Executives acknowledged that the launch of Reels is timely, given TikTok's future in the U.S. is on the brink, but they say they did not expedite the launch to take advantage of the moment. "This has always been part of our plan," said Shah. "We've been working on this for over a year." The timing, he says, "happens to be coincidental" but it's also a reflection of an acceleration of what users increasingly say they want to do on Instagram. "There is a lot of appetite for short-form, edited video on instagram," said Shah. "We started to experiment over a year ago in Brazil with Reels. In last month, 45% of videos uploaded to the (Instagram) feed were 15 seconds or less," he said. Yes, but: Instagram is coming somewhat late to the game. Already, several apps like Byte, Dubsmash and Triller are trying to win over TikTok users with similar products. And one of Instagram's biggest rivals, Snapchat, is reportedly testing TikTok-style design for exploring content. What's next: For now, Instagram is focusing on rolling Reels out and getting users to adopt it. Executives say it's not focused on how it will make money with Reels quite yet. Francis Waive, lawmaker representing Ughelli north/Ughelli south and Udu federal constituency in the house of representatives, has cal... Francis Waive, lawmaker representing Ughelli north/Ughelli south and Udu federal constituency in the house of representatives, has called for unity among different ethnic groups in the Niger Delta region. Addressing reporters at his constituency office, Waive said coming together will help the people of the region to forge a common front at the national level. He said politicians are using the division among the people of Niger Delta to undermine the region. I believe that what we are getting now in terms of the allocation to NNDC, 13% derivation and the allocation to the states from the oil-rich region are not enough, he said. Its a far cry from what we ought to get as a people and as a region because of the environmental degradation and the effect of oil exploration of several years, but having said that, we as a people in the south-south, we need to come together as one, we need to be united because that is the only way we can fight for our right, and get what truly belongs to us. If we are scattered, if we are disunited, then the others will have the opportunity to take advantage of us, exploit us, use us as part to knock one another and exploit our resources. He cited example of how disunity has affected the completion of some projects in Warri, Delta state. Look at Warri for instance, its a sad story what this town has turned into when Warri Port was booming, you remember what this town used to be like, when there was Shell and when Shell was building that Osubi airport I believe that they had good plans in mind, not to abandon it, but look at where we are, and its all traceable to our inter-tribal problems and these problems do no nobody good, he said. If we dont know it, there are no tribes in the greater Warri area that will be able to alienate one another, the Urhobos, the Ijaws, the Itsekiris, we cant eliminate one another, being together is Gods idea, and we must come together, partner one another, agree with one another, give and take, and then, we will be able to insist on our rights, otherwise, politicians will take advantage of us, the system will take advantage of us, contractors, of course, will mess us up, there is a need for unity across the Niger Delta, across the states of the South-South of this country in order to bring development to our people. The Cyberspace Solarium Commission has successfully lobbied the House to include nearly two dozen of its recommendations in the latest defense authorization bill. They're now working to convince the Senate to adopt ideas like a new White House Cyber Director while also pushing the federal government and its allies to produce quicker attribution and joint sanctions for malicious cyberattacks. During a House Armed Services Subcommittee on Intelligence and Emerging Threats hearing, ranking member Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.) said at least 22 of the more than 50 legislative proposals from the report were included in the final version of the National Defense Authorization Act passed by the House. Those provisions must still survive a conference with the Senate and a potential veto from the White House, which has already stated its opposition to numerous provisions in the House and Senate versions. In his opening statement, Subcommittee Chairman Rep. Jim Langevin (D-R.I.) outlined goals beyond this year's legislative accomplishments, saying he hopes the report acts as "a blueprint for legislative and executive actions that force the country to break apart the institutional stovepipes" around cybersecurity policy in Congress and the executive branch. That includes a provision to establish a new White House Cyber Director who would be responsible for breaking down those barriers and coordinating cyber policy across government. The position was included in the House NDAA but the Senate version would only mandate an independent assessment of the position. Proponents made it clear they intend to continue their advocacy during the conference process. "The reality is right now we have enormously capable people throughout the federal government, but there's no central point of oversight, there's no central point of coordination, there's no central point of defining strategy," said Sen. Angus King (I-Maine) co-chair of the commission during testimony. While many in the cyber policy community have embraced the idea, likening it to a restoration of the now-defunct White House Cybersecurity Coordinator position eliminated in 2018, there are some detractors. Phillip Retinger, president and CEO of the Global Cyber Alliance and former Deputy Under Secretary for the National Protection and Programs Directorate at DHS, has argued that far from clarifying roles and responsibilities around cyber policy, the position as written in the House NDAA would not have any explicit authority around offensive cyber operations carried out by the military and its focus on defensive issues would step on another one of the commission's priorities: further empowering NPPD's successor, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency. In a piece for Lawfare this month, Retinger wrote that "creating a new Office of the National Cyber Director within the Executive Office of the President would do little to elevate CISA. In fact, it would likely have the opposite effect: reducing the influence of CISA as the new national cyber director works to clear some bureaucratic space by asserting authority and throwing some elbows." On the other end of the spectrum, Rep. Don Bacon (R-Neb.) expressed concern during the hearing that if the director position did have authority over offensive and intelligence aspects of U.S. cyber policy, it might muddy up current the chain of command to authorize offensive operations between U.S. Cyber Command, the Secretary of Defense and the President. King said such concerns are why the legislation makes clear that the position was designed for planning and coordination. "We want this person to be accountable for the coordination, but [they] would not have an operational role," King said. One area where commissioners and lawmakers said they want to see the U.S. and allies get more aggressive is attributing major cyberattacks back to specific groups and their patron countries. One recommendation from the report is strengthening the Cyber Threat Intelligence Integration Center within the Office of the Director of National Intelligence to provide "analysis and coordination necessary for rapid and accurate attribution." The Department of Justice and Special Counsel Robert Mueller's investigation have issued indictments containing detailed accusations and evidence linking a series of intrusions and influence campaigns during the 2016 election to the Russian government, while the White House and other U.S. agencies have worked to publicize evidence linking China, Iran and North Korea to other high profile attacks. Earlier this month, the U.K.'s National Cyber Security Centre attributed a widespread espionage campaign targeting Western research organizations that are working on a COVID-19 vaccine to a hacking group with ties to Russian intelligence. Those findings, endorsed by agencies in the U.S. and Canada, also wound up linking a number of malware tools used by the group. The same day of the hearing, the European Union imposed economic and travel sanctions on six individuals and three organizations from China, Russia and North Korea for carrying out the WannaCry, NotPetya and CloudHopper cyber campaigns. Many of the individuals and entities had previously been identified by U.S. and Western governments, causing Langevin to question whether more could be done to "shorten the timeline between incident and response" when it comes to attribution. "The WannaCry and NotPetya malware, for instance, were both released in the first half of 2017, and we have known the culprits were the North Koreans and the Russians, respectively, for almost as long," said Langevin in a separate statement sent to FCW before the hearing. "Like-minded nations that believe that cyberspace is not the 'Wild West' must work together to take swift and decisive action in the face of continued belligerence from countries seeking to benefit from 'gray zone' conflict in cyberspace. I urge the Council to publicly commit to working to reduce the time between incident and response." This article first appeared on FCW, a Defense Systems partner site. Gov. Greg Abbott asserted Tuesday that the state is ensuring the highest level of accuracy in its county-by-county totals of COVID-19 deaths, but officials from San Antonio to the Rio Grande Valley expressed doubt about the veracity of those numbers. In Hidalgo County, where the disease is so widespread that an overflow hospital opened at a convention center on Tuesday, the state is undercounting coronavirus deaths by 244, Hidalgo County Judge Richard Cortez said. Cortez said 727 people had died of COVID-19 in Hidalgo since the start of the pandemic. The states official count was much lower: 483. The states numbers are widely reported nationally by news outlets and research institutions that collect and analyze state-by-state reports, including the influential Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Center. The data help to shape public impressions of the crisis and of where outbreaks are most severe. Anything anybody reports, we want it to be accurate, Cortez said in an interview. So to the extent that people are receiving inaccurate information, then its not good for the public. In Bexar County, the situation is the opposite of Hidalgos: The state is reporting nearly twice as many COVID-19 deaths as the San Antonio Metropolitan Health District, a disparity that muddies a fundamental measure of the crisis severity. As of Tuesday evening, Metro Health listed 380 total deaths for Bexar County. The state reported 646. Thats a difference of 266. Its a major disconnect, said state Rep. Ina Minjarez, D-San Antonio. Right now, whats so important is we are relying on data, and its important to have accurate data. Its a huge discrepancy, which shows theres miscommunication between the state and our local authorities. We need to have data so we can research and right this pandemic in the future. According to Metro Health officials, the state is overstating COVID-19 deaths here in part for the same reason its understating them in Hidalgo County: When a person who lived in another county dies in a hospital in San Antonio, the state incorrectly adds the death to its total for Bexar County, local officials say. They say the death should be assigned to the persons county of residence. The Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) said in a news release that it records coronavirus deaths based on where the person lived. But Metro Health officials disputed that. They said that in many cases, those with an address in Bexar County actually lived elsewhere when they died in a hospital here, and the state failed to verify their current addresses. About 25 percent of people treated in San Antonio hospitals live outside Bexar County, including in the Rio Grande Valley, Bexar County Judge Nelson Wolff said. Adding those deaths to Bexars total could overstate the severity of the pandemic here while suppressing the count in areas where those patients lived and likely were infected. I dont understand why there wasnt better coordination by the state and localities with respect to that, Wolff said. Its not just us, its other areas too. It seems like theyre on different pages. Local officials say thats not the only flaw in the states method. DSHS also has added people to Bexar Countys death toll who werent tested for COVID-19 but whose death certificates nonetheless listed it as a cause of death. Dr. Sandra Guerra, assistant director of Metro Health, said she would not try to second-guess all those clinicians who listed COVID-19 as a cause of death in the absence of a positive test result. But Metro Health relies on test results to verify the cause of death. Metro Health even conducts post-mortem COVID-19 tests on people who the health agency suspects died of the disease but who never received a test. Our diagnosis is based on the complete clinical picture, Guerra said. The discrepancy between the state and local tallies surfaced last week, when DSHS announced that it was improving the reporting of fatalities due to COVID-19. Previously, the department counted deaths as local and regional health departments reported them to the state after verifying the cause of death. Now, DSHS identifies COVID-19 fatalities based on the cause of death listed on death certificates issued by funeral homes or hospitals. The change took effect Monday, July 27. This method allows fatalities to be counted faster with more comprehensive demographic data, the state agency said in a news release. Using death certificates also ensures consistent reporting across the state and enables DSHS to display fatalities by date of death, providing the public with more information about when deaths occurred. Its a faster process because the state receives mortality data from funeral homes and hospitals before Metro Health does. But local health officials say its less accurate because the state does not wait for them to verify that the deaths are in fact COVID-related. When residents die in San Antonio, funeral homes and hospitals send death certificates to the state, which registers the deaths and sends the information to the city clerks office. Once a week, the city clerk sends a batch of records to Metro Health, which separates apparent COVID-19 deaths and investigates them verifying the persons residence and confirming that they tested positive for the disease. Metro Health takes two to three days to confirm a diagnosis of COVID-19 before adding the death to its total, resulting in an overall lag of about 10 days. Some of the discrepancy between the local and state death count comes down to this delay. But a significant number of COVID-19 deaths recorded by the state at least 55 in Bexar County are disputed by Metro Health. For those deaths, local officials say either that there isnt sufficient evidence the coronavirus was the cause or that the people did not actually live here. The state has asked Metro Health and other jurisdictions across Texas to report any discrepancies in COVID-19 deaths. But the state can update its figures only after death certificates are corrected typically, a long process. (The San Antonio Express-News, which publishes COVID-19 statistics for the U.S., Texas and Bexar County every day, will continue to use Metro Healths death total, with a notation that the states count is higher.) At a news conference Tuesday in San Antonio to discuss plans for a safe reopening of schools, Abbott said the states COVID-19 tally was accurate. One reason why theres a difference of numbers on deaths is because what the state has decided to do to ensure the highest level of accuracy for deaths is to use death certificates and then base it on whether COVID-19 was listed as the cause of death, he said. Abbott said that by law DSHS is responsible for reporting information on coronavirus deaths up the food chain to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. And so DSHS sets the standards for how information is to be gathered and reported, trying to achieve the highest level of accuracy, the governor said. Minjarez, who attended the news conference with Abbott, was not appeased. To me, he didnt offer resolution here, she said. Metro Health is going back and really weeding out those numbers. To me, Metro Health is more accurate. The local authorities are doing the more accurate investigation, and theyre pinpointing the discrepancies. The state should have an obligation to acknowledge the discrepancies and fix the discrepancies. Wolff and Mayor Ron Nirenberg say Metro Healths more deliberate method of tallying deaths is more accurate. Meanwhile, state Rep. Diego Bernal, D-San Antonio, raised the possibility that the state was intentionally misrepresenting the death tolls. He called the epidemic in the Valley an absolute red flag crisis. We all know that the governor took a deserved black eye on the mishandling of the reopening, and it sounds like theyre trying to avoid another, Bernal said. And you know who pays the price for that sleight-of-hand? The people in the Valley. Security forces fired teargas at Revolution Now protesters in Lagos on Wednesday morning. The protesters called by Omoyele Sowor... Security forces fired teargas at Revolution Now protesters in Lagos on Wednesday morning. The protesters called by Omoyele Sowore, Sahara Reporters publisher, gathered at Ikeja Under Bridge holding a peaceful protest. Armed policemen then came in to disrupt the protest, firing teargas at them. A former Atlanta police officer charged in the fatal shooting of Rayshard Brooks is suing to get his job back, saying that his firing violated his constitutional rights. Garrett Rolfe filed the suit Tuesday in Fulton County Superior Court against Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms and interim police Chief Rodney Bryant. Rolfe, along with Officer Devin Brosnan, was arrested in June after he shot and killed Brooks, a 27-year-old Black man, in the parking lot of a Wendy's. Rolfe was charged with 11 counts including felony murder, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, criminal damage to property and violation of oath. He was fired by the Atlanta Police Department a day after the June 12 shooting. His lawsuit, obtained by NBC News, says that Rolfe's use of force during the shooting "was proper and in compliance with Georgia law" and the police department's policies. Image: Garrett Rolfe (Atlanta Police Dept / via AFP - Getty Images) It says he was fired "without an investigation, without proper notice, without a pre-disciplinary hearing, and in direct violation of the municipal code of the city of Atlanta." The petition also points out that Brosnan was not fired by the department and was instead placed on administrative leave, even though he was charged with one count of aggravated assault and two counts of violation of oath. "Many other city of Atlanta police officers who have been charged with crimes, including felonies, have remained employed during the investigation and pendency of their criminal charges," the petition states. Rolfe, who was hired by the department in September 2014, is seeking to be reinstated with back pay and benefits. His attorneys said in a joint statement Wednesday that Rolfe is "entitled to due process, equal protection of the law, and the benefit of the city ordinances that protect every city employee." A spokesperson for the Mayor's Office said that "the City has not been served with a lawsuit at this time." The police department said it "does not comment on pending litigation." Story continues Rolfe and Brosnan were responding to a call at the Wendy's about a man asleep behind the wheel in the restaurant's drive-thru when they encountered Brooks. Dash and body camera video shows that Brooks appeared cooperative as the officers questioned him for more than 25 minutes. After Brooks allegedly failed a field sobriety test, he struggled with the officers as they tried to arrest him, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation has said. The bureau is investigating the shooting. During the struggle, Brooks grabbed one of the officer's stun guns and was running away with it. While running, he appeared to turn around and point the weapon at police before he was shot twice in the back, according to officials. The Fulton County Medical Examiner's Office ruled the death a homicide. Fulton County District Attorney Paul Howard said at a news conference in June that Brooks "never presented himself as a threat" and appeared "almost jovial." He said Brooks followed every instruction from the officers and was never informed that he was under arrest for driving under the influence. After he was shot, more than two minutes passed when medical aid was not provided, Howard said. During that time, according to the district attorney, Rolfe kicked Brooks' body and Brosnan stood on Brooks' shoulders. Supermarkets are concerned the new rules coming into effect at the end of the week dictating that warehouses, distribution centres, and food processors must operate at two-thirds capacity could seriously damage the flow of stock into stores and place pressure on their already-strained supply chains to the point where they would not be able to keep up with shopper demand. "There is a significant risk of food shortages in Victoria that will not be able to recover," they said. "Contingency plans are already in play due to COVID, there are no extra resources to call on here to make up the shortfall." While this would immediately affect Victorian supply, impacts could also be felt in other states which source goods from food manufacturers and distributors operating within Victoria. Shortages could begin to emerge within a week, they said, if the planned restrictions were not changed. The industry is calling on the government to change the rules swiftly, with warnings that even a retrospective change later into stage four lockdown would be too late to ease the pressure on supply lines. Council of Small Business of Australia chief Peter Strong said he was getting calls from members who could not tell if they should open or close because the rules were not clear. Loading "Youve got to have a hotline for small business so they can ring up and get clarification," he said. "We need a definite answer not just 'you read the guidelines and make up your own mind'. My members are not sure and they dont want to be fined." Australian Industry Group chief Innes Willox said the shutdowns had been "sprung" on business on the weekend and this the changes failed to take into account the complexities of the way business works. "This is very confusing for business and theres the prospect of them having to answer to police about why theyre open," he told Sky News. In a warning over the Victorian economy, ratings agency S&P said there were "negative implications" for the state's AAA long-term credit rating, signalling a formal downgrade could come in the months ahead. Businesses are subject to fines of up to $19,826 for individuals and $99,132 for companies that issue worker permits to staff who do not meet requirements or break the rules. The government said on Wednesday there would also be on-the-spot fines of up to $1,652 for individuals and up to $9,913 for businesses for anyone who breaches the scheme, such as workers who do not carry their worker permit when travelling to and from work. "Small business owners are genuinely frightened of receiving a massive fine for breaching the rules, but the information is confusing and has been changing sometimes on an hourly basis," said Franchise Council of Australia chief executive Mary Aldred. Police patrolling an underground car park in Melbourne's CBD. Credit:Simon Schluter "On Sunday the government announced the 8pm curfew, and since then has left food businesses hanging for three days on what time they can continue to operate and whether they can be providing food to people like front-line nurses returning home from a shift." Loading A spokesman for Mr Pallas said the government had held 17 roundtables with industry sector leaders, with another 10 booked for this week. "We know that were asking Victorian businesses to make big sacrifices over the coming weeks as we take the necessary steps to drive the spread of this deadly disease down," the spokesman said. "Every step of the way, were working with Victorian businesses of all shapes and sizes on how we do this as safely and effectively as possible." The BCA emailed members on Wednesday telling them they would need to sign worker permits issued by the state for all staff attending Melbourne work sites. But industry bodies were swamped with complaints that the state government's Business Victoria website was down on Wednesday morning when thousands of employers tried to download the permits. One business industry source told The Age and The Sydney Morning Herald that Victoria Police had visited a popular fast food chain on Monday night to query why it remained open past the 8pm curfew. The national chain believes it should be able to remain open under the rule announced by Mr Andrews and to feed frontline workers, such as nurses, however it has not been able to gain any confirmation of its trading hours. One business owner reported spending almost four hours on hold to the Business Victoria helpline to query the restriction around their ability to remain open. Property maintenance companies have also complained of "grey areas" in the restrictions for tradesmen who are in the middle of home renovations that do not meet the "emergency" criteria. Loading Business owners' completion of the projects remain essential to enable the property owner or tenant to have a functioning kitchen and bathroom especially given the lock down. Dog washing services have been told they cannot continue under the restrictions but believe they should be able to service elderly and disabled clients on the grounds of animal welfare. Under restrictions on home services, cleaning and lawn mowing businesses have been banned from operating in residential homes. Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves (R) on Tuesday ordered a statewide mask mandate, requiring all residents to don a face covering while shopping or attending a public gathering during the next two weeks. Mississippi is seeing a surge in new coronavirus cases and deaths, with more than 1 in 5 COVID-19 tests conducted in the state coming back positive, the Clarion Ledger reports. Previously, Reeves issued three separate executive orders requiring mask mandates in 37 of the state's 82 counties, but balked at issuing a statewide order because he said it was too hard to enforce and he trusted Mississippians to wear face coverings on their own. On Tuesday, Reeves said he ordered the statewide mandate "because I believe that a large number of Mississippians are actually participating in slowing down the spread of the virus. They are doing exactly what they've asked them to do, and I'm proud of that." Earlier in the day, Dr. Thomas Dobbs, Mississippi's top health officer, announced a statewide order that anyone who has been infected with COVID-19 and is not hospitalized must stay in self-isolation for 14 days from the onset of their illness. Failure to comply with this order could result in a misdemeanor fine of $500 and/or up to six months in jail. More stories from theweek.com Republicans offer $400/week unemployment benefits, but stimulus bill talks remain divided New Lincoln Project ad crowns Jared Kushner 'Secretary of Failure' Pence calls Chief Justice John Roberts 'a disappointment to conservatives' TOWIE's Amy Childs showcased her chic sense of style in a taupe jumpsuit as she arrived for another day of filming with her co-stars on Wednesday. The reality star, 30, opted for the simple ensemble as she arrived to film Gatsby's welcome home party following his trip to Los Angeles. Also joining Amy was the glamorous Chloe Sims, 37, who opted for a retro-inspired look by sported a frilled off-the-shoulder top with boyfriend jeans and tinted sunglasses. Essex glam: TOWIE's Amy Childs, 30, showcased her chic sense of style in a taupe jumpsuit as she arrived for another day of filming with Chloe Sims, 37, on Wednesday Amy proved she could still outdo her co-stars in the fashion stakes despite a nine-year absence from the show, as she arrived in a classy boiler suit with strappy heels. Pulling her highlighted tresses into a simple topknot, the mother-of-two finished her look with a nude clutch bag and tinted sunglasses. Amy previously returned to TOWIE for the special 200th episode in 2016 but hasn't been a regular on the show since for nine years. Gorgeous: Amy highlighted her curves in a classy taupe boiler suit as she headed to filming for Gatsby's welcome home bash following his trip to Los Angeles Lovely: The mother-of-two accessorised the neutral look with muted thin-strapped heels, and her highlighted hair swept into a high bun Sensational: Amy arrived at the UK-themed party with her co-stars to celebrate Gatsby's return following a trip to Los Angeles Exciting: Amy has returned to TOWIE following a nine-year absence to celebrate the show's 10th Anniversary in October However she appears to be excited about her return and in a promo video for the special, some of her best lines are revisited including her talking about a vajazzle is. Amy left TOWIE in 2011 after reportedly being offered 200,000 to appear on the relaunched Celebrity Big Brother. Elsewhere Chloe took inspiration from the 1970s with a funky look as she headed to filming. Statement: Chloe opted for a 70s-inspired look as she arrived for filming in an off-the-shoulder peach top and flared jeans Flawless: The mother-of-one teamed the look with chunky peep-toe heels and tinted sunglasses which added to the retro feel of the look Gorgeous: Her long blonde tresses were styled into a curled ponytail as she strutted into the party to celebrate Gatsby's return to the UK Pals: Inside the party Chloe was seen rubbing shoulders with Frankie Sims as they prepared to surprise Gatsby with the party Glam girl: Chloe showcased her trim physique in the stylish ensemble as she arrived for another day of filming Safe: She ensured she had a protective face mask on hand along with her bedazzled clutch as she headed to filming The Essex veteran sported a peach off-the-shoulder top with light wash boyfriend jeans and chunky heels. Chloe swept her brunette tresses into a sleek side ponytail and opted for a bedazzled clutch bag as she arrived with her mask in hand to film the festivities. Frankie Sims channelled boho chic as she opted for a busty pink maxi dress to film alongside her co-stars. Lovely: Frankie Sims channelled boho chic as she opted for a busty pink maxi dress to film alongside her co-stars Flawless: The tanned beauty accessorised with white heels and a matching clutch bag Party time: The cast headed outside the film the party after production for the show was able to resume with strict social distancing rules in place Best friends: Frankie was seen chatting to Chloe as they waited to surprise Gatsby after he finally returned home from LA The tanned beauty accessorised with white heels and a matching clutch bag as she showcased the flowing pink dress with a delicate print. Georgia Kousoulou put on a very leggy display in a pair of tiny denim hotpants with ripped, frayed hems. She teased a glimpse of her toned torso in a plunging floral crop top with flattering wrap detailing, and kept her footwear low-key with a pair of Nike tube socks and boxfresh white trainers. Wow! Georgia Kousoulou looked radiant as she joined her TOWIE co-stars to film the welcome home party They're high! The star put on a very leggy display in a pair of tiny denim hotpants with ripped, frayed hems Looking good: She teased a glimpse of her toned torso in a plunging floral crop top with flattering wrap detailing, and finished the look with Nike boxfresh trainers Cautious: Along with many of her co-stars Georgia was seen checking in with a safety official as the show ensured they adhered to social distancing guidelines She joined her TOWIE co-stars to throw Gatsby a quintessential British welcome home party after he was left stranded in Los Angeles. Gatsby's mother moved out to LA in 2017 and he went to visit her over the Christmas period but was left stranded due to the COVID-19 crisis. Explaining his 'crazy' seven months, he wrote on Instagram: 'After 7 crazy months I'm FINALLY home. So Happy! Fun in the sun: Chloe Brockett (left) showcased her amazing curves in a cropped floral blouse and ripped jeans, while Ella Rae Wise sported a flowing floral mini dress Safe and sound: The cast ensured they kept apart during the filming, ensuring they adhered to social distancing Lovely: The stars came together to throw Gatsby a quintessential British welcome home party after he was left stranded in Los Angeles Chaos! Gatsby's mother moved out to LA in 2017 and he went to visit her over the Christmas period but was left stranded due to the COVID-19 crisis He's back! Gatsby was certainly thrilled to be back in the UK after being stuck in the States for months during the COVID-19 pandemic '2020 has definitely been one for the history books especially in LA with the longer Lockdown, the incredible protests, the curfews, the earthquakes, the bush fires and now one step away from going back into Lockdown in LA just a few days ago. 'Now one last hurdle - 14 day Quarantine then the fun begins - FREEEEEEEDDDDOOMMM!! P.s. I've completed Netflix so if anyone has got any other ideas for my 14 day quarantine I beg u let me know.' He also added: 'Was only meant to be here for Christmas, can't wait to see everyone.' What is he doing? Getting into the British theme Tom McDonnell dressed up as one of the iconic 'Beefeaters' for the celebration TOWIE halted filming in March and joined a long list of shows which have been affected by the coronavirus pandemic. Show bosses were hoping to continue with filming the new series which was due to begin production later that month. However, according to The Sun, ITV decided to delay production on the reality show due to COVID-19, with the hope filming could resume later this year. Jovial: Dan Edgar was in high spirits as he enjoyed some of the food on offer during the party Classic: The treats were all inspired by the party's British theme Funny: Harry Lee also got involved as he dressed up as a beefeater to celebrate Gatsby's return home Paused: TOWIE halted filming in March and joined a long list of shows which have been affected by the coronavirus pandemic Back to work: Show bosses were hoping to continue with filming the new series which was due to begin production later that month A source told the publication: 'There have been lengthy discussions with the cast, and it just wouldnt have worked without a busy social scene and going to clubs and their shops. 'So bosses have decided to wait until later in the year when the crisis has calmed down a bit. Its not worth the risk. 'TOWIE relies on signature set pieces and glossy events, set in glamorous locations around Essex and involves a big cast of regulars and extras. 'It's also all about friendships and relationships, so the social lives of our cast members are at the heart of the show.' Delayed: A source said: 'Bosses have decided to wait until later in the year when the crisis has calmed down a bit. Its not worth the risk' Surprise! Gatsby's co-stars were ready with confetti in hand as they welcomed him to the party in his honour Exciting: The next time the series is back on the small screen will be for the tenth anniversary this autumn An ITV spokesperson said: 'After much consideration, it has been decided that the upcoming series of The Only Way Is Essex will be postponed until later in the year.' The next time the series is back on the small screen will be for the tenth anniversary this autumn, which will feature original castmembers Amy and Mark Wright. The show's first episode officially aired on 10 October 2010. The Only Way Is Essex is set to celebrate a decade on screens with a brand new series exclusive to the ITV Hub, The TOWIE Years. Coming soon: The Only Way Is Essex is set to celebrate a decade on screens with a brand new series exclusive to the ITV Hub, The TOWIE Years Chronicling 10 years of high drama, head turning glamour, rocky relationships, and the most outlandish characters that Essex has to offer, The TOWIE Years will relive the most unforgettable moments throughout the show that redefined reality TV. Each episode of the 10-part series will look back on a year in the shows history, starting with 2010, the year the show first burst onto screens, as viewers revelled in the highs and lows of Mark Wright and Lauren Goodger's tempestuous relationship. Taking viewers from the beginning right through to the present day, the series will remember the golden couples, the epic fall outs, the holiday high jinks, and the many turns of phrase and wardrobe choices that have become synonymous with the BAFTA award winning show. Photo: (Photo : Facebook/Leland Michael) A math teacher and a dad shared his trick to get his son to wear a face mask. Leland Schipper posted on his Facebook what he did, and the post had gone viral. He advises parents to involve gadgets so kids would better comply with wearing cloth coverings. Use gadgets only when wearing a face mask. He tells parents to try the rule that worked well with his son. He said that for the last few weeks before schooling starts, let your kids use their gadgets only if they wear a face mask. He said that either the children would acclimate quickly or you get them to stop using their gadgets for the last few weeks of summer. See also: Face mask hoax: Teach children how to spot fake news Schipper knows that when his five-year-old son, Auden, starts kindergarten, he will be required to wear a face mask. The 30-year-old dad told TODAY that he and his wife talked about how difficult it is for teachers to enforce the rule to young students, but they knew how essential it is. As a teacher, he realized that he needed to prepare his son for it. For parents worried their kids wont be able to wear masks for long periods of time this Fall, try this rule for your... Posted by Leland Michael on Friday, July 31, 2020 People found the hack useful too. Leland's tablet hack, which has been helping Auden, has already gained over 122,000 shares since he posted it on July 31. One person commented that he has been doing it with his kid, and it has motivated his child. Another one said he started the hack, and the result is a more comfortable way of wearing a face mask. He also said there is no decrease in his kid's desire to use gadgets. See also: Use of Face Mask Significantly Dropped Coronavirus Cases [Study Proves] Ineffective in some ways However, one should note that the hack is not foolproof. One person commented that while it is suitable for bribing at home, in reality, it might have a different outcome. He explained that when children play in groups, all it takes is one kid to remove his mask for others to follow. Children two years and up should wear face masks. Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says children above two years of age must wear face masks while in public. A pediatric hospitalist at Nationwide Children's Hospital in Columbus, Ohio, Dr. Jamie Macklin told TODAY Parents that children below two years old should not wear face masks. She explained that it is to prevent the risk of suffocation because they have smaller airways. She also said that babies and young toddlers could have a hard time breathing through a mask. See also: Coronavirus: Why babies shouldn't wear face masks and how to protect them? Practicing wearing face masks at home could help children get used to wearing them in public. This way, do parents help teachers, but they are also helping everyone to be safe from the coronavirus. Fewer people contracting the disease could help the whole world get rid of the deadly virus faster. It may mean that we could go back to our normal lives more quickly too. DUBLIN, Aug. 5, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Warehouse Management System Market with COVID-19 Impact Analysis by Offering (Software, Services), Deployment (On-Premise, On-Cloud), Tier Type (Advanced, Intermediate, Basic), Industry (3PL, Automotive, E-Commerce), and Region - Global Forecast to 2025" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. The global WMS market was valued at USD 2.3 billion in 2019 and is expected to reach USD 5.1 billion by 2025, at a CAGR of 16.0% from 2020 to 2025. The WMS market projected to grow at a significant rate from 2020 to 2025. A WMS is a software application that helps manage operations in warehouses in the most efficient and productive manner. Functions of these systems include inventory control, labor management, yard management, and dock management, among others. COVID-19 has emerged as a global pandemic that has spread across 215 countries worldwide and disrupted various industries around the world. The prominent players across industries have been affected by this pandemic. The foreseeable decline in the growth of end-user industries may have a considerable direct impact on the warehouse management system market. The WMS market for services expected to grow at the highest CAGR during the forecast period. The WMS market for services is expected to grow at the highest rate during the forecast period. Need for increased efficiency, constant upgrades to ensure data security, and improved operations of WMS software are the major factors boosting the demand for WMS services. Governments around the world have been encouraging the use of WMS in warehouses to improve the autonomy of processing. The rising use of WMS software is leading to an increasing need for services to ensure its smooth functioning. The 3PL industry projected to account for the largest share of the WMS market during the forecast period. The 3PL industry is one of the major industries driving the growth of the WMS market. Factors such as the growing need for efficient order management increased outsourcing of logistics and transportation operations, and globalization of supply chain networks has fueled the adoption of warehouse management systems in the 3PL industry. Due to the outbreak of COVID-19, a complete 360 transformation in business operations and logistic processes can be observed. Processes have become more dynamic than before, while companies are focusing on the fulfillment of critical tasks. Many companies have stopped using various automobile services for logistical operations, for the simple reason of cost-cutting. This has given a tremendous boost to 3PL services. As companies continue to make use of 3PL services, their warehousing needs are increasing. This has bolstered the demand for WMS in the 3PL sector. APAC projected to grow at a higher CAGR during the forecast period. The WMS market in APAC is expected to grow at the highest rate during the forecast period. The rise in manufacturing and warehousing facilities in this region is facilitated by various initiatives taken by the government to ramp up indigenous production of goods. Also, the introduction of tax relaxations to set up warehouses in the region have improved the warehouse infrastructure in APAC, resulting in attractive market opportunities for warehouse management systems. Asia Pacific has suffered significantly due to the COVID-19 pandemic as it has some of the world's biggest developing economies. Industrial production of many devices was suspended because of logistics slowdown and the unavailability of the workforce. This has resulted in complete closedown of some of the warehouses in the region due to decreased demand and scarce availability of workforce, impacting the WMS market. Key Topics Covered: 1 Introduction 2 Research Methodology 3 Executive Summary 3.1 Realistic Scenario 3.2 Pessimistic Scenario 3.3 Optimistic Scenario 4 Premium Insights 4.1 Warehouse Management System Market, 2020-2025 (USD Billion) 4.2 Warehouse Management System Market, by Offering 4.3 Warehouse Management System Market, by Deployment 4.4 Warehouse Management System Market, by Tier Type 4.5 Warehouse Management System Market, by Industry 4.6 Warehouse Management System Market, by Geography 5 Market Overview 5.1 Introduction 5.2 Market Dynamics 5.2.1 Drivers 5.2.1.1 Increasing Growth in E-Commerce Industry Due to Onset of Covid-19 Pandemic 5.2.1.2 Emergence of Multichannel Distribution Networks 5.2.1.3 Globalization of Supply Chain Networks 5.2.1.4 Increasing Adoption of On-Cloud WMS Solutions 5.2.1.5 Need for Efficient Forecasting Models 5.2.2 Restraints 5.2.2.1 Lack of Workforce for Maintenance of WMS Due to Onset of Covid-19 5.2.2.2 High Implementation Cost of On-Premise WMS for SMEs 5.2.2.3 Data Privacy and Security Concerns 5.2.3 Opportunities 5.2.3.1 Digitization of Supply Chain Management 5.2.3.2 Rising Investment of Multinational Companies in Emerging Economies 5.2.4 Challenges 5.2.4.1 Lack of Awareness About Benefits of WMS Among Small-Scale Industries 5.2.4.2 Constant Need for Software Upgrades 5.3 Value Chain Analysis 5.4 Impact of Covid-19 on WMS Market 6 Hardware Components Integrated With Warehouse Management Systems 6.1 Introduction 6.2 Robot 6.2.1 Integration of Robot With WMS 6.3 Automated Storage and Retrieval System (ASRS) 6.3.1 Integration of ASRS With WMS 6.4 Conveyor and Sortation System 6.4.1 Integration of Conveyors and Sortation Systems With WMS 6.5 Crane 6.5.1 Integration of Cranes With WMS 6.6 Automated Guided Vehicle (Avg) 6.6.1 Integration of Avg With WMS 7 Warehouse Management System Market, by Offering 7.1 Introduction 7.2 Software 7.3 Services 7.3.1 Consulting and Installation 7.3.2 Testing 7.3.3 Maintenance 7.3.4 Training 7.3.5 Software Upgrades 8 Warehouse Management System Market, by Deployment 8.1 Introduction 8.2 On-Premise 8.2.1 On-Premise Deployment to Dominate Overall WMS Market from 2020 to 2025 8.3 On-Cloud 8.3.1 On-Cloud Deployment to Grow at Higher Rate During Forecast Period 8.4 On-Premise Vs. On-Cloud 9 Warehouse Management System Market, by Tier Type 9.1 Introduction 9.2 Advanced WMS (Tier 1) 9.2.1 Advanced WMS Are Preferred for Complex Operations 9.2.2 Functions of Advanced WMS (Tier 1) 9.2.2.1 Core Functions 9.2.2.2 Peripheral Functions 9.2.2.3 Supply Chain Functions 9.3 Intermediate WMS (Tier 2) 9.3.1 Intermediate WMS is Popular Among Applications Requiring Peripheral Functionality at Lower Cost 9.3.2 Functions of Intermediate WMS (Tier 2) 9.4 Basic WMS (Tier 3) 9.4.1 MSMEs USe Basic WMS as It Offers Sophisticated Inventory Management at Low Cost 9.4.2 Functions of Basic WMS (Tier 3) 10 Functions of Warehouse Management Systems 10.1 Introduction 10.2 Receiving and Putaway 10.3 Slotting 10.4 Inventory Control 10.5 Picking 10.6 Workforce and Task Management 10.7 Shipping 10.8 Yard and Dock Management 11 Warehouse Management System Market, by Industry 11.1 Introduction 11.2 Impact of Covid-19 on Industries 11.3 Third-Party Logistics (3Pl) 11.3.1 WMS Helps 3Pl Companies Reduce Operation Complexities 11.4 Automotive 11.4.1 WMS Plays Major Role in Automotive Industry for Efficient Inventory Management 11.5 Food & Beverages 11.5.1 Implementation of WMS in the Food & Beverages Industry for Package Tracking 11.6 Healthcare 11.6.1 Rising Trend of Automated Warehouses Boosting Adoption of WMS in the Healthcare Industry 11.7 E-Commerce 11.7.1 WMS Smoothens Warehousing Operations of E-Commerce Industry 11.8 Chemicals 11.8.1 Digitization in Chemicals Industry to Boost Adoption of WMS 11.9 Electrical & Electronics 11.9.1 WMS Smoothly Handles Supply Chain of Electrical & Electronics Industry 11.10 Metals and Machinery 11.10.1 USe of WMS in Metals & Machinery Industry Enables Efficient and Cost-Effective Operations 11.11 Others 11.11.1 Paper and Printing 11.11.2 Textile and Clothing 12 Geographic Analysis 12.1 Introduction 12.2 Impact of Covid-19 on Regions 12.3 North America 12.3.1 US 12.3.1.1 Rapidly Transforming Supply Chain to Facilitate Development of WMS Market 12.3.2 Canada 12.3.2.1 Booming E-Commerce Industry to Increase Demand for WMS in Canada 12.3.3 Mexico 12.3.3.1 Close Proximity to the US to Bolster Demand for WMS in Mexico By Deployment, 2016-2019 (USD Million) 12.4 Europe 12.4.1 Germany 12.4.1.1 Automotive Industry to Contribute Immensely in WMS Market of Germany 12.4.2 UK 12.4.2.1 Changing Consumer Buying Behavior to Boost Demand for WMS in UK 12.4.3 France 12.4.3.1 Logistics to Be Key Sector Driving Demand for WMS in France 12.4.4 Rest of Europe 12.4.4.1 Growing Infrastructure to Facilitate Demand for WMS 12.5 APAC 12.5.1 China 12.5.1.1 Retail Sales of Consumer Electronics Devices to Drive Demand for WMS 12.5.2 Japan 12.5.2.1 Growth in E-Commerce to Drive Demand for WMS in Japan 12.5.3 India 12.5.3.1 Development of Warehousing Capabilities to Boost Demand for WMS 12.5.4 Rest of APAC 12.5.4.1 Increasing Demand for Medical Supplies to Necessitate USe of WMS 12.6 Row 12.6.1 South America 12.6.1.1 Retail Industry to Drive Demand for WMS in South America 12.6.2 Middle East 12.6.2.1 Growing Warehousing Industry to Boost Demand for WMS in Middle East 12.6.3 Africa 12.6.3.1 Growing E-Commerce Market to Boost Demand for WMS for Superior Inventory Management 13 Competitive Landscape 13.1 Overview 13.2 Ranking of Players in Warehouse Management System Market 13.3 Competitive Leadership Mapping 13.3.1 Visionaries 13.3.2 Dynamic Differentiators 13.3.3 Innovators 13.3.4 Emerging Companies 13.4 Competitive Situations & Trends 13.4.1 Contracts and Partnerships 13.4.2 Product Launches 13.4.3 Acquisitions 13.4.4 Expansions 14 Company Profiles 14.1 Key Players 14.1.1 Manhattan Associates 14.1.2 Blue Yonder (Jda Software) 14.1.3 Highjump (Krber) 14.1.4 Oracle 14.1.5 Sap 14.1.6 IBM 14.1.7 Infor 14.1.8 Psi 14.1.9 Ptc 14.1.10 Tecsys 14.1.11 Blujay Solutions 14.1.12 Epicor Software 14.2 Right to Win 14.3 Other Key Players 14.3.1 3Pl Central 14.3.2 Cantaloupe Systems 14.3.3 Datapel 14.3.4 Dematic 14.3.5 Generix Group 14.3.6 Mantis 14.3.7 Made4Net 14.3.8 Microlistics 14.3.9 Nulogy 14.3.10 Reply 14.3.11 Softeon 14.3.12 Synergy Logistics 14.3.13 Vinculum Solutions 15 Adjacent and Related Market 15.1 Introduction 15.2 Limitations 15.3 Automated Material Handling (Amh) Equipment Market 15.3.1 Market Definition 15.3.2 Market Overview 15.4 Automated Material Handling (Amh) Equipment Market, by Industry 15.4.1 Automotive 15.4.2 Metals & Heavy Machinery 15.4.3 Food & Beverages 15.4.4 Chemicals 15.4.5 Semiconductor & Electronics 15.4.6 Healthcare 15.4.7 Aviation 15.4.8 E-Commerce 15.4.9 Others 15.5 Automated Material Handling (Amh) Equipment Market, by Region 15.5.1 North America 2015-2024 (USD Million) 15.5.2 Europe 15.5.3 APAC 15.5.4 Row 16 Appendix 16.1 Insights of Industry Experts 16.2 Discussion Guide For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/ujt4gb 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 Contributed Photo / Connecticut State Police NAUGATUCK Police have identified Raymond Schultz as the man killed by a falling tree in town during the height of the storm Tuesday afternoon. The Naugatuck Police Department mourns the loss of Schultz with the community and extends our deepest condolences to the family of the deceased, police said. Armenian deputy PM Tigran Avinyan told a briefing on Wednesday that a state of emergency will be extended for a month. According to him, restrictions on the entry of foreign citizens into the country, the export of products, as well as on holding public events and meetings may be revised. Avinyan added that all final decisions will be made in the future, however, this will most likely be the last extension of the state of emergency in Armenia. The deputy governor of Kwara State, Kayode Alabi and his wife, Abieyuwa, have contracted coronavirus. Mr Alabi is also the Chairman of the Kwara State Technical Committee on Coronavirus. According to the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Rafiu Ajakaye, the couple underwent COVID-19 test after they showed slight symptoms of the virus. "The results of their test are positive. The second couple are very stable and in high spirit, and are now undergoing standard management protocols supervised by the government's medical team." "Immediate contact tracing and tests, among other safety protocols, are being done for persons who have met with the couple in the past few days." The couple joins the long list of government officials who have contracted the disease in Nigeria. Recall that the Chief of Staff to the Kwara State governor, Aminu Adisa, died of COVID-19 last month. Over 40,000 infections have been reported in the country so far. Rating Action: Moody's takes rating actions in three Spanish RMBS transactions Global Credit Research - 04 Aug 2020 Milan, August 04, 2020 -- Moody's Investors Service ("Moody's") has today downgraded the ratings of two junior notes, affirmed the rating of six notes and confirmed the rating of two notes in three Spanish RMBS transactions. Today's action concludes the placing under review of these notes due to the economic disruption caused by the coronavirus outbreak. Please click on this link https://www.moodys.com/viewresearchdoc.aspx?docid=PBS_ARFTL429463 for the List of Affected Credit Ratings. This list is an integral part of this Press Release and identifies each affected issuer. RATINGS RATIONALE Please click on this link https://www.moodys.com/viewresearchdoc.aspx?docid=PBS_ARFTL429463 for the List of Affected Credit Ratings. This list is an integral part of this Press Release and provides, for each of the credit ratings covered, Moody's disclosures on the following items: Lead Analyst Releasing Office Person Approving the Credit Rating The two downgrades reflect the increased likelihood of deteriorating performance of mortgage loans in Valencia Hipotecario 3, FTA and RURAL HIPOTECARIO XI Fondo de Titulizacion de Activos due to the economic disruption following the coronavirus outbreak, as well as the structural features in place in case of performance deterioration. Class C Notes is the most junior tranche in each of the two deals. Moody's has considered the structural features related to the priority of payments and reserve fund amortisation, especially the triggers in place if mortgages more than 90 days in arrears exceed certain percentages of the outstanding portfolio amount. Especially, amortisation of Class C Notes will stop if mortgages more than 90 days in arrears exceed 1% of the outstanding portfolio amount in any of these two deals. The latest observation is 0.79% for RURAL HIPOTECARIO XI Fondo de Titulizacion de Activos and 0.65% in Valencia Hipotecario 3, FTA. Story continues Moody's confirmed the ratings of Classes C and D Notes in IM CAJAMAR 4, Fondo de Titulizacion de Activos that had sufficient credit enhancement (CE) to maintain the current rating on the affected notes at 4.2% and 2.5% respectively. Moody's also affirmed the remaining six ratings in the three transactions for those senior and mezzanine notes that had CE to maintain the current ratings. Moody's has maintained unchanged the expected loss assumption at 2.90% and 2.95% of original balance for IM CAJAMAR 4, Fondo de Titulizacion de Activos and RURAL HIPOTECARIO XI Fondo de Titulizacion de Activos respectively, however it represents an increase in expected loss over current portfolio balance. In Valencia Hipotecario 3, FTA, Moody's has increased the expected loss assumption to 2.57% from 2.53% of original balance as a result of recently observed deterioration in collateral performance. Moody's has maintained the MILAN CE assumptions unchanged for the three transactions. 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 the Spanish 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 a rating for an RMBS security 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: (1) performance of the underlying collateral that is better than Moody's expected; (2) an increase in available credit enhancement; (3) improvements in the credit quality of the transaction counterparties; and (4) a decrease in sovereign risk. Factors or circumstances that could lead to a downgrade of the ratings include: (1) an increase in sovereign risk; (2) performance of the underlying collateral that is worse than Moody's expected; (3) deterioration in the notes' available credit enhancement; and (4) deterioration in the credit quality of the transaction counterparties. REGULATORY DISCLOSURES The List of Affected Credit Ratings announced here are a mix of solicited and unsolicited credit ratings. Additionally, the List of Affected Credit Ratings includes additional disclosures that vary with regard to some of the ratings. Please click on this link https://www.moodys.com/viewresearchdoc.aspx?docid=PBS_ARFTL429463 for the List of Affected Credit Ratings. This list is an integral part of this Press Release and provides, for each of the credit ratings covered, Moody's disclosures on the following items: Rating Solicitation Issuer Participation Participation: Access to Management Participation: Access to Internal Documents Disclosure to Rated Entity Endorsement Lead Analyst Releasing Office Person Approving the Credit Rating 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. 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 below contact information is provided for information purposes only. Please see the ratings tab of the issuer page at www.moodys.com, for each of the ratings covered, Moody's disclosures on the lead rating analyst and the Moody's legal entity that has issued the ratings. The relevant office for each credit rating is identified in "Debt/deal box" on the Ratings tab in the Debt/Deal List section of each issuer/entity page of the website. 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. Giovanni Ferretti Associate Lead Analyst Structured Finance Group Moody's Italia S.r.l Corso di Porta Romana 68 Milan 20122 Italy JOURNALISTS: 44 20 7772 5456 Client Service: 44 20 7772 5454 Michelangelo Margaria Senior Vice President/Manager Structured Finance Group JOURNALISTS: 44 20 7772 5456 Client Service: 44 20 7772 5454 Antonio Tena Vice President - Senior Analyst Structured Finance Group JOURNALISTS: 44 20 7772 5456 Client Service: 44 20 7772 5454 Releasing Office: Moody's Italia S.r.l Corso di Porta Romana 68 Milan 20122 Italy 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"). All rights reserved. CREDIT RATINGS ISSUED BY MOODY'S INVESTORS SERVICE, INC. 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Brazil on Tuesday marked another grim milestone of the COVID-19 pandemic, registering more than 95,000 deaths from the disease after 1,154 patients died the previous day, Trend reports citing Xinhua. The total death toll reached 95,819, while the number of people infected rose to 2,801,921 after tests detected 51,603 new infections in the past 24 hours. Meanwhile, the country's Ministry of Health said that 1,970,767 people had recovered. The state of Sao Paulo, Brazil's most populous state, is the epicenter of the national outbreak, with 575,589 infections and 23,702 deaths, followed by Rio de Janeiro, with 168,911 infections and 13,715 deaths. The city of Sao Paulo reported the first case of infection in Latin America on Feb. 26, involving a Brazilian who had returned from vacationing in northern Italy. W&M leads collaboration on new virtual tool to support health and wellness Virtual tool: William & Mary led a collaboration with universities throughout Virginia to develop a virtual tool to support the health and wellness of students, faculty and staff this fall. The free and open-source tool complies with all legal and privacy requirements; it was designed for any and all universities in the Commonwealth easily to adapt to their systems. Photo by Adrienne Berard Photo - of - Hide Caption Daily Health Check will help users monitor their own health while accounting for actions that could contribute to the well-being of others William & Mary led a collaboration with universities throughout Virginia to develop a virtual tool to support the health and wellness of students, faculty and staff this fall. W&Ms tool, called the Daily Health Check, will be part of its Healthy Together module available via the universitys mobile application and website. The module includes several features to help users account for healthy habits and monitor their physical health during the COVID-19 pandemic. The free and open-source tool complies with all legal and privacy requirements; it was designed for any and all universities in the Commonwealth easily to adapt to their systems. A culture of compliance William & Mary will direct all students, faculty and staff, on and off campus, to take the Daily Health Checks four-question survey to monitor their own health and to account for actions that could contribute to the well-being of others, like wearing a mask, physical distancing, avoiding large crowds and washing hands frequently and thoroughly. Participation will be enforced for all members of the community. Students and employees will get a daily prompt, followed by a push reminder if they have not completed a daily check within 48 hours. If the check is not completed within 72 hours, additional measures will be taken to ensure compliance some of the individual's W&M IT services may be temporarily frozen until they confirm they have completed the necessary steps. We are creating a culture of compliance that requires community members to take an active role in their personal health and wellness, said Vice President for Student Affairs Ginger Ambler. We do that partly by setting clear expectations and also empowering people with the tools and information they need to be compliant. If you are going to be on our campus this fall, the Daily Health Check will become a part of your regular routine. We also cant underestimate the impact of being in a supportive campus environment for our students ability to thrive and flourish, she added. When they are in an environment where they see people around them doing the things that support our ability to persist, thats going to be reassuring and will support the mental health of our community. A suite of technological resources For users who may be showing symptoms of COVID-19 or who are not practicing healthy habits, the Daily Health Check will provide specialized guidance. The great thing about this tool is that we can easily pivot based on results, said W&M Chief Technology Officer Corinne Picataggi. If we want to increase the frequency of follow-up, we can do that. Protecting privacy is imperative at William & Mary, Picataggi said. She explained that the data is collected in a way that protects user privacy. The university is tracking whether an individual uses the app, but does not access the specific information they provide during their daily health checks. In addition to the survey, the Healthy Together module will feature links to essential resources in support of public health efforts, including: COVIDWISE A smart phone application developed by the Virginia Department of Health for COVID-19 exposure notification. A smart phone application developed by the Virginia Department of Health for COVID-19 exposure notification. Bite by Sodexo An app that will allow students to order food online for pickup at one of W&Ms dining halls. An app that will allow students to order food online for pickup at one of W&Ms dining halls. Space Finder A digital resource that will measure crowd density at the universitys public spaces, such as the dining halls and Swem Library. This will help students avoid crowded spaces. A digital resource that will measure crowd density at the universitys public spaces, such as the dining halls and Swem Library. This will help students avoid crowded spaces. Kallaco A mobile app from the national lab network that will allow users to track COVID-19 tests. These applications, along with an array of other resources, are intended to help members of the W&M community make healthy decisions to benefit not only themselves but also the greater university and local communities. To be successful this year, we must make a commitment to each other, Picataggi said. This tool reminds us to make sure were doing what were supposed to be doing to help the community stay well. A collaborative approach to innovative tools While the tool is intended for internal use, William & Mary helped other universities in the Commonwealth develop their own tools similar to the Daily Health Check. A team sponsored by the Virginia Council of Presidents, led by Picataggi, determined what was needed by higher education institutions and worked together to offer a solution. W&Ms COVID Technology and Process Team, also led by Picataggi, took the lead on how the tool will be packaged and distributed at William & Mary. Jason Pully, William & Marys executive director of systems design & architecture, was the tools technical developer. Dr. Amira Roess, professor of global health and epidemiology at George Mason University, took the content lead, drafting questions relevant to managing COVID-19 within the university atmosphere. W&M worked with the other universities in building a mechanism that each school could integrate into their own existing frameworks. Picataggi and her team provided instructions on how to tie the tool into mobile apps, pull data out of the collection platforms and allow for flexibility in customizing the tool to fit individual institutional policy decisions. William & Mary was deliberate in taking a modular approach in assembling the various technical components so institutions could use the pieces they need to fill gaps in their own workflows, Picataggi said. In addition to the tool, working together to understand how were all tackling the same problem allowed for various perspectives and ideas to be incorporated. For example, each school could choose the number of questions for its survey and craft the language of those questions. There are a lot of institutions in Virginia, both public and private, that dont have the resources to do this, Picataggi said. By taking a collaborative approach, the team essentially extended a hand; we delivered an open source solution that can be used by anyone. Donald Trump was roundly criticised yesterday for saying America's rising coronavirus death rate "is what it is", appearing to downplay the country's growing crisis. In a video interview, the US president was given the toughest grilling since the start of the Covid-19 outbreak and seemed to flounder when questioned on the rising number of deaths and hospitalisations. "They are dying, that's true. And it is what it is. But that doesn't mean we aren't doing everything we can. It's under control as much as you can control it. This is a horrible plague that beset us," he told Jonathan Swan from the news site Axios as he shuffled uncomfortably in his seat. When asked if he thought the pandemic was under control, the president said: "What's your definition of control? Under the circumstances, right now, I think it's under control." Mr Swan replied: "How? A thousand Americans are dying a day." Read More A hot-under-the-collar Mr Trump had printed out his own charts to demonstrate his point, which Mr Swan quickly dismissed. "The United States is lowest in numerous categories," he stammered. "We're lower than the world." More than 152,000 deaths and nearly 4.7 million cases have been reported in the US. Mr Trump claimed, as he had repeatedly done, that the US's high rate of testing was responsible for its high number of cases. When Mr Swan pointed to the number of US Covid-19 deaths as a population percentage to illustrate how bad the problem was, Mr Trump said: "You can't do that". On several occasions, Mr Swan appeared exasperated as he struggled to get Mr Trump to answer his questions. Journalists praised Mr Swan for his robust questioning, refusing to allow Mr Trump to change the topic when he became uncomfortable. "Swan practically pleaded with Trump to demonstrate a shred of basic humanity about the mounting toll under his presidency, and to display a glimmer of recognition of responsibility for it," wrote columnist Greg Sargent in the 'Washington Post'. "Again and again, Trump failed this most basic test." The president also appeared to shift the blame onto state governors. "We have done a great job," he said. "We've got the governors everything they needed. They didn't do their job." Democrats seized on Mr Trump's reaction to portray him as disinterested in the growing crisis. "Seeing how incredibly incapable this man is should terrify us all," tweeted congressman Bobby Rush. Ronald Klain, who served as the White House Ebola response coordinator during the Obama administration, noted that "1,000 people a day is more deaths than America suffered, on average" during the Second World War. During the interview, Mr Trump also dismissed the legacy of John Lewis who died on July 17, saying the civil rights icon made a "big mistake" not coming to his inauguration. Asked about Mr Lewis's legacy, Mr Trump replied: "Nobody has done more for Black Americans than I have." Over a political career that spanned more than five decades, Mr Lewis helped fight racial discrimination. The president again wished Ghislaine Maxwell, the British heiress in prison in New York on charges of sex trafficking of under-age girls, "well". He said: "Her boyfriend died in jail, and people are still trying to figure out how did it happen. Was it suicide? Was he killed? Let them prove somebody was guilty," he said. Shirley Ann Grau with her children in 1965, when she won the Pulitzer Prize (AP) Shirley Ann Grau, a Pulitzer Prize-winning author whose stories and novels told of both the dark secrets and beauty of the Deep South, has died at the age of 91. Her daughter Nora McAlister said on Wednesday that Grau died on Monday in a memory care facility of complications from a stroke. She said the family is not planning a funeral or memorial service for her. Grau won the 1965 Pulitzer Prize for her fourth book The Keepers Of The House. The book drew critical praise but also threatening phone calls for its depiction of a long romance between a wealthy white man and his black housekeeper in rural Alabama. Grau said Ku Klux Klansmen, angry over the book amid the heat of the civil rights movement, tried to burn a cross on her yard in Metairie, a New Orleans suburb. The only unfortunate thing about Graus stories is precisely that they are short - each is a glimpse of landscapes both interior and exterior that ends too soon. New York Times review Her six novels and four short story collections were all set in the Deep South, from New Orleans to north Louisiana and Alabama. Grau was born in New Orleans and grew up in Mobile, Alabama, the daughter of a physician. In a 2003 interview, she recalled that she was fascinated as a child with Greek and Latin, but also loved roaming the woods. Critics would later note in her fiction the meticulous descriptions of flowers, plants and trees. Video of the Day Grau attended a private high school in New Orleans, then Tulane Universitys Newcomb College. She said she pondered careers as a classics professor or lawyer, but found sexism too pervasive in academia and the law. She settled on writing instead, and her first book, The Black Prince And Other Stories, was published in 1954, when she was 26. Critics often pointed to the short stories for praise, and the author said she agreed with the assessment. The only unfortunate thing about Graus stories is precisely that they are short each is a glimpse of landscapes both interior and exterior that ends too soon, said a brief 2003 New York Times review of Collected Stories. Grau said she had little interest in what was written about her work and grew tired of both the label Southern woman writer and the frequent comparisons of her work to that of fellow Southerner Flannery OConnor. Many of Graus stories deal with sudden, unexplained events and their aftermath. The Hunter tells of what happens to a woman who miraculously survives a small plane crash. The Man Outdoors is about what happens to a family when the father moves out, then disappears completely, after having a vision that is never explained. Graus husband James Kern Feibleman, a businessman and chairman of Tulanes philosophy department, died in 1987 aged 83. Sergio Perez's trainer admits they are hoping the Mexican can return to the wheel of his Racing Point at Silverstone this weekend. Perez, who sat out last weekend's race following a positive corona test, told his social media followers on Tuesday that he is feeling "fine thank God". "I haven't had any symptoms," he added. "Yes, they've been long days. Looking forward to coming back very soon." Xavi Martos, who according to La Vanguardia newspaper is Perez's physio and advisor, admitted that the 30-year-old wants to race this weekend and has been training while in isolation. "He will have to be physically and mentally ready. We are following an action plan for the next race, if they allow him to race," he said. "If not, it will be Barcelona," Martos added. Perez was replaced by Nico Hulkenberg, and Racing Point said last weekend that it is "likely" the German will race again for the second part of the double header. "I think the final answer will come on Thursday," the German driver told RTL. "We have to be patient until then." If Hulkenberg cannot race again, he admitted he is now very keen to return to Formula 1 full-time. "I tasted blood at the weekend and I'm hot to get back in the car," he said. "But I'm a temporary guest - that's the situation. "I'll take it as it comes." (GMM) The IDA - the body charged with generating and keeping foreign investment in Ireland - has said it had no advance warning that Borg Warner was about to pull the plug on its Tralee plant with the loss of 210 jobs. As the devastating news of the plant's closure began to emerge last week it soon became apparent that Borg Warner's announcement had taken the IDA entirely by surprise. A request to the IDA from The Kerryman for comment on the situation received only the brief response that the closure was "a matter for Borg Warner". Speaking off the record, several local politicians and leading figures in Tralee's business community have expressed deep dissatisfaction at the IDA's response to their own urgent enquiries on the situation. It was several hours before any form of public response to the factory closure emanated from the IDA and, even then, it did not actually come from the agency itself. In a statement that Tuesday evening Tanaiste and Minister for Enterprise Leo Varadkar addressed the IDA's role. Mr Varadkar claimed that "The IDA did everything it could to sustain the firm's presence here (in Tralee) over recent years." In the very next sentence - and in a seemingly contradictory remark - Mr Varadkar said the IDA had been in the dark about Borg Warner's plans for Tralee. "The Government and the Agency were not, unfortunately, informed in advance that the company was considering closing its facility in Tralee," the Tanaiste said. In the days since the shock announcement both Mr Varadkar and Tralee based Education Minister Norma Foley have said the IDA will work with Borg Warner to "find alternative investment and employment for the plant." Minister Foley added she had spoken directly with IDA CEO Martin Shanahan - who hails from Abbeydorney - about the situation. For its own part the IDA has remained silent on what is the biggest single loss of jobs in Kerry in recent years. On its website and social media Mr Shanahan and his agency have promoted clients, events and job announcements in Dublin, Cork, Laois and Offaly. The Emmy nominations for the TV adaptation of 'Normal People' also warranted a congratulatory tweet from the IDA last Wednesday. The loss of 210 normal people's jobs at one of their clients' factories the day before is yet to be acknowledged. Lilongwe Lingadzi Police Station has arrested Chikumbutso Jimmy James, 29, for personating a Public Officer working under Kanengo Police Station in Lilongwe. Lingadzi Police Station Spokesperson, Salome Zgambo told Malawi News Agency (Mana) Tuesday in Lilongwe that Police received a tip-off from well wishers that the suspect kept on bringing different motor cycles and bicycles to his house at Senti location in the City. "Following that tip, the reporter led a team of detectives and managed to arrest the suspect,"she explained. Zgambo pointed out that in the course of investigations, the suspect was found with Police camouflaged uniform, a mountain bike and Plasma TV screen. "The uniform comprises of two pairs of trousers, a shirt, and a pair of boots, cane stick, and head dress," she said. The Spokesperson said upon interviewing the suspect, he failed to explain clearly where he got the uniform and the matter is still under investigation. James hails from Kaphale Village in the Area of Traditional Authority (TA) Tambala in Dedza. Disney+ Hostar 4K streaming is available on Togo only, as of writing this article. The movie is playing in 4K and HDR but not Dolby Vision. It has 5.1 surround sound and not Dolby Atmos. If you have been waiting with bated breath for Disney+ Hotstar to stream content in 4K then you are in luck. The service has started streaming in 4K and HDR. As of writing this story, only the film Togo is streaming in 4K and HDR. It is streaming in HDR 10 and not Dolby Vision. It also comes with 5.1 surround sound and not Dolby Atmos. We reached out to Disney+ Hotstar for a comment on the upgraded streaming quality, but as of now, they have nothing to share with us on the subject. Disney+ Hotstar starts streaming in 4K HDR in India To put things into perspective, services like Amazon Prime Video has been streaming in HDR 10 for quite some time now and Netflix has been streaming in Dolby Vision along with support for Dolby Atmos. Below is an image clicked on an LG B9 OLED which supports 4K and HDR. The native app on the TV hasnt been updated yet to support 4K and HDR and the image you see has been streamlined using a 4K Fire TV Stick. From the above image, it is clear that Togo is available in 4K and HDR with 5.1 surround sound. As per the stats, it was playing back in 3840x2160 @ 24fps. One thing that we noticed was that the 4K streaming only picked up in quality when connected to the 5GHz band of the router. When connected to the 2.4GHz band, the streaming capped at 1080p. If the update is out for the Fire TV stick, it should be out for Android TVs and Android Streaming boxes as well. Better late than never, we finally have 4K and HDR streaming on Disney+ Hotstar. I guess we will have to wait for some time before we get to see a larger catalogue of shows and movies support the format. Another thing wed like to know is the data consumption when streaming in 4K and HDR. if you have the answers to these questions, let us know in the comments. Tropical Storm Isaias continues to wreak havoc on the Canadian Maritimes with high winds and heavy rain after crashing ashore Monday in North Carolina as a Category 1 hurricane and moving along the US east coast and into New England Tuesday. The storm is historically significant for its unusual speed. CNN meteorologist Chad Meyers reported that this fast-moving storm means it will take longer to weaken as it moves across vast distances along the Atlantic coast. According to Meyers, this means tornados that drop quickly and cause great devastation in brief periods of time with little warning, often less than 20 minutes. More than a dozen tornadoes were spawned across the mid-Atlantic. Two people in North Carolina were killed Tuesday when a tornado caused by the storm struck a mobile home park in the town of Windsor; at least twelve people were hospitalized. One resident caught in a tornado in North Carolina told CNN reporters about the moment it struck, We didnt have a lot of time to react once it finally hit. I mean, it hit all at once, Desaree Pike said. For lack of a better word, it was hell. You dont really think about anything else but just holding the kids and hoping it doesnt tear the house up. The tropical storm caused flooding and power outrages along the coast. From North Carolina and up along the northeastern states, three million people were without power on Tuesday night according to poweroutage.us. Historic storm surge caused massive flooding in the Cherry Gove neighborhood of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, resulting in street closures and several drivers needing rescue as vehicles became overwhelmed by flood waters. Wind gusts up to 90 mph were reported across the Carolinas causing massive property damage and dangerous amounts of debris. Trees were blown down and crashed into homes and streets, causing severe property damage in the New England area, and even New York City reported wind bursts of 70 mph. All along the storms path, rainfall has caused flooding on average of six inches across the east coast and as of Tuesday evening the storm was projected to continue its path up into Canada. Collapsed and flooded homes pose grave danger for millions of residents along the coast. Along with flooding, several housefires were reported in beach communities in North Carolina. On Monday, Oak Island Water Rescue, a volunteer emergency response team, posted on Facebook, Tonight the Brunswick County beaches suffered a direct hit from Hurricane Isaias. Countywide and on Oak Island, there were numerous calls for water rescues, structural fires, structural collapses, and people trapped in houses that were flooding. Storm surge has caused significant damage as has the wind and tornados. The beach front roads were impassable due to high water on much of the island. Pictures of flooded neighborhoods and streets turned into rivers have spread across several social media platforms on Monday and Tuesday as thousands of affected residents are forced to look to community aid and charity to clean up debris and rebuild destroyed homes in an environment made increasingly dangerous by the coronavirus pandemic. The storm is certain to have an exacerbating effect in areas already ravaged by COVID-19, with thousands forced to evacuate their homes and seek safety with family, friends or in emergency shelters where social distancing measures are nearly impossible. Massive population centers in the Northeast have seen surges in coronavirus cases in recent weeks and nationwide unemployment benefits have dried up, causing an imminent eviction crisis in of poor and working-class communities. Already there are over 10,000 eviction cases on file in North Carolina courts. Some 43 percent of the renters in North Carolina are expected to face eviction or otherwise be unable to pay rent by the end of the month. As thousands are now dealing with storm and tornado damage these numbers are in danger of rising drastically. In North Carolina alone, more than 1.2 million workers have filed for unemployment since the beginning of the outbreaks, workers who are now faced with losing their benefits just as the virus is surging in cases amid back-to-work campaigns pushed by both Democratic and Republican politicians locally and nationally. On Tuesday, over 2,117 new cases of coronavirus were reported in the state along with 26 new deaths. Residents in the affected communities in North Carolina expressed to reporters their dismay at the fight which will be required to gain access to a limited amount of disaster aid. On Tuesday morning Holden Beach resident Jessi Viox told CNN reporters, Getting ready for Round 2. The eye has moved around us, and now here comes the back end. Election 2020 Volunteers Help Myanmar Migrant Workers Register to Vote in Thailand A Myanmar migrant woman fills in a form to register for early voting for the 2020 Myanmar election in front of the Myanmar Embassy in Bangkok on Tuesday. / Nyein Nyein / The Irrawaddy BANGKOKFor almost three weeks, Ma Yamin has been volunteering to help her fellow migrant workers in Thailand fill in the required forms to register for early voting in Myanmars 2020 general election. At her home in Bang Bon district of Bangkok, the capital of Thailand, she welcomed them, took their details, filled in the forms correctly, and copied their passport to attach to the application. The Myanmar migrants would usually arrive at her house from early evening to around 10 p.m., after finishing their overtime shifts. She is one of many other volunteers who help their compatriots complete such forms; some who help are individuals, some are groups like the Migrant Workers Rights Network based in Mahachai in Samut Sakhon province. In contrast to the last election in 2015, after the Union Election Commission (UEC) announced that the election date would be Nov. 8 and that citizens based overseas could register for early voting, thousands of Myanmar migrant workers in Thailand began to mobilize to register for early voting. To register, eligible voters who are out of their constituency were required to submit Form 15 between July 16 and Wednesday. Here in Thailand many migrant workers in my community are interested in early voting, but they dont know what to do or where to get the forms. They get information through their mobile phones. So I help them with the registration process, said Ma Yamin, explaining why she offers assistance to those looking to register. Not all migrants are interested in voting though. Some are not interested, she said. They say theyre not interested in who is in power or what kind of government it is, because in the end they have to support their families. But I tell them we have to grab our chance to cast our ballots freely in the 2020 election. Ma Yamin cast an early ballot in 2015; she recalled there were difficulties at the time of registering as well as on the actual early voting day. She said the situation in 2020 is very different, as this time the Myanmar Embassy is sharing all necessary information transparently. Embassy role In 2015, only 561 Myanmar nationalsfew of them migrant workersregistered to vote early from Thailand, according to the UEC, and they were only given one day on which to vote at the embassy in Bangkok. In 2015, around 30,000 overseas Myanmar nationals registered to vote early in 37 countries, with Singapore seeing the biggest turnout. In Thailand and numerous other countries, most of those who tried to vote found they could not. Some migrants said they only found out about early voting on the actual day (Oct. 17, 2015) and did not know how or where to request early voting. In the last election, the embassy failed to inform Myanmar citizens in Thailand or set up sites to cast ballots, essentially barring them from participation. For the upcoming November election, the Myanmar Embassy has changed its tune. It informed Myanmar overseas voters in Thailand on July 3 that any Myanmar citizens who hold a legitimate document of identification, such as an ordinary passport, a passport for job type or a certificate of identification (CI), can apply for early voting for the 2020 general election. The embassy used Facebook, which is the most widespread social media platform among Myanmar people, to share its information. Thanks to Facebook, many migrants with access to mobile data, 3G and 4G networks became aware about the voting and the need to check voter lists back home in their villages or townships in Myanmar. To participate in early voting, Myanmar people in Thailand could register online, through the postal service or in person at the embassy in Bangkok or the Myanmar Consulate Generals Office in Chiang Mai, until today. The Myanmar Embassy in Bangkok said in a statement on July 24 that depending on the number of peopled who register to vote in Thailand, it would announce the dates for early voting and the venues once all registrations had been checked and verified by the UEC. The embassy urged citizens to register to vote early, saying it was their responsibility as well as their right. The embassy also released a list showing whose requests to register for early voting had been received correctly and whose needed changes. In this way, faulty applications can be resubmitted on time. First-time voters excited For some migrants who have been working in Bangkok, Samut Prakan or Samut Sakhon for more than 10 years, the 2020 general election will be their first experience of casting a ballot. They did not have a chance to vote in the last general election, as at that time many migrants in Thailand did not know about the electoral information in advance. Myanmar migrants in their 20s, 30s, 40s and 50s, and those who have been living and working in Thailand for 10 to 30 years, are making time to be able to take part in this election. Most being factory laborers, their only day off is on Sunday, which makes it harder for them to submit the forms by themselves. Thanks to the volunteers and the labor rights organizations, forms for requesting permission to cast advance ballots can be obtained from the volunteers. According to Thailands Department of Employment, there were over 1.15 million registered Myanmar migrant workers in the country as of August 2019, and an unknown number of undocumented workers. Since COVID-19 hit Thailands businesses, over 100,000 migrants returned to Myanmar, an initial group in March and then another group since May 23. Thailand had a total of 2.79 million registered migrants from Myanmar, Laos and Cambodia in December 2019. Due to the unemployment caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, Thailands Department of Employment said that over 310,000 people had returned to their countries since March, but as of June, Thailand still hosted some 2.589 million migrants in its various business sectors. We get this chance to vote once every five years. This is my first time to vote, so I am excited, said 24-year-old Ko Win Ko Oo, who took leave from work on Tuesday in Mahachai, Samut Sakhon province, to volunteer to help others submit forms. He volunteered for others who could not get the day off and brought a dozen forms to the embassy. He has helped submit forms three times since July 22, said Ko Win Ko Oo, who is from Taunggu in Bago Region. In the 2015 election, he could not cast a ballot, as he did not have an ID card. After the embassy issued him with a Certificate of Identification, a document provided to formerly undocumented workers in Thailand after a verification process, he went back to Myanmar, obtained an ID and obtained a passport in order to be able to work. The Irrawaddy met a few individuals who were able to submit their forms to register at the embassy without the help of volunteers. Ko Aung Naing Win, a 46-year-old Karen man, took a day off from his job in Samut Prakan on Tuesday to submit his Form 15 (an official request from someone who is outside their home constituency to vote in advance). He has been working in Thailand for nearly 20 years and never cast a ballot in an election. He hopes to participate this time, he told The Irrawaddy after submitting his papers. His hometown is Thanbyuzayat in Mon State, and he said his wish was for the peoples representatives to be elected and for the government to do good for the people. He echoed others view that they want to elect leaders who will change their lives and the lives of their generation. As of Monday, over 10,000 applications had been received, according to the Myanmar Embassy. The embassy has been sharing a list of those whose applications have been accepted and those whose applications need updating with further details on its Facebook daily since last week. Ma Nyo Nyo Win, a migrant worker in Bang Khae, in the southern part of Bangkok, is another first-time voter. On Sunday, she visited volunteers at the Mahachai-based Migrant Workers Rights Network, which helps send early voting forms to the Myanmar Embassy in Bangkok. No interest in elections While some are enthusiastic and happily give up their time on a Sundaytheir only day off for the weekto participate in the electoral process, some other migrants, especially those from the ethnic states of Myanmar, said the election held no interest for them. Sai Chit Ko Ko, 33, from Mon States Tha Hton Township, said he did not know anything about the election, and was not interested in casting a ballot. One of the reasons for this ethnic Pa-O mans lack of interest is that they [politicians] come when they want the votes, but later they do not care about us. We ethnic [minorities] have not seen any [development]. He has been in Thailand for 10 years and lost work for three months due to COVID-19, but he got a new job when Thai businesses were able to reopen. He said he would continue staying in Thailand like many others, as there are no job opportunities in Myanmar. Ko Kyaw Oo, an ethnic Karen from Mon States Kyaikmayaw Township, said, I want to cast a ballot, but it is difficult as I dont understand politics. He went on to say that as he never had formal schooling, family survival is his top priority. I just want my country to be good. If the government did good things such as provide access to electricity and better road transport like other nations, it would be good, he added. Visiting his home on the outskirts of Mahachai in Samut Sakhon province, The Irrawaddy learned that even though there are some people who are interested in the election and voting, they had no way of applying to register to vote early due to limited time and knowledge. They saw the information on Facebook, but have neither the technical knowledge nor the equipment to print it out, and many lack the knowledge to correctly fill the forms and submit them at the embassy. Although there is enthusiasm among the migrant workers about the election, their access to information about the electoral process is limited. But a few are well aware and are actively volunteering. Some of those who register for advance voting incorrectly think that they have already cast a ballot, mistaking registration for voting. Migrant workers have little to no access to information; they spend most of their time at work and home. We are also volunteering based on the little knowledge we have. It would be good if there was more information sharing during the campaign period, Ma Yamin said. Not only in Bangkok, but also in other areas where many Myanmar migrants work, including Chiang Mai, Ranong, Mae Sot and Samut Sakhon, volunteers play a key role ensuring every migrant exercises their right to vote early. In Mahachai, there are an estimated 400,000 Myanmar migrants working in factories, many of them in the seafood processing sector, but the number of people interested in the Myanmar election and early voting is low compared to the population of migrant workers, said U Aung Kyaw, the head of the MWRN. MWRN office staff and volunteers have been distributing forms, helping migrants who are interested in voting to fill in the information correctly and submitting them on behalf of the constituents for three weeks. U Aung Kyaw, himself a first-time voter, said Mahachai has many migrant workers and his group had helped submit more than 1,000 forms so that their colleagues would be assured of their right to vote. He said that in the upcoming advance voting period, it would be better for migrant workers if the embassy could open an early polling station in Mahachai, rather than requiring the migrant workers to go to the embassy to vote. However, it is not clear yet how the UEC and the embassy will decide on this issuewhether registered voters (once they are verified) will have to cast early votes at the embassy premises (or the Consulate-Generals Office in Chiang Mai), or whether the embassy will be able to arrange mobile polling booths in areas with high numbers of registered migrant voters. You may also like these stories: Ex-Aide to Daw Aung San Suu Kyi to Contest Election, but Not Under NLD Bhubaneswar: Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Friday said he did not have any other vested interest than development of the state and called upon the industry community to be partners in the growth story. I have a vested interest in the progress of Odisha and the prosperity of my people... The people of my state, who have been continuously blessing me know that I have no other vested interest. This is the USP of our state, Patnaik told the gathering comprising the big names like Anil Agarwal, Goutam Adani, Sashi Ruia, Satish Pai, Arundhati Bhattacharya, Sanjay Mehrotra, Saroj Kumar Poddar and many others. Vedanta Group chairman Anil Agarwal, Adani Group chairman Goutam Adani and Tata Steels T V Narendran while speaking in the conclave also highlighted how political stability in Odisha has helped them to set up industries in the state. Come, join us and be partners in our growth sector. I promise each one of you that our government will walk the extra mile to facilitate investment to promote growth, to provide employment and to reduce disparities, Patnaik said not forgetting to recall his legendary father Biju Patnaik, who was also an industrialist before joining politics. The CM said the state government has identified five focus sector which are promoted through Odishas industrial policy. We will set international benchmark. Odisha is the first state to proactively pursue transparent auction of mineral resources after the amendments in the MMDR Act. I assure you that our policies will sort out the much needed raw material linkage in this changed scenario, he said. The Chief Minister said apart from investor-friendly policies and technological interventions, the states prime focus is on creating world class industrial infrastructure facilities for investors. We are developing large investment regions in the form of National Investment and Manufacturing Zone (NIMZ) at Kalinga Nagar, a petroleum, chemicals and petrochemicals investment region (PCPIR) at Paradip, a port-based manufacturing zone at Dhamra and a number of sector specific industrial clusters, Patnaik added. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Parvaiz Bukhari (Agence France-Presse) Srinagar, India Wed, August 5, 2020 10:50 531 6657ac82168da9fa101c8a4066bade89 2 World India,kashmir,Pakistan,territorial-disputes Free Volatile Indian-administered Kashmir has endured a tumultuous year since Prime Minister Narendra Modi revoked its autonomy last August. Ahead of Wednesday's one-year anniversary, AFP examines the background to the contentious move, the harsh security crackdown and its aftermath, and a deadly June border clash with China. Why is Kashmir such a powder keg? India and Pakistan have fought two wars over the former princely state of Jammu and Kashmir since it was divided in 1947, and both still see it as fully their own -- although China also controls small parts, and claims more. A referendum mandated by a UN resolution in 1948 has never taken place. For the past three decades, a revolt against Indian rule -- backed by Pakistan, Delhi alleges -- and a muscular response has left tens of thousands dead, mostly civilians. India and Pakistan regularly exchange fire across their de-facto frontier, and in February last year a suicide bomber killed 40 Indian troops -- pushing the two nations to the brink of another war. What did Modi want to achieve? Modi's Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party has long seen Muslim-majority Kashmir's special status -- with partial autonomy and its own flag and constitution -- as a historical wrong. That status had "given nothing but terrorism, separatism, nepotism and big corruption" Modi said. But his "historic decision" would bring prosperity and peace. His change put Kashmir under direct rule from New Delhi and downgraded the state by splitting it into two union territories -- Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh. What happened on the ground? An accompanying security operation was swift and heavy, with New Delhi sending in tens of thousands of troops to join the estimated half a million already there. Seven million people in the Kashmir Valley were put under complete security lockdown for weeks, with freedom of movement severely restricted and gatherings banned. Landlines, mobile phones and internet access were cut for months. Around 7,000 people were taken into custody -- including three former chief ministers. Hundreds remain under house arrest or behind bars, mostly without charge. Young men told AFP and other foreign media that they were detained and tortured by soldiers. Authorities deny the allegations. What was the reaction abroad? India insists the security measures were temporary and has bristled at foreign criticism of what it calls a purely internal matter. But beyond sharp words from Malaysia, Turkey and UN rights chief Michelle Bachelet -- and some unease in Brussels and Washington -- international reaction has been muted. This is despite strenuous efforts by Pakistan's Prime Minister Imran Khan -- who likened Modi to Adolf Hitler -- to see India criticized at the United Nations. Pakistan was backed by China, which was irked by the change to Ladakh's status, calling it "unacceptable" and worsening Beijing's long-prickly ties with India. In June, 20 Indian troops were killed in a clash with Chinese soldiers on their Ladakh border, the first combat deaths there since the 1970s. What else has happened since? Life remains hard in Kashmir, with hundreds of checkpoints still in place and internet coverage patchy and slow. The economic effect has been dire, with half a million jobs lost in the region by the end of 2019, the Kashmir chamber of commerce says. Coronavirus lockdown measures have only added to the hardship, both for the economy and people's lives. Children have had barely any schooling for a year. Security operations against militants in Kashmir have accelerated, putting 2020 on course to be one of the bloodiest years for some time. India has also granted tens of thousands of people from outside the region the same rights as Kashmiris, meaning they can now buy land for the first time. Critics say this is an attempt to change the demographic makeup of the region. Companies from outside India have also been given a string of mining concessions, often riding roughshod over environmental rules in the region, critics say. More than one year after the March 15, 2019 terrorist attack, an official inquiry into the mass shooting that killed 51 people and injured 49 in two Christchurch mosques has still not released any information to the public. The Royal Commission of Inquiry into the Attack on Christchurch Mosques had been due to deliver its final report to the Labour Party-led government at the end of July, but its deadline was extended for a third time until November 26. This prevents the report from being a topic of public discussion in the lead-up to the September 19 election. The commissions website says it is investigating what state sector agencies knew about [fascist terrorist Brenton Tarrants] activities before the attack, what, if anything, they did with that information, what measures agencies could have taken to prevent the attack, and what measures agencies should take to prevent such attacks in the future. The proceedings, however, have been kept secret, including more than 1,000 submissions from individuals and organisations. Even when the commission finally delivers its report, the government will determine how much information is made public. The media has largely ceased to discuss what led to the attack, after Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern urged media companies not to focus on Tarrant. The state banned possession of Tarrants fascist manifesto, which revealed the gunmans support for US President Donald Trump and the similarity of his anti-immigrant views to those of capitalist parties in New Zealand and internationally. There are growing demands for transparency from the Royal Commission, including for the release of an interview the commissioners conducted with Tarrant. The gunmans unexpected guilty plea in March means he will not face any public questioning in a trial. Al Noor Mosque, Christchurch Muslim Association of Canterbury general secretary Feroze Ditta, who was injured in the shooting at Al Noor mosque, told Radio NZ on June 29 that he wanted to know the gunmans motivations and to get to the bottom of what actually happened and how he managed to execute this. Tony Green, a spokesperson for the mosque, also said the interview should be shared widely. The World Socialist Web Site spoke with Anjum Rahman from the Islamic Womens Council (IWCNZ), which last month made public its full submission to the Royal Commission. Rahman explained that the IWCNZ was concerned that the decision on releasing the Royal Commissions findings would be a political one, which is why we released our submission. One, because we knew that the royal commission would not be able to put it in full into their report, but secondly to say this is the kind of transparency we need. The submission argues that the Christchurch terrorist attack was preventable. At a press conference on July 7, the IWCNZs Aliya Danzeisen said they had warned the government for years about rising Islamophobia, including harassment and threats against women and children, and the activity of white supremacist movements. Most strikingly, Danzeisen revealed that on February 20, 2019, she received a message via Facebook from someone threatening to burn a Koran in front of the Hamilton mosque on March 15, the date of the Christchurch attack. The threat appeared to originate from a Facebook user in Christchurch. It was reported to police the next day. Danzeisen told the media: We believe that had our concerns been taken seriously, there would have been a national system that would have warned communities and would have warned the police around the nation, and there would have been extra patrols and likely people on the steps of our mosque on March 15, in a position to prevent the attacks. Rahman told the WSWS that Tarrants interview with the commission should be released because it could shed light on whether he was involved with anyone else and whether there are other people that need to be charged. There were a lot of questions including how he obtained a gun licence and was able to travel internationally and donate to far-right extremist groups. Tarrant donated thousands of dollars to the Identitarian movement in Austria and France, and was in contact with the white supremacist Lads Society in Australia, which tried to recruit him. He was reported to Australian police in 2016 for threatening to kill someone on Facebook. In 2017, NZ police dismissed a complaint about racist and violent discussions at the gun club near Dunedin where Tarrant was a member. Rahman pointed out that for the Muslim world, we have a whole list of organisations that we are not allowed to donate money to, and if we do we will come to the attention of the authorities. Yet he was able to donate and not come to the attention of the authorities. She added that knowing what influenced the gunmans thinking could help prevent future attacks, particularly given that he grew up in Australia, which had a very harsh anti-Muslim media as well as politicians who used the Muslim community for scaremongering. Speaking about the broader political context of the attack, Rahman told the WSWS that it had followed decades of war, including the US-led invasions of Iraq and Afghanistan, which successive New Zealand governments participated in. Anjum Rahman Rahman noted that the Iraq war was based on lies that Saddam Husseins regime had weapons of mass destruction and links with Al Qaeda terrorists. It absolutely destroyed the infrastructure in Iraq, it decimated the economy and led to sectarian violence We had incidences like Abu Ghraib where we know that outside forces in Iraq were committing atrocities against the people in that country. These wars and the war in Syria were accompanied by the demonisation of Muslims by the media and political parties internationally, including in New Zealand. In December 2015, then-Prime Minister John Key and the Security Intelligence Service (SIS) made inflammatory statements, without any evidence, that women had travelled from NZ to Syria to become jihadi brides for Islamic State. The claims were part of the National Party governments propaganda to justify sending troops to Iraq, and the strengthening of New Zealands spy agencies as part of the US-led Five Eyes intelligence network. Rahman said Keys statements threw our community to the wolves, basically, without any concern for the safety of Muslim women who were put under the spotlight as to whether we might turn into jihadi brides or not. It was absolutely appalling. Rahman also stressed that hostility to migrants is not the domain of any one political party, and that prior to the 2017 election, the Labour Party and its ally the Greens had campaigned against foreigners owning houses. Following the election, these parties formed a coalition with the right-wing nationalist NZ First Party, which has a long history of demonising Muslims, Chinese people and other immigrants. As another election approaches, migrants are once again being scapegoated by the major parties for the economic crisis triggered by the coronavirus pandemic. Rahman said she feared that a lot of people are going to be made to leave and its not going to be pretty at all. These are people who would have gone into significant debt, who have moved everything to this country in the hopes of a better life, who have invested in this country, in terms of contributing to their workplaces, being part of the community, who will be kicked out. Rahman said none of the major parties were speaking for these vulnerable people. The author also recommends: One year after the New Zealand fascist terrorist attack [14 March 2020] Fascistic New Zealand soldier charged with disclosing military information [25 January 2020] New Zealand government bans fascist terrorist Brenton Tarrants manifesto [26 March 2020] After far-right terror attack, New York Times glorifies New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern [21 March 2019] AUSTIN, Texas - The staggering videos from the Lebanese capital are grimly familiar to Tommy Muska thousands of miles away in Texas: a towering blast, a thundering explosion and shock waves demolishing buildings with horrifying speed. It is what the mayor of West, Texas, lived seven years ago when one of the deadliest fertilizer plant explosions in U.S. history partly levelled his rural town. On Wednesday, Muska also couldnt shake a familiar feeling that yet again, no lessons will be learned. I dont know what people were thinking about storing that stuff, Muska told The Associated Press. He was a volunteer firefighter at the time of the West explosion. The 2013 disaster at the West Fertilizer Co. was a fraction of the size of Tuesdays explosion at Beiruts port that authorities say killed least 135 people and wounded about 5,000. Both blasts involved massive stockpiles of ammonium nitrate, a common but highly explosive chemical, and swift allegations that negligence and weak government oversight were to blame. Few significant crackdowns on chemical storage came in the wake of the West explosion, which killed 15 people. President Donald Trump scaled back industrial safety and disaster regulations enacted in direct response to the tragedy in Texas. With a government mired in factional fighting and corruption, Lebanon offers an extreme example of what was once a bustling business economy operating now under little dependable regulation and enforcement. The investigation is focusing on how a reported 2,750 tons of ammonium nitrate came to be stored at the facility for six years and why nothing was done about it. The chemical had been stored at the port since it was confiscated from a ship in 2013. On Tuesday it is believed to have detonated when a fire started nearby. In Texas, authorities suspected arson but no arrests have been made. The West explosion had the force of a small earthquake. It flattened homes in a five-block radius and destroyed a nursing home where residents, some in wheelchairs, were trapped in rubble. Ten of those killed in the blast were firefighters or first responders. We dont seem to learn that chemical is deadly, Muska said. I feel for those people in Beirut, I surely do. It brought back a lot of memories. Last year, the Trump administration scaled back chemical safety measures that included ending a requirement that plants provide members of the public information about chemical risks upon request. Chemical manufacturers had pushed for the changes. The Obama-era Chemical Disaster Rule is one of several rules or proposals meant to lessen the risks of major, possibly high-casualty industrial disasters that have been weakened under Trump. Others include stripping a Nuclear Regulatory Commission proposed rule that would have required nuclear plants to greatly harden their facilities against the kind of natural disasters that struck the plant in Fukushima, Japan. Other steps cut proposed safety requirements for offshore rigs after the Deepwater Horizon explosion, and allowed shipment of liquefied natural gas by rail despite criticism from several states, firefighters and the National Transportation Safety Board. The Environmental Protection Agency, which has trimmed scores of environmental and public health protections that the Trump administration sees as unfriendly to business, did not immediately respond to a request for comment Wednesday about the rollback. At the time, EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler said the weakening of the proposed Chemical Disaster Rule would save $88 million a year in compliance costs. Wheeler said the administrations move addresses emergency responders longstanding concerns and maintains important public safety measures while saving money. Elena Craft, a Texas-based senior director with the Environmental Defence Fund environmental group, cited the Chemical Disaster Rule among a series of other proposals weakening protections for the communities often lower-income, and disproportionately Black or Hispanic living around dangerous industrial sites. Even the West, Texas, disaster, with its toll on first responders, failed to change the regulatory picture much after the headlines faded away, Craft said. Its always been sort of the constant story it gets to be accepted business in Texas. In 1989, Juan Flores was in sixth grade when an explosion at a Phillips 66 plastics plant near his Galena Park, Texas, community outside Houston killed 23. The blast shook Flores school and blew out windows. That area bordering Houstons Shipping Channel is the nations hub for oil and gas and petrochemicals. Yet Houstons lack of zoning means residents yards in poorer and minority neighbourhoods butt up against looming chemical and petroleum storage tanks or booming industrial sites working with hazardous materials. Six major chemical explosions have rocked the Houston area since March 2019 alone. One, an explosion at a chemical tank, prompted widespread shelter-in-place orders for residents and sent a mile-high plume of smoke over the city for days. A more recent chemical blast, in January, killed three people and damaged more than 450 surrounding buildings. To see that happen in Beirut, it was the worst-case scenario for already worried people in his community, said Flores, a community activist and former Galena Park mayor. Theres one or two plants here, if they ever go, theres a chance we could wind up in that situation. In West, street images on Google Maps still show crumbled buildings that were taken shortly after the blast that shook the town of only 3,000 people. Theyve never come back with their little car, Muska said of Google. Ammonium nitrate isnt stored in the town any longer. Its got its useful places in the farming community, Muska said. But its also, like we just saw yesterday, it can just be devastating. ___ Knickmeyer reported from Oklahoma City. Egypt President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi promised to offer full support to Lebanon during a phone call with his Lebanese counterpart Michel Aoun on Wednesday, a day after a massive warehouse explosion hit Beirut, the Egyptian presidency said. During the phone call, El-Sisi affirmed the solidarity of the government and people of Egypt with its brothers in Lebanon, and the willingness to harness all capabilities to assist and support Lebanon in its ordeal, presidential spokesman Bassam Rady said in a statement. On Tuesday, a fire at Beirut's port turned shortly after into a massive explosion with a huge mushroom cloud that Lebanese officials said came from a stockpile of ammonium nitrate in a warehouse. The blast resulted in the death of at least 100 people, injuring more than 4,000, according to Lebanon's Red Cross. Two Egyptians have been killed in the explosion and another has been missing, according to the Egyptian embassy in Lebanon. El-Sisi offered his condolences and expressed his sincere sympathy to the government and people of Lebanon and wished the injured a speedy recovery, the spokesman added. Separately, the Egyptian foreign ministry offered its condolences to Lebanon late on Tuesday and said that the Egyptian field hospital in Beirut was ready to provide all possible assistance to the victims. The hospital has already received a number of cases, the ministry said. Egypt's Al-Azhar, the Sunni Muslim worlds top religious institution, announced that it will sent a medical and aid convoy to help the Lebanese people overcome the crisis. Egypt will also send two planes carrying medical supplies to Beirut following directives by El-Sisi to offer urgent assistance to the country, Minister of State for Information Osama Heikal said in a statement. Late on Tuesday, Heikal expressed solidarity with the Lebanese people in a phone call with his Lebanese counterpart Manal Abdel Samad late on Tuesday, the ministry said in a statement. Heikal hoped the painful incident would unite the Lebanese people in the face of the countrys economic and political crises. Two police officers have been charged with child sex offences and producing child abuse material. NSW Police suspended the two officers after they were arrested in Sydney's west in the early hours of Wednesday morning. The two male senior constables, aged 29 and 30, had their homes raided and items seized, before being taken to Hurstville Police Station and charged. Two NSW police officers have been charged with child sex offences and producing child abuse material (Stock image) The 29-year-old man was charged with attempted aggravated sexual assault in company, produce child abuse material, and misconduct in public office The 30-year-old man was charged with incite aggravated sexual assault, attempted aggravated sexual assault in company, and produce child abuse material. Their arrests came after an investigation by the NSW Police Professional Standards Commission into police misconduct. Both were refused bail and will appear in Sutherland Local Court on Wednesday. The officers have been suspended without pay and investigations are continuing. More to come Credit unions are challenged to facilitate business loans quickly with limited information. Its a high stakes activity with limited upside and significant downside risk. Digitization would address a lot of the issues including streamlining manual form collection, decisioning and monitoring, and give credit unions an easy way to gather information on business members. But with so many things to update, it has never been the first priority. Only the earliest adopters are using Application Programing Interfaces (APIs) to gather business information through a pipeline automatically, as opposed to a form or portal for manual processing. The Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) changed everything. It is a different type of lending process. Typically, loans consider whether businesses have enough money to pay back the cost of the loan. PPP however is effectively a grant, seeking to stimulate the economy by covering the cost of employees during this unprecedented time. The legislation was passed quickly, in weeks instead of years. As a result, implementation was not without its challenges. It was confusing and judging by the court of social media there were many businesses who didnt get funded and among the others who did, many felt pressured to return the funds. PPP was different for a lot of reasons, but probably most famously for the 11-page forgiveness calculation form which was so convoluted that it was compared to filing taxes and inspired endless memes on twitter of animals throwing computers against walls. Me trying to secure an SBA small business loan #PPPLoan #PPPFail pic.twitter.com/8s3Z2Y0e73 Robert Ferrari (@BrandMoxi) April 28, 2020 Suddenly, lenders had to provide a process for a loan that never existed before. This brought about unforeseenand welcomecollaboration between credit unions and tech platforms to automate the process. Even here, however, there was a spectrum of technical capability that credit unions had to choose from. They could simply put more lending officers to work, they could adopt technology that helped gather forms and manually process them, they could use something called Robotic Process Automation (RPA) which used robots to automate the manual process and finally they had APIs which would gather information and calculate it automatically. Data in the past has been unstructured and difficult to access, but APIs act as a pipeline carrying data in a usable way, eliminating the need for resource-hungry manual processes. With respect to lending, with just a few clicks APIs replace the need to gather financials, calculate them and monitor them. Even so, many in the industry opted for manual calculation, file management systems or RPAs. Think of APIs as a pipeline carrying data instead of water. These processes are akin to either walking to a well or using a robot to go to a well to get water instead of turning on the tap and having it flow freely using APIs. $9.6 billion in PPP loans have been disbursed through credit unions, but it was not an easy process. Credit unions that relied on manual processes struggled to approve businesses in a timely fashion. Paperwork, time and technology investments were substantial. NAFCUs EVP and General Counsel Carrie Hunt and staff spent weekends attempting to work through PPP issues including the cumbersome E-tran portal, pages of confusing paperwork, and the sheer volume of loans and the time it took to process them. Digitization Grows Membership PPP offered support to over four million businesses in a few short months. That was exceptional. However, there was a huge opportunity missed when it came to supporting new businesses. Attracting new membership is the number one goal for credit unions going into 2020 and digitization makes it possible. 81% of credit unions believe that partnering with Fintech companies to deliver seamless solutions is a means to improve member experience. Credit unions are beginning to excel over their counterparts in the area of digitization, but there remains room for improvement. 29% of credit unions already have partnerships with fintechs in the area of credit and lending, but the partnerships are limited in scope. Its felt by business members and credit union employees and customer delight is a goal that seems forever just out of reach. With the urgency to process PPP loans quickly, existing customers were prioritized over new ones. With existing customers, Know Your Customer (KYC) compliance measures are already in place. With legacy systems, it was impossible to gather enough information on new businesses and lenders who adopted API technology were more than happy to fill the void. Square saw 76,000 new customers with $820 million dollars in PPP loans processed. Credit unions that could have realized this capability would have provided business member delight and experienced new growth. Had credit unions been open to adopting technology available to them earlier in the last decade, they would have been in the position to dominate the industry. Customer Expectations are Driving Digitization As a result of the manual approach, theres been a lot of questions about PPP, a program that should be praised for offering $659 billion dollars into the market. The real question is are the lessons from PPP enough to inspire Credit Unions to digitize? Shopify CEO, Tobi Lutke states, We are experiencing 2030 [digitization] in 2020. Credit unions are faced with a current reality too big to ignore: APIs dont just automate the core, they offer access to business member information and the ability to serve them in real time, bringing about delight. PPP is soon coming to a close, and in its wake customer expectations have never been higher. Social distancing has caused business members to seek services online and thanks to tech giants such as Amazon, there is a certain expectation for personalization. Meanwhile, most business customers report they would share their data for more convenience and tailored services. The industry will never be the same again. PPP accelerated the digitization process for credit unions kickstarting the rapid adoption of fintech solutions. Credit unions are fast adopters and have a history of differentiating themselves from other FIs by emphasizing their community focus and personalized member services. They offer more than the players who saw new customer adoption because they are full service and member first. It is exciting, and only time will tell if credit unions adopt the tech that is waiting for them. Digitization is more than taking a paper form and making it electronic, its a fundamental shift from manual calculator to utilizing technology to manage the manual. APIs to business software make this possible. Let us take the next step to true automation in partnership together. By Elizabeth Culliford (Reuters) - Video-sharing app TikTok has updated its content policies to curb misinformation on its platform ahead of the presidential election in the United States, the company said on Wednesday. The app, which has come under fire by U.S. lawmakers and the Trump administration over national security concerns due to its Chinese ownership, said it was working with experts from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to "protect against foreign influence". (https://bit.ly/2PoG8qj) TikTok said it would expand partnerships with PolitiFact and Lead Stories to fact-check potential misinformation about the election. It will also allow users to report vote-related misinformation on the app, the company said in a blog post. The company, which does not allow political advertising and said in the blog post it was not the "go-to app to follow news or politics," has increasingly emerged as a platform for political discourse and activism. Users recently said they helped inflate attendance expectations at U.S. President Donald Trump's June rally in Tulsa, Oklahoma. [L1N2DY04A] [L1N2DE19U] The hugely popular app, which allows users to create short videos with special effects and music clips, has also been used to share false claims such as COVID-19 misinformation. TikTok said it was adding a specific policy to prohibit synthetic or manipulated content that misleads users in a way that could cause harm. In recent days, a viral doctored video of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi had spread across social media platforms, including TikTok.(See the Reuters fact-check: https://reut.rs/3kgEANh) The changes are the latest moves by TikTok to combat misinformation, an issue that major social media companies including Facebook and Twitter have long struggled to police on their own platforms. TikTok owner ByteDance is the first Chinese company to achieve global success with a consumer app. Story continues However, amid rising U.S.-China tensions, the White House has threatened to ban TikTok and other Chinese-owned apps, citing national security risks. TikTok currently faces a deadline of Sept. 15 to either sell its U.S. operations to Microsoft Corp or face an outright ban. (Reporting by Elizabeth Culliford in Birmingham, England, and Neha Malara in Bengaluru; Editing by Shounak Dasgupta and Bernadette Baum) Coronavirus LIVE Updates: The Maharashtra health department said that 11,514 COVID-19 cases and 316 deaths were reported in the state on Thursday. Total number of cases in the state is now at 4,79,779, including 1,46,305 active cases, 3,16,375 recovered and 16,792 deaths. Auto refresh feeds The Indian drugmaker will have exclusive rights for the vaccine in India during the term of the deal and non-exclusive rights during the "Pandemic Period" in all countries other than those designated by the World Bank as upper-middle or high-income countries. Novavax Inc said it has entered a supply and license agreement with the Serum Institute of India for the development and commercialization of its COVID-19 vaccine candidate reports Reuters. An Associated Press analysis found that the number of tests per day slid 3.6 percent over the past two weeks to 750,000, with the count falling in 22 states. That includes places like Alabama, Mississippi, Missouri and Iowa where the percentage of positive tests is high and continuing to climb, an indicator that the virus is still spreading uncontrolled. US testing for the coronavirus is dropping even as infections remain high and the death toll rises by more than 1,000 a day, a worrisome trend that officials attribute largely to Americans getting discouraged over having to wait hours to get a test and days or weeks to find out the results. Zydus Cadila announced Wednesday that its plasmid DNA vaccine to prevent COVID-19, going by the name ZyCoV-D, was found to be both safe and well-tolerated in healthy volunteers in Phase I human trials, which began on 15 July 2020. The vaccine candidate will begin Phase II trials on Thursday, 6 August, the company said. Assams total crosses the 50,000-mark with 2,284 new infections, says Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma. Six additional deaths take the states toll to 121. Around 40 other COVID-19 patients at the facility were rescued and shifted to a civic hospital in the city, he said. The cause of the fire is not known yet, he said. Fire broke out at the Shrey Hospital in Navrangpura area of Ahmedabad during the early hours of Thursday, an official said. Eight patients in the ICU ward of a private COVID-19 designated hospital died after fire broke out there on Thursday, news agency PTI reported. The drug has been approved by the FDA for emergency use at multiple clinical sites in patients who are too ill to enter the FDA's Phase 2/3 trials. Doctors at a hospital here have used a new drug called RLF-100, also known as aviptadil, that has led to rapid recovery from respiratory failure in critically ill COVID-19 patients, reports PTI. Chief Minister Vijay Rupani has ordered a probe in the incident of fire at Shrey Hospital in Ahmedabad on Thursday. Sangeeta Singh, Additional Chief Secretary (Home Department) will be leading the probe and the CM has ordered for a report within 3 days. An ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh each from the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund would be given to the next of kin of those who have lost their lives due to the hospital fire in Ahmedabad, the PMO said in a tweet. As many as 6,64,949 samples were tested on Wednesday, says the Indian Council of Medical Research. The total number of COVID19 samples tested up to 5 August is 2,21,49,351. India registers 56,282 new coronavirus cases on Thursday, taking the total number of infections to 19,64,536. The toll rises by 904 to 40,699. Mizoram now has 251 active COVID-19 patients, while 286 people have recovered from the disease. The recovery rate in the state stands at 53.25 per cent, the official said, adding that one patient, who has migrated to Assam, is not included in the Mizoram's COVID-19 tally. Thirty-three people, including 29 security personnel, have tested positive for COVID-19 in Mizoram in the last 24 hours, taking the state's tally to 537, a Health Department official said on Thursday. This is the eighth consecutive day that COVID-19 cases have increased by more than 50,000. There are 5,95,501 active COVID-19 cases in the country presently which contribute 30.31 per cent of the total cases. The fatality rate has further dropped to 2.07 per cent, the data stated. They will also still need to obtain Health Canada regulatory approvals before being distributed to Canadians, she said. Millions of doses will be supplied, but the vaccines are still in development while negotiations continue with other potential suppliers, Procurement Minister Anita Anand told a news conference. Canada announced Wednesday it has signed two agreements with American pharmaceutical firms Pfizer and Moderna for the delivery of COVID-19 vaccines in 2021. The post in question was a video clip of a Trump interview on Fox News Channel uploaded by the Trump campaign on Wednesday. The US President claims in the clip that children are "almost immune" to COVID-19. Social media giant Facebook, for the first time, has removed a post from US President Donald Trump in which he claimed that children were "almost immune" to COVID-19, saying it violated its policy against spreading "misinformation" about the novel coronavirus. As many as 13,28,336 COVID-19 patients have been cured and discharged so far, the Union Health Ministry has said in its latest update. Indias COVID-19 recovery rate now stands at 67.6 percent. 539 new COVID-19 cases have been reported in Rajasthan today till 10.30 am. Total confirmed cases in the state have risen to 48,383, including a death toll of 753 and 34,318 recoveries. Union health minister Harsh Vardhan addresses a virtual meeting of the regional directors of World Health Organization South-East Asia. Within 10-20 days, with the help of Defence Research and Development Organisation, we were able to create from 1,000 to 10,000 beds for Covid-19 patients, he says. We are also ensuring mental well being of populace amid pandemic. "An accommodative stance of the monetary policy will continue as long as necessary to revive growth and mitigate the impact of the pandemic while ensuring that inflation remains within target going forward. RBI is perhaps the only central bank in the world which has set up a special quarantine facility for continuity of critical operations," Das said. The Monetary Policy Committee of the Reserve Bank of India has decided to keep the repo rate unchanged at 4 percent, Governor Shaktikanta Das announced on Thursday. "An accommodative stance of the monetary policy will continue as long as necessary to revive growth and mitigate the impact of the pandemic while ensuring that inflation remains within target going forward. RBI is perhaps the only central bank in the world which has set up a special quarantine facility for continuity of critical operations," Das said. The Monetary Policy Committee of the Reserve Bank of India has decided to keep the repo rate unchanged at 4 percent, Governor Shaktikanta Das announced on Thursday. The Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao-led cabinet which met here on Wednesday discussed threadbare the coronavirus spread, treatment being given to those affected and further strengthening of the public health system, an official release issued Wednesday night said. The Telangana government has decided to conduct 40,000 COVID-19 tests daily and also keep 10,000 oxygen beds ready all over the State, an official release has said. The recovery rate was 71.3 per cent in the state, while it was 67.19 per cent in the country. The case fatality rate in the state was 0.80 percent, while it was 2.09 percent at the national level, it said. The total number of people who recovered from the infection stood at 52,103, while 20,358 were under treatment. The surge in COVID-19 cases continued in Telangana, with 2,092 new cases being reported, the highest single-day spike so far, while the death toll mounted to 589 after 13 more people succumbed to the virus. Odishas tally of coronavirus cases crosses the 40,000-mark on Thursday, after the state records its biggest jump in infections with 1,699 cases, PTI reports. Ten more fatalities push the toll to 235. Jharkhand registers 1,060 coronavirus cases on Thursday, taking the total tally of infections in the state to 15,130, ANI reports, quoting the state health department. Puducherry records 195 new coronavirus cases and five deaths on Thursday, PTI reports, quoting a health department official. The total tally of infections in the Union Territory is now 6,621 and the toll is 70. Those who received financial assistance in the second installment include Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Rajasthan, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Goa, Gujarat, Karnataka, Kerala, Punjab, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Meghalaya, Manipur, Mizoram and Sikkim, the ministry said. The Centre has released Rs 890.32 crore as the second installment of the COVID-19 Emergency Response and Health System Preparedness package to 22 states and Union Territories, the Health Ministry said on Thursday. The amount of financial assistance to each state and Union Territories is based on their COVID-19 caseload. Pinning hope on the agriculture sector, he said, Kharif crop harvest is expected to boost rural demand. Economic activity had started to recover, but a surge in coronavirus infections has forced imposition of lockdowns, he added. RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das on Thursday said that global economic activity has remained fragile and the surge in COVID-19 cases has subdued early signs of revival. Poonja said he was not having any other symptoms and is taking treatment at home. Poonja had recently met Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa in Bengaluru. Belthangady MLA Harish Poonja has tested positive for COVID-19. In a Twitter message, the legislator said he got himself tested Wednesday as he was having a mild fever, reports PTI. The district administration has been easing restrictions in a phased manner for different social and commercial activities in order to restore normal life gradually. After the easing of restrictions in the last one month, there has been a spurt in COVID-19 cases in the state's industrial hub. The death rate due to COVID-19 in the district stands at 4.05 percent as against the national average of 2.07 percent, as per an analysis of the data. As many as 157 people tested positive for coronavirus in Madhya Pradesh's Indore district in the last 24 hours, taking the total number of cases to 8,014, reports PTI. This was achieved and maintained despite high population density, low fractional GDP spending and per capita doctor and hospital bed availability compared to developed nations, he added. Union health minister Harsh Vardhan on Thursday told the WHO's southeast Asia director that India's "proactive and graded multi-level institutional response to Covid resulted in maintain very low cases and deaths per million population". Sukhram Chaudhary, Himachal Pradesh power minister tested positive for coronavirus on Thursday. He took oath as state minister in Shimla on 30 July, ANI reported. She announced that psychology students will be inducted for tele counselling of COVID-19 patients and their families. She also cautioned that none should impersonate representatives from COVID-19 testing centres and said the people should get their samples tested only at government authorised laboratories West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee Thursday said the cord blood bank in the city will be used for treating COVID-19 patients in addition to the plasma bank at the state-run Calcutta Medical College Hospital. "We must fast track efforts and do all we can to avoid that from happening while continuing efforts to break the COVID-19 transmission chain," she stressed during a virtual meeting with ministers of health from the region. Previous disease outbreaks have shown that disruption to essential services caused by an outbreak can be more deadly than the outbreak itself, said Dr Poonam Khetrapal Singh, the Regional Director WHO South-East Asia Region, on Thursday. The pandemic has put immense strain on health systems across the South-East Asia Region. The World Health Organization on Thursday urged the member nations of its southeast Asia region to maintain essential health services and accelerate resumption of healthcare facilities hit by the pandemic as an integral part of the COVID-19 response. This was achieved and maintained despite high population density, low fractional GDP spending and per capita doctor and hospital bed availability compared to developed nations, he added. Union health minister Harsh Vardhan on Thursday told the WHO's southeast Asia director that India's "proactive and graded multi-level institutional response to Covid resulted in maintain very low cases and deaths per million population". 5,737 RTPCR/CBNAAT/TrueNat tests and 14,699 Rapid antigen tests conducted today. A total of 11,20,318 test conducted so far, the Delhi government said. 1,299 COVID-19 cases, 1,008 cured patients, and 15 deaths were reported in Delhi on Thursday. Total number of cases in the National Capital is now at 1,41,531, including 1,27,124 recovered, 10,348 active cases and 4,059 deaths. 18,337 COVID-19 infected people have recovered so far in Kerala. 25,205 samples were analyzed during the last 24 hours. A total of 9,08,355 samples have so far been sent for testing and the results of 6,346 samples are yet to come, she added, Kerala health minister KK Shailja on Thursday said that 1,298 new COVID-19 cases, three deaths and 800 recoveries were reported. The number of active cases now stands at 11,983, total death toll at 97. "It has been decided that lockdown will be in place on Sundays only in Bhopal and some other districts. Hotels and restaurants can now function till 10 pm. The curfew will remain in place between 10 pm and 5 am," said Madhya Pradesh home minister Narottam Mishra on Thursday. Maharashtra Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari inaugurates the new #COVID19 testing laboratory (molecular lab) of the Bhaktivedanta Hospital, Mira Bhayandar through the digital platform from Raj Bhavan, Mumbai. Governor asks the hospital to give motherly affection to patients pic.twitter.com/OcsJMmYP7t Maharashtra governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari on Thursday inaugurated the new COVID-19 testing laboratory (molecular lab) of the Bhaktivedanta Hospital, Mira Bhayandar through the digital platform from Raj Bhavan, Mumbai. The Maharashtra health department said that 11,514 COVID-19 cases and 316 deaths were reported in the state on Thursday. Total number of cases in the state is now at 4,79,779, including 1,46,305 active cases, 3,16,375 recovered and 16,792 deaths. Sukhram Chaudhary, Himachal Pradesh power minister tested positive for coronavirus on Thursday. He took oath as state minister in Shimla on 30 July, ANI reported. She announced that psychology students will be inducted for tele counselling of COVID-19 patients and their families. She also cautioned that none should impersonate representatives from COVID-19 testing centres and said the people should get their samples tested only at government authorised laboratories West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee Thursday said the cord blood bank in the city will be used for treating COVID-19 patients in addition to the plasma bank at the state-run Calcutta Medical College Hospital. "Expanded diagnostic lab network and facilitation for easy testing across the country has given a boost and India has done more than 2 crore tests presently. The progressively increasing daily new recoveries are due to focused attention on surveillance, containment and effective clinical management. India created a network of COVID-19 dedicated hospitals to manage the cases," the statement said. The Union health ministry on Thursday said that India has substantively ramped up its testing infrastructure from one lab in Jan 2020 to 1,370 labs currently. Coronavirus LATEST Updates: The Maharashtra health department said that 11,514 COVID-19 cases and 316 deaths were reported in the state on Thursday. Total number of cases in the state is now at 4,79,779, including 1,46,305 active cases, 3,16,375 recovered and 16,792 deaths. Union health minister Harsh Vardhan on Thursday told the WHO's southeast Asia director that India's "proactive and graded multi-level institutional response to Covid resulted in maintain very low cases and deaths per million population". This was achieved and maintained despite high population density, low fractional GDP spending and per capita doctor and hospital bed availability compared to developed nations, he added. Senior CPM trade union leader and former West Bengal transport minister Shyamal Chakraborty passed away at a hospital in Kolkata on Thursday at the age of 76. He had tested COVID-19 positive. Economic activity had started to recover, but a surge in coronavirus infections has forced imposition of lockdowns, said RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das The surge in COVID-19 cases continued in Telangana, with 2,092 new cases being reported, the highest single-day spike so far, while the toll mounted to 589. The repo rate stands at 4 percent, and the reverse repo rate at 3.35 percent, said RBI governor Shaktikanta Das on Thursday. Serum will have exclusive rights for the vaccine in India during the term of the deal and non-exclusive rights during the 'Pandemic Period' in most countries As many as 13,28,336 COVID-19 patients have been cured and discharged so far, the Union Health Ministry has said in its latest update. Indias COVID-19 recovery rate now stands at 67.6 percent. The reported active COVID-19 cases in India now stands at 5,95,501, according to the Union Health Ministry. Fire broke out at the Shrey Hospital in Navrangpura area of Ahmedabad during the early hours of Thursday. Around 40 other COVID-19 patients at the facility were rescued and shifted to a civic hospital in the city. India's COVID-19 infection tally raced past 19 lakh on Wednesday, two days after it crossed the 18 lakh, with 52,509 people testing positive for the novel coronavirus in a day. However, the recoveries have also increased to 12,82,215, according to the Union Health Ministry data. The recovery rate among COVID-19 patients has risen to 67.19 percent while the fatality rate has further dropped to 2.09 percent, the data stated. The total coronavirus cases in the country surged to 19,08,254 while the death toll climbed to 39,795 with 857 people succumbing to the disease in a span of 24 hours, the data updated at 8 am showed. There are 5,86,244 active cases of coronavirus infection in the country presently which contribute 30.72 percent of the total caseload. This is the seventh consecutive day that COVID-19 cases have increased by more than 50,000. According to the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), a cumulative total of 2,14,84,402 samples have been tested up to 4 August with 6,19,652 samples being tested on Tuesday. Meanwhile, three Indian drug manufacturers on Wedensday launched Favipiravir, an antivral which has been approved by the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) for restricted emergency use in COVID-19 patients. While Lupin's Covihalt costs Rs 49 per tablet in India, BDR Pharmaceuticals's BDFAVI will be available at a price of Rs 63 per tablet. Alkem Laboratories too launched ''Alfluenza'', but the cost per tablet is not available. Case fatality rate drops to 2.09% A total of 51,706 patients have recuperated from COVID-19 in India in a span of 24 hours, the highest in a day, while the case fatality rate has dropped to 2.09 percent, according to the health ministry. "With an increasing number of COVID-19 patients recovering, there has been a 63.8 per cent increase in the recovered cases in the last 14 days," the ministry said in the statement. With 6,19,652 tests conducted on Tuesday, the cumulative testing as on date has reached 2,14,84,402. The tests per million have seen a sharp increase to 15,568. SC suggests cheaper treatment in smaller towns The Supreme Court has suggested that there should be cheaper treatment for COVID-19 infected patients in smaller towns and asked the Centre to consider the aspect of prompt release of claims by insurance companies which cannot keep their hands off at the time of pandemic. The apex court was told by the Centre that health is a state subject and primary responsibility in terms of management of COVID-19 rests with the states. In a report filed in the top court, the Centre proposed that states "may on a priority basis arrive at fair rates for private hospitals to ensure that there is no over-charging from COVID-19 patients or indiscriminate hikes for patients". A bench headed by Chief Justice SA Bobde, which was hearing the pleas including the one filed by advocate Sachin Jain who has sought direction for regulating the cost of treatment of COVID-19 at private hospitals across the country, suggested that there should be cheaper treatment for coronavirus infected patients in smaller towns. The top court made the suggestion after counsel appearing for private hospitals said that uniform price capping may not be feasible as it may vary in big and smaller cities. State-wise figures Of the 857 fresh deaths reported by the central health ministry on Wednesday, 300 are from Maharashtra, 110 from Karnataka, 108 from Tamil Nadu, 67 from Andhra Pradesh, 54 from West Bengal, 39 from Uttar Pradesh, 25 from Gujarat, 20 from Punjab, 17 each from Rajasthan and Bihar, 13 from Telangana, 12 each from Madhya Pradesh and Delhi and 10 from Jammu and Kashmir. Nine fatalities have been reported from Odisha, eight each from Chhattisgarh and Haryana, six from Assam, five from Uttarakhand, four from Goa, three from Kerala and Jharkhand, two each from Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Puducherry and Tripura, while Chandigarh has recorded one fatality each. Of the total 39,795 deaths, Maharashtra has reported the maximum at 16,142 followed by 4,349 in Tamil Nadu, 4,033 in Delhi, 2,704 in Karnataka, 2,533 in Gujarat, 1,817 in Uttar Pradesh, 1,785 in West Bengal, 1,604 in Andhra Pradesh and 962 in Madhya Pradesh. So far, 732 people have died of COVID-19 in Rajasthan, 576 in Telangana, 462 in Punjab, 448 in Haryana, 417 in Jammu and Kashmir, 347 in Bihar, 216 in Odisha, 128 in Jharkhand, 115 in Assam, 95 in Uttarakhand, 87 in Kerala. Chhattisgarh has registered 69 deaths, Goa 60, Puducherry 58, Tripura 30, Chandigarh 20, Himachal Pradesh 14, Andaman and Nicobar Islands 12, Ladakh and Manipur seven each, Meghalaya and Nagaland five each, Arunachal Pradesh three, Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu two and Sikkim one. 90% of recovered patients in Wuhan suffering from lung damage: Report Ninety percent of a sample group of coronavirus-recovered patients from a prominent hospital in China's Wuhan city where the pandemic broke out have reported lung damage and five percent of them are again in quarantine after testing positive for the virus, according to a media report on Wednesday. A team at the Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University led by Peng Zhiyong, director of the hospital's Intensive Care Unit, has been conducting follow-up visits with ''100 recovered patients'' since April. The first phase of this one-year programme finished in July. The average age of the patients in the study is 59. According to the first phase results, 90 percent of the patients'' lungs are still in a damaged state, which means their lungs ventilation and gas exchange functions have not recovered to the level of healthy people, state-run Global Times reported. Peng's team conducted a six-minute walking test with the patients. They found that the recovered patients could only walk 400 metres in six minutes while their healthy peers could walk 500 metres in the same period. Some recovered patients have to rely on oxygen machines even three months after being discharged from the hospital, Liang Tengxiao, a doctor from the Dongzhimen Hospital, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, was quoted as saying by the report. With inputs from PTI (Newser) The death toll from the massive explosion that shook Lebanon's capital Tuesday now stands at more than 70and with scenes of utter devastation for blocks surrounding the Beirut port area, the toll appears certain to rise. The country's health minister says the blast, which caused a mushroom cloud and was heard as far away as Cyprus, 150 miles across the Mediterranean, injured at least 4,000 people, the BBC reports. Interior Minister Mohammed Fahmi told reporters that the blast was apparently caused by the detonation of more than 2,700 tons of ammonium nitrate that had been stored in a port warehouse since 2014, when it was seized from a cargo ship, reports the AP. story continues below Lebanese Prime Minister Hassan Diab vowed that those responsible for the catastrophe will "pay the price." Other countries in the regioneven longtime adversary Israelhave offered humanitarian aid, with Qatar promising to send field hospitals, the Guardian reports. It's not clear what caused the detonation, but witnesses said a fire in a nearby building spread to the warehouse just before the huge explosion. Germanys geosciences center says the blast, which damaged buildings across the city, hit with the force of a 3.5-magnitude earthquake. President Trump offered his condolences, for what he described as an "attack," CBS reports. He said he had spoken to "some of our great generals," who told him they thought it was "a bomb of some kind." (Read more Beirut stories.) A seven-month pregnant black woman was handcuffed at gunpoint by police in Indiana as she sat in her own car eating ice cream, because a bogus 911 caller claimed she had threatened to shoot someone. La'Tasha Tyler was sitting in her car in the parking lot of a G.D. Ritzy's in Evansville on July 27 when she was confronted by cops responding to a call claiming she threatened another woman with a gun. Bodycam footage from the incident shows half a dozen officers ordering Tyler from her car while she repeatedly asks what she was supposed to have done wrong. Officers in the video can be heard saying how they believe the 911 call to have been 'complete bulls**t', and they later let Tyler go. But she has hit out on Facebook, claiming cops placed her and her unborn child's life in danger. Scroll down for video La'Tasha Tyler was ordered from her car at gunpoint in Evansville, Indiana, on July 27 and placed in handcuffs after an apparently bogus 911 call claimed she had a gun The department has defended their officers' actions, however, amid claims they overreacted in pulling their guns on the young, unarmed and heavily pregnant black woman. 'There's a way to do things and a way not,' attorney David Mour, who is representing Tyler, told Tristate. 'I get the police have to be safe, etc., but I submit to you that if this were a caucasian lady that was seven months pregnant, I doubt this would have been handled in the same manner.' Evansville police responded on July 27 at around 7 p.m. to an anonymous 911 call that claimed a black woman had pulled a gun on another woman in the parking lot on Green River Road. 'She has a gun in her car,' the anonymous caller said in the 911 call provided by police and published on Facebook. 'She's out there fighting with another girl, and she's pulling a gun on her.' The caller gave Tyler's vehicle registration number during the call and when officers arrived at the scene, they found her still sitting in the car on the parking lot. As seen in the bodycam video, police found no gun in Tyler's possession or in her car and quickly released her without charge. Police responded to the call in a parking lot in Evansville at around 7pm on July 27 An officer is seen immediately pulling his gun as they order the pregnant Tyler out of the car Police later found that the woman who made the 911 call has problems with her mental health. No charges have been filed for filing a false report but EPD spokesman Sgt. Nick Winsett said that may change. He said that for a charge to be filed, they must prove criminal intent which could be difficult given the caller's mental health. Tyler remained unhappy about the incident, however, and wrote an angry post on Facebook about the unexpected run-in with the cops. 'Apparently this lady called and told them I had a gun and was shooting at her so they treated me like dirt and made me get on my knees in a puddle to handcuff me for NO REASON!' she wrote in the post, which is no longer public. 'Every time I tried to talk they acted like they were going to shoot me!' she continued. 'All I had was ice cream in the car! I even told them I was seven months pregnant and had no idea what had happened before I arrived and I'm not a criminal and have a gun whatsoever. 'The almost took my f*****g life and my child's. F**k Evansville Indiana,' she added. Evansville police took issue with Tyler's post and decided to release the bodycam footage and 911 call in response. Tyler accused officers of putting her and her unborn child's life in danger La'Tasha Tyler, who is seven months pregnant, was sitting in her own car eating ice cream in the parking lot of a G.D. Ritzy's in Evansville when she was placed in handcuffs at gunpoint The police department posted the bodycam footage in response to Tyler's claims 'This is part one of a four part post about an incident that happened last night,' they wrote to their own Facebook page on July 28, sharing Tyler's message but taking out her name. 'The below is a screenshot that has been shared over 1700 times and has inaccurate information.' The video of the brief arrest shows at least one officer pointing a gun at Tyler as she is ordered out of her car and walks backwards toward the officers. She is then asked to kneel and placed in handcuffs. The young woman can be heard repeatedly asking what she has done wrong and telling officers she is pregnant. 'I'm seven months pregnant!' Tyler told an officer. 'What am I doing wrong?' Officers explain the 911 call they received and she tells them she doesn't have a gun and that they can search her car. 'Here's the reason you got taken out of the car like you did,' the officer said. 'We just got called and your car and license plate was given as the description of people that just pulled a gun on somebody at Ritzy's.' 'I don't have a gun, you can check my car,' Tyler responded. 'I think this is going to be complete bullsh**,' the officer is then heard saying as he walks toward the car and another can be heard suggesting that Tyler had annoyed somebody, causing them to make a false 911 call about her. 'I'm going to say that someone's probably pissed off at this little girl,' the officer says, as they are shown rummaging through her car but failing to find any firearm. The cop wearing the bodycam agrees as they continue the search on the car. 'I'm gonna say that you're probably right,' he said. 'I'm [going to say] someone is pissed off at this little girl.' Tyler told the cops she had done nothing and told them to search her car As cops searched the car, they said how they believed the call about a gun was 'bullsh**' The officers then return to Tyler and quickly take off her handcuffs as they tell her why they had been put on in the first place. 'We're not doubting your words,' one officer says. 'That's the reason these came off as quick as they went on, and I'm about to send you on your way because I believe you,' adds another. 'We know it's embarrassing to you, and we're sorry,' the first officer adds. 'I want you to understand that. I truly do...but we've got to approach our job as we do.' The police department hit back at Tyler's claims that they had made 'disparaging comments' to her while she was placed in handcuffs and that they had placed her life at risk. 'None of these things were true,' said Sgt. Nick Winsett. 'This is policing 101. What they did in the video was textbook. 'Any time it's high risk, we don't have certain traffic stops for different races, it's all high risk or it's not. In this case, it was considered a high risk traffic stop.' Protesters gathered near the Civic Center in Evansville last week after Tyler's story emerged. Organizer Cassandra Coffey told Courier & Press that falsely telling police a person of color has a gun is essentially attempted murder. Tyler's attorney Mour has also asked that the department take down the bodycam footage and the recording on the 911 complaint from social media. 'I said, "Well, if I put something on my Facebook page, which is private, a few people may see it. If the Evansville Police Department post something, thousands and thousands of people are potentially going to see it," and it's a different optic and a different look,' he said. His request was declined. Police said that the bodycam video was uploaded in response to Tyler's claims about the incident of Facebook. Iran was sending a shipment of humanitarian aid to Lebanon on Wednesday, following a massive blast in Beirut the previous day that killed 100 people and wounded thousands. The explosion hitting with the force of a 3.5-magnitude earthquake was the biggest ever seen in Beirut, a city blasted by a 1975-1990 civil war, bombarded in conflicts with Israel and hit by periodic terror attacks. Lebanon's interior minister said it appeared that a large cache of ammonium nitrate in the port had detonated. The sudden devastation overwhelmed a country already struggling with both the coronavirus pandemic and a severe economic crisis. The Iranian shipment contained food, medicine, a field hospital and a team of doctors and aid workers, according to Karim Hemmati, head of the country's Red Crescent society. The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has published the full timetable for the 2020 West African Senior School Certificate Exam... The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has published the full timetable for the 2020 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE). In a post on Twitter, the examination body said it was the Final International Timetable for the Conduct of WASSCE for School Candidates, 2020. The Nigerian government on its part, had approved Monday, August 17 as the start of the exams. It will end Saturday, September 12. A look at the time-table shows students will sit for Mathematics on August 24 and English Language on August 26. Practicals for science students begin this Friday, August 7 with Chemistry. The last paper will be Core Science on Monday, September 7. FULL TIME TABLE Tuesday, 11 August 2020 Engineering Science 2 ( Essay) -8:30 hrs 10:15 hrs Engineering Science 1 (Objective) -10:15 hrs 11:30 hrs Friday 14 August, 2020 Management In Living 2 (Essay) 08:30 hrs- 10:30 hrs Management In Living 1 (Objective) -10:30 hrs 11:30 hrs Management In Living 3 ( Test of Practical Work) 14:00 hrs 15:00 hrs Saturday 15 August 2020 Physical Education 3 ( Theory of Practical) 08:30 hrs 10:30 hrs Monday 17 August 2020 Core Mathematics 2 (Essay) 08:30 hrs 11:30 hrs Core Mathematics 1 (Objectives) 14:00 hrs 15:30 hrs Tuesday 18 August 2020 Chemistry 3 (Alternative D) (Alternative to Practical work) 08:30 hrs 10:00 hrs Food and Nutrition 3 (Practical) Planning Session 11:00 hrs 12:00 hrs Home Management 3 (Practical) Planning Session 13:00 hrs 14:00 hrs Physical Education 2 (Essay) 14:00 hrs 15:20 hrs Physical Education 1(Practical) 15:20 hrs 16:30 Wednesday 19 August 2020, To Monday 7 September 2020 Arabic 3 Oral Fence 3 Oral Food and nutrition 3(Practical) Home Management 3 (Practical) Date and time for each paper will be organized by council. Wednesday, 19th August, 2020* Economics 2 (Essay) 08:30 hrs. 10:30 hrs. Economics 1 (Objective) 10:30 hrs. 11:30 hrs. Thursday, 20th August, 2020* Physics 3 (Practical) (Alternative A) 08:30 hrs. 11:15 hrs. (1st Set) Physics 3 (Practical) (Alternative A) 11:40 hrs. 14:25 hrs.(2nd Set) History 2 (Essay) 13:00 hrs. 15:00 hrs. History 1 (Objective) 15:00 hrs. 16:00 hrs. Friday, 21st August, 2020 Literature-In-English 2 (Prose) 08:30 hrs. 09:45 hrs. Literature-In-English 1 (Objective) 09:45 hrs. 10:45 hrs. Literature-In-English 3(Drama & Poetry) 14:00 hrs. 16:30 hrs Saturday, 22nd August, 2020 Home Management 2( Essay) 08:30 hrs 09:30 hrs Home Management 1 Objective 09:30 hrs 10:30 hrs Health Sciences 3 Alternative to Practical 14:00 hrs 15:45 hrs Monday, 24th August, 2020 English Language 3 (Oral)/** 08:30 hrs. 09:15 hrs. (1st Set) English Language 3 (Oral)/** -09:40 hrs. 10:25 hrs. (2nd Set) Arabic 2 (Essay) 13:00 hrs. 15:00 hrs. Arabic 1 (Objective) 15:00 hrs. 15:50 hrs. Tuesday, 25th August, 2020 Biology 2 (Essay) 08:30 hrs. 10:10 hrs. Edo: Obaseki opens up on 'funds diversion' to Afrinvest, ICPC petition NEWS:Edo: Obaseki opens up on 'funds diversion' to Afrinvest, ICPC petition Biology 1 (Objective) 10:10 hrs. 11:00 hrs. Commence 2 ( Essay) 13:00 hrs. 15:00 hrs. Commerce 1 (Objective) 15:10 hrs. 15:50 hrs. Wednesday, 26th August, 2020 English Language 2(Essay) 08:30 hrs. 10:30 hrs. English Language 1 (Objective) 10:30 hrs. 11:30 hrs. Thursday, 27th August 2020 Geography 2 (Essay) 08:30 hrs. 10:30 hrs. Geography 1(Objective) 10:30 hrs. 11:30 hrs. Geography 3(Practical and Physical Geography) 13:00hrs. 14:50hrs. Friday, 28th August, 2020 Physics 2 (Essay) 08:30 hrs. 10.00 hrs. Physics 1 (Objective) 10:00 hrs. 11:15 hrs. Business Management 2 (Essay) 08:30 hrs. 10:30 hrs. Business Management 1 (Objective) 10:30 hrs. 11:30 hrs. Saturday, 29th August, 2020 Agricultural Science 3 (Alternative to Practical Work) 08:30 hrs 10:00 hrs. French 2 (Essay) 14:00 hrs. 15:15 hrs. French 1 (Objective) 15:15 hrs. 16:15 hrs. Monday, 31st August, 2020 Biology 3 (Alternative B) (Alternative to Practical work) 08:30 hrs. 10:30 hrs. (1st Set) and 11:00 hrs. 13:00 hrs. (2nd Set) Tuesday 1st September, 2020 Further Mathematics/Mathematics (Elective) 2 (Essay) 08:30 hrs. 11:00 hrs. Further Mathematics/Mathematics (Elective) 1 (Objective) -14:30 hrs. 16:00 hrs. Wednesday, 2nd September, 2020 Christian Religious Studies 2 (Essay) 08:30 hrs. 10:30 hrs. Christian Religious Studies 1 (Objective) 10:30 hrs. 11:30 hrs. Islamic Studies 2 (Essay) 08:30 hrs. 10:30 hrs. Islamic Studies 1 (Objective) 10:30 hrs. 11:20 hrs. Chemistry 2 (Essay) 13:00 hrs. 15:00 hrs. Chemistry 1 (Objective) 15:00 hrs. 16:00 hrs. Thursday, 3rd September 2020 Government 2 (Essay) 08:30 hrs. 10:30 hrs. Government 1 (Objective) 10:30 hrs. 11:30 hrs. Chemistry 3 (Practical) (Alternative B) 08:30 hrs. 10:30 hrs. (1st Set) Chemistry 3 (Practical) (Alternative B) 11:00 hrs. 13:00 hrs. (2nd Set) Friday, 4th September, 2020 Foods and Nutrition 2 (Essay) 08:30 hrs. 09:45 hrs. Foods and Nutrition 1 (Objective) 09:45 hrs. 10:45 hrs. Saturday, 5th September 2020 Physics 3 (Practical) (Alternative B) 08:30 hrs. 11:15 hrs. (1st Set) Physics 3 (Practical) (Alternative B) 11:40 hrs. 14:25 hrs. (2ndSet) Financial Accounting 2 (Essay) 08:30 hrs. 11:00 hrs. Financial Accounting 1 (Objective) 11:00hrs. 12:00hrs. Principles of Cost Accounting 2 (Essay) 13:30 hrs. 15:30 hrs. Principles of Cost Accounting 1 (Objective) 15:30 hrs. 16:3 Monday 7th September 2020 Core Science 2 (Essay) 08:30 hrs 10:00 hrs Core Science 1 (Practical) 10:00 hrs 11:00 hre She is back in the UK after recently enjoying an idyllic holiday to St Tropez. And Georgia Harrison looked sensational as ever as she posed for a sizzling bikini snap on Tuesday. The former Love Island star, 25, showcased her gym-honed physique as she donned a white and blue butterfly print bikini. Stunning: Georgia Harrison, 25, looked sensational as ever as she posed for a sizzling bikini snap on Tuesday Displaying her bronzed hue from her recent trip abroad, Georgia fixed the camera with a smoldering stare as she posed in her kitchen. Letting her blonde locks fall loose down her shoulders, the reality star completed her look with a silver necklace. Alongside the photo, she wrote a quote from author Maya Angelou: 'We delight in the beauty of the butterfly, but rarely admit the changes it has gone through to achieve its beauty'. Georgia is clearly happy to be getting back into her fitness routine as she also posted a snap of herself in a grey crop top and blue shorts as she encouraged her followers to check out her fitness page. Keeping fit: Georgia also posted a snap of herself in a grey crop top and blue shorts as she encouraged her followers to check out her fitness page Georgia's trip away comes after she revealed she was made homeless at one point during her late teens when she lived in Marbella. Speaking to The Sun about her experience last month, she said: 'I was living in Marbella with a friend and this guy who would have really crazy parties with strangers coming in and out of our room in the night. It was scary. 'In the end after a massive argument we had to leave but we had just given him a whole month's rent. We didn't have enough money to live somewhere else, so we literally moved into my car. 'We had to wash in a nearby hotel. At one point security even caught us and said "we know you don't stay here" and they chased us out, it was crazy. Cruising! The former Love Island star recently flaunted her long legs in an aqua blue swimsuit from GIGI C Bikinis for the day out on the ocean Adding: 'I would go to work in a club all night, it was so stressful. One time I came back to the car to sleep and it had been towed with everything we owned inside. 'That's the point I was at but I turned my whole life around within a year.' The TV personality said she ended up using a self-help book, The Secret by Rhonda Byrne, to turn her life around. Georgia first found fame with a brief stint on The Only Way Is Essex in 2014 before becoming a household name with an appearance on 2017's Love Island. If there is any consensus around how to limit the spread of Covid-19, it is that everyone should be wearing a facemask in public. It's a simple thing, and yet it's an issue many state governments don't want to touch. In the absence of any sort of a national plan, companies have tried to step into the void. As my colleague Bill Saporito so eloquently noted recently, Walmart is currently providing greater leadership on Covid-19 than the CDC. With its national mask mandate, Starbucks is doing more to blunt the impact of the pandemic than the governors of the 18 states that still do not require masks in public. In response, frontline workers at these companies and others have faced threats of actual violence and even death. While it's admirable that businesses are trying to do the right thing here, why should it be on the shoulders of already-stretched small businesses to enact basic public health measures? Enforcement of public health and safety actions is the responsibility of everyone, of course, but it should be a primary concern of state and local governments. This is a cross that retailers should not have to bear at any time, but especially now, when every day is an existential struggle for many. In early July, the Retail Industry Leaders Association, a trade association based in Arlington, Virginia, asked for help. In a letter to the National Governors Association, retail leaders called on state governments to step in and mandate that every citizen wear a mask when shopping or in any public space. Right now, 32 states have statewide mask mandates in place; the ones that don't all have Republican governors. Something that should be basic public issue has become politicized, at the detriment to Americans everywhere. The absence of a clear, unambiguous message of mask wearing is a void into which everyone can pour their own political views, one in which irresponsible people argue that wearing a mask is nothing more than a personal preference. That argument just doesn't hold. We don't allow personal preference to trump other public health concerns. If someone walks into your store without wearing pants, you don't just say, "Oh, well. She's just exercising her constitutional right of free expression." If someone starts punching your employees, your reaction isn't "Well, I'd better hire private security to ensure my customers have a better experience." You expect a level of personal responsibility. And if that isn't met, you expect law enforcement to step in. But, in reality, that's not happening--not even in states that have mask requirements. Take my home state of Kansas. Governor Laura Kelly issued a statewide mask order in July, but left it up to the individual counties--of which Kansas has 105, in a state of about three million people--to enforce. Less than 20 percent of these county governments have said they will enforce mask orders, but, they say, if an individual business wants to do it, God bless. This isn't the time for the country to have a states rights debate, nor is it the time for the country to be weak-willed toward public safety. And it especially shouldn't be a time when businesses are expected to do the job our democratically elected officials should be doing. Real solutions for small-business owners shouldn't involve asking them to perform all the functions of a basic functioning civil society. Lamborghini Urus. Lamborghini The US Department of Justice said on Tuesday that Houston resident Lee Price III is in custody on allegations of using fraudulently obtained COVID-19 relief funding for personal purchases. Prosecutors said that Price netted more than $1.6 million via two fraudulent loan applications. The DOJ said one application listed a CEO who, in reality, had died a month before the application was submitted. Price used the money to buy a Lamborghini Urus SUV, a 2020 Ford F-350 pickup truck, a Rolex watch, real estate, and for visits to Houston night clubs and strip clubs, authorities alleged. Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories. As the pandemic continues to rage across states like Texas, one Houston man is in custody on allegations of using fraudulently obtained COVID-19 relief funds to buy himself a new Lamborghini. The announcement about the arrest came from the US Department of Justice on Tuesday, just one week after the department said another man, that time in Florida, had done the exact same thing. Houston resident Lee Price III, 29, was accused of netting more than $1.6 million in Paycheck Protection Program relief funding, the DOJ said. The complaint said he used the money to buy a Lamborghini Urus for himself, along with plenty of other items. Price submitted fraudulent PPP applications on behalf of two businesses, the complaint said: Price Enterprises Holdings and 713 Construction. The applications claimed that both companies had "significant" payroll expenses and "numerous" employees. However, prosecutors said neither Price Enterprises Holdings nor 713 Construction pay wages or have employees that match up with what was claimed in the applications. Price Enterprises Holdings received $900,000 in relief aid, while 713 Construction received $700,000. But the false claims didn't stop at employment counts and expenses. Authorities said the person the loan application claimed to be the CEO of 713 Construction had, in fact, died in April 2020. The application was submitted in May. Story continues In addition to buying himself a Lamborghini Urus or what some would consider merely a big Audi the complaint also accused Price of using the funds on a Rolex watch, real estate, and a 2020 Ford F-350 pickup truck. He also apparently "spent thousands" at night clubs and strip clubs in Houston, the DOJ said. Going to a club or strip club adds potential risk of exposure to the virus, as "there's no way to socially distance," a strip-club worker named Diana who lives in Houston told Vox in July. Texas's COVID-19 outbreak has also "ballooned dramatically since June 1," Business Insider previously reported. It's unclear if Price visited Texas's first drive-thru strip club, which is also in Houston and was established as an effort to support staff through the ongoing pandemic. Price is being charged with wire fraud, bank fraud, making false statements to a financial institution, and engaging in unlawful monetary transactions. Read the original article on Business Insider Ranchi, Aug 5 : Jailed former Bihar Chief Minister and Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) president Lalu Prasad was shifted from the paying ward of the Rajendra Institute of Medical Science (RIMS) to its director's residence, here on Wednesday, to protect him from Covid-19 infection. Shifting has been done on the direction of the jail administration after the security guards and some medical employees of the RIMS paying ward tested Covid-19 positive. Meanwhile, two former Ministers Enos Ekka and Raja Peter, lodged in the Birsa Munda Central Jail in connection with murder cases, have also tested Covid-19 positive. But they are being kept with 52 other coronavirus positive prisoners. After so many inmates tested Covid-19 positive, common activities and group works have been stopped in the jail. Meanwhile, 450 new Covid-19 cases, reported in the last 24 hours, raised the number of cases in the state to 14,400. At present, the number of active cases is 8,742. Coronavirus has claimed 129 lives in Jharkhand, so far. In last 24 hours, 383 people were discharged from various Covid-19 facilities. Of this, 112 belonged to the Giridih district, Ranchi (67), Lohardaga (46), Palamu and Ramgarh (44 each) and East Singhbhum (34). Due to the spike in coronavirus cases, the recovery rate has fallen to 36.95 per cent in Jharkhand. Of the 3,57,748 collected samples, 3,45,907 have been tested and 3,31,837 turned out to be negative. Check out the news you should not miss today: Politics During a phone call with Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc on Tuesday, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe expressed his gratitude to Vietnam for helping Japan with masks and medical supplies, while affirming that Japan is willing to provide financial support for Vietnam to revitalize its economy and overcome the consequences of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. Society Vietnam on Wednesday morning reported two new cases of COVID-19 linked to Da Nang Hospital. The countrys tally has reached 672 with 286 under treatment, 378 recoveries, and eight deaths. Police in Ho Chi Minh City have detected 114 cases in which foreigners, mainly Chinese nationals, illegally entered the city from July 21 to August 2, chairman Nguyen Thanh Phong said during a meeting with voters in District 1 on Tuesday. Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper on Tuesday delivered its readers donations including 60 sets of personal protective equipment and 20 boxes of hand sanitizer to the Lang Co Town health facility in the central province of Thua Thien-Hue to support COVID-19 prevention work in the locality. Police in the northern province of Thai Binh have detained Chu Thi My L., a doctor from local Vu Thu District General Hospital for investigation, after L.s grandson was hospitalized with signs of poisoning. L. has admitted to poisoning the milk fed to the child twice. The northern city of Hai Phong on Tuesday sent a team of 33 medical workers and VND5 billion (US$216,500) to support Da Nang to combat COVID-19. Police in Ho Chi Minh City recently broke up a ring producing fake medical gloves on a large scale, with 2.3 million pairs of gloves worth over VND3 billion ($130,000) detected. Business The Vietnam Motor Show 2020, scheduled for October 29 to November 1, has been canceled due to the complicated developments of COVID-19, the Vietnam News Agency reported on Tuesday, citing an announcement from the Vietnam Automobile Manufacturers Association and the Vehicles Importers Vietnam Association. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! As we get older, most of us learn that fairytales dont actually exist. However, if youre lucky, you might find a partner who makes you feel like magic. Despite everything that theyve been through, Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex still have that magic that drew them to one another when they first met. The Sussexes lives have changed drastically since meeting in the summer of 2016. Theyve been engaged, gotten married, had their son, Archie Harrison, resigned from their roles as senior working royals, and moved to Meghans hometown of LA. Through it all, their relationship has remained rock solid. In fact, Prince Harry was mesmerized by the activist from the moment he saw her. RELATED: Meghan Markles Relationship with Prince Harry Is Very Different Than Her First Marriage Prince Harry and Meghan Markle met on a blind date The Duke and Duchess of Sussexes love story began in London in the summer of 2016 on a blind date. Prince Harry was interested in finding someone he could connect with and Meghan was newly single and visiting London for work. Meghan and Prince Harrys mutual friend, fashion designer Misha Nonoo set them up. The pair agreed to meet up at the exclusive Soho Houses Dean Street Townhouse. Initially, Meghan was less than impressed because the duke was a little late, but that changed quickly. Im really going to have to up my game here, Prince Harry said of their first meeting. Sit down and make sure Ive got good chat. According to Finding Freedom: Harry and Meghan and the Making of A Modern Family by Carolyn Durand and Omid Scobie, the Sussexes talked for hours, met again the next day for dinner, and for their third date, they flew to Botswana. RELATED: Meghan Markle and Prince Harry Just Reacted to That Iconic Rain Photo Meghan Markle thought Prince Harry was charming While the prince was immediately smitten, Meghan didnt initially reveal how charmed she was by her future husband. However, she understood just how interested he was by the time she arrived at her hotel after that first date. According to Finding Freedom via People, His messages were often short and full of emojis, in particular the ghost emoji, which he often used instead of a smiley face. For what reason? Nobody knows. But Meghan found his texting etiquette funny and adorable, just like the prince. He definitely didnt hide the fact that he was keen. He wanted her to know he was very interested. RELATED: Meghan Markle and Prince Harry Are Now In Total Control Of Their Lives, Source Explains Prince Harry thought Meghan Markle was the most beautiful woman hed ever seen During their engagement interview with BBC, Prince Harry explained why it was so important for them to get to know each other without the noise of the press and public intervene. Those months were their relationship remained a secret were crucial. Almost immediately they were almost obsessed with each other, a friend revealed in Finding Freedom. Wow, Prince Harry reportedly told a friend after his first date with Meghan, according to Finding Freedom via People. The most beautiful woman Ive seen in my life. The friend added, Harry knew they would be together at that point. She was ticking every box fast. The duchess was equally smitten, allegedly telling a friend, Do I sound crazy when I say this could have legs? Advertisement From Ahmad SAKA, Bauchi The Comissioner Ministry for Local Government Alhaji Abdulrazaq Nuhu Zaki has expressed optimism that candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party PDP will win the forth coming Local Government elections in Bauchi State. Zaki stated this Wednesday in Bauchi while answering questions from reporters, He said people of Bauchi state are happy with the performance of the present administration of Senator Bala Mohammed ,because they have witnessed socio economic developments projects that improve their living standard, and they have seen the difference between the immediate past APC government and the present so people of Bauchi are now with the PDP and election is all about people since majority of People are with the PDP they will vote for PDP candidates Zaki said it happened in Jigawa,Adamawa and many states people vote for the candidates that they are sure of doing a good job for them,and in Bauchi too will not be different since the state Independent Electoral Commission has fixed 17th October 2020 for the election Zaki said Government executes various roads and rehabilitates many roads in Bauchi ,Ningi Warji and many local government areas to aver flood . He said his ministry construct bridges,culverts and improve road networks on roads that people cannot follow during rainy season in Gwallaga,Unguwar Sarakuna,Madina Quaters,Magaji Quatets and Yelwa in Bauchi metropolis among others . Zaki said his ministry spent over 20 million Naira for cow and Rams that were distributed to mosques and orphans and vulnerable children in the state during the just conclude Eid elKabir celebration. Whom does she think she's fooling? Karen Bass, one of Joe Biden's top-pick candidates for vice president, has declared she's "not a communist," and none of us should believe the "lies" of the Republicans. According to this pretty hideously reported NBC news story: "I'm not a socialist. I'm not a communist. I've belonged to one party my entire life and that's the Democratic Party and I'm a Christian," Bass told NBC News. As Bass has emerged as a potential vice presidential pick, Republicans have seized on Bass' history of visits to Cuba. It's an overture to the significant segment of Cuban American and other Latino voters in the swing state of Florida who have backed Republican candidates over their hardline stances against the communist country. Lies? What lies? Bass made at least eight trips to Cuba during the 1970s, back when it was illegal, and did so as reported organizing leader of the Venceremos Brigade, the hardest of the hard-left faction that favored communist Fidel Castro over the freedom of America. The name translates to "we will triumph." Over whom, you can just guess, as Henry Olsen notes here. The Venceremos Brigade was available only through application and those applications were read and vetted by Cuban intelligence. If Cuban intelligence checked you out and found itself unconvinced that it could trust you, you weren't going. That necessary trust went double for the organization's leaders, which Bass was. What did they do on those illegal trips to Cuba? They heard indoctrination like this, according to Humberto Fontova: "Your country must be DESTROYED! Your duty is to DESTROY YOUR COUNTRY!" (KGB/DGI instructions to their Venceremos Brigade recruits.) Breitbart News has this impeccable report about the nature of this beast here: Over the years, Bass has spoken frequently about her decades-long involvement with the Venceramos Brigade (VB), starting from the time she was 19-years-old in 1973. She would make at least eight trips to Cuba in the 1970s and more in the decades that followed. Articles about her work with the Venceremos Brigade make it sound like the Cuban equivalent of Habitat for Humanity or any other praiseworthy volunteer organization providing humanitarian assistance in poor countries. In fact, the Venceremos Brigade was a Cuban communist front group founded in 1969 by Fidel Castro and the radical members of the Students for a Democratic Society (SDS). The Brigade was run by the Cuban intelligence service, the General Directorate for Intelligence (DGI). And it gets worse. According to this report from a spy who testified to Congress: In 1972, a House subcommittee published a report titled "The Theory and Practice of Communism in 1972 (Venceremos Brigade)." In a hearing leading up to the report, Richardson Preyer, a Democratic representative from North Carolina, said he hoped he would learn whether Brigade members were "idealistic, even though misguided, young people who wanted to go down to help with the crops with a regime which they are sympathetic for" or whether they were "interested in sharpening their revolutionary talents and perhaps exporting revolution." During the hearing, a sheriff's deputy from New Orleans told the subcommittee that he had infiltrated the group and been subject to extensive questioning and indoctrination sessions. "To be a member of the brigade, you had to be confirmed as a Marxist-Leninist," he said. The New York Times wrote up his testimony under the headline "Undercover Agent Tells of Cuba Trip With Red Youth Unit." But somehow we are supposed to believe Bass, who says she wasn't a communist and she only just learned that maybe something's bad about Castro, which is probably the hollowest claim from the left. Denying that one is a communist, in fact, is a very communist thing to do, as Carlos Eire, a Cuban exile based at Yale, pointed out on Babalu: She is NOT a communist, she is NOT a communist, she is NOT a communist. Yeah, seeNo one could ever lie about NOT being a communist. She is just a social justice warrior and a fighter for representative democracy, like Fidel back in 1959. Wanna see? Take a look at the video below, and watch for those magical shibboleths to jump out of Fidel's mouth so earnestly: "social justice" and "representative democracy[.]" And people who went to Cuba, again and again and again, like Bass, were the biggest targets of all for Cuban intelligence. This report, by Humberto Fontova, dating from 2014, tells us a lot: "A preferred target are 'study abroad' programs (in Cuba,)" adds America's top Cuban spycatcher Chris Simmons, recently retired from the Defense Intelligence Agency, "as participating students (from the U.S.) are assessed as inherently sympathetic to the Cuban revolution." And this, from Fontova: You see during the late 60's and early 70's the terrorist offshoot from the SDS (Students for a Democratic Society) known as The Weathermen and staffed most famously by Barack Obama's future "neighbors" Bill Ayres and Bernadine Dohrn served as the Cuban DGI's (Directorio General de Intelligencia) top U.S. recruitment officers. They accomplished this recruitment primarily through their sponsorship of the then famous Venceremos Brigades. During that heady Age of Aquarius hundreds of starry-eyed college kids were volunteering to "help build Cuban Socialism" and "fight U.S. Imperialism," mostly by joining these Venceremos Brigades (many via the Weathermen,) making their way to Cuba and joyfully cutting Cuban sugar cane. "The ultimate objective of the DGI's participation in the setting up of the Venceremos Brigades," says an FBI report declassified in 1976 "was the recruitment of individuals who are politically oriented and who someday may obtain a position, elective or appointive, somewhere in the U.S. Government, which would provide the Cuban Government with access to political, economic and military intelligence[.] This ought to give anyone the creeps, given that if Joe Biden picks her as his veep and in his dotage he doesn't make it to the end of his term, she's the one who's going to be sitting in the presidential chair, doing Castro's bidding. Except she's unlikely to do it, given that Miami's Cubans and Miami's Venezuelans won't vote for her. They know the tricks and false promises of communism firsthand because they've lived it. NBC seems to think it's strange that people who have lived through communism and fled for their lives from it wouldn't want to embrace it firsthand in the states. "What we are finding is the socialism drives people very strongly," Gamarra said. Voters are not swayed so much by the policy of Trump on Cuba or Venezuela, but "it's the way in which Republicans have said, if you vote for Biden, they are going to make the U.S. into another Venezuela, into another Cuba." People who associate socialism with violence in countries they or their families or others were forced to flee are associating violence in protests during Black Lives Matter demonstrations with the turmoil of the countries they fled, ideas that are fed by local media coverage, Gamarra said. The Atlantic echoes it. Roberto Rodriguez Tejera, a Cuban American who hosts a radio show popular with Cuban Americans in Florida, told me by text that he felt sure, given her history, that Bass would take the state off the table for Biden. "It's not only about Cuba. It's about the socialist narrative. She is the poster person for it. A dream come true for the Republicans," he wrote. "It's also about any independent voter, anywhere in the country, who may be afraid of a total takeover of the Biden presidency by the radical left." Now, gee, why would that be? And wouldn't people who lived communism firsthand have just a little incentive to oppose that failed philosophy? The Miami Cubans would know every dirty trick put on by the Castroites. They're not going to be fooled. Image credit: Official portrait via Wikimedia Commons, public domain. Until the city is willing and able to protect students, teachers and families, it is not safe to return to school, the students wrote. The students wrote that they do not want to be transmission vectors for our peers, teachers or family members. Long said the students think OPS Superintendent Cheryl Logan will make the right decision, just like she did in the spring when concerns about the coronavirus prompted the closure of the districts schools. Long said they also know remote learning had some problems, but teachers have had more training on teaching virtually, and OPS has purchased iPads for all students in the district. When asked how the students felt about not starting their senior year in school, Long said its a matter of putting public safety first and personal wants second. Long encouraged everyone in the city of Omaha to make good decisions. A big part of the reason students cant go back to school safely is that people are not social distancing properly, he said. New Delhi: External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj has asked the Kerala government to expedite the trial in a case of alleged rape of a Japanese woman in the stateas Kovalam district last month. In a series of tweets, she said, aI asked for a report from Government of Kerala about the rape of a Japanese tourist on 25 Nov 2016. We have received the report. aThe statement of the victim has been recorded before a Magistrate and the accused has been apprehended. aI have asked Government of Kerala to expedite the trial and keep us informed about the case.a Have received report from Kerala Govt abt rape of a Japanese National on 25 Nov '16; have asked them to expedite the trial-EAM Sushma Swaraj a ANI (@ANI_news) December 2, 2016 According to Kerala Police, the 35-year-old Japanese woman was allegedly raped by a man from neighbouring Karnataka at Kovalam and a case was registered against him under section 376 (punishment for rape) of the Indian Penal Code. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin (Agence France-Presse) Dar es Salaam, Tanzania Wed, August 5, 2020 12:05 531 6657ac82168da9fa101c8a4066bb23d1 2 News coronavirus,Tanzania,Kenya,aviation,Kenya-Airways,travel,COVID-19 Free Tanzania banned Kenya's national airline from entering the country effective Saturday, in the latest move in a deepening row triggered by Tanzania's controversial handling of the coronavirus pandemic. Tanzania said Kenya Airways flights were being banned "on a reciprocal basis" after Kenya decided against including Tanzania in a list of countries whose passengers would be permitted to enter Kenya when commercial flights resumed on 1 August. "Tanzania has noted... its exclusion in the list of countries whose people will be allowed to travel into Kenya," Tanzania Civil Aviation Authority director general Hamza Johari said in a letter sent to Kenya Airways on Friday. "The Tanzanian government has decided to nullify its approval for Kenya Airways (KQ) flights between Nairobi and Dar/Kilimanjaro/Zanzibar effective August 1, 2020 until further notice," Johari wrote. "This letter also rescinds all previous arrangements that permit KQ flights into the United Republic of Tanzania." Kenya Airways chief executive Allan Kilavuka said Saturday he was "saddened" by the letter and hoped the situation would soon be resolved. Tanzania has taken a controversially relaxed approach to tackling the coronavirus pandemic and began reopening the country two months ago. President John Magufuli's refusal to impose lockdowns or social distancing measures, and to halt the release of figures on infections since late April, has made him a regional outlier and caused concern among Tanzania's neighbours and the World Health Organization. Magufuli declared Tanzania free of coronavirus in June, thanking God and the prayers of citizens for the disease's defeat disease. The diplomatic spat between Kenya and Tanzania erupted soon after the outbreak of the pandemic in East Africa, when Kenya blocked Tanzanian truck drivers from entering the country, fearing they would spread the disease. People are instructed not to post objectionable content on social media platforms, which may create rift between communities, the order said Police stand next to roadblock on the street leading to a mosque in a Muslim majority neighbourhood in Mumbai. Maharashtra government has issued preventive orders in some parts of the state warning action against holding victory rallies and celebrations. (PTI Photo) Mumbai: As the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) cadre gets ready to celebrate the occasion of bhoomi pujan of Ram Mandir, the Maharashtra government has issued preventive orders in some parts of the state warning action against holding victory rallies and celebrations. At Vita in Sangli district, the police have issued a notice to the BJP leader Anil Babar asking him not to hold any celebrations at public places in the city on account of bhoomi pujan ceremony. No victory rallies and distribution of sweets will be carried out and no public events will be held at religious places. In addition, no objectionable slogans, flags, posters, which will hurt the public sentiments, will be allowed, said the police notice. The Pune rural police have also issued an order stating that citizens should refrain from circulating messages that could create confusion among people and cause a law and order situation. People are instructed not to post inflammatory, objectionable and false content on social media platforms and messaging applications, which could create a social and religious rift between communities, the order said. Commenting on this, BJP leader Devang Dave slammed the state government saying Shiv Sena chief late Balasaheb Thackeray would not have tolerated this. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has left from Delhi to Ayodhya at 9.30 am today to lay the foundation of Ram Temple construction. Back in Ayodhya after 29 years, PM Modi will perform 'bhoomi pujan' and lay the first brick to formally kick-start the Ram Mandir construction. The grand groundbreaking ceremony of Ram Temple is taking place 10 months after the Supreme Court, in a historic verdict, paved way for the construction of the temple, thereby ending decades-long court battles between Hindus and Muslims. The city of Ayodhya has been decked for the grand ceremony and security has been beefed to maintain social distancing, and ensure no untoward incident happens during the event. Authorities have urged people not to venture out in celebrations in view of the coronavirus outbreak. There's tight security arrangement at all the roads leading to Ayodhya and the borders have been sealed. Also Read: Ayodhya Ram Mandir Bhoomi Pujan: Here are first visuals of Ram Lalla PM Modi will reach the Lucknow airport at around 10:30 am, following which he'll take a chopper for Ayodhya. He will offer prayers at Hanuman Garhi around 11:40 am and reach the Ramjanmabhoomi at 12 pm and offer prayers at Ram Lalla. He will also take part in a tree plantation programme at the temple site and lay the foundation stone around 12:40 pm. Later at 1.10 pm, he is expected to meet Swami Nrityagopal Das and other members of the Ram Janmabhoomi Trust. Also read: Ayodhya Ram Mandir Bhumi Pujan today: When and where to watch live telecast channel The state-owned channel, DD National, will telecast the entire event live. As the PM of India, it's Modi's first visit to Ayodhya. He only visited the border areas of Faizabad-Ambedkar Nagar during a 2019 Lok Sabha polls rally. He, however, visited the city 29 years ago in 1991, during the former union minister and former BJP chief Murli Manohar Joshi's Tiranga Yatra, says local BJP leaders, reported The Times of India. He had accompanied Joshi to drum-up support for the party. Also read: Ayodhya Ram Mandir Bhumi Pujan time, guests, estimated cost, how to donate and other FAQs The Ram Mandir movement is a decade-old issue and took the centre stage when veteran BJP leader LK Advani took out a rath yatra at Ramjanmabhoomi where Babri mosque stood in the 1990s. On December 6, 1992, the mosque was demolished by activists who believed it was built on the ruins of a temple that marked the spot where Lord Ram was born. The Supreme Court last year gave the site to Hindus, ending a decades-old legal battle. The court gave Muslim parties an alternative 5-acre plot. Also read: Ayodhya Ram Mandir Bhoomi Pujan Live Updates: PM Modi reaches Lucknow, to take chopper to Ayodhya 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. Babysitting whether paid or unpaid was allowed for permitted workers, so long as it was a continuation of an existing arrangement, a spokesperson said. Athena Bangara, 37, said the sudden restriction on who could use childcare was stressful and anxiety-inducing for parents. "I feel like one of those jugglers where someone keeps throwing new balls at me," she said. The Clayton South woman works from home full-time for a university while home schooling her six-year-old boy. She has a two-year-old girl in childcare full-time and has no idea how she will manage. Despite her husband being a police officer, her job doesn't qualify her to access childcare as a permitted worker. "This has all just come up so quickly," she said. Chris Cox with wife Myra and daughter Sammy at their home in Oakleigh. Credit:Luis Ascui For Chris Cox, 37, and his wife Myra, 29, the new arrangements will mean tough choices on who has to give up work and look after their three-year-old daughter. Mr Cox runs a digital marketing business from home and is not in one of the permitted industries, while his wife works full time at Woolworths. "If I've got my daughter at home I can't put her in front of a TV for eight hours, it's going to be difficult to function," the Oakleigh man said. "It's just a bit confusing to know what we're doing." Part-time primary school teacher Gemma Hibble, 37, was unsure how she would do her job while looking after her two children, aged three and four. "I'm not sure how I can co-ordinate it all, it's a logistical nightmare," the Selby woman said. Loading "They're not school age, they're little kids that need lots of attention." Premier Daniel Andrews conceded many parents who ordinarily accessed care would not be able to do so for the next six weeks. "If I were to simply green-light the best part of a quarter of a million kids going to and from childcare every day ... then we will not drive these [coronavirus infection] numbers down," he said. Opposition Leader Michael O'Brien called for the deadline to be extended on Wednesday afternoon, saying parents had not been given information despite the ban coming into effect in just hours. "If the government can't answer people's basic questions about how this works, then it doesn't seem very fair to start fining people," Mr O'Brien says. Parents who are blocked from using childcare services over the next six weeks of lockdown will be given 30 extra days of "allowable absences", or fee-free days, to prevent a damaging mass exodus from early education. The extra days would be available to all Victorian families, not just those living in Melbourne's stricter stage-four lockdown zones, Education Minister Dan Tehan said. Mr Tehan said the federal government support would mean parents who were not permitted workers would not have to continue to pay gap fees to hold their place at a childcare centre. This would prevent parents withdrawing from care to save money, he said. Loading But access to the extra allowable absences would be dependent upon centres agreeing to waive their gap fees. Childcare centres can not by law be compelled to waive gap fees. Mr Tehan said the federal government's $33 million emergency childcare rescue scheme was meant to "incentivise" centres to do so. To fund the extra allowable absences, childcare providers will get a 5 per cent "top-up" to payments they are currently getting as part of a $708 million transition payment scheme, brought in by the Morrison government after JobKeeper payments were cut off for childcare workers last month. Services that experience an attendance drop of more than 70 per cent in the next six weeks will get a top-up payment of between 10 and 25 per cent on what they receive in the transition scheme. The Morrison government said the support scheme would cost $33 million. Mr Tehan said that on average childcare centres in Melbourne would receive between 80 and 85 per cent of their pre-pandemic revenue. This would keep all centres viable and keep staff in a job, he said. Georgie Dent, from parent advocacy group The Parenthood, said the Morrison governments fee-relief package would only succeed if parents intended to keep their children in care beyond September, when the JobKeeper scheme is due to wind up. She predicted many would not. "If every family kept their children enrolled then this has the potential to keep centres open," Ms Dent said. "But I think that telling parents to keep kids enrolled in a service that they potentially cant afford beyond the next six weeks anyway is unreasonable." Julie Price, the executive director of the Community Child Care Association, said childcare services had not had enough time to calculate the impact of the attendance measures or the federal funding package on their budgets. "Our members want to do the right thing and the lack of clarity causes them enormous stress because they dont want to be doing the wrong thing," Ms Price said. We might have heard about different types of conman around the world, some smart enough to leave no traces of their theft. However, a few others get caught in the act, thanks to the smart police department in service. One such case occurred recently in Florida, where 42-year-old Casey William Kelley was arrested last week for his act. The man is currently facing charges for duping others by using a fake cheque to buy a luxury car, along with three expensive watches. The entire incident was brought to notice by the Walton County Sheriffs office. According to the briefing given by the Police Department, the man fooled a car dealer in Okaloosa County, purchasing a Porsche in exchange of paying a big fat cheque. Unfortunately, the cheque he paid to purchase the Porsche 911 Turbo was a fake one, printed from his home computer. The cheque was written for $139,203.05 (approx. Rs 1 crore) dated Monday, July 27. The man did not just stop at it. He also used a fake cheque to purchase three Rolex watches. To buy it from a jeweler in Miramar Beach, Kelley signed a cheque with an amount of $61,521 (approx. Rs 46 lakh). However, the jeweler decided to not give the watches unless verifying if the cheque can be cashed. On finding the cheque fake, the jeweler informed the police. Later, the Porsche was reported stolen in a complaint to the Okaloosa County Sheriffs Office. The man is currently in police custody. The Nigerian Ports Authority, NPA, and the Presidential Task Team, PTT, may have resorted to turning back trucks at the gates of the Apapa ports due to alleged breach of its call up procedure. Some truck owners and barge operators are claiming that they were being forced to cough out hefty amounts as bribes or their trucks would either be turned back or impounded from the conveying barges. But the NPA and PTT officers are saying that the trucks were moved by a cartel through jetties to illegally access the ports in Lagos as a result of the Apapa traffic gridlock. Former Port Manager of Tin-can Island Port, Abubakar Umar, in an interview with Vanguard Maritime Report, said that normally, the call-up system arrangement is made for the control of the traffic in and out of the port, but trucks from these jetties find their way into the picture and distort the arrangement put in place. He stated: "Yes, there are illegal trucks coming from illegal destinations. They push them and because we do not have enough space for such trucks to turn; we have to manage them but sometimes when we discover them early, we try to push them back to where they are coming from." Vanguard Maritime Report gathered that the cartel charged truck drivers and their owners between N120,000 and N150,000 to convey them by barges from various jetties away from the gridlock and ferry them to jetties close to or within the ports. A truck driver who spoke with Vanguard Maritime Report said that it is better to go through the water route to get into the port than to stay in traffic for as long as three to six weeks before gaining access to the port. Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Nigeria Transport By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later. The truck driver noted that apart from the time wasted in traffic, the truck owner would still cough out up to N200,000 as bribes to the various security officials, PTT and the unions. Recall that the PTT recently blocked some trucks at a jetty in Apapa from getting into Creek Road for their onward journey into the port. Owners of the trucks have alleged that the refusal by the team was not unconnected with demand for gratification. When contacted, Vice Chairman of PTT, Kayode Opeifa, spoke of the facility along Creek Road which he said registered as an events centre. He noted that the owners of the facility illegally converted it to a Trailer Park. Opeifa said ENL terminals, Tin Can Island Container Terminal TICT and APM Terminal have stopped barge operators from using their terminal and that is why they have gone to the private property which they have converted to a trailer park. He explained that the owner of the property has been calling the team to get appointment to hold meeting with them but that he told them that it is the responsibility of NPA to license them for operation. He further noted that trailers from that facility are the ones causing hold-up on Creek Road. Paris (AFP) - From Romania, Poland, Morocco and Thailand, thousands of people flock to Western Europe each year to help farmers harvest precious crops, often paid low wages for long, backbreaking days of work. The migrant labourers' often poor work conditions are a point of recurring controversy, but the coronavirus outbreak has thrown their plight into stark relief with the added risk of contagion in overcrowded, unsanitary living quarters. Several outbreak clusters were reported among workers -- with 174 infections on a farm in Bavaria in Germany, 250 on another in Aragon, Spain, and 170 in Provence, France, since the European harvesting season began. Italy had to send riot police to a council estate in Mondragone, north of Naples, after a cluster of more than 100 coronavirus cases among Bulgarian workers living there sparked tensions with locals. With harvests set to continue until October, "it is very likely that we will see new outbreaks associated with seasonal workers," warned Fernando Simon, chief epidemiologist at the Spanish Ministry of Health. Yet many of the workers are illegal, with no recourse to medical care and who move under the radar to avoid visa controls. Few have access to coronavirus testing, and any infections among them run the risk of spreading the virus, even after their return home. - Impossible without them - But Europe's economy, devastated by the pandemic, cannot afford to lose these workers, many from the east of the continent and from Africa. France's agriculture minister Julien Denormandie said last week the government would not be "dogmatic" at this stage about its plans to regularise migrant labour, much reduced by virus-busting limits imposed by Europe on population movement. If farmhands cannot be found locally, "we are not going to let the fruit and vegetables rot or leave the grapes unpicked, so we turn to other countries where men and women agree to come and harvest" in France, the minister told the Europe 1 broadcaster. Story continues As continent-wide lockdowns persisted in May, farmers from several regions of Italy chartered planes to bring workers from Romania and Morocco. For worker Maria Codrea, whose annual income depends largely on her salary from picking grapes in Italy, the alternative of playing it safe and staying in Romania "would have been hard". On the other side of the coin, Spanish farmer Ignacio Gramunt affirmed: "without them, we would not be able to do it." - Sleeping on cardboard - But while farm labourers were hailed along with other essential workers for keeping locked-down citizens fed during the epidemic, this has not always translated into better treatment. In the Andalusian village of Lepe in Spain, dozens of African migrant workers have been camped outside the town hall since the shacks they were living in, without water or electricity, burnt down two weeks ago. "We sleep on these mattresses and cardboard boxes because we have no alternative," lamented Lamine Diakite, a 32-year-old Malian farm labourer interviewed by AFP. In Italy, the government promised in May to regularise temporarily undocumented seasonal workers. But few employers have agreed to pay the 500-euro ($586) fee required for this administrative procedure, according to local media. Sweden relaxed travel restrictions in June to enable foreign farm hands and berry pickers, many from Thailand, to enter, with employers obliged to take steps to ensure they can keep an safe distance from one another on the trip and during their stay. Germany, too, requires farmers to ensure workers can work and live "strictly separate" from one another for the first 14 days, and to not leave their host farm for the period. - 'Pick for Britain' - In Denmark, the authorities urged agricultural employers to ensure workers are tested on arrival, then isolated for 48 hours or until they test negative. Portugal has gone further, granting free access to public services to paperless migrants during the epidemic. In spite of government efforts, uncoordinated as they are, many farmers have battled to find the hands they need. In Germany, only 40,000 of the required 300,000 foreign workers could be recruited this season, meaning part of the fresh produce harvest will remain on trees or in the ground. In Italy, the epidemic caused a shortfall of between 250,000 and 270,000 workers, the agriculture ministry said. One option: going local. The British government launched a campaign dubbed "Pick for Britain" encouraging locals to replace some of the 70,000 foreign farm hands needed for the summer harvest. burx-pid/mlr/sjw/bsp The Chateau Marmont on Sunset Boulevard was built in 1929. (Los Angeles Times) To the editor: Fred Horowitz, my late great uncle, is remembered today for building the famous Chateau Marmont. ("Chateau Marmont may become members-only perhaps saving it financially but costing its soul," Opinion, July 31) Fred was a prominent lawyer in early 20th century Los Angeles. A 1916 graduate of USC's law school when it met in City Hall, he formed a longtime association with classmate and famous attorney Mabel Walker Willebrandt. They both became assistant U.S. attorneys. Fred prosecuted civil rights cases in the South, and he had to leave several towns because of threats on his life. In Los Angeles, he established an esteemed law practice that included many of the high-profile businesspeople and celebrities of the era. The Chateau Marmont remains as a reminder of Fred Horowitz, complete with the giant "H" atop the penthouse suite. Fred never discussed the Chateau with me or family members of my generation. Yet since it was built in 1929, the Chateau has continued through several owners and many dedicated patrons. I am convinced that it will thrive as long as there is a Los Angeles. The Chateau Marmont is an iconic symbol of Los Angeles elegance, celebrity and glamor. Mel Horowitz, Los Angeles Italy HUNTINGDON VALLEY, Pa. Aug. 4, 2020 June 22-24 Northwestern University Italy Huntingdon Valley, Pa. Florence, Italy Liz Dowling BOLOGNA,and/PRNewswire/ -- Menarini Silicon Biosystems, the pioneer of liquid biopsy technology, today announced two new studies describing genetic changes in circulating cancer cells that may improve cancer prognosis and help guide treatment. These studies were presented as posters at thevirtual annual meeting II of the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR). Menarini's CELLSEARCHand DEPArrayNxT technologies were used to capture and isolate the circulating tumor cells for analysis. In one study, Massimo Cristofanilli, M.D., F.A.C.P., Associate Director of Translational Research at the Robert H. Lurie Cancer Center of, and colleagues collected blood samples from 239 patients with stage III/IV breast cancer, then isolated and selected more than 200 individual tumor cells from patients with HER2+ cells*. The scientists then sequenced the genetic codes of each of those cells.Previously, Dr. Cristofanilli had shown that one specific genetic change in circulating tumor cells, the overexpression of a gene called HER2, was associated with more aggressive metastatic cancer and a worse prognosis. The new study revealed additional genetic alterations that occur more frequently in metastatic breast cancer cells, the most important being a genetic variant called themutation."The new findings are exciting because they deepen our understanding of the mechanisms underlying the critical process of cancer metastasis," said Dr. Cristofanilli. "The genetic alterations we found also could lead to the development of drugs that specifically target the mutations to improve the treatment of this deadly disease."In the second study, scientists led by Claudio Forcato, PhD, head of the Bioinformatics Unit at Menarini Silicon Biosystems, captured, isolated, and sequenced circulating cancer cells from three patients with multiple myeloma*. They then looked for a genetic phenomenon called "loss-of-heterozygosity" (LoH), in which one of the two alleles that are normally found at a specific spot in the genetic code is lost. They found such LoH events in the cancer cells from all of the multiple myeloma patients. "Our results suggest that loss-of-heterozygosity may be pervasive in multiple myeloma, and may offer a prognostic and predictive biomarker for the disease," explained Dr. Forcato."These two new studies show how our technologies are advancing the understanding of cancers like metastatic breast cancer and multiple myeloma, and may lead to improved, more personalized treatment options for patients with these diseases," said Fabio Piazzalunga, President and CEO of Menarini Silicon Biosystems, Inc.CELLSEARCH** is the first and only clinically validated blood test cleared by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) for detecting and counting CTCs to aid physicians in managing patients with metastatic breast, prostate, and colorectal cancers when used in conjunction with other clinical methods of monitoring. The test is also approved by the China Food & Drug Administration for use in monitoring patients with Metastatic Breast Cancer (MBC). The CELLSEARCH System is the most extensively studied CTC technology, with research published in more than 650 peer-reviewed publications.DEPArray NxT is an image-based digital cell-sorting and isolation platform that enables clinical researchers to conduct molecular analyses on live or fixed cells with single-cell precision.Menarini Silicon Biosystems offers unique rare cell technologies and solutions that provide clinical researchers with access to unparalleled resolution in the study of cells and their molecular characterization. The company's CELLSEARCH and DEPArray NxT technologies together provide an end-to-end solution* for enumeration and sorting of rare cells with single-cell precision.Menarini Silicon Biosystems, based in Bologna,, and, U.S., is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Menarini Group, a multinational pharmaceutical, biotechnology and diagnostics company headquartered in, with a turnover of 3.793 billion and over 17,000 employees in 140 countries.*The CellSearch HER2 marker used in Study 1, the Circulating Multiple Myeloma Cell Kit used in Study 2, and the workflow described, are for research use only. Not for use in diagnostic procedures. The performance characteristics, safety, and effectiveness have not been established and are not cleared or approved by the FDA.**For more information on the full intended use and limitations of CELLSEARCH system, please refer to the Instructions for Use on http://documents.cellsearchctc.com/.Contact:, (415) 388-2794Dowling & Dennis PRLiz@dowlingdennis.net View original content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/two-studies-presented-at-aacr-meeting-deepen-understanding-of-cancer-mechanisms-301105618.html SOURCE Menarini Silicon Biosystems Its not a good time to be a small-business owner in New York. Declining revenues and managing the costs of commercial rent, payroll and other expenses during the coronavirus pandemic have put the existence of many of these businesses at risk. But those challenges are even more acute for businesses owned by people of color and women. Of the 500 businesses certified as minority- and women-owned business enterprises, or MWBEs, surveyed by the New York City comptrollers office in June, 85% reported that they wont be able to survive another six months. In fact, Black business ownership in New York fell by 70% from February to June, according to a report from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York on Tuesday. There were about 98,600 active Black-owned businesses in New York before the pandemic and there were only 29,479 as of June. The uncertainty such businesses face has in part been fueled by a lack of access to government contracts, particularly during the early emergency response to the pandemic. Just 5% of New York Citys $3.4 billion of coronavirus-related contracts went to minority-owned businesses, according to an analysis by Crains New York Business, and just 1% went specifically to Black-owned businesses. Speed is often at odds with our MWBE and equity goals, said Lindsay Greene, chief strategy officer at the New York City Economic Development Corp., during City & States webinar on Tuesday. We dont have enough of the MWBE firms of the size and scope to be able to respond and be reliable and get to that level of immediate execution. In order to make up for faltering funding earlier during the pandemic, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio signed an executive order in late July requiring city agencies to appoint a chief diversity officer and use minority- and women-owned businesses for goods and services valued up to $500,000. Historically, emergency contracts are not contracts that agencies have set goals on, said Magalie Austin, senior adviser and director of the Mayors Office of Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprises. Its not because theyre forbidden from setting goals, its because its exempt from the goal-setting process. The new executive order should create a more favorable system for certified MWBEs to participate, she said. New York City has committed to a goal of having 30% of its contracts go to MWBEs by next year, which the city essentially reached during this past fiscal year when it hit 29.5%. However, there are still disparities within that figure. When youre looking at the numbers within that 30%, were not quite there yet when it pertains to the Black- and Hispanic-owned firms, Austin said. Jonnel Doris, commissioner of the city Department of Small Business Services, also highlighted the importance of continuing federal aid to keep businesses operated by people of color afloat. The agency has been encouraging small businesses to apply for the remaining funds left in the popular Paycheck Protection Program before the deadline this week. Were literally targeting the (Community Development Financial Institutions), the banks, the community institutions that work with our small businesses in order to let everybody know, by the way, Aug. 8 is the deadline, he said. As crowds of visitors continue to visit Niagaras beaches and tourist areas despite concerns about the potential spread COVID-19, Premier Doug Ford is urging people from the GTA to show some respect. Speaking to people from Toronto and its surrounding area during a media conference in Beamsville Tuesday, Ford said: By all means, I understand why youd come to a beautiful region, down to Niagara. Its absolutely gorgeous here and you end up over at Niagara Falls, again a beautiful area. But folks, you have got to practise the golden rule social distancing, make sure you have a face covering when you go in lines, down on the strip there in Niagara Falls, he added. He said he was shown images of crowds in Niagara Falls during a morning briefing. Its just about consideration, respecting other people. Thats really what it comes down to, he said. Ford said local political leaders are doing an incredible job in encouraging efforts to limit the spread of the coronavirus. And the issue isnt a lack of advertising to warn people about the risks of ignoring public health advice. Weve spent more money on advertising, the feds have, municipalities have. Everyone knows the rules, just respect them. Its as simple as that, he said. Ford said Ontario has come so far as a province and everyone has pitched in right across the board to reduce the number of cases of the virus. As a result of those efforts, he said, the province is leading North America in the lowest cases. In Niagara, only two new cases were reported Tuesday but last week saw 38 new cases, including three days with five new cases each and one day with a 21-case spike. Many of the new cases have been in Niagara Falls, which has become the epicentre of the outbreak in Niagara. Niagara-on-the-Lake Lord Mayor Betty Disero said it was a busy holiday weekend in her town, despite rain on Sunday. She said there were a few restaurant patios where people were a little bit too close for comfort, but after weeks of running an educational campaign everybody knows now to stay distanced. Were finding more and more people are wearing masks when they come and just walk around downtown, Disero said. She said the number of tourists in town is still way below the number of visitors prior to COVID-19. We dont have the numbers we used to have but thats OK, she said. Considering that over 30 per cent of Ontarios population is a little bit afraid to come out, were doing fine. Disero said it will take Shaw Theatres reopening to really bring back the tourists. Niagara Falls Mayor Jim Diodati said despite crowds, there are a lot more people wearing masks significantly more than there has ever been in his city. The message is getting out, he added. He said nearly all passengers that were arriving in Niagara Falls aboard the GO train were wearing masks, and just one train had 400 people aboard. Diodati said COVID-19 statistics have been in a very good place, here in Niagara. I think its going in the right direction. Although he said some people have suggested shutting down tourism, thats not possible. There are 40,000 people who depend on tourism to put food on their table. You cant shut it down. You cant do that, he said. All things considered, with significantly more people wearing masks, its going in the right direction. Should we need to take other measures, we will, but right now its going in the right direction. Diodati, however, said he appreciated the comments of the premier, reminding people from out of the area to follow the rules. But having said that, youd have to be living under a rock to not understand the protocols. I think weve done everything we can do. (HedgeCo.Net) The Securities and Exchange Commission announced charges against a San Antonio-area businessman and his company for running a multi-million dollar fraudulent scheme that victimized scores of investors, many of them retired San Antonio police officers and other first responders. The SECs complaint alleges that Victor Lee Farias and his company, Integrity Aviation & Leasing (IAL), raised $14 million from investors, promising that they would use the funds to purchase engines and other aircraft parts for leasing to major airlines. As alleged, Farias and IAL falsely touted Fariass supposed investment experience and IALs purported competitive advantages, such as an algorithm that supposedly identified profitable leasing opportunities, and represented that all investments would be secured by IALs assets. According to the complaint, many of the investors were retirees who, in order to invest their retirement funds, had to withdraw the funds from their retirement accounts and deposit them in newly created self-directed IRA accounts. The complaint alleges that IAL never purchased any engines and spent only a small portion of investor funds on aircraft parts. Farias and IAL allegedly diverted more than $11.6 million for unauthorized purposes, such as making $6.5 million in Ponzi-like payments to investors and investing $2.7 million to fund a friends business. Farias also allegedly misappropriated $2.4 million for personal expenses. According to the complaint, Farias continued to mislead investors after he learned of the SECs investigation, including by using the letterhead from the SECs investigative subpoena as proof for investors that he was working with the SEC to take IAL public. The SECs Office of Investor Education previously issued an investor alert on the risks associated with use of self-directed IRAs. The SECs complaint, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas, alleges that Farias and IAL violated the registration provisions of Sections 5(a) and 5(c) of the Securities Act of 1933, and the antifraud provisions of Section 17(a) of the Securities Act and Section 10(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and Rule 10b-5 thereunder. The SEC seeks injunctive relief, disgorgement plus prejudgment interest, and civil penalties. BERLIN, GERMANY - JULY 06: Kat Rix, a sex worker at the Studio Lux domina BDSM sex studio, poses for a photo in her work room during the novel coronavirus pandemic on July 06, 2020 in Berlin, Germany. Sex workers in Berlin are demanding an easing of ongoing lockdown measures that are preventing them from resuming their work. While authorities have lifted lockdown measures for most businesses in Germany, some, especially for those that involve close physical contact, remain in place. Legal sex workers claim they are being treated unfairly, claiming they have developed adequate hygienic measures to prevent the spread of the virus and point out that other businesses that require similar physical proximity, such as hair salons and tattoo parlors, have been allowed to reopen. (Photo by Sean Gallup/Getty Images) *** BESTPIX *** - Sean Gallup/Getty Images Europe Dominatrixes are to be allowed to resume work in Berlin for the first time since the coronavirus lockdown this weekend three weeks ahead of the reopening of brothels next month. Prostitutes will be able to offer their services again in the German capital from September 1, under strict new hygiene measures announced by the regional government. But sex workers who do not offer intercourse, such as dominatrixes. will be allowed to resume business on Saturday. In view of the often very precarious situation of the people who work in the sex industry, it is necessary both from a health and a women's policy perspective to loosen restrictions, the Berlin regional health ministry said in a statement. Otherwise there is a risk those affected will be forced to go underground and continue their work under conditions that are hazardous to health. HAMBURG, GERMANY - JULY 11: Sex workers protest against lockdown measures that are preventing brothels from reopening in Hamburg's red light district during the coronavirus pandemic on July 11, 2020 in Hamburg, Germany. Sex workers across Germany are demanding an easing of ongoing lockdown measures that are preventing them from resuming their work. While authorities have lifted lockdown measures for most businesses in Germany, some, especially for those that involve close physical contact, remain in place. Legal sex workers say they are being treated unfairly, claiming they have developed adequate hygienic measures to prevent the spread of the virus and point out that other businesses that require similar physical proximity, such as hair salons and tattoo parlours, have been allowed to reopen. (Photo by Morris MacMatzen/Getty Images) - Morris MacMatzen/Getty Images Europe Prostitution is legal in Germany but all forms of sex work, including professional BDSM, have been banned since March because of the coronavirus crisis. While sex workers were allowed to resume business last month in neighbouring Austria and the Netherlands, and as long ago as May in Switzerland, Berlin is the first German region to lift restrictions. Authorities in Amsterdam on Wednesday ordered people to wear face masks in the city's red light district as well as crowded shopping areas, amid concerns over rising infection rates. Among clusters being tracked was one at a strip club where at least one customer and 10 staff have tested positive, according to a statement from the health authority. The lifting of the ban on sex work in Berlin comes after hundreds of sex workers from across Germany demonstrated in Hamburg last month to demand the right to return to work. Financial support is available to Germanys 33,000 registered sex workers. But there are believed to be as many as 30,000 unregistered prostitutes in the country who have no access to government help. NGOs have warned the ban risks driving them into illegal work and exposing them to the danger of violence. The ban has also affected professional dominatrixes. One identifying herself as Lady Johanna told Bild newspaper she had been forced to rely on online domination sessions for income during the lockdown. Namita Bajpai By LUCKNOW: The construction of the Ram temple in Ayodhya, a seminal event in itself, is expected to kick off a makeover of the temple town. From an elevated road and a theme park to a Ramayan circuit and a Ram katha park, the town will get an all-new look The pre and post temple movement Ayodhya has remained backward across economic parameters of development. The nearest airport in Faizabad was upgraded in 2014, it has no big industry to boast about and no gainful employment, though the literacy rate at 78.15% is higher than Uttar Pradeshs average of 67.68%. Ayodhyas largely agrarian support is slackening as productivity has gone down. Good news is the temple town is set to turn the corner. ALSO READ | Uninvited Advani, Joshi likely to attend Bhoomi Pujan through video conferencing The impending temple construction, to be rolled out by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on August 5, promises to unleash dozens of development schemes for which the blueprint is ready. The foundation for many schemes would be laid the same day. In all, the PM would launch and lay the foundation of development projects worth Rs487.91 crore. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath is credited with kicking off much of the work since 2017 when the BJP government took over: Faizabad district was named as Ayodhya and the town was upgraded as a municipal corporation for improving civic standards. The CM has paid at least two dozen visits to Ayodhya since assuming charge. ALSO READ | Bhoomi Pujan: SPG reaches Ayodhya for PM visit, UP to deploy 4,000 Covid-19 negative cops These resulted in Diwali being celebrated on a grand scale. The government created a Guinness world record last year by illuminating the town with over half a million diyas on the banks of the Saryu.Besides, the infrastructure projects worth Rs350 crore are nearing completion by this year-end. Some of them, delayed due to Covid-19, are: an Rs640-crore international airport, a Lord Rams statue and an upscale, ultra-modern township Navya Ayodhya. An artiste gives final touches to a sculpture ahead of the foundation laying ceremony of the Ram Temple | pTI The UP government has already released Rs400 crore for the proposed airport. The 1.5-km long and 30-metre wide existing airstrip will be redeveloped to handle bigger aircraft for international operations. It needs to be at least 45-metre wide with a runway of 2.5 km to handle wide-bodied scheduled flights. The project spans 465 acre. ALSO READ | Congress veterans in MP sing Ram tune, hail Ayodhya temple construction The most exciting will be the proposed tallest statue of Lord Ram at 221 metres -- 38-m taller than the current tallest Statue of Unity in Gujarat. According to the preliminary design, the 150-meter bronze statue will stand on a 50-meter pedestal, covered under a hood of another 20 metres. It will show Lord Ram holding a bow in his left hand and an arrow in his right. The statue will come up away from the temple. The government has allocated Rs 200 crore for soil testing, wind tunnel test, design development, and a DPR preparation. A roadmap for Navya Ayodhya, a township spanning nearly 500 acres is ready. The township will come up between Ayodhya and Faizabad. It is estimated to cost Rs1,200 crores. A Katha Kunj depicting over 100 instances from the life and times of Lord Ram through statues and idols is on the anvil. Work is already going on in a separate workshop in Ayodhya. Over 125 statues depicting the life of Lord Ram at Guptar Ghat along the Saryu will be shown. TSX andOTCQX: MPVD TORONTO and NEW YORK, Aug. 5, 2020 /PRNewswire/ - Mountain Province Diamonds Inc. ("Mountain Province", or the "Company") (TSX: MPVD) (OTCQX: MPVD) today announces its financial and operating results for the second quarter ("Q2 2020") and first half 2020 ("H1 2020") ended June 30, 2020. All figures are expressed in Canadian dollars unless otherwise noted. Operational Highlights for Second Quarter 2020 ("Q2 2020") 786,000 tonnes treated, an 11% decrease from the 882,000 tonnes treated in Q2 2019. 1,547,000 carats recovered at an average grade of 1.97 carats per tonne, an 11% decrease compared to the 1,730,000 carats recovered at 1.96 carats per tonne of Q2 2019. 6,836,000 total tonnes mined, a 37% decrease from 10,865,00 total tonnes mined in Q2 2019. Financial Highlights for Second Quarter 2020 ("Q2 2020") Revenue from 757,000 carats sold at $34 million ( US$25 million ) at an average realised value of $45 per carat (US$33) compared to $95.8 million from 1,077,000 carats sold in Q2 2019 ( US$71.7 million ) at an average realized value of $89 per carat (US$67) . ( ) at an average realised value of per carat compared to from 1,077,000 carats sold in Q2 2019 ( ) at an average realized value of per carat . Adjusted EBITDA 1 of ($23.9) million compared to $39.1 million in Q2 2019, entirely due to market conditions as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. of compared to in Q2 2019, entirely due to market conditions as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Loss from mine operations $35.8 million compared to earnings from mine operations of $17.8 million in Q2 2019. compared to earnings from mine operations of in Q2 2019. Cash costs of production, including capitalized stripping costs 1 of $125 per tonne treated (2019: $106 per tonne) and $63 per carat recovered (2019: $54 per carat). The cost is higher in Q2 2020 compared to the same period last year mainly due to the lower volumes of ore treated and additional costs related to safety measures put in place as a result of COVID-19. of per tonne treated (2019: per tonne) and per carat recovered (2019: per carat). The cost is higher in Q2 2020 compared to the same period last year mainly due to the lower volumes of ore treated and additional costs related to safety measures put in place as a result of COVID-19. Net loss at June 30, 2020 was $26.8 million or $0.13 loss per share (2019: net income $10.3 million or $0.05 earnings per share). Included in the determination of the net loss at June 30, 2020 are unrealized foreign exchange gains of $13.4 million , on the translation of the Company's USD-denominated long-term debt. The unrealized foreign exchange gains are a result of the strengthening of the Canadian dollar versus US dollar. 1Cash costs of production, including capitalized stripping costs, and Adjusted EBITDA are non-IFRS measures with no standardized meaning prescribed under IFRS. See the Non-IFRS Measures section of the Company's June 30, 2020 MD&A for explanation and reconciliation. Operational Highlights for H1 2020 16.2 million total tonnes mined in H1 2020, a 21% decrease from the 20.4 million total tonnes mined in H1 2019. 1,689,000 tonnes of ore treated in H1 2020; a 11% decrease compared to the 1,753,000 tonnes treated in H1 2019. 3,202,000 carats recovered at an average grade of 1.90 carats per tonne, 3% lower than the 3,315,000 carats,1.89 carats per tonne, recovered in H1 2019. Financial Highlights for H1 2020 Total sales revenue of $99.5 million ( US$74.2 million ) at an average realised value of $70 per carat (US$52) compared to $156 million in 2019 ( US$118 million ) at an average realized value of $91 per carat (US$68) . ( ) at an average realised value of per carat compared to in 2019 ( ) at an average realized value of per carat . Half year Adjusted EBITDA 2 of ($1.1) million , down 102% (2019: $58.8 million ). of , down 102% (2019: ). Loss from mine operations down 179% to $22.1 million (2019: earnings from mine operations $28.0 million ). (2019: earnings from mine operations ). Cash costs of production, including capitalized stripping costs 2 , of $103 per tonne treated (2019: $109 per tonne) and $54 per carat recovered (2019: $57 per carat). , of per tonne treated (2019: per tonne) and per carat recovered (2019: per carat). Net loss for half year 2020 at June 30, 2020 was $67.7 million or $0.32 loss per share (2019: net income $12.8 million or $0.06 earnings per share). Included in the determination of the net loss for the half year at June 30, 2020 are unrealized foreign exchange losses of $17.4 million , on the translation of the Company's USD-denominated long-term debt. The unrealized foreign exchange losses are a result of the weakening of the Canadian dollar versus US dollar. was or loss per share (2019: net income or earnings per share). Included in the determination of the net loss for the half year at are unrealized foreign exchange losses of , on the translation of the Company's USD-denominated long-term debt. The unrealized foreign exchange losses are a result of the weakening of the Canadian dollar versus US dollar. Capital expenditures in H1 2020 were $15.7 million , $8.9 million of which were deferred stripping costs, with the remaining $6.8 million accounting for sustaining capital expenditures related to mine operations. , of which were deferred stripping costs, with the remaining accounting for sustaining capital expenditures related to mine operations. Quarter end cash position of $16.8 million ( December 31, 2019 : $34.8 million ) and a negative net working capital of $330.8 million ( December 31, 2019 : $99.4 million ). 2Cash costs of production, including capitalized stripping costs, and Adjusted EBITDA are non-IFRS measures with no standardized meaning prescribed under IFRS. See the Non-IFRS Measures section of the Company's June 30, 2020 MD&A for explanation and reconciliation. Market Highlights for H1 2020 The Company's sales during the first half of 2020 were impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic resulting in a 38% decrease compared to the same period in 2019, at $99.5 million (US$74.2 million) versus $156 million in 2019 (US$118 million). The sales of H1 2020 reflect average realised value of $70 per carat (US$52), 23% lower than average realized value of $91 per carat, (US$68) during the same period in 2019. In Q2, the Company sold 757,360 carats at an average value of $44.92 per carat (US$33.01 per carat) for total proceeds of $34 million (US$25 million). It is important to note that Q2 diamond sales do not represent the normal run of mine production profile. There were no formal sales held in the second quarter due to the ongoing COVID-19 impact. Markets have been heavily impacted with resultant demand for rough diamonds being extremely limited. As previously announced, the Company entered into US$50 million sales contract with Dunebridge Worldwide Ltd ("Dunebridge"). The contract allows the Company to sell its current production at market related prices and to participate in future potential upside (with no downside risk) when the diamonds are sold by Dunebridge. $30.6 million (US$22.6 million) of the total sales in Q2 were under the sales agreement with Dunebridge. The initial sale did not reflect a normal, run of mine mix as they contained a lower proportion of larger, higher value diamonds which were accelerated into earlier sales to maximise revenue in Q1. Further, diamonds larger than 10.8 carats recovered during the quarter were not included in any sales. The sale agreement with Dunebridge was a positive step and allowed the company to maintain its liquidity and meet its current expense obligations. The Company expects to resume its normal market structured sales in September. Stuart Brown, the Company's President and Chief Executive Officer, commented: "Our Q2 financial and operational figures have been heavily impacted by COVID-19 headwinds and associated global mitigation efforts to slow down the spread of the virus. These conditions severely reduced retail sales and impacted the diamond pipeline and do not reflect normal operating or market conditions when compared to same period in 2019." "At the mine, we have had to implement new procedures to reduce the risk of infection. As a result, we have lowered our 2020 production guidance with respect to total tonnes mined and carats recovered by approximately 7% and 9% respectively. "The severe impact of COVID-19 meant that the market for rough diamonds came to a virtual halt in the second quarter and we were unable to execute any normal sales. The agreement with "Dunebridge" has provided the company with a vital liquidity lifeline. The company remains cautious with respect to COVID-19 as travel, self-imposed trading bans, and limited retail trading are likely to remain in effect for the short term. However, and while post COVID-19 prices for rough diamonds remain under pressure, the demand is gradually opening up for certain categories. We believe the market will start improving later in Q3 of this year and strengthen with the start of the major retail season towards the end of the year and into 2021. The Company remains on track to resume its traditional sales methods in September." Gahcho Kue Mine Operations The following table summarizes key operating statistics for the Gahcho Kue Mine in the three and six months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019. Three months ended Three months ended Six months ended Six months ended June 30, 2020 June 30, 2019 June 30, 2020 June 30, 2019 GK operating data Mining *Ore tonnes mined kilo tonnes 527 747 1,557 1,352 *Waste tonnes mined kilo tonnes 6,309 10,118 14,636 19,041 *Total tonnes mined kilo tonnes 6,836 10,865 16,193 20,393 *Ore in stockpile kilo tonnes 96 160 96 160 Processing *Ore tonnes processed kilo tonnes 786 882 1,689 1,753 *Average plant throughput tonnes per day 8,733 9,800 9,130 9,632 *Average plant grade carats per tonne 1.97 1.96 1.90 1.89 *Diamonds recovered 000's carats 1,547 1,730 3,202 3,315 Approximate diamonds recovered - Mountain Province 000's carats 758 848 1,569 1,624 Cash costs of production per tonne of ore, net of capitalized stripping ** $ 105 86 92 90 Cash costs of production per tonne of ore, including capitalized stripping** $ 125 106 103 109 Cash costs of production per carat recovered, net of capitalized stripping** $ 53 44 48 48 Cash costs of production per carat recovered, including capitalized stripping** $ 63 54 54 57 Sales Approximate diamonds sold - Mountain Province*** 000's carats 757 1,077 1,416 1,721 Average diamond sales price per carat US $ 33 $ 67 $ 52 $ 68 * at 100% interest in the Gahcho Kue Mine **See Non-IFRS Measures section of the Company's June 30, 2020 MD&A for explanation and reconciliation ***Includes the sales directly to De Beers for fancies and specials acquired by De Beers through the production split bidding process Financial Performance Three months ended Three months ended Six months ended Six months ended (in thousands of Canadian dollars, except where otherwise noted) June 30, 2020 June 30, 2019 June 30, 2020 June 30, 2019 Sales $ 34,020 95,774 99,450 156,470 Carats sold 000's carats 757 1,077 1,416 1,721 Average price per carat sold $/carat 45 89 70 91 Cost of sales per carat* $/carat 92 72 86 75 Earnings from mine operations per carat $ (47) 17 (16) 16 (Loss) earnings from mine operations % -105% 19% -22% 18% Selling, general and administrative expenses $ 2,650 3,141 6,287 6,040 Operating (loss) income $ (38,958) 12,762 (31,456) 16,401 Net (loss) income for the period $ (26,762) 10,255 (67,731) 12,752 Basic and diluted (loss) earnings per share $ (0.13) 0.05 (0.32) 0.06 * This cost of sales per carat includes the cost of acquiring 51% of the fancies and specials which have been sold, after having been won in a tendering process with De Beers Canada. Conference Call Full details of the financial and operating results for the quarter ended June 30, 2020 are described in Mountain Province's condensed consolidated interim financial statements with accompanying notes and related Management's Discussion and Analysis. These documents and additional information on Mountain Province, including its' annual information form and US Form 40-F, are available on the Company's website at www.mountainprovince.com and on SEDAR at www.sedar.com and on EDGAR at www.sec.gov/edgar.shtml. Shareholders may contact Mountain Province at 161 Bay Street, PO Box 216, Toronto, ON, M5J 2S1, to request, free of charge, hard copies of the audited consolidated financial statements and related Management's Discussion and Analysis. The Company will host an earnings conference call for analysts and investors on Thursday, August 6, 2020, at 11:00 a.m. Eastern Time. The conference call can be accessed using the following details. A replay of the call will also be available on the Company's website. Title: Mountain Province Diamonds Inc. Q2 2020 Earnings Conference Call Conference ID: 99633195 Date of call: 08/06/2020 Time of call: 11:00 Eastern Time Expected Duration: 60 minutes Webcast Link: https://produceredition.webcasts.com/starthere.jsp?ei=1344574&tp_key=b9a4fca835 Participant Toll-Free Dial-In Number: (+1) 888 390 0546 Participant International Dial-In Number: (+1) 416 764 8688 A replay of the webcast and audio call will be available on the Company's website. **** About Mountain Province Diamonds Inc. Mountain Province Diamonds is a 49% participant with De Beers Group in the Gahcho Kue diamond mine located in Canada's Northwest Territories. The Gahcho Kue Joint Venture property consists of several kimberlites that are actively being mined, developed, and explored for future development. The Company also controls 106,202 hectares of highly prospective mineral claims and leases that surround the Gahcho Kue Joint Venture property that include an indicated mineral resource for the Kelvin kimberlite and inferred mineral resources for the Faraday kimberlites. For further information on Mountain Province Diamonds and to receive news releases by email, visit the Company's website at www.mountainprovince.com Qualified Person The disclosure in this news release of scientific and technical information regarding Mountain Province's mineral properties has been reviewed and approved by Keyvan Salehi, P.Eng., MBA, and Tom E. McCandless, Ph.D., P.Geo., both Qualified Persons as defined by National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects. Caution Regarding Forward Looking Information This news release contains certain "forward-looking statements" and "forward-looking information" under applicable Canadian and United States securities laws concerning the business, operations and financial performance and condition of Mountain Province Diamonds Inc. Forward-looking statements and forward-looking information include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to estimated production and mine life of the project of Mountain Province; the realization of mineral reserve estimates; the timing and amount of estimated future production; costs of production; the future price of diamonds; the estimation of mineral reserves and resources; the ability to manage debt; capital expenditures; the ability to obtain permits for operations; liquidity; tax rates; and currency exchange rate fluctuations. Except for statements of historical fact relating to Mountain Province, certain information contained herein constitutes forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are frequently characterized by words such as "anticipates," "may," "can," "plans," "believes," "estimates," "expects," "projects," "targets," "intends," "likely," "will," "should," "to be", "potential" and other similar words, or statements that certain events or conditions "may", "should" or "will" occur. Forward-looking statements are based on the opinions and estimates of management at the date the statements are made, and are based on a number of assumptions and subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. Many of these assumptions are based on factors and events that are not within the control of Mountain Province and there is no assurance they will prove to be correct. Factors that could cause actual results to vary materially from results anticipated by such forward-looking statements include variations in ore grade or recovery rates, changes in market conditions, changes in project parameters, mine sequencing; production rates; cash flow; risks relating to the availability and timeliness of permitting and governmental approvals; supply of, and demand for, diamonds; fluctuating commodity prices and currency exchange rates, the possibility of project cost overruns or unanticipated costs and expenses, labour disputes and other risks of the mining industry, failure of plant, equipment or processes to operate as anticipated. These factors are discussed in greater detail in Mountain Province's most recent Annual Information Form and in the most recent MD&A filed on SEDAR, which also provide additional general assumptions in connection with these statements. Mountain Province cautions that the foregoing list of important factors is not exhaustive. Investors and others who base themselves on forward-looking statements should carefully consider the above factors as well as the uncertainties they represent and the risk they entail. Mountain Province believes that the expectations reflected in those forward-looking statements are reasonable, but no assurance can be given that these expectations will prove to be correct and such forward-looking statements included in this news release should not be unduly relied upon. These statements speak only as of the date of this news release. Although Mountain Province has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results not to be anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Mountain Province undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements if circumstances or management's estimates or opinions should change except as required by applicable securities laws. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Statements concerning mineral reserve and resource estimates may also be deemed to constitute forward-looking statements to the extent they involve estimates of the mineralization that will be encountered as the property is developed. Further, Mountain Province may make changes to its business plans that could affect its results. The principal assets of Mountain Province are administered pursuant to a joint venture under which Mountain Province is not the operator. Mountain Province is exposed to actions taken or omissions made by the operator within its prerogative and/or determinations made by the joint venture under its terms. Such actions or omissions may impact the future performance of Mountain Province. Under its current note and revolving credit facilities Mountain Province is subject to certain limitations on its ability to pay dividends on common stock. The declaration of dividends is at the discretion of Mountain Province's Board of Directors, subject to the limitations under the Company's debt facilities, and will depend on Mountain Province's financial results, cash requirements, future prospects, and other factors deemed relevant by the Board. SOURCE Mountain Province Diamonds Inc. Related Links http://www.mountainprovince.com Disney said Tuesday afternoon that its theme parks division took a $3.5 billion hit due to the coronavirus pandemic. Disney Parks reported an 85% decline in revenue this quarter compared to last year, and the company said it believes the total negative impact of COVID-19 on parks this quarter is $3.5 billion. "Unfortunately, COVID struck again and all the numbers started going up. This gave some level of trepidation to travelers who are anxious about long-distance travel, jumping on a plane and flying to Walt Disney World," Disney's CEO Bob Chapek said. About half of Walt Disney World visitors are coming from local markets. Disney is seeing a higher number of reservation cancellations than it expected. Chapek is optimistic that once Florida's COVID-19 numbers decline, tourists will come back. "Our research indicates and our bookings indicate that we should be in good shape once consumer confidence sort of returns," Chapek said. Disney leaders say based on reservations, there is enough demand to surpass the current capacity caps put in place to ensure social distancing. Overall sales for the company fell 42% to $11.8 billion. Disney did report positive returns on its new streaming service, Disney+, which had nearly 60 million subscribers at the end of June, according to the company. Of the largest metropolitan areas in Texas, the border has some of the lowest self-response rates to the Census, as has been the case historically. Residents of Webb, Hidalgo and Cameron counties are filling out Census forms at the slowest rates this year; and Webb is in last place among the 20 largest counties in the state. Only 45.7% of Laredo area residents have filled out their Census forms, while the state average is 57.9%. A third of Webb County residents have completed the task online. ATLANTA (dpa-AFX) - Billionaire Richard Branson's Virgin Atlantic has filed for Chapter 15 bankruptcy protection in the United States after being hit hard by travel restrictions due to the coronavirus pandemic. The process is part of the British airline's restructuring plan as it is seeking a 1.2 billion pounds rescue deal in the U.K. The airline also filed a proceeding in the high court in London for its restructuring plan, aiming to secure approval from all relevant creditors before implementation. The airline, which is partly owned by US airline Delta, reportedly told the London court that it might run out of cash in September if the rescue deal is not approved. The company, despite being fundamentally sound, critically requires restructuring and fresh injection of money for its future. In London, Virgin Atlantic was approved to convene meetings of affected creditors to vote on the plan on August 25. The airline's restructuring plan has been supported by a majority of the company's shareholders. The company expects to emerge from the restructuring process in September. In the U.S., Virgin Atlantic filed its petition in the federal bankruptcy court in New York. Chapter 15 bankruptcy protection allows foreign companies with U.S. assets to protect themselves against claims during the restructuring process in their home country. Regarding the Chapter 15 filing, a Virgin spokesperson said, 'The process we have asked to be recognized is a solvent restructuring of an English company.' The company said in its court filing that its restructuring plan in the U.K. depends on the approval of its Chapter 15 filing in the U.S. Virgin Atlantic's planes have been grounded since April following the spread of Covid-19 pandemic. In May, the company announced its plans to cut more than 3,500 jobs in the UK and close its operation at Gatwick airport. As per the filing, Virgin's reservations are down 89 percent year-over-year, and demand for the second half of 2020 is about 25 percent of 2019 levels. In July, the company raised 1.2 billion pounds from private sources, calling it a major milestone towards securing its future. Following the coronavirus struggles, Virgin Group's Virgin Australia went into voluntary administration in April, and later bought by Bain Capital. Hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic, the International Air Transport Association, which represents 290 airlines, recently said it expects that global air travel will not fully recover from the downturn until 2024. Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX Kostenloser Wertpapierhandel auf Smartbroker.de YEREVAN, AUGUST 5, ARMENPRESS. Initial investigations into the Beirut port blast indicate years of inaction and negligence over the storage of highly explosive material caused the explosion that killed more than 100 people, ARMENPRESS reorts, citing Reuters, an official source familiar with the findings said. Another source close to a port employee said a team that inspected the material six months ago warned it could blow up all of Beirut if not removed. The head of Beirut port and the head of customs both said on Wednesday that several letters were sent to the judiciary asking for the dangerous material be removed, but no action was taken. Port General Manager Hassan Koraytem told OTV the material had been put in a warehouse on a court order, adding that they knew then the material was dangerous but not to this degree. Housing rights advocates protest on May 5 outside the Valley Village office of an attorney who has evicted thousands of tenants since 1976. (Los Angeles Times) To the editor: I am encouraged that the L.A. Times Editorial Board recognized that landlords also suffer when tenants can't pay the rent. You support a state bill that would offer us tax credits to supplement our loss of rent, but most mom-and-pop landlords don't need tax credits. What we need is a monthly check not only to pay for the units we rent out, but also our own homes, groceries, utilities, medical bills and more. You support a moratorium on evictions and allowing tenants 12 months to make up any missed payments after the COVID-19 emergency ends, but how can a landlord financially survive waiting to recover rent to pay our bills? Tax credits are great for large corporations, but what small landlords need is a monthly check. If you drive mom-and-pop landlords out of business, tenants in California will be at the mercy of large corporate entities. Carol Chestek, San Juan Capistrano .. To the editor: In 1872, after the Civil War disrupted many contracts, the California Legislature enacted Civil Code Section 1511. It already excuses nonpayment of rents and mortgages caused by government regulation or disasters such as the COVID-19 pandemic. Rent repayment plans will fail because most tenants already exhaust their income on current rent and necessities, with nothing to spare. Now, the government has prevented them from working, so it should protect them from evictions by excusing their unpaid rent permanently. Every business has its downside; for landlords, it's not getting the rent. Landlords with a mortgage promised the bank that they could make their monthly payments even without rent. With a wink and a smile, they closed the deal. Tenants did not sign on as the guarantors. Just require banks to defer mortgage payments to the end of the loan under Civil Code Section 1511. That's the only fair answer, and it's the law. Ken Carlson, Idyllwild, Calif. The writer is a tenants' rights attorney. .. To the editor: Your editorial is correct that California and the nation face an eviction catastrophe if our elected leaders do nothing. It may already be too late for many people. One crucial thing you do not mention is that when people get evicted, their voter registration is no longer valid. This will directly impact our upcoming election and could put Democrats at a distinct and severe disadvantage in battleground states. Steve Tarzynski, Santa Monica Prince Joachim of Denmark has been released from hospital and reunited with his family after undergoing emergency brain surgery in July. The Danish royal, 51, was spending the summer holidays with his family in France in the Chateau de Cayx, which belongs to his mother, when he fell ill. The son of Queen Margrethe, who is sixth in line to the throne, was rushed to Toulouse University Hospital, where he was immediately operated on. The Danish Royal Palace said he's not expected to suffer any long-term side effects after the surgery. He's finally been discharged and returned to the family after spending the weekend in the intensive care unit, with Princess Marie, 44, at his bedside. Prince Joachim of Denmark has been released from hospital and reunited with his family after undergoing emergency brain surgery in July. The Danish royal, 51, was spending the summer holidays in France in the Chateau de Cayx, which belongs to his mother, with his family when the health scare struck (pictured with his wife Princess Marie, 44 at the state dinner of Christianborg Palace in Copenhagen) A statement by the royal palace said: 'It is now the opinion of the doctors that the prince's health has improved to such an extent that his royal highness can be discharged and Prince Joachim is now staying at the Chateau de Cayx. 'It is still the family's wish that the prince has the necessary peace to recover completely. 'Prince Joachim and Princess Marie would like to take this opportunity to thank the hospital staff involved.' Lene Balleby, a spokeswoman for the royal household, said in an official statement at the time: 'The blood clot in the brain was due to a sudden dissection of an artery, and the hospital's medical team assesses that the risk of recurrence is very small when the artery has healed.' Pictured left to right: Princess Marie, Prince Joachim, Prince Felix, 19, Prince Nikolai, 20, Alexandra, Countess of Frederiksborg. At the front, Princess Athena, eight and Prince Henrik, 11 It added: 'It is the doctors' assessment that Prince Joachim will not have any physical effects or other injuries as a result of the blood clot. 'Prince Joachim is expected to be moved out of the intensive care unit as soon as possible but will continue to be hospitalised for some time to come. In a previous statement the Palace said: 'His Royal Highness Prince Joachim was admitted to the University Hospital of Toulouse, France, late last night. 'The prince was operated on immediately afterwards for a blood clot in the brain and the operation was successful. The condition of His Royal Highness is stable today. Princess Marie, 44, stayed by Joachim's side as he recovered from surgery in hospital last week 'The Royal House has no further information at this point in time, but it is the wish of Her Majesty The Queen that the public respects the privacy of the family during the hospitalisation.' The sudden medical emergency struck as the Prince was vacationing with his wife and their four children. They had just celebrated the 18th birthday of his second eldest son Prince Felix, who hit the milestone on July 22. Joachim had marked the event alongside the teenager's mother and his ex-wife, Alexandra, Countess of Frederiksborg. The parents were joined by their eldest son Prince Nikolai, 20, and Joachim's current wife Princess Marie and their two children Prince Henrik, 11, and Princess Athena, eight. The family had been celebrating the 18th birthday of Prince Felix, Prince Joachim's second eldest son Sharing intimate family photographs to Instagram, the group are seen hugging one another in a group snap. Prince Joachim of Denmark and his ex-wife, Alexandra, Countess of Frederiksborg divorced in 2004 after 10 years together - they were Denmark's first royal split in nearly 160 years. The prince, who is the second son of Margrethe and Prince Consort Henrik, is sixth in line to the throne after his elder brother Crown Prince Frederik and his four children with Australian-born Crown Princess Mary. He has since remarried Paris-born Marie Cavallier, now Princess Marie and the couple have two children together Prince Henrik, 11, and Princess Athena, eight. Bay of Plenty You will be learning how to operate the machines and how to maintain them. This will include on site training.We are looking... View or Apply on GoodWork.co.nz (Fixes phrasing, paragraphs 8,9) SHANGHAI, Aug 5 (Reuters) - The founder of China's largest chipmaker SMIC said on Tuesday he was "optimistic" China could catch up with the United States in the next generation of semiconductors but that U.S. efforts to contain its technology sector could not be taken "lightly". Richard Chang, also the former CEO of Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corp (SMIC), told a livestream forum that persistent research and development as well as investment in new raw materials would enable China to compete, according to an official transcript on Wednesday. The comments come as Washington and Beijing continue to spar over Huawei Technologies Co Ltd, which has brought new urgency to China's calls to improve its domestic chip industry. "I am optimistic and believe we can catch up," Chang said in a rare appearance at the forum, organized by China Securities. He said that while China's talent base was a "weakness" in the short-term, the country had made "great progress" in manufacturing raw materials and remained a leader in next generation super-fast 5G technology. "If China maintains its leadership in 5G technology, it can remain far ahead in wireless connectivity, artificial intelligence, and cloud computing, because China already is strong in high-tech applications," Chang said. The United States and China have been fighting over the alleged national risk posed by the products of Chinese tech giant Huawei for over a year, and relations between the world's two largest economies has deteriorated since the outbreak of the coronavirus. Chang said that during his time at SMIC in the early 2000's, the U.S. Department of Commerce had been generally supportive of Chinese tech companies, but that now it sees them as its "biggest obstacle." The U.S. government has cited "national security" as grounds for its restrictions on Huawei. The firm has denied holding any ties to the Chinese government. Chang founded SMIC with funding from China's government in 2000 as a domestic Chinese rival to Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Corporation. He resigned in 2009. (Reporting by Josh Horwitz and the Shanghai newsroom; editing by Ana Nicolaci da Costa) In this file photo, Swiss Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis attends a meeting with his Russian counterpart in Moscow on June 19, 2019. (Alexander Nemenov/AFP via Getty Images) Switzerland Should Robustly Defend Values, Interests in Relation to China: Foreign Minister For Switzerland, doing business with the Chinese regime to emancipate itself a little from Europe did not work out as expected, a Swiss government minister has said. Ignazio Cassis, a member of Federal Council and the foreign minister of Switzerland, recently told Swiss newspaper SonntagsBlick that Switzerlands trading relationship with China has been more turbulent than the Swiss government thought it would be. Switzerland, which is not a member of the European Union (EU), became the first continental European country to sign a free-trade agreement with Beijing in 2013, hoping to emancipate itself [Switzerland] a little from Europe, the foreign minister said. However, now that human rights violations are increasing, he realized that the Chinese regime is not like Switzerlands other trading partners, such as the EU countries, which share important common basic values with Switzerland. A Changing China Cassis looked back at Switzerlands 70-year relationship with China, saying it had always aimed for a constructive but critical relationship in the hope of encouraging political change in the communist state. First we establish economic relationships, then we talk about human rights, he said, a common formula that the West has adopted. But the trend in recent years has seen the Chinese regime increasing its grip on power rather than lessening it. We are seeing China stray from the path of openness, the foreign minister said. With the passing of the draconian National Security Law in Hong Kong, the Chinese regime has effectively violated the principle of one country, two systems; this would affect many Swiss companies that have invested there, Cassis said. This means that Switzerland, too, must defend its interests and values more robustly, for example by strengthening international law and the multilateral system. In such an uncertain and complicated world, Cassis said, Switzerland cannot afford an unregulated relationship with the EU. At the moment, the progress of the negotiations between Switzerland and the European Commission on an institutional framework agreement is held up due to disagreement on the freedom of movement of EU citizens. A new version of the agreement is proposed. Cassis said that if Swiss voters reject the proposal on Sept. 27, Bern will submit new proposals to Brussels by the end of the year. Reactions When asked about the Swiss Foreign Ministers remarks, Wang Wenbin, a spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry, said on Monday that what happens in Hong Kong is Chinas internal affairs, and that foreign nations have no rights to interfere. Political commentator Wang Longmeng was a survivor of the Tiananmen massacre in 1989. He has been in exile in France for 20 years. Wang told Radio Free Asia that the remarks from the Swiss foreign minister, a country that rarely speaks up on human rights issues in China, indicates that European countries will no longer stay silent. Swiss Foreign Minister Cassis pointed out the essence of the matter. Many Western countries hoped economic openness in China would bring political evolution, but they [now] see with their own eyes that China [the Chinese Communist Party] is extending its grip of dictatorship into Hong Kong and the whole world. The threat that CCP poses to the Western counties far outweighs the economic benefits they got. Now that the Western world recognized this, they should retaliate without hesitation, Wang said. Wang said that the prompt response by the Chinese Foreign Ministry indicates that the condemnation from Switzerland was destructive to the CCP. If CCP members and collaborators have offshore wealth in Switzerland, he said, then the freezing [of their] assets would be their worst fear if Switzerland and the EU join the United States in sanctioning human rights violators such as CCP members and Hong Kong officials. Bill Ford stepped down as CEO of his family's automaker in 2006, but still commands a leading role. AP/Carlos Osorio Ford announced on Tuesday that CEO Jim Hackett will retire October 1 and be replaced by current COO Jim Farley. Ford remains a family business, overseen by Bill Ford, the company's chairman and great-grandson of founder Henry Ford. The carmaker's share price has been in decline for years, through three different CEOs. The Ford family still controls the company and relies on the stock. Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories. When Jim Hackett announced his retirement as CEO for Ford after a tough three years of restructuring, the first voice on a conference call with the media was that of Bill Ford. "I thank him for his brave leadership and his friendship," Ford said of Hackett. The chairman of the automaker's board of directors served as CEO from 2001 to 2006, before stepping down to let former Boeing exec Alan Mulally steer Ford through the Great Recession. But 14 years and three CEOs later, Henry Ford's great-grandson commands a leading role in what is still very much a family business. On the call, Bill Ford praised Hackett, whom the board elevated to CEO in 2017, after Mulally's successor, Mark Fields, failed to deliver on profit forecasts to Wall Street. But the 117-year-old company's stock continued to slide under Hackett, dropping 40% since 2017. That puts Bill Ford in a tricky spot. Thanks to a special class of "super" shares, Henry Ford's descendants control 40% of the company and they need their stake to perform well. Ford suspended its dividend earlier this year, as the coronavirus pandemic ravaged its US and European operations. The company has a fortress balance sheet with $39 in total liquidity, but has borrowed billions to brace for the COVID-19 shutdown. CFO Tim Stone said much of those credit lines would be repaid and that Ford expects to return to profitability in the third quarter. But the carmaker's market performance had been disappointing, even before the pandemic struck, despite a run of positive bottom-line years since the 2009 downturn. Story continues It hasn't been lost on Bill Ford, either, that Tesla's $266 billion market cap is ten times higher than Ford's, despite selling roughly 250,000 cars in 2019, compared to Ford's 5.4 million. Bill Ford wants a different future for his family's 117-year-old business Jim Hackett and Jim Farley in a meeting at Ford's headquarters in Dearborn, MI. Ford Bill Ford has long been a forward-thinking leader, articulating a future for his family's company that stresses environmental stewardship and high-tech, urban-focused, connected mobility over simply building more F-150 pickup trucks. But the F-150s, with their juicy profit margins and history as America's best-selling vehicle, literally pay the bills. Ford's North American business makes up for struggles in Europe and South America, as well as a late start in China relative to competitors such as VW and GM. When Hackett, now 65, became CEO, the view in the industry was that his primary mission was to articulate Bill Ford's vision, which made sense as he had been overseeing Ford's "smart mobility" initiatives after a stint on the board. Two other executives, Joe Hinrichs and Farley, would manage the actual car business. But Bill Ford remained very much in the picture, more so than he had been when Mulally was in charge, and even later when Fields became CEO. He made it clear on Tuesday that in Farley, Ford had committed to an industry veteran after taking a chance on an offbeat outsider who had run furniture maker Steelcase and had gotten involved with Silicon Valley through investments in influential California design firm IDEO. "My closest ally in this was Bill Ford," Hackett told Business Insider in an interview several weeks ago. "I've gotten to test ideas with him constantly. He and I would talk three or four times a day. The other day, he said, 'It's a better company since you've been here.' You could have knocked me over with a feather." Farley, who came to Ford from Toyota in 2007, was being tracked for the CEO job at least since the beginning of the year, when Hinrichs abruptly left the carmaker, clarifying the succession plan. Farley is a noted gearhead who likes to work on his own cars and frequents race tracks, but he's also known as a marketing maven. And with Ford in the middle of rolling out critical products including a new F-150, the revived Bronco SUV, and a marquee electric vehicle in the new Mustang Mach-E, the chairman's view could be that the time for talking up the future is over and that the company needs to core business to do its job. That doesn't mean Ford can forget about the transformation of the auto industry that's now underway. But it could mean that in the next year or two, we'll be hearing a lot more about that from the man whose name is still on the building. Read the original article on Business Insider Two employees get a temperature check in Pyongyang, North Korea. (AP) Tests carried out on a man suspected of being North Koreas first officially acknowledged coronavirus case came back inconclusive, the World Health Organization has said. The country has so far said it has had no COVID-19 infections, but there has been some scepticism over this claim. Amnesty International interviewed two former North Korean healthcare professionals who had defected to South Korea who said the countrys health system was vulnerable to pandemics. Some outside experts and US officials have also cast doubts on the claim, but no cases in North Korea have been independently confirmed. Last week North Korea told foreigners not to leave capital city Pyongyang amid coronavirus fears. The WHO said North Korea had quarantined over 3,635 primary and secondary contacts of the man suspected of having coronavirus. On 26 July the country said it had declared a state of emergency and locked down the border city of Kaesong after a person who defected to South Korea three years ago returned across the fortified border with what state media said were symptoms of COVID-19. At the time, state media was unclear if the man had been tested, saying uncertain result was made from several medical check-ups. But leader Kim Jong Un declared that "the vicious virus could be said to have entered the country". If confirmed, the case would have been the first officially acknowledged by North Korean authorities, but since then, state media have continued to say no cases have been reported. A visitor, right, disinfects her hands before entering the Ryugyong Health Complex in Pyongyang, North Korea. (AP) "The person was tested for COVID-19, but test results were inconclusive," Dr. Edwin Salvador, WHO representative for North Korea, said on Wednesday. Kaesong remains under lockdown, and household doctors continue to conduct surveillance in the city, he said. Despite having no confirmed cases, North Korea had imposed a widespread lockdown and conducted contract tracing, Salvador added. North Korea's ruling party newspaper Rodong Sinmun called on Wednesday for all citizens to take part in anti-epidemic measures, warning that any breach of rules could have "critical consequences". Coronavirus: what happened today Click here to sign up to the latest news and information with our daily Catch-up newsletter New Delhi, Aug 5 : The Delhi High Court, here on Wednesday, sought the Delhi Police's response over Pinjra Tod activist Devangana Kalita's bail plea. Justice Suresh Kumar Kait issued the notice and asked the police to file the response by the next hearing in the case. Earlier in July, Kalita and Natasha Narwal, another member of the Pinjra Tod group, were denied bail by a trial court. The trial court said from the charge-sheet it was clear that the investigation was pending. The crime branch of the Delhi Police arrested Narwal and Kalita in May, accusing them of charges related to rioting, unlawful assembly and attempt to murder. Initially, Kalita was arrested on March 23 in an anti-CAA protest case related to Jafrabad in North-East Delhi. She got bail in that case. But on March 24, she was arrested in another case, for which she is in the judicial custody. Recently, a separate Bench of the high court restricted the Delhi Police from issuing any press note on Kalita or any other accused in connection with the Delhi riots case till the beginning of trial. The police said Kalita and Narwal were actively involved in hatching the conspiracy to cause riots near Jafrabad Metro Station in Delhi. "They were also part of a larger conspiracy and were found to be connected to the 'India Against Hate' group and Umar Khalid. The message, found in the phone of an accused, on Whatsapp chat, reveals the conspiracy and the extent of preparation for the riots," the police said. PROVIDENCIALES, Turks & Caicos, Aug. 5, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- As interCaribbean Airways launched its service between Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean on August 4th, 2020, regional Tourism Ministers and stakeholders welcome the Airlines' expansion in these new markets, citing it as necessary for regional integration. EMB120 FLEET ERJ145 Jet Grenada's Minister of Tourism, Honourable Clarice Modeste, in commenting on the decision to partner with the airline, states "Regional transport has always been the backbone of our integration movement. The Chairman of interCaribbean has seen the potential in Grenada, at a time when we were all concerned about the future of air travel in the region. Our new transport partner will help connect more people to jobs, access opportunities for students, and bring businesses to Grenada. Our citizens, visitors and potential investors, alike, can plan for an uncertain future, with a little more confidence." The Minister of Tourism in Dominica, Honourable Denise Charles, was also very welcoming of the services of the carrier to that country. "The demographic of tourism is changing, and we must develop and diversify in tandem. We need to partner closely with the private sector to harness our regional integration thrust. Dominica is determined to continue attracting more visitors, and the improvement in airlift options by bringing on board the expertise and market share of interCaribbean Airways, is a significant component of our new strategic plan to achieve this." interCaribbean plans to commence flights to and from Dominica on August 11th. The airline will announce its plans for its service to St. Vincent & the Grenadines once regulatory approvals have been received. Meanwhile, from further North, the Chairman of the British Virgin Island's Airport Authority, Mr, Bevis Sylvester, has praised the reliability and safety record of the airline, as well as its Founder and Chairman, Lyndon Gardiner, referring to him as "a visionary," who is taking "a bold risk, and, in the process, [providing] a much-needed service for an area of the region that will desperately need it in the coming months." The airline counts the BVI as one of its many existing serviced cities across the North and West of the Caribbean. Mr. Gardiner, a native of the Turks and Caicos, which is also the home-base of interCaribbean Airways, was also the recipient of much acclaim from the Premiere of that Island, Honourable Sharlene Cartwright-Robinson. She cites that TCI is "proud to be the birthplace of an entrepreneur such as Lyndon" and that the Chairman is an "example to young entrepreneurs of colour all over the region that the possible is only limited by your vision and ability to embrace change and opportunities." The flight schedules between Barbados, Grenada, St. Lucia and Dominica, have already been posted on the Airline's website, and can easily be accessed. Visit www.interCaribbean.com to book a flight with us and, learn more about the company and its operations. About interCaribbean interCaribbean operates ERJ145 50 seat jets, EMB 120 30 seat Turbo Prop and 19 seat Twin Otter aircraft, connecting the Turks & Caicos Islands, Antigua, the British Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, Cuba, Haiti, Jamaica, the Bahamas, Dominica, St Lucia and St. Maarten. Domestic flights are operated in the Turks & Caicos Islands, as well as in Jamaica between Kingston and Montego Bay. Media Contact: Trevor Sadler 649-443-3102 [email protected] SOURCE interCaribbean Airways Related Links http://www.interCaribbean.com FILE PHOTO: A palm oil seed is seen at a plantation in Pulau Carey By Mei Mei Chu KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters) - Malaysia's palm oil inventories at end-July likely plunged 11.94% from June to three-year lows, as production slumped due to a worsening labour shortage amid the coronavirus outbreak. July stockpiles in the world's second-largest producer were estimated at 1.67 million tonnes, its lowest since June 2017, according to the median estimate of 11 planters, traders and analysts polled by Reuters. Although Malaysia is entering its season for peak production, industry observers cited worker shortages and heavy rains in estimating that production would drop 5% from the previous month to 1.79 million tonnes, the second time this year after a marginal decrease in May. "The labour shortage and recent rain storms in East Malaysia have diminished the harvesting of fresh fruit bunches," said Marcello Cultrera, institutional sales manager and broker at Phillip Futures in Kuala Lumpur. Exports in July were seen rising 2% on-month to 1.74 million tonnes, up for the sixth consecutive month after demand for the edible oil slowed in February due to the pandemic. A record rise in crude palm oil shipments to top buyer India will lead the overall increase in July exports, triggered by Malaysia's export tax exemption on the commodity, said Sathia Varqa, co-founder of Singapore-based Palm Oil Analytics. Second-largest buyer China may also import more as the country reduced rapeseed oil purchases from Canada and wants to maintain stable food supply amid the aftermath of its worst flood in decades, said Christopher Chai, general manager with Kwantas Corp. The Malaysian Palm Oil Board will release the official data on Aug. 10. The median results from the Reuters survey put Malaysia's consumption in July at 323,476 tonnes. (Reporting by Mei Mei Chu; Editing by Rashmi Aich) Bengaluru, Aug 5 : Janata Dal (Secular) legislator B. Satyanarayana from Sira constituency in Tumkur passed away at a city hospital after prolonged illness, a Manipal hospital official said. "Satyanarayana, MLA from Sira constituency, Karnataka, who was under treatment at Manipal hospital, Old Airport road for a prolonged illness, passed away on Tuesday at 10.45 p.m.," added the Manipal hospital official. The deceased MLA was 69 years old and suffered from advanced chronic liver disease, receiving treatment in the ICU when he breathed his last. "He was in a very critical state and was under treatment at the ICU for secondary septicemia with multisystem organ failure," said the official. Former Prime Minister and JD(S) national president H.D. Deve Gowda expressed shock at the death of the party MLA. "The news of Satyanarayana's death is a shock. My longtime companion, Satyanarayana, who was constantly involved in party affairs is an irreparable loss to our party, said Gowda who was recently elected as a Rajya Sabha member. Cutting across party lines, leaders from the political spectrum sent condolences on the passing away of the JD(S) leader. "The news of the demise of Sira MLA B. Satyanarayana was shocking. I pray that God blesses his soul and gives his family and fans the power to endure this pain," said Medical education minister K. Sudhakar. B. Satyanarayana was the son of Byatappa and lived at Ambedkar Road in Gandhi Nagar area of Sira in Tumkur district. In 1977, he passed out with an LLB degree from Vidyodaya Law college, Bengaluru university. The Guardian The Steelers quarterback is headed to the Hall of Fame. But he was unloved outside Pittsburgh for understandable reasons Ben Roethlisberger almost certainly played his final game in the NFL on Sunday. Photograph: Ed Zurga/AP Ben Roethlisberger is lucky that football legacies are not decided by finales. If Sunday night was indeed Big Bens last ever NFL game, as he has strongly hinted, it wasnt exactly a mic drop. In the 42-21 beatdown by the Chiefs, Roethlisberger struggled with rollouts, and l Swapping commercial passenger service to Mobiles Brookley Field will cost a total of about $403 million and could be done in five years, the head of the Mobile Airport Authority revealed Tuesday. Mobiles legacy commercial carriers fly into Mobile Regional Airport in west Mobile, a site which has no interstate access. The MAA also manages Downtown Mobile Airport in the Mobile Aeroplex at Brookley -- a site that is closer to downtown, closer to potential customers coming from Baldwin County and has direct access to I-10 near its junction with I-65. The effort to make the move, pushed by Mayor Sandy Stimpson and overseen by MAA President Chris Curry, has been under way for several years. A feasibility study published in 2018 found that swapping commercial passenger service to Brookley was feasible and likely to have economic benefits. A map shows new structures needed to move commercial passenger service to the Downtown Mobile Airport. A new terminal is shown in orange, with new parking areas in green. Interstate 10 can be seen at lower right; Perimeter Road forms a shallow vee, running alongside the interstate at lower left and then angling toward center right of the frame.Lawrence Specker | LSpecker@AL.com That fueled two subsequent major developments: The construction of a small terminal at Brookley to serve low-cost carriers, and the development of a 20-year master plan. On Tuesday, the MAA revealed key details of that plan. Among them: Building a new eight-gate terminal at the downtown airport will cost about $160 million. At 130,000 square feet it will be somewhat smaller than the current terminal at Mobile Regional, but Curry said it also would be more efficient. The new terminal will be designed to house Federal Inspection Services operations necessary for it to qualify as an international airport, Curry said. The total cost of the swap is estimated at $403 million. Curry said the expected breakdown is that 90% of that would come from the FAA, with the MAA and the state each providing a 5% match of about $20 million. Full details of the funding have yet to be worked out. Curry said plans call for the terminal to be built on land thats already part of the Aeroplex. Options that considered building it on new land, meaning the possible use of eminent domain to claim that land, have been ruled out, Curry said. Plans also call for a 5-tier parking deck to serve the new terminal, which will be located near the current terminal. Curry, Stimpson and others repeatedly said that the development of the current Brookley terminal had been a success, despite the fact that Frontier had ended service there leaving it dormant. We proved that we thought the market we thought was there is actually there, Stimpson said. Curry said Frontiers run at Brookley had verified the airport was much more attractive to Baldwin County residents than Mobile Regional. Curry said the next step in the process is for the MAA to ratify the master plan and submit it to the FAA. What weve got to do is make the case that Mobiles worthy of that investment, Stimpson said. Asked how long he thought it would take to carry out the swap of commercial passenger service to Brookley, Curry projected a fast track. Were studied out, he said. Its now time to get to work. He estimated a timetable of a minimum of two years, a maximum of perhaps five years. Curry said the primary motivation for the move is to make Mobile more attractive to carriers, which will increase competition, which should lead to more choice and lower fares for people flying out of Mobile. I want to make sure people understand why we want to move, he said. Curry said that Mobile Regional Airport would continue to function as an airport, perhaps with a more focused mission serving the Coast Guard, other military and industrial clients, and possible cargo flights. He also suggested that some of its more than 3,000 acres could be sold off. The Crape Myrtle Trail, a proposed bicycle and pedestrian path along the bay shore, is included in the plan as a possibility but is subject to federal review. Curry said the Airport Authority remains keenly interested in purchasing nearby parcels of land owned by the University of South Alabama Foundation and the Mobile Housing Board. The possibility that such a transfer would displace residents of low-income housing or reduce their options has raised concerns among some . Three complexes in the area are slated for demolition in long-term Housing Board plans and have been partly vacated. Several tourism, business and economic development officials spoke on behalf of the plan on Tuesday. The plan is visionary, its strategic. Its innovative. Its collaborative. And its absolutely critical to ensure our future, said David Clark, CEO of Visit Mobile. NEW HAVEN, Conn., Aug. 5, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Knights of Columbus Supreme Knight Carl Anderson urged the Knights to redouble their efforts to combat racism, violence and hatred through their ongoing witness of charity, unity and fraternity in society. "Living these principles," he said, "is the highest expression of patriotism today." Anderson addressed the Knights membership during the organization's 138th annual convention, held virtually for the first time due to the COVID-19 pandemic. "Many of our fellow citizens are still treated differently because of the color of their skin," said Anderson. "Whenever and wherever this happens, it is wrong. And it must be righted." Anderson recommitted the Knights to its programs in support of Native Americans and to foster an "honest recounting of their history." He lamented the recent desecration of churches and statues of saints, especially St. Junipero Serra, whom he called a "heroic and saintly missionary." "Where others seek to divide," said Anderson, "let us promote unity. And where racism festers, let us build fraternity." 'Spiritual Genius' Grounded in its principle of fraternity -- and as the beatification of its founder draws near -- the Knights of Columbus is focused on serving others in the face of daunting health, economic and social challenges. "Living in fraternity is what we do every day," said Anderson. "It is this commitment to fraternity that gives us the strength to do the great works of charity that our times demand." Anderson credited Knights' founder, Father Michael J. McGivney, with a "spiritual genius" for bringing men together as brothers who care for others through lives of charity. Father McGivney will be beatified the final step before canonization on Saturday, Oct. 31, at St. Joseph's Cathedral in Hartford. Anderson also announced that the Knights of Columbus Museum in New Haven will be transformed into the Blessed Michael J. McGivney Pilgrimage Center. True Patriotism Anderson suggested that Father McGivney's beatification is timely since he understood well the pain of prejudice and discrimination as religious bigotry in the 19th-century targeted Catholics. However, McGivney and his contemporaries identified a uniquely American way forward. "They saw in the freedoms guaranteed by the First Amendment a path offered to them that could be found in no other country," said Anderson. He cited a similar insight expressed by the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., who placed hope in the U.S. Constitution and Declaration of Independence because they constitute a "promissory note to every American." Fraternal Giving In 2019, Anderson reported, the Knights donated more than $187 million and volunteered more than 77 million hours of service valued at more than $2 billion. The organization responded to the pandemic with the Knights' locally driven "Leave No Neighbor Behind" program to help neighbors most vulnerable to the illness, as well as blood drives and support for food banks in the U.S and Canada. Other initiatives included million-dollar lines of credit to dioceses in financial trouble and financial aid to the Vatican's Bambino Gesu hospital for children in Rome. Those programs are being carried out in tandem with the Knights' ongoing activities for the disabled via Special Olympics and programs to help the needy, including Coats for Kids and disaster relief. Insurance Growth Despite Pandemic Despite the economic downturn due to the virus, Anderson reported insurance sales of $8.4 billion over the past 12 months with agents adopting a virtual business model over the last four months. With nearly $27 billion in assets under management, he said, the K of C is meeting both its financial obligations, and its charitable aspirations. In April, the Knights of Columbus was one of six companies to receive the highest ranking in a Standard & Poor's review of North American life insurance companies, ranking them on the basis of financial health. Joy and a Call Anderson concluded his report with a final word on Father McGivney's beatification and how it is both a cause for joy and a call to higher standards of charity, unity and fraternity. "We step forward together," said Anderson, "as Knights of Columbus -- Knights of Fraternity to continue our great work." SOURCE Knights of Columbus Related Links www.kofc.org Justin Sullivan/Getty Images San Francisco-based Uber announced Tuesday that employees are free to continue working remotely through the end of June 2021, joining other local tech companies embracing a long-term work-from-home model amid the coronavirus pandemic. Uber's corprorate employees can opt to go into work if their local offices reopen, but whether they choose to work from home or in an office will not impact performance reviews. Canada has signed agreements with pharmaceutical firms Pfizer and Moderna to supply millions of doses of a COVID-19 vaccine, but the vaccines are still in development while negotiations continue with other potential suppliers (AFP Photo/DOMINICK REUTER, Joseph Prezioso) Ottawa (AFP) - Canada announced Wednesday it has signed two agreements with American pharmaceutical firms Pfizer and Moderna for the delivery of COVID-19 vaccines in 2021. Millions of doses will be supplied, but the vaccines are still in development while negotiations continue with other potential suppliers, Procurement Minister Anita Anand told a news conference. They will also still need to obtain Health Canada regulatory approvals before being distributed to Canadians, she said. The agreement with the American giant Pfizer concerns a vaccine candidate developed in partnership with Germany's BioNTech. BioNTech and Pfizer reported the first conclusive trials of the BNT162 mRNA-based vaccine candidate in early July, after testing 45 people. They started large-scale clinical trials at the end of July, with 30,000 volunteers aged 18 to 35. Moderna is to provide its mRNA-1273 vaccine candidate, which has started to be tested in thousands of Phase 3 clinical trial human participants. On Tuesday, Canada's chief public health officer, Theresa Tam, warned that a vaccine will be a "very important aspect of the response," but will not bring a swift end to the coronavirus outbreak. "We're planning, as a public health community, that we're going to have to manage this pandemic certainly over the next year, but certainly it may be planning for the longer term on the next two to three years during which the vaccine may play a role. But we don't know yet," Tam said. "People might think that if we get a vaccine then everything goes back to normal the way it was before. That's not the case," added her deputy, Howard Njoo. Canada had more than 118,000 cases of coronavirus and 8,996 patients have died, as of Wednesday. On August 1, 2003, as thousands gathered on banks of the river Sarayu in Ayodhya to attend the last rites of Mahant Ramchandra Das Paramhans sri mahant of Digambar Akhara and also president of the Ram Janmabhoomi Nyas the skies reverberated with slogans of "Ram Lalla hum aayenge, mandir wahin banayenge". Among the dignitaries present was the-then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. As heavy rain poured down, Vajpayee too reiterated the Bharatiya Janata Party's promise of a Ram temple. Seventeen years later, the time to keep that promise has come, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi laying a foundation stone of the temple, the way for which was cleared by a Supreme Court decision last year. This is the story of that sadhu from Ayodhya, who perfectly played a seer and an activist for the "liberation of Ram Janmabhoomi" and construction of the Ram temple. A man who was highly regarded for his religious acumen as well as fierce stand on the issue of the temple. An aggressiveness that gradually earned him the title of 'Prativadi Bhayankar',meaning 'one who has the ability to give a strong and befitting reply'. Mahant Das was born in 1913 as Chandreshwar Tiwari in a Bihar village, and moved to Ayodhya a few years later and became an ascetic with the Digambar Akhara. He was now called Paramhans Ramchandra Das. Even in his early years as a sadhu, he was not just confined to the domain of religious pursuance. According to historical records in public domain and the volumes of writings on the subject, Das was the city president of the Hindu Mahasabha in Faizabad during the time of India's independence in 1947. He was occupying this office at the time when the idol of Ram Lalla was placed under the central dome of the Babri Masjid in Ayodhya on the intervening night of December 22 and 23 in 1949, By that time, he was also in close contact with Mahant Digvijay Nath, the head of the Gorakhnath Peeth of Gorakhpur. This is the same 'math', or religious community, whose chief Yogi Adityanath is now the chief minister of Uttar Pradesh. Digvijay Nath and under him the Gorakhnath Peeth had already become a strong centre of right-wing politics. Historical material available shows Mahant Paramhans Das was in close contact with the chief mahant of the Gorakhnath Peeth, as far as the issue of Ram Janmabhoomi and Babri Masjid was concerned. The role of Mahant Paramhans Das in the events leading to the appearance of Lord Ram's idol inside the mosque in December 1949 has been a matter of intense debate. Though the first FIR, filed at 9am on December 23, just hours after the incident, didnt name Ramchandra Das, it had the names of a few of his acquaintances Abhiram Das, Ramsakal Das, Sudarshan Das and around 50 other unidentified people. Abhiram too was associated with the Hindu Mahasabha. Though Paramhans Ramchandra Das was never formally accused in the case, years later he claimed to have executed the event of December 1949 that remains one of the biggest turning points in the dispute. It was only after the idol was placed inside that Babri Masjid was officially declared a disputed site. Its main gate was closed and Muslims were barred from offering namaz at the place, even while Hindus got the right to a darshan (viewing) from a side gate. It was 1991, when Ramchandra Das told the New York Times: I am the very man who put the idol inside the masjid. However, in the years that followed, he largely maintained silence on his role. Even if there remains ambiguity over his actions, in his lifetime he became the most-prized saint in the Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)s scheme of things as the two stoked the temple movement. In 1984, as the VHP attempted to spearhead the Ram Mandir campaign by organising its first dharma sansad (religious parliament), Das was a key participant. It was under the supervision of the saffron group that the Ram Janmabhoomi Nyas was later formed and Das went on to become its president. He held this post till his death. During the heyday of the temple movement he remained one of the most crucial voices from among the saints and seers in Ayodhya, extending support to every call of agitation made by the VHP. In February 1986, as the locks of Babri Masjid were opened by court order and legal suits were transferred from Faizabad to the Lucknow bench of the Allahabad high court, Das too filed a suit in the HC, but it was withdrawn later, paving the way for another suit filed by Ram Lalla Virajman through the deitys sakha (friend) Deoki Nandan Agarwal, a retired high court judge and vice-president of the VHP. But his staunch right-wing Hindutva ideology didn't forbid Das from having cordial relations with others in Ayodhya. Stories of him riding to court along with Hashim Ansari, the-then litigant for the Babri Masjid, are still recalled. VHP spokesperson Sharad Sharma as a young teenager had the opportunity to work closely with Mahant Das. "Despite ideological and political differences, he shared special relations with people from other religions or castes in Ayodhya," he recalled. "His good relations with Hashim Ansari were well known." After the demolition of Babri Masjid in 1992, as Ayodhya was neglected and the BJP was accused of forgetting the Ram temple issue, Paramhans Das slightly lost the centre stage. He was also shadowed by increasing age. Till the last days of his life, he kept on pushing for the cause of the Ram temple, an issue that was closest to his heart. But as the matter remained stuck in courts, not much could be done even as the BJP under Vajpayee went on to have its first five-year government at the Centre. Today as Ayodhya gears up for a new start with the construction of the Ram temple commencing, Paramhans Das is being remembered by many. At a time when key architects of the movement have found space on hoardings and billboards in Ayodhya, Das has not been forgotten. His pictures have been displayed with prominence at major spots, from the Ram Janmabhoomi complex to Kar Sevak Puram and Ram Mandir Karyashala. (The story is Part 6 of a series on Ayodhya's Ram Temple which is set for a grand 'Bhoomi Poojan' on August 5) Florip said all three counts were Class 3 felonies. If convicted of all three, she could be sentenced to between one and nine years in prison, according to Illinois law. Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-05 23:07:48|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close ATHENS, Aug. 5 (Xinhua) -- Greece sent a rescue team to Lebanon on Wednesday as an immediate relief response to the deadly blast in the Port of Beirut, the General Secretariat for Civil Protection said. The Fire Brigade's EMAK unit, consisting of 12 members, a sniffer dog, two vehicles, and equipment, departed aboard a C-130 military aircraft. The team will take part in the rescue operations searching for surviors after the deadly explosion on Tuesday. Greek authorities are in contact with Lebanese authorities to send more assistance if requested. Earlier, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis expressed sympathy and condolences to the victims' families. "On behalf of the Greek people, I want to express my deepest condolences to the people of Lebanon, especially to the families who have suffered losses and wish a speedy recovery to the wounded. Our thoughts are with you," Mitsotakis posted on social media. Two huge explosions hit the Port of Beirut on Tuesday, shaking buildings all over the city, killing at least 100 people and injuring 4,000 others. The causes of the blasts remain unknown, but local officials said highly explosive material stored at the port might have led to the explosions. Enditem Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-05 23:13:22|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close HONG KONG, Aug. 5 (Xinhua) -- The Hong Kong Volunteers Federation announced on Wednesday that it is willing to send about 10,000 volunteers to assist the medical supportive teams from the mainland in logistics work in Hong Kong. The medical professionals, who arrived in Hong Kong on Sunday afternoon, are members of a 60-strong nucleic acid testing team established recently at the request of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government for assistance in the battle against the COVID-19 epidemic. Tam Kam-kau, chairman of the federation, urged the public to join hands and fight the epidemic, hoping that people's life would soon return to normal. Set up in 2014 by a group of businessmen who are devoted to the community, the federation has more than 100,000 volunteers and has already involved in more than 3,000 volunteering activities. Enditem Summerville, SC (29483) Today Some clouds. Low near 30F. Winds light and variable.. Tonight Some clouds. Low near 30F. Winds light and variable. The COVID-19 pandemic continues to rip through Amazon warehouses around the United States. The company, which has seen an unprecedented rise in its revenues over the course of the first six months of 2020 due to increased demand, still continues to hide the real human cost of its fortunes in the untold number of illnesses and deaths. According to Jana Jumpp, an Amazon whistleblower, the company has at least 1,779 confirmed COVID-19 cases in the United States as of mid-July. To date, the former Amazon employee has mounted the only systematic effort to track cases at the company in the United States. For its part, Amazon has told media outlets that reporting numbers of cases isnt particularly useful. Last month, Amazon reported its year-over-year sales stood at $88.9 billion, more than double its revenue from a year ago and far dwarfing its often-touted $4 billion in reported safety precautions it has spent during the pandemic. The corporation has expanded its market capitalization to over $1.5 trillion, and its CEO, Jeff Bezos has added nearly $74 billion to his wealth over the course of the pandemic due to the rising value of Amazons stock. Bezoss wealth currently stands at $189 billion. It is speculated that if his wealth continues to grow at the current rate, Bezos may become the worlds first trillionaire. Last week, a worker at Amazons MEM1 facility in Memphis, Tennessee wrote on social media that 35 workers walked out of my job because they tested positive for COVID-19. This is just one of many locations where workers have reported serious outbreaks. On Saturday, several dozen workers in San Leandro, California protested Amazons lack of effective social distancing and meager sanitation measures. With nearly 5 million confirmed coronavirus infections in the USthe highest in the world--the actual number of cases at Amazon is doubtlessly many multiples higher than even Jumpps estimates. The corporation regularly sends texts to its employees reporting that an undisclosed number of individuals in the facility have been diagnosed with the highly contagious COVID-19 virus. No further information is given, such as where the worker was stationed, who has been in contact with them, or other such useful health-related facts. Such communications invariably conclude with the companys claim that its top concern is health and safety. There is a disconnect between what is being said in the media and what is really going on in [Amazon], said Jonathan, who spoke to the International Amazon Workers Voice (IAWV) using a fake name out of fear the company would retaliate. I think its disgusting that they make it seem like everything is rainbows and happiness when thats not the case, he added, referring to the series of propaganda news reports paid for by Amazon on local news channels throughout the pandemic, which lie to the public about the real situation in warehouses. A recent investigation conducted in Las Vegas, Nevada further testifies to the companys lies. According to ABC News, which obtained internal emails from sources inside Amazon warehouses in southern Nevada, the companys public relations team deemed local news reports about the situation as inaccurate, telling employees to disregard news stories about cases accumulating at its locations. The email stated that hopefully management would report such cases directly to the workforce. Its hard to say you are sanitizing the place, which is not sanitized, by using it every day, the whole time were there, an anonymous Amazon worker told ABC News. They called on Amazon to close [a warehouse] down for two days since you hired so many people or allow those who are [sic] sick not to feel threatened with their jobs if they need to take off. This, of course, is not acceptable to Amazons bottom line. Management isnt telling us anything, Jonathan noted, who experienced symptoms similar to COVID-19 in June. Jonathan was nearly fired last month after complying with the companys own rules requiring a written doctors permission to return to work after he went to get tested for COVID-19. I felt like I was having an upper respiratory issue. Its nothing Ive ever experienced before in my life so I decided to quarantine and get tested. After facing the uncertainty of being tested, and thankfully coming up negative for the virus, Jonathan was required to receive a written notification approving his return to work. The following day he received a UPT (unpaid time off) email notifying him that he was missing work without permission. I responded to this email telling them I was waiting for my results and gave them my case number that was given to me by HR, he said. The UPT emails continued to come for a total of three days until, on the fourth day, he got sent a job abandonment email. All along, I was responding, answering these emails with no response. After I got that email, they locked me out of the email system. It seemed like I was being punished. Finally, after calling and emailing numerous times to HR and the Leave Team, he was cleared to return to work. Jonathan has since taken another leave due to fears that management is continuing to hide the total number of cases of COVID-19 from workers. Jonathan also noted the hypocrisy of companies like Amazon which have sought to posture as defenders of black lives in the wake of massive social protests against police brutality following the May killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis. During the funeral for George Floyd, a message came out over the intercom for everybody to stop working for eight minutes, the amount of time the cop had his knee on Floyds neck. I couldnt take it. I had to walk off the job. They dont care about him or any of their workers. All they care about is their profits, he said. Rather than appealing to corporations such as Amazon to defend lives of workers, it is necessary for workers in logistics to form independent rank and file safety committees to take every measure necessary to protect themselves from the coronavirus. These committees must strive to build ties with workers at United Parcel Service and the United States Postal Service, which faces threats of privatization. I really appreciate what you guys do. Youre pointing out the fact that it doesnt matter where you work or what country that you work in, were all in the same boat. The pandemic has pulled back the curtain and revealed that the essential workers are expendable, Jonathan concluded in his comments to the IAWV. Dear Torn and Troubled in LA: Breaking up is hard enough but for your son and his ex, the challenge of losing an important relationship is made even harder by the fact that you parents are so dialed in, bewildered and upset. Instead of offering reassurance, you seem to be making this very tough time at least partially about you and your loss. Senator Bob Menendez of New Jersey, the lead Democrat on the Foreign Relations Committee, expressed concern after hearing of Mr. Akards resignation, which was first reported by The Washington Post and CNN. Independent, experienced inspectors general are paramount to effective oversight, Mr. Menendez said in a statement. I do not believe he was the right choice to lead the office, but I am concerned that his sudden resignation leaves another opportunity for the Trump administration to try to weaken oversight and accountability. Representatives Eliot L. Engel and Carolyn B. Maloney, both Democrats of New York who are leading the two House committees investigating the Linick firing, said in a joint statement that Mr. Akards resignation must not further disrupt the Office of Inspector Generals important investigations. Any effort by the Trump administration to install another political loyalist would further undercut the ability of the office to properly carry out its critical mission. Critics have said that Mr. Pompeo urged Mr. Trump to fire Mr. Linick out of retribution and to evade accountability. Mr. Pompeo has admitted that he knew about at least one of Mr. Linicks investigations, a nearly completed inquiry into whether Mr. Pompeo had acted unlawfully in bypassing Congress to push through $8.1 billion of arms sales to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates last year. During a review process, senior lawmakers from both parties had put a freeze on the sales, but Mr. Pompeo declared an emergency in May 2019 to do an end run around the congressional hold, citing Irans actions in the Middle East as justification. Lawmakers asked Mr. Linick the next month to open an investigation into the legality of Mr. Pompeos action. This June, Mr. Linick testified in Congress that Mr. Bulatao, the under secretary of state for management, tried to bully him as he conducted his examination into the potentially illegal action. Aides to Mr. Linick briefed a handful of State Department officials on the reports preliminary findings in early March, and officials there and in Congress expect the report to be issued. It is unclear what role Mr. Akard has played in the investigation since he replaced Mr. Linick in May. Lucy Hale is ready to get back to work, as Hollywood reopens for business amid the global COVID-19 pandemic. And the Memphis-born actress is keeping herself busy, while preparing for her next role in quarantine. She teased her taut midriff Tuesday in a cropped brown sweatshirt, as she stepped out for a hike with a friend in Los Angeles, during a break from isolation. Take a hike: Lucy Hale teased her taut midriff Tuesday in a cropped brown sweatshirt, as she stepped out for a hike with a friend in Los Angeles, during a break from isolation The 31-year-old paired the top with some skintight high-waisted camouflage activewear leggings, which hugged her toned legs. She finished the look with some round silver sunglasses, a matching necklace and a pair of red trainers. Hale enjoyed the fresh air during the outing, as she ditched her face mask in a risky move amid the COVID-19 pandemic. She was accompanied by an unidentified male friend, as she arrived at a park in Studio City. Camo queen: The 31-year-old paired the top with some skintight high-waisted camouflage activewear leggings, which hugged her toned legs Cool kicks: She finished the look with some round silver sunglasses, a matching necklace and a pair of red trainers Masks off: Hale enjoyed the fresh air during the outing, as she ditched her face mask in a risky move amid the COVID-19 pandemic Friendly outing: She was accompanied by an unidentified male friend, as she arrived at a park in Studio City The brunette beauty previously reminisced about her hit show Pretty Little Liars, which ran for seven seasons from 2010 to 2017. She posted some throwbacks with co-star Ashley Benson, writing: 'Me and ash 9 years ago in the friends fountain during season 1 of PLL.' Hale was announced last week to executive produce and star alongside Nicholas Gonzalez in the survival thriller Borrego. Throwback: The brunette beauty previously reminisced about her hit show Pretty Little Liars Friends forever: She posted some throwbacks with co-star Ashley Benson, writing: 'Me and ash 9 years ago in the friends fountain during season 1 of PLL' Not so secret: Hale starred as Aria Montgomery on the Freeform drama series, which ran for seven seasons from 2010 to 2017 She plays a young botanist who relocates to a small town in the desert, where she's researching an invasive plant species. While out in the field, she comes across a plane crash, where an inexperienced drug mule takes her captive and forces her to lead him across the desert to his drop. It comes after the cancellation earlier this month of her CW Riverdale spinoff Katy Keene, in which she starred as the titular fashion designer. Leading lady: Hale was announced last week to executive produce and star alongside Nicholas Gonzalez in the survival thriller Borrego (pictured in February, 2020) Cancelled: It comes after the cancellation earlier this month of her CW Riverdale spinoff Katy Keene, in which she starred as the titular fashion designer Hale said in a tearful Instagram video: 'We did not get picked up for a second season, which happens. It's happened a few times to me and each time it's just like...just heartbreaking. 'I mean, it's a job that has broken my heart numerous times. This is bad, this a bad one....oh my God, sorry, it will take some time to get over.' Based on the Archies comic, the New York City-based drama was cancelled after its first season. Heartbreaking: Hale said in a tearful Instagram video: 'We did not get picked up for a second season, which happens. It's happened a few times to me and each time it's just like...just heartbreaking' Sporty look: Lucy Hale rocks a sporty look while out with a mystery man Mask down: Hale was spotted with her face mask pulled down under her chin as she walked with the mystery man, who had a bandanna around his neck Syracuse, N.Y. Gov. Andrew Cuomo is expected this week to answer the question every parent, kid, teacher and school administrator has been asking for months: Will school reopen this fall? It is one of the states biggest decisions of the pandemic. In Central New York,more than 140,000 students have been home since March. Parents, who have been cobbling together child care or working from home for months, having been trying to read the tea leaves as they prepare for fall. The governor has offered some hints: Earlier this week, he said it was clear many parents are not comfortable with sending their children back to school. Parents, he said, will be the ultimate decision makers. Its not well, the government says the schools are open, now everybody must go. Its not going to happen that way,' Cuomo said Monday. School officials say they cannot wait any longer for a decision. The states 700 districts had to prepare a lengthy reopening plan. Most districts decided on a hybrid model that put students in the classroom for a few days and home, learning online, for the rest. But they can only use those plans if Cuomo gives them the go-ahead for in-person education. He has promised to make and reveal that decision this week. Those who are tracking this policy here see at least four possibilities for what Cuomo will announce: A statewide decision to open schools for in-person learning. Every region in the state would be able to open. A regional decision that allows some to open but keeps closed those districts where infection rates are higher. A decision that schools can open, but delays in-person learning until later in September. Many districts are concerned they will not have time to prepare. Some still have not turned in their plans. A decision that waives the number of days students must be in-school, allowing districts that need more time to start later. We just want to know are they going to open for in-person or not? We have worked hard and spent a lot of time on this plan to reopen, said Liverpool Schools Superintendent Mark Potter. His district plans to send students to school for two days a week and have them learn at-home for three, if schools are allowed to bring kids back into the classrooms. (This schedule is common throughout CNY.) His district, and all the rest here, are also offering a fully online option for parents who dont feel comfortable sending their kids to school. Most districts are giving parents until at least next week to make their choice. If Cuomo decides schools can reopen, districts have other questions for him. Many are struggling to figure out how many kids they can put on a bus. If you read the guidance one way, its 12 or fewer. But if you read it another way, you may be able to get 30 or more on a bus. In the Syracuse City School District, which has 20,000 students, being able to put more students on a bus could make a world of difference. A spokesman for Jaime Alicea said the superintendent hopes the governor gives some guidance on transportation, in addition to his decision about reopening schools. Kevin Casey, executive director of the School Administrators Association of New York, said he expects the governor will say schools can reopen. We are well within the metrics Cuomo has announced for schools reopening, so I would say he will say schools can go ahead with their plans, Casey said. In July, Cuomo set an infection rate trigger tied to the percentage of total tests in a region that come back positive for the coronavirus: less than 5% for opening schools and 9% percent for shutting them down. Currently, the highest rate in the state is just under 2%. Casey also hopes the governor gives more guidance on his comments Monday about Covid-19 testing of students and staff. Districts werent told they had to provide any kind of testing when they put their plans together. But on Monday, Cuomo talked about testing as part of school reopening. It seems less clear than before, Casey said. Jason Conwall, a spokesman for the governor, said districts must have their own plans in place for how they will test symptomatic or exposed people. They can decide to do it at the school or through the local health department, but districts must be able to ensure timely results and the ability to test more people if necessary, Conwall said. Andy Pallotta, president of New York State United Teachers, which represents more than 500,000 teachers throughout the state, said the lack of speedy testing and gaps in state guidance about when to close schools, has him worried that schools will not be safe when they open. What weve seen around the state in for summer school hasnt left us with confidence, Pallotta said. We see a lot of gaps. Pallotta said that in a summer school downstate, a student tested positive for Covid-19. The district did not close the school or do proper contact tracing until teachers spoke up. The school was closed and nine people in the school tested positive for the virus, he said. He said the union is asking the governor to ensure that every district has is doing on-going voluntary testing of students and staff using rapid tests. He also said the state should require schools to close if there is a case. Elizabeth Doran covers education, suburban government and development, breaking news and more. Got a tip, comment or story idea? Contact her anytime 315-470-3012 or email edoran@syracuse.com Marnie Eisenstadt writes about people and public affairs in Central New York. Have an idea or question? Contact her anytime: email | Twitter| Facebook | 315-470-2246 U.S.-based United Launch Alliance's Atlas V rocket will launch satellites into orbit as part of SES's contribution to facilitate 5G across America SES, the leader in global content connectivity solutions, has selected U.S.-based United Launch Alliance (ULA) to launch two C-band satellites. This launch is part of the company's accelerated C-band clearing plan to meet the Federal Communications Commission's objectives to roll out 5G services in the United States. ULA's Atlas V rocket will launch from Cape Canaveral, Florida in 2022 and carry the two stacked satellites. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200805005597/en/ Credit: ULA Previous Atlas V launch Earlier this year, SES contracted with American companies Northrop Grumman and the Boeing Company to deliver four C-band satellites. These satellites will enable SES to clear 280MHz of mid-band spectrum for 5G use while seamlessly migrating SES's existing C-band customers and ensuring the continued delivery of digital television to nearly 120 million American TV homes and other critical data services. ULA will launch the two C-band satellites manufactured by Boeing. SES is investing in America through its C-band transition plan and its work with large and small businesses across the country and its selection of Atlas V, an American launch vehicle launched from the American soil underlines that commitment. "Clearing mid-band spectrum expeditiously while protecting cable neighborhoods across America is a huge undertaking and one that requires partners that can deliver mission success and schedule assurance," said Steve Collar, CEO at SES. "We are thrilled to be working with ULA again and partnering to meet the FCC's ambitious timeline for the accelerated clearing of C-band spectrum." "We are pleased SES selected ULA and our proven Atlas V for this important commercial launch service," said Tory Bruno, ULA's president and CEO. "Atlas V is known for its unmatched level of schedule certainty and reliability and this launch is critical to the timely clearing of C-band spectrum, empowering America's accelerated implementation of 5G. ULA's legacy of performance, precision and mission design flexibility allow us to deliver a tailored launch service that minimizes orbit raising time and perfectly meet our customer's requirements. We are thrilled to provide this optimized launch solution to SES for this crucial launch." Follow us on: Social Media Blog Media Library About SES SES has a bold vision to deliver amazing experiences everywhere on earth by distributing the highest quality video content and providing seamless connectivity around the world. As the leader in global content connectivity solutions, SES operates the world's only multi-orbit constellation of satellites with the unique combination of global coverage and high performance, including the commercially-proven, low-latency Medium Earth Orbit O3b system. By leveraging a vast and intelligent, cloud-enabled network, SES is able to deliver high-quality connectivity solutions anywhere on land, at sea or in the air, and is a trusted partner to the world's leading telecommunications companies, mobile network operators, governments, connectivity and cloud service providers, broadcasters, video platform operators and content owners. SES's video network carries over 8,300 channels and has an unparalleled reach of 367 million households, delivering managed media services for both linear and non-linear content. The company is listed on Paris and Luxembourg stock exchanges (Ticker: SESG). Further information is available at: www.ses.com. About ULA With more than a century of combined heritage, ULA is the nation's most experienced and reliable launch service provider. ULA has successfully delivered 140 satellites to orbit that aid meteorologists in tracking severe weather, unlock the mysteries of our solar system, provide critical capabilities for troops in the field and enable personal device-based GPS navigation. For more information on ULA, visit the ULA website at www.ulalaunch.com, or call the ULA Launch Hotline at 1-877-ULA-4321 (852-4321). Join the conversation at www.facebook.com/ulalaunch, twitter.com/ulalaunch and instagram.com/ulalaunch. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200805005597/en/ Contacts: Suzanne Ong External Communications Tel. +352 710 725 500 suzanne.ong@ses.com Jessica Rye Director, Strategic Communications Tel. +321 693 6250 jessica.f.rye@ulalaunch.com It is very important that the division into colors introduced by the Health Ministry has very clear parameters, Shmyhal says. Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal has appealed to Health Minister Maksym Stepanov with a request to organize a conference call with mayors of Ukrainian cities to discuss issues related to zoning in line with the adaptive quarantine rules. "It is extremely important today to be in contact with the heads of districts, cities of regional significance. It is very important that the color zoning introduced by the Health Ministry has very clear parameters," the prime minister said at a government meeting on Wednesday, an UNIAN correspondent reports. Shmyhal said the subjective human factor in the procedure for assigning cities to the relevant quarantine zones is excluded. "A mathematical model calculates relative gains, the number of patients, and the ability of the healthcare system to cope with these loads. Of course, our goal is green zone throughout Ukraine," he said. "I will ask the Health Ministry to continue explaining how the updated quarantine works, what is the situation in districts. This requires not only explanations, but also a normal dialogue. That's why I will ask the health minister, the minister of regional development, the minister of the Cabinet to organize a conference call with the mayors of our cities so that we could discuss and remove all problematic issues," the prime minister added. Read alsoZelensky calls on Cabinet to explain Ukrainians country's quarantine zoning As UNIAN reported earlier, the new rules of adaptive quarantine had come into force in Ukraine on August 3. In particular, cities and districts are divided into four zones depending on the epidemiological situation. Under the new rules, Ukraine has been divided into several zones: green, yellow, orange, and red, depending on the COVID-19 threat levels. Quarantine zones will be reviewed every Friday. Read alsoTernopil authorities defy "red zone" quarantine restrictions At the same time, the cities of Lutsk, Lviv and Ternopil, which had been identified as "red zones," refused to comply with the new quarantine rules. Kieran Cuddihy will step into the shoes left vacant by broadcaster Ivan Yates as part of a huge re-shuffle of Newstalks schedule. Yates retired from his evening slot on the radio station at the end of last month as well as calling time on the late night Virgin Media news show he co-fronted with Matt Cooper. Now Cuddihy will present The Hard Shoulder as he moves on from Newstalk Breakfast as part of the revamp. Yates had built up the shows listenership to more than 180,000 during his time at the helm. The Kilkenny man, who is also a qualified lawyer, said he was delighted to be taking over the reins on the show. The new schedule will come into effect on Monday August 31. Every day we will cover the big stories with the best guests, a variety of opinion and a bit of craic to get you home, he said. Dr Ciara Kelly, who has fronted Newstalks Lunchtime Live for nearly three years, will join Shane Coleman as the new co-presenter on its breakfast show. The former Operation Transformation star said she was looking forward to joining the team on Newstalk Breakfast. Listeners tune in every morning to catch up on the latest news and the stories that are going to shape the day ahead. It is a great opportunity to set the agenda on the issues that are important to our audience, she said. Other changes will see Andrea Gilligan take over Kellys role on the stations afternoon show, having worked as an anchor on Newstalk for the past five years. She also presented Breakfast Briefing and Between the Lines for the past two years. The stations managing editor Patrician Monahan said she was delighted to reveal the companys new weekday schedule. She said the new line-up consists of presenters that have direct experience of issues that impact our listeners. They are well placed to represent the views of our target audience on everything from politics to parenting and renting to working from home. I am proud to see such a wealth of homegrown Newstalk talent on the schedule and wish them all the best in their new roles, she said. SACRAMENTO Elementary schools in California that receive waivers from health officials to reopen in-classroom learning in the coming weeks will most likely be private or charter campuses, educators say a possibility that teachers unions warn could exacerbate gaps between wealthy children and low-income students enrolled at traditional public schools. The California Department of Public Healths new guidelines for how elementary schools can bring students back into classrooms during the coronavirus pandemic put public school districts at a disadvantage, some teachers say. The guidelines let local health officers allow in-person classes in elementary schools even in counties with large numbers of cases, as long as the state health department goes along. But to obtain a waiver exempting them from state rules restricting much public activity and commerce during the pandemic, the schools must show that they can follow a long list of safety protocols, such as providing face coverings and keeping students socially distanced. Teachers unions said the path could be much easier for private and charter schools, which often operate small campuses, with fewer students and more financial resources, than traditional public schools. They said millions of public-school children many of them from low-income households wont have the same option. Nick Otto / Special to The Chronicle The unions also warned that reopening schools amid high case rates would put educators lives at risk, noting that some school reopenings in other countries have been tied to outbreaks. The haves will be able to do this, and put everybody else in danger, said Jeff Freitas, president of the California Federation of Teachers, one of the states largest educator unions. There is a concern of an inequity there. Private schools also wont have to worry about the states requirement that a district seeking to reopen an elementary school for in-person learning consult with labor unions. Unlike public campuses, most private schools teachers are not unionized. Most districts in the Bay Area, including San Francisco Unified, have said they will start the new school year with distance learning. District officials say they dont have the resources to meet the states lengthy guidelines to reopen. But the states guidelines were welcomed by several charter and private school groups, which said reopening in-person instruction should be a school-by-school decision rather than being left up to Sacramento. California officials are giving elementary schools the option to apply for waivers because of research indicating that the youngest children are less likely to contract or spread the coronavirus. Deborah Dowling, executive director of the California Association of Independent Schools, which includes about 224 private schools, said the guidelines represent a careful and flexible approach. Its very good that theyre looking at it on a school-by-school basis, because what matters is the details, she said. A lot of our independent schools are very small, so I think they have that flexibility. To receive a waiver to reopen, a public school district superintendent or the principal or director of a charter or private school must apply to the local health officer. The school must consult with parents and community groups in addition to unions, though the rules do not specify what happens if any of them object. Schools must also comply with a host of state guidelines to provide face coverings, keep students socially distanced and disinfect classrooms. Schools will be allowed to open only if they are in counties where the case rate for the previous two weeks is less than 200 per 100,000 people, twice the total that forces counties to shutter several business sectors. Every Bay Area county is currently below that threshold, according to a running state tally. Santiago Mejia / The Chronicle Freitas, the teachers union official, said he has spoken with many instructors at public and private schools who believe it would be a major mistake for in-person learning to resume before the coronavirus is under greater control on the local level and statewide. Theyre all equally concerned, scared and worried about returning, Freitas said. Everyone believes in-person (learning) is the best, but it also has to be the safest. The California Teachers Association, another major teachers union, also criticized the waiver rules. Union President E. Toby Boyd said the states approach would risk spreading the disease and further exacerbate the racial and economic inequities that exist in our schools and communities. However, private-school educators said the focus should be on improving pandemic-era education for as many children as possible, not preventing schools that are capable of safely reopening from doing so in the name of equity. Ben Harrison, director of operations for Adda Clevenger School, a private school in San Franciscos Mission District, said the solution is to try and raise the level for everyone. He said his school will seek a waiver to reopen for in-person learning, and that with just 130 students and small class sizes, it can ensure social distancing. Equitable should be, lets try to make it as equitable as possible for everyone, he said. Harrison said schools that can reopen their classrooms must do so in the interests of their students, particularly younger children who are missing out developing social skills while theyre isolated. He added, Its a visible benefit in their demeanor, in their attitude, in their general well-being. Some teachers at traditional public schools also welcomed the possibility of children returning to classrooms. Among them is Tandra Ericson, who teaches special education in the Orinda Union School District. She said many of her students with severe disabilities are suffering because they cannot take part in distance learning and could safely learn if they returned in small cohorts. Still, Ericson said, she understands the fear of teachers who dont think its safe to reopen schools on a large scale. Were just in this impossible situation, she said. It doesnt have to be an all-or-nothing approach. Dustin Gardiner is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: dustin.gardiner@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @dustingardiner The Pan American Health Organization said Tuesday it is awaiting authorization from the government of Nicaragua to send in a team of experts to evaluate the coronavirus outbreak in the Central American country. The agency said there has been a lack of transparent official information on deaths and infections from the administration of President Daniel Ortega. Nicaragua only gives updates once a week and has not provided the detailed epidemiological information specified under international health regulations, despite repeated verbal and written requests," said Ciro Ugarte, director of health emergencies for the regional health agency. The PHO has requested permission to send a group of experts to correctly evaluate the situation," Ugarte said. There has not yet been any authorization from the government that would allow them to travel. The Pan American Health Organization has urged Nicaragua to take more aggressive measures against the coronavirus, and neighboring countries warily eye the country's outbreak, but Ortegas increasingly authoritarian government seems more focused on hiding the virus's impact than treating it. The Nicaraguan Health Ministry gave a periodic update Tuesday, claiming deaths had increased from 99 to 108 and confirmed cases rose to 3,439. The civic group Citizens Observatory, however, said independent doctors and activists had collected reports of 2,260 deaths and 8,508 cases. On Sunday, Ortega seemed to downplay the outbreak, saying in a speech that there were 12,100 deaths in Nicaragua since March 11 and only 99 were from COVID-19. Also Tuesday, the Education Ministry announced that grade school and middle school classes were resuming after a two-week vacation. Relatives of people who died while hospitalized have described express burials performed by men in full-body protective gear, even as officials denied the deceased succumbed to COVID-19. Doctors have confirmed the relatives suspicions, saying hospital administrators order that virus deaths be categorized otherwise to keep official numbers low. - The World Economic Forum is in partnership with Ghana to launch the first Country Financing Roadmap initiative in Africa - It is hoped that the project will lead to the address of challenges in funding the Sustainable Development Goals - One of the reasons Ghana was selected is because it has become a social and sustainability champion in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak Our Manifesto: This is what YEN.com.gh believes in The government of Ghana has a partnership agreement with the World Economic Forum (WEF) to outdoor the first Country Financing Roadmap (CFR) initiative in Africa. YEN.com.gh has learned that the project is in collaboration with a WEF and Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development(OECD) or Development Assistance Committee (DAC) joint initiative known as the Sustainable Development Investment Partnership. The motive behind the partnership is to address challenges in the financing of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). READ ALSO: African Development Bank gives Ghana $69 million to combat the coronavirus According to WEF, the outbreak of the coronavirus has led to an upheaval of health systems and has had a serious impact on the global economy. Per a report by citibusinessnews.com, Ghana has, nonetheless, emerged as a social and sustainability champion in the wake of social and economic crisis. WEF went on to say that despite the fact that Ghana has been affected by COVID-19, it has worked hard to contain the spread of the pandemic on society. President Akufo-Addo Source: Al Jazeera Source: UGC Challenges such as climate change and desertification remain issues to be addressed in Ghana and WEF has, therefore, expressed concern about inequalities in society and the setback on the economy. In other news, the Minister of Finance, Ken Ofori-Atta, has called for deeper reforms as Africa combats the outbreak of the coronavirus. In his opinion, the coronavirus pandemic has undoubtedly had the greatest economic impact since World War II. He added that Ghana expected to record a GDP growth of 6.8% in 2020 but is currently projecting a 1.2% growth. READ ALSO: Global investors are unfair to Africa - Ken Ofori-Atta Install our news app for Android and read the best news about Ghana! Want to be featured on YEN.com.gh? Send us a message on our page or on Instagram with your stories, photos, or videos. Source: YEN.com.gh 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. Roseline Nakhanu Waluke, the wife of convicted Sirisia MP John Waluke, says she has been subjected to ridicule and bashing ever since she set up a pay bill number to raise funds to secure her corrupt husbands freedom. The MP was found guilty of stealing taxpayers money amounting to Ksh 300 million through a maize scandal and jailed for 67 years. To secure his freedom, the court ordered Waluke to pay a fine of Ksh 727 million, an amount that saw his wife call on wellwishers to contribute to a Paybill number she had set up. By late last week, Walukes family had reportedly raised Ksh361,458 through the pay bill number, with the total amount of money raised so far amounting to Ksh 250 million. The amount includes a Ksh100 million contribution from a senior politician close to Waluke, People Daily reports. It has also been reported that Walukes parliamentary colleagues managed to raise Ksh6 million while his family put together Ksh144 million mainly from sale of property in Nairobi. Speaking to the daily, Mrs Waluke said she regrets setting up the fundraiser. I regret starting this fund-raiser to bail out my husband. People have been mocking me and hurling abuses at me instead of helping, she said. I wouldnt have done it had I known things would turn out this way. I have left everything to God. Some are calling and telling me that they cant contribute money for a thief, added Ms Nakhanu. At the same time, a member of the Waluke family complained that their efforts to raise the fine were being hampered by EACC and KRA. The govt agencies have indicated that they will investigate any source of funds contributed towards Walukes bail. Elsewhere, Walukes co-accused, Grace Wakhungu, has managed to raise a whopping Ksh800 million to secure her freedom. Her family is said to have raised the amount in just one month. In fact, we outdid ourselves by raising close to Ksh800 million, being contributions from family members through the sale of assets locally and abroad, personal savings and silent funds drives by friends, an informant reportedly told People Daily. However, we are somehow stuck, because we have the amount ready but the DPP, EACC and KRA are sending threats our way. Wakhungu, mother of former Environment Cabinet Secretary Judi Wakhungu, was fined Ksh707.7 million. She is serving her 69-year jail term at the Langata Womens Prison pending the hearing of an application to be released on bond as her appeal is heard. The bail hearing is set for Friday, August 7. Emma Smreker has an unusual hobby. She collects secondhand books, but not to read them. She forages through discount bookstores, thrift shops and vintage boutiques, hoping to uncover forgotten treasures nestled between the tattered pages of used paperbacks. "It's kind of like a scavenger hunt," said Smreker, 30, a high school teacher who lives in Oklahoma City. Most often, she finds plane tickets, receipts, dried flowers, business cards, newspaper clippings, recipes, coupons and other miscellaneous items used as bookmarks. Smreker has also found - to her alarm - used tissues. But on occasion, Smreker unearths misplaced gems: photographs that tell a story, a poignant poem or a letter that never got sent. "I have a fascination with old things because you feel like you're holding a time capsule," Smreker said. "Although you don't know who these people are, finding their things brings you closer to the person that once held the book before you." Smreker revels in these rare cases, she said, and makes it her mission to seek out the original owners of the long-lost tokens. Her goal is to reunite them with their keepsake and to learn their story. To her surprise, she's had some great success. Most recently, after more than a year of searching, Smreker managed to find a father and daughter, pictured in a photo booth strip from 13 years ago that was left in a book. Smreker came across the book, titled "We Don't Die: George Anderson's Conversations With the Other Side," more than a year ago at a Half Price Books in Oklahoma City. Once she discovered the photo strip wedged between two pages, Smreker was determined to find the people in the picture. She posted the photos on Reddit, Facebook, Instagram and every other platform she could think of last July without any luck. Still, Smreker refused to give up. She reached out to local news stations, asking if they would consider covering her search and put a call out to the community to see whether anyone knew the dad and daughter. KOCO-TV aired the story on July 16. "A few days later, I got a message on Instagram from the wife of the man and mother of the little girl," said Smreker, who immediately called Maria Meagher, the woman who reached out. When the photo was taken, the little girl, Sofia Meagher, was 4, and her father, Tom Meagher, was 44. They were at an amusement park - a family tradition whenever they would visit Tom's parents in Santa Cruz, Calif. The Meaghers lived in Oklahoma at the time but moved to San Antonio a few years ago. "We still get the local Oklahoma news," said Maria Meagher. "I turned on the 10 o'clock news, when they showed a 'coming up next' clip, and I swore I saw Tom and Sofia." She instantly summoned her family to the television, and after a short commercial break, "sure enough, there they were," said Maria. "It was such a crazy surprise." "I would never have imagined something like this happening to us," Sofia Meagher, who is now 17, said. "It brought back so many memories from when I was younger." Tom Meagher agreed. "It was definitely a little startling to see we were on TV," he said. "But seeing Sofia so young brought a tear to my eye." After connecting with the Meaghers, Smreker mailed them the photo strip, which they said they're going to frame. "Emma is a bright light," said Maria Meagher, adding that her family hopes to meet Smreker in person if they're ever in Oklahoma. "It was a very nice treat in such a dark time." The Meaghers aren't the only people to whom Smreker has sent lost mementos. Her captivation with used books and, more specifically, the relics that occasionally lie within them started two years ago, when her husband gifted her a vintage French book. Burrowed between the pages was a crinkled receipt from a cafe in Montreal. She wondered how the book got from Canada to Oklahoma City, and whose hands had turned the pages before her own. "I thought about the person who had this book before me and what their day was like," said Smreker. "Did they buy this book and then stop by the cafe and have a snack while they read?" As a French teacher, "I also wondered if their first language was French, or if, like me, it was their second language." "I started wondering about the history of things I own," Smreker continued. "I began going through books in my house and finding what little impressions had been left, like notes in the margins. I decided to create a photo documentation project." That's when her popular Instagram account, "In Used Books," was born. "It started as just a fun hobby for me. I never thought I would gain much of a following," said Smreker. But she quickly discovered that many others shared her fascination and were eager to peek at the personal possessions people often unintentionally leave behind. Over the past two years, Smreker has found hundreds of neat trinkets and reunited several lost items with their rightful owners. She once found a 127-year-old unpublished handwritten letter in a book of poetry she bought at a flea market. The letter was addressed to the Lancaster Gazette, a newspaper in Lancaster, Ohio. The letter contained a poem called "Spring, Goodbye," and was signed by Ed Ruffner. Smreker started searching on ancestry websites to locate Ruffner's descendants, and within a day, she found them. "I learned from his family that he was actually quite a prolific poet and had published things in the paper before," said Smreker, who scanned a copy of the poem and sent it to Ruffner's family. "I assumed that the poem did not make it to the newspaper he intended to send it to, and I was hoping to finish the journey for him." Smreker contacted the paper (now called the Lancaster Eagle Gazette) and asked about the potential of publishing the poem. Last year, it was printed on the front page. "It was important to me that his words finally ended up where they were supposed to be," said Smreker. She recently found an old photo of two little girls - who appeared to be sisters - cushioned in the pages of "When Madeline Was Young" at a used bookstore in Arkansas. The image happened to have a name on the back, and after a quick Google search, she found one sister on Facebook and connected with her. "We got a huge kick out of it," said Kara Beane, 31, one of the two sisters in the photo. "It's so nice to see something so simple yet so impactful." Smreker said her search for secondhand souvenirs has taught her to appreciate the little things in life. "We do these tiny little gestures that leave a piece of who we are behind, and we don't think about it all that much," she said. "There's just something romantic about how we are actually connected to so many people we've never met before." Two top officials in Cyprus resigned Monday after a massive explosion of munitions seized from an Iranian shipment to Syria killed at least 12 people in the Mediterranean island nation. The early-morning explosion in the southern city of Zygi, which was felt for miles around, destroyed a power plant, leveled houses and shattered windows, doors and even the railing of a highway, said witnesses and journalists reached by telephone. Sixty-two people were injured. The blast at the Evangelos Florakis military base, apparently set off by a wildfire, quickly led to the resignation of the European Union nations defense minister, Costas Papacostas, and the commander of the Greek Cypriot National Guard, Petros Tsaliklides. Photos: Munitions explosion in Cyprus Advertisement The ammunition was confiscated in early 2009 from the Cypriot-licensed cargo ship Monchegorsk as it sailed from Iran to Syria, according to the official Cyprus News Agency. The seizure was carried out in line with the U.N. Security Councils arms embargo on Iran over that countrys nuclear aspirations. The Cypriot government has declared three days of mourning for the victims of the explosion, CNA reported. The impact from the explosion was huge, said John Leonidou of the English-language newspaper Cyprus Weekly. People on the highway were showered with debris. The blast left a deep crater where the munitions were stored and caused extensive damage to the nearby village of Mari, CNA said. There were 98 containers of gunpowder, a police spokesman told CNA. Two of them [caught] fire and huge explosions occurred. Five firefighters, four national guard members and two sailors were among those killed, CNA reported. The identity of the 12th person was not immediately clear. The islands largest power plant, located next to the naval base, was destroyed. Blackouts are expected just as the summer heat peaks. Cyprus lost 40% of its power, Leonidou said. We experienced a power cut in the morning and another one as we speak. Government spokesman Stephanos Stephanou said the Cabinet had called in experts from abroad to assist in investigating the tragedy. According to Cypriot public radio, Irans ambassador visited the presidential palace in Nicosia after the blast, hinting at the political undertones of the event. When Cypriots confiscated the ammunition, it was because they wanted to be on Americas good side. America had been exerting a lot of pressure on Cyprus to take care of the shipment, said one analyst in Cyprus, who spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the issue. According to the analyst, authorities in Cyprus impounded the weapons reluctantly. Cyprus was on good terms with Iran at the time, he said. Residents of the area have been complaining that the ammunition depot was unsafe and improperly monitored. At this point, residents have major contempt for the gross negligence of the national guard, Leonidou said. Stephanou told CNA that the Cabinet met last week to discuss the depot and decided to take steps to protect the material. The decision was unfortunately not implemented due to lack of time, Stephanou said. Photos: Munitions explosion in Cyprus Hajjar is a special correspondent. Times staff writer Borzou Daragahi contributed to this report. It is shocking that Jay Ashcroft would make such an abhorrently callous, insensitive and irresponsible statement, suggesting he is willing to risk the lives of parents, children, teachers and school staff so that children can be sent back to school, Faleti said in an emailed statement. Ashcroft, in an interview with the Post-Dispatch, said, Its ridiculous to say that I want people to die. Asked if he regretted suggesting fathers risk death in order to send their children to in-person classes, Ashcroft rejected the premise of the question. I didnt suggest any other father do that, Ashcroft said. No I didnt. I said I would risk that. And I didnt know a father that wouldnt. But I didnt tell anybody else what to do. I just said we need to get schools going. I dont think its fair to say that school automatically means death, he said. Now you may have to do school differently, and I think you should take precautions. I want every parent to have the option to send their kid to school if they want, Ashcroft said. Im not telling parents what they have to do with their children. I think they ought to have that option. Bengaluru, Aug 5 : Hundreds of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders and cadres across Karnataka celebrated the bhumi pujan ceremony for the new Ram temple at Ayodhya in Uttar Pradesh by offering prayers, lighting lamps and distributing sweets, a party official said on Wednesday. "Our leaders and cadres in cities and towns across the state watched Prime Minister Narendra Modi laying the foundation stone for the construction of the grand temple of Lord Ram at Ayodhya on this auspicious day," the party official told IANS here. Party's Mysuru district unit President T.S. Srivatsa and cadres offered prayers at their respective houses due to Covid-induced restrictions on gatherings at public places and need to maintain social distancing. "Prayers were offered at around 10,000 homes and in temples across the city. All of us watched Modi live on television while performing the bhumi pujan at the Ram janmabhoomi and also listened to his inspiring speech in Hindi," Srivatsa said. State Medical Education Minister K. Sudhakar said sacred soil and holy water from rivers like Cauvery and Krishna from the state were sent to Ayodhya for the temple construction "as Lord Ram belongs to all". "It is our good fortune to witness the Prime Minister laying the foundation stone of the temple as Lord Ram is supreme," said Sudhakar. Special prayers were also offered for the welfare of all the people across the country. State Deputy Chief Minister C.N. Ashwath Narayan offered prayers at a Ram temple in the city's northwest suburb with others, maintaining safe distance. "We are blessed to have witnessed the historic moment when the temple foundation stone was laid by Modi," Narayan said. State Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Minister K.S. Eshwarappa said the religious ceremony at Ayodhya was the first step towards "ending slavery and restoring the Hindu culture in the birthplace of Lord Ram". "As mosques were built after demolishing temples at Kashi and Mathura like at Ayodhya in Uttar Pradesh; time has come to re-build Hindu temples at both the places and restore the Hindu culture," Eshwarappa told reporters at Shivamogga in the state's Malnad region. A 5-Judge bench of the apex court on November 9, 2019 ordered the disputed land be handed over to a trust to build the Ram temple at Ayodhya although it held that the Babri Majid demolition at the site on December 6, 1992 was in violation of law. To ensure peace and maintain law and order during the ceremony at Ayodhya, state Home Minister Basavaraj Bommai has instructed the police to tighten security and step up vigil across the southern state. Latest updates on Ayodhya Ram Temple Bhumi Pujan OTTAWA The Canadian government says it has signed two deals to purchase millions of doses of promising vaccine candidates against COVID-19 but wont say how much it will cost or how many doses it will buy, citing ongoing negotiations with multiple international suppliers. With the global drive to develop a vaccine in full gear, a senior cabinet minister suggested Wednesday Ottawa would likely not make a COVID-19 vaccine mandatory the first indication of how a national vaccine rollout might be conducted if and when an effective immunization becomes available. Minister of Public Services and Procurement Anita Anand said Ottawa has signed procurement agreements with Pfizer Canada working with BioNTech in Germany, and separately with U.S.-based Moderna, each of which have advanced to stage three of clinical trials of their vaccine candidates. Anand said the agreements demonstrate our aggressive approach to secure vaccine candidates now so that Canadians are at the front of the line when a vaccine becomes available. Any potential vaccine will have to pass Health Canada regulatory approval before distribution to Canadians, she said. Anand suggested vaccination against COVID-19 would not be mandatory, but said its likely that vulnerable populations would be at the top of the list for immunization. But her cabinet colleague, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry Navdeep Bains, said it is too early to say whether a vaccine would be mandatory. Both said the government would be guided by public health authorities and the advice of an independent vaccine task force. Anand, citing remarks a day earlier by Canadas chief public health officer Dr. Theresa Tam, characterized a vaccine as just one layer of additional protection. The minister leading Canadas international procurement efforts told reporters that Tams remarks show there is not one solution to carry Canadians and the Canadian economy out of the pandemic. Multiple efforts on multiple fronts must be made and followed, and so in terms of the vaccination, that would likely not be mandatory, as Dr. Tam has mentioned. It is an added protection that would hopefully be available to Canadians who are taking monumental efforts now to wear PPE (personal protective equipment), to stay at home, to social distance even as we enter additional phases of the pandemic, said Anand. We all want a silver bullet. But unfortunately, thats not the case. Contrary to Anands assertion, however, Tam did not state that a vaccine would not become mandatory. Nor has Prime Minister Justin Trudeau indicated what approach his government would take. We still have a fair bit of time to reflect on that in order to get it right, Trudeau said on April 28, saying there are important decisions to take around the COVID-19 vaccine when it comes. On Tuesday, Tam did caution Canadians against putting all their hopes in a vaccine, pointing out that many questions remain. Tam repeated warnings issued last week by the WHO that there is no silver bullet on the horizon against the coronavirus warnings Anand and Bains echoed. The ministers on Wednesday said Ottawa is also spending millions to boost domestic vaccine production capacity and to ensure an adequate supply of syringes, alcohol swabs and needles in order to be able to manufacture and distribute a vaccine here. A vaccine tracker published by the Vaccine Centre at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, identified 226 potential vaccine candidates in the development pipeline around the world. So far, Health Canada has approved clinical trials in Canada to test the safety and effectiveness of just four possible vaccines here. As of Wednesday, the federal Public Health Agency was reporting the disease has killed nearly 9,000 Canadians and infected at least nearly 118,000. Tam said Tuesday questions need to be answered through clinical trials of vaccine candidates including the degree and the duration of the immunity. How many doses of vaccine do we need? Do we need a booster later on? Tam said even when a successful vaccine is identified, there will be ongoing challenges to develop, manufacture and distribute enough of it, and the success of any vaccination program will also depend on how the virus is undergoing evolution. Will it change? Will the current vaccine need to be adapted if the virus should change? With those questions in play, Tam said, public health authorities foresee having to manage the pandemic certainly over the next year but maybe planning for the longer term, the next two to three years during which the vaccine may play a role but we dont know yet On Wednesday, the ministers faced questions raised by at least one Canadian company that says it has heard nothing back from Ottawa on its request to begin human clinical trials despite early promising results from animal tests of its vaccine candidate. Providence Therapeutics said in a news release that after two blinded preclinical studies at the University of Toronto and Mount Sinai Hospital, it was able to stimulate the production of antibodies in mice that were injected with the coronavirus, suggesting their vaccine candidate could produce possible long-lasting immunity. Its study had not yet been peer-reviewed, but the company is eager to move to the stage of conducting human clinical trials. Bains said while he applauds the passion of many Canadian scientists, the government will take its guidance from the two task forces it has appointed to review and recommend most promising vaccine and therapeutic treatment candidates. He said more announcements would follow as the task forces do their work. In a statement, Pfizer and BioNTech said the terms of the deal with Canada are based on the timing of delivery and the volume of doses. As requested by the Government of Canada, deliveries of the vaccine candidate are planned for over the course of 2021. BioNTech executive Sean Marett said the company is working to advance its lead vaccine candidate through clinical development in order to seek regulatory review as early as October. At the same time, Pfizer and BioNTech continue to scale up manufacturing capacities to be able to produce up to 100 million doses in 2020 and more than 1 billion doses in 2021. The U.K. and the U.S. have similarly struck deals with Pfizer to purchase doses of a successful vaccine. Anand said on Wednesday Pfizer has at least four vaccine candidates in trials now. The U.S. inked a deal with Pfizer and BioNTech to purchase 100 million doses with an option of buying another 500 million of a vaccine, subject to regulatory approval. PANAMA CITY, Aug. 5, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Copa Holdings, S.A. (NYSE: CPA), today announced financial results for the second quarter of 2020 (2Q20). The terms "Copa Holdings" and "the Company" refer to the consolidated entity. The following financial information, unless otherwise indicated, is presented in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS). See the accompanying reconciliation of non-IFRS financial information to IFRS financial information included in the financial tables section of this earnings release. Unless otherwise stated, all comparisons with prior periods refer to the second quarter of 2019 (2Q19). Due to air travel restrictions implemented in response to the Covid-19 outbreak, the Company did not provide scheduled commercial service during the second quarter, and only operated a small number of charter and humanitarian flights, representing less than 1% of the Companys capacity in 2Q19. Therefore, this earnings release will focus on the financial results and metrics that are relevant in these circumstances and will omit certain financial ratios, unit metrics and operational indicators that are usually provided, since these are either not measurable or applicable on such a limited operational base. OPERATING AND FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS Copa Holdings reported a net loss of US$386.0 million or (US$9.08) per share. Excluding special items, the Company would have reported a net loss of US$114.6 million , or (US$2.70) per share. or per share. Excluding special items, the Company would have reported a net loss of , or per share. Special items for the quarter include a US$186.8 million non-cash impairment charge on the B737-700 fleet as a result of the Companys announcement to sell those aircraft, a US$50.0 million loss expected on assets held for sale (Embraer aircraft, spare engines, spare parts and a simulator), a US$22.2 million unrealized loss on the mark-to-market of the convertible notes, and a US$12.3 million reversal for unredeemed tickets revenue provisions recorded in the first quarter, given the uncertainty of future passenger behavior due to the Covid-19 situation. non-cash impairment charge on the B737-700 fleet as a result of the Companys announcement to sell those aircraft, a loss expected on assets held for sale (Embraer aircraft, spare engines, spare parts and a simulator), a unrealized loss on the mark-to-market of the convertible notes, and a reversal for unredeemed tickets revenue provisions recorded in the first quarter, given the uncertainty of future passenger behavior due to the Covid-19 situation. Copa Holdings reported an operating loss of US$357.9 million . Excluding special items, the Company would have reported an operating loss of US$108.7 million . . Excluding special items, the Company would have reported an operating loss of . Cash burn, defined as the cash disbursements less proceeds excluding extraordinary financing activities, averaged US$77 million per month during the quarter. per month during the quarter. In April, the Company raised US$343 million in cash through a senior convertible note offering. Cash, short-term and long-term investments totaled US$1.14 billion at the end of the quarter. in cash through a senior convertible note offering. Cash, short-term and long-term investments totaled at the end of the quarter. The Company entered into new committed, unsecured credit facilities of an additional US$150 million (currently undrawn) and closed the quarter with US$1.29 billion of available liquidity. (currently undrawn) and closed the quarter with of available liquidity. The Company repaid US$95 million in short-term lines of credit, closing the quarter with a total debt of US$1.3 billion . in short-term lines of credit, closing the quarter with a total debt of . Copa Holdings ended the quarter with a consolidated fleet of 102 aircraft 6 Boeing 737MAX9s, 68 Boeing 737-800s, 14 Boeing 737-700s, and 14 Embraer-190s. Subsequent Events During the month of July, the Company closed a secured revolving credit facility for an initial aggregate amount of US$105 million . Including this facility, the Company now has US$255 million in unutilized committed credit facilities. . Including this facility, the Company now has in unutilized committed credit facilities. On July 17 th , due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the Panamanian government announced the extension of air travel restrictions until August 21 st , 2020. The company has now scheduled the restart of its regular commercial flights for September 4 th , 2020. , due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the Panamanian government announced the extension of air travel restrictions until , 2020. The company has now scheduled the restart of its regular commercial flights for , 2020. On July 31 st, the Company signed a US$79.1 million contract for the sale of its remaining 14 EMB-190s, 6 spare engines and spare parts, and expects to deliver these assets over the next 12 months. Consolidated Financial & Operating Highlights 2Q20 2Q19 Variance vs. 2Q19 1Q20 Variance vs. 1Q20 Revenue Passengers Carried (000s) 9 2,550 -99.6% 2,118 -99.6% RPMs (millions) 15 5,249 -99.7% 4,473 -99.7% ASMs (millions) 31 6,166 -99.5% 5,491 -99.4% Departures 225 32,676 -99.3% 28,286 -99.2% Block Hours 820 106,425 -99.2% 93,568 -99.1% Operating Revenues (US$ millions) 14.5 645.1 -97.7% 595.5 -97.6% Operating Profit (Loss) (US$ millions) -357.9 82.6 n/m 98.7 n/m Adjusted Operating Profit (Loss) (US$ millions) (1) -108.7 82.6 n/m 98.7 n/m Net Profit (Loss) (US$ millions) -386.0 50.9 n/m 74.3 n/m Adjusted Net Profit (Loss) (US$ millions) (1) -114.6 50.9 n/m 74.3 n/m Basic EPS (US$) -9.08 1.20 n/m 1.75 n/m Adjusted Basic EPS (US$) (1) -2.70 1.20 n/m 1.75 n/m Shares for calculation of Basic EPS (000s) 42,512 42,478 0.1% 42,501 0.0% financial measures to the comparable IFRS measures. FULL 2Q20 EARNINGS RELEASE AVAILABLE FOR DOWNLOAD AT: https://copa.gcs-web.com/financial-information/quarterly-results 2Q20 EARNINGS RESULTS CONFERENCE CALL AND WEBCAST Date: Aug 6, 2020 Time: 11:00 AM US ET (10:00 AM Local Time) Conference telephone number: 877-293-5456 (US Domestic Callers) 707-287-9357 (International Callers) Webcast: https://copa.gcs-web.com/events-and-presentations Speakers: Pedro Heilbron, Chief Executive Officer Jose Montero, Chief Financial Officer About Copa Holdings Copa Holdings is a leading Latin American provider of passenger and cargo services. The Company, through its operating subsidiaries, provides service to 80 destinations in 33 countries in North, Central and South America and the Caribbean. For more information visit: www.copa.com. CONTACT: Copa Holdings S.A. Investor Relations: Ph: 011 507 304-2774 www.copa.com (IR section) This release includes "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements are based on current plans, estimates and expectations, and are not guarantees of future performance. They are based on management's expectations that involve a number of business risks and uncertainties, any of which could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in or implied by the forward-looking statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement. The risks and uncertainties relating to the forward-looking statements in this release are among those disclosed in Copa Holdings' filed disclosure documents and are, therefore, subject to change without prior notice. CPA-G Copa Holdings, S.A. Income Statement - IFRS (US$ Thousands) Unaudited Audited % Unaudited % 2Q20 2Q19 Change 1Q20 Change Operating Revenues Passenger revenue 10,790 620,538 -98.3% 574,650 -98.1% Cargo and mail revenue 145 16,464 -99.1% 13,017 -98.9% Other operating revenue 3,597 8,100 -55.6% 7,785 -53.8% Total Operating Revenue 14,532 645,102 -97.7% 595,453 -97.6% Operating Expenses Fuel 137 177,169 -99.9% 136,954 -99.9% Wages, salaries, benefits and other employees' expenses 38,198 108,342 -64.7% 110,289 -65.4% Passenger servicing 402 25,530 -98.4% 21,890 -98.2% Airport facilities and handling charges 505 44,698 -98.9% 40,365 -98.7% Sales and distribution 3,754 51,289 -92.7% 42,011 -91.1% Maintenance, materials and repairs 7,505 31,235 -76.0% 27,144 -72.4% Depreciation and amortization 305,185 70,549 332.6% 66,375 359.8% Flight operations (82) 25,450 n/m 23,731 n/m Other operating and administrative expenses 16,803 28,240 -40.5% 28,008 -40.0% Total Operating Expense 372,408 562,502 -33.8% 496,766 -25.0% Operating Profit (Loss) (357,875) 82,601 n/m 98,687 n/m Non-operating Income (Expense): Finance cost (27,056) (13,573) 99.3% (11,085) 144.1% Finance income 5,677 6,041 -6.0% 6,320 -10.2% Net change in fair value of derivatives (22,198) - n/m - n/m Gain (loss) on foreign currency fluctuations 500 (2,213) n/m (10,950) n/m Other non-operating income (expense) 447 (2,115) n/m (11) n/m Total Non-Operating Income/(Expense) (42,628) (11,859) 259.5% (15,726) 171.1% Profit (Loss) before taxes (400,504) 70,742 n/m 82,961 n/m Income tax expense (14,486) 19,876 n/m 8,687 n/m Net Profit (Loss) (386,018) 50,866 n/m 74,273 n/m EPS Basic -9.08 1.20 n/m 1.75 n/m Shares used for calculation: Basic 42,511,806 42,478,415 42,501,338 Copa Holdings, S. A. and subsidiaries Consolidated statement of financial position (US$ Thousands) June December 2020 2019 (Unaudited) ASSETS Current Assets Cash and cash equivalents 307,297 158,733 Short-term investments 740,887 692,403 Total cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments 1,048,184 851,136 Accounts receivable, net 28,843 129,634 Accounts receivable from related parties 1,302 147 Expendable parts and supplies, net 76,577 69,100 Prepaid expenses 32,326 49,034 Prepaid income tax 2,387 1,181 Other current assets 10,927 14,206 152,364 263,301 Assets held for sale 144,836 120,006 TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS 1,345,384 1,234,442 Long-term investments 94,540 134,347 Long-term accounts receivable 1,038 2,139 Long-term prepaid expenses 16,277 17,743 Property and equipment, net 2,227,313 2,532,402 Right of use assets 257,512 290,843 Intangible, net 104,485 108,116 Net pension asset 3,188 249 Deferred tax assets 21,461 19,216 Other Non-Current Assets 15,002 17,881 TOTAL NON-CURRENT ASSETS 2,740,816 3,122,935 TOTAL ASSETS 4,086,199 4,357,377 Loans and borrowings 177,004 122,581 Current portion of lease liability 95,087 97,732 Accounts payable 45,335 119,332 Accounts payable to related parties 1,070 14,086 Air traffic liability 409,843 497,374 Frequent flyer deferred revenue 85,923 80,325 Taxes Payable 1,476 46,267 Employee benefits obligations 11,015 55,373 Income tax payable 3,159 9,683 Other Current Liabilities 174 83 TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES 830,087 1,042,836 Loans and borrowings 1,148,253 938,182 Lease Liability 175,403 206,832 Derivative financial instruments 98,427 - Other long - term liabilities 214,746 191,221 Deferred tax Liabilities 27,520 43,397 TOTAL NON-CURRENT LIABILITIES 1,664,350 1,379,633 TOTAL LIABILITIES 2,494,436 2,422,469 EQUITY Issued Capital Class A -33,859,791 issued and 31,405,999 outstanding 21,188 21,142 Class B common stock - 10,938,125 7,466 7,466 Additional Paid-In Capital 88,683 86,135 Treasury Stock (136,388) (136,388) Retained Earnings 1,931,191 1,718,179 Net (loss) profit (311,744) 247,002 Other comprehensive loss (8,632) (8,628) TOTAL EQUITY 1,591,763 1,934,908 TOTAL EQUITY LIABILITIES 4,086,199 4,357,377 Copa Holdings, S. A. and subsidiaries Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows For the six months ended June 30, (In US$ thousands) 2020 2019 2018 (Unaudited) (Unaudited) (Unaudited) Cash flow (used in) from operating activities (56,632) 331,143 267,114 Cash flow used in investing activities (48,009) (8,691) (105,907) Cash flow from (used in) financing activities 253,205 (252,469) (228,840) Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents 148,564 69,982 (67,633) Cash and cash equivalents at January 1 158,733 156,158 238,792 Cash and cash equivalents at June 30 $ 307,297 $ 226,140 $ 171,159 Short-term investments 740,887 523,134 604,869 Long-term investments 94,540 144,072 171,356 Total cash and cash equivalents and investments at June 30 $ 1,142,724 $ 893,346 $ 947,384 Copa Holdings, S.A. NON-IFRS FINANCIAL MEASURE RECONCILIATION This press release includes the following non IFRS financial measures: Adjusted Operating Profit, Adjusted Net Profit, Adjusted Basic EPS and Monthly Cash Burn. This supplemental information is presented because we believe it is a useful indicator of our operating performance and is useful in comparing our performance with other companies in the airline industry. These measures should not be considered in isolation, and should be considered together with comparable IFRS measures, in particular operating profit and net profit. The following is a reconciliation of these non-IFRS financial measures to the comparable IFRS measures: Reconciliation of Adjusted Operating Profit and Adjusted Net Profit 2Q20 2Q19 1Q20 Operating Profit as Reported $ (357,875) $ 82,601 $ 98,687 Add: Unredeemed Ticket Revenue provision reversal $ 12,341 Add: Fleet Impairment loss $ 186,807 Add: Expected Loss on Embraer assets held for sale $ 50,048 Adjusted Operating Profit $ (108,679) $ 82,601 $ 98,687 Net profit as Reported $ (386,018) $ 50,866 $ 74,273 Add: Unredeemed Ticket Revenue provision reversal $ 12,341 Add: Fleet Impairment loss $ 186,807 Add: Expected Loss on Embraer assets held for sale $ 50,048 Add: Net change in fair value of derivatives $ 22,198 Adjusted Net Profit $ (114,624) $ 50,866 $ 74,273 Reconciliation of Adjusted Basic EPS Adjusted Net Profit $ (114,624) $ 50,866 $ 74,273 Shares used for calculation of Basic EPS 42,512 42,478 42,501 Adjusted Basic Earnings per share (Adjusted Basic EPS) $ (2.70) $ 1.20 $ 1.75 Reconciliation of Monthly Cash Burn for 2Q20 Cash balance as reported on 1Q20 1,127 Cash balance as reported on 2Q20 1,143 Net cashflows in 2Q 16 Substract: Proceeds from Convertible Notes Offering 343 Add: Repayment of short term credit lines 95 Cash Burn for 2Q20 excluding extraordinary financing activities (232) Monthly Cash Burn for 2Q20 excluding extraordinary financing activities (77) CONTACT: Raul Pascual Panama Director Investor Relations 011 (507) 304-2774 SOURCE Copa Holdings, S.A. Related Links http://www.copa.com (CNN) An American woman's TikTok guide to making hot tea that went viral in June had Brits tut-tutting in horror over their morning cuppa largely because of the controversial use of a microwave rather than a kettle to heat water. The spat over the best way to brew tea boiled over into a transatlantic incident, with both the UK and US ambassadors sticking their spoon in and the British military summoned to explain the "correct" technique. Now scientists have waded into the debate, apparently confirming what many Brits have known instinctively for years water heated in a microwave just isn't the same. Microwaves heat liquids unevenly, making the liquid at the top of the container much hotter than the liquid at the bottom, a team of Chinese scientists found. Their study was published Tuesday in the journal AIP Advances from the American Institute of Physics. Typically, when a liquid is being warmed, the heating source a stove or electric kettle for example heats the container from below and the process of convection means that as liquid toward the bottom of the container warms up, it becomes less dense and moves to the top, allowing a cooler section of the liquid to contact the heat source. This ultimately results in a uniform temperature throughout the container. However, in a microwave the heat source exists everywhere so the convection process doesn't occur. But die-hard microwave users need not lower their heads in shame. The scientists at the University of Electronic Science & Technology of China said they may have found a solution to this problem. They have designed a silver plating to go along the rim of a cup or container that is able to shield the effect of the microwave at the top of the liquid. The silver acts as a guide for the waves, reducing the electric field at the top and effectively blocking the heating and resulting in a more uniform temperature. While this appears to contradict the long-standing advice not to put metals in a microwave, Baoqing Zeng, one of the authors of the study, said it was "still safe" and similar metal structures have already been safely used in microwave steam pots and rice cookers. "After carefully designing the metal structure at the appropriate size, the metal edge, which is prone to ignition, is located at weak field strength, where it can completely avoid ignition, so it is still safe," said Zeng, a professor of electronic science and engineering at UESTC, in a news release. So does this put the debate to rest over the best way to make a brew? Alas, it may only be one battle. While kettles may heat water more evenly, other scientific research has shown that microwaves can draw out more of tea's potentially beneficial compounds like catechins and caffeine. So what'll it to be, tea drinkers? An evenly warmed cuppa or one that keeps you alert longer? This story was first published on CNN.com The correct way to make tea? Science weighs in on microwaving vs. kettle Russia warns US global deployment of missiles will meet response Iran Press TV Tuesday, 04 August 2020 8:13 AM Russia has warned the United States against its controversial plan to deploy land-based missiles in various countries around the world, saying the move would be met with an immediate response from Moscow. The Russian Foreign Ministry said on Monday that the planned "deployment of American land-based short- and intermediate-range missiles globally seriously undermines regional and global security and will provoke a new dangerous phase of the arms race." It suggested that strategic nuclear missiles could be deployed in response. "Russia cannot ignore appearance of more missile threats for its territory, which will be seen as strategic for us," the Russian ministry said. "This will require an immediate reaction, irrespective of what missiles will be deployed, nuclear or not." The remarks were made on the first anniversary of the United States' withdrawal from the 1987 Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty (INF) with Russia, which had banned land-based missiles with a range of between 500 to 5,500 kilometers. Moscow warned at the time that the US's withdrawal would provoke another arms race among world powers. Immediately after the withdrawal, the US said it was planning to place ground-launched intermediate-range missiles in Asia. It also asserted last month that the Pentagon was moving forward with plans to acquire ground-launched missiles that fly distances that had been banned under the INF. The Russian Foreign Ministry further said that Moscow "remains open to equal and constructive work to restore trust and strengthen international security and strategic stability." "We are hoping for a similar interest and responsibility from the US side," it added. The New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (New START) accord, which expires in February 2021, is the last major nuclear arms control treaty between Moscow and Washington that puts a limit on the number of strategic nuclear warheads each country can have. The US and Russia signed the New START accord in 2010 and agreed to reduce the number of strategic nuclear missiles by half and restrict the number of deployed strategic nuclear warheads to 1,550. The New START can be extended for another five years by mutual agreement. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address (Photo : Posted in Reddit by (u/Chamallow81)) (Photo : Posted in Reddit by (u/Chamallow81)) A Redditor who owns a restaurant in the Greek Islands posted conversation screenshots of Social Media Influencers asking for free food during this COVID-19 pandemic situation. Reddit user u/Chamallow81 posted conversations with people who claim to be Social Media influencers asking for free meals in exchange for posting it on their pages and accounts to be seen by their followers. The Reddit user's family owns a restaurant in the Greek Islands that is famous for its native Greek dishes and vegan options. Social Media influencers usually collaborate with business owners, may it be public or private, to feature as brand models, ambassadors, or advocates. This is considered to be easier than traditional models or artists that need to be well-known and in the spotlight. Nowadays, having a massive base of followers is enough to declare one's self as an influencer. ALSO READ: COVID-19 NEW Cure: Gargling Betadine Kills 99.9% of Coronavirus in 30 Seconds, Says Study The Influencer Inquiry The Redditors post showed an influencer who will be making a trip to the Greek Island, Kos, and asking for a free meal for himself and his friends. The Redditor added that they receive countless inquiries for collaborations and free meals. Redditor's response To which the Redditor replied with a polite response, saying that he would be willing to collaborate, but in new terms and conditions, their restaurant has set. Reddit user u/Chamallow81 explained that what they offer is somewhat an exchange program or quid pro quo that feeds those who need it or the less fortunate near the area. This still entitles the influencer to eat their food and advertise together with them as the restaurant will feature the influencer on their social media pages as well. The Redditor said that they get surprised because what they offer is a fair deal and a chance to help those who are hungry but the so-called "influencers" do not respond. Some influencers even delete their message to the account of the restaurant. The Redditor responds with the same answer to influencer inquiries for the past three years but not one has accepted the collaboration terms. Businesses amidst the COVID-19 Pandemic Fox reports the economic effect of the COVID-19 pandemic to businesses, including restaurants. The restaurant business is one of the most affected in the industry as lockdowns prevented people from going to and dining in their favorite places. This led to a recession and closing down of some establishments in the food industry. According to Bloomberg, an estimate of 2.2 million food establishments and restaurants are expected to shutdown. A lot of restaurants are undergoing financial struggle on keeping their businesses open. Some are even on the brink of collapse, and some have already foregone their beloved businesses. The decline in the restaurant industry makes quite a damage to the U.S., and its citizens as 15.6 million people are making a living from the said businesses. This trend is currently happening worldwide, and the data gathered still rises as this pandemic is nowhere near its end. ALSO READ: [VIRAL] Another 'Karen' Charged With Assault After Coughing on a Cancer Patient at Pier 1 This article is owned by Tech Times Written by Isaiah Alonzo 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Joe Biden, the presumptive Democratic nominee for president, bristled Wednesday at a reporter's question about taking a cognitive test, comparing it to asking his interviewer whether he was taking cocaine or a junkie. President Donald Trump has attacked Biden for his mental capabilities while boasting about his own performance during a cognitive exam. The clash prompted a question to Biden about whether he'd had a cognitive test during an interview with Errol Barnett, a CBS reporter, for the National Association of Black Journalists and National Association of Hispanic Journalists. "No, I haven't taken a test. Why the hell would I take a test?" Biden said during the interview, a full version of which will air Thursday. "Come on, man. That's like saying you, before you got on this program, you take a test where you're taking cocaine or not. What do you think? Huh? Are you a junkie?" President Donald Trump's supporters remain committed, though former Vice President Joe Biden leads in several polls. Trump, 74, has bragged about his performance on a cognitive test in 2018. The President's then-physician Ronny Jackson said Trump received a perfect score on the Montreal Cognitive Assessment, a roughly 10-minute test used by doctors to detect "mild cognitive dysfunction" and asks the patient to perform a simple batch of memory and mental tasks. Jenna Ellis, a senior legal adviser to Trump's campaign, tweeted "yikes" in reaction to the video. Republicans have joined Trump in repeatedly questioning Bidens mental fitness, highlighting video questions where Biden, 77, stumbles over words or loses his train of thought. When does it become elder abuse? the presidents son, Donald Trump Jr., asked Wednesday in a tweet. But Biden questioned the extent of Trump's test and said he's eager to debate the president. "Well, if he can't figure out the difference between an elephant and a lion, I don't know what the hell he's talking about," Biden said in the CBS interview. "I'm so forward-looking to have an opportunity to sit with the president or stand with the president and the debates." This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Joe Biden bristles at Errol Barnett after cognitive test question TCN News Kashmir: Kashmir Reading Room has released a report marking one year of the de-operationalization of Article 370, and unilateral revocation of Kashmirs special status by the government of India on August 5, 2019. Support TwoCircles The report titled (Dis)Integration at Gunpoint is prepared by Kashmir Reading Room (KRR) which was set up in 2014 by a group of working professionals including lawyers, doctors, academicians, researchers, activists, and journalists. KRR, which is a team of professionals who are based in different parts of the world, attended the reports online launch on August 4, 2020, at 8.30 PM IST. The session was hosted by South Asia Solidarity Group in London where Prof Hameeda Nayeem, Sanjay Kak (Independent filmmaker), and Parvez Imroz (Human Rights lawyer) were the anellists. At the launch, Prof Hameeda Nayeem congratulated KRR on the report calling it the first draft of the history of the last 1 year. She stated that although it traces a one year trajectory of human rights violation, press gag and communication lockdown but it goes much beyond that. She informed that the report combines various news reports, statements by political representatives and other interactions, letters, and statements. She expressed that what Kashmiris felt on August 5 is something inexpressible, unnarratable and unspeakable, and that is why the annual report is of great value not only to the common person but also to researchers. She expressed that during the lockdown, the people did not understand how they were abruptly cut off from the whole world while in a huge deluge and such initiatives taken by organizations like KRR to promote free political thought is significant. The panelists then discussed how August 5, 2019, is marked by Kashmiris as a day when Indias expansionist policy on Kashmir has been laid bare in an undeniable manner. Parvez Imroz, Human Rights lawyer with JKCCS while commenting on the Kashmir conflict said that, Truth is a major casualty in any conflict area. He discussed Indias gripping control of the people of Kashmir and thanked KRR for adopting mechanisms of active and comprehensive dialogue to generate international awareness on the conflict in Jammu and Kashmir. He then mentioned Newtons law indicating that Indias repressive measures against the territories cannot continue for long as evident in Newtons law. There will be a reaction, he said. Commenting on the Indian Judiciarys approach to Kashmir Imroz said, Judiciary is complicit by their omissions in not taking measures to protect human rights. He accused the judiciary of being a failure while noting that this report has in fact documented all the changes taking place on the political, legal, policy, and economic sphere since August 2019 in the bifurcated territories. Speaking on the report, Sanjay Kak said, The KRR Report looks at (it) in a comprehensive way of the undivided Jammu & Kashmir. He informed that although the entire region has been covered, the report also mentions Gilgit, Baltistan and Ladakh. Kak also encouraged KRR for including an excellent chapter on minorities on Kashmir, which most people dont talk about, he said. He welcomed this approach where the fact-finding committee has moved beyond Kashmiri Pandits and has also spoken about Kashmiri Sikhs and Shias. When asked about the question of Kashmiri Pandits, he said, Its not only Kashmir that needs to ensure the safety of Kashmiri Pandits but also Kashmiri Pandits who need to ensure the safety of Kashmir. The panelists highlighted that the report comprehensively covers a wide range of subjects from recent changes in Domicile law; amendments of laws affecting the transfer of state land to non-state subjects and corporate entities; mining rights; developments in Constitutional Courts concerning the amendment to Article 370; treatment of PSA petitions; Habeas Corpus litigation and media petitions in the last year. Other attendees noted that it has included perspectives from minorities and voices from Ladakh, Jammu, and the Kashmir valley while additionally providing an overview of the human rights violations, curbs on freedom of the press, repression of Kashmiri journalists, and disenfranchisement of Kashmiris. In the ending session, KRR iterated that the report is specially prepared to generate international awareness and dialogue concerning developments and that it would prove to be instrumental in the resolution of the Kashmir conflict. The full report can be accessed here: https://jklpp.org/kashmir-reading-room-report-aug-2019-aug-2020/ The potential sale of the app to Microsoft has prompted the CCP of China to call it a planned smash and grab of the app. Chinese are frothing at the mouth with the sale of the app, which is taken personally by Beijing. Tech giant Microsoft said it is planning to get the right to get TikTok in Canada, US, and New Zealand, which drew an adverse reaction, reported CNBC. President Trump mentioned that they will be buying part of the app which can be a bit complicated, but gave a go signal to Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella. He added there will be money paid back to the U.S. Treasury, for making sure the app gets 'acquired'. The Global Times editor in chief, Hu Xijin is critical of the American move, and assailed it as theft. He added that Trump is turning the U.S. into a rogue nation, despite Chinese state practices on weaker nations. Washington has long been critical of the CCP in weaponizing everything like apps to even students to collect information. This app according to American pundits, is Chinese-owned and is actively collecting all information on hapless Americans. But the owners are denying any connections to Beijing or the PLA. Initially, the app was under threat of getting banned by the administration. Before Microsoft aired its intention to acquire the app, there were prior moves. One of these is when Secretary of State Mike Pompeo foreshadowed Trump's move that was to shut down the app in a Fox News Interview. A Chinese news outlet mounted another communist mouth-piece attack on the app sale. They called it stealing of Chinese technology, but recent reports indicate that China hacked other institutions illegally. Also read: Loss of Hong Kong's Autonomy Under China's Rule Might Mean Sanctions From US On Sunday, the same paper said that China has the option to get back at the U.S. for its actions. The China Daily reported that China is not taking the pilferage of Chinese tech that lightly. It boasted of ways the CCP can equalize the planned 'Smash and Grab' of Tiktok. Now, the Global Times had a field day attack at the U.S. with headlines and words, condemning the apps ban in America as backpedaling by the Trump administration. Global Times ran a headline that read: "Banning TikTok reflects Washington's cowardice." More Chinese papers go wild with the American move According to the official People's Daily newspaper of China's ruling Communist Party, the U.S. bans the app because it is better than what American companies offer. The article had time to critique the move to ban Huawei that is accused of being part of weaponizing everything the state can. Chinese planners like to combine state and business as one in monopolizing opportunities to the detriment of the world. Still, the Global Times was kicking on the issue saying that Chinese companies can be better than anyone else in technology. But, the leaders in key digital tech is in Western countries that are always a threat of buyouts to get the technology by Beijing. The Chines organ called the US an aging dinosaur that they intend to replace. Moves in the technology arena with U.S. and Chinese companies is only one of the phases of the 'new cold war' that the CCP of Beijing intends to win. A planned "smash and grab" of the TikTok app is only a chapter in the tensions between China and the U.S. Related article: Beijing Pointing Fingers: China Accuses US of Starting a New 'Cold War' @ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Republicans and Democrats still remain sharply divided over a replacement for the coronavirus relief bill that expired last week. When the last stimulus bill expired at the end of July, so did the $600/week boost to unemployment benefits that millions of out-work Americans have relied on since the beginning of the pandemic. Extending those benefits still remains a point of contention as Republicans offer a $400/week concession and Democrats stay firm at $600, among other disagreements, Politico reports. The Democratic-controlled House passed its version of the next relief bill a while ago, with $600/week boost that would last until the end of the pandemic. Republicans control the Senate, though, and at first indicated there would be no unemployment boost at all in the next phase bill they'd support. They then upped their offer to $200/week, and as of Tuesday, have proposed a $400/week boost that will last until Dec. 15, Politico reports via a meeting between party leaders and White House officials. But Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) also said Tuesday he would back a $600 enhancement if President Trump does as well, and Trump seemingly indicated his support last week. Also in contention is funding for child care. Democrats want $50 billion for this, while Republicans prefer $15 billion, and the two sides have moved on to closer issues for now. Republicans also think Democrats are also looking for lots of funding for mail-in voting, but Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) has reportedly made it clear states can use election funding for whatever they see fit. A debate over pensions meanwhile remains "a different breed of cat" altogether, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) reportedly said. Read more about the state of stimulus talks at Politico. More stories from theweek.com The problem with the rush to disband the Minneapolis police New Lincoln Project ad crowns Jared Kushner 'Secretary of Failure' The Republican problem no one knows how to solve More tech news includes Amazon announcing Freedom Sale and Xiaomi launching Mi TV Stick in India. It was an eventful day in the world of tech today. Samsung hosted its Galaxy Unpacked 2020 event wherein the company launched a bunch of new devices which includes Galaxy Note 20 series smartphones, Galaxy Tab S7 series tablets, Galaxy Z Fold 2 smartphone, Galaxy Watch 3 and Galaxy Buds Live. In addition to that, the company strengthened its partnership with Microsoft by introducing greater integration between Windows 10 PCs and Galaxy Note 20 smartphones. Heres everything that made headlines today: Galaxy Galaxy Note 20 launched Samsung launched the Galaxy Note 20 series smartphones at its Galaxy Unpacked 2020 event today. Samsung Galaxy Note 20 comes at a starting price of $999.99 which translates to 74,900 approx. The Galaxy Note 20 Ultra, on the other hand, starts at $1,299.99 ( 97,300 approx). Xiaomi Mi TV Stick launched Xiaomi today launched the Mi TV Stick in India. It costs is 2,799 and it will go on sale in India on August 7 at 12 noon via Flipkart, mi.com and Mi Home stores. Amazon Freedom Sale announced Amazon has announced the dates for its Amazon Freedom Sale. The Amazon Freedom Sale will take place shortly after the company's Prime Day 2020 between August 8 and August 11. Microsoft Teams gets support for 20,000 participants Microsoft Teams today added support for up to 20,000 participants in a live chat. This feature, however, is available only in a view-only live event mode. Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-05 12:15:42|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close KHARTOUM, Aug. 4 (Xinhua) -- Sudan on Tuesday announced its rejection of an Ethiopian proposal regarding the filling and operation of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), said Sudan's Irrigation and Water Resources Ministry in a statement. Sudan rejected the Ethiopian proposal as it stipulates that an agreement should only be about the first phase of the filling of the GERD, while it links the agreement with reaching a comprehensive treaty regarding the Blue Nile water, the statement said. According to the statement, Sudan regarded the proposal as a change in Ethiopia's position, which threatens the continuation of the tripartite talks between Sudan, Egypt and Ethiopia. The precondition for Sudan's participation in the Nile dam talks is that an agreement on the filling and operation of the GERD should not be linked with reaching a treaty on the Blue Nile water, it said. Sudanese Irrigation and Water Resources Minister Yasir Abbas sent a letter to South Africa's minister of international relations and cooperation concerning Ethiopia's changed stance, the statement said. It noted that Abbas thought a message from his Ethiopian counterpart on Tuesday prompted "serious concerns regarding the course of the current talks, the progress achieved and the understandings reached." "The Ethiopian proposal represents a great change in the Ethiopian stance and threatens the continuation of the talks led by the African Union," said Abbas, adding that the proposal constitutes a violation of the Declaration of Principles signed by Sudan, Egypt and Ethiopia in March, 2015. According to the statement, the Sudanese minister warned against the risks the dam poses on Sudan and its people, which necessitate a comprehensive deal covering both the filling and operation of the GERD. On Monday, Sudan, Egypt and Ethiopia resumed a new round of talks on the filling and operation of the GERD. South Africa, the current chair of the African Union, patronizes the GERD talks. Ethiopia, which started building the 4-billion-dollar GERD in 2011, expects to produce over 6,000 megawatts of electricity to push the country's development. Egypt, a downstream Nile Basin country that relies on the river for its fresh water, is concerned that the dam might affect its 55.5-billion-cubic-meter annual share of the water resources. Enditem ALBANY, N.Y, Aug. 5, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Range of polymers and ion exchange resins are utilized in making ion exchange membranes that find proliferating use in water treatment and desalination, gas separation, power generation, and fuel cells. Fuel cell manufacturers increasingly prefer anion exchange membranes. This aside, manufacturers in the ion exchange membranes market see substantial opportunities in battery technology applications, notably zinc-air batteries and vanadium redox flow batteries. The global opportunities in the ion exchange membranes market are projected to climb to ~US$ 1 Bn by 2027-end, garnering a CAGR of 3.5% during 2019 2027. Analysts at Transparency Market Research assert that in post-COVID-19 era, players in the ion exchange membrane market should focus on realigning their strategic frameworks, including improving the onsite recovery of chemicals for heavy industries. Request for COVID-19 Impact Analysis on Ion Exchange Membrane Market: https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/Covid19.php Key Findings of Ion Exchange Membrane Report Of the various types of charges, anion exchange membranes held a sizable market share in 2018 Cation exchange membrane segment to clock a CAGR of 3.3% during 2019 2027 Of the various structures, heterogeneous structures to gain popularity in ion exchange membrane market Geographically, Asia Pacific is the top market in 2018 is the top market in 2018 Ion exchange membrane market features a fairly consolidated landscape Download PDF Brochure - https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php Ion Exchange Membrane Market: Key Driving Factors and Promising Avenues One of the key factors for sales in the ion exchange membranes market pivots on the utilization of ion exchange membranes in wastewater treatment, both for commercial and industrial use. This is an increasing trend in industrialized nations. Fuel cell manufacturers world over are increasingly utilizing attractive properties of AEMs, thus boosting the market. Rising zinc-air battery applications is bolstering creation of opportunities for chemical manufacturers in the market. They are increasingly focused on improving the alkaline stability and conductivity in improving performance of ion exchange membranes Strides in the industrial oil and gas-processing sector are spurring the demand for ion exchange membranes in the market Growing demand for cation exchange membranes is underpinned by their cost-effectiveness and ease of production. Demand for alkaline metal-air batteries to improve stability of electrical grids in energy sectors is boosting the market. View Detailed Table of Contents at https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/report-toc/49302 Key Impediments to Ion Exchange Membrane Market Stakeholders The COVID-19 pandemic has been a huge snag on the chemical manufacturing sector. This has constrained the creation of new prospects in the ion exchange membranes market. Degradation of cations in severe pH conditions present in fuel cells affects the performance of ion exchange membranes, and is thus is a key challenge. The aforementioned challenge is likely to be addressed by players through intense research and development activities. Microbe contamination of ion exchange membranes constrain their application in water filtration application, thus, creating a significant adverse impact on market growth. Purchase Premium Research Report on Ion Exchange Membrane Market @ https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/checkout.php Ion Exchange Membrane Market: Regional Landscape On the regional front, Asia Pacific and North America have been lucrative markets. Of the two, the revenue in the former has been rising at remarkable pace in recent years. The Asia Pacific ion exchange membrane market held the leading share in 2018, and is expected to witness sizable opportunity in the next few years. The growth of this regional market to a large extent can be attributed to the prospective demand for low-pressure ceramic membranes in water purification application. Further, governments in China, India, and Thailand have been making substantial investments in water purification and water desalination infrastructures to meet the demands for potable water among the populations. Browse More Press Releases: https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/press-releases.htm The Ion Exchange Membrane Market can be segmented as follows: Charge Cation Exchange Membrane Anion Exchange Membrane Amphoteric Ion Exchange Membrane Bipolar Ion Exchange Membrane Mosaic Ion Exchange Membrane Material Hydrocarbon Membrane Perfluorocarbon Membrane Inorganic Membrane Composite Membrane Partially Halogenated Membrane Structure Homogenous Membrane Heterogenous Membrane Application Electrodialysis Electrolysis Chromatographic Separation Desalination Wastewater Treatment Radioactive Liquid Waste Treatment Region North America U.S. Canada Europe Germany U.K. France Italy Spain Rest of Europe Asia Pacific China Japan India ASEAN Rest of Asia Pacific Latin America Brazil Mexico Rest of Latin America Middle East & Africa GCC Egypt South Africa Rest of Middle East & Africa Browse Latest Reports by TMR: https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/latest.htm Explore Transparency Market Research's award-winning coverage of the global Chemicals and Materials Industry, Cation Exchange Resins Market - Rapid industrialization, especially in Asia, is analogous to the rise in demand for industrial water. Increase in water pollution in some of the major regions such as Asia is driving the need for water treatment technologies. The energy sector accounts for a significant demand for water treatment. Weak acid cation exchange resins and strong acid cation exchange resins are used for municipal and industrial water treatment. Thus, increase in demand for municipal/industrial water and wastewater treatment is anticipated to drive the global cation exchange resins market during the forecast period. Synthetic Diamond Market - A recent research report published by Transparency Market Research projects the global synthetic diamond market to expand at a CAGR of 7.2% during the period between 2019 and 2027. The report, titled "Synthetic Diamond Market - Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends and Forecast, 2019 - 2027," estimates the global Synthetic Diamond to reach US$ 34.3 Bn by 2027, from US$ 18.3 bn in 2018. Copper Pipes & Tubes Market - Transparency Market Research has published a new report that talks about the overall working dynamics of the global copper pipes and tubes market. According to the research report, the global copper pipes & tubes market is expected to grow at a modest CAGR of 3% for the given projection period of 2019 to 2027. With this rate of growth, the global market is expected to reach an overall valuation of US$39 bn by the end of the forecast period in 2027. Previously, the market was valued at US$29.7102 bn in the year 2018. Explore More Upcoming Reports: https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/upcoming.htm About Transparency Market Research Transparency Market Research is a global market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. Our experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather and analyze information. Our data repository is continuously updated and revised by a team of research experts, so that it always reflects the latest trends and information. With a broad research and analysis capability, Transparency Market Research employs rigorous primary and secondary research techniques in developing distinctive data sets and research material for business reports. Contact Mr. Rohit Bhisey Transparency Market Research State Tower, 90 State Street, Suite 700, Albany NY - 12207 United States USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453 Email: [email protected] Press Release Source: https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/pressrelease/ion-exchange-membrane-market-2017-2026.htm Website: http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com SOURCE Transparency Market Research By Doina Chiacu and Joseph Ax WASHINGTON, Aug 5 (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday proposed accepting the Republican Party's presidential nomination in a speech from the White House, prompting the country's leading elected Democrat to accuse him of politicizing the historic residence. Separately, his Democratic rival, former Vice President Joe Biden, will accept his party's nomination in a national address from his home state of Delaware rather than in Milwaukee as planned, party officials said on Wednesday. The coronavirus pandemic has led both political parties to downsize the traditional made-for-television affairs featuring often-raucous speeches in front of thousands of the party faithful. Denied the larger crowds he thrives on, Trump said: "We're thinking about doing it from the White House." Citing the security costs of his travel and an address, Trump told FOX News that holding it at the White House "would be by far the least expensive from the country's standpoint." He said the plan was not firm because somebody had difficulty with it, but did not elaborate. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, a Democrat who is third in line for the presidency, told MSNBC: "For the president of the United States to degrade once again the White House, as he has done over and over again, by saying he is going to completely politicize it, is something that should be rejected right out of hand." Republican U.S. Senator Ron Johnson said Trump "probably shouldn't do it." The decision to pull Biden and other speakers from Milwaukee, where Democrats had planned to hold a multiday nominating convention in person, ensures the event from Aug. 17-20 will be almost entirely virtual. Trump told FOX the Republican convention would be virtual and include some live speeches from different locations, with his acceptance speech on Aug. 27, the last night. Media will be invited to a "nomination night" in Charlotte, North Carolina, he said, contrary to reports it might be closed to reporters. Deaths from the coronavirus in the United States have recently been averaging more than 1,000 a day. The election is Nov. 3. (Reporting by Doina Chiacu in Washington and Joseph Ax in Princeton, New Jersey; Editing by Howard Goller) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (Agence France-Presse) London, United Kingdom Wed, August 5, 2020 12:15 531 6657ac82168da9fa101c8a4066bb33cd 2 Sports Ole-Gunnar-Solskjaer,Europe-League,soccer,Manchester-United,soccer-league,football,footballer Free Ole Gunnar Solskjaer says victory in the Europa League could be a stepping stone to a new era of success for Manchester United. United finished third in the Premier League after an impressive end to the coronavirus-interrupted season, meaning they will return to the Champions League next season. The Old Trafford club look certain to book their place in the quarter-finals of the Europa League on Wednesday after winning the first leg of their last-16 tie against Austrian side LASK 5-0 in March Solskjaer said winning the first piece of silverware under his leadership would be "massive" in terms of forging a winning mentality. "You can see that," the Norwegian told his pre-match press conference on Tuesday. "When Sir Alex [Ferguson] won the Premier League for the first time that was the start of the Premier League era. It started with the FA Cup (in 1990). "For me personally, when I won my first trophy as a player it made me more hungry because you saw the highs of it, how much it meant for everyone." Solskjaer also referred to his success as a manager -- he won the first league title in Norwegian club Molde's history in 2011. "That was the first time for the club in the 100-year history. Since then we've won it four times in about eight or nine years so it was a big change for that club and for me for this team as well if we can get our hands on a trophy, it's a big step forward." Sancho move? Solskjaer kept his cards close to his chest over the possible signing of Borussia Dortmund star Jadon Sancho. United are hoping to make the 20-year-old their marquee signing in the transfer window when the impact of the pandemic means few other clubs can get anywhere near the lofty asking price. It is understood that discussions are ongoing about a deal for the England winger. The Bundesliga club have reportedly set an August 10 deadline and want more than 100 million ($130 million) for the player. But Solskjaer gave little away on Tuesday. "This transfer window is a long one and every transfer takes its course," he said. "It is what it is. At the moment, I've got no updates for you anyway so if there's any news, we'll update you." Chris Smalling had hoped to remain involved in the Europa League with Roma, but an extension to his season-long loan move has not been reached. The defender said he was disappointed that he "can't finish what we started this season" as the Serie A side prepared to face Sevilla, with Solskjaer ready to welcome the 30-year-old back to Old Trafford. By contrast, Alexis Sanchez has been given the green light from United to feature in the Europa League for Inter Milan. The forward has been a huge disappointment at Old Trafford and it has been reported that discussions over a permanent exit are ongoing. Scott Morrison has ripped into so called 'sovereign citizens' in Victoria in a strong-worded interview on Sunrise. The Prime Minister appeared on the program on Wednesday morning with a sharp message for people who are going out of their way to clash with police amid strict coronavirus sanctions in the state. 'Get real is my message. Get real,' Mr Morrison he said. 'This is a difficult time for everybody, I know people are angry and frustrated. 'There's been a lot of confusion and still to be worked out on some of these restrictions.' Prime Minister Scott Morrison has slammed Victorians who defy police during COVID-19 sanctions Mr Morrison's calls come after a range of incidents involving entitled members of the public breaching coronavirus safety measures. Coronavirus conspiracy theorist Eve Black gloated in a Facebook video about making it through a Melbourne COVID-19 roadblock without telling officers where she was going. Black filmed and uploaded to Facebook her first, successful, attempt at gaming the system on July 23. When the officer asked her where she was headed and why she was attempting to leave, Black simply told him she didn't need to share that information. The officer eventually waved her through as she sped off laughing and celebrating. After that video went viral, the 28-year-old allegedly tried the same trick again in the inner-city suburb of Carlton last week but was dramatically arrested. Eve Black said she didn't 'regret' sharing the video which has since been heavily criticised 'Bunnings Karen' Kerry Nash debating with police about how her arrest after her Bunnings outburst was 'unlawful' Anti-mask campaigners gained traction after 'Bunnings Karen' Kerry Nash went viral after filming her shocking outburst inside a Bunnings store in Narre Warren. ANU College of Health and Medicine Professor Shane Thomas told Daily Mail Australia coronavirus conspiracy theories and anti-mask campaigners are 'silly' and 'selfish'. 'In terms of face mask refusers, basically they're pursuing their own selfish interests at the expense of other people,' he said. 'They should stop it and mask up.' A female police officer had her head slammed onto the concrete floor in Frankston on Monday after approaching a woman who wasn't wearing a face mask. Victoria Police Commissioner Shane Patton told 7.30 police had been forced to smash car windows to remove people from their vehicles as they say 'the law doesn't apply to them'. Two women leave the scene after being approached by police for not wearing masks at the Shine of Remembrance in Melbourne on Tuesday 'Just this week, we've had three or four cars pull up and people refuse to state their name and address, saying they're not obliged to stop, so we then have to step through a range of processes,' Mr Patton said. 'We've had to smash windows of some cars because they deliberately did not want to comply with the Chief Health Officer's directions.' Mr Morrison said intentionally provoking law enforcement is unacceptable. 'What we don't need (are those types of incidents) we saw with that attack on a police officer just doing their job,' he said. 'People are doing their job, seeking to have these arrangements followed and complied with. It is not unreasonable to wear a mask, not unreasonable to do the most basic things around distancing.' Mr Morrison said the public must comply with police to have the best chance of stemming the spread of COVID-19 infections in Victoria. 'It is tough. That is why we are providing the scale support we are,' he said. Trump supports Global Coptic Day, stresses importance of religious freedom Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment President Donald Trump issued an official message in support of the second annual Global Coptic Day, expressing his support for the persecuted Christian denomination. In a message released Monday, Trump noted that his administration called the observance an opportunity for the world to mark the contributions, legacy, and ongoing challenges facing the largest Christian group in the Middle East. This year, as we celebrate the second annual Global Coptic Day, we recognize the vital role faith, prayer, and service have in our lives, especially as we continue to face the challenges posed by the novel coronavirus pandemic, stated Trump. We join with people of faith from every corner of the world in asking God to place his healing hand on those fighting the virus and to comfort those who are mourning the loss of a friend or a loved one. The president went on to focus on the importance of international religious freedom, saying that far too many people the world over face persecution on account of their faith. We must ensure that we are using every tool at our disposal to ensure that every man, woman, and child feels safe and secure to worship according to their conscience and beliefsno matter where they live, he continued. I hope todays observance is filled with prayer and joy, and provides those celebrating with a renewed sense of purpose and faith. May God bless each of you. The Global Coptic Day observance was founded in part by Egyptian-born Nader Anise, who launched the Coptic American Chamber of Commerce. A major goal of the observance is to spread awareness about the Coptic Church and contributions it has made to history and culture. In Coptic tradition, June 1 is the Flight of the Holy Family, referencing how Jesus, along with his parents Mary and Joseph, fled to Egypt to escape King Herod. A branch of the Orthodox Church largely based in Egypt, the Coptic Church has long experienced both state-sponsored repression and violence from Islamic extremists. In 2015, the Islamic State released a video online showing 20 Coptic Christian men and one Ghanaian Christian being decapitated on a beach in Libya for their beliefs. In February, a museum dedicated to that group of executed Christians was opened at the Church of the Martyrs of Faith and Homeland in the village of Al-Aour. For its part, in recent times the Egyptian government has granted legal status to a growing number of churches that have increased, with 70 being approved in May. Egypt was ranked number 16 on the Christian persecution watchdog group Open Doors USAs list of worst persecutors of Christians in the world. There are violent attacks that make news headlines around the world, but there are also quieter, more subtle forms of duress that burden Egyptian believers, noted the organization. Particularly in rural areas in northern Egypt, Christians have been chased from villages, and subject to mob violence and intense familial and community pressure. This is even more pronounced for Christians who are converts from Islam. The other states are Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Ohio and Virginia. Four Democratic and three Republican governors have agreed to the compact. According to a joint statement, the governors said "they are demonstrating to private manufacturers that there is significant demand to scale up the production of these tests, which deliver results in 15-20 minutes." "With the agreement, the states are in discussions with Becton Dickinson and Quidel the U.S. manufacturers of antigen tests that have already been authorized by the FDA to purchase 500,000 tests per state for a total of 3.5 million tests. The goal is "ramping up the use of rapid antigen testing to help better detect outbreaks more quickly, and expand long-term testing in congregate settings, such as schools, workplaces and nursing homes." Cooper also said Wednesday he is extending Phase Two reopening restrictions a third time, this time by five weeks to Sept. 11. There have been 129,288 cases reported statewide since the pandemic began in mid-March. DHHS reported an additional 40 COVID-19 related deaths on Tuesday, raising the overall total to 2,050. NEW HAVEN If the Board of Education decides to close a school, its members want to be sure theyre prepared this time. With schools due to reopen at the end of this month under uncertain financial circumstances because of the costs associated with operating during a pandemic, members of the school boards finance committee said they want to set an agenda. So finance committee members and central office stuff reviewed what they believe should be on the committees agenda for the year. Acknowledged during that review was that, with the school board regularly ending fiscal years in the red by six- and seven-figure dollar amounts, board members have flirted with shutting down schools. In the more than a year Ive been on the board we have discussions periodically about closing or combining schools, said committee Chairman Matt Wilcox. Weve done that, or moved schools, and in my opinion it did not move as smoothly as other peoples opinion might go on it, but I think we need to have some sense on if were going to have any financial analysis. Early in Wilcoxs tenure, the school board voted to close a magnet high school and merge three alternative high schools into one location. By the time the board voted to close Creed High School in May 2018 dozens of students had already enrolled in the school for the following year; the districts Office of Choice and Enrollment scrambled to find open seats for those students, sending classmates to different high schools. Wilcox said he also wanted to see discussions about the financial impact of school choice. Although New Haven runs a robust magnet school program that earns millions from the state Department of Education for bringing in suburbanites to voluntarily desegregate schools, the district also operates a costly, complicated transportation program. Im curious what the price tag is of our school choice, he said. He said that, if the district were to return to a neighborhood school model, he wonders what educational programming the district could do with the freed-up transportation funding. During the pandemic, the districts school meals program also began to run at a deficit. The program, which is ordinarily self-sustaining, lost revenue because of a decrease in federal reimbursements for meals served. City Budget Director Michael Gormany said the program ran at a roughly $700,000 deficit in the 2020 fiscal year, although that number is still being audited. We normally do about 15,000 meals a day from lunches, said district Chief Operating Officer Michael Pinto. Obviously with the shutdown, even with our curbside pickup and operating effectively five days a week and then three days a week with multiple days of meals, the district only distributed between 35 to 40 percent of meals we would have otherwise. The loss in revenue and the cost of paying cafeteria workers during the school shutdown led to the deficit. We will be working closely with the unions, Pinto said, adding that he and Executive Food Director Gail Cairns-Sharry were due to meet with the cafeteria workers union. We hope to have a strong partnership with the union to make it work and to be as flexible as we can going forward. Pinto did not respond to a reporters request about whether the district would seek concessions from that union. Finance committee member Larry Conaway asked whether federal coronavirus funding assistance could be applied toward the meals program. That is not in scope, said Chief Financial Officer Phil Penn, adding that the $8.5 million in federal aid received by the district could be about half of what the district might need. We hear there are indications at the federal level there may be actions to fix it, but that has not materialized yet. I think were going to have a very turbulent 2021 school year, Conaway said. brian.zahn@hearstmediact.com Lome (AFP) - A Togolese civil society coalition on Wednesday accused the government of spying on the public after it was reported that six critics of President Faure Gnassingbe, including Catholic leaders, had been victims of a hacking campaign. According to an investigation published on Monday by the French daily Le Monde and Britain's Guardian newspaper, individuals in Togo were alerted by WhatsApp last year that their mobile phones had been targeted in a spyware attack. "We are in a police state that uses and abuses espionage against its own citizens," David Dosseh, spokesman for the FCTD, an umbrella organisation of civil society groups, told AFP. Quoting from a lawsuit filed by WhatsApp against the Israeli firm NSO Group, the newspapers said 1,400 users around the world had been targeted by a sophisticated eavesdropping tool called Pegasus. According to details in the lawsuit, the technology would have potentially given access to emails, texts and images, and could also have been used for recording by remotely operating a phone's camera and microphone. In Togo, the software was reportedly used against opponents, civil society activists and Catholic clerics, including the president of the Togolese Bishops' Conference, Benoit Alowonou, who is known for his activism. Elliott Ohin, a former government minister who is in the opposition party, and Raymond Houndjo, a close associate of a leading opposition politician were also named in the report. The investigation "confirms and provides material evidence of a situation that many suspected," said Dosseh. "Many Togolese are afraid of being followed, especially spied on, when they are members of civil society or opponents," he said. Gnassingbe, who was re-elected this year for a fourth term, has led the country of eight million people since taking over in 2005 after the death of his father Gnassingbe Eyadema, who ruled with an iron fist for 38 years. Story continues The government, contacted by AFP, did not comment on the international investigation, which also found targets of the attacks included journalists in India and Morocco, political activists from Rwanda and Catalan separatist politicians in Spain. "Faure Gnassingbe's regime exceeds all the limits of political decency," Nathaniel Olympio, president of the opposition Togolese People's Party, told AFP. "Weapons intended to fight terrorism have been turned against opponents, clerics and human rights defenders," he said. While the cost of a data breach in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) and the UAE has risen by 9.4% over the past year, these incidents cost companies in the region $6.53 million per breach on average, said IBM Security in new report. This is higher than the global average of $3.86 million per breach and is the second highest average breach cost amongst the 17 regions studied, the company said in its Middle East study examining the financial impact of data breaches on organizations in the KSA and the UAE. In KSA and UAE, breaches cost companies $188 per lost or stolen record on average, which represents an increase of 8.5% from 2019. Healthcare was found to incur the highest per record cost of a data breach, followed by Financial Services and then Technology. The study found that malicious attacks were the root cause for 59% of data breaches in KSA and UAE, followed by system glitches at 24% and human error at 17%. Data breaches which originated from a malicious attack were not only the most common root cause of a breach, but also the most expensive, costing companies in KSA and UAE an average total cost per data breach of $6.86 million. IBM has been in the region for more than 70 years. Over the decades, we have been playing a vital role in shaping the region's technology landscape and accelerating the digital transformation journeys of our customers," Hossam Seif El-Din, Vice President, Enterprise & Commercial, IBM Middle East and Africa. "Cybersecurity has become overly complex. Through our deep understanding of the regions security environment and challenges, we are always ready to help equip governments and businesses with the solutions and skills to be prepared against inevitable cyber threats. With 8,000 professionals around the world, IBM today has industry's largest, dedicated security services team. Sponsored by IBM Security and conducted by the Ponemon Institute, the 2020 Cost of a Data Breach Report is based on in-depth interviews with more than 3,200 security professional in organizations that suffered a data breach over the past year. For the past six years, the Ponemon Institute has examined factors that increase or reduce the cost of a breach in KSA and UAE and has found that the speed and efficiency at which a company responds to a breach has a significant impact on the overall cost. This years report found the average time for companies in KSA and UAE to first identify a data breach after it occurs has decreased from 279 to 269 days, with an additional 100 days to contain the breach. TradeArabia News Service Rome (AFP) - Italy's defence ministry said on Wednesday it would strengthen cooperation with Libya, citing a willingness for improved relations with the war-torn country's UN-recognised government. Italian Defence Minister Lorenzo Guerini met in Tripoli on Wednesday with Fayez al-Sarraj, the head of Libya's Government of National Accord, the ministry said in a brief statement. Both countries will collaborate on reclamation and demining activities, the ministry said, while expanding cooperation in medicine and military health within the Misurata hospital, which it said would be moved to a "more functional area". The statement also cited construction of a new hospital centre in Tripoli, and a plan to train Libyan military officers and cadets. The ministry cited a "mutual willingness" to cooperate on defence "for an improvement" in relations. Libya's unity government, with Turkey's backing, is battling forces loyal to strongman Khalifa Haftar, who has support from Egypt, Russia and the United Arab Emirates. A year-long push by Haftar to seize the capital of Tripoli was repelled in June. Italy's foreign minister, Luigi Di Maio, met al-Sarraj in late June, promising that a Mediterranean naval operation to enforce an ongoing arms embargo would be effective. Italy, which is the main arrival point for migrants leaving Libya, signed an agreement with Libya in 2017 for its coast guard to block migrants before they can reach Europe. Rights groups have severely criticised the deal, as migrants are returned to overcrowded detention centres in Libya, where many are victims of abuse and even torture. The Supreme Court Wednesday said the truth behind the death of "gifted and talented artist" Sushant Singh Rajput should come out, even as the Centre informed that it has accepted the recommendation of the Bihar government to initiate a CBI inquiry in the matter. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Centre, told the apex court that the Bihar government's recommendation for CBI investigation in the case has been accepted. A bench of Justice Hrishikesh Roy directed Maharashtra, Bihar and Sushant's father KK Singh to file their replies within three days on a plea by actress Rhea Chakraborty who is seeking transfer of an FIR, accusing her of abetting the suicide of Sushant, from Patna to Mumbai. The apex court also asked Mumbai Police to place before it the status report of the probe conducted so far in Sushant's death case. The apex court also pulled up the Maharastra government over putting Bihar's IPS officer Vinay Tiwari in quarantine. Tiwari came to Mumbai from Patna to investigate Sushant's death case on Sunday but was "forcibly quarantined" by Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC). "It doesn't give the right message. He was there to do his job. You must do everything in a professional manner," the bench said. The bench also said that Sushant's death took place in "unusual" circumstances and "the truth should unravel." "A gifted and talented artist has passed away in circumstances which are unusual. This was very unfortunate. Now, the circumstances in which this death took place needs to be inquired into," the bench added. Amid an unprecedented tug of war between the police of Bihar and Maharashtra over the right to probe the death of the actor who was found dead inside his Mumbai residence on June 14, Rhea has sought transfer of FIR lodged in Patna on the ground of jurisdiction. Maharashtra has also been opposed to transferring the probe to CBI. Rhea, who had once allegedly tweeted to the Union Home Minister seeking CBI probe into the matter, on Tuesday opposed the move through her lawyer Satish Maneshinde by saying that the decision has no legal sanctity. The actress, in her interim pleas filed with the pending transfer petition, said, it is becoming increasingly evident through the widespread media reports that the captioned FIR (at Patna) was successfully filed in Patna only due to intervention of the Chief Minister of Bihar and other local politicians. The plea said that the actress has a strong prima facie case in her favour as it is submitted that the cause of action has not even remotely occurred within Patna, and there is no basis for Respondent No.1 to proceed with any kind of investigation. (With inputs from PTI) File image: Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal thanked the South Korean ambassador for his words of appreciation for the Delhi Model of COVID-19 management, said an official statement. Kejriwal said he is happy that the Delhi Model is being recognized across the globe and that all nations need to join hands to fight and defeat COVID-19. "The ambassador of South Korea Shin Bong-Kil on Tuesday praised the Delhi model of combatting the COVID pandemic. Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal thanked the South Korean ambassador for his words of appreciation," it said. In a video message, Bong-Kil said, "I am very impressed with the Delhi Model. Actually, Korean model is 3T - Test, Trace and Treat. Delhi Model is Test and Home Quarantine, and it is a very effective and wise measure which has been made in India's and particularly Delhi's situation. I am very happy and I would like to congratulate the Delhi government that they accomplished this achievement." Thanking Bong-Kil, the Delhi Chief Minister tweeted, "Happy that our Delhi Model is being recognized across the globe. I want to thank South Korean Ambassador Shin Bong-kil for his encouraging words. All nations coming together to defeat Covid is the need of the hour." Delhi has seen a sharp decline in the number of active cases in the last 24 hours, with active cases reducing to less than 10,000, said the statement. "The number of deaths reported in the last 24 hours has come down to just 12. Home isolation, maximum testing, increase in number of beds and good medical infrastructure have brought down the positivity and mortality rate in Delhi," it added. Whatever your age, and whether you are hiking to Laurel Falls, Abrams Falls (my favorite walk) or the Andrews Bald way up high, these mountains offer a kind of emotional balm this summer, especially if you rise early or go late in the evening. My 16-year-old noted early one morning, while out walking with his wheezing dad, that we were basically, in a rainforest, and he was not wrong. Unlike the mountain ranges to the north and west, the temperate climate in the Smokies means a wider variety of mammals, birds and insects and a different feeling from other hilly spots up north. Its not quite Panama or Costa Rica or Nicaragua or Colombia, all offering rainforests to which I love to return, but you cannot drive to those majestical destinations right now. Not without unnecessary risk to you, and even to those who will serve your needs. Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-05 18:45:37|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close TOKYO, Aug. 5 (Xinhua) -- Tokyo stocks closed lower Wednesday as investors opted to take profits following the Nikkei's almost four percent rise over the past two days, although hopes for the Bank of Japan's purchases of exchanged-traded funds helped trim losses amid concerns over downbeat corporate earnings. The 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average dropped 58.81 points, or 0.26 percent, from Tuesday to close the day at 22,514.85. The broader Topix index of all First Section issues on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, meanwhile, shed 0.55 point, or 0.04 percent, to finish at 1,554.71. Investors moved to secure gains following the Nikkei's retreat from a one-week high, with profit-taking propelled by a double whammy of concerns over the market possibly overheating as well as a slew of underwhelming domestic corporate earnings, brokers here said. "Investors moved to take profits as the pace of recent rises was too fast," Seiichi Suzuki, chief equity market analyst at the Tokai Tokyo Research Institute, was quoted as saying. Other fund managers highlighted concern over the pandemic's effect on Japan's corporate earnings and outlooks, which have disappointed median market expectations as compared to earnings from U.S. and European firms. "This is a retrenchment because the earnings so far have not been that good. There's a sense that Japanese companies are lagging behind American and European corporate earnings," Kiyoshi Ishigane, chief fund manager at Mitsubishi UFJ Kokusai Asset Management Co., said. Some investors, in a circumspect mood owing to uncertainties regarding fresh U.S. stimulus measures, switched out of riskier assets like stocks and into safe havens like bonds, strategists here added, although expectations for the central bank to buy ETFs to underpin the market helped trim losses in later trade, they said. By the close of play, air transportation, land transportation, and information and communication issues comprised those that declined the most. Among transportation issues losing ground, ANA Holdings dropped 1.4 percent, while East Japan Railway closed 2.4 percent lower. SoftBank Group Corp. lost 4.2 percent, after it was reported a day earlier the multinational communications conglomerate had failed to declare about 40 billion yen (378.5 million U.S. dollars) in taxable income for the fiscal year that ended March 2019. As for companies reporting lackluster earnings, Sony dropped 1.6 percent, after projecting its fiscal 2020 net profit will fall 12.4 percent from a year earlier, owing to the toll the pandemic has taken on its image sensor and movie businesses. Bucking the downward trend, Nintendo Co. Ltd. added 3.2 percent, on expectations of upbeat earnings set to be released Thursday on brisk sales of its popular games titles as people have been spending more time at home during the pandemic. Issues that fell outpaced those that rose by 1,090 to 981 on the First Section, while 102 ended the day unchanged. On the main section on Wednesday, 1.204 billion shares changed hands, dropping from Tuesday's volume of 1.403 billion shares. The turnover on the third trading day of the week came to 2.178 trillion yen (20.599 billion U.S. dollars). Enditem Hong Kong: Public alerted to GDs new rules The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government today urged members of the public to ensure that they can meet Guangdong Province's updated prevention and control measures when travelling there. It made the statement in response to the announcement made by the Guangdong Provincial Government on the adjustment of the COVID-19 nucleic acid test requirement for people entering the province from Hong Kong, which will come into effect on August 7. People who are entering Guangdong via Shenzhen Bay and Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge control points would be required to present a valid proof of a negative COVID-19 nucleic acid test result issued by one of the testing institutions recognised by the Hong Kong SAR Government. The negative test result would be valid within 24 hours from the report's issue time. The requirement does not apply to those who received prior approval by Guangdong for performing essential official and business duties and cross-boundary goods vehicle drivers. Before travelling to Guangdong, people must bring the hard copy of a valid proof of the negative test result and allow sufficient time for immigration clearance, the statement said. If these people re-enter Hong Kong after being refused entry into the Mainland, they will be subjected to compulsory quarantine for 14 days according to the Compulsory Quarantine of Certain Persons Arriving at Hong Kong Regulation (Cap 599C). Members of the public should pay extra attention to avoid such a situation, it added. This story has been published on: 2020-08-05. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. To the Times: On Aug. 1, I marched alongside the young leaders of Delco Resists in support of Black Lives Matter. Protesters of all ages and races came together to denounce racism and proclaim that all lives cant matter until Black lives matter. And from start to finish, the Black Lives Matter marchers were harassed by threatening counter-protesters spoiling for a fight. Ridley has a reputation for racial hostility, so it was courageous of the Delco Resists organizers to put together a Black Lives Matter march here. I am proud to note that so many Ridley residents defy the stereotype and I felt honored to walk with my neighbors who are committed to racial justice. I am therefore dismayed that counter-protesters correctly assumed they would be safe to shout racial slurs, intentionally choke the marchers with trucks spewing plumes of black smoke, rush the protesters right in front of the Ridley police, and break Delco Resists megaphone. These counter-protesters claimed to be supporting the Ridley police, but the police should not have accepted their support. I condemn the violent counter-protesters and request that the Ridley School Board and the township commissioners come out in support of Black Lives Matter. I want to live and raise my children in a place where Black lives not only matter but are beloved and uplifted. Lets make Ridley that place. Margaret Patton, Folsom By Van Jackson Even self-serving interpretations of history can be useful. Ambassador John Bolton's recent memoir, "The Room Where It Happened," offers something counterintuitively useful to those who wish for progress in nuclear negotiations with North Korea. As Trump's former national security adviser, Bolton confesses with self-satisfaction that he helped sabotage nuclear negotiations with North Korea at multiple points. In Bolton's mind, though, sabotage was a kind of success. He holds a peculiar set of beliefs about North Korea that depend on a selective reading of history and a feeble understanding of Seoul's neighbor to the North. These beliefs, which are widely held in Washington, help us understand how the U.S.' North Korea policy has persisted over decades despite repeated failures. Myth 1: Action for action benefits North Korea According to Bolton, "Action for action inevitably worked to benefit North Korea (or any proliferator) by front-loading economic benefits to the North but dragging out dismantling the nuclear program into the indefinite future." Bolton used this prejudice against action-for-action to justify demanding total elimination of North Korea's nuclear warheads upfront. In effect, he sought a grand bargain aimed at rapid unilateral disarmament rather than gradual nuclear rollback. But neither action-for-action nor a grand bargain is capable of realizing denuclearization directly. The crucial task is to situate a process of action-for-action only after initiating a process of rivalry reversal. Ample political science research finds that the stronger party in a rivalry must make substantial unilateral accommodations before expecting reciprocity to deliver results. This means the United States needs a strategy of rivalry termination. Without it, there is no realistic strategy of denuclearization. Myth 2: Negotiations will drive a wedge between South Korea and US In preparations for the first Trump-Kim summit, Bolton "told Trump that we needed the closest possible coordination with Moon Jae-in to avoid North Korea's engineering a split between Washington and Seoul. I wanted to preserve U.S.South Korean alignment." This is a classic worry in Washington. No rational American policymaker wants to deal with North Korea in a manner that will strain its alliances if avoidable. With a progressive president occupying the Blue House though, and a majority in the National Assembly from the same party as the President, the risk of an intra-alliance wedge arises not from negotiating with North Korea but rather from failing to. In this context, nothing could be more reassuring than the United States negotiating in good faith to reduce dangers on the Korean Peninsula. Myth 3: Ending the Korean War is a dangerous concession. At multiple points in the book, Bolton mentions that declaring an end to the Korean War would harm the U.S. interests: "I stressed my view that neither sanctions relief nor an end of the Korea War declaration should come until complete, verifiable, and irreversible denuclearization was concluded " He says he first feared this would happen during President Obama's tenure, referring to it as a "dangerous concession." He subsequently worried North Korea would manipulate Trump into such a declaration. To prevent this, Bolton plotted with Secretary of State Mike Pompeo about "what to extract from North Korea in return for an end of war communique, including perhaps a baseline declaration of their nuclear-weapons and ballistic-missile programs." Bolton said he "doubted the North would agree, or agree on any of our other ideas, but it might at least prevent a gratuitous U.S. concession ending the Korean War." It is true that ending the Korean War ends a historical rationale for U.S. troop presence in South Korea. But ending the Korean War, if done as part of a larger sequence of moves which would include forsaking the goal of denuclearization in favor of arms control and some form of sanctions relief is a step toward undoing the rivalry that makes a North Korean attack possible in the first place. Bolton uses his memoir to convince the reader, among other things, of his deeply cynical and selective view of North Korea a view that necessitates the kinds of U.S. policies that have made the Korean Peninsula less secure for decades. But amid the gossip and fear-mongering, Bolton helps the reader construct the mental map of a foreign policy hawk who actively sabotaged negotiations with North Korea. Now that we have the map to his mind, we stand a better chance of reverse engineering the ongoing failures that resulted from it. Van Jackson, Ph.D., is a professor of international relations at Victoria University of Wellington, a senior fellow at the Asia-Pacific Leadership Network for Nuclear Non-Proliferation and Disarmament, and an adjunct senior fellow at the Center for a New American Security. The mortgages were purportedly originated by Montage Mortgage, and supposedly closed by Snowberry another company owned by Leslie which earned fees for the closing. The loans were then sold to the bank until Montage identified a final investor. In the case of the 144 fraudulent loans, that final investor was Mortgage Capital Management (MCM) yet another Leslie-owned entity. Leslie never disclosed to the bank that MCM and Snowberry were his companies, and that the loans, even if legitimate, wouldnt have been arms-length transactions. But that wasnt the only problem with those loans. The 144 residential mortgage loans sold to the victim bank were not, in fact, real loans, the Justice Department said. The borrowers listed on the phony loans were real people but they had no idea that their identities were being used as part of an elaborate scam, federal authorities said. They had either used Montage Mortgage for legitimate real estate transactions, or had been solicited by Montage about refinancing their existing loans. In the case of refinance transactions, Montage got permission from the borrowers to request credit scores and histories from the major credit-reporting agencies. After receiving that information, Montage often told the prospective borrowers that they didnt qualify got a refi. Varied initiatives tabled by the UN and European countries on Libya have failed. Now is the time for Libyas neighbours to coordinate and propose a new way forward Libya is facing a state of military escalation, mainly between neighbouring countries of the Mediterranean basin, and specifically when it comes to natural gas resources in the Mediterranean. Several political initiatives were tabled in order to stop the escalating conflict in Libya and to preserve the strategic interests of many countries in the region, starting with the efforts made by UN Envoy Bernardino Leon in December 2015 with the signing of the Skhirat Agreement in Morocco, regardless of the manner by which consensus was reached in this process. The agreement gained international legitimacy and became a sort of background for political developments in Libya, specifically in that it introduced a new entity to the scene, which is the Presidential Council and the Government of National Accord (GNA). When Leons mission ended, Martin Kobler took over the position, and the strategy of Kobler was facilitating. Kobler believed that the UNs role was to facilitate or make happen the decisions of various Libyan parties. At that time, the main struggle was the conflict between the GNA and the House of Representatives in the east to approve the accord government designed by Fayez Al-Sarraj, head of the Presidential Council according to the Skhirat Agreement. As Koblers efforts kept failing due to the escalation in military confrontations between the parties, Kobler was relieved of his position and Ghassan Salame succeeded him. The Lebanese diplomat developed a roadmap for a political settlement in Libya only 10 days after filling the position of UN envoy. Salame introduced a timeframe for a process of political settlement in Libya, one that included drafting a new constitution, parliamentary elections, and eventual presidential elections. Salames premature roadmap did not succeed within the Libyan interior, and the UN started to lose credibility among the warring parties in Libya. After Salames failure to activate the process of political settlement via the UN, countries with interests in the Libyan file started to present their own political initiatives for settling the political conflict in Libya. We saw conferences between the parties in Libya in Cairo, Abu Dhabi, Paris, Palermo and Berlin. But the problem resides with the fact that all those initiatives were ineffective on a practical level, specifically after Turkish intervention in the Libyan scene. Egypts President Abdel-Fattah Al-Sisi re-emphasised the necessity of a political process in Libya a couple of months ago, through the Cairo Declaration. But the western part of Libya, empowered by Turkey, did not respond positively to the Egyptian initiative, although it was backed and supported by countries concerned with the Libyan file. It is the pattern of Turkish foreign policy to give scant consideration to international opinion and legal protocols. Ankara only responds to international pressure. After the recurrent failures of international initiatives on a political settlement in Libya, it seems logical to ask whether Libya is in need of a new design for a political settlement that matches the daily political and military escalation. It appears today that new givens have materialised within the Libyan scene, and these new givens will have to be considered in any future political initiatives. It is almost impossible due to the current situation to ignore the political and diplomatic role of Turkey within any new negotiations regarding a political settlement in Libya. Through military intervention and political agreements with the GNA, Turkey has imposed itself as an actor with the Libyan file. Therefore, any political initiative concerned with Libya will have to include Turkey, by force of the on-the-ground situation, a situation Al-Sarraj allowed to emerge. International concern over natural gas resources in the southeast Mediterranean have made new countries to appear as actors within the Libyan scene. Egypt, Greece, Cyprus and Italy do not accept Turkish intervention in the search for natural resources within the southeast Mediterranean. International organisations like the Arab League, the African Union and the United Nations tried to reactivate a political settlement within the Libyan interior. But throughout the varied initiatives from the international community concerning Libya, the mechanism that proved most effective was that forged by neighbouring countries Egypt, Tunisia and Algeria because they are the parties that maintain communication with all the conflicting parties in Libya. It is now the duty of the Egyptian state to underline the international legitimacy of coordination between neighbouring countries, and to stand as an advocate before the international community to argue for the significance of the neighbouring countries mechanism. It appears that neither Egypt nor Turkey want to engage in direct conflict. Hence, thinking about new modalities of a political settlement in Libya has become necessary at the current pivotal moment. 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 6 August, 2020 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly Search Keywords: Short link: Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-05 10:26:52|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close BEIRUT, Aug. 4 (Xinhua) -- Two huge explosions rocked Lebanese capital Beirut on Tuesday, leaving at least 73 people dead and 3,000 others injured. The blasts hit the Port of Beirut at around 6:10 p.m. local time (1610 GMT), shaking buildings all over the city while causing massive casualties and damage. The causes of the blasts remain unknown, but Lebanese Interior Minister Mohammad Fahmi said the explosive chemicals stored at Port of Beirut may have led to the explosions. "Customs' authorities must be asked about the reasons behind storing such chemical materials at Port of Beirut," Fahmi said. Following the explosions, Lebanese Prime Minister Hassan Diab immediately declared Wednesday a national mourning day for the victims of the explosions. Meanwhile, Diab appealed for friendly countries to help Lebanon overcome the repercussions of the disastrous explosions. Lebanese President Michel Aoun also called an emergency meeting of the Higher Defense Council, which later on Tuesday declared Beirut as an afflicted city while urging the Lebanese cabinet to announce a state of emergency in the city for two weeks. The council also urged the cabinet to allocate funds for hospitals to help them treat the injured, and to contact all friendly countries to seek support and set up a fund to provide compensations for those affected by the disaster. It recommended hosting the families, whose houses were destroyed, in schools, while importing glass and controlling the prices of all materials needed to fix the damaged houses. During the meeting, Diab insisted that those responsible for the disaster must be punished, noting that it is unacceptable to store 2,700 tons of ammonium nitrate, the explosive chemicals, which have put people's lives at great risk. Many countries in the region have expressed solidarity and sympathy with Lebanon over the explosions that have dealt a further blow to the country already plagued by the COVID-19 pandemic and an economic crisis. Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said on Tuesday via his official Twitter account that Iran is ready to offer help to Lebanon. "Our thoughts and prayers are with the great and resilient people of Lebanon," Zarif tweeted. "As always, Iran is fully prepared to render assistance in any way necessary." "Stay strong, Lebanon," he added. Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman Abbas Mousavi also expressed sympathy with the Lebanese government and nation over the incident, while announcing Iran's readiness for providing help to the Arab country. Iran is following the news on the incident with "deep grief" and "expresses solidarity with the Lebanese nation and government at this difficult time," Mousavi said in a statement. The Turkish Foreign Ministry on Tuesday expressed sorrow over the massive casualties and damage caused by the huge explosions, during which two Turkish citizens were slightly injured. "We wish God's mercy on those who lost their lives in this incident, urgent healing to those who were injured, and condolences to the Lebanese people, friends and brothers," the ministry said in a written statement. Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi extended his condolences to Lebanon over the deadly explosions, and wished those injured in the blasts a speedy recovery. "My sincere condolences and sympathy go to the government and people of Lebanon, over the tragic explosions that happened today in the Lebanese capital Beirut," Sisi wrote on his official Facebook page. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said on Tuesday that his country is ready to provide any support it could to Lebanon to help it recover from the tragedy, while sending his condolences to the families of the victims. Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammed Ishtaye said in a press statement that Palestine is "ready to put all its capabilities" for the service of Lebanon and provide any needed assistance immediately. Member of the Palestine Liberation Organization's Executive Committee Hanan Ashrawi also expressed sorrow over the "devastating tragedy" and her wishes for Beirut to overcome the calamity. In the Gaza Strip, Ismail Haniyeh, head of the Islamic Hamas movement, phoned President Aoun to express his support for Lebanon amidst the grave situation. Enditem by Wang Zhicheng Zhang Yuhuan, a 52-year-old carpenter, was found guilty of murder after he confessed under torture. After more than 600 petitions from prison, a court acknowledged that there was insufficient evidence to convict him. Beijing (AsiaNews) Zhang Yuhuan, 52, has been a free man since yesterday. In 1993 a court convicted him of murdering two children. He spent 27 years in prison for a crime he did not commit. Yesterday, a Jiangxi court apologised for the mistake. Zhang, who was a carpenter in Jinxiang (Nanchang County, Jiangxi), was charged with killing two children found dead in a reservoir near his home. He was immediately suspected, tried, and sentenced to death in 1995 for their murder after he "confessed". However, he always maintained his innocence, claiming that he had confessed to the "crime" under torture. After years of appeals, writing at least 600 petitions from prison, the Jiangxi High Court reopened the case last year. Prosecutors acknowledged that Zhang's "confession was extorted by force, and that there was insufficient evidence to convict him. Now Zhang plans to apply for compensation for what he had to endure, but he told Caixin, after so many years in prison, he feels "like a fool ... completely out of touch with society." In reporting the news, a national TV broadcaster quoted Chinese President Xi Jinping, who once said: Correcting mistakes is never too late. New Delhi: Hitting back at BJP for its claim that army presence at toll plazas in West Bengal was routine exercise conducted in full knowledge of local authorities, TMC leader Derek OBrien on Friday asked the Centre to show the document which proves that the state had invited or given permission for it. Kolkata Police had in fact written a letter stating that Army should not be sent to the state, OBrien said, adding that he would place that letter before Parliament on Monday. The central government should show us a single letter which proves that the West Bengal government had invited army to the state. There is no such letter.There is only one letter written by Kolkata Police Additional Commissioner...I will table that letter on Monday morning (in Parliament)...it says that the army should not be sent there. Show us a letter or document which says the army was given permission, he said outside Parliament. Also read | Soldiers at WB toll booths: Mamata leaves secretariat, vows to take up legal battle OBrien claimed he had also spoken to some of the former chief ministers to know if state governments permission was required for army deployment in a state. They all said, yes. Without the permission of the state, the army cannot go in. Where is the letter? I challenge...show us the letter, he said. Earlier, the row over Army taking over road toll plazas in West Bengal echoed in Parliament with TMC seeing sinister designs behind the move and the government vehemently denying the charge, saying it was a routine exercise conducted in full knowledge of the local authorities. BJP claimed that Armys presence at toll plazas was an annual exercise which was projected in a wrong way and charged Banerjee with stalling Parliament proceedings by such diversionary tactics. Banerjee, on Thursday, decided to stay at the state secretariat Nabanna for the night, even after the force was removed from a toll plaza near it as per her demand. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. The International WELL Building Institute (IWBI) today announced that global real estate leaders JLL and Lendlease are the first companies to earn WELL Portfolio Scores for achieving the initial benchmarks toward certification of their portfolio of assets participating in the program. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200804005923/en/ JLL WELL Portfolio report (Photo: Business Wire) JLL and Lendlease are the first commercial tenant occupier and first commercial owner, respectively, to receive their WELL Portfolio Scores, underscoring the commitment of both companies to ensure the health and well-being of those who occupy their suite of offices and buildings across their portfolios. The dual achievement marks a major milestone for these perennial early adopters and also for the WELL Portfolio program, which was introduced in 2018 and enables organizations to enhance their spaces and improve human well-being by applying the WELL Building Standard (WELL), the worlds leading health-focused building standard, at scale. WELL Portfolio is a mechanism that can guide organizations on a journey to implement, assess and celebrate proven wellness strategies and performance at scale, enabling participants to impact the well-being of many while improving their competitive advantage. And that is exactly what we see with the portfolios of these incredible market leaders, said Rick Fedrizzi, IWBI Chairman and CEO. JLL and Lendlease have long been leaders in adoption of cutting-edge real estate strategies that advance the health of their businesses by supporting the health and productivity of their people and the improved performance of their buildings. We are proud to celebrate this latest achievement with them. The WELL Portfolio program was launched to help owners, developers and tenants streamline and scale the health and wellness strategies found in WELL across multiple assets in their real estate portfolios and throughout their organizations. The score is a metric that accrues over a period of time, as health-focused WELL features are achieved across all projects within the portfolio. It may serve as a metric for recording incremental progress, advancing environmental, social and governance (ESG) goals, and measuring portfolio-wide health and well-being achievements against other peers participating in the WELL Portfolio program. Companies can benefit from more efficient pathways to implement WELLs design, operations and policy-based strategies across multiple properties, with the option to pursue WELL Precertification, WELL Certification, and/or the newly launched WELL Health-Safety Rating for Facility Operations and Management for individual properties within their portfolios. The program offers flexibility to meet portfolio-wide needs and provides solutions for a variety of new and existing projects and space types. Fedrizzi noted that through the WELL Portfolio Score, WELL Portfolio participants can celebrate ongoing milestones during their WELL journey, with WELL Certification as the ultimate achievement. Fedrizzi added that WELL Portfolio participants benefit from customized tools and high-touch support, including a reporting dashboard that can help companies measure progress and improve outcomes over time enabling the greatest possible impact on an entire portfolios value and, more importantly, the well-being of the people who work, live and learn in the individual spaces. JLLs portfolio encompasses 194 properties across Asia Pacific and North America, three of which are already WELL Certified and two that are WELL Precertified. Altogether, the wellness strategies incorporated by JLL into the fabric of the buildings within their portfolio as well as their operations and policies impact more than 23,000 people across 18 countries. The well-being being of our people and our clients is of utmost importance to JLL. We have long been supportive of WELL as the industry benchmark for health standards in buildings. Thats why we undertook this project to enroll our portfolio last year and are extremely proud to be the first, along with our client Lendlease, to achieve the WELL Portfolio Score, says Matthew Clifford, Global Product Owner, Energy and Sustainability Services, JLL. More than ever, we need to ensure that our buildings and workplaces support the physical, psychological and social health of those who occupy them. Our WELL Portfolio Score is a further step in our commitment to improving our work environment and amenities for all our employees so they can experience a greater sense of happiness and wellness at work. The Fortune 500 professional services firm, as well as Lendleases AU$13 billion office platform in Australia, are leveraging the features embedded within WELL to support tenant customers and staff to prepare their spaces for re-entry after the COVID-19 pandemic, and to ensure that all assets both new and existing benefit from the health-promoting strategies of WELL. From the outset, JLL and Lendlease have inherently understood the value of delivering better buildings that help people thrive and organizations succeed, said IWBI President Rachel Gutter. Through WELL Portfolio, these two market leaders are setting the tone for what it means to instill a culture of health that is embedded not only within the building itself, but throughout an organizations operational and policy protocols. We believe their bold and early steps will help raise the importance and accelerate the integration of human health and well-being in buildings and workplaces worldwide. Lendleases commercial WELL Portfolio rating comprises three Australian funds with 14 assets totaling 569,216 square meters (6.1 million square feet): Australian Prime Property Fund Commercial, Lendlease One Internation Towers Sydney Trust (Tower One at Barangaroo) and Lendlease International Sydney Trust (Towers Two and Three and International House at Barangaroo). Through its WELL Certification efforts, Lendlease has sought to attract and retain top investors and tenants by transforming the built environment into solid investment opportunities. Three of its WELL Portfolio properties have already achieved WELL Certified Platinum, the remaining 11 are WELL Precertified, and together these projects impact nearly 60,000 people. Lendlease has always held a belief that highly sustainable assets deliver superior health and wellness benefits for both the environment and our tenant customers. These assets are also being sought out by investors as a way of creating both environmental and social value, alongside long-term risk adjusted financial returns, said Kylie Rampa, CEO of Property at Lendlease. WELL provides an important global benchmark for health in buildings that supports positive change in the industry. Our world first office portfolio rating is a significant milestone as we continue to transform the built environment to offer healthier workplaces for tenant customers by delivering improved indoor environments with a focus on air, natural light, active movement and stringent cleaning practices in an effort to ensure a safe return to work post COVID19. JLL and Lendlease are long-time strategic partners with each other and with IWBI, and share a vision for spaces that can positively impact peoples health and deliver strong investment outcomes. Lendlease has engaged JLL for the property management of its commercial portfolio and the JLL Energy & Sustainability Services team serves as the WELL consulting team supporting both sets of portfolios. To learn more about the WELL Portfolio program, visit www.wellcertified.com/portfolio. About the International WELL Building Institute The International WELL Building Institute (IWBI) is leading the global movement to transform our buildings, communities and organizations in ways that help people thrive. WELL v2 is the most recent version of its popular WELL Building Standard (WELL), and the WELL Community Standard pilot is a district scale rating system that sets a new global benchmark for healthy communities. WELL is focused exclusively on the ways that buildings and communities, and everything in them, can improve our comfort, drive better choices, and generally enhance, not compromise, our health and wellness. IWBI mobilizes the wellness community through management of the WELL AP credential, the pursuit of applicable research, the development of educational resources, and advocacy for policies that promote health and wellness everywhere. IWBI is a participant of the United Nations Global Compact, the worlds largest corporate citizenship initiative, and helps companies advance the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through the use of WELL. More information on WELL can be found here. International WELL Building Institute, IWBI, the WELL Building Standard, WELL v2, WELL Certified, WELL AP, WELL Portfolio, WELL Portfolio Score, The WELL Conference, We Are WELL, the WELL Community Standard, WELL Health-Safety Rating, WELL Health-Safety Rated, WELL Workforce, WELL and others, and their related logos are trademarks or certification marks of International WELL Building Institute pbc in the United States and other countries. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200804005923/en/ Giving pigeons in the park bread could be making them more aggressive, according to a new study that found heavier birds were the most dominant. A team from the University of London examined dominance in pigeon society and looked at which had better access to resources such as food and mates. They found that heavy birds dominated in pigeon groups and if a light bird was 'fattened up' it would be quickly climb the ranks and become dominant. 'Its possible the added mass made them feel in better physiological condition, and more willing, therefore, to pick a fight,' according to the research team. Giving pigeons in the park bread could be making them more aggressive, according to a new study that found heavier birds were the most dominant Many animals live and travel in groups, giving them enhanced vigilance and predator detection - but individual personality characteristics can lead to conflict. This leads to some individuals within a group coming out as dominance and this has been seen throughout the animal kingdom, the team explained. There are benefits to this 'dominance hierarchy' within a group - the team say it reduced the severity and incidence of physical conflicts with other groups. By reducing the time devoted to these encounters, time can be invested in other important behaviours such as maintenance, vigilance and foraging. Previous studies have linked linear hierarchies - that is an order of dominance - to parameters such as body mass and size. The order is stable or unstable and varies over time and the researchers from London found that in pigeons size really does matter. The bigger the bird the more aggressive they are likely to be and the most aggressive birds tend to become the most dominant within a group. To determine this was the case the team studied 17 homing pigeons held at the Royal Veterinary College in Hatfield, Hertfordshire - eight males and nine females. They were all six years old and had been held since they were a year old - they were given regular access to food and awater and no other birds were added to the group. Birds were studied at three points in their annual cycle over three years and after 19 months the nine birds at the bottom of the pecking order were made heavier. The team added artificial weights to the backs of the birds - who were used to having artificial objects applied to their bodies. Before the extra weights were added the dominance hierarchy among the birds was stable, but this changed dramatically at the next measuring session. Those with 'extra mass' became noticeably more dominant and became more aggressive - increasing their rank in the group. It was the male birds that became the most aggressive when they 'got bigger' with one becoming up to 750 per cent more aggressive, according to researchers. The experiment actually led to an overall increase in the aggressiveness of the flock and in the number of aggressive encounters. They found that heavy birds dominated in pigeon groups and if a light bird was 'fattened up' it would be quickly climb the ranks and become dominant When the 'extra weights' were removed from the birds the original hierarchy - from before the experiment - returned and the previously weighted birds stepped back into line - suggesting no carry-over or memory of the effects. 'There is no clear pattern yet determined as to why body mass is such a strong determinant of dominance in some species but not others,' the authors explained. 'It is possible that body mass is a significantly correlated with dominance in species where secondary-sexual ornamentations are less pronounced, and as a result, signalling is less clear. 'In such cases, body mass may become more of an important indicator of fitness.' The study shows that aggressive traits can be modified and increased by 'feeding up' birds - so pigeons who compete for breadcrumbs in cities could be more aggressive as a result of humans leaving food out for them. The findings have been published in the journal Biology Letters. Niagara Regional Police locked down a Welland neighbourhood east of First Avenue Wednesday afternoon as crisis negotiators worked to resolve a situation in the area. The situation was resolved in the early evening, but police issued little information. Emergency task unit (ETU) members and a canine unit responded to the area of Brant and Trent avenues sometime in the afternoon, and uniformed officers shut down Trent from Green Pointe Drive to just west of Brant Avenue. Brant Avenue, which winds its way from Trent to First Avenue, was closed as well. In a tweet at 3:09 p.m., police said there were no public safety issues but asked people to stay out of the area. Niagaras armoured-rescue vehicle was in the driveway of a home on the east side of Brant Avenue with ETU members behind it and other police vehicles in the area. One ETU member was in the hatch of the armoured-rescue vehicle. Police had a command post set up in the parking lot of Wesley United Church, at the corner of Brant and First avenues. Niagara Emergency Medical Services and Welland Fire and Emergency Services also staged in the parking lot with police in case their services were needed. Left-wing candidates are racking up victories in Democratic primaries, presenting both an opportunity and challenge to presumed presidential nominee Joe Biden as he seeks to run as a moderate alternative to President Donald Trump. The latest example of the liberal surge came this week in a primary race in Missouri, where Cori Bush, a 44-year-old Black Lives Matter activist, defeated Rep. William Lacy Clay Jr., 64, the heir to a St. Louis political dynasty, for a reliably Democratic House seat. Bush is the fifth left-wing Democrat to oust an incumbent member of Congress from her party since the start of Trump's presidency - including three this year - and her victory came as a welcome jolt for liberal activists working to challenge entrenched Democrats. A constellation of liberal organizations that helped push Bush to victory are now turning their focus on defeating other establishment figures, such as Rep. Richard Neal, D-Mass., the powerful chair of the House Ways and Means Committee. In another race in Michigan on Tuesday, Rep. Rashida Tlaib easily fended off a primary challenger for her Detroit House seat - virtually ensuring her return to Congress as a member of the self-described "Squad" of younger minority female House Democrats seeking to push the party's policies to the left. "They counted us out," Bush told supporters Tuesday night at her St. Louis campaign office. "They called me - I'm just the protester, I'm just the activist with no name, no title and no real money. That's all they said that I was. But St. Louis showed up today." The insurgents and establishment figures disagree over the impact of these races, some dismissing the anti-establishment wins as unique to each campaign. But both sides agree that this movement feeds off victories, boosting fundraising for a slew of relatively new liberal PACs, and that losses would have starved them of political oxygen. Veteran Democrats see this as the natural outgrowth of a wave of protests that started the day after Trump was sworn into office. "This is all a reaction to Donald Trump. Some took to the streets, others took to the campaign trail," said Steve Israel, a former Democratic congressman from Long Island who remains close with his former colleagues. [Congress deeply unpopular again as gridlock on coronavirus relief has real-life consequences] Along with victories in other open-seat primaries earlier this year, liberals will have a larger presence inside the House Democratic Caucus next year. This could give them a broader platform to push the potential Biden administration and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., to embrace their more aggressive agenda on health care and climate issues. But Pelosi's allies noted that she has had a stronger grip on her caucus in her second stint as speaker than she did a decade ago, and she has so far not faced the problems that drove John Boehner, R-Ohio, out as speaker in 2015 when conservative firebrands demanded his ouster. Bush's victory was several years in the making, starting in April 2017 when she became the first recruit announced by Justice Democrats, an organization built by veterans of the 2016 presidential campaign of Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt. Each candidate embraced the key planks of Sanders's platform - Medicare-for-all, criminal justice and immigration reform, as well as opposition to corporate PAC money. Each was also a serious underdog. In the summer of 2018, Hispanic Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., and Black Rep. Ayanna Pressley, D-Mass., defeated a pair of White incumbents with more than 40 years combined tenure in districts that had quickly diversified. Reps. Dan Lipinski, D-Ill., and Eliot Engel, D-N.Y., lost to insurgent primary challengers in March and July, respectively, but Bush's win this week served as a breakthrough for a movement that previously lost badly when it challenged members of the Congressional Black Caucus. Clay Jr.'s grandfather had served as a St. Louis alderman and his father, William "Bill" Clay, served 32 years in the same congressional seat, co-founding the CBC, before turning over the seat to his son in 2001. "Cori Bush took down a [political] dynasty on her 2nd try," tweeted Kayla Reed, the executive director of Action St. Louis, a group that grew out of the Ferguson protests in 2014. "She ended a 50 year stronghold. Do you understand what that means? The entire Black [political] establishment came" after her, Reed said. "And she put them in the ground." House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, D-Md., who has brushed aside similar primary challenges on his left, chalked up Bush's victory to unique circumstances surrounding her own campaign. "I don't think there's any big message," Hoyer said Wednesday on NPR. Some establishment Democrats see similarities to the far-right tea party activists who helped sweep Republicans to the House majority in 2010 and then demanded their GOP leaders just fight harder even when all leverage was lost. Israel pointed to the Neal primary challenge as a similar dynamic, in which his critics have said he did not do enough to force Trump to release his personal tax returns, despite taking the matter all the way to the Supreme Court. "People said he should've done more. There was no more he could do," said Israel, who served four years as Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee chair and retired at the end of 2016. Neal is facing off against Holyoke Mayor Alex Morse on Sept. 1 in the Democratic primary, with Morse running hard to Neal's left in another safe seat for Democrats. The liberal group Fight Corporate Monopolies, a new PAC formed after the end of the Sanders presidential campaign this year, has funded at least $300,000 in ads going after Neal for a history of financial support from corporate PACs. Unlike those other anti-establishment victories, the western Massachusetts district is almost 90 percent White and includes some of the state's most liberal enclaves. Neal, who had more than $4.2 million on hand for the final two months of the race, is running heavily on his work helping draft portions of the Cares Act, the more than $2 trillion rescue package approved early in the coronavirus pandemic. [With demand for new coronavirus relief bill, Meadows assumes unfamiliar role: Dealmaker] In Minnesota, which votes next week, Democratic Rep. Ilhan Omar has been outspent by Antone Melton-Meaux, an attorney who is backed by the same PAC that supported Engel and has raised millions of dollars off the congresswoman's notoriety and criticism of the nation of Israel. Tlaib and Omar forged their "Squad" alliance with Ocasio-Cortez and Pressley early last year. Despite some initial clashes with Pelosi, the quartet has gotten along well recently with the speaker, who endorsed Tlaib and Omar in their primaries. A defeat for Omar, who is backed by the state's Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party, would cut against the trend of liberal wins this year. Criminal justice reform advocates won county prosecutor races across the map on Tuesday, including in St. Louis, where Kim Gardner won a second term. Israel said he receives requests from his former colleagues about how to handle these anti-establishment challengers. "I tell them just keep staying local," he said, telling the incumbents to get home to their districts and avoid national cable news. "Resist the temptation to go national, or else you're going to be a former member of Congress." On paper, Bush was the sort of candidate politicly ignored by party committees. After becoming deeply involved in the 2014 protests that followed the police killing of Michael Brown in the St. Louis suburb of Ferguson, Bush made a quixotic 2016 run for U.S. Senate, raising less than $7,000 and winning just 13 percent of the vote in that year's Democratic primary. Clay did not engage as fully in the race as some other challenged incumbents. According to Federal Election Commission reports, he had spent less than $550,000 on the race by mid-July, holding on to hundreds of thousands of dollars despite the lack of real Republican competition in November. Bush tripled her fundraising and spending from the last cycle, beating Clay to the airwaves with an ad that asked why she was in the streets fighting for racial justice and he wasn't. Sanders himself endorsed Bush, who traveled the country as a surrogate for his 2020 campaign, and used his own social media platform to host a rally for her. Sanders also tapped his donor list, raising $107,000 for Bush. At a Wednesday news conference, Bush said her priorities included a year-long, retroactive, $2,000 payment to all Americans "for covid-19 relief" and a reallocation of money being spent on private prisons toward public schools. "It's really a story of starting all the way from the bottom and coming out on top," said Waleed Shahid, a spokesman for Justice Democrats. "First, Black Lives Matter is just way more popular than when it started. Secondly, we've been working to create an ecosystem of support for all of our candidates, including paid media to get the message out about the race." A new study which provides a global estimate of rock cover on the Earth's glaciers has revealed that the expanse of rock debris on glaciers, a factor that has been ignored in models of glacier melt and sea level rise, could be significant. The Northumbria University study, which has been published in Nature Geoscience this week, is the first to manually verify the rock debris cover on every one of the Earth's glaciers. As glaciers shrink, their surrounding mountain slopes become exposed and eroded rock debris slides down and accumulates on glacier surfaces. This debris forms a protective layer that can be many metres thick, reducing the rate at which the ice below melts. Although the effects of this protective cover are known, it has never been carefully mapped until now, and so has not been included in global glacier models. As well as revealing where rock debris is located on Earth's glaciers, the researchers also found and corrected key errors within the Randolph Glacier Inventory a global inventory of glacier outlines on which hundreds of studies are based. Using Landsat imagery, the research team from Northumbria University's Department of Geography and Environmental Sciences and the Swiss Federal Research Institute WSL spent three years painstakingly examining and manually verifying more than 923,000 square kilometres of glacier worldwide. The exercise allowed them to analyse the debris cover on a global-, regional-, as well as individual glacier-scale and created the world's first baseline dataset of glaciers in their current state. They found more than 29,000 square kilometres of the world's mountain glacier area is covered in rock debris an area equivalent to almost 500 Manhattan Islands. Lead researcher Sam Herreid undertook the study for his PhD at Northumbria University and is now believed to be the only person who has examined every glacier on Earth, manually correcting the Randolph Glacier Inventory and bringing a level of consistency that has never before been present in a global glacier dataset. He explained: The structure of the debris cover of each glacier is unique and sensitive to climate, but until now, global glacier models have omitted debris cover from their forecasts of how glaciers respond to a changing climate. We now know that debris cover is present on almost half of Earth's glaciers, with 7.3% of the world's total mountain glacier area being debris covered. When we consider that much of this debris cover is located at the terminus, or toe, of a glacier where melt would usually be at its highest, this percentage becomes particularly important with respect to predicting future water resources and sea level rise. The study also uncovered errors within the Randolph Glacier Inventory, finding an error rate of 3.3%. One of their findings revealed that 10,000 square kilometres of mapped glacier area was not actually glacier, but rather bedrock or vegetated ground that was either incorrectly mapped previously or glacier area that has since melted away. This, combined with the melt reduction from debris insulating the ice below, means that all past global glacier models based on the Inventory are likely to have overestimated the true volume of glacier melt, run off and subsequent contribution to global sea level rise. They described the 10.6% of glacier area that requires an updated approach to estimating melt as an alarmingly high number and said that their work provides a key dataset for revising, and likely lowering, the glacier contribution to sea level rise. The team also devised a way to analyse how the world's debris-covered glaciers will evolve over the coming centuries. By comparing the many states of glaciers present on Earth today, from those considered to be 'young' and icy in Greenland, to 'old' and rock covered in the Himalaya, they were able to piece together a conceptual timeline which they believe outlines how a glacier might evolve in the future. Their timeline reveals that many glaciers are at the older end of the spectrum and can therefore be considered to be on the decline. Co-author Francesca Pellicciotti of the Swiss Federal Research Institute WSL and an Associate Professor at Northumbria University, explained: The upper levels of the glaciers are constantly accumulating snow and will always be debris free, so we looked only at the lower levels of glaciers which is where rock debris can accumulate. Ice melts and flows away as water, but the rocks do not, and accumulate at the surface. Changes in the rate of mountain erosion as well as glacier changes in a warming climate will affect the size and shape of the rock layer at the surface of a glacier at any one time. Although we can't say exactly what year a glacier will evolve to a certain state, say, a state where it is almost entirely covered in rocks, we were able to place each glacier on a conceptual timeline and learn roughly how far along this line each glacier is to becoming almost entirely covered in rocks. She added: We found that the bulk of glaciers that have a debris cover today are beyond a peak debris cover formation state and are trending closer to the old Himalayan glaciers that might not be around for much longer. From a climate change perspective this is one more indication of the toll a warming climate is having on Earth's glaciers. However, we now have a benchmark measurement of debris cover for all of Earth's glaciers and new tools to monitor and predict the rate of changes couple to a warming climate. ### Northumbria University is renowned for being one of the leading centres in Europe for research into cold and palaeo environments. In recent years the University has been granted major research funding to investigate and model changes to Antarctica's major glaciers. It is the only UK university to be involved in two investigations in the 20 million UK-US International Thwaites Glacier Collaboration. The study The state of rock debris covering Earth's glaciers is now available in Nature Geoscience. Oyo OYO will reinstate salaries in a phased manner, CEO Rohit Kapoor and Chief Human Resources Officer Dinesh Ramamurthi reportedly told staff during a company town hall on August 4. Salaries of employees with fixed compensation up to Rs 8 lakh will be the first reinstated from this month itself, a source told Mint. As per OYO, 60 percent of the hospitality startups India and South Asia based workforce earn within that bracket. Those earning above Rs 8 lakh will see their 25 percent pay cuts restored by 12.5 percent from October and fully by December 2020, the source added. Moneycontrol could not independently verify the report. OYO Founder Ritesh Agarwal had on April 8 announced pay cuts and forced leaves for staff globally due to business impact from coronavirus. By April-end, several India employees suffered 25 percent pay cut, which Agarwal said would be in place for four months starting May. Agarwal himself took a 100 percent pay cut. 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 OYO did not confirm the number of employees benched, but during the town hall, Kapoor said there would be clarity on the same in the last week of August, the report added. By Ayushi Malik, TwoCircles.net Jammu: A year after Government of India abrogated Article 370 and touted it as a step towards full integration of the erstwhile state of Jammu & Kashmir with India, Hindu-majority Jammu, which had earlier welcomed the decision, has started questioning the rationale behind the controversial move. Support TwoCircles August 5, 2020, marks the first anniversary of abrogation of Article 370, the stripping the former state of its special status and bifurcating it into two union territories J&K and Ladakh. People in the Hindu majority Jammu region, who had earlier welcomed the abrogation of Article 370, have started to voice their concerns over the new Domicile law passed by the government of India in April, which opens provisions of residency and employment for the people from outside the UT. The controversial move on August 5 last year was followed by mass arrests, protests, complete communication blockade in the Valley, while the move was celebrated on the streets of Jammu despite internet shutdown. A year later, people in Jammu have started expressing concerns over the motives of BJP governments move with no new job opportunities created and the continued internet blockade amid the pandemic. On July 24, an English language newspaper Early Times reported that, Angry Jammuites not ready to join BJP in celebrating abrogation of Art 370, 35-A. The report claimed that Jammuites are expressing their anger on social media over the incompetence of the administration. Vikramjeet Manhas, a resident of Jammu told the Two Circles that he regrets voting for BJP. In hopes of ending the discrimination with the Jammu, I had voted for BJP thinking they would work towards development and employment as promised. But with the new Domicile order, the youth will lose both jobs and education seats to the outsiders. The order redefining the domiciles of Jammu and Kashmir was issued in April 2020. Under the law, anyone who has resided for 15 years in the newly formed UT of J&K or has studied for seven years and has appeared in 10th or 12th board exams from an educational institution of the erstwhile state will now be considered as domiciles Why should we (youth in Jammu) suffer at the hands of Kashmir? Manhas said on the continued internet restrictions in the region. After seeing the SR0 202, J&K Bank jobs scam, no new job opportunities, installation of toll plazas and the new domicile law, because of which we will lose jobs and educational seats, I regret voting for BJP, he adds. Rise in atrocities against Dalits Speaking on the increased attacks on Dalits over land disputes, Satish Vidrohi, President Ambedkar Yuva Sangathan, talks about the recent killing of a 26-year-old man Rahul Bhagat in Dandyal village of Jammus Udhampur district. According to reports, Bhagat was hacked to death in broad daylight on July 2, after he had filed a case in court over the illegal occupation of his land. Post Article 370, land disputes are the major reason for atrocities over Dalits. We are on the verge of losing whatever piece of land we own after Land Reforms in J&K. This is not the first case. Similar incidents have happened in RS Pura and Manwal village where a youth was beaten up over similar issue and police has always sided with the culprits in covering up these cases and now that people from outside are settling in, we fear hate crimes against Dalits will witness a sharp rise, he adds. Advocate Ashok Basotra, while speaking to TwoCircles.net, alleged that police had refused to file FIR before the case received media attention, which caused people to question polices involvement in the matter. With the abrogation of Article 370 and 35 A, the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, has been extended to Jammu and Kashmir and the Ranbir Penal Code has been replaced by Indian Penal Code (IPC). Earlier there was no parallel law for addressing caste-based issues. Basotra stated that the marginalized Dalits community is being exploited both physically and economically by the RSS and BJP to maintain the hegemony of Upper Caste in the governing positions. According to the 2011 census, the Scheduled Caste (SC) population in J&K is 92, 4991 forming 8% and Scheduled Tribes (ST) forming around 11.91% of the total population of the former state. SCs government jobs representation is from 2 to 2.5% as per the data collected and the rest of the population is working as labourers, sweepers and working class in the Industries. The marginalized communities of SC/ST and OBC are facing the representational threat due to new domicile with outsiders applying for jobs here and have been no increase in the reservation to 15% and 27% for ST and OBCs respectively as is stated for UTs. Implementation of the Forest Right Act The tribal communities in J&K are yet to seek the protection under the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006 (aka the Forest Rights Act) applied in the erstwhile state since August 5, 2019. Gujjar Leader Nazakat Khattana, while speaking to TwoCircles.net said, The government had promised tribal communities that after the scrapping of Article 370, FRA would be implemented giving us protection against forced displacements and other rights like grazing rights, access to water and forest resources (except timer). Even after a year, we see no provisions made to give our people relief. FRA was passed by the Indian Parliament on 18 December 2006 which gave Scheduled Tribes and other traditional forest dwellers rights on forest land and its resources except in Jammu and Kashmir. According to the 2011 census, tribal communities in UT of J&K, which include Gujjar, Bakerwal, Sippi and Shin/Dard, constitute more than 10 % of the total population and Gujjar-Bakerwal together comprise 90 % of the total tribal population in UT. Bashir Ahmed, a local activist told TwoCircles.net, The Gujjar-Bakerwal community has suffered the most due to militancy and families fleeing from north of Doda seeking shelter in Jammu are targeted here selectively by the government by demolishing their houses illegally, he said while referring to the recent demolition incidents on grounds of encroachment in Sidhra and Bandi areas of Jammu city. One of the families whose hut was demolished had fled from Doda after 6 of the family members were killed by militants there. Is this how we treat our citizens? Dont they have the same rights as any other community? asked Ahmed. Khattana alleges that the government is targeting Gujjars because of being Muslim and questions why they werent given the legal time period to vacate the land before demolishing their huts. The notice to vacate the land was issued after the demolition on 18 July. We, the Gujjar-Bakerwal community played a major role in Operation Sarp Vinash in Kaka Hills in Doda region and this is how they treat the patriotic people of their country. We only demand the implementation of the Forest Right Act and proper mobile school facilities to educate our children Khattana added. The world is going through a pandemic with education shifting to digital. Our children cant even afford mobile phones. We only request the government to provide proper infrastructure for mobile schools for our kids. Cant go to war with own people Days before the first anniversary of the scrapping of the special status of J&K, on 27 July, an organization of the Kashmiri Pandits Reconciliation, Relief and Rehabilitation headed by Satish Mahaldar called for the restoration of the statehood for the UT of Jammu and Kashmir. We demand immediate restoration of statehood and special status to Jammu and Kashmir. The Indian Constitution ensures the right to equality that extends to individuals, communities, religions, regions, and all social and political institutions. The right to equality ensures non-discrimination on the basis of religion, caste, region, or any other social and political sub-categories. One cant have a military solution to a political situation and cant go to war with their own people, said Satish Mahaldar, chairman of migrant Kashmiri Pandits organization called Reconciliation, Relief, and Rehabilitation in a statement on 27 July. Talking to TwoCircles.net, Mahaldar said, We are seeking to protect the interests and economic interests of the minority community and to deal with the disturbed law and order in the region. However, on 30 July, other Kashmiri Pandit organizations Roots in Kashmir, Jammu Kashmir Vichar Manch (JKVM) and the apex body of many Kashmiri Pandits organizations All India Kashmir Samaj (AIKS) issued a joint press note slamming Mahaldars demands by stating, We condemn the recent statement by the Hurriyat backed Relief & Rehabilitation Committee that gives a false impression that Kashmiri Pandits are against the abrogation of Article 370 and bifurcation of the state and the creation of the two Union Territories. Mahaldar questions the BJPs claims of investment in the region by stating that in 2018-19 the budget of J&K was 47,314 crores and now in 2020 it has been reduced to 30,757 crores. We are asking for special provisions to be made to safeguard the aspirations of the minorities and empowerment of the people of the region with better educational, medical, roads and internet connectivity facilities, he said. Separate statehood for Jammu A Jammu based group Dogra Sadar Sabha has been demanding separate statehood for Jammu but its leaders said that their demands have not been met. Speaking to TwoCircles.net, Gulchain Singh Charak of Dogra Sadar Sabha said, We had welcomed the decision of abrogation of Article 370 thinking they would work for the demands of Dogras but they have failed miserably. We are not at all satisfied with the functioning of this government. Charak said that earlier even Ladakh had welcomed the unilateral decision but even now they (people of Ladakh) are seeking the safeguarding of their rights. Dogra Hindus, who form the bulk of BJPs support base in the region, are distressed with the new Domicile Law, which gives land and job rights to outsiders. On June 26, Navin Kumar Chaudhary, a senior IAS officer became the first bureaucrat, among 25,000 non-residents, who were granted a domicile certificate. According to reports, around 33,000 domicile applications were received for the 10 districts in Jammu and only 720 applications for Kashmir. Speaking on the aspirations and demands of the Dogra youth Charak said, No work has been done for the development in the Jammu region and the lack of employment opportunities is only hurting the trust of the Dogras. We demand that 80% of the jobs should be reserved for the locals while 20% for outsiders. Students cry for help As the whole world has shifted to digital mode of imparting and gaining education, the internet blockade and slow speed 2G mobile internet services have hindered the access to essential services in J&K. The restrictions on the internet in the region has adversely affected the education of children and work from home phenomenon being practised around the world amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. A student leader Ilahi Khan at Jammu University said that the students have suffered the most at the hands of administration due to lack of proper internet facilities. Internet, which is our basic right has been snatched from us. How are we supposed to study online amid the ongoing pandemic? E-learning orders are issued by the administration while paying no attention to more than half the population who cant avail this service, he said. Khan said that students are depressed over poor decisions like J&K exam scam, SRO 202 by the administration. They are putting our future at risk, stating the maximum qualification for Grade IV jobs is 12th class. It is against the interests of all students. We have tried to make our voices heard but in vain. Speaking on the issue of conducting online or offline exams, Khan said that students have been demanding mass promotion as the internet blockade hinders the conduction of online exams. At the same time, the students are against the conduction of offline exams in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic, he added. Khan claims that there has been no clear guideline from the University on how they plan to tackle this issue which is causing stress among the student community. Islamabad, Aug 5 : Bangladesh seems to be sliding sides through soft diplomacy, signalLing towards possibilities of cooperation with Pakistan as two sides work towards melting the ice of critical, tense and strained relations. The recent telephonic contact between Pakistani and Bangladeshi premiers is showing clear signs of Dhaka's shift towards Islamabad, a step that since the independence of Bangladesh from Pakistan in 1971, has seen critical courses, ups and downs, and disagreements over several issues. The two Muslim states of South Asia have had strained relations, since the conviction of several Jamaat-e-Islami leaders, who were sentenced to death through a local tribunal, called the International Crimes Tribunal. The Jamaat-e-Islami leaders, belonging to the main opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) were executed on charges of committing atrocities during the 1971 War of Independence. However, Dhaka's "friendship to all and malice to none" constitutional diplomacy has paved the way towards the improvement of relations with Islamabad while visible changes are witnessed in recent weeks as diplomatic communication between the two countries has increased. "For the greater interest of our country, we will keep relations with all and our constitutional foreign is friendship to all and malice to none," said Bangladesh Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen. Both sides have been reaching out to each other in the recent weeks as Momen and Pakistan High Commissioner in Dhaka Imran Ahmed Siddiqui met earlier this month, which was followed by Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan reaching out to Bangladeshi counterpart Sheikh Hasina through a telephone call. Observers believe that many advisors of Bangladeshi Prime Minister are sympathetic towards Pakistan. While the growing coziness between Pakistan and Bangladesh is exceptional in every way; Dhaka administration still expects Islamabad to apologise for what it calls, crime, and genocide committed in 1971 in Bangladesh, if Islamabad intends to start a meaningful and normalised relation. "Pakistan has a keen desire to see bilateral relations and people's relations with Bangladesh improve and strengthen," said Aisha Farooqui, spokesperson for Pakistan Ministry of Foreign Affairs. "We have a very strong historical connection and we want to have cooperative relations between us," she added. Farooqui went on to say that both Pakistan and Bangladesh are founding members of the South Asian Association of Regional Cooperation (SAARC) and can play an important role to strengthen SAARC processes for regional cooperation. "As founding members of SAARC and for the mutual objective of forwarding movement towards economic prosperity and fulfillment of development goals of the people of South Asia, we believe both Pakistan and Bangladesh can play an important role to strengthen SAARC processes for regional cooperation," she said. Analysts say that Pakistan premier's move to make a phone call to Bangladeshi counterpart is encouraging; the developments that will come following the initiative needs to be seen with cautious optimism. The origin of "suffrage" is not suffering, although plenty of people suffered in the pursuit of suffrage. It derives from the Latin suffragium, meaning a vote or a right to vote. It can also mean a prayer of intercession, certainly an apt description given the many groups of people who have prayed for the right to vote. Here are some other things you may not have known about how women got the right to vote: - A slight in London sparked a U.S. movement: The first Women's Rights Convention in Seneca Falls, N.Y., in 1848, shaped the movement for decades. The event was the brainchild of abolitionists Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Lucretia Mott, who were furious after being barred from an 1840 anti-slavery convention in London because of their gender. - Abolitionists and suffragists were intertwined: The women's rights movement sprang from the abolitionist movement before the Civil War, but the relationship was often uneasy. Some felt women should be able to vote before Black men, or vice versa. Others insisted everyone get the vote simultaneously. And some wanted to bar African Americans from the women's movement, fearing their involvement would turn Southern legislators against the cause. "If the first woman God ever made was strong enough to turn the world upside down all alone, these women together ought to be able to turn it back. . . . And now they is asking to do it, the men better let them." - Lonely guys in Wyoming deserved a hat tip: Wyoming was the first territory or state to act after the 1848 Women's Rights Convention to pass a women's suffrage law, on Dec. 10, 1869. Some men truly wanted voting access for their wives and moms, but many legislators had other motivations, including the hope that the new right would attract more single women to that frontier, where men outnumbered women 6 to 1. - Julia Ward How's eyes saw the glory but not the vote: Author and abolitionist Julia Ward Howe not only founded several major women's organizations and suffrage groups, but, during the Civil War, she also wrote the lyrics that became the activist anthem "The Battle Hymn of the Republic." - Susan B. Anthony was arrested for voting: At a time when women were mocked for speaking in public, Susan B. Anthony was a leading voice in the fight for equality in labor practices and pay. After voting in Rochester, N.Y., in 1872, she was arrested, convicted of voting illegally and fined, and the publicity attracted many people to her cause. She did not live long enough to cast a legal vote. "All that we require of a voter is that he shall be forked, wear pantaloons instead of petticoats, and bear a more or less humorous resemblance to the reported image of God. He need not know anything whatever. ... We brag of our universal, unrestricted suffrage; but we are shams after all, for we restrict when we come to the women." - The Supreme Court ruled against letting women vote: Women's activist Virginia Louise Minor tried to register to vote in St. Louis in 1872 and was rejected. She and her husband sued, and the case rose to the Supreme Court. The nine male justices declined to interpret the 14th Amendment's "all persons" clause to include women, forcing suffragists to refocus on changing the Constitution. - Men feared "petticoat rule:" According to a 1900s anti-suffrage pamphlet aimed at women, they shouldn't get the vote because: 90 percent "do not want it, or do not care;" they would be competing with men instead of cooperating; "more voting women than voting men will place the Government under petticoat rule;" and "it is unwise to risk the good we already have for the evil which may occur." - Ida B. Wells organized women of color: Death threats drove journalist Ida B. Wells from Memphis after she wrote a 1892 lynching expose. She moved to Chicago, where she urged women of color to get involved in politics, and she led a group at the 1913 Women's Suffrage Parade in Washington D.C. Told by organizers to go to the back or leave, she emerged from the crowd halfway through the march and joined the Illinois delegation at the front. - "Silent Sentinels" picketed the White House for 18 months: Led by Alice Paul, who had helped organize the Washington march, more than 1,000 women in January 1917 began daily demonstrations at the White House gates, despite verbal and physical attacks from spectators. At one point, Paul was arrested, jailed and charged with obstructing traffic, and her hunger strike galvanized public support for women's suffrage. "I am not one of those who believe - broadly speaking - that women are better than men. We have not wrecked railroads, nor corrupted legislatures, nor done many unholy things that men have done; but then we must remember that we have not had the chance." - A tragic pandemic helped the cause: The 1918 flu spread easily among soldiers in the last stages of World War I, creating a sudden shortage of men. As women surged into the U.S. workforce, they blew apart the arguments that they were delicate and intellectually inferior - and unequal pay and poor working conditions galvanized their drive for equal rights and protections. - Finally, women got the vote: On Aug. 18, 1920, the 19th Amendment, passed by Congress the previous June, was ratified by Tennessee, the last state needed to reach the threshold for becoming part of the Constitution. It was certified Aug. 26, and women had the right to vote. The United States on Wednesday imposed sanctions on one of Zimbabwe's top businessmen and political operators, accusing him of abetting corruption that plagues the nation. The move against Kudakwashe Tagwirei comes days after Zimbabwe thwarted protests called by a small opposition party over graft and a slumping economy. Calling Tagwirei "notoriously corrupt," Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said the United States wants "a stable and democratic Zimbabwe." "Our actions today demonstrate to the government and people of Zimbabwe that the United States does not tolerate public corruption and will promote accountability for perpetrators of public corruption," he said. Tagwirei's company, Sakunda Holdings, has managed a farm subsidy for the government and failed to account for $3 billion, according to a parliamentary audit. His fortunes have kept rising since President Emmerson Mnangagwa took over in 2017 following the ouster of longtime ruler Robert Mugabe. Under the sanctions, Washington will freeze any assets Tagwirei has in the United States and bar any US transactions with him. Pompeo said that the United States was issuing the sanctions Wednesday to commemorate the two-year anniversary of soldiers' suppression of protests over elections seen as fraudulent. At least six people died. Activists say that Mnangagwa has launched a new, broad crackdown on dissent, arresting dozens of people to thwart protests. A ruling party leader last month described the US ambassador as a "thug" for voicing support for free expression, leading Washington to summon Zimbabwe's ambassador to protest. RIO DE JANEIRO - At a time of warming U.S.-Brazil relations, a diplomatic dilemma of sorts has emerged for the American ambassador: how much to embrace a polarizing president. Brazil has long prided itself on keeping a distance from the U.S., with which it competes for influence in South America. Meanwhile, U.S. ambassadors have traditionally kept a low profile. But far-right President Jair Bolsonaro, who relishes the Trump of the Tropics moniker levied by his critics, has made alliance with the U.S. the cornerstone of his foreign policy since taking office 19 months ago. Thats afforded Ambassador Todd Chapman broad leeway to push U.S. trade interests as well as seek co-operation on hot-button global concerns like Venezuela and China. Chapman, 58, needed little introduction when he arrived in the capital, Brasilia, four months ago amid the coronavirus pandemic. One of the State Departments top Brazil experts, who has lived 11 years in the country, the Texas native grabbed headlines cozying up to Bolsonaro with an assertive style thats a departure from the buttoned-up way past U.S. envoys have conducted business. In recent decades, whenever a U.S. ambassador was seen as meddling in domestic affairs, what normally happened was the administration of the day would ask them to come to the Foreign Ministry to be lectured on how to respect Brazilian sovereignty, said Matias Spektor, co-founder of the Getulio Vargas Foundations School of International Relations. The Bolsonaro administration seems to be encouraging that kind of behaviour. While Chapman stands to help the U.S. extract concessions from a friendly Brazilian administration, some have questioned whether he has identified too closely with what Trump has called his special relationship with Bolsonaro potentially jeopardizing longer-term American interests. Last month, Chapman hosted Bolsonaro at a friendly July 4th barbecue. He also rushed to the defence of Bolsonaros son chair of the lower houses foreign relations committee after the influential lawmaker promoted a Trump re-election video. And he has pressed for Brazil to lift tariffs on ethanol, on at least one occasion mentioning it could influence Iowas vote in the U.S. presidential election, according to a person who spoke with Chapman and told The Associated Press on condition of anonymity. Chapmans lobbying on ethanol, which was reported last month without attribution by two local newspapers, prompted the Democratic chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee to demand Chapman provide written assurances he isnt urging the Bolsonaro government to support Trumps re-election. Rep. Eliot Engel, in a July 31 letter to Chapman, said that such actions would potentially violate the Hatch Act of 1939, which bars executive branch employees from partisan politics. It is simply not appropriate for sitting foreign government officials in any branch of government to promote the campaigns of candidates in the United States, Engel wrote. Chapman has vehemently denied crossing any lines. Any interpretation of my defence of long-standing commercial interests during an election year as an attempt to benefit a particular presidential candidate is simply not correct, the U.S. envoy said in a statement. Chapman lived in Brazil as a teenager in the 1970s, when his fathers U.S. company transferred the family to Sao Paulo. He also served as deputy chief of mission at the U.S. Embassy in Brasilia between 2011-2014. Prior to Brazil, he served as U.S. ambassador to Ecuador, and in a diplomatic career spanning three decades has been posted to Afghanistan, Nigeria and Taiwan. Bolsonaro has made no secret of his desire to court Chapman. Photos of the private barbecue at the ambassadors residence show Chapman wearing a cowboy hat, but no mask, leaning in to hug Bolsonaro and posing with him and top aides. As if to underscore the risks of becoming too close, Bolsonaro tested positive for coronavirus three days later, forcing Chapman to quarantine. Two U.S. officials said there is concern within the State Department that Chapmans approach could backfire if Trump loses against presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden or Bolsonaros own political fortunes suffer. The officials spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss U.S. policy. One of the officials likened the situation to former Argentine President Carlos Menems pursuit in the 1990s of carnal relations with the U.S. Championed by the U.S. at the time as a visionary, Menem and his pro-market policies eventually fell into disgrace, fueling animosity toward the U.S. since. Critics have accused Bolsonaro of being subservient to Trump, citing his adherence to Trumps playbook of downplaying the coronavirus and for making available a military base for U.S. companies to launch satellites. In return, Trump has designated Brazil a major non-NATO ally and backed its entry into the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. Chapman picked a spat with China on Twitter when he criticized its human rights record, prompting Chinas ambassador to Brazil, Yang Wanming, to compare the U.S. ambassador to an ant trying to fell a giant tree. This man comes to Brazil with a special mission, which is to attack China with rumours and lies, he wrote on Twitter. Spektor says Bolsonaro, for all his mimicking of Trumps hostile rhetoric against China on the campaign trail, can ill afford to alienate Brazils biggest trading partner. As such, hes yet to accede to one of Chapmans biggest appeals: to exclude Chinese telecommunications giant Huawei from an upcoming 5G auction due to cybersecurity threats. Bolsonaro also faces domestic pressure from farmers to extend tariffs on corn-based ethanol from the U.S. when they expire later this month. A person who recently discussed ethanol with Chapman told the AP that the ambassador pressured to scrap the tariffs by arguing that could influence election results in the battleground farm state of Iowa. But he didnt explicitly back Trump, according to the person who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss the private conversation. Tom Shannon, a former U.S. ambassador to Brazil and the State Departments third ranking official before his retirement in 2018, agreed that Chapman is stepping into a political minefield. But he said Chapmans steady hand is key to the U.S. making the most of the Trump-Bolsonaro alliance in areas including defenceco-operation, a double taxation treaty and helping Brazil with economic reforms. The polarized and partisan politics of both Brazil and the U.S. make a diplomats work harder, Shannon said. But ultimately the interests that define our two countries are larger than the two governments and its important to use this period of time to advance those interests in ways that will be enduring. ___ Goodman reported from Miami. AP writer Ricardo Coletta contributed to this report from Brasilia. __ Follow Biller on Twitter: @DLBiller Follow Goodman on Twitter: @APJoshGoodman Read more about: In this article 6758.T-JP Sony shares are sitting at their highest level since June 2001, despite a dip on Wednesday. Analysts say there could be further upside in the next year as Sony prepares to launch the flagship PlayStation 5 games console. The Japanese electronics giant posted better-than-expected earnings on Tuesday for the April to June quarter and provided an outlook ahead of consensus. On average, analysts polled by Refinitiv expect Sony shares to hit 9,538.95 yen ($90.35) in the next 12 months, around 9.5% upside from Wednesday's opening price, buoyed by the company's strong gaming business and recovery in its image sensor division. Sony's 19-year high share price is a vote of confidence by investors in the multi-year turnaround plan that was initiated by previous CEO Kazuo Hirai. Hirai took the role in 2012, and was succeeded by Kenichiro Yoshida in 2018. PlayStation 5 on the horizon Under the two CEOs, Sony has put a large emphasis on its gaming division. In fact, in Sony's fiscal first quarter that just ended, the company's game and network services unit accounted for about 54% of total operating profit. Sony forecast a modest year-on-year rise of 0.6% in the gaming division's operating profit at 240 billion yen for its fiscal year that concludes at end March 2021. That is even as Sony estimates that group profit to decline. Revenue for the gaming business is forecast to jump over 26% year-on-year to 2.5 trillion yen, according to the company. PS5 will be definitely Sony's key driver this fiscal year. It's the start of a new console generation, the previous PlayStation was released seven years ago, and the PS5 hype is already through the roof. Serkan Toto CEO of Kantan Games With people staying home more in the second quarter of the year due to coronavirus-related shutdowns around the world, Sony sold 91 million software units or games. That was a more than 82% year-on-year rise, even as sales of consoles declined. Of the total number of games sold, 74% were from digital downloads, the highest number on record. Meanwhile, Sony's subscription service called PlayStation Plus, saw subscriber numbers reach 44.9 million in the April to June quarter, higher than 36.2 million in the same period last year. These trends will help Sony's earnings going forward, analysts said. "Across the board if you look at games in particular, what was truly impressive was the strong, over 80% growth in the digital content sales which drove strong profit growth both in the first quarter, and I think will raise expectations for the full year," Damian Thong, co-head of Asia technology research at Macquarie Capital Securities, told CNBC's "Squawk Box Asia." Sony is also gearing up to release the PlayStation 5, its newest console since the PlayStation 4 in 2013. The Japanese firm said the new console will be available in time for the 2020 holiday season, just as Microsoft plans to release its new Xbox Series X. "PS5 will be definitely Sony's key driver this fiscal year," Serkan Toto, CEO of Tokyo-based game industry consultancy Kantan Games, told CNBC. "It's the start of a new console generation, the previous PlayStation was released seven years ago, and the PS5 hype is already through the roof." Thong is also bullish on the prospects for the console. "I expect 6 million units of that to be sold, basically snapped up out the opening gate," he said. "And I would say that if you look at some of the recent trends, especially strong user engagement, strength in digital sales most of this trends will carry over to the PlayStation 5, providing, I think, good earnings momentum for Sony in the next couple of years to three years." PlayStation 5 Sony Amit Garg, a senior analyst of Japan equities at CLSA, told CNBC he expects Sony to sell 6.7 million units of the console in the current fiscal year and said the company's own profit forecast for the gaming unit will likely be beaten, given the strength in the quarter just gone. "We think Sony can easily beat this they have a lot of buffer in our view in (the) games division," Garg said. Toto forecasts Sony selling 15 million to 20 million units in the PlayStation 5's first year of sales. Concerns Sony saw declines in revenue in other key businesses including movies, music and its image sensing unit. The latter has been a critical business for Sony in recent times given its expertise in smartphone camera sensors, which it sells to customers including Huawei and Apple. Profit fell over 48% year-on-year in the quarter ending in June to 25.4 billion yen. And Sony forecast that this business will see profit decline over 44% for the fiscal year. But Thong expects that the division will see a recovery. "It will be a bit of dampener, I think, into the early part of next year, primarily because of a number of factors including slower demand for high-end smartphones, also slower demand for digital stills camera, and also possibly some effect from the U.S.-China dispute which affects one of their key customers," Thong said, referring to Huawei. "These issues will probably go away as the Covid-19 issues are relieved and as they win more customers and re-boost their market share into next year." Stock to rally 20%? Spraying disinfectant in Danang. Photo: VNA According to the World Bank, Vietnams economy has been hurt but remains resilient even during the COVID-19 pandemic which is expected to result in global GDP growth of 5.2 per cent. Although the Vietnamese economy suffered from COVID-19 in the first half of 2020, prospects remain positive for both the short and medium term, read the banks updated Taking Stock report released last week. Assuming a gradual improvement in the world economy, GDP should rebound in the second half so the economy would grow around 2.8 per cent for the entire year. It should expand by 6.8 per cent in 2021 (baseline scenario). With less favourable external conditions, the economy will expand by only 1.5 per cent in 2020 and 4.5 per cent in 2021 (downside scenario). Regardless of scenario, Vietnam is expected to remain one of the fastest-growing economies in the world in 2020. This projected performance means that Vietnam would be the fifth-fastest growing country in the world in 2020, said Stefanie Stallmeister, acting country director of the World Bank in Vietnam. The bank explained that the COVID-19 health shock has forced governments around the world to make hard choices between saving lives and limiting economic restrictions. While many countries hesitated in their decisions, Vietnam was quick and bold to react. The combination of early measures targeted testing and tracking, as well as innovative information campaigns have proved highly effective. Citing the same reasons, global data analyst FocusEconomics told VIR in a statement that Vietnams economic growth is expected to slow notably this year on weaker exports and lower tourist arrivals. However, Vietnam should still be by far the strongest performer in the ASEAN, thanks in part to a rapid resumption of domestic activity, said the statement. Risks to the outlook stem from a possible domestic flare-up in cases if borders are reopened, and a potentially weak recovery in external demand. FocusEconomics panellists project the economy will expand 2.7 per cent in 2020 and 7.6 per cent in 2021. While Vietnam has been highly lauded for its disciplined handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, the external environment is far more difficult to overcome. Concerns about a second wave of infections continue to plague Vietnams key markets of the United States and, to a certain extent, Europe, making demand recovery a great uncertainty, it said. According to Deputy Minister of Planning and Investment Tran Quoc Phuong, it is expected that the domestic economy will continue facing massive difficulties because it is quite open to the global economy. Given complications in the world economy amidst the raging pandemic, it is difficult to come up with an accurate forecast for the countrys economic growth this year, especially as numerous difficulties continue to beset local production, he said. The General Statistics Office (GSO) last week released statistics on Vietnams seven-month official production-related figures. The index for industrial production (IIP) continued facing difficulties, with July IIP increasing only 3.6 per cent on-month and 1.1 per cent on-year, falling short of a breakthrough climb like the one in June [up 10.3 per cent on-month and 7.2 per cent on-year], the GSO said in a report. In the first seven months, the IIP ascended 2.6 per cent on-year, far lower than the 9.4 per cent in the same period last year, and also the lowest level of increase over the past many years. The key reason for the murky waters throwing off economic forecasts and ailing performance is the unchecked spread of COVID-19 globally, hurting all input material supply chains. The Central Institute for Economic Management, the governments leading think-tank under the Ministry of Planning and Investment, has also released two scenarios on Vietnams economic growth for this year, based on analysis of the poor global economic performance and the health of the domestic economy which grew by only 1.81 per cent the lowest six-month rate over the past 12 years. Accordingly, the Vietnamese economy may climb 2.1 per cent under the first and 2.6 per cent under the second scenario. These rates are lower than the governments expectation of 3-4 per cent or the National Assemblys target of 6.8 per cent. Lerner and Rowe host two Tucson drive-thru backpack giveaways! "It is our hope that some of the typical back-to-school expenses will be offset through the giveaways, as well as giving students the needed tools to help them succeed in the 2020-2021 school year." Kevin Rowe, Esq. Lerner and Rowe Injury Attorneys is pleased to announce that their law firm is partnering with GAP Ministries to host two FREE backpack giveaways on Saturday, August 15, 2020. Lerner and Rowe is providing 750 total backpacks stuffed with school supplies that GAP Ministries has coordinated to be distributed at Ministerios Ammijezreel (4102 S. 12th Avenue, Tucson, 85714) and Family Christian Center (6516 South Burcham Avenue, Tucson, 85756). Each location will hand out 375 backpacks from 8:00 a.m. through 10:00 a.m., or while supplies last. Limitations do apply. Families are asked to be mindful entering and exiting the parking lots. For 2020, our team continues to actively reinvent the ways we give back and support local communities. We know how much the COVID-19 pandemic has financially affected the lives of many families. As such, we are not cancelling our annual Tucson backpack giveaway, but instead are parenting up with GAP Ministries to host two drive-thru events at local churches in areas of high need. It is our hope that some of the typical back-to-school expenses will be offset through the giveaways, as well as giving students the needed tools to help them succeed in the 2020-2021 school year, said attorney Kevin Rowe. Anyone interested in learning more about Lerner and Rowes Tucson backpack giveaways in partnership with GAP Ministries should contact Tiane Kennedy with GAP Ministries at (520) 392-8436, or Cindy Ernst / Christa Luirette with Lerner and Rowe at (520) 977-1900. Like Lerner and Rowe on Facebook to learn more about this and future giveaways. More About Lerner and Rowe Lerner and Rowe Injury Attorneys is a powerhouse law firm in representing personal injury clients. Attorneys Glen Lerner and Kevin Rowe have grown their law firm into one of the largest personal injury firms in the country, with over 50 attorneys and nearly 400 support employees located in Arizona, Indiana, Illinois, Nevada, California, Washington, Oregon, New Mexico, and Tennessee. The law firms continuous exalted levels of success can be attributed to the high levels of respect and dignity shown to victims and family members hurt in an accident. For those injured outside one of the previously listed states, Lerner and Rowe has an established network of attorneys across the country, ready to help. The firm takes pride in nourishing these relationships as they know a personal injury attorney can make all the difference in obtaining fair compensation for the pain and suffering inflicted upon the victims of tortious conduct. For more information about Lerner and Rowe Injury Attorneys in Tucson, please call 520-977-1990. To connect with the law firm socially, follow Lerner and Rowe on Twitter and Instagram, or like their Facebook page. Also, be sure to visit lernerandrowegivesback.com to learn more about the many other community services that the lawyers and legal support team of Lerner and Rowe actively support. CARMEL, Ind., Aug. 5, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Transworld Business Advisors of Indiana (www.tworld.com/indiana) is excited to welcome Mr. Thompson to the Team! He has assumed the position of Business Advisor and will focus on serving clients in Indiana with his strong financial, legal and business background. Mr. Thompson brings 30 years' experience as a business attorney and CPA, working on business exits, succession planning, acquisitions, family wealth management, tax planning and general business advisory services. Mr. Thompson also currently hosts The Growth Club podcast on the Anchor podcast network discussing issues pertaining to small business growth and M&A. Mr. Thompson grew up in Terre Haute, IN, but his career has taken him to Bloomington, Chicago, Atlanta, Raleigh, NC, Traverse City, MI and then back to Indiana, where he now resides in the Old Northside of Indianapolis. He is a 1984 graduate of the Kelley School of Business at Indiana University, after which he passed the Uniform Certified Public Accounting examination, and then graduated from the University of Illinois College of Law in 1990. Mr. Thompson joins a strong team at Transworld Business Advisors of Indiana that represents the largest business brokerage platform in the world with 40+ years' experience serving business owners. All Transworld advisors have completed extensive training and are supported by a team with many years of business experience. For more information about Transworld Business Advisors of Indiana, please visit www.tworld.com/indiana or contact Drew directly at [email protected] or (317) 600-1665. SOURCE Transworld Business Advisors of Indiana Related Links tworld.com DUBLIN, Aug. 5, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Global Cyber Security Market 2019-2028" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. According to this report the global cyber security market is predicted to grow at a CAGR of 10.65% during the forecasting period 2019-2028. The increasing viruses and Trojan attacks among organizations are primarily driving the cyber security market growth. Attackers often use such malware to take over control of devices and make a financial gain. There is an increase in the adoption of the cloud computing model owing to its flexible infrastructure option. This is also likely to push market growth. Also, the adoption of BYOD (bring your own device) and IoT (Internet of Things) has increased the risk of Advanced Persistent Threats (APTs), thereby instigating the demand for cyber security solutions. However, complex designs of device security are restraining the market. Also, the lack of cyber security professionals is a major challenge to market growth. The global market report covers the countries from North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America and the Middle East and Africa. Asia-Pacific is estimated to be the fastest-growing region for the cyber security market in the projected period. The increasing number of connected devices in the region and the technologically advanced use of mobile devices is primarily driving the growth of the cyber security in the Asia-Pacific. The escalating cyber attacks in countries like South Korea is instigating the need for the cyber security market. For example, in 2014, a cyber attck on Korea Hydro and Nuclear Power (KHNP) plant took place. Several government agencies have also been targeted before. These factors are likely to aid the studied market growth. The major companies in the cyber security market are Dell Technologies Inc, AVG Technologies (Acquired By Avast Software sro), Check Point Software Technologies Ltd, Rapid7, International Business Machines Corporation, Imperva, Palo Alto Networks Inc, Proofpoint Inc, Symantec Corporation (Broadcom Inc), Cisco Systems Inc, FireEye Inc, Cyber Ark Software Ltd, Fortinet Inc, Trend Micro Incorporated and Intel Security (Intel Corporation). AVG Technologies, acquired by Avast Software sro, is a global company involved in developing and marketing internet security software across the world. The company provides identity protection, dynamic secure search, internet security, online backup, mobile control & location services, remote control and virtual private network services. AVG Internet Security (AVG) is a product provided by the company that is an advanced antivirus software. Key Topics Covered: 1. Global Cyber Security Market - Summary 2. Industry Outlook 2.1. Market Definition 2.2. Key Insights 2.2.1. Asia-Pacific is the Fastest-Growing Market 2.2.2. Services Segment is the Fastest-Growing Component 2.2.3. The Infrastructure Security Segment Dominates the Market 2.2.4. The Healthcare Application is Anticipated to Register a High Growth Rate 2.3. Porter's Five Force Analysis 2.3.1. Threat of New Entrants 2.3.2. Threat of Substitute 2.3.3. Bargaining Power of Suppliers 2.3.4. Bargaining Power of Buyers 2.3.5. Threat of Competitive Rivalry 2.4. Key Impact Analysis 2.5. Market Attractiveness Index 2.6. Value Chain Analysis 2.6.1. Developing 2.6.2. Distributors 2.6.3. Services 2.6.4. Customers 2.7. Vendor Scorecard 2.8. Market Drivers 2.8.1. Increasing Virus Threats Among Organizations 2.8.2. Surge in Demand for Cloud-Based Cyber Security Solutions 2.8.3. Adoption of Byod & IoT 2.8.4. Rise in Cyber Security Incidents and Cyber Security Regulations 2.9. Market Restraints 2.9.1. Complex Designs of Device Security 2.9.2. Limited Budget Among Sme Organizations 2.9.3. Insufficiency of Cyber Security Professionals 2.10. Market Opportunities 2.10.1. Sturdy Validation Functionality 2.10.2. Rise in Mobile Device Applications and Platforms 2.10.3. Upgrading Traditional Anti-Virus Software 2.11. Market Challenges 2.11.1. Availability of Pirated Version of Software 2.11.2. Avoiding Software Upgrades 2.12. Impact of Covid-19 on Cyber Security 2.13. Types of Cyber Security 2.13.1. Network Security 2.13.2. Cloud Security 2.13.3. Application Security 2.13.4. End-Point Security 2.13.5. Wireless Network Security 2.13.6. Database Security & Web Application Security 3. Global Cyber Security Market Outlook - by Components 3.1. Solution 3.2. Service 4. Global Cyber Security Market Outlook - by Deployment 4.1. Cloud 4.2. On-Premises 5. Global Cyber Security Market Outlook - by Organization Size 5.1. Large Organizations 5.2. Smes 6. Global Cyber Security Market Outlook - by Application 6.1. Identity and Access Management (Iam) 6.2. Infrastructure Security 6.3. Governance, Risk and Compliance 6.4. Unified Vulnerability Management Service Offering 6.5. Data Security & Privacy Service Offering 6.6. Others 7. Global Cyber Security Market Outlook - by Industrial Verticals 7.1. Aerospace and Defense 7.2. Bfsi 7.3. Healthcare 7.4. Public Sector 7.5. Retail 7.6. It and Telecommunication 7.7. Energy and Utilities 7.8. Manufacturing 7.9. Others 8. Global Cyber Security Market - Regional Outlook 8.1. North America 8.1.1. Market by Components 8.1.2. Market by Deployment 8.1.3. Market by Organization Size 8.1.4. Market by Application 8.1.5. Market by Industrial Verticals 8.1.6. Country Analysis 8.1.6.1. United States 8.1.6.2. Canada 8.2. Europe 8.2.1. Market by Components 8.2.2. Market by Deployment 8.2.3. Market by Organization Size 8.2.4. Market by Application 8.2.5. Market by Industrial Verticals 8.2.6. Country Analysis 8.2.6.1. United Kingdom 8.2.6.2. Germany 8.2.6.3. France 8.2.6.4. Spain 8.2.6.5. Italy 8.2.6.6. Russia 8.2.6.7. Rest of Europe 8.3. Asia-Pacific 8.3.1. Market by Components 8.3.2. Market by Deployment 8.3.3. Market by Organization Size 8.3.4. Market by Application 8.3.5. Market by Industrial Verticals 8.3.6. Country Analysis 8.3.6.1. China 8.3.6.2. Japan 8.3.6.3. India 8.3.6.4. South Korea 8.3.6.5. Asean Countries 8.3.6.6. Australia & New Zealand 8.3.6.7. Rest of Asia-Pacific 8.4. Latin America 8.4.1. Market by Components 8.4.2. Market by Deployment 8.4.3. Market by Organization Size 8.4.4. Market by Application 8.4.5. Market by Industrial Verticals 8.4.6. Country Analysis 8.4.6.1. Brazil 8.4.6.2. Mexico 8.4.6.3. Rest of Latin America 8.5. Middle East and Africa 8.5.1. Market by Components 8.5.2. Market by Deployment 8.5.3. Market by Organization Size 8.5.4. Market by Application 8.5.5. Market by Industrial Verticals 8.5.6. Country Analysis 8.5.6.1. United Arab Emirates 8.5.6.2. Turkey 8.5.6.3. Saudi Arabia 8.5.6.4. South Africa 8.5.6.5. Rest of Middle East & Africa 9. Competitive Landscape 9.1. Avg Technologies (Acquired by Avast Software Sro) 9.2. Check Point Software Technologies Ltd 9.3. Cisco Systems Inc 9.4. Cyber Ark Software Ltd 9.5. Dell Technologies Inc 9.6. Fireeye Inc 9.7. Fortinet Inc 9.8. International Business Machines Corporation 9.9. Imperva 9.10. Intel Security (Intel Corporation) 9.11. Palo Alto Networks Inc 9.12. Proofpoint Inc 9.13. Rapid7 9.14. Symantec Corporation (Broadcom Inc) 9.15. Trend Micro Incorporated 10. Methodology & Scope 10.1. Research Scope 10.2. Sources of Data 10.3. Research Methodology For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/uq6wer 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 Photo: BC Gov't The B.C. government has formally extended the provincial state of emergency, allowing Mike Farnworth, Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General, to continue to use extraordinary powers under the Emergency Program Act to support the Province's COVID-19 pandemic response. In recent weeks, British Columbians have been reminded that COVID-19 case counts can easily rise if were not careful, Premier John Horgan said Tuesday. As we continue our slow and safe approach to Phase 3, extending the provincial state of emergency will continue to provide government with the resources we need to respond to any new challenges. This is not the time to let our guard down. The state of emergency is extended through the end of the day on Aug. 18, 2020, to allow government to continue to take the necessary actions to keep British Columbians safe and manage immediate concerns, such as recent outbreaks in some areas of the province. We still need to be able to access the necessary tools to support communities as they combat COVID-19 and its impacts, said Mike Farnworth, Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General. We will continue to extend this provincial state of emergency as long as necessary so we can ensure we are able to respond quickly and effectively to this pandemic. The state of emergency in British Columbia was extended for another two weeks on May 27, which made it the longest state of emergency in the province's history. Prior to COVID-19, the longest state of emergency in B.C.'s history was during the 2017 wildfire season, which lasted for 10 weeks. Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-05 23:22:54|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close TAIYUAN, Aug. 5 (Xinhua) -- Three workers were trapped and later found dead after a makeshift house collapsed at a coal mine in north China's Shanxi Province, local authorities said Wednesday. The accident, which occurred at 4:23 a.m. on Wednesday at a coal mine in the city of Jincheng, involved the collapse of a wall due to continuous rain. Three workers were trapped in the structure and later found dead following a rescue operation that ended shortly after noon on Wednesday. Enditem Uh-oh. It looks like Jake Paul might be in trouble with the law. The controversial YouTubers Los Angeles area home was searched by FBI agents on the morning of August 5, multiple news outlets are reporting. The raid comes shortly after the 23-year-old faced backlash for throwing a party at his Calabasas mansion amid a spike in the number of coronavirus (COVID-19) cases in California. Authorities arent saying why they raided Jake Pauls home Jake Paul | Leon Bennett/Getty Images RELATED: Jake Paul Tries to Start Beef With Zayn Malik, Gigi Hadid Shreds Him Exactly why the FBI targeted Pauls home isnt clear. In a statement to LAs ABC7, the bureau said that the affidavit in support of the search warrant is sealed and we are, therefore, prohibited from commenting as to the nature of the investigation. However, the FBI did say that no arrests were planned. On July 14, Paul threw a large party at his SoCal estate, which is also home to other members of his Team 10 collective. The event drew criticism from the mayor of Calabasas, Alicia Weintraub, who told ABC7 that the parties were outrageous. She said she was upset that someone would disregard guidelines against mass gatherings during a pandemic. Despite the negative response, Paul who is also an amateur boxer told Insider he wasnt going to let the coronavirus dictate his behavior. No one has answers, our leadership is failing us, and everyone kind of just doesnt know what to do, he said. But I personally am not the type of person whos gonna sit around and not live my life. Jake Paul has lived in his $7 million home since 2017 The FBI raid took place at the sprawling home that Paul purchased back in 2017. The viral video sensation moved to Calabasas after running into conflicts with his neighbors in LAs Beverly Grove neighborhood. Paul paid $6.925 million for the 15,000-square-foot house, according to Curbed Los Angeles. He later showed off the home on this YouTube channel, explaining that the house was so large that he had to call people to find them. Among the homes many features are a three-story foyer with a spiral staircase, a kitchen with a built-in Miele coffee machine; an elevator; a gym, steam room and sauna; and a massive master suite with an office, luxury bathroom, and huge custom closet. Theres also a guest suite with its own kitchen, a library, a pool, multiple hot tubs, and a garage with space for at least four cars. Paul was spotted at an Arizona mall that was being looted in June gimme my charges and lets put the focus back on George Floyd and Black Lives Matter https://t.co/nwBZmsxFFz Jake Paul (@jakepaul) June 4, 2020 RELATED: Twitter Accuses Jake Paul of Lying After He Denies Looting Arizona Mall Amid George Floyd Protests The FBI raid is just Pauls latest brush with the law. In early June, he was charged with criminal trespassing and unlawful assembly, both misdemeanors. The charges came after he was seen in videos of a mall that was being looted in Scottsdale, Arizona. Our investigation has revealed that Paul was present after the protest was declared an unlawful assembly and the rioters were ordered to leave the area by the police, the Scottsdale Police Department said in a statement, the New York Times reported. Paul also unlawfully entered and remained inside of the mall when it was closed. As a result, Paul has been charged with criminal trespass and unlawful assembly. Check out Showbiz Cheat Sheet on Facebook! A home built as a prototype for a new style of dome home can be yours for $919,000. The three-bedroom, two-bathroom home on Canaan Road in New Paltz, NY, is a curvy delight. When you see the house, it looks like the top cap of a mushroom, says its owner, Angelo Baccellieri. Its really very sunny inside, with a bright interior. There are no corners in the 2,300-square-foot home. Its completely round, so there are no edges. Some people say it has good energy. Its warm, its weird, no corners, no end. Its infinite, says Baccellieri. Built in 1999 by a man from France, the home was supposed to be a prototype for a prefabricated dome-home business in the United States, Baccellieri explains. The concept didnt take off, and the home was in pre-foreclosure when Baccellieri snatched it up for $580,000 a couple of years ago. Exterior of home in New Paltz, NY The Baccellieris Exterior The Baccellieris Exterior The Baccellieris Interior Bedroom The Baccellieris Downstairs, there's a wide-open space with curved windows and gorgeous wood ceilings. A wood deck surrounds it. It's all one room in the downstairs, with an open kitchen, living room, dining room, says the listing agent and owner Caroline Baccellieri, Angelos wife. Two bedrooms are found on the main floor and share a bathroom. Up a spiral staircase and into a loft area, you'll find another bedroom and bathroom. Interior The Baccellieris The kitchen is full of high-end countertops and appliances. Everything you see in the listing photos is included in the sale. Im selling it fully furnished. Some of the pieces were custom-made for the house, so Im not going to take them with me, Caroline Baccellieri says. Kitchen The Baccellieris The Baccellieris say they decided to sell the home because they dont use it much and the market is hot right now. There are also income opportunities if a buyer desires. It's currently listed for $356 a night on Airbnb. The dome has rave reviews and plenty of bookings, and provides a steady income. The location is also desirable. It sits on 2.3 acres in the middle of 28 acres of forest in the Mohonk Preserve, near popular rock-climbing, hiking, canoeing, and other recreational areas. Outdoor space The Baccellieris All the surrounding trees create a private retreat. You cant see any other houses from the house, Angelo Baccellieri explains, adding that the perfect buyer is probably someone who likes to be far from people and secluded in nature. This puts you right in the middle of 28 acres by yourself, literally in the forest. Angelo Baccellieri says that many Airbnb renters come from New York City, which is about two hours away, and that the quirky town of New Paltz especially appeals to renters from Brooklyn. The house is also close to New Paltz's Main Street. Its a lovely town with a lot of great restaurants, lots of farm-to-table, a lot of organic, very young, Caroline Baccellieri says. A lot of millennials from the city have summer homes there. Interior The Baccellieris Bedroom The Baccellieris There is one more quirk to mention, but the Baccellieris have yet to test it out. It has a small motor that can slowly rotate the entire home. It takes about an hour to move about 90 degrees through the revolution. While alerting the Bacellieris to this feature, the original owner issued a caveat. He warned me if it starts to rotate and gets stuck, then the door is not where it should be, Angelo Baccellieri explains. The door could be off a cliff, and I dont want to chance it, so I havent rotated it. The motor is there, and the chain is there, but if it got stuck, Id be in big trouble. If you're confident in your ability to make the dome home rotate without a hitch, it's ready for you to take a spin. Bathroom The Baccellieris Bathroom The Baccellieris Another bathroom The Baccellieris Loft space The Baccellieris Bathroom The Baccellieris The post New York Dome Home Was Built To RotateWill a Buyer Give It a Spin? appeared first on Real Estate News & Insights | realtor.com. Questo comunicato e stato pubblicato piu di 1 anno fa. Le informazioni su questa pagina potrebbero non essere attendibili. The global pediatric imaging market size is expected to reach USD 12.2 billion by 2027, registering a CAGR of 7.6% over the forecast period, according to a new report by Grand View Research, Inc. Increasing incidences of pediatric trauma cases are expected to accelerate the demand for innovative patient screening, which is expected to augment the market growth. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), an estimated 812,000 children aged 17 or below were treated in the U.S. Emergency Department (ED) for concussion or Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) in 2014. CDC further stated that injuries due to falling accounted for an approximate 49% of all TBI-related ED visits in children. In addition, increasing focus of market players on product development and innovation is expected to drive the market growth. For instance, in June 2019, Carestream Health, Inc. launched a portable Carestream DRX Plus 2530C X-ray detector with cesium iodide technology, which captures minute details of anatomical structures in pediatric patients. North America accounted for the largest share in 2019 owing to favorable reimbursement policies, faster adoption of innovative imaging modalities, and growing consumer preference toward noninvasive diagnosis. Increasing investments in order to propel technological innovation is expected to augment the pediatric imaging market growth in the region. For instance, in 2018, Bracco Diagnostics Inc. provided a grant of USD 300,000 to Childrens Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP), to fund research and train technicians to use a new technology of contrast ultrasound. Also, medical coverage is granted by the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) for pediatric patients in U.S., which covers imaging services, is a major factor propelling the market growth. To request a sample copy or view summary of this report, click the link below: https://www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/pediatric-imaging-market Further key findings from the report suggest: The magnetic resonance imaging modality segment dominated the market owing to high usage in hospital settings and higher recommendations by radiologists due to safety By application, the orthopedic/ trauma segment is expected to register the highest CAGR due to rising incidence of bone defects in children combined with increasing cases of ED visits related to trauma By end user, the hospital segment accounted for the largest market share owing to large number of installed systems in hospital settings and direct collaborations of hospitals with market vendors, thereby offering access to novel and advanced imaging systems Leading players present in the pediatric imaging market include GE Healthcare; Siemens Healthineers AG; Koninklijke Philips N.V. (Royal Philips); Fujifilm Holdings Corporation; Toshiba Medical Systems Corporation; Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.; Agfa Healthcare; and Carestream Health, Inc. Grand View Research has segmented the global pediatric imaging market on the basis of modality, application, end user, and region: Pediatric Imaging Modality Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2016 - 2027) Ultrasound Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) Computed Tomography (CT) X-ray Others Pediatric Imaging Application Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2016 - 2027) Oncology Cardiology Orthopedics/Trauma Gastroenterology Neurology Others Pediatric Imaging End-user Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2016 - 2027) Hospitals Diagnostic Centers Others Pediatric Imaging Regional Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2016 - 2027) North America US. Canada Europe UK. Germany France Italy Spain Asia Pacific Japan China India Thailand South Korea Latin America Brazil Mexico Argentina Chile Middle East & Africa South Africa Saudi Arabia UAE About Grand View Research Grand View Research, Inc. is a U.S. based market research and consulting company, registered in the State of California and headquartered in San Francisco. The company provides syndicated research reports, customized research reports, and consulting services. To help clients make informed business decisions, we offer market intelligence studies ensuring relevant and fact-based research across a range of industries, from technology to chemicals, materials and healthcare. BAKU, Azerbaijan, Aug. 5 By Ilkin Seyfaddini - Trend: Uzbek Republican Commodity Exchange (UZEX) together with Belarusian Universal Commodity Exchange (BUCE) are actively cooperating on implementation of e-commerce mechanisms and online trading instruments, Trend reports with reference to the Embassy of Uzbekistan in Minsk. The work is carried out to increase bilateral trade turnover, expand the range and export volumes of Uzbek products to the market of Belarus. A set of joint measures to expand mutual trade between Belarusian and Uzbek contractors is being implemented in the framework of Agreement on Strategic Partnership, signed on September 12, 2018, said the embassy. Under the agreement, the parties have carried out mutual accreditation of exchange brokers, opened the Trading Platform of the Uzbek Republican Commodity and Raw Materials Exchange in Belarus - Latamgroup LLC, through which Belarusian enterprises carry out online trading and purchasing operations with Uzbek enterprises via remote access. As of July 1, 2020, Belarusian goods (metal products, lubricants, sugar) in the amount of $294,000 have been exported to Uzbekistan via electronic exchange trading. The sides signed a pilot contract, under which 678 tons of sugar produced by JSC Slutsk Sugar Refinery were sold to Uzbek consumers through the trading platform of Latamgroup LLC in June 2020. --- Follow author on Twitter: @seyfaddini WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - Reflecting a sharp increase in the value of exports, the Commerce Department released a report on Wednesday showing the U.S. trade deficit narrowed in the month of June. The Commerce Department said the trade deficit narrowed to $50.7 billion in June from a revised $54.8 billion in May. Economists had expected the trade deficit to narrow to $50.1 billion from the $54.6 billion originally reported for the previous month. The narrower deficit came as the value of exports spiked by 9.4 percent to $158.3 billion, outpacing a 4.7 percent jump in the value of imports to $208.9 billion. 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. Please enable cookies on your web browser in order to continue. The new European data protection law requires us to inform you of the following before you use our website: We use cookies and other technologies to customize your experience, perform analytics and deliver personalized advertising on our sites, apps and newsletters and across the Internet based on your interests. By clicking I agree below, you consent to the use by us and our third-party partners of cookies and data gathered from your use of our platforms. See our Privacy Policy and Third Party Partners to learn more about the use of data and your rights. You also agree to our Terms of Service. (Newser) Two suburban Atlanta school districts that began in-person classes Monday with mask-optional policies face more questions about COVID-19 safety protocols after on-campus pictures showed students packed shoulder-to-shoulder, the AP reports. In Cherokee County, dozens of seniors gathered at two of the district's six high schools to take traditional first-day-of-school senior photos, with students squeezing together in black outfits. No one in pictures at Sequoyah High School in Hickory Flat or Etowah High School in Woodstock wore a mask. In Paulding County, student pictures taken Monday and Tuesday show crowded hallways at North Paulding High School in Dallas. Fewer than half of the students shown are wearing masks. Critics widely derided the pictures on social media, although some residents of the counties voiced support. story continues below Paulding County Superintendent Brian Ottot, in an email sent Tuesday, said pictures were accurate, but said the district is following state guidelines and that students need longer than a few minutes in the hall to catch the virus from others. Ottot wrote that class changes are a challenge" and that "it is an area where we are continuing to work on in this new environment to find practicable ways to further limit students from congregating, He added that There is no question that the photo does not look good. Ottot defended the district's decision not to require masks, writing that Wearing a mask is a personal choice and there is no practical way to enforce a mandate to wear them. Cherokee County school district spokesperson Barbara Jacoby said the pictures weren't a sanctioned activity and officials only became aware when the photos were posted on social media. She didn't say why staff members weren't present or didn't break up groups. An Instagram account associated with Sequoyah High School shared the picture, writing Welcome Back!!!" but the picture was later removed. (Read more coronavirus stories.) Regarding Why Trumps election delay tweet matters (Aug. 1): President Donald Trump suggested the November election be delayed, which might lead some to worry that he intends to stay on past his time, or to do some other outrageous thing. But it should be remembered that only Congress can set the date of the election, and the Constitution sets the end date of his term to Jan. 20, 2021. Instead, one should gauge the seriousness of his suggestion not by his Twitter outburst, but by his actions. If he is concerned about the election, then why is he not working with Congress to provide funding to make voting safe during the pandemic? His election tweet, like many others, most likely intended to distract, and to project the sense that he is some invincible strongman. But if he were, then why does the House have a Democratic majority? Why did his attempt to extort the government of Ukraine into interfering in the upcoming election fail? Why has he failed to handle the pandemic, leading to the deaths of thousands of Americans? Why has he failed to keep the economy growing? One person was killed, and three others injured in an apparent shootout in southwest Birmingham late Tuesday. Officers from the citys West Precinct were on patrol when they heard multiple shots fired in the 1000 block of 15th Way S.W., said Sgt. Rod Mauldin. Additionally, the 911 center was notified by Shot Spotter, Birminghams gunfire detection system, that 20 rounds had been fired in that area. A male victim was found unresponsive in the courtyard of an apartment complex. He was pronounced dead on the scene by Birmingham Fire and Rescue Service at 11:29 p.m.. The Jefferson County Coroners Office said the victim was a juvenile, but authorities have not yet identified him. A second victim was taken to the hospital with life-threatening injuries. Police learned that two other people suffering from gunshot wounds had shown up at area hospitals. Mauldin said their injuries are not life-threatening. The preliminary investigation indicates that gunfire was exchanged between those who were wounded. No suspects are in custody. The deadly shooting is Birminghams 73rd homicide in 2020. Of those, eight have been ruled justifiable and once accidental and therefore are not deemed criminal. In all of Jefferson County, there have been 103 homicides, including the 73 in Birmingham. Anyone with information is asked to call Birmingham homicide detectives at 205-254-1764 or Crime Stoppers at 205-254-7777. President Muhammadu Buhari has extended his warm greetings to the Founder/Chairman of one of Africas leading conglomerates, BUA Group, Abdul Samad Rabiu, on his 60th birthday. Mr Buhari, who conveyed his greetings in a statement issued by his spokesperson, Garba Shehu, extolled Mr Rabiu for his large-heartedness for always investing in people and institutions. The president, while describing Mr Rabius 60 years on earth as a milestone heralded by years of hard work, dedication and commitment to building the Nigerian economy, commended him for the construction of clinics, schools and religious houses, and consistent financial interventions in the fight against pandemics like poliovirus, ebola and COVID-19. According to the statement, President Muhammadu Buhari sends warm greetings, joining family and friends to celebrate the milestone, heralded by years of hard work, dedication and commitment to building the Nigerian economy. The President congratulates the business magnate for his foresight in investing extensively in agriculture, infrastructure, manufacturing and real estate, which has translated into strengthening the pillars of the economy, bolstering the governments diversification efforts and creating chains of subsidiary industries and business outfits. As the Chairman of BUA Group turns 60, President Buhari extols his large-heartedness in always investing in people and institutions, commending him for the construction of clinics, schools and religious houses, and consistent financial interventions in the fight against pandemics like Poliovirus, Ebola and COVID-19. The President affirms that Rabius diligence and business acumen continues to inspire many, and his propensity for creating opportunities for others to prosper is legendary, urging him to remain focused on his vision of a greater and better Nigeria. President Buhari prays that the Almighty God will reward him with longer life, good health and more wisdom, the statement added. Also, a former Nigerias Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, in his tribute to Mr Rabiu described the businessman as an astute businessman who has created jobs and opportunities and whose philanthropic and charitable gestures speaks to the depth of his humanity. Atiku in a tweet said, Founder/Chairman of @BUAgroup, Abdul Samad Rabiu (CON), has distinguished himself as an astute businessman who continues to create jobs and opportunities. His philanthropy and charitable causes speak eloquently to the depth of his humanity. My family rejoices with him and his family on the occasion of his 60th birthday. May the Almighty Allah grant him many more years in good health and service to humanity. Ameen. On his part, the Governor of Kwara State, Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq thanked Mr Rabiu for his investment and his commitment made to end the COVID-19 pandemic in the state. Gov. Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq with Abdul Samad Rabiu [PHOTO CREDIT: @RealAARahman] He said, On behalf of my family, the people and government of Kwara State, I congratulate the founder and chairman of the BUA Group, Alhaji Abdul Samad Rabiu (CON), on his 60th birthday anniversary. I commend him for his huge investments in Kwara State and the donations he made towards the states campaign against COVID-19 pandemic. I pray the Almighty Allah to continue to bless Alhaji Rabiu and his family, and may He grant him more fruitful years and good health. Junagadh and its vassal enclaves were ruled by Muslim rulers but their population was overwhelmingly Hindu. In a move timed with the first anniversary of the abrogation of Article 370, which granted special status to Jammu and Kashmir, the Pakistan government on Tuesday unveiled its new official political map that included the whole of Jammu and Kashmir, Siachen, Sir Creek in Kutch, and surprisingly Junagadh. The Government of India promptly dismissed Pakistans new political map as an exercise in political absurdity, adding that ridiculous assertions have neither legal validity nor international credibility. Islamabad's claim over Jammu and Kashmir is its proverbial raison d'etre, while the Sir Creek dispute has continued despite an international tribunal in 1968 resolving the larger border claims in Kutch. In addition, India and Pakistan have also fought a war over the control of Siachen in 1984. The addition of Junagarh a princely state in British India and Sir Creek in the new map evoked a sharp reaction from Gujarat CM Vijay Rupani. This action of Pakistan is both preposterous and obnoxious. Gujarat condemns this absurd act of Pakistan unequivocally, he tweeted. The shocking invocation of Junagadh by Pakistan is, however, not without a historical context. THE JUNAGADH QUESTION The princely states in the newly-Independent India were given the choice of either merging into India or Pakistan. While most of them acceded to India or Pakistan in a few cases, the question of princely states like Jammu and Kashmir, Hyderabad and Junagadh remained unresolved. Junagadh and its vassal enclaves were ruled by Muslim rulers but their population was overwhelmingly Hindu. On August 11, 1947, Nawab Muhammad Mahabat Khanji III told Muhammad Ali Jinnah his intention of acceding to Pakistan. Four days later, he formally issued a communique announcing Junagadhs merger. Incidentally, India came to know of it through news reports. The Nawabs decision did not go down well with India, which feared that a Pakistani presence in Kathiawar would jeopardise the economic and administrative unity of the region. Moreover, Junagadh did not share a border with Pakistan and its Veraval port was 300 miles away from Karachi. In War and Peace in Modern India, military historian Srinath Raghavan writes that India, after several weeks of no response from Pakistan over Junagadhs accession, decided to impose an economic embargo. In response, Junagadh PM Shahnawaz Bhutto appealed to Jinnah to not abandon Junagadh and its people to be devoured by the wolves. On September 9, PM Jawaharlal Nehru proposed the idea of referendum to his Pakistani counterpart, under which people would be allowed to choose their country. However, the next day, Pakistan said it had accepted the accession of Junagadh. This complicated matters further and introduced the Kashmir angle. According to journalist Harry Hodson, Jinnah probably thought of Junagadh as a bargaining chip for Kashmir, a princely state with a Hindu ruler and a Muslim majority, in the hope that a referendum would also be applied there if the Maharaja chose India. Soon, India amassed troops, feudatory states of Junagadh except Manavadar acceded, a provincial government was formed and a popular uprising emerged. Interestingly, when Mountbatten met Jinnah on November 1, the latter told the former that he was ready to let go of Junagadh for Kashmir. Eight days later, Junagadh capitulated. In February 1948, India held a referendum in which 95 per cent of the registered voters backed India; only 91 voted for Pakistan. Junagadh was also heard in the United Nations, where the issue fizzled out. MAP ROW IS NOT NEW While Junagadh is a non-issue in India and the UN, many Pakistanis have continued to consider Junagadh as a disputed territory. In fact, Raghavan notes that Junagadh remained in Pakistans official maps until 1960s. But by the time Bhuttos son, Zulfiqar, came to power, Junagadh issue had lost its relevance. In 2007, the titular Nawab of Junagadh, Muhammad Jahangir Khan, had accused the Pakistani regime of neglecting his family and removing Junagadh from the official map. He had also urged the government to redraw the Pakistani map to re-include Junagadh. In 2016, a think-tank, Muslim Institute, had organised a conference on the issue, where participants urged the Pakistani government to highlight the occupation of Junagadh at international forums and on Pakistani maps. Perhaps, the move to redraw the Pakistani map stemmed from the need to satisfy the jingoistic domestic constituency. Diplomatically, the redrawing of the map will have no impact whatsoever on India. The Nigeria Police Force has posted the officers deployed from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to different commands... The Nigeria Police Force has posted the officers deployed from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to different commands across the country. Mohammed Adamu, inspector-general of police, recalled some officers attached to the anti-graft agency in a bid to rid the agency of those suspected to have close ties to Ibrahim Magu, the suspended acting chairman. In a memo dated August 4, 2020, Alkali Usman, the force secretary, said eight chief superintendents of police (CSP) had been given new assignments. They are Abdullahi Lawal and Ibrahim Aliyu who were redeployed to Maiduguri, Borno state, Hamisu Dan-Usman and Umar Babangida to Yenagoa, Bayelsa state, while Mohammed Alkali was moved to Akure, Ondo state. Others include Mailafia Yakubu posted to Awka, Anambra state, Denis Neanolue to Katsina and Abdullahi Mohammed to Interpol. He said the redeployment is with immediate effect. Adamu had ordered the withdrawal of policemen attached to Magu shortly after the probe into the EFCC began. Also, 12 directors at the commission were suspended indefinitely. Some of the officials had been involved in investigating corruption allegations against Abubakar Malami, attorney-general of the federation (AGF), who had recommended Magus removal. Kimberly White/Getty Cori Bush Cori Bush a nurse, activist and pastor who was once homeless ousted longtime Democratic incumbent Rep. William Lacy Clay during Tuesday's Missouri primary. "They counted us out," Bush, 44, told supporters following her victory, according to the Associated Press. "They called me I'm just the protester, I'm just the activist with no name, no title and no real money. That's all they said that I was. But St. Louis showed up today." Bush's victory in the 1st Congressional District comes after a first failed attempt in 2018. But her supporters said that the recent protests over the killing of George Floyd while in Minneapolis police custody and the subsequent protests over racial injustice and police brutality helped propel her forward. Bush previously led protests over the shooting of Michael Brown Jr., a Black 18-year-old that was killed by a white police officer in Ferguson outside St. Louis. RELATED: Rep. Katie Porter Knows Shes Not the Typical Congress Member: My Life Does Not Look Like Yours! I was maced and beaten by those same police officers in those same streets, she told supporters on Tuesday about the protests, per The New York Times. Six months from now, as the first Black congresswoman in the entire history of Missouri, I will be holding every single one of them accountable. She added: If you didnt understand what happened, what was birthed right here in St. Louis, Missouri, in St. Louis County, in Ferguson, were about to show you. Bush had captured nearly 49 percent of the vote by late Tuesday evening while Clay trailed with 45.5 percent. She, viewed by many as the unlikely progressive candidate against a longtime establishment figure, had backing from political action committee Justice Democrats and Fight Corporate Monopolies during this election. Never miss a story sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories Story continues Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Cori Bush Tonight, Missouris 1st District has decided that an incremental approach isnt going to work any longer, Bush said after her win, according to the Times. We decided that we the people have the answers, and we will lead from the front lines. She is on track to become the first Black woman to represent the state of Missouri in Congress, should she win in November's general election. Her district includes Ferguson and is a heavily Democratic area. It has been represented by Clay or his father for more than half a century. Clay's dad served for 32 years before retiring in 2000. That year, his son, now 64, was elected. RELATED: Joe Biden Is Getting Very Close to Announcing His Running Mate: 'The First Week in August' Clay has yet to make a statement following his loss to Bush. Ahead of Tuesday's primary, he called the election a "simple choice." "This election is a simple choice," Clay, who is 10th term in Congress, said in a Monday statement, CBS News reported. "Cori Bush's Empty Rhetoric, or my record of real results and real reforms for the people." While dog owners have plenty of direct-to-consumer options if they want to order pet food online, we haven't seen a similar wave of startups for cats. But that may be starting to change. Earlier this year, I wrote about Cat Person, a startup backed by Harry's Labs offering a variety of cat care products, including food. And Smalls, a cat food startup that launched in 2018, is announcing today that it has raised $9 million in Series A funding. Co-founders Matt Michaelson (CEO) and Calvin Bohn (COO) said that it's not simply a matter of taking the D2C dog food model and applying it to cats. "The traditional sort of MO for companies in the pet care space is to do everything for dogs first," then expand into cat products, Bohn said. Michaelson argued that this means companies "often overlooked the nutritional needs of cat." In particular, he said, "We found that we needed a much broader range of products to really succeed. Cats are picky because theyre apex predators." So Smalls offers a variety of food options, including what it says is fresh, human-grade chicken and beef; freeze-dried chicken, turkey and duck; plus other treats (and non-food products like litter and toys). Smalls Image Credits: Smalls Michaelson and Bohn started out by cooking the food in the kitchen of their New York City apartments, then moved into what was then known as Brooklyn Foodworks. Smalls now manufactures its cat food in a facility in Chicago. They acknowledged that the cost can be a bit higher than what cat owners are used to paying the exact comparison will depend on the brand and quality you currently buy, but after taking a quick quiz on the Smalls website, I was offered subscription plans that cost around $3 or $4 per cat per day. Michaelson noted that "retention is not correlated to income" (so Smalls customers aren't just wealthy cat owners), and he argued that investing in healthy food for your cat could save money down the road. Story continues "We dont have studies to say that yet, but at the same time, you would naturally assume eating better food is going to be a good investment in yourself," he said. Bohn added that when cat owners switch to Smalls, they quickly notice the difference: "Within weeks, their cats were sleeping better at night, their coats were more lustrous, their stool smelled better." (Journalists who tried it out seem to agree.) The Series A brings Smalls' total funding to $12 million. It was led by Left Lane Capital (whose partner Jason Fiedler previously invested in The Farmer's Dog), with participation from Founder Collective and Companion Fund. While we've seen a proliferation of highly successful healthy dog food brands, the cat food market has remained completely ignored, Fiedler said in a statement. Smalls has successfully developed a brand, product mix, supply chain and customer experience that is specifically optimized for cats that no one else has. Michaelson said Smalls currently has "several thousand" active subscribers, up 4x year-over-year. And while the pandemic has created some supply chain challenges, it also led to "a huge rise in pet adoption," as well as convincing some owners that they should look for alternatives to their local pet store. "Because we're seeing this big movement towards the direct-to-consumer side of things with COVID, it's really an opportunity to lean into that and grow faster," he said. New Delhi: Amid the indefinite sit-in by JNUSU in the campus, the JNU administration has blamed a section of student protesters of maligning the image of the university by propagating false information related to an incident leading to disappearance of Najeeb Ahmed. Members of Jawaharlal Nehru University Students Union (JNUSU) have been protesting for the last four days at the varsitys administrative block protesting the universitys decision to not allow protests over the missing student case. Despite all these steps, certain groups of students and the universitys students union have been consistently spreading false information and making unfounded allegations against the administration. Also read | Delhi Police raises reward for info on missing JNU student Najeeb Ahmed to Rs 10 lakh Outsiders are invited into the campus to participate in agitations aimed more against the administration and less on the need for all-out cooperation in the efforts made by the administration to locate Najeeb. Unnecessary politicisation of this incident has created hindrances for locating Najeeb and resolving the issue, the JNU administration said. In a statement released yesterday, the administration also said it has written several times to JNUSU to refrain from indulging in dharnas, sit-ins, loud protest marches, and offensive sloganeering in and around the administration building as per the university rules, but the JNUSU has not desisted from doing so. Due to the persistent defiance of protesters, the academic atmosphere and the administrative functioning of the university have been adversely affected, it said. Also read | Delhi High Court sternly asks city police to cut across all political barriers and find missing JNU student Najeeb Ahmed The administration has also earmarked alternative spaces for organising democratic and lawful protests, it added. JNUSU president Mohit Pandey has rejected the allegation about the students, as a bunch of lies and instead posed few questions to the administration over the issue. Pandey alleged that the vice-chancellor was hell-bent on destroying the culture of JNU through his high-handedness. He also accused him of not making public the proctorial report, which says that some ABVP activists have been found guilty of hitting Najeeb. The students are protesting against alleged inaction by the administration on the issue. Najeeb Ahmed, a first year MSc student, went missing from the campus on October 15 after he was allegedly assaulted by ABVP members during a hostel election campaign a night before. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Actor Amitabh Bachchan has responded to a comment on his Facebook post, in which a person had asked him why he doesnt donate his extra wealth to the needy. Amitabh in a long response stressed that he has, on innumerable occasions, donated to various causes, and proceeded to list some of them out. How about donating your extra wealth to the needy and poor? the comment in question began. I am sure your wallet will be filled with immense love and blessings! Lead by example. Instruction is good but example is worth more! The actor wrote in his blog, I weep as I put this out .. because somewhere today this lady has destroyed by belief and stand that I shall NOT talk of my charity .. only DO it .. it needs to be done not talked of .. Also read: Amitabh Bachchan replies to woman who said shes totally lost respect for him: My respectability is not going to be judged by you In his response, the actor wrote, Seema Patel ji .. yes my wallet is full with love and blessings .. and I shall NOT take your lead to follow by example I shall continue to give instruction BECAUSE you are completely delusional and have NO knowledge or ANY information of what I have done, what I am doing and what I shall continue doing .. not just for the poor and needy , but for the thousands of farmers that have been saved from suicide by my own personal charitable financial intervention, right from Andhra, Vidarbha, Bihar and UP .. for the martyrs families of the CRPF that have sacrificed their lives in J&K and Pulwama so you can be safe enough to put out your ill-informed comment here on FB .. for the workers in the Industry community numbering 100,000 families that have been provided ration and food for 6 months .. for the daily lunch and dinner provided to 5000 each day since the lockdown till today to the poor in the city .. for the 12,000 foot wear that has been provided to the migrant workers walking bare feet to their villages from Mumbai, by having my team catch them on the Nasik Highway, and to give them food and water for the buses, 10 in number, personally arranged to transport them to their homes in Bihar and UP .. for the entire train booked by me to transport 2009 migrant workers to their homes .. and when politics cancelled the train, within an hour to have booked and chartered 6 planes of Indigo, transported 180 passengers in each flight - 2 to Varanasi, 2 to Gorakhpur, one to Allahabad, one to Patna , and providing dry food packets to the migrants in flight , and to arrange for facilities to take the migrants to their respective villages, all at my own personal cost for the front line workers during the pandemic to have donated 15,000 PPE units and over 10,000 masks to the Hospitals and the Police forces in Mumbai .. to have provided substantial donation to the Chairman of the Sikh community in Delhi, who are working assiduously in helping and feeding the poor in this crisis .. Also read: Amitabh Bachchan hits back at troll who says actor must have taken money from Amul: Dont endorse and never have before He added, My personal policy Seema ji stipulates of NOT talking but DOING for others shall ever stand BUT today your uncalled for provocation, coerces me to break my STAND , and I am so so regretting that I have to give explanation AND LASTLY , I KNOW THAT THEY THAT GET THE BENEFIT OF MY WORK ALBEIT LIMITED WITHIN MY PERSONAL MEANS, KNOW THAT IT IS A MILLION TIMES GREATER IN WORTH THAN THE INSTRUCTED EXAMPLE THAT YOU WISH FOR ME AND WRITE ABOUT .. BECAUSE THAT IS ALL THAT YOU AND YOUR LIKES ARE CAPABLE OF DOING - WRITING ILL-INFORMED , IRRESPONSIBLE DIATRIBE AND RIDING ON CELEBRITY BACKS TO GET NOTICE .. may the Almighty bless and protect you, may you be ever safe and in the care of those unseen Divine forces .. and this from one that has just been discharged and has survived the dreaded Covid virus , by the care and attention AND LOVE given to me by the Medical professional community of my Country .. and by the prayers and dual and blessings of a million well wishers , OF WHICH YOU AND YOUR FRIENDS SHALL NEVER BE A PART OF. In recent weeks, the actor has been responding to those criticising him on social media regularly. He recently responded to a woman on Facebook who accused him of advertising for the hospital where he was admitted for Covid-19 treatment and said that she had totally lost respect for him. He also hit back at a person who suggested that he was paid for an Amul advertisement that featured him. The actor recently announced that hed tested negative for the coronavirus, and has moved back home. He will, however, remain in quarantine for several days. His son, Abhishek Bachchan, remains in hospital as he is still Covid-19 positive. Follow @htshowbiz for more SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Geordie Shore starlet Chloe Ferry is reportedly back together with her co-star ex Sam Gowland, despite being in the throes of filming Celebs Go Dating. A source has told The Sun that the former-couple are 'reconnecting'; but fans have also worked it out. The pair are both on holiday currently, with Sam, 25, in Dubai, and Chloe, 24, claiming to be in Ibiza. Rumbled! Sam Gowland and Chloe Ferry have led fans to speculate they're back together, after posting images to Instagram seemingly from the same place But savvy social media fans of the reality stars have spotted very similar backdrops in each of their Instagram posts, deducing that they're on a secret getaway together. Clues suggesting they're both in Dubai, and that Chloe is in fact not in Ibiza, include matching door-frames and swimming pools in the backdrop of their separate photos. In addition, Chloe made the mistake of filming herself talking about a delivery service only available in Dubai. Adding to this, a source said: 'Chloe's taking it really slowly and she's keen to keep it quiet as her friends will all be furious after all the drama. It's a chance for them to reconnect.' Snap! Chloe posed in front of a black door with a silver handle. The same door design cropped up in one of Sam's videos Plot holes: Chloe made the mistake of filming herself talking about a delivery service only available in Dubai MailOnline has approached reps for Chloe and Celebs Go Dating for comment. It's thought Chloe could have initially flown to Ibiza, where she was supposedly shooting images for her swimwear line. On Tuesday morning, she posted,' Be back never!' and tagged herself at Ibiza locations. But fans have tried to call her out as they began noticing holes in her story. Geo-tag? On Tuesday morning, she posted,' Be back never!' and tagged herself in Ibiza You sure about that? She claimed to be in Spain just one day ago One follower commented on her latest Instagram post: 'Actually rooting for you and Sam but don't get why you lie to your followers? Your in the same pool as Sam and it's in your stories, same furniture in the background. 'Just no need to lie to us... amazing if you're back with Sam but no need to lie to us and tag somewhere you're clearly not!' [sic] Another added: 'She's not in Ibiza... why is she saying that? She just could had said nothing, then she have had her private life!' [sic] The present season of Celebs Go Dating signed Chloe up amid what appeared to be the complete end to her and Sam's romance. The couple - who have been on/off for years and had a turbulent relationship since first getting together in 2017 - were believed to split for good in February, prompting her to sign up for the virtual version of the celebrity dating show. Tears of joy: Back in February, Chloe moved out of the pad she shared with Sam and posted videos to her Instagram Story of her new home Filmed over the last few weeks in lockdown, the series has adapted to the COVID-19 rules of social distancing, and features the likes of Love Island's Shaughna Phillips, rugby star Levi Davis and TOWIE's Pete Wicks. All this comes after Chloe said she had not been texting anyone in lockdown and was open to dating women. She also said that, despite her tempestuous on and off romance with Sam, she is ready to find 'the one', adding there's 'no point' in dating someone if it wasn't serious. She explained: 'The next person I get with I want them to be "the one". I haven't even really started dating yet and obviously I was with Sam for three years, but we've just got out of lockdown and I haven't had a chance to have a proper date yet.' Hunt for love: 'The next person I get with I want them to be "the one". I haven't even really started dating yet and obviously I was with Sam for three years, but we've just got out of lockdown and I haven't had a chance to have a proper date yet,' she said last month Not meant to be: This comes after they split 'for good' in October then rekindled their romance on a group trip to Thailand in December Back in February, Chloe moved out of the pad she shared with Sam and shared videos to her Instagram Story of her new home. This came after they couple previously split 'for good' in October then rekindled their romance on a group trip to Thailand in December. The couple went public with their romance in October 2017 but split in May last year after she accused him of cheating with Love Island beauty Amber Davies, something Amber vehemently denied. But reunion rumours circulated since last December after it had been claimed that the Geordie Shore duo had moved back into the home they bought together. New beginnings: The star shared videos to her Instagram Story that showed her move into her new house Moving on: A source revealed to The Sun at the time that 'Chloe's finally cut ties with Sam' A source said in February: 'Chloe's finally cut ties with Sam and is moving on by herself. Today is Chloe's official moving day and she's so excited for the fresh start. 'It feels like the dawn of a new beginning for Chloe. No more Sam riding on her coat tails or trying to muscle in on what is hers.' The star detailed her house move with a collection of Stories that showed builders moving things into her lush new pad. She said while crying into the camera: 'Tears of joy, I promise. I am literally so happy to finally be in my house. 'It's been a crazy year but I am so happy, I am so in love with my home. It's just a great Valentine's Day for me.' By Valentina Za MILAN (Reuters) - Intesa Sanpaolo beat forecasts with its second quarter earnings on Tuesday and gave an upbeat dividend and profit outlook days after completing the takeover of smaller rival UBI. Intesa has just concluded a tortuous battle for Italy's healthiest second-tier bank aiming to drive profits from the deal through cost cuts and a focus on wealth management and insurance. CEO Carlo Messina said the transaction would strengthen Intesa's position in Europe ahead of an expected wave of consolidation in the sector, but said cross-border mergers were not a priority. "I don't see value for shareholders in geographical diversification at present," he said. Intesa confirmed a 2022 profit goal of at least 5 billion euros (4.5 billion dollars) for the merged group, which will be the euro zone's eighth-largest bank by assets and will command at least a fifth of all main banking products domestically. Intesa will present a business plan for the new group by the end of 2021, waiting first for a clearer macroeconomic picture. Even without the UBI contribution, Intesa stuck to a 2020 profit goal of at least 3 billion euros, rising to at least 3.5 billion euros in 2021. "In terms of guidance and outlook, we believe it is very much a case of no news is good news," Santander analysts said. "In a quarter when other banks have disappointed with weaker performance because of COVID-19, we believe Intesa's results were reassuring." Intesa's shares extended gains after the results, rising 6% by 1503 GMT. Following a dividend freeze demanded by the European Central Bank to help banks to cope with the virus crisis, Intesa said it would seek ECB approval to pay out as dividends in 2021 part of its net income from both 2020 and 2019 in the light of its robust capital buffers. Core capital strengthened further to 14.9% of assets in June from 14.5% in March helped by regulatory changes. Story continues Net profit for the three months through June came in at 1.4 billion euros ($1.7 billion), up 16% year-on-year and above an average 1.1 billion euro forecast in a Reuters analyst survey. Earnings benefited from a 1.1 billion euro capital gain from the sale of Intesa's retailer payments business. The bank used the money to write down loans by 1.4 billion euros in an economy reeling from the fallout of the coronavirus pandemic. It raised provisions on performing loans which may deteriorate as debt holidays and other government support measures wane. Income from the traditional lending business held up in the quarter and Intesa guided for a positive trend going forward, partly thanks to funds borrowed at negative rates from the ECB. A prolonged lockdown drove fees down 11% in the quarter though Intesa said June had seen a rebound which continued in July. (($1 = 0.8498 euros) (Reporting by Valentina Za, editing by Silvia Aloisi and Jane Merriman) 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. By Express News Service CHENNAI: Actor and humanitarian Sonu Sood helped 101 medical students from Tamil Nadu and Delhi who were stranded in Moscow during the lockdown reach Chennai. Sharing their experience, students who reached Chennai on Wednesday and were quarantined at a hotel here told The New Indian Express that they had paid Rs 33,000 for the chartered flight arranged by the actor. "The flight had a seating capacity for 200 passengers. We were only 101 students, including one student from Delhi. We were not sure if the private airlines would operate chartered flights for our strength. But, we learned actor Sonu Sood paid the remaining money to book the entire flight and facilitated our travel," said T R Sakthi Priyadarshini, one of the students. The students said around 200 medical students who wanted to reach Chennai were connected through WhatsApp groups and were trying to book chartered flights with private operators. But they didn't have a direct flight to Chennai from Russia. Later, some of the students took flights for other states in India and only 101 people were left. "We had a Vande Bharat flight from Moscow on July 3, but our course got over only on July 6. So we could not take that flight. Also, our visa expiry date was August 1. But, the Russian government had announced that the students could stay there till September if they don't get a flight due to the lockdown. But then there were other challenges and I had to prepare for the Foreign Medical Graduates Examination in December. So we were tense," added Priyadarshini. ALSO READ | Sonu Sood gifts tractor to Chittoor farmer who made his daughters plough fields Another student Deepan Prabhakaran, a native of Villupuram, said "I was staying in an apartment. I had to pay rent and also had to take care of my food expenses along with other things. Also I had paid a fee for online coaching for FMGE." The students also said they sent an email to Sood on July 23 after seeing reports of the actor helping students stranded in Kyrgyzstan reach India. Soon, Sood's office contacted the students and arranged for the flight. BEIRUT I was waiting at the veterinary clinic with my fever stricken two-year-old dog Brownie for his third consultation in 36 hours. His temperature wouldnt go away and his appetite was nonexistent. A boy sat near me with puppies. Then a crash rattled in the distance. It seemed like an explosion, but Ive lived through bombs before. I was a school girl 20 miles away when the blast killed former Prime Minister Rafiq Hariri 15 years ago. But this was different. We werent sure what to make of it. Then came the second explosion, an enormous catastrophic force that burst through the clinic from what seemed like the center of the earth. The only thing I remembered from my hostile environment training was to get down. I did, but the vet didnt. When I staggered to my feet, his body was quivering, and blood soaked his white coat. He was in shock and bleeding heavily. His colleagues tried to find the source of the bleeding, but they couldnt. Nor could they stop it. Beirut-based journalist Nadia al-Faour hugs her dog Loulou, a German shepherd rescue. Loulou died in the Aug. 4, 2020 explosion. I fled the clinic with my heart and head pounding. I was worried about the vet as I made my way in the direction of the port, like salmon swimming up river. Everyone seemed to be going the other way. As we neared Beirut, the scale of damage grew. We turned left before the port trying to avoid traffic. Every hard-won mile led to more carnage and gridlock. Glass caked the road like ice. Buildings were ruined. People with empty eyes wandered abandoned streets. I finally made it home and scrambled upstairs, looking for my other dog, an elderly German Shepherd rescue named Loulou. She wasnt there. I found her at the bottom of a window blown open by the explosion. She had jumped in shock six floors to her death. My three cats had scattered too, but at least they were alive. One was behind the fridge, and two under the bed. By Wednesday night, none had emerged. What else can this cruel year bring? Journalist Nadia al-Faour at Beirut airport. How does Beirut heal from the terrible toll of this explosion? From a catastrophe that has made it unliveable? Story continues I will miss Loulou as I walk the streets of a broken city in the coming weeks. She made living in a dystopia more bearable. At least one of my animals is better. The explosion seemed to shock the fever out of Brownie. Hes back to health and looking in vain for his playmate. Nadia al-Faour is a journalist in Beirut. Follow her on Twitter @NadiaaFaour. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Reporter reflects on Beirut explosion, burying a dog amid 'dystopia' Local News By Ls Cohen Published: August 05 2020 More than 300,000 still without power. After Tropical Storm Isaias quickly made its way up the coast, it brought damaging winds that brought down trees, closing roads and causing power outages across Long Island. The storm left more than 300,000 people without electricity on Tuesday afternoon. PSEG Long Island said that it had restored 90,000 customers with about 331,000 customers currently without power. Communication with the utility was problematic for many residents. The company blamed the issue in Verizon communications systems that were also affected by the storm. PSEG Long Island is reliant on Verizon for its internet and telecommunications systems, the company said in a statement. Without reliable support from Verizon, our systems cannot perform as they should. PSEG Long Island is actively working with Verizon to address this issue PSEG Long Island said it deployed more than 2,000 line workers, tree trimmers, surveyors and other personnel to restore service, including crews from outside the region. Customers took to social media to complain about the poor communication and unreliability of the companys outage map. The Long Island Railroad was also forced to shut down service Tuesday afternoon. As of Wednesday morning the LIRR was showing modified service and significant delays on all lines. LIRR said it will continue to run modified service while crews remove tree branches and other debris. The storm has caused dangerous conditions on local roads with downed power lines and dark traffic lights. A note from Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone warned motorists about what to do at dark traffic lights. Reminder: A dark traffic signal means all way stop, he wrote. While crews continue to respond to outages as a result of Tropical Storm Isaias, residents are urged to exercise caution and treat traffic light outages as all way stop signs. The teams will leave HAAH's California headquarters and follow a route that will take them to at least six states. The vehicles will undergo hot weather, high altitude performance, dynamic vehicle ride and handling, and ergonomic testing. As part of the program, the vehicles will utilize the Pike's Peak International Raceway facility for part of the dynamic ride and handling evaluation. Competitive vehicle comparison testing and assessment will be a part of the process as well. As part of the evaluation, HAAH will be assisted by Global Vehicle Services Corp., acknowledged experts in vehicle homologation and engineering for the U.S. and international markets. "While we've been testing the vehicles here in the U.S. already, this will be our first full vehicle engineering evaluation program. We're eager to start this next phase which will provide in-market, real-world experience that is invaluable for our engineering, sales, and marketing teams," said Pradzinski.. About HAAH Automotive Holdings HAAH Automotive Holdings was formed by a group of leading auto industry executives and experts to create a new experience both for customers and its dealer partners. Designed to meet the needs of 21st century car buyers, the company is creating new methods, processes, and procedures to increase transparency, clarify pricing, and simplify purchase and vehicle service for the customer. The company is based in Irvine, Calif. SOURCE HAAH Automotive Holdings Related Links https://haahauto.com BOSTON, Aug. 5, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Liberty Mutual Holding Company Inc. and its subsidiaries (collectively "LMHC" or the "Company") reported net loss attributable to LMHC of $320 million and net income attributable to LMHC of $199 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2020, versus net income attributable to LMHC of $397 million and $1.066 billion for the same periods in 2019. "For the second quarter, we reported a net loss attributable to LMHC of $320 million, reflecting significant impacts from the COVID-19 pandemic and consequent economic downturn as well as above average catastrophe losses," said David H. Long, Liberty Mutual Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. "Incurred losses for COVID-19 amounted to $529 million in the quarter, with roughly half of these losses related to event cancellation. Based on our size and industry footprint, these losses fall within our expectations for an event of this magnitude. Catastrophe losses of $878 million were up $384 million from the prior year quarter and resulted primarily from a high frequency of severe storm activity and include $147 million of losses related to civil unrest. On the investment side, realized gains from the sale of fixed maturities were more than offset by losses in our partnership portfolio, which are booked on a quarter lag. "Despite these extraordinary events, our core combined ratio in the quarter improved 4.6 points to 89.1%, and we are encouraged by the continued market firming in commercial lines which should only accelerate as COVID-19 weighs on industry profitability. Within Global Risk Solutions, we achieved renewal rate increases of 16% in the quarter which is in excess of observed loss trend. The market has been receptive to the need for rate in recent quarters as loss trends remain elevated. We expect this will have a meaningful impact on our core underwriting results going forward." Second Quarter Highlights Net written premium ("NWP") for the three months ended June 30, 2020 was $9.780 billion , a decrease of $259 million or 2.6% from the same period in 2019. was , a decrease of or 2.6% from the same period in 2019. Pre-tax operating (loss) income before partnerships, limited liability companies ("LLC") and other equity method (loss) income for the three months ended June 30, 2020 was ($327) million , versus $208 million for the same period in 2019. was , versus for the same period in 2019. Partnerships, LLC and other equity method (loss) income for the three months ended June 30, 2020 was ($350) million , versus $311 million for the same period in 2019. was , versus for the same period in 2019. Net realized gains for the three months ended June 30, 2020 were $403 million , an increase of $341 million over the same period in 2019. were , an increase of over the same period in 2019. Unit linked life insurance for the three months ended June 30, 2020 was ($71) million , a decrease of $55 million from the same period in 2019. was , a decrease of from the same period in 2019. Ironshore Inc. ("Ironshore") acquisition and integration costs for the three months ended June 30, 2020 were $7 million , an increase of $1 million or 16.7% over the same period in 2019. were , an increase of or 16.7% over the same period in 2019. Restructuring costs for the three months ended June 30, 2020 were zero, versus $1 million for the same period in 2019. were zero, versus for the same period in 2019. Loss on extinguishment of debt for the three months ended June 30, 2020 was zero, versus $49 million for the same period in 2019. was zero, versus for the same period in 2019. Discontinued operations, net of tax, for the three months ended June 30, 2020 were ($13) million , versus zero for the same period in 2019. were , versus zero for the same period in 2019. Consolidated net (loss) income for the three months ended June 30, 2020 was ($318) million , versus $397 million for the same period in 2019. was , versus for the same period in 2019. Net income attributable to non-controlling interest for the three months ended June 30, 2020 was $2 million , versus zero for the same period in 2019. was , versus zero for the same period in 2019. Net (loss) income attributable to LMHC for the three months ended June 30, 2020 was ($320) million , versus $397 million for the same period in 2019. was , versus for the same period in 2019. Net (loss) income attributable to LMHC excluding unrealized impact 1 for the three months ended June 30, 2020 was ($511) million , versus $392 million for the same period in 2019. for the three months ended was , versus for the same period in 2019. Cash flow provided by continuing operations for the three months ended June 30, 2020 was $1.699 billion , an increase of $389 million or 29.7% over the same period in 2019. was , an increase of or 29.7% over the same period in 2019. The consolidated combined ratio before catastrophes2, COVID-193, net incurred losses attributable to prior years4 and current accident year re-estimation5 for the three months ended June 30, 2020 was 89.1%, a decrease of 4.6 from the same period in 2019. Including the impact of catastrophes, COVID-19, net incurred losses attributable to prior years and current accident year re-estimation, the total combined ratio6 for the three months ended June 30, 2020 was 105.2%, an increase of 4.0 points over the same period in 2019. Year-to-date Highlights NWP for the six months ended June 30, 2020 was $19.819 billion , an increase of $81 million or 0.4% over the same period in 2019. was , an increase of or 0.4% over the same period in 2019. Pre-tax operating income before partnerships, LLC and other equity method income for the six months ended June 30, 2020 was $378 million , a decrease of $490 million or 56.5% from the same period in 2019. was , a decrease of or 56.5% from the same period in 2019. Partnerships, LLC and other equity method (loss) income for the six months ended June 30, 2020 was ($250) million , versus $394 million for the same period in 2019. was , versus for the same period in 2019. Net realized gains for the six months ended June 30, 2020 were $156 million , a decrease of $156 million or 50.0% from the same period in 2019. were , a decrease of or 50.0% from the same period in 2019. Unit linked life insurance for the six months ended June 30, 2020 was $43 million , versus ($77) million for the same period in 2019. was , versus for the same period in 2019. Ironshore acquisition and integration costs for the six months ended June 30, 2020 were $11 million , a decrease of $1 million or 8.3% from the same period in 2019. were , a decrease of or 8.3% from the same period in 2019. Restructuring costs for the six months ended June 30, 2020 were $2 million , a decrease of $1 million or 33.3% from the same period in 2019. were , a decrease of or 33.3% from the same period in 2019. Loss on extinguishment of debt for the six months ended June 30, 2020 was zero, versus $49 million for the same period in 2019. was zero, versus for the same period in 2019. Discontinued operations, net of tax, for the six months ended June 30, 2020 were ($13) million , a decrease of $37 million or 74.0% from the same period in 2019. were , a decrease of or 74.0% from the same period in 2019. Consolidated net income for the six months ended June 30, 2020 was $201 million , a decrease of $865 million or 81.1% from the same period in 2019. was , a decrease of or 81.1% from the same period in 2019. Net income attributable to non-controlling interest for the six months ended June 30, 2020 was $2 million , versus zero for the same period in 2019. was , versus zero for the same period in 2019. Net income attributable to LMHC for the six months ended June 30, 2020 was $199 million , a decrease of $867 million or 81.3% from the same period in 2019. was , a decrease of or 81.3% from the same period in 2019. Net income attributable to LMHC excluding unrealized impact for the six months ended June 30, 2020 was $292 million , a decrease of $565 million or 65.9% from the same period in 2019. was , a decrease of or 65.9% from the same period in 2019. Cash flow provided by continuing operations for the six months ended June 30, 2020 was $2.118 billion , an increase of $573 million or 37.1% over the same period in 2019. was , an increase of or 37.1% over the same period in 2019. The consolidated combined ratio before catastrophes, COVID-19, and net incurred losses attributable to prior years for the six months ended June 30, 2020 was 90.8%, a decrease 2.7 points from the same period in 2019. Including the impact of catastrophes, COVID-19, and net incurred losses attributable to prior years, the total combined ratio for the six months ended June 30, 2020 was 100.6%, an increase of 1.9 points over the same period in 2019. Financial Condition as of June 30, 2020 Total debt excluding unamortized discount and debt issuance costs was $9.172 billion as of June 30, 2020 , an increase of $501 million or 5.8% over December 31, 2019 . as of , an increase of or 5.8% over . Total equity was $24.457 billion as of June 30, 2020 , an increase of $838 million or 3.5% over December 31, 2019 . Subsequent Events On July 19, 2020, the Company entered into an agreement with an investment firm, whereby both parties will contribute various energy assets into a new joint venture vehicle. The Company will contribute its entire interest in Liberty Energy, LLC to the joint venture in exchange for a minority interest in the new entity. As a result of being held for sale, a $231 million impairment is reflected in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. Management has assessed material subsequent events through August 5, 2020, the date the financial statements were available to be issued. Excludes unrealized gains on equity securities, unit linked life insurance, and the corresponding tax impact. Catastrophes are defined as a natural catastrophe, civil unrest, or terror event exceeding $25 million in estimated ultimate losses, net of reinsurance, and before taxes. Catastrophe losses, where applicable, include the impact of accelerated earned catastrophe premiums and earned reinstatement premiums. Includes Global Risk Solutions estimated loss activity directly related to COVID-19. Net incurred losses attributable to prior years is defined as incurred losses attributable to prior years (including prior year losses related to catastrophes, prior year catastrophe reinstatement premium, and prior year commission expense) including earned premium attributable to prior years. Re-estimation of the current accident year loss reserves for the three months ended March 31, 2019 . The combined ratio, expressed as a percentage, is a measure of underwriting profitability. This measure should only be used in conjunction with, and not in lieu of, underwriting income and may not be comparable to other performance measures used by the Company's competitors. The combined ratio is computed as the sum of the following property and casualty ratios: the ratio of claims and claim adjustment expense less managed care income to earned premium; the ratio of insurance operating costs plus amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs less third-party administration income and fee income (primarily related to the Company's involuntary market servicing carrier operations) and installment charges to earned premium; and the ratio of policyholder dividends to earned premium. Provisions for uncollectible premium and reinsurance are not included in the combined ratio unless related to an asbestos and environmental commutation and certain other run off. Restructuring and Ironshore acquisition and integration costs are not included in the combined ratio. Consolidated Results of Operations Three Months Ended June 30, Six Months Ended June 30, $ in Millions 2020 Revised 20198 Change 2020 Revised 20198 Change Revenues $10,172 $10,789 (5.7%) $20,629 $21,456 (3.9%) PTOI before catastrophes, COVID-19, net incurred losses attributable to prior years, current accident year re-estimation and partnerships, LLC and other equity method income $1,162 $921 26.2 $2,222 $1,884 17.9 Catastrophes1 (878) (494) 77.7 (1,184) (773) 53.2 COVID-192 (529) - NM (565) - NM Net incurred losses attributable to prior years: - Asbestos and environmental3 - - - - (3) (100.0) - All other4 (82) (204) (59.8) (95) (240) (60.4) Current accident year re-estimation5 - (15) (100.0) - - - Pre-tax operating (loss) income before partnerships, LLC and other equity method income (327) 208 NM 378 868 (56.5) Partnerships, LLC and other equity method (loss) income6 (350) 311 NM (250) 394 NM Pre-tax operating (loss) income (677) 519 NM 128 1,262 (89.9) Net realized gains 403 62 NM 156 312 (50.0) Unit linked life insurance (71) (16) NM 43 (77) NM Ironshore acquisition & integration costs (7) (6) 16.7 (11) (12) (8.3) Restructuring costs - (1) (100.0) (2) (3) (33.3) Loss on extinguishment of debt - (49) (100.0) - (49) (100.0) Pre-tax (loss) income (352) 509 NM 314 1,433 (78.1) Income tax (benefit) expense (47) 112 NM 100 317 (68.5) Consolidated net (loss) income from continuing operations (305) 397 NM 214 1,116 (80.8) Discontinued operations, net of tax (13) - NM (13) (50) (74.0) Consolidated net (loss) income (318) 397 NM 201 1,066 (81.1) Less: Net income attributable to non-controlling interest 2 - NM 2 - NM Net (loss) income attributable to LMHC (320) 397 NM 199 1,066 (81.3) Net (loss) income attributable to LMHC excluding unrealized impact7 ($511) $392 NM $292 $857 (65.9) Cash flow provided by continuing operations $1,699 $1,310 29.7% $2,118 $1,545 37.1% 1 Catastrophes are defined as a natural catastrophe, civil unrest, or terror event exceeding $25 million in estimated ultimate losses, net of reinsurance, and before taxes. Catastrophe losses, where applicable, include the impact of accelerated earned catastrophe premiums and earned reinstatement premiums. 2 Includes Global Risk Solutions estimated loss activity directly related to COVID-19. 3 Asbestos and environmental is gross of the related adverse development reinsurance (the "NICO Reinsurance Transaction"). 4 Net of earned premium and reinstatement premium attributable to prior years of $97 million and $105 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2020, and ($9) million and ($9) million for the same periods in 2019. 5 Re-estimation of the current accident year loss reserves for the three months ended March 31, 2019. 6 Partnerships, LLC and other equity method (loss) income includes LP, LLC and other equity method (loss) income within net investment income in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Operations and revenue and expenses from direct investments in natural resources. 7 Excludes unrealized gains on equity securities, unit linked life insurance, and the corresponding tax impact. 8 2019 amounts were restated due to a pension accounting policy change. NM = Not Meaningful Financial Information: The Company's financial results, management's discussion and analysis of operating results and financial condition, accompanying financial statements and other supplemental financial information for the three and six months ended June 30, 2020 are available on the Company's Investor Relations website at www.libertymutualgroup.com/investors. Conference Call Information: On August 6, 2020, at 11:00 a.m. Eastern Time, David Long, Liberty Mutual Insurance Chairman and CEO, will host a conference call to discuss the Company's second quarter financial results. To participate in the event via telephone and to ask a question, please dial 888-312-9837, referencing the Confirmation Code 6896508. You can view the slides at https://attglobal.webcasts.com/starthere.jsp?ei=1343224&tp_key=a9635b8ded. To listen to the call online via PC and view a presentation on financial performance, please log into https://attglobal.webcasts.com/starthere.jsp?ei=1343224&tp_key=a9635b8ded. Following the call, a recording of the event will be available on the Investor Relations section of Liberty Mutual's website, www.libertymutualgroup.com/investors. About Liberty Mutual Insurance At Liberty Mutual, we believe progress happens when people feel secure. By providing protection for the unexpected and delivering it with care, we help people embrace today and confidently pursue tomorrow. In business since 1912, and headquartered in Boston, today we are the sixth largest global property and casualty insurer based on 2019 gross written premium. We also rank 77th on the Fortune 100 list of largest corporations in the U.S. based on 2019 revenue. As of December 31, 2019, we had $43.2 billion in annual consolidated revenue. We employ over 45,000 people in 29 countries and economies around the world. We offer a wide range of insurance products and services, including personal automobile, homeowners, specialty lines, reinsurance, commercial multiple-peril, workers compensation, commercial automobile, general liability, surety, and commercial property. For more information, visit www.libertymutualinsurance.com. Risks and Uncertainties The extent to which the coronavirus impacts our future results will depend on developments which are highly uncertain and cannot be predicted, including litigation developments, legislative or regulatory actions and intervention, the length and severity of the coronavirus (including of second waves) and the actions of government actors to contain the coronavirus or treat its impact, among others. Possible effects on our business and operations include: disruptions to business operations resulting from working from home or from closures of our corporate or sales offices and the offices of our agents and brokers and quarantines of employees, customers, agents, brokers and suppliers in areas affected by the outbreak; disruptions to business operations resulting from travel restrictions and reduced consumer spending on new homes or new automobiles which could reduce demand for insurance; disruptions to business operations resulting from our customers having lower payrolls and revenues which could have an impact on insurance revenue; increased claims related to trade credit, general liability, workers compensation, and event cancellation coverage, among others; executive or legislative mandates or court decisions expanding property insurance policy coverage to cover business interruptions resulting from COVID-19 notwithstanding any exclusions set forth in such policies or conditions precedent generally required for liability under such policies; and disruption of the financial markets resulting in reductions in the value of our investment portfolio. A significant rise in the number of COVID-19 infections, infections in a wide range of countries and regions, or a prolongation of the outbreak, could create an adverse economic effect on the Company. Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward Looking Statements This report contains forward looking statements that are intended to enhance the reader's ability to assess the future financial and business performance of the Company. Forward looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements that represent the Company's beliefs concerning future operations, strategies, financial results, investment market fluctuations, or other developments, and contain words and phrases such as "may," "expects," "should," "believes," "anticipates," "estimates," "intends" or similar expressions. Because these forward-looking statements are based on estimates and assumptions that are subject to significant business, economic and competitive uncertainties, many of which are beyond the Company's control or are subject to change, actual results could be materially different. Contact: Investor Relations Media Relations Edward Pena Rich Angevine 857-224-6655 617-574-6638 SOURCE Liberty Mutual Insurance Related Links http://www.libertymutual.com GRAND RAPIDS, MI U.S. Army veteran Peter Meijer said he modeled his Republican primary campaign to replace U.S. Rep. Justin Amash in Congress in the spirit of former West Michigan congressmen Gerald Ford, Paul Henry and Vern Ehlers. The idea was to focus on the community, because way too often everything gets nationalized, everything in our politics becomes binary, Meijer told supporters shortly after declaring victory in the primary race Tuesday night. Im a firm believer that the conservative values we share, belief in the principles of limited government, of economic freedom, of individual liberty when you look at everything thats strong in this country, and those are the values that underpin them, he said. Meijer gave a victory speech late Tuesday night after several sources reported his projected win in the primary race in the 3rd Congressional District. Watch his entire speech in the video above. Meijer had 50 percent of the vote with 68 percent of precincts reporting late Tuesday night, unofficial election results show. His closest competitor, state Rep. Lynn Afendoulis, R-Grand Rapids Township, had 25 percent of the vote. Former Sand Lake Village President Tom Norton had 17 percent of the vote; Ionia County business owner Joe Farrington had four percent of the vote; and Battle Creek attorney Emily Rafi also had four percent of the vote. Meijer, whose family founded the Meijer retail chain, is a political newcomer and has never before held public office. The winner of the primary will face Democrat Hillary Scholten, an immigration attorney from Grand Rapids, in the November election. 36 Peter Meijer wins 3rd Congressional District Republican primary More on MLive.com: Review Grand Rapids area candidates, tax proposals on the Aug. 4 primary election ballot 7 races to watch on Election Day in Kalamazoo County Learn about candidates, millages on Muskegon County primary ballot Tuesday The last drive-thru boom was in the 1970s. The next one could be in the 2020s. Starbucks, Chipotle Mexican Grill and Shake Shack are among the chains planning to focus on drive-thru construction in the coming months, thanks to lessons learned during the coronavirus pandemic. Industry executives say that consumers are looking for contactless access to their favorite restaurants. Drive-thrus proved to be a lifeline for fast-food chains such as McDonald's and Wendy's, which reported more moderate same-store sales declines as lockdowns went into effect and revenue that bounced back more quickly. "Through the pandemic, there's been a double-digit increase in revenue among those drive-thrus, and so it's created a buyer frenzy among restaurant chains for that real estate," said Aaron Allen, founder and chief executive of restaurant consultancy Aaron Allen & Associates. Shake Shack is planning to create its own twist on the drive-thru next year, with lanes for ordering on-site and for digital order pickup. At some restaurants, the company wants to build either a lane just for digital order pickup or a walk-up window, both of which have been internally dubbed "Shack Tracks." "Look, in the moment of safety, people want to stay in their cars," Shake Shack CEO Randy Garutti told analysts on the July 30 conference call. "That's not going to last forever. But obviously, this country has proven that the drive-thru in its old form works. We want to do in this new form." The milkshake and burger chain isn't the only company venturing into drive-thrus for the first time because of the crisis. Wawa, the convenience store chain known for its hoagies, said last week that it would open its first freestanding drive-thru only location in December. Other restaurant companies that already had drive-thru lanes plan to increase their number. Chipotle opened its first "Chipotlanes" in 2018 as part of its push into digital ordering. The drive-thru lanes are only for digital order pickup, a strategy that cuts down on the chain's indoor lines and speeds up service. It is planning for 60% of new restaurants this year to have a Chipotlane, up from its 50% forecast in February. By 2021, 70% of its new locations will have a drive-thru lane. Chipotle CEO Brian Niccol said on the company's July 22 earnings call that its 13 restaurants with a Chipotlane that have been open for more than a year are seeing 10% higher same-store sales than the locations without a drive-thru lane. Likewise, Panera Bread CEO Niren Chaudhary said in an interview that the percentage of sales generated by its drive-thrus has doubled during the crisis. About half of the sandwich chain's restaurants have drive-thru lanes. Chaudhary said Panera will build more cafes with drive-thrus "without question." The pandemic also accelerated Starbucks' plans to revamp its U.S. footprint with a focus on convenient access, particularly for digital orders. That means adding more drive-thrus over the next 12 to 18 months and having fewer locations inside malls. In the coffee chain's most recent quarter, nearly 90% of its sales volume came from drive-thru lanes or mobile order and pay, according to CEO Kevin Johnson. The pandemic and ensuing economic crisis and widespread unemployment could make it easier for these chains to score their drive-thru lanes. Retailers and restaurants are going out of business, leaving desirable real estate up for grabs for those with the funds. "The good news is, in this environment, our landlords are more willing to work with us to do a remodel, and if they are not willing to work with us on a remodel, there is a site across the street that we will take a look at as well," Chipotle CFO Jack Hartung said on the company's most recent earnings call. In recent years, drive-thrus have become unpopular with municipalities, and some have restricted or even banned their construction. A year ago, Minneapolis barred new drive-thru lanes, citing their impact on the environment, traffic and noise. Correction: Chipotle's earnings call was July 22. An earlier version misstated the date. The US is looking to ramp up arms sales to India, including those of armed drones that can carry over 1,000 pounds of bombs and missiles, said a media report, noting the "new push" comes following the violent clashes in June between Indian and Chinese troops in Ladakh. Twenty Indian army personnel were killed during the clashes with Chinese troops in eastern Ladakh's Galwan Valley on June 15. The Chinese side also suffered casualties in the clashes but it is yet to give out details. The number of casualties on the Chinese side was 35, according to a US intelligence report. "The Trump administration is looking to ramp up arms sales to India in the wake of the country's deadly border clashes with China, opening a new front of tensions between Washington and Beijing," the Foreign Policy magazine reported based on interviews with US officials and Congressional aides. Quoting the officials, the magazine said the US in recent months has laid the groundwork for new arms sales to India that "go above and beyond what previous administrations considered, including longer-term weapon systems with higher levels of technology and sophistication, such as armed drones". President Donald Trump has officially amended rules that restrict the sale of military-grade drones to foreign partners like India, it said, adding that prominent among them being the recent announcement by the Trump administration changing its interpretation of the Missile Technology Control Regime. This will allow the US to consider the sale of armed drones, which had previously been restricted because of their speeds and payloads, to allow them to be considered alongside surveillance drones, the news report said. "They are going to want to provide India with armed [category-1] Predators," a Congressional aide familiar with the matter told Foreign Policy, while referring to MQ-1 Predator drones that can carry more than 1,000 pounds of bombs and missiles. The aide, according to the magazine, said the State and Defense Departments had been pushing for a transaction. "Part of the calculation behind the policy change was to free themselves up from the international and multilateral constraints so they could increase the sales pitch to India on [drones]," the aide told the magazine. Simultaneously, a legislative move has been made to bring India at par with North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) allies when it comes to sale of arms by the US, it reported. Friends of India in the Congress hope that their efforts go through the National Defense Authorization Act this year. One of them being by senators John Cornyn and Mark Warner, who are co-chairs of the Senate India Caucus, according to Foreign Policy. US' defence sales to India has jumped from near zero in 2008 to over USD 20 billion this year. Some of the recent and significant prior defence sales are to include the MH-60R Seahawk helicopters (USD 2.8 billion), the Apache helicopters (USD 796 million), and the Large Aircraft Infrared Countermeasure (USD 189 million). India was the first non-treaty partner to be offered a Missile Technology Control Regime Category-1 Unmanned Aerial System the Sea Guardian UAS manufactured by General Atomics. The US is advocating for the Lockheed Martin's F-21 and Boeing's F/A-18 Super Hornet and F-15EX Eagle as part of India's future fighter aircraft acquisitions. The potential selection of any of these platforms would enhance India's military capabilities, increase US-India military interoperability, and protect shared security interests in the Indo-Pacific region. Since 2015, the US also authorised India over USD 3 billion in defense articles via the Direct Commercial Sales (DCS) processes, which licenses the export of the defence equipment, services, and related manufacturing technologies controlled under the 21 categories of the US Munitions List (USML). The top DCS categories to India during this period were military electronics (USML category XI); fire control, laser, imaging, and guidance equipment (category XII); and aircraft and related articles, it stated. In 2016, the US designated India as a Major Defense Partner. Commensurating with this designation, in 2018, India was elevated to Strategic Trade Authorization Tier 1 status, which allows it to receive licence-free access to a wide range of military and dual-use technologies regulated by the Department of Commerce, a top Pentagon official had earlier said. Also read: H1-B visa: Trump signs executive order to restrict hiring of foreign workers GRAND RAPIDS, MI Republican candidate Peter Meijer says hes feeling very strong heading into the November election to replace U.S. Rep. Justin Amash in Congress after scoring a decisive victory in Tuesdays primary. You can never take anything for granted, and I think voters reward candidates who work hard and seek to earn their votes, Meijer said late Tuesday night, following his campaign party in Grand Rapids. We are very confident moving forward. Meijer, an Army veteran whose family founded the Meijer supermarket chain, captured 50 percent of the vote in Tuesdays primary election, defeating his four GOP rivals. He capitalized on his familys name recognition, strong fundraising and a host of high-profile endorsements. His main challenger, state Rep. Lynn Afendoulis, R-Grand Rapids Township, won 26 percent of the vote. The race now shifts to the general election. Meijer, 32, will face Democrat Hillary Scholten, an immigration attorney from Grand Rapids, in his bid to represent Michigans 3rd Congressional District in Congress. Scholten, 38, ran unopposed in Democratic primary. She has reported raising more than $1 million, and has received endorsements from an array of local, state and national Democrats, including Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren. Neither Meijer nor Scholten have held public office. As a mom, a person of faith, and a proud Michigander who has dedicated her life to giving back to her community, Hillary is the kind of independent-minded leader West Michiganders can trust to represent their values in Congress, Scholtens new campaign manager, Wellesley Daniels, said in a statement. The 3rd Congressional District encompasses the city of Grand Rapids, a large portion of Kent County, part of Montcalm County, as well as Ionia, Barry and Calhoun counties. The district has long leaned Republican: President Donald Trump won there by 10 points in 2016, and a Democrat hasnt represented Grand Rapids in Congress since 1976. However, Democrats maintain theyre well positioned for victory in November. Scholten has pointed to an internal poll that shows her locked in a close race with Meijer. The telephone poll, conducted by Democratic polling firm ALG Research, surveyed 500 likely general election voters, by cellphone and landline, in early June. It showed 40 percent of respondents favored Scholten, while 39 percent supported Meijer. Twenty-one percent of participants were undecided. The poll has a margin of error of 4.4 percentage points. Multiple polls show voters are ready to elect a candidate like Hillary, who will make our healthcare more affordable, our water cleaner, and our economy stronger and more durable, Daniels said. Were confident west Michiganders will quickly learn theres only one candidate in this race who will fight for working families, not just the wealthy and well-connected, and thats Hillary. One Democratic organization has already went on the attack against Meijer. Less than two hours after Meijer declared victory, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee issued a memo stating that the Grand Rapids Township resident is running to be a prop for the Washington Republican agenda. Whether its wanting to repeal the protections afforded to Michiganders in the Affordable Care Act or not supporting unemployment insurance during an economic recession, hes out of step with what families in the 3rd District need, according to the memo, from DCCC spokesperson Courtney Rice. The DCCC memo pointed to Meijers support of a pledge by Campaign for Liberty, a group founded by former U.S. Rep. Ron Paul, R-Texas. Meijer marked yes, when asked whether he would support legislation to fully repeal ObamaCare and oppose efforts to give the federal government more control of health care. The memo also referenced a video where Meijer was critical of the additional $600 a week in unemployment benefits the federal government provided as part of its coronavirus relief package. He has said the benefit should not be extended. In response, Meijer campaign spokesperson Noah Sadlier said in a statement that the DCCC looks for any chance they can to play the political games of the past. Peters overwhelming victory last night shows that West Michigan is tired of the status quo, and of these untrue and unnecessary political jabs, he said. What West Michigan wants is real, pragmatic solutions to the issues facing our nation now and in the future that are rooted in our community values of individual liberty, economic freedom, and defending our constitutional rights. Sadlier declined to elaborate on what was untrue regarding the DCCCs statement regarding Meijers position on the Affordable Care Act and the additional $600 a week in unemployment insurance. Looking forward, Meijer says hes ready to build on his message of bringing strong, stable and effective representation to the district. Were excited to go forward with the same message thats won here in August, and looking forward to winning again in November, spending even more time talking with voters and folks in the 3rd district and really just, again, driving towards victory, Meijer said. The winning candidate will replace Amash, L-Cascade Township. Amash was elected in 2010 as a Republican but left the party last year after becoming the first GOP member in the House of Representatives to call for impeachment proceedings against Trump. In April, the five-term lawmaker announced that he was considering running for president as a Libertarian and shortly thereafter joined the Libertarian Party. But he abandoned the exploratory committee less than a month later. Amash says he does not intend to run for reelection to the 3rd Congressional District as a Libertarian. Joel Freeman, chairman of the Kent GOP, said Meijers strong performance in the primary bodes well for his chances in the November election. When you see somebody come out of a five-way primary topping 50 percent, thats a lot of consolidated support, he said. Now that we know what the field looks like and we can move forward, I think theres a lot of confidence in Peter as a candidate. Theres also a lot of confidence that Republicans are going to hold that seat. Meijer, who has received support from prominent members of the West Michigan business community, including the DeVos family, reported raising $1.5 million more than any of his Republican primary rivals this election cycle, according to his latest campaign finance report. Part of that total $475,000 came from Meijer himself in the form of a loan to his campaign. He used that funding to outspend his rivals on TV advertising. Meijer spent $426,552 on TV advertising in the lead up to the primary, according to the Michigan Campaign Finance Network, a nonpartisan group that tracks money in politics. Thats compared with $202,769 from Afendoulis, his closest competitor in the primary. However, Afendoulis who raised $884,011 this election cycle outspent Meijer on Facebook. Her campaign spent $189,728 for advertisements on the social network, according to Facebooks ad library. Meijer, meanwhile, spent $34,162, the website shows. Read more: See why some Lake Michigan shoreline is frigid, and when the warm water comes back Sand dunes delivered to campus for hands-on learning during pandemic Coronavirus outbreak at Muskegon prison increases to more than 150 inmates VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Aug. 05, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Calibre Mining Corp. (TSX: CXB; OTCQX: CXBMF) (the "Company" or "Calibre") is pleased to announce that blasting and mining activities have recommenced at its Jabali underground mine, part of the Libertad complex. Russell Ball, Chief Executive Officer of Calibre, stated: "We appreciate the hard work and supportive engagement by the Ministry of Energy and Mines and the local community at Barrio Jabali to safely and amicably relocate households that were impacted by ground stability issues created by illegal artisanal mining. Notwithstanding the extended shut-down of Jabali, our 'hub-and-spoke' operating philosophy provided sufficient short-term flexibility to enable us to continue to deliver production in line with our original expectations for 2020." "Jabali represents an important long-term source of high-grade ore for the Libertad mill and is a key focus of our expanded drilling program. We currently have three drill rigs completing infill and step-out drilling at Jabali, which as at December 31, 2019 hosted an inferred mineral resource of 1.24 million tonnes at an average grade of 7.87 g/t Au containing 315,000 ounces of gold. We see excellent potential to upgrade inferred to indicated resources while expanding the resource along strike and down plunge." "Notwithstanding the phased restart of mining activities at Jabali through the balance of this quarter, we are maintaining our recently provided 2020 outlook." Qualified Person Darren Hall, MAusIMM, SVP & Chief Operating Officer, Calibre Mining Corp. is a "qualified person" as set out under NI 43-101 has reviewed and approved the scientific and technical information in this press release. ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD "Russell Ball" Russell Ball, Chief Executive Officer For further information, please contact: Ryan King Vice President, Corporate Development & IR Calibre Mining Corp. T: 604.628.1010 E: calibre@calibremining.com (mailto:calibre@calibremining.com) W: www.calibremining.com (http://www.calibremining.com) Calibre Mining Corp. Calibre Mining is a Canadian-listed gold mining and exploration company with two 100%-owned operating gold mines in Nicaragua. The Company is focused on sustainable operating performance and a disciplined approach to growth. Since the acquisition of the Limon, Libertad gold mines and Pavon Gold Project, Calibre has proceeded to integrate its operations into a 'hub-and-spoke' operating philosophy whereby the Company can take advantage of reliable infrastructure, favorable transportation costs, and multiple high-grade ore sources that can be processed at either Limon or Libertad, which have a combined 2.7 million tonnes of annual mill throughput capacity. Notes on Jabali Underground Mineral Resource: (1) CIM (2014) definitions were followed for Mineral Resources. (2) Mineral Resources are based on 100% ownership. (3) Mineral Resources are estimated using a long-term gold price of US$1,500 per ounce. (4) Mineral Resources are estimated at cut-off grades ranging from 0.80 g/t Au for open pit and 2.90 g/t Au for underground. (5) Bulk density is 1.70 t/m3 to 2.65 t/m3. (6) Mineral Resources that are not Mineral Reserves and do not have demonstrated economic viability. (7) Numbers may not add due to rounding. (8) Open Pit (OP); Underground (UG) (9) Mark Petersen, P. Geo., Calibre's Vice President of Exploration has reviewed and approved these mineral resource estimates and related technical information. Mr. Petersen is a Qualified Person for the purposes of NI 43-101. Cautionary Note Regarding Forward Looking Information This news release includes certain "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" (collectively "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. All statements in this news release that address events or developments that we expect to occur in the future are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts and are identified by words such as "expect", "plan", "anticipate", "project", "target", "potential", "schedule", "forecast", "budget", "estimate", "intend" or "believe" and similar expressions or their negative connotations, or that events or conditions "will", "would", "may", "could", "should" or "might" occur Forward-looking statements necessarily involve assumptions, risks and uncertainties, certain of which are beyond Calibre's control. For a listing of risk factors applicable to the Company, please refer to Calibre's annual information form for the year ended December 31, 2019, available on www.sedar.com. This list is not exhaustive of the factors that may affect Calibre's forward-looking statements. Calibre's forward-looking statements are based on the applicable assumptions and factors management considers reasonable as of the date hereof, based on the information available to management at such time. Calibre does not assume any obligation to update forward-looking statements if circumstances or management's beliefs, expectations or opinions should change other than as required by applicable securities laws. There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate, and actual results, performance or achievements could differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, these forward-looking statements. Accordingly, undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking statements. As many as 197 women are among the 829 candidates who have qualified in the prestigious civil services examination 2019, officials said on Wednesday. The number of successful women candidates is slightly more than in the 2018 civil services exam. Of the total of 829 candidates selected for Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Foreign Service (IFS) and Indian Police Service (IPS), among other services through the civil services exam 2019, 632 are men and 197 women, the officials said. In percentage terms, 23.7 per cent women have qualified the test this time. The results of the 2019 exam were announced on Tuesday. IRS officer Pradeep Singh ranked first while third rank holder Pratibha Verma topped among the women candidates. Jatin Kishore got the second position in the list of successful candidates. IN 2018 civil services exam, 759 candidates had qualified -- including 577 men and 182 women. The women candidates accounted for 23.9 per cent of the successful candidates. The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), which conducts the examination, has been encouraging women to apply in large number to be part of the countys civil services. Government strives to have a workforce which reflects gender balance and women candidates are encouraged to apply, the UPSC has been saying in its notifications for the civil services examinations for the last few years. The civil services examination is conducted annually by the UPSC in three phases -- preliminary, main and interview. Of the total candidates who qualified the 2019 civil services exam results, 304 are from General category, 78 from Economically Weaker Section (EWS), 251 from Other Backward Classes (OBC), 129 from Scheduled Castes (SC) and 67 from Scheduled Tribes (ST) category, according to the UPSC. A total of 182 other candidates have been put in the reserve list, it said. There were 927 vacancies reported by the government for selection through the civil services examination 2019. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Skanska USA Commercial Development, the company that built downtowns Bank of America Tower and other high-end projects across the United States, has purchased one of inner-city Houstons most prized sites: a nearly 3-acre tract at the southwest corner of Westheimer Road and Montrose Boulevard The $27 million acquisition, which closed this week, represents one of the highest prices paid for land in the area and signals the coming transformation of the corner lot, which houses a 1930s-era shopping center. The deal is the latest big investment along lower Westheimer, a once gritty stretch of Montrose, which, even in a pandemic, has continued on a rapid course of redevelopment. Skanska, which announced the acquisition Wednesday, said its plans for the site are still being determined, but would likely entail a mix of uses that could include apartments, offices, shops and perhaps a boutique hotel. In the next couple months, the company will launch a master-planning process in which it will engage architects to explore design options. Its one of those storied sites where people have always wondered whats going to happen to it, said Matt Damborsky, executive vice president at Skanska USAs local office. The property, surrounded by high-end housing, restaurants and shops, has long been home to a 44,000-square-foot shopping center that dates back to 1937 when it opened as the Tower Community Center. Houston City Hall architect Joseph Finger designed the center to complement the adjacent Tower Theater, most recently the home of the now closed El Real restaurant. In later decades, the shopping centers Art Deco facade was covered by stucco. Located at 1001 Westheimer, the property has about a half-dozen tenants, including a Spec's liquor store, Half Price Books and a Jack in the Box restaurant. Although the shopping center has lost its luster since its Art Deco hey-day, it still has historical significance, said Jim Parsons, programs, director for Preservation Houston. Listen: Architect discusses the future of the workplace on Houston's Looped In podcast Days gone by In the early 1900s when the original Montrose neighborhood began taking shape, residents put in deed restrictions to keep out commercial properties. Those deed restrictions expired in 1936 and the shopping center was one of the first commercial buildings to go up, one part of a two-part development that included the Tower Theater property next door. The one-time movie theater, which had a 1,200-seat auditorium and a facade that lit up in neon at night, screened its last film in 1978, according to Preservation Houston. It was a live music venue until the 1990s and later retail space. New Orleans-based Acme Oyster House is expected to open there this fall. That really helped turn Westheimer into a commercial street, Parsons said. It was kind of a high-profile development at the time because we didnt have many planned shopping centers in 1937. After it was built, commercial development began to spread across the street. Some of the old houses facing Westheimer were converted to businesses. The Tower Community Center block, Parsons said, is a reminder of an older, slower-paced Montrose of modest bungalows, small shops and low-rise buildings. Everything around it is getting slick and fancy and bigger and more urban, he said. Thats sort of held on. In recent years, developers have reshaped lower Westheimer, adding high-end buildings with restaurants, cafes and small offices. Radom Capital, the Houston developer behind the Heights Mercantile retail development in the Heights neighborhood, is building another urban complex of retail and office space in the 800 block of Westheimer. The project, called Montrose Collective, is being built around existing oak trees and will include a plaza and green space. Along Montrose Boulevard, just south of the Skanska site, Houston-based Hanover recently built a luxury apartment tower. The Houston developer Hines is in the process completing another apartment tower nearby on Montrose. Worth the price Mark Davis, a commercial real estate broker and developer in the area, said the corner of Westheimer and Montrose is the epicenter of the neighborhood. The $27 million sales price could be record for the area, he said. But it deserves it, he said. If there were going to be a parcel that hit a record it should be this one because of the location and the size. The seller was Houston Westmont LP, an entity created in 2012, by the Houston commercial real estate firm PM Realty when it purchased the 2.9-acre site. PM Realty merged with the Washington firm Madison Marquette in 2018. Skanska USA, part of a Swedish construction conglomerate, developed downtown's Bank of America Tower, which opened in 2019, and late last year purchased a 3.5-acre parcel near Discovery Green for a future development. The company has engaged architects and engineers on that property and is working on preliminary designs. Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - August 4, 2020) - East West Petroleum Corp. (TSXV: EW) ("East West" or the "Company") announces it has terminated the agreement regarding the sale of its 30% interest in Petroleum Exploration Permit 54877 and Petroleum Mining Permit 60291 (the "Cheal Permits"), to an arm's length private New Zealand company, on the terms previously announced in a news release of the Company dated June 24, 2019. The ongoing delays and an effective date of April 1, 2019 make the agreement not in the best interests of shareholders. The Company will continue to work to bring value to shareholders from its 30% interest which can include the sale of the working interest. About East West Petroleum Corp. East West Petroleum Corp. (www.eastwestpetroleum.ca) is a TSX Venture Exchange listed company established in 2010 to invest in international oil & gas opportunities. The Company has its primary focus on two key areas: New Zealand, where it has established production and cash flow and Romania where it is carried to production on an exploration program. In Romania the Company has exploration rights in four exploration concessions covering 1,000,000 acres in the prolific Pannonian Basin of western Romania with Naftna Industrija Srbije ("NIS"). The Company does not own the acres but has exploration rights. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Forward-looking Statements: Certain statements in this press release are "forward-looking statements" which reflect the Company's current expectations and projections about future events and financial trends that it believes might affect its financial condition, results of operations, business strategy and financial needs. In some cases, these forward-looking statements can be identified by words or phrases such as "may", "might", "will", "expect", "anticipate", "estimate", "intend", "plan", "indicate", "seek", "believe", "estimates", "predicts" or "likely", or the negative of these terms, or other similar expressions intended to identify forward-looking statements. Whether actual results, performance or achievements will conform to the Company's expectations and predictions is subject to a number of known and unknown risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other factors, including without limitation, those risks and uncertainties discussed elsewhere in the Company's filings on SEDAR. Investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. The forward-looking information contained herein is made as of the date hereof and 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. Nick Demare ndemare@chasemgt.com Tel: (604) 685-9316 To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/60904 The pandemic has shut down many of the traditional face-to-face end-of-fiscal year venues for sales and business development people. More frequently they are now turning to social networks, especially LinkedIn. To help you make your time on LinkedIn more productive, here are a few social selling tips. Keep in mind social selling works best when you profile is optimized and tells your viewers what you do, who you do it for and how they can reach you. There is much more to profile optimization but those are the basics. Social selling is not traditional selling, and it has no elements of a hard sell. It is a series of soft touches designed to keep you on the radar of key players, influencers, in your niche. You know who you need to reach and influence, and you should be able to identify them on LinkedIn. If you looking at a particular agency or operating division, you should be able to look it up as a Company on LinkedIn. Lets use the Defense Health Agency as an example. Look it up on LinkedIn and youll see the logo in the background section, the number of employees on LinkedIn, and if you have any connections at DHA, right above the employee number you will see how many 1st degree connections you have. Click on the See all 1,507 employees and you go to a page with ten names, photos (if they have one), job title, and if you are a 2nd degree, the number of connections you share with each. The 1,507 represents a 10% growth from my January, 2020 Fed LinkedIn census, when there were 1,372 DHA employees on LinkedIn. On the top navigation bar you have three other options to refine your search: Connections, Locations and All Filters. I use the All Filters option which takes you to a page with other options, more if you have a paid LinkedIn membership. Even without a paid membership you can use my two favorite options: location and job title. Using the location for Denver, I find seventy-seven DHA employees. Adding the job title and looking for IT, I narrow it down to three. If I change it to San Antonio, I get three-hundred and thirty employees and twenty-eight with IT job functions. If these are people you need to know, the first thing to do is to Follow each of them. When you follow someone on LinkedIn, they will be notified via their Notification page. Viewing their profile is touch #1, Following is touch #2. If you share enough 2nd degree connections with some of them, that may be enough of a reason to reach out and connect, but dont send the LinkedIn form letter. Use something like this instead. John, we share, eleven connections at DHA. I have been working with your agency for nearly three years. I would welcome connecting with you. If some of your shared connections with John are industry and not Feds, the odds are much better of getting a connection. If you focus on a particular agency, posting information about that agency on your profile is a great way to demonstrate your interest. Set up a Google Alert for your agency (spelled out, not the acronym) and monitor the Google feed for articles or blog posts that would be of interest to your prospects. If the article or post has the LinkedIn share feature, posting is simple: click on the link, select share as a post and add a few comments. Point out what you found useful in the article or perhaps something left out. If you find an article that mentions key players in the agency, hash tag both the agency and the people. This will increase views for your post. Your activity, including finding prospects and sharing information, should increase your profile views from those you want to reach. There are many social selling tactics, but the ones described above can help generate end-of-FY traction. Credit: CC0 Public Domain The majority of children and adolescents with mental health problems in Australia are not receiving the basic standard of treatment and those that are do not actually improve, according to a new study. The research, led by the Murdoch Children's Research Institute (MCRI) and the University of Melbourne and published in the Journal of Affective Disorders, found no evidence of better quality of life or mental health symptoms for children who received 'minimally adequate' treatment. Professor Harriet Hiscock, MCRI's Group Leader of Health Services and Honorary Professor at the University of Melbourne, said the lack of evidence between minimally adequate treatment and outcomes in children had implications for how we evaluate and fund mental health systems. "Clinical trials have shown how mental health treatments such as psychological and pharmacological therapies can be successful, but this study reveals children who received routine but minimally adequate treatment didn't experience better outcomes compared to those who had lower levels of treatment," she said. The research found 40 percent of children with mental health symptoms received some form of Medicare-rebated treatment and 12 percent received treatment classified as minimally adequate treatment. Minimally adequate treatment (MAT) is based on clinical practice guidelines regarding the minimum level of treatment considered sufficient to treat common mental health problems. For children it involves either eight or more mental health visits, or four to seven visits plus relevant medication over a 12 month period. It's also used to identify those missing out on adequate care. MCRI research associate and University of Melbourne's Dr. Jemimah Ride said it was not known until this study whether minimally adequate treatment was associated with improved outcomes for children with mental health problems. The study followed 596 children from ages 815 years with mental health problems from the Longitudinal Study of Australian Children and linked them to Medicare-rebated mental health treatments. MCRI Team Leader of Health Services and University of Melbourne's Associate Professor Kim Dalziel said the findings reinforced the need for routine monitoring of outcomes in mental health care and a better understanding of the impact of children's mental health treatment. "The lack of information on quality or content of consultations, or on outcomes, in routinely collected health service data restricts our ability to evaluate treatment adequacy and to understand whether mental health services provide quality care or value for money," she said. Despite increased investment in youth mental health diagnosis and treatment in the past three decades, mental health disorders affect 13 percent of children worldwide. Half to three-quarters of children and adolescents with mental health disorders go untreated. Professor Hiscock said this these findings were important messages for the Royal Commission into Victoria's Mental Health System which will hand down its final report next year. "What we are doing now is not working and we can't afford to be providing inadequate treatment to young children struggling with mental health problems," she said. "It's is clear the way we measure mental healthcare outcomes in Australia is not sufficient and a shake up to the system is needed." The Royal Children's Hospital, University of Adelaide and Deakin University also contributed to the study. Explore further Majority of Australian children with mental health disorders not accessing care, study finds More information: Jemimah Ride et al. Is 'minimally adequate treatment' really adequate? investigating the effect of mental health treatment on quality of life for children with mental health problems., Journal of Affective Disorders (2020). Journal information: Journal of Affective Disorders Jemimah Ride et al. Is 'minimally adequate treatment' really adequate? investigating the effect of mental health treatment on quality of life for children with mental health problems.,(2020). DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2020.07.086 Nevada will shift this week from broad restrictions in response to the coronavirus to an ongoing, county-by-county review where officials hope to target hot spots and specific businesses where the virus is spreading. Gov. Steve Sisolak and the states COVID-19 Response Director Caleb Cage said at a news conference Monday night that the state would evaluate Nevadas 17 counties every Thursday on how they are faring on new reported cases of COVID-19, rates of positive tests and tests per day. Nevada is forming a new task force of state agency officials who will meet weekly and review the data from the counties. If counties do not meet at least two of the criteria for at least two weeks in a row, then the task force will work with county officials to come up with a response plan for the following week. The response plans could vary depending on what information officials have about where the spread is occurring but the plans could include increased enforcement, stricter limits on gathering sizes or reduced capacity in particular businesses. We can protect the health and safety of Nevadans by mitigating the spread of the disease at the root of where it is occurring, all while keeping our economy open and avoiding hurting the businesses that are doing their part to help us, the Democratic governor said. If theres not enough data to do a targeted approach or the county is not cooperating, the state and governor could impose broader restrictions, Sisolak said. When asked if he would ever broadly shut down all the states casinos again, as he did in March, the governor said all options are open but casinos have been responsible and are not a major source of virus spread right now. If we identify that that is a major problem that thats where the infections are coming from, we would obviously have to take appropriate action. But what we do first is see: Is it the casino? Or is it the pools at the casino? Is it the restaurants at the casinos? Is it the gaming tables at the casino? Is it the common areas of the casinos? he said, describing the scalpel-like response that hes aiming for with the new approach. He said biggest problem Nevada officials have found with trying to stop the spread are two areas that are hard to control: family gatherings or people going to work when theyre sick or have tested positive. Sisolaks new approach comes as state officials said Monday that theyre encouraged by a slowing of the growth rate in new COVID-19 cases statewide since the end of June. Health officials on Monday reported 994 new coronavirus cases and 15 new deaths. That brings the total number of confirmed cases to 51,199 with 847 known deaths since the pandemic began. The number of infections is thought to be far higher because many people have not been tested, and studies suggest people can be infected with the virus without feeling sick. The cumulative test positively rate statewide is now 10.6%. Nevada has1,152 COVID-19 patients in hospitals as of Aug. 2, with a statewide hospital occupancy rate of 76%, including 66% of ICU rooms. About 45% of ventilators statewide are in use. For most people, COVID-19 causes mild or moderate fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks. Some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, can face severe illness including pneumonia and death. The vast majority recover. Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Topics COVID-19 Nevada Laredo police are asking for the communitys assistance to locate a suspected burglar. Authorities identified the suspect as Miguel Augusto Gomez Torres. Police need to locate in reference to a burglary of building and theft incident reported June 23 in the 1900 block of Houston Street. Gomes Torres goes by the aliases Miguel Gomez, Humberto Gomez and Rodolfo Gomez. People with information on his whereabouts are asked to call police at 795-2800 or Laredo Crime Stoppers at 727-TIPS (8477). Information provided through Crime Stoppers may be eligible for a cash reward of up to $1,000. Callers will remain anonymous. People can also submit a tip via the LPD app. DANBURY The next court date of the retired physician assistant from Redding accused of killing his wife earlier this year has been postponed to Sept. 30. Richard Commaille, 70, was charged with murder following a police investigation into the death of his 64-year-old wife, Nanci, who died from a gunshot wound at the couples Top Ledge Road home on April 6. The Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine needs to purchase specialized boats to conduct rescue operations and humanitarian mine action. The issue was discussed during a working visit of the Ministrys delegation led by Minister of Internal Affairs of Ukraine Arsen Avakov to Italy, the press service of the Ministry informs. "During the visit, Minister Avakov, Head of the State Emergency Service of Ukraine Mykola Chechotkin, and Head of the Regional Maritime Guard Oleh Kostur discussed the possibility of purchasing specialized rescue boats with representatives of the Italian Export Credit Agency (SACE) and T.Mariotti shipyard, which is one of the leaders of the Italian shipbuilding industry," the statement reads. Avakov stressed that the development of the State Emergency Service and the State Border Guard Service was extremely important to the Ministry of Internal Affairs. We must provide them with the best equipment, including the specialized boats, in order to properly respond to the challenges we face, he said. Avakov also pointed out the importance of humanitarian mine action, particularly in the water bodies. Security within the Sea of Azov waters is fundamental for Ukraine in the conditions of Russian occupation of Crimea and part of Donbas, the Ukrainian minister stressed. Mine action in the water bodies is of great importance. Since July 2014, the explosive ordnance disposal groups checked the water bodies of a total area of 45.36 hectares in Donetsk region. Twenty-two thousand unexploded projectiles have been disposed of over the past five years. Therefore, the availability of specialized rescue boats is crucial, Avakov said. As noted, the Italian Export Credit Agency (SACE) can support joint Ukrainian-Italian projects and provide funding through loans granted by Italian banks and the government. If a decision to cooperate with Italian shipbuilders is approved, Ukraine insists on localization of production using the capacities of Ukrainian enterprises and adoption of relevant technologies and skills by Ukrainian experts. ol When the newspapers reported a two-year suspended sentence for a local teenager who had repeatedly raped his nephew, it seemed, initially, like a very lenient punishment that simply didnt fit the crime. But when the father of the victim mulled it over, he realised the true extent of this mans punishment and the effect it would have on the rest of his life. At the start, I was angry. I was fuming, Eamon (whose name has been changed to protect the privacy of the family) told the Longford Leader last week. I was furious, but it was explained to me that the biggest fear, especially because of his age, would be the education he gets in prison. And that he was ten times more likely to reoffend if he went to jail than what is in store for him now. The young mans file is now with gardai and with INTERPOL, so his movements will be completely restricted for the rest of his life, Eamon added. Its not a soft sentence. Theres an awful lot behind that suspended sentence that the public isnt told, he said. It is strict. His opportunities in life now have drastically shrunk, because this is on his file. When he applies for a job and hes asked have you ever been arrested for a felony, he has. So his life opportunities have shrunk drastically, regardless of the education he gets. I dont think people are aware of that. I think theres a very short sightedness here. This judgement will have a lifelong effect going forward. The teenager was only 15 when he got his eight-year-old nephew to perform oral sex on him while they were playing video games. He was a baby doing something horrible to a baby, said Eamon, who has been separated from his sons mother for 11 years but has been a very strong father figure for his son. He might be 18 today, but I still have a hard time getting my head around it because I, on and off, wouldve seen that boy grow up. So, in my head, because I hadnt seen him for a few years, he was still a little, small boy. He pleaded guilty in the Central Criminal Court to sample counts of oral and anal rape on dates between June and September 2017. He also pleaded guilty to inviting or inciting a child to sexual touching. The court heard that, in September 2017, the victim asked his mother if he could tell her something by writing it down because he didnt want to say it. He wrote a note stating that while (my uncle) is babysitting me, he makes me suck his private parts. His mother became distraught and rang the defendants mother who immediately brought her son to gardai. He wrote it down for his mother, but I felt I had failed as a father because, the week before, he had tried to tell me and I didnt listen to him properly, Eamon explained. He had begun saying it and, because he was eight, he had a difficult time saying it to me. I was distracted doing something and I said thats a shocking thing to say - where did you hear language like that? and he said my uncle said these things to me. I just said thats shocking; I dont want to hear any more of that language from you. So it played on me then, after I brought him back to his mother. The following Friday, I picked him up and thats when he began to tell me and I said to him okay, I think we need to have a chat about this at home. He began telling me and I broke down in tears. But Eamon never realised, until he was in court, just how much of the truth his son had kept from his parents. I didnt realise how much he protected me about what happened to him, because he stopped telling me the worst parts of it. And he did something similar to his mother, said Eamon. So my eight-year-old son protected both myself and his mother from the worst of what happened to him and it wasnt until he was chatting to a social worker when the worst of it came out. When it was read out in court, I couldnt believe it. I broke down. When interviewed by specialist gardai, the victim said his uncle makes me feel very sad and frightened and he was really mean to me. He said that the teenager told him that the number of kills his uncle got on the Xbox game they were playing would be how many times he would get me to suck his dick. He made me afraid to tell anyone, the child said. In a victim impact statement, he said he sees his uncle everywhere and it makes him very sad. If it did not happen, I would be happy. It makes me less confident. I get scared when I meet new and older people, he wrote. But Eamon has stressed that his son is no longer a victim, but a survivor. He didnt attend the court sitting when judgement was being passed, but it wasnt out of fear, his father explained. I told him on the Friday what the story was, and I said, Tuesday Im going to court. I said, the DPP have invited you to come up if you want. I said, If you have any questions, ask me. If you have no questions, fine. I said, Think about it for the weekend, and we wont talk about it, said Eamon. And Monday evening he gave his decision. And it wasnt through fear or anything, it was more he hadnt seen his godfather in over a year, and said, Id rather spend quality time with him than have to go to a court room to look at him. And I said, fair enough. He wouldve went to the court with me if needs be, just to show, right, look, Im stronger for what happened. Every so often he does have difficulties. For a long time he couldnt eat sausages, because they reminded him, Eamon continued. There was one day I was in my boxers, I turned the shower on, I went into the kitchen, that kind of thing. He had a moment there where he just slightly freaked, and then realised he was in a safe environment. When hes felt the need to talk about what happened to him, because he didnt understand something, weve spoken about it. But otherwise he says, that chapter of my life is closed. And he just looks forward to every day, as a child. That strong bond and support from his family has been a huge factor in helping the now 11-year-old victim to move on and look towards a happy future and, the fact that he can talk to his father about what happened has been a big help too. The reason he was able to talk to me is because it happened to me and I told him it happened to me, Eamon explained. He knew then he could talk about it because he was talking to somebody else who went through this. And my son had something I didnt - he had believers. When I eventually did meet the DPP, I told them, listen, you guys failed me years ago; are you going to do this to my son? I think that kind of spurred them on a bit that this has happened twice in the one family. In my situation, youre talking about a man who would be in his sixties today. And supposedly, I made an off-the-cuff remark to my mother about a year later and the gardai said thats a name thats familiar to us. And still nothing happened. So my son had more confidence in telling the whole story to the prosecutors psychiatrist and the gardai because I told them I was let down. The couple of people I had told didnt believe me but I said just stay on point and make them believe you and I think that went a long way with him. As soon as the young boy revealed what had happened to him, his entire family supported him, including his grandmother, the mother of his abuser, who was distraught and immediately brought her son to gardai to face the consquences of his actions. That was not lost on Eamon who stood up in court and acknowledged that the childs grandmother has stood by his son and said it breaks his heart that she can no longer have a normal relationship with the child. I fully believe that his grandmother has the best interests of my son at heart, he told the Leader. I said that in the court, and I wanted it on the record so that if my son ever wanted to go through the transcripts he could see, that he knew that his father believed that his grandmother had nothing but good intentions for him. Now, I know shes going to look after her own son first. But I know shes going to look after my boy as well, in whatever way she can now, going forward. Access to pornographic material at such a young age was one of the reasons cited by the defence for the teenagers actions but the victims father is adamant that such excuses are not acceptable. I find that an excuse and a cop out, he said. My son has access to all that on his phone; if he didn't have access to it on his phone he had access to my desktop or my mobile, where hed have access to all that kind of stuff. Its more about the education. I think parents or people or campaigners who use that as an excuse, thats an easy cop out. Thats like in America, when they say about the mass shootings happening because of video games. If that was the case then thered be mass shootings in Ireland. The sentence reported in the papers, Eamon explained, seemed soft at first, but its important to note that the judge found a middle ground which not only protected the victim of these particular crimes, but could protect other potential victims in the future. Believe me, I wanted him strung up. My son complains when it pops into his head, wants him strung up, every which way possible, and cut, quartered, buried, you name it, he said. But what the judge has done is he found the middle ground, and he was very strict and he was very harsh. Id say in time hes hoping that proper rehabilitation will work, with the uncle. But my son isnt a victim anymore, he is a survivor, Eamon stressed. And hes a hundred times stronger for coming out the other side, and hes been happy too. Its been explained to him along the way what the judge has said, what the defence has said. And once all these things had been explained to him, it was therapy in itself. He knows, this has been dealt with correctly, and hes safe going forward. He was happy with that. He started sleeping better at night. My son will have a good life going forward, whatever life he chooses to live. And if he decides down the years, hell talk about this to victim support groups about how he came through it, hell be an even better person than me. Court report: Midlands teen gets suspended sentence for rape of nephew Hong Kong: Govt opposes UK groups report The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government today strongly deplored and opposed the biased comments in the report published by the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Hong Kong of the UK on August 4. In a statement, it said that matters of the Hong Kong SAR remain China's internal affairs. No other state has the right to intervene under any pretext. It pointed out that the group does not represent the UK Parliament and comments in the report come from information tendered by allegedly unnamed or anonymous people, adding that there is no actual evidence concerning the reasons for imposing the so-called sanctions against Hong Kong. The Government stated that Police have the statutory duty to take lawful measures to apprehend all people whom it is lawful to apprehend and for whose apprehension sufficient grounds exist. They also attach great importance to the safety of all people at the scene of public order events and will not obstruct any bona fide rescue work. But there is a need for Police to be prudent in verifying the qualifications of self-claimed first-aiders, given the situation in some of the unlawful public order events since June last year. The Government stressed that the international community should take an objective view on the social incidents that have happened in Hong Kong in the past year. When facing serious unlawful acts, Police have the statutory duty to take lawful measures to maintain public order and safety. The stringent guidelines on the use of force are consistent with international human rights norms and standards. The Government also explained that the enactment of the National Security Law is absolutely rational, reasonable, constitutional and lawful. It added that some UK politicians had made the laws enactment an issue, neglecting the fact that the UK has also put in place relevant legislation and enforcement mechanisms for safeguarding its national security and sovereignty. They also ignored the serious unlawful acts of rioters in Hong Kong, while indicating that certain measures or acts targeting Hong Kong would be adopted. The Government urged other countries to stop all political manipulation and interference. This story has been published on: 2020-08-05. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. Whether COVID-19 is eradicated soon with the help of a vaccine or if it remains an endemic disease for decades, heading back to communal workspaces will at some point become a norm for many around the world, but how can we ensure that we dont put employees at increased risk of catching or spreading Whether COVID-19 is eradicated soon with the help of a vaccine or if it remains an endemic disease for decades, heading back to communal workspaces will at some point become a norm for many around the world, but how can we ensure that we dont put employees at increased risk of catching or spreading infectious diseases? The HFA Design Thinking team discusses what they have learned throughout quarantine and how we can equip our offices and other communal workspaces to adapt to the future. We know that a physical office has significant benefits that can be used both independently and in conjunction with remote work when thoughtfully designed. Offices provide valuable resources, mentorship, training opportunities, cultural exchange and socialization, and of course, host client interactions. While some pre-vaccine safety practices may soon become familiar, even comfortable, we believe that in the post-vaccine era of COVID-19, short-term tactics like increased isolation and reduced capacity will fade away. Defining daylighting, circulation, tactical, hover, and collaboration zones while simultaneously learning how to layer these areas and create zone adjacencies are key to minimizing risk and maximizing function within any office setting. Our zoned space planning strategy recognizes that various office spaces have distinct frequencies of use, rates of turnover, time durations, and degrees of necessary proximity to others. These characteristics determine the general risk level and determine the mitigation strategies to prioritize in each area. Properly mapping and layering these zones throughout the space and prioritizing safety strategies, helps retain an open, creative, and collaborative office environment. As designers and engineers, we look for every opportunity, even unimaginable tragic events like a worldwide pandemic, to envision a better-built environment. Making a series of adjustments using the strategies outlined in this article can better support employees mental, emotional, and physical health. With 30 years of experience from the retail, restaurant, commercial, and real estate industries, we're uniquely positioned to use our knowledge and expertise to further the architecture industry in this post-pandemic era. To read more from HFAs Design Thinking series check out the HFA blog: https://blog.hfa-ae.com/ -- About HFA Founded in 1990, HFA is a full-service Architecture and Engineering firm with locations in Bentonville, AR; Franklin, MA; Fort Worth, TX; and Mexico City, MX. Focused on designing for the customer experience, HFA works coast to coast with retail, real estate development, office, industrial, fueling, restaurant/food service, lifestyle, and education clients. Contact: Daryl Whitmer, Director of Marketing and Business Development, (479) 2737780 ext. 274 or daryl.whitmer@hfaae.com. People including members of Bharatiya Janata Party and Vishwa Hindu Parishad lit earthen lamps in different parts of the country to celebrate laying of the foundation stone of Ram Temple in Ayodhya, as government functionaries, irrespective of political affiliations, termed the event as a historic moment for every Indian. There was mood of fervour and accomplishment as saffron group members blew conch shells at 12.15 p.m. when Prime Minister Narendra Modi offered prayers at Ayodhya for laying the foundation of the Ram Temple, and later in the evening lit earthen lamps and held special prayers for Lord Ram at their homes and offices. BJP offices in various states were decorated and live telecasts of the bhoomi pujan were shown on big screens outside the offices. The party members raised slogans of Jai Shri Ram and Jai Siya Ram as special prayers for Lord Ram were held through public address systems. After bhoomi pujan by PM Modi, ladoos were distributed among people at several places. Ram Temples, which were especially decorated for the occasion, witnessed huge attendance of devotees. Entire streets leading to these temples in the Hindi heartland were decorated. Throughout the day, special prayers were held at several temples. However, rains at several parts of the country including Ayodhya on Wednesday dampened the celebrations but not the sentiments. In Raj Bhavans in several states such as Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh, diyas were lit and special prayers were held. Rajasthan governor Kalraj Mishra, who held recitation of Sundarkand with his family members and lit 101 earthen lamps at the Raj Bhawan in Jaipur, said the commitment to build the Ram Temple has been fulfilled. The temple will be established as a symbol of cultural and national unity and with the spirit of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, said Mishra, who hails from Uttar Pradesh and was minister in NDA-1. Governors of Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand Anandiben Patel and Baby Rani Maurya congratulated the Prime Minister saying it as the fulfilment of a big commitment. The dream of all Hindu believers has moved towards reality today, Maurya said. Rajasthan chief minister and Congress leader Ashok Gehlot expressed hope that it would become a symbol of unity in the country. His life teaches us the importance of truth, justice, equality for all, compassion and brotherhood. We need to focus on establishing an egalitarian society based on the values espoused by Lord Ram, Gehlot tweeted. Punjab chief minister Amarinder Singh also tweeted a congratulatory message and said the temple will bring unity and prosperity in the country. West Bengal chief minister, Mamata Banerjee, who had ordered complete lockdown in the state on Wednesday for Covid-19 management, said, Our country has always upheld the age-old legacy of unity in diversity, and we must preserve this to our last breath! However, West Bengal BJP president Dilip Ghosh claimed that several party workers were arrested when they violated the lockdown restrictions to visit local temples in Bengal. At Kharagpur in West Midnapore district police resorted to lathi charge after minor clashes with BJP workers. Mamata Banerjee is anti-Hindu, he said. Ruling party chief ministers such as Haryana chief minister Manohar Lal Khatter and Madhya Pradesh CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan termed the day as historic. This happy moment is historic for every Indian, Khatter said while his MP counterpart said the dream of 500 years has come true. The Ram temple will strengthen peace and humanity in the country, said Assam chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal. Uttarakhand CM Trivendra Singh Rawat said the dreams of thousands (of people) who sacrificed their lives for the construction of the temple has come true. There was a long and hard struggle for 500 years. But the power of Indian democratic values, judiciary and executive, under the leadership of PM Modi, has shown the world how solutions to problems can be found peacefully through democratic and constitutional means, said UP chief minister Yodi Adityanath. Karnataka Minister KS Eshwarappa on Wednesday hailed the laying of foundation stone (bhoomi pujan) for a grand Ram Temple and said Kashi Vishwanath and Krishna Janmasthan temples have to be liberated. A beautiful temple will come up, but there are Kashi Vishwanath and Krishna Janmasthan temples which have to be liberated, Eshwarappa said. (With state bureau and agency inputs) According to information published by the USSAA News website on August 4, 2020, U.S. Army is ready to field two types of laser weapon systems in 2022 including a 50-kilowatt laser weapon that will be used to destroy drone and artillery rockets and a 300-kilowatt laser weapon which will be able to shoot down cruise missiles. Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this link Stryker 8x8 armored vehicle fitted with High Energy Laser weapon. (Picture source Army Recognition) The future 50-kilowatt laser weapon will be fitted on Stryker armored vehicle and is named DE-MSHORAD (Directed Energy Maneuver Short-Range Air Defense) in the U.S. Army. There are two companies that compete for the manufacturing of this new laser weapon including Northrop Grumman and Raytheon. Both laser weapon systems will be build to be mounted on Stryker armored vehicles manufactured by the company General Dynamics. The DE-MSHORAD prototyping initiative is managed by the U.S. Army Rapid Capabilities and Critical Technologies Office (RCCTO), Redstone Arsenal, Alabama. The U.S. Army's future M-SHORAD protection for forward-deployed soldiers includes laser weapon systems as an effective complement to kinetic capabilities in countering aerial threats, rockets, artillery, and mortars, and unmanned aircraft systems. In August 2019, the US Armys Rapid Capabilities and Critical Technologies Office (RCCTO) has selected Kord Technologies as the prime contractor to lead the U.S. Army Maneuver Short Range Air Defense (M-SHORAD) Directed Energy (DE) initiative. This new contract allows Kord to integrate 50-kilowatt (kW)-class laser weapon systems on Stryker combat vehicles to address the Armys urgent need to defeat small Unmanned Aerial Systems (sUAS) and Rocket, Artillery, and Mortar (RAM) threats. Currently, the U.S. Army also develops a new 300kW-class laser weapon prototype under the Indirect Fire Protection Capability-High Energy Laser (IFPC-HEL) program. In March 2020, the US Army has announced a plan to deliver 300 kW-class IFPC-HEL prototypes integrated on tactical vehicles to a platoon by Fiscal Year (FY) 2024, while initially demonstrating the 300 kW-class capability in FY22. On November 25, 2019, an OSD (Office of the Secretary of Defense ) HELSI (High Energy Laser Scaling Initiative) contract was awarded to Lockheed Martin and Aculight Corporation supporting the demonstration of a stand-alone 300kW-class HEL system. The company is one of three high energy laser producers participating in the OSD-led initiative to develop and lab test a 300 kW-class laser in FY22. The Army is the OSD designated proponent for Lockheed Martin in this initiative, while the other companies are Nutronics, Inc., sponsored by the Navy, and General Atomics, sponsored by the Air Force. In May 2020, the Company Dynetics has announced its work to increase the power of the laser weapon for the US Army program IFPC-HEL from a 100 kW-class system to a 300kW-class system. In late 2019, the U.S. Army Rapid Capabilities and Critical Technologies Office (RCCTO) also announced a High Energy Laser Scaling Initiative (HELSI) contract award by the Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD) that will support the IFPC-HEL effort. As the prime contractor for IFPC-HEL, Dynetics is set to demonstrate a 300 kW-class prototype system in FY22. The company will lead to final assembly, integration, and testing. The solution will provide continued support to defend against hostile unmanned aerial systems and rockets, artillery, and mortars. The IFPC-HEL prototype will inform the U.S. Armys effort to field prototype units with residual combat capability by 2024. According to pictures released on the Internet, the new 300 kW-class laser weapon will be integrated on an FMTV light truck manufactured by the company Oshkosh Defense. Drawing of US Army Advances 300kW-class Laser Prototype integrated on FMTV truck. (Picture source U.S. Army) The global explosive detection equipment market size is expected to grow by USD 2.72 billion as per Technavio. This marks a significant market growth compared to the 2019 growth estimates due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in the first half of 2020. Steady growth is expected to continue throughout the forecast period, and the market is expected to grow at a CAGR of over 7%. Request Free Sample Report on COVID-19 Impacts This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200804005780/en/ Technavio has announced its latest market research report titled Global Explosive Detection Equipment Market 2020-2024 (Graphic: Business Wire) Read the 120-page report with TOC on "Explosive Detection Equipment Market Analysis Report by Type (Hand-held detectors, Ground-mounted screeners, and Vehicle-mounted mobile detectors) and Geography (North America, APAC, Europe, MEA, and South America), and the Segment Forecasts, 2020-2024". https://www.technavio.com/report/explosive-detection-equipment-market-industry-analysis The market is driven by the enhanced security mandate of authorities. In addition, the advent of wearable explosive detection equipment is anticipated to boost the growth of the explosive detection equipment market. An increase in weapons and radiological materials and smuggling of explosives is encouraging the development of technologies such as explosive detection equipment. In addition, security agencies are encouraged to enhance their security planning. The preventive security planning by security agencies involves the deployment of anti-explosive detectors and scanners in the aviation, offshore oil and gas transport, air cargo supply chain, and maritime sectors. Thus, the enhanced security mandate of authorities is expected to drive market growth during the forecast period. Buy 1 Technavio report and get the second for 50% off. Buy 2 Technavio reports and get the third for free. View market snapshot before purchasing Major Five Explosive Detection Equipment Companies: Agilent Technologies Inc. Agilent Technologies Inc. has business operations under various segments, such as life sciences and applied markets, diagnostics and genomics, and Agilient CrossLab. The company provides Cobalt Insight200M, airport security liquid explosive detection system (LEDS), to screen all common container types with the lowest false alarm rate of any ECAC certified LEDS system. Bruker Corp. Bruker Corp. operates its business through two segments: BSI and BEST. The company offers DE-tector, a bench top drugs and explosives detection instrument with a non radioactive ionization source and a unique twin-tube design that measures for drugs and explosives at the same time. Chemring Group Plc Chemring Group Plc has business operations under two segments: sensors and information, and countermeasures and energetics. The company offers Husky mounted detection system (HMDS) and Groundshark detector. Cobham Plc Cobham Plc operates its business through various segments, such as communications and connectivity, mission systems, advanced electronic solutions, and aviation services. The company provides Vallon MINEHOUND VMR3, a COTS (commercial-off-the-shelf) product that combines Cobham Antenna Systems leading-edge ground-penetrating radar (GPR) technology with a Vallon metal detector (MD). FLIR Systems Inc. FLIR Systems Inc. has business operations under various segments, such as industrial, government and defense, and commercial. The company offers Fido X3 and identiFINDER R440 devices. Register for a free trial today and gain instant access to 17,000+ market research reports. Technavio's SUBSCRIPTION platform Explosive Detection Equipment Type Outlook (Revenue, USD bn, 2020-2024) Hand-held detectors Ground-mounted screeners Vehicle-mounted mobile detectors Explosive Detection Equipment Regional Outlook (Revenue, USD bn, 2020-2024) North America APAC Europe MEA South America Technavio's sample reports are free of charge and contain multiple sections of the report, such as the market size and forecast, drivers, challenges, trends, and more. Request a free sample report 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/20200804005780/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/ Investigators began searching the wreckage of Beirut's port Wednesday for clues to the cause of the massive explosion that ripped across the Lebanese capital as the government ordered port officials put under house arrest. International aid flights began to arrive, as Lebanon's leaders struggled to deal with the aftermath of Tuesday's blast, crippled by an economic crisis and facing a public where many already blame chronic mismanagement and corruption among the ruling elite for the disaster. The explosion at the port killed at least 100 people and wounded thousands. Hospitals were overwhelmed _ one that was damaged in the blast had to evacuate all its patients to a nearby field for treatment. Buildings were damaged for miles around the city, and Beirut's governor said Wednesday that hundreds of thousands might not be able to return to their homes for two or three months. Meanwhile, an official letter surfaced online showing that the head of the customs department had warned repeatedly over the years that a huge stockpile of ammonium nitrate stored in a hangar in the port was a danger and asked for a way to remove it. Ammonium nitrate is a component of fertilizer that is potentially explosive. The 2,750-ton cargo had been stored at the port since it was confiscated from a ship in 2013, and on Tuesday it is believed to have detonated after a fire broke out nearby. The resulting explosion _ hitting with the force of a 3.5-magnitude earthquake _ was the biggest ever seen in Beirut, a city blasted by a 1975-1990 civil war, bombarded in conflicts with Israel and hit by periodic terror attacks. The 2017 letter from the custom's chief to a judge could not be immediately confirmed. If authentic, it could deepen the belief already expressed by some Lebanese that widespread mismanagement, negligence and corruption among the country's ruling class is to blame for the explosion. President Michael Aoun vowed before a Cabinet meeting on Wednesday that the investigation would be transparent and that those responsible will be punished. ``There are no words to describe the catastrophe that hit Beirut last night,'' he said. After the meeting, the Cabinet ordered an unspecified number of Beirut port officials put under house arrest pending an investigation into how the ammonium nitrate came to be stored at the port for years. The government also declared a two-week state of emergency, effectively giving the military full powers during this time. State prosecutor Ghassan Oueidat ordered security agencies to start an immediate investigation and collect all reports and letters related to the materials stored at the port as well as lists of people in charge of maintenance, storage and protection of the hangar. In the letter, the customs chief warns of the ``dangers if the materials remain where they are regarding the safety of (port) employees'' and asked the judge for guidance on what to do with it. He said five similar letters were sent in 2014, 2015 and 2016. The letter proposes the material be exported or sold to a Lebanese explosives company. It is not known if there was ever a response. The government also said public schools will be opened to host those who lost their homes and the minister of tourism will also work on opening some hotels for use by those who lost their homes. It also promised compensation for the victims. With the Port of Beirut destroyed, the government said imports and exports will be secured through other ports in the country, mostly in the northern city of Tripoli and the southern port city of Tyre. Residents of Beirut confronted a scene of utter devastation Wednesday. Smoke still rose from the port, where a towering building of silos was half destroyed, spilling out grain. Hangars around it were completely toppled. The blast knocked out a crater some 200 meters (yards) across that filled with seawater _ it was as if the sea had taken a bite out of the port, swallowing buildings with it. Much of downtown was littered with damaged vehicles and debris that had rained down from the shattered facades of buildings. Lebanon was already on the brink of collapse amid a severe economic crisis. Many have lost their jobs and seen their savings evaporate because of a currency crisis. Food security is a worry, since Lebanon imports nearly all its vital goods and its main port is devastated. The government is strapped for cash. Lebanon's economic crisis is rooted in decades of systemic corruption by political factions that exploit public institutions for the benefit of their supporters. Decades after the civil war, residents endure frequent power outages and poor public services. French President Emmanuel Macron was to traveling to Beirut on Thursday to offer support and meet with Lebanese leaders. Lebanon is a former French protectorate and the countries retain close political and economic ties. Search Keywords: Short link: Minsk is ready to cooperate with Russia and Ukraine on the issue of the detained Russians under earlier signed international treaties, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko said. "[Ukrainian President] Volodymyr Zelensky has addressed the issue of the militants detained in Belarus. He said they were involved in the military action in Donbas and Ukrainian prosecutors are investigating these facts. Alexander Lukashenko, for his part, said law enforcement agencies will cooperate on this issue under the international agreements signed with Russia and Ukraine," the press service for the Belarusian presidential administration said in a report released following a phone conversation between the two presidents. According to the press service, the conversation also addressed the intensification of border control on the Belarus-Ukraine border and intensification of interaction between border guard agencies. The office of the president of Ukraine said earlier that Zelensky said in a phone conversation with Lukashenko that he hopes the people detained in Belarus who fought in Donbas will be handed over to Ukraine. LOS ANGELES (AP) A brand new life is ahead for the vintage sitcom "Who's the Boss? and its devoted fans. Tony Danza and Alyssa Milano are set to reprise their father-daughter roles for a sequel to the original series, which was set in Fairfield, Connecticut. It's in the works at Sony Pictures Television, the studio said Tuesday. The original series created by Martin Cohan and Blake Hunter ran from 1984 to 1992 and was a hit for ABC, if not a critical darling. A total of 196 episodes aired over its eight seasons. The modern-day reboot revolves around Danza's Tony Micelli, a former ballplayer and now retired housekeeper, and Milano's Samantha. The daughter lives in the Fairfield home where the original series was set and is a single mother, Sony said. Veteran producer Norman Lear, part of the remake of his original series One Day at a Time, is among the Who's the Boss? producers, as are Danza and Milano. The new comedy will explore generational differences, as well as opposing world views and parenting styles within the dynamic of a modern family in 2020, in line with Lear's shows, Sony said in a statement. Sony left the door open for the involvement of Judith Light, whose character Angela sparred with Tony as his employer and later romantic interest, and Danny Pintauro, who played her son, Jonathan. They are supportive of the new series, the studio said. The cast remains very close to this day and the hope is to find creative ways to work them and their characters into the show. Katherine Helmond, who was Emmy-nominated and won a Golden Globe for her role as Angela's mother, Mona, died in February 2019 at age 89. Whether the original shows theme song, Brand New Life, will be heard again wasn't announced. P c Andrew Harper's widow are launching a campaign for criminals convicted of killing emergency workers to spend the rest of their lives in jail. Lissie Harper is calling for "Andrew's Law" in memory of her husband that would see harsher punishments for anyone who kills a police officer, firefighter, nurse, doctor or paramedic. It comes after Mrs Harper said she was immensely disappointed that the three teenagers who killed her husband were cleared of murder and instead convicted of manslaughter. The newlywed officer died after being called to reports of a burglary in progress and bravely confronting the thieves. His feet became entangled in a tow rope as they sped away from the scene on the night of August 15 last year. Pc Andrew Harper had married Lissie only four weeks before he was killed / PA Henry Long, 19, the driver of the car was jailed for 16 years for manslaughter at the Old Bailey last month. The two other occupants of the car, 18-year-olds Jessie Cole and Albert Bowers, were each jailed for 13 years. TODO: define component type apester Mrs Harper, who is working in conjunction with the Police Federation of England and Wales on the campaign, intends to push for a change in the law in high-profile meetings with Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Home Secretary Priti Patel in the coming weeks. Henry Long, Jessie Cole and Albert Bowers / Thames Valley Police/PA Wire She is also calling on the public and politicians of all parties to back her in her campaign. Mrs Harper said: I pledge to my late husband to never stop until I have made the difference that this country clearly needs. "I vow to stand strong and firm with so many other honourable people in our country to make the changes that we clearly know to be justified. Mrs Harper outside the Old Bailey in London / PA "I hope that by creating a new "Andrews Law" - that sees any person who commits a crime that results in the death of an emergency worker being jailed for life - that those that have to go through what I have been through in the future get the justice that they rightly deserve. Also launching the campaign is Pc Harper's mother Debbie Adlam, who told PA that "something needs to change" after the sentences were handed out. She said: "Weve come to realise that, with the outcome of the trial as it stands, something needs to change. He is worth much more than this and weve been thinking for some time that something needs to be brought in to protect our police officers. Theres nobody looking out for them and we aim to change that. Mrs Adlam added: Were looking to bring in a minimum term 20 years. No parole, no reductions. Pc Harper's mother Debbie Adlam / PA The Attorney General Suella Braverman is currently reviewing the sentences of Long, Cole and Bowes to see if they were too lenient. Currently defendants under the age of 21 receive lower sentences, but Mrs Adlam believes this should end. As far as their age and the reductions go, my personal thoughts are there is no sense whatsoever in being 18 or 19 and getting time off your sentence. My gut turns when I think about that because you can change your gender, you can get a mortgage, you can serve in the Army, and the thing that really bugs me is you can be on a jury yet you are not treated as an adult until youre 21 in the judicial system. That cant be right. Mrs Harper added: As a widow of a police officer - a title which I would give everything to not have - I have witnessed first-hand the lenient and insufficient way in which the justice system deals with criminals who take the lives of our emergency workers. Aerial view of the scene at Ufton Lane, near Sulhamstead, Berkshire, where Pc Andrew Harper died. / PA I have grown close to our under-appreciated protectors ever more since the death of Andrew, I have been enveloped in love and support from not only the police and other emergency workers but so many of the general public too who I know fully support my feelings over the verdict and sentences in which Andrews killers have received. The people responsible for wreaking utter despair and grief in all of our lives will spend an inadequate amount of time behind bars. These men who showed no remorse, no guilt or sorrow for taking such an innocent and heroic life away will find themselves able to live out the rest of their lives free and able to commit more crimes and continue to put people in danger when they are released in a very small number of years. Family of killed Pc Andrew Harper welcome jail term review The campaign is backed by the Police Federation, which is working with Mrs Harper on the timescales and legal drafting of her demands, and high-profile politicians, including former police minister and Conservative MP Sir Mike Penning. John Apter, national chairman of the Police Federation of England and Wales, said: We fully support Lissie and her campaign to seek a change in the law. Andrew was brutally killed, leaving his wife, loved ones, colleagues and the nation devastated. Aerial view of the scene at Ufton Lane, near Sulhamstead, Berkshire, where Pc Andrew Harper died. / PA The killing of a police officer should see those responsible face the rest of their lives in prison. This campaign would be Andrews legacy and we will continue to support Lissie in her efforts to seek justice and change the law for the greater good. Pc Harpers Thames Valley Police Federation colleague Sgt Andy Fiddler, who has been supporting Mrs Harper, said: We want a new Andrews Law that protects all our emergency services workers that are killed on duty as a result of someone committing a crime. Those in society who hurt those there to protect us should be dealt with the full force of the law and judicial system. Mrs Harper added: Andrew will never be forgotten - emergency workers and fellow police officers will never don their uniforms and begin their shifts in the way that they did before he was taken. The details of his death clearly etched in their minds. I urge you all to see the dangers that our protectors face on every shift that they begin, the risks that they are forced to take in order to keep our people safe. "Far too often one of our own is taken from us, far too common is it that one of our care givers is injured. No one should have to give their life for their job. I wish to ensure that anyone who finds themselves in my position, any widows of the future will not have to experience the same miscarriages of justice." Employees at a Missouri-based pizza arcade were assaulted and sprayed with mace by a customer refusing to wear a mask in the restaurant amid spiking cases of COVID-19. A surveillance video at an America's Incredible Pizza Company in St. Louis County showed a customer spraying employees in the face with pepper spray in an incident that occurred Sunday, the St. As thousands of tourists fled Da Nang after the COVID-19 outbreak sprang up in the central city, dozens of leading doctors went in the opposite direction, towards the danger. The image of doctors in white protective clothes from Hanoi-based Bach Mai Hospital and HCM City-based Cho Ray Hospital has touched many people when it was posted and shared on social networking sites last Tuesday. Photo courtesy of Do Duy Cuong An image of doctors in white protective clothes from Hanoi-based Bach Mai Hospital and HCM City-based Cho Ray Hospital in Da Nang Hospital touched many people when it was posted and shared on social networking sites last Tuesday. It is a vivid image showing the bravery and silent sacrifices of those on the front lines of the battle against COVID-19 in our country, Nguyen Hong Nhung, a 31-year-old, living in Hanoi commented. Le Hai, a Facebooker, said, "They are the real heroes in the heart of the people." Dang Nam, living in Da Nang, who shared the picture and received thousands of likes, said, We treasure and believe in them. With their support, Da Nang will return to be peaceful again soon. The photographer was associate Professor Do Duy Cuong, director of National Hospital of Tropical Diseases under Bach Mai Hospital. Cuong was one of 30 doctors of Bach Mai Hospital who helped control the spread of SARS-CoV-2 after two staff of the hospital contracted SARS-CoV-2 late March and was dispatched to help Da Nang to fight the pandemic on July 26. After Vietnam confirmed its 416th patient when a 57-year-old man in Da Nang tested positive for coronavirus without a clear source of infection on July 25, marking the first case of community transmission in Vietnam in 100 days, acting minister of Health Nguyen Thanh Long ordered doctors from Bach Mai Hospital and Cho Ray Hospital to support Da Nang. We received Longs order at midnight (on July 25) and left for Da Nang very early the next morning," Cuong said. Pham The Thach, Bach Mai Hospitals deputy head of the Intensive Care Department, said when he heard the news of patient 416, he was ready to leave for Da Nang, thanks to his experience treating patients in intensive care in Bach Mai Hospital. We think the task is both a responsibility and honour, he said. We have a lot of work to do these days in Da Nang, its very hard but we have gotten used to the high pressure of work, so it's no problem, he added. Da Nang has recorded hundreds of infections cases, with eight deaths. The city has put three major hospitals - the General Hospital, the C Hospital and Cardiovascular Centre under lockdown. We understand the situation. We understand the anxiety of our colleagues in the three lockdown hospitals. We already experienced the feeling when a nurse of Bach Mai Hospital became the 86th patient in March. We want to help them as much as we can," Cuong said. Cuong said with the supports of Bach Mai Hospitals doctors, Da Nang was turning the citys Lung Hospital into a treatment facility for COVID-19 patients. It would reduce the workload for Da Nang City's three major hospitals that had been locked down, he said. For an outbreak in a hospital, quarantining scientifically and effectively was extremely important, he said. The published list of COVID-19 cases in Da Nang City was mostly the hospitals patients, patients relatives and health workers, showing the central-level doctors' advice and support were really timely for Da Nang, he said. Nguyen Trong Khoa, deputy head of the Department of Medical Examination and Treatment under the Ministry of Health, who also led a team of doctors to help Da Nang said: "We will only leave when Da Nang becomes peaceful as usual." Last Friday, Bach Mai Hospital sent a team of psychosocial experts to Da Nang to encourage the medical staff fighting the pandemic. In the meantime, nine leading doctors of Cho Ray Hospital were sent to Da Nang on July 25. They include three doctors who helped treat Scotsman Stephen Cameron, or patient 91, who was at one point the country's most seriously ill COVID-19 patient. Ngo Thi Kim Yen, director of Da Nang Citys Health Department said the city was receiving medical support from many hospitals nationwide, especially from leading doctors who beat back the disease in hotspots like Ha Loi, Son Loi and Bach Mai. They have a lot of experience, so they give us more strength and make doctors in Da Nang feel less pressure, she said. VNS By Ko Shu-ling, KYODO NEWS - Aug 5, 2020 - 11:02 | World, All, Coronavirus Based on its proximity to China and extensive cross-strait travel, Taiwan was initially ranked among locations most likely to be overrun by the new coronavirus when it appeared last December. Seven months later, however, with COVID-19 infecting millions, Taiwan Centers for Disease Control reports seven deaths to date, 28 active cases and no domestic transmissions since April. This was achieved without support from the World Health Organization, which at China's insistence excludes Taiwan, and without a general lockdown, thereby allowing most residents to go about their lives as usual. Reasons given for Taiwan's pandemic success include quick government action, widespread support for TCDC directives, and a medical system ranked the world's best on the Numbeo Health Care Index. Yet, to understand how a diplomatically isolated travel hub of 23 million people neutralized a threat that has decimated health care systems in many wealthy nations requires more than a list of things Taiwan did right in the current crisis. Even crediting the changes to Taiwan's health care administration following the 2003 SARS epidemic omits a history of dealing with problems like COVID-19 that dates from the colonial period. According to Lin Man-houng of the Academia Sinica's Modern History Institute, Taiwan's health care system originated in Japanese efforts to contain infectious diseases like malaria, cholera, dysentery, typhoid and bubonic plague that proliferated on the island due to its subtropical climate and ignorance concerning how conditions might be improved. Taiwan was known as "the land of miasmal diseases," and given the human cost of settlement, Qing Dynasty rulers pursued minimal development. Even defending the island proved difficult. Thousands of Chinese troops died, not in fighting, but from infection after being sent to Taiwan in 1874 following the Mudan Incident, with Japanese invaders faring no better. Returning 20 years later, after China ceded Japan the island following the First Sino-Japanese War, Taiwan's new rulers seemed to have learned little from their earlier experience, as the initial occupation force logged 164 casualties in fighting and 4,624 from what they called "Taiwan fever." Among the dead was Prince Kitashirakawa Yoshihisa, the campaign's leader and a member of Japan's royal family. Planners were not totally unprepared, however, and while infection persisted, Shimpei Goto, head of the new government's Civil Affairs Bureau, placed disease at the top of his list of problems to tackle in stabilizing Japanese rule. And by that time, Goto was not without resources. Following the Meiji Restoration, Japanese authorities sent students to study in Europe, where significant progress was being made in the prevention and treatment of infectious diseases. They also invited Western experts to advise and teach in Japan. In 1896, Scottish sanitary engineer William Burton arrived in Taiwan to oversee the construction of sewers and a modern water treatment plant in Taipei, the new colony's capital, leading to dozens of similar projects across the island and causing a steady decline in cholera. Malaria and the plague were also targeted. Both having recently been identified as spread by mosquitos and rat-born fleas, Tomoe Takagi, head of the Health Department, developed programs to rodent-proof island ports and drain mosquito-infested wetlands. Hygiene laws also required intensive house cleaning and compulsory blood tests, with those found infected subject to quarantine. Related coverage: FEATURE: Japan lacking burial grounds for expanding Muslim population FEATURE: Food trucks serving up free hot meals to front-line medical workers FEATURE: Tokyoites leaving bustle behind as pandemic proves catalyst for change Yet according to Fan Yen-chiou, Professor of History at National Taiwan Normal University, Takagi's most effective innovations were not sanitary but social. Taiwanese traditionally turned to folk religion to protect them from disease, and they resisted measures stipulated under the "Major Cleaning Law," which included not only testing and isolation but also burning personal belongings to eliminate infection. To counter resistance, officials moved slowly and solicited help from trusted members of the community, such as local gentry and Chinese medicine doctors. The program was so successful that housecleaning became a task Taiwanese families carried out before every Lunar New Year. What Fan calls a "collaboration between new and old" extended beyond disease prevention to treatment, with authorities allowing traditional doctors to continue practicing, even while expanding access to Western medicine. This expansion relied on medical personnel trained in Europe or Japan, at schools like the Institute for Study of Infectious Diseases, founded by Shibasaburo Kitasato, who studied under renowned German microbiologist Robert Koch, after which he played a leading role in the fight against diphtheria, dysentery and the plague. Taiwan's first modern hospital was a military field station in Taipei's Dadaocheng area, which was later relocated to the city center and eventually became the outpatient department of National Taiwan University Hospital. The colonial government went on to build hospitals and medical schools throughout Taiwan, with special facilities dedicated to treating diseases like pneumonia and leprosy, as well as clinics in rural areas to provide vaccinations, health education and other basic services. Private hospitals also became ubiquitous, with 350 island-wide by 1942 employing 1,660 doctors. It would take over 20 years to bring Taiwan's "miasmal diseases" under control, a remarkable achievement for which the government was rewarded with not only improvements in general health and life expectancy, which increased 50 percent in 30 years, but, as Goto predicted, a more stable colony. Japan withdrew from Taiwan in 1945, leaving a health care system that the Nationalist (KMT) government would continue to build on, with infectious diseases still one of its greatest challenges. It would be 1965 before the WHO declared malaria finally eradicated on the island. Authorities also borrowed from other countries, developing what Chen Hsiu-hsi, associate dean of NTU's College of Public Health, calls a "hybrid model" of health care that "makes it easier to integrate medical care and public health." Changes have included a more generalized education for physicians, so that they can operate in a wider range of capacities, and the creation of the TCDC as a semiautonomous government agency to highlight the importance of separating politics from the fight against diseases. In 1995, Taiwan's government also implemented a National Health Insurance plan to provide comprehensive medical services to all residents. In a nod to the wisdom of Takagi's "collaboration between new and old," even today, with a new epidemic raging, the NHI covers those who prefer Chinese over Western medicine. SYDNEY (Reuters) - Australia Prime Minister Scott Morrison said on Wednesday that building an Indo-Pacific alliance with like-minded nations will be a "critical priority" for his government, warning the pace of militarisation in the region was unprecedented. "Today, the Indo-Pacific is the epicentre of strategic competition," Morrison told the Aspen Security Forum, which brings government and military leaders together with experts. "Tensions over territorial claims are growing." The annual conference is being hosted using virtual digital platforms this year due to the coronavirus pandemic. Australia last month said it would boost defence spending by 40% over the next 10 years, buying long-range military equipment that will be focused on the Indo-Pacific region, where both Beijing and Canberra are competing for influence. Diplomatic tension between China and Australia has worsened recently over issues including an Australian call for an international inquiry into the origin of the coronavirus, and debate about China's new national security law in Hong Kong. Last week, the United States and Australia held high-level talks on China and agreed on the need to uphold a rules-based global order, but Australia stressed its relationship with China was important and it had no intention of hurting it. Morrison said on Wednesday China's rise as a major economic partner has been good for the global economy, Indo-Pacific region and Australia, "but with economic rise comes responsibility". The prime minister said China and the United States together have a "special responsibility" to respect international law and should resolve their disputes peacefully. "It means a commitment to rules-based economic interaction. Neither coercion nor abdication from international systems is the way forward," Morrison said. (Reporting by Renju Jose; Editing by Kenneth Maxwell) SOFIA, Bulgaria (AP) Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borissov on Wednesday offered to step down if that would keep his troubled coalition government in place. Borissov told a caucus of his center-right GERB party that he would discuss the option with the leaders of the two nationalist parties that are his junior partners in the governing coalition. The resignations of Borissov and the country's chief prosecutor have been the key demands of month-long street protests across the Balkan country. The mostly young protesters accuse those in power of links to the mafia, refusing to fight corruption and reform the judiciary, and suppressing freedom of speech. Borissov has been in power since 2009 and his third term is scheduled to end next March. In Sofia, protesters have permanently blocked several key road intersections, causing huge traffic jams. They have set up tents and say they intend to remain there until their demands are met. Meanwhile, one of the protesters, who went on hunger strike five days ago, was taken to hospital on Wednesday in critical condition. A spokesman for United Airlines wrote in an email that the airline was deploying electrostatic spraying before most flights. Southwest Airlines wrote in an email that their aircraft are deep cleaned for six to seven hours every night. Similarly, American Airlines wrote in an email that the airline is disinfecting high-touch surfaces at every turn with a solution similar to what some competitors use when electrostatically spraying the inside of aircraft. In addition, American said it is performing electrostatic fogging with a disinfectant the airline claims provides seven days of protection against Covid-19. (The airline declined to disclose the name of the disinfectant.) A spokesman for JetBlue wrote in an email that the airline performs electrostatic spraying on longer turns or when the plane sits overnight. In addition, the airline announced last Wednesday a pilot program with Honeywell to test an ultraviolet light system that sweeps the cabin in about 10 minutes without the use of chemical disinfectants. What chemicals are used to disinfect the plane? Deltas disinfectant of choice is called Matrix 3, which is approved by the Federal Aviation Administration for use on airplanes since it does not corrode aluminum. Its a mix of ethanol and Tetrasodium EDTA, a commonly used disinfectant. I did not detect a strong smell. Matrix 3 is more powerful than common household cleaners and is rated by the Environmental Protection Agency as able to kill a harder-to-kill pathogen than that which causes Covid-19. What is fogging and how does it work? Fogging is a common term for electrostatic spraying. The technique has been used for decades to paint automobiles and in agricultural spraying. However, applying disinfectant with electrostatic sprayers is relatively new; NYU Langone Medical Center said it began using the technology in 2018, for example. Unlike with a spray bottle, the nozzle imparts a positive charge to droplets of disinfectant, each 85 microns in size roughly the thickness of an average human hair. The electrical charge causes the individual droplets to repel against each other and spread out over a wide area. Simultaneously, the droplets are attracted to negatively (or neutrally) charged nonporous surfaces such as an airplane seat or side walls. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Yunindita Prasidya (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Wed, August 5, 2020 08:12 532 6657ac82168da9fa101c8a4066b9f877 1 Business ASEAN,business,Trade,AEC,European-Union Free An online platform to help business players resolve cross-border trade issues in the Southeast Asia region has been met with a cold shoulder by the regions economic community, a European Union (EU)-backed facility has shown. In support of the ASEAN regional integration, the EU has helped establish the trade solution platform, dubbed the ASEAN Solutions for Investments, Services and Trade (ASSIST), through its ASEAN Regional Integration Support by the EU (ARISE) Plus technical facility. Paolo Vergano, a trade facilitation expert at ARISE Plus, said the platform only saw 10 cases lodged so far, with five out of the six cases lodged in 2019 being from business councils or business federations. ASEAN businesses are not using ASSIST, Vergano said during a livestreamed outreach event on July 30, as he urged the regions businesses to utilize the platform. ASSIST is expected to help ASEAN-based enterprises expedite complaint-filing with other ASEAN governments over cross-border trade issues, including non-tariff measures. The increasingly integrated ASEAN economy follows the introduction of the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) in 2015. As of 2018, ASEAN was the fifth-largest economy in the world with a total combined gross domestic product (GDP) of US$3 trillion. ASEAN economic integration continued to contribute to the regions emerging position as a global growth driver, with intra-ASEAN activity accounting for the largest share of ASEANs total trade and its foreign investment in 2018, standing at 23 percent and 15.9 percent, respectively, according to the 2019 ASEAN Integration Report. In the European Union, a similar [trade solution platform] system known as SOLVIT has seen over 10,000 cases compared with 10 cases in ASEAN, Vergano said. The EUs SOLVIT is described by the European Commission as an informal problem-solving network that can help EU citizens or businesses when their rights are breached by public authorities in another EU member state. In 2019, SOLVIT reported having handled a total of 2,380 cases that fell within its remit, while also receiving an additional 2,977 complaints that were not within its remit. The concept is trying to minimize long tariff barriers and measures and to have the private sector talk to the government within a system that is free of charge and fully based on the internet, Vergano said. He added that the platform provided businesses with an anonymity feature in case they were concerned about possible retaliation as a result of filing their complaints. Businesses can expect to have practical solutions within 40 to 60 days upon having their complaint accepted by the central administrator of the ASSIST website. Once a solution is proposed, they can either accept the proposed solution or reject it and look for other channels to resolve their dispute. Vergano noted, however, that the platform was not a silver bullet that could overcome complicated problems such as government inefficiencies or red tape. It is meant to address a specific problem, he said, but it could help build momentum for change. If we can establish a pattern of 50, 100 requests to the government, with no solution provided, that government will look terrible and there will be further pressure by other ASEAN member states on that government to actually start providing a solution, Vergano argued. Robert Kwee, the founder of Alfamart Trading Philippines, said during the webinar that there were no specific regulations that served as an obstacle to trading in ASEAN. But in reality, many players do not open market opportunities," he said. Trade attache at the Indonesian embassy in Manila, Lazuardi Nasution, cited on July 30 a case where foreign architects working in the Philippines must take a professional exam. The examination, however, was conducted in Filipino, making it harder for Indonesians to work as architects in the Philippines, Lazuardi noted. Footage of the incident was released by the authorities: (Hackensack Police Department) A woman has been arrested for allegedly assaulting a 54-year-old woman in a New Jersey Staples store after a dispute over a face mask. The Hackensack Police Department announced on Tuesday that 25-year-old Terri Thomas had been arrested for the incident that occurred on 29 July. Ms Thomas allegedly attacked 54-year-old Margot Kagon, who had recently undergone a liver transplant, after they had a dispute over wearing a face mask inside the store, according to the New York Post. The police said that on 29 July Ms Kagon was using the fax machine in the store when a woman, suspected to be Ms Thomas, approached her with her face mask pulled below her mouth. Ms Kagon told the woman that she needed to wear a face mask in the store, which is when the suspect became angry and started yelling, according to ABC News. In the surveillance footage, that was released by the police, the suspect was seen walking over to Ms Kagon, before throwing her to the ground after a struggle and leaving the store. Although footage of the aftermath of the incident was not released by the authorities, Hackensack Police Department detective captain Darrin DeWitt confirmed that Staples staff immediately helped the woman and called 911. Ms Kagon, who used her cane in an attempt to protect herself, told ABC that she had to have a steel plate put in her knee after she broke her tibia in the incident, and added that she has been told to not put weight on the affected leg for seven to 10 weeks. The footage was released to the public over the weekend, as the department asked for help in identifying the suspect, and in a statement about the incident, Mr DeWitt praised his investigators and Staples staff. He said that detectives Demetrius Carroll, Ioannis Papanikolaou, and James Han, in particular, all did a fantastic job, and added: I also thank the Hackensack Staples store and the Staples corporate office for their cooperation, which was crucial in solving the case. Story continues Ms Thomas was charged with aggravated assault and has been released on a summons before her first court appearance on 24 August. Read more Student told to remove Black Lives Matter face mask before graduation Face mask found in McDonalds chicken nugget Woman kicked off flight for wearing offensive face mask by Austin Bay August 4, 2020 On Aug. 2, 1990, Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein's elite Republican Guard tanks and mechanized infantry invaded oil-rich Kuwait, igniting a war that would have several names, among them Kuwait War and Persian Gulf War. Though the war's major combat operation, Desert Storm, didn't begin until January 1991, Desert Storm would become the pop nickname for the conflict, all but erasing from media talking-head memory its predecessor, Operation Desert Shield. That's unfortunate, for Desert Shield was dramatically successful in shaping the political and military conditions that seeded Desert Storm's astonishing military success. It's doubly unfortunate, for Desert Shield provides an excellent model of planning and implementing "cocktail warfare" combining diplomatic power, information-media warfare and economic influence as well as utilizing logistical and intelligence capabilities. Desert Shield officially began Aug. 9, 1990, but regional and global political and economic responses to Saddam's invasion were immediate. In 1990, Iraq and Kuwait had roughly 20% of the world's oil reserves. From Kuwait, Iraqi forces could disrupt an even larger percentage of the industrial world's energy supplies. An Iraqi armored corps in Kuwait threatened Saudi Arabia's northeastern oil fields with invasion or destruction so Saddam was positioned to disrupt an even larger percentage of the world's energy supplies. Oil's spot price spiked. Given global economic interdependence, even nations that didn't rely on Middle Eastern oil would pay a market tax for Saddam's treachery. But Saddam wanted more than money; he sought global glory. A speech he delivered in Amman, Jordan, in February 1990 sketched his plan. After discussing the "Palestinian cause," Western Europe's decline and the Cold War, "suddenly, the situation," Saddam said, "changed in a dramatic way." The Cold War ended. America was "fatigued" and would fade, but "throughout the next five years," the U.S. would be unrestricted. He implied that defeating the U.S. entailed scraping the scar of Vietnam and threatening massive U.S. casualties. "Fatigue" and domestic self-recrimination would stall U.S. power. A crucial line stands out: "The big," Saddam said, "does not become big, nor does the great earn such a description unless he is in the arena of comparison or fighting with someone else on a different level." (Translation: If a minor leaguer wants to move up, he takes on the majors.) Saddam possessed regional military superiority -- at least he thought so. His power cocktail had a diplomatic component (appeal to Arabs by invoking Palestine). He had an information and media warfare strategy designed to confound his real opponent, the U.S. After taking Kuwait, he had global economic clout -- or so he thought. But in the week following the invasion, the U.S. and Saudi Arabia focused on creating a resilient international coalition capable of waging war against a common enemy, Iraq. Former U.S. President George H. W. Bush deserves personal kudos for his leadership, which solidified Saudi support. The Desert Shield coalition began to take shape. American diplomats emphasized a coalition of equals organized for the specific purpose of liberating Kuwait. Emphasizing Saudi and Kuwaiti membership parried Saddam's pan-Arab diplomatic gambit. Eventually, Egypt and Syria would join. As the conflict evolved, President Bush and his team would improvise and adapt while remaining focused on the goal of liberating Kuwait. American airpower blunted Saddam's military threat. Thanks to fast diplomatic work, U.S. Air Force aircraft quickly deployed to Gulf Arab air bases and Turkey. U.S. Navy and Marine aircraft flew missions from carriers operating in the Mediterranean, Indian Ocean and Persian Gulf. The American logistical juggernaut began delivering U.S Army light infantry (paratroopers and special forces) and Marines to Saudi Arabia. French and British contingents arrived. Saddam tried propaganda themes that resonated with European and American leftist "anti-war" protestors. The man responsible for murdering thousands of Kurds, Arabs and Iranians claimed Washington would spill "black and brown blood" fighting a "war for oil." He attracted a lot of sympathetic media, but the coalition held as responsible leaders and citizens ignored the tropes and focused on the task. The coalition embargoed the sales of Iraqi and Kuwaiti oil -- an economic strike on Saddam. Oil peaked around $40 a barrel, and then prices began to fall as the coalition grew and the military buildup continued. Troops, tanks, ships and planes provided physical security, which politically and economically strengthened the coalition. The military might sent Saddam an information warfare message. The coalition, with a diplomatic masterstroke, secured a U.N. mandate requiring Iraq withdraw from Kuwait. When Saddam missed the withdrawal deadline, the coalition launched Desert Storm. Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in the holy city of Ayodhya on Wednesday for the momentous foundation laying ceremony of Ram temple. Dressed in a golden-coloured traditional dhoti kurta, the prime ministers first stop was the 10th-century Hanuman Garhi temple wherein he offered special prayers. PM Modi was presented with a headgear, silver mukut and a stole by Sri Gaddinsheen Premdas Maharaj, head priest of the ancient Hanuman Garhi Temple. The prime minister then went on to offer prayers to Ram Lalla and performed sashtang pranam at Ram Janmabhoomi. PM Modi also planted a Parijat sapling, considered a divine plant, ahead of foundation stone-laying of Ram temple. Surrounded by seers, the prime minister took part in the rituals and performed bhoomi pujan for the Ram temple. As per the priest at Ram temple bhoomi pujan, nine bricks were kept at the site of the ceremony which were sent by the devotees of Lord Ram from around the world in 1989. There are 2 lakh 75 thousand such bricks out of which 100 bricks with Jai Shri Ram engraving have been taken, the priest said during the ceremony as reported by ANI. Uttar Pradesh Governor Anandiben Patel, RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat, among other dignitaries took part in the event at the Ram Janambhoomi site. Soil from more than 2000 pilgrimage sites and water from more than 100 rivers was brought for the rituals. After performing the rituals, the prime minister released a commemorative postage stamp on the Shree Ram Janmabhoomi Mandir and took to the stage to address the nation on the groundbreaking occasion. PM Modi began his address by chanting Jai Siya Ram and thanked all citizens of the nation as well as Indian diaspora across the world on the pious occasion. A grand temple will now be built for our Ram Lalla who had been staying makeshift tent till now. Today, Ram janmbhoomi breaks free of the cycle of breaking and getting built again - that had been going on for centuries, the prime minister said. The prime minister will be in the temple town for around three hours before heading back to Lucknow at around 2.20 pm, as per his itinerary. Bristow Helicopters has announced the sack of over 100 pilots and engineers in its employ. The aviation company also said it had engaged with the National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers (NAAPE) to negotiate a fair and equitable redundancy compensation for those affected. Industry sources said this might be a reaction to the picketing and grounding of the company's operations on Monday by the union over alleged discrimination against Nigerian pilots and engineers. Bristow in a statement signed by its management said it based its decision on the severe impact of COVID-19, adding that its business has been affected adversely and would use the period to now restructure all aspects of its business model. The statement said, "The spread of the Covid-19 virus has severely impacted all sectors in the aviation industry, including our market, which primarily serves the Nigerian oil and gas sector. In addition, the ongoing downturn in the global oil and gas market continues to influence and determine the demand for our services. "The combined effects of these 'arisings' have resulted in very significant reductions to our business particularly a reduction in the number of contracted aircraft in Nigeria. As a result, the company must now restructure all aspects of its business model (both rotary & fixed wing), including an extensive review of its operations and we continue to drive efficiencies, but with zero compromise to safety and our core values. "One of these measures includes the right sizing of the business to ensure that the company has the optimal level of personnel to continue the safe delivery of its services to its clients, whilst allowing the appropriate capacity for future growth. Accordingly, and with much regret, the company has taken the very difficult decision to release over 100 pilots and engineers (both nationals and expatriates) over the next couple of weeks." Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Nigeria Labour By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later. The company which had operated in Nigeria for over 40 years said that it would comply with the labour laws of disengagement for those whose jobs were relieved. "In compliance with the relevant labour and local content laws and also best practices; the company has engaged the leadership of NAAPE to negotiate a fair and equitable redundancy compensation for the affected individuals. "In compliance with the terms of employment, the affected individuals will be paid three months' salary (excluding applicable deductions) following their exit from the company. The redundancy packages will be paid to them as soon as an agreement has been reached with NAAPE. "This decision has not been made lightly, but having considered the state of the business and the very serious constraints caused by the spread of the Covid-19 disease and the downturn in the oil and gas market, the company must now take this painful, but decisive step to ensure the continuity of its business and delivery of essential services to its clients," the company added. On the day when Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone for Ram Temple in Ayodhya, New York City saw the largest high-definition digital display of Lord Ram on Broadway. The digital display of Lord Ram is one of the most expensive digital billboards of the Hindu deity at Times Square. The display was lit up from 10 am to 10 pm to celebrate the laying of the temple's foundation. After laying the foundation stone for Ram Temple, the Prime Minister termed the event as an 'emotional moment' for the country and said that 'every heart is illuminated today'. Modi said that the temple will become a modern symbol of India's culture, a symbol of eternal hope and national feeling and of the collective strength of crores of citizens. Michigan moved one step closer to electing a new slate of congressional candidates Tuesday after voters decided which Republicans and Democrats would face off in November. On Nov. 3, voters will decide on races including the presidential contest, one of Michigans two U.S. Senate seats, every congressional seat and all 110 state house districts. But first, voters narrowed down the field of candidates to one from each of the major parties in the primary election, sometimes selected from among three or more contenders. Heres who made it through to the general election, with one big caveat: not quite every race had been called as of Wednesday afternoon. Due to increased absentee voting and limited time to process ballots, Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson said she expects all results to be in closer to mid-day Wednesday. This post will be updated as more results come in. 1st Congressional District - Jack Bergman (R) vs. Dana Ferguson (D) Incumbent U.S. Rep. Jack Bergman, R-Watersmeet, will face off against Democrat Dana Ferguson in the November election after Ferguson bested Linda ODell in the primary. With 100% of precincts reporting, Ferguson led ODell 64.28% to 35.72%. Bergman, who has represented the district since 2017, ran unopposed in the Republican primary. 2nd Congressional District - Bill Huizenga (R) vs. Bryan Berghoef (D) Incumbent U.S. Rep. Bill Huizenga, R-Zeeland, will face off against Democrat Bryan Berghoef in the Nov. 3 election. Neither had a primary opponent Tuesday. 36 Peter Meijer wins 3rd Congressional District Republican primary 3rd Congressional District - Peter Meijer (R) vs. Hillary Scholten (D) It was U.S. Army veteran Peter Meijer who emerged victorious from a five-way primary, securing 50.19% of the vote with 100% precincts reporting. He will face off against Democrat Hillary Scholten in November. One of the two will replace U.S. Rep. Justin Amash, L-Cascade Twp., who currently holds the seat. 4th Congressional District - John Moolenaar (R) vs. Jerry Hillard (D) Incumbent U.S. Rep. John Moolenaar, R-Midland, will face off against Democrat Jerry Hillard in the general election. Hillard beat Anthony Feig in the Democratic primary on Tuesday, leading 54% to 46% as of 1:40 a.m. with 92% of precincts reporting. Moolenaar ran unopposed in the primary. 5th Congressional District - Dan Kildee (D) vs. Tim Kelly (R) Incumbent U.S. Rep. Dan Kildee, D-Flint Twp., ran unopposed in the Democratic primary of this seat. He will run against former state representative Tim Kelly, who bested Earl Lackie in the Republican primary. Kelly led Lackie 79.27% to 20.73% as of 9:45 a.m. Wednesday with 85.4% of precincts reporting. Michigan State Rep. Jon Hoadley speaks at a rally to end gun violence and celebrate the life of DeVante Coleman on Aug. 4, 2020 at Milham Park in Kalamazoo, Michigan. 6th Congressional District - Fred Upton (R) vs. Jon Hoadley (D) Incumbent U.S. Rep. Fred Upton, R-Tipton, fended off primary challenger Elena Oelke on Tuesday 62.53% to 37.47% with 100% of precincts reporting. The race remained too close to call on the Democratic side well into Wednesday. State Rep. John Hoadley was initially trailing Jen Richardson, who is the research director and a science teacher at the Kalamazoo Area Math and Science Center. But the tides turned as more results came in, and The Associated Press declared Hoadley the winner Wednesday. According to unofficial election results, Hoadley earned 52% of the vote to Richardsons 47.7%. 7th Congressional District - Tim Walberg (R) vs. Gretchen Driskell (D) Incumbent U.S. Rep. Tim Walberg, R-Tipton, ran unopposed in the Republican primary. Likewise, former state lawmaker Gretchen Driskell run unopposed in the Democratic primary. The two will face off against one another in the general election this November. 8th Congressional District - Elissa Slotkin (D) vs. Paul Junge (R) Incumbent U.S. Rep. Elissa Slotkin, D-Holly, ran unopposed in the Democratic primary. On the Republican side, Paul Junge came out on top in four-way primary contest with 35% of the vote. Mike Detmer came in second with 29% of the vote, Kristina Lyke claimed 25% and Alan Hoover garnered 11%. 9th Congressional District - Andy Levin (D) vs. Charles Langworthy (R) Incumbent Rep. Andy Levin, D-Bloomfield Township, ran unopposed in the Democratic primary. On the Republican side, Charles Langworthy took 57.38% of the vote to opponent Gabi Grossbard earned 42.62% of the vote with 100% of precincts reporting. Lisa McClain (Courtesy image) 10th Congressional District - Lisa McClain (R) vs. Kimberly Bizon (D) Businesswoman Lisa McClain defeated Rep. Shane Hernandez and retired brigadier general Doug Slocum in Michigans contested 10th Congressional District primary. With 100% of precincts reporting, McClain won 41.72% of the vote to Hernandezs 36.37%. Slocum took home 21.91% of the vote. She will face off against Democrat Kimberly Bizon in the November general election, who defeated Kelly Noland with 53.76% of the vote to Nolands 46.24%. 11th Congressional District - Haley Stevens (D) vs. Eric Esshaki (R) Incumbent U.S. Rep. Haley Stevens, D-Rochester Hills, ran unopposed in the Democratic primary. In the competitive five-way Republican primary to challenge her in the November election, Eric Esshaki led the pack with 86.44% of precincts reporting, posting 31.36% of the vote. Carmelita Greco was in second with 22.9% of the vote, and former U.S. Rep. Kerry Bentivolio held 22% as of Wednesday afternoon. Frank Acosta currently holds 12.51% of the vote and Whittney Williams has 11.23%. 12th Congressional District - Debbie Dingell (D) vs. Jeff Jones (R) Incumbent U.S. Rep. Debbie Dingell, D-Dearborn, fended off primary challenger Solomon Rajput in Tuesdays primary, winning 76% to 24% as of 1 a.m. Wednesday with 26% of precincts reporting. Republican Jeff Jones was uncontested in the Republican primary. The two will face off in November. 13th Congressional District - Rashida Tlaib (D) vs. David Dudenhoefer (R) Incumbent U.S. Rep. Rashida Tlaib was victorious over challenger Brenda Jones in the 13th Districts Democratic primary. With 89.84% of precincts reporting, Tlaib won the election with 66.14% of the vote to Jones 33.86%. Shell face Republican David Dudenhoefer, who earned 47.53% of the vote, followed by Linda Sawyer with 34.52% and Al Lemmo with 17.95%. The Associated Press declared Dedenhoefer the winner Wednesday afternoon with 483 of 492 precincts counted. 14th Congressional District - Brenda Lawrence (D) vs. Robert Patrick (R) Incumbent U.S. Rep. Brenda Lawrence, D-Southfield, handily won the Democratic nomination over primary challenger Terrance Morrison, taking 93% of the vote. Robert Patrick, a self-employed general contractor, earned 65% of the Republican vote, besting Daryle Houston. Now that youre clear on whos competing to represent you in the U.S. House, are you looking for who youll get to choose from in the state House? See those results here. Read more of MLives political coverage, including local races that were on the ballot Tuesday, here. This article was updated to reflect that Rep. Justin Amash is a libertarian. Smoke rises from an explosion site at the port of Beirut, Lebanon, Aug. 4, 2020. The two huge explosions that rocked Lebanon's capital Beirut on Tuesday left dozens dead and injured, al-Jadeed TV channel reported. (Xinhua/Bilal Jawich) Two huge explosions rocked Lebanese capital Beirut on Tuesday, leaving at least 73 people killed and 3,000 others injured. The blasts hit the Port of Beirut at around 6:10 p.m. local time (1610 GMT), shaking buildings all over the city while causing massive casualties and damages. The number of casualties is expected to rise as the counting continues. Local media outlets have been announcing the names of hundreds of people still missing, in hope of helping their families find them. The causes of the blasts remained unknown, but Lebanese Interior Minister Mohammad Fahmi said the explosive chemicals stored at Port of Beirut may have led to the explosions. "Customs authorities must be asked about the reasons behind storing such chemical materials at Port of Beirut," Fahmi said. Investigations into the explosions are expected to reveal the real causes of the disaster within five days. Following the explosions, Lebanese Prime Minister Hassan Diab immediately declared Wednesday a national mourning day for the victims of the explosions. Meanwhile, Diab urged friendly countries to help Lebanon overcome the repercussions of the disastrous explosions. Lebanese President Michel Aoun also called an emergency meeting of the Higher Defense Council, which later on Tuesday declared Beirut as an afflicted city, while urging the Lebanese cabinet to announce a state of emergency in the city for two weeks. The council also urged the cabinet to allocate funds for hospitals to help them treat the injured, and to contact all friendly countries to seek support and set up a fund to provide compensations for those affected by the disaster. It recommended hosting the families whose houses were destroyed in schools, while importing glasses and controlling the prices of all material needed to fix the damaged houses. During the meeting, Diab insisted that those responsible for the disaster be punished, noting that it is unacceptable to store 2,700 tons of Ammonium nitrate, the explosive chemicals, which have put people's lives at great risk. The Lebanese cabinet is expected to hold a meeting on Wednesday to look into the proposal by the Higher Defense Council and announce new measures to deal with the current crisis. Many countries have expressed solidarity and sympathy with Lebanon over the explosions that have dealt a further blow to the country already plagued by the COVID-19 pandemic and an economic crisis. The Al-Jadeed TV reported that Iraq and Qatar will send field hospitals to Lebanon on Wednesday, while French President Emmanuel Macron, in a phone call with Aoun, promised to send support for Lebanon on Wednesday. Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said on Tuesday via his official Twitter account that Iran is ready to offer help to Lebanon. "Our thoughts and prayers are with the great and resilient people of Lebanon," Zarif tweeted. "As always, Iran is fully prepared to render assistance in any way necessary." "Stay strong, Lebanon," he added. Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman Abbas Mousavi also expressed sympathy with the Lebanese government and people over the incident, while announcing Iran's readiness for providing help to the Arab country. Iran is following the news on the incident with "deep grief" and "expresses solidarity with the Lebanese nation and government at this difficult time," Mousavi said in a statement. The Turkish Foreign Ministry on Tuesday expressed sorrow over the massive casualties and damages caused by the huge explosions, during which two Turkish citizens were slightly injured. "We wish God's mercy on those who lost their lives in this incident, urgent healing to those who were injured, and condolences to the Lebanese people, friends and brothers," the ministry said in a written statement. Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi extended his condolences to Lebanon over the deadly explosions, and wished speedy recovery for those injured in the blasts. "My sincere condolences and sympathy go to the government and people of Lebanon, over the tragic explosions that happened today in the Lebanese capital Beirut," Sisi wrote on his official Facebook page. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said on Tuesday that his country is ready to provide any support it could to Lebanon to help it recover from the tragedy, while sending his condolences to the families of the victims. Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammed Ishtaye said in a press statement that Palestine is "ready to put all its capabilities" for the service of Lebanon and provide any needed assistance immediately. Member of the Palestine Liberation Organization's Executive Committee Hanan Ashrawi also expressed sorrow over the "devastating tragedy" and wish for Beirut to overcome the calamity. In the Gaza Strip, Ismail Haniyeh, head of the Islamic Hamas movement, phoned President Aoun to express his support for Lebanon amidst the grave situation. Its not exactly the kind of surprise you want to get on a Tuesday morning. A man, whose name was not released, was taking out the trash at his home on the Southeast Side when he saw something bulky kind of blending into the dry grass in his yard by a wooden fence. Looking more closely, then doing a quick double-take just to make sure, he took in the creatures toothy grin, unblinking stare and long, long tail. Dang if it wasnt really an alligator. RELATED: Kayaker spots alligator in Austin's Lady Bird Lake Careful to make no sudden moves, he went back in the house and called San Antonio Police, who soon arrived with Animal Care Services. ACS officers used wire fencing to create a temporary enclosure to keep the animal contained until Caleb Harris, a reptile care specialist with Animal Word and Snake Farm Zoo in New Braunfels, arrived Harris estimated the 5-foot alligator is about 4 years old. Approaching the creature carefully but confidently, Harris used tape to keep its powerful jaws closed, then picked it up and carried the alligator to his vehicle, where he secured it and took it to the farm. Texas Parks and Wildlife Game Wardens will decide where the alligator, dubbed Al E. Gator by pun-happy ACS officers, will be taken. Alligators, caimans and crocodiles are prohibited within San Antonio city limits by city ordinance. The home where the creature was found is in the 3100 block of Rosalind Way, a quiet neighborhood near Rigsby and Foster roads. Its not clear where the alligator came from, officials said, although Mondays unexpected thunderstorm may have had something to do with it. ACS spokeswoman Lisa Norwood said partnerships with specialists and expert agencies are extremely helpful with urban wildlife encounters. When we come upon unusual cases, we want to make sure were working with the best people to do the best for the animals, she said. Norwood said the last alligator ACS officers came across was in February 2017, also on the South Side. An abandoned baby alligator was discovered inside an aquarium behind an empty house off Commercial Avenue. Prior to that, several boys fishing in Martinez Creek were casting lines for fish but instead came up with a 2-foot young alligator in 2013. Norwood said ACS officers were concerned that its mother might be near the location behind Oak Farms Dairy on Fredericksburg Road and Interstate 10, but the mother was never found. In both cases, state game wardens released the alligators into the wild. Vincent T. Davis is a reporter in the Greater San Antonio and Bexar County area. To read more from Vincent, become a subscriber. vtdavis@express-news.net | Twitter: @vincentdavis OKLAHOMA CITY (dpa-AFX) - Devon Energy Corp. (DVN) reported a second quarter net loss of $670 million or $1.78 per share, compared to net income of $495 million or $1.19 per share in the previous year. The quarterly result was negatively impacted by a $593 million unrealized change in the fair value of the company's derivative position due to higher futures commodity pricing. Core loss for the latest-quarter was $66 million or $0.18 per share. Total revenues dropped to $394 million from $1.81 billion in the prior year. Analysts polled by Thomson Reuters expected the company to report a loss of $0.13 per share for the quarter. Analysts' estimates typically exclude special items. Devon raised its full-year oil production forecast in 2020 to a range of 148,000 to 152,000 barrels per day due to strong base production performance across its diversified asset portfolio. In the third quarter, due to timing of completion activity, the company expects oil production to decline to a range of 138,000 to 143,000 barrels per day. In a separate press release, Devon Energy announced the next phase of its strategic plan to accelerate value creation for shareholders. It included initiatives to reduce cash costs by $300 million annually, reduce debt balances by up to $1.5 billion and return cash to shareholders in the form of a $100 million special dividend. Devon and Banpu Kalnin Ventures plan to accelerate the scheduled closing date of the Barnett Shale asset sale to October 1, 2020, from the previously arranged date of December 31, 2020. Devon expects to receive a net cash payment of more than $300 million at closing. Devon declared a special dividend in the amount of $0.26 per share. The special dividend will result in an aggregate payment of $100 million to shareholders by Devon. The special dividend is payable on October 1, 2020, to shareholders of record at the close of business on August 14, 2020. This special dividend is in addition to the regular quarterly cash dividend of $0.11 per share. The company plans to deliver sustainable, cash-cost reductions of $300 million by year-end 2020. The cost-reduction plan includes several actions to better align the workforce with go-forward activity levels, achieve more efficient field-level operations and decrease financing costs. The PV-10 of this cost savings plan is estimated to exceed $1 billion of value over the next five years. Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX Kostenloser Wertpapierhandel auf Smartbroker.de Under the fifth phase of the Vande Bharat Mission, Air India has announced three additional flights to Toronto from Delhi on August 16, 23 and 30. Prices for the tickets start at Rs 51,098 for the economy class and goes up to Rs 1,38,463 for business class. The three new flights comes in addition to the 12 flights that the airline announced a few days back. The airline had announced 12 additional flight from August 18 to 30 to Canada and Vancouver from Delhi under the 5th phase of Vande Bharat Mission. #FlyAI: Air India will operate 3 additional flights to Toronto from Delhi on 16th, 23rd and 30th Aug 2020. Booking shall open on 4th August at 2000 hrs through Airindia Website and Booking Offices only. pic.twitter.com/hrDbMyAJOl Air India (@airindiain) August 4, 2020 The fourth phase of the Vande Bharat Mission brought back as much as 2.5 lakh Indians from 53 countries around the world. Under the Phase 4 of the Vande Bharat mission, a total of 1,197 flights have been scheduled so far, including 945 international flights and 252 feeder flights, MEA Spokesperson Anurag Srivastava said at a media briefing. 694 flights have reached India as on July 22, repatriating nearly one lakh people so far, he said. Phase 4 is expected to continue until August 2, by which time around 80,000 more people are expected to return. Also Watch: As on 22nd July, 7,88,217 Indian nationals have returned. 1,03,976 Indians have returned from Nepal, Bhutan and Bangladesh by land borders. Noting that the Ministry of Civil Aviation had announced the establishment of bilateral bubbles with some countries, the MEA spokesperson said that between July 22 and August 31, Air India will be operating 30 flights a week to the US (New York, Chicago, Washington, New Jersey and San Francisco), four flights a week to Germany (Frankfurt) and three flights a week to France (Paris). The ministry continues to be in touch with missions on specific demands for repatriation from students completing their courses abroad, workers and other stranded Indians with compelling reasons. WAYNE, Pa., Aug. 5, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Evolve IP, the world's leading provider of Work Anywhere solutions; today announced that it has integrated the omnichannel Evolve Contact Suite with Microsoft Teams and the company's virtual Workspaces solution. The powerful combination allows agents to be fully immersed in all parts of the business while supporting clients and prospects anywhere on the devices of their choice. Leveraging a powerful, Web-based identity and access management portal, agents and managers can take advantage of the productivity benefits of Microsoft Teams, access all of the business's applications, including legacy on-premises applications, while delivering a world-class customer experience with Evolve IP's analyst-acclaimed omnichannel contact center software. The COVID-19 pandemic has wreaked havoc on contact centers forcing businesses to quickly spin up patchwork, work-from-home solutions or dramatically alter their physical contact center footprint. Now, with businesses evaluating a long-term strategic change toward work anywhere users, IT and contact center leaders are looking at better ways to connect agents not only to the contact center solution, but to the critical applications they need to do their jobs. The Evolve Contact Suite, which has been noted by Gartner in three consecutive CCaaS Magic Quadrants, was designed from the start to enable contact center agents to work anywhere. And new enhancements to the platform further those capabilities, all at a cost that is 30-40% less than other solutions that lack its remote work capabilities and Microsoft Teams integration. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Px1n-MmSsUs Major advantages of the Evolve Contact Suite include: Robust omnichannel features ECS provides all of the features required by contact centers to deliver a world-class customer experience, including voice, email, text, chat, and more. ECS provides all of the features required by contact centers to deliver a world-class customer experience, including voice, email, text, chat, and more. Integrated with Microsoft Teams For businesses using Microsoft Teams for collaboration and video conferencing, contact center agents can take full advantage of Team's productivity features while also interacting with the rest of their company's associates. For businesses using Microsoft Teams for collaboration and video conferencing, contact center agents can take full advantage of Team's productivity features while also interacting with the rest of their company's associates. Work and Hire Anywhere (Agent & Managers) The Evolve Contact Suite runs on all major Web-browsers with easily navigable, attractive modern user interfaces that improve agent productivity and empower a great customer experience. Real-time dashboards help users, no matter where they live and work, stay on top of KPI and key business metrics. The Evolve Contact Suite runs on all major Web-browsers with easily navigable, attractive modern user interfaces that improve agent productivity and empower a great customer experience. Real-time dashboards help users, no matter where they live and work, stay on top of KPI and key business metrics. Work Anywhere (IT) Agents and Managers need nothing more than a web browser to securely access Contact Center, SaaS, and critical legacy applications from the same Web portal. This frees IT from deploying and managing PCs and supporting clunky VPNs to get agents access to the tools they need. Agents and Managers need nothing more than a web browser to securely access Contact Center, SaaS, and critical legacy applications from the same Web portal. This frees IT from deploying and managing PCs and supporting clunky VPNs to get agents access to the tools they need. Unified Solution / Leverage Current Phone Investments ECS can be deployed as a unified solution with Cisco / Broadsoft VoIP software. This cloud-based delivery provides superior reliability, higher call quality, and in many cases, can help businesses further reduce costs by keeping current handsets. ECS can be deployed as a unified solution with Cisco / Broadsoft VoIP software. This cloud-based delivery provides superior reliability, higher call quality, and in many cases, can help businesses further reduce costs by keeping current handsets. Superior AI Speech Analytics Using Evolve RECAP, agents and managers can easily identify call sentiment, receive automated notifications, and document, review, and train via multi-media call transcriptions. Using Evolve RECAP, agents and managers can easily identify call sentiment, receive automated notifications, and document, review, and train via multi-media call transcriptions. Advanced Reporting Evolve IP offers a wide variety of easily customizable 'out-of-the-box' reports and can provide a standard API for businesses to build their own reporting via its Data Warehouse. Evolve IP offers a wide variety of easily customizable 'out-of-the-box' reports and can provide a standard API for businesses to build their own reporting via its Data Warehouse. Quickly Customize Call Flows - With more dispersed agents, working under tougher conditions than ever, call routing more has become even more challenging. ECS offers a powerful GUI (Graphic User Interface) to easily build advanced routing call flows. - With more dispersed agents, working under tougher conditions than ever, call routing more has become even more challenging. ECS offers a powerful GUI (Graphic User Interface) to easily build advanced routing call flows. Maintain Compliance The Evolve Contact Suite is compliant for organizations needing HIPAA / HITRUST, GDPR, PCI-DSS, SOC2, and more. "When agents and their managers were forced to move home, businesses struggled to deliver all of the functionality required for them to be successful," said Scott Kinka, Chief Technology Officer of Evolve IP. "Some CCaaS solutions provide a remote way for agents to join the omnichannel contact center, but they fall short in securely delivering the rest of the applications agents need to be successful. IT is still burdened with shipping computers and managing VPNs." Kinka continued, "No one in the contact center market, besides Evolve IP, can provide a complete solution for agents and managers that delivers award-winning omnichannel features, secure access to SaaS and legacy applications, and integration with the rest of the business via Microsoft Teams; all from a web browser on nearly any device." WHY CLIENTS CHOOSE EVOLVE IP Businesses can Work Anywhere with Evolve IP. We take the tools you'd typically use at the office, like a phone and the apps on your desktop, and deliver them from a single portal that users can access on any device. Employers are increasingly aware of the importance of a 'work anywhere' mindset where employees want to be more productive and collaborate in meaningful ways no matter where they are, or what time it is. Evolve IP enables employees to contribute to the business in ways that fit their lifestyles while their company's IT becomes more secure, more dependable, and much easier to manage. Follow Evolve IP on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter and YouTube. Photo(s): https://www.prlog.org/12832730 Press release distributed by PRLog SOURCE Evolve IP Related Links https://www.evolveip.ne LONDON, United Kingdom, Aug. 05, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- via NEWMEDIAWIRE -- Argentum 47, Inc. ( www.arg47.com ) (OTC: ARGQ) and its fully-owned foreign subsidiaries, a specialist in both Retail and Corporate Financial Services and Corporate Consultancy, with offices located the United Kingdom, today would like to announce the addition of two new Independent Financial Advisers that have been employed by its fully owned subsidiary, Cheshire Trafford UK Limited ( www.ctifa.com ). These two new members of the Cheshire Trafford Team are Mr. Andrew Luckhurst in the role of Sales Director and Mrs. Kerry Swann in the role of Senior Independent Financial Adviser. Mr. Andrew Luckhurst has worked in the banking sector for over 30 years and all of this time was spent with NatWest Bank in the United Kingdom. Andrew rapidly progressed within the Retail Banking sector and has been working within a Regulated Banking environment since the early 1990s. Initially, as a Senior Financial Adviser, he managed various successful teams within the Kent and South East London Area (United Kingdom) and ended up running the biggest mainstream Bank regulated sales team at a Director level. National success and recognition followed resulting in secondment to National Projects at an executive level and targeted regulatory work within the financial sector. As a result of his previous close working relationship with Mr. Nick Tuke (CEO of Argentum 47, Inc. and Managing Director of Cheshire Trafford UK Limited), Andrew has decided to undertake the opportunity of joining Cheshire Trafford UK Limited where he will be responsible for recruiting and training new Independent Financial Advisers whilst working with Mr. Nick Tuke to increase the revenues of the business by way of managing the sales team and via organic growth. Mrs. Kerry Swann is a fully qualified Independent Financial Adviser and is Mr. Andrew Luckhursts first recruit. Kerry was employed primarily to service the existing Cheshire Trafford client base and generate new business from these clients. Kerry is a top-performing individual with a proven track record with over 30 years of experience in the Banking sector. She progressed within the Retail Banking arena, moving on to the Regulated Banking environment providing holistic financial planning advice to both Retail and Commercial clients. Kerry obtained her Level 4 Diploma status in 2012 and has also carried out regular project work within the Banking sector whilst all the time keeping up to date with all obligatory regulatory requirements. As an Independent Financial Adviser, Kerry has regularly produced new business fees of in excess of 250,000 GBP (approximately $325,000) per annum. Mr. Nick Tuke, CEO of Argentum 47, Inc., said: The recruitment and the calibre of Andrew Luckhurst and Kerry Swann is a real coup for Cheshire Trafford UK Limited. It puts the firm on its strongest footing in its 40-year history. I have known Andrew personally and professionally for almost 20 years and his experience and network of contacts within the UK Financial Services Industry will prove invaluable to the business moving forward. The first example of this is the recruitment of Kerry Swann. When Andrew and I first entered into discussions regarding Cheshire Trafford, we both agreed that the key to the firms success will be an experienced sales team, particularly as we enter the post-COVID world and what we all now call the new normality. We drew up a wish list of successful advisers that we both knew based on past levels of success and geographical location and Kerry Swann was at the top of this list. Kerry brings with her a wealth of experience as an Independent Financial Adviser, having worked in both the Retail and Commercial Sectors of the IFA market and her levels of knowledge will provide our clients with a level of service and peace of mind that they deserve. Andrew and I are also in continued discussions with other Independent Financial Advisers that we wish to recruit as we look to grow the business. During the COVID-19 lockdown period, Cheshire Trafford streamlined all of its processes on the sales side of the business by way of acquiring state of the art software systems, including research tools, a completely new back-office system and a new system which will allow our advisers to carry out the required Anti-Money-Laundering (AML) checks remotely and immediately whilst with clients, all of which will expedite our sales process dramatically. These new systems, along with Andrew and Kerry joining the team are just the first pieces of the jigsaw, and I am confident that Cheshire Trafford UK is now entering the most successful period in its long history. About Argentum 47, Inc. and Subsidiaries. Argentum 47, Inc. (Argentum) is a full service Financial Intermediary, Corporate Consultancy, Retail and Corporate Financial Services Company. Through its wholly-owned foreign subsidiaries, it advises both business and retail customers with their most critical decisions and opportunities pertaining to growth, capital needs, structure and the development of their financial plans. With offices in the United Kingdom, Argentum has developed significant relationships in the U.S., U.K., Central Europe, the Middle East and South East Asia to assist clients in realizing their full value and potential. Bringing business to external capital and resources, and retail customers to a suite of secure effective financial solutions. Safe Harbor Statement This press release may include forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including statements related to anticipated revenues, expenses, earnings, operating cash flows, the outlook for markets and the demand for products. Forward-looking statements are no guarantees of future performance and are inherently subject to uncertainties and other factors which could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements. Such statements are based upon, among other things, assumptions made by, and information currently available to, management, including managements own knowledge and assessment of the Companys industry and competition. The Company refers interested persons to its most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and its other SEC filings for a description of additional uncertainties and factors, which may affect forward-looking statements. The company assumes no duty to update its forward-looking statements. Contact details: Mr. Nicholas P. Tuke CEO of Argentum 47, Inc. & Managing Director of Cheshire Trafford (UK) Limited Tel. + (44) 1482 289 591 Email: nick@arg47.com Web: www.ctifa.com Microsoft plans to finish its acquisition talks with TikTok within the next three weeks, ahead of the Sept. 15 deadline, CNBC's David Faber reported Wednesday. The deal could be worth up to $30 billion. If the deal goes through, Microsoft has already agreed with the U.S. government to bring TikTok's code from China to the U.S. within one year. Faber also reported that the two sides haven't landed on a price for TikTok yet, but it could be between $10 billion and $30 billion. Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin is "deeply involved" in process, according to Faber. President Donald Trump has said that the U.S. Treasury should get a cut of the acquisition, but it's unclear how that would work or if it's even legal. Very few American companies have the bandwidth to transfer large amounts of data over to its own systems within a year, let alone afford the billions TikTok will cost. Microsoft checks both those boxes though. Microsoft could likely transfer TikTok's software code, which could be up to 15 million lines of artificial intelligence, helping cement its position as the leading contender to acquire the company, Faber reported. Microsoft confirmed in a blog post Sunday it has held talks with TikTok's China-based parent company ByteDance to buy its business in the U.S., Canada, Australia and New Zealand. It's currently the only apparent, leading bidder. TikTok has been under fire from the Trump administration, which has accused the Chinese-owned app of collecting data on Americans and sending it to the Chinese government. (TikTok has repeatedly denied this.) President Donald Trump has stressed that he will ban the app if ByteDance doesn't sell the widely-popular unit to an American company by September 15. Subscribe to CNBC on YouTube. New Nine observational series Emergency has been sold to the new international channels. The WTFN-produced series premieres next week on UK-based Really channel, while distributor Fred Media has also sold it to TV4 Sweden, Mediaworks Three in New Zealand, RTL Netherlands, and RTB in Brunei, with more deals pending in Europe and North America. Adrian Swift, Nines head of content, production and development says: Emergency has been the Australian factual hit of 2020. The show has brought the real lives of the frontline doctors and nurses in to our loungerooms, and audiences have loved what theyve seen. Emergency more than doubled the previous slot average and achieved a FTA primary commercial channel share of 42.2% in total people and 33.5% share of 16-39s. It has won its time slot against Big Brother and Bachelor in Paradise on rival networks. Emergency is factual programming at its best: raw, authentic stories beautifully told. Roger Vanderspikken, Fred Medias COO adds: With its combination of excellent ratings, unprecedented behind-the-scenes access, and a filming and narrative style that has much in common with scripted medical shows, Emergency is attracting a lot of interest from broadcasters keen to see new takes on flashing light shows. The COVID-19 pandemic has heightened global fascination for the work of people on the frontline in hospitals and the continued challenges they face while often putting their own lives at risk. We are excited to see the response from UK audiences and will watch with interest as the series rolls out in Sweden, New Zealand, the Netherlands and Brunei, as well as those other territories close to finalising deals. MENLO PARK, Calif., Aug. 5, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- SRI International has been awarded a contract of up to $100 million from the National Institutes of Health's (NIH) National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) to support the research and development of radiation/nuclear medical countermeasures (MCMs). Under the contract, SRI Biosciences, a division of SRI International, will provide facilities, expertise, and capabilities to advance the development of MCMs for the mitigation or treatment of acute radiation syndromes as well as the treatment of delayed effects from acute radiation exposure (ARS/DEARE) and internal radionuclide contamination. SRI researchers will also support NIAID's ongoing biodosimetry efforts. NIAID is a division of the NIH that conducts and supports research into the treatment, prevention, and understanding of various allergens, infectious diseases, immune diseases, and environmental or radiation-related injuries. "SRI has extensive experience in basic radiation biology research, including completion of multiple, large projects to support NIAID," said Polly Chang, Ph.D., senior director of Molecular and Genetic Toxicology, SRI Biosciences, and principal investigator for the NIAID contract. "We are honored to have this opportunity to continue to work with our NIAID colleagues to further the development of MCMs that will help protect public health in the event of radiation exposure." Under the seven-year contract, SRI Biosciences will provide supportive services to NIAID's Radiation and Nuclear Medical Countermeasures Program to advance the development of candidate MCMs including biodosimetric approaches to determine radiation exposure. SRI will perform research and development studies to advance candidate MCMs toward eventual FDA approval or licensure for ARS or DEARE, as well as provide the administrative foundation to facilitate and coordinate these activities in partnership with NIAID. SRI's Biosciences division has a long history of working with the NIH and the NIAID, including a previous contract to develop treatments for the effects of radiation exposure that ends in August 2020. The newly awarded contract is an extension of this collaborative efforts with NIAID. SRI also works with a myriad of private sponsors. This project has been funded in whole with Federal funds from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services, under Contract No. 75N93020D00011, and has a value of up to $100,000,000. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institutes of Health. About SRI International SRI International, a non-profit research institute founded in 1946 and headquartered in Menlo Park, California, creates world-changing solutions to make people safer, healthier, and more productive. SRI Biosciences, a division of SRI International, integrates basic biomedical research with drug and diagnostics discovery, and preclinical and clinical development. SRI Biosciences has produced several marketed drugs and advanced more than 100 drugs to clinical trials. The division is focused on novel platforms and programs in a variety of therapeutic areas targeting high unmet medical needs. SRI Biosciences collaborates with a broad range of partners from small and virtual biotechnology companies to top 10 pharmaceutical companies and other leading industry partners. More information is available at www.sri.com . Media Contact: Nicole Firecracker PR [email protected] 1-888-317-4687 ext. 703 SOURCE SRI International Related Links http://www.sri.com Japanas labour ministry is working to extend a special employment subsidy to help firms hit by the coronavirus pandemic that would keep furloughed workers on the payroll, the Nikkei business daily reported on Wednesday. The latest move underscores concerns among policymakers that the expiration of the special subsidy could trigger a spike in job losses as many firms struggle to make ends meet amid difficult financing conditions. The special measure was designed to temporarily lift the payment to companies who keep employment for the six months through to the end of September. The daily payment was raised to up to 15,000 yen ($141.80) per employee from up to 8,330 yen previously. Some 2.36 million people were furloughed as of June, up 0.9 million from a year earlier, government data showed, prompting lawmakers to urge an extension of the special measure. The government has set aside about 1.6 trillion yen for the special subsidy and provided 585.1 billion yen for it as of the end of July. The government will make necessary arrangements to deal with an increase in the fiscal burden, the business daily said, citing an unnamed ruling party official. iClicker Logo Student engagement is in both iClicker and Perusalls DNA, as both were created by educators who are recognized as leaders in researching and using active learning and peer instruction methodologies. iClicker, a Macmillan Learning Company, announced today a new partnership with Perusall, the interactive, digital content company to address two of the most pressing concerns for higher education in light of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic: student engagement and affordability. According to an Inside Higher Education study, higher education faculty are most concerned with ensuring student engagement in virtual learning environments, and the potential for online classes to have an inequitable impact on underrepresented students. The study revealed 87% of respondents are concerned over the impact of virtual classes on students from low-income backgrounds and 77% view the ability to maintain student engagement when teaching online as somewhat challenging to very challenging. Instructors can use iClicker to take attendance, facilitate active learning and complete in-class quizzes using mobile devices or iClicker remotes. iClicker was developed by teaching professors and is currently used at more than 1,200 institutions by more than 5,000 instructors and more than 10 million students. Student engagement is in both iClicker and Perusalls DNA, as both were created by educators who are recognized as leaders in researching and using active learning and peer instruction methodologies. This new partnership will help make iClickers polling, quizzing and assignments even more accessible with Perusalls content engagement platform and will ultimately support deeper learning, wherever it happens, said Steven Ray, Vice President of Macmillan Learning Institutional Solutions. The iClicker and Perusall partnership will make it even easier to facilitate peer-to-peer learning and deep content engagement in virtual environments, at an affordable price. There is early proof that the partnership can help foster deep connections with content and peers in an online learning environment. Last spring, amid the outbreak of COVID-19 that demanded a quick pivot to teaching virtually, University of Louisville Psychology Professor Edna Ross, PhD, used Perusall and iClicker to deliver the same active, peer-to-peer learning methodologies she has become known for delivering in her face-to-face classes. Before iClicker, it was very difficult to get input from all of my students and before Perusall it was a struggle to get students to read the material, explains Ross. Once class moved online due to COVID-19, students in my class quickly found a rhythm of beginning discussions with Perusall asynchronously and then responding with iClicker questions during synchronous sessions to dive deeper into opinions in class. Using both together really impacted learning and engagement for the entire class. The partnership will enable Perusall customers to purchase access to iClickers student mobile app at a discounted price, delivering course content and engagement capabilities to support deep learning in both synchronous and asynchronous learning methodologies common in online courses. We are excited to partner with iClicker to combine our affordable, digital learning solutions to help students engage more fully with the course content and one another. With so many courses needing to move online this fall, this is important now more than ever, said Brian Lukoff, Perusall co-founder and CEO. Click here for more information on how iClicker and Perusall are being used at University of Louisville. About Macmillan Learning Macmillan Learning is a privately-held, family-owned company that improves lives through learning. By linking research to learning practice, we develop pioneering products and learning materials for students that are highly effective and drive improved outcomes.. To learn more, please visit macmillanlearning.com or or join our Macmillan Community. About Perusall Perusall is a free social learning platform that delivers reading and video assignments to students before they come to class. The platform incorporates content delivery with collaborative annotation tools to ensure students read more, come to class prepared, and are more engaged in the learning experience, enabling instructors to teach more effectively. Automated reports document where students struggle the most to understand course content, allowing instructors to specifically address these issues in class. More than 500,000 students at over 2,000 educational institutions in 75+ countries use Perusall. To learn more visit http://www.perusall.com. Egypts Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry stressed during a phone call with his Spanish counterpart Arancha Gonzalez Laya the importance of confronting the transfer of terrorists and militias into Libya and rejecting foreign interference in the conflict-torn country, the Egyptian foreign ministry said in a statement on wednesday. The adoption of the Cairo Declaration will grant Libya the peace charted in the Berlin Conference earlier this year and will lead to a comprehensive and sustainable settlement in Egypts western neighbour, Shoukry said. The Cairo Declaration was drafted in June to end the civil war in Libya. It proposed a ceasefire and the election of a leadership council. The oil-rich country has been split since 2014 between two rival administrations: the Libyan National Army (LNA), led by Khalifa Haftar in the east, and the Tripoli-based Government of National Accord (GNA) in the west. Egypt, the United Arab Emirates and Russia support Haftar, while the GNA is backed by Qatar and Turkey. Turkey began earlier this year sending thousands of Syrian jihadists and mercenaries into Libya to back the GNA, and Turkey-backed forces moved last month close to the central city of Sirte as they vowed to capture it from Haftars forces. The Egyptian and Spanish foreign ministers also tackled the latest developments of the Palestinian issue during their call late on Tuesday. Shoukry stressed the importance of reviving the two-state solution under international decisions, calling against unilateral measures that could undermine chances for peace. He referred to Israel's scheme to annex parts of the occupied West Bank under the umbrella of a US-plan for Israeli-Palestinian peace. The Spanish minister called for containing escalation and prioritising stability in the Eastern Mediterranean region while respecting international laws and the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. Earlier this week, Egypt said part of a seismic survey planned by Turkey in the Eastern Mediterranean encroached on its exclusive economic zone and is an attack on Egypts sovereign rights. The announcement of the survey, which prepares for potential hydrocarbon exploration in the area, has also escalated tensions between Turkey on one side and Greece and Cyprus on the other. The immune system's memory helper T cells which recognise the common cold virus and help the body fight it off, also identifies some parts of the novel coronavirus, according to a study whose findings may explain why some people have milder COVID-19 cases than others. The research, published in the journal Science, noted that the immune system's memory T cells keep track of the viruses they have seen before, giving the cells a headstart in recognising and fighting off repeat invaders. However, the scientists, including those from La Jolla Institute (LJI) in the US, cautioned that it is too soon to say whether such pre-existing immune cell memory affects COVID-19 clinical outcomes. "We have now proven that, in some people, pre-existing T cell memory against common cold coronaviruses can cross-recognise SARS-CoV-2, down to the exact molecular structures," said Daniela Weiskopf, a co-author of the study from LJI. "This could help explain why some people show milder symptoms of while others get severely sick," Weiskopf said. Alessandro Sette, another co-author of the study from LJI, noted that the reactivity of the immune system may translate to different degrees of protection. "Having a strong T cell response, or a better T cell response may give you the opportunity to mount a much quicker and stronger response," Sette said. An earlier study by Sette and his team had shown that 40 to 60 per cent of people who were never exposed to the novel SARS-CoV-2 had T cells that reacted to the virus. According to the study, the immune systems in these individuals recognised fragments of the virus it had never seen before -- a finding which was also reported among people in the Netherlands, Germany, Singapore, and the UK. In the current research, the scientists assessed samples collected from study participants who had never been exposed to SARS-CoV-2. They defined the exact parts of the virus that are responsible for the cross-reactive T cell response. Their analysis showed that unexposed individuals can produce a range of memory T cells that are equally reactive against SARS-CoV-2, and four types of common cold coronaviruses. Based on the finding, the scientists said fighting off a common cold could teach the T cell compartment to recognise some parts of SARS-CoV-2 as well. They believe this process provides evidence for the hypothesis that common cold viruses can, in fact, induce cross-reactive T cell memory against SARS-CoV-2. "We knew there was pre-existing reactivity, and this study provides very strong direct molecular evidence that memory T cells can 'see' sequences that are very similar between common cold coronaviruses and SARS-CoV-2," Sette said. The scientists found that while some cross-reactive T cells targeted the SARS-CoV-2's spike protein -- the region of the virus that recognises and binds to human cells -- pre-existing immune memory was also directed to other SARS-CoV-2 proteins. Sette noted that the finding is relevant since most vaccine candidates target the spike protein. The findings, according to the researchers, suggest the hypothesis that inclusion of additional SARS-CoV-2 targets might enhance the potential to take advantage of this cross reactivity, and could further enhance vaccine potency. (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.) Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-05 19:33:24|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close WINDHOEK, Aug. 5 (Xinhua) -- Namibia's Chinese-built container terminal located in Walvis Bay will on August 24 celebrate exactly 365 days of operation since its commissioning last year. Namport acting chief executive, Raymond Visagie said on Wednesday in a statement that tremendous progress over the past 11 months has been achieved, transforming a small container terminal into a massive facility capable of handling container ships with more than 12 meters of draft. "I can proudly say that we are now at the forefront of applying leading technologies in container terminal operations within the SADC region," he added. Visagie said their mission remains to provide world-class port services to all seaborne trade and promote the transformation of Namibia into a global logistics hub. "Therefore, we have continued to invest in expanding and upgrading container handling capacity and capabilities to meet the operational needs," he added. According to Visagie, the terminal has recorded a throughput of 115,146 Twenty-Foot Equivalent Units (TEU) in just eight months of operations. According to Visagie, to date, a total number of 281 staff members have been deployed to the container terminal and more are yet to assigned to this facility within the immediate future, he said, adding that 33 STS crane operators have undergone intense training on how to effectively and efficiently operate the cranes. The container terminal was constructed on 40 hectares of land reclaimed from the sea by the China Harbor Engineering Company Ltd (CHEC) under just five years. Enditem The new year has seen an increase in motor vehicle larceny in the central division with the Ssangyong Cement reports 6% drop in net profit 05 August 2020 South Koreas Ssangyong Cement has reported a six per cent YoY decline in net profit to KRW53.7bn (US$45.1m) in the second quarter of 2020, compared to KRW57.1bn in the year-ago period. However, operating income advanced 7.5 per cent to KRW90.7bn from KRW84.4bn. Revenue fell 9.2 per cent YoY to KRW385.2bn in the 2Q20. Published under National Youth Organizer of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP), Henry Nana Boakye, popularly known as Nana B has condemned what he calls dirty politics of tribalism and ethnicity consistently waged by President John Mahama in his campaign ahead of the December 7, polls. He claims the consistent trend by the former President to win sympathy votes is unacceptable. You see former President Mahama has this track record of dirty tribal politics for his own political gains. He is fond of doing that even when he was a President. Such a person can destroy a nation, he said in an interview with NEAT FMs morning show Ghana Montie. His comment follows the opposition party's claims of state-sponsored ethnic discrimination against Voltarians and non-Akans in the ongoing voter registration exercise. The former President accused President Nana Akufo-Addo of using the military to frustrate people of the Volta region and non-Akans from registering. In a statement on Saturday, 1 August 2020, Mr. Mahama said: This is not the Ghana our forebears toiled for and built! Each and every successive President, he noted, left a peaceful, stable and united country. He strongly held that The road President Akufo-Addo is taking our beautiful country through, using the military and party thugs to stop people from exercising their right to register and vote in the upcoming December elections, is dangerous and unacceptable. The NDC Flagbearer for this year's elections further alleged that There have been many reports and video evidence, like the one in this post, of the Presidents deployment and discriminatory use of soldiers to target our brothers and sisters in the Volta Region and wherever there are settlements of Voltarians and non-Akans. But Nana B insists Mahama claims are bogus and ethnocentric meant to bring about chaos and tension ahead of the December 7, general elections. 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 College students will have to wear face coverings during lectures if they are sitting between one and two metres apart, under updated guidance. If two metre separation between students is not possible and it wont be in many lecture halls - it will be a case of one metre with a mask. One source said that while the wearing of face coverings by students would not be mandatory where a two metre distance could not be maintained, it would be strongly encouraged. The number of students in a lecture hall at any one time will be 50, under the current Governments Covid-19 rules. College lectures are regarded as the same as any indoor public event, which are capped at 50 people at the moment, although that could change. The new detail is set out in the Implementation Guidelines for Public Health Measures in Higher Education Institutions published by Minister Simon Harris today and builds on a previous document. It follows consultations involving the Irish Universities Association (IUA), the institutes of technology represented by THEA, TU Dublin and staff union representatives under the aegis of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions. Read More The measures have been drawn up by senior public health experts within the higher education sector and endorsed by the Health Protection Surveillance Centre IHSPC) of the Health Service Executive. Social distancing was a key issue in the recent discussions and the new guidance is more specific and provides stronger protection than the language in the initial document two weeks ago. It draws a distinction between the minimum separation to be maintained between staff and students and between students and students, which will allay concerns expressed by some staff. The new guidance says a physical distance of two metres should be maintained under all circumstances possible. It states that it should be feasible to maintain a two metre separation between members of staff, or between staff and students, under almost all circumstances. It adds that there will be exceptional circumstances where this cannot be achieved and, in such situations, appropriate precautions (such as face coverings, visors or barriers) should be employed. The guidance also notes that there will be circumstances under which teaching cannot be delivered while maintaining a two metre distance between students. This will depend on the size of the lecture halls and the number of students in a class In such circumstances, it says the distance between student seats/workstations may be reduced to (but not less than) one metre, with appropriate precautions to minimise the risk of viral transmission, and specific provision made for vulnerable students. The guidance than refers to the recommendation of the public health expert body, Nphet, that face coverings be used in indoor settings where adequate physical distance cannot be maintained and, here, adequate physical distance is taken to mean two metres. This means that where students desks are between one and two metres apart, a face covering will be strongly encouraged. If the lecturer is at a lectern or on a podium at a safe distance from the student body there is no need for them to wear a mask or visor, the guidance states, adding that the risk to lecturers who maintain distance and are careful with respect to hand hygiene is low. Higher education colleges have welcomed the guidelines and will now work to finalise their plans for the next academic year in collaboration with local staff and student representatives. This article is part of Open Book, a Slate series about the new school year. Long before COVID-19 had settled upon the globe, my daughter began covering her ears whenever I tried to explain something to her. Overexplain, really. She would ask how to spell banana and I would ask her what letter she thought it started with, and her hands would clap up. Shed ask for two crackers for her little sister and three for herself, and Id ask how many that was altogether. Clap. I didnt love itactually, I hated itbut I understood it. I could hear what my daughter was hearing, the tone I had, the one adults use when theyre striving to do more, when theyre trying to teach. Who wants their parents teaching them things all the time, especially when they know everything already? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The more you know about the school conversation taking place right now, the worse you will feel. Its a huge, messy, fraught matter ofliterally!life and death. During the eerie days of late March and early April, when I was still trying to facilitate some of the remote learning provided by my daughters teachers, it became clear that doing so without teaching or explaining anything was going to be difficult. She needed professionals, and not professionals doing their very best in her computer, but in-person educators, teaching her far away from me, at which distance, by all reports, she was a delight. Luckily, she was only in pre-K, a wonderful but also optional year of schooling, from which we more or less eventually opted out. As early spring turned to late spring, she did her schools dance class and nothing else. Sometimes I would still try to explain vowels, with the expected result, until I stopped doing even that and we reached a state of equilibrium, in which she only covers her ears when Im explaining feelings. Advertisement Advertisement But that was spring. And now, its August. New York City schools start in September, and kindergarten looms. Kindergarten is not just any year. Its when kids begin to learn how to learn. What theyre soaking up isnt just their ABCs and it isnt just how to interact with their peers. Its how to exist in the school world: how to sit still, how to share, how to take turns, how to be disappointed, how to ask for help, how to navigate new grown-ups, how to navigate new big kids, how to do things for themselves. Some kids have started to learn some of these things in preschool, but kindergarten is the big leagues. Its the real deal! And these skills are all uniquely difficult to teach remotely, even harder than the academics that are notoriously hard to impart to little kids via Zoom. So Im trying to figure out: If it felt right to opt out of remote pre-K last year, is kindergartenthe official start of a childs formal education, their introduction to what school really isoptional too? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If you had talked to me about this in Junebefore New York City had announced its public school reopening planI would have sounded very assured. Id enroll my daughter no matter what, because I dont want our school to lose funding. But if school is fully remote, we wouldnt do it. If there is any IRL component, we would. My 5-year-old had recently started describing everything and everyone as boring, while developing an uncanny sense of how to mean-girlfrom a safe social distancechildren slightly younger than her, who couldnt fight back and whose prerogatives she did not give a shit about. Forget banana, she needed socialization. So we would send her to whatever in-person schooling there was, and if there was none, better she wild out on the playgrounds of New York City with our child care provider than fight with us about how long she had to sit in front of a computer, so that we could sit in front of computers long enough to do a days work. Advertisement Advertisement But then the city announced its plan to open schools for one to three days of in-person education, with the rest remote. Or you could choose full remote. In other words, things got real. I had to face up to the fact that I was totally confused about a question I had thought I had already answered. And so I started to ask around: What should parents do about kindergarten, and only kindergarten, in this hexed year? Advertisement Advertisement In my experience, the more you know about the school conversation taking place right now, the worse you will feel. Its a huge, messy, fraught matter ofliterally! life and death, equity and racism that has exposed and heightened all of the school systems preexisting imbalances. There are no good answers, only marginally less bad ones, and no one can even agree on what those are. The achievement gap is an ever-widening gyre, pod people now has a whole new and lasting meaning, there is no federal leadership or funds, important distinctionsbetween regions, age groupsare too complicated to account for, teachers are afraid, parents are desperate, kids are lonely, the economy is a wreck, and the coronavirus is still raging through large swaths of the country. In the context of all of this, whether or not I should send my child to kindergarten when I have a flexible job that I was already doing from home and a nanny to watch my younger child feels like a good problem; in fact, it feels like a trivial one compared to all the families who are going to be forcibly opted out of the system by a lack of resources, Wi-Fi, computers, and an adult who can forgo work to monitor it all. Even so, my good problem is one I dont know how to solve. Advertisement Advertisement As much as I wanted to hear it, no one I spoke to said, just blow off kindergarten and dont worry about it! In general, the experts I spoke with seemed to think that, while there are repercussions to every decision, sure, I could keep my kid out of kindergarten. Were so willing to embrace an 18-year-olds gap year, Matthew Dicks, a fifth grade teacher, said to me, and yet in the midst of a pandemic, in what is probably the least ideal learning circumstance for any kindergarten student for the last 100 years, there is sort of an opposition to the idea that, why not give our kindergartners a gap year? Dicks, who is also one of the teachers queried in Slates Ask a Teacher column, teaches in Connecticut, where his school will be returning in the fall with a hybrid modelpart in-person, part remote. Him telling me that I dont necessarily have to force my 5-year-old onto a class Zoom against her will with a teacher shes never met in person felt a bit like getting a Get Out of Jail Free card. Advertisement But, as much as I wanted to hear it, no one I spoke to said, just blow off kindergarten and dont worry about it! Over the past 20 years, kindergarten has become more and more academic. The national expectation is that by the end of the year, kindergartners will be reading or at least well on their way to becoming readers. So what that means is youre learning all the letters and how to write them and what the letter sounds are, explained Elysha Dicks, who will be teaching kindergarten in Connecticut in the fall (and is married to Matthew). Youre learning about the differential in consonant vowels and what sounds they make. Youre learning things about text on a page. The direction the words are in and the letters are in. We teach them how to both make and break apart words. So we teach them how to take letter sounds and make words with them, how to blend those sounds together to read the words, and then how to write them, and then she went on for quite a while before she started talking about math. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If your child had a good pandemic pre-K or nursery school situation or youve just been on-top of their reading and math, they may be well on their way with much of this, but many childrenthe ones who most need kindergartenare not. And in many districts, including New York City, if you keep your 5-year-old out of kindergarten, which you can do if you fill out the proper paperwork, you cant just enroll them when theyre 6. At 6, they have to start first grade, whether they have done kindergarten or not, whether they are behind or not. The educators I spoke with suggested that bulwarking a 5-year-olds academics might not be that difficult ifa huge, class-laden ifa parent has the bandwidth, but that parents should be aware of the academic expectations and, moreover, should start thinking of remote learning as something that could help with them, and even other skills. Ben Cogswell is a kindergarten teacher in working-class Salinas, California, which will be all remote in the fall, and where 82 percent of his students are second language learners. Cogswell runs a robust resource site for other teachers and parents, full of videos and tutorials, activities and lessons. Hes very comfortable with technology and good at remote learning, and believes his incoming students can get something valuable out of it. He doesnt see online learning as a full replacement for in-person instructionWere going to have a whole generation of kids that are going to be behind now, he told mebut he does think we could use it to convey more than academics. How do you talk to somebody online? How do you interrupt them? How do you take turns? We do these things differently over Zoom or Google Classroom than in real life, but theyre still skills worth learning, and Cogswell thinks we can teach them to kids now. There are social skills that we can engage kids in. Theyre not just traditional social skills. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Even teachers who are less adept at remote learning will be better at it than they were in the spring. I know parents said it was a waste of time, but I do think they have spent all summer making it better and making it worthwhile, Elizabeth Gabianelli, who has taught kindergarten for 10 years in Arlington Heights, Illinois, reassured me. She suggests that parents change their perspective. Like, instead of you [thinking], Oh my gosh, I am bogged down with this remote curriculum, [think] heres a resource for me. Thats what I would tell my kindergarten families last year. As her answer may intimate, Gabianelli was picking up on my skepticism about remote learning, which was so pronounced I even tried to get one of my sources to tell me it was totally OK to skip it on the days my child wouldnt be in school. Reporters are supposed to let the facts come to them, but here I was asking leading questions like, basically what I want someone to say to me is, totally, you can send your kids in person for two days a week, and you dont have to do the remote learning part, OK? Dr. Lloyd Fisher, the president of the Massachusetts chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics, which has been strongly in favor of getting kids, especially young ones, back in school, gently refused to do this. Remote learning definitely doesnt work for everybody. It really is challenging for little kids, he said before lowering the but: But going two days and then having remote two days is probably still better than just doing two days in person and not doing anything else. If you talk to teachers, they tell you that even on Monday mornings, theres sometimes, like, this adjustment period of going back. So if youre doing two days and then theyre not back for a whole other week, I worry that these kids sort of get out of the routine and take longer to adjust. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It wasnt just Fisher who took this line. In July, individual New York City public school principals started having Zoom meetings with parents to discuss the coming school year. My daughters principal was very clear: Students need to stick to a school schedule on remote learning days. Teachers are going to be taxed enough dealing with kids trying to use their masks as eye patches; they dont need to also have to start from scratch every fifth day with my 5-year-old. I found all of this advice about remote learning, if not soothing, reasonable: I needed to get over myself. We should try kindergarten even if it was fully remote and see how it goes. But if talking to people changed my mind a bit about distance learning, it roiled me up about aspects of in-person schooling I hadnt considered. Matthew Dicks put it this way: The actual implementation of all these safety protocols on a classroom level is kind of like the equivalent of Amazons last mile problem, where the school districts are negotiating with teachers unions and dealing with the big safety questions, but they are leaving hundreds of nitty-gritty, mind-bending details to be worked out by individual schools. Its the principals and teachers who have to figure out how to lead a line of socially distanced students stretching 50 feet down the hall, how to comfort a distraught kid without touching him, how to secure enough school supplies so that no one needs to share, how to have recess with social distance, how to set up a safe classroom that is also conducive to learning and socializing, and on and on. (Something about the recess problem really got to me: If the kids are expected to stay 6 feet apart during recessas our principal said they would behow can it be anything other than 20 minutes of some poor beleaguered teacher or aide yelling at a bunch of 5-year-olds not to touch each other? Is that recess?) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Classrooms in particular will be very different from normal: There cant be any of the soft, colorful play areas typical of a kindergarten room, because kids arent supposed to be that close to one another and everything needs to be sterilized. Right now theyre getting rid of the tables and getting desks for everybody, Elysha Dicks said of her classroom. And theyre encouraging us to have one bookshelf, and thats it. (At my daughters school they are keeping the communal tables but planning to have one kid sitting at them at a time.) Districts that can afford it plan to give each student an individual set of manipulables, which they can play with and learn from themselves. Needless to say, this is not all districts. Advertisement Kindergarten teachers typically do their jobs in a literally hands-on way, in which touch is a big part not only of instructionWhat happens when a kid needs to learn how to hold a pencil? Ben Cogswell asked. How do I do that?but also students emotional well-being. Before she learned her school would start the year fully remote, Gabianelli told me that she and her peers had spent a lot of time thinking about hugs. We were talking to our superintendent and we were told, like, if a kid is crying, you cant put your arms around them, Gabianelli said. I dont like that because Im a hugger. Im a high-fiver. I think thats just the nature of me. And thats just the nature of kindergarten teachers in general. Thats just not going to be there. Its not. Gabianelli also suspects that students in districts with in-person learning will be more distraught than usual this year, as most of them will be coming off six months spent with only their parents or a caregiver and zero practice separating. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gabianelli said all of this not to convince me to keep my daughter home but rather with the lemonade-out-of-lemons good cheer of, well, an elementary school teacher. None of its great! she said, her point being that, once you accept that none of this is what anyone wants, you can at least start thinking about what might be least bad. But talking with her, my mind had flashed to my daughters first few days of pre-K, when she had been operatically hysterical, yet still shuffled off with her teacher in her adorably oversize, brand-new backpack. Would we have convinced her to go if the teacher couldnt take her hand? Or if she had first been greeted by a stranger taking her temperature? Advertisement The more I learned about in-person school, the more I wondered why I thought it was a good idea to send her into such an uncertain environment, an idea that kept my family tied to a larger uncertainty: whether school would open at all. Even as her school was making plans upon plans upon plans, it was clear everything was contingent, contingent on cases staying down in New York, contingent on the teachers, contingent on working out a million details, contingent on one sick kid, one sick grown-up. Choosing to go fully remote still felt bad to me, but it seemed more and more likely that wed all end up there anyway, and in the meantime, it did have the virtue of being certain. If I picked that option, at least Id know for sure what we were doing in the fall. Advertisement Advertisement But somehow, I cant pick it. If the only option ends up being full remote, well try it. But even after all the tragedy, sustained dysfunction, and dashed hopes of the past six months, I cant quite let go of the idea it might be possible for my kid to actually like school for this kindergarten year, one that as much as anything is supposed to introduce her to the whole concept of school, to set the tone for her entire educational experience. I know its a long shot, and maybe a selfish one, but so long as theres a chance she can get some in-person teaching, from someone else, in as safe and equitable an environment as possibleheck, just a few days with the teacher shes going to be watching on the computer all yearIm willing to keep hoping that it happens, even though it probably wont. Which is another way of saying, school starts in a month, and I still dont know what were going to do. For more discussion of schooling during the pandemic, listen to Mom and Dad Are Fighting. Uber, one of San Franciscos largest employers, will allow workers to stay home until at least July 2021, joining Google in an extension of remote work that could prolong the citys economic pain. Ubers offices will reopen sooner, but workers will have the option to stay remote until next summer or volunteer to return when local offices are allowed to reopen. They will each receive $500 stipends for home office equipment. As a company built on flexible working, we want to provide our team with flexibility, choice and longer-term clarity so they can plan ahead, Lois Van Der Laan, an Uber spokeswoman, said in a statement. The company will reevaluate the policy next spring but will not shorten it. Around a third of the ride-hailing companys more than 20,000 employees are in the Bay Area. Uber has five San Francisco offices, including its headquarters building at 1455 Market St., and a Palo Alto facility. Square, another major tenant at 1455 Market St., and Twitter, which is a block away, both said in May that most employees can work from home indefinitely. Google also extended its work from home allowance for most employees through next June. Many city workers are staying home as the coronavirus pandemic worsens, further pummeling retail and food businesses in the Mid-Market and Civic Center neighborhoods. The lack of foot traffic has badly hurt businesses like the Market grocery store and food hall in the Twitter building, which has seen sales for some vendors plummet by 90%. Downtown businesses are also struggling. New York Times reporter Mike Isaac first reported Ubers plan to extend its work-from-home policies on Twitter. The coronavirus crushed Ubers core ride-hailing business, with an 80% drop in April business compared with the previous year, according to the companys earnings report, though ridership partially rebounded. Uber laid off 6,700 employees this year, including 1,218 in San Francisco and Palo Alto, according to California state filings. (Uber does not count drivers among employees.) Uber plans to leave Mid-Market for a new four-building headquarters complex adjacent to Chase Center in Mission Bay. It isnt clear when that move will occur. Uber didnt disclose information on moving plans Tuesday. Last year, Uber listed 729,352 square feet across its four San Francisco buildings for sublease as it prepared to relocate. This year, the company said another office at Pier 70 would close. Uber didnt have updates on sublease activity. Air Quality Tracker Check levels down to the neighborhood Ratings for the Bay Area and California, updated every 10 minutes The citys once-booming office market has been chilled by coronavirus-induced uncertainty. Executives at Hudson Pacific Properties, landlord of 1455 Market St., said on an earnings call last week that Ubers sublease listing in that property will have to compete with more office availability, which could dampen rents. Weve seen an increase in vacancy in San Francisco thats almost doubled from where it was two quarters ago to where it is today, Mark Lammas, president of Hudson Pacific Properties, said on the call. Thats going to have some downward pressure on rate and negotiability for the sublease space. In another hurdle for Uber, Lammas said it would take an exceptional amount of negotiation and quality of subtenant for Hudson Pacific to agree to release Uber from its existing lease. There are four or five years remaining on Ubers obligation, so a major tenant would likely have to negotiate with Hudson Pacific for a longer lease, he said. So I think this game is to be played out, Lammas said. Roland Li is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: roland.li@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @rolandlisf Supreme Courts ruling is the first ever in Colombia ordering the detention of a former president. Colombias Supreme Court has placed former President Alvaro Uribe under house arrest while a fraud and witness tampering case against him continues. The high courts unanimous decision published late on Tuesday said magistrates found possible risks of obstruction of justice while they continue probing accusations the ex-president had a role in bribing potential witnesses against him. He will fulfil his detention from his residence, said Hector Javier Alarcon, president of the Supreme Court chamber handling the case. And from there, he can continue his defence with all the guarantees of due process of law. The ruling is the first-ever in Colombia ordering the detention of a former president. The privation of my liberty causes me profound sadness for my wife, for my family, and for Colombians who still believe that I have done something good for the country, Uribe wrote on Twitter before the court published its decision. The former president, who local media say is at his country house in Cordoba province, has repeatedly declared his innocence in the case and questioned the courts independence. Uribe served as president from 2002 to 2010, overseeing the country at a time of continuing conflict with the former Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia. Opponents of Uribe, in favour of the house arrest measure ordered by the Supreme Court of Justice, gather in Bogota, Colombia, August 4, 2020 [Nathalia Angarita/Reuters] The current probe stems from accusations made by Senator Ivan Cepeda, who contends that Uribe was a founding member of a paramilitary group in his home province during the decades-long civil conflict involving government forces, leftist rebels and right-wing bands that left hundreds of thousands dead, displaced or missing. Uribe accused Cepeda of slander, but the Supreme Court dismissed the case, instead opening up an investigation against the ex-president for purportedly trying to bribe and sway witnesses who could testify against him. Al Jazeeras Alessandro Rampietti, reporting from Bogota, said Tuesdays decision has shocked Colombians. It comes after nine months of closely analysing a lot of evidence in the form of phone interceptions, listening to witnesses, looking at documents, conversations between the former president and his close allies, he said. Uribe is still considered the most powerful and influential politician in the country, but also the most divisive. Half of the country consider him a saviour for the way he successfully fought the rebels during the countrys civil conflict, but the rest of the country instead criticises him for the many human rights violations and cases of corruption that happened during his two administrations, and in particular, the killing of thousands of civilians in extrajudicial killings committed by the army and paramilitary groups. A supporter of Uribe waves a Colombian flag during a protest against the Supreme Courts detention measure [Nathalia Angarita/Reuters] The news of Uribes detention touched off a firestorm in Colombia, with critics and civil rights groups praising the Supreme Court for continuing to pursue the accusations against him in a country where the powerful routinely escape punishment for wrongdoing. There is no one in Colombia who is above justice or the law, no matter how influential they are, Cepeda said in a virtual news conference. Meanwhile, the ex-presidents supporters including President Ivan Duque decried the court for what they denounced as a political decision. It hurts, as a Colombian, that many who have wounded the country with barbarities defend themselves in freedom, Duque said. And that an exemplary public servant who has held the highest position of the state cannot. As news of the detention spread, about 50 vehicles circled around capital city Bogota, with drivers honking horns, waving Colombian flags and crying out in support of Uribe. Some banged pots and pans from their homes. Downtown, several dozen people gathered to cheer the Supreme Courts decision. From president to prisoner, one large sign read. Hundreds of Muslims are to take part in prayers at Istanbuls landmark Hagia Sophia after its controversial reconversion into a mosque. The Friday prayers are the first in 86 years at the structure that once was one of Christendoms most significant cathedrals, before becoming a mosque and then a museum. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is scheduled to attend the inaugural prayers inside the sixth-century monument along with around 500 dignitaries, as he fulfils what he has described as the dream of our youth anchored in Turkeys Islamic movement. Thousands of men and women, including many who travelled from across Turkey, are set to perform prayers in segregated areas outside Hagia Sophia. Several camped near the structure overnight. Orthodox church leaders in Greece and the United States, meanwhile, were scheduled to observe a day of mourning over the inaugural prayers. Recep Tayyip Erdogan has faced criticism over the reconversion (Turkish Presidency via AP, Pool) Brushing aside international criticism, Mr Erdogan issued a decree restoring the iconic building as a mosque earlier this month, shortly after a Turkish high court ruled that the Hagia Sophia had been illegally made into a museum more than eight decades ago. The structure has since been renamed The Grand Hagia Sophia Mosque. The move sparked dismay in Greece, the United States and among Christian churches who called on Mr Erdogan to maintain it as a museum as a nod to Istanbuls multi-religious heritage and the structures status as a symbol of Christian and Muslim unity. Pope Francis expressed his sadness. Built by the Byzantine Emperor Justinian in 537, Hagia Sophia was turned into a mosque with the 1453 Ottoman conquest of Istanbul. Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, the founding leader of the secular Turkish republic, converted the structure into a museum in 1934. People hold a scarf with the name of Turkeys President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (Omer Kuscu/AP) Although an annex to the Hagia Sophia, the Sultans pavilion, has been open to prayers since the 1990s, religious and nationalist group in Turkey have long yearned for the nearly 1,500-year-old edifice, which they regard as the legacy of Ottoman Sultan Mehmet the conqueror, to revert to a mosque. Story continues This is Hagia Sophia breaking away from its captivity chains. It was the greatest dream of our youth, Mr Erdogan said last week. It was the yearning of our people and it has been accomplished. He also described its conversion into a museum by the republics founding leaders as a mistake that is being rectified. In New York, the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, called the inaugural prayers a cultural and spiritual misappropriation and a violation of all standards of religious harmony and mutual respect. It called on the faithful to observe a day of mourning and of manifest grief. Archbishop Elpidophoros of America held a meeting with President Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence in Washington on Thursday to discuss concerns over the reconversion. The electoral fate of one of the oldest political parties in Ghana, the People's National Convention (PNC), hangs by a thread due to internal party wrangling for a long time now. While a faction led by the chairman, Bernard Mornah, says there's no preparation for an internal election towards the selection of a flagbearer; the other faction steered by a former flagbearer of the party, Edward Nasigiri Mahama, has a different plan. The latter contested the 2016 polls as flagbearer and placed fifth with 0.21 percent of the total votes cast. Speaking on how prepared PNC is towards a congress with barely five months to the 2020 election, the General Secretary of the party, Attik Mohammed says, the processes should be finalised by end of August. At the congress, we hold the two activities concurrently whereby we elect the flagbearer and the next set of national executives who will be running the affairs of the party for the next four years. So hopefully, by the end of August, we should be heading towards congress. If anyone accuses me of not wanting the party is lying; to put it bluntly. This is because, I have said that, the tenure of all the current executives has expired and we should have renewed our mandate through Congress by December last year. But the PNC's youth organizer, Awudu Ishak, is oblivious of any such plan to elect a flag bearer for the December polls. After the declaration, I started meeting interest groups at our party. I met, Mr. Edward Mahama, the national executives, all the 16 regional chairmen of the party, and the regional secretaries. I went on a tour of the Upper East Region. I will want to implore by appealing to our council of elders to take the opportunity to step in and take leadership of the party and form an ad-hoc committee and let them go with the EC officials to affirm by popular acclamation to those that are contesting to be executives and move ahead to conduct the congress to elect the flagbearer for the party because there is no time on our side. It is not because of their challenges that my ambition will be in vain. Already, the Executive Secretary of the Importers and Exporters Association, Sampson Asaaki Awingobit has declared his intention to contest as a presidential candidate in the 2020 general elections on the ticket of the People's National Convention (PNC). The former PNC Member of Parliament for Bolgatanga Central, David Apasara, has also served notice to contest in the polls to change the dwindling fortunes of the party. The PNC has contested all national elections since the inception of the fourth republic apart from the 1992 parliamentary election, which was boycotted along with other opposition parties. The last time the PNC elected new officials was in 2015 when Edward Mahama became its presidential candidate for the 2016 elections. The PNC assures all political parties that it will embark on internal retooling that will culminate in the election of our Presidential candidate who will offer Ghanaians an issues-based campaign. ---citinewsroom Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-05 13:34:26|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close MOSCOW, Aug. 4 (Xinhua) -- As the main eastern battlefield in World War II, China contributed greatly to the victory of the global war against fascism, Mikhail Morozov, deputy editor-in-chief of Russia's Trud newspaper, has said. Morozov voiced this view in a recent interview with Xinhua as the world commemorates the 75th anniversary of the defeat of fascism this year. China's role in World War II was "enormous" as 35 million Chinese soldiers and civilians were killed or wounded in the catastrophe, he stressed. The war worsened the already difficult economic situation in China, and the Chinese troops continued to fight despite an acute shortage of weapons and other necessities, he noted. The first major strategic victory in the war between the Soviet Union and the Nazi Germany was achieved in the Battle of Moscow, Morozov noted, saying that the victory might not have happened if the Soviet command had not transferred fresh divisions from Siberia to the western front after making sure that the Japanese would not attack the Soviet Union. "All new historical documents show that the actions of the Chinese troops throughout World War II fettered the Japanese army, preventing it from entering the war against the Soviet Union as Adolf Hitler demanded Tokyo," he said. In recent years, some forces have been distorting the truths about World War II out of their political interests, and against this backdrop of Russia-China cooperation, he added. Morozov hailed China's significant efforts to perpetuate the memory of the war against fascism by erecting monuments and preserving memorials to Soviet soldiers fighting in China. Furthermore, China marks Sept. 3 as the victory day of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, and the country is doing a lot of work to study the history of World War II, he noted. "The firm position of the Chinese leadership, which invariably stands for maintaining an objective view of the war, is of great importance," Morozov said. He praised the China-proposed concept of building a community with a shared future for humanity as it provides a real opportunity for global development and helps strengthen security and stability across the world. Enditem (TNS) Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis administration is preparing to award a nine-figure state contract to the company responsible for Floridas disastrous online unemployment claims system.Deloitte Consulting beat out four other companies for a contract to centralize and manage Floridas Medicaid data, the state Agency for Health Care Administration announced Monday. The agency is expected to enter negotiations with Deloitte in the coming weeks.The announcement came after the company has weathered months of scorn for its 2013 overhaul of Floridas unemployment system. Deloitte was paid more than $40 million to create CONNECT to handle unemployment claims. Amid a crush of coronavirus-related unemployment claims in March, it failed immediately and repeatedly.DeSantis himself has blasted CONNECT and ordered his inspector general to investigate the states 2011 contract with Deloitte, which was signed a few months after Gov. Rick Scott took office. The most recent contract is worth $135 million, according to Politico. A spokeswoman for the Agency for Health Care Administration did not comment, saying the department is under a 72-hour blackout period following Mondays announcement.The losing bidders included other multinational corporations such as IBM and Accenture.One of the criteria the state used to evaluate the various proposals was a firms ability to meet the needs of the state based on the relative experience in the performance of current or previous contracts...similar in size, scope, and complexity in the past five years.When Deloitte was hired by the state in 2011, its task was to update Floridas antiquated unemployment system. However, when the new system, known as CONNECT, launched in 2013, it was a disaster similar to the one millions of Floridians experienced this year: it crashed constantly and job seekers went weeks and months without receiving benefits.State officials fined Deloitte more than $8 million for the fiasco, according to the Department of Economic Opportunity, and the company stopped working on the project in 2015.Between 2015 and 2019, state auditors reported three times that CONNECT was still suffering from serious glitches, but the problems went unaddressed by the Scott and DeSantis administrations.CONNECT faltered almost immediately when the pandemic triggered a surge in unemployment claims. The state had to create another website to handle the workload, and CONNECT is still taken offline routinely for maintenance.DeSantis ordered his inspector general, Melinda Miguel, to open an investigation into why Deloitte was awarded the CONNECT contract.Theres a lot of money that went in to this, DeSantis said in May. I think everything needs to be looked at, 100 percent.The governors office did not respond to requests for comment about Deloittes latest contract.The contract for which Deloitte was just chosen is part of an ambitious state plan to overhaul the way it manages Floridas $23 billion Medicaid program.According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, about one in five Floridians benefit from the federal program in some form or another.So many people interacting with Medicaid creates a need for Floridas government to handle, store and, ideally, analyze millions of data points including private medical information. Deloitte would help the state do that by creating one centralized data source for the wide-ranging program.This modernization effort will enable recipients and other stakeholders with an interest in health care to make better use of information, make better decisions, and promote better outcomes, reads a July 2019 state document which outlined the states need for an enterprise data warehouse.According to that document, the state was looking to hire a firm to manage that warehouse on a seven-year contract.In a letter dated Tuesday, Sen. Darryl Rouson, D-St. Petersburg, wrote to DeSantis expressing his disappointment at the latest contract for Deloitte, which he called the sole architect for Floridas broken unemployment website.It wasnt the first time Rouson cautioned the state against hiring Deloitte.In a letter dated April 29, Rouson pleaded with DeSantis not to pursue any further business with Deloitte. He cited what he characterized as failures by the firm in California, Massachusetts, Arkansas and Rhode Island.Deloitte should be barred from receiving any new state contracts until they pay back the taxpayer dollars they received to develop the broken unemployment system, and the existing bid system should be reevaluated, Rouson wrote then. (Natural News) A former virology specialist from The University of Hong Kongs School of Public Health has come forward to claim that the Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) was created in a military lab, and was possibly designed to be a bioweapon. Dr. Li-Meng Yan says that during her time at the school Dr. Li-Meng has since fled to the United States for her own safety she had clearly assessed that the virus came from a Chinese Communist Party (CCP) military lab. She also says that the Wuhan wet market was just used as a decoy cover story for the plandemic. After discovering this, Dr. Li-Meng says she tried to talk to her superiors about it, only to be laughed at and subsequently ignored. And since trying to go above them straight to the CCP more than likely would have resulted in retaliation, Dr. Li-Meng chose to remain silent, until now. I knew that once I spoke up, I could disappear at any time, just like all the brave protesters in Hong Kong, Dr. Li-Meng is quoted as saying. I could disappear at any time. Even my name would no longer exist. Many others like Dr. Li-Meng had made similar discoveries about the Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19), only to face punishment in the form of silencing or worse. A great number of them simply disappeared, China being the world leader in the canceling of actual human beings. Since she grew up under communist tyranny, Dr. Li-Meng knows full well the kinds of things the Chinese government would do to those who defy it. Still, she says she had no idea how low [the CCP] would stoop regarding the Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19), and hopes that the information she has brought to light will expand the outside worlds understanding of the regime and [help] the Chinese people to overthrow it. The China government refused to let overseas experts, including ones in Hong Kong, do research in China, she says. So I turned to my friends to get more information. Hong Kong School of Public Health initially told Dr. Li-Meng to continue her research, only to later tell her to keep silent and be careful Early on while conducting Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) research at the University of Hong Kongs School of Public Health, Dr. Li-Meng says she had the full support of faculty and staff, which encouraged her to keep going. But at some point, the school changed its tune and told her to keep silent and be careful. The CCP presumably threatened the school to keep researchers like Dr. Li-Meng in line or else face repercussions, this being a common bullying tactic of the authoritarian regime whenever it faces independent scrutiny. China simply could not afford to accept blame for the Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) which, as we all know, led to global lockdowns, massive unemployment, waves of suicides, and all sorts of new Orwellian rules and changes to peoples everyday lives. As you might expect, Dr. Li-Meng was eventually fired from her position at the school, though she was never told precisely why. Nikolai Petrovsky, a vaccine researcher from Australia, published a study a while back that came to some of the same conclusions as Dr. Li-Meng. Petrovsky uncovered clear evidence that human intervention was involved in the sudden appearance of the Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19), which he says was optimized to make it more infectious. Apart from some remarkable coincidence, Petrovsky contends, there is simply no possible way that the emergence of the Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) occurred completely spontaneously as a product of nature. More breaking news about the Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19), also known as the Chinese Virus, is available at BiologicalWeapons.news . Sources for this article include: BigLeaguePolitics.com Radio.NaturalNews.com The announcement Monday that the Allen family is selling Allens of Hastings and The Wine Cellar to B&R Stores Inc. of Lincoln is a reminder of the familys legacy in the business communities of Hastings and Grand Island that dates back more than 80 years. In announcing the sale, Georgene Allen, widow of the late Bob Allen, who died in 2010, said the store has been in operation since the late 1950s. The family has been in longtime discussions with B&R Stores. Allen said that it was especially important for us to sell to a successful regional retailer that understands the Hastings community and shares many of our corporate values. Allens and The Wine Cellar will retain their names after the sale, which is expected to close by Oct. 1. Of special importance, we want to communicate our sincere appreciation for the support we have received from our wonderful customers for these many years, Allen said. Mark Griffin, president of B&R Stores, said his company is proud to announce the acquisition of longtime Hastings grocer Allens and The Wine Cellar. Russias Almaz-Antey defense manufacturer delivered the second regiment set of S-400 anti-aircraft missile systems to the Defense Ministry, the companys press office reported. "The Almaz-Antey Group delivered the second regiment set of S-400 surface-to-air missile systems to the Defense Ministry this year. The handover ceremony was held at the Kapustin Yar proving ground in the Astrakhan Region," TASS cited the press office as saying. The second regiment set of S-400 air defense systems was delivered to the Defense Ministry ahead of schedule, the press office quoted Almaz-Antey CEO Yan Novikov as saying. Pursuant to the requirements of Russias Defense Ministry, the air defense systems were delivered to the proving ground where they tracked real air targets, the press office said. "Following the results of initial firings, the systems operated without a hitch and the delivery/acceptance trials passed successfully," the press office said. Russias S-400 Triumf is the latest long- and medium-range surface-to-air missile system that went into service in 2007. It is designed to destroy aircraft, cruise and ballistic missiles, and can also be used against ground installations. The S-400 can engage targets at a distance of up to 400 km and at an altitude of up to 30 km under intensive enemy fire and jamming. A man dressed as Batman villain The Joker who was arrested in Perth on Monday over a stunt has spent time behind bars after running down a group of teenagers, killing one, in 2004. Balga man Reece Sturgeon, 38, has been charged with criminal damage and obstructing an officer after a stunt near a Perth train station where he was arrested over allegedly spray-painting part of a CCTV camera. Officers found 12 spray cans in his bag. But the man who has described his stunt as prophetic art has a dark past, having been convicted of manslaughter in 2006 after ploughing into a group of teenagers as they walked along Scarborough Beach Road in 2004. CHICAGO Police were bracing for retaliation shootings on the South Side after a rapper was killed in a brazen Gold Coast attack, possibly because he had recently made a video featuring derogatory statements about rival gang members who have died. Carlton Weekly, 26, who performed under the name FBG Duck, was a member of a Gangster Disciple faction that has been involved in a fierce feud with the Black Disciples on the South Side, according to police. Officers in at least four police districts Wentworth, Grand Crossing, Gresham and Englewood have been warned to use extreme caution because of the high probability of further violence, according to an advisory issued by the department. Intelligence suggests that both these gangs are in possession of large caliber and high capacity firearms, it adds. The neighborhood where Weeklys gang faction operates was described as a high threat level conflict area. It is roughly bordered by 58th and 66th streets, and St. Lawrence and Calumet avenues. Weekly was shot Tuesday afternoon while standing in line in front of the Milani Boutique, a high-end clothing store for children in the first block of East Oak Street, according to police. His family said he had four children under the age of 10. Two cars, a dark Ford Fusion and a gray Chrysler 300, pulled up and four gunmen jumped out and opened fire about 4:30 p.m., police said. Weekly was taken to Northwestern Memorial Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. A 36-year-old man was also taken to Northwestern in serious condition, and a 28-year-old woman was taken to St. Joseph Hospital, where her condition was stabilized, police said. Weeklys girlfriend had been sitting in a parked car, waiting for him, and apparently was not injured. Weeklys family described him as a talented musician with a big heart who struggled with violence and gang conflicts. Weeklys older brother Jermaine Robinson was shot and killed in a double homicide in Woodlawn on the South Side in 2017, according to police and Weeklys Apple Music biography. Robinson was also a rapper who performed under the name FBG Brick. Story continues The biography describes other violence in Weeklys life: He was stabbed by a girlfriend and (had) multiple rivalries with other gangs and rappers. Weeklys mother declined to comment Wednesday afternoon, except to say, My son was a legend. His aunt, Sherrie Weekly, was driving from her home in South Bend, Indiana, to be with LaSheena Weekly. The world lost a good man. He had a big heart and he loved his family and friends, Sherri Weekly said. He would help anybody. He was truly a good person. Her nephew had several siblings, three of whom have died and five of whom live in the Chicago area. He leaves a daughter and three sons. He was just talented. He had so much to give. He touched so many peoples hearts. But Mayor Lori Lightfoot described Weekly as someone who fancies himself a rapper but is also a member of a gang. She said he had been livestreaming his travels through the city and he was found. What were seeing is a manifestation of a larger problem, which is that way too many young men, and particularly young men of color, have access to guns and are willing to use those guns to settle petty grievances, Lightfoot said. Theres been an ongoing conflict between his gang and another. Weekly had recently made a rap video where he made derogatory statements toward deceased members of the Black Disciples, a rival gang, according to the department advisory. Among those insulted in the video was Odee Perry, namesake of the O-Block faction of the Black Disciples. Weekly belonged to the Tookaville faction of the rival Gangster Disciples, named for a young man killed in the same conflict not long before Perry, according to police. If Weekly were killed in retaliation, it would be the latest instance of gang violence linked to rap music in Chicago. In 2012, Joseph Coleman, an 18-year-old rapper who went by the name Lil JoJo, was shot and killed in the Englewood neighborhood. Chicago police investigated whether a war of words between Coleman and other rappers through music or social media led to his killing. Among his rivals was rap star Chief Keef, who was accused of taunting Coleman in a tweet in the hours after his death. Chief Keef claimed, though, that his Twitter account had been hacked. In 2015, rapper Young Pappy, whose real name was Shaquon Thomas, was gunned down in the Uptown neighborhood, a week after a video posted online showed him making fun of a rival gang while pretending to hold a gun in his hands. The 20-year-old Thomas was allegedly part of a Gangster Disciples faction that had been feuding with another of the gangs factions on the North Side. Prior to his death, Chicago police said Thomas was a target in at least two other shootings in the Rogers Park neighborhood that left two people dead, including a 17-year-old boy at a McDonalds restaurant and a photographer who was waiting for a bus. In 2017, a South Side rapper Shootashellz, whose real name was Cedron Doles, was gunned down after taunting gang rivals, some of them already dead, with his rap lyrics. Doles death in the Auburn Gresham community ended up being part of an investigation by Chicago police and the FBI into an internal gang conflict within the Black P Stones. (Chicago Tribunes Paige Fry contributed to this story.) 2020 Chicago Tribune Visit the Chicago Tribune at www.chicagotribune.com Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Your browser does not support the audio element. Gusts swept through two provinces in Vietnams Mekong Delta region between July 31 and August 3, damaging over 200 homes and sinking several roads. The strong winds, which lasted for less than half an hour each, appeared on the southern edge of storm Sinlakus circulation, according to the Can Tho Meteorological and Hydrological station in the namesake city. Storm Sinlaku formed in the East Vietnam Sea last Saturday and made landfall in north-central Vietnam on Sunday afternoon, causing strong winds and heavy rains nationwide, before devolving into a tropical depression. In Can Tho, 12 houses collapsed while 88 others lost their roofs or were otherwise damaged. Thoi Lai, Ninh Kieu, O Mon, and Phong Dien are the districts with the most houses affected. Heavy rains accompanied by the gusts also caused many trees, electric posts, and billboards to fall. Nguyen Qui Ninh, chief of the office of the citys Disaster Prevention and Rescue Command, said on Monday afternoon that VND200 million (US$8,700) had been advanced to support people affected by the storm in Thoi Lai and O Mon Districts. A house is completely destroyed by gusts and subsidence in Soc Trang Province, Vietnam, August 2020. Photo: K.T. / Tuoi Tre In Soc Trang Province, more than 100 houses in Ke Sach, My Xuyen, and My Tu Districts as well as in Nga Nam Town and Soc Trang City were severely ravaged. In addition, some localities along the Hau (Back) River, such as Song Phung and Phu Huu Communes in Long Phu District, also suffered from subsidence, according to the provincial Disaster Prevention and Rescue Commands chief of office Pham Tan Dao. We are trying to support cleanup efforts, help people rebuild and at the same time relocate many households in areas at risk of land collapse to safer shelters, Dao said. According to the Can Tho Meteorological and Hydrological Station, bad weather will continue to affect the Mekong Delta region in the next ten days, especially from August 6 to 8, with heavy rains and gusts in the forecast. A tree is uprooted due to strong winds in Can Tho City, Vietnam, August 2020. Photo: T. Luy / Tuoi Tre Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! (Natural News) Brent Bozell, Founder and President of the Media Research Center, along with the MRCs Free Speech Alliance has issued an open letter to Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai demanding answers as to why Google has decided to censor many top conservative websites from its search results. The letter comes as the House Judiciary Committee and the Antitrust Subcommittee is just about to hold a hearing featuring Pichai, along with Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos, Apple CEO Tim Cook, and Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg, all of whom are likewise complicit in censoring conservative voices and media outlets. The MRCs Newsbusters website, by the way, is among those that no longer appear when searching Google for news and current events. Other blacklisted sites include Breitbart News, The Daily Wire, Free Beacon, The Blaze, Townhall, Project Veritas, LifeNews, and PragerU. This past Wednesday July 21, several conservative media platforms, including four of Media Research Centers (MRC) major sites, were removed from Googles search results. Googles official response was that this was the result of a technical glitch, the letter states in its opening paragraph. We dont believe you. We believe Google is lying yet again. Its the same old game. Censor conservatives, wait for someone else to call you out on it, then blame the algorithms or another technical problem for the censorship. Somehow you never manage to discover your own glitch. Its always your victims who do. The letter goes on to call out Pichai directly for his companys utter lack of transparency, which has become second nature to you and your organization. It further adds that this is well beyond shameful, representing a clear and present danger to our civil society. We want names who at Google is responsible for all this censorship? To get to the bottom of this continued problem, the letter asks Pichai directly to give an account of who is responsible. Is there a certain division or company executive who keeps giving the green light for more censorship, or is some rogue programming team altering the system algorithms without permission? The letter further asks how Pichai is planning to handle the situation based on what comes to light, including what information he plans to present to both Congress and the companies that have been directly impacted by what has taken place. How many more times will Google censor conservatives, and then lie about it before Congress has to take action against your company? it also asks. The time has passed for lame excuses. If you wont be honest and fix the problem, then Congress must act decisively to counter the threat to freedom of speech from you and other Big Tech companies. Its time for the federal government to consider antitrust solutions for companies like Google and the rest of the Big Tech industry that have grown too powerful and too irresponsible. No longer can Google claim to be neutral in all of this. It is obvious and undeniable that its former Dont Be Evil slogan is no longer relevant now that censorship of the companys political enemies has become the norm. It remains to be seen, however, whether or not Google will tell the truth or lie under oath, to its own eventual detriment. This letter was signed by many others outside of the MRC, including the Intercollegiate Studies Institute, Human Events, The Resurgent, Young Americas Foundation, Tea Party Patriots Action, The Western Journal, Eagle Forum, ACT for America, The Heartland Institute, the National Center for Public Policy Research, and numerous others. Big Tech censorship is completely out of control, and needs to be dealt with sooner rather than later. To learn more, check out Censorship.news. Sources for this article include: Newsbusters.org NaturalNews.com Newsbusters.org Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan on Wednesday branded India an oppressor and aggressor a year after New Delhi imposed direct rule on Indian-administered Kashmir. Protests were planned across Pakistan to mark the anniversary of New Delhi stripping Muslim-majority Indian Kashmir of its semi-autonomous status, a move that outraged Islamabad. Kashmir, a disputed Himalayan territory, has been split since 1947 between India and Pakistan, both of which claim it in full and have fought wars over it. India stands exposed before the world, yet again, as an oppressor and aggressor, Khan said in a statement. Its so-called secular and democratic credentials stand fully discredited, he added, calling Indias action last year a crime against humanity. Prime Minister Narendra Modis Hindu nationalist government had promised the move would bring peace and prosperity to Indian Kashmir after three decades of violence sparked by an anti-India uprising. Pakistan, however, has alleged it is a violation of the rights of Kashmiri people. Khan accused India of trying to turn Kashmirs Muslim majority into a minority by ending restrictions on outsiders buying up property in blatant violation of UN Security Council Resolutions and international laws. The change in rules has sparked fears that the Modi government is pursuing an Israel-style settler project. A referendum in Kashmir mandated by a UN resolution in 1948 has never taken place. Police were enforcing tight restrictions in Indian-administered Kashmir on Wednesday, where religious and political groups had called on residents to observe a black day. In the Pakistani capital Islamabad, a one-minute silence was held, along with a rally led by President Arif Alvi. India has learned from Israel how to change the demography (of Kashmir), Alvi told the rally Hundreds of billboards and banners displayed graphic images purportedly of human rights violations by Indian authorities in Kashmir. Khan led a rally through Muzaffarabad, the capital of Pakistan-administered-Kashmir, where a few thousand people had gathered. He was due to address the regions legislative assembly. Dozens of rallies are expected in other major Pakistani cities too. On Tuesday, Pakistan released a new official map showing all of Kashmir as its territory. Tensions spiralled between the nuclear-armed neighbours after India revoked Kashmirs autonomy and imposed movement and communications restrictions to quell unrest. Pakistan has repeatedly likened Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Adolf Hitler and called for international intervention. A nationwide search has ended with the addition of Conor Beardsley to the Ovation leadership team. Beardsley joined Ovation in August 2020, bringing extensive healthcare experience and a growth mindset. Conor Beardsley, President, Ovation Fertility Conor Beardsley, President, Ovation Fertility Los Angeles, Aug. 05, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Ovation Fertility has added healthcare executive Conor Beardsley to its executive team, filling the role of president of the fertility care services company. His primary responsibility is ensuring that Ovation delivers outstanding patient care and physician support, efficiently and consistently. As president, Beardsley is responsible for the companys overall operations, including all ancillary service lines, IVF labs, sales and marketing. In conjunction with Ovations chief financial officer, he produces operational and financial reports, and works to optimize billing and collections. He also works with Ovations scientific leadership to improve clinical outcomes, and with the acquisitions team to integrate newly acquired IVF laboratories. In our months-long, nationwide search for a candidate with a successful track record of growing a multisite healthcare service company, we were delighted to meet Conor Beardsley, says Ovation co-founder and Chief Executive Officer Nate Snyder. He has recently run operations for a large anesthesia business and knows what it takes to operate at scale. He not only has an extensive background in healthcare executive leadership, he comes from a family of physicians, so he has an innate understanding of the commitment and heart that our partner physicians put into their work every day. Beardsley joined Ovation in August 2020 after serving as national vice president, operations EVPS, for Envision Physician Services/Envision Healthcare, where he had previously served as vice president, anesthesia operations, and regional practice director, anesthesia. I am passionate about Ovations role in helping people grow their families, so Im excited for the opportunity to partner with clinicians around the country to improve the delivery of fertility services and enhance patient outcomes, Beardsley says. I look forward to bringing my experience operating at scale to Ovation, and helping develop a robust, scalable foundation that supports our clinicians and patients, now and into the future. Story continues Earlier in his career, Beardsley spent seven years as practice administrator for American Anesthesiology/Mednax, leading large group practices with multiple clinical locations in Maryland and Virginia. He began his healthcare administration career with Loudon Medical Group, where he focused on business development, program operations, marketing and finance support. Beardsley earned a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration and finance from the University of Mary Washington in Fredericksburg, Virginia. He is a former two-term board member of the Virginia Medical Group Management Association. Learn more about Ovation and Conor Beardsley at www.OvationFertility.com. About Ovation Fertility Ovation Fertility is a national network of reproductive endocrinologists and scientific thought leaders focused on reducing the cost of having a family through more efficient and effective fertility care. Ovations IVF and genetics laboratories, along with affiliated physician practices, work collaboratively to raise the bar for IVF treatment, with state-of-the-art, evidence-based fertility services that give hopeful parents the best chance for a successful pregnancy. Physicians partner with Ovation to offer their patients advanced preconception carrier screening; preimplantation genetic testing; donor egg and surrogacy services; and secure storage for their frozen eggs, embryos and sperm. Ovation also helps IVF labs across America improve their quality and performance with expert off-site lab direction and consultation. Learn more about Ovations vision of a world without infertility at www.OvationFertility.com. Attachment CONTACT: Amy Hall Ovation Fertility 214-893-8214 AHall@OvationFertility.com AUSTIN, Texas, Aug. 5, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Blacklight Solutions, an applied analytics company based in Texas, introduced today a simplified business analytics platform that allows small to mid-market businesses to implement artificial intelligence and machine learning with code free transformation, aggregation, blending and mixing of multiple data sources. Blacklight software empowers companies to increase efficiency by using machine learning and artificial intelligence for business processes with a team of experts guiding this metamorphosis. "Small and mid-size firms need a simpler way to leverage these technologies for growth in the way large enterprises have." said Chance Coble, Blacklight Solutions CEO. "We are thrilled to bring an easy pay-as-you-go solution along with the expertise to guide them and help them succeed." Blacklight Solutions believes that now more than ever companies need business analytics solutions that can increase sales, enhance productivity, and improve risk control. Blacklight software gives small to mid-market businesses an opportunity to implement the latest technology and create insightful digital products without requiring a dedicated team or familiarity with coding languages. Blacklight Solutions provides each client with a team of experts to help guide their journey in becoming evidence-based decision makers. Capabilities and Benefits for Users Blacklight is a cloud-based system that is built to scale with your business as it grows. It is the simplest way to create business analytics solutions that users can then sell to their customers. Users have the added ability to create dashboards and embed them in client facing portals. Additionally, users are enabled to grow and improve cash flow by creating data products that their customers can subscribe to resulting in generated revenue. Blacklight software also features an alerting system that notifies designated users when changes in data or anomalies occur. "Blacklight brought the strategy, expertise and software that made analytics a solution for us to achieve new business objectives and grow sales," said Deren Koldwyn, CEO, Avannis, Blacklight Solutions client. Blacklight software brings the full power of business analytics to companies that are looking for digital transformations and want to move fast. Blacklight Solutions is the only full-service solution that provides empowering software combined with the insight and strategy necessary for impactful analytics implementations. To learn more about Blacklight Solutions' offerings visit www.blacklightsolutions.com. About Blacklight Solutions Blacklight Solutions is an analytics firm focused on helping mid-market companies accelerate their growth. Founded in 2009, Blacklight Solutions has spent over a decade helping organizations solve business problems by putting their data to work to generate revenue, increase efficiency and improve customer relationships. Media Contact: Bailey Steinhauser 979.966.8170 [email protected] SOURCE Blacklight Solutions Related Links https://www.blacklightsolutions.com/ Apple Inc has no interest in acquiring TikTok, the company said on Tuesday, denying a report by news website Axios from earlier in the day. Axios, citing sources outside Apple, earlier reported the iPhone maker has expressed interest in buying the ByteDance-owned firm. Microsoft Corp is currently negotiating a deal to acquire the popular short-video app, with a 45-day deadline imposed by President Donald Trump's administration. Last week, Trump said he was planning to ban TikTok amid concerns its Chinese ownership represents a national security risk because of the personal data it handles. Also read: Donald Trump's demand for US cut in Microsoft-TikTok deal is unprecedented When it comes to beating an incumbent member of Congress in a primary, many have tried and many have failed. But Jamaal Bowman is an exception. In his first campaign for office this year, the principal at a middle school in the Eastchester section of the Bronx knocked off veteran Rep. Eliot Engel. With a progressive platform and the backing of several left-wing groups, the 44-year-old political novice pulled off the biggest upset in New York since a certain bartender in the Bronx beat then-Rep. Joe Crowley. Bowman lives in Yonkers in the heart of a diverse district that includes parts of the North Bronx and southern Westchester. With an overwhelming Democratic advantage in the district, Bowman is likely headed to Washington, D.C, this fall. Representing parts of New York Citys poorest borough during a pandemic and recession will surely pose plenty of challenges. But for liberals with big ambitions to expand the social safety net, it may also present an opportunity especially if public disgust over the lackadaisical response to the coronavirus from President Donald Trump and the Republican majority in the U.S. Senate creates unified Democratic control in Washington. City & State caught up with Bowman by phone to ask how he won and what he hopes to do for his district and the country next year. The interview has been edited for length and clarity. There were a lot of congressional challengers this year and you were the only one to knock off an incumbent in primary in New York. How did you pull that off? How do you run a successful insurgent campaign in the pandemic when you cant knock on doors? I always point to the amazing team and staff that we were able to put together not just in terms of the Justice Democrats, as the initial endorsers and their infrastructure support that they had in place, but also New Deal Strategies, (Campaign Manager) Luke Hayes, (Finance Director) Jesse Guy-Herman and just the overall team. And then we also had hundreds of volunteers supporting the campaign from the very beginning. So that helped with our field operations, right out of the gate. We were knocking on doors all across the district very early on, specifically targeting communities of color and communities that have been historically neglected like Co-op City, Yonkers, Mount Vernon, Baychester, Edenwald and parts of New Rochelle. So we did that early and often. And this was not a transactional political race. This was about deep, authentic relationships, and really listening and learning from the people across the district. And their words and their experiences helped us to craft the proper policy platforms throughout the campaign. And when COVID hit, we pivoted very efficiently to a virtual campaign. But then that gave us even more of an opportunity to center the wellbeing of the constituents in this district so before even getting into who I was and why I'm running for office and why you should vote for me, we were having conversations around people's needs, asking people, how are they doing? How are they coping? How are they holding up? What are their needs? And how can we support their needs? And it's just helped us to connect on a more human level, in a way that my opponent didn't, unfortunately for him. How does a candidate who never has run before become the person who gets New Deal Strategies, Luke Hayes and Justice Democrats behind him? I've been doing education organizing work for about a decade as a middle school principal. And I've been very vocal within education justice spaces for 20 years. When I started exploring a run for office, and people started talking to each other about it, I got nominated to the Justice Democrats. And the nomination process obviously went well enough for them to choose to endorse us, which led to other relationships that came about during the campaign. So it was just my background, and my story helped me to kind of hit the ground running on my own. When you go to Congress, what are your main priorities for the district and especially the Bronx parts of it? What we were hearing from voters throughout the district? Housing needs are huge. And on the Bronx side of the district, there are four NYCHA developments there. NYCHA has been disinvested in for 30 years, and over the last 10 years NYCHA hasn't received a dime from the federal government. So, NYCHA needs to be renovated. We need to build new social housing as well. And we need affordable housing overall. So that's a major need. Our schools on the Bronx side of the district are underfunded, chronically underfunded, and education funding is going to continue to be a huge issue. And then the third thing I would highlight is jobs, jobs, green jobs and alignment with our mission of net-zero carbon emissions within the next 10 years. Also growing jobs within the care economy. So universal childcare too, nurses in long-term care providers as well as infrastructure, so building and retrofitting homes and schools in alignment with the demands of 21st century green technology. In terms of schools being underfunded, you actually wrote an op ed for City & State in 2016 criticizing Cuomo for not fully funding Foundation Aid for schools in disadvantaged districts. Now that we have this huge budget deficit at the state level, can schools be fully funded from the state? Is there anything you plan to do from your position in Congress on that issue? At the state level, if Gov. (Andrew) Cuomo puts forward legislation that taxes the wealthy and ensures that the wealthy pay their fair share, we could generate the revenue needed to fully fund our schools, fully fund our health care system, and get our economy going here in New York state. At the congressional level, we're calling for the quadrupling of Title I funds and fully funding IDEA, which is the special education law, to ensure that our schools and our students with the highest needs receive the funding that they deserve. And whether it's a competitive block grant related to COVID or incentivizing new approaches to education, there are spaces for the federal government to step in and provide resources. Have you endorsed Joe Biden for president? Yes. Whenever I'm asked about it, I reiterate that I have endorsed Joe Biden. I don't know if I put out a tweet yet. But Joe Biden has my full support, full endorsement. And if my wife allows me, I'm going to travel all over the country to canvass for Joe Biden and make sure he beats Donald Trump so that we can work together and so that we can call Joe Biden accountable. Why were you a registered independent, rather than Democrat, until relatively recently? And did you support Democratic candidates for president? I always voted for Democratic candidates for president. I always did throughout my life. I was registered as an independent because, you know, there was a time where I felt like neither the Democratic nor the Republican Party really spoke to my needs personally or the needs of my community. So I was disenchanted with both parties in my younger adult years, before becoming a Democrat in the last few years, and which also gave me the opportunity to participate in primaries, which is something that due to New York states closed election laws I wasn't able to do, unfortunately. What do you want to see happen in terms of COVID policy? Your district has hard-hit areas. There isn't national funding for testing, contact tracing and quarantining right now. Do you have proposals for combating the pandemic? From the very beginning, we called on the president to activate the Defense Production Act urgently from the very beginning bringing the full resources of the federal government to bear to support testing and content tracing in the most efficient manner possible. That's something that is still haphazard across the country, which is why we continue to see the numbers grow in certain states and deaths continue to rise. So that's one thing we've called for. We also called for a federal ban on rent, cancellation of rent, and a blockade on evictions, so that people cannot be evicted from their homes when they're not able to pay rent. And rent should be canceled during the duration of the pandemic. And we've called for $2,000 per month for those who have lost their jobs during the duration of the pandemic, as well as continuing unemployment insurance at $600 per week. The HEROES Act does a block grant, there's a lot of this, so we support the heroes that the House passed on. Now, I think it's been two months already. And the Republicans are finally just responding. You would cancel rent even for people who haven't lost a job? If people are able to afford rent and they can pay rent, then they should be paying rent, which they are. But if people have lost their jobs, and they can't afford rent, that needs to be canceled, and the federal government needs to step in to help people still pay for food and utilities and other things that they need. We also called for the cancellation of utilities and mom-and-pop mortgages because we know that, you know, some small landlords need support and paying their mortgages as well. What do you think about how Gov. Andrew Cuomo has handled COVID-19? I think his general handling of COVID has been pretty good, in terms of flattening the curve, and then bringing the numbers down to where they are. You know, pausing the state was a very smart move, and it really helped to bring the numbers to where they are. But there's the other side of that, the other side of that includes the cancellation of rent, the blockades on evictions. Thats the other side of it thats not really happening at the rate I would like to see it happen. We did a story recently about how you, Jackie Gordon and Mondaire Jones all won Democratic primaries in districts that are largely suburban. Your districts a little bit different, because it's actually mostly Black and Latino. But the others are majority-white, and you certainly have some majority-white suburbs in your district. Until (Rep. Antonio) Delgado, there were no Black or Latino members of Congress in New York state from outside New York City. Now there could be four. So, that's quite a change. Do you have any thoughts on how and why that change has come about so suddenly? Our elected officials are becoming more representative of the country overall. The constituents are voting for more diverse candidates because we're a more diverse country. Its as simple as that. Its great to see. And, you know, the issues matter, more so than a person's identity. I think that's important as well. We never felt uncomfortable in the whiter suburban parts of the district. All the additional funding for housing and education and green jobs that you talk about would cost money. Do you also have a tax on the wealthy, or on everyone, proposal at the federal level? Absolutely. The wealthy elite, the 1/10 of 1%, needs to pay their fair share in taxes. That's not happening. We need to tax capital gains and Wall Street and its transactions more than we currently do. And large corporations also need to pay their fair share of taxes as well, which currently doesn't happen. That will help to offset the cost of some of the programs that I'm referring to. I think in addition, we also need to understand that our values and priorities drive our policy, and, you know, policy comes before costs. What do you say to the counter-argument to raising taxes during a recession, that you would inhibit economic recovery? Also, at the state level, some argue that rich people would flee the state. Yeah, that's bullshit. It's bullshit because, No. 1, New York is the greatest city in the world. No one is leaving New York for asking them to pay 2% more tax. No. 2: Trickle-down economics has not worked for 40 years. We have a system where three individuals own more wealth than the bottom 50% of the country. We have a system where Jeff Bezos made $13 billion in one day last week, and the millionaire and billionaire classes have grown, while 150,000 people have died from the pandemic. Our system is rotten and broken. And there's no way democracy can flourish with this level of economic inequality. So we have to take a different approach. And that different approach involves everyone paying their share, and the government focused on policy that uplifts people in communities that have been neglected for decades and not even decades, for centuries. Just look at something like how the Homestead Act helped white America build wealth, while the formerly enslaved never received the land that was promised to them. As a result, they haven't been able to build wealth. This is historical and we have to right the wrongs of history through federal investment. Rep. Eliot Engel, who was chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, was relatively hawkish for a Democrat and very supportive of Israel. How are you going to be different on foreign policy? I'm more dovish when it comes to foreign policy. Overall, I believe America needs to be a humanitarian leader when it comes to foreign policy, and we need to focus our resources more on dealing with issues of climate change and the immigration crisis and the refugee crisis that's happening all over the world, because our military has been a part of causing these crises to occur. I support decreasing our military budget, there's absolutely no reason for us to spend as much as the next seven countries combined. I support a 21st century Marshall Plan to rebuild the political and economic systems we've broken in South America, Africa, the Middle East and other places. And again, as a humanitarian leader, we need to be more involved to say more about what's happening in Kashmir, what's happening in China with the Uighur Muslims and what's happening in Palestine with the Palestinians. One stark contrast between myself and Congressman Engel is I've been critical of occupation, annexation and detaining Palestinian children where Congressman Engel has not. And it doesn't mean that, you know, I'm not pro-Israel. I am in full support of Israel. I'm also in full support of the human rights of the Palestinian people. And it's important for us to continue to uplift human rights in the Middle East and all over the world. And that's what America should be leading on. And unfortunately, we just haven't been for far too long. 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 Guest Commentary By Michael Zwaagstra One thing weve learned this year is that global pandemics have a big impact on teaching and learning. In mid-March, regular kindergarten-to-Grade-12 classes across Canada were suspended and instruction moved online. While schools in some provinces partially reopened in June, this doesnt mean things are back to normal just yet. Students gained limited access to schools in order to meet with teachers and complete assessments but regular in-class instruction in most provinces wont resume until fall. However, some politicians apparently want fall classes to be suspended as well. For example, Manitoba NDP Leader Wab Kinew recently posted a tweet asking why the Manitoba government was planning to resume regular classes in schools this fall when colleges and universities were putting their courses online. The answer is obvious: kindergarten-to-Grade-12 students arent university students. Theres a world of a difference between a first-year university student taking a biology course and a Grade 1 student learning how to read for the first time. Anyone who works with children in school would know this. Students learn best when they develop strong personal connections with their teachers. The only reason emergency remote learning wasnt a total disaster this spring was because teachers could lean heavily on the relationships they had built with students over the course of a school year. Its a lot more feasible to finish a school year using remote learning than it would be to start a school year this way. The same is true of hybrid measures such as staggered school days where students attend school on a rotating basis and do the remainder of their learning at home. Not only would this be a logistical nightmare for schools, but its effectiveness would also be limited. Thats because physical distancing measures at school are more symbolic than anything else. Kids will come into contact with each other during the school day no matter what rules we put in place. Fortunately, the best scientific evidence now indicates school-age children are less likely to contract COVID-19 or develop serious complications from the virus than anyone else. If its safe for children to visit grocery stores and hang out in malls, it should be safe for them to attend school. In addition, we need to stop dwelling on worst-case scenarios and instead look at the local context. In most areas of the nation, the active COVID-19 caseload remains exceptionally low. The whole point of physical distancing restrictions was to flatten the curve so our hospitals dont become overwhelmed with critically ill patients. So far, that goal has been achieved. Even so, COVID-19 isnt going away anytime soon. Most experts say it will be at least a year, and probably much longer, before a COVID-19 vaccine becomes available. Obviously, students need to get back to regular classes a whole lot sooner than that. While we want to keep students safe, its important to recognize that safe doesnt mean zero risk. Everything we do in life involves some level of risk. There has never been a time in history when schools have been completely risk-free. Canadian students have missed out on enough learning this year. By the time fall arrives, lets hope students are back in regular classes. Michael Zwaagstra is a public high school teacher, a research fellow with the Frontier Centre for Public Policy. This includes the experience in employing large patrol ships in countering illegal border crossing, coordination between various types of reconnaissance and border surveillance (land, sea, and aviation), as well as control of border guard forces. Ukrainian Interior Minister Arsen Avakov has said Ukraine is interested in Italy's experience in protecting maritime borders and fighting illegal migration. During a working meeting with Commander of the Naval Coast Guard Headquarters, Admiral Giovanni Pettorino in Rome (Italy), Avakov said Ukraine was restoring the maritime border protection system. This includes the project to provide the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine with 20 modern patrol boats, launched at Mykolaiv-based Nibulon shipyard this July. "At the same time, we'd like to gain vast experience of the maritime coast guard of the Republic of Italy in fighting illegal migration, smuggling, drug trafficking, as well as protecting the state border from illegal encroachments," the minister said. Read alsoBorder guards' spearhead units to switch from Kalashnikovs to Ukraine-made assault rifles (Photo, video) Avakov stressed Ukraine is interested in the experience of using large patrol vessels in countering illegal border crossing, coordination between various types of reconnaissance and border surveillance (land, sea, and aviation), as well as control of border guard forces. In Ukraine, the State Border Guard Service is part of the Interior Ministry. 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. North Korean officials investigating a series of gas explosions that killed at least nine people are focusing their probe on whether families in Hyesan did everything they could to save portraits of the Kim dictators. The blasts shook the city, in the far north-east of the country, shortly after 6pm and were apparently caused when fuel stored in a house caught fire, the Daily NK web site reported. The initial blaze caused a cylinder of liquid petroleum gas to ignite, triggering a chain reaction of at least 10 explosions in neighbouring homes. As well as the nine fatalities, at least 30 local residents are understood to have been injured. There are unconfirmed reports that three survivors of the initial blast have since died of their injuries in hospital. Fires that spread through the densely packed residential district had to be put out by local people as no fire engines arrived to fight the blaze. The first officials on the scene immediately inquired whether any households had rescued portraits of Kim Il-sung, the 'Great Leader' and founder of the nation, and 'Dear Leader' Kim Jong-il. The first officials on the scene immediately inquired whether any households had rescued portraits of Kim Il-sung (left), the 'Great Leader' and founder of the nation, and 'Dear Leader' Kim Jong-il (right) Kim Jong-un inherited the position of North Korean dictator in 2011, and his image is beginning to appear alongside those of his father and grandfather. It is not clear whether any of the survivors did brave the flames to rescue pictures of the nation's leaders rather than saving the lives of their families. Every home, workplace, school and public building in North Korea is required to have sylised portraits of the three men who have ruled the nation since its founding in 1945 on prominent display. Those that fail to do so immediately come under suspicion of being part of the 'hostile class' of citizens. Rules on the placement and care for the portraits are complicated and change frequently. In homes, the images must be placed on the most prominent wall in the living room and nothing else can be put on that wall. They must be located at the highest point and should be angled to look downwards. The pictures must be kept clean and the local 'inminban', or neighbourhood watch, will pay unannounced visits to make sure that the portraits are in place and well cared-for. Citizens are encouraged to see the images of the Kim clan as being more precious than their own lives and those who do rescue portraits receive commendations. In late 2009, the captain and chief engineer of a cargo ship that sank in frigid waters off China were proclaimed 'Labour Heroes' by the state for attempting to save two portraits from the bridge. Both men died. Their families received gold medals and the Order of the National Flag, First Class. Earlier this year, a North Korean mother was threatened with jail after saving her two children from a house fire but allowed portraits of North Korea's leaders to burn. A mother-of-two from Onsong County, North Korea, was placed under investigation in January this year for political crimes after saving her children from a house fire but failing to rescue portraits of North Korea's leaders (file image showing portraits of the two leaders, which are required in every home, school, workplace and public building) The woman was placed under investigation by the country's Ministry of State Security after a fire broke out in a home shared by two families in Onsong County, North Hamgyong Province, close to the Chinese border. Both sets of parents were out at the time the fire started, but raced back to save their families after seeing smoke. In the process, one set of portraits was destroyed. The video of the explosion yesterday, obtained by AP, showed plumes of black smoke rising from a North Korean city near the border with China amid reports that deadly explosions occurred there earlier this week. There has been no official word from North Korea or China about what happened in the North Korean city of Hyesan yesterday. But South Korean media and outside monitoring groups reported that gas explosions in a residential area left dozens of people dead or injured. The video acquired shows orange flames and black smoke shooting into the sky from Hyesan as loud explosion-like sounds are heard. A few people can be seen watching the scene from the Chinese side of the border. The video was provided by Wang Bo, a travel agent who said he shot it from a park in the Chinese border town of Changbai. 'I just saw explosions and there were a lot of onlookers who were looking in that direction. We don't know the reason why there were explosions,' Wang said. Wang, who said he has previously visited Hyesan, said the explosions happened not far from the city's orphanage and tourism office. Many Chinese border towns are very close to North Korea, separated only by the river border. Wang said from Binjiang Park in Changbai where he shot the video, 'in summer, we can see North Koreans swim in the river, and in winter, people can walk on the frozen Yalu River.' The Associated Press verified the location after examining other tourist videos of the park that show the same structures and lights. Other videos of the reported explosions have been circulating on Chinese and South Korean social media. Under North Korea's strict laws around the Kim family, all depictions of the leaders - including their written names - must be treated with the same veneration as the men themselves. Desecrating the images is therefore a serious crime In Seoul, South Korea's spy agency and the Unification Ministry, which handles relations with North Korea, said they couldn't immediately confirm the reported explosions. Unification Ministry spokesman Yoh Sangkey still told reporters that he felt sorry for any possible casualties. The Seoul-based Daily NK, which specializes in North Korea news, on Wednesday cited unidentified sources in North Korea as saying that the explosions left 15 people dead and the death toll could rise. It earlier reported gasoline stored at a house in Hyesan ignited and led to the explosion of a nearby liquid petroleum gas cylinder, and this caused chain explosions of gas cylinders attached to other houses. Other South Korean media carried similar reports. Ahn Kyung-su, a researcher, said one of his North Korean refugee sources in South Korea told him that she heard from her relative in Hyesan about the reported explosions during a phone conversation on Tuesday. North Korean state media, which rarely acknowledge deadly accidents in the country, haven't commented on the reported explosions. But in 2017, state media reported six people died when the roof of a mine collapsed. In 2014, state media said government officials had offered an apology for the collapse of an apartment building under construction in Pyongyang, the capital. Virgin Australia chief executive Paul Scurrah has called for governments to provide a clearer long-term blueprint for dealing with the coronavirus pandemic amid growing unease within the business community about the impact of Victoria's harsh lockdown rules. Meanwhile, senior private health sector executives have warned that hospitals must not become overwhelmed by COVID-19, with patients already delaying other treatments that could place further strains on the health system. "I would say that all business leaders are looking for a plan, and a plan that takes us through multiple sets of circumstances," Mr Scurrah said in a media conference in which the airline confirmed plans to cut 3000 jobs and sell off aircraft as it emerges from administration. Mr Scurrah's comments come as big employers call on Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews and Treasurer Tim Pallas to clarify the new pandemic restrictions in the state to prevent essential services being closed and as Business Council of Australia chief Jennifer Westacott warned the restrictions were affecting supply chains. Press Release August 5, 2020 De Lima rejects renewed call to restore death penalty Opposition Senator Leila M. de Lima has reiterated her uncompromising opposition to the proposed restoration of death penalty in the country which could further unleash nationwide bloodbath mostly victimizing Filipinos from the vulnerable sectors of the society. De Lima said Duterte's recent call to the Congress to reinstate death penalty for drug-related charges amid the COVID-19 pandemic only proves that he is more interested in having the legal authority to kill instead of carrying out the proper response to the pandemic. "Everywhere in the world, people are looking for ways to keep humans alive during this pandemic. Everyone is hoping and working to find solutions to save lives. Apparently, everyone everywhere except our own President, who is preoccupied with bringing back the death penalty by lethal injection," she said in her Dispatch from Crame No. 866. "Death by a virus is not enough for him. It has to be death by his own hands: by hook or by crook; legally or extra-legally. To him, finding a cure is not a priority. Having the legal authority to kill is," she added. During his 5th SONA last July 27, Duterte has made another push for the reimposition of the death penalty in the country for crimes specified under the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002. Duterte has consistently pushed for the reinstatement of death penalty - which was brought back under then president Fidel Ramos' administration but abolished anew under former president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. He previously used his 2nd SONA and 4th SONA to press for capital punishment. De Lima, a social justice and human rights champion, said Dutere proved that he is more than willing to continue to take undue advantage of a health and public safety crisis in order to move against the interests of his own people, this time in a bid to satisfy his lust for dead Filipinos. "What is it about this President that makes him hate Filipinos so much that he has again spoken about bringing back the Death Penalty amidst a coronavirus pandemic? Without even having an answer for the people who are rightfully asking him what are his government's plans to combat COVID-19, he, in his perversion, turns the discussion to killing people instead," she said. "Namamatay na po ang mga tao nang walang kalaban-laban. Hindi po ba dapat pagbuhay sa mga Pilipino ang prayoridad ng gobyerno? Bakit pagpatay pa rin ang nasa isip ng Presidenteng ito?" she asked. De Lima maintained that death penalty is not an effective deterrent to crimes because many factors come into play when a person commits a crime, which include poverty, environment, education and values. "In fact, the real deterrent effect does not come from simply imposing the severest punishment possible. It comes from effective law enforcement: from heightened crime prevention efforts and, if those fail, successful and effective crime detection, investigation and prosecution," she said. "None of these things Duterte is good at addressing: not at alleviating poverty, not at improving social environment, or people's education and values. So he resorts to the Death Penalty because, like him, that is good for one thing and one thing only: killing, regardless of innocence or guilt," she added. This 18th Congress, just like in the previous one, De Lima has offered an alternative to death penalty when she filed Senate Bill No. 187, which seeks to impose qualified reclusion perpetua or life imprisonment on extraordinary heinous crimes, such as drug cases and plunder. If enacted into law, De Lima's measure will impose qualified reclusion perpetua without parole on persons found guilty of treason, piracy, murder, infanticide, kidnapping and serious illegal detention, robbery with violence against or intimidation of persons, destructive arson, rape, plunder and violations of Dangerous Drug Act of 2002. KALISPELL, Mont., Aug. 5, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Semiconductor equipment manufacturer ClassOne Technology announced the sale of its Solstice GoldPro electroplating system to one of the industry's leading developers of microLED technology for advanced applications. The Solstice equipment, designed specifically for 200mm single-wafer processing, will be used for both R&D and production of next-generation microLED devices. The announcement was made by ClassOne's CEO, Byron Exarcos, and Senior Technology Director, John Ghekiere. ClassOne Solstice S8 electroplating system "The customer chose our Solstice S8 GoldPro because it can significantly increase gold plating quality," said Ghekiere. "The evaporation methods they used previously were producing porous gold coatings with low conformality, which necessitated overly thick sacrificial gold deposition. But with our proprietary GoldPro technology they are able to fill the bond pad features void-free and reduce the sacrificial overburden gold by 50%. This new level of precise control and high performance is literally technology-enabling for their next-generation microLEDs." "Every gold contact comes out exactly the same," added Ghekiere. "The new system delivers unprecedented repeatability, wafer-to-wafer, die-to-die, within-die, and within-feature. And this tight within-feature control means that less gold is needed to achieve maximum device performance which can reduce costs substantially. Plus, the flexible design of the Solstice provides additional cost efficiencies, allowing both process development and volume production to be done on a single tool." "We are proud to be working with a customer who is leading the way in full-field self-emissive microLED displays," said Exarcos. "Combining high efficiency, high pixel density, and low power, these microLEDs are becoming critical components in the newest electric vehicles, smart watches, smart phones, head-up displays, and more. Similarly, we're seeing Solstice becoming the critical advanced plating tool for microLED fabs around the world." MicroLEDs are essentially traditional LEDs shrunk down to microscopic size. They are self-emissive and do not require backlighting as LCDs do. They also provide special advantages such as increased brightness, ultra-low power consumption, fast response time, high contrast rate, wide color gamut, and long lifetime. ClassOne provides a family of Solstice systems for high-performance electroplating specifically on 200mm substrates. The family includes fully-automated 8-chamber and 4-chamber systems with up to 75-wph throughput as well as the dual-chambered Solstice LT, which can be used both for process development and production. In addition to electroplating, the tools' unique Plating-Plus capabilities enable them to handle a number of other important functions, including wafer cleaning, high-pressure metal lift-off, resist strip, UBM etch, and more all on the same platform. World-class performance and unprecedented flexibility are making Solstice the preferred tool for 200mm plating. About ClassOne ClassOne Technology (classone.com) provides innovative new wet-chemical equipment solutions, including electroplating systems, spin-rinse-dryers, spray solvent tools, and more. The company focuses on making advanced technology and performance available to users of 200mm substrates such as compound semiconductor and many emerging markets who traditionally have been underserved by the larger equipment manufacturers. Based in Kalispell, Montana, ClassOne Technology is built upon decades of experience from industry veterans creating high-performance semiconductor equipment. ClassOne Technology is a sister company to ClassOne Equipment (ClassOneEquipment.com), long respected as the industry's premier provider of refurbished name-brand processing tools, with over 2,500 systems installed worldwide. For more information, contact: Byron Exarcos ClassOne Technology 109 Cooperative Way Kalispell, MT 59901 tel: +1 (678) 772-9086 email: [email protected] Solstice, GoldPro, and Plating-Plus are trademarks of ClassOne Technology. SOURCE ClassOne Technology Related Links http://www.classone.com Former acting Attorney General Sally Yates told a Senate panel Wednesday that in the days before Donald Trump's inauguration, President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden made no attempt to target incoming national security adviser Michael Flynn for prosecution to undermine the new administration. Yates, describing a Jan. 5, 2017, Oval Office meeting to discuss Russian interference in the 2016 election, said she was surprised to learn from Obama that the FBI had intercepted Flynn's conversations with then-Russian Ambassador Sergey Kislyak in which the incoming national security adviser sought to "neuter" recently imposed sanctions on the Kremlin for its election intervention. "My memory is clear," Yates told the Senate Judiciary Committee, adding that Obama urged caution when sharing information with Flynn during the transition to the Trump administration. "No such thing happened," Yates said, when later pressed whether administration officials sought to pursue a Flynn inquiry. "That meeting was not about an investigation at all. That would have set off alarms for me." Sally Yates, former acting U.S. Attorney General, during a session of the Center for American Progress (CAP) annual ideas conference. The Republican-led Senate Judiciary Committee called the former Obama administration official as part of its ongoing review of the Russia inquiry and the early days of the investigation into Flynn, who would later plead guilty to lying to the FBI about his contacts with Kislyak. Flynn moved to withdraw that guilty plea in January, claiming the government had breached the plea agreement. While Flynn awaited sentencing, the Justice Department in May abruptly abandoned the prosecution over the objection of career prosecutors. The move was challenged by the sentencing judge, who has since asked a federal appeals court to reconsider Justice's decision, leaving the retired Army lieutenant general's fate uncertain, nearly three years after he first pleaded guilty. In her testimony Wednesday, Yates differed sharply with the current Justice Department decision and defended the Flynn investigation as legitimate, referring to Flynn's ultimate decision to plead guilty. Story continues "I was very surprised," she said of the decision to drop the case. "The circumstances here (in the Flynn case) called out" for the FBI to pursue its investigation. But Yates, who testified by video, also expressed deep concerns about the FBI's conduct in the early days of the Russia investigation, taking specific issue with then-FBI Director James Comey. Yates described a tense encounter with Comey following the 2017 Oval Office meeting, saying that she upbraided the FBI director for not informing her of the intercepted Flynn conversations prior to the briefing with the president. At the time, she said, the FBI was not providing adequate briefings on the agency's activities. Asked by Chairman Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., whether Comey had gone "rogue," Yates responded: "You could use that term, yes." Yates also said she would not have signed off on the surveillance of former Trump campaign adviser Carter Page had she known that the FBI's wire-tap warrant was deeply flawed. Last year, the Justice Department's internal watchdog found that the surveillance warrant was riddled with errors, raising questions about its justification. The department's inspector general identified 17 separate inaccuracies in the surveillance applications. The inspector general, however, concluded the FBI was legally justified in launching its inquiry into Russian election interference. "Certainly, I regret" that false information was submitted to support the warrant, Yates told lawmakers. Prior to Wednesday's hearing, Trump targeted Yates via Twitter, saying the career Justice official has "zero credibility." "She was a part of the greatest political crime of the Century, and Obama Biden knew EVERYTHING!" Trump wrote. Senate Republicans followed Trump's lead, asserting that the Obama Justice Department had sought to derail Trump's campaign. At one point, Sen. John Kennedy, R-La., asked Yates whether she "despised" Trump. "I don't despise anyone," Yates responded. "I don't respect the manner in which he has carried out the presidency." RARE MOVE: Appeals court will rehear Michael Flynn case Yates, ultimately fired by Trump for refusing to carry out his executive order banning travelers to the U.S. from certain Muslim countries, first outlined her concerns about Flynn in explosive testimony three years ago before the same committee, saying the former national security adviser's lies about his contacts with Kislyak extended to Vice President Mike Pence. "You dont want a situation where a national security adviser could get blackmailed by the Russians, Yates told the committee then. Yates is the second high-profile witness called by the panel as part of its inquiry. In June, former deputy attorney general Rod Rosenstein, a key player in the sprawling Russia investigation that shadowed much of Trump's presidency, defended his oversight of the probe while acknowledging flaws in the FBI's surveillance process. "Senators, whenever agents or prosecutors make serious mistakes or engage in misconduct, the Department of Justice must take remedial action. And if existing policies fall short, those policies need to be changed," Rosenstein said in his opening statement before the Senate Judiciary Committee. Ultimately, Rosenstein acknowledged he is responsible for the missteps that happened in the early days of the Russia investigation. "I'm accountable. I feel accountable. ... I think the issue is, 'How do we fix the problem?'" Rosenstein said. In this May 9, 2019 file photo, then-Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein speaks during a farewell ceremony in the Great Hall at the Department of Justice in Washington. Trump and his allies have sought to frame the entire Russia investigation as a hoax and a witch hunt against the president, seizing on some aspects of Crossfire Hurricane, the code name for the FBI's counterintelligence investigation into Russia's election meddling and possible ties to the Trump campaign. Republicans have seized on the inspector general's findings on the flawed surveillance of Page to cast a sprawling inquiry by Russia special counsel Robert Mueller as illegitimate. Yates was deputy attorney general under former president Barack Obama. She became the acting attorney general when former attorney general Loretta Lynch resigned following Trump's election. Lawyers escort Michael Flynn into a Washington court in July 2018. Contributing: Kristine Phillips This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Sally Yates: Obama, Biden did not push Michael Flynn inquiry BOSTON and SALO, Finland, Aug. 5, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- AINA PTT, maker of the PTT Voice Responder, launched an instinctive walkie-talkie PTT application worldwide focusing on businesses and individuals. AINA Small Talk comes with an intuitive user-interface with the simplicity of a walkie talkie. One-stop solution for small and medium sized businesses. AINA Small Talk Simple Walkie-Talkie PTT app AINA Small Talk Simple Walkie-Talkie PTT app "AINA offers a one-stop solution including walkie-talkie style Push-to-Talk apps and handheld devices. AINA is focusing on businesses who want to increase communication efficiency and reduce operational costs. Fortune 500 companies who offer full service usually also cost fortunes. AINA's customer-centric approach offers a cost-effective alternative to the big company overload," said AINA's CEO Maximilian LeRoux. User-centric design "Many Push-to-Talk applications are heavy on touch screen centric features which are common to consumer applications, and loaded with settings most professionals don't have time to study," LeRoux said. AINA is known for making rugged and loud public safety grade speaker-microphones to be used in harsh environments. The same user-friendly approach has found its way into the design of AINA's PTT app: just turn it on and start using it. After a successful trial period with selected accounts across North America and Scandinavia, AINA launched the AINA Small Talk PTT application globally. The app works on any Android tablet or phone and can be enhanced with a dispatcher client. Self-service sign up AINA has created a seamless self-service sign-up process on the company website, www.ainaptt.com/smalltalk. "We have noticed that it's extremely difficult for businesses to get a PTT app that is simple to use and also simple to sign up for. Most providers require you to get in touch, request a demo, or have a sales person call you. All you want to do is push to talk, signing up should be just as simple," LeRoux says. Single desk customer service In the process of digital transformation from 2-way-radios to broadband Push-to-Talk applications many companies are left alone to do their own system integration: Purchase tablets & phones, a PTT app, and reliable accessories. "When the solution works everyone is happy, but when the first compatibility issues come up due to an upgrade on the phone operating system or a software upgrade, everyone starts blaming the others for problems, often leaving the customer alone to figure it out," LeRoux said. "The customer doesn't want to get involved in this, but have a working solution. Therefore, our customers love that they only have to call our number to solve anything." About AINA: AINA PTT provides broadband Push-to-Talk solutions including PTT applications and IoT handheld devices, increasing communication efficiency while reducing operational costs. Combining grown user habits of walkie-talkie radio users modern technology, AINA offers its users radio 2.0. AINA's products and services are designed and manufactured in Finland and Estonia. AINA is a privately held company with offices in the United States, Finland, and Australia. www.ainaptt.com/contact Media Contact: Kirsi Kahikko, [email protected] (857) 453 6644 SOURCE AINA PTT Related Links http://www.ainaptt.com NEW YORK, Aug. 4, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Amplifyer, the company that connects Fortune 1000 brands to the most innovative start-ups in the world, today announced a new partnership with Tether Data. Together, they will be strongly positioned to bring environmental issues impacting societal health to the forefront of consumer consideration. Amplifyer Tether Data's leading analytics and data science team dispenses accessible insights on emerging environmental pressures across various industries. One key innovation is Tether's work on noise pollution, providing noise maps, scores and reports to the average consumer at any location across the globe. "Data is quickly becoming the new currency. However, making data understandable, usable and meaningful can be very challenging. We tackle this challenge by merging environmental concerns with sophisticated tooling and skills to provide accessible insights for customers and end-users," said Tether Data's CEO and founder Cole Erdmann. "We believe our partnership with Amplifyer will give us the reach we need to make a positive impact on consumer health and the environment." "Amplifyer's partnership with Tether will allow us to empower customers with the data they need to make educated choices that affect their health and surrounding environments," said Mike Aronow, CEO and founder of Amplifyer. "Cole and his team are leaders in this space and we look forward to working together to create a healthier environment through advanced data development." About Amplifyer Amplifyer is a digital consultancy and rep firm hybrid that connects the world's most innovative start-ups to Fortune 1000 brands. Headquartered in New York City, Amplifyer provides leading marketers and advertising agencies with access to curated product suites and thought leaders in the digital space. About Tether Data Tether Data provides businesses with technology to pinpoint elements of the environment that affect consumers globally. Tether Data offers an easy-to-ingest service for digital platforms and continually updates its sources to progress with an evolving world. Contact: Debbie Wentz, Head of Marketing and Analytics [email protected] Related Images image1.png SOURCE Amplifyer HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) School districts nationwide puzzling over how to safely educate children during a pandemic have a more immediate challenge getting 26 million bus-riding students there in the first place. Few challenges are proving to be more daunting than figuring out how to maintain social distance on school buses. A wide array of strategies have emerged to reduce the health risks but nobody has found a silver bullet. Should students with COVID-19 symptoms be isolated at the front of the school bus? Should bus seats be assigned? Should buses be loaded from the back? Should buses only carry a few students at a time? "The transportation professionals are left with the issue of, OK, you've got little Billy at the bus stop. Mom's not there and he's got a temperature. That's a dilemma," said Steve Simmons, a bus safety expert who used to head pupil transportation for Columbus, Ohio, public schools. "We can't answer those kinds of questions. I don't think anybody can." Simmons, president of the National Association for Pupil Transportation, was part of team of industry and school officials who produced a 70-page report on ways to lower the risk of COVID-19 transmission. More: Schools may reopen, but will the students come? | Social Views Many schools have been surveying parents to determine how many students will take the bus and how many will be privately driven to school. Others are making decisions about bus capacity that involve a trade-off between safety and affordability. The task force report warned that a 6-foot social distancing regulation is not financially nor operationally feasible, and that current thinking is that a 72-student capacity bus can accommodate 24 students, or more if family members sit together. Some large districts will nonetheless "jam 'em in" the school bus, Simmons said, while other districts plan to stagger school start times or teach half the students in the morning and the rest in the afternoon, with two sets of bus runs. School transportation plans are "just one of the many ways we're seeing inequities playing out in this pandemic," said Deborah Gordon Klehr, executive director of the Education Law Center in Philadelphia. "Some districts are saying that they will cut back on the number of students offered transportation, or expect more parents to drive their students to school," she said. "Students and families with fewer resources are going to be the ones hurt by this." Kim Blodgett quit her job as a fourth-grade teacher this year in order to drive her 5-year-old son to the Oklahoma School for the Deaf, concerned the twice-daily, 45-minute bus ride from their home in Norman was too risky. "So many parents feel like they have no control over any of this that's happened," Blodgett said. "They have to work, they have to send their kids to school. They have to put their kids on that bus. It's a horrible situation all the way around." Simmons said most bus drivers are old enough to put them at heightened risk for severe illness if they catch the virus. They will have to decide whether to continue driving a job that typically does not pay much or to stay home and prioritize their own safety, which could worsen a yearslong national school bus driver shortage. Schools will have to decide what cleaning standards they want to set and whether to add sneeze guards or similar barriers among students and between students and bus drivers. In Pennsylvania, the Transportation Department shot down a proposal to install plastic barriers around bus drivers, telling a school bus contractor there is not evidence it would make students or drivers safer. In New York, hand sanitizer isn't even allowed on buses "due to its combustible composition and potential liability to the carrier or district," according to guidance from the state's school reopening task force. The task force report said a survey of bus contractors found they were unanimously opposed to taking students' temperatures, as some districts have considered. The contractors said drivers and bus monitors do not want to have to interpret health data, among other objections. FILE - In this April 27, 2020, file photo, a worker passes public school buses parked at a depot in Manchester, N.H. Reopening schools during the coronavirus pandemic means putting children on school buses, and districts are working on plans to limit the risk. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa, File)AP Getting on and off the bus is considered a time of heightened risk. Pennsylvania districts are considering assigned bus seating, making students fill empty buses from the back and emptying them from the front. A suburban Philadelphia school district's reopening plan states that students with symptoms should be placed in the front seat of the bus and brought to the school nurse. Another mandates that no students with symptoms will be sent on a bus or brought to school. Districts are designating rooms where sick or potentially sick children can be isolated until their parents can retrieve them. Pottstown, Pennsylvania, schools have proposed keeping windows on its few buses open, a plan that will be difficult to carry out in winter. New York's statewide recommendation is for windows to remain cracked if the outside temperature is at least 45 degrees Fahrenheit. Public schools in Providence, Rhode Island, had considered making all students attend the schools that are located closest to their homes as a way to limit ridership, but officials withdrew that proposal after parents objected. Bus plans are expected to be tweaked over the first weeks and months of school, but if a major outbreak is linked to bus transportation, parents will have to decide whether to vote with their feet and go another route. More: Bus safety, drivers, costs add to the long list of concerns for reopening Pa. schools Los Angeles taxpayers are on the hook for about $55 million stemming from "dozens of lawsuits and claims involving Los Angeles County deputies associated with tattooed groups accused of glorifying an aggressive style of policing," reports The Los Angeles Times. These secret cop societies have names like the Vikings, Regulators, 3000 Boys, and the Banditos, and their street gang-like criminal behavior extends back to 1990. Elected sheriffs and an FBI probe have been unable to stop the violent groups from operating. From The Los Angeles Times: "This has been a cancer of the Los Angeles Sheriff's Department for decades," said Ron Kaye, an attorney who represented Carrillo. "The only reason that this type of illegal activity and lawlessness under the color of law can survive is if the department and its administration looks the other way." Another lawsuit involving a bicyclist shot and killed by deputies in South L.A. was settled for $1.5 million in 2018 in part because one deputy had probably committed perjury when he denied that he was a member of the Regulators operating out of the Century station, officials said. Several of the payouts involve the 3000 Boys and the 2000 Boys at Men's Central Jail. A top jail official had described exclusive gangs of deputies who would "earn their ink" by breaking inmates' bones. WhatsApp has come up with a new feature that will let the users search the web when they receive a forwarded message flagged by the app.Now, when a message is forwarded on WhatsApp, a magnifying glass will appear right next to the message from now on. If the user taps on this magnifying glass, they will end up uploading that message on Google, and the search giant will in turn provide the user with any verification or information related to the content of that message. As per WhatsApp , this new feature will provide users with an efficient way to find news results and other sources of information. This is also a very important step towards curbing the spread of propaganda causing, misinforming messages that are forwarded so keenly within WhatsApp groups and chats.Since the user will upload the message directly on the web, WhatsApp will not know anything about the message. So, this is how the end-to-end encryption will come into effective play and this is how the privacy of users can be preserved.WhatsApp had started taking steps in this direction back in 2018 when the forwarded messages started getting flagged or labeled. All the forwarded messages were labeled so that the users could get a chance to determine the usefulness of those messages, delete them on the spot if they were bogus, or from untrustworthy sources, and it was an effort to curb the spread of misinformation.In 2020, WhatsApp further implemented some restrictions, preventing the users from sharing frequently forwarded messages to more than one chat at a time.However, it seems that WhatsApp was still not satisfied with the way these viral forwarded messages often influence people and create an impact on the real and digital lives of their users. Especially with the predicament of the coronavirus pandemic, messages containing bogus remedies and falsified information were circulated everywhere, creating a lot of chaos and wreaking havoc on an already distraught world.Therefore, in an effort to stop the spread of misinformation, WhatsApp has now brought this new feature through which the users will be able to verify the claims and authenticity of any forwarded message by doing a quick Google search on their own.This new feature is now available in Ireland, Brazil, Italy, Spain, UK, and the US for iOS, Android, and WhatsApp Web.This feature was earlier spotted in the beta test updates along with several other features, and it is nice to know that it has finally reached the stable channels. Hopefully, it will soon be available for the rest of the world too, so that everyone can benefit from this much needed and highly anticipated feature.Read next: WhatsApp is testing 138 unique emojis for the upcoming version for Android After one year, the Convener of RevolutionNow in Osun State, Olawale Bakare, has been rearrested by operatives of the Department of State... Recall that on August 4, 2019, a human rights activist, pro-democracy campaigner, and former presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore staged a protest in Lagos, Abuja, Osun and other parst of the country which led to his arrest and detention. After one year, the Convener of RevolutionNow in Osun State, Olawale Bakare, has been rearrested by operatives of the Department of State Services, DSS in Osogbo. Olawale, on Wednesday with members of the Revolution Now converged at the popular Olaiya junction in Osogbo to stage a protest against bad governance, lack of infrastructure, extra judicial activities, among others. A yet-to-be identified member of the RevolutionNow while addressing security agents and onlookers was abruptly arrested by DSS. Bakare and two others were also arrested, while others fled the scene. Similarly, Bakare was also arrested in Osogbo and arraigned alongside Sowore.The protesters had addressed the police officers at the scene on their mission. Male mosquito odours reveal how mozzies mate For the first time, scientists have identified male mosquito-specific pheromones that influence mating rituals. Scientists at the Wits Research Institute for Malaria (WRIM), Stockholm University (Sweden), the Institute of Ecology, Nature Research Centre (Lithuania), and the Eijkman Institute for Molecular Biology (Indonesia) published the study in Nature Ecology & Evolution on 3 August 2020. The findings have implications for controlling mosquito reproduction and thus decreasing malaria, which these vectors cause. Worldwide, malaria affects over 228 million people annually causing over 400 000 deaths predominantly in Africa and mainly in pregnant women and children under five-years-old. Dancing male mosquitoes Although female mosquitoes are responsible for the transmission of the parasites that cause malaria in humans (and therefore usually the focus of most research), males are equally responsible for the proliferation of mosquito populations. A female mosquito mates only once in her lifetime. This mating takes place with the males in a mating swarm. These dancing male mosquitoes gather in large mating swarms during dusk and dawn, says Jacek W. Zawada, co-author of the study and PhD candidate in the WRIM. But we know very little about what stimulates swarm formation. The study found that males release aggregation [cluster] pheromones [odours] that attract individual females to the swarms and increase their mating success during this dusk/dawn cycle. Under semi-field conditions, here in South Africa, experiments showed that the blend of odours attracted virgin females to male swarms and increased the mating success tremendously in all the main African malaria vectors, says Zawada. The study also identified specific genetic changes to this important malaria vector mosquito species, Anopheles arabiensis and An.gambiae. Birth control for mosquitoes Understanding male mosquito pheromones can be used to strengthen surveillance methods in malaria control programmes as well as other intervention strategies. One such intervention strategy currently under investigation in South Africa is the Sterile Insect Technique (SIT), which is almost like a birth control for mosquitoes. SIT relies on sterile male mosquitoes mating with virgin female mosquitoes. However, these sterile males need to be more attractive to the wild virgin females, which remains problematic. These newly identified odours can be used to make the sterile males more attractive to the wild females and ensure that the wild females are attracted to mate with dancing sterile males. Once mated, the females will not produce offspring. Fewer mosquitoes means a decrease in malaria. "These identified aggregation pheromones have great potential for exploitation against these dangerous insects. Manipulating such pheromones could increase the efficacy of malaria-vector control programmes, says Professor Lizette Koekemoer, co-author and Co-Director of WRIM. The more we understand about how these mosquitoes reproduce and thereby increase their potential and capacity to transmit malaria, the better equipped we are to combat the disease. CANBERRA, Australia (AP) Australia's ambassador to Iran has visited a British-Australian academic who was convicted of espionage before being moved recently to a notorious Iranian prison, and found that she is well, Australias government said Tuesday. Kylie Moore-Gilbert was a Melbourne University lecturer on Middle Eastern studies when she was sent to Tehrans Evin Prison in September 2018 and sentenced to 10 years. Concerns for her well-being escalated with news last week that she had been moved to Qarchak Prison, east of Tehran. Australia sought urgent consular access and its ambassador to Iran, Lyndall Sachs, visited Moore-Gilbert in Qarchak Prison on Sunday, Australias Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, or DFAT, said in a statement. Dr. Moore-Gilbert is well and has access to food, medical facilities and books, the statement said. We will continue to seek regular consular access to Dr. Moore-Gilbert." Moore-Gilberts family said they were reassured by the ambassadors prison visit. We remain committed to getting our Kylie home as soon as possible and this is our top and only priority, a family statement said. We continue to believe that Kylies best chance at release is through diplomatic avenues and are in close contact with DFAT and the Australian government on the best ways to achieve this, the statement added. In 2018, Moore-Gilbert was arrested at Tehran airport while trying to leave Iran after attending an academic conference. The Center for Human Rights in Iran, a U.S.-based organization, said last week that Moore-Gilbert was being held with violent criminals under harsh conditions. Reza Khandan, husband of human rights lawyer and Evin Prison inmate Nasrin Sotoudeh, posted on social media last week that Moore-Gilbert had been transferred as a form of punishment. Australia describes Moore-Gilberts case as one of its highest priorities. Moore-Gilbert has gone on hunger strikes during her time in custody and pleaded for the Australian government to do more to free her during almost two years in custody. She wrote to Australia's prime minister last year that she has been subjected to grievous violations of my legal and human rights, including psychological torture and spending prolonged periods of time in solitary confinement. Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-05 15:29:04|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close ISTANBUL, Aug. 5 (Xinhua) -- The Turkish coast guard rescued a total of 74 illegal immigrants off Turkey's Aegean coast, local media reported on Wednesday. Turkish teams retrieved the migrants from two rubber boats near the Ayvalik district of Turkey's northwestern province of Balikesir, the Demiroren news agency said, without mentioning when the incident occurred. The migrants claimed that the Greek coast guard teams drove their boats back to the Turkish territorial waters, according to the agency. Since the beginning of this year, a total of 13,435 migrants attempted to reach Greece via Turkey's seas, down from 19,516 over the same period in 2019, according to the latest figures released by the Turkish coast guard. The Aegean Sea was once the main route for migrants trying to reach Europe via Turkey. A deal was signed between Turkey and the European Union in March 2016 to curb the flow of illegal immigration. Hosting over 3.7 million Syrian refugees in its territory, Turkey earlier announced that it could no longer cope with the issue alone, and urged European countries to take more responsibility. Enditem Recently, Paytm Money launched stock broking among a limited set of users. A few weeks ago, another Bengaluru based startup named Groww formally launched stock broking, moving beyond mutual funds. Industry insiders have pointed out that during the pandemic, there have been multiple users who have joined these digital platforms, all first time traders. So what makes stock broking attractive and why is it that multiple startups are eager to foray into this business? Moneycontrol tries to answer some of these questions. Why are startups interested in stock broking? Trading is the ultimate stage in the financial journey of any consumer. What starts with savings, continues with payments and investments and ultimately ends in trading, which is a means for wealth expansion. Now for any startup trying to be a part of the users journey through all these phases, stock broking is the ultimate product line. Take the example of Paytm. It started with payments, moved into banking with payments bank and ultimately forayed into wealth management through Paytm Money. Even for Groww, it started selling mutual funds. For Groww stock trading was an obvious adjacent business opportunity. For all these players in the financial services space, stock broking has become a plus one product which is a must have. What does this mean for the stock market ecosystem? In India, stock broking is a massive opportunity. Inspite of having such a well-established stock market, the country with more than 50 crore smartphone users currently has only 1.2 crore active traders. If traditional brokers through brick and mortar business could not expand the market, these startups are hoping to leverage technology to achieve that. A player like Paytm (with its massive reach) can definitely expand the horizon for the market and bring in new traders, said Nithin Kamath, chief executive officer, Zerodha. For Paytm with a massive user base, it makes an obvious choice to offer stock trading in an easy and intuitive manner thereby hoping to get smartphone savvy users to place trades. It not only helps them create more use cases on the app, also open up new revenue opportunities, increases customer stickiness. The lure of the millennial generation is massive. This generation which even opens a bank account remotely, for them online platforms will be the obvious choice when they start trading. This is where these platforms with superb user interface and user experience hope to attract the new traders. We have invested heavily on designing the app, a great user experience has helped us get users rapidly, said Lalit Keshre, cofounder, Groww. Why are Indians interested in trading? Industry insiders have pointed out that information availability is one major factor which is causing new traders to try out stocks. Keshre said that this interest is not only in Indian stocks, but also in American companies, given there is so much information around tech giants like Netflix, Amazon, Tesla and others. Even on social media platforms there is so much content doing the rounds on trading many first time traders are feeling confident to put some money and test the markets. Wealth creation is getting celebrated in the country, which was never the case before, hence many young professionals with disposable income are eager to test the waters, said a founder of a wealth management startup. Again there is a set of new traders who have disposable income and given the pandemic they are spending less. This set of consumers are keen on investing their surplus wealth and trading actively. So does this mean traditional brokers are in trouble? Not really, traditional brokers have their own set of loyal users. Most of them are professional traders, trade daily and are actively involved in the markets. This category of traders might not be keen to move their assets into a startup platform. Also the bank led brokers have their captive customers. These are the bank customers who open demat accounts with the same brokerages as well. But talking about new millennial traders, the traditional players are definitely losing out. No wonder Zerodha which was started in Bengaluru a decade back is the largest trading platform in the country today. As per latest numbers shared by NSE, Zerodha has 19 lakh active traders. Upstox another fintech platform has 7.7 lakh and the other tech broker 5Paisa has 5.6 lakh active traders. Compare this with HDFC Securities with 7.5 lakh active traders. So definitely the new age players are taking a chunk out of the overall business. What about making money in this business? Quiz time. Name one payments startup that is making tons of money. Cant think of one easily? There is Zerodha; it is not only the largest stock broker in the country, it is perhaps also one of the very few fintech startups to be making hundreds of crores of profit on almost Rs 1,000 crore of revenue. That means there is money to be made in broking. The success of Zerodha has inspired a whole generation of entrepreneurs to the sector. While long term investors do not pay brokerage, intra-day trades are chargeable. There is an account opening fee that needs to be paid upfront by traders joining the platform. There is money made in futures and options trades as well. So unlike digital payments and direct mutual funds selling, broking is a cash generating business. This is obviously a major attraction for startups, which generally burn millions of dollars to acquire customers. So what is the catch here? The only catch here is, most cases platforms entice users to join the broking world with the promise of some extra bucks. That is risky. A wealth management startup founder pointed out that how many of these new traders actually understand the risk in trading? Most of these traders are attracted to the proposition of making some quick bucks, but stock markets can erode massive amounts of wealth too. In a country like India where median wages are low and consumption capacity is concentrated only among a few million citizens, the new generation traders should be extremely careful while foraying into markets and only dabble in disposable wealth and not compromise on savings. (CNN) - When an explosion tore through the Lebanese capital on Tuesday afternoon, it wreaked havoc on nearly all of Beirut's quarters. Buildings as far away as 10 kilometers from the site of the explosion were damaged. Shards of glass filled the thoroughfares, and street lights were extinguished by its force. At least 50 people were killed and more than 2,750 wounded, the health minister said, and the city's residents rushed to hospitals to donate blood. "I was on the veranda when the entire neighborhood shook left and right," Bane Fakih, a filmmaker who lives on the western tip of the city, told CNN. "It was very intense. I've never felt fear like this." Sirens screamed as ambulances rushed to collect the injured, many of whom were climbing out of the rubble of their homes. The blast at Beirut's port formed a mushroom cloud and could be heard in the city's furthest outskirts. A giant red cloud hung over the capital as the city's residents -- around four million people -- began to uncover the scale of the damage to their houses, sought treatment for their wounds and frantically called their loved ones to see if they were safe. "Beirut port is totally destroyed," eyewitness Bachar Ghattas told CNN, describing the unfolding scene as something akin to "an apocalypse." "It is very, very frightening what is happening right now and people are freaking out," he said. "The emergency services are overwhelmed." The source of the blast is not yet known. Lebanon's chief of General Security, Abbas Ibrahim, said it was too early to tell, but initial reports by the state run news agency said it was an "accident." The harrowing scenes come after nearly a year of economic and political turmoil that has plunged Lebanon into uncertainty and, according to many experts, brought it to the brink of collapse. Poverty soared to over 50% and scenes of people scavenging garbage dumps for basic necessities have become commonplace. Young people who just months ago staged a popular uprising against the country's political class, widely accused of corruption, desperately searched for a silver lining. "I've never seen Beirut like this before. Beirut today looks like our hearts," said activist Maya Ammar. "We have nothing left. Just when we thought it couldn't get worse, it did." "My family and my loved ones are asking me to go back home because they don't want me to breathe any toxins ... but I can't go back home. I have friends who have lost their homes," she added. "Their homes were completely destroyed. I have to go and help them." This story was first published on CNN.com, "'We have nothing left'" KYODO NEWS - Aug 4, 2020 - 17:45 | World, All, Coronavirus The Philippine government said Tuesday that it has begun clinical trials for Japanese anti-flu drug Avigan to see whether it would be effective in treating COVID-19, the disease caused by the new coronavirus. The trials come as the Philippines is also conducting clinical trials for remdesivir, used in the treatment of Ebola, as well as interferon, an anti-viral agent, to treat COVID-19 patients. The government said earlier that 18 million pesos ($367,000) has been allotted for the Avigan trials, with at least three health care facilities eyed to administer the drugs to 80 to 100 people. Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said last week that the Philippines had received around 199,000 Avigan tablets from Japan so the trials could begin. Science and Technology Secretary Fortunato De La Pena told a press conference on Tuesday that the clinical trials were ongoing. Avigan is an oral anti-viral drug generically known as favipiravir. It is manufactured by a subsidiary of Japanese firm Fujifilm Holdings Corp. COVID-19 cases in the country have seen a sharp spike in recent days, prompting medical groups to call for a return to stricter quarantine measures for two weeks. The total number of COVID-19 cases in the Philippines breached the 100,000 mark on Sunday, making it the country with the second-most cases in Southeast Asia, after Indonesia. In response, the government announced the same day that it will re-impose partial lockdowns in the capital Manila, and nearby cities and provinces. As of Monday, the Philippines had recorded 106,333 cases, including 2,104 deaths. The images such as X-rays and CT scans will be collected at the University of Chicago and be open source, meaning theyll be available to researchers around the world. The mainly virtual center created under the contract with the National Institutes of Health expects to collect more than 10,000 images in its first three months. President Ram Nath Kovind hailed the groundbreaking ceremony in Ayodhya where Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone for Ram temple. Felicitations to all for the foundation laying of Ram Temple in Ayodhya. Being built in tune with law, it defines Indias spirit of social harmony and peoples zeal. It will be a testimony to ideals of RamRajya and a symbol of modern India, he tweeted om Wednesday. Felicitations to all for the foundation laying of Ram Temple in Ayodhya. Being built in tune with law, it defines Indias spirit of social harmony and peoples zeal. It will be a testimony to ideals of RamRajya and a symbol of modern India. President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) August 5, 2020 PM Modi on Wednesday offered prayers and laid the foundation stone for a grand temple at the site believed to be the birthplace of Lord Ram in Uttar Pradeshs Ayodhya. The groundbreaking ceremony marks the formal launch of the temples construction promised by the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) nearly three decades earlier. Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat and Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath were among those who attended the event. The guest list, including religious leaders, was restricted to 175 in view of the Covid-19 crisis. As a priest chanted Sanskrit shlokas and the groundbreaking ceremony got underway, PM Modi and the other dignitaries, all in masks, maintained social distancing and sat a safe distance away from each other. Slogans of Bharat Mataki Jai and Har Har Mahadev went up as the ritual ended and the prime minister laid the foundation of the temple. Bhajans and shlokas were heard as the town, festooned with marigold flowers and yellow and saffron flags, celebrated the beginning of the construction of a grand Ram temple. Roads leading to Ayodhya were adorned with hoardings of the proposed temple and of Ram Lalla, the infant Ram, the deity now housed in a makeshift temple. Most shops were painted in bright yellow. Human trafficking, racism, and youth protection. These were the main issues the commission worked on the previous year, as announced by their activity report. When CCDH started raising awareness on the issue of human trafficking in Luxembourg, there was some disgruntlement. Commission president Gilbert Pregno nevertheless noted that progress has been made and praised the efforts of the ministry of labour, the ITM, and the unions. It is envisioned that economic prosperity and respect for human rights can be balanced out. CCDH also noted that racism remained in issue in Luxembourg. A good starting place for improvement would be individual responsibility and inclusive education in our schools. A project related to youth protection is expected to be launched in the not too distant future, and set to prioritise the protection of children above everything else. Pregno also welcomed news that Luxembourg would no longer conduct examinations of the reproduction organs of refugees arriving in the country. Finally, the president made an appeal for more funding for the centre for equality. YouTuber Jake Paul. Rich Fury/Getty Images Jake Paul's Calabasas mansion was searched by the FBI on Wednesday, the agency said. A representative for the FBI's Los Angeles division said that the warrant affidavit is sealed. Paul, 23, has more than 20 million YouTube subscribers and has come under fire for partying during the COVID-19 pandemic. It's not his first brush with law enforcement. Visit Insider's homepage for more stories. YouTuber Jake Paul's Calabasas mansion was searched by the FBI under a federal search warrant related to an ongoing investigation on Wednesday, the agency confirmed to Insider. A representative for the FBI's Los Angeles division said that the warrant affidavit is sealed, which prohibits the agency from commenting on the investigation. In a statement to Buzzfeed News, a spokesperson for the FBI said the raid was in connection with investigations into a looting at an Arizona mall amid nationwide protests sparked by the death of George Floyd. Paul was charged with criminal trespassing and unlawful assembly after videos showed him at the mall, and he denied that he partook in looting or vandalism in a May 31 tweet. "The FBI is investigating allegations of criminal acts surrounding the incident at Scottsdale Fashion Square in May 2020," the spokesperson said in a statement. "This morning the FBI executed federal search warrants in California and Las Vegas, Nevada in connection with this investigation." The news was first reported by TMZ. The outlet included photos of a law enforcement vehicle and multiple agents in camouflage fatigues approaching the Calabasas home. Overhead footage from ABC 7, a local ABC affiliate station, appeared to show law enforcement officers seizing several firearms from Paul's property. A representative for the Los Angeles Sheriff's Department confirmed to Insider that their agents assisted by transporting seized firearms off the premises, but were otherwise not involved. Story continues ABC7 Eyewitness News (@ABC7) August 5, 2020 Richard Schonfeld, Paul's attorney, told TMZ that Paul was not at home at the time of the raid. "We understand that a search warrant was executed at Jake's Calabasas home this morning while Jake was out-of-state. We are still gathering information and will cooperate with the investigation," Schonfeld said, according to TMZ. Paul, 23, has recently come under fire for flouting social-distancing measures during the COVID-19 pandemic and even received criticism directly from Calabasas Mayor Alicia Weintraub, who told a local Fox affiliate that she was "outraged" over a video of Paul throwing a huge party at his Calabasas mansion in July. Paul's representatives did not immediately return Insider's request for comment. Got a tip? Email this reporter at rgreenspan@businessinsider.com. Read the original article on Insider Today Partly cloudy this evening with more clouds for overnight. Low near 25F. Winds light and variable. Tonight Partly cloudy this evening with more clouds for overnight. Low near 25F. Winds light and variable. Tomorrow Sunshine and clouds mixed. High 51F. Winds light and variable. Philippe Tawileh was with his wife and children watching television after dinner when they heard a blast and felt the house shake. The family of five who live in Byblos (Jbeil), about 40 kilometres north of Beirut in Lebanon, rushed to look out the window but couldnt see anything, Tawileh said in a WhatsApp interview Tuesday night. We felt like an earthquake and we heard the blast. It was very loud, big, huge. Thats when he turned on the news while simultaneously scrolling through his social media to find out what was happening. Tawilehs 22-month-old son, Alexandre, was born in Montreal and is a Canadian citizen. His two other children are nine-year-old Andrew and eight-year-old Adriana. His wife, Rawane Dagher, who is a pediatrician, recently accepted a job at a hospital in Montreal. They are waiting for their documents to immigrate, which have been delayed by the pandemic, he said. His parents and brother live in Quebec. The massive explosion rocked Beirut Tuesday, flattening much of the citys port, damaging buildings across the capital and sending a giant mushroom cloud into the sky. More than 70 people were killed and 3,000 injured, with bodies buried in the rubble, officials said. The blast struck with the force of a 3.5 magnitude earthquake, according to Germanys geosciences centre GFZ, and it was heard and felt as far away as Cyprus more than 200 kilometres across the Mediterranean. Global Affairs Canada said in a statement that it is closely monitoring the tragic situation in Beirut. It has received one request for consular assistance. Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan said a member of the Canadian Forces suffered non-life threatening injuries. We are providing support to the member, Sajjan said in a post on Twitter. I wish them a speedy recovery. The federal government says there are 10,996 Canadians in Lebanon who are registered in the Registration of Canadians Abroad database. However, as registration is voluntary, this is not a complete picture of Canadians in the country. What caused the detonation was not immediately clear. Videos showed what appeared to be a fire erupting nearby just before the blast. Local TV stations reported that a fireworks warehouse was involved. The fire appeared to spread to a nearby building, triggering the more massive explosion, generating a shock wave. A former Montrealer is among those who died in the blast. Nizar Najarian lived many years in Montreal. The businessman had recently returned to his home country to get involved in politics. Aref Salem, a Montreal city councillor, confirmed Najarians passing. Salem, a friend of the victim, said his wife and two children still live in Montreal. His wife left two weeks ago for a visit and his two children will leave tomorrow for the funeral, Salem said in an interview. He was an extremely dedicated man who believed in certain values and he believed in change, Salem said. He had accepted a job in an insecure country, far from his family, because he was a man who had values, but he ended up giving his life for those values. The countrys national news agency reported that Najarian, the secretary-general of the Christian Kataeb party, was in his office at party headquarters about one kilometre from the blast site. Tawileh said Beirut and the surrounding areas have been rocked by explosions every few months. You know in Lebanon, normally we are used to explosions. Now it was new for the kids to hear something that huge. So, they were afraid they were very afraid, he said. They came and asked, what happened there, Daddy? Sounds of police and ambulance sirens filled the air a few minutes after the explosion, he said. It was dusty for a while, adding a strange smell that lingered in the air. Here we are 40 kilometres far, and when we go outside, we can smell a certain chemical smell, something strange. I dont know what it is. Dagher said she rushed to the local hospital minutes after the explosion. The queue outside the ER was shocking, she said, noting some people who were wounded were carrying injured children. With most Beirut hospitals overloaded and others destroyed by the blast, this one took patients coming in from the capital, she said. I have never seen something like this, she said. Even older doctors who outlived many wars in Lebanon have never seen such a dramatic situation. Read more about: NEW YORK, Aug. 5, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Berlin Business Office (BBO), Berlin's representative office in the U.S., recently launched a new website, www.BerlinBusinessOffice.com, to showcase the capital's industry clusters, strategic advantages, talent, news & events, and coordinates. The website offers information about cost-free and confidential location advisory services for U.S. companies expanding to Berlin and for Berlin companies expanding to the U.S. Its valuable insights will help executives and entrepreneurs make well-informed investment decisions. Ramona Pop, Berlin's Mayor and Senator for Economics, Energy and Public Enterprises commented: "Berlin welcomes you! Berlin stands out as an attractive destination for innovative and globally ambitious companies and investors. The new website promotes our exploding start-up scene, highlighting the many reasons that more and more international companies are attracted to the German capital." The website captures the essence of Berlin in many of its design choices. Each page incorporates vibrant images of the city's business, tech, science, and creative communities, with the homepage featuring Berlin's most famous landmark, Brandenburg Gate, a national symbol of peace and unity. While the clean, contemporary fonts represent Berlin's tech scene stylistically, the red theme drawing from Berlin's flag evokes energy, strength, passion and determination. The word bubbles are a nod to the start of new conversations and the furthering of equitable communication. Representing forward movement and advancement are the arrows placed in the website's call to action buttons - Berlin is, after all, always on the move and reinventing itself. "The launch of www.BerlinBusinessOffice.com allows our audience to tap into our economic news, events, success stories and resources that Berlin has to offer," said Kristina L. Garcia, Managing Director, Berlin Business Office. "Our design team at Blue Ion, LLC, Charleston, SC, did an excellent job of using imagery to exemplify the business culture and beauty of Berlin," she added. BBO, responsible for the U.S. market, was established by the Berlin Senate for Economics, Energy and Public Enterprises in September 2019. Services include the provision of information, valuable contacts, and support for specific trade, investment and cooperation opportunities. The office works to maximize Berlin's economic prosperity and global competitiveness by strengthening existing economic relations between Berlin and the United States. Visitors are encouraged to explore the website and sign up for BBO's quarterly newsletter. Kristina L. Garcia, Managing Director Berlin Business Office, New York, NY [email protected] Tel: +1 631-303-8866 SOURCE Berlin Business Office Related Links https://www.berlin.de/ Face shields are fast becoming the hot summer pandemic accessory, spotted more frequently on joggers and workers in restaurants and salons. But are they as effective as cloth masks in protecting against the coronavirus? Short answer: No. Made of a curved plastic panel that is attached to a headband worn over the face, there is plenty to like about these lightweight accessories. Clear shields are generally more comfortable to wear than masks that cover your mouth and nose, especially on hot days. They are reusable and easy to clean. If you wear glasses, they will not cause them to fog up. If you are hard of hearing, they make it possible to read lips and see facial expressions. But experts warn there is not enough evidence to support the efficacy of face shields for general use, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention does not recommend them as a substitute for cloth face coverings. Face shields offer some great benefits, said Dr. Krutika Kuppalli, a Palo Alto infectious disease doctor and a biosecurity fellow with the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security. But were still learning about them in a public setting. In a health care environment, face shields add an extra layer of protection when worn in combination with masks and other personal protective equipment. They are used during surgery or when intubating COVID-19 patients because they protect doctors and nurses from bone fragments, blood or other body fluids. Paul Kuroda / Special to The Chronicle They can reduce the inhalation of large infectious droplets expelled by a cough or sneeze by 96%, according to a simulation study published in the Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene in 2014. But shields do not offer protection from aerosols tiny virus droplets released when we breathe, talk, sneeze or cough that can hang around in the air long enough to cause infection. Those can still penetrate your nose and mouth through the gap the plastic panel leaves around your face. It is not known if face shields provide any benefit as source control to protect others from the spray of respiratory particles, according to the CDC website. The most significant risk comes when someone who is infected wears a shield, which allows them to shed infectious virus particles in the atmosphere. Marcio Jose Sanchez / Associated Press Face shields might even give the people who wear them a false sense of security, especially when they wear the plastic coverings without a cloth mask underneath. Health officials in Switzerland traced a recent outbreak among staff at a hotel in the Graubunden region to hospitality workers who relied solely on plastic face shields. There was not a single infection among employees with a mask, Rudolf Leuthold, head of the cantonal health department in Graubunden, told The Local, an English-language news site in Switzerland. The main advantage of wearing a face shield is that it prevents people from touching their faces, which could be a source of self-contamination. One of the biggest problems with a mask is when people are in a meeting and it becomes hard to understand, they take them off, said Kuppali. That doesnt happen with the shields. When you don't have people constantly putting on and taking off masks, it helps. Now Playing: San Francisco Chronicle's photojournalist Jessica Christian lets us in on how she keeps herself and her subjects safe while doing her job during the coronavirus pandemic. Video: Manjula Varghese / The Chronicle When worn in conjunction with a mask, face shields also provide an additional layer of protection for the eyes. 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. It's not the primary mode of transmission but its potentially a surface you can get an infection, said Dr. Edward Manche, an ophthalmologist at Stanford Health Care. That's why people in a health care setting wear eye protection. Dr. Anthony Fauci, the nations top infectious disease doctor, echoed that message during a recent television interview with ABC in which he supported the idea that people protect their eyes as well as their noses and mouths. It's not universally recommended, but if you really want to be complete, you should probably use it if you can, he said. You should protect all the mucosal surfaces. If you do choose to add a face shield to your pandemic outfit, make sure to find one that wraps around your face and extends below the chin. Disposable face shields should be worn only once. Reusable face shields should be cleaned and disinfected after each use. Californias Department of Public Health stipulates that those who have a medical condition that prevents them from wearing a mask can wear a plastic face shield with a cloth draped across the bottom. The states Department of Education also appears to support the use of enclosed face shields, recommending in its guides to reopening schools that everyone returning to campus wear masks or face shields with the drape. I think it's important to find out more, said Kuppalli. Aidin Vaziri is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: avaziri@sfchronicle.com (Sharecast News) - London stocks had extended gains by midday on Wednesday amid expectations of further coronavirus stimulus in the US, as gold prices hit a new high. The FTSE 100 was up 1.1% at 6,104.62. IG analyst Chris Beauchamp said: "Even the lacklustre FTSE 100 has managed to stage a decent rally of late, and this morning's gains have been helped along by the other big story, that of gold's dizzying ascent to $2,000. "That both equities and the supreme risk-off asset are moving higher just shows how conflicted investors are - they can't avoid being tempted by equities, but they can also read the unending stories of bankruptcies, such as Virgin Atlantic in the US this morning, and the litany of job losses, with WHSmith becoming the latest High Street firm to cut roles, and thus can see the appeal of gold. "But then 2009/10 also saw these two asset classes gain in tandem, so we are not living in an entirely unprecedented world. Then as now the key has been the liquidity provided by central banks, while now markets also look to further government stimulus." All eyes were on the US, as Democrats and Republicans attempt to reach a deal on further stimulus by the end of the week. In equity markets, British Airways and Iberia parent IAG was sitting pretty at the top of the FTSE 100. Precious metals miners Polymetal, Fresnillo and Hochschild were among the top gainers as gold prices hit $2,030 an ounce, rising above $2,000 for the first time. Elsewhere, Hastings surged after it agreed terms on a 1.6bn takeover from a consortium led by Finnish insurer Sampo and its biggest shareholder, Rand Merchant Investment Holdings. The company also reported an increase in first-half profits as higher premium and an improved loss ratio offset the impact of claims inflation due to the pandemic. Coca-Cola HBC was on the front foot as the bottling group reported a decline in first-half profit and revenue as it took a hit from lockdowns but said trading was beginning to recover from April lows. On the downside, Legal & General was under pressure as the insurer left its interim dividend unchanged and reported a 73% fall in first-half profit caused by low interest rates and investment losses. Market Movers FTSE 100 (UKX) 6,104.62 1.14% FTSE 250 (MCX) 17,487.40 1.04% techMARK (TASX) 3,825.52 1.00% FTSE 100 - Risers International Consolidated Airlines Group SA (CDI) (IAG) 189.75p 8.18% Evraz (EVR) 311.50p 5.52% Coca-Cola HBC AG (CDI) (CCH) 2,134.00p 4.97% BP (BP.) 313.75p 4.85% Polymetal International (POLY) 2,019.00p 4.75% Fresnillo (FRES) 1,320.50p 4.39% Kingfisher (KGF) 260.20p 3.71% JD Sports Fashion (JD.) 637.00p 3.41% Antofagasta (ANTO) 1,089.50p 3.27% Glencore (GLEN) 188.32p 3.17% FTSE 100 - Fallers Diageo (DGE) 2,663.50p -2.11% HSBC Holdings (HSBA) 331.00p -1.69% Legal & General Group (LGEN) 217.60p -1.14% Schroders (SDR) 2,941.00p -1.01% Informa (INF) 382.60p -0.96% Mondi (MNDI) 1,410.50p -0.95% NATWEST GROUP PLC ORD 100P (NWG) 112.15p -0.27% Smith (DS) (SMDS) 270.30p -0.15% Pennon Group (PNN) 1,063.00p -0.05% Croda International (CRDA) 5,738.00p 0.00% FTSE 250 - Risers Hastings Group Holdings (HSTG) 252.60p 17.49% Morgan Sindall Group (MGNS) 1,166.00p 12.12% Hochschild Mining (HOC) 305.60p 10.17% Ferrexpo (FXPO) 197.30p 8.71% Babcock International Group (BAB) 280.70p 7.22% Mitchells & Butlers (MAB) 165.80p 6.69% Capita (CPI) 37.12p 6.51% easyJet (EZJ) 587.40p 6.49% Centamin (DI) (CEY) 224.00p 5.76% UDG Healthcare Public Limited Company (UDG) 746.50p 5.51% FTSE 250 - Fallers Hammerson (HMSO) 55.62p -7.36% Rank Group (RNK) 137.60p -3.91% HGCapital Trust (HGT) 251.00p -3.46% C&C Group (CCR) 226.50p -3.00% Oxford Instruments (OXIG) 1,362.00p -2.71% Cineworld Group (CINE) 37.64p -2.23% Close Brothers Group (CBG) 1,096.00p -1.88% PPHE Hotel Group Ltd (PPH) 1,060.00p -1.85% Euromoney Institutional Investor (ERM) 797.00p -1.85% Network International Holdings (NETW) 422.60p -1.72% Advertisement Britain's coronavirus outbreak is still growing as officials recorded another 892 cases today causing the average daily number of infections to shoot up again. Department of Health bosses say 820 Britons are now being struck down with the life-threatening virus every day, on average. The rate has been rising since dropping to a four-month low of 546 on July 8. The figures add to mounting fears of a second wave in Britain, with Prime Minister Boris Johnson understood to be 'extremely concerned' about cases bubbling up in the UK and in other European nations that have relaxed tough lockdown measures. France today warned it could lose control of Covid-19 'at any moment'. But the number of patients being admitted to hospital has yet to spike, bolstering claims from top scientists that the outbreak is not getting worse and cases are only rising because more patients are being tested. Just 109 coronavirus patients were admitted for NHS care across the UK on August 2 a figure which has barely changed throughout July. During the darkest days of Britain's crisis in April, around 3,500 patients were needing hospital treatment every day. Officials also announced another 65 coronavirus deaths today taking the official number of victims to 46,364. Around 58 Brits are now succumbing to the life-threatening infection each day, on average. For comparison, 89 laboratory-confirmed Covid-19 deaths were registered yesterday and 83 were recorded last Wednesday. It comes as Aberdeen today became the latest city to be put back into lockdown as pubs, cafes and restaurants were shut. Officials last week imposed tough new restrictions on 4.5million people living in Greater Manchester and parts of Lancashire and Yorkshire to curb spiralling coronavirus rates. In other developments today: Britain's jobs bloodbath continued with hundreds of jobs axed at high street giants WH Smith and M&Co, meaning the number of workers facing redundancy as a result of the Covid crisis is now above 100,000; One of Britain's leading hair loss clinics reported a link between Covid-19 and hair loss after survivors complained the disease caused their locks to fall out in clumps three months after their battle; Ministers batted away calls for face coverings to be worn in schools when they reopen next month after pleas from unions to reconsider the guidance; Delaying quarantine measures at the border was a 'serious mistake' that allowed 10,000 infected people into the UK accelerated the virus spread, a major report by MPs warned. ABERDEEN IS PUT BACK INTO LOCKDOWN Aberdeen was today put back into lockdown as pubs, cafes and restaurants were shut and people were banned from travelling more than five miles from their homes. Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said 54 infections have now been reported in the outbreak - double yesterday's figure - and all indoor and outdoor hospitality venues were ordered to close by 5pm today. She said the rise in cases heightens fears the Scottish Government is 'dealing with a significant outbreak in Aberdeen that may include some community transmission'. Residents were told not to enter each other's houses. It comes a day after the Queen and Prince Philip landed at Aberdeen Airport where they were met by a driver and whisked off to the Balmoral estate, which is roughly an hour away. Their staff in Scotland have been quarantined for two weeks to minimise the Covid risk, and the couple are expected to stay there until early October. The Aberdeen lockdown also comes just six days after parts of the North West of England were also put back under restrictions, with 4.5million people in Manchester facing 100 fines if they breach the rules. Advertisement Department of Health chiefs today announced that another 892 people tested positive for the virus, taking the rolling seven-day average to 820. For comparison, the rate was 802 yesterday which was the first time it had topped 800 in more than a month. The rate has been on the up for over a fortnight amid growing fears of a resurgence. Government statistics show the official size of the UK's outbreak now stands at 307,184. But the actual size of the outbreak is estimated to be in the millions, based on antibody testing data. Professor Carl Heneghan, director of Oxford University's Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine, this week claimed Covid-19 cases aren't actually rising despite government figures showing an upwards trend. He said the rising infection rates are down to more people being tested, pointing to data showing the number of pillar two tests carried out each day rose by 80 per cent over the course of July to around 80,000. The deaths 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. And the figure 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 and Northern Ireland are out of sync. 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'. But the fatality curve is no longer flattening as quickly as it was, with the rolling seven-day average number of daily deaths having been in the sixties since July 18. It can take infected patients several weeks to die, meaning any spike in deaths won't be immediately apparent in government figures. NHS England today declared 13 victims in hospitals across the country. Wales recorded two in all settings. No fatalities were registered in Scotland or Northern Ireland. Separate figures released yesterday revealed overall deaths in England and Wales are still below the number usually expected at this time of year, based on an average from the previous five years. It comes as Aberdeen was today put back into lockdown as officials announced pubs, cafes and restaurants will shut and people will be banned from travelling more than five miles from their homes. Large crowds of revellers gather outside Soul Bar on Union Street in Aberdeen city centre on Saturday evening The warning came as authorities grapple with a sharp increase in fresh cases which has seen more than 7,000 new infections within the last week (graphic showing growing number of daily coronavirus cases in France) The country also reported 29 new coronavirus-related deaths which takes the confirmed total to 30,265 since the pandemic began - one of Europe's highest death tolls (graphic showing growing number of daily coronavirus deaths in France) FRANCE COULD LOSE CONTROL OF COVID-19 'AT ANY MOMENT' France could lose control of its coronavirus outbreak at any time, according to the country's top scientific body. The scientific committee warned that a second wave was highly likely in a report published by the Health Ministry's website on Tuesday. It said that the situation was 'under control, but precarious. We could at any moment tip into a scenario that is less under control.' The warning came as authorities grapple with a sharp increase in fresh cases which has seen more than 7,000 new infections within the last week as well as a rise in the number of people being treated for the disease in intensive care. The global coronavirus death toll has now topped 700,000. Advertisement Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon ordered all indoor and outdoor hospitality venues to close by 5pm today because of a cluster of 54 cases. She said the rise in cases heightens fears Scotland is 'dealing with a significant outbreak in Aberdeen that may include some community transmission'. Residents were told not to enter each other's houses. It comes a day after the Queen and Prince Philip landed at Aberdeen Airport where they were met by a driver and whisked off to the Balmoral estate, which is roughly an hour away. Their staff in Scotland have been quarantined for a fortnight to minimise the Covid risk, and the couple are expected to stay there until early October. The Aberdeen lockdown also comes just six days after parts of the North West of England were also put back under restrictions, with 4.5million people in Manchester facing 100 fines if they breach the rules. In other developments in Europe today, officials in France warned the country could lose control of its coronavirus outbreak at any time. The country's top scientific body conceded that a second wave was highly likely. It said the situation was 'under control but precarious', adding: 'We could at any moment tip into a scenario that is less under control.' The warning came as authorities grapple with a sharp increase in fresh cases which has seen more than 7,000 new infections within the last week as well as a rise in the number of people admitted to intensive care. If Don Carlos were still around, he would no doubt smile to see the nearly 20 CD Tire shops operating between Natalia and Converse, with most of them on the West Side of San Antonio. The original store, which Carlos Demetrio Terrazas himself opened in 1976 in an old laundromat at West Commerce and Colorado streets, still sells new and used tires, and fixes flats. With a loud yellow paint job and bright red lettering making it hard to miss, the corner shop also offers mechanical, alignment, muffler and other automotive services. Kin Man Hui /Staff photographer Almost all the other CD Tire shops are owned by kinfolk of Don Carlos who appreciate the goodwill that the name brings. He was proud of it, that he helped his family this way. They grew up very poor in Mexico, so it meant a lot to him, said his daughter Gabriela Rodriguez. On ExpressNews.com: Lucien Campbell: Pioneering attorney for the indigent There is, of course, an occasional downside to having your family business name spread all over town. A lot of people think we own all of these, so if they have a problem somewhere, they come to us to complain, said Enrique Rodriguez, 42, her husband. Cheap tires, like tacos and pan dulce, are among lifes essentials on the citys West Side. At CD Tire, you still can get a used tire for as little as $35. But selling them and fixing flats is a low-tech, low-margin, labor-intensive enterprise, with a hungry competitor, it sometimes seems, on every corner. Don Carlos recipe for success was based on goodwill, reliable service and low prices. Eventually he became a pillar of the near West Side business community, providing steady jobs for entry-level workers, welders and mechanics. Most of the shops current workforce of 10 is from Mexico. Patience is the mother of progress. Impatience is the mother of failure, Don Carlos told a reporter for La Prensa in 2009. And when he died two years later at age 69, it cost $5 to have a flat fixed at CD Tire, only two bucks more than when he opened in 1976. Only recently did the price climb to $10, in part because of the business slowdown caused by the coronavirus pandemic, but still a bargain compared with corporate chain stores that often charge twice as much or more. On ExpressNews.com: At Kenneys Food Store, the friendships go back decades According to Enrique, regular customers come from as far away as Boerne and New Braunfels. Some local patrons who go back decades still recall the founder with fondness. I have been coming here for 40 years, and I knew Carlos well. He helped a lot of people, even if they didnt have money, said Ruben Ceniceros, 61, stopping by to get a flat fixed for his Ford pickup. They give very good service, he noted before driving away. Kin Man Hui /Staff photographer CD Tire is also a favorite among the owners of oversized, tricked-out pickups who come for lifts, fancy wheels and huge tires. The companys Facebook page is a virtual gallery of before-and-after pickup photos posted by happy customers. Enrique started working at the tire shop in 2001, but only after putting a ring on one of Don Carlos daughters. I was dating him and I asked my dad if he could work here, but he said, once you are married, yes, recalled Gabriela. My dad left us here to run the place, and he opened two other shops. He sold it to us in 2005, she said. Enrique said the business has evolved and expanded away from tires, but still sticks to Don Carlos model. One thing he has tightened up on is credit. A lot of people would ask him for credit. Hed give it to them, but they wouldnt pay him back. We still have a whole stack of notes that they didnt repay, he said. I still give credit, but I have to know them, he added. Kin Man Hui /Staff photographer On ExpressNews.com: After 70 years, San Antonio barber says its time to hang up his shears Gabriela said her father, who came from Coahuila, Mexico, to the U.S. at age 16, started out working construction. He opened the shop with a $900 loan from a family member, knowing little about tires or running a business. After the arrival of his sixth daughter, still with no sons, his wife told him that he should have opened a flower shop, his daughter recalls. Gabriela said her father never looked at other tire shops as competitors, believing there was enough business for everyone. He used to say, The sun rises for everyone, she recalled. In fact, she said, her father willingly helped his employees open their own tire businesses. One of them was Emilio Cordero, 43, who welded mufflers for Don Carlos for years before leaving. He now owns Corderos Tire and Muffler, a few miles to the west on Commerce. He treated us very well. He tried to resolve problems, and he tried to keep you working there, Cordero said. When I opened this shop, he taught me how to run a business. And when it was slow at first and I wanted to close it, he gave me support, and told me to keep going, he recalled. On a recent weekday morning, a longtime CD Tire customer named Jose stood waiting for his silver Chrysler 300 to get an alignment. Kin Man Hui /Staff photographer A couple of months ago, he said, the shop installed new steering and suspension parts, but the car was now pulling to the drivers side. This is my third car that Ive been bringing here, so I guess its been about 18 years, he said, declining to give his last name. I could take it to any mechanics shop in town, but they are trustworthy here. They know what to do to make the customer come back, he said. John MacCormack is a staff writer in the San Antonio and Bexar County area. To read more from John, become a subscriber. JMacCormack@express-news.net | Twitter: @JohnMacCormack SOFIA (Reuters) - The head of the political office of Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borissov, Denitsa Zheleva, who had tested positive for coronavirus late on Thursday, was on the Balkan country's team at the EU summit earlier this week, a government spokeswoman said on Friday. The delegation returned to Bulgaria on Tuesday afternoon. (Reporting by Tsvetelia Tsolova; Editing by Hugh Lawson) Tropical Storm Isaias damaged several United States Postal Service vehicles as well as USPS property on Tuesday, including a mail truck in Wyckoff that was flattened by a massive, falling tree. The employee was not hurt, a USPS spokesman said Tuesday. A witness said the driver was not in the mail truck. There were no major injuries in the other incidents either, according to USPS spokesman George Flood. The mashed mail truck was one of countless examples of property damage in Bergen County and around the state caused by the fast-moving storm. A photo taken in nearby Ridgewood shows a large portion of a residential propertys front lawn ripped out of the ground, which dislodged a tree and sent into into the house. Hundreds of thousands of homes and businesses remain without power Wednesday afternoon. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. Jeff Goldman may be reached at jeff_goldman@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JeffSGoldman. Find NJ.com on Facebook. The Member of Parliament for the Ketu South Constituency, Fiifi Fiavi Kwetey, has described President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo as a dishonest leader who is desperate for power following his denial of the attacks at NDCs strongholds. According to the lawmaker the presidents lack of knowledge about intimidation by security personnel at registration centers across the country manifests the governing NPPs desperation to hold on to political power. President Nana Akufo-Addo in his address to Islamic worshipers at the Kumasi Central mosque last Friday said, the registration exercise in Ashanti region and other areas has been very peaceful, hence he has not heard about any intimidation being perpetrated by the opposition. But reacting to the comments by the president, the MP for Ketu South disclosed that the presidents desperation for power emanates from actions from the past. Im not surprised at all because if you know the history of Akufo-Addo in 2008, when things were becoming hot for him, people in his party were making plans to come and put dead bodies in water bodies in the Volta Region. So there is already a long history that whenever he is desperate for power, the first group of people that he thinks about in terms of attacking are the people who come from the Volta region, which is totally unfortunate, he said. FiiFi Kwetey added that the presidents denial of the deployment of military personnel to NDC strongholds is an indication of Akufo-Addos lack of integrity. For him to be denying, for me, is just letting the world know that not only are we dealing with people who are desperate for power but they also dont even have the honesty to accept the wrong things in order for them to correct the wrong thing here, he added. Source: ghanaweb.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video [The stream is slated to start at 2:30 p.m. ET. Please refresh the page if you do not see a player above at that time.] New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo is set to deliver remarks at the annual summer meeting of the bipartisan National Governors Association. Cuomo, who is vice chair of the organization, will speak virtually from Albany. Republican Gov. Larry Hogan of Maryland, the current NGA chair, is expected at the meeting to hand leadership of the association over to Cuomo, a Democrat. Gov. Asa Hutchinson, an Arkansas Republican, is set to become vice chair. Cuomo, whose state was previously considered the epicenter of the coronavirus pandemic in the U.S., has been among the most vocal and visible state leaders throughout the crisis. More deaths from Covid-19 have been recorded in New York than in any other state. More than 4.78 million coronavirus cases, as well as at least 157,266 deaths, have been confirmed in the U.S., according to data from Johns Hopkins University. Subscribe to CNBC on YouTube. Calif. AG files new child rape charges against leader of 1M-member church La Luz del Mundo Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment New charges of child rape were filed against Naason Joaquin Garcia, leader of the La Luz del Mundo megachurch, four months after an appeals court dropped a criminal case against him. California Attorney General Xavier Becerra refiled the charges this week and added at least six additional felony charges each against the 51-year-old leader of the Mexico-based church which claims to have a membership of more than a million globally and the 37-year-old co-accused, Alondra Ocampo, the Los Angeles Times reported. The new complaint includes 36 felony charges for alleged crimes that occurred between June 2015 and April 2018. Prosecutors alleged that Garcia, who is known among his congregants as an apostle of Jesus Christ, committed sex crimes against five women and girls, according to KTLA5. The earlier complaint that had been dropped in April included more than two dozen felony charges, including human trafficking, production of child pornography, and rape of a minor. Garcias 25-year-old assistant Susana Medina Oaxaca is also facing charges but was released on bail. Azalea Rangel Melendez, another accused, remains at large as authorities have not been able to locate her, the LA Times reported. While the earlier case against him was dismissed, Garcia has remained in custody since June 2019. When Garcia was arrested last year, his congregation was standing by him and dismissed the allegations as false. The apostle of Jesus Christ has always adhered to the law and demonstrated full respect to governmental institutions and the dignity of all persons. The church categorically rejects each and every allegation made against him, the church said in a statement at the time. We trust in the principles of justice that govern our legal system in the United States and specifically in the state of California. Our legal system establishes a presumption of innocence that is guaranteed to all persons; which establishes that all persons are innocent until proven guilty, it added. A group of girls were told that if they went against Garcias desires, they were going against God, according to the earlier criminal complaint. Children were told to perform flirty dances for Garcia while wearing as little clothing as possible. Garcia also once gave a group of children a speech about a king having mistresses and stated that an apostle of God can never be judged for his actions. In last years hearing, a witness told the court that the church leader had pornography material that depicted the crimes, the Times reported. Crimes like those alleged in this complaint have no place in our society. Period, Becerra said at the time. We must not turn a blind eye to sexual violence and trafficking in our state. At the California Department of Justice, we will do everything we can to prevent and combat these heinous crimes so that our communities are safe. If you see something, report it and we will vigorously pursue justice. A 1995 study described La Luz Del Mundo as a Pentecostal movement that takes elements from Mexican culture as well as the dominant Catholic culture. It also described the church as being authoritarian with strategic ties to Mexican politics. 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. SACRAMENTO, Calif., Aug. 5, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Lozano Smith, LLP, California's leading education and public agency law firm, is pleased to welcome Roman Munoz to the firm's Sacramento office. Over his notable 20-year career, Roman has served on behalf of school districts, the California State Senate, and statewide education associations. "We are very excited to welcome Roman Munoz to Lozano Smith," said Karen Rezendes, Managing Partner of Lozano Smith. "Roman is a highly-respected, talented, and experienced attorney. He has a proven track record of successfully advising public agencies and public education leaders. His life's work has been to help these leaders improve and enhance our communities and public schools. We are confident that our clients will benefit from his statewide experience and expertise." Roman Munoz, senior counsel, primarily focuses on labor and employment law. He regularly advises governing boards and public agencies on a variety of legal matters, including labor relations, employee discipline and dismissal, employment litigation, contract administration, employee benefits, reductions in force, grievance arbitration, unfair labor practice proceedings, and board policies. "Furthering educational opportunities has always driven me to provide counsel that creates positive impacts for staff, students and communities," said Roman Munoz. "I look forward to continuing serving clients as part of Lozano Smith's established culture that shares an aligned commitment to our education community." In addition to his legal practice, Roman served as a founding member of the Plaza Youth Advantage Program, a program that provides mentors for at-risk youth living in East Los Angeles. He also served as a non-commissioned officer in the United States Army. Roman earned his law degree from the University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law, and he successfully completed the Program on Negotiation at Harvard University. About Lozano Smith Lozano Smith is a full-service education and public agency law firm serving hundreds of California's K-12 and community college districts, and numerous cities, counties, and special districts. Lozano Smith has offices in eight California locations: Sacramento, Walnut Creek, Fresno, Monterey, Bakersfield, San Luis Obispo, Los Angeles, and San Diego. For more information, visit www.LozanoSmith.com or find us on Facebook or Twitter . You can also subscribe to our podcast or download the Lozano Smith App . Contact: Andy Garcia Executive Director 559.431.5600 [email protected] SOURCE Lozano Smith Related Links http://www.lozanosmith.com BOGOTA - Hero or villain? In Colombia, former President Alvaro Uribe is both. The rift over Uribe, and the broader rift in Colombian society, born of generations of violence that diminished with a 2016 peace accord with rebels, flared after the ex-leader was placed under house arrest in an alleged witness tampering case. Adding to the drama, a spokesperson for Uribes Democratic Center party said Wednesday that Uribe had tested positive for the new coronavirus. The representative gave the information on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the matter. A medical team had visited Uribe for 20 minutes earlier in the day. Colombian media reported he was in good health. The court ruling to detain 68-year-old Uribe, still a political force even though he left the presidency a decade ago, exposed the strain in a Latin American democracy divided over who should be held to account for alleged crimes tied to Colombias brutal history. It comes at a difficult moment for Colombia as it tries to contain the coronavirus while enduring the harsh economic fallout of its monthslong lockdown. Now were going to add greater political polarization, said Juan Manuel Charry, a Colombian lawyer and constitutional analyst. He said the court ruling breaks a long historical tradition in which, even if ex-presidents of the republic were put on trial, none was detained preventively. His detractors said the courts decision Tuesday should be respected pending the investigation of Uribe, a senator who denies any wrongdoing. Nobody is above the law, tweeted Bogota Mayor Claudia Lopez, a critic of Uribe who as a researcher had previously investigated collusion between politicians and paramilitary groups. As president, Uribe was known as an austere hardliner whose U.S.-backed military successes against rebels catapulted him to huge popularity during his 2002-2010 tenure. His detention stemmed from his alleged links to paramilitary groups, which were organized by landowners, sometimes with the complicity of the state, to fight guerrillas who espoused a leftist ideology while often resorting to kidnapping and extortion. The result was a vicious bloodletting in which civilians were usually the victims of human rights violations, carried out in murky circumstances by any number of armed groups. The ruling Tuesday infuriated Uribe supporters who wondered why he was being targeted while former leaders of the rebel Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, known by its Spanish acronym FARC, remain free and even enjoy representation in the congress under an amnesty deal. Those supporters include President Ivan Duque, a man groomed for leadership by Uribe and whose denunciations of the court ruling put public pressure on an ostensibly independent judicial system that has struggled with internal corruption over the years. Theres a trial that will have to take place, but the minimum that a society can expect in a situation like this, with someone who has served Colombia, is that he can defend himself as a free man, Duque said Wednesday in an interview with Colombias RCN radio. Duque, who had described terms of the 2016 peace deal with the FARC as too lenient, compared Uribes predicament to that of an ex-rebel leader known as Jesus Santrich, who apparently fled last year after Colombias Supreme Court ordered his release from prison on the basis that he had limited immunity as a lawmaker. Santrich was wanted in the U.S. on charges of conspiring to traffic cocaine, a crime he allegedly committed after the peace deal. Santrich is simply a criminal, while Uribe is not a flight risk who has collaborated with the judicial process against him, Duque said. Uribe is being investigated for allegedly bribing a former paramilitary member to retract damaging allegations against him. The case stems from accusations by Sen. Ivan Cepeda, who contends that Uribe was a founding member of a paramilitary group in his home province during the decades-long civil conflict involving government forces, rebels and paramilitary bands that left hundreds of thousands dead, displaced or missing. Now Uribe is battling in the courts. His lawyer, Jaime Granados, said he is innocent. ___ Torchia reported from Mexico City. Israel have conducted an aerial attack against Syrian military targets in southern Syria, following attacks in the Golan Heights reports Al-Araby Al-Jadeed. Israeli fighter jets, attack helicopters and other warplanes late Monday struck Syrian military targets in southern Syria, a day after thwarting an attack in the Golan Heights, the Israeli army said. The targets struck include observation posts and intelligence collection systems, anti-aircraft artillery facilities and command and control systems in SAF (Syrian Armed Forces) bases, the army said in statement. Syrian state media said Syria had activated its air defenses against hostile targets near the capital Damascus. The Israeli army said earlier it had killed four men laying explosives late Sunday near the Israeli-occupied sector of the Golan Heights, the latest security incident on the tense northern borders. The Israel Defense Forces confirmed the incident prompted the air strikes. In response, a short while ago, IDF fighter jets, attack helicopters and aircraft struck military targets in southern Syria, belonging to the Syrian Armed Forces, the IDF said in a statement. The IDF holds the Syrian government responsible for all activities on Syrian soil, and will continue operating with determination against any violation of Israeli sovereignty, it said. Tensions are already high between bitter rivals Israel and Syria. Last month, Israeli army helicopters struck military targets in southern Syria in retaliation for earlier munitions fire towards Israel. Israel did not directly blame Syrian forces for the munitions fire, but said it held the Damascus government responsible. The Syrian Observer has not verified the content of this story. Responsibility for the information and views set out in this article lies entirely with the author. The Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL) will from today, shut down the Kpong Treatment Plant that serves water to the north eastern parts of Accra for repair works. As a result, water supply will be interrupted from 6 a.m. today to 6 a.m. tomorrow, August 6, 2020. A statement by the company said communities to be affected include Dodowa, Frafraha, Adentan, Ogbojo, Madina, Ashaley Botwe, Adjiringanor, East Legon, Agbogba, Haatso, Atomic, Ashongman, Dome and other surrounding communities. The management of GWCL, therefore, wishes to inform members of the general public, as well as institutions or organisations within the affected areas, to bear with the situation and store enough water ahead of the shutdown, a release signed by the Chief Manager in charge of Public Relations and Communications, Mr Stanley Martey, said. The statement gave an assurance that engineers of the company would work within schedule and that supply would resume immediately when works were completed. Background The Kpong treatment plant in 2010 underwent some expansion works to increase supply of water from 40 million gallons to 80 million gallons a day. The project was undertaken by Messrs China Gezhouba and Power Group Company Limited and was completed in December 2014 ahead of the scheduled contractual completion date of June 2015. The cost of the project was $273 million. Parliament approved a $260 million preferential buyer's credit agreement between the Government of Ghana and China through the Exim Bank of China. The scope of works for the project included the construction of a new 353,000 cubic metre per day intake, expansion of the treatment plant to 250,000 cubic metre per day and construction of new transmission mains through Dodowa, Adentan to the Accra Booster Station. Other works involved the provision of dedicated electricity supply, distribution improvement and construction of terminal reservoirs at Madina, Boi and Okponglo. The project has improved the water situation in its supply areas such as Adentan, Madina, Kwabenya, Ashongman, North, East and West Legon, Ashaley Botwe, Haatso, Dome and surrounding areas. Source: Graphic.com.gh Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Later this month, senior US and Chinese trade officials will meet - probably virtually - to consider Chinas compliance with the trade truce signed in January that ended the escalation of the Trump's trade war on China. It could be an awkward discussion. The talks, led by US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer and Chinas Vice Premier Liu He, will occur against the backdrop of a series of new and wide-ranging points of tension in the relationship between the world's two largest economies as the US and China edge ever closer towards a new cold war. While the trade tussle that dominated much of last year has taken a back seat to some of the more recent issues -- most recently the US decision to force a sale of Chinas biggest and most internationally successful start-up, social media app TikTok the potential for it to flare up again is increasing as the US election nears and Donald Trump focuses more intensely on the constituencies the trade conflict was supposed to appeal to. The South Lawn, which can be subject to intense heat and afternoon thunderstorms in late August, is one of several sites under consideration for the week of festivities, including the Trump International Hotel in D.C., which the president leases from the federal government, officials said. Any costs incurred by the government to host the events would be repaid, said the Republican, who, like others, spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss internal deliberations. Researchers from University of Mannheim and University of Texas - Austin published a new paper in the Journal of Marketing that examines the nature and effectiveness of marketing excellence as a business strategy. The study addresses two fundamental questions: How do managers understand and exercise marketing excellence? and How do investors evaluate marketing excellence? The study, forthcoming in the Journal of Marketing, is titled "Marketing Excellence: Nature, Measurement, and Investor Valuations" and is authored by Christian Homburg, Marcus Theel, and Sebastian Hohenberg. In one study, the research team conducted 39 in-depth interviews with senior managers of global companies and augmented the data with secondary data on 150 firm strategies, applying the theories-in-use methodology. Findings reveal that marketing excellence is a strategy focused on achieving organic growth by executing three priorities: marketing ecosystem, end-user, and marketing agility. The marketing ecosystem priority is a firm's strategic means of growing the business by developing mutually beneficial networks in the proximal and distal firm environment. The end-user priority promotes engaging with the final customers who apply or consume the firm's offering and leveraging the final customer insights for growing the business. Finally, the marketing agility priority facilitates the execution of growth activities by the marketing organization and its members through simplified structures and processes, fast decision making, and trial and error learning. "What we have done," explains Homburg, "is expose the components of marketing excellence and advance the understanding of what marketing excellence is. This insight can guide managers about where they can invest in marketing excellence and how to communicate marketing excellence to internal and external stakeholders." The second study quantifies the impact of marketing excellence on firm value (i.e., investors' expectations of future cash flows) and compares that effect with the effects of other marketing strategy concepts such as market orientation and marketing capabilities. Using 8,317 letters to shareholders from 1,727 annual reports between 1998 and 2016, the researchers measured marketing excellence with two methods, a machine learning algorithm and an original dictionary, and then assessed the impact of marketing excellence on firm value. The machine learning algorithm (4.80%) and the original dictionary (8.58%) had one-year abnormal returns significantly higher than benchmark portfolios. These performance metrics are even higher in the period from 2014 to 2017 where the marketing excellence portfolio achieved average annual returns of 16.82%, significantly outstripping market orientation and marketing capabilities portfolios (1.95% and 8.53% respectively). These results show that investors value marketing excellence more highly than they value strategies based on market orientation and marketing capabilities. In addition to contributing to marketing academia, study results have important implications for managers and educators. Theel and Hohenberg elaborate, "First, we recommend that managers use the results to coordinate and communicate marketing excellence. For instance, the findings offer guidance for developing marketing excellence checklists and key performance indicators. Second, we recommend that educators use the findings to explain to future managers the strategic role of marketing in driving firms' organic growth." The researchers also recommend that educators develop new courses that align firms' decision fields for growth in terms of the marketing ecosystem, end user, and marketing agility. The research provides educators with direction on the content and scope of such courses. ### Full article and author contact information available at: https://doi.org/10.1177/0022242920925517 About the Journal of Marketing The Journal of Marketing develops and disseminates knowledge about real-world marketing questions useful to scholars, educators, managers, policy makers, consumers, and other societal stakeholders around the world. Published by the American Marketing Association since its founding in 1936, JM has played a significant role in shaping the content and boundaries of the marketing discipline. Christine Moorman (T. Austin Finch, Sr. Professor of Business Administration at the Fuqua School of Business, Duke University) serves as the current Editor in Chief. https://www.ama.org/jm About the American Marketing Association (AMA) As the largest chapter-based marketing association in the world, the AMA is trusted by marketing and sales professionals to help them discover what's coming next in the industry. The AMA has a community of local chapters in more than 70 cities and 350 college campuses throughout North America. The AMA is home to award-winning content, PCM professional certification, premiere academic journals, and industry-leading training events and conferences. https://www.ama.org/ The wolfSSL embedded SSL/TLS library was written from the ground-up with portability, performance, and memory usage in mind. Our benchmarks outshine our competitors because we focus on high quality engineering utilizing latest assembly speedups and highly optimized code. 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Our products are open source, giving customers the freedom to look under the hood. SPRINGFIELD In my years covering Illinois politics, Ive known two men called Public Official A. One is Rod Blagojevich and the other is Mike Madigan. In 2005, years before he was impeached or convicted of corruption charges, court documents ominously referred to someone as Public Official A. It was the first noticeable stray thread that would eventually lead to the political unravelling of Blagojevich. Last month, federal prosecutors tagged Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan with that moniker in a plea deal with Commonwealth Edison. The giant utility serving Chicago and much of northern Illinois essentially admitted to giving bribes to Madigan. The bribes would be in the form of contracts and jobs at the giant utility that Madigan could dole out to his supporters. In the court documents, Public Official A was identified as the Illinois Speaker of the House, a post held by Madigan. Last month, through a spokesperson, Madigan said he is innocent of wrongdoing. And he has not been charged with a crime. Madigan and Blagojevich have a long and contentious relationship. For nearly eight years, both men faced off over the state budget and legislation. Although Madigan co-chaired the former governors re-election campaign, he later spearheaded the drive to impeach him. Blagojevich is the only Illinois governor to have been removed from office. Because of this, Blagojevich brings a unique perspective to Madigans political machinations and what it is like to be the target of a federal probe. First, what does it mean to be Public Official A? It means they have a target on your back, the former governor told me Monday during a nearly hour-long telephone interview. After serving nearly eight years in prison on corruption charges, Blagojevich was released earlier this year when President Donald Trump commuted his term. The gap between being Public Official A and an inmate is not very long, he said. It may take years; but in the course of a lifetime, its not very long at all. Once they have painted a bullseye on your back, they are out to get you, Blagojevich said. Already, several members of Madigans caucus have called for him to resign. But in a statement issued last week, the House Speaker said, I understand that the last couple of weeks have been difficult for our caucus and party, and I have had many candid conversations with members of the Democratic caucus on this matter. The feedback is positive and demonstrates continued support for me and my leadership roles. I have no plans to resign. Blagojevich said Madigan may be hanging on to the speakership and his position as chairman of the Illinois Democratic Party to be in a better bargaining position. Federal prosecutors pursuing cases against other elected officials have entered into plea agreements where the politician agrees to leave office in exchange for a reduced sentence. He has to hold onto the speakership and the chairmanship of the Democratic Party, Blagojevich said. Its so he can have bargaining chips with the federal prosecutors, so that in the event that he gets indicted, which could very well happen based upon whats happened so far, he has more bargaining chips to deal with when it comes to making a deal. Madigan is the ultimate deal maker here. Madigan spokeswoman Maura Possley declined Tuesday to respond to Blagojevichs statements. Although Blagojevich is a Democrat, since the president commuted his sentence, he has become an enthusiastic Trump supporter, even going so far as to call himself a Trumpocrat. Blagojevich contends Madigan hopes to see presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden defeat Trump so a different federal prosecutor will be appointed for Northern Illinois. If Biden gets elected theyre going to put a Democrat U.S. Attorney in. Madigan would pull strings. And therell be all kinds of back room discussions to try to get a U.S. Attorney who will agree to throw the case out against Madigan. Thats his own path to avoid sinking with the Titanic. Otherwise I think hes really facing a lot of cold dark nights in that North Atlantic. Blagojevich said if the current U.S. Attorney is serious about eventually charging Madigan with crime, he may seek to act sooner rather than later because of the possibility of an administration change. But when pressed, Blagojevich concedes he doesnt know for sure if there is sufficient evidence to charge the House Speaker. Blagojevich added federal prosecutors very well may now be putting pressure on those around Madigan. Its been my unhappy experience of being a Public Official A. It is not a good place to be. You learn very early on and very quickly who your friends are. They get squeezed so hard and treated so mercilessly, just to get them to bend and break against you. My own experience tells me that no one withstands that pressure. Sooner or later, theyre going to abandon ship. And the captain is going to be left with the Titanic to sink all by himself. Scott Reeder is a veteran statehouse journalist and a freelance reporter; his email is scottreeder1965@gmail.com. Six local Catholic schools informed parents Tuesday that they would delay the start of classes and add a remote learning option. The Omaha Catholic Consortium said in a letter to parents that classes would start the week of Aug. 31 for Holy Cross, Our Lady of Lourdes, St. Bernadette (in Bellevue), Sts. Peter and Paul, St. Thomas More Schools and the Consortiums Dual Language Academy. The Omaha Catholic Consortium expects to provide information later this week on how to sign up for remote learning, said Chris Nelson, the executive director. Catholic schools across the Omaha Archdiocese are making individualized decisions on how to proceed, said Tim McNeil, chancellor and spokesman for the archdiocese. There are 70 schools across 23 counties in the diocese, so their circumstances vary significantly, he said. Some schools have decided to provide entirely in-person instruction and some are doing a hybrid of in-person and remote, he said. Nelson said the consortium had surveyed parents and found that half of those who responded wanted a full face-to-face return and the other half were split among those who wanted remote learning and those who would consider it. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 5) The United Nations and its humanitarian partners announced on Tuesday a 6-billion humanitarian response aid plan for the marginalized sector of the country direly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. The Humanitarian Country Team (HCT) COVID-19 Response Plan is the largest humanitarian aid plan given by the UN to the country since the onslaught of Super Typhoon Yolanda in 2013. In a statement, the UN said the response plan aims to provide critical health interventions and multi-sectoral humanitarian assistance to 5.4 million marginalized Filipinos living in poor, urban areas. The program will also target the safety of women and girls. The HCT response plan will also support the national government in addressing the most immediate challenges related to health, food security, water and sanitation, and risk communication among others. The pandemic is challenging the capacity of response of any single country in the world. Our role is to make best use of our global knowledge and resources to join Governments efforts to contribute to the safety and well-being of the Filipino people, said Gustavo Gonzalez, UN resident coordinator and humanitarian coordinator in the Philippines. Around 50 country-based UN and non-governmental partners are contributing to the HCT response plan. Some 23 percent of the response plan has been mobilized so far, according to the UN. The UN-initiated COVID-19 response plan will be implemented until the end of the year, but it will be updated as needs resulting from the pandemic change. As we work together to support government efforts to contain the virus against the demand to restore the economy, the UN and humanitarian partners will continue to seize opportunities to build greater resiliency, equity and inclusivity, in short, to build forward better, Gonzalez emphasized. The country is also part of the $10.3 billion UN Global Humanitarian Response Plan which supports 63 of the most vulnerable countries to the COVID-19 pandemic. Last July, the Bureau of Treasury announced the country's debt soared past the 9-trillion mark in June as the national government borrowed more for its pandemic response measures. The government has so far secured program loans worth 216.3 billion for coronavirus response, with 130.5 billion from the Asian Development Bank and 85.8 billion from the World Bank. (TNS) Administrators from both Naperville-area school districts Monday defended their decisions to start the school year in September and to have all students do remote learning into October.The changes were made weeks after Naperville District 203 Superintendent Dan Bridges and Indian Prairie District 204 Superintendent Adrian Talley presented a different approach to the return to class: a choice between learning online on a full-time basis or going to school on some days and learning from home on others.Bridges and Talley, speaking to their respective school boards at separate meetings, said information theyve received in the past few weeks caused them to switch the plans.Among the factors raising alarms was the growing number of confirmed COVID-19 cases.District 204 said state figures show that from July 15 to July 28, the positivity rate for the region that includes DuPage County rose from 3.8% to 4.7%. In the region to the south that includes Will County, the rate rose from 4.6% to 6.3%. Both districts have schools in DuPage and Will.These numbers and this trend in a short amount of time gave us cause to rethink our plan, Talley said.District 204 Deputy Superintendent Doug Eccarius said an advisory issued by DuPage County health officials specifically mentioned that the recent cases should be of particular concern because they were occurring as schools were making preparations to reopen.Data shows COVID-19 cases in DuPage County among people ages 10 to 19 increased from 5% of all cases prior to July 1 to 18% as of July 19. Confirmed cases involving people ages 20 to 29 made up 16% of all cases before July 1 to 25% as of July 19.Bridges said district officials worried about the disruption that would result from starting the school year using the hybrid plan of in-person and at-home learning only to be forced to return to full-time remote learning because of shifts in the pandemic.In addition, the administrators cited problems with how they would handle the 14-day quarantine period teachers and students would have to complete if someone in a class tested positive for the coronavirus and the length of time substitute teachers would need to be deployed.Another factor was providing enough teachers to support the students who enrolled in online learning.An Indian Prairie survey conducted earlier in the year showed 24% of parents would pick online learning as their first choice for instruction, but the actual number signed up by July 31 was 45%, Eccarius said.We found our saw ourselves really creating two different schools at the high school level, Talley said.Indian Prairies staffing resources already are one of the lowest among the DuPage County school districts, he said, and stretched too thin to accommodate simultaneous in-school and online learning options.Bridges said District 203 faced a similar problem when they also had more families than expected sign up for online learning.School board members from both school districts were adamant that politics did not play a role in the decisions made nor were they pressured by local education unions to pursue e-learning.The remote learning plan has met with pushback from parents who say students should attend school because of the benefits of in-person learning and praise from those who want their kids to be safe from possible COVID-19 exposure and still receive the same education as students in a classroom.By 4 p.m. Monday, District 203 had received 462 pages of comments from residents expressing their opinions to be shared with the school board later that night.School board members said they had read all the comments, such as those from parents Chris and Lynn Esser, who wrote they were disappointed in-person learning was eliminated. The students do not learn well via a screen or from home. Teachers and students need verbal and non-verbal communicative feedback to ensure optimal learning, they said.Ellen Paik, in an email, thanked the district for deeply caring for the safety and health of our students and our community during this difficult and confusing time.I hope you dont get swayed by uncomfortable pressure but follow the guiding principles of disease transmission and how to protect one another from this pandemic, Paik wrote.Bridges said he understands the plight parents are facing.I have a daughter who will be a high school senior in our district, he said. The decisions I make not only impact you and your kids, they impact my family as well.Unfortunately, we recognize any decision that is made on returning to learn in the fall will not please everyone. We have to accept that as much as we do not like it, there are sacrifices being made by all of us.Community responses were similar in neighboring District 204, where the school board Monday allowed 30 minutes for people to have their say.As a parent of an incoming freshman at Metea Valley High School in Aurora, Brian Palm urged the board to let students and families decide whats best for them. While some prefer the online option to avoid any risk, there are many students that want to take the risk and go and interact with their teachers and interact with other students in the classroom, he said.Talley said besides the comments at the board meeting, the district had received thousands of emails and calls from parents offering their opinions.In addition, the Parent Diversity Advisory Council hosted listening forums in which 600 families participated and raised concerns how District 204 would deal with vulnerable families and students with special needs, council member Karen Zatz said.Talley said it was important that parents know Indian Prairie has worked to create a plan that can be executed with fidelity and reliability.I know for some, they are happy with our plans and for others, they are not, he said. I recognize that we cannot, nor will not be able to please everyone. It is not possible.What I can say, though, is that we will strive to prove this plan will support our students and their academic needs, he said. Photographs of Hiroshima taken after the atomic bomb raid reveal a terrible story. The area destroyed in this single volcano lies in ashes and rubble, with here and there a reinforced wall left sadly standing. A communique issued from the headquarters of General Spaatz announces that four and one-tenth square miles, or 60 per cent., of Hiroshima, which is as large as Brisbane, was wiped out by the bomb. The announcement is based on reconnaissance photographs, which showed additional damage outside the completely destroyed area. Answering a question why Hiroshima, rather than Tokio, was chosen as the first target, an army spokesman replied: Maybe we did not want to risk hitting Government buildings and destroying the people who may make the decision to surrender. Tokio Radios version of the raid said the impact was so terrific that practically all living things, human and animal, were literally seared to death. All the dead and injured were burned beyond recognition. Regulatory News: Pershing Square Holdings, Ltd. (LN:PSH) (LN:PSHD) (NA:PSH) ("PSH") today announced that it has purchased, through PSH's agent, Jefferies International Limited ("Jefferies"), the following number of PSH's Public Shares of no par value (ISIN Code: GG00BPFJTF46) (the "Shares"): Trading Venue: London Stock Exchange Ticker: PSH Date of Purchase: 5 August 2020 Number of Public Shares purchased: 27,465 Shares Highest Price Paid Per Share: 1,866 pence 24.52 USD Lowest Price Paid Per Share: 1,848 pence 24.29 USD Average Price Paid Per Share: 1,855 pence 24.38 USD Ticker: PSHD Date of Purchase: 5 August 2020 Number of Public Shares purchased: 11,062 Shares Highest Price Paid Per Share: 24.51 USD Lowest Price Paid Per Share: 24.51 USD Average Price Paid Per Share: 24.51 USD Trading Venue: Euronext Amsterdam Ticker: PSH Date of Purchase: 5 August 2020 Number of Public Shares purchased: 22,833 Shares Highest Price Paid Per Share: 24.55 USD Lowest Price Paid Per Share: 24.25 USD Average Price Paid Per Share: 24.31 USD PSH will hold these Public Shares in Treasury. The net asset value per Public Share related to this buyback is 36.12 USD 27.60 GBP which was calculated as of 31 July 2020 (the "Relevant NAV"). After giving effect to the above buyback, PSH has 194,094,695 Public Shares outstanding, or 200,069,591 Public Shares calculated on a fully diluted basis (assuming that all Management Shares had been converted into Public Shares at the Relevant NAV). Excluded from the shares outstanding are 16,862,055 Public Shares held in Treasury. The prices per Public Share were calculated by Jefferies. The number of PSH Management Shares and the one special voting share (held by PS Holdings Independent Voting Company Limited) have not been affected. PSH also announces that it has published to its website, in accordance with the EU Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2016/1052, details of transactions in its own shares for the past week. Information is available at https://pershingsquareholdings.com/company-reports/other-materials/. About Pershing Square Holdings, Ltd. Pershing Square Holdings, Ltd. (LN:PSH) (LN:PSHD) (NA:PSH) is an investment holding company structured as a closed-ended fund that makes concentrated investments principally in North American companies. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200805005939/en/ Contacts: Camarco Ed Gascoigne-Pees Hazel Stevenson +44 020 3757 4989, media-pershingsquareholdings@camarco.co.uk THE manufacturing sector clocked up its fastest pace of growth in almost two years in July, rebounding from the worst period of the lockdown. The pace of a recovery that was under way in June accelerated last month, according to AIB's manufacturing Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI). The index tracks growth and decline on index either side of 50 - where a number above 50 indicates expansion. The index rose to 57.3 in July from 51.0 in June, having plunged to a low of 36 in April. Ireland's manufacturing recovery as the lockdown eased is on trend in other countries, according to AIB chief economist Oliver Mangan. "The strong reading for July points to a sharp pick-up in activity, but from a low base in previous months during the lockdown period," Mr Mangan said. Output and new orders both expanded at some of the fastest rates ever recorded by the survey, although the 12-month outlook remained relatively subdued. The manufacturing sector is largely able to operate, unlike swathes of the services sector which remain subject to restrictions including the continued closure of pubs and the quarantine rules for many foreign visitors. Data showed manufacturing activity across the eurozone expanded for the first time since early 2019 last month as demand rebounded after more easing of the restrictions imposed to quell the spread of the coronavirus, a survey showed on Monday. Just over 18 million people have been infected by the coronavirus. But governments around Europe have eased some restrictions that had shuttered vast swathes of the bloc's economy. To offer support to the ravaged economy, the European Central Bank (ECB)has ramped up its stimulus measures and European Union leaders have agreed on a 750bn recovery fund. Still, the economy contracted a record 12.1pc last quarter, official data showed on Friday, although a July Reuters poll predicted 8.1pc growth this quarter. IHS Markit's final euro area Manufacturing Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) bounced to 51.8 in July from June's 47.4 - its first time above the 50 mark that separates growth from contraction since January 2019. An initial "flash" release had it at 51.1. An index measuring output which feeds into a composite PMI due today leapt to 55.3 from 48.9, its highest since April 2018. "Eurozone factories reported a very positive start to the third quarter, with production growing at the fastest rate for over two years, fuelled by an encouraging surge in demand," said Chris Williamson, chief business economist at IHS Markit. "Growth of new orders in fact outpaced production, hinting strongly that August should see further output gains." Forward-looking indicators in the survey were generally more positive. However, policymakers are likely to be concerned that factories again reduced headcount, and at one of the sharpest rates in the survey's 23-year history. The employment index only nudged up to 42.9 from 41.3. "The job numbers remain a major concern, however, especially as the labour market is likely to be key to determining the economy's recovery path," Mr Williamson said. Most economists predict unemployment will rise sharply as government supports fade. Holy Hatch yall, things are about to get hot in here. Central Market has wheeled out the roasters to kick off its 25th annual Hatch Chile Fest today. The fiery festivities run through Aug. 25. Thats a week longer than years past to mark the milestone. New Delhi: Markets ended in green on Tuesday led by massive buying in index heavyweights amid heavy foreign fund inflows and a positive trend in global equities. The BSE Sensex soared 748.31 points or 2.03 per cent higher at 37,687.91, while the NSE Nifty zoomed 203.65 points or 1.87 percent to finish at 11,095.25. Here are Stocks in focus on August 5, 2020 Axis Bank Axis Bank on Tuesday said it has set a floor price of Rs 442.19 per equity share for its proposed Rs 15,000 crore qualified institutional placement (QIP). The board of the bank had last month approved the Rs 15,000 crore fund raise plan. The QIP was okayed by shareholders at the annual general meeting held on July 31, 2020, the bank said. SAIL State-owned SAIL on Tuesday said its total sales grew by about 50 per cent on year to 15.83 lakh tonnes (LT) during July 2020. The company had registered sale of 10.59 LT steel during the same month last year, Steel Authority of India Ltd (SAIL) said in a statement. TCPL Tata Consumer Products Ltd (TCPL) on Tuesday reported 81.78 per cent rise in net profit at Rs 345.55 crore for June quarter helped by increase in demand in some categories. The company posted a net profit of Rs 190.09 crore in April-June a year ago, said TCPL, earlier known as Tata Global Beverages Ltd, in a BSE filing. Sun Pharma Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd on Tuesday announced the launch of Favipiravir, under brand name FluGuard, at Rs 35 per tablet for the treatment of mild to moderate cases of Covid-19 in India. PFS PTC India Financial Services (PFS) on Tuesday reported 69.8 per cent jump in its consolidated net profit to Rs 26.56 crore for the first quarter ended June 30. The financier, which mainly caters to the infrastructure and power sector, had registered net profit of Rs 15.64 crore in the same quarter a year ago. WASHINGTON - The Census Bureau will cease door-knocking and other field activities for the 2020 Census a month earlier than planned, raising concerns among civil rights organizations that the constitutionally required population count will be inaccurate, particularly in its count of minorities and immigrants. The move represents an about-face by the Trump administration, which had originally supported extending the data collection and processing until next year because of the coronavirus pandemic. Critics said the decision, announced late Monday as field activities are underway, was in keeping with broader attempts by the administration to alter the census for partisan gain. "The administration has now done a complete 180 without any warning," Sarah Brannon, managing attorney for the American Civil Liberties Union's Voting Rights Project, said Tuesday. "I think this decision is consistent with the behavior all along in politicizing the census and marginalizing the importance of the census." Rep. Jimmy Gomez, D-Calif., who introduced legislation earlier this year with the Trump administration's backing to push back the deadline, said the administration's efforts to manipulate the results were unprecedented. He also said the maneuver could backfire. Gomez said that if the counting were to be stopped now, for example, it probably would result in his state picking up additional congressional seats. Gomez, who studied census history in graduate school, said it's also possible that by rushing the data collection, the census could also undercount rural areas where the president has a steadfast base of support. "People think that they can manipulate the census, but you never truly know how it's going to turn out if you try to do it," Gomez said. As of Monday, about 93 million households, or nearly 63 percent of the country, have responded to the census. In March, many field activities were shut down because of the pandemic. The Trump administration in April requested four additional months to complete data collection. Field activities, including online and telephone reporting, resumed in June, and the nonresponse follow-up phase was expected to begin in mid-August and run through October. It will now end Sept. 30, and the bureau will submit the population count to the president by Dec. 31. Plans to shut down the count earlier drew fierce criticism from Democrats and civil rights groups, which have pushed back against a broader effort by the Trump administration to change how the population is counted and how the data is used. In 2018, the administration had pushed to include a citizenship question on the census, a move blocked by the Supreme Court last year. "This is another deliberate attempt to undercount communities of color, immigrants, Native Americans, and other hard-to-reach groups," Sen. Brian Schatz, D-Hawaii, said in a statement. He urged Congress to extend the deadlines. "It is clear that the Trump Administration doesn't want an accurate and full count. They want to deprive these communities of both political power and federal dollars for partisan gain." President Donald Trump issued a July 21 memorandum saying undocumented immigrants should be barred from being counted for congressional apportionment. Legal experts say that would be unconstitutional. Census Bureau Director Steven Dillingham issued a statement about 9 p.m. Monday announcing the earlier cessation of field activities, including the self-response option. He also said that monetary incentives would be offered to census takers to encourage them to work at maximum efficiency, and that additional staff would be hired and trained to accelerate data collection and processing apportionment counts ahead of the Dec. 31 deadline. "Of course, we recognize that events can still occur that no one can control, such as additional complications from severe weather or other natural disasters," Dillingham said. The bureau, according to figures released Tuesday, had nearly 84,000 temporary workers assisting with the count during the week of July 19. But there have been reports that some enumerators, fearful of contracting the coronavirus, have quit. Ellen Hoch, 61, of Berwin Heights, Md., said concern about the pandemic led to her decision to quit her job as an enumerator this week. She said she signed up late last year before the pandemic and underwent training. But she has encountered a cumbersome and sometimes confusing process as census takers try to get a population count while protecting themselves from infection. Instead of arranging appointments to meet with the management of assisted-living residences or group homes, she found herself having to go out on cold calls to obtain the data or dropping off mail-in surveys. "One of the questions [during training] was, 'Are you OK going into neighborhoods you're not familiar with?' Back then, I said I don't mind knocking on people's doors," Hock said Tuesday. "But then the pandemic hit, and everything changed." Gomez said he held out hope that the Democratic-controlled House and the Republican-led Senate could still reach a compromise that extended the census deadline until April 2021. "It's really disappointing," Gomez said. "But we're not going to sit back and take it. ... I hope the Republican leadership in the Senate are not so shortsighted as this administration." Rep. Carolyn Maloney, D-N.Y., who chairs the House Committee on Oversight and Reform, introduced additional legislative measures to hold the administration to the previous timeline for field activities. The office of Les Echos newspaper in Dakar was attacked and vandalized by elements of the Moustarchidine Wal Moustarchidati movement on Monday, August 3, following the newspaper's report that Serigne Moustapha Sy had tested positive for coronavirus. The office of Les Echos newspaper in Dakar was attacked and vandalized by elements of the Moustarchidine Wal Moustarchidati movement on Monday, August 3, following the newspaper's report that Serigne Moustapha Sy had tested positive for coronavirus. The Moustarchidine wal Moustarchidati movement came out of the bosom of the Tidian brotherhood. It is a movement that originated in the court of Caliph General, Seydi Aboubacar Sy, in the 1970s. The International Federation of Journalists joins its affiliate, the Union of Information and Communication Professionals (SYNPICS) in condemning this barbaric act and attack on freedom of expression and freedom of the media. According to a press release issued by SYNPICS, at least 7 Machintos computers and a television set were damaged and the office vandalized. The National Executive Bureau (BEN) of SYNPICS expressed its indignation and unreservedly condemns this unspeakable act, which cannot go unpunished in a Republic. " SYNPICS, which is committed to the principles of freedom of expression, strongly condemns these barbaric acts. If the purpose of this attack was to intimidate women and men in the media, it has failed. Journalists who have faced much more serious situations will continue to exercise their duty to inform. " IFJ General Secretary, Anthony Bellanger, said the attack and vandalization of the office of Les Echos Newspaper is a deliberate attack on media freedom and freedom of expression. Such cowardly attacks are nothing more than signs of intimidation and harassment aimed at antagonising the press by those who feel aggrieved by media reports. Those who feel aggrieved by media reports must seek redress through the right channels and not through acts of terrorism. The IFJ joins its affiliate SYNPICS in calling on the Senegalese Government to arrest and prosecute those responsible for this attack. The FCT Police Command on Wednesday said its personnel did not arrest any protesting member of the Revolution Now group at any point in the federal capital territory contrary to insinuations that 62 protesters were arrested. Rather, the Command disclosed that its operatives arrested some persons who violated the COVID 19 protocols which banned the convergence and gathering of people without face masks and those violating social distancing principles. Commissioner of Police, FCT, Bala Ciroma confirmed to Vanguard, however, that all the persons arrested were taken to Eagle Square in compliance with the COVID 19 protocols to appear before a Magistrate and be arraigned for the violations. The said offenders were however let off the hook because the Magistrates that would have presided over their case failed to show up at Eagle Square. Consequently, the CP directed his operatives to issue warnings to the arrested persons that they should desist from further violation of the FCT COVID 19 protocols, after which they were released to go home. Asked why it was during the Revolution Now protest that the Police decided to swing into action and arrest violations of COVID 19 protocols, the CP said, Their arrest had nothing to do with the protest. It is their right to protest as long as they dont disturb the peace and other law-abiding Nigerians. The FCT Command has remained steadfast in ensuring the people follow the COVID 19 protocols and this has resulted in the arrest and prosecution of over 1, 000 persons in the past. So this has nothing to do with any protest. Follow Us on Facebook @LadunLiadi; Instagram @LadunLiadi; Twitter @LadunLiadi; Youtube @LadunLiadiTV for updates Ministers today batted away calls for face coverings to be worn in schools when they reopen next month. Unions have urged the government to reconsider guidance that face covering are not required as staff and pupils are meeting in regular groups. Shadow health secretary Jonathan Ashworth waded into the row by saying the rule 'should be considered' for older students. But schools minister Nick Gibb said the guidance for England stands, insisting that the situation is very different than in shops - where anyone aged 11 or over must wear a mask. Mr Gibb told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: 'Within a school, of course, you're not with people that you don't meet normally, you see these same children every day, so there are different circumstances - when you're on public transport for example, when you're encountering people you've not come across or met before.' Schools minister Nick Gibb (pictured today) said the guidance stands, insisting that the situation is very different than in shops - where anyone aged 11 or over must wear a mask The NASUWT union has called on the Department for Education (DfE) to revise its guidance on face coverings 'as a matter of urgency' to help staff return to school in the autumn with 'confidence'. It said the Government should encourage school and college staff to wear clear facial visors if there are concerns that teaching and learning may be impeded by the use of face masks. Patrick Roach, general-secretary of NASUWT, said the position in schools is 'out of step' with public health guidance that suggests face masks should be worn when physical distancing cannot be assured. In a letter to Education Secretary Gavin Williamson, Mr Roach said: 'Strategies for minimising contact between pupils and staff (i.e. 'bubbles') are unlikely to be effective given constraints of building design, limitations of space within schools, and the inability of schools to control for wider social interactions involving children and adults within and outside their perimeters. 'We strongly suggest that your guidance for schools should now be brought into line with changes to the Government's guidance for other sectors, public transport, shops and supermarkets.' The GMB union has also called on ministers to allow school staff to wear face masks if they want to when they return in September. Rehana Azam, GMB national secretary, said: 'Our members tell us they are scared of what's to come in September and they feel it's strange the Government tells them to wear masks on the way to work, and if they go to get lunch, but not when they are in school.' The Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL) is calling for greater clarity on whether schools can permit face masks if pupils or staff want them. Its general-secretary Geoff Barton said the guidance leaves key questions unanswered. 'One, how should schools respond if pupils and staff want to wear face coverings?' he said. 'Two, do they have the flexibility to introduce the use of face coverings in constricted spaces where there is more mixing, for example in narrow corridors? We are seeking answers from the Government to these questions.' Government guidance warns the misuse of face coverings may 'inadvertently increase the risk of transmission' in schools and there could be 'negative effects' on communication and education. But Holmes Chapel Comprehensive School in Cheshire has made face masks compulsory for staff and students inside school buildings from September. In a newsletter to parents explaining the decision to introduce face masks as part of the uniform, the school said it was a 'precautionary additional measure' to make the school safer. Dr Sarah Lewis, senior lecturer in genetic epidemiology at the University of Bristol, warned any benefits in terms of transmission of the virus 'could be offset by anxiety caused by having to wear the masks'. She said: 'Some children will not return to school if they are compulsory, as their parents will not send them, and this will impact on their education. 'Children are unlikely to wear them all day because they will become wet and uncomfortable and the discarded masks may be more of a risk for virus transmission.' At a subsequent, smaller meeting, Kory brought up with Nizar Jarjour, a division chief, the possibility of giving steroids, commonly used on critical-care patients, to Covid-19 patients in the I.C.U. I dont want to talk about it, Jarjour said. In a lengthy email Jarjour later sent me, he explained that open discussion was welcome during that period of time; he also sympathized with the sentiments of the I.C.U. colleague who was urging caution while facing a novel virus. Corticosteroids have a complicated and controversial history in critical-care medicine. Numerous trials over the past 50 years have been conducted on their efficacy in patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome, or ARDS, a diagnosis for patients who have reached a stage of perilous respiratory failure. Because many of those patients at that stage of illness have confounding factors, findings are far from definitive. But based largely on some meta-analyses, including those looking at how patients with MERS and SARS fared, the World Health Organization advised, early in the pandemic in this country, against the use of steroids in Covid-19 patients experiencing ARDS, which is to say, most patients on ventilators. Kory and several colleagues at hospitals around the country noted that the studies that the W.H.O. cited, for example, were largely not randomized and controlled; other relevant institutions like the Society of Critical Care Medicine, whose doctors treat the most ill patients, and the European Society of Intensive Care Medicine did recommend the use of steroids for ventilated Covid-19 patients with ARDS. Also, in Korys own clinical experience, corticosteroids could be lifesavers. He did not see them as a wild-card drug for this disease, like hydroxychloroquine; he used them for non-Covid-19 patients who were facing cytokine storms or ARDS. He was surprised by the heat with which colleagues challenged him when he made the recommendation, and he believed that his own leadership role in conference calls subsequently diminished. He and Jarjour, he said, had more disagreements in three days than they had in the previous five years. On April 7, Korys colleague Ellie Golestanian sent an email to Kory and others, at 1:32 a.m., in response to another colleagues call for the use of corticosteroids and anticoagulants: In patients with severe Covid-19, we are fumbling in the dark, clutching at anything that might work. But as you are well aware, just because a therapy should work, or we desperately want it to work it does not follow that it will work. When I hear stuff like corticosteroids described as experimental and unproven, I want to jump out a window, Kory told me later that month. They make it sound like we are experimenting on people. I want to be respectful of my colleagues, but I feel like they are getting it 100 percent wrong. Ive never seen smarter people get a problem more wrong. Because they are running hypotheses in a lab and so many of them fail, they think when I approach a patient, I am testing out a hypothesis. Its not like a hypothesis, but more like a problem, and I have to figure out how to fix it with a couple of decades of experience to back me up. Its a stretch to call it a hypothesis. Its just me doctoring. Kory was so frustrated about the hospitals approach that in May he resigned, taking a job instead at Aurora St. Lukes Medical Center in Milwaukee. Our differences were so far apart, I felt I couldnt be a part of it, said Kory, who foresaw, in April, a catastrophe if doctors at any hospital could apply only supportive care. A colleague of his in New York, an I.C.U. doctor affiliated with a major medical center, confirmed that he, too, resigned from his hospital, in part because of tensions around his decision to try an F.D.A.-approved medication off-label and outside a trial. In May, Kory, following his disagreement in Wisconsin, spent several weeks in New York treating patients, often with steroids. Michigan will need to see multiple weeks of coronavirus number declines before restrictions are eased and phases can progress forward. On Wednesday, Aug. 5, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and Chief Medical Executive Joneigh Khaldun explained in a press conference that Michigan is seeing plateau in COVID-19 cases; however, its not enough. What you want to see is not only a plateau, but a decrease in cases and if there is going to be a plateau, its a plateau thats very low, Khaldun said. So ideally, we would want it to be under 10 cases per million people per day, and a trend that continues in that way. Earlier in the press conference, Kahldun explained that most of the regions in Michigan are seeing 30 or more cases per million people per day, with the exception of the Traverse City region, which is the only region with under 10 cases per million per day. In addition, as it relates to going back to school in Michigan, Whitmer said though the state has provided guidelines for returning to school, ultimately, the decisions and planning must be done at the local level. In Lansing, I cant tell you precisely what the individual assets and challenges are of all these hundreds of districts that we have, she said. Thats why the school board is there and thats why the superintendents are there. And, thats also why its so important that parents are educated and engaged on the making of these plans. Currently, Midland is in phase 4, which allows in-person learning but with heavier protocols and restrictions than phase 5. New initiatives announced to fight discrimination and racial inequality Whitmer declared racism as a public health crisis in the State of Michigan and announced other actions that will be taken toward fighting discrimination. This pandemic has confirmed and highlighted the deadly nature of these preexisting inequities caused by systemic racism, Whitmer said. COVID-19 is more than four times as likely to take the life of a Black Michigander than a white one and this reflects longstanding, deep societal, economic and environmental disparities. Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist II explained the injustices and inequalities that Black residents in Michigan are facing now amid the pandemic are as old as America itself. He said concrete actions must be taken. It is not enough to simply label injustice. We have to actively takes steps to replace injustice with justice, he said. This formal declaration from our administration creates the space for state departments and agencies to specifically examine, respond to and coordinate all of our policies and programs to quickly and subsequently put Michigan on a path to address these issues head on. Whitmer also announced the formation of the Black Leadership Advisory Council of Michigan, which will aid in creating more opportunities for Black residents and slashing disparities. It is the first advisory council of its kind to focus on African American issues in the state. In addition, all state employees, including the governor and her administrative staff, will be required to take an implicit bias training. Implicit bias is simply an unconscious preference that exists in each one of us and as public servants, we have a duty to understand how those tendencies impact our actions and the lives of others, Whitmer said. Governor calls for Federal Government to step up Whitmer gave her plea Wednesday to the federal government for additional aid amid the coronavirus pandemic and criticized the lack of a comprehensive national strategy, five months into the pandemic. We dont have a federal mask mandate, or a widespread testing plan, and the federal government has not yet agreed on a recovery plan to help the states and locals mitigate the unprecedented impact that this virus has had, she said. While President Trump granted her request for use of the Michigan National Guard for COVID-19 response through Dec. 31, Whitmer called out the fact that the efforts would only be 75% funded in Michigan, while the same activities in Texas and Florida would be 100% funded. Its unfortunate that this is the case, because every one of us is confronting COVID-19, she said. The rest of the states whove got to operate at 75% will have to make some hard choices about whether to continue National Guard missions for testing, disinfecting public spaces, distributing food and more. She said the federal government needs to step up and called for more direct funding to states in the next recovery package. She urged politicians to put aside partisan gains and work together. She said she hopes to see unemployment benefits continue, as well as an increase in SNAP benefits, childcare funding, extended freezes on student loans, and more. Nobody has time for election year partisan games when lives are on the line, she said. FLORENCE, S.C. Cardiologist and electrophysiologist Cyrus I. Kocherla, MD, has joined McLeod Health after completing a two-year advanced fellowship in Clinical Cardiac Electrophysiology at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in Iowa City. He joins McLeod Cardiology Associates, a practice of 21 physicians with offices in Florence, Hartsville, Cheraw, Little River, Manning, Myrtle Beach, Loris and Sumter. Kocherla received his medical degree from Ross University School of Medicine in Dominica, Wisconsin, his internal medicine residency and cardiology fellowship from Louisiana State University in Shreveport, Louisiana. An electrophysiologist is a physician who specializes in evaluating the abnormalities of the hearts rhythm. Kocherla is one of three physicians at McLeod who treat the electrical system of the heart using electrophysiology, a study of the electrical impulses of the heart. From staff and wire reports John Ismay was a bomb disposal officer in the U.S. Navy before he became a reporter for The Times Magazines At War section. Here is the information he has gathered about the explosion in Beirut. Lebanese officials say that thousands of tons of ammonium nitrate stored in a warehouse at the port in Beirut caused the powerful explosion that devastated the city on Tuesday, killing more than 130 people, injuring at least 4,000 and displacing 300,000 from their homes. Ammonium nitrate is used in fertilizer and in the mining industry as an explosive to blast rock and move mounds of earth. It has some military applications as well. It has been the cause of previous industrial accidents, and an ingredient in acts of terrorism as well. It was used by white supremacists to blow up the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City, Okla. in 1995. Joe Biden said he would not take a cognitive test despite goading from Donald Trump he should do so and the president bragging his Democratic rival wouldn't be able to beat his score. 'No, I haven't taken a test. Why the hell would I take a test?,' Biden said in an interview with the National Association of Black Journalists and National Association of Hispanic Journalists that's set to air in full on Thursday. 'Come on man. That's like saying, before you got in this program, you're taking a test whether you're taking cocaine or not. What do you think? Huh? Are you a junkie?,' he added. Joe Biden said he would not take a cognitive test despite goading from President Donald Trump that he should do so President Trump has bragged he has 'aced' a cognitive test and said Biden should take one Why the hell would I take a test?@JoeBiden scoffs at idea of taking a cognitive test. Suggests @realDonaldTrump cant figure out the difference between an elephant and a lion. Full interview at @NABJ @NAHJ virtual convention Thursday 8am ET.@CBSNews pic.twitter.com/rGNJpjfbF6 errol barnett cbs (@errolbarnett) August 5, 2020 Biden also mocked President Trump's bragging about his score on the Montreal Cognitive Assessment, a ten-minute test of cognitive abilities that includes a question where it has the taker identify an animal such as an elephant, lion or camel. 'Well, if he can't figure out the difference between an elephant and a lion, I don't know what the hell he's talking about,' the presumptive Democratic nominee said. He added he was looking forward to meeting the president in their three debates, where voters would be able to judge for themselves. His confirmation that he will participates comes as some Democrats have suggested Biden should set them out. 'I'm so looking forward to sit with or stand with the president in debates. There's going to be plenty of times,' Biden said. 'I am very willing to let the public to judge my physical as well as my mental fitness and, well, you know, to make a judgement about who I am.' Trump bragged he has 'aced' the cognitive test and has challenged Biden to take it. 'Joe should take that test, because somethings going on. And, and, I say this with respect. I mean going to probably happen to all of us, right? You know? Its going to happen,' he told Fox News last month. The president's test was given at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in early 2018 by Navy Rear Adm. Ronny Jackson, who was then a White House physician but is not running for a Texas House seat as a Republican, The Washington Post reported. In an interview with 'Fox News Sunday' last month, host Chris Wallace told the president he also took the test and it wasn't the 'hardest.' 'Well, it's not the hardest test,' Wallace said. 'They have a picture and it says, 'What's that?' And it's an elephant.' But Trump argued the test gets harder further on. 'Yes, the first few questions are easy, but I'll bet you couldn't even answer the last five questions,' he said. 'I'll bet you couldn't. They get very hard, the last five questions.' Trump often brags about his mental prowess and has called himself a 'very stable genius.' Medical experts said the test does not measure a person's IQ or intellectual abilities but is designed to flag the beginning of cognitive decline that could come with age or a medical condition such as Alzheimer's or a stroke. And the White House has not said why the president needed to take a test of his cognitive abilities. Trump and his campaign have pushed for questions of Biden's mental abilities - at age 77 Biden is three years old than Trump - but it's the president who has faced health questions, particularly after his commencement speech at West Point in June where he had difficulty walking down a ramp and had to use two hands to lift a glass of water. President Trump defended his score on a cognitive test last month in an interview with Chris Wallace on 'Fox News Sunday' Jill Biden dinged President Donald Trump for criticizing her husband's cognitive ability during an interview with Fox News Meanwhile, Jill Biden has come to her husband's defense, dinging the president for questioning Joe Biden's cognitive abilities. She told Fox News on Tuesday that it was 'surprising' the president would say that and argued the two men are close in age. 'I think Donald Trump is really about Joe's age right? I think there's like two or three years difference. It's surprising that he would say Joe wouldn't be up to it and made those comments,' Jill Biden said. She also disputed Trump's characterization that Joe Biden is hiding in the basement. Trump has repeatedly gone after Biden for hiding in his basement after Biden cut down on his campaign rallies because of the coronavirus pandemic. 'You know, Joe is anything but that characterization. You know we've been campaigning, we've been listening to the experts, the scientists, and the doctors, and they have told us stay home and be safe,' she said. WASHINGTON - One of President Donald Trump's top supporters in the Senate is pressing ahead with a politically fraught investigation into former vice president Joe Biden and Ukraine despite warnings from Democrats that he risks laundering Russian disinformation into the United States through the Senate ahead of the 2020 presidential election. Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Wis., chairman of the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, is scrutinizing a Ukrainian gas company's hiring of Biden's son for its board and the activities of a lobbying firm it hired in Washington, reviving a thread of the Trump impeachment proceedings that the president's allies hope could damage Biden. Johnson has said he is investigating whether Hunter Biden's involvement with the gas company posed a conflict of interest to then-Vice President Biden's work on Ukraine policy. His committee has been collecting documents and in recent days interviewed three witnesses, including a top State Department official who testified during the impeachment hearings, according to people familiar with the inquiry, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because of the ongoing investigation. Johnson told the Hill newspaper that he is planning to publish his report by mid-September, weeks before the Nov. 3 election. Johnson, who is working with Senate Finance Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, has said Democratic objections are a sign that his inquiry is on the right track. "My question is: What are Democrats afraid of in my investigation?" Johnson said in an interview Sunday with Milwaukee ABC affiliate WISN. Biden's supporters accuse the Wisconsin lawmaker of using Senate powers to give Trump the kind of investigation into Biden that the president tried and failed to coerce out of Ukraine's leadership, resulting in his impeachment late last year. They say he shouldn't be taking information from Ukraine. "Sen. Johnson is diverting his committee from oversight of the failing response to the pandemic - even though over 4.5 million Americans have been infected - and is instead facilitating a foreign influence operation to undermine our democracy," Biden campaign spokesman Andrew Bates said. Johnson's probe is proceeding as Ukrainians with a variety of competing agendas and links to Trump attorney Rudy Giuliani have been releasing apparently pilfered official conversations that Biden conducted while vice president with Ukraine's then-president, Petro Poroshenko, aiming to tarnish the presumptive Democratic nominee and his longtime interlocutor in Kyiv, as The Washington Post has previously reported. Critics say the efforts of the Ukrainians align with the interests of certain Ukrainian oligarchs and Russia, which for years has sown doubt about cooperation between Washington and Kyiv in an effort to eject the United States from the region. At least one of those Ukrainians, former diplomat Andrii Telizhenko, who recently released transcripts of the Biden conversations in Kyiv from an unknown source, told The Washington Post that he has been giving information to Johnson's staff. And another Ukrainian releasing tapes, former prosecutor Kostiantyn Kulyk, last year made contact with the staff of Rep. Devin Nunes of California, the top Republican on the House Intelligence Committee, according to documents released during the impeachment probe and interviews with Lev Parnas, Giuliani's former associate. Kulyk did not respond to requests for comment. In the past, he has denied having contact with any U.S. officials. Leading the charge in Kyiv is Andrii Derkach, a Ukrainian lawmaker previously affiliated with a Russian-leaning party. The son of a former KGB officer who later ran Ukraine's intelligence service, Derkach was educated at the Higher School of the KGB in Moscow and met Giuliani at least twice since late last year before releasing the Biden tapes at joint news conferences with Kulyk. In a statement to The Post earlier this year, Derkach said questions about whether he has ties to foreign intelligence services are smears aimed at stopping his anti-corruption work. "The purpose of my activity is pursuing the interests of Ukraine, exposing international corruption, maintaining partnership relations between strategic partners - Ukraine and the USA," Derkach said. He has dubbed his Biden campaign "DemoCorruption," complete with an English-language website and YouTube channel and a conspiratorial flow chart featuring the former vice president and financier George Soros at the center. Among other things, the chart lists influential Americans pursuing Derkach's agenda in the United States - including Johnson and Grassley. Derkach told The Post this month that he has sent documents to Johnson's and Grassley's Senate committees. "I want to point out that we are not interested in Biden as a U.S. presidential candidate," he wrote in a text message, adding that he was focused on his activities as vice president. In a letter sent to Democratic leaders Tuesday, Johnson and Grassley said they had received information from one foreign national - Telizhenko. Spokesmen for the GOP senators said their staffs had not received any information from Derkach. The spokesmen also denied receiving any information from Ukrainian tycoon Oleksandr Onyshchenko, who earlier this year told The Post he had handed over materials regarding Biden. Johnson, in the interview with WISN, said his staff hadn't received any of the audiotapes released in Ukraine and accused the Democrats of pushing a false narrative against him. Asked whether he was receiving information from "pro-Russia Ukrainians," he said his staff was receiving information from a "variety of sources" but primarily from the U.S. government. "Before we ever use it, we verify and make sure it's accurate and true, before we'd ever publish anything," Johnson said. "I would ask Democrats: What have I published, what have I reported on, that is not true, that is any form of Russian disinformation? There has been nothing." The situation prompted House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., in mid-July to request an FBI "defensive counterintelligence briefing" to all members of the House. "Congress appears to be the target of a concerted foreign influence campaign, which seeks to launder and amplify disinformation in order to influence congressional activity, public debate, and the presidential election in November," Pelosi and Schumer wrote in a July 13 letter to the FBI. The letter included a classified addendum,suggesting there was further information that the Democrats could not release publicly. Johnson and Grassley implied in their letter to Pelosi and Schumer on Tuesday that the addendum included Derkach's flow chart. The Republican senators suggested the contents were leaked to the media, writing: "It is you, not us, who have participated in the spread of disinformation." After a briefing to members of the House on Friday by U.S. intelligence officials, Pelosi said the Trump administration was refusing to share critical information about the matter with the public. "Leader Schumer and I wrote to them and said tell the truth to the American people, and for some reason, they are withholding it," Pelosi said. "That's what I'm concerned about." Other Republican senators, including Richard Burr of North Carolina and Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, have expressed concerns about Senate staffers taking what could be Russian disinformation sent through Ukrainians and using it as the basis for a probe. Johnson declined to be interviewed by The Post, but in a statement, he said the classified addendum Pelosi and Schumer sent didn't contain anything new of significance but had been used falsely to smear him and his investigation. "I will not be deterred by these despicable tactics designed to discredit a legitimate investigation," Johnson said. "It only increases my curiosity: What do they know that we might uncover?" In his interview with WISN, the senator suggested his inquiry was looking at whether Hunter Biden's involvement with the Ukrainian gas company, Burisma, represented a conflict of interest for the vice president and influenced U.S. policy toward Ukraine - a narrower focus than the letters he has sent the administration requesting information suggested. So far, the Homeland Security and Finance panels have received documents from the State Department, the National Archives, the Treasury Department and Blue Star, a Democratic-led lobbying firm hired by Burisma to help settle its legal troubles, people familiar with the probe said. Bipartisan staff members from Johnson's and Grassley's panels have interviewed three witnesses - Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs George Kent, who also testified during the impeachment inquiry; David Wade, who was chief of staff to Secretary of State John Kerry; and foreign service officer Liz Zentos, deputy political counselor at the U.S. Embassy in Afghanistan, who served as National Security Council director for Eastern Europe during the Obama administration. The decision to interview Zentos appears to stem from an interview Telizhenko gave to journalist John Solomon, who was working closely with Giuliani last year, in which he alleged that Burisma was discussed during a White House meeting with Ukrainian officials in January 2016 at which Zentos was present. Joshua Levy, a lawyer for Zentos, said she told congressional staffers that "in all of the government meetings in which she participated, she has no recollection of Burisma or Hunter Biden coming up in any of them." "That includes the January 2016 meeting with Ukrainian and U.S. officials she recalls attending," Levy said in a statement. The panels intend to continue through the August recess interviewing current and former State Department officials who worked on Ukraine policy with Biden, the people familiar with the probe said. In his interview with The Hill, Johnson suggested that he may soon subpoena Antony Blinken, a top Biden foreign policy adviser who served as deputy secretary of state during the Obama administration, and Amos Hochstein, a former top State Department official who advised Biden on energy matters in Ukraine. Johnson would need Democrats' permission or an affirmative vote from the committee to do so because neither Blinken nor Hochstein is on the list of current and former officials for whom the panel has preapproved summonses. A longtime watcher of Ukraine issues, Johnson was the chairman of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee during the final two years of the Obama administration, but he didn't investigate Hunter Biden's involvement with Burisma then, even though reports in U.S. newspapers raised questions about it at the time. Johnson's investigation began last year as counter-programming to the House impeachment process. During those proceedings, Democrats showed how Trump withheld a sought-after White House meeting and U.S. military aid from Ukraine's newly elected leader while pressuring him into announcing an investigation into the Bidens. Sen. Ron Wyden of Oregon, the top Democrat on the Finance Committee, said nothing he had seen in the current probe showed that U.S. policy toward Ukraine, which Johnson supported, changed as a result of Hunter Biden's involvement with Burisma. Wyden said the investigation "started as an effort to distract from Donald Trump's impeachment and has morphed into an effort to boost Donald Trump's campaign." Johnson's inquiry appears to be pursuing an allegation Giuliani has made for months but failed to prove: that Biden pushed for the firing of Ukraine's prosecutor general in late 2015 and early 2016 to help Burisma, whose owner, a former government minister from the now defunct Russian-leaning Party of Regions, was under scrutiny by Ukrainian authorities. In fact, at the time, Biden was the lead voice in a coalition of U.S. and European officials who were demanding the prosecutor general's ouster for failing to go after high-level corruption cases and stalling reforms. Biden has said he never discussed the company with his son. In a 2016 letter, one of the U.S. officials demanding reform in the Ukrainian prosecutor general's office was Johnson. Bates, the Biden campaign spokesman, said Johnson is "engaged in an act of stunning hypocrisy," given that he endorsed Biden's activities at the time and for years after. In a statement last year, Johnson said his change in tune was not hypocritical, suggesting he may have been subject to a "misinformation campaign against the Ukrainian prosecutor general, perpetrated by representatives of the U.S. government." As part of their inquiry, Johnson and Grassley requested that the National Archives provide records of White House meetings with officials from the Ukrainian government and the Democratic National Committee, appearing to follow up on unsubstantiated accusations, also promoted by Giuliani, that the Democratic National Committee colluded with Ukraine to interfere in the 2016 election on Hillary Clinton's behalf. For years, the main proponent of that theory has been Telizhenko. Telizhenko originally worked at the Ukrainian prosecutor general's office, then at the Ukrainian Embassy in Washington, and later for Blue Star. More recently, he has been coordinating with Giuliani, organizing the former mayor's trip to Kyiv in late 2019, and promoting Trump. In the past, the former diplomat has told The Post that he has been working as a consultant with various Ukrainian tycoons and political figures, not always on a paid basis, but more recently he said he had temporarily dropped his clients. Originally, Telizhenko appeared on track to serve as a key witness in Johnson's inquiry, but Sen. Mitt Romney, R-Utah, withheld support for subpoenaing him. Earlier this year, the committee staff received a classified briefing regarding Telizhenko that raised significant questions, according to U.S. officials, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to describe the confidential session. Telizhenko said that Democrats on the commitee "tried to politicize some information that they had on file." He said he has been providing information voluntarily. In an interview with The Post this year in Kyiv, Telizhenko said he has been keeping in touch with U.S. officials and people close to Congress and the White House, whom he declined to identify, as well as Giuliani. At the same time, back in Kyiv, Telizhenko also has been publishing transcripts of private taped conversations Biden had with Poroshenko. Telizhenko originally told The Post that he received tapes of the calls from a former top Ukrainian official close to Poroshenko, whom he declined to name, but later said he obtained the tapes from "a journalistic source connected to the government." In the WISN interview Sunday, Johnson said the committee was going to subpoena records only from when Telizhenko worked for Blue Star, the U.S. lobbying firm that Burisma hired. "How could that be Russian disinformation?" Johnson asked. But earlier this year, Telizhenko told The Post he had forwarded more than 100 old emails to Johnson's staff, including messages from his time at the Ukrainian Embassy to and from members of the White House National Security Council. He said he also had been answering questions posed by Johnson's staff. Telizhenko has said he isn't operating in conjunction with Derkach, the Ukrainian lawmaker who began leaking some of the same tapes at the same time. Derkach has said he received the tapes from "investigative journalists." In recent months, Derkach has been publishing portions of the tapes - which are unverified and appear to be heavily edited - during joint news conferences with Kulyk, the former Ukrainian prosecutor who was introduced to Nunes's staff by Parnas last year. Derkach, who visited the United States as recently as February to meet with Giuilani, said in March that the State Department revoked his U.S. visa, suggesting the U.S. government has been keeping tabs on his work. Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., asked Secretary of State Mike Pompeo at a July 30 hearing whether Derkach should be viewed as a credible source of information and, if the U.S. government possesses information suggesting otherwise, whether it will be released. "When it's appropriate, I will," Pompeo said. "When there's still work ongoing, when there is still unsettled intelligence around these things, I'm going to try to be a little bit more careful." In an interview with The Post, Murphy said that the intelligence community knows a lot about what Russia is trying to do to interfere in the 2020 election, and that "there's no reason for that information not to be made public before the election." If the administration has information connecting Derkach's actions to Russia, , Murphy said, "then it is nearly treasonous for them not to disclose that fact to the American public before the election." - - - Stern reported from Kyiv. The Washington Post's Ellen Nakashima, Tom Hamburger and Carol Morello in Washington contributed to this report. TikTok has grown into one of the world's most popular social networks with more than 2bn downloads and become a sensation among teenagers. But the Chinese-owned service is now at the centre of a struggle involving Beijing, Washington and London. The row yesterday saw Donald Trump accused of making mafia-style threats over the proposed sale of Tiktok's US arm to American giant Microsoft. Protectionist: President Trump has been accused of making mafia-style threats over the proposed sale of Tiktok's US arm to American giant Microsoft Such a deal is being considered after the White House threatened to ban Tiktok in the US, where it is thought to have 80m users. A takeover by Microsoft, Trump hopes, will neutralise the perceived security threat from the app, amid concerns that data on its users could be accessed by Beijing. But the president, who backs a takeover by Microsoft, wants a fistful of cash in return. He claimed this would come from either China or Tiktok's American buyer and serve as compensation for Tiktok being allowed to operate in America. 'A very substantial portion of that price is going to have to come into the Treasury of the United States,' the president said, referring to Tiktok's potential sale. 'The United States should be reimbursed or paid because without the United States they don't have anything. It's a little bit like the landlord-tenant. Without a lease, the tenant has nothing. So they pay what's called 'key money', or they pay something.' Trump added: 'It would come from the sale whatever the number is, it would come from the sale. Which nobody else would be thinking about but me. But that's the way I think.' Internet tycoon: Tiktoks founder Zhang Yiming was once named as one of '100 outstanding entrepreneurs' who 'resolutely uphold the communist party's leadership' The claims prompted an angry response in China and baffled experts, who said it was not clear how the US Treasury could secure a major share of Tiktok's sale price when it was not a shareholder in the company or Microsoft. Julian Sanchez, a fellow at the Washington-based Cato Institute, said the 'extortion threat' amounted to a 'mafia business model'. He said: 'Trump's full explanation of why the Treasury should get a 'cut' of a Microsoft-Tiktok deal is, somehow, even more grotesque and shameless than I had anticipated. 'There doesn't seem to be any consideration of whether this sets a dangerous precedent for other countries to engage in similar protectionism against us.' China Daily, which is controlled by communist leaders in Beijing, claimed China would resist the 'theft'. But it was also just the latest ruse from Trump as he ramps up his row with Beijing ahead of November's presidential election. Chinese telecoms giant Huawei is in a dispute, with US officials hitting it with economic sanctions and urging allies including the UK to stop using its equipment. Washington claims Beijing could access networks to spy on Western countries. More broadly, the White House has become alarmed by China's policy of civil-military 'fusion', which says commercial companies must share technological breakthroughs with the armed forces. That is fuelling concerns about Tiktok too, which is owned by Beijing-based Bytedance. Tiktok denies the claims and says it has 'never been asked by the Chinese government to remove any content and we would not do so if asked' Zhang Yiming, its billionaire founder, was once named as one of '100 outstanding entrepreneurs' who 'resolutely uphold the communist party's leadership'. And the video-sharing service has been accused of censorship, with US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo claiming data on its users could be vulnerable to spying. Tiktok denies the claims and says it has 'never been asked by the Chinese government to remove any content and we would not do so if asked'. But Peter Navarro, Trump's senior economic official, said: 'Can we trust any company that operates in China, has servers in China, has software in China, to protect your children?' The takeover of Tiktok proposed by Microsoft, which also owns social network Linkedin and the Xbox gaming brand, would largely seek to eliminate those concerns, by ensuring data is stored in the US. Microsoft would gain access to valuable data on consumers, which could help it develop new products and get a foothold in advertising. Unlike rivals Google and Facebook, it is not being investigated by US authorities over competition concerns and is seen as having the clout to take on big rivals. But there is confusion over how a part-takeover of Tiktok will work and why the UK, where it is reportedly considering moving its HQ to, is not part of the proposed deal. Matt Navarra, a social media consultant, said: 'If part or all of Tiktok is banned, it almost creates the beginnings of the US version of China's 'Great Firewall', where they censor what users are allowed to see,' he said. 'You effectively get a splintered version of the worldwide web.' ByteDance CEO Zhang Yiming in a letter to his employees said that America is intended to smother a Chinese owned app that has become a sensation with Americans. A sale to Microsoft "is not their goal, or even what they want. Their real objective is to achieve a comprehensive ban," Bloomberg quoted Yiming's letter. In a memo to his employees, Ziming wrote, "The current geopolitical and public opinion environment is becoming more and more complex. We are facing great external pressure in some markets. Our team in response has been working around the clock and overtime in the past few weeks to strive for the best outcome." TikTok faced scrutiny over security concerns in the US and now has an ultimatum till September 15 to sell US TikTok operations. The ByteDance owned company is currently in talks with Microsoft over the same deal but has made no final decision. Yiming said that a forced sale of TikTok was unreasonable but it had no choice but to comply with the US law. "Even though we've repeatedly stressed that we're a privately-run business, and despite our willingness to adopt even more technical solutions to allay their concerns, Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) still believes ByteDance has to sell the TikTok U.S. operation. We do not agree with this decision," Zhang wrote. "We've always firmly protected the security of users' data, the platform's independence, and transparency." Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump has said that the US Treasury should get a cut of any sale of TikTok to an American Company. "I did say that if you buy it, whatever the price is that goes to whoever owns it, because I guess it's China, essentially but more than anything else, I said a very substantial portion of that price is going to have to come into the Treasury of the United States because we're making it possible for this deal to happen," Trump said. This has infuriated the Chinese media who reacted strongly to Trump's suggestions calling it an open robbery. Microsoft in a blog post had said that it will continue talks with ByteDance on Tiktok's acquisition. "Microsoft fully appreciates the importance of addressing the President's concerns. It is committed to acquiring TikTok subject to a complete security review and providing proper economic benefits to the United States, including the United States Treasury. Microsoft will move quickly to pursue discussions with TikTok's parent company, ByteDance, in a matter of weeks, and in any event completing these discussions no later than September 15, 2020," Microsoft said. " " The mushroom cloud from the atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima, Japan, by the United States on Aug. 6, 1945. Keystone/ Getty Images When the atom was split, a Pandora's box was opened. This scientific advancement led to the development of the atomic bomb -- humankind had never before possessed such a destructive weapon. The United States was the first to successfully develop the atomic bomb and the first to show the bomb's level of devastation when it unleashed two on Nagasaki and Hiroshima, Japan. Other nations scrambled to catch up; in the hands of just one country, this technology could arguably give that country control over the rest of the world. Within eight years, the USSR had its own nuclear weapon -- the hydrogen bomb [source: Murray]. The ideological conflict between capitalism and communism sustained tensions between the U.S. and the USSR, and this prolonged conflict between the nations became known as the Cold War. From 1947 to 1991, the nations built up their nuclear arms, each expanding its arsenal in pace with the other. It was soon clear that both sides had built and stockpiled enough nuclear warheads that the U.S. and USSR could wipe out each other (and the rest of the world) several times over. They had reached nuclear parity, or a state of equally destructive capabilities. Advertisement As a result, the nuclear strategy doctrine of Mutual Assured Destruction (MAD) emerged in the mid-1960s. This doctrine was based upon the size of the countries' respective nuclear arsenals and their unwillingness to destroy civilization. MAD was unique at the time. Never before had two warring nations held the potential to erase humanity with the entry of a few computer codes and the turn of matching keys. Ironically, it was this powerful potential that guaranteed the world's safety: Nuclear capability was a deterrent against nuclear war. Because the U.S. and the USSR both had enough nuclear missiles to clear each other from the map, neither side could strike first. A first strike guaranteed a retaliatory counterstrike from the other side. So launching an attack would be tantamount to suicide -- the first striking nation could be certain that its people would be annihilated, too. The doctrine of MAD guided both sides toward deterrence of nuclear war. It could never be allowed to break out between the two nations. And it virtually guaranteed no conventional war would, either. Eventually, conventional tactics -- like non-nuclear missiles, tanks and troops -- would run out, and the inevitable conclusion of a nuclear strike would be reached. Since that end was deemed unacceptable by the Soviets and Americans, there was no chance of an engagement that could lead to this conclusion. But MAD didnt exactly create an atmosphere in which Soviet premiers and American presidents felt like they could shake hands and call the whole thing off. The nations had very little trust in each other -- and with good reason. Each side was steadily building its nuclear arsenal to remain an equal party in the MAD doctrine. A detente, or uneasy truce, developed between the U.S. and USSR. They were like two gunslinging foes, adrift alone in a life boat, each armed and unwilling to sleep. So the situation had to be managed. On the next page, find out how nuclear proliferation was controlled. Mohamed Fayed, 91, pictured attending the 'Chanel Collection des Metiers d'Art' in Paris in December 2016 His life was marred by tragedy when his son Dodi died in the Paris car crash which claimed the life of Diana, Princess of Wales. Now, it seems the twilight days of former Harrods owner Mohamed Fayed, 91, are to be blighted by a protracted High Court battle between his two youngest children. For I can disclose that Camilla Fayed the third of Fayeds offspring by his second wife Heini Wathen has just submitted a document, disputing claims made by her brother Omar, who has alleged that he was the victim of a violent assault orchestrated by Camilla in tandem with her husband, Mohamad Esreb. Her brother, who, as I revealed, is claiming 100,000 damages from his sister and brother-in-law, says the attack happened at Barrow Green Court, their parents Surrey estate, on May 18 after he had gone there for a socially distanced meeting with his father. Camilla, 35, completely denies her brothers version of events, saying there was no attack and dismissing all his claims as groundless. She also alleges that given his general demeanour and behaviour, Omar was on drugs. In a defence document just submitted to the High Court, she alleges that her father had been so upset by Omars demeanour and behaviour that he contacted her, asking her and her husband to come to Barrow Green Court. On their arrival, says Camilla, her mother, Heini, informed them Omar had been making allegations about Esreb. Camilla, who considered the allegations to be hurtful and untrue, decided to ask Omar about them. When she did so, he allegedly responded by shouting and swearing at her and Esreb and threatening to have them arrested. Camilla Fayed, left, at the Fabulous Fund Fair for London Fashion Week in February last year and Omar Fayed, far right, with Karim Fayed at Bernardi's in London in September 2015 It seems the twilight days of former Harrods owner Mohamed are to be blighted by a protracted High Court, building pictured, battle between his two youngest children (file photo) Omar, alleges Camilla, appeared to have red, bloodshot eyes, was sweating profusely and was behaving erratically. He seemed jittery and unable to stand still. Camilla and her husband were obliged to follow Omar as he moved about in order to talk to him. There was, she alleges, no attack on him by the men he describes as bodyguards, nor did she call out as Omar alleges she did Get the phone!, still less did she take his iPhone. How many more documents must be exchanged before one sibling or the other sees their claims go up in smoke? Model and environmentalist Lily Cole has a guilty conscience about globetrotting. Travel is probably the personal contradiction Ive struggled most with, she admits. I just naturally had a travellers spirit as a child. I always yearned to travel the world and as soon as I got the chance, I gobbled it up. 'At the same time, the pace at which were travelling is part of the problem. My answer to that has been travelling a lot less. Teeses cuddly kiteese Dita Von Teese, the 47-year-old ex-wife of Marilyn Manson, has become the proud new owner of two Devon Rex kittens and has taken to pushing them around in a navy pram Burlesque dancer Dita Von Teese knows how to command attention. This time, it has nothing to do with glamorous outfits or titillating performances. The 47-year-old ex-wife of Marilyn Manson has become the proud new owner of two Devon Rex kittens and has taken to pushing them around in a navy pram. Aleister, Ditas beloved Devon Rex, died in May. Sporting a furry hat and long dark skirt with heels, Dita posted this picture online. Look what the stork dropped off, she joked. He is famous for making gangster films like Lock, Stock And Two Smoking Barrels but Guy Ritchie is a softie at heart. Yesterday, the director posted this touching tribute to his second wife Jacqui Ainsley: To the best friend of my soul, and the greatest mate in my life thank you for all the years of happiness, love and generosity. Happy fifth anniversary! Ritchie and Ainsley recently enjoyed an evening out at a London art gallery with his first wife Madonna, from whom he was bitterly divorced in 2008. Love is all around. Mevion Medical Systems is delighted to be selected to participate in the proton therapy initiative between the city of Cordoba in Andalusia, Spain, the Ministry of Health and Families of Andalusia, and the University of Cordoba to establish an alliance with the Andalusian Health Service and the University Institution. In the initiative, Mevion will provide its revolutionary MEVION S250i Proton Therapy System with HYPERSCAN Pencil Beam Scanning which will be made available to Andalusian Health Service patients. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200805005278/en/ MEVION S250i Proton Therapy System with HYPERSCAN Pencil Beam Scanning. (Photo: Business Wire) Proton therapy is an advanced form of radiation therapy that reduces unnecessary radiation dose to healthy tissue and prevents complications and secondary cancers. Mevion's leading HYPERSCAN Pencil Beam Scanning technology further enhances these benefits with a faster and sharper dose delivery that can be collimated layer-by-layer to provide a more precise and conformal dose to the tumor. The new state-of-the-art proton therapy center that will benefit patients in southern Spain and surrounding regions will be located in the Cordoba Technology Park next to the University of Cordoba. This initiative will also foster the creation of a Research, Development, and Innovation collaboration with the University of Cordoba and other Andalusian public universities. "The development of this project represents a milestone for the future since it places the city in the first row of development in innovation and technological development linked to the health field," said Jose Maria Bellido, mayor of Cordoba. "We are honored to be selected for this opportunity to provide proton therapy to patients and clinicians in southern Spain and look forward to collaborating closely with the City of Cordoba, the University of Cordoba and the Ministry of Health," said James Meng, Ph.D. president of Mevion Medical Systems. To learn more about the proton therapy initiative in Cordoba, Spain, please see the University of Cordoba's announcement. About Mevion Medical Systems Mevion Medical Systems, Inc. is the leading provider of compact proton therapy systems for use in radiation treatment for cancer patients. Mevion is based in Littleton, Massachusetts, with a presence in Europe and Asia. For more information, please visit www.mevion.com. Follow us on Twitter: @MevionMedical Connect with us on LinkedIn: Mevion Medical Systems Like Us on Facebook: MevionMedical View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200805005278/en/ Contacts: Melanie Benton Mevion Medical Systems Mbenton@mevion.com 1-978-540-1551 Rundu Fraudsters have been using cellphone texts purported to be that of the Kavango West regional governor Sirkka Ausiku to defraud several elites across the country who got tricked into sending money thinking they are assisting the governor supposedly in distress. The scam involves sending texts to victims claiming the governor is stranded and that she is urgently in of need of help, while the other version is that her daughter needs money as she is stranded and potential victims are instructed to send via eWallet, Easy Wallet and other electronic modes used for sending money to a cellphone number. Two of the identified numbers used in the scam are 0812858106 and 0817479506. "There are two numbers that have been asking for money from CEOs, directors and other high-ranking officials and politicians pretending to be me and that I am stranded and need money, and some have sent money to these numbers and I was only informed when they noticed that I am not saying thank you," the governor said. Ausiku told this reporter that people should not fall victim to the scam and should at least call her if they receive such texts even if the fraudster might pretend to be a family member. "The CEO of the environment fund also fell victim and sent the fraudster N$3 000. The MVA CEO was also texted and the mayor of Gobabis, amongst others. The text claimed it was from the governor and that I am stranded and need a certain amount of money," she said. "I am really upset and have informed the police. They are looking into it - one of the numbers used is registered with MTC to a certain individual. These fraudsters have been doing it for a while and people are calling me to ask if I have received the money. Some call my number to confirm and I have told them about the scam," she added. By Ryotaro Nakamaru, KYODO NEWS - Aug 5, 2020 - 09:19 | World, All, Japan Tensions between Japan and South Korea could flare up in the coming months amid an ongoing feud over an issue of compensation for Koreans made to work in factories during Japanese colonial rule. Neither Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe nor South Korean President Moon Jae In appears willing to back down, raising concerns about the prospects for ongoing security and economic cooperation between the close neighbors, both key U.S. allies in Asia. A South Korean court on Tuesday began procedures to liquidate assets seized from Nippon Steel Corp., which had refused to comply with a Supreme Court decision awarding 100 million won ($8,400) each to four former workers. Japan has condemned the ruling as a violation of international law, saying it runs counter to a 1965 bilateral agreement signed when the countries established diplomatic ties. Under the agreement, Japan provided South Korea with $300 million in grants and $200 million in low-interest loans with the understanding that the issue of wartime compensation was being resolved "completely and finally." The Supreme Court, however, ruled that the former workers were not properly compensated for emotional suffering endured under their conscription during the 1910-1945 period when the Korean Peninsula was under Japanese control. Japan has threatened to retaliate if the branch of the Daegu District Court goes through with the liquidation of the Japanese steelmaker's stake in PNR, a joint venture with a South Korean partner Posco. Possible measures include tightening conditions for issuing visas to South Korean citizens, imposing additional tariffs on South Korean products, and recalling Ambassador Koji Tomita from Seoul, according to sources close to the matter. While declining to go into specifics, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga said Tuesday that "all options" are on the table. Conservative lawmakers from the ruling Liberal Democratic Party the same day submitted a resolution urging Abe to stand firm on the issue, saying Japan should be prepared to swiftly retaliate. It is expected to take several months at least until the assets are actually liquidated. Nippon Steel has said it will file an immediate appeal, which would likely put the process on hold for several weeks, and after that the assets need to be evaluated before they can be sold off. Related coverage: South Korea court moves closer to sale of Japanese steelmaker assets Japan warns new "comfort women" statue may hurt ties with South Korea "We don't expect (South Korea) to make a major move soon," said a senior official at the Japanese Foreign Ministry. "That said, we are watching the situation closely." The countries have been at loggerheads ever since the Supreme Court ruling in October 2018, with the feud taking another twist after Tokyo imposed stricter regulations on South Korea-bound exports of materials crucial to the production of semiconductors and display panels in July 2019. That was followed by Japan's removal of South Korea from a "white list" of trusted trade partners that receive preferential treatment. South Korea responded by threatening to terminate a bilateral military intelligence-sharing pact that helps the countries respond to missile threats from North Korea, a move it later rescinded under intense U.S. pressure. But in June, it revived a claim filed with the World Trade Organization saying Tokyo's export controls were politically motivated, calling for the case to be heard by a dispute settlement panel. Bilateral ties have further deteriorated in recent months over what South Korea sees as Japan's refusal to properly acknowledge the suffering of Korean workers at World Heritage sites including the Hashima Coal Mine in Nagasaki Prefecture. The erection of statues that depict a man resembling Abe prostrating himself in front of a girl symbolizing "comfort women" has further strained the relationship. The term comfort women is a euphemism for those forced to work in Japanese military brothels during World War II. While their exact numbers are unknown, estimates range from 20,000 to the hundreds of thousands, many from the Korean Peninsula. Abe is unlikely to make any concessions to South Korea to improve relations. According to a poll published by the Cabinet Office in December, 71.5 percent of respondents in Japan said they have an unfavorable view of South Korea, a significant bump up from 58.0 percent the previous year. A person at the premier's office said Abe, who has a conservative support base, is also "very conscious" of a backlash among Japanese netizens against what has been dubbed the "Apology Statue." Daniel Roh, an expert on South Korea-Japan relations and CEO of Seoul-based consultancy firm Asia Risk Monitor, said he does not expect the wartime labor issue to be resolved while Abe and Moon remain in office. "Moon has vowed to put the victims first so he cannot back down. As a politician, that is both his greatest strength and weakness." Roh said former Prime Minister Lee Nak Yon, the leading candidate to become president when Moon's term ends in May 2022, would have more luck negotiating with whoever succeeds Abe, whose own time in office wraps up in September 2021. Malanje Seleca Farm harvests 237 tons of tomatoes in this agricultural campaign, according to its manager. With tomato at the foreground, among other crops, the projects, located in Muquixe commune, municipality of Mucari, northern Malanje province, plants five hectares per month. Seleca farm, which harvested 72 tons so far, foresees to yield additional 165 tons in October this year, said the manager, Cristiano Vandick, on Tuesday. He also said that other crops were harvested in the provinces of Malanje, Lunda Norte, Lunda Sul and Luanda. They include cabbage (31 tones), corn (30), cucumber (23), eggplant (16), onion (15), pepper and beans (5) as well as three of pepper. Cristiano Vandick recalled that in 2019 the production stood at 180 tons of tomatoes, 40 tons of cabbage, 50 tons of watermelon, 20 peppers, 25 onions, 14 beans and 10 cucumbers. Email Whatsapp Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment Its no surprise that rioters in Portland burned Bibles this past weekend. As weve said for weeks now, the spirit behind the riots is the spirit of lawlessness. It is anti-God and anti-Christ, and thats why synagogues and churches have also been targets. When it comes to the Bible, for some, it is the ultimate symbol of oppression. Of religious tyranny. Of abusive authority. It is the evil book on which America was founded, and it should be burned, along with the American flag. It is racist, homophobic, and misogynist. It supports genocide and apartheid, and it is the divinely-sanctioned manual for slave owners. To the flames! Such is the mentality of the radical left, as reflected in groups like Antifa and BLM (speaking, again, of the organization, in distinction from the truth that black lives matter). The words of Ian Miles Cheong, managing editor of Human Events, have been widely quoted since the Bible burning incident. He tweeted, I dont know what burning the Bible has to do with protesting against police brutality. Do not be under the illusion that these protests and riots are anything but an attempt to dismantle all of Western Civilization and upend centuries of tradition and freedom of religion. Yes, it is beyond ludicrous to suggest that the burning of Bibles has any connection at all to the death of George Floyd, himself a professing Christian. And it is ridiculous to think there is any real connection between the Bible and police brutality. There is something else that is animating these rioters and, as we have argued before, it is not from above but from below. And, just as an ideological line can be traced from Saul Alinsky to the leadership of BLM, an ideological line can be traced from Alinsky to Satan. In Alinskys own words (in the acknowledgment section of his Rules for Radicals): Lest we forget at least an over-the-shoulder acknowledgment to the very first radical: from all our legends, mythology, and history (and who is to know where mythology leaves off and history beginsor which is which), the first radical known to man who rebelled against the establishment and did it so effectively that he at least won his own kingdomLucifer. Even if this was done entirely tongue in cheek, it is noteworthy that the one Alinsky chose to praise as the first rebel is Lucifer, while God is characterized as the establishment. Could he have made himself any clearer? (Interestingly, Alinsky was raised as an Orthodox Jew but left Judaism entirely rather than become a rabbi.) What we are seeing, then, in these riots, is ultimately an attempt to cast off the rulership of God. In the words of the rebellious kings in Psalms 2 (speaking against the Lord and the Davidic monarch who ruled over them): Let us break their chains and throw off their shackles (Psalm 2:3). We will not have God rule over us! Thats why Bibles are being burned. It is an open expression of hostility to the Judeo-Christian God and Judeo-Christian values. It is the thumbing of the nose to divine authority. It is overt rebellion. A July 31 article in The Federalist by Krystina Skurk, was titled 4 French Revolution Trends That Have Started In The United States. Trend #4 was, Violent Hostility Towards Religion. She wrote, To say the French Revolution was hostile towards religion is an understatement. Church property was nationalized, tithing was outlawed, church authorities were made employees of the state, and 30,000 priests were exiled. . . . Traditional religion in the United States has also come under attack by the modern radical left. And, while things havent yet got to the level of the French Revolution, the current anti-Christian climate does not bode well for the future. To be sure, there was much in the traditional religion of France that needed reform. It is also true that the Bible has often been misused by religious leaders for their own fleshly purposes. But the Bible itself has had an incredibly positive impact on the world. (See, for example, Vishal Mangalwadis This Book Changed Everything: The Bibles Amazing Impact on Our World.) And when rightly applied, the Bibles principles have liberated women, slaves, and other oppressed groups. (See, for example, Rodney Starks The Rise of Christianity: How the Obscure, Marginal Jesus Movement Became the Dominant Religious Force in the Western World in a Few Centuries.) And it is easy to respond to the charges raised against the ethics of the Bible. (See, for example, Amy Orr Ewing, Is the Bible Intolerant? Sexist? Oppressive? Homophobic? Outdated? Irrelevant?) The fact is that the same spirit that animates violence and vandalism is the same spirit that animates setting church buildings and Bibles on fire. Thats why I tweeted on August 1, First they burned the federal buildings, then they burned the churches, now they're burning Bibles. Rather than asking What is next? we should ask, Who is next? Let the reader be warned. (For the connection between BLM, Jezebel, and witchcraft, see here and here.) The Tunisian government is sending two military aircraft to deliver food supplies, medicine and medical equipment to Lebanon's capital Beirut. It's to help after an explosion, which shook the whole city on Tuesday, killed at least 113 people and injured more than 4,000 others. Lebanon's President Michel Aoun said the blast was caused by 2,750 tonnes of ammonium nitrate, which is used as a fertiliser and an explosive, stored unsafely in a warehouse at the port. Tunisia is among a number of countries who have offered humanitarian assistance to Lebanon. The French president, Emmanuel Macron, who is travelling to Lebanon on Thursday, is sending three planeloads of rescuers and relief supplies to the country. Paris's mayor says the Eiffel Tower's lights will be switched off from midnight, in solidarity with Beirut. Turkey, Iran, Qatar and Russia and the European Union, are all sending humanitarian supplies. 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 Rating Action: Moody's affirms Odea Bank's Caa1 deposit ratings, outlook remains negative Global Credit Research - 04 Aug 2020 Rating action follows withdrawal of parent Bank Audi's ratings London, 04 August 2020 -- Moody's Investors Service (Moody's) has today affirmed Odea Bank A.S.'s (Odeabank) Caa1 long-term deposit ratings and caa1 standalone Baseline Credit Assessment (BCA). The outlook on the long-term deposit ratings remains negative. A full rating list is available at the end of this press release. The affirmation follows the withdrawal the ratings of Odeabank's Lebanese parent, Bank Audi S.A.L. (Bank Audi). The affirmation of Odeabank's standalone BCA and its deposit ratings reflects Moody's view that the Turkish subsidiary's financial profile remains consistent with its caa1 BCA and is unaffected by the withdrawal of the parent's ratings. Bank Audi is Odeabank's controlling shareholder with a 76% stake. For further details on the rating action on parent bank, please refer to Moody's press release: Moody's withdraws ratings of three Lebanese banks (https://www.moodys.com/research/--PR_429314). RATINGS RATIONALE The affirmation of Odeabank's deposit ratings and BCA reflects Moody's view that its financial profile remains consistent with its existing caa1 BCA. Odeabank's standalone BCA of caa1 remains driven by a weak solvency profile in a very weak operating environment, partly offset by good liquidity. In particular, problem loans (12.5% of gross loans at end-March 2020) were high and Stage 2 (significantly deteriorated) loans (33% of loans at the same date) the highest amongst Turkish banks rated by Moody's and likely to increase this year and next, given Moody's expectations of a coronavirus-related recession in Turkey. Capitalisation was modest (Tier 1 ratio of 12% at end-March 2020) relative to the bank's high asset risk. Moody's also views the bank's profitability (0.4% annualised return on assets in Q1 2020) as low and likely to decline, driven by higher loan loss provisions., According to Moody's, these challenges continue to be only partly mitigated by moderate dependence on wholesale funding (15% of assets at end-March 2020), which is amply covered by good liquidity (32% of assets at the same date). Story continues Moody's considers that a degree of correlation exists between Odeabank and its parent, as pronounced credit or reputational issues at Bank Audi could negatively affect confidence in Odeabank, particularly considering the Turkish subsidiary's focus on corporate, commercial and SME clients (95% of performing loans at end-2019), which are typically more confidence sensitive than retail clients. This correlation was already incorporated into the positive BCA differential of three notches between the subsidiary and its parent at the time of the parent's rating withdrawal, at which time Bank Audi's BCA was ca. Risks associated with Bank Audi are however mitigated by 1) the independence of the bank's franchise and financial performance in Turkey and 2) regulatory ring-fencing by the Turkish authorities, which limits the downside risk that Bank Audi could take steps to upstream capital and/or liquidity without prior regulatory approval. As such, Odeabank's financial profile remains largely independent from that of Bank Audi. RATING OUTLOOK Odeabank's long-term deposit ratings continue to have a negative outlook, in line with the negative outlook on the sovereign rating, reflecting the risk of a further increase in the probability of capital controls and restrictions on access to foreign currency. FACTORS THAT COULD LEAD TO AN UPGRADE OR DOWNGRADE OF THE RATINGS There is limited upside on Odeabank's ratings, as indicated by the current negative outlook. However, Moody's could stabilise the outlook following an improvement in the operating environment, which could reduce the bank's stock of problem loans and improve profitability. Conversely, Moody's could downgrade the ratings in the event that further deterioration in Turkey's operating environment led to weakening of Odeabank's financial fundamentals, including profitability and asset quality. A material decline in capital ratios, including in the event of significant dividends to the parent, could also place negative pressure on the ratings. LIST OF AFFECTED RATINGS Issuer: Odea Bank A.S. ..Affirmations: ....Long-term Counterparty Risk Ratings, affirmed B3 ....NSR Long-term Counterparty Risk Rating, affirmed Baa1.tr ....Short-term Counterparty Risk Ratings, affirmed NP ....NSR Short-term Counterparty Risk Rating, affirmed TR-2 ....Long-term Bank Deposits, affirmed Caa1, outlook remains Negative ....NSR Long-term Bank Deposits, affirmed Ba1.tr ....Short-term Bank Deposits, affirmed NP ....NSR Short-term Bank Deposits, affirmed TR-4 ....Long-term Counterparty Risk Assessment, affirmed B3(cr) ....Short-term Counterparty Risk Assessment, affirmed NP(cr) ....Baseline Credit Assessment, affirmed caa1 ....Adjusted Baseline Credit Assessment, affirmed caa1 ....Subordinate Regular Bond/Debenture, affirmed Caa3(hyb) ..Outlook Action: ....Outlook remains Negative PRINCIPAL METHODOLOGY The principal methodology used in these ratings was Banks Methodology published in November 2019 and available at https://www.moodys.com/researchdocumentcontentpage.aspx?docid=PBC_1147865. 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Front-line health-care providers work with seriously ill COVID-19 patients in an intensive care unit at Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis. New research from scientists at Washington University School of Medicine suggests that the immune systems of such patients cant do enough to protect them from the virus. The researchers are proposing that boosting the activity of immune cells may be a good treatment strategy for COVID-19. Credit: Matt Miller/School of Medicine As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to claim lives around the world, much research has focused on the immune system's role in patients who become seriously ill. A popular theory has it that the immune system gets so revved up fighting the virus that, after several days, it produces a so-called cytokine storm that results in potentially fatal organ damage, particularly to the lungs. But new findings from a team of researchers led by scientists at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis point to another theory and suggest that patients become ill because their immune systems can't do enough to protect them from the virus, landing them in intensive care units. They suggest that boosting immunity could be a potential treatment strategy for COVID-19. Such a strategy has been proposed in two recently published papers, one published online in JAMA Network Open and the other published online in the journal JCI Insight. "People around the world have been treating patients seriously ill with COVID-19 using drugs that do very different things," said senior investigator Richard S. Hotchkiss, MD, professor of anesthesiology, of medicine and of surgery. "Some drugs tamp down the immune response, while others enhance it. Everybody seems to be throwing the kitchen sink at the illness. It may be true that some people die from a hyperinflammatory response, but it appears more likely to us that if you block the immune system too much, you're not going to be able to control the virus." The Washington University researchers have been investigating a similar approach in treating sepsis, a potentially fatal condition that also involves patients who simultaneously seem to have overactive and weakened immune systems. Hotchkiss points to autopsy studies performed by other groups showing large amounts of coronavirus present in the organs of people who died from COVID-19, suggesting that their immune systems were not working well enough to fight the virus. His colleague, Kenneth E. Remy, MD, the JCI Insight study's first author, compares efforts to inhibit the immune system to fixing a flat tire by letting more air out. "But when we actually looked closely at these patients, we found that their tires, so to speak, were underinflated or immune-suppressed," said Remy, assistant professor of pediatrics, of medicine and of anesthesiology at Washington University. "To go and poke holes in them with anti-inflammatory drugs because you think they are hyperinflated or hyperinflamed will only make the suppression and the disease worse." After gathering blood samples from 20 COVID-19 patients at Barnes-Jewish Hospital and Missouri Baptist Medical Center in St. Louis, the researchers employed a test to measure the activity of immune cells in the blood. They compared the blood of those patients to 26 hospitalized sepsis patients and 18 others who were very sick but had neither sepsis nor COVID-19. They found that the COVID-19 patients often had far fewer circulating immune cells than is typical. Further, the immune cells that were present did not secrete normal levels of cytokinesthe molecules many have proposed as a cause of organ damage and death in COVID-19 patients. Instead of trying to fight the infection by further interfering with the production of cytokines, they tried a strategy that has been successful in previous studies they have conducted in sepsis patients. Hotchkiss and Remy collaborated with researchers in a small study conducted in seriously ill COVID-19 patients who were hospitalized in Belgium. In that study, which was reported on in the JAMA Network Open paper, the COVID-19 patients were treated with a substance called interleukin-7 (IL-7), a cytokine that is required for the healthy development of immune cells. In those patients, the researchers found that IL-7 helped restore balance to the immune system by increasing the number of immune cells and helping those cells make more cytokines to fight infection. The research did not demonstrate, however, that treatment with IL-7 improved mortality in COVID-19 patients. "This was a compassionate trial and not a randomized, controlled trial of IL-7," Remy explained. "We were attempting to learn whether we could get these immune cells working againand we couldas well as whether we could do it without causing harmful effects in these very sick patientsand there were none. As this was an observational study involving a small number of patients who already were on ventilators, it wasn't really designed to evaluate IL-7's impact on mortality." Studies focused on boosting immunity and improving outcomes among the sickest COVID-19 patients are just getting underway in Europe, and similar trials are starting in the U.S., including at Washington University. Hotchkiss said that finding ways to boost the immune response should help not only in COVID-19 patients but when the next pandemic arises. "We should have been geared up and more ready when this pathogen appeared," he said. "But what Ken and I and our colleagues are working on now is finding ways to boost the immune system that may help people during future pandemics. We think if we can make our immune systems stronger, we'll be better able to fight off this coronavirus, as well as other viral and bacterial pathogens that may be unleashed in the future." Explore further Follow the latest news on the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak More information: Kenneth E. Remy et al. Severe immunosuppression and not a cytokine storm characterize COVID-19 infections, JCI Insight (2020). Kenneth E. Remy et al. Severe immunosuppression and not a cytokine storm characterize COVID-19 infections,(2020). DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.140329 Pierre Francois Laterre et al. Association of Interleukin 7 Immunotherapy With Lymphocyte Counts Among Patients With Severe Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), JAMA Network Open (2020). DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2020.16485 Journal information: JAMA Network Open An anonymous anthropology professor remained outspoken about fairness in academia even as she suffered for months with coronavirus. This person was a scientist who got COVID because theyd been forced to teach, said Michael Eisen, a fly geneticist at the University of California, Berkeley, who had interacted on Twitter with the professor for years. It wasnt the first person I knew who got COVID but for a lot of people it was one of the first people they knew who got it. He said that he had continued to exchange messages with the person running the account through June and that this person frequently discussed a difficult recovery. Then BethAnn McLaughlin, another Twitter connection, announced on July 31 that the anonymous professor had died from complications of the virus. Just a few days later, both the account of the anonymous professor and of McLaughlin were suspended for Twitter policies that, among other things, bar the coordination of fake accounts. The same day, Gerardo Gonzalez, a spokesman for Arizona State University, where the anonymous Twitter user was supposedly a professor, described the anonymous account as a hoax. The account had posted inaccurate information about the school, he said. We also have had no one, such as a family member or friend, report a death to anyone at the university, he added. Among scientists and academics, the shock of mourning was already laced with suspicion. Enough of them had unpleasant interactions with the combative account and were troubled by its inconsistencies and seeming about-turns. You have these internal alarms that are like, Oh, I dont trust you, said Julie Libarkin, the head of the Geocognition Research Laboratory at Michigan State University. Kind of the same as when I worked with BethAnn. My Actions Are Inexcusable On Tuesday, McLaughlin gave a statement to The New York Times through her lawyer. I take full responsibility for my involvement in creating the @sciencing_bi Twitter account, it said. My actions are inexcusable. I apologize without reservation to all the people I hurt. The anonymous account, @Sciencing_Bi, was an active participant in the corner of Science Twitter that frequently discusses issues of sexual misconduct in the sciences. It claimed on at least one occasion to have grown up in Alabama, to have fled the south because of their oppression of queer folk, and to have attended Catholic school. The account began to pointedly make reference to being Native American and, earlier this year, began to identify as Hopi. Since 2016, it has posted often about issues around social justice in the sciences, with a focus on activism and research about sexual harassment. It was also active in the career of McLaughlin, a neuroscientist. (News of the relationship between the Twitter accounts was reported by Heavy.com, Science and the Chronicle of Higher Education.) It was key in promoting a petition that called for McLaughlin to be given tenure at Vanderbilt University. She was not given tenure in 2017, a decision she said was influenced by her having testified against a former Vanderbilt professor accused of sexual harassment. Her effort to reverse that decision was unsuccessful in 2019, and she left the university that summer. On one occasion, the account responded to someone asking McLaughlin for information about Vanderbilt with extensive details about the universitys salary structure. In April, @Sciencing_Bi began to undergo a drama that belonged solely to her, announcing the coronavirus diagnosis in a tweet. It was McLaughlin who announced that the anonymous professor had died. I was pretty shocked, said Erica Smith, a postdoctoral researcher at Indiana University. I had never had particularly great experiences with @Sciencing_Bi, but I thought that she was a whole real human who had just died. I was surprised by how hard it hit me. I ate a pint of ice cream about it. McLaughlin came across as particularly distraught. She mourned @Sciencing_Bi in a long thread, paying testament to her humanity and toughness. She was supposed to get Hopi talisman for health as gifts for us but she ran out, McLaughlin tweeted. God. The irony of running out of health talisman. She also said that she and the person behind the account had been planning on getting matching tattoos in the Hopi language. McLaughlin has prompted particular frustration and disgust by posing as a Hopi woman, right as the coronavirus has caused disproportionate harm to Indigenous communities in the United States. There are millions who want to be us, said Jacqueline Keeler, a writer and the editor of Pollen Nation, a Native-led magazine. These people are centering themselves in our issues, they are heading Native American departments, they are telling Native students what they can and cant study its to protect their own position. And so it does change our ability to advocate for ourselves when we are constantly being replaced by frauds, white people or other people of different backgrounds pretending to be us. It Just Became Obvious to Me The first time Eisen heard from the account was in defense of McLaughlin. The fact that @Sci-Bi was saying all these things about BethAnn, saying that BethAnn had helped her, it didnt make me trust BethAnn but it made me less willing to publicly criticize her because I thought that public criticism would be felt by the people she was helping, he said. Who turned out to be fake. Melissa Bates, a professor at the University of Iowa, was among those invited to a Zoom memorial via a Twitter thread. Bates said on Twitter that when she showed up on the Zoom, it was just her, McLaughlin, Eisen and another man. Afterward, Eisen began to search for any evidence that @Sciencing_Bi had been a real person. He could not find any. The combination of the weird things that were happening on the call and looking at the tweets and seeing how much they circled BethAnn, it just became obvious to me, he said. Oh, this is BethAnn. McLaughlin first began to make waves among those concerned about sexual harassment in the sciences in May 2018. She wrote and circulated a petition that month calling for the National Academy of Sciences to revoke the membership of those who had been punished for sexual harassment, retaliation and assault. In June 2018, she and Libarkin started a website, MeTooSTEM, which quickly garnered attention, as women posted a series of largely anonymous stories there about being harassed while working in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). In the same month, McLaughlin further raised her profile when she used Twitter to successfully pressure the website ratemyprofessor.com to drop its system of chili peppers used to rank the hotness of academics. In October 2018, McLaughlin, who had begun to make decisions for the organization without informing her colleagues, created a fundraiser for MeTooSTEM on GoFundMe. It eventually raised more than $79,000. McLaughlins colleagues at MeTooSTEM were already feeling uncomfortable with her leadership at that point, and were made particularly uneasy by the GoFundMe. We were about to get in front of a crowd of people and say: Give us your money, said Smith. She didnt know how the money would be used, but did remember thinking: Were too broke to participate in white-collar crime. Former colleagues of McLaughlin at MeTooSTEM said they did not know where that money ultimately went. A 2019 report from MeTooSTEM said that the money, along with other donations, had provided free services for 18 months to over 500 clients. In November 2018, the Massachusetts Institute of Technologys Media Lab awarded its Disobedience Award to McLaughlin; Tarana Burke, a founder of the #MeToo movement; and Sherry Marts, who left academia after being harassed by a colleague in her graduate lab. The award recognizes ethical, nonviolent acts of disobedience and comes with $250,000, which that year was split among the three recipients. As McLaughlin received more public recognition, her colleagues at MeTooSTEM began to leave the organization, accusing her of frequent verbal abuse and citing the dysfunction plaguing the organization. By May 2019, seven members had resigned, according to a report in BuzzFeed at the time. Deanna Arsala recently received a doctorate from the University of Illinois at Chicago and was one of the few women of color at MeTooSTEM. She said that @Sciencing_Bi had claimed to know details about leadership meetings that included only BethAnn and a few other people. I remember thinking, Is this BethAnn? Arsala said. Arsala left the organization in part because she and another colleague, also a woman of color, felt that white leadership did not prioritize what they had to say. Kathryn Clancy, an anthropology professor at the University of Illinois who was also involved in the MeTooSTEM movement and who is white, said that even as McLaughlins leadership issues brought bad publicity, her issues with race had gone largely overlooked, even as women of color inside and outside the organization had tried to get others to see them. In February of 2020, another BuzzFeed report detailed further strife and resignations at MeTooSTEM. Activists including Marts publicly distanced themselves from the embattled MeTooSTEM leader; they even officially resigned from the hashtag. Its So Easy to Mislead People In retrospect, the symbiosis of the two accounts makes sense to those who were aware of both for years. As McLaughlin lost some credibility, the account gained it. And McLaughlins invention of the character behind @Sciencing_Bi was not as unusual as it may seem nor would it have been unusual for her to have killed off the account. Marc Feldman is a psychiatrist who studies factitious disorders in which a person acts as if they, or a loved one, have a disease. He specializes in what he calls Munchausen by internet, in which such deceptions take place online, and said he hears about a new case every couple of weeks. I think it happens online more than offline these days because its so easy to mislead people via social media, Feldman said. He added that COVID-19 had been a boon for those with such disorders. Nobody wants to be near a COVID-19 sufferer so they say, We cant meet, he said. Theres no way to arrange a face-to-face meeting. In her statement, McLaughlin said: As Ive reflected on my actions the last few days, its become clear to me that I need mental health treatment, which Im pursuing now. My failures are mine alone, so Im stepping away from all activities with MeTooSTEM to ensure that it isnt unfairly criticized for my actions. These Pretendians are better at it than we are, because they dont carry our specific trauma," Keeler said. And: They are ethnic opportunists and that is a colonial endeavor that has been going on for centuries in this hemisphere. Even the lack of tenure of the pretend professor served a purpose, giving the account a perfectly good reason for remaining anonymous. This is a good thing about Science Twitter, that it gives people who are marginalized a voice, Eisen said. It sucks that BethAnn took advantage of that. This article originally appeared in The New York Times. The relevant squad of rescuers is ready to deploy at any moment, if required. Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal has said Ukraine is ready to provide all the necessary assistance to Lebanon, where a huge explosion at a port warehouse rocked Beirut on Tuesday. "If necessary, we are ready to provide all the necessary assistance. Ukraine has already turned to the Lebanese Republic with a proposal to provide the aid required. And our rescuers, the relevant squad, is ready to deploy at any moment if necessary," he said at a government meeting on Wednesday, an UNIAN correspondent reports. Read alsoRussian propagandists come up with bizarre "Ukrainian trace" in Beirut blast media "As far as I know, a meeting of the Lebanese government is underway. They will decide what type of assistance they need," Shmyhal said. As UNIAN reported earlier, explosion at the port near the center of Beirut killed dozens and sent shockwaves across the Lebanese capital, shattering windows in people's homes and knocking off balconies. Over 100,000 people are believed to be left homeless in devastating aftermath of the blast. The authorities in Beirut believe welding works at the seaport warehouse, where 2,750 tonnes of ammonium nitrate was stored, are what caused a deadly blast. Prime Minister Imran Khans move to unveil the so-called new political map of Pakistan by including the entire erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir as well as Junagadh in Gujarat may be an exercise to appease the domestic political sentiments but the move is fraught with serious implications. And none of them are good for Pakistan. Such maps were published in 1947-48 when Mohammed Ali Jinnah was Pakistans first governor general. But the Islamic Republic had to rework the map that then had also included East Pakistan or the present day Bangladesh. The so-called new political map released by PM Imran Khan sounds a death knell to the self-determination movement among separatists in Kashmir Valley as Islamabad has now co-opted Jammu and Kashmir, leaving no space for either plebiscite or independent Kashmir. This does not come as a surprise to Kashmir watchers in New Delhi as both self-determination and so-called freedom struggle was a ruse for cross border terror activities. By showing the northern areas of Gilgit-Baltistan as part of Jammu and Kashmir, Islamabads promise of greater autonomy to this mountainous region stands nullified as the region has been merged with predominantly Sunni regions of Mirpur and Muzaffarabad as also the Valley. However, the impact of PM Khans cartographic hallucination on India-Pakistan ties is very significant. By reopening the 1947-48 maps, Pakistan has given up on bilateralism of 1972 Shimla Agreement and 1999 Lahore Declaration - the two agreements that committed both nations to resolving bilateral disputes bilaterally - and paved a way for unilateralism. Does Imran Khans Naya Pakistan also want to give up other bilateral pacts too? Like the bilateral 1960 Indus Water Treaty that allows waters of Indus, Chenab and Jhelum to be used by Pakistan while allocating Beas, Ravi and Sutlej waters to India? Also Read: Political absurdity: India roasts Imran Khan over Pakistans new political map While the Indian government has dismissed the new Pakistan map as a political absurdity, the map opens up the route for unilateralism by India should it choose to invoke it in future as Islamabad has indulged in unilateralism by issuing a new map that depicts territories firmly under Indian control as Pakistani territory. But the map is also telling commentary about Pakistans relationship with its iron brother China that has been engaged in a standoff with India for the last three months in East Ladakh. PM Khan, who is often accused of reducing Pakistan as a client-state of Xi Jinpings China, has not only kept Shaksgam Valley and Aksai Chin out of its cartographic expansion but also left this frontier undefined to let China draw the line on the map. It is quite evident that Pakistan has followed Nepal. Kathmandu had issued a map to emphasise its illegal claims on Lipulekh, Limiyadhura and Kalapani in Indias Uttarakhand on 21 May 2020. It is not mere coincidence that both Pakistan and Nepal are close allies of Beijing with the latter pumping in money in form of infrastructure aid to prop up both regimes. Also Read: In Imran Khans 18-point Kashmir plan for Aug 5, outreach to Turkey, Malaysia and China Although India has no desire to either expand its territorial claims or give up on bilateralism vis-a-vis Pakistan, the map reflects the frustration within the Imran Khan government over its inability to get the international community to side with Islamabad on the Kashmir issue after the abrogation of Article 370 on August 5 last year. Pakistan watchers also see the move as a response to the rise of India in the comity of nations, particularly after the Indian troopers stood up to an aggressive Peoples Liberation Army in Ladakh, particularly the bloody clash at Galwan on June 15. The larger question on how to deal with India is part of regular interlocution between foreign offices of China and Pakistan. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Former first lady Michelle Obama has admitted that she is 'dealing with some form of low-grade depression' because of the pandemic, racial strife and the 'hypocrisy' of the Trump administration. The 56-year-old uploaded episode two of 'The Michelle Obama Podcast' on Spotify today, featuring a discussion with NPR's Michele Norris. During the conversation, Michelle gets candid about her 'emotional highs and lows,' specifically calling out how 'exhausting' and 'dispiriting' it is to watch how the President responds or doesn't respond at all to 'yet another story' of a black man or person being hurt or killed. Hard times: Michelle Obama, 56, spoke to NPR journalist Michele Noris about her 'emotional highs and lows,' admitting that she is 'dealing with some form of low-grade depression' Podcasting! She debuted 'The Michelle Obama Podcast' on Spotify last week Her depression is 'not just because of the quarantine, but because of the racial strife, and just seeing this administration, watching the hypocrisy of it, day in and day out, is dispiriting' 'Spiritually, these are not fulfilling times,' she said in the new episode. She said she is battling some form of depression 'not just because of the quarantine, but because of the racial strife, and just seeing this administration, watching the hypocrisy of it, day in and day out, is dispiriting. 'I don't think I'm unusual, in that,' she added. 'But I'd be remiss to say that part of this depression is also a result of what we're seeing in terms of the protests, the continued racial unrest, that has plagued this country since its birth. 'I have to say that waking up to the news, waking up to how this administration has or has not responded, waking up to yet another story of a black man or a black person somehow being dehumanized, or hurt or killed, or falsely accused of something, it is exhausting. 'And it has led to a weight that I haven't felt in my life, in a while.' But she added 'spirit is lifted' when she feels healthy and surrounds herself with good people, like family and friends. 'I reach out to my family, and to my friends, even in this time of quarantine. You know, I fought to continue to find a way to stay connected to the people in my life who bring me joy, and my girlfriends, my husband, my kids,' she said. Tired: Michelle (pictured with Norris) said it's 'exhausting' to watch how Trump responds or doesn't respond at all to 'yet another story' of a black man or person being hurt or killed Balm: To make herself feel better, Obama exercises regularly and tries to surround herself with 'good people' (pictured with Norris on Obama's book tour on November 24, 2018) Real talk: Michelle and the NPR journalist also discussed racism in the US 'It's the small things, small rituals [that make a difference],' she said. The former first lady she learned to stick to a routine in the White House, but lately it's been difficult, and it is affecting her sleep. 'Just seeing this administration, watching the hypocrisy of it, day in and day out, is dispiriting,' she said 'I'm waking up in the middle of the night, 'cause I'm worrying about something or there's a heaviness,' she said. 'I try to make sure I get a workout in, although there have been periods throughout this quarantine, where I just have felt too low. 'You know, I've gone through those emotional highs and lows that I think everybody feels, where you just don't feel yourself, and sometimes there's been a week or so where I had to surrender to that, and not be so hard on myself. And say, "You know what? You're just not feeling that treadmill right now." 'You have to recognize that you're in a place, a bad place, in order to get out of it. So you kinda have to sit in it for a minute, to know, oh, oh, I'm feeling off. So now I gotta, I gotta feed myself with something better,' she added. Michelle and Michele also broached the subject of racism in America, with Obama saying: 'We talk about white women clutching their purses at the sight of us, or feeling uncomfortable when we walk in the store, but I wonder, do you know how afraid we are?' A chat with hubby: Her first guest on July 29 was her husband, former President Barack Obama The plan: The two talk about marriage, protests, coronavirus, and quarantine Obama's first guest on the premiere episode of her podcast on July 29 was her husband, former President Barack Obama, 58, whom she called the 'eternal "Yes, we can" man.' She said she invited Barack to be her first guest 'because hes navigated these questions throughout the course of his life. In many ways, you can see his entire career as a constant conversation and evolution with his relationship to a larger and larger community.' During the episode, the couple talk about the differences in their childhoods, with Barack teasing Michelle that her upbringing was 'black "Leave It to Beavers" only thing missing was the dog.' They also discuss the coronavirus pandemic, with Michelle saying, 'Like most Americans, weve been spending a lot of time together in quarantine. 'Ive been having a great time. But weve had some interesting conversations because these are some crazy times,' she tells him. Big bro: Her brother, Craig Robinson, is set to be another guest on the show Favorite: In a preview clip, Craig admits he is the one who got their mother to move into the White House Wisdom: Michelle also talks to her mother, Marian Robinson, on an upcoming episode The episode also explores the protest movement sparked by the death of George Floyd. 'Given everything thats going on right now, from the killings of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, and the ongoing protests and conversations that are testing our patience and our consciences not to mention all the challenges were experiencing due to the pandemic, I think that these days, a lot of people are questioning just where and how they can fit into a community,' Mrs. Obama says. Future episodes will cover many other topics, from light to serious, including parenting, self-care, marriage, mentorship, family, and civil duty. Upcoming guests are set to include Michelle's mother, Marian Robinson, and her brother, Craig Robinson. High-profile: Other upcoming guests include Obama advisor Valerie Jarrett (pictured), Chynna Clayton, Yene Damtew, and Kristin Jones Funny guy: Conan O'Brien is also set to be a guest on her podcast The 56-year-old former first lady's new venture is on Spotify and features a series of interviews with her 'posse' In a preview clip that Mrs. Obama shared on Instagram on July 24, Craig can be heard saying that he is the one who managed to convince their mother to move to the White House 'because I'm her favorite.' More guests slated to appear include comedian Conan O'Brien in episode six, Obama advisor Valerie Jarrett in episode eight, and Michelle's friends Kelly Dibble, Denielle Pemberton-Heard, and Dr. Sharon Malone in episode five. She'll also speak to Chynna Clayton, Yene Damtew, and Kristin Jones. 'I can't wait for you all to hear the conversations I've been having for the #MichelleObamaPodcast,' Michelle tweeted. The podcast is produced by Higher Ground Productions, the company formed by the Obamas in 2018, which has also made content deals with Netflix. New Delhi: A PIL has been filed in the Supreme Court, seeking direction for a CBI probe into the death of Sushant Singh Rajput's former manager Disha Salian, along with that of the Bollywood actor, claiming "both are inter-linked". The plea, filed by advocate Vineet Dhanda, has sought direction to Mumbai Police to place on record the detailed investigation report in the case of Salian, after it was reported that her case file is missing or has been deleted. Dhanda urged the top court if after perusing the report, the court finds it unsatisfactory, then the matter may be referred to the Central Bureau of Investigation for further investigation. Salian died on June 8 after falling off the 14th floor of a residential building (Regent Galaxy) in Mumbai's Malad West. "A week later, on the morning of June 14, Sushant Singh Rajput allegedly died by suicide which creates suspicion," said the plea. The plea argued that Salian was in a relationship with actor Rohan Rai, who had been in some TV serials, and they were about to get married after the nationwide lockdown to stop the spread of coronavirus. "According to a family statement given to Mumbai Police, the family was happy with the relationship. The couple was waiting for the lockdown to get over and wanted to get married immediately. Just before the lockdown, Disha and Rohan had brought a 2 BHK flat in the Regent Galaxy building at Malad West.....", added the plea. The petitioner has insisted that Sushant and Salian's deaths are interconnected. "The Bihar Police reached Malwani Police Station to seek details about Rajput's ex-manager's death. However, the Mumbai Police told Bihar Police that the description of her case has been 'deleted by accident' and cannot be retrieved. This is to be noted that the Mumbai Police investigating officer initially was ready to share the details of the case but things changed after he received a call," the plea claimed. The plea argued that Bihar Police offered to help in retrieving the folder but the officers were not allowed to access the laptop. "A CBI probe into Salian's and Sushant Singh's murders is necessary in the present scenario. The petitioner wants a fair trial in their murder case without the interference of politicians," argued the petitioner. Already, two PILs have been filed in the apex court seeking a CBI probe into the matter, while Bollywood actor Rhea Chakraborty has moved the top court seeking transfer of the Patna case to Mumbai. After a hearing on the matter on Wednesday, the apex court has sought response from the Maharashtra and Bihar governments and will take up the matter next week. Scientists believe climate change impacts likely behind low marine catch in India by Toan Dao August 05,2020 | Source: SeafoodSource Climate scientists suspect that impacts of climate change have led to lower marine catches along the west coast of India, environmental news service Mongabay reported. Last month, Indias Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) released its Marine Fish Landings Report 2019, which provided data about marine catch in each Indian state. Maharashtra, a state in the west coast, saw its 2019 fish catch fall to its lowest level in 45 years, with the output of all marine species diving significantly, Mongabay said. The estimated fish catch in the state last year declined 32 percent year-on-year to 201,000 metric tons (MT), from 295,000 MT in 2018. The main reasons for the lower catch might come from adverse weather conditions such as heavy rains and overfishing of juveniles, K.V. Akhilesh, a scientist working at CMFRI Mumbai, said. Akhilesh added that extreme weather events, possibly because of climate change, are expected to rise in the years ahead. In 2019 India encountered roughly six severe cyclones, which hit fishing activities hard, especially in the west coast. Last year, the western coast witnessed many cyclones due to which the fishing days were less, and the cyclones are increasing from the last three years, Ganesh Nakhawa, a member of the Karanja Fishing Cooperative Society in Raigad, said. He added that distressed fishers in the region had their annual catch shrink by a half. Other experts believed that global warming has caused the phytoplankton population to decline and enhance fish migration, resulting in lower catch. Roxy Mathew Koll, a scientists at the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology, Pune, told the news service the fewer fishing days on the west coast were attributed to extreme weather conditions and overfishing. He said the weather events were linked to climate change. The warming has been recorded in the Indian Ocean and this has led to the migration of fish from warm waters to cooler regions, Koll said. Meanwhile, the marine phytoplankton population in the Indian Ocean has contracted about 30 percent in the western Indian Ocean alone during the rapid global warming in the last 16 years, affecting food for whales, shrimp, and jellyfish, a study led by Koll showed. An estimated 60 to 75 percent of Indias marine catch is from the west coast region. Like Maharashtra, the marine catch also dropped by between 4 to 44.4 percent year-on-year in 2019 in the remaining states including Goa, Kerala, and Gujarat. Indian mackerel and Indian oil sardine topped the decline, among others. Last year, Indias marine catch rose 2.1 percent to 3.56 million MT. Mongabay said the growth was made thanks to the increase in the eastern coast, typically from Tamil Nadu. 2020 Diversified Communications. All rights reserved. Theme(s): Fisheries Resources. Its not the 100th birthday Bianca Scala pictured for her grandmother, but shell make the best of it. Instead of a big family gathering in the backyard, Consiglia LaFratta will get a drive-by salute from friends and family on Saturday, Aug. 15, to mark a century on this planet. The Niagara Falls senior will be watching from the front of Oakwood Park Lodge, where she has resided since 2018. Strict social distancing is in place at the seniors care centre. The nurses have been really good there, so theyre going to take her outside and we can drive by and see her at least, said Scala. Thats all we can really do. The birthday drive-by starts at 11 a.m. and goes to 11:30 a.m. LaFratta was born in 1920 in Castropignano, Italy. After her husband died, she immigrated to Canada in 1971 and settled in Thorold with her six children. She raised them mostly on her own, said Scala. Her family eventually grew to 15 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. Scala has many fond memories visiting her grandmothers small home on Richmond Street. What a nice lady she is, she said. We always had family gatherings at her house in Thorold. It was just a tiny house but we always seemed to fit everyone in. We would always have celebrations in there. I actually really miss that. Oakwood Park Lodge is at 6747 Oakwood Dr. Establishment Republicans worry that if Kris Kobach, a polarizing figure in Kansas, wins the nomination, Democrats could capture this seat and perhaps gain control of the Senate. REDWOOD CITY, Calif., Aug. 5, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Nevro Corp. (NYSE: NVRO), a global medical device company that is providing innovative, evidence-based solutions for the treatment of chronic pain, today announced its financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2020. Worldwide revenue for the second quarter of 2020 was $56.4 million, a 40% decrease from $93.6 million in the prior year period. Second quarter 2020 revenue was negatively impacted by COVID-19 restrictions on elective surgical procedures around the world. U.S. revenue in the second quarter of 2020 was $51.0 million, a decrease of 35% compared to $78.1 million in the prior year period. Year-over-year, U.S. trials declined by approximately 37% and permanent implants declined by approximately 34% during the second quarter of 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. International revenue was $5.4 million, a 65% decrease on a constant currency basis, compared to $15.5 million in the prior year period. "While the COVID-19 global pandemic took a severe toll on our business in the second quarter of 2020, we are encouraged by the signs of recovery we are seeing in procedure volumes, particularly in the U.S.," said D. Keith Grossman, Chairman, CEO and President of Nevro. "April was the most impacted month during the second quarter with a reduction of approximately 85% in U.S. case volume, when elective surgical procedures were restricted globally. Since then, we have seen sequential improvements in both May and June that have exceeded our expectations. In the month of June, daily U.S. trial and permanent procedure volumes were approximately equal to the prior year period, and we have seen continued improvement in the month of July. As expected, international volumes during the second quarter were deeply impacted and slower to recover. Despite encouraging signs of early recovery in the U.S., we remain cautious about the visibility and predictability of our environment through the end of 2020. We are monitoring new pandemic developments closely and will continue to work alongside our physician customers to serve patients who desperately need our therapy to relieve their debilitating chronic pain." Gross profit for the second quarter of 2020 was $35.3 million, a 45% decrease compared to $63.9 million in the prior year period. Gross margin was 62.5% in the second quarter compared to 68.3% in the prior year period. Compared to the prior year period, the decrease in gross margin in the second quarter of 2020 was primarily attributable to a one-time charge of approximately $2.5 million related to older generation product that was deemed to be in excess of forecasted demand, as well as the impact of lower revenue. Operating expenses for the second quarter of 2020 were $70.6 million, a 22% decrease compared to $90.5 million in the prior year period. Expenses included an increase in our reserves for bad debt of $1.5 million. The year-over-year decrease in operating expenses was primarily related to reduced travel-related expenses, temporary salary reductions and active expense management during the COVID-19 pandemic. Legal expenses associated with patent litigation were $2.3 million for the second quarter of 2020, compared to $3.9 million in the prior year period. Net loss from operations for the second quarter of 2020 was $35.4 million, a 33% increase compared to a loss of $26.6 million in the prior year period. Adjusted EBITDA for the second quarter of 2020 was negative $22.1 million, a 98% increase compared to negative $11.1 million in the prior year period. Adjusted EBITDA excludes certain litigation expenses, interest, taxes and non-cash items such as stock-based compensation and depreciation and amortization. Please see our financial tables for GAAP to Non-GAAP reconciliations. Cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments totaled $562.3 million as of June 30, 2020. Net cash increased during the second quarter of 2020 by $314.8 million, primarily as a result of approximately $313.5 million in funds, net of underwriter fees and expenses, received from the Company's April 2020 public offerings of common stock and convertible senior notes. Webcast and Conference Call Information Management will host a conference call today at 1:30 pm PT/ 4:30 pm ET. Investors interested in listening to the call may do so by dialing (833) 968-2321 in the U.S. or +1 (778) 560-2840 internationally, using Conference ID: 8783575. In addition, a live webcast, as well as an archived recording, will be available on the "Investors" section of the Company's website at: www.nevro.com. About Nevro Headquartered in Redwood City, California, Nevro is a global medical device company focused on providing innovative products that improve the quality of life of patients suffering from debilitating chronic pain. Nevro has developed and commercialized the Senza spinal cord stimulation (SCS) system, an evidence-based, non-pharmacologic neuromodulation platform for the treatment of chronic pain. HF10 therapy has demonstrated the ability to reduce or eliminate opioids in 65% of patients across six peer-reviewed clinical studies. The Senza System, Senza II System, and the Senza Omnia System are the only SCS systems that deliver Nevro's proprietary HF10 therapy. Senza, Senza II, Senza Omnia, HF10, Nevro and the Nevro logo are trademarks of Nevro Corp. To learn more about Nevro, connect with us on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. Forward-Looking Statements In addition to historical information, this press release contains forward-looking statements reflecting the Company's current beliefs and expectations of management made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including: our statements regarding early signs of recovery in elective procedures; and statements regarding our financial condition and expected effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on our business. These forward-looking statements are based upon information that is currently available to us or our current expectations, speak only as of the date hereof, and are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, including our ability to successfully commercialize our products; our ability to manufacture our products to meet demand; the level and availability of third-party payor reimbursement for our products; our ability to effectively manage our anticipated growth and the costs and expenses of operating our business; our ability to protect our intellectual property rights and proprietary technologies; our ability to operate our business without infringing the intellectual property rights and proprietary technology of third parties; competition in our industry; additional capital and credit availability; our ability to attract and retain qualified personnel; and product liability claims. These factors, together with those that are described in greater detail in our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on February 25, 2020, as well as any reports that we may file with the Securities and Exchange Commission in the future, may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially and adversely from those anticipated or implied by our forward-looking statements. We expressly disclaim any obligation, except as required by law, or undertaking to update or revise any such forward-looking statements. Nevro's operating results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2020 are not necessarily indicative of our operating results for any future periods. Investor Relations: Juliet Cunningham Vice President, Investor Relations +1 650-433-3247 [email protected] Nevro Corp. Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss (in thousands, except share and per share data) Three Months Ended Six Months Ended June 30, June 30, 2020 2019 2020 2019 (unaudited) (unaudited) Revenue $ 56,390 $ 93,571 $ 143,857 $ 175,719 Cost of revenue 21,140 29,628 48,060 58,567 Gross profit 35,250 63,943 95,797 117,152 Operating expenses: Research and development 10,444 14,930 22,656 29,065 Sales, general and administrative 60,167 75,573 131,569 156,901 Total operating expenses 70,611 90,503 154,225 185,966 Loss from operations (35,361) (26,560) (58,428) (68,814) Other income (expense): Interest income (expense), net (5,368) (1,221) (6,930) (2,360) Other income (expense), net (290) 118 (243) (225) Loss before income taxes (41,019) (27,663) (65,601) (71,399) Provision for income taxes 44 358 350 698 Net loss (41,063) (28,021) (65,951) (72,097) Changes in foreign currency translation adjustment 361 (377) (468) (101) Changes in unrealized gains (losses) on short-term investments 440 195 225 440 Net change in other comprehensive loss 801 (182) (243) 339 Comprehensive Loss $ (40,262) $ (28,203) $ (66,194) $ (71,758) Net loss per share, basic and diluted $ (1.21) $ (0.91) $ (2.00) $ (2.36) Weighted average shares used to compute net loss per share, basic and diluted 33,988,082 30,677,567 32,913,947 30,521,463 Nevro Corp. Consolidated Balance Sheets (in thousands, except share and per share data) June 30, December 31, 2020 2019 (unaudited) Assets Current assets Cash and cash equivalents $ 276,515 $ 65,373 Short-term investments 285,825 172,429 Accounts receivable, net 56,660 82,833 Inventories, net 91,849 91,579 Prepaid expenses and other current assets 6,088 9,838 Total current assets 716,937 422,052 Property and equipment, net 11,436 11,766 Operating lease assets 19,867 21,533 Other assets 3,976 13,338 Restricted cash 956 956 Total assets $ 753,172 $ 469,645 Liabilities and stockholders' equity Current liabilities Accounts payable $ 18,657 $ 16,048 Short-term debt 164,465 Accrued liabilities and other 37,646 54,563 Total current liabilities 220,768 70,611 Long-term debt 137,345 160,300 Long-term operating lease liabilities 18,634 20,445 Other long-term liabilities 1,997 1,937 Total liabilities 378,744 253,293 Stockholders' equity Common stock, $0.001 par value, 290,000,000 shares authorized 34,274,490 and 31,544,361 shares issued and outstanding at June 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively 34 32 Additional paid-in capital 850,669 626,401 Accumulated other comprehensive loss (556) (313) Accumulated deficit (475,719) (409,768) Total stockholders' equity 374,428 216,352 Total liabilities and stockholders' equity $ 753,172 $ 469,645 Nevro Corp. GAAP to Adjusted EBITDA Reconciliation (unaudited) (in thousands) The following table presents a reconciliation of GAAP net loss, as prepared in accordance with U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles ("GAAP"), to Adjusted EBITDA, a non-GAAP financial measure. Reconciliation of actual results: Three Months Ended Six Months Ended June 30, June 30, 2020 2019 2020 2019 (unaudited) (unaudited) GAAP Net loss $ (41,063) $ (28,021) $ (65,951) $ (72,097) Non-GAAP Adjustments: Interest (income) expense, net 5,368 1,221 6,930 2,360 Provision for income taxes 44 358 350 698 Depreciation and amortization 1,224 1,150 2,561 2,275 Stock-based compensation expense 10,083 9,721 18,571 20,123 Litigation related expenses 2,294 4,455 4,456 6,801 Adjusted EBITDA $ (22,050) $ (11,116) $ (33,083) $ (39,840) Management uses certain non-GAAP financial measures, most specifically Adjusted EBITDA, as a supplement to GAAP financial measures to further evaluate the Company's operating performance period over period, analyze the underlying business trends, assess performance relative to competitors and establish operational objectives. Management believes it is important to provide investors with the same non-GAAP metrics it uses to evaluate the performance and underlying trends of the Company's business operations to facilitate comparisons to its historical operating results and evaluate the effectiveness of its operating strategies. Disclosure of these non-GAAP financial measures also facilitates comparisons of the Company's underlying operating performance with other companies in the industry that also supplement their GAAP results with non-GAAP financial measures. EBITDA is a non-GAAP financial measure, which is calculated by adding interest income and expense, net; provision for income taxes; and depreciation and amortization to net income. In calculating Adjusted EBITDA, the Company further adjusts for the following items: Stock-based compensation expense The Company excludes non-cash costs related to the Company's stock- based plans, which include stock options, restricted stock units and performance-based restricted stock units as these expenses do not require cash settlement from the Company. Litigation related expenses The Company excludes legal and professional fees associated with certain legal matters which management considers not related to the underlying operating performance of the business. Full year guidance excludes the impact of foreign currency fluctuations. The non-GAAP financial measure should not be considered in isolation from, or as a replacement for, the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures, as it is not prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP. SOURCE Nevro Corp. Related Links http://www.nevro.com A second wave of Covid-19 appears to be striking Europe, forcing Spain to reimpose lockdowns and cases spiking to a three-month high in Greece. The head of Germany's doctors' union has declared that the country is already in the midst of its second wave because people have flouted social distancing rules. And France's top scientific committee has warned the virus 'could at any moment tip into a scenario that is less under control'. Greece's prime minister has urged the country to maintain social distancing after it recorded 121 new cases yesterday, the highest daily tally since April 22. Italy - once the sickman of Europe - has managed to avoid an uptick, but two cruise ships are now quarantined in the Civitavecchia port in Rome. Spain saw 8,500 new cases over the weekend; an all-inclusive resort in Majorca was shutdown and two towns north of Madrid have been put under strict lockdown. Scroll down for video How Covid-19 cases have changed in Spain, Belgium, Finland, Greece, France, Ireland, Germany, Italy, the UK, Luxembourg and Europe overall. The biweekly growth rate on any given date measures the percentage change in the number of new confirmed cases over the last 14 days relative to the number in the previous 14 days Biweekly change in confirmed COVID-19 cases in Europe The biweekly map shows how most countries in Europe have reported between a 25 and 200 per cent increase in cases in the past two weeks People wearing protective face masks walk at the Trocadero square near the Eiffel Tower in Paris as France reinforces mask-wearing as part of efforts to curb a resurgence of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) across the country, August 3, 2020 A woman asks a health worker about the voluntary testing for covid-19 that is taking place in Ripollet, Barcelona, Spain, 05 August 2020 So what is the situation in countries that are reporting increasing cases? Finland Finland today announced it plans to reintroduce recommendations to work from home whenever possible just days after dropping it, due to a rise in COVID-19 cases. By August 1, Finland's cases had risen by more than 300 per cent in two weeks. Finnish health authorities today recorded 29 new cases, raising the seven-day total to 98 from 52 in the previous seven days, Reuters reported. 'The rise in infections gives reason to consider continuing remote working ...where it is possible,' Minister of Social Affairs and Health Aino-Kaisa Pekonen wrote on Twitter, adding she had asked for official guidelines to be updated accordingly. The recommendation in favour of remote working had ended at the end of July. New infections remained very low throughout June and July, allowing Finns to enjoy their summer holiday season in relative security but prompting some to flout social distancing rules. The COVID-19 epidemic in Finland, which has suffered 7,512 cases and 331 deaths, peaked in March and April. The quick introduction of containment measures including travel restrictions and the closure of schools and restaurants helped curb the number of infections. France Authorities in France are grappling with a sharp increase in fresh cases which has seen more than 7,000 new infections within the last week, as well as a rise in the number of people being treated for the disease in intensive care. Around 1,219 new cases are being reported per day. But two weeks ago, the seven-day rolling average was 719. At its lowest point at the end of May, the country was recording around 272 new cases per day. The scientific committee said that the situation was 'under control, but precarious. We could at any moment tip into a scenario that is less under control.' It added: 'The short term future of the pandemic mainly lies in the hands of the population. It is highly likely that we will experience a second epidemic wave this autumn or winter.' The statement said the virus 'has recently been circulating more actively, with an increased loss of distancing and barrier measures' since France emerged from its strict two-month lockdown in May. 'The balance is fragile and we can change course at any time to a less controlled scenario like in Spain for example,' it said. The warning came as authorities grapple with a sharp increase in fresh cases which has seen more than 7,000 new infections within the last week (graphic showing growing number of daily coronavirus cases in France) The country also reported 29 new coronavirus-related deaths which takes the confirmed total to 30,265 since the pandemic began - one of Europe's highest death tolls (graphic showing growing number of daily coronavirus deaths in France) Several French cities have now toughened their face mask rules and made it mandatory to wear outdoors in busy areas of cities such as Lille, Nice and Biarritz (pictured) HOW MANY CASES ARE BEING REPORTED IN EACH COUNTRY? The seven-day rolling average for each country today or yesterday compared to two weeks ago, on July 22: Spain: 3,172/1,437 Germany: 733/460 Belgium: 555/198 Finland: 11/10 Greece: 82/24 France: 1,219/719 Ireland: 46/19 Italy: 276/218 UK: 801/638 Luxembourg: 77/104 Advertisement Germany In Germany, Susanne Johna, head of the doctors' union, told the Augsburger Allgemeine newspaper on Tuesday: 'We are already in a second, shallow upswing.' Some 730 cases have been reported each day on average this week, against the 460 being recorded per day two weeks ago. Ms Johna said there was a danger that a longing to return to normality and a suppression of containment measures would fritter away the success Germany had achieved so far, urging people to stick to social distancing and hygiene rules and wear masks. Europe's biggest economy has so far withstood the pandemic with far fewer deaths than some large neighbours like France and Italy, owing to widespread testing, a well-equipped healthcare system and good adherence to social distancing. The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Germany increased by 879 to 211,281, data from the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) for infectious diseases showed on Tuesday. The reported death toll rose by eight to 9,156, the tally showed. Johna said hospitals were prepared and would make intensive care beds available to COVID-19 patients on a staggered basis, while at the same time gradually reducing the number of planned admissions to normal wards. According to the DIVI intensive care register there are almost 21,000 intensive care beds in Germany, of which some 12,200 are currently free. As of Monday, there were 270 COVID-19 patients in intensive care, of whom 130 were being ventilated. A survey of 3,600 people carried out by Mannheim University found that pandemic fatigue was beginning to take hold, and roughly 50 per cent of those involved now socialise several times a week, in comparison with 30 per cent in May and just 10 per cent in late March. On Saturday, just under 20,000 people gathered in Berlin to protest against Germany's coronavirus regulations. Many flouted guidance on wearing masks and physical distancing during the demonstration dubbed 'Day of Freedom'. The number of daily confirmed coronavirus cases has ticked up steadily in recent weeks On Saturday, just under 20,000 people gathered in Berlin to protest against Germany's coronavirus regulations Spain In Spain, a hotel in Majorca on Sunday became the first on the holiday island to close after an outbreak of coronavirus saw ten staff fall sick. The Club Cala Barca is not accepting any new bookings and closed its doors for disinfection over the weekend after the last guests left. The outbreak was first detected last week when a worker fell ill, and 192 more tests uncovered another nine infections among staff and four more among their relatives. Bosses say no guests are showing symptoms and they do not have any plans to test visitors, since all staff are required to socially distance. It comes as Spain announced 8,500 new coronavirus cases across the country at the weekend - its largest jump in three months - bringing its total to 297,054. Yesterday 5,760 cases were recorded in 24 hours, the highest since the height of Europe's pandemic, on April 23, when 6,740 cases were diagnosed. It means Spain's seven-day rolling average is hovering around 3,200 ten times the figure one month ago. Spain is the worst-hit nation in Europe at the moment, with many of its neighbours including Italy, Germany and the UK, recommending against travelling there. Elsewhere in Spain, two towns are back in lockdown after a coronavirus outbreak at a poultry farm left 49 workers infected. Around 10,000 people living in Iscar and Pedrajas, 80 miles north of Madrid, were told to remain in their homes for all-but essential business, starting this week. The Club Cala Barca hotel, in Mallorca, has been forced to close after an outbreak of the virus saw 10 staff infected along with four of their relatives Extra police and a helicopter have been drafted in to stop people leaving their homes for non-essential business. Rule-breakers will face on-the-spot fines as mayors of both towns accused people of not taking advice seriously, including failing to wear masks and socially distance. The outbreak started after a worker at a local slaughterhouse fell ill and was tested positive. Trackers traced numerous contacts, including other workers who had travelled in the same car, family members and friends and other people with whom they had mixed. So far, 22 of the 49 positives work at the slaughterhouse. The new lockdown will remain in place for 14 days, during which time nobody will be allowed to leave the towns but will be allowed to travel between them. Meanwhile in Lleida, 80 miles west of Barcelona, a business has been forcibly closed after inspectors discovered 19 staff were still working despite having the virus. Owners of the business had initially refused to comply with regulations meaning staff had to be tested. They eventually agreed, but insisted that only staff who volunteered for the tests should have them. Ninety people took the tests, and 38 tested positive. When inspectors returned for a follow-up six days later, they found that 19 people were still at work, despite the positive test result. Officials did not name the affected business, or say what work the staff were doing. Greece Greece's prime minister warned on Wednesday that new restrictions may be needed if a worrying rise in daily cases does not abate. Greece reported 121 new cases on Tuesday, the highest tally since April 22 and part of a surge of what appears to be mainly domestic infections. The seven-day rolling average is now at 82, which is almost as high as its peak in the first week of April - when 93 cases were being reported per day. 'Any form of complacency is unjustified,' Kyriakos Mitsotakis said. 'We still don't know how ...many months we will be forced to live with the virus.' In spring, Greece fared better than other countries in controlling the spread of COVID 19 mainly due to targeted lockdowns followed by nationwide curbs imposed during March. Mitsotakis described the registered rise in infections, three months after restrictions were eased, as 'worrying'. Total cases have reached 4,855, with data showing the virus affecting more younger people than before. Experts say that could be due either to an increase in tests or because more visitors have been tested during Greece's peak tourism season. 'Strict adherence to the rules is demanded even more at this crucial turn, to prevent a new significant rise in cases in August and the adoption of possible new restrictive measures which will hurt the economy and society,' Mitsotakis said. The UK Britain's coronavirus outbreak is still growing as officials recorded another 892 cases today causing the average daily number of infections to shoot up again. Department of Health bosses say 820 Britons are now being struck down with the life-threatening virus every day, on average. The rate has been rising since dropping to a four-month low of 546 on July 8. The figures add to mounting fears of a second wave in Britain, with Prime Minister Boris Johnson understood to be 'extremely concerned' about cases bubbling up in the UK and in other European nations. But the number of patients being admitted to hospital has yet to spike, bolstering claims from top scientists that the outbreak is not getting worse and cases are only rising because more patients are being tested. Aberdeen today became the latest city to be put back into lockdown as pubs, cafes and restaurants were shut. Officials last week imposed tough new restrictions on 4.5million people living in Greater Manchester and parts of Lancashire and Yorkshire to curb spiralling coronavirus rates. Planned visit angers China, which says the move will endanger peace and stability in the region. US Secretary of Health and Human Services Alex Azar will visit Taiwan in the coming days, his office has announced, the highest-level visit by a US official to the territory claimed by China in four decades. The announcement on Wednesday immediately prompted firm opposition in Beijing. Taiwan is a key irritant in the troubled relationship between the worlds two largest economies, who are also at odds over trade, technology, the South China Sea and Chinas response to the coronavirus pandemic. The US, like most countries, has no formal diplomatic ties with Taiwan, having dropped Taipei in favour of Beijing in 1979, but is the islands main arms supplier and strongest backer on the international stage. The American Institute in Taiwan (AIT), which operates as Washingtons de facto embassy on the island, said Wednesday that Azars historic visit will strengthen the US-Taiwan partnership and enhance US-Taiwan cooperation to combat the global COVID-19 pandemic. In a tweet, Taiwans Ministry of Foreign Affairs said: We look forward to welcoming Azar and his delegation. This is the highest-level visit by a US Cabinet official since 1979! Taiwan and the US are like minded partners cooperating closely in combating coronavirus and promoting freedom democracy & human rights worldwide. The ministry said Azar would meet with Taiwans President Tsai Ing-wen, with whose government China cut off virtually all contacts four years ago, along with Foreign Minister Joseph Wu and top health officials. In Beijing, a spokesman for the Chinese foreign ministry said Azars visit would endanger peace and stability in the region. China firmly opposes official exchanges between the US and Taiwan, Wang Wenbin said at a regular briefing. We urge the US to abide by the one-China principle stop all forms of official exchanges with Taiwan and refrain from sending any wrong signals to the Taiwan independence forces. China claims self-ruled Taiwan as its own and has threatened to annex it by force if necessary. Azar would be the first HHS secretary to visit Taiwan and the first Cabinet member to visit in six years, the last being then-Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Gina McCarthy. His Cabinet ranking is higher than previous US visitors. Taiwan has been a model of transparency and cooperation in global health during the COVID-19 pandemic and long before it, Azar said in the AIT statement. This trip represents an opportunity to strengthen our economic and public health cooperation with Taiwan, especially as the United States and other countries work to strengthen and diversify our sources for crucial medical products. Azars visit was facilitated by the 2018 passage of the Taiwan Travel Act that encouraged sending higher-level officials to Taiwan after decades during which such contact was rare and freighted with safeguards to avoid disturbing ties with Beijing. China objects to all official contact between Taiwan and the US. But its increasing diplomatic pressure, including poaching Taiwans few remaining diplomatic allies and excluding it from international gatherings including the World Health Assembly, has fostered considerable bipartisan sympathy for Taipei in Washington and prompted new measures to strengthen governmental and military ties. Taiwans strong performance in handling its COVID-19 outbreak has also won it plaudits while highlighting its exclusion from the World Health Organization and other UN bodies. US President Donald Trump signed a new law in March requiring increased support for Taiwans international role. China threatened unspecified retaliation in response. Coronavirus Updates: The positivity rate in Delhi stood at 6.4 percent while the recovery rate was nearly 90 percent on Wednesday, a state health department bulletin said Auto refresh feeds Of the total 2.08 crore tests conducted so far, around 26.5 lakh are antigen tests, an ICMR official said. A record 6,61,892 samples were tested for COVID-19 on Monday, taking the total number of tests conducted so far in the country to 2,08,64,750 and the Tests per Million (TPM) to 15,119. Rapid antigen tests comprise nearly 25-30 per cent of the total daily tests conducted for the detection of COVID-19 in the country at present, ICMR Director General Balram Bhargava said on Tuesday. While 330 patients have recovered from the disease so far in the state, five have died due to the virus. Meghalaya on Tuesday recorded the highest single-day recovery of 66 COVID-19 patients, Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma said. Fifteen more people also tested positive for coronavirus, increasing the state's tally to 917. Pune district reported 2098 new coronavirus cases in the last 24 hours, taking its COVID-19 count to 94,978 on Tuesday, a health department official said. He said the death toll rose to 2,185 with 56 more patients succumbing to the infection during the same period in the western Maharashtra district, reports PTI. Public health experts say the problem has been compounded by confusing and inconsistent guidance from politicians and a patchwork quilt of approaches to containing the scourge by county, state and federal governments. Many Americans have resisted wearing masks and social distancing, calling such precautions an overreaction or an infringement on their liberty. Fourth of July gatherings, graduation parties, no-mask weddings, crowded bars there are reasons the US has racked up more than 155,000 coronavirus deaths, by far the most of any country, and is fast approaching an off-the-charts 5 million confirmed infections, easily the highest in the world, reports AP. Assam on Tuesday reported its highest single-day spike of 2,886 new COVID-19 cases, taking the state's tally to 48,161, Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said. Six more patients died in the state, following which the toll rose to 115. Maharashtras case count rose to 4,57,956 after 7,760 new infections, and the toll went up by 300 to 16,142. Meanwhile, Tamil Nadu has 2,68,285 cases and the toll stood at 4,349. The number of active cases in Delhi went below the 10,000-mark. The Capitals coronavirus tally stood at 1,39,156, including 1,25,226 recoveries and 4,033 deaths. The company said it could start a large pivotal Phase III trial as soon as late September, and on a conference call added that it could produce 1 billion to 2 billion doses of the vaccine in 2021. Novavax Inc said on Tuesday its experimental Covid-19 vaccine produced high levels of antibodies against the novel coronavirus, according to initial data from a small, early-stage clinical trial, sending the companys shares up 10%, reports Reuters. The global toll rose to 6,99,134 on Wednesday with the United States adding 1,302 more fatalities to the tally, according to the Johns Hopkins University. The global coronavirus count crossed 1.84 crore. As many as 1.10 crore people have recovered. "India as a whole, the testing rates are much lower compared to some of the countries, who have done well like Germany, Taiwan, South Korea, Japan. The Chief Scientist of WHO, Soumya Swaminathan, in an interactive session through video conference said,as of now about 28 vaccine candidates for COVID-19 are under clinical trial, of which five are entering Phase-II and over 150 candidates are in pre-clinical trials across the globe. Noting that lockdown was a temporary measure to contain the spread of coronavirus, a senior official of the World Health Organisation on Tuesday said India has a low testing rate when compared to some of the countries that are successfully trying to curb it. "I will lead a silent prayer in the memory of COVID Warriors. I appeal to my 4.5 crore sisters and brothers of Odisha to join this silent prayer at 6 pm tomorrow (5 August)," Patnaik said. In a bid to boost the morale of the thousands of people engaged in the fight against COVID-19 in the state, Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik urged people to observe a silent prayer on Wednesday and take an oath to follow guidelines to avoid infection. "India as a whole, the testing rates are much lower compared to some of the countries, who have done well like Germany, Taiwan, South Korea, Japan. Even the United States is testing a huge number of people. So we need to have some benchmark and every public health department needs to have benchmarks on what is the rate of testing per lakh or per million, what is the test positivity rate," said Soumya Swaminathan, the Chief Scientist of WHO. Noting that lockdown was a temporary measure to contain the spread of coronavirus, a senior official of the World Health Organisation on Tuesday said India has a low testing rate when compared to some of the countries that are successfully trying to curb it. India registered over 19 lakh COVID-19 infections on Wednesday after 52,509 more individuals tested positive for the novel coronavirus. With 857 more deaths in the past 24 hours, the COVID-19 toll climbed to 39,795, according to the health ministry. So far, 12,82,216 COVID-19 patients have been cured, taking India's recovery rate to 67.19 percent. Of the total 19,08,255 confirmed coronavirus cases, there are 5,86,244 active cases, according to the latest data by the health ministry. Reports of him contracting the viral infection came on 25 July. The hospital advised him to quarantine himself at home and monitor his health for further seven days. Madhya Pradesh chief minister Shivrah Singh Chouhan has been discharged from Bhopal's Chirayu Hospital on Wednesday after recovering from COVID-19, reported ANI. "After symptoms of coronavirus, I got tested on advice of doctors. I have tested positive for COVID-19. Those who came in contact with me in past few days are requested to follow government guidelines and quarantine themselves and get themselves tested," said Pathak. Uttar Pradesh cabinet minister Brajesh Pathak on Wednesday said he has tested positive for the novel coronavirus, and asked people who came in contact with him recently to get themselves tested as per norms. Of 18.55 lakh total confirmed COVID-19 cases, nearly 5.8 lakh patients are being treated for coronavirus in different parts of the country, as per the Union Health Ministry. Of the 32 new cases, eight were reported from Lohit district, Lower Siang (7), East Siang (4), West Kameng and Capital Complex three each, Changlang, Tirap and Papumpare reported two cases each and one from East Kameng district, State Surveillance Officer Dr L Jampa said. Arunachal Pradesh on Wednesday reported 32 fresh COVID-19 infections including 13 security personnel, taking the northeastern state's overall count to 1,790, a senior health official said. The state recorded 32,900 COVID-19 recoveries so far, according to the Rajasthan government. With 593 fresh COVID-19 infections in Rajasthan, the overall count in the state climbed to 47,272 on Wednesday, ANI reported. The COVID-19 toll has reached 742 after 10 more patients succumbed to the viral infection. Stating that a realistic timeline to start receiving first million doses of COVID vaccine is mid-2021, World Health Organizations Chief Scientist Dr Soumya Swaminathan cautioned that it might take longer "as we did not understand the virus completely". Favipiravir has received authorisation from the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) for emergency use, Lupin said in a regulatory filing. Drug major Lupin on Wednesday announced the launch of its Favipiravir drug under the brand name 'Covihalt' for the treatment patients with mild to moderate COVID-19 symptoms at Rs 49 per tablet in India. "ZyCoV-D was found to be safe and well tolerated in the phase I clinical trial. The company will now commence phase II clinical trials from the 6th of August, 2020. Drug firm Zydus Cadila on Wednesday said the phase I clinical trial of its COVID-19 vaccine candidate, ZyCoV-D, has been completed and it will commence phase II clinical trials from 6 August. Odisha's COVID-19 caseload crossed the 39,000-mark with the detection of 1,337 fresh infections, while nine more fatalities pushed its coronavirus toll to 225 on Wednesday, reports PTI. The fresh infections reported in 28 districts took the state's tally to 39,018. The Ministry of National Health Services said a total of 675 new cases of coronavirus were reported in the country. The total number of infected cases reached 281,136 after 675 new cases were detected while the death toll due to the infection has surged to 6,014, the ministry said in a statement. Pakistan has reported 15 more deaths due to coronavirus in the last 24 hours, taking its death toll to 6,014 while the total number of infections in the country stands at 281,136, the health ministry said on Wednesday. The police personnel who tested positive for the disease included 1,035 officers, he said. "So far, 10,026 personnel have tested positive for COVID-19. Of them, 107 personnel, including 10 officers, have died," the official said, adding that more than 50 percent of the casualties were reported from the Mumbai Police force. Over 10,000 Maharashtra Police personnel have so far tested positive for coronavirus and 107 of them have died due to the viral infection, reports PTI. Tripura's COVID-19 caseload increased to 5,646 on Wednesday with the detection of 125 fresh infections, while two more fatalities pushed its coronavirus toll to 30, reports PTI. The singer shared his diagnosis in a Facebook videoearlier today. He said that he had tested positive a few days back but it was a mild case of the virus. Popular playback singer SP Balasubrahmanyam has tested positive for the coronavirus. Despite doctors advising home quarantine, the singer chose to admit himself to the hospital. Trump, who has in the past upped the ante against Beijing over its handling of the COVID-19 outbreak, told reporters at the White House on Tuesday that the coronavirus should not have hit the world. Americas attitude towards China has changed greatly since the coronavirus pandemic hit the country, US President Donald Trump has said, asserting that the Chinese government should have stopped the deadly contagion in Wuhan. According to ANI reports, former Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah has no fever and his vital parameters are stable. "He has been started on appropriate treatment and is being closely monitored by our experts. His symptoms have improved since admission and is comfortable at present," Manipal Hospital told the news agency. According to the Puducherry health department, 286 new COVID19 positive cases and 7 deaths were reported in the Union Territory. The total number of cases now at 4,432 including 1,721 active cases, 2,646 recovered cases and 65 deaths. The new cases raised the total number of COVID-19 infections in the country to 54,254, the MOH said. Singapore on Wednesday reported 908 new coronavirus cases, the highest daily figure recorded since May, with the Ministry of Health (MOH) attributing the high number of infections to the ongoing clearance of dormitories housing foreign workers. The boy, who was a resident of Junglighat area of Port Blair, was suffering from diabetes. He died of COVID-19 at the G B Pant Hospital here, the official said, adding the fresh fatality has pushed the coronavirus death toll in the islands to 12. Andaman and Nicobar Islands reported the first death of a child due to COVID-19 as an eight-year-old boy succumbed to the infection on Wednesday, reports PTI. The BMC on Wednesday said that one new coronavirus case was reported in Mumbai's Dharavi area, taking the total number of cases to 2,589, including 77 active cases and 2,254 discharges. The Goa government said that all passengers arriving in the state are "required to go for 14 days of home quarantine or they can opt for 14 days of paid institutional quarantine." Kerala reported 1,195 cases in the last 24 hours taking the overall tally across 29,000. The state's toll has reached 94. Of the positive cases, 971 were infected through contact and the source of infection of 79 people is not known, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said. Sixty six of those who tested positive have come from foreign countries and 125 from other states. Thirteen health workers are among those infected,he told reporters. They said while one death took place in Jammu region, eight were reported from the Kashmir Valley. The coronavirus death toll in the union territory has now risen to 426 of which 395 are from the valley and 31 from Jammu region Jammu and Kashmir on Wednesday recorded 559 new coronavirus cases, taking the total number of infected people to 22,955, even as 9 COVID-19 patients died during the last 24 hours in the union territory, officials said. "Nine people, who were COVID-19 positive, have died over the past 24 hours in Jammu and Kashmir," the officials said. The state of Maharashtra reported 10,309 new coronavirus cases today while 334 people succumbed to COVID-19. Total number of cases in the state is now at 4,68,265, including 1,45,961 active cases, 3,05,521 recovered & 16,476 deaths, the state's health department said. Five people died in the city on Wednesday taking the toll from the virus to 1,617, the state health department bulletin added. Of the total cases, Ahmedabad reported 161 infections takings its overall tally to 27,283. According to the state health department, Gujarat's COVID-19 tally reached 66,777 with 1,073 patients testing positive on Wednesday while 23 patients died from the virus, taking the overall toll to 2,557, PTI reported. All passengers arriving in Goa are required to go for 14 days of home quarantine or they can opt for 14 days of paid institutional quarantine. #COVID19 pic.twitter.com/R7YR8OMj6T The Goa government said that all passengers arriving in the state are "required to go for 14 days of home quarantine or they can opt for 14 days of paid institutional quarantine." Kerala reported 1,195 cases in the last 24 hours taking the overall tally across 29,000. The state's toll has reached 94. Of the positive cases, 971 were infected through contact and the source of infection of 79 people is not known, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said. Sixty six of those who tested positive have come from foreign countries and 125 from other states. Thirteen health workers are among those infected,he told reporters. Uttar Pradesh reported 4,078 COVID-19 cases and 40 new fatalities on Wednesday, bringing the infection tally to over 1.04 lakh and death toll from the disease to 1,857. However, the state government said 4,154 cases were reported in the last 24 hours, taking the total number of infected people to 1,04,388. There are 41,973 active cases in the state while 60,558 people have been discharged from hospitals after recovering from the infection, the statement said. They demanded relief measures from the government, including waiver of road and passenger taxes for the next three quarters, deferment of tax payments and extension of vehicle insurance validity, among others, according to a joint statement. The passenger transport operators also sought deferment of EMI payments for the next 6-12 months and waiver of interest component for the deferred period; discount of 10-25 percent on toll taxes; and extension of validity of documents like fitness certificate, permits, driving licence and registrations, till March 2021. The Bus and Car Operators Confederation of India (BOCI) and the Delhi Contract Bus Association on Wednesday sought government intervention to "save" contract carriage and all-India tourist permit bus operators saying the sector is on the verge of a collapse due to the coronavirus pandemic. The two bodies said transporters in Delhi alone have suffered a financial loss of Rs 65,000 crore in the past two months and the business has no money to continue operations in the coming months. They said while one death took place in Jammu region, eight were reported from the Kashmir Valley. The coronavirus death toll in the union territory has now risen to 426 of which 395 are from the valley and 31 from Jammu region Jammu and Kashmir on Wednesday recorded 559 new coronavirus cases, taking the total number of infected people to 22,955, even as 9 COVID-19 patients died during the last 24 hours in the union territory, officials said. "Nine people, who were COVID-19 positive, have died over the past 24 hours in Jammu and Kashmir," the officials said. The state of Maharashtra reported 10,309 new coronavirus cases today while 334 people succumbed to COVID-19. Total number of cases in the state is now at 4,68,265, including 1,45,961 active cases, 3,05,521 recovered & 16,476 deaths, the state's health department said. Five people died in the city on Wednesday taking the toll from the virus to 1,617, the state health department bulletin added. Of the total cases, Ahmedabad reported 161 infections takings its overall tally to 27,283. According to the state health department, Gujarat's COVID-19 tally reached 66,777 with 1,073 patients testing positive on Wednesday while 23 patients died from the virus, taking the overall toll to 2,557, PTI reported. The active cases tally on Wednesday rose to 10,072, from 9,897 on Tuesday. The daily cases count had dipped to 674 and 12 deaths were recorded on Tuesday. As per Wednesday bulletin, the positive rate stood at 6.4 percent while the recovery rate was nearly 90 percent. Delhi reported 1,076 COVID-19 cases and 11 deaths on Wednesday, the lowest daily fatality count in more than a month, authorities said, adding the city's caseload has surpassed 1.4 lakh and death toll has risen to 4,044. In a statement, the government said that the chief minister, who held a meeting with representatives of these committees set up on July 31, said that all steps should be taken to bring deaths to zero in the city. Four death monitoring committees constituted by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal to analyse the high mortality rate in ten COVID-19 hospitals on Wednesday submitted reports suggesting measures like early recognition and transfer of patients to ICU, and use of plasma at the initial stage. 2,816 new COVID19 cases, 2,078 discharged and 61 deaths reported in West Bengal today. Total number of cases in the state is now at 83,800, including 58,962 discharged, 22,992 active cases and 1,846 deaths, the state health department said. Coronavirus LATEST Updates: Delhi reported 1,076 COVID-19 cases and 11 deaths on Wednesday, the lowest daily fatality count in more than a month, authorities said, adding the city's caseload has surpassed 1.4 lakh and death toll has risen to 4,044. The active cases tally on Wednesday rose to 10,072, from 9,897 on Tuesday. The daily cases count had dipped to 674 and 12 deaths were recorded on Tuesday. The state of Maharashtra reported 10,309 new coronavirus cases today while 334 people succumbed to COVID-19. Total number of cases in the state is now at 4,68,265, including 1,45,961 active cases, 3,05,521 recovered & 16,476 deaths, the state's health department said. While Mumbai reported 1,125 cases on Wednesday, the Pune Municipal Corporation reported a rise of 1,282 cases, taking the total number of cases to 65,136, a state bulletin said Gujarat's COVID-19 tally reached 66,777 with 1,073 patients testing positive on Wednesday while 23 patients died from the virus, taking the overall toll to 2,557, a state health department bulletin said. Of the total cases, Ahmedabad reported 161 infectiosns takings its overall tally to 27,283. Five people died in the city on Wednesday taking the toll from the virus to 1,617, the bulletin added. Uttar Pradesh reported 4,078 COVID-19 cases and 40 new fatalities on Wednesday, bringing the infection tally to over 1.04 lakh and death toll from the disease to 1,857. Of the positive cases, 971 were infected through contact and the source of infection of 79 people is not known, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said. Sixty six of those who tested positive have come from Andaman and Nicobar Islands reported the first death of a child due to COVID-19 as an eight-year-old boy succumbed to the infection on Wednesday, reports PTI. The boy, who was a resident of Junglighat area of Port Blair, was suffering from diabetes. He died of COVID-19 at the G B Pant Hospital here, the official said, adding the fresh fatality has pushed the coronavirus death toll in the islands to 12. 10,026 personnel have tested positive for COVID-19. Of them, 107 personnel, including 10 officers, have died, an official said, adding that more than 50% of the deaths were reported from the Mumbai Police. Pharma major Lupin Limited today announced the launch of its Favipiravir in India under the brand name Covihalt for the treatment of mild to moderate COVID-19. India registered over 19 lakh COVID-19 infections on Wednesday after 52,509 more individuals tested positive for the novel coronavirus. The global toll rose to 6,99,134 on Wednesday with the United States adding 1,302 more fatalities to the tally, according to the Johns Hopkins University. The global count crossed 1.84 crores. India's COVID-19 tally rose by over 50,000 for the sixth consecutive day on Tuesday, taking the total cases to 18,55,745. In the past 24 hours, 52,050 new cases were reported. Meanwhile, the recoveries crossed the 12-lakh mark, according to the Union Health Ministry's data. The toll due to COVID-19 climbed to 38,938 with 803 new fatalities being reported in 24 hours, the data updated at 8 am showed. A total of 12,30,509 people have recovered, while there are 5,86,298 active cases of coronavirus infection in the country presently. The recovery rate among COVID-19 patients has risen to 66.31 percent, while the fatality rate has further dropped to 2.10 percent, the data stated. The health ministry also said that the number of recovered patients is now double than the number of active cases. According to the ICMR, a cumulative total of 2,08,64,750 samples have been tested up to 2 August with 6,61,892 samples being tested on Monday, the highest done in a day so far, scientist and media coordinator at ICMR, Dr Lokesh Sharma, said. "A total of 1,05,32,074 tests for detection of coronavirus infection have been performed with per day average of 3,39,744 tests in July, the highest number of tests conducted in a month so far," Sharma said. There are 917 labs in the government sector and 439 labs in the private sector for conducting COVID-19 tests. Dharmenda Pradhan, Siddaramaiah tests COVID-19 positive Union Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas, Dharmendra Pradhan informed that he has tested positive for COVID-19. Taking to Twitter, Pradhan said that he has been hospitalised as per doctor's advice and is in a healthy condition. "I decided to get myself tested after noticing some symptoms of COVID-19 and my report came back positive. As per the doctor's advice, I have admitted myself in a hospital and I am in healthy condition," his tweet read. Union Minister Amit Shah also tested positive for COVID-19 on Sunday. Other politicians testing positive for COVID-19 include Madhya Pradesh chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Karnataka chief minister BS Yediyurappa. Earlier on Tuesday, former Karnataka chief minister and Leader of Opposition in the state Assembly, Siddaramaiah said that he has tested positive for COVID-19 and admitted himself to a hospital. "I have been tested positive for COVID-19 and also been admitted to the hospital on the advice of doctors as a precaution. I request all those who had come in contact with me to check out for symptoms and to quarantine themselves," Siddaramaiah tweeted. Centre says 68% men, 32% women make up COVID-19 casualties The Union Health Ministry said that of the people who died due to coronavirus in the country, 68 percent are men and 32 percent are women. Union Health secretary Rajesh Bhushan gave mortality analysis for COVID-19 gender and age-wise respectively. "These are cumulative figures. If you see the mortality analysis i.e. the deaths caused by the coronavirus, you will find that 68 percent deaths are reported among male patients. And 32 percent of deaths are among female patients. This is broadly in line with the global scenario also, although the percentages may differ," he said. "If you look at age-wise mortality analysis, 50 percent of deaths were reported in patients above 60 years and above; 37 percent deaths were seen in among patients with the age group of 45 to 60 years. This means that on one side we have to save lives of our senior citizens, they should not go out unnecessary and, on the other hand, we have to see that people between 45 to 60 years age group are also vulnerable too. Most importantly, those who are co-morbid should follow guidelines and everyone should wear mask, maintain distance and hand hygiene," Bhushan said. According to the health ministry, about 11 percent mortality was seen in patients with 26 to 44 years of age. Only one percent fatality was observed in patients in the age group between 18 to 25 years and below 17 years of age. Centre says 96% of 60,000 ventilators being procured are indigenous In a briefing on the coronavirus situation in the country, the Union health ministry on Tuesday said that 96 percent of the 60,000 ventilators being procured by the government are indigenous and most of them have been sponsored by the PM-CARES fund. Health Ministry secretary Rajesh Bhushan said 60,000 ventilators are being procured and 18,000 have already been supplied to states and union territories. "Of the 60,000 ventilators, 50,000 are being funded by PM-CARES fund which comes to about Rs 2,000 crore in monetary terms," Bhushan said during the briefing. He further said all the ventilators that are being procured under PM-CARES and those by the budgetary allocation of the Health Ministry have GPS chips embedded that can be tracked. "The 'Make in India' (indigenous) ventilators have a share of more than 96 percent by volume and more than 90 percent by value," he said. Delhi's LNJP records 'zero deaths' on two days in a week The LNJP Hospital, the Delhi government's biggest COVID-19 treatment facility, did not report any death due to the disease on two days in a week, signalling improvement in the pandemic situation. The 2,000-bed hospital's medical director Suresh Kumar said on Tuesday the number of people on ventilator at the facility has come down by nearly 25 percent, compared to the figure a month ago. Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal tweeted on 28 July that LNJP Hospital had not reported any death on 27 July, a feat, doctors said, recorded for the first time in the last couple of months. "After that day, on two more days, our hospital saw no death from COVID-19.... It is definitely a good sign for all of us who are fighting this situation," Kumar told PTI. WHO chief scientist says India's COVID-19 testing rate is low Noting that lockdown was a temporary measure to contain the spread of coronavirus, a senior official of the World Health Organisation on Tuesday said India has a low testing rate when compared to some of the countries that are successfully trying to curb it. WHO chief scientist, Soumya Swaminathan, in an interactive session through video conference said, as of now about 28 vaccine candidates for COVID-19 are under clinical trial, of which five are entering Phase-II and over 150 candidates are in pre-clinical trials across the globe. "(In) India as a whole, the testing rates are much lower compared to some of the countries, who have done well like Germany, Taiwan, South Korea, Japan. Even the United States is testing a huge number of people. So we need to have some benchmark and every public health department needs to have benchmarks on what is the rate of testing per lakh or per million, what is the test positivity rate," she said. Without adequate number of tests, fighting the virus is like "fighting fire blindfolded," she pointed out. According to Swaminathan, the number of tests being conducted is not adequate if the COVID-19 test positivity rate is above five percent. State-wise cases and deaths Maharashtra continues to be the worst-affected state as it has a total of 1,47,324 active cases and 15,842 deaths. A total of 4,50,196 coronavirus cases have been recorded in the state up to Monday, according to Union Ministry of Health. Tamil Nadu reported 5,063 COVID-19 cases, 6,501 discharged and 108 deaths on Tuesday. Total number of cases in the state is now at 2,68,285, including 2,08,784 discharged, 55,152 active cases and 4,349 deaths. Delhi reported 674 COVID-19 cases, 972 recovered/discharged/migrated cases and 12 death. The total positive cases here rises to 1,39,156 including 1,25,226 recovered/discharged/migrated cases and 4033 deaths. 4,108 RTPCR/CBNAAT/TrueNat tests and 5,187 Rapid antigen tests conducted. As many as 390 cases, 824 recovered and 10 deaths were reported in Jammu and Kashmir, taking the total number of cases in the Union Territory to 22,396, including 7,123 active cases, 14,856 recovered and 417 deaths. Andhra Pradesh on Tuesday reported 9,747 new COVID-19 cases with 67 deaths. The state government said that the total count of cases has gone up to 1,76,333 with 79,104 are active cases, 95,625 recovered patients and 1,604 deaths due to the disease. A total of 1,124 new COVID-19 cases and 13 deaths were reported from Rajasthan till 8.30 pm on Tuesday. State Health Department said the count of cases in the state stands at 46,679 including 13,115 active cases and 732 deaths. A total of 32,832 persons have recovered from the viral infection in the state so far. Gujarat reported 1,020 new COVID-19 cases and 25 deaths in the last 24 hours, informed the state health department on Tuesday. "With this, state tally has risen to 65,704 including 14,811 active cases, 48,359 cured/discharges and 2,534 deaths," the State Health Department said. With inputs from agencies Google Play Music access is set to go offline later this year. This isnt a surprise as Google confirmed the shutdown would be happening later in 2020. Users have known for months that eventually, Google Play Music would be no more and that YouTube Music would be taking its place. Google has now apparently confirmed a more exact timeline of when the service will go completely offline. Which means users will no longer be able to stream music. Before that happens, Google has attempted to convince users that they should switch to YouTube Music. To make the transition more seamless and less of a hassle once access to Google Play Music is no longer available. Advertisement Google Play Music access will stop for most regions in October Most subscribers of the streaming music service that Google has offered for years will lose access later in the Fall. Specifically in October. This would include the US, one of Googles main markets, and just about any other country where Google Play Music has been available. That still gives most users a couple of months at least to enjoy whats left of the service. However, two countries will lose access before October. According to a post on the official YouTube Blog, in September both New Zealand and South Africa will no longer be able to stream music using the app. In fact they wont be able to access the app at all. Advertisement Google doesnt give specific dates for these shutdowns. Just the month. It is likely that the company will give a more complete picture on the date the closer to the shutdowns it gets. But just in case that happens later on rather than sooner, users should prepare. The good news is that there will still be a little time after the app shutdown to transition. If users havent transitioned already. Most Google Play Music data will be available until December When Google announced that GPM would be going away, it put out a pretty informative video on how to do the transfer. Advertisement In that explanation it mentioned which information could be transferred. As well as which information could not. The stuff youll be able to take with you includes things such as playlists and likes. It also includes any music youve either uploaded or purchased over the lifetime of your GPM subscription. Theres other data that will transfer over too. But you will only have until December to transfer that data over. If you wait beyond that you will lose it. Later in August, Google will remove the ability to purchase or pre-order music from the Play Store. The ability to upload music through the music manager tool will also stop at this time. Basically, get your ducks in a row before the end of the year. The requested page is currently unavailable on this server. Back to [RTHK News Homepage] Your tax-deductible gift today powers our reporters and keeps us independent. We rely on you, our reader, not paywalls to stay funded because we believe important news and information should be freely accessible to all. Start your day with LAist Sign up for the Morning Brief, delivered weekdays. Subscribe Los Angeles County voters will have a weighty fiscal decision on their hands November 3. (Add this to the slate of local candidates, a long list of state ballot measures and -- oh, yeah -- President of the United States.) County Supervisors voted on Tuesday to place a charter amendment on the ballot to require the county to spend a sizable chunk of its budget on programs such as housing, youth development, mental healthcare and criminal justice diversion programs. If approved, the county would be required to designate at least 10% of its locally-generated, unrestricted revenue to community investment initiatives. In the event of a budget emergency that threatens mandated programs, Supervisors could vote to reduce that amount. Amending the county's charter to make the 10% threshold permanent takes voter approval. This was the final Supervisors' vote on the matter after ongoing debate since the idea was first approved on July 21. Supporters have dubbed it the "Reimagine L.A. County" charter amendment because it was developed with the support of groups in a coalition of that name, including the United Way, L.A. Community Action Network, Abundant Housing and more. This is historic Thank you to @SheilaKuehl, @mridleythomas, @HildaSolis, and @SupJaniceHahn for your courage and support, and for giving L.A. County voters the chance to make #ReimagineLA a reality this November. Our efforts have paid off, but now the real work begins. pic.twitter.com/YWrwMZzQ6c Re-Imagine L.A. County (@reimagine_la) August 4, 2020 The motion was co-authored by Supervisors Sheila Kuehl and Hilda Solis. It passed 4-1, with Board Chair Kathryn Barger the lone "no" vote, citing concerns about county worker layoffs and impact to public safety. "I just don't feel that we should be cutting off our nose to spite our face as relates to investing in our community," Barger said last month on KPCC's AirTalk. Barger added it was "irresponsible" to "handcuff future boards" with a charter amendment. LET'S BREAK DOWN THE NUMBERS: This fiscal year, the county's 2020-21 budget is just under $35 billion. (For context, this is more than three times larger than the City of L.A.'s $10.5 billion spending plan.) Most of the county's funding comes from the state or the federal government. About $8.8 billion is drawn from local taxes -- that's the county's general fund, officially known as "Net County Cost." The charter amendment would address a slice of that: the $4.9 billion that is unrestricted (not designated to a specific purpose), locally-generated revenue. If approved by voters, the amendment would reallocate $360-496 million of that money to community programs, according to a projection from the county CEO's office. Diverting hundreds of millions of dollars of county funds would undoubtedly mean cuts for the Sheriff's Department's budget. For example, the County CEO's office estimates the charter amendment would siphon about $114 million from this year's law enforcement budget -- though in practice, the changes would begin to take effect in the next budget year, starting July 1, 2021, and ramp up over a three-year period. The @LACountyBOS just pushed forward agenda item 51-C, advancing the campaign to cont. defunding @LASDHQ & change public safety forever. Do YOU share their opinions? If you dont want your streets to look like a scene from Mad Max, use your VOICE to tell the board what you think pic.twitter.com/Rzzh9nGo6l Alex Villanueva (@LACoSheriff) July 21, 2020 But Kuehl's office says the amendment is not aimed at defunding law enforcement. "[It] does not specify where cuts will be made and cuts are not expected to come from any single department," Kuehl said in a statement. "The Sheriff currently receives $1.873 billion in locally-generated County funds, in other words, 1 in every 5 County tax dollars go to LASD." The amendment explicitly prohibits the 10% diverted funds from being spent on the Sheriff's Department, District Attorney's office, Probation or Superior Courts. Former Atlanta Officer Who Shot Rayshard Brooks Sues for Unlawful Dismissal The former Atlanta police officer who fatally shot Rayshard Brooks during a confrontation in a Wendys parking lot in June has filed a lawsuit over his dismissal from the force, arguing that his firing violated his constitutional rights and caused him to become a public spectacle and object of ridicule. Garrett Rolfes attorneys filed a petition on Aug. 4 (pdf) as part of a civil action lawsuit targeting the Interim Chief of the City of Atlanta Police Department and Atlanta Mayor Keisha Bottoms, claiming the former officer has suffered irreparable injury to his personal and professional reputation as a result of his unlawful dismissal. Rolfe was fired from the Atlanta Police Department on June 13, the day after he shot Brooks during an arrest attempt for suspected drunk driving. Body cameras showed Rolfe and another officer, Devin Brosnan, talking to Brooks for around 40 minutes before trying to handcuff him, after which a struggle ensued, during which Brooks seized a Taser, ran with it, then turned around and shot it in the officers direction before Rolfe shot him twice. The lawsuit, filed in Fulton County Superior Court, claims Rolfe used deadly force within the scope and course of his duties in response to Brooks violent, unlawful, aggressive resistance to a lawful arrest. It also claims that Rolfe, who faces 11 charges, including felony murder, was fired without an investigation, without proper notice, without a disciplinary hearing, and in direct violation of the municipal code of the City of Atlanta. As a result of the unlawful action of the Respondent, the Petitioner has become a public spectacle and object of ridicule. His unlawful termination was unnecessarily public and has attracted national media attention, the petition says, noting also that, Many other City of Atlanta Police Officers who have been charged with crimes, including felonies, have remained employed during the investigation and pendency of their criminal charges. The complaint says Rolfes firing violated his rights and his loss of pay hampers his ability to challenge his termination by legal means. The suit calls for Rolfe to be reinstated immediately, with back pay and any benefits that would normally be afforded to him as an employee of the force, like sick leave and seniority. Rolfe was released on a $500,000 bond in July. (@ChaudhryMAli88) Pakistani businessmen have attended an online cashmere trade fair organized by China's Inner Mongolia autonomous region BEIJING, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 4th Aug, 2020 ) :Pakistani businessmen have attended an online cashmere trade fair organized by China's Inner Mongolia autonomous region. More than 120 representatives, including 36 cashmere companies in Inner Mongolia and importers from Pakistan, Poland, Belgium, Ukraine, Russia, Belarus, Brazil and the Dominican Republic attended the fair despite the COVID-19 pandemic, China Daily reported on Tuesday. The fair was hosted by the autonomous region's department of commerce, and handled by the China Association of Trade in Services. Suppliers and buyers held more than 200 separate meetings during the fair via video conference to advance business deals. Wang Wenjie, deputy chief of the region's commerce department, said the online trade fair would help the region's cashmere industry better integrate into the global economy to achieve mutually beneficial cooperation. Marcin Jablonski, vice president of IGEI, a Polish import and export chamber of commerce, said Inner Mongolia and Poland have close long-term trade ties, and China is the largest source of imports for Polish textiles and garments. He said cashmere textiles and clothing from Inner Mongolia enjoy a good reputation in Central and Eastern Europe, and sees more potential for cooperation. Bernard Dewit, chairman of the Belgian-Chinese Chamber of Commerce, said he believes the fair would help achieve more practical cooperation between Chinese and European companies. Egypt on Wednesday sent a letter to South Africa, the current chair of the African Union (AU), to express its rejection of a recent proposal by Addis Ababa on the filling of its mega hydropower dam on the Blue Nile, the Egyptian irrigation ministry said. Egypt said this week that an Ethiopian draft proposal on the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), which was sent by the countrys water minister to his Egyptian and Sudanese counterparts, provides guiding rules of the dams filling, while lacking the guidelines regulating the projects operation, any elements indicating a binding deal, and a legal mechanism to settle disputes. Sudan, meanwhile, said the draft addresses only the first filling of the dam and says an agreement on the dams long-term operation is contingent on reaching a broader agreement on the Blue Nile waters, which it rejects. In a statement on Wednesday, Egypts irrigation ministry said the letter sent to South Africa reaffirms Cairos rejection of Ethiopias unilateral initial filling of the GERD last month. It said the Ethiopian proposal presented on Tuesday violates directives by AU in July which called on the three countries to swiftly finalise a legally binding agreement. Addis Ababa announced last month it had completed the first-year filling of the dams reservoir due to the rainy season. Sudan has also rejected the proposal in a letter sent to the Africa Union chair on Tuesday, saying that Ethiopia violated the Declaration of Principles signed between by the three countries in 2015. In the letter, Khartoum said that it may not continue with the talks if Ethiopia insists on its position. Ethiopia announced on Tuesday that it had presented to Egypt and Sudan a version of what it called guidelines and rules for the mega-dam, and that both countries had requested to adjourn the talks to consider the Ethiopian proposal. Both Egypt and Sudan slammed the Ethiopian statement. Search Keywords: Short link: Veteran markets watchers say Australian shares could be in for a rough ride as initial hopes of a V-shaped economic recovery fade from view. With a second wave of the COVID-19 raging in Victoria and small outbreaks in NSW the driving forces of the Australian economy the prospects for a drawn-out, U-shaped or even a W-shaped recovery is more likely, they say. Peter Warnes of Morningstar: "There is no V [recovery] out there and that is what the financial markets have been running on. Credit: Supplied After retracing about half of its initial drop following the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, the benchmark S&P/ASX 200 index has traded sideways for the past two months at about 6000 points despite a deteriorating economy. The federal government's economic and fiscal report, released last month, forecasts the jobless rate will hit 8.75 per cent this financial year. We need the same kind of support that any other long-term care facility needs, said Jennifer Fidura, executive director of the Virginia Network of Private Providers, which represents group homes across the state. But when you start looking to be on the list to get PPE, or to be able to get contact tracing and testing from the local health departments, you get a person saying, Who are you? The F.B.I. executed a search warrant early Wednesday morning at the California home of Jake Paul, a brash YouTube provocateur who was recently criticized for hosting a large house party during the pandemic, according to the agency. The search of Mr. Pauls residence in Calabasas, northwest of Los Angeles, was conducted as part of an investigation, said Rukelt Dalberis, a spokesman for the F.B.I.s Los Angeles field office. Mr. Dalberis said he was prohibited from disclosing details of the investigation that prompted the search. The contents of the warrant are under seal, he said, adding that he could not say when they would be made public. An F.B.I. spokeswoman said that a SWAT team was used to enter the house, and that no arrests were planned. Mr. Paul was not home at the time, she said. He was correct then and is wrong now. Nevertheless, Mr. Barr may claim that an extraordinary public justification exists for releasing a report, citing the Mueller report as precedent. But there is a very clear difference: The Mueller report was not issued in the run-up to any election. Mr. Barr has another move to try to justify his actions. He recently told a conservative radio host that the policy on interference with an election applies only to indictments of candidates or perhaps someone thats sufficiently close to a candidate, that its essentially the same. Thats an invention. The policy itself refers to actions that give an advantage or disadvantage to any candidate or political party. Mr. Barr himself recognizes the political effect of department actions beyond those against a candidate. In February, in response to the Justice Department inspector generals recommendation for a clear policy to open or take actions in significant political investigations, Mr. Barr issued a directive that centralized his control over such investigations. The new Barr requirements covered investigations that may have unintended effects on our elections and notably included candidates, senior campaign staff members, advisers, members of official campaign advisory committees or groups, and foreign-national donors. Take an example from the Mueller investigation. The special counsels office knew it could not indict Russian military intelligence officials for the 2016 hacking operation in the run-up to the 2018 midterm elections. Thats right: The office could not indict the Russians not only political candidates or aides. Such matters were so politically fraught that such an action by the special counsel might affect the election. A key consideration should not be lost: Theres no urgency for the department to take any overt investigative steps or make disclosures until after the election. Even if there has been criminal wrongdoing which is by no means clear charges can still be brought in November after the election. What can be done if Mr. Barr seeks to take actions in service of the presidents political ambitions? There are a variety of ways for Justice Department employees in the Trump era to deal with improper requests. Employees who witness or are asked to participate in such political actions who all swore an oath to the Constitution and must obey department policies can refuse, report and, if necessary, resign. Other models include speaking with Congress under subpoena or resigning and then communicating directly to the public. Reputable organizations are at the ready to advise whistle-blowers about the risks and benefits of pursuing these paths. L ebanon has begun three days of mourning as rescuers searched for victims of an enormous blast that killed at least 100 and injured 4,000 sending shockwaves through Beirut. A massive operation was underway to find survivors and bodies trapped in the mangled wreckage of buildings across the city shaken by the catastrophic three kiloton blast, a fifth of the power of the atomic bomb that levelled Hiroshima. President Michel Aoun said the blast was caused by 2,750 tonnes of ammonium nitrate which had been stored unsafely in a warehouse in the Port of Beirut for six years. Today, a welder repairing a hole in the warehouse was blamed by a security source and local media for sparking a fire at the port, which they said set light to the warehouse, causing the explosion that sent a huge mushroom cloud in the air. Lebanon: Beirut explosion aftermath - In pictures 1 /90 Lebanon: Beirut explosion aftermath - In pictures The scene of an explosion in Beirut AFP via Getty Images A man reacts at the scene of an explosion at the port in Lebanon's capital Beirut AFP via Getty Images Firefighters spray water at a fire following an explosion in Beirut's port area, Lebanon REUTERS A helicopter puts out a fire at the scene of an explosion at the port of Lebanon's capital Beirut AFP via Getty Images An aerial view of ruined structures at the port Getty Images A Lebanese couple drive past the debris of a building in the damaged neighbourhood of Mar Mikhael AFP via Getty Images An aerial view of ruined structures at the port Getty Images Lebanese activists take part in a campaign to clean the damaged neighbourhood of Mar Mikhael AFP via Getty Images An aerial view of ruined structures at the port, Getty Images A statue representing the Lebanese expatriate is seen in front of a building that was damaged by an explosion that hit the seaport of Beirut, Lebanon AP A fireball exploding while smoke is billowing at the port of the Lebanese capital Beirut MOUAFAC HARB/AFP via Getty Image Lebanese firefighters work at the scene of an explosion in the Lebanese capital Beirut AFP via Getty Images The scene of an explosion at the port in the Lebanese capital Beiru AFP via Getty Images A helicopter puts out a fire at the scene of an explosion at the port of Lebanon's capital Beirut AFP via Getty Images TALAL TRABOULSI via REUTERS A view shows the aftermath of yesterday's blast at the port of Lebanon's capital Beiru AFP via Getty Images Lebanese soldiers search for survivors after a massive explosion in Beirut, Lebanon AP A man walks by an overturned car and destroyed buildings on August 4, 2020 in Beirut, Lebano Getty Images Lebanese soldiers search for survivors after a massive explosion in Beirut, Lebanon AP A view shows the aftermath of yesterday's blast at the port of Lebanon's capital Beiru AFP via Getty Images Smoke rises after an explosion in Beirut, Lebanon via REUTERS A drone picture shows the scene of an explosion that hit the seaport of Beirut, Lebanon AP People gather outside American University of Beirut (AUB) medical centre following an explosion in Beirut, Lebanon REUTERS People ride past a car destroyed after a building wall collapsed after a large explosion in Beirut Getty Images Damaged church and vehicles are seen following yesterday's blast that shook the Lebanese capital Beirut AFP via Getty Images A drone picture shows the scene of an explosion at the seaport of Beirut, Lebanon AP The scene of an explosion at the port of Lebanon's capital Beirut AFP via Getty Images Buildings and cars are partially destroyed in the neighbourhood of Mar Mikhael following an explosion at the port of Beiru AFP via Getty Images A rescue worker tends to an injured man following an explosion at the port of Beirut AFP via Getty Images Smoke rises from a port facility after large explosions Getty Images The destroyed silo sits in rubble and debris after an explosion at the seaport of Beirut, Lebanon AP Smoke is seen after an explosion in Beirut, Lebanon GABY MAAMARY via REUTERS Civilians help an injured man at the explosion scene that hit the seaport of Beirut, Lebanon AP Smoke rises as people walk near the site of an explosion in Beirut, Lebanon REUTERS Lebanese soldiers stand outside American University of Beirut (AUB) medical centre following an explosion in Beirut, Lebanon REUTERS Smoke rises from a port facility after large explosions Getty Images Damaged vehicle and buildings are pictured near the site of Tuesday's blast in Beirut's port area, Lebanon REUTERS A general view shows the damage near the site of Tuesday's blast in Beirut's port area, Lebanon REUTERS People stand near damaged cars following an explosion in Beirut, Lebanon REUTERS Smoke rises from a port facility after large explosions Getty Images People inspect the damage near the site of Tuesday's blast in Beirut's port area, Lebanon REUTERS A view shows the damaged facade of a building following Tuesday's blast in Beirut's port area, Lebano REUTERS A wounded man walks next to a damaged car on a street, following an explosion in Beirut, Lebanon via REUTERS Damaged buildings are seen after an explosion in Beirut, Lebanon via REUTERS Smoke rises over destroyed structures following large explosion Getty Images A view shows the aftermath at the site of Tuesday's blast in Beirut's port area, Lebanon REUTERS Smoke rises from a port facility after large explosion Getty Images AFP via Getty Images AFP via Getty Images AFP via Getty Images AFP via Getty Images AFP via Getty Images AFP via Getty Images REUTERS AFP via Getty Images AFP via Getty Images AFP via Getty Images AFP via Getty Images AFP via Getty Images AFP via Getty Images REUTERS REUTERS AFP via Getty Images Getty Images Getty Images REUTERS REUTERS Getty Images US President Donald Trump earlier suggested the disaster was caused by a terrible attack, suggesting it was some kind of bomb. But US Defense Department officials later contradicted the president saying there was no indication of this. With the death toll set to rise further, Lebanese rescue workers dug through rubble of collapsed buildings looking for trapped victims. Entire streets resembled a huge scrapyard and many buildings were ripped of windows, roofs and balconies. President Aoun called for an emergency cabinet meeting and declared a two-week state of emergency. He announced the government would release 100 billion lira (50.5m) in emergency funds. Beirut's mayor, Jamal Itani inspected the damage he estimated would cost billions to repair. He said: "It's like a war zone. I'm speechless. This is a catastrophe for Beirut and Lebanon." Dramatic video of explosion that rocked Beirut He added: "There are victims and casualties everywhere. We are still sweeping the area. There could still be victims. I hope not. Beirut governor Marwan Abboud said up to 300,000 people had been left homeless by the blast and added the cost of damage from blast, which extends over half the city, tops $3bn. At hospitals across the city loved ones had been waiting all night for news of relatives who had gone missing or were wounded. Others posted requests for help online. The Red Cross is working with health officials to set up temporary morgues because hospitals were overwhelmed. Lebanons Prime Minister Hassan Diab, in a brief televised speech, appealed to all countries and friends to extend help to the small nation. He said those responsible will pay the price", adding: "We are witnessing a real catastrophe." Aerials show devastating impact of Beirut explosion Britain is looking at what technical and financial help it could provide, schools minister Nick Gibb told BBC Radio today. He said all British embassy staff had been accounted for but was unable to confirm if any Britons had been injured. Hours after the blast, shortly after 6pm local time, fire blazed in the port district, casting an orange glow across the night sky as helicopters hovered and ambulance sirens sounded across the capital. Local media showed victims trapped beneath rubble. Wounded and bleeding survivors were seen running and shouting for help in clouds of smoke and dust in streets littered with damaged buildings, flying debris, and wrecked cars and furniture. The blast was heard throughout Cyprus, which is about 100 miles away. AFP via Getty Images For many, the explosion revived memories of a 1975-90 civil war and its aftermath, when Lebanese endured heavy shelling, car bombings and Israeli air raids. Some residents thought an earthquake had struck. Dazed, weeping and injured people walked through streets searching for relatives. Beirut designer Huda Baroudi said: "The blast blew me metres away. I was in a daze and was all covered in blood. The US embassy in Beirut warned residents about reports of toxic gases released by the blast, urging people to stay indoors and wear masks. AFP via Getty Images Lebanon was already on the brink of collapse amid a severe economic crisis that has ignited mass protests in recent months. Its hospitals are confronting a surge in coronavirus cases, and there were concerns the virus could spread further as people flooded into hospitals. The blast destroyed numerous apartment buildings, potentially leaving large numbers of people homeless at a time when many Lebanese have lost their jobs and seen their savings evaporate because of a currency crisis. The explosion also raises concerns about how Lebanon will continue to import nearly all of its vital goods with its main port devastated. Loading.... The explosion happened close to the scene of the huge car bombing which killed ex-PM Rafik Hariri in 2005. Tensions in the city were already high ahead of long-awaited verdicts in the trial of four men accused of orchestrating the attack. Despite plasma therapy for Covid-19 so far being one of the most successful treatments in Punjab, hospitals are struggling as most covid survivors are reluctant to come back to the hospitals for plasma donation fearing that it might make them weak. Under convalescent plasma therapy, antibody-rich blood plasma of patients who have recovered from Covid-19 is preserved for transfusion into critical patients. In June, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) had allowed Government Medical Colleges (GMCs) in Amritsar, Faridkot and Patiala to treat covid patients with plasma therapy. Till date, four critically-ill patients of GMC Amritsar and two of GMC Faridkot have been treated through plasma therapy. All six had recovered successfully. I was admitted at GMC Amritsar for nearly a month after I tested positive. Doctors helped me recover but my health was deteriorating and I suffered a lot. After I got discharged, the authorities asked me to donate plasma but I refused to do so. I still feel weak and dont want to get hospitalised again as I fear contacting the disease for the second time, said a 24-year-old covid survivor. Another recovered patient, who refused to donate plasma, said, GMC Amritsar lacks facilities to treat covid patients. Food provided there was of poor quality and cleanliness was worse. I had to be shifted to a private hospital for treatment. I do not want to visit that hospital again. I am ready to donate plasma if private hospitals offer such facilities. Who will go to hospital again after recovering from the diseases? Going there means contacting the infection again, said a recovered patient from Patiala. GMC Amritsar blood bank in-charge Dr Neeraj Sharma said, So far, only six donors have come forward. There are many misconceptions among people. Plasma donation neither makes the donor weak nor is it a painful process. GMC Patiala medical superintendent Dr Paras Pandove said, Searching for a plasma donor is a tough process as we have to follow the ICMR guidelines. Also, blood bank is far from the covid ward and donors cannot get infected again. Just 15 plasma donors have come forward so far and only six of them were eligible for the donation. Hospital counsellors are also trying to persuade recovered patients to donate plasma and help other critical patients recover. WHO CAN DONATE PLASMA? People who have tested positive for Covid-19, had been critically-ill and recovered at least three weeks before donating. People aged 18 years and above, but not more than 60 years. People who have developed antibodies in their blood to fight the virus. People who do not suffer from co-morbidities or fatal disease such as HIV. Women who have not given birth. WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. (TMO) said Wednesday it has unveiled a new highly automated, real-time PCR solution designed to analyze up to 6,000 samples in a single day, to meet increasing global demand for COVID-19 testing. According to the company, the high-throughput system enables laboratories to double or even triple their testing capacity to support global efforts to return communities back to work and school. The Thermo Fisher Scientific Amplitude Solution is a molecular diagnostic testing system that leverages the company's Applied Biosystems QuantStudio 7 Flex Real-time PCR instruments along with liquid handling products from Tecan Group, a provider of laboratory automation and liquid handling services. The modular solution delivers test results in a four-step process requiring minimal hands-on time, laboratory space and staffing resources, Thermo Fisher noted. The Amplitude Solution utilizes Thermo Fisher's Applied Biosystems TaqPath COVID-19 Combo Kit, a multiplex diagnostic test that contains the assays and controls needed for the qualitative detection of nucleic acid from SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. Thermo Fisher said it will submit this new end-to-end solution to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for Emergency Use Authorization or EUA and plans to secure additional authorizations globally. The system also includes instruments from Tecan's Fluent Laboratory Workstation family, the highest-performance platform within its portfolio of liquid-handling solutions for laboratory automation. The Fluent instruments will be supplied through Tecan's Partnering Business. Thermo Fisher said that as part of this offering, customers of Amplitude Solution will enter into a supply agreement with the company to secure an up-front, confirmed and reliable supply of reagents and consumables. 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. Mr. Jascot Hawkins Alhassan, the Secretary of the Bono, Bono East, and Ahafo Regions Council of Zongo Chiefs has urged Muslim leaders to intensify public education to stem the spread of the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) in Zongo communities. He said Muslim leaders were expected to do sensitisation as part of their daily prayers so that Muslims would understand and protect themselves from contracting the viral disease. In an interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA) in Sunyani, Mr. Alhassan said the Zongo youth must be empowered to take the centre stage in helping to curb the spread of the COVID-19 in the Zongo communities. He lauded the numerous interventions put in place by the government to manage the disease and also to enhance the socio-economic livelihoods of the people amidst COVID-19. Mr. Alhassan, therefore, urged the populace to religiously adhere to social and physical distancing, handwashing with soap under running water and wearing of nose masks in public places. He noted with regret that the COVID-19 had affected all aspects of social lives, hence the need for Muslims to support the government in helping to contain the spread of the disease in the country. Mr. Alhassan applauded the peaceful co-existence between Muslims and all religious sects and expressed the hope that such cordiality would be strengthened to deepen the prevailing peace in the country. 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 court said that if the government had assessed that social media enables espionage by enemy countries, it would not overturn the ban. Evidence produced in court showed how unsuspecting officers had been giving out information on their postings and the whereabouts of other colleagues on social media, putting national security at risk, despite earlier advisories on conduct of military personnel on social media. (Photo | Pixabay - PixelKult) New Delhi: The Delhi High Court on Wednesday said it would not interfere in the governments decision to bar defence personnel from using social networking websites, including Facebook and Instagram, citing national security concerns. The high court gave the order while dismissing a senior army officers plea. Lieutenant Colonel P K Choudhary had sought a direction to the Director General of Military Intelligence to withdraw its June 6 policy by which all Indian Army personnel were ordered to delete their accounts from Facebook, Instagram and 87 other applications. Pronouncing the order, a bench of justices Rajiv Sahai Endlaw and Asha Menon said warfare in todays world was not confined to accession of territory but extended to affecting the economy and inciting civil unrest by enemy nations. In such a scenario, if the government, after complete assessment, has concluded that permitting use of certain social networking websites by personnel of its defence forces is enabling the enemy countries to gain an edge, the courts would be loath to interfere. In the circumstances, no case for interference is made out. Dismissed, the bench said. The court said it was evident from records produced that some defence personnel had not been adhering to earlier advisories and directives on conduct and behaviour of army personnel on social networking sites. The material produced shows certain army personnel to be unsuspectingly answering all kinds of questions relating to their postings and whereabouts and postings and whereabouts of others merely on being told by a person befriended on social networking sites of a defence background. The information when collated from a number of sources can easily convey a full picture to an expert espionage eye, the bench noted. The court also pointed out that besides stating that Facebook and Twitter are more convenient, no answer was forthcoming as to why the filial and other social needs of petitioner Choudhary cannot be fulfilled by other means of communication cited by Additional Solicitor General Chetan Sharma, which are still available. The Centre, represented by standing counsel Ajay Digpaul, had earlier told the court that the policy decision was taken as it was found that there had been several instances of defence personnel being targeted on Facebook. Choudhary, who is currently posted in Jammu and Kashmir, said that he is an active user of Facebook and uses the platform to connect with his friends and family as most of them are settled abroad, including his elder daughter. His petition had alleged that the policy which bans social media platforms is illegal, arbitrary, disproportionate and violates the fundamental rights of soldiers. Facebook is coming for TikTok. After months of tests, Instagram is finally launching Reels, its latest take on the viral app, which is facing an uncertain future as Donald Trump threatens to ban the service in the US. Reels, which has already been live in India and Brazil, is launching now in 50 countries, including the US, UK, France, Australia and Japan. Its not the first time Facebook has tried to emulate TikTok, but Reels might just have the best shot at actually succeeding. Thats both because its already built into Instagram, Facebooks most popular app among teens, and because the social network has borrowed many of the dynamics that have made TikTok so successful in the first place. Creating a reel is like creating a post for Instagram Stories. You can record a series of clips from Instagrams in-app camera, complete with music and AR effects. But Reels includes more sophisticated editing tools than whats available in Stories. For example, you can speed up or slow down your video, and theres an align tool for TikTok-style jump cuts. Instagram But the biggest difference between Reels and Stories is the way they are shared. When you upload a reel, its automatically shared to the new Reels section of Explore, with the option of also posting it in your main feed. All the reels you create will also be viewable in a dedicated section of your profile, similar to IGTV posts. The emphasis on Explore is key to Instagrams strategy. One of the biggest differences between TikTok and Instagram is that on TikTok users main feeds are driven not by their subscriptions, but by an algorithmically-generated For You feed. Its this personalized feed, filled with an endless stream of short videos, that makes TikTok so addictive. Its also what allows such a wide variety of content to go viral. While a wannabe Instagram influencer can spend weeks or months trying to gain followers and figure out how to crack Instagrams Explore algorithm, previously unknown personalities can gain a following on TikTok after one video makes it to the For You page. Instagram wants to bring this dynamic to Reels. During a press event with reporters, Instagrams VP of Product Vishal Shah emphasized that the recommendations will be separate from those that drive the rest of Explore, with a creator-centric approach to ranking. We have not historically been very good at helping new creators find an audience, he said. The pitch for new creators is that Reels is a way for you to get discovered. It's a way to find a global audience. Instagram Its still unclear exactly how that will work, or how effective it will be. Shah said that recommendations for Reels will be different than how we source content for Explore, but didnt provide specifics. Much will likely depend on the adoption of Reels, and if Instagram can get the same level of consistency as TikTok. (Facebook is reportedly throwing money at TikTok stars to lure them to Instagram.) But if Instagram can both convince creators that they can reach new followers, and give Instagram users even more reasons to stay in the app, Reels might end up giving TikTok some real competition. It also doesnt hurt that Reels is launching at the worst possible time for TikTok. Though Microsoft is still negotiating with ByteDance on a sale, Trump hasnt ruled out banning the app entirely. And many TikTok stars are already nervous about the apps future, and encouraging fans to follow them on other apps. Shah says the timing of the US launch happens to be coincidental in some ways, though thats hard to believe. Facebook also happened to release Reels in India last month just days after TikTok was banned in the country. TikToks future notwithstanding, Reels follows a familiar strategy for Instagram. Just as Facebook spent years trying to copy Snapchat before it opted to bring Stories to the top of users Instagram feeds, Reels borrows some of TikToks most important features and puts them right in the middle of Instagram. And while we dont yet know if Reels will be anywhere near as successful as Stories has been, Instagram is making its TikTok clone impossible to ignore. Top U.S. official Alex Azar is set to visit Taiwan in the coming days, a move that will likely anger China, which claims the island as its own. It will mark the highest-level visit to Taiwan by a U.S. official in four decades, and is likely to further inflame worsening U.S.-China relations. Azar, the U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services, will meet with Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen during his visit, said the island's Foreign Ministry. The Ministry added that the visit showed firm U.S. support for Taiwan -- and the closeness of their relationship. In a statement, Azar said quote "I look forward to conveying President Trump's support for Taiwan's global health leadership and underscoring our shared belief that free and democratic societies are the best model for protecting and promoting health." Despite having won global praise for its response to the pandemic, Taiwan is not a member of the World Health Organization due to Chinese objections; Beijing considers the island merely one of China's provinces. Taiwan has expressed gratitude for U.S. support during the pandemic as it seeks meaningful access to the WHO. Like most countries, however, the U.S. has no formal diplomatic ties with Taiwan, having ditched Taipei in favour of Beijing in 1979. But the U.S. is still Taiwan's main arms supplier and strongest backer on the international stage. U.S. President Donald Trump signed a new law in March requiring increased support for Taiwan's international role, to which China threatened unspecified retaliation in response. YEREVAN, AUGUST 5, ARMENPRESS. The Government of Armenia keeps in constant touch with the Government of Lebanon and heads of community organizations for the aim to send humanitarian aid to Lebanon, ARMENPRESS reports Mane Gevorgyan, spokesperson of the Prime Minister of Armenia, wrote on her Facebook page. ''Based on the discussions we found out the priority needs and the Government of Armenia will send a targeted aid to Beirut'', she said. The aid will include medications, medical equipment, food and other items. The Armenian Government will send the aid as soon as possible, by a special flight. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan held a telephone conversation with President of Lebanon Michel Aoun over the Beirut blast consequences, expressing readiness to support friendly Lebanon and its people. More than 2700 tons of ammonium nitrate exploded in the port of Beirut at a warehouse on Tuesday, sending massive shockwaves through the Lebanese capital. More than 100 people are dead and 4000 are wounded. Heavy damages occurred across the city. The blast was so powerful that it was reportedly heard in Cyprus, some 150 miles away from the port. Editing and Translating by Tigran Sirekanyan Construction Plastic Market Research Report by Plastic Type (Expanded Polystyrene, Polyethylene, Polypropylene, and Polyvinyl Chloride), by End User (Non-Residential and Residential), by Application - Global Forecast to 2025 - Cumulative Impact of COVID-19 New York, Aug. 04, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Reportlinker.com announces the release of the report "Construction Plastic Market Research Report by Plastic Type, by End User, by Application - Global Forecast to 2025 - Cumulative Impact of COVID-19" - https://www.reportlinker.com/p05913948/?utm_source=GNW The Global Construction Plastic Market is expected to grow from USD 75,826.67 Million in 2019 to USD 112,220.39 Million by the end of 2025 at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 6.75%. Market Segmentation & Coverage: This research report categorizes the Construction Plastic to forecast the revenues and analyze the trends in each of the following sub-markets: Based on Plastic Type, the Construction Plastic Market studied across Expanded Polystyrene, Polyethylene, Polypropylene, and Polyvinyl Chloride. Based on End User, the Construction Plastic Market studied across Non-Residential and Residential. Based on Application, the Construction Plastic Market studied across Insulation Materials, Pipes, and Windows & Doors. Based on Geography, the Construction Plastic Market studied across Americas, Asia-Pacific, and Europe, Middle East & Africa. The Americas region surveyed across Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Mexico, and United States. The Asia-Pacific region surveyed across Australia, China, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Philippines, South Korea, and Thailand. The Europe, Middle East & Africa region surveyed 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 Construction Plastic Market including ACH Foam Technologies, Asahi Kasei Corporation, BASF SE, Berry Plastics Corporation, Borealis AG, Dowdupont Inc, Excelite, Formosa Plastics Corporation, Ineos Olefins & Polymers USA, JM Eagle, Lyondellbasell Industries Holdings B.V., Plazit Polygal Group, Saudi Basic Industries Corporation (SABIC), Solvay S.A., and Total S.A.. FPNV Positioning Matrix: The FPNV Positioning Matrix evaluates and categorizes the vendors in the Construction Plastic 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 the market 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 Construction Plastic Market? 2. What are the inhibiting factors and impact of COVID-19 shaping the Global Construction Plastic Market during the forecast period? 3. Which are the products/segments/applications/areas to invest in over the forecast period in the Global Construction Plastic Market? 4. What is the competitive strategic window for opportunities in the Global Construction Plastic Market? 5. What are the technology trends and regulatory frameworks in the Global Construction Plastic Market? 6. What are the modes and strategic moves considered suitable for entering the Global Construction Plastic Market? Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p05913948/?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. __________________________ Story continues CONTACT: Clare: clare@reportlinker.com US: (339)-368-6001 Intl: +1 339-368-6001 SEBEWAING Support for the Unionville-Sebewaing Area School District continued during Tuesdays election with the passage of its bond issue by a wide margin. Voters in both Hurona and Tuscola counties approved the request for the $2.57 million general obligation bond. We are really grateful for the community support, said Superintendent George Rierson. "Our communities have always cared about their youth and wanting to have great education programs for them. We thank the community." Funds from the bond will address a wide-range of projects, from academics, roofs, equipment in the classrooms for science, technology, engineering and math, curriculum development, security and more. The improvements this bond will fund will help us provide a well-rounded educational experience for kids at USA, Rierson said, noting some of the improvements will provide students with hands-on educational learning experiences as well. That is relative to current job opportunities in our area and the state of Michigan. Engaging students in hands-on learning experiences is important and will help us prepare our kids for jobs. Because the school district is in both Huron County and Tuscola County, voters in both counties who are in the district cast ballots on the issue. According to the unofficial ballot totals in Huron County, there were 863 yes votes to 517 no votes. In Tuscola County, the margin was wider with 409 yes vote to 199 no votes. Rierson pointed out that a key piece of information was not included in coverage of the bond proposal that its passage would be a zero millage increase. Rierson said he feels the voters support the district because they are conservative in developing programs with a reasonable scope. We deliver on what we say we are going to do," he said. "Its a matter of trust, and we take that seriously. We will continue to honor that with this project, and will deliver what our community can be proud of." Later this summer or fall, district leaders will be meeting with architects Sedgewick & Ferweda of Flint and the construction manager to develop the project in more detail to prepare to go out for bids. Bill English (image via the English family) The Mother of All Demos (1968) marks the introduction of several seminal computer technologies such as the mouse, hypertext, and the graphical user interface. The presentation was given by Douglas Engelbart during his time at the Augmentation Research Center Lab in SRI International. Engelbart was generally focused on augmenting human intelligence through collaborative tools of knowledge. The person credited with directing the event, Bill English, passed away just two days ago. As Alberto Gonzalez Palomo pointed out on Hacker News, when Douglas Engelbart detailed the technical hurdles facing The Mother of All Demos, he concluded it worked, and the main reason it worked is because Bill English is a genius. Engelbart describes the challenges of the demos computer video display in that talk, we leased two microwave lines, up from our laboratory at SRI - up in Menlo Park - so its roughly 30 miles. And it took two dish antennas on the roof there, four of them on a truck up on SkyLine, and two on the roof of the conference center. (ACM Conference on the History of Personal Workstations, January 9, 1986.) The demonstration is still striking today because of its breakthrough technologies and dramatic, almost ominous presentation. The demo is almost platonic in its concept of computing; todays remote office runs on collaborative applications that look remarkably similar to what was shown a half-century ago. The tools were built upon two essential foundations: the programmable electronic computer and the transmission of digital information. No single person came up with these ideas, but two papers arguably bridge the gap from concept to applied engineering: The programmable electronic computer: First Draft of a Report on the EDVAC by John von Neumann (1945) The transmission of digital information: A Mathematical Theory of Communication, parts I & II by Claude Shannon (1948) Within ten years of their publication, work started on the technologies that form the foundation for The Mother of All Demos. Many companies that applied these mid-century inventions endure to this day. What follows is a brief survey. The Programmable Electronic Computer Von Neumann laid out the three main internal organs of a computer in First Draft of a Report on the EDVAC. The report helped popularize the term Von Neumann architecture as a way to denote computers that store programs in memory. The term and the original paper are both controversial because they both fail to acknowledge Von Neumanns peers and predecessors. Although this seems to be an accident of history, the influence of Von Neumanns first draft is undeniable. The arithmetic unit The control unit The memory unit These units as described in 1945 essentially remain the foundation for computing today. The arithmetic unit receives numbers from the memory unit, computes them, and then provides a result which is once again stored. The control unit coordinates the getting and putting of information based on a strict clock cycle, illustrated below in Neumanns paper: Illustration from First Draft of a Report on the EDVAC. Notice each pulse is an evenly spaced, either up (on) or down (off). The computer promises to be in a stable state at every tick of the clock. In between each tick, the computer is in transition from one state to the next - electrons rush to and from the memory unit and through millions of gates in the arithmetic unit. The newly stabilized arrangement will determine what happens during the next clock cycle. An entire computer industry was established shortly after the publication of First Draft of a Report on the EDVAC. MICR and SABRE are just two examples of their early application. Making the movement of money and people easier helped establish the modern global economy. 1. MICR (~1958) An example of the MICR E-13B font - both machine and human-readable. Punch card tabulators automated parts of the finance industry long before Von Neumanns paper. But if time is money, the speed, accuracy, and reliability of electronic computers were a revolution. Magnetic ink character recognition (MICR) was a critical step towards transaction automation. Ken Gilmore, Electronics In Banking, Electronics World, April 1963, pp. 29. The giant Bank of America was already having trouble hiring enough people to keep up with its soaring paper work. So in 1957 it hired Stanford Research Institute to work out the details of the magnetic ink proposal. Stanford scientists designed a series of magnetic characters which would be readable by both human beings and magnetic sensing devices. [] Bank of America cautiously put ERMA (Electronic Recording Machine Accounting) to work in 1958, but kept bookkeepers on the job - just in case. Within a few months, however, it was obvious that ERMA could not only do the job faster than people, but more accurately as well. [] Already, nearly 70% of the checks now flowing through the Federal Reserve System bear the small magnetic numbers on the lower edge. Ken Gilmore Electronics World (1963) Once computers could read paper and automatically calculate transactions, money became much faster and easier to move. The initial work on the system was done by General Electric in conjunction with SRI, but it was the computing firm Burroughs that truly exploited MICRs adoption. It was a cornerstone of the company for decades. The founder of Burroughs is the grandfather of writer William S. Burroughs. The author helped popularize a cut-up technique that could be executed as a mechanical process. 2. SABRE (~1960) Computer automation also made people easier to move. SABRE (Semi-Automated Business Research Environment), an airline reservation system built by IBM, helped American Airlines capitalize on the growing demand for air travel. The company still operates today, handling a third of all air travel bookings in the world. Gloria Guevara, former CEO of Sabres Mexican business, claims that between 1995 and 2010 Sabre operated one of the two largest privately-owned databases in the world. This makes it a rich resource for state surveillance - having publicly complied with American investigators in 2016, 2017, and 2019. [Thomas Brewster, The FBI Is Secretly Using A $2 Billion Travel Company As A Global Surveillance Tool, Forbes, 2020.] Creating a database for flights and reserved seats was only part of the problem. Transmitting that information to other systems was just as crucial. Information Theory Claude Shannons A Mathematical Theory of Communication describes how to systematically encode complex information and deal with its loss when noise is inevitably introduced into its transmission: Digital telecommunications existed for decades before Claude Shannon published his paper. For example, the telegraph relied on a set of pulses known as Morse Code to encode and decode letters sent over a distance. The word tele-graph literally means far-writing; encoding is a requite for speedy communication over a distance. The Bell System Technical Journal,Vol. 27, pp. 379423, 623656, July, October, 1948 If noise corrupts the information, the system must know how to correct the error: The Bell System Technical Journal,Vol. 27, pp. 379423, 623656, July, October, 1948 Information encoded with certain resiliency guarantees can be compressed or broken up before it is sent out. A promise of data integrity means that fragments can addressed from anywhere in the world and ultimately reassembled into a meaningful whole. Information theory immediately made the movement of people, money, and ideas easier. John Rankine, the former chair of American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and an early actor in the field of digital privacy in the information age, testified about this power to the United States Congress in the 1980s: I originally cited John Rankine in Personal Privacy, prompted by the IBM advertisement seen below. Personal Privacy examines why digital privacy laws have been so ineffective after a half century of legislation. Neither the United States nor European aerospace industries could have progressed as they have without a high degree of information exchange, thus ushering in a whole new era in air transportation. Similar examples exist in the fields of medicine, education, communications, energy, information processing, and consumer services. John Rankine, Director of Standards, Product Safety and Data Security, IBM Corp., Statement to the United States House of Representatives, March 10, 1980. SABRE (~1960) The SABRE system would not have been possible without a modem to transmit flight reservations between computers. AT&T introduced their first commercial modem, Bell 101 Dataset Modem, in 1958. These computers used a communications protocol that was eventually displaced with the invention of packet switching, seen in early computer networks like the NPL network, the ARPANET, and CYCLADES. The specific implementation of packet switching that runs todays internet, TCP/IP, began service on the ARPANET on January 1, 1983. NSFs CSnet (National Science Foundations Computer Science network) came online that same month, also using TCP/IP. Dennis Jennings came to the NSF in 1985 to lead the adoption of TCP/IP across the entire program, including the new supercomputing network. Other non-NSF computer networks soon followed and the protocol is now ubiquitous. Telstar (1962) SABRE aided the speedy movement of people, but ideas can move much faster. Satellite communication makes their transmission nearly instantaneous and much more flexible over vast distances. IBM transmitted the first data over satellite from New York to France in 1962. IBM Archives: IBM And Telstar, ibm.com, 2003. This endeavor also marks the first video broadcast via satellite in human history. Fifty years later, Brian Williams signs off NBC Nightly News by showing live footage from Cairo, Egypt and thanking Telstar, version 12. Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-05 14:55:35|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close COLOMBO, Aug. 5 (Xinhua) -- Voting for the parliamentary election in Sri Lanka has started on Wednesday as polling booths were opened at 7:00 a.m. local time. The Elections Commission said 16.2 million people will be eligible to vote in the elections which will see some of the main political parties eyeing for a majority seat in the new parliament containing 225 members. Due to the COVID-19 outbreak which has infected over 2,800 people in the island country, strict health measures have been put in place in all polling booths across the country. The elections commission has made it mandatory for all voters to wear masks and if necessary to carry their own pens when visiting the polling booths to cast their votes. A one-meter distance must be maintained by all those present in and out of the polling booths while hand hygiene will also have to be maintained at all times. Over 12,500 polling booths have been set up across the country for the parliamentary polls which will be manned by health authorities, election officials, and local election observers. Over 7,000 candidates are contesting Wednesday's parliamentary elections from political and independent parties with the main political parties being the ruling Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna led by Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, the Samagi Jana Balawegaya led by former presidential candidate Sajith Premadasa and the United National Party led by former Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe. Voting for the parliamentary polls will end at 5:00 p.m. Wednesday local time, the elections commission said. Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa on Tuesday said the new parliament will convene on Aug. 20. Enditem The United States Africa Command has said that the Islamic State and Al-Qaida terrorist groups were gradually taking over the West Af... The United States Africa Command has said that the Islamic State and Al-Qaida terrorist groups were gradually taking over the West African region after being displaced in Syria and Iraq. Commander of the US Special Operations Command, Africa, Maj. Gen. Davin Anderson, noted that the extremist groups have begun deploying strategies to re-establish themselves in the region and expand further in the continent without drawing attention. Speaking during a virtual media briefing with journalists on Tuesday, the commander disclosed that the Al-Qaida has expanded in Mali, and had moved into northern Burkina Faso, where they attacked infrastructure, took out local governance and security forces, and are now controlling the local economy and exerting control over the population. He said, We are seeing them continue to move further south in Burkina Faso towards those littoral nations in the Gulf of Guinea, and also further west towards Senegal and West Africa. So thats a concern to us as we watch them continue to move throughout the region. He observed that some aggrieved local terrorist groups were being galvanized into a larger ideology and movement, stressing that al-Shabaab, an affiliate of al-Qaida, was already instigating instability in Somalia in order to destabilize the horn of Africa. Anderson stated that the extremist group is exploiting the humanitarian crisis in the Sahel to gain deeper roots in the region and in West Africa with Islamic State, West Africa, and Grand Sahara. The groups, according to him, have established affiliates or leverage local grievances and consolidate this into a larger movement in the Democratic Republic of Congo and the Central African Republic, Mozambique, as well as in Somalia. He noted, They are looking to Africa to try to find a means to re-establish themselves. And we cant forget that al-Qaida has African roots and has a lot of African connection as well. Thats very concerning to us because its a deliberate strategy, and part of that strategy is to be quiet about how they act, how they expand. Theyre not looking to advertise a lot of what theyre doing. The commander said Africa needs to be conscious of their plot and understand how to counter it. The deal, which was first made public on Tuesday August 4, sees SS Steel take 99% of the shares in Saleh Steel Industries Ltd. SS Steel has pledged to invest a further 1.34 billion taka toward the "smooth running" of the Saleh plant.Saleh Steel has a steelmaking capacity of 84,000 tonnes per year from an induction furnace in Chattogram province. The unit is located under 10 kilometers away from production facilities belonging to BSRM and Abul Khair, which are the countrys two largest steelmakers.On completing the deal, SS Steel will raise its overall steelmaking capacity to 192,000 tpy. SS Steel previously had a capacity of 108,000 tpy as of 2019, according to Bangladeshi stock broker UCB Capital.SS Steel has a production facility and head office within the administrative division of Dhaka, which also holds the countrys bustling capital city.Like most Bangladeshi steelmakers, the company produces steel billet from an induction furnace which consumes scrap and sponge iron. It then rolls the billet using a bar mill made in Italy, the firms website said.Some market participants expect further mergers and consolidation within Bangladeshs steel industry while its markets continue to mature over the coming years.Induction furnace mills in Dhaka have endured a difficult time in recent months , with the Covid-19 lockdown in India and subsequent measures in Bangladesh making the procurement of sponge iron - which is supplied by producers in India - very challenging.Steel demand in Bangladesh is also being squeezed by the countrys Covid-19 crisis, and some steelmakers have resorted to slashing domestic billet prices in recent weeks to achieve sales and generate cash.Bangladesh has a steelmaking capacity of around 9 million tonnes, but most of this capability is concentrated in the hands of the countrys four largest producers.To find out more about the development of the Bangladesh import market for steel scrap, download Fastmarkets new whitepaper which explores the topic in more depth. Email Whatsapp Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment The Trump administration is celebrated by many Christians for its robust defense of religious liberty. From publishing federal guidance on religious expression in public schools to directing the State Department to allocate USAID funding to international religious liberty initiatives to appointing Supreme Court justices many Christians hope will safeguard their freedom to practice their faith, the president has drawn accolades from many conservative Christians for strengthening First Amendment protections. Ive done so much for religion, the president recently commented in an interview with Newsmax. Yet research our organization recently conducted with Open Doors USA, an international religious freedom watchdog group that advocates for the persecuted church, reveals an area where the White House has fallen short. Since the time of the pilgrims, America has been proud of its legacy of opening its doors to those experiencing religious persecution. The Refugee Act of 1980 formally defined a refugee as an individual who has left their country because of a credible fear of persecution based on (among other grounds) religion and allows the president to set an annual cap for refugee resettlement. Between 1980 and 2016, the average ceiling was around 95,000 and the average number of actual arrivals was 81,000 numbers that attest to the generosity and hospitality of the American people as well as our commitment to religious freedom for all. Since 2016, however, those numbers have plummeted. Two years ago, Canada eclipsed the U.S. as the global leader in refugee resettlement. The cap for fiscal year 2020 was set at a mere 18,000 and as a result of COVID-19, only around 7,600 have arrived. Given that there are only three months remaining in the fiscal year, it seems highly unlikely that admissions will even approach that cap. These policies fail refugees fleeing persecution, including those whose persecution is on account of their faith in Christ. According to Open Doors USA, 260 million Christians worldwide live in regions where they are vulnerable to intense persecution. Almost 3,000 have been martyred and almost 9,500 churches and other Christian buildings have been attacked. But, as our new report shows, the U.S. has now largely closed its doors to persecuted Christians: from the 50 countries on Open Doors annual World Watch List of places where Christian experience persecution, the U.S. welcomed more than 18,000 Christian refugees in 2015. Halfway through this year, weve received fewer than 950, on track for a decline of 90 percent. Of course, members of various other faiths experience persecution as well, from Jewish refugees who have fled Iran to Yezidis who have fled Iraq to Rohingya Muslims who have fled Myanmar. The number of refugees from each of these persecuted groups to be resettled this year is on track to be down by more than 90 percent compared to 2015. Our commitment to religious freedom means we must advocate for them as well as for those persecuted as fellow Christians. American Christians must ask ourselves some tough questions. Scripture makes it clear that all believers are part of the body of Christ and that when one member suffers, the entire body suffers alongside it. Yet the policies of the elected officials chosen by most white Christians suggest that weve closed our ears and our nations doors to this suffering. This is not to say that there havent been key policy victories for religious freedom here at home, or to say that those policy victories dont matter. But, frankly, I have a hard time celebrating that my kids have presidential permission to read their Bibles at recess at their public school and that pastors are told they can make partisan political endorsements when Christians elsewhere are literally being slaughtered and when our nations golden door for these sisters and brothers yearning to breathe free has been all but slammed shut on them. Furthermore, our countrys appropriately strong words calling upon other nations to respect religious freedom will inevitably ring hollow if we dont also raise our voices and open our nation and our homes to offer safety to those who have fled tyrannical regimes. As one body baptized into one faith in one Lord, we must defend their right to worship Jesus freely as ardently as we defend our own. And as people who believe that no government can mandate belief, but that each person must decide for themselves how (or if) to follow God, we must stand for the religious liberty of all people, not just those who share our Christian faith. Some worry that COVID-19 has so crippled our economy that we simply dont have enough resources to adequately care for refugees. At World Relief, where weve resettled roughly 300,000 refugees over the past forty years in both good economic times and bad, our experience indicates otherwise. Our organization and others like it are more than ready to work with the State Department and with local churches to help tens of thousands of refugees make a home here in America, and research demonstrates that theyll eventually more than re-pay any governmental expenditures on their behalf. The capacity is there to welcome many more; the question is whether or not theres a strong enough political mandate to reopen our doors to the persecuted. Others worry that welcoming refugees will hasten the spread of COVID-19. Its an understandable concern, but an unwarranted one: Everyone who comes through the refugee program undergoes intensive screenings for both security and health. The average American who refuses to wear a mask poses a greater threat to public health than a refugee family, generally coming from regions with significantly lower incidences of COVID-19 than the U.S., who has been screened for the virus and complies with local and regional public health guidelines. I urge fellow American Christians to raise their voice on behalf of the persecuted church. No human should live in fear for their life because they worship according to the dictates of their conscience and no Christian should stand idly by when a brother or sisters right to worship freely is threatened. The president has repeatedly characterized himself as a champion of religious freedom. Let us challenge him to live up to that reputation and renew our countrys promise as a light of hope and freedom for the faithful. The Bharatiya Janata Party has fulfilled two of the three-long-standing items on its manifesto and on the wish list of its ideological fount, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh -- the construction of a Ram temple in Ayodhya and the revocation of Article 370 that conferred special status on Jammu and Kashmir. Now, there is just one item left -- a Uniform Civil Code (UCC) -- and the leadership if both the BJP and RSS are clear that a consensus should emerge before this can happen, people familiar with the matter in both organisations said. In the case of Article 370, the BJP pushed the move through parliament. In the case of the temple, a Supreme Court ruling set the stage for it. But the UCC, people in both the Sangh (RSS) and the BJP say, is different. The demand for a UCC, which had been articulated by the Sangh and later the Jan Sangh, the BJPs political precursor, was made part of the BJPs election manifesto starting 1998. In that document, the party sought to entrust the Law Commission with the task of formulating a code that would ensure property rights for women and incorporate the right to adopt children and equal guardianship rights; and remove discriminatory clauses in divorce laws apart from making the registration of all marriages mandatory. One of the directive principles of the Constitution, the UCC has been a core issue of the RSS . The bill to outlaw the Muslim practice of itriple talaq, which allowed a man to divorce his wife by uttering the word talaq thrice, which was passed by Parliament last year, is seen in some quarters as a precursor to the UCC . . In the case of Jammu and Kashmir, Parliament gave its nod, and the government received the support of several opposition parties as well. As for the Ram temple, it was a long-drawn legal battle, which was resolved by the highest court of law. As far as the UCC is concerned, while it is the need of the hour; there is a clear understanding that all sections of society must agree to it and their concerns{should be} addressed, said a senior functionary of the RSS, requesting anonymity. The All India Muslim Personal Law Board, for instance, has expressed concern over the proposed UCC and in a statement last year said India has a multicultural and multi-religious society and each group has the constitutional right to maintain its identity. It referred to the concept of UCC as a threat to the diversity of India. Objection to the UCC does not come from Muslims alone. The RSS functionary said while the government will take measures to introduce a bill on the UCC, it also has to carry along with civil society organisations and address misgivings about the proposed code. We are aware that even among Hindus there are some sections who have concerns. But just as their concerns were addressed when reforms such as the Hindu Marriage Act, the Succession Act and the adoptions and maintenance laws were changed; there is a need to address their current concerns as well, the RSS functionary said. BJP MP Kirori Lal Meenas attempt to introduce a private members bill on the UCC in the Rajya Sabha last year was stalled by the opposition on the grounds that it could lead to communal tensions at a time when protests were being staged against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA), which intends to fast-track the grant of Indian citizenship to minorities from Muslim-majority Afghanistan , Bangladesh and Pakistan . But the BJP has been unambiguous about wanting to pursue the issue. Union home minister Amit Shah said in an interview to a television channel in January that UCC is a part of the partys manifesto and how and when it will be implemented will be decided in consultation with everyone. I believe any country should not have any law based on religion and there should be a single law for all the citizens, he said. BJPs Rajya Sabha MP Rakesh Sinha said there is a need to address the delusion that some people have encouraged that UCC is against the rituals and core practices of any religion. It is a scientific and modern way of achieving the goals of gender justice. The law ministry has made progress on the issue but how it will be implemented will depend on the emerging consensus. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Virgin Atlantic founder Richard Branson. Photo: Oded Balilty/AP Virgin Atlantic is confident in a 1.2bn ($1.6bn) rescue plan to tide the struggling airline through the coronavirus crisis, despite filing for protection under US bankruptcy law. The company announced a restructuring plan last month to keep Virgin Atlantic flying, which would include 400m of deferrals and waivers by shareholders and at least 450m of deferrals by creditors. Past efforts to secure UK government bailout appear to have fallen on deaf ears. It has said it has the backing of the majority of stakeholders, but secured a UK high court judges approval to bring together creditors to meet and vote on the plans on 25 August. The proposals could be made binding on all lenders, whether or not they vote for them. David Allison, representing Virgin Atlantic, told the court in London on Tuesday (4 August) the group was currently projected to run out of money altogether by the first week of October, according to PA. READ MORE: Virgin Atlantic to slash more than 3,000 jobs as air travel collapses Without an injection of new cash, airline directors would have little choice but to put the company in administration to wind down the business and sell any assets, Allison said. This would result in a poor outcome for the companys creditors, he added. Meanwhile documents filed with a US bankruptcy court on Tuesday in New York show the company seeking protection from creditors in the US, using Chapter 15 provisions that allow US courts to recognise foreign restructuring plans. "The word "bankruptcy" never looks great adjacent to an airline's name," said leading travel journalist Simon Calder. "Sir Richard Branson's carrier is in poor shape. But the US court filing is to protect the airline's American assets and has no direct implications for staff or passengers." The airline continues to operate a limited schedule from London Heathrow as normal, with flights to New York, Los Angeles, Barbados and Hong Kong. A spokesperson told Yahoo Finance UK: With support already secured from the majority of stakeholders, its expected that the Restructuring Plan and recapitalisation will come into effect in September. We remain confident in the plan. Story continues READ MORE: EasyJet increases flights despite UK quarantine uncertainty Richard Bransons Virgin Group would also plough another 200m into the business as part of what the airline calls its solvent recapitalisation plans. The company has said the proposals will help the airline rebuild its balance sheet and return to profitability by 2022. The airline has said it has already made cost savings of around 280m a year and 880m in rephasing and financing of aircraft deliveries over the next five years. It announced plans to slash more than 3,000 jobs in May, after failing in its bid to secure a UK government lifeline. It had previously warned it risked collapse without government support. Branson wanted a 500m ($624m) state rescue package involving commercial loans and guarantees. Prior to the Covid-19 pandemic, the group was not in any difficulty at all, Allison also told the court, PA reports. The problems that the group now faces are not of its own making but are the result of a global health disaster. It comes as Virgin Australia, which went into voluntary administration in April, also announced on Wednesday around a third of its workforce could be slashed as part of a sale to investment firm Bain Capital, according to Reuters. Rwanda's Private Sector Federation (PSF) on Tuesday, August 4 signed a memorandum of understanding with the Malta Chamber of Commerce, Enterprise and Industry (MCCEI) to promote trade and investment between the two countries. The new cooperative agreement is expected to facilitate development of commercial exchanges and economic co-operation between Rwandan and Maltese companies. Malta is a southern European country located in the central Mediterranean between Sicily and the North African coast. The island nation boasts vast opportunities, mainly in its booming sectors of tourism, information technology and financial services. The signing ceremony took place virtually due to the global pandemic. It was graced by Rwandan High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Ambassador Yamina Karitanyi and Ambassador Ronald Micallef, Ambassador-designate for Ethiopia and the African Union. Stephen Ruzibiza, PSF Chief Executive Officer commended the agreement, saying that it will boost investment opportunities within the two countries. "Rwanda has a conducive investment environment for anyone to invest and we have quite enormous investment opportunities and I would encourage Malta investors to come and invest in Rwanda," Ruzibiza said. He added that the MoU will open opportunities for more agreements between individual companies from the two countries. Rwandan and Maltese investors also agreed to exchange information concerning trade fairs and exhibitions organized in their respective regions. Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Trade Rwanda Europe and Africa By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later. Moreover, both parties agreed to ensure constant exchange of information and publications in the economic field. The exchange will include information related to trade, economic cooperation, joint economic activities, general economic and business information, economic and commercial legislation. Speaking on behalf of The Malta Chamber, President Perit David Xuereb observed that the current global crisis should not hinder immediate implementation of the agreement. "We are ready to start the implementation and we shouldn't be hindered by Covid19 because there are a lot of opportunities in our countries," said Xuereb. He noted that quick focus would be on virtual business-to-business meetings. Being one of the world's smallest countries with half a million people, Malta has a thriving industrial sector with over 200 foreign and some 400 locally-owned manufacturing companies. Products made in Malta are exported worldwide. They comprise electronics, pharmaceuticals and medicinals, rubber and plastics, fabricated metals and machinery, software, garments and food products among others. Located in Valetta, the Maltese capital, MCCEI is the main independent organisation representing the business private sector in Malta. Most of us are familiar with the VA loan, which offers great terms and benefits for past and present members of the military. The loan doesnt require a down payment, doesnt tack on mortgage insurance and keeps closing costs low. There are many other benefits too, and its a great resource for members of the military who want to purchase a home. Whats discussed less frequently are the steps that homeowners should take when they have difficulty repaying their VA loans. Thats what were talking about today, in collaboration with episode 4 of the Hope Now military podcast series. The Most Important Step Our podcast host, Ray Pennie, spoke with Rita Falcioni, a loan administration officer with the Department of Veterans Affairs, about consumers options for these loans. Perhaps the most important question and answer exchange during their conversation came when Ray asked her for the best advice to give someone who is going into default on the loan. Her response was something that weve heard (and preached!) before, but its often overlooked and underemphasized. Simply stated, she urged homeowners to seek help at the earliest sign of not being able to make a payment. You can read our article about asking for help, but with VA loans specifically, Rita recommends calling your local Veterans Affairs office and asking for the loan guarantee division. Talking to a VA Loan Technician According to Rita, that conversation will then go something like this: the loan technician will ask where you (and the property) are located, and then will request your VA loan number. Your technician is assigned to you from start to finish, so you wont have to worry about being transferred repeatedly and talking to numerous people who might give you conflicting information. Instead, your technician will be able to answer your questions and point you to additional resources. If you arent yet 60 days late on your payments, there wont be much formal action they can take, but they will be able to make suggestions, answer hypothetical questions that you may have and discuss other organizations that might be able to help you, specifically. Repayment Options If you are more than 60 days late on your payments, then this conversation will go differently. You will have options that werent previously available, as your situation becomes a little more serious at this point. Again, the loan technician will be able to explain these and walk you through exactly how they will apply to your individual situation. The most common options presented include: Repayment plan: This is the simplest and easiest option for those who can begin making payments again comfortably and are just one or two months behind. The borrower will set up an installment plan with the mortgage company to make up for the missed payments and repay what is owed. The VA loan technician can facilitate this, by setting up three-way calls and mediating the conversations. Foreclosure delay: Under this sort of arrangement, the mortgage company agrees not to initiate foreclosure proceedings in order to give the borrower time to sell the home. Forbearance plan: This is similar to the option above, except the borrower still plans to keep the home, but is waiting on the funds needed to make the payments. Perhaps the borrower is waiting on a lump sum, such as a tax refund. This option might help them to make it to the point that cash is available, allowing them to retain home ownership. Loan modification: In this case, the missed payments are added to the end of the loan and a new payment schedule is created. Short Sale: The servicer agrees to allow the borrower to sell the home for a lesser amount than what is currently required to pay off the loan. (Based on how this is reported to the credit bureaus, the borrower may experience a significant credit impact.) Deed-in-Lieu of Foreclosure: The borrower voluntarily agrees to deed the property to the servicer rather than going into foreclosure. (Again, based on how this is reported to the credit bureaus, the borrower may experience a significant credit impact.) Be sure to check out the podcast so you can hear Ritas explanation of these options: Other Resources Another resource available is the Hardest Hit Fund (HHF) which helps residents of Alabama, Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Mississippi, Nevada, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee and Washington DC. Generally speaking, the program serves unemployed homeowners and those who are underwater (owe more than the home is worth). Using this option might require working with a counseling agency and also the state housing agency. In fact, the Veterans Affairs website recommends that consumers interested in exploring this option start by first contacting their states housing agency. Other resources that consumers should consider are HUD-approved housing counseling agencies and local nonprofit groups that have a military focus. We covered a few of these resources for struggling homeowners recently, and that article might be a good starting point before searching in your local area. The Reconnect Program The VA loan is a valuable resource to those who serve, but like with any loan it is important to make timely payments and be willing to admit when there is a problem. Quick action on your part to seek out help could be the difference between keeping your home and going into foreclosure. We know these issues can be complicated and intimidating. If youd like more help from ClearPoint, a HUD-certified counseling agency, take some time to learn more about our Reconnect program and how our military-focused team can help you. Thomas Bright is a longstanding Clearpoint blogger and student loan repayment aficionado who hopes that his writing can simplify complex subjects. When hes not writing, youll find him hiking, running or reading philosophy. You can follow him on Twitter. This post was first published by Clearpoint. To speak with a Clearpoint Credit Counselor, call 888.808.7285 or learn more about their Military Reconnect Program. 05.08.2020 LISTEN On 4th August 2020, I watched on various media platforms videos about the reaction of some Senior High School (S.H.S) finalists who wrote their Integrated Science paper. Some schools were seen jubilating while others were complaining bitterly about the paper they wrote. As with every examination irrespective of the level, situations like these are expected but what really shocked me was the gross misconduct perpetrated by some of these students especially in this particular examination. It has been reported that some schools embarked on demonstration, destroyed properties owned by the school, and even threatened teachers and invigilators. Some even went to the extent of hurling insults on the president of the Republic of Ghana in unprintable words. Their reasons were that invigilation was strict, questions they were expecting did not come and they were not allowed to cheat. Such an impudence!. The most unfortunate part was some individuals, groups, and opinion leaders who politicize the entire incident and have subjected it to political gymnastics. As a concerned citizen, I believe so much that this gross misconduct portrayed by these students must be condemned by all devoid of ones political affiliation. The reasons backing the actions of these students dumbfound me and what put me in awe was those that have the guts to insults the president His Excellency Nana Addo Dankwah Akuffo Addo. Have our society now lost respect for the elderly or this is the kind of future leaders our educational system is churning out, youth that seeks to blame others for their misfortune and all that they know is to rampage properties to seek redress to their issues. What is the essence of their education then? This is very sad. I also ask, what at all were these students doing when they were in the house during the COVID 19 break, and were the interventions made by various governments to make education accessible and free to everyone not enough encouragement for these students to have studied? These misconducts portrayed by the students should not go unpunished. The appropriate punishment should be served to deter the following batches from doing same. I saw a common trait in the reaction of most of these disappointed students. A trait that reflects so strongly in our communities; the act of politicizing issues or projects in the country. We view everything with a political lens. Some of these students blamed the government because they could not write their papers. It will be irrational to blame any government for happenings like this but am afraid that is what our society has taught them. We cannot afford as a country to play politics with every situation which happens around us. We must have the development of our nation at heart but not the fame or approval of our political parties. It is about time we call a spade a spade in this country. This needless politicization of core developmental issues is holding our country back and we need to stop. We are not doing posterity any good with this kind of politics. Almost a decade ago, I wrote a little book called The Politically Incorrect Guide to Socialism. When Regnery asked me to write the book, I was happy to do it but wondered whether a book on socialism, a brief conspectus of its grotesque failures, would be necessary or useful. I wondered why anybody would be interested. In the upcoming issue of National Review, I will have an essay on reading Karl Marx, and I do not have to worry about why people are interested. The worlds worst idea will not die. I do not expect to write another book on socialism, but I have been reading some. There are some horrifyingly relevant books out now and on the way. One is Iain Murrays excellent, just-published The Socialist Temptation I will be discussing it with him on Thursday, if youd like to watch in which Murray addresses some of the eternal lies (Real socialism has never been tried!) and abominable cliches of socialism. He emphasizes that historically, socialism has consistently delivered the opposite of its promises: more economic and political inequality, not less; more poverty, not less; more ruthless social domination of the poor and the marginalized, not less; more environmental degradation, not less. Murray makes in part a consequentialist case for economic freedom: Study after study has found that countries with high levels of economic freedom are wealthier, healthier, take better care of the environment, and are just generally better places to live than countries with low levels of economic freedom. At the bottom of all these indices are two sorts of countries failed states like Afghanistan, and nations like Venezuela, which have sauntered down the road to serfdom by enacting Marxist socialist policies with abandon. But I wonder if our young self-proclaimed socialists are equipped to hear that argument or likely to respond to it. In the past ten years, the partisans of free enterprise have had a hard-enough time defending economic liberty against the Right, never mind the socialists. Murray understands this, too, crediting the socialists with arguing from values while the partisans of liberty argue from history and economics. Story continues Where I disagree with Murray or rather where I would offer a slightly different emphasis is that I am not entirely convinced of his claim (made here in National Review) that countering socialism is a communications challenge. The defects of socialism have been very thoroughly communicated the photographs of the Holodomor are available online, the records of mass murder and spoliation are quite easily accessed, the stories of Cuban refugees are at our fingertips, The Gulag Archipelago is only a click away. It is not a communication problem but a spiritual problem. Reading Julia Lovells fascinating new Maoism: A Global History is, among other things, a dive into a complex political story that has at its heart not an ideology but a cult. The Maoism Lovell describes is in many ways an identifiably religious phenomenon, complete with devotion to a sacred book, adoration of icons, rites of confession and penance, and a benevolent godman/prophet. It speaks to the same anxieties and needs as religion. It offers a moral principle however insane and murderous around which a life might be organized. And like Karl Marxs The Eighteenth Brumaire of Louis Bonaparte, its personalities and human facts remain terribly familiar: Mao was himself, of course, a peasant by origin, and he always spoke, dressed and ate like one . . . underscoring time and again his refusal to be planed into a smooth, establishment statesman. Long articles reminded him of the foot-bindings of a slattern, long and stinky. . . . While once speaking with a Brazilian delegation, he revealed that he had no idea where Brazil was. He met world leaders in patched pyjamas and socks (and sometimes in a bathrobe) and favored one dish above all others Hunan-style fatty pork, with a bowl of whole chillies on the side, all washed down with a tin mug of tea (as a postprandial digestif, Mao would chew squeakily on the sodden tea leaves in the bottom of the cup). Maoism, from its beginnings in the 1930s through today, has styled itself as a rural religion that represents and fights for the toiling farmers. That agrarian crusade is, of course, a lie. To take one example, the insurgency of the Maoist Shining Path in Peru, as Lovell notes, was never an egalitarian peasant war but instead was the scheme of educated urban intellectuals, who produced in their own structures of command and position the racial, class-based hierarchies that they pledged to overthrow: pale-skinned, hispanophone, educated elites on top; darker-skinned, impoverished Quechua-speakers at the bottom. A less martial version of the same phenomenon can be observed among American progressives, who have made racial diversity into a racket for well-off white women. Or consider the positions of Nancy Pelosi, Chuck Schumer, Joe Biden, etc. Every faith is alike in its capacity to be exploited. Lovells Maoism is not only a Chinese story it is a Malaysian story, a Peruvian story, a Cambodian story, an Indian story, a Zimbabwean story. And it is, in part, an American story, too. It is not something forgotten in a dusty book it is part of the conversation on social media right now, today, with Bo Xilais Red Twitter and its spinoffs. T. S. Eliot once wrote: As political philosophy derives its sanction from ethics, and ethics from the truth of religion, it is only by returning to the eternal source of truth that we can hope for any social organization which will not, to its ultimate destruction, ignore some essential aspect of reality. The term democracy, as I have said again and again, does not contain enough positive content to stand alone against the forces that you dislike it can easily be transformed by them. If you will not have God (and He is a jealous God) you should pay your respects to Hitler or Stalin. If socialism is a kind of cult, then there is a market for it a wide-open market, in fact. And if the ancient competitors have effectively ceded the field, that is not the doing of the young radicals, wrongheaded as they are. The moral vacuum is a creation of the bishops and the university administrators and the chairmen of the boards, who in the main long ago stopped believing in their own dogma, and who believed that they could muddle through without another dogmas taking its place. More from National Review Washington, D.C.--(Newsfile Corp. - August 5, 2020) - The Securities and Exchange Commission today published procedures setting forth a staff-led process to nominate candidates for appointment to the Investor Advisory Committee. Candidates for vacancies on the Committee will be identified by a nominating committee composed of staff from across the SEC's divisions and offices. The nominating committee will initially be chaired by Robert Marchman, Senior Policy Advisor for Diversity and Inclusion. The nominating committee will identify candidates based on functional membership categories published on the SEC's website, and members of the public are encouraged to express their interest in serving on the Committee. The staff-led nomination process is designed to promote a diversity of background, expertise, and perspective to assist the Committee in addressing the wide range of issues affecting investors. "These procedures bring much needed improvements to the process of appointing members to the Investor Advisory Committee," said Chairman Jay Clayton. "A similar staff-led process based on functional membership categories has proven to work with the SEC's other advisory committees and is consistent with established and proven governance practices." The Investor Advisory Committee advises and consults with the Commission on: Regulatory priorities of the Commission; Issues relating to the regulation of securities products, trading strategies, fee structures, and the effectiveness of disclosure; Initiatives to protect investor interests; and Initiatives to promote investor confidence and the integrity of the securities marketplace. Members of the public interested in serving on the Committee should email a letter of interest with applicable information about their relevant experience. Sydney Lotuaco has opened up about how she met her new boyfriend Nick Wehby on Instagram after The Bachelor fan slid into her DMs. The 27-year-old started talking to her beau while they were quarantined in separate states amid the coronavirus pandemic. After three months of constant texting and FaceTiming, she flew from Virginia to Ohio to meet him in person for the first time. Sydney detailed the start of their modern-day romance in a viral TikTok video, explaining that she caught 28-year-old Nick's eye after appearing on Colton Underwood's season of The Bachelor last year. Scroll down for video Young love: Bachelor alum Sydney Lotuaco, 27, opened up about her relationship with her new boyfriend Nick Wehby, 28, in a viral TikTok video Love at first sight? Nick first saw her on Colton Underwood's season of The Bachelor last year. She left the show after accusing Colten of not giving her the same opportunities as the others The model and dancer left the show after accusing Colten of not giving her the same opportunities as the other women, but her departure clearly worked out for the best. 'There was a guy that watched that was a fan because his mom made him watch while he was in the hospital when he broke his neck,' she said of Nick, adding: 'Don't worry he's fine now.' After watching her on The Bachelor, and later Bachelor in Paradise, Nick slid into her DMs and made an impression. Sydney became interested in him right when the pandemic hit and most people were quarantined at home. 'Hmm, who is this guy? He seems kind of cute, actually,' she recalled thinking to herself before DMing him back. Fate: Nick's mom made him watch the reality show while he was in the hospital recovering from a broken neck They spent days talking via DMs until he finally gave her his phone number. In the TikTok video, Sydney shared a screenshot of the sweet message he sent. 'Thanks for virtually keeping me company the last couple of nights,' he had written. 'Here's my number [redacted]. If you need another quarantine ride or die, more country slappers or are ever in Cincy and get bored I'd be happy to help.' Sydney, who has been staying in Virginia, admitted she was initially apprehensive because he lives in Cincinnati, Ohio, but she texted him anyway. They eventually started FaceTiming every night, for hours on end, for three months. The former reality star decided to book a flight to Ohio 'in the middle of a pandemic' to finally meet him in person, recalling how they 'played house for a while.' Reaching out: Nick slid into Sydney's DMs, and after days of non-stop messaging, he gave her his number Connection: Sydney and Nick started their romance while quarantining in different states amid the pandemic. They FaceTimed every night, for hours on end, for three months Special: Sydney flew from Virginia to Ohio to meet him in person, and he drove her back home to meet her family and friends after she asked him to be her boyfriend 'Luckily, it was even better in person,' she said of their connection. 'We were kind of nervous, but it worked out.' Sydney eventually asked Nick to 'be her boyfriend,' and after he agreed, he drove her back to Virginia, where he met her family and friends. 'Now we do long distance, but we share a journal that we take turns filling out whenever they miss each other,' she said, revealing the diary at the end of the clip. 'You can actually find love in a pandemic.' Sydney made their relationship Instagram official in June when she shared a photo of them at Virginia Beach, writing: '2020 aint all bad.' Announcement: Sydney made their relationship Instagram official in June when she shared a photo of them at Virginia Beach, writing: '2020 aint all bad' Happy as can be: Nick has become a regular on her social media page, and she recently posted a picture of them kissing in bed Making it work: The long-distance loves now keep a shared journal that they take turns filling out whenever they miss each other She confirmed their relationship to Us Weekly the next day, saying: '[I] dont know how I piqued his interest, but Im very happy I did!' Sydney couldn't resist gushing about her new love, whom she said 'has incredible character.' 'Hes honest, loyal, and wears his heart on his sleeve,' she added. 'He makes me laugh a ton and gets me to open up more and truly be myself.' Nick has become a regular on her social media page, and she recently posted a picture of them kissing in bed. She said they are now enjoying 'the little things of just being together in person that we havent had the chance to do until now.' Wash your hands. Keep your distance. Wear a mask when you should. To these basics of good pandemic-times citizenry, add another: if you live in Ontario you should download the new COVID Alert app so youll know if youve been in contact with someone who has the disease. Its far from perfect (more on that in a moment) but putting the free software on your smartphone is one simple thing we can all do to fight COVID-19. Its available at the Apple and Android app stores, and takes just a minute or so to download. More than 1.3 million Canadians did just that in the first few days after COVID Alert was made available on Friday. If most of the rest of us do the same itll be one more step toward containing the spread of the coronavirus. The experts say most people (65 to 80 per cent) have to download the software for it to be truly effective. Thats because its designed to send out an alert to everyone whose phone has been in close proximity to a phone carried by a person who has tested positive for COVID-19. If you have the app and you get an alert, youll know youve been exposed to the disease and you should go and get a test yourself. The more people who do that, the quicker those with COVID-19 can isolate themselves and slow the spread. Thats the idea, at least, and its a significant step to get an app that doesnt compromise privacy by revealing personal details or the location of an infected person, and is designed to be rolled out right across the country. It was launched in Ontario first, but it was developed under the auspices of the federal government and the idea is to have one national exposure notification app instead of a patchwork of provincially developed programs to help with contact tracing. Thats all to the good. But how maddening is it that, right out of the gate, COVID Alert may exclude some of the people hardest hit by the pandemic? The app is based on technical specifications developed by Google and Apple for world-wide use on iPhones and Android devices. And its designed to be used on phones made in the past five years that run on relatively new operating systems (at least iOS 13.5 or Android version 6). That makes the app inaccessible for people with older phones and of course they tend to be older people, poorer people, often Black and Indigenous people. In other words, exactly the kind of people who have been most affected by COVID-19. This is a failure of policy, Christopher Parsons of Citizen Lab at the Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy in Toronto told The Canadian Press over the weekend. The government should have seen this ... they should have predicted it ... and they should have done something to try and start fixing it. In fact, it will be up to Google and Apple to address the issue. The government says its talking to the companies to see if the problem of older phones can be remedied, and it should step up the pressure on that. Any technical solution should include as many people as possible, not exclude those who are already marginalized. In the meantime, the app is well worth using for anyone who can. The more people who download it, the quicker any local outbreak of COVID-19 can be detected and stopped, as long as those who receive alerts do the right thing and get tested themselves. Ultimately, its effectiveness will depend on people acting responsibly and in the wider public interest. Its no magic bullet, just one more tool in what we increasingly realize will be a long, grinding struggle against the pandemic. So despite its shortcomings, by all means download COVID Alert and be prepared to get tested if you receive a notification that youve been exposed. Its the right thing to do. "You must reside in Ward 3, and have been a resident in Ward 3 for at least a year," said borough Manager Christine Hart. The Erb Memorial Union (EMU), the center for student activities, is empty during the summer. The EMU lawn is often populated by students during the school year. The University of Oregons campus operations have new regulations due to the circumstances of COVID-19. By August 26th, if the University believes that they do not have the ability to manage COVID-19, they will seek out more limited options for students, faculty and staff. (Kevin Wang/Daily Emerald) Dilday, a member of a longtime Long Beach family, died unexpectedly of a heart attack in his sleep at his home Jan. 10, according to his wife, Diane. So the news out this morning is that Joe Biden wont travel to Milwaukee to accept the Democratic nomination later this month. Because COVID. Question: If Biden wins the election, will he come to Washington to be inaugurated on January 20? Or will he be sworn in by a local justice of the peace and conduct his administration from his Delaware basement? I expect the Trump campaign can make hay out of the slogan that a basement in Delaware is no place to run the country. Cmon man! I have a theory that Biden has actually settled on his running mate, but is holding off on the announcement while they prep whoever it is for the intense focus the person will receive. One of the many mistakes John McCain made in 2008 was picking Sarah Palin very suddenly, and then putting her out without any serious preparation and briefing (and ultimately ruining her political future). Given the heightened importance of Bidens running mate, there will be a premium on that persons campaign ability this year. Harris was a dud in the Democratic primaries. Anyone think Val Demmings, Keisha Lance-Bottoms, or Tammy Duckworth are ready for this? (Alternative possibility: Bidens team know their list of prospective running mates is pathetic, and are trying to get Michelle Obama or Oprah to be the running mate.) A reader sends along this speculation: I remain convinced we will see a repeat of the Eagleton Affair. The Democrats will pull Biden off the ticket after he is formally nominated. They will suddenly discover that he is in mental decline. Or, maybe he will have a minor stroke or such Soviet-like invention. They will not do this before he is formally nominated. That would give rise to Bernie and Lizzie and others to reassert their claims. Given how weird this year is, it wouldnt surprise me at all. Gee, this whole no bail thing is really working out great. Gang member carries out three shootings after being freed without bail: prosecutors A Brooklyn gang member, released without bail in May on an attempted murder charge, participated in at least three drive-by shootings after he was freed, federal prosecutors allege. Darrius Sutton, 23, was initially arrested in connection with a May 16 shooting in the courtyard of an East New York building that left a man seriously injured. Despite the attempted murder rap, Sutton was set free without bail the same day of his May 20 arrest. I have no idea what caused the massive explosion in Beirut yesterday, but I am wondering if basic pattern recognition ought to raise the possibility that in fact a serious war has broken out in the Middle East between Iran and Israel. Consider some recent items: Explosions and disruptions of several Iranian nuclear facilities a few weeks ago. It is claimed that Israel was behind it, though there are hints of possible U.S. involvement, and after Trumps targeted killing of Gen. Soleimani, who knows. Last week saw major Israeli air strikes on Hezbollah sites in Syria. Why was there such a huge amount of ammonium nitrate stored in that facility in Beirut? The suggestion the site was a fireworks factory doesnt really pass the smell test. Or perhaps making fireworks was a cover for making something else down in the basement, like Walter Whites subterranean meth lab below a commercial laundry. There might be some urgency for Israel to settle accounts soon, given that Trump has their back, while Joe Biden has always been hostile to Israel. Remind me never to swallow a beetle. From an article in Current Biology about what a study of digestion in frogs finds about the durability of beetles: Although adult beetles were easily eaten by frogs, 90% of swallowed beetles were excreted within 6 hours after being eaten and, surprisingly, were still alive. When beetle legs were experimentally fixed with wax, all of the treated beetles were killed in the frogs digestive system and finally excreted >24 hours after consumption. Therefore, swallowed beetles likely used their legs to move through the digestive tract toward the frog vent, hastening their escape. This study is the first to document active prey escape from the vent of a predator and to show that prey may promote predator defecation to hasten escape from inside the predators body. Ill await the follow up study to find out if beetles also survive after the frog is boiled slowly. Either that orgiven the last sentencewe can look forward to people like Gwyneth Paltrow recommending swallowing beetles as a laxative. ST. JOHNS, N.L.Newfoundland and Labrador officials had to act quickly and without full knowledge of a new disease and its potential impacts when it enacted a COVID-19 travel ban in May, an expert witness for the government testified on Wednesday. The provinces COVID-19 travel ban is being challenged in court this week by a Nova Scotia woman and a civil liberties group who are arguing the ban violates the charter and the province overstepped its jurisdiction. Dr. Brenda Wilson, a public health physician and professor at Memorial University of Newfoundlands faculty of medicine, testified about a report government lawyers asked her to prepare on public health decision-making. She said the lack of evidence around COVID-19 presented an extreme, potentially catastrophic situation for public-health decision-makers working with little evidence. Even now, we have insufficient evidence, Wilson said. In my opinion, this was a situation which was so serious and potentially catastrophic ... when there is no direct evidence and its going to take time to get that evidence. The Canadian Civil Liberties Association filed a claim along with Halifax resident Kim Taylor in May. The special measures order from the provinces chief medical officer of health banned anyone but permanent residents and asymptomatic essential workers from entering the province. The province has defended it as being necessary to minimize the spread of COVID-19. Taylor was denied the opportunity to travel to Newfoundland after her mother died. While that decision was later reversed and she was granted an exemption by provincial officials, Taylor said it came too late. Wilson told the court that while data about the disease is plentiful, there is not yet a wealth of informative evidence that interprets the meaning of the data and gives insight into questions of cause-and-effect that public health departments are grappling with. Dr. Patrick Parfrey, a clinical epidemiologist, nephrologist and professor of medicine at Memorial University, also testified about a report he authored looking at the populations health in Newfoundland and Labrador. The clinical lead for Quality of Care N.L., a group concerned with delivery of health care services in the province, addressed some of the risk factors for severe outcomes from COVID-19 that are prevalent in the province, such as advanced average age of the population. He testified about how the health-care system had to adjust to prepare for a potential increase in COVID-19 cases with a population that is the oldest in Canada. Parfrey also pointed to New Zealands successful elimination of the virus within the country by closing its border to non-citizens and requiring people isolate for two weeks after arriving. A number of public health experts and officials, including Dr. Janice Fitzgerald, the provinces chief medical officer of health, are set to testify during the proceedings that are scheduled through Friday. Earlier Wednesday, a provincial supreme court judge granted the civil rights group the right to participate in the legal challenge, but limited that standing to make arguments about the ban itself and not about enforcement measures granted to authorities. In his ruling, Justice Donald Burrage denied the association the right to make arguments against the provinces Public Health Protection and Promotion Act. Also adopted in May, it allows peace officers to detain and transport people to exit points in the province and expands their search powers. A lawyer for the province had argued Tuesday that there is no evidence related to the enforcement powers because they have not been applied to anyone, including Taylor. The associations lawyer, however, had argued the measures are unconstitutional on their face. Seasoned journalist, Abdul Malik Kweku Baako says the contribution of NDC Running Mate, Prof. Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang to local government expert, Professor Kwamena Ahwoi's book will have adverse repercussions for her and the National Democratic Congress (NDC). Prof. Kwamena Ahwoi has compiled his working relationship with former President Jerry John Rawlings in his newly launched book titled ''Working With Rawlings''. Prof. Ahwoi, who served as Minister of Local Government and Rural Development from 1990 to 2001 under Rawlings regime, opened up on lots of activities that occurred during his time with the former President. The book's foreword was written by Prof. Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang and she is said to be part of the people who gave the greenlight for its publication. But Prof. Ahwoi's book has been challenged by members of the NDC. He talked about experiences like Mr. Rawlings squeezing the testicles of a former member of the NDC, Bede Ziedeng, over claims that the latter was opposed to the election of late President John Evans Atta Mills as NDC flagbearer in 2002. The book also mentioned former Communications Minister and his Deputy, Edward Omane Boamah and Felix Kwakye Ofosu saying they were recruited together with others to attack Mr. Rawlings. Following the launch of the book, Mr. Omane Boamah and Kwakye Ofosu have both denied the allegations leveled against them by Prof. Ahwoi. Also, the Chairman of the Volta Regional Council of Elders of the NDC, Dan Abodakpi has described contents of the book as slanderous and treacherous to ex-President Jerry John Rawlings and the June 4, 1979 Revolution. President Jerry John Rawlings may not be a Plaster Saint but he certainly he does not deserve this from people like Prof. Kwamena Ahwoi who quite frankly were gifted the privilege to participate in building on the foundations of sacrifice established by the Founder . . . I state for the record that I distance myself from any and all references made to me in this book," he said in the statement. To Kweku Baako, on the other hand, the disclosures in the book coupled with some inaccurate contents have given ammunition to political opponents, particularly the New Patriotic Party, to use against Prof. Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang and the NDC. Mr. Baako believed Prof. Naana Opoku-Agyemang has shot herself in the foot because of her contribution to the book. To him, Prof. Naana Opoku-Agyemang may not have appreciated the consequences of the book and its release time because she wasn't a card-bearing member of the NDC when she penned its foreword, but her role in writing the book will definitely affect her. "Because her membership is not too deep-rooted, that's why maybe she didn't appreciate the repercussions of this book in terms of timing of its release, not that it won't be released at all. Because, look, the things in this book will create a lot of problems within the NDC," he said on Peace FM's 'Kokrokoo'. 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 Daisy Coleman, the Maryville, Missouri, high school sexual assault survivor turned victim advocate and subject of the Netflix documentary Audrie & Daisy, has died at the age of 23, according to her mother. Melinda Coleman said in a Facebook post Tuesday that Daisy had died by suicide. Coleman was 14 when she said a 17-year-old Maryville High School Student plied her with alcohol, then raped her while she was incapacitated in January 2012. Melinda Coleman found her daughter on the porch the next morning where she had been left, shivering and cold with wet hair while wearing only a T-shirt. The case triggered tensions in the small town of Maryville, tensions in the judicial system with regard to the prosecution of teenage rape suspects, and national conversations about sexual assault cases involving teens. The suspect in the case, Matthew Barnett, was charged with sexual assault. That charge was ultimately dropped. Barnett later pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge of child endangerment two years after the incident originally happened. Barnett was sentenced to two years of probation in the case. Daisy Coleman was later featured in Audrie & Daisy, a Peabody award-winning documentary on Netflix, telling her story and advocating for sexual assault victims. After the case, Daisy also helped to co-found the organization SafeBAE, Safe Before Anyone Else, an organization aimed at preventing sexual assault in middle and high school. She was my best friend and amazing daughter, Melinda Coleman said in the post on Facebook. I think she had to it seem like I could live without her. I cant. I wish I could have taken the pain from her! She never recovered from what those boys did to her and its just not fair. My baby girl is gone. If you are feeling helpless or depressed, the number to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is 1-800-273-8255. Please, reach out for help. Amare's contribution provided 81,216 meals for children in the United States Feed the Children is proud to partner with Amare Global to address the important issue of childhood hunger in the U.S. The problem cannot be tackled alone. We know that when we combine our efforts, we will have a greater impact, said Travis Arnold, Feed the Children president and CEO. The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted families in unprecedented ways. One major area of disruption has been meals for children. The rhythm for many was to have lunches for children provided by the schools they attended. That has been disrupted by school closures across the country, creating an increased need to provide meals for children. Learning of this, Amare Global - The Mental Wellness Company, reached out to Feed the Children, a leading hunger-relief organization specializing in meeting this need. "As we learned of the urgent need for children to have adequate meals during this pandemic, we knew in our hearts that we could not stand by without taking action. Not knowing where your next meal will come from increases stress, pressure, and uncertainty for families," said Hiep Tran, Amare's Founder & CEO. "As The Mental Wellness Company, we are grateful to partner with Feed the Children and do our part to ease some stress for families." In June, Amare's contribution provided 81,216 meals for children in the United States. With the next school year beginning soon and many districts continuing to practice distance learning, Amare has decided to commit to a second contribution. The goal is to exceed the prior contribution the second time around. Feed the Children is proud to partner with Amare Global to address the important issue of childhood hunger in the U.S. The problem cannot be tackled alone. We know that when we combine our efforts, we will have a greater impact on the lives of families who need us most, said Travis Arnold, Feed the Children president and CEO. We know this is a scary time for families, but we will continue our mission and support those most vulnerable. Thats why we are calling on everyone to practice kindness and be good to one another. About Amare Global Amare Global (amare.com) was founded in 2016 as The Mental Wellness Company and spent the better part of 2017 formulating nutraceutical products focused on modulation of the microbiome and optimization of the gut-brain axis (GBX) to improve many aspects of mental wellness. With a vision to lead the global mental wellness revolution, Amares mission is to create a holistic mental wellness platform of products, programs and people. Amares product formulations combine ancient natural wisdom with modern scientific innovation to develop natural health products and programs based on the emerging science of the microbiome. For more information, visit http://www.amare.com About Feed the Children At Feed the Children, we feed hungry kids. We envision a world where no child goes to bed hungry. In the U.S. and internationally, we are dedicated to helping families and communities achieve stable lives and to reducing the need for help tomorrow, while providing food and resources to help them today. We distribute product donations from corporate donors to local community partners, we provide support for teachers and students, and we mobilize resources quickly to aid recovery efforts when natural disasters strike. Internationally, we manage child-focused community development programs in 10 countries. We welcome partnerships because we know our work would not be possible without collaborative relationships. Every dollar given goes seven times as far to provide food, hope, dignity and comfort. For more information, visit http://www.feedthechildren.org Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - August 5, 2020) - Pasofino Gold Limited (TSXV: VEIN) ("Pasofino" the "Company") is pleased to announce the delivery of updated Mineral Resource estimates for the Tuzon deposit ('Tuzon') and the Dugbe F deposit ('Dugbe F') located on the Dugbe Gold Project ('the Project') in Liberia. The project is owned by Hummingbird Resources Limited (Hummingbird). Pasofino, through its recently announced proposed acquisition of ARX Resources Limited (the "Acquisition"), will upon completion of such acquisition, have an option to earn a 49% economic interest (net of the Government of Liberia's carried interest) in the Project. The updated Mineral Resource estimates are a key step for the Company towards the target of delivering a multi-million ounce gold producing operation. HIGHLIGHTS Total Indicated Mineral Resource has increased by 13% to 2.3 million ounces (Moz), hosted by the Tuzon and Dugbe F deposits, with an average grade of 1.51 g/t Au; and an increase in grade of the Inferred Mineral Resource from 1.29 g/t Au to 1.47 g/t Au for 1.3 Moz. The Dugbe F deposit now has an Indicated Mineral Resource of 5.8 Mt at 1.46 g/t Au, this deposit was previously all Inferred. This was achieved by incorporating additional drilling data. Potential to increase the gold resources at both deposits- at Tuzon the last drill holes testing 'zone B' were encouraging leaving it open on strike. Dugbe F is open on strike at its southern end. The updated Mineral Resources are based pit shells using conceptual costs and a gold price of US$1700/oz, providing a firm basis for the planned feasibility study ('DFS'). The two deposits are less than 4 km apart and partially outcrop at surface over most of their length. Planned DFS objective to investigate the potential to produce between 200 and 250 thousand ounces of gold per annum. US$70M spent to date on the project providing a wealth of exploration data: 100+ exploration targets recognised on the 2,355 km2 property including Sackor and other priority targets, providing significant growth potential beyond the existing deposits. Ian Stalker ARX's CEO, and post completion of the Acquisition, the Company's CEO of Africa Operations commented, "A very positive start to the work on our Liberian gold project. We have closed in on the required scale of Indicated resources to potentially support production of up to 250,000 ounces per year for our planned DFS, and we have identified where additional ounces are expected to be found. Tuzon and Dugbe F are both 'open' on strike and there are a wealth of targets that require drilling. Our task is now to implement the exploration programme which will be conducted concurrently with a feasibility study which is planned to be completed during the second half 2021." Table 1. Updated Mineral Resource estimate for the Dugbe Gold Project using a 0.5 g/t Au cut-off grade Category Tonnes (million) Au Grade (g/t) Contained Gold (thousand ounces) Tuzon Deposit Indicated 41.9 1.51 2,032 Inferred 10.4 1.31 439 Dugbe F Deposit Indicated 5.8 1.46 273 Inferred 16.3 1.57 823 Totals TOTAL INDICATED 47.7 1.51 2,304 TOTAL INFERRED 26.7 1.47 1,262 Rounding errors may be evident when combining totals in the table but are immaterial. The Mineral Resources have been classified according to the CIM Definition Standards for Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves and are reported under NI 43-101 requirements. Mineral Resources are not Mineral Reserves and have no demonstrated economic viability. The estimate of Mineral Resources may be materially affected by environmental, permitting, legal, marketing, or other relevant issues. Both Mineral Resource estimates are stated within conceptual pit shells that have been used to define Reasonable Prospects for Eventual Economic Extraction (RPEEE). The Tuzon estimate was completed by SRK Consulting (UK) Limited with effective date of 30 July 2020. The Independent and Qualified Person responsible for the Mineral Resource Estimate is Mr. Martin Pittuck (CEng, MIMMM). The pit shell used the following main parameters: (i) Au price of US$1700/ounce (ii) plant recovery of 90% (iii) mean specific gravity of 2.78 t/m 3 for fresh rock and 1.56 t/m 3 for oxide material. The estimate is stated using a 0.5 g/t cut-off grade. for fresh rock and 1.56 t/m for oxide material. The estimate is stated using a 0.5 g/t cut-off grade. The Dugbe F estimate was completed by CSA Global (South Africa) Pty Limited, with effective date of 15 July 2020. The Independent and Qualified Person responsible for the Mineral Resource Estimate is Mr. Anton Geldenhuys (MEng, Pr. Sci. Nat.) The pit shell used the following main parameters: (i) Au price of US$1700/ounce (ii) plant recovery of 90%; and (iv) mean specific gravity of 2.73 t/m3. The estimate is stated using a 0.5 g/t cut-off grade. Tuzon Mineral Resource Estimate SRK Consulting (UK) Limited ('SRK') have updated the estimate for the Tuzon deposit by applying a USD$1700 pit shell to define an Indicated Mineral Resource of 41.9 Mt with an average grade of 1.51 g/t Au. The previous estimate (dated 5 March 2014) used US$1500 gold price for the pit shell, but the increase in gold price is balanced by the increase in operating costs; as a result the resources are not materially changed from the 2014 estimate (a difference of only 5 thousand Oz). No additional exploration data was acquired since the previous estimate. The deposit is hosted by an overturned fold which results in thick and repeated mineralized layers (as illustrated in figure 1) with good continuity of grade above 1 g/t. The northern two-thirds of the deposit (approximately 900 m) 'crops-out' at surface. Figure 1. Typical cross-section through the Tuzon deposit showing the block model To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/6283/61098_c290b2a3544e683f_001full.jpg Dugbe F Mineral Resource Estimate The updated Mineral Resource estimate was completed by CSA Global (South Africa) Pty Limited ('CSA') and was also constrained by a pit shell based on a gold price of US$1700. The pit shell is required for determination of 'reasonable prospects for eventual economic extraction' (RPEEE), based on conceptual mining and cost inputs. The previous estimate by Wardell Armstrong International was 43 Mt grading 1.28 g/t Au all within the Inferred category and reported without application of a pit shell. The updated estimate is an improvement on this in terms of classification and grade. The increased grade compared to the previous estimate reflects more constrained modelling of the mineralized envelope. The new estimate is based on 333 drillholes completed by Hummingbird between 2009 and 2014, of which 53 holes were drilled after the previous estimate[1]. CSA used ordinary kriging to estimate grade into blocks of 40 x 40 x 5 m. A 5% loss was applied to the estimate to reflect the expected occurrence of barren pegmatite dykes. The Inferred Mineral resource at Dugbe F has an average grade of 1.57 g/t. It is reasonably expected that the majority of this could be upgraded to Indicated Mineral Resources with continued exploration. The Company aims to infill drill this during the coming dry season. Between 80 and 100 holes are planned. Figure 2. Plan view of the Dugbe F block model showing the approximate RPEEE pit-shell outline and surface outcrop of mineralisation. Line of section refers to figure 3. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/6283/61098_c290b2a3544e683f_002full.jpg Figure 3. Typical cross-section through Dugbe F along line of section marked on figure 2. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/6283/61098_c290b2a3544e683f_003full.jpg Potential for additional ounces Both deposits are 'open' Potential to Expand Tuzon: The southern end of 'zone B' at Tuzon is open on strike/plunge (figure 4). The last and southern-most holes drilled into this zone were TDC082 and TDC084 which intersected 131 m grading 1.2 g/t Au and 50 m grading 2.0 g/t respectively[2]. The Company has developed a drilling programme to test the extension of the deposit, along with drilling to infill on the existing resource. Figure 4. Long section through Tuzon showing zone B open on strike and the position of holes TDC082 and TDC084 referenced in text. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/6283/61098_c290b2a3544e683f_004full.jpg Potential to Expand Dugbe F: At the southern end of the deposit drilling has not adequately 'closed-off' an area of relatively high grade and thickness as intersected by DFDC169 (16.5 m grading 1.53 g/t Au) and DFDC163 (15.8 m grading 1.64 g/t Au) both within 70 m of surface as shown in figure 3. Holes will be drilled to test this area in addition to an infill drilling programme. Other Targets The Company plans to test a 'pipeline' of new drilling targets. The project area is large, being up to 90 km wide and with an area of 2,355 km2 (figure 5). Much of the project area appears to be prospective for gold mineralisation; small scale artisanal gold production is widespread. Between 2006 and 2014 Hummingbird collected approximately 1,400 stream sediment samples, 25,000 soil samples and completed 33,600 m of trenching. In addition, 13,274 km of airborne magnetic and radiometric data was acquired. This data reveals a large number of targets yet only Tuzon, Dugbe F and the Sackor target were drill-tested by Hummingbird; other areas were left without being drill-tested by the time Hummingbird ceased work in the area in early 2014. The Company is planning an exploration programme to test these targets beginning with those with existing anomalous gold in trench samples. An initial 4,000 m of drilling has been allocated to this. Figure 5. Map of the Project Area showing deposits Hummingbird sampling and some of the targets identified to date over a background of airborne magnetic data. The cross-hatched area central to the area is not part of the project. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/6283/61098_c290b2a3544e683f_005full.jpg At the Sackor target, 15 of the 20 holes drilled intersected gold mineralisation[3]; a selection based on minimum grade and thickness criteria are provided below. Further drilling is required to follow-up on these results. Table 2. All intersections from the 20 holes drilled at Sackor which meet the criteria: intersections of at least 10 metres of mineralisation with a minimum average grade of 0.5 g/t and with maximum internal waste of 2 metres. While attempts were made to orient holes orthogonally to the mineralized layer, the intersections may not reflect the true width of the mineralisation. Drillhole ID mFrom mTo Interval Width (m) Grade (Au g/t) SKDC002 97.3 111.4 14.1 0.95 SKDC007 8.0 21.0 13.0 1.33 SKDC004 1.0 14.0 13.0 0.84 SKDC008 61.2 74.0 12.8 1.90 SKDC003 12.0 24.0 12.0 1.08 SKDC007 38.8 50.0 11.2 1.05 SKDC003 72.0 83.0 11.0 3.21 SKDC006 38.8 49.0 10.2 0.81 Feasibility Study The Company is finalizing the selection of the lead engineers to complete a feasibility study on the project. This newly announced Mineral Resource estimate for the Tuzon and Dugbe F deposits forms a firm inventory which the Company aims to expand further, to support a study focused on a low operating cost mine producing over 200,000 ounces per annum. The Company plans to complete the study during the second half of 2021. Qualified Persons Statements The independent Qualified Person for the issuer, responsible for the estimation of Mineral Resources at the Dugbe deposit, is Mr Anton Geldenhuys (MGSSA, MGASA, Pr.Sci.Nat) who is Principal Mineral Resource Consultant at CSA Global South Africa Pty Ltd. Mr Geldenhuys declares that he has read this press release and that the scientific and technical information relating to the Dugbe Mineral Resource estimate is factually correct. Mr Geldenhuys, by virtue of his education and experience, is a Qualified Person for the purpose of NI 43-101. The Tuzon Mineral Resource estimate has been completed by Mr. Martin Pittuck, CEng, MIMMM, FGS who is a full-time employee with SRK Consulting (UK) Ltd and is fully independent of Pasofino, ARX and Hummingbird. Mr. Pittuck is the Qualitied Person for the Tuzon Mineral Resource Estimate and has approved the relevant content of this press release relating to the Tuzon Mineral Resource Estimate. Mr. Pittuck, by virtue of his education and experience, is a Qualified Person for the purpose of NI 43-101. Mr. Andrew Pedley (MGSSA, Pr.Sci.Nat)is the Qualified Person relating to the exploration results and information that relates to the exploration targets outside of the Tuzon and Dugbe F deposits and has approved the relevant content of this press release that relates to the exploration related content. Mr. Pedley, by virtue of his education and experience, is a Qualified Person for the purpose of NI 43-101. Mr. Pedley is a full-time employee of ARX Resources Limited and is not independent of the issuer. About the Dugbe Gold Project The Dugbe Project is located in southern Liberia and situated within 'Birimian' aged rocks which are host to the majority of West African gold deposits. To date two gold deposits have been identified; Dugbe F and Tuzon. The deposits are located within 4 km of the Dugbe Shear Zone which is thought to have played a role in large scale gold mineralisation in the area. The Project comprises an area of 2,355 km2. A large amount of exploration in the area was conducted by Hummingbird between 2006 and 2014 including 74,497 m of diamond coring. 70,700 m of this was at the Dugbe F and Tuzon deposits, discovered by Hummingbird in 2009 and 2011 respectively. To date over $70 million has been spent by Hummingbird on the Project. In 2014 Hummingbird stopped work on the Project focusing instead on their smaller new (at that time) Yanfolila acquisition. No exploration has been carried out since March 2014. Hummingbird have a 100% interest in a Mineral Development Agreement (MDA) which is a Class A mining license and is valid for 25 years thereafter renewable for a further 25 years. The MDA was signed on the 10th of January 2019. About Pasofino Gold Ltd. Pasofino Gold Ltd. is a Canadian-based mineral exploration company listed on the TSX-V (VEIN). Pasofino is earning a 50% interest in the advanced-stage Roger Gold-Copper Project located in Quebec's prolific Abitibi Greenstone Belt. Through its recently announced proposed acquisition of ARX Resources Limited Pasofino will upon completion of such acquisition, have an option to earn a 49% economic interest (net of the Government of Liberia's carried interest) in the Dugbe Gold Project. For further information, please visit www.pasofinogold.com. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release. This news release contains "forward-looking statements" that are based on expectations, estimates, projections and interpretations as at the date of this news release. Forward-looking statements are frequently characterized by words such as "plan", "expect", "project", "seek", "intend", "believe", "anticipate", "estimate", "suggest", "indicate" and other similar words or statements that certain events or conditions "may" or "will" occur, and include, without limitation, statements regarding the Company's plans with respect to the proposed transaction with ARX, completion of the transactions described herein, the ability to raise the funds to finance its ongoing business activities including the acquisition of mineral projects and the exploration and development of its projects. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such risks and other factors may include, but are not limited to, the results of exploration activities; the ability of the Company to complete further exploration activities; the ability of the Company to complete transactions on terms announced; timing and availability of external financing on acceptable terms and those risk factors outlined in the Company's Management Discussion and Analysis as filed on SEDAR. 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 RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION OR DISSEMINATION DIRECTLY, OR INDIRECTLY, IN WHOLE OR IN PART, IN OR INTO THE UNITED STATES. [1] Hummingbird Resources plc. First Quarter Operational Update (2014). 8 April 2014 [2] Hummingbird Resources plc. Further Positive Results from Infill Drilling Campaign at Tuzon. 3 February 2014 [3] Hummingbird Resources plc. Hummingbird Resources Q2 Exploration Update To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/61098 (Natural News) An MSNBC producer for Last Word with Lawrence ODonnell left the network in dramatic fashion on Monday, writing a harshly critical open letter on her personal website. (Article by Tim Graham republished from NewsBusters.org) July 24th was my last day at MSNBC. I dont know what Im going to do next exactly but I simply couldnt stay there anymore, Ariana Pekary wrote on her personal website. My colleagues are very smart people with good intentions. The problem is the job itself. It forces skilled journalists to make bad decisions on a daily basis. She then quoted an anonymous successful and insightful TV veteran who said: We are a cancer and there is no cure But if you could find a cure, it would change the world. As it is, this cancer stokes national division, even in the middle of a civil rights crisis. The model blocks diversity of thought and content because the networks have incentive to amplify fringe voices and events, at the expense of others all because it pumps up the ratings. This cancer risks human lives, even in the middle of a pandemic. The primary focus quickly became what Donald Trump was doing (poorly) to address the crisis, rather than the science itself. As new details have become available about antibodies, a vaccine, or how COVID actually spreads, producers still want to focus on the politics. Important facts or studies get buried. This cancer risks our democracy, even in the middle of a presidential election. Any discussion about the election usually focuses on Donald Trump, not Joe Biden, a repeat offense from 2016 (Trump smothers out all other coverage). Also important is to ensure citizens can vote by mail this year, but Ive watched that topic get ignored or killed numerous times. Context and factual data are often considered too cumbersome for the audience. Theres a lot of complaint in there thats very common to critiques of cable news, that it thrives on hot talk and doesnt qualify as news, it qualifies as ideological reinforcement: Occasionally, the producers will choose to do a topic or story without regard for how they think it will rate, but that is the exception, not the rule. Due to the simple structure of the industry the desire to charge more money for commercials, as well as the ratings bonuses that top-tier decision-makers earn they always relapse into their old profitable programming habits. I understand that the journalistic process is largely subjective and any group of individuals may justify a different set of priorities on any given day. Therefore, its particularly notable to me, for one, that nearly every rundown at the network basically is the same, hour after hour. And two, they use this subjective nature of the news to justify economically beneficial decisions. Ive even heard producers deny their role as journalists. A very capable senior producer once said: Our viewers dont really consider us the news. They come to us for comfort. Pekary had a public-radio background, so she disliked the profit-oriented approach: Its possible that Im more sensitive to the editorial process due to my background in public radio, where no decision I ever witnessed was predicated on how a topic or guest would rate. The longer I was at MSNBC, the more I saw such choices its practically baked in to the editorial process and those decisions affect news content every day. Its not shocking that this breaking media news did not get picked up in the CNN Reliable Sources newsletter on Monday night! Read more at: NewsBusters.org or MSNBC.news MONTREAL, Aug. 5, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- The Holt Fintech Accelerator today announces the launch of its 2020 cohort, the third in its history. This year, Canada's only business accelerator devoted exclusively to all Fintech verticals has pivoted due to the ongoing pandemic. To accelerate competition in this space during Covid-19, Holt extensively analysed the current market conditions (see Holt's Fintech Magazine ), and identified 4 key verticals for which Canada's ecosystem has shown a considerable appetite. This year's cohort will feature 8 companies from 7 countries focused primarily on: Fintechs pitching during 2019's Holt Selection Day. Holt's 2020 Portfolio companies & program partners during the program's kick-off week. Cybersecurity ; The needs here are immediate given the increase in fraudulent activity under Covid-19, thus requiring new methods to mitigate cyber threats. ; The needs here are immediate given the increase in fraudulent activity under Covid-19, thus requiring new methods to mitigate cyber threats. Insurtech ; Given premiums are now expected to face downward pressures, opportunities to reduce costs, or increase revenues are more welcome than ever. ; Given premiums are now expected to face downward pressures, opportunities to reduce costs, or increase revenues are more welcome than ever. Property tech ; with pent up supply and low mortgage rates, resulting in pressure to create new opportunities in distributing loans or securitize equity. ; with pent up supply and low mortgage rates, resulting in pressure to create new opportunities in distributing loans or securitize equity. Trade Finance; geared towards major economic and socio-political fields like agtech and energy financing opportunities. Jan Christopher Arp, Founding Managing Partner said "In response to COVID and the world coming to a near halt, we felt that our society needed to accelerate the adoption of fintech solutions more than ever. In adjusting our focus to the needs of our society, we witnessed a record number of applications, alongside an increase in our Advisor engagement. This enabled us to find the best fintech startups that will provide direct benefits for Canadian consumers, financial institutions and service providers, while also enabling Canada to become more competitive globally." The 2020 cohort is made up of the following fintech companies: Brazil's Agryo connects lenders to farmers by combining data and AI modelling to bring better financial services to millions of underserved farming families globally. Its risk intelligence tools provide analysis before, during and after any transaction related to crop contracts dating back 20 years. They provide risk intelligence as service (RasS) to banks, agricorps, insurers and Ag-coops. Straight out of London , Naoris helps financial service companies future proof their systems and data the way governments and militaries approach cybersecurity and threat detection. In seconds, the platform is able to detect any security breach, which can take competitors as much as 4 months to accomplish. From Calgary , Ownest has partnered with 125 Canadian lenders to make shopping for a mortgage, car financing or other loans as easy as ordering dinner. Clients need 70% less paperwork while partners gain transparency and cut out 90% of their internal processing time. Relativity6 is a Boston fintech company helping insurers sift through the massive amounts of data they hold to identify and retain profitable customers, cross-sell and up-sell at the right time. Founded at MIT , this AI platform can predict future customer behavior and maximize lifetime value. Sentro is led by a Canadian ex-pat in New Zealand , helping group insurers grow their business efficiently by connecting their customers, partners and systems. Part of the Microsoft for Startups program, they help their clients give group customers the customized product and service experience they expect, without the administrative complexity in the back office. Israel -based SolidBlock addresses a serious lack of liquidity in real estate. Tokenization of such assets, smart contracts with built in regulation & legal structuring and a blockchain based, tradable asset infrastructure. Nova Scotia's Talem Health Analytics offers a predictive AI injury causation tool which examines car crash data for severity, diagnosis confirmation, occupant motion, and recovery trajectory. This helps insurers streamline recovery and cut down on billions in fraud each year. And finally, Swiss-based company Fidectus allows Energy Traders to manage the high pressures of managing costs, cash, limits and risks by automating and accelerating the settlement process in cross-company workflows. Holt's goal is to deliver cutting-edge solutions and facilitate opportunities for collaboration in order to help build innovative ideas, products, and services that ultimately raise the Fintech ecosystem to new heights. As such, for the third consecutive year, Fairstone Financial is Holt's official 2020 Corporate Champion, as they've proven multiple times their willingness to adopt fintech solutions. "We have made great progress in that 3 of our 8 cohort companies include women as part of the core team either in Co-founder and/or C-level executive roles. This is 50% of our 2020 portfolio, beating out the more traditional ceilings of 13% that have plagued the fintech industry in funding women led opportunities. Proud to see Holt investing almost 4X above those odds" stated Elisabeth Laett, co-Managing Partner at Holt. These companies were selected from more than 700 applications emanating from 87 countries. Selections were made following an extensive online consultation earlier this year with 125 of Holt's professional advisors . With 1,200 years of combined experience, they contributed over 1,000 hours combined to the selection process. The 2020 cohort begins July 27, online only. About Holdun The Holt-Dunn family is the direct legacy of Sir Herbert Holt, and one of Montreal's finest . Business people at heart, members of the family founded or owned over 300 companies locally and internationally. Sir Herbert Holt was inducted into the Canadian Business Hall of Fame in 1979 and remains the longest-serving chairman of RBC (from 1908 to 1934). Sir Holt's participation was crucial in turning RBC into the country's largest bank and the third largest in North America at the time. Contact: Sam El Falah 438-525-1331 [email protected] SOURCE Holt Accelerator Your browser does not support the audio element. Da Nang has welcomed dozens of doctors, nurses, and other forms of support from several localities, including the three big cities of Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City and Hai Phong, in its battle against a local COVID-19 outbreak. Da Nang chairman Huynh Duc Tho on Tuesday asked for assistance to help health workers in seperate documents sent to leaders in the northern city of Hai Phong and the south-central province of Binh Dinh. The central city, which is now the outbreak epicenter of COVID-19 in Vietnam with 158 active local infections and six deaths as of Wednesday morning, has struggled with a shortage of medical personel as many local doctors, nurses, and medical technicians are in full or partial isolation while three hospitals and medical facilities in the city have been placed on lockdown due to a connection with coronavirus patients. In response to Thos call, Hai Phong sent eight doctors and 25 nurses to Da Nang on Tuesday evening. Binh Dinh Province plans to assign ten doctors and 15 nurses and medical technicians to help Da Nang, the provincial deputy chairman Nguyen Tuan Thanh said on Wednesday morning. The team is expected to leave for Da Nang on Thursday morning. Likewise, a quick response team from Cho Ray Hospital in Ho Chi Minh City left for the hard-hit central city on Tuesday, the hospitals director Dr. Nguyen Tri Thuc said on the same day. In addition, Ho Chi Minh Citys University Medical Hospital and Hospital for Tropical Diseases have both reviewed their human resources specializing in infectious diseases and rehabilitation to help Quang Nam Central General Hospital in the namesake central province, which is treating patients with severe COVID-19 infection from Da Nang. A medical worker at Cho Ray Hospital in Ho Chi Minh City prepares medical supplies to support Da Nang City, Vietnam, August 2020. Photo: N. H. / Tuoi Tre Meanwhile, the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of Hanoi provided VND1 billion (US$43,300) in support of Da Nang and sent 100,000 medical masks and 224 bottles of hand sanitizer to the coastal city. The committee also granted Quang Nam, which has 46 active cases and two casualties, VND1 billion. The Ministry of Health and top hospitals in the country, including Bach Mai Hospital in Hanoi and Hue Central Hospital in central Thua Thien-Hue Province, have worked closely together to support Da Nang in terms of disease prevention and control, testing and treatment, according to chairman Tho. Vietnam has documented 672 COVID-19 cases, with 378 recoveries and eight deaths, since the pandemic first hit in January. Three hundred and eight of the cases were imported and quarantined immediately upon arrival. More than 120,000 are under quarantine including over 97,000 practicing self-quarantine at home for COVID-19 in the Southeast Asian country, according to a Ministry of Health update on Wednesday morning. The Southeast Asian country ended its streak of 99 days without a local transmission on July 25 with the detection of a 57-year-old male patient in Da Nang. Since then, 224 community-based cases linked to the central city outbreak have been documented nationwide. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! NORWALK -- A woman arrested last month for allegedly stealing a wallet at a Stamford funeral home was charged again Wednesday with stealing wallets from the purses of two women attending wakes in New Canaan in September and October. Diane Seeley, 49, of 55 Plattsville Ave., Norwalk, was charged with two counts of third-degree burglary, fourth-degree larceny and sixth-degree larceny. Seeley was arraigned before Judge Bruce Hudock, who ordered that she be held on $25,000 bond. Bail commissioner Daniel Melendez said Seeley's criminal record shows she has been convicted of 81 crimes and has been arrested 47 times. New Canaan police began investigating Seeley after a woman reported that her wallet was stolen when she was attending a private wake for her aunt at the Hoyt Funeral Home on the night of Sept. 18. Inside the wallet was $500 in cash, credit cards and house keys, Seeley's four-page arrest affidavit said. The niece of the deceased said she approached the woman, later identified through a photo lineup as Seeley, because she did not recognize her. Seeley told her that she knew the woman's aunt because she lived in the same complex, the affidavit said. On Oct. 16, a woman reported to New Canaan police that her wallet had been stolen during another wake at Hoyt's the night before, the affidavit said. Inside the wallet was $75 in cash and various credit cards and papers. The funeral home director warned other funeral directors in Stamford and Darien of the thefts, the affidavit said. An investigation into past similar crimes in the lower Fairfield County area helped police identify Seeley, who also goes by the name Diane Ladestro, as a suspect. On Nov. 3, Seeley was interviewed by New Canaan police, but denied being at any funeral home. The interview ended abruptly when Seeley said, "I'm leaving," the affidavit said. An arrest warrant was signed after two of Hoyt's employees and a victim identified Seeley through a photo lineup, the affidavit said. Seeley was arrested in early December after Stamford police obtained an arrest warrant in the theft of a woman's wallet during a wake at the Nicholas F. Cognetta Funeral Home in October. She was also charged with stealing credit cards and money from a purse during a Sunday Mass at St. Maurice Catholic Church in Glenbrook in September, police said. Seeley, who was transported back to the women's York Correctional Institution in Niantic, will return to court Jan. 21. Staff Writer John Nickerson can be reached at 964-2320 and john.nickerson@scni.com. FBI Raids Offices Of U.S. Companies Belonging To Ukrainian Tycoons By Todd Prince August 04, 2020 The FBI has raided the offices of U.S. companies owned by a powerful Ukrainian tycoon linked to President Volodymyr Zelenskiy. The FBI searched offices in Cleveland and Miami on August 4 belonging to billionaire Ihor Kolomoyskiy, whose media company informally backed Zelenskiy's successful presidential bid in 2019. "I can confirm that we are at both locations," FBI Special Agent Vicki Anderson-Gregg said in an August 4 telephone interview with RFE/RL from Cleveland. She said she could not discuss the details of the investigation as the case "is under seal right now." Anderson-Gregg said that no one had been detained in the raid. Kolomoyskiy and his Ukrainian partner, Hennadiy Boholyubov, control several companies run out of Miami that own U.S. real estate as well as steel and alloy plants. U.S. media reports in April 2019 and May 2020 said that the FBI was investigating Kolomoyskiy for money laundering. However, the FBI never confirmed those stories. Kolomoyskiy and Boholyubov -- billionaires who own energy, metals and media assets in Ukraine -- are among the most influential businessmen in the country. The tycoons returned to Ukraine from self-imposed exile a month after Zelenskiy won the presidential election in a landslide in April 2019. Kolomoyskiy's 1+1 channel aired the TV comedy series produced by Zelenskiy's production company. Zelenskiy appointed Andriy Bohdan, Kolomoyskiy's former lawyer, as his first chief of staff before replacing him in February. The president's reported close ties to Kolomoyskiy have been a concern for Ukraine's Western partners, who have tied financial and political support to Kyiv to reforms that reduce the influence of tycoons. The United States does not have an extradition agreement with Ukraine, meaning the tycoons will likely never face prosecution in a U.S. court even if the Department of Justice were to bring charges against them. RFE/RL could not immediately reach the tycoons for comment. PrivatBank Lawsuit The confirmation of the FBI investigation follows on the heels of a civil lawsuit filed against the tycoons by Ukrainian lender PrivatBank in Delaware in May 2019. Kolomoyskiy and Boholyubov owned PrivatBank until December 2016, when Ukraine nationalized it after the tycoons failed to inject capital to stabilize the lender during a severe economic downturn. PrivatBank claims the men laundered $780 million into the U.S. financial system through a series of bogus loans issued to companies they control. The tycoons then used the money to acquire commercial property, ferroalloy plants, and specialty steel companies in the United States -- along with several Cleveland office buildings -- without ever returning the money, the bank claims. PrivatBank has dubbed the alleged fraud the Optima Schemes because the U.S. assets were largely controlled by companies with the name Optima. The bank is seeking hundreds of millions of dollars in restitution. The Optima businesses are run out of Miami by the tycoons' U.S. business partners, Mordechai Korf and Uriel Laber. A spokesperson for Korf and Laber declined an RFE/RL request for comment about the August 4 raids. Anderson-Gregg confirmed the FBI agents were at the Cleveland office of Optima Management, which oversees the tycoons' local real-estate investments. Optima Management is located inside One Cleveland Center, which is one of the local commercial buildings owned by the tycoons. The Ukrainian billionaires owned five commercial buildings in Cleveland by the early 2010s and were the city's largest commercial real estate owner at the time. However, they have since sold off two of the buildings as well as properties in Dallas and Louisville. Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/fbi-raids- offices-of-us-companies-belonging-to- ukrainian-tycoons/30766201.html Copyright (c) 2020. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address New statistics show landlords applied to evict at least 323 Hamilton tenants over unpaid rent even before a pandemic ban on evictions expired this month. Those applications, filed to the Landlord and Tenant Board between March 17 and July 28, were on hold during a COVID-inspired provincial moratorium. But now the pandemic ban on evictions is over and Ontarios Progressive Conservative government has also passed contentious new legislation that critics argue will make it easier to give tenants the boot over rent arrears. Thats why activists spent Tuesday trying to shut down local eviction proceedings primed to restart at the Landlord and Tenant Board site downtown, said ACORN Hamilton organizer Mike Wood, who protested outside the building on King Street East alongside about a dozen people with placards and a bullhorn. If you think the homeless situations is bad here in Hamilton now, believe me, it is about to get a lot worse, said Wood, pointing to growing tent encampments that have spurred legal disputes with the city. When these evictions start going through in the middle of COVID, what do you think is going to happen? The Landlord and Tenant Board told The Spectator last week it had received 6,559 applications to evict a tenant over nonpayment of rent provincewide since March 17, the date Premier Doug Ford declared a COVID-19 state of emergency. Hamilton addresses are linked to 323 of those applications. Those applications are just the beginning, said Wood, who noted an ACORN survey showed one in three Hamilton tenants said they would be unable to cover rent in May. Nearly one in six said they had been threatened with eviction if rent goes unpaid. Stephanie Cox, a lawyer with the Hamilton Community Legal Clinic, said she expects an influx of new eviction applications from landlords looking to recoup unpaid rent now that the provincial ban has ended. If you do the math, it suggests a significant number of people will be unable to pay their full rent, she said, pointing to widespread uptake on Canada Emergency Response Benefit cash as well as Hamiltons high average rent about $1,533 for a one-bedroom last November. Wood said ACORN is calling for an extension of the provincial eviction ban, rent forgiveness for tenants who have lost jobs or income to COVID-19 and the outright repeal of the contentious Bill 184 that was recently made law. Critics say the new law can allow for fast-tracked evictions without a hearing in cases where a tenant in arrears independently reached a rent repayment plan with a landlord, but fell behind. The Opposition NDP has criticized the government for prematurely ending the ban on pandemic evictions and labelled Bill 184 as the easy-evictions law. A provincial housing ministry spokesperson disputed some criticisms of the new law as misinformation in an earlier email to The Spectator, arguing the changes actually benefit tenants and encourages repayment agreements so that evictions can be avoided. But Torontos city council still voted last week to launch a legal challenge of the law based on concerns about the impact on precariously housed renters battered by pandemic loss of income. Wood said ACORN is also appealing to Hamiltons council for support. The next council meeting is Aug. 21. Carrie McPherson Douglass McPherson Douglass is chair of the Bend-La Pine School Board and co-founder and chief executive of School Board Partners, a national nonprofit that seeks to connect, support and inspire diverse school board members across the country. She lives in Bend. Gov. Kate Browns latest guidelines for reopening schools are necessary, but insufficient. They address safety but not effective learning experiences for our children. As a nation weve failed to contain the virus, so how do schools now ensure children have access to the best learning options possible while providing in-person school for the vulnerable children who need it the most? I have worked in education as a teacher, district leader, philanthropist, elected school board member and chief executive of a nonprofit supporting diverse school board members in cities across the country. Based on my conversations with educators, parents and doctors, I think there is a way forward, but it will require innovation and sacrifice. There is no reason Oregon cant lead the nation in innovation and equity, but it will take strong state and local leadership and community-wide support, to pull off a better plan. This plan identifies four priorities: in-person access for vulnerable children, medical-grade personal protective equipment for educators, a statewide online learning curriculum and platform that allows students to progress at their own pace, and innovation in supporting students and families outside of school. First, we must prioritize vulnerable students and families when deciding who gets to return to in-person school first. We should be opening our doors to provide physically-distanced learning for those who are homeless or food insecure, students with disabilities, students who were behind grade level before the pandemic and students whose parents are essential workers, including teachers. But yes, that also means families who can continue to keep their children home for the short term must do so. Employers must do their part by supporting working parents to manage this extremely difficult juggling act. Second, the state needs to provide all school-based staff with medical grade personal protective equipment. Without appropriate PPE, we are asking educators to assume unacceptable risk to their personal and family health, and risk triggering additional quarantines throughout the year. With medical grade PPE and proper training, we should be able to safely allow smaller groups of students into schools now. Third, the Oregon Department of Education should procure an existing high-quality online curriculum and learning platform for all Oregon students. It is absurd that we would have 197 individual districts in Oregon attempting to reinvent the wheel for this fall, with teachers working to develop new online curriculum when we need them focused on connecting with and supporting students . In selecting an online curriculum and platform, we should take the opportunity to implement a mastery-based learning approach across the state of Oregon that focuses on moving kids forward as theyre ready, rather than advancing them on an age-based fixed schedule. Since we are likely to fail in many ways this year, we should at least fail forward and use this crisis as an opportunity to innovate and improve for the future. Finally, we need to get more creative than simply telling families to figure out how to manage learning at home this fall. Without strong state and local leadership, parents with resources will form learning pods and hire private tutors, exacerbating equity issues and resulting in a patchwork and inefficient system. In coordination with community members, districts need to support what is already happening organically and provide coordinated academic and emotional support to small equitable learning pods to ensure every student has a safe and effective place to learn if they cant be at school. If public schools dont innovate well this year, families will leave them in large numbers for private schools, online schools and homeschool programs that are better able to pivot. A Great Exodus from public schools could be the beginning of the end of free, high-quality public education. We should do everything in our power to innovate now and ensure that all children have access to the learning opportunities they need so our already unacceptable achievement gap doesnt grow during this crisis. We can rise to the occasion and meet the needs of all our kids if we act with creativity and a commitment to ensure every student has a safe place to learn. Subscribe to our free weekly Oregon Opinion newsletter. Email: AKRON, Ohio, Aug. 5, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- FirstEnergy Corp.'s (NYSE: FE) utilities have restored service to more than 288,000 customers of Jersey Central Power & Light (JCP&L) and Metropolitan Edison (Met-Ed) who lost power after Tropical Storm Isaias swept through the region Tuesday. Crews are working around the clock to assess damage and restore service to approximately 588,000 customers who remain without power in New Jersey and Pennsylvania. The powerful storm system passed swiftly through New Jersey and eastern Pennsylvania Tuesday afternoon, pouring down up to 7" of rain and battering the region with wind gusts exceeding 65 mph. Nearly 4,000 utility personnel are working to restore power in JCP&L's service territory, including approximately 1,000 JCP&L employees, 1,500 employees and contractors from FirstEnergy companies that were not impacted by the storm, and more than 1,500 external resources that had already been secured. Approximately 1,300 additional external line workers are being deployed and two additional staging sites are being established in Forked River and North Flemington, N.J., to provide further restoration assistance in the hardest hit areas of JCP&L's service territory. Met-Ed line crews are being assisted by approximately 154 external utility personnel, contractors who have been working on transmission and distribution projects across its service area, as well as additional employees and contractors assisting from the company's other Pennsylvania utilities. "As the Tropical Storm crossed our JCP&L and Met-Ed service territories, heavy winds and rain caused thousands of instances of downed wires, broken poles and crossarms, and damaged transformers caused by trees and other debris contacting our electrical equipment," said Samuel L. Belcher, senior vice president and president of FirstEnergy Utilities. "Though repair work can be slowed by unsafe working conditions and numerous road closures, we will continue to work around the clock to safely make repairs and deploy resources as needed until power to all customers has been restored." Current outage updates as of 10:00 a.m. today include: JCP&L : Approximately 788,000 customers in northern and central New Jersey lost power due to the storm, and 565,000 remain without service. Hardest hit areas include Monmouth , Ocean and Morris counties. Estimated restoration times will be established as damage assessment progresses. : Approximately 788,000 customers in northern and central lost power due to the storm, and 565,000 remain without service. Hardest hit areas include , and counties. Estimated restoration times will be established as damage assessment progresses. Met-Ed: Approximately 88,000 customers in eastern Pennsylvania lost power due to the storm, and 23,000 remain without service. Based on current outages, the majority of customers are expected to be restored by August 7 at 2:00 p.m. FirstEnergy continues to ensure the safety and health of all emergency response personnel by adhering to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines during the coronavirus health emergency. To safeguard the health and safety of FirstEnergy employees, contractors and the public, please respect social distancing protocols as utility personnel continue to restore all power outages caused by Tropical Storm Isaias. During severe weather, customers who are without power are encouraged to call 1-888-LIGHTSS (1-888-544-4877) to report their outage or click the "Report Outage" link on www.firstenergycorp.com. Customers should immediately report downed wires to their utility or their local police or fire department. Customers should never go near a downed power line, even if they think it is no longer carrying electricity. Extra caution should be exercised in areas where downed wires may be tangled in downed tree branches or other debris. Water and Ice Locations Water and ice are available to customers without service due to yesterday's storm. For a list of locations, visit www.firstenergycorp.com/storminfo and click on "water and ice locations." Customer Generators Emergency power generators offer an option for customers needing or wanting uninterrupted service. However, to ensure the safety of the home's occupants as well as that of utility company employees who may be working on power lines in the area, the proper generator should be selected and installed by a qualified electrician. When operating a generator, the power coming into the home should always be disconnected. Otherwise, power from the generator could be sent back onto the utility lines, creating a hazardous situation for utility workers. For updated information on the company's current outages, FirstEnergy's storm restoration process and tips for staying safe, visit the 24/7 Power Center at www.firstenergycorp.com/outages. FirstEnergy customers also can subscribe to email and text message alert notifications to receive weather alerts in advance of major storms, and updates on scheduled or extended power outages. More information about these communications tools is available online at www.firstenergycorp.com/connect. Met-Ed serves approximately 570,000 customers within 3,300 square miles of eastern and southeastern Pennsylvania. Follow Met-Ed on Twitter @Met_Ed and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/MetEdElectric. JCP&L serves 1.1 million New Jersey customers in the counties of Burlington, Essex, Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex, Monmouth, Morris, Ocean, Passaic, Somerset, Sussex, Union and Warren. Follow JCP&L on Twitter @JCP_L, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/JCPandL, or online at www.jcp-l.com. FirstEnergy is dedicated to safety, reliability and operational excellence. Its 10 electric distribution companies form one of the nation's largest investor-owned electric systems, serving customers in Ohio, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, West Virginia, Maryland and New York. The company's transmission subsidiaries operate approximately 24,500 miles of transmission lines that connect the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic regions. Follow FirstEnergy online at www.firstenergycorp.com and on Twitter @FirstEnergyCorp. SOURCE FirstEnergy Corp. Related Links http://www.firstenergycorp.com The Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) has secured a financial assistance of Rs 455.02 crore from the Centres Higher Education Funding Agency (HEFA) for construction of new academic buildings, hostels and research centres. The funds will also be used for establishment of Advanced Animal Research Facility, which will be useful for carrying out research on communicable, non-communicable and rare diseases including infectious agents such as novel coronavirus, JNU vice-chancellor M Jagdesh Kumar said. Besides, the funds will also be used for installation of integrated and unified Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system, which will ensure that all academic and administrative processes are totally operated using online means in an integrated manner, Registrar Pramod Kumar said in a statement Tuesday. This will make all the processes in the university efficient and time-bound, he added. Vice-chancellor Kumar also said the funds allotted by the HRD Ministrys HEFA shall be utilized for the construction of student hostels and academic buildings for the School of Engineering and Atal Bihari Vajpayee School of Management & Entrepreneurship, Trans-Disciplinary Academic Research, Advanced Animal Research Facility, Advanced Instrumentation Research Facility, Incubation Centre for start-up companies, Special Centre for e-Learning and Lecture Hall Complex. Approximately, 1.3 lakh candidates apply for JNU entrance examination every year, but only about 2,000 get admission, the VC said. The Special Centre for e-learning shall impart education by offering online degree programmes to many such students who could not be admitted in the JNU, he added. This is also in tune with the objectives of National Education Policy of increasing the gross enrolment ratio. The new Advanced Instrumentation Research Facility (AIRF) and Advanced Animal Research Facility shall increase the research capability of the university and also be made available for other institutions of the country as national facility, he said. The Advanced Animal Research Facility will be useful for carrying out research on communicable, non -communicable and rare diseases including infectious agents such as novel coronavirus. The Vice-chancellor thanked the team of JNU officials who prepared the HEFA proposal and said the construction of new buildings and facilities would soon begin. Trump Expects Only 4,000 US Troops to Remain in Afghanistan in November Sputnik News 05:16 GMT 04.08.2020(updated 05:18 GMT 04.08.2020) MOSCOW (Sputnik) - The US will reduce its military presence in Afghanistan to about 4,000 troops "very soon", US President Donald Trump said. "We are largely out of Afghanistan", Trump said in an interview with US news website Axios, aired on Monday. "We'll be down in a very short period of time to 8,000, then we're going to be down to 4,000, we're negotiating right now", the US president elaborated, without specifying the exact time, but saying that it will happen "very soon". Asked how many US troops will remain in Afghanistan on election day in November, Trump said that it would be "anywhere from four to five thousand". The statement by the president comes after US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo last week said that Trump's expectation was to get all remaining US troops out of Afghanistan by May 2021. The United States and the Taliban movement signed a peace deal in Doha, Qatar, on 29 February, stipulating a gradual withdrawal of US troops as well as the beginning of intra-Afghan negotiations and prisoner exchanges. In response, the Taliban is expected to prevent Afghanistan from becoming a safe haven for terrorists in the region. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Twenty civilians from Chin state have gone missing between 2018 and 2020, with five of them allegedly abducted by Arakan Army rebels amid a 20-month conflict with Myanmar forces in adjacent Rakhine state, Chin civil society groups said Tuesday. The Arakan Army (AA), which is fighting for greater autonomy for the ethnic Rakhine people, claims both Rakhine state and Paletwa township in the hill tracts of Chin state to the north, as territories ruled by Arakan kings centuries ago in Myanmars westernmost state. Weve got at least 20 people missing, [and] at least five of them were being detained by the AA, said Salai Kyaw Aung, secretary of the Chin IDP Support Committee (CISC), which advocates for displaced Chin civilians in Paletwa and in Chin-inhabited areas of Rakhine state. For the remaining 15, their family members might know who abducted them, but for our committee, it is difficult to say who abducted them without any evidence, he said, adding that the CISC cannot provide an accurate number of missing or abducted Chin civilians. All the missing persons and abducted persons are males, and a dozen of them are younger than 35, Salai Kyaw Aung said. The CISC said on Aug. 1 that the AA abducted Myint Maung from Paletwa on April 12 and four young men from the township on July 29. A family member of Salai Soe Aung, one of the abducted young men, said his family is seriously concerned about him since he disappeared while returning from a trip to Yangon with friends. We dont know the details, the relative said. We have not had contact with him since then. We want him to be released because we know he is innocent. His parents and family members are concerned about him. RFA was unable to contact the relatives of others who are missing because of telecommunications problems in the areas. The Myanmar government has cut off mobile internet service to Paletwa and seven townships in Rakhine, citing security concerns amid the armed conflict. Appeals for release The Khumi Affairs Coordination Council (KACC) announced on July 30 that the AA had abducted four young Chin men on the border area between Rakhines Kyauktaw township and Paletwa. There are more incidents of people missing or being abducted after the armed conflicts, said KACC spokesperson Main Nan Wai. These 20 people are the number we have been able to record. There could be many more cases that we have not recorded. Both the AA and the Myanmar military have denied that they have detained the missing persons, Mai Nan Wai said. These young people did have not connections to the military, so we would like to issue an appeal that they be released as soon as possible, the spokesperson said. AA spokesman Khine Thukha was not available for comment. In previous cases, both the Myanmar military and the AA have blamed each other for the arbitrary arrest and detention of civilians suspected of aiding the enemy. Myanmar military spokesman Brigadier General Zaw Min Tun said soldiers had not found anyone claimed to be missing or abducted from the Paletwa area. Some missing people might have been abducted by AA troops, he said, but noted that most civilians in Paletwa do not support insurgent groups. They are not supporting terrorist acts, so it would be very rare for the military to detain and interrogate Chin civilians, Zaw Min Tun added. Myanmar forces will help the families try to find their missing relatives if they request assistance, he said. It is very horrible that they are missing without a trace, said Salai Tay Ya, director of the Chin Human Rights Organization (CHRO). I want the armed groups to release them as soon as possible if they have detained them, he said. I also would like to appeal to the military and to the AA to avoid arbitrary detentions in the future. One body found Fighting between the Myanmar military and the AA has left dozens of civilians dead and displaced about 200,000 others. About 7,000 civilians have been displaced in Chins Paletwa township. In one of the latest incidents, the body of missing Chin civilian Hla Kyaw, the 62-year-old head of Paletwas Ton Ma Wa village, was discovered on July 17, according to a July statement issued by the CHRO. Hla Kyaw had been missing since June 5 after witnesses confirmed that the AA had abducted him while he was on his way to the Pyichaung area in search of rice. Twelve civilians from Paletwa Township remain missing and 48 others have been killed since the larger conflict between the Myanmar military and the AA began in 2015, the CHRO said. Reported by RFAs Myanmar Service. Translated by Ye Kaung Myint Maung. Written in English by Roseanne Gerin. In this moment of rethinking law enforcement, we must examine how both our policing and our correctional system exacerbate the crisis of mental health in America. As an inpatient psychiatrist, I treat patients who are psychotic, plagued by voices or visions or paranoid delusions. Or they are in the throes of mania. Or they are actively trying to harm themselves or others. Their lives are replete with hardship. Many of my patients are homeless. Some are drug-addicted. Nearly all have been victims of significant trauma. They have few safe havens, and the illnesses that besiege their minds wage a relentless war on their stability, their happiness, their safety. Many of them also serve or have served time in jail and prison. Environments that exacerbate psychiatric symptoms and routinely make mentally ill people worse and in which they face a disproportionate risk of being victimized by both officers and other inmates. In addition to my work at the hospital, I also perform forensic evaluations for the courts, and once I began working in prisons I found a system that runs counter to every principle of human flourishing that I know. Mentally ill Americans suffer from diseases of the mind, but when they come in contact with police, they also suffer from our law enforcement policies. At the 2016 annual meeting of the American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law, former Portland, Oregon police commander Sara Westbrook illustrated this truth to a roomful of doctors. She recounted a call her department had recently received about a mentally ill man at the citys downtown Waterfront Park. The man was large and muscular and had a gallon jug filled with fluid attached to a long chain. He was grunting loudly, swinging the chain in a large circle above his head, and charging at people. The police arrived, and the man began charging at the officers. Over the course of the next two and a half or three hours, the police officers worked diligently to get the man into custody with what Commander Westbrook described as very little force. When they succeeded, they took him to the hospital for psychiatric care. But due to a chronic shortage of psychiatric hospital beds, he was discharged from the ER before the police paperwork had even been finished. Police would soon be called again, and this time they would take the man to jail. Story continues Encounters with police require obedience, and people with manic or psychotic symptomswho are in the grip of delusions, or who are distracted by visions or voices, for exampleare not always able to comply. The misalignment between the expectation that people follow commands and their medical inability to do so has the potential for disaster. Of the roughly 1,000 fatal shootings by police in 2018, approximately 25% of the victims were mentally ill. People with mental illness are sixteen times more likely to be killed in a police encounter than people who are psychiatrically well. This statistic is even more sobering given that it is often desperate friends or family members seeking help for their mentally ill loved one who have called police in the first place. Even when, as in this case, police are able to safely de-escalate a psychiatric emergency, their presence at the front lines of mental health crises means that theynot cliniciansdecide whether a person should be taken to jail or to the hospital. In the moment of the police encounter, law enforcement becomes the arbiter of psychiatric care. Once police are involved, even if they attempt to opt for treatment over punishment, a therapeutic and just outcome is by no means guaranteed. If psychiatric units are full, police are often forced to turn to jails to house the acutely mentally illfacilities that have what a prison psychologist once described to me as an iron-clad, no-refusal, admission policy. When mentally ill people in crisis are not admitted to hospitals, Westbrook said, she and her officers view taking them to jail as a last resort act of compassion. Given the lack of community services available for the mentally ill, she said, jail is at least three hots and a cot, and I know somebody will check to make sure theyre still breathing. Across the country, jail is now seen as a treatment optionand sometimes the lone treatment optionfor disadvantaged citizens with mental illness. There is even a term for this response: compassionate arrest. We use compassionate arrests only for people who suffer from lack of access to care for their psychiatric illnesses. We would never incarcerate people in order to obtain treatment for their cancer, or their asthma, or their diabetes. But we have come to treat psychiatric crises as legal problems rather than the health care emergencies that they are. The consequences of such an approach are stark, and have resulted in the fact that today our countrys largest mental health institution, holding more than 2,000 mentally ill people, is Chicagos Cook County Jail. We have ended up as a society like this because of a very specific series of choices by the government over the last 50 years. The closing of state psychiatric hospitals in the 1960s, 70s, and 80s led directly to the influx of mentally ill people into correctional facilities. The prospect of liberating tens of thousands of people from long-term psychiatric institutions was initially thrilling, especially given the egregious treatment and even abuse that many of the facilities residents had endured in the name of psychiatric care. In 1963 the Community Mental Health Centers Act was passed with the intention of shifting care for the mentally ill out of the asylums and into the communities. State mental hospitals across the country were defunded and closed, but the accompanying promises of community resourcesfrom psychiatric treatment to vocational training to social supportsnever materialized. Without funds, without treatment, and suddenly also without housing, our nations most vulnerable citizens fell out of health care and into the realm of the legal system. The criminalization of mental illness had begun. Since that time, the field of psychiatry has seen more than fifty years of institutional reform alongside tremendous advances in neuroscience and pharmacology. The care that hospitals like mine are now able to provide is both humane and therapeutic. However, the woefully insufficient funding of mental healthcare in America has only worsened, and therefore such care is not widely accessible. Following the 2008 recession, five billion dollars were cut from state mental health services and 4,500 psychiatric hospital beds were eliminated across the country. The lack of resources for psychiatric care in our communities means that people who suffer from severe mental illness all too often receive inadequate treatment, if they receive treatment at all. With a chronic lack of availability of both inpatient and outpatient mental health services, our mentally ill citizens are relegated to emergency rooms, to homeless shelters, and to correctional facilities. As a result, our system continues to indiscriminately shift large numbers of people who belong in therapeutic environments into punitive ones. Today, ten times more people with serious mental illness are in our nations correctional facilities than in our state psychiatric hospitals. Cook County Jail on April 7 | E. Jason WambsgansChicago Tribune/TNS/Sipa USA Once in jailno matter the rationale behind the incarceration, no matter the state of their mindsall people behind bars are subjected to the same strict rules and harsh punishments. When we underfund psychiatric care in our country and then ask police to serve on the front lines of mental health emergencies, everyone loses. People who belong on treatment wards end up on cellblocks, and the results can be catastrophic. If my patients become assaultive in the hospital, their symptoms are more aggressively targeted with medications and therapy. We aim to quickly and safely reduce their delusions or ease their hallucinations. In correctional facilities the responses to the same actions are drastically different, as was true for a man I evaluated who, in the grip of paranoia, punched a correctional officer. He incurred a felony assault charge that comes with a possible penalty of 15 years in prison. In just this way, when we punish people for the symptoms of their illnesses, our overcrowded correctional facilities become inundated with the psychiatrically ill. The practice strains our prison system and drains money from state coffers. It is also unjust and cruel. Widespread demands for change offer us an opportunity. Calls to shift money from policing to mental health can move people who suffer from mental illness from beneath the auspices of police and corrections and back into healthcare where they belong. But if we continue to use police as the frontline workers for mental healthcare, we perpetuate the criminalization of mental illness that began sixty years ago at great cost to the legal system, to the mentally ill, and to us all. (ANSA) - ROME, 05 AGO - Italy's big three trade union confederations said Wednesday that they will hold a general strike if the government does not extend a ban on businesses firing workers because of the coronavirus emergency until the end of the year. "If the government failed to extend the moratorium on dismissals until the end of 2020, it would take on the whole responsibility for the risk of a social clash," the heads of CGIL, CISL and UIL, Maurizio Landini, Annamaria Furlan and Pierpaolo Bombardieri, said in a joint statement. The leaders said they have organized an initiative on September 18 "that can be turned into a general strike. "It will depend purely on the decisions made by the government and (industry association) Confindustria". A draft of the government's so-called August decree would extend the ban on dismissing employees, but with several exemptions. Indeed, as of October 15 the ban of dismissals would not apply to companies that are not using public money to furlough workers. Firms going bankrupt or being sold would be exempt too. (ANSA). Nott Hall is no more. When students return to the University of Alabama, the building once named for a doctor who felt African Americans were an inferior race, will be known as Honors Hall. The UA System board of trustees on Wednesday voted unanimously to approve the first of the recommendations to change the names of campus buildings named long ago. The resolution came from a working group appointed in June to examine the names of buildings. Honors Hall, which houses the Honors College, is not the permanent name of the structure that originally opened in 1923. It is located on the east side of the Quad of the UA campus. Trustee John England read the resolution in the special meeting called for Wednesday afternoon. Our group found that Josiah Nott, who supported slavery, misused medical evidence to argue that non-white races were inferior and that my ancestors, like scores of others, were destined for destruction, said England, who is Black. Of course, he continued, Im still here. Nott helped found the medical school at UA in Mobile but declined to return when the school reopened after being closed from 1861-1868. Dr. Notts contributions, if any, to the University of Alabama System were minimal at best, the resolution stated. RELATED: Trustees approve new contracts for football coaches, big raise for Steve Sarkisian The trustees previously acted by removing plaques on the Quad dedicated to Confederate soldiers. The vote Wednesday isnt the end of the work for the working group on building names on UA campuses. That work is ongoing and far from finished, board president pro tempore Ronald Gray said. The working group members include Judge John England, Jr., Barbara Humphrey, Vanessa Leonard, Harris Morrissette, Scott Phelps and Stan Starnes. Michael Casagrande is a reporter for the Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @ByCasagrande or on Facebook. T he huge explosion in Beirut which killed at least 135 people is "unquestionably" one of the largest non-nuclear blasts in history , experts have said. A team of engineering experts from the University of Sheffield calculated the strength of the blast, which injured around 5,000 people, based on the videos and photos which have since emerged. They say the explosion was the equivalent of 1,000 to 1,500 tonnes of TNT - a blast intensity which would support the belief that it was caused by a fire leading to the detonation of 2,750 tonnes of ammonium nitrate fertiliser. This is about a tenth of the intensity of the Hiroshima nuclear bomb but far bigger than any blast from a conventional weapon, they said. Lebanon: Beirut explosion aftermath - In pictures 1 /90 Lebanon: Beirut explosion aftermath - In pictures The scene of an explosion in Beirut AFP via Getty Images A man reacts at the scene of an explosion at the port in Lebanon's capital Beirut AFP via Getty Images Firefighters spray water at a fire following an explosion in Beirut's port area, Lebanon REUTERS A helicopter puts out a fire at the scene of an explosion at the port of Lebanon's capital Beirut AFP via Getty Images An aerial view of ruined structures at the port Getty Images A Lebanese couple drive past the debris of a building in the damaged neighbourhood of Mar Mikhael AFP via Getty Images An aerial view of ruined structures at the port Getty Images Lebanese activists take part in a campaign to clean the damaged neighbourhood of Mar Mikhael AFP via Getty Images An aerial view of ruined structures at the port, Getty Images A statue representing the Lebanese expatriate is seen in front of a building that was damaged by an explosion that hit the seaport of Beirut, Lebanon AP A fireball exploding while smoke is billowing at the port of the Lebanese capital Beirut MOUAFAC HARB/AFP via Getty Image Lebanese firefighters work at the scene of an explosion in the Lebanese capital Beirut AFP via Getty Images The scene of an explosion at the port in the Lebanese capital Beiru AFP via Getty Images A helicopter puts out a fire at the scene of an explosion at the port of Lebanon's capital Beirut AFP via Getty Images TALAL TRABOULSI via REUTERS A view shows the aftermath of yesterday's blast at the port of Lebanon's capital Beiru AFP via Getty Images Lebanese soldiers search for survivors after a massive explosion in Beirut, Lebanon AP A man walks by an overturned car and destroyed buildings on August 4, 2020 in Beirut, Lebano Getty Images Lebanese soldiers search for survivors after a massive explosion in Beirut, Lebanon AP A view shows the aftermath of yesterday's blast at the port of Lebanon's capital Beiru AFP via Getty Images Smoke rises after an explosion in Beirut, Lebanon via REUTERS A drone picture shows the scene of an explosion that hit the seaport of Beirut, Lebanon AP People gather outside American University of Beirut (AUB) medical centre following an explosion in Beirut, Lebanon REUTERS People ride past a car destroyed after a building wall collapsed after a large explosion in Beirut Getty Images Damaged church and vehicles are seen following yesterday's blast that shook the Lebanese capital Beirut AFP via Getty Images A drone picture shows the scene of an explosion at the seaport of Beirut, Lebanon AP The scene of an explosion at the port of Lebanon's capital Beirut AFP via Getty Images Buildings and cars are partially destroyed in the neighbourhood of Mar Mikhael following an explosion at the port of Beiru AFP via Getty Images A rescue worker tends to an injured man following an explosion at the port of Beirut AFP via Getty Images Smoke rises from a port facility after large explosions Getty Images The destroyed silo sits in rubble and debris after an explosion at the seaport of Beirut, Lebanon AP Smoke is seen after an explosion in Beirut, Lebanon GABY MAAMARY via REUTERS Civilians help an injured man at the explosion scene that hit the seaport of Beirut, Lebanon AP Smoke rises as people walk near the site of an explosion in Beirut, Lebanon REUTERS Lebanese soldiers stand outside American University of Beirut (AUB) medical centre following an explosion in Beirut, Lebanon REUTERS Smoke rises from a port facility after large explosions Getty Images Damaged vehicle and buildings are pictured near the site of Tuesday's blast in Beirut's port area, Lebanon REUTERS A general view shows the damage near the site of Tuesday's blast in Beirut's port area, Lebanon REUTERS People stand near damaged cars following an explosion in Beirut, Lebanon REUTERS Smoke rises from a port facility after large explosions Getty Images People inspect the damage near the site of Tuesday's blast in Beirut's port area, Lebanon REUTERS A view shows the damaged facade of a building following Tuesday's blast in Beirut's port area, Lebano REUTERS A wounded man walks next to a damaged car on a street, following an explosion in Beirut, Lebanon via REUTERS Damaged buildings are seen after an explosion in Beirut, Lebanon via REUTERS Smoke rises over destroyed structures following large explosion Getty Images A view shows the aftermath at the site of Tuesday's blast in Beirut's port area, Lebanon REUTERS Smoke rises from a port facility after large explosion Getty Images AFP via Getty Images AFP via Getty Images AFP via Getty Images AFP via Getty Images AFP via Getty Images AFP via Getty Images REUTERS AFP via Getty Images AFP via Getty Images AFP via Getty Images AFP via Getty Images AFP via Getty Images AFP via Getty Images REUTERS REUTERS AFP via Getty Images Getty Images Getty Images REUTERS REUTERS Getty Images Professor Andy Tyas, an expert on blast protection engineering at the university, said: There are simple rules of thumb relating the maximum expansion of the fireball to the size of the original explosive charge, and from some very approximate measurements from online video footage, we think the explosion is equivalent to something of the order of 1,000-1,500 tonnes of TNT. We have also analysed video footage of the time delay between the detonation and the arrival of the shock wave at points several hundred metres from the explosion and these broadly agree with this size of charge. Footage shows moment blast sends shockwaves through Beirut If correct, that would mean this explosion had perhaps 10% of the intensity of the Hiroshima bomb. Whatever the precise charge size, this is unquestionably one of the largest non-nuclear explosions in history, far bigger than any conventional weapon. The effects of an event like this are catastrophic to people, infrastructure, economic livelihoods and to the environment. Smoke rises after an explosion in Beirut / via REUTERS Prof Tyass team studies the mechanisms and magnitudes of blast wave loading from high explosive detonations and their effects on structures. He said: If the figure of around 1,000 to 1,500 tonnes is correct, it would match with reports that the explosion was caused by a fire leading to the detonation of 2,750 tonnes of ammonium nitrate fertiliser. Industrial accidents of this scale caused by ammonium nitrate detonation have happened before, most notably at the Texas City port in 1947 where the detonation of a reported 2,300 tonnes of ammonium nitrate produced a similar scale of damage to what we saw yesterday. Prof Tyas said the blast wave from a detonation of this size would produce lethal injuries and severe damage to unreinforced buildings for several hundred metres. But he said that the biggest danger in urban explosions is from flying glass, and a blast explosion of this size would be likely to cause extensive damage to glazing and related injuries over a distance far beyond 1km. The Blast & Impact Dynamics Research Group at the University of Sheffield have been explaining their evolving analysis of the blast on their @SheffieldBlast Twitter feed. Additional reporting by Press Association. Dear Amy: I want a womans perspective. My soon-to-be wife is now hesitant to marry me because I want to live elsewhere during the winter. Im a 30-year-old business owner and my company doesnt really do work from Christmas to March. My fiancee and I have talked about how I will go on a three-week mountain trip in Belize, followed by a four-week hiatus trip to Costa Rica during the frigid months. We have decided not to have children, so we can travel and live a fun and stress-free life. I have discussed buying a house in Belize this winter, for my future winter hideaway. Last night, her tone changed. She says Im not allowed to go away longer than one month all winter. She has her own cleaning company so she cant leave her clients for more than a week. So here I am, 30 years old, on the cusp of marriage, with ambitions to retire before 40, letting her live rent- and expense-free in my house that I paid for. And now she says I cant enjoy my winter months in a sun-filled oasis? I would have arranged to pay for all expenses/mortgage/plowing/wood stacked in basement/etc. but shes still mad. So now I have to put my life on hold and ride the couch at home all winter, or should I go and live my life? South-Bound Dear South-Bound: Here are my thoughts: You are approaching marriage singing the Me song: Me, me, me, me, me Your thoughts of the future are all about you. You and your plans, your possessions, your property, and your sun- and fun-filled winters. (But at least youll pay to have wood stacked in the basement, so she can return home from her cleaning business and make herself a toasty fire.) Your future wife does not get to tell you what you are allowed to do. But marriage is all about compromise and you dont seem capable of that. Dear Amy: Our son and his girlfriend of five years broke up a couple of months ago. For the last 18 months our son has had a job in New York City, while the girlfriend stayed in his condo in Los Angeles. She traveled to NYC every two or three months, and they talked to each other every morning and evening, with, I love you, starting and ending their talk time. Sometime after January, she broke off the relationship. She refused to see our son as he arrived in LA hoping to discuss the relationship, with the hopes of rekindling it. Neither my wife nor I know why she has rejected him in this way. We looked upon the girlfriend as a daughter and future daughter-in-law. She told us not to see, call or continue the relationship, although she did say that we were like second parents to her. Are we supposed to simply forget her, or after some time should/could we contact her? Our son never discusses her, as he attempts to recover from the end of their relationship. Torn and Troubled in LA Dear Torn and Troubled: Breaking up is hard enough but for your son and his ex, the challenge of losing an important relationship is made even harder by the fact that you parents are so dialed in, bewildered, and upset. Instead of offering reassurance, you seem to be making this very tough time at least partially about you and your loss. For parents, it is definitely tough and occasionally heartbreaking to lose an important in-law relationship abruptly and without explanation, and yet, thats how breakups often work. When an unmarried couple breaks up, they frequently also break off their ties to one anothers families. In short, you are going to have to tolerate this loss. You do not need to forget this woman who held such an important place in your family, but you do need to move on. You could contact her around the holiday season, but because she is asking you not to be in touch, you should respect her wishes. You dwelling on this loss does not make things easier for your son. You should respect his wishes, and if prompted encourage him to look ahead with some optimism. Dear Amy: Confused in Kansas was a political liberal who expressed concern about flying the American flag outside her home. Thank you for urging her to take back the flag. Also Liberal Dear Also: If you dont surrender the flag in the first place, youll never have to worry about taking it back. (You can email Amy Dickinson at askamy@amydickinson.com or send a letter to Ask Amy, P.O. Box 194, Freeville, NY 13068. You can also follow her on Twitter @askingamy or Facebook.) B ritish citizens living in Lebanon have described the huge explosion that sent shock waves through Beirut. The blast on Tuesday evening killed at least 100 people and injured more than 4,000, although officials say the death toll could rise further. Around half the city has been damaged to a cost of around $3billion, it was said today. Claire Malleson, from Dorset, described seeing a "glowing red cloud and plume of smoke". The 45-year-old has been working for the American University of Beirut in the city for two years and was jogging around campus at the time of the blast. Lebanon: Beirut explosion aftermath - In pictures 1 /90 Lebanon: Beirut explosion aftermath - In pictures The scene of an explosion in Beirut AFP via Getty Images A man reacts at the scene of an explosion at the port in Lebanon's capital Beirut AFP via Getty Images Firefighters spray water at a fire following an explosion in Beirut's port area, Lebanon REUTERS A helicopter puts out a fire at the scene of an explosion at the port of Lebanon's capital Beirut AFP via Getty Images An aerial view of ruined structures at the port Getty Images A Lebanese couple drive past the debris of a building in the damaged neighbourhood of Mar Mikhael AFP via Getty Images An aerial view of ruined structures at the port Getty Images Lebanese activists take part in a campaign to clean the damaged neighbourhood of Mar Mikhael AFP via Getty Images An aerial view of ruined structures at the port, Getty Images A statue representing the Lebanese expatriate is seen in front of a building that was damaged by an explosion that hit the seaport of Beirut, Lebanon AP A fireball exploding while smoke is billowing at the port of the Lebanese capital Beirut MOUAFAC HARB/AFP via Getty Image Lebanese firefighters work at the scene of an explosion in the Lebanese capital Beirut AFP via Getty Images The scene of an explosion at the port in the Lebanese capital Beiru AFP via Getty Images A helicopter puts out a fire at the scene of an explosion at the port of Lebanon's capital Beirut AFP via Getty Images TALAL TRABOULSI via REUTERS A view shows the aftermath of yesterday's blast at the port of Lebanon's capital Beiru AFP via Getty Images Lebanese soldiers search for survivors after a massive explosion in Beirut, Lebanon AP A man walks by an overturned car and destroyed buildings on August 4, 2020 in Beirut, Lebano Getty Images Lebanese soldiers search for survivors after a massive explosion in Beirut, Lebanon AP A view shows the aftermath of yesterday's blast at the port of Lebanon's capital Beiru AFP via Getty Images Smoke rises after an explosion in Beirut, Lebanon via REUTERS A drone picture shows the scene of an explosion that hit the seaport of Beirut, Lebanon AP People gather outside American University of Beirut (AUB) medical centre following an explosion in Beirut, Lebanon REUTERS People ride past a car destroyed after a building wall collapsed after a large explosion in Beirut Getty Images Damaged church and vehicles are seen following yesterday's blast that shook the Lebanese capital Beirut AFP via Getty Images A drone picture shows the scene of an explosion at the seaport of Beirut, Lebanon AP The scene of an explosion at the port of Lebanon's capital Beirut AFP via Getty Images Buildings and cars are partially destroyed in the neighbourhood of Mar Mikhael following an explosion at the port of Beiru AFP via Getty Images A rescue worker tends to an injured man following an explosion at the port of Beirut AFP via Getty Images Smoke rises from a port facility after large explosions Getty Images The destroyed silo sits in rubble and debris after an explosion at the seaport of Beirut, Lebanon AP Smoke is seen after an explosion in Beirut, Lebanon GABY MAAMARY via REUTERS Civilians help an injured man at the explosion scene that hit the seaport of Beirut, Lebanon AP Smoke rises as people walk near the site of an explosion in Beirut, Lebanon REUTERS Lebanese soldiers stand outside American University of Beirut (AUB) medical centre following an explosion in Beirut, Lebanon REUTERS Smoke rises from a port facility after large explosions Getty Images Damaged vehicle and buildings are pictured near the site of Tuesday's blast in Beirut's port area, Lebanon REUTERS A general view shows the damage near the site of Tuesday's blast in Beirut's port area, Lebanon REUTERS People stand near damaged cars following an explosion in Beirut, Lebanon REUTERS Smoke rises from a port facility after large explosions Getty Images People inspect the damage near the site of Tuesday's blast in Beirut's port area, Lebanon REUTERS A view shows the damaged facade of a building following Tuesday's blast in Beirut's port area, Lebano REUTERS A wounded man walks next to a damaged car on a street, following an explosion in Beirut, Lebanon via REUTERS Damaged buildings are seen after an explosion in Beirut, Lebanon via REUTERS Smoke rises over destroyed structures following large explosion Getty Images A view shows the aftermath at the site of Tuesday's blast in Beirut's port area, Lebanon REUTERS Smoke rises from a port facility after large explosion Getty Images AFP via Getty Images AFP via Getty Images AFP via Getty Images AFP via Getty Images AFP via Getty Images AFP via Getty Images REUTERS AFP via Getty Images AFP via Getty Images AFP via Getty Images AFP via Getty Images AFP via Getty Images AFP via Getty Images REUTERS REUTERS AFP via Getty Images Getty Images Getty Images REUTERS REUTERS Getty Images Ms Malleson said: "I just felt this enormous explosion - I thought it was somewhere on campus because it felt a lot closer than the three miles away. "I could see damage to the buildings near me and a glowing red cloud and a plume of smoke. Aerials show devastating impact of Beirut explosion "I couldn't really move, I was rooted to the spot. "My first thought was to go to a phone and call my parents, in case they saw a newsflash. I found my way back to one of the campus apartments. "Everyone was walking in a daze. As soon as I got near the campus housing buildings, I could see there was panic. Everyone was saying they felt earthquake-like shakings and buildings had been shaking before the explosion." The blast on Tuesday killed at least 100 people and injured more than 4,000, although officials say the death toll could rise further / AFP via Getty Images It is not yet known how many British nationals are among those caught up in the aftermath. Ms Malleson said she normally runs closer to the seaport but had changed her routine because of lockdown restrictions. She returned to her flat, which was undamaged, although she said the buildings in the area all had shattered windows. She said: "Today it is quiet. All my friends are OK, some friends of friends were injured by glass. "We were warned about possible toxic fumes but the university air monitors (live updates) show no problems, but really all we can do is stay in. As soon as there are official ways to help, we'll do all we can. The blood banks are all calling for urgent donations." She said people speculating about the cause of the explosion was "dangerous". The blast on Tuesday killed at least 100 people and injured more than 4,000, although officials say the death toll could rise further / AFP via Getty Images "I think that what bothers me the most is people outside Lebanon weighing in and deciding it was an act of aggression or an attack," she said. "It feels like that could ignite tensions that we really don't want here. It takes away from the fact that on the ground here in Beirut the destruction is so catastrophic that people just need to find a way to get through the day, and the weeks to come. "We already had minimal power supplies and people were already struggling to survive with the financial crisis. "Speculation is so dangerous in this region." The blast on Tuesday killed at least 100 people and injured more than 4,000, although officials say the death toll could rise further / AFP via Getty Images Richard Gordon-Smith, from Twickenham, said he felt the shockwaves of the blast more than 12 miles away, describing it as like "being slapped in the face". The 39-year-old language teacher and counsellor lives in the coastal town of Damour and was working outside at the time of the explosion. He said: "Suddenly I simultaneously heard a very loud noise and felt something hitting me, almost like a slap in the face, a strike in my ear and my eardrums reverberated painfully. "It was not just a loud bang like a motorcycle might make, it was something much greater. I looked around and saw other neighbours coming out onto their balconies. Governor breaks down in tears while discussing Beirut blast "I thought it was the next neighbourhood along, I didn't think a shock wave could have come all the way from Beirut." He said the incident had come at the "worst possible time" for the city, which is suffering from a financial crisis, as well as dealing with the coronavirus health crisis. Mr Gordon-Smith said: "All of the hospitals have been wrecked. Patients are out on the street instead of being treated inside hospitals. "This could exacerbate things beyond the tipping point. "Talking to some of my friends who are Syrian refugees, and they have gone into a state of complete shock because it brought back many flashbacks, especially for the children who are screaming, and crying and can't sleep." The explosion was reportedly caused by "highly explosive sodium nitrate" confiscated from a ship by Lebanese authorities and placed in one of the warehouses located near the harbour. EXTRA! EXTRA! FLASH DEAL! Extra! Extra! Read All About It ASAP for FREE MONTH! Dear ExpertClick Members, Alumni, & Friends, Are you struggling to get booked for physical or virtual PAID speaking gigs? Experience the value of an EXPERTCLICK membership and start reaping rewards. Sign up before Friday, August 15th, and get 4 WEEKS FREE! Continue saving with 15% off every month - from September 15th for a year on ExpertClick. Jump start the meeting season with this incredible opportunity. Here's what you'll get: ExpertClick press room; Share your accomplishments with the media! Send unlimited news releases Each news release will be featured on the FRONT PAGE of ExpertClick.com Push syndication of your blog 150 word profile in the Yearbook of Experts Speakers Bureau Profile with the International Platform Association https://internationalplatform.org/ Exposure on www.RADIOTOUR.com - Feature your audio and video news releases on RadioTour.com for added exposure August and September are YOUR months to be heard. The election will soon be pre-empting regular feature stories, so get into the mix NOW! Robin Jay, President & Founder of the Las Vegas Convention Speakers Bureau, says, "NOW is the time to lay the groundwork for a successful spring speaking season. Don't get lost in the election or holiday noise. Do everything you can this fall to prepare for 2021!" ACT NOW! Offer Expires 8/15/2020. Call Mitch Davis: (202) 333-5000 Broadcast Interview Source, Inc. 2500 Wisconsin Ave., NW Washington, D.C. 20007 USA: (202) 333-5000 Take action today !!! Send a news release right now at: http://www.newstip.com/Refer/Guest_of_Robin_Jay (Offer expires August 15th, 2020 @ 5PM EST) Summit Broadband, a leading fiber-optics telecommunications provider in Central and Southwest Florida, today announced the appointments of Dan Hakker as Chief Revenue Officer and Randall Covard as Vice President, Legal and Human Resources. Summit Broadband is a portfolio company of Grain Management, LLC (Grain), a leading Washington D.C.-based investment firm focused on the global communications sector. Hakker has more than 15 years of experience in the telecommunications industry and will oversee all sales and marketing activities for the company. During his tenure in telecommunications, Hakker has held increasing leadership roles in sales and sales operations. Before joining Summit Broadband, Hakker was Vice President and General Manager of the Florida region for Windstream, where he led an organization responsible for $150 million in annual revenue. Throughout his career, he has focused on developing a company culture that aligns cross-functional teams to the common goal of revenue growth. Covard has a long tenure of legal risk management and human resources experience in the telecommunications industry. As such, he will advise the company on all legal matters, human resources functions, and oversee the corporate culture at Summit Broadband. Previously, Covard served as in-house legal counsel at FiberLight, LLC where he was responsible for providing legal advice on a broad range of matters including corporate governance, commercial transactions, litigation, regulatory compliance and human resources. Covard also led the legal team on the construction of a large-scale fiber optic network build across Texas and has negotiated and closed a variety of customer transactions, generating hundreds of millions of dollars in revenue. We have spent significant time strategizing on how we will capitalize on the tremendous potential for growth that we see for this company, said Kevin Coyne, Chief Executive Officer for Summit Broadband. As we continue to build and develop our sales resources, Dans leadership will align the strategy, processes and marketing across the entire team. Randalls legal expertise in the industry will help lead Summit Broadband through its next phase of growth. Additionally, his insight into regulatory compliance, commercial transactions, and human resources provides us with a wide-base of knowledge on critical functions within the organization. About Summit Broadband Summit Broadband is a leading fiber-optics telecommunications provider in Central and Southwest Florida. The company provides voice, video, data and high-speed internet services to commercial and residential customers, as well as Ethernet and dark-fiber transport to enterprise and carrier customers. Providing a superior customer service experience since 1994, the company owns and operates its own fiber-optic networks, with a reach of more than 2,300 fiber route miles, serving multiple industries and communities throughout our territory. Summit Broadband was acquired in 2020 by Grain Management, LLC. For more information, visit summit-broadband.com. An alleged vandal dressed as the iconic comic-book villain The Joker has fronted court after a bizarre stunt he claimed was performance art. Reece Joshua Sturgeon, 38, was arrested after he allegedly spray painted a CCTV camera in Perth on Monday. He was dressed as the fictional character as he was pinned to the ground by three officers during the dramatic arrest at the Perth Train Station on Monday. Police allege he had more than 12 cans of spray paint with him at the time. Reece Joshua Sturgeon, 38, was arrested after he allegedly spray painted a CCTV camera in Perth on Monday Sturgeon was still in his elaborate costume when he appeared in the Perth Magistrate's Court on Tuesday charged with criminal damage, obstructing public officers and failing to comply with a request. He walked free from court after being granted bail under the condition he does not enter most of Northbridge and the city, Perth Now reported. He was in high spirits as left court to speak to the awaiting camera crews - even performing a short dance on the steps of the court. He was dressed from head to toe as the fictional character as was pinned to the ground by three officers during the dramatic arrest at the Perth Train Station on Monday He was in high spirits as left court to speak to the awaiting camera crews - even performing a short dance on the steps of the court Sturgeon later claimed the incident was a misunderstanding and he was simply creating performance art. 'I think everyone is going to sleep well tonight, especially me.' When asked why he was dressed as DC comic book villain he denied knowing who the character was. 'Who's The Joker,' he asked. Sturgeon will reappear in court in two weeks. A man uses a garden hose to drench his house as a wild fire burns in the background, in La Couronne, near Marseille. (AFP) Marseille: Around 2,700 people have been evacuated, some of them by boat, to escape forest fires that were raging Wednesday across a vast area near the southern French city of Marseille, officials said. Some 1,800 firefighters are battling the blazes, which broke out on Tuesday afternoon, fanned by strong winds. The fires have ravaged about 1,000 hectares (2,500 acres) of vegetation and are threatening residential areas and campsites near the coast, the fire service said. No casualties have been reported, "but material damage has still to be evaluated," it said. The blazes are not yet under control, but lighter winds are expected later Wednesday. Eight campsites near the towns of Martigues, where the fire erupted, and Sausset-les-Pins have been evacuated "as a preventative measure", the fire service said. Some of the tourists at the sites were taken by boat and are being looked after by local authorities. A care home for the elderly was also evacuated. A second blaze in the same region broke out near an industrial park, and raged across 120 hectares, damaging a house and several businesses. Former Vice President Joe Biden will not travel to Milwaukee for the Democratic National Convention. Biden canceled his plans to travel to the convention because of growing coronavirus concerns. Organizers said the decision was made after consultation with public health officials. No speakers will attend the convention "to prevent risking the health of our host community as well as the conventions production teams, security officials, community partners, media and others necessary to orchestrate the event," organizers said. Biden will accept the Democratic nomination for president from his home state of Delaware. Details about the speech will be released at a later date. "From the very beginning of this pandemic, we put the health and safety of the American people first," DNC Chair Tom Perez said. "We followed the science, listened to doctors and public health experts, and we continued making adjustments to our plans in order to protect lives. Thats the kind of steady and responsible leadership America deserves. And thats the leadership Joe Biden will bring to the White House." Biden's vice presidential nominee will also not travel to Milwaukee. "2020 will always be remembered as a year of once-in-a-lifetime challenges and changes -- but it will also be remembered as a time when Americans were their most compassionate and resilient selves," DNC CEO Joe Solmonese said. "While we wish we could move forward with welcoming the world to beautiful Milwaukee in two weeks, we recognize protecting the health of our host community and everyone involved with this convention must be paramount." "This convention will look different than any previous convention in history," Solmonese said. "It will reach more people than ever before, and truly be a convention across America for all Americans, regardless of which party you belong to or who youve voted for in previous elections. This 'unconventional' convention will launch Joe Biden to victory in November." The convention will take place virtually Aug. 17-20 after organizers told delegates earlier this summer not to travel to Milwaukee. INVENTORY A Memoir By Darran Anderson All childhoods seem like crime scenes when recollected, especially when you are growing up amid the Troubles in 1980s Northern Ireland, in a town called Derry, a place where even peace felt like war. Objects, toys, photographs, pieces of clothing become holding places for memory, clues in the rebuilding of a life: an abandoned glass eye, a belt, a skeleton key, a shovel, a mud-encrusted revolver washed up from the river, the design on a cigarette packet. These are the coordinates with which Darran Anderson fixes his Inventory, a memoir, a microhistory and a crime scene or, rather, a collection of them. Part 1 ends with a deliberately, powerfully unemotive inventory of atrocities perpetrated across the Troubles: Every single one was a story, from multiple perspectives. Part 2 sees Anderson go in search of the ghosts of his own family, including those still living. Though unspeakably sad, these resurrections are not especially dramatic; this part of the book feels like an attempted rescue, a redemption that Anderson, alienated from his hometown and country in more ways than one, would otherwise have been unable to enact. We follow him through his dawning adulthood, his discovery of the ephemera of art movements, i.e. their pamphlets, handbills, photographs; his attraction to first-generation documents as holy texts, as conduits of lineage; and his turning back, once again, toward his own biography, uncovering the mysteries surrounding the deaths of his aunt and uncle, the secrets of his father. The title of Andersons first book, 2015s Imaginary Cities, underlines his obsession with invisible parallel worlds within his own. Inventory reads like a dam-burst, then, an overwhelming of Derry, of Northern Ireland, with memory, its coursing rivers, undercurrents, treacherous accumulations. Where the totaled car of a dead joy rider and the presence of the fire brigade on a country road become the aftermath of giants; where the green glow of night-sights on a British Army watchtower turns the landscape into oceanic depths. Image Inventory reads like a dam-burst, an overwhelming of Derry, of Northern Ireland, with memory, its coursing rivers, undercurrents, treacherous accumulations. But then, violence eddies: Pools of frozen blood. A booby trap tripped in a derelict building. Two brothers lying dead on a lane, having set off to meet their girlfriends. A body by the citys waterworks. Bleeding to death in a bedsit. Quarry. Half Moon Lake. Forest. The memoir takes its title from a quote by the French novelist Georges Perec, included in the epigraph: Describe your street. Describe another street. Compare. Make an inventory of your pockets, of your bag. Ask yourself about the provenance, the use, what will become of each of the objects you take out. Perecs influence reverberates throughout the memoir: his reading of random portents, his techniques for truly seeing what is right in front of you, the various binds he and his fellow Oulipo writers and mathematicians used in order to command the inanimate world to speak. The three Marine Corps amphibious assault vehicles that left a training beach on a California island last week took the normal preparatory steps before entering the water, the service's top general said this week. But they hit rough seas after passing the surf zone on their way back to the amphibious transport dock Somerset from San Clemente Island, leaving one AAV filling with more water than it could pump out, Commandant Gen. David Berger said on Monday. Nine of the 16 troops inside that vehicle were killed in the accident that left the AAV on the seafloor. "Eventually that trac sank," Berger said, referring to the amphibious tracked vehicle, colloquially known as an amtrac. "The other amtrac converged on it and pulled some of the Marines out of the water. And they had safety boats in the water as well, which pulled some Marines out of the water." Read Next: Marines Suspend All AAV Water Ops as Search for 8 Missing Troops Continues One of those Marines -- Lance Cpl. Guillermo Perez -- suffered a serious head injury, the commandant said. "They tried to save him, [but] could not," he said. Eight others -- Pfcs. Bryan Baltierra, Evan Bath and Jack Ryan Ostrovsky; Lance Cpls. Marco Barranco and Chase Sweetwood; Cpls. Wesley Rodd and Cesar Villanueva; and Navy Hospitalman Christopher Gnem -- have not yet been found. The Marine Corps ended a search-and-rescue mission for them on Sunday, declaring them deceased. All nine service members killed in the accident were under the age of 24. Berger said the search continues to find the remains of the fallen. The Navy was initially using a tethered submersible to find the AAV, he said. Now they're using a pair of autonomous search vehicles he said look like submarines with sonars on the front. "The goal right now is to locate the amtrac," Berger said, speaking from Quantico, Virginia, where he attended a change of command ceremony. "Once they can locate the amtrac, they can work hard to recover the remains and eventually recover the whole [vehicle]." Story continues The Marines and sailor were assigned to Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 4th Marines. They were preparing for an upcoming deployment with the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit. The Marines had completed their training off California's coast on Thursday when they were headed back to the Somerset. Lt. Gen. Joseph Osterman, the former head of I Marine Expeditionary Force, told reporters last week that the AAV sank in several hundred feet of water. The Navy is using the unmanned vehicles to find the amtrac since it's in an area that's too deep for divers to reach. The investigation into the accident has already started, Berger said. "We have no idea what caused it and won't know for a while," he added. "The Marines that were recovered obviously saw what happened, or part of it, so that will be really helpful. And then they'll recover the amtrac and we'll see where it goes from there." Berger last week halted all water operations for AAVs until the Marine Corps determines what caused one to sink. The service's fleet of AAVs date back to the early 1970s, and have been involved in deadly accidents in the past. The Marine Corps is in the process of replacing those vehicles, but that's not set to begin for several more months. For now, AAVs are only permitted to operate on land until all 800-plus in use are inspected in accordance with Berger's directive. All the Marines who died in last week's accident were infantry riflemen. Gnem was their corpsman. Baltierra, 18, was from Corona, California. The day before his death marked the one-year point from when he shipped off to boot camp at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego. He later completed his military occupational specialty training as an 0311 rifleman at the School of Infantry-West. Barranco, 21, of Montebello, California, reported to boot camp in February 2019. He, too, trained at SOI-West. Bath, 19, of Oak Creek, Wisconsin, reported to boot camp in San Diego the same day Baltierra did in July 2019. He then trained as a rifleman at SOI-West. Gnem, 22, of Stockton, California, joined the Navy in May 2017. He reported to 1st Marine Regiment in December 2019 after completing training as a fleet Marine force hospital corpsman. Gnem had a Navy Good Conduct Medal. Ostrovsky, 21, of Bend, Oregon, reported to Marine Corps boot camp in San Diego in June 2019. He also completed training as an 0311 rifleman at SOI-West. Rodd, 23, of Harris, Texas, reported to boot camp in San Diego in January 2017. In addition to training at SOI-West, Rodd also completed Marine Corps Security Force Guard Training in Virginia in 2017. He served with Security Force Regiment before reporting to 1/4. Rodd had a Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal. Perez, 20, of New Braunfels, Texas, went to boot camp in June 2019. He completed his MOS training at SOI-West. Sweetwood, 19, of Portland, Oregon, went to boot camp in San Diego in December 2018. He also trained at SOI-West. Villanueva, 21, of Riverside, California, went to boot camp in San Diego in September 2017. Like the other riflemen, Villanueva trained at SOI-West before he, too, reported to Marine Corps Security Force Guard Training in Virginia. He served with the Security Force Regiment before joining 1/4 and had previously deployed. -- Gina Harkins can be reached at gina.harkins@military.com. Follow her on Twitter @ginaaharkins. Related: Marine Corps IDs 9 Troops Lost in Tragic AAV Accident Spotify CEOs Advice For Struggling Musicians: Work Harder While pandemic-induced lockdowns have contributed to the popularity of streaming and podcasts, the vast majority of musicians and creators are struggling more than ever without income from concerts and merch sales. Spotifys only hot tip for these musicians and podcasters? Work harder. Guest post by Fred Jacobs of broadcast radio consultancy Jacobs Media Strategies Like so many other facets of our world, COVID-19 has accelerated trends that were already in place. Millions were working out at home on Peloton bikes (and similar systems) pre-pandemic. But now, this fitness regiment has become a trend. Its the same thing with tele-health, virtual meetings, and work from home. And in the world of music, streaming and podcasts continue to grow in popularity and importance, perhaps strengthened by consumers spending more time at home and on their smartphones. And while brands in these spaces may be benefiting from increased on-demand usage, youd have a tougher case to make that musical artists and podcast publishers are in considerably better financial shape. for everyone else, its a feeding frenzy, made considerably more difficult by a smaller pool of money-making outlet In fact, if your name isnt Swift, Sheeran, or Rogan, chances are good youre scrambling and scraping to make enough money from your artistry to survive. On top of that, performance outlets have been decimated by the pandemic. The end of concerts and podcast theater appearances have suppressed revenue, including merch. Given the arc of COVID-19 in this country, theres no end in sight. Artists and publishers at the top of the pyramid were already set (assuming theyve been vigilant about their investments and maintaining their brands). But for everyone else, its a feeding frenzy, made considerably more difficult by a smaller pool of money-making outlets. It also doesnt help that music streaming royalties cant sustain most artists. At his recent earnings call, Spotify CEO Daniel Ek had good news for those fortunate enough to have invested in his company. However, the prospects for the vast majority of artists and podcasters who make up the bulk of his platforms usage metrics arent as abundant. A great story in Music Ally by Stewart Dredge last week broke down the controversial financial relationship Spotify has with artists. In his rosy narrative, Ek made this claim: Gone are the days of Top 40; now its now the Top 43,000. Its a reference to Spotify data that shows that for the top 10% of its streams, the number of artists is now 43,000 strong up 43% from a year ago. Ek pointed to Spotifys mission to enable more artists to live off their art, and its really coming through in the numbers. More and more artists are breaking through in a big way, being impactful and creating new fan relationships. As Dredge points out in the Music Ally piece, not everyone in the industry is enamored with Spotifys share the wealth program. More and more musicians have stepped up and vocally complained about their paltry take from their streaming airplay. To that, Ek acknowledges how the lack of concerts and touring since COVID has greatly damaged the earnings of musicians. He points the finger at reporting, claiming the loudest voices are the unhappiest: I dont think Ive ever seen a single artist saying Im happy with all the money Im getting from streaming. But Ek saved his real criticism for artists whose income has been negatively impacted by the changes in technology, and how money is now made in the industry: You cant record music once every 3-4 years and think thats going to be enough. Thats the equivalent to the way broadcast radio CEOs put an end to the notion that many DJs had a 4 and out the door work ethic just a few years ago. That is, doing their four-hour show (or worse shift) and calling it a day. Ek says that todays successful musicians and he pointed to Taylor Swift are multi-faceted, engendering connections with their acolytes that go well beyond putting out an album every once in a while, touring a bit, and kicking back in their castles. The artists today that are making it realize that its about creating a continuous engagement with their fans; it is about putting the work in, about the storytelling around the album, and keeping a continuous dialogue with their fans. In other words, work harder, be more strategic with your musical careers, and follow the money. This might have even become a more difficult sell for Ek as even many top tier musical artists consider the Rogan podcast, worth a reported $100 million not even close to the net income generated by streaming by superstar artists. As for the little guys and gals hustling and bustling to make a living with their music, theres not even a conversation to be had. And so, does this primer on The Music Economy 2020 take us full circle back to radio? The world of big label deals, platinum albums, satin jackets, and stadium tours may be a thing of the past, especially in todays era of COVID and Spotify. But the tarnished relationship between bands and broadcasters might benefit from some healthy reflection, re-examination, and re-imagination. Just as those who make their living from their musical art have been crippled by the pandemic, broadcast radio is suffering, too. For now at least, the end of station festivals, concert advertising, as well as advertising revenue from restaurants, bars, and venues has created a world of hurt for radio. On top of that, even contesting especially for stations that heavily relied on concert and event tickets as their ratings rocket fuel has imploded since those fateful days of March. But the incomes of both musicians and broadcasters could be greatly enhanced during these perilous times by a renewed sense of collaboration (not collusion). Credit: Jacob Bodine for ABH Those who make great music, whether theyre a seasoned Classic Rocker unable to play the sheds this summer, or any of the thousands of up and coming bands like Dallas-based trio, Anything But Human, they have content, fan clubs, and the ability to share it in other words, access, to offer. Combine that with broadcast radios still powerful cumes (making a recovery since the early days of COVID), personalities (in some cases), brand equity, and local connections. And youve got a potent combination, reminiscent of those halcyon pre-MTV days. For stations where that may be uncomfortably risky to showcase up-and-coming artists or local bands on their main channels, their digital outlets whether their websites, mobile apps, social pages, podcasts, or HD-2 channels represent new, novel, and effective ways musicians of all stripes can be heard and seen by audiences all over the country. Artist interviews, intimate livestream concerts, virtual events, and other engagement activities are all within both industries reach. Its more about whether the two can forge a path to work together in a more strategic way that has less to do with adds and more to do with access and engagement. Spotify might make great playlists, but radio and musicians creating newly defined, mutually beneficial relationships can make great connections and build strong brands especially at a time when both are hurting. Daniel Ek and Spotify are going to do whatever they can do to satisfy their investors and grow their stock price. They are smart people and great practitioners of spin. Broadcast radio and the music industry may have a unique opportunity amidst the chaos: a chance to fill the void each co-conspired to create by rekindling relationships that have fallen out of favor, or have been branded old school by executives like Ek, Zuckerberg, Bezos, and todays sanctimonious tech titans. Should musical artists be pushing themselves, seeking new revenue and engagement avenues, and in Eks words Work harder? Or should they also be working smarter? Along with radio, they need to do both, especially in an environment where the rules are changing daily, and the next chapters are being written as I submit this post. Dell Technologies CEO Michael Dell told The New York Times over the weekend how 2020 is already a milestone year: Weve kind of got a glimpse of the future here. Or as Yogi Berra put it: The future aint what it used to be. So, lets make a new future. A transcript of the Spotify earnings call is here, courtesy of Seeking Alpha. Thanks to Gigi Ghibon-Elhenawy & Anything But Human. Fred Jacobs founded Jacobs Media in 1983, and quickly became known for the creation of the Classic Rock radio format. Jacobs Media has consistently walked the walk in the digital space, providing insights and guidance through its well-read national Techsurveys. In 2008, jacapps was launched a mobile apps company that has designed and built more than 1,300 apps for both the Apple and Android platforms. In 2013, the DASH Conference was created a mashup of radio and automotive, designed to foster better understanding of the connected car and its impact. Along with providing the creative and intellectual direction for the company, Fred consults many of Jacobs Medias commercial and public radio clients, in addition to media brands looking to thrive in the rapidly changing tech environment. Fred was inducted into the National Radio Hall of Fame in 2018. Share on: He recently confirmed he is happily dating Bachelor In Paradise's Keira Maguire, 34. And Love Island Australia hunk Matthew Zukowski, 25, says he has no issues with the nine-year age gap between the couple. Appearing on KIIS FM's Kyle And Jackie O show on Wednesday, Matt was forced to address the couple's age difference on live radio. 'It's NOTHING like dating my mum!' Love Island Australia hunk Matthew Zukowski, 25, (left) breaks his silence on NINE-year age gap with new girlfriend Keira Maguire, 34 (right) Shock jock Kyle Sandilands put Matt on the spot, asking: 'Is dating Keira like dating your mum?' 'No! It's nothing like that,' he said, jokingly adding: 'but she does clean for me and cook for me, and all that.' Matt said he liked that Keira had 'a lot more experience' than him in the relationship, and she was 'a really good chick'. Remember him? Keira's model boyfriend and wrestler Matt was on season two of Love Island Australia in 2019 'She a really good chick': Matt said he liked that Keira had 'a lot more experience' than him in the relationship, and joked that she cooks and cleans for him 'We bicker. We're both very reactive and we've had bad arguments,' he admitted, before saying they never stay mad for long and end up laughing and making out. Matt said of Keira's assertive personality: 'I need someone that will do that [keep him in line] to me.' Meanwhile, Keira used the opportunity to take a nasty dig at her ex-partner Jarrod Woodgate, 35. 'There's no comparison between the two,' Keira said of Matt's ripped physique, when asked how it differed Jarrod's. 'There's no comparison between the two': Keira spoke highly of Matt's physique when asked how it differed to ex-partner Jarrod Woodgate's, 35 (right) 'Went on the wrong show... but doesn't matter, I found you': The couple finally went 'Instagram official' on Tuesday, after Keira dramatically with Bachelor In Paradise Standing by her man! Keira has also hit back at cruel comments labeling her a 'cradle snatcher' for dating the younger model Keira and Matt finally went 'Instagram official' on Tuesday after she dramatically quit Bachelor In Paradise. 'Went on the wrong show... but doesn't matter, I found you,' Keira captioned a picture of her cuddling the Love Island star. Keira and Matt had kept their romance a secret for at least four months. It's believed they began secretly dating in March, when fans started to notice telling clues on Instagram that pointed to them being an item. Appeals court agrees with judge on immigrant benefits: A judge correctly struck down a Department of Homeland Security rule that went into effect earlier this year, a federal appeals court in New York said Tuesday. The rule denied green cards to legal immigrants who use Medicaid, food stamps and other forms of public assistance. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 2nd Circuit upheld an October ruling by Judge George B. Daniels but let it apply only to New York, Vermont and Connecticut, conforming with a U.S. Supreme Court ruling that let the rule take effect in February. The appeals court said the rule has had an irreparable chilling effect on noncitizen use of public benefits. Canada has signed agreements with pharmaceutical firms Pfizer and Moderna to supply millions of doses of a COVID-19 vaccine, but the vaccines are still in development while negotiations continue with other potential suppliers Canada announced Wednesday it has signed two agreements with American pharmaceutical firms Pfizer and Moderna for the delivery of COVID-19 vaccines in 2021. Millions of doses will be supplied, but the vaccines are still in development while negotiations continue with other potential suppliers, Procurement Minister Anita Anand told a news conference. They will also still need to obtain Health Canada regulatory approvals before being distributed to Canadians, she said. The agreement with the American giant Pfizer concerns a vaccine candidate developed in partnership with Germany's BioNTech. BioNTech and Pfizer reported the first conclusive trials of the BNT162 mRNA-based vaccine candidate in early July, after testing 45 people. They started large-scale clinical trials at the end of July, with 30,000 volunteers aged 18 to 35. Moderna is to provide its mRNA-1273 vaccine candidate, which has started to be tested in thousands of Phase 3 clinical trial human participants. On Tuesday, Canada's chief public health officer, Theresa Tam, warned that a vaccine will be a "very important aspect of the response," but will not bring a swift end to the coronavirus outbreak. "We're planning, as a public health community, that we're going to have to manage this pandemic certainly over the next year, but certainly it may be planning for the longer term on the next two to three years during which the vaccine may play a role. But we don't know yet," Tam said. "People might think that if we get a vaccine then everything goes back to normal the way it was before. That's not the case," added her deputy, Howard Njoo. Canada had more than 118,000 cases of coronavirus and 8,996 patients have died, as of Wednesday. Explore further Follow the latest news on the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak 2020 AFP Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-05 21:58:00|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi gives an exclusive interview to Xinhua on China-U.S. ties in Beijing, capital of China, Aug. 5, 2020. (Xinhua/Zhai Jianlan) BEIJING, Aug. 5 (Xinhua) -- The United States is not qualified to build a coalition of "clean countries" because the country itself is dirty all over, Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi said Wednesday. During an exclusive interview with Xinhua, Wang said the United States has launched a global campaign against a private Chinese company without any solid evidence, calling the move a textbook example of bullying. Everyone can see easily and clearly that the U.S. goal is to keep its monopoly in science and technology and deny other countries the legitimate right to development, Wang said. "The United States doesn't even bother to disguise its bullying," he said, adding that it not only violates the international rules of fair trade, but also hurts the free global market environment. Noting that the United States conducts wire-tapping and mass surveillance around the globe, and that these wrongful acts are already an open secret, Wang said the United States is not qualified to build a coalition of "clean countries" because it is dirty all over. China will continue to work with all countries to maintain a fair, just, open and non-discriminatory business environment, and ensure that safe, reliable and quality information technology will boost global economic recovery and help improve people's lives around the world, he said. "We hope that the United States will give up its obsession with its narrow self-interest, and return to the right track of openness and cooperation," Wang said. Enditem MUNICH (dpa-AFX) - German insurance and asset management company Allianz SE (AZSEY.PK) reported Wednesday that its second-quarter net income attributable to shareholders decreased 28.6 percent to 1.53 billion euros from last year's 2.14 billion euros. Earnings per share were 3.68 euros, down from 5.10 euros a year ago. Operating profit decreased 18.8 percent to 2.57 billion euros from 3.16 billion euros last year. Total revenues decreased 6.8 percent to 30.9 billion euros from 33.2 billion euros in the prior year. Internal revenue growth, which adjusts for currency and consolidation effects, amounted to negative 7.7 percent, mostly driven by the Life/Health business segment. Total assets under management increased to 2.25 trillion euros in the second quarter of 2020. Looking ahead, the company said it is not giving an updated operating profit outlook for 2020 due to the continuing uncertainties. Allianz Chief Executive Officer said, 'It makes us confident that we will see a solid financial performance also in the second half of 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. With a history of more than 600 years, Shecun village in Dongshan neighborhood, Jiangning district of Nanjing, east Chinas Jiangsu province, is one of the first traditional villages in the province. The ancient village presents a different view to the world by tapping its local cultural and historical resources, protecting the ecological environment, and increasing farmers incomes, as Jiangning continues to forge ahead with infrastructure construction, improve its living environment and build a beautiful countryside. The opening of a rural road has brought more visitors to the village, which received 50,000 tourists last year. Meanwhile, more young people have started up businesses back in their hometown. Sun Haijun, a post-80s man from the village, used to be a migrant worker. He opened the first agritainment farm in the village in 2014. Last year, he earned more than 400,000 yuan from the business and bought a home in the urban area of Jiangning, and now lives a more prosperous life. Zimbabwes Vice President Constantino Chiwenga has assumed the role of Minister of Health and Child Welfare with immediate effect, replacing Dr. Obadiah Moyo who was recently dismissed from that position due to allegations of corruption. His Excellency the President Cde. E.D. Mnangagwa, has appointed Hon Vice President Dr. C D G N Chiwenga as Minister of Health and Child Care, read a statement issued by Dr. Misheck Sibanda, Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet, on Tuesday. According to the statement, which justifies the appointment under Section 99 of the 2013 Constitution, Chiwengas appointment aims to stabilize, restructure and reform the National Health Delivery System to better cope with the challenges of the global Covid-19 pandemic. Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-05 23:35:25|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close JOHANNESBURG, Aug. 5 (Xinhua) -- South African National Department of Health on Wednesday welcomed the arrival of experts from the World Health Organization (WHO). The department's spokesperson Popo Maja told Xinhua that the visit was good. "We are happy with their arrival, we feel supported by the World Health Organization," he said, adding most interactions would be virtual. A total of 43 senior experts from across the globe will assist the country to refine its efforts against the pandemic. They include epidemiologists specializing in infectious disease and public health. South African Health Minister Zweli Mkhize said the visit was an opportunity to improve health strategies. The team is to assess how South Africa's response to COVID-19 pandemic has been going as the second wave of infection is expected at the end of August. Three provinces including Gauteng, Western and Eastern Cape have experienced their first wave of infections, with positive infections in decline now. South Africa has recorded over 520,000 COVID-19 cases so far with 8,884 fatalities. Enditem A former Google engineer was sentenced to 18 months in prison Tuesday for stealing the internet giant's self-driving car files ahead of joining Uber. Anthony Levandowski, 40, reached a plea agreement with federal prosecutors in March after they brought a criminal case against him last August. Prosecutors had said Levandowski deliberately moved more than 14,000 sensitive files to his personal computer while working at Google with a goal of eventually benefiting his future employer, Uber Technologies Inc. Levandowski was indicted for stealing 33 documents deemed trade secrets, but pleaded guilty to taking just one document. He agreed that the document, a weekly project-tracking spreadsheet, was a trade secret. He was also ordered to pay more than $850,000. U.S. District Judge William Alsup in San Francisco said a sentence short of imprisonment would have given 'a green light to every future brilliant engineer to steal trade secrets,' comparing what Levandowski took to a 'competitor's game plan.' Levandowski's conviction is one of the highest-profile for Silicon Valley intellectual property theft. Former Google engineer Anthony Levandowski was sentenced to 18 months in prison Tuesday for stealing the internet giant's self-driving car files ahead of joining Uber A self-driving car traverses a parking lot at Google's headquarters in Mountain View, California in 2016. Levandowski, who helped steer Googles self-driving car project before landing at Uber, was also ordered to pay more than $850,000 Levandowski agreed to a plea deal two weeks after filing for bankruptcy. He owes $179 million to Alphabet Inc's Google to settle a dispute arising from his actions before leaving the company in January 2016. Alsup said Levandowski could enter custody once the COVID-19 pandemic has subsided. The judge had taken the unusual step of recommending the Justice Department open a criminal investigation into Levandowski while presiding over a high-profile civil trial between Uber and Waymo, a spinoff from a self-driving car project that Google began in 2007 after hiring Levandowski to be part of its team. Levandowski had left Google in early 2016 to start his own self-driving truck company, called Otto, which Uber eventually bought for $680 million. Before leaving Google, though, Levandowski is said to have downloaded a trove of Google's self-driving car technology. The accusations turned Levandowski, once highly regarded for his early inroads into self-driving cars, into a notorious figure 'almost synonymous with greed run amok in Silicon Valley,' his own lawyers acknowledged in court documents. The lawyers argued Levandowski deserved some leniency because there was never any evidence that he used Google's trade secrets while overseeing Uber's self-driving car division. He lost that job in 2017 while asserting his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination when Uber was still defending itself against Waymo's lawsuit. Anthony Levandowski, head of Uber's self-driving program, speaks about their driverless car in San Francisco in 2016. Levandowski eventually became disillusioned with Google and left the company in early 2016 to start his own self-driving truck company, called Otto, which Uber eventually bought for $680 million Uber CEO Travis Kalanick, left, and Anthony Levandowski, co-founder of Otto. Uber settled its case with Waymo for $245 million a few days into a trial that featured its former CEO, Travis Kalanick, speaking about some of his discussions with Levandowski about the ride-hailing services desire to win the race to build self-driving cars Uber settled its case with Waymo for $245 million a few days into a trial that featured its former CEO, Travis Kalanick, speaking about some of his discussions with Levandowski about the ride-hailing service's desire to win the race to build self-driving cars. Levandowski faced a maximum prison sentence of 10 years and a $250,000 fine. In its victim statement, Waymo told Alsup that Levandowski's 'misconduct was enormously disruptive and harmful to Waymo, constituted a betrayal, and the financial effects would likely have been even more severe had it gone undetected.' In documents arguing why Levandowski deserved prison time, U.S. Attorney David Anderson called his theft a 'brazen and shocking' act that seemed driven by ego as much as greed. 'Levandowskis actions suggest he wanted to be seen as the singular inventor of the self-driving car, the way Alexander Graham Bell is credited with inventing the telephone,' Anderson wrote. Students in Acapulco, Mexico, before the pandemic began. (Marco Ugarte / Associated Press) The television has been called the "idiot box" and the "boob tube." In Mexico, it will soon be the classroom. With the coronavirus outbreak showing no signs of abating here, officials have decided to keep public elementary and secondary schools closed indefinitely and have the nation's 30 million students begin the new academic year at home. But in a country where 4 in 10 homes lack an internet connection, online classes are not a viable option. So authorities have turned to television. The federal government this week signed a $20-million contract with several Mexican television networks to broadcast study programs designed by education officials. The daily classes and accompanying textbooks will be the backbone of academic instruction until it is safe for students to return to the classroom a plan that has sparked confusion and frustration among parents and prompted fears that Mexico could lose some of its hard-fought gains in education. Authorities acknowledge that the television is no replacement for teachers, but say it is the best way to reach most of the country's students because 94% of Mexican families have TVs. "The pandemic leaves us few options," said the education secretary, Esteban Moctezuma, while promising a "robust" course of study. Officials have yet to detail how televised learning will work, including what part, if any, teachers will play, or how families with working parents or more children than television sets are expected to manage. "I'm panicking," said 38-year-old Ana Laura Ruiz, a single mother in Mexico City who recently returned to the office where she works as an accountant after the city's pandemic lockdown was partially lifted. When students across the country were sent home in March after the virus was detected here, each school handled distanced learning in its own way. Ruiz joined a WhatsApp group with parents and teachers, who sent lesson plans and homework for their pupils. Story continues Ruiz said she would rather continue that way than have her kids watching television. "How will I know that my children actually took their classes?" she asked. "Who will supervise them?" She has two children, ages 13 and 10, but only one TV at home, and she doesn't know how they will both take classes. "I'm worried this will be a lost year for them," she said. Clara Solis, a 37-year-old primary school teacher, said she had received no information about what her role would be when the academic year kicks off Aug. 24. "Children need more specialized attention," she said. "I'm concerned about the number of children who are not going to receive adequate care." A paramedic in Tijuana responds to reports of a woman who died after complaining of COVID-19 symptoms. (Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times) Every country in the world has had to weigh the safety of students and teachers against the need to provide kids education. In the United States, President Trump has threatened to withhold funding for school districts that dont reopen. In Bolivia, officials announced this week that they were canceling the school year entirely after considering moving classes online but concluding that would be impossible because most rural areas lack internet access. Israel and South Korea hastily reopened schools only to close them again after spikes in new virus cases. Denmark and Germany appear to have avoided outbreaks by greatly reducing class size and staggering the days that students attend school. Kristen Bristow helps her daughter with a book report during a home-schooling session in Riverside. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times) The stakes are high. Educational attainment has risen steadily in Mexico in recent years, and many now worry that some of those gains could be erased. The share of Mexicans who have only an elementary school education or less fell from 67% in 1990 to 33% in 2015. The proportion of Mexicans with a college education more than doubled during that time, to 15%. Malcom Aquiles, a policy advocate for World Vision, a Christian aid organization with a focus on children, said that some students who stop going to school this year may never return. "It could trigger a lot of dropouts," he said. Aquiles said he was glad that authorities had decided to prioritize public health. But he worried about the impact of the new education plan in rural parts of the country, where access to television and even radio is limited, and where the pandemic's economic impacts have already forced some school-age children to join the workforce in recent months. Patricia Gandara, a professor of education at UCLA who has studied the school system in Mexico, said that while televised instruction is "better than nothing," it will undoubtedly result in more inequalities. "These learning gaps, which we call opportunity gaps, will just get wider and wider," Gandara said. As in the U.S, where the children of immigrants are less likely to have internet access at home, it will be the poor in Mexico who suffer, she said. "If you're home with a parent who is well-educated and can guide you through these things, that's pretty good," Gandara said. "If you're just by yourself with the television, that's another story." Officials said they have a plan for the 6% of families that don't have a television: educational radio broadcasts, which will air in Spanish and in 22 Indigenous languages. "Nobody will be left behind," vowed Moctezuma, who said the government will also address the issue of households where parents don't have the luxury of staying home with their children. "We are going to have a proposal ... to see how working mothers can be helped," he said. Academic instruction on television isn't a new concept in Mexico, where since 1968 students in some rural areas have attended small schools where instruction is broadcast on TV. The results have been lackluster. In national language exams in 2017, 49% of students enrolled in schools with televised learning scored insufficient marks, compared with 32% of students enrolled in typical schools. "There is no substitute for the work of a teacher," said Juan Sanchez Garcia, an instructor at a teachers college in the northern city of Monterrey who has studied televised learning. One problem is that there is no way to tell how many students are actually tuning in. For that reason, Sanchez said, it is essential for authorities to find ways to measure comprehension and achievement while pupils are learning from their homes. "This is the main thing," he said, "getting help to the students who need it the most." Cecilia Sanchez in The Times' Mexico City bureau contributed to this report. How to Help Victims of the Beirut Explosion And everything you need to know about the disaster. On Tuesday, a massive explosion ripped through Beirut, the capitol of Lebanon, killing at least 100 people and injuring more than 4,000, according to CNN. Though the blast has been linked to a warehouse storing thousands of tons of unsecured and potentially highly explosive material, it's still unclear what exactly caused the ignition. Ahead, everything you need to know about the Beirut explosion and how you can help victims. What happened? On Tuesday evening, a powerful blast originating from a port in the capital sent a shockwave through the city, damaging buildings up to six miles away. Though initial reports blamed the blast on a major fire at a firecrackers warehouse near the port, Prime Minister Hassan Diab said 2,750 metric tons of ammonium nitrate, which is typically used as an agricultural fertilizer, had been stored for six years at a warehouse in the port without safety measures, "endangering the safety of citizens," according to CNN. Abbas Ibrahim, Lebanon's general security chief, said a "highly explosive material" had been confiscated years earlier and stored in the warehouse, located minutes' walk from Beirut's shopping and nightlife districts. Lebanese President Michel Aoun has promised a transparent investigation into the causes of the explosion, and declared a three-day mourning period, adding that the government would release 100 billion lira ($66 million) of emergency funds. BBC reports the blast was heard 150 miles away on the island of Cyprus in the eastern Mediterranean, and that hospitals are overwhelmed and many buildings have been destroyed. In addition to the fatalities and injuries, the New York Times reports tens of thousands have been left homeless, and some 300,000 displaced. The Times also points out that with an untold number of people still missing, officials expect that the reported death toll to rise. Story continues According to CNN, four hospitals are out of service because of damage from the explosion, though health minister Hamad Hassan said Wednesday that the health ministry has an emergency plan with field hospitals being sent from Qatar, Iran, Kuwait, Oman and Jordan. Hassan estimates that six to eight field hospitals will be ready "soon." What are the environmental repercussions? In addition to death tolls and injuries from the destruction, residents are facing the possible dangers of being exposed to ammonium nitrate. According to BBC, when ammonium nitrate explodes, it can release toxic gases including nitrogen oxides and ammonia gas. "If there isn't much wind, it could become a danger to the people nearby," Professor Andrea Sella, a professor of chemistry at University College London, told BBC. How can you help? Here are a few organizations you can donate to in order to help victims: Lebanese Red Cross The Lebanese Red Cross has 3000 emergency medical technicians and 300+ ambulances, and has asked people to donate directly to them as opposed to unauthorized third parties fundraising on their behalf. Donate here. Impact Lebanon disaster relief fund The non-profit organization has set up a JustGiving page crowdfunding for disaster relief, with a goal of 5,000,000. Impact Lebanon says it will coordinate with non-governmental organizations that require aid in the aftermath of the explosion. Donate here. Beit el Baraka Beit el Baraka is a Beirut-based non-profit that helps families and elderly people in Lebanon who are struggling with the cost of living. In light of the explosion, the organization said it is going to help fix the homes of families that were damaged. You can donate here. Embrace Lifeline Embrace Lifeline provides mental health support for those in need in Lebanon. You can donate here. How can you stay updated? As news continues to break about the explosion, it's important to be mindful of sharing unverified information and potentially triggering posts. That said, it's also important to stay informed. The Guardian, The New York Times, and CNN are all providing live updates on the disaster. By Trend The rapid spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19) in the world has led to an increase in negative trends in the global economy, sharp fluctuations in global energy and stock markets, Chairman of the Committee on Economic Policy, Industry and Entrepreneurship of Azerbaijans Parliament Tahir Mirkishili said, Trend reports. The MP made the remark at an extraordinary session of the Azerbaijani Parliament. The pandemic has not spared the economy of Azerbaijan, Mirkishili noted. Economic conditions have changed significantly, both in the world and in Azerbaijan. The analysis of the past two months shows that we need to be cautious. Therefore, upon instruction of Azerbaijans President Ilham Aliyev, a draft law on Amendments to the Law on the State Budget of Azerbaijan for 2020 was prepared, according to which it is recommended to attach great importance to social expenditures, and not to reduce a single social package, said the committee chairman. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz A survey of Central American migrants traveling through Mexico on their way to the United States found that 74 percent of them experienced a degree of food insecurity, ranging from having only one meal to no food at all for one day or longer. Factors associated with more severe food insecurity include more days in active transit, and the experience of illness by the migrant or their travel companion. This study by researchers at Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, School of Public Health of Mexico, and the National Institutes of Public Health in Mexico represents the first attempt to document food insecurity in Central American migrants during their overland transit through Mexico. Their findings are published in the Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health. The researchers interviewed 95 Central American migrants ages 18 and older traveling overland to the U.S. about their experiences of food insecurity in transit. Interviews took place in a migrant shelter (casa del migrante) in north central Mexico near the midway point of the migrant route through Mexico during the month of July. Respondents were overwhelmingly men (73 percent) and relatively young (mean age of 29, but including youth in their late teens as well as middle aged adults), with the largest proportion from Honduras (58 percent). Lack of Food More than a third of respondents (35 percent) said they had gone a day or more with only one meal; 19 percent reported a day or more with no meals; and 20 percent reported two or more consecutive days with no food. Food insecurity may even more pronounced further north, as security conditions worsen in proximity to the U.S. border, contributing to even more challenging access to soup kitchen-like facilities and migrant shelters, the researchers note. The impact of the severe food insecurity noted, can be both acute potentially affecting health during migration (affecting likelihood of exposure to water borne illness), as well as chronic, potentially impacting life after resettlement. "Lack of access to a reliable food supply during the long travel periods and grueling travel conditions imposed on migrants may increase risk for developing upper respiratory or gastrointestinal infections due to lack of access to a clean water supply. Experiences of food insecurity during the trip may compound risks for later chronic health problems and may negatively impact adaptation post migration," the researchers write. Importantly, the severity of food insecurity noted was particularly remarkable because the authors documented that migrants had experienced two or more consecutive days with no food at all. Standard scales for documenting food insecurity do not presently capture consecutive days of complete lack of food. The physiologic effect of multiple consecutive days with no food intake would be expected to be severe. Such short-term famine probably occurs frequently during migration in other regions of the world as well, yet data on this is not routinely captured. Illness In all, 61 percent of respondents said they had experienced a health issue in the prior two weeks, and 28 percent of this group reported an illness that might impede mobility. One in five respondents (20 percent) reported having a chronic health condition prior to migrating. About one-third (32.6 percent) said they traveled with a companion who was ill in the last two weeks. A migrant's travel companion could be considered the equivalent of the migrants' social support network during the migration journey, the researchers explain. "The association of the travel companion's illness with severity of food insecurity suggests that migrants share responsibility for acquiring food with their travel companion and thus illness by a member of the travel party can be associated with insecurity of the food supply for the group," they write. The researchers offer a potential remedy to strengthen migrants' access to food: shelters and healthcare facilities could teach migrants about options for procuring nutrition in the next step of their journey with information on locations of organizations providing meals and pointers for obtaining and prioritizing inexpensive, portable, and nourishing food. "Understanding the factors associated with relative severity of food insecurity during overland migration can inform strategies for prioritizing assistance and prevention," the authors write. Background on Central American Migrants According to the United Nations, in 2017, 70,000 people crossed from Mexico to the US, Primarily from El Salvador, Honduras and Guatemala. During their transit through Mexico, migrants are victims of violence and are also affected by environmental factors that may be life threatening. Other harmful exposures include limited access to health care and basic services including food. Migrants may travel for prolonged periods without finding safe resting stops. In Mexico, faith-based organizations have organized shelters (casas del migrante) located strategically along migration routes to the U.S. where migrants receive lodging, food, medical, and legal assistance. Recent non-violent deaths at the U.S. Mexican border in migrants without known pre-existing medical conditions have highlighted the dangers of this trip, and suggest that the population reaching the U.S. border may be particularly susceptible to illness potentially because of an acutely undernourished state. In 2019 alone, according to the International Organization for Migration, 530 migrants died on the U.S.-Mexico border, the vast majority of them Central American migrants. The peak periods for these fatalities appear to be during climate extremes: May through July and December and January, suggesting that food procurement could be particularly challenging. ### The study's senior author is Manuela Orjuela-Grimm, MD, associate professor of epidemiology at pediatrics at Columbia Mailman School and Columbia University Irving Medical Center. First author Alondra Coral Aragon Gama, MS a researcher at the National Institute of Public Health, Mexico, was a visiting scholar at Columbia Mailman School in 2016 during which time she designed the survey method used in the study. Second author Cesar Infante Xibille, MD, PhD, co-led the team that published a study in PLOS last year examining migrants' experience of violence; he and his team have long studied the experience of migrants through interviews at shelters. Additional Co-authors include Xinhua Liu, PhD, professor of biostatistics at Columbia Mailman School; and Veronica Mundo Rosas of the National Institute of Public Health, Mexico. The study was supported by grants from the Ford Foundation (0140-0754) and the Oak Foundation. 05.08.2020 LISTEN The Member of Parliament for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa has rubbished being groomed to attack the founder of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Jerry John Rawlings. The MP clarified that he had neither been forced to defend the late Prof. John Evans Atta Mills nor attack former President Rawlings. Respectfully, I am an avowed devotee of the politics of principle and conviction. I have a mind of my own and I am not one to be recruited to say or do what I do not believe in or consider dishonourable. For the record, I have at no time been drafted to talk back at the Founder of the NDC, former President Jerry John Rawlings neither have I needed prodding to defend the unblemished record and exemplary virtues of the iconic Asomdweehene Prof. John Evans Atta Mills, he said in a statement today, Wednesday, August 5, 2020. Prof. Kwamena Ahwoi, a former Local Government Minister had alleged in his book titled Working with Rawlings that he and other NDC members, groomed some young NDC communicators to tame Rawlings, who gave President John Atta Mills a tough time during his tenure as President, with his scathing attacks. Okudzeto Ablakwa in a statement, however, rejected the claim, intimating that the respect he holds for forbears within the party is unquestionable. In more than a decade of public life, the reverence and respect I have for our elders and forebears within and without the NDC cannot be questioned. I have always been greatly indebted to our venerable elders for their generous wise counsel and mentorship in shaping my career. Other members of the NDC, Felix Ofosu Kwakye and Omane Boamah have also rejected claims that they were part of a grand scheme to vilify Jerry John Rawlings. Find below Okudzeto Ablakwas statement It has become necessary to react to vilifications targeted at my person and other young members of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) as a consequence of portions and misleading interpretations by sections of the media and the public of the book titled: Working with Rawlings as authored by NDC stalwart, Professor Kwamena Ahwoi. The claim by several media reportage that some of my colleagues and I were recruited and groomed to attack the founder of the NDC during the Atta Mills' administration are false, malicious, offensive and most unfair. It is worth pointing out that the media renditions are not contained in the aforementioned book. Respectfully, I am an avowed devotee of the politics of principle and conviction. I have a mind of my own and I am not one to be recruited to say or do what I do not believe in or consider dishonourable. For the record, I have at no time been drafted to talk back at the Founder of the NDC, former President Jerry John Rawlings neither have I needed prodding to defend the unblemished record and exemplary virtues of the iconic Asomdweehene Prof. John Evans Atta Mills, particularly, having been spurred on at all times by unwavering personal conviction added to the fact that I had responsibility to serve as Deputy Minister for Information at the time and for which I had amongst others, the core duty to defend and protect the image of the government. In more than a decade of public life, the reverence and respect I have for our elders and forebears within and without the NDC cannot be questioned. I have always been greatly indebted to our venerable elders for their generous wise counsel and mentorship in shaping my career. Everything within me abhors the politics of insults and denigrating our elders knowing that affronts our much cherished traditions. Indeed, the distinguished author himself acknowledges at page 211 that in speaking for Prof. Mills, we did not resort to insults but logic. I am in politics for the pursuit of nobler and higher objectives; that in our collective struggles we can build for ourselves a fair, just and egalitarian society. We cannot waste precious time on anything to the contrary. It is instructive to note that the malicious interpretation of page 211 cannot be reconciled with page 179 where the author concedes that long before Prof. Mills won the 2008 election and therefore much earlier than the erroneous claim of a 2010 recruitment a pro-Mills group of talented youthful intellectuals and activists emerged. They were dedicated to upholding the attributes and promoting the values of Professor Mills and defending him against vicious and unprovoked attacks. Let the younger ones coming after us not be misled by the rather unfounded aspersions and innuendos in media circles and elsewhere to assume that there's any glory in lending themselves to conspiracies targeted at disrespecting or disparaging the elders of this Republic. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa [MP, North Tongu] Issued in Accra on the 5th of August, 2020 ---citinewsroom Many streetfront buildings in large cities that house shops that were busy in the past are idle because business activities have declined due to Covid-19. A survey in mid-July by VnExpress found that many streetfront houses with 2 or 3 stories in central district 1 of HCM City have been idle for months. On the entrance doors are offers to sell or lease and phone numbers for contact. Streetfront houses with closed doors can be found on famous streets, including Nguyen Hue walking street, Dong Khoi commercial street, Ngo Duc Ke bubble tea street and Ham Nghi office street. Business became sluggish in the first quarter of the year, continued in the second quarter and has shown no signs of improvement. As the situation continues to be gloomy, owners temporarily stopped business and gave back retail premises to landlords. Dental clinics, spas and tourism firms have also left. Binh, a real estate broker in district 1, said he had never seen such a weak market. Though landlords have lowered rents, they still cannot find tenants. Binh said that a dental clinic chain shut down all its branches located in advantageous positions in the central area of the city. The latest report on the commercial real estate market by Savills HCM City confirmed that many eateries and fashion and service chains have had to close their doors. Many streetfront buildings in large cities that house shops that were busy in the past are idle because business activities have declined due to Covid-19. According to Savills Vietnam, potential tenants are seeking offers at a discount rate of up to 40 percent. Meanwhile, CBRE reported that the rent of shophouses in HCM City has decreased by 20 percent compared with pre-pandemic days. The rental period has been shortened to 2-3 years from 5 years as previously seen. Some businesspeople are maintaining existing shops, but canceling plans to expand their chains. Nguyen Loc Hanh, CEO of Ngoc Chau A Real Estate Investment, cited several reasons for the high number of idle business premises in HCM City. First, the rents had already been pushed up to overly high levels, which went beyond tenants budgets. Second, purchasing power has been on the decrease, which has slowed down business activity. And third, the lack of foreign travelers has also weakened business activities in HCM Citys central business districts (CBD). The Vietnam Retail Association (VRA) complains that the retail premises in Vietnam are the most expensive in the region and are even more expensive than in Dubai. Kim Chi HCM City: Retail premises rent declines as beer shops shut down Businesses now have bigger choices for retail premises as the rent has decreased significantly. Lucy Lafferty, 28, from Co. Cavan, is a health and nutrition advisor in Niger, West Africa with Irish aid agency Concern Worldwide. Lucy explains here why she decided to stay in Niger with just 20 ventilators for 22 million people - so she could help with the charitys Covid-19 response. It has been a long and eventful four months working and living from the Concern team house in Niamey, the hot and dusty capital of Niger in West Africa, over 7,000km from Ireland. My colleagues and I left Concerns office in Niamey in mid-March following a team meeting when it was decided that it was prudent for us to self-isolate for two weeks, given our proximity to one of the first confirmed cases in Niger. Swift actions from the government ensued, the airport closed and contact tracing began. Naively, or optimistically, we hoped that within those two weeks the situation would be under control. Simultaneously, I was anxiously watching the evolution of the situation at home in Ireland; the significant daily increase in cases and the impressive mobilisation of health care staff through the Irelands Call campaign. I spoke to my mum, Clare, in the first week of self-isolation. She is a retired nurse, who returned to work in a local Covid-19 testing centre in Cavan. She explained the extensive personal protective equipment she carefully wore when working. This put my mind at ease that her risk of contracting the disease at work would be low, but it made me reflect early in lockdown on the unimaginable challenges we would face in Niger if disease transmissions increased. With a weak health system, a high burden of other diseases, widespread food insecurity, a large proportion of the population lacking access to basic water and sanitation facilities, and around 20 ventilators for a population of 22.4 million,?my head and heart ached for my colleagues, the local population with whom we work, and myself. Since then, my days have been filled writing proposals for the crucial funding needed and with learning about this new disease to adapt Concerns existing projects to ensure that we build community awareness on Covid-19 and create an enabling environment (distributing soap and handwashing stations) to protect our teams and the local population with whom we work. Within weeks, I was given the option of leaving and going back to my family in Ireland. The fragility of Niger one of the worlds poorest countries was to the forefront of my mind as I weighed up what to do. That opportunity came one Tuesday evening in an email from the French Embassy, informing me of a flight to Paris leaving that Thursday. My brain whirled about what to do. I could hear the echoes of questions from my family and friends: When are you coming home? When will the airport be open again? With over 600 confirmed cases at the time and likely many more undiagnosed (the total confirmed number of cases as of June 28 was 1,059 and 67 dead), I wondered when would be my next opportunity to fly home? Most cases were in the capital, but community transmission had already appeared in Concerns programme areas. The situation was clearly worsening. It was unlikely the airport would reopen for commercial flights any time soon. I thought about what I might do if my parents or brother fell ill. What if I got sick? Not only would I be another patient burdening an already swamped health system, but I was also acutely aware that the available treatments and resources were a fraction of what I would have at home. Would it be irresponsible to leave? Would it be irresponsible to travel through at least three airports, inevitably come into contact with hundreds of people and potentially increase the risk of transmission or of contracting Covid-19? I reflected on the reasons why I chose this career. Working from home in Niamey or Cavan, what would the differences be? Where would I be most useful? No question has a simple answer. I have always been aware of my distance from home, but never more so than now. I had been in the privileged situation that, if necessary, I could probably get home within 48 hours. Once this freedom was gone, it instilled anxiety. I voice this fear, with my dad, Peadar. He rationally pointed out that in some ways life is more low-risk now than ever before. Fewer car journeys, no pubs open, home-cooked meals, and a very simple life. I know that both my parents understand what I do and why I do it, having themselves worked with Concern in Bangladesh in the 1980s. Weighing up my options, I decided to stay in Niger where I felt I was better placed to support my colleagues who are doing the critical work. Every country was faced with the same battle of trying to minimise Covid-19 transmission and now many are navigating coming out of lockdown, however in very different contexts and with varying resources. Over this period, the Concern Niger team have been building awareness of Covid-19 in very poor and remote communities, focusing on how to reduce the risk of disease spread. We have also been providing essential resources (soap, handwashing stations, etc.) in communities and health facilities. Now over 15 weeks later, the number of confirmed Covid-19 cases in Niger has remained low (1,075, 1 June 2020) I am hopeful that this continues to be the case. The world remains a public health pandemic, and as a public health professional, I do not think there is a right or wrong answer, to go or to stay.?All I know is that I am content with the decision I made to at the time to stay and help. Rocky shorelines, crashing waves and, of course, oodles of seafood: Coastal New England is a paradise for anyone with a bit of salt water in their blood. Its also home to some of the countrys oldest culinary traditions evolving out of the New World ports where countless immigrants have landed for a new life in America over the past several hundred years. As idyllic as that may sound, few of us will get to savor a bite this year with the COVID-19 outbreak scuttling travel plans. Fear not, though. Were going to visit those delectable destinations from the safety of our own kitchens. This week we sail on the final part of our four-week Summer Kitchen Travels series with visits to some of New Englands best-known restaurants. Our previous destinations have included New Orleans, Miami and Californias Napa Valley in a sprawling adventure through some of Americas most distinctive dishes and drinks. New England is a six-state region comprised of Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont with a wide range of coastline, mountains and prairie resulting in a diverse food culture throughout. Well be sticking to the shore on our trip, where numerous global cultures have melded with indigenous traditions and ingredients to form several unique, largely seafood-driven cuisines. Lets kick the journey off with a stop in Providence, Rhode Island. The state has the nations densest population of Portuguese immigrants, giving its capital city an unrivaled number of Portuguese restaurants including mainstays such as O Dinis, Madeira Restaurant, Riviera Restaurant and dozens more. On ExpressNews.com: Cook a taste of New Orleans from your kitchen At all of those, youll find several well-guarded recipes incorporating salt cod, a beloved staple of both Portugal and New England. The abundant cod in North Atlantic waters spurred much of New Englands economy as an export and drew countless immigrants to work the boats for centuries. Weve baked the fish into a layered and olive oil-doused casserole of potatoes, onion, egg and olives called Bacalhau a Bras. Despite the name, the dish is a mildly salty melange perfumed with sweet onion. Boston will almost certainly be on anyones New England itinerary. Weve included a classic taste of Beantown in the famous Boston Baked Beans recipe from the landmark Durgin-Park Restaurant, which opened in 1827. Sadly, the restaurant closed last year, but their recipe lives on. While many in the rest of the country are used to gooey sweet, tomato-sauced beans out of a can, these are an elemental and irresistible study in pork and legume. Were also taking a spin through the citys Chinatown, the last remaining historic enclave of Chinese immigrants in New England. Numerous restaurants there and throughout the region have developed recipes for a Cantonese-style stir-fry of lobster, ginger and scallions. Its packed with savory flavors with a unforgettable pop from the ginger. On ExpressNews.com: Cook a taste of Miami from your kitchen While were in Massachusetts, lets take a swing through Marthas Vineyard. The exclusive island is home to a tiny but beloved eatery called Larsens Fish Market, which ladles out an exquisite seafood chowder laced with lobster that can be adapted to most types of fish and shellfish available in area grocery stores. For folks used to bland chowders, take heed: This version has bite with an aggressive hit of Old Bay seasoning. New Haven, Conn., is considered by many to the one of the countrys top destination for pizza no surprise given the citys roughly 20 percent Italian American population. Among the most famous pie joints is Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana, famed for its pizzas topped with clams, garlic and olive oil. For a sweet sendoff, well venture to the tiny town of Wells, Maine, where the Maine Diner has sated appetites with classic New England comfort food since 1983. The restaurant serves a well-known regional dessert called Indian Pudding, a simple porridge of cornmeal sweetened with molasses and spiced with ginger and cinnamon thats ended meals in New England for centuries. On ExpressNews.com: Travel to Napa Valley from your kitchen In colonial days, New England was part of an important shipping triangle. Numerous distilleries in the Northeast transformed molasses from the Caribbean into rum that was exported to Europe. And cornmeal known then as Indian meal was an affordable source of calories. They came together in a sweet and timeless bite of history that still satisfies today. Recipe: Bacalhau a Bras (Portuguese Salt Cod Stew) Recipe: Durgin-Park Restaurants Boston Baked Beans Recipe: Cantonese Lobster with Ginger and Scallions Recipe: Larsens Fish Markets Seafood Chowder Recipe: Frank Pepe-style White Clam Pizza Recipe: Maine Diners Indian Pudding Paul Stephen is a food and drink reporter and restaurant critic in the San Antonio and Bexar County area. To read more from Paul, become a subscriber. pstephen@express-news.net | Twitter: @pjbites | Instagram: @pjstephen For a while now, I have been speaking about the economic warfare that is upon Zimbabwe and how it was designed to destroy the nations capacity to decolonize, rise and develop through using its own resources. But what I havent stressed enough is the fact that Zimbabwe has actually been under this economic warfare from the day it attained independence. All done in an effort by western countries to ensure that it never succeeds as an independent African nation. Some have even suggested that it has been under such warfare since 1890 when the pioneer column crossed the Zambezi and Europeans took over all factors of production from Africans. Enslaving them and making them dependent on European systems, to break their ability to compete and resist European hegemony. What is clear, however, is European nations will continue to sabotage African countries to stop them from establishing the capacity to compete with western countries so that they retain monopoly on controlling and processing African resources. This is a key colonial objective that was established at the Berlin Conference for the survival of European nations or what they refer to as the maintenance of their civilization. Total Onslaught Elsewhere on the planet we have seen this same form of domination enforced by the United States upon Latin America, the Caribbeans and Pacific in what has been referred to as #ManifestDestiny . In Southern Africa we had a period known as #TotalOnslaught or #TotalStrategy in which apartheid South Africa was used by western powers to destabilize Southern African states. This was done to ensure that western exploitative capitalism and property rights remained secure in the region. The way this worked was apartheid South Africa would use her political, economic and military might to attack and incapacitate recently liberated African nations to ensure that they remained underdeveloped, indebted and dependent on her European controlled economy. Background. In 1980 Zimbabwe attained independence and immediately joined SADC [Southern African Development Community] which had just been formed two weeks prior to Zimbabwes Independence Day. The body was formed firstly, to break the regions dependency on apartheid South Africa. Secondly, to build military cooperation between these Southern African states, to neutralize the threat of South African military hegemony on the region and more importantly to end apartheid and its vestiges of colonial capitalism in the region. Zimbabwean Independence As a nation that had liberated itself by the gun, endowed with the most advanced economy ,infrastructure, industry, military and road network in sub Saharan Africa after South Africa. Zimbabwe was looked upon by other SADC countries as the best suited country to leverage SADC to break South Africas economic and military dominance. Unfortunately, SADCs goal of ending apartheid was a problem for both South Africa and the west because apartheid capitalism contributed the highest returns for global capital. So safeguarding this colonial capitalist order in the region was of paramount importance for western future, putting them on a collision course with SADC objectives. It is for these reasons that Zimbabwe became a prime target for the west and apartheid South Africa. Nuclear Power As a first step in their offensive, the Americans, British, South African governments and Anglo America formed the Combined Development Agency to give the South African government nuclear capability as a deterrent to any military challenge from the region. By the time Zimbabwe got independence, South Africa had just tested its first nuclear bomb in 1979, while Angola had been under 5yrs of sustained attacks from US backed South African Defence Forces. Companies like AECI which belonged to Anglo America and Britains ICI in collaboration with Canadian and American Space Research Cooperation, developed cutting edge weapons to give South Africa an edge in the war. Attack On Zimbabwe Within the first 12 months of independence, Zimbabwe suffered its first attacks which developed into a 12yr barrage of sanctions, economic sabotage, assassinations and military attacks that weakened the economy and put the country into the debt trap it finds itself today. It all began between October 1980 and February 1981 with the Entumbane Uprisings otherwise known as the wars of Bulawayo. This was sparked by a period in which Zanla and Zipra forces in demobilization camps in Gweru and Bulawayos western townships began to clash in October 1980. These clashes were followed by 6000 Zipra soldiers leaving demobilization camps on the 12th of February to assemble at Gwaai River mine and Essexvale in preparation for a full-on assault on the new government and Zanla soldiers. The attack was crushed by the Rhodesian Air Rifles, leaving 260 people dead in the aftermath and divisions that would result in a civil war three years later. Soon after the failed attack, many Zipra fighters defected to Botswana, Baputotswana and South Africa where some were trained by the apartheid government as an outfit called Super ZAPU that would later be sent to destabilize Zimbabwe. Over the same period Prime Minister Robert Mugabes Bulawayo State House was attacked in an attempt to make Bulawayo a no go area for him. Many historians have said that these attacks were influenced by ex-Rhodesian and South African intelligence elements who used the tensions among guerrillas to spark divisions in the country. Without notice, in April 1981 the South African government withdrew 25 of its locomotives that it had allocated to the Rhodesian government to assist with moving freight from South Africa. This drastically affected grain, sugar, fuel exports and imports in Zimbabwe, crippling many businesses as international orders were not delivered and contracts cancelled. 3rd of August 1981 saw the assassination of ANCs Joe Gqabi in Harare just outside his house in Ashdown Park by South African agents. Thirteen days later there was a huge explosion that rocked Inkomo Baracks, destroying $40mil of arms. October of the same year Pungwe River bridge that carried traffic and the oil pipeline from Beira is bombed and substantially damaged to put it out of commission for some time. This was followed by South African commandos attacking Beira port itself and sabotaging its fuel holding tanks which created a huge fuel shortage in Zimbabwe throughout 1982. Zimbabwe was then forced to sign a three year fuel supply contract through Anglo subsidiary Freight Services and South African fuel companies. A very lucrative deal for Freight Services and South African fuel companies who were beginning to reestablish dependency on South African products. With that Zimbabwe had little option but to put together a budget and deploy its soldiers to protect the Beira corridor from further sabotage. On the 18th of December of the same year a huge 15kg bomb went off at 88 Manica Rd, Zanu head quarters in an attempt to kill senior politicians of the governing party. Two Australians, 2 British and 2 American tourists are kidnapped and murdered on the 23rd of July 1982 on their way to Victoriafalls by ZAPU dissidents and South African agents. The aim was to discourage tourism to Zimbabwe while making Matebeleland a no go area. Two days after that, a bomb laid by a team of ex-Rhodesian and South African bandits rips through Thornhill airbase, destroying a quarter of the air forces planes in one fell swoop. The obvious intent of this bombing and the one at Inkomo 9 months earlier being to weaken Zimbabwes military capacity and force the government to spend scarce foreign currency on replacements. 1983 the first of the apartheid government trained and sponsored Supa ZAPU dissidents begin a reign of terror in Matebeleland to foment tribal tensions and civil war. The conflict would lead to the deployment of the fifth brigade to Matebeleland for 4yrs in a very divisive war that is still haunting Zimbabwe today. To compliment this MNR rebels began to sabotage the Zimbabwe Maputo Chicaulacaula route, causing Zimbabwe to close this boarder post and redirect all its cargo through South African ports. In the process Mozambique lost huge amounts of revenue in toll charges and port fees from other SADC countries as cargo now had to go through South Africa. In a further act of sabotage the South African government reduced toll and port charges to ensure that even if Chicaulacaula reopened, its rates would not be competitive enough to divert traffic back from South African roads and ports. All this at a time South African ports were congested and delaying shipments because of a lack of capacity. In the same area of the country, MNR rebel activities increased sporadic crossboarder attacks against Zimbabwean civilians. This prompted Zimbabwe to commit soldiers to the war in Mozambique, which was to last 8yrs. For nine years Zimbabwe was forced to retaliate to unpredictable attacks on its economy and territory that cost the nation billions of dollars in unplanned expenditure. Consequences Of Total Onslaught The #TotalOnslaught can be characterized as Zimbabwes second economic embargoes of many to follow in the colonial thread of keeping Africans incapacitated and underdeveloped. Estimates put the losses of this period in excess of $1.4bil ($3.4bil) lost over 12yrs to military incursions, sanctions, economic sabotage, assassinations, destruction of property, defense spending and immeasurable cost in social divisions which we are still fighting to heal today. Debt Trap Put into perspective, Zimbabwe had just come out of a war of liberation from which it inherited an $800mil [$2.1bil today] Rhodesian debt. This was accompanied by $120mil [$360mil] that Zimbabwe had to spend over ten years [1980-90] buying back land from white farmers in the willing buyer willing seller. Only for the country to then incur an unbudgeted $1.4bil [$3.5bil today] cost from destabilization by the South African government. By the time we get to 1990 the country was inundated with a $2bil [$6,1bil in todays money] foreign debt largely from western lending institutions. Over the period, the military budget had ballooned to 22% of the entire budget at a time most western nations allocated only 2% of their fiscus to military spending. Development Halted According to government development plans, by 1989, the country was supposed to be building on average 171 000 houses per year to solve its 1.9mil housing backlog. However from 1980 to 1989 government and the private sector only managed to build 56000 houses as most of the money was lost in mitigating the destabilization campaign. Even though the country had in excess of $300mil trade surplus year on year, the public deficit was running at close to $600mil by 1989. Foreign currency was running low because a majority of it was going to buy back land from white farmers in foreign currency, servicing international debt, replenishing weapons and contract penalties due to sabotage of exports by South Africa. Investment in the country fell because of the instability in Matebeleland and the uncertainty around the war in Mozambique. Budgets allocated for education, healthcare, sanitation, electrification and social development were diverted to internal security and the war effort, in an effort to defend the nation against the unpredictable apartheid government attacks. Zimbabwean businesses which were meant to be improving their productivity by recapitalizing with new machinery and technology were losing their contracts due to sabotage of exports and imports so they couldnt expand. In a well organized economic war, the apartheid proxies of western imperialism were able to deal a heavy blow to the Zimbabwean economy and SADC to stop the region from ending apartheid on their terms. Peace Negotiations In South Africa Soon after 1989 the South African government began its negotiations with the ANC in meetings facilitated by Anglo America. Gradually this saw an end to the apartheid governments overt attacks on the region. Although till today South African capital as a western proxy is still actively destabilizing the region. Nevertheless, the damage had been done. Not only was development of the black states hampered, but South African businesses consolidated control of the region to ensure that even if an ANC government came into power, corporate South Africa would continue colonial exploitation of the region on behalf of the west for decades to come. In 1989 Zimbabwe had its credit rating downgraded by the IMF. The war in Mozambique would continue until 1992, draining more financial resources from the nation, resulting in the eventual downgrade of the countrys credit rating to junk status. ESAP. As a result Zimbabwe was forced to restructure its debt and accept the famous neo-colonial economic structural adjustment programs that saw the nations policies being dictated by the IMF. Leading to the deindustrialization of the economy in phenomenon referred to as the #ReinartEffect . Zimbabwe was now essentially on autopilot to recolonization by capital under the auspices of the #WashingtonConsensus and Neo-liberalism. Land Conference As life got tougher due to the austerity measures of ESAP. Zimbabweans lost their jobs to retrenchments and war veterans began to demand the land and the compensation they had been promised for 18yrs. Instead of letting the country spiral into unrest because of the justifiably disgruntled war veterans who had been neglected, while white farmers were being compensated for stolen land and Rhodesian colonial debt was being serviced. Mugabe decided to compensate the war veterans who had liberated the country. Many Zimbabweans see this as the watershed moment for Zimbabwes economy, but the truth is Zimbabwe was already in debt crisis from colonial debt, paying white farmers for stolen land, undoing the underdevelopment caused by colonialism and the cost of South Africas destabilization. Land Conference In 1998 the country began its conference on land with western countries who wanted to renegotiate the terms of Lancaster. When an agreement on new terms was not forthcoming, Zimbabwe with her mounting debts was suspended from the multi-lateral lending institutions as the noose of #DebtSlavery was tightened. No longer could Zimbabwe get access to the development and reconstruction loans that were agreed at Lancaster and so the economy went into a tail spin. In all honesty, I believe its at this point the Zanu PF government realized that they had been duped into debt slavery [aka debt colonialism] by western countries when they were persuaded not to demand reparations at Lancaster House in the name of reconciliation and cooperation with the colonial powers. Fast Track Land Reform By the end of 1998 land invasions began as pressure mounted for land from the war vets and communities like Svosve. In response government changed the Land Appropriation Act and began the Fast Track Land Reform Program. At last western powers now had a casus belli to impose its own direct sanctions on Zimbabwe. So from 2001 a plethora of sanctions ranging from ZDERA, Executive Orders 13288 and EU sanctions were imposed concomitantly by the United States and the former colonial masters. These were accompanied by economic sabotage reminiscent to the #TotalOnslaught, that consigned Zimbabwe back into the mold of western engineered underdevelopment. However, Zimbabwe is not unique, its under this backdrop that most of Africa struggles to break the shackles of colonialism. In the Francophone countries they are under the leash of the CFA economic imposition. While Africomm, Rwandan hegemony and terrorism keeps West African, East African and Great Lakes countries in check. And in Southern Africa, South African capital continues to have a vice grip on the region, as countries in the region have been reluctant to unite and dismantle colonial capitalism in the region. Until African countries decide to unite in a Pan African block on their terms and not Kagames terms that are being underwritten by US policy. Africans will never realize full emancipation as western countries are moving fast to reestablish colonialism 2.0 through proxies, sanctions, sabotage and compromised leaders in a new Total Onslaught as they have done since the Berlin Conference. Show your mettle, Premier, and close the border Queensland has announced it is closing its borders completely to the ACT, NSW and Victoria. Our Premier is, as readers have pointed out, "holding the line, vis-a-vis the Victoria border, despite clear evidence of the source of our current spate of infections (''Queensland declares all of NSW a hotspot'', smh.com.au, August 5). It is times like this that we see the mettle and dependability of leaders to make tough decisions. And it's times like this I wish I was living in Queensland, where I feel safer with a Premier protecting its people. Tony Moo, North Sydney I note letter writers advocating most strongly for border closures are not residents of border towns (Letters, August 8). Meanwhile here in Albury, where there are no active COVID cases, the shops are awash with "closing down sale" and "for lease" signs. The one-size-fits-all approach to border closures and travel bubbles is sending a clear message to border communities that they are merely sacrificial lambs for the good of Sydney and Melbourne. Renata Bali, Thurgoona Credit: We in the ACT have been able to keep COVID-19 infections at zero or near-zero for several weeks, thanks to our relatively small population and the indoctrinated willingness of public servants, who make up 40 per cent of the ACT population, to play by the rules. Now, with the coronavirus threatening a resurgence in Sydney, and NSW more widely, we Territorians are beginning to feel more vulnerable, given that we are surrounded by NSW. I, and I'm sure many other Canberrans, therefore urge our NSW neighbours to close the border to the viral invader from Victoria a task made easier by the mighty Murray River. Douglas Mackenzie, Deakin (ACT) As Chris Uhlmann opines, one of the features of the pandemic has been to divide Australians along state lines ("Here's an idea: Stop the slogans", August 5). Suddenly we have become Queenslanders, New South Welshmen or Victorians, an association of separate states rather than a federation. The border lockdowns, although understandable, have exacerbated this separation and could have consequences in the future. There have always been state differences and allegiances, particularly in a sporting sense, but this seems much more stark and concerning at a time when we need unity. Max Redmayne, Russell Lea Even if true that the transmission rate in schools is low, it is not zero (NSW schools have 'extremely low' COVID-19 infections, August 5). When multiplied by a large number exposed to the risk of transmission it still produces a reasonable number of secondary transmission. As the latest rise in community transmission has shown, it only takes a few cases to get things started. David Rush, Lawson Mask message is getting through I went shopping, masked up, at Leichhardt Marketplace (Letters, August 5). I estimate 80 per cent of people were wearing masks, a great improvement on what I saw a couple of weeks ago when I was one of the very few masked weirdos. The message is getting through to many, but the non-responders are a worry. They are the weak link in the control strategy and will bring it undone. Keith Dash, Haberfield In a Marrickville shopping centre I was heartened to see many wearing masks, and a high number of young people. I am grateful to them for not taking the selfish line of it wont affect me because Im young and healthy. They are showing solidarity for the vulnerable, with intelligence and compassion. Hopefully more people of all ages will start following their sterling example. Sally Morris, Leichhardt Cheer up folks. A mask may be just what the doctor ordered. Wearing a mask helped keep me safe in the 1950s as a trainee nurse working with polio, typhoid fever, tuberculosis. Using all the other recommended hygiene practices, we can ride this pandemic out until the virus disappears. Gloria Sly, Forbes Alas, Angela Miller, too late (Letters, August 5)! There are already several masks littering my street - along with the "indispensable" coffee cups. Tony Butler, North Sydney Valuable lessons in icare debacle Icare should be a learning experience for NSW Treasurer Perrottet after his enthusiastic statement on July 28 that the people of icare and the board of icare and the senior management team should be applauded for the work they have done (Icare too much: Perrottets judgment problem, August 5). After many corporate scandals and bungles in recent years, one seldom hears comments that the private sector is always more efficient than the public sector, as this is one pillar of conventional wisdom that has been scuppered by experience. Government privatisations are now driven by a desire for cash, rather than ideology. In NSW recent results have included a failed system of private certification of buildings, with apartment owners still waiting for reforms. As Treasurer, Dominic Perrottet has a pivotal role in balancing the cost of government programs against the revenue sources available. His icare experience may restrain his support for future asset sales. James Moore, Kogarah CEOs are forced to fall on their swords when mismanagement or scandal occurs in the private sector. I fail to see why the same should not apply in the public sector. Penny Hackett, Willoughby Perrottets evasiveness in the icare debacle proves that even gods-in-waiting have feet of clay. Peter Skrzynecki, Eastwood A blow to free speech I was shocked reading Elaine Pearson's article and the censorship by UNSW of her article on human rights, and agree that UNSW was cowardly (''Academic freedom is not negotiable'', August 5). I am an alumnus and past full-time and casual academic of UNSW myself, and if the university had censored me from giving a balanced viewpoint because it wasn't politically correct, I would have resigned immediately. Universities have always been the bastion of freedom of speech, thought and belief. If an academic can't give an opinion on a controversial matter without being punished or unjustly targeted, who can? The university makes itself out to be more concerned with reputation and money than intellectualism and academic freedom. John Frith, Paddington Cash trumps care It isnt necessarily the way they spend it, as shallow a lifestyle as it may seem, its the obscene executive remuneration paid, and profits made, by ''for-profit'' providers of government-funded services, in particular aged care and childcare (''Golden era over for Ferrari-driving aged care millionaires'', August 5). Brenton McGeachie, Queanbeyan West League of extraordinary decisions I can't be the only one who is shaking a head over the incredible and apparently "essential" splashing out of cash on NRL players at a time when the rest of the nation's economy is faltering and on life support, and unemployment is the one unwanted "uptick" (''Souths juniors: Rabbitohs sign two more GPS teen starts to NRL deals'', August 5)? George Zivkovic, Northmead Memories hold us together Jeff Apter only scratches the surface of rock venues that have closed or stopped live music (''Oz rock's scred sites fade to black'', August 5). I spent the '90s living in the golden triangle between the Hopetoun in the east, the Harold Park in the west and the mighty Sandringham in the south. I could, and often did, go out any night of the week and see a quality performance by a local band. Venues in this blessed zone included the Trade Union Club, the Landsdowne, the Agincourt, St James Tavern in town and the odd trip out to the Petersham Inn. While the pokies are partly responsible, lets not forget the influx of property developers that traded on, and eventually killed, the inner wests reputation for edgy cultural experiences. Colin Stokes, Camperdown Apters piece reminds us of the importance of historic memory to gently reinforce a sense of community. How best to do this with simple mnemonic prompts, the kind you sometimes find in other large cities. Little plaques that remind us of things that seem insignificant but arent - interesting characters, historic moments, places etched in memory and cultural signposts that we may or may not remember but which bind a community into a common story of belonging, no matter ones background. A country that values its historic memory and shared stories is a country that can pull together in times of crisis and work not just for the good of the individual but for the whole. Alison Stewart, Riverview Misplaced priorities Social workers try to mend broken families, protect children and work with the most vulnerable in our communities. So lets increase their university course degrees by 114 per cent as a reward ('''Im now thinking of retraining': Uni fee hike could see social worker exodus'', August 5). I am dumbfounded that the Australian government has arrived at the conclusion that social work is not a priority now and in the future. Lorraine Hickey, Green Point Hold the phonics Each of your os, Kevin Harris, represents different sounds because of the consonants in each word that have individual phonetic sounds; always have and always will (Letters, August 5). Otherwise, wed all be speaking French, where half the letters arent ever pronounced. John Kingsmill, Fairlight Thirty years ago, one James Nicoll observed that "English has pursued other languages down alleyways to beat them unconscious and riffle their pockets for new vocabulary. With that has come disparate rules of pronunciation, to the annoyance of Kevin Harris five-year-old and countless others. For English, basic phonics works for about 40 per cent of words, enough to make it a useful tool. For the rest, plenty of guided reading will make up most of the deficit. Richard Murnane, Hornsby What's the buzzword? When it comes to buzzword-jacking, lots of your readers are picking the low hanging fruit (Letters, August 5). At this point in time, we need to do a deep dive to move the needle and get ahead of this phenomenon. So in going forward, circling back and keeping it hyper-local is the only way to ensure our projected outcomes are impactful. Nick Andrews, Bellevue Hill Rock brought relaxation In my day, Garth Clarke, we wore ''merry widows'' which we threw away with the advent of rock and roll, and thankfully clammy hands around our waists also disappeared (Letters, August 5). Vicky Marquis, Glebe By Ayya Lmahamad The Azerbaijani government will provide financial support to business entities working in economic spheres affected by the COVID-19 in the period of August and September as part of the next stage of financial support program, the Ministry of Economy reported on August 5. The financial support will be paid in equal installments in two phases, covering August and September. Thus, taxpayers working in the areas affected by the pandemic who received financial support and have not significantly reduced the number of employees, will receive financial support in the amount of a monthly salary based on the number of employees listed on July 1. Moreover, micro-entrepreneurs, who received a lump-sum payment of AZN 250 ($147) in the first stage, will be reissued a lump-sum aid in the same amount. Taxpayers who received the support in the first phase of the financial support program do not need to reapply to receive payment. Taxpayers who did not received financial support previously, may apply until August 10. Moreover, on August 7, Economy Minister Mikhail Jabbarov will hold an online meeting with entrepreneurs to discuss activities in the new conditions of pandemic, ways to eliminate negative impact of it on business, listen to suggestions from the private sector and give answers to questions. Some 147,613 taxpayers affected by COVID-19 in Azerbaijan applied for state support as of July 30. The applicants to the financial support program include 29,062 taxpayers affected by the coronavirus pandemic who need to pay for the payment of a certain part of the salary to employees and 118,551 private (micro) entrepreneurs. To date, the volume of financial support on the approved appeals as payment of part of salaries to employees has amounted to AZN 99.13 million ($58.3M), of which the funds envisaged for payment on the second stage amounted to AZN 49.56 million ($29.1M). The volume of financial support of the micro- entrepreneurs on the approved appeals is AZN 63.6 million ($37.4M). A woman whose father died of coronavirus in the central Chinese city of Wuhan has become the fourth person to sue the authorities over their public health response, RFA has learned. Zhao Lei, whose father died on Feb. 3 while awaiting evaluation for his coronavirus symptoms in an emergency room, is seeking two million yuan in compensation and an official apology from the governor of Hubei province, and the mayor of its provincial capital, Wuhan. In the lawsuit, she alleges that her father was denied urgent treatment as a result of an official cover-up of the seriousness of the epidemic. Hong Kong had already begun isolating fever patients from Wuhan by early January, with experts in the city warning that Wuhan was likely seeing a "super-spreading event" worthy of great caution. But Chinese health officials and the World Health Organization (WHO) continued to repeat the claim that there was "no evidence" that the new virus was transmissible between people until human-to-human transmission was announced by National Health Commission vice-minister Li Bin on Jan. 22. "The government concealed the fact that the coronavirus can be transmitted between people, which meant that everyone in Wuhan, including our family, carried on buying stuff, eating celebratory meals for Lunar New Year and eating out together," Zhao told RFA on Wednesday. "He had pneumonia and died in the emergency room five days after getting sick, but it said 'sudden death' on his death certificate," she said. Zhao said her father had begun showing symptoms including a fever on Jan. 30, and was taken to Wuhan Zhongshan Hospital, where he died while waiting to be seen by a doctor. Later testing showed him to be infected with coronavirus. Zhao herself was also infected, and is still recovering from the illness. Deliberate cover-up She cited the warnings and accusations of "rumor-mongering" meted out to whistle-blowing Wuhan doctor Li Wenliang and his colleagues. Li later went on to die of coronavirus and be hailed as a national hero. "Why did the government try to cover this up at first?" Zhao said. "If they hadn't done that, my father wouldn't have died of it." "That's why I'm suing the municipal authorities and the provincial government, who I think should make a formal response," she said. Rights activist Yang Zhanqing, who helped Zhao with her lawsuit, said he had sent the 14-page lawsuit to the Wuhan Intermediate People's Court, and is now waiting for a response from the court. "This is the fourth such case ... the third plaintiff also lost her father because of the virus, because they weren't given the right information," Yang said. "So they went out to New Year's dinners as if everything was OK, then they got a fever, and ended up in the hospital," Yang said of the two cases. Zhao said she blames what she says was a deliberate cover-up that deprived people of the knowledge they needed to protect themselves in the first weeks of the coronavirus pandemic. Her lawsuit also calls for official investigations into the actions of municipal and provincial officials in the early weeks of the pandemic, and for appropriate action to be taken against those responsible. Warned off by threats Yang said many more families would like to take similar action, but have been warned off by threats from local officials. "A lot of victims' families have been subjected to threats to a greater or lesser degree, and some who had intended to sue are now unable to," Yang said. He said that while the people who are filing lawsuits have scant hope of victory, they are hoping to focus public attention on the plight of victims and their families. A Wuhan resident surnamed Wang who is familiar with another plaintiff, Zhang Hai, said his family and friends are all being placed under huge pressure by the authorities not to speak out about his case. "Zhang Hai was the first to sue, and the court wouldn't take the case," Wang said. "They basically make up the law as they go along and then tear it up when it suits them." Zhang told RFA he hasn't given up, and had filed a second complaint with the Hubei High People's Court and the provincial prosecutor, but that it too was rejected over claims he had failed to explain his argument adequately. "Was this tragedy a natural or a man-made disaster?" Zhang said in a brief comment to RFA's Cantonese Service on Wednesday. Reported by Qiao Long for RFA's Mandarin Service, and by the Cantonese Service. Translated and edited by Luisetta Mudie. New York, New York, Aug. 05, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The New York office of Invest in Bavaria, the economic development agency for the State of Bavaria, is partnering with YoungStartup Ventures for this weeks Venture Summit Virtual Connect. On August 6th, investors and startups will hear why Europe should be part of their international strategy and how they can take advantage of Germanys stability and prosperity in a post-pandemic world. Discussing the topic will be global location strategy expert, Rene Buck, CEO of BCI Global, and Thomas Oehl, founding partner at Munich-based tech VC Vsquared Ventures. Jan Danisman, Executive Director of the Bavarian US Offices will moderate. The Bavarian delegation will showcase groundbreaking technology from the region. Four Bavarian high-tech startups will present before some of Americas most influential investors at the Venture Summit. Dont miss these pitches: Avergen Pharmaceuticals, which is developing compounds with a novel mode of action to treat Huntingtons Disease, will be presented by CEO Dr. Marius Yildiz. Avergen announced last year its prestigious grant from the research program bio- and gene technology from the Bavarian Ministry of Economy. Isar Aerospace, who last year closed a $17 million Series A round led by Earlybird and Airbus Ventures and backed by former SpaceX VP, Vito Ventures and UVC, will be presented by CEO Daniel Metzler. The European space company, who was recently voted one of Germanys 10 fastest growing companies, is developing low-cost automatically manufactured launch vehicles designed for deploying and resupplying satellite constellations. Julep Media, which is Germany's innovative and fast growing podcast platform for monetizing podcasts. will be presented by CEO Steffen Hopf. Juleps team has decades of experience in the creation and marketing of digital content and knows how to make money with a podcast. Molabo, which produces the world's first lightweight electric drives that deliver high performance at a safe-to-touch voltage of 48V, will be presented by Managing Director Florian Bachheibl. The Molabo team and advisors bring together expertise from top German global players: Audi, Siemens, Daimler Benz, Daimler Aerospace and Bosche. Story continues The Venture Summit Virtual Connect is sold out. Bavaria still has a limited number of partner tickets. Please contact us at: newyork@bavaria.org ABOUT: The Bavarian U.S. Offices for Economic Development, LLC (New York, San Francisco) are the US representative offices of Germanys largest and wealthiest state, Bavaria (GDP $700B). We offer cost free, confidential assistance to companies considering EU/EMEA and DACH expansion. Bavaria is home to Europes 6th largest economy (greater than Norways & Portugals economies combined) and attracts some of the worlds fastest-growing unicorns and tech giants, e.g. Amazon Web Services, Lyft, ClassPass, IBM and Microsoft. Bavaria is a top tech and innovation hub in Europe and is Germanys leader in mobility, medtech, biotech, digital health, insurtech, and cleantech. CONTACT: Jan Danisman US Bavarian Offices for Economic Development 1 212-317-0588 newyork@bavaria.org Cookie Preferences Cookie List Cookie List A cookie is a small piece of data (text file) that a website when visited by a user asks your browser to store on your device in order to remember information about you, such as your language preference or login information. Those cookies are set by us and called first-party cookies. We also use third-party cookies which are cookies from a domain different than the domain of the website you are visiting for our advertising and marketing efforts. More specifically, we use cookies and other tracking technologies for the following purposes: Strictly Necessary Cookies We do not allow you to opt-out of our certain cookies, as they are necessary to ensure the proper functioning of our website (such as prompting our cookie banner and remembering your privacy choices) and/or to monitor site performance. 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Targeting Cookies We also use cookies to personalize your experience on our websites, including by determining the most relevant content and advertisements to show you, and to monitor site traffic and performance, so that we may improve our websites and your experience. You may opt out of our use of such cookies (and the associated sale of your Personal Information) by using this toggle switch. You will still see some advertising, regardless of your selection. Because we do not track you across different devices, browsers and GEMG properties, your selection will take effect only on this browser, this device and this website. With a growing number of more than 70 participating businesses on their free Bounce Back Buffalo initiative, Minuteman Press in Buffalo is helping area business owners mount a resurgence of growth by making sure they remain connected to their own clients with free advertising and access to resources. The Minuteman Press Buffalo website also hosts the Give a Pint to the Front Line charity with options that include custom hoodies, t-shirts and $6 and up virtual pint donations. We are going to all the participating breweries to purchase the gift cards and are accommodating hospital protocol so we can donate them to our front-line health care workers. Minuteman Press Buffalos website hosts the Give a Pint to the Front Line charity with options that include custom hoodies, t-shirts and $6 and up virtual pint donations. I have always been about community FIRST, says Wes Froebel, owner of Minuteman Press in Buffalo which has remained open as an essential business from the beginning. He also expanded his marketing services into two initiatives currently benefiting local business and lifting morale for front-line heath care workers. The first, Bounce Back Buffalo, is a coalition of local business owners spanning a variety of industries hosted by Minuteman Press. Our Bounce Back program has helped many businesses in Buffalo ranging from non-profits, restaurants, breweries, law agencies, photography companies, and more. It makes us at Minuteman Press Buffalo feel really proud that we are able to support and give back to our community. Bounce Back Buffalo is part of Bounce Back USA By Minuteman Press International, a free movement to support local businesses with local business listings and COVID-19 awareness and prevention posters. Today, as things open up on main street, Wes is observing a rising enthusiasm in his area. Businesses are reopening and increasing capacity now. We are helping them get their specials out there and easily update their hours of operation for all to see. A lot of our restaurants have begun to take reservations to make sure they are abiding by the need for social distance and use Bounce Back Buffalo to keep their guests informed and conveniently make those reservations. We are taking stress out of as many challenges as we can, helping our business and restaurant owners provide warm, welcoming messages so people are encouraged to shop or enjoy a meal. Story continues Big Ditch Brewing Company supports Bounce Back Buffalo, part of Bounce Back USA. "It was great of Minuteman Press Buffalo to provide advertising, discounts to healthcare workers, and free advertising via Bounce Back Buffalo to support our business, our community, and the local economy." Matt Kahn, President, Big Ditch Brewing Company Participating members of Bounce Back Buffalo gain an SEO benefit as well. We help provide a strong backline to their websites which can boost their search engine rating. Wes Froebel, owner, Minuteman Press The second spirit-lifting initiative, Give a Pint to the Front Line, directly benefits the tirelessly heroic health care workers while giving a shot in the arm to the breweries intrinsic to the area. It has become a feel-good way for people to join Minuteman Press in generosity towards their neighbors and future. More are coming in every day, enthusiastically donating to the cause. Wes is gratified by the enormous response: I lead with community first because I am aware of peoples struggles and know we are in a position to help. When COVID-19 hit, and our breweries, restaurants and small business owners were closed, I understood their struggle at the same time that I admired the healthcare workers putting themselves at risk on behalf of all of us. I got the idea to establish a way for people to donate gift cards from participating craft breweries that we will deliver to health care workers who can take their pints to go; or they can choose to await the full reopening of bars and breweries. It supports the front-line workers and encourages more buying within our local economy, he adds. People are discovering Give a Pint to the Front Line through Minuteman Press social media and email blasts, but also because it is becoming the talk of the town. I had one person, Thom, contact me when he heard about us online. He wanted to combine his own donation, specially designed glasses that said, Buffalo Craft Beer Over Covid, which he used to raise $1,540 to contribute to our cause. Wes is a good guy and it is clear he wants to be involved and do good things for the community. I wanted to give back also and as I came up with my idea for the custom glass, I heard about this charity by Minuteman Press doing something cool on Facebook where you can buy beer for hospital workers. Instead of a straight donation, I contacted Wes and now hes doing the legwork collecting the funds and distributing the gift cards, Thom says. The Minuteman Press franchise in Buffalo, NY is supporting local businesses with Bounce Back Buffalo and giving back to front line workers with Give a Pint to the Front Line. He adds, I want to raise visibility for what hes doing. I would like to see people go straight to Minuteman Press and get active in this program. Wes remains dedicated to community first and his efforts are invigorating the area. Our purpose is to help our own economy get back to normal and grow. We want everyone to be healthy, working, and spending money as we return to new pursuits and enjoying life. For more information on Minuteman Press Buffalo, visit https://buffalo21.minutemanpress.com. Learn more about #1 rated Minuteman Press franchise opportunities and read Minuteman Press franchise reviews at https://minutemanpressfranchise.com. Contact Details Chris Biscuiti +1 631-249-1370 cbiscuiti@mpihq.com Company Website https://minutemanpressfranchise.com Thailand's rice exports hit hard by COVID-19 - Illustrative image (Source: VNA/AFP) Bangkok The Asian Development Bank (ADB) announced on August 4 that it will provide a loan worth 1.5 billion USD to support Thailands response to the COVID-19 pandemic. ADB President Masatsugu Asakawa said that the loan will help reduce the pandemics social and economic impacts on the Southeast Asian country.Our budget support will help fund the governments relief packages, which aim to better prepare the countrys health care system for possible future waves of; protect the vulnerable; support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in industries most affected by the outbreak such as tourism and manufacturing; and provide overall economic stimulus, he said in a statement.Thailand has one of the more developed health care systems in Southeast Asia, but the country remains highly vulnerable to the pandemic due to its deep integration with regional and global economies.forecast Thailands economy to contract by 6.5 percent in 2020, in contrast with its December 2019 projection of a 3 percent growth.The ADB said theto Thailand is funded through its COVID-19 pandemic response option (CPRO) under its Countercyclical Support Facility.CPRO was established as part of the bank's 20 billion USD expanded assistance for developing members to respond to COVID-19, announced on April 13. One of the premier tourist attractions in Nuevo Laredo has officially been canceled as Feria y Exposicion Fronteriza, the exposition fair known as La Feria Expomex, was scheduled to run Sept. 4-20 but was called off due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Due to the health emergency that prevails in Nuevo Laredo due to COVID-19, and according to the decrees that in relation to said health emergency have been published by the Government of Tamaulipas in the official state newspaper, the Board of Directors of the Fair and Border Exhibition of Nuevo Laredo AC has decided to suspend our event, Expomex officials said in a release. According to what is issued by the health authorities in the state, at this time there is a high level of risk to control the spread of the virus, that is why this decision is made. Nuevo Laredos Mayor Enrique Rivas Cuellar also confirmed the news via a statement on social media Monday. The mayor pointed out how other city events related to the Mexican Independence Day holiday would also be canceled and how the money budgeted for them will be used to support the ongoing medical efforts against the pandemic. For this municipal government, the most important thing is your health, Rivas said. That is why today, in the face of the terrible pandemic we are experiencing, the Directors of La Feria announced the suspension of Expomex 2020. On our part, the Cry of Independence and this years Civic-Military Parade will be suspended. This budget will be destined for medical, health and social infrastructure actions that help citizens. Let's avoid more tragedies. The cancellation of the fair marks the first time since 2012 that the fair had been called off. In that year, the fair was canceled as violence due to ongoing drug wars was at an all-time high in the city and in the state of Tamaulipas. Residents of both Laredo and Nuevo Laredo expressed support for the decision as they know that right now both cities are facing an alarming increase of COVID-19 infections with both already surpassing 130 deaths. It is a wise decision according to the situation that is being experienced by the pandemic of COVID-19, Jesus Cruz said. Due to the number of deaths and cases seen in the past month, people from both cities argued that it was best to make this decision in light of it costing more jobs and tourism money to come to both cities as the fair could have become an epicenter for the virus. Some even said they took too long to cancel the fair as it was slated to begin in just one month. Its a good thing, Alexa Casarez said. Nuevo Laredo is at high risk for an increase of COVID cases if they open to the public. Its for the safety of Nuevo Laredo citizens. Others said it is good to avoid a spike in traffic from Laredo across the border. Its good, because the Laredo people do not understand, Alejandro Flores said. They continue to cross the border, and they will spread the virus in Nuevo Laredo even further if not canceled. Some suggested the cancellation is good because the fair may have seen low attendance anyway due to fear of the virus and budgets being impacted by job losses. We will not have money for all of us even if we wanted to go, Angeles Guzman said. Therefore, just like other years because of the violence, it would be the same to know there is no money and wanting of people to go out to celebrate. A few people, however, are concerned that the canceling will mean even worse economic times for a city that is already struggling with the closure of businesses and the closure of the border due to the pandemic. I just hope people find some way of making ends meet by selling food from home or other products as the pandemic has definitely caused many people to lose their jobs, and now the city will even lose tourism dollars because of the pandemic, Jorge Ramirez Sanchez said. Ramirez Sanchez believes that 2021 will be a better year with a vaccine expected to be available. He hopes people will be able to enjoy holidays such as Mexican Independence Day and the Fourth of July to make up for missing out in 2020. Jorge Vela may be reached at jorge.vela@lmtonline.com The arrest was made during the search of a house in Derry earlier this week A Sinn Fein delegation is to meet with the PSNI this week regarding the arrest of a 14-year-old boy with special needs in Derry. On Monday, police carried out a search of a house in the Creggan area of the city, following the earlier arrest of a 52-year-old man by detectives from the PSNI's Terrorist Investigation Unit investigating dissident republican activity. During the course of the search, two males aged 14 and 23 were arrested at the property on suspicion of assaulting police. They were both de-arrested a short time later and a file is being prepared for the Public Prosecution Service. Sinn Fein MLA Karen Mullan said the 14-year-old has special needs and the party is concerned over the conduct of police during the incident. A party delegation will meet the PSNI this week to directly raise concerns about reports of heavy-handed policing during a recent police search in the city in which a 14-year-old child with special needs was arrested and subsequently released," she said. This vulnerable child has been very badly affected by his ordeal. The public rightly expects the very highest policing and human rights standards and we will hold the police to account when their actions fail to meet those standards. In response, chief superintendent Emma Bond said:Accountability to both the public and the relevant oversight bodies such as the Northern Ireland Policing Board, Policing and Community Safety Partnerships, Police Ombudsman and local representatives are at the heart of our policing with the community approach. "Protecting the public and keeping people safe is and will always be our priority and we welcome the opportunity to meet with Sinn Fein representatives to discuss this matter and any other concerns they wish to express." A ustralian journalist Jonathan Swan has attracted widespread attention this week for his headline-grabbing interview with US President Donald Trump. Mr Swan, national political correspondent at the Axios news site, won praise for his persistent questioning and sharp scrutiny in the exchange, with social media users quick to hail the 34-year-old as "one of the best interviewers on the planet". But behind his sudden seizing of the spotlight is an assiduous body of work spread throughout his career to date. So, here's what you need to know about him: Political correspondent Jonathan Swan appeared to be confused by Donald Trump's statements during the Axios interview / Axios Who is Jonathan Swan? Born and raised in Australia, Mr Swan is the son of physician and award-winning journalist Dr Norman Swan. After being educated in Sydney, Mr Swan went on to embark on a career in journalism in 2010, taking up a post at the Sydney Morning Herald newspaper. He quickly built up a reputation as a sharp political correspondent, carving out a number of scoops in the Australian capital, Canberra, focused on politicians abusing their parliamentary entitlements. In an unusual turn of events, Mr Swan even managed to land a story about a senator throwing kangaroo faeces at his brother. After four years working the Australian politics beat, he changed tack and moved to the US in 2014 to work as a Congressional aide as part of an academic fellowship. That was followed by a move back into journalism later the same year, when he landed a permanent reporter role with political news website The Hill. Two years later Politico named Mr Swan one of '16 Breakout Media Stars' for his efforts in reporting the 2016 US Presidential election. 2016 also saw Mr Swan poached by the founders of upstart news outlet Axios and he has since gone on to break several major stories concerning Mr Trump's administration for the company. He was the first to report the US would pull out of the Paris climate deal, that Nikki Haley had resigned as the US' Ambassador to the UN and that Mr Trump would recognise Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, for example. But Mr Swan's success has not come without criticism from some quarters, with some accusing the Australian of being a "bootlicker" amid a ferocious backlash sparked by his handling of a 2018 interview with the US president. Mr Swan was labelled grotesque for the way he handled Mr Trump's admission that he wanted to end automatic citizenship for immigrant children born in the US when a video clip of the exchange showed the former smiling gleefully as the US president confirmed the news. He has also faced accusations from critics of favouring "access over accountability" in the course of his reporting. But Mr Swan's latest exchange with Mr Trump appears to have dampened those criticisms, with the Australian hailed as a "hero" this week for his incisive demolition of the US president's handling of the coronavirus pandemic, among other things. The car-crash interview, aired by HBO on Tuesday, saw Mr Trump rifle through sheets of papers as he defended his management of the Covid-19 crisis and claim he had "done more" to improve the lives of black people in the US than the late civil rights leader John Lewis. The exchange has since been widely shared on social media and pushed Mr Swan into something approaching celebrity status, prompting glittering tributes and sparking a range of memes in his honour. A house collapse leading to two deaths, waterlogging and shutting of local train services heavy rain in the city and suburbs since Monday night brought back every years monsoon woes. Four from a family fell into a nullah in Vakola after parts of a ground-plus-one house collapsed along with the retaining wall around 11.30am. Two of them a 1-year-old girl and a 26-year-old woman died, a three-year-old girl was rescued and was in stable condition, while one girl was missing. The house was located on the banks of the nullah in Santacruz (East), according to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC)s disaster management cell. The Mumbai Fire Brigade (MFB) and National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) had suspended search operations at the time of going to press owing to the darkness. The search will continue on Wednesday. The house was constructed using support from the wall, and was probably an illegal structure. The load of the structure might have also resulted in the wall collapse, due to which parts of the house collapsed, said a BMC official. No major evacuation of those residing on the banks of the rivers or nullahs was undertaken on Tuesday, but will be undertaken, if necessary. The situation of Covid-19 also has to be considered before moving citizens to nearby municipal schools. The heavy rain till 12 noon led to waterlogging in 20 locations. At 9am, BMC asked all non-essential offices to remain shut. Traffic was affected on several roads owing to the closure of Milan subway, Andheri subway, Khar subway, Malad subway, National College and Dahisar subway. Train services on the Central Railways (CR) main and harbour line were shut in the morning owing to waterlogging at Kurla, Wadala, Chunabhatti and Parel stations. CRs local train services on the main line resumed at 2.55pm, and on the harbour line at 4.08pm. On the Western Railway (WR), train services between Churchgate and Andheri were suspended due to waterlogging in the morning. Due to heavy rain, about 200mm water was reported on tracks between Dadar and Prabhadevi. After water levels receded, the first slow train from Andheri resumed at 11.40am and fast local train service from Virar resumed at 12.45pm. said Sumit Thakur, chief public relations officer, Western Railway. The Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) also diverted its buses on more than 56 routes in the city owing to waterlogging on 26 roads. Waterlogging was also reported at Hindmata, Gandhi market, SIES College, Sion, Dadar TT, Bhendi Bazar, JJ flyover junction, Thakurdwar in Marine Lines, Postal Colony in Chembur, Chunabhatti railway station, Mankhurd station and Tilak Nagar station. Two minors, including Adnan Shaikh, 5, and Imran Shaikh, 13, were injured as a tree fell on their house. The incident was reported at 2.11am on Tuesday at Chemburs HP Nagar. Both were admitted to Shatabdi Hospital in Govandi. Overall, 142 incidents of tree/ branch fall were reported between 8am on August 3 and 6pm on August 4. Further, a landslide was reported on the Western Express Highway near Malad around 7.30am. No injuries were reported, but traffic on the southbound lane was hit for a few hours as the debris was being cleared. Municipal commissioner Iqbal Singh Chahal, mayor Kishori Pednekar and guardian minister Aaditya Thackeray visited several parts of the city on Tuesday to take a stock of the situation. Thackeray visited Hindmata and Gandhi market junction where rain water did not drain out for hours. Chahal also visited Mithi river, BKC, Milan subway and Andheri subway. Sanjay Darade, deputy municipal commissioner, said, We briefed them about the situation and the ground challenges. By the time, rain got lighter, high tide was scheduled due to which rainwater took time to drain out. Our pumps were working fine, and the drains were also cleaned before the monsoon. Nikhil Desai, a civic activist from Matunga said, BMC spent around 100 crore to widen the drain at Hindmata, but despite this, we see flooding there. Several areas were waterlogged till 5pm, when there was no or light rain. This means that cleaning of drains was not done properly. Meanwhile, starting Wednesday, 20% water cut will be implemented in the city owing to low rainfall in catchment areas. The water level in the seven lakes supplying drinking water to Mumbai was 34.95% as of Tuesday, compared to 91% in 2019 and 83% in 2018. Dhaka, Aug 5 : Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has spoken to the mother of a former Army officer Sinha Rashed Chowdhury, who was allegedly shot dead last month on Marine Drive road in Teknaf and assured her of justice over the incident. Chowdhury was allegedly shot dead at Shamlapur police check post in the Baharchhara union of Teknaf at 9 p.m. on July 31. During a telephonic conversation with Chowdhury's mother -- Nasima Akhter -- on Tuesday, Hasina offered her condolences over the incident and said it would be thoroughly investigated. "The Premier telephoned me and expressed her sympathies and condolences over the death of my son. She said 'I am in the same boat as you. I have no words to comfort you. I too have lost my entire family'," Akhter said. "I told the Prime Minister... I won't get my son back but I want a proper investigation and justice. She replied that there would be proper investigation and justice would be done," she said. An intelligence report, quoting Chowdhury's associate Sifat, who was with him at the time of the incident, said: "Police outpost in-charge inspector Liaquat Ali allegedly shot three bullets into the retd Army official's chest without any questioning." On the other hand, the case filed with Teknaf model police station states: "Chowdhury suddenly drew a pistol and was ready to open fire and therefore, the police outpost in-charge Ali fired four shots to defend himself." -- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text Mumbai: State Bank of India has estimated that money worth Rs 2.5 lakh crore may not come back into the banking system post demonetisation of high-value notes.On November 8, the government banned banknotes of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 worth over Rs 14 lakh crore from the economy. In a report, the Economic Research Department of State Bank of India (SBI) said around Rs 2.5 lakh crore on a conservative basis will not be coming back into the system. As per the SBI analysis, the market estimate of Rs 14.18 lakh crore currencyexcluding cash with banksis based on March 2016 data while in reality it should be based on data available as on November 9, a day after demonetisation was announced. SBI noted that going by data as on November 9, the amount of high currency denomination notes was Rs 15.44 lakh crore (excluding cash in the banks), an increase of Rs 1.26 lakh crore compared to the March figure. Also read | Cash crunch caused by demonetisation will ease after December 30, says Arun Jaitley It stated that RBI has published twice the deposited and exchanged notes data with banks in November with a gap of 9-days. SBI said: If we closely look at the data, the daily working day average deposited/exchanged at banks has declined significantly from Rs 605 billion (November 10-18) to Rs 501 billion (November 19-27) -- a decline of 17 per cent. In total, between November 10-27, Rs 8.44 lakh crore were deposited and exchanged in banks, the report said. All these estimates put together show that total money coming into the system in the form of high denomination will be around Rs 13 lakh crore (as against Rs 15.44 lakh crore high value notes as on November 9), it added. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Advertisement Al-Qaeda insurgent group is gaining sway in the restive North-Western part of Nigeria, the United States of America has warned. Dagvin Anderson, Commander of the US Special Operations Command, Africa, disclosed this during a briefing, saying the group was also expanding to other parts of West Africa. He said, We have engaged with Nigeria and continue to engage with them in intel sharing and in understanding what these violent extremists are doing. And that has been absolutely critical to their engagements in Borno State and into an emerging area of North-West Nigeria that were seeing al-Qaida starting to make some inroads in. So, this intelligence sharing is absolutely vital and we stay fully engaged with the Government of Nigeria to provide them an understanding of what these terrorists are doing, what Boko Haram is doing, what ISIS West Africa is doing, and how ISIS and al-Qaida are looking to expand further south into the littoral areas. I think theres two factors in that. One, it goes to that each government has to focus on this and provide that focus for international partners to engage with. The other part of this is we cant underestimate the threat these violent extremist organisations pose. We, as a community of international nations, keep thinking we have defeated them or we have put them on their back foot and that theyre just moments from disintegration. I think after 20 years we have seen they are very resilient organisations that, although small, theyre able to leverage social media and other forms of media to have an outsized voice and that they continue to recruit and they continue to find opportunities. When it comes to Nigeria in general, Nigeria, obviously, is a critical nation to West Africa. It is a critical nation and we realise that Nigeria is a lynchpin. For that to have an effect against the VEOs and to have an effect against these stressors, it really takes the Government of Nigeria to lead that effort and to build that energy to coalesce around. So no nation can come in and fix that problem for Nigeria. We can assist with that and its the United States can assist, the United Kingdom, other countries can come in, many countries can come and assist with that partnership but ultimately it takes leadership from Nigeria in order for us to focus our efforts. Source: https://newsdirect.ng/al-qaeda-influence-growing-in-north-west-nigeria-united-states-warns/ Forty-one Republican ballots were mishandled Tuesday at the Morris K. Udall Recreation Center in-person voting site, according to Brad Nelson, Pima County's elections supervisor. Voters were given and turned in incomplete ballots that only included the federal races and not local and state ballots, according to Nelson, who chalked the mistake up to "human error." The on-site inspector reviewed the sign-in sheet and determined that all the voters were Republican. He said that once the incorrect ballots were turned in, the voters cannot vote again. Local and state races included the Republican primaries for the county supervisor and state house. Nelson went to the recreation center the site of two polling places and explained the error after Vic Williams and Steven Spain, two Republican candidates for the Pima County Board of Supervisors, were summoned by a voter who turned in an incorrect ballot. Williams posted on Facebook that he feels bad "for the voters that we're not able to cast a vote for their candidate such as myself." MDC Alliance leader Nelson Chamisa resurfaced Tuesday with an emphatic endorsement of #Zimbabwelivesmatter and a surprise prison visit to incarcerated journalist Hopewell Chin'ono and opposition leader Jacob Ngarivhume. Chamisa last month took a break from work and further disappeared from social media to find time to mourn his mother who died in the opposition leader's rural Gutu home. He appointed one of his deputies, Welshman Ncube to act on his behalf while he was away. Posting on Twitter Tuesday, Chamisa said he visited Chin'ono and Ngarivhume and they are still determined to fight corruption. "Back from the village. Made a surprise visit to comrades Hopewell and Jacob at Harare Remand Prison. They are in high spirits, resolute and inspired to continue the fight for a new and better Zimbabwe. Demanding accountability is not a criminal. Unity wins struggles #ZimbabweanLivesMatter," said Chamisa. The hashtag #ZimbabweanLivesMatter is a social media protest meant to raise awareness over rampant human rights violations in Zimbabwe and high levels of corruption within government corridors. Chin'ono and Ngarivhume were arrested over two weeks for allegedly inciting violence against government through supporting and organising the 31 July protests. 05 Aug 2020, 9:55 AM Gold worth over Rs 80 lakh seized from passengers at Chennai Airport; two arrested Gold worth over Rs 80 lakh was seized in separate incidents at the airport in Chennai over the past two days and two people who arrived by repatriation flights were arrested in this connection. In the first incident, the sleuths, acting on a tip, examined a passenger on his arrival from Dubai today and recovered Rs 15.60 lakh gold concealed in his inner garment. In another incident on Monday night, gold in paste form weighing 1.2 kg worth Rs 66.73 lakh was seized from two passengers. Jim Farley to lead Ford with CEO Jim Hackett set to retire Ford Chief Operating Officer Jim Farley will lead the storied automaker into the future starting Oct. 1 when current CEO Jim Hackett retires. The company has struggled in recent years and is in the midst of an $11 billion restructuring plan designed to make it leaner and crank out new vehicles to replace what was an aging model lineup. Ayodhya Ram Mandir Bhoomi Pujan Live Updates: PM Modi leaves for Ayodhya, to reach at 11:30 am Airtel expands 4G footprint in Ladakh; incorporates rural pockets of Leh, Kargil Over a dozen remote villages in the twin districts of Leh and Kargil in the Union Territory of Ladakh got their first 4G experience on Tuesday over Bharti Airtel's ultra-fast network, a company spokesperson said. Airtel was the first operator to launch the 4G services in Ladakh and has the widest 4G footprint in the region. India's weak manufacturing PMI for July one of the worst globally India's latest manufacturing output contracted at a quicker pace than in June but it improved for most countries in July. Amid prolonged closures, business conditions continued to deteriorate as the country's purchasing managers' index (PMI) for manufacturing went down to 46 in July from a smart recovery in June at 47.2. Trump says coronavirus under control, 'It is what it is' President Donald Trump said the coronavirus outbreak is as under control as it can get in the United States, where at least 155,000 people have died amid a patchy response to the public health crisis that has failed to stem a rise in cases. The Republican president continued to press for U.S. schools to reopen in an overnight Twitter post, and defended his administration's response to the virus in an interview. Kolkata: West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee on Thursday spent the night at her office to demand removal of army deployment at toll plazas in West Bengal terming such deployments a 'military coup'. She is scheduled to meet the President Pranab Mukherjee over the issue on Friday. After a high drama over deployment of army at certain toll plazas in West Bengal, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee decided to stay put at the state secretariat Nabanna for the Thursday night, even after the force was removed from a toll plaza near it as per her demand. I am the custodian of common people. So I cant leave them insecured. I will stay put here for the whole night and observe the situation, Banerjee told reporters at around 1.30 AM on Friday. (Read full time line of the high intensity drama here) About her demand that she would leave the office only when Armymen were removed from the second Hooghly bridge toll plaza near Nabanna, she said, These people may have gone. But they are there in 18 other districts. Sometime before her press meet, journalists went to the toll plaza near Nabanna and found that the Armymen were no longer there. Also read | Mamata protests presence of soldiers at West Bengal toll plazas; Army terms it routine exercise A temporary shed set up for them was also removed. There was no official version of the Army about the removal. Accusing the Centre of deploying the Army at toll plazas in West Bengal without informing the state government, Banerjee had refused to leave the office till the Armymen were withdrawn from the toll plaza at second Hooghly bridge. The Army said they were conducting routine exercise with full knowledge and coordination with West Bengal police. Army conducting routine exercise with full knowledge & coord with WB Police. Speculation of army taking over toll plaza incorrect, the Eastern command said on Twitter. Routine exercise in all NE states. In Assam@18 places, Arunanchal@13, WB@19, Manipur@6, Nagaland@5, Meghalaya@5, Tripura & Mizoram@1, it said. The Kolkata police, however, said they have raised objection to this Army exercise due to security reasons and traffic problem. Army exercise at toll plaza was objected to in writing by Kolkata Police, citing security reasons & traffic inconvenience, the city police said on Twitter. The drama unfolded in the evening when Banerjee alleged that Army deployment was done in toll plazas without informing the state government and described it as unprecedented and a very serious situation worse than Emergency. She claimed that people got panicky due to deployment of Army at toll plazas. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Mary Trump, niece of president Donald Trump, says that her uncle should face criminal charges for his response to the coronavirus pandemic. In an appearance on The Dean Obeidallah Show on SiriusXM, the presidents niece said that he was liable for American deaths caused by his actions. If you have it in your power to save somebodys life but stand by and do nothing, isnt that negligent homicide or something like that? she said in Tuesdays interview. If you are actively withholding personal protective equipment from a state because a governor isnt nice enough to you and people end up dying, how is that not a crime? The clinical psychologist has made a number of media appearances in the past month since the publication of her tell-all book about the Trump family, Too Much and Never Enough: How My Family Created the Worlds Most Dangerous Man. Speaking more generally about the president being held accountable for his actions, she said: I think were at this point where the executive has so much power, especially when one party predominates, that its as if anything goes. Theres no accountability, and theres literally no reason for him to stop doing what hes doing. Which is why when we get out of this nightmare, there has to be a reckoning like weve never seen before in this country. Mr Obeidallah asked her to clarify if she meant criminal charges concerning his handling of the Covid-19 response. Yup, I do. I believe that he needs to be indicted for his financial crimes at the state level. I think everything needs to be looked into because part of the problem with Donald has always been that hes allowed to get away with the small stuff, and it just snowballs over time. Ms Trump added that violations of the Hatch Act by the president, his children, and others in the administration should also be addressed. The act prohibits federal employees from engaging in political activities while on duty. The White House did not respond when asked for comment on Ms Trump's statements. Too Much and Never Enough sold almost one million copies on the day of its release. Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-05 22:26:40|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close LONDON, Aug. 5 (Xinhua) -- The British government's failure to have proper quarantine measures in place at its frontiers during the early stage of the COVID-19 crisis was "a serious error", an official report published by the House of Commons (lower house) Home Affairs Committee said Wednesday. "Not having any special border measures applicable to people arriving from Spain and France during February and March, and only having voluntary self-isolation measures for travellers from Italy until March 13 was a serious error, and had a material impact on the number of cases arriving in the UK, and on the pace and scale of the epidemic. Many more people in the UK caught COVID-19 as a result," the report said. "The UK was almost unique in having no border checks or quarantine arrangements at that time. That alone should have rung loud alarm bells for ministers and made them think again," said Yvette Cooper, chair of the committee. Evidence referenced by British government's Chief Scientific Adviser Patrick Vallance showed that over 1,300 separate strains of the virus were imported largely from Spain, Italy and France during that early period. The committee heard evidence up to 10,000 people with COVID-19 entered or returned to Britain in March. It also found that the decision not to include Spain in the earlier country specific measures in late February was a mistake as doing so could have slowed the virus spread. The report, did though, welcomed the introduction of border measures in the summer and supported the development of travel corridors. Given the changing global pattern of the pandemic, the report said border measures will be needed for some time. Cooper said the committee was concerned border measures just weren't taken seriously enough at the beginning of the crisis. Meanwhile, she said it was very unhelpful for ministers to describe travel corridors as "good news for holiday makers" when they were announced, as the mixed messages meant people booked holidays in Spain in good faith are now put in a really difficult position. Currently, travellers returning to Britain from Spain, including the Balearic and Canary Islands, are required to go into self-isolation for 14 days. On preparing for future spikes, the committee said border quarantine measures are likely to remain in place for some time, particularly if the predicted increase in cases over winter months comes to fruition. "The UK will have to maintain a flexible approach that reacts quickly to emerging circumstances and learn from practice in other countries," the report concluded. Enditem SAGINAW, MI - Here are eight takeaways from the Aug. 4 primary elections in Genesee, Saginaw, Bay and Midland counties. Flint isnt finished As of 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, Genesee County has still not reported all its results. About 25% of precincts are yet to report. Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson said to expect some delays because of a spike in absentee voting during the pandemic. Some important races are already seemingly over, with candidates winning by wide margins. Others, like the Republican primary for 50th District State Representative, are too close to call at this time. Sheriffs are sticking around Saginaw and Genesee Countys incumbent sheriffs appear to have won their nominations in convincing fashion. Saginaw County Sheriff William Federspiel defeated Democratic challenger Kevin Stevens, taking about 64% of the vote. The final tally was 16,554 Federspiel, 9,489 Stevens. Federspiel still faces Republican candidate Rich Riebschleger in the Nov. 3 general election. While about a fourth of the vote in Genesee County is still unreported, appointed incumbent sheriff Chris Swanson is winning by a large margin. He has about 67% of the votes cast so far, 34,590 in total, with the remainder split between his primary opponents Phil Hart and Tim Johnson. Meanwhile in Midland County, Myron Greene won a three-way Republican primary for county sheriff. Greene will likely win in November, as there is no Democratic opponent on the ballot. Saginaw Dems nominate ONeal, Flint sticks with Neeley so far Saginaw County Commissioner and former Saginaw Mayor Pro Tem Amos ONeal emerged victorious in a crowded 5-way contest for the Democratic nomination for 95th District Rep, replacing Vanessa Guerra, D-Bridgeport Township, who is term-limited. ONeal will face Republican nominee Charlotte DeMaet in the November general. Meanwhile in Genesee County, with 25% of ballots remaining, about 64% of 34th District voters chose appointed incumbent Cynthia Neeley to keep the Democratic nomination for the seat. Neeley won a special election for the seat in March after her husband Sheldon Neeley resigned to serve as mayor of Flint. Shell face Republican challenger James Miraglia in November. In Bay County, Timothy Beson emerged from a three-way GOP primary as the nominee to face State Rep. Brian Elder, D-Bay City. Freiberger v. Freiberger is not meant to be The 50th District primaries featured a political anomaly: A husband and wife running for the nominations of each party in the same election. However, both appear to have lost their contests. Democratic candidate Raymond Freiberger lost to incumbent State Rep. Tim Sneller, D-Burton, who took almost 80% of the vote. The Republican primary is much closer, with Lynne Freiberger coming within five points of Christina Fitchett-Hickson, who holds the lead with nearly 40% of the vote with 25% of precincts still to report. Many races were decided outright Certain primary races were all that stood between partisan candidates and the seat itself. Whether due to a heavy partisan lean in an area or other reasons, only members of one party were on the August ballot, which lets the primary winners enjoy an uncontested election in November. The most impactful races with this attribute include Genesee County Prosecutor and Saginaw and Bay county clerks, which all lack a Republican candidate, and Midland County Sheriff, which did not attract a Democratic challenger. Most county-level incumbents won - with a major exception The primary didnt provide a lot of shake-ups in county government for any of the four counties, with most incumbents keeping their nomination. However, Vanessa Guerra defeated incumbent Saginaw County Clerk Michael Hanley in convincing fashion. The victory will likely carry her through November, as there is no Republican candidate. Incumbent Genesee County 8th District Commissioner Ted Henry also lost to primary challenger Debra Newman. Most millages pass with flying colors Voters approved several major ballot initiatives. Saginaws County Sheriffs Office and Castle Museum millages both passed by comfortable margins, providing additional funding to law enforcement and county museums. Midland County voters gave their strong approval to four different county-wide millages, saying yes to funding for mosquito abatement, 911 central dispatch, public transport and roads. Bay City School Districts bond proposal was closer, but voters still said yes to the millage, 8,526 to 6,457. All millages at the township level passed in Saginaw, Bay and Midland counties, although Saginaw Countys Merrill Community School District voters rejected its bond proposal 527 to 446. COVID-19 couldnt contain voters Despite a global pandemic, voter turnout was much higher in 2020 than the last August primary in a presidential year, 2016. Saginaw County voters cast 46,842 ballots Tuesday, up almost 20,000 from the 26,276 total in 2016. Turnout jumped from 17.51% to 30.8%. Almost a third of registered voters in Midland County cast ballots. Only 11% did so in 2016. This higher turnout coincides with voters more commonly voting absentee. 2018s Proposal 3 allows Michiganders to request an absentee ballot for any reason, and almost a million voters cast their votes absentee. Saginaw and Bay City saw big spikes in absentee ballots issued leading up to the August primary. Read more: August 2020 primary election results in Genesee, Saginaw, Bay and Midland counties Expect Michigan election results by mid-Wednesday, Secretary of State says Saginaw County voters approve tax increase to support sheriffs department Eatery and beverage shops learned from experiences from the April lockdown and have prepared for the new difficult period. Hoang Tien, co-founder and CEO of Coffee Bike, said the social distancing days in April "gave me precious lessons. But I really dont want to learn the lessons again". Owners of restaurants, eatery shops and coffee houses have expressed pessimism about business performance in the remaining months of the year as new Covid-19 cases have been discovered recently. We have to begin a new battle for survival, Tien said. The people who survived the outbreak earlier this year had just resumed normal operation for two months when the new cases were reported. Eatery and beverage shops learned from experiences from the April lockdown and have prepared for the new difficult period. According to Tien, revenue of eat-in shops has decreased by 15-20 percent, while sales from take-away sales have increased rapidly. And the number of franchised shops has also increased. I think people have tightened their purse strings and become hesitant to go to crowded locations, he explained. A representative of 89s Presso, a beverage and snack shop in district 1, HCM City, said the chain had resumed 50 percent of its operation and now has to prepare for another lockdown. Hoang Tung, CEO of Pizza Home, said the food and beverage sector may face another crisis. However, he still can see two positive things. First, the purchasing power is still good, and government agencies have been doing well in fighting against the pandemic. When the last social distancing campaign finished, the economy recovered fairly quickly. Second, a crisis creates purging, i.e. weak businesses are eliminated. The businesses that survive the crisis are strong. As they have successfully coped with difficulties, they will be able to do this the next time. The Prime Minister has not announced a new social distancing campaign, but food and beverage shops are preparing for it. Tung said he has applied the three-step cut-reduction-increase principle, i.e. cutting ineffective sale points, reducing production costs and retail premises rent, and increasing sales via apps. We have experience doing business in lockdown conditions. Everything has been prepared and the business model has been optimized, he said, adding that he has prepared materials to ensure stable prices. Nam Khuat from Kin ee - Thai Gastropub said if social distancing is once again applied, he will renegotiate with landlords to cut the rent, reduce working hours of full-time workers, and switch to take-away with new menus. Le Ha Hanoi fast-food shop isolated following Covid-19-suspected case Competent agencies in Hanoi put under lockdown an alley in Me Tri ward, Nam Tu Liem district, on July 29 morning as a resident here was suspected of having contracted the SARS-CoV-2 A former student at an elite private school in Utah has accused administrators of mishandling a 2017 sexual assault allegation, claiming they encouraged classmates to shun her and shared private details of her ordeal that ended up being reenacted in an assembly. After Tabitha Bell, now 20, told the school she was raped at home by a lacrosse player who was her friend, administrators at Waterford School held a meeting with the rest of her class where they shared details of the off-campus allegations. Bell claims in the lawsuit filed Friday that they would not help her enforce a protective order against her classmate and now she is seeking $10 million in damages. 'I don't want anybody else who goes to Waterford to be hurt in the same way I was hurt,' Tabitha Bell said about what happened when she was 17, during an interview Monday from her home in California. Tabitha Bell, 20, says in a lawsuit that administrators mishandled her 2017 sexual assault allegation as she endured bullying from classmates. She's seeking $10 million in damages Administrators at Waterford School (pictured) held a meeting with the rest of her class where they shared details of the off-campus allegations, according to the lawsuit. Bell ended up seeing it played out in an assembly The Associated Press does not typically name people who say they are victims of sexual assault, but Bell said she wanted to share her story publicly to help other students who are assaulted and fellow students with disabilities. Waterford officials say they 'categorically disagree' with her allegations. Head of School Andrew Menke said Tuesday that staffers do not discriminate based on disability or other factors. 'The accusations leveled in this suit are inflammatory and not an accurate representation of how the school supported this student through five years of attendance,' he said in a statement. 'We take seriously the well-being of each student and have an environment, where respect and inclusion make possible the deepest forms of intellectual, emotional, and character growth.' School officials declined to comment on the details of Bell's allegations in the lawsuit she filed Friday. She reported the rape allegations to police, but prosecutors initially declined to file charges because she 'failed to say or physically manifest any lack of consent at this time, other than not actively participating,' prosecutors said in a letter obtained by The Salt Lake Tribune. Bell said she froze in fear when the male lacrosse player who had been her friend began assaulting her at her home, a response reported by many sexual assault victims. She said her disability, moreover, makes her largely unable to physically fight. Bell has a rare form of muscular dystrophy called Charcot Marie Tooth (CMT) that affects her strength and balance, making it harder for her to do things like walk on her own. She reported the rape allegations to police, but prosecutors initially declined to file charges because she 'failed to say or physically manifest any lack of consent'. She said her disability, moreover, makes her largely unable to physically fight. Bell has a rare form of muscular dystrophy called Charcot Marie Tooth (CMT). Bell is pictured in Irvine, California on Tuesday The Utah attorney general is now reviewing the case after Bell helped advocate for a change to state law last year. Her lawsuit does not name the classmate she accused of assaulting her. However her lawyers state he has a known history of sexual harassment and physical violence. When her family decided to enroll her in 2014 at the $25,000-a-year private school in Sandy, near Salt Lake City, administrators promised to accommodate her disability. That didn't happen, Bell said in the lawsuit. Instead, while her parents spent at least $125,000 on her time there, her classmates were asked to carry her up and down stairs she couldn't navigate - even when there were relatively simple alternatives, like a more accessible entrance to the stage at a choir performance. In that case, the director thought allowing her to enter and leave in a different spot from the other students would 'ruin the look' of the performance, the lawsuit claims. 'It was definitely humiliating ... having my peers carry me around, look at me like I'm this sickly student,' she said. 'I try to be as self-sufficient as I can be, and all I was asking for was normal, small accommodations.' When her family decided to enroll her in 2014 at the $25,000-a-year private school in Sandy, near Salt Lake City, administrators promised to accommodate her disability. That didn't happen, Bell said in the lawsuit. Instead, her classmates were asked to carry her up and down stairs she couldn't navigate - even when there were relatively simple alternatives She obtained a protective order, but school officials said they couldn't restrict the boy from campus even after he graduated a month after she reported the allegations Her legal team claims the school 'consistently failed to take reasonable precautions to keep Tabitha safe.' 'In December 2015, Tabitha was knocked to the floor by a visibly drunk student at the school's winter dance at which security staff was promised but not provided,' Sanford Heisler Sharp LLP, state. 'As a result of the school's lack of adequate supervision, Tabitha suffered a concussion, developed complications and ended up in the hospital for eight days. Rather than address the problem, the school threatened to make things difficult for Tabitha if she complained. 'In the fallout from the dance Tabitha began to be bullied mercilessly by her peers, leading to damaging social isolation.' She also alleges a Waterford teacher accused her of faking her disability and another asked her to do things like moving desks that caused her to fall and get a concussion. Things 'went from bad to worse' after Bell reported an off-campus rape by a classmate in November 2017, her senior year, the lawsuit says. She obtained a protective order, but school officials said they couldn't restrict the boy from campus even after he graduated a month after she reported the allegations. Two of the boy's friends reenacted the assault at a school assembly in December 2017, Bell said, and she heard her classmates in the audience laughing before the principal stopped it. 'Rather than adequately punish the boys, the school singled them out for an end-of-year award and inducted them into the Cum Laude Honor Society, the school's highest honor,' a press release from her lawyer claims. She alleges administrators didn't do enough to stop the bullying, instead offering her an early graduation plan, saying it would make other students 'more comfortable,' the lawsuit says. Still, she had some support among a few friends as the #MeToo movement took off nationwide, Bell said. Then, in February 2018, administrators called a meeting of the senior class to which she was not invited, according to the lawsuit. Officials discussed details of her claims and told students not to speak with her, the lawsuit says. After that, she said her friends stopped sitting with her and dropped out of a fundraiser she was organizing. Bell founded Pawsitive Possibilities to help provide service dogs to those who cannot afford them. 'I came to Waterford wanting the opportunity to get an exceptional liberal arts education in a place where I could thrive despite my physical challenges,' Tabitha said in a statement announcing the lawsuit. 'Almost from the start I realized that Waterford wanted only to use me as a token disability poster child, without actually accommodating my physical limitations. 'Even though my high school years were not what I had hoped for, I am motivated to obtain justice for myself, hold Waterford School accountable for its actions, and improve conditions at Waterford for future disabled students and sexual assault victims.' She finished her senior year, graduated and is now attending the University of California, Berkeley. She's studying to be a pediatric trauma psychologist, hoping she can give back and speak out on behalf of sexual assault victims and people with disabilities. 'I want to be able to allow all these experiences to actually do something good,' she said. 'I want to be able to give that voice.' The complaint alleges Waterford is liable for negligence and breach of its duty of care; premises liability; negligent supervision of its faculty and students; invasion of Tabitha's privacy by making a public disclosure of the facts of Tabitha's rape to her entire senior class and much of the faculty; negligent infliction of emotional distress; fraud; violation of the Utah Consumer Sales Practices Act and negligent misrepresentation of the school's ability to safeguard Tabitha's physical, emotional, and social health and wellbeing. 'This suit involves a series of extremely egregious and entirely preventable physical and emotional injuries endured by a vulnerable student with a serious physical disability,' one of her lawyers, Sanford Heisler Sharp partner Steven J. Kelly, said. 'In my many years of representing victims of sexual violence, Waterford's treatment of Tabitha is one of the worst institutional responses to a report of sexual assault I have ever seen.' A jury trial is requested. The suit seeks $10million in compensatory, as well as punitive damages, along with legal costs and other relief the court may deem just and proper. 'Waterford's conduct can never be reversed and the detrimental effects it has had on Tabitha will likely impact her adversely for the rest of her life,' said Deborah K. Marcuse, managing partner of Sanford Heisler Sharp's Baltimore office. 'Because Waterford does not accept federal funds, which would subject it to the requirements of Title IX and the Americans With Disabilities Act, it seems to believe it can shirk its responsibilities to its students,' ' said senior litigation counsel Christine Dunn. 'However, under Utah state law, common law and the school's own policies, Waterford must be held accountable for protecting its students.' Tunis, Tunisia (PANA) - Tunisian President Kais Saied on Wednesday ordered the dispatch of two military planes loaded with medical equipment, medicines and foodstuffs to Lebanon following the heavy explosions that hit the capital, Beirut, on Tuesday, causing around 135 dead and thousands injured as well as extensive material damage SAO PAULO, Aug. 5, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- EMBRAER S.A. (NYSE: ERJ; B3: EMBR3) releases its Second Quarter 2020 Earnings Results. HIGHLIGHTS Embraer delivered four commercial jets and 13 executive jets (nine light / four large) in 2Q20, and the Company's firm order backlog at the end of 2Q20 was US$ 15.4 billion ; ; Excluding special items, adjusted EBIT and EBITDA were US$ (140.5) million and US$ (120.4) million , respectively, negatively impacted by weak Commercial Aviation results, yielding adjusted EBIT margin of -26.2%% and adjusted EBITDA margin of -22.4%; and , respectively, negatively impacted by weak Commercial Aviation results, yielding adjusted EBIT margin of -26.2%% and adjusted EBITDA margin of -22.4%; The 2Q20 results include total net negative non-cash special items of US$ 202 million : 1) additional negative provisions for expected credit losses during the Covid-19 pandemic of US$ 16.1 million , 2) an impairment loss on the Commercial Aviation business unit of US$ 91.1 million , 3) recognition of previous period depreciation and amortization expense in the Commercial Aviation business of US$ 101.2 million , and 4) a positive valuation mark to market of US$ 6.5 million on the Company's stake in Republic Airways shares; : 1) additional negative provisions for expected credit losses during the Covid-19 pandemic of , 2) an impairment loss on the Commercial Aviation business unit of , 3) recognition of previous period depreciation and amortization expense in the Commercial Aviation business of , and 4) a positive valuation mark to market of on the Company's stake in Republic Airways shares; 2Q20 adjusted net loss (excluding special items and deferred income tax and social contribution) was US$ (198.8) million , with Adjusted loss per ADS of US$ (1.08) ; , with Adjusted loss per ADS of ; Embraer reported Free cash flow of US$ (476.2) million in 2Q20, still affected by working capital needs in Commercial Aviation, but an improvement versus the US$ (676.5) million usage of free cash flow reported in 1Q20, due to several initiatives to reduce investments, control working capital, and minimize fixed costs; in 2Q20, still affected by working capital needs in Commercial Aviation, but an improvement versus the usage of free cash flow reported in 1Q20, due to several initiatives to reduce investments, control working capital, and minimize fixed costs; Embraer's liquidity remains solid as the Company finished the quarter with total cash of US$ 2.0 billion and major debt maturities starting in 2022 onwards. The Company also finalized the terms of contracts for working capital and export financing with export credit agencies in Brazil and the United States and private and public banks, adding a total of up to US$ 700 million to its total liquidity. Disbursements of these new financing lines are expected to be completed in the third quarter of 2020 reinforcing Embraer's cash position in the second half of 2020 and into 2021; and major debt maturities starting in 2022 onwards. The Company also finalized the terms of contracts for working capital and export financing with export credit agencies in and and private and public banks, adding a total of up to to its total liquidity. Disbursements of these new financing lines are expected to be completed in the third quarter of 2020 reinforcing Embraer's cash position in the second half of 2020 and into 2021; Due to continued uncertainty related to the COVID-19 pandemic, financial and deliveries guidance for the Company's 2020 results remains suspended at this point. MAIN FINANCIAL INDICATORS in millions of U.S dollars, except % and earnings per share data 1Q20 2Q19 2Q20 YTD20 Revenue 633.8 1,378.7 537.2 1,171.0 EBIT (46.9) 26.6 (342.4) (389.3) EBIT margin % -7.4% 1.9% -63.7% -33.2% Adjusted EBIT 8.7 26.6 (140.5) (131.8) Adjusted EBIT margin % 1.4% 1.9% -26.2% -11.3% EBITDA 9.3 67.0 (221.1) (211.7) EBITDA margin % 1.5% 4.9% -41.2% -18.1% Adjusted EBITDA 64.9 67.0 (120.4) (55.4) Adjusted EBITDA margin % 10.2% 4.9% -22.4% -4.7% Adjusted net income (Loss) (104.0) (13.9) (198.8) (302.8) Adjusted earnings (losses) per share - ADS basic (0.5651) (0.0756) (1.0801) (1.645) Net income (loss) attributable to Embraer Shareholders (292.0) 7.2 (315.3) (607.3) Earnings (losses) per share - ADS basic (US$) (1.5867) 0.0391 (1.7131) (3.2996) Adjusted free cash flow (676.5) 1.5 (476.2) (1,152.6) Net debt (1,331.6) (1,090.3) (1,800.7) (1,800.7) For additional information, please check the full document on our website ri.embraer.com.br INVESTOR RELATIONS Eduardo Couto, Chris Thornsberry, Caio Pinez, Nadia Santos, and Viviane Pinheiro. (+55 11) 3040-6874 [email protected] ri.embraer.com.br CONFERENCE CALL INFORMATION Embraer will host a conference call to present its 2Q20 Results on Wednesday, August 5, 2020 at 10:30 AM (SP) / 9:30 AM (NY). The conference call will also be broadcast live over the web at ri.embraer.com.br Conference ID: EMBRAER Telephones USA / Canada: +1 (412) 717-9627 / +1 (844) 204-8942 Telephones U.K.: +44 20 3795-9972 Telephones Brazil: +55 (11) 4210-1803 / +55 (11) 3181-8565 SOURCE Embraer S.A. Related Links http://ri.embraer.com.br Government of Andhra Pradesh through the AP Economic Development Board has entered into an MOU with the leading Indian School of Business to work with various economic departments under Government of AP. Government of Andhra Pradesh through the AP Economic Development Board has entered into an MOU with the leading Indian School of Business to work with various economic departments under Government of AP with a broader objective of economic recovery and growth monitoring especially post COVID 19 with special focus on economic development and job creation in Andhra Pradesh. In addition, the areas of collaboration also include High Frequency High Resolution Indicators for Monitoring Economic Recovery in Andhra Pradesh, Project on Visakhapatnam as an Engine of Growth, Focus on Food Processing Sector in Rayalaseema, improving e-governance and data analytics, unshackling informal sector growth and reshaping the skilling programs. The data analytics is designed to move from hindsight to foresight and outsight i.e. from mere descriptive analytics to predictive and prescriptive policy analytics which is going to be a game changer in the days to come. The MOU will nurture a think tank by setting up a Policy lab called GoAP-ISB Policy Lab, a public policy laboratory to drive evidence-based policy decisions. It aims to create a Knowledge Bank for strategic planning, policy analysis, data analytics and action-research essential for sustaining high rates of growth and successful completion within the committed timelines with focus on investment flows, their efficacy in terms of value addition, employment generation and wealth creation. The lab is modelled in the lines of Policy Lab in UK cabinet would enable greater synergistic functioning of departments and work towards the objective of economic monitoring, recovery, and development. Also read: Rams spirit of humanity resides in depth of our hearts: Rahul Gandhi Also read: Temple complex to be symbol of modern India based on ideals of Ram Rajya: President Kovind Mr. JVN Subramanyam, IAS, CEO Economic Development Board and Prof. Rajendra Srivastava, Dean ISB have exchanged an MoU in the presence of Sri Mekapati Goutham Reddy, Honble Minister for Industries, Commerce, IT, and SDT in a virtual event. Speaking to the media Honble Minister has said that We are working with ISB for the past few months on identifying various areas of collaboration. Today We are on boarding ISB as our knowledge partner to work on various initiatives in skill development, e-governance, turning Vishakhapatnam into a growth engine, improving value addition in food processing etc. He further said, Our GoAP ISB Policy Lab is an initiative modelled in the lines of Policy Lab in UK. We intend to generate data using randomized control trials (RCTs) and gather evidence to measure the impact of our policies and drive our policy decisions based on strong research evidence. This is truly cutting edge in the field of economics and public policy and the last years Nobel Prize winners were recognized for pioneering this experimental (RCT) approach to development economics. Sri Karikal Valaven, IAS, Special Chief Secretary, Industries and Commerce, Sri Bhanuprakash Yetaru, IAS, Secretary to Government, ITE&C, Sri Arja Srikanth, IRTS, MD & CEO, APSSDC, were also present in the virtual event. From ISB, Professor Ashwini Chhatre, Executive Director, Bharti Institute for Public Policy, DNV Kumara Guru Director External Relations long with host of other dignitaries participated. Also read: Beginning of a new India, asserts RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat as PM Modi lays Ram Mandirs foundation stone Construction resumes on church destroyed during 9/11; Cuomo presides at ceremony Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Monday presided over the resumption of construction on a Greek Orthodox church that was said to be the only house of worship destroyed in the 9/11 terrorist attacks in 2001. The project is set to be completed in the fall of 2021. Located near the World Trade Centers twin towers, St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church and National Shrine suffered severe damage during the terror attacks that killed and injured thousands. Since then, the church has struggled to rebuild. Cuomo joined Archbishop Elpidophoros (Lambriniadis), the head of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, to announce the return of construction on the church building after financial struggles and other issues delayed the project for years. We are going to build back the way we built back from 9/11, and it will be better and stronger with more solidarity and more faith and more spirit of community than ever before, stated Cuomo on Monday. We have gone through difficult times together, but we rise from the ashes and we rise stronger than ever before. That's what this St. Nicholas will stand for. It is a powerful message to all New Yorkers and all Americans. During his remarks, Archbishop Elpidophoros noted that the church was destroyed by a savage act of hatred and terror. However, he assured that the terrorists would not have the final word. We are going to open the St. Nicholas Church and National Shrine as a sign of love, not hate; a sign of reconciliation, not of prejudice; and a sign of the ideals that exist in this great American Nation, where one's religious liberty and freedom of conscience never excludes, but only embraces, said Elpidophoros. As part of the ceremony, the archbishop blessed the workers at the construction site, praying that God will protect the workers who have returned to this holy place to rebuild in safety and peace. Guide their hands aright, shield their eyes from harm, grant unto them and all who contribute to this Holy Work every blessing of body and soul, the religious leader continued. Efforts to rebuild the church have been complicated over the past several years, including questions as to where the new church building will be located. In 2011, the Greek Orthodox Church sued the Port Authority of New York & New Jersey over issues about the location, claiming in port that officials "rebuffed all efforts by the Church to work with it regarding the rebuilding." The church claimed that the Port Authority broke a 2008 promise to rebuild the building down the road from its old site and also claimed that the Port Authority excavated church property without permission. In 2011, the Archdiocese and the Port Authority reached an agreement to rebuild the structure at 130 Liberty Street, which would include a nondenominational bereavement center. Port Authority Executive Director Rick Cotton said in a statement Monday that the resumption of construction on the church Monday marked a new chapter in the historic rebuild of Lower Manhattan. Financial issues have also plagued the project, with the projected cost of the reconstruction ending up being millions of dollars more than previously estimated. The construction had been previously halted in December 2017 over a series of managerial and financial crises within the archdiocese. A recent fundraising effort by The Friends of St. Nicholas, a group formed to oversee the project, successfully raised the $45 million needed to complete the construction, The New York Post reported last month. The election of Archbishop Elpidophoros in May 2019 reset the stage for a new, transparent approach to complete the Saint Nicholas reconstruction, according to a statement from the church. Michael Psaros, vice chairman of The Friends of St. Nicholas, told The New York Post in July that the new church building will be, for the Greek-American community, our Parthenon. It will be a powerful symbol of the triumph of the principals of the American ideal, with respect to individual and religious freedom, he said. Construction was set to begin in the spring but was delayed by the coronavirus pandemic. At the end of the ceremony, those in attendance witnessed the placement of the first skylight into the churchs dome. Cuomo contended that the reconstruction of the church will send a powerful message to the world that New York is a state made stronger by tolerance and our respect for one another." "In the face of tragedy and destruction on 9/11, the St. Nicholas community literally held its ground against what was an inconceivable tragedy inspired by hate, instead relying on the power of love to restore what was lost and create a symbolism of faith and tolerance, Cuomo added. "In New York, we know from experience that rebuilding after a crisis means more than just restoring bricks and mortar or reviving an economy; it also requires healing a broken spirit. The congregation dates back to 1916 and served as a spiritual home for Greek immigrants in the city. ST. PETERSBURG, Fla., Aug. 5, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Shopper intelligence leader Catalina, which has been tracking the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on buying behavior at grocery and drug stores dating back to mid-January, has found that Single Male Households are filling their shopping baskets with more carbohydrate-packed food than cleaning supplies. Per Catalina's Buyer Intelligence Database, sales of cleaning supplies overall continue to be quite strong for the 17-week period ending July 15, triggered by COVID-19 transmission concerns. This pattern does not hold true for Single Male Households, even as health experts continue to stress the importance of a clean home environment. CLEANING PRODUCT NON-SINGLE MALE HOUSEHOLDS SINGLE MALE HOUSEHOLDS Disinfectants +120% -1% Bathroom Cleaner +139% -2% Oven Cleaner +117% -22% All-Purpose Cleaner +113% -1% Dishwashing Liquid +132% -4% PACKING ON THE COVID-19 CARBS Since the pandemic began, Single Male Households are more likely to purchase easy-to-fix, carbohydrate-rich foods like Potato Mixes (up 326% over the same period a year ago), Instant Rice (up 306%), Pancake Mixes (up 182%) and Dried Pasta (up 104%). "Our retail and CPG customers find such data and insights into various demographic segments to be incredibly beneficial as we work with them on hyper-personalizing their marketing efforts," said Marta Cyhan, Catalina's Chief Marketing Officer. "That is why we continue to track sales data across 78 major grocery and drug categories dating back to mid-January just before the pandemic really started to take root." Catalina's COVID-19 Interactive Map is updated each Monday. About Catalina Catalina is the market leader in shopper intelligence and highly targeted in-store and digital media that personalizes the shopper journey. Powered by the world's richest real-time shopper database, Catalina helps CPG brands, retailers and agencies optimize every stage of media planning, execution and measurement to deliver $6.1 billion in consumer value annually. Based in St. Petersburg, FL, Catalina has operations in the United States, Europe and Japan. To learn more, please visit www.catalina.com or follow us on Twitter @Catalina. SOURCE Catalina Related Links http://www.catalina.com NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / August 5, 2020 / Lincoln Gold Mining Inc. ("Lincoln" or the "Company") (TSXV:LMG) is pleased to announce that, further to its press release dated June 16, 2020, its previously announced private placement has been oversubscribed. The Company now proposes to issue up to 4,650,000 units of the Company (the "Units") at a price of $0.11 per Unit to raise gross proceeds of up to $511,500. Net proceeds from the Private Placement will be primarily used towards the mine operations permitting process for the Pine Grove Gold Project in Nevada, a pre-feasibility study and for general working capital purposes. Each Unit will consist of one common share in the capital of the Company (a "Common Share") and one half of a Common Share purchase warrant (each whole warrant, a "Warrant"). Each Warrant will entitle the holder, on exercise thereof, to purchase one additional Common Share at a price of $0.15 for a period of 24 months from the closing of the Private Placement. Closing of the Private Placement is subject to all necessary regulatory approvals including acceptance from the TSX Venture Exchange. All securities issued in connection with the Private Placement will be subject to a four-month hold period from the closing date under applicable Canadian securities laws, in addition to such other restrictions as may apply under applicable securities laws of jurisdictions outside Canada. Certain insiders of the Company may acquire Units under the Private Placement. Finders' fees may be payable in connection with the Offering and those qualified persons involved as finders will receive a cash fee of up to 7% of the proceeds raised and such number of warrants (having the same terms as the warrants forming part of the Units) equal to up to 7% of the total number of Units sold. This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any of the securities in the United States. The securities have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act") or any state securities laws and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to, or for the account or benefit of, U.S. Persons unless registered under the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws, unless an exemption from such registration is available. About Lincoln Lincoln Gold Mining Inc. is an advanced-stage gold mine exploration and development company holding a 100% interest in the Pine Grove Gold Project, in the Walker Lane structural zone of western Nevada. The Company has prepared a preliminary economic assessment of the Pine Grove Gold Project pursuant to National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects. Lincoln is working with the USFS to secure the permits necessary to develop the Pine Grove Gold Project into a low-cost heap leach operation with a high-grade gravity circuit. Lincoln also owns an interest in a joint venture in respect of the Oro Cruz Gold Property in California. Lincoln's joint venture partner is advancing the Oro Cruz Gold Property towards further exploration, development and production. Lincoln holds its interests in these projects through its wholly owned subsidiaries, Lincoln Resource Group Corp. and Lincoln Gold US Corporation, both Nevada corporations. For more information, please contact Paul Saxton, President and CEO of the Company. On behalf of Lincoln Gold Mining Inc. Paul Saxton President and CEO, Lincoln Gold Mining Inc. Tel: (604) 688-7377 Email: saxton @ lincolnmining.com CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION 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. All statements, trend analysis and other information contained in this press release relative to markets about anticipated future events or results constitute forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are often, but not always, identified by the use of words such as "seek", "anticipate", "believe", "plan", "estimate", "expect" and "intend" and statements that an event or result "may", "will", "should", "could" or "might" occur or be achieved and other similar expressions. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, included herein, including, without limitation, statements relating to the private placement, permitting process, future production of Pine Grove Gold Project, budget and timing estimates, the Company's working capital and financing opportunities and statements regarding the exploration and mineralization potential of the Company's properties, are forward-looking statements. Forward- looking statements are subject to business and economic risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results of operations to differ materially from those contained in the forward- looking statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from Lincoln's expectations include fluctuations in commodity prices and currency exchange rates; uncertainties relating to interpretation of drill results and the geology, continuity and grade of mineral deposits; the need for cooperation of government agencies and native groups in the exploration and development of properties and the issuance of required permits; the need to obtain additional financing to develop properties and uncertainty as to the availability and terms of future financing; the possibility of delay in exploration or development programs and uncertainty of meeting anticipated program milestones; and uncertainty as to timely availability of permits and other governmental approvals. Forward-looking statements are based on estimates and opinions of management at the date the statements are made. Lincoln does not undertake any obligation to update forward-looking statements except as required by applicable securities laws. Investors should not place undue reliance on forward- looking statements. SOURCE: Lincoln Gold Mining Inc. View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/600484/Lincoln-Gold-Announces-Oversubscription-of-Private-Placement As a former student, I knew that polling locations near the university already face hourslong lines of voters. If we couldnt staff this polling location for the primaries, it might shut down by November, making it even harder for students to vote. So I volunteered to pitch in as a poll worker, struggling out of bed at 5 a.m. on Election Day to help my community cast ballots until 10 p.m. Of course, not all young people are able to serve as poll workers. Election Day is always on a Tuesday, when many of us have work or school. The pandemic has exacerbated challenges around financial stability, physical and mental health and family responsibilities for young people, as for everyone else. But for those who have the time and ability to volunteer, the process is relatively easy and has few requirements. In addition, almost all poll workers are compensated for their work, although the amount depends on your state and local jurisdiction. While the process to become a poll worker varies by state, workelections.com offers a one-stop location for information about staffing your local polling place. Initiatives such as Power the Polls, which hopes to recruit 250,000 Americans to serve as poll workers this year, also help guide people through the process. Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-05 10:18:25|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close KHARTOUM, Aug. 4 (Xinhua) -- Sudan on Tuesday announced its rejection of an Ethiopian proposal regarding the filling and operation of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), said Sudan's Irrigation and Water Resources Ministry in a statement. Sudan rejected the Ethiopian proposal as it stipulates that an agreement should only be about the first phase of the filling of the GERD, while it links the agreement with reaching a comprehensive treaty regarding the Blue Nile water, the statement said. According to the statement, Sudan regarded the proposal as a change in Ethiopia's position, which threatens the continuation of the tripartite talks between Sudan, Egypt and Ethiopia. The precondition for Sudan's participation in the Nile dam talks is that an agreement on the filling and operation of the GERD should not be linked with reaching a treaty on the Blue Nile water, it said. Sudan, Egypt and Ethiopia on Monday resumed a new round of talks on the filling and operation of the GERD. Enditem Two enormous explosions devastated Beirut's port on Tuesday, leaving at least 73 people dead and thousands injured, shaking distant buildings and spreading panic and chaos across the Lebanese capital. The second blast sent an enormous orange fireball into the sky, immediately followed by a tornado-like shockwave that flattened the port and swept the city, shattering windows kilometres (miles) away. Prime Minister Hassan Diab said that 2,750 tonnes of the agricultural fertiliser ammonium nitrate that had been stored for years in a portside warehouse had blown up, sparking "a disaster in every sense of the word". Bloodied and dazed wounded people stumbled among the debris, glass shards and burning buildings in central Beirut as the health ministry reported 73 dead and 3,700 injured across wide parts of the country's biggest city. "What happened today will not pass without accountability," said Diab. "Those responsible for this catastrophe will pay the price." General Security chief Abbas Ibrahim earlier said the "highly explosive material" had been confiscated years earlier and stored in the warehouse, just minutes walk from Beirut's shopping and nightlife districts. The blasts were so massive they shook the entire city and could be heard throughout the small country, and as far away as Nicosia on the eastern Mediterranean island of Cyprus, 240 kilometres (150 miles) away. A soldier at the port, where relatives of the missing scrambled for news of their loved ones, told AFP: "It's a catastrophe inside. There are corpses on the ground. Ambulances are still lifting the dead." "It was like an atomic bomb," said Makrouhie Yerganian, a retired schoolteacher in her mid-70s who has lived near the port for decades. "I've experienced everything, but nothing like this before," even during the country's 1975-1990 civil war, she said. "All the buildings around here have collapsed." Her 91-year-old uncle, who lived in the same building, was wounded in the blast and later died. AFP correspondents across the city saw shop and apartment windows blown out and streets covered with broken glass. Photos posted online even showed damage to the inside of Beirut airport's terminal, some nine kilometres from the explosion. Hospitals already struggling with the country's coronavirus outbreak were overwhelmed by the influx of wounded people and the country's Red Cross called for urgent blood donations. - 'We saw the mushroom' - As the national defence council declared Beirut a disaster zone, Diab appealed to Lebanon's allies to "stand by" the country and "help us treat these deep wounds". Condolences poured in from across the world with Gulf nations, the United States and even Lebanon's arch foe Israel offering to send aid. AFP video footage showed areas of near-complete devastation, with cars flipped onto their roofs like children's toys, warehouses flattened and survivors drenched from head to toe in their own blood. "We heard an explosion, then we saw the mushroom," said a Beirut resident who witnessed the second deafening explosion from her balcony in the city's Mansourieh district. "The force of the blast threw us backwards into the apartment." An AFP correspondent at the scene minutes after said every shop in the Hamra commercial district had sustained damage, with entire storefronts destroyed and many cars wrecked. A huge blaze sent up black smoke from the port area, as helicopters dumped water on burning buildings. A ship moored off the port was on fire, and the blasts also damaged a vessel deployed with United Nations peacekeeping force UNIFIL and injured some of its personnel. - 'Like an earthquake' - Hundreds immediately shared their shock and grief on social media. "Buildings are shaking," tweeted one resident, while another wrote: "An enormous, deafening explosion just engulfed Beirut. Heard it from miles away." Online footage from a Lebanese newspaper office showed blown out windows, scattered furniture and demolished interior panelling. The explosions hit a country already reeling from its worst economic crisis in decades which has left nearly half of the population in poverty, as well as from the coronavirus pandemic. Lebanon's economy has collapsed in recent months, with the local currency plummeting, businesses closing en masse and poverty soaring at the same alarming rate as unemployment. Charity Save the Children said "the incident could not have occurred at a worse time". The explosions came three days before a UN tribunal's verdict on the murder of former Lebanese premier Rafic Hariri, who was killed in a huge 2005 truck bomb attack. Four alleged members of the Shiite Muslim movement Hezbollah are on trial in absentia at the court in the Netherlands over the huge Beirut bombing that killed Sunni billionaire Hariri and 21 other people. A woman in the city centre Tuesday told AFP the blast "felt like an earthquake" and "bigger than the explosion in the assassination of Rafic Hariri in 2005". ho-bek-rh-lar/fz The Vice-Presidential Candidate of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), Professor Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang, on Friday, July 30 ended her first official visit to the Central Region. She made the first stop at her hometown, Komenda, in the Komenda-Edina-Eguafo-Abirem District, where she paid a visit to the Chief and spoke to the excited crowds that desperately wanted to see her and hear from her. She emphasized the need for peace and harmony in the community. She also encouraged them to adhere strictly to the Covid-19 prevention guidelines and do everything to avoid being infected by the virus. On Wednesday 31st July 2020, Prof Opoku-Agyemang started the day with a visit to Mrs. Effie Amissah-Arthur (mother of the late Vice- President H.E. Paa Kwesi Amissah-Arthur). The Vice-Presidential candidate was accompanied by the Chairman of the Party Hon. Samuel Ofosu-Ampofo, the Central Regional Chairman of the Party and other party executives. Prof. Opoku-Agyemang indicated to Mrs. Amissah-Arthur that she had come to pay respects to her and to inform her formally about her nomination as Vice-Presidential candidate. Mrs. Effie Amissah-Arthur thanked her for the visit and advised the Vice-Presidential candidate and the delegation to work towards their objectives in unity. She also prayed for God's strength and grace for the Running Mate and the Flagbearer John DramaniMahama. Professor Opoku- Agyemang thanked her for the warm welcome, words of encouragement and the support she had provided to her over many years. Professor Opoku-Agyemang proceeded to call on the family of the late President John Evans Atta-Mills, who warmly welcomed her back home. On behalf of the family, Hon. Samuel Atta-Mills MP for Komenda-Edina-Eguafo-Abirem, expressed joy and pride in her selection as the Vice-presidential candidate of the NDC and pledged the full support of the family throughout the campaign. Professor Opoku- Agyemang thanked the family for their kind words and blessings as the Party pursues its critical mission to put the country back on the path to recovery and prosperity. The Vice-Presidential candidate, along with the National Chairman and party delegation, then paid a courtesy call on the Central Region House of Chiefs, where they were welcomed by Nananom led by DaasebreKwebuEwusi, President of the National House of Chiefs. On behalf of the delegation, Chairman Ofosu-Ampofo thanked Nananom for blessing the NDC and Ghana with their daughter and pledged to ensure that she is fully supported in the journey to elect the NDC in December 2020. Professor Opoku-Agyemang expressed appreciation for the counsel of Nananom and asked for their guidance and prayers throughout the campaign.DaasebreKwebuEwusi expressed pride in the high recognition of their daughter and advised her to remain objective, stay focused and to resist any attempts to be drawn into the politics of insults that has dominated political discourse in the country. He advised her to focus on leaving a legacy for current and future generations. Finally, Professor Opoku-Agyemang met with some community leaders from the Central Region to listen to their concerns, challenges, and hopes for the future. She expressed joy and pride in their activism and efforts to make the country better, and she challenged them to stay involved and never give up despite the many hardships they indicated they were suffering under the current government. A 2021 NDC government led by President John DramaniMahama will build an inclusive society that gives everyone equal opportunity to succeed in our great country, she said. ---citinewsroom Travelers from Rhode Island entering the Bay State will have to start quarantining for two weeks starting Friday due to an increasing COVID-19 positive test rate, according to the Massachusetts Department of Public Health. DPH removed Rhode Island from the list of states where travelers are exempt from the new travel order, which took effect Saturday. New York, New Jersey and Connecticut also added Rhode Island to their orders, imposing travel restrictions on their residents. The state agency announced it was removing Rhode Island in a tweet Tuesday afternoon, citing the increase in the states positive test rate and cases per capita. To be exempt from the order, a state must keep its positive test rate below 10 per 100,000 people and its seven-day average of positive tests below 5%. Effective 8/7, Rhode Island has been removed from DPHs lower risk state list for MAs new travel order due to increases in both RIs positive test rate and cases per 100,000. Mass. Public Health (@MassDPH) August 4, 2020 Rhode Island health officials reported one new COVID-19 death and 123 new positive cases on Tuesday. Before DPHs tweet, Gov. Charlie Baker said during a news conference Tuesday that the state would have an update soon on the Rhode Island COVID-19 infections. Were obviously urging everybody to adhere to the travel order and the guidance associated with it, Baker said. Under the Massachusetts order, out-of-state visitors must fill out a Massachusetts Travel Form and quarantine for two weeks. They can only cut that quarantine short if they test negative for COVID-19 in the first 72 hours. The order applies not only to tourists, but to residents returning from any of those states. Those who fail to comply with the new order face a $500 fine per day. Visitors from New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire and Hawaii remain exempt from the Bay States restrictions. Workers are also exempt from the travel order. Related Content: Singaporean Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan and US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. (Photo: VNA/AFP) Hanoi - US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has reiterated US support for Southeast Asian states upholding their sovereign rights and interests in the East Sea under international law. Pompeo made the affirmation during his recent phone call with Singaporean Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan, the US Department of State announced on August 4.The Singaporean Ministry of Foreign Affairs also said Singapore's key interest is in maintaining peace and stability the East Sea - one of the world's busiest waterways.Singapore upholds the right of all states to freedom of navigation and overflight, as well as supports the peaceful resolution of disputes in accordance with universally recognised principles of international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, FM Balakrishnan said.Both sides shared the view on the significance of the longstanding partnership and measures to expand cooperation, covering collaboration within ASEAN and at relevant forums. FILE PHOTO: Telecom Italia logo is seen at the headquarter in Rozzano neighbourhood of Milan By Elvira Pollina MILAN (Reuters) - Telecom Italia (TIM) will stick to its plan to sell a minority stake in its last-mile grid even if a broader deal to create a single broadband network fails to materialise by the end of August, the head of Italy's biggest phone group said. TIM postponed a decision over selling 37.5% of its secondary grid to U.S. fund KKR after the government requested time to negotiate a merger of its network assets with smaller rival Open Fiber to create a single fast broadband network. "We cannot guarantee there will be a deal (with Open Fiber)... but I think what you can try to do is an MoU which sets principles and timing for what should happen later," Chief Executive Luigi Gubitosi said on Wednesday in a conference call on results. TIM has been in talks for months over a tie-up with Open Fiber, but issues regarding governance and regulation have so far stood in the way of a potential deal. Gubitosi welcomed the government commitment to pursue the single network project but underlined that even if a comprehensive deal did not happen, TIM would pursue its plan with KKR. "The KKR deal will happen anyway," he said, adding it was tailored as a potential "first step" in a much wider deal with Open Fiber. Open Fiber, jointly controlled by state utility Enel and state lender Cassa Depositi e Prestiti (CDP), is a wholesale-only broadband unit. CDP also owns 10% of TIM. Gubitosi said TIM wanted to keep a majority stake in any single combined entity with Open Fiber, but added that he was ready to negotiate on governance. He said any single network would be available to other phone groups such as Vodafone or WindTre, which could also choose to invest in the operator itself. Gubitosi said he was ready to include in any deal with Open Fiber the whole of the group's access network, going from central units to the people's homes, which analysts value at up to 15 billion euros ($17.8 billion). TIM closed up 5%, while the European telecom sector was down 0.6% (Reporting by Elvira Pollina; Additional reporting by Stephen Jewkes and Giancarlo Navach; Editing by Alexander Smith, Louise Heavens and Jan Harvey) The federal government says it will "very soon' resume the roll out of Digital Switch Over (DSO) - a transition from analogue to digital television broadcasting - across the country. The Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, stated this on Tuesday in Lagos at a ceremony to unveil the new amendment to the 6th Edition of the Broadcasting Code. Fielding questions from stakeholders at the ceremony, the minister said the DSO suffered some set back which led to a hold after it was launched in six states. He reiterated the commitment of the government to spread the massive benefits of digital television to the people, stressing that it was the fastest way to create jobs. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls the roll out of DSO commenced in Jos, Plateau in April 2016 and moved to Abuja, Ilorin, Kaduna, Enugu and lastly in Oshogbo in February, 2018. The minister assured the stakeholders that they would hear from the government on the resumption of the DSO roll out in the coming weeks. Mr Mohammed also told the stakeholders that government had been implementing policies and programmes to reposition the creative industry. He said one of the major recommendations of the Post COVID-19 Initiative Committee on the Creative Industry chaired by ace comedian, Ali Baba, was a restructure of the industry. The minister reassured that the government would soon set up a committee on the implementation of the recommendations to move the industry forward. The minister also reiterated government's commitment to assist the Newspaper Proprietors Association of Nigeria in securing the N10 billion Nigeria Media Intervention Fund from the Central Bank of Nigeria. (NAN) Former U.S. Rep. Chris Gibson was named the 12th president of Siena College earlier this year. The military veteran, who graduated from Siena College with a history degree in 1986, officially stepped into the role on July 1. "I am deeply grateful to the Board for the high privilege of serving as Siena's next president, and I am sincerely humbled to have been appointed as the College's first permanent lay leader," wrote Gibson in a press release. "Siena played an instrumental role in shaping my values and ideals, and I am forever indebted to the faculty and staff, including the many friars who have been so influential in my life." Prior to becoming president at the Loudonville college, Gibson was a Stanley Kaplan Distinguished Visiting Professor of American Foreign Policy at Williams College in Williamstown, Mass. He was also a member of the Hoover Institution's Working Group on the Role of Military History in Contemporary Conflict, a visiting fellow with the Catholic University's Center for the Study of Statesmanship and a member of the Editorial Advisory Committee of the Bipartisan Review, a project with Cornell University's Institute of Politics. Many people remember Gibson from his years in politics. He served district NY-19 in the U.S. House of Representatives from 2011-2017. Gibson is also the author of two books, including his most recent work "Rally Point: Five Tasks to Unite the Country and Revitalize the American Dream." He is a 29-year decorated military veteran who rose to the rank of colonel in the U.S. Army. He commanded the 82nd Airborne Division's 2nd Brigade, leading them to Haiti on a humanitarian relief operation after the 2010 earthquake. He served four combat tours in Iraq and was part of the NATO peacekeeping mission in Kosovo. Gibson, who you can follow on Twitter, is today's "20 things." Lebanese President Michel Aoun has called for a two-week state of emergency in the wake of a massive explosion, which swept through the capital Beirut leaving at least 100 people dead and 4,000 others injured. The Middle East country Tuesday lived its darkest day in history after explosion at the Beirut port. The blast ripped through the capital causing important damages. Authorities launched investigations to establish the cause of the explosion but early assumptions by officials point at some 2,750 tons of confiscated ammonium nitrate that were being stored in a warehouse at the port for six years. President Aoun, Al Jazeera reports, called for an emergency cabinet meeting on Wednesday and requested a two-week state of emergency. Prime Minister Hassan Diab called for a day of mourning on Wednesday. The blast, whose impact could be felt miles away, has destroyed houses, leaving between 200,000 and 250,000 without a roof. Several countries around the globe have expressed solidarity with Lebanon. France promised to send two military planes to Lebanon with search and rescue experts, 15 tons of sanitary equipment and a mobile clinic equipped to treat 500 people. Iran has offered to treat those injured and in need of medical assistance. Qatar and Malaysia also have offered to help. We're thrilled to be collaborating with NeenOpal to advance our shared focus of providing the best customer experience. 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Feel free to reach out to us at corporate@neenopal.com, or dial-up on +1 646 793 0813 Stellan Skarsgard in "Out Stealing Horses" Stellan Skarsgard in "Out Stealing Horses" Magnolia Pictures In "Out Stealing Horses," director Hans Petter Moland's artfully made adaptation of Per Petterson's bestselling novel, Stellan Skarsgard plays Trond, an aging recluse. It is the actor's fifth collaboration with the filmmaker their last was "In Order of Disappearance," (which Moland remade in America as "Cold Pursuit.") The actor, who also can currently be seen in another literary adaptation, "The Painted Bird," however, is probably best known for his English-speaking roles in "Good Will Hunting," "Mamma Mia!," the "Pirates of the Caribbean" series, and several MCU films. In "Out Stealing Horses" Skarsgard plays a man in 1999 looking back on his life. Trond says, "Life went well" and that he is "lucky," but he may just be in deep denial. Even when he mentions losing his wife in a car accident Trond was driving he says he feels loss, not guilt. Skarsgard's tough, steely performance convinces viewers that may be true, but as the film unfolds, Trond reflects back on a pivotal summer in 1948 when he was a teenager. Viewers will get a sense that his life may have been more difficult than he claims. A bulk of the film has 15-year-old Trond (Jon Ranes) living in a cabin with his father, (Tobias Santelmann). A tragedy involving a neighboring family sets a chain of transformative events in motion. Skarsgard's portrait is full of gravitas and would be very at home in a film by his fellow Swede, Ingmar Bergman. (It's hard not to flash on "Wild Strawberries.") Trond allows Skarsgard to give a deep, internal performance. He cautiously expresses resignation as he asks his neighbor Lars (Bjrn Floberg) to join him for a New Year's Eve dinner. It is not just that Trond really just wants to be alone; Lars was involved in the events decades ago. Trond also is cagey in a scene where he is surprised by the arrival of another guest at his isolated cabin. Story continues The actor who played a mean drunken father in Moland's "Aberdeen" and has worked regularly with Lars von Trier ("Breaking the Waves," "Nymphomaniac"), spoke with Salon about his new film, fathers and sons, and his thoughts on the past. Trond reads Dickens. What do you like to read, and had you read Per Petterson's novel before signing on to this film? I read Dickens when I was a kid, but I read a lot. I read more than I watch movies. There's so much to catch up with I don't think I'll read everything I want to before I die. I've read a lot of nonfiction during corona[virus quarantine] while isolated, but I read Victor Klemperer's "I Will Bear Witness." It's a diary that is not written in hindsight. As a Jew in Germany, he does not know from one day to the next what will happen but we do. Sitting around, locked up, it's good to read something that does not make you feel sorry for yourself. I read "Out Stealing Horses" before I was sent the film. I was approached 10-15 years ago with a script that was no good, so it never happened. And then it landed with Hans Peter Moland, and he captured the poetry and the power of the Nordic nature, which is difficult to make a film out of. Hans is an outdoor man who grew up in those forests. I'm very much a city boy. "Out Stealing Horses" is really about managing emotional pain. Can you talk about this theme? Many of the characters you play are men who are troubled. What draws you to a character that wants isolation. I don't know, because I am not very brooding myself. I don't dwell on the past, I'm pretty cheerful. I'm interested in people in general and whatever problems they have or don't have. If you're not doing a popcorn movie with shallow characters, then you want to find something that the characters are very often not deliberately expressing and tell that in the way you move. It makes the audience fill in blanks. The film shows the critical moments of change in Trond's life. How he copes with tragedy and loss but also how he chooses not to be angry. Can you describe how you cope with tragedy and change, and how you create a character that does this? In my personal life, I've been devastated and happily in love but, I haven't had a big trauma to deal with in my life. It's about digging into and imagining the resilience in yourself about what it would have been like for this character. The fantastic thing in the film is that you have the voiceover and flashbacks that tune the audience into what the problems are. The audience will carry that luggage with them. When it comes to treating trauma, it depends on who you are. I'm a moving forward person, but Trond is not. I haven't had a trauma like the one that affects Trond, who has been carrying a betrayal around all his life. He doesn't understand it until he is an old man and is now repeating the same mistake. Trond opens the film stating his life went well and that he is lucky. Is he an unreliable narrator? It's true to him. What is fact, I don't know. If you have ever known a couple divorcing, there are two different versions of events leading up to the divorce, and they are both true. We are all unreliable witnesses in a way. He isn't fabricating anything, but the chain of events is true. I didn't treat the character as someone creating a fictional past. The story doesn't need that. The betrayal [Trond feels] is strong enough as it is. He's in denial, but he works himself to a point where he sees what it was. But that is about accepting his father as a human being and not as a God. "Out Stealing Horses" is a great father/son film. What observations do you have about your family, and your relationships with your father and sons? I had a fantastic father, who lived to 77, but he was incredibly flawed. He was absurd in many ways, but he always treated me like an equal, so I never had to tear him down from a pedestal or have the disappointment in puberty when you realize your dad is just a man. He never hid his weaknesses, so I could love him for who he was all his life. I have seven sons, and I have a different relationship with each one. I tried to repeat my father's way of showing weakness in front of them and not being a know-it-all or interfere too much in their lives, and make them trust me as a friend. I've got a good relationship with all of my eight children. [Skargard also has a daughter.] You are a frequent collaborator with Lars Von Trier. This is your fifth film with Hans Petter Moland. What are your thoughts about working in Nordic cinema? I don't care where the films are made or in what language. I've done two Swedish films in the last 30 years. It depends on the collaboration. Scandinavian cinema is very small; there are 5 million Danes, 5 million Norwegians, and 10 million Swedes and there are four languages. But we have a strong film industry. It's heavily subsidized. I'm not familiar with everything produced here, but we do produce interesting directors regularly, and that is quite vital. You are also currently in "The Painted Bird" and have "Dune" coming up. Since this is a film about looking back on life, what observations do you have about your career, the choices you've made, and the roles you play? I don't know. I spend little time looking back on my life and little time dreaming about future. I'm enjoying the present very much. I've been incredibly fortunate to do interesting independent films made for different reasons than the big Hollywood blockbusters I've done. And I've been able to become more bankable to get a small film financed. I made "The Painted Bird" not because I was perfect for the role, but because it was important to finance. It was a film I wanted to make. Harvey Keitel and Julian Sands came on eventually, but "Bird" is like "Out Shooting Horses" a very cinematic film that you barely see anymore. It's not dialog driven; the story is not verbalized. The power of the images have a significant importance in telling the story. Watching "Bird" is like watching a European arthouse film from the '60s, when everybody watched arthouse films. When I saw "Bird" in Venice, I was happy it was so incredibly beautiful and devastating, but it was nostalgic, too. What are your thoughts about self-reflection and having a good life? I glance back now and then. I still have small children and I'm cooking for eight children and two wives and working too, but, of course, I think about it. But I'm not analyzing myself and my life very much. I make quick judgments about what I've done right or wrong. I might be careless in a way, but if I aim for something in my life, it's not perfection because that is unattainable anyway. Life should be moving, exciting full of love and friendship and people and good books and incredibly good food of course! "Out Stealing Horses" comes to theaters and on demand on Aug. 7. https://youtu.be/T3x0DjexIPA Related Articles The Capitol and a stop sign are seen in Washington D.C., the United States, on Feb. 13, 2020. (Xinhua/Liu Jie) On April 21, Republican-controlled Missouri became the first US state to file a lawsuit against China for "spreading the novel coronavirus" across the world. Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt laid the entire blame for the coronavirus pandemic and deaths and economic losses in Missouri on China, demanding compensation for them. On May 12, the US state of Mississippi filed a similar lawsuit. In international law, all sovereign states, including China, are entitled to sovereign immunity. But US Senator Marsha Blackburn and Congressman Lance Gooden have put forward a bill in the US Congress to amend the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act to exempt a foreign state that uses a biological weapon from the jurisdictional immunity clause. The bill, "Stop China-Originated Viral Infectious Diseases Act of 2020", is directed against China. The two cases and the two US lawmakers' attempt to change the US law have raised a jurisdictional issue related to sovereign immunity, pursuant to which China, as a sovereign state, cannot be sued in the US. They are the result of the US policy of "judicialization" of power politics, whose legality can be challenged based on the legal entity's active or passive jurisdiction both in national and international law. As a universally accepted principle, sovereign immunity is based on par in parem non habet imperium, Latin for "equals have no sovereignty over each other", which according to ancient Roman law means no jurisdiction between equals and according to modern international law, no jurisdiction between sovereign states. Established by the general practice and opinio juris (an opinion in law) of the international community, the principle has been codified as a written norm in treaties, which the US states, by suing China in domestic courts, have flagrantly violated. Due to Article 38 of China's Infectious Diseases Prevention Law, the Chinese government exercised public authority to tackle the coronavirus epidemic, rather than carrying out any commercial activity as claimed by 28 USC1605(a)(2). The US law is inapplicable in such a case. Besides, under US law, domestic courts can stretch their jurisdiction to such cases only if both the tort and the damage have occurred in the US. But according to the lawsuits, the so-called tort happened in China, which makes the exception of 28 USC1605 (a)(5) inapplicable. Also, the scientific community has not traced the origin of the novel coronavirus. And China has taken stringent measures to prevent and control the outbreak, not concealed any facts related to it, and there is no legal causal relationship between China's epidemic prevention work and the US' losses. Therefore, even if the US modifies the existing law, it cannot hold China accountable for anything. The jurisdiction of the US domestic courts can also be questioned in the light of modern constitutional rationale and subjectivity of natural law of justice. The typology of major legal systems of human society is defined by their natural subjectivity, and reflected in the nature of their national laws and international lawwith the European Union's laws being sui generis (only one of its kind). Internally, natural persons or citizens in a modern democracy are equal in the eyes of domestic law. Consequently, the procedural rights or the judicial powers of the subjects are legalized synchronically by a constitution or diachronically by the natural rights of a natural person. So the right to sue or the power to administer justice to any subject in another jurisdiction runs counter to the rule of national law. The primary subject of international law is the nation-state instead of a natural person. The principle of sovereign equality of state sovereignty is the pillar of international law, according to which nation-states are independent and equal. And the principle of sovereign immunity is recognized and accepted by the international community as a legally binding norm. Within the country, the US is free to enact a law and use it to file a case against anybody, but externally, it would be violating international law by filing a lawsuit against another state. As such, owing to their lack of legality in law and legitimacy in jurisprudence, the US lawsuits against China are nothing but a farce. International law and international relations are closely interconnected. So the US' exceptionalism and "sacred mission", aimed at legalizing its power politics in the international community, are a violation of both international law and international relations. The US lawsuits expose the US' use of power politics and judicial hegemony. Although the US will not succeed in its evil designs, its attempts to stigmatize China and tarnish China's image reveals its true colors. The lawsuits are also an attempt to divert American public attention from the US administration's failure to control the COVID-19 pandemic in the country and, instead, blame China for the health crisis. Yet the US can highlight the "facts" related to the lawsuits through its global hegemonic discourse because it controls the only primary root server of the global network. US-based Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers enjoys the lion's share of soft power in the virtual world. First, the US move will weaken the effectiveness of international law, and undermine the world order, which could lead to regression of the international community to the "state of nature". Second, the world and humankind as a whole are facing a grave health crisis and fighting against the pandemic, which calls for international cooperation. But instead of cooperating with the rest of the world in the global fight against the pandemic, the US is more interested in triggering confrontation with China to fulfill its hegemonic goals. And third, the US' move will sow discord between China and other states in the anti-epidemic fight, and create obstacles for China to help build a community with a shared future for mankind and promote the Belt and Road Initiative. But instead of preventing China from fulfilling its responsibility as a major country, the US will end up shooting itself in the foot. Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc chaired a one-day regular Cabinet meeting for July on August 3, which focused on seeking measures to fulfil socio-economic goals amidst COVID-19 pandemic. Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc chaired a one-day regular Cabinet meeting for July on August 3, which focused on seeking measures to fulfil socio-economic goals amidst COVID-19 pandemic. PM Phuc noted that after 99 days of no COVID-19 community infection, a new outbreak appeared in late July, affecting some localities, especially Da Nang city and Quang Nam and Dak Lak provinces, with several deaths. He underlined the determination of the Government to once again contain the pandemic, and noted that necessary resources have been mobilised to serve epidemic control efforts in major hotbeds, including the sending of thousands of medical workers from Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City to Da Nang. The Government leader also hailed efforts of medical staff as well as localities in extinguishing the pandemic. Stressing the policy of not allowing interruption in economic activities, the PM said various measures have been rolled out to remove difficulties, while public investment disbursement has been sped up, resulting in a record rise in disbursed amount in July. He said that despite the global economic crisis due to COVID-19 pandemic, as well as the strategic competition among world powers, major international organisations and financial institutions still made optimistic assessments about the Vietnamese economy. The World Bank forecast on July 30 that Vietnam will come fifth in the world in 2020 in economic growth with 2.8 percent, while The Economist magazine called Vietnam as a favourite hub for investors and an important part of the world technology supply chain. These showed the confidence of investors and financial institutions in the Vietnamese economy, according to the PM. He highlighted stable macro-economic situation and growing agriculture, industry and service sectors, as well as positive signs in foreign direct investment with 14.4 percent growth in July and disbursement of over 10.1 billion USD. Meanwhile, social welfare was ensured, as was social security, order and safety as well as defence and foreign relations. July also witnessed strong recovery in the number of newly-formed businesses, the PM said, asking Government members to seek ways to maintain the operation of the newly-established businesses, especially in major hubs of Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi. In the second quarter and the first half of 2020, 30.8 million people were affected by COVID-19 pandemic, including 2.4 million workers who became unemployed. The ratio of unemployment rose 2.73 percent in the whole country and 4.46 percent in urban areas. About 17 million people suffered from income reduction due to the pandemic. Amidst the effects of the second wave of COVID-19, the PM required the Government to outline policies for the remaining five months of 2020, especially those in social welfare and labourers. He mentioned the need to ensure a safe and successful organisation of the high-school graduation exam slated for August 8-10. Jim Karygiannis has once again been returned to his council seat at least temporarily by the Court of Appeal. After a hearing Wednesday morning, the elected Scarborough-Agincourt representative was successful in convincing a judge to put a hold on an earlier decision that had turfed him from office. Justice Harvison Youngs decision Wednesday to grant Karygiannis a stay of decision by a panel of her Court of Appeal colleagues while he tries to convince Canadas highest court to hear his case is the latest in a legal saga that has ping-ponged him in and out of his Ward 22 seat. Karygiannis was first ousted from office in November 2019 after the city clerk informed him his financial statements filed as part of his 2018 election campaign showed he had overspent a strict campaign limit by nearly $26,000. That forfeiture is automatic as spelled out under the provincial laws governing municipal elections. Later that month, lawyers for Karygiannis successfully argued for a Superior Court judge to offer him relief from that forfeiture from office and he was returned to his seat. But Adam Chaleff, a Toronto resident and fair elections advocate, launched an appeal at the Court of Appeal, arguing the lower court had erred in ruling the legislation allowed for Karygiannis to seek relief from forfeiture. In June, a panel of three judges unanimously agreed. While the written decision noted the penalties under the Municipal Elections Act were harsh in some cases, forfeiture is clearly what the legislators intended. Karygiannis is now seeking leave to appeal that decision to the Supreme Court of Canada the last stop for this case if the highest court agrees to hear it. In the meantime, Karygiannis legal team requested the Court of Appeal suspend the earlier decision to allow him to resume his councillor duties pending a decision from the Supreme Court on whether itll accept the case. The Supreme Court only hears a limited number of cases each year, with the mandate of the court to focus on issues of national and public importance. Council has delayed a decision about how to fill the vacant seat until their next meeting, which begins Sept. 30. In oral and written arguments, Karygiannis legal team argued both he and the public would suffer irreparable harm if he was not able to return to office for the next two months. At the time of Mr. Karygiannis forfeiture, there were numerous pressing issues unique to the community that required the active participation of Ward 22s councillor, including but not limited to the provision of health services and personal protective equipment during the COVID-19 pandemic, active and ongoing condominium development planning, the installation of traffic calming measures at all schools located in Ward 22, the availability of affordable housing, traffic infrastructure measures, short-term rental occupancy issues, and the completion of TTC Line 4 through Scarborough, the written submissions read. Karygiannis, in a statement, thanked family, staff and constituents for supporting him during a difficult time. I look forward to returning to work as the councillor for Ward 22 and to, once again, serving my constituents, the statement said. Chaleffs lawyer, Stephen Aylward, did not contest the stay motion in court on Wednesday. Young commended all parties for the speed of making their submissions in light of an upcoming council meeting and the ongoing pandemic. Its a very interesting case and I look forward to seeing how it all turns out, she said in closing. Written reasons for her decision will be published at a later date. Jennifer Pagliaro is a Toronto-based reporter covering city hall and municipal politics for the Star. Follow her on Twitter: @jpags Getty Images (2) Rep. Jim Clyburn (left) and President Donald Trump South Carolina Rep. Jim Clyburn warned in multiple interviews over the weekend that he believed Donald Trump was "not planning to give up the office" as the president continued to criticize mail-in voting and slammed Nevada for increasing voter access on Sunday after suggesting last week the November election should be delayed. "I have been saying now for about three years that this president doesn't plan to have an election. He's not planning to give up the office," Clyburn, 80, told PBS on Friday, before speaking even more bluntly: "He thinks that the American people will be duped by him, like the people of Germany was duped by Adolf Hitler." Then, in a separate interview with CNN on Sunday, the top Democratic lawmaker went further in comparing Trump to dictators and autocrats who circumvented the law to help them remain in power. "I feel very strongly that Trump is Mussolini, Putin and Hitler," Clyburn said, accusing the president of "taking on strong-arm tactics" to gain what he wants politically. "I dont think he plans to leave the White House," Clyburn continued. "He doesnt plan to have fair and unfettered elections. I believe that he plans to install himself in some kind of emergency way to hold onto the office. And that's why the American people had better wake up." RELATED: An Election Postponed? Historic Mail-in Ballots? What to Know About the Coronavirus and Voting Drew Angerer/Getty Images Rep. Jim Clyburn Trump, 74, has continuously posted misinformation on social media about mail-in voting also known as absentee voting which allows voters to cast their ballots remotely ahead of the election on Nov. 3. Election experts have told PEOPLE that due to the health risks from the novel coronavirus pandemic, they're expecting mail-in voting will be widely used ahead of the election. Story continues By contrast, the president has repeatedly claimed without evidence that such ballots would be fraudulent and inaccurate and last week he tweeted that the election should possibly be delayed rather than be largely conducted by mail. (He has no legal authority to move the election date; five states already use universal mail ballots, including Colorado, Hawaii and Utah.) After Nevada lawmakers passed a bill late Sunday night that would allow the state to automatically send out mail-in ballots to all voters, Trump complained in a tweet Monday morning that the bill's passing was an illegal late night coup." He later softened his stance on voting by mail though only as it related to Florida, a key swing state where polling shows he is in a tight race. "In Florida the election system is Safe and Secure, Tried and True ... so in Florida I encourage all to request a Ballot & Vote by Mail!" he tweeted on Tuesday. The Associated Press reports that Nevada's new bill would add the state to a list of seven others, including California and Vermont, already set to automatically mail out ballots to registered voters amid the pandemic. RELATED: How to Register to Vote Ahead of the 2020 Presidential Election JIM WATSON/AFP via Getty President Donald Trump Republicans and Democrats largely ignored Trump's tweet about an election delay. "Never in the history of the country, through wars and depressions and the Civil War, have we ever not had a federally scheduled election on time, and we'll find a way to do that again this Nov. 3," said Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, one of several Trump allies who immediately shot down the president's tweet. RELATED: No, Donald Trump Can't Just Delay the 2020 Election Regardless of His Latest Tweet Former Vice President Joe Biden, Trump's likely opponent in the upcoming election, told late-night host Trevor Noah in June that his "single greatest concern" was that Trump would attempt to "steal" the election by limiting voting access and continuing to spread false claims about the voting process. As Trump did in 2016, he has also suggested he may not personally stand by the election results. "I'm not a good loser," he told Fox News' Chris Wallace in July, adding: "I don't like to lose." In efforts to highlight the versatility of the product and to reach out to its consumers Hindustan Liquids has announced its first digital campaign #ThePerrierConfluence in India, for its iconic French brand- Perrier. The campaign will feature influencers from varied walks of life showcasing the idea of making your own Perrier-infused drink. Highlighting the versatility of the Perrier Carbonated Water, the brand has brought together influencers from across segments to create beverages that are a reflection of their personalities. The idea behind the campaign is to also enunciate the aspect of having a Perrier anytime, catering to any mood. From an immunity booster for fitness enthusiasts, to cocktails for party animals, to a coffee with a twist, the #ThePerrierConfluence, has got you all covered! The campaign aims to encourage and inspire consumers to make their variations and versions of drinks with everyday ingredients found at home. Ms. Chandni Kohli Dhall, Chief Marketing Officer, Hindustan Liquids Private Limited Perrier, India said, At Perrier, we are taking this time for our consumers to master the art of creating their own drinks from scratch. #ThePerrierConfluence campaign will particularly emphasize on how everyone and anyone staying at home can nudge their inner artist while choosing a healthier alternative because you dont have to be a professional to whip up a great drink! Demonstrating the reflection of themselves by making Perrier-infused drinks, the digital campaign will consist of videos from Vicky Ratnani Renowned Chef, Rizwan Amlani Owner of Dope Coffee, Maheka Mirpuri Celebrity Fashion Designer, Pankaj Kamble Owner of Flairology, Smoke VODKA Indias first home-grown Premium Vodka, Nikhil Chopra Ex-Cricketer & Commentator, Karan Raj Kohli Actor & Producer and Rahul Raghav Bar Manager at Bombay Canteen & O Pedro. Regardless of what is ones personality or what one is feeling, there is a Perrier drink out there, waiting to be made, that bears the same set of characteristics. We at Perrier would welcome and urge our consumers to share their version of Perrier-based drinks using the hashtag #ThePerrierConfluence. Further adds Ms. Chandni Kohli Dhall Beirut's port on Wednesday after the massive explosion. PATRICK BAZ/AFP via Getty Images Lebanon's Supreme Defense Council said on Tuesday that 2,750 tons of ammonium nitrate from an abandoned ship had been left in storage at Beirut's port, state media reported. The explosive chemical had been impounded on its way to Mozambique, according to reports from the time. Lebanese officials believe it was behind the explosion at Beirut's port on Tuesday, according to state media. A Beirut law firm said in a legal summary in 2015 that the ship, the MV Rhosus, had technical difficulties while sailing in September 2013, was forced into Beirut's port, and was banned from continuing. The ship's owner abandoned it, and the cargo was kept in Beirut. Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories. For six years, 2,750 tons of highly explosive ammonium nitrate that had been seized from an abandoned ship was held in Beirut's port, Lebanon's state media reported on Tuesday. Officials at a meeting of Lebanon's Supreme Defense Council said that the stockpile of the chemical often used in fertilizers was behind the devastating explosion at the port on Tuesday, according to the national TV channel LBCI. After a tour of the site, Maj. Gen. Abbas Ibrahim, the director-general of Lebanese intelligence, attributed the blast to stored explosive materials, Lebanon's state information service said. Business Insider has independently verified that a ship carrying the same cargo was abandoned in Beirut's port in late 2013. Business Insider was unable to find records about what became of the cargo in the years that followed. After the blast on Tuesday, Lebanese Prime Minister Hassan Diab said it came from a "dangerous warehouse that has been there since 2014." At least 100 people were killed and another 4,000 people were injured in the blast at the port, the Red Cross reported. Damage at the site of Tuesday's blast. Mohamed Azakir/Reuters The defense council identified the ship that brought the ammonium nitrate to Beirut as the MV Rhosus, LBCI reported. Story continues A 2015 legal summary detailing a case handled by the Beirut law firm Baroudi & Associates described how the Rhosus' cargo came to be at the city's port. The ship had been sailing from Georgia to Mozambique with ammonium nitrate in September 2013 when it had technical difficulties that forced it into the port at Beirut, the summary said. After an inspection by Port State Control, an arm of the International Maritime Organization, the ship was forbidden from continuing its voyage. "Shortly afterwards the vessel was abandoned by her owners after charterers and cargo concern lost interest in the cargo," the Baroudi & Associates summary said. Various creditors came forward, but "efforts to get in touch with the owners, charterers and cargo owners to obtain payment failed," it said. Baroudi & Associates said it took on a legal case to force authorities to let the ship's crew go home "given the 'dangerous' nature of the cargo." "Owing to the risks associated with retaining the ammonium nitrate on board the vessel, the port authorities discharged the cargo onto the port's warehouses," the summary said. The summary was published in 2015 by The Arrest News, a newsletter from a maritime-law network in Spain called Ship Arrested. Both the newsletter's editor and the law firm confirmed the account as being from Baroudi & Associates. As of the summary's publication, the cargo and the ship remained in port. Read the original article on Business Insider An exciting new trend is reigning on Instagram, and no, were not talking about reels! Celebrities are flooding our feed with #MonsterShot posts and stories and we couldnt help but google this new term. News is, the M series by Samsung has unbridled a new monster in the tech space the Samsung M31s and people cant stop raving about its #MonsterShot. Samsung M31s Single Take feature enables a user to produce upto 10 different results for every single shot! Yes, its true. One click and you have upto3 video options (boomerang, hyper-lapse, original) and upto 7 picture options (smart crop, black and white, best moments, filters, and other AI generated versions) to pick from. Neha Kakkar was the first to try out the Single Take feature, and the results look more than promising. Take a look: Not just quantity, this phones camera promises quality too. Powered by Indias leading 64MP Intelli-Cam, the Samsung M31s is capable of shooting 4k videos at 480 fps. Additionally, trust the clicks to yield crystal clear shots round the clock. The phone has a low aperture, which makes the night mode ideal for low light shot and night-time hyperlapses too. Indias leading 64MP Intelli-cam features include: It can shoot in UHD (4K) Video switch Super slo-mo @ 480 fps Hyperlapse, even during the night Ideal for Night Mode for amazing low light shots thanks to the low aperture 64MP nudge My filters (customized filters) Quick video So the next time its a beautiful rainy day, you wont have to juggle between the still camera, video mode and a burst of pictures to get that one shot let Samsung M31s Single Take feature do all the hard work for you. Fan #2 of the trending MonsterShot is Fatima Sana Sheikh who recorded a stay-at-home star moment, take a look: This feature can also be used on the 32-megapixel front camera perfect for our selfies. While recording videos, the phone assists a smooth shift between the rear and front camera resulting in seamless transitions for self-shot movies. In fact, its not just the phones camera that has left us in awe. Samsung M31s packs a talented punch in other fronts too. Its Super AMOLED Infinity O Display ensures an immersive streaming experience. The phone also has a super steady mode to counter shaky videos, ultra HD 4K recording to capture the vibrant colours, and a 6000 mAH battery is designed to last all day. Quite a package, right? Up next, king of comic timing Aparshakti Khurana too has given his nod of approval to this multi-tasking phone. Samsung M31s also has a my filters option a collection of customized filters to make your Instagram pictures stand out! Also, trust the AR emoji and AR doodle features add that extra zing to your shots. These celeb videos prove that Samsung M31s is ready to bring a new wave of cool to photography! Its also going on an unmissable sale on the 6th of August, only on Amazon.in and Samsung.in. So save the date and mark your presence at the events for exciting details, price, deals and more. Kasautii Zindagii Kay 2 has been in the news since its inception. Recently, Karan Patel replaced Karan Singh Grover as Mr Rishab Bajaj in the show. The actor has already started shooting for the show. In a recent virtual chat with a leading channel, Erica Fernandes, who plays the role of Prerna in the show, opened up about her working experience with Karan Patel. Erica told the leading channel that although she shot only for a day with Karan that too for the first time, it didn't feel so. She added that they shot back to back scenes. She said, "It was nice and fun. He is a very positive person and his vibes are very nice. He has very good energy around him." Erica added, "Further, all I can say is stay tuned and watch the interesting upcoming track in the show." About the bond Prerna and Mr Bajaj share, Erica said, "Prerna and Mr Bajaj share a different bond. There is a sense of respect and understanding. It is a pure bond of friendship." It has to be recalled that Parth Samthaan was tested positive for Coronavirus. Although he has tested negative now, he is yet to resume work. Erica and Aamna Sharif, who were shooting from home are back on the sets. Parth is currently in Pune with his mother. It has to be recalled that the actor got into a controversy, as his society people had filed a legal complaint against him for apparently breaching BMC's COVID-19 rules. The makers of the show are waiting for the actor's response regarding shoots. Stay locked to this space for the latest updates of the show. Also Read: Parth Samthaan Reveals He Had A Panic Attack; Hits Back At Troller Who Alleged He Flouted BMC Rules Also Read: Kasautii Zindagii Kay Actor Parth Samthaan Tests Negative For COVID-19 Adapted for the Central Plains Region, WB4401 is a medium-maturing variety that offers excellent yield potential, test weight and end-use quality. WB4401 offers a strong disease tolerance package, including intermediate leaf and stripe rust tolerance, as well as good Fusarium Head Blight (Scab) tolerance. This line also offers excellent grazing potential and very good Hessian Fly tolerance. Shaun Ohlde grew WB4401 on his farm in Palmer, Kansas, and was pleased with its performance on dryland acreage. "WB4401 is a new variety that looks to be rock-solid with great yield potential," said Ohlde. "It displays excellent tillering capacity for following soybeans and is an ideal maturity for our area. WB4401 provides us the complete disease package we need on our farm including fusarium head blight tolerance." Adapted for South Dakota and the southern half of North Dakota, WB4309 is a medium to early-maturing variety with the right balance of yield, protein and standability with very good test weight and milling and baking quality. WB4309 also offers a strong disease resistance package, including good Fusarium Head Blight (Scab) resistance and very good Yellow (Stripe) Rust resistance, and is broadly adapted for the Northern region. Jim Klebsch planted WB4309 last fall into standing wheat stubble, and although his wheat crop suffered through a hard spring freeze, this new variety handled the stress and performed well on his farm in Redfield, S.D. "We saw really good stands and saw zero lodging with WB4309," said Klebsch. "It grew through some very tough conditions of several days in a row with temps in the 20s. Harvested in July, the yield was in the 82 to 83 bu/acre range and protein was about 13.4. So, for our environment, that is very good performance on dryland wheat. I could not find fault with this variety. It will be popular for planting for the 2021 season because it fits this region very well." WB4401 and WB4309 are available for planting for the 2021 crop season as certified seed only (CSO) varieties. Bred from new germplasm for higher yield and protein potential with stronge disease tolerance package and pest protection, these new varieties will be available in quality-tested planting seed. Interested growers should contact their WestBred technical product manager. About WestBred WestBred wheat provides seed suppliers and their growers access to the highest yield potential wheat seed, as well as testing, education, resources and experienced representatives to help maximize their yield potential. Contact: Al Fava [email protected] 901-491-5545 SOURCE WestBred Related Links https://www.westbred.com THE year is 1994, dust of hate are settling down in South Africa. Rwanda is yet to learn that the shape of ones head, nose and ear can either save you or condemn you to the hands of brutal black men. The Hutus and Tutsis on a quest to wipe out each, black men women and children lose their lives to the ripened hate and rotten hearts of other Blacks. History archives it Rwandan genocide. In Liberia, Charles Taylor tailors children of war, they kill you for raising the peace. This is Africa, children toy with corpses not dolls. There are no 21s birthday celebrations, 21 guns salute for dead child soldiers. Somewhere in Serie Leone, some people do not have arms to put rings on their fingers, the rings we proudly flaunt and brag about. The terror of diamonds reigns, someone lost his or her arm for you to ring your finger. Muamar Gaddafi transforms the deserted Libya into furrowed haven for all Libyans. He then speaks of the United States of Africa, we all beam with smiles and wait for the dream to materialise. What happens? The dream is nightmared, in 2011 Gaddafi is brutally murdered. He sleeps in an unmarked grave. Africa, the so called dark continent lives up to the name, it seems to gravitate towards darkness. African stories are tragic. Who is the enemy? Enemy I will tell you who the enemy is.We are our own worst enemy. By we, I mean us Africans. I am not in any way disputing the presence of white shadows in the looting of Mama Africa. In Africa there is no factory that manufactures guns yet Africa is filthy with them, where do they come from? All I am saying is that we help the western countries in the exploitation of Africa. They always find willing collaborators in our leaders , they(western countries) cannot do it all by themselves. Africas development is enveloped by corruption. Our leaders do not have the best interest of the people. The few leaders that honestly want to transform Africa are quickly uprooted. Look what happened to Thomas Sankara , the former president of Burkina Faso. He was assassinated for cutting the payment of the Cabinet. The pay cuts were used to start feeding schemes nationwide. Africa needs leaders of his calibre. When he died, he lived in a one room house. The president living in a one room house? It sounds too good to be true right? Unfortunately, Africa is blessed with the Mobutus more than the Sankaras. Mobutu Seseko emptied the Congos riches. He was once voted the richest leader in the world . Whether he was the richest or not is open for debate but the mere fact that he was considered that rich is enough when his people, the Congolese were dropping dead of starvation. Another problem that hinders Africa from regaining the glory the world once basked in is misguided revolutions. Our revolutions have always been about being filtered into systems meant to exploit us. Why cant we start our own systems as Africans for Africans? Why cant African countries start trading systems among themselves? Africa does not need the world, the world needs Africa. We are ideologically veiled, we fight under the banners of comradeship. We debate Lenin and Karl Marx to prove who is well travelled academically. We are blinded to see that Africa does not need revolutionaries nor comrades for leaders, Africa simply needs human beings with compassion and conscience. Leaders whose leadership is driven by and rooted on do to others what you would like them to do to you . We do not need subscribe to capitalism or communism, they all have flaws. Capitalism overlooks the power of collectivism, it fails to see that life is social. Ngesintfu setfu sitsi umuntfu ngumuntfu ngebantfu. Communism on the other hand fails to see that life is personal, naleyo ndvodza idla logwaja wesagila sakhe asho njalo emaSwati. Africa is a giant, a sleeping giant that is. I am afraid it might sleep forever if corruption is not eradicated. For comment please email:mrmncedi12@gmail.com Shoes are displayed in the window of the Jimmy Choo store in New York (Reuters) - Capri Holdings Ltd reported a smaller-than-expected quarterly loss on Wednesday, helped by a recovery in demand for its Versace and Jimmy Choo brands in China and a surge in online shopping. Shares of the company, which also makes Michael Kors handbags, jumped 14% in early trading. Capri said first-quarter sales at Versace and Jimmy Choo in Mainland China were roughly flat from a year earlier, joining European luxury goods makers LVMH and Kering in signaling a pick-up in demand in the country, where the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic were first felt. The company, however, said revenue from its Hong Kong and Macau markets remained significantly below last year. Chinese shoppers account for a major chunk of global luxury goods sales and domestic demand has risen due to restrictions on traveling abroad. The company warned that sales in Europe and North America would be slower to recover, with total revenue likely to be down 40% in the second quarter and 35% for the full year. "We're at the peak season of where tourists would be coming to London, Paris, Milan, Florence and Barcelona, which are all very important cities where we do huge volume," Capri Chief Executive Officer John Idol said. "Obviously, that's not going to happen this year, so we continue to be cautious about what's happening in Europe." Total revenue fell 66.5% to $451 million in the first quarter, a smaller drop than what the company had projected in July, as online sales jumped 30%. Excluding items, the company posted a loss of $1.04 per share, less than analysts' expectation of a loss of $1.11 per share, according to IBES data from Refinitiv. The company also backed its previous expectations of returning to earnings and revenue growth in fiscal 2022, which starts next year. (Reporting by Uday Sampath in Bengaluru; Editing by Shinjini Ganguli and Anil D'Silva) A Nigerian has been prosecuted and jailed for six months by Ghanaian authorities for registering for the voter ID card in the registration exercise being undertaken by the Electoral Commission of Ghana. A Deputy Chairman of the Electoral Commission, Dr Bossman Eric Asare revealed this at a press conference in Accra, ghanaweb.com reported. He said the unidentified Nigerian was arrested and sentenced on Wednesday, 29 July 2020 by the Kaneshie District Court to a six-month imprisonment with hard labour. He was caught while attempting to register at the Swag Club House in the Ablekuma West District. Five Nigeriens are being prosecuted for the same crime, Asare said. The Nigeriens, he said, have made their first appearance at the Kaneshie District for attempting to register and thus acquire the voter ID card. Foreigners are prohibited from taking part in the registration exercise, he said. Asare has thus warned Ghanaians who stand guarantee for foreigners to desist from doing so because the law will come after them. Guarantors should make sure they know the nationalities of the applicants they are guaranteeing for. In the event those you guarantee for are not qualified, guarantors will also be held accountable for perjury, he warned. Do not guarantee for strangers. The details of guarantors are captured in our database, so, it is important that you know the persons you are guaranteeing for, he cautioned. We have noticed disturbing reports since last week (phase 5) where Ghanaians, who have registered, will front for people of other nationalities to register. These are largely concentrated in border towns but there are some in other places, too. It is a crime to guarantee for foreigners to register and vote. Again, if you are a guarantor, it is incumbent on you to know the nationalities of the people you are guaranteeing for, he stressed. Foreigners who are caught trying to register will be prosecuted, he warned. Related Prime Minister Narendra Modis mother Heeraben was seen on Wednesday watching the action from Ayodhya on her television set as her son performed the groundbreaking ceremony for a proposed Ram temple at Ayodhya, the very site where the Babri Masjid once stood. Pictures showed Heeraben, her hands joined in prayer, surveying the action on the flat screen TV as PM Modi went about playing his part in the proceedings. Heeraben watches PM Modi performing arti at Hanumangarhi. Heeraben, who lives in Gandhinagar, was seen lighting diyas in April after PM Modi made an appeal to the nation in its fight against coronavirus. She has been a great champion of the causes her son espouses: be it donating to the PMCARES fund or lighting diyas or getting in a queue during demonetisation move. Across the country, people remained glued to their television sets as Modi performed the bhoomi pujan at the Ram Janmabhoomi The wait of centuries has ended, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said after performing the groundbreaking ceremony. Beginning his speech with Jai Siya Ram, the prime minister told the gathering that a grand temple will now be built for Ram Lalla, the infant Ram, who had been living in a temporary tent for years. Many people made sacrifices for the Ram temple. I pay my respects to all of them, he said in the speech that followed the laying of the foundation for the Ram temple. He also released a postage stamp to mark the event. Sending out the message that Ram is everywhere, Ram belongs to all, Modi said the temple symbolises Indias rich heritage and will be an inspiration to all of humanity. Despite efforts to eradicate Lord Rams existence, he lives in our hearts and is the basis of our culture, Modi said. Citing Lord Rams message, Modi said the more powerful India gets, the more it will be loved and remain peaceful. Social harmony was the core principle of Lord Rams governance, the prime minister said. The construction of the Ram temple is an instrument to unite the country, he said, adding that it will lift the economy of the entire region. We have to join stones for the construction of Ram temple with mutual love, brotherhood, he said, asserting that everyones sentiments have to be taken care of. Last November, the Supreme Court paved the way for the construction of the Ram temple at the site where the 16th century Babri mosque was demolished in December 1992. While allotting the Ram Janmabhoomi site for a temple to be built by a trust, it ordered that a five-acre site should be found elsewhere in Ayodhya for a new mosque. Computer Numerical Controls Market Research Report by Machine (Grinding Machines, Laser Machines, Lathe Machines, Milling Machines, and Welding Machines), by End User (Aerospace & Defense, Automotive, Construction Equipment, Consumer Goods, and Industrial) - Global Forecast to 2025 - Cumulative Impact of COVID-19 New York, Aug. 04, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Reportlinker.com announces the release of the report "Computer Numerical Controls Market Research Report by Machine, by End User - Global Forecast to 2025 - Cumulative Impact of COVID-19" - https://www.reportlinker.com/p05913925/?utm_source=GNW The Global Computer Numerical Controls Market is expected to grow from USD 15,154.29 Million in 2019 to USD 30,578.52 Million by the end of 2025 at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 12.41%. Market Segmentation & Coverage: This research report categorizes the Computer Numerical Controls to forecast the revenues and analyze the trends in each of the following sub-markets: Based on Machine, the Computer Numerical Controls Market studied across Grinding Machines, Laser Machines, Lathe Machines, Milling Machines, Welding Machines, and Winding Machines. Based on End User, the Computer Numerical Controls Market studied across Aerospace & Defense, Automotive, Construction Equipment, Consumer Goods, Industrial, Metal & Mining, Power & Energy, and Transportation. Based on Geography, the Computer Numerical Controls Market studied across Americas, Asia-Pacific, and Europe, Middle East & Africa. The Americas region surveyed across Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Mexico, and United States. The Asia-Pacific region surveyed across Australia, China, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Philippines, South Korea, and Thailand. The Europe, Middle East & Africa region surveyed 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 Computer Numerical Controls Market including Amada Co., Ltd., Amera Seiki, Dmtg Corporation, Fanuc Corporation, Haas Automation, Hurco Companies, Inc., Hurco Companies, Inc., Okuma Corporation, Shenyang Machine Tool Co., Ltd., and Yamazaki Mazak Corporation. FPNV Positioning Matrix: The FPNV Positioning Matrix evaluates and categorizes the vendors in the Computer Numerical Controls 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 the market 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 Computer Numerical Controls Market? 2. What are the inhibiting factors and impact of COVID-19 shaping the Global Computer Numerical Controls Market during the forecast period? 3. Which are the products/segments/applications/areas to invest in over the forecast period in the Global Computer Numerical Controls Market? 4. What is the competitive strategic window for opportunities in the Global Computer Numerical Controls Market? 5. What are the technology trends and regulatory frameworks in the Global Computer Numerical Controls Market? 6. What are the modes and strategic moves considered suitable for entering the Global Computer Numerical Controls Market? Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p05913925/?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. __________________________ Story continues CONTACT: Clare: clare@reportlinker.com US: (339)-368-6001 Intl: +1 339-368-6001 Investment thesis Consilium AB (OSTO:CONS B) is a family-controlled company currently trading at a discount to its net current asset value. The company recently sold its major business area, Marine & Safety, which left it with a large pile of cash on the balance sheet. The smaller business area, Safety Engineering, is the remaining operating business within Consilium, which has been struggling to reach profitability for the past couple of years. A smaller-than-expected special dividend disappointed shareholders, leading to an interesting entry point for investors with a belief in the capabilities of management to deploy the cash in an accretive manner. When fire safety matters Consilium is a Swedish company that went public in 1994 and has operations in eight countries worldwide with almost 93% of sales outside Sweden. The company provides fire safety products and services used to protect lives, material values and the environment. The customers are companies in various niches of the energy market where safety requirements are high and the environments complex. The solutions protect objects with high protection values, for example, refineries, tank farms, oil drilling and production platforms, petrochemical factories and power plants. The solutions extinguish fires using water, foam and gas. Sale of Marine & Safety business On Dec. 20, 2019 Consilium entered into an agreement to sell the Marine & Safety business area to Nordic Capital, a leading private equity firm in Northern Europe, for a purchase price of 3.0 billion Swiss krona ($346.4 million) on a debt-free basis. The transaction was approved by Consilium's shareholders on Jan. 27. The transaction also required formal approval by regulatory authorities, which were granted in March 2020. Story continues The transaction was completed on March 31, and a preliminary payment of 2.6 billion krona was received. The sale results in a preliminary capital gain of 1.53 billion krona. The final settlement was expected to take place in June. The rights to the name "Consilium" are attached to the business area Marine & Safety. This means that the remaining business will change its name in 2020. Marine & Safety had before the sale been a part of Consilium since 1985. The motivation for the sale of the company was that continued expansion of the business unit would require substantial capital resources, which were not available to the company. With the sale of the business area, the remaining business has greatly improved access to financial resources as well as management resources. Remaining operations are expected to develop positively in the coming years with the experience built up within Consilium, and with a very strong financial base. Group-wide costs for management will be adapted to the new group structure, which implies cost-savings. The remaining business Looking at the performance of the Safety Engineering segment over the past decade, it is obvious that the business has been struggling recently: Safety Engineering - 10 year revenue and operating profit Safety Engineering generated about 280 million krona in revenue during 2019. Ebit excluding discontinued operations and impairments was 6.5 million krona. Ebit including these items was -225 million krona. The operations in the Middle East and India have experienced a major restructuring. The balance sheet looks clean going forward, with only 17 million krona in remaining goodwill. Hopefully, this means that no more impairments will be necessary. Construction contracts generated 93% of revenue in 2019, with the remaining 7% being generated through after-market sales. The largest geographical market is the Middle East, which generated 46% of total revenue in 2019 followed by India at 30%. The total number of employees is around 180. The development project Optronics has not yet generated any revenue. Optronics develops optical gas detectors for various industrial applications, primarily for the oil and gas market, the marine market and the mining industry. The first product is expected to be ready for launch in the second half of 2020. According to management, the product is considered to have great market potential. This is an interesting business, but it is difficult to ascribe value to it currently. To summarize, there is limited visibility as to future profitability prospects for the remaining business. The company is a small player in a big market. Capital allocation after the sale About 150 million krona of cash and cash equivalents has been used for amortization of interest-bearing liabilities during April and May 2020. A dividend of 17 krona per share was paid on June 3, which amounts to 198.9 million krona in total. The company has initiated structured asset management of the remaining cash received from the sale of the Marine & Safety business area. The intent is to generate a long-term return on the company's capital that ensures future financing of both organic and acquisition-based growth. The aim is to develop a new industrial group around concepts for security systems and security products. The asset management will be executed in close collaboration with a number of major reputable asset managers and the investments include both bonds and stocks. Approximately 900 million krona has been invested in bonds and interest-bearing instruments. Valuation indicates upside potential Since the cash balance is substantially larger than the value of the operating business, a balance sheet-based valuation approach is reasonable. When valuing the company based on the balance sheet, it is important to consider the hybrid bond loan, which is classified as equity. The reason for this classification is that the hybrid bond loan has a perpetual maturity. The hybrid bond loan amounts to 200 million krona, with three months STIBOR, currently at about 0.03%, plus 6% until November 2021. The hybrid bond loan can be repaid on Nov. 1, 2021 at the earliest. Since this is a rather expensive financing option considering the available cash on the balance sheet, management should consider repaying the hybrid bond loan at the earliest date possible. When valuing the company, it is more conservative to reclassify the hybrid bond loan as a non-current liability. When adjusting the balance sheet from March 31 for the amortization of interest-bearing liabilities, the special dividend and the hybrid bond loan, the net current asset value per share is 104 krona. In comparison with the current stock price of 80 krona, the shares trade at a discount of 23%. Shareholder structure and management incentives There are two share classes, but only the class B shares are publicly traded. The class A shares have 10 times the voting power of the class B shares. Both share classes carry the same right to a share in the company's assets and profits. Platanen Holding AB controls 53% of the capital and 72% of the votes. This is a holding company run by Carl Rosenblad, the previous chairman of the board who retired at the end of May. His son, Carl Adam Rosenblad, is now CEO. MCT Brattberg is the second-largest shareholder, controlling 19% of the capital and 11% of the votes. The company first appeared on the list of major shareholders in 2006. The company operates in the same industry as Consilium. Rosenblad also runs Platanen AB, from which Consilium buys management services. Platanen provides administration and accounting services to Consilium as well. The company also operates through Fastighetsbolaget Henriksborg HB, which is a real estate company renting property to Consilium. According to the annual report, management services and rent from related parties are paid on market terms. This is difficult for an outside investor to assess. The following table summarizes the purchase of goods and services from related parties for the last 10 years (Swedish krona in millions): 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 Platanen AB (management services) 3.5 3.5 3.5 3.8 3.8 3.8 3.8 3.8 3.8 3.8 Platanen AB (administrative services) 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.5 0.5 0.5 Fastighetsbolag Henriksborg HB (rent) 5.4 3.9 3.7 2.6 2.6 2.6 2.6 3.0 3.0 0.7 Sum 9.2 7.7 7.5 6.8 6.8 6.8 6.8 7.3 7.3 5.0 Related-party transactions are important to watch since they can indicate that value is taken out of the company to the disadvantage of minority shareholders. In Sweden, in comparison to the U.S., the chairman of the board is generally much less involved in the day-to-day activities of the business. Compensation paid to the chairman is thus typically lower in Sweden as compared to the U.S. The direct compensation of the chairman has been in the range of 150,000 to 175,000 krona per year over the last 10 years. Since Rosenblad has taken a more active role than what typically is the case, it is reasonable that he has been additionally compensated through the payments to Platanen. Executive pay seems reasonable, with a yearly salary of about 2.6 million krona for the CEO for the past two years. No bonus payments were done. To reward the key people involved in the sale of Marine & Safety, the AGM approved a maximum one-off bonus payment of 10.7 million krona. It is not unusual to reward key people when executing a major deal like this. When the deal was announced, the market cap of Consilium increased by 890 million krona overnight. A key-person bonus of 1.2% of this amount seems fair. Management has demonstrated that it is capable of developing businesses and creating growth. Marine & Safety grew revenue by eight times over the last 20 years, from 200 million krona in 2000 to 1.6 billion krona in 2019. Shareholders benefited from the sale of Marine & Safety at a price substantially above what the stock market valued the company at. A family-controlled company is a double-edged sword. There is no possibility for an activist investor to gain much influence on how the company is run. On the other hand, the Rosenblad family will most likely do its best to keep the company in business in order for it to eventually be handed over to the next generation. The family can also afford to take a long-term view of the business, which is more difficult in a company without a long-term majority shareholder. The market didn't appreciate the value of Marine & Safety correctly ahead of the deal. A similar future scenario could lead to the stock staying undervalued for a long time. Risk factors With a lot of cash on hand, it may be tempting for management to start acquiring other businesses. Performing larger acquisitions carries significant risks of overpaying or buying businesses that can't be easily integrated with the existing business. In the short term, the company's continuing operations will be affected by the Covid-19 pandemic. Management has adapted the business to the current situation, with layoffs, work from home, etc. The large amount of cash held provides a strong foundation for the company to ride out the storm, even though in the short term, the business will likely experience a downturn. As for the Safety Engineering business, the customers' willingness to invest is affected to a relatively large extent by the price development of oil and gas. Oil and gas prices dropped significantly during the spring, which may negatively affect sales of safety systems to the oil and gas industry going forward. There is also an increased risk of suffering losses due to customers struggling to pay or going out of business. Status quo is a risk in itself when the remaining business is loss-making. If the company doesn't manage to deploy cash in a value-creating manner, there is a risk that the remaining business continues to lose money and burn cash. Potential return drivers The financial position of the company is very strong, which opens up for acquisitions at potentially depressed price levels. If these are successfully integrated into the existing business, this could drive growth and profitability going forward. Oil and gas prices have rebounded from the lows seen during the spring, but are still far below previous all-time highs. If prices continue to rise, the customers of Consilium are likely to invest more and expand. The company is trading below net current asset value. When buying a stock at such a depressed valuation, the odds of good returns simply due to revaluation are good. Conclusion Consilium is a family-controlled company with a long history. Even though Covid-19 and low oil and gas prices cloud the near-term outlook, the low valuation is attractive. The stock trades at the lowest price since the sale of its Marine & Safety business was announced. The current valuation is attractive enough to warrant an investment. Disclosure: The author is long Consilium. Read more here: Not a Premium Member of GuruFocus? Sign up for a free 7-day trial here. This article first appeared on GuruFocus. DETROIT, Aug. 5, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- ComForCare and At Your Side Home Care, franchised providers of in-home caregiving services, are new members of The Alzheimer's Foundation of America (AFA). They join AFA's national network of member organizations with the goal of providing nationwide support, services and education to individuals, families and caregivers affected by dementia. "Our relationship with the Alzheimer's Foundation of America will accelerate our efforts to help individuals with dementia-related diseases," said Sean Kajcienski, COO of Best Life Brands. "We launched our DementiaWise program six years ago after seeing a real need for our clients and their caregivers to get stronger tools and support for managing dementia." "AFA works closely with our member organizations to help those affected by Alzheimer's disease and connect them with programs, services and support," said Charles J. Fuschillo, Jr., AFA's president and chief executive officer. "We are excited to welcome ComForCare to our member network and look forward to having them work with us to help people living with Alzheimer's." ComForCare is part of Best Life Brands, a family of companies focused on the well-being of clients at any stage of life. The multi-brand organization also includes CarePatrol , the nation's largest senior placement organization, and Blue Moon Estate Sales , the nation's industry-leading estate sales franchise brand. AFA works hand in hand with its member organizations to provide resources to families affected by Alzheimer's, especially through its National Toll-Free Helpline (866-232-8484) where licensed social workers can connect callers with services in their area. About Alzheimer's Foundation of America (AFA): The Alzheimer's Foundation of America, based in New York, is a non-profit organization whose mission is to provide support, services and education to individuals, families and caregivers affected by Alzheimer's disease and related dementias nationwide, and fund research for better treatment and a cure. Its services include a National Toll-Free Helpline (866-232-8484) staffed by licensed social workers, the National Memory Screening Program, educational conferences and materials, and "AFA Partners in Care" dementia care training for healthcare professionals. For more information about AFA, call 866-232-8484, visit www.alzfdn.org , follow us on Twitter , or connect with us on Facebook or LinkedIn . AFA has earned Charity Navigator's top 4-star rating for five consecutive years. About ComForCare and At Your Side ComForCare and At Your Side are premier providers of home care services helping older adults live independently in their own homes and offer special programs for people with Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia. Founded in 1996, ComForCare was acquired by private equity firm The Riverside Company in 2017 and now is part of Best Life Brands, LLC, a multi-brand franchise parent company. ComForCare operates as At Your Side Home Care in Houston. For more information, visit www.comforcare.com or www.atyoursidehomecare.com . SOURCE ComForCare Home Care Related Links http://www.comforcare.com Travel agents are scrambling to get Irish tourists in Cyprus and Malta on alternative flights after both countries were removed from the governments green list. On Tuesday, the government announced that it was dropping Malta, Cyprus, Gibraltar, San Marino and Monaco from the list of countries which people can travel from without having to restrict their movements. Read More It means that tourists who decided to travel to countries like Cyprus and Malta will have to restrict their movements for two weeks when they come home, unless they leave before the new travel advice comes into effect on Monday. Of the five countries which have been removed from the green list, only Malta and Cyprus have direct flights to Ireland. Sunway travel agents said that it had already been in touch with Irish tourists in Cyprus and Malta to try to arrange for them to fly home early, or to another destination. The news is another blow to the business here in Ireland and will have ramifications for the industry going forward. However, it again reinforces the importance of booking with a bonded travel agent. "We will be contacting all our clients who booked with Sunway and offering them alternative options to travel. The new list comes into operation next Monday and we will have contacted our clients before then, Mary Denton, the chief executive of Sunway, said. It goes without saying that the travel business has really suffered during this crisis but we are confident that post-Covid, our responsible attitude will ensure continued and new business. Read More Michael Doorley, the president of the Irish Travel Agents Association, said that travel agents would have had very few bookings for Malta and Cyprus. Malta had been a popular destination because it had appeared to have a low rate of Covid-19. Malta only had a total of 701 Coid-19 cases up to last week. By this week, it had risen to over 926 cases. Due to its low rate of Covid-19, Malta had been planning to host 4 different music festivals this month, which have all been cancelled. Cyprus has also seen a spike in cases this week. Mr Doorley said the vast majority of Irish tourists were rescheduling holidays for 2021, but most had avoided booking anything yet. Consumer demand for travel is at its lowest ebb ever, travel agents are not experiencing a great demand for travel abroad. The general consensus from consumers is were not travelling this year, but well definitely be travelling as soon as we can next year, Mr Doorley said. He said a flight from Dublin to Malaga last week only had 37 passengers on board,while another flight coming back from Barcelona to Dublin last week had 47 people on board. Mr Doorley said travel agents are getting a lot of enquiries for holiday costs for 2021. But between now and the end of the year, who knows whats going to happen. This situation is changing on nearly a weekly basis, he said. Mumbai, Aug 5 : Satish Salian, father of late celebrity manager Disha Salian has written a letter to Mumbai Police on Wednesday alleging harassment and atrocity by the media on his family. Disha was the manager of late Bollywood actor Sushant Singh Rajput. Disha's father in his letter has also alleged that news about his daughter's involvement with any politician or attending parties with big names of the film fraternity, rape and murder are "all the stories cooked by these media" and requested the police to "take reasonable action" against the concerned journalists. The letter addressed to ACP Dilip Yadav, Malwani Division, has the subject line as: "Mental harassment and consequent victimization of my family and deceased daughter Disha Salian by journalists and media people". The letter reads: "Sir, I am writing this to you as my family has been continuously harassed by journalists and media people in relation to the death of my daughter Disha Salian. In light of the above unfortunate incident and circumstances, I had already submitted a written complaint in Malvani Police Station & ACP's office vide letter dated: 13/07/2020 against derogatory posts and forwards being shared by the listed people in the said letter, leading to defamation of my deceased daughter and my family." "In addition to the said letter, I would like to bring to your attention, the atrocities of journalists and media people on my family." "The media people come unannounced at my house hiding their original brand in the name of interviews regarding the death of my daughter. They are providing the media with misleading news which are not only creating hindrance to the actual inquiry being conducted, but it's also taking a toll on my family." "We are being harassed by these people by repeatedly questioning our faith in Mumbai Police and their way of inquiries are conducted. We have already given our statement to the police that we do not suspect anyone of foul play." "News about her involvement with any politician or attending parties with big names of film fraternity, rape, murder are all the stories cooked by these media people just to sell it to channels. These stories hold no truth. These are misleading the people and tarnishing my daughter's reputation and my family's reputation. These fake news are taking a huge toll on my family's health and we are being victimized by the media. We are completely satisfied with the investigations being conducted by Mumbai Police and have faith in them." "Through this letter. I would request you to take reasonable action against the concerned journalists, influencers, politicians and media for their insensitive act towards us." The letter by Disha's father comes a day after former Maharashtra Chief Minister and presently BJP Rajya Sabha member Narayan Rane alleged that both Bollywood actor Sushant Singh Rajput and his former manager Disha Salian were murdered. Meanwhile, Mumbai Police has started looking for more information on Disha. On Wednesday, Malad's Malvani Police Station issued a press note seeking more information and evidence on the late celebrity manager. Latest updates on Sushant Singh Rajput Death Mystery New analysis provides baseline for analyzing the success of protected areas in conserving ecosystems Satellite observations suggest that protected areas may help conserve stable levels of land productivity. However, productivity has dropped or risen in nearly half of the total land under protection worldwide, pointing to potentially detrimental factors. Begona de la Fuente of Universidad Politecnica de Madrid, Spain, and colleagues from the Joint Research Centre of the European Commission, Italy, present these findings in the open-access journal PLOS ONE on August 5, 2020. Land productivity refers to changes in the amount of observed above-ground biomass, typically plant cover (a concept related to agricultural production). A reduction or increase in land productivity can be an indicator of harm to an ecosystem, making it an important metric in monitoring the success of conservation efforts. For this study, De la Fuente and colleagues used satellite images to analyze land productivity in protected areas established to promote conservation--such as national parks or areas that permit sustainable use of natural resources. The analysis captured all protected areas of at least 10 square kilometers worldwide, as well as 10-kilometer buffer zones around each protected area, from 1999 to 2013. The researchers found that, over the 15-year study period, stable levels of land productivity were maintained in 44 percent of the protected land areas and in 42 percent of the unprotected buffer areas. While increases in productivity were more prevalent in unprotected buffers, almost half of the protected land underwent increases or decreases in productivity. Different types of protected areas showed different trends in land productivity. Geographic location was also a factor; for example, Oceania was the continent with the highest percentage of protected land with stable productivity (57 percent), while Europe had the lowest (38 percent). The authors report that these findings are a first step towards deeper understanding of the success of establishing protected areas. In some cases, decreases or increases in productivity could indicate detrimental factors, such as climate change or intensive agriculture that could result in land degradation. Future research could disentangle these processes and their effects in different parts of the world. Corresponding author Gregoire Dubois adds: "Globally, almost half of the land under protection has experienced changes in productivity over the last 15 years. Protected areas with sustainable use of natural resources show higher percentage of land with stable productivity." ### Press-only preview: https://plos.io/3jTr2r6 Contact: Gregoire Dubois, gregoire.dubois@ec.europa.eu, Ph.: +39 (0)332 786360 Image Caption: Land degradation at the edge of the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park, Uganda Image Credit: Gregoire Dubois Citation: de la Fuente B, Weynants M, Bertzky B, Delli G, Mandrici A, Garcia Bendito E, et al. (2020) Land productivity dynamics in and around protected areas globally from 1999 to 2013. PLoS ONE 15(8): e0224958. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0224958 Funding: This study, the development and maintenance of the Digital Observatory for Protected Areas and the production of the land productivity map were supported mainly by the institutional activities of the Directorate D (Sustainable Resources) at the Joint Research Centre of the European Commission. We also acknowledge the contribution of the Biodiversity and Protected Areas Management (BIOPAMA) EU-ACP programme, an initiative of the African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) Group of States financed by the 10th and 11th European Development Funds of the European Union (EU). The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript. Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist. In your coverage please use this URL to provide access to the freely available article in PLOS ONE: https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0224958 Last month, Nandita Kumar painted a sign inside the glass of her homes front window. The sign, bearing the words Silence Supports Police Violence, spanned the entire frame and showed several hands of different skin colors raised in support of the Black Lives Matter movement. She had painted it as a way to channel her anger and sadness after the killing of George Floyd. A few weeks after she painted the sign, Kumar received an anonymous letter from neighbors, asking her to remove it. The letter told Kumar she had made her point. It asked her to take down the sign because the message was deterring potential buyers from three homes for sale on the street. Homes are not meant to be build boards (sic) for our opinions, they are a place for families to rest, enjoy life and feel safe, the letter said. Kumar, 15, said her first reaction was to call friends and talk with her parents about the letter. Initially, she said, her parents were a little apprehensive that someone might retaliate against their family. But she said they understood her point of view and supported her decision to leave the sign up. The letter quickly went viral after Kumars sister Divya tweeted about it, with many people saying they werent surprised by the response in Lake Oswego. Several people posted letters they had received from neighbors objecting to their Black Lives Matter signs. my younger sister painted a sign on the front window of our house to show our support of the #BLM movement, and was sent this in the mail from one of our neighbors. 100% on brand for lake oswego pic.twitter.com/TFryIAU5Yd divya (@pivyak) August 2, 2020 Kumar said she received many messages of solidarity on social media following the post, and someone even sent her a bouquet of flowers and a letter of support. The city of Lake Oswego also acknowledged the letter in a tweet Tuesday afternoon, though Kumar said city officials did not reach out to her directly. City manager Martha Bennett said the city stands in solidarity with the family. Nobody should have to live like that, she said Tuesday afternoon. Whatever biases or feelings the anonymous letter writer had are now something the family has to be wary of and watch out for as they live in their own neighborhood. Bennett said a more constructive approach would have been for the person who had an issue with the sign to approach the family directly and have a conversation. When you have a difference of opinion, sending an anonymous letter is a passive and threatening way to handle a dispute, she said. Bennett said she and other city officials acknowledge that Lake Oswego must reckon with its racist past, as do many other cities in Oregon. The city plans to hold several focus groups in late August and early September to learn about peoples lived experiences, and she hopes people will use the forums to discuss such incidents. We understand the history of the community, she said. I can only say that were working our butts off to change the future. Kumar said shes uncertain the citys statement will have much of an impact. Its very good to take an anti-racist stance thats always a positive thing for a city to do, she said. But there are so many instances of this. She noted experiences her peers of color have had, such as a 2018 incident in which Lake Oswego students bullied a Black middle schooler by passing him a note with a racial slur. Coverage of the incident noted that while it was far from the first racist incident in Lake Oswego schools, the incident spurred action from hundreds of students, who walked out of class and held their own rally for equality with the support of the school district. Kumar also has her own experiences with racism. As one of only two Indian students at her elementary school, she recalled other students making fun of their food or talking to them in mocking accents. Many encounters havent been as blatant. Kumar recalled meeting up with some students at Starbucks, just weeks before George Floyds death. Another student told her she was racist for saying that white privilege exists. All of the people who were there said, We have to respect each others opinions on the subject, and I remember being really angry thinking white privilege exists is not an opinion, she said. That privilege was displayed even in her own neighborhood, where other homes on the street also had signs of support for Black Lives Matter. As far as she knows, none of those families has received the same kind of letter. Were the only brown family in the neighborhood, she said. Is it that the BLM signs were OK but my painting wasnt? Kumar left the sign up, and said she plans to continue protesting and participating in Lake Oswegos community conversations about race. She hopes her experience will let other Lake Oswego residents of color know theyve got an ally. Even if one person in Lake Oswego or this area feels a little bit less alone, I think thatll be enough for me, she said. This is happening to a lot of people of color, and they dont have to feel as alone as I did for the past few years. They do have the community, no matter how small. Jayati Ramakrishnan; 503-221-4320; jramakrishnan@oregonian.com; @JRamakrishnanOR Subscribe to Oregonian/OregonLive newsletters and podcasts for the latest news and top stories. "There will be no preference deal with Clive Palmer. He has alienated the people of Western Australia with his High Court challenge against the states hard borders, she said. Ms Harvey has also ruled out a preference-swap agreement between the WA Liberals and Clive Palmers United Australia Party in light of the billionaire's High Court challenge, which has drawn the ire of West Australians. WA Liberal leader Liza Harvey and Premier Mark McGowan were at loggerheads over WA's 'hard borders', but Ms Harvey has reversed her position. Credit:AAP/Marta Pascual Juanola Opposition Leader Liza Harvey has reversed her position on Western Australia's hard border but rejected claims she had backflipped to avoid an electoral backlash over her criticism of Premier Mark McGowan's strict pandemic measures. Although Ms Harvey was an early proponent of closing WA's borders to the east, she levelled criticism at the government for maintaining restrictions when some states had eliminated community transmission. She said circumstances had changed since she first called for a travel zone between WA, South Australia and the Northern Territory. "Within a couple of weeks of me calling for that, things in Victoria became out of control and we also discovered over 30,000 people had come into the state under the permit system and not all of them were being tested for COVID-19," she said. "In light of the new information that was available to me, I've put that on hold because until I can be sure that every person entering the state from places with community spread of COVID-19 [are] all being tested and cleared, I don't think we should be opening our borders to anyone." The WA Liberals leader said she was not concerned about a backlash from the electorate at the March state election. Ten years ago, when French headhunter Floriane de Saint Pierre decided to delve into diversity or more accurately, the lack of it on the boards of fashion companies, she said investors were not much concerned. Nor were boards of directors interested in self-assessments or benchmarks. Homogeneity in the boardroom was still the norm: Same gender, same age, same nationality, same or similar education, and most of the time members had only finance or banking expertise, she recalled. There was a lack of industry knowledge. The purpose of the board was strictly financial. I couldnt understand how boards with those qualifications were making such important decisions. It was a call to action. More from WWD So she plowed ahead, self-financing her Ethics & Boards project and foreshadowing the growing industry and public conviction that company leaders should reflect the diversity of the customers they serve. Boards must be designed to help build sustainable and inclusive growth, she said in an interview. This includes making sure the company has a purpose and its board is equipped to monitor ESG [environmental, social and corporate governance] at 360 degrees. De Saint Pierres initial focus was female representation, and the data she collects indicates steady progress in this regard. One of her first studies found that women accounted for 19.1 percent of the corporate boards across a sample group of fashion firms: 45 public companies in nine countries. Already in 2010, fashion and beauty companies showed a better track record of electing women to their boards than other sectors because many were founded by women and targeted female consumers, she explained at the time. Her most recent tallies, made last month, shows that France has the highest female representation at 46.4 percent for companies on the CAC 40. This is due largely to a quota law, introduced in 2017, requiring that women represent at least 40 percent of the boards of large companies within a certain timeframe. Story continues The average female representation for the Ethics & Boards Fashion & Luxury 40 Index, composed of the 40 largest listed companies in the sector worldwide, now stands at 38.7 percent. This excellent figure is largely due to the fact that French luxury groups and companies, by law, must have at least 40 percent of each gender at board level, she said. Forty-five percent of the index has at least 40 percent women on boards, while six companies out of 40 have 25 percent or less. Interparfums Inc. and LOccitane International have only 10 percent women on their boards. The figures drop when it comes to executive committees. As of July 2020, the Ethics & Boards Fashion & Luxury 40 index shows women account for 27.8 percent of executive committees or management boards. Companies considered best in class with at least 40 percent female representation on executive committees include H&M Group, which has a woman chief executive officer, Helena Helmersson; Capri Holdings; Tiffany; SMCP, and The Estee Lauder Cos. Inc. But 13 out of the 40 companies have no women on their executive committees. These include Compagnie Financiere Richemont, Hugo Boss, Interparfums and Adidas, proving there is still work to be done, she said. Asked if her research has found any clear correlation between female board representation and company performance, de Saint Pierre said we need a few more years to establish a correlation given that female representation on executive committees only climbed about 20 percent this year in France. All over the world, female ceos are an absolute minority, she said, citing only 10 in France among the 120 largest listed companies. Her data continues to show that when a woman heads a fashion, beauty or retail company, the percentage of female board representation tends to jump, flying in the face of the stereotype that women do not promote their own. We see in France that women ceos in the SBF 120 [a stock market index] have female representation on the executive committees that is 25 percent higher than the index average, she said. Meanwhile, for the Ethics & Boards Fashion & Luxury 40 index, the average female representation is above 40 percent at the three companies with female ceos that disclose the composition of their executive committees. Ethics & Boards tracks data worldwide, but because it is based in France, it is against the law to track data on race or sexual orientation. That said, we have added new criteria every year, de Saint Pierre said, listing among them individual attendance rates, non-executive and executive compensation structure and details, and skill set. We have analysts working with data experts producing digital solutions, rankings, charts and visualization tools to facilitate compliance checks, explanation and strategic thinking. Over the past decade, the Ethics & Boards Fashion & Luxury 40 shows that directors are getting slightly older (59.7 years old versus 58.3), come from different nationalities than where the company is based (31.1 percent versus 23 percent), are more independent (62.4 percent versus 54.7 percent) and stay in their roles slightly longer (nine years versus 8.4 years). De Saint Pierre said her clients today are particularly interested in CSR and sustainability. Again citing her Ethics & Boards Fashion & Luxury 40 Index, only 35 percent of companies have a committee at the board level in charge of CSR and/or sustainability. A very interesting finding that is key to investors is that 57 percent of the companies that have a CSR and/or sustainability committee are family-controlled business, namely Hermes, Inditex, Kering, LVMH, LOreal, Moncler and Ralph Lauren, she said, noting that European family-controlled businesses were the first to link CSR or environmental objectives to their executive compensation. All four leading French fashion and luxury players Hermes, Kering, LOreal and LVMH integrated these criteria in the annual variable remuneration policy of their ceos in 2019, she said, nothing that for Kering, LOreal and LVMH, these criteria counted for at least 20 percent of annual cash variable objectives. In her view, nothing would have happened without governments. Soft laws were and are instrumental as well. Now investors and asset managers are pushing ESG, but their own governance is far from being best in class. De Saint Pierre said the purpose of the Ethics & Boards project remains the same. I believe in sustainable and inclusive capitalism, based on ESG governance, she said. Our purpose is to help all stakeholders make informed decisions. While conceived as a business-to-business platform with a subscription-based business model, Ethics & Boards will soon allow students and job seekers who increasingly scrutinize the environmental and equality credentials of companies to access its ESG governance data. Ethics & Boards operates independently of Floriane de Saint Pierre & Associes, her Paris-based executive search and consulting firm. She noted she is contemplating a funding round to accelerate development at Ethics & Boards as a data firm and solutions provider. Coming from a finance background, I have a passion for data, dashboards and quantitative tools that help measure and make grounded decisions, she said. I always have in mind that good governance concerns all stakeholders: issuers, investors, governments, regulators, consumers everybody. WARSAW, Poland, Aug. 5, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Forteam Investments Ltd., an investment company controlled by U.S. private equity firm Delta Capital Partners Management LLC ("Delta"), which is seeking over PLN 300 million from Mariusz Switalski and companies he controls, has secured a third court injunction. The District Court in Poznan granted the injunction against Druga-Sowiniec Capital sp. z o.o. S.K.A., a company controlled by Mariusz Switalski, and Krzysztof Belcarz. The injunction secured by Forteam concerns a claim that seeks to declare as invalid agreements to sell stakes in Czerwona Torebka S.A. (24,758,600 and 9,707,588 shares, respectively), executed in March 2020 between Switalski FIZ and the entities facing this injunction. Under the injunction, Forteam has secured another Czerwona Torebka shares. In total, by force of the first (granted in February 2020) and third injunction, 48.44% of the Czerwona Torebka shares have been secured. Currently, 35.5% of the Czerwona Torebka's shares have been already seized by a bailiff, while the procedure is on-going for the remaining 12,94% of shares. Christopher DeLise, CEO of Delta, said, "We will make full use of the latest injunction issued by the court that enables us to participate in the oversight of Czerwona Torebka. We have already begun such involvement by exercising our rights to safeguard the interests of the shareholders and to protect the company's commercial interests and assets.This includes an extensive review of the price, trading volume, and history of Czerwona Torebka's securities. We also intend to exercise our rights to meet with and hold fully accountable the Management Board and to obtain all essential information and detailed plans concerning the company's future. We also intend to express our concerns regarding the way the company appears to be mismanaged for the benefit of certain parties rather than as required by law and consistent with the fiduciary duties of the Board." The transactions between Switalski FIZ, Druga-Sowiniec Capital and Krzysztof Belcarz took place in March 2020 after the District Court in Poznan's February 21, 2020 decision that granted Forteam an injunction against Mariusz Switalski and companies from Sowiniec Group under his controls (with the exception of Druga-Sowiniec). As a result of that ruling, Mariusz Switalski's assets are frozen until the case is concluded. These share sale transactions illustrate Mariusz Switalski's attempts to sell and conceal his assets to make it more difficult for Forteam to satisfy its claims. This newest injunction is yet another positive court ruling for Forteam, following the court's June 25, 2020 dismissal of an appeal lodged by Mariusz Switalski on February 21, 2020. Moreover, Mariusz Switalski previously failed in his attempt to exclude all judges working at Poznan-based courts from all cases between him and Forteam. At the end of April 2020, the court, in connection with potential detriment being suffered by Forteam as a creditor, decided to secure Forteam's claims on parts of the assets of Mariusz Swiatalski's children: Mikoaj, Marcin, Mateusz (President of the Management Board at Czerwona Torebka S.A.) and Natasza (Proxy at Czerwona Torebka S.A.). The court's decision concerns investment certificates in fund Switalski FIZ, which Mariusz Switalski had transferred to his children. All three injunctions were obtained in anticipation of a conclusion in a civil proceeding against Mariusz Switalski that relates to his breach of a guarantee agreement executed with Forteam Investments in 2015. Reminder: On May 8, 2015, Forteam purchased a 100% stake in Mapka S.A. from Czerwona Torebka. Mapka was the owner of the Mapka Express chain. In settling the transaction, Forteam sold its stake (16.18%) in Czerwona Torebka. Upon signing the sale agreement, the parties were aware of Mapka's difficult situation. The agreement, itself, noted that the parties realize that further considerable financing would be needed for the company to reach the break-even point. Because of this, Mariusz Switalski and Sowiniec Group also executed a Guarantee Agreement with Forteam, which provided Forteam with a guaranteed return on the Mapka investment if the Mapka Express store chain was later sold to a third party. Mariusz Switalski submitted a written declaration that his personal assets were sufficient to perform the Guarantee Agreement. When Forteam attempted to sell Mapka Express in 2018, it was unable to obtain consideration at or above the minimum sale price, despite engaging a respected independent investment bank to run a robust sales process. Mariusz Switalski has not exercised his preemptive rights and did not buy Mapka for the guaranteed amount. Accordingly, Forteam notified Switalski on December 28, 2018, of his obligations to remit the monies owed to Forteam pursuant to the Guarantee Agreement. Notwithstanding, Switalski and the companies have failed to pay any amounts due and owed to Forteam, which, in turn, necessitated the filing of the injunction and civil lawsuits. As a result of Mariusz Switalski's actions, Forteam was forced to take additional steps to secure part of his children's property and other entities to which Switalski transferred owned assets. Krzysztof Belcarz has been affiliated with Mariusz Switalski's various businesses for years. In the course of his career, he has served as Development Director at Switalski FIZ, Management Board Representative for Commercial Affairs in Czerwona Torebka and Expansion Partner at Switalski & Synowie S.A. SOURCE Delta Capital Partners Underpaid Australians are set to receive a $2billion boost to their super accounts as the government gives companies one month to cough up unpaid payments without being punished. The Australian Taxation Office estimates around $2.3billion is owed by employers across the country - who have until September 7 to own up to underpaying their workers' super. Known offenders in the ATO's campaign against super rip-offs are restaurants and cafes, subcontractors working in construction and nightclubs. The government body has started notifying an estimated 860,000 businesses they will face stiff penalties if they do not catch up on payments which date back to July 1, 1992. Construction workers (pictured in Sydney) are among those thought to have underpaid superannuation, with employers now getting the opportunity to make amends without penalty Businesses choosing to confess to underpayment and avoid fines must pay the superannuation in full with a ten per cent interest fee, either paid up front or through a payment plan. Payments made by the deadline will be tax deductible. The program has been touted by Assistant Minister for Superannuation Jane Hume as a way for workers to have their underpayments rectified. 'Super is a form of deferred wages and every bit as important to be paid, and paid in full,' she said. 'The super guarantee amnesty allows employers a one-off opportunity to come forward, pay or put a plan in place to pay, and set things right without facing financial penalties from the tax office. 'If you are in any doubt, it is vitally important that you talk to your tax agent or the ATO today; the amnesty expires in a month and it will take time to verify the amount of any unpaid super and pay it or put a payment plan in place.' The national tax office also sends employers with a reputation for underpayment 'nudge' emails to pay their staff the right amount. A masked coffee shop worker in Sydney in May. About $2.3billion is owed by employers across the country, according to the national tax office The windfall comes after National Australia Bank staff were urged in June to review their pay after the bank said it had found underpayments to about 1,500 employees. The Finance Sector Union (FSU) called on members at NAB to take part in an urgent audit to determine the extent of the staff underpayment. The bank said the week before it had set up an independent investigation into payments to current and former employees. NAB group executive for people and culture, Susan Ferrier, emailed staff to say the bank had hired law firm King & Wood Mallesons and audit firm PwC to conduct a review of problems with its payroll system. If a worker believes they has been a mistake in their super payments, they are urged to contact the ATO and lodge a claim. The need for a volunteer for the novel coronavirus vaccine trial indicates that other than a miracle, a tested vaccine is our most potent weapon to dig ourselves out of the pandemic. Through the researchers' efforts to design, test, and soon, mass-produce a vaccine that will bring an immunity against COVID-19, the hopes never stop. According to HuffPost, there was initial evidence on the effectiveness and safety of the potential vaccines. Dr. Anthony Fauci, Director of the National Institute for Allergy and Infectious Diseases, stated that vaccines are something we need to be "cautiously optimistic" about. However, there is no assurance that any of the vaccines currently being tested will do the trick. Vaccines undergo more clinical trials not because scientists want, but because it is needed. And when you go through a trial of the vaccine, there should be volunteers. These volunteers are from different ages, genders, ethnicities, and backgrounds. The category of volunteers is needed to ensure that the vaccine works across all and any general population. How is it to be a volunteer for the COVID-19 vaccine trials? Jim Kublin, executive director of the operations program for the National Institutes of Health-funded COVID-19 Prevention Network (CoVPN) and an infectious disease researcher at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, explained that there are screening to be a volunteer for a vaccine trial to ensure that you are in good health. The first screening is through phone, and if you pass, you will then proceed to an in-person screening, which would include a physical. If you pass, it is a green light for you to have blood drawn and receive the first dose of the vaccine through injection. After having the first dose, you will need to record any symptoms or side effects that you will encounter. The observation will go on for a few weeks. Then you will go back to the trial site to have a quick health exam, have more blood drawn, and take a second dose, which boosts the vaccine's effect. The same tracking of symptoms will be implied for a few more weeks. You will be required for a quick blood draw every three to six months for up to two years to check if your immune response holds up or wanes unless you have symptoms or side effects that will require further evaluation. The frequency of blood draws on what the researchers are looking. The vaccine is made to turn the immune system and go after the virus if you were exposed. But keep in mind that vaccines cannot give you coronavirus as these vaccines don't contain the virus. The senior vice president for clinical affairs and ambulatory care at NYU Langone Andrew Rubin participates in a Phase 1 trial. The process has been relatively simple as per Rubin. The first appointment took three hours, and the subsequent appointment only lasted for half an hour. Rubin got involved in the vaccine trial because, according to him, he wanted to give back to all the health care workers who have been sacrificing and battling COVID-19. "I wanted to be able to say I contributed to the effort to stop this crisis," Rubin said. Volunteers get compensated, here's how to sign up! Kublin said that volunteers for the COVID-19 vaccine trials get compensated for their time. Most tests pay about $50 per appointment, which can have a total of $500 to $1200 for the full trial. In the previous report of LatinPost on how to register as volunteer for the vaccine trial, here are additional details. If you want to sign up and become a vaccine testing volunteer, there are some qualifying factors. First, you must be at least 18 years old and do not breastfeed or is not pregnant. Trials may also be risky for people who had been severely immunocompromised or those who have cancer. Vaccine trials are not allowed those who have a history of being allergic to vaccines and won't be able to take contraceptives during the trial. If you are planning to enroll, you could read more details about the clinical trials for a COVID-19 vaccine. It may be helpful for you to review the initial testing results. Meanwhile, the easiest way to sign up is through the CoVPN's website, which is now recruiting people for the Phase 3 trials. Meanwhile, to know the nearest trials in your area, visit www.CovidStudies.org. Check these out: New Study Claims The Taller You Are, The Higher Risk of Getting COVID-19 Manufactured Antibodies May Be Next Big COVID-19 Treatment COVID-19 Eye Transmission: Should We All Be Wearing Goggles or Face Shields? Is it illegal to record a partially naked person on an office surveillance camera, knowing that the footage will be watched later for a sexual purpose? A judge will consider the issue after a woman testified last week that the manager of the downtown Toronto bar where she worked sexually assaulted her, with her pants pulled down, in the basement office of the bar in 2016. She said she had no idea there was a surveillance camera in the office at the time. The woman, whose identity is under a publication ban, also didnt know that the bar manager would tell his boss to watch the footage the next day so that he could see her naked. The bar manager Enzo DeJesus Carrasco testified last week that he gave the woman a consensual and non-sexual massage at her request during which she pulled her pants down so he could massage a pressure point on her glutes. He said she was aware, as an employee of the bar, that there was a surveillance camera in the office. During cross-examination he admitted that he did not tell her that he expected his boss, then bar owner Gavin MacMillan, to watch the footage later. In closing submissions Tuesday, DeJesus Carrascos lawyer argued that the woman would not have had a reasonable expectation of privacy a key factor in determining the offence of voyeurism in the office because she knew there were surveillance cameras all around the bar and the office. He argued that the woman lied that she did not know there was a camera in the office, and noted she specifically said she was surprised that there were no cameras in the room because cash was kept there. This is so highly convenient and so improbable that this is a direct lie that she told this court, a direct lie with intent, Hussein Aly said. Crown prosecutor Rick Nathanson said that recording can still be secret even if the cameras were visible because of the context in which the camera footage was being used for a sexual purpose, not for office security. DeJesus actively wants Mr. MacMillan to watch it. He specifically does not tell (the complainant) it will be watched, Nathanson said, pointing to text messages between the two men which MacMillan appears to be watching the footage the next day. Is it clear could u see her well or not? DeJesus Carrasco texted, according to messages seized from his phone. I dont see her naked at all. I call bullst. Show me her tits. I dont want to see her ass. Lame, MacMillan responded. To suggest it cant be surreptitious if the cameras are visible, that takes the whole contextual element of expectation of privacy out of this, Nathanson argued. That would suggest that anywhere there are cameras, you can commandeer the use of that footage for a completely different purpose than what its there for, that thats fine, he said. Another bar employee, who was also DeJesus Carrascos roommate at the time, also secretly took a photo of the woman during the incident which shows the woman with her pants pulled down. DeJesus Carrasco testified that he told the woman about the photo and that she said she didnt care if he shared it. He said he texted the image to another person by mistake. The image was found by police on his phone after he was arrested in connection with another sexual assault at the bar in December 2016. DeJesus Carrasco has pleaded not guilty to charges of sexual assault, voyeurism and transmitting an intimate image without consent. MacMillan faces no charges in connection with this case. Both men were convicted of gang sexual assault and drugging another woman in 2016 after a jury trial last year. They are both on bail pending appeal, with the convictions in jeopardy due to errors in the jury selection process. In closing arguments in the current trial, the defence argued the complainants testimony is not credible. He also said she admitted to the police and during the preliminary inquiry that her memory of what happened in the office is unreliable. In her testimony at trial, the woman said she did remember certain things very clearly. Aly, the defence lawyer, also suggested the complainant was faking memory loss about going home with DeJesus Carrasco on the night she said the office sexual assault happened because she feared the police or the court would not believe her if she admitted it. The woman testified that she believes she may have been drugged that night and recalls little about being at his home. She said she didnt intend to go to his home and could not recall whether that was the same day that she said she was sexually assaulted in the office. Nathanson, the prosecutor, argued the womans testimony was cogent and clear. Meanwhile, he said, key parts of DeJesus Carrascos testimony are contradicted by a text message. DeJesus Carrasco testified that his roommate showed him the photo he took that night, while the complainant was with him at his home. He said he showed the photo to the complainant and she laughed and called the roommate a peeping Tom. She said she didnt care if he shared the photo, he testified. If that were the case, Nathanson, why would the roommate have texted DeJesus Carrasco in the early hours of the morning after that conversation would have happened and the complainant would have gone home and said: I went home, I saw you with the new girl. Nathanson also argued that DeJesus Carrasco did not text the image to another person by mistake, but rather to boast about a sexual conquest. A decision is expected later this week. F ormer Conservative politician Michael Portillo has many strings to his career bow, but is currently known as the presenter of BBC series, Great British Railway Journeys. The 67-year-old began his career in the public eye in 1979, and worked to become a Cabinet Minister. However, after his retirement from politics in the early Noughties he chose instead to focus on TV roles. Heres how his career developed over the years: Getty Images 1976 Portillo joined the Conservative Research department. 1979 Following the Tory victory of the same year, Portillo became a government advisor to David Howell at the Department for Energy. 1981 Portillo briefly left his role in the government to work for Kerr-McGee Oil. 1983 He made his return to politics and ran in local elections, however he lost the seat of Birmingham Perry Barr to Labour politician Jeff Rooker. Following the loss, he returned to work as an adviser for the government. 1984 Portillo stood in the Enfield Southgate by-election and won. Michael Portillo shepherds sheep across London Bridge 1 /8 Michael Portillo shepherds sheep across London Bridge Television presenter and former Conservative MP Michael Portillo poses for a photograph with a flock of sheep as he opens the wool fair by walking the animals across London Bridge in London. REUTERS Mr Portillo was joined more than 600 other freemen of the City of London in the 900 year old tradition. REUTERS The 30 North of England sheep were shepherded across the bridge in drizzling weather. REUTERS Last year Ground Force presented Alan Titchmarsh lead the drive, and previously the likes of Dame Barbara Windsor and Mary Berry have taken charge of the great sheep drive. PA Freemen of the City were allowed to bring livestock and tolls into the city without paying tax in a tradition dating back to the 12th century. REUTERS According to the City of London website, "The medieval term 'freeman' meant someone who was not the property of a feudal lord but enjoyed privileges such as the right to earn money and own land. Town dwellers who were protected by the charter of their town or city were often free hence the term 'freedom' of the City." REUTERS 1987 Three years later, he was given the post of Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Social Security. A year later, he was promoted to Minister of State for Transport. 1990 Portillo was appointment Minister of State for Local Government. During his time in this role, he stirred up controversy for voting in favour of the Poll Tax. 1992 Under John Major, he was made Chief Secretary to the Treasury, and later that year was admitted to the Privy Council. 1994 Portillo became Secretary of State for Employment. 1995 He then moved into the role of Secretary of State for Defence. He planned to run against John Major if the 1995 Conservative Leadership challenge went to a second round, but it did not come to that. Portillo admitted he regretted appearing indecisive. 1997 Portillo lost his seat in Enfield to Labours Stephen Twigg in the 1997 General Election. The loss was unexpected, and during an interview with Jeremy Paxman on election night (prior to his loss), he was asked about potentially losing his seat. He has since revealed he began to expect loss in the days running up to the election, and his defeat became something of a symbol of the Torys loss to the Labour party during that election. Portillo has since said: "My name is now synonymous with eating a bucketload of s**t in public." 1998 Following his political loss, Portillo decided to focus on his TV career. He launched a Channel 4 series called Portillos Progress, which looked into the changing political landscape in Britain. Railway ride through Sweden - in pictures 1 /12 Railway ride through Sweden - in pictures Midnight Sun Rail on the Arctic Rail journey Narvik Guest room at Ice Hotel Ice Hotel Treehotel glass guest cabin Treehotel Walk from the Ice Hotel sauna Ice Hotel Treehotel interor Treehotel Treehotel wooden guest cabin Treehotel Reflection of forest from Treehotel Treehotel Ice Hotel bar Ice Hotel Northern lights on sight in all seasons at Ice Hotel Ice Hotel 1999 Portillo returned to politics, and won the by-election to represent Kensington and Chelsea. 2000 He was promoted to Deputy Leader and Shadow Councillor. 2001 He contested the leadership of the party, but was voted down by Conservative MPs. 2002 He appeared on BBC Two documentary Great Railway Journeys: From Granada to Salamanca. 2003 Portillo voted in favour of the invasion of Iraq. He turned down the offer of a Shadow Cabinet post, and eventually chose not to run in the 2005 election. 2003-onwards He went on to work on a number of BBC documentaries, including My Week In The Real World, Great Britons and How To Kill a Human Being. 2009 Portillo filmed the first series of Great British Railway Journeys, using George Bradshaw's handbook as a guide. He went on to travel the world, looking at journeys across India, Australia, America, Alaska and more, and is currently presenting Great Continental Railway Journeys. live bse live nse live Volume Todays L/H More Multiplex chain operator Inox Leisure Ltd on Wednesday reported a consolidated net loss of Rs 73.64 crore for the June quarter as the film distribution business came to a halt due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The company had posted a net profit of Rs 27.01 crore in the April-June period a year ago, Inox Leisure said in a BSE filing. Revenue from operations slumped 99.94 per cent to Rs 0.25 crore during the quarter under review, from Rs 493.01 crore in the corresponding period of the preceding fiscal. According to the company, the unprecedented circumstances resulted in "not even a single day of operations in Q1'FY21." Total income stood at Rs 2.97 crore, down 99.40 per cent as compared to Rs 496.13 crore in Q1 FY20. Total expenses were at Rs 100.89 crore as against Rs 454.59 crore, down 77.80 per cent. "With an objective to keep the costs under a check, the Company has implemented active cost control measures and brought down major expenses including employee costs, power & fuel costs...," it said. Inox Group Director Siddharth Jain said, "This phase has posed a tough challenge to our aspirations, but we are confident of not only seeing through it, but also script an extraordinary comeback tale." "We have pinned out hopes on our strong fundamentals of Luxury, Service and Technology, and on the unshakeable passion and fondness for movies prevalent among the Indian masses," he said. Jain added the company is "earnestly looking forward to the directives from the Government of India to resume operations". In a separate filing, Inox Leisure said its board has approved raising up to Rs 250 crore. "The Board Of Directors have approved the Company's enabling resolution for fund raising up to Rs 250 Cr through the issuance of Equity Shares/other securities, subject to approval of Shareholders in the ensuing Annual General Meeting," it said. It has also approved shifting the registered office of the company from Gujarat to Maharashtra. Inox Leisure is among India's largest multiplex chains, with 147 multiplexes and 626 screens in 68 cities. Shares of Inox Leisure Ltd on Wednesday settled at Rs 234.35 apiece on BSE, down 0.95 percent. As Lebanon's capital city, Beirut, undergoes the aftermath of a colossal blast which occured on Tuesday, suspectedly around the port area, latest reports suggest a death toll beyond 70, as casualties continue to overwhelm in thousands. World leaders, including PM Modi, Donald Trump, and Scott Morrison, extend solidarity and condole loss of lives in the shocking mishap. A massive blast took place in Lebanons capital Beirut on Tuesday damaging several buildings. Al Jazeera reported that the force of the blast was massive and it caused panic in the streets and pieces of glass were seen everywhere. Though the cause of the blast is unknown, the initial reports have stated that the explosion occurred in Beiruts port area containing warehouses. According to latest reports, the death toll from a powerful explosion in the port of Beirut has increased to 78 people, more than 4,000 people were injured, the Al Jazeera television channel reported citing the Lebanese Health Ministry. Also read: President Trump signs order restricting H1B visas to top talent Also read: India slams Pak in UN, calls it nerve centre of terrorism The death toll from the blast increased to 78, more than 4,000 were injured, the channel said. A powerful explosion occurred in the port area of Beirut on Tuesday evening. The city governor said half of the citys buildings were damaged, and hospitals were overcrowded due to a large number of those injured. The head of the countrys general security service, Gen. Abbas Ibrahim, said that in line with preliminary data, explosives that had been stored in the port for a long time detonated. Indian envoy to Lebanon Suhel Ajaz Khan told ANI: All our embassy staff are safe. We are in touch with Indian community members, so far there is no report of casualty. We are keeping a close watch and are in touch with community organisations. There is lot of damage to buildings in central Beirut. The Embassy has also shared its helpline numbers with the Indian community. Meanwhile, world leaders have offered support and extended their condolences on the massive loss of life. Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his grief on the sudden accident that is being looked at by the world in shock. He also expressed his prayers for the families of the deceased. Shocked and saddened by the large explosion in Beirut city leading to loss of life and property. Our thoughts and prayers are with the bereaved families and the injured: PM @narendramodi PMO India (@PMOIndia) August 5, 2020 US President Donald Trump said that the explosion in Lebanons capital Beirut on Tuesday, which left at least 73 people dead and thousands injured looks like a terrible attack. Looks like a terrible attack, Trump told reporters at the White House. Let me begin by sending Americas deepest sympathies to the people of Lebanon, where reports indicate that many, many people were killed, hundreds more were very badly wounded in a large explosion in Beirut, Trump said at a press briefing Tuesday evening. French President Emmanuel Macron on Tuesday said France will deploy a civil security detachment and several tonnes of medical equipment to Lebanon, whose capital was hit by an explosion that left over 70 people dead and thousands injured. Emergency doctors will also reach Beirut as soon as possible to strengthen hospitals. France is already engaged, the French President said in a tweet. . . ./. Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) August 4, 2020 US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, also extended his deepest condolences to all those affected by the massive explosion at the port of Beirut. We are closely monitoring and stand ready to assist the people of Lebanon as they recover from this tragedy. Our team in Beirut has reported to me the extensive damage to a city and a people that I hold dear, an additional challenge in a time of already deep crisis. We understand that the Government of Lebanon continues to investigate its cause and look forward to the outcome of those efforts, he said in a statement. Meanwhile, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said at least one Australian has been killed in the Beirut blast and the Australian Embassy building has been significantly compromised. Terrible scenes out of Beirut after a major explosion. Our hearts go out to those caught up in this tragedy and to our Australian Lebanese community waiting to hear from their loved ones. Australia stands ready to provide our support, including to any Australians affected, he tweeted. Terrible scenes out of Beirut after a major explosion. Our hearts go out to those caught up in this tragedy and to our Australian Lebanese community waiting to hear from their loved ones. Australia stands ready to provide our support, including to any Australians affected. Scott Morrison (@ScottMorrisonMP) August 4, 2020 UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson said his country is ready to provide support in any way it can. The pictures and videos from Beirut tonight are shocking. All of my thoughts and prayers are with those caught up in this terrible incident. The UK is ready to provide support in any way we can, including to those British nationals affected, Johnson said. Israeli people share the pain of their Lebanese neighbours after a devastating blast in the port of Beirut and reach out to offer their aid, Israeli President Reuven Rivlin said on Tuesday. We share the pain of the Lebanese people and sincerely reach out to offer our aid at this difficult time, Rivlin said on Twitter. We share the pain of the Lebanese people and sincerely reach out to offer our aid at this difficult time. https://t.co/pCzRiKiX4K Reuven Rivlin (@PresidentRuvi) August 4, 2020 Russian President Vladimir Putin sent his condolences to Lebanese President Michel Aoun in connection with the casualties and massive destruction caused by the explosion, the Kremlin said. Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif stated that his country is fully prepared to render assistance in any way necessary. Our thoughts and prayers are with the great and resilient people of Lebanon. As always, Iran is fully prepared to render assistance in any way necessary. Stay strong, Lebanon, Zarif tweeted. . . . pic.twitter.com/4jHhaNnSh6 Javad Zarif (@JZarif) August 4, 2020 Lebanese health minister Hamad Hassan said that the death toll in the blast has reached 73 and that 2,750 are wounded in the massive explosion., which shattered buildings and caused widespread damage. The countrys Prime Minister Hassan Diab in a televised address warned that those who were responsible for the devastating catastrophe will be held accountable and not go unpunished. Over 70 people have been killed while thousands of others were wounded in the massive explosion on Tuesday in Beirut which shattered buildings and caused widespread damage. Also read: China calls for forced Uyghur marriages in new surveillance efforts The Deputy Governor of Edo State, Philip Shaibu, has alleged that the immediate past National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress,... The Deputy Governor of Edo State, Philip Shaibu, has alleged that the immediate past National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, gave the State Assembly Deputy Speaker, Yekini Idiaye N40 million to declare his support for Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu. Shaibu called on the people of Akoko-Edo Local Government Area to demand their share of the money from their representatives in the state House of Assembly, Idiaye and Hon. Emmanuel Agbaje. The Deputy Governor further called on President Muhammadu Buhari to investigate how Oshiomhole got such money he allegedly gave to each of the lawmakers to influence their support for the APC. Shaibu made the allegations when he addressed supporters of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Lampese, Akoko-Edo LGA. Shaibu said, Speaker of the EDHA and all the Principal Officers are supporting the governor, while all those that left demanded money which he declined because of the love and interest of Edo people. Hon. Agbaje and Hon. Yekini collected N40 million each to throw their support for Ize-Iyamu. He said the former Governor also gave N5 million each to ward councilors to declare their support for Ize-Iyamu. I had a meeting with these lawmakers who demanded $10,000 but I told them Obaseki is not a governor that shares money but uses such money for the development of Edo State, he added. Use your Permanent Voters Card (PVC) to vote these corrupt leaders out of office. Jerome, ID, Aug. 04, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Idaho Milk Products congratulates Dr. Venkateswarlu (Venkat) Sunkesula on his recent promotion within the company along with receiving his Doctor of Philosophy degree from South Dakota State University. Dr. Sunkesula was recently promoted to the position of Associate Director of Research and Technical Services. In this position, he will be responsible for the upkeep of the new Milk Innovation Center (MIC) as well as the evaluation of new technologies based on market trends and customer requirements and offer technical services to our operations department to help bring improvements to plant processes. Before joining Idaho Milk Products, he attended South Dakota State University pursuing his Ph.D. in dairy manufacturing under the supervision of Dr. Lloyd Metzger, a member of our Scientific Advisory Board. Dr. Sunkesula did his thesis on the Development of Methods to Improve Lactose Recovery from Permeate and Drying Characteristics of Greek Acid Whey. Venkat has about 20 years of professional experience in various managerial roles in the dairy, candy and brewing industries. I am confident that Venkats technical expertise and commitment will help us continue to retain the leadership role in providing healthy and highly functional milk ingredients, said Dr. Chenchaiah Marella, VP of Research & Product Development. The recent opening of our brand-new, state-of-the-art Milk Innovation Center plays a key role in new product development and offers value-added technical support to our customers. I am very thankful to Idaho Milk Products for this promotion, commented Venkat Sunkesula. I am thrilled to experiment with all the new equipment in our MIC. With these new tools and new responsibilities, I am committed to exploring the endless potential of milk. I am excited and look forward to adding more value to the team in my new position. Idaho Milk Products proudly supports personal, professional, educational, technical and above all, leadership development to help employees realize their potential and be part of a world-class team. Story continues ### About Idaho Milk Products Idaho Milk Products is a privately held, vertically integrated international milk processing leader, supplying Milk Protein Concentrate (MPC), Milk Permeate, and Cream derivatives to customers around the globe. Owned by local Idaho dairy farmers, Idaho Milk Products has a dedicated consistent milk supply and delivers reliable, quality dairy ingredients. For more information, visit idahomilkproducts.com. CONTACT: Annie Dovenmuehler Idaho Milk Products 208.644.2861 adovenmuehler@idahomilk.us WASHINGTON - For-profit nursing home providers that have faced accusations of Medicare fraud and kickbacks, labor violations and widespread failures in patient care received hundreds of millions of dollars in "no strings attached" coronavirus relief aid meant to cover shortfalls and expenses during the pandemic, a Washington Post analysis of federal spending found. More than a dozen companies that received federal funding have settled civil lawsuits in recent years with the Justice Department, which alleged improper Medicare billing, forged documents, substandard care and other abuses. The companies repaid the government a total of more than $260 million and nearly all are under active corporate integrity agreements with the inspector general of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services - the same agency that distributed the coronavirus relief payments. The five-year agreements require independent audits, employee training and other enhanced reporting protocols. One nursing home provider is still embroiled in active litigation with the government, which has accused the company in federal court in Tennessee of putting elderly residents into unnecessary therapy services and delaying the release of patients to reap higher Medicare payments. SavaSeniorCare, whose homes received more than $65 million in pandemic relief aid, has denied wrongdoing. All told, nursing home companies sued for Medicare fraud in recent years received more than $300 million in relief payments. Millions more went to nursing homes with widely publicized breakdowns during the pandemic. Among them: a facility in Pennsylvania cited by the state for giving more than 200 residents the experimental anti-malarial drug touted by President Donald Trump and a home in New Jersey under investigation by the state attorney general for lapses in infection control and patient care during a lethal coronavirus outbreak earlier this spring. After an anonymous tip, police found the bodies of 17 residents in a makeshift morgue; another had been stored in a shed. The money was distributed through the $175 billion Provider Relief Fund, which since April has directed federal stimulus payments to hospitals, some nursing homes and other health-care providers. In May, HHS announced a targeted nursing home distribution of another $4.9 billion. The payments, for covid 19-related expenses or lost revenue, came with few spending restrictions. Agreements between the providers and HHS include language prohibiting nursing homes from using the federal money for abortions, gun-control lobbying and the purchase of chimpanzees, but do not require homes to spend on such things as personal protective equipment or hazard pay for nurses and aides caring for covid-19 patients. "The president wants us to accelerate getting those dollars out," Seema Verma, administrator for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), announced in April during a news briefing with the White House coronavirus task force. "There are no strings attached, so the health-care providers that are receiving these dollars can essentially spend that in any way they see fit." Watchdog groups and some independent experts say the government should have assessed the financial needs of the nursing home industry, scrutinized the track records of providers and attached some spending restrictions before distributing the payments. They say they are most concerned about for-profit companies, some owned by private equity and other investment firms, that in the past have slashed costs and cut staff to boost profit. Two publicly traded nursing home companies that regularly pay dividends to shareholders announced they continued to do so in the first two quarters of this year, The Post found. Rep. James Clyburn, D-S.C., who chairs the House select subcommittee on the coronavirus crisis, launched a congressional investigation in June focused in part on grant spending by five nursing home chains. "Our committee intends to conduct rigorous oversight to ensure that nursing home companies that received funds in order to deal with the crisis spend those funds as Congress intended," he said in a statement to The Post. "Nursing home companies that received funds after committing fraud warrant particularly close scrutiny." HHS said that providers will be required to undergo audits and submit spending documents, and those unable to show that money went to expenses or lost revenue attributed to the coronavirus could be forced to return some or all of the funds. "HHS will have significant anti-fraud monitoring of the funds distributed, and the Office of Inspector General will provide oversight as required in the Cares Act to ensure that federal dollars are used appropriately," according to HHS. The American Health Care Association (AHCA) and National Center for Assisted Living, which represents 14,000 long-term-care providers, said the federal money was badly needed. The group has reported that both nonprofit and for-profit nursing homes had been "on the verge of collapse" during a deepening health crisis, faced with the increasing costs of supplies and personnel expenses and the loss of existing and potential residents. The industry group said it expects reporting and tracking protocols. "For several months, all health care providers have been waiting for guidance on reporting and HHS' approach to auditing and are anticipating significant oversight in the coming months," Mike Cheek, AHCA senior vice president of reimbursement policy, said in a statement to The Post. "We support reasonable efforts to ensure this federal aid has been properly directed to providers to cover costs associated with addressing COVID-19 and potential losses." Whether that oversight prompts the government to flag irregular spending - or demand the return of stimulus money - is not yet known. As the money became available, LeadingAge, an industry group that represents nonprofit providers, put out a primer for providers with detailed instructions about how to access and use the payments. "HHS or Congress could clawback some portion of the relief funds from non-COVID areas," the document says. "But in an election year, there is low probability of this occurring." Those familiar with the industry say they fear some companies will simply absorb the money without investing in patient care or compensation for front-line workers. "This has been one of my concerns from the moment the government passed the Cares Act - the money is not ending up where it needs to be," said Michael Wasserman, medical director of a Los Angeles nursing home and president of the California Association of Long Term Care Medicine. "The help has to go specifically to the front line." To better understand where stimulus money was distributed, The Post used public records and provider websites to untangle the ownership structure of individual homes and then determine the total funding for homes within the same parent company. The calculations may be low. In some cases, The Post was unable to link the names of individual nursing homes with ownership records maintained by HHS or CMS. The analysis captured more than 2,000 homes within some of the largest chains in the United States. The Post also looked at several publicly traded nursing home companies as well as smaller companies and individual facilities scrutinized for improper business practices or patient care before or during the pandemic. The Post could not independently verify how the relief payments, only recently distributed, were spent. More than $35 million went to homes operated by the for-profit Brius, with dozens of nursing homes in California, federal data shows. In 2016, officials at four Brius homes acknowledged in federal court that employees used corporate credit cards to buy massages, tickets to sporting events and excursions on the 222-foot mega yacht Inspiration Hornblower for hospital planners who provided patient referrals. The officials, who struck deferred prosecution agreements with the government, said at the time that Brius management was unaware of the scheme to maximize Medicare revenue. The four homes repaid $6.9 million through a settlement. Last year, the state threatened to fine one Brius home $156,000 after inspectors noted that a resident who had trouble swallowing choked on a honey bun and died, and another resident needed two surgeries after she fell out of her wheelchair while unattended. The home's administration withheld records and instructed staff not to cooperate, according to the state inspection report. In 2014, then-California Attorney General Kamala D. Harris called the company's owner, Shlomo Rechnitz, a "serial violator of rules within the skilled nursing industry" in an emergency court motion to stop Brius from buying homes through a bankruptcy sale. Speaking for Rechnitz, company attorney Mark Johnson said Rechnitz does not have any role in the day-to-day operations of Brius homes. Johnson said the Justice Department settlement stemmed from allegations from 2006 to 2012 and "clearly has nothing to do with the Cares Act or the current pandemic." The company, he said, cooperated with investigators and terminated the individuals involved. Johnson denied allegations that facility employees failed to cooperate last year with state inspectors and said the company appealed the state's findings. He added that Brius has faced rising expenses from increased wages, the cost of supplies and other needs during the coronavirus crisis. "While we certainly cannot project the end of this pandemic, at present it seems unlikely that the relief funding will be sufficient to meet the increased expenses related to this pandemic," Johnson said in an email. In New York, two homes that are part of the for-profit SentosaCare received more than $2 million in pandemic relief payments, federal records show. In October, a federal judge ruled that the owners of the company were liable for violations of human-trafficking laws after Filipino nurses brought to the United States to work in the two homes said they were overworked, improperly paid and threatened with $25,000 fines if they quit before their contracts ended. Elliot Hahn, a lawyer for SentosaCare, said nurses were not threatened and were paid an hourly rate of $29 or more. The company has appealed the ruling. "This is not a case where employees were mistreated or 'trafficked' in any sense of the word," Hahn said in an email. Nursing homes that have drawn significant scrutiny during the pandemic also received relief payments, The Post found. The Life Care Center of Kirkland in Washington state, the site of the country's first known coronavirus outbreak, received nearly $320,000 in pandemic relief. After the outbreak, CMS inspectors found the home did not properly care for sick residents or alert authorities to the spread of illness. The state banned the home, linked to more than 40 deaths, from accepting new residents until changes were made. The Life Care Center of Nashoba Valley outside of Boston drew $300,000 in federal funds. After 17 people died of covid-19, including a nurse at the home, Sens. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., and Edward Markey, D-Mass., and Rep. Lori Trahan, D-Mass., appealed to CMS to provide more oversight of Life Care and other for-profit chains. The Massachusetts Attorney General is investigating the home. Tim Killian, public information liaison for the Tennessee-based chain, said the company continues to work with government regulators to "provide the best care and to safeguard both residents and staff." "We have lost both residents and staff members to this horrible contagion," he said in an email. "Our staff members engaged in heroic efforts to provide the best care possible at great risk to their own health and well-being." Life Care, with more than 200 nursing homes, is being monitored by federal authorities for financial compliance with Medicare rules. In 2016, Life Care, without admitting liability and arguing the government did not prove its case, agreed to the oversight and to a $145 million settlement to resolve allegations by the government that the chain and its billionaire owner had engaged in "a systematic scheme" to maximize Medicare billing. Homes within the Life Care network received more than $48 million in pandemic relief payments, federal data shows. "I asked Seema Verma to increase oversight of these for-profit chains, not hand out hundreds of millions of dollars with no strings attached," Warren said in a statement to The Post. "CMS needs to make sure this money goes to responding to the virus and protecting vulnerable residents and staff, not padding profits and bottom lines." Billions Distributed With Few Restrictions The nursing home lobby has pressed for financial relief since the start of the pandemic, when hundreds and then thousands of elderly residents fell ill during coronavirus outbreaks that swept homes from New York to California. More than 45,000 residents have died since March, along with several hundred nurses and other caregivers. For months, the industry has asked Congress and the Trump administration to provide testing supplies, protective gear and money to cover expenses as well as lost revenue from beds left empty by patients who died of covid-19 or potential residents who decided to live elsewhere. Congress complied, allowing nursing homes to use stimulus money to cover shortfalls in revenue or expenses attributed to covid-19. Nursing homes received about $2.7 million in initial payments for hospitals and health-care providers. In May, HHS Secretary Alex Azar announced a targeted $4.9 billion distribution to nursing homes. "This funding secured by President Trump will help nursing homes keep the seniors they care for safe during the COVID-19 pandemic," Azar said at the time. HHS opted for a simple distribution formula: All nursing homes would receive a $50,000 lump-sum payment, along with an additional allocation of $2,500 per bed. The average distribution was $315,000, with some larger facilities receiving $3 million or more, according to HHS. The money, HHS said in guidance to the industry, did "not need to be specific to providing care for possible or actual coronavirus patients." Providers could use the grants for a range of expenses, including health insurance, rent or mortgage payments, and equipment lease payments. Providers would have to comply with unspecified future audits and reporting requirements. "They should have specified that the money couldn't just be used for administrative costs and profits," said Charlene Harrington, a nursing home researcher and professor at the University of California at San Francisco. "There was no reason that CMS couldn't have put more restrictions on the money." Some say the government also should have assessed the finances of nursing homes and their parent companies before distributing the payments. In 2018, nursing homes in the United States received $28.5 billion from Medicare, which covers short-term stays and pays a far higher rate for services than Medicaid. As the coronavirus crisis spiraled, CMS waived a rule that required patients to spend three consecutive days in a hospital before becoming eligible for skilled nursing care funded by Medicare. The idea was to free up hospital beds for covid-19 patients - and protect the elderly from exposure. But the change also allowed nursing homes to convert existing, long-term-care patients on Medicaid to higher-paying Medicare as long as the homes determined the residents needed skilled care under CMS guidelines. David Grabowski, a professor of health-care policy at Harvard Medical School, called the change a "huge revenue bump." "That's where all of the high margins are associated with nursing home care," Grabowski said. "You can quadruple your revenue overnight for those residents." CMS also extended the time that patients were eligible for Medicare-funded skilled nursing, doubling the pre-pandemic 100-day limit if patients affected by covid-19 needed more care. At the same time, states including Massachusetts and Connecticut have directed aid to nursing home providers. Then came the stimulus money. Homes within the Pennsylvania-based Genesis HealthCare, which reported $33 million in net income in the first quarter of this year, received about $180 million in pandemic payments. States provided an additional $27 million. "It goes back to this issue of whether or not there were shortfalls," Grabowksi said. "You would want them to be able to make payroll, to buy all the supplies. . . . But I think there are a lot of concerns, especially with private equity and others, are you making the payments to a private-equity group or are you paying your staff? Greater accountability here on the financial side would be a good thing." The American Health Care Association said the money came at a critical time: Medicaid for years has covered only 70 or 80 percent of the cost of care in nursing homes, leaving some companies even before the pandemic with razor-thin margins. Struck by higher costs and lower occupancy rates during the crisis, the industry faced the loss of billions of dollars in revenue, the group has reported. On the front lines of nursing homes, the needs are clear. Last month nearly 3,000 reported shortages of nurses, aides or both, according to CMS data. More than 1,700 reported that they lacked a week's supply of N95 masks; 1,500 said they lacked surgical gowns. But lawmakers and watchdog groups worry that with few safeguards, nursing home companies will seek to grow profit rather than direct money to patients and caregivers. Some providers have affiliated entities, such as medical supply companies, that could charge related nursing homes above-market rates for goods and services to justify expenses. "There are owners in the industry who have related parties," said Wasserman, the California doctor and industry representative. "Now the facility is paying five to 10 times the amount for PPE. That is not how Cares Act money should be spent." Watchdog groups say they are particularly concerned about companies that have faced allegations of Medicare abuse. Nursing homes within Ohio-based Saber Healthcare, with facilities in seven states, received more than $45 million in pandemic funding only weeks after the company and related entities settled a 2016 government lawsuit, agreeing to five years of compliance monitoring and repaying $10 million to the government, court records show. Government lawyers alleged in federal court in Virginia that nine of Saber's homes submitted false claims to Medicare in recent years for rehabilitation therapy services for residents that were not reasonable, necessary or skilled. "Our office is committed to investigating and stopping health-care fraud," U.S. Attorney G. Zachary Terwilliger, of the Eastern District of Virginia, said in April. "Billing Medicare for higher-than-necessary levels of care exploits our senior citizens and undermines trust in the health-care system." Saber did not admit liability when settling the case. "Saber disputes the allegations and has the utmost confidence that its facilities have acted in compliance with applicable laws and regulations in providing the best possible care to each and every patient," the company said in a statement to The Post. "During this critical time for healthcare providers, our resources are better spent in serving our patients' needs and supporting our employees rather than continuing to litigate these issues." In federal court in Tennessee, the Justice Department is currently pursuing a case against SavaSeniorCare, arguing that the nursing home company, among the largest in the U.S., pressured its homes to meet "unrealistic" financial goals by submitting false claims to Medicare for rehabilitation therapy. Homes within the Sava network received more than $65 million in pandemic relief, federal spending data shows. Patte Packey, whose 83-year-old father died of covid-19 at a Sava nursing home in Bethesda, Md., said she worries the money will not be spent on patient care. "Who's responsible for the oversight?" she said. A spokesperson for Sava declined to comment on the government's case, saying the litigation is ongoing. In court records, the company disputed the allegations, arguing the government failed to prove its case. "The government hinges its entire case on five patient examples that demonstrate, at most, the government's subjective clinical disagreement- and even then, a disagreement that wholly ignores the high standard to which [skilled nursing facilities] are held in the delivery of therapy services," the company said. Nursing homes flagged by government inspectors also drew millions of dollars, including Andover Subacute and Rehabilitation Center in New Jersey, where 17 bodies were found in a makeshift morgue. The facility, which along with a sister property received more than $3 million, failed to follow infection-control standards or properly screen visitors, according to a state inspection in April. Inspectors also found staff members who did not use proper protective equipment, wash their hands or separate sick patients from healthy ones. The home, under investigation by the New Jersey attorney general, said every effort was made to keep residents safe. "Despite all our efforts, the virus made its way into our facility, as it did in the majority of long-term care facilities across New Jersey," owner Chaim "Mutty" Scheinbaum said in a statement. "We took every possible step to handle this crisis internally while simultaneously making dozens of outreaches to local, state, and federal agencies for help. . . . The facility has made a strong recovery since the height of the pandemic." In recent weeks, state and federal lawmakers have ramped up calls to track the money. Rep. Clyburn is investigating Sava, Genesis and Life Care, among other nursing home chains, to determine how the stimulus money was spent. In Pennsylvania, state Sen. Katie Muth, D, is pushing a measure that would require providers to track and report their spending. "All these things that we hoped the feds would do, they haven't," Muth said. The nursing home industry, meanwhile, is lobbying for more money. Last month, the Trump administration announced an additional $5 billion in funding for nursing homes and state veterans homes. The American Health Care Association is asking for $100 billion, much of it directed at nursing homes. In early June, the group announced a $15 million fundraising effort to launch a lobbying campaign. "Our profession faces its greatest challenge in history," Mark Parkinson, the former governor of Kansas and AHCA's president, wrote in a letter to the industry. "This isn't like the usual fight we have in D.C. over a two percent increase or cut, or over some crazy regulation. Instead, this is a battle for the lives of our residents, our staff, and the very survival of our sector." - - - Jacobs and Mulcahy are graduate students in journalism at Northwestern University's Medill Investigative Lab. Washington Post researcher Alice Crites and staff writer Douglas MacMillan contributed to this report, along with Michael Korsh, Ellie Eimer, Chloe Hilles, Cadence Quaranta, Catherine Buchaniec, Daniel Rosenzweig-Ziff and Alexa Mikhail with the Medill Investigative Lab. By Michael Breen The current investigation into Lee Man-hee, founder of the Shincheonji sect, moved a step forward last week with prosecutors applying to the court for an arrest warrant. As readers will recall, the issue here goes back to February when a large number of sect members in Daegu caught the coronavirus. At the time, news reports claimed that efforts by health authorities to map the extent of the cluster were held up because of the church's unwillingness to hand over lists of its members. The church argued that it was fully cooperating but needed time to verify and update its lists. But prosecutors are convinced that Lee conspired with other church officials to conceal the identity of members and provide false information about them and places where they worshipped. This, they say, amounted to deliberate obstruction of government, which is illegal in an emergency like COVID-19. Given the 97 percent conviction rate in criminal cases in this country, the future doesn't look good for the 89-year-old religious leader. He'll probably end up in jail. If he does, will justice have been served? Well, that depends what you mean by justice. For a lot of people I know, Lee in jail equals justice. Like Al Capone finally being nailed for tax evasion, the actual charge is a pesky technicality. Among all the world's religions, it's normal to like only one. Most of us tolerate a few more. But nobody likes someone who starts one, even in civilized society. That's Lee's real crime. But, sticking to the specific charge, here is a follow-up question: would justice be served if prosecutors were to go after others suspected of having similarly obstructed efforts to fight the pandemic? (And, given the overwhelming conviction rate, "going after" means they're guilty). How about the owners of the Itaewon clubs, where the next cluster was? Are they to be jailed because they allowed customers in without recording their identities? What about the patrons? Could they be done for conspiring with the club owners? I ask these questions for two reasons. One is that I fear this is a witch-hunt. It seems obvious to me that the only reason prosecutors are going after the Shincheonji founder, or that they would go after the Itaewon clubbers, is because they are unpopular. Had the cluster been the main Jogye Temple or the Myeondong Roman Catholic Cathedral or at the Protestant Full Gospel Church in Seoul's Yeouido, this wouldn't be happening. For politicians and others who comment in public, Shincheonji is a safe target. You may remember that when media reported that Shincheonji was dragging its feet with the member lists, two presidential hopefuls, Gyeonggi Governor Lee Jae-myung and the late Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon attacked the church quite forcefully and found their approval ratings boosted for it. But the best evidence that this is a witch-hunt is that the prosecutors have thrown in a financial charge for good measure in case the obstruction of government charge doesn't stick. They found that Lee had apparently used 5 billion won of church funds for the construction of his own house. Even if the church can show it paid Lee this money legitimately, or if indeed the church owns the house, the court is almost certain to accept this as embezzlement if the prosecutors say it is. (That was fortunate for the prosecutors because embezzlement really is a crime.) My second reason for questioning all this is that I wonder what such an application of justice says about our society. We're in the middle of an unprecedented pandemic. Health authorities are doing a wonderful job. The Korean government, the home delivery companies and the cooperative citizenry are being benchmarked around the world. If you tell people overseas now that young Koreans call this place Hell Joseon, they don't get it. Certainly, on the way, there has been misjudgment. There have been mistakes. But what does it say about this society that we now working up our arguments to criminalize them and throw an 89-year-old man behind bars? Michael Breen is the author of "The New Koreans" and CEO of Insight Communications SAO PAULO, Aug. 5, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- 2Q20 Highlights Adjusted EBITDA totaled R$ 1.3 billion, an increase of 12% in the 2Q20 compared to the 1Q20. Free cash flow reached R$ 205 million in the 2Q20. Gerdau long steel shipments grew 10% in the 2Q20 compared to the 1Q20. Gerdau launched the Integrated Report 2019 presenting the Company's Materiality Matrix and using the GRI standard. The creation of Gerdau Next, focused on new business, complementing the steel chain. Additional Information Gerdau S.A. (NYSE: GGB, BM&Fbovespa: GGBR3, GGBR4) informs that it is filling today its 2Q20 results at the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and at the Comissao de Valores Mobiliarios (CVM), which are available at Gerdau's website. To access this document, please click on https://ri.gerdau.com/en/notices-and-results/results-center/ The 2Q20 Valuation Guide is also available at Gerdau's website https://ri.gerdau.com/en/financial-information/valuation-guide/ SOURCE Gerdau S.A. Related Links http://ri.gerdau.com Ashley Wilson was working in Manhattan, New York when the COVID-19 pandemic began. The 24-year-old Taylor native and University of Michigan graduate thought shed be back to work in two weeks. But as the health crisis worsened, the toll of the virus grew and it became clear that life wasnt returning to normal any time soon. It was literal destruction: friends of coworkers dying, family members of coworkers dying, kids my age dying, said Wilson, who returned to her home state to be with her family. It was very evident in New York City how dangerous this virus is and how dangerous normal, everyday things can be, like going to the grocery store. On Wednesday, Aug. 5, Wilson became one of the first volunteers to participate in the Moderna mRNA-1273 Coronavirus Efficacy (COVE) vaccine study at Michigans Henry Ford Health System. She is one of the 30,000 volunteers needed to participate in the vaccine study, which has entered Phase 3 trials. The randomized, double-blind study is being conducted across 90 healthcare systems across the country. Its seeking to determine whether a two-dose vaccine can prevent COVID-19 infection in those exposed to the virus. Wilson said she volunteered for the Moderna vaccine study to help determine if its safe and effective for people like her mother, who works in a nursing home, and her grandfather, who is in his 90s. Typically, vaccines are made from a weakened or inactive virus. However, the mRNA-1273 study vaccine is not made from the SARS-CoV-2 virus, according to Henry Ford Health System. The trial vaccine is made from the messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA), a genetic code that tells cells how to make protein. The protein is a small part of the virus that is thought to help the bodys immune system make antibodies to fight the virus. Related: Michigan hospital chosen as trial site for coronavirus vaccine, and its looking for volunteers Volunteers participating in the trial will have two injections spaced about one month apart. They will then visit their enrollment site five additional times and talk to study coordinators about 24 times over two years. During that time, participants will be closely monitored by the study team for symptoms of COVID-19 and will be tested to see if they have produced the antibodies to protect them from coronavirus. Participants have a 50% chance of receiving the study vaccine, and a 50% chance of receiving a placebo, which will be a sterile saline solution. The study vaccine cannot cause infection or disease, according to the hospital system. Henry Ford Health System is the first hospital system in Michigan to administer a COVID-19 vaccine study, and the only health system in the state participating in the Moderna vaccine study. This is a historic moment, said Dr. Marcus Zervos, division chief of infectious disease for Henry Ford Health System, in a prepared statement. A vaccine is our best hope in the fight against COVID-19, and were glad to be a part of bringing this opportunity to the Midwest. Another volunteer participating in the study is Victor McFadden, 64. He retired a few months ago and had plans to move to Myrtle Beach when the pandemic struck the country. McFadden has been quarantined in his Detroit home for four months. He doesnt have guests over, and only makes trips out when necessary. He joined the study to help others, especially nurses like his sister in South Carolina. Being here doing this may go down in history; its not the way I really wanted to do it, McFadden said. But (Ill do) whatever it takes to try to get this virus under control. I feel for the nurses; they are the heroes, to go to work every day and put up with this. I give them all the respect in the world. Residents interested in participating in the study can apply, here. Participants must be at least 18 years old and cannot be pregnant or immune-compromised. Qualifications include those at high risk of COVID-19 infection due to their location, circumstances, age, or pre-existing medical conditions, as well as health adults with no previous history of COVID-19, and those who are free from prior exposure to an investigational vaccine or treatment for COVID-19. For more information on the Moderna Cove vaccine study, visit the Henry Ford Health System website, here. As of Tuesday, Aug. 5, Michigan has reported 84,050 known cases of COVID-19 and 6,220 known deaths. The coronavirus has been linked to 702,164 deaths globally, including 157,266 in the United States, according to data from Johns Hopkins University of Medicine. COVID-19 PREVENTION TIPS In addition to washing hands regularly and not touching your face, officials recommend practicing social distancing, assuming anyone may be carrying the virus. Health officials say you should be staying at least 6 feet away from others and working from home, if possible. Use disinfecting wipes or disinfecting spray cleaners on frequently-touched surfaces in your home (door handles, faucets, countertops) and carry hand sanitizer with you when you go into places like stores. Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has also issued executive orders requiring people to wear face coverings over their mouth and nose while in public indoor and crowded outdoor spaces. See an explanation of what that means here. Additional information is available at Michigan.gov/Coronavirus and CDC.gov/Coronavirus. For more data on COVID-19 in Michigan, visit https://www.mlive.com/coronavirus/data/. Read more on MLive: Michigan reports 664 new coronavirus cases, 8 new deaths Michigan county-level coronavirus data for Wednesday, Aug. 5: Border counties seeing spike Racism declared a public health crisis in new Whitmer executive directive 2 Saginaw County bars temporarily close after employees may have been exposed to coronavirus US' 'mafia-style tactic' on TikTok strips last layer of decency Global Times By Wang Cong Source: Global Times Published: 2020/8/4 20:33:41 Last Updated: 2020/8/4 22:33:41 China must respond or Trump will become more aggressive amid election: analyst US President Donald Trump's latest move to force China-based ByteDance to sell its video-sharing app TikTok to a US company and pay the US government a share of the transaction has been derided by many in China - experts and ordinary citizens alike - as "naked robbery" using mafia-style tactics that strips the last layer of decency from the US, which claims to be free market that upholds the rule of law. The Chinese government on Tuesday warned the US of "consequences" if it opens the "Pandora's Box" with what a Chinese official called "political manipulation" and a crackdown on a Chinese company. While it followed a sweeping crackdown by the Trump administration on a growing list of Chinese technology companies, the "illegal and immoral" move against TikTok marks an unprecedented step in the legal and commercial arena and sounded a dire warning of how more Chinese businesses could be targeted by a "shameless" US administration ahead of the presidential election, Chinese experts noted. Such a dangerous escalation warrants stern retaliation from the Chinese government, including taking a proportionate, reciprocal countermeasure on US businesses in the Chinese market, to make it clear to the US administration that its reckless behavior won't go unchecked, the experts urged, adding that without concrete countermeasures, the US president could further step up crackdowns on more Chinese firms and could even pick fights in other geopolitical areas. 'Naked robbery' Trump on Monday doubled down on his earlier comments of forcing TikTok to be sold to a US company, suggesting that the potential transaction must be completed by September 15 or he could ban altogether the popular video-sharing app used by around 100 million users in the US. The US President also repeated his earlier demand that the US government should get a cut of the deal, saying that "the United States could and should get a very large percentage of that price because we're making it possible." Trump's remarks immediately sent shock waves across Chinese social media platforms on Tuesday, where many declared the end of the US as a free market and a country ruled by the law, calling the move "naked robbery" from a Chinese company. "This is a Chicago mafia-style way of doing things, pure and simple: Pointing a gun at your head and ordering you to make a deal," Shen Yi, a professor at the School of International Relations and Public Affairs at Fudan University, told the Global Times on Thursday, "there is no point in discussing the legality of the move because there is none. It's utterly immoral." In Beijing, a spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry called the US crackdown on TikTok "pure political manipulation" based on "baseless" accusations. "In fact, there has been no shortage of examples of the US using its state machine to crack down on other countries' businesses. The US must stop opening the 'Pandora's Box,' or it will reap what it has sown," Wang Wenbin, the spokesperson, told a press conference. Using claims of national security concerns and others, the Trump administration has been stepping up its crackdown on a rapidly rising number of Chinese companies, including the multi-year long campaign against Chinese telecom giant Huawei. But many in China view the move against TikTok as ultimate proof of what they call a "shameless" US administration that would do anything to serve its own interests. "This is beyond absurdity. It has really reached below the bottom," Fang Xingdong, founder of Beijing-based technology think tank ChinaLabs, told the Global Times on Tuesday, adding that the US "has no moral high ground" left in its claims of a free market and a country upholding the rule of law. "It has shown its willingness to stop at nothing for its own interests." The demand made by Trump, who is known for making erratic comments, was confirmed by a statement from Microsoft on Sunday, in which the US tech giant said it was continuing talks with ByteDance on the purchase of TikTok following a conversation between its CEO Satya Nadella and Trump. In clear appeasement to the US president, Microsoft said that "it is committed to acquiring TikTok subject to a complete security review and providing proper economic benefits to the United States, including the United States Treasury." Microsoft, which is reportedly eyeing TikTok's younger users, did not say how those "economic benefits" will be delivered. In Beijing, Zhang Yiming, founder of ByteDance, indicated that the company might have to comply with Trump's order. "Although this is unreasonable, it is part of the legal process and that as a company, we have no other option but to follow the law," Zhang wrote in an internal memo that was widely circulated online. In a sign of the extremely difficult political situation Trump has put TikTok in, Zhang was criticized by many on Chinese social media after an earlier internal memo was published. Some pointed out that the memo stressed TikTok as a global firm and did not mention China or the Chinese government, in contrast to Microsoft's statement that thanked the US government. In the second memo unveiled on Tuesday afternoon, Zhang sought to address those criticisms, saying he "understands that people have very high expectations for a company that was founded by a Chinese and spreading globally, but they don't have the full and accurate information and anger exists among the public toward the many actions from the US government." The back-to-back memos from Zhang also showed that the company, which has been caught in the China-US strategic rivalry, was making a last-ditch effort to ease US hostility and domestic backlash. But experts said that in face of US' bullying, such an effort is naive, delusional and doomed to be futile. Retaliation necessary While some experts also criticized TikTok's response toward the US crackdown as lack of "bravery" and "full of opportunism," others say that there is not much Chinese businesses can do in the face of a powerful US government and that China must implement "stern retaliation" against the US' actions otherwise more Chinese companies will be targeted. "If we don't retaliate, then the US will become even more aggressive, it will target more Chinese companies and it could even make a move in other areas, including Taiwan," Shen said, adding that it would be "very easy" for China to retaliate. "We can also tell a US company that it must sell its China operations or it will be banned." Some in China called Trump's move regarding TikTok purely aimed at boosting his reelection campaign, which is troubled by a runaway COVID-19 outbreak and historic low economic data, and a stern response from China could only serve to assist Trump in the election amid deepening anti-China sentiment in the US. But experts said that such an assessment lacks the proper understanding of how dangerous a precedent the move set for the US government and others to target Chinese companies and interests. "It is important for the Chinese government to exert some effort to ensure that the US would pay the price for such behavior," Fang said, adding that given the intensifying crackdown on Chinese tech companies, China should treat and guard the high-tech sector as an area of "core interest." Some experts have also suggested that China could continue opening up the domestic financial market for foreign businesses from other areas, but bar US companies from entering until the US government halts its crackdown on Chinese companies. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Lissie Harper, pictured on her wedding day with Andrew Harper, is calling for full life terms for killers of emergency service workers. (Mark Lord/PA) People who kill emergency workers should face mandatory full life jail terms, the widow of PC Andrew Harper has said. Lissie Harper is calling for Andrew's Law, which would mean those convicted of causing the death of police, fire or emergency medical workers would spend the rest of their life in prison. It comes after her husbands killers Henry Long, 19, and 18-year-olds Jessie Cole and Albert Bowers were handed 16-year and 13-year sentences for manslaughter at the Old Bailey last week. Mrs Harper said: "I pledge to my late husband to never stop until I have made the difference that this country clearly needs. "I vow to stand strong and firm with so many other honourable people in our country to make the changes that we clearly know to be justified. PC Andrew Harper's mother Deborah Adlam holds a photograph of her son at her home in Oxfordshire. (PA) The campaign is being backed by the Police Federation of England and Wales, which represents thousands of officers up to the rank of chief inspector. Thames Valley Police officer PC Harper was caught in a crane strap dangling from the back of a Seat Toledo driven by Long, and dragged to his death. PC Harpers mother Debbie Adlam also backed the campaign, saying: An emergency service worker is there to protect all of us and we should be protecting them as well. She added: "You've killed somebody who is out there to do a good job, to protect the country, and you have taken their life. You need to pay for that. PC Harper joins a long list of emergency workers who have been killed while on duty throughout the years. PC Gerald Walker died in hospital two days after an incident in which he was dragged more than 100 yards at up to 30mph along a street in Bulwell, Nottingham. (PA) Gerald Walker Dog handler PC Gerald Ged Walker was killed while on duty in Bulwell, Nottingham, in January 2003. PC Walker, 42, was dragged 100 yards and suffered fatal head injuries after he reached into a stolen taxi in an attempt to remove the keys from the ignition. The driver of the taxi, David Parfitt, 26, was convicted of manslaughter in the same year and sentenced to 13 years in prison. Parfitt had been on licence at the time of the incident for a previous robbery offence. Story continues Nina Mackay was stabbed to death as she went to arrest Madgi Elgizouli at a flat in east London. (PA) Nina Mackay WPC Nina Mackay was fatally stabbed in October 1997 as she attempted to arrest Magdi Elgizouli, an unemployed man with paranoid schizophrenia. The Metropolitan Police officer, who was 25 at the time of her death, removed her protective vest as she tried to arrest Elgizouli in Stratford, east London, for breaching his bail conditions. Elgizouli stabbed WPC Mackay once in the abdomen and she died two hours later. Mackay is the only female police officer in Great Britain to have been stabbed to death while on duty. Elgizouli was initially charged with murder but was convicted on the lesser charge of manslaughter on grounds of diminished responsibility and was detained indefinitely at Rampton Secure Hospital in Nottinghamshire before being moved to St Bernard's Hospital in west London. WPC Sharon Beshenivsky was shot in Bradford while reporting to reports of a robbery. (PA) Sharon Beshenivsky PC Sharon Beshenivsky, who worked for West Yorkshire Police, was shot dead by a criminal gang during a robbery in Bradford in November 2005. The 38-year-old was responding to reports that an attack alarm had been activated at a travel agent in the city when she was fatally shot in the chest. Somali brothers Mustaf Jama, 25, and Yusaf Jama, 19, and Muzzaker Shah were convicted of murder and robbery and sentenced to life with a minimum of 35 years. Two other men, Faisal and Hassan Razzaq, were convicted of manslaughter and sentenced to life with a minimum of 11 years and 20 years respectively. PC Keith Palmer was killed while protecting Parliament. (PA) Keith Palmer PC Keith Palmer was guarding the Palace of Westminster in March 2017 when terrorist Khalid Masood, armed with two knives, attempted to get past him after running over pedestrians. Despite being unarmed, PC Palmer confronted Masood and attempted to stop him but was pushed back against the wall and fatally stabbed. PC Palmers actions delayed Masoods attempts to enter Parliament long enough for an armed police officer to arrive and shoot him dead. PC Palmer, 48, was awarded the George Medal "for confronting an armed terrorist to protect others and Parliament in the 2017 Queens Birthday Honours. Watch the latest videos from Yahoo UK International travel bans can be three times as effective at controlling the spread of coronavirus than quarantining incoming travellers, a study suggests. US, UK and Canadian researchers found crude blanket bans were easier to enforce, despite being unpopular and economically damaging. Asking arrivals to self-isolate, however, is hard to police and would inevitably lead to people ignoring the rules and spreading the disease among the public. The study, by experts at Stanford University, estimated how long it would take for 0.1 per cent of a population to get infected under various travel restrictions. Using mathematical modelling, they found it could take between 95 and 123 days if a blanket ban was enforced and all incoming flights were grounded. If 50 per cent of new arrivals followed quarantine advice, then it would only take 44 or 46 days. But if compliance was good and 95 per cent of incoming travellers isolated, it could be extended to between 77 and 89 days. Writing in the study, the researchers say: 'The picture is quite clear: Without proper control, an influx of infected travelers can easily become the seed for a new exponential outbreak.' But they conceded that travel restrictions are a highly contentious political decision, with airlines warning it could decimate travel industry. The UK Government was today criticised for delaying quarantine measures at the border in mid-March, allowing 10,000 infected people to pour into the country. Countries like Australia and New Zealand fared far better during the first wave of the pandemic after shutting their borders sharply to prevent devastating outbreaks. A study by experts at Stanford University has estimated how long it would take for 0.1 per cent of a population to get infected under various travel restrictions using mathematical modelling International travel bans can be three times as effective at controlling coronavirus' spread than quarantining incoming travellers, a study suggests (Heathrow Airport last month) The latest study has not yet been published in a scientific journal or peer-reviewed by other experts. It is published on the pre-print website Medrxiv. It was co-authored by researchers from the Memorial University of Newfoundland in Canada and the University of Oxford. They used Covid-19 case data from the Canadian provinces of Newfoundland and Labrador as a model to understand how outbreaks can be quickly contained. No other factors were taken into account, including mask-wearing or the reproduction 'R' rate of the virus. Their simulation estimated it would take just over a month for 0.1 per cent of any population to become infected with Covid-19, if no travel restrictions are in place. This could be pushed back slightly to 46 days, if half of incoming travellers stick to quarantine rules. If the vast majority of people (95 per cent) comply with self-isolation rules at the border then the time frame could be extended to up to 89 days. In any case, a full ban on international travel was still more effective slowing the outbreak down by up to 123 days. Covid 'will cost THREE MILLION UK travel and tourism jobs' The coronavirus pandemic will cost nearly three million travel and tourism jobs in the UK because of the collapse of the industry, according to the World Travel and Tourism Council. Bosses described the job losses as 'heartbreaking' and warned that positions were 'disappearing by the day'. They expressed their frustration and said that research conducted two months ago predicted that this 'worst case scenario' would occur if barriers to global travel - such as quarantine measures and blanket travel restrictions - remained in place. While some travel bans have been removed, many others remain. New restrictions are also likely to come into force to tackle the continuing threat posed by Covid-19 and possible second spikes. However, a patchwork of bans, quarantines and uncoordinated international testing and tracing measures have deterred many from travelling at all. Bosses warn that the peak summer 2020 travel season has all but been wiped out, and that 197million jobs in the sector will be lost worldwide. Last week travel to Spain was thrown into chaos when the UK government changed its travel advice to re-impose a 14-day quarantine period for people arriving back in the UK. This countrywide 'travel ban' came despite parts of Spain, such as Andalucia, the Balearics and Canaries having a lower Covid-19 infection rate than the UK. WTTC estimates the UK could lose a staggering 120 billion from the Travel & Tourism sector's contribution to UK GDP. That equates to a 73% percent drop compared with 2019. Gloria Guevara, WTTC President & CEO, said: 'It's heart-breaking to see our worst fears for the UK and global Travel & Tourism sector coming true. 'The jobs and livelihoods of millions of people who work throughout the sector are disappearing by the day, despite our warning this could happen.' She added that the 'economic black hole in the country's finances' was due to an 'international failure to implement proper coordination to combat the pandemic'. Advertisement The study's researchers say the findings can be applied to whole countries but they note that they are 'especially true' for smaller provinces and states. Writing in the paper, lead researcher Dr Kevin Linka said: 'Relaxing travel restriction is a highly contentious political decision. 'However, from an outbreak dynamics perspective, the picture is quite clear: Without proper control, an influx of infected travelers can easily become the seed for a new exponential outbreak. 'In the early phases of exponential growth, the new case numbers may appear low and manageable, but when unaddressed, the case numbers will begin to grow at an alarming rate. 'At this point, it becomes impossible to manage a new outbreak with soft measures alone. Clearly, opening borders is a critical decision, especially towards regions with a higher case prevalence. 'Our study shows that especially for smaller provinces or states tight border control is often easier and more effective than quarantine.' The UK has already slapped countries with high infection rates with mandatory 14-day quarantines for all arrivals. People flying into Britain from Canada, the US, much of South America, and some countries in Africa, the Middle East and Asia all have to self isolate when they arrive. Travellers from Spain, Sweden, Portugal, Russia and other high-risk European countries also have to comply. Britain has established 'air bridges' with several 'low risk' countries which exempt passengers from having to follow the isolation rules. Health officials are constantly monitoring transmission rates and have shown, with Spain, that they are not afraid to remove nations at the drop of a hat. Dr Linka appeared to praise Britain's strategy, saying it was the next-best thing to a full international travel ban. But he stressed the importance of making sure the vast majority of travellers followed the guidance and that a good contact tracing system was in place to catch onward transmission. He wrote: 'Partial reopening, for example within local travel bubbles, is an effective compromise and a reasonable first step. 'Our results suggest that relaxing travel restrictions entirely is possible, but would require strict quarantine conditions. Voluntary quarantine, even at an overall rate of 95 per cent, is not enough to entirely prevent future outbreaks. 'A solution to reduce the quarantine time is to test, trace, and isolate. Without these policies, even regions that have successfully managed the Covid-19 pandemic to date are at risk of seeing a new epidemic outbreak within only a few weeks. 'This outbreak can quickly grow out of control and require extensive and expensive lockdown periods and other stringent non-pharmaceutical interventions. 'It is therefore important to understand, closely monitor, and predict the local and global outbreak dynamics and be aware of the dangers associated with uncontrolled reopening.' It comes as a major report by MPs in Britain found delaying quarantine measures at the border was a 'serious mistake' that allowed 10,000 infected people into the UK and accelerated the virus' spread. Keir Starmer warns Boris Johnson has a MONTH to fix the NHS test and trace system or the UK will face a 'long bleak winter' of coronavirus crisis Keir Starmer ramped up pressure on Boris Johnson today warning he has just a month to bolster the test and trace system - or the UK will face a 'long bleak winter' of coronavirus. The Labour leader lashed the PM for being 'too slow to act' throughout the crisis, saying he needed to accept the crucial tracking arrangements are not working properly. Sir Keir said the nation was at a 'crucial point' in the fight against the disease and failure to address the problems in the coming weeks would fuel a deadly second peak. The grim warning, in an article for the Guardian, came after a major study predicted a resurgence of the disease unless the system gets better - and said it could be twice as bad as in the Spring. Scientists said the only way of bringing back schools and avoiding another crisis around Christmas was dramatically to improve the NHS test and trace operation. Sir Keir pointed to the Government's lack of clear communication throughout the crisis and said contact tracing was one of the biggest issues. He wrote: 'On the occasions that the government has acted at pace, it has too often done so without a clear plan. Trying to get answers and clarity from the prime minister is a frustrating experience. 'His repeated refusal to accept that test and trace isn't functioning properly is a roadblock to fixing the issues and restoring public confidence.' Sir Keir also stressed that reopening schools for the new term must be a priority and further steps needed to be taken to ensure the NHS was ready to cope with another potential spike in infections. 'Any steps the government makes to regain the trust of the British people will have Labour's full support,' he wrote. 'But the reality is that if the government doesn't use this summer wisely, focusing on driving down the rate of infection, Britain faces a long and bleak winter.' In a report yesterday, researchers at UCL working with a team at LSHTM revealed that, if schools do re-open and lockdown is gradually lifted with more people slowly returning to work, a second wave will occur. The secondary wave would result in the R rate the number of people each Covid-19 patient infects rising above the dreaded number of one. This could yield a secondary wave of infections 2-2.3 times the size of the first, which has so far killed around 46,201 people. The peak would come in December, or in February 2021 if schools re-open on just a part-time basis. Advertisement The cross-party inquiry is highly critical of the Government's 'inexplicable' decision to lift its initial quarantine measures in mid-March, ten days before lockdown. Experts from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine calculated that up to 10,000 infected people, largely from Spain, France and Italy, imported the virus into the UK. It concluded many more Britons were infected in the 12 weeks after that decision before compulsory self-isolation was re-introduced for international passengers on June 8. However, it stopped short of saying lives had been lost as a result. The home affairs select committee report, published today, says: 'The decision to lift all Covid-19 related guidance for international arrivals on March 13, just as other countries were expanding their border measures, is inexplicable. 'Evidence suggests that thousands of new infections resulted from cases arriving from Europe in the ten days between this decision and the introduction of lockdown on March 23. 'The failure to have any special border measures during this period was a serious mistake that significantly increased both the pace and the scale of the epidemic in the UK. 'Had stronger early measures been taken, we conclude that it is likely that the spread of the virus could have been slowed.' MPs asked the Government nine times for scientific evidence behind the decision to end travel restrictions but nothing was provided. 'In such circumstances as these, the committee could quite reasonably conclude the advice we requested simply does not exist,' it says. Committee chairman Yvette Cooper added: 'The Government's failure to have proper quarantine measures in place in March as the infection was spreading fast was a grave error and meant Covid spread faster and reached more people. The UK was almost unique in having no border checks or quarantine arrangements at that time. That alone should have rung loud alarm bells for ministers and made them think again.' She added: 'We are concerned that border measures just weren't taken seriously enough at the beginning of the crisis.' Re-introducing restrictions as virus flashpoints occur in countries like Spain is the right thing to do, she added. But she called for better communication by the Government to ensure families who have booked holidays are not left in the lurch. Arrivals by air to the UK totalled 7million in January, 6.8million in February and 3.8million in March before falling to just 112,000 in April, the report says. The Government first issued quarantine rules on February 25 for travellers from Wuhan and Hubei province in China, Iran and parts of South Korea. Northern Italy was added to the list on March 8, and the whole of the country two days later. For these 'category 1' countries, self-isolation was compulsory for 14 days and advisable for arrivals from other 'category 2' countries. The reports says: 'Neither Spain nor France were ever added to either the category 1 or category 2 list.' Academic studies later estimated the largest number of UK infections originated with arrivals from Spain just over 33 per cent, followed by France with 28.5 per cent peaking at an estimated 900 infectious people arriving here from abroad every day. The report goes on: 'Evidence shows it is highly likely uncontrolled importations of the virus from European countries contributed to the rapid increase in the spread in mid-March. The failure to properly consider stricter requirements on those arriving was a serious error.' There was also a 'lack of clarity' over who was responsible for monitoring emerging infection threats from different countries, it adds. The report concludes that border measures will have to remain in place for 'some time to come'. The San Francisco Police Department arrested two individuals Saturday for allegedly operating a meth lab in the guest room of a hotel in the 300 block of Ninth Street in the city's Civic Center neighborhood, officials said. The City of San Francisco said the incident occurred at a hotel used to offer temporary shelter for people without housing and at risk for COVID-19, and multiple news outlets reported the location as the Civic Center Motor Inn. "I was just, like, shocked," a guest, who said a police officer knocked on her hotel door, told KTVU. "He's like, 'There's a meth lab right above your room so we need you to evacuate cause it could explode at any time.'" Police responded to reports of a "chemical odor emanating from a guest room" at 2:27 p.m. and upon investigation "discovered chemicals known to make narcotics, which were isolated to one guest room," according to a statement from SFPD. Police told KTVU they found evidence of a meth lab. Two unnamed adults were arrested on the scene for narcotics-related charges. The incident is currently under investigation by the San Francisco Department of Public Health and the San Francisco Police Department. The city said in a statement its review of the incident "focused on identifying health and safety improvements to San Franciscos COVID-19 alternative housing program." Several improvements are being made to the program including visual inspections of guest rooms when conducting wellness checks and refresher training programs of program operators. The Civic Center Motor Inn opted to not comment on the incident and would not confirm it happened at the property. SFPD spokesperson Robert Rueca said the department does not name specific locations in its reports. MORE CORONAVIRUS COVERAGE: Sign up for 'The Daily' newsletter for the latest on coronavirus here. UCSF doctor calls Dolores Park as scary as 'American Horror Story' Only one Bay Area county may be able to get off the state COVID-19 watch list soon 'Heartbroken': Four Bay Area food pantry delivery trucks vandalized Technical issue has California under-reporting virus cases What Lockdown 2.0 Looks Like: Harsher Rules, Deeper Confusion Amy Graff is the news editor at SFGATE. Email her: agraff@sfgate.com. IIMC Admissions 2020: Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC) has started the online application process for its four Post- Graduate Diploma programmes for English Journalism, Hindi Journalism, Radio and TV Journalism and Advertising and Public Relations courses. The last date to apply is August 28. Students can apply online at iimc.nic.in. All the four courses are held in New Delhi campus of IIMC while the English Journalism course is held in all the six regional campuses of IIMC in New Delhi, Dhenkanal, Aizawl, Amravati, Jammu and Kottayam. IIMC has already begun the application process for its language journalism courses in Urdu, Odia, Malyalam and Marathi on July 3. The last date to apply is August 14. This year, IIMC will not conduct the entrance test due to Covid-19. The institute has decided to adopt a new admission process for this year in which more weightage will be given to the marks scored by candidates in qualifying examinations, up to Graduation level, including the marks scored in class 10 and 12, followed by an online interview. IMPORTANT DATES: Date of Issue of Notification ---4th August, 2020 Last date for Submission of Application --- 28th August, 2020, till 5 pm. Announcement of Short List ---5th September, 2020 Dates of Online Interview --- 8th September, 2020 Onwards Announcement of Rank List ---18th September, 2020 Last date for Remitting Fees --- 30th September, 2020 Selection Procedure: The selection of candidates under non-NRI quota will be based on essential qualification and merit. They will be shortlisted on the basis of marks obtained in qualifying Graduation Examination, Plus Two Examination, and Matriculation Examination with a weightage of 40:20:20 percent, respectively. The shortlisted candidates will be called for an online interview. The interview will carry a weightage of 20 percent. The final Rank List and admission will be decided on the basis of the candidates overall score out of 100 marks. Applicants have to submit via email a written (200 words) or video (1 to 2 minutes) Statement of Purpose describing why she/he wants to join the course. Results will be declared on or around September 10. The rank list will be published on the IIMC website at iimc.gov.in or iimc.nic.in and the selected candidates will be intimated by email also. A list of candidates to be provisionally admitted to each course and at each campus will be prepared on the basis of the category-wise merit list which will be published on IIMC website www.iimc.gov.in by 18th September, 2020. Online classes: The classes for first semester will be conducted online due to the pandemic. Eligibility: Indian nationals possessing a Bachelors Degree awarded by a recognized university are eligible to apply. Students who have appeared / are appearing for a degree examination are also eligible to apply. If selected, their admission will be subject to their producing at least a provisional certificate in original from their college / university latest by 31st October 2020. Age Limit/ Date of Birth: General Category candidates should be born on 1.8.1995 or later (maximum 25 years as on 1st August, 2020). For SC/ST/Differently abled candidates, the date of birth should be 1.8.1990 or later (maximum 30 years as on 1st August, 2020). For OBC category, date of birth should be 1.8.1992 or later (28 years as on 1st August, 2020). Application Fee: The Application Fee is Rs.1,000 for each course for General Category and Rs.750 for OBC/SC/ST/Differently-abled/EWS category. Number of seats: For PG Diploma in English Journalism course, there are 68 seats in IIMC New Delhi, 68 in IIMC Dhenkanal and 17 seats each in IIMC Aizawl, IIMC Amravati, IIMC Jammu, IIMC Kottayam. For PG Diploma in Hindi Journalism course, there are 68 seats in IIMC New Delhi For PG Diploma in Radio and TV Journalism, there are 51 seats in IIMC New Delhi For PG Diploma in Advertising and PR, there are 77 seats in IIMC New Delhi Click here to apply online Click here for IIMC Prospectus Application Fee: PG Diploma in English Journalism --- 52,000 in first semester payable in September 2020---- 43,500 in second semester payable in February 2021. PGD in Hindi Journalism -- 52,000 in first semester payable in September 2020 --- 43,500 in second semester payable in February 2021. PGD in Radio & TV Journalism-- 88,500 in first semester payable in September 2020 --- 80,000 in second semester payable in February 2021. PGD in Advertising & PR--- 70,000 in first semester payable in September 2020 ---- 61,500 in second semester payable in February 2021. Course fee has to be paid online. Check details of Bank Account here: Bank Name --Central Bank of India Branch--- IIMC, New Delhi-110067 Account No. ---3586258939 IFSC Code ---CBIN0283535 After remitting the fees the applicant must inform the Institute by sending an email to Academic Section- academiciimc1965@gmail.com with transaction number and other details. The author tweets @ NandiniJourno SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON American Ninja Warrior winner Andrew Drew Drechsel has been arrested on a series of child sex crime charges, including luring an underage girl for sex and manufacturing child pornography. Drechsel, 31, was arrested at his home in St. Cloud, Florida on Tuesday, the US Attorney's Office of the District of New Jersey announced in a press release. Known by his nickname the Real Life Ninja, Drechsel allegedly began a sexual relationship with a 15-year-old girl in New Jersey back in 2015, documents obtained by DailyMail.com show. Drechsel apparently met the alleged victim at an American Ninja Warrior contestant event, where they exchanged numbers and began texting one another. Scroll down for video Andrew Drew Drechsel, 31, was arrested at his home in St. Cloud, Florida on Tuesday, the US Attorney's Office of the District of New Jersey announced in a press release During her visit to the gym, Drechsel (right) and the girl reportedly became intimate inside his officer after his girlfriend, April Beckner(left), left the premises. Known by his nickname the Real Life Ninja, Drechsel allegedly began a sexual relationship with a 15-year-old girl in New Jersey back in 2015, documents obtained by DailyMail.com show During their purported correspondence, Drechsel is said to have arranged for the girl who lived in New Jersey at the time to visit his gym, the Real Life Ninja Academy, in Hamden, Connecticut in July 2015 as a present for her 15th birthday. The pair exchanged text messages about plans for sexual activity in the lead up to her visit, the complaint states. During her visit to the gym, Drechsel and the girl reportedly became intimate inside his office after his girlfriend, April Beckner, left the premises. Prosecutors say Drechsel laid out a mattress and blanket behind a wall in his office where he allegedly had sex with the teen. The girl told her mother about the alleged sexual encounter later the same day. When the mother confronted Drechsel about the incident, she claims he 'did not deny the sexual activity, but rather stated he did not know her age at the time'. Just weeks later, Drechsel contacted the victim again where they discussed having sexual relations again, prosecutors say. The Ninja Warrior champion allegedly told the victim that the next time they met, unlike on the previous occasion they would not have 'time to deal with [victims] shyness and timidity'. The teen is said to have confessed that though she was nervous it wouldnt happen again. PSH, well see I guess, Drechsel is said to have responded, to which the girl said shed be better for him the next time they met. During their purported correspondence, Drechsel is said to have arranged for the girl who lived in New Jersey at the time to visit his gym, the Real Life Ninja Academy (seen above), in Hamden, Connecticut in July 2015 as a present for her 15th birthday Drechsel, who made the winning rope climb for Team USA in the 2019 USA vs. the World American Ninja Warrior competition, and who also participated on Team USA in the 2020 competition, faces a maximum sentence of life in prison for use of interstate commerce to entice a minor The following January, Drechsel texted the girl to inform her he was travelling from Connecticut to New Jersey and reportedly told her he wanted to meet for another sexual encounter. He reportedly picked the teen girl up from her home, and drove her to the parking lot of a restaurant in Marlton where they had sex. Having reviewed Drechsel's bank account activity, investigators say his card was charged at the Marlton restaurant for $37.76 on January 2, 2016 the same day the girl claims the sexual encounter occurred. According to the girl, Drechsel picked up food after the encounter ended so he would have an excuse to tell his girlfriend when he returned home. The girl claimed that they had sex several more times between the time she was 15 and 17 years old, according to the complaint. They would also communicate regularly on Skype, where Drechsel allegedly instructed the girl to remove all of her clothes on numerous occasions and filmed the encounters on his cell phone without her knowledge. Sexual images and video footage of the girl was found by investigators on Drechsel's old cell phone, according to the complaint. One of the images was taken when she was just 14. In a text exchanged dated June 26, 2016, when the girl was 16-years-old, Drechsel reportedly messaged her saying Skype now? The girl responded that she didnt feel comfortable video chatting Drechsel, allegedly adding that she felt he was not enjoying himself. Drechsel reportedly reassured her, Its always fun for me, youre always fantastic and I wish I were there to help. Drechsel and Beckner welcomed their first child together, a baby boy, in December last year They would also communicate regularly on Skype, where Drechsel allegedly instructed the girl to remove all of her clothes on numerous occasions and filmed the encounters on his cell phone, prosecutors say The victim came forward to police in June 2019, the complaint states. Officers spoke to the mother of the girl, now 19, who confirmed that her daughter confided in her when the sexual relationship began. According to the mother, she didn't report the incident to police at the time because her daughter threatened to harm herself if she did. The charges against Drechsel include manufacture of child pornography, enticement of a minor to travel for illicit sexual conduct, travel with the intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct with a minor, and use of interstate commerce to entice a minor. Drechsel's lawyer, Frank Riccio, said Tuesday that his client plans to plead not guilty to all charges. Mr. Drechsel is presumed innocent of the charges and that presumption will remain throughout the pendency of his case, Riccio tweeted. He intends on entering a not guilty plea. It is respectfully requested that you respect the privacy of Mr. Drechsel and his family. Drechsel and Beckner welcomed their first child together, a baby boy, in December last year. In the hours since the complaint was released, Beckner has deleted her public social media profiles and Drechsel has turned his Instagram account private. Drechsel, who made the winning rope climb for Team USA in the 2019 USA vs. the World American Ninja Warrior competition, and who also participated on Team USA earlier this year, faces a maximum sentence of life in prison for use of interstate commerce to entice a minor. The additional four charges he faces carry a combined maximum sentence of 95 years in prison, with a maximum fine of $250,000 per count. President Donald Trump during a signing ceremony for H.R. 1957 "The Great American Outdoors Act," in the East Room of the White House. Read more WASHINGTON President Donald Trump signed legislation Tuesday that will devote nearly $3 billion a year to conservation projects, outdoor recreation and maintenance of national parks and other public lands following its overwhelming approval by both parties in Congress. There hasnt been anything like this since Teddy Roosevelt, I suspect, Trump said, seemingly comparing himself to the 26th president, an avowed environmentalist who created many national parks, forests and monuments that millions of Americans flock to each year. Supporters say the Great American Outdoors Act is the most significant conservation legislation enacted in nearly half a century. Opponents countered that the money isn't enough to cover the estimated $20 billion maintenance backlog on federally owned lands. At a White House bill-signing ceremony, Trump failed to give Democrats any credit for their role in helping to pass the measure, mispronounced the name of one of America's most famous national parks, blamed a maintenance backlog that has been decades in the making on the Obama administration and claimed to have deterred a march to Washington that had been planned to tear down monuments in the nation's capital. No such march was ever planned. The Great American Outdoors Act requires full, permanent funding of the popular Land and Water Conservation Fund and addresses the maintenance backlog facing national parks and public lands. The law would spend about $900 million a year double current spending on the conservation fund and another $1.9 billion per year on improvements at national parks, forests, wildlife refuges and range lands. Trump in the budget proposals he has sent to Congress had previously recommended cutting money allocated to the fund, but reversed course and requested full funding in March. Interior Secretary David Bernardt said the law will help create more than 100,000 jobs. The maintenance backlog has been a problem for decades, through Republican and Democratic administrations. Trump falsely claimed it was caused by the last administration. The House and the Senate cleared the bill by overwhelming bipartisan margins this summer, including significant support from congressional Democrats. No Democratic lawmakers attended the ceremony and Trump, in his remarks, credited only Republicans. Asked why Democrats weren't recognized, White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany said it was because Democrats and Republicans including the administration have yet to agree on extending now-expired coronavirus relief payments and protections. Her answer focused on Senate Democrats' rejection of a proposal by Sen. Martha McSally, R-Ariz., for a one-week extension of a special federal unemployment benefit. She ignored that Senate Republicans themselves are divided over how to proceed on a larger relief package. The only thing were recognizing about congressional Democrats right now is how appalling it is that there are Americans who are going without paychecks because they refused to partner with Martha McSally, Republicans and the president in ensuring that those payments go out. Among the bills' congressional champions are Republican Sens. Cory Gardner of Colorado and Steve Daines of Montana. Both are among the Senate's most vulnerable incumbents, and each one represents a state where the outdoor economy and tourism at sites such as the Rocky Mountain and Yellowstone national parks play an outsize role. Daines and Gardner persuaded Trump to support the legislation, which Gardner has made the cornerstone of his reelection campaign. Democratic Sens. Maria Cantwell of Washington state, Joe Manchin of West Virginia and Tom Udall of New Mexico all were instrumental in getting the bill passed. Cantwell has spent years working to reauthorize and fund the Land and Water Conservation Fund, and she worked with Gardner and Daines to make it happen. For all of us whove fought for years to protect our public lands and invest in our outdoor recreation economy, today is a historic win for Americas beloved shared spaces," Cantwell said in a statement that criticized environmental and public health rollbacks by Trump that benefit the oil and gas industry. The laws mostly Republican opponents complained it would not eliminate an estimated $20 billion maintenance backlog on 640 million acres (259 million hectares) of federally owned lands. The legislation authorizes $9.5 billion for maintenance over five years. Lawmakers from Gulf Coast states also complained that their states get too small a share of revenue from offshore oil and gas drilling that is used to replenish the conservation fund. Ivanka Trump, the Republican president's daughter and adviser who supported the legislation, described it at the ceremony as a great legacy for the administration as well as the country. In discussing the beauty of national parks Tuesday, President Trump tripped over one name when he referred to Yosemite's towering sequoia trees. He twice mispronounced Yosemites as yoh-SEH'-mytz instead of yoh-SEM-it-eez. Trump also claimed an executive order highlighting the threat of up to 10 years in prison for defacing federal monuments was the reason a march to Washington for the sole purpose of destroying statues was canceled. People protesting racial injustice after George Floyd's death in police custody in May began toppling monuments around the country of Confederate and other figures considered racist, but no such march to Washington was ever planned. They were having a march on Washington to knock down a lot of monuments, and I signed it before the march, Trump said of the executive order he signed June 26. We announced it at a news conference that you go to jail for 10 years if you knock down a monument, and the march to Washington never happened. I dont know thats strange how that all works. Isnt it, though? Isnt that a beautiful thing? The Rev. Al Sharpton is planning a march on Washington for Aug. 28, the anniversary of the 1963 march in the nations capital led by Martin Luther King Jr. New Delhi, Aug 5 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi reached Ayodhya on Wednesday after a gap of 28 years. With this, he made three records together in a day. Modi is the first-ever Prime Minister to visit Ram Janmabhoomi. Also, this is the first instance, when a Prime Minister has visited Hanuman Garhi to seek Lord Hanuman's blessings. And, Modi has become the first Prime Minister to participate in the 'bhumi pujan' program of a temple that is a symbol of preservation of the cultural heritage of the country. Modi had visited Ayodhya in 1992 and had also addressed a gathering along with Murli Manohar Joshi at the GIC ground in Faizabad (Ayodhya). Thereafter, they had also visited Ram Lalla. Modi was the convenor for the 'Tiranga Yatra' led by the then BJP President Dr. Murli Manohar Joshi which had begun in December 1991 and reached Ayodhya on January 18, 1992. This Yatra was organised to demand the abrogation of Article 370. Wednesday also marks one year since article 370 was scrapped in J&K. Latest updates on Ayodhya Ram Temple Bhumi Pujan -- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text Seven missing Marines and one sailor are feared dead after a training accident with an amphibious assault vehicle off the coast of Southern California. The effort to find them has concluded after an extensive 40-hour search following the incident Thursday, the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force said. Officials determined there was little probability of a successful outcome. It is with a heavy heart, that I decided to conclude the search and rescue effort, said Col. Christopher Bronzi, a commanding officer. Seven missing Marines and one sailor are feared dead after a training accident with an amphibious assault vehicle off the coast of Southern California. (Staff Sgt. Kassie McDole/U.S. Marine Corps) Sixteen people were aboard the vehicle Thursday when they reported taking water in the vicinity of the San Clemente Island, officials said. In addition to the eight missing service members, at least one Marine was reported dead and two others injured that day, the Marines said at the time. Five others made it back aboard their ship, said Gen. David Berger, commandant of the U.S. Marine Corps. Ive directed an immediate suspension of amphibious assault vehicle water operations until the causal factors of this mishap are better understood, Berger said. The Pacific coast of Southern California and San Clemente Island, near where the eight servicemen went missing and one was killed (Screenshot/Google Maps) The incident occurred during a 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit and Makin Island Amphibious Ready Group routine training exercise. The amphibious assault vehicle weighs approximately 26 tons and is believed to have sunk to the ocean floor, which is hundreds of feet deep in that location. The AAV is below the depths where divers can go, so the Navy was assisting and providing resources to go down and take a look at the vessel. The Marines who were rescued were wearing normal combat gear including body armor and an inflatable vest. Some were found floating in the ocean. CNN Wire contributed to this report. Q. Family friends using my life to bludgeon their queer daughters: My mothers two closest friends each have a daughter, Jenny and Ryan respectively. Jenny, Ryan and I are all 30, and we grew up together. They both moved out of state, we dont see one another that often, and were all pretty different people. But I love them and think of them as cousins, and I usually see them at Christmas. Ryan and Jenny are both lesbians. Ryan came out a few years back, and Jenny came out six months ago. Ive tried to offer as much support as I can from afar. Recently, Jenny told me her mothers been complaining to her that my mother gets to have a married daughter with grandchildren (I have a toddler) and that she (Jennys mother) will never get that now. Jenny says Ryans mother has also said similar things to her. Apparently my mother is the lucky one. Neither Ryan nor my mother have said anything to me about this. My mother has never suggested that she thinks this way about either Ryan or Jenny. Prudie, I am furious with my mother and her friends. It makes me sick to think of my marriage and son being used as a club to bludgeon my queer friends. How do I best support them? What should I say to my mother, or to Ryan and Jennys moms? Its possible your mother hasnt been crowing to her friends about her victory in having a straight daughter with a grandchild but that theyve both separately used you two as an example of what theyve lost by having lesbian daughters. Before you blame your mother for her friends homophobic behavior, tell her what Jennys told you, express your anger and indignation, and ask her if she knows anything about how her friends have been demeaning their children. (You may want to give Jenny a heads-up first so shes not taken by surprise if this leads to a fight between your mothers.) If you do learn that your mothers been a part of this dynamic, or has encouraged her friends to bemoan their childrens failure to give them grandchildren on demand, you have my full permission to get very angry with her. When it comes to supporting Jenny, you have a pretty clear road ahead: Since shes told you exactly whats been going on, you can just ask her outright. Youve known Ryan a long time, so unless Jenny gives you reason to think Ryan doesnt want to talk about it with anyone, you have grounds to get in touch and ask if shes still getting the same harassment from her mother and, if so, whether theres anything you can do to offer her support, solidarity, and backup. By Trend Uzbekistan, along with Kazakhstan, is a key partner of Poland in the region of Central Asia, Press Office Director of Polands Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Andrzej Fafara told Trend in an interview. "Significant demographic potential as well as political, economic and social reforms, initiated in 2016 by a change in the office of president, are factors that induce Warsaw to deepen contacts with Tashkent. Mutual interest in expanding cooperation were evidenced by two visits of Poland's Deputy Ministers of Foreign Affairs to Uzbekistan (2018, 2019), visit of the Secretary of the National Security Council of Uzbekistan Viktor Makhmudov to Warsaw and raising the status of head of the Uzbekistan diplomatic mission in Warsaw to the rank of Ambassador in 2019," noted Fafara. Minister of Foreign Affairs of Poland Jacek Czaputowicz maintains his willingness to pay a visit to Uzbekistan as soon as the COVID-19 pandemic situation makes it possible, he said. "Poland assesses positively the changes in Uzbekistan's internal policy that have taken place in the last four years. They were manifested, among others, by the adoption of the Development Strategy of Uzbekistan for the period from 2017 through 2021, providing for a comprehensive modernization of the country's economy and achieving sustainable economic growth. The program of reforms was recognized by 'The Economist', which declared Uzbekistan "the country of the year 2019" the country which was the most outstanding in the world in terms of the importance of introduced changes," Poland's MFA said. Fafara said Poland is convinced that the new approach of the Uzbekistans authorities to socio-economic issues will contribute to improving the standard of living of citizens, as well as a more complete fulfilling of the demographic, economic and political potential of the country. "We are interested in deepening contacts with Uzbekistan in all spheres in the field of political as well as economic, social and cultural cooperation and Uzbekistan is interested in deepening cooperation with Poland in many fields too, including trade, healthcare, social policy or education. Further priorities include good governance, agriculture, scientific collaboration as well as historical and cultural heritage," he said. "Moreover, Poland has recently engaged in Uzbekistan in establishment of institutional mechanisms for achieving gender equality and preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence, initiating joint projects and allocating funds from Polish Aid to development assistance and humanitarian aid on an annual basis," said Fafara. Also, he noted the importance of the fruitful cooperation with the Uzbekistans authorities regarding the issues concerning cemeteries of the Polish soldiers from the General Wladyslaw Anders Army and promoting shared historical ties. Furthermore, Fafara noted that Poland consider the field of education as its main priority. "Poland, together with Latvia, served as the state-coordinator of the EU-Central Asia Education Platform (CAEP) in the period from 2015 through 2019. We are interested in continuing our commitment concerning education in the Central Asia region and look forward to the European Commission's proposals in this regard. Polish experts are also involved in the reform of the pre-school education system in Uzbekistan, particularly implementing Polish teaching methods and experience of alternative forms of early education," he pointed out. Britons' confidence in pensions has grown but a quarter of people still think owning a property is a better way to fund their retirement, official figures have shown. More than half of workers in the UK - or about 57 per cent - now view pensions as the most secure way to save for retirement, up from just 47 per cent a decade ago, figures from the Office of National Statistics show. But 25 per cent think investing in property is the safest way to save for the old age - an attitude that reflects a very British 'obsession' for bricks and mortar, according to experts. Saving for retirement: A quarter of Brits think investing in property is the safest way to save for the old age Ian Browne, a retirement expert at wealth management business Quilter, said: 'People take comfort from bricks and mortar, and many of us have a long-held obsession with property. This is no surprise after decades of rising house prices but it could be a risky strategy.' Although the remaining 75 per cent of people do not necessarily see property as the safest way to save, many believe investing in property is likely to generate the best returns for retirement. According to the survey, 43 per cent of people believe property is most likely to generate the best return, compared to only 33 per cent saying they thought pensions would give them the best investment outcome. 'It means there is a danger some people put themselves at risk by betting their life savings on the property market, putting all their eggs in one basket instead of diversifying across a range of liquid assets,' Browne added. Helen Morrissey, pension specialist at Royal London, said: 'While property has its place in a retirement planning strategy, care must be taken not to be overly reliant on any one asset as if prices fall then retirement plans can unravel.' Warming up to pensions: The proportion of people seeing pensions as the best way to save for retirement has increased over the past decade Overall, there has been an improvement in the way people perceive pensions over the past decade. Some 45 per cent think a pension from an employer is the safest way to save for older age, while one in eight 12 per cent believe that a personal pension is the best bet. Eight years of auto-enrolmen seem to have made a difference for some, as over half, or 55 per cent, say they are confident of having a level of income that can support the sort of retirement lifestyle they aspire to. That is up significantly from just 40 per cent in 2010-12 - when auto-enrolment was only just being introduced. However, this means 45 per cent of Britons still feel they don't have enough to have a good standard of living in retirement. And it is more common for women (49 per cent) to feel they dont have enough to retire comfortably, compared to men (40 per cent), according to the ONS. Half of women and 40% of men still do not feel they have enough to retire comfortably Moreover, still only less than half, or 44 per cent, say they 'understand enough about pensions to make decisions about saving for retirement'. Despite years of paltry rates, one in five think a savings account is the safest retirement vehicle, while 7 per cent believe an Isa would be the best method. As the data collected by the ONS covers the period between April 2018 to March this year, the full reality of the coronavirus crisis had not yet been registered by people - with 85 per cent saying they are not influenced by events when it comes to deciding on pensions, savings and investments. Zoe Bailey, director of financial planning at Tilney, says the next batch of data will probably show a different picture. 'We would expect the next iteration of this data to show the full impact and a drop in confidence when it comes to peoples expectation of their standard of living in retirement, and individuals showing a greater awareness of external events when it comes to financial planning,' she said. BAKU, Azerbaijan, August 5 By Jeila Aliyeva - Trend: President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov signed a decree on sending humanitarian aid to Afghanistan, Trend reports with reference to Turkmenistans State News Agency. The humanitarian aid will contain sets of a real-time polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR) systems. The order instructs the Ministry of Health and Medical Industry of Turkmenistan to prepare the cargo, and the countrys Ministry of Foreign Affairs shall ensure its dispatch and delivery. In line with another presidents decree, signed earlier, the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment Protection of Turkmenistan and the Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs of Turkmenistan donated food products to Afghanistan. Turkmenistan and Afghanistan cooperate in trade and economic, fuel and energy, transport and communication spheres. The construction of TurkmenistanAfghanistanPakistanIndia Pipeline (TAPI) pipeline, high-voltage power transmission line and fiber-optic communication along the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan route are some of the projects the countries collaborate on. The countries also carry out transit and transport projects. One of them is Afghanistan-Turkmenistan-Azerbaijan-Georgia-Turkey transit and transport corridor that expands economic and trade ties between States of Central and South Asia and Europe. --- Follow the author on Twitter: @JeilaAliyeva President Donald Trump threatened Democrats with executive action if there isnt a deal on the coronavirus relief package by Friday after another day of talks ended on Capitol Hill with no end in sight. We've been negotiating in good faith with Democrat leaders in the House to extend relief payments. We are negotiating right now as we speak, and we'll see how it works out. If Democrat leaders put partisan demands aside, we would reach an agreement very quickly. It would happen very quickly. In the meantime, my administration is exploring executive actions, Trump said Wednesday evening at a press conference at the White House. The administration used the threat of action on two stand alone issues that are part of the hold up in negotiations: unemployment benefits for 30 million workers that lapsed last week and a moratorium on evictions. President Donald Trump threatened Democrats with executive action if there isnt a deal on the coronavirus relief package by Friday But President Trump also threw in the possibility he would include a limited suspension of the payroll tax in his executive orders. Eviction is a big problem, the president noted. Very unfair to a lot of people. It wasn't their fault that this virus came from a faraway land. As well as additional relief to those who are unemployed as a result of the virus. Very importantly I am also looking at a term limited suspension of the payroll tax. Democrats and even some Republicans oppose such an idea, which would cut the taxes American workers pay into Social Security and Medicare two of the most expensive government programs on the books. White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows has given Democrats a Friday deadline to come to the table with a deal as the two sides stand trillions of dollars apart after more than a week of negotiations. By Friday if we haven't made significant progress and we're just too far apart, the president's prepared to take executive action, he told CNN on Wednesday after he and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin concluded another round of talks with Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer. If Congress can't get it done, the president of the United States will, he threatened. But the White House is still struggling to explain how it would legally enact such orders. Meadows said officials are talking with legal counsel and getting opinions on that. The four negotiators walked out of Pelosis ornate speakers office on Capitol Hill Wednesday evening with no developments after three days of intense negotiations. The same group also met nearly every day last week but there is no timetable for when a deal may be struck. I feel optimistic theres light at the end of the tunnel but how long that tunnel is, is yet to be seen, Pelosi said. Schumer said Democrats wont walk away until a deal is in sight but admitted the two groups were there are wide differences in certain areas particularly when it comes to money. White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows, with Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin on Capitol Hill, said if Congress wouldn't take action then the president would Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer and Speaker Nancy Pelosi voiced optimism there would be a deal although the speaker admitted she didn't know when Republicans have offered enhanced unemployment benefits at $400 a week, up from the $200 they originally offered. But Democrats want to reauthorize the original amount of $600 a week. Also on the table is funding for states and cities whose budgets were hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic. We need to see some real compromise on some of the big issues, Mnuchin said after Wednesdays talks. And if we can reach a compromise on these big issues, I think everything else will fall into place. If we can't reach an agreement on these big issues then I don't see us coming to an overall deal. And then we'll have to look at the president taking actions under his executive authority. Meadows said Wednesday that if a compromise is not reached by Friday then there won't be one. 'I've become extremely doubtful that we'll be able to make a deal if it goes well beyond Friday,' the White House Chief of Staff told reporters at the Capitol as he walked into Wednesday's negotiations. 'Just because we've been spending so much time together that if you're not making progress, there's no sense to continue,' he continued. Meadows made yet another trip to the Capitol on Wednesday afternoon with Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin after the dup have spent the last week-and-a-half negotiating with Democrats and Republicans on the specifics of the next package. While Mnuchin is keen on making a deal with Democrats, which he has already done twice on behalf of the White House during coronavirus stimulus talks, Meadows is ready to push through executive actions that he feels could achieve some of the same ideas as the GOP-version of the bill. When asked if the president will issue any executive orders on the matter if a deal is not reached, Meadows says that is still an option on the table. 'The president continues to look at executive action on a variety of issues that are affecting those who have economically been impacted by the COVID-19 virus,' the chief of staff said. 'I don't know I would put them necessarily on the timeline you outlined.' White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows (left) said if a coronavirus stimulus deal is not reached by Friday, there likely won't be another $1 trillion-plus bill The back-and-forth talks have been punctuated by sharp words, accusations and insults on both sides. White House Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany said Tuesday that Democrats are not serious about negotiating a deal on the next coronavirus stimulus bill as she claims they refuse to make concessions and have increased the total price tag for the next legislation. 'Democrats are fundamentally unserious and they're making a mockery of the process,' the White House press secretary told reporters Tuesday afternoon. 'The ball is in their court here,' she said of Democratic leaders. 'We've made at least four offers, they've made zero offers. It's unacceptable for hard-working Americans.' Trump said during a coronavirus press briefing on Tuesday evening that Democrats just want additional funding for their states, which is why he claims they won't budge on certain measures. Democrats are demanding $1 trillion be allocated for state and local governments, even though that is the total price of the GOP-proposed package. 'We're talking with the Democrats they seem to be much more interested in solving the problems of Democrat-run states and cities that have suffered greatly through bad management,' Trump told reporters. 'They're looking for $1 trillion to help out with cities that are run by Democrats, in some cases radical left Democrats that have not done a good job,' he continued in insisting their priorities are not on making a fair deal. White House Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany slammed Democrats on Tuesday for 'making a mockery' of coronavirus relief package negotiations, claiming they aren't taking it seriously Pelosi suggested Monday night that a deal won't be reached until next week at the earliest meaning jobless Americans will go at least two weeks without enhanced unemployment benefits. Both she and Schumer have complained Republicans are being to narrow when it comes to economic relief for Americans. 'We see the problem as bigger, bolder and requiring more action than they do,' Schumer said. Speaker Pelosi proposed her HEROs bill last month, which includes $3 trillion in relief and economic stimulus, but the Republican HEALs bill has a total cost of $1 trillion the amount Democrats want to go to state and local governments. Lucy Nicholson/Reuters A federal grand jury indicted Democratic political donor Ed Buck on four felonies in addition to the five he already faces for allegedly enticing multiple men to engage in prostitution and providing them with drugs, the Department of Justice announced Tuesday. Buck, 66, allegedly solicited men on social media and dating apps to come to his West Hollywood apartment for hours of sex, where he would inject them with meth or narcotics, sometimes without their consent and sometimes with a higher dose than the victims expected, according to the indictment. At times, he allegedly used a recruiter to scout for new men and preyed on men struggling with addiction or homelessness. At least three men, all Black, allegedly overdosed in Bucks apartment with drugs he gave to them. Two of them, Gemmel Moore and Timothy Dean, died there. Buck has denied the allegations. Tuesdays indictment added intentionally distributing drugs, two counts of enticing men to cross state lines to engage in prostitution, and using his apartment to dispense drugs to the charges Buck already faces. In all, hes charged with nine crimes and faces life in prison if convicted. He was arrested in September 2019, and his federal trial is scheduled for January 2021. The Los Angeles County District Attorneys office has also charged him with using his apartment to distribute drugs. He faces charges from the state of California and civil suits filed by victims as well. Victims family members have said authorities ignored their relatives cases because the men were poor, queer, and Black, with Los Angeles County District Attorney Jackie Lacey singled out in particular. Moores mother, LaTisha Nixon, said she had identified and interviewed seven men who endured meth injections from Buck and presented them to the Los Angeles Sheriffs Department, but, according to Nixons lawsuit against Buck and Lacey, the sheriffs office ignored them. The accounts of these men appear as supporting evidence in the federal indictments against Buck. One alleged victim referred to him as Dr. Kevorkian, the physician whose name has become a stand-in for assisted suicide. Story continues Jasmyne Cannick, an attorney representing Moores family, said in a statement, The additional indictments against Ed Buck just further prove that the men who came forward and told their stories of the white man in West Hollywood who loved to inject Black men with meth were true. Were happy that the Department of Justice is taking this case seriously, she continued. But we are still disappointed in L.A. County District Attorney Jackie Laceys failure to take action against Ed Buck. Jackie Lacey's failure to take the accounts of Black gay men seriously is the reason that Timothy Dean is dead. Asked last year how she felt when Buck had been arrested, Moores mother LaTisha Nixon said, I feltfinally. Finally. Finally. We had been screaming for so long and no one listened. Finally someone listened. Finally. Hussain Turk, who represents Deans sisters, previously told The Daily Beast, The reason why we believe police did nothing with these reports is because of the races and sexual orientations of the victimstheyre Black, gay, homeless, and people who are the most vulnerable of our society. The police dont view them as valid witnesses. 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. YEREVAN, AUGUST 5, ARMENPRESS. Armenian community institutions in Lebanon are coordinating their work to assess the damages of the Beirut explosion on Tuesday. Our office suffered great damages, property, windows, doors, Director of Armenian National Committee of the Middle East Office Vera Yacoubian told ARMENPRESS. The blast was so powerful that if someone were to be inside our office at the moment of the explosion, we would definitely have a fatality, she said, adding that the office is mostly closed due to the coronavirus. Fortunately, we only have material damages, Yacoubian said. Yacoubian said all Lebanese-Armenian structures are currently working to understand and clarify the volume of the damage for considering the possibilities of assistance. Nevertheless, she said that even to the naked eye it is clear that the Armenian community has sustained huge damages. She said some families have been left homeless as the blast destroyed their homes. The situation is difficult, there is economic panic. Unfortunately, the Armenian community of Lebanon needs a lot right now, she said. According to Yacoubian, virtually everything has been destroyed in the blast area in Beirut. She said the explosion has further worsened the already dire economic situation in the country, describing the blast as a great blow from an economic perspective, Editing and Translating by Stepan Kocharyan By Express News Service HYDERABAD: TPCC president and Nalgonda MP N Uttam Kumar Reddy, along with Krishna Nadi Jalala Parirakshana Committee Convener T Ram Mohan Reddy, on Tuesday, wrote an open letter to Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao to intervene and to take necessary action to stop the works sanctioned under the GO 203 and GO 388 by Andhra Pradesh government, which are illegal and against the water laws as the water is taken outside the Krishna basin to the Pennar basin and against the interest of the people of Telangana. If this is not prevented, all irrigation projects under Krishna Basin will be adversely affected. The drinking water to Hyderabad will also be adversely affected, he stated and asked the CM to oppose the move of AP government in the meeting called by Minister of Jal Shakti Gajendra Singh Shekhawat and also file a case in the Supreme Court immediately to scrap the AP government issued GOs. He said if the AP government goes ahead with expansion of Pothireddypadu scheme from 44,000 cusecs per day to 80,000 cusecs per day, and builds the Rayalaseema Lift Irrigation Scheme at Sangameshwar to draw 3 tmc ft per day, the farmers of South Telangana would lose approximately 6.3 tmc ft of Krishna water per day which was now flowing through natural gravity and free of cost into Telangana. Despite the two letters written by Krishna River Board Chairman Paramesam, the AP government without a reply have already called for tenders for construction of irrigation projects on the Krishna River, he said. He found fault with KCR for calling a Cabinet meeting, when the Central government had called for an apex council meeting on August 5 on Krishna river water. A record number of people from the country's largest metropolitan areas, including New York City, Los Angeles and San Francisco, are flocking to smaller, more affordable cities amid the coronavirus pandemic, new data reveals. A recent report by real estate company Redfin shows 27.4 per cent of website users were looking to move to smaller metro areas in the second quarter of 2020, with the top five destinations being Phoenix, Sacramento, Las Vegas, Austin and Atlanta. The migration analysis was based on a sample of more than 1million Redfin users who searched for homes across 87 metro regions in the country between April and June. Users must have viewed at least 10 homes in a particular region and 80 per cent of their searches must have been in that specific area, in order to be included in the data set. The report found the majority of prospective homebuyers in these smaller, cheaper cities are coming from expensive, coastal regions such as New York City, LA and San Francisco - typical hotspots for young working professionals. New York City was listed as the top metro area with largest net outflow in the second quarter of 2020, with 35.2 per cent of Redfin users looking to move elsewhere A Redfin report found Atlanta was the top destination for New Yorkers looking to leave the metropolitan area Redfin economist Taylor Marr said low mortgage rates and 'changes in what people are looking for in a home', are among the factors that are driving a surge in demand - as well as the new ability to work remotely. 'Add in employers' increasingly flexible remote work policies and the fact residents of many big coastal cities can't fully enjoy their local amenities, and the people who have long wanted to live in a more affordable area or closer to family are incentivized to make the move soon,' Marr said. 'As we enter the second half of the year, I expect more people to move from one part of the country to another as the pandemic continues to influence people's priorities and lifestyles.' Marr however, noted that the pandemic-driven moves are likely to be temporary and not all who relocated will choose to make their new destination their permanent homes. It comes as previous reports have shown how the coronavirus pandemic has pushed young professionals out of once-bustling cities and into suburban, more affordable areas after a grueling lockdown left them rethinking their appeal. The metro area with the third largest outflow was Los Angeles, where 16 per cent of Redfin users were searching elsewhere, with the top out-of-state destination being Phoenix Phoenix, Arizona, topped the list of cities with the largest net inflow, or people looking to move into the area, with the majority of prospective buyers coming from Los Angeles TOP 10 CITIES WITH BIGGEST NET INFLOWS (PEOPLE MOVING IN) METRO CITY PHOENIX SACRAMENTO LAS VEGAS AUSTIN ATLANTA DALLAS TAMPA MIAMI NASHVILLE CHARLOTTE TOP ORIGIN CITY OF HOMESEEKERS LOS ANGELES SAN FRANCISCO LOS ANGELES SAN FRANCISCO NEW YORK LOS ANGELES ORLANDO NEW YORK NEW YORK NEW YORK Advertisement TOP TEN CITIES WITH BIGGEST NET OUTFLOWS (PEOPLE MOVING OUT) METRO CITY NEW YORK SAN FRANCISCO LOS ANGELES WASHINGTON, D.C. CHICAGO SEATTLE DENVER BOSTON MILWAUKEE ROCKFORD, ILLINOIS TOP DESTINATION ATLANTA SACRAMENTO SAN DIEGO SALISBURY, MD PHOENIX LOS ANGELES SEATTLE PORTLAND, ME CHICAGO CHICAGO TOP OUT-OF-STATE ATLANTA SEATTLE PHOENIX SALISBURY, MD PHOENIX LOS ANGELES SEATTLE PORTLAND, ME CHICAGO MADISON, WI Advertisement Relocation has also become easier now that the majority of workplaces, particularly office jobs, are allowing employees to work from home long-term. The trend however, has reinforced the prospect that big cities could become shells of their former selves if companies choose to adopt the remote work model permanently. In New York, real estate brokers have also reported a boom in home sales and rental activity in other parts of the state, including the Hamptons and in smaller towns upstate, as city-dwellers seek to escape the city. Redfin's findings show the migration of New York residents has extended to other parts of the country, including the south or southwest, like Austin and Phoenix. 'We're seeing tons of interest from clients moving to Austin from major cities on both coasts, particularly tech workers,' Redfin agent Andrew Vallejo said. The San Francisco Bay Area came second on the list, with 22.7 per cent of users wanting to go elsewhere and the top out-of-state destination was Seattle Sacramento, California, had a net inflow of 8,935, with the majority of users coming from San Francisco Las Vegas ranked third in the list of areas with the largest net inflow, with 7,136. With the majority of prospective homebuyers coming from Los Angeles 'Buyers who have discovered they don't love being quarantined in an apartment building in San Francisco or New York and can work remotely are looking for a house, and they can afford that here in Austin. 'I have a client moving from the Bay Area who just closed on a home site unseen, and another client from Portland who is in the process of buying a home here,' Vallejo added. New York City was listed as the top metro area with largest net outflow, or number of people moving out, in the second quarter of 2020, with 35.2 per cent of Redfin users looking to move out of the area and the top destination being Atlanta. Data shows New York City's net outflow has actually decreased from last year, down from 39.8 per cent, however this is likely due to the fact that many New Yorkers have already left the area, according to Redfin. San Francisco, home to the country's tech hub, came second on the list, with 22.7 per cent of users wanting to leave the city and top destination being Sacramento. The top out-of-state destination was Seattle. An earlier survey conducted by Blind found 69 per cent of New Yorkers in the tech and finance field would consider relocating if they knew they could work from home permanently The metro area with the third largest outflow was Los Angeles, where 16 per cent of Redfin users were searching for homes outside of the city, with the top destination in the state being San Diego, and out-of-state destination being Phoenix. The trend has also prompted people to relocate to destinations typically known as vacation hotspots or retiree destinations, permanently. 'We have a lot of buyers moving to Palm Springs permanently from Los Angeles and Orange County because their employers have given them permission to work from home,' local Redfin agent Nikki Byron said. 'Palm Springs has historically been primarily a vacation home market with a lot of retirees, so it's interesting to see the shift toward full-time residents. Buyers who are relocating from more expensive areas are happy to get a nice home with three bedrooms and outdoor space priced between $350,000 and $600,000.' In May, a DailyMail.com report revealed young New Yorkers were fleeing the city and returning to their hometowns and the suburbs as coronavirus gripped the New York metropolitan area. A survey conducted by anonymous professionals group Blind found 69 per cent of New Yorkers in the tech and finance field said they would consider relocating if they knew they could work from home permanently. The death toll from a massive explosion that ripped across Beirut has climbed to 137 as investigators searched the wreckage of the port of the Lebanese capital for clues to the cause of the blast. The huge August 4 blast also left dozens missing and at least 5,000 wounded, a Lebanese Health Ministry spokesperson said on August 6. The explosion obliterated part of the port and caused damage over a wide radius in the heart of the city, prompting fears the final death toll could be much higher. Officials have blamed the blast on a large stockpile of ammonium nitrate -- a component of fertilizer that is potentially explosive -- that was stored for years in unsafe conditions at the port. The government on August 5 ordered port officials to be placed under house arrest. Media reports say the ammonium nitrate that exploded was likely unloaded there years earlier from a cargo ship that had been seized from its Russian owner, businessman Igor Grechushkin. Lebanese Interior Minister Mohammed Fahmi said on August 5 that the blast appeared to be caused by the detonation of more than 2,700 tons of ammonium nitrate. Fahmi said the highly explosive fertilizer had been stored at the dockside warehouse since it was confiscated from a cargo ship in 2014. Prime Minister Hassan Diab said the seized ammonium nitrate had been stored in the warehouse for six years without safety measures. Diab said those responsible for the safety breach would be held responsible. Lebanon's General Security chief, Abbas Ibrahim, has also said that the "highly explosive material" had been stored in the warehouse since it had been confiscated years earlier. Based on that timeline and the size of the cargo, media reports say the ship was likely the MV Rhosus -- which had been owned at the time of its seizure by Grechushkin. A businessman from the Siberian city of Khabarovsk, Grechushkin currently lives in Cyprus. The MV Rhosus was initially confiscated by Lebanese authorities in 2013 under an order by local inspectors in Beirut after it had entered the port due to technical problems, according to lawyers involved in a court case over its seizure. Boris Prokoshev, who was MV Rhosus's captain at the time, confirmed in an August 5 interview with RFE/RL that the vessel had been owned by Grechushkin in 2013. Prokoshev also confirmed reports that the vessel had been transporting ammonium nitrate from Georgia's Black Sea port of Batumi to Mozambique when it experienced technical problems that forced it to stop in Beirut. Prokoshev also told RFE/RL the MV Rhosus was a very old vessel that sank two or three years ago because nobody was maintaining the ship. Prokoshev said Grechushkin still owes tens of thousands of U.S. dollars in unpaid wages to him and other crew members. He said all of his attempts to sue Grechushkin in Russia have failed because the businessman no longer resides in Russia. Media reports in Russia and Moldova on August 5 said the MV Rhosus had been sailing under the flag of Moldova when it arrived in Beirut. Odessitua.com website's reported that most of the ship's crew had been Ukrainian sailors who were temporarily stranded in Beirut in 2013 after Grechushkin ran out of funds to pay their salaries or for the ship's fees. Prokoshev described being stranded in Lebanon with the ship's other unpaid crew members as a form of "incarceration," saying that Grechushkin had left the crew without any financial or other support. He also blamed Lebanese authorities for the massive explosion on August 4. "They should have gotten get rid of the vessel right away instead of confiscating it and demanding fees for harboring it," Prokoshev told RFE/RL. "Secondly, we are talking about ammonium nitrate here. They could have used it for their [agricultural] fields. Nobody was claiming it, which means it belonged to nobody," Prokoshev said. Lebanese authorities are still investigating the cause of the fire that led to the massive explosion. They have not yet announced what they think was the definitive cause of that fire. However, Lebanon's LBCI-TV reported on August 5 that, according to preliminary information, the fire that set off the explosion was started accidentally by welders who were closing off a gap that allowed unauthorized entry into the warehouse. LBCI said sparks from a welder's torch are thought to have ignited fireworks stored in a warehouse, which in turn detonated the nearby cargo of ammonium nitrate that had been unloaded from the MV Rhosus years earlier. Independent experts say orange clouds that followed the massive blast on August 4 were likely from toxic nitrogen dioxide gas that is released after an explosion involving nitrates. In the devastated city on August 5, the Red Cross was coordinating with Lebanon's Health Ministry for morgues to take victims because hospitals were overwhelmed. With thousands of injured in hospitals and many other people still buried under debris on August 5, the death toll was expected to rise. Beirut's governor, Marwan Abboud, said on August 5 that as many as 250,000 people lost their homes as a result of the enormous explosion. He said authorities have launched a massive humanitarian operation to provide food, water, and shelter to those who've been displaced. With reporting by the Siberia Desk of RFE/RL's Russian Service, AP, Mediazona, Rossiiskaya gazeta, and Point.md Members of a civic group stage a rally near the U.S. Embassy to Korea in Seoul, calling on the government to terminate GSOMIA with Japan, in this Nov. 26, 2019 file photo. / Korea Times file By Kang Seung-woo In response to envisaged retaliation from Japan over the possible liquidation of a Japanese company's assets here, the government has once again threatened to terminate their bilateral intelligence-sharing pact. Some experts are raising doubts over the effectiveness of such a strategy, saying that Korea may face a much stronger backlash from the United States, which values the General Security of Military Information Agreement (GSOMIA) as a tool to contain China's growing influence in Asia. Bracing for retaliatory measures from Tokyo, angered by the Korean Supreme Court-ordered sale of assets of Nippon Steel and Sumitomo Metal to provide compensation to Korean victims forced to work for it before and during World War II, Seoul is considering countering them by cancelling the GSOMIA in a tit-for-tat move. "On Nov. 22 last year, our government suspended its decision to end the GSOMIA on the premise that it can end the pact at anytime," Foreign Ministry spokesman Kim In-chul said, Tuesday. "The concept of extending the pact every year no longer applies." Statistician John Brian Copas to receive Third Akaike Memorial Lecture Award British statistician John Brian Copas will be awarded the Akaike Memorial Lecture Award, the Japanese statistical research community's major prize, for his many contributions to the study of data bias in the fields of medical statistics, econometrics and psychometrics. He is honored in particular for his work on the risk of re-conviction in the field of criminal justice, and for shedding light on the issue of publication bias in the estimation of cancer risk from passive smoking. John Brian Copas, Professor Emeritus at the University of Warwick, UK will receive the Akaike Memorial Lecture Award from the Institute of Statistical Mathematics (ISM) and the Japan Statistical Society (JSS) in recognition of his considerable and wide-ranging achievements in statistical methodology with a focus on practical applications, especially in regard to various sources of data bias within medical statistics, econometrics and psychometrics, for his work on risk of re-conviction with the field of criminal justice, and for his research into publication bias in the estimation of cancer risk from passive smoking. This is the third time the award has been given. Research Accomplishments Professor Copas presented his doctoral thesis in 1967 on the compound decision problem to the Imperial College London under the supervision of Professor George Alfred Barnard. In 1969, he published a paper with discussion on compound decisions and empirical Bayes a in the Journal of the Royal Statistical Society (JRSS) [1]. This paper provided a penetrating insight into decision-making problems in the case where each observation has an unknown parameter. This work laid the foundation of his famous 1983 article, "Regression, Prediction and Shrinkage" [2]. The 1983 paper shed light on Stein's seemingly strange phenomenon in estimating means (Stein's paradox) from the viewpoint of prediction, expanding statistical understanding of the shrinkage behavior. Excellent works on shrinkage estimation theory have been conducted by many Japanese statisticians, and Professor Copas' 1983 article is considered to have served as a springboard for their achievements. Professor Copas's six papers were read before the Royal Statistical Society and published with discussions in JRSS. His works are always achieved on a fine balance between theory and application. Moreover, his research efforts provided a deep insight and wide perspective on various sources of data bias [3][4], making a lasting impact for years to come. His research interests are wide-ranging, and his contributions have spanned academic disciplines such as medical statistics, econometrics and psychometrics. For example, he co-authored an article that revisited meta-analytical evidence on lung cancer and passive smoking [5]. This work showed possible involvement of publication bias in the estimation of cancer risk, and suggested that the epidemiology community should reconsider the conventional approaches to meta-analysis and interpretation. The Copas selection model, developed for sensitivity analysis in this work, has been a common method for assessing the impact of publication bias in meta-analysis [6]. Moreover, Professor Copas' long-term achievements include criminal statistics analysis. With the rising sex, drug, and other offence rates resulting from rapid social changes in the UK, he made a series of contributions, as a statistician, to the understanding and prediction of delinquency. In particular, his approaches using Cox model analysis for re-offending events and logistic regression analysis for re-conviction and risk factors were highly appreciated by the Ministry of Justice experts, and the "Copas rate," a re-offence probability estimator, has been in reports by the Ministry of Justice [7]. His research stance reflects the rich tradition of the British school of statistics. He has extended open arms and accepted students and researchers from Japan, China, Iran, and other countries. Since Professor Copas retired from the University of Warwick, he has continued his research activities in affiliation with the University College London and other institutions. In those years, he has been vigorously engaged in multivariate meta-analysis, network meta-analysis, and other topics of practical significance together with many British front-line scientists. His unrelenting enthusiasm is an inspiration for many researchers. [1] Copas, J. B. (1969). Compound Decisions and Empirical Bayes (with discussion). Journal of the Royal Statistical Society, B, 31, 397-425. [2] Copas, J. B. (1983). Regression, Prediction and Shrinkage (with discussion). Journal of the Royal Statistical Society, B, 45(3), 311-354. [3] Copas, J.B. and Li, H.G. (1997). Inference for non-random samples (with discussion). Journal of the Royal Statistical Society, B, 59, 55-95. [4] Copas, J.B. and Eguchi, S. (2005). Local model uncertainty and incomplete-data bias (with discussion). Journal of the Royal Statistical Society, B, 67, 459-513. [5] Copas, J. B. and Shi, J.Q. (2000). Reanalysis of Epidemiological Evidence on Lung Cancer and Passive Smoking. British Medical Journal, 320 (7232) 417-418. [6] Copas, J.B. and Shi, J.Q. (2000). Meta-analysis, funnel plots and sensitivity analysis. Biostatistics, 1, 247-262. [7] Copas, J.B. and Marshall, P. (1998). The Offender Group Reconviction Scale: A Statistical Reconviction Score for Use by Probation Officers. Journal of the Royal Statistical Society, C, 47, 159-171. Reasons for Award In the 1980s, he developed a novel concept for expanding the Akaike Information Criterion model selection method (whose developer gives the Akaike Award its name), and proposed a method to consider measured and predictive distributions separately. Professor Copas's contributions in the area of statistical inference are particularly salutary. The Rubin causal model, proposed in the 1970s by Professor Donald Rubin at Harvard University, is one of the most well-known statistical frameworks for causal inference. But it was Professor Copas's efforts regarding statistical causal inference that laid the foundation for Rubin with respect to how epidemiologic research prompted mathematical arguments about proliferation of attributable risk (Hamilton's model). The research efforts of Professor Copas have always achieved a fine balance between theory and application. Above all, his research efforts have provided deep insights into data bias in a wide range of areas, from medical statistics to econometrics and psychometrics. Biography of Professor John Brian Copas John Brian Copas, born in 1943, is Professor Emeritus at the University of Warwick. With a focus on both theory and application, his works provide a deep insight and wide perspective on various sources of data bias. His contributions span over a wide range of academic disciplines, including statistical medicine, ecometrics, and pscyhometrics. He has developed the Copas selection model, a well-known method for sensitivity analysis, and the Copas rate, a re-conviction risk estimator used in the criminal justice system. Experience 1967 Imperial College London: PhD Statistics 1966-1973 Lecturer/Senior Lecturer, University of Essex, UK 1969-1970 Assistant Professor, State University of New York at Buffalo, USA 1973-1983 Professor of Statistics, University of Salford, UK 1983-1991 Professor of Statistics, University of Birmingham, UK 1992- Professor of Statistics, University of Warwick, UK 2009 - Emeritus Professor at the University of Warwick, UK 2019- Honorary Professor at University College London, UK Served two three-year terms as head of the Department of Statistics at Warwick. Also short-term visiting appointments at several overseas universities and research institutes (including the ISM). Overview of the Akaike Memorial Lecture Award The Akaike Memorial Lecture Award has been planned since 2014 under the joint sponsorship of ISM and JSS. We have named this lecture award after Dr. Hirotugu Akaike, who left a wide-reaching and influential legacy of research in the statistical sciences, and intend for these events to be both opportunities for exchange among statistical researchers from inside and outside Japan and to provide inspiration to young and talented researchers, contributing to further advances in this field. Every two years, one lecturer is selected under the standards of the Akaike Memorial Lecture Award Nominating Committee from among those individuals who have, like Dr. Akaike, stood out as being ahead of their time, exercising an international influence over a wide range of fields in the statistical sciences (including mathematical sciences such as control and optimization, and mathematical engineering) and applied fields. The awardee receives an honorarium (100,000 yen), an award plaque, and travel expenses. To promote the education of students and young researchers, the Akaike Memorial Lecture features a selected board of representatives who will engage in discussions after the lecture. The lecture and follow-up discussion will be published as an invited paper in the Annals of the Institute of Statistical Mathematics (AISM) or the Journal of the Japan Statistical Society (JJSS). ### The 2020 Akaike Memorial Lecture Speaker: Prof. John Brian Copas (University of Warwick, Department of Statistics) Title: Some of the Challenges of Statistical Applications Discussants: Professor Masataka Taguri (Yokohama City University) and Dr. Masayuki Henimi (The Institute of Statistical Mathematics) Date and Time: September 9, 2020, 16:30-18:00 Venue: Toyama International Conference Center For more information, please visit: http://www. ism. ac. jp/ index_e. html About the Research Organization of Information and Systems (ROIS) The Research Organization of Information and Systems (ROIS) is a parent organization of four national institutes (National Institute of Polar Research, National Institute of Informatics, the Institute of Statistical Mathematics and National Institute of Genetics) and the Joint Support-Center for Data Science Research. It is ROIS's mission to promote integrated, cutting-edge research that goes beyond the barriers of these institutions, in addition to facilitating their research activities, as members of inter-university research institutes. About The Institute of Statistical Mathematics (ISM) The Institute of Statistical Mathematics (ISM) is one of Japan's national research institutes and also a part of ROIS. ISM is an internationally renowned institute with more than 75 years of history, specialized in research on statistical mathematics. ISM pursues research and high quality education by its biaxial structure for research and education programs, three basic research departments, four NOE (Network Of Excellence)-type research centers, and the school for professional development. Through the efforts of its research departments and centers, ISM aims to continuously facilitate cutting edge research collaboration with universities, research institutions, and industries both from Japan and abroad. This story has been published on: 2020-08-05. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. Alexander Goldman, 52, was last contacted Friday, July 31. Police say there is no sign of foul play, but his family believes he might be in distress. Goldman is 5 feet 7 inches tall, weighing 160 pounds, with brown hair and brown eyes. Anyone with information on Goldman is asked to contact Detective Darren Wolters at (309) 433-3415 or Normal Police Department at (309) 888-5030. Correction: An earlier version of this story had the incorrect name. This version has been corrected. Can you help? The latest Crime Stoppers of McLean County cases Contact Kelsey Watznauer at (309) 820-3254. Follow her on Twitter: @kwatznauer. 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. Dublin, Aug. 05, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Nephrotic Syndrome Pipeline Research Monitor, 2020 - Drugs, Companies, Clinical Trials, R&D Pipeline Updates, Status and Outlook" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. PIPELINE HIGHLIGHTS Nephrotic Syndrome is one of the widely researched conditions during 2020 with 5 companies actively focusing on realizing pipeline's potential. Development of Nephrotic Syndrome medicines is identified as integral to the strategy of the majority of companies operating in the industry. Global Nephrotic Syndrome market presents promising new product pipeline with NME Projects, pivotal trials, and rapidly phase-advancing therapeutic candidates. Increasing number of companies are assessing the feasibility of developing treatment options for Nephrotic Syndrome. Good progress is anticipated during 2020 and 2021 with Nephrotic Syndrome pipeline molecules advancing from pre-clinical investigation to completion of advanced Phase clinical trials. Nephrotic Syndrome pipeline continues to expand and progress with novel mechanisms and diverse routes of administration being tested by companies. DRUG DEVELOPMENT PIPELINE OVERVIEW The Nephrotic Syndrome pipeline Research Monitor, 2020 report is an analytical research study on the progress achieved by pipeline companies during the year along with its historical development, current status, and outlook. This Nephrotic Syndrome pipeline review explores high-potential early to late-stage pipeline projects with a continued focus on new insights, accelerated processes, and pipeline progression. 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Phase of development Mechanism of Action Route of Administration Companies involved including originator, licensing companies, developer, investors, and others New molecular entity details Orphan drug designation and other special status provided by regulators COMPANY PROFILES Both small size and large size pharmaceutical companies are investing their resources in Nephrotic Syndrome drug development operations. Further, financial institutions are extending support to small pharmaceutical companies, universities, and other researchers for the development of treatment of Nephrotic Syndrome. Partnerships and acquisitions are also increasingly observed in the pipeline. This research report presents an analysis of 5 Nephrotic Syndrome companies including company overview, key snapshot, contact information, and their strategies on accelerating Nephrotic Syndrome pipeline development. Mid-stage and early portfolios of these companies are analyzed in detail in the report. Companies Analyzed Adare Pharmaceuticals Inc. Asahi Kasei Pharma Corp. Bristol-Myers Squibb Co. ChemoCentryx Inc. SynAct Pharma AB Reasons to Buy The current market conditions are forcing companies and investors worldwide to prioritize their investments and accelerate pipeline candidates only through careful quantitative assessment. This research work assists decision makers in pharmaceutical companies towards successful pipeline development through critically evaluated pipeline data Buyers can identify most promising drug candidates for treatment of Nephrotic Syndrome It allows users to strengthen their pipeline through acquisitions, licensing and collaborations Users can estimate possible delays in the delivery of pipeline or launch of new products Stay ahead of competition through understanding their pipeline progression, strategies and outlook The report details all the pipeline candidates under investigation in various stages of development from Phase I through to Phase III to enable business development managers to understand the impact of new launches. Optimize your licensing and technology transfer strategies through identification of prospect partners For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/xqhw8p Research and Markets also offers Custom Research services providing focused, comprehensive and tailored research. More than 860,000 homes and businesses in New Jersey remained without power on Wednesday, a day after Tropical Storm Isaias brought fierce winds, heavy rains and even tornados to some parts of the state. Some of these outages may last for a few days due to the severity of the storm, Gov. Phil Murphy tweeted Tuesday evening. We are working closely with the utilities to restore power as quickly and safely as possible. In an update at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, PSE&G said it had restored power to 275,000 customers but that more than 300,000 remained without power. In addition, PSE&G said there were close to 700 critical facilities without power, including hospitals, police/fire/ambulance, gas stations, transit systems, nursing homes and others without power. Atlantic City Electric said service for most customers will be restored by end of day Thursday, and the company expects all customers, including those in the most heavily damaged areas, to have their service restored by Saturday evening. The following outages were reported by the three major utility companies as of 12:50 p.m. Wednesday: JCP&L: 522,429 of its 1,131,724 customers PSE&G: 282,027 of its 2,326,730 customers Atlantic City Electric: 63,905 of its 545,555 customers Homes and businesses on the 500 block of South Shore Road in Upper Township suffered damage from a tornado during Tropical Storm Isaias, Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2020. Here, a shed was upended at this home.Lori M. Nichols | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com Homes and businesses on the 500 block of South Shore Road in Upper Township suffered damage from a tornado during Tropical Storm Isaias, Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2020. Lori M. Nichols | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com The providers have said recovery in some areas will be a multi-day effort in the wake of a storm that brought heavy rain, wind gusts of up to 75 mph, and flooding. Utility workers were hampered throughout the day Tuesday by high winds that prevented them from working, officials said. Murphy said the hope is most customers will have their service back within three days, though some areas could take longer. I would say most importantly to folks, theyre gonna need some patience if youve lost your power, Murphy said during a television interview on WABC-7 in New York City. This could be a multi-day period here till you get it back. UPDATE: More than 1.3 million power outages have now been reported statewide. Some of these outages may last for a few days due to the severity of the storm. We are working closely with the utilities to restore power as quickly and safely as possible. pic.twitter.com/cEJUxxmc3w Governor Phil Murphy (@GovMurphy) August 4, 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. China allowed more scheduled passenger flights from Japan and South Korea as the Asian countries gradually ease coronavirus travel curbs. But finding affordable tickets is still difficult for many travelers as average prices are up nearly tenfold amid high demand. There will be 15 passenger flights between China and Japan every week in August, up from 12 a week last month, according to the Japanese embassy in China and airline companies. That will be after Chinese airlines including Juneyao Airlines, Spring Airlines and China Southern Airlines expand services starting Thursday. The three Chinese carriers were allowed to increase flights for the China-Japan routes after they met disease control requirements set by Chinas civil aviation regulators. Weekly flights between China and South Korea are also increasing to 15 in August from nine in July, including eight operated by Chinese airlines and seven by Korean carriers. China and South Korea officials held discussions last month in hopes of soon increasing scheduled passenger flights to 20 a week, Caixin learned from the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC). The increase in flights linking China with Japan and South Korea offers travelers more options for entering the country from elsewhere in the world as direct flights to China are still scarce from many countries including the U.S. Employees of several Chinese airlines said tickets to China from Japan and South Korea have long been fully booked as many overseas Chinese, especially stranded students, seek to return from Europe and the Americas via transfers. A Juneyao Airlines staffer told Caixin that a rising number of passengers from Mexico, the U.S. and Canada are taking connecting flights in Japan to enter China. High demand pushed up ticket prices tenfold. Flights from Japan and South Korea to China average more than 20,000 yuan ($2,864) for a one-way trip, compared with about 2,000 yuan before the pandemic. A one-way trip from Osaka to Nanjing Aug. 13 operated by Juneyao Airlines would cost 20,069 yuan for economy class, public records showed. A Japan Airlines ticket from Tokyo to Dalian the same day would cost 24,500 yuan. While gradually reconnecting with the world by air, China is tightening virus screening of inbound travelers to block imported cases. In late July, Chinese aviation and customs authorities issued new rules requiring all international travelers to show a negative test result for Covid-19 dated within five days of embarking on their trip. In July, an average of 11,941 flights were operated in China every day, 10.36% more than in the previous months, according to the CAAC. Passenger volume increased 20.4% from June to 37 million. The CAAC in early June moved to ease months-long restrictions on international flights as the outbreak waned and pressures mounted from other countries to reboot global travel. Since March China has limited international flights to one by each airline per week while denying requests to restart services from foreign carriers that halted flights to China before March. Under the June rules, airlines were allowed to resume international routes into China starting with one flight a week. Airlines that went three consecutive weeks without anyone testing positive for Covid-19 on their flights would be able to operate a second weekly flight into China. Conversely, airlines were to be ordered to suspend flights if more than five onboard passengers tested positive, according to the rules. In July, Air China, China Eastern Airlines, Shenzhen Airlines and Japan Airlines were rewarded with extra weekly flights on China-Japan routes because of their virus control records. After the latest increase, a total of 10 airlines seven Chinese and three Japanese are operating flights between the two countries. Contact reporter Han Wei (weihan@caixin.com) and editor Bob Simison (bobsimison@caixin.com) Download our app to receive breaking news alerts and read the news on the go. The apparent shift in the Congresss stand on Ayodhya -- evident in its bid to outdo political rivals in hailing the construction of Ram temple -- is widely attributed to its attempt to change the perception of being a pro-Muslim party -- one reason for the partys poor performance in the 2014 general elections according to a panel led by former defence minister AK Antony. The panels report concluded that fighting elections on the plan of secularism (versus communalism) hurt the Congress because it identified the party as pro-Muslims, resulting in substantial gains for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The Congress, which has since been trying hard to change the image, maintained , in the run-up to the 2019 elections, that it would will abide by the Supreme Courts verdict on the Ayodhya issue or support any negotiated settlement. The party was accused of practising soft Hindutva during this campaign, with then party President Rahul Gandhis temple runs seemingly proving this point. Still, the Congress has never really been vocal in its support for the temple construction. Now, barring a few Congress leaders who have expressed reservations, albeit in private, most have struck a conciliatory tone. In a tweet (in Hindi) on Wednesday, Rahul Gandhi called Lord Ram the ultimate embodiment of supreme human values and said that he stands for love, mercy and justice. He did not mention the bhoomi pujan (ground breaking) ceremony that marked the beginning of the temple construction in Ayodhya on Wednesday. Rahul Gandhis sister and Congress general secretary, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, on Tuesday hoped the groundbreaking ceremony in Ayodhya would be a celebration of national unity, brotherhood and cultural harmony. In November, the Congress welcomed the Supreme Court verdict that paved the way for the temple construction and also sought to take credit for it. It insisted the Congress government at the Centre in 1993 acquired 67-acres of land near the disputed 2.77-acre site in Ayodhya. The Congress also highlighted that it was the Rajiv Gandhi government that allowed a shilanyas (ground-breaking ceremony) for the temple at an undisputed site close to Babri Masjid and also opened its doors in 1986. The Congresss stand was in line with a view of a section of leaders, especially from North India, that the party should talk openly about the 1986 shilanyas and the acquiring of the land to counter the BJP. The PV Narasimha Rao government acquired the disputed site and the 67 acres around it through the passage of a law in 1993 after the demolition of the Babri Masjid. The Congress Working Committee (CWC), the partys highest decision-making body, in November unanimously passed a resolution, welcoming the Supreme Court judgment for the temple construction. The issue came up for discussion at a meeting between Congress president Sonia Gandhi and the partys Rajya Sabha members on July 30. Deepender Singh Hooda, a Rajya Sabha member, cited the sentiments of millions of Indians at the meeting and argued Congress leaders should speak in one voice and stick to the CWC resolution. Former Madhya Pradesh chief minister Kamal Nath and Congress workers across the state recited Hanuman Chalisa, or devotional hymn to Lord Rams companion Hanuman, on Tuesday. The Congress government in neighbouring Chhattisgarh announced the development of three tourist circuits linked to Rams exile. A Congress leader, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, dismissed the suggestion that the party has moved from soft- to hard-Hindutva, saying Lord Ram is a unifier, the protector and the voice of the oppressed and the deprived and assimilation of all cultures, castes, class and religions. The nation and its people must now decide who depicts these values the assimilating, cohabitating, all-inclusive ideology of the Congress party or the inherently divisive, hateful and parochial ideology of the BJP-RSS, he added Political analyst Professor Rajendra Sharma said the Congress lacks consistency in its stand. The best course for the Congress should have been to stick to the CWC resolution which seemed to be well balanced. But it wants to be a part of majoritarian politics and was feeling left out, said Sharma who heads the political sciences department at Rohtak-based Maharishi Dayanand University. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Pakistan's Babar Azam was compared to India's Virat Kohli as one of the world's leading batsmen after his unbeaten fifty on the opening day of the first Test against England on Wednesday. When bad light forced an early close at Old Trafford, Pakistan were 139-2, with Babar 69 not out and Shan Masood unbeaten on 46. But left-handed opener Masood was twice missed on 45 by England wicketkeeper Jos Buttler either side of a lengthy rain break, with off-spinner Dom Bess the unlucky bowler on both occasions. The prolific Babar has now reached a half-century in five successive Test innings, with his previous five matches yielding four hundreds. "If this lad was Virat Kohli, everyone would be talking about it but because it is Babar Azam, no one is talking about it," said former England captain Nasser Hussain while commentating for Sky Sports. "He's young, he's elegant, he's got all the swagger," he added. "They keep going on about the 'Fab Four (Kohli, Australia's Steve Smith, New Zealand's Kane Williamson and England captain Joe Root) -- it's the 'Fab Five' and Babar Azam is in that." England coach Chris Silverwood said: "We know we're up against a very good batsman." Pakistan were 43-2 when Babar came in after captain Azhar Ali, who had won the toss, fell lbw for a duck to Chris Woakes. - Stylish Babar - Babar started cautiously but after lunch he unfurled an array of stylish attacking shots en route to a 70-ball fifty featuring nine fours. He struck express paceman Jofra Archer down the ground before driving Bess for another boundary to bring up Pakistan's hundred. Bess, however, should have removed Masood for 45 when he took the left-hander's outside edge but Buttler dropped the chance. When play resumed in the early evening after a long rain delay, Root was soon bowling his occasional off-breaks in tandem with Bess to try and keep the match going under grey skies after Archer had pitched short to Babar. But even with two spinners bowling and the floodlights on, the umpires still called a halt at 6:12 pm (1712 GMT) before the ground was bathed in sunshine soon afterwards. There was still time, however for Buttler to miss stumping Masood after the batsman charged down the pitch. The mistakes will revive discussion about the wicketkeeper's place in the side with Ben Foakes, arguably a superior gloveman, waiting in the wings. "The game is pretty funny...you get an element of fortune every now and then," said Masood. Silverwood defended Buttler by saying: "No one means to miss them. He's very capable of doing something very special for us tomorrow." The conditions favoured England's four-man pace attack, who had been involved in last month's 2-1 series win over the West Indies, completed at Old Trafford. But Azhar's decision to bat first was understandable given Pakistan are playing two leg-spinners in Yasir Shah and Shadab Khan, who are expected to be more effective on a wearing pitch. "We always knew the new ball was going to be a struggle in England," said Masood after batting for nearly three-and-half hours against the likes of James Anderson, Stuart Broad, Woakes and Archer. "It's not an easy gig being an opening batsman in this country but with it comes an opportunity to give the team a good start, especially when you bat first." Masood and fellow opener Abid Ali did well to survive the first hour before Archer struck by bowling Abid with a full-length ball having made him wary of coming forward with several short-pitched deliveries. As was the case during the West Indies series, the three-match campaign is taking place behind closed doors on health grounds, with Pakistan denied the vibrant and vocal support they usually enjoy in England. Meanwhile, former England captain Michael Vaughan hit out at the early stoppage for bad light. "I can't get my head round the fact TV companies are paying a huge amount of money, fans are watching the only Test cricket going on in the world from home, yet we've lost out on so much cricket," he told BBC's Test Match Special. "There were two off-spinners bowling and we went off for bad light. It just doesn't make sense. When is Test cricket going to learn?" Mars is looking real, SpaceX founder and chief executive Elon Musk tweeted after the short hop. Progress is accelerating. SpaceX plans to launch reusable Starships atop still-in-the-works rockets, carrying cargo or crew not only to low-Earth orbit but also the Moon and Elon Musks most desirable destination, Mars. The latest test model of the rocket is relatively plain: It stands a full-scale 100 feet (30 meters) tall and resembles a steel siloor stretched-out canwith a cap on top. (Photo | AP) Cape Canaveral, Florida: SpaceX launched a prototype of its Mars rocketship hundreds of feet into the air, then landed it upright in a successful test flight. The flight lasted barely 45 seconds and reached just 500 feet (150 meters) Tuesday night at the southeastern tip of Texas near Brownsville, but was an important first for SpaceXs Starship. Some earlier tests ended in explosions on the pad. Mars is looking real, SpaceX founder and chief executive Elon Musk tweeted after the short hop. Progress is accelerating. Musk said several more short hops are planned before a test version of Starship aims for a high altitude. The latest test model is relatively plain: It stands a full-scale 100 feet (30 meters) tall and resembles a steel silo _ or stretched-out can _ with a cap on top. The private company plans to launch reusable Starships atop still-in-the-works rockets, carrying cargo or crew not only to low-Earth orbit but also the Moon and Musks most desirable destination, Mars. The entire stack will stretch nearly 400 feet (120 meters). On Sunday, SpaceX safely returned two NASA astronauts from the International Space Station following a two-month test flight. Their Dragon capsule splashed down in the Gulf of Mexico off the coast of Pensacola, Florida. SpaceX is now the only private company to fly people to and from orbit. Were going to go to the Moon. Were going to have a base on the Moon. Were going to send people to Mars and make life multi-planetary, Musk said following splashdown. This day heralds a new age of space exploration. Thats what its all about. Representative image Denmark's Copenhagen Airports is considering laying off 650 staff as a result of the low level of activity in the aviation sector due to the coronavirus pandemic, the company said in a statement on Wednesday. "CPH is contemplating cutting 650 full-time positions from the company's current approximate total of 2,600," it said and added discussions with union representatives would be held in the coming weeks to decide on the expected redundancies. Follow our full coverage of the coronavirus pandemic here So why is Siberia, one of the coldest places on Earth, becoming so warm? And what has Russia been doing about it? Although occasional temperature spikes may emerge anywhere in the world and heat waves are not unusual even in the Arctic area, it is worrying that higher temperatures are now becoming more frequent and more intensive. The Siberian town of Verkhoyansk is one of the coldest inhabited places on Earth. The temperature in this city can drop to minus 40 degrees Celsius during an average winter. However, in June 2020, Verkhoyansk reached a temperature of 38 degrees the highest temperature ever documented north of the Arctic Circle. Why is Siberia warming up? Siberia is warming up as a result of global environmental change, the same reason as the rest of the planet. However, Arctic Russia has been experiencing this trend at a faster pace. From 1969 until 2019, the average global temperature has increased by almost 1 degree. But certain parts of Siberia are now 2 to 4 degrees warmer than they were 50 years ago, which means that they are warming up more than twice as fast as the rest of the planet. Temperature Changes (1969-2019) In 2019-20, Russia saw its hottest winter in the 140-year history of meteorological observations, according to the Hydrometeorological Center of Russia. The Copernicus Climate Change Service reported that May 2020 was the warmest May on record globally, with the most above-average temperatures observed in Siberia. Similar trends continued in certain parts of Siberia in June. Average Temperature Over Arctic Siberia (for June relative to 1981-2010) Because of the unusually mild winter and warm spring, snow melted earlier this year in Siberia. Areas of white snow normally reflect the sun's heat, but if there's a lack of snow and ice, darker areas of land or ocean are exposed and absorb the heat instead. As a result, the remaining snow and ice melt faster and the ground dries out. Average Snow Cover In Arctic Siberia (percentage) Another factor that contributed to the warm weather in Siberia was a large area of high pressure that covered the region. During this phenomenon, high pressure traps air in a certain area and compresses it closer to the ground, which makes the air even warmer. The high pressure also forces clouds away, which makes it easier for sunlight to come through and bring even higher temperatures. And let's not forget that Siberia experiences near-continuous sunlight during summer nights, so there is less chance for air to cool off. What are some of the consequences of Siberia becoming warmer? Seasonal wildfires, which usually appear between May and October, are not uncommon in Siberia. In fact, they are part of the local natural cycle. However, the fire season now starts earlier and lasts longer than usual. According to Greenpeace, from January to mid-July of 2020, wildfires in Siberia have already burned about 19 million hectares of forests, fields, and steppes -- an area comparable to the size of Belarus or Kyrgyzstan. These fires impact not only the land but also the environment in general, because they release emissions into the atmosphere. For example, in June 2020, more than 70 megatons of CO were released from fires in the Sakha Republic, which is more than the annual CO emissions of Austria or Romania in 2018. June CO Wildfire Emissions For The Sakha Republic (megatons) About 65 percent of Russia is covered by permafrost a layer of soil, rock, or sediment that is permanently frozen. If the permafrost thaws, it can release methane gas created from organic materials that is now sealed in the frozen layer and potentially speed up global warming. Thawing permafrost can also destabilize roads or buildings. For example, in May 2020 diesel fuel leaked into soil and waterways near Norilsk after a storage tank collapsed, reportedly because of thawing permafrost. There is also a risk of unlocking ancient bacteria and viruses that might be preserved in old permafrost layers. For instance, in 2016 an anthrax outbreak occurred in northern Siberia. It is believed that the disease spread after a skeleton of a reindeer, who got infected decades ago, was exposed. Permafrost Coverage Warm weather also contributes to an increased number of certain species, such as Siberian silkworms insects that feed on trees and can damage large areas of forest. The region of Yakutia has already reported that the number of silkworms is above the critical norm this year. Silkworm (Dendrolimus superans sibericus) What has Russia been doing about it? Although a majority of scientists agree that man-made emissions contribute to climate change, Russian President Vladimir Putin questions that conclusion. Russia admits there might be consequences to global warming and formally adopted the Paris climate agreement in 2019, but it also claims thawing ice might have its benefits. In January 2020, the country issued its National Adaptation Plan, which listed possible advantages of rising temperatures, such as the opening of new routes in the Arctic Ocean, thus easing access to oil and gas, as well as saving money on heating during winter and more land becoming available for agriculture. On the other hand, Russia's Audit Chamber has warned that Russia won't be able to boost its economy or improve its demographic situation unless it starts solving pressing environmental issues. In January 2020, the Levada Center asked Russians about the threats currently faced by mankind. Forty-eight percent considered environmental pollution as the most dangerous threat, while 34 percent chose climate change. (Respondents were allowed to choose more than one answer.) This year's heat wave in Siberia is a grim reminder that those worries are real and a warning sign, perhaps, that Russia -- one of the world's biggest polluters -- may need to take action sooner rather than later. Ukraine and Italy have agreed to exchange experience between their law enforcement agencies and to strengthen cooperation in combating transnational crime and illegal migration, Ukrainian Interior Minister Arsen Avakov has said. He said this after a meeting with Italian Interior Minister Luciana Lamorgese in Rome on Wednesday, August 5, the Ukrainian Interior Ministry's press service reported. "The parties discussed the strengthening of cooperation between the two countries, in particular, on cyber threats, the fight against transnational crime and illegal migration," the report said. According to Avakov, a joint interstate operational group called "Sea" was launched as a joint initiative of Ukrainian and Italian law enforcement agencies within Europol in February 2020 and the results of the group's work can already be seen now. "Compared to 2018, when 88 Ukrainians were detained for participation in the transportation of illegal migrants, the number of such detentions in 2019 was 53, and in 2020 it was even smaller - 10. Through the efforts of international joint investigation teams, we will conduct a set of intelligence and preventive measures against blocking such crimes," Avakov said. He also thanked Lamorgese for Italy's clear position on the punishment of Italian mercenaries fighting on the side of Russian-backed forces in eastern Ukraine. "I am grateful to the Republic of Italy for its consistent position on the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine. Three Italians have received real prison terms for participation in pro-Russian illegal armed groups in Donbas, and more than 20 Italian citizens, according to our data, took part in such illegal armed groups. I hope that other members of terrorist organizations, regardless of the host country, will receive a fair sentence," he said. Avakov also said the activity of the so-called "DPR/LPR" offices in Italy was unacceptable. According to him, such public organizations, which do not have and cannot have any official diplomatic status, may be involved in illegal and terrorist activities, in particular, in the recruitment of radical militants for their participation in illegal armed groups in temporarily occupied territories. During the meeting, both parties also agreed to exchange experience between Ukrainian and Italian law enforcement officers. "Today we discussed the joint training and internship of our police officers in Italy. In addition, we are ready to share with our Italian colleagues the experience of the work of the dialogue police, the fight against domestic violence and the fight against the spread of drugs via the Internet," Avakov said. He also added that Ukraine was delegating an Interior Ministry representative to the embassy in Italy, which should strengthen and expand cooperation between the two countries in the fight against organized crime, drug trafficking and illegal migration. For its part, the Italian side expressed hope for the further deepening of cooperation. Lamorgese also thanked doctors from the Ukrainian Interior Ministry who helped their Italian colleagues combat COVID-19. op NEW DELHI In a moment of triumph that Indias Hindu nationalists had worked toward for years, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday set the ceremonial cornerstone for a new Hindu temple at the site of a destroyed mosque in Ayodhya. Hindus and Muslims have clashed over the Ayodhya site for decades, setting off waves of sectarian violence that has killed thousands. As Mr. Modi sat cross-legged and chanted mantras in front of a Hindu priest on Wednesday, part of the elaborate groundbreaking ceremony for the temple, it was the fulfillment of a promise to his Hindu political base and an unmistakable milestone in his efforts to shift Indias secular foundations toward a more overtly Hindu identity. Millions of Indians watched the ceremony on television or on social media. But because of the coronavirus pandemic, the gathering in Ayodhya itself was more muted than originally planned, with the crowds kept away. Hindu priests chose Wednesday, and specifically at 12:44 p.m., as the most auspicious time to begin building the new temple. With the television cameras rolling, Mr. Modi took center stage. He performed Hindu rituals, such as offering holy water and putting a red mark on his forehead, alongside some of Indias most avowed Hindu nationalists. They included Yogi Adityanath, the firebrand Hindu monk turned chief minister of Uttar Pradesh State, and Mohan Bhagwat, the leader of the R.S.S., a Hindu supremacist group, whose members helped tear down the mosque that used to stand in Ayodhya. More than 1,000km apart, a filmmaker and the subject of his film contend with the methods and meanings of solitude. I take the last flight out of Paris before the borders close, travelling to Argentina to shoot the second half of a film that is two years in the making the story of Pedro Luca, an 83-year-old who has lived in a cave by himself for longer than I have been alive. But as I land in Buenos Aires, the city goes into lockdown. Suddenly, I am as isolated as Pedro him in a cave in the middle of the Tucuman mountains; me hundreds of miles away in an apartment on the second floor of a concrete block, with a small balcony as my only window to the world. It takes me two days to fully realise that: 1) I am not going to be able to see anyone and 2) I am not going to be able to film either, at least not in the normal way. There I am, alone in my urban jungle, like a caged cougar. 200701111756920 More than 1,300km (850 miles) away in the wilderness, Pedro has his own cougar to worry about the mountain lion stalking his surroundings and picking off the goats whenever it gets hungry. Cougars for Pedro, coronavirus for city dwellers we are all faced with our predators, our fears, and our instincts. In the apartment, with nowhere else to go, I keep an audio-visual journal against loneliness. I begin filming the city and its inhabitants from my balcony, suspended above the deafening silence of the megalopolis, which normally counts among the noisiest in the world. I film other balconies; I make eye contact; I follow day-after-day the goings-on in the visible lives of my neighbours. Pedro Luca, 83, has lived alone in a cave for the last 45 years [Mathieu Orcel/Al Jazeera] For Pedro, who has lived in isolation for 45 years, the days continue as they always have marked by a series of physical activities, which give him very little free time to procrastinate. He walks through the mountains that are his home, picks up wood, watches in silence for the invisible presence of the cougar, much more feared than the virus we hear about in the national media. Returning to his cave, he looks around before entering, moving slowly, with careful but confident steps, a machete in one hand, a rifle in the other: You can never be too careful, he repeats often. In the apartment, I pace, I drink coffee, I make virtual calls to connect with people I know, while the only real humans I meet are at times of food delivery. Through my viewfinder, on a small terrace opposite my flat, I see an old man and his dog in the sun. The dog barks as it runs in a loop, trying in vain to grab its own tail. This becomes a sudden symbolic image of the urban quarantine we all now find ourselves in. All besides Pedro, who is not restless like the rest of us. For the city dweller, isolation implies the absence of interactions, and therefore the absence of activities. But Pedro, in his self-isolation, is full and complete. Its quieter here When I first arrived at Pedros Tucuman cave two years before, after a four-hour walk from the nearest village, I found an active, smiling man whom I had trouble keeping up with even though he was double my age. Pedros cave is a discreet refuge in the middle of nature. It is an oval cavity, like a sphere cut in half and diagonally, the opening concealed by large trees. Inside, there are food nets, a bed with two old mattresses, a fireplace in the centre, and all around him, nature immense, untouched forest and mountains. Pedro escaped from his home village at the age of 16. For him, the company of others was too noisy. He sometimes evokes in half-words the difficult experience of being recruited by the army and sent to Bolivia as a young man. Even if he refuses to discuss many details, I sense that the experience was not positive and that it affirmed his desire to escape from life in society. I miss nothing and no one. It's quieter here. Pedro Luca At first, when he moved back to the Tucuman region, the inhabitants of his village did not hear from him until he was set up in his cave that was 45 years ago. When asked if he misses people, or objects, or aspects of life in society, his answer is firm and always the same: No, I miss nothing and no one. Its quieter here. Pedros days might seem to be all alike to the outside eye, but each is unique. By its sunshine, its temperature, the animals that will cross his path, the surprise of an encounter, human or animal, good or bad. In isolation, he finds refuge, a way of life, but above all, a spirituality. It is set back from the world that our spiritual path can open, he says. Pedro standing at the entrance to his cave [Mathieu Orcel/Al Jazeera] Tales of mutual isolation For us filmmakers, our observations are the bonds of war; they give us direct contact and immerse us in the realities of our characters. Sitting on my balcony in quarantine, I think of my first visit with Pedro, all that I had seen and that he had told me, and I wonder if in this new world, my profession, in its classic form, is dead? Will directors remain in a state of suspended animation, the stories we could tell getting lost in the meanders of virtuality? Personally and professionally, being sociable is in my nature. I see almost everyone as a potential actor in a documentary film, and without a social outlet and no way to film Pedro I feel frustrated, almost imprisoned like an animal in a zoo without a purpose or a goal. Fortunately, we find a creative approach. With coordination between my executive producer in Doha, myself in Buenos Aires and Pedros nephew whom I had met the first time I filmed him, we formulate a plan. His nephew will meet Pedro and film him at the cave, while I will liaise from afar. And the film about Pedros isolation will change into a story of mutual isolation on one hand, the forced isolation of a city quarantine, and on the other, the joyful solitude of a man in his cave. It is set back from the world that our spiritual path can open. Pedro Luca The whole process comes to a close when the local team manages to find a cellular network point near the cave, and I am able to have a video call with Pedro. It is a surreal situation, but one that does not unseat him. Our discussion, chopped up by a bad connection, quickly turns to two things: cougars, of course, and the desire to meet physically. While my focus is on documenting Pedro and his extraordinary life, he simply wonders when we will meet again film or no film just to further discuss our common experiences in person. I realise afterwards that the experience of social deprivation was like an amputation for me. And like an amputee who still feels their absent limb moving, the virtual part of relationships via the internet had a similar effect on me: a feeling of contact, but without real existence. In isolation, I missed people, their conversation, their gazes, their experiences. But paradoxically, it was introspection that served me the most and helped me survive isolation, because as Pedro said, loneliness opened up a new spiritual path for me, too. I had to move beyond myself to be able to resume filming; I had to surpass my work habits, my natural reflexes, my communication with others, to find another way. An aerial view of the city of Buenos Aires [Mathieu Orcel/Al Jazeera] Links in a chain After 14 days of quarantine in Buenos Aires, I am repatriated to France, to the countryside, where I isolate for two additional months and complete the film. Watching the rushes, the most striking contrast between the city and the cave is the noise. In the city, all our objects are electric and noisy, from the coffee machine to the razor, the television and the ubiquity of social networks and digital communication. Not to mention the noises linked to the absence of solitude, or to the omnipresence of others: conversations, shouts, insults, sweet words, social representation. In the cave, any noise that breaks the natural silence is a sign of a being, an event, an upcoming meal, or a predator. There is no electricity and man is brought back to his manual capacity. Pedros tools are silent; they do not move by themselves, nor are they automated. He is the one in control. And any effort he makes or action he takes are sounds of his own choice and self-sufficiency. Pedro Luca in his cave [Mathieu Orcel/Al Jazeera] Self-sufficiency that of countries, but also of individuals is precisely what the COVID-19 crisis has highlighted. Dependence on others had hitherto been normal, almost part of the human condition and the basis of globalised capitalism. But when it came time to stock up on masks and gloves, we realised it was vital to be self-sufficient, at least when it comes to the essentials: health and nutrition. This is why Pedro, an extreme symbol of autonomy, has now gone from the marginal to the model. He fascinates with his tranquillity and wisdom in the face of years of isolation. As a contemporary caveman, he shows us that the natural way of life is his way, and that we especially in towns and cities have completely adapted away from it. We must not be afraid of death, Pedro says to questions about the health crisis, even as he lives with threats from wild animals and the elements on his doorstep. Meanwhile, in our modern societies, the fear of death has been pushed to its climax, with our strong drive for immortality be it from actual scientific developments or the promise of celebrity. We must not be afraid of death ... We are all part of the same group, we are all human, we must not ignore each other. Pedro Luca Why does Pedro not fear death? Probably because in his daily life he meets her every day when working to get food, or because the cougar has come down to collect some of the goats that keep him company. And most likely, because he knows he is a link in a chain. So, when Pedro prays in his cave, with his little candle, and declares that we are all part of the same group, we are all human, we must not ignore each other, he ultimately calls to respect the autonomy and individuality of each being, of each life. Pedro first left for the wilderness because of the exploitation of man by man, but in talking to him, there is a very real sense that he knows man can also be a god for man. Although his solitude is a refuge plexiglass to protect against human nature and its microbes it is also a tribute to life and to humanity, in our capacity to be unique and free. And as we look to the world after COVID-19, hoping it offers a substantial difference from the one before that has led us to this point, perhaps Pedros unique coexistence with the ecosystem around him, and calm acceptance of what life has to offer, can serve as inspiration for us, too. Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-05 23:33:41|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close -- The blasts hit the Port of Beirut at around 6:10 p.m. Tuesday, killing at least 100 people and injuring 4,000 others so far. -- The causes of the blasts remained unknown, but Interior Minister Mohammad Fahmi said the 2,700 tons of explosive chemicals stored at Port of Beirut may have led to the explosions. -- The explosions have dealt another huge blow to Lebanon, which is struggling to cope with the COVID-19 pandemic. BEIRUT, Aug. 5 (Xinhua) -- Two huge explosions rocked the Lebanese capital Beirut on Tuesday, killing at least 100 people and injuring 4,000 others in a toll that officials expect to rise. The international community has expressed solidarity and sympathy with Lebanon over the deadly explosions as rescue workers continued their search for people missing under the rubble of collapsed buildings. Damaged buildings are seen after the huge explosions at the port of Beirut, Lebanon, Aug. 4, 2020. (Xinhua/Bilal Jawich) DEADLY EXPLOSIONS The blasts hit the Port of Beirut at around 6:10 p.m. local time (1610 GMT), shaking buildings all over the city, shattering glass in most areas, damaging vehicles on the streets, while causing massive casualties and damage. Hours after the explosions, the capital witnessed the Lebanese Red Cross and Civil Defense teams rushing to the site to rescue those buried in the rubble, ambulances shuttling between hospitals to deliver the injured, and local residents walking through the streets searching for relatives. Local hospitals, having reached their capacity in a short time, urged the public to donate blood to save the injured. Many of the injured are still without treatment, Lebanese Health Minister Hamad Hassan said. The number of casualties is expected to rise as the counting continues. Local media outlets have been announcing the names of hundreds of people still missing, in the hope of helping their families find them. Rescuers search for survivors after the explosions in Beirut, Lebanon, Aug. 5, 2020. (Xinhua/Bilal Jawich) The causes of the blasts remained unknown, but Interior Minister Mohammad Fahmi said the 2,700 tons of explosive chemicals stored at Port of Beirut may have led to the explosions. "Customs authorities must be asked about the reasons behind storing such chemical materials at Port of Beirut," Fahmi said. Investigations into the explosions are expected to reveal the real causes of the disaster within five days. Following the explosions, Lebanese Prime Minister Hassan Diab immediately declared Wednesday a national mourning day for the victims. President Michel Aoun also called an emergency meeting of the Higher Defense Council, which later on Tuesday urged the Lebanese cabinet to announce a state of emergency in the city for two weeks. A damaged building is seen after the explosions in Beirut, Lebanon, Aug. 5, 2020. (Xinhua/Bilal Jawich) The council also urged the cabinet to allocate funds for hospitals to help them treat the injured, and to contact all friendly countries to seek support and set up a fund to provide compensations for those affected by the disaster. The Lebanese cabinet is expected to hold a meeting on Wednesday to look into the proposal by the Higher Defense Council and announce new measures to deal with the current crisis. HELPING HANDS United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Tuesday sent his condolences to the families of the victims, adding the organization "remains committed to supporting Lebanon at this difficult time, and is actively assisting in the response to this incident." World Health Organization spokesperson Inas Hamam told Russian media outlet Sputnik on Tuesday that the organization is sending trauma kits containing emergency medical supplies and surgery kits to Lebanon. "Our hearts and prayers are with all those affected, and we continue our mission to ensure the wellbeing of all people in Lebanon and across the region," Hamam said. Jordanian national flag is seen at half-mast at Royal Hashemite Court, in Amman, Jordan, Aug. 5, 2020. Jordan's Royal Hashemite Court on Wednesday announced the national flag at its main entrance would be flown at half-mast for three days, mourning for the victims of the Beirut's explosions on Tuesday. (Photo by Mohammad Abu Ghosh/Xinhua) Chinese President Xi Jinping sent a message of condolence to Aoun, extending profound condolences to the victims and conveying heartfelt sympathies to the bereaved families and the injured. Al-Jadeed TV reported that Iraq and Qatar will send field hospitals to Lebanon on Wednesday, while French President Emmanuel Macron, in a phone call with Aoun, promised to send support for Lebanon on Wednesday. In a rare move, Israel on Tuesday offered humanitarian aid to Lebanon over the explosions. "Israel addressed Lebanon through international security and political elements and offered the Lebanese government medical humanitarian assistance," Israel's Foreign Ministry and Defense Ministry said in a joint statement. Israel and Lebanon have no official ties and tensions have been rising on the Israel-Lebanon border recently. Damaged buildings are seen after the explosions at the Port of Beirut in Lebanon, Aug. 5, 2020. (Xinhua/Bilal Jawich) GRAVE CONSEQUENCE The explosions have dealt another huge blow to Lebanon, which is struggling to cope with the COVID-19 pandemic. The Arab country, with a high population density of some 667 people per square km, has so far registered more than 5,000 COVID-19 cases, with over 60 deaths. It reopened briefly on Tuesday for two days before starting another five-day lockdown in an attempt to restrict the spread of the virus. Additionally, the economic slowdown in Lebanon, which has already prompted thousands of companies and businesses to shut down and caused high unemployment and poverty rates given the decreasing job opportunities, might also get much worse following the explosions. According to a report in July by online independent newspaper Elnashra, the General Confederation of Lebanese Workers estimated that 150,000 Lebanese lost their jobs in 2020 amid the current economic deterioration. Damaged vehicles are seen after the explosions in Beirut, Lebanon, Aug. 5, 2020. (Xinhua/Bilal Jawich) The Lebanese government has so far been incapable of implementing necessary reforms, including a forensic audit which will highlight the sources of money squandering in the country, to unlock international aid from the International Monetary Fund. This has led to renewed nationwide protests against the government following the easing of anti-coronavirus measures. While the international community is focusing on the rising number of the dead and injured in the explosions, concerns are growing over their effects on food security, as the blasts have flattened several ports in the capital, including the Port of Beirut, the country's largest, making it harder for Lebanon to import food, fuel and other much-needed supplies. According to local media reports, Lebanon imports as much as 80 percent of its food needs and relies heavily on imported soft wheat. The country's major grain silo in the capital was also damaged, and all the wheat stored at the facility has been "contaminated," Lebanon's state-run National News Agency quoted Minister of Economy and Trade Raoul Nehme as saying. (Video reporter: Li Liangyong; Video editor: Wei Yin) Christopher Pearl, Ph.D., associate professor of history and co-coordinator of American studies at Lycoming College, has earned a fellowship from the Robert H. Smith International Center for Jefferson Studies at Monticello, enabling him to conduct research for his upcoming book about the creation of executive power during the American Revolutionary War. The fellowship is the second that Pearl has earned for research for his book, tentatively titled, The War Executives: Debating and Creating Executive Power during the American Revolutionary War. Pearl will also be the inaugural resident research fellow at the American Philosophical Societys The David Center for the American Revolution. Not everyone gets a chance to have the kind of access to these libraries and their staff that I will have, Pearl said of the two fellowships. I will join a really amazing list of scholars from all over the world who held or will hold these fellowships, it is a bit humbling and energizing. He plans to work at the David Center for the American Revolution and will reside in Philadelphia in May 2021. After that, Pearl will head to Charlottesville for June and July doing research as part of the ICJS fellowship, where he will stay on Jeffersons estate, receive a stipend, travel funds, and present findings of his research to the library staff and others near the end of his residence. The new book I am working on looks at the state executives during the American Revolution for five states - Connecticut, New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and South Carolina, Pearl said. With these two fellowships, I can research the wartime tenures of Pennsylvania President Joseph Reed and Virginia Governor Thomas Jefferson. Both places have the manuscript collections and other resources I need to really dig into these two executives. At the David Center, I will have access to a wide variety of manuscript collections from all over the United States and the United Kingdom, he continued. At the Jefferson Library, I will have access to an absolutely robust assortment of databases, as well as the papers of Thomas Jefferson. The kinds of documents I have access to will make the work I do very different. However, they will be the same in that a crucial part of the residential fellowship experience is that fellows work alongside really knowledgeable people, whether that be other fellows or library staff. In my experience, that environment can really help shape the contours of a project and sharpen the analysis. Sometimes scholars can get a sort of tunnel vision in the solitary nature of research and writing. The fellowship experience changes that because of the scholarly community a researcher can engage with. It is my favorite part of the process. The ICJS fellowship program for domestic and international scholars promotes research of Thomas Jeffersons life and times and the community at Monticello. Since its founding, the ICJS has hosted over 400 domestic and international scholars from the United States and 25 countries around the world, including Pulitzer-Prize winning historians Alan Taylor and Jack Rakove. The Center offers short-term fellowships that allow researchers and teachers to consult with Monticello scholars and librarians and to utilize the resources of the Jefferson Library and the University of Virginia libraries. The David Center for the American Revolution supports scholarship on the American Revolution, and champions the active engagement of scholars, educators, and the general public. As a David Center Fellow, Pearl joins an esteemed group of scholars who have gone on to write hundreds of dissertations, academic articles, papers, and books about the American Revolution and Founding Era. Pearl joined Lycoming College in 2013. His teaching interests center on the political, religious, social, and legal history of America to 1877, and his research addresses salient questions related to local governance, British imperial politics, and state formation during the American Revolution. Pearls previous book project, Conceived in Crisis: The Revolutionary Creation of an American State, was recently published by the University of Virginia Press. Incessant overnight rains in Thane and its adjoining cities in the densely-populated Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) led to waterlogging on Wednesday morning below the Mankoli bridge on the ThaneBhiwandi bypass stretch. Though the traffic movement was reduced to a crawl, it was not disrupted, Thane Traffic Police authorities said. There were fewer vehicles on the streets on Wednesday morning that prevented any traffic disruption. However, the road parallel to the Mankoli bridge was waterlogged. Many traffic police personnel was deployed at key intersections to avoid any traffic snarls, said an officer of Thanes Narpoli traffic unit. The stretch below the Mankoli bridge was waterlogged and that considerably slowed down the traffic flow. Fortunately, there was no major traffic disruption and diversion, as many commuters avoided the stretch to reach to their respective workplaces, said Sudesh Naik (30), a commuter. Thanes neighbouring Kalyan, too, was lashed by an overnight downpour. Waterlogging was reported from Sant Tukaram Nagar, and Chikanghar in Kalyan (West). While a section of residents from Rambaug in Kalyan (West), Kolsewadi and Raja Ram Nagar in Kalyan (East) complained of flooding in their houses. Kalyan-Dombivli received 175 millimetres (mm) of rainfall in the past 24 hours until 7 am on Wednesday. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Chennai: Cyclonic storm Nada has further weakened into a depression as predicted and is currently making land fall between Nagapattinam and Vedaranyam in Tamil Nadu, the MeT Department said on Friday. A large chunk of the depression has crossed coast early morning. However, over 25 percent of the system is yet to make the land fall which will happen soon, a MeT official in Chennai said. He said mild to moderate rain coupled with squally winds were being witnessed in parts of Tamil Nadu. Cyclone Nada which weakened into a deep depression on Thursday moved Westnorth-West wards and became a depression about 40 km East south East of Karaikkal (Puducherry Union Territory), the official said. Meanwhile, top government authorities said the situation is being monitored continuously. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. ATLANTA, Aug. 4, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Under a mechanism created by the Georgia Public Service Commission last year, Atlanta Gas Light is allocating $1 million for supplemental low-income energy assistance, which will be distributed to qualifying agencies that support customers who need help paying natural gas bills, repairing or replacing natural gas appliances and weatherizing homes. "Everyone deserves the comforts of home that natural gas provides, and so during the pandemic Atlanta Gas Light employees have been intensely focused on maintaining quality service for Georgians, from operations to customer service and billing. This additional low-income assistance will help expand the number of families our community partners can support, keeping energy flowing to their homes," said Pedro Cherry, president and CEO of Atlanta Gas Light. "It will also reduce the impact of customers' natural gas use on their monthly bills - and on the environment - by increasing the efficiency of their appliances. We are proud to expand our existing partnerships with organizations across the state to grow their reach to even more residents." Atlanta Gas has allocated a majority of the funding to the following agencies for energy assistance: United Way Referrals to assistance programs can be found at United Way, which can be reached by dialing 211 from anywhere within the state. Referrals to assistance programs can be found at United Way, which can be reached by dialing 211 from anywhere within the state. St. Vincent de Paul Georgia St. Vincent de Paul Georgia offers several programs to help those facing hardships. For more information, call 770-458-9607 or visit svdpgeorgia.org. St. Vincent de Paul Georgia offers several programs to help those facing hardships. For more information, call 770-458-9607 or visit svdpgeorgia.org. H.E.A.T. H.E.A.T. provides energy assistance as a joint effort between concerned citizens, state and local governments and businesses. To receive help, call 678-406-0212 (option 1) or visit heatga.org/get-help. H.E.A.T. provides energy assistance as a joint effort between concerned citizens, state and local governments and businesses. To receive help, call 678-406-0212 (option 1) or visit heatga.org/get-help. Project SHARE of the Salvation Army - SHARE provides emergency bill-payment assistance to individuals and families facing a temporary crisis that threatens their home. For more information about available assistance call 800-257-4273 or visit salvationarmyatlanta.org/project-share. Atlanta Gas Light owns and operates the infrastructure that delivers natural gas to customers' homes, but customers receive bills from one of 16 retail natural gas marketers selling fuel across the state. While the Georgia Public Service Commission has approved resuming service disconnections for nonpayment, financial assistance and payment programs are available to all customers seeking to maintain service. Atlanta Gas Light reminds customers to contact their retail natural gas marketer to inquire about financial assistance or payment programs available. As the public health and economic impacts of the coronavirus (COVID-19) continue to evolve, Atlanta Gas Light will also continue working with community partners to support Georgians in need. For more information about each of these programs or help managing natural gas costs, please visit atlantagaslight.com/residential/ways-to-save . About Atlanta Gas Light Atlanta Gas Light is one of four natural gas distribution companies of Southern Company Gas, a wholly owned subsidiary of Southern Company (NYSE: SO). Atlanta Gas Light provides natural gas delivery service to more than 1.6 million customers in Georgia. In operation since 1856, the company is one of the oldest corporations in the state. For more information, visit atlantagaslight.com and southerncompanygas.com . About Southern Company Gas Southern Company Gas is a wholly owned subsidiary of Atlanta-based Southern Company (NYSE:SO), America's premier energy company. Southern Company Gas serves approximately 4.2 million natural gas utility customers through its regulated distribution companies in four states with approximately 700,000 retail customers through its companies that market natural gas. Other nonutility businesses include investments in interstate pipelines, asset management for natural gas wholesale customers and ownership and operation of natural gas storage facilities. For more information, visit southerncompanygas.com. SOURCE Atlanta Gas Light Justice according to Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy is centrally a matter of how individuals are treated, it is also possible to speak of justice for groups for example when the state is allocating resources between different categories of citizens. Here each group is being treated as though it were a separate individual for purposes of the allocation. Here there is a contrast with other virtues: we demand justice, but we beg for charity or forgiveness. This also means that justice is a matter of obligation for the agent dispensing it, and that the agent wrongs the recipient if the latter is denied what is due to her. Definitely not a false argument but there is an important distinction to make. In a country like Nigeria, the position of justice when allocating resources, in absolute terms, is not a substance of obligation, but largely a function of behaviour, character, habits, of the personality in public office (the agent dispensing justice). Using as focal points the right to adequate housing which is both a human right and one of the basic needs of man borne out of desire for security, privacy and protection from negative impacts of the environment, it was Alhaji Lateef Jakande as executive governor of Lagos State in 1979, that his administration was sincerely effective, open and implemented the four cardinal policies of; housing, education, transportation and infrastructure. It is factually documented that he introduced housing and educational programs targeting the poor, building new neighbourhood primary and secondary schools and providing free primary and secondary education. He established the Lagos state University. Jakande's government constructed over 30,000 housing units. The schools and housing units were built cheaply, but were of great value. Some of the housing units include low cost estates in Amuwo-Odofin, Ijaiye, Dolphin, Oke-Afa, Ije, Abesan, Iponri, Ipaja, Abule Nla, Epe, Anikantamo, Surulere, Iba, Ikorodu and Badagry. To fund some of the projects, Jakande increased the tenement rates and price of plots of land in affluent areas of Victoria Island and Lekki Peninsula and the processing fees for lottery, pools and gaming licenses. He also completed the construction of the General Hospital in Gbagada and Ikorodu and built about 20 health centres within the state. As a governor, he established 23 local government councils which were later disbanded by the military. He also started a metroline project to facilitate mass transit. The project was halted and his tenure as Governor ended when the military seized power on 31 December 1983. Since that date, the spirit of social housing-an umbrella term used to refer to rental housing which may be owned and managed by the state, by non-profit organisations, or by a combination of the two, usually with the aim of making it affordable, departed the country. But however resurfaced recently after about three decades this time around in Cross River state, Nigeria. Its first manifestation in the state was on Friday, May 29, 2020; at Ifiang Ayong- a sleepy riverine community in Bakassi Local Government Area which came alive as dignitaries from all walks of life gathered to witness an epochal and life- changing event. The commissioning of an ultra-modern Estate comprising 52 units of 2- bedroom bungalows built by Governor Ben Ayade. He did not build it for commercial purposes; the sprawling Estate, fully furnished and complete with essential amenities, is the new home to the displaced Bakassi people who lost their ancestral land, homes and livelihoods to the Republic of Cameroon in 2002 following the ceding of the Peninsula to the Central Africa country. Looking at commentaries, one major reason that triggered plaudits and encomium for the state government from various quarters across the nation is that in the early 2000s, the Federal Government inaugurated a Special Committee on National Social Housing Scheme (NSHS) with a presidential mandate to provide housing for its less privileged citizens. In the pilot phase of the scheme, the committee was to build 18,000 units of houses across the country before the end of 2006. However, the Committee could not deliver because the principles of social housing and values were yet to permeate the development and management of governments housing plan and delivery systems. And since then, little has been done to translate such objectives into actionable plans. Or clarify processes and opportunities for citizens participation in the development and management of social housing in Nigeria. But before the happiness elicited by the development at Ifiang Ayong could settle, another was up this time around at Obudu Ranch Resort in Obanliku Local Government Area. Worried by the squalid and deplorable living conditions and abject condition, highlighted by shanties and dilapidations of the host communities of the Obudu Ranch Resort in Obanliku Local Government Area, Cross River State governor, Sir Ben Ayade who was on a one-week working visit to the Obudu Ranch Resort, promised to change their situation with the provision of social housing. "We are here at the Ranch and when you look to the left and right, what you see in the entire place are the aborigines, the original owners of Obudu Cattle Ranch. "They are relegated to the worst form of human existence; reduced to want, in body, in spirit, in soul and in the most sub-human living conditions with collapsing roofs and huge massive temperatures that run your blood chill and your bones cold." And so my government is committed to constructing social housing to change their course and prove to them that God uses humans as a vessel; to make your town and your place look beautiful as well. So, for us as a state, we are committed to exterminating this kind of extreme poverty. On his one week visit to the Ranch, he disclosed that the visit was meant to give him the opportunity to see things for himself as his administration gets ready to revamp the prime jewel of hospitality in the state. "I decided to take a guided tour to spend one week with the people to feel their pulse as we prepare to make the Ranch the most attractive centre for visits in Nigeria. I want to see how the citizens, the aborigines have been living side by side with the glaring reality of the luxury of the ranch resort. In what could be likened to a tale of two cities, Governor Ayade lamented: "It is a shame that where I live which is the presidential Villa is as if am in Europe and just a few minutes walk from there, this is what you find. The contrast is unacceptable to my conscience because I have a background akin to this people and so I understand the feeling. I understand the pain. "My performance efficiency should be measured by how much I have lifted people from extreme poverty to comfort not by how many culverts, how many bridges, how many superhighways, how many deep seaports I have built. The real growth is human growth and that is why I do not believe in Gross Domestic Products (GDP). I believe in human happiness index. I want to be assessed on the basis of how happy these people are with the onset of me being governor. When I leave office, what will be the difference I have in their lives? Until I make such a difference, I would have failed as governor." On his determination to reposition the ranch, Ayade hinted: "Very soon the ranch will be the biggest attraction in this country because we are building an international airport to support the ranch for export of potatoes and export of ornamental flowers. So, if we are going to do that, and go into commercial farming in Obudu cattle ranch and industrial tourism, where does that leave the host communities? That is why we are here today to assure them that they have a critical role to play. We had a meeting with the leaders of the community and have assured them that the squalor and the sub-human conditions will be exterminated in the next six months. We will be here and you will see the difference. "Cross River does not have enough but I care enough to make a difference for them and we surely will as a state.This is my commitment." Indeed, this is true justice coming from a man who similar to Pa.Lateef Jakande, loves his people and is passionate about their development. Interestingly also, Ayade in my estimation stands out at the forefront of the crop of patriots wanting the best for his community, state and country, Nigeria. Jerome-Mario Utomi ( [email protected] ), is a Lagos-Based Media Consultant. Former Multnomah County Commissioner Loretta Smith and former director of education nonprofit All Hands Raised Dan Ryan are vying in a special election to replace Nick Fish, who died of cancer in January, as the fifth member of the Portland City Council. The runoff will be decided next Tuesday. Thursday is the last day for Portland voters to mail their ballots. Ballots can also be dropped off by 8 p.m. Tuesday. Smith and Ryan were the top two vote-getters in the May 19 primary with Smith receiving 19% of the vote and Ryan gaining 17%. Eighteen candidates sought the seat. The winner will be seated on the City Council starting in September. A Ryan win would make him the third openly LGBTQ+ commissioner in Portlands history, following Sam Adams election in 2004 and Chloe Eudalys in 2016. Ryan would also be the first commissioner openly living with HIV. Smith would be the second Black woman elected to the Portland City Council and her taking office would mark the first time in city history that Portlands council would be made up majorly of women of color. No woman of color had ever served on the council until Jo Ann Hardesty was elected in 2018, gaining more votes than Smith in a runoff that November. Carmen Rubio, a Latina, won the May primary to succeed Commissioner Amanda Fritz, who is stepping down. Rubios term begins in January. Ryan served three years as a member and chair of the Portland Public School Board until 2008. He then went on to lead All Hands Raised, a nonprofit which works to improve racial equity in education in Multnomah County, for 11 years. He stepped down in 2019 and is a consultant. He has also previously served as development director at Portland State University and the Oregon Ballet Theater. Smith spent more than 20 years working for U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden, moving up from receptionist to the lawmakers field representative for Multnomah County. She was elected Multnomah County Commissioner in 2010, serving two terms representing North and Northeast Portland. She was the second Black woman elected to the commission and left office in 2018 due to term limits. She has since operated a consulting firm. Both cite homelessness, affordable housing, police reform that includes more impactful community oversight and Portlands recovery from the coronavirus pandemic among their top priorities, but they disagree in some areas. Ryan, for example, has said he supports the City Council diverting $15 million from the Portland Police Bureau budget to other city programs and initiatives, while Smith said she is in favor of rerouting $50 million, a sentiment shared by hundreds of Portlanders who testified before the Council voted on adopting the latest budget in June. Both candidates are taking part in the citys public campaign financing program, and public records show Ryan has amassed a funding advantage during the runoff campaign. According to city and state campaign finance records, Smith has raised at least $187,000 since the May 19 primary, including $57,000 in small contributions from 274 named individuals, $15,000 of in-kind help from the United Food and Commercial Workers union and $97,000 in public matching funds. Those same sources indicate Ryan has raised at least $266,000 in the same period, including $79,000 in small contributions from 420 named individuals and $162,000 in public matching funds. Smiths endorsements include Wyden, Oregon Labor Commissioner Val Hoyle, Sen. Lew Frederick, Rep. Janelle Bynum and Rev. Jesse Jackson as well as the Portland Firefighters union and the NARAL pro-choice Oregon PAC. Among those who have endorsed Ryan are Hardesty, Multnomah County Commissioner Susheela Jayapal, former Governors Barbara Roberts and Ted Kulongoski and Oregon House Speaker Tina Kotek, as well as the Oregon Progressive Party. In newspaper endorsements, The Oregonian, Portland Mercury, Portland Tribune and Willamette Week have all endorsed Ryan. The Skanner endorsed Smith. During a debate Friday sponsored by City Club of Portland, both asked candidates asked the other to address past allegations of misconduct. Ryan questioned Smith how she would be able to be fiscally responsible as a city commissioner overseeing bureaus when she was found in 2017 to have likely misused county finances. Smith said there would be other staff in charge of accounting for city dollars and that she would be in favor of the Portlands commission form of government being changed so elected leaders didnt oversee city departments. I am going to be the councilor who has the vision, and it is going to be the responsibility of the bureaus to manage them and to make sure that those bureaus are actually coming in under budget and on time, Smith said. Smith questioned why, while the leader of All Hands Raised, Ryan fired a Black woman he personally interviewed and hired as his administrative assistant after she spent one week on the job, saying she wasnt trainable after he had promised the accomplished veteran teacher training on office skills. She sued him and the nonprofit for racial discrimination and they ultimately paid her an undisclosed financial settlement. Ryan said it was the only case of its kind against him over his 35-year career and that the woman was fired because his team at the time felt this person would not be successful in the job. We had to move forward, focus on the mission, we settled and we moved on, Ryan said. We also implemented a skills test for the position and we didnt have another incident since then. I will gladly stack my staff relations record against my opponent. An outside investigation determined in 2017 that Smith likely bullied members of her staff while county commissioner, and misused county staff time for personal and campaign reasons. The investigator reported former employees said Smith told an employee she "better not be pregnant," made references to Muslims being terrorists and swore at staffers. Smith denied the claims. All Hands Raised and Ryan denied the allegations of wrongdoing in a response to the 2013 lawsuit, which also claimed Ryan told the woman after she was hired that he felt uncomfortable having a certain number of Black people working for him and around him. The case was dismissed in 2014 after the settlement. Dana Sullivan, who represented the woman who filed the suit, told The Oregonian/OregonLive that she couldnt reveal the terms of the settlement agreement. In recent weeks to voters, Ryan has touted himself as a bridge-builder that can draw on his past as a non-career politician to bring consensus on the city council and city relations. Smith has called on voters to trust her prior government experience, the relationships shes built and lived experience as a Black woman in Portland to help the city navigate the latest calls for social justice and breaking down longheld barriers of systemic racism. -- Everton Bailey Jr; ebailey@oregonian.com | 503-221-8343 | @EvertonBailey Subscribe to Oregonian/OregonLive newsletters and podcasts for the latest news and top stories. Is Prince Charles' net worth already higher than Queen Elizabeth II? Being the direct heir to the throne, the Prince of Wales attends a lot of royal engagements on Queen Elizabeth II's behalf whenever she is not available. However, while his influence is massive, Prince Charles' net worth has also been boosted by the Duchy of Cornwall -- which makes it possible for him to even support Prince Harry and Meghan Markle after they left the royal family and the U.K. As of 2020, Prince Charles' value has reportedly reached hundreds of millions of dollars. Go Banking Rates revealed that the Prince of Wales is valued at $100 million, but other reliable sources estimate higher than that. According to Time's official website, the future King of Britain's worth is around $400 million. Meanwhile, official records disclosed that Prince Charles has received a three percent raise to his annual income this year, further pushing his net worth to a higher level. Is Prince Charles Richer Than Queen Elizabeth II? In 2016, Queen Elizabeth II had an estimated personal net worth of $530 million, per Forbes. However, the Sunday Times' Rich List reported that Her Majesty's net worth in 2020 is only around $412 million -- just a few million higher than his son's. Although she is known as one of the wealthiest people in the U.K., the multiple crises that affected the monarchy these past few months troubled her finances, too. For instance, the coronavirus pandemic cost Queen Elizabeth II $23.5 million in her net worth compared to last year. In May 2020, she ordered the temporary closure of Buckingham Palace and the other royal palaces and units to safeguard visitors from the dreaded disease. Usually, royal residences -- including the Buckingham Palace, Clarence House, and Holyrood House in Edinburgh -- are all income-generating tourist attractions that are open for fans and royal watchers. But since the royal residences' tourism business has been shut down due to the ongoing health pandemic, Queen Elizabeth II could lose more millions this year. "The crisis has already tested our resilience, adaptability, and preparedness in many ways and at all levels across the organisation," Lord Chamberlain Earl Peel wrote in a previous email addressed to royal staff. "It has also had a significant impact on the activities of the whole Royal Household." Will Prince Charles' Net Worth Grow Even Further? Given that he is yet to be the King of Britain, Prince Charles' value will definitely grow more -- especially when he succeeds Queen Elizabeth II. In June 2020, the Duchy of Cornwall's annual report revealed that its value has risen to $26.1 million -- equating to an increase of $720 million. In addition, the Prince of Wales owns 53,000 hectares of land across 23 counties in England and Wales. The possible increase in real estate will only help Prince Charles net worth. With that said, royal watchers can expect to see more zeroes on Prince Charles' value in the future. READ MORE: King No More: Spain's Ex-Monarch to Leave Country Amid Corruption Issue Terming the foundation laying of Ram temple in Ayodhya as a "historic and proud day" for India, Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday said it heralds the beginning of a new era. He said by starting the construction of the grand Ram temple in Ayodhya, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has written a golden chapter in the history of the great Indian civilisation, and asserted that the government remains committed to the preservation of Indian culture and its values. "Today is a historic and proud day for India. The consecration of the grand Ram temple by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Lord Ram's birthplace has written a golden chapter in the history of great Indian culture and civilisation and heralded the beginning of a new era," Shah, who is recuperating at a private hospital in Gurgaon after contracting COVID-19, said. He said the construction of the temple is the result of centuries long sacrifice, struggle and penance of the innumerable devotees of Lord Ram. "On this day, I salute all those ascetics who fought for this priceless heritage of them who struggled for years to preserve this precious heritage of Sanatan civilization. Jai Shree Ram," he tweeted in Hindi. "The construction of the grand Ram temple demonstrates the strong and decisive leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. "My heartiest congratulations to all Indians on this unforgettable day. The Modi government will always remain committed to the preservation of Indian culture and its values," he also said. Shah said the ideals and thoughts of Lord Ram reside in the soul of India. "His character and philosophy are the foundation of Indian culture." With the construction of the Ram temple, this sacred land of Ayodhya will once again rise to its pristine glory in the world, he said, adding that the amalgamation of religion and development will also generate employment opportunities. "The construction of a Ram temple in Ayodhya has been a symbol of faith of Hindus across the world for centuries. By consecrating the Ram temple in Ram Janmabhoomi today, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has honoured the faith of crores of people for which I express my heartfelt gratitude to him," he said. "Today is a historic and proud day for India. The consecration of the grand Ram temple by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Lord Ram's birthplace has written a golden chapter in the history of great Indian culture and civilization and heralded the beginning of a new era," Shah said. Many major events across the country have been cancelled this year. However that has not stopped Irish people everywhere from joining in to create virtual and online experiences that have captured the imaginations of young and old alike. From the #RTEVirtualParade, which was a significant social phenomenon last St Patricks Day, to the celebrated #BloomWithRTE initiative and, more recently, the RTE-supported #VirtualPrideParde, there has been no shortage of ingenuity, energy and can-do spirit from the public in recreating a whole range of beloved events. The Comhaltas Fleadh Cheoil na Eireann the worlds biggest gathering of traditional musicians, and among Irelands largest annual gatherings was due to take place this year in Mullingar, from August 2 to 9. Well, we may not be able to Fleadh like it's 1999, but this year RTE, in partnership with Comhaltas, will channel the epic energy of Irish traditional music at its finest, from the people that play it. At home, on stage, on your favourite landmark (careful now), were asking musicians young and old to share their flair using #RTEFleadhFioruil or #RTEVirtualFleadh, and we'll do the rest. And of course, we asking everyone to maintain social distance and to be mindful of all the Covid-19 advisories. Kieran Hanrahan, presenter of RTEs renowned Ceili House, says: We might not be "going to the Fleadh" this year, so let Comhaltas and RTE bring the Fleadh to you. Starting today, were calling out to you ... musicians, music lovers and Fleadh devotees everywhere in Ireland and abroad to show us what youve got. "We will aim to capture the spirit of the Fleadh as seen on street corners, in bars, on stages the music of the people, played by the people. Even though we wont all be gathering in Mullingar, we will gather virtually, and RTE will curate and showcase the best of what we get. Share your videos and pics on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram using #RTEFleadhFioruil or #RTEVirtualFleadh. Follow @rte on Twitter and /ExploreRTE on Facebook and Insta next week to watch it all play out. Nagpur: The Bombay High Court has sought response from the Finance Ministry and Reserve Bank of India on a PIL seeking extension of deadline for exchanging the demonetised notes. A division bench of Justices Bhushan Gavai and Vinay Deshpande issued the notices yesterday while hearing a Public Interest Litigation (PIL), and posted the matter for further hearing after three weeks. The petitioner, Urmila Wasudeo Kowe, said in her PIL that there should be more time to exchange old high denomination notes. The earlier deadline of November 24 to change the now defunct Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes has expired and many in rural areas and those from working class, could not change their hard earned money. For such segment, the time limit should be extended. The Central government demonetised the old high currency notes with effect from November 8 midnight and granted time till November 24 to exchange old notes. The labour, working class and migrant workers also have old notes and they are unable to deposit the same as many of them do not have bank accounts. It is not possible for them to reach to RBI and such persons should be allowed to exchange old notes from nationalised banks, the PIL said, while seeking such a direction to the RBI and the Centre. Advocate Ashwin Ingole appeared for the petitioner. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his address to seers and other guests on the occasion of 'Bhoomi Poojan' said that with the construction of the grand Ram Temple, history is not only being made, but is being repeated. Modi was addressing the attendees of the ceremony after he laid the first brick of the grand Ram Temple in Ayodhya at 12:44pm on Wednesday, as per the 'muhurat' for 'bhoomi pujan'. Modi reached Ayodhya via Lucknow at around 11:30 am and offered prayers at Hanumangarhi, the seat of Lord Hanuman after which he arrived at the Ram Janmabhoomi makeshift temple. He was seen performing the 'pooja' at Shree Ram Janmabhoomi along with Uttar Pradesh Governor Anandiben Patel and RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat. Here are the top quotes from his speech: - "Like August 15 is our independence day, today's day also holds a similar significance for crores of people who devoted their lives for the cause of Ram temple." - "See the amazing power of Lord Rama Buildings were destroyed, there was a lot of effort to eradicate his existence, but Rama still lives in our mind, he is the basis of our culture." - "After the construction of the grand Ram Temple, not only will the grandeur of Ayodhya increase but the entire economy of the region will also change. New opportunities will be created in every field. People from all over the world will come here, the whole world will come to see Lord Rama and Mother Janaki." - "Ram Mandir will become the modern symbol of our traditions. It'll become a symbol of our devotion, our national sentiment. This temple will also symbolise the power of collective resolution of crores of people. It will keep inspiring future generations." - "A grand temple will now be built for our Ram Lalla who had been staying in a tent. Today Ram Janmabhoomi breaks free from the cycle of breaking and getting built again - that had been going on for centuries." - "Even today, there are dozens of countries outside India, where Ramkatha is still prevalent in its language I believe that today even in these countries, crores of people will have a very pleasant feeling with the start of construction of Ram temple." - "With the construction of the grand Ram Temple, not only history is being made, but is being repeated. The way how boatmen and tribals helped Lord Rama, the way children helped Lord Krishna lift Govardhan mountain, similarly, with everyone's efforts, temple construction will be completed." - "This day is proof of the truth of the resolve of crores of devotees. This day is a unique gift of a just, fair India to truth, non-violence, faith and sacrifice." - "Shri Ram made social harmony the cornerstone of his rule. He learned from Guru Vashistha, love from the Khewat, motherhood from Shabari, cooperation from Hanumanji and his Vanvasi brethren. He gained the trust of his subjects. He even accepted the importance of a squirrel." - "Jai Siya Ram! This call is resonating not only in the city of Lord Rama but throughout the world today. I express gratitude to all citizens of this nation, Indian diaspora across the world and all the devotees of Lord Rama on today's pious occasion." Bill Gates dropped out of Harvard University in 1975 to start Microsoft, the software company that would make him a billionaire by age 31. According to Gates, part of his success is due to his parents in fact, his late mother, Mary Gates, was said to be instrumental in a deal that helped propel Microsoft into the big leagues. Mary was a respected businesswoman with many responsibilities, including her membership on the board of nonprofit organization United Way of King County. There, she met the late John Opel, then-chairman of IBM, who also was a member of the United Way board. In 1980, Microsoft was a small, five-year-old firm and Mary saw an opportunity to help her son's fledgling company by speaking with Opel, according to The New York Times. That's because for the first time in IBM's then 70-year history, the company was looking to outsource help for an endeavor the company called project "Chess." IBM wanted to hire an outside software maker to develop an operating system for its personal computer. Microsoft was already in the running for the project, but IBM was considering many software companies, including Digital Research, one of Microsoft's competitors. With this knowledge, Mary used her connection and spoke with Opel about Microsoft, and afterward, Opel spoke to IBM executives about the company. Luckily for Microsoft, IBM's talks with Digital Research started to flounder, and when assessing options, Opel remembered Microsoft as the company "run by Bill Gates, Mary Gates' son," according to The Seattle Times. As a result, IBM "took a chance," The New York Times reported, and hired Microsoft for the job. (In addition to Microsoft, IBM also contracted Digital Research and SofTech Microsystems to adapt operating systems for IBM's personal computer.) When Microsoft won the job, it didn't actually have an operating system of its own. So in 1981, the company bought QDOS, an operating system created by hardware company Seattle Computer Products, and with it developed MS-DOS, the Microsoft Disk Operating System. Microsoft licensed its MS-DOS to IBM to use as the operating system for its personal computer. (In addition to Microsoft, IBM also contracted Digital Research and SofTech Microsystems to use their operating systems for IBM's personal computer.) Because the MS-DOS was non-exclusive to IBM, it became one of Microsoft's most profitable products ever. The operating system was not only used in all IBM computers at the time, but also became the go-to operating system for almost every personal computer on the market. In 1986, Microsoft went public at $21 a share, and following, Gates immediately became a multi-millionaire. As the company's success continued, Gates became a billionaire just a year later. Gates was CEO at Microsoft until 2000, stepped down as chairman in 2008 and left the company's board in March to dedicate more time to his Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Microsoft currently has a market cap of $1.6 trillion. This story has been updated to include information on the additional operating systems IBM used for its personal computer. Check out: The best credit cards of 2020 could earn you over $1,000 in 5 years Don't miss: Food writer Matt Moore serves up a little bit of everything for the serial griller in his third cookbook. Serial Griller: Grillmaster Secrets for Flame-Cooked Perfection (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, $26.99) is in many ways an extension of Moores previous book, The Souths Best Butts, published in 2017. In that earlier book, Moore profiled barbecue joints all over the South and provided a few sample recipes from each, making it part travel guide and part cookbook. Serial Griller follows the same path: a story about a notable chef of the South, followed by some of their recipes. The main difference is whereas The Souths Best Butts focused on pitmasters, Serial Grillers focuses on grillmasters. In other words, his new book takes on grilling in all its forms rather than concentrate on the low-and-slow grilling we like to call barbecue. Moore says he traveled more than 10,000 miles to get the dozens of stories and 125 recipes for this book. Prosecutors say he is responsible for other shootings in Brooklyn since last year He then allegedly took part in three drive-by shootings on July 13 and 14 The 23-year-old was released without bail on May 20, as the witness recanted Darrius Sutton was initially arrested in connection with a shooting outside an East New York building on May 16 A Brooklyn gang member has carried out three drive-by shootings since he was freed without bail earlier this year, federal prosecutors allege. Darrius Sutton was initially arrested in connection with a shooting, outside an East New York building on May 16, that left a man seriously injured. But the 23-year-old was set free without bail on May 20 - the same day as his arrest. This was despite charges of attempted murder, criminal possession of a weapon and assault with intent to cause injury, according to court documents. Darrius Sutton, 23, (above) allegedly carried out three drive-by shootings on July 13 and 14, after he was released without bail on May 20 The Brooklyn District Attorney's Office said the lone witness in the case recanted, the New York Post reported. A DA spokesman said in a statement: 'At the time of arraignment, the sole eyewitness had recanted so we did not have sufficient evidence to keep the defendant in custody. 'The investigation is continuing and we hope other witnesses come forward.' But less than two months later, Sutton allegedly joined others in three drive-by shootings this summer. Sutton was involved in a series of drive-by shootings on July 13 and 14, federal prosecutors said. They added that Sutton's fingerprints were lifted from the door of one of the cars used in the shootings, and he was also seen on CCTV firing a weapon. Prosecutors also claimed that Sutton is a gang member of the Gorilla Stone subset of the Bloods. Federal prosecutors claimed that Sutton is responsible for other shootings in Brooklyn since August 2019, which saw seven people injured. Pictured, CCTV footage of a shooting Sutton was allegedly involved in Sutton was also allegedly seen on surveillance-camera footage in a separate shooting, on April 20. The footage shows him sneak up behind a rival gang member and ambush him, officials say. The victim was nearly killed after being shot him three times in broad daylight, prosecutors allege. Federal prosecutors also claim that Sutton has taken part in five other shootings, besides the April incident, since August 2019. Prosecutors said: 'The defendant's violent spree over the last year has left at least seven individuals with gunshot wounds. 'That these events did not lead to seven deaths is entirely fortuitous the videos described above make clear that the defendant shoots to kill.' Law enforcement officials excused a warrant at his East New York apartment and Sutton was arrested again last week. He is now being held in federal custody at at Brooklyn Metropolitan Detention Center, pending his trial. Sutton was arrested again after the three drive-by shootings and is now being held in federal custody at at Brooklyn Metropolitan Detention Center, pending his trial Sutton faces up to 10 years in prison on federal charges for criminal possession of a weapon by a felon. After his release in May, Sutton also appeared in a hip-hop music video for the song Crime Rate by Brooklyn Rapper BK Eaz, prosecutors said. 'The song features lyrics intended to threaten rival gangs,' prosecutors claimed in a statement asking for Sutton's pre-trial detention. Two minutes into the video, the rapper is believed to refer to Sutton by his alleged alias, Blizz Meecho. He says: 'Meecho say get him, I got him.' Sutton also spent two years in prison after pleading guilty to assaulting a woman and breaking her teeth in 2014. The seven Nigerians, who were arrested in Ho last Tuesday, by personnel of the Revenue Assets and Border Protection Unit after they entered Ghana through an unapproved route near Aflao, in the Volta Region, will be quarantined for two weeks, according to the Ghana Immigration Service (GIS). We will send them to a facility in Aflao where they will be isolated over the period, said Deputy Commissioner of Immigration (DCI) in-charge of the Volta Region, Peter Claver Nantuo. He said that the illegal immigrants would first be quizzed to ascertain how they gained access into the country through the unapproved route. The suspects are Nwanku Mathew, 21, John Paul Achebe, 22, Dominic Sylvester, 20, Chukwubua Malachy, 27, Osinchi Kawase, 30, Destiny John, 31 and Bishop Pascal, 37. DCI Nantuo said that the service was also making efforts to trace possible contacts of the suspects in Ghana, adding that, For all you know they have friends and relatives here, who invited them to come over, and we need to look into that. Meanwhile, DCI Nantuo revealed that the GIS command in the region now had the powers to prosecute illegal immigrants. That means deportation is not the only option, we have in respect of people, who cross into the country without lawful authority; we can also try them at the law courts, he explained. In respect of the Nigerians, DCI Natuo said that the appropriate decision would be taken after investigations were concluded. According to him, there were indications that they flouted the border closure with assistance from some cross-border transport operators. The regional GIS commander warned that any unruly person, who violated the closure of the frontier, and crossed it into Ghana or attempted to cross out of Ghana would suffer swift and ruthless consequences. After the Nigerians crossed into the Ghana side of the border, personnel of the Revenue Assets and Border Protection Unit of the Office of the President, trailed them to the lorry station at Aflao where they boarded a Ho-bound commercial vehicle. Personnel of the unit used their duty vehicle to pursue the commercial vehicle and caught up with it at the Mile 48 Barrier in Ho. The Nigerians were nabbed and handed over to the Ho police who later handed them over to the GIS. Investigations continue. 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 Ram and his conduct should be the model for all Indians seeking to restore India to its rightful glory, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Wednesday after he performed the groundbreaking ceremony for a Ram temple in Ayodhya. Wait of centuries has ended, he added. Although the PM referred to the various obstructions that had come in the way of building the temple, including some questioning the very existence of Ram, he did not dwell on the riots and loss of life and property of both Hindus and the minorities that accompanied the mobilisation that led to the ... Press Release August 5, 2020 Pia backs creation of gov't body to oversee open & distance learning systems in PH Senator Pia S. Cayetano is supporting a proposal to create a government body that will oversee the implementation of online learning and distance education programs for the tertiary level throughout the country. Cayetano, who sponsored the passage of the Open Distance Learning Act (RA 10650) of 2014, says the proposed creation of the Tertiary Online Learning and Distance Education Office under the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) will help address students' changing needs during the New Normal and beyond. During Wednesday's (August 5) Senate Committee on Higher, Technical, and Vocational Education hearing, Cayetano expressed her support for Senate Bill No. 1459 or the "Tertiary Online Learning and Distance Education Act of 2020," filed by Senator Francis Tolentino. The measure tasks the proposed body under CHED to institutionalize online and distance learning systems in all colleges and universities through the development of policy guidelines and quality standards for implementation. "I very much welcome the efforts and any initiative to strengthen [our law on distance education] further, including creating an office that will really be able to maximize the intention of our [existing law]" Cayetano stated in her opening statement at the hearing. Principally authored by the late Senator Edgardo Angara, the Open Distance Learning Act institutionalized open distance and flexible learning methods in all levels of tertiary education in the country. Cayetano defended the measure in plenary as chairperson of the Senate Committee on Education, Arts, and Culture during the 16th Congress. The senator shared that her inspiration in sponsoring the bill were Filipina migrant workers in Hong Kong, who took online classes during their free time. The courses were offered by a group of nuns in Hong Kong whose vocation, among others, was distance education. "A lot of Filipina OFWs would take courses from them. And they tied up with colleges and universities in the Philippines that provided the modules. I was so impressed with the determination of these Filipina OFWs, and with the ministry of these nuns... I knew we had a bill pending [in the Senate]. That's why I heard it [in my committee] and it is now a law," Cayetano recalled. "At the time, we did not foresee a pandemic. In fact, the use of the internet was just starting... But the point is, we already saw this need as a whole, and I'm very happy that this is in place and is actually in use. It was meant to institutionalize a practice that already existed," she further stressed. Meanwhile, Cayetano also expressed commitment to work with the Committee leadership in addressing the need to improve digital connectivity in the country, in order to ensure the proper implementation of distance and online learning in our schools. "I support the concern that was raised about connectivity for the private sector. Let's see what we can do about that immediately. Because we recognize that they are integral partners in the delivery of higher education to our youth. So that really must be something that we should work on," she stressed. Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-05 04:43:22|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close CAIRO, Aug. 4 (Xinhua) -- Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi extended on Tuesday his condolences to Lebanon over the deadly explosions that rocked the Lebanese capital Beirut. "My sincere condolences and sympathy go to the government and people of Lebanon, over the tragic explosions that happened today in the Lebanese capital Beirut," Sisi wrote on his official Facebook page. Sisi also wished speedy recovery for those injured in the blasts, while extending condolences to the families of the killed. Two huge explosions rocked Beirut at around 6:10 p.m. local time (1610 GMT), shaking buildings all over the city while causing heavy casualties and damages. The explosions resulted in more than 50 deaths and 2,500 injuries, Lebanese Health Minister Hamad Hassan was quoted by al-Jadeed TV as saying. Enditem Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-05 09:24:10|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close TRIPOLI, Aug. 5 (Xinhua) -- The Foreign Ministry of Libya's UN-backed government on Tuesday extended condolences to Lebanon over the deadly explosions at the Port of Beirut. "The Ministry of Foreign Affairs expresses its full solidarity with the Lebanese people and extends its deep condolences to the victims of the explosions that occurred on Tuesday evening in the Port of Beirut, wishing a speedy recovery for all the wounded," the ministry said. Two huge explosions rocked Beirut on Tuesday at around 6:10 p.m. local time (1610 GMT), leaving at least 73 people dead and more than 3,000 others wounded. Lebanese Prime Minister Hassan Diab declared Wednesday a national mourning day for the victims of the explosions and appealed for friendly countries to help Lebanon overcome the repercussions of the disastrous explosions. Enditem The Chief Justice, Justice Kwasi Anin Yeboah, has said the judiciary is determined to adjudicate on electoral disputes that may arise in the run-up to the 2020 elections in an efficient and expeditious manner. We do not want any electoral dispute to be hanging for far too long. We want an efficient and very smart disposal of cases, he said. In view of that, Justice Anim Yeboah said the Judicial Service had commenced training on electoral disputes for judges and other judicial officers, especially newly appointed ones. The Chief Justice was speaking at a meeting with a team from the ECOWAS Bank for Investment and Development (EBID), led by its President, Dr George Agyekum Nana Donkor, when the latter paid a courtesy call on him in Accra Monday. Dr Donkor, a magistrate at the Osu District Court, was in Ghana to formally introduce himself to the Chief Justice since his appointment as President of the EBID in January 2020. CoronaLife Web Series Commendation Justice Anim Yeboah congratulated Dr Donkor on his appointment and urged him to channel some of the banks resources into financing infrastructure for the judiciary. For example, he said the Judicial Service had planned to construct a training institute which would cost about $50 million, but the project had stalled due to lack of funds. We have gone very far in acquiring a land but there is a problem of financing. This project is very crucial to the development of the judiciary. We are putting in a plea for you to come to our rescue, the Chief Justice said. Stanbic Bank EiD celebrations Assurance Dr Donkor assured the Chief Justice that the EBID would take up the issue and see how it could assist. We will dedicate a contact person to look for all the information and see how we can help. The only thing is that the government of Ghana has to take the credit facility on behalf of the Judicial Service, he said. In the short term, Dr Donkor said the bank would sponsor the training of judges and other staff of the Judicial Service to build their capacity. He said an effective judicial system was important in driving investment and development of the country, adding that without a good judicial system, investors would shy away from investing in a country. The legal system is very key to our progress as a bank. We have financed projects in all the 15 countries of ECOWAS. If borrowers take money from us and they do not pay, we have to go to court for redress, Dr Donkor said. Source: graphiconline.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 STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Hours after Tropical Storm Isaias pummeled the borough, leaving downed trees, power lines and outages in its wake, New York City Emergency Management established a mobile command center in the parking lot of the Staten Island Mall. An array of light towers stood on trailers in the parking lot adjacent to Richmond Avenue in New Springville ready to be deployed to areas without power throughout the Island as Con Edison worked to restore service to over 30,000 homes on the borough as of 9 p.m. Are we in for a long night? It seems that way, said Councilman Steven Matteo (R-Mid-Island) standing at the Emergency Management site Tuesday night. Matteo expressed some frustration at outages that have lasted since late Tuesday morning, saying, weve got to get restorations faster. We know today was difficult. I know its windy, a lot of trees down, said Matteo, but tomorrow the heat is going to return. Its going to be high 80s tomorrow, we have seniors home alone now in the dark. Families are concerned. Its not a good situation. Con Ed needs to step up ... we got to get restorations faster. Con Edison expects to work through the night, according to Matteo, but he said that leaving some borough residents without service for eight hours and without concise expected restoration times is just unacceptable to me. A Con Edison spokesman said that restoration times for customers is available on the agencys outage map; however, many individual outages on the Island did not have restoration times available. Over 10,000 borough residents have had power restored throughout the day, but the Con Edison outage map still showed over 30,000 customers were without power as Emergency Management began to deploy light towers on the borough. The Parks Department reported that over 900 downed trees had been reported on Staten Island as of 7 p.m., and that the agency was managing nearly 13,000 incoming reports of tree-related issues due to Tropical Storm Isaias, the Advance/SILive.com reported. Im hopeful that were going to get a lot done tonight, but it has to happen sooner than later, Matteo said. Right now Im hopeful but realistically I think were in for a long night. NYC OEM established a mobile command center in the parking lot of the Staten Island mall on Tuesday. (Staten Island Advance/Joseph Ostapiuk) The Emergency Management site was rolled out to Staten Island, along with a second site in Flushing Queens, an agency spokeswoman told the Advance/SILive.com. Well stay as long as Staten Islanders need us, the spokeswoman said, adding that its presence was needed as a series of complications caused by the storm including downed power lines and trees made it clear that outages would persist on the borough. The NYPD was at the site of the command center, and officers could also be seen posted at the nearby intersection of Richmond Avenue and Victory Boulevard where traffic lights have been out of service for hours as light towers were established. Borough President James Oddo said consistent winds throughout the afternoon hampered Con Edisons attempts to restore power, but said he shared Matteos frustration at the level of outages still present on the borough. I did notice that the overall number is now going in the right direction down to 30,000 which is still a whole hell of a lot of customers, Oddo said, adding that There are people now staring at seven and eight and nine hours without service and dont know exactly when theyll be restored. Oddo said that homes were having power restored throughout the afternoon as high wind gusts knocked out different locations, making it appear that the number of total outages remained relatively unmoved. Con Edison told Oddo that 38,000 customers were out of power as of around 6 p.m., though an additional 10,000 had power restored bringing the total number of homes without power to nearly 50,000 on the borough. When we say customers, thats not people thats a house, Oddo said, commenting on the large number of Island residents affected by the outages caused by Isaias. Oddo said Con Edison has recently been able to quickly identify and restore outages, but acknowledged that Tuesdays blackouts were widespread across the Island. Bringing that back online is more time consuming, he said. Adding to the difficulties posed by the storm, Oddo said, This is not in a vacuum, this is after four very difficult months and peoples patience, nerves and understanding have all been eviscerated. While unsure of exactly how many homes would be restored by the morning, Oddo said he was hopeful progress would be made. Its going to be a rough night, he said. WASHINGTON Progressive candidate Cori Bush defeated 10-term incumbent Rep. William Lacy Clay in the Democratic primary for Missouri's 1st Congressional District, a stunning upset during Tuesday's primaries. Five states, Michigan, Arizona, Kansas, Missouri and Washington, held primaries Tuesday. The Missouri House race had echoes of the contest last month for New York's 16th Congressional District in which progressive Jamaal Bowman defeated Rep. Eliot Engel, a 16-term Democratic incumbent. Bush, a nurse who became a political activist following the police shooting of Michael Brown in 2014 in Ferguson, was endorsed by Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., and is backed by Justice Democrats, who helped elect progressive candidates like Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y. More: Coronavirus pandemic creates America's first female recession amid child care, unemployment woes Clay, first elected in 2000, replaced his father, Rep. Bill Clay Sr., who served that district from 1969 to 2001 and helped create the Congressional Black Caucus. Clay Jr. received endorsements from Sen. Kamala Harris, D-Calif., as well as the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. In 2018, Clay and Bush went head-to-head in the Democratic primary and the incumbent lawmaker won. But this time around, Bush had a more robust campaign and in the last several weeks outspent Clay on TV and radio ads in recent weeks, according to Huffpost. Missouri Democratic congressional candidate Cori Bush gives her victory speech at her campaign office on August 4, 2020 in St. Louis, Missouri. Bush, an activist backed by the progressive group Justice Democrats, defeated 10-term incumbent Rep. William Lacy Clay (D-MO) in Tuesday's primary election to become the first black woman elected to represent the state of Missouri in congress. Here are some other key takeaways from Tuesday's primaries: Roger Marshall beats Kris Kobach in Kansas GOP primary race In Kansas, Rep. Roger Marshall won the GOP primary to replace retiring Sen. Pat Roberts. Marshall's main competitor was former Kansas secretary of state Kris Kobach. In the past several weeks, the race tightened between the two after a super PAC with links to Democrats spent $5 million boosting Kobach and slamming Marshall. Marshall's victory is also a win for Republicans who feared that if Kobach won the primary, it could possibly leave room for the Democrats' candidate to win in the general election in November. In 2018, Kobach as the GOP nominee for Kansas governor lost the race to Democrat Laura Kelly. Story continues Get ready: Register to vote or check your status here However, a Democrat hasn't won a Senate race in Kansas in 88 years. Marshall, who represents Kansas's 1st Congressional District, was endorsed by Roberts and has the support by the National Republican Senatorial Committee. Marshall will go on to compete against Democrat Barbara Bollier, who won her primary Tuesday evening. Bollier is a state senator who left the Republican Party in 2018. Rep. Rashida Tlaib beats primary challenger Incumbent Rep. Rashida Tlaib warded off her primary challenger in the Democratic primary for Michigan's 13th Congressional District are slowly trickling in. Tlaib faced off against Brenda Jones, the Detroit City Council president. Jones jumped into the primary race in late March. Since entering the race, Jones has trailed in fundraising. She also announced in early April that she had tested positive for COVID-19. More: Trump backtracks on his condemnation of mail-in voting, says Florida is an exception This isn't the first time Tlaib faced off against Jones. Tlaib during the 2018 midterms won the six-way primary race by less than 1,000 votes, with Jones finishing a close second. Tlaib was considered one of the most vulnerable members of the "Squad" for reelection. In July, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who is also a member of the Squad" a group of progressive congresswomen elected in 2018 bested her own primary challenger last month. Peter Meijer wins GOP primary to replace Rep. Justin Amash Peter Meijer, a military veteran and member of the family of a retail chain that shares their family name, won the GOP primary to replace retiring Rep. Justin Amash for Michigan's 3rd Congressional District. Meijer was viewed as a favorite by pundits to win the race. However, several candidates, including state Rep. Lynn Afendoulis of Grand Rapids Township and former Sand Lake Village Trustee Tom Norton, ran aggressive campaigns against Meijer. Meijer will go on to compete against the Democratic nominee, Hillary Scholten, in the general election in November. Scholten, an attorney, ran uncontested Tuesday and locked up a handful of major liberal interest group endorsements. Amash left the Republican party last year after calling for President Donald Trumps impeachment. Amash briefly considering running for president as a third-party candidate, but then decided against it. Last month, he indicated that he would not seek reelection. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: August 4 primary: Cori Bush defeats Clay, Kobach loses primary By AFP Iran on Wednesday executed a man convicted of killing a member of the Revolutionary Guards during deadly protests in 2017-18, the judiciary's news website reported. "Mostafa Salehi, who had murdered martyr Guard Sajad Shahsanayi with a bullet during the riots of (December 2017-January 2018), was executed this morning upon the request of the victim's family," Mizan Online said. The report said Salehi had shot at security forces using a "hunting rifle", killing Shahsanayi and wounding six others. The protests erupted mainly over economic grievances in December 2017 with a few hundred demonstrators in Iran's second city Mashhad and several towns. Larger-scale protests flared in other cities including Tehran in the days that followed, with authorities blocking access to online messaging services that were instrumental in organising the demonstrations. Ali Rabiei, the current government spokesman who was then labour minister, said later that the unrest had spread to 160 cities across Iran. At least 21 people died during the violence, according to authorities. Supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said at the time that Iran's "enemies have united and are using all their means" against the Islamic republic. Prosecutor Mohammad Jafar Montazeri accused the United States, Israel and Saudi Arabia of being behind the violence. News of Salehi's execution comes weeks after Iran sentenced to death a former opposition figure implicated in the same protests. The Guards announced the arrest of Ruhollah Zam in October last year, describing him as a "counter-revolutionary" who had been "directed by France's intelligence service". Zam, who reportedly lived in Paris, ran a channel on the now-blocked Telegram messaging application called Amadnews. He was accused of inciting violence during the unrest. Iran does not publish official statistics on the number of people it has executed. London-based human rights group Amnesty International said Iran executed at least 251 people last year. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin (Agence France-Presse) Paris, France Wed, August 5, 2020 07:08 532 6657ac82168da9fa101c8a4066b9a1c6 2 Science & Tech glacier,Mars,planet,space,Science,astronomy Free The question of whether ancient life could have existed on Mars centers on the water that once flowed there, but new research published Monday suggests that many of the Red Planet's valleys were gouged by icy glaciers not rivers. The study in Nature Geoscience, which comes amid a flurry of new Mars missions trying to discover if the now-barren planet ever hosted life, casts doubt on a dominant theory that the planet once had a warm, wet climate with abundant liquid water that sculpted the landscape. Researchers from Canada and the United States examined more than 10,000 Martian valleys and compared them to channels on Earth that were carved under glaciers. "For the last 40 years, since Mars's valleys were first discovered, the assumption was that rivers once flowed on Mars, eroding and originating all of these valleys," said lead author Anna Grau Galofre in a statement released by the University of British Columbia. But these formations come in a huge variety "suggesting that many processes were at play to carve them," she added. Researchers found similarities between some Martian valleys and the subglacial channels of Devon Island, in the Canadian Arctic, which has been nicknamed "Mars on Earth" for its barren, freezing conditions and hosted NASA space training missions. The study authors said their findings suggest that some Martian valleys could have been formed some 3.8 billion years ago by meltwater beneath ice sheets, which they said would align with climate modelling predicting that the planet would have been much cooler in its ancient past. "The findings demonstrate that only a fraction of valley networks match patterns typical of surface water erosion, which is in marked contrast to the conventional view," said co-author Mark Jellinek. Read also: The quest to find signs of ancient life on Mars Nature Geoscience noted that understanding climate conditions "in the first billion years of Mars' history is important in determining whether the planet was ever habitable". The study authors said that icy temperatures could in fact have better supported ancient life. "A sheet of ice would lend more protection and stability of underlying water, as well as providing shelter from solar radiation in the absence of a magnetic field - something Mars once had, but which disappeared billions of years ago," the University of British Columbia statement said. The research comes after NASA launched its latest Mars rover, Perseverance, to look for signs of ancient microbial life on the Red Planet. If all goes to plan, Perseverance will reach Mars on February 18, 2021 and collect rock samples that could provide invaluable clues about whether there was ever past life on Mars. However, the retrieval and analysis is not expected before the 2030s. China has also launched its first Mars rover, which should arrive by May 2021. Topics : glacier Mars planet space Science astronomy The Federal Aviation Administration on Wednesday said it would propose $1.25 million in fines against Boeing Co. over allegations that managers at its South Carolina Dreamliner plant pressured safety representatives and interfered with their work. In a statement, the agency cited two civil penalties for violations of a program that allows Boeing employees to conduct oversight on behalf of the FAA. Called the Organization Designation Authorization, or ODA, the system allows Boeing to inspect its own aircraft and issue airworthiness certificates. The program has recently come under scrutiny following the two deadly crashes of the company's still-grounded 737 Max jet. The first penalty claims that Boeing South Carolina employees in two ODA units reported to managers who were not authorized by the FAA to oversee their work. That went on for a period of nearly two years, from late 2017 to mid-2019, the agency alleges. Boeing "failed to ensure ODA administrators were in a position to effectively represent the FAAs interests," according to the statement. A second penalty alleges that, in February 2020, Boeing "failed to follow its quality control processes," and managers interfered with an airworthiness inspection of a 787-9 at the North Charleston campus. In both cases, the employees working behalf of the FAA were able to fulfill their responsibilities and ensure aircraft were safe to operate "despite the alleged undue pressure or interference from Boeing managers," the agency said. Boeing has 30 days to respond to the allegations. In a statement Wednesday, the company said the civil penalties detailed Wednesday are a "clear and strong reminder" of its "obligations as an ODA holder." "Undue pressure of any type is inconsistent with our values and will not be tolerated," Boeing said. "In both instances, the allegations were appropriately reported, investigated, and disclosed to the FAA. Boeing implemented corrective action in response to both incidents and cooperated fully with the FAAs own independent investigations. The aerospace giant has been under sharp scrutiny for nearly two years following a 737 Max crash in October 2018 and a second in March 2019. The two accidents killed 346 people, grounded the aircraft worldwide and put the attention of lawmakers, regulators and the media on the company's safety practices. That scrutiny extended beyond the Max program. Last year, reports of shoddy production work at its South Carolina Dreamliner campus drew the attention of Congress. Reports followed that federal investigators were expanding their probe into the company's safety practices to include the North Charleston campus. In the last week, extra attention has been drawn to Boeing's South Carolina operations in light of the company's decision to study a possible consolidation of Dreamliner production to one site. The 787 is currently built in North Charleston and Everett, Wash., though its outpost in the Palmetto State is the only place that can build all three versions of the jet under the current production configuration. Sharp declines in demand for new aircraft brought on by the coronavirus pandemic led the company to slash its production rate for the 787 first to seven per month by 2022. Now the company plans to lower the rate even further and faster, to six in 2021. Most industry watchers and analysts predict that will be too low to sustain both assembly plants, but CEO David Calhoun insisted last week that a decision has not been made yet. Sushants Lawyer Reveals Rhea Chakraborty Had Accused Actors Sister Of Molesting Her; Created A Rift Between Siblings Six men wearing face masks stand trial in Quang Ninh Province for bringing Chinese into Vietnam illegally, August 4 2020. Photo by VnExpress/Binh Minh. A Quang Ninh court sentenced six men to between two and six years in jail Tuesday for smuggling Chinese nationals into the country. The men, aged between 19 and 24, were charged with "organizing illegal entry into Vietnam." The sentences came in the context of Vietnam strengthening its crackdown against illegal Chinese arrivals amid the fresh Covid-19 outbreak it has been experiencing for more than a week now. Voong A Sui, 23, identified as the ringleader, and his younger brother Voong A Hay were jailed for six years while four others received jail terms of between two and five years. Investigators said that while working in Chinese city of Dongxing, Sui got acquainted with a Chinese man who hired him on June 9 to illegally bring a group of Chinese nationals from Dongxin into Mong Cai Town in the northern province of Quang Ninh, which shares a border with China. For each Chinese illegally brought into Vietnam, Sui would receive 4,000 yuan ($573). On June 9 and 10, Sui and his accomplices used rafts to ferry six Chinese nationals across the river at the border and then drove them on motorbikes to Mong Cai, from where they would move to other parts of Vietnam. On June 10, they were caught red handed by border guards in Quang Ninh. Speaking at a regular press meeting Monday, Chief of Office of the Ministry of Public Security, Major General To An Xo said that the country has recently witnessed a rising number of illegal entry from neighboring countries, mainly China. Since June, local public security forces and border guards have uncovered 21 cases involving 177 illegal Chinese immigrants, and launched criminal investigations against 19 Vietnamese and several Chinese in five cases. Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc earlier ordered the Ministry of Public Security to investigate the illegal entry of foreigners to Vietnam, following confirmation of the first Covid-19 community transmission in 100 days on July 25. The rank list will mention the names of the candidates in the order of merit. It has been prepared on the basis of marks obtained by students in their Class 12 examination The Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT) will declare the VITEEE 2020 results for admission to BTech programmes today. One can check the results on the official website vit.ac.in. The rank list will also be released along with the result. Login credentials to view the rank will be sent to students on their registered mobile number/email address, VIT said. According to a report by Career 360, the rank list will mention the names of the candidates in the order of merit. It has been prepared on the basis of marks obtained by students in their Class 12 examination. The VITEEE test was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Candidates who will be shortlisted will be called to participate in the counseling process. At the time of counseling, they will have to carry their documents for verification and pay the admission fee to fix their seats. It was risky to hold the exams in various cities due to the ongoing pandemic. VIT had announced that admission this year will be based on Class 12 marks in Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics/Biology, The Hindu reported. VITEEE 2020 was earlier scheduled to be held between 29 July and 2 August. In 2019, nearly 1.62 lakh students had applied for VITEEE which was held in 163 centres across India and the Middle East. The entrance examination is conducted for admission to various engineering programmes offered by VIT group of Institutions at Vellore, Chennai, Amravati (Andhra Pradesh) and Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh). Check VITEEE 2020 result and rank Step 1: Go to the official website of VIT - vit.ac.in Step 2: Click on the link that mentionS VITEEE 2020 Results for BTech programmes Step 3: Key in details including roll number, date of birth to log in Step 4: The result and rank will appear Almora jail administration in Uttarakhand has set up a temporary jail at the staff quarters of Akashvani centre in the district for new inmates to ensure that prisoners in the main district jail are not infected by Covid-19. Satish Sukhija, senior jail superintendent of Almora said We have set up a temporary jail at staff quarters phase-3, Akashvani centre Almora for new inmates. Whenever new inmates come, they will be kept in this temporary jail. Twenty-two inmates have been brought in this jail so far. Eleven police personnel have been posted at this jail for security, he said. Officials said the jail administration has acquired seven staff quarters at Almora Akashvani Centre premises where new inmates will be kept there for at least 18 days and then they will be shifted to district/central jails in Almora and Bageshwar. Each new inmate will be kept here for 18 days. After this period they will undergo Covid-19 test. Once they test negative they will be shifted to the main jail, Sukhija said. Sukhija also said that it is a very tough task to maintain social distancing in jails. No matter how much effort is made, rules are not followed. So we have decided to keep the new inmates in temporary jail, he said All India Radio officers in Almora who did not wish to be named, said authorities took over these quarters even after their opposition. After the temporary jail was built here, the families of the other employees living here are facing problems. It has become difficult for women, children to leave their houses, said one AIR officer According to jail officials around 168 prisoners are lodged in main jails of the district. Coronavirus has infected many inmates in jails of US Nagar and Nainital districts. Courtesy of Fort Bend County A free COVID-19 drive-through testing site has been scheduled for Aug. 15 in Missouri City. Also at the site will be a personal protective equipment and grocery distribution. The testing and distribution will be held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Christ Temple of Deliverance, 3710, McHard Road in Missouri City. Although ballots will continue to be counted throughout election night, from early results Tuesday evening, it appears that Flagstaff mayoral candidate Paul Deasy will be on the ballot in November. Who he will be running against was less clear. As of 9:50 p.m. on election night, with 80% of precincts reporting, Deasy had received 37% of the vote, while Councilmember Charlie Odegaard was at 32% and Councilmember Jamie Whelan was at 29%. Overall, the county had about 30% of registered voters participate. As voter participation during a primary goes, that is fairly low for Coconino County, said County Recorder Patty Hansen. She attributed some of that to a fear of COVID, especially as the county saw much lower numbers of in-person voters. Rodger Gee was one Flagstaff voter who decided that rather than mail his ballot, he would simply drop it off at a polling location. Ive always voted in person. I live about a block from the polling place and its always been nice to see the community getting out and getting involved, to see the faces of my neighbors voting their choice, Gee said. Gee said he was also curious about how his polling place at the Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church would be set up given the safety concerns. Spread out within the churchs community room, poll workers wearing masks sat behind Plexiglas sheets as they checked voters' IDs and handed them ballots to fill out. Gee said despite his concerns for the safety of himself, his neighbors and the community as a whole, he felt safe dropping off his ballot inside. On the other hand, Flagstaff voter Victoria Nabours chose to drop off her mail-in ballot at an outdoor drop box, specifically avoiding an indoor polling location. Nabours said because of the virus, she just wouldnt feel comfortable going into a polling place. She doesnt expect that feeling to change for the November election and plans to again vote using an early ballot. Nabours said for mayor, she voted for Councilmember Jamie Whelan, in part because she likes the idea of being represented by a woman mayor. Whelan also has the experience for the job, having served on council for four years, Nabours said. For that same reason, Nabours said she was also considering voting for Odegaard. They have experience, which was the big thing for me, Nabours said. Jill Wagner said she voted for Paul Deasy in large part because Wagner said she thinks he will stand by his convictions. On top of that, Wagner said she felt that Deasy and his campaign had done a better job reaching out and courting her vote, especially on social media, while she didnt hear much from the other two candidates. Jamie Campbell, whose 2-year-old daughter Adelaide slid her ballot into the downtown drop box on her behalf, said she voted for Odegaard. I really love what he stands for, I mean hes like third generation Flagstaff. And were for the police, were not for defunding the police, Campbell said, referencing Odegaards support for the department. Earlier this year when some residents were pushing Flagstaff City Council to reduce police funding, Campbell said she wrote to the council supporting the department. Odegaard sent her a personal response, and Campbell said it was nice to know she had been heard. Turnout Just a day prior to the election, only 50% of the over 47,000 early ballots distributed by the elections office had been returned. As early ballots go, that number is about even with prior primary elections, Hansen said. Meanwhile, the number of voters coming through polling places on Election Day appeared to be much lower than past years, she said. When voters did turn up to polling places, it was generally to drop off mail-in ballots. Before COVID-19 forced officials to come up with new measures to keep voters and election workers safe, another issue had been top of mind: that of election security. In January, the office showed off new election equipment and machines meant to make cyberattacks and attempted election meddling less likely, including the creation of paper buck ups to even ballots cast via a machine. The office also got new machines to help count votes, although Hansen said the upgrades do mean it takes much longer to count ballots, meaning some races couldnt be immediately called. Other results Flagstaff voters also cast a yes vote for both propositions that appeared on the primary ballot. Proposition 434 approved a renewal of UniSource Energy Services franchise agreement to operate in Flagstaff, providing natural gas to cook and heat homes. Although some environmental groups and the Coconino County Democrats had encouraged residents to vote no to give the city the chance to negotiate a higher franchise fee, the proposition passed with 69% of the vote. The renewal allows UniSource to operate within the city for another 25 years and pay a 2% franchise fee to the city. Proposition 435 also passed with 63% of the vote. That proposition raises the amount of money the city is able to spend in a single year by $4 million. Voters have approved increasing the expenditure limit twice before, once in 1988 and again in 2006. Several Board of Supervisor candidates ran unopposed in the primaries. Lena Fowler had a substantial lead over Marie Acothley in District 5, while in District 4, Bob Thorpe had 62% of the vote against Stan Pierce on the Republican side and Judy Begay was leading with 55% against Bryan Bates for the Democratic spot. In other mayoral races, Bill Diak was leading Levi Tappan with 57% of the vote in Page, and Clarinda Vail had 41 votes to Craig Sanderson's 25 in Tusayan. Love 8 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 4 Angry 8 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. YEREVAN, AUGUST 5, ARMENPRESS. Catholicos Karekin II of the Armenian Apostolic Church has addressed a telegram to Lebanons President Michel Aoun to express condolences over the deadly explosion in Beirut which claimed numerous lives and injured thousands. Catholicos Karekin II offered his condolences to President Aoun, the families of the victims and the entire people of Lebanon and wished speedy recovery to those injured, the churchs press service said. Our wish is for the devout people of Lebanon to overcome the existing hardships and continue their peaceful and creative life, the Catholicos said. The leader of the Armenian Church held a telephone conversation also with Catholicos Aram I, the head of the Catholicosate of the Great House of Cilicia, and offered solidarity to the Armenian community and the Catholicosate. Karekin II extended condolences to Aram I on the deaths of Lebanese-Armenians and inquired about the damages that the blast inflicted upon the population of Beirut, the Armenian community and the Catholicosate itself. The massive explosion in the port of Beirut on Tuesday was so powerful that it even damaged the Armenian Catholicosate several kilometers away in Antelias near the Lebanese capital, Cilicia TV reported earlier. The Armenian Catholicosate of the Great House of Cilicia Cathedral, its museum and educational centers sustained damages to the windows and doors. The blast erupted at a port warehouse in the Lebanese capital on Tuesday. More than 100 people are dead and 4000 are injured. The enormous blast was reportedly heard as far away as Cyprus, some 150 miles away from the port. Beirut authorities have traced the blast to a massive stash of explosive ammonium nitrate in a warehouse at the port. The cause of the explosion is under investigation. Editing and Translating by Stepan Kocharyan Pharmaceutical giant Pfizer Inc and German biotech firm BioNTech SE on Wednesday said they had signed a deal to supply Canada with an experimental coronavirus vaccine. Deliveries of the BNT162 mRNA-based vaccine candidate are planned over the course of 2021, subject to clinical success and Health Canada approval, the two companies said in a statement. They did not reveal financial details. Separately, the Canadian government said it would make an announcement on the next steps in procuring vaccines at 10 a.m. ET (1400 GMT) on Wednesday. There are no approved vaccines for the illness caused by the new coronavirus, but 19 vaccines are being tested in humans around the world. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Her stint on Love Island last summer wasn't the smoothest of rides, after getting entangled in a love triangle with Jordan Hames and Ovie Soko only to leave single. And Anna Vakili showed exactly why she caught the boys' eyes during her post-lockdown holiday in Saint-Tropez on Wednesday, when she shared a racy shot of herself posing in a decidedly revealing neon green bikini. The Love Island star, 30, turned up the heat in the haltnerneck number, which barely covered her ample bosom, hours after partying on the arm of a mystery man. Sensational: Anna Vakili turned heads during her post-lockdown holiday in Saint-Tropez on Wednesday, when she shared a racy shot of herself posing in a revealing neon green bikini The curvaceous beauty's barely-there ensemble of choice boasted a criss-cross laced feature across her tanned and toned torso, matching her high-cut bottoms. Adding more wow factor to her look, she wore her honey-tinged tresses in a lustrous, wavy blowout, while she highlighted her good looks with a rich palette of makeup. Captioning the sizzling snapshot, the London-based pharmacist wrote: 'I dont want to come back,' adding a green heart emoji. Beau? Hours earlier, she shared footage of herself enjoying a night out with a mystery man, whose face she ensured was kept away from the camera Hint hint: On Monday, the reality star appeared to suggest she's embarked on a new romance Several hours earlier, the reality star shared a plethora of snaps and video clips of herself partying the night away at hugely popular local restaurant L'Opera. And among the footage, Anna was seen holding onto the arm of a mystery man donning a white top, whose face she ensured wasn't shown on camera. While his face wasn't shown, Anna panned the camera over their appetisers and main courses, showing that she was dining with one other person at the eatery. On Monday, Anna raised eyebrows when she shared bikini snaps of herself, alongside the caption: 'The only pictures my man takes for insta are my ones', suggesting she may be enjoying her summer break with a new beau. Party: On Wednesday afternoon, she shared footage of herself partying at popular Nikki Beach Huff and puff: The Love Island star was also seen enjoying a hookah as she soaked up the sun Stunning: The London-based pharmacist wowed as she posed up a storm in her white bikini MailOnline has contacted a representative for Anna Vakili for comment. On Monday, the TV personality treated her Instagram fans to a series of scantily clad snaps after posing up a storm in blue lingerie on her hotel balcony in Monte Carlo. She flaunted her curves in the cornflower blue thong and lacy balcony bra, captioning the images: 'Life's sweet baby.' The pharmacist took the sultry snaps from her hotel balcony, offering her fans a stunning view of the French Riviera while she enjoyed a continental breakfast. Anna bundled her hair into a white towel turban and shot the camera a playful glance over her shoulder from behind her round-framed shades in the first picture. Jetsetter: This marks her second getaway since stringent COVID-19 lockdown restrictions were eased, having already holidayed in Spain All the angles: Anna angled the camera to catch her enviably curvaceous frame from all angles Fresh faced: As her day in the sun progressed, she revealed that she had removed her makeup The reality star then posted an eye-popping rear view snap, as she gazed out over the idyllic location with her arms held aloft and her hands forming peace signs. She later hit Hotel de Paris' outdoor pool in a flesh-flashing powder blue bikini, including a halterneck top which barely contained the star's bountiful assets. The bikini top's chest band boasted a jingly silver bead detail, that continued on the swimsuit's tie-side briefs which showcased Anna's taut stomach. Brunette beauty Anna swept her chestnut tresses into a stylish bun, while sporting a pair of blue-tinted aviator shades and a glossy pink pout. Peachy: On Monday, the reality star treated her Instagram fans to a series of scantily clad snaps by posing up a storm in blue lingerie on her hotel balcony in Monte Carlo Cheeky: The Love Island star flaunted her killer curves and peachy posterior in the baby blue thong and lacy balcony bra, captioning the series 'Life's sweet baby.' Anna appeared on ITV2's hit show Love Island in 2019, but had little luck in the Spanish villa. After coupling up with Jordan Hames, she ditched him during Casa Amor week, almost immediately after meeting hunky bastketball player Ovie Soko. However, she soon realised that her feelings for Jordan hadn't waned, and they reunited at the next recoupling, reestablishing themselves as a solid couple. But upheaval struck again, as just days recoupling with Jordan, she was left outraged when the Mancunian made moves on Ovie's girl, India Reynolds. Anna subsequently departed the villa a single lady. Stunning Anna has not been linked to any eligible partners since leaving the island, but her post suggests the star may be seen spotted out with a new man very soon. Teasing: Anna's bikini top boasted a jingly silver bead detail, that continued on the swimsuit's tie-side briefs which showcased Anna's taut stomach Couple: Anna was coupled up with Jordan Hames twice during her stint on Love Island in 2019 They dont want us to have the right to interfere with their privileges. They have wrested that right away ever since voters passed the 2016 minimum wage initiative. They claimed it would be an economic disaster for Arizona, as theyre doing with this initiative, but the minimum wage has had almost no negative effects and did help increase wages at the lower end of the scale. The Arizona Chamber, of which Molera is a board member, has successfully lobbied the Legislature to make it much harder to collect signatures and submit a valid petition. In this case, Coury agreed with Moleras side that the 100-word summary of the initiative was insufficient. But he used more than 100 words just to explain what else he wanted in the summary. It sets an impossible burden for any future initiative to meet, Lujan said. That is, of course, the point. Now the Arizona Supreme Court justices, who threw the 2018 Invest In Ed initiative off the ballot, will hear an appeal of Courys ruling. If the pattern holds, they will uphold it this is a court packed, thanks to the Legislature, by Gov. Doug Ducey, another proud member of the ruling class. Ahmedabad: The Gujarat High Court on Friday granted bail to four accused, including two policemen, who were arrested for their alleged involvement in the Dalit flogging incident at Una town of Gir-Somnath district. Those granted bail by Justice A J Desai are Shantibhai Monpara, Nitin Kothari, suspended police inspector of Una Nirmalsinh Zala and sub-inspector Narendradev Pandey. Monpara is the trustee of Sanatan Gau-Seva Trust, while Kothari is associated with the trust and allegedly thrashed the Dalits. During the arguments today, Monpara and Kotharis lawyer Virat Popat pleaded that both of them should be released on bail as the investigations into the case is complete and the charge sheet is also filed in September. The counsel urged the court that both his clients are having a clean track-record and no other offence was lodged against them in the past except this one. He urged the court that there is no meaning of keeping the duo in jail at this juncture. The state government opposed the bail plea of all the four accused, saying that the offence committed by them was of serious nature. Gujarat government also pleaded that the accused may threaten the victims if they are granted bail. On July 11, seven Dalits of Mota Samadhiyala village of Una taluka in Gir-Somnath district were allegedly thrashed by cow vigilantes when they were skinning a dead cow. Later, four of these Dalit youth were taken to Una town, where they were tied up with a vehicle and allegedly thrashed by the gau rakshaks (cow vigilantes). The matter came to light after a video of flogging, allegedly made by the vigilantes, went viral on social media platforms. Later, the probe was handed over to CID-Crime. In the charge sheet, filed in September, CID has alleged that four policemen attached to Una police station, including Zala and Pandey, misused their position by not acting against the perpetrators. It is alleged that though four Dalits were thrashed for almost 4 to 5 hours by self-proclaimed cow vigilantes, these policemen did nothing to stop the crime. As per the charge sheet, Kothari is accused of beating these youth in Una along with some other cow vigilantes. Monpara is accused of inciting these cow vigilantes and sending them to the village, which resulted in the atrocities on Dalits. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. British farmers and growers have been warned to avoid mysterious packages of seeds that are being sent through the post around the world. The unsolicited packets, many of which originated from China, have created extensive suspicion and conspiracy theories. Hundreds of people in countries such as the US, UK, Portugal, Taiwan and Holland have received the packages. According to reports, there have been about 100 reports of people receiving them in England alone. The UK's Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) has warned recipients not to plant the seeds as they could be invasive species. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has raised concern over the possibility of damage to American crops. Osama El-Lissy, a member of the USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service said: "We have identified 14 different species... like mint, sage, rosemary, lavender, and then other seeds like hibiscus and roses." Robin Pruisner, the state seed control official at the Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship in Iowa, told Reuters that some packages have indicated purple seed coatings. Recipients and authorities have shared images showing parcels marked with Chinese characters or China Post and as containing rose stud earrings. The USDA said the mystery packages could be related to a brushing scam - a deception sometimes used by online sellers as a way of advancing their own business. APHA said it was currently investigating the packages in the UK: Biosecurity is of vital importance", a spokesperson said. "We have robust checks in place to protect our plants and wildlife, including for online plant sales. "We are currently investigating packages of seeds marked as ear studs sent to people in the UK. "Anyone who has received such seeds should not plant them and instead report them to us. Anyone who receives unsolicited seed packages are being asked to email PlantHealth.Info@apha.gov.uk. Amid the festival-like celebrations, the coronavirus threat was not lost on Prime Minister Narendra Modi as he underlined the importance of social distancing and masks at the bhoomi pujan or groundbreaking ceremony for building a grand Ram temple in Ayodhya. Do gaj ki doori, mask hai zaroori (A distance of two yards and wearing masks is necessary), said the PM, who was wearing a golden dhoti kurta and a white mask, while wrapping up his speech at the ceremony. The wait of centuries has ended and India is writing a golden chapter in Ayodhya, PM Modi said after performing the bhoomi poojan of the proposed Ram temple. Beginning his speech with Jai Siya Ram, the Prime Minister told the gathering that a grand temple will be built for Ram Lalla, the infant Ram, who had been living in a temporary tent for years. Many people made sacrifices for the Ram temple. I pay my respects to all of them, the Prime Minister said after the groundbreaking ceremony of the temple at the spot where many Hindus believe Lord Ram was born. Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath said some people could not be here today due to restrictions in view of Covid-19, but they will be invited for future events in Ayodhya. RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat remembered LK Advani, the face of the Ram temple movement in the 1990s, in his speech and acknowledged that many who sacrificed couldnt be here because of the coronavirus situation. So many people had sacrificed, they couldnt be here physically. There are some who couldnt come here, Advani ji must be at his home watching this. There are some who shouldve come but couldnt be invited because of the situation (COVID-19), said Mohan Bhagwat. The guest list for the event, including religious leaders who formed part of the movement that started in the 1980s, was restricted to 175 in view of the Covid-19 crisis. Jackson said the decision was not easy or made lightly. As an educator, my desire is to always have students in schools. For many of our students, school is the safest and most stable part of their day. Of course, they depend on us for an education, but many of our students depend on us for so much more. They rely on us for meals, encouragement and a lot of other things that some people take for granted. New York City Setting Up Checkpoints in Bid to Limit CCP Virus Spread New York City is setting up checkpoints that will stop people from other states, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced on Aug. 5. Travelers from 33 states and Puerto Rico will be reminded that they must quarantine at their final destination for two weeks, the Democrat told reporters at a press conference. Starting today, were going to do something new in New York City. We will have checkpoints at key entry points to the city. Travelers coming in from those states will be given information about the quarantine, they will be reminded that its required, not optional, theyll be reminded that failure to quarantine is a violation of state law, and it comes with serious penalties, de Blasio said. New Yorkers who visit one of the states must also self-quarantine. People who violate the mandate can be fined up to $10,000. One-fifth of new CCP virus cases are from travelers entering the city from other states, according to city officials. New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio speaks during a news conference in Manhattan, New York, on March 17, 2020. (Jeenah Moon/Reuters) Those states were designated by Gov. Andrew Cuomo earlier this year. The list was updated on Aug. 4. The states include Alaska, California, Florida, Illinois, Maryland, North Carolina, Ohio, Rhode Island, Texas, and Virginia. Cuomo, a Democrat, said in an executive order that states would be added to the list if they have a positive COVID-19 test rate higher than 10 per 100,000 residents, or higher than a 10 percent test positivity rate, over a seven-day rolling average. If a state dipped under that benchmark, it would be removed from the list. COVID-19 is the disease caused by the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus, also known as the novel coronavirus. Cuomos office didnt immediately respond to a request for comment. The governor in March threatened legal action against Rhode Island when Gov. Gina Raimondo, a Democrat, ordered police to stop cars with New York license plates to try to slow the spread of the virus. The next day, Raimondo expanded her order to include all out-of-state visitors. The new checkpoints in New York City will be placed at major bridge and tunnel crossings and overseen by the citys sheriff, Joseph Fucito. We need to ensure visitors and New Yorkers returning home are taking the necessary precautions to limit the spread of this disease, Fucito told reporters. People walk in New Yorks Penn Station on Feb. 6, 2017. (Samira Bouaou/Epoch Times) At the same time, city workerspart of a program to test for the diseaseare fanning out to Penn Station, Port Authority Bus Terminal, and other locations to stop travelers and make sure they filled out a form that includes information on where theyll be quarantining and contact details. Travelers who neglected to fill out the form will be required to fill it out on the spot. The citys Test and Trace program is providing free meals, hotel rooms, and other services to people who are undergoing the mandatory quarantine. Workers have made more than 86,000 phone calls and sent more than 20,000 texts. If we cant get through to you on the phone, weve deployed teams that are now knocking on your door to check in with you and make sure that youre safe, Dr. Ted Long, executive director of Test and Trace, said at the briefing. New York City remains the hardest hit area by COVID-19 in the nation, with nearly 19,000 deaths from the new disease, according to the citys Department of Health. But the city has seen few deaths in recent weeks, and actions taken to slow the spread of the CCP virus has kept its infection rate below 3 percent since June 10. Look around the country, all of the states, all of the cities that at one point were belittling New York City or looking at us as the place that couldnt handle the challenge, well, unfortunately for everyone, the tables have turned, de Blasio said. Now, New York City is the place that is showing everyone else how it is done. There is so much hoopla surrounding Hatch chile season, and so many food products invested with the spicy green pepper flavor, that Nia Navarro likens the excitement to another seasonal phenomenon: Its like the pumpkin pie spice of the Southwest, she said. But falls ubiquitous pumpkin spice bonanza has seen some backfire with finicky foodies. Its hard, however, to imagine Texans growing tired of the flavor of freshly roasted green chiles from Hatch, N.M. Maybe thats because, flavorwise, they fit so perfectly into Texas foodways. And theres no doubt an appreciation for their brief seasonality. That time is now. Through Labor Day, expect to see fresh Hatch peppers in some of your favorite supermarkets, including Fiesta, Whole Foods, H-E-B, Sprouts and Mi Tienda some with fire-breathing roasting machines in front of the stores. Recipe: Hatch French toast The Hatch big daddy, though, is Central Market which is celebrating its 25th annual Hatch Chile Fest Aug. 5-25 at the 3815 Westheimer store. Navarro said shes ready to get her Hatch on. You can only get them in August and September, so this is the time, said the manager of the Satellite of Pizza food truck who is also an accomplished home cook. Theyre amazing. Theyre so delicious. Anything wed make for dinner wed chop them up and throw them in. Chicken, steak, soup, enchiladas, quesadillas anything. Recipe: Hatch chile gazpacho The folks at Central Market have no intention of disappointing Hatch fans like Navarro. Not only is the supermarket extending the annual festival by a week, it is bringing more than 250,000 pounds of fresh Hatch chiles to its Texas stores nine 18-wheelers worth from the Hatch Valley of New Mexico, known for its rich, earthy, smoky green peppers whose flavors bloom when fire-roasted. In addition to fresh and store-roasted peppers, Central Market tempts Hatch fans with chile-infused baked goods, prepared meals, mealtime entrees and side dishes, guacamole and hundreds of packaged foods. This year look for new Hatch chile kettle corn, a variety of new salsas, Hatch jerky and new baking mixes invested with Hatch flavor. Recipe: Pasta Verde de Nuevo Mexico But it is the freshly roasted chiles whose unmistakable sweet, charry smell fills the parking lot that most exite Hatch fans. Its flavor is unique because it pairs with everything, said Chris Bostad, vice president of procurement and merchandising for Central Market. Hatch farmers have learned to cultivate both mild and hot versions of the pepper, and both will be available for the festival. According to Marty Mika, business-development manager for produce for Central Market, the annual crop of Hatch peppers varies slightly thanks to Mother Nature. Every year is a bit different. First reports is that this is a good year, Mika said. Were really excited about it. Recipe: Hatch Green Chile Lasagna For home cooks, Hatch chiles no matter where you source them are an opportunity to get creative in the kitchen. Home cooks have found ways to get Hatch into everything soups, dips, salads, baked goods (tortillas, muffins, breads, empanadas), sauces, pastas, casseroles, center-of-the-plate proteins (fish and seafood, pork, beef, chicken) and even desserts. While Central Market stores in Texas are celebrating the chile, Hatch is going without. The 2020 Hatch Chile Festival, held annual over Labor Day in the chile capital of the world, has been scrapped this year because of the coronavirus pandemic. It is the first time in 49 years that the event that draws up to 30,000 people has been canceled. It seems only right that we get our recipes out this season and cook the heck out of Hatch. Recipe: Hatch Ceviche How to roast Hatch peppers 1. Broiler method: Preheat oven broiler. Place chiles on a cookie sheet and place under broiler for 6 to 8 minutes, turning as necessary, until skin blackens and blisters. 2. On the grill: Place chiles on a charcoal or gas grill for about 5 to 6 inches above heat source. Using tongs, turn chiles until all sides are blackened and blistered. 3. Comal method: Heat a comal (cast-iron griddle) to very hot. Place several chiles on comal and turn until blackened and blistered. A cast-iron skillet works, too. 4. Range-top method: Cover a gas or electric stove burner with a layer of heavy wire mesh, and once the mesh is hot, place chiles on top. Cook until skin blackens and blisters. Preparing and storing Hatch peppers 1. After roasting, place chiles in a plastic or paper bag to allow to steam for 10 minutes. Wearing rubber gloves, remove skin and stem. Slice chile open and remove seeds and membrane. This also can be done under cool running water. 2. If you are not using chiles immediately, they should be frozen. 3. Lay skinned and seeded chiles flat and dab with paper towels to remove excess water. Wrap in plastic wrap and place in freezer bags. Push all air out of bag. Do not overcrowd bag. 4. Lay bags flat in freezer. Chiles will keep a year in freezer. When ready to use, remove desired amount and thaw. greg.morago@chron.com 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. A Chinese woman has seen her belly grow 'uncontrollably' in the past two years due to a mysterious condition, according to reports. The mother-of-two named Huang Guoxian says her abdomen weighs a staggering 44 pounds and is still expanding. The 36-year-old resident of rural Guizhou Province has made a desperate plea for help through local media after the sizable mass made it impossible for her to sleep, walk or look after her son and daughter. Huang Guoxian, a mother-of-two from rural China, has seen her belly grow 'uncontrollably' in the past two years due to a mysterious condition, according to news site Guizhou Urban Daily The sizable mass has made it impossible for Ms Huang to sleep, walk or look after her children The impoverished villager hopes that she could raise 3,290 with the help of the public so that she could go to a specialist to get her condition diagnosed and treated. Ms Huang lives in the village of Dazhi of Songqi Town outside the city of Anshun. Her story was reported by local newspaper Guizhou Urban Daily this week. The parent, who weighs 121 pounds now, claims that her belly was flat two years ago, but swelled to the current size during the period for unknown reasons. She says the growth initially felt painful and she sought medical advice. After taking prescribed medicine, the pain went away, but her belly carried on enlarging. The housewife has gone to various hospitals in Anshun and provincial capital Guiyang in the hope of getting treated. The impoverished villager from Guizhou Province hopes she could raise 3,290 with the help of the public so that she could go to a specialist to get her condition diagnosed and treated The 36-year-old resident of Dazhi Village notes that she has not been able to sleep properly for a long time. She says she either sleeps by sitting on the bed or leaning against some cushions Doctors discovered that she suffered from a series of illnesses, including liver cirrhosis, ovarian cancer, as well as an abnormal buildup of fluid in the abdomen and chest. However, they were unable to identify the reason behind the enormous growth. Ms Huang recalls that one doctor tried to remove the excess abdominal fluid from her, but once the operation finished, her belly began to develop again. Another medic speculated that she could have had a benign tumour. Ms Huang is often mistaken for a pregnant woman with twins or triplets on the bus, and the mass has made her temperamental. She complained to the journalists: 'I would become enraged by the slightest movement.' Ms Huang's husband lives and works in a big city to support the family financially. Her elder son (pictured), who is 10 years old, has to do most of the housework and help with his sibling Ms Huang adds that she has not been able to sleep properly for a long time. She says she either sleeps by sitting on the bed or leaning against cushions. She can't walk far or stand for a long time, either. Her husband lives and works in a big city to support the family financially. As a result, her elder son, who is 10 years old, has to do most of the housework. The local government and Good Samaritans have been donating money to Ms Huang to help her cover her medical bills, according to the report. A local hospital recently informed her that its specialists were willing to treat her, but a possible operation would cost 30,000 yuan (3,290). Ms Huang hopes that she can raise the sum soon. She told Guizhou Urban Daily: 'I used to do homework very quickly, but now my big belly has seriously impacted my normal life. 'My two children are still young. Their grandmother and grandfather are helping to look after them now. 'I hope to recover and become healthy as soon as possible.' She has been hard at work on her debut album, Life Support, due out later this summer. But Madison Beer enjoyed a casual dinner on Tuesday night as she headed to trendy restaurant Catch in West Hollywood. The 21-year-old showed off her toned legs in a floral mini dress and an oversized leather jacket. Trendy: Madison Beer enjoyed a casual dinner on Tuesday night as she headed to trendy restaurant Catch in West Hollywood Madison wore a pink mini dress with a green and orange floral pattern. She concealed her figure in an oversized jacket that she teamed with white sneakers, high socks and a white leather shoulder bag. Half of her famous face was covered in a leopard print face as she abided by California state guidelines as the coronavirus pandemic. Mix and match: The 21-year-old showed off her toned legs in a floral mini dress and an oversized leather jacket Covered: Half of her famous face was covered in a leopard print face as she abided by California state guidelines as the coronavirus pandemic Her golden brown and blonde locks were kept down in a sleek and straight style. Beer initially gained prominence in 2012 when Justin Bieber tweeted the link to a cover song she shared on YouTube when she was just 13-years-old. The overnight attention led to her landing a deal with Island Records and the release of her debut single Melodies in September of 2013, and subsequent video that featured a gust appearance by Bieber. Accessories: She concealed her figure in an oversized jacket that she teamed with white sneakers, high socks and a white leather shoulder bag Coming soon: She has been hard at work on her debut album, Life Support, due out later this summer She released her second single Unbreakable the following year. Her debut 2018 EP As She Pleases boasts over 700 million streams globally, which helped garner her another big buzz in the music industry. After reportedly scrapping a first attempt and a full-length album, Beer eventually signed with Epic Records in 2019, and has been working in Life Support ever since. She has dropped three singles ahead of the album's release since January, including the songs Good In Goodbye, Selfish and Stained Glass. Advertisement Falmouth Harbour turned into a superyacht playground today as Sir Jim Ratcliffe's luxury vessel and a 'floating palace' that 'belongs to the Qatari royal family' joined hundreds of thousands of staycationers in Cornwall. The billionaire financier's 91million, 243ft expedition ship was dwarfed by the Emir's 200million, 410ft monster as they docked near the 644ft cruise liner The World - in a trio thought to be worth 800million. Sherpa, which Sir Jim named after its huge carrying capacity, is one of the smaller members of his fleet, with the Hampshire II - worth 115million - being 258ft. But Sherpa was custom built for him in 2018 by London-based brokers Cecil Wright & Partners so could travel to extreme locations across the world. Despite its practical purpose - featuring a huge crane and large storage facilities - it is still equipped with a helipad, two VIP suites, four guest cabins and a bar and dining area. Meanwhile Katara is a secretive luxury vessel which was built for Qatar's previous Emir in 2010 and is still believed to belong to the family. Tourists and locals watched it glide past the twin castles of St Mawes and Pendennis before it berthed in the harbour last night. The ship, which is one of the largest of its kind in the world, dropped anchor next to the two other boats as they towered over St Anthony's Lighthouse. Falmouth is among the hotspots in the South West that have seen a surge in holidaymakers in recent weeks as Britons opt for staycations rather than going abroad. It comes amid fears a fresh stampede of revellers to beauty spots as the country is set to be roasted by a ten-day heatwave, with nearly 20million planning to go on a holiday at home rather than abroad this year. The billionaire financier's 91million, 243ft expedition ship (top right) was dwarfed by the Emir's 200million, 410ft monster (centre) as they docked near the 644ft cruise liner The World (left) - in a trio thought to be worth 800million Sherpa (pictured), which Sir Jim named after its huge carrying capacity, is one of the smaller members of his fleet, with the Hampshire II - worth 115million - being 258ft Katara (pictured), a secretive 200million superyacht, has joined the crowds in Cornwall as it was spotted in Falmouth Harbour Specifications for the 410ft Katara Made: Lurssen, Germany Year: 2010 Type: Motor yacht Decks: Five Weight: 7922 tonnes Guests: 34 Crew: 95 Cabins: 17 Length: 410ft Max speed: 20 knots Cruising speed: 15 knots Advertisement Katara is shrouded in secrecy and even as she approached Cornwall last night her automatic identification system (AIS) was switched off. It is widely thought she belongs to the Qatari royal family, but owner's identity is unknown. Yacht enthusiasts speculate it is the property of current Emir of Qatar Tamim bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani or Sheikh Nawaf bin Jassim Bin Jabor Al-Thani, who is chairman of the Katara Hospitality Group. Katara, which was built in Germany at the Lurssen yard in 2010, features a helicopter deck, an array of satellite communication domes, various tenders and jet skis. The 7,922-tonne superyacht also has a beach club, swimming pool, a gym and spa, on-deck hot tub as well as speculation of a main saloon that towers over two decks. She has two 9,925 hp engines giving her a top speed of around 20 knots, but she generally cruises at about 15 knots. As for her name, since the year 150AD, 'Catara' was the first and most ancient name designated for the Qatar Peninsula on maps. The name spelt with a 'K' appeared on documents in the early 18th century and was written 'Katara' - instead of 'Catara' - on French maps of the area. The vessel was built for the previous Emir of Qatar, who is the father of the current Emir, and sails under the Qatari flag. Her home port is Doha, the country's capital, and she is scheduled to leave Cornwall tomorrow according to the Falmouth Harbour Commissioners' website. Katara offers accommodation for up to 34 guests and can carry up to 95 crew members on board, according to Yachtcharterfleet.com. Specifications for the 243ft Sherpa Made: Netherlands Year: 2018 Type: Expedition ship Guests: 11 Crew: 22 Length: 243ft Max speed: 15.7 knots Advertisement The website says: 'The 124.4m custom motor yacht motor yacht 'Katara' was built by Lurssen in Germany at their Lemwerder shipyard, she was delivered to her owner in 2010. The yacht's interior has been designed by Alberto Pinto.' Charterworld.com adds: 'Her impressive naval architecture was designed by the Lurssen in-house naval architects, with the exterior design by the world renowned designer Espen Oeino. 'Katara megayacht was launched in April 2010. She features a steel hull and aluminium superstructure, carrying the hull number 13656. As her name suggests, the motor yacht Katara is flying a Qatar flag.' The biggest yacht on the planet is the Azzam, which is 591ft and worth an estimated 411million. It is thought to be owned by the royal family of Abu Dhabi. Second on the mega list is the 533ft, 342million Eclipse, which belongs to Chelsea foobtall club's Russian owner Roman Abramovich. Meanwhile southern England will melt in 99F (37C) temperatures by the weekend as the Met Office issues a level three heat health alert - but rain today hit northern parts of the country as well as Scotland. The scorching air from Europe at the end of the week will come after the wet weather that has lashed the North West clears by tomorrow. The huge superyacht floats is seen docked next to a cruise ship in Falmouth Harbour in Cornwall on Wednesday morning Katara dropped anchor next to cruise liner The World and superyacht Sherpa in a trio thought to be worth 800million The 7,922 ton yacht (in the foreground) comes complete with helicopter deck, satellite domes, tenders, and jet skis Colwyn Bay tops list of British seaside towns making a comeback Here is the top ten: Colwyn Bay Bridlington Minehead Bognor Regis Morecambe Lowestoft Tenby Southend on Sea Great Yarmouth Ayr Advertisement The Met Office put out a yellow weather warning for north of the border today as west Scotland - including Glasgow and Stirling - was drenched. The heat from the Continent is due to be carried on southerly winds across the majority of England, meaning hot and dry conditions for many. Temperatures could peak at around 90F (32C) for the south of England on Thursday and 79F (26C) in the north of the country. While the Bahamas, in the Caribbean, could be as hot as 89F (31C) on Friday, the Met Office has said temperatures in England could reach 99F (37C). Casablanca, in Morocco, is due to see highs of 81F (27C) on Friday, by comparison. While Lisbon has seen recent hot weather, it is expected to have peaked by the weekend with temperatures around 86F (30C). Although the hot spell is due to last throughout Saturday, the temperature is due to drop and by Sunday some parts of the country could see thunder storms. The Met Office has also issued a heat health alert for the south east of England and warned UV levels could be high in some parts. High temperatures on Saturday could see heatwave conditions being met in southern and the south east of England. The 'floating palace' glided past the twin castles of St Mawes and Pendennis before it berthed off the coast of Cornwall It is widely thought the ship belongs to the Qatari royal family (pictured, Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani in April) Bonnie Diamond, a forecaster for the Met Office, said: 'It's a bit of an unsettled start in north western parts but for the southern half of the country, it is a dry first half of the week. Caravan and motorhome thefts rises as demand for staycations soars Police forces have reported a rise in caravan and motorhome thefts as demand for staycations soars. Detectives in Cheshire said there had been four separate caravan theft incidents over the past month, with vans on driveways particularly being targeted. Inspector Anton Sullivan of Cheshire Police's roads and crime unit, said: 'Enquiries in relation to the incidents are ongoing and I appeal to anyone with information regarding caravan thefts to get in touch. 'I also urge caravan owners to be vigilant, to review any security measures they have in place and to take steps to reduce their chances of becoming a victim of this type of crime. 'Caravan thieves often scout for desirable vans in the day before returning to steal them at night, so I also ask residents to keep an eye out for suspicious behaviour in this regard and report any suspicions to us.' Advertisement 'The heat turns up from Thursday with warmer weather across the whole of the country. 'It will be really quite hot across parts of the south east of England where we expect to see temperatures in the low to mid-30s, with the peak of the heat on Friday. 'Southerly winds across England are going to bring warm air over from Europe and further south it is going to be hot. 'Temperatures in England and south Wales will be in the high 20s and low 30s. 'By Friday, we will be seeing the hottest of the spell with temperatures widely over 30C (86F). 'There will be a focus of temperatures reaching around 34C (93F) to 35C (95F) in the south east and we are going for a maximum of 37C (99F) on Friday in the south east of England. 'Saturday looks to be very warm or hot for many, although not quite as hot as Friday. Sunday we should have sunshine to go along with the temperatures. There is a possibility of thunder storms for some part of the country.' Met Office Chief Meteorologist Frank Saunders added: 'Most of us will see a spell of warm, summery weather later this week, with hot weather developing across southern parts of the UK. 'From Thursday temperatures will be in the low- to mid-20s Celsius for Northern Ireland, Scotland and north Wales, but it will be much warmer across southern and central areas, with temperatures widely reaching around 30 Celsius, possibly 32 Celsius in the southeast of England. 'It'll be another hot day on Friday with temperatures widely reaching 30 Celsius, or higher, in central, southern and some northern parts of England. 'It is likely to be hotter still in southeast England where 34 to 37 Celsius is possible. Tourists flock to the seaside town of Salcombe in Devon yesterday as Britain experiences a boom in staycations 'Saturday will likely be another hot day for southern and central parts of the UK, with heatwave conditions possibly being met in parts of southern and southeast England.' The invasion of 'Chelsea-on-Sea': Mayor of Salcombe hits out at 'disrespectful' tourists failing to socially distance The mayor of an upmarket coastal town dubbed 'Chelsea-on-Sea' has urged visitors to 'show a bit of respect' and follow social distancing rules after the normal population surged by 1,000 per cent amid a staycation boom. Thousands of tourists and second home owners flocked back to Salcombe in Devon from the moment the green light was given by the Government for people to go on holidays at the start of last month. But town mayor Nikki Turton said tourists seem to 'think they are in a bubble' and do not have to maintain social distancing with signs being ignored by a 'minority who don't think it counts because they are on holiday'. She told the BBC: 'It's like August bank holiday weekend every day, everybody is exhausted and overwhelmed. The businesses need the customers but we would just like a bit of respect back for the town that they claim to love.' Salcombe has a population of about 2,000 in the winter but this risen to about 25,000 after the lockdown ended on July 4, according to the council, which is causing issues for people trying to socially distance in the town. Local residents have complained on social media this week that the town has become a 'war zone' with 'hoards of teenagers and others roaming around, drinking, smashing bottles, swearing and shouting at people'. Advertisement It follows a weekend of hot weather which saw some of England's most popular tourist hotspots deluged with visitors. The Met Office confirmed last Friday was the third hottest day since records began in 1910, after 100.04F (37.8C) was recorded at London's Heathrow Airport. There are fears Cornwall could face being locked down as locals blast holidaymakers for not wearing face coverings or respecting social distancing. The county's narrow streets have been flooded with tourists and the local council was forced to deploy street patrols to reprimand rule breakers. Deputy Leader of Cornwall Council Adam Paynter warned a local lockdown - as seen in Leicester and parts of the North West - would spell doom for the staycation season. He told Cornwall Live : 'I urge all visitors to Cornwall to follow guidelines such as washing hands, wearing a mask when required to and maintaining a social distance. 'We want to avoid the local lockdowns that have happened further north that have seen places shut down and we want to make sure the attractions stay open for local and visitors to enjoy and don't want to see anything closed and the best way to achieve that is if people do all they can to follow the rules to avoid spreading the coronavirus. If they do that, they'll remain open.' He added: 'Just because you're on holiday it doesn't mean you can just forget everything. There have been reports that some people when refusing to wear a mask have said they've come down to Cornwall to get away from it as if the coronavirus doesn't exist in Cornwall when it does. People need to be sensible and follow all the guidelines.' Nearly 20million Britons plan to go on a staycation holiday in the UK this year, a poll found this week, amid fears over a fresh stampede of revellers to beauty spots. Tourists are expected to flock back to beaches across the country as temperatures up to 99F (37C) sweep in from central Europe by the end of the week amid a level two heat warning. A YouGov poll found 28 per cent of Britons plan to take a holiday in the UK this year. It is the equivalent of about 19million people. Meanwhile only 9 per cent will go abroad and a further 49 per cent do not intend on holidaying. The United States will submit a UN Security Council resolution next week to extend an arms embargo on Iran despite opposition from Russia and China, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Wednesday. A ban on conventional weapons sales to Iran ends on October 18 and the United States has threatened to try to force a return of UN sanctions if it is not extended. Pompeo said the United States would submit the long-awaited resolution next week and said he was alarmed at indications that China was already preparing arms sales to Iran. "There are nations lining up to sell weapons that will destabilize the Middle East, put Israel at risk, put Europe a risk, risk American lives as well," Pompeo told reporters. "We're not going to let it happen. And so we're using every diplomatic tool we have in the tool-kit," he said. Russia and China wield veto power on the Security Council and want the embargo to expire as laid out under a 2015 resolution. That resolution had blessed a denuclearization deal with Iran negotiated by then US president Barack Obama from which President Donald Trump pulled out, denouncing it as a blunder. But Pompeo has offered the contested argument that the United States remains a "participant" in the accord as it was listed in the 2015 resolution -- and therefore can force a return to sanctions if it sees Iran as being in violation of its terms. Pompeo pointed to Iranian support to Yemen's Huthi rebels, who are under assault from US ally Saudi Arabia, as an example of an arms violation. Even European allies of the United States have been skeptical on whether Washington can force sanctions and warn that the attempt may delegitimize the Security Council. The Europeans support extending the embargo but say the priority should be to preserve the nuclear accord -- which is backed by Joe Biden, Trump's presumptive Democratic rival in November elections. Pompeo ran into wide skepticism when he directly pressed the Security Council on the arms embargo in June. Iran says it has the right to self-defense and that a continuation of the ban would mean an end to the nuclear deal. Iran's foreign minister, Mohammad Javad Zarif, said last month that his government was negotiating a 25-year accord with China, the main country that has been willing to defy unilateral US sanctions on Tehran. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- The Flag Project, a public art initiative by Rockefeller Center, invited designers from the area to create 193 flags to pay homage to New York City. The artwork -- meant to detail the citys redeeming qualities -- will temporarily replace the flags at the Rink at Rockefeller Center, which typically represent the nations recognized by the United Nations. The collection went up Aug. 1 and will remain there until Aug. 16. Staten Islanders Alexandra Angert, Noreen Cameron, Ambika Sanyal, Christina Sapone and Vlad Zadneprianski were among the artists whose creative designs were chosen. Noreen Cameron, a high school art teacher, submitted this design for The Flag Project at Rockefeller Center. (Courtesy of Rockefeller Center) Noreen Cameron, a high school art teacher, designed a flag with an apple and all five boroughs drawn inside of it. I chose an apple to represent N.Y.C. being the big apple, the artist wrote. I put the images of the five boroughs in the apple to represent what makes up New York City. I chose bold colors to represent New Yorkers. Ambika Sanyal of Bulls Head's submission to the Flag Project at Rockefeller Center. (Courtesy of Ambika Sanyal) Ambika Sanyal, 24, of Bulls Head first learned of The Flag Project on social media. My thought process was to make a collage of everything I love about the city, Sanyal said. Memories and places that Ive been to definitely stuck out and I feel like a lot of people can relate to that. Featured artists Carmen Herrera, Christian Siriano, Faith Ringgold, Hank Willis Thomas, Jeff Koons, Jenny Holzer, KAWS, Laurie Anderson, Marina Abramovic, Sanford Biggers, Sarah Sze, Shantell Martin and Steve Powers also contributed to The Flag Project. The Flag Project at Rockefeller Center. (Photos by Tishman Speyer.) Tishman Speyer Properties spearheaded The Flag Project in an effort to unite and celebrate the community during the early phases of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. The flags are open to the public and free to view. They are located between 49th and 50th streets and Fifth and Sixth avenues in Manhattan. For more information, visit rockefellercenter.com/flag-project/. Those of us that care about actual justice can only view the newly leaked arrest video of George Floyd in one way: damning to the media narrative. A viewing of the video reveals that the events leading up to Floyd's unfortunate, entirely avoidable death are not as they initially seemed, and its release is nothing short of tossing a massive wrench into the agenda-driven gears of media and political discourse. The four officers might well be guilty of something, but the current second-degree charge of murder is not one of them. The political overreach in the case will cause nothing short of absolute chaos when the verdict is read. In the immediate aftermath of the Floyd incident this past May, Minnesota's top lawman, an activist first and Democrat attorney general second by the name of Keith Ellison, recommended a third-degree murder charge for Derek Chauvin and the three assisting officers. Under Minnesota statute, third-degree murder would include an action that is "without intent to effect the death of any person" yet "causes the death of another by perpetrating an act eminently dangerous to others and evincing a depraved mind, without regard for human life." Taking the route of unintentional murder seemed appropriate, given that a routine interaction culminated in the presumably accidental death of an offender in custody. We didn't know all of the facts, but there was near unanimity that something bad had happened and that a legal consequence seemed, at the very least, legitimate. However, vociferous protests and riots swayed the A.G. to push for an elevated charge of second-degree murder. One aspect of Minnesota statute defines second-degree murder as being intentional. It is clear that Chauvin's actions were not. Ellison himself is not even seeking it on those grounds. Perhaps lesser known, and still under the second-degree murder statute, is a clause whereby the charge is applicable when the defendant can be proved having caused the death of someone "without intent to effect the death of any person, while committing or attempting to commit a felony offense." This last part is where Ellison is gambling on a prior felony having been committed in the events of the arrest preceding Floyd's demise. The alleged felony here is the illegal "excessive use of force." Where the legal challenge arises is being able to prove that officers used excessive force, and where police officers generally receive a lot of judicial leeway. Within the handbook for the Minneapolis Police Department, officers are trained, and allowed under the Supreme Court Graham v. Connor decision, to apply force when a subject "is actively resisting arrest or attempting to evade arrest by flight." The video clearly shows a lengthy struggle to get compliance from Floyd. Furthermore, officers appear to be generally operating under the handbook's guide for non-deadly force, which is understood as "force that does not have the reasonable likelihood of causing or creating a substantial risk of death or great bodily harm." The video shows ample efforts of police negotiating with Floyd in every non-forceful way possible. Still, the handbook does allow for more aggressive measures that include "physically subduing, controlling, capturing, restraining or physically managing any person." Critically, and until the language was changed on June 9, neck restraints were also allowed under MPD guidance for the specific purpose of restraining unsafe or unpredictable suspects if force were required. Given that piece, Ellison would have to prove that Chauvin applied the restraint knowing that it was excessive and that he was restraining Floyd incorrectly, as well as prove in a court of law that the restraint itself was a pivotal cause in Floyd's death. The Hennepin County autopsy revealed no evidence of crushed bones or ligaments that would typically indicate asphyxiation. The autopsy itself has since been removed from Hennepin County's online database. All of that aside, the greatest revelation from the video, is the language employed by Floyd throughout the ordeal. He claimed he was claustrophobic and, most importantly, that he could not breathe during the attempted arrest and relocation to a squad car. Though he eventually succumbed to the alleged excessive force, Floyd was already displaying and verbalizing those sentiments well before everything else occurred. It seems just as likely that the combination of his medical history and the myriad drugs and alcohol present in his system at the time of his death played as much of a role, if not a larger one, in his eventual death as did specific use of force. As the entire media narrative rests on the fact that Chauvin essentially choked out Floyd, this revelation will only further impede Ellison's ability to prove that officer actions led to the suspect's death. Because of the media blitz surrounding the events, most Americans are only aware of the now-notorious image of a white police officer, Derek Chauvin, kneeling on the neck of the now-deceased black man, George Floyd. The imagery set off weeks of protests that morphed into looting, conflagrations, and general chaos in blue metropolises. Some cities, like Portland, Oakland, and Louisville, are still coming to terms with protests, despite the media's constant denial that anything out of the ordinary is happening. If the second-degree charges do not stick next spring, when the case is expected to go to trial, there is no question that Minneapolis and other major city centers will devolve into an even more fiery chaos, likely far deadlier than what we have now. The narrative of white systemic racism is already so contentious that the political and anarchical left would feel entirely vindicated in their response. It happened this last time. No doubt, another "miscarriage" of justice, as this would be portrayed regardless of self-evident truths and evidence, would likewise result in extirpative behaviors. In reality, it is not just Ellison who should be held responsible for the unnecessary pain and anger that will unquestionably arise in the aftermath of a not guilty verdict. The mainstream media, Black Lives Matter, and every Democrat have capitalized on this tragedy for political gain and are equally responsible for inciting hate and violence across the country. If nothing else, they withheld, if not exculpatory, at least additional evidence that portrayed the encounter in a less (for lack of a better word) black and white way. Though there is enough blame to go around, Ellison still could have ensured a judicial victory and prison time for all of the officers by appropriately charging them. It would not have been a life sentence, but it would have meant jail time and been an appeasement to the black community. The increased charges inexplicably came after seeing every video, reading every witness testimony, and collaborating with legions of police and legal personnel, and still going for broke. If and when this morphs into an even worse desecration of life and property, it will be a direct result of Ellison's race-based lies and instigations, not the exoneration of police officers. Parker Beauregard loves America and wants you to save it with him. He has been published on American Thinker, Right Wire Report, and various online outlets. Contact him at thelastbesthope@protonmail.com. Image: Lorie Shaull via Flickr (cropped). Wednesday will be sunny and warm in the Lehigh Valley and northwest New Jersey as people wake up to the aftermath of the nasty Tropical Storm Isaias. Thousands of people remain without power and restoration times, if given, are two days in the future after winds picked up dramatically in the last few hours of the storm on Tuesday afternoon which dumped more than 7 inches of rain in some places. The Lehigh River in Glendon crested at 8:45 p.m. Tuesday at 21.24 feet, which is above the level for a major flood, according to the USGS gage in the river. There wasnt any damage to the homes on the west side of Lehigh Drive along the river in West Easton, an official said, because they sit well above the road. The river in Bethlehem came within a foot of minor flooding cresting at 15.03 feet at 11:15 p.m., the river depth gage there reported. The Delaware River stayed seven feet or so below flood stage in Easton. The Little Lehigh Creek near Allentown, which has a major flood stage of 10 feet, crested at 4:45 p.m. at 11.56 feet. The Musconetcong River crested at 6.30 feet at 2:15 p.m. in Bloomsbury, more than two feet blow its all-time high on Aug. 28, 2011, while the Pequest River in White Township crested at 4.21 feet at 8:45 p.m., also well below its all-time high of 6.42 feet on Sept. 8, 2011, according to its USGS gage. Some roads remained closed in Lehigh, Northampton and Warren counties, officials said. The National Weather Service confirmed six tornados touched down during the storm: in Bucks County and Montgomery County in Pennsylvania, Ocean and Cape May counties in New Jersey, one in Kent and New Castle counties in Delaware as well as one in Queen Annes County in Maryland. The weather service update didnt specify if the Bucks County tornado was in Doylestown, where the roof was ripped from a hospital day care center, but a later report did. The power outage issue is likely the most severe the day after a storm that took a 44-year-old womans life when the vehicle she was in was swept away by surging water in Upper Saucon Township. At dawn Wednesday, JCP&L was reporting 12,405 customers without power in Warren County and 18,575 in Hunterdon County. Hardest hit places were Allamuchy Township (2,477),Hackettstown (1,994), Independence Township (1,360) and Washington (1,345) in Warren and Readington Township (3,121), Lebanon Township (2,045) and Raritan Township (1,978) in Hunterdon, the outage site shows. Met-Ed had 943 customers out in Northampton County -- led by Williams Township (221), Moore Township (186) and Easton (129) -- and 573 out in Lehigh County -- led by Lynn Township with 412. The outage site showed a restoration time of 2 p.m. Friday. The Lehigh River gage in Glendon shows major flooding conditions.National Weather Service PPL Electric Utilities had 2,121 customers out in Lehigh County -- led by Upper Macungie Township (329), Lower Macungie (329) and North Whitehall Township (319) -- and 987 out in Northampton County -- led by Lower Saucon Township (286) and Bushkill Township (218). Road closures in Northampton County at that hour included Willow Park Road in Bethlehem Township, Water Street in Hellertown and the Stockermill Road bridge in Forks Township, an emergency dispatch supervisor said. In Lehigh County, there were still several road closures in Allentown, including parts of American Parkway, MLK Drive, Sumner Street, Third Street and Gordon Street, a dispatcher said. South 25th Street and the Glendon bridge are closed in Wilson Borough as well as several streets in West Easton that lead to the Delaware River. Lehigh Drive is shut down between Riverview Park and Downtown Easton. Bushkill Drive is shut down between North 13th Street and Deitrich Road in Easton. Go here for a more extensive road closure roundup. A trooper at the New Jersey State Police barracks in Hope Township, Warren County, said closed roads were slowly reopening, but lack of electricity remained an issue in that community. How much did it rain where you might live? Read this. This post will be updated as more information becomes available. 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. Christmas Miracle': Chicago church facing auction saved by last minute $2 million donation Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment A congregation in Chicago, Illinois that was facing an auction on their building has been saved by a last-minute $2 million donation from an unnamed group. Holy Trinity Hellenic Orthodox Church was scheduled to go on auction last Friday due to several issues including being $8 million in debt after a bank foreclosed on the property. However, around midnight last Thursday, the church received a phone call from a group offering $2 million to help the congregation buy their property from the bank. Parish Council President Stanley Andreakis, told the Associated Press in comments published Sunday that the donation was a Christmas miracle. We feel like kids. You wake up at Christmas and you have a present, explained Andreakis. You are like, I get to keep my church. The Rev. Nicholas Jonas, presiding priest for Holy Trinity, took to social media on Sunday to warn that while the $2 million helps, the church has not been saved yet and supporters must continue to stay vigilant. Most importantly, EVERYTHING STILL DEPENDS ON THE BANK 100%! An offer was made but it depends on the bank to be realistic and empathetic in their response, posted Jonas to Facebook. Right now we need to embrace and enjoy the GIFT OF TIME!!! We must continue to fervently PRAY FOR OUR HOLY TRINITY! Founded around 120 years ago, Holy Trinity has endured a recent series of setbacks, including declining membership and attendance attributed to changing neighborhood demographics. Another source of trouble for Holy Trinity has been recent litigation between the church and its school the Hellenic American Academy, also called the Socrates School. Metropolitan Nathanael, head of the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Chicago, said in a statement published by pappaspost.com last month that the Church was doing what it could to help the embattled congregation. The Metropolis has been working with the Church (Holy Trinity) on this matter for years, and that as the new Metropolitan, I established a special ad hoc committee, per Archdiocesan regulations, to determine the best path forward for the Church given the recent turn of events, stated Metropolitan Nathanael. Godrej Consumer shares were trading almost 3% lower on Wednesday's trade after the company posted earnings for the April-June quarter. The company reported a 3.1% drop YoY in its consolidated net profit at Rs 395 crore during the June quarter, after adjusting one-off items of Rs 95 crore. This was against Rs 407.6 crore profit reported in the year-ago period. Company's revenue fell by 12.5% YoY to Rs 2,327.3 crore in Q1 FY21 versus Rs 2,348.8 crore in Q1 FY20. Following the result update, Godrej Consumer Products share price opened at Rs 692.10 and later touched an intraday low of Rs 672.95, falling 2.79% against the earlier close of Rs 692.25 on BSE. Godrej Consumer shares trade higher than 50, 100 and 200-day but lower than 5 and 20-day moving averages. Godrej Consumer share has fallen 3.09% in the last 2 sessions of fall. Market cap of Godrej Consumer rose to Rs 1. 23 lakh crore as of today's session. The stock price of Godrej Consumer has gained 2.18% in one month. The stock has fallen 0.2% in the last week, 5.4% in one month and 1% since the beginning of the year. Godrej Consumer's Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) recorded 3.7% YoY growth to Rs 472.7 crore as against Rs 455.6 crore, while company's margin was at 20.3% versus 19.4%. Commenting on 1QFY21 results of Godrej Consumer Products, Rajit Rajoriya, Equity Research Associate, Angel Broking said, "Both India and Indonesia business (which contributed to over 76% of overall sales) showed strong resilience and grew by 5% each. Africa, USA and the Middle East sales declined by 23% YoY, on a constant currency basis. Latin America & SAARC sales grew by 23% year-on-year, on a constant currency basis. From a category perspective, Household Insecticides, Hygiene and Value For Money (which contributed to 85% of our overall sales) grew by 9% YoY. Household Insecticides grew by 27% and Hygiene grew by 15%. Going forward we see good demand traction in the Household Insecticides and Hygiene segment with the ongoing product innovations in these segments." Share Market Highlights: Sensex ends 24 points lower, Nifty at 11,101; HDFC twins, Wipro, UPL top losers Gold price scales all-time high; overseas rate crosses $2,000 mark Tata Consumer Products share price hits all-time high on Q1 earnings Maruti Suzuki share price gains 3% as firm launches S-Cross 2020 Ukraines state-owned postal operator Ukrposhta is implementing a project of mobile offices and next year it will have 2,000 cars for this. Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said this when handing over 22 cars to Ukrposhta near the Cabinet of Ministers building on Wednesday, August 5, an Ukrinform correspondent reports. "Ukrposhta is implementing a project of comfortable services for Ukrainians. Cars will drive to every populated area, to remote villages ... Ukrposhta will implement this project this year. There will be 500 cars in 2020 and 2,000 next year," Shmyhal said. He also added that this project allows the creation of additional jobs for drivers and security guards who will also ride in these cars. As reported, mobile post offices are a project of Ukrposhta, the purpose of which is to improve the quality of postal, logistics and financial services in villages with a small population. JSC Ukrposhta is a company that falls under the jurisdiction of the Infrastructure Ministry. It provides about 50 services in 10.6 thousand post offices throughout Ukraine. ish The former National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Adams Oshiomhole, has accused Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, of ... The former National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Adams Oshiomhole, has accused Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, of committing a taboo by standing before Oba Ewuare of Benin wearing a cap. Oshiomhole made this allegation while speaking on Arise TV today. The former Edo Governor condemned Obasekis action as disrespect not only for the esteemed Benin palace, but also Edo tradition. You call yourself a Bini man, yet you came to Bini palace wearing a cap in company of other PDP governors, Oshiomhole said. Obaseki visited the Benin monarch last week along with some visiting Governors elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). The visit was, however, marred by violence, as PDP supporters clashed with APC supporters at the gate, as the Governor and his convoy left the Obas palace, resulting in gunshots. The scene of the explosion that hit the seaport of Beirut, Lebanon, on Aug. 5, 2020. (Hussein Malla/AP Photo) Lebanon Assesses Aftermath of Huge Beirut Explosion Lebanons prime minister said that 2,750 metric tons of ammonium nitrate, used in fertilizers and bombs, was stored at a port without safety measures before the deadly blast on Tuesday, which left scores of people dead and injured in Beirut. Lebanese Prime Minister Hassan Diab said in a statement Tuesday that the chemical was stored at a portside warehouse for several years. The source of the explosion is not clear. According to a report from LCBI, the ammonium nitrate was previously stored on a Moldovan-flagged ship called the Rhosus. It said it was owned by a Russian national. Lebanese Interior Minister Mohammed Fahmi told local media outlets that the highly explosive material had been stored since 2014 after the ship was confiscated, according to Radio Free Europe. Diab, meanwhile, said that the seized chemicals were being stored without any safety measures. Those who are responsible will be held accountable, he said. In this picture obtained from a social media video, smoke rises after an explosion in Beirut, Lebanon, on Aug. 4, 2020. (Karim Sokhn/Instagram/Ksokhn + Thebikekitchenbeirut/via Reuters) The destroyed silo sits in rubble and debris after an explosion at the seaport of Beirut, Lebanon, on Aug. 5, 2020. (Hussein Malla/AP Photo) Boris Prokoshev, who was the Rhosuss captain at the time, told Radio Free Europe that the vessel had been owned by Russian businessman Igor Grechushkin in 2013. He added that the ship sank two to three years ago because of its age and lack of maintenance. He added that Grechushkin, who reportedly lives in Cyprus, still owes thousands of dollars in unpaid wages to him and other crew members. But Prokoshev said Lebanese authorities are also at fault. They should have gotten get rid of the vessel right away instead of confiscating it and demanding fees for harboring it, Prokoshev he told the website. Secondly, we are talking about ammonium nitrate here. They could have used it for their [agricultural] fields. Nobody was claiming it, which means it belonged to nobody, he added. Tuesdays explosion was the most powerful ever suffered by Beirut, a city still scarred by civil war three decades ago and reeling from a deep financial crisis rooted in decades of corruption and economic mismanagement. The head of the Beirut port and the head of customs both said on Wednesday that several letters were sent to the judiciary asking for the dangerous material be removed, but no action was taken. Port General Manager Hassan Koraytem told OTV the material had been put in a warehouse on a court order, adding that they knew then the material was dangerous but not to this degree. We requested that it be re-exported but that did not happen. We leave it to the experts and those concerned to determine why, Badri Daher, director-general of Lebanese Customs, told broadcaster LBCI. Reuters contributed to this report. Former Congress chief Rahul Gandhi will hold a virtual meeting with Bihar party leaders, including the present and former members of Parliament and MLAs, on Thursday. At the meeting, he will take stock of the party's Assembly poll preparedness and also the Covid-19 situation in the state. The meeting, which is likely to see participation of over 1,000 leaders and workers, is being touted as a virtual rally. "We will go with a positive agenda, whenever the Bihar polls take place. But the situation in the state is pathetic due to Covid-19," said state Congress in-charge Shakti Singh Gohil. The meeting would also pay homage to the Bihar Regiment soldiers, who were martyred in the Galwan Valley, Gohil added. The party is also expected to discuss the poll alliance in the state. Though the Congress is in alliance with the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), a section of the party leaders is of the view that the Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) could also be roped in. At present, the Ram Vilas Paswan-led LJP is part of the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA). The Congress had contested the 2019 Lok Sabha elections in alliance with the RJD, the Janata Dal (United), the Vikassheel Insaan Party (VIP) and the Hindustani Awam Morcha (HAM), but could only win the Kishanganj seat. In the Assembly polls, it's unlikely to concede to the RJD's demands. Also, as the JD(U) has returned to the NDA-fold, around 100 Assembly seats (contested by the JD-U) are to be distributed among the Congress allies. According to sources, the Congress wants to contest 70 of these seats. Former Congress Minister Shakeel Zaman Ansari said, the party would contest the Assembly polls in alliance with the RJD, but won't give in to its pressure over allocation of seats. Congress leaders say the decimation of the RJD in the Lok Sabha polls has opened a window of opportunity for their party. Qualified, a San Francisco, CA-based conversational marketing platform for companies that use Salesforce, raised $12m in Series A funding. The round, which brings the companys total funding to $17m, was led by Norwest Venture Partners with additional participation from existing investors including Redpoint Ventures and Salesforce Ventures. In conjunction with the funding, Scott Beechuk, partner at Norwest Venture Partners, will join the board of directors. The company intends to use the funds to meet the demand for conversational marketing in the Salesforce ecosystem. Founded in 2018 by former Salesforce executives Kraig Swensrud and Sean Whiteley, Qualified provides a conversational marketing platform which turns a B2B website into a real-time selling machine, enabling marketing and sales teams to identify when target buyers arrive on the website and instantly start a conversation. Qualified ties directly into Salesforce to give companies a 360-degree view of their website visitors, and arms them with tools to have a high-fidelity sales meeting, including live chat, chat bots, voice calls, and screen sharing. Enterprise sales and marketing teams at leading brands such as ThoughtSpot, Adecco, Bitly, and Zero Motorcycles use the system to grow their sales pipeline. FinSMEs 04/08/2020 Today, this systems engineering approach is central to the automotive moonshot to create driverless vehicles. And I believe the Apollo method could be applied to some of the pandemics thornier issues. Lets look at the challenge of educating U.S. children as an example. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines recommend reopening school buildings in the fall with various safety precautions. But unlike other nations which have dictated specific protocols, the U.S. has delegated those decisions to individual districts. This is where the Apollo engineering system could help: by determining the appropriate division of responsibility based on expertise. Systems engineering includes six key steps: Define requirements. The first step in planning to return students to classrooms or teach online is identifying stakeholders including parents, students, teachers, neighbors and employers to hear their concerns. Then, planners must itemize the key benefits that school provides in addition to education, such as: child care for working parents, meals for hungry children, discipline and socialization. Serum Institute is investing $200 million to create capacities for the COVID-19 vaccine. Sohini Das profiles its 39-year-old CEO. IMAGE: Adar Poonawalla, right, and his father Dr Cyrus S Poonawalla, third from right, at the launch of India's first fully-automated Sample-to-PCR-ready system for molecular diagnostics. Photograph: Kind courtesy MylabSolutions/Twitter When the pandemic hit, Adar Poonawalla, CEO of Serum Institute, believed that long-term lockdowns wouldn't help much. Instead, the world needed a vaccine -- fast. In fact, he tweeted on March 26 (when the government announced its first 'relief package' of sorts), 'Given the scale of disruption a relief package of at least $200 billion should supercharge spending and restore confidence in our economy. We can recover it back through taxes as our growth rate moves beyond 6 per cent. I hope our FM announces this in phases soon.' But a vaccine was a sure-fire way to unlock safely and Poonawalla, who was already working with the University of Oxford on a malaria vaccine candidate, was quick to spot the promise of its COVID-19 vaccine (code named AZD1222). Serum Institute now has a tie-up with the AstraZeneca-backed Oxford vaccine candidate for one billion doses which it will make for India and the GAVI vaccine alliance of 58 countries. Poonawalla is perhaps the only Indian vaccine maker who has decided to start making a vaccine (which is still under clinical trials) on 'personal risk'. He has said in his recent interviews that the Serum Institute is putting in $200 million to create capacities for the AstraZeneca-Oxford vaccine. A leading vaccine maker said: "This kind of risk-taking is rare. But it is possible for Adar because his is a closely held firm. They don't need to answer investors." Indeed, Poonawalla has repeatedly stressed in his interviews that he has no plans to list his firm -- it would result in him losing his "independence," he says, and decision-making can never be the same when a company has to declare quarterly results. People who have worked with him and know this 39 year old well point to his strong business acumen. A case in point being his decision soon after his joined the company's board in around 2005-2006 to expand Serum Institute's global reach. At the time, Serum Institute was supplying vaccines to around 35 countries. With the going turning tough in the domestic market, Adar turned the organisation's focus to global markets. He got the Serum Institute vaccines validated globally and began supplying to aid agencies including the World Health Organisation. Today, Serum Institute exports to around 150 countries across the world, sells over 1.5 billion doses of vaccines and is the world's largest vaccine maker in terms of volumes. Insiders say that under Adar's stewardship, the company's revenues have clocked a compounded annual growth rate of 20 to 25 per cent in the last nine years (he took over CEO in 2011) and Serum Institute has a debt-free balance sheet. Its forte has been affordable vaccine and high volumes. The firm is known for its tetanus, diptheria and measles vaccines. In fact, Serum Institute's journey started from the tetanus vaccine when one of India's first-generation vaccine men, Adar's father Cyrus Poonawalla set up a small laboratory at a corner of his stud farm to make tetanus vaccines from horse serum. Cyrus inducted his son early into the business at 21 years. Adar had studied at St Edmund's School, Canterbury, and graduated from the University of Westminster, London. As a young inductee to the company, he was not given an official designation. His job was to follow his father and learn the ropes of the business. Adar has said in subsequent interviews that learning on the job was a more enriching experience than doing a classroom MBA from an Ivy League school. IMAGE: Adar Poonawalla at the launch of Swasth Immunised India with Kareena Kapoor Khan. Photograph: Kind courtesy adarpoonawalla/ Twitter In Pune, the Poonawalla family is known for its vaccine business, flamboyant lifestyle, and social ventures. True to his British upbringing, his house in Pune (called Adar Abad) flaunts European architecture. "He doesn't enjoy being under the media glare. In fact, while the perception of Adar is that he is a Page 3 regular, he is quite the opposite and, has a strong sense of social responsibility," said someone who closely works with him. Poonawalla's Clean City Movement in Pune, which made him the poster boy of the Swachh Bharat Mission, is a case in point. But his risk-taking extends beyond Covishield (Serum's brand for Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine). He has invested in Pune's molecular diagnostics company MyLab, which made India's first locally made RT-PCR kit to test COVID-19. How these risks will pan out will certainly shape the coming decade for the Poonawalla Group and its young CEO. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has asked Rhea Chakraborty, actor Sushant Singh Rajputs girlfriend, to appear before it on Friday for questioning, officials familiar with the developments said. Chakraborty, a film and TV actress, has been told to present herself at the agencys Mumbai office at 11am on Friday along with documents pertaining to her investments, said the officials. The summons is linked to a case by ED which investigates money laundering and foreign exchange violations on July 31 on the basis of a Bihar Police FIR that followed a complaint by Rajputs father, KK Singh. He accused Chakraborty and her family of abetting the Bollywood actors suicide and siphoning of his money. The ED case was registered under the prevention of money laundering act (PMLA). The development comes on the day the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) got approval to join the investigation into the 34-year-old actors suspected suicide. The Mumbai Police, too, are probing the case. Officials said as CBI takes over, the probe by the Bihar Police will be null and void since it was Bihar that recommended the CBI probe. Meanwhile, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has responded to a Bihar Police letter seeking relaxation of the home quarantine period of Indian Police Service (IPS) officer Vinay Tiwari, who has been put in isolation by Mumbai civic authorities after he reached there to supervise a Bihar Police investigation. While Bihar says Tiwari is forcibly quarantined for 14 days, BMC says it is just following the Maharashtra governments guidelines. On Wednesday, BMC advised Tiwari to use digital platforms to interact with Bihar officials, for now. Further, BMC also said the IPS officer will have to follow all rules and regulations in Maharashtra. P Velrasu, additional municipal commissioner of BMC, confirmed issuing such a letter to the Bihar Police. Changing the green list is pointless when people are not booking flights either way, according to the Irish Travel Agents Association. The green list makes up a list of countries where people wont have to quarantine for 14-days when they return. It says consumer confidence has never been as low, with most of its customers opting to wait until 2021 to travel abroad. The government took Cyprus, Malta, Gibraltar, Monaco and San Marino off the list yesterday, leaving 10 countries on it. Irish people in those five countries will now have to self-isolate for 14 days upon their return to the country. Taoiseach Micheal Martin said that the decisions had been made to "keep the incidence of the virus low" in Ireland. He said that the five countries had slipped below Ireland's minimum criteria for inclusion on the list, which exempts travellers from the requirement to self-isolate. Irish Travel Agents Association President Michael Doorley says they're looking at a very quiet end to 2020. The level of business is minimal. Its nearly non-existent, he said. Changing the green counties isnt going to generate any news business for travel agents. So the announcement doesnt materially affect the level of business that were going to do. Primarily because consumer confidence in travel is at the lowest ebb ever. Our surveys would suggest consumers are putting off travel arrangements until next year. D onald Trump has described a massive explosion in Beirut as a terrible attack despite there being no evidence currently suggesting the blast was intentional. The US President said that he had spoken with US military officials who thought the incident in the Lebanese capital's port area seemed to be an attack, "a bomb of some kind." Speaking at a White House briefing following the blast that killed at least 70 people and injured more than 3,000 others, Mr Trump said the US stands ready to assist Lebanon. He added: We will be there to help. It looks like a terrible attack. Lebanon: Beirut explosion aftermath - In pictures 1 /90 Lebanon: Beirut explosion aftermath - In pictures The scene of an explosion in Beirut AFP via Getty Images A man reacts at the scene of an explosion at the port in Lebanon's capital Beirut AFP via Getty Images Firefighters spray water at a fire following an explosion in Beirut's port area, Lebanon REUTERS A helicopter puts out a fire at the scene of an explosion at the port of Lebanon's capital Beirut AFP via Getty Images An aerial view of ruined structures at the port Getty Images A Lebanese couple drive past the debris of a building in the damaged neighbourhood of Mar Mikhael AFP via Getty Images An aerial view of ruined structures at the port Getty Images Lebanese activists take part in a campaign to clean the damaged neighbourhood of Mar Mikhael AFP via Getty Images An aerial view of ruined structures at the port, Getty Images A statue representing the Lebanese expatriate is seen in front of a building that was damaged by an explosion that hit the seaport of Beirut, Lebanon AP A fireball exploding while smoke is billowing at the port of the Lebanese capital Beirut MOUAFAC HARB/AFP via Getty Image Lebanese firefighters work at the scene of an explosion in the Lebanese capital Beirut AFP via Getty Images The scene of an explosion at the port in the Lebanese capital Beiru AFP via Getty Images A helicopter puts out a fire at the scene of an explosion at the port of Lebanon's capital Beirut AFP via Getty Images TALAL TRABOULSI via REUTERS A view shows the aftermath of yesterday's blast at the port of Lebanon's capital Beiru AFP via Getty Images Lebanese soldiers search for survivors after a massive explosion in Beirut, Lebanon AP A man walks by an overturned car and destroyed buildings on August 4, 2020 in Beirut, Lebano Getty Images Lebanese soldiers search for survivors after a massive explosion in Beirut, Lebanon AP A view shows the aftermath of yesterday's blast at the port of Lebanon's capital Beiru AFP via Getty Images Smoke rises after an explosion in Beirut, Lebanon via REUTERS A drone picture shows the scene of an explosion that hit the seaport of Beirut, Lebanon AP People gather outside American University of Beirut (AUB) medical centre following an explosion in Beirut, Lebanon REUTERS People ride past a car destroyed after a building wall collapsed after a large explosion in Beirut Getty Images Damaged church and vehicles are seen following yesterday's blast that shook the Lebanese capital Beirut AFP via Getty Images A drone picture shows the scene of an explosion at the seaport of Beirut, Lebanon AP The scene of an explosion at the port of Lebanon's capital Beirut AFP via Getty Images Buildings and cars are partially destroyed in the neighbourhood of Mar Mikhael following an explosion at the port of Beiru AFP via Getty Images A rescue worker tends to an injured man following an explosion at the port of Beirut AFP via Getty Images Smoke rises from a port facility after large explosions Getty Images The destroyed silo sits in rubble and debris after an explosion at the seaport of Beirut, Lebanon AP Smoke is seen after an explosion in Beirut, Lebanon GABY MAAMARY via REUTERS Civilians help an injured man at the explosion scene that hit the seaport of Beirut, Lebanon AP Smoke rises as people walk near the site of an explosion in Beirut, Lebanon REUTERS Lebanese soldiers stand outside American University of Beirut (AUB) medical centre following an explosion in Beirut, Lebanon REUTERS Smoke rises from a port facility after large explosions Getty Images Damaged vehicle and buildings are pictured near the site of Tuesday's blast in Beirut's port area, Lebanon REUTERS A general view shows the damage near the site of Tuesday's blast in Beirut's port area, Lebanon REUTERS People stand near damaged cars following an explosion in Beirut, Lebanon REUTERS Smoke rises from a port facility after large explosions Getty Images People inspect the damage near the site of Tuesday's blast in Beirut's port area, Lebanon REUTERS A view shows the damaged facade of a building following Tuesday's blast in Beirut's port area, Lebano REUTERS A wounded man walks next to a damaged car on a street, following an explosion in Beirut, Lebanon via REUTERS Damaged buildings are seen after an explosion in Beirut, Lebanon via REUTERS Smoke rises over destroyed structures following large explosion Getty Images A view shows the aftermath at the site of Tuesday's blast in Beirut's port area, Lebanon REUTERS Smoke rises from a port facility after large explosion Getty Images AFP via Getty Images AFP via Getty Images AFP via Getty Images AFP via Getty Images AFP via Getty Images AFP via Getty Images REUTERS AFP via Getty Images AFP via Getty Images AFP via Getty Images AFP via Getty Images AFP via Getty Images AFP via Getty Images REUTERS REUTERS AFP via Getty Images Getty Images Getty Images REUTERS REUTERS Getty Images Lebanon's interior minister said initial information indicated that highly explosive material, seized years ago and which had been stored at the port, had blown up. When quizzed by a reporter if he was certain the explosion was in fact an attack, Mr Trump said he had met with some of our great generals and they seem to feel that it was. He continued: This was not some kind of a manufacturing explosion type of event. They would know better than I would. Lebanon's President Michel Aoun said that 2,750 tonnes of ammonium nitrate had been stored for six years at the port without safety measures and said it was "unacceptable". Dramatic video of explosion that rocked Beirut Prime Minister Hassan Diab said in a televised address to the nation there would be accountability for the deadly blast at a "dangerous warehouse". The explosion also happened amid rising tensions between Israel and the militant Hezbollah group along Lebanon's southern border. Israel denied any responsibility. Officials said they expected the death toll to rise further after the blast, as emergency workers dug through rubble to rescue people and remove the dead. Loading.... It was the most powerful explosion in years to hit Beirut, which is already reeling from an economic crisis and a surge in coronavirus infections. The police chief in Aurora, Colo., apologized this week after officers handcuffed a Black family, including two children lying on the ground, in a mistaken stolen-car stop that was recorded on a widely shared video and is now under investigation. In a statement on Monday, Chief Vanessa Wilson of the Aurora Police Department said the officers made a mistake during the stop a day earlier, which she said had been treated as a high-risk stop because officers believed it involved a stolen vehicle. She said the department was investigating and reviewing training, and she offered to provide therapy for the children who may have been traumatized. I have called the family to apologize and to offer any help we can provide, Chief Wilson said. At about 11 a.m. local time on Sunday, the police were notified of a possible stolen vehicle, she said. They stopped a car that matched the license plate number and vehicle description, ordered its occupants onto the ground and handcuffed some of them. A bystander took a video, which quickly spread online and drove further outrage at the Aurora police, who have been the focus of large protests in the city this summer. The video shows four children lying on the ground in a parking lot, crying and screaming as several officers stand over them by an S.U.V. By Trend A group of MPs of Azerbaijans Parliament will visit Belarus Minsk city on August 7 to observe the presidential elections, press office of Azerbaijani Parliament told Trend. MPs Azer Badamov and Nagif Hamzayev will act as observers at the CIS Interparliamentary Assembly, and MPs Arzu Naghiyev and Kamran Bayramov will act as observers of the CIS Executive Committee. The MPs will get acquainted with the pre-election situation and will observe the voting process. Based on the voting observation results, a conclusion will be given on the presidential elections. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz Hartpury has been allocated 1.25m in government funding to help create a Digital Innovation Farm, to further enhance Gloucestershires position as a leader in agri-tech. It follows a successful bid by Gloucestershires Local Enterprise Partnership, GFirst LEP, to the governments nationwide Getting Building Fund. The Digital Innovation Farm will include the National Centre for Agricultural Data Management and Interpretation, to assist the industry in its advancement of technology, data and security. It will create new innovation and demonstration workspace for high-growth SMEs in the growth phase already operating within the agri-tech sector, to test and trial products, or enhance existing ones. The Digital Innovation Farm forms part of a 10-year vision at Hartpury, which is already under way with the construction of a 2 million Agri-Tech Centre. Officially opened earlier this year by NFU President Minette Batters, the Agri-Tech Centre provides farmers, students and organisations with access to the latest commercial technology. Russell Marchant, CEO of Hartpury University said: Our plans highlight the scale of our commitment and our ambition to be leaders in shaping the future of digital farming in the UK and beyond. By 2030, the Digital Innovation Farm will have expanded and grown into a state-of-the-art complex at Hartpury attracting leading agri-tech companies and contributing to increased productivity in the UK. GFirst LEP worked closely with public, private and voluntary sectors to submit bids to the Getting Building Fund that were shovel ready, would create jobs, aid recovery and support the green agenda. The Digital Innovation Farm at Hartpury, for which initial plans were announced in August, was identified by GFirst LEP as among five key infrastructure projects to receive funding within Gloucestershire. GFirst LEPs Chief Executive David Owen said: The LEP team have worked hard with partners to ensure our pipeline of creative and innovative infrastructure projects is always up to date. The list of projects that we are now able to fund focus heavily on the cyber, digital and agri-tech sectors, sectors that were identified in our Local Industrial Strategy as the top growth opportunities in the county. The IFC will provide altogether $140 million to the two banks The pandemic has severely impacted Vietnamese businesses including small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), a key driver of Vietnams economic growth over the past two decades. Guided by the State Bank of Vietnam, VPBank and OCB have rolled out various relief measures for their SME clients impacted by COVID-19. As part of its COVID-19 fast-track financing support package, the IFC is providing VPBank with $100 million and OCB with $40 million in one-year renewable senior loans. The funding will provide the two banks with additional liquidity to continue lending to businesses as these banks are offering payment relief to their borrowers at the same time. The IFC is also partnering with international lenders including the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) to mobilise an additional financing package to further expand VPBanks lending capacity to local businesses impacted by the pandemic. AIIB will be co-financing up to $100 million to support VPBanks trade finance and working capital finance to Vietnamese enterprises, including SMEs, during the COVID-19 crisis. SMEs are a strategic client segment to VPBank and we have been continuously offering various solutions to their needs, given the ongoing pandemic. The IFCs working capital line will enable VPBank to assist many more businesses, helping them weather an acute external shock as well as supporting broader financial market stability in Vietnam, said Nguyen Duc Vinh, VPBank CEO. About 20 per cent of the working capital line for VPBank is expected to be earmarked for women-owned SMEs, with blended finance funding provided by the Women Entrepreneurs Opportunity Facility (WEOF). The WEOF is a first-of-its-kind global finance facility dedicated to expanding access to capital for women entrepreneurs. It was launched in 2014 by the IFC, through its Banking on Women and Goldman Sachs' 10,000 Women programmes. At this period of time, OCB aims to support SMEs because they are the backbone of Vietnams economy. As they struggle amidst the ongoing COVID-19 situation, IFCs timely and rapid support will play a significant role in helping them cope with this unprecedented global crisis, contributing to an economic recovery process that is resilient and sustainable, said Nguyen Dinh Tung, OCB CEO. The IFC is providing $8 billion in fast-track financing to support private-sector clients during the COVID-19 crisis. The bulk of IFCs financing is going to client banking institutions, enabling them to continue to offer trade financing, working capital support, and medium-term financing to companies struggling with disruptions in supply chains, especially SMEs. NEW YORK, Aug. 5, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Homeowners in Denver are now able to use the Knock Home Swap to buy and move into their new home before selling their old one, making Denver the fourth market in less than a month where Knock is partnering directly with agents to bring convenience, certainty and cost savings to the homebuying process. This also marks Knock's expansion into Colorado as part of the company's plan to offer the Home Swap in at least 11 markets by year-end. "Buying a home when you have to sell your old house is a stressful, time-consuming process, which has only become more complex in today's competitive housing market and era of social distancing," said Knock Co-Founder & CEO Sean Black. "The Knock Home Swap gives homeowners the ability to purchase and move into their dream home before prepping and selling their old house on the open market for maximum value. It's a convenient and cost-effective alternative to a traditional home sale or quick, expensive sale to an iBuyer, and we're thrilled to make it available to Denver homeowners." Homeowners work with their local real estate agent, who has been trained as a Knock Certified Agent, to receive home financing directly through Knock. This allows them to make a strong, non-contingent offer on their new dream home, immediately take ownership and begin earning equity in their new home while avoiding the hassles of living through repairs and showings. In addition to a fully integrated and competitive mortgage, the Knock Home Swap includes an interest-free bridge loan to cover the down payment on the new home as well as mortgage payments and up to $25,000 for home prep and repairs on the old house so it can sell for the highest price possible on the market. As part of its Home Prep Concierge, Knock provides access to its approved contractor network and manages the payment of all bills upon client approved completion of work. Additionally, Knock provides a backup offer on the old house in the unlikely event that it doesn't sell within six months. Ninety percent of Knock homes sell in 90 days or less. The program gives real estate agents the opportunity to offer a unique solution to their clients that allows them to represent their client in both the purchase of their new home and the sale of the old house. Effective immediately, Denver homeowners can work with a Knock Certified Agent at RE/MAX Professionals, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Innovative Real Estate and West + Main Homes to leverage the Knock Home Swap to purchase their new home before selling their old one. "We are excited to partner with Knock to help our clients purchase their next home in a less stressful way. Providing the opportunity to our clients of selling their current home after they move into their new home, and helping them present an updated home to the market in order to realize top dollar, is an extraordinary privilege. It's very refreshing to work with a Realtor-friendly company that allows our clients to work with the Realtor they trust," said Alan Smith, Broker/Owner, RE/MAX Professionals. "We are excited and grateful for the opportunity to be partnered with Knock in the Denver Metro region. The ability to offer this program to our brokers and their clients is an absolute advantage in this market that will provide so many more options for our home buyers and sellers," said Scott Nordby, CEO/Founder of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Innovative Real Estate. "This removes the friction of buying your next house while you still own the home you're currently living in," said Stacie Staub, Co-founder and CEO of West + Main Homes. "It's now possible to move into your new home and then sell your existing home after making repairs that are most likely to help command the highest and best terms, but without disturbing your lifestyle." In addition to Denver, consumers have access to the Knock Home Swap through more than 5,000 agents in Atlanta, Dallas/Fort Worth and Phoenix. Knock plans to expand the program to at least 11 markets by year-end and operate in at least 21 markets by the end of 2021. About Knock Knock makes it easy for consumers to swap their current house for their dream home. With the Knock Home Swap, homeowners get the certainty of buying the new home they want first and the convenience of selling the old one after, while saving money in the process. Knock pioneered the home Trade In 2017, and perfected it in 2020 with the launch of the Home Swap. Today, homeowners work with the local Knock Certified Agent of their choice to buy and move into their new home before selling their old one. They skip the hassles of living through repairs and showings, pay only one mortgage at a time and have home prep covered upfront so their old house sells on the market for the highest possible price. Launched in 2015 by founding team members of Trulia.com, Knock has raised more than $600 million in debt and equity, from top tier investors, including RRE Ventures, Foundry Group, Redpoint, Greycroft, Corazon Capital, Correlation Ventures, Great Oaks Venture Capital and FJ Labs. The company is headquartered in New York and San Francisco and operates in Atlanta, Charlotte, Dallas/Fort Worth, Denver, Phoenix and Raleigh-Durham with more cities on the way. Learn more at www. knock.com . About RE/MAX Professionals When it comes to real estate, RE/MAX Professionals simply sets the standard. Since 1983, RE/MAX Professionals has been successfully serving both our clients as well as our outstanding agents. With 8 locations serving the entire Denver Metro market, you are never far away from all the amenities of a RE/MAX Professionals office. Our owners, Mike Burns, Alan Smith and Brad Whitehouse, along with the entire leadership team, continually strive to improve systems and tools simply because we are committed to helping you achieve success. From our cutting-edge technology to exceptional training and exchange of strategic marketing ideas, our environment promotes the positive individual growth that makes RE/MAX Professionals a very unique real estate agency. The personal performance and growth of each individual is our priority and it is our goal to create a place for all RE/MAX Professionals agents to excel in their pursuit of success. About Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Innovative Real Estate Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Innovative Real Estate is a premier real estate brokerage specializing in residential and commercial real estate in Colorado. Founded in January of 2003, Innovative Real Estate has deep roots in the Denver, Colorado area and became a member of the Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices network in 2017. Since joining, they have been recognized as one of the Top 50 companies in the Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices global network for the last three years. They have operating offices in Denver, Northglenn, Brighton, and Englewood, as well as brokers that serve areas throughout Colorado. Innovative Real Estate is dedicated to building relationships through its commitment to family, integrity, and service. Their brokers specialize in representation for buyers and sellers, utilizing the latest technology, creativity, market expertise, and hard work to achieve results and build long term relationships. Contact a Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Innovative Real Estate Broker for trusted advice for any of your real estate needs. Visit www.innovativeRE.com. About West + Main Homes West + Main is an independently owned and operated boutique real estate concept specializing in residential properties in the greater Denver and Oklahoma City areas, established in February 2017. A long-overdue update on the traditional Real Estate brokerage, the team at West + Main Homes has created a culture that celebrates collaboration, thoughtful + intentional design, and excellent service. Contact: [email protected] SOURCE Knock Related Links www.knock.com Gavin Williamson vowed to get schools fully open in September yesterday after a poll found most mothers are confident their children will be safe. The Education Secretary insisted the Government will 'succeed' in its pledge to return all pupils to classes thanks to the determination of parents. He said the return was 'our national priority' and warned that not doing so would 'fail our children'. Gavin Williamson vowed to get schools fully open in September yesterday after a poll found most mothers are confident their children will be safe (Stock image) Just 3 per cent of mothers are worried that classrooms will be risky, while only 7 per cent are concerned that coronavirus measures will be upsetting for children, a survey for Mumsnet found. There were also concerns about the impact of the closure of schools between March and July. More than four in five mothers whose children will sit GCSEs or A-Levels next summer were worried the shutdown may have harmed their results. It came a week after a survey by the Office for National Statistics found that 88 per cent of parents with school-age children said it was very or fairly likely that they would return in September. Last night Mr Williamson said: 'Before the summer holidays over 1.6million pupils were back in our schools, and it is our national priority to get all children back in the classroom in September. Education Secretary Gavin Williamson (pictured) insisted the Government will 'succeed' in its pledge to return all pupils to classes thanks to the determination of parents. 'Schools are where our children belong not just for their education, but also for their wellbeing and to be with their fellow pupils and teachers. 'That is why we are helping schools to prepare for all children to return in a few weeks' time. Surveys show parents are increasingly confident that is the right thing to do. 'We will succeed thanks to that same determination to get many pupils back during the last few months and thousands of heads, teachers and school staff across the country are making preparations to welcome the return of all pupils. Because to do any less would be to fail our children.' The poll showing mothers are confident about the reopening of schools will be a boost for Boris Johnson's pledge to get every child back for the autumn. The enthusiasm for lessons to resume was replicated in the findings of a second survey, which found 90 per cent back a full re-opening next month. Parentkind's poll for the Sun was striking in that its results in May showed just 10 per cent of parents wanted to send their child back to class. But Mr Williamson's vision for all students to be back in lessons next month could be thwarted by union bosses who have warned ministers' guidance cannot be 'trusted'. I have no fears for my two. They need this, says happy mother By Kumail Jaffer The science shows it's safe for her children to return to school next month, insists mother-of-two Amanda Hall. She said Frankie, 12, and nine-year-old Alfie desperately need to go back for their social development and mental health. Being off since lockdown has meant they have gone from exercising most days and seeing hundreds of other pupils to interacting with just a handful of friends. The Hall family from Norwich. Mother-of-two Amanda Hall, 37, and her husband James are happy for their children to go back to school Mrs Hall, from Norwich, said: 'I am really happy for them to be going back they have had so much time off and it has often been difficult to occupy them every single day. 'They need this. They have missed out on seeing their friends, exercise and following a normal routine. 'Having a prolonged amount of time like this is exhausting. The children will really be looking forward to returning. Going back is so important for their character and development.' The Hall children do not mix with any vulnerable members of their family, Mrs Hall said, meaning she is not too worried about them spreading the virus. She added: 'I am not bothered about the risk of the virus with them. The science shows that children are going to be absolutely fine if they get it.' However, she says other parents are well within their rights to be unhappy with their children starting school again if they feel uneasy about spreading the virus. Advertisement Dr Mary Bousted, head of the National Education Union, said many schools would struggle to welcome back all their pupils and urged local authorities to step in. She said the Government would be powerless to overrule councils in the event they took an opposing view. 'Local authorities and schools should take the confidence to do what they can do and that will mean for many schools that they cannot have all children fully back in September,' she told a Zoom meeting seen by the Daily Telegraph. 'Now, the Government's making threatening noises about that. But in the end, they won't be able to carry out their threats.' Ministers are also facing pressure to allow face coverings to be worn in schools by some students. Shadow health secretary Jonathan Ashworth has said masks for older pupils 'should be considered'. Government guidance says face coverings are not required as pupils and staff are mixing in consistent groups. They also point out that masks are likely to have a huge impact on communication and learning. Children with hearing problems would find lip-reading impossible. But the NASUWT teachers' union wants the Department for Education to revise its guidance 'as a matter of urgency' to help staff return with 'confidence'. Meanwhile, Business Secretary Alok Sharma admitted ministers were looking at local lockdowns, which could mean schools closing on a 'case-by-case basis'. But MPs warned Britain faces 'economic armageddon' unless children go back to class. Former Tory leader Sir Iain Duncan Smith said: 'The Government has got to recognise that there is not only one risk in the world called Covid: Economic armageddon is coming down the track. 'It will result in far more people dying than ever would from Covid and will see the economy going completely flat. 'Schools are vital to getting the economy going because unless they open, parents can't get back to work. 'There'll be a tsunami of unemployment if we are not careful. 'Ministers have got to be much clearer: Schools have got to reopen there must be no backsliding on this.' The poll of over 1,000 Mumsnet users also found that children who were able to return to school for a period before the summer break found it beneficial. Some 77 per cent said their child was happy to be back, including 94 per cent of parents of children in reception. Among parents whose children have not yet returned to school at all, 75 per cent say that supporting home learning has been stressful. Mumsnet founder and chief executive Justine Roberts said: 'The final third of this academic year has been astonishingly stressful for students, teachers and parents alike. 'It's great to see that parents are largely confident in schools' plans for coping with these strange new circumstances, and that most children who had some sort of a return to school were happy to go back. 'It's clear, though, that parents of pupils who face public exams next summer are wary and anxious about what will happen, given that so much teaching time has been irrevocably lost.' The survey came after the Children's Commissioner for England argued schools should be kept open ahead of pubs or shops. Anne Longfield said children were 'an afterthought' during the first lockdown and young people must be 'at the heart' of tackling a resurgence of the virus. Children's Commissioner refuses to rule out the compulsory wearing of face masks in classrooms - as Harry Styles's old school becomes the first in the country have a mandatory design as part of the uniform By Jack Elsom for MailOnline Face masks may be made compulsory in all schools, the Children's Commissioner said yesterday. Anne Longfield said she 'would not rule out' pupils wearing face masks in the future if it gives people confidence. Harry Styles's old school has become the first in the country to depart from government guidance and make face masks mandatory when classes resume. Holmes Chapel Comprehensive School in Cheshire unilaterally decided that 'on the balance of probability' students and staff would be safer wearing coverings. Navy blue reusable coverings costing three pounds will be viewed as 'part of the uniform' and be embroidered with the school's initials, which were once displayed by the One Direction singer who grew up in the leafy town. Anne Longfield said she 'would not rule out' pupils wearing face masks in the future if it gives people confidence The mandatory use of masks goes beyond the government's coronavirus guidance, which does not compel them to be worn in schools. Downing Street today refused to give ground to intense pressure from Labour and union bosses who called for enforced coverings when children go back to lessons next month. Schools minister Nick Gibb said that in education settings children and staff are mixing with the same people every day, unlike in shops. But Ms Longfield, who does not have the power to mandate the wearing of masks, told BBC Breakfast: 'Certainly we know the risk both of children catching the infection and of course transmission for younger children, primary and nursery, is very, very low. 'It's still low for secondary school aged children, but there may be some children who may feel more comfortable with a mask on. So I don't rule it out. 'I don't think it's something that should be a blanket introduction as yet, unless the scientific advice is to do so, but if it means schools stay open and people have confidence I wouldn't want to rule it out either.' Holmes Chapel Comprehensive School in Cheshire unilaterally decided that 'on the balance of probability' students and staff would be safer wearing coverings which will be embroidered with the school badge, which was once displayed by Harry Styles Headmaster Nigel Bielby has defended his decision to run 'contrary' with official guidelines and compel his school (pictured) to wear masks Holmes Chapel headmaster Nigel Bielby has defended his decision to run 'contrary' with official guidelines and compel his school to wear masks. He told the BBC: 'I think we're going contrary to the guidelines because we want to keep a community that's safe and protect those vulnerable members of our community as far as we possibly can. 'We felt it was an important step that, on the balance of probability, we were more likely to feel our children and our community was safer using a face covering as opposed to not using a face covering and of course when the children are not in those lessons and they're outside they can take that face covering off, so the misunderstanding that the children are in a face covering for six hours a day is incorrect.' A letter sent to parents said the masks would be manufactured by Sam Dale and Son and cost three pounds. Schools have been making themselves Covid-secure ahead of the much vaunted reopening after the summer, but the wearing of masks has not been recommended by government. Mr Gibb said: 'Within a school, of course, you're not with people that you don't meet normally, you see these same children every day, so there are different circumstances - when you're on public transport for example, when you're encountering people you've not come across or met before.' Yet the decision has come under attack from both Labour and unions which yesterday ramped up pressure on ministers. Retailers Sam Dale & Son posted a picture of the 3 masks, and said they will be stitched with the schools initials in yellow Schools minister Nick Gibb (pictured today) said the guidance stands, insisting that the situation is very different than in shops - where anyone aged 11 or over must wear a mask The NASUWT union has called on the Department for Education (DfE) to revise its guidance on face coverings 'as a matter of urgency' to help staff return to school in the autumn with 'confidence'. It said the Government should encourage school and college staff to wear clear facial visors if there are concerns that teaching and learning may be impeded by the use of face masks. Patrick Roach, general-secretary of NASUWT, said the position in schools is 'out of step' with public health guidance that suggests face masks should be worn when physical distancing cannot be assured. In a letter to Education Secretary Gavin Williamson, Mr Roach said: 'Strategies for minimising contact between pupils and staff (i.e. 'bubbles') are unlikely to be effective given constraints of building design, limitations of space within schools, and the inability of schools to control for wider social interactions involving children and adults within and outside their perimeters. 'We strongly suggest that your guidance for schools should now be brought into line with changes to the Government's guidance for other sectors, public transport, shops and supermarkets.' The GMB union has also called on ministers to allow school staff to wear face masks if they want to when they return in September. Rehana Azam, GMB national secretary, said: 'Our members tell us they are scared of what's to come in September and they feel it's strange the Government tells them to wear masks on the way to work, and if they go to get lunch, but not when they are in school.' The Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL) is calling for greater clarity on whether schools can permit face masks if pupils or staff want them. Its general-secretary Geoff Barton said the guidance leaves key questions unanswered. 'One, how should schools respond if pupils and staff want to wear face coverings?' he said. 'Two, do they have the flexibility to introduce the use of face coverings in constricted spaces where there is more mixing, for example in narrow corridors? We are seeking answers from the Government to these questions.' Government guidance warns the misuse of face coverings may 'inadvertently increase the risk of transmission' in schools and there could be 'negative effects' on communication and education. But Holmes Chapel Comprehensive School in Cheshire has made face masks compulsory for staff and students inside school buildings from September. In a newsletter to parents explaining the decision to introduce face masks as part of the uniform, the school said it was a 'precautionary additional measure' to make the school safer. Dr Sarah Lewis, senior lecturer in genetic epidemiology at the University of Bristol, warned any benefits in terms of transmission of the virus 'could be offset by anxiety caused by having to wear the masks'. She said: 'Some children will not return to school if they are compulsory, as their parents will not send them, and this will impact on their education. 'Children are unlikely to wear them all day because they will become wet and uncomfortable and the discarded masks may be more of a risk for virus transmission.' The court took the decision after the Delhi University's counsel provided several clarifications that were requested of them during a previous hearing. The Delhi High Court on Wednesday reserved its order on the batch of petitions challenging the decision of Delhi University to conduct online Open Book Examinations for final-year students. The matter was being heard by a single-judge bench of Justice Pratibha M Singh. The court took the decision after the Delhi University's counsel provided several clarifications that were requested of them during a previous hearing. The DU submitted to the court that the OBE were the best option to check the student's knowledge in keeping with UGC's guidelines while adhering to the restrictions thrown by a global pandemic. "This methodology is the best methodology. It requires minimum technology. Email is sufficient. The mode has an inbuilt safeguard and a physical exam will be conducted soon after for those who could not sit for OBE due to any reason. And Results will be declared in shortest possible time" advocate Sachin Dutta appearing for the DU said. Dutta further said that if the OBE were not allowed it would cause further difficulty to students who are stuck in remote areas due to natural calamity or the COVID-19 situation. Dutta then challenged the petitioners to get students trouble on record regarding the OBE. "If Petitioners have personally faced issues they must tell.. all kinds of allegations are made without bringing anything on record. How is any official supposed to respond.. an atmosphere is created that DU is against the students when there is nothing on record," Dutta was quoted as saying by Bar and Bech. The petitioner's lawyer took exception to this and said: "I don't know why Opposite counsels keep questioning our bonafide and our reason for approaching the Court... Petitioners are personally affected as two belong to Nagaland and Sri Ganganagar, and another has to go to UK for higher studies," advocate Shivankar Sharma was quoted as saying by Live Law. The DU's counsel also sought to argue on the technicality that an existing Supreme Court order limits court's interference in academic matters. "In AICTE versus Surendra Kumar Dhawan case of 2009 the SC delineated the scope of interference of the Court in such administrative issues," Dutta states, further arguing that a taskforce comprised of the senior-most and eminent academicians of the country took the decision to go ahead with OBE. Meanwhile, Dutta also pointed out that a Division Bench of the Delhi High Court has also given the go ahead to OBE. "Division Bench has permitted DU to go ahead, reviewed the preparedness and passed a detailed order," Dutta said. To which, Justice Singh replied that she will go through the order and come to a decision later. A division bench of Justice Hima Kohli and Justice Subramonium Prasad earlier on Wednesday asked the DU to ensure that no visually impaired student is deprived of a scribe at common service centres. The High Court also asked the varsity to make reading material available to visually impaired students within three weeks of receiving a request for the material demanded. The court had earlier made it clear that it was the DU's responsibility to make available scribes for visually impaired students or else the process of online OBE would be a "mockery" for them. It had earlier questioned the DU of its lack of preparedness and facilities, including arrangement of scribes and CSE Centers, for differently abled students to enable them to appear in the online OBE. With inputs from ANI See for yourself how and where vaccinations are ramping up, plus how COVID-19 infections and deaths still persist in most states. The National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) is looking to add near-field communication (NFC) capabilities to its Unified Payments Interface (UPI) and is reportedly in talks with payment aggregators to push the product across point-of-sale (POS) devices. The access to POS and NFC capability will likely expand UPIs reach to offline merchants increase the peer-to-merchant transaction and compete with private payment networks, sources told Mint. Moneycontrol could not independently verify the report. NPCI wants to target the 5 million POS machines in India which are doing well and registering high-value transactions. Enabling NFC is the only way to tap into this it will however face resistance from offline payment aggregators and POS manufacturers, a senior banker told the paper. Private players Mastercard and Visa expanded contactless networks using NFC through tap-on-go payments systems, they added. NFC-enabled tap-on-go cards allow customers to tap the card instead of swiping at POS terminals. The technology would also benefit NPCIs Rupay card and other similar services, besides UPI, the report said. However, both private players already have strong partnerships with banks and POS providers, while NPCI may face some push-back as existing alliances will be challenged, the banker said, adding: It is yet to be seen how NPCI incentivises the offline payment ecosystem to adopt this offering. NPCI and Visa did not respond to queries, the report said. The company is further looking to collaborate with smartphone manufacturers to embed the NFC function directly into devices, and plans to then expand this to large format stores. For phone users, NPCI is also looking to collaborate with banks to issue prepaid-cards and vouchers on the UPI network as an alternative to QR-codes. LONDON, 5 Aug 2020 A revolutionary industry standard for the management of new and existing mine tailings facilities was introduced today, with the aim of eliminating tailings dam failures. Known as the Global Industry Standard on Tailings Management, it resulted from the Global Tailings Review, a one-year review process by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), the International Council on Mining and Metals (ICMM), and the UN-backed Principles of Responsible Investment (PRI), with input from GRID-Arendal. The Global Tailings Review was launched after the tragic tailings dam disaster at Vales Corrego do Feijao mine in Brumadinho, Brazil, on 25 January 2019, which killed 270 people. The three co-convenors UNEP, ICMM, and PRI represent government, industry, and investor stakeholders. Their ambition is for tailings facilities to cause zero harm to people and the environment. GRID-Arendals Elaine Baker was appointed to the multi-stakeholder panel that advised the Global Tailings Review. An expert on tailings dam safety, Baker co-authored the influential 2017 report Mine Tailings Storage: Safety Is No Accident, published by UNEP and GRID-Arendal. Tailings are the waste material that remains after the mining process has removed the desired mineral from the ground. This waste is commonly stored as a slurry behind dams. These dams are some of the largest human-made structures on the planet and require careful, ongoing management. While major failures of tailings dams are uncommon, when they do occur, they can be catastrophic for downstream communities and the environment. The reasons for tailings dam failures are well understood, so the task of the Global Tailings Review was to establish a standard that would ensure mine operators applied best practices in planning, design, construction, operation, maintenance, monitoring, closure, and post-closure of tailings facilities. It is completely unnecessary for mine tailings dams to fail. We know how to prevent it, said Baker. The new standard on tailings management brings together best practices from across the mining sector. If companies follow these guidelines, lives will be saved. Other standards for tailings dam management exist, but the new global standard is more comprehensive and robust. It calls for greater consultation from the outset with potentially affected communities; increased independent engineering oversight at all stages of tailings management; more transparent mine operator accountability; increased public access to information on the consequence of failure; and an overall increased standard of reporting. Together, these provisions represent a system-wide change in tailings management that will dramatically improve safety. GRID-Arendal has been involved in related activities including PRIs Investor Mining and Tailings Safety Initiative. This initiative led to GRID-Arendal building a first-of-its-kind database containing mining company disclosures of tailings dam information, the Global Tailings Portal, which was launched in January 2020. Originally compiled for the investor community, the portal will also provide an essential tool for the monitoring of company compliance with the new global standard. In addition, Baker and GRID-Arendals Kristina Thygesen co-authored sections of Towards Zero Harm: A Compendium of Papers Prepared for the Global Tailings Review, also released today. About GRID-Arendal: GRID-Arendal is a non-profit environmental communications centre based in Norway. We transform environmental data into innovative, science-based information products and provide capacity-building services, with the aim of strengthening management capacity and motivating decision-makers to make positive change. We collaborate with the UN Environment Programme and other partners around the world. (ANSA) - ROME, 05 AGO - Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the Director-General of the World Health Organization, said Wednesday that other countries are learning from how Italy has tackled the coronavirus. "Grazie mille @robersperanza, #Italy Health Minister, for a very good call and for your strong support to @WHO," Adhanom Ghebreyesus commented as he retweeted a post by Italian Health Minister Roberto Speranza. "Your leadership and humility is inspiring to other countries who are learning from and acting on Italy's experience". Italy was the first European country to be badly hit by the pandemic. It imposed tough lockdown measures to combat the spread of COVID-19 and prevent the nation's health service being overwhelmed. Although those moves seemed draconian at the time, they were subsequently copied by other States. Italy also adopted a prudent approach after bringing the contagion curve down, easing the lockdown measures gradually. Some restrictions still apply and people must wear facemasks in enclosed spaces, such as shops and on public transport, and maintain social distancing of at least one metre. (ANSA). Some accounts say Vernon left the show because she was displeased her characters role wasnt larger and didnt appear in more storylines. Other explanations cite her disappearance was due to Vernons husband, Emmanuel Rosenberg, being ill, and requiring her care and attention. However, in later interviews, Vernon herself attributed her departure from the show was related to her close friendship with Danny Arnold, the producer and writer for Bewitched who abruptly left the show after the first two seasons. Stay-at-home orders are now in place in Manila and the four surrounding provinces of Laguna, Cavite, Rizal and Bulacan on the island of Luzon until August 18, reports the BBC. Manila, Aug 4 (IANS) Millions of people in the Philippines returned to a COVID-19 lockdown on Tuesday, after doctors warned a surge in new coronavirus cases could push the country's healthcare system to collapse. The new lockdown came after 80 medical associations on August 1 called on President Rodrigo Duterte to toughen restrictions in a bid to slow the spread of the virus. On Sunday the Philippines announced a record 5,032 new infections. In some areas hospitals are reported to have been forced to turn away soaring numbers of patients. Doctors hope the reinstated restrictions will now give medical workers more time to deal with the spike in cases. According to the new restrictions, public transport will be shut down and police checkpoints will be set up to limit the movement of people. Only residents with government-issued passes will be allowed to leave home for essential errands such as shopping for basic commodities. In mid-March, the Philippines imposed one of the strictest lockdowns which ended in June. As of Tuesday, the total number of coronavirus cases in the Philippines stood at 106,330, with 2,104 deaths. --IANS ksk/ A Brazilian scientist has produced an inventory of 219 pathogens that infect plants in Brazil, including many agriculturally important species. The annotated list, published in Biota Neotropica, is the largest compilation of information on plant viruses ever produced in Brazil. It presents descriptions of the microorganisms, data on the diseases they cause, and information on their occurrence in native, cultivated and ornamental plants as well as weeds. Since the start of my career, Ive been in the habit of collecting publications on plant viruses in Brazil. Ive been doing it for decades and have recorded some 8,000 references to date, said the author, Elliot Watanabe Kitajima, a researcher in the Phytopathology and Nematology Department of the University of Sao Paulos Luiz de Queiroz College of Agriculture (ESALQ-USP). I eventually realized that if I were asked how many viruses have been recorded in Brazil, I wouldnt know the answer, so I drew up an alphabetic list of plant species and of the viruses that naturally infect them. I also produced a reverse list in which the viruses and viroids are followed by the plants infected by each one. Viroids are the smallest infectious pathogens known to science, consisting of a short strand of RNA with no protein coating. All known viroids are inhabitants of higher plants, and most cause diseases. Dr. Kitajima graduated in agronomy from ESALQ-USP in 1958 and earned his PhD in 1967 at the same institution. His resume includes positions as a researcher at the Agronomic Institute (IAC), an agency of the Sao Paulo State Government, as a professor at the University of Brasilia (UnB) and as a visiting professor at his alma mater, where he retired in 2006 and works as a research collaborator. The inventory is the outcome of projects conducted under the aegis of the FAPESP Research Program on Biodiversity Characterization, Conservation, Restoration and Sustainable Use (BIOTA-FAPESP). This review of the viruses documented between 1926 and 2018 basically sums up everything known about plant viruses in Brazil that infect both spontaneous and cultivated vegetation. The author has produced a most important database that will be both useful to researchers and a relevant pest prevention policy input, said Carlos Joly, a professor at UNICAMP and a member of BIOTA-FAPESPs steering committee. Joly also stressed the importance of the inventory to economic activity. The list includes 346 plant species belonging to 74 different families and the viruses that naturally infect them. Several viruses are listed for such important crops as the citrus group, for example. Many are well known, but others arent. In any event, the occurrence of these pathogens affects fruit production and quality. The ability to recognize them quickly can prevent harm and avoid losses, Joly said. Most of the viruses and viroids in the inventory are recognized by the International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses (ICTV), which authorizes and organizes taxonomic classification and nomenclature. Some of the microorganisms listed have yet to be officially recognized. The list maps the history of pathogenic occurrences in Brazilian agriculture and the evolution of plant virology in Brazil as well as the main centers of research in the field. For example, citrus tristeza virus (CTV) is one of the top 20 viruses in molecular plant pathology. It causes citrus plants to decline quickly and is the most economically important citrus disease worldwide, being responsible for enormous losses, including the destruction of some 10 million orange trees in the 1940s. This problem was solved on the basis of scientific research, and the state of Sao Paulo became the worlds largest producer and exporter of industrialized orange juice. Another important crop pest is bean golden mosaic virus, which emerged in the 1970s, when Brazil was one of the worlds leading producers of beans but had to import the commodity from Mexico owing to the severe losses caused by the disease. Additionally, mosaic is caused in papaya by papaya ringspot virus (PRSV). This disease has wiped out entire plantations in Brazil. Control by roguing (systematic removal of diseased plants) has been sufficiently effective to enable the state of Espirito Santo, which pioneered the technique, to become a major exporter of papaya. No viruses can be considered more important than others, Kitajima said. Several factors, such as geography, climate, plant species or variety, vectors, and crop practices, will determine how hazardous they are. In monocultures with genetic uniformity, viral diseases can spread very quickly if epidemiological conditions are favorable, causing significant losses. This is a hazard growers must always deal with, and we researchers must also be prepared to offer solutions. To this end, we need appropriate information. The article An annotated list of plant viruses and viroids described in Brazil (1926-2018) by Elliot Watanabe Kitajima can be read at: doi.org/10.1590/1676-0611-BN-2019-0932. Broker Tracy Tutor was 'blown away' by what she found in one wealthy client's home on Tuesday's episode of Million Dollar Listing Los Angeles. At Bella Paradiso, a 20,000-square foot property in Paradise Valley, Arizona, the 44-year-old broker found a room so beautiful she had to stop and collect herself before moving on. The incredible house already boasted four huge bedrooms, 12.5 bathrooms, a formal dining room, entertainer's kitchen, and ballroom. Blown away: Broker Tracy Tutor was 'blown away' by what she found in one wealthy client's home on Tuesday's episode of Million Dollar Listing Los Angeles Bella Paradiso: At Bella Paradiso, a 20,000-square foot property in Paradise Valley, Arizona, the 44-year-old broker found a room so beautiful she had to stop and collect herself before moving on It had been carved into nearby Camelback Mountain, at a cost to the owner, Char, of $1.6 million. But all that paled in comparison to the giant walk-in closet Tracy encountered on one level, which was lit and designed to look like a small boutique. 'And this is Bella's closet,' the owner told Tracy, as they approached the massive space. Carved: It had been carved into nearby Camelback Mountain, at a cost to the owner of $1.6 million Closet: But all that paled in comparison to the giant walk-in closet Tracy encountered on one level, which was lit and designed to look like a small boutique 'Stop it!' Tracy gasped when she entered the room, and saw hundreds of shoes, bags and accessories perfectly organized around her. 'It's like a store! These are gorgeous.' She grew almost teary as she looked around, and spoke with a catch in her voice. 'This is like a moment for me, because no one displays shoes,' Tracy told Char. 'I love to display a shoe. I'm blown away. You're just really a woman after my own heart.' Store: 'Stop it!' Tracy gasped when she entered the room, and saw hundreds of shoes, bags and accessories perfectly organized around her. 'It's like a store! These are gorgeous' Moment: 'This is like a moment for me, because no one displays shoes,' Tracy told Char. 'I love to display a shoe. I'm blown away. You're just really a woman after my own heart' In a confessional, Tracy added, 'This closet is quintessential feminine perfection. Categorized, separated by season. Everything about it was just beyond.' Music that sounded like it was from a porn film played as the camera cast an adoring eye over Char's belongings, glowing in a soft light. 'Maybe you should just marry Char,' a producer told Tracy, who'd just gotten divorced. Perfection: In a confessional, Tracy added, 'This closet is quintessential feminine perfection. Categorized, separated by season. Everything about it was just beyond' Music: Music that sounded like it was from a porn film played as the camera cast an adoring eye over Char's belongings, glowing in a soft light 'Yeah,' the broker said resignedly, lifting her eyebrows but making no further comment. Char later revealed that she was a licensed general contractor who'd already built 22 homes to her exact specifications. She'd created a quirky architectural masterpiece in Bella, with murals painted by Gianni Versace's personal artist, hidden doors that looked like windows, and a table with a hole beneath it that revealed a private glimpse of the ballroom below. No comment: 'Yeah,' the broker said resignedly, lifting her eyebrows but making no further comment Contractor: Char later revealed that she was a licensed general contractor who'd already built 22 homes to her exact specifications Char only wanted to sell 'Bella' so she could do the whole thing all over again, and Tracy cottoned to her unique aesthetic. She worked with Scottsdale-area broker Chris Karas to come up with a listing price of $14 million for the property, which Char then adjusted to $13,998,648. 'The 64 is her husband's lucky number, and eight is her lucky number,' Tracy told her team. Unique: Char only wanted to sell 'Bella' so she could do the whole thing all over again, and Tracy cottoned to her unique aesthetic Tracy: She worked with Scottsdale-area broker Chris Karas to come up with a listing price of $14 million for the property, which Char then adjusted to $13,998,648 She wasn't sure they'd be able to find a client who could appreciate the home's special look. 'Finding a buyer for this property could be difficult,' Tracy privately worried. 'Are they gonna respond to the Louvre-inspired see-through floors, or a closet that goes on for days, or a ballroom the size of my house?' She threw an 'opulent' open house for local brokers, who loved the place and its amenities, which included four laundry rooms, three bars, and a game room. Louvre: 'Finding a buyer for this property could be difficult,' Tracy privately worried. 'Are they gonna respond to the Louvre-inspired see-through floors, or a closet that goes on for days, or a ballroom the size of my house?' Open house: She threw an 'opulent' open house for local brokers, who loved the place and its amenities, which included four laundry rooms, three bars, and a game room In Santa Monica, California, her fellow brokers James Harris, 35, and David Parnes, 37, had just staged their own event for local agents. They had the listing for Marguerita, a stunning six-bedroom home a block from the ocean, which featured an incredibly lush backyard. At $17.995 million, the property drew great interest, but 80 days later, there were still no written offers. Brokers: In Santa Monica, California, her fellow brokers James Harris, 35, and David Parnes, 37, had just staged their own event for local agents STunning: They had the listing for Marguerita, a stunning six-bedroom home a block from the ocean, which featured an incredibly lush backyard 'Unless we reduce the price, the house isn't going to sell,' James told its owner, Serene. 'My feeling is, there is a buyer for this house, and three monthsit's not that much time,' replied Serene, who had lived there with her husband Roy and kids for 20 years. 'We have done so much marketingdigital, creative, print ads, social mediait's not for a better lack of marketing that we're not getting showings,' James reminded her. Reduce: 'Unless we reduce the price, the house isn't going to sell,' James told its owner, Serene Serene: 'My feeling is, there is a buyer for this house, and three monthsit's not that much time,' replied Serene, who had lived there with her husband Roy and kids for 20 years To the cameras, he was brutally honest about recent trends in the real-estate market. 'We originally took this listing at $21 million,' James said. 'A year later, $17.995 seemed more reasonable. But as time has developed, we learned, 'S***, we were wrong. The property's overpriced.' 'In this business, you don't get it right every single time,' he continued. 'And you have to own it when you're wrong.' Honest: To the cameras, he was brutally honest about recent trends in the real-estate market 'Tell me what price you're talking about,' said Serene, emitting a long sigh when James suggested $14.995 million. 'This is our retirement,' the seller fretted. 'I have a number in my head of what we can live off for the rest of our lives. I don't think that's a realistic number for me right now.' James was concerned about the length of time the property had already been on the market. Price: 'Tell me what price you're talking about,' said Serene, emitting a long sigh when James suggested $14.995 million Concerned: James was concerned about the length of time the property had already been on the market. Market: James was concerned about the length of time the property had already been on the market 'It's extremely frustrating that Serene and Ray are stuck at a number,' he reflected. 'I don't know where we go or what we do at this point, but they are still hoping that the buyer will show up at their doorstep and buy this property.' Josh Altman, 41, had to do some fast thinking to make money on one of his listings, too. He had just opened a new office with his brother Matt Altman in Los Angeles, and they were working to build their portfolio at that site. Josh: Josh Altman, 41, had to do some fast thinking to make money on one of his listings, too New office: He had just opened a new office with his brother Matt Altman in Los Angeles, and they were working to build their portfolio at that site They had recently earned the listing for Oriole, a gorgeous Hollywood Hills home selling for $21.995 million, down from $30 million. When the home's previous broker showed up with a $15 million offer, the seller was motivated to take it, and cautioned Josh he had just 24 hours to find a better deal. Josh quickly located a client who said he'd pay $500,000 extra for the home, and then got into a bidding war with the first buyer. Oriole: They had recently earned the listing for Oriole, a gorgeous Hollywood Hills home selling for $21.995 million, down from $30 million Bidding war: Josh quickly located a client who said he'd pay $500,000 extra for the home, and then got into a bidding war with the first buyer The first buyer won the place for $16.5 million in cash, and Josh earned $412,500 in commission anyway, because of a fluke in the first agent's paperwork. 'Yes!' he yelled. 'First deal in the new office! Only one million more deals to go.' Million Dollar Listing Los Angeles returns next week on Bravo. Winner: The first buyer won the place for $16.5 million in cash, and Josh earned $412,500 in commission anyway, because of a fluke in the first agent's paperwork NORMAL There was no honeymoon period for Aondover Tarhule when he stepped into the post of vice president for academic affairs and provost at Illinois State University on July 1 in the midst of a worldwide pandemic. But Tarhule, who came to ISU from Binghamton University-State University of New York, thinks the university has enough smart people to address the pandemics challenges and said, Were going to come out of this in a better place. In a wide-ranging interview last week, before ISU announced plans to shift classes to online, Tarhule talked about the experiences that prepared him for his new job, his confidence in addressing the COVID-19 pandemic and his thoughts about the future of ISU. Below are excerpts from that interview: Whats it like starting this job in the middle of a crisis? Even under the best of circumstances, there would have been a steep learning curve. I really feel like its not a curve. Im going up this pole, a greased pole I have to go up instead of a ramp or curve. It doesnt matter where I am, Id be facing the same problems. Were going to face challenge. This is a good team to face it with. Although he officially started his job a month ago, he began participating in cabinet meetings six weeks before that. We know that the fears and anxieties and concerns of people are real. We know that we have enough smart people here at ISU to solve the problems. And we know were going to come out of this in a better place. The keys are to not become overwhelmed by the day-to-day challenges of trying to survive and spare some time to think about the post-COVID landscape. If we wait until COVID is over before we start thinking about it, I think well be behind the curve. Were not going to go back to where we were before the crisis. The university has invested in equipment and training, he said. It would be a big waste if post-pandemic we would throw all that out. What about the concerns expressed by some faculty members? All of the concerns are real. The fears are real. Every other institution is facing this. Theres never going to be a satisfactory solution. Were trying to provide maximum flexibility. The situation is not a matter of being 100% online or 100% in person, he said. Its a spectrum. It becomes: Where do you fit on that spectrum? He said the university has to identify their needs and try to meet those needs in a way that makes them comfortable. What attracted you to ISU? When I told a few of my colleagues, including my mentors, that I was looking at ISU, the first thing I heard was, Oh, Illinois, the budget is terrible. But when he studied ISUs budgeting, I thought, oh my goodness, this place is very prudent with money. Then I saw just how robust the enrollment has been over a long time which is not easy to do these days. ... I love the strategic plan. Its very forward-thinking. He also liked the emphasis on student success. "To my mind, ... the only reason for a university to exist is to ensure its students are successful." What specifically are some of the forward-thinking elements you like? He cited the proposed engineering program and the expanded cybersecurity program as two examples of forward thinking. Its a big investment he said of an engineering program. There are some people who may think of it as a risk, but the university is doing it for the right reasons. The University of Illinois does not have enough spaces to accommodate all the students wanting to study engineering and Illinois is losing those students to other states, he said. What previous experiences prepared you for this position? I think Ive been a member of nearly every university committee in my career. ... I feel reasonably comfortable now but Ive never been a provost before. Thats a whole other level. I dont want to come off as brash or overconfident. The very first day I became chair of my department (at the University of Oklahoma), the next day the dean called me and said, You have to cut your budget by $37,000. I had no idea what the budget was. That was in the 2008 recession. That was a very difficult time. A dozen years later, Ive stepped into the middle of this crisis. FROM THE ARCHIVES: ISU's campus through the years Contact Lenore Sobota at (309) 820-3240. Follow her on Twitter: @Pg_Sobota Love 1 Funny 1 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Want to see more like this? Get our local education coverage delivered directly to your inbox. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Prime Minister Scott Morrison will warn the pace of militarisation in the Indo-Pacific region is unprecedented, likening today's challenges to the task faced by the world at the end of the Second World War. Mr Morrison will also use a major national security speech on Wednesday morning to revive his criticism of "negative globalism", whereby global bodies become "unaccountable", "vulnerable to manipulation" and "lose the confidence of their membership". Prime Minister Scott Morrison. Credit:Peter Braig Amid growing tensions between the United States and China, Mr Morrison will say Australia welcomes Beijing's rise as a major economic partner but "with economic rise comes responsibility". China has faced criticism from a number of countries during the coronavirus crisis for increasing its militarisation of the South China Sea, escalating cyber attacks and launching wide-scale disinformation campaigns. Kerala Gold Smuggling: NIA digs deeper, makes fresh arrests India oi-Vicky Nanjappa New Delhi, Aug 05: The custodial interrogation of K T Ramees, the prime accused in the Kerala Gold Smuggling case has revealed that he was aided and assisted by co-conspirators Sharafudeen and Shafeeq in collecting the smuggled gold from arrested accused Sandeep Nair at Thiruvananthapuram and further distributing the contraband among other co-conspirators. On the other hand, the NIA has arrested two more accused persons in connection with the case. They have been identified as Sharafudeen and Shafeeq. Kerala Gold Smuggling: Deliberate attempt to undermine economic stability of India The National Investigation Agency said that the accused in the Kerala Gold Smuggling case made a deliberate attempt to undermine the economic stability of the country. Gold and narcotics are the most preferred means of funding for terrorist activities. After the Mumbai 26/11 attacks, the agencies are on high alert regarding terror funding, the NIA also said. The submissions were made during the hearing of a bail plea filed by Swapna Suresh one of the key accused in the case. The NIA said that the accused persons used the lockdown period to smuggle the gold and this shows the intent of these persons to destabilise the economy. These persons smuggled 200 kilograms of gold on 20 occasions since June 2019, the NIA further submitted. The agency has so far arrested 12 persons in connection with case. The NIA had said that there is a terror angle to this case. The NIA had also arrested one Muhammad Ali, who was charged by the Kerala police in connection with the hand chopping case involving a professor. PM Modi lays foundation of Ram Temple, says 'finally a temple for Ram Lalla' | Oneindia News On Sunday, the NIA made six fresh arrests in the case. Ali was arrested after the investigation revealed that he was part of the conspiracy. He is alleged to aided and assisted arrested accused, Jalal A M in collecting the smuggled gold from Ramees K T at Thiruvananthapuram and distributing the contraband amongst other conspirators. Kerala gold smuggling: NIA arrests six more people, conducts searches at 6 places The NIA also conducted searches at six places. During searches, 2 hard disks, 1 tablet PC, 8 mobile phones, 6 SIM cards, 1 Digital Video Recorder and 5 DVDs were seized besides various documents including bank passbooks, credit/ debit cards, travel documents and identity documents of the accused. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Wednesday, August 5, 2020, 9:14 [IST] This rock shelter was part of the excavation of the Manayzah site in Yemen. Credit: Joy McCorriston People living in southern Arabia some 8,000 years ago created intricate stone weapons that were not just useful, but designed to "show off" their tool-making skills, a new study suggests. Researchers from the French National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS), The Ohio State University and the Max Planck Institute for the Science of Human History excavated and examined projectile pointssuch as spearheads and arrowheadscreated during the Neolithic period in what is now Yemen and Oman. They found that the Arabians independently invented a process to create projectile pointscalled flutingthat was first used by people living in North America thousands of years earlier. But there was one key difference between fluting as it was used in North America and the way it was used in Arabia, said Joy McCorriston, co-author of the study and professor of anthropology at Ohio State. In North America, fluting was used just to make the arrowhead or spearhead more functional. But in Arabia, people also used it to demonstrate their technical skills. "It was like a peacock's feathersit was all for appearance. They used fluting to show just how skilled they were at using this very difficult technology, with its heightened risk of failure," McCorriston said. The study was published today in the journal PLOS ONE. The scientists studied projectile points from two archaeological sites: Manayzah, in Yemen, and Ad-Dahariz, in Oman. McCorriston and a team from Ohio State oversaw the excavation in Manayzah, which lasted from 2004 to 2008. Finding fluted points outside of North America was an important discovery, said Remy Crassard of CNRS, lead author of the study. The sites of Manayzah (Yemen) and Ad-Dahariz (Oman) yielded dozens of fluted points. The Arabian examples date to the Neolithic period, about 8,000 to 7,000 years ago, at least two thousand years later than the American examples. Credit: Joy McCorriston, OSU "These fluted points were, until recently, unknown elsewhere on the planet. This was until the early 2000s, when the first isolated examples of these objects were recognized in Yemen, and more recently in Oman," Crassard said. Fluting involves a highly skilled process of chipping off flakes from a stone to create a distinctive channel. It is difficult and takes much practice to perfect, McCorriston said. In North America, almost all fluting on projectile points was done near the base, so that the implement could be attached with string to the arrow or spear shaft. In other words, it had a practical application, she said. Stone fluted points dating back some 8,000 to 7,000 years ago, were discovered on archaeological sites in Manayzah, Yemen and Ad-Dahariz, Oman. Until now, the prehistoric technique of fluting had been uncovered only on 13,000 to 10,000-year-old Native American sites. Credit: Jeremie Vosges / CNRS But in this study, the researchers found some Arabian points with fluting that appeared to have no useful purpose, such as near the tip. As part of the study, the researchers had a master technician in flintknappingthe shaping of stonesattempt to create projectile points in a way similar to how researchers believe the ancient Arabians did. "He made hundreds of attempts to learn how to do this. It is difficult and a flintknapper breaks a lot of these points trying to learn how to do it right," McCorriston said. The question, then, is why would these Neolithic people do this when it was so costly and time-consuming and didn't make the points more useful? In addition, they only used fluting on some points. Fluting is a specific technique that involves the extraction of an elongated flake along the length of a projectile point, leaving a distinctive groove or depression at the base of the spearhead or arrowhead. Credit: Remy Crassard, CNRS "Of course, we can't say for sure, but we think this was a way for skilled toolmakers to signal something to others, perhaps that one is a good hunter, a quick study, or dexterous with one's hands," she said. "It showed one was good at what one did. This could improve one's social standing in the community." The findings suggested that while there were many similarities between the American and Arabian fluted points, there were also differences. The way that people performed the fluting in the two places was different, which is not surprising since they were separated by thousands of miles and thousands of years, McCorriston said. Detailed technological analysis, backed up by stone tool experiments and replication by an expert modern flintknapper, illustrate the similarities between the American and Arabian fluting procedures. Credit: Jeremie Vosges, CNRS Finding the fluted points in Arabia provides one of the best examples of "independent invention" across continents, said co-author Michael Petraglia of the Max Planck Institute. "Given their age, and the fact that the fluted points from America and Arabia are separated by thousands of kilometers, there is no possible cultural connection between them," Petraglia said. "This is a clear and excellent example of cultural convergence, or independent invention, in human history." Explore further Archaeologist explains innovation of 'fluting' ancient stone weaponry A former national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dr. Okwesilieze Nwodo, has declared that Ndigbo would join Nnamdi Kanu, to seek Biafra secession from Nigeria if South-East does not produce the president of the country in 2023. Nwodo stated this during an exclusive interview with Vanguard on Tuesday, while reacting to a call by an elder statesman, Alhaji Tanko Yakassi, for Igbo presidency in 2023. The former governor of Enugu State and national secretary of PDP said that Ndigbo have suffered grievous marginalisation in Nigeria and should be given a chance to produce a president for the sake of equity and national unity. He said that South-East geopolitical zone has been persecuted for over 50 years even though the region is more patriotic than any other geopolitical zone in terms of economic development of the nation. Yakassis call is very fair and that is the correct thing. In the first republic, the country was led by Tafawa Balewa, in the second republic, it was led by Shehu Shagari. And then, those of us in PDP made a very strong case to move the presidency to South East, because even the military people were all from the north, apart from Aguiyi Ironsi who presided over for a very short time, Nwodo said. We managed to convince them at the party and Olusegun Obasanjo and Alex Ekwueme contested. That was when Obasanjo won and after his tenure, he handed power to another northerner, late Alhaji Musa YarAdua who unfortunately died in office and the Vice president completed the tenure. President Muhammadu Buhari will complete his eight years in office by 2023. Following equity, the presidency should come to the South-East because Obasanjo was president for eight years, now Yemi Osibanjo is also the vice president and would finish his eight-year tenure by 2023. So, in Southern Nigeria, it would be a total disaster if we do not produce the next president because we have been terribly marginalised since the end of the civil war. For 50 years now, we have been persecuted for having fought for freedom. When will this marginalisation stop? Anybody who loves Nigeria and who wishes Nigeria well should go for Igbo Presidency in 2023 for unity, fairness, equity and for Nigeria to move forward. It is only an Igbo man who will not marginalise any part of Nigeria because we constitute the semen that hold the country together. We are the only tribe that you find in every nook and cranny of Nigeria; doing business and developing wherever they are as if it was their own place. I dont believe that the Igbos are not united, there has never been a time when any region produced a consensus candidate, everybody emerged through primary elections. The last election was zoned to the north and Atiku Abubakar contested with other aspirants before he emerged PDPs candidate, so did Buhari contest with other candidates before emerging the candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC. There is no zone that has produced a candidate by consensus. It doesnt matter how many people are interested, they will be subjected to party primaries and the person with highest vote will win. I agree with Nnamdi Kanu in everything he says about the marginalisation of the Igbos. He, more than any other person has put it on the international map. If Nigeria tells the elites from South East that they would be treated as second class citizens in Nigeria, and that they can never be president, almost all of them will go with Kanu to fight for Biafra. Anybody who wants to be a second-class citizen can support whoever he wants. Any Igbo man who wants to bequeath secured future for himself and generation yet unborn should support this call for Igbo presidency. In the spirit of fairness and equity, Nigeria should give the presidency to South East in 2023, otherwise, we will join him and fight for Biafra. Meanwhile, the Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) has advised politicians from the South-East not to waste their funds on the 2023 presidency. MASSOB insisted that having a President of Nigeria from the South East region is impossible, adding that any Igbo who decided to run for the presidency in 2023, would only be wasting his or her money. Let me get this straight. There is a riotous faction within the protest movement that is intent on vandalizing, burning and destroying federal property, which are all unlawful acts. Federal agents show up to protect federal property and erect a protection fence. These federal agents mostly stay inside the building while rioters throw things, set off fireworks and try to start fires. The federal agents order the rioters to disperse. The rioters decline. As the rioters try to break through the fence, the federal agents stage outside and again order them to disperse. The rioters decline again and further incite violence by throwing rocks, bricks and Molotov cocktails and shooting laser beams at the federal agents eyes. In dispersing the rioters, some are injured. And somehow, The Oregonian/OregonLive headline in the paper chooses to paint the rioters as victims of militarized foes (Leaf blowers, lasers, fireworks: How Portland protesters are battling their militarized foes in the streets, Aug. 2)? Please stop the blatantly biased reporting and provide a balanced viewpoint. Kevin Doran, North Plains Health authorities will know in three to four weeks if Melbourne's draconian stage-four lockdown is working - and whether Victoria must stay isolated from the rest of Australia. The state suffered its worst day of the coronavirus outbreak on Wednesday, with 725 new cases and 15 fatalities, including Australia's youngest victim - a man in his 30s. The rate of community transmissions in Victoria will ultimately determine when the state reopens. Epidemiologist Professor Tony Blakely of Melbourne University told news.com.au that it will take two to three weeks for authorities to gauge the impact of the current lockdown. 'The models should be able to show whether Victoria is on track to eliminate the virus in two to three months, which is critical information for policy makers,' he said. Victoria suffered its worst day of the coronavirus outbreak on Wednesday, with 725 new cases and 15 fatalities, including Australia's youngest coronavirus victim - a man in his 30s All states and territories except New South Wales and Victoria had eliminated community transmission before Melbourne's recent second wave 'We don't have that information yet so we can't do it accurately yet; we have to see how the case numbers change.' Prime Minister Scott Morrison last month said Australia is aiming to eradicate community transmission, but said the plan is to suppress cases rather than eliminating them. New South Wales Health Minister Brad Hazzard said the situation in Victoria isn't showing 'any marked signs' of improvement. 'That is certainly influencing us as a government and the government's decision-making,' Mr Hazzard told reporters. 'The results in Victoria have been extremely disturbing to me as health minister.' All states and territories except New South Wales and Victoria had eliminated community transmission before Melbourne's recent second wave. NSW's daily new cases have hovered below 20, while most of the handful of new cases in South Australia have come from returned travellers in quarantine. Victoria's latest figures bring the state's death toll from the virus to 162 and the national figure to 247. Of the 15 deaths, 12 are linked to outbreaks at aged care facilities. The state's previous record was 723 new cases on July 30, though daily case numbers have been in triple digits for a month. There are 538 Victorians with coronavirus in hospital - an increase of 82 from Tuesday - with 42 of them in ICU. Health authorities will know in three to four weeks if Melbourne's draconian stage four lockdown is working and whether Victoria will stay isolated from the rest of Australia. Pictured: Victorian Premier Dan Andrews Stage four restrictions for metropolitan Melbourne and stage three protocols for regional Victoria will run for six weeks until September 13 Of the 12 new cases in NSW on Wednesday, just one was in hotel quarantine. There were two linked to the 105-person Thai Rock Wetherill Park restaurant cluster, two connected to The Apollo restaurant in Potts Point and six associated with the funeral cluster. One of the new cases was locally acquired with no known source. Two COVID-affected students from Greenway Park Public School were confirmed in Wednesday's case numbers following a pupil from Bonnyrigg High School on Tuesday. Both schools in Sydney's southwest reopened on Wednesday after cleaning. The three students are linked to cases who attended the Mounties club in Mount Pritchard, connected in turn to the 46-person funeral cluster. Nigerians have called out NCDC after it reported 20,663 discharge on 3rd of August, and by the following day (yesterday), 4th of August it reported 31,85, a whopping 11,188 difference. A twitter user spotted the huge difference and asked what was going on before others picked it up. You already know how the trend will end. See some of the hilarious reactions below Follow Us on Facebook @LadunLiadi; Instagram @LadunLiadi; Twitter @LadunLiadi; Youtube @LadunLiadiTV for updates Chicago Police Officer Shot by Domestic Violence Suspect Fourth officer shot in one week A domestic violence suspect shot a Chicago police officer early Wednesday, Chicago Police Superintendent David Brown said. Several officers responded to a domestic violence report at 3:30 a.m. When they arrived, the suspect was on the third floor peering out the window at them. Officers started talking with him from the ground level, trying to deescalate the situation. But almost immediately the suspect began firing at the officers from a handgun down on ground level from the third floor, striking one of our officers in the leg, Brown told reporters outside Mt. Sinai Hospital, where the officer was in serious condition. Officers did not return gunfire. Instead, they went up to the apartment and apprehended the suspect, who was described as a felony gun offender with criminal history. The mans partner and a child were inside. Both are doing okay, Brown said. The officer hit by the bullet was the fourth struck by gunfire from suspects this week alone. It just speaks to the courage, bravery, and dedication of the Chicago Police Department and its officers during this unprecedented time and challenging time with not only with the pandemic and civil unrest but also the push against police, and yet our officers are continuing to risk everything to protect their city, Brown said. Crime scene tape remains on a fence near the Rhodes funeral home, where 15 people were shot July 21 during a funeral for a shooting victim, in Chicagos Auburn Gresham neighborhood on July 22, 2020. (Scott Olson/Getty Images) Shootings have skyrocketed this year in Chicago. As of Aug. 2, the city saw 1,804 shooting incidents, up from 1,220 through the same date last year. Murders are up to 550, a 55 percent increase from the same time period in 2019. July was the most violent month in the last 28 years, local news outlets reported. Max Kapustin, senior research director at the University of Chicago Crime Lab, told a local website that the violence wont stop overnight. The last time we had one of these episodes in 2016, it went on for a while. It went on for almost a year or more in some places, Kapustin said. In the long run, it can happen. We saw it happen in New York and Chicago and other cities in the 1990s. Crime can go down. The difficult thing is knowing what exactly to invest in to do that, he added. Police officials have blamed the rise in violence on the release of violent criminals and an electronic monitoring program they say doesnt work well. Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot said last month the COVID-19 pandemic was one of the causes. The ecoystem of public safety that isnt just law enforcement, that is local, community-based, they, too, have really been hit hard by COVID, and they are just now coming back and getting their footing, she said during an appearance on CNN. New Delhi: The Supreme Court asked the Centre to spell out measures taken to ease the sufferings and inconvenience of people in rural areas, who are mostly dependent on co-operative banks, post-demonetisation. A bench of Chief Justice TS Thakur and Justice DY Chandrachud, while hearing a batch of pleas challenging various aspects of demonetisation, said all the parties should sit together and prepare a list of categories of cases which could be referred to high courts and those that could be heard by the apex court. Attorney general Mukul Rohatgi, appearing for the Centre, said that the government is aware of the situation in co-operative banks which lack proper infrastructure and mechanism as compared to scheduled banks. "Entire chapter in the additional affidavit filed by the Centre is dedicated to the issue of co-operative banks. It is not that we are not aware of the situation but these (the co-operative banks) lack proper facilities, mechanism and proper infrastructure as compared to scheduled banks," he said. He said that the government has deliberately kept co-operative banks out of the drive as these did not have the expertise to detect fake currency. Rohatgi said, "Several cases are filed each passing day in various high courts on various aspects post demonetisation and it is not possible to deal with cases simultaneously in Kerala, Kolkata, Jaipur and Mumbai... All these matter should be clubbed together and be referred to any one high court or the apex court should hear them." Senior advocate P Chidambaram, appearing for co-operative banks, questioned the government's decision, saying that the rural economy is almost paralysed due to non-inclusion of co-operative banks. Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for one of the petitioners, suggested that they will sit together and file the list of categories by Monday. The bench then posted the hearing on the matter to December 5. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Ralph Lauren Corp.s American Dream hasnt always been for everyone. Its hoping to change that. Amid a broad corporate reflection on race, the company is re-evaluating its marketing and how it projects American success in an effort to draw from more diverse sources, according to Chief Executive Officer Patrice Louvet. The decision follows conversations management has held with Black colleagues and external groups over racial injustice since the police killing of George Floyd in May sparked nationwide protests. We are examining how we portray the American Dream, in the stories we tell, the creators we champion and the faces we elevate, Louvet said Tuesday on a call after the company reported quarterly earnings. Louvet didnt share details of how a broadened American Dream ideal would coalesce in products and marketing, but said the preliminary review is only the beginning. The review marks a rare acknowledgment from an established brand that it needs to broaden its appeal to a more diverse set of shoppers. Last year, Banana Republic widened its range of product colours to match skin tones and sell more sizes. Estee Lauder told employees in June that it would use more Black models and offer more makeup shades and formulas. Ralph Laurens diversity pledges extend beyond marketing. The company said it would ensure that people of colour represent at least 20% of its global leaders and it will interview two underrepresented candidates for every open leadership role. Executives are also reviewing their media partners and instituting diversity expectations for vendors. Rags to Riches The concept of the American Dream has been core to Ralph Laurens branding from the beginning, built from the founders self-made rags-to-riches story growing up as the son of immigrant parents in the Bronx. His inspirations come from varying parts of American history, including the romanticized cowboys of the Old West, the Gatsby-esque years of the Roaring 20s and American soldiers in World War II. More recent sources of his idealized dream come from Hollywoods Golden Age, Frank Sinatra, vintage cars and exclusive country clubs -- the sort of old-money lifestyle he didnt have access to as a kid. Last year, the local newspaper in East Hampton, New York, called his clothes a distillation of peak East Coast WASP society, using an acronym to refer to White Anglo-Saxon Protestant. (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 Like most towns in the midlands, Birr town faces a difficult economic path after Covid-19 but many businesses owners remain optimistic and hopeful for the future. As part of the Tribune's 'Birr Fights Back' feature, we spoke to a number of local businesses to see how they have adapted to these challenging times in unprecedented circumstances. Tom, from Barbers 21, along Main Street, said the business has adapted as best we can and feel we have our shop set up in the safest way possible for both the clients and ourselves. With a screen between the chairs, masks are worn by the staff at all times in the shop and hand sanitiser is mounted on the wall as you enter the shop while both the chair and all surfaces are disinfected after every haircut. Located in Market Square, Sanjay, from Sanjay's Kitchen believes the mood is definitely lifted after opening since lockdown. It's nice to see familiar faces and return to a familiar routine, he enthused. Obviously, he said business has been slightly down due to the pandemic and sit-ins the restaurants are through bookings only. Another difficulty we faced was that our staff are from India Bangladesh and because of Covid-19, they are unable to return to Ireland, he outlined. The restaurant has implemented a number of measures after lockdown to deal with this pandemic including that all staff are required to wear either face shields or masks, worktops are sanitized as well as tables and chairs after customer use and a glass barrier was installed at the main counter for further protection. There is a system of keeping one reserved table that's not in use between customers, to adhere to social distancing and a new system of accessing the food and wine menu through a QR code that is scanned by any phone camera. This is to minimise contact between staff and customers, Sanjay explained. We have placed hand sanitizers in frequently used areas for customer use. Such areas include the counter where takeaways are collected and at the main door where customers enter the premises. We have a strict system in place for employees to sanitise their hands before and after attending to customers at their tables. Payment is contactless taken through card or over the phone. Sit-ins are strictly taken through bookings. Having reopened, Jerros, along Main Street, have put in a number of procedures to ensure customer and staff safety. They completed Covid-19 training with the Offaly Enterprise Board. Within the shop, there is a protective screen around the counter and a sanitizing station just inside the door and gloves for everyone. People can try on the clothing and we are steaming each item after. Then, we leave the items off the shop floor for 24 hours. We have also gone online at jerros boutique.ie. The store is currently open three days per week but it is hoped to increase this back up to six days while there is a sale in-store. Our regular customers are so lovely and are helping us to fight back and get moving again. They are the heart of the town. There is so much goodwill here. I am sure that we will survive 2020, she said. At the Red Apple Cafe, the past few weeks have been full of changes for everyone. Remona said: Weve been getting used to serving customers with masks or face shields and weve also upped our hygiene work ethic to an extremely high standard. " "Unfortunately we have had to lose some seating as well, this can be up to 50% if its raining and as we are such a cosy cafe already this in itself has had a huge impact." It breaks my heart to tell people we are full when nothing could be further from the truth during normal times. We are missing what this time of year brings to the town of Birr and the buzz of activity that would be vintage week. Its very strange times. Im hoping that we are heading in the right direction and that the day we can resume with full seating and opening hours is not to far away. Thanks to all of our customers old and new. Xinjiang Authorities Relocate Camp Detainees to Restricted-Access 'Residential Area' 2020-08-04 -- Authorities in Kashgar (in Chinese, Kashi) prefecture in northwest China's Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region (XUAR) have established a special, restricted-access "residential area" to relocate Uyghurs and other Muslim minorities released from internment camps, according to local officials. Confirmation of the new facility in the southern XUAR's Uyghur heartland comes amid indications China is relocating some inmates of a three-year-old internment camp program that has drawn international condemnation and U.S. sanctions, sending many to work in factories across China and putting some on trial. The residential zone in the seat of Kashgar's Makit (in Chinese, Maigaiti) county permits detainees to live with their families, but otherwise differs little from the camps where authorities are believed to have held 1.8 million people since April 2017, a source in the region told RFA. Sources who described the new guarded community of former inmates outside Kashgar, a trading post city of 500,000, gave estimates ranging from several hundred families to 7,000 people. RFA was unable to verify the population of the residential zone. The residential area, known as the "14th Neighborhood Committee," accommodates those who have "completed their studies" at the camps, said one source, who requested anonymity, citing fear of reprisal. He said "hundreds of families" are housed there and that entry and exit are prohibited without special permission. The committee requires that residents continue to attend mandatory political indoctrination classes, as well as sessions involving "self-examinations" and "confessions," the source recently told RFA's Uyghur Service in an interview. The source said he had learned about the situation in Makit county from a Uyghur former camp detainee from Tumental township named Ismail Dawut, who was sent to live in the residential area after being released from an area camp. 'One way in and out' RFA spoke with an officer at a Makit county police station who refused to comment on the existence of the 14th Neighborhood Committee and said they had no knowledge of Dawut. But official sources in Tumental confirmed that Dawut is a resident of their township and had been sent to live in the special area in Makit. "We have a person named Ismail Dawut from our village who was placed in the areahe's a farmer," an officer at the Tumental Township Police Station told RFA. "He was released from the camp and works a day job, but in the evening, he has to go back to the place called 'Yuanqu,' where all the people who went to reeducation are held." The officer, who also declined to be named, said Yuanqu is officially known as the 14th Neighborhood Committee, and that the area has "an entrance that is guarded by police." He said Dawut, who still owns a home in Tumental, was released from an internment camp in April last year and "directly placed in Yuanqu." "He lives in an apartment with his family, but I've never been there," the officer said. "It's a residential area and his kids go to school as normal. However, he has to ask for permission to travel home to Tumental. He is allowed to return only once a week." A Tumental township government official called Dawut "98 percent free," in that he can work a job of his choosing during the day as long as he returns to the 14th Neighborhood Committee in the evening. "The two percent restriction is, from what I can tell, not being able to visit his parents [back home]," he said. According to the official, Dawut told him that "more than 7,000 people" are living in the special residential area, "all of whom were relocated there after re-education," using the official euphemism for detention at a camp. "The 14th Neighborhood Committee is located in a walled and gated area with only one way in and out," he said. "There is a school there. There are more than 100 [apartment] buildings that are eight to 10 stories tall. And there are also factories located there." Mounting pressure Beijing describes its three-year-old network of camps as voluntary "vocational centers," but reporting by RFA and other media outlets shows that detainees are mostly held against their will in poor conditions, where they are forced to endure inhumane treatment and political indoctrination. Amid pressure from the U.S. and, to a lesser extent, the European Union and the United Nations, experts believe that China has begun sentencing Uyghurs held in internment camps to prison, providing legal cover to the detentions. Some Uyghurs and other detainees are being relocated to factories inside and outside of the XUAR as forced labor, under the guise of gaining employment connected to their purported vocational training. Information RFA obtained about the 14th Neighborhood Committee appears to dovetail with reports that China is shifting detainees out of the camps in a bid to sidestep international criticism and potentially to prepare for allowing foreign monitors into the region to investigate accounts of abuses. Late last month, sources told RFA that authorities in the XUAR are organizing local residents for visits with outside "inspectors" by ordering them to disavow knowledge of "family planning" policies targeting Uyghurs forced contraception and sterilization measures featured in a recent damning report on XUAR practices. The meetings appear to have begun shortly after Adrian Zenz, a senior fellow in China Studies at the Washington-based Victims of Communism Memorial Foundation, published a report in collaboration with the Associated Press in June detailing a dramatic increase in recent years in the number of forced sterilizations and abortions targeting Uyghurs in region. In his report, Zenz concludes such policies may amount to a government-led campaign of genocide according to the United Nations Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide. They also came as China's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin addressed a question during a regular press briefing in Beijing about France's recent condemnation of the mass incarceration of Uyghurs and other Muslim minorities in the XUAR, and its demand that independent rights observers be granted access to the region. "We welcome those with a truly objective and fair attitude to visit Xinjiang and see for themselves the real situation and avoid being blinded by these rumors and slanders," he said at the time, dismissing reports of mass incarcerations of Uyghurs and other Muslim minorities. China in 2019 organized two visits to monitor internment camps in the XUARone for a small group of foreign journalists, and another for diplomats from non-Western countries, including Russia, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, and Thailandduring which officials dismissed claims about mistreatment and poor conditions in the facilities as "slanderous lies." During the United Nations General Assembly in New York in September, U.S. Deputy Secretary of State John J. Sullivan told the gathering that these trips and the China-friendly accounts they produced were "Potemkin tours in a failed attempt to prove" that the camps were humane training centers. Last week, the Trump administration sanctioned the quasi-military Xinjiang Production and Construction Corp (XPCC) and two of its current and former officials over rights violations in the XUAR. The move followed similar sanctions in July against several top Chinese officials, including regional party secretary Chen Quanguo, marking the first time Washington targeted a member of China's powerful Politburo. Coronavirus outbreak The reports on the special residential area in Makit county also come as authorities in the XUAR continue to grapple with a new outbreak of the coronavirus in the capital Urumqiwith two related cases each in the cities of Kashgar city and Sanji (Changji) in the Changji Hui (Changji Huizu) Autonomous prefectureprompting strict lockdowns. According to the official Global Times newspaper, XUAR officials announced 28 new domestic cases on Monday, including nine asymptomatic carriers of the virus, bringing the total number of cases to 606 since infections were first reported in the region on July 15months since the last positive test. At least 15,213 people are under medical observation, the government said. Beijing has come under criticism for its lack of transparency in handling the initial outbreak, which originated in Hubei province's Wuhan city in late December and has since gone on to infect nearly 18.4 million people worldwide, leaving almost 700,000 dead. Reported by Shohret Hoshur for RFA's Uyghur Service. Translated by Mamatjan Juma. Written in English by Joshua Lipes. Copyright 1998-2020, RFA. Used with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. For any commercial use of RFA content please send an email to: mahajanr@rfa.org. RFA content August not be used in a manner which would give the appearance of any endorsement of any product or support of any issue or political position. Please read the full text of our Terms of Use. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Update: The Bexar County Sheriff's Office is still searching for a Philadelphia man believed to be dead, Sheriff Javier Salazar said Friday. Curtis Perry, 39, was last seen July 29 near the 9400 block of South Foster Road on the southeast of the county following a violent altercation with several individuals. While the investigation remains classified as a missing persons case, Salazar said Perry was "most likely" the victim of murder. "We believe he was shot during the course of this altercation. Beyond that we don't have much more because we don't have a body. But we believe that his injury was such that we don't believe that he survived it," Salazar said. Authorities believe the people suspected in Perry's death, a group that includes juveniles, are also responsible for other violent crimes in San Antonio that occurred around July 29. The Sheriff's Office, along with other agencies, are using police dogs, drones and a boat to search the area. Nearby residents are asked to search their property and contact BCSO with any information, especially if they see buzzards circling. Original: The Bexar County Sheriff's Office is searching a densely wooded area on the southeast side of the county for a Philadelphia man who may possibly be dead, Sheriff Javier Salazar said during a news conference Wednesday. Salazar said deputies are looking for 39-year-old Curtis Perry near the 9100 block of Foster Road, the area he was last seen July 29 following a violent altercation. "He may be out here, injured critically and we belive it is a possibility he may be laying out here deceased," Salazar said. Perry was visiting relatives in Houston but rented a car to meet people in San Antonio. It is believed those people are involved in Perry's disappearance, Salazar said. "The last place he was seen was running along this roadway, so we believe if he is out here dead he will be along here," Salazar said. FIND OUT FIRST: Get San Antonio breaking news directly to your inbox Bexar County Search and Rescue and Texas Parks and Wildlife Game Wardens have been searching the area for about four days, Salazar said. The Texas Department of Corrections was also using cadaver dogs that are trained to pick up odors from a dead body. On Wednesday, BCSO's Mounted Unit joined the search. The area, however, is making the search efforts difficult as it is a large swath of land that is densely wooded with several bodies of water. Salazar said it is too treacherous to search on foot and there is too much brush for effective drone footage. "It is like finding-a-needle-in-a-haystack scenario, but we are hopeful we will find Mr. Perry out here," Salazar said. The sheriff did not classify the incident as a murder but believes there was a violent altercation that may have led to Perry's possible death. Salazar is asking residents in the area who have doorbell cameras to review their footage from the morning of July 29 and to call 210-335-6070 if they find relevant footage. Taylor Pettaway is a breaking news and general assignment reporter for MySA.com | taylor.pettaway@express-news.net | @TaylorPettaway HOUSTON, Aug. 5, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Attorney Brian White & Associates, P.C. has launched its new website in order to better serve its clients in Houston and throughout Texas. As a leading personal injury law firm in Houston, they needed a website to highlight their multimedia and results. Attorney Brian White - personal injury lawyer in Houston, TX. Brian White tells us, "We're confident that our new site will result in a much better user experience. We're excited to get feedback from our site visitors." The new website incorporates state-of-the-art technology to allow for a seamless experience between desktop and mobile devices. As more users turn to their smartphones when looking for attorneys, they really focused on creating an outstanding mobile experience. About Attorney Brian White & Associates: Since 2002, the Houston personal injury law firm of Attorney Brian White & Associates, P.C., has provided the residents of Houston with excellent legal representation. At Attorney Brian White & Associates, they pride themselves on giving each client an amazing experience. You can see their commitment to providing excellent representation by their 5/5 star Yelp review average, their 5/5 star Avvo review average, and their 4.8/5 Google review average. It's simple at Attorney Brian White & Associates, P.C., the client comes first. Attorney Brian White has been fighting for injury victims for over 17 years. His commitment to excellence has earned him the prestigious Avvo 10 Superb Rating, which is only given to attorneys with impressive careers. Brian is also Board Certified in Personal Injury Trial law a distinction that only 3% of the attorneys in Texas have earned. Despite the firm's size, the legal team at Attorney Brian White & Associates provides a personalized level of attention to every case. Brian White says, "I treat every case as if it were my own. I leave no stone unturned and fight for every penny that my clients are entitled to. I keep in close communication with my clients and promptly return phone calls. I understand that reputation is one of the most valuable assets that a lawyer has." The firm has handled almost every personal injury case imaginable, from simple insurance claims to the most complicated catastrophic injures. Some of their most common practice areas are car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, pedestrian accidents, slip and fall injuries, and Jones Act cases. They offer a free consultation, so call Attorney Brian White & Associates, P.C. today to discuss your case. Their attorneys will be happy to discuss your case with you without any obligation. Visit their Houston personal injury law office. They offer virtual consultations as well. Media Contact: Company Name: Attorney Brian White & Associates, P.C. Contact Person: Brian White Address: 3120 Southwest Fwy #350 City: Houston, State: TX Zip Code: 77098 Country: United States Phone: (713) 224-4878 Website: https://attorneybrianwhite.com Related Images attorney-brian-white.jpg Attorney Brian White Attorney Brian White - personal injury lawyer in Houston, TX. Related Links Houston Personal Injury Blog Houston Personal Injury Legal Team SOURCE Attorney Brian White & Associates, P.C. Save Log in , register or subscribe to save articles for later. Normal text size Larger text size Very large text size BEIRUT: The blasts came within seconds of each other. First, an explosion in Beirut's port, possibly from a fireworks warehouse, sent a plume of smoke billowing over the capital skyline early Tuesday evening. Then a much larger explosion from a building nearby shot a chrysanthemum of orange and red smoke into the air followed by a massive shock wave of whitish dust and debris that rose hundreds of feet and spread out for blocks. The seaside capital rocked like an earthquake. Cars tumbled upside down and bricks rained down from apartment buildings. Glass flew out of windows kilometres away and roofs collapsed. Citizens ride their scooters and motorcycles pass in front of a house that was destroyed . Credit:AP Photo/Hussein Malla The wounded stumbled through debris-choked streets to hospitals, only to be turned away in some cases because the hospitals, already reeling from the coronavirus pandemic, were overwhelmed. By Wednesday morning, at least 100 people were dead and 4000 injured in the worst carnage to hit the city in more than a decade. For many of Lebanon's 5.2 million people, the images that ricocheted through social media recalled the scenes of urban destruction from the long-troubled country's decades of war. Advertisement It was unclear exactly what caused the explosions, but Prime Minister Hassan Diab said an estimated 2750 tons of highly explosive ammonium nitrate, commonly used in fertiliser and bombs, had been stored in a depot at the port for six years. "As head of the government, I will not relax until we find the responsible party for what happened, hold it accountable and apply the most serious punishments against it," Diab said. A survivor is taken out of the rubble after a massive explosion in Beirut on Wednesday. Credit:AP Photo/Hassan Ammar Major general Abbas Ibrahim, the head of Lebanon's general security service, told the state-run news agency that "highly explosive materials" had been seized by the government years ago and were stored near the blast site. Although the thought of an attack was in the front of everyone's mind, he warned against getting "ahead of the investigation" and speculating about a terrorist act. In a televised statement, Diab hinted that neglect had led to the blast and said the government would hold those responsible to account. "Facts on this dangerous depot, which has existed since 2014 or the past six years, will be announced," Diab said. "Those responsible will pay a price for this catastrophe." Diab said Wednesday would be a national day of mourning. The governor of Beirut, Marwan Abboud, speaking on television, called it "a national catastrophe" and burst into tears. Advertisement At a briefing in Washington, US President Donald Trump suggested the explosion was the result of an attack. He said he consulted with military generals and that "they seem to think it's an attack, a bomb of some kind." However, a senior US official said, "Everything I'm seeing thus far points to a tragic accident." A man stands in a damaged apartment as he looks out at the scene of a massive explosion. Credit:(AP Photo/Hussein Malla The explosion was the latest in a string of events in recent months that have plunged Lebanon, a sectarian-based democracy with a long history of civil strife, into simultaneous political and economic crises. Since last fall, waves of protests calling for the ouster of the country's political class for decades of mismanagement and corruption have shut down cities and towns across the country, and a severe financial crisis has eroded the value of the Lebanese pound by 80%, plunging many Lebanese into poverty. More recently, the number of new coronavirus cases has begun to rise quickly, raising fears that a new government-imposed lockdown could further damage the economy. Many of the country's hospitals were already on the verge of capacity. The blasts emanated from Beirut's port but were felt as far away as Cyprus, more than 250km [180 miles] to the west. They ravaged Beirut's downtown business district, a nearby waterfront full of restaurants and nightclubs, and a number of crowded residential neighbourhoods in the city's eastern and predominantly Christian half. Advertisement Nearly all the windows along one popular commercial strip had been blown out and the street was littered with glass, rubble and cars that had slammed into each other after the blast. A woman takes pictures by her mobile phone for a damaged church. Credit:AP Photo/Hussein Malla Abbas Saleh, a 28-year-old driver, was in his car when he saw a flash and heard a boom, and his windshield shattered. "You would never think it was an explosion," he said. "More like missiles coming down on us." He ran out of his car and began helping Red Cross workers carry the dead and wounded. All around, families struggled to get wounded relatives out of their buildings so they could be piled into ambulances or onto the backs of motor scooters. The Lebanese Red Cross said that every available ambulance from North Lebanon, Bekaa and South Lebanon was dispatched to Beirut, but so many roads had been rendered impassible that many of the wounded had to walk to the hospital themselves. Space, medics and supplies were lacking. Hospitals in the hardest-hit areas were heavily damaged, with at least one shutting down altogether and others treating bleeding patients in their parking lots. Advertisement St. George Hospital in central Beirut, one of the city's biggest, was so severely damaged that it had to send patients elsewhere. "My friends, my friends," Dr. Joseph Haddad, the hospital's director of intensive care, said in a phone call. "This is Joseph Haddad calling you from St. George Hospital. There is no St. George Hospital anymore. It's fallen, it's on the floor," Haddad says, as broken glass is heard crackling underfoot. "It's all destroyed. All of it. Pray to God, pray to God." A damaged hospital is seen after a massive explosion. Credit:AP Photo/Hassan Ammar At Bikhazi Medical Group hospital in the centre of Beirut, wounded patients streamed into a damaged hospital. "The door to the entrance of the hospital is completely shattered," said Rima Azar, the hospital director and co-owner. "The full ceiling fell on some patients in some rooms. The pressure was horrific. We heard a boom, then everything was shaking. There was a second blow that was super loud. Everything was falling from desks, from shelves." The 60-bed hospital treated 500 patients in the hours after the blast, she said. Advertisement Dublin, Aug. 05, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Secondary Hyperparathyroidism Pipeline Research Monitor, 2020 - Drugs, Companies, Clinical Trials, R&D Pipeline Updates, Status and Outlook" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. PIPELINE HIGHLIGHTS Secondary Hyperparathyroidism is one of the widely researched conditions during 2020 with 8 companies actively focusing on realizing pipeline's potential. Development of Secondary Hyperparathyroidism medicines is identified as integral to the strategy of the majority of companies operating in the industry. Global Secondary Hyperparathyroidism market presents promising new product pipeline with NME Projects, pivotal trials, and rapidly phase-advancing therapeutic candidates. Increasing number of companies are assessing the feasibility of developing treatment options for Secondary Hyperparathyroidism. 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Optimize your licensing and technology transfer strategies through identification of prospect partners For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/kzqt35 Research and Markets also offers Custom Research services providing focused, comprehensive and tailored research. Boston Public Schools released its preliminary reopening plans on Wednesday, outlining two models district officials are considering for the 2020-2021 school year. The upcoming school year will look and feel different than any we have previously experienced. Never before have we started a school year in the midst of a global health crisis, Boston Public Schools Superintendent Brenda Cassellius said in a letter to families. All Massachusetts school districts are required to create three educational plans: a full return to in-person classroom; hybrid of in-person and remote learning; and fully remote learning. Boston education officials said they have yet to make a final decision on which model they will choose, but that a full return to in-person classroom learning is impossible given the necessary social distancing protocols for reopening. Boston Public Schools is the largest school district in Massachusetts, with more than 50,000 students enrolled in grades pre-kindergarten through 12th grade last year across more than 100 schools. The scheduled start date for Boston Public Schools is Sept. 10. Classes were shifted to start at a later date following approval from state education officials for schools to reopen up to two weeks later than initially planned this fall. With a full return to in-person learning ruled out, Boston education officials will decide whether to start the school year fully remote or with a hybrid learning model. Reopening plan In preliminary reopening plans submitted to the state, Boston Public Schools stated that the district will offer both hybrid learning and remote learning options this school year, as well as combinations of the two. Hybrid learning involves learning in school two days a week and three days in remote learning at home or possibly with a partner organization. In the remote learning model, a students learning is all remote; there is no in-person learning. The hybrid model developed by district officials proposes assigning the majority of students into two groups: one to attend class in person Mondays and Tuesdays, and the second group to attend class Thursdays and Fridays. Days out of the classroom, students would learn remotely. Some students - special education and English Language Learners - may be eligible to attend in-person classes more frequently. Wednesdays would be reserved for buildings to be deep cleaned. Teachers would engage both students learning in-person and remotely simultaneously, with students learning remotely watching by live feed and able to ask questions through their microphone. The district will provide laptops to all students and staff that need them, according to the Boston Public School plan. Each computer will need a camera, microphone and speakers. Students and staff will be provided with wifi and hotspots as needed. The guidelines showcase a possible classroom layout seeking to keep teachers and students six feet apart from one another. The proposed layout involves a teacher standing at the front of the classroom, all desks facing forward and students seated at every other desk. Proposed classroom layout for Boston Public Schools That plan comes with a clause: schools will only reopen for in-person learning if its deemed safe. The district plan states, The Boston Public Schools will rely on guidance from the Boston Public Health Commission about current virus conditions in determining if, and when, to return to in-person instruction in 2020. The plan also acknowledges that if Boston schools reopen for in-person learning, educators likely will need to shift to remote learning quickly. The guidance reads, Following the reopening of school facilities, it is likely that there will be some level of exposure to and/or outbreak of COVID-19 that will require at least temporary closure of a BPS classroom, floor, school building(s) or the entire district for a limited period of time, which in turn will require the district to immediately pivot to a model where all students are learning remotely. Families will be contacted by the education officials this month and asked to select which learning model their students will participate in this fall. State guidelines require desks be spaced at least 3 feet apart from seat edge to seat edge, though 6 feet is encouraged when possible. All students will have assigned seating in their classrooms. COVID-19 is mostly spread by respiratory droplets released when people cough, sneeze or talk. Research suggests the droplets only travel up to three feet, Sandra Nelson, an infectious disease specialist at Massachusetts General Hospital, told state education officials this summer. All staff and students in second grade and older will be required to wear masks. Students in kindergarten and first grade will be encouraged, but not required to wear masks. Parents or guardians will be expected to supply their children with reusable masks which should be washed daily. Schools will have extra disposable face masks available if needed. Students are recommended to have at least two mask breaks per day for recess and mealtime. During these times, students must be at least 6 feet apart. Each day before sending children to school, parents are asked to screen their children for COVID-19 symptoms and keep them home if theyre feeling sick. Education officials emphasize that families are the most important first line of defense for monitoring symptoms. Transportation All staff and students, regardless of age, will be required to wear masks at all times while on board school buses. Exemptions to the mask mandate will be made for students with medical and/or behavioral reasons. To assist with air ventilation, the windows will be kept open at all times during operations - unless not possible due to weather conditions. Upon boarding the bus, students will go to assigned seats, with students seated no more than one to a bench, alternating sides for each row. Children from the same household will be allowed to sit together but all others will be required to maintain at least three feet of physical distance while seated. The new guidelines will significantly decrease the number of students on each bus. An 83-passenger bus in operation will now be able to seat up to 27 passengers - 33% capacity. A 47-passenger bus is now limited to 15 passengers. A 14-passenger bus may only be used to transport 6 people. With the decreased capacity, Massachusetts school districts will encourage parents and guardians utilize alternative modes of transportation, from driving children to school daily, carpooling with a specific group of families or children walking to school. School start times may need to be altered in order to allow BPS buses to complete more runs each day, Boston officials said. Buses will be sanitized every evening before the start of a new school day and between the morning and afternoon shifts. Parent engagement In recent weeks, Boston Public Schools conducted four surveys of students, families, teachers and staff to solicit feedback on remote learning in the spring. The district heard from more than 17,000 families. Of those who responded, about 38% indicated an interest in the hybrid model and about 29% preferred fully remote learning this fall. About 23% sought to see a full return to the classroom and 10% were unsure. Speaking of remote learning this past spring, families cited several challenges. The most common one faced by Boston parents and elsewhere was balancing work and supporting students with remote learning, followed by tracking online assignments. Remote learning Remote learning for school-aged children this fall will look significantly different from remote learning offered by Massachusetts school districts this past spring. Following statewide school closures this spring, districts could choose two educational models for the remainder of the school year: resources and supports, which included sending packets and assignments home to students; or instruction and services, which included structured learning time, teletherapy, and video conferencing. For the 2020-2021 school year, schools must offer only the latter learning option, offering remote students a regular and consistent schedule of classes, interventions, services, and therapies including frequent interactions with teachers and other staff members to ensure participation. The consistent schedule of classes, interventions, services, and therapies must include time students spend interacting directly with teachers and related service providers on a regular basis, as well as some independent work time, as appropriate, and opportunities for interacting with classmates, the guidance states. Synchronous remote lessons or tele-therapy sessions can be provided via telephone or video conferencing. Students might also benefit from asynchronous pre-recorded videos of lessons to follow at home. For students receiving the majority of their daily instruction through special education, teachers and therapists should assign supplemental work (beyond lessons taught synchronously or asynchronously) during the school day that can be accomplished independently with guidance from and accountability to the teacher or therapist. Students must receive a minimum of 850 and 935 hours of structured learning time for elementary and secondary students, respectively. Structured learning time is defined in the regulations as time during which students are engaged in regularly scheduled instruction, learning activities, or learning assessments within the curriculum for study of the core subjects and other subjects. In addition to classroom time where both teachers and students are present, structured learning time may include directed study, independent study, technology-assisted learning, presentations by persons other than teachers, school-to-work programs, and statewide student performance assessments. For both in-person and remote learning grades are back, as is state testing. While many schools transitioned away from offering a letter grade this past spring, student performance will be graded across in-person, hybrid and remote learning. Ultimately, families will decide whether their children will attend in-person classes or continue remote learning. All schools must offer comprehensive curriculums for remote learning, including meeting the specialized needs of children with Individual Education Plans (IEPs) and English Language Learners. Parents with children who have pre-existing medical conditions are encouraged to speak with their pediatricians to discuss their individual medical needs. Mid-year shift to remote learning Districts across the state will likely shift to fully remote learning, either for short or extended periods this fall if members of the school community test positive or the number of cases locally spike. If a student or school staff member exhibits symptoms of COVID-19, they must get tested with the result returning negative prior to returning to school or quarantine for 14 days. If their test returns negative, they must stay home until they are asymptomatic for 24 hours. If their test returns positive, they must remain at home. Notify the school of the results, the local board of health and people with whom the staffer has been in close contact with recently. If the child was at home when their parent or guardian learned of the possible exposure, they should be kept at home and be tested four to five days after their most recent exposure to the person. The school will determine when the last time the student or staffer was on school grounds two days prior to the onset of symptoms - or testing if they were asymptomatic. The school must close off areas visited by the positive student or staffer so they can be cleaned and disinfected prior to reopening. If the student or staffer traveled on the school bus, it must be disinfected as well. For elementary school: Communication will be sent to other families in the students class to notify them of a positive test without naming the person. Those who may have gotten within six feet of the student are staffer will be urged to get self-quarantine and get tested four to five days after their last exposure to the person. If they choose not to get tested, they must remain home for 14 days. For middle and high school students: As students in upper grades shift between classrooms more, the school will contact staffers and families of students in classes throughout the students scheduled day. Students who were within six feet of the individual in class or on the school bus will be urged to self-quarantine and get tested four to five days after their last exposure to the person. If they choose not to get tested, they must remain home for 14 days. If there is more than one confirmed COVID-19 case (students or staff) in the school at one time, or if there is a series of single cases in a short time span, school leaders and the superintendent should work with the local board of health to determine if it is likely that there is transmission happening in school, state guidance says. When there is in-school transmission beyond a single classroom or cohort, school officials may close part of the school or the entire school for several days for an extensive cleaning - likely one to three days - or close the school fully or partially for two weeks to allow for a school-wide quarantine period. If multiple cases are present in multiple schools, district officials must consult with the local board of health in determining if there will be a district-wide closure for several days or weeks. If a school decides to close, it will immediately transition to remote learning. The symptoms of COVID-19 include: Fever (100.4 Fahrenheit or higher), chills, or shaking chills Cough (not due to other known cause, such as chronic cough) Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath New loss of taste or smell Sore throat Headache when in combination with other symptoms Muscle aches or body aches Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea Fatigue, when in combination with other symptoms Nasal congestion or runny nose (not due to other known causes, such as allergies) when in combination with other symptoms A list of test sites is available here, and Massachusetts also has an interactive testing map. Additionally, every school should maintain a list of available testing sites. Read the full Boston Public Schools reopening plan below. North Korea may have succeeded in miniaturizing nuclear warheads to fit into ballistic missiles, a UN report claims. The report by an independent panel of experts monitoring UN sanctions was submitted to the UN Security Council Sanctions Committee on North Korea on Monday, Reuters reported. Some member countries concluded that the North has "probably developed miniaturized nuclear devices to fit into the warheads of its ballistic missiles," it said. At least one country believes that North Korea "may seek to further develop miniaturization in order to allow incorporation of technological improvements such as penetration aid packages or, potentially, to develop multiple warhead systems," the report adds. "Penetration aid" refers to a device that increases an intercontinental ballistic missile warhead's chance of penetrating a target's defenses. The North has already boasted that it can now use multiple warheads. A military spokesman here told reporters, "As the Defense Ministry has announced several times, we understand that the North has made substantial progress in its ability to miniaturize nuclear warheads." Seoul, however, "does not recognize the North as a nuclear state," he added. Andrew Grande couldnt believe his eyes when he spotted an 11-foot-7-inch alligator in the canal behind his League City home. But he was flat-out panic-stricken when the 500-pound gator appeared to begin moving swiftly toward his 4-year-old daughter. The child was playing with her brother and babysitter at 8:30 a.m. on July 24 when Grande, a 40-year-old insurance agent, looked up from inside his house to see the gator's head rise out of the water. He immediately sprinted out the door toward the canal. It was a beast, Grande told the Houston Chronicle. I had a gut feeling it wanted my daughter as a snack. As the gator moved within 3 feet, Grande rushed to get his children and the babysitter behind a backyard gate for protection. Alligators are common in this area but this was different. They never come to us like that, said Grande. He began making phone calls to get help, while the gator stayed nearby in the canal, plunging its head in and out of the water. Montgomery County: Man drowns on Lake Conroe It kept going up and down. It would look straight at me," said Grande. "It seemed like it was playing a game." Grande said alligator hunter Thomas Reynolds arrived at his home at 10 a.m. As he was getting the noose ready for the alligator, it came towards him, said Grande. The gator took a chomp at the noose and was caught. Then the battle began. After 30 minutes of struggling to secure the alligator, Reynolds called Texas game wardens Jennifer Provaznik and Austin Shoemaker for assistance. Several neighborhood residents and workers also lent a hand, Grande said. In all, it took seven people, two catch poles, rope and multiple pieces of plywood to lift the large reptile out of the canal and load it onto a transport vehicle, according to a statement from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. It was three hours to get the gator out of the water because it was so big and powerful, Grande said. It kept flipping and flopping and turning. The alligator has since been relocated to Gator Country, an alligator theme park of Interstate 10 in Beaumont. They were happy to have the alligator because they lost all of theirs during Hurricane Harvey," said Grande. "I was happy to have it out of my backyard." Typically when alligators exhibit the type of aggressive behavior displayed in this situation, officials said, it is indicative of having been fed by the public. Once alligators learn that humans can be a source of food for them, they cannot be returned to the wild, the TPWD said. @marcydeluna Genealogy and DNA-testing giant Ancestry.com announced Wednesday it is selling 75 percent of the company to asset manager Blackstone Group Inc. The investment firm said in a statement it agreed to acquire the genealogy provider from private equity rivals for $4.7 billion, including debt, placing a big bet on family-tree chasing as well as personalized medicine. Utah-based Ancestry.com has more than three million paying customers and data on over 18million people in its DNA network. The deal with Blackstone has left some of the family history service's users unnerved at the transfer of data on their DNA to the control of another company. Ancestry.com has more than three million paying customers and over 18million people in its DNA network which will now be under the majority control of Blackstone Ancestry.com is the world's largest provider of DNA services, allowing customers to trace their genealogy and identify genetic health risks with tests sent to their home. Blackstone is hoping that more consumers staying at home amid the COVID-19 pandemic will turn to Ancestry.com for its services. 'We are very excited to partner with Ancestry and its management team. We believe Ancestry has significant runway for further growth as people of all ages and backgrounds become increasingly interested in learning more about their family histories and themselves,' David Kestnbaum, a Blackstone senior managing director, said in a statement. 'We look forward to investing behind further data, functionality, and product development across Ancestry's market leading platform to continue to provide a differentiated service. 'Our investment is a prime example of Blackstone's continued, high-conviction focus on investing in growing, digital consumer businesses, which are resilient in the current environment and beyond.' 'Ancestry's large network of highly engaged users, unique content, and scaled technology platform have made it a market leader,' added Sachin Bavishi, a Managing Director at Blackstone. 'We look forward to contributing Blackstone's resources and leveraging our strong expertise in digital content to further accelerate Ancestry's growth.' Ancestry.com has more than three million paying customers in about 30 countries, and earns more than $1billion in annual revenue. Launched in 1996 as a family history website, it harnessed advances in DNA testing and mobile phone apps in the following two decades to expand its offerings. Blackstone is placing a big bet on family-tree chasing with the Ancestry.com purchase Initially offering genealogy services through data trails only, it began to offer DNA-based genealogy tracking in recent years to better compete with main rival 23andMe. It has also branched out to genomics, this month launching a screening service designed to test individuals' risk of developing inheritable health conditions such as heart disease, breast cancer and colon cancer, according to the Financial Times. Blackstone is buying Ancestry.com from private equity firms Silver Lake, Spectrum Equity and Permira. Singapore's sovereign wealth fund GIC, another Ancestry.com investor, said it will continue to maintain a significant minority stake in the company. The acquisition's price tag represents a significant jump to Ancestry.com's valuation from four years ago, when Silver Lake and GIC invested in the Lehi-based company at a $2.6 billion valuation. While it could leave Ancestry's members wary, the deal is a big win for the company's owners. Initially offering genealogy services through data trails only, Ancestry began to offer DNA testing in recent years (pictured) to better compete with main rival 23andMe According to Fast Company, Ancestry.com first went public a decade ago when it was valued at only $100million. It went private again in 2012 for $1.6billion. Wednesday's deal for just 75 percent of Ancestry.com is almost three times the 2012 valuation for the entire company. The FT reports, however, that it had a 'very high debt burden' of 6.7 times debt-to-ebitda as of December 2019. Yet its steady cash flows from its website subscribers could service this. According to Moody's, Ancestry's total revenue fell 1.2 per cent in 2019 as sales in its DNA unit dropped 48 per cent. As a result, Margo Georgiadis, Ancestrys chief executive and president, announced the company would lay off six per cent of its workforce in April. The deal is Blackstone's first acquisition out of Blackstone Capital Partners VIII, the largest-ever private equity fund that raised $26billion from investors last year. This is New-York-based Blackstone's first acquisition out of Blackstone Capital Partners VIII, the largest-ever private equity fund that raised $26billion from investors last year According to Bloomberg, the New York-based form is flush with cash as investors continue to bet on the company despite the coronavirus outbreak uncertainty. It is reported as having $156billion in cash reserves and has touted its own success in navigating through the 2008 financial crisis. The firm's recent investments have sought to focus on shifts in consumer behavior. Last month, it invested in Oatly AB, a plant-based drink becoming increasingly popular, and it also owns a majority stake in MagicLab, the owner of dating app Bumble. Discussions on the Ancestry.com deal are believed to have begun as the coronavirus pandemic saw more people staying at home and looking for new ways to spend their time. The laying of the foundation stone by Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the Ram temple in Ayodhya marks the beginning of a new era, Union home minister Amit Shah said Wednesday. Shah, who is under treatment for Covid-19, took to Twitter to hail the bhoomi pujan ceremony and described it as a historic day. Today is a historic and proud day for India. Prime Minister Narendra Modi performed the bhoomi pujan and laid the foundation stone of the grand Ram temple, which marks a golden chapter of Indian culture and civilization and has started a new era, he tweeted. Follow Ram temple ceremony live updates here He also said that the construction of the temple has become possible because of the decisive leadership of Modi. The Modi government will always be committed to protecting and preserving Indian culture and its values. In another tweet he said, The construction of the Ram temple in Ayodhya has been a symbol of the faith of Hindus around the world for centuries. By performing bhoomi pujan PM Narendra Modi and Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Tirtha Kshetra have honoured the faith of crores of people, and for this I express my heartfelt gratitude. Shah said that Lord Rams character and philosophy of life is the cornerstone of Indian culture and that the temple will boost economic development. The ideals and thoughts of Lord Shri Rama reside in the soul of India. His character and philosophy of life is the cornerstone of Indian culture. With the construction of Ram temple, this auspicious land will rise again in the world with its full splendor. Coordination of religion and development will also generate employment opportunities, he said in another tweet. Shah also said that the construction of the Ram temple is the result of centuries of constant sacrifice, struggle, penance and sacrifice of innumerable devotees of Ram. Gastric cancer is the third leading cause of cancer death worldwide, accounting for over 1,000,000 new cases and nearly 800,000 deaths per year. The poor prognosis of gastric cancer is largely due to the difficulty in early diagnosis of peritoneal metastasis. Separation and characterization of cancer cells are essential for early diagnosis of peritoneal metastasis. However, due to the low content of cancer cells in patients' peritoneal lavages, traditional detection methods lack sensitivity and cannot satisfy clinical demand. Researchers from the Shenyang Institute of Automation (SIA) of the Chinese Academy of Science (CAS) and City University of Hong Kong (CityU), in cooperation with doctors from the First Hospital of China Medical University, jointly proposed an optically induced electrokinetics (OEK) microfluidic method for label-free separation and characterization of gastric cancer cells. Their study was published in Science Advances on August 5. The researchers fabricated a novel OEK-based microfluidic chip to separate live gastric cancer cells from patients' ascites and characterize their electrical properties. They established polymerization model of cells and solution model of cell membrane capacitance. The sizes and electrical characteristics between the gastric cancer cells and peritoneal lavage cells were significantly different. Thus the OEK method could theoretically separate gastric cancer cells from the ascites and peritoneal lavages. Through experiments, the researchers separated gastric cancer cells from six patients' ascites with purity up to 71%. Compared with the traditional clinical peritoneal metastasis detection method, this new method solved the problem of low sensitivity. It is also a label-free, non-destructive and rapid technique. The researchers could separate and collect gastric cancer cells in the OEK microfluidic chip in 5 minutes. They also obtained the cell membrane capacitances of gastric cancer cells and peritoneal lavage cells. These digital data can be used as a bio-marker, as part of cellular information. Experimental results in the study demonstrated that the proposed OEK method was capable of detection free cancer cells in ascites and could expedite diagnosis of peritoneal metastasis in gastric cancer. ### PARIS - As Lebanese rescuers counted the dead and combed rubble for signs of life a day after a huge explosion shattered swaths of Beirut, nations near and far pledged Wednesday that the country, already trapped in a deep economic crisis, would not be left alone. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 5/8/2020 (531 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Members of the Securite Civile rescue organisation wait at the boarding desk at Charles de Gaulle airport, north of Paris, Wednesday, Aug.5, 2020. France is sending two planes to Lebanon on Wednesday with dozens of emergency workers, a mobile medical unit and 15 tons of aid. The aid is expected to arrive Wednesday afternoon and should allow for the treatment of some 500 blast victims, according to French President Emmanuel Macron's office. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus) PARIS - As Lebanese rescuers counted the dead and combed rubble for signs of life a day after a huge explosion shattered swaths of Beirut, nations near and far pledged Wednesday that the country, already trapped in a deep economic crisis, would not be left alone. The explosion at the capitals port that killed at least 135 and injured thousands, with shock waves smashing deep into the city, stunned the world. From Australia to Indonesia to Europe and the United States, countries readied to send in aid and search teams. Reflecting both the gravity of the disaster and France's special relationship with its former protectorate, French President Emmanuel Macron was to visit Lebanon Thursday. Paris wasted no time in dispatching two planeloads of specialists, rescue workers and supplies to Beirut on Wednesday. The blast appeared to have been triggered by a fire that touched off a giant quantity of ammonium nitrate fertilizer stored for years in the port, which exploded with the force of a moderately strong earthquake. The disaster comes atop the worst economic crisis in Lebanon's modern history, and hesitancy among some backers, including France, to keep propping up a country in dire need of reform. The European Union was activating its civil protection system to round up emergency workers and equipment from across the 27-nation bloc. The EU commission said the plan was to urgently dispatch over 100 firefighters with vehicles, sniffer dogs and equipment designed to find people trapped in urban areas. Members of the Securite Civile rescue organisation arrive at Charles de Gaulle airport, north of Paris, Wednesday, Aug.5, 2020. France is sending two planes to Lebanon on Wednesday with dozens of emergency workers, a mobile medical unit and 15 tons of aid. The aid is expected to arrive Wednesday afternoon and should allow for the treatment of some 500 blast victims, according to French President Emmanuel Macron's office. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus) The Czech Republic, Germany, Greece, Poland and the Netherlands were taking part in the effort, with other countries expected to join. The EUs satellite mapping system will be used to help Lebanese authorities establish the extent of damage. Cyprus, where Tuesday's blast was felt approximately 120 miles (180 kilometres) from Beirut, was sending in emergency personnel and sniffer dogs. Britain promised a $6.6 million humanitarian support package. Russia flew in a mobile hospital, along with 50 emergency workers and medical personnel. Another three Russian flights were scheduled to arrive within the next 24 hours, carrying equipment for a coronavirus testing lab and protective gear, among other relief supplies. Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison told reporters Thursday that his country pledged an initial 2 million Australian dollars ($1.4 million) to the relief effort and is considering more. He said the aid will be provided to the World Food Program and to the Red Cross for food, medical care and essential items. Help also was coming from closer to home. Iraq was sending six trucks of medical supplies and an emergency medical team to help bolster Lebanons overstretched health system, and Egypt and Jordan were supplying field hospitals. Tunisia was sending medical teams, and offered to bring 100 patients back for treatment in Tunisia. FILE - In this Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2017 file photo, French presidential candidate and former French Economy Minister Emmanuel Macron speaks during a press conference at the Government House, in downtown Beirut, Lebanon. French President Emmanuel Macron is traveling to Lebanon on Thursday Aug. 6, 2020, to offer support for the country after the massive, deadly explosion in Beirut. Lebanon is a former French protectorate and the countries retain close political and economic ties. (AP Photo/Bilal Hussein, File) In a mark of respect for victims, a U.N.-backed tribunal postponed until Aug. 18 the delivery of judgments in the trial of four people charged with involvement in the 2005 assassination of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri. The verdicts were to be read out Friday in a Netherlands courtroom. Even Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said his country, officially in a state of war with Lebanon, stood ready to offer to assist the Lebanese as human beings to human beings. U.N. peacekeepers from Indonesia already stationed in Lebanon were helping in the evacuation effort, and Australia said it was donating 2 million Australian dollars ($1.4 million) in humanitarian support. But the pledges of aid raised new questions for a country whose economic and political crisis, combined with endemic corruption, have made donors wary in recent years. Macrons visit could carry some awkward moments. In a visit to Lebanon less than two weeks ago, French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian made clear that France, Beiruts steadfast economic backer, would withhold support not destined directly to the Lebanese population, until credible and serious reform measures get under way. Whether the French president would skirt his countrys own no-go zone and offer more than emergency aid was unclear. About $11 billion was pledged to Lebanon at a 2018 Paris conference but on condition reforms are undertaken. U.S. Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo reaffirmed our steadfast commitment to assist the Lebanese people in a phone call with Prime Minister Hassan Diab, according to Deputy Spokesperson Cale Brown. It was unclear what support might be forthcoming. The World Health Organization is airlifting medical supplies to Lebanon to cover up to 1,000 trauma interventions and up to 1,000 surgical interventions, following a request from the country's health minister. 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. WHO spokesman Tarik Jasarevic said in an email that supplies were to be airlifted from a humanitarian hub in Dubai in the United Arab Emirates and expected to arrive later Wednesday. U.N. deputy spokesman Farhan Haq said it was too early to say if the U.N. will issue an international appeal to help rebuild Beirut. It would seem given the amount of damage that there will be a need for additional international support for Lebanon, he said, adding that the U.N. is heartened to see support from many governments and hopes all countries will stand beside the Lebanese people at this time. Pope Francis offered prayers for the Lebanese, while in Paris a special vigil was to be held late Wednesday in the Notre Dame Maronite Church. The Eiffel Tower will go dark at midnight in mourning. ___ Sylvie Corbet in Paris, Lorne Cook in Brussels, Jamey Keaten in Geneva and bureaus around the world contributed. Leaders at Horry County Schools say the type of distance learning that will likely happen at the start of the 2020-21 academic year will be significantly different than the type of learning students faced at the end of last year after schools closed to help prevent the spread of the coronavirus. HCS offers three types of online learning depending on emergency situations, make-up days and, in recent cases, a pandemic. For nearly three months at the end of last academic year, students were instructed through eLearning, which is used for emergency or short-term situations, said Boone Myrick, HCS chief officer for academics, during Tuesdays board of education meeting. eLearning was never intended to be used for an extended period of time, Myrick said, adding HCS was forced to use the form of learning last year due to emergency circumstances. During this upcoming school year, HCS was approved to use eLearning for make-up days. Distance learning, which will be implemented in the upcoming school years reopening plans, and HCS Virtual also differ. Horry County Schools Board of Education unanimously approved a plan that includes two options for reopening schools in a nearly three-hour special meeting Tuesday night as they continue to navigate the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. HCSs plan includes two instructional options that will use distance and virtual learning. Instructional Option 1 implements in-person instruction, hybrid or full distance learning based on the severity of the coronavirus in the county. HCS plans to determine if the first days of school will be virtual or in person based on the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Controls disease activity report Aug. 31. Low spread will be five days a week of face-to-face instruction, medium spread is hybrid learning with three days of distance learning and two days of face-to-face learning, and high spread is five days of virtual learning. As of Monday, Horry County is a high spread county. Instructional Option 2 allows students to return to school completely online through HCS Virtual. Students have through Aug. 10 to let the district know if they are interested. HCS Virtual requires a semester-long commitment to virtual learning. HCS asks parents of students enrolled in HCS Virtual to be actively involved in supporting students and families must be able to print, scan and upload assignments in the virtual system. With distant and all-virtual options, students will be required to participate in mandatory online classes with teachers. The school district intended to send the plan Wednesday to the Education Department for consideration. ALBANY The Port of Albany doesn't handle materials such as ammonium nitrate, which exploded in a port warehouse in Beirut, Lebanon Tuesday, killing more than 100 people. "We don't handle hazardous material like that," said Richard Hendrick, the port's CEO. The port does handle some materials that could pose risk, such as munitions. But, "anytime we handle munitions we have a plan in place with the Albany Fire Department and the Albany Police Department." The munitions would enter and leave the port on the same day, he said. Tuesday's deadly blast at the port in Beirut, Lebanon, isn't the first disaster traced to ammonium nitrate. In April 1947 a ship carrying ammonium nitrate caught fire in the port of Texas City, Tex. The blast killed more than 500 people. Products such as ethanol and gasoline do pass through the port, but are handled by terminal belonging to Global Partners and Buckeye Partners. The substances are stored in tanks separated by earthern berms. The port, along with CSX and CPRail, has hosted training sessions for first responders and tank farm workers on how to handle an incident, Hendrick said. For awhile, the Port of Albany was a crucial link in the flow by rail of Bakken crude from North Dakota to East Coast refineries. That raised concerns locally after an oil train derailed in Lac Megantic, Quebec and exploded, killing 47 people. Special Investigation 147 NY dams are 'unsound,' potentially dangerous Thousands of dams have not been inspected in over 20 years. The bulk of the Port of Albany's annual tonnage consists of wood pulp, scrap metals and heavy lift cargo, basically generators and steam turbines produced at the General Electric plant in Schenectady. Animal feed, fertilizer, grain and molasses often pass through the port as well. The Port of Albany has had at least two mishaps that resulted in fatalities. In the late 1960s, a tank at the Port of Albany filled with 12,000 tons of molasses ruptured, killing an East Greenbush man. And in 2003, a cargo ship capsized as generators were being loaded into its hold, killing three sailors. Videos Sorry, there are no recent results for popular videos. Putting on a united front in Stratford town centre are, front, Elizabeth Dixon of the Transport Group with, from left, Joe Baconnet of Stratforward BID, town host Terry Jones, Cllr Kevin Taylor, Cllr Kate Rolfe, business owner Courtney Gilbert and district council deputy leader Cllr Daren Pemberton. Photo: Mark Williamson T25/7/20/1296 After fierce criticism, the Stratford coronavirus road scheme is to be largely scrapped in favour of a new toned-down plan but one that sees the High Street pedestrianised for much of the day. Over the last few weeks, it seemed that the only thing that councillors, residents and business people could agree on was that something had to change. Opinion was divided on whether the scheme should be totally dumped or just rethought. After some heated arguments, long meetings and much head-scratching, there is at last a plan afoot. Announcing the change of tactic, Warwickshire County Council admitted it had been forced to bend to the will of local people residents and business folk alike who had been horrified at the clumsiness of the initial scheme. But it maintained that some of the problems occurred because it had acted quickly to implement the scheme, with the sudden reopening of shops sanctioned by the government in mid-June, and was always prepared to make adaptations if needed. Cllr Jeff Clarke, the county councils portfolio holder for transport and planning, said: We have always said that we would listen to local stakeholders and take their views on board. We have been clear that, wherever possible, we would make adaptations in line with their feedback. Our foremost priority when these schemes were installed was public health and there has been wider support for measures that would support social distancing from many residents, which we have also taken on board. Its pleasing that the businesses did not vote for a total removal and that a compromise could be reached. The original scheme was introduced by WCC in an attempt to provide greater safety measures during the pandemic. It was paid for by government emergency funding and the repurposing of EU funds, although the council said it was unable to confirm how much the scheme had cost so far. Many residents have complained that the temporary measures were an ineffectual eyesore that caused unnecessary traffic chaos, while many businesses blamed them for operational difficulties and a continued downturn in trade. Last Thursday, representatives of Warwickshire County Council, Stratford District Council, Stratford Town Council, Stratford Transport Group and Stratforward BID met to review the scheme in the wake of a wave of hostile feedback, which included a petition from 157 businesses demanding its removal. After that meeting, a vote was put to local businesses members of Stratforward BID asking them to vote on two options: comprehensive alterations of the scheme, or abandoning it altogether. Yesterday (Wednesday) the results were announced after 207 businesses cast their vote: 56 per cent voted for the alterations, beating the 44 per cent who would have preferred to scrap the scheme. Changes will now go ahead but are still subject to legal approval, namely a traffic regulation order. It is anticipated that the new system will be introduced within ten days and it is expected to remain in place until at least the end of August. There was finally a sign of unity in the town yesterday as news of the vote and the proposed changes was greeted with relief and optimism by councillors, businesses and others from the community, who assembled for a photograph for the Herald. Cllr Daren Pemberton, deputy leader of Stratford District Council, said: I know there has been some controversy about these measures but now is the time for the town to put that behind us, pull together and go in to bat promoting Stratford. The recovery will be tough and every town will be pushing hard to attract people to spend their money. We now need one Team Stratford if we are going to secure our futures. Business owner Courtney Gilbert, of the Cosy Chic Pet Boutique in Sheep Street, said: Im sure a lot of retailers will be feeling renewed hope in light of this decision. Im happy that there has been a positive outcome and Im glad that the petition gave the businesses a platform to voice their collective need for drastic change. It shouldnt have taken this long or been this hard, but I am relieved that in the end we have been heard and received a positive outcome. Joe Baconnet, director of Stratforward, said: I am confident that we finally have a plan that strikes the right balance for businesses, local residents and visitors. Many of our member businesses, already on their knees because of lockdown, believed passionately that the Covid traffic scheme was making their efforts to try and recover their livelihoods impossible. Others felt that it was essential to make Stratford look and feel as safe as possible in order to try to encourage consumer confidence and entice people back into the town centre. Following weeks of discussions, meetings, surveys and monitoring, I think what we have now agreed takes account of both these stances. We have only been able to get to this point thanks to the huge efforts of our members engaging passionately with key local stakeholders. Stratford Mayor Cllr Tony Jackson said: The town council considered the two options at its meeting last night and unanimously endorsed the joint decision to make comprehensive alterations to the current scheme. We welcome the fact that the new arrangement will be more palatable and welcoming, whilst ensuring that the town remains as safe as possible. I am particularly pleased to see that the new proposal to close High Street from 10am until 6pm complies with our neighbourhood development plan, which was subject to intense consultation. Undoubtedly, we are not out of the woods yet, and I would urge everyone to act responsibly and continue to observe social distancing. THESE are the details of the proposals, with Bridge Street and High Street: Dozens of Central Asian migrants trapped in Russia amid the coronavirus pandemic were pushed back by guards when they tried to cross the border into Kazakhstan. A one-minute video posted on the Mash Telegram channel shows a line of migrants in the Samara region, which borders Kazakhstan, walking down a road where they are met by Russians in uniform. The migrants, cheering and screaming, try to break through, but are pushed back by the guards as more officers in helmets come to help. A Samara government official told RBK news agency the video is likely from August 3 and that no one was detained or hurt. The migrants, from Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, currently live in a makeshift camp near the border and want to return home via Kazakhstan. The Russian border with Kazakhstan remains closed due to the coronavirus pandemic. Russias Interior Ministry on July 25 accused migrants of carrying out unauthorized mass protests during the pandemic. Dmitry Medvedev, the deputy chairman of Russias Security Council, on August 3 raised the issue of migrants during a council meeting, saying many are now unemployed due to the pandemic and are turning to crime. Medvedev said about 40 percent of migrants in Russia have lost their jobs. This, of course, creates a breeding ground for the growth of crime, potentially, in this area, he said. Most migrants in Russia come from Central Asia, with many working in construction or cleaning city streets and buildings. A couple was killed by thier 16-year-old daughter and her boyfriend, after the pair twisted the story to save them from prison. The couple, Henry and Chara Bryant were brutally killed in their Mount Vernon, Kentucky home during a second time meet-up with their daughter's boyfriend. Both of the victims had their last night together on June 8, 2017 when they were shot to death by unknown assailants, reported Oxygen. Their daughter called 911 call at 7:30 a.m. reporting that there was a disturbance in their residence. The door to her mother's and stepdad's bedroom was broken and opened by force. She said that when she checked the room and discovered that they were in the bathroom, already lifeless. First responders came and secured Reynold's and siblings, Caitlin Whitt and Madison Bryant, who were taken to the police station. The investigators were looking over the crime scene and finding clues. According to Kentucky State Police Detective Ryan Loudermilk, the crime scene was ghastly as there was blood everywhere, indicating that the victims fought back with handprints all over. Investigators caught something odd. The glass was broken from inside out which is not what Reynold's claimed as a forced entry. When the three daughters were asked what happened, no one recalled gunshots or a fight. Reynold's was the one who informed the detectives that they just came from Florida. She said that the corpses were there when she was about to walk the dogs. It was verified by her sisters. The Detective dug up info that Reynold's parents were not happy with her boyfriend Christopher Evans, 22-years old that they disapproved of. Also read: Disgruntled Lover Fatally Shoots Woman While She's Driving With Her Children She never said that her boyfriend was older than her. Her relationship caused a strain on her parents. Detective Loudermilk added that she started seeing Evans since she was 15-years old. The deceased checked their daughter's mobile phone that had details of their relationship. They discovered the lies about her boyfriend's age that caused concern. Reynold's and her parents were at odds when they talked to her about her secret lover, and scolded her for seeing an older man. She was forced to split with her older boyfriend in early April 2017. But she disobeyed and still continued keeping in touch with Evans without her parent's knowledge. Detectives spoke to Evans, and he claimed not knowing anything about it and was not seeing Reynolds. He was caught lying later on when his claims were denied by the sibling of Reynold's in an interview. The police who took the accused home noticed a gun under his bed which he said is not being used. The neighbor of Evans told the police that he was actually shooting the pistol, contrary to what he claimed. A neighbor also told investigators that he spotted Evans practicing shooting a gun, which looked similar to the one Loudermilk saw under his bed, before the murders. The investigators got a warrant on June 21, 2017 to search his home and he made excuses about his deceptions. But the police checked his mobile phone as evidence. When the police secured evidence, Evan admitted to killing his girlfriend's parents. She told him that they were violent and meant bad so he had to protect her, WYMT. Related article: Hartford Man Decapitates Roommate With Samurai Sword Over Heated Argument @ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. On Friday, Congress effectively pushed millions of Americans off a financial cliff when it failed to extend the enhanced unemployment benefits put in place in March to soften the economic pain of the coronavirus pandemic. Millions of Americans are also in imminent danger of losing their homes as federal moratoriums on evictions expire. Preventing this widespread suffering should be the top priority for lawmakers. Instead, the Republican-led Senate dragged its feet for months on another aid package. The Democratic-led House of Representatives passed a $3 trillion relief plan in mid-May. It took until July 27 for the Republican Senate leaders to offer their anemic, $1 trillion counterbid, which everyone seems to have a problem with, albeit for differing reasons. Democrats think it is insufficient to the magnitude of the crisis. The White House favors a short-term, piecemeal fix larded with unrelated measures, like $1.75 billion for a new F.B.I. headquarters and nearly $400 million to renovate the West Wing and many Republican members oppose any additional relief. Negotiations are, to put it mildly, going poorly. The Senate majority leader, Mitch McConnell, is engaged in a political charade in which he proclaims himself a hapless bystander, buffeted by the whims of the White House on one side and House Democrats on the other. He is not even attending key meetings between Democratic leaders and the administrations top negotiators. But Mr. McConnell is far from without leverage. He must make clear to his members that they need to compromise and help the millions of their fellow Americans who are stuck in miles-long food lines, a hairs breadth from eviction, jobless, financially ruined or ill because of this terrible disease. One quick and direct way to send a message: Cancel the Senates August recess, or at least postpone it until a deal is reached. I've just been informed by a friend that school's closed this year, but you can send your kid to daycare in the closed school. For money. There are online classes, of course but why? They're terrible for children, and we know now that the disease itself isn't the issue. Matt Walsh reports that kids are three times more likely to die of the flu than COVID-19. So we know that schools aren't being closed for their safety. We heard that childcare costs hundreds a month, per kid, which we know parents can't pay, since many of them are too poor. We heard that teachers are essential and then were told, by the teachers, that they're inessential. L.A. County told us they'd take the children back if we could stop all "police brutality" and adopt universal health care and mail-in voting. The solution to this whole fraud is simple. Truth is, our teachers are overpaid and incompetent. Why send your kid back to school when, according to The Root, 75% of all black boys in California, where state spending on students is enormous, can't read or write proficiently? Why put your kids in a classroom where there are 30 students to one teacher? Or where you're a white God-fearing conservative, and the teacher hates America? Or where teachers can't discipline children because doing so is "racist"? Or where you don't have the time to meet and assess all the teachers? Or where grades are curved to pass dunces? Or where your voice gets drowned out, as a parent, because the other parents won't stand up with you or won't even show up? The U.S. Census Bureau reports that in 2019, a year when tax revenue was steady and teachers showed up for work, Americans spent, on average, $12,000 a year per kid. In truth, we spent it, but we didn't have the money. State, national, and personal debt continues to dig us into a grave. Every year, we dump money into this abyss, and the education largely gets worse. The teachers get more radical. We don't get the classes we really want. There are too many students per teacher. We don't like the kids in the school. But what if we took this money that we don't have? What if we cut it in half, put the money in the state fund, and redistributed it to each and every kid in the state? What this would mean is revolutionary. First off, note what it would do for teachers. No longer paid a measly salary to be overrun and underequipped, the rate of pay would skyrocket as the job itself would get easier. You recruit 15 kids, and now you've got 90,000 bucks. In a poor state, this is a gold mine less students and more capital. You spend $10,000 on materials (if that) and $15,000 on rent, and you're still left with $65,000. This is at an easy $6,000 per kid, $747 less than the rock-bottom cost in the cheapest state in the union (hello from us in Idaho). New York State already spends $23,000 per student according to the Census Bureau. What have we got to lose but our chains? But note what it would do for parents and students. First off, there's the choice. Teachers all over the union could be personally interviewed and selected by cautious and interested parents. They could be regulated, on some basic level, by the state. They could be fired at will, and if not fired, then unhappy parents could transfer schools to another little red schoolhouse with somebody more competent, or patriotic, or godly, or manly. Curricula, instead of being left to every parent, in homeschool conventions, to pick through an overwhelming process could be advertised by the teachers themselves. Not only teaching, but what's learned will become a matter of marketing. Organizations will spring up endorsing candidates who fit their standards and values. Students will no longer receive "an education" that's half vanilla, half poison, but something more fine-tuned, more robust, more catered to the intelligence, the virtues, the fine-breeding of the families themselves. Racial disparities will be immediately erased. Worried that black children are underfunded and underserved? They will receive the same money as white children, according to the state they live in, and poor whites will receive the same money as rich whites. People looking to teach their children Plutarch will win, and so will people teaching children mechanics. There will be national standards on math and science and English. The states will set their standards beyond this, according to their cultures and their average level of intelligence. There remains an important and troublesome question. How will this be put into action? I'm not here to give you a complete plan. But there are teachers all over the nation who recognize this opportunity. Principals who've run large schools and will know how to establish little ones. The fact that each teacher can own his own business the way God intended it, and the way things were run when America and England were on the upswing will mean that extremely talented teachers will suddenly become big business. Parents can put in more money as they choose. So can the states. Regulatory agencies will find ways to ensure that the money goes to schools and isn't squandered, and parents, whose money and children are directly involved, will probably beat the regulators to it. Churches and civic organizations will put their stamps on great teachers. Masses of money, spent on janitors, security guards, principals, and other such necessaries, will become unnecessary. Sports, so important to keeping schools funded, will no longer be the top priority. The education of our children will become paramount. The people most interested in education the parents will have supreme power. And a chokehold on the American people, held for so long by communists, incompetents, and radicals of all sorts, will be absolutely broken. Idaho, where this writer lives, is ranked 35th in education and is also the least regulated state in the union. It's filled with free people who don't like the left wing, don't like being told what to do, and hate an imbalanced budget. I propose we start the experiment here, and when it succeeds Lord willing we'll take it to the rest of the nation. Jeremy Egerer is the author of the troublesome essays on Letters to Hannah, and he welcomes followers on Twitter and Facebook. The European Union, Turkey and Gulf states are among those offering assistance to Lebanon following an explosion at a warehouse in Beirut that killed at least 100 people and injured nearly 4,000. Below are details of international assistance and pledges of help. EUROPEAN UNION The European Commission said it had activated the EU Civil Protection Mechanism, which is designed to help after natural disasters, following a request from Lebanon for aid and support. More than 100 highly trained firefighters were being deployed with vehicles, dogs and equipment, specialised in search and rescue in urban contexts, the European Unions executive said. The Netherlands, Greece and Czech Republic had confirmed their participation, and France, Poland and Germany have offered assistance, a senior official said. The EU said it also activated its Copernicus satellite mapping system to help the Lebanese authorities assess the extent of the damage. President Emmanuel Macrons office said France was sending 55 security personnel and 6 tonnes of health equipment, and around 10 emergency doctors would fly to Beirut. The Netherlands is sending a search and rescue team to Lebanon comprising 67 doctors, nurses, firemen and police officers to assist in the search for survivors. The Czech Republic is sending a 36-person rescue team, the Interior Ministry said. TURKEY Turkeys Humanitarian Relief Foundation (IHH) is helping in the search for survivors, digging through debris to look for people and recover bodies. The group has also mobilised a kitchen at a Palestinian refugee camp to deliver food to those in need, said Mustafa Ozbek, an Istanbul-based IHH official. We are providing assistance with one ambulance to transfer patients. We may provide help according to the needs of the hospital, he said. KUWAIT Kuwait has delivered medical aid and other essentials. The ministry of health said Kuwaiti aid arrived in Lebanon by military plane on Wednesday morning. QATAR Qatar state news agency QNA said the country had dispatched a first military plane carrying medical aid on Wednesday. Three more planes were to follow later in the day containing two field hospitals of 500 beds each, equipped with respirators and other necessary medical supplies. WHO AND IFRC The World Health Organization and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies were sending 40 tonnes of medical supplies, including personal protective equipment to Beirut on a flight paid for by Dubai-based International Humanitarian City, a hub for humanitarian emergency preparedness and response, a WHO representative said. We are offering medical trauma kits and surgical kits containing things such as syringes, bandages and surgical gowns, said Nevien Attalla, operations manager for the WHOs Dubai hub. RUSSIA Russias emergencies ministries said it was sending five planes carrying medical equipment, a field hospital and medical personnel. It said all medical staff travelling to Beirut would be equipped with personal protective gear in light of the coronavirus pandemic. IRAN Tehran will send nine tonnes of food, as well as medicine, medical equipment, medical personnel and a field hospital to Lebanon, Iranian media said. Memphis Tenn. (August 4, 2020) - A new research project that could impact and expand the discovery of new treatment options for sickle cell patients has received significant federal funding. The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute awarded nearly $1 million to Athena Starlard-Davenport, PhD, assistant professor of Genetics, Genomics, and Informatics in the UTHSC College of Medicine, for her project titled, "MicroRNA-based epigenetic approach to induce fetal hemoglobin." The grant, the first national award for Dr. Starlard-Davenport, is also a significant milestone for UTHSC's Office of Research, as it puts the total external dollars generated from CORNET-funded work over the $20 million mark. The CORNET Awards are a seed funding program for interdisciplinary collaborations on new research. "For the past 100 years, only four drugs have been approved by the FDA for the treatment of sickle cell disease," Dr. Starlard-Davenport said. "Those patients need more treatment options depending on their symptoms and complications." Sickle cell disease is very common. One in 13 African Americans have the sickle cell trait and over 100,000 people in the U.S. have sickle cell disease. Individuals with sickle cell suffer from severe pain crises that increase their risk of organ failure and premature death. The sickle cell mutation causes production of abnormal sickle hemoglobin during the first year of life, when the body makes its switch from producing fetal hemoglobin (gamma globin) to adult beta globin. Fetal hemoglobin is normal in people with sickle cell disease; it is only the adult form of sickle hemoglobin that is abnormal. Scientists have found that reversing this normal switch, i.e. turning the gamma globin gene back on, counteracts symptoms, improves health outcomes and prolongs the lifespan of sickle cell patients. To date, hydroxyurea is the only FDA-approved drug with proven efficacy to do that. Though another class of epigenetic modulators ? DNA methyltransferase (DNMT) inhibitors - has shown promise inducing fetal hemoglobin in sickle cell patients, they produce off-target side effects. Dr. Starlard-Davenport's research is focused on a specific small molecule in this class, miRNA29b, for further study. Dr. Starlard-Davenport has been investigating miRNA29b and fetal hemoglobin induction for four years. She got her start in 2016 with help from a new seed funding initiative launched that year by the UTHSC Office of Research, the CORNET Awards. She and her collaborator, Patricia Adams-Graves, PhD, professor of Medicine and hematologist at the Diggs-Kraus Sickle Cell Clinic at Regional One Health, won a CORNET in the Clinical Awards division for their project, "Investigation of miR29 as a novel fetal hemoglobin inducer and treatment for patients with sickle cell disease." "The CORNET award provided funding support to collect blood samples from sickle cell patients and to test whether our miRNA therapeutic could increase levels of fetal hemoglobin in vitro in cell culture and in preclinical sickle cell models. We did this work in collaboration with Betty Pace at Augusta University," Dr. Starlard-Davenport said. Betty Pace, MD, is the Tedesco Distinguished Chair of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology at Augusta University. "The funding was used to purchase reagents for running the necessary biochemical assays, including our miRNA mimic, cell culture reagents." The CORNET program was begun by Steven Goodman, PhD, vice chancellor for Research, to encourage interdisciplinary collaboration on new research that will lead to larger, national grants. In the nearly four years since their inception, the awards have supported 52 new collaborative research teams and their groundbreaking initiatives. With this latest national award, external dollars generated from CORNET work has reached $20,604,972, an 11.6-fold return on a $1.78 million investment. "This NIH award for studies to increase fetal hemoglobin expression thereby reducing sickle cell severity is important for many overlapping reasons," Dr. Goodman said. "It is the first NIH award for Dr. Starlard-Davenport. We were able to assist Athena and her colleagues to obtain the preliminary data that led to the award through the CORNET award program. This extramural award put the CORNET program over the $20 million threshold in return on investment. Dr. Starlard-Davenport has been a mentee in the wonderful PRIDE program, which focuses on jump-starting the career of junior underrepresented minority faculty. The director of this PRIDE Program is Dr. Betty Pace who mentored Dr. Starlard-Davenport and is an investigator on the NIH Award. It is amazing how many stars aligned in this one NIH award to a very deserving new investigator. But most important is the impact that this study can have upon the quality of life of people around the globe who suffer from this genetic disease." "In the initial CORNET application, my team provided preliminary results to show that miRNA29b could increase levels of fetal hemoglobin in a compatible human cell line, but we needed further preliminary data to determine what effect miRNA29b had on fetal hemoglobin induction in red blood cells from individuals with and without sickle cell disease," Dr. Starlard-Davenport said. The NIH funding she just received, $928,317 to be distributed over three years, will allow her team to collect blood samples from sickle cell patients and test whether this molecule increases the expression of fetal hemoglobin that blocks sickle hemoglobin polymerization and improves clinical symptoms. The long-term goal is to develop miRNA29b as a new drug for treating patients with sickle cell. Dr. Starlard-Davenport is the principal investigator on a team of clinicians and scientists that includes, in addition to Dr. Adams-Graves and Dr. Pace, Ken Ataga, MD, director of the UTHSC Center for Sickle Cell Disease; Daniel Johnson, PhD, director of the UTHSC Molecular Bioinformatics Center; and Biaouri Li, MD, professor in the department of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology at Augusta University. As Tennessee's only public, statewide, academic health system, the mission of the University of Tennessee Health Science Center is to bring the benefits of the health sciences to the achievement and maintenance of human health through education, research, clinical care, and public service, with a focus on the citizens of Tennessee and the region. The main campus in Memphis includes six colleges: Dentistry, Graduate Health Sciences, Health Professions, Medicine, Nursing and Pharmacy. UTHSC also educates and trains medicine, pharmacy, and/or health professions students, as well as medical residents and fellows, at major sites in Knoxville, Chattanooga and Nashville. For more information, visit uthsc.edu. Find us on Facebook: facebook.com/uthsc, on Twitter: twitter.com/uthsc and on Instagram: instagram.com/uthsc. ### OTTAWAIt has been seven weeks since Prime Minister Justin Trudeau promised action very soon to address systemic racism in Canadian policing and other institutions. For Matthew Green, an NDP MP and member of the cross-party Parliamentary Black Caucus, very soon is now long past due and cant come soon enough. Thats especially the case, he says, after more than 100 Liberal MPs and half of Trudeaus cabinet signed a declaration from the Black caucus in mid-June that called for a wide range of reforms. If these ministers are not serious, then they ought not have signed on, Green told the Star by phone on Wednesday. What were asking for is not radical. It is actually basic justice principles of applying policy and the legal system in an equitable way, he said. Responding to questions from the Star on Wednesday, Trudeau spokesperson Alex Wellstead provided a quote from the prime minister after the Liberal cabinet retreat in early July. Trudeau pledged at the time that his ministers would craft a work plan for the summer to build strong policies to tackle racism. This would include reforms to police and the justice system, improved protections for temporary foreign workers and legislation to expand First Nations policing of their own communities, Trudeau said. In 2019, the Liberal government unveiled a $45-million strategy to tackle racism in the public service and federal policies. The party also promised during the election last year to increase funding for the strategy. But in mid-June of this year, Trudeau pledged further action on systemic racism would come very soon. At the time, much of the Western world was roiling from widespread demonstrations denouncing police brutality and racism against Black, Indigenous and other racialized people. In Canada, demonstrations were fuelled by a series of incidents in which people died during interactions with police. These included Chantel Moore, a 26-year-old First Nations woman shot and killed on June 4 during a wellness check at her apartment in Edmunston, N.B., and 29-year-old Regis Korchinski-Paquet, an Afro-Indigenous woman who died in Toronto after falling from an apartment balcony during a police visit. On June 16, the Parliamentary Black Caucus released its declaration that called on governments to act immediately on a wide range of demands to address systemic racism in Canada. The document called for Ottawa to end mandatory minimum jail sentences, create programs to support businesses owned by Black Canadians and improve the collection and release of race-based data. It also called for more Black and Indigenous judges, and to shift money from police budgets to health and social services. The document was signed by at least 25 cabinet ministers, including Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland and Justice Minister David Lametti. Greg Fergus, a Liberal MP from Quebec who is the chair of the Parliamentary Black Caucus, said Black Canadians have been waiting for decades for reforms and that he is confident the Trudeau government will take significant steps to address racism. He said he has spoken with Trudeau directly about the issue and that he has been assured actions are going to be taken though he declined to discuss specific plans because he doesnt want to scoop his own government. I know that everybody would like this to be done yesterday, but Im glad theyre taking the time to get it right, he said. For the first time in my life I actually really feel that, Wow, were going to get at this, were really going to give this a real say because Canadians will want things to be done. Green was less optimistic, and said he believes the Liberal government has already missed opportunities to implement change. He said several demands in the Black caucus declaration could have been pursued immediately, including the elimination of mandatory minimum jail sentencing and amnesty for people convicted for cannabis-related crimes before it was legalized. The federal government was also criticized this spring for delaying its promised response to the National Inquiry Into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls, which probed the systemic causes of disproportionate violence against these groups and concluded in June 2019 with a list of demands for change. Green said he will be looking to Aug. 12, when the House of Commons is next scheduled to sit, as the next chance for the Liberals to follow up with the action they promised. This government can move immediately immediately within weeks to award their insiders and their friends a contract that would have resulted in the benefit of $43 million, Green said, referring to the controversy over the Liberal governments decision to outsource a student grant program to WE Charity. They did that without any drawn out or protracted incremental approach. So why cant they make those same investments in the Black community? he said. Correction Aug. 6, 2020: This story was edited to correct Liberal MP Greg Fergus position as the chair of the Parliamentary Black Caucus. New Delhi, Aug 5 : In a big development in the Sushant Singh Rajput death case on Wednesday, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta informed the Supreme Court that the Union of India has in principle accepted the recommendation by Bihar government to order a CBI inquiry into the case. Mehta, appearing for the Centre, submitted before Justice Hrishikesh Roy that the notification for the Central Bureau of Investigation will be issued soon, preferably by the end of the day. The top court, in its order, gave three days to all parties to put on record their respective stand. It also noted that the Mumbai Police must submits it's records of investigations done so far. Hearing on the matter is scheduled for next week. "We want to know what Mumbai police have done so far," said Justice Roy. The counsel for the Maharashtra government opposed the CBI probe and argued that it is the Mumbai Police that is authorised to investigate under the CrPC. The Maharashtra government counsel also said that the Bihar Police's actions are "politically motivated" and insisted that under the CrPC, it is only the Mumbai Police that has "duty, power and function to register the case". Latest updates on Sushant Singh Rajput Death Mystery Sen. Martin Heinrich, D-N.M., is asking Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham for some targeted relief to her decree that out-of state visitors to New Mexico must quarantine for 14 days, proposing instead that those who test negative for COVID-19 72 hours before coming to the state be exempt from that requirement. His suggestion for modest relief strikes a reasonable balance between public health concerns and economic reality. Hopefully it wont fall on deaf ears in Santa Fe, because as it stands now the governors de facto message to out-of state visitors is pretty simple: Dont come. Thats the bottom line of the current public health order that says, Effective July 1, New Mexico is enforcing mandatory self-quarantine for all out-of-state travelers to New Mexico, whether by air or vehicle. The mandatory self-quarantine is to last 14 days or the length of stay in New Mexico, whichever is shorter. The governor says the quarantine which has exceptions for medical workers, military members and others is necessary to slow the spread of COVID-19 in New Mexico, which as of Tuesday had suffered 21,340 cases and 658 deaths. And it makes sense to limit large numbers of out-of-state visitors in places like T or C, Taos and Ruidoso, which during peak months have throngs of people visiting from states with high case rates, such as Texas and Arizona. But its also incredibly bitter economic medicine for a poor state. According to the state Department of Tourism website, in 2018 just over 37.5 million visitors to New Mexico spent $7.1 billion and generated $694 million in state and local taxes. As for jobs, the site says the tourism industry employed 94,601 people. The Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, Indian Market, State Fair and other events have been canceled, and its increasingly clear the governor intends to keep a tight lid on things for the foreseeable future, even as hospitalizations dip and current case trends and positivity rates remain relatively low. She has that power unless the courts decide otherwise. And it can be argued that the current trend is favorable because she has kept a tight lid on things. But given that trend, Heinrichs request for some modest relief is most welcome. In a letter to the governor last week, he noted the pandemic had upended whole sectors of the states economy, including the hospitality, tourism and outdoor recreation industries. Creating a safe and responsible pathway for out-of-state visitors to enter New Mexico and amending restrictions for state parks will ignite economies, create new jobs and provide an urgent stimulus to New Mexicos hospitality, tourism and outdoor recreation industries. (The governors order bans out-of-state visitors from New Mexico state parks and restricts days and hours of operation.) Our soon-to-be senior senator noted other states have implemented similar exemptions and demonstrated communities can be protected from the spread of the virus with safe and smart tourism. The governor has said she is looking at some changes to her quarantine provision, such as for people who travel out of state for medical procedures. A spokeswoman said a revised order will come out this week but had no comment about Heinrichs request. The governor who hasnt had much interest in suggestions from Republicans or New Mexico mayors might look more kindly on one from a fellow high-ranking Democrat. New Mexicans should hope so. Tourism has been devastated and needs a lifeline. Heinrichs request provides a smart one. 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. By Express News Service NALGONDA: Amrutha Varshini, whose husband P Pranay Kumar was hacked to death in Miryalaguda in September, 2018, has filed a private petition in the district court against Director Ram Gopal Varmas movie Murder. The movie is based on the horrific honour killing where Amruthas father K Maruthi Rao was the main accused. Maruthi Rao, who spent some time in prison in connection with Pranays murder, hung himself to death in Hyderabad in March, 2020. The Nalgonda district court has forwarded the petition to the SC, ST Special Court which in turn has issued notices to Varma and the films producer N Karuna to appear in court on August 6. Amruthas advocate D Narsimha told the media that his client had appealed that the films release be stopped. In her petition, Amrutha had stated that Ram Gopal Varma was making the film without the permission of Pranays family.The trailer of Murder uses Amruthas name and also some disturbing scenes depicting Pranays murder. This movie will disturb Amruthas life and a semblance of balance that she has found. Narsimha said that in view of the COVID situation, they had sought the courts permission to send notices to Varma and Karuna through e-mail and WhatsApp. Britain will provide a 5 million pound ($6.6 million) aid package to Beirut, including search and rescue help and expert medical support, Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said on Wednesday. "We are going to stand by the Lebanese people in their time of need; we are going to provide immediate response and an aid package - an assistance package - search and rescue, humanitarian assistance up to 5 million pounds, as well as expert medical support," he said. Search Keywords: Short link: Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Yunindita Prasidya (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Wed, August 5, 2020 09:14 532 6657ac82168da9fa101c8a4066b9c129 1 Business manufacturer,economic-contraction,purchasing-managers-index,Kadin,IHS-Markit,household-consumption,demand,manufacturing-industry,purchasing-power Free Despite improvement in July, Indonesias manufacturing industry has yet to recover from the deep downturn earlier this year, as domestic consumption remains weak, economists and businesspeople have said. IHS Markits Manufacturing Purchasing Managers Index (PMI) for Indonesia, a gauge of the countrys manufacturing activities, climbed by almost eight points from 39.1 in June to 46.9 in July, the highest reading since February. A value above 50 indicates an expansion against the previous month, while a reading below 50 indicates a contraction. The country also recorded a slower drop in new orders and output amid the gradual reopening of the economy. PMI data showed another marked easing in the downturn across Indonesias manufacturing sector in July, adding to hopes that the worst impact of the COVID-19 pandemic was felt in the second quarter, IHS Markit head economist Bernard Aw said in a statement on Monday. Earlier this year, the index recorded its worst decline in the surveys nine-year history and the steepest drop recorded in Asia when it fell to 27.7 in April from 45.3 in March. Analysts said the governments COVID-19 containment measures were the cause behind the downfall, as they forced factories to shut and caused unemployment to grow. The country has since taken steps to kickstart the economy. In June, the central government and local administrations were seen gradually easing large-scale social restrictions (PSBB). Output, orders and employment indices all lifted from the lows seen in the second quarter, helped by a relaxation of the COVID-19 containment measures. Companies also remained optimistic about their output in a years time, Aw said. The IHS Markit report states that almost two-thirds of its survey respondents expected a rise in output over the next 12 months. However, a sustained gain in the countrys PMI is still in question, economists have noted. Aw explained that the need for ongoing social distancing at workplaces and public gatherings, as well as any potential surge in new infections, could further delay output and sales from recovering to prepandemic levels. On Tuesday, Indonesia confirmed 1,922 new COVID-19 cases, bringing the number of infections to 115,056 nationwide, with more than 5,300 deaths, official data show. The country surpassed the 100,000 figure on July 27 following the gradual reopening of the economy. The recovery in the countrys PMI has also been slower than in neighboring countries that have recorded an expansion in recent months. Malaysia booked 50 in its Julys PMI and 51.0 in June. Vietnam booked 47.6 in July, following 51.1 in June. Even as Mirae Asset Sekuritas Indonesia economist Anthony Kevin projected an expansion in the manufacturing activity in this years third quarter, he was of the view that it could still be followed by a contraction in September and onwards, indicating high volatility. He concluded from first-hand observation that purchasing power among middle-to-low-income earners had yet to return, sustaining the pressure on the manufacturing industry. The middle-low income segment accounts for more than 50 percent of Indonesias economy, and they have a higher marginal propensity to consume, making them indispensable to economic recovery, he said on Monday. The slow disbursement of the government's social safety aid had prevented a strengthening of purchasing power, he added. In conclusion so far, looking at the latest IHS Markit survey, there is a chance that our full-year gross domestic product (GDP) will contract, Anthony said. The government projects the countrys economy to grow by 1 percent this year at best or contract by 0.4 percent at worst as the outbreak paralyzes economic activity. The economy only grew by 2.97 percent in the first quarter, the slowest rate in 19 years, while household spending growth fell to 2.84 percent from around 5 percent a year earlier. It is projected to contract by 3.8 percent to 5.1 percent in the second quarter and possibly enter a recession in the third quarter. Shinta Kamdani, the deputy chairwoman of the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin), said many manufacturers continued to operate at a loss, albeit at a smaller margin, as overhead costs still exceeded revenue. Consumption growth was far too slow, Shinta said, sustaining depressed domestic and international markets while making manufacturers reluctant to increase productivity. If under these conditions the national manufacturing industry produces with a higher level of productivity than the rate of the increase in market demand or market consumption, the price of manufactured products will fall further and the losses on the manufacturers side could rise, she wrote in a text message on Monday. Therefore, the PMI is also held back until there is a more significant increase in consumption or market demand. Mumbai, Aug 5 : The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation has refused to free Bihar IPS officer Vinay Tiwari from quarantine, despite a letter from the Patna Inspector General requesting them to free him. Bihar DGP Gupteshwar Pandey took to Twitter on Wednesday to inform about the development. DGP Pandey tweeted in Hindi from his verified Twitter account, which translates to: "The Patna IG had written a letter to the Chief of BMC opposing the quarantining of IPS Vinay Tiwari and requested that he be released, which has been rejected. BMC has sent a reply to the letter to Patna Police. Now our SP Vinay Tiwari will be locked inside for 14 days. This decision of BMC is unfortunate!" IPS officer Vinay Tiwari, who has been assigned with heading the probe into late actor Sushant Singh Rajput's death case by Bihar DGP Pandey, was quarantined by the BMC soon after his arrival in Mumbai on Sunday. Speaking to IANS earlier this week, Bihar DGP Pandey had expressed his displeasure over what he called was non-cooperation of Mumbai Police in the Sushant Singh Rajput death case. He had also claimed that IPS officer Vinay Tiwari was put under house arrest in Mumbai on the pretext of quarantine. Speaking to IANS, Pandey had alleged that the Mumbai Police was "not cooperating" with Bihar Police in the probe into the alleged suicide case of the Bollywood actor and was "speaking the language of actress Rhea Chakraborty", who has been blamed by the bereaved family for Sushant's death. "Mumbai Police is parroting Rhea Chakraborty's stand. She is saying Bihar Police can't investigate the case and the Mumbai Police is supporting her contention," Pandey had told IANS on Tuesday. Those who grew up watching the Disney Channel in the late 00s inevitably saw a lot of actors Demi Lovato and Selena Gomez. Since leaving the network, both have continued to act while also focusing on their singing careers. Heres Gomez played a role in Lovatos success. Selena Gomez and Demi Lovato met before joining Disney Selena Gomez and Demi Lovato at Chevy Rocks the Future held at the Walt Disney Studios on February 19, 2008 in Burbank, California. | Jean-Paul Aussenard/Wireimage Gomez and Lovato are both from Texas. They met while auditioning for the PBS childrens show Barney & Friends. Both got the part. When we started shooting, Selena was always my favorite, Lovato told People years later of her castmate and then-best friend. After aging out, Disney held auditions in their home state. There were tears, crying and everything, says Selena. We both auditioned for Disney. She didnt get it. I did. Weve had those moments, but were so proud of each other that it doesnt affect us. However, Lovato soon followed. Gomez got her own show first with Wizards of Waverly Place The role Gomez earned from that early audition was that of Alex Russo in the sitcom Wizards of Waverly Place. The series depicts a teenage girl with magical abilities. Gomez earned considerable fame from starring in the show, which aired from 2007-2012 (with a TV movie in 2013) and helped launch her music and acting careers. Meanwhile, Lovato auditioned for Disney again, this time getting cast in the shorts series As the Bell Rings. She was only on the show for one season before she was cast in Camp Rock. Lovato then got her own series, Sonny with a Chance, which she appeared on until its cancellation in 2011. The Wizards of Waverly Place cast reunited RELATED: Wizards of Waverly Place Reunion: Cast Recreates Crazy Funky Junky Hat Song Years later, some of the cast of Wizards of Waverly Place got together. David Henrie, who portrayed Justin Russo, Alexs older brother, was there. He was joined by Jennifer Stone, who starred as Alexs best friend, Harper. They were brought together by Gregg Sulkin (Mason, Alexs boyfriend) on his YouTube channel. This isnt the first time a group of actors from the show has hung out. Many of them attended Henries wedding in 2017, including the parents of the Russo family, Maria Canals Barrera (Theresa Russo), David DeLuise (Jerry Russo), Jake T. Austin (younger brother Max Russo), and Gomez herself, who shared the above photos. David Henrie says Lovato sang during a taping During Henrie, Stone, and Sulkins reunion, they answered trivia questions about their time on the show. In addition to trying to remember details about their characters, they were asked to recall who sang during an early taping of the sitcom, which was filmed in front of a live studio audience. Henrie and Stone remembered it was Lovato. That was Selenas friend, said Henrie. She brought her to the taping. She was sitting in the audience. There was a break between shooting and, out of nowhere, just this voice from heaven just belted out in the audience on the microphone. Insanely gorgeous voice singing, I think Christina Aguilera, better than Christina. He added that all the network executives at Disney were intrigued when she sang. On Monday, hundreds of New York City teachers, parents and students marched to the citys Department of Education (DOE) headquarters in lower Manhattan to protest Democratic Mayor Bill de Blasios plan to open public schools in September under conditions of the coronavirus pandemic. The New York City public school system is the largest in the United States, with approximately 1.1 million students. In conjunction with a National Day of Resistance that featured rallies and car caravans of educators in cities such as Los Angeles, Oakland, Chicago and Philadelphia to protest the unsafe resumption of classes, rank-and-file teachers marched from the headquarters of the United Federation of Teachers (UFT) near Wall Street carrying body bags and coffins and a mock guillotine with a blade that read DOE. Educators on Twitter participated under the hashtag #WeWontDieForDOE. One Bronx teacher told the mayor, Buildings arent safe. Your plans are dangerous & unrealistic. Youve defunded schools. Another tweeted, I give my all and do whatever I can for students and families, but I will not die for the DoE. De Blasio has announced a hybrid school program to start on September 10. Students will go to classrooms one day and on the next learn remotely at home. Other plans mandate students to attend physical classes and virtual learning on alternate weeks. Schools will close if the number of New Yorkers testing positive for the coronavirus rises beyond 3 percent of the total number tested. Currently, about 1 percent of all those tested in New York City are infected with the virus. According to the DOEs plan, if two or more students or staff members in the same classroom get sick and test positive for COVID-19, the classroom will be shut down and students will switch to remote learning. DOE and city health officials will investigate and the classroom will remain closed for 14 days after the investigation. If two students or staffers in different classrooms get sick with the coronavirus, the school building will close for 24 hours. In this case, according to the DOE, depending on the outcome of testing and contact tracing, the building may be closed for 14 days. Each school, according to the plan, will also provide an isolation room for students who feel sick. Teachers, principals and parents have drawn up scores of lists of unanswered questions about the plan and posted them on blogs and social media. One of the most widespread concerns is the absence of certified nurses. The New York City public school system is lacking, by its own count, over 400 nurses. The de Blasio administration, after cutting $773 million from this years school budget, has no plans to hire any. In the absence of nurses, educators have asked who will escort sick students to the isolation room and supervise them. Others have asked what the protocols are for testing sick students and if a students friends and siblings at other schools will be tested. Another question is whether siblings schools will even be notified of a positive test. Educators have asked how often and how thoroughly classrooms will be cleaned. Many have raised concerns about the heating-ventilation-air conditioning (HVAC) systems in schools, questioning whether they will be able to filter the airborne coronavirus. Others have pointed out that in some buildings, air conditioning systems are inoperative and classroom windows cannot even be opened. The DOE, many teachers have pointed out, has made no provisions for supplying personal protective equipment such as gloves, masks and face-shields. This is in a school system where, like many across the United States, draconian budget cuts by both Democratic and Republican politicians have forced teachers to purchase basic school supplies. Principals are unsure if their schools will be regularly supplied with hand sanitizer. No attention has been given by the DOE to building entrance and exit procedures that will ensure social distancing, or safety issues related to emergency procedures such as sheltering in place or fire evacuation. The premature reopening of the citys schools will result in a renewed public heath catastrophe, similar to the one that peaked in April and May. It will follow essentially the same game plan as the one that allowed the rapid dissemination of the coronavirus throughout the city and beyond in January and February. At that time, the Democratic mayor and governor ignored the best scientific advice for weeks, until it was too late. The teacher unions kept quietor actively opposed the shutting of schools and other public institutionsalthough they, too, understood the threat. COVID-19 has now caused 20,000 confirmed deaths and another 5,000 probable deaths in New York City. Governor Andrew Cuomo has not yet set a date for students to return to buildings, but while criticizing Donald Trump for his insistence on opening the schools, he has presented a program that is essentially no different from de Blasios. Opposition among educators is widespread throughout the state. No doubt sensitive to the anger of teachers and parents, Cuomo told a press briefing on Sunday, If the union and the teachers arent comfortable, they arent going to show up. No one wants to force people to go to work. This is about common sense and public health. Teachers have been quick to point out the absurdities of the reopening plan of the New York State Education Department (NYSED). One teacher on social media noted that the NYSED recommends districts NOT require a negative COVID test prior to admission for in-person learning Every year students are REQUIRED to have the appropriate vaccinations in order to attend, but no prior negative COVID test during a pandemic with a highly contagious virus that transmits asymptomaticallyespecially in children... This is the crowning height of irresponsibility and neglect of public health in educational settings... Another upstate teacher said, We are being thrown into a Petri dish, with no care for what might happen. Are we only heroes to you when there is a shooting? The teachers unions in the city and state, which are little more than a wing of the Democratic Party and have supported Cuomo to the hilt, have come under increasing fire from teachers. The union in the state, the New York State United Teachers (NYSUT), has been widely criticized by teachers for its failure to oppose school reopening. One hashtag on Twitter is #WhereisAndy, referring to NYSUT President Andrew Pallotta. Michael Mulgrew, president of the UFT, this week paid lip service to the sentiments of many teachers when he called for randomized testing of students for the coronavirusthough not mandatory testing of each student. Whats more, Mulgrew added, even if there are stronger safety standards in place, we still have grave concerns about the citys ability to enforce them effectively in every school. Right now, this is not enough to protect students and staff. Mulgrew, however, told a teachers town hall phone-in that while he was weighing the possibility of a lawsuit against the city, there would be no strike to prevent schools from reopening. This is the same man, representing the interests of the union officialdom, who privately warned de Blasio in March that schools should close. He said nothing to the membership of the UFT, and it was only the threat of a sick-out by rank-and-file teachers that forced the schools to shut down on March 16. One teacher from Queens posed the question on Facebook that many are asking: Can union members continue to put their full trust in our union and in its leaders? I have zero trust in the DOE and the UFT when it comes to our safety and well-being. Into the developing breach between the UFTwhich did nothing to oppose this years massive budget cuts to educationand the citys approximately 70,000 educators has stepped a reform faction of the union, the Movement of Rank-and-File Educators (MORE), which sponsored the protest on Monday and is emerging as a supposed alternative to the Mulgrew leadership. As with every faction in the UFT, MORE is devoted to propping up the authority of the Democratic Party. While it has called for a possible sick-out in the event of a school reopening, it echoes the president of the American Federation of Teachers (the parent union of the UFT) Randi Weingarten in its refusal to call for a national strike. MORE is associated with a faction of the Democratic Party, the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA). Its march on Monday raised no criticism of the Democratic Party and was oriented to pressuring Cuomo and de Blasio. Educators in New York cannot let themselves be isolated and herded into fruitless protests to pressure the Democrats over life-and-death issues. Thousands have died in the city and state, including at least 70 educators, from COVID-19, while both capitalist parties have allowed the disease to run rampant. At the behest of Wall Street, Cuomo, de Blasio and Trump are seeking to open schools so the working class can go back to producing wealth for the super-rich. The disease can be stopped only by the working class itself, and teachers play a central role. As a first step, teachers need to create new democratic organizations that are independent of the two capitalist parties and the pro-capitalist trade unions: rank-and-file safety committees. A network of these committees across the US must prepare the way for a national teachers strike to stop the unsafe reopening of the schools. Any educator, parent or student who would like to become involved in building rank-and-file safety committees should contact the World Socialist Web Site Educators Newsletter. MANISTEE COUNTY Lily Sagala had a unique experience as a first-time election inspector on Tuesday in the City of Manistee's precinct 2. She's only 17. "I havent even voted yet, so its definitely a learning curve for me," she said. "Now I think I appreciate the voting system more because of it." The teen is a part of Youth in Government in school. "Heather Pefley, the (city) clerk, saw my picture in the paper and asked if I'd like to be involved in this and I said yes," said Sagala. Manistee's precinct 2, like other polling locations throughout the county, had extensive safety measures in place due to the coronavirus pandemic. Hand sanitizer and face masks were available, and election inspectors wore face masks or shields. "Everything is going well, and everyone has been very receptive of wearing masks," said election inspector Diane Opalka. "We have our face shields; we have masks. We have gloves; we have hand sanitizer. Weve been sanitizing. Everything has been going pretty well." She said residents were receptive to the safety precautions. "Ive (noticed) when different people come in, they have to wait put their ballot in the validator they all stand about six feet apart. The busiest was probably about an hour ago, at 3:30 after people got out of work," Opalka said around 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday. However, she has been a volunteer for about 10 years and has never experienced an election like this. "You might occasionally have someone who has issues, but most of the time everyone wants to come in and cast their vote and participate in their freedom," Opalka said. She was a little apprehensive about volunteering because of the pandemic, however, she said Pefley was very helpful. Heather was real good about calling us and finding out what we would be apprehensive about. What things we wanted to protect us; she had a whole list of things, she said. With less than four hours before the polls were to close, Opalka reported 85 in-person votes. "Its been better than what they thought it was going to be because theres been a lot of absentee ballots this year, and the city clerk did not think we would be that busy," she said. Filer Township also reported better turnout than expected. "Our turnout actually for in-person has been really good and more than we expected because were at about 140 people," said Jennifer Williams, Filer Township election chair. "So thats pretty good. We expected a lot less, I would think. We had really good, high number on absentee ballots, about 712 give or take. Weve been pretty busy." Similar safety precautions could be found at the Filer Township Hall: masks, hand sanitizer and barriers between election workers and voters. "Weve taken precautions; its an unusual election because we have had to put up the barriers," said Williams. "We all have to wear masks; were sanitizing as much as we can after the voters go through. But it doesnt seem like anyone is complaining. "We havent had any issues with people with the way things are set up. I think its working pretty smooth under the conditions. I think its going pretty good." The Stronach Township Hall had a number of safety measures in place, with mandatory masks, tape lines down for proper social distancing, one-way foot traffic and Plexiglas barriers. Connie Tewes, election inspector in Stronach, said voters had been trickling in throughout the day and voter participation as of the afternoon was pretty good once absentee ballots were factored in. "It's been kind of steady," she said. "It's just been a good turnout, but partially due to absentee voting. It's been a good day so far." Manistee County clerk Jill Nowak, who spent the day at different precincts throughout the county, said the day was going smoothly. "Voter turnout was average and voters were coming in in spurts which is normal," she said. "With the Absent Voter ballot count being higher than normal, plus the average voter turnout, I am expecting a very good turnout which is so good to see." Nowak said "the local election inspectors and clerks reported that most voters were wearing masks and were very patient with social distancing and waiting their turn." Jake Rollow, a spokesman with the Michigan Department of State, told reporters that more than 2 million absentee voting ballots were requested and more than 1.5 million had been returned by 2:30 p.m. Tuesday. Staff writer Kyle Kotecki contributed to this report. CHICAGO, Aug. 5, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- According to a new market research report "Cloud Computing Market by Service Model (Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS), Platform as a Service (PaaS), and Software as a Service (SaaS)), Deployment Model (Public and Private), Organization Size, Vertical, and Region - Global Forecast to 2025", published by MarketsandMarkets, the global Cloud Computing Market size is expected to grow from USD 371.4 billion in 2020 to USD 832.1 billion by 2025, at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 17.5% during the forecast period. The flexibility and agility of cloud-based models would support the IT service needs of enterprises. The leading CSPs/hyperscalersMicrosoft, Alphabet, IBM, and AWSare expected to increase their CAPEX primarily for data center expansion to support the increasing workload for their internal and external stakeholders. The increasing volume of data generation in websites and mobile apps, rising focus on delivering customer-centric applications for driving customer satisfaction, and growing need to control and reduce Capital Expenditure (CAPEX) and Operational Expenditure (OPEX) are a few factors driving the growth of the emerging technologies. The emerging technologies, such as big data, Artificial Intelligence (AI), and Machine Learning (ML) are gaining traction which is ultimately leading to the growth of the Cloud Computing Market, globally. Browse in-depth TOC on "Cloud Computing Market" 360 Tables 75 Figures 320 Pages Request for PDF Brochure: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/pdfdownloadNew.asp?id=234 The sudden shutdown of offices, schools, colleges, and physical retail stores has massively disrupted operations; this has led to an increase in the demand for digital workplace tools and services, such as Zoom, Slack, Blackboard, Lynda, Canvas, Google Classroom, AnyMeeting, and Moodle. AWS, Microsoft, and Google host and manage all applications in a public cloud environment. Increased spend on cloud services by select industries due to COVID-19. Industries, such as IT and ITeS, telecom, online retail/commerce, media, and BFSI, are expected to increase spending on cloud-based services to sustain their business. Highly regulated and cash-rich industries, such as BFSI, are also expected to move selective workloads to public cloud environments. Growth of IaaS to be driven by increasing need of enterprises to shift enterprise workloads to cloud The key features of IaaS include automated administrative tasks, dynamic scaling, platform virtualization, and network connectivity. The ever-changing business environment and customer demands encourage enterprises to increase their focus on their core business operations. IaaS enables enterprises to leverage their IT infrastructure without paying for the construction of the physical infrastructure. Moreover, it provides flexibility, mobility, easy, and scalable access to applications, and enhanced collaboration to help enterprises focus on their core businesses. Lower cost and increased security capabilities result in rising popularity of public cloud The services offered over the public deployment model are either free or offered under a subscription model. The advantages of using the public cloud include simplicity and ease of deployment. Moreover, the initial investment required for the deployment is minimum, and there are no responsibilities involved in managing the infrastructure. Speak to Research Expert: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/speaktoanalystNew.asp?id=234 North America to dominate the global Cloud Computing Market in 2020 North America is a mature market in terms of cloud computing services adoption, owing to a large presence of enterprises with advanced IT infrastructure and the availability of technical expertise. BFSI, IT and telecommunications, and government and public sector verticals majorly adopt cloud computing services. As the benefits of adopting cloud computing services are becoming more evident, more companies are expected to implement cloud computing services. The US and Canada are the top countries contributing to the growth of Cloud Computing Market in North America. The report also studies various growth strategies, such as mergers and acquisitions, partnerships and collaborations, and developments, adopted by the major players to expand their presence in the global Cloud Computing Market. The Cloud Computing Market includes major vendors, such as AWS (US), Microsoft (US), Google (US), Alibaba (China), SAP (Germany), IBM (US), Oracle (US), VMware (US), Rackspace (US), Salesforce (US), Adobe (US), CenturyLink (US), Fujitsu (Japan), Workday (US), Infor (US), Sage Group (UK), Intuit (US), Epicor (US), IFS (Sweden), ServiceNow (US), OpenText (US), Cisco (US), Box (US), Zoho (US), Citrix (US), Upland Software (US), DigitalOcean (US), Bluelock (US), OVH (France), Joyent (US), Skytap (US), Virtuestream (US), Tencent (China), DXC (US), NEC (Japan), and Navisite (US). Browse Adjacent Markets: Cloud Computing Market Research Reports & Consulting Related Reports: Cloud Applications Market by Application (ERP, CRM, HCM, SCM, Content Management, BI and Analytics), Organization Size, Vertical (BFSI, Manufacturing, Government & Public Sector, and Telecommunications), and Region Global Forecast to 2025 https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Market-Reports/cloud-applications-market-77759796.html Cloud Infrastructure Services Market by Service Type (Storage as a Service, Compute as a Service, Disaster Recovery and Backup as a Service), Deployment Model, Organization Size, Vertical, and Region - Global Forecast to 2024 https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Market-Reports/cloud-infrastructure-services-market-116511247.html 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. 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Contact: Mr. Aashish Mehra MarketsandMarkets INC. 630 Dundee Road Suite 430 Northbrook, IL 60062 USA: +1-888-600-6441 Email: [email protected] Visit Our Website: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com Research Insight: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/ResearchInsight/cloud-computing-market.asp Content Source: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/PressReleases/cloud-computing-market.asp SOURCE MarketsandMarkets Four more people were arrested in Florida and Pennsylvania in a federal fraud and money laundering investigation, accused of stealing credit and debit card numbers of gas station customers across the country, including in Albany, Broome and Montgomery counties, authorities said. According to the indictment, from April 2016 to about December 2018, certain defendants those charged with conspiring to commit access device fraud built and installed gas station skimming devices to steal card data of customers, officials said. They allegedly used the data to create fraudulent debit and credit cards, which they or co-conspirators used to get money orders, gift cards, cash and other merchandise. Night and weekend curfew in Jammu and Kashmir 2022: Know guidelines, rules: What is allowed, what is not Girish Murmu resigns as LG of Jammu and Kashmir, likely to get fresh Central posting India oi-Madhuri Adnal Kashmir, Aug 05: Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Girish Murmu resigned on Wednesday, according to All India Radio. Born 21 November 1959, Girish Chandra Murmu was the first lieutenant governor of the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir. His resignation came on the day the Union Territory marked the first anniversary of the abrogation of Article 370 of the Constitution, which scrapped Jammu and Kashmir's special status. He could be the next Comptroller and Auditor Genral (CAG) of India, replacing Rajiv Mehrishi, who will retire this week, suggest reports. However, there was no immediate information as to who would succeed Murmu as the Lt Governor of J&K. Political vacuum in J&K to end soon: Murmu India bans more Chinese apps | Ram mandir foundation laid & more news | Oneindia News He is a 1985 batch Indian Administrative Service officer of Gujarat cadre and was principal secretary to Narendra Modi during his tenure as chief minister of Gujarat. In 2001, Murmu was the Relief Commissioner in Gujarat. Shortly afterwards he became Commissioner, Mines and Minerals and thereafter Managing Director, Gujarat Maritime Board. Actor Amitabh Bachchan is counting his blessings while also ruing the disastrous year humanity is going through.On early Wednesday morning, Amitabh shared a picture of his wrist on Instagram, covered with colourful rakhis. Sharing the picture, Amitabh wrote, Keep collecting blessings, I have heard that property, fame and ego do not last very long. Amitabh returned home earlier this week after being discharged from the hospital, where he received treatment for Covid-19. On his blog, Amitabh also talked about living in a prison cell since his return home. And in the solitude of your own home .. no contact .. a prison cell where the visiting hours , often seen in films , occurs through glass shields and telephoned conversation .. to see and connect in hand actions .. they be family , just a few inches away, yet so far, he wrote. Amitabh, his son Abhishek, daughter-in-law Aishwarya and granddaughter Aaradhya were admitted to the hospital after their coronavirus diagnosis. While Aishwarya and Aaradhya spent almost a week at hospital, Amitabh was several days later. Abhishek has still not tested negative for the disease and it still at the hospital. He also mentioned the death of friend and theatre doyen Ebrahim Alkazi. And another friend lost .. Kolkata days .. younger brother of ex boss .. gone suddenly .. Alkazi, the mentor of the National School of Drama and the builder of some of the most brilliant talent in the Country , passes away, he wrote and added a sad emoji next to 2020. Also read: Neeraj Kabi says instead of arguing about nepotism raise your talent: There is no way that you will be eliminated On Tuesday, Abhishek posted a picture on Instagram, wherein he highlighted the colours of nature and shared the scenic view of a cloudy sky. The picture featured a trail of lush green plants in flower pots, and the sky. The colours of nature never fail to impress, wrote the actor, adding the hashtag always look on the bright side of life . Follow @htshowbiz for more SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON STOCKHOLM (dpa-AFX) - Sweden's services sector expanded at the fastest pace in five months in July, survey data from Swedbank and the logistics association SILF showed on Wednesday. The Purchasing Managers' Index for the services sector increased to 54.8 in July from 50.9 in June. This was the highest since February. Any reading above 50 indicates expansion in the sector. A rapid improvement was seen in the services sector, though the interpretation of the July outcome was normally more uncertain due to holiday effects, Swedbank analyst Jorgen Kennemar said. 'We need more data to make sure if it is a lasting recovery.' All the sub-indices increased in June, except in employment which ended up out of growth zone for the sixth straight month. Services providers became less optimistic, but continued to rise. The composite PMI, which combines manufacturing and services, rose to 53.7 in July from 50.0 in the previous month. This was the highest score in five months. It is becoming increasingly clear that the economy in the business sector has brightened in recent months, but so far the effects on employment have been modest, even though the decline has slowed down, Kennemar said. Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX Kostenloser Wertpapierhandel auf Smartbroker.de Beijing Prison Takes Extreme Measures to Prevent Information Leaks Beijing Womens Prison is shrouded in secrecy. Its location wont show up on a navigation system. The prison has been locked down since the COVID-19 outbreak affected many Chinese prisons early this year. Prisoners and guards have been kept silent to prevent any information from leaking out. Inside sources have described the prison as hell on earth. No Show in Navigation System In Daxing district, in the south of Beijing, there are buildings surrounded by security fencing and barbed wires along the river known as Tiantangthis is Beijing Womens Prison. It is not easy to find its location on a navigation system. There are thousands of adult female inmates and around 400 security guards and workers. Earlier this year, Beijing Womens Prison was locked down to curb the spread of the CCP virus, commonly known as the novel coronavirus. On Feb. 21, a total of 505 inmates from prisons in three different provinces across China were infected with the virus. As of Feb. 29, Chinese media reported that the number of confirmed cases among inmates had risen to 806 in Wuhan, the central Chinese city where the CCP virus first emerged. No additional details were made public about CCP virus infections in the prison system afterwards. Death Incident Concealed An insider source told The Epoch Times that around noon on March 19, 2003, Falun Gong adherent Dong Cuifang was dragged into an isolated unit in Beijing Womens Prison that did not have any surveillance cameras. There was a watchtower near the building with armed guards patrolling the premises. Falun Gong, also known as Falun Dafa, is a spiritual and meditation practice that was banned in July 1999 on orders of then-Chinese Communist Party (CCP) leader Jiang Zemin. Dong, who was 29 years old at the time, was a former doctor at Shunyi Health Care Hospital for Women, Children and the Aged in Beijing. She was illegally abducted by the police for practicing Falun Gong, and sentenced to seven years in prison. She died on the eighth day after she was imprisoned. The autopsy records indicated that Dong died from pulmonary thrombosis, and the wounds were self-inflicted. However, evidence suggests that Dong was severely beaten by the prison guards before she was sent to the hospital. Dongs mother noticed that her legs and arms were swollen and covered with bruises, and her right shoulder was dislocated. The prison threatened Dongs parents not to appeal nor contact any Falun Gong practitioners about the incident. Dongs parents received less than 80,000 yuan ($11,426) as compensation and were told not to disclose any information about their daughters death. Beijing Womens Prison claims to have zero abnormal death of inmates since it was built in 1999. In 2004, information of Dongs death was leaked out after an inmate mentioned the incident during a family visitation. As a result, prison authorities imposed harsh rules on the entire prison section (referred to as section three) where Dong was detained. For instance, inmates were forbidden to talk to each other in their prison cell. The military administration zone of Beijing Womens Prison, on March 2020. (The Epoch Times) Prison Condition Kept Secret Any information about Beijing Womens Prison is strictly prohibited from being disclosed, and it is the prison managements responsibility to ensure that information doesnt leak out. Prisoners are under surveillance at all times, and they monitor one anotherthree inmates are assigned to monitor one. Every inmate must keep a diary for introspection and report their own thoughts to the prison guards. The prison guards are also under strict control and must abide by a set of rules and regulationstheir behavior and thoughts are closely monitored. The guards are equipped with cell phones. But the cell phone cannot be brought into the prison area and must be left in the dressing room. At one point, the prison guards were required to use transparent plastic bags for security purposes. Outside information is censored. Any leaflets, letters, and other literature obtained by the guards must be handed over to the prison. The only news source is the state-run media outlet CCTV (China Central Television). All telephones in the prison are monitored, including the internet. Social media app WeChat is banned. Prison guards are also banned from posting or commenting on WeChat or Weibo. Topics that are deemed sensitive by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), such as the CCP virus pandemic and Falun Gong, are taboo. The prison staff are being watched very closely and they are careful not to bypass the Great Firewall, the regimes sophisticated online censorship mechanism, to search for censored information. Every Prison Guard has Two Birthdays There are 400 prison guards in Beijing Womens Prison and 74 percent are members of the Communist Party. Xing Mei, the current director of the prison, believes that each party member has two birthdaysone is the date of birth and the other is the political birthday (the day the individual became a party member, according to the insider source. On their political birthday, they must renew and strengthen their vows to the party. In other words, they pledge their loyalty to the CCP. The party branch secretary of the prisons section three is Zhang Haina who claims to be pro-party with no regret, the insider source said. Most of the guards in section three are party members. At present, section three holds all Falun Gong practitioners and Christians abducted from Beijing. Insider sources revealed that the inmates in section three are subjected to brainwashing, physical abuse, and forced labor. The forms of punishment are inhumane. For instance, Zhao Liuji, a 66-year-old Falun Gong practitioner, was beaten while she was unconscious, and her thighs were severely bruised. Zhang Yinying, a Falun Gong practitioner in her 70s, was detained in a cell with other criminals who would secretly bully her by stuffing her shorts with notes written with words that slandered Falun Gong. Falun Gong practitioners are not allowed to talk to others. If they broke that rule, they would be punished with writing a self-correction essay of no less than three pages long for two weeks. If the essay is less than three pages, all the inmates in that section would not be allowed to sleep. Falun Gong practitioners are not allowed to make eye contact, otherwise they would be verbally attacked by the inmates and forced to copy Xi Jinping Thoughtthe Chinese leaders communist ideology. In the past two years, Beijing Womens Prison has focused on brainwashing the inmates with communist political ideology. Inmates and guards are forced to accept and express their views on the advantages of a socialist system with Chinese characteristics. The inmates are re-educated to take an oath of allegiance to the Communist Party. The television programs only show CCTV news, communist political education, and singing performances that honor the party. Before each meal, the inmates must sing songs that praise the CCP. During the CCP virus pandemic, the inmates stopped doing forced labor. Instead, they had to listen to prison authorities preach about the regimes propaganda about handling the pandemic. Beijing has ramped up disinformation campaigns targeting the United States in order to bolster its image, in an effort to shift international attention away from its botched handling of the pandemic. According to the insider source, some inmates said: It is better to work than being brainwashed every day! Guards Have No Freedom The insider source said the guards also complain amongst themselves. They said they feel like they are also prisoners due to the long work hours, the lack of freedom, and the fear of being punished for violating rules, such as talking about sensitive issues, including the pandemic. During the pandemic, many prison guards worked continuously for two months without taking a break. During this period, they couldnt contact their family through WeChat. They could only use the prisons phone to talk to their family. The guards who were off duty were not allowed to leave their homes. When they returned to work, they had to self-quarantine in the prison dormitory for 14 days before entering the prison area. Now that the second wave of the pandemic is in Daxing, the city has become a high-risk area in Beijing. Most of the prison guards live in Daxing, according to insider sources. When the guards return home, they are required to report their whereabouts to the prison every day, which encroaches on their freedom. Ahead of Ram Mandir Bhumi Pujan, All India Muslim Personal Law Board has termed the Supreme Court judgment on the Ayodhya land dispute as 'majority appeasing,' 'shameful' and 'oppressive.' This comes right months after the apex court pronounced the verdict ending the decades-old dispute. The top court had dismissed the review petitions of the All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) citing that there is 'no ground, whatsoever to entertain the same'. Despite apex Court's judgment, the AIMPLB cited Turkey's Hagia Sophia which has been recently converted to a mosque as an example and claimed that 'situations do not last forever.' Earlier in the day, the same line has been taken by AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi. #BabriMasjid was and will always be a Masjid. #HagiaSophia is a great example for us. Usurpation of the land by an unjust, oppressive, shameful and majority appeasing judgment can't change it's status. No need to be heartbroken. Situations don't last forever.#ItsPolitics pic.twitter.com/nTOig7Mjx6 All India Muslim Personal Law Board (@AIMPLB_Official) August 4, 2020 READ | India's Constitution marked Lord Ram's triumphant return to Ayodhya; Law Min shares photo Turkey's Hagia Sophia was recently converted into a mosque after serving as a museum for 86 years. It was a church for 916 years until the conquest of Istanbul, and a mosque from 1453 to 1934. READ | Ram Mandir Bhumi Pujan LIVE Updates Supreme Court ruling & the Ayodhya dispute Ending the centuries-old dispute, the Supreme Court on 9 November 2019, delivered a unanimous judgment in the title suit of the disputed area of Ram Janmabhumi to the Hindu parties for the construction of a temple. It also directed the Centre to come up with a scheme within three months to set up a trust which will hand over the outer courtyard and inner courtyard of the site for construction of a temple. Apart from this, the SC stated that an alternate land of 5 acres is to be allotted to Muslims for the liberty of constructing a mosque either by the central govt or the State govt in a suitable and prominent place in Ayodhya. READ | Robert Vadra turns Ram Bhakt before Ayodhya Mandir Bhumi Pujan; flaunts poster devotion Ayodhya case in SC The five-judge bench was constituted on January 25, 2019, to hear the long-contested Ayodhya dispute. As the case progressed after the Centre handed over disputed Ayodhya site to original owners, the bench created a 3-member mediation panel. On August 2, a day after the mediation panel submitted the report of mediation to the SC in a sealed cover, the SC stated that the mediation had failed and began day-to-day hearings - which ran for 40 days, along with a parallel mediation process continuing. The SC announced that it would wrap up the hearing on October 17 and announce its judgment by November 17. Finally, on October 16, the Supreme Court concluded its hearing, reserved its order and the mediation panel submitting its settlement report before the Supreme Court after the Sunni Waqf board surrendered its claim over the disputed land in Ayodhya. READ | Ayodhya priest to honour PM Modi with headgear, silver crown & stole at Bhumi Pujan Washington, D.C.--(Newsfile Corp. - August 5, 2020) - The Securities and Exchange Commission today announced that Lindsay McCord has been named Chief Accountant in the Division of Corporation Finance. Ms. McCord has served as Acting Chief Accountant in the Division since March 2020, leading its work to monitor disclosures by companies impacted by COVID-19 and provide targeted regulatory relief and guidance on financial statement and related disclosure requirements. In addition, Ms. McCord has led the Division's work to assist companies as they prepare to comply with the Commission's changes to Rules 3-05, 3-14, and Article 11 of Regulation S-X. As the Division's Chief Accountant, Ms. McCord will continue leading these efforts as well as other ongoing initiatives to make disclosure and financial reporting more effective and relevant for investors and issuers. "I am delighted and grateful that Lindsay has agreed to serve as the Division's Chief Accountant," said Bill Hinman, Director of the SEC's Division of Corporation Finance. "Lindsay has long been recognized for her leadership and practice skills. Her energy and dedication will serve the Division well as we continue our important work to facilitate capital formation and protect investors." Ms. McCord said, "I am honored by the opportunity to continue to work in this role with the talented and dedicated professionals in the Division and across the agency to support the Division's work and the Commission's mission." Prior to her role as Acting Chief Accountant, Ms. McCord was a Deputy Chief Accountant in the Division leading a team to provide technical guidance and interpretations of financial statement and related disclosure requirements. She has received a number of honorary awards including the Andrew Barr Award, the Sydney Orbach Award, and the Chairman's Award for Excellence. Ms. McCord began her career in the Division by reviewing filings in the Division's disclosure program. Prior to joining the Division in 2009, Ms. McCord was an audit manager with Grant Thornton LLP. She received her Bachelor of Science from George Mason University and is a certified public accountant. As TikTok one of the hottest names in social media scrambles to stay alive in the U.S., could the federal government extract a cut in a potential divestment deal? The popular mobile app whose name reflects the mere seconds that its users have to create short-form videos now faces its own unprecedented ticking clock, as the stakes rise in a battle between the worlds two largest economies. President Donald Trump has demanded that TikTok, owned by Chinese Internet giant ByteDance, either shut down its app by September 15, or agree to sell at least part of its ownership stake on terms acceptable to the U.S. government. Yet on Monday, the president threw the process into a new twist by floating the idea that any sale to an American company should also require a payment to the U.S. Treasury. Trump told reporters that a very substantial portion of that price is going to have to come into the Treasury of the United States...because we're making it possible for this deal to happen. Right now [TikTok doesnt] have any rights, unless we give it to them. Microsoft (MSFT) confirmed discussions with ByteDance to explore a purchase of TikToks service in the U.S., Canada, Australia and New Zealand, and that the two companies had notified the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS). That body initiates, reviews, investigates, and mitigates existing and prospective foreign transactions to protect national security. However, its unclear whether TikTok or Microsoft would be expected to pay the presidents proposed fee, which would potentially drive up the cost for an American company to acquire the platform. ByteDance investors recently valued TikTok at $50 billion, according to Reuters. In the companys blog post, Microsoft said it fully appreciates the importance of addressing the Presidents concerns and is committed to acquiring TikTok subject to a complete security review and providing proper economic benefits to the U.S.. including the U.S. Treasury. Story continues In an email to Yahoo Finance, the software giant offered no further comment beyond its original statement. White House economic advisor Larry Kudlow told Fox Business News on Tuesday that there was no specific blueprint for the Presidents proposed payment. However, Trumps unusual request touched off a spirited debate about whether it was permissible under the law and experts have their doubts. Im not aware of anyone having been required to compensate the U.S. government for its efforts during a CFIUS review, mitigation, or divestment, Jonathan Gafni, an attorney with Linklaters LLP and a former official with the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI), told Yahoo Finance. David Hall, a partner with the law firm and co-chair of its CFIUS practice for Wiggin and Dana LLP, said CFIUS alone has no legal authority to impose an extra payment beyond its usual fees and mitigation requirements. While Trump has ultimate authority to unravel foreign investments, his power to impose a payment for the benefit of the U.S. Treasury in connection with mitigation requirements is questionable, Hall explained. There's not any authority for a side payment, he said, adding that it would be deeply concerning if Microsoft voluntarily paid a fee because it could set a precedent that the way a foreign company or individual can get approval in a U.S. national security review is to pay the U.S. government. Esta imagen del viernes 17 de julio de 2020 muestra a un hombre con una camiseta que promueve la aplicacion TikTok en una tienda Apple, en Beijing. (AP Foto/Ng Han Guan) Another foreseeable problem, Hall said, is that CFIUS is not subject to judicial review. Therefore, if a Treasury payment were wrapped up in its conditions to approve a deal, the parties subject to it would have no resource within the legal system to challenge it. Hall and Gafni explained that CFIUS authority does permit it to impose fines and penalties for failing to file for foreign investment review, and to require parties to take mitigation steps that are often expensive. Review fees can range into the hundreds of thousands of dollars for larger transactions. And mitigation conditions often require parties to undertake capital or operational expenditures such as changing directors and officers, installing new physical access controls, and hiring third-party monitoring and auditing firms. Meanwhile, theres little doubt that TikTok is worth its weight in gold to a potential suitor, given its popularity among younger users. According to a survey conducted by Piper Sandler in February and March, TikToks U.S. mobile app is used by approximately 62% of American teenagers. The data showed the company in third place among American teens, behind Instagram (85%) and Snapchat (82%). Alexis Keenan is a legal reporter for Yahoo Finance. Follow on Twitter @alexiskweed. [Click the following links for more of Yahoo Finances coronavirus coverage: Personal finance tips, news, policy, graphics & more from Yahoo Finance] Follow Yahoo Finance on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Flipboard, LinkedIn, and reddit. Ayodhya: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be gifted a headgear, a silver crown and a stole with the name of Lord Ram printed on it, Sri Gaddinsheen Premdas Ji Maharaj, head priest of Hanumangarhi temple, said on Wednesday (August 5, 2020). "We also hope that Prime Minister Modi rings the 3.5 quintal bell and proceed towards Ram Janmabhoomi," he added. The head priest of the temple further said, "Prime Minister Modi is coming and it is a matter of pride for Ayodhya. Many Prime Ministers took office but none apart from Prime Minister Modi came for laying the foundation stone for Ram temple." After offering prayers at Hanuman Garhi temple, Prime Minister Modi will unveil a plaque to mark the laying of the foundation stone and also release a commemorative postage stamp on `Shree Ram Janmabhoomi Mandir`. Tap here for exclusive and live coverage of Ram Temple Bhoomi Pujan on Zee News He will then offer prayers to Ram Lalla at Ram Janmabhoomi today. Sanitisation work was carried out at the Hanuman Garhi temple on Wednesday morning ahead of the PM`s visit. The Saryu Ghat was also decorated. The grand celebrations for the Bhoomi Pujan started at 8 AM and PM Modi will perform the ground-breaking ceremony at the auspicious time of 12:40 PM. Huge CCTV screens have been set up across the holy city in order to allow the people to watch the ceremony live once it begins. Every street in Ayodhya has been illuminated with earthen lamps ahead of the foundation stone laying ceremony of the Ram Temple on Wednesday. People also lit diyas on the banks of Saryu river as part of the 'deepotsava' celebrations in the temple town which will see Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other dignitaries arrive today for the `bhoomi pujan` ceremony of the Ram Temple. The entire Ayodhya has been decked up and massive preparations have been made for this occasion with a festive air. Meanwhile, Centres coronavirus COVID-19 protocols have been put in place and the social distancing norms are being strictly followed ahead of the much-awaited Ram Temple Bhomi Pujan in Ayodhya, which is slated to begin with great fervor around 12.40 PM. In wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, sanitisation work was also done at the Hanuman Garhi temple in the morning ahead of the Prime Minister`s visit. Strict security and COVID-19 protocols will be followed at the temple when Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrives there along with other dignitaries. Over 11,000 diyas are set to be lit across the city of Ayodhya, illuminating every street and all houses will be celebrating with a 'deepotsava', a festival of lights. Invitations have been sent to 175 people, including 135 saints of 35 religious organisations to attend the foundation stone-laying ceremony of Ram temple. Apart from PM Modi, the ceremony will be attended by Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh (RSS) Chief Mohan Bhagwat, Uttarakhand Tourism Minister Satpal Maharaj, Senior BJP leaders LK Advani and Murli Manohar Joshi, Iqbal Ansari (former litigant in Ayodhya land dispute case) and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. Litchfield Crossings in New Milford will be a major sponsor of the New Milford Economic Development Corporations first virtual career fair along with Indeed, worldwide employment search engine for job listings. The fair will be held Aug. 10. The announcement came last week by Karen Pollard, economic development director for the Town of New Milford. Many thanks to Litchfield Crossings for their sponsorship, Pollard said. Due to their generosity New Milford businesses that are hiring can participate at no cost for what would have ordinarily be $1,500 or more. Business registration is still open, but space is limited. Registration is at https://forms.gle/tn3C8X9cnKjaNrPm8. Litchfield Crossings is pleased to co-sponsor the New Milford Virtual Career Fair, said Kristen N. Gizzi, executive director of the Crossings. We see this as a great opportunity for local businesses and those seeking employment to access multiple job opportunities in one centralized space, Gizzi said. It is a fabulous idea and a great way to connect our residents to those seeking to hireits a win-win for the entire community. Candidates can register for free on the Indeed website, post a resume and request an interview on the day of the fair. All interviews will be conducted virtually. We are targeting the restaurant and healthcare industries and will be promoting the event to a broad audience including residents of Western Connecticut and Eastern New York, Pollard said. Participating companies include Candlewood Valley Health and Rehab, Village Crest Center for Health & Rehab, Primerica, VNA Home, Kimberly- Clark Corporation, Gwilliam Company, Sonic Restaurant,, Pauls Custom Pet Food LLC, Durkin -New England Donuts, Five Guys Operations LLC, The Old Oak Tavern, Helpyclean and Psychology Practice. The national air carrier of Azerbaijan, the Azerbaijan Airlines (AZAL), organized an important flight on August 4, bringing a group of doctors from China to help battling the COVID-19 pandemic in the country, AZALs press service told Trend. Humanitarian assistance consisting of medical equipment was also delivered through this flight to Azerbaijan. A group of leading Chinese experts consisting of 10 people arrived in Baku on a special flight of AZAL. Highly qualified medical experts will work together with Azerbaijani colleagues to prevent the spread of coronavirus infection. The organized plane also delivered medical equipment and medicines from China to the capital of Azerbaijan. The direct flight, carried out from Chengdu city (the capital of Sichuan province in southwestern China) to Baku lasted more than seven hours. The flight was organized on behalf of the Operational Headquarters under the Cabinet of Ministers of Azerbaijan. -- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz The Supreme Court has dismissed a petition by three Kisumu residents seeking to have Kibos Sugar and Allied Industries Limited shut for polluting River Nyando. The residents who sued the company are Benson Ambuti Adega, Erick Ochieng and Bether Atieno Opiyo. The Court of Appeal had dismissed a suit in which the petitioners accused the private miller of discharging raw effluent into local rivers endangering the lives of millions of locals depending on the water resource. In the Court of Appeal ruling, justices Asike Makhandia, Phillip Kiage and the late Otieno Odek ruled that there was no evidence adduced to the Environment and Lands Court to prove any danger the pollution of local rivers paused to residents. In the lower court, Justice Stephen Kibunjia ruled that the National Environmental Management Authority had issued the miller with an Environment Impact Assessment licence without carrying out a study. Dissatisfied by the ruling at the Court of Appeal, they proceeded to the Supreme Court and in their submissions filed on June 12, 2020, the petitioners said that the grounds adduced in the petition were conclusive to show that they warranted a hearing and determination. But the respondents in the case who raised preliminary objections before the Supreme Court were Kibos Distillers Limited, Kibos Power Limited, Kibos Sugar and Allied Industries Limited, county government of Kisumu and Kenya Union of Sugar Plantation and Allied Workers. In the objections, the respondents primarily challenged the jurisdiction of the Supreme Court to hear and determine the instant petition. They also said that the issues in contention before the Court of Appeal were the jurisdiction of the Environment and Land Court to hear and determine the allegations before it. The appellate court found that the trial court was not vested with the requisite jurisdiction to hear the matte that it usurped the jurisdiction of both the National Environmental Complaints Committee and the tribunal, which were the two institutions established under statute to hear and determine the issues raised by the petitioners. Supreme Court judges including David Maraga, Philomena Mwilu, Mohamed Ibrahim, Smoking Wanjala, Njoki Ndung'u and Isaac Lenaola upheld the preliminary objections by the five respondents. "The petition is hereby struck out save that, noting the nature of the matter, the petitioners are at liberty to pursue their claims at the appropriate forum, taking guidance from this judgment and that of the Court of Appeal," the judges said in the ruling. Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Kenya Legal Affairs By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later. According to the judges, it was clear that the only issue for determination was whether the Supreme Court has the jurisdiction to hear and determine the instant petition. According to them, the jurisdiction of the court was challenged primarily on the premise that the court had usurped the mandate of legislatively constituted bodies and conferred upon itself powers that it did not have. According to the judges both the two courts made determinations primarily on an interrogation and adjudication of statutory provisions and minimal reference to the Constitution. They added that once the Court of Appeal had determined that the Environment and Lands Court did not have the jurisdiction to hear and determine the issues before it, it should have held that any determination made was void, and that the appellate court therefore and with respect failed to properly exercise its discretion and supervisory mandate in this instance. Each party is expected to bear its own cost. Chief Minister on Wednesday said the Rajasthan government's concerted efforts in cooperation with non-governmental organizations and people have helped the state in dealing with the challenge of infection. It is due to the efforts of people in government and non-governmental organisations that the state is top among the states successfully battling the pandemic. The fight against COVID-19 will continue for a long time, but it is necessary to bring economic activities back on track for which all officers and employees should work with dedication, the chief minister said. Gehlot made the remarks during a video conference with representatives and employees of various organizations. In this time of crisis, ''Rajasthan is vigilant'' and working with a motto that nobody sleeps hungry, he said. He said for almost six months, the government has been continuously communicating with all sections of the society, including public representatives, social workers, entrepreneurs, religious leaders, who have helped them in fighting the pandemic. The government has roped in people from the state capital level to the remote gram panchayats to fight COVID-19, he said. Saving lives is the duty of the government, he said, adding Rajasthan is the first state to provide an insurance cover of Rs 50 lakh to the government and non-government personnel working as Corona warriors. He said the plasma therapy has been started in the state to treat severe corona patients. So far, about 115 people have been given this therapy, he said, while urging people to donate plasma. (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 Ondo State Government has sealed two secondary schools in the state for violating COVID-19 protocols set by the state government for reo... The Ondo State Government has sealed two secondary schools in the state for violating COVID-19 protocols set by the state government for reopening of schools. The affected two schools are: CAC Grammar School, Ondo Road, Akure and Akure Academy, Oba- Ile in Akure North Local Government Area of the state. The Permanent Secretary of the state Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, Mr Akin Asaniyan, confirmed this in Akure, the state capital. According to him, the schools were closed for not complying with all the COVID-19 protocols after the schools were reopened for pupils of the Senior Secondary Schools 3 in the state. He explained that the pupils of the affected schools were seen roaming the streets, clearing bushes, and staying in an unclean environment. He said, There is no single preparation ( on the part of the affected schools) and the schools will remain sealed until basic things are put in place. This issue of COVID -19 is an unusual and strange trend and very dangerous issue which needed prompt attention because it involves lives. On August 4, Vietnam witnessed 10 new cases of COVID-19 infection which brought the tally of cases to 652, with a total of eight deaths. According to international media reports, Hanoi is running short COVID-19 testing kits which has compounded the crisis. At the initial stage of the outbreak, Vietnam had controlled the virus with strict quarantine and targeted testing methods. However, recent media reports suggest that new clusters are making the fight against the virus tough for Vietnam. The latest outbreak is reported to have infected more than 200 people since July 25 and while the majority of the cases first appeared in central city of Danang, it has spread to at least eight other cities and provinces, including Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. Two Coffee growing central highlands, Danang and Buon Ma Thuot, have been placed under lockdown. Read: Japanese Foreign Minister To Visit UK To Discuss Post Brexit Trade Deal Read : Myanmar: Aung San Suu Kyi Announces Candidacy For Upcoming Elections Shortage of Kits As per media reports, more than 88,000 people have returned to Hanoi from Danang since July 8, but only 70,689 were tested and only two people were found positive. Authorities have cited a shortage of rapid testing kits for the gap in numbers. The administration is planning to assign Hanoi medical institutions and hospitals to boost testing capacity. The rapid test kits, which can diagnose a blood sample in minutes but are prone to inaccuracies, are used to identify potential positive cases which are then confirmed with the more accurate swab-based Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test. (Image Credit AP) Read: China, WHO In Talks On Plans To Trace Coronavirus Origin Read: Taiwan Provisionally Approves Use Of Dexamethasone For COVID-19 Treatment Son Jung-woo, who was convicted of running one of the world's biggest child porn sites, is released from Seoul Detention Center in Uiwang, Gyeonggi Province, July 6, after the Seoul High Court decided to reject his extradition to the United States. By Jun Ji-hye Son Jong-woo, who operated one of the world's biggest child porn sites, is reigniting public anger after it was reported that his marriage was recently annulled following a suit filed by his former wife. This is raising suspicions that Son used a fake marriage to seek a sentence reduction. Son operated the site "Welcome to Video" on the dark web, inaccessible to those using regular web browsers, until he was indicted with physical detention here in March 2018 for producing and distributing child pornography since 2015. The 24-year-old was found guilty but only sentenced to two years in prison, suspended for three years, and was released. The prosecution appealed the sentence, but prior to this being heard, Son registered the marriage. During the appeal hearing, Son asked the judge for leniency, claiming that he had to support his "family." This time, he was sentenced to 18 months in prison. Neither the prosecution nor Son decided to appeal for a Supreme Court ruling on this. According to last Tuesday's episode of "PD Note," an MBC investigative news show, an acquaintance of Son postulated that he may have arranged a fake marriage in a bid to get a lenient sentence at the appeal hearing. "Son's father worked as an international marriage broker. Son may have registered a marriage with a foreign woman," the acquaintance was quoted as saying. Another acquaintance said that nobody around Son knew about the marriage. Regarding the issue, Son's father denied the allegations of a fake marriage, claiming his son's former wife filed for annulment because her parents opposed the marriage, according to the news show. Son's case drew significant attention internationally as he had also been indicted by a federal grand jury in the District of Columbia in the United States in August 2018, with the U.S. authorities requesting his extradition. On July 6, the Seoul High Court rejected the request from the United States to extradite Son, saying having him in Korea would be more helpful for the country's fight against child pornography. Son was released on the day the court decision came out. At the time, his father said he thanked the court for "the wise decision," and felt "sorry for the victims." BEIRUT: A powerful blast in port warehouses near central Beirut storing highly explosive material killed 78 people, injured nearly 4,000 and sent seismic shockwaves that shattered windows, smashed masonry and shook the ground across the Lebanese capital. Officials said they expected the death toll to rise further after Tuesday`s blast as emergency workers dug through rubble to rescue people and remove the dead. It was the most powerful explosion in years in Beirut, which is already reeling from an economic crisis and a surge in coronavirus infections. President Michel Aoun said that 2,750 tonnes of ammonium nitrate, used in fertilisers and bombs, had been stored for six years at the port without safety measures, and said it was "unacceptable". He called for an emergency cabinet meeting on Wednesday and said a two-week state of emergency should be declared. "What we are witnessing is a huge catastrophe," the head of Lebanon`s Red Cross George Kettani told broadcaster Mayadeen. "There are victims and casualties everywhere." Hours after the blast, which struck shortly after 6 p.m. (1500 GMT), a fire still blazed in the port district, casting an orange glow across the night sky as helicopters hovered and ambulance sirens sounded across the capital. A security source said victims were taken for treatment outside the city because Beirut hospitals were overwhelmed with wounded. Ambulances from the north and south of the country and the Bekaa valley to the east were called in to help. The huge blast revived memories of the 1975-90 civil war and its aftermath, when Lebanese endured heavy shelling, car bombings and Israeli air raids. Some residents thought an earthquake had struck. Dazed, weeping and injured people walked through streets searching for relatives. Others sought their missing loved ones in the overflowing hospitals. One medic said 200 to 300 people had been admitted to a single emergency department. "I`ve never seen this. It was horrible," the medic, who gave her name as Rouba, told Reuters. The blast blew me off metres away. I was in a daze and was all covered in blood. It brought back the vision of another explosion I witnessed against the U.S. embassy in 1983," said Huda Baroudi, a Beirut designer. Prime Minister Hassan Diab told the nation there would be accountability for the deadly blast at the "dangerous warehouse", adding "those responsible will pay the price." SMOKE AND FIREBALL Footage of the explosion shared by residents on social media showed a column of smoke rising from the port, followed by an enormous blast, sending up a white cloud and a fireball into the sky. Those filming the incident from high buildings 2 km (one mile) from the port were thrown backwards by the shock. Bleeding people were seen running and shouting for help in clouds of smoke and dust. Streets looked as if they had been hit by an earthquake, with damaged buildings, flying debris, and wrecked cars and furniture. Officials did not say what caused the blaze that set off the blast. A security source and local media said it was started by welding work being carried out on a hole in the warehouse. The government said it was still struggling to establish the magnitude of the disaster. "There are many people missing. People are asking the emergency department about their loved ones and it is difficult to search at night because there is no electricity," Health Minister Hamad Hasan told Reuters. Hasan said 78 people were killed and nearly 4,000 injured. Lebanese broadcaster al-Jadeed read out appeals for information about the missing into the early hours of the morning. Some people posted photos of missing relatives on social media. The prime minister called for a day of mourning on Wednesday. TANGLED WRECKAGE The explosion occurred three days before a U.N.-backed court is due to deliver a verdict in the trial of four suspects from the Shi`ite Muslim group Hezbollah over a 2005 bombing which killed former Prime Minister Rafik al-Hariri and 21 others. Hariri was killed by a huge truck bomb on the same waterfront, about 2 km (about one mile) from the port. Israeli officials said Israel, which has fought several wars with Lebanon, had nothing to do with Tuesday`s blast and said their country was ready to give humanitarian and medical assistance. Shi`ite Iran, the main backer of Hezbollah, also offered support, as did Tehran`s regional rival Saudi Arabia, a leading Sunni power. Qatar and Iraq said they were sending makeshift hospitals to assist the high numbers of casualties. The United States, Britain, France and Germany expressed shock and sympathy and said they were read to help. U.S. President Donald Trump indicated at a White House briefing that the explosion was a possible attack. Asked later to elaborate, Trump said that he had met with some U.S. generals who felt it was not "some kind of a manufacturing explosion type of event." Two U.S. officials, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said initial information contradicted Trump`s view, however. The blast threatens a new humanitarian crisis in a nation that hosts hundreds of thousands of Syrian refugees and which is already grappling with economic meltdown under one of the world`s biggest debt burdens. Images showed port buildings reduced to tangled masonry, devastating the main entry point to a country that relies on food imports to feed its population of more than 6 million. Residents said glass was broken in neighbourhoods on Beirut`s Mediterranean coast and inland suburbs several km (miles) away. In Cyprus, a Mediterranean island 110 miles (180 km) across the sea from Beirut, residents heard the blast. One resident in Nicosia said his house and window shutters shook. The Lagos State Government has reviewed the 2018 Land Use Charge, LUC, Law and effect a reduction in the annual charge payable by pro... The Lagos State Government has reviewed the 2018 Land Use Charge, LUC, Law and effect a reduction in the annual charge payable by property owners in the state by 48 percent. Former Governor of Lagos State, Akinwunmi Ambode had reviewed the LUC in 2018 jacking it up, which led to serious outcry from the public, but he later reduced it, but still on the high side. However, Commissioner for Finance, Dr. Rabiu Olowo disclosed on Wednesday at a news conference in Ikeja that the government had further reduced LUC by 48 percent. Olowo said the government considered the Land Use Charge reform very necessary to accommodate the agitations of Lagosians and reduce the financial pressure on citizens as it related to Land Use. As you are aware in 2018, there was an increase in Land Use Charge rate as well as the method of valuation of properties, this Twin shock had a sporadic increase in Land Use Charge payable by property owners. In view of the aforementioned, the current administration decided to review the Land Use Charge law by reversing the rate of Land Use Charge to pre-2018 while upholding the 2018 method of valuation. The reform also considered multiple Land Use Charge payment channels and efficient customer service management by setting up a call centre (0700 LAGOS LUC) in other to ensure prompt issue resolution, he said. Olowo stated that with the 48 percent reduction in the Annual Charge Rates, Owner-Occupied Residential Property would now pay 0.0394% instead of 0.076%; while Industrial Premises of Manufacturing Concerns will pay 0.132% instead of 0.256%. Also, Residential Property/Private School (Owner & 3rd Party) will now pay 0.132%0 instead of 0.256%, just as Residential Property (Without Owner in residence) will pay 0.394% as against the previous 0.76%, while Commercial property (Used by occupier for Business Purposes) will pay 0.394% instead of 0.76% and Vacant Properties and open empty Land, 0.0394% instead of 0.076%. A new study using satellite mapping technology reveals there are nearly 20% more emperor penguin colonies in Antarctica than was previously thought. The results provide an important benchmark for monitoring the impact of environmental change on the population of this iconic bird. Reporting this week in the journal Remote Sensing in Ecology and Conservation, the authors describe how they used images from the European Commission's Copernicus Sentinel-2 satellite mission to locate the birds. They found 11 new colonies, three of which were previously identified but never confirmed. That takes the global census to 61 colonies around the continent. Emperor penguins need sea ice to breed and are located in areas that are very difficult to study because they are remote and often inaccessible with temperatures as low as ?50C (?58 degrees Fahrenheit). For the last 10 years, British Antarctic Survey (BAS) scientists have been looking for new colonies by searching for their guano stains on the ice. Lead author Dr Peter Fretwell, a geographer at BAS says: "This is an exciting discovery. The new satellite images of Antarctica's coastline have enabled us to find these new colonies. And whilst this is good news, the colonies are small and so only take the overall population count up by 5-10% to just over half a million penguins or around 265,500 - 278,500 breeding pairs". Emperor penguins are known to be vulnerable to loss of sea ice, their favoured breeding habitat. With current projections of climate change, this habitat is likely to decline. Most of the newly found colonies are situated at the margins of the emperors' breeding range. Therefore, these locations are likely to be lost as the climate warms. Dr Phil Trathan, Head of Conservation Biology at BAS, has been studying penguins for the last three decades. He says: "Whilst it's good news that we've found these new colonies, the breeding sites are all in locations where recent model projections suggest emperors will decline. Birds in these sites are therefore probably the 'canaries in the coalmine' - we need to watch these sites carefully as climate change will affect this region." The study found a number of colonies located far offshore, situated on sea ice that has formed around icebergs that had grounded in shallow water. These colonies, up to 180 km offshore, are a surprising new finding in the behaviour of this increasingly well-known species. ### The research was funded by UKRI-NERC as part of the Wildlife from Space project. Discovery of new colonies by Copernicus Sentinel-2 reveals good and bad news for emperor penguins by Peter Fretwell and Phil Trathan is published in the journal Remote Sensing in Ecology and Conservation. Issued by British Antarctic Survey Press Office: Athena Dinar, Science Communications Manager email: amdi@bas.ac.uk; tel: +44 (0) 7909 008516 Emily Neville, Communications and Engagement Manager email: emile@bas.ac.uk; tel: +44 (0) 7462 060776 Satellite images, photos and video of emperor penguins are available from the Press Office as above or via our ftp site: ftp://ftp.nerc-bas.ac.uk/pub/photo/emperor_penguins/ Notes to Editors: Studies by other scientists suggest that 80% of colonies will decrease by more than 90% by the end of the century if sea ice around Antarctica decreases by half. Even under the best case scenario, with a global temp increase of 1.5 degrees C, the population will decrease by at least 31% over the next three generations. Copernicus Sentinel-2 is one of the satellite missions that ESA develops and operates on behalf of the European Commission's Copernicus environmental monitoring programme. Copernicus Sentinel-2 comprises two satellites (A&B). ESA undertakes high frequency data collection around the margins of the continent, with data collected in 2016, 2018 and 2019. Images collected are higher resolution than previous Landsat data images. Sentinel-2 has been collecting images of Antarctica since 2016 following the request from SCAR, the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research. Half the colonies discovered around Antarctica have been located using images from space. British Antarctic Survey (BAS), an institute of the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC), delivers and enables world-leading interdisciplinary research in the Polar Regions. Its skilled science and support staff based in Cambridge, Antarctica and the Arctic, work together to deliver research that uses the Polar Regions to advance our understanding of Earth as a sustainable planet. Through its extensive logistic capability and know how BAS facilitates access for the British and international science community to the UK polar research operation. Numerous national and international collaborations, combined with an excellent infrastructure help sustain a world leading position for the UK in Antarctic affairs. For more information visit http://www.bas.ac.uk @basnews Even though Public Safety Minister Bill Blair asked prison and parole officials this spring to consider releasing low-risk inmates early due to the threat posed by COVID-19, there was no increase in the number of prisoners released during the first three months of the pandemic compared to a year earlier. In fact, there were slightly fewer inmates released, according to new information obtained by the Star. The federal inmate population nationwide did fall by about 600 from 13,958 on March 1 to 13,357 on May 24, show records from the Correctional Service of Canada. But the decline is attributed not to a rise in inmate releases but to releases from federal custody continuing to outnumber admissions, according to the records. In other words, the drop appears to have been driven more by court shutdowns and fewer offenders being sentenced. The records lend support to the findings of federal prison watchdog Ivan Zinger, who released a highly critical report in June that said there was simply no advanced, coherent, concerted effort or plan in place to thin the federal prison population in order to slow the transmission of COVID-19 in federal corrections. Zinger went on to say the federal response had been slow, contradictory, confused and deficient. During the height of the pandemic, 360 federal inmates became infected with COVID-19 and two died. The outbreaks were confined to five CSC facilities Mission Institution in British Columbia; Grand Valley Institution for Women in Ontario; and Joliette Institution, Port-Cartier Institution and the Federal Training Centre in Quebec. The outbreaks prompted calls from prisoner advocates at the time to decrease the prison population, citing concerns that physical distancing was difficult due to inmates close living quarters. Mary Campbell, a retired Public Safety Canada director general in the corrections and criminal justice branch, told the Star in May that prisons were known breeding grounds for disease. Get them out now, she said. As the Star has reported, one of the challenges of releasing more offenders into the community is determining where to house them. Halfway houses are often the first stop for someone on day parole but they continue to face lengthy wait times. Still, earlier in the spring, reporters learned that Blair had asked the heads of the CSC and the Parole Board of Canada to consider early releases for certain, non-violent offenders. Then in a press briefing in late April, Blair told reporters hundreds of inmates had been deemed eligible and had received approvals for release. His office later clarified that those releases were for inmates who were already scheduled to leave prison through parole or whose sentences were ending, according to the CBC. Records released to the Star in response to an access-to-information request show there doesnt appear to have been any significant change in the number of inmate releases during the peak COVID-19 outbreak period compared to the previous year. According to the records, from March 1 through May 24, there were 1,627 inmates released (including 585 on day parole, 33 on full parole and 954 on statutory release). Roughly the same number 1,652 were released during the same period in 2019 (including 579 on day parole, 30 on full parole and 993 on statutory release). In an email Tuesday, Blairs office said the parole board is an arms-length agency of the government and considers all relevant and available information when making its decisions. During the pandemic, the parole board has streamlined a number of its policies and processes in response to a 14 per cent increase in parole review submissions. Actions taken by the (parole board) as well as fewer transfers to federal institutions have led to an overall population reduction within these institutions. From March 2020 to present, the federal inmate population has declined by more than 1,000 inmates, the statement said. Government officials were unable to quantify how many releases were specifically due to the pandemic, saying that a number of considerations go into releasing someone. However, a CSC spokeswoman did say the downward trend in the inmate population was expected to continue over the coming months. She noted that while the average number of releases each month from March through May was 600, which is what it was before the pandemic, the number of releases in June and July went up to 652 and 621. As the Star previously reported, the medium-security portion of B.C.s Mission Institution which saw one of the worst COVID-19 outbreaks in a federal prison descended into absolute chaos. Frontline workers tussled with management over access to protective equipment, while inmates screamed and banged on their metal doors during a period of lockdown. In his June report, Zinger, the prison watchdog, described pent-up frustration among inmates due to prisons using indefinite lockdowns and extended periods of cellular isolation in response to the pandemic. A proposed class-action lawsuit filed against the federal government in April alleges prison officials at Mission Institution failed to protect inmates and deprived them of their liberty by holding them in conditions akin to solitary confinement. The government has not yet responded to the lawsuit. There are currently no active COVID-19 cases in any federal institutions. Read more about: (Reuters) - Here's what you need to know about the coronavirus right now: Trump social media post removed Facebook Inc on Wednesday took down a post by U.S. President Donald Trump, which the company said violated its rules against sharing misinformation about the coronavirus. The post contained a video clip, from an interview with Fox & Friends earlier in the day, in which Trump claimed that children are "almost immune" to COVID-19. "This video includes false claims that a group of people is immune from COVID-19, which is a violation of our policies around harmful COVID misinformation," a Facebook spokesman said. A tweet containing the video that was posted by the Trump campaign's @TeamTrump account and shared by the president was also later hidden by Twitter Inc for breaking its COVID-19 misinformation rules. The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment. During a briefing at the White House, Trump repeated his claim that the virus had little impact on children. Checkpoints into New York City New York City announced checkpoints at bridges and tunnels to ensure that travelers from 35 other U.S. states on a list of coronavirus hot spots comply with New York's 14-day quarantine mandate. Fines for not observing the quarantine order could be as high as $10,000. A fifth of all new cases in New York City are from out-of-state travelers, said Dr. Ted Long, who oversees the city's contact tracing program. New York City, which at one point of the pandemic reported more than 800 deaths in a single day, has seen no COVID-19 fatalities for the past three days. Fauci says politics and vaccine won't mix U.S. regulators have assured scientists that political pressure will not determine when a coronavirus vaccine is approved, the country's leading infectious diseases expert Anthony Fauci said on Wednesday, even as the White House hopes to have one ready ahead of the November presidential election. Story continues Convalescent plasma lowers risk of death Infusions of antibody-rich blood plasma from people who have recovered from the new coronavirus, known as convalescent plasma, can lower the risk of death for hospitalized COVID-19 patients, according to a pooled analysis of data from eight earlier studies of more than 700 hospitalised patients around the world. Researchers found that mortality rates were roughly 13% in patients who received convalescent plasma versus about 25% for those who did not get the treatment. The study, which has not been peer-reviewed, could not account for differences in factors such as how sick patients were, how much plasma they received, how long they were sick before they received it, and how long doctors followed them afterward. Melbourne enters 6-week lockdown Australia's second-biggest city of Melbourne began the first day of a six-week total lockdown on Thursday with the closure of most shops and businesses raising new fears of food shortages, as authorities battle a second wave of coronavirus infections. Abattoirs are one of the few businesses allowed to stay open in the city of about 5 million people, though with a reduced workforce, under the "stage four" lockdown which took effect at midnight on Wednesday. (Compiled by Karishma Singh) (CNN) -- Jails can be a large source of coronavirus spread both inside the facility and in the surrounding communities, researchers reported Monday. Inmates going in and out of Chicago's Cook County Jail appear to have carried the infection as they went, the researchers reported in the journal Health Affairs. Across the country, those behind bars have been hit hard by the pandemic and many prisons have been identified by US officials as coronavirus hotspots. In an effort to downsize their populations, some facilities have made transfers while others have released certain qualified inmates. In Illinois, data suggests more than 4,700 coronavirus cases through April 19 were associated with 2,129 individuals going through the Cook County Jail in March, researchers from Harvard University's Department of Anthropology and the Center National de la Recherche Scientifique in Paris said. The jail may be linked with 15.7% of all documented cases in the state and 15.9% in Chicago, they said. Cook County Jail was the largest known source of spread of Covid-19 before being surpassed by an Ohio state prison, according to the researchers. "Existing conditions in jails and penitentiaries make infection control particularly difficult, putting inmates at unconscionable and perhaps unconstitutional risk," they wrote. And while many facilities and jurisdictions began releasing some low-risk offenders, the researchers said, this does not address how arrest and pre-trial detention may be contributing to community spread. What researchers studied The researchers looked at the relationship between Covid-19 case rates and five variables: jail inmates released in March, proportion of Black residents, poverty rate, public transit utilization rate and population density. For the state as a whole, all of the five variables were significantly positively correlated with Covid-19, they said. They found that Chicago zip codes are poorer, use public transit more, have a higher proportion of Black residents and higher population density compared with the rest of the state. "The criminal justice system in the United States is just one among many existing social structures that are being subjected to renewed scrutiny during the COVID-19 pandemic because of the public health hazards they pose," the researchers wrote. "Pandemic reality has brought us to an unprecedented collective realization of national and global interconnectedness in which the risks of vulnerability to disease for America's incarcerated and the world's poor, for example, threaten all of us, although clearly not equally." The researchers looked at booking, release and Covid-19 data from the Cook County Jail, demographic data from the US Census and the American Community Survey and Covid-19 data from the Illinois Department of Public Health to examine the epidemiological connection between jail and community at the zip code level. This story was first published on CNN.com, "Jails can spread coronavirus to nearby communities, study finds" Anthony Levandowski, a pioneer of self-driving car technology in Silicon Valley, had once been feted by companies such as Google and Uber for his engineering expertise. But on Tuesday, Levandowski's fall from grace was capped when he was sentenced to 18 months in prison for stealing self-driving car trade secrets from Google. He will not be required to serve his sentence until the coronavirus pandemic subsides, a federal judge ordered. Levandowski, 40, also agreed to pay $US756,499 ($1.1 million) to Waymo, a self-driving business spun out of Google, as restitution. He had filed for bankruptcy in March, saying he had $US50 million to $US100 million in personal assets. He will also be required to pay a fine of $US95,000. Anthony Levandowski (right) with Uber founder and then-CEO Travis Kalanick in 2016. Credit:AP "Today marks the end of 3 1/2 long years and the beginning of another long road ahead," Levandowski said in a statement. "I'm thankful to my family and friends for their continued love and support during this difficult time." Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-06 01:53:50|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close TEHRAN, Aug. 5 (Xinhua) -- Iran and Ukraine senior diplomats held a phone talk Wednesday on the follow-up of the Ukraine International Airlines (UIA) flight shot down near Tehran earlier this year, official IRNA news agency reported. Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif and Ukrainian Deputy Foreign Minister Yevgeny Yenin exchanged views on the visit to Kiev by an Iranian negotiation team last week, the report said. Both diplomats described the meeting between the two countries' negotiators as positive, and voiced hope that continued exchange of information and negotiations will soon bear result in a favorable manner for the two nations. Zarif told Yenin of Iran's readiness to help alleviating the grief of the families of the victims by paying financial reparations. The Ukrainian diplomat, for his part, expressed Kiev's willingness to send its own team of negotiators to Tehran for the second round of talks. The first round of dialogues ended last Friday in Ukraine, where technical and legal aspects of the incident were examined, and details of the October round of talks in Tehran were agreed upon. UIA's Tehran-Kiev PS752 flight was shot down by two rockets shortly after takeoff from Tehran's Imam Khomeini International Airport on Jan. 8, resulting in the deaths of all 167 passengers and nine crew members on board. Later, Iran's armed forces said the cause of the incident was an accidental launch of its projectiles, due to the misalignment of its missile guidance system, plus an unauthorized decision to open fire. In late July, the transcript of the black boxes from the plane confirmed the fact of an illegal interference with the plane. Enditem A ustralian journalist Jonathan Swan's sit-down interview with Donald Trump has sparked an internet frenzy. Mr Swan, national political correspondent at the Axios news site, grilled the US president on his handling of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, among other things, during a car crash interview aired by HBO on Tuesday. Social media users were quick to pick up on the exchange - which saw Mr Trump rifle through sheets of papers as he defended his management of the Covid-19 crisis and claim he had "done more" to improve the lives of black people in the US than the late civil rights leader John Lewis. In particular, it was Mr Swan's reactions, which ranged from confusion to sheer disbelief, that captured people's imagination and prompted the creation of an array of hilarious memes. Here are some of the best ones doing the rounds... 1. Campaign goals 2. How's your 2020 going? 3. The official face of 2020 4. A new meme template 5. Future history Even Mr Swan's wife, Politico journalist Betsy Woodruff Swan, got in on the action as the trend gathered momentum and memes spanned from Star Wars to Samuel Johnson... 6. For better or worse 7. In a confusing galaxy far, far away 8. Confused cat energy 9. The new Samuel Johnson 10. 2020 cheat sheet In addition to sparking a range of amusing memes, Mr Swan has also won praise for being "one of the best interviewers on the planet" and lauded as an "American hero" for his efforts during the sit-down with Mr Trump. Mr Trump has been widely denounced for his handling of the coronavirus pandemic, with critics accusing the US president of attempting to downplay its severity and reacting too slowly to the crisis. The US is currently battling the world's worst coronavirus outbreak and has recorded more than 4.7m infections to date. More than 155,000 people have meanwhile died nationwide from Covid-19 since the virus was first identified in the country in January. August 05 : The Central government has accepted the Bihar governments recommendation for a CBI inquiry into Sushant Singh Rajputs death case. The Centre has informed the Supreme Court today that the Bihar government's plea for a CBI investigation into the death of the late actor has been accepted. ANI reports that a day after the Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar requested the Centre for a CBI probe after receiving the consent of the actors father KK Singh, the Centres decision has come today. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta states before Supreme Court that Centre has accepted Bihar govt's request recommending CBI enquiry into #SushantSinghRajput death case. SC is hearing Rhea Chakraborty's petition seeking direction for transfer of investigation from Patna to Mumbai. pic.twitter.com/YTlUPvBOQn ANI (@ANI) August 5, 2020 ANI tweeted that Solicitor General Tushar Mehta on Wednesday (August 5) told the Supreme Court that the Centre has accepted the Bihar governments suggestion for a CBI inquiry. Today, the apex court is hearing Rhea Chakrabortys plea asking to transfer the investigation from Patna to Mumbai police. Sushant Singh Rajput case: Truth should come out so far as actor's death is concerned, says SC Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) August 5, 2020 According to PTI, the Supreme Court has said that the truth should come out so far as the actors death is concerned. Patna police has no jurisdiction to either lodge an FIR or investigate it and this has been made a political case: Maharashtra to SC Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) August 5, 2020 It is reported that the lawyer, who is representing Sushant Singh Rajput's father, told the Supreme Court that the Maharashtra Police is destroying evidence in the case. PTI also reported that the Maharashtra Police told the apex court that Patna police has no jurisdiction to either lodge an FIR or investigate it and this has been made a political case. Centres decision to transfer the case to CBI has been lauded by the late actors fans, friends and family, who have been demanding for a CBI probe into the case, which was getting murkier by each day with new information coming up every day. Latest updates on Sushant Singh Rajput Death Mystery CHICAGO, Aug. 5, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, P33, Open Commons Consortium (OCC) and MATTER announced the launch of the Chicagoland COVID-19 Data Commons (CCC), a centralized data platform created in partnership with regional healthcare providers, to help clinicians, researchers and community advocates understand how the disease behaves within the Chicagoland population. P33 a private-sector led initiative promoting inclusive tech growth in Chicagoland, the OCC a builder of data commons and data-sharing ecosystems, and MATTER healthcare startup incubator, partnered to create the Chicagoland COVID-19 Data Commons to understand the pandemic, measure Chicagoland's regional response and build a helpful decision-making tool for local government. "P33's mission is connecting all facets of the Chicago tech ecosystem to drive meaningful change in our communities. We are proud to be working in partnership with MATTER and Open Commons Consortium to help our communities better understand and navigate this crisis," said Brad Henderson, CEO of P33. COVID-19 has already had a devastating impact on our communities. In Chicago, there have been almost 60,000+ cases of COVID-19 identified residents and almost 140,000+ in Illinois. The impact has been particularly hard on black and Latinx communities. NPR reported more than 70% of the city's first coronavirus deaths were among the black population. The OCC is collecting data from multiple medical institutions (in legally compliant ways) and combining it with public health and other biomedical data to create a resource for the research community to make discoveries. "Black and Latinx communities have been disproportionately impacted by COVID, as have their healthcare systems," said Dr. Suzet McKinney, CEO and Executive Director of the Illinois Medical District, and member of the CCC launch committee. "Accurate and inclusive representation enables researchers to determine actionable insights and advocate for necessary resources." The OCC, MATTER and P33 are engaging hospitals and nonprofits in Chicagoland that are serving patients impacted by the disparities of COVID to include their clinical data in the CCC, ensuring accurate representation of the data across all zip codes in Chicago. Participating health systems and hospitals include Rush University Hospital, University of Chicago, University of Illinois Chicago, St Anthony Hospital, Sinai Health System, Medical Home Network, NorthShore University Health Systems, Community Health, and Illinois Association of Free and Charitable Clinics. "COVID-19 has illustrated the gaps in our ability to collect and report data on the spread of COVID-19 and other pathogens in our communities," said Bala Hota Vice President, Chief Analytics Officer at Rush. "We have an opportunity to build the systems now to make sure we are prepared for the future, and we view the CCC as a key part of that effort." "Data commons bring together data, tools for analysis, and computing infrastructure in a safe, secure and compliant way so that challenging problems can be tackled by collaborative teams and progress can be made in weeks instead of months or years," said Robert L. Grossman, the Director of the Center for Translational Data Science at the University of Chicago. "Data commons provide an ideal platform for sharing COVID-19 related data to accelerate our understanding of the disease, how it is transmitted, and how we can return to work faster and safer." In addition to clinical and scientific data, the CCC is asking Chicagoland residents to use the COVIDstoplight web app to contribute basic data about their location and how they are feeling anonymously via a web browser or mobile phone. The data they contribute is aggregated so that no identifying information is collected and adheres to the strictest levels of privacy. The combination of this data will help decision makers measure and model outbreaks to make strategic decisions. "Large-scale data is needed to better understand COVID-19," said Steven Collins, CEO of MATTER. "The Chicagoland COVID-19 Data Commons will help innovators identify technologies, processes and solutions that can help address the near- and long-term challenges." Decisions are made about the CCC via a consortium, which consists of members who participate in distinct working groups focused on projects related to an area of expertise. The CCC's launch committee includes Stephanie Willding, CEO of Community Health; Suzet McKinney CEO and Executive Director of the Illinois Medical District; Bala Hota Vice President, Chief Analytics Officer at Rush; Robert L. Grossman, the Director of the Center for Translational Data Science at the University of Chicago; and Matthew Trunnell, Executive Director of the Pandemic Response Commons Consortium, among others. Funding has been secured from The Searle Funds at The Chicago Community Trust and other anonymous local foundations that support medical research. Amazon Web Services has provided support so that CCC was operational in record time. The CCC is open source, standards based, uses open APIs, and the data that it contains is available without restriction (open data1), except for those restrictions required to protect data derived from human subjects, or the privacy restrictions required by consumer apps that collect the data. While the COVID pandemic may be a once-in-a-lifetime event, the CCC can help local decision-makers understand if there will be further outbreaks and what to do about them. Previously, the Open Commons Consortium has built several data commons, including data commons for environmental and biomedical data. Thus, they were able to leverage this existing ecosystem infrastructure to speed up innovation around the use of COVID-19 datasets and provide the ability to research other solutions to mitigate future outbreaks. For more information, visit: https://pandemicresponsecommons.org/ About P33 P33 is a privately funded non-profit focused on driving inclusive, global tech and innovation leadership for Chicagoland. P33's work is anchored in deep research and driven by a need to unlock the potential of the digital age to solve some of the toughest problems facing Chicago, such as equitable access to digital careers, talent retention, deep science commercialization and gaps in our growth stage startup ecosystem. Officially launched in 2019, P33 is co-chaired by Penny Pritzker, former Secretary of Commerce and founder and chairman of PSP Partners; Chris Gladwin, CEO and Co-founder of Ocient and Cleversafe; and Kelly Welsh, President of the Civic Committee of The Commercial Club of Chicago. About Open Commons Consortium The Open Commons Consortium (OCC) is not for profit organization that develops, manages, and operates data commons and data ecosystems to tackle challenging problems in biology, medicine, healthcare and the environment. The OCC has been developing innovative software platforms for analyzing and sharing data with privacy, security and compliance since 2008. The consortium is based in Chicago, Illinois, and is managed by the 501(c)3 Center for Computational Science Research Inc. About MATTER MATTER, the premier healthcare incubator and innovation hub, includes hundreds of cutting-edge startups from around the world, working together with dozens of hospitals and health systems, universities and industry0leading companies to build the future of healthcare. Together, the MATTER community is accelerating innovation, advancing care and improving lives. For more information, visit matter.health and follow @MATTERhealth. 1 It is important to note that term open data here means that the data is available via open APIs and without fees. As mentioned above, open data may be open access and available to anyone or controlled access and only available to those who have signed the necessary data use agreements and have systems that have the necessary security and compliance policies, procedures and controls. It is important to emphasize that all controlled access data will be made available only to those that have signed the required data use agreements and are authorized to work with it. SOURCE P33 Related Links https://www.p33chicago.com/ GLADWIN, MI Public health officials are now aware of more than 50 confirmed cases and 13 probable cases of COVID-19 tied to a Christian youth camp in Gladwin County. Steve Hall, health officer with Central Michigan District Health Department, provided the updated case count on Wednesday, Aug. 5, up from 42 confirmed cases a week ago. Of the now 66 confirmed and probable cases, 27 are campers, 27 are staff/camp counselors, and 12 are secondary cases, he said. In terms of how many people were potentially exposed, there were over 230 campers between the two camps, Hall previously told MLive. The camps took place July 12-17 and July 19-23. Springs Ministries, located at 1950 N. M-30 in Gladwin, about 50 miles northwest of Bay City, is now temporarily closed, the last two weeks of camp canceled, according to an update posted on its website last month. The camp had been in session for three weeks before closing after a camper and many staff members tested positive for COVID-19, according to the post. The last two weeks of camp have been cancelled. We had a camper test positive for Covid after returning home from the week of July 12-17. We were informed on Wednesday July 22. Since then we have tested staff and have had many test positive as well, the announcement reads. We followed our policies and that of our licensing agency from the State of Michigan which we stated at the beginning of the summer, including, limiting camper numbers, smaller cabin sizes and more activities and meals outside, recording daily temperatures of staff (no fevers were evidenced) and monitoring their health, taking temperature of campers on arrival and departure and asking questions about campers exposure. We realize that Covid exposure could happen anywhere and at anytime. We are saddened that it happened here. Camp officials could not be reached for comment. Hall said the health department sent an email to campers on July 27 to notify them of the situation. At that time, at least 28 camp counselors were confirmed to have COVID-19 and more had symptoms of the disease, according to the letter. Campers are urged to quarantine for 14 days from the day they left camp and self-monitor for symptoms of COVID-19, which include: fever chills cough shortness of breath or difficulty breathing fatigue muscle or body aches headache new loss of taste or smell sore throat congestion or runny nose nausea or vomiting diarrhea If you are having any of these symptoms, and they are new or worse than what you might have from any underlying health problem, PLEASE GET TESTED FOR COVID-19 as soon as you can, the email to campers reads. You can call your health care provider; tell them you have been exposed to COVID-19 and ask for testing. You can also go to www.mi.gov/coronavirustest or call 2-1-1 to find a COVID-19 testing site near you. Anyone associated with the camp who is diagnosed with COVID-19 prior to Friday, Aug. 7, is asked to notify the health department so officials can keep track of the number of cases related to this event. Hall said there are currently no plans for the camp to reopen this month. COVID-19 PREVENTION TIPS In addition to washing hands regularly and not touching your face, officials recommend practicing social distancing, assuming anyone may be carrying the virus. Health officials say you should be staying at least 6 feet away from others and working from home, if possible. Use disinfecting wipes or disinfecting spray cleaners on frequently-touched surfaces in your home (door handles, faucets, countertops) and carry hand sanitizer with you when you go into places like stores. Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has also issued an executive order requiring people to wear face coverings over their mouth and nose while inside enclosed, public spaces. Read all of MLives coverage on the coronavirus at mlive.com/coronavirus. Additional information is available at Michigan.gov/Coronavirus and CDC.gov/Coronavirus. Read more on MLive: Michigan county-level coronavirus data for Wednesday, Aug. 5: Border counties seeing spike Frankenmuth is open for business, but coronavirus impacting one of Michigans top tourism spots Fewer flights, layoffs and reduced ridership among COVID-19 effects on mid-Michigan airports To get more rapid coronavirus tests made, 6 states including Michigan team up 30% of Michigan residents oppose coronavirus school closings, higher than U.S. average, poll finds Turkeys President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and top Turkish officials expressed sorrow after a massive explosion rocked the Lebanese capital Beirut, leveling a three-story building and leaving many wounded. In a phone call, Erdogan extended his condolences to his counterpart Michel Aoun and the Lebanese people, Turkey's Communications Directorate said in a statement. Erdogan said Turkey stands by Lebanon and is ready to provide all humanitarian assistance, mainly healthcare, to the Lebanese people. He also published a message in Arabic on Twitter. "I offer my condolences to the relatives of those who lost their lives in the explosion at Beirut Port and I wish them patience and stamina from Allah. I wish immediate healing to the injured. We will always stand by Lebanon and our Lebanese brothers," he wrote. Turkey's Vice President Fuat Oktay also conveyed his condolences to the Lebanese people, adding Ankara was ready to help. Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu in a tweet wished Allah's mercy upon the victims of the blast. "Condolences to the brotherly and friendly people of #Lebanon. Hoping there wont be any more losses. Ready to assist our Lebanese brothers & sisters in every way," Cavusoglu said. Also, Omer Celik, the spokesman for the ruling Justice and Development (AK) Party, said that they are standing with the people of Beirut in this difficult hour. Turkey's Justice Minister Abdulhamit Gul said they will stand beside the brotherly country of Lebanon and that Turkey shared its pain. "Although the reason for the explosion in Beirut is not finalized, there are many dead and wounded," said Turkish Parliament Speaker Mustafa Sentop. Sentop also wished a speedy recovery for the two Turkish citizens who were injured in the explosion and added that Turkey, just like it did with other countries, will come to Lebanon's aid. A powerful blast rocked the Beirut seaport district on Tuesday, sending a shockwave that ripped through residential areas of the Lebanese capital. The shockwave destroyed and damaged dozens of buildings and cars. More than 100 people were killed in the blast, more than 4,000 people were injured. Sri Lankans stand in a queue outside a polling station in Colombo (Eranga Jayawardena/AP) Sri Lankans were voting on Wednesday to elect a new parliament that is expected to give strong support to the powerful and popular Rajapaksa brothers. President Gotabaya Rajapaksa was elected last November after projecting himself as the only leader who could secure the country after the Islamic State-inspired bombings of churches and hotels on Easter Sunday that killed 269 people. His older brother, charismatic former president Mahinda Rajapaksa, is seeking a majority of the 225 seats in Parliament to return as prime minister. At least four members of the family are running in the parliamentary election, and strong support for the Rajapaksas party could add to their political dynasty. Expand Close Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa waves as he leaves after casting his vote (Eranga Jayawardena/AP) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa waves as he leaves after casting his vote (Eranga Jayawardena/AP) More than 16 million people are eligible to vote to elect 196 politicians, with the rest being named from a national list according to the number of votes received by each party or independent group. The election was originally scheduled for April but was twice postponed due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Sri Lanka has largely contained the spread of the virus with 2,834 confirmed cases including 11 deaths. Expand Close Sri Lankan prime minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, third right, his wife Shiranthi, second right, and family members arrive to cast their votes (Pradeep Pathirana/AP) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Sri Lankan prime minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, third right, his wife Shiranthi, second right, and family members arrive to cast their votes (Pradeep Pathirana/AP) Health measures were put in place at polling booths with social distancing. Voters were asked to bring their own pens to mark their ballots, or use disinfected pens provided at voting stations. Voting ends in the evening. Counting starts on Thursday and the final results are expected on Friday. COLUMBUS, Ohio, Aug. 5, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- A group of nearly 50 businesses, investors, trade associations, and employers in Ohio sent a letter to Governor Mike DeWine and members of the Ohio Legislature today urging the immediate repeal of House Bill 6. The letter is in response to the federal indictment of former House Speaker Larry Householder and urges lawmakers to restore Ohio's clean energy standards and put the state back on a path toward a clean energy future. The letter's signatories include national consumer and Fortune 500 brands, like Ball Corp, Burton, Clif Bar, Facebook, General Mills, IKEA, and Nestle, as well as mid-size companies in the energy sector, such as Ameresco, Cree Lighting, and Uplight. Many of these businesses also sent letters to lawmakers last year urging them not to pass HB 6. Prior to the passage of HB 6, ratepayers saved hundreds of millions of dollars each year on their utility bills and were on track to save more than $5 billion by 2020 through state energy efficiency programs. For businesses, these savings could be reinvested back into the local economy, enabling them to support their workforce and supply chains. With the implementation of HB 6, utilities are required to end these programs and these savings and reinvestment opportunities have begun to disappear. The dual public health and economic crises facing Ohio heightens the need for clean energy programs. In 2018, prior to the passage of HB 6, almost 82,000 Ohioans worked in the energy efficiency sector. Many of these jobs are now at risk as employers struggle to stay in business. Prolonged uncertainty surrounding HB 6 will further damage the state's economy by permanently jeopardizing tens of thousands of these jobs and a collapse of the clean energy economy. "Ohio is facing unprecedented unemployment and economic uncertainty," said Gary Swanson, President and CEO of Energy Management Solutions, Inc., a business forced to layoff employees and close its New Albany office because of HB 6. "The loss of clean energy jobs and services has real implications for the local economy. Even simple energy efficiency upgrades, like lightbulb replacements, have a big impact over time on energy costs. Bringing back Ohio's clean energy programs will provide job stability and much needed revenue for the state." Nearly half of Ohio's top employers have set clean energy investment or greenhouse gas reduction targets. "Businesses are urging the immediate repeal of House Bill 6 in order to restore public confidence and ensure the continued growth of Ohio's clean energy economy," said Alli Gold Roberts, Director of State Policy at Ceres, an organization behind the letter. "HB 6 jeopardizes the forward-thinking clean energy investments businesses have made. It is critical that the legislature immediately repeal HB 6 and put Ohio back on a path toward economic recovery." The full list of businesses and organizations who signed the letter are: 2G Energy, Inc. AB Energy Air-Conditioning, Heating, & Refrigeration Institute (AHRI) Ameresco, Inc. Anax Power Ball Corporation Building Performance Association (BPA) Burton Capstone Turbine Corporation CEM Engineering Chambers for Innovation and Clean Energy (CICE) Clif Bar Combined Heat and Power Alliance Cree Lighting DE Solutions Energy Management Solutions, Inc. Energy Dynamics Group Facebook Friends Fiduciary General Mills H. Ertel, Inc. Heat is Power Association Henry F. Teichmann , Inc. , Inc. IKEA Imagine Baking, Inc. Integral Power Integrated CHP Systems Corp. Ironclad Energy Partners, LLC JLL Kanin Energy Melink Midwest Cogeneration Association National Association of Energy Service Companies (NAESCO) National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) Nestle North American Insulation Manufacturers Association (NAIMA) NuGen LED Solutions Polyisocyanurate Insulation Manufacturers Association (PIMA) Primary Energy Proctor Engineering Group Recleim Schneider Electric Solar Turbines, Inc. Sustainable Energy Services, Inc. Talan Products, Inc. Terrapin Geothermics Trillium Asset Management Uplight YellowLite About Ceres Ceres is a sustainability nonprofit organization working with the most influential investors and companies to build leadership and drive solutions throughout the economy. For more information visit www.ceres.org . SOURCE Ceres Related Links https://www.ceres.org KALAMAZOO, MI DeVante Coleman will be remembered as a lyricist who loved to rap, a hard worker, a father of a young daughter, someone with a smile that lit up a room and as a victim of gun violence. Coleman, 28, was gunned down at 7:30 p.m. July 22 in the citys Edison neighborhood as he stood in his driveway, his grandmother told MLive. Friends, family and community leaders gathered together Tuesday, Aug. 4, at Milham Park in Kalamazoo to remember Colemans life and to rally together against gun violence. His grandmother, Melody Coleman, told MLive prior to the event that she cradled her grandson in her arms just moments after he was shot. She said she gets sick to her stomach whenever she thinks about it, but the experience has inspired her to start a dialogue surrounding the too many senseless killings happening in Kalamazoo. Theres too much Black on Black crime, she said. I know we have the Black Lives Matter movement going, but this needs dialogue as well. Its not talked about. Its not discussed enough. Its just too well accepted, like its no big deal. And that to me is not acceptable. This needs to be a national movement as well. DeVante Coleman, who attended Loy Norrix High School when he was younger, was one of two people killed July 22 in Kalamazoo. The other, 29-year-old Dondreal Watkins, was shot and killed in the citys Northside neighborhood 90 minutes earlier. This past weekend, 30-year-old Brandon Brewer was shot and killed at 2:45 p.m. on a Sunday afternoon, becoming the citys ninth homicide victim of 2020 and eighth due to gun violence. Related: Kalamazoos 9 homicides in 2020 approaches 2019 total: Where, when and how they happened There were 10 killings in all of 2019 and seven the year prior. The city also has 41 non-fatal shootings through Aug. 3, 2020 10 more than all of last year. Shootings on the whole are up 81% year over year, Kalamazoo Public Safety Chief Karianne Thomas said. Theres one way this can change, and Im hoping this tragic event can be the start of each one of us recognizing that we have to be part of that change, Mayor David Anderson said Tuesday. We want to look back and mark this day and say from here forward were going to be part of telling people to put the guns down. Anderson said its natural to want to fight back, but not to turn the other cheek. People need to learn how to turn the other cheek, resolve their issues and move forward together as a community, he said. Why should we have a situation in some neighborhoods in Kalamazoo where people have to be worried about their children playing in the front yard, where you cannot sit on your front porch. Related: Two children playing on Kalamazoo sidewalk struck by gunfire Rapper and community organizer Ed Genesis, whose father had been killed by the police in Gary, Indiana, when he was just a small child, told those in attendance Black men need to stop looking at other Black men as the opposition. They call one another ops, Genesis said. Ops is short for opposition. How is a Black man your opposition? Hes not blocking you from anything, not from jobs, not from housing, not from school, not from sending your kids to alternative schools. Citing the rise in gun violence year over year, Genesis said the majority of those involved have been young Black men acting as both the perpretators and the victims. Were killing each other faster than the police are killing us and thats a problem, Colemans aunt, Gwendolyn Hooker said. Black Lives Matter is important, but just as important is us killing each other. And as we celebrate DeVantes life, we have to remember these things so this doesnt happen to another family. Also on MLive: Public comment sought as Kalamazoo police pursue standards accreditation Kalamazoo adds oversight to citizen review board after closed-door discussion Teen killed, another critically injured in Muskegon Heights shooting Ex-Michigan State gymnastics coach to serve 90 days for lying during Larry Nassar investigation - A young Ghanaian lady simply named Yaa has graduated with a law degree - Yaa completed her degree with a laudable second class upper from a top university - The young lady has been celebrated on social media by many including Ghana's former EC boss, Charlotte Osei Our Manifesto: This is what YEN.com.gh believes in Install our latest app for Android and read the best news about Ghana! A young lady, simply identified as Yaa, has been celebrated after she graduated with second class honours from a renowned university. Yaa, who happens to be related to Ghanas former Electoral Commission (EC) chairperson, Charlotte Osei, has been hailed by the highly respected global leader. The young lady recently earned her Bachelor of Law (LLB) with first class from a prestigious university and her accomplishment has been hailed by many on social media. READ ALSO: Video: Lady leaves boyfriend in tears in video as she surprises him with birthday gift Yaa/Photo credit: Instagram Source: Instagram READ ALSO: Lt. j.g. Swegle: US Navy's first Black female tactical jet pilot receives her 'Wings of Gold' (photos) In a post on social media, Ghana's former EC boss, Charlotte Osei, announced Yaa has completed her years of learning and has finally earned her degree. Celebrating the young lady, Charlotte Osei wrote: And God did it! Our LLB, second class upper (family tradition) is in the bag! Congratulations my dearest. The post has garnered dozens of congratulatory messages from loved ones and her followers on social media. Ebelenwokoaboaba seemed very excited to share in the joy of Yaas recent achievement. She wrote: ''Congratulations darling Yaa, thank you for making us proud '' Emelda_kendra_babyplace simply wrote: ''Congratulations dear.'' Slide to view photos: YEN.com.gh recently reported that seven students from the University of Ghana Law School have graduated with first class honours in the universitys virtual congregation ceremony. The virtual ceremony was held on July 30. The seven students who made themselves and their loved ones proud completed their Bachelor of Laws (LLB) with first class honours. Prosper Batariwah, Vanessa Alabi, Esmeralda Akorfa Afenyo, Emmanuel Dei-Tumi, Seth Doe, Emmeline Ziwu, and Amanda Nutakor have become an inspiration to many following their recent academic milestones. In another story, Ghanaian entrepreneur, Godfred Obeng Boateng, is the CEO of A1 Bread, a company he commenced at Kumasi in the Ashanti Region. The popular bread brand has penetrated the Ghanaian market especially at Kejetia market where the business started. In 2018, Godfred Boateng revealed the company sells more than 60,000 loaves of bread in Kumasi and Accra everyday. READ ALSO: Meet the 7 students who graduated with first class Law degree from Legon in 2020 (photos) Faces of Ghana: 2 brothers paving roads in Ghana with granite and cobblestones: 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 RIDGEFIELD As more than 65,000 homes in greater Danbury were looking at another night without power, scores of roads remained blocked or closed in neighborhoods from here to Sherman. Its a mess in town, an absolute mess, First Selectman Rudy Marconi said Wednesday. We have 200-plus incidents of trees and wires. The trouble is that municipal crews can only clear so much, said Danbury Mayor Mark Boughton, who declared a state of emergency over damage from Tuesdays tropical storm Isaias. Our crews were finished cleaning around 12:30 a.m., Boughton posted on Twitter on Wednesday. The remaining trees cant be picked up until Eversource makes them safe. Eversource is the utility tasked with clearing trees entangled with power lines. Our crews have been out all night clearing as much of the roads as we can, Boughton tweeted. We need Eversource to be able to open the rest of the roads and restore power. Boughton and other leaders were preparing residents to be ready to wait. With so many people out of power in greater Danbury and across the state, full restoration could take weeks. Here is a snapshot of the road closures in greater Danbury towns. Newtown At least 50 roads were blocked or impassable Wednesday, and as much as 80 percent of Eversource customers here were without power. We hope to have better clarity later today or tomorrow as to timing for the town, the town said in a statement on its website Wednesday. Based on the extent of the damage to our community, and the lack of Eversource crews at present, it is reasonable to assume complete restoration of power will take several days or more. In the meantime, the town urged residents to stay safe, warning against using outside cooking equipment inside, and reminding residents to keep generator exhaust away from homes. Stay away from power lines. Assume all power lines are charged and dangerous, the town statement read. Use extreme caution when cleaning up storm debris. Storm damaged trees are very hazardous. Do not drive through barricades and road closures. Bethel In Bethel, some 5,000 homes were looking at another night without power, or about 57 percent of the town. First Selectman Matt Knickerbocker said most of the roads had reopened but warned that it is likely to take anywhere from one to two weeks for all power to be fully restored, based on our previous experience with large scale outages. We do not yet have initial restoration estimates from Eversource, and we are aware that the company will be bringing in mutual aid crews from around the nation to assist, Knickerbocker said. This will be a very large scale operation. Knickerbocker also cautioned people to stay away from trees with wires, and to be sure home generators are installed properly to prevent injury to power line workers. Sherman Big power problems remain in Fairfields smallest town. The 1,800 households without power on Wednesday evening represent more than 90 percent of the town. Roads that were closed late Wednesday included Spring Lake Road, Wanzer Hill Road, Andersen Road East, Oak Drive, Hemlock Drive and Holiday Point Road. Redding 25 roads remained blocked Thursday, Redding First Selectman Julia Pemberton said. Danbury The good news is more than 50 roads were cleared of trees and debris. The bad news: More than 40 roads remained blocked on Wednesday, Boughton said. By the evening, 15,870 homes were without power, representing 42 percent of Eversources customers in the Hat City. Closed roads included Middle River Road, Aunt Hack Road and Stadley Rough Road. Ridgefield The streets were so bad in Ridgefield that neighbors in some cases got out their chainsaws. We figured: Why wait for the town? said Sean Morrison, who was out with his neighbor Bobby Kelly and others, chainsawing fallen trees off Bennetts Farm Road. Nearby, Beth Peyser stood on Waters Edge Way looking at her house, and the huge tree that had fallen on it. It was like Bigfoot stomped on the roof, she said. Marconi said the situation was similar across Ridgefield. We still have Route 33 closed between Olmstead and St. Johns, due to a large tree and just a rats nest of wires, Marconi said Wednesday. On Rockwell Road, there is a tree down at the top and tree at the bottom of the road, so people are absolutely trapped. We have eight to 10 of those situations. New Fairfield Road closures as of Thursday morning include sections of Bigelow Road, Hudson Drive, Routes 37 and 39, Warwick Road, Hillside Drive, Candle Hill Road and Pembroke Road. rryser@newstimes.com 203-731-3342 SpiceJet said on Wednesday that it operated a repatriation flight each from Moscow in Russia and from Tashkent in Uzbekistan, bringing back a total of 295 Indians. These flights were operated in association with film actor Sonu Sood, the airline said in a press release. The 295 Indian nationals repatriated had been stranded in Russia and Uzbekistan for over two months, it said. SpiceJet said it used its Boeing 737 aircraft for the Moscow-Chennai flight that was operated on Tuesday and the Tashkent-Delhi flight operated on Wednesday. The low-cost carrier said it will be operating another repatriation flight from Manila to Delhi on August 7 to bring back 180 Indians from the capital city of Philippines. Scheduled international passenger flights continue to remain suspended in India since March 23 amid the pandemic. However, special international charter flights, permitted by the Indian aviation regulator DGCA, have been operating as usual. India resumed domestic passenger flights from May 25 after a gap of two months due to the pandemic. While BJP accused state govt of 'anti-Hindu mindset', TMC MP Saugata Roy said 'no harm in celebrations' but everyone must 'respect and abide' by lockdown guidelines Kolkata: BJP workers clashed with police in some parts of West Bengal on Wednesday over celebrating the ground-breaking ceremony of a Ram temple in Ayodhya, amid a total lockdown in the state, officials said. Clashes were reported from Kharagpur in West Midnapore district, Narayanpur in North 24 Parganas, and Alipurduar town in north Bengal, among others. A procession by BJP workers to mark the day was stopped by police in Kharagpur, leading to a scuffle. "When they were stopped from going ahead with the march, a scuffle broke out between police and BJP activists. Several BJP workers have been arrested," a senior police officer said. Some policemen were also injured in the incident, he said. In Alipurduar town, BJP workers were stopped from organising a 'bhoomi poojan' due to the total lockdown, leading to a tense situation. BJP workers also tried to organise a 'yagna' in Narayanpur area but were stopped by some locals. Police said they had to use "force" to disperse the crowd. "The BJP was trying to disturb the peace in the area but locals stopped them," local Trinamool Congress leader Tapas Chatterjee said. State BJP president Dilip Ghosh, who organised a 'bhoomi poojan' at his New Town residence, said the crackdown by police reflects the "anti-Hindu mindset" of the state government. "We were requesting over the last few days to change the date of the total lockdown but it was not done. When devotees of lord Ram wanted to celebrate the day in a small way in Bengal, they were stopped by police. The TMC government has deliberately disregarded the sentiments of the Hindus in the state," he said. Hitting back, senior Trinamool Congress MP Saugata Roy said the allegations are baseless. "There is no harm in celebrations but the lockdown has been clamped due to COVID-19. All of us should respect that and abide by it," he said. Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and BJP workers in Kolkata also celebrated the starting of the construction of the Ram temple. Rituals were held in areas such as Baghbazar and Burrabazar. The morning puja was also held at the Ram temple in the central part of the city. Several state BJP leaders also organised puja at their homes to mark the occassion. Rituals were organised by BJP and right-wing outfits in several other parts of the state and they went off peacefully. A 'yagna' was organised by BJP workers in Rajganj in the Jalpaiguri district. In many areas, Trinamool Congress workers also organised 'Ram puja' to mark the day. The police have said that the lockdown to combat COVID-19 will be enforced strictly and precautions will be taken to thwart any attempt to disrupt the law and order situation "anywhere by anyone be it any political or non- political body". Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - August 5, 2020) - Ethos Gold Corp. (TSXV: ECC) ("Ethos" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that Rob Carpenter, Ph.D., P.Geo. has joined the Company as Chief Technical Advisor. He will lead a new highly experienced technical advisory team which includes Dr. Robert Brozdowski, Dan MacNeil M.Sc., and Dr. Alan Wainwright. As CEO of Kaminak Gold Corporation, Rob led the Kaminak team from initial listing in 2005 through acquisition and discovery of the multi-million ounce Coffee Gold Project, Yukon. That project was acquired by Goldcorp in 2016 for over $500 million. This team has had a close and successful working relationship over many years leading to a number of significant discoveries and has a long affiliation with Discovery Group of which Ethos is a member. Principals of Discovery Group including John Robins and Jim Paterson are also advisors to Ethos and long-standing shareholders. Ethos is further pleased to announce that Marc L'Heureux, P.Geo., M.A.Sc. has joined the Company as a technical advisor to oversee the Company's activities in Quebec. Finally, Ethos is pleased to announce that Jeff Sundar a long standing member of Discovery Group has joined Ethos as Corporate Development Advisor. Resume's for the new Ethos advisory team are included in the addendum to this news release. Rob and his team will work closely with Jo Price, VP Exploration of Ethos, to pursue a new strategy by Ethos to acquire and explore district scale gold projects in Canada. To initiate this strategy, based on the recommendations of the new advisory team, Ethos has recently staked two projects: the Schefferville Gold Project in Quebec and the Fuchsite Lake Gold Project in Ontario. Commented Craig Roberts, P.Eng., President & CEO of Ethos: "We are very excited to be embarking on this new strategy to acquire district scale gold projects in Canada driven by an outstanding technical team. This team brings a long affiliation with Discovery Group and we look forward to working closely with Discovery Group in pursuing this new strategy. We are currently reviewing several other project opportunities and will announce any additional acquisitions as they occur." Story continues Schefferville Gold Project, Quebec In Quebec, Ethos has staked a total of 288 km2 area in two claim blocks: the Sable block (234 km2) is centered 80 kilometers northwest of Schefferville and the Hamard block (54 km2) is centered 35 kilometers due west of Schefferville. The Sable and Hamard claims cover extensive areas of the Lilois Complex, a 2.7 billion-year-old unit characterized by the presence of numerous iron formations, many of which locally host gold mineralization. Sable and Hamard occur within a 20 km wide (east-west) by 70 km long (north-south) corridor along the Quebec - Labrador border. In 1985, a Quebec Ministry field team discovered the Lac du Canoe gold occurrence (up to 18.9 g/t Au). Between 1986 and 1997, follow up work by the Quebec Ministry and several companies resulted in the discovery of approximately forty (40) gold occurrences grading from 1 g/t Au to up to 40 g/t Au in mineralized iron formations with 3-20% pyrrhotite and up to 10% arsenopyrite. Subsequent drilling yielded intervals including 18.1 g/t Au over 0.7m, 5.83 g/t Au over 3.1m, and 1.05 g/t over 12.55m (Quebec Assessment Reports GM45903 & GM66613). The primary exploration target is sulphidized iron formation, which occurs where the iron formations are cut by late, steep fault and shear structures that were pathways for hydrothermal fluids during deformation and metamorphism. This resulted in suphidization of the iron formations, with attendant gold and arsenopyrite mineralization, along and adjacent to these structures. Additionally, significant mineralization may extend into the bounding paragneisses, and also may be controlled by structures adjacent to contacts of paragneiss and iron formation with various intrusive bodies. Planned work by Ethos on the Sable and Hamard claims aims to extend systematic gold exploration into geologically analogous but thinly till covered terrain, particularly along the major poorly exposed structures. A detailed aeromagnetic survey is planned for the claim blocks, to assist in defining the regional structural framework, but also (as confirmed possible by examining the results of some small-scale historic ground magnetic surveys) to directly define areas of magnetite-bearing iron formation within the paragneiss that tend to be expressed as subtle magnetic highs where unaltered, and are cut by discrete magnetic low trends where they are altered and sulphidized in areas favorable for gold mineralization. Marc L'Heureux, P.Geo., M.A.Sc. will act as adviser on the Schefferville Gold Project. Figure 1: Sable and Hamard Projects, Quebec To view an enhanced version of Figure 1, please visit: https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/1564/61093_f16e3f85841d1983_002full.jpg Fuchsite Lake Gold Project, Ontario The newly staked Fuchsite Lake claim block comprises 3750 hectares located 20 km north of the town of Armstrong, Ontario. The southern boundary of the claim block can be accessed by forestry roads that link the property to the nearby town. The target is Archean shear zone hosted gold within deformed and altered ultramafic (fuchsite altered) and mafic volcanic rocks. This setting and rock type association is a major indicator of gold mineralization in many world class gold camps in the Superior Province of Ontario and Quebec. The prospective shear zones each extend more than 5km along trend and were first identified by regional mapping programs in the 1970's by the Ontario government (OGS Report 251). The region, however, has largely been overlooked by exploration companies. The only recorded work for gold comprises 5 short drill holes (all less than 40m deep) completed on the "Lett Occurrence" in 1981. Drill logs detail extensive hydrothermal alteration, brecciation, quartz veining and sulphide mineralization however no assays are available. The Ontario government sampled this outcropping zone (OGS Report 251) and obtained 1.7 grams per tonne gold and 1.4 grams per tonnes gold from two separate samples. No follow up work has been recorded in nearly 30 years. The Fuchsite Lake claims represent a new greenfield fault zone gold target that has been overlooked and under explored despite reasonable access and favourable rock types and alteration that commonly accompany large gold discoveries. The presence of anomalous gold in outcrop samples within shears suggest a systematic structural and targeting program on the claim block will help assess the gold potential. Initial work will consist of ground truthing our shear zone model followed by an airborne magnetic survey designed to map out the structural geometry at the property scale. Figure 2: Fuchsite Lake Project To view an enhanced version of Figure 2, please visit: https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/1564/61093_f16e3f85841d1983_003full.jpg The qualified person has not verified the drilling data disclosed in this release, including sampling data and assays. These data come from historical assessment and OGS reports made between 1981 and 1997. Corporate Update A technical team recently completed a site visit to the Company's Perk Rocky copper-gold porphyry project. Exploration plans and budgets for this project are current being finalized and Ethos will provide an update on this project shortly. Plans and budgets for the Company's Iron Point gold project in Nevada are also being finalized and an update on this project will be provided shortly. Ethos owns 1.9 million shares of Ridgeline Minerals which holds a portfolio of gold projects in Nevada. Ridgeline is currently completing an IPO priced at $0.45 per unit. As at mid-July Ethos has cash, receivables (primarily Quebec and BC tax and exploration credits) and securities (including the Ridgeline shares) of approximately Cdn $3.4 million. Financing Ethos announces the following private placements (collectively, the "Private Placements"): a private placement of 10,000,000 units priced at $0.14 per unit for gross proceeds of $1,400,000. Each unit will comprise one common share, and one half of one common share purchase warrant. Each whole warrant will be exercisable into one common share of the Company at an exercise price of $0.20 for a period of two years following closing. The common share purchase warrants will be subject to acceleration at the Company's discretion in the event its common shares trade on the TSX Venture Exchange on a volume weighted average price ("VWAP") basis of C$0.40 or more for a period of ten consecutive trading days. Proceeds of this offering will be utilized on the Company's Iron Point project in Nevada and for general working capital. an Ontario flow through private placement of 2,000,000 flow through units priced at $0.16 per unit for gross proceeds of $320,000. Each unit will comprise one flow through share, and one half of one non-flow through common share purchase warrant. Each whole warrant will be exercisable into one common share of the Company at an exercise price of $0.22 for a period of two years following closing. The common share purchase warrants will be subject to acceleration at the Company's discretion in the event its common shares trade on the TSX Venture Exchange on a volume weighted average price ("VWAP") basis of C$0.40 or more for a period of ten consecutive trading days. Proceeds of this offering will be utilized on the Company's Fuchsite Lake Gold Project in Ontario or on eligible flow through expenditures on other Ontario projects. a British Columbia charity flow through private placement of 3,000,000 flow through units priced at $0.18 per unit for gross proceeds of $540,000. Each unit will comprise one flow through share, and one half of one non-flow through common share purchase warrant. Each whole warrant will be exercisable into one common share of the Company at an exercise price of $0.24 for a period of two years following closing. The common share purchase warrants will be subject to acceleration at the Company's discretion in the event its common shares trade on the TSX Venture Exchange on a volume weighted average price ("VWAP") basis of C$0.40 or more for a period of ten consecutive trading days. Proceeds of this offering will be utilized on the Company's Perk Rocky copper-gold porphyry project in British Columbia or on eligible flow through expenditures on other British Columbia projects. Members of the new technical advisory group are expected to participate in certain of the Private Placements. Finder's fees may be paid on a portion of the Private Placements. The Private Placements are subject to the approval of the TSX Venture Exchange and customary closing conditions. Qualified Person The technical content disclosed in this press release was reviewed and approved by Jo Price, P.Geo., M.Sc., VP Exploration of Ethos and a Qualified Person as defined under National Instrument 43-101 ("NI 43-101"). Contact For additional information please contact Tom Martin at E: tmartin@ethosgold.com P: 1-250-516-2455 or view the Company's website, www.ethosgold.com .and the Company's sedar profile at www.sedar.com. Ethos Gold Corp. Per: "Craig Roberts" Craig Roberts, P.Eng., President & CEO Forward-Looking Statement Cautions: This press release contains certain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation, including, but not limited to, statements regarding the Company's plans with respect to the Company's projects and the timing related thereto, the merits of the Company's projects, the Company's objectives, plans and strategies, the Private Placements, and other project opportunities. Although the Company believes that such statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts; they are generally, but not always, identified by the words "expects," "plans," "anticipates," "believes," "intends," "estimates," "projects," "aims," "potential," "goal," "objective,", "strategy", "prospective," and similar expressions, or that events or conditions "will," "would," "may," "can," "could" or "should" occur, or are those statements, which, by their nature, refer to future events. The Company cautions that Forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs, estimates and opinions of the Company's management on the date the statements are made and they involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Consequently, there can be no assurances that such statements will prove to be accurate and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Except to the extent required by applicable securities laws and the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange, the Company undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements if management's beliefs, estimates or opinions, or other factors, should change. Factors that could cause future results to differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements include the risk of accidents and other risks associated with mineral exploration operations, the risk that the Company will encounter unanticipated geological factors, or the possibility that the Company may not be able to secure permitting and other agency or governmental clearances, necessary to carry out the Company's exploration plans, risks and uncertainties related to the COVID-19 pandemic, risks and uncertainties related to the Company's ability to complete the Private Placements and the size of the Private Placements, and the risk of political uncertainties and regulatory or legal changes in the jurisdictions where the Company carries on its business that might interfere with the Company's business and prospects. The reader is urged to refer to the Company's reports, publicly available through the Canadian Securities Administrators' System for Electronic Document Analysis and Retrieval (SEDAR) at www.sedar.com for a more complete discussion of such risk factors and their potential effects. 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. ADDENDUM Advisory Team Rob Carpenter Ph.D., P.Geo., Chief Technical Advisor Rob Carpenter is a Professional Geoscientist (P.Geo.) with more than 30 plus years of corporate and technical mineral exploration experience. He has founded and played key roles in several successful junior mining companies including Kaminak Gold Corporation. He led the Kaminak team as CEO from inception in 2005 through acquisition, discovery and maiden resource calculation of the multi- million ounce Coffee Gold Project, Yukon. Kaminak was acquired by Goldcorp in 2016 for over $500 million. In 2014, the Association of Mining and Exploration for British Columbia (AMEBC) awarded him and his team the Huestis Award for Excellence in Mineral Exploration for the discoveries at Coffee. AMEBC also awarded him the Robert Hedley Award for Social and Environmental Leadership in 2009 for his role in developing industry-Inuit partnerships in Uranium exploration. Rob completed his Ph.D. in 2004 at the University of Western Ontario focused on the setting and controls on the Meliadine Gold Camp in Nunavut. He is currently an Adjunct Professor at Western and is involved in helping a number of graduate thesis aimed at understanding gold deposits. Robert A. Brozdowski, Ph.D., P. Geo. Over 30 years diverse exploration experience emphasizing magmatic Ni-Cu-PGE & gold, but including uranium, VMS, SEDEX, and IOCG deposits. Worked with Callahan Mining Corp. from 1983-91 and subsequently with Western Mining Corporation (later WMC) across Canada & the USA from 1992-98. Consulting exploration geologist since 1998, involved in regional project generation, integrated regional field programs, and property-scale exploration projects for major, junior, and private clients in North & South America, Asia and Europe. Ph.D. Geology (Western University, London, ON, 1990), M.A. Geology (Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, 1983), and B.S. Geosciences (Pennsylvania State Univ., 1980). Daniel MacNeil, M.Sc., P.Geo. Economic Geologist specializing in Precious and Base Metals with over 19 years of experience from Continental scale project generation to in-mine resource expansion in a wide variety of geological settings in the Americas, Europe, Eastern Europe and the Near East. His expertise includes opportunity identification, business development, project evaluation, target and exploration strategy, district entry strategy, strategic evaluation of geologic terranes and execution of target testing. Mr. MacNeil has worked for numerous mining and exploration focused companies including Anglo American (3 years) and Barrick Gold Corp. (7 years) where he played a key role in the addition of 400K Oz gold and 30Moz silver to Eskay Creek Mine (Northwest British Columbia, Canada) and 20MOz gold to the Donlin Creek deposit (southwest Alaska, USA). Daniel MacNeil is the Founder of Vector Geological Solutions. Dr. Alan J. Wainwright, Ph.D., P.Geo., FSEG Dr. Wainwright is an economic geologist with 20+ years of mineral exploration and research experience in North America, South America, Europe and Asia, focused on base metals and gold. Alan has worked extensively on project generation, area selection, mapping, targeting, and drilling campaigns for porphyry Cu, epithermal/orogenic Au, magmatic Ni-Cu-PGE and SEDEX/skarn/CRD Zn-Pb-Ag, with several major mining companies and junior explorers. He was a co-recipient of the H.H. "Spud" Huestis Award (AME BC; 2013) for his role in the Coffee gold discovery in Yukon Territory (Kaminak Gold Corp; 5 Moz Au). He completed a PhD (MDRU-UBC; 2008) on the super-giant porphyry Cu-Au deposits at Oyu Tolgoi (Ivanhoe Mines; Mongolia), and led the Western Tethyan Metallogeny Project (Phase 2; 2016-2020) at MDRU, sponsored by 8 major/mid-tier mining companies. The Tethyan work focused on pre-competitive geoscience to support base metal and gold exploration in the Balkans, Turkey, and Caucasus. Dr. Wainwright is a Fellow of the Society of Economic Geologists (FSEG) and is registered as a Professional Geoscientist in British Columbia (PGeo; EGBC). Expertise includes copper/gold exploration, regional metallogeny, and volcanic arc geology. Marc L'Heureux, P.Geo., M.A.Sc. Marc is an experienced geologist with a tenure of more than 25 years in the industry. He has worked on gold, nickel, base metals, and diamond projects in North and Latin America. He served for many major companies such as Cambior, Falconbridge and Barrick. After 1997, he worked for junior corporations such as Boreal Exploration, GlobeStar Mining, Majescor Resources and Everton Resources. He is currently Vice-President Exploration for Vior Inc. Mr. L'Heureux holds a degree in Geology from the University of Quebec in Montreal (UQAM) and a Master Degree in Earth Sciences (Applied Geochemistry) from the University of Quebec in Chicoutimi. He is also a member in good standing of the Ordre des geologues du Quebec (OGQ). Jeff Sundar Jeff Sundar has twenty years of experience in the capital markets and mineral exploration sector with a focus on corporate development, marketing, and financing. Jeff is Executive Director and formerly CEO of Genesis Metals Corp., a Discovery Group Company. Jeff was a Director of Northern Empire Resources (also a Discovery Group Company) which was acquired by Coeur Mining for $117 million for the Sterling Gold project in October 2018. He was also a Director and VP of Underworld Resources which discovered the 1.6 million oz White Gold deposit in west-central Yukon, and was subsequently acquired by Kinross Gold for $138 million in June 2010. THIS NEWS RELEASE IS NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/61093 Gospel hitmaker Ben Cyco has kept up his consistent run of releasing great music with a new collaborative project dubbed Anaoana. Anaona, Swahili for He Sees, features the talented songbird Kambua and seeks to encourage the masses in their time of need. The inspiration behind the song is to encourage someone who is almost giving up out there, the message for him or her is to stay on the grind; to keep pushing and giving their best in whatever they do because if you be faithful with what God has given you, HE will most definitely open doors for you. Most of the time we feel like God is not listening or He is not watching our moves, but He is, He is always there and watches each and every one of our moves. So its just a matter of time before he opens a door for you, said Ben Cyco. The hitmaker said he settled on Kambua for the collab because of her impact and influence on Kenyan youth. I chose Kambua for this song because of what she stands for and who she is as a person. Kambua is a musician I respect so much because she gives so much hope to our generation and also for the role she has played in the gospel industry in Kenya. I can confidently say she is a veteran who has remained rooted and consistent with preaching the gospel through her songs. Thats the kind of impact I would like to have, so the collaboration was a learning process of how such songs are birthed, arranged, and produced, he explained. The tracks audio was produced by Yo Alex and the Video directed By Steve Mugo of Ambition Media House. Check it out below. TOWAMENCIN The body of a 5-year-old autistic child was found Wednesday morning at Fischers Park in Towamencin Township, Police Chief Tim Dickinson confirmed during an afternoon press conference. The victim, identified as Eliza Talal, of Towamencin Township, was discovered around 10:40 a.m. in the park on Bustard Road on the land in an area of foliage adjacent to the creek by an area resident, Dickinson said while addressing reporters at the Towamencin Township office at 1090 Troxel Road. Police responded to a home on the 2000 block of Spring Valley Road early Tuesday afternoon after receiving a call around 12:36 p.m. reporting Eliza missing. The girl was last seen by her family around noon on Tuesday, according to Dickinson. After contacting police, crews began searching using several methods, including boats, two helicopters, drones and search-and-rescue teams. The chief added there were several hundred people involved in the day-and-night effort to locate Eliza. Dickinson confirmed that a creek is located behind the house on Spring Valley Road, which is roughly 1.5 miles from Fischers Park. Eliza went out of the house around the height of the storm, and we all know that creek was very swollen, he said. So we believe based on the circumstances that she left the house and somehow got into the water. Dickinson said the investigation will continue with law enforcement representatives from the local police department and the Montgomery County Detective Bureau. We want to try to learn as best as we can what happened, he said. Numerous agencies assisted at the local, state and federal levels including the Upper Gwynedd Township Police Department, the Towamencin Volunteer Fire Company, the Montgomery County Department of Public Safety, the Pennsylvania State Police, and the FBI. Dickinson expressed his appreciation for the responders and local townspeoples help. We have hope until theres no longer hope and I can tell you that these police officers here, and first responders, and community members searched tirelessly, he said. Its amazing when you see people come together what they can do. Dickinson also took a moment to extend his heartfelt condolences to Elizas loved ones. Our prayers go out to her family who suffered a terrible loss, he said. Elizas initial disappearance came during periods of heavy rainfall, flooding and strong wind as Tropical Storm Isaias moved over the greater Philadelphia area. Dickinson cited treacherous conditions during parts of Tuesday. Well, the search yesterday was very challenging, especially initially, with the weather conditions that we faced. Fortunately, we didnt get the high winds that we predicted, we got some but not as much, but the rain certainly inhibited us, and of course, the general activity in the area drained our resources very quickly, Dickinson said. According to the local police chief, about 11 water rescues took place on Tuesday, with the assistance of the Towamencin Volunteer Fire Company, as the search for the 5-year-old girl carried on. Dickinson added portions of the park sustained damage as a result of storm conditions. He said he was stunned by the sheer volume of water. The National Weather Service recorded about 8 inches of rainfall by 2:30 p.m. Tuesday in parts of Montgomery County. Ive been police chief here for 15 years, and I have never seen that level of flooding in Towamencin Township throughout the township and that includes Hurricane Sandy, Dickinson said. BJP's National Vice President Uma Bharti who earlier said that she will not go to the 'Bhumi Pujan' ceremony for the construction of the Ram temple in Ayodhya, has reached the Ramjnmabhoomi site here. She said, "I am bound by the dignity of Maryada Purushottam Ram. I have been instructed by the senior officials of Ram Temple Trust to be present at the ceremony. That is why I am here in this programme." Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has also reached Ayodhya to join the 'Bhumi Pujan' ceremony there. All the saints have also reached there to participate in the program. Ram Temple Trust chief Mahant Nritya Gopal Das has also reached the venue. Many saints including Yoga guru Ramdev, Sadhvi Ritambhara are present at the venue. Priests from Kashi, Delhi and Prayagraj have been called in to perform the 'Bhumi Pujan' ceremony. A team of 21 priests will perform 'puja' in different ways. Apart from this, the Ram Janmabhoomi campus has also been decorated with flowers, pandals and stage have been made with beautiful 'Rangolis'. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will lay the foundation stone of the temple by placing silver bricks at the auspicious time according to Vedic customs here. The COVID-19 pandemic forced The Rev Theatre Co. to push back opening night a little later than normal. But, beginning today, the Auburn-based professional theater company is putting on the best show it can under the unprecedented circumstances. A virtual event, "The Rev Concert: A Celebration of Art and Community," is now live for The Rev's subscribers, ticket-holders and sponsors. Available at broadwayondemand.com, the streaming concert will go live for the general public on Wednesday, Aug. 12. It will also be screened at the Finger Lakes Drive-In on Thursday, Aug. 20. The company's producing artistic director, Brett Smock, told The Citizen that "The Rev Concert" features several performers from the past few decades at the Merry-Go-Round Playhouse. About half of the event takes place on the Owasco stage, where a modest set frames a piano in the middle. The company used a skeleton crew that followed safety guidelines, and WSYR recorded the show. Along with many musical numbers, the concert also features the company's annual presentation of its Thommie Walsh/Merry-Go-Round Playhouse Scholarship in memory of the Tony Award-winning Auburn native. The Rev's 2021 season will be announced during the event as well, just as it would have been on the same stage at this same time of year. "We wanted to keep the things that people know about us intact, but dive in a little deeper," Smock said. "It's a two-hour special event that we're really proud of." The other half of the event is dedicated to the Auburn community, and particularly its arts and culture. The Rev reached out to several local institutions, such as Auburn Public Theater and The Seward House Museum, and offered them spots on the concert to fill however they see fit. Because Smock believes that as the pandemic ravages the arts, it's important they support one another. "We're all suffering now," he said. "And a lot of times, these are the last organizations that will be remembered when jobs are restored and money is given." Smock said pricing for the concert is still being finalized. It's like video on demand, in that purchase gives viewers access for 48 hours. And after Aug. 26, he advised, it will not be available. As the virtual event came together, Smock said, he was surprised how much it evoked what it's like to live and work in the area. That's why he thinks people who don't like theater will still find something to appreciate in what he called "a postcard from Auburn." And for all the negative effects of the pandemic, it offers that kind of perspective, as he and his staff have experienced. To learn more For more information about The Rev Theatre Co., including "The Rev Concert: A Celebration of Art and Community" and "Whodunit?! An Immersive Theater Experience at Emerson Park," visit therevtheatre.com or call the box office at (315) 255-1785. The Rev is also on Facebook @therevtheatreco, and its education division @mgryouththeatre. "This season we've all stopped to look at the lake and Emerson Park, and appreciate it in entirely new ways we haven't before," he said. "It's been a reawakening to what we're blessed to have." Meanwhile, Emerson Park will be the site of another event from The Rev this weekend when the company's education division presents "Whodunit?!" Friday and Saturday, Aug. 7 and 8. The division's director, Lisa Chase, said the free event is "kind of a living game of Clue." Families will explore the park, interacting with a cast of eight costumed actors as they try to solve a heist. Like the concert, the park event is the result of The Rev staff thinking about how they could pursue their artistic mission within the new confines of social distancing, Chase said. That's why "Whodunit?!" will take place in blocks at 10 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. each day. But each block is limited to 20 people, so Chase suggests reserving a time in advance. Some performers in the event are interns from Nazareth College. Though that partnership continues despite the pandemic, The Rev's education division has otherwise seen its operations change significantly, Chase said. The summer tour presented by the former Merry-Go-Round Youth Theatre has been canceled this year because it would've been challenging to keep its actors safe as they travel by van from one performance to the next across Cayuga and neighboring counties. And when school resumes, the education division will switch from touring to an all-digital platform. Watch now: The Citizen's interview with Brett Smock of The Rev Theatre Company Brett Smock, producing artistic director of The Rev Theatre Company, was interviewed on The Citizen's Facebook Live page on May 26. David Wilc The Rev, which normally presents about 50 shows a week in schools throughout the state, will instead offer them either livestreamed or prerecorded shows this year. Schools will also be able to arrange virtual workshops with the theater company, as well as visits that support curriculum, such as an actor portraying Mother Goose reading nursery rhymes. Though plans are still taking shape and districts are still finalizing how they'll reopen, they have been receptive, Chase said. Going digital will also allow the company to expand its reach to schools outside of the state. Still, Chase hopes The Rev can be physically back in schools soon. Not only has the pandemic limited the number of actors the company can use, it's also limited their artistic possibilities. "We would love to be back in schools as soon as possible because we know that's what sets us apart. And that's what makes theater exciting, is that communal experience," she said. "It was sad to put together the education part of the concert. It kind of broke my heart, seeing pictures of children in auditoriums and gyms. They're not going to get that this year." Lake Life Editor David Wilcox can be reached at (315) 282-2245 or david.wilcox@lee.net. Follow him on Twitter @drwilcox. 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. It was a welcome sign that no beach-goer headed to Long Beach Island for a summer vacation wants to see. Power out to the entire island. A major reporting issue with California's coronavirus data means state and county health officials no longer have a clear idea of how the state's cases are trending. For days, California hasn't received full counts on the number of tests conducted nor the number that came back positive for COVID-19, Health and Human Services Secretary Dr. Mark Ghaly said Tuesday. "Just as we had back in February and March when we didn't have enough testing, we felt blind. I would say right now were back to feeling blind. We dont know how the epidemic is trending," Santa Clara County Health Officer Sara Cody said Wednesday. "Its not just inconvenient. This lack of data doesnt allow us to know where this epidemic is heading, if its growing." Here's what we know about the data issue right now: There is a problem with CalREDIE The California Reportable Disease Information Exchange (CalREDIE) is where the data breakdown occurred. The state system electronically receives COVID-19 test data from individual labs. "Theres a specific component that feeds information from labs to both the states system and the local public health system," Ghaly said. "That may actually be the place where data is getting stuck." As a result, not all the confirmed positive cases are in the state database. The daily tally posted Tuesday on California's COVID-19 data page showed 4,526 additional confirmed positives, the lowest total in more than six weeks and a precipitous drop from the record of nearly 13,000 reported two weeks ago. Many counties individually reported to the state that they think their case numbers are being underreported or delayed. If you notice either a state or county database with a disclaimer that daily positive cases are being underreported, this is why. What does that mean for the state's COVID-19 data? It means that total cases and percent positivity, two very important metrics, are currently in question. Wendy Hetherington, Riverside Countys chief of epidemiology and program evaluation, said she believes hundreds of cases a day havent been reported in her county since late last week. Cody speculated Wednesday the problem could extend all the way back to mid-July. The good news is that hospitalization data is not affected. Hospitalizations due to coronavirus complications appear to be stabilizing. What's being done? Some counties are reaching out individually to labs to get more information. After an emergency meeting, Los Angeles County appointed a team to contact over 80 labs to obtain test results for the past nine days to determine an accurate case count, and set up a system to receive data directly in the future so contact tracing efforts arent delayed, the countys health department said in a statement. Ghaly said the state is relaying information manually to county health officials until the problem is corrected. It's not known when that fix will be completed. "Were delaying case investigations. Were delaying follow up," said Hetherington. "Until this lab issue is fixed, we cant really say what the true picture is," she added. The Associated Press contributed to this report. MORE CORONAVIRUS COVERAGE: Sign up for 'The Daily' newsletter for the latest on coronavirus here. UCSF doctor calls Dolores Park as scary as 'American Horror Story' Only one Bay Area county may be able to get off the state COVID-19 watch list soon 'Heartbroken': Four Bay Area food pantry delivery trucks vandalized Technical issue has California under-reporting virus cases What Lockdown 2.0 Looks Like: Harsher Rules, Deeper Confusion Katie Dowd is the SFGATE managing editor. Email her: katie.dowd@sfgate.com | Twitter: @katiedowd Hydroelectric infrastructure: General Electric (NYSE:GE) makes it, Brookfield Asset Management (NYSE:BAM) runs it. Wind turbines: GE makes them, Brookfield runs them. The same is true in other areas like natural gas pipelines, and electricity networks: General Electric manufactures components used in the industry while Brookfield operates assets within that same industry. Despite being much smaller, though, Brookfield is a far superior stock. Here's why. Dividend debacle General Electric's days of being a reliable dividend-paying machine are over. The company upped its quarterly payout every year for decades, but in 2017 slashed it in half, from $0.24 per share to $0.12 per share, and then in 2018 cut it down to $0.01 per share. What used to be a generous 3% to 4% yield is now just 0.6%, with no apparent plans for a raise anytime soon. Meanwhile, Brookfield Asset Management has upped its dividend every year since 2012. While its current 1.3% yield isn't spectacular, it's at least reliable, backed by the company's strong cash flow. Also, if you're a dividend investor, you can consider the superior payouts offered by Brookfield's master limited partnerships (MLPs) like Brookfield Infrastructure Partners, currently yielding 4.75%, or Brookfield Renewable Partners, with a current yield of 3.9%. Where it counts Despite operating in similar industries, Brookfield has been able to prosper where General Electric hasn't. In part, that's because Brookfield only needs to operate the assets it owns to make a profit, while GE has to actually sell new equipment and ongoing services to customers. And right now, those customers just aren't buying what GE is selling. For example, Brookfield Renewable Partners operates 219 hydroelectric generation facilities in North and South America. These have a combined annual generation capacity of 7.9 gigawatts, and they churned out $386 million in revenue and $156 million in funds from operations in Q1 2020 alone. That's dam impressive. However, compared to wind and solar farms, hydroelectric plants are difficult to engineer and expensive to build, so not a lot of people are building them at present. Indeed, of Brookfield Renewable's eight current growth projects, only one is a hydroelectric facility, and it will have just 30 MW of capacity. That probably explains why GE lumped its Q1 2020 hydroelectric sales in with offshore wind and "other" sales. These only brought in $200 million combined during the quarter, while GE's renewable energy segment as a whole posted a $300 million net loss. Brookfield clearly outperforms here. Turnaround time The same pattern shows up elsewhere in the companies' portfolios. Utilities just aren't buying big gas-powered turbines and infrastructure like they used to, while consumer demand for electricity and gas has continued to rise. So Brookfield Infrastructure Partners' existing energy and utility assets churned out $73 million in net earnings in Q1, while GE's entire power segment posted a $100 million net loss for the quarter. That's not to say that Brookfield never finds itself in a slowing market that's seeing diminishing returns. In fact, Brookfield MLP Brookfield Property Partners has been struggling as retail businesses have closed locations during the pandemic. But as an asset manager as opposed to a manufacturer, it's easier for Brookfield to adjust its portfolio accordingly. Indeed, Brookfield's management team has expressed a desire not to rely so much on debt to finance acquisitions, but instead to sell mature assets and invest the proceeds in higher-growth opportunities. Meanwhile, GE has already sold most of its biggest underperformers -- and even some of its outperformers, like the high-margin biopharma business -- to pay down its massive debt load. Because its aircraft engines, gas generators, and wind turbines all rely on turbine technology, selling any one of them could impact the company's potential for organic growth. Plus, GE is already so large that small acquisitions can only move the needle so much. Nimble Brookfield has a distinct advantage here. No competition Although Brookfield is much, much smaller than GE, the company is better-positioned to outperform in the current environment. And if the environment shifts, Brookfield is likelier to be able to adjust its portfolio accordingly. Not to mention Brookfield has a higher, more secure dividend, plus solid prospects for growth. Investors who were looking at General Electric should strongly consider adding Brookfield to their portfolios instead. Technavio has been monitoring the gas turbine market and it is poised to grow by USD 2.44 billion during 2020-2024, progressing at a CAGR of almost 2% 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/20200805005502/en/ Technavio has announced its latest market research report titled Global Gas Turbine Market 2020-2024 (Graphic: Business Wire) Technavio suggests three forecast scenarios (optimistic, probable, and pessimistic) considering the impact of COVID-19. Please Request Free Sample Report on COVID-19 Impact Frequently Asked Questions- What was the value of the gas turbine market in 2019? Technavio says that the value of market was at USD 27.48 billion in 2019 and is projected to reach USD 29.92 billion by 2024. At what rate is the market projected to grow during the forecast period 2020-2024? Growing at a CAGR of almost 2%, the market growth will accelerate in the forecast period of 2020-2024. What is the key factor driving the market? Enhanced efficiency and robustness of gas turbines and the development of GTCC and IGCC technologies are the key factors driving the market growth. Who are the top players in the market? Ansaldo Energia Spa, Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd., Capstone Turbine Corp., Caterpillar Inc., General Electric Co., IHI Corp., Kawasaki Heavy Industries Ltd., Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd., OPRA Turbines, and Siemens AG are some of the major market participants. Which region is expected to hold the highest market share? APAC What is the year-over-year growth rate of the global market? The year-over-year growth rate for 2020 is estimated at 0.98%. The market is fragmented, and the degree of fragmentation will accelerate during the forecast period. Ansaldo Energia Spa, Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd., Capstone Turbine Corp., Caterpillar Inc., General Electric Co., IHI Corp., Kawasaki Heavy Industries Ltd., Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd., OPRA Turbines, and Siemens AG 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. Enhanced efficiency and robustness of gas turbines have been instrumental in driving the growth of the market. Gas Turbine Market 2020-2024: Segmentation Gas Turbine Market is segmented as below: Product Heavy-duty Gas Turbine Aeroderivative Gas Turbine End-user Power Generation Mobility Oil and Gas Others Technology CCGT OCGT 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=IRTNTR43446 Gas Turbine 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 gas turbine market report covers the following areas: Gas Turbine Market size Gas Turbine Market trends Gas Turbine Market analysis This study identifies the development of GTCC and IGCC technologies as one of the prime reasons driving the gas turbine market growth during the next few years. Gas Turbine Market 2020-2024: Vendor Analysis We provide a detailed analysis of vendors operating in the gas turbine market, including some of the vendors such as Ansaldo Energia Spa, Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd., Capstone Turbine Corp., Caterpillar Inc., General Electric Co., IHI Corp., Kawasaki Heavy Industries Ltd., Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd., OPRA Turbines, and Siemens AG. Backed with competitive intelligence and benchmarking, our research reports on the gas turbine 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 Gas Turbine Market 2020-2024: Key Highlights CAGR of the market during the forecast period 2020-2024 Detailed information on factors that will assist gas turbine market growth during the next five years Estimation of the gas turbine market size and its contribution to the parent market Predictions on upcoming trends and changes in consumer behavior The growth of the gas turbine market Analysis of the market's competitive landscape and detailed information on vendors Comprehensive details of factors that will challenge the growth of gas turbine 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 Product Market segments Comparison by Product Heavy-duty gas turbine Market size and forecast 2019-2024 Aeroderivative gas turbine Market size and forecast 2019-2024 Market opportunity by Product Market Segmentation by Technology Market segments Comparison by Technology CCGT Market size and forecast 2019-2024 OCGT Market size and forecast 2019-2024 Market opportunity by Technology Market Segmentation by End-user Market segments Comparison by End-user Power generation Market size and forecast 2019-2024 Mobility Market size and forecast 2019-2024 Oil and gas Market size and forecast 2019-2024 Others Market size and forecast 2019-2024 Market opportunity by End-user Customer Landscape 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 Demand led growth Market Challenges Market Trends Vendor Landscape Vendor landscape Vendor landscape Landscape disruption Vendor Analysis Vendors covered Market positioning of vendors Ansaldo Energia Spa Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd. Capstone Turbine Corp. Caterpillar Inc. General Electric Co. IHI Corp. Kawasaki Heavy Industries Ltd. Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd. OPRA Turbines Siemens AG 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 focuses 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/20200805005502/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/ When Midland ISD officials announced that its campuses would start the school year with four weeks of at-home instruction, the metric used to help explain their decision was positive test rate. Midland has a more than 21 percent positive test rate comparable to Dallas, Houston and San Antonio, MISD explained Monday. The district also reported Ector County has a positive test rate above 30 percent and that infectious disease experts recommend both a local positive case rate of less than 5 percent and a 14-day decline in positive case counts as conditions for safely reopening schools. Jennifer Hawkins and Jake Wall welcomed their first child together, daughter Frankie Violet, in October last year. And now the Australian model, 36, has revealed how she actively 'works on keeping it a bit sexy' with her property developer husband, 37, after becoming a mother. She told The Daily Telegraph on Thursday: 'You have to be a good wifey.' 'You have to be a good wifey': Jennifer Hawkins (right) has revealed how she 'works on keeping it a bit sexy' with her husband, Jake Wall (left), after becoming a mother 'You have to be a good wifey, too. [Jake] is not just to the side,' Jennifer said. 'You have to work on keeping it a bit sexy.' The former Miss Universe added that she tries her best to 'keep it together' and look good for Jake while juggling motherhood. Juggling it all! The former Miss Universe said that she tries her best to 'keep it together' and look good for Jake while juggling motherhood She added: 'Sometimes I will be sitting here at dinner [with a breast pump] and will go, "This is super sexy, isn't it, Jake?" The married couple welcomed Frankie, nine months, on October 17. Earlier this week, she shared several sweet photos to Instagram of herself with her daughter, and called Frankie her 'little bestie'. Family: Jennifer, 36, and Jake, 37, welcomed Frankie, nine months, on October 17 Jennifer had expressed her desire to start a family in September 2018, following her departure from Myer after 12 years as the department store's ambassador. Speaking at her final runway show for the retailer, she said: 'I'd love to have a family, it's taking the time to look ahead. I want to have the time to be able to do that.' Jennifer married Jake in Bali, Indonesia, in 2013, after eight years of dating. The coronavirus pandemic has put a strain on countless lives, with more than 150,000 deaths in the United States linked to COVID-19. Thousands have lost their jobs or seen their businesses collapse. There is also a potential health crisis, and not just the one that shows up in daily COVID-19 statistics. For many people of all ages, the effects of the pandemic have been destructive to their mental health. The stresses come in many forms, but one in particular social isolation takes a heavy toll on young people. That must be part of the calculus for all who decide whether school this fall will include in-person learning. And should a resurgence of COVID-19 cases make it necessary for school buildings to close again, families and society in general will need to pay special attention to the social needs of teenagers and younger children. Larry Scott has a unique perspective on the topic. Scott is a school psychologist, a school board member and the father of 10- and 6-year-old sons. Scott said his views on school reopening have evolved. In the spring, he said, physical distancing for safety was his top concern. Its still is the priority now, but with the data and the science that were seeing right now, I think we have to be open to some opportunity for in-school learning so that there can be some return to that socialization with peers and with adults directly. Scott said watching his older son contend with the effects of social isolation in the spring informed his thinking. I saw him struggle greatly when we went into the lockdown in spring, Scott said. His family contacted some of his sons classmates to convene online study groups and let the kids interact online. And we found that he would be actually more upset after he had those interactions, Scott said. Here was an attempt to try to remediate or replace what he was missing, and it just wasnt satisfying him. Andrew Solomon, a professor of medical clinical psychology at Columbia University Medical Center, wrote an op-ed column for the New York Times about the effects of the pandemic on mental health. Social isolation generates at least as much escalation of mental illness as does fear of the virus itself, Solomon wrote. Interacting with their peers on social media does not adequately meet young peoples needs to socialize. Even during quarantine periods, kids can experience FOMO fear of missing out though it may seem there is little happening to miss out on. But catching a glimpse on Instagram of other friends doing anything together even a Zoom call that excluded some friends can trigger anxiety or depression. Clinical depression goes beyond having a bad day. Solomon describes it as the difference between a belief that things are not OK and the belief that nothing will ever be OK again. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says about half the people between 18 and 29 report feeling symptoms of anxiety or depression. And suicide is the second leading cause of death for people under 35. An ability to safely return to school, at least part-time, would be a boost for students mental health. If that becomes impossible, parents and families, religious and social institutions, have to find ways for kids to have some social interaction. Isolation has remedies, Solomon wrote in his essay. Zoom conversations and FaceTime do not temper it adequately for many people, and it is to be determined on a case-by-case basis when the mental health benefits of seeing someone you love even outside and 6 feet away are greater than the physical health dangers of such encounters. Buffalo News, New York T ragic TV star Caroline Flack left a note when she took her own life saying she wanted to find harmony with her boyfriend Lewis Burton, an inquest heard today. The 40-year-old Love Island host was found dead at her east London home as she was awaiting a criminal trial for allegedly assaulting Mr Burton, an allegation she had fiercely denied. An inquest at Poplar coroners court heard this morning a paramedic called to her home when she had been found unconscious saw a note, lying on top of an open magazine, which read: I hope me and Lewis can one day find harmony. The hearing was told Ms Flacks sister, Jody, had made desperate attempts to save her when the TV star was discovered unconscious at home. Lewis Burton shared this picture of him and Flack on Instagram after her death / mrlewisburton/Instagram Jody Flack raised the alarm when she could not get hold of her sister on February 15, calling her friend Louise Teasdale who rushed with her father Stephen to help. My daughter Louise Teasdale started getting phone calls from Jody Flack, say she was at Carolines flat and Caroline wasnt opening the door, he said in a witness statement. Louise and I came to the flat and tried to force entry, I used my shoulder a few times and then my feet but the door refused to budge. Mr Teasdale said they went to get a spare key from the landlady, and he was the one who found Ms Flack unconscious in the home, having apparently hanged herself. Caroline Flack / AFP via Getty Images Jody started CPR and then we switched, he said. I did chest compressions and Jody did mouth to mouth. He said they made life saving efforts for around ten minutes before police arrived and took over. Ms Flack was awaiting trial at the time of her death, and had denied assaulting Mr Burton as he slept on December 12 last year. When the inquest was opened in February, her family shared an unpublished Instagram message written by Flack which said the incident with Mr Burton was an accident. Lewis Burton and Caroline Flack / SplashNews.com "I am NOT a domestic abuser. We had an argument and an accident happened", she wrote. "The reason I am talking today is because my family can't take anymore. I've lost my job. My home. My ability to speak. And the truth has been taken out of my hands and used as entertainment. "I can't spend every day hidden away being told not to say or speak to anyone. I'm so sorry to my family for what I have brought upon them and for what my friends have had to go through. "I'm not thinking about 'how I'm going to get my career back.' I'm thinking about how I'm going to get mine and my family's life back. I can't say any more than that." Mr Burton said in a written statement that Ms Flack had been "devastated" the last time he saw her. "She was not in a good place emotionally," he said. Sometimes she talked about taking her own life when she was extremely upset. The media were constantly bashing her character, writing hurtful stories generally hounding her daily. What was worrying her most was the police case and losing her presenting job on Love Island, plus not being able to see me. Ms Flacks mother said she believed her daughter had been "badly let down" by the authorities and the CPS. She wiped away tears as the statement was read out. Caroline Flack - In pictures 1 /56 Caroline Flack - In pictures 2019 Caroline Flack as host of Love Island ITV 2014 Caroline Flack in Strictly Come Dancing BBC/PA 2015 Caroline Flack briefly hosting The X Factor Thames/Syco production for ITV 2019 Caroline Flack attending the Brit Awards at the O2 Arena, London. PA 2019 Caroline Flack and Lewis Burton leaving Bagatelle restaurant after celebrating her 40th Birthday SplashNews.com Caroline Flack attends the Brits Awards 2018 After Party hosted by Warner Music Group, Ciroc and British GQ at Freemasons Hall on February 21, 2018 in London,England. Dave Benett 2018 Caroline Flack attending the Brit Awards at the O2 Arena, London. PA 2018 Roxie Nafousi and Caroline Flack attend the launch of The Tanqueray No.10 Table at Dalloway Terrace hosted by Gizzi Erskine Dave Benett 2018 Caroline Flack attending the National Television Awards held at the O2 Arena, London. PA 2017 Caroline Flack attends an intimate dinner hosted by Henry Holland and Andrew Nugent to celebrate the House of Holland Resort 18 collection and Bird In Hand wine collaboration at Carousel London Dave Benett 2017 Caroline Flack attending the Fashion Awards held at the Royal Albert Hall, London. PA 2017 Caroline Flack arriving at the ITV Gala held at the London Palladium Getty Images 2017 Caroline Flack attending the Glamour Women of the Year Awards PA 2017 Holly Willoughby and Caroline Flack attend The Warner Music and Ciroc Brit Awards After Party Dave Benett 2017 Caroline Flack attends the InStyle EE Rising Star Party ahead of the EE BAFTA Awards at The Ivy Soho Brasserie Dave Benett 2017 Caroline Flack attends the National Television Awards cocktail reception at The O2 Arena Dave Benett 2017 Scarlett Moffatt and Caroline Flack attend the National Television Awards Getty Images 2016 Caroline Flack and Jamie Cullum attend the launch of Help Refugees' 'Choose Love' winter appeal with Jamie Cullum and friends at The Jazz Cafe Dave Benett 2016 Caroline Flack host of Love Island ITV 2016 Caroline Flack attends the House Of Fraser British Academy Television Awards 2016 at the Royal Festival Hall Getty Images 2016 Caroline Flack and Angela Scanlon attend the 21st National Television Awards at The O2 Arena Dave Benett 2015 Caroline Flack attends the Cosmopolitan Ultimate Women Of The Year awards at One Mayfair Dave Benett 2015 Caroline Flack attending the ITV Gala at the London Palladium. PA 2015 Caroline Flack arriving for The Pride of Britain Awards at Grosvenor House, Park Lane, London. PA 2015 Caroline Flack at The X Factor Auditrions in Manchester with Olly Murs Daily Mail 2015 Caroline Flack attending the X Factor auditions held at Wembley Arena PA 2015 Caroline Flack hosting X Factor with Olly Murs ITV 2015 Caroline Flack arriving for the Brit Awards at the O2 Arena, London PA 2015 Caroline Flack on the catwalk during the Fashion for Relief a charity fashion show PA 2014 Pasha Kovalev and Caroline Flack in Strictly Come Dancing BBC 2014 Pasha Kovalev and Caroline Flack in Strictly Come Dancing BBC 2014 Pasha Kovalev and Caroline Flack in Strictly Come Dancing BBC 2014 Pasha Kovalev and Caroline Flack in Strictly Come Dancing BBC 2014 Pasha Kovalev and Caroline Flack in Strictly Come Dancing BBC 2014 Caroline Flack in Strictly Come Dancing BBC 2014 Laura Whitmore and Caroline Flack attend the Glamour Women of the Year Awards in Berkeley Square Gardens Dave Benett 2014 The press night performance of "I Can't Sing! The X Factor Musical" at the London Palladium Dave Benett 2014 Oxfam's Lift Lives for Good campaign Rankin/PA 2014 The Brit Awards Dave Benett 2013 Caroline Flack attends the Cosmopolitan Ultimate Women of the Year Awards at Victoria & Albert Museum Getty Images 2013 The launch of The Vinyl Collection curated by Annie Mac and the AMP 2013 album at W London - Leicester Square Dave Benett 2013 Party in Wyld at W London Leicester Square after the NME Awards Dave Benett I believe this was a show trial," the statement said. I feel the prosecutor was unkind to Caroline and my family. I was threatened with arrest when I tried to speak. There was disputed evidence in court. The result of the media attention of this hearing forced Caroline to leave her home which she loved. Being well known should not allow special treatment, but should not allow making an example of someone. A written statement was also read out from Ms Flacks twin sister, who said the presenter was in a very anxious state of mind before her death and that an ambulance had been called for her four times previously. She said: Heartbreak is something Caroline found extremely difficult. She attempted to take her own life the night before she appeared in court. I believe the shame was too much to deal with. Love Island Pay Tribute To Former Presenter Caroline Flack On Live Final Her life and reputation she worked hard to build was falling apart because of a false accusation. It was our belief it would not be happening to her if she wasnt in the public eye." The inquest heard that a post-mortem examination found no traces of alcohol, but the presence of zopiclone, used for insomnia, just above the therapeutic range. Diazepam was present in a therapeutic amount. Pathologist Professor Michael Sheaff found Flack died from hanging. Ms Flack stood down as Love Island host while awaiting her trial, and said in the Instagram post: Within 24 hours my whole world and future was swept from under my feet. The stars mother Chris and sister Jody are following todays inquest via videolink, with representatives from the Met Police, CPS, and London Ambulance Service also dialling in remotely. Shortly before her death, Ms Flack had learned that the criminal trial was going ahead and a CPS had concluded the case would not be dropped. London Ambulance Service paramedics were also called to Ms Flacks home on Valentines Day evening, the day before she died, but did not take her to hospital following a clinical assessment. The inquest in front of Senior Coroner Mary Hassell continues and is expected to last two days. WASHINGTON The investigation ordered by Attorney General William Barr into how the CIA and the FBI looked into the Trump campaign's connections to Russia's 2016 election interference operation may be nearing a conclusion, people familiar with it say. One indication is that the prosecutor in charge, Connecticut U.S. Attorney John Durham, has asked to interview former CIA Director John Brennan, according to a person familiar with the request. Brennan has agreed to be interviewed, and the details are being worked out, the person said. Attorney General William Barr told Congress last month that he would not wait until after the election to present Durham's findings if they are finalized. Barr has made clear he believes Obama administration officials acted wrongfully when they opened a counterintelligence investigation into the Trump campaign's dealings with Russians, but the Justice Department's inspector general found that the investigation was justified and untainted by political bias. Image: John Brennan (Drew Angerer / Getty Images file) Democrats in Congress and elsewhere say the Barr-Durham investigation smacks of a politically motivated effort to help President Donald Trump's re-election campaign. Brennan, a vocal critic of Trump and an NBC News analyst, has been the subject of intense scrutiny by Durham. Brennan was director of the CIA from 2013 until the day of Trump's inauguration. The New York Times reported in December that the prosecutor was reviewing Brennan's emails, call logs and other records, which was confirmed to NBC News by a person familiar with the matter. Brennan declined to comment for this story, but has previously called the Durham probe "bizarre." The former CIA director questioned the legal basis for it, as have many other former Obama administration officials and Democratic lawmakers. Related: If U.S. Attorney John Durham is conducting a criminal investigation, its not clear what allegations of wrongdoing are being examined. Story continues First described as a review, Durham's probe morphed in part into a criminal investigation, but it's unclear exactly what criminal allegations he is examining. The Justice Department's inspector general made a criminal referral pertaining to the conduct of Kevin Clinesmith, an FBI lawyer whom the IG accused of making a misrepresentation to a secret court that approved national security surveillance warrants. Specifically, the IG said Clinesmith altered an email in a way that hid the fact that former Trump adviser Carter Page had been a CIA source information that would have been relevant to the court in the context of Page's dealings with Russians. Special counsel Robert Mueller ultimately concluded after a two-year investigation that he could not prove a conspiracy, though he found that the Trump campaign welcomed and made strategic use of Democratic emails stolen by Russian intelligence officers, and unwittingly amplified Russian propaganda on social media. Trump has said repeatedly without evidence that President Barack Obama and officials working for him committed crimes, including "treason," in an attempt to frame Trump over his campaign's Russian contacts. Barr's language has been more careful, but he has made clear he views the opening of the Russia investigation as an abuse of power. In Congressional testimony last month, he said he vowed "to do everything I could to get to the bottom of the grave abuses involved in the bogus 'Russiagate' scandal" Bill Priestap, who was the FBI's counterintelligence chief, formally opened the investigation, known as Crossfire Hurricane, on July 31, 2016. A report in December by DOJ Inspector General Michael Horowitz concluded that Priestap's "exercise of discretion in opening the investigation was in compliance with Department and FBI policies, and we did not find documentary or testimonial evidence that political bias or improper motivation influenced his decision." Related: Attorney General William Barr's intervention in Roger Stone's case wasn't the first time senior political appointees reached into a case involving an ex-Trump aide, officials say. The Durham investigation appears be chiefly aimed at examining how and why the FBI decided to open its counterintelligence probe into Trump and his aides. Then-Acting FBI Director Andrew McCabe added Trumps name as a subject of the investigation in May 2017, and McCabe has said that Trump's firing of FBI Director James Comey, along with other behavior, promoted reasonable suspicion of an inappropriate relationship with Russia. As part of his examination of the evidence, Durham has interviewed officials of foreign governments that became part of the Russia investigation, including Italy, Australia and Britain, NBC News has reported. Durham and his investigators have also interviewed several current and former FBI officials, people familiar with the matter said. But Durham has not interviewed former directors Comey and McCabe, or former director of national intelligence James Clapper, according to two sources who are tracking the probe. A person close to Clapper said Clapper was informed by Durhams office that he would not be interviewed as part of the investigation. Durham has also questioned CIA officials involved in the creation of the formal assessment that Russia interfered in the 2016 election to favor Trump, according to people familiar with the matter. That avenue of inquiry has deeply troubled current and former intelligence officials. "It's unprecedented for a prosecutor to be looking at an analytic call under the microscope of a criminal investigation," said Marc Polymeropoulos, a former CIA officer who worked on the assessment. Andrea Kendall Taylor, a former analyst at the Office of the Director of National Intelligence who worked on the assessment, said the judgments were the product of a small group of analysts who worked independently. "To suggest that there was political interference in that process is ridiculous," she said. In April, a bipartisan investigation by the Senate Intelligence Committee validated the January 2017 intelligence assessment, describing it as accurate, thorough, and untainted by political bias. "In all the interviews of those who drafted and prepared the (assessment), the Committee heard consistently that analysts were under no politically motivated pressure to reach specific conclusions," the Senate report says. "All analysts ... were free to debate, object to content, and assess confidence levels." Barr has suggested Durham may indict people. "He is looking to bring to justice people who are engaged in abuses if he can show that they were criminal violations, and that's what the focus is on," said Barr earlier this year on Fox News. In June, he told Fox that "developments" in the Durham probe will likely emerge before summer is over. The DOJ declined to comment. President Akufo-Addo has debunked claims by the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) that he is giving free water and electricity in an attempt to win power in December. He said in Koforidua during his Eastern Regional tour which commenced yesterday that giving out free water and electricity for a period of six months is not to win votes but rather to lift some burdens off the ordinary Ghanaian as Covid-19 continues to take a toll on the economy. According to him, his government deemed it necessary to take out some loads from the heads of Ghanaians during these difficult times. That was being done because the pandemic has brought a lot of difficulties to the people of Ghana. The first responsibility of government is to protect the people, especially in times of difficulty, the President stressed, adding a government which is not able to do that in times of difficulty, in my view, isn't a government worth staying in power. He said, A caring government is a government when things become difficult for his people will step in because of good policies and efficient management to be able to protect the people and that's what we have done. NHIS He explained that his administration had revived the National Health Insurance Scheme which was practically worthless at the time he assumed office because it was not serving its purpose. To him, well effective measures put in place had brought the NHIS back to life and every citizen is benefitting from the scheme. The NHIS card was virtually worthless at the time I gained power but now people are using it in hospitals to cater for their medication, he said. Nana's Focus President Akufo-Addo said the challenges facing the ordinary Ghanaians are his main focus and the building of a robust economy is the only sure way to make the nation great and better. He said as the head of the New Patriotic Party government, we will continue to provide the needs of the people. Constantly, the things that matter to the local people in the community are what the government is ready to resolve. The President cut sod for the commencement of some major projects in the regional capital, including a drainage system. Minister Reacts The Minister for Local Government and Rural Development, Hajia Alima Mahama, who is with the President, said the construction of the drainage was a great project that would help the residents of Nsukwao since the area had experienced heavy flooding for a long time. The Nsukwao dam is a key project that has caught our attention, the people of Nsukwao have suffered great floods and recorded highest flood incidents, she added. ---Daily Guide The coalition also asked supporters to call major advertising companies to ask them not to run the images on their billboards. A representative of the company Branded Cities told the coalition Monday that they would not run digital advertising for the celebration in Times Square, Clarion India reported. Branded Cities didnt return an email from the AP. Khamenei Doesn't Trust The Democrats Mark Dubowitz, Alireza Nader August 04, 2020 The Democratic Party's recently released policy platform was greeted warmly by certain newspapers in Iran. Media outlets associated with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani praised the party's rejection of "regime change" as U.S. policy. They also welcomed its proposal for a return to the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), the nuclear deal from which President Donald Trump withdrew in May 2018. If former Vice President Joe Biden wins in November, the Rouhani camp believes the new American administration will not only revive the nuclear deal, but also lift sanctions. This could save the Islamic Republic of Iran from economic devastation, internal rebellion, and further regional setbacks. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, whose hatred of America has always been bipartisan, begs to differ. Khamenei believes the United States can never be trusted. In his eyes, Democrats who prefer "soft" power to "hard" power may be even more dangerous than hawkish Republicans. This good cop-bad cop routine fits perfectly into Khamenei's paranoia. While Democrats preach engagement, Khamenei views American soft power as "subtle warfare" meant to undermine the "spiritual" basis of the Islamic Republic. According to a senior intelligence officer with whom we spoke and who has a long history of dealing with Iran, "Khamenei is paranoid that the ultimate American goal is to use this soft power to destroy the regime from within." In his feverish, conspiratorial worldview, Khamenei believes that the Democratic and Republican parties are controlled by "Zionists" bent on overthrowing the Islamic Republic and reversing the "victories" of the 1979 revolution. The more Democrats and Trump disavow regime change, the more Khamenei becomes convinced that's exactly their goal. He understands better than American leaders the enduring appeal of America among Iran's young and repressed population. The supreme leader had no illusions about the 2015 nuclear deal. He did not view it as a first step in resolving more than 40 years of mutual enmity. He endorsed Rouhani's nuclear negotiations with the Obama administration as a policy of "heroic flexibility", which he compared to the moves of a wrestler who changes tactics "but should not forget who his rival is and what his goal is." Following the 2009 protests, which saw millions of Iranians in the streets confronting the regime, Khamenei came to understand that further economic pain from more punishing sanctions might trigger regime-changing protests. The 2009 Green Revolution had shocked the regime and, as Khamenei acknowledged, taken it to the "edge of the cliff." So, he compromised at the negotiating table. This flexibility was made easier by the Obama administration's extensive nuclear concessions, which gave the Islamic Republic near-zero nuclear breakout time and easier advanced centrifuge-sneakout options, as key restrictions disappeared over time. Today the regime's security apparatus is better prepared for popular unrest, as demonstrated by its effective crackdowns on continual protests between 2017 and 2019. As a result of Trump's "maximum pressure" campaign, the Islamic Republic faces an even more severe economic crisis today than it did prior to the JCPOA. Yet Khamenei thinks his regime can survive any pressure short of American military action or a massive domestic uprising that overwhelms his security forces. Khamenei will never trust Americans: He knows that his regime is viewed as dangerous and odious by most of the Washington political and national security establishment, with the exception of a leftist fringe. Most Democrats embrace the JCPOA not because they tolerate the regime. Instead, they believe, as former President Barack Obama said in response to the 2009 Green Revolution, in his often-repeated phrase borrowed from Martin Luther King Jr., that "the arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends towards justice." They believe more diplomatic engagement with Tehran will, over time, wear down the regime so that it must moderate or disappear. Republicans prefer greater coercion to bend the moral arc more rapidly. For Khamenei, who sees clearly through the partisan noise in Washington, American politics means he gets both devious seduction and regime-punishing pain, as successive administrations open up and crack down. The supreme leader sees both as a mortal threat. Khamenei is in no mood for a simple "re-entry" into the JCPOA, regardless of who is elected. Under the JPCOA, a previous Democratic administration took away, at least temporarily, a chunk of his nuclear infrastructure in return for economic relief. And then Trump took away that economic relief and imposed crippling sanctions. It's also been a horrible few years for the supreme leader: Two major internal rebellions erupted. The Israeli Mossad sabotaged key nuclear, missile, and military facilities and embarrassed Iranian security services by removing a nuclear archive from right under their noses that demonstrated the regime's nuclear mendacity. In operations greenlighted by America and tolerated by Russia, the Israeli Air Force launched hundreds of strikes against Iranian commanders, weapons supply lines, and proxies in Syria and Iraq. And the most humiliating blow: Trump's killing of Iran's top battlefield commander, Qassem Soleimani, whom Khamenei considered a national hero. And Iranian officials expect it to get worse. There's fear of more popular insurrections like the nationwide November 2019 uprising, which shook the regime to its core. The security apparatus may be more efficient and repressive than in 2009, but a large-scale counterrevolution could overwhelm the regime's stormtroopers. Khamenei also knows that while the Biden team has discussed a possible return to the JCPOA, meaningful sanctions relief could be ephemeral, since it will be almost unanimously opposed by Republicans. Khamenei could have billions of dollars of Iranian oil flow freely with zero restrictions on hard currency under the Democrats for a few years. That may help him avoid total economic collapse and find more money for Syria's Bashar al-Assad, Hezbollah, and his other murderous proxies. But it's difficult to imagine a Republican presidential candidate running in 2024 who will not support a return to a policy of maximum pressure. Many international companies and banks will be frightened to invest in Iran knowing that, four years later, a Republican president could yet again pull America out of the JCPOA and reimpose sanctions. (Ironically, since a Trump deal with Iran is more likely to be supported by Republicans and some Democrats and ratified by the Senate as a treaty, it could be more enduring than the Democratic alternative.) Khamenei knows his days on Earth are numbered and that his legacy can be secured only by handpicking a younger, ideologically fanatical successor. Gone after 2021 will be Rouhani and possibly his mendacious but savvy foreign minister, Mohammad Javad Zarif. Their successors will not be nearly as masterful at manipulating Western elites, even though some of those elites have shown a disturbing desire to be manipulated. Revealing the true face of the regime, these successors' bellicosity and revolutionary zeal could strengthen the Washington consensus about the threat from the Islamic Republic. And the painful memories of the regime's leadership role in the slaughter of over 500,000 people in Syria on their watch may be enough to have awakened at least some senior members of Biden's foreign policy team to the horrendous depravity of the regime. Khamenei rightly fears that his regime will end up on the ash heap of history. Democrats and Republicans should be dedicated, in their own way, to helping Iranians achieve that goal. The opinions expressed by the authors are not necessarily the views of Radio Farda Source: https://en.radiofarda.com/a/iran- khamenei-does-not-trust-the- democrats-/30765524.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 When Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi addressed seers and other attendees on the occasion of 'Bhoomi Poojan' and foundation stone laying ceremony for Ram temple in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh, he began with 'Jai Siya Ram'. This, many noted, was a shift from the slogan of 'Jai Shree Ram' that has marked the Ram Janmabhoomi movement since its inception. Ram Mandir Bhoomi Poojan: Key highlights of what PM Modi said 'Jai Siya Ram' is associated with goddess Sita, Lord Ram's consort. It is, in one way, a call to both Lord Ram and Goddess Sita. However, over the years and different events, the slogan that has been used and popularised by leaders and politicians have been 'Jai Shri Ram'. Follow our LIVE Updates here. "The call of Jai Siya Ram is resonating not only in the city of Lord Ram but throughout the world today," the Prime Minister said while also expressing gratitude to "all the citizens of India and the diaspora across the world and all the devotees of Lord Ram". "A grand temple will now be built for our Ram Lalla who had been staying in a tent. Today Ram Janmabhoomi breaks free of the cycle of breaking and getting built again that had been going on for centuries," PM Modi said. Virgin Australia will sack 3000 employees, or about a third of its workforce, retire its budget Tigerair brand and offload its long-haul international jets as part of a re-launch under its new owner Bain Capital. Australia's number two airline, which went into voluntary administration in April owing $6.8 billion, said the relaunch plan announced on Wednesday morning would make it a "stronger, more profitable and competitive" carrier in the post COVID-19 world. Virgin's new owners said the plans would make it a "stronger, more profitable and competitive" carrier. Credit:James Alcock A key part of the overhaul is stripping Virgin's fleet back to just its Boeing 737s for domestic and international short-haul flights, and its Fokker 100s and Airbus A320s for regional and charter services. Virgin's long-haul Boeing 777s and Airbus A330s, Tigerair's A320 and regional ATR turboprops will all go. Virgin will retire its budget Tigerair brand but will maintain its Air Operator's Certificate so it has the option of relaunching a new ultra-low cost arm in the future. The Director of Advocacy and Policy Engagement, at the Center for Democratic Development (CDD), Dr. Kojo Asante, has raised several concerns with the active role of the military in Ghana's voter registration process. According to him, security personnel physically confronting prospective registrants and challenging their eligibility is smacks of intimidation. It could also discourage residents from cooperating with uniformed personnel tackling other security threats, he added. Nobody is supposed to physically prevent anybody from trying to register. The way that you challenge anybody is to fill a challenge form and that is why there are agents there for both political parties and they are using that process to challenge people, he said. Some residents in border communities especially in the Volta and Oti regions as well as the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) have in the past many weeks raised concerns about the heavy military deployment to border communities in the country. While earlier narratives suggested that the personnel were deployed to stop the influx of non-Ghanaians into Ghana through unapproved routes amidst the COVID-19-induced international border closure, military personnel are seen at various voter registration centres too. In some cases, they were directly involved in challenging the eligibility of prospective registrants. But according to Dr. Asante, that must not be condoned. He said the role of the security must be limited to addressing specific security issues such as stopping the bussing of people from other areas to specific registration centres to register. If there is are any issues with security together with the registration officials there, then it is dealt with but any activity where you go about questioning people is a complete no if they are stopping people from bussing that is fine, he said. He further warned that if the military's activities are not checked, residents may feel marginalized. It can intimidate and make people feel harassed. If people feel they are being harassed and marginalized and victimized there is no way they are going to be cooperative when you need them to give you information about terrorists crossing the borders. They have to be very careful in the way we are handling this process. I don't think this sort of heavy deployment going from polling station to polling station will help. In the short term you may think you are doing something that is effective but in the long term that can hurt the main security objective that you have, he added. ---citinewsroom NY church to donate nearly one-tenth of budget in 'reparations' to housing, anti-racism programs Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment A theologically progressive congregation in New York has decided to donate around a tenth of its budget to help with housing and anti-racism programs, which the church views as being an act of reparations. Middle Collegiate Church, a New York City-based congregation that's co-affiliated with the United Church of Christ and the Reformed Church in America and has approximately 1,600 members, will give $200,000 for the upcoming fiscal year. The Rev. Jacqui Lewis told The Christian Post on Wednesday that the church leadership felt it was what God is calling our church to do in this moment. Amid grotesque, systemic racism and police brutality, God demands we educate and act to build an anti-racist world, said Lewis. When the federal government is putting millions of people in our community in risk of eviction, God demands we provide people with money so they can stay in their homes. Half of the money will go to grants for those who require financial assistance regarding rent while the other half will to go grants for groups like the Audre Lorde Project and anti-racism education. Lewis explained that the exact breakdown of what the funds will go to is still in the process of being determined, but that Middle Church was already seeing results from their work. We just gave our first cancel rent grant to a single mom living with two young college-aged sons. She wept inconsolably when she heard that we would help her, she noted. Lewis also said that she considered these donations should be seen through a broader lens of reparations, as her church benefitted greatly from wealth that was created through both the enslavement of black people and the theft of Lenape land. We currently have a reparations task force that is meeting to more deeply understand the racism and violence in our own history, and making recommendations for how we can continue to undo its toxic legacy, continued the minister. But reparations are certainly not accomplished by $200,000 in one programming year. It must be a larger and continuing conversation. According to its website, Middle Church describes itself as a multicultural, multi-ethnic, inter-generational movement of Spirit and justice, powered by Revolutionary Love, with room for all. We are on-your-feet worship and take-it-to-the-streets activism. We feed the hungry and work for a living wage; we fight for LGBTQ equality and march for racial/ethnic justice, the church says. We aim to heal the soul and the world by dismantling racist, classist, sexist, and homophobic systems of oppression. The churchs donation comes as many congregations and denominations look to advance racial reconciliation initiatives following the killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Southern Baptist Convention President J.D. Greear stated in June that he supported the Black Lives Matter cause, encouraging churches to listen to those who hurt, lamenting with them, and bearing their burdens. However, Greear was cautious about the organization behind the movement, saying that he believed the movement and the website have been hijacked by some political operatives whose worldview and policy prescriptions would be deeply at odds with my own. I think saying bold things like defund the police is unhelpful and deeply disrespectful to many public servants who bravely put themselves in harms way every day to protect us, stated Greear at the time. But I know that we need to take a deep look at our police systems and structures and ask what were missing. Where are we missing the mark? And Ill say that we do that because black lives matter. The Bombay high court (HC) on Wednesday allowed the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) authorities to cut 357 mangroves for construction of Metro piers at Sewri and Bhakti Park station, as part of under-construction Metro Line-4 that connects Wadala in eastern suburbs to Kasarwadavli on Ghodbunder road in adjoining Thane district. The two-member HC bench, comprising Justice SJ Kathawalla and Riyaz Chagla, allowed MMRDA authorities to cut 357 mangroves primarily after noting that Metro Line-4 is a project of immense public importance from the point of view of public transport. The bench also took into consideration that all requisite permissions for the Metro-4 line have been granted by various statutory authorities. The relief, however, is not unconditional. The bench has directed MMRDA to scrupulously comply with the conditions imposed by authorities while granting permission. Those include compensatory afforestation over a hectare of degraded mangrove forest at Gorai, where the authority will have to plant 4,444 mangroves saplings and also bear nursery cost, cost of raising, and maintenance of the plantation for 10 years. Bhakti Park station on Metro Line- 4 comprises 48 piers on the alignment covering about 1,200 square metres that pass through the Coastal Regulatory Zone (CRZ)-II and mangrove forests. Besides, MMRDA authorities are also required to construct a temporary approach road for carrying out the construction work. Earlier, the court directives had prohibited development work in mangrove forests and a 50-metre buffer zone around mangroves, unless HC found the work is of considerable public importance. Metro Line-4 will also provide inter-connectivity with existing Eastern Express Highway; Central Railway stations; Mono Rail; Metro Line-2B (connecting DN Nagar in Andheri with Mandale); Metro Line-5 (Thane-Bhiwandi-Kalyan); Metro Line-6 (Swami Samarth Nagar-JVLR-SEEPZ-Kanjurmarg-Vikhroli), and Metro Line-8 (Wadala-General Post Office). Pat Hume is embraced by family members as Mr Hume is taken into St Eugenes Cathedral on Tuesday evening (Niall Carson/PA) The family of John Hume remembered his legacy, his belief in common humanity and respecting diversity and his love of his home town at his funeral today. Former SDLP leader John Hume's funeral service took place in St Eugenes Cathedral in Derry. Read More Mr Hume was a key architect of Northern Irelands Good Friday Agreement and was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for the pivotal role he played in ending the regions sectarian conflict. He died on Monday aged 83, having endured a long battle with dementia. Chief mourners included his widow Pat who was accompanied by her daughters Therese, Aine and Mo, as well as son John Junior. Another son, Aidan, is based in Boston and was not able to attend his fathers funeral because of Covid-19 travel restrictions. There were a limited number of mourners due to coronavirus restrictions but on Tuesday night his family asked people to light a candle to pay tribute to his peacemaking legacy. Expand Close The late John Hume / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp The late John Hume However, messages and words of comfort from the Vatican, from former US president Bill Clinton and Prime Minister Boris Johnson, and Bono were read aloud. A number of dignitaries attended including President Michael D Higgins, Taoiseach Micheal Martin, Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Coveney as well as first and deputy first ministers Arlene Foster and Michelle ONeill. Bishop Donal Mc Keown began the funeral service of Mr Hume by paying tribute to the politician. I know that this is not just a local event. John belonged here but he also strode the world stage. The Nobel Prize winner's son John Hume Junior gave a reflection at the service, and said summing up his fathers life in a few minutes was not an easy task. "For a man who supposedly had only one single transferable speech, Dad did a lot of different things in his life," he said. "He made us laugh, dream, think, and sometimes look at him and scratch our heads in amazement (and on rare occasions, bewilderment)." He told those gathered and watching via an online stream that if Hume were still here and in the 'fullness of his health, witnessing the current tensions in the world, he wouldnt waste the opportunity to say a few words'. "Hed talk about our common humanity, the need to respect diversity and difference, to protect and deepen democracy, to value education, and to place nonviolence at the absolute centre. "He might also stress the right to a living wage and a roof over your head, to decent healthcare and education.If he were here now, he might quote his friend, Congressman John Lewis, who sadly passed away a few weeks ago, appealing to the 'goodness of every human being and never giving up'." John Hume Junior also spoke of the deep love between John Hume and his wife Pat and the moral compass his parents had instilled in the entire family. "Dad was also a father, a husband and a man who loved and cared for his family at all times. Marrying Pat Hone, our mother, was without a doubt Dads greatest achievement and she enabled him to reach his full potential. Mum and Dad met at a dance in Borderland in Donegal, the starting point for many a Derry family. "Romance was followed by a wedding, and a December honeymoon in a freezing B&B in Gardiner Street in Dublin. Thankfully for Mum, the quality of the accommodation got better as the marriage went on. "Our mum, who loved, supported and guided him throughout his tireless work for peace, and later in his frailty, was his greatest blessing. None of us remember him changing nappies, or indeed putting many (any?) dinners on the table. "What we do remember are endless coffee cups and overflowing ashtrays, newspapers everywhere, and constant stream of callers night and day to our home in West End Park. But he was there for all of us throughout his life. "There were times when we felt that he was absent, but he wasnt, he was just with us from somewhere else. Along with Mum, he taught us all our values and gave us all our moral compass. And for that we will be forever in their debt. "As a family we will remember the man who was rooted in his community, a man who was most comfortable sitting in front of the TV, with half a dozen Crunchie bars to keep him company, and his family around him. Or the odd time holding court around the corner in the Park Bar. A man who ordered the same dinner in the same restaurants in Strasbourg and Greencastle for 25 years... "A man who didnt need to be invited twice to lift a mic himself, and give us a blast of the Town I love so well or Matt Hyland, and many, many, many, more besides. "A man who truly believed in Derry and the talents of our people, and became our greatest ambassador to the world." He stressed the love Hume had of his home town and how the people of Derry helped him throughout his life. "Dad was a Derry man to his core, and those deep roots of neighbourhood and community served to nourish him through the difficult years," he said. "From the beginning, the European Union was like a homecoming to him, bringing together diverse cultures in an interdependent relationship, allowing for unique identities while also holding a bigger picture of unified kinship. "At this time of planetary fragility, more than ever, he would be urging that we move beyond our flag-based identities, and recognise the need to protect our common home". He added; "In the last years of dads life, his physical and mental health became more visibly vulnerable. "And yet in those recent years, more than ever, we as a family witnessed the absolute importance of dads core ethos, of building community based on respect and love. The kindness shown to him by the people of Derry and Donegal, who stopped to talk to him in the street every day, guided him to protect his independence, and received him with gentleness if he was agitated, was a profound gift to all of us. "We are eternally grateful to all those that helped over the years." He also praised the staff at Owen Mor who made his life so comfortable in the final years of his life. "The deep attention and love shown to dad and to the many friends he made among carers, residents and their families, will remain a lesson to us for the rest of our lives. "During the long weeks of lockdown when we as a family were unable to be with him, we knew that, despite the major difficulties of infection management and bereavement, the Care and Nursing staff in Unit One were doing their absolute best, to care deeply for him, and for all his fellow residents. "We know that he continued to sing songs every day, to teach them all a wee bit of French, to tell his jokes, to demand more buns, and to question everyone daily about where they came from, their origins and their families." "He remained deeply interested in every individual, even if he remembered little of it, until the end of his days." Read More Father Paul Farren told mourners that Mr Hume gave dignity and life to so many people. He said: "John never kept a distance. He stopped. He showed compassion. He got involved. "In a time in our world when often small-mindedness and self-focus seems to be the driver, John never put anybody or any specific group first. "He put everybody first. He didnt focus on difference and division. "He focused on unity and peace, and giving that dignity to every person. "We should never underestimate how difficult it was for John to cross the road and do what was intensely unpopular for the greater good. "It was compassion a compassion that bubbled over in the cemetery in Greysteel that drove John on the final and often lonely and always difficult road to peace. "Even in the darkest moments, when people would have been forgiven for having no hope, John made peace visible for others." Fr Farren added: "His vision revealed what could be and with time and determination and single-mindedness and stubbornness he convinced others that peace could be a reality. "He never lost faith in peace and he never lost faith in his ability to convince others that peace was the only way. "If ever you want to see a man who gave his life for his country, and his health, that man is John Hume. The world knows it. "He is the only person in the world to have received the Noble Peace Prize, the Gandhi Peace Prize and the Martin Luther King Peace Prize. "Pope Benedict XVI made him a Knight Commander of the Papal Order of Saint Gregory the Great. "In the midst of all of this, John was a proud Derry man first and foremost." Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-05 00:54:14|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close A child wearing a face mask walk along a railway line in Kibera, Nairobi, capital of Kenya, July 21, 2020. (Xinhua/John Okoyo) The number of confirmed COVID-19 cases across the African continent reached 968,020 on Tuesday, the Africa Center for Disease Control and Prevention said. ADDIS ABABA, Aug. 4 (Xinhua) -- The number of confirmed COVID-19 cases across the African continent reached 968,020 on Tuesday, the Africa Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) said. The Africa CDC, a specialized healthcare agency of the 55-member African Union (AU) Commission, in its latest situation update issued on Tuesday, said that the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases across the continent rose from 957,035 on Monday to 968,020 as of Tuesday. The Africa CDC report also said that the number of deaths related to the COVID-19 pandemic rose to 20,612 deaths on Tuesday, up from 20,288 on Monday. Staff wearing protective suits clean garbage at a hospital in Pretoria, South Africa, July 10, 2020. (Xinhua/ Yeshiel) The continental disease control and prevention agency further noted that some 629,726 patients who tested positive for COVID-19 have recovered across the continent so far, registering about 18,000 new recoveries as compared to Monday's 611,957 report. South Africa is Africa's highest affected country in terms of positive cases, followed by Egypt, Nigeria, Algeria and Morocco, it was noted. The Southern Africa region is the most affected area in terms of confirmed cases, followed by Northern Africa and Western Africa regions, respectively, the Africa CDC said. Amid the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic across the African continent, the Africa CDC disclosed recently that some 34 African countries are under "full border closure" in an effort to halt the spread of the infectious virus. RoboSense http://www.robosense.ai/, the leading provider of smart LiDAR sensor, today launched an 80 laser-beam 3D sensing LiDAR ready for customer delivery with early-bird price of $12,800 (limited offer till 31st August, 2020), and standard price of $15,800. The timing of announcing this favorable package also marks the company's 6-year anniversary. The performance of the RS-Ruby Lite is close to that of the 128 laser-beam LiDAR RS-Ruby, with a vertical angular resolution of 0.1 degrees and [email protected]% ranging ability (with the longest detection range of 230 meters), making it suitable to address medium-and-high-speed autonomous driving applications with a price much more affordable to accelerate the commercialization of smart and safe transportation. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200804005578/en/ The RS-Ruby Lites on-vehicle road-test point cloud image (Photo: Business Wire) Inheriting The Superb Performance Of The 128 Laser-Beam LiDAR RS-Ruby The RS-Ruby Lite has inherited the superb performance from the 128 laser beams LiDAR RS-Ruby, whereas, it collects reduced amounts of but essential data of the environment and has lower requirements on the bandwidth(to 75%), perfectly fulfills environment sensing requirements of self-driving passenger cars, driverless mining cars, driverless trucks, vehicle-to-infrastructure, etc. 0.1 Vertical Angular Resolution To date, 0.1 vertical angular resolution is the highest standard among all mechanical LiDARs available on the global market. The 80 laser-beam LiDAR RS-Ruby Lite also boasts an ultra-high angular resolution of 0.1 with 40 laser beams scanning the front area of the car. 160m Measurement Range @10% Reflectivity The RS-Ruby Lite can detect objects even in 230 meters away. Reflection Intensity Reaches A Perfect Balance Of Consistency And Distinction Inheriting from the RS-Ruby's advanced hardware and signal processing technology, the reflection intensity of RS-Ruby Lite reaches a perfect balance between consistency and distinction, further facilitating accurate road sign extraction and localization. Anti-Interference Capability Under Multi-LiDAR Jamming & Various Ambient Lights With special laser encryption technology to filter interference signals, the RS-Ruby Lite addresses interference under multi-LiDAR jamming & various ambient lights. Availability And Pricing Thanks to the proven technology platform of the 128 laser-beams LiDAR RS-Ruby and the modular design, the mass-production-ready RS-Ruby Lite is able to benefit from much lower material and process costs. The sensor has undergone a large number of verification and reliability tests and is proved with outstanding stability and reliability. The product is also backed with sufficient production capacity. High resolution and performance LiDAR sensor with affordable price is the key to move medium-and-high-speed autonomous driving projects from R&D towards commercial viability. The RS-Ruby Lite is the most competitive and cost-effective high laser-beam LiDAR, making it ideal for medium-and-high-speed autonomous driving applications. The RS-Ruby Lite is available for sale and ready for delivery. For orders please visit www.robosense.ai/buy or contact a RoboSense account manager. About RoboSense: Founded in 2014, RoboSense (Suteng Innovation Technology Co., Ltd.) is the leading provider of Smart LiDAR Sensor Systems incorporating LiDAR sensors, AI algorithms and IC chipsets, that transform conventional 3D LiDAR sensors to full data analysis and comprehension systems. The company's mission is to possess outstanding hardware and artificial intelligence capabilities to provide smart solutions that enable robots (including vehicles) to have perception capability more superior to humans. Attracted an all-star team from leading corporations and institutions around the world, there are 500+ employees in 6 global locations-Shenzhen, Beijing, Shanghai, Suzhou, Stuttgart, and Silicon Valley to support RoboSense's fast-growing in innovation and development. Until 2019, RoboSense owns more than 500 patents globally. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200804005578/en/ Microsoft continues to forge closer ties between Windows and Samsung products. The company announced Wednesday that users who pair Windows Your Phone app with a Samsung Galaxy Note 20 will be able to pin one or more Android apps to their Windows taskbar. Your Phone users will be able to interact with multiple Android apps via the Your Phone appup to three, Microsoft showed off at the Samsung Unpacked virtual event. (Microsoft said a total of five will be supported.) Even better, via a persistent virtual connection between phone and PC, youll be able to pin those Android apps to your PCs taskbar, beginning in November. Samsung and Microsoft also showed off additional capabilities that bring the two companies closer together. For example, Samsung Notes will be able to integrate with the Windows OneNote app, allowing you to jot down a note on your phone and later combine it with text you entered from your PC. Microsoft has written a version of the Outlook mobile app to run on Galaxy smartwatches, including the new Galaxy Watch 3. Finally, Microsoft is writing a version of its Game Pass app for the Samsung Galaxy app store. New Samsung Galaxy buyers will have the option of buying a three-month Game Pass subscription, bundled with the Power A MOGA XP5-X Plus Bluetooth Controller that Microsoft announced on Tuesday. The new apps feature allows Your Phone users to run Android apps, and pin them to the desktop. The feature will be enabled in supported phonesall of which are manufactured by Samsungthat use Samsungs Link to Windows feature to connect to a Windows PC. Right now, that PC must also be running a a new Windows Insider preview build, Windows 10 Build 20185, though it doesnt matter which channel the users PC is inthe change is being made on the server side, Microsoft explained. The new Apps feature is available for users to preview today, Microsoft explained. The ability to run multiple apps, however, will be added in November. Are Samsung devices the new Windows Phones? What is clear, though, is that Samsung and Microsoft have grown increasingly closer. Samsungs Unpacked event on Wednesday introduced the world to the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra and its other phones, all devices running on Android. Once Microsofts Windows Phone ambitions died, the company turned to third-party phones, and especially Android. Samsung, which has tried to carve out its own apps within the Android ecosystem, has been a receptive partner. Meanwhile, Microsofts Your Phone has been the bridge between the Windows PC and the Android phone. The app allows Windows users to connect to an Android phone and write and receive texts, view photos on the phone, and even make calls. A separate function, originally known as Phone Screen, aspired to go further, allowing you to click and control Android apps on your phone via the Your Phone app. That function, however, has struggled to expand beyond a limited number of devices that support it, including some OnePlus and Android phones. Microsoft has struggled to bring all of the features of Your Phone to every Android device. Because Microsoft is offering exclusive features to Samsung, those devices are moving closer to becoming essentially the new Windows phones. These new announcements seem to continue that trend. Clarification: Though Samsung and Microsoft showed off the ability to run three Android apps via Your Phone, Microsoft says a total of five simultaneous apps will be supported. This story was also updated to add additional information provided by Microsoft. Until they can raise the money to pay for her cremation, Alicia Small will picture her mothers body in a freezer. Her mother was not supposed to die. Up until it happened, she knew her mother would pull through. Rosie Guevara had raised six children and just welcomed her first great-grandbaby. She loved to dance and belted karaoke, off-key every time. No one was ready for her to die alone at 59 of the novel coronavirus. Instead of mourning, Small and her siblings are trying to scrape together enough money for the funeral. The siblings put together a GoFundMe for $5,000. It wont be enough: Theyve been quoted $12,999 (plus tax) to get their mother cremated and buy a headstone. If they dont pay for her stone all at once, theyll be charged more. Instead of sleeping, Small calculates the bills in her head. Death is expensive. My moms life was worth so much more than $5,000, said Small, 38. It hurts my heart. We should be able to grieve properly without worrying about something like that. The costs of the novel coronavirus go beyond Americas economic collapse, a narrative told in GDP, unemployment figures, retail sales and stock prices. They are exacted in impossible choices and immeasurable losses. Virus survivors leave the hospital behind on the basics (rent, groceries, utilities) and about to be hit with new medical costs (inpatient bills, home health aides, take-home oxygen masks). The families of the dead are left with funeral costs they didnt budget for. On HoustonChronicle.com: They cant leave a Houston motel because of coronavirus. Worse, they might not be able to stay. As the city becomes a hotspot, Houstonians have increasingly made personal appeals on the fundraising site GoFundMe. Leonor Quiroz, whose husband, Valentin, died on the 10th anniversary of the day they met, is trying to offset over $20,000 in funeral costs. Alexandra King lost both grandparents, two uncles and a great-aunt. Her immediate family must pay for her grandparents funeral costs. They asked for $3,000 on GoFundMe. Courtesy Alexandra King Because their GoFundMe account will not be enough, Small who lives in Galveston talks on Zoom with her five Houston siblings every night: praying, crying, strategizing. They decided to host a barbecue fundraiser. They havent cleaned out their mothers house yet, because they dont know when it will be safe. They debate whether its worth spending $700 to print their mothers name on an urn. They were like, We wont put her ashes in this stone till you pay the full amount, Small said. There was no time. I think people start thinking, planning at 70, 80, 90. She just turned 59. Godofredo A. Vasquez, Houston Chronicle / Staff photographer The living Billy Cortezs mother came back from the hospital in need of an oxygen mask she couldnt afford. Marilyn Cortez spent 30 years as a food service worker at the Spring Independent School District. Shes uninsured. She lives in a north Houston mobile home with four family members. All five got the virus. Marilyns brother started a GoFundMe. Billy, who lives in the Rio Grande Valley and works as an analyst for a medical nonprofit, pays the bills he can. One grocery bill came to $124.63; another, $215.88. He paid for their COVID tests ($350). He labeled one bill for $120 Moms Oxygen Mask. Marilyn is 62, too young for Medicare. She is not insured. The whole family is out of work, he said. We had to help with the essentials. Her first hospital bill will be due on Aug. 17: $1,898 for emergency evaluation and management. On Aug. 4, a letter arrived from Houston Methodist: She owed $36,830.50. On HoustonChronicle.com: Coronavirus came for a Houston family. It took one, sickened three and left the rest to grieve alone. Diane Martinez has to pay for the living and the dead. She spent the week before her father was taken off the ventilator that kept him alive researching the cost of his death. One funeral chain quoted her $1,295 for cremation alone. She doesnt have it. Shes been paying the bills for her brother and sister-in-law, both sickened with COVID, both out of work while they recover from the virus. Her sister-in-law, a home health aide, got sick first. Then her brother, who worked as a professional mover. Then her father, who lived with them in Houston. Martinez has learned to speak with a doctors fluency about oxygen levels. Martinez manages three Houston apartment complexes. Shes used up her savings balancing her own bills with her familys. She keeps a journal of her expenses: 200 out of their $1,138.23 car note, $107 for cable, $180.36 for renters insurance. Their energy bill came to $159.62; the phone bill, $105.00. At the end of the month, she wrote their rent check: $860. I know they say that God wont give you more can handle and Im like, God, this cup is full and its tipping, she said. Their light bill is due and I gotta figure it out. They cant, cause theyre sick. On HoustonChronicle.com: Coronavirus closed their closest food bank. To get by, this Texas couple takes turns eating. She went to see her father after the doctors told her his odds: 80 percent of people in his condition didnt make it. He was in a medically induced coma. His hands and feet were swollen. His head lolled to the side, his mouth open and slack. Plastic tubes snaked from his mouth to machines. She wakes up at 3 a.m., crying. She cant go back to sleep until 5 or 6. She used to call her father first thing in the morning every day. He raised her and her brother alone: Their mother was diagnosed with dementia when Martinez was 9 years old. He worked two jobs and sold tamales out of their house to make ends meet. People begged him for his recipe. He never gave it up. Godofredo A. Vasquez, Houston Chronicle / Staff photographer Barbecue for a burial Fifteen days after her death, Rosie Guevaras children held a barbecue benefit so they could afford to bury her. They set up at her son Eddies house near Channelview, a tent and three barbecues on the lawn. Her brother-in-law resliced brisket (Mijo, they cut it in the wrong direction, so I stopped them) and turned chicken wings in the smoker. They had presold as many plates as they could: Chicken-and-sausage plates for $10, brisket-and-sausage for $14. Rosie Guevara hated waste. The family had cooked all Friday night and early Saturday morning. The entire island indoors was covered with tin containers of food. Alicia Small, always in charge, ticked off orders in her notebook: 14 briskets to Galveston County (her daughter would drive), three for her sisters friends (chicken), and did anyone know where the cupcakes were? On HoustonChronicle.com: Essential and at risk: Working Texans decide between livelihood and safety Her sister, 32-year-old Marcia Cordova, darted from the island to a high table assembling plates. Their mothers older sister, Janie Guevara, watched the oven. I had a dream about Mom last night, did I tell you? said Cordova. Really? Tia, we were dancing, she said. I ran around the corner and I chased her and I was like, Youre not supposed to be here! She didnt say anything. We were dancing. She danced to everything. Me and my mom were dancing in my dreams. She loved to dance. I know she loved to dance. Small counted the money at the end of the day. Theyd raised $4,795 in sales. With donations including dollars left in a jar with a picture of their mother taped to it they got nearly $5,000. They had thought, for a while, that Guevara would pull through. When she was sick at her home, her son Tommy came by with soups: Caldo de pollo one day, cowboy soup the next. The last meal he ever dropped off for her was tortilla soup. The next day, she called 9-1-1 for herself. Gomez dropped off his mothers phone with the hospital. The family called so much that the nurses asked them to stop: Their mothers oxygen levels were dangerously low. Rosie Guevara died in medically induced coma. A card from her children addressed to Mommy will be cremated with her. Before they sedated her, the hospital staff let her son, 37-year-old Tommy Gomez, FaceTime his mother. She told him shed see him later. She asked to see her granddaughter. Slowly, she pointed at her eye. Then her heart. Then the screen. I love you. sarah.smith@chron.com Despite a ban on tree felling at the Dodamarg-Sawantwadi wildlife corridor in south Konkan, petitioners before the Bombay high court (HC) have alleged deforestation across 639.62 hectare (ha) for mining, construction of roads, and rubber plantations for over 10 years. Through successive orders over the past decade, the HC in 2012 and 2013, based on 2011 petition by Awaaz Foundation, had directed the Union environment ministry and Maharashtra government to ensure the 38 km-long and 10 km-wide corridor in Sindhudurg district to be protected as an eco-sensitive area (ESA) where environmentally destructive activities are prohibited. The HC had reiterated its order in 2018, based on a 2016 petition by NGO Vanashakti, declaring the belt a no tree felling zone. The wildlife corridor is being steadily denuded. After brazen disobedience of HC orders, the state has chosen to do little to protect the regions ecology. Repeated reminders to authorities have fallen on deaf ears. Our only hope is the judiciary to intervene again, said Stalin D, director, Vanshakti. On Wednesday, the HC bench headed by chief justice Dipankar Datta and justice AS Gadkari, while hearing an interim application (IA) by Vanashakti through videoconferencing, directed the Union environment ministry to file their response regarding the steps taken to comply with previous HC orders. The matter has been kept for hearing on Friday. Parag Vyas, advocate appearing for the Centre told HC that the environment ministry would be finalising the Western Ghats eco-sensitive zone final notification by September. However, as per submissions by the petitioner and confirmation by the state forest department, the entire Dodamarg taluka and majority of Sawantwadi had been left out of the draft notification proposed by Maharashtra. As far as the ESA declaration for this particular corridor is concerned, Maharashtra will have to inspect and submit a proposal demarcating the exact area proposed as ESA for the corridor, Vyas said. The NGOs affidavit alleged contempt by Central and state bodies for non-implementation of previous court orders for failing to declare the ESA even after seven years. The affidavit brought on record a March 2019 report highlighting deforestation across 639.62 ha area of the corridor, of which 229.38 ha or 35% green cover had been lost in Dodamarg taluka alone. The report used satellite images and assessed deforestation between 2009 - 2018. It further said tree felling across 52 villages in the corridor (26 in Dodamarg and 26 in Sawantwadi) had been undertaken across private lands for rubber and pineapple plantations, mining, procuring wood and construction of roads. Some villages had witnessed deforestation the size of 15 ha each. Consequences of such rampant deforestation had come true upon the occurrence of a massive landslide in village Asaniye in Dodamarg on August 6, 2019, the IA said. Nitin Kakodkar, principal chief conservator of forest (wildlife) said, The state is committed to notify the proposed area as an ESA. We have appointed Wildlife Institute of India Dehradun to identify the exact coordinates and area of the corridor, which will be sent as a proposal to the state and then the Centre. However, due to the Covid-19 pandemic, execution of the study has been delayed. Sushant Khandekar, sub-divisional officer, Sawantwadi said any cases of tree felling, even on private land was handled by the forest department that had identified a tree officer for such inspections. Sawantwadi deputy conservator of forest Samadhan Chavan said, We had identified 76 major spots in both talukas where tree felling took place over 10 years mostly across private land. Cases have been filed in each case and fines collected. The process is ongoing. No tree felling has taken place on government or forest land since the HCs 2018 order. The HC bench on Wednesday also listed and clubbed another application (to be heard on Friday) filed by Awaaz Foundation that prayed for the completion of the ESA declaration process of the corridor as well as a restraint on mining. STATE RENEWED CONSENT FOR MINING IN CORRIDOR The Kolhapur regional office of the state pollution control board renewed an iron ore mining license at Kalne village in the Dodamarg-Sawantwadi belt last year. Operations to handle 7.5 lakh metric tons of iron ore per annum up till March 31, 2021 across 32.25-hectare area at Kalne, were allowed. Mining activity in the area led to the destruction of 32.2 ha green cover. MPCB had said mining operations were first issued permissions in 2009 much before the petition to protect the area had been filed, and renewing such consent is permissible for any proposed ecologically sensitive area as well. There has been a conspiracy by vested interests since the Madhav Gadgil panel recommenced Sawantwadi-Dodamarg as an ESA banning mining. First, the vested interests diluted the Gadgil panel recommendations against the wishes of local people and ecologists. They then lobbied to exclude villages of this area from the proposed ESA contrary to HC orders, said activist Kailash Anerao. WHATS AT STAKE AND WHY THE ESA Located in Sindhudurg district, Dodamarg-Sawantwadi belt lies in the heart of the biodiversity hotspot, the Western Ghats. The area is a source of perennial water bodies. Dodamarg taluka has 62 villages while Sawantwadi has 82. The forest department had identified 25 biodiversity-rich villages within this corridor through a rapid assessment in 2013. According to the forest department, seven tigers were photographed at Dodamarg from 2014-2019 and there is evidence of 22-25 tigers using this landscape. The wildlife corridor is also home to leopards, elephants, and a host of biodiversity. It connects the Radhanagari Wildlife Sanctuary in Kolhapur to Bhimgad Wildlife Sanctuary in Karnataka. It is an integral part of the Sahyadri-Konkan wildlife corridor through which several wild animals move. The 38kmx10km corridor is home to 303 plant species, 127 types of trees, 66 types of shrubs, 29 types of climbers, four types of bamboo, 15 kinds of grass and 99 types of medicinal plants. It also has leopards, sloth bears, wild buffalo, pangolins, king cobra, civet cats, and several residents and migratory bird species (Source: State forest department, petitions filed before the Bombay HC) SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Advertisement Lebanon has placed every official responsible for the security of Beirut's port for the last six years under house arrest as it investigates a massive explosion which has devastated the city. The country's political leaders vowed those responsible for the tragedy would 'pay the price', but customs officials pointed the finger of blame back at them - saying they were repeatedly warned of the danger but failed to act. It came as an astonishing photo emerged, purporting to show the dock's Warehouse 12 filled with ammonium nitrate - with the highly explosive chemical stored in simple construction sacks with no other protection in place. The dangerous load is understood to have been abandoned by Russian businessman Igor Grechushkin in September 2013 before eventually being transferred to the port where it remained for six years. A ship carrying the load was detained en route from Batumi, in the ex-Soviet republic Georgia, to Mozambique, and never recovered. On Tuesday evening a fire that started in Warehouse 9 ignited 2,750 tons of the chemical - sparking an explosion with three kilotons of force, equivalent to a fifth the size of the Hiroshima nuclear blast. Raghida Dergham of the Beirut Institute yesterday said: 'Storing Ammonium Nitrate in a civilian port is a crime against humanity that must not go unpunished. 'Condemnations are not enough. I'm safe but devastated. I lost friends. I lost my apartment. Had I been home, I would have lost my life.' The health minister tonight announced the death toll had risen to 135, with some 5,000 wounded and dozens still missing in Beirut, which officials have called a 'disaster city'. Lebanon has placed all officials responsible for Beirut's port security for the last six years under house arrest, after a warehouse packed with ammonium nitrate (believed to be pictured here) exploded with the force of a small nuke The damaged grain silo and a burnt boat at Beirut's harbour, one day after a powerful twin explosion tore through Lebanon's capital The dangerous load is understood to have been abandoned by Russian businessman Igor Grechushkin (pictured), who currently lives in Cyprus with his wife Irina (right) A warehouse fire sparked by a welder set light to 2,750 tons of ammonium nitrate that was being stored at the city's port, causing an explosion with force roughly equal to a fifth of the atomic bomb which levelled Hiroshima Destruction laid bare: Aerial photos show the gutted frames of the warehouses in Beirut's port following the massive explosion yesterday Slide me The Port of Beirut lies in ruin after the explosion, which collapsed the warehouses storing highly flammable ammonium nitrate The Rhosus ship, which was detained en route from Batumi, in ex-Soviet republic Georgia, to Mozambique and never recovered - leaving its cargo sitting in the port Slide me Satellite pictures show the Orient Queen cruise ship before the blast and then capsized following the explosion in Beirut Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab pledges 5m aid to Lebanon Dominic Raab has pledged 5million of international aid to help Lebanon in the aftermath of Beirut's devastating explosion which has killed at least 135. The Foreign Secretary spoke to Lebanon's prime minister Hassan Diab today to set out what support the UK could offer the country which has been plunged into a state of emergency. Britain's aid package will also include expert assistance and the potential for a Royal Navy survey ship to help assess the damage caused to the port. Mr Raab said the Lebanese prime minister told him there would be a 'full, thorough and rigorous investigation to get to the truth I think the people of the Lebanon deserve no less and that there will be full accountability'. The Government has said all embassy staff based in Beirut are accounted for, but some have suffered 'non-life-threatening injuries'. Mr Raab said the details of Britons caught up in the Beirut blast were still being established. 'We are not sure on the precise figures in relation to UK nationals there, we will obviously want to bottom out that in the days ahead,' the Foreign Secretary said. 'Obviously we have a consular team there which are monitoring that very carefully.' Advertisement An official source familiar with preliminary investigations blamed the incident on negligence. Lebanese citizens directed anger at politicians who have overseen decades of state corruption and bad governance that plunged the nation into financial crisis. Director General of Lebanese Customs Badri Daher said the country's judiciary was told six times about the hazardous chemicals stored in a warehouse in the Lebanese capital. Customs officials are understood to have asked authorities to move the dangerous substance from Hangar 12 due to the danger they believe it posed to the city and given to the army or sold to an explosives company. 'We requested that it be re-exported but that did not happen. We leave it to the experts and those concerned to determine why,' Daher said. Another source close to a port employee said a team that inspected the ammonium nitrate six months ago warned that if it was not moved it would 'blow up all of Beirut'. Prime Minister Hassan Diab vowed those responsible will 'pay the price' as he declared a two-week state of emergency to deal with the crisis, urging all world leaders and 'friends of Lebanon' to donate aid to the country, adding: 'We are witnessing a real catastrophe.' Documents published online suggested it could be given to the army or sold to an explosives company, but did not receive any replies, leaving the explosive cargo languishing in the now destroyed port area of the capital. Ammonium nitrate is a chemical used in fertiliser bombs and is widely used by the construction industry but also by insurgent groups such as the Taliban and the IRA for improvised explosives. As residents survey the wreckage of their city this morning and mourn loved ones they are quickly turning to anger at who is to blame for the devastating blast that is already struggling economically and from the impact of coronavirus. The 2,750 ton cargo - officially saltpetre - was confiscated in September 2013 from the Moldovan-flagged ship called Rhosus en route from Batumi, in ex-Soviet republic Georgia, to Mozambique, it has emerged. Igor Grechushkin - who currently lives in Cyprus with wife Irina - has been accused of abandoning his ship in Beirut loaded with the lethal load. The Cypriot security services are urgently seeking a Russian man linked to the explosion in Beirut, according to the Greek media. The 2,750 ton cargo - officially saltpetre - was confiscated en route from Batumi, in ex-Soviet republic Georgia, to Mozambique. Diggers at the blast site of the explosion after the Port of Beirut was left in ruin An aerial view shows the massive damage at Beirut port's grain silos and the area around it Homes were completely obliterated by the blast, which was estimated to be a tenth as powerful as a nuclear bomb Damage is seen at the destroyed Saint George Hospital after a devastating port explosion in Beirut Lebanon has begun the daunting task of trying to clean up its capital Beirut after a devastating explosion tore apart the city's port (pictured) and caused damage across the city after several tons of explosive chemicals ignited Slide me A before and after image showing the damage caused to Beirut's harbour, including the complete destruction of the warehouse storing the chemicals and the ground underneath it Beirut explosion was one of the biggest non-nuclear blasts in history, experts say The Beirut explosion is 'unquestionably' one of the largest non-nuclear blasts in history, according to calculations by British engineering experts. A team from the University of Sheffield has calculated the strength of the blast based on the videos and photographs which have emerged since Tuesday's catastrophe. They believe the explosion was the equivalent of 1,000 to 1,500 tonnes of TNT - a blast intensity which would support the belief that it was caused by a fire leading to the detonation of 2,750 tonnes of ammonium nitrate fertiliser. This is about a tenth of the intensity of the Hiroshima nuclear bomb but far bigger than any blast from a conventional weapon. Professor Andy Tyas, an expert on blast protection engineering at the university, said: 'There are simple rules of thumb relating the maximum expansion of the fireball to the size of the original explosive charge, and from some very approximate measurements from online video footage, we think the explosion is equivalent to something of the order of 1,000-1,500 tonnes of TNT. 'We have also analysed video footage of the time delay between the detonation and the arrival of the shock wave at points several hundred metres from the explosion and these broadly agree with this size of charge. 'If correct, that would mean this explosion had perhaps 10 per cent of the intensity of the Hiroshima bomb. 'Whatever the precise charge size, this is unquestionably one of the largest non-nuclear explosions in history, far bigger than any conventional weapon.' Advertisement Four sailors were forced to remain in the vessel to ensure its safety and in July 2014, a maritime website reported: 'Crew kept hostage on a floating bomb'. Their plight led to a hunger strike before eventually they were permitted to leave and return home, where they demanded 100,000 of wages. They claimed that motorbike fan Grechushkin claimed he had gone bankrupt and 'abandoned the ship.' Most of the cargo was then stored in the 12th berth at the port in Beirut after it was seized by the Lebanese authorities. REN TV in Moscow said Grechushkin's ship was detained and the contents were confiscated 'due to the lack of documents and conditions necessary for transportation'. Grechushkin had to pay a 'huge penalty', and as a result, he 'initiated bankruptcy proceedings'. Neither the businessman nor his family has commented so far on the horrific explosion in Beirut, nor their version of the fate of the cargo. The first warning about the potential danger of the chemicals stored at the port came on June 27, 2014 from then-director of Lebanese Customs Shafik Merhi, as reported by Al-Jazeera. Officials then sent further letters of increasing urgency about the danger the hazardous chemicals posed to the Lebanese judiciary. One letter sent in 2016 said: 'In view of the serious danger of keeping these goods in the hangar in unsuitable climatic conditions, we reaffirm our request to please request the marine agency to re-export these goods immediately to preserve the safety of the port and those working in it, or to look into agreeing to sell this amount'to the Lebanese Explosives Company.' The missives were never replied to despite the obvious danger they posed to the city. In 2017 new customs chief Daher implored the judge to make a decision in regards to the chemicals, but they were left sitting in a hangar. The US, UK, France, Gulf states and even bitter rivals Israel have offered money and assistance, as President Michel Aoun declared three days of mourning and announced he would release $66million of emergency funds. France says it is sending two planes with dozens of emergency workers, a mobile medical unit and 15 tons of aid. French President Emmanuel Macron's office says the aid should allow for the treatment of some 500 victims. French peacekeepers stationed in Lebanon, a former French protectorate, have been helping since the explosions, Macron's office said. Jordan says a military field hospital including all necessary personnel will be dispatched, according to the Royal Court. Egypt has opened a field hospital in Beirut to receive the wounded. Czech Interior Minister Jan Hamacek says Lebanon has accepted an offer to send a team of 37 rescuers with sniffer dogs to Beirut. Denmark says it is ready to provide humanitarian assistance to Lebanon, and Greece says it is ready to help Lebanese authorities 'with all means at its disposal.' Fires were still burning at the destroyed port on Wednesday morning as the full extent of the devastation - in a country that was already in the midst of an economic crisis - was laid bare Members of a Dutch Urban search and rescue team (USAR) board the plane at Eindhoven Air Base. The Netherlands is sending the team to Beirut to help find people who are missing after Tuesday's explosions Members of German Federal Agency for Technical Relief arrive for their departure to Beirut at international airport in Frankfurt am Main, Germany Slide me A member of the Lebanese security forces inspects damages in the Parliament building in the central district of the capital Beirut Survivors of the blast which devastated Beirut overnight were sifting through the ruins of the city on Wednesday for bodies as the death toll rose to 100 with more than 4,000 wounded, and hospitals struggling to cope A helicopter flies above the port which has been destroyed by the explosion yesterday that has left thousands of people destitute The destroyed port in the aftermath of a massive explosion in downtown Beirut yesterday that has so far killed more than 100 people Lebanese soldiers picked through the rubble of buildings for bodies, with the death toll expected to rise further A survivor pulled from the rubble by Lebanese soldiers is rushed to hospital following the blast which devastated Beirut A woman walks past cars that were flattened by falling masonry in the aftermath of a massive explosion in Beirut Lebanon was today coming to terms with the devastating explosion which punched through the capital of Beirut yesterday UN delays assassination verdict of former Lebanese PM A UN-backed tribunal said Wednesday it had suspended a verdict on the 2005 murder of former Lebanese premier Rafic Hariri following the deadly blast in Beirut. The court's decision was due on Friday but the ruling has been postponed until August 18, the court said in a statement. The Special Tribunal for Lebanon (STL) 'is deeply saddened and shocked by the tragic events that shook Lebanon yesterday,' the court said in a statement. 'The Tribunal expresses its solidarity with the Lebanese people in these difficult times.' The STL issued 'a scheduling order postponing the pronouncement of the judgment,' to August 18. Advertisement Russia's emergency officials say the country will send five planeloads of aid to Beirut after an explosion in the Lebanese capital's port killed at least 100 people and injured thousands on Tuesday. Germany says it is ready to send a team of 47 search-and-rescue experts to Beirut after the enormous explosion in the city's port on Tuesday killed at least 135 people and injured thousands. Germany also says its embassy was damaged in the blast but diplomats have reactivated an old building and are able to work. Meanwhile President Donald Trump last night offered US aid to Lebanon, before calling the explosion a 'terrible attack' and claiming that his generals had said it appeared to have been caused by a 'bomb of some kind', without offering evidence. Robert Baer, a former CIA operative who operated for years in the Middle East, stuck a more nuanced tone -saying the explosion appears to have been an accident, but he is not convinced that ammonium nitrate was the sole cause. He pointed to videos of what appeared to be fireworks going off amid a pall of white smoke, right before the main blast which sent a column of reddish-brown smoke high into the sky. Baer told CNN that those 'fireworks' were likely munitions that had been stored as part of a weapons cache that included military-grade propellant. 'It was clearly a military explosive,' he said. 'It was not fertilizer like ammonium nitrate. I'm quite sure of that.' But he added that it would likely take years to learn the truth of what caused the blast, if it was ever revealed, because 'no one is going to want to admit they kept military explosives at the port'. Lebanon is effectively run by Hezbollah, an Iranian paramilitary group with a history of secrecy. The U.S. embassy in Beirut warned residents in the city about reports of toxic gases released by the blast, urging people to stay indoors and wear masks if available. An aerial image of port before the explosion took place, showing the now-destroyed grain silo at the centre of the image with the warehouse containing the explosives to the left of it - which is now completely gone An aerial view shows the massive damage at Beirut port's grain silos and the area around it Beirut's governor estimated that damage from the blast would cost Lebanon up to $5billion, as it destroyed the port through which many of its valuable imports passed (pictured, the remains of the port and a grain silo that was destroyed) A survivor of the Beirut blast is pulled from rubble of a building that was ripped apart by a shockwave that reverberated around the city, tearing it apart Soldiers use pickaxes to dig through the rubble of buildings in Beirut in a desperate search for survivors on Wednesday Lebanese soldiers patrol the streets of Beirut on Wednesday to keep the peace after a blast tore the city apart A woman is evacuated from the partially destroyed Beirut neighbourhood of Mar Mikhael in the aftermath of a massive explosion in the Lebanese capital Thousands of people have also been left homeless by the blast, which threatened a mass exodus from the Mediterranean country that was already suffering with coronavirus, poor governance, and an economic crisis. 'We've had some dark days in Lebanon over the years but this is something else,' said Rami Rifai, a 38-year-old engineer, speaking to AFP from a hospital where his two daughters were receiving treatment after sustaining cuts despite being half a kilometre from the seat of the blast. 'We already had the economic crisis, a government of thieves and coronavirus. I didn't think it could get worse but now I don't know if this country can get up again. Everyone is going to try to leave. I will try to leave,' he said, his voice choked by tears. Firefighters had already been on the scene dealing with an initial blaze when the explosion took place. One security source told Reuters that the initial fire was caused during welding work on a hole in a warehouse wall. Sources said the blaze started at warehouse 9 of the port and spread to warehouse 12, where the ammonium nitrate was stored. One Israeli bomb expert suggested fireworks could have been stored in one of the warehouses close to the ammonium nitrate. Explosives certification expert Boaz Hayoun said: 'Before the big explosion ... in the center of the fire, you can see sparks, you can hear sounds like popcorn and you can hear whistles. This is very specific behavior of fireworks.' A shockwave caused by the blast left barely a building in the city untouched, with damage reported up to 15 miles away Survivors of the blast walk the streets of the city, looking for victims amid the ruins of their old neighbourhoods Wounded people are treated at a hospital following the explosion, which has left hundreds of casualties in Beirut last night Men gather in a street close to the destroyed port as they sift through the ruins of Beirut to salvage what they can A destroyed facade of a building is seen following the blast on Tuesday. Rescuers worked throughout the night to find people amid the devastation Police and forensic officers work at the scene of an explosion on Wednesday morning and rescuers continue to look for survivors Lebanon's President Michel Aoun (centre) visits the site of a massive explosion the previous day in the heart of the Beirut After the second, more devastating explosion, images showed port buildings reduced to tangled masonry, devastating the main entry point to a country that relies on food imports to feed its population of more than six million. Ammonium nitrate - the terrorist's bomb ingredient Ammonium nitrate - identified as the cause of the deadly explosion in Beirut - is an odourless crystalline substance used as a fertilizer that has been behind many industrial explosions and terrorist attacks over the decades. Two tonnes of it was used to create the bomb in the 1995 Oklahoma City attack that destroyed a federal building, leaving 168 people dead, and it has been widely used by the Taliban in improvised devices. Experts say a fire in Beirut started after a spark from a welder likely ignited the highly reactive chemical, causing a blast the equivalent to three million kilotons of TNT, killing at least 100 people and leaving thousands more injured. There were 2,750 tonnes of the hazardous chemical held in the warehouse at the time of the explosion - which measured as the equivalent of a 3.5 earthquake. Death and injury from the explosion would have come in a number of phases, according to Dr David Caldicott from the Australian National University. 'Primary injuries are blast-related, as a consequence of the overpressure wave interacting with the hollow space in victims; lung injuries are often survived, but subsequently fatal, and bowel injuries are common. 'Secondary injuries are caused by flying debris; effectively environmental shrapnel. 'Tertiary injuries are as a consequence of being thrown by the blast, and quaternary injuries by other features such as inhalation.' When combined with fuel oils, ammonium nitrate creates a potent explosive widely used in the construction industry, but also by insurgent groups to create bombs. As well as the Oklahoma City bomb in the US, it has been used in a number of IRA attacks on the UK. These include the Bishopsgate attack in April 1993 that left 40 injured and a 40ft wide crater, and a 3,300lb bomb in Manchester in June 1996 that left 2000 injured but no deaths due to a phone warning an hour before the blast. In agriculture, ammonium nitrate fertiliser is applied in granule form and quickly dissolves under moisture, allowing nitrogen to be released into the soil. However, under normal storage conditions and without very high heat, it is difficult to ignite ammonium nitrate, Jimmie Oxley, a chemistry professor at the University of Rhode Island, said. 'If you look at the video (of the Beirut explosion), you saw the black smoke, you saw the red smoke - that was an incomplete reaction,' she said. 'I am assuming that there was a small explosion that instigated the reaction of the ammonium nitrate - whether that small explosion was an accident or something on purpose I haven't heard yet.' That's because ammonium nitrate is an oxidiser - it intensifies combustion and allows other substances to ignite more readily, but is not itself very combustible. For these reasons, there are generally very strict rules about where it can be stored: for example, it must be kept away from fuels and sources of heat. In fact, many countries in the European Union require that calcium carbonate to be added to ammonium nitrate to create calcium ammonium nitrate, which is safer. In the United States, regulations were tightened significantly after the Oklahoma City attack, with inspections required if more than 2,000lbs of it are stored in one place. Advertisement Charbel Haj, who works at the harbour, said the explosion started as small explosions like firecrackers before he was suddenly thrown off his feet by the huge blast. The explosion damaged the Roum Hospital, which put out a call for people to bring it spare generators to keep its electricity going as it evacuated patients because of heavy damage. Outside the St George University Hospital in Beirut's Achrafieh neighbuorhood, people with various injuries arrived in ambulances, in cars and on foot. The explosion had caused major damage inside the building and knocked out the electricity at the hospital. Dozens of injured were being treated on the spot on the street outside, on stretchers and wheelchairs. Lebanon's Red Cross said it had been drowning in calls from injured people, many who are still trapped in their homes. Miles from the scene of the blast, balconies were knocked down, ceiling collapsed and windows were shattered. Beirut's main airport, six miles away from the port, was reportedly damaged by the explosion, with pictures showing sections of collapsed ceiling. Beirut's governor told journalists he does not know the cause of the explosion and said he had never seen such destruction, comparing the sobering scenes to Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Local Fady Roumieh was stood in the car park to shopping centre ABC Mall Achrafieh, around 2km east of the blast, when the explosion occurred. He said: 'It was like a nuclear bomb. The damage is so widespread and severe all over the city. 'Some buildings as far as 2km are partially collapsed. It's like a war zone. The damage is extreme. Not one glass window intact.' A soldier at the port, where relatives of the missing scrambled for news of their loved ones, said: 'It's a catastrophe inside. There are corpses on the ground. Ambulances are still lifting the dead.' A woman in her twenties stood screaming at security forces, asking about the fate of her brother, a port employee. 'His name is Jad, his eyes are green,' she pleaded, to no avail as officers refused her entry. 'It was like an atomic bomb,' said Makrouhie Yerganian, a retired schoolteacher in her mid-70s who has lived near the port for decades. 'I've experienced everything, but nothing like this before,' even during the country's 1975-1990 civil war, she said. 'All the buildings around here have collapsed.' One witness said: 'I saw a fireball and smoke billowing over Beirut. People were screaming and running, bleeding. 'Balconies were blown off buildings. Glass in high-rise buildings shattered and fell to the street.' Rami Rifai, a 38-year-old engineer,from a hospital where his two daughters were receiving treatment after sustaining cuts despite being half a kilometre from the seat of the blast said: 'We've had some dark days in Lebanon over the years but this is something else. 'We already had the economic crisis, a government of thieves and coronavirus. I didn't think it could get worse but now I don't know if this country can get up again. Everyone is going to try to leave. I will try to leave,' he said, his voice choked by tears. One resident of Mar Mikhail, one of the most affected neighbourhoods, said she saw bodies strewn in the middle of the street, apparently thrown off balconies and rooftops by the blast. For a long time after the blast, ambulance sirens sounded across the city and helicopters hovered above. Residents said glass was broken in houses from Raouche, on the Mediterranean city's western tip, to Rabieh 10 km (6 miles) east). And in Cyprus, a Mediterranean island lying 110 miles (180 km) northwest of Beirut, residents reported hearing two large bangs in quick succession. One resident of the capital Nicosia said his house shook, rattling shutters. 'We do not have information about what has happened precisely, what has caused this, whether its accidental or manmade act,' he said. Wounded men are evacuated following of an explosion at the port of the Lebanese capital Beirut The explosion has ripped a huge hole in the middle of this building as a man inspects the damage at the front Lebanese firefighters work at the scene of explosion at the Beirut Port, Beirut following the huge explosion yesterday evening An injured man covered in blood is seen in Beirut following the explosion in Beirut on Tuesday A man reacts at the scene of an explosion at the port in Lebanon's capital Beirut on August 4 Glass is shattered by the explosion at the Cavalier Hotel in Beirut following the explosion Pictures shows the scene of an explosion at the port in the Lebanese capital Beirut, which lay waste to surrounding buildings Firefighters spray water at a fire after an explosion was heard in Beirut Condolences poured in from across the world with Gulf nations, the United States and even Lebanon's arch foe Israel offering to send aid. France also promised to send assistance. The blast revived memories of a 1975-90 civil war and its aftermath, when Lebanese endured heavy shelling, car bombings and Israeli air raids. Some residents thought an earthquake had struck. 'The blast blew me off metres away. I was in a daze and was all covered in blood. It brought back the vision of another explosion I witnessed against the U.S. embassy in 1983,' said Huda Baroudi, a Beirut designer. UN chief Antonio Guterres expressed his 'deepest condolences ... following the horrific explosions in Beirut' which he said had also injured some United Nations personnel. Boris Johnson offered to help the crisis-hit country, tweeting: 'The pictures and videos from Beirut tonight are shocking. 'All of my thoughts and prayers are with those caught up in this terrible incident. The UK is ready to provide support in any way we can, including to those British nationals affected.' The UK Foreign Office has said a few of its embassy staff sustained non-life threatening injuries in the blast. Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said in a tweet: 'The images of explosions in Beirut are deeply worrying. Our thoughts are with those affected, the emergency services and the people of Lebanon.' Offers of aid also came from bitter rivals Israel, with which it is still technically at war. Defense Minister Benny Gantz and Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi, on behalf of the State of Israel, have offered the Lebanese government - via international intermediaries - medical and humanitarian aid, as well as immediate emergency assistance,' said a joint statement from the two ministries. Last week, Israel accused the Lebanese group Hezbollah of trying to send gunmen across the UN-demarcated Blue Line and said it held the Lebanese government responsible for what it termed an attempted 'terrorist' attack. Hezbollah said all of the country's political powers must unite to overcome the 'painful catastrophe'. French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said that France stood 'alongside Lebanon' and was ready to help, tweeting: 'France stands and will always stand by the side of Lebanon and the Lebanese. It is ready to provide assistance according to the needs expressed by the Lebanese authorities. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo tweeted: 'We are monitoring and stand ready to assist the people of Lebanon as they recover from this horrible tragedy.' Iran's foreign minister has said it is standing by to help Lebanon recover from the fallout of the explosion. Countries in the Gulf paid tribute to victims of the explosion as Qatar said it would send field hospitals to support Lebanon's medical response. Qatar's ruler Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani called President Michel Aoun to offer condolences, according to the state-run Qatar News Agency. Sheikh Tamim wished 'a speedy recovery for the injured,' adding that he 'expressed Qatar's solidarity with brotherly Lebanon and its willingness to provide all kinds of assistance'. Elsewhere in the Gulf, the United Arab Emirates' Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Anwar Gargash tweeted that 'our hearts are with Beirut and its people'. He posted the tribute alongside an image of Dubai's Burj Khalifa, the world's tallest building, illuminated in the colours of the Lebanese flag. 'Our prayers during these difficult hours are that God... protects brotherly Lebanon and the Lebanese to reduce their affliction and heal their wounds,' he wrote. Gulf countries including Qatar and the UAE maintain close ties with Beirut and have long provided financial aid and diplomatic assistance to mediate Lebanon's political and sectarian divisions. Bahrain's foreign ministry urged its nationals in Lebanon to contact the ministry's operations centre or Manama's representative in Beirut, while Kuwait ordered its citizens to take extreme caution and stay indoors. It comes just days before a United Nations tribunal is set to rule on the assassination of the country's former PM Rafik Hariri. The house of his son, Saad Hariri, who also led the country, was damaged by the blast but he was confirmed safe. Save the Children said in a statement that members of their team on the ground in the city have reported entire streets destroyed and children unaccounted for. Despite the charity's offices in the city being badly damaged, they have pledged that a rapid response team is ready to offer support. Jad Sakr, Save the Children's country director in Lebanon, said: 'We are shocked and devastated by the explosion today. 'The death toll may not be known for several days but we do know is that in a disaster like this, children may be hurt, shocked and separated from their parents. 'Our child protection teams are ready to support the government's efforts, which will almost certainly go on for several days to come. 'It is vital that children and their families get access to the services they urgently need, including medical care and physical and emotional protection.' He added: 'The incident could not have occurred at a worst time and has hit communities who were already suffering from the impact of the Covid-19 crisis and the economic deterioration. 'Beirut's main port, now completely damaged, is vital for much of the food, grains and fuel that Lebanon imports, and families will immediately feel the shortage in basic needs as a result of this tragedy.' As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to spread, scientists and health care providers are seeking ways to keep the coronavirus from infecting tissues once they're exposed. A new study suggests luring the virus with a decoy - an engineered, free-floating receptor protein - binds the virus and blocks infection. Erik Procko, a professor of biochemistry at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, led the study, published in the journal Science. To infect a human cell, a virus must first bind to a receptor protein on the surface of the cell. SARS-CoV-2, the coronavirus that causes COVID-19, binds to a receptor called ACE2, which plays a number of roles in regulating blood pressure, blood volume, and inflammation. It is found in tissues throughout the body, but especially in the lungs, heart, arteries, kidneys and intestines. Many researchers hypothesize that the host of symptoms associated with COVID-19 may stem from the coronavirus binding to ACE2 and keeping it from doing its job. Administering a decoy based on ACE2 might not only neutralize infection, but may have the additional benefit of rescuing lost ACE2 activity and directly treating aspects of COVID-19." Erik Procko, Professor of Biochemistry, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign As a potential therapeutic agent, a decoy receptor has one advantage over other drugs: To evade it, the virus would have to mutate in a way that would make it less infectious. "A benefit of a decoy receptor is that it closely resembles the natural receptor. Therefore, the virus cannot easily adapt to escape neutralization without simultaneously losing its ability to bind to its natural receptor. This means the virus has limited ability to acquire resistance," Procko said. Although ACE2 binds to SARS-CoV-2, it is not optimized for that purpose, which means that subtle mutations to the receptor could make it bind more strongly. This makes it an ideal candidate for a decoy receptor, Procko said. Procko examined more than 2,000 ACE2 mutations and created cells with the mutant receptors on their surfaces. By analyzing how these interacted with the coronavirus, he found a combination of three mutations that made a receptor that bound to the virus 50 times more strongly, making it a much more attractive target for the virus. Procko then made a soluble version of the engineered receptor. Detached from cells, the soluble receptor is suspended in solution and free to interact with the virus as a decoy receptor. After Procko posted his findings to a preprint server, a colleague connected him with the U.S. Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases. Researchers there, along with the lab of Illinois biochemistry professor David Kranz, verified the strong affinity between the virus and the decoy receptor, rivaling the best antibodies identified to date, Procko said. Furthermore, they found that the decoy receptor not only binds to the virus in live tissue cultures, it effectively neutralizes it, preventing cells from becoming infected. Further work is required to determine whether the decoy receptors could be an effective treatment of or preventive agent against COVID-19. "We are testing whether the decoy receptor is safe and stable in mice, and if successful, we then hope to show treatment of disease in animals. Hopefully that data can facilitate a clinical trial," Procko said. He also is exploring how the decoy receptor bonds to other coronaviruses with potential to become future pandemics if they cross from bats to humans. Your tax-deductible gift today powers our reporters and keeps us independent. We rely on you, our reader, not paywalls to stay funded because we believe important news and information should be freely accessible to all. Start your day with LAist Sign up for the Morning Brief, delivered weekdays. Subscribe Our news is free on LAist. To make sure you get our coverage: Sign up for our daily newsletters. To support our non-profit public service journalism: Donate Now. The city of Bellflower wants to sell its aging water system to a big for-profit water company that is better able to manage it. But the deal could fall through. That's because state regulators say the price is so high, it could hurt water customers across Southern California. The Bellflower dilemma illustrates the difficulty that hundreds of small, aging water systems face throughout California. State water policy calls for tiny struggling water systems to be acquired by larger, more stable water systems that have the capacity to fund needed upgrades. But the law also calls for fair prices to be paid for such systems. So the argument is over what the fair price for the Bellflower system should be, and whether a fair-market price that buyer and seller agree upon would burden water consumers elsewhere. SALE HITS A ROADBLOCK California American Water Company -- the fourth-largest in the state serving more than half million people -- wants to buy Bellflower's tiny water system for $17 million. Bellflower voters okayed the sale in 2016. The City Council approved it the following year. So the local stakeholders are fine with the deal. But then it hit a roadblock at the state Public Advocates Office. It's an independent arm of the state regulator known as the Public Utilities Commission, and it's there to look out for the rights of utility ratepayers and to keep rates reasonable and low. "The proposed acquisition price is grossly inflated and would ultimately result in rate increases for a significant number of customers, not just in Bellflower, but throughout the state and in particular in the Los Angeles district," said Richard Rauschmeir of the Public Advocates Office. The office said in public filings that the price of the Bellflower system was so high, it could raise water rates for Cal-Am customers by .5% to 3% across the state. Instead, it recommended a lower price of about $9 million, which is equal to the water rights that would come along with the water system. An administrative law judge agreed that the price was too high, and went even further. In a proposed decision issued in March, the judge said the Bellflower system was in such poor repair that Bellflower should pay someone else $5 million to $9 million to take it off the city's hands. The judge initially recommended the state Public Utilities Commission reject the deal when it was to come up for a vote on Thursday, Aug. 6. "Hogwash," said Bellflower City Manager Jeff Stewart. "That's my one-word response to that. The market determines the value of the systems." (UPDATE: On Wednesday, Aug., 5, the judge granted Cal-Am's request allowing the utility to do a new study of the current condition of the water system and estimate its value. The judge gave Cal-Am, Bellflower and the Public Advocates Office until late September to settle on a price tag for the water system.) Stewart says state law requires the city to get fair market value. He pointed to the lengthy public review process that the sale underwent. Also, he said breaking up the system and selling the water rights and high-capacity well separately would add up to the disputed sale price. Cal-Am spokesman Kevin Tilden said the judge and the advocate office wrongly totaled up the valuation of the water system as if the millions of dollars in needed repairs were going to be done in the first years of Cal-Am's ownership. It would take longer to do all the repairs, so the costs would be spread over its customer base more gradually, not all at once, Tilden said. The price increase to its customers in Los Angeles, Ventura and San Diego counties would be only about 50 cents per household over the first few years after the sale, Tilden said. The company has letters of support for its purchase from various elected officials including in the city of Montebello, which wants to sell its water system to a larger operator. Assemblywoman Christina Garcia, a Democrat who represents Bellflower, says she supports the sale. The California Water Association, an industry group for investor-owned water utilities, says the judge's rejection of the sale wrongly overturns the desire of city residents who voted in favor of it, and it would put a chilling effect on other cities' effort to sell their water systems. BIGGER ISSUE: AFFORDABLE WATER AS A HUMAN RIGHT Why should we care when a water giant wants to buy a tiny water system for a whole lot of money? The issues resonate beyond Bellflower, its population of 75,000, and its 1,800 municipal water connection customers and a big investor-owned utility company dickering over a sale price. The issues story go to the heart of whether California can achieve its goal of providing safe water for all. California was the first state in the nation to declare that safe, clean, affordable and accessible water is a human right. That principal was added to the state Constitution in 2012, partly because California is full of small water systems that have not been maintained well enough to provide clean, affordable and accessible water. One of the aims of California water policy, since 1997, is to encourage small, struggling water systems to be acquired by bigger, more capable systems. But that law also requires the utilities to pay fair market prices. Cal-Am says that creating a market where cities are willing to sell water systems they no longer want is encouraged by prices tags like the $17 million for Bellflower's system. The Public Advocate Office argues the opposite, that setting a unreasonably high price on the system benefits only Bellflower and Cal-Am, but harms the consumers who ultimately have to pay the costs to buy and fix the water systems, along with a set profit as high as 9.25% to Cal-Am on all those expenses. HOW THE PRICE WAS SET The dispute in Bellflower is over how the price was set. There were some problems in the valuation Cal-Am initially put on the water system, which the Public Advocate Office called overstated and unreasonable. For starters, the valuation failed to account for some $25 million in needed upgrades, the advocate office said. Most of Bellflower's underground pipes are made of a now-discontinued type of asbestos and concrete pipe, and Bellflower's pipes break twice as frequently as similar pipes in other water systems. That means the system should have been assigned a lower value because the pipes have depreciated so much from when they were installed. But Cal-Am used a 2014 city-commissioned report that valued Bellflower's system as if it were constructed recently with new PVC pipe, which is less prone to breakage and cheaper to replace, so the valuation of the system was far higher than it should have been, the Public Advocate Office said. Bellflower City Manager Jeff Stewart and Cal-Am Vice President Kevin Tilden want the Public Utilities Commission to hold off on a vote over the sale on Thursday, and re-evaluate the sale price using an analysis that focuses on the effect of the sale on the next three years of water rates. This story has been updated. While it might feel like Too Hot to Handle aired 1,000 years ago it actually only came out on Netflix on April 17, catapulting its cast of regular folks to lockdown stardom. Now, the cast has embraced their place as influencers and for Harry Jowsey, that means moving to Los Angeles from Australia and becoming an unofficial member of the Sway House and a TikTok star with two million followers. And it just might mean dating another mega-influencer - Harry has been spotted multiple times around Los Angeles with Kylie Jenner's best friend and frequent companion Stassie Karanikolaou, better known as Stassie Baby to her nine million Instagram followers. Over the weekend, Harry posted photos of them together on both TikTok and Instagram, seemingly confirming their couple status. Stassie has yet to post a picture of him on her Instagram but did share a video of them dancing to the Fletcher song 'Bitter' on TikTok, where she has 2.6 million followers. Harry famously broke up with his Too Hot to Handle co-star Francesca Farago during lockdown after proposing on Zoom with a ring pop. Farago has seemingly since moved on. She's been spotted spending time with YouTube star Tana Mongeau and was photographed kissing Australian model Casey Boonstra. Stassie was previously linked to The Bachelorette star Tyler Cameron. Five veterinary labs have their CLIA certification to officially test human patients. There are a lot of labs who are doing surveillance testing that dont need the CLIA certification." Adm. Brett Giroir, assistant secretary for health at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, during an appearance on CNN's "State of the Union" with Jake Tapper, July 26, 2020 In a heated exchange late last month on CNN's State of the Union, host Jake Tapper pressed Adm. Brett Giroir, the Health and Human Services assistant secretary who oversees COVID testing efforts for the Trump administration, on why the government isn't requiring commercial labs to increase testing capacity in order to speed turnaround time. Giroir's response described a series of steps some unusual being taken by the federal government. One focus was on the role veterinary labs, including those with special certification, could play in helping to build capacity. "Five veterinary labs have their CLIA certification to officially test human patients," he said. "There are a lot of labs who are doing surveillance testing that dont need the CLIA certification." He was referring to certification under the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments of 1988, a federal law that sets the standard for labs that test human specimens. So that got us wondering: Can labs that test cattle, chickens or your pet Fido run tests on humans? And, if so, what role are they playing in the national pandemic, and how much is it helping? After all, the issue of expanding lab capacity will likely come up repeatedly as demand for testing increases with mounting case counts. Turnaround times at some labs have grown, with results now taking days to more than a week in some areas, frustrating consumers and public health officials. Delays for test results mean delays for contact tracing and quarantining. The administration's pandemic response, including testing issues, is also proving to be a hot topic on the campaign trail. We reached out to HHS for more information about Giroir's statement. An HHS spokesperson emailed a list of nine veterinary labs that have received the required certification to do patient-specific human testing, saying Giroir had been mistakenly briefed before the interview that there were only five. A U.S. Department of Agriculture spokesperson said there are 15 National Animal Health Laboratory Network facilities nationwide that have CLIA certification to test human samples. Clearly, there are vet labs in the U.S. with the necessary credentials, but the exact number is a matter of confusion. As for the surveillance efforts, the HHS spokesperson did not provide specific examples of veterinary labs doing such work but provided a Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services FAQ saying labs that don't have CLIA certification can do some types of surveillance if results are not given to specific patients. Similar science, same machines Our experts all quickly noted that veterinary labs especially those that focus on food animals, including cows, pigs and chickens, have long tested for diseases, including many kinds of coronaviruses. They're on the lookout for microbes that can affect food safety, such as salmonella or E. coli, or diseases that can devastate the animals themselves, including avian influenza, hoof and mouth disease or African swine fever. Hence, a lot of testing goes on in the 63 food-animal testing labs in 33 states and four Canadian provinces accredited by the American Association of Veterinary Laboratory Diagnosticians, said its executive director, David Zeman. "In some states, we have more capacity in the vet labs than in the public health labs," he added. Those vet labs, often affiliated with universities or government agencies, use highly sophisticated equipment, including polymerase chain reaction (PCR) techniques, as do labs focusing on human testing. Many of the COVID tests being done are PCR, which can detect the virus's genetic material. "It's the same machines, the same science," said Zeman. However, these are large, full-service labs that deal mainly with farm animals, different from the smaller labs generally found at your neighborhood vet. So, sorry, Fido. A different regulatory chain of command Earlier this year, researchers at Iowa State University found that the testing process for the new coronavirus is similar to that used to test pigs for porcine epidemic diarrhea (PED) virus, a disease that killed thousands of piglets in 2013. Because a lot of labs had updated their equipment and processes so they could check for PED, they were in a good position to help with COVID-19 testing. Except, of course, it's never that simple. While the science and technology are the same, the administrative requirements are not. Veterinary labs must meet standards for accreditation by such groups as the American Association of Veterinary Laboratory Diagnosticians and are overseen by federal and state agricultural agencies. Human labs also must meet strict standards, including CLIA, and fall under the auspices of other agencies, including the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, the Food and Drug Administration and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. One requirement is that the CLIA lab must have a director who is a medical doctor with specialized experience. Most animal labs are run by, not surprisingly, veterinarians, often ones with Ph.D.s. Some vet labs have formed partnerships with CLIA-certified labs to clear this hurdle. Still, it's a process that can take weeks, so it's not an overnight fix, said Zeman. Running the numbers But can these labs really make a difference in the testing backlog? A June article on the American Veterinary Medicine Association website quoted an official in May saying that the then-seven CLIA-certified vet labs had the capacity to process 12,000 PCR samples with a 24-hour turnaround. Zeman said he sent out a survey in July to his 63 members in response to an HHS inquiry and found that, on average, each lab if CLIA-certified could process 500 to 1,000 COVID samples a day on top of what it needs to do to monitor animals. "Multiply that by 60 some labs and you have a rough idea of what they could do," he said. The math adds up to at least 31,500 tests a day. Currently, more than 700,000 samples are taken daily and sent to all types of labs mainly large commercial and hospital-based facilities, according to tracking by Johns Hopkins University. The Atlantic's COVID Tracking Project notes similar testing numbers at the end of July. More vet labs participating "could ease the burden on these labs, but it doesn't sound like a game changer in terms of wait times," said Gigi Gronvall, a senior scholar at Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security. Some vet labs are working with public health labs to "test a specific segment of the population (university students, routine screening of government workers, etc.)," said Michelle Forman, media manager for the Association of Public Health Laboratories in an email. "So it's not so much taking existing burden off of the public health labs and commercial labs but it is preventing additional burden from being put on them." Giroir said "lots" of labs that are non-CLIA certified labs are helping by doing research or surveillance, but Zeman was not aware of such efforts by such labs in his organization. Perhaps Giroir was talking about "pooled testing," in which a number of specimens are tested in a batch, speculated Mark Ackermann, director of the Oregon Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory in Corvallis, Oregon. Under that method, if any batch tests positive, individual specimens from the batch are then each tested to see who is positive. Ackermann, whose lab has CLIA certification, pointed to another way vet labs might be helping: Many are making the liquid needed for the vials that hold the swabs taken from patients' nasal passages. Our ruling Giroir was correct in saying there are some veterinary labs helping out with COVID testing. But even if all 63 accredited food-animal vet labs in the U.S. and Canada were pressed into processing human COVID tests, an industry survey estimates it would increase capacity by between 31,500 to 63,000 samples per day. While helpful, that would still be only a small portion of the more than 700,000 daily tests being conducted, which some experts say falls short of what is needed. Additionally, while vet labs are helping in some ways, Giroir provided little evidence to back up his assertion that "lots" of labs that lack CLIA certification are assisting in surveillance efforts. We rate this statement Mostly True. Mel and Diana Jenkins were sitting in the kitchen at their home at the Pine Hill Mobile Home Court in Upper Township Tuesday. The couple, married 58 years, was relaxing when Hurricane Isaias -- which neighbors said sounded like a train or 1,000 motorcycles -- descended on their neighborhood. The two suspected tornadoes that touched down in the area during the storm mangled homes, lifted sheds, and knocked down trees, one of which landed on the Jenkins white Chevrolet. Diane and Mel Jenkins talk to neighbors by their car that was damaged in the Pine Hill Mobile Home Court in Upper Township from a tornado during Tropical Storm Isaias, Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2020.Tim Hawk | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com "It shook the house and everything, but at least we were not hurt," said Mel. "We are still alive, and no one else is hurt." "We have not been able to finish payments on the car yet," added Diana. "We are going to need some help with it." Tropical Storm Isaias made its through New Jersey Tuesday, causing damage and ongoing power outages. Tuesday afternoon, Cape May County said that efforts were already underway to restore power to homes in the county, but that the damage was so extensive that some people may be without electricity for a couple of days. Homes and businesses on the 500 block of South Shore Road in Upper Township suffered damage from a tornado during Tropical Storm Isaias, Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2020. Lori M. Nichols | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com The storm not only knocked out power, but it also hit a couple of well-known areas in the states southernmost county. Cape May County Freeholder Director Gerald M. Thornton said in a statement between 6 and 12 structures in Marmora were damaged, including a pavilion and fences at the Cape May County Park & Zoo. The county says it should reopen by Thursday. Winds also damaged motel roofs in Wildwood, knocked over several utility poles, trees, and their limbs. No injuries were reported in the county, officials said. "This was a very powerful storm, and I am thankful that it appears no one in Cape May County was injured," Thornton said in the statement. "We know many people have a lot on their hands to fix the damaged buildings and roofs. I just wanted to remind everyone to be safe out there. If you see a downed power line stay away from it." Homes and cars at Pine Hill Mobile Home Court in Upper Township suffered damage from a tornado during Tropical Storm Isaias, Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2020.Tim Hawk | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com Back at Pine Hill, Christine Thomsons face appeared on a cell phone. Talking to NJ Advance Media via Facetime, Thomson explained how her home, which she had just acquired about a month ago, was in the path of the potential tornado and was damaged along with most of her furniture. Thomson said the decision to rebuild would be based on what the insurance adjuster says. "I was looking forward to moving in there, but I think there is a lot of damage," Thomson said. Homes and businesses on the 500 block of South Shore Road in Upper Township suffered damage from a tornado during Tropical Storm Isaias, Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2020. Lori M. Nichols | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com Homes and cars at Pine Hill Mobile Home Court in Upper Township suffered damage from a tornado during Tropical Storm Isaias, Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2020.Tim Hawk | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com Homes and businesses on the 500 block of South Shore Road in Upper Township suffered damage from a tornado during Tropical Storm Isaias, Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2020. Lori M. Nichols | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com Homes and businesses on the 500 block of South Shore Road in Upper Township suffered damage from a tornado during Tropical Storm Isaias, Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2020. Lori M. Nichols | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com 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. Lori M. Nichols may be reached at lnichols@njadvancemedia.com. Follow Lori on Instagram at @photog_lori. Tim Hawk may be reached at thawk@njadvancemedia.com. Tell us your coronavirus story or send a tip here. Email Whatsapp Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment Six years ago on August, 3, ISIS invaded the Sinjar region in northern Iraq, the quiet homeland of the Yazidi people. It only took a few hours for ISIS to seize Sinjar City and kidnap or kill all who were unable to flee in time. Those who did manage to escape ran to Mount Sinjar without food, water, or medical care, with ISIS hot on their heels. An ancient religious group familiar with being persecuted by their neighbors, Yazidis had lived simple lives in the rural region. But the attacks by ISIS would have long-lasting consequences. It took U.S. airstrikes to push the ISIS militants back as Kurdish forces made a safe passageway for Yazidis to descend Mount Sinjar later that month. But in the heat well over 100 degrees, hundreds of Yazidis many of them children and infants had already died on the mountain despite airdrops with aid from the U.S. and other military forces. Meanwhile, ISIS attacked Yazidi villages in the surrounding area. Upon capture, the men and women were separated. The men who refused to convert to Islam were rounded up to be shot and killed. Captured women and children often heard the gunfire that killed the men of the village and saw the evidence of mass murder as ISIS fighters returned with their clothes stained by the blood of their husbands, sons, and brothers. Militants took many of the younger women to be bought and sold as sex slaves. Women too old to enter the slave trade were shot. The region was soon littered with mass graves. Yazidi children were forcibly converted to Islam. Thousands of boys were forced to become ISIS fighters, tortured and starved in the process. Today, many of these former child soldiers are missing arms or legs lost while fighting for their abductors. ISIS made no secret of its desire to destroy the religious minority group it called "pagan" through the use of forced conversion, enslavement, and mass killings. The overwhelming evidence of ISIS' intent to eradicate religious minorities prompted the United States to officially declare the Islamic State attacks on Iraq's Christians, Yazidis, and other minorities a genocide in 2016. Thankfully, the terrorists' genocidal efforts were unsuccessful, and many Yazidis remain to tell the story of their people. Yet, the painful legacy of genocide lingers, and ISIS' brutal campaign still haunts the survivors. Today, an estimated 2,800 women and children who were kidnapped by ISIS remain missing. Hundreds of thousands of Yazidis are still displaced, living in camps with minimal resources. As U.S. officials look to develop policy and foreign aid priorities in the Middle East, every feasible effort should be made to help the survivors of genocide. August 3, 2014 is now remembered as the day ISIS began its genocide against the Yazidi people. Most days dedicated to commemorating genocides remember atrocities that happened decades or centuries ago. This remembrance day is different because the Yazidi genocide happened a mere six years ago. The horror is still within our recent memory, and the survivors are still in need of help. ISIS is no longer the focus of the American news cycle, but we would be remiss to forget the victims of genocide so quickly, especially those who are still in need of our help. The effects of ISIS linger. As the international community looks to maintain stability in the Middle East, consideration should be given as to how best to aid and restore the religious communities ISIS worked to destroy. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy asks his Belarusian counterpart to hand over 28 of the 33 Russians arrested last week. Ukraines president has asked the leader of Belarus to hand over some Russian mercenaries who were arrested on terrorism charges and who also are accused of fighting alongside Russia-backed separatists in eastern Ukraine. I hope that all those suspected in terrorist activities on Ukrainian territory will be handed over to us for prosecution in accordance with the existing international norms, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said, according to a readout of a phone call between Zelenskyy and Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko released by the Ukrainian presidents office on Wednesday. Belarusian authorities arrested 33 contractors for a private Russian security firm last week and accused them of plotting terror attacks in advance of the presidential election in Belarus this weekend. Officials in Kyiv said on Friday that they would ask Belarus to transfer 28 of those arrested, nine of whom also have Ukrainian citizenship. A criminal probe In Ukraine, the contractors would face a criminal probe on the charges of involvement in a terrorist group for fighting on the side of the rebels in eastern Ukraine, the Ukrainian Prosecutor Generals office said. The government in Minsk claimed the arrested contractors worked for the Wagner Group a private military firm linked to Yevgeny Prigozhin, a Russian businessman who was indicted in the United States for meddling in the 2016 US presidential election. Wagner has allegedly deployed hundreds of military contractors to eastern Ukraine, Syria and Libya. The allegations against the Russians represent an unprecedented escalation of tensions between Russia and neighbouring Belarus, traditionally close allies, as Lukashenko seeks a sixth term in Sundays election amid mass opposition rallies. Hee-sook Lee outside BCD Tofu House on Vermont Avenue in Koreatown. (Spencer Weiner / Los Angeles Times) Hee-sook Lee had tenacity. She also had a secret recipe. Together that was enough for her to build a tofu empire. Lee, who founded the popular BCD Tofu House restaurant chain and helped raise the global profile of Korean cuisine, died July 18 at age 61, according to the Korea Times. She had been fighting ovarian cancer the past five years, and her illness had recently worsened, the newspaper reported. She is survived by her husband, Tae-ro Lee, and three sons, the Hankyoreh reported. Lee opened the first BCD Tofu House on Vermont Avenue in Koreatown in 1996 with limited restaurant experience but plenty of confidence and a singular focus on a singular dish: soondubu jjigae, silken hunks of tofu in bubbling spicy broth. The restaurant's name was short for Buk Chang Dong, a neighborhood in Seoul where her in-laws once ran a restaurant. Lee treated a common dish with uncommon dedication. In the kitchen, she cooked up a plan and a secret recipe for a soup base that she refused to share with anyone, including her husband, Lee told The Times in 2008. To succeed in anything, you just have to be fanatically devoted to it, Lee said at a South Korean government-sponsored convention for overseas business owners in 2006. No matter what other people tell you, you shouldnt look back. There were other soondubu restaurants before BCD but few made the dish as accessible and available. None have been as successful. BCD Tofu House on Wilshire Boulevard. (Lucas Kwan Peterson / Los Angeles Times) Within two years of her first restaurant, Lee opened two more in Southern California. Today, there are 13 restaurants in the BCD Tofu House chain in the United States, largely concentrated in Los Angeles and Orange counties with locations in New York, New Jersey and Dallas. The transpacific empire grew to include outposts in Seattle, South Korea and Tokyo, and its reach remains global with a line of take-home soondubu starter packs through House Foods. [She] was an amazing entrepreneur and community leader who impacted the lives of many, wrote friend and Orange County supervisor Michelle Steel on Facebook. Her brand and legacy will continue to live on, and she will always be an inspiration to myself and many others. Story continues Lee, who considered herself a "diplomat of sorts" for Korean food, also was dedicated to feeding hungry mouths around the world. She served as president of the Global Children Foundation, a nonprofit organization started by Korean American mothers that provides relief to children and families. During the COVID-19 outbreak, Lee partnered with the Koreatown Youth and Community Center to feed low-income seniors who were isolated by the pandemic. The center helped spread the news of her death online. "Lee as a first-generation immigrantbrought her delicious recipes and healthful approach to countless satiated diners," the center wrote in a tribute. "Please support this Koreatown empire and honor Ms. Lee when youre scraping your jigae bowl clean." At the original Wilshire Boulevard BCD Tofu House location on Tuesday afternoon, the patio was mostly full of diners at socially distanced tables, picking at banchan and slurping on bubbling, glowing tureens of stew. Two check-in areas are set up outside the restaurant one for takeout and another for dine-in. A manager took diners temperatures and offered squirts of hand sanitizer. A large white tent has been set up in the ample parking lot to accommodate further outdoor dining. BCD is known as a go-to after-hours location following a night on the town. While those days may be temporarily over, it still has outdoor dining until 2 a.m., and takeout is available 24 hours a day. Food is prepared in the kitchen of the Wilshire Boulevard BCD Tofu House. (Spencer Weiner / Los Angeles Times) Kyung-chun Park, 60, was eating soondubu alone at a small table under the tent. I live in Torrance, but I drive 30, 40 minutes here, he said. Park said that BCD was particularly popular with non-Koreans and was a great place to introduce people to Korean dishes and flavors. She made Koreatown and this soondubu very well and very famous, he said. I even heard that they opened a BCD Tofu House in Korea too, Park said, noting that, perhaps counterintuitively, Lees success flowed from the U.S. back to her native Korea. Even though soondubu originally came from Korea! Geral Lopez, a mortgage consultant who works nearby, said he frequently brings his clients to BCD. The food is delicious, and I am really sorry to hear that the owner passed away, Lopez wrote in an email. BCD has been a huge part of this business community. Jennifer Tai, a recent transplant from San Francisco, appreciated the restaurants late hours. Its a 24-hour restaurant, which I thought was amazing because you dont really have a lot of those anymore, she said. The focus of BCD, in her opinion, was on serving the community: people that work late, people that need to eat when theyre hungry. Kyoosop Cho, a 30-year L.A. resident, was eating lunch with his wife, Jung. Cho was digging into the familiar BCD setup a boiling-hot bowl of soondubu, a stoneware bowl of rice, a small croaker fish and several assorted banchan. People say the owner was a person who achieved the American dream, he said. Ayodhya: Centres coronavirus COVID-19 protocols have been put in place and the social distancing norms are being strictly followed ahead of the much-awaited Ram Temple Bhomi Pujan in Ayodhya, which is slated to begin with great fervour around 12.30 PM. In wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, sanitisation work was also done at the Hanuman Garhi temple in the morning ahead of the Prime Minister`s visit. Strict security and COVID-19 protocols will be followed at the temple when the Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrives there along with other dignitaries. PM Modi will perform `pooja` at Hanuman Garhi and Shree Ramlala Virajman before performing `bhoomi poojan` of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, the Prime Minister`s Office (PMO) had informed on Tuesday. He will unveil a plaque to mark the laying of the foundation stone and also release a commemorative postage stamp on `Shree Ram Janmabhoomi Mandir. Every street in Ayodhya has been illuminated with earthen lamps ahead of the foundation stone laying ceremony of the Ram Temple on Wednesday. People also lit diyas on the banks of Saryu river as part of the deepotsava celebrations in the temple town which will see Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other dignitaries arrive today for the `bhoomi pujan` ceremony of the Ram Temple. The entire Ayodhya has been decked up and massive preparations have been made for this occasion with a festive air. Earlier, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath had said that 11,000 diyas will be lit at Ram Ki Paidi on the banks of the Saryu river and that all houses and temples in Ayodhya will be celebrating with a `deepotsava` (festival of lights) on the nights of August 4 and 5. Adityanath burst firecrackers and lit earthen lamps at his official residence on in Lucknow as part of `deepotsava`. The construction work of Ram temple will begin after the foundation stone laying ceremony, in which dignitaries from various political and religious fields have been invited to participate. Apart from Ayodhya other cities in like Kanpur were also illuminated to celebrate the grand event. Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) workers light earthen lamps in the city, as part of `deepotsava`.Chief Minister`s residence in Uttarakhand will be decorated with 5100 diyas filled with Ghee on Wednesday evening to celebrate the occasion of the `bhoomi pujan` of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya today by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Uttrakhand Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat has said that Lord Ram Temple being built in Ayodhya is associated with "our belief". He also appealed to people in the state to light diyas at their homes on the occasion. Earthen lamps were lit at Ujjain`s Mahakaleshwar Temple in Madhya Pradesh and in Punjab too people lit lamps as part of `deepotsava`. Invitations have been sent to 175 people, including 135 saints of 35 religious organisations to attend the foundation stone-laying ceremony of Ram temple. TORONTO, Aug. 5, 2020 /PRNewswire/ - sugarleaf , a recreational consumer brand for The Supreme Cannabis Company, Inc. ("Supreme Cannabis" or the "Company") (TSX: FIRE) (OTCQX: SPRWF ) (FRA: 53S1) today announced that it has launched three new product offerings in the Canadian market, including the Company's first 510 vaporizer cartridge. sugarleaf boost sativa is a 0.5-gram 510 vaporizer cartridge created from a sativa-dominant strain. Sativa dominant strains are often associated with uplifting and creative experiences. The sugarleaf boost sativa vaporizer oil is formulated and manufactured at the Company's Blissco facility in Langley, BC and features reintroduced natural cannabis terpenes from cannabis grown at the Company's premium 7ACRES facility in Kincardine, ON. "With the introduction of the sugarleaf boost sativa 510 vaporizer cartridges we build on our premium 7ACRES vaporizer offering. This popular 2.0 product caters to the significant number of frequent and occasional consumers who are looking for high-quality and convenient cannabis experiences at a reasonable price," said Joel Toguri, Chief Revenue Officer at Supreme Cannabis. "Today, we further strengthen and diversify the sugarleaf brand with the launch of this 510 vaporizer and two new 1.0 offerings which include 3x0.5-gram pre-rolls and milled flower." sugarleaf's 3x0.5-gram pre-rolls are available in four strains and produced in-house at the Company's 7ACRES facility. This new pre-roll format allows consumers to enjoy a smaller amount of cannabis per pre-roll and pace their consumption experience. sugarleaf is also introducing sugarleaf bloom, a 3.5 and 7-gram milled sativa-dominant strain that is ready to smoke with no grinding necessary. In December 2019, Supreme Cannabis added sugarleaf to its recreational brand portfolio with the introduction of the Company's first 1-gram pre-roll offering. In May 2020, sugarleaf launched a 1:5 oil, consisting of 1-part THC to 5-parts CBD. As of today, sugarleaf's product offering consists of nine SKUs and with the launch of these new products the brand will be available in eight provinces across Canada, including, Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Ontario, Saskatchewan and Quebec. Supreme Cannabis will be promoting these new offerings across Canada through its innovative sales partnership with Humble & Fume Inc., one of the industries premiere sales agencies. Canadian cannabis retailers interested in learning more about Supreme Cannabis' brands and products can speak with the Company's sales representatives by contacting [email protected]. About sugarleaf. sugarleaf offers thoughtful and convenient cannabis products for modern-day cannabis consumers seeking a no fuss consumption experience. Inspired by the simple and sweet joys of cannabis, sugarleaf caters to Canadian consumers' busy lifestyles with convenient and milder cannabis offerings. sugarleaf derives its name from cannabis sugar leaves. Sugar leaves are the short, trichome covered leaves that sprout from the bud of the cannabis plant as it flowers. These trichomes are rich in terpenes and cannabinoids, creating cannabis products that maintain rich flavour notes while delivering a lighter consumption experience. Delight in your cannabis experience; welcome to the sweet life. About Supreme Cannabis. The Supreme Cannabis Company, Inc., (TSX: FIRE) (OTCQX: SPRWF) (FRA: 53S1), is a global diversified portfolio of distinct cannabis companies, products and brands. Since 2014, the Company has emerged as one of the world's most premium producers of recreational, wholesale and medical cannabis products. Supreme Cannabis' portfolio of brands caters to diverse consumer and patient experiences, with brands and products that address recreational, wellness, medical and new consumer preferences. The Company's recreational brand portfolio includes, 7ACRES, 7ACRES Craft Collective, Blissco , sugarleaf and KKE. Supreme Cannabis addresses national and international medical cannabis opportunities through its premium Truverra brand. Supreme Cannabis' brands are backed by a focused suite of world-class operating assets that serve key functions in the value chain, including, scaled cultivation, value-add processing, automated packaging and product testing and R&D. Follow the Company on Instagram , Twitter, Facebook , LinkedIn and YouTube. We simply grow better. Forward-Looking Information. Certain statements made in this press release constitute "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Forward-looking information may relate to anticipated events or results and other statements that are not historical facts. The forward-looking information contained in this press release is made as of the date hereof, and the Company 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. SOURCE sugarleaf Related Links https://www.supreme.ca/ New Delhi: The navy has ruled out deploying indigenously built light combat aircraft Tejas on its aircraft carriers, saying it is "not being able to meet the requirements". Citing "overweight" as one of the reasons for ruling out Tejas for India's aircraft carriers, Admiral Sunil Lanba, Chief of Naval Staff, said the navy is looking at procuring an alternative aircraft. "As far as the carrier-based aircraft is concerned, we need it in a time line of the induction of the aircraft carrier. We have the MiG 29K, which operates from Vikramaditya and will operate from (indigenous aircraft carrier) IAC Vikrant. "We were also hoping to operate the LCA (Light Combat Aircraft-Tejas) from these two aircraft carriers. "Unfortunately, the LCA is not being able to meet the carrier's required capability. That is why we need an alternative aircraft to operate from these two aircraft carriers," Lanba said. He said that at the moment the navy is in the process of identifying the aircraft that will meet its requirements. "If you look around the world, there are not too many options available and we need this carrier capable aircraft sooner than later. So, I am looking at next five-six years," he said. LCA-Tejas is an indigenously built fighter aircraft and has been inducted into the Indian Air Force. Lanba said the navy is still encouraging India's Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) to develop the Naval LCA. The naval chief said that it is also looking at UAVs which can operate from ships and autonomous sub-surface vehicles for surveillance. Also Read: Indian Air Force Day: Tejas makes debut at Indian Air Force Day's aerial show in Hindon Also Read: Top 10 things to know about indigenous fighter Tejas debuting at Indian Air Force Day aerial show in Hindon For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. TEL AVIV, Israel, Aug. 5, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Zencity , the leading provider of AI-based insights for local governments, announced today the closing of a $13.5 million funding round. The round was led by venture capital firm TLV Partners and joined by strategic investor Salesforce Ventures , in addition to the company's existing investors - Canaan Partners Israel (CPI), Vertex Ventures , M12 - Microsoft's Venture Fund, and i3 Equity Partners . Zencity uses advanced AI to provide local government agencies with actionable insights about their communities' needs and priorities based on discourse in digital channels. The platform collects millions of resident-generated data points from a multitude of sources and using award-winning AI algorithms, transforms this mass of unstructured data into real-time and ongoing insights for local government leaders. These capabilities allow local governments to understand wide-scale community feedback and ensure they can truly hear the range of their residents' voices. Founded in 2015, the Tel Aviv-based company has been growing exponentially and today supports over 150 cities and counties of all sizes across four countries and 28 US states - including major cities like Los Angeles, Houston and Chicago, mid-size communities like Fort Lauderdale, FL, and Dayton, OH; and even small communities like State College, PA. During this turbulent time, as local governments battle the COVID-19 pandemic and undertake the task of economic recovery, Zencity's platform has been pivotal in their responses. Local governments face a host of unique challenges; creating and enforcing social distancing policies, supporting local businesses, managing health services, and above all, providing their citizens with accurate and timely information. These challenges require understanding their residents' needs, concerns and priorities in real time and on a wide scale, to ensure a quick feedback loop as they shape their policies, actions and messaging. Since the start of the pandemic, Zencity has added dozens of government agencies to its network, including Austin, TX, Long Beach, CA and Oak Ridge, TN. With this latest funding round, the company will continue to expand its product's ability to serve the unique needs of state and local government agencies, particularly during these times of uncertainty. The funding will also aid in building out new strategic partnerships and further expand the company's market presence. "We are proud to be able to help the heroic women and men of local government at a time when resident feedback is incredibly valuable and are looking forward to continuing in these efforts thanks to our incredible partners," said Eyal Feder-Levy, Zencity CEO. "Now more than ever, this investment is further proof of local governments' acute need for real-time resident feedback. The ability to provide municipal leaders with actionable data improves the efficiency and effectiveness of their work." "We see great value in the unique approach taken by Zencity and are excited to lead this funding round," said Eitan Bek, Managing Partner at TLV Partners. "This is our first investment in a government focused company, and we see the amazing potential in supporting this sector's needs. It is usually a "tough" market to penetrate, let alone scale in, and we were inspired by what Eyal, Ido and their government-obsessed team has been able to achieve." About Zencity Zencity is an AI-powered data analytics tool providing local governments with data-driven insights about their communities' needs and priorities. Zencity's platform analyzes millions of pieces of anonymized, aggregated feedback from varied sources like social media, local broadcast media and government customer service channels to offer actionable insights based on trending topics in citizens' conversations. Over 150 local government agencies in the US, from Houston, Chicago, and Los Angeles to the Village of Lemont, IL, use Zencity to prioritize resources, shape policies, track performance and connect with their communities. Visit https://zencity.io for more information. About TLV Partners TLV Partners is a venture capital firm with $490m under management and a community of over 30 portfolio companies across different sectors. The fund is dedicated to investing in innovative and disruptive early stage start-ups. The firm seeks not only to invest, but also to partner and get involved with the start-ups it invests in. Learn more at www.tlv.partners . About Salesforce Ventures Salesforce is the global leader in Customer Relationship Management (CRM), bringing companies closer to their customers in the digital age. Salesforce Ventures, the global investment arm of Salesforce, invests in the next generation of enterprise technology that extends the power of the Salesforce Platform. Salesforce Ventures is building the world's largest ecosystem of enterprise cloud companies and extending that technology to customers. Portfolio companies receive funding, strategic advisory, and operating support, and can easily join Pledge 1% to make giving back part of their business model. Salesforce Ventures has invested in more than 400 companies, including DocuSign, GoCardless, Guild Education, nCino, Twilio, Zoom, and others across 22 countries since 2009. For more information, please visit www.salesforce.com/ventures . Press Contact Information: Michaela Sokol [email protected] US +1-347-468-9595 IL: +972-58-658-5635 SOURCE Zencity Related Links https://zencity.io/ Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-05 12:36:16|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close BOGOTA, Aug. 4 (Xinhua) -- Colombia's former President Alvaro Uribe on Tuesday announced that the Supreme Court of Justice has ordered house arrest for him on charges of fraud, bribery and corruption. "The deprivation of my freedom causes me deep sadness because of my wife, my family and the Colombians who still believe that I have done some good for the homeland," Uribe, the first Colombian former president with an arrest warrant and an incumbent senator, wrote on Twitter. The warrant came in the wake of investigation against Uribe after he accused Senator Ivan Cepeda in 2012 of witness tampering when Cepeda researched Uribe's connections to paramilitary groups. Uribe sued Cepeda, but the case turned against him when the Supreme Court of Justice decided to investigate him instead. Colombian President Ivan Duque, a member of political party Centro Democratico founded by Uribe, has expressed full confidence in Uribe's innocence. Centro Democratico has announced that it will hold a meeting to analyze the situation and deliver a statement. Uribe served as a two-term president of the South American country from 2002 to 2010. Enditem Some 15,000 Malians were moved out of two large refugee camps in western Niger in late 2019 to live in nearby towns where they will be safer from jihadist attacks, the United Nations announced for the first time on Wednesday. "The closure of the camps in December 2019 was a joint decision (by the UN refugee agency and the government of Niger) and was accelerated last year with the deterioration of the security situation," Benoit Moreno, a UNHCR official in the capital Niamey, told AFP. The camps at Tabarey Barey and Mangaize had sheltered Malians fleeing violence in their own country since 2012. Western Niger is the scene of frequent attacks by jihadist groups, with attacks at Tabarey Barey and Mangaize killing 10 refugees and members of the Nigerien forces who were providing security between 2014 and 2016. For "the government of Niger, the camps are not a solution as there are parallel (basic public) services, and the people are isolated," Moreno said. The residents have been transferred to the towns of Ayorou and Ouallam, also in the Tillaberi region bordering Mali, he said. Moreno said the UNHCR will work to help the refugees to integrate with the local population with a view to their eventual return to Mali. The UNHCR has handed over possession of the two camps to the Niger government, an interior ministry official told public radio. Houses will be built for refugees and internally displaced Niger citizens to "facilitate integration", he said. In Ayorou, which hosts refugees from the Tabarey Barey camp, some are living with local families, according to the city's mayor Zakaria Oumarou. "There are a few houses that are there (for the refugees) and then there are shelters," he said. The transfer of the refugees "has a double advantage: it shelters the refugees from terrorist attacks and the (local) population will benefit from social services (health, education, food)" provided by the UN, another local elected official told AFP. In addition, the Nigerien authorities suspect that the camps were sheltering "terrorists or their accomplices", the official said. Niger is home to nearly 60,000 Malian refugees who fled their country's north after it fell under the control of Al-Qaeda-linked jihadist groups in 2012, according to the UN. A French-led military intervention pushed them out, but swathes of the poor West African country remain out of government control and awash with armed groups. The Mali-based Islamic State in the Greater Sahara (EIGS) carries out frequent cross-border attacks into Niger's west, while the southeast of the country faces regular assaults from Nigerian jihadist group Boko Haram. Sen. Ron Wyden, D-OR, questions Internal Revenue Service Commissioner Charles Rettig at a Senate Finance Committee hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC on June 30, 2020. SUSAN WALSH/POOL/AFP via Getty Images US Sen. Ron Wyden, a Democrat from Oregon, said Tuesday that President Trump's deployment of federal agents in Portland was intended "to create images of chaos for his own political gain to air in campaign ads." Last month, Wyden told Business Insider that "what is happening in my hometown won't stop at my hometown." President Trump then announced deployments in cities such as Chicago and Albuquerque. Wyden also criticized the president for his focus on "anarchists." The real threat to Americans, Wyden argued, is posed "by the president and his enablers, who are calling peaceful protesters 'anarchists' and 'terrorists' and sending paramilitary forces into America's cities." Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories. President Donald Trump sent his "secret police" to Portland in order to spur the sort of violence that he is both campaigning on and against, Sen. Ron Wyden of Oregon said Tuesday. The Democratic senator made the comments during a Senate hearing on the federal use of force in Oregon's largest city, which included the indiscriminate use of tear gas and the use of "less-lethal" munitions that maimed protesters and journalists alike. Wyden, the son of two refugees from Nazi Germany, attacked Trump for having "heavily armed secret police snatching Portlanders off the streets," saying the president did so "to create images of chaos for his own political gain to air in campaign ads." Last month, Wyden told Business Insider that "what is happening in my hometown won't stop at my hometown." Soon after, President Trump announced he was sending more federal agents to cities such as Albuquerque, New Mexico, where last week hundreds of people protested the deployment. At Tuesday's committee hearing, Wyden argued that the Trump administration's rhetorical focus on "leftist anarchy" served only to deflect from the far more numerous "murders and vandalism committed by far-right domestic terrorists." Story continues In a report released in June, the Center for Strategic and International Studies found that, over the past 25 years, the majority of terrorist attacks and plots "have come from the far right," as The Guardian's Jason Wilson reported. Attacks from far-left groups were negligible, according to the group, which noted that such agitation peaked in the mid-2000s. Former Vice President Joe Biden, while criticizing the Trump administration's deployment of federal agents, has also said that "Arsonists and anarchists should be prosecuted," conflating criminality with political radicalism. Such rhetoric only obscures the fact that acts of violence by anti-racist protesters are few and far between, Wyden said. "This baseless talk of leftist anarchy also erased the work being done by all those who've stood up in peaceful protests to declare that Black Lives Matter," he said. The real threat to Americans, he continued, is posed "by the president and his enablers, who are calling peaceful protesters 'anarchists' and 'terrorists' and sending paramilitary forces into America's cities." Have a news tip? Email this reporter: cdavis@insider.com Read the original article on Business Insider SPRINGFIELD As American colleges and universities wrestle with either balancing remote and in-person learning, or going all-in on remote, Western New England University plans to open the fall semester overwhelmingly in the classroom. The Springfield institution currently projects that 83 percent of its classes will be done traditional in-person fashion. An array of safety and health protocols, expanded recently from the initial rollout, will accompany a strategy that projects a much higher classroom rate than at most other institutions. Only 11 percent of classes are designed to be exclusively online. Six percent are planned to be hybrid, with the class split into groups and half attending a session in person, with half online on an alternating basis. The numbers may change. According to the university, a small number of faculty have pending requests to teach at least some courses online in the event their children are unable to return to school in the fall. The university has left open the option of considering exemptions for such reasons. The hybrid option is being used primarily to overcome space limitations when a particular room cannot hold all students simultaneously and maintain social distancing, a WNEU spokesman said. Institutions vary as to how much choice is being given to faculty members requesting to teach remotely for safety or domestic reasons. Smith College in Northampton recently announced it would leave the decisions up to its individual teachers, but many colleges and universities are following specific procedures for exemptions. Western New England professors must receive approval from university administrators to change their method of course delivery. The choices are in-person, online or hybrid. Requests are reviewed case-by-case by the Human Resources office in conjunction with the Provosts office. From the outset of the coronavirus pandemic, WNEU has sought to maintain classroom learning when safe and possible. It hasnt always been possible. WNEU was among the last institutions in the region to pivot to all-remote education to the spring semester, but still did so during the semester break, when campus was vacated. President Anthony Caprio has supervised the summer decision making. Caprio is retiring this month, with former University of Massachusetts Darmouth chancellor Robert Johnson assuming the presidency on August 15. In an introductory interview, Johnson similarly expressed preference for traditional classroom learning - done safely - while also acknowledging the need and potential for online resources. Western New England classes commence August 31. With school openings coming into view, two other schools in Springfield are determining which course will be taught in-person. American International College, where classes will begin August 24, will deliver the majority of classes in remote, synchronous fashion, similar but much more efficiently than in the spring, according to a university statement. As for face-to-face learning, AIC is prioritizing the need based on content, specifically in the health sciences. Accreditation requirements and course content are being factored, with classroom, lab, clinical, and fieldwork sessions restructured to reduce risk. For courses requiring some in-person learning, face coverings and/or face shields will be required. Hands-on learning will occur in socially distanced classrooms, wherever reasonable,' the university statement said. Where students must break the 6-foot spacing in order for necessary interaction, they will be provided appropriate personal protective equipment to reduce risk. AIC is following a policy allowing campus employees, including faculty, to file to qualify for exemption from being on campus to deliver course content. Springfield College classes begin August 31. The college has not finalized its class schedule regarding in-person versus remote learning. The number of students requesting remote for at least some classes is being reviewed. Lab-based classes will definitely include some classroom learning and will get first priority in that regard, a Springfield College spokesman said. VCs peg Hypersonix as a top new tech firm for big data Our solution was created from the ground up to enable data-supported decisioning. It is already delivering daily advantage to leaders at visionary companies like KFC, Smart & Final and Bashas' Family of Stores A group of prominent venture capital investors has named Hypersonix among 29 top tech startups of the year in the booming big data industry, in a report published by Business Insider. Hypersonix is a cloud platform that helps businesses in e-commerce, grocery, restaurant, hospitality and other consumer-focused industries make better, faster and more confident daily decisions. It uses AI and voice computing to turn their data into actionable business information in real time. The recognition comes just a few weeks after Hypersonix secured $11.5M in Series A funding, led by Intel Capital. Data operations and data engineering have taken off, said the report, in which more than a dozen investors weighed in with their picks for the most promising solutions in the sector. Observed one of the participating VCs, Derek Zanutto, general partner at CapitalG (formerly Google Capital), Companies are increasingly collecting vast swathes of data, though its often fragmented across the silos of their business. This makes tools for processing that data more necessary than ever. A spokesperson from Intel Capital told Business Insider, Hypersonix is addressing that need with an autonomous AI platform that uses a virtual assistant to collect and process data stored in different locations and quickly turn them into predictive insights. We are honored to learn that Hypersonix has been recognized among this impressive group of innovators, said Prem Kiran, Founder and CEO. Our solution was created from the ground up to enable data-supported decisioning. It is already delivering daily advantage to leaders at visionary companies like KFC, Smart & Final and Bashas' Family of Stores. Access the article on Business Insider (subscription required). VCs say that these 29 companies are the top startups in the booming big data industry About Hypersonix Hypersonix offers the most comprehensive cloud-based, AI-powered autonomous analytics platform that enables consumer commerce decision-makers to make smart decisions fastempowering them to get real-time intelligence, insights and recommendations to take timely actions leading to business success. Hypersonixs predictive and prescriptive analytics can measure and monitor business results, clarify why results are occurring, and recommend actions to drive improvements. Leveraging innovations in Machine Learning (ML), Natural Language Programming (NLP) and real-time data computing, the platform offers a simple, fast "Google-like" experience supported by "Jarvix," a virtual assistant. Designed for Retail, Restaurant, Hospitality, e-Commerce, Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG) and Brand Manufacturers. Hypersonix helps clients drive profitable growth, save money and improve customer engagement. Founded in 2018 by former executives from SAP, PayPal and IBM, the company has been featured in the Wall Street Journal, Fortune, TechCrunch, along with other outlets. It is based in San Jose, with offices in Sacramento, California and Bangalore, India. TWO former solicitors will face trial on indictment over an alleged conspiracy to defraud a number of Irish financial institutions. The two former solicitors - one of whom is a former Fine Gael election candidate - appeared before Judge Olann Kelleher at Cork District Court on a single charge which arose from a Garda investigation into the attempted fraud of sums amounting to hundreds of thousands of Euro from various financial institutions. Keith Flynn (46) of Blarney Street, Cork and Lyndsey Clarke (37), also of Blarney Street, Cork, appeared as Gardai confirmed the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has ruled that matter be dealt with on indictment before Cork Circuit Criminal Court. Both face a single charge that they conspired with each other between dates in 2016 and 2018 to defraud a number of financial institutions including banks. Judge Kelleher remanded both to appear again before Cork District Court on September 2. Both were remanded on bail. The brief hearing only took a couple of minutes and both defendants sat beside each other in court. Both now face a single charge that between January 1, 2016 and June 26, 2018, they conspired with each other to defraud Ulster Bank, AIB, Bank of Ireland and other financial institutions by creating false identities to be used for the purpose of obtaining credit dishonestly. The effect of this was to cause potential financial loss to the institutions involved. Sergeant Gearoid Davis confirmed that the DPP has instructed the matter be dealt with before a judge and jury. Graham Hyde, a solicitor who is representing both defendants, applied for free legal aid for his clients. He said Ms Clarke was on a back to work scheme and was only earning 217 a week. The former solicitor is a mother of two. Mr Flynn is now working in the catering industry. He is earning around 500 weekly but was supporting a young family comprised of four children. In light of the submissions, Judge Kelleher granted free legal aid to both. Ms Clarke became a solicitor in 2012 and unsuccessfully contested the Local Government elections for Fine Gael in Cork six years ago. Mr Flynn was a solicitor since 2006 and, for a time, was based in Dublin. Both are former solicitors who practised with Keith Flynn & Co., Capel Building, Mary's Abbey, Dublin. The matter was adjourned to September 2 to allow for the service of the book of evidence. Black Lives Matter organizer Cori Bush defeated Rep. William Lacy Clay in Missouris Democratic primary Tuesday night, halting a St. Louis political dynasty. Jason Rosenbaum, a political correspondent for St. Louis Public Radio, called Bushs victory one of the most significant moments in the history of St. Louis politics. It is enormous. Clay has served in the House of Representatives since 2001, succeeding his father, who had held the seat since 1969. Bush, 44, had challenged Clay, 64, in 2018 but lost by 20 points. In the 2020 rematch, she edged out Clay to win the Democratic nomination for the St. Louis-based district. They counted us out. They called me just the protester. Im just the activist. With no name, no title and no real money. Thats all they said that I was. But St. Louis showed up today, Bush said following her victory, adding, It is historic that this year, of all the years, we are sending a Black, working-class, single mother, whos been fighting for Black lives since Ferguson, all the way to the halls of Congress. The district is considered safely Democratic, meaning Bush will almost certainly become the first Black woman to represent Missouri in Congress. Bush became involved in political activism in 2014 following the death of Michael Brown in the St. Louis suburb of Ferguson, joining the protests there. Bush, a minister and nurse, suffered from COVID-19 during the campaign but closed out the race with strong fundraising numbers. Following her recovery from the virus, Bush was an activist participant in the protests that swept the nation following the killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis. This wasnt a simple liberal-versus-conservative ideological battle. Clay is a member of the Congressional Progressive Caucus and a supporter of Medicare for All and the Green New Deal. Clay had establishment support with endorsements from House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Sen. Kamala Harris and Planned Parenthood, while Bush received an early endorsement from Sen. Bernie Sanders, who she thanked at the beginning of her victory speech. An outside group spent hundreds of thousands of dollars attacking Clay over his opposition to an Obama-era Wall Street reform. Story continues Here's the anti-corruption ad running against Rep. Lacy Clay starting this week pic.twitter.com/8ms0VcbXG1 Ryan Grim (@ryangrim) July 20, 2020 I fight for [progressive] values just because its right, Bush said in the final days of the campaign. I always think that I am the people I serve. I did not coin the phrase, but I always say that because I have lived low-wage. Ive been unhoused, living out of a car with two children. I have lived uninsured ... Im a victim of violent crime. Im a survivor of sexual assault and domestic violence. So Ive been through so many things that have happened here in this community that havent really been addressed by our congressperson even though hes been in that seat for 20 years. Bush was endorsed in both 2018 and 2020 by Justice Democrats, the progressive organization that helped propel Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Ilhan Omar, Rashida Tlaib and Ayanna Pressley to victory two years ago. Both Ocasio-Cortez and Bush were featured in the 2019 Netflix documentary Knock Down the House. Bush is the third Justice Democrat challenger to knock out a Democratic incumbent in the 2020 cycle: Marie Newman defeated anti-abortion Democrat Rep. Dan Lipinski in Chicago and Jamaal Bowman was victorious over Rep. Eliot Engel, the House Foreign Affairs chairman, in New York. Shortly after his own primary victory this year, Bowman endorsed Bush. Ocasio-Cortez, who campaigned for Bush in 2018, did not. Tlaibs primary in Michigan was also held Tuesday night, and while the Associated Press had yet to make an official call, she was leading challenger Brenda Jones, president of the Detroit City Council. On Wednesday morning, Tlaib declared victory. Headlines said I was the most vulnerable member of the Squad. My community responded last night and said our Squad is big. It includes all who believe we must show up for each other and prioritize people over profits. Its here to stay, and its only getting bigger. Rashida Tlaib (@RashidaTlaib) August 5, 2020 Omars primary is next week, and the final Justice Democrat challenge occurs next month, when Holyoke, Mass., Mayor Alex Morse attempts to knock off Rep. Richard Neal, chairman of the powerful House Ways and Means Committee. _____ Read more from Yahoo News: HOUSTON, Aug. 05, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Media Advisory TC Energy Corporation (TSX, NYSE: TRP) (TC Energy) announced today that Keystone XL has reached a project labor agreement (PLA) with four leading U.S. labor unions that will inject hundreds of millions of dollars in middle-class wages into the American economy, while ensuring this pipeline will be built by the highest-skilled and highest-trained workforce. TC Energy is also working with labor to establish a unique Green Jobs Training Program to help union members acquire the specific skills needed to work in the developing renewable energy sector. The company will contribute approximately $10 million, recognizing the 10 million-plus hours anticipated to be worked on Keystone XL by union workers, to establish new training courses for current and future union members in North America. We are proud to partner with these union trades and craft workers to ensure this pipeline will be built by qualified professionals with specialized skills to the highest safety and quality standards, said Richard Prior, President of Keystone XL. We are especially proud of the new Green Jobs Training Program, which is an investment in thousands of current and future union workers. The four unions that are part of the PLA include the Laborers International Union of North America (LiUNA), the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, the International Union of Operating Engineers, and the United Association of Union Plumbers and Pipefitters. Each union is respected throughout the energy industry for their commitment to safety and quality. Were proud to reach todays agreement with TC Energy that will put UA members to work on this project, bringing safe and efficient energy to American families, said Mark McManus, General President of the United Association of Union Plumbers and Pipefitters (UA). This project will bring good paying jobs to our members, all while keeping energy costs low and delivering a boost to local communities and their economies. Were ready to get to work. Project construction will support the creation of 42,000 family-sustaining jobs in the U.S, including more than 10,000 high-paying construction jobs that will be filled primarily by union workers. Keystone XL pipeline construction will generate $2 billion in earnings for U.S. workers, according to the 2014 Final Environmental Impact Statement done by the U.S. State Department. Unions working in the pipeline industry, like the Operating Engineers, pride themselves on achieving the highest level of technical training and safety to earn opportunities to build projects like Keystone XL, said James T. Callahan, General President of the International Union of Operating Engineers. When our members build and maintain pipelines, they are built right, built safe, and built to last. North America is in desperate need of more modern, safe and efficient energy infrastructure. Operating Engineers will continue to provide the most advanced training in the industry to ensure that these projects are built to the highest safety and environmental standards by the most skilled workforce possible. The agreement also underscores TC Energys commitment to hire as many local workers as possible, including Indigenous workers. Under the agreement, the unions will hire a tribal consultant to serve as a liaison, reaching out with job fairs and open houses to identify and support Indigenous members seeking to work on this project. The Keystone XL pipeline project will put thousands of Americans, including Teamsters, to work in good union jobs that will support working families, said Jim Hoffa, Teamsters General President. We believe in supporting projects which prioritize the creation of good jobs through much-needed infrastructure development. Keystone XL will create jobs and energy security in North America, by ensuring a reliable source of crude oil to the United States. Construction of Keystone XL will inject approximately $3.4 billion into the U.S. GDP. Once complete, Keystone XL will continue to contribute to the local economy, adding approximately $55 million in property taxes to local communities in Montana, South Dakota and Nebraska during the first year of operation. For additional information on the project, visit Keystone-XL.com About TC Energy We are a vital part of everyday life - delivering the energy millions of people rely on to power their lives in a sustainable way. Thanks to a safe, reliable network of natural gas and crude oil pipelines, along with power generation and storage facilities, wherever life happens were there. Guided by our core values of safety, responsibility, collaboration and integrity, our more than 7,300 people make a positive difference in the communities where we operate across Canada, the U.S. and Mexico. TC Energys common shares trade on the Toronto (TSX) and New York (NYSE) stock exchanges under the symbol TRP. To learn more, visit us at TCEnergy.com . -30- Media Inquiries: Robynn Tysver / Terry Cunha 403-920-7859 or 800-608-7859 Investor & Analyst Inquiries: David Moneta / Hunter Mau 403-920-7911 or 800-361-6522 PDF available: http://ml.globenewswire.com/Resource/Download/7e2e0752-d56a-4ff0-bd84-3b37ba3d0a92 The global death toll from the coronavirus is more than 700,000, with more than 18.5 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. Afghanistan The Health Ministry estimates that nearly a third of the population -- or 10 million people -- has been infected with the coronavirus. Health Minister Ahmad Jawad Osmani told reporters on August 5 that the survey was based on antibody tests carried out on around 9,500 people across the country with technical support from the World Health Organization (WHO). The survey estimated that some 31.5 percent of the population of 32 million had contracted the virus, with the highest infection rate in the capital, Kabul where more than half of the city's 5 million people are believed to have been infected. Afghanistan, which has poor health infrastructure and has been wracked by decades of war, has only limited testing capacity. Officially, the country only has 36,829 positive cases and 1,294 deaths as of August 5, although the real numbers are believed to be much higher. "A second wave of the infection is happening everywhere in the world and we cannot be an exception," Osmani said. "We will use the findings of this survey to better prepare ourselves for a possible second wave." The virus entered Afghanistan in February as thousands of migrants and refugees returned from neighboring Iran, one of the region's worst-hit countries. Osmani said a survey on the mortality rate of the coronavirus in Afghanistan was under way. Russia The head of the region of Kalmykia, Batu Khasikov, has announced that he has tested positive for coronavirus. In a video statement posted on Facebook on August 5, which appears to have been recorded in a hospital room, Khasikov said he was progressing "easily" through the recovery process. "Let me tell you, there is nothing good about this illness. But I am easily going through it as my immunity system allows me to do so," Khasikov said. "When I learned about the positive test results, I, of course, thought about my relatives -- my parents, first of all." Khsikov said he continued working remotely and asked the region's residents to follow lockdown restrictions to avoid contracting COVID-19. He also said that it was too early to talk about lifting coronavirus restrictions imposed in Kalmykia in an attempt to slow the spread of the disease. Kalmykia is a region on Russia's southern steppes near the Caspian Sea. Kalmyks, a Mongol-speaking and predominantly Buddhist ethnic group, make up a majority of the 270,000 people living there. According to Kalmyk authorities, 2,839 coronavirus cases have been registered in the region -- including 40 people who have died from COVID-19. With reporting by AFP and dpa Acid mine drainage pollution in a stream in Cambria County, Pennsylvania. Credit: Penn State A new way to treat acid mine drainage (AMD) could help transform the environmental pollution problem into an important domestic source of the critical rare earth elements needed to produce technology ranging from smart phones to fighter jets, according to Penn State scientists. "Acid mine drainage has been a significant environmental concern for many decades," said Mohammad Rezaee, assistant professor of mining engineering in the College of Earth and Mineral Sciences at Penn State. "This research shows we can modify existing treatment processes in a way that not only addresses environmental concerns, but at the same time recovers valuable elements and actually decreases the cost of treatment." A team of Penn State scientists developed a two-stage treatment process that enabled them to recover higher concentrations of rare earth elements using smaller amounts of chemicals than previously possible, the scientists said. "This technique represents an efficient, low-cost and environmentally friendly method to extract these valuable minerals that are used in a wide variety of consumer and industrial products," said Sarma Pisupati, professor of energy and mineral engineering and director of the Center for Critical Minerals at Penn State. Rare earth elements are a group of 17 minerals widely used in advanced technologies and designated by the U.S. as critical to the country's economic and national security. The U.S. currently imports nearly 100% of these materials, with China producing about 85% of the world supply. AMD from coal mining operations in Appalachia represents a promising domestic source of rare earth elements because it often contains high concentrations of the minerals, and because it is already being collected and treated due to environmental concerns, the scientists said. "We are currently incurring costs just to treat the water, and in many cases, we are not even collecting all these minerals," Pisupati said. "Now we are able to turn what had been considered a waste product into a valuable resource." AMD occurs when pyrite rockiron sulfideunearthed by mining activity interacts with water and air and then oxidizes, creating sulfuric acid. The acid then breaks down surrounding rocks, causing toxic metals to dissolve into the water, the scientists said. Traditional treatment methods involve collecting the AMD in retention ponds and adding chemicals to neutralize the pHan indicator of how acidic or basic a substance is. This causes the dissolved metals to precipitate, or form into solids, and settle out of the water. Up to 70% of rare earth elements can be extracted as a sludge using this process, and the rest are released along with the treated water, according to researchers. The scientists found they could extract a higher concentration of rare earth elements and other critical minerals by adding carbon dioxide to the AMD and then bringing it to a neutral pH of 7, the target for environmental remediation, in two separate steps. Using this method, 90% of aluminum was recovered at a pH of 5 and 85% of rare earth elements were recovered by pH 7, the scientists reported in Chemical Engineering Journal. Adding carbon dioxide to AMD produces chemical reactions that result in the formation of solid minerals called carbonites, the scientists said. The rare earth elements bond with the extra carbonites and precipitate out of the water at lower pH values. The process, called carbon dioxide mineralization, is an emerging technology being used to remove excess carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. This study represents the first time it has been used to recover large concentrations of rare earth elements from AMD, the scientists said. Recovering the same concentration of rare earth elements from AMD using traditional treatment methods would require adding additional chemicals to increase the pH beyond 7. The scientists said by lowering recovery costs, the new treatment method could make the domestic rare-earth-element market more competitive. "With a simple modification of existing treatment processes, industry could use less chemicals and get more value out of AMD waste," Rezaee said. "This is the beauty of this research." Explore further New acid-free magnet recycling process More information: Behzad Vaziri Hassas et al, Precipitation of rare earth elements from acid mine drainage by CO2 mineralization process, Chemical Engineering Journal (2020). Behzad Vaziri Hassas et al, Precipitation of rare earth elements from acid mine drainage by CO2 mineralization process,(2020). DOI: 10.1016/j.cej.2020.125716 New Delhi, Aug 5 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday left from Delhi to participate in Uttar Pradesh's Ayodhya for the 'Bhumi Pujan' (ground breaking ceremony) of Ram Mandir. The Prime Minister's Office in a tweet said, "PM Marendra Modi leaves for Ayodhya." The Prime Minister, dressed in a traditional attire (dhoti and kurta), departed from Delhi in a special aircraft. He will first arrive in Lucknow, from where he will leave for Ayodhya in a helicopter. The 'Bhumi Pujan' for the proposed Ram temple in Ayodhya will begin at 12.30 p.m. on Wednesday with the Prime Minister performing the 'Shila Pujan', 'Bhumi Pujan' and 'Karma Shila Pujan'. According to an official statement, the main 'puja' will be held between 12.44 p.m. and 12.45 p.m. during the 32-second 'Abhijit Muhurat'. It is the same 'muhurat' or auspicious moment when Lord Ram was believed to have been born. The Prime Minister will lay a 40-kg silver brick to symbolise the start of construction of the temple that is at the core of the ruling BJP's ideology and poll promises. A campaign for the temple marked the rise of the party to the national spotlight in the 1990s. Modi is likely to spend around three hours in Ayodhya. At 11.40 a.m., Modi will go to Hanuman Garhi temple where he will offer prayers for 10 minutes and then proceed to the Ram Janmabhoomi complex where he will offer prayers to Ram Lalla Virajman. The Prime Minister will plant a 'Parijat' sapling at 12.10 p.m. in the temple complex and then proceed for the Bhumi Pujan ceremony. After the ceremony which will end at 12.45.p.m, the Prime Minister will address the saints for about an hour after which he will fly back to Lucknow around 2 p.m. and then return to Delhi. Latest updates on Ayodhya Ram Temple Bhumi Pujan -- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text BEIRUT - At least two massive explosions shook Beirut on Tuesday, injuring and killing hundreds of people, strewing devastation across multiple neighborhoods and shattering windows for miles around. The cause of the early-evening blasts was not immediately clear, but senior officials said it appeared that flammable materials stored in a warehouse in the port area had caught fire. An initial, smaller explosion had apparently ignited a fire. Then came two secondary blasts, propelling a vast mushroom cloud of pink and yellow smoke over the city. The casualty numbers rose through the evening, with more than 70 dead, the Associated Press reported, and more than 3,000 injured, according to the Health Ministry Hospitals were overwhelmed by the number of injuries. One, the Hotel-Dieu, said it had received more than 500 injured people in the first hours after the blasts. For more than an hour after the explosions, people with blood streaming down their faces or limbs wandered the streets, trying to find a way of reaching hospitals on roads too clogged with traffic and debris for ambulances and taxis to move. In the early hours of Wednesday, Red Cross workers were still scouring the wrecked and deserted streets in neighborhoods adjoining the port, calling out to residents who might be trapped and injured to identify themselves. The explosions coincide with mounting tensions between Israel and the Lebanese Shiite militia Hezbollah, which maintains a facility at the port and has long been accused by U.S. officials of using it to smuggle weapons into the country. The explosion follows a spate of mysterious blasts at Shiite militia weapons storage sites in Iraq last year, which Iraqi and Israeli officials have said Israel was responsible for, and more recently a string of explosions at military sites and sensitive locations in Iran, which regional intelligence officials have said Israel, at least in part, was behind. An Israeli official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to brief reporters, said that Israel had no role in the Beirut explosions. Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz and Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi offered the Lebanese government medical and humanitarian aid, as well as immediate emergency assistance, via international intermediaries because Israel and Lebanon are in a state of war and have no official contact. In a statement offering condolences to families of the dead and injured, Hezbollah did not apportion blame. It called the incident a "huge national tragedy" and urged Lebanese to unite to overcome the ordeal. At a news conference, President Donald Trump called the explosion a "terrible attack" and said that U.S. generals seemed to feel that it was the result of a "bomb of some kind." But military officials said they had yet to make a solid assessment of the explosion. There were many indications that the blast may have been a tragic accident. Lebanese Interior Minister Mohammed Fahmi said it appeared that stocks of ammonium nitrate, a fertilizer that can be used in bombmaking, had ignited. Lebanon's Prime Minister Hassan Diab linked the explosions to 2,700 tons of the dangerous chemical that had been stored at the port since 2014, despite warnings from port officials that the material was not safe. "I promise you that this catastrophe will not pass without accountability. . . . Those responsible will pay the price," he said in a televised speech. "Facts about this dangerous warehouse that has been there since 2014 will be announced and I will not preempt the investigations." But suspicions lingered that Israel may have been involved, said a senior Lebanese army officer who spoke on the condition of anonymity because the issue is sensitive. Numerous witnesses reported hearing warplanes overhead at the time, he noted. "There are suspicions," the official said. "There will be no conclusion until there has been a full investigation. Israeli planes and drones have been flying with increasing regularity over the city in recent weeks as the tensions have risen. One thing that was clear is that crisis-stricken Lebanon, in the throes of a major financial and economic collapse and battling rising numbers of coronavirus infections, is in little position to cope with another disaster, especially on this scale. At least two hospitals were badly damaged in the explosions, and TV footage showed staff members evacuating patients to alternative hospitals that were themselves swamped - in the dark, because the city had no electricity. The Red Cross told all ambulances across the country to head to Beirut to report for duty. Many residents lost their homes, especially in the majority-Christian eastern part of the city closest to the blast. In the neighborhood of Gemmayze, once a vibrant nightlife district, buildings collapsed, cars were overturned and streets were blocked by piles of masonry and twisted metal. The damage was spread across a wide arc. Windows were blown out, and check-in counters were damaged at Beirut's airport several miles from the explosion. Doors were blown open and windows rattled at the U.S. Embassy, more than six miles away. Health officials warned that the explosion had left a toxic cloud of nitrous oxide hanging over the city, and told residents to wear masks and stay indoors. The U.S. Embassy issued a similar warning in a message to U.S. citizens. "There are reports of toxic gases released in the explosion so all in the area should stay indoors and wear masks if available," the message said. Among the dead was Nizar Najarian, a senior official with the Kataeb political party. The injured included Kamal Hayek, the chairman of the state-owned electricity company, according to the state-run National News Agency. Germany's foreign ministry tweeted that German Embassy employees were among those injured. Phone lines went down, and the Internet faltered as friends and relatives took to the telephone to check on loved ones. - - - Loveluck reported from Baghdad. The Washington Post's Suzan Haidamous, Siobhan O'Grady and Miriam Berger in Washington and Ruth Eglash in Jerusalem contributed to this report. United States Military has released new footage of its latest missile's test launch, which Trump calls "super-duper missile." According to Gizmodo's latest report, a new video of the secretive hypersonic missile was released by the U.S. Army on Tuesday, Aug. 4. Also Read: Spacecraft Made From Super Thin Foam, 15,000X More Lighter Than Aluminum, Can Reach Proxima Centauri The new footage shows a rare view of the massive missile. Although there is no information explaining the missile's features, the report claimed that the newly developed hyper rocket could be the future of the U.S. Military during the new Cold War, since Russia is also expanding their missiles. Also Read: China's Ambitious Tianwen-1 Mars Rover Rockets Away From Earth; Will it be Successful? The Drive first reported the video of the hypersonic test launch called Flight Experiment 2, which was recorded by the U.S. Army on Mar. 19 from Hawaii. The report stated that the U.S. Army coordinated with the U.S. Navy to conduct the test launch. It was speculated that the missile would be completed by Mar. 17, according to earlier reports. There was already a five-second video clip of the test launch, which was aired in Mar. However, the new video posted by @Missile_Defense, showed the first close up footage of the missile, revealing how it looks on impact. But, the report described it as grainy, preventing the viewers from seeing the enormous weapon correctly. Why the U.S. President Donald Trump calls it "super-duper missile" U.S. President Donald Trump said that the new missile has an accuracy of 14 inches from its center point, which is why he calls it "super-duper missile." However, the report stated that despite the public airing of the video by Lieutenant-general Neil Thurgood on Tuesday, Aug. 3, there's so much that the public still doesn't know about the missile launch shown in the released video during an unclassified teleconference. The U.S. military did not provide specific details about how far the missile travels, or how its launch test in March goes. On the other hand, one of the U.S. adversaries in the New Cold War is also developing its own hypersonic missiles. Russia also did not provide any specific details about its new war weapon. On Aug. 4, America tested another unarmed nuclear-capable ICBM from Vandenberg Air Force Base, located in California, according to the local news outlets. "This launch demonstrates that we are able to provide the range support needed to facilitate this test during peacetime operations in the midst of COVID-19 operations," said the 30th Space Wing Commander, Col. Anthony Mastalir. You can check further updates about the hypersonic missiles by keeping your tabs open here at TechTimes. Also Read: SpaceX's Starship SN5 Flew Its First Test Flight for 40 Seconds: Musk Said 'Mars is Looking Real' This article is owned by TechTimes. Written by: Giuliano de Leon. 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. HAMDEN A Hamden teen was charged after he was found driving a stolen vehicle, while searching for the driver of another stolen vehicle after a crash that caused extensive damage, officials said. Around 5:30 a.m., Hamden police responded to 395 Treadwell St. for a report of a vehicle that had crashed into a building, Capt. Ronald Smith said. Arriving officers found the vehicle had slammed into the corner of the building. The vehicle, which Smith said had been reported stolen from Madison, was unoccupied. There was extensive damage to the building and the stolen vehicle. Officers subsequently responded to a nearby neighborhood, in an attempt to locate a local juvenile, that has stolen numerous vehicles in the past, Smith said. Minutes later, he said, Officer Keron Bryce spotted the juvenile on Wheeler Street, driving a vehicle that was stolen from Westport. The officers pulled the teen over and he was taken into custody. The 16-year-old was charged with first-degree larceny and operating without a license. He is scheduled to appear in court in New Haven. But the investigation into the Treadwell Street crash continues, Smith said. He said the investigation is continuing to attempt to ascertain the identity of the operation of the stolen vehicle, that crashed into the building. Anyone with information is asked to call the Detective Division at 203-230-4000. President Donald Trump called Barack Obama's eulogy for the late Congressman John Lewis 'ridiculous' and a sign of anger from the former president. 'It showed anger there that people don't see. He lost control and he's been really hit very hard by both sides for that speech. That speech was ridiculous,' Trump said on 'Fox & Friends' Wednesday morning. In his 40-minute eulogy last week, given at the same pulpit where the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. used to preach, Obama outlined a dramatic new plan for voting reform that was seen as a call to arms for Democrats to battle President Trump, who has railed against mail-in voting and complained the system is 'rigged.' President Donald Trump called Barack Obama's eulogy for the late Congressman John Lewis 'ridiculous' In his eulogy, former President Barack Obama did not mention Trump by name by was referring to him when he railed against the oppression of voting rights Obama did not mention Trump by name but it was clear who he was referring to as he railed against the oppression of voting rights. 'Few elections have been as urgent on so many levels as this one,' Obama said of the 2020 contest. 'We can't treat voting as an errand to run if we have some time. We have to treat it as the most important action we can take. On behalf of democracy. Like John, we have to give it all we have.' Trump, meanwhile, has dismissed Lewis' legacy and said the civil rights icon made a 'big mistake' not coming to his inauguration. Longtime Congressman Lewis, whose bloody beating at Selma helped galvanize opposition to racial segregation, died on July 17 and was laid to rest last Thursday. Former presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush also eulogized him at the Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta. But Trump stayed away and instead refused to say whether he thought Lewis' life was impressive in an interview with Axios. He also did not visit the late Congressman's body as he lay in state in the rotunda of the U.S. Capitol. Donald Trump has dismissed the legacy of Rep. John Lewis following his death, saying the civil rights icon made a 'big mistake' not coming to his inauguration. The president made the comments as Lewis lay in state at the Capitol last Tuesday Longtime Congressman Lewis, whose bloody beating at Selma helped galvanize opposition to racial segregation, died on July 17 and was laid to rest last Thursday Asked how history will remember Rep. Lewis Trump replied: 'I really don't know. I don't know John Lewis. He chose not to come to my inauguration. I never met John Lewis, actually, I don't believe.' Lewis did not attend Trump's inauguration and had previously said he did not see the billionaire businessman as as a 'legitimate president' because of alleged Russian interference in the election. When Trump later complained about immigrants from 's***hole countries,' Lewis declared, 'I think he is a racist... we have to try to stand up and speak up and not try to sweep it under the rug.' Speaking in front of the American flag-draped casket bearing John Lewis' body at Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta on Thursday, Former President Barack Obama said he owed a great debt to his 'mentor' Lewis and his forceful vision of freedom President Barack Obama walks alongside US Representative John Lewis, second left, one of the original marchers, across the Edmund Pettus Bridge to mark the 50th Anniversary of the Selma to Montgomery civil rights marches in Selma, Alabama Probed on if he thought Lewis' life and story was impressive the president replied: 'He didn't come to my inauguration. He didn't come to my State of the Union speeches. And that's OK. That's his right. ' 'And, again, nobody has done more for black Americans than I have.' 'He should have come. I think he made a big mistake. 'I can't say one way or the other. I find a lot of people impressive. I find many people not impressive.' In 1965, Lewis was beaten by Alabama state troopers in the city of Selma in what became known as 'Bloody Sunday' when he marched for voting rights. He inspired others with calls to make 'Good Trouble.' Trump did say he would have 'no objection to' renaming the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Alabama where Lewis was beaten after the civil rights leader. The president added: 'I would have no objection to it, if they'd like to do it, would have no objection to it whatsoever.' Democratic Rep. John Lewis (R) of Georgia speaks to US President Barack Obama during his inauguration as the 44th US president at the Capitol in Washington on January 20, 2009 Lewis did not attend Trump's inauguration, pictured, and had previously said he did not see the billionaire businessman as as a 'legitimate president' because of alleged Russian interference in the election Speaking at his service Obama, who awarded Lewis the Medal of Freedom in 2011, said he owed a great debt to his 'mentor' and his forceful vision of freedom and that Lewis would be a 'founding father of a fuller, better, fairer America'. He said Lewis was an American whose faith had been tested 'again and again to produce a man of pure joy and unbreakable perseverance'. 'Americans like John... liberated all of us. America was built by people like them. America was built by the John Lewises,' Obama said. Both Bush and Clinton both spoke of Lewis' humble beginnings on a farm in Troy, Alabama, to becoming a leader of the civil rights movement and ultimately the man known as the 'conscience of Congress'. Former Presidents George W. Bush and Bill Clinton eulogized John Lewis during his funeral service in Atlanta, Georgia on Thursday, capping a week of memorial services and tributes to the civil rights pioneer Former President Barack Obama is scheduled to give the eulogy for Lewis who died on July 17 at age 80 after a battle with pancreatic cancer. Former Presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush are also slated to speak Lewis' funeral followed a week of memorial services. The coffin bearing his body was escorted across the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, decades after his 'Bloody Sunday' beating there drew a national spotlight to the struggle for racial equality. Lewis, who spent more than three decades in Congress, died at the age of 80 after a battle with stage 4 pancreatic cancer. He was the youngest and last survivor of the Big Six civil rights activists, a group led by the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. that had the greatest impact on the movement. The Georgia congressman had been battling the cancer since December and died after receiving hospice care in Atlanta. The Conversation In 1879, French polymath Gustave Le Bon wrote that even in the most intelligent races there are a large number of women whose brains are closer in size to those of gorillas than to the most developed male brains. He continued his insult with: This inferiority is so obvious that no one can contest it for a moment; only its degree is worth discussion. Today we have moved on, right? But whenever we attempt to explain the under-representation of women in science, debunked myths seem to sneak back into the debate in different guises no matter how often they are challenged. A century after the birth of Rosalind Franklin, co-discoverer of the structure of DNA, its sadly time to once again shed light on the prejudices about womens brains and abilities. The view that women are inferior to men has taken many different forms over the years. In the 19th century, a patriarchal anxiety emerged that exposure to the demands of scientific education would damage womens vulnerable biology. In 1886, William Withers Moore, then president of the British Medical Association, warned of the dangers of overeducating women as they could develop a disorder he called anorexia scholastica, which made women immoral, insane and asexual. In the 20th century, explanations focused more on female deficits in specific skill sets allegedly required for science such as spatial cognition. Testosterone-fuelled male brains were seen to be hard-wired for the pursuit of science. The message was clear: women dont do science because they cant. But there is increasingly strong evidence that females often outperform males in many spheres of science, neatly disproving the myth that women lack the cognitive capacity to do science. Even mens superior skills in spatial cognition have been shown to be diminishing over time with women even outperforming men in certain cultures. The choosiness myth Yet the myth keeps popping up, like whac-a-mole, in the form of a female choosiness argument. This was characterised by the notorious Google memo in which Google engineer James Damore asserted that the biologically determined preferences of women meant that a gender equal distribution in technology was unlikely. Women, he argued, prefer people to things. But scientists have challenged this idea. Just because women are more likely to be nurses than men, and men are more likely to be bus drivers than women, doesnt necessarily mean that it is because they prefer either people or things. Women and men are encouraged to do different jobs by society from an early age. And women were long barred from jobs, such as bus driving in London. Yet female choosiness continues to be used as an explanation for gender gaps in science. In 2018, two psychologists from the UK published a paper called The Gender-Equality Paradox in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Education. The paradox refers to the fact that women are more likely to be underrepresented in the sciences in countries that have the highest levels of gender equality. The authors explanation for this was couched in two stages. One was that in the least gender equal countries, STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) jobs were better paid and so economic necessity drove the choices of both sexes. The second part of the explanation, backed up by some other scientists, was that in countries with better social and economic conditions, the natural expression of innate differences could emerge. Having to acknowledge that there were no differences in performance on science subjects between males and females, a different form of the cognitive capacity myth has emerged in the last couple of years. Females are universally better at reading, so they are more likely to achieve a sense of gratification by choosing non-scientific subjects and careers. As it happens, a fierce debate is now raging in scientific circles about the paradox, particularly about the accuracy of the gender-equality measures used and the causal interpretation of the correlations found. This has forced the authors of the gender-equality paradox paper to issue a correction of their original data analysis it turned out they had used a rather unusual way to calculate sex differences in STEM graduates. When using more standard approaches, such as looking at the difference between the percentage of STEM graduates who are female or male, one team of scientists said they couldnt replicate the results. Many scientists argue that theres still bias and discrimination against women in gender-equal countries, and that may be why they opt out of science careers. History shows that women played a large part in the development of different scientific disciplines. But, as science became more professionalised, women were deliberately excluded from scientific institutions, explicitly based on their innate deficits. One would like to think that we have put all of that behind us. But the underlying narrative still pops up in various forms, most likely putting women off. There is evidence of powerful beliefs that great scientists are born and not made and, more particularly, are born male. This is despite the fact that research has shown that the concept of a male and female brain is flawed. The experiences you have can actually change the brain, including the stereotyping you face. If you are encouraged to read, your brain gets better at reading. Whats more, it has been shown that when people have negative thoughts about how well they will do on a task, they actually avoid it and perform worse. Many factors related to success in science, including hiring and promotion, also show clear evidence of gender bias against women. In a large study of research reports in chemistry, female-led papers were more likely to be rejected by journals, and less likely to be cited. Franklin no doubt had to deal with a lot of prejudice, with her role in discovering the structure of DNA going unacknowledged for a long time. It is heartbreaking that the message that science is not for women remains a powerful a century after her birth. Gina Rippon, Professor Emeritus of Cognitive NeuroImaging, Aston University This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. Nancy Shively is a longtime Republican and a special education teacher in a small town just outside Tulsa, Oklahoma, who works primarily with second and third gradersat least, she was those things, until recently. After watching how the Trump administration botched the coronavirus response, and how poorly both her state and the national government prepared for the school year, she switched her party registration and announced her resignation from her school district. Both choices were tough for Shively, especially the latter; she loved and cared about her kids, and was a longtime advocate for Oklahomas teachers. But after thinking through the trade-offs, with less than two weeks left to go till school startedfull time, in-personshe felt she had no choice. Advertisement On Wednesdays episode of What Next, I spoke with Shively about her school, her politics, and what made her change her mind on both things. Our conversation has been edited and condensed for clarity. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mary Harris: You know how essential being physically present is for your kids, especially after having experimented with remote learning in the spring. Nancy Shively: Were in a rural area. So a lot of kids dont have internet connectivity or, if they do, maybe the only device they have is a parents phone. There was one little girl whose cellphone service wasnt that great, so there was a lot of cutting out. That makes it really hard, especially when youre working with special needs kids. In person, you form relationships with the kids and with your co-workers, and I miss that. Advertisement Advertisement Your thinking has evolved over the past few months, as youve watched the coronavirus spread. Like the majority of people in Oklahoma, you voted for Donald Trump in 2016your main concern was abortion. But your anger has actually been growing for a couple of years. For a long time, teachers in your state ranked second to last in teaching salaries. 2018, we had a teacher walkout in Oklahoma, which is kind of our version of a strike. I went down to the state Capitol some of those days and watched Republican legislators from my district literally hiding from the teachers because they didnt want to talk to us. On the other hand, the Democratic legislators were perfectly happy to talk to us and gave us some really good advice. Im watching these guys and Im like, this is not the Republican Party I grew up with. I rationalized to myself that I could stay in the party and cause trouble that way. But when the virus hit and people were actually dying and President Donald Trump was doing nothing, I thought, I cannot stay in this party anymore. I was sitting there watching one of those press conferences and I had my iPad out. I thought, I wonder if I can change my registration online. I looked it up and Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During a Trump press conference? Yeah. And so I did. Its not effective until the end of August. But I changed it to independent. I might still change it to Democrat, I dont know, but that was a big step for a lifelong Republican. [Shively has written that she will be voting for Joe Biden in the fall.] 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. You wrote this op-ed for USA Today where you clearly laid out that, first of all, youre a teacher, and second of all, youre a Trump voter who now thinks that was a huge mistake. One of the biggest mistakes Ive ever made in my life. Thats right up there. Did you hear from anyone after that article came out? Advertisement Advertisement I think it got out in my town because its a small town. I talked about it on my Facebook page. There were a few people on there who said, Thank you for being a teacher, thank you for what youre doing. I have gotten a whole lot of negative feedback from the left about my article, which surprised me. I expected to get it from the Trump contingent, but now its almost exclusively from the left. Advertisement Advertisement What are they saying? Theyre saying it was perfectly clear in 2016 and you voted for him anyway. And they say, so you are OK with babies in cages, and you didnt clue in until it affected you personally. And there is a grain of truth to that. But theyre really mean about it online. So I just try to let it roll off my back. Advertisement What are the kids like at the school you taught at? Theyre just normal kids. Were a Title I school, so a big chunk of our kids qualify for free or reduced lunch. Theres a lot of poverty. Rural America has been decimated by methamphetamines and other addictions. The social issues have not been addressed for so long. And then kids get to school and they havent had a lot of socialization, they havent been read to. They know theyre missing all kinds of things because of their poverty or because their parents arent there for them in ways they should be. So they get to school and they have all these deficits to start off with. And its not just Oklahoma, although its really bad hereits the entire country. Advertisement Advertisement I dont see how were going to avoid outbreaks in schools. I just dont. Nancy Shively What made you worried about going back to school this year? In particular, when you think about walking into that classroom, putting up stuff on the bulletin board. On paper, my setup would be ideal because I only have a few kids in my room at a time. Its not like Im in a classroom with 20-plus kids all day long. They come in and they go out. But I have some underlying health conditions. Im over 60. Im overweight. And none of that is going to bode well if I catch the coronavirus. My school district said that when it starts back it will start with masks. But weve learned more about the virus being airborne, and theres not any kind of air filtration in the school. And from what I understand right now, the kids are all going to be eating lunch together like they always do. Advertisement What is the plan in your town for doing school? Have you seen it? Oklahoma has put a color-coded map of by county: Depending on what the virus activity is in your area, your county will be colored yellow or red or whatever. My schools yellow. So that means everybodys gonna be wearing masks. And I know some teachers have said they dont want their kids wearing masks inside the classrooms. Advertisement Advertisement Why? Well, the town is full of a lot of people who think the whole mask thing is a big hoax, and some of them are teachers. And the idea is teachers will be back in the classroom five days a week. Yes. Oof. When will they clean? Advertisement I guess after school. Does that feel like enough to you, like its protective? No, it doesnt. With the virus being airborne and knowing kids the way I do, I dont see how were going to avoid outbreaks in schools. I just dont. Advertisement Advertisement Is there any talk about what the school would do if a kid or a teacher tested positive? The information I got back in June was that if there were one or two cases, they wouldnt close a building, but I think if it was more than that, they would close it. But the way this thing spreads so quickly, one or two cases could multiply into 50 in nothing flat. So thats a huge concern. Advertisement So will kids be required to stay 6 feet apart? Theres no way you can do that. The classrooms are too small. There are like 25 kids in a class. And the other thing is, were in a low-income area where parents are working essential jobs. The parents dont have college degrees and theyre working minimum wage or slightly above that, and they get penalized if they stay home with a sick kid. So it is very common for kids to come to school sick in a normal year. Advertisement If a kid came into your classroom sick, are you empowered to say, Come back when youre feeling better? No, I would have no power. I would send them to the office and if the nurse was in the buildingand thats another thing: We have two nurses in our school district for 2,400 kids in five buildings. And Im sure there are no funds to hire any more. Advertisement It raises this question about who makes the rules, and whose rules they are. The school districts are coming up with plans that, by and large, are plans for the students and parents. There are very few plans for the teachers. You know what happens if you get exposed and have to stay out of school for two weeks? Do you have to eat up all your sick leave? Theres just so much unknown. Advertisement Oklahoma City Public Schools has decided to have the first nine weeks starting out online. I think Tulsa is about to make that decision as well. There are so many teachers who have medical issues, autoimmune diseases in particular, that administrations dont know anything about because theyre kind of invisible diseases. I just have this feeling that if they force everybody back into the classroom, I think there are gonna be a lot of resignations. Theyre going to have a lot of vacancies to fill. We dont have enough substitute teachers to begin with. So what are they going to do when a teacher comes down with it and is out for weeks? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Is there any talk about hazard pay for people like you? Oh, heavens, no. That would be lovely. But thats not gonna happen. I can hear that youre scared, that youre thinking about all this in your mind. I am. Because the virus is very predictable. Weve seen what its done. Doctors and scientists told the states, you need to open slowly and this is why. And they were pretty much ignored. And now we have raging outbreaks in Arizona, where my sister lives, and Texas. And our governor isnt being proactive at all. He doesnt want to do a mask mandate, although Tulsa and Oklahoma City have done their own. So theres that failure of leadership. And I dont know why people think Oklahoma would be exempt from whats going on in Arizona or Texas. Advertisement It all comes, in my opinion, from the president who abdicated his responsibility in dealing with this in the first place. So he passes it down to the states, some of which did a good job, some of which, like Oklahoma, did a crappy job. And here we have the virus spreading everywhere because people wouldnt listen. And then the governors pass the buck down to local jurisdictions and then down to the schools. Its like everybodys pushing the consequences of these decisions down the road, farther and farther. Well, the one place that it absolutely has to stop is with teachers and children. And Im not willing to take the consequences for our failed leadership by going into school in a situation I know is not going to be safe. 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. NEW YORK, Aug. 04, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Weyland Tech, Inc. (OTCQX: WEYL), a leading global provider of eCommerce, mCommerce, and fintech business enablement solutions, has expanded to Indonesia a new digital marketing campaign for its CreateApp mCommerce platform-as-a-service (PaaS). The launch in Indonesia follows a successful pilot marketing program recently completed in Taiwan that included new online seminars hosted by CreateApps chief product officer and founder, Eddie Foong. The seminars were attended by potential distributors and resellers interested in remarketing CreateApp as an ideal solution for any small and medium business (SMB) looking for an easy and affordable way to establish a mobile presence. CreateApp subscriptions were purchased by seminar attendees in blocks of 10, who then resold them to SMBs across Taiwan. This resulted in more than 1,000 new CreateApp customers, and generated a marketing ROI to Weyland of about 3-to-1 on the first month. The company has been selling CreateApp in Indonesia through distributors and primarily under private label. Under the new campaign, the company will offer CreateApp under its owned brand. Our new marketing campaign involves greater access to resellers, lower costs and higher margins as compared to our historical ways of distributing CreateApp, noted Foong. The new stay-at-home environment in Southeast Asia has opened up the large-scale opportunity to engage home based entrepreneurs looking to either sign up other businesses or launch their own online business. The population of Indonesia is the worlds fourth largest with over 267 million people, and has more than 90% smartphone penetration. There are currently 60 million SMBs in Indonesia, with around 10 million in the perfect target demographic for CreateApp. If Taiwan offers 3-to-1 marketing ROI, with a population one-tenth the size of Indonesia, we see an ample opportunity to replicate the same returns with a larger base of prospective customers in Indonesia, added Foong. We see near-term an $8 million subscription-based opportunity in Taiwan, along with much higher margins at around 30%. Turning to Indonesia, we see at least a 10x multiple in terms of the recurring revenue opportunity. CreateApp enables businesses anywhere in the world to create and deploy native Apple iOS or Google Android mobile applications without technical knowledge or background. CreateApp empowers SMBs to increase sales, reach more customers, manage logistics, conduct financial transactions, and promote their products and services in an easy, affordable and highly efficient way. The CreateApp user base, comprised of businesses across Southeast Asia, grew 47 percent last year to more than 360,000. Weylands acquisition of Minneapolis-based Logiq earlier this year is also expected to eventually provide lead-generation tools for Indonesian SMBs that can help to increase online sales. About Weyland Tech Weyland Tech, Inc. (OTCQX: WEYL) is a U.S.-based leading global provider of eCommerce, mCommerce, and fintech business enablement solutions. Its CreateApp platform-as-a-service enables small-and-medium sized businesses worldwide to easily create and deploy a native mobile app for their business without technical knowledge or background. CreateApp empowers businesses to reach more customers, increase sales, manage logistics, and promote their products and services in an easy, affordable, and highly efficient way. CreateApp is offered in 14 languages across 10 countries and three continents, including some of the fastest-growing emerging markets in Southeast Asia. Weylands subsidiary, Logiq Inc., provides a data-driven, end-to-end eCommerce marketing solution for enterprises and major U.S. brands, like Home Advisor, QuinStreet and Sunrun. The AI-powered LogiqX data engine delivers valuable consumer insights that enhance the ROI of online marketing spend. The companys AtozPay subsidiary offers mobile payments, e-wallet, and the AtozGo hyper-local food delivery services in Indonesia, which has the fastest-growing mobile economy in Southeast Asia. For more information about Weyland Tech, go to weyland-tech.com. Important Cautions Regarding Forward Looking Statements This press release contains certain forward-looking statements relating to the business of the Company. All statements, other than statements of historical fact included herein are forward-looking statements including statements regarding: the adoption of our product offerings by SMBs and other businesses; the ability of the company to expand its new seminar marketing approach, the ability to expand its new seminar marketing approach to distributors; the ability of the Company to successfully integrate the assets of Logiq, the continued growth of the eCommerce segment and the ability of the Company to continue its expansion into that segment; the ability of the Company to attract customers and partners and generate revenues; the ability of the Company to successfully execute its business plan; the business strategy, plans, and objectives of the Company; the continued use and success of AtozGo and AtozPay; and any other statements of non-historical information. These forward-looking statements are often identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as believes, expects or similar expressions and involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, they do involve assumptions, risks, and uncertainties, and these expectations may prove to be incorrect. Investors should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this news release. The Companys actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of a variety of factors, including those discussed in the Companys periodic reports that are filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and available on its website (www.sec.gov). All forward-looking statements attributable to the Company or persons acting on its behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by these factors. Other than as required under the securities laws, the Company does not assume any duty to update these forward-looking statements. LogiqX is a trademark of Logiq, Inc. All rights reserved. Company Contact Brent Suen, CEO Weyland Tech Inc. Email contact Media & Investor Contact Ronald Both or Grant Stude CMA Investor & Media Relations Tel (949) 432-7566 WEYL@cma.team BIRMINGHAM, Ala., Aug. 5, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Encompass Health Corp. (NYSE: EHC) today announced it will participate in Baird's 2020 Global Healthcare Conference, which is being held as a virtual event, on Sept. 9-10, 2020. Encompass Health President and Chief Executive Officer Mark Tarr and Encompass Health Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Doug Coltharp will participate in a fireside chat on Wednesday, Sept. 9 at 10:25 a.m. CDT/11:25 a.m. EDT. The presentation will be webcast live and will be available at http://investor.encompasshealth.com by clicking on an available link. About Encompass Health As a national leader in integrated healthcare services, Encompass Health (NYSE: EHC) offers both facility-based and home-based patient care through its network of inpatient rehabilitation hospitals, home health agencies and hospice agencies. With a national footprint that includes 136 hospitals, 245 home health locations, and 83 hospice locations in 39 states and Puerto Rico, the Company is committed to delivering high-quality, cost-effective, integrated care across the healthcare continuum. Encompass Health is ranked as one of Fortune's 100 Best Companies to Work For. For more information, visit encompasshealth.com, or follow us on our newsroom, Twitter and Facebook. Media Contact: Hillary Carnel | 205-970-5912 [email protected] Investor Relations Contact: Crissy Carlisle | 205-970-5860 [email protected] SOURCE Encompass Health Corp. Related Links http://www.encompasshealth.com The bill on the rights of national minorities will be submitted to the Verkhovna Rada for consideration this fall. The United Nations has called on Ukraine to develop a law on the implementation of the rights of indigenous peoples and national minorities. "We have followed the parliamentary works that led to the adoption of the law on state language since its beginning. During the process, we shared our concerns and recommendations with the Parliament on how to bring the law in line with international human rights standards. Many of these were addressed in the final version of the law, which was adopted on April 25, 2019," the UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission said in a statement on August 4. Read alsoNew language ombudsman announces free Ukrainian courses It says that despite a number of positive shifts, the law still raises a number of human rights concerns. "The law regulates the use of Ukrainian as the sole state language in many spheres of public life, but does not regulate the use of minority languages. In the absence of updated legislation on minorities, a number of the law's provisions, which are already applicable, may jeopardize the rights of minorities," it said. "We call on the Cabinet of Ministers and the Parliament to elaborate a law on the realization of the rights of national minorities and indigenous people without undue delay, through inclusive consultations with representatives of national minorities and indigenous people," it added. The UN recommendations say that the developed and adopted law should guarantee the use of any language in private activity. Also, it is advised that the government should avoid an unjustified distinction between official European Union languages and other minority languages which provide a preferential treatment to the former. "The regulations on final secondary schools exams and admission exams to public universities and other State educational institutions must take into account the use of minority languages as a medium of instruction in the educational system," the recommendations said. In addition, it is emphasized that the prospective "law on the realization of the rights of indigenous peoples and national minorities of Ukraine" must ensure that the use of a minority language during cultural events is respected in line with the freedom of expression. "The language proficiency requirements for public officials must be proportionate to the objectives of the law. They should not preclude the participation of minority language-speakers in public life," the UN said. At the same time, they recommend that the government should facilitate the effective participation of minorities in public life including, where practical, the use of their languages in electoral, consultative and other public participation processes. However, Ukraine is advised to ensure, where practical, access should be provided to public health care, social and other administrative or public services in minority languages. "In public media, minority languages must be provided with sufficient and proportionate space. In the private broadcasting sector, free use of language, including minority languages, must be permitted," the recommendations say. It also emphasizes that linguistic requirements in the commercial sphere, and especially in advertising, must respect the freedom of expression. In addition, the UN office recommends that the Ukrainian authorities should establish preparatory language training programs for those who must use the state language. The recommendations also say that exceptions to the language requirement for acquiring citizenship should include persons with not only physical, but also mental and intellectual conditions that preclude them from learning Ukrainian. "Monitoring and enforcement mechanisms should not be based on sanctions, but on incentives," the UN experts said. As UNIAN reported earlier, the bill on the rights of national minorities, including linguistic ones, will be submitted to the Verkhovna Rada for consideration this fall. A growing movement is now underway of teachers, students and parents against the effort to reopen schools amidst the expanding coronavirus pandemic. Over the past month, more than 300,000 educators and parents in the US have joined Facebook groups opposed to the back-to-school campaign. There have been protests and demonstrations in Mississippi, Arizona, Florida, Iowa, Alabama and many other states. On Monday, protests were held in dozens of cities throughout the country. For this movement to succeed, it must be developed into a nationwide struggle, uniting educators with all sections of the working class in a general strike movement against the homicidal policy of the ruling elites. The drive to reopen schools, supported by both the Republicans and the Democrats, is a linchpin in the broader back-to-work campaign. The demand that workers return to work, put into effect in May, is already responsible for 50,000 deaths in June and July. But the ruling class cannot get workers back to work if their children are not in school. This is the same logic that is driving the effort to curtail or eliminate federal unemployment benefits, forcing workers to return to work or face hunger, homelessness and destitution. The science is clear: Children are equally susceptible to catching COVID-19, have viral loads equal to or greater than adults, are more likely to be asymptomatic carriers, and transmit the virus at the highest rates of any age group. At least four schools that reopened last week have already had students test positive for COVID-19. Any school that reopens will quickly become a major vector for the spread of the virus throughout that community. The effort to reopen schools, in other words, means that students will get sick and die, teachers will get sick and die, and parents will get sick and die. In making the call for a nationwide general strike, the Socialist Equality Party (SEP) urges educators and all workers to raise and discuss the following demands in their schools, workplaces and neighborhoods: * Keep all schools closed until the virus is eradicated! With the virus spiraling out of control across the US, in-person instruction cannot be done safely. * Full funding for public education and online instruction! High-speed internet access, food distribution, mental health care, special education support and all other resources needed to provide the best quality remote learning must be guaranteed to every student and educator. * Halt all nonessential production! Until the pandemic is contained, only key industries such as food production, medical care and logistics should remain open. Workers in those industries must be provided with the most advanced safety measures to prevent infection. All nonessential workers and laid-off workers must be provided with full unemployment benefits and access to free health care. * For a massive expansion of testing and contact tracing! In order to contain the virus, universal testing must be provided and hundreds of thousands of contact tracers hired to track any cases that emerge and test and isolate those potentially infected. The past seven months have demonstrated that the fight against the pandemic depends upon the independent intervention of the working class. The death toll keeps rising and the pandemic is spiraling out of control because the ruling class will not tolerate any measures that cut across its profit interests. If that means the pandemic must rage on, so be it. The indifference of the ruling class to the massive loss of life was expressed most nakedly by Trump in an interview with Axios over the weekend. Asked to respond to the fact that 1,000 people in the US are dying every day, Trump replied, They are dying, that's true. And it is what it is. One could not have a clearer statement of class policy. On Monday evening, Trump declared his determination to press forward with the campaign to prematurely reopen schools, demanding on Twitter, OPEN THE SCHOOLS!!! Trump does not speak just for himself. In an editorial Monday, School-Opening Extortion, the Wall Street Journal gives vent to the social interests driving this policy. The Journal denounces protesting teachers for engaging in political extortion by resisting the effort to reopen schools. Children, who would have to endure more lost instruction, are their hostages, the mouthpiece of Wall Street writes. Teachers, it declares, are attempting to coerce parents and taxpayers to dance to their agenda if they want their children to learn. What contemptible hypocrisy! The ruling class has systematically degraded public education for decades through the gutting of state funding and the promotion of charter schools, standardized testing and school choice schemes to divert funding to private and parochial schools. The Journal has the gall to accuse teachers of using the pandemic to extract concessions. In reality, it is the financial oligarchy that used the pandemic to demand trillions of dollars in bailout money, sanctioned by the CARES Act passed in late March with near-unanimous bipartisan support. Having looted the state treasury, the ruling class now demands that workers get back to the job of producing profits to pay for it. The editorial concludes by stating, No political force should have veto power over the education of Americas children. In class terms, the Journal is demanding that educators, parents, students and the working class as a whole have no say over whether schools reopen or remain closed. While the Trump administration is spearheading the campaign to reopen schools, it has bipartisan support. In New York City yesterday, teachers, parents and students staged a protest against plans by Democratic Mayor Bill de Blasio to reopen schools. Both Republican and Democratic governors removed restrictions on nonessential production as the pandemic spread, sending workers back on the job to risk their health and lives to produce profits for the corporations. Teachers are not fighting alone. There is growing anger and opposition in the entire working class. Their allies are students and parents in K-12 schools, as well as students in colleges and universities that are also moving to reopen. Meatpackers, health care workers, farm laborers, logistics workers at Amazon, UPS and USPS, transit workers, service workers and the entire working class confront the same enemy. Autoworkers in Michigan and Ohio have already begun forming independent rank-and-file safety committees to organize opposition. The ending of federal unemployment benefits this week threatens millions of jobless with poverty and eviction. Behind closed doors, the Democrats and Republicans are negotiating over how much these benefits will be cut and how quickly in order to create the best conditions to blackmail workers and get them back to work. The opposition of teachers in the United States, moreover, is part of an international movement. Facebook groups opposed to reopening schools have formed in the UK, South Africa and other countries where the ruling class is enforcing the same policy. To fight back, teachers must form independent rank-and-file organizations. The protests organized by the teachers unions are entirely inadequate. The American Federation of Teachers (AFT) and National Education Association (NEA), subservient to the Democrats and the ruling class, are highly conscious of the radicalization taking place among educators and seek to preempt and control this movement. In 2018 and 2019, the unions orchestrated the shutdown and betrayal of a series of teachers strikes, beginning in West Virginia. The Socialist Equality Party urges workers in every industry and sector to develop an interconnected network of rank-and-file committees to prepare for a general strike against the opening of schools and the entire policy of the ruling class. The measures demanded by teachers correspond to what scientists and epidemiologists insist is necessary to stop the spread of the pandemic. Two absolutely opposed social interests are involved. Teachers are fighting for life. The ruling class is fighting for profits and death. The trillions that have been handed over to Wall Street and the financial oligarchy must be redirected to provide full unemployment benefits to all workers and universal access to health care and public education. The development of a nationwide general strike would create a powerful impulse and would galvanize support internationally among workers who face the same life-and-death issues. The logic of such a struggle would place the American working class in a direct confrontation with the Trump administration, which seeks to maintain its rule through increasingly authoritarian measures, and the entire ruling class. All the rights of the working class, even the right to life, depend upon the expropriation of the ruling class and the reorganization of economic life on the basis of social need, not private profit. The only way to halt the reopening of schools, stop the spread of the pandemic and prevent millions more infections and deaths is through the mass mobilization of the working class in a revolutionary struggle against the source of all suffering wrought by the pandemic, the capitalist system. The Socialist Equality Party and its youth movement, the International Youth and Students for Social Equality, are spearheading this fight. We urge teachers to contact us for assistance in organizing your struggle. We call on students and youth to support this struggle and join the IYSSE. Sign up for the World Socialist Web Site Educators Newsletter for updates on this fight. August 4, 2020 News By JIM GARAMONE , DOD News Defense.gov Unheralded DOD Agency is Key to Building International Partners One crucial aspect of the National Defense Strategy is tending to and encouraging allies and partners, and the Defense Security Cooperation Agency is at the heart of that process, said Army Lt. Gen. Charles Hooper, the agency's outgoing director. Hooper spoke to retired Army Gen. Carter Ham recently as part of the Association of the U.S. Army's podcast series. The agency is little known outside Washington, but its effect on allies, partners and friends around the world is profound. The agency is the Defense Department entity responsible for all security cooperation, ranging from training to equipment to professional military education. Last year, the agency was responsible for more than $55 billion in sales under a myriad of programs, Hooper said. Allies and partners using U.S. military equipment makes good sense from strategic and economic viewpoints, he noted. Common equipment leads to greater interoperability. The training foreign service members receive on American equipment also builds close personnel ties. Finally, the U.S. military sales mean jobs in the United States and keeps the defense industrial base healthy. Hooper said that over the past three years, military sales have grown 16 percent. It has accelerated because the U.S. produces the best military capabilities in the world, he added, and because of streamlining efforts by the administration and Congress. The agency reorganized as part of the National Defense Authorization Act of 2017. Congress wanted to make the agency more efficient and effective. That legislation also created a civilian career field for security cooperation and a schoolhouse to train them. The administration streamlined authorities for conventional arms transfers. This served to "compress those timelines between the identification of a capability necessary for our partners and its delivery," he said. "The third thing that really helped was the National Defense Strategy," he said, adding that the strategy provided "clear guidance to me as to what my mission is, and that is to strengthen alliances and attract new partners." The change in strategy for the United States military to operate "by, with and through" local military forces also gave impetus to the agency. "I've seen security cooperation become a policy tool of first resort," Hooper said. "Often in the past, it was kind of an afterthought we'd come up with a security policy, we'd implement that policy towards a country or an alliance, and then as an afterthought, we consider military capabilities. But with the second line of effort in the National Defense Strategy, security cooperation has become a tool of first resort." Another change tied to the National Defense Strategy is great power competition. China and Russia are U.S. near-peer competitors, and this forced a different approach at the agency. Hooper had to judge U.S. strengths and weaknesses against those of China and Russia. "I came to the conclusion that there is a uniquely American approach to security cooperation, and that distinguishes us from our strategic competitors," he said. "Instead of trying to mimic their procedures, we should leverage our strengths." U.S. competitors benefit from an autocratic streamlined arm sales processes and government-subsidized defense industries, he said. "I have to determine how we maintain our competitive edge and continue to expand our market share when they have systems that allow them to react quickly, and are reflective, frankly, of their governmental systems," the general said. "We have a democracy. And as we all know, democracy was designed for effectiveness, and not efficiency," he said. And that carries its own benefits. U.S. high-quality, high-technology systems are in demand, and make American systems competitive. Hooper said he wants the idea of export for these systems built in from the beginning of research and development for the systems. "We have to improve our ability to engineer exportability into the beginning of our research and development process and not at the end," he said. "Right now, what we do is design a system for our own forces, and then we go back and re-engineered for export, we don't have the time to do that any more." Hooper said he also wants to compress decision timelines without sacrificing due diligence. "Our system is set up to vet whether or not we want to share a capability or a system with our partners over a long period of time, then we finally make a decision and then we export it," he explained. "We must compress those timelines if we're to remain competitive, but we understand there's always a cost-benefit analysis the benefit of sharing these technologies and systems with our allies or partners against a potential cost of losing our technological edge." The American way of sharing is also much different from those of the Russians or Chinese. "Our approach has always been not only to provide our partners with the systems themselves, but training, education, institutional capacity building, helping them to build the institutions that will help them to maximize the performance envelope with the equipment," Hooper said. "This commitment is to a long-term relationship." There is value in this approach. He told about visiting Kenya last year, and seeing the Kenyan air force flying 40 year-old F-5 Tiger jets built by Northrup. The older jets were landing next to 3-year old Chinese grounded helicopters. "Why are our 40-year-old aircraft still flying, and the 3-year-old Chinese aircraft not? The difference was we made a commitment to the Kenyan air force to help them to develop a culture of maintenance excellence that allows them to continue to repair and maintain their 40-year-old U.S. aircraft," he said. "That's the distinction that separates us from our strategic competitors." Hooper is the most senior foreign-area officer in the U.S. Army, and he says that "dollar for dollar, our international military student programs are the best investment we can make in security cooperation." Whether it is foreign students coming to the United States to learn to use U.S. military equipment or senior foreign military officers attending the war college classes, it is a way to build personal relationships. Hooper spoke of being the defense attache in Cairo during a difficult time in U.S.-Egyptian relations. Those relations were smoothed by the fact that many in the Egyptian government had studied at U.S. military war colleges, and there was a baseline of understanding among all. "I was in China for seven years," he said. "Very rarely did they answer my phone calls, but there was never a time where the Egyptian senior official did not answer my phone calls." U.S. students have an opportunity to forge relationships with the cream of the international military officers because only the best come to the United States. "Those relationships that are forged here, the way we welcome international students, pays enormous dividends," Hooper said. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address (Natural News) Education authorities are under fire after a school counselor in Plano, Texas, was exposed sending around propaganda to colleagues promoting Marxism, terrorism, communism, defunding the police, and hyper-racialism. Local officials and leaders are now demanding an investigation. The problem, however, is national in scope. (Article by Alex Newman republished from FreedomProject.com) On June 12, Plano Independent School District (ISD) Counselor Dianne Evans sent an email using her official account that would shock even the most liberal and progressive parents. Perhaps most alarming was the Master List of Black Revolutionary Readings that literally included a manual on guerrilla warfare by communist mass murderer Ernesto Che Guevara, who ironically was a raging anti-black racist. Also included on the Master List of Black Revolutionary Readings was the Communist Manifesto by genocidal satanist Karl Marx, the Green Book by late mass-murdering dictator and terrorist Moamar Gadhafi of Libya, the Basic Marxism-Leninism Study Plan, The State and Revolution by mass-murdering dictator Vladimir Lenin, and more. Millions died brutal deaths as a result of those books. On the list as well was a bizarre work called Black Like Mao: Red China and Black Revolution. Ignoring the fact that Mao was put in power by subversives in the West, and that the dictatorship slaughtered more innocent people than any in history, Maoist Wiki says of the book: Colored people everywhere look to Red China as a beacon and as a defender and protector of their rights. The Uighurs and the Tibetans, among others, might beg to differ. The almost incoherent email by Evans to other school officials also includes documents from a webinar they apparently all attended headlined Understanding the Black Experience in America: Be the Change You Want to See in the World. The course was created by a fringe left-wing activist and is designed to encourage counselors and others to force feed Black Lives Matter propaganda to their clients and patients. The webinar features instructions explaining to victims of the program that they must try to become better allies of far-left subversives masquerading as activists for Black lives. One recommended action to become a better ally is to donate to the anti-white supremacy work of Black Lives Matter, an openly Marxist group that says on its website that it seeks to dismantle the nuclear family. The instructions also include a reading list of ridiculous Marxist and anti-American propaganda, as well as political activism to defund the police and promote reparations. There are weeks of programs, readings, and propaganda recommended for participants, including the discredited 1619 Project painting America as a slave state that has been debunked even by radical left-wing professors. School officials confirmed that the email, which was obtained by FreedomProject from concerned local leaders, was genuine. However, they claimed the webinar and propaganda in question was not authorized or supported by the school district. The counselor in question failed to respond to multiple requests for comment from various outlets. Local officials, though, were outraged. As a father with two children in Plano ISD, as a member of the Plano City Council who took an oath to uphold the Constitution of the United States, and as a proud American, Im deeply concerned about the apparent promotion of Marxist propaganda and its dangerous agenda by one of the Plano ISD staff, Plano City Councilman Shelby Williams told Texas Scorecard. He also called for the district to get to the bottom of this. I urge the Plano ISD board and administration to conduct a very thorough investigation into this issue and to take appropriate action to ensure such an insidious ideology is neither promoted nor encouraged within our school system, by anyone at any time, Williams said, echoing the concerns of the community. Plano, Texas, is a conservative community in a conservative state, and still this outrageous and deadly Marxist propaganda has infiltrated the highest levels of its education system. Unfortunately, this is a nationwide problem that has infected government schools everywhere. If left unaddressed, America will not survive as a free nation. Read more at: FreedomProject.com and Terrorism.news. Trees fell on a home on Shady Grove Circle in Doylestown on Tuesday. Hurricane Isaias caused significant damage in the suburbs surrounding the city, and officials spent most of Wednesday morning assessing its full extent. Read more As Wednesday dawned with clear skies, officials throughout the Pennsylvania suburbs breathed a collective sigh of relief. But their work was just beginning. Isaias tore through the northern and western suburbs Tuesday, bringing powerful winds that caused widespread damage to homes and businesses, and torrential rain that swelled creeks and streams to record-setting levels. The National Weather Service confirmed that two tornadoes touched down in the region during the storm, one in Doylestown that sheared the roof off a building at a hospital, and another in Worcester Township, Montgomery County. Hundreds of people had to be rescued from homes rapidly filling with water, officials said. And one death was reported: 5-year-old Eliza Talal, who wandered away from her home in Towamencin Township about noon Tuesday, according to state police. Rescue crews found the girls body Wednesday morning near the Towamencin Creek, not far from her home in Montgomery County. In Delaware County, rescues were happening so quickly that some departments didnt have time to enter them in the system, according to Timothy Boyce, director of the countys emergency services department. Responders just pulled people to safety on their way to or from other calls for help. READ MORE: Isaias could leave homes in Bucks, Chester counties without power for several days, PECO says One of those rescues came at Samantha McGoverns basement-level apartment in Morton. McGovern, 34, moved into the unit about a month ago with her two daughters after separating from her husband. But the new beginning for her was interrupted Tuesday when her older daughter frantically alerted her to a strange sight: water seeping up from the carpet. As time passed, the water rose. It poured in from under the front door and spewed out from electrical outlets. Within 10 minutes, it had reached McGoverns knees, she said Wednesday. When she tried to leave, her door wouldnt open. It was jammed into its frame by the pressure from the water. For her childrens sake, she said, I kept my cool. They were on the sofa, and I told them, Just stay here, its just water, you guys are good, she said. But inside, I felt like I was losing it. Choking back panic, she called 911, then placed another call to a friend. Minutes later, a rescue team of firefighters from four towns broke through her front door. Water poured in, rising to her waist. But she and her daughters made it out without injury. I dont think I feel the full effects of it yet, McGovern said. But Im just grateful that the girls are safe and I have good people around me. John Bansall, assistant chief of the Morton-Rutledge Fire Company, said water from a creek behind McGoverns apartment complex caused the bulk of the flooding. She and her daughters were among about 10 people to be pulled from basement apartments. An additional 20 or so were evacuated from the upper floors, he added. Similar evacuations were taking place at the same time in Bucks County, where about 150 people had to be rescued from their homes, emergency services director Scott Forster said. A majority of the evacuations took place in flooded areas in the northern part of the county, including Quakertown and Sellersville It was almost in Bucks County like we had two different storms, Forster said. We had a significant wind event in the southern half of the county and a flash flood in [the] upper half. Elsewhere, residents in low-lying townships and boroughs spent the morning bailing out their homes. In Montgomery County, the Perkiomen Creek crested at 19.14 feet, a foot higher than the last record, set in 1935. Delaware Countys Chester and Ridley Creeks also surged during the storm, clogged by debris swept up from nearby homes, businesses and construction sites. Maintenance crews were stunned to see a full-size shipping container lodged underneath a bridge in Lansdowne. In Delaware County, entire neighborhoods in Darby Borough and Colwyn were devastated, Boyce said. The areas were already hit hard by unemployment during the coronavirus pandemic. Just seeing people who have very few things throwing them on the sidewalk, in the trash, was terrible, Boyce said. Thats our focus today, to work with local municipalities, and whatever level of service we can provide, well get it to them. Dubai has maintained its leadership among the world's preferred foreign direct investment (FDI) destinations in the first half (H1) of 2020 despite the repercussions of the Covid-19 crisis and the significant global decline in greenfield FDI flows. Dubai remained at the forefront of cities in the Mena region in attracting FDI. Globally, Dubai ranked third in the number of greenfield FDI projects and fourth in FDI capital flows, according to Financial Times fDi Markets, which records data on capital flows and greenfield FDI projects around the world. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Dubai Crown Prince and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai said FDI has continued to flow into Dubai in H1 2020, with the number of announced FDI projects reaching 190, worth an estimated capital of AED12 billion ($3.26 billion). The announced FDI projects included key sectors such as technology, e-commerce, and pharmaceutical industries, according to Dubai FDI Monitor data released by Dubai Investment Development Agency (Dubai FDI), an agency of Dubai Economy. The emirate continued to be one of the top global investment destinations while also bolstering its status as one of the worlds safest and most stable investment destinations. The Financial Times fDi Markets data points to the diversity and attractiveness of investment opportunities in strategic and emerging economic sectors in Dubai in H1 2020. Dubai ranked first in the Mena region and 11th globally among the top 20 most popular destinations for venture capital investments according to fDi Markets Global Venture Capital FDI Ranking 2020 report. Moreover, data from Dubai FDI Monitor indicate sustained FDI flows into Dubai-based start-ups, which exceeded AED739 million in the first six months of 2020. Dubai was also placed seventh globally among the top 10 global cities in the rankings of the FDI Aerospace Cities of the Future 2020/2021 report, and ranked second globally in FDI performance in the sector. Data from Dubai FDI Monitor also showed a 53% increase in medium and high technology investments in H1 2020, compared to the same period last year, as per the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Developments (OECD) methodology. Sami Al Qamzi, Director General of Dubai Economy, said: By identifying current challenges and developing incentive plans and initiatives to ensure business continuity in the near-term, Dubai Economy is seeking to enhance the readiness of the investment environment to boost growth in the post-Covid-19 stage. Dubai Economy is also working to transform economic challenges and generate new opportunities for business expansion and growth in the emirate. Leader in crisis preparedness and stability Fahad Al Gergawi, CEO of Dubai FDI, affirmed that Dubai is currently one of the world's leading global investment destinations in terms of crisis preparedness and resilience, thanks to the policies and measures adopted by the leadership to navigate the challenges posed by Covid-19. He stressed that FDI projects in H1 2020 were characterised by the flow of capital, technology, and talent into innovation-related projects, in addition to productive and operational capabilities. Al Gergawi emphasised that H1 2020 data from the Dubai FDI Monitor shows the efficiency and speed of the Dubai government and free zones in facilitating the process of establishing and licensing investment projects and companies. Al Gergawi added: With the easing of restrictions on movement and travel, we are working closely with investors to facilitate the realisation of announced FDI projects that faced challenges as a result of the Covid-19 crisis." H1 2020 data from the Dubai FDI Monitor shows that 50% of total announced projects are greenfield FDI projects, followed by new forms of investment (NFI) projects (36%), re-investment projects (8%), mergers and acquisitions (4%), and new joint ventures (2%). The US topped the list of source countries in terms of FDI capital flows to Dubai in H1 2020 accounting for 25% of the total, followed by France (18%), Belgium (9%), and UK and China (8% each). These five countries together accounted for 68% of total FDI capital flows to Dubai. TradeArabia News Service Ram Lalla and 'Vikas' were brought together in a fine interpretation of Lord Ram in the speech by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Wednesday after the 'Bhumi Pujan' ceremony in Ayodhya. "Ram is for everyone, Ram is within everyone," he said, while addressing the seers after the 'Bhumi Pujan' of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya. Beginning his speech with "Jai Siya Ram" chants, Modi went on to link Lord Ram with modern times and said, "Lord Ram has shown us the path of realisation and research." He referred to the epitome of morals & dharma "Maryada Purushottam Ram" to stress on the observation of similar "maryada" (limits) in today's life. The Prime Minister exhorted citizens to follow a similar "maryada" in times of the Covid-19 pandemic by wearing masks and maintaining social distancing. "Ram speaks, thinks, according to time, place and circumstances. Ram teaches us to grow with time. Ram is in favor of change, Ram is in favor of modernity," said the Prime Minister. He said that a grand temple will now be built for the Ram Lalla deity who had been living under a temporary tent for many years. "Every heart is illuminated; it is an emotional moment for the entire country... A long wait ends today," said the Prime Minister. The event sets the ball rolling for the construction of a grand Ram Temple, a key electoral promise of the ruling party. However, the message the Prime Minister tried to drive home was larger. "This day is proof of the truth of the resolve of crores of devotees. This day is a unique gift of a just, fair India to truth, non-violence, faith and sacrifice," he said. He said Ram is present in different cultures, in different areas. "Thousands of years ago, in the Ramayana of Valmiki, Lord Ram was guiding ancient India, in the Middle Ages, Ram was pushing India through Tulsi, Kabir and Nanak, the same Ram was present in Bapu's hymns as a force of non-violence and satyagraha during the freedom struggle," said the Prime Minister, while sending out a powerful message. It was a speech, however, not without a subtle dig. He said, "Ram is carved in our mind, mixed with us. You see the amazing power of Lord Ram -- buildings were destroyed, every attempt was made to eradicate his existence. But he still remains in our mind." But, at the end, the Prime Minister sent a larger message that Lord Ram stands for modernity, development and fairness and those are the aspects all Indians should aspire for, in the name of the deity, he suggested. The Korean War was the first time the United States military engaged in a shooting conflict after the end of World War II; it was also the first of many sparks that really turned the Cold War hot. From 1950 to 1953, the Korean War was at the forefront of American minds and politics. A public emerging from the World War II years and weary of fighting didn't fully understand the threat of Communism or the Truman administration's "containment" strategy -- which meant they didn't fully understand what happened in the first place. Initially, the war was popular because the threat of Communism had loomed over the U.S. and her allies since the end of World War II. It was popular for the United States to take action against it. As the war ground on, however, all the American public knew was that it certainly didn't end the way they wanted it to. What Happened in the Korean War? A column of troops and armor of the 1st Marine Division move through communist Chinese lines during their successful breakout from the Chosin Reservoir in North Korea. The Marines were besieged when the Chinese entered the Korean War November 27, 1950, by sending 200,000 shock troops against Allied forces. (U.S. Marine Corps/Cpl. Peter McDonald) On June 25, 1950 -- 70 years ago -- North Korean tanks rolled across the 38th parallel and over the South Korean defenders of that border. It was not the heavily defended, ironically named "demilitarized zone" as we know it today. The early days of the Korean War were easy for the Communist North Koreans. With indirect support from Communist China and the Soviet Union, 75,000 Communist troops overran the pro-Western South. Republic of Korea (ROK) defenders had no tanks, artillery or heavy weapons to defend the position. Within five days, the South Koreans had lost 73,000 troops, and the capital of Seoul had fallen to the Communists. As soon as the United States received confirmation that the Soviet Union would not directly intercede on North Korea's behalf, President Harry Truman ordered American land and naval forces to come to South Korea's aid. U.S. forces in Japan were quickly shuttled to the Korean Peninsula to prop up the resistance to the North Korean advance. Even the American reinforcements were overrun by the Communists due to a general lack of weapons, equipment and supplies needed to fight a war -- especially in the blazing Korean summer. The Communist assault wasn't blunted until August, when the Americans established a line around a small section of the peninsula, centered on the city of Pusan (now Busan). With Chinese supplies and Soviet support, North Korea looked ready to push the defenders into the sea. But time was not on the Communists' side. The United Nations passed U.N. Resolution 83, which called for military aid to South Korea to push North Korea back to the 38th parallel. Reinforcements from the mainland United States would arrive by September. Meanwhile, air forces from the newborn U.S. Air Force and the U.S. Navy wreaked havoc on North Korean infrastructure and transportation capabilities. When the U.S. reinforcements did arrive, the Communists found themselves outnumbered. In September 1950, Gen. Douglas MacArthur led an amphibious assault at Inchon with U.S. Marines and soldiers and ROK troops. The rope-a-dope was complete. American troops flooded into the peninsula behind the lines on Sept. 15, and the U.S. 8th Army broke out of the Pusan Perimeter on the very next day. A M-20 75mm recoilless rifle is fired during the Korean War. (U.S. Army) Against all advice from China and the USSR, North Korean leader Kim Il-Sung (grandad to today's leader, Kim Jong-Un), did not redeploy to meet the Inchon Landing or to defend Seoul. Nine days later, Seoul was recaptured, and the road to North Korea's capital at Pyongyang was wide open. The North Korean People's Army (KPA) was rapidly disintegrating. On Oct. 1, 1950, U.N. forces invaded North Korea. China had been ready to intervene in the war from the outset, if it deemed it necessary. Knowing the Americans would advance north of the 38th parallel, it massed troops along the border with North Korea. In October, the Chinese People's Volunteer Army (PVA) silently moved across the border. When the U.N. troops reached the Yalu River, China made its move. The Chinese first encountered the Americans in November 1950. They routed the 8th Cavalry Division and forced its retreat, before disappearing into the mountains. The attack was so fast and their disappearance so sudden that the U.N. command didn't even believe the Chinese intervention actually happened. Two weeks later, the war began in earnest. On Nov. 13, 1950, the PVA forced the 8th Army to begin a retreat out of North Korea. The U.S. X Corps was surprised and encircled at the Chosin Reservoir two weeks later. The U.N. forces, Korean refugees and all the supplies and materiel began to flood back down the peninsula, by land or by sea. Kim Il-Sung was relieved of any control of the war by the Chinese. Truman would fire MacArthur for expanding the war. For the rest of the war, roughly two more years, the conflict turned into a bloody stalemate, with the front line hovering around the 38th parallel, where it is today. Why There Was a Korean War? A U.S. Marine with North Korean prisoners of war in Korea in 1953. (U.S. Marine Corps) At the end of World War II, the Korean Peninsula was occupied in the North by the forces of the Soviet Union and in the South by the Americans, split at the 38th parallel. Ever since the two sides established their preferred government in these areas, the Korean Peninsula clamored for reunification -- under its own government, of course. The North under Kim Il-Sung was ready to take the country by force from the outset, but was always restrained by Joseph Stalin in Moscow, who believed such a move could spark a third world war with the West -- something he feared. After the KGB turned an American code clerk in the U.S. Embassy in Moscow, they discovered that much of the American military power in the area had been moved to Japan. Believing the Americans would not move to defend Korea, the Soviets gave Kim Il-Sung the go-ahead. (KCNA) But Truman believed the invasion was a challenge to the free world and the United States in particular. He believed it was necessary for the free nations of the world to contain the spread of Communism -- that if the U.S. and the West allowed one country to fall to Communism, the rest of the nations in the region would fall one by one, or the "Domino Theory." Who Won the Korean War? By Christmas 1950, the Korean War ground to a stalemate at the 38th parallel, the place where it started and where the border is today. The war went on for two more years, but Truman opted not to run for another term as president of the United States and the Democratic Party lost ground in the 1952 elections. Dwight Eisenhower and the Republicans won the presidency, despite the war's initial popularity. Republicans also gained control of the House and Senate. The United States dropped more ordnance on North Korea in three years of fighting than it did on the entire Pacific Theater of World War II. The United States lost upward of 37,000 troops and suffered 102,000 wounded, according to the Korean War Project. The locals fared far worse -- some 4 million Korean and Chinese (mostly civilians) were killed, wounded or missing. The governments in North and South Korea never changed, even if Kim Il-Sung was forced to cede control of the Korean People's Army to China, and President (and de facto dictator) Syngman Rhee's South Korea wasn't really that "free" to begin with. After a while, the only sticking point between the two countries centered on returning captured Chinese and North Korean prisoners who didn't want to go home. How Did the Korean War End? B-26 Invaders bomb logistics depots in Wonsan, North Korea, 1951. (National Museum of the United States Air Force) The fighting finally ended on July 27, 1953, after two years of negotiations. Seoul had switched hands four times. Newly elected President Dwight D. Eisenhower (formerly general and supreme allied commander during WWII) went to Korea to find out for himself how to end it. Indian General K.S. Thimayya laid out a solution to the problem of prisoners of war, one both sides accepted. The shooting stopped that day, but the war never did. The Korean Armistice Agreement was signed by the United Nations, Korean People's Army and Chinese People's Volunteer Army, but Syngman Rhee's government refused to sign. It is an armistice and not a peace treaty, which means the war is technically ongoing, though fighting has ceased. Today, North Korea claims it won the Korean War, which it calls the "Fatherland Liberation War," and blames the United States for starting it in the first place. The armistice established the demilitarized zone (DMZ) as we know it today, where American and South Korean soldiers stare down North Korean soldiers every day. The Korean War, sandwiched between the romanticism of World War II and America's traumatic experience in Vietnam, is often forgotten among the conflicts of the 20th century, so much so that it's often referred to as "The Forgotten War." According to the Department of Veterans Affairs, there are 1.16 million Korean War veterans still living today. So if you see one, tell them everything you learned about their war. They will appreciate your taking the time to remember. -- Blake Stilwell can be reached at blake.stilwell@military.com. He can also be found on Twitter @blakestilwell or on Facebook. Want to Learn More About Military Life? Whether you're thinking of joining the military, looking for post-military careers or keeping up with military life and benefits, Military.com has you covered. Subscribe to Military.com to have military news, updates and resources delivered directly to your inbox. Ryan Reynolds has expressed regret for holding his wedding to Blake Lively at a former plantation in South Carolina. Its something well always be deeply and unreservedly sorry for, the actor told Fast Company in a new interview. Its impossible to reconcile. Reynolds and Lively married in 2012 at Boone Hall, a former plantation in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina. In the years before the Civil War, Boone Hall was the site of a brick-building business, which thrived from the labor of enslaved people. The plantation displays nine slave cabins, called Slave Street. Historians and activists have long said using such venues for celebratory events like weddings glorifies the American system of slavery and the violent oppression of Black people. Speaking with Fast Company, Reynolds said that at the time, he and Lively viewed Boone Hall as a wedding venue on Pinterest, and only later saw the site as a place built upon devastating tragedy. Last year, Pinterest, along with wedding websites like The Knot and Zola, announced it would stop promoting content that romanticizes plantation weddings. But shame works in weird ways, he said. A giant f-cking mistake like that can either cause you to shut down or it can reframe things and move you into action. To that end, Reynolds introduced the Group Effort Initiative in July, which aims to invest in marginalized communities that are typically underrepresented and ignored in Hollywood. Representation and diversity need to be completely immersive, he said. Like, it needs to be embedded at the root of storytelling, and thats in both marketing and Hollywood. Hyderabad, Aug 6 : In a major success, the police in Hyderabad have busted a major racket of stealing two-wheelers. At least 15 people were arrested on Wednesday, and 77 vehicles were recovered in an operation that was carried out by the city police. Commissioner of Police, Hyderabad City said that three gangs were busted in the operation that was executed by five special police teams. The operation was set in motion following a special initiative to curb the rising incidences of two-wheeler thefts in the city. Departmental sources said that on examining cctv footage of a theft, the police identified one person, Adil. On interrogation, and further investigation, the police were able to unravel the racket which involved stealing unattended two-wheelers and transporting them to Nizamabad district in the state. In all, three gangs led by Mohsin, Ameenullah Khan and Akbar respectively, were involved in the racket. The gangs were involved in stealing vehicles and ferrying them to Nizamabad and selling in rural areas of Telangana. 2020 will always be remembered as a year of once-in-a-lifetime challenges and changes but it will also be remembered as a time when Americans were their most compassionate and resilient selves, Joe Solmonese, chief executive of the Democratic National Convention, said in a statement. While we wish we could move forward with welcoming the world to beautiful Milwaukee in two weeks, we recognize protecting the health of our host community and everyone involved with this convention must be paramount. SV Krishna Chaitanya By Express News Service CHENNAI: With the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) going into 'hibernation' owing to the pandemic, all major launch missions have suffered substantial delays, while hundreds of contract engineers and technicians who are an integral part of the space agency's workforce are staring at a grim future. Over 100 contract employees working with Hyderabad-based Premier Explosives Limited (PEL) that handles operations and maintenance of the Solid Propellant Plant inside Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC-Shar) in Sriharikota have been reportedly laid off in the last couple of days. These employees have not been paid salaries since May. The New Indian Express has accessed some of the communication letters sent to the laid-off employees by the company. PB Sudhir Singh, general manager (Process), PEL, said the Shar Central Level Review Committee recommended a reduction of total manpower considering the present situation and operational requirements. "Out of our total workforce, very few who have been tested negative for COVID-19 are attending duty at the Solid Propellant Plant by staying in isolation from their family members at a guest house in Sriharikota. The situation has turned so dire wherein both employer and employee cannot fulfill their contractual obligations. Also, without the consent of Shar, your organisation PEL will be unable to provide work. It is with a heavy heart that the management expresses its inability to pay salaries and to continue your employment," Singh said in the letter sent to an engineer, who served the company for over a decade. Singh also said it was unclear when SDSC-Shar would lift the temporary reduction in manpower and get back to normalcy. "Going by the curtailed operational requirements, it is hard to guess a tentative date of restoring back to the original manpower strength," he said. He did not respond to calls from The New Indian Express for direct comment on the issue. The Solid Propellant Plant is a crucial piece of infrastructure handling the GSLV Mk-3 project. According to official records, available with The New Indian Express, a total of 552 personnel work at the propellant plant, of which 142 are permanent staff and 410 contract employees. Of the contract staff, 394 are PEL employees. After the COVID-19 crisis emerged, the total manpower was trimmed to 254 and the number was further reduced to 200 following a sudden spurt in coronavirus cases inside Sriharikota and other ISRO residential colonies nearby. During the process, PEL employees suffered the most with only 106 allotted work out of a total of 394. When contacted, senior officials of SDSC-Shar told The New Indian Express that it is an unprecedented situation. "We have to work with the reduced manpower till normalcy returns. Out of the 142 permanent staff, 88 are attending duties at the Solid Propellant Plant. Currently, work on the Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV) is going on," said an official. Meanwhile, sources said the Department of Space is paying contract firms at minimum wage rates (19 days per month) which is as per the guidelines issued by the department for reviewing the existing contract manpower deployment so as to regulate it based on the present launch manifesto and operational requirements. It's not just contract employees working at the Solid Propellent Plant who have been put to hardship. Several other firms like Quess which deployed close to 300 employees at the Solid Propellant Space Booster Plant (SPROB) and Liquid Propellant Storage and Serving Facilities (LSSF) are contemplating lay-offs. Quess has not paid wages for the last two months. Employees who spoke to The New Indian Express allege that these contract firms get paid about Rs 60,000 per engineer, but they pay a paltry Rs 20,000 to Rs 25,000. "Now, under such trying circumstances, they are refusing to pay even that. We want at least a subsistence allowance to feed our families. When questioned, our work managers are saying ISRO did not clear the bills since June. We want ISRO to intervene and bail us out," said an employee. ST. LOUIS Cori Bush, a progressive activist and a leader of the swelling protest movement for racial justice, toppled Representative William Lacy Clay Jr. of Missouri in a Democratic primary on Tuesday, notching the latest in a stunning string of upsets against the party establishment. Ms. Bush, 44, had captured nearly 49 percent of the vote by late Tuesday evening compared with 45.5 percent for Mr. Clay, according to The Associated Press. She had tried and failed to unseat Mr. Clay in 2018, but this year rode a surge in support for more liberal, confrontational politics within the Democratic Party amid the coronavirus pandemic and the national outcry over festering racial inequities. Ms. Bushs victory, which came on the same night that Missouri voters decided to expand Medicaid eligibility, was a significant milestone for insurgent progressive candidates and the groups, like Justice Democrats, that have backed them across the country. It showed that the same brand of politics that has helped young, liberal candidates of color unseat veteran party stalwarts in places like Massachusetts and New York could also resonate deep in the heartland against a Black incumbent whose family has been synonymous with his district for decades. Buckle, a digital seller of rideshare insurance, disclosed it has raised $31 million in new venture financing and will use the money to expand operations nationally. HSCM Bermuda and Eos Venture Partners co-led the Series A round, which is also slated to fuel new products and partnerships. Vikas Singhal, partner and CIO of Insurtech at HSCM Bermuda, said that Buckle is well-positioned to take advantage of a growing ride-hailing market, which he said is expected to grow globally to approximately $260 billion by 2024. As the market grows, demand for straightforward and affordable insurance coverage for both providers and TNCs will grow with it, he added. Buckle, based in New Jersey, launched as a managing general agent in 2019 with its initial rideshare insurance policy combining personal and commercial coverage through a collaboration with Munich Res Digital Partners. That program is now expanded through a partnership with ridesharing company Lyft, Buckle said. In June Buckle Gateway Insurance Co. from Atlas Financial Holding as a way to support the Atlas managing general agency Anchor Group Management Inc. Buckle sees this move expanding its commercial auto coverage capacity and helping it work with Atlas to sell auto insurance to part-time rideshare and delivery drivers, full-time taxicab and limousine drivers, and others. Buckle co-founder Marty Young told Carrier Management that the Gateway Insurance transaction made sense in the companys evolution. As a digital managing general agent (MGA), we controlled distribution, underwriting and claims, Young said. So, taking on the responsibility and risk management of a carrier made perfect sense. Young said that Atlas Financial Holding will be run as a digital front rather than a more traditional full-stack carrier. Source: Buckle Topics Carriers Insurance Wholesale Funding Sharing Economy Ridesharing A recent Gallup survey found that 13 percent of Americans are satisfied with the state of the nation. Thats a dismal figure, down 32 points from February. And yet somehow it seems too high, doesnt it? After months of being mired in the coronavirus pandemic, its debatable whether were even making all that much progress in fighting what President Donald Trump occasionally refers to as the invisible enemy. Texas, for example, has been grappling with a surge in novel cornavirus cases and fatalities since the summer began. As of this past weekend, state health officials were reporting more than 440,000 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and over 7,000 fatalities. Those are grim statistics, and a majority of Texans believe some blame lies with our political leaders, including Trump and Gov. Greg Abbott. The latters approval rating for his handling of the crisis has plummeted from 61 percent in April to just 38 percent last month, according to a new poll from Harvard, Northeastern, Northwestern and Rutgers universities. And Abbott was singled out for blame by at least one bereaved family after the death of 79-year-old David W. Nagy, a father of five, in east Texas in July. Family members believe David's death was needless, his wife Stacey wrote in a scathing obituary. They blame his death and the deaths of all the other innocent people, on Trump, Abbott and all the politicians who did not take this pandemic seriously and were more concerned with their popularity and votes than lives. Making matters even more bleak is the fact that Texass numbers, as ominous as they are, are apparently not telling the whole story. A Houston Chronicle analysis published Aug. 2 found the state is likely undercounting coronavirus cases by tens of thousands because it is not including the results of antigen tests in official tallies. On HoustonChronicle.com: Thousands of Texans are getting rapid-result COVID tests. The state isnt counting them The antigen tests, which give rapid results, are considered less reliable than some others, which have to be shipped to laboratories for analysis. But theyre considered reliable enough as a gauge of probable cases by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; the concern, according to public health experts, is that antigen tests fail to pick up all cases of the virus, not that they yield false positives. Meanwhile, Trump continues to act as if the pursuit of reliable data is itself exacerbating the pandemic, rather than giving us the means to combat it effectively. In a new interview with Jonathan Swan of Axios, Trump insisted again that the reason the United States has so many confirmed cases of COVID-19 is because were testing for it. It is what it is, said Trump, confronted with the fact that more than 150,000 Americans have lost their lives to this disease thus far. But that doesn't mean we aren't doing everything we can. It's under control as much as you can control it. Take a look at some of these charts, the president continued, producing a few sheets of paper. He examined the charts himself and pronounced the U.S. lowest in numerous categories, before handing the documents over to a nonplussed Swan. Oh, youre doing death as a proportion of cases, Swan said, after examining them himself. Im talking about death as a proportion of population. Thats where the U.S. is really bad. You cant do that, Trump said, unwilling to acknowledge the grim reality. The upshot of all of this is that Americans are to some extent fighting an invisible enemy while blindfolded. Clearly the coronavirus has yet to be contained, but our leaders are apparently content for it to be accommodated rather than confronted directly. Dr. Peter Hotez of the National School of Tropical Medicine at Baylor College of Medicine argues in a new commentary for the journal Microbes and Infection that it is not too late to chart a different courseand that the United States, with a coherent national strategy, could achieve some semblance of normalcy by October. On HoustonChronicle.com: Coronavirus expert Peter Hotez reveals how Texas can reopen by October But part of Hotez plan involves acknowledging that the current, scattershot approach is not working. Fewer than 100 days before the election, Trump is having none of that. And so well continue to stumble through this pandemic, with Houston-area hospital ICU units near capacity, students warily returning to classrooms and limited meaningful data from testing and tracing in Texas. In a bid to facilitate re-opening for in-person instruction, Abbott on Tuesday announced that the state has distributed vast quantities of personal protective equipment to schools more than 59 million masks, over 500,000 face shields, a small ocean of hand sanitizer. Meanwhile, Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner announced this week that law enforcement officials will begin issuing citations and fines, rather than just warnings, to people caught violating the statewide mask order that Abbott announced at the beginning of July. Its all about public health and driving our numbers down, especially when in-person schooling is scheduled to start, Turner explained. This is not where we were supposed to be in August, four months after Abbott declared, We have demonstrated that we can corral the coronavirus. We can and must do better. The data about coronavirus cases is patchy, but theres no doubt that an overwhelming majority of Americans are rightly dissatisfied with our response to this pandemic. erica.grieder@chron.com On July 25, Republicans in Grundy County, Tenn., gathered to hear the candidates in the states Senate Republican primary hold forth ahead of Thursdays election. Most of them kept their comments polite and predictable and then came Bill Hagerty. Though there are 15 names on the ballot, Mr. Hagerty, the races Trump-endorsed front-runner, singled out his main opponent, Manny Sethi, with an attack-filled tirade, claiming that Mr. Sethi, an orthopedic surgeon, had an abysmal record of supporting the Trump agenda and a soft spot for socialized medicine. Amid a chorus of boos from Mr. Sethis supporters, Bill Lee, the governor of Tennessee, who has remained publicly neutral in the race, nudged Zach Wamp, a former congressman from the area. Have you ever seen anything like this? he asked. No, Mr. Wamp, who has endorsed Mr. Sethi, recalled, responding, I havent. Mr. Hagerty, a former private-equity executive who served as President Trumps first ambassador to Japan, was long considered a shoo-in to replace Lamar Alexander, a much-admired former governor who has served in the Senate since 2003. But Mr. Sethi has run an insurgent-style campaign, casting Mr. Hagerty as insufficiently Trumpian and pulling within a few percentage points of the lead a sudden turn that has pushed the race in an intensely negative direction, with both candidates accusing the other of such sins as supporting the Black Lives Matter movement or being friends with Senator Mitt Romney of Utah. Police were called to the complex around 1 p.m. The victim told police he had a hard time breathing and couldnt say where he was shot. The bullet entered near his right armpit, exiting through his back, charges show. He didnt know Hayes and had never seen him before, the victim told police. Mrs Linda Asante-Agyei, Vice President of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) has reminded journalists of the need to crosscheck and establish the authenticity of information on social media before publishing as news items. It is very worrying to see journalists picking stories from social media and publishing it as the truth. Per the training, we all received from our journalism schools we are to always cross-check and double-check all our facts. As professionals, we need not pick stories from social media and publish it as a fact. We must practice double-checking, she said. Mrs Asante-Agyei made the remarks on Wednesday during the launch of the GJA-Media Response Virtual Learning Platform held in Accra. The ceremony was also to award certificates to participants who successfully completed the maiden course on Journalism, Fake News and Disinformation on the E-Learning Platform. The training platform, which was developed by the Media Response, a non-governmental organization in partnership with the GJA is to provide journalists with robust up-to-date training on journalistic ethics and promote professionalism. The GJA Vice President said the Association was determined to promote responsible journalism hence the initiative, and called on participants to apply the skills and lessons received from the training to stand out. Mr Samuel Dodoo, Executive Director, Media Response, said one of the challenges that confronted the media in Ghana was the lack of continuous training for skills enhancement. He attributed the situation to the heavy workload the profession carried and urged journalists to make time for regular training. Mr Dodoo explained that the GJA-Media Response Virtual Learning Platform provided a flexible and friendly learning environment, which enabled participants to study at their own pace without necessarily interrupting their busy schedule or missing out on lessons. He said the platform was designed not only for the formal sector but also for the informal population and said in June 2018, his team developed a Learning Management Systems (LMS) for the Institute of Applied Sciences and Technology (IAST) of the University of Ghana to be used to train farmers in agribusiness and greenhouse technology. 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 Novavax Inc said on Tuesday its experimental Covid-19 vaccine produced high levels of antibodies against the novel coronavirus, according to initial data from a small, early-stage clinical trial, sending the companys shares up 10%. The company said it could start a large pivotal Phase III trial as soon as late September, and on a conference call added that it could produce 1 billion to 2 billion doses of the vaccine in 2021. Follow latest updates on coronavirus here Novavax research chief Gregory Glenn told Reuters the late-stage clinical trial could potentially glean enough data to obtain regulatory approvals as early as December. Maryland-based Novavax said its vaccine candidate, NVX-CoV2373, produced higher levels of the antibodies in healthy volunteers after two doses than those found in recovered Covid-19 patients, raising hopes for its eventual success. The addition of the companys MatrixM adjuvant, a substance designed to boost the bodys immune response, did enhance the effect of the vaccine in the study, the company said. The Novavax vaccine is among the first of a handful of programs singled out for US funding under Operation Warp Speed, the White House program to accelerate access to vaccines and treatments that can fight the virus. Effective vaccines and treatments are considered essential to halting a pandemic that has claimed more than 695,000 lives worldwide. Click here for complete coronavirus coverage Novavaxs vaccine contains synthesized pieces of the surface protein that the coronavirus uses to invade human cells, spurring production of antibodies to fight the infection. The US government in July agreed to pay Novavax $1.6 billion to help cover costs related to testing and manufacturing the vaccine, with the aim of procuring 100 million doses by January 2021. The trial, which started in late May, tested the vaccine in 106 subjects aged 18 to 59 versus a placebo. The Phase I study looked at the vaccines safety and ability to induce immune responses. It tested 5 microgram and 25 microgram doses of the vaccine, with and without the adjuvant. The company said it would likely move forward with the lower dose. Eight study participants experienced adverse side effects after receiving a second vaccine dose during the trial, although none required medical intervention, the company said. Headache, fatigue, and muscle pain were among the more common side effects, and the vaccine was well tolerated overall, the company said. Because Covid-19 vaccines are being developed at unprecedented speed, safety issues are being watched very closely. When you are talking about vaccinating the entire world, safety is almost more important than efficacy, said Brad Loncar, chief executive of Loncar Investments, an investment fund specializing in biotechnology companies. The Phase II portion of the study will be conducted in multiple countries, including the United States. It will gauge the vaccines ability to prevent infections or reduce severity of Covid-19, in addition to safety and immune response, among a broader range of volunteers. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. An alleged drunk driver had his two young children in his SUV when he recently collided head-on with a car in Huguenot late in the morning, allege prosecutors. Vladimir Karpov, 35, of the 100 block of El Camino Loop, Rossville, was busted on felony and misdemeanor charges in connection with the alleged July 25, 2020 incident. The Allenco Energy drill site near USC in 2019. (Kent Nishimura / Los Angeles Times) Allenco Energy, which has operated a South Los Angeles drill site that spurred an outcry over nosebleeds and headaches suffered by neighbors, is facing criminal charges for allegedly flouting a state order and failing to properly abandon wells. The charges show that we wont allow Allenco to continue allegedly defying the law and disregarding its neighbors when it comes to environmental safety and health protections, Los Angeles City Atty. Mike Feuer said in an announcement Tuesday. This is a matter of environmental justice." The misdemeanor charges filed this week also target Allenco Chief Executive Clifford E. Peter Allen and company Vice President Timothy Parker. An Allenco representative reached Tuesday declined to comment. Earlier this year, California regulators ordered Allenco to plug wells and decommission the drill site, which would permanently close the inactive facility. State Oil and Gas Supervisor Uduak-Joe Ntuk, formerly L.A.'s petroleum administrator, said the company had failed to fix leaking wells and effectively deserted the site. The criminal complaint against Allenco and its leaders specifically cites their alleged failure to comply with a state order issued last year that required the firm to plan and carry out "well killing" to address leaks from deteriorating wells. Allenco appealed the order, but Feuer said it was ultimately affirmed and "to date, Allenco has not complied." Ntuk said Tuesday that "the facility continues to be a potential risk to public health, safety, and the environment. The oil company and its leaders are also accused of violating a municipal code that requires idle wells to be either reactivated or properly abandoned, failing to take those steps for 21 wells. In total, Allenco faces more than two dozen new criminal counts for allegedly violating state and local laws. The City Attorney's Office said that the charges could be punishable with years in jail if the executives are convicted. Story continues Allenco had agreed to suspend its operations suspend operations at the site nearly seven years ago, after federal and local investigations had already been launched and an environmental team touring the site had been sickened by toxic fumes. Feuer then sued and obtained a court order court order imposing new requirements if Allenco wanted to restart operations. In February, Parker told state regulators that Allenco was liquidating and planned to sell its portion of the South Los Angeles site, complaining that the state had made it too difficult to reopen it. We have spent tremendous amounts of capital trying to be compliant and prove that we are good stewards of compliance! Parker wrote. Parker also said that Allenco was engaged in discussions with the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, which owns the property, and a possible developer to remove us from having any further business responsibilities at this site." However, the Archdiocese said Tuesday that Allenco was still in possession of the site to maintain the facility safely until it is decommissioned, and although alternative uses are being evaluated, "there are no immediate plans to transfer the site." Community activists have pushed to shutter the Allenco site permanently, arguing that petroleum facilities should not be operated close to homes and schools in the University Park neighborhood near USC. The Stand L.A. coalition, which opposes neighborhood drilling, has advocated an end to drilling within a 2,500-foot "buffer" of homes and schools. Nancy Halpern Ibrahim, executive director of Esperanza Community Housing, called the charges "a welcome and long overdue victory," lamenting that residents had continued to see leaks even after the site was inactive. Nalleli Cobo, who endured nosebleeds as a child living near the Allenco site, said she was grateful to the city attorney for "making sure people are held accountable for not doing the right thing." "As a person that has gone through this, knowing that we still have to fight for the basic right to breathe clean air is really upsetting," said Cobo, 19, an environmental activist with Stand L.A. Sushant Singh Rajputs sister Priyanka Singh sent messages of concern to her brother-in-law OP Singh a few months ago about how the family was running out of time to save the actor. Priyanka also said that Rhea Chakraborty and her stooges were conspiring to destroy Sushant monetarily, mentally and physically. In a WhatsApp chat accessed by Times Now, Priyanka writes to her brother-in-law that the family needed to intervene as they were running out of time to save Sushant. (Samuel) Miranda and Shruti (Modi) are the main stooges of that girl Rhea and are part of the main conspiracy to destroy Sushant monetarily, mentally and physically. Rheas motive to swindle his money and gain valuable connections in the industry, riding on Sushants back to gain work, fame and money... the great Bollywood dream of Rhea, part of her message read. Priyanka said that Sushant was on heavy psychotic medicines prescribed by doctors that Rhea took him too. He (Gulshan) has time and again given SOS to us which you also are privy to. He is on medication, heavy psychotic medicines of which we have the prescription from at least three different doctors (all unknown and provided by Rhea and her family). Rani di has the soft copy, the message read. According to Priyanka, the root of all problems was that access to Sushant has been systematically denied by Rhea and her family and her stooges Miranda and Shruti. She added, He is mentally under duress and is turned sick which means he cannot decide for himself and now with prolonged intake of medicines, its anybodys guess that his mental faculties are further weakened and foggy. The report also showed a message sent by OP Singh to Sushant. People in your family are worried about your health. They think that you have been pinned down by manipulative people who are medicating you wrongly and subjecting you to food and sleep deprivation to keep you demoralised and under control, it read. Also read: Shweta Nanda tells brother Abhishek Bachchan to hang in there as he remains hospitalised for Covid-19 They are blowing your money and misusing your contacts. They have purged your team of your loyalists and are controlling your ecosystem to your harm, he wrote, adding, It sounds like open hostage-taking and daylight robbery. I am keeping DCP Bandra posted about the matter. In case things go wrong, the police should know what it was all about. Last month, Sushants father KK Singh filed an FIR in Patna against Rhea and her family members, alleging abetment to suicide, cheating and mental harassment. He accused her of swindling crores from the late actors account. Meanwhile, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) will probe Sushants death after the Centre accepted the Bihar governments recommendation for it. The move has been welcomed by Sushants sister Shweta Singh Kirti, who called it a Raksha Bandhan gift. If you need support or know someone who does, please reach out to your nearest mental health specialist. Helplines: Aasra: 022 2754 6669; Sneha India Foundation: +914424640050 and Sanjivini: 011-24311918 Follow @htshowbiz for more Non-profit organisation, the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project, has condemned violent attacks on #RevolutionNow protesters in... Non-profit organisation, the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project, has condemned violent attacks on #RevolutionNow protesters in Abuja, Lagos, Osogbo and other parts of the country. SERAP in a statement signed by its Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, asked the President Muhammadu Buhari to end the use of excessive force against protesters, and allow people to peacefully exercise their human rights. It was earlier reported that several #RevolutionNow protesters were arrested by operatives of the State Security Service, the Nigeria Police Force and the Nigerian Army in different parts of the country where the demonstrations held on Wednesday. The protesters carrying placards and banners had set out as early as 8 am to demand good governance. Some of the banners read, Nigerians are sick and tired of poverty, corruption, injustice and untimely death; Say no to injustice, Yes to living wage for unemployed youths. The statement titled, Nigeria: SERAP condemns attacks on #RevolutionNow protesters, partly read, By failing to adequately protect protesters from violent attacks, Nigerian authorities have blatantly violated their obligations under the Nigerian Constitution of 1999 (as amended), the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights to which Nigeria is a state party. Nobody should be arrested or subjected to torture and ill-treatment simply for taking part in peaceful protests. The authorities should stop criminalising peaceful protesters. Rather than suppressing peaceful protests, the authorities ought to protect peaceful protesters and ensure a safe and enabling environment for people to exercise their constitutionally and internationally guaranteed rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly. SERAP urged the authorities to immediately and unconditionally release all those arrested, promptly investigate attacks on protesters, and identify security agents suspected to be responsible and bring them to justice. It also called on the international community including the UN Human Rights Council, the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, the African Union and the African Commission on Human and Peoples Rights to publicly condemn the attacks on the protesters. Concrete Pumps Market Research Report by Product (Specialized Concrete Pumps, Stationery Concrete Pumps, and Truck Mounted Concrete Pumps), by End User (Commercial, Domestic, and Industrial) - Global Forecast to 2025 - Cumulative Impact of COVID-19 New York, Aug. 04, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Reportlinker.com announces the release of the report "Concrete Pumps Market Research Report by Product, by End User - Global Forecast to 2025 - Cumulative Impact of COVID-19" - https://www.reportlinker.com/p05913929/?utm_source=GNW The Global Concrete Pumps Market is expected to grow from USD 3,585.59 Million in 2019 to USD 4,715.85 Million by the end of 2025 at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 4.67%. Market Segmentation & Coverage: This research report categorizes the Concrete Pumps to forecast the revenues and analyze the trends in each of the following sub-markets: Based on Product, the Concrete Pumps Market studied across Specialized Concrete Pumps, Stationery Concrete Pumps, and Truck Mounted Concrete Pumps. Based on End User, the Concrete Pumps Market studied across Commercial, Domestic, and Industrial. Based on Geography, the Concrete Pumps Market studied across Americas, Asia-Pacific, and Europe, Middle East & Africa. The Americas region surveyed across Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Mexico, and United States. The Asia-Pacific region surveyed across Australia, China, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Philippines, South Korea, and Thailand. The Europe, Middle East & Africa region surveyed 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 Concrete Pumps Market including Alliance Concrete Pumps, Inc., Apollo Infratech Pvt. Ltd, Concord Concrete Pumps, Fangyuan Group Inc, KCP Heavy Industries, Liebherr Group, Putzmeister, Sany Group, Schwing Gmbh, and Zoomlion Heavy Machinery Co, Ltd. FPNV Positioning Matrix: The FPNV Positioning Matrix evaluates and categorizes the vendors in the Concrete Pumps 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 the market 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 Concrete Pumps Market? 2. What are the inhibiting factors and impact of COVID-19 shaping the Global Concrete Pumps Market during the forecast period? 3. Which are the products/segments/applications/areas to invest in over the forecast period in the Global Concrete Pumps Market? 4. What is the competitive strategic window for opportunities in the Global Concrete Pumps Market? 5. What are the technology trends and regulatory frameworks in the Global Concrete Pumps Market? 6. What are the modes and strategic moves considered suitable for entering the Global Concrete Pumps Market? Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p05913929/?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. __________________________ Story continues CONTACT: Clare: clare@reportlinker.com US: (339)-368-6001 Intl: +1 339-368-6001 The organised labour Tuesday staged a protest at the office of the Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC), Ado Ekiti, ordering it to stop cases of outrageous billing and incessant epileptic power supply. The visibly angry labour leaders comprising the Trade Union Congress (TUC), Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and Joint Negotiating Council (JNC), lamented that BEDC's poor electricity supply to Ekiti has crippled the economy and brought alleged extortion of the consumers. The protest was led by the Chairmen of TUC, Sola Adigun; NLC, Kolapo Olatunde; JNC Secretary, Gbenga Olowoyo, to the BEDC's office located at Ajilosun area of the Ado Ekiti metropolis. Addressing the company's representative, the NLC chairman, Olatunde said: "Ekiti people are tired of paying for darkness and your estimated billing should not exceed N3,500 in urban areas and N2,500 in rural centres. There were court judgments that had affirmed these, but BEDC didn't care to abide by it. "Total blackout that we are experiencing is not helping our economy. You didn't give prepaid meters to citizens many years after they have paid for it. All you do is to bill anyhow. "You could see that we are peaceful now, but when next we come, we will change strategies. Why are you treating our people in Ekiti like this? Why do you always on and off your light despite that you have the capacity to give light? Do you need government's help so that we can intervene? "The workers and other citizens are not happy with the way you have been killing the economy of our dear state. Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Labour Energy Nigeria By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later. "In Gbonyin, Ekiti East and other council areas, people have not seen light for years. Even in Ado Ekiti, your staff will collect bribes before they switch on the light. If you can't supply light, leave our state for us. We are tired of all these." Buttressing the position espoused by NLC, the TUC boss, Adigun, added that a lot of injustices were being perpetrated by BEDC in Ekiti, which he said must stop. "We are here today to say no to injustice and punishment being meted out to our people. We are here to say no to corruption being perpetrated by your staff. We say and insist that Ekiti people deserve to be treated with civility. "Some people have paid for prepaid meters, but nothing has been issued. All you do every month was to dish out outrageous estimated bills, jaw breaking bills. It was sad that despite court judgments concerning how billings should be done, but the BEDC is treating our courts as nothing," Adigun said. In his response, the BEDC Human Resources Manager, Mr. Patrick Akindele, apologised for all the perceived mistakes in the BEDC operations in Ekiti, assuring the unions that there would be improvement. "It is painful and unfortunate that you didn't give us notice before you came today, because people of top hierarchy that would have attended and spoken on some of the issues raised are not around "However, I tender apology about all you have said. But those who can really address the issue are not here. But all your issues will be passed across to them," he said. Sydney: A judge in Australia has denied to hear evidence from the wife of an Islamic extremist after she refused to remove the veil of her burqa despite being offered alternative options. Moutia Elzahed, one of the two women married to convicted criminal and Islamic extremist Hamdi Alqudsi, is suing the police alleging they punched her and called her a "bitch"during the Operation Apple by terrorism raids at her Revesbyhome in south-west of the Sydney on September 18, 2014. In what is believed to be an Australian first in a civilcase, that New South Wales (NSW) District Court judge Audrey Balla would not let Elzahed take the stand unless she took off her veil this week, the daily telegraph.com.au reported. Elzahed refused to take off her burqa and she failed toturn up to the fourth day on November 30 of the hearing. Her lawyer Clive Evatt said, for religious reasons, his client could not show her face to any man. Judge Balla gave Elzahed a choice; she could have thecourt closed while she gave evidence or she could giveevidence via video link. But Evatt declined both options on his client's behalf because the mostly male lawyers on both sides would still bein court and would see her face. Dressed in long robes, scarf and veil, Elzahed also refused to stand for Judge Balla when she entered and left thecourt. Elzahed's refusal to take off the veil is a blow to hercase, which relied on her sworn testimony that she was punchedby police during the dawn raid. She is seeking financial compensation for "assault andbattery, wrongful arrest and false imprisonment and intimidation". She is joined in the lawsuit by her husband Hamdi Alqudsiand sons Hamza George, 17, and Abdulla George, 17. Since the raid Alqudsi has been convicted of helpingseven men travel to Syria to fight with Islamist rebels. He isserving a sentence of eight years with a non-parole period ofsix years. Outside of court Elzahed said "it is not fair" that shecould not give evidence. The federal and state governments, acting on behalf of Federal and NSW police, deny all allegations of police brutality, arguing officers used only reasonable force. For all the Latest World News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Gov. Andrew Cuomo and Mayor Bill de Blasio have before them some of the most difficult challenges any holder of their respective offices has ever faced. Both men are often forced to choose between the least worst of many bad options. So, youd think this great crisis would be an opportunity for the mayor and the governor to set aside their long-running feud and work together. The prognosis isnt great. Even as New Yorkers face their most wrenching, and consequential, decision whether to send their children into schools during a pandemic Mr. Cuomo and Mr. de Blasio quibble and often put the personal over the professional to a dispiriting degree. On Friday, the city submitted a 32-page reopening plan in which most children would go to school two or three days a week and continue online instruction on the other days. The plan, in some ways, established even more careful measures of safety than the governor had suggested, calling for schools to be shut if more than 3 percent of coronavirus tests in the city proved positive. The governor had suggested that 5 percent be the standard. Rather than collaborating with city officials to ensure that the plan could have the confidence of New Yorks parents and school employees, the governors initial public response was to slap it down. SpaceX's prototype Starship launches in a short first flight test at the company's facility in Boca Chica, Texas. SpaceX The fifth prototype of SpaceX's next-generation Starship rocket passed its most critical test yet, taking off and landing in a short flight on Tuesday at the company's facility in Texas. Starship prototype Serial Number 5, standing at about 100 feet tall, launched gradually and rose to about 500 feet above the ground before returning back to land on a concrete area near the launchpad. "Progress is accelerating," SpaceX CEO Elon Musk tweeted after the flight. SpaceX's prototype Starship launches in a short first flight test at the company's facility in Boca Chica, Texas. SpaceX SpaceX has a fleet of rockets that it uses to launch satellites and astronauts, anchored by its Falcon 9 series that has launched 87 times and landed its booster after 48 of those launches. But Starship represents the company's aim to make obsolete even the cost-saving advances of its Falcon 9 rockets. While Falcon 9 rockets are partially reusable, Musk's goal is to make Starship fully reusable envisioning a rocket that is more akin to a commercial airplane, with short turnaround times between flights where the only major cost is fuel. Musk last year unveiled the Starship prototype, built of stainless steel and dwarfing the company's existing spacecraft. SpaceX is developing Starship with the goal of launching as many as 100 people at a time on missions to the moon and Mars. SpaceX's Starship prototype SN5 on the company's landing pad after completing its flight test. SpaceX After SpaceX in May launched a pair of NASA astronauts in its first crewed mission, Musk pivoted the company's attention, declaring that the top SpaceX priority is now development of Starship. Musk said in an email obtained by CNBC that Starship's program must accelerate "dramatically and immediately," SpaceX released video of the flight test captured by an aerial drone, as well as a camera underneath the rocket that showed the Raptor engine and the legs deploy for landing. President Donald Trump also shared video of SpaceX's SN5 flight, although he appeared to confuse the company with NASA in a tweet. Although it wasn't a NASA test, leaders of the agency were notably paying attention to the SpaceX flight. NASA associate administrator Dr. Thomas Zurbuchen offered his congratulations to Musk's company on the successful flight. Starship is one of SpaceX's ambitious programs, for which the company has raised about $3.5 billion in private capital to fund. But after a successful test flight a year ago completed by a previous iteration, known as Starhopper, the Starship program suffered several explosive setbacks in development. Those setbacks are part of Musk's motivation for asking more of SpaceX's about 8,000 employees to spend more time in Texas, even offering use of the company's private jet if people are willing to move from the company's facilities in California and Florida. The extraordinary relocation offer underlines how crucial Musk sees the Starship project. SpaceX is already bidding for NASA contracts with Starship, most recently winning $135 million to compete against Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin to deliver astronauts to the Moon. The company's Boca Chica team is already working nearly around the clock but Musk wants more, urging SpaceX employees to help Starship development progress even more quickly. A look at the Raptor engine underneath SpaceX's prototype Starship rocket and the small legs that deployed for landing. SpaceX Back in late March, which seems like an eternity ago for many, the CARES Act was signed into law. As part of this relief package, stimulus checks began to drop into people's bank accounts across the United States around a fortnight later. CARES Act: stimulus check payments CARES: Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security These payments were sent quickly and efficiently into the accounts of those taxpayers who had filed a 2019 or 2020 tax return. Tens of millions of Americans are said to have already received this payment by 15 April, just two and a half weeks after the legislation was signed into law by President Trump. The payments continued and most filers had their extra money to do what they wanted with by the end of the month. Full screen Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) is swarmed by reporters as he leaves the Senate floor and walks to his office at the U.S. Capitol on 30 July 2020. Jonathan Ernst (REUTERS) This was great news for filers, but for others the wait for the much needed financial support was delayed, for some, significantly. Although there had been plenty of warning about the potential of the coronavirus pandemic hitting America - after what was being seen in Asia and Europe - the CARES Act ended up being rushed through and some of the payment processes were far from smooth. The hope is that for the next set of stimulus checks this will be much improved. Thanks to the CARES Act American households were sent an Economic Impact Payment (EIP) to help them with any hit they may have had to their income. An income limit was set, which meant that $1,200 was paid per adult with adjusted gross income (based on their 2018 or 2019 filing) up to $75,000, adjusted down to zero for those above $99,000. For married couples filing jointly the threshold was $150,000 adjusting down to $198,000. For head of household filers the amount was $112,500 adjusting down to the cut-off at $146,500. There was an additional payment made for dependents, which saw $500 made available per child under 17 years old, up to a maximum of three dependents per household. HEROES Act: stimulus check proposal HEROES: Health and Economic Recovery Omnibus Emergency Solutions Hopes weren't exactly high once the Democrat-led HEROES Act passed through the House of Representatives by a narrow margin mid-May. Immediately Republicans - and the President - dismissed the $3 trillion aid package proposal, with even Nancy Pelosi accepting that it may only be a starting point for the next round of negotiations. Within the package there was a push for a repeat of the $1,200 EIPs seen in the CARES Act with the same criteria for income level eligibility. That said, there was a difference with the additional payment for dependents. Under the HEROES Act provisions the amount for dependents would be increased to $1,200 and those eligible would be expanded to include college students, dependents over the age of 16, disabled relatives and dependent parents. There would be a maximum payment of $6,000 per household (a maximum of three dependents, so $2,400 for the couple and $3,600 for the dependents). HEALS Act: stimulus check proposal HEALS: Health, Economic Assistance, Liability protection and Schools As the summer approached, we didn't see much movement on the new bill although payments continued to drip out from the CARES Act. Then, after a delay, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell finally announced the Republicans stimulus proposal on 27 July, which was presented in the Senate in the afternoon session. The legislation was named the HEALS Act and called for $1 trillion of new funding to help fight the economic effects of Covid-19. In his statement, McConnell announced that as part of the package there would be another round of $1,200 stimulus checks for individuals, as per the CARES and HEROES Acts. Once again, the difference lies with the criteria over dependents, with the HEALS Act looking to expand the remit to include those named in the HEROES Act (college students, dependents over the age of 16, disabled relatives and dependent parents) however rather than increase the amount it would follow the CARES Act at $500 per dependent. Second stimulus check: when will it be agreed? Congress will go into recess on 7 August so this is seen as the deadline for getting the bill passed and signed into law. There are a number of other factors in play, Republicans are very keen, for example, to ensure no business owners can be sued if an employee contracts Covid-19 after returning to work, and so the negotiations will likely continue until then. Where it ends up, nobody is sure, but with the pandemic expected to continue to impact on lives and the economy for some time to come, compromise by all sides is required, with aspects of CARES, HEROES and HEALS all in the mix. And this could be further influenced by other proposals being put forward, such as the $1,000 payment to adults and children from GOP Sens. Bill Cassidy (La.), Steve Daines (Mont.), Mitt Romney (Utah), and Marco Rubio (Fla.). YEREVAN, AUGUST 5, ARMENPRESS. Co-Founder of the British Augment Bionics George Dzavaryan has donated personal protective equipment to Armenia amid the coronavirus pandemic. 30,000 face shields will be distributed among the countrys medical centers, the Armenian Ministry of Healthcare said on social media. The Armenia Embassy in UK and the Office of the High Commissioner for Diaspora Affairs under the Prime Ministers Office of Armenia supported organizational matters of the donation. Editing and Translating by Stepan Kocharyan Government has ruled they can stay for good and expand their range naturally The animals - not seen in the wild for 400 years - faced calls for their removal England's first wild beaver colony to live on a river for 400 years will not be evicted after the Government said it was eager for them to stay. The animals mysteriously appeared on the River Otter in Devon more than a decade ago and faced calls for their removal. But now after a five-year environmental assessment, the Government has ruled the beavers now numbering 15 family groups can stay for good and expand their range naturally. The ruling was welcomed by conservationists as a ground-breaking decision that paves the way for the introduction of beavers to other UK rivers. England's first wild beaver colony to live on a river for 400 years will not be evicted after the Government said it was eager for them to stay The mammals, dubbed natures engineers, were hunted to extinction 400 years ago, but experts say they have the ability to breathe new life into wet lands and reduce the risk of flooding for downstream properties. Devon Wildlife Trusts Mark Elliott said it was now vital for a national plan on the beavers future as well as help for landowners adversely affected. Environment minister Rebecca Pow said the Government was committed to the reintroduction of native species. Now attention is turning to the national strategy for releasing and managing beavers in England, amid reports that the rodents are already living wild on other rivers and with many being introduced into enclosures in the countryside. James Wallace, director of the Beaver Trust, said: 'Having shown through research and community engagement many of the benefits, challenges and ways of living alongside beavers, it is time to apply the learning from the River Otter Beaver Trial across the rest of the country.' He said the Beaver Trust, Devon Wildlife Trust and other conservation, fishing, farming and forestry stakeholders are developing proposals for an English beaver strategy. But now that as many as 15 family groups are free to swim, build dams and breed on the river and its tributaries, a bigger question looms about the future of wild beavers across England 'We invite the Government to collaborate with us on planning, resourcing and supporting the future management and restoration of beavers across suitable river catchments in England,' he said. Wildlife groups back the wider return of the aquatic mammals, which manage the landscape by cutting down trees and damming rivers, for the benefits they can provide. There are high levels of public support for beavers returning to England, and some landowners are keen to use the landscape engineering they perform to help 'rewild' parts of the countryside to help nature. But farmers have raised concerns that they can damage farmland. There have also been calls for funding for landowners to support them to make space for beavers, which are now classed as an endangered native species, in the landscape. The Government is planning a consultation later this year on the national strategy for beavers in England and how to manage them. But for the beavers in East Devon, at least, although they are unaware of it as they take to the river at dusk to forage on willow and check out the occasional wildlife watcher on the banks, the future is secure. HOUSTON, Aug. 5, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- American Gilsonite Company (the "Company" or "AGC"), the world's principal commercial miner and processor of uintaite, the unique mineral marketed under its trademark name "Gilsonite," today announced that it will post financial and operating results for the quarter ended June 30, 2020 to the Company's Intralinks site on August 6, 2020. The Company will host a conference call for holders of its Subordinated Notes and holders of the Company's common stock on Tuesday, August 11, 2020 at 2:00pm ET. Craig Mueller, President and Chief Executive Officer, and Steven Granda, Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, will discuss the Company's financial results and answer questions from the investment community. A rebroadcast of this conference call will also be available through September 11, 2020. The dial-in information for both the conference call and the rebroadcast will be posted to the Company's Intralinks website. Participants for the conference call are requested to dial in five to ten minutes prior to the scheduled start time. Holders of the Company's Subordinated Notes and holders of the Company's common stock who have executed the Stockholders Agreement can request access to the Company's Intralinks site by contacting Michael Herley by email at [email protected] or by phone at 203-308-1409. About American Gilsonite Company (www.americangilsonite.com) AGC operates as an industrial minerals company and is the world's primary miner and processor of uintaite, a variety of asphaltite, a specialty hydrocarbon which AGC markets to industrial customers under its registered trademark name "Gilsonite". Gilsonite is a glossy, black, solid naturally occurring hydrocarbon similar in appearance to hard asphalt and is believed to be found in commercial quantities only in the Uinta Basin in northeastern Utah. Because of its unique chemical and physical properties, Gilsonite has been used in more than 160 products. The Company sells its products to customers in four primary markets: (i) oil and gas, (ii) inks and paints, (iii) foundry and (iv) asphalt. AGC is headquartered in Houston, Texas. Contact Michael Herley, [email protected] or 203-308-1409 SOURCE American Gilsonite Company Related Links http://www.americangilsonite.com If Gov. Gavin Newsom doesnt understand why asking salons to operate outdoors is impractical, Nicky Lecher would like a word. What are we going to say while someone is being waxed? she said. Would you like to face Whole Foods or TJ Maxx today? After months of yo-yoed openings and closures in the Bay Area, many in the beauty industry are realizing that it might be impossible to move their businesses outdoors the only place salons are being allowed to operate in the region as it struggles with the pandemic. A coalition of suite-based salons, which provide one-on-one personal care in separate, sanitized zones, is lobbying Gov. Gavin Newsom to reconsider his July 13 order and allow beauticians to get back to work. Our girls have been trying to live off subsidies that are way less than they can earn. They want to be in the salon working, said Lecher, who owns seven LunchboxWax salons in the Bay Area and had planned to open two more this year. They have families. They have mouths to feed. They have kids that they have to educate at home now. Life is expensive. Every industry has been affected by the coronavirus pandemic, but maybe none more than fitness and beauty, which have endured a roller-coaster of guidelines and protocols and openings and closures for 4 months. Closed in mid-March under shelter in place, the personal-care industry was allowed staggered comebacks by Bay Area counties in June and July only to be told July 13 that shuttering had been ordered again in counties placed on a state watch list. A week later, the state said businesses in affected counties could operate outside. For most, its logistically unfeasible to move outside, given limited outdoor access and liability, a lack of running water and electricity, and modesty concerns. Lechers businesses have added temperature checks and masks to a sanitation protocol that otherwise already exceeded the states latest guidelines. Having already invested in outdoor furniture and tried to get insurance to move outside, Lecher and others have started to petition the government for a better solution. A coalition that includes nearly 6,000 self-employed beauticians in California wrote a letter last week to Newsom and other state officials citing statistics to support their arguments. The group believes that suite-style salons are similar to medical offices. The spaces have enclosed walls, ceilings, and doors and are separated from common hallways. No tools, sinks, chairs, equipment or surfaces are shared by cosmetologists, and all interactions are based on a one-on-one model between masked people who arent experiencing COVID-19 symptoms. You could eat off our floors, said Lecher, who doesnt allow entrance to anyone but the client and beautician, other than infants. Our professionals are like doctors and nurses. Theyre doing procedures where safety is the priority. Youll think youre going in for a triple bypass. Air Quality Tracker Check levels down to the neighborhood Ratings for the Bay Area and California, updated every 10 minutes Even so, the petitioners havent gotten movement yet from governmental leaders. The situation is fluid and the environment is constantly changing, the Department of Consumer Affairs said in a statement. The Board of Barbering and Cosmetology is sensitive to the effects this issue is having on businesses. Personal care operations that are on the statewide monitoring list must comply with the governors orders not to operate indoors, however, the board is continuing to review and assess the situation. Stylists protested Friday in San Franciscos Civic Center Plaza. After a two-year extended maternity leave, Stephanie Garcia was supposed to open G. Salon Studio within the My Salon Suite in San Jose on April 6. She was finally allowed to open July 13, and her business was permitted to operate for only two days a reversal that resulted in her calling about 80 clients to cancel or change appointments. The heart and soul that you put into it your business and clients in these situations, its just heartbreaking, Garcia said. Its not about the hair. Its about community, care and respect. We go through marriages, divorces, births, deaths, everything with our clients. To have to call them every couple of days while theyre on their own roller-coasters, its just unfair to the soul sometimes. Rusty Simmons is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: rsimmons@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @Rusty_SFChron Lily Beach Resort & Spa is offering free PCR testing for their guests. The resort will offer testing for 2 adults and 1 child per booking and any additional person will be charged USD 200. A 25-minute scenic seaplane journey from the airport and youll discover a luxury resort ranked as the Best All Inclusive Resort in Asia at the 2020 TripAdvisor Travelers Choice Awards. One of the most popular family resorts in Maldives, Lily Beach is making sure that your vacation to this idyllic paradise is safe, with the promise that returning here would be the best decision youll ever make. The safety procedures have been implemented in-line with the updates issued by the Maldives Health Protection Agency (HPA), and will be reviewed over the coming weeks and months. Your temperature will be checked upon arrival and regularly during your stay. While hand sanitizers are available at the reception and all public areas, the team at lily beach will be wearing face masks for your comfort at all times. All the villas undergo additional deep cleaning during your stay, with an extra level of care taken on air conditioning filters and private swimming pools. The rooms are cleaned only when guests are out of the villa. Laundry, linen, and swimming pool towels are washed at high temperature and the laundry is sanitized daily. At all restaurants, ala carte service with digital menus will be available and buffet services are eliminated along with shisha service for the safety of guests. There will be at least 2 meters between each table. Sun loungers at the public swimming pools have been placed with a minimum distance of two meters between them. All public areas, including the reception, restaurants, bars, fitness centre, spa, swimming pools, are regularly disinfected during the day. At the gym, healthy distance is maintained between each machine and new health and safety protocol are established at the spa so you can still experience wellness at the luxury resort without compromising your safety. Lily Beach Resort & Spa, Maldives has also been voted as the number 1 all-inclusive resort in Asia and ranked the 11th all-inclusive resort in the World at the TripAdvisor Travelers Choice Awards 2020. From August 1, 2020, travelers returning to UAE are required to carry a negative COVID-19 PCR test result. The test must be taken a maximum of 96 hours before departure. Maldives welcome 3rd most number of tourists from UAE in since the border reopening in July. The first video shows Mr. Neville on the ground of his cell. A male detention officer tells him: Youre OK, youre OK. It looks like you had a seizure. Later, the video shows officers holding Mr. Nevilles arms and legs down, and an officer is heard saying, Watch yourself, hes trying to bite. A white, clear mask is seen over Mr. Nevilles head. He is handcuffed, strapped into a chair and transported to another cell. In the second video, Mr. Neville is being held face down by several officers. They struggle to remove his handcuffs as Mr. Neville cries out, I cant breathe. At one point an officer says, Youre breathing cause youre talking and You need to relax. Officers struggle to remove the handcuffs from Mr. Neville. A key to the handcuffs breaks off inside the keyhole, and a bolt cutter malfunctions. While officers wait for someone to bring another bolt cutter, Mr. Neville repeatedly says, I cant breathe. Later, one officer says, He is not looking fine. After the handcuffs are removed with bolt cutters, one officer asks another whether Mr. Neville is good. That officer responds I cant tell. Officers leave the room, and Mr. Neville remains on the ground. A nurse peers through a window in the cell door and says, I cant tell if hes breathing. Officers re-enter the room and Mr. Neville is heard groaning. A nurse examines Mr. Neville and says, I cant hear a heart rate. She begins doing chest compressions on Mr. Neville shortly before the video ends. Mr. Neville was later transported to the Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center. He died there two days later, on Dec. 4. An autopsy found that Mr. Neville died of a brain injury because of cardiopulmonary arrest that was caused by positional and compressional asphyxia during prone restraint. The report also said that Mr. Neville had other significant conditions, including acute altered mental status and asthma. Detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) have in their custody a terror suspect who allegedly sent threatening letters to a High Commission office in Nairobi. Anti-Terrorism Police Unit (ATPU) officers in Nairobi nabbed 34-year-old Tracy Wairimu Ndegwa in Utawala on Sunday, August 2. The suspect reportedly sent two letters, one sprayed with an industrial chemical and another with hay fever pesticides, to the High Commission on July 31, 2020. An excerpt from one of the letters showed Ms Wairimu threatening the unnamed embassy boss to facilitate travel documentation for an unidentified individual. .be granted a visa without fail. I know how much racism is entrenched in your Visa system but she MUST be awarded travel documents. If she does not get a visa, consequences for you.High commissioner will be unimaginable. We will assault you and break your bones, we will rape you in turns and put explosives where you think you are safest, the letter reads in part. The DCI noted that at the time of her arrest, Ms Wairimu was out on cash bail after she was on 23rd June, 2020 charged with another terrorism hoax that targeted the Commissioner-General of the Kenya Prisons Service. She is in police custody pending arraignment at Kibera Law Courts once all necessary procedures are completed, said the DCI on Twitter. A new report says Republicans are helping Kanye West get on the ballot in key battleground states for the 2020 presidential election. The 43-year-old rapper, who is running as an independent for the Birthday Party, has missed the deadline to appear on the ballot in a handful of states, including New York and Texas. However, The New York Times reports he may be less serious about a White House bid and more interested in being a spoiler for states that could decide the election between President Donald Trump and Democratic candidate Joe Biden. At least four GOP operatives linked to Wests campaign include Mark Jacoby, an executive at Let the Voters Decide thats been collecting signatures for West in three states, according to the Times. Jacoby was arrested on voter fraud charges in 2008 while working for the California Republican Party and later pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor. Chuck Wilton, whose wife Wendy is a Trump appointee at the United States Department of Agriculture, is listed as a convention delegate for Trump in Vermont but also as an elector for West, according to the Times. New York Magazine reports Gregg Keller, the former executive director of the American Conservative Union, has been listed as a contact for Wests campaign in Arkansas. The Missouri-based political strategist was reportedly considered for Trumps campaign manager in 2015 before the role went to Corey Lewandowski. WTMJ reports West filed paperwork with the Wisconsin Elections Commission Tuesday to get on the ballot. At least 2,000 signatures were reportedly filed by a Republican elections lawyer, Lane Ruhland, who worked for the Republican National Committee during the 2016 presidential election recount in Wisconsin. No comment as woman enters election commission building just after 5p in Madison to drop off signatures for Kanye West pic.twitter.com/zVxePn5Fe2 Matt Smith (@mattsmith_news) August 4, 2020 The news raises speculation that Wests third party candidacy intends to siphon votes away from Biden to help Trump, who West has frequently supported in public with a Make America Great Again hat. Trump won Wisconsin by fewer than 23,000 votes in 2016, but has seen support drop significantly. A poll of six battleground states last month found the presidents approval rating hit a record low of 45 percent in Arizona, Florida, Michigan, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin, compared to 55 percent disapproval. West told Forbes last month that he knows he might not win in November, but would be fine if his campaign takes Black votes away from Biden and helps Trump. To say that the Black vote is Democratic is a form of racism and white supremacy, West said. A lot of times just like political parties they feel all Blacks have to be Democrat. This man, Joe Biden, said if you dont vote for me, then you are not Black. Well, act like we didnt hear that? We act like we didnt hear that man say that? That man said that. Does @kanyewest know that his campaigns lawyer represented Trumps campaign a week ago?@HuschBlackwell was required to inform @kanyewest of this apparent conflict of interest and obtain his informed consent. https://t.co/hzfNPFKx3L Renato Mariotti (@renato_mariotti) August 5, 2020 Kanye Wests presidential bid in NJ challenged as lawyer says hundreds of signatures are invalid Kanye West goes on bizarre Harriet Tubman rant in first rally as presidential candidate In many ways, we are all victims in this conflict, Hume said during his visit to BC in 1999, a year after the Good Friday Agreement and his subsequent sharing of the Nobel Peace Prize with David Trimble, his Protestant counterpart in the peace process. The best we can do for the dead is to make anew Northern Ireland as a monument for them and to leave the past behind us. The University formalized its bond with Hume by awarding him an honorary Doctor of Laws degree in 1995, months after he had taken part in a controversial meeting with Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams that resulted in the Provisional Irish Republican Army calling a ceasefire. Speaking at Commencement that year, Humeinvoking the traditional United States motto of E pluribus unum (out of many, one)urged the Class of 1995 to seek rational, non-violent solutions and work for tolerance and justice. Your generation is a generation that is living through the greatest revolution in the history of the world, he said. The technological, telecommunications and transport revolution, which has changed the whole nature of the world in which we live, has made it a smaller place to live in. The essence of unity in this new world is the acceptance of diversity. Hume later became a visiting lecturer in the History Department, where he co-taught a class on the historical origins of the Northern Irish conflict with Robert Savage, a faculty member in BCs Irish Studies Program, and Queens University historian Alvin Jackson, who at the time was the Burns Visiting Scholar in Irish Studies at BC. He also was invited to speak at one of the Universitys signature community events, the Alumni Associations traditional Laetare Sunday Communion Breakfast. John Hume will be remembered as a tireless advocate of peace and reconciliation and the architect of the Good Friday Agreement, ending 30 long years of immense suffering in Ireland and Great Britain, said Savage, appointed earlier this summer as interim director of Irish Studies. His was a critical voice that influenced presidents, prime ministers and paramilitaries. He was not afraid to take risks in the name of peace, his dialogue with Sinn Fein and the IRA was highly controversial, but critical in pushing the peace process forward. Savage was among those at BC who saw, and enjoyed, the private side of Hume while also getting a glimpse of Humes other careerHume had studied history and French in college with the intent of becoming a teacher, Savage noted, but was swept up in the effort to win civil rights for Catholics in Northern Ireland. During his time as a guest professor,' John would usually stop in on his way to or from the White House, Savage recalled. With his hectic schedule we were lucky if he stayed for a few days, but he enjoyed coming into the classroom and engaging with students. Not many people knew this, but he had a wicked sense of humor and loved to give academics a hard time. The BC students enjoyed his insights, arguments and the entertaining stories he told about encountering political leaders in London, Dublin, and Washington. LUCKNOW: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Wednesday greeted millions of Lord Ram devotees ahead of Ram Temple Bhoomi Pujan in Ayodhya, which is scheduled to be held around 12.40 PM and marks the formal beginning of the construction of a grand temple in the holy town. The monk-politician took to Twitter to extend his greeting to Ram Bhkats. , , ! Yogi Adityanath (@myogiadityanath) August 5, 2020 Today is a historic day for millions of Indians and devotees of Lord Ram as Prime Minister Narendra Modi will lay the foundation stone for a grand Ram Temple in Ayodhya on Wednesday (August 5, 2020). Tap here for exclusive and live coverage of Ram Temple Bhoomi Pujan on Zee News The grand celebrations for the Bhoomi Pujan started at 8 AM and PM Modi will perform the ground-breaking ceremony at the auspicious time of 12:40 PM. Huge CCTV screens have been set up across the holy city in order to allow the people to watch the ceremony live once it begins. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to perform a `pooja` at the Hanuman Garhi temple and Shree Ramlala Virajman before performing the `bhoomi pujan`. He will unveil a plaque to mark the laying of the foundation stone and also release a commemorative postage stamp on `Shree Ram Janmabhoomi Mandir`. Sanitisation work was carried out at the Hanuman Garhi temple on Wednesday morning ahead of the PM`s visit. The Saryu Ghat was also decorated. Every street in Ayodhya has been illuminated with earthen lamps ahead of the foundation stone laying ceremony of the Ram Temple on Wednesday. People also lit diyas on the banks of Saryu river as part of the 'deepotsava' celebrations in the temple town which will see Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other dignitaries arrive today for the `bhoomi pujan` ceremony of the Ram Temple. The entire Ayodhya has been decked up and massive preparations have been made for this occasion with a festive air. Meanwhile, Centres coronavirus COVID-19 protocols have been put in place and the social distancing norms are being strictly followed ahead of the much-awaited Ram Temple Bhomi Pujan in Ayodhya, which is slated to begin with great fervor around 12.40 PM. In wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, sanitisation work was also done at the Hanuman Garhi temple in the morning ahead of the Prime Minister`s visit. Strict security and COVID-19 protocols will be followed at the temple when Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrives there along with other dignitaries. Over 11,000 diyas are set to be lit across the city of Ayodhya, illuminating every street and all houses will be celebrating with a 'deepotsava', a festival of lights. Invitations have been sent to 175 people, including 135 saints of 35 religious organisations to attend the foundation stone-laying ceremony of Ram temple. Apart from PM Modi, the ceremony will be attended by Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh (RSS) Chief Mohan Bhagwat, Uttarakhand Tourism Minister Satpal Maharaj, Senior BJP leaders LK Advani and Murli Manohar Joshi, Iqbal Ansari (former litigant in Ayodhya land dispute case) and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. COLUMBUS, OhioOn the one-year anniversary of a mass shooting in Dayton that took nine lives, Gov. Mike DeWine announced plans for a system to ensure warrants are reported to national databases and again beseeched state lawmakers to pass his languishing package of gun-law reforms. Sadly, Ohios laws are exactly where they were a year ago. Ohioans are saying to the state legislature, Do something, said DeWine, a Greene County Republican, during a televised briefing Tuesday. We must not let the deaths of these nine people be forgotten. The governor said in the next month, his office will set up an e-warrant system in Montgomery County and nine other counties to make entry of warrants and protection orders into national databases as easy as possible. DeWine has previously called for measures to require the entry of such information into national databases, which are used to conduct background checks for gun buyers. While the governors 10-county e-warrant program will have no penalties for officials who dont report court orders into the databases, he urged state lawmakers to pass legislation mandating such action. Right now, entering a warrant into a national database is a slow, two-step paper process, said Lt. Gov. Jon Husted. In addition, Husted said the current system has many holes that the e-warrant system would fix. The system wont be active for another 6-7 months, Husted said. The lieutenant governor said such a system is not a controversial issue and is backed by gun-rights proponents. Already, DeWine said, work done by his administrations warrant task force has resulted in a 903% jump in the number of arrest warrants entered into the national warrant database since March 2019. DeWine also renewed his call for state lawmakers to pass his STRONG Ohio plan, a series of gun-policy changes he unveiled in the wake of the Aug. 4, 2019 mass shooting, in which a gunman killed nine people outside a popular Dayton bar before being fatally shot by police. The governor's plan (which initially sought universal background checks but was later scaled back) would: Create a voluntary background-check process for gun sales between private sellers Expand the states existing pink-slip law to allow authorities to send people with drug or alcohol problems to a psychiatric hospital, where they cannot legally have access to guns. Increase Ohios penalty for illegally selling a firearm from a fourth-degree felony to a third-degree felony. DeWine said last year that passing these measures would be his top priority for 2020. However, the Republican-dominated Ohio General Assembly, which has loosened many gun-control provisions in recent years, has shown lukewarm interest at best in the governors plan. And with the rise of the coronavirus pandemic and Black Lives Matter protests, DeWine moved his gun-policy proposals to the back burner. As DeWine spoke during a post-shooting vigil in Dayton, a crowd of people chanted Do something at the governor words that the governor said Tuesday continue to move him. We simply cannot continue to let this bill languish while people continue to die, he said. Doing nothing is simply not an option. Birminghams Encompass Health Corp. has announced plans to build a 50-bed inpatient rehabilitation hospital in Naples, Fla. No construction timetable has been announced for the project. Encompass currently operates 12 inpatient rehab hospitals in Florida, with a hospital under construction in north Tampa and 19 home health locations. The company says the Naples facility will feature all private patient rooms, a therapy gym with advanced rehabilitation technology, an activities suite, cafeteria, dining room, pharmacy and therapy courtyard. The hospital will care for patients recovering from illnesses and injuries including strokes, brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, amputations and complex orthopedic conditions. The hospital will provide physical, occupational and speech therapies and 24hour care by registered nurses. As weve operated other hospitals throughout the state for more than three decades, its exciting to see Florida grow and thrive and Naples in particular. With that growth comes increased need for healthcare services, Linda Wilder, president of Encompass Healths southeast region, said. (Newser) "Black Lives Matter"until, apparently, they don't. That's what employees at the Seattle Children's Museum are complaining about after their anti-racist social media messages were edited at work, the New York Times reports. Now nine employees who went on strike out of protest have been laid off: "It's sad because I was sure that this was going to be my forever job," says former employee Maya Burton, who is Black. "But this is about people's lives. It's about my life, the lives of my family and friends." In a July open letter, the ex-staffers say they went on strike after their posts starting with "Black Lives Matter" had the opening line removed. The posts went on to list anti-racist children's books or show children how to make "support signs" with softened political messages, like "I love everything." story continues below Museum head Christi Stapleton Keith explained the deleted lines in a staff video call, saying she personally believed in Black Lives Matter but had two concerns: creating a message "all agree on" and safeguarding museum funding: "What happens if we lose donors?" she asked. Then, two weeks ago, the nine workers were laid off in a move the museum said is "in no way tied to recent developments." What's more, the Seattle Post-Intelligencer reports that workers complained about alleged racial biases against staffers of color, including "indignities" and "microaggressions." Stapleton Keith has since been put on leave, and the museum is using the phrase "Black Lives Matter" in its social media accounts. It also has a new website page called "Because Black Lives Matter." (Read more Black Lives Matter stories.) Paper lanterns are floated on the Motoyasu River in Hiroshima every year to mark the anniversary of the dropping of an atomic bomb on the city by the U.S. (Toru Yamanaka / AFP/Getty Images) At a time when Americans are reassessing so many painful aspects of our nations past, it is an opportune moment to have an honest national conversation about our use of nuclear weapons on Japanese cities in August 1945. The fateful decision to inaugurate the nuclear age fundamentally changed the course of modern history, and it continues to threaten our survival. As the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists Doomsday Clock warns us, the world is now closer to nuclear annihilation than at any time since 1947. The accepted wisdom in the United States for the last 75 years has been that dropping the bombs on Hiroshima on Aug. 6, 1945, and on Nagasaki three days later was the only way to end the World War II without an invasion that would have cost hundreds of thousands of American and perhaps millions of Japanese lives. Not only did the bombs end the war, the logic goes, they did so in the most humane way possible. However, the overwhelming historical evidence from American and Japanese archives indicates that Japan would have surrendered that August, even if atomic bombs had not been used and documents prove that President Truman and his closest advisors knew it. The allied demand for unconditional surrender led the Japanese to fear that the emperor, who many considered a deity, would be tried as a war criminal and executed. A study by Gen. Douglas MacArthurs Southwest Pacific Command compared the emperors execution to the crucifixion of Christ to us. Unconditional Surrender is the only obstacle to peace, Foreign Minister Shigenori Togo wired Ambassador Naotake Sato, who was in Moscow on July 12, 1945, trying to enlist the Soviet Union to mediate acceptable surrender terms on Japan's behalf. But the Soviet Unions entry into the war on Aug. 8 changed everything for Japans leaders, who privately acknowledged the need to surrender promptly. Allied intelligence had been reporting for months that Soviet entry would force the Japanese to capitulate. As early as April 11, 1945, the Joint Chiefs of Staff's Joint Intelligence Staff had predicted: If at any time the USSR should enter the war, all Japanese will realize that absolute defeat is inevitable. Story continues Truman knew that the Japanese were searching for a way to end the war; he had referred to Togos intercepted July 12 cable as the telegram from the Jap emperor asking for peace. Truman also knew that the Soviet invasion would knock Japan out of the war. At the summit in Potsdam, Germany, on July 17, following Stalins assurance that the Soviets were coming in on schedule, Truman wrote in his diary, Hell be in the Jap War on August 15. Fini Japs when that comes about. The next day, he assured his wife, Well end the war a year sooner now, and think of the kids who wont be killed! The Soviets invaded Japanese-held Manchuria at midnight on Aug. 8 and quickly destroyed the vaunted Kwantung Army. As predicted, the attack traumatized Japans leaders. They could not fight a two-front war, and the threat of a communist takeover of Japanese territory was their worst nightmare. Prime Minister Kantaro Suzuki explained on Aug. 13 that Japan had to surrender quickly because "the Soviet Union will take not only Manchuria, Korea, Karafuto, but also Hokkaido. This would destroy the foundation of Japan. We must end the war when we can deal with the United States. While a majority of Americans may not be familiar with this history, the National Museum of the U.S. Navy in Washington, D.C., states unambiguously on a plaque with its atomic bomb exhibit: The vast destruction wreaked by the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki and the loss of 135,000 people made little impact on the Japanese military. However, the Soviet invasion of Manchuria changed their minds. But online the wording has been modified to put the atomic bombings in a more positive light once again showing how myths can overwhelm historical evidence. Seven of the United States' eight five-star Army and Navy officers in 1945 agreed with the Navys vitriolic assessment. Generals Dwight Eisenhower, Douglas MacArthur and Henry Hap Arnold and Admirals William Leahy, Chester Nimitz, Ernest King, and William Halsey are on record stating that the atomic bombs were either militarily unnecessary, morally reprehensible, or both. No one was more impassioned in his condemnation than Leahy, Trumans chief of staff. He wrote in his memoir that the use of this barbarous weapon at Hiroshima and Nagasaki was of no material assistance in our war against Japan. The Japanese were already defeated and ready to surrender . In being the first to use it we had adopted an ethical standard common to the barbarians of the Dark Ages. MacArthur thought the use of atomic bombs was inexcusable. He later wrote to former President Hoover that if Truman had followed Hoovers wise and statesmanlike advice to modify its surrender terms and tell the Japanese they could keep their emperor, the Japanese would have accepted it and gladly I have no doubt. Before the bombings, Eisenhower had urged at Potsdam, the Japanese were ready to surrender and it wasnt necessary to hit them with that awful thing. The evidence shows he was right, and the advancing Doomsday Clock is a reminder that the violent inauguration of the nuclear age has yet to be confined to the past. Gar Alperovitz, author of The Decision to Use the Atomic Bomb, is a principal of the Democracy Collaborative and a former fellow of Kings College, Cambridge. Martin J. Sherwin is a professor of history at George Mason University and author of the forthcoming Gambling With Armageddon: Nuclear Roulette From Hiroshima to the Cuban Missile Crisis. Historians Kai Bird and Peter Kuznick contributed to this article. Amazon has found a new partner to expand the reach of its cloud services business -- AWS -- in India, the worlds second largest internet market. On Wednesday, the e-commerce giant announced it has partnered with Bharti Airtel, the third-largest telecom operator in India with more than 300 million subscribers, to sell a wide-range of AWS offerings under Airtel Cloud brand to small, medium, and large-sized businesses in the country. The deal could help AWS, which leads the cloud market in India, further expand its dominance in the country. The move follows a similar deal Reliance Jio -- Indias largest telecom operator and which has raised more than $20 billion in recent months from Google, Facebook and a roster of other high-profile investors -- struck with Microsoft last year to sell cloud services to small businesses. The two announced a 10-year partnership to serve millions of customers. Airtel, which serves over 2,500 large enterprises and more than a million emerging businesses, itself signed a similar cloud deal with Google in January this year. That partnership is still in place, Airtel said. "AWS brings over 175 services to the table. We pretty much support any workload on the cloud. We have the largest and the most vibrant community of customers," said Puneet Chandok, President of AWS in India and South Asia, on a call with reporters Wednesday noon. The two companies, which signed a similar agreement in 2015, will also collaborate on building new services and help existing customers migrate to Airtel Cloud, they said. Today's deal illustrates Airtel's push to build businesses beyond its telecom venture, said Harmeen Mehta, Global CIO and Head of Cloud and Security Business at Airtel, on the call. Last month, Airtel partnered with Verizon -- TechCrunch's parent company -- to sell BlueJeans video conferencing service to business customers in India. Deals with carriers were very common a decade ago in India as tech giants rushed to amass users in the country. Replicating a similar strategy now illustrates the phase of the cloud adoption in the nation. Nearly half a billion people in India came online last decade. And slowly, small businesses and merchants are also beginning to use digital tools, storage services, and accept online payments. India has emerged as one of the emerging leading grounds for cloud services. The public cloud services market of the country is estimated to reach $7.1 billion by 2024, according to research firm IDC. A left-behind girl in Leiyang, central Chinas Hunan Province, has received books and souvenirs from about 10 renowned museums across China, after her decision to study archeology, one of the less popular majors in Peking University, was mocked by netizens, who claimed that the girl was doomed for not choosing a lucrative profession. Born into a poor family, 18-year-old Zhong Fangrong has been taken care of mostly by her grandparents and separated from her parents since she was a toddler, as they have to work far from home to make a living. Despite not receiving care from her parents, as well as having less educational resources, the country girl came fourth out of 194,000 students who sat this years national colleague entrance exams in Hunan, and then decided to study archeology at Peking University. Zhongs decision was soon brought into question by some netizens, who noted that choosing such an unpopular major may make her already poverty-stricken life even harder, adding that the girl is wasting her only chance to drastically change her future. Living in a remote village, the girls decision may have been influenced by her narrow horizons. She may not know that archaeologists cannot earn much, and wasted her golden ticket to a rich and comfortable future, said a netizen on Sina Weibo. In response to the netizens concerns, Zhong noted that her decision was influenced by Fan Jinshi, a female Chinese archaeologist who has been hailed as the daughter of Dunhuang for her over 50 years of dedication to studying and preserving the Dunhuang Grottoes, adding that she would not regret her decision. I never expected that my choice would cause such a controversy online. I have had great interest in history and cultural relics since I was a little girl, and Fan Jinshis story has inspired me to continue pursuing my dream, said Zhong on her Sina Weibo. Zhongs story soon went viral online, with about 10 renowned Chinese museums and archeological institutes sending gifts and best wishes to the girl, encouraging her to pursue her dream of studying archaeology. As of press time, the hashtag ZhongSpoiledByChineseMuseums had garnered over 50 million views on Sina Weibo, with most netizens wishing the girl a bright future. The Hunan Institute of Archeology gave Zhong books about her hometowns history, as well as clothes embroidered with patterns of famous Hunan cultural relics, while the Henan Institute of Archeology sent her a book about archeology in Henan province and a set of archeological tools. Zhongs idol, 82-year-old Fan Jinshi, also sent her a copy of her biography and a letter encouraging her to cherish her dream and study hard, while Peking University has also sent congratulations to the girl, expressing the wish that she follow in Fans footsteps. Peking University also replied to Zhongs Weibo on Sunday, giving her a warm welcome and hoping that she finds her lifes passion at the university. For most people, the only purpose in life is to get rich and become important, but this girl has chosen a different path. It may be hard, it may be less lucrative, but she is being true to herself, and her devotion to archeology will surely help Chinas future research in history, said one netizen. By Ankur Banerjee and Stephanie Nebehay Aug 4 (Reuters) - Young people who are hitting nightclubs and beaches are leading a rise in fresh coronavirus cases across the world, with the proportion of those aged 15 to 24 who are infected rising three-fold in about five months, the World Health Organization said. An analysis by the WHO of 6 million infections between Feb. 24 and July 12 found that the share of people aged 15-24 years rose to 15% from 4.5%. Apart from the United States which leads a global tally with 4.8 million total cases, European countries including Spain, Germany and France, and Asian countries such as Japan, have said that many of the newly infected are young people. "Younger people tend to be less vigilant about masking and social distancing," Neysa Ernst, nurse manager at Johns Hopkins Hospital's biocontainment unit in Baltimore, Maryland told Reuters in an email. "Travel increases your chances of getting and spreading COVID-19," she said, adding young people are more likely to go to work in the community, to a beach or the pub, or to buy groceries. The surge in new cases, a so-called second wave of infections, has prompted some countries to impose new curbs on travel even as companies race to find a vaccine for the fast-spreading virus that has claimed more than 680,000 lives and upended economies. Even countries such as Vietnam, widely praised for its mitigation efforts since the coronavirus appeared in late January, are battling new clusters of infection. Among those aged 5-14 years, about 4.6% were infected, up from 0.8%, between Feb. 24 and July 12, the WHO said, at a time when testing has risen and public health experts are concerned that reopening of schools may lead to a surge in cases. Anthony Fauci, the leading U.S. expert on infectious diseases, urged young people last month to continue to socially distance, wear masks and avoid crowds, and cautioned that asymptomatic people could spread the virus, too. Story continues Indeed, health experts in several countries have urged similar measures as they report that infected youth show few symptoms. "We've said this before and we'll say it again: young people are not invincible," WHO Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told a news briefing in Geneva last week. "Young people can be infected; young people can die; and young people can transmit the virus to others." Last month, Tokyo officials said they would conduct coronavirus testing in the city's nightlife districts, and instructed nightclubs to provide customers with enough space with good ventilation and to ask them to avoid speaking loudly. In France last month, authorities shut down a bar where people breached hygiene rules and caused an outbreak. (Reporting by Ankur Banerjee and Vishwadha Chander in Bengaluru and Stephanie Ulmer-Nebehay in Geneva; Editing by Sayantani Ghosh and Bernadette Baum) Donald Trump banned Jeffrey Epstein from Mar-a-Lago after the disgraced financier hit on another members teenage daughter, a new book has claimed. Epstein was a member of the now-presidents Palm Beach, Florida, club until 2007, according to The Grifters Club, a detail that has contradicted what Mr Trumps company previously said about the presidents relationship with the convicted sex predator. The book stated that Epsteins account with Mar-a-Lago was closed in October 2007 after an incident with another members daughter. One club member said Mr Trump kicked Epstein out after Epstein harassed the daughter of a member. The way this person described it, such an act could irreparably harm the Trump brand, leaving Donald no choice but to remove Epstein, Sarah Blaskey, an investigative reporter for the Miami Herald and one of the co-authors of the book, told the newspaper. The Trump Organisation did not respond to our requests for comment on this or other matters. This falling out allegedly occurred prior to the financier pleading guilty to state criminal charges in Florida in 2008, which included charges of Epstein paying for sexual services from a 14-year-old girl. The member lists we saw were essentially spreadsheets, Miami Herald reporter Nicholas Nehamas, another co-author of the book, told his publication. They listed current members, honorary members and former members. Red cells indicate the closed account details for former members. Most closed accounts are labelled Resigned and then the date that the membership ended. Epsteins account says Account closed 10/07. The Independent contacted the Trump Organisation for a comment. A Trump Organisation official previously denied Epstein was ever a member of any of the presidents clubs after the investor was arrested in July 2019 on child sex trafficking charges. Im not a fan, Mr Trump told reporters when asked about Epstein last year. The president added he kicked him out of one of his clubs and hadnt seen the financier in 15 years. Epstein later died in his Manhattan federal jail cell in what authorities ruled was a suicide. Prior to the presidency, Mr Trump was a real estate developer and reality TV star. Pictures from past events show the president was friendly with Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell. During a press conference, the president said he wished Maxwell well when asked about her arrest in July. She was denied bail after pleading not guilty to charges relating to aiding Epstein in sexually trafficking girls as young as 14. She will stay in a Brooklyn federal prison until her trial in July 2021. Mr Trump then repeated his sentiments in an interview with Axios Jonathan Swan, which aired Monday. Shes now in jail. Yeah, I wish her well, he said. Epstein was also friends with Prince Andrew and President Bill Clinton, both of whom have denied any involvement in the financiers child trafficking charges. Authorities in New York City plan to set up random COVID-19 checkpoints throughout the five boroughs to pull over vehicles and remind the occupants of a mandatory 14-day quarantine. Deputies from the New York City Sheriffs Office and other law enforcement agencies expect to stop one of every six to eight cars, New York City Mayor Bill DeBlasio announced at a morning press conference. New Jersey and Connecticut residents traveling to New York City do not have quarantine upon arrival in New York City, though it is required for visitors from 34 states and Puerto Rico due to the coronavirus positivity rates in those place. When youve got 35 states with a problem, It couldnt be clearer why it is so important that there are clear rules in place DeBlasio said, adding that the stops will be set up at bridges and tunnels as well as it other key entry points such as New York Penn Station. New York State was right to put a 14-day quarantine in place. We need to make sure that quarantine becomes stronger every day that the law comes to life every day. Travelers will be reminded that is is required not optional. This is serious stuff. People caught violating the quarantine face up to a $10,000 fine, DeBlasio notes. People who decline to complete the New York State Department of Health travel form can be fined up to $2,000. The checkpoints will be different each day. People traveling to New Jersey from the same states are also required to quarantine for 14 days, though Gov. Phil Murphy has not threatened penalties. Murphy figures to be asked about DeBlasios announcement at his noon press conference. The states where people returning to or from New York, New Jersey and Connecticut are not required to quarantine are: Pennsylvania Delaware West Virginia Massachusetts Vermont Maine New Hampshire Michigan South Dakota Wyoming Montana Colorado Oregon Hawaii A quarantine after visiting Washington D.C. is also not required. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. Jeff Goldman may be reached at jeff_goldman@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JeffSGoldman. Find NJ.com on Facebook. Nicole Richie has discovered a new wrinkle of modern parenthood. The 38-year-old shares her children Harlow, 12, and Sparrow, 10, with her husband Joel Madden of Good Charlotte fame. And now she has to contend with her little tykes discovering her old naughty Snapchat uploads and sending them back to her. 'HELP!': Nicole Richie has discovered a new wrinkle of modern parenthood - her children finding her cheeky old Snapchats 'HELP! Im the mom of pre-teens and my past posts have come back to haunt me!' she wrote on her Instagram page. The caption came with a screen-grab of a text message one of her children sent her that read simply: 'Mommy...' above a link to one of her posts. In an Instagram post from September 2016, Nicole recycled a clip she originally posted to Snapchat of herself with a cat filter. Post in question: 'This Puss puss loves a D!' she wrote cheekily over the old video, which included cartoon male genitalia bouncing around above her head 'This Puss puss loves a D!' she wrote cheekily over the video, which included cartoon male genitalia bouncing around above her head. In the clip, Nicole at one point sticks her tongue out suggestively prompting two animated cat paws to pop up in front of her. When Nicole posted this week that her 'past posts have come back to haunt me!' she got a comment from Gwyneth Paltrow reading: 'NO.' Glamour couple: The 38-year-old shares her children Harlow, 12, and Sparrow, 10, with her husband Joel Madden of Good Charlotte fame Gwyneth, who sells candles that she says smell like 'my vagina' and 'my orgasm,' shares her children Apple, 16, and Moses, 14, with her ex-husband Chris Martin. Nicole is not only the daughter of Lionel Richie and the half-sister of Sofia Richie but also the sister-in-law of Cameron Diaz. Cameron is married to Joel's twin brother and Good Charlotte bandmate Benji, with whom she welcomed her daughter Raddix this January. WASHINGTON, Aug. 5, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Students participating in Space Station Explorers STEM programs across the nation will pose questions this week to NASA astronaut Chris Cassidy aboard the International Space Station. The educational downlink event will air live at 12:45 p.m. EDT Friday, Aug. 7, on NASA Television and the agency's website. Cassidy will answer prerecorded questions from students participating in Space Station Explorers STEM programs through the Center for the Advancement of Science in Space, the organization tasked by NASA to manage U.S. National Laboratory research on the space station. The organization works to bring value to America, enable a sustainable commercial research market in low-Earth orbit, and to engage and inspire the next generation of explorers. The Earth-to-space call serves as the kickoff to the Celebrating Station Science series, which will connect students and educators to 20 years of space station experiments and research through monthly themes with K-12 STEM resources and the career paths of NASA astronauts, scientists, and engineers as they share their stories. Each month during the 2020-2021 school year, educators may use lesson plans, information on space station experiments, and various space station resources to excite the Artemis Generation of explorers. Linking students directly to astronauts aboard the space station provides unique, authentic experiences designed to enhance student learning, performance, and interest in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Astronauts living in space on the orbiting laboratory communicate with NASA's Mission Control Center in Houston 24 hours a day through the Space Network's Tracking and Data Relay Satellites (TDRS). For nearly 20 years, astronauts have continuously lived and work on the space station, testing technologies, performing science and developing the skills needed to explore farther from Earth. Through NASA's Artemis program, the agency will send astronauts to the Moon by 2024, with eventual human exploration of Mars. Inspiring the next generation of explorers the Artemis Generation ensures America will continue to lead in space exploration and discovery. Follow America's Moon to Mars exploration at: https://www.nasa.gov/topics/moon-to-mars Follow NASA astronauts on social media at: https://www.twitter.com/NASA_astronauts See videos and lesson plans highlighting research on the International Space Station at: https://www.nasa.gov/stemonstation SOURCE NASA Related Links http://www.nasa.gov Two senior police officers have been charged with aggravated sexual assault and producing child abuse material. Strike Force Bensbach was established in June following reports of misconduct. At 5.20am on Wednesday, three search warrants were executed in Sydneys west. During the search, police seized a number of items. The senior constables, who are attached to Bankstown Police Transport Command, were arrested and taken to Hurstville police station. Angelo Dellosa, 30, was charged with inciting aggravated sexual assault, attempted aggravated sexual assault in company and producing child abuse material. Copyright 2020 Albuquerque Journal Members of New Mexicos congressional delegation praised President Donald Trumps signing of the Great American Outdoors Act as a victory for conservation and a help for an economy crippled by the COVID-19 pandemic. The president signed the legislation Tuesday. It will provide $1.9 billion a year for five years to help clear a maintenance backlog at national parks, monuments, refuges and other federal lands. It will also permanently fund the Land and Water Conservation Fund at $900 million a year. The Land and Water Conservation Fund is already our nations most successful conservation program, but full and permanent funding will finally allow us to realize its promise the promise envisioned by my father Stewart Udall (former congressman and Department of the Interior secretary), when he helped create the LWCF decades ago, U.S. Sen. Tom Udall said in a news release. Meanwhile, the substantial down-payment this bill makes to repair and clean up our national parks and public lands will help safeguard these precious places for decades to come, while providing a badly-needed jolt for our economy. This law is a model for how conservation and economic recovery can go hand in hand. Fellow Democrat U.S. Rep. Deb Haaland said the signing of the bill ensures that the program (LWCF) that helps us build parks, rodeo grounds and recreation centers will have a guaranteed future and jobs in the restoration economy will be coming home to our state. The Continental Divide Trail Coalition and the cities of Farmington and Raton are among communities hoping to receive funding from the LWCF to help with trail projects. All of this work on our outdoor places is especially important during this time of economic downturn, U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich said. The Great American Outdoors Act will put thousands of Americans back to work, reignite local economies, create new jobs, help small businesses get back on their feet, and provide urgently needed stimulus to New Mexicos outdoor recreation industry, one of the fastest growing parts of our economy before the onset of the pandemic. Carlsbad Caverns National Park is planning to use funding from the act to replace the three-mile trail inside the caverns, a project that could total more than $40 million. White Sands National Park is planning to renovate its visitor center and restrooms, which date to the 1930s. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, with help from China, has built a facility for the extraction of uranium yellowcake, a potential precursor to fuel for a nuclear reactor, in a remote desert location near the small city of Al Ula, the Wall Street Journal newspaper reported citing Western officials with knowledge of the site. The facility, which has not been publicly acknowledged, has raised concern among United States and allied officials that the kingdoms nascent nuclear programme is moving ahead, and Riyadh is keeping open an option to develop nuclear weapons, according to the report. Disclosure of the yellowcake processing facility is likely to elevate concern in the US Congress about Saudi nuclear ambitions and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salmans 2018 pledge that if Iran developed a nuclear bomb, we will follow suit as soon as possible. The Saudi Energy Ministry categorically denied to the Wall Street Journal the country has built a uranium ore milling facility, but acknowledged contracting with Chinese entities for uranium exploration within Saudi Arabia. The Chinese embassy in Washington, DC, did not respond to a request by the Wall Street Journal for comment. Iran has denied it is interested in developing nuclear weapons. Iranian officials did not respond to a request for comment, the paper reported. Yellowcake is processed from naturally occurring uranium ore and can be further enriched to create fuel for nuclear power plants and, at very high levels of enrichment, nuclear weapons. Saudi Arabias has signed agreements with China National Nuclear Corp and China Nuclear Engineering Group Corp following a 2012 pact between Riyadh and Beijing to cooperate on the peaceful development of nuclear energy. The Saudis have raised concerns about a potential nuclear arms race in the Gulf region by pressing ahead with construction of a research reactor and inviting companies to bid on building two civilian nuclear power reactors without agreeing to oversight and inspection by the United Nations International Atomic Energy Agency. A US congressional committee issued a report in May 2019 warning the administration of President Donald Trump was allowing US companies to offer Saudi Arabia nuclear technologies without first obtaining non-proliferation guarantees the know-how would not be used to eventually produce a weapon. In February 2019, government whistle-blowers had alerted the US House of Representatives that the Trump administration was bypassing Congress to greenlight future sales of nuclear technology to Saudi Arabia, without non-proliferation safeguards, thus potentially laying the ground for a nuclear arms race in the Middle East. Saudi production of yellowcake would be cause for alarm in the US arms control community. The suspected acquisition of yellowcake was among the concerns raised by the US with Iraq in the run-up to the 2003 US invasion that was pre-texted on Saddam Husseins alleged pursuit of weapons of mass destruction. At the time, President George W Bush accused Iraq of trying to buy yellowcake from Niger even though CIA intelligence indicated no such transaction ever took place. The discrepancy triggered a US scandal during the Bush presidency. The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and Railway Protection Force (RPF) rescued 290 passengers from two local trains stranded on flooded tracks between the CSMT and Sandhurst Road station here on Wednesday, said a Central Railway spokesperson. The city was battered by incessant rains during the day. Two local trains -- one heading in the direction of Karjat in the north and another heading for Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) in south Mumbai -- came to a standstill in chest-high water around 4 pm. The joint operation was over at 10 pm with all the passengers rescued, said Shivaji Sutar, chief spokesperson of the Central Railway. While the NDRF rescued 39 passengers using inflated boats, the RPF rescued 251 passengers, he said. At Masjid station, the water was above the platform level and it was impossible for the stranded passengers to get down and walk because of the drainage channels along the tracks, he said. Both Central and Western lines witnessed heavy water-logging on tracks due to heavy rains. Early in the morning, Western Railway services were badly hit due to waterlogging between Virar and Dahanu. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Chicago rapper FBG Duck has reportedly been shot and killed in a drive-by shooting, aged 26. The rapper real name Carlton D Weekly was apparently shot while shopping in the citys Gold Coast neighbourhood. He was then taken to Northwestern Memorial Hospital where he was treated for multiple gunshot wounds and later pronounced dead. Police confirmed that three people were shot, one of them fatally, on East Oak Street at around 4.37pm on Tuesday 4 August. On social media, friends and family members have identified the person killed as FBG Duck. Weekly was best known for his 2018 single Slide, which amassed over 54 million views on YouTube and received a remix by fellow rapper 21 Savage. During his brief career, Weekly released four records over five years, along with numerous solo singles and tracks produced together with his crew, Fly Boy Gang (FBG). His debut album Different Personalities was released in 2015, followed two years later by Different Personalities 2. Weeklys frequent collaborators featured on both records, including Billionaire Black and Rooga. Following the success of his single Slide in 2018, Weekly was signed to Sony and released the Big Clout EP. In an interview with VladTV, the rapper said of the project: Im not gonna lie to you, Im actually happy as hell. Im proud of myself. Look at Me 2 and Big Clout arrived in 2018 and mark the rappers final album releases before he died. Members of the FBG crew appeared on both albums. That same year, FBG Duck told XXL that he wasn't as tough as he was made out to be by fans and the media. Everybody thinks Im this tough guy and thats not necessarily true, he said. Im actually really quiet, humble and loyal. I love to make jokes and have a good timeIm really a people person. Although Weekly released no new albums in 2019, he did share more than 12 single tracks including Strong, Sicario featuring Ed Stark and his last release, Dead B. China's Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security has called for tailored vocational training for those fishermen affected by a 10-year fishing ban in the Yangtze River basin that came into force this year. At least one vocational training course will be offered, free of charge, to fishermen who request it, along with training subsidies for the duration of the course, according to a circular issued by the ministry. For senior fishermen whose skill-set is limited, training on aquaculture and aquatic products processing will be given. They may also obtain training in areas such as household management, elderly care, and security-guard work. Middle-aged and young fishermen, meanwhile, will receive training in online retailing, auto repairs and electrical work. The ministry also advised giving full play to new occupations, such as live-streaming salesperson, delivery personnel for online orders and express-delivery person. In January, China began a 10-year fishing moratorium 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 January 1, 2021. The full-scale ban is likely to affect more than 113,000 fishing boats and nearly 280,000 fishermen in 10 provincial-level regions along the river, according to earlier estimates. OTTAWA - The federal government is moving ahead with plans to help provinces and territories shore up their defences against COVID-19 by freeing up billions of dollars to make schools and hospitals more pandemic resistant and expand outdoor public spaces. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 5/8/2020 (531 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Minister of Infrastructure and Communities Catherine McKenna speaks regarding support for Canadian communities as they adjust their public infrastructure priorities to the realities of the COVID-19 pandemic during an event at the Tomlinson Family Foundation Clubhouse in Ottawa on Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick OTTAWA - The federal government is moving ahead with plans to help provinces and territories shore up their defences against COVID-19 by freeing up billions of dollars to make schools and hospitals more pandemic resistant and expand outdoor public spaces. Infrastructure Minister Catherine McKenna unveiled details of the plan Wednesday, which followed weeks of talks between Ottawa and provincial and territorial governments as well as years of criticism about the slow pace of the Liberals' infrastructure spending. More than $3.3 billion out of the $33 billion that the Liberal government has previously promised in matching funds for provincial and territorial projects will be available for projects related to the pandemic that are ready to move quickly. The federal government is envisioning the money will be used to retrofit schools, hospitals and long-term care facilities to better limit the spread of the novel coronavirus, as well as build more bike lanes and walking paths for people to get outside. Provinces and territories will also be able to use the money to shore up their protections against other disasters such as floods and wildfires. Provincial projects need to be finished by 2021. The territories will have an extra year. The maximum cost for any single project is $10 million. To get things moving faster, McKenna said Ottawa is streamlining the process for provinces and territories to submit projects for funding. It will also cover 80 per cent of the cost of eligible projects submitted by provinces, and the full cost from the territories. Normally, Ottawa would cover one-third of the cost of municipal projects, half the cost of provincial projects and 75 per cent of the cost in Northwest Territories, Nunavut and Yukon. The goal is "to help address the pandemic, to make communities more resilient, to work on keeping kids and aging parents and all of us safer and also to improve the quality of life," McKenna said during a news conference at the Boys and Girls Club of Ottawa. "We will be speeding up project approvals. We will be opening up new projects eligible for funding. ... And recognizing the challenging financial situation for municipalities and provinces, we'll be offering a bigger federal share." The new approach comes as most governments across the country are looking at reopening schools in the next month and trying to better protect nursing homes and other facilities from new outbreaks of COVID-19. At the same time, many provincial and municipal governments are facing significant financial pressure due to the pandemic, which has caused severe economic damage and uncertainty in local communities. The federal government has promised billions of dollars in stimulus funding, though McKenna acknowledged the infrastructure funds in question on Wednesday had been previously announced. The government says every province and territory has at least 10 per cent of its allotment from the $33-billion Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program unspent, and that each will be able to decide which of that remaining money to divert to COVID-19 projects. Ottawa will now have to sign agreements with the provinces and territories modifying the terms of the previous infrastructure-funding arrangements. The Federation of Canadian Municipalities, which represents communities across the country, welcomed the new measure as reflective of the concerns they have raised about getting more federal infrastructure money out the door faster. "The federal government has heard us and also believes that supporting local action with more flexibility in funding, more efficient approvals and higher federal contributions will help municipal leaders across the country get projects out the door faster," FCM president Bill Karsten said in a statement. But NDP infrastructure critic Taylor Bachrach suggested the new measure amounted to robbing Peter to pay Paul, as the $33-billion fund was already insufficient to meet the needs of provinces and municipalities. "Shifting this existing program and the same pot of money to new COVID-related issues means other needs will go unmet," he said. "Offering new ways to access and cut up the same pie might sound nice, but it doesn't actually get you any more pie." Conservative infrastructure critic Luc Berthold blasted the Liberals for not having acted sooner to support Canadian municipalities as well as the slow pace of infrastructure spending over the years. 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. Disagreements and tensions between many provincial governments and Ottawa kept some projects from going ahead. The parliamentary budget office has issued several reports outlining the sloth-like pace of project approvals and complex nature of the arrangements. Opposition parties in the House of Commons joined forces in January to pass a motion asking for an official audit of the Investing in Canada program, which overall committed more than $180 billion across more than a decade to infrastructure programs. "The Liberal government has failed to work with our municipal and provincial partners to get shovels in the ground and deliver projects on time and on budget when our economy needed it the most, and they've waited too long before approving municipal projects that could have provided jobs and a boost to their economies this summer," Berthold said. McKenna underscored that as the country adapts to COVID-19, "every taxpayer dollar we invest, needs to do triple duty. "It needs to keep Canadians healthy and safe by making communities more resilient. It needs to create jobs and create economic stability. And it needs to tackle the big challenges we have, like climate change and inequality." This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 5, 2020. Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-06 00:14:57|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close BANGKOK, Aug. 5 (Xinhua) -- Thailand's Ministry of Transport on Wednesday announced its launch of the country's first electric ferry, as part of the government's effort to support cleaner energy. It will soon start trial runs in Phuket and have a fleet of solar-powered boats running by 2021, said the department in a press release. By 2021, there should be up to 30 ferries providing service in the first phase before it expands to 200 ferries in three to four years, said the press release. "The e-ferry is cost-effective because it is made of aluminum and with lower fuel and maintenance cost, the fares will also be cheaper," confirmed the Marine Department's director general Wittaya Yamuang. Wittaya also said that the Thai government is slowly switching to transport modes that support cleaner energy. He also said e-ferries in tourism will not only help save the energy, but also reduce water and air pollution in the long term. Enditem Scientists have raised concerns about the speed of development of Russian vaccines, suggesting that researchers might be cutting corners after coming under pressure from the authorities. (AFP) GENEVA, Aug 4, 2020 (AFP) - The World Health Organization on Tuesday urged Russia to follow the established guidelines for producing safe and effective vaccines after Moscow announced plans to start swiftly producing COVID-19 jabs. Russia said Monday it aims to launch mass production of a coronavirus vaccine in September and turn out "several million" doses per month by next year. Russia is pushing ahead with several vaccine prototypes. Officials claimed that one trialled by the Gamaleya institute in Moscow has reached advanced stages of development and is about to pass state registration. "We are very much counting on starting mass production in September," Industry Minister Denis Manturov said in an interview published by state news agency TASS. Asked about the developments in Russia, the WHO stressed that all vaccine candidates should go through the full stages of testing before being rolled out. "There are established practices and there are guidelines out," WHO spokesman Christian Lindmeier told reporters at the United Nations in Geneva. "Any vaccine...(or medicine) for this purpose should be, of course, going through all the various trials and tests before being licenced for roll-out," he said. "Sometimes individual researchers claim they have found something, which is of course, as such, great news. "But between finding or having a clue of maybe having a vaccine that works, and having gone through all the stages, is a big difference." - Race for vaccine - The pandemic has seen an unprecedented mobilisation of funding and research to rush through a vaccine that can protect billions of people worldwide. Scientists in the West have raised concerns about the speed of development of Russian vaccines, suggesting that researchers might be cutting corners after coming under pressure from the authorities to deliver. The WHO's overview of COVID-19 candidate vaccines, published on Friday, lists 26 candidates in clinical evaluation -- of which six have progressed as far as wider Phase 3 levels of testing. The Gamaleya candidate, which is among the 26 being tested on humans, is listed as being in Phase 1. A further 139 candidates worldwide were listed as being in pre-clinical evaluation. Lindmeier said the WHO had not been officially notified of any Russian vaccine on the verge of being deployed. "If there was anything official, then our colleagues in the European office would definitely look into this," the spokesman said. "In general terms, there are a set of guidances and regulations, rules, how to deal with safe development of a vaccine. "These should be definitely followed in order to make sure that we know what the vaccine is working against, who it can help and, of course, also if it has any negative side effects." BEIRUT: Lebanese rescue teams pulled out bodies and hunted for missing in the wreckage of buildings on Wednesday as investigations blamed negligence for a massive warehouse explosion that sent a devastating blast wave across Beirut, killing at least 135. More than 5,000 other people were injured in Tuesday`s explosion at Beirut port, Health Minister Hamad Hassan said, and up to 250,000 were left without homes fit to live in after shockwaves smashed building facades, sucked furniture out into streets and shattered windows miles inland. Hassan said tens of people remained missing. Prime Minister Hassan Diab declared three days of mourning from Thursday. The death toll was expected to rise from the blast, which officials blamed on a huge stockpile of highly explosive material stored for years in unsafe conditions at the port. The explosion was the most powerful ever to rip through Beirut, a city still scarred by civil war that ended three decades ago and reeling from an economic meltdown and a surge in coronavirus infections. The blast rattled buildings on the Mediterranean island of Cyprus, about 100 miles (160 km) away. President Michel Aoun said 2,750 tonnes of ammonium nitrate, used in fertilisers and bombs, had been stored for six years at the port without safety measures, after it was seized. In an address to the nation during an emergency cabinet session, Aoun said: "No words can describe the horror that has hit Beirut last night, turning it into a disaster-stricken city". He said the government was "determined to investigate and expose what happened as soon as possible, to hold the responsible and the negligent accountable." An official source familiar with preliminary investigations blamed the incident on "inaction and negligence", saying "nothing was done" by committees and judges involved in the matter to order the removal of hazardous material. The cabinet ordered port officials involved in storing or guarding the material since 2014 to be put under house arrest, ministerial sources told Reuters. The cabinet also announced a two-week state of emergency in Beirut. `COLLAPSE OF LEBANON` Ordinary Lebanese, who have lost jobs and watched savings evaporate in Lebanon`s financial crisis, blamed politicians who have overseen decades of state corruption and bad governance. "This explosion seals the collapse of Lebanon. I really blame the ruling class," said Hassan Zaiter, 32, a manager at the heavily damaged Le Gray Hotel in downtown Beirut. The health minister said the death toll had climbed to 135, as the search for victims continued after shockwaves from the blast hurled some of the victims into the sea. Relatives gathered at the cordon to Beirut port seeking information on those still missing. Many of those killed were port and custom employees, people working in the area or those driving nearby during the Tuesday evening rush hour. The Red Cross was coordinating with the Health Ministry to set up morgues as hospitals were overwhelmed. Health officials said hospitals were struggling with the big influx of casualties and were running out of beds and equipment to attend to the injured and those in critical condition. Beirut`s Clemenceau Medical Center was "like a slaughterhouse, blood covering the corridors and the lifts," said Sara, one of its nurses. Beirut Governor Marwan Abboud told Al Hadath TV that collective losses after the blast might reach $10 billion to $15 billion, saying the estimate included both direct and indirect losses related to business. "This is the killer blow for Beirut, we are a disaster zone," said Bilal, a man in his 60s, in the downtown area. Offers of international support poured in. Gulf Arab states, who in the past were major financial supporters of Lebanon but recently stepped back because of what they say is Iranian meddling, sent planes with medical equipment and other supplies. Turkey said it would send 20 doctors to Beirut to help treat the injured, as well as medical and relief assistance, Iraq pledged fuel aid while Iran offered food and a field hospital. Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said in a tweet: "We sympathize with the dear Lebanese citizens and stand by them in the painful tragedy of the Beirut port explosion...Patience in the face of this incident will be a golden leaf of honour for Lebanon." The United States, Britain, France and other Western nations, which have been demanding political and economic change in Lebanon, also offered aid. Germany, the Netherlands and Cyprus offered specialised search and rescue teams. Two French planes were expected to arrive on Thursday with 55 rescuers, medical equipment and a mobile clinic. French President Emmanuel Macron will also visit Lebanon on Thursday. Other Arab and European countries are sending doctors, mobile hospitals and equipment. `CATASTROPHE` For many it was a dreadful reminder of the 1975-1990 civil war that tore the nation apart and destroyed swathes of Beirut, much of which had since been rebuilt. "This is a catastrophe for Beirut and Lebanon." Beirut`s mayor, Jamal Itani, told Reuters while inspecting damage. Officials did not say what caused the initial blaze at the port that set off the blast. A security source and media said it was started by welding work being carried out on a warehouse. Taxi driver Abou Khaled said ministers "are the first that should be held accountable for this disaster. They committed a crime against the people of this nation with their negligence." The port district was left a tangled wreck, disabling the nation`s main route for imports needed to feed a nation of more than 6 million people. Beirut Governor Abboud said amounts of available wheat were currently limited and he reckoned a crisis might develop without international intervention. Lebanon had already been struggling to house and feed refugees fleeing conflict in neighbouring Syria and has no trade or other ties with its only other neighbour Israel. "On a scale, this explosion is scaled down from a nuclear bomb rather than up from a conventional bomb," said Roland Alford, managing director of British explosive ordnance disposal firm Alford Technologies. "This is huge." The blast prompted the Special Tribunal for Lebanon on Wednesday to postpone its verdict in the trial over the 2005 bombing that killed ex-Prime Minister Rafik al-Hariri to Aug. 18. The tribunal`s decision had been expected this Friday. The U.N.-backed court put on trial four suspects from the Iranian-backed Shi`ite Muslim group Hezbollah. Hariri and 21 others were killed by a big truck bomb in another area of the Beirut waterfront, about 2 km (about one mile) from the port. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 5) The Philippine economy shrank wider than initially reported in the first quarter, the Philippine Statistics Authority said ahead of the release of second quarter figures which is expected to confirm a local recession. In a statement on Wednesday, the PSA said the contraction was worse at 0.7 percent for January-March compared to a year ago, wider than the initial -0.2 percent slide reported back in May. The revisions came after the statistics agency recorded bigger downtrends in net primary income, or money flows coming from the rest of the world, as well as in the computation of gross national income as the Philippines grappled with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. RELATED: PH debt nears 9 trillion with surge in loans for pandemic response PSA is authorized to revise economic data to reflect changes or late inputs not factored in during the original scope of reporting. The gross domestic product represents the national output, or the value of the goods and services produced in the Philippines for a certain period. A contraction means economic activity is down compared to a year ago. On Thursday The government will announce data on how the economy fared during the second quarter. Government officials and market analysts agree that the nosedive will be deeper as the period captures two full months of lockdown in major economic hubs. More stores in malls were allowed to reopen starting mid-May, while more establishments were given the green light to resume limited operations in June and July like dine-in restaurants, salons, and personal care services. On Tuesday, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque described the second-quarter decline as "napakatindi" or grave. Because of it, he added that the economy could no longer afford extending the fresh two-week lockdown imposed in Metro Manila and nearby provinces of Bulacan, Rizal, Laguna, and Cavite, which together account for more than two-thirds of national output. READ: Recovery of job losses due to pandemic may take until 2022 ADB Consumer spending, which accounts for 75 percent of GDP, is seen slumped as people are forced to stay home or avoid heading out amid fear of getting infected. Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor Benjamin Diokno said the second-quarter contraction will be the worst this year, adding that the downtrend will be slower in the coming months as people adjust to post-pandemic conditions. "GDP growth is expected to recover in 2021 as government policy support measures fully gain traction," said Diokno, who served as Budget chief before heading the central bank. RELATED: PH economy may not return to 6% growth post-pandemic analyst The economic team expects the full-year contraction at 3.4 percent, but that figure will likely be revised also on Thursday as they face the media hours after the release of the latest PSA data. Acting Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Karl Kendrick Chua said separately in a statement that latest manufacturing and global trade data also suggest signs of recovery. Both factory output as well as goods imports and exports saw slower contractions compared to May, which meant that economic activities may be slowly returning to normal. Agricultural output managed a 0.5 percent growth from April-June as farm activities continued, being tagged as essential sectors. Total production rose by 4.6 percent to 439.8 billion, the PSA said. WATERLOO REGION Police say Robert Fowler, the 32-year-old man from Cambridge who was reported missing on Wednesday, has since reconnected with his family. No further details have been provided as to where he was located, but officers say he was found safe. The original story, posted on Wednesday, can be read below: Police are looking to speak to anyone who has recently been in contact with Robert Fowler, a 32-year-old Cambridge man. Fowler is believed to be overseas and officers said they, and the mans family, are concerned for his well-being. A missing poster shared on social media by Waterloo Regional Police says the Cambridge man was believed to be in Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam in early May. Hes described as five-foot-10 with a slim build and has been known to grow a long beard at times. Police are asking anyone with information about Fowler to contact investigators at 519-570-9777, ext. 8643. Anonymous tips can be left with Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477. Fiat Chrysler gave United Auto Workers officials tens of millions of dollars in previously unreported bribes, funneled through offshore bank accounts, to secure the unions involvement in a bid to force a merger with General Motors, according to court filings submitted by lawyers for GM on Monday. The new accusations are part of GMs bid to reopen its lawsuit against FCA alleging that its Italian-based rival used bribes to convert the union into an FCA-controlled enterprise. The lawsuit was dismissed by a federal judge last month, who noted the direct victims of defendants alleged bribery scheme are FCAs workers, not GM. The new court filings contain by far the largest-scale accusations against the UAW, either in GMs civil suit or in the parallel criminal probe by the FBI, which has already brought down 14 FCA management and UAW officials. The hush money, according to GM, ran into the tens of millions, exponentially higher than what had been revealed so far in criminal charges against union officials and FCA executives. UAW Vice Presidents Joe Ashton, Jimmy Settles, Cindy Estrada and General Holiefield stand with President Bob King and Secretary Treasurer Dennis Williams after their election in Detroit, Wednesday, June 16, 2010. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio) While in its original complaint GM was at pains to insist that it was targeting only FCA and not the UAW, the new filing takes a far more aggressive stance against the auto union. Former UAW President Dennis Williams is now officially named as a defendant in the case. GM lawyers claim that Williams maneuvered former UAW Vice President Joe Ashton, who has already pleaded guilty to separate money laundering and wire fraud charges, onto GMs Board of Directors in order to function as a mole for FCA. The filing also contains the first public allegations against Ron Gettelfinger, UAW president from 2002 to 2010, who led the UAW during the restructuring of the auto industry under President Obama. It was under the terms of this deal, which slashed wages for new hires in half and destroyed tens of thousands of jobs, that the UAW gained billions of dollars in GM stock and a seat on the companys board. According to the filing, Gettelfinger maintained overseas accounts in Switzerland and Panama, given to him by FCA, under a family members name. The allegations mean that four of the five most recent presidents of the United Auto Workers have now been implicated in the massive corruption scandal. Gary Jones, who was president from 2018 until forced to step down late last year, has already pleaded guilty to charges that he had conspired with other top officials to embezzle over $1 million in workers dues money. Jones predecessor Williams is an unnamed co-conspirator in the Jones indictment, and his successor Rory Gamble, who replaced him on an interim basis, is reportedly himself the target of federal investigators. The elaborate and wide-ranging scheme involved offshore bank accounts in Italy, Switzerland, Panama, Singapore, Lichtenstein and the Cayman Islands. It was authorized by the late FCA chief executive Sergio Marchionne and other top executives, according to the filing. In addition to Williams and Ashton it also involved UAW Vice President for Fiat Chrysler General Holiefield, who only escaped prosecution because of his death in 2015. The aim of the scheme, GMs lawyers allege, was to provide FCA with confidential details about GMs labor strategy, aimed at imposing labor costs onto General Motors less favorable than those at Fiat Chrysler and to pressure GM into a merger. According to GM, former FCA executive Alphons Iacobelli, who pleaded guilty in 2018 to bribing top UAW officials to obtain concessions in the 2009 and 2015 contracts, curtailed his criminal plea to ensure that the true scope of the conspiracy was not revealed. Iacobelli continued to cover up for other FCA executives and UAW officials even after his guilty plea, GM alleges. While there is no reason to doubt the factual basis of the filing, it has the character of a desperate move by GM, one which suggests an increasingly fractious and embittered climate within corporate boardrooms as companies battle for survival in an economic situation fraught with peril. Automakers had already been preparing for a long downturn even before the coronavirus pandemic, but the economic impact of the disease has sharply intensified their crisis. All three Detroit automakers posted huge losses in the second quarter of this year due to a collapse in sales and a two-month cessation of production that was forced by a series of wildcat strikes. GM burned through nearly $8 billion in cash and posted a $806 million loss, as sales dropped by roughly one-third. At Ford, where shareholders have long been demanding deeper cuts, CEO Jim Hackett announced his retirement only days after the company posted a $1.9 billion loss. Prior to Mondays filing, there were growing signs that the government was preparing to wind down the exposures of UAW corruption out of fear that continuing to air the unions dirty laundry would further encourage an incipient rebellion by autoworkers. But GMs new filing, which was based on extensive work by private investigators conducted after the original suit was dismissed last month, further discredits the UAW and shatters any claims that the union can be reformed. Paul Borman, the federal judge in the GM-FCA lawsuit, issued an extraordinary and nervous order in June demanding that the two companies meet to settle their dispute out of court. If this case goes forward, there will be years of contentious litigation, Borman said, while the coronavirus pandemic requires our attention here and now! When lawyers for GM balked, Judge Borman dismissed the lawsuit on July 8. At the same time, federal prosecutors began a series of meetings with UAW President Gamble to hammer out an agreement that would close the federal probe and keep the union out of federal receivership. It is not clear whether the court will accept GMs arguments and allow the suit to be reopened. However, if there is any truth to the companys allegations, they should serve as the final nail in the coffin for any lingering doubts as to whether the UAW remains, in spite of rampant and universal corruption, a workers organization. The filings description of a murky underworld of offshore bank accounts and corporate espionage bespeak an organization that is completely integrated into the orbit of the financial elite and is correctly seen by the auto companies not as an adversary, but as a tool of corporate policymaking. It is the outcome of decades of betrayals by the UAW, which have destroyed hundreds of thousands of jobs while the incomes of top union officials have soared along with the rising stock market. For autoworkers, had the alleged FCA-UAW scheme to force a merger with GM succeeded, it would have produced even greater disasters than those already inflicted through union-brokered concessions. The ultimate purpose of such a merger would have been to close down scores of facilities and lay off tens of thousands of workers as redundant, a goal that the late Marchionne frequently declared in public. But for the UAW, the tens of millions in bribes would have been only a down payment on the billions in stock and other financial incentives it could have expected to reap as a reward for brokering such a deal. Such filthy dealings demonstrate the urgency of the call by the World Socialist Web Site and the Socialist Equality Party for the building of new organizations by workers, entirely independent of the UAW gangsters. Absolutely nothing associated with this organization can be trusted. The latest revelations show, once again, that autoworkers must break with the UAW and take the initiative into their own hands. The World Socialist Web Site Autoworker Newsletter is helping workers accomplish this by forming rank-and-file safety committees at workplaces throughout the country. For help forming a committee at your plant, contact us at autoworkers@wsws.org. As cases of COVID-19 rise around the world, there has been a surge in the hospitalisation of COVID-19 patients in the United States, India and Brazil. Many are concerned by the ability of the healthcare systems to cope under the strain, particularly the availability of critical resources such as ventilators. In times of acute shortages, the orthodoxy in healthcare is for scarce resources to be allocated based on who has the best chance of survival. However, Dr Diego Silva, a lecturer in bioethics at the University of Sydney, argues allocation decisions based on a simple utility calculus are unjust because they exacerbate existing social inequities. In a paper published in Chest Journal, Dr Silva proposes a radical departure from current convention by arguing ventilators be allocated to COVID-19 patients via a lottery. "At a population level, 'wealth equals health' is accurate. The opposite is also true, poverty leads to ill health. Those who are least likely to contract or die from coronavirus are the young and healthy. So, if saving the most lives favours saving people most likely to physically improve from their symptoms, we are indirectly further disadvantaging the economically poor and socially marginalised," Dr Silva said. "Allocation based on lottery is also an expression of utility and maximising public resources, it would remove the likelihood of people being given preferential treatment because of social or economic advantages. "Using a lottery system to allocate ventilators during a pandemic may sound wrong and all else being equal, we should maximise the number of lives saved. However, there's the rub: society pre-COVID-19 was not equal, nor is it during this pandemic. If we believe in a fair, just and equal society the only way to achieve this in a healthcare system is to give everyone an equal chance of receiving critical medical care." Until now, Italy has been the only country that has experienced an acute shortage of ventilators during the pandemic, however there are concerns some states in the United States, and parts of Brazil and India, may have to confront similar shortages. There are already troubling signs in the United States. Arizona currently has more than 50 percent of available ventilators in use. More than 50 hospitals across Florida have said there are no ICU beds available. "Rationing medical care is not something many doctors and health administrators would have a lot of experience with. Usually, the allocation of health resources can be done with time on one's side and there is rarely - if ever - acute scarcity. I would urge hospitals in places where there is a worrying surge in coronavirus cases to start thinking about this ethical dilemma now, so that they are prepared if the hospital systems get inundated with COVID-19 patients," Dr Silva said. ### U.S. oil supermajor ExxonMobil will start suspending the employer match to the retirement savings plans of its employees in October, people who received the notification told Reuters. Kevin Steele, News Anchor at KBMT TV, posted on Facebook a photo of a message from Exxon referring to the suspension of the companys contributions to the 401K Savings Plan. Given the current business environment, the corporation is taking steps to reduce costs, says Exxons message, seen by Reuters. The company intends to suspend the company match contribution to the U.S. Exxon Mobil Savings Plan for all employees covered by the Savings Plan, effective around Oct. 1, 2020, the supermajor said. Exxon currently matches a 6-percent contribution by an employee with a contribution that is equal to 7 percent of the salary of the employee. Exxons Senior Vice President Neil Chapman said on the earnings call last week after the supermajor posted its second consecutive quarterly loss and the worst loss in its modern history that Exxon is targeting savings coming from a wide range of activities including lower unconventional activity, optimizing supply chains, lower material and service costs and work process improvements to reduce support and overhead costs. Despite the losses this year, Exxon is not cutting its dividend and is seeking cuts elsewhere. European majors such as Shell, BP, Eni, and Equinor have already slashed their dividends after the oil price collapse, but Exxon, and the other U.S. supermajor Chevron, are not sacrificing their dividends. We have a long history of providing a reliable and growing dividend. A large portion of our shareholder base has come to view that dividend as a source of stability in their income, and we take that very seriously. While we manage our capital allocation priorities over the long term, we also recognize the need to balance in the near term to respond to market conditions, Chapman said on the earnings call. By Michael Kern for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Beiyi Seow and Ludovic Ehret (Agence France-Presse) Beijing, China Wed, August 5, 2020 07:10 532 6657ac82168da9fa101c8a4066b9a21b 2 World US-China,US-China-tension,US-China-trade-war,Tik-Tok,bilateral-spat,bilateral-tension Free China accused the United States on Tuesday of "bullying" over popular video app TikTok, after President Donald Trump ramped up pressure for its US operations to be sold to an American company. In the latest of a series of diplomatic spats between the world's two biggest economies, Beijing hit back after Trump gave TikTok six weeks to arrange a sale of its US operations -- and said that his government wanted a financial benefit from the deal. "This goes against the principles of the market economy and the [World Trade Organization's] principles of openness, transparency and non-discrimination," said foreign ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin. "It's outright bullying." The app has been under formal investigation on US national security grounds, because it collects large amounts of personal data on users and is legally bound to share it with authorities in Beijing if they demand it. Trump said that Microsoft was in talks to buy TikTok, and has given ByteDance until mid-September to strike a deal, a tactic that is almost unheard of. "It's got to be an American company... it's got to be owned here," Trump said on Monday. "We don't want to have any problem with security." Beijing slammed the move as "political manipulation". Wang told a regular press briefing Tuesday: "The US, without providing any evidence, has been using an abused concept of national security... unjustifiably suppressing certain non-US companies." He said the national security grounds for the US's clampdown on Chinese firms "does not hold water", adding that the companies conduct their business activities in accordance with international rules and US laws. "But the US is cracking down on them on trumped-up charges," said Wang, who warned the US not to "open Pandora's box". TikTok has as many as one billion worldwide users, who make quirky 60-second videos with its smartphone app. But the pressure for a sale of its US and international business, based in Los Angeles, has left the company and its Chinese parent ByteDance facing tough decisions. 'Global company' On Monday, ByteDance said in a statement that it has always been committed to becoming a global company. "Based on the current situation, ByteDance is considering re-establishing TikTok headquarters in major markets outside the United States to better serve global users," the statement said. UK media reported that it was considering a relocation to London. ByteDance founder Zhang Yiming also acknowledged on Monday "mounting complexities across the geopolitical landscape and significant external pressure" faced by the company, in a letter to staff, reported by Chinese media. He added that the company has "always been committed to ensuring user data security, as well as the platform neutrality and transparency". Meanwhile, Wang urged the US on Tuesday to "refrain from politicizing economic issues" and to provide an open, fair and non-discriminatory environment for foreign market players. AMHERST The Town Council, wrestling with whether to eliminate most voting locations 9 of 10 is expected to make a final decision next week, when the body meets Aug. 10, amid concerns the change would create voter suppression. The council is grappling with COVID-19 public health concerns and maintaining voter access to the polls but has yet to resolve them to the communitys satisfaction. Despite Mondays controversial 7-6 vote to get rid of nearly all the current polling locations, it is unclear whether this decision will stick because of community opposition, and erroneous information the town clerk provided the council. It was mistakenly believed, by some at Mondays meeting, that they had to make a decision that evening. But because that was bad information, Mondays vote requiring Amherst elections to occur in one place, the high school gym is likely to be reconsidered next week, Council President Lynn Griesemer said in a telephone interview. The council president confirmed that the body actually has until August 12 to make a final decision. On Mondy, Town Clerk Shavina Martin told the council they had to make a decision that night if they wanted just one polling site. She mentioned that twice when the conversation began, and hours later after the council initially had voted 7-6 against consolidating voting sites to just one. Martin had mistakenly believed that a required 21-day notice period of the change prior to the Sept. 1 state primary election consisted of only counting Monday through Friday. Martin said the law as she understood it referred to 21 working days, excluding Saturday and Sunday and holidays, and she said it did not refer to 21 calendar days. Some councilors challenged her, saying the law did not refer to working days, but to calendar days. During the meeting, Town Manager Paul Bockelman attempted to contact the municipalitys legal counsel, to clarify the matter, but was unsuccessful. When the clerk mentioned, for the second time, that the body had to make a decision that night, Council Vice President Mandi Jo Hanneke had moved to reconsider the vote opposing the consolidation of voting sites. On the reconsideration, Grisemer changed from opposing consolidation to voting in favor of it. Following last nights meeting, it has been confirmed through Secretary of States office that 20 days is 20 calendar days, Griesemer told the newspaper on Tuesday. Given this new information, there is a strong likelihood there will be a motion to reconsider the vote regarding location of polls and the [election] warrant, Griesemer said. Also voting in favor of consolidation was Councilors Hanneke, Alisa Brewer, Evan Ross, Steve Schreiber, Andy Steinberg and George Ryan. Opposed were Sarah Swartz, Dorothy Pam, Darcy DuMont, Cathy Schoen, Shalini Bahl-Milne and Patricia De Angelis. The issue of college students and voting was also discussed at Mondays meeting and more discussion is expected when the Council convenes Aug. 10. There were allegations from both the public and council that voting at only one location could amount to voter suppression. Firefighters on Tuesday battled a large fire in downtown St. Paul that has engulfed a building that was under construction. The building is the Seven Corners Gateway site, an apartment building and hotel complex near the Xcel Energy Center, KSTP-TV reported. There were no reports of injuries and there was no immediate word about the possible cause of the fire. Several streets and interstate ramps in the vicinity were closed, the Minnesota Department of Transportation said. DOT traffic cameras and video from the scene showed flames shooting in the air that could be seen for miles. Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Canadian public health authorities have warned that even with the availability of a vaccine, citizens should not expect a return to the normalcy that prevailed before the Covid-19 pandemic for two to three years. During a regular briefing, Canadas Chief Public Health Officer Dr Theresa Tam said that at this stage the focus and hopes cannot be entirely placed on the vaccine. Were going to have to manage this pandemic certainly over the next year, adding that there has to be planning for the longer term, potentially the next two to three years during which the vaccine may play a role. Her deputy Dr Howard Njoo reiterated that point, as he said, People might think that if we get a vaccine then everything goes back to normal the way it was before. Thats not the case. He also said that precautions and some restrictions that have been in place since the outset of the coronavirus crisis like social distancing and wearing of masks will still have to continue with the new reality for quite some time. Tam echoed that point and said that while a vaccine, whenever it is available, and if it is safe and effective will comprise one important layer of protection. However, other personal, daily measures will have to continue. Canada will release guidelines for safety for children as several provinces plan reopening schools this September. This will include wearing of masks for older children. Canada has so far reported 117,664 confirmed cases of Covid-19 and recorded 8958 deaths. The warning from public health officials came as a new survey showed that while the majority of Canadians are ready to take the vaccine whenever it is available, a significant number remain sceptical about its efficacy. The poll from the non-profit Angus Reid Institute noted that one-in-seven (14%), say that they will not get a vaccine in addition to eight per cent who say they are not sure. On the other hand, nearly half, 46 per cent of respondents, said they will get a vaccination as quickly as possible if it becomes available while another 32 per cent said they were willing to be vaccinated but not immediately. Stratovolcano 5426 m / 17,802 ftCentral Mexico, 19.02N / -98.62W(4 sur 5)1345-47, 1354, 1363(?), 1488, 1504, 1509(?), 1512, 1518, 1519-23(?), 1528, 1530, 1539-40, 1542, 1548, 1571, 1580, 1590, 1592-94, 1642, 1663-65, 1666-67, 1697, 1720, 1802-04, 1827(?), 1834(?), 1852(?), 1919-22, 1923-24, 1925-27(?), 1933, 1942-43, 1947, 1994-95, 1996-2003, 2004-ongoingDominantly explosive, construction of lava domes. Plinian eruptions at intervals of several centuries or few thousands of years, vulcanian and strombolian activity in intermittent phases.(tour to see the ongoing eruption of Mexico's most active volcano) If you havn't done it yet,to get one of the fastest volcano news online: Volcan Popocatepetl, whose name is the Aztec word for smoking mountain, towers to 5426 m 70 km SE of Mexico City to form North America's 2nd-highest volcano. The glacier-clad stratovolcano contains a steep-walled, 250-450 m deep crater. The generally symmetrical volcano is modified by the sharp-peaked Ventorrillo on the NW, a remnant of an earlier volcano. At least three previous major cones were destroyed by gravitational failure during the Pleistocene, producing massive debris-avalanche deposits covering broad areas south of the volcano. The modern volcano was constructed to the south of the late-Pleistocene to Holocene El Fraile cone. Three major plinian eruptions, the most recent of which took place about 800 AD, have occurred from Popocatepetl since the mid Holocene, accompanied by pyroclastic flows and voluminous lahars that swept basins below the volcano. Frequent historical eruptions, first recorded in Aztec codices, have occurred since precolumbian time. : Places libres / : Depart garanti / : Quelques places disponibles / : Groupe ferme Depuis 2005, VolcanoDiscovery propose des voyages en petits groupes, des randonnees et du trekking, ainsi que des expeditions pour voir des volcans actuellement en activite, des voyages photographiques dans de nombreuses regions d'activite volcanique a travers le monde. Quel est le niveau d'activite sismique mondiale aujourd'hui par rapport au passe ? Decouvrez-le avec notre indicateur du niveau d'activite sismique mondiale! An adventurous expedition to some of the most spectacular and active volcanoes in the world! Our volcano expedition to Vanuatu lets you spend 1 week on Ambrym with its multiple active lava lakes and 4 days on Yasur, famous for its spectacular fireworks. Guided by professional volcanologist, small groups (May-Sep). A growing list of often illustrated explanations and definitions of geological terms and keywords, with focus on volcanology and seismology. Have you ever dreamt of travelling around the world? VolcanoDiscovery makes this dream come true. The most frequently active volcano in Peru entered a new eruptive phase in 2014. Updates and news are regularly posted on this page. Support us - Help us upgrade our services! Maintaining our website and our free apps does require, however, considerable time and resources. We're aiming to achieve uninterrupted service wherever an earthquake or volcano eruption unfolds, and your donations can make it happen! Every donation will be highly appreciated. Improved multilanguage support Tsunami alerts Faster responsiveness Earthquake archive from 1900 onwards Detailed quake stats Additional seismic data sources Download and Upgrade the Volcanoes & Earthquakes app to get one of the fastest seismic and volcano alerts online: Android | IOS to get one of the fastest seismic and volcano alerts online: We truly love working to bring you the latest volcano and earthquake data from around the world.We need financing to increase hard- and software capacity as well as support our editor team.If you find the information useful and would like to support our team in integrating further features, write great content, and in upgrading our soft- and hardware, please PayPal or Online credit card payment )., these features have been added recently: I have written about what a haven Te Hauturu-o-Toi is for native birds, plants and reptiles. It is also a haven for over 500 of our native invertebrates and that is only the ones that have been found and identified there. There could well be that many again to be discovered, even species new to science. Invertebrates have no vertebrae or bones; their shape is usually held by an exoskeleton or outer frame. The invertebrate family includes insects, spiders, snails and caterpillars. They are an essential part of any ecosystem and are found everywhere from the ocean to alpine peaks. They carry out many important roles, including providing a food source for insect-feeding birds, reptiles, fish and other insects. They pollinate flowers and break down decaying matter, thus returning nutrients to the soil to be reused. They are part of one of natures many self-sustaining cycles. They range in size from the worlds heaviest insect, the wetapunga, to tiny creatures requiring magnifying lenses to be seen. Most of the invertebrates found on Hauturu would have been present on the nearby mainland until man arrived with accompanying pests and started removing the forest cover. The giant wetapunga was known to be present in the north of New Zealand and on Great Barrier/Aotea. Hauturu was its last remaining stronghold and even there it was struggling until kiore (Polynesian rat) were removed in 2004. Now they are thriving and new populations have been set up on other Hauraki Gulf islands thanks to Auckland Zoos breeding programme. Other giants found on Hauturu are the giant earthworm that can reach over a metre in length and a giant predatory centipede. Both of these are present in isolated spots on the mainland. It is thought that moths play an important role pollinating plants and most moths are night-time creatures. This explains why many of New Zealands flowering trees have white flowers so they stand out at night. It was fascinating to be on Hauturu one summer evening watching giant puriri moths attracted to lights at the rangers house, playing their part in natures cycle of life, as a morepork (ruru) swooped and grabbed some for his dinner. When the kiore were removed from the island it was noted that the German and common wasps that had been present on the island for several decades were disappearing. Now none have been observed for several years. No-one is quite sure what the correlation is. Researchers are studying this phenomenon at the moment. Aquatic insects are great indicators of the health of streams. Hauturus streams are pristine so it has its share of aquatic insects. They need to be species that can survive the constantly changing water levels and flows. Invertebrates have such an important role to play in any ecosystem that when we consider restoration or conservation it is important to include them in our plans. Lyn Wade, Little Barrier Island Supporters Trust www.littlebarrierisland.org.nz Lukashenka Accuses Opponents Of Attempting Return To 'Chaos' By RFE/RL August 04, 2020 Belarusian President Alyaksandr Lukashenka has attacked his reformist political opponents ahead of the country's August 9 presidential election, accusing them of being well-paid "foreign agents" who are attempting to return Belarus to the "chaos" of the 1990s. Lukashenka rejected calls from his opponents to revert to the 1994 version of the Belarusian constitution, which limited anyone from serving as the country's president to a maximum of two terms. "Those who demand changes, reforms, and the return of the old constitution just want the return of the chaotic 1990s," Lukashenka told lawmakers from both chambers of parliament who were part of an audience gathered at the Palace of the Republic in Minsk on August 4. "Do not believe those who promise a golden hill." "By returning the constitution of 1994 we would restore anarchy," said Lukashenka, who had himself been elected president under that constitution. "Returning to the 1994 constitution would be a gift to criminals. We won't return to the wild 1990s," he said. "Billions are thrown to destabilize Belarus. So, it is impossible for Belarusians to be against Lukashenka. All those who are against Lukashenka are foreign agents," Lukashenka said, without elaborating. Western diplomats have dubbed Belarus as Europe's last dictatorship due to what opponents and activists say has been decades of undemocratic rule. Lukashenka's 26 years of authoritarian rule look increasingly vulnerable ahead of the August 9 election. However, most analysts say he will likely win through a combination of fraud and repression against an energized opposition. Tens of thousands of opposition supporters have attended daily rallies in recent weeks in support of presidential candidate Svyatlana Tsikhanouskaya, a 37-year-old political novice backed by would-be presidential candidates who've been disqualified from running. "Unfair methods are used to involve our youth into protest actions," Lukashenka said. "No one is going to steal your votes." Lukashenka called reforms demanded by the opposition "a gift to crime and criminal business," adding that economic reforms and privatization are not necessary and are dangerous. In recent weeks, Lukashenka has been meeting with Interior Ministry officials and inspecting the military, sending an signal that he may order a crackdown by security forces to quell unrest against his increasingly unpopular rule. "I call on all parents and teachers to keep our youth from bad deeds.... So that they would not follow the puppet masters," he told parliament. Lukashenka also said the youth in Belarus are "shamelessly used" for political purposes. Lukashenka also urged the opposition to stay out of the way and allow his government to bring prosperity to the country. "Do not stay in the way if you do not know what to do. Let us take care of the country. In two-three years we will rectify the situation." Lukashenka's government has alleged that 33 mercenaries from the private Russian firm Vagner group who were detained last month in Belarus were trying to destabilize Belarus ahead of the election. The Kremlin has rejected the accusations, saying that the men were detained while in transit to Istanbul before flying to "a third country." But Lukashenka has lashed out at Moscow, accusing it of lying about the contractors' presence in Belarus. He has said that unnamed forces were trying to stir a revolt, but they would fail. "They lied about Istanbul, Africa, and Latin America. They were waiting for the signal. Why did they decide to travel through Belarus, and not from Crimea or Novorossiisk? They told us everything! Stop lying! We know everything," Lukashenka said. "Their destination was not Istanbul or Venezuela, it was Belarus.... Do not believe in those lies," Lukashenka told the gathering in Minsk on August 4. The lead up to the August 9 vote has been marred by dubious disqualifications and an unprecedented scale of detentions and other persecution against a backdrop of a pandemic and pro-democracy protests. More than 1,100 people have been arrested since campaigning began, including politicians, organizers, and journalists. Authorities have barred aspiring candidates like Valer Tsapkala and popular vlogger Syarhey Tsikhanouski, the husband of Tsikhanouskaya. Lukashenka, in his address, slighted Tsikhanouskaya, Maryya Kalesnikava, a coordinator of the campaign of another excluded presidential aspirant, and the wife of Tsapkala, Veranika Tsapkala, by referring to them as "poor girls," unaware of what alleged political operatives had in mind for them. Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/lukashenka- accuses-opponents-of-attempting-return -to-chaos-/30765637.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 Jerusalem (AFP) - Israel launched air strikes on Syrian military targets in southern Syria late Monday, after thwarting an attack near the Israeli-occupied sector of the Golan Heights. In Damascus, the state-run news agency Sana said Israeli helicopters rocketed Syrian army positions near Quneitra in the south but caused only material damage. It also said air defences had gone into action near the Syrian capital. The Israeli army said its fighters jets, attack helicopters and other warplanes struck Syrian army positions in retaliation for the attempt to lay explosives in the Golan Heights. "The targets struck include observation posts and intelligence collection systems, anti-aircraft artillery facilities and command and control systems in SAF (Syrian Armed Forces) bases," the army said in statement. "The IDF holds the Syrian government responsible for all activities on Syrian soil, and will continue operating with determination against any violation of Israeli sovereignty," it said. Tensions are already high between bitter rivals Israel and Syria. Last month, Israeli army helicopters struck military targets in southern Syria in retaliation for earlier "munitions" fire towards Israel. Israel did not directly blame Syrian forces for the munitions fire, but said it held the Damascus government responsible. And earlier Monday, the Israeli army said it had killed four men laying explosives near the Israeli-occupied sector of the Golan Heights. - 'Inside Israeli territory' - "They were inside Israeli territory but beyond the fence," military spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Jonathan Conricus told journalists in a telephone briefing. He said an Israeli commando unit lying in wait attacked the intruders shortly after 11 pm Sunday (2000 GMT) with assault rifles and sniper fire backed by air strikes. "Our estimate is that all four were killed," Conricus said in English, adding that there were no Israeli casualties. Story continues Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a statement Monday that "the army thwarted an attempted attack on the Syrian front". "We don't let our guard down," he said, recalling an incident at the Lebanese border last week that prompted Israeli artillery fire across the frontier, as well as rocket fire Sunday evening from the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip which led to retaliatory Israeli air strikes. Israel will "strike anyone who attacks us or tries to attack us", he added. - Possible Hezbollah links - Several Israeli media outlets reported that Monday's actions were in response to an increased threat from the Iran-backed Lebanese Shiite group Hezbollah, which has a significant presence in Syria. Last month, five Iran-backed fighters were killed in an Israeli missile strike south of Damascus, according to Britain-based monitoring group the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. Then last Monday, Israel said it had thwarted an infiltration attempt from Lebanon by up to five Hezbollah gunmen, a claim denied by the Iran-backed group. Israel reported an exchange of fire that forced the "terrorists" back into Lebanon. It said it fired artillery across the heavily guarded border for "defensive" purposes. "We do not know at this stage and we cannot confirm a link between this terrorist squad and Hezbollah or Iranians," Conricus said. "We know that there are many different factions operating on Syrian soil." The Syrian Observatory said it was likely, but could not be confirmed, that the attackers were from the Syrian Resistance to Liberate the Golan. The Hezbollah-linked group was formed more than six years ago to launch attacks in the Israeli-occupied zone. The Syrian Observatory said late Monday there were Israeli air raids on the southern province of Quneitra and on Boukamal city, near the Iraqi border in the northeast. Conricus said that Israel's Maglan commando unit had been deployed at the attack site for several days. "We spotted irregular night-time activity in this specific location for the past week and we had a commando unit deployed in the area," he said. Since 2011, Israel has launched hundreds of strikes in Syria, targeting government troops and allied Iranian and Hezbollah forces and vowing to end Iran's military presence in Syria. TAIPEI U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Alex Azar will visit Taiwan in coming days, his office said on Tuesday, making the highest-level visit by a U.S. official in four decades - a move that angered China, which claims the island as its own. Azars visit will worsen already poor Beijing-Washington relations, inflamed over trade, the pandemic and human rights, even as democratic Taiwan has welcomed the show of support in the face of unrelenting Chinese pressure. During his visit, Azar will meet with President Tsai Ing-wen, Taiwans Foreign Ministry said, which may infuriate China further. Taiwan has been a model of transparency and cooperation in global health during the COVID-19 pandemic and long before it," Azar said in a statement. I look forward to conveying President Trumps support for Taiwans global health leadership and underscoring our shared belief that free and democratic societies are the best model for protecting and promoting health." His department, describing the trip as historic", said Azar would be accompanied by Mitchell Wolfe, chief medical officer of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and other members of the administration. Taiwan Health Minister Chen Shih-chung, who will also meet Azar, said he was looking forward to the visit. It also greatly boosts our global status in public health," Chen told reporters. This is a major step forward." But China denounced the trip, saying it opposed any official interactions between the United States and Taiwan and had lodged stern representations" with Washington. Taiwan is the most important and sensitive issue in Sino-U.S. relations," Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said in Beijing. Taiwan has been especially grateful for U.S. support for its requests to get meaningful access to the World Health Organization during the pandemic. Taiwan is not a member because of Chinese objections; Beijing considers the island merely one of Chinas provinces. Taiwan has denounced Chinese efforts to block its access, though Beijing says the island has been given the help it needs. U.S. President Donald Trump signed a new law in March requiring increased support for Taiwans international role. China threatened unspecified retaliation in response. The United States, like most countries, has no formal diplomatic ties with Taiwan, having ditched Taipei in favour of Beijing in 1979, but is its main arms supplier and strongest backer on the international stage. Gina McCarthy, then-head of the Environmental Protection Agency, was the last U.S. Cabinet-level official to visit Taiwan, in 2014. Her position is technically lower-ranking than Azars. Taiwan has won praise for its response to the coronavirus pandemic, having kept its case numbers low due to effective and early prevention steps. The United States has more coronavirus cases and deaths than any other country. Disclaimer: This post has been auto-published from an agency feed without any modifications to the text and has not been reviewed by an editor Good news: the Government has finally cleared up the confusion about whether or not over-50s will be locked down (or up, depending on your point of view) in the event of a second wave. It turns out we wont be. This comes as a relief not only for people like me, aged 53, with a family to look after, dogs to walk, a job to do, elderly relatives to visit; but also, I suspect, as a relief for the Government. Because had they decided to try to enforce such a strategy, my very strong sense is that they would have had a full-scale mutiny on their hands. Because while the over-50s are generally law-abiding, community minded types, we wont bite our tongues if something strikes us as bonkers. Which, frankly, that did. That, my friends, is the key. Not caring what anyone else thinks. Knowing your own mind, and not being afraid to speak it (file photo) But the main reason, I think, that so many people my age took offence to the proposal was this: we see ourselves in the prime of life, at the top of our game. Perhaps not in physical terms, but in intellectual and emotional terms. As if on cue, a poll earlier this week underlined the point. Of 3,000 people aged 50 to 59, 40 per cent said life was more exciting and fulfilling now than in their 30s. Sixty-two per cent said they felt more at peace with themselves and 58 per cent thought their 50s were the happiest years of their lives. In other words, being 50 is fun. And the reason? Four-fifths of the respondents agreed: they couldnt care less what others thought of them so just got on with doing exactly what they wanted. And that, my friends, is the key. Not caring what anyone else thinks. Knowing your own mind, and not being afraid to speak it. For women in particular, this comes as a bit of a revelation. From an early age, we are conditioned to please our fathers, our teachers, our partners, our bosses, our spouses, our children. Our hormones play a big part in this, of course. But most women in their 50s are either menopausal or post-menopausal. All those chemicals that make us predisposed to putting up with other peoples nonsense are dissipating. And one glorious day the hormonal fug clears completely and we realise we dont need peoples approval. Suddenly we find ourselves saying exactly what we think and (shock, horror) doing exactly as we please. Like the other day, when I got home from work to find ten teenagers in my kitchen, courtesy of my son, who had seen fit to invite them over in my absence. It was like a Kevin and Perry convention in a Lynx factory. An earlier incarnation of me would have been all anxious, apologetic middle-class mum about it. But 53-year-old me couldnt care less. In five minutes they were sloping off down the road with some choice words ringing in their ears and my son was very, very sorry indeed. The good news is its only going to get better. Or worse, depending on where youre standing. I shall leave you with the words of Jenny Joseph, from her wonderful poem, Warning: When I am an old woman I shall wear purple, With a red hat which doesnt go, and doesnt suit me. And I shall spend my pension on brandy and summer gloves And satin sandals, and say weve no money for butter. I shall sit down on the pavement when Im tired And gobble up samples in shops and press alarm bells And run my stick along the public railings And make up for the sobriety of my youth. No wonder they want to lock us all up! St Meghan of Tiara Forget Nelson Mandela and Mother Teresa: has anyone suffered more for the greater good than the paragon of altruism that is Meghan Markle I was on holiday last week in North Devon, so I missed the extracts from Finding Freedom, the misery memoir about the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. Particularly poignant, I thought, was the story of how poor Meghan was cruelly denied instant access to the Queen Mary tiara (which she wore on her Big Day), despite the fact she had flown in her hairdresser from Paris for a fitting. Forget Nelson Mandela and Mother Teresa: has anyone suffered more for the greater good than the paragon of altruism that is Meghan Markle? Can my drug fight two modern plagues? Im not ashamed to admit that I have always struggled to control my weight. This was brought home to me rather bluntly a few years ago when my doctor informed me that if I didnt do something about the extra three stone I was lugging around, I was at risk of becoming pre-diabetic. So I took myself off to one of those joyless Austrian fat farms and began intermittent fasting. I lost a couple of stone in the space of a few months. Then, as ever, my weight began to creep back up. This time I wasnt giving up. I went to see a bariatric surgeon about the possibility of a gastric band. Instead, he prescribed something called liraglutide, a daily jab used by the NHS on patients with diabetes to help stabilise blood sugar but which also has the happy side-effect of reducing appetite, thereby causing weight loss. Its been slow but steady. Over the past two years, I have gone from a size 18 to a stable 14, and although I could do with jettisoning a bit more around the middle, I am now within the correct range for my age. Liraglutide is a daily jab used by the NHS on patients with diabetes to help stabilise blood sugar but which also has the happy side-effect of reducing appetite, thereby causing weight loss Why am I telling you all this? Well, because this week a major study at Exeter University found that not only does liraglutide help patients manage diabetes and lose weight, it also slashes the risk of developing dementia by half. Yes, thats correct: half. This it does partly because of the way it stabilises blood sugars, but also by reducing the number of toxic amyloid proteins that contribute to the disease. Before I started taking liraglutide, I was either hungry and miserable or fat and miserable. Now I am neither. The fact that this little jab may even help me keep my marbles is just the cherry on the low-fat cake. This weekend saw the end of free TV licences for the over-75s meaning three million people will have to stump up 157.50 a year, or face prosecution. With our elderly more housebound than ever due to Covid, the TV is a lifeline for many. Wouldnt covering this bill be a better use of taxpayer money than a cut-price Nandos? How can Britain consider repatriating ISIS bride Shamima Begum when we have failed to grant a safe haven to Afghan translators who were the eyes and ears of our Army? These people risked their lives to help us, yet are treated worse by the British system than a woman who ran away to join a terrorist organisation. Enjoy your staycation, Ma'am Its that time of year again, when the beautiful people head off on their hols, and we all get to see what they look like in a bikini. Caprice, Coleen, Kate and the rest: all various degrees of fabulousness in variously enviable sun-soaked seaside destinations. But my favourite picture this year is one of Her Majesty, who yesterday headed off to her annual summer retreat at Balmoral. If anyone deserves a holiday its the Queen, who, at 94, thanks to coronavirus and various family crises, has had the kind of year that would have wiped out a woman half her age Swarms of midges and rain-soaked heather may not be everyones idea of the ideal summer break but she seems to like it, so who am I to judge? Besides, if anyone deserves a holiday its the Queen, who, at 94, thanks to coronavirus and various family crises, has had the kind of year that would have wiped out a woman half her age. Enjoy your break, Maam. Youve earned it. Last week, the American news website CNN informed readers that individuals with a cervix are now recommended to start cervical cancer screening at 25. Individuals with a cervix? As J.K. Rowling might say, theres a name for people like that, isnt there? I dont see why re-opening schools means pubs might have to shut down. I appreciate that under-age drinking can be a problem but surely things arent that bad? I need to talk to chew Say the word sausage and youve never seen something fat and fluffy move so fast Researchers in Hungary have discovered that dogs process language in the same way as humans grasping not just the meaning of certain words, but cadence and intonation. If my dogs are anything to go by, they also have something else in common with humans: selective hearing. Say the word sausage and youve never seen something fat and fluffy move so fast. Tell them to get off the sofa and they look at you with baffled amusement. Much like husbands and teenagers. Active cases of coronavirus in North Dakota hit a new high on Tuesday, and the state Department of Health reported two more deaths related to COVID-19. Meanwhile, total cases of the disease since the start of the pandemic surpassed 1,000 in Burleigh County, Bismarck Mayor Steve Bakken implored area residents to wear masks in public, and Gov. Doug Burgum announced more details of a task force aimed at addressing the development of Burleigh and Morton counties into a coronavirus hot spot. The new deaths were a Griggs County man in his 60s and a Sioux County woman in her 70s. Both had underlying health conditions, according to the state. They were the first coronavirus-related deaths confirmed in each county, and they brought the state total to 107. Health officials reported 149 new cases in 26 counties, raising the statewide total to 6,933. Active cases numbered 1,111, up 21 from Monday and up eight from the previous high on Saturday. Fifty-one people remained in the hospital. For more information on coronavirus in North Dakota, go to health.nd.gov/coronavirus. Local task force Burgum during a public briefing unveiled both a steering committee and other members of the Burleigh-Morton COVID-19 Task Force that was announced last week. The group is to meet for the first time Friday. Bismarck-Burleigh Public Health Director Renae Moch will head a steering committee -- essentially a task force leadership team, Burgum said. Other committee members are Bakken, North Dakota Chief Operating Officer Tammy Miller, Custer Health Administrator Erin Ourada, Morton County Commission Chairman and State Homeland Security Director Cody Schulz, and State Contact Tracing Administrator Vern Dosch. Other task force members are Mandan Mayor Tim Helbling, Lincoln Mayor Gerarld Wise, Burleigh County Commission Chairman Jerry Woodcox and Interim State Health Officer Andrew Stahl. The task force also will have subcommittees overseeing five areas, according to Burgum: testing and contact tracing, educational institutions and activities, underserved populations and services, the business community and public education. It's not yet known who will be on the subcommittees. The task force is modeled after one created in early May in the Red River Valley after Cass County and Fargo bloomed into a hot spot. The outbreak there has lessened in recent weeks. Active cases in Cass fell below 100 on Tuesday, while in Burleigh-Morton they neared 350. No money has been allocated for the task force because I dont think we know what all resources are needed, Burgum said. Members will serve in their existing professional roles, without additional compensation. Should money be needed for things such as additional testing, it could come from federal coronavirus aid the state has received and earmarked for public health, according to the governor. Mayor advocates masks Bakken on Tuesday launched a campaign urging area residents to wear a mask when in public. We can only beat this virus if we are united as a community to stop the spread of COVID-19," he said in a statement. "I invite you to mask up and join me in doing your part. It is essential to wear a mask in order to protect one another. By wearing a mask when youre in public, you protect yourself and you protect others. Burleigh and Morton counties have seen a steady rise in COVID-19 cases in recent weeks, coinciding with the reopening of the economy and an increase in testing. Total cases in the two counties have nearly quadrupled in a month's span. Another 29 cases were reported in Burleigh on Tuesday, along with another 11 in Morton. Burleigh continued to lead the state in active cases, with 269, and Morton ranks fourth, with 75. Moch has said younger adults -- those in their 20s and 30s -- are driving the increase because they're more active in the community, and that the area also is seeing the effects of large Fourth of July holiday gatherings. Neither state nor local officials have mandated the wearing of masks, though some private businesses have. Masks will be required in certain situations in local schools as the academic year begins and strongly encouraged in other instances. Were all in this together. Lets get kids back to school, preserve our local economy, and keep our community strong," Bakken said. "Together we will overcome the COVID-19 pandemic and emerge stronger. Lets come together to keep Bismarck the safe, resilient community we know and love. The mask campaign includes a series of public service announcements that will be broadcast locally and available online, including at www.bismarcknd.gov and www.bismarcknd.gov/publichealth and on social media. Officials also have boosted testing in the area. The number of people in North Dakota tested for coronavirus at least once is at 160,470, and total tests number 329,812. New hot spots? Cases are spiking in Benson and Ramsey counties in northeastern North Dakota, in the area of Devils Lake and the Spirit Lake Reservation, where tribal leaders have mandated masks, imposed a curfew, and issued a stay-at-home order for people who test positive. Burgum called it an "area of focus" for the state. The reservation is primarily in Benson County, where 33 new cases were listed Tuesday. Ramsey County had an additional 13. Active cases in the two counties total 99. Burgum said nearly 1,000 people were tested at the tribal college in Fort Yates on Friday. "We're working closely to make sure that Spirit Lake has everything they need, including appropriate number of masks for use to help slow the spread" of COVID-19, Burgum said. Stark County surpassed Morton County in active cases this week and ranked third in the state on Tuesday, with 78 cases. Burgum said the state is monitoring the situation, but officials do not yet feel a need to create a task force there to focus on stopping the spread of the virus. The uptick in Stark County cannot be attributed to a single event, Burgum said -- contact tracing reveals a mix of reasons for cases, including community spread as people go to work, go shopping and attend events. Higher ed testing The North Dakota University System is urging college students to get tested for COVID-19 before they arrive on campus later this month. The state is arranging test sites in at least 35 communities across the state where students can get tested for free before they head to school. The locations and testing times are available at www.ndus.edu/gettested. The effort will run throughout August. Getting tested is not required, but its strongly encouraged, Chancellor Mark Hagerott said at the governors briefing. Its an effort to identify students who might be asymptomatic and stop them from arriving on campus where they might unknowingly spread the virus before classes even start. Officials are working on plans for more testing throughout the school year. As for out-of-state students, It would be nice if they got tested at home, Hagerott said, adding that he knows that might not be possible in every state. Students who can't get tested before returning to campus can do so when they arrive at school. Erica Solberg, the student member of the State Board of Higher Education, said students are looking forward to returning to campus and eager to get tested to keep their peers, faculty and staff safe. It will probably be the easiest test you take this year, she said. In Bismarck, testing is available for college students in two locations: at the North Dakota Department of Health, 1720 Burlington Drive, on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.; and at the Bismarck Event Center, 315 S. Fifth St. on Tuesdays from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. In Mandan, students can get tested at the Dacotah Speedway, 2500 Longspur Trail, on Wednesdays from 1 to 3 p.m. In Dickinson, testing is available at Southwestern District Health, 938 Second Ave. W., on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. Students are encouraged to preregister for testing at https://testreg.nd.gov. Officials suggest students aim to get tested five days before they leave home. Students can expect to get their results within three days. Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-05 23:20:50|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close CAIRO, Aug. 5 (Xinhua) -- Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi on Wednesday ordered to send two planes carrying medical aid to Lebanon after the deadly blasts in Beirut, the presidency office said in a statement. The president offered condolences to his Lebanese counterpart Michel Aoun over the victims in the explosions. In a phone call, al-Sisi stressed that Egypt stands by the side of Lebanon and is willing to offer help to Beirut, according to spokesperson of the presidency Bassam Radi. Earlier, Arab League (AL) Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul-Gheit has ordered the flag of the pan-Arab body to fly at half-mast to mourn the victims of the explosions. He urged the Arab countries and the international community to immediately offer aid to Lebanon. He voiced AL's full solidarity with Lebanon and its people, adding that the AL will promote all efforts for restoring the stability and maintaining the security and safety of the country. Enditem Strategy for sustainable aquaculture, the world's fastest growing food sector: study August 05,2020 | Source: Science Daily As the population grows, and the global standard of living improves, humanity's appetite for seafood is increasing. In 2020 seafood consumption reached an all-time high, with an average of 20kg consumed annually by every person on the planet. Up to now most of this was caught in the world's freshwaters and oceans. But things are changing, and today half of all seafood consumed comes from farmed sources, called aquaculture. The sector is expected to double by 2050 to supply the increasing global demand. UC Santa Barbara Assistant Professor Halley E. Froehlich has contributed to an evaluation of the complex interactions between human, environmental and animal health parameters of this budding industry, a view scientists call the One Health framework. The study, published in the journal Nature Food, brings together a diverse team of scientists, economists, sociologists and policy specialists led by the Centre for Sustainable Aquaculture Futures -- a joint initiative between the University of Exeter and the United Kingdom's Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science. "Aquaculture is now being more widely recognized as an important part of our global food system," said Froehlich, a faculty member in the departments of environmental studies and of ecology, evolution, and marine biology. "And it will continue to grow. So the question is, how do we plot that course in a more sustainable way?" Aquaculture has played a major role in lifting millions of people out of poverty in many low and middle-income nations, but it faces a range of sustainability challenges. These include environmental degradation, overuse of antibiotics, release of disease agents and the requirement of wild-caught fish meal and fish oil to produce feed. Parts of the industry also engage in poor labor practices and gender inequality. Negative societal impressions created by such examples mask aquaculture's potentially significant benefits. Farming cold-blooded animals is very efficient from a nutrient perspective. Many species, such as oysters, don't even require feeding. In addition, aquaculture can operate on a smaller footprint than many other forms of food production. The new paper uses the One Health framework to lay out a set of metrics to include in national aquaculture strategies across the globe to improve sustainability as the industry expands. These include concepts like access to nutritious food and quality employment, the health of wild fish stocks and ecosystems and maintaining a small environmental footprint and resilience to climate change. Communication, cooperation and coordination will be critical to the sustainable development of aquaculture as the sector grows. "If you don't have that knowledge transfer -- for instance, from scientists to policy-makers or farmers to scientists -- these types of framework structures won't go anywhere," Froehlich said. With that in mind, the authors collaborated widely on this report. "The paper results from extensive interaction between a wide range of academic experts in aquaculture, health, environmental and social sciences, economists, industry stakeholders and policy groups," said senior co-author Charles Tyler from the University of Exeter. The paper presents a strategy for developing aquiculture as well as the benchmarks to which we will measure its sustainability and success. "This is an important paper," said lead author, Grant Stentiford of the Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science, "acknowledging that aquaculture is set to deliver most of our seafood by 2050, but also that sustainability must be designed-in at every level." The One Health approach offers a tool for governments to consider when designing policies. "I hope it will become a blueprint for how government and industry interact on these issues in the future," Stentiford added. "Most importantly, it considers aquaculture's evolution from a subject studied by specialists to an important food sector -- requiring now a much broader interaction with policy and society than arguably has occurred in the past." Some of these principles are already being applied in the European Union and in Norway, according to Froehlich, who has begun shifting her focus toward the industry in the United States, especially California. She is currently in the middle of a Sea Grant project collecting the most comprehensive dataset of marine aquaculture information from across all coastal states in the U.S. This includes practices, policies, and the hidden interactions with fisheries that influence how aquaculture is conducted in each state. "Aquaculture is everywhere and nowhere at the same time," Froehlich said. "People don't realize how integrated it is into so many facets of marine ecology, conservation biology, and fisheries." 2020 ScienceDaily Theme(s): Fisheries Development and Aquaculture. SUMMIT, N.J. and SINGAPORE, Aug. 5, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- JST Capital ("the Company" or "JST"), a global financial services firm focused on crypto currencies and digital assets, today announced that it has bolstered its roster by adding three new members to their team. Two of the team members will be responsible for co-heading Global Business Development OTC while the third will join to oversee their Quantitative Trading business. JST Capital has recently added Chris Hermida and Zach Bruch to co-Head their Business Development OTC team to drive the expansion of their client base. Hermida and Bruch are both crypto industry veterans with more than five years of experience and a robust network of industry relationships. Prior to joining JST, Hermida served in a number of roles at the crypto firm Circle, beginning in 2014, before joining the firms trading desk in 2017. Bruch brings sales and trading experience to the JST after tenures at Cumberland and Kraken. During his time at Kraken, Bruch worked in sales and trading on their OTC desk and most recently led Business Development and sales trading in the Americas for Cumberland, DRW's cryptocurrency trading desk. "We are seeing increased demand for creative solutions from existing and new clients in the crypto and digital asset eco-system," said Scott Freeman, Co-Founder and Partner at JST Capital. "In order to keep up with the growing interest in the space and to maintain the unparalleled service clients expect from us, it is integral that we expand both our business development and trading capabilities. Chris' and Zach's backgrounds and industry relationships will be invaluable as we look to continue expanding our global presence, while Dmitry will help us add trading capabilities needed to provide our clients access to best in class execution and asset management products." Dmitry Gekhtman joins the JST Capital team as head of its Quantitative Trading desk. He has a Masters degree and Bachelor of Science from the Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology and a doctorate in physics from the Technion-Israel Institute of Technology. Gekhtman also has a proven traditional finance background in quantitative trading after previously serving as the head of JP Morgan's high frequency trading desk and having been the head of Quantitative Trading and Electronic Market Making at Virtu Financial. Todd Morakis, Co-Founder and Partner at JST Capital commented on today's news, "In recent months we've seen more macro and institutional investors endorse and begin to incorporate digital assets into their portfolios. Our clients value our ability to bring traditional financial markets expertise to crypto and digital markets and Dmitry's joining continues our commitment to those efforts. We look forward to leveraging the skills and expertise of the new members of our team in order to continue growing alongside the expanding digital asset ecosystem." About JST Capital JST Capital is a global digital asset financial services firm servicing institutional investors, blockchain companies, banks and broker dealers. With operations in the United States, Singapore and the United Kingdom, the Company provides sophisticated trade execution, asset optimization, treasury services, and consulting services to facilitate liquidity. For more information about JST Capital, please visit https://www.jstcap.com. Media Contact Jay A. Morakis M Group Strategic Communications (for JST Capital) +1 646 859 5951 [email protected] SOURCE JST Capital Related Links https://www.jstcap.com New Delhi: Delhi Police on Wednesday opposed in the Delhi High Court the setting up of a special investigation team to probe the violence at Jamia Millia Islamia during the anti-Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) protests in December last year. Additional solicitor general (ASG) Aman Lekhi, appearing for police, told a bench of chief justice D N Patel and justice Prateek Jalan that the pleas alleging ruthless and excessive use of force and aggression by police and paramilitary forces on students at the university, were not maintainable. The batch of PILs sought setting up a special investigation team or a fact-finding committee as well as medical treatment, compensation and interim protection from arrest for students and registration of FIRs against erring police officers. Lekhi said the relief sought cannot be granted as charge sheets had been filed in connection with the violence and they should have sought whatever relief they wanted before the subordinate court. He said setting up of a fact-finding committee or an SIT would amount to supplanting the law as it exists now. He contended that internationally, police are not denied access to educational institutions and universities. On compensation to students who were seriously injured in the violence, he said it can be awarded only if there was an admission of the breach and in the present case, the issue was still being examined. He said the case of the petitioners was based on an assumption of wrongdoing by the police and it involves disputed questions of fact for which the evidence on record has to be examined. Violence has broken out in the varsity after student protests against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA). Police have been accused of entering the university campus and assaulting students after a protest against the Citizenship(Amendment) Act turned violent on December 15. At least 10 vehicles were allegedly torched by protesters. The Jamia students had said they were not involved in the violence and that their peaceful march was hijacked by outsiders. One was killed and several others were injured during demolitions in Mukuru slums in Nairobi on Monday. The tragedy happened as officials played blame games who was responsible for the demolitions that left more than 500 families homeless. Authorities identified the victim as Gabriel Maina. At least 13 people were injured in the incident. The affected residents said the demolitions were being carried out by the Nairobi Metropolitan Services (NMS) to pave way for expansion of roads in the informal settlements. They claimed that they were only given a one day notice to vacate their houses by NMS before bulldozers descended on their structures. Mukuru kwa Reuben ward rep Evans Otiso said a building collapsed as people were trying to salvage their belonging killing a man on the spot. He said four of the injured have been admitted to Kenyatta National Hospital while the body of the victim was taken to City Mortuary. The MCA said that the residents were in a rush to protect their belongings after receiving information that the bulldozers were on their way. "We support construct of roads in the city by NMS but this is a disaster because a life has been lost. More time should have been given," said Mr Otiso. NMSdDirector of communications Tony Mbarine distanced the new office from the demolitions saying the death was as a result of an accident and not forceful evictions. Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Kenya Urban Issues By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later. Mr Mbarine explained that the community and non-governmental organisations had agreed on plans to clear the area after being declared a special planning zone and NMS has never evicted anyone by force. "Since Mukuru was declared a special planning area, the community and NGOs had agreed on which areas to clear and which not. The man was bringing down his own structure when he had the accident. NMS was not involved and we have not had any forceful evictions in Mukuru," said Mr Mbarire adding that they have, however, been informed of the incident and they are trying to see how to help. Governor Mike Sonko expressed his disappointment in the inhumane manner in which the demolition was carried out. The governor, through his spokesperson Ben Mulwa, said the rampant demolitions across the county are a concern affecting thousands of families. He called for the protection of the rights of every citizen by ensuring adequate notices are provided and alternative arrangements made to settle the affected families before demolitions. "We support the ongoing efforts to transform Nairobi, but everything must be done within the law. It's unfortunate that one person namely lost his life in the ongoing demolitions," said Mr Mulwa. "This is because those that are responsible for the demolitions are marking the properties to be brought down today and show up tomorrow at dawn without giving these residents sufficient notice," he added. Mukuru slums was officially declared as a Special Planning Area by Nairobi County government in 2017 putting to a stop any further development in the 650 acres area for a two-year period. The period was extended for another year by NMS last month to allow for upgrading of the slum as per the directives of President Uhuru Kenyatta in March. We now offer lithium prices and coverage free for reference. Click here to read all about it. Join our growing community of participants who want to learn more about electrification and how this market is developing. WASHINGTON - President Donald Trump said Wednesday that hes considering delivering his Republican convention acceptance speech from the White House after his initial plans to hold the event in two battleground states were foiled by coronavirus concerns and health restrictions. The move would mark an unprecedented use of public property for partisan political purposes. Its easy and I think its a beautiful setting, and we are thinking about that. Its certainly one of the alternatives, Trump said during a wide-ranging telephone interview on Fox News Channels Fox & Friends. The Republican National Convention is scheduled for Aug. 24-27, with Trumps acceptance speech capping the final night. The speech and the rest of the convention were going to be held in Charlotte, North Carolina, until Trump feuded with the states Democratic governor over coronavirus health restrictions. Trump then moved the speech and other elements of the convention to Jacksonville, Florida, a move welcomed by the states Republican governor, but he later cancelled those plans because of a resurgence of the coronavirus there. The Florida cancellation effectively limited his options with the clock ticking. Trump said holding the speech at the White House would be the easiest from the standpoint of security and the least expensive option because he and the many staffers, Secret Service agents and others who typically accompany him wouldnt have to travel. Trump said a final decision on the speech location hadnt been made, but he seemed to be leaning toward a White House setting for what traditionally is the highlight of a national political convention. If for some reason somebody had difficulty with it, I would, I could go someplace else, he said. The easiest, least expensive and I think very beautiful would be live from the White House. Trump said journalists will be allowed in to cover his Aug. 24 renomination in Charlotte. Reports last week said the proceeding would be closed to media coverage because of coronavirus restrictions. Trump said Wednesday that the convention will be a mix of virtual events and live speeches, including his remarks and a speech by first lady Melania Trump. Ill probably do mine live from the White House, he said. The Washington Post reported Tuesday that Republican officials were considering using the White House South Lawn to stage Trumps acceptance speech. Presidents typically seek to hold their nominating conventions in a state seen as crucial to their chances of winning the election, but this years coronavirus outbreak has forced candidates to drastically change the way they campaign. Democrats are holding their convention in Wisconsin, though the event will be almost entirely virtual. Democratic candidate Joe Biden will not travel to Milwaukee to accept his partys White House nomination because of concerns over the coronavirus. Delegates also are not travelling to the site, and all business, including the vote to nominate Biden, will be virtual or by mail ballot. Presidents also historically have treated the White House as a politics-free zone, though Trump has shown disregard for many norms and customs of the presidency. On Wednesday, Trump also called for the first presidential debate, scheduled for Sept. 29 in Cleveland, to be held sooner because early voting will have already begun in some states. He complained that the current scheduling is ridiculous. The second debate is scheduled for Oct. 15 in Miami, while the third debate is set for Oct. 22 in Nashville, Tennessee. The Commission on Presidential Debates, which plans the debates, had no immediate comment on Trumps suggestion to move up the first debate. ___ Associated Press writer Bill Barrow in Atlanta contributed to this report. New York mayor Bill de Blasio announced on Wednesday that checkpoints will be set up at major entrances to the city to screen for out-of-state travelers who may be violating quarantine rules. Currently, travelers from 35 states and Puerto Rico are required to self-quarantine for 14 days upon arrival in New York. Anyone flying into the state must fill out a form stating their destination or face a $2,000 fine. The checkpoints in New York City will be established at major bridge and tunnel crossings and randomly screen travelers. Quarantine violators will be fined up to $10,000. The idea is we dont want to penalize people.We want to educate them, we want to make sure theyre following the rules, de Blasio said at a press conference. The important thing is the checkpoints are going to send a very important message that this quarantine law is serious. The mayor said that the citys positive test rate for coronavirus patients has remained under 3 percent for two months, but that one out of five new cases are traceable to travelers from other states. New York City was hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic, with over 23,000 deaths and 231,000 people infected, around 2.5 percent of the citys population. While much of the city has reopened after a strict lockdown, city officials have declined to allow indoor dining, gyms, or other activities taking place in an enclosed space to reopen fully. Were not ready on indoor dining, were not ready on gyms, were not ready on malls, de Blasio said. More from National Review A video showing a series of explosions in North Koreas Hyesan city earlier this week has emerged, appearing to confirm South Korean media reports and defector accounts of blasts that claimed more than a dozen lives in the city on the border with China. A China-based activist that assists refugees fleeing North Korea recently provided RFAs Korean Service with what he claimed is footage of the blasts filmed on Monday from across the Yalu River in Chinas Changbai city. The 14-second video shows black smoke rising into the sky in Hyesan as several explosions are heard in the background. I heard that a fire started at a place where gasoline was stored, moved to a liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) container, and caused a series of explosions, said the source, speaking on condition of anonymity because of the nature of his work. I know the North Korean authorities were trying to deal with the accident, but I dont know what they managed to do. The activists account is similar to those in reports by the Seoul-based Daily NK and other South Korean news outlets, which said the incident is believed to have occurred after gasoline stored in a home in the citys Tapsong neighborhood caught fire at around 6:10 p.m. on Monday, causing a nearby LPG cylinder to explode and setting off a chain of blasts of similar cylinders attached to other homes. Hyesan is a city of 192,000 people. The Associated Press published a similar video on Wednesday it said was obtained from a Chinese travel agent who had previously visited Hyesan. The travel agent said he shot it from a park in Changbai and that the blast had occurred near Hyesans orphanage and tourism office. The Daily NK said Wednesday that at least 15 were killed in the explosions and that the death toll could continue to climb, while other South Korean media have suggested dozens had been killed or injured. RFAs Korean Service was unable to independently confirm the numbers. As with most deadly incidents inside North Korea, the countrys state media has not reported on the blasts. Neither have news outlets in China. Seo Jae-Pyoung, the secretary general of the Association of the North Korean Defectors, told RFA that residents of Changbai said they heard that a big explosion killed several North Koreans but could not confirm whether LPG was the cause of the explosion. A video shows an explosion in Hyesan, in North Korea's Ryanggang province, Aug. 3, 2020. Credit: RFA Gasoline and LPG South Koreas Unification Ministry spokesman Yeo Sang-gi told reporters during a press briefing in Seoul on Wednesday that we only know it was an accident involving gasoline and LPG, while the ministry had seen reports of several casualties. Yeo expressed South Korean condolences over the incident but urged patience as more details emerge. A fact-checking process should take priority before any conclusions are made, he said. Yeo said the Unification Ministry will take the time to more closely monitor the situation. Last month, a fire at a train station in the North Korean city of Sinuiju destroyed a freight train carrying hundreds of tons of cooking oil from China, as well as a warehouse full of cargo, witnesses who watched the blaze from across the Yalu in Chinas Dandong city told RFA at the time. While the cause of the fire was unclear, sources said firefighters had failed to put it out because extinguishers at the train station were empty. Reported by Yongjae Mok for RFAs Korean Service. Translated by Leejin Jun. Written in English by Joshua Lipes. By Colin Packham SYDNEY (Reuters) - Australia's second-most populous state Victoria said on Tuesday that anyone breaking COVID-19 isolation orders will face hefty fines, as high as A$20,000 ($14,250), and that more military personnel will be deployed to fight the spread of the virus. Australia, once heralded as a global leader in containing COVID-19, is desperately trying to slow the spread of the virus in Victoria to prevent a national second wave of infections. Victoria earlier this week imposed a night curfew, tightened restrictions on people's daily movements and ordered large parts of the local economy to close to slow the spread of coronavirus. But nearly a third of those who contracted COVID-19 were not home isolating when checked on by officials, requiring tough new penalties, Victoria state Premier Daniel Andrews said on Tuesday. Fines of nearly A$5,000 ($3,559.00) will be issued to anyone breaching stay at home orders. Repeat offenders face a fine of up to A$20,000. "There is literally no reason for you to leave your home and if you were to leave your home and not be found there, you will have a very difficult time convincing Victoria police that you have a lawful reason," Andrews told reporters in Melbourne. The only exemption will be for urgent medical care, said Andrews, adding anyone under a self-isolation order will no longer be allowed to leave their homes for outdoor exercise. "Fresh air at the front door. Fresh air in your front yard or backyard or opening a window," he said. Andrews said an additional 500 unarmed military personnel will this week deploy to Victoria to assist police in ensuring self-isolation orders are being complied with. The latest military deployment will join about 1,500 troops already in Victoria and engaged in contact tracing, testing and assisting police at check points. Australia has deployed almost 3,000 troops to help in virus logistical operations. Australia has recorded nearly 19,000 COVID-19 cases and 232 fatalities, far few than many other developed nations after closing its international borders early, imposing social distancing restrictions and mass virus testing. Story continues But as the country began to reopen, community transmissions rose significantly in Victoria which has recorded triple digit new cases for weeks. It now has the bulk of infections in the country, with nearly 12,000 reported cases. On Tuesday, Victoria reported 439 new COVID-19 cases in the past 24 hours. Andrews said 11 people had died from the virus since Monday, bringing the state's death toll to 136. The virus has spread significantly throughout Victoria's aged care facilities, with many of the deaths among the elderly. Victoria state officials said the latest wave of COVID-19 infections has been driven by residents refusing to adhere to restrictions on their movements. "There are a number of people who have knowingly breached the curfew -- so somebody who decided they were bored and they were going to go out for a drive, somebody who decided that they needed to buy a car after 8:00pm last night," Victoria Minister for Police Lisa Neville told reporters in Melbourne. With concerns that many people feel they have no choice but to continue working after a COVID-19 diagnosis, Australia said on Monday it would pay people in the state A$1,500 to stay home if they were ordered to and they do not have leave entitlements. Many internal state borders have been closed which has so far seen the new wave of infections predominately limited to Victoria, with neighbouring New South Wales (NSW) state reporting the next highest number of cases. NSW on Tuesday reported 12 new cases, though all the cases can be traced back to known outbreaks, some of which were started by infected people travelling from Victoria. (Reporting by Colin Packham; Editing by Himani Sarkar and Michael Perry) Srinagar, Aug 5 : The unique 'Back to Village' (B2V) initiative is among 36 major people's programmes which the Jammu and Kashmir government says it has achieved in one year since abrogation of Article 370 that gave special status to the erstwhile state. The programme, under which 20,000 development works were identified directly by the people, generated such enthusiasm that a resident of Shopian district wrote about it to Prime Minister Narendra Modi following which it was mentioned in his monthly radio programme 'Mann ki Baat'. The Jammu and Kashmir administration embarked on the programme in June last year with the aim of strengthening grassroots democracy and participatory development, taking the administration and administrative officers to the doorsteps of villagers to redress the development and governance deficit in villages, and bridge the gap between public and public servants. 'B2V' not only achieved the feat of bringing the administration and officers to the doorsteps of the villagers to redress their problems but also also reaffirmed the trust and faith of the public in the government, shattering a number of myths in the process, the government said. Abdul Hamid Dar, a resident of Block B.K. Pora in Budgam district remarked that their village had a vexed issue of de-silting their water bodies, which were choked due to the excessive amount of sand, silt and polythene. "We had travelled from pillar to post in this regard but nobody had registered our genuine grievance, but during this campaign, it was duly recorded by the authorities who had visited our village for two days." As per the Jammu and Kashmir government, while programmes similar to this had been attempted in many other parts of India before, 'B2V' was unique for its sheer scale and scope, involving nearly 5,000 gazetted officers of all levels -- one for every panchayat -- who would then stay for two days and a night in the village. "Back to Village focused on four quintessential themes like energising panchayats, collecting feedback on delivery of government programmes, capturing specific economic potential and undertaking assessment of needs of the villages," the Jammu and Kashmir government said. "As it turned out, the initiative was an unqualified success. In fact, so overwhelming was the response of the people that practically every visiting officer was accorded an extremely warm and affectionate welcome. In fact, such was the enthusiasm generated by the programme that a resident of Shopian district wrote to the Prime Minister about this programme following which the Prime Minister made a mention of it in his Mann ki Baat Programme calling it a 'festival of development, public participation and public awareness'." While inaugurating the programme, Chief Secretary B.V.R Subrahmanyam said: "Back to Village programme has been conceived with the notion that developmental initiatives that are built on the feedback and cooperation of the people are more result-oriented and have greater probability to succeed than those which are top-down." But, the government says, that this was not an easy task. It had never attempted a government-public interface programme of this sheer size and scale in Jammu and Kashmir, so it not only seemed a herculean task but also seemed implausible given the law and order problems in the Valley. It was the developmental equivalent of the elections - every single citizen was to be covered, and no area, howsoever remote or difficult, would be left untouched. The government deputed gazetted officers to all 4,483 panchayat circles, with each officer assigned a gram panchayat, where, unlike previous practices, they stayed for at least two days, including a night halt, in the village. The officer was supposed to make a first-hand assessment by seeking the comprehensive feedback from the panchayat representatives, elders and other local people about their concerns, developmental needs and economic potential of the area. Throughout this campaign, the officers lived and ate with the villagers to fully understand their pain and agony and to assuage the feeling of alienation among them. The officers were also mandated, among other things, to discuss all sort of relevant social issues such as sex ratio, literacy rate, girl education, water conservation, and heath and hygiene issues in the Gram Sabhas. Further, considering the programme was held shortly after the successful conduct of panchayat elections in 2018, the mission also aimed at sensitising both the recently-elected representatives and people about various government welfare programmes and schemes, and get feedback on them. Determined to reach out to the public at the grassroots, the government went ahead with the programme. The designated officers not only visited the remotest villages and panchayats which had never before been visited by government functionaries, leave alone senior gazetted officers, but also braved a visit to some of the difficult and challenging areas in the militancy-affected districts of south Kashmir. "The response was overwhelming and heart-warming. The people, who otherwise felt alienated came out in droves to welcome the visiting officers, share their views and post their grievances directly to the officers," the government said. (Rajnish Singh can be contacted at rajnish.s@ians.in) Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-06 01:52:48|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close BEIJING, Aug. 5 (Xinhua) -- China will as always welcome companies from other countries to invest and operate in China, a foreign ministry spokesperson said Wednesday. Spokesman Wang Wenbin made the remarks at a routine press briefing after Joerg Wuttke, president of the European Union Chamber of Commerce in China, on Tuesday expressed confidence of European companies in China's development prospects. "As a champion and promoter for an open world economy, China has always kept its door wide open and committed to provide a market-oriented, law-based and international business environment for companies from Europe and other parts of the world," Wang said. By 2019, the European Union had been China's top trade partner for 16 consecutive years, with a total trade volume exceeding 700 billion U.S. dollars for the first time last year, he said. Wang emphasized that be it companies from Europe or other parts of the world, they are optimistic about China's economic prospect and improving business environment. China will as always welcome European investors and companies from other countries, continue to firmly deepen reform and expand opening up, and provide more cooperation opportunities and development dividends for their operations in China, Wang said. "Foreign companies, including European ones, were part of the story of China's development, and we believe they will continue to be part of the successful story of China's development and win-win cooperation," he added. China remains one of the top three destinations for 63 percent of respondents in a survey conducted earlier this year by the European Union Chamber of Commerce in China and global consultancy firm Roland Berger. Enditem Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 5) The House of Representatives approved on second reading Wednesday its version of the Bayanihan: We Recover As One bill, which seeks to aid the country to rebound from the COVID-19 pandemic. House Bill 6953, also known as the Bayanihan 2, appropriated P162 billion standby fund for interventions to address the current health crisis. The amount includes 51 billion set for infusion of capital for government financial institutions, 20 billion for low-interest credit for the agriculture sector and implementation of cash-for-work programs, 10 billion for the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation and 10 billion each for the Transportation and Tourism departments. The measure also allocated 10.5 billion for hiring additional healthcare workers and provision of risk allowance, life insurance and compensation for medical front liners. The Senate passed its own version on third and final reading on July 28, a day after President Rodrigo Duterte asked Congress to approve the measure during his fifth State of the Nation Address. The Senate's version earmarked P140 billion for socioeconomic and health interventions. By B.N. Frank Like all wireless Smart devices, smart speakers emit harmful electromagnetic radiation which can make people and animals sick (see 1, 2, 3, 4. 5. 6. 7) AND increase their cancer risk (see 1. 2. 3, 4) while collecting data sometimes without users knowledge or consent. According to a recent report, smart speakers are always listening and ready to react when connected to Googles new home security system. From Protocol: Google speakers are listening to more than just voice commands. Using them for home security could supercharge Googles $450 million ADT deal. Janko Roettgers August 3, 2020 Last week, Reddit user Brazedowl received a curious notification on his phone: Google was telling him that a smoke detector in his home had gone off. Brazedowl, a teacher from North Carolina who goes by Drew in real life, knew about the smoke alarm he was at home himself and had just fried some sausages in his kitchen. But up until that moment, he had no idea that his smart speaker was able to detect such events. Google just made my dumb smoke detectors smart, he wrote on Reddit. Pretty rad. A Google spokesperson told Protocol that the feature was accidentally enabled for some users through a recent software update and has since been rolled back. But in light of Mondays news that Google invested $450 million acquiring a 6.6% stake in home security provider ADT, it may be a sign of things to come for Google, as it hints at the companys secret home security superpower: millions of smart speakers already in peoples homes. Once the deal closes, ADTs more than 20,000 installers will also sell Google-made smart displays, security cameras and other hardware, and ADT will more closely integrate Google technology into its own home security offerings. The goal is to give customers fewer false alarms, more ways to receive alarm events, and better detection of potential incidents inside and around the home, Google Nest VP and GM Rishi Chandra said in a blog post. Brazedowl wasnt the only Google smart speaker user receiving a possible preview of this kind of incident detection in recent days. Other Reddit users reported getting security alerts after breaking glassware, as well as some false alarms triggered by sounds like popped bubble wrap and high-frequency noises that could be confused with a smoke alarm. Google announced support for the detection of critical sounds for paying subscribers of its Nest Aware home security subscription service in May. Your Nest speakers and displays will notify you if a critical sound is detected, like a smoke alarm or glass breaking, by sending an alert to the Home app, the company wrote in a blog post. From there, you can hear an audio clip or listen live within the Home app to confirm the alarm. Night Curfew in Maharashtra: Check guidelines, rules; what is allowed, what is not allowed Mistakes of 2021 being repeated; unnecessary medication, tests should be avoided: Doctors tells Centre CBI registers FIR in Sushant Singh Rajputs case; ED summons Rhea Chakraborty India oi-Madhuri Adnal New Delhi, Aug 05: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Tuesday registered FIR and will begin the probe from today in connection with the death of Bollywood actor Sushant Singh Rajput, a day after Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar demanded such a probe. Sushant Singh death case: CBI to probe | Centre informs SC | Oneindia News Bihar police had registered a case of abetment to suicide, criminal conspiracy, cheating among other charges on a complaint from the family of the deceased actor. CBI probe into Sushant Singhs death to have far reaching effects The state government had sought a CBI probe into the matter, they said. The centre has forwarded the reference to the CBI which has decided to start the probe on its basis, officials said. According to the procedure, the CBI has the freedom to return the reference in case there are legal issues involved and may seek further clarification but sources in the know said the case will be taken up for investigation. Meanwhile ,the Enforcement Directorate which investigates money laundering and foreign exchange violations, has asked Bollywood actor Rhea Chakraborty to appear for questioning on Friday. Earlier ED had lodged a money laundering case against actress Rhea Chakraborty and her family members. Sushant Singh Rajput's family had accused Rhea of taking Rs 15 crore from the late actor. On Tuesday, the ED officials had recorded the statement of a chartered accountant of Chakraborty, Rajput's girlfriend in connection with the Sushant Singh Rajput death case. On Monday, political leaders cutting across party lines pushed for a CBI probe into the case in the Bihar assembly. Uddhav Thackeray, Nitish Kumar's counterpart in Maharashtra, where the actor died, and the western state's home minister Anil Deshmukh had both earlier ruled out a CBI probe. Sushant Singh Rajput death case handed over to CBI, Centre tells Supreme Court Earlier in the day, the Department of Personnel and Training issued a notification paving way for CBI probe in Bollywood actor death case, PTI reported. The development came hours after Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Centre, told the Supreme Court that it had accepted Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's request for a CBI probe. The Supreme Court sought a status report from Maharashtra Police on the investigation into Rajput's death. The SC bench, headed by Justice Hrishikesh Roy, also asked Maharashtra, Bihar and Rajput's father to file their replies on actor Rhea Chakraborty's petition seeking transfer of case from Patna to Mumbai. The actor's father, who also sought a CBI probe, had said on Monday he had filed a complaint with Mumbai Police in February claiming Rajput's life was in danger. The revelation came as Singh filed an FIR with Patna police, alleging Mumbai police of inaction even after 40 days of the actor's sudden death. The 34-year-old Rajput actor was found hanging from the ceiling of his apartment in suburban Bandra in Mumbai on June 14. On July 16, Rhea, who had once allegedly tweeted to the Union Home Minister seeking CBI probe into the matter, had on Tuesday opposed the Bihar government's move through her lawyer Satish Maneshinde by saying that the decision has no legal sanctity. On July 25, Rajput's father had lodged an FIR at Rajiv Nagar police station in Patna against Chakraborty and six others, including her family members, accusing them of abetting the actor's suicide. Binoy Viswam Member of Parliament (Rajya Sabha) 116, North Avenue New Delhi - 110 001 Mob: [...] E-mail: binoyviswam55[at]gmail.com Statement issued by Binoy Viswam, Leader of CPI Parliamentary Party & Secretary, National Council on PM Narendra Modias remarks at Ayodhya Prime Minister Narendra Modias remarks today at the events in Ayodhya are condemnable for the elected leader of a democratic and secular country like India. The Prime Minister has forgotten that he is the leader of the entire nation and not only of those who follow the RSS-BJP ideology. The tumultuous history of Ayodhya and its impact on the secular fabric of India warranted that the Prime Minister exercise restraint and maturity over the event today. Instead, the Prime Minister has chosen to gain political currency via his remarks and misused the platform to further his own communal agenda. In his speech, the Prime Minister has equated the pursuit of the Ram Mandir with the struggle for Indiaas independence and glorified acts that forever ruptured the secular fabric of India. It is distressing that the Prime Minister has forgotten the numerous people who lost their lives as a result of the communal fallout of this movement and its polarisation of communities in India. To invoke the thanks of the entire nation to those who sustained the Ramjanam Bhoomi movement is an attempt to whitewash the ills of the movement. It is another move to create an imagined homogeneity of the Indian people whose strengths lie in their diversity and coexistence. The secular and democratic people of the country reject this attempt by the Prime Minister. It is highly unfortunate that the events in Ayodhya were turned into a politico-religious spectacle with the ruling party using it as an opportunity to further its ideology. The Prime Minister appears to have forgotten that the country is in the midst of a crisis due to the Covid-19 pandemic in which 40,000 Indians have lost their lives. The abysmal state of the economy and the millions of people who have seen their livelihoods affected should be the focus of the Government. It is not surprising that the Government and ruling party is using this event as an opportunity to distract the people of India from real issues of life and livelihood. The BJP-RSS combine has benefitted from the politicisation of the Ram Mandir movement right from its conception and it is clear that even today they are continuing to extract it for all its political worth. Finally, the Prime Ministeras remarks and his presence in his official capacity as the head of the Indian Government marks a dark day for democracy and secularism in India. In a diverse and pluralistic country like India, where communal fault lines in society are being exacerbated every day, the decision of the head of the Government to lay the foundational stone at a site like Ayodhya is symbolic of the disregard the ruling party has for the constitutional values that shape our nation. Let us not forget that today marks a year since the abrogation of Article 370 and the devastation it continues to cause in the everyday lives of the people of Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh. In a democratic and secular country such as India, the presence and remarks of the Prime Minister at Ayodhya today must be condemned. Binoy Viswam Leader of CPI Parliamentary Party & Secretary, National Council Member, Standing Committee on Science and Technology, Environment, Forests and Climate Change Member, Consultative Committee on Environment, Forest and Climate Change The two presidents spoke over the phone on Wednesday. President Volodymyr Zelensky advocates extradition of a number of Russia's Wagner PMC troops, earlier detained in Belarus as local security officials say the group was set to destabilize the country amid the ongoing presidential election campaign. Zelensky voiced the extradition request during his Wednesday's talks with his Belarusian counterpart Alexander Lukashenko, the President's Office reports. The parties are reported to have discussed the recent detention of Wagner troops, noting cooperation in the context of handover to Ukraine of persons suspected of terrorist activities on its territory. The press service noted that Zelensky "is convinced that those involved in the actions of illegal [armed] groups in Donbas won't succeed in escaping fair punishment." "I hope that all suspects involved in terrorism on the Ukrainian soil will be handed over for prosecution in accordance with the current international legal agreements," Zelensky is quoted as saying. Read alsoBelarus asks Ukraine to check detained Russian Wagner PMC members' criminal record In addition, the parties discussed preparations for the third Forum of the Regions of Ukraine and Belarus, which will be held this fall. Zelensky thanked Lukashenko for humanitarian aid to the western regions affected by flooding. "The presidents also discussed the situation with the spread and overcoming the consequences of COVID-19 in the territory of both states," the statement said. Background There's nothing Michelle Underhill hates more than being told to "move on" with her life nearly five years after her four-year-old daughter Elle died in a head-on crash and her other daughter, Elaina, was seriously injured. "People say you move on, but you don't. Elle's death is not a limited event. It continues for us," said Ms Underhill, of Casino, in northern NSW. Michelle Underhill at the roadside memorial where her daughter, Elle, 4, was killed in a head-on crash near Casino in December 2015. Credit:Elise Derwin With two-thirds of the nation's 1182 fatalities in 2019 occurring on country roads, Ms Underhill said she was campaigning during Rural Road Safety Month for drivers to pay attention and stop thinking: "She'll be right". Newly published research has found the risk of having a serious injury in a head-on crash occurs at a much lower speed than previously found. ZURICH Switzerland is close to signing a deal to secure access for a coronavirus vaccine being developed by Moderna of the U.S., a government official has said. Switzerland will soon sign a reservation and supply deal, Pascal Strupler, the director of the Federal Office of Public Health, told the Swiss TV programme Club late on Tuesday. We are only a few hours away from completing a purchase contract. With this contract we will get it very quickly," Strupler said. He declined to give financial details of any deal. If the vaccine passes trials and is authorised for use, it could be produced in Switzerland under a deal between drugmaker Lonza and Moderna. Disclaimer: This post has been auto-published from an agency feed without any modifications to the text and has not been reviewed by an editor When Sarah OBrien injured her neck in a car accident in 2012, a doctor examining her medical scans happened to notice that she had nodules on her thyroid, a gland located just below the Adams apple on the front of the neck. At the time, she was 24 and had no idea what that even meant. Over the next eight years, after her neck injury was long forgotten, those nodules grew into a goiter-sized lump that protruded from her neck and caused a range of symptoms, including explosive anger, fatigue, muscle weakness and hot flashes. Medications helped some, but the best available treatment option was the surgical removal of the thyroid, an important gland that secretes hormones controlling the bodys metabolism. She kept putting off the surgery hoping that a better option would emerge. Finally, it did. Earlier this year, OBrien became the first patient at Stanford Health Care to undergo a nonsurgical treatment, recently approved by the Food & Drug Administration for benign thyroid nodules, called radio-frequency ablation. Its definitely helped a lot, OBrien said three months after the procedure. The hot flashes are gone and the goiter on my neck is significantly smaller. A safe, less invasive way The procedure, which has been used for years to treat benign thyroid tumors in Korea, Italy, Brazil and a handful of other countries, involves inserting a thin, needle-like probe through the skin of the neck into the troublesome nodule, said Julia Noel, MD, assistant professor of otolaryngology at Stanford. The probe is activated via a foot pedal, triggering radio waves that send an electrical current through the probe; the heat then destroys tissue of the nodule. Its based on radio-wave technology that has already been used in the U.S. to treat bone, lung, liver and kidney tumors, Noel said. It allows us a safe, less invasive way to intervene on a benign thyroid nodule thats causing problems without the risks of surgery and the need for hormone therapy caused by its removal. Thyroid nodules are lumps in or on the thyroid gland. They are relatively common, and, in most cases, their cause is unknown, Noel said. About 50% of people in the U.S. over the age of 60 have at least one nodule. The vast majority of nodules more than 90% are benign. Still, benign nodules can wreak havoc, she said. They need to be watched in case they grow and start pushing on important structures. They can also become unsightly goiters, which are groupings of several nodules that bulge from the neck. Some nodules can become toxic, like OBriens, secreting unwanted hormones that can cause a variety of symptoms, including a racing heart, difficulty sleeping, anxiety and irritability. -- U.S. President Donald Trump sets Sept. 15 as the deadline for TikTok purchase. Otherwise, he will shut down the app in the United States. -- The video-sharing app is owned by China-based company ByteDance. It has about 70 million monthly active users in the U.S. -- For weeks, the Trump administration has repeatedly targeted the company, citing concerns over the privacy and security of its American users. TikTok has refuted these allegations and said it faced plagiarism and smears from competitor Facebook. BEIJING, Aug. 4 (Xinhua) -- Facing threats of a U.S. ban and smears by rival Facebook, popular video-sharing app TikTok is compelled to respond to what observers describe as an effort to rip up the Chinese-owned firm and reap their own commercial, political benefits, and monopolize the tech economy. In a statement issued Monday, ByteDance, owner of the video platform, said in the course of becoming a global firm, it has "faced all kinds of complex and unimaginable difficulties, including the tense international political environment, collision and conflict of different cultures and plagiarism and smears from competitor Facebook." The company vows to strive for its vision of globalization, strictly abide by local laws, and actively safeguard its legitimate interests and rights. PROOF OF PLAGIARISM Bytedance's allegations of plagiarism against Facebook have two aspects, said Zhang Xiaorong, an internet market analyst in Beijing. Facebook launched a knockoff app named Lasso in 2018, but it soon failed. In November last year, Facebook launched Instagram Reels, which also bears highly identical features as TikTok, and is spending hugely to promote the app in several countries, Zhang said. Facebook has promoted the new app in Brazil, France, Germany and more recently in India, he said. TikTok CEO Kevin Mayer mentioned the two copycat products in an article on the company website last week. "At TikTok we welcome competition. We think fair competition makes all of us better. To those who wish to launch competitive products, we say bring it on. Facebook is even launching another copycat product, Reels (tied to Instagram), after their other copycat Lasso failed quickly," Mayer wrote. Mayer slammed Facebook's "maligning attacks" disguised as patriotism to drive TikTok out of the United States. He added the company is willing to take all necessary steps to ensure its long-term availability and success. "Facebook has fared rather poorly in the field of short videos, and it then launched the two apps which resemble TikTok. The logic and facts speak volumes of copying. Even Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg did not deny it himself," said Huang Yuanpu, founder of EqualOcean, a leading tech-media and investment research company in China. The logo of TikTok is displayed on the screen of a smartphone on a computer screen background in Arlington, Virginia, the United States, Aug. 3, 2020. (Xinhua/Liu Jie) THREATS LAID BARE The U.S. government threatened to ban TikTok video app Monday under the pretext of maintaining a free and fair market as well as national security concerns, a pretense widely used to discriminate against Chinese companies and investment. Speaking to reporters at the White House briefing, U.S. President Donald Trump confirmed that he is open to a deal in which Microsoft Corp. or other U.S. companies buy one of the most popular video-sharing apps. He set Sept. 15 as the deadline for TikTok to find a U.S. buyer or face shutdown in the country. "The fate of the platform remains uncertain, but one thing is clear: Banning it would upturn fundamental principles of democracy," wrote Nicholas Thompson, editor in chief of Wired, in an article titled "The Rank Hypocrisy of a TikTok Ban" Monday. "It's a rare feat to upturn two such fundamental democratic values -- free speech and free markets -- at the same time," Thompson said. Beneath the excuse of national security lies the true intent for political and commercial gains, analysts say. "The tricks used by the U.S. against firms like TikTok reflect a deep-rooted prejudice against China," said Luo Yihang, founder of Pingwest, a tech consulting firm. "Flagrant suppression of rivals and containment will eventually undermine commercial innovation in the United States in the long run and it will surely block technological exchanges between the two countries," he said. OUTPOUR OF ANGER Washington's TikTok ban has sparked outrage among more than 70 million monthly active users of the app in the United States. A hashtag #savetiktok2020 was seen trending, and videos with the hashtag #ban had more than 620 million views by Sunday night on TikTok. Many users have grown to rely on the platform for building a career in social media and earn a living. Since September 2018, TikTok usage among adults in the United States has increased exponentially, doubling and reaching 14.3 million in just six months, recording the third-highest number of downloads in the world. As of April, the app has been downloaded more than 2 billion times worldwide on both the Apple App Store and Google Play. The firm's U.S. job growth has already nearly tripled this year, surging from almost 500 employees on Jan. 1 to just under 1,400. "We're not planning on going anywhere," said TikTok's U.S. General Manager Vanessa Pappas, who thanked American users for their "outpouring of support" in a video posted on its official TikTok account. "When it comes to safety and security, we're building the safest app because we know it's the right thing to do ... We're here for the long run. Continue to share your voice here and let's stand for TikTok," said Pappas. For weeks, the Trump administration has repeatedly targeted the company, citing concerns over the privacy and security of its American users. TikTok has refuted the allegations saying it has an American CEO and that its servers are in the United States. In a statement Wednesday, CEO Kevin Mayer said, "we are not political, we do not accept political advertising and have no agenda -- our only objective is to remain a vibrant, dynamic platform for everyone to enjoy." "Without TikTok, American advertisers would again be left with few choices. Competition would dry up and so too will an outlet for America's creative energy," Mayer said. More than a quarter of staff have been quarantined One of Belgium's biggest meat processing plants has sent 225 staff home to quarantine Wednesday after a cluster of coronavirus cases was discovered, the firm and the local mayor said. Abbatoirs and meat-packing plants have become infection hotspots in other countries as the world deals with the epidemic and the big Westvlees facility in Staden, in northwest Belgium is now under close watch. According to a Westvlees spokesman, Manuel Goderis, a number of cases of COVID-19 infection were discovered in recent days in the pork-cutting section of the plant, which employs 225 of the more than 800 workers on site. "We decided not to take any risks and to test all the employees of this production unit and to put them in quarantine," he said. The workers were tested on Wednesday and results are expected on Thursday. The bourgmestre or mayor of Staden, Francesco Vanderjeugd, told AFP that six confirmed cases had been reported earlier in the day and that the number had risen to 18 within hours, even as mass testing was ordered. Two of the initial six cases were cross-border workers from France, two came from Staden and two from elsewhere in West Flanders, he added. Westvlees is one of Europe's biggest producers of fresh and processed pork. It butchers 1.4 million pigs per year and supplies 140,000 tonnes of meat to clients worldwide. Belgium has one of the highest per capita rates of COVID-19 in the world and infection rates are again rising after earlier success in bringing the epidemic under control. Out of a population of around 11 million, 9,852 have died. Explore further Follow the latest news on the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak 2020 AFP Oil prices fell for the first time in four days on Wednesday, pulling back from as much as five-month highs as mounting coronavirus cases worldwide and in the United States undercut market confidence in a pickup in fuel demand. Brent crude was down 16 cents, or 0.4%, at $44.27 a barrel by 0117 GMT. It finished 0.6% higher on Wednesday - the highest close since March 6. West Texas Intermediate oil was down 17 cents, or 0.4%, at $41.53 a barrel. The contract ended Tuesday trading 1.7% higher, its highest close since late July. Coronavirus cases continue rising in the United States, and deaths are at more than a 1,000 a day, while dozens of states have had to pause or scale back plans to reopen their economies. Still, talks between Democrats in Congress and the White House on a new package of coronavirus relief started moving in the right direction, although the two sides remain far apart. 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 U.S. factory data this week also showed an improvement in orders, which some analysts saw as offering relief to concerns about risks to any recovery. "Oil could be ready to test the upper boundaries of its recently tight range," said Edward Moya, senior market analyst, at OANDA. In the near term, though, traders shrugged off data showing a big fall in crude oil inventories in the U.S., normally enough to spur a rally in prices. Crude inventories were down by 8.6 million barrels in the week to Aug. 1 to 520 million barrels, compared with analysts' expectations for a drop of 3 million barrels. Official figures from the U.S. Department of Energy are due out later on Wednesday. You are here: World Flash At least 17 travellers were killed and one missing after a boat capsized in a wetland in Bangladesh's Netrokona district, some 158 km north of the capital Dhaka on Wednesday, a senior police official said. "The bodies of 17 travellers have already been recovered," AKM Monirul Islam, the district's additional police chief, told Xinhua over mobile phone. The boat capsized in inclement weather at around noon on Wednesday, he added. According to the official, the boat was carrying 48 travellers. "Thirty travellers managed to swim ashore after the boat capsized," he said. Search and rescue efforts were underway by the Fire Service and Civil Defence and other authorities to find the only missing person, Islam added. By PTI NEW DELHI: The Delhi High Court Wednesday sought response of the police on a plea by a member of Pinjra Tod, a women's collective, seeking bail on a case related to the communal violence in north east Delhi during protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act in February. Justice Suresh Kumar Kait issued notice to the Delhi Police on the plea challenging a trial court's order which had dismissed the bail application of JNU student Devangana Kalita. The high court listed the matter for further hearing on August 14. Kalita and another member of the group Natasha Narwal were arrested in the case in May by the Crime Branch of the Delhi police and booked under various sections of the Indian Penal Code including rioting, unlawful assembly and attempt to murder. They have also been booked under the stringent anti-terror law - Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act in a separate case related to the communal violence, for allegedly being part of a "premeditated conspiracy" in the riots. Communal clashes had broken out in northeast Delhi on February 24 after violence between citizenship law supporters and protesters spiralled out of control leaving at least 53 people dead and around 200 injured. In all, four cases have been registered against her, including in relation to the northeast Delhi riots earlier this year and violence in old Delhi''s Daryaganj area during protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) in December last year. Kalita has secured bail in two cases -- Daryaganj and one north east Delhi matter. On June 14, a trial court had dismissed Kalita's bail plea on the ground that there was no merit in the application and that it was amply clear from the charge sheet that the investigation was still pending and it has been filed against other accused persons also. It had said that considering the investigation so far and the nature of the offence and the role being ascribed to the accused, there were no reasons at all to grant bail. The trial court was informed that the charge sheet has been filed against 10 persons in the case and investigation qua the accused persons was still being done. Pinjra Tod (Break the Cage) was founded in 2015 with an aim to make hostels and paying guest accommodations less restrictive for women students. Phase 1 study will evaluate safety and immunogenicity in Chinese participants to support potential regulatory approval pathway in China Total of 144 participants to be enrolled in two age groups (18-55 and >55 years) Trial participants to receive either 10g or 30g of BNT162 or a placebo Clinical supply from BioNTech's GMP-certified mRNA production facilities in Europe MAINZ, Germany, and SHANGHAI, China, Aug. 05, 2020("Fosun Pharma" or "Group"; Stock Symbol: 600196.SH, 02196.HK), today announced that the first 72 participants have already been dosed with BNT162b1 following IND approval by the Chinese regulatory authority, National Medical Products Administration (NMPA). BioNTech and Fosun Pharma are jointly developing the COVID-19 vaccine candidate in China. The trial is part of BioNTech's global development program aimed at supporting a global supply upon regulatory approval. The randomized, placebo-controlled, observer-blinded Phase 1 clinical trial in China will enroll 144 healthy subjects to evaluate the safety and immunogenicity of the vaccine as well as to confirm dose selection. The first group of subjects immunized in Stage 1 of the study will be healthy adults aged 18 to 55 years, followed by elderly healthy participants (>55 years). As part of the two-dose cohort design, subjects will receive two injections (prime-boost), 21 days apart, of 10g or 30g of the vaccine candidate or placebo. The dose range selection was determined based on early data from clinical trials conducted in Germany and the United States. The participants will be dosed in Taizhou Clinical Phase1 Center, Jiangsu province. The study is designed to support the regulatory approval process for the Chinese market and intends to confirm that the safety and immunogenicity profile observed in participants from the German and US trials is comparable to that of Chinese participants. The ongoing clinical studies conducted in Germany and the United States will continue to support studies in China. "We are proud to be among the first international biopharmaceutical companies to initiate a clinical trial of a COVID-19 vaccine candidate in China as part of our effort to make our vaccine available globally, if approved. This is an important step toward our goal to reach marketing authorization and ensure vaccine supply in China to help prevent new COVID-19 outbreaks in the most populous country in the world," said CEO and Co-founder of BioNTech, Ugur Sahin. Ai-Min Hui, President of Global R&D, and Chief Medical Officer of Fosun Pharma said: "Dosing the first Chinese subject with BNT162b1 marks a milestone of the global co-development program in China. We are closely working with BioNTech and regulatory authorities to evaluate the safety and efficacy of BNT162b1 and other mRNA vaccine candidates, in order to synchronize the development process in China with other countries, and to bring the vaccine to public as soon as possible, if the vaccine succeeds." Following on from the ongoing Phase 1/2 studies in Germany and the United States, the Chinese study will initially evaluate nucleoside-modified messenger RNA (modRNA) candidate BNT162b1, one of two vaccine candidates based on BioNTech's proprietary mRNA technology to have received FDA Fast Track designation in the United States. Meanwhile, BNT162b2, the other vaccine candidate is currently being evaluated in a global Phase 2b/3 trial conducted by BioNTech and Pfizer which commenced on July 27th. The companies also intend to explore the possibility of initiating clinical development of other vaccine candidates based on BioNTech's proprietary mRNA technology in China. During the clinical development stage, BioNTech will provide the clinical supply of the vaccine from its GMP-certified mRNA manufacturing facilities in Europe. If the vaccine receives marketing authorization in China, Fosun Pharma will exclusively commercialize the vaccine in Mainland China, Hong Kong and Macau Special Administration Regions and in Taiwan. About BioNTech Biopharmaceutical New Technologies is a next generation immunotherapy company pioneering novel therapies for cancer and other serious diseases. The Company exploits a wide array of computational discovery and therapeutic drug platforms for the rapid development of novel biopharmaceuticals. Its broad portfolio of oncology product candidates includes individualized and off-the-shelf mRNA-based therapies, innovative chimeric antigen receptor T cells, bi-specific checkpoint immuno-modulators, targeted cancer antibodies and small molecules. Based on its deep expertise in mRNA vaccine development and in-house manufacturing capabilities, BioNTech and its collaborators are developing multiple mRNA vaccine candidates for a range of infectious diseases alongside its diverse oncology pipeline. BioNTech has established a broad set of relationships with multiple global pharmaceutical collaborators, including Genmab, Sanofi, Bayer Animal Health, Genentech, a member of the Roche Group, Genevant, Fosun Pharma, and Pfizer. For more information, please visit www.BioNTech.de . About Fosun Pharma Founded in 1994, Shanghai Fosun Pharmaceutical (Group) Co., Ltd. ("Fosun Pharma"; stock code: 600196.SH, 02196.HK) is a leading healthcare group in China. Fosun Pharma has built a strong root in China and developed a global operation strategy, with pharmaceutical manufacturing and R&D being the largest and core business segment, together with strong presences in medical devices and diagnostics, healthcare services, pharmaceutical distribution and retail. With R&D innovation as core driving factor, Fosun Pharma continues to optimize its pharmaceutical operations across both innovative and generic drugs. The company has established international R&D centers for excellence in areas such as innovative small molecule drugs, high-value generic drugs, biologics, and cell therapy. Under guidance of our 4IN strategy (Innovation, Internationalization, Integration and Intelligentization), Fosun Pharma follows the brand concept of Innovation for Good Health and strives to be a leading enterprise in the global pharmaceutical and healthcare markets. For more information, please visit: www.fosunpharma.com BioNTech's Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains "forward-looking statements" of BioNTech within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements may include, but may not be limited to, BioNTech's efforts to combat COVID-19; the timing to initiate clinical trials of BNT162 and anticipated publication of data from these clinical trials; the collaboration between BioNTech and Fosun Pharma, to develop a potential COVID-19 vaccine; and the ability of BioNTech to supply the quantities of BNT162 to support clinical development and, if approved, market demand. Any forward-looking statements in this press release are based on BioNTech management's current expectations and beliefs of future events, and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially and adversely from those set forth in or implied by such forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to: competition to create a vaccine for COVID-19. For a discussion of these and other risks and uncertainties, see BioNTech's Annual Report on Form 20-F filed with the SEC on March 31, 2020, which is available on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov . All information in this press release is as of the date of the release, and BioNTech undertakes no duty to update this information unless required by law. BioNTech Contacts Media Relations Jasmina Alatovic +49 Investor Relations Sylke Maas, Ph.D. +49 Fosun Pharma Media Contact Barney Liu +86 SALT LAKE CITY, UT / ACCESSWIRE / August 4, 2020 / Northern Minerals & Exploration Ltd. (OTC PINK:NMEX) is pleased to provide the following update on NMEX's Winnemucca Gold & Silver Property. Recent field sampling has returned high grade surface assays of up to 5.3 g/t gold and 180 g/t silver on an area of Winnemucca Mountain not previous inspected by the company. The following assays are from grab samples taken from historic workings on Winnemucca Mountain. Assay results are: Sample # Au ppm* Ag ppm* M19-01 5.390 180.0 M19-02 1.165 244.0 M19-03 3.820 85.7 M19-05 0.763 37.5 M19-06 2.320 68.3 M19-07 0.115 19.1 M19-08 5.330 403.0 M19-09 0.378 30.2 M19-10 0.289 7.2 M19-11 3.310 28.5 M19-12 5.780 176.0 M19-13 0.440 30.0 *1ppm = 1 gram This area of the Winnemucca Mountain covers many historic workings including the Pride of the Mountain, 3A Hill, Gossan tunnel and Gold Hill. From initial mapping by the company of the area of the Pride zone vein system alone appears to be about 1500 feet long and up to 200 feet wide. The addition of the Gossan Tunnel zone to the northwest effectively doubles the strike length. With historical newspaper records discussing the numerous shallow high grade gold and silver mining operations in this area NMEX could find no evidence of recent exploration. Based on the high grade assays received by NMEX additional claims have been staked to cover this area of Winnemucca Mountain increasing our land position to over 2800 acres. NMEX plans are to aggressively target this and other areas of Winnemucca Mountain to define further drills targets and continue exploration to evaluate areas of the mountain as potential mineable deposits especially with the current gold and silver prices Noel Schaefer, COO of NMEX, stated, "With prices for gold and silver continuing to strengthen, increasing our land position and focus on our Nevada gold property we at NMEX look to increase value for our shareholders. Story continues Gold closed on Monday, August 3, 2020 at $1,976.87 per ounce. Some analysts speculate gold could go to $3,000 within the next 18 months. About Winnemucca Gold & Silver Property: The Winnemucca Mountain Gold and Silver Property covers an area of over 2,800 acres, located in Humboldt County, in northwestern Nevada. Humboldt County is the second largest gold producing county in the United States and hosts numerous past and producing gold mines. The Property is located near the northern end of the highly productive Battle Mountain-Eureka mineral trend and is underlain by Triassic sediments cut by several phases of Cretaceous- Jurassic intrusives and Tertiary volcanic rocks. These deposits, along with the Sleeper, Sulphur-Hycroft, Goldbanks, Blue Mountain, Sandman, and other precious metals deposits located along the western splays and associated fault-fracture zones of the mid-Miocene (Tertiary) Northern Nevada Rift, define an important epithermal province in northwestern Nevada NMEX has an option to acquire an 80% interest in the Winnemucca Gold and Silver Property in Humboldt County, Northern Nevada. For further information on NMEX please go to www.northernmineralsexploration.com or www.sec.gov. About NMEX: Northern Minerals & Exploration ("NMEX") is an emerging publicly traded company focused on oil and gas exploration & production, gold & silver exploration in Nevada & real estate development projects in Mexico. Contact: Noel Schaefer Phone: 801-885-9260 Email: cerronrs@msn.com Forward Looking Statements: Statements which are not historical facts contained in this release are forward looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to, the effect of economic conditions, the impact of competition, the results of financing efforts, changes in consumers' preferences and trends. The words "estimate," "possible," "seeking," and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements, which speak only to the date the statement was made. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, because of new information, future events, or otherwise. Future events and actual results may differ materially from those set forth herein, contemplated by, or underlying the forward-looking statements. The information herein is subject to change without notice. Northern Minerals & Exploration Ltd. shall not be liable for technical or editorial errors or omissions contained herein. SOURCE: Northern Minerals & Exploration Ltd. View source version on accesswire.com: https://www.accesswire.com/600137/NMEX-Samples-Surface-High-Grade-and-Increases-Land-Position-on-Nevada-Gold-Property The Tuesday afternoon (August 4) Harness Racing program at Running Aces was full of sharp performances and winning favorites, but two such top crowd picks stood out above the rest. The first was two-year-old Something To Me, a daughter of JK Endofanera who dazzled the crowd with an on-the-front victory that was nothing short of spectacular. Favoured to win at 6-5 and off of a daudeling opening half mile of 1:00.4, driver Darrel Wright activated his filly into high gear and she took off. She posted a third panel in :27.4 and final half mile in :55.4 to draw away by five lengths over May Day Maggie and stop the timer in a lifetime-best 1:56.3 for her third win in five outings in the $6,000 event, a Two-Year-Old Open. Something To Me ($4.60) is owned and trained by Tony Huffman. The other standout performance of the day was turned in by one of the most successful trotters to ever step onto the Minnesota oval, the stallion Banker Volo. At age 11, he is racing at the same meet where many of his first crop of freshman offspring are also starting their racing careers. In his fifth trip to the gate of 2020, and with driver Nick Roland, he dominated a nice field of conditioned trotters to post a three-length tally in 1:57.3 for his 43rd win and pushed his career bankroll to $487,317. Jenni King is the conditioner for Banker Volo and the winning owner is Jeralene Roland. Driver Nick Roland led the program with a natural Hat Trick and Dean Magee scored a driving double. Trainer Jenni King had two winners on the card. Live Racing returns to Running Aces on Saturday (Aug. 8) with first post at 1:00 p.m. (CDT) and will feature a Carryover in the 50 cent Hi-5 wager of $4,657.09. (Running Aces) WHITE LAKE TOWNSHIP, MI - A professional poker player whose burned body was found at a Michigan recreation area last month apparently met the suspect charged with her murder at a motel. Jeffery Bernard Morris, 60, of Pontiac, was arraigned Tuesday, Aug. 4, on the charge of first-degree premeditated murder, The Detroit News reports. He is suspected of killing 33-year-old Susie Susie Q Zhao, a professional poker player who had recently moved to Michigan to live with her mother. Zhaos burned body was found on July 13 near a trail head at Pontiac Lake State Recreation Area in White Lake Township, Oakland County. Police now believe that Zhao met Morris at a motel the night before her body was found, Detective Lt. Chris Hild said during a news conference. Police have not yet identified a motive for the alleged murder but have ruled out a connection to Zhaos poker career, police said. Morris is described by police as a transient, homeless, convicted sex offender. He was arrested on Friday, July 31. Cell phone records review by local and FBI investigators led to the belief that Morris and Zhao met at a Waterford Township motel where Zhao had stayed on several other occasions, police said. The relationship if any between the victim and suspect is not yet known. Clarkston District Judge Kelley Kostin denied bond Friday due to the severity of the crimes and set a probable cause for Aug. 18. The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information about this case is asked to contact the FBI at 1-800-CALLFBI or submit tips online to tips.fbi.gov. READ MORE 3 prisoners attempt escape while 2 distract corrections officers 2 charged in deadly crash while fleeing police Vehicle allegedly doing donuts pins Detroit Police officer Suspect charged with torturing teen girls now accused of sex crimes Northern Michigan man allegedly sexually assaulted girlfriends daughter A senior Mumbai police official has claimed that the IPS brother-in-law of Sushant Singh Rajput had asked him to call the actor's girlfriend Rhea Chakraborty to police station and pressurise her. Deputy Commissioner of Police Paramjitsingh Dahiya told a TV channel that OP Singh, brother-in-law of Rajput and senior IPS officer of Haryana police, had made the request in February this year. Read: Sushant Singh Rajput's Brother-in-law Made Informal Request to Pressurise Rhea Chakraborty: Mumbai Police Official Actor Dino Morea rubbished reports that claimed he had hosted a party at his residence on the night of June 13, where late actor Sushant Singh Rajput was present along with several high-profile guests. "There was never any such gathering at my residence, pls get your facts right before making these allegations. DO NOT drag my name into this as I have no connection whatsoever with this," Dino wrote on his official Twitter handle, @DinoMorea9. Read: Dino Morea Denies Hosting Sushant Singh Rajput At House Party: Do Not Drag My Name Into This The Kapil Sharma Show this weekend will host family members of the stars of the comedy show. Kapil will be seen hosting Parmeet Sethi, Kashmera Shah and Priyanka Sharda, better halves of Archana Puran Singh, Krushna Abhishek and Kiku Sharda. Kashmera will be talking about her first interaction with Krushna and making fun of his English. She shares, "We were introduced and I asked him 'What's your forthcoming film?' And Krushna answered, 'Not fourth, my third film is releasing." Read: Kashmera Shah Makes Fun of Krushna Abhishek, Kiku Sharda Appears as Real Self on Kapil Sharma's Show Three officers of the vigilance unit of the Uttar Pradesh power department, including the father of Bollywood actress Disha Patani, have tested positive for coronavirus. Jagdish Patani and the two other officers have tested positive for COVID-19, Additional CMO Ashok Kumar said on Wednesday. The three officers were investigating a transformer scam, he said. Disha Patani's father is a deputy SP in the vigilance unit of the state power department here. Read: Disha Patani's Father, Two Officers Test Covid-19 Positive Late actor Sushant Singh Rajputs film Dil Bechara has got an overwhelming response from audiences. Now, more than ten days after the release of the film on Disney + Hotstar, the makers of the film have uploaded a new song Maskhari from the movie. Mukesh Chhabra, the director of Dil Bechara, shared a short clip of the song on Instagram. Posting the clip, he wrote, Maskhari song out. Read: Dil Becharas Maskhari Song Out, Sushant Singh Rajput will Leave You in Splits BETHEL The district plans to slowly start the academic year, with K-12 students beginning school with the hybrid model and some grades later transitioning to full-time. After a few weeks, elementary and middle school students will attend school in-person, while high school students will stay with the hybrid model. Preschool students will attend in-person four days a week for the first few weeks and then switch to five days. Families may still choose to keep their students on distance learning full-time, with parents urged to stick to that decision for a trimester or semester, depending on grade level. Superintendent Christine Carver said this plan will allow students, teachers and staff to phase into the year and work out any kinks with the return to the classrooms. It kind of gives us a buffer to see how it's working, if there are any mitigation strategies that might need to be tweaked, she told the school board during Wednesdays meeting. The elementary schools will be under the hybrid model from the first day of school on Sept. 8 until the full reopening on Sept. 29. That is also when preschool students will go to five days a week in-person. Bethel Middle Schools full reopening will start Oct. 5. Some students with disabilities will attend four days a week initially and then five days a week beginning Sept. 29. The high school will remain on the hybrid model because it is harder to keep these students in one group a practice called cohorting that is key to plans at the elementary and middle schools, the district said. Transmission rates are also higher among teens than younger students, the district said. Elementary school students struggle more with distance learning than older students, which was among the reasons to bring them back to the classroom full-time, Carver said. Depending on the grade, students can be kept 5.5 to 6 feet apart in the elementary classrooms and 4.5 to 5 feet apart in middle school classrooms. Guidelines are different for preschool students than the rest of the school population. These students are not required to wear masks, and class sizes are limited to 14 kids or less. Bethel has nowhere near 14 students in a class, Carver said. The Parks and Recreation Department will provide day care at Berry Elementary School for a fee for the children of school employees. About 30 children are expected so far, Carver said. The districts plan could change based on health conditions in the community, so families must be prepared to switch between any of the models, Carver said. We might be having a different conversation in a couple weeks based on all those metrics and all those factors, she said. With the hybrid model, one group of students will go to school Mondays and Tuesdays while the rest are on distance learning. The schools will be cleaned Wednesdays before the groups switch on Thursday and Friday. Families will learn by the end of the week whether they are in group A or B. After the governor told districts last week that they were not required to start school fully in-person, some area schools have opted for the hybrid model. Brookfield and Danbury picked the hybrid option. The latter is one of the largest school districts in the state, and administrators said buildings would be too crowded if all students returned. Factors like Bethels ventilation systems, which are in better shape than many other districts, help the town, Carver said. Please note, you can not compare reopening plans between districts as factors such as enrollment patterns, resources, and age of buildings (ventilation systems) are critically important and individual to the local level, Carver said in her letter to families. Districts also need to consider the risk factors of keeping students at home when making that decision. Everyone needs to cool off on a scorching summer day, even chimpanzees. Where do the primates go on sizzling days when woodlands and forests dont provide respite from the heat? Caves. But not just any chimps. New research shows that on Senegals savannas, home to a population of chimpanzees that has long fascinated scientists for their distinct behaviors, youre more likely to find mama chimps than adult males or non-lactating females hiding out in cool caves. Their visits coincided with the hottest times of day and became more frequent during the hottest months of the year, according to the study published last month in the International Journal of Primatology. They also made these visits despite the risks of encounters with predators, showing how important the locations are for helping them survive and bring up babies in a challenging landscape that is threatened by human activities. In southeastern Senegal, temperatures spike to 110 degrees Fahrenheit and fires burn large parts of the landscape over a seven-month dry season. Several natural cave formations pock the terrain, and they can be up to 55 degrees cooler than the surrounding grasslands. The region is also home to the northernmost population of western chimpanzees, a critically endangered subspecies that mostly lives in large swathes of open grasslands and woodlands in this area. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Apriadi Gunawan (The Jakarta Post) Medan Wed, August 5, 2020 15:48 531 6657ac82168da9fa101c8a4066bc3008 1 National Medan,Medan-Kota-Police,blasphemy,North-Sumatra,quran Free A panel of judges at the Medan District Court in North Sumatra has handed down a three-year imprisonment for a 44-year-old man after finding him guilty of blasphemy for having desecrated the Quran at a mosque earlier this year. "[We] sentence defendant Doni Irawan Malay to three years in prison," presiding judge Tengku Oyong said while reading out the verdict on Tuesday. The punishment was one year lighter than the prosecutor's demand, as the court said the defendant had behaved politely during the trial. Doni was charged under Article 156 of the Criminal Code on religious defamation. Both the defendant and prosecutor Nur Ainun accepted the verdict. In the previous hearings, prosecutors said Doni had committed a blasphemous act by tearing out pages from the Quran he took from Al-Mashum Mosque in Medan Kota district on Feb. 13. "The defendant removed the cover from the Quran, threw it into a garbage bin inside the ablution room and then proceeded to tear out pages from the Quran with both of his hands." They said Doni then exited the mosque and threw the ripped Quran pages onto the streets before running away. He was later caught by locals and reported to Medan Kota Police. In 2018, the Medan District Court had also sentenced police officer Brig. Tommy Daniel Patar Hutabarat to 16 months in prison for shredding and dumping copies of the Quran into the gutter. He, too, was found guilty of blasphemy and charged under Article 156 of the Criminal Code. (vny) PLAINFIELD, IL Village residents can satiate their sweet tooth with a very unique food truck on Thursday. My Funnel will be selling some of its most scrumptious treats from 5-8 p.m. in the Wesmere neighborhood. Christine Stancliff, owner of the food truck, said they were asked by the Homeowner Association to visit Plainfield. This is their first time here, and she is "very excited" to be serving her hot funnel cakes. "We will carry your favorite fair foods -funnel cakes, deep-fried Oreos, ice cream, and fresh squeezed lemonades," she said. Guests can also enjoy one of their most popular items the Maple Bacon Funnel Cake which comes with a cake covered in maple frosting, fried bacon and whipped cream. Stancliff said the customers have to abide by the CDC recommendations and wear masks when ordering. They also need to socially distance, and she said they have a cone system in place to help with that. Each person will be required to stand by a cone which is 6 feet away from the next one. "At most of our stops this summer, crowds have been amazing about keep the distance and wearing masks," she said. Stancliff said they are the only funnel cake food truck in Illinois. She had been selling cakes for almost a decade before starting the truck in 2018, to ensure more people could see "how good our funnel cakes are." She said navigating the coronavirus pandemic has been "very challenging," as most of the big events they usually went to got canceled. "But we are still able to go out and help smaller crowds and see those smiling faces when they get their funnel cakes," Stancliff said. For more information on what they offer, visit the website or their Facebook page. 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 Tamil Nadu's Directorate of Government Examinations (DGE) is gearing up to release the Tamil Nadu SSLC class 10th results 2020 in the coming days. The DGE has announced that results will not displayed in schools due to coronavirus pandemic and will be available on DGE's official websites - dge.tn.gov.in, dge1.tn.nic.in, tnresults.nic.in. The results will also be available on alternative websites like - dge2.tn.nic.in, manabadi.co.in, schools9.com. Here's how you can check your Tamil Nadu SSLC Class 10 results 2020 online: 1. Visit the official website- tnresults.nic.in 2. Click on the link of 'SSLC Exam - March 2020 Results' 3. Enter the registration number and date-of-birth 4. The result will appear on the screen. Check for any discrepancy 5. Save and download the result 6. Take a print copy of the same and secure it for future The Tamil Nadu SSLC Result 2020 can also be accessed via an app. All the students need to do is download the TN SSLC Result app on their smartphone. To check their scorecard, visit the Results link in the app and enter credentials like Date of Birth and registration number and submit details. The Tamil Nadu class 10th SSLC Results 2020 will appear on the screen. The Tamil Nadu Class 10 exams that held between March 27 to April 13 and around 9 lakh students appeared for the exam. The Tamil Nadu's DGE has decided that 80% weightage will be given to marks in quarterly and half-yearly assessment tests, 20% weightage will be given to attendance. It may be recalled that Tamil Nadu Board Class 12 Results 2020 was announced on July 16. They are seeking an urgent meeting with Taoiseach Micheal Martin after last night's announcement. According to the association "These new closing times for restaurants will make thousands of businesses unviable and place tens of thousands of jobs at risk. "With this new curfew, the Government has cut 90mins to 150mins of trading time for restaurants who normally close at between midnight and 1am. They have a further issue with how the new measure was conveyed because there was no prior discussion with the Restaurants Association of Ireland in advance of the announcement. New Closing Times for Restaurants will make thousands of businesses unviable and place tens of thousands of jobs at risk. @RAI_ie seeking urgent meeting with Taoiseach @MichealMartinTD #RestaurantSurvival@adriancummins @PresidentRAI https://t.co/3n2xZo2bQW Advertisement Restaurants Association of Ireland (@RAI_ie) August 5, 2020 Adrian Cummins, chief executive of the Restaurants Association of Ireland, described the decision as bizarre and out of the blue: This new 11pm curfew is a body blow to the restaurant sector. Restaurants are now one of the safest social outlets in the country and by closing restaurants at 11pm, it will drive people to impromptu house parties. "The loss of an hour will be the difference to people making wrong decisions and will affect the economics of viable businesses. This announcement will have a serious impact for staycation businesses in Ireland. As well as a new curfew for pubs and restaurants, the government also announced that pubs without a licence to serve food will remain closed until a review in three weeks' time. Bars, nightclubs and casinos will also stay closed and there will also be no change to restrictions on indoor and outdoor gatherings 50 can meet indoors and 200 outdoors. Face coverings will also be mandatory in shops and shopping centres from August 10th. A European Union flag and a German national flag fly over the Reichstag building in Berlin, Germany, on May 25, 2011. (Johannes Eisele/AFP via Getty Images) German Official Calls for EU Unity in Rivalry With China Europe must demonstrate greater unity in its relations with China, a senior German official has argued, as not a single country in Europe is capable of permanently standing up for its interests and values vis-a-vis China on its own. We urgently need more European action in our dealings with China, said Michael Roth, Germanys minister of state for Europe, who stressed lack of unity is our Achilles heel. China is the European Unions systemic rival and is increasingly going on the offensive, Roth wrote in an op-ed in Der Spiegel on Sunday. State Minister for Europe @MiRo_SPD in his op-ed for @derspiegel: We urgently need more European action in our dealings with . This is a priority of Germanys presidency of the Council of the , during which we bear a particular responsibility. https://t.co/XfkcaeTsFA 1/2 GermanForeignOffice (@GermanyDiplo) August 2, 2020 The regimes actions in Hong Kong, Xinjiang, and the South China Sea show that it is not afraid to violate central principles of the rules-based international order before the eyes of the world. We must not be afraid to lock horns when it comes to difficult issues such as human rights, security and technology, he wrote. A riot police officer (R) detains a man (C) during a protest by district councillors at a mall in Yuen Long in Hong Kong on July 19, 2020, against a mob attack by suspected triad gang members inside the Yuen Long train station on July 21, 2019. (Isaac Lawrence/AFP via Getty Images) Divide and Conquer The leadership of the authoritarian, one-party state passes up no opportunity to drive a wedge between the EU member states and weaken them, Roth wrote. The EU is increasingly wary of the Chinese regimes divide-and-conquer tactics. In May, EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell accused Beijing of playing on differences among EU member states. Divisions within Europe have made it hard to adopt a unified strategy and response to challenges posed by China, according to a recent report by the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI), a London-based think tank. High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell holds a press conference in Brussels, Belgium, on May 26, 2020. (Pool/Getty Images) The EU needs a consistent Team Europe policy on China, Roth said, adding that this is a priority of Germanys six-month EU presidency, which began on July 1. The EU must strengthen exchange at the European level and move away from the bilateralization of relations that Beijing is deliberately pursuing. Under Beijings influence, some small EU countries, such as Greece, Hungary, and Portugal, have repeatedly blocked EU policy on China. Germanys Minister of State for Europe Michael Roth gives a press statement at the Foreign Ministry in Berlin on June 16, 2020. (Markus Schreiber /Pool/AFP via Getty Images) Unfortunately, we are also seeing that the lure of doing business with China sometimes challenges Europes foundation of values, wrote Roth. The EU must stand for more in the world than just the lowest common denominator of its members, he said. Currently, the EUs Common Foreign and Security Policy requires unanimity. But, according to Roth, Germany is committed to changing it to qualified majority decision-making, which will prevent a small number of member states from blocking EU foreign policy. Security at Stake Roth also pointed to Beijings tendency to use economic dependencies as leverage in power politics. The coronavirus crisis has been a wake-up call, Roth said, referring to the global CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus pandemic that broke out in Wuhan late last year, as it has been a painful reminder to us of how dependent Europe has become in certain areas. A traveller receives a voluntary coronavirus disease (COVID-19) test at the new corona test centre at the Hochfelln service station on the A8 motorway near the town of Bergen, Germany, 30 July 2020. (Michael Dalder/Reuters) In the early stages of the crisis, the Chinese regime sent medical supplies to many countries in an effort to repair its image and cast itself as a leader in the fight against the pandemic, rather than the party responsible for its spread. In March, Josep Borrell, the EU foreign policy chief, warned Europeans to beware of Chinas struggle for influence through spinning and the politics of generosity.' Roth also mentioned Europes 5G mobile networks, where the involvement of Chinese telecom giant Huawei is under increasing scrutiny. He cited concerns about the trustworthiness of manufacturers from third countries, including China. Nothing less than the security of our citizens is at stake here. Visitors try out the Huawei Mate S smartphone at the Huawei stand at the 2015 IFA consumer electronics and appliances trade fair in Berlin, Germany, on Sept. 4, 2015 . (Sean Gallup/Getty Images) The United States and Australia have both banned Huawei, citing security concerns. The UK followed suit on July 14, reversing its earlier decision to allow the firm a limited role. Roth did not mention Huawei by name, but said the only logical solution is to lean first and foremost on our domestic suppliers. The EU should use its trade policy and single market more effectively as a lever for defending European values and interests, he said. Mary Clark, Cathy He, and Ella Kietlinska contributed to this report. Now, Williams is advocating that people wear masks when they cannot keep a social distance, although he doesnt support a statewide mandate. Williams department also has overseen a testing system that has been plagued by long delays for people waiting to get results. DHSS spokeswoman Lisa Cox said the situation appears to be improving after test results became bottlenecked at private vendors. It does appear that turnaround times have improved, but where one lab improves another may be seeing more delays, Cox said. She said many laboratories that operate in connection with a hospital system are getting results within 24-48 hours. But, some vendors have taken nearly two weeks to get results back. In an attempt to offset delays, the department has directed groups to labs they believe are under used. One committee member, Rep. Ashley Bland Manlove, D-Kansas City, said she does not have high hopes that the committee will accomplish anything. It seems to be like an `informational only committee, not one that does anything, Manlove said. Treatment of Christians in Egypt much better now than it's been for a long time: expert Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment The situation for Christians in Egypt is better now than it has been for a long time, according to an evangelical Christian professor who recently visited the nation. Darrell Bock, senior research professor of New Testament at Dallas Theological Seminary, was featured on an episode of The Table podcast that was posted on YouTube Tuesday. Bock and Mark M. Yarbrough, vice president for Academic Affairs, academic dean, and professor of Bible Exposition at DTS, said he recently visited Christian leaders in Egypt. While there, Bock met with a group of about 60 to 70 Protestant Egyptian leaders who told him, things are much better for us as Christians now than they have been in Egypt for a long time. Even though theres violence in some of the regions in Egypt related to the Christian Church, thats a matter of just administrative realities in different parts of Egypt, Bock said. Some areas are inherently more violent than the other because the government doesnt have the power yet to oversee everything thats going on across the whole of the country. Specifically, people Bock spoke with said that, overall, things had not been this good for Christians in the country since Anwar Sadat became president in the 1970s. Yarbrough agreed with this assessment, noting that the improvement in conditions for the Christian minority was huge and probably better than its ever been for that generation. Yarbrough also discussed how while only about 10% of the country was Christian and barely 1% were evangelical Protestant, they had made considerable social gains. This group that we met with are very influential leaders. They're not hidden in the background. Theyre very public figures, he explained. Many are serving in strategic positions of office that we met. And so, there is a growing, not just in regard to the role of the Church, but the positioning of evangelical leaders within governmental structures. Yarbrough found it significant to see Christians who are in strategic positions interacting with other folks from different religious backgrounds. Bock and Yarbrough also discussed meeting Coptic Church leader Pope Tawadros II of Alexandria, who they said was interested in ecumenical cooperation and biblical education. He talked about some things that theyre doing. He made reference to VBS. It was almost a discussion of something that many of us are familiar with. Something like Awana or something like that for kids. He talked about a process of that, recalled Yarbrough. He showed us a curriculum that hed had a team writing on. You could tell he lit up when it came to how do we equip the next generation of believers in Jesus to know Him better and to know His Word. It was very encouraging. A Muslim-majority nation, Egypt has a checkered history when it comes to tolerating its Christian minority, with recent upheavals leading to sporadic violent persecution. According to the Christian persecution watchdog group Open Doors USA, Egypt holds the dubious distinction of being the 16th worst persecutor of Christianity. Many Egyptian Christians encounter substantial roadblocks to living out their faith, noted the organization in a recent report. There are violent attacks that make news headlines around the world, but there are also quieter, more subtle forms of duress that burden Egyptian believers. Nevertheless, the al-Sisi government has made some overtures, including the creation in January 2017 of a government body aimed at giving legal recognition to various churches. Known as the Committee for the Legalization of Unlicensed Churches, it includes ministers of justice, parliamentary affairs, local officials, and representatives of Christian communities. Headed by Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly, in May, the committee gave legal recognition to 70 churches, adding up to 1,638 since its formation. To support the effort to rebuild the country's petroleum following the devastating impact of COVID-19 on the global economy, the United Bank for Africa Plc (UBA) on Tuesday announced a $1.5billion financing package for the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and its upstream subsidiary, the Nigerian Petroleum Development Company (NPDC). Out of the financing package, the bank said it would provide the Naira equivalent of $200 million to support investment growth and liquidity requirements of the national oil company while leading a consortium of Nigerian commercial and international banks to arrange the balance $1.3billion as part of a pre-export finance facility for the corporation. The bank described the $1.5billion facility as timely financing for post-COVID 19 economic growth of Nigeria's petroleum industry, to help boost the Nigerian oil production capacity and government revenue. "The $200 million facility will provide the much-needed capital for investment in NNPC's production capacity, which is of strategic importance to the Nigerian economy and the country's leading source of foreign exchange earnings," the bank said. "UBA's position as Lead Arranger recognizes the Group's strength in structuring and deploying financing to the oil and gas sector, and the depth and liquidity of the Group's balance sheet," it added. Details of the $1.5 billion facility showed that it was structured in two tranches, consisting $1 billion in the first tranche, to be provided in dollars, and to be repaid over a period of five years, with UBA as the Facility Agent Bank. The second tranche of $500 million, the bank said, would be provided in local currency, over seven years, with UBA acting as Lead Bank, providing $200 million in Naira equivalent. The bank said both facilities would be repaid from an allocation of 30,000 barrels per day of NPDC's crude oil production. UBA has a strong track record in the resources development sector across Africa, having facilitated oil prepayment deals with the NNPC, including its participation in the $100 million PXF Funding Limited transaction in 2013, and a further $60 million Phoenix Export Funding Limited transaction in 2015. Also, in Senegal, UBA was responsible for the EUR 240million revolving crude oil financing facility for the Societe Africaine de Raffinage, while co-funding the $250m crude oil prepayment facility for Orion Oil Limited in Congo Brazzaville. Other members of the consortium financing the NNPC deal include Standard Chartered Bank, AFREXIM Bank, Union Bank and two oil trading companies, Vitol and Matrix. Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Nigeria Coronavirus By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later. The Group Chairman of UBA, Tony Elumelu, said this was the most recent support by the bank for Nigeria's petroleum industry, which is facing one of the most economically challenging years witnessed in recent times. With the sharp drop in the price of crude oil at the international oil market and the ensuing hardship that followed the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic, Mr Elumelu urged the private sector to come together and contribute meaningfully to the economy. "This facility is a clear evidence of this support by UBA, which is providing investment that will significantly improve Nigeria's production capacity and in doing so also demonstrating the strength, depth, and sophistication of our commercial banking capability. "I believe that together, working with governments, we can create more jobs and more wealth for people, not only in Nigeria, but across Africa," he said. (Newser) Another coronavirus vaccine candidate is advancing in clinical trials, and the New York Times coverage about it carries this notable quote from a virologist: "This is the first one Im looking at and saying, 'Yeah, Id take that." The quote is from John Moore of Weill Cornell Medicine, who has not been involved in any of the vaccine studies. He is referring to the contender from the Maryland company Novavax, which just reported promising results in small-scale Phase 1 trials, reports CNN. The company says the vaccine produced "robust" antibodies in participants and no serious side effects. A total of 131 people took part in the first phase, and the next step is a much larger study with thousands of participants. story continues below Additionally, the company reported that the vaccine appeared to provide protection to a dozen monkeys that were dosed with it and then exposed to the virus. Novavax, which has never brought a vaccine to market, is the third US company to show promising initial results, after Moderna and Pfizer. Worldwide, five vaccines have entered large-scale Phase 3 trials, per the Times. Business Insider provides a reminder of the incentive to such companiesshares of Novavax rose more than 20% early Tuesday. (Anthony Fauci says it's possible the first vaccine could be available in the US before the end of the year, while Russia plans mass vaccinations in the fall.) A top Indian diplomat on Wednesday slammed Pakistan for its repeated attempts to internationalise the bilateral issue of Kashmir, saying "a lie repeated a hundred times will not become a truth." "Contrary to what Pakistan may claim, Pakistan has not been successful in trying to put Jammu and Kashmir on the UN agenda. Frankly, the attempt by Pakistan to try and internationalise, what is a bilateral issue, is nothing new," India's Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador TS Tirumurti said. "A lie repeated a hundred times will not become a truth," he said, adding that contrary to what the foreign minister of Pakistan has asserted, "there has been no formal meeting of the Security Council on the India-Pakistan issue even once for the past 55 years, let alone three times." Tirumurti said what had come up earlier was in a closed door completely informal meeting under what is called 'Any Other Business'. "This is a category where literally any item could be brought for discussion by anyone. Even China, being a permanent member, had to face discussion on Hong Kong in the Security Council under AOB earlier this May. These meetings have no records, and there is no outcome," he said. Tirumurti asserted that it is important to note that in the Security Council, "practically every country underlined the fact that this was a bilateral issue to be dealt with bilaterally between India and Pakistan." Sources have said that China has requested to discuss the issue of Kashmir in the UN Security Council on Wednesday under 'Any Other Business'. However, like its previous attempt in January this year to discuss the issue in the Council, no outcome is expected to emerge from the discussion as other UN member states in the Council have consistently said that Kashmir is a bilateral issue between India and Pakistan. Tirumurti pointed out that even UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, in his statement last August, clearly referred to the 1972 bilateral Simla Agreement. "Consequently, Pakistan has been singularly unsuccessful in making any inroads into the UN on Jammu and Kashmir. That is the reality," he said. "The issue has always been the problem of cross-border terrorism where UN reports have time and again underlined Pakistan's complicity in terrorist acts abroad," he said. Tirumurti also noted that recently the UN Security Council, while calling for cessation of hostilities during COVID times, has clearly acknowledged the rights of countries to fight terrorism, "thereby indicating what we have always maintained with respect to Pakistan". On the Pakistani Prime Minister releasing a "new political map" of his country which shows J&K, and even Junagadh in Gujarat, as part of Pakistan and reports that this will be submitted to the UN too, Tirumurti said on the so-called "political map" per se, it is absurdity at its best. "The UN does not endorse any map produced by anyone whatsoever. In fact, the UN explicitly has a disclaimer that the depiction of boundaries on the UN website are not warranted to be error free nor do they necessarily imply official endorsement or acceptance by the United Nations. "Therefore, submitting the map to the UN achieves nothing except propaganda drawing attention to their obsession with territorial aggrandisement." WATERLOO REGION Calling all environmental know-it-alls: the Region of Waterloos planning department is asking for feedback on its guiding map of core environmental features. Regional planners are updating the Regional Official Plan, the guiding document for how and where population growth will be directed into the future. The updated plan will look forward as far as 2041. As part of this update, the region is calling for public input to determine the exact location of the regions core environmental features. Specifically, planners hope for feedback on the boundaries to environmentally sensitive policy areas and significant woodlands. First put in place in 1976, designated environmentally sensitive policy areas are areas that play an important ecological role in the region, such as providing habitat for endangered species, or performing important functions like water storage or recharge for a large area. Development is restricted within or near designated environmentally sensitive policy areas. Significant woodlands are any wooded areas greater than four hectares that contain mostly native species. Chris Gosselin, now retired manager of environmental planning at the Region of Waterloo, was a leader in developing these environmental protection policies. He says care is needed when marking out policy boundaries especially in private property, as this is where development takes place. If anything is contested, the regions mapping needs to be technically accurate. Over the last 10 years, the regions staff say the mapping system has been slightly modified, and they are looking for public input on these changes. Staff use the map when looking at applications for development. The deadline for public input is Aug. 31. More information and instructions for commenting directly on the map can be found on the Engage Waterloo Region page. Comments can also be sent by email to RegionalOfficialPlanReview@regionofwaterloo.ca The region is in phase two of the official plan review, which focuses on developing technical tools to understand the regions density, transit and natural heritage features, among others. There will be two more phases to the review. Collectively, Waterloo Regions environmental features are called the Greenland Network. They include the regions core environmental features, landscape-level systems like groundwater recharge areas and supporting features like corridors that connect environmental features. Student access to technology, a possible teacher shortage and how to implement state public health guidelines were just a few examples of the concerns raised by state education leaders in a public hearing Tuesday on how to safely reopen schools this fall. This hearing before the House Education Committee comes just three weeks before school starts for many districts in the state. Most districts have been working through the summer to plan for a safe return to classes, but educators said they still feel overwhelmed. The bottom line is that this pandemic has turned the already complex job of providing public education for all children in the commonwealth into an impossible scenario with incomparable planning and preparation with few explicit answers, said John Callahan of the Pennsylvania School Boards Association. Pennsylvania State Education Association President Rich Askey noted the differences between each districts back-to-school plans, citing some that require face masks for all students at all times, while others only recommend them. He asked legislators to provide clear, state-wide guidance to school leaders for reopening safely. While districts were given recommendations from the Department of Health and Centers for Disease control, he said there are a lot of questions left. Shane Hotchkiss, superintendent at Bermudian Springs School District and a representative of the Pennsylvania Association of School Administrators, echoed these remarks. Most of what has been issued are suggestions, without specificity, leaving difficult decisions to school leaders who are not public health experts, he said. Askey advocated that personal protective equipment be provided to all students and staff, and those able to wear masks should be required to do so. School staffing is another concern. The educators say there was a shortage of teachers before the virus, and theyre now concerned those numbers will drop even more. Askey also said in a press release that there was a need for some districts to obtain emergency permits for teachers because some certification assessments were unavailable during the pandemic. Sean Sampson, business manager for Titusville Area School District, advocated for policymakers to make teacher certifications more flexible in general. New certifications also create issues at a time when we need flexibility. For example, a K-4 certificate cannot teach fifth grade, he said. Hotchkiss also pushed for limited liability coverage to protect school districts from legal action in the case that a student or staff member contracts COVID-19. Several leaders also asked for state support to give students access to technology and broadband Internet connections. Callahan cited Senate Bill 835 that aims to provide Internet for students. These concerns are just the tip of the iceberg, and many legislators and education leaders had many other questions and concerns that ranged from providing special education support to mental health resources for students and staff. This was the second day of the committees hearing. A joint committee meeting between the department of education and the department of health will be held on Aug 19 for further discussions. Clean Works president Mark VanderVeen says Doug Ford didnt seem worried when staff at his company placed the premiers cellphone inside one of the devices it developed to sanitize N95 masks. VanderVeen assured Ford his BlackBerry would come out the other side in perfect working order with 99.99 per cent fewer microorganisms on it, and he just took our word for it. Earlier this year when Canadian health-care workers were experiencing a shortage of personal protective equipment due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Beamsville company reworked its technology made for sanitizing tender fruit and vegetables to be used to sanitize masks as well. Clean Works staff soon realized the same Health Canada-approved device could be used for much more than allowing for safe reuse of disposable masks by decontaminating as many as 800 an hour. As employers including Clean Works step up disinfectant protocols and measures to reduce the spread of the coronavirus, VenderVeen said sanitizing personal items of workers including electronic devices such as cellphones has become routine at the company. The employees come in and put their eyeglasses, their cellphones (into the machine) so theyre not bringing anything into the facility. Ford visited the facility Tuesday with Vic Fedeli, minister of economic development, job creation and trade, to announce a provincial investment of $2 million in Ontario Together funding to help the company invest in new equipment to increase the production of its Clean Flow Health Care Mini devices that eliminate 99.99 per cent of pathogens and viruses on surfaces. Ford said Clean Works is one of thousands of businesses across the country who answered the call and joined the fight against COVID-19. He called its device a made-in-Ontario solution to a very real challenge facing our front-line heroes. This technology is the first of its kind in the world. Theres nothing else like this on the market, Ford said. With the provincial funding, VanderVeen said 19 workers will be hired in January, new equipment will be purchased and staff will be trained to enable the company to build five Clean Flow Health Care Mini devices daily. He said the expansion really pushes forward that opportunity for us to rebuild manufacturing in Niagara region. Were really excited about this. Personal protective equipment isnt as scarce as it had been in the spring, but company co-owner Paul Moyer said the same technology can be used to sterilize childrens lunch boxes, backpacks and other items to keep students safe when they return to classrooms in September. With the reopening of the schools, families are really concerned, VanderVeen said. If we could do something to hep sanitize, decontaminate, get rid of the pathogens, the viruses, the bugs that maybe introduced in the school system, its going to be a great step to smooth and ease some of the concerns. RELATED STORIES Niagara Region Beamsville company developing device to sanitize masks Moyer said the company is looking at luggage for airports, for example that never gets sanitized. While Clean Works anticipates a huge demand for its product, Moyer said the motivation is doing the right thing. We were able to pivot into PPE, not just N95 masks, but others. And now were coming up to products going in and out of schools, he said Fedeli said he, too, expects demand to only increase. In their shipping department right today is one thats headed for New Zealand, one thats headed for the U.S. and others that are intended for across the country, Fedeli said. The fact that theyre selling them so robustly is an absolute sign that this is a very key piece of equipment that all health facilities should have. Read more about: The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) has expressed its resolve to ensure that all monies collected by the Nigeria Postal Service (NIPOST) into its 'illegally operated Stamp Duties' Account' are fully recovered and remitted into the Federation Account. The tax authority also said it was determined to make sure that any kobo not accounted for in the account is legally recovered in line with President Muhammadu Buhari's directive to the recently inaugurated inter-ministerial committee on the recovery of stamp duties from 2016. The agency equally threatened that anyone found culpable of misappropriating the funds in the said account would be made to face relevant laws as provided in the nation's statute books. FIRS' position followed what it described as "false and indecorous" twitter post by the Chairperson, NIPOST Board, Hajiya Maimuna Abubakar, in which she claimed that both the tax authority and the National Assembly appropriated NIPOST's ideas about stamp duties to the exclusion of the postal agency. In a statement issued on Tuesday in Abuja by its Director, Communications and Liaison Department, Abdullahi Ismaila Ahmad, the FIRS said its attention had been drawn to a Tweet by Hajia Abubakar, Chairperson of the Board of NIPOST. Knocking the tone of the message, the FIRS noted that: "Her indecorous Tweet would not have deserved any response but for the sensitive nature of the issue at stake, which if not sensibly treated and promptly corrected would likely mislead the public. "To be sure, NIPOST is a government parastatal established by Decree 41 of 1992 with the function to develop, promote and provide adequate and efficiently coordinated postal services at reasonable rates. This function is clearly contrary to the claim by NIPOST over the administration of stamp duties in Nigeria. "On the other hand, the FIRS is the sole agency of government charged with the responsibility of assessing, collecting and accounting for all tax types including Stamp Duties. "It is therefore shocking to us at the FIRS that such a privileged young lady who happened to be appointed to high office would throw all caution to the air to cast aspersions on reputable public institutions like the National Assembly and the FIRS, which she accused of stealing NIPOST idea. This, to say the least, is a preposterous claim and great disservice to the government and people of Nigeria." The statement categorically pointed out that as an agency which operates within the ambit of the law, "the FIRS is determined to not only ensure that all monies collected by NIPOST into its illegally operated Stamp Duties Account are fully remitted into the Federation Account but also make sure that any kobo not accounted for in that account is legally recovered in line with the charge of President Muhammad Buhari to the recently inaugurated inter-ministerial committee on the recovery of stamp duties from 2016 till date". Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Nigeria Legal Affairs By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later. "In addition, anyone found culpable of misappropriating the funds in the said illegal NIPOST Stamp Duties Account would be made to face the law as provisioned by the country's statute books," it said. The tax authority noted that it was resolute in its resolve "to safeguard national interests and not any personal ego or interest as NIPOST officials appear to carry on lately", adding: "We therefore call on right-thinking Nigerians to disregard that ill-advised Tweet by Mrs. Maimuna Abubakar and allied misinformation being disseminated by NIPOST in relation to stamp duties collection, which by law is the responsibility of the FIRS." live bse live nse live Volume Todays L/H More Better-than-expected or in-line earnings in June quarter, which was supposed to be a wash-out period due to lockdown, have raised hopes for strong FY22. Auto sales also saw an improvement in July with higher exports. These two factors helped market scale higher, which were already riding high on the back of global liquidity. The market has seen 48 percent recovery from its March 23's low, which is very surprising. Experts say market has already run ahead of fundamentals and a correction is due. "Markets are always forward-looking, rather than looking in the rear view mirror. The market's performance over the past six months has been testimony to this fact. The skepticism in the market regarding the economic slowdown might be a bitter reality but the market seems to have already factored in the worst and is optimistically looking for a recovery in growth. The market rally has also been aided by the ample liquidity which has been provided by central banks and governments globally through various stimulus measures," Sameer Kaul, CEO & MD at TrustPlutus Wealth Managers (India) told Moneycontrol. Overall, experts continue to advise buying quality stocks. Moneycontrol collated a list of 13 stocks where brokerages initiated coverage with a buy call in July and expect 13-94 percent return in next one year: Coromandel International: Buy | Target: Rs 1,000 | Return: 28 percent Sharekhan has initiated coverage on Coromandel International with a buy rating, valuing it at 20x FY2022 EPS with a target of Rs 1,000. "Company is among India's top integrated agri solutions provider; significant backward integration drove its margins, cashflows and return ratios. Hopes of normal monsoon and MSP hikes for kharif crop bodes well for demand," said the brokerage which believes Coromandel would clock earnings CAGR of 17.5 percent over FY2020-22, led by increase share of non-subsidy business. Mahanagar Gas: Buy | Target: Rs 1,380 | Return: 42 percent Sharekhan has initiated coverage on MGL with a buy rating and target of Rs 1,380 given attractive valuation of 12.4x FY22E EPS. "Long-term volume growth is intact on low gas penetration, regulatory push for use of green fuels, volume ramp-up at Raigad; its volume/PAT CAGR will clock 2.5/8 percent CAGR over FY20-FY22," said the brokerage. "MGL's balance sheet is robust with nil-debt; free cash flow and dividend yield of 7 percent and 3 percent, respectively. Weak gas prices will drive margins, given MGL's pricing power. We model EBITDA margin of Rs 9.8/Rs 10.7 per scm for FY21E/FY22E," it added. JK Lakshmi Cement: Buy | Target: Rs 372 | Return: 24.5 percent "We initiated coverage on JK Lakshmi Cement with a buy rating and price target of Rs 372. JKL has trebled consolidated capacities over the past decade, limiting leverage, growing earnings at a healthy pace," said Sharekhan. "Company will focus to further de-leverage balance sheet; it awaits improvement in macros to further expand capacities. Healthy balance sheet, efficient operations, favourable regional operations and attractive valuation make us positive on stock," the brokerage added. Bajaj Electricals: Buy | Target: Rs 500 | Return: 12.6 percent "We initiate coverage on Bajaj Electricals (BJE) with buy rating and a target price of Rs 500 on SOTP basis. We believe BJE is a play on immense growth opportunity in mass market consumer electricals given 1) strong brand with wide portfolio in kitchen appliances 2) deep distribution network (covers 94 percent of districts in India) 3) leadership position in high potential small kitchen appliances and 4) expected gains in profitability, reach and working capital due to RREP implementation," Prabhudas Lilladher said. "Although near term looks challenging due to COVID, however, less dependence on seasonal products, mass market positioning and deep distribution makes BJE ideal candidate to gain from expected surge in demand from second half of FY21. We believe strengthening of balance sheet through rights issue (Rs 350 crore), realization of receivables and renewed focus on profitability & cash flows in EPC bidding are positives," the brokerage added. LIC Housing Finance: Buy | Target: Rs 500 | Return: 93.6 percent "We initiate coverage on LIC Housing Finance with a buy and target at Rs 500. Sovereign holding and salaried share at over 80 percent has led to highest credit rating of CRISIL AAA, which has enabled easier access to cheaper funding sources. Developer/LAP loans are slowing down and credit flow is shifting to housing, driven by affordable disbursements at Rs 11,500 crore for FY20 (31 percent of individual versus 20 percent for FY19)," Centrum Broking said. "LIC Housing might not merge with IDBI and the former might take over the latter's housing business. Likely spike in FY21 developer/LAP stress is priced in. We see FY22 RoA/RoE scale back to 1.2/12.8 percent," the brokerage added. Can Fin Homes: Buy | Target: Rs 437 | Return: 15 percent "We initiate coverage on Can Fin Homes (Canfin) with a buy and target of Rs 437. Consistently maintaining individual housing at 90 percent of loans and a lower ticket size with stringent income assessment has led to best-in-class asset quality (GNPA 0.8 percent). Additionally, sovereign holding, affordable housing skew and reducing leverage has allowed access to cheaper borrowings (banks/NHB) leading to lowest funding cost (7.8 percent)," said Centrum Broking. "Focus on smaller cities (lower penetration) and affordable loans will provide some growth cushion in a tough FY21E. CAR/CET-1 is strong at 22.3/20.5 percent. We expect FY22 RoA/RoE at 1.9/17 percent. Valuation at 1.7x FY22ABV is attractive," it added. Inox Leisure: Buy | Target: Rs 292 | Return: 23.4 percent "While movie exhibitors will suffer in the short term and the pace of recovery will be slower, we believe they will rebound and gain from pent-up demand as home-sheltering subsides and people seek a communal experience on return of normalcy. We are structurally positive on multiplexes, though wary of their re-opening. With that in mind, we assume a lockdown in first half of FY21 and subdued H2 occupancy. Hence, we initiate coverage on Inox Leisure with a buy rating, at a TP of Rs 292 (valuing it at 9x FY22e EBITDA)," said Anand Rathi. "With significantly reduced fixed costs (monthly Rs 15-17 crore cash-burn; pre-COVID-19: Rs 70-75 crore) and capital spending needed, Inox' cash balance Rs 72 crore and credit available (Rs 75 crore) would suffice for nearly 8-10 months without any revenue coming in. Also, it had Treasury shares of Rs 100 crore market value, which could be liquidated for exigencies and to acquire attractive distressed assets," the brokerage added. Indian Energy Exchange: Buy | Target: Rs 244 | Return: 36 percent "Indian Energy Exchange (IEX) is India's leading Power Exchange with a market share of around 95/40 percent of spot/short term market. The IEX offers a transparent pricing mechanism and liquidity to participants on its platform. Increasing traction of short term market with shift of volumes towards the power exchanges and with the launch of new products will aid IEX to garner more market share in the coming years," LKP Securities said. "Also, with the launch of India's first Gas Exchange, IEX will be at the forefront to lead the gas market in India. Despite the slowdown in the month of April & May owing to the lockdown, volumes on IEX have grown at 14 percent YoY. We expect the company to grow at CAGR of around 16 percent for the next three years (excluding volumes from IGX) capturing a market share of around 47 percent of the short term market. We initiate coverage on IEX with a buy rating and a DCF based target price of Rs 244," the brokerage added. Endurance Technologies: Buy | Target: Rs 1,040 | Return: 12.5 percent HDFC Securities initiate coverage on endurance with a buy as the auto parts major is expected to gain 50-75bps in share of component supplies to 2W/3W segment (current value of supplies by the company is estimated at between 5-6 percent). "The auto parts company is expanding into new components such as ABS brakes, CVTs, paper-based clutches and fully machined castings, thereby moving up the value curve. The company currently has RFQs of Rs 1,280 crore and has won orders of Rs 1,030/ 580 crore over FY19/20. With the recent acquisition of its Italian technology partners Grimeca and Adler, the company is further enhancing its capabilities for supplies to the premium bike segment," said the brokerage, adding Endurance is amongst its preferred pick in the autos/auto parts sector as the company is well positioned to benefit from a demand recovery over FY22/23. CreditAccess Grameen: Buy | Target: Rs 684 | Return: 25 percent "Resumption in around 70 percent of overall collections were in line with management expectations since June 2020 and it expects more than 90 percent of collections by September 2020. Stable liquidity would support gradual recovery in disbursements towards existing customers. Full recovery in business operations is expected in the next financial year. Accordingly, we assign P/ABV multiple of 2.8x to FY22E standalone adjusted book value of Rs 244 per share to arrive at target price of Rs 684 per share and initiate coverage on the company with buy rating," KR Choksey said. ICICI Prudential Life Insurance: Buy | Target: Rs 569 | Return: 25 percent Dolat Capital has initiated coverage on IPRU with a buy rating and a 1-year price target of Rs 569 implying a P/EV multiple of 2.8x on the FY22E EV per share. "IPRU trades at a multiple lower than SBILIFE and HDFCLIFE. The insurer's recent loss of momentum in premium growth has weighed down on the valuations, given its traditionally ULIP-heavy focus and the current slowdown in the segment. However, we believe IPRUs strong moat in protection business and lower balance sheet risk from its desire to stay away from guaranteed business should aid margin expansion. Although weaker topline momentum may persist, we believe IPRU is attractively priced at current levels and will continue to deliver on VNB," said the brokerage. SBI Life Insurance Company: Buy | Target: Rs 1,197 | Return: 36.7 percent Dolat Capital has initiated coverage on SBILIFE with a buy rating and a 1-year price target of Rs 1,197 implying a P/EV multiple of 3.5x on the FY22E EV per share. "SBILIFE has an unrivalled distribution reach through its parent and has penetrated a meagre 2-3 percent of this channel. SBILIFE also has the above industry average agent productivity and its focus on growing this channel over the last 2 years will help consolidate its position as the number 1 private life insurer in India on a NBP basis. Although we expect a slower VNB margin expansion, we believe SBILIFE is well positioned to deliver on topline growth and is attractively priced at current levels," said the brokerage. Bata India: Buy | Target: Rs 1,680 | Return: 33 percent "Bata, the largest footwear retailer in the domestic market, has evolved with time and changed its products and store decor to move a notch ahead of the curve. It also endorsed celebrities from film and sports fraternity, who helped to increase the products appeal to target customers," IDBI Capital said. "After 22.8 perent YoY dip in net sales in FY21, we expect it to grow at a robust 37 percent YoY in FY22. We pencil in EBITDA/PAT to grow at a CAGR of 1/ 9 percent over FY20-22E respectively. We initiate coverage on Bata with a buy rating and target of Rs 1,680, valuing the stock at its 3-year average one-year forward PER of 56x on FY22E," the brokerage added. Disclaimer: The views and investment tips expressed by investment expert on Moneycontrol.com are his own and not that of the website or its management. Moneycontrol.com advises users to check with certified experts before taking any investment decisions. Local oil and gas industry engineer Luis Louis Granados has filed candidate application papers for the third time in three years, this time seeking the Position 2 seat on the township board after losing in the 2019 election and being removed from the ballot before the 2018 election. Multiple attempts to contact Grandados were unsuccessful, including numerous telephone messages to his home, work and cellular phone that were not returned. The email account listed on his candidate application does not work and shows a message saying the account cannot receive messages. Related: Granados seeks Woodlands board seat after 2018 controversy Little is known about Granados third attempt to win a seat on the township board. He is currently one of three candidates to have filed official papers with the township for the Position 2 seat in the Nov. 3 election. So far, his opponents are current director Jason J. Nelson and Thomas Chumbley, who also ran for the board in 2019 and lost to Ann Snyder. Granados legal name is Luis, however in 2019 he indicated to township election officials and on his candidate application that he wanted to be listed as having the first name Louis, on the ballot. At the time, he explained in a 2019 interview with the Villager that many English-speaking residents he encounters cannot pronounce his name properly, hence he decided to use a more recognizable version of his first name for voters, Louis. He has listed Louis as his preferred first name on the ballot again in 2020. Related: 2 candidates from 2019 Woodlands election seek seats again in 2020 The filing period for the township election ends at 5 p.m. Aug. 17. As of Aug. 5, only six candidates in total have submitted applications to officially appear on the 2020 ballot. Incumbents Gordy Bunch, Bruce Rieser and John Anthony Brown have filed papers for their respective positions in addition to the three seeking the Position 2 seat. Granados past campaigns were nonexistent Granados first began to seek elected office in 2016, when he unsuccessfully sought a seat on the Lone Star College Board of Trustees. He lost that election, did not run for any office in 2017, and in 2018, he filed candidate papers challenging then incumbent Brown for the Position 3 seat on the board. However, that 2018 race never happened because Granados was removed from the ballot after two errors were discovered on his candidate application. On the state form, there are two mandatory boxes asking candidates for their length of residency in both Texas as well as the community they are seeking office in. The requirements of candidates are to be a resident of Texas for one year and six months in the community they are seeking elected office. Related: Board candidate in The Woodlands Township is removed from ballot Granados easily met the requirements, having lived in The Woodlands 13 years at the time of filing in 2018 and Texas for 31 years. However, the blank boxes meant his application was invalid and after a review by state officials, his name was removed from the ballot. Granados did not have notification of the issue until a ceremony was hosted, as is every year to determine the placement of candidates names on the ballot. He had missed the deadline to refile and was removed from the ballot After a failed appeal to the state, Granados did not appear on the 2018 ballot and Brown won re-election with 100 percent of the vote as he had no challenger. The controversy irritated former township director John McMullan, who criticized the series of events after the November 2018 election and demanded changes to the townships process of handling candidate applications. Related: Woodlands tweaks township election policies to avoid repeat of 2018 In the wake of the controversy, township officials implemented new changes to the system in May 2019 so that any rejected applicant for office would be notified sooner and able to fix errors on the form. The township also enhanced its screening of applications, with two staff one more senior in tenure reviewing the applications instead of only one as had been prior practice. State law prohibits township officials from offering election advice to candidates, so the changes only affected notifying someone if they had made an error or omission on the form. Previous platform focused on slowing growth After his 2018 effort, Granados returned in 2019 to challenge incumbent Ann Snyder for her Position 6 seat board. One of three challengers to Snyder, Granados vanished from the campaign scene. He did not spend any money on his campaign, declined offers to debate other candidates at community forums and was a no-show at the candidate forum hosted by The Woodlands Area Chamber of Commerce. Related: Woodlands board candidate absent from election events says he is not quitting Granados had confirmed his attendance at the forum, however he did not appear for the event. He later said in an interview with The Villager that he had a family issue and was traveling overseas, hence he was not able to participate in the forum nor do any campaigning. He finished in last place out of four candidates, losing to Snyder and receiving fewer votes than other contenders Alan Richel and Chumbley. In 2019, Granados said he was running for office for several reasons, including because of the incident from 2018 when he was removed from the ballot. Granados also said his time as an engineer has given him the tools to lead the township if elected. He also said he felt the quality of life in the community had declined. In 2019, he listed his job as self-employed, an independent consultant for his own business. I was trained as an engineer and hold a terminal degree in engineering. (I) Have worked for General Electric and other very large companies on mission critical energy projects with traditional and alternative sources of energy including nuclear, Granados said in an email in 2019. During the last five years or so, I have seen the quality of life deteriorate in The Woodlands. Deforestation and new roads created an environmental disaster for the wildlife and the property owners. Granados also made allegations that the Howard Hughes Corp., The Woodland Development Co. and unidentified county officials have, he claimed, caused the removal of the wildlife and degrading of The Woodlands residents standard of living. After he was removed from the ballot in 2018, Granados made similar accusations of what he called inappropriate influence on the township leaders from other large employers in the community. Even when the authority of individual board members is limited, I will bring the issues to the table and see how can we reverse the damage already caused, Granados said of his plans for office if he had been elected in 2019. I am an engineer and a manager of engineering projects. I do and say what (has) to be done and (I am) not bonded by political correctness or fear to the groups of power. During last years campaign, Granados said incorporation, traffic congestion and environmental degradation were the three biggest issues facing the township. He had no opinion on incorporation in 2019. That issue is now off the ballot for 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic. jeff.forward@chron.com Chicago police sources have said the surge in federal agents could mean more of an emphasis on authorities in the city going after criminals repeatedly caught with illegal guns. One of the sources said police supervisors in at least one part of the city instructed officers within the last few weeks to flag gun arrests they make if the suspects are on parole; or if those suspects have been convicted in the past of violent offenses including murder and aggravated battery; or if they were found with illegal guns that have defaced serial numbers; or if those guns were somehow linked to other violent crimes. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has held a phone call with Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko to discuss in detail the issues related to the detention in Belarus in late July of a group of people belonging to the Wagner mercenary group, the press service of the Ukrainian head of state has reported. According to the report, the sides stressed the importance of further effective interaction between the competent authorities of the two states, including for the purpose of the transfer to Ukraine of persons suspected of terrorist activities on its territory. Zelensky expressed confidence that those involved in the actions of illegal groups in Donbas would not be able to avoid fair punishment. "I hope that all suspects in terrorist activities in Ukraine will be handed over to us for criminal prosecution in accordance with current international legal documents," he said. Zelensky and Lukashenko also discussed preparations for the Third Forum of the Regions of Ukraine and Belarus due to be held this autumn. Zelensky thanked Lukashenko for the humanitarian aid Belarus provided in July to the population of the flood-stricken western regions of Ukraine. "This gesture of true friendship by Belarus once again emphasizes the values of partnership between our countries," Zelensky said. The presidents also discussed the situation with the spread and overcoming of the consequences of the coronavirus disease COVID-19 in both countries. Thirty-three militants from Russia's Wagner private military company were detained in Belarus on July 29. According to Belarusian state media, they arrived in the country early on July 25 "to destabilize the situation during the election campaign." Belarus's Investigative Committee suspects the detainees of plotting riots ahead of the presidential election. President Lukashenko called an urgent Security Council meeting and accused Russia of harboring "dirty intentions." Secretary of the Belarusian Security Council Andrei Ravkov said on July 30 that the search for about 200 more militants was underway in the country. All detainees have Russian passports. Some of them are from Ukraine's Donetsk and Luhansk regions. The 2020 presidential election in Belarus is scheduled for August 9. Svetlana Tikhanovskaya is Lukashenko's only major rival in the election. The incumbent president has ruled the country since 1994. op KEY FACTS At least 135 people are dead and thousands are wounded The blast may have been triggered by a fire that touched off a cargo of ammonium nitrate stored at the port for years Lebanon declares two-week state of emergency BEIRUT - Investigators probing the deadly blast that ripped across Beirut focused Wednesday on possible negligence in the storage of tons of a highly explosive fertilizer in a waterfront warehouse, while the government ordered the house arrest of several port officials. International aid flights began to arrive as Lebanons leaders struggled to deal with the widespread damage and shocking aftermath of Tuesdays blast, which the Health Ministry said killed 135 people and injured about 5,000 others. Public anger mounted against the ruling elite that is being blamed for the chronic mismanagement and carelessness that led to the disaster. The Port of Beirut and customs office is notorious for being one of the most corrupt and lucrative institutions in Lebanon where various factions and politicians, including Hezbollah, hold sway. The investigation is focusing on how 2,750 tons of ammonium nitrate, a highly explosive chemical used in fertilizers, came to be stored at the facility for six years, and why nothing was done about it. Losses from the blast are estimated to be between $10 billion to $15 billion, Beirut Gov. Marwan Abboud told Saudi-owned TV station Al-Hadath, adding that nearly 300,000 people are homeless. Beirut as we know it is gone and people wont be able to rebuild their lives, said Amy, a woman who swept glass from a small alley beside by a tall building that served as a showroom for a famous Lebanese designer and was a neighbourhood landmark. This is hell. How are they (people) going to survive. What are they going to do? she said, blaming officials for lack of responsibility and stupidity. Hospitals were overwhelmed by the injured. One that was damaged in the blast had to evacuate all its patients to a nearby field for treatment. It was the worst single explosion to strike Lebanon, a country whose history is filled with destruction from a 1975-1990 civil war, conflicts with Israel and periodic terrorist attacks. Lebanon already was on the brink of collapse amid a severe economic crisis and the coronavirus pandemic. Many have lost their jobs and seen their savings evaporate because of a currency crisis. Food security is a worry, since the country imports nearly all its vital goods and its main port is now devastated. The government is strapped for cash. A senior U.S. Defence Department official and member of the U.S. intelligence community said there were no indications the explosion was the result of an attack by either a nation state or proxy forces. Both spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss intelligence briefings publicly. They told AP that at the moment, the explosion seems to have been caused by improper storage of explosives. Fueling speculation that negligence was to blame for the accident, an official letter circulating online showed the head of the customs department had warned repeatedly over the years that the huge stockpile of ammonium nitrate stored in the port was a danger and had asked judicial officials for a ruling on a way to remove it. Ammonium nitrate is a component of fertilizer that is potentially explosive. The 2,750-ton cargo had been stored at the port since it was confiscated from a ship in 2013, and on Tuesday it is believed to have detonated after a fire broke out nearby. The 2017 letter from the customs chief to a judge could not be immediately confirmed, but state prosecutor Ghassan Oueidat ordered security agencies to start an immediate investigation into all letters related to the materials stored at the port, as well as lists of those in charge of maintenance, storage and protection of the hangar. In the letter, the customs chief warned of the dangers if the materials remain where they are, affecting the safety of (port) employees and asked the judge for guidance. He said five similar letters were sent in 2014, 2015 and 2016. The letter proposes the material be exported or sold to a Lebanese explosives company. It is not known if there was a response. President Michael Aoun vowed before a Cabinet meeting that the investigation would be transparent and that those responsible will be punished. There are no words to describe the catastrophe that hit Beirut last night, he said. After the meeting, the Cabinet ordered an unspecified number of Beirut port officials put under house arrest pending the investigation. The government also said public schools and some hotels will be opened for the homeless and promised unspecified compensation for the victims. With the Port of Beirut destroyed, the government said imports and exports will be secured elsewhere, mostly in the northern city of Tripoli and the southern port of Tyre. There were signs that public anger went beyond port officials to Lebanon's long-entrenched ruling class. Political factions have divided control of public institutions, including the port, using them to benefit their supporters, with little actual development. That has translated into crumbling infrastructure, power outages and poor services. May the Virgin Mary destroy them and their families, Joseph Qiyameh, a 79-year-old grocery store owner, said of the leadership. The blast damaged his store, his wife was hospitalized with injuries she suffered at home next door, and his arm was hurt. He doesnt have the money to fix his business, with his savings locked up in banks by controls imposed during the financial crisis. The Hospital of the Sisters of Rosaries was knocked out of service by the blast, with one of the nuns killed and three others badly injured. In a moment, there was no longer a hospital. It is all gone," said one of the nuns, who suffered a leg injury. Residents confronted a scene of utter devastation Wednesday, with smoke still rising from the port. The blast tore out a crater 200 metres (yards) across that filled with seawater, as if the Mediterranean had taken a bite out of the port and swallowed buildings with it. Much of downtown was littered with damaged cars and debris. The U.S. Embassy in Beirut says at least one American citizen was killed and several more were injured. We offer our sincerest condolences to their loved ones and are working to provide the affected U.S. citizens and their families all possible consular assistance. We are working closely with local authorities to determine if any additional U.S. citizens were affected, the embassy said in a statement Wednesday. The embassy says all of its employees are safe and accounted for. Germany has dispatched dozens of search and rescue specialists to Lebanon to help in the race to find survivors trapped beneath rubble. About 50 staff of Germanys THW civil protection organization flew out of Frankfurt late Wednesday with search dogs and 15 tons of equipment to locate people below collapsed buildings. Timo Eilhardt, THWs chief of operations, said there is normally a good chance of finding survivors more than 72 hours after a disaster, which means we can expect to find people for another two to three days. Drone footage shot by the AP showed the blast tore open a silo structure, dumping its contents into the debris. Estimates suggested about 85% of the countrys grain was stored there. Economy and Trade Minister Raoul Nehme said all the wheat was contaminated and unusable. But he insisted Lebanon had enough for its immediate needs and would import more, according to the state news agency. Two planeloads of French rescue workers and aid headed to Beirut and French President Emmanuel Macron was to arrive Thursday to offer support for the former protectorate. The countries retain close political and economic ties. Several planes of medical equipment and supplies from Greece, Kuwait, Qatar and elsewhere arrived at Beiruts international airport. Turkey sent search-and-rescue teams, humanitarian aid, medical equipment and a field hospital, its Foreign Ministry said. The EU planned to send firefighters with vehicles, dogs and equipment designed to find people trapped in debris. ___ Associated Press writers Sarah El Deeb and Hassan Ammar in Beirut, Jon Gambrell in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, and Joseph Krauss in Jerusalem contributed. Black Power activists in Louisville, Kentucky are holding heavily-armed marches in the streets threatening to burn the city down and using "mafia tactics" to demand extortion payments from local businesses in the name of advancing their racial interests. Late last month, an all-black militia calling themselves the "Not F***ing Around Coalition" held an armed march in Louisville and threatened to burn the city to the ground: "Grandmaster Jay" gave a speech that was 50 minutes long. In it, he said that if the public doesn't have the "truth" about Breonna Taylor's death, "We are going to burn this motherfucker down." When I'm done posting the rest of the content, I will post the entire speech. pic.twitter.com/5RLJG8KjZO Ford Fischer (@FordFischer) July 26, 2020 Another BLM group sent threatening "extortion" letters to local businesses in Louisville demanding they give 1.5 percent of their profits to black organizations or give a wide range of handouts to black people lest they be given a scarlet letter. NuLu protesters' demands posted on East Market Street. East Market is blocked between Clay and Shelby Streets. Protesters unloaded three trucks of barricades, buffet tables, canopies, even a piano to "occupy" the area. pic.twitter.com/od87L2Js5l Chris Turner (@ChrisTurnerWDRB) July 24, 2020 Black Lives Matter Louisville is threatening small businesses with "mafia tactics" that don't pay They demand 1.5% of net sales to approved NPOs, diversity training, diversity hires They vandalized a business that refusedhttps://t.co/lj6gBOR5U1 Tim Pool (@Timcast) August 2, 2020 From The Courier Journal: Fernando Martinez, a partner of the Ole Restaurant Group, was one of dozens of business owners in the downtown Louisville district who recently received a letter from protesters laying out demands that aim to improve diversity in the area, which is known for its locally-owned shops and restaurants. Martinez has publicly denounced the demands on Facebook, calling them "mafia tactics" used to intimidate business owners. And on Thursday, a small group of protesters confronted him outside his newest restaurant, La Bodeguita de Mima, on East Market Street. "There comes a time in life that you have to make a stand and you have to really prove your convictions and what you believe in," Martinez wrote in his Facebook post. "... All good people need to denounce this. How can you justified (sic) injustice with more injustice?" According to a press release, members of the city's Cuban community will meet outside the NuLu restaurant at 4 p.m. Sunday to support the immigrant-owned business, which "has been subject to vandalism and extortion in recent days." Here's their list of demands: The BLM group BO$$, which is reportedly behind the threatening demand letter, has a "Social Justice Rating System" on their website giving local businesses an A, C or F for compliance with their demands. From Breitbart, "Shakedown: BLM Demands Cut of Louisville Business Profits for Protection": Black Lives Matter (BLM) protesters issued "social justice" and "black liberation" demands regarding "diversity" to a restaurant owner in Louisville, KY, including a directive for "donations" to organizations run by non-whites. Listed demands from a BLM affiliate in Louisville include racial quotas for staff and ownership of business suppliers, donations to organizations run by non-whites, and adjustment to dress codes. The posters used the acronym "BIPOC" ("black or indigenous persons of color") as a euphemism for non-white persons: 23% of Staff is BIPOC in Front of House 23% of inventory is from BIPOC retailer(s) Regular donations to BIPOC organization Dress code policy does not discriminate against BIPOC patrons of employees. Additional demands issued via the letter included the option to give 1.5 percent of revenues to a local "black nonprofit or organization" in lieu of purchasing a minimum of 23 percent of the business's inventory from "black retailers," mandated "diversity and inclusion training" for all employees, and displaying of left-wing messaging to support "reparations." The posters include a stated commitment to be publicly visible as a public service announcement pending future "inspections" of restaurants and other businesses. Three varieties of posters with the message, "YOU CAN'T STOP THE REVOLUTION," were directed at restaurants in Louisville's NuLu neighborhood with the grades A, C, and F according to a "NuLu Social Justice Health and Wellness Code." Posters with the C-grade declare, "A facility that fails two (2) consecutive regular inspections will be under administrative review." Those with an F-grade include the following message, "[This] facility has failed to meet minimum requirements of the Nulu Social Justice Health and Wellness Code inspection. This includes [a] failure to create a safe space for black inclusion." A similar Black Power rally was held in Brixton over the weekend in the UK. This is a BLM protest in Brixton today. Mass protests are currently illegal due to lockdown measures. Yet, London Met Police are out to ensure this protest is carried out safely. If this were a non-leftist protest, I dont think the police would have been this nice. pic.twitter.com/fo5lOnoa86 Mahyar Tousi (@MahyarTousi) August 1, 2020 The Public Order Act 1936 prohibits by law paramilitary and political uniforms. Why is the Met Police allowing this to happen? pic.twitter.com/m63fnDQytS Nigel Farage (@Nigel_Farage) August 2, 2020 Protesters were seen marching in paramilitary uniforms and as signs were held saying: "You are lucky we only want reparations not revenge." If the races were reversed in these stories and it was heavily-armed white nationalists marching through the streets giving lists of demands to local black-owned businesses it would be the top story not only in America but throughout the entire world. Instead, the story is being completely ignored by the national media and local media is airing their grievances as though they're perfectly legit. Follow InformationLiberation on Twitter, Facebook, Gab and Minds. President Akufo-Addo has stated that despite the disruption by the coronavirus (Covid-19) to the global supply chain, it is opening up opportunities for developing countries, especially Ghana. According to him, the pandemic was teasing out the potentials in companies to enhance their industrial and productive capacity, increase the output of the agriculture sector by engendering food security, and, by extension, boosting exports from Ghana to markets within the continent and beyond. President Akufo-Addo, who was speaking at the unveiling of the Volkswagen (VW)'s first assembled vehicles in Ghana on Monday, said the country's recent experience in the garment and textiles sector since the onset of Covid-19 was testimony to this. With the support of government, our, hitherto, dormant domestic garment factories have, over the past few months, been revived, and have been able to produce, currently, 15 million face masks and other personal protective equipment (PPE) for frontline health workers and for all those, i.e. students, teaching and non-teaching staff, involved in the partial reopening of our junior and senior high schools, universities and other tertiary institutions, he said. He indicated that Ghana had been spared some millions of dollars in foreign exchange and also job losses, as it had created jobs for thousands, especially young people, across the country. These job opportunities would have, otherwise, gone to foreigners in distant shores, had we chosen to import these PPE, he noted. The President stressed that his administration is determined to continue this development with appropriate policy, including insisting that all public agencies purchase, henceforth, their textile and garment needs from domestic sources. Again, he stated, We want to assemble and produce vehicles in Ghana, and, thereby, reduce eventually, our over-reliance on the importation of used vehicles. The Chief of Staff at the Office of the President has issued, recently, a new directive to all ministries, departments and agencies, and, indeed, to the Public Procurement Authority, to give first preference to the acquisition of locally assembled vehicles, when public funds are being used to buy vehicles. He revealed further that in the Finance Minister's mid-year budget review statement to Parliament, government was going to establish an Automobile Industry Development Support Centre, which will, amongst others, co-ordinate the technical processes for licencing domestic vehicle assemblers and manufacturers, and monitor also their compliance with industry regulations and standards. The centre, in addition, will also co-ordinate the implementation of an essential element of a viable automotive sector, that is the establishment of a vehicle financing scheme, which will link financial institutions to individuals and groups interested in purchasing newly-assembled vehicles in Ghana. Furthermore, the centre will carry out an Automotive Skills Enhancement Programme to provide requisite skills for the various categories of the value chain of the automobile industry. All these measures are situated in the context of the Ghana Automotive Development Policy, he added. ---Daily Guide LOUISVILLE, Ky., Aug. 5, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Trinity Safety is pleased to announce a collaborative partnership with the Kentucky Association of Master Contractors to provide monthly safety webinars focusing on solving safety and operational challenges all plumbing, heating & cooling contractors face. "Through this partnership, KAMC members will have access to virtual safety training, resources, and expertise to help our members ensure employees are trained and businesses remain OSHA compliant," said Lynn Faulkner, Executive Director of KAMC. "OSHA Compliance will be a big part of what we offer, and we also want to help contractors know what to do proactively, so that their teams never place a commitment to get work done, above a commitment to get work done safely," said Michael Fackler, Director at Trinity Safety Group. Each webinar session will be recorded and available to members on-demand. Trinity Safety Group will also host a monthly virtual KAMC Safety Manager roundtable where owners, HR and Safety Managers can engage in peer-to-peer discussion and learning, share best practices, and collaboratively solve safety AND operational challenges. Members will receive an email from KAMC in the upcoming weeks with information and links to register for both the roundtable and webinar series Trinity Safety Group is one of the region's largest safety management and staffing firms., with offices in Louisville, Indianapolis, and Washington DC. To learn more about Trinity Safety Group, or to talk with a Trinity Safety Group Advisor, call Michael Fackler at 502-492-5484 or send an email to [email protected] The Kentucky Association of Master Contractors is a trade association dedicated to serving the needs of the plumbing, heating & cooling industry in the State of Kentucky. To learn more about how other KAMC programs, events, or member benefits contact KAMC at [email protected] or by calling the KAMC office at 502-352-2575. SOURCE Trinity Safety Related Links https://www.trinitysafetygroup.com Rashida Tlaib Beat Her Primary Opponent by 900 Votes in 2018. How Will the Rematch Go? opinion As demand for fossil fuel plummets, education, job creation and other support is critical to save millions of oil industry employees and their communities from collapse. Editor's note: A version of this article originally appeared on the Natural Resource Governance Institute blog, and is republished here with permission. Since worldwide coronavirus-related lockdowns began in early February, the global demand for oil has evaporated. This huge drop in demand, coupled with an already overinflated supply, has depressed oil prices to historic lows. There has been justifiable attention on how to use this moment to help bolster low-carbon transitions. However, it is also important to address the negative impacts of this much-needed low-carbon transition on the livelihoods of the world's millions of oil workers and their communities. "In 2016, when the oil prices were low, it badly impacted the oil industry workers," says Jorge Gomez Lara, who works at Pemex, the Mexican state oil company. "Thousands of contractor workers were laid off, and oil-dependent towns like Ciudad del Carmen in Mexico witnessed massive unemployment, resulting in rising crime rates. This is happening again in the current oil crash." Oil-exporting emerging economies such as Mexico, Kuwait, Nigeria, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates have all been severely impacted, facing revenue losses and record layoffs due to production cuts. Signs of trouble are emerging from the Middle East to the Americas. For example, in the last few months, regional news reports have told stories of oil industry workers losing jobs, facing salary cuts or experiencing delays in payment of wages. Recent reports highlight the impact current and future job losses will have on millions of people worldwide, particularly those in the exploration and production segment, which forms the bulk of oil industry jobs in oil-exporting emerging economies. This could have grave repercussions for workers and their families due to the lack of social security measures such as unemployment insurance in many of these countries. Social breakdown may well follow. In the Global North, experts have been vocal about the need for governments to implement "just transition" plans for oil workers -- plans that would help such workers move away from fossil-fuel industries to other industries, including those that support a low-carbon future instead. However, this has gone largely undiscussed in emerging economies. Given the significant oil industry employment in oil-exporting emerging economies and their associated vulnerability going forward, policymakers in such countries must start considering what is needed for just transitions. Enormous Scale In many oil-exporting emerging economies, the scale of oil-industry and related employment is enormous and is typically regionally concentrated. For example, in Mexico, Pemex employs 130,000 people directly, from which flows indirect employment for a further 500,000 people. This means that nearly 2 million people in Mexico -- the 630,000 workers, each with three or four family members -- are tied to the oil industry. Moreover, in such oil-dependent countries, large numbers of oil-related jobs are concentrated regionally in "oil towns" that were built around the local oil industries. In such towns, nearly every person relies on the oil industry directly or indirectly by running shops and local businesses that rely on oil workers' spending. In such towns, the loss of high-paying oil sector jobs typically has enormous knock-on effects for wide swaths of the economy. Leaders in oil-exporting emerging economies should view the current pandemic-affected situation as an indication of what a low-carbon world could look like. Planning and implementing just transitions will not be easy, even in rich countries. A lack of alternative employment opportunities, challenges in the provision of appropriate retraining, and other socioeconomic obstacles have together kept opportunity sparse. Therefore, it is imperative that governments in emerging economies start planning for a just transition now. It's also important to not let workers' legitimate concerns be co-opted by elites with vested financial interests in the status quo as a way to block energy transitions -- something that evidence suggests has happened in previous fossil fuel industry declines. How to Transition Leaders in oil-exporting emerging economies should view the current pandemic-affected situation as an indication of what a low-carbon world could look like. Officials could create transition task forces with a mandate for long-term planning; such efforts have been made in Scotland. Planners should start by first identifying cities and villages that are particularly vulnerable to energy transitions and future oil sector contractions, and then engage extensively with workers, unions, local governments and other relevant stakeholders to develop plans to diversify the local economy and create new jobs. Governments and researchers in some countries have in recent years developed approaches to support job transition for coal workers, some of which could be replicated for oil-industry workers. National and subnational governments could promote new industries for creating local employment opportunities in sectors ranging from clean energy to tourism and manufacturing. Colleagues and I recently found that it is technically feasible to create local solar jobs for some out-of-work coal miners in many coal mining areas in China, India, the U.S. and Australia. These kinds of studies could be replicated for oil industry workers in other vulnerable regions. Governments' retraining efforts should align with the job requirements of emerging regional employment opportunities.Starting now, governments could also make critical long-term investments in education by creating new universities in oil-dependent regions. The creation of 22 new universities helped coal-mining dependent regions in Germany diversify to a knowledge-based economy. Another important aspect of just transition is that workers transitioning to new jobs might require retraining to acquire new or additional skills. Governments' retraining efforts should align with the job requirements of emerging regional employment opportunities. One way to tackle these imperatives could be the creation of worker transition centers that provide training and match workers with opportunities in towns and villages vulnerable to decarbonization. Last year in Canada, the federal government's Task Force on Just Transition for Canadian Coal Power Workers and Communities recommended the creation of such centers because in past industrial declines they played an important role in sharing information and helping workers to find new jobs. Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Environment Africa Human Rights By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later. Of course, not all places can attract new industries, and some workers may be more mobile than others. A just transition task force should consider these realities when planning. Implementing a just transition for oil workers has many challenges with which authorities in emerging economies have not yet begun to grapple. However, the current drop in oil foretells the vulnerable future that millions of oil workers will likely face. Sooner rather than later, governments of emerging economies must support a just transition for workers and their communities. Editor's note: The views expressed here are those of the author and not necessarily of Ensia. We present them to further discussion around important topics. We encourage you to respond with a comment below, following our commenting guidelines, which can be found on this page. In addition, you might consider submitting a Voices piece of your own. See Ensia's Contact page for submission guidelines. Show your support for nonprofit journalism! Ensia shares solutions-focused stories free of charge through our online magazine and partner media. That means audiences around the world have ready access to stories that can - and do - help them shape a better future. If you value our work, please show your support today. Yes, I'll support Ensia! The AK-47 is perhaps the most widespread firearm in the world. Carried by American enemies and allies alike since 1947, it is the standard infantry weapon for 106 countries. There are an estimated 100 million AK-47s of a number of variations round the world. It's a popular weapon among firearms enthusiasts, professional soldiers and terrorists alike. In the United States, it has a reputation as the "bad guy" weapon, given its history and usage among so many former enemies. So it's natural that readers have a lot of questions about it. 1. What is "AK-47" short for? Its Russian name is Avtomat Kalashnikova -- also known simply as the Kalashnikov. It was named for its inventor, Senior Sergeant Mikhail Kalashnikov. He was supposedly a wounded T-34 tank commander in the Red Army during World War II. According to legend, he admired the weapons made by the Nazis. AK-47 designer and Red Army soldier Mikhail Kalashnikov in 1949. After five years of engineering, the former agricultural engineer made his famous weapon. It was based on a number of other designs floating around at the time, mostly Germany's Sturmgewehr-44. Called StG-44 for short, the Sturmgewehr was the first real mid-range infantry rifle. It didn't shoot a heavy round but could still lay down heavy fire. The AK-47 was designed to do the same. But the true brilliance of Kalashnikov's invention was in its simplicity. It was designed for all-around ease of use: easy to repair, easy to unjam (if it ever does), easy to maintain. If a round is chambered in an AK-47, chances are good that weapon is going to fire. His creation was so simple and dependable that the Soviet Union began exporting the weapon en masse. The country made so much money from exporting the weapon that Kalashnikov received special treatment in the USSR and later Russia for the rest of his life. 2. Are AK-47 guns illegal? The legality of the AK-47 depends on what country you're reading this in. In many countries, it's not only legal to own an AK model firearm, it's necessary and/or celebrated. AK-47 model weapons are also dirt cheap in many places around the world -- but the further away you are from the production centers, the more expensive it can be. AK-47 armed Cuban soldiers marching in Havana. (Granma Imternational) According to a study on transnational crime in the developing world, the cost of a black market AK-47 can run as little as $150 in Pakistan to $3,600 on the Dark Web for shipment to the United States. The price of an AK family firearm in Africa is an exception to that general rule. It's usually much cheaper in many African countries because the demand is so high that markets are usually flooded. 3. How many bullets can an AK-47 fire in a minute? The AK-47 can fire 600 rounds per minute in a fully automatic setting. Learn about the infamous AK-47 or the Russian built assault rifle and its origins as a military weapon in this episode of "Bullet Points: AK-47." Check it out now! 4. Can I legally buy an AK-47 in the United States? As for American wannabe AK owners, it also depends on what state you live in. In general, however, a true AK-47 has a fully automatic setting, which is illegal in the United States. Models with semi-automatic settings are available and legal in the U.S. Manufacturers cannot make or import fully automatic weapons for the civilian market. But you can still legally buy a fully automatic AK-47. Because this is America. Any automatic weapon fully registered before May 1986, with the passage of the Firearm Owners Protection Act, can be purchased or sold. This means there is a market of an estimated 175,000 legal automatic weapons in the United States. The limited legal supply also means that one of these rifles can be wildly expensive -- not to mention the stiff Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives oversight and a $200 excise tax. But if you can afford $10,000 for a legally automatic AK-47, $200 is likely not going to bother you. 5. How deadly is the AK-47? The AK-47 is the deadliest weapon ever built, on the whole. Its kill count even tops nuclear weapons in sheer numbers. But the first AK-47s were very heavy and weren't really built for aiming. Kalashnikov wanted to develop a compact weapon that still delivered firepower within 300 meters that could bring a blaze of bullets (with ammunition light enough that soldiers could carry a lot of it). An Iraqi security forces soldier practices a prone shooting position at Besmaya Range Complex, Iraq, Feb. 1, 2017. (U.S. Army/Sgt. Joshua Wooten) A real 1947 Kalashnikov is surprisingly difficult to fire for a standard infantry weapon, but it was still very easily produced and easily used. Today's AKs are actually AKMs (modernized) and variations on the AKM. Everyone will still refer to it as an AK-47 or simply "AK" -- because it sounds cool. The weapon uses a 7.62mm, high-velocity round that can "destroy whole areas of a body," according to New York City trauma surgeons. They shatter bones, tear through organs and liquefy other materials as the round tumbles through the body -- often in ways that cannot be repaired. 6. Does the U.S. military use AK-47s? When the M16 rifle was first introduced in the Vietnam War, it had a number of issues. There were so many problems that American troops were killed in combat simply because they couldn't shoot back. Even after the kinks were worked out, a dirty M16 was (and is) much less likely to operate than a dirty AK-47. So U.S. troops were known to pick up AKs from their fallen enemies and keep them handy ... just in case. Capt. Michael Harvey, U.S. Army M.P. inspects an AK-47, Vietnam 1968. Note that the magazine has been incorrectly inserted. (United States Army Heritage and Education Center) When the AK-47 was first introduced, it was such a great weapon that the Red Army actually hid it from the world. The U.S. didn't really know about its existence until the mid-1950s. Not that the American military would buy its standard-issue rifle from its main geopolitical foe and potential World War III adversary anyway. These days, the U.S. does not field AK-47s, but some members of its military are trained to use them. Special operations forces from all branches might have to pick up an enemy AK-47 at some point because of the nature of their work -- sometimes help isn't coming. 7. Why do terrorists use AK-47s? The rifle was designed to be carried, maintained and fired by anyone in the area who happened to need its services. And if you need a weapon like the AK-47, you need to be able to use it fast, whether you're a professional soldier or a poorly trained conscript. The worldwide availability and durability of the AK-47 also makes it an attractive weapon for terrorists, militias and other illegal paramilitary organizations. Whether they're trying to take over a military base in frozen tundra or overthrowing a government in Sub-Saharan Africa, the AK-47 works really well in every environment, is always available (usually at a steep discount) and will still work even if it falls into water, mud, sand or some other muck. The average lifespan of a terrorist in a gunfight isn't very long, so that rifle is likely going to hit the ground, and someone is going to need it to work when they pick it up. The terrorist group is definitely going to need a cheap replacement. -- Blake Stilwell can be reached at blake.stilwell@military.com. He can also be found on Twitter @blakestilwell or on Facebook. Want to Learn More About Military Life? Whether you're thinking of joining the military, looking for post-military careers or keeping up with military life and benefits, Military.com has you covered. Subscribe to Military.com to have military news, updates and resources delivered directly to your inbox. Federal crossbenchers have criticised the Australian governments plan for a taxpayer funded gas-led economic recovery, as recommended by the Prime Ministers COVID-19 advisory body, because it is out of step with Australias Paris climate commitments. Loading Independent MPs Zali Steggall, Andrew Wilkie and Helen Haines issued a signed statement with Greens leader Adam Bandt citing research from the University of Melbourne that predicted the cumulative economic damage of Australia failing to keep temperature increases below 2 degrees to be $2.7 trillion. The COVID-19 economic crisis and recovery spending is going to impact Australians for years to come. Public debt incurred in response to the COVID-19 pandemic must be done in the interest of all current and future Australians, the statement said. Ms Steggall said she was concerned that special advisors to the National COVID-19 Coordination Commission were not being required to declare conflicts of interest given the clear direction the NCCC was taking on gas. A statewide policy change requiring students to wear face coverings inside school buildings at all times is forcing some districts to modify their reopening plans and raising new questions about in-person instruction resuming on schedule in September. It comes as parents are wrestling with whether to opt for all-remote learning amid the coronavirus pandemic and teachers are raising safety concerns about returning to classrooms. While many districts already were requiring masks at all times, the K-8 Stratford school district in Camden County had planned to let students remove them while sitting at their desks in socially-distanced classroom settings. PIL in SC challenges Centre's ordinances on powers to extend tenure of Directors of CBI, ED CBI probe into Sushant Singhs death to have far reaching effects India oi-Vicky Nanjappa Patna, Aug 05: The ruling Janata Dal (United) in Bihar on Wednesday hailed the Centres nod to Nitish Kumar government's recommendation for a CBI inquiry into Sushant Singh Rajput's death, saying it will ensure justice to the deceased actor and expose the dark underbelly of Bollywood. Sushant Singh death case: CBI to probe | Centre informs SC | Oneindia News The party also remarked that the Supreme Court's criticism of the Mumbai polices handling of the matter, and the forcible quarantining of Patna IPS officer Vinay Tiwari, vindicated the stand adopted by the state government. "With the Centre accepting the Bihar governments recommendation for a CBI inquiry, we can now hope that justice will be done in the matter of Sushant Singh Rajput. Sushant Singh Rajput death case handed over to CBI, Centre tells Supreme Court "We are also hopeful that the investigation will expose before the world the 'shadyantra ke khel' (conspiratorial games) that are played in the 'maya nagar' (tinsel town)," JD(U) spokesman Rajiv Ranjan Prasad said in a statement. In course of hearing on a petition filed by actress Rhea Chakraborty, accused of abetting the actors suicide by Rajput's father, Additional Solicitor General of India Tushar Mehta had told the Supreme Court that the Centre has accepted the Bihar governments recommendation. Prasad said "the Supreme Court's objections to the treatment meted out to IPS officer Vinay Tiwari and its direction to the Mumbai police that it ensure all evidences were kept secure and presented along with details of the investigation it has conducted so far in the matter, give credence to the contention that the role of Mumbai police has, so far, been questionable". The apex court's averments raise hopes that the shroud of mystery over the death of Rajput will finally be taken off, he added. The JD(U) spokesman also lambasted the Congress, which is a partner in the ruling coalition in Maharashtra, for putting up a "double face", with its leaders in Bihar speaking in favour of a CBI inquiry and those elsewhere criticising the Bihar police. "The contention of the AICC spokesman Randeep Surjewala, questioning the jurisdiction of Bihar police and accusing it of promoting chaos by interfering in a case related to Maharashtra exposes the duplicity of the Congress," he alleged. Rajput was found hanging from the ceiling at his Bandra residence on June 14, and subsequently, a case of unnatural death was lodged by the Mumbai police. The FIR lodged by the bereaved father, K K Singh, at Rajiv Nagar police station in Patna on July 25, opened up a can of worms with startling allegations against Chakraborty and her family. Two days ago, Singh, who had been maintaining a stoic silence in the matter so far, came out with a video message for the first time and alleged that he had apprised the Mumbai police of the threat to his sons life in February itself, and it took no note of his request for action against "named persons" soon after the death. Meanwhile, the BJP, a junior coalition partner of the JD(U) in Bihar, also echoed the views expressed by the senior ally. Bihar BJP spokesman Nikhil Anand came out with a statement thanking Nitish Kumar, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah for paving the way for a CBI inquiry. He also flayed the Shiv Sena-NCP-Congress combine in Maharashtra, accusing its leaders of making "unfortunate comments" in the matter. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Wednesday, August 5, 2020, 16:56 [IST] Britain is forming two small commando units called Royal Marines Vanguard Strike Companies (VSC). Each will consist of about 300 Royal Marine and army commando personnel, as well as some amphibious ships. One VSC will be stationed in Bahrain (Persian Gulf) while the other will be working with the Norwegian military to deal with the growing Russian threat in northern Europe. Personnel in each VSC will serve for six months and then replaced by new personnel with the same skills and capabilities. The current British Commando Force consists of the 3rd Commando Brigade, which consists of three Royal Marine Commandos (battalions) and many army commandos serving in support units (artillery, engineers and logistics). The British Army, which pioneered the development of modern commando operations, disbanded all its commando units after World War II. But the Royal Marines, which also had formed commando battalions, kept theirs. Eventually, all Royal Marine infantry units became commandos, as they are to this day. The original commandos were formed after France fell in mid-1940. At that time, there were plenty of British soldiers eager to volunteer for a unit that was going to fight back right away. The major problem was the resistance of unit commanders reluctant to see their best troops volunteer for these new units. This was partly solved by forming two of the units from independent companies raised earlier in the year from reservists. These "independent companies" were sort of commandos, but mainly they were to be used when a small unit of infantry (an infantry company has about 150 men) were needed to land in a coastal area and destroy something an approaching enemy might want like port and communications facilities, air fields and so on. These independent companies were formed using men who had been discharged from the army over the past few years after serving seven-year enlistments and were now in the reserves. These men were thus experienced, a little older (and wiser) and not already part of a unit that didn't want to lose them. The eleven "Independent Companies" were used for raids from the sea against German facilities, or small garrisons, in Norway. Four of these companies had already been used in May 1940 as part of the British operations around Narvik, Norway. There were already many officers in the army who were open to the idea of commandos. But the "Independent Companies" were just volunteer infantrymen, who were willing to undertake very risky raiding operations. It was a start. The British had a tradition, especially over the previous two centuries, of creating raiding type units for special operations. This sort of thing was not seen as totally alien. Officers who served in Britain's numerous colonies had developed and used raiding type operations to deal with bandits or guerillas. British historians made much of the experience with "Rangers" in North America both before and during the American Revolution. There were light infantry units during the campaigns against Napoleon in Spain in the early 19th century. More recent experiences, against Boers at the end of the 19th century, von Lettow Vorbeck's Askaris in Africa during World War I, and the German storm troopers at the end of World War I, had made a strong impression on the World War II generation of British generals. While some commanders muttered about commandos being "private armies', there was enough enthusiasm for the project to see it got going with a minimum of interference. Prime minister Churchill was also a fan, which also helped. Initially, each "commando" was a battalion size unit of some 600 men, with the fighting elements being ten fifty-man troops (a British term for platoons). In early 1941 this was changed to six troops of 65 men each. This was dictated by the capacity of the newly developed amphibious landing craft the troops used on many of their raids. An assault landing craft (LCA) could hold 35 troops (or 800 pounds of equipment), so each commando needed two LCAs. By the end of the war, Britain had ten army "commandos" (as the commando battalions were called), and all were disbanded, along with all other commando units (like the SAS). The Royal Marines kept three of their nine commandos. The British revived the even more elite SAS (army Special Air Service) and SBS (navy Special Boat Service) in the 1950s, but the Royal Marine Commandos have the distinction of being the longest serving commando unit. EU sends civil protection units to Beirut First 100 firefighters to search for the missing (ANSAmed) - BRUSSELS, AUGUST 5 - As an immediate first step to help the Lebanese deal with the aftermath of the explosions Tuesday, the EU Civil Protection Mechanism has been activated upon request of the Lebanese authorities. Janez Lenarcic, Commissioner for Crisis Management, said Wednesday in a statement that ''the EU Civil Protection Mechanism is now coordinating the urgent deployment of over a 100 highly trained firefighters, with vehicles, dogs and equipment, specialised in search and rescue in urban contexts. They will work with the Lebanese authorities to save lives on the ground.'' ''Already, the Netherlands, Greece and Czechia have confirmed their participation in this critical operation. France, Poland and Germany have also offered assistance via the Mechanism and more Member States can offer support,'' he added. ''The EU has also activated its Copernicus Satellite mapping system to support the Lebanese authorities in assessing the extent of the damage.'' (ANSAmed). Biopharma collects about half of plasma required for production of experimental batch of cure for COVID-19 Biopharma pharmaceutical company (Kyiv) has accumulated about 150 liters of plasma from 118 donors who have had coronavirus (COVID-19) for the production of the drug for COVID-19, and the same amount is needed to create an experimental series. The company informed Interfax-Ukraine that it is necessary to collect 300 liters to create the first experimental series of drugs. "Not everyone who is diagnosed has developed antibodies, but they are the main weapon against the disease. However, there are cases of asymptomatic course of the disease. That is why everyone who donate plasma in our centers is tested for antibodies to COVID-19," said the president of the company, Kostiantyn Yefymenko. He called on Ukrainians, representatives of government, business and public activists to help attract donors who have overcome the coronavirus. He said that if antibodies are detected, the collected plasma is used to create a drug for coronavirus, if there are no antibodies, then other drugs are made from donated blood. Biopharma also reports that clinical trials of use of Bioven in the symptomatic treatment of coronavirus are completed. This drug is also produced from donated plasma. In particular, according to the company, during the Bioven research, Ukrainian and international experts noted that it reduces the severity of the cytokine storm and helps stabilize the condition of seriously ill patients. "The preliminary results of the studies are extremely encouraging: everyone who took Bioven, observe the stabilization of the general condition up to two days after taking the drug, followed by a decrease in manifestations of respiratory failure," the company reported. As reported, clinical effectiveness trials of domestic drugs AMIZON MAX (produced by Farmak), Amiksin IC (Interchem), Bioven (Biopharma) and Corvitin (BHFZ) are underway in Ukraine. Hours before he submitted his resignation to President Ram Nath Kovind on Wednesday, Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Girish Chandra Murmu said the government will continue the review process to look into the release of political leaders in detention. Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president and former chief minister Mehbooba Mufti is one of them, with her detention under the stringent Public Safety Act (PSA) extended by another three months. Sources in the Raj Bhawan said Murmu has sent his resignation to the Rashtrapati Bhavan. Officials at the President's House and Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) refused to confirm the development, but government radio broadcaster All India Radio (AIR) tweeted about the development. Academic Amitabh Matoo on Twitter speculated that Rajiv Mehrishi, the current Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) and the former home secretary who dealt extensively with Kashmir during his MHA stint, could be the next Kashmir L-G. In his last interview as L-G, Murmu spoke extensively to News18 on the security challenges over the last year, unemployment, and the continued incarceration of leaders like Mufti. Reacting to Omar Abdullah's threat to not participate in any elections till statehood is restored, Murmu said he is hopeful that all mainstream parties will join the electoral process as and when it happens. "There might be some individual opinions, I won't comment, but I don't think political parties will have the same view. I hope that everyone will participate," said Murmu. He added that the general mood among panch, sarpanch and block development council members was that of enthusiasm towards the electoral process. Abdullah had earlier said that he will fight for an MLA election only when statehood is restored for the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir. When asked about Mufti's continued incarceration, Murmu said a decision to release a leader was based on the constantly changing security circumstance. "Time to time, the situation is reviewed...many leaders have been released after review....we will continue the process in the future too and those who can be released will be released," he said. Murmu refused to comment on the allegations by Mufti's daughter Iltaja who claimed that her mother continued to be in detention because she was speaking against the abrogation of Article 370 unlike others who had been released. "I will not be able to say anything on that but it is circumstantial and due to the situations that decisions are taken," said Murmu. He also gave hope for 4G internet restoration when he said the decision to continue to suspend 4G connectivity in the Valley was not due to security consideration. "There is a continuous process of assessment going on. Currently also, Pakistan and other elements have been doing this kind of propaganda. Security forces are good to handle it. So I don't think that is an issue," he said when asked if 4G internet connectivity will be restored soon. Jammu and Kashmir commemorated the first anniversary of the end of its special status on Wednesday. Most parts of the Valley wore a deserted look with shops downing their shutters. However, Murmu argued this was because of the coronavirus pandemic and not any unofficial or official curfew. "There is nothing like that (curfew). Because of coronavirus, there are hotspots and red zones and normal restrictions have been imposed in many places," he said. "That is why there are no activities, otherwise activities are always there. The only thing is at certain point of times these things happen. Due to the coronavirus this time, in certain pockets the local administration has taken peripheral control and social distancing and crowd control, etc.," he said. Murmu also sought to calm down nerves on the issue of domicile policy taking away jobs and changing the demographics of the Valley. "Some misguided people are talking about domicile being an attempt to alter demographics, but it is nothing but to protect the people of J&K. It empowers them, so that outsiders do not take away employment," he said. "It is only empowering those who have been denied these rights, like the Valmikis, Gorkhas, West Pakistan refugees. We are only treating them at par with other people. So this is nothing, only a misconception...nothing to be afraid of." "The fears of demographic change are unfounded and baseless. There is no such plan. Each property, agricultural land of people and even employment by virtue of domicile is protected. Everyone cannot come and just apply here... it is the other way round," he said. "Most people do not believe this kind of propaganda." Murmu signed off by acknowledging that first the lockdown of August last year and now the coronavirus lockdown has completely destroyed the tourism sector and taken away employment from people. He said the government had planned to hold an investors summit in May this year but the pandemic lead to its postponement. Murmu said generating employment in both the state and private sectors is the government's top priority. Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, on Wednesday, urged defaulters in the national capital to deposit their taxes right away or face strict action. Over 10,800 firms either defaulted or paid less tax to Delhi government from January to March, 2020, hindering the funding of COVID-19 fight and public welfare works. Around 970 of these companies paid no tax to the government from January to March this year. The Delhi State Trade and Taxes Department under Sisodia has served notices to all defaulters under (Form) 3A of GST Act to pay taxes due within 15 days failing which it will proceed with further action. Also Read: Liquor prices to come down as Delhi govt removes 70% corona tax on alcohol Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - August 5, 2020) - Gold Rush Cariboo Corp. (TSXV: GDBO) (OTC: SGRWF) ("Gold Rush" or the "Company") announces the resignation of Mr. Randy Koroll as the Chief Financial Officer of the Company and Mr. Brian Stecyk as a director of the Company, effective immediately. The Company wishes to thank Mr. Koroll and Mr. Stecyk for their contributions to the Company and wishes them every success in their future endeavors. The Company is also pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. David Robinson as a director and Chief Financial Officer of the Company. Mr. Robinson has over 10 years of accounting and capital markets experience. He has provided audit, tax and consulting services to private and public companies for a number of years at MNP LLP before moving to the Telus Pension Fund as a senior analyst, where he gained significant exposure to equity portfolio management and commercial lending. Mr. Robinson is currently the group CFO and a partner in Cronin Group, a natural resource focused merchant bank based in Vancouver, British Columbia. He is also the CFO of Temas Resources Corp. and Imperial Helium Corp. Conan Taylor President 1-877-497-0528 We Seek Safe Harbour Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Forward-Looking Statements Certain information set forth in this news release may contain forward-looking statements that involve substantial known and unknown risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, the timing of future exploration work or drilling, and the expansion of the mineralization. These forward-looking statements are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, certain of which are beyond the control of Gold Rush Cariboo Inc.., including, but not limited to, the impact of general economic conditions, industry conditions, volatility of commodity prices, risks associated with the uncertainty of exploration results and estimates, currency fluctuations, dependency upon regulatory approvals, the uncertainty of obtaining additional financing and exploration risk. Readers are cautioned that the assumptions used in the preparation of such information, although considered reasonable at the time of preparation, may prove to be imprecise and, as such, undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking statements. This press release is not, and is not to be construed in any way as, an offer to buy or sell securities in the United States. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/61104 Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-05 16:39:37|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close BAGHDAD, Aug. 5 (Xinhua) -- A Katyusha rocket landed on Wednesday in the heavily fortified Green Zone in central the Iraqi capital Baghdad without causing casualties, an Interior Ministry source said. The attack took place before dawn when a rocket landed in the zone, which houses some of the main Iraqi government offices and the U.S. embassy, the source told Xinhua on condition of anonymity. No group has so far claimed responsibility for the attack, as the military bases housing U.S. troops across Iraq and the U.S. embassy have been frequently targeted by mortar and rocket attacks. The Iraqi-U.S. relations have witnessed a tension since Jan. 3 when a U.S. drone struck a convoy at Baghdad airport, which killed Qassem Soleimani, former commander of the Quds Force of Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps, and Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, deputy chief of Iraq's paramilitary Hashd Shaabi forces. The U.S. airstrike prompted the Iraqi parliament on Jan. 5 to pass a resolution requiring the government to end the presence of foreign forces in the country. More than 5,000 U.S. troops have been deployed in Iraq to support the Iraqi forces in the battles against the Islamic State militants, mainly for training and advisory purposes. Enditem Andersen Global enters the Chilean market through Collaboration Agreements with two Santiago-based firms: law firm Chirgwin Penafiel and tax firm SPASA Consulting. The firms are in close partnership with each other and add depth and breadth to the organizations Latin American platform as it continues its steady expansion. Founded in 2009, Chirgwin Penafiel, led by Office Managing Partner Andres Chirgwin, is a full-service law firm specializing in commercial and corporate law, M&A, energy, labor law and banking & finance. The firm works with a variety of corporate clients, being strongly focused on providing legal support to multinational companies with operations in Chile, while also assisting Chilean-based companies with local and international legal needs. Chirgwin Penafiel has been recognized by IFLR1000, Leaders League and Best Lawyers. Our firm is committed to delivering quality, comprehensive solutions to our local and international clients, Andres said. Andersen Globals capabilities will equip us to provide seamless, best-in-class solutions globally. We look forward to collaborating with like-minded individuals that value independence and transparency when handling client matters. For more than 20 years, SPASA Consulting has provided a full range of consulting services with a focus on tax consultancy, accounting services and payroll compliance. The firms expertise also includes in-depth knowledge and understanding of IFRS and taxable rules, as well as a strong focus on Australian companies working in Chile. We believe that quality work requires stewardship and a trusted relationship with the client as well as specific knowledge of their business and industry, SPASA Office Managing Partner Rodrigo Guerrero said. Andersen Globals integrated approach of providing both tax and legal services, is extraordinarily complementary to our existing client base and the strong working relationship that already exists between Chirgwin Penafiel and SPASA Consulting, giving us the competitive edge in our market as we continue to work with both local and international clients. Andersen Global Chairman and Andersen CEO Mark Vorsatz added, Chirgwin Penafiel and SPASA Consulting have developed a close working relationship. These dynamic and innovative firms bring a level of enthusiasm and dedication that made them an excellent fit for our organization. Chile is a significant region to our expansion plans in South America, and the firms synergistic strategy, along with their subject matter expertise and knowledge of the market, will strengthen our organizations global platform. Andersen Global is an international association of legally separate, independent member firms comprised of tax and legal professionals around the world. Established in 2013 by U.S. member firm Andersen Tax LLC, Andersen Global now has more than 6,000 professionals worldwide and a presence in over 186 locations through its member firms and collaborating firms. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200804005373/en/ Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-05 17:36:33|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close PHNOM PENH, Aug. 5 (Xinhua) -- Cambodia on Wednesday required foreign diplomats and international organization officials, who intend to travel to the country, to provide a "COVID-19-free" health certificate prior to their departure, according to the Ministry of Health. The health certificate must be issued by competent health authorities of his/her country no more than 72 hours prior to the date of travel, certifying that he/she did not test positive for the COVID-19, the statement said. "All diplomats and international organization officials, holding diplomatic visa (Visa A) or official visa (Visa B) of Cambodia, will be required to test (for the COVID-19) when they arrive in Cambodia, and their samples will be taken at a special venue at the arrival terminal," Health Minister Mam Bunheng said in a statement. He said they have to wait for their testing results for at least 24 hours at a hotel or accommodation with standard operating procedures (SOPs), and if required by public health measures, they will be quarantined for 14 days at that location. If someone tests positive for the virus by the Pasteur Institute of Cambodia, he/she will be admitted to the Royal Phnom Penh Hospital or an embassy-proposed hospital, Bunheng said, adding that diplomats or their embassies and international organizations must be responsible for all expenses, including medical cost. The minister said that due to the number of diplomatic and official visa holders is not too many, the government has decided to provide them free-of-charge COVID-19 testing for the first time upon their arrival and for the second time on the 13th day of their quarantine. According to the statement, all foreign mission residences will be required to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Ministry of Health concerning SOPs in order to curb the COVID-19 spread in Cambodia. The move came after four U.S. embassy officials in Cambodia had tested positive for the virus after they recently travelled to the kingdom from the United States. According to the Ministry of Health, three of them have recovered so far. The Southeast Asian nation has recorded a total of 243 confirmed COVID-19 cases to date, with 202 patients cured and 41 remained in hospital. Enditem Suspected militants from Islamist group Boko Haram killed at least 13 people and wounded eight others in a grenade attack in a camp for displaced people in northern Cameroon on Sunday, a security source and a local official told Reuters. A group calling itself the Volta Youth Forum is displeased with a stalwart of the opposition National Democratic Congress, Professor Kwamena Ahwoi over events in his book chronicling the history of the NDC. The group believes Mr. Ahwoi is attempting to use his book titled Working with Rawlings to erode the legacy of the founder of the NDC, Jerry John Rawlings. We in the Volta Youth Forum condemn in strong terms these lingering attempts by some Rawlings-made personalities to bastardize, obliterate, wipe and reduce his influence and standing for the parochial interest of projecting themselves to levels they never attained in the footprint of history. Whether they like it or not, history recognizes it that Rawlings is the NDC and the NDC is Rawlings. No underserving glory and heroism will change that fact, the group said in a statement. Notice is served to all such individuals that none of them can ever destroy or obliterate the J. J. Rawlings legacy. As Mr Dan Abodakpi put it, it is a waste of time. It is an exercise in futility that is leading nowhere, the group added. The former Local Government Minister released the book last Thursday, July 30, 2020. He has been criticised by NDC fanatics for making some remarks in the book deemed derogatory against some leading personalities in the party. Whereas some of them criticised the timing of the book, others said it portrayed the Ahwoi brothers as saints. The Chairman of the Volta Regional Council of Elders for the NDC, Dan Abodakpi after the book launch took on Prof. Kwamena Ahwoi. In a press statement, the former Keta MP said the book is an attempt to discredit the political legacy of former President Jerry John Rawlings. It is in-fact, in several instances, a factually wrong and dangerous aberration likely to create tensions in and out. Is the objective of this enterprise to destroy President Rawlings political legacy? If so, then I can tell my brother and my friend that he is simply wasting his time, he said. The Volta Youth Forum in its statement also chastised Prof. Ahwoi for the book which it believes is only geared towards commercial exploitation. We ask, if not just for commercial exploitation, why won't more sublime titles such as Working with the NDC or Working in the Public Service in Ghana be chosen for such a book? We do not take away from the right of the author to select a title suitable to him. But why must is it always be about Rawlings? Any secret? Anyway, we know the name 'Rawlings' sells. Read below the full statement from the Volta Youth Forum: MR JOHN MAHAMA: BE WEARY OF SOME OF YOUR 'KINGMAKERS' The month of July ended with the release of what some described as the self-righteous and vain glory book entitled, working with Rawlings by Prof. Kwamena Ahwoi. Unsurprisingly, as noted by some earlier reviewers, the name of Mr Rawlings was again exploited for commercial interests and underserved adulation by people who have always sought to project themselves as the perfect strategists of the NDC and Ghanaian politics. The book and the interviews that accompanied its release made some sweeping comments and issues which only qualify as hearsay coming from someone who is expected to raise the bar by virtue of his experience and professional standing as an academic. We in the Volta Youth Forum condemn in strong terms these lingering attempts by some Rawlings-made personalities to bastardize, obliterate, wipe and reduce his influence and standing for the parochial interest of projecting themselves to levels they never attained in the footprint of history. Whether they like it or not, history recognizes it that Rawlings is the NDC and the NDC is Rawlings. No underserving glory and heroism will change that fact. One of those unverified and disputable comments was the 'fact' according to the author that ahead of the 2008 general elections, Flt Lt J.J. Rawlings, the Founder ( undisputed title) of the NDC attempted to undermine the party's Presidential candidate, Prof. John Evans Atta Mills ( of blessed memory) by scheming for his replacement. Ordinarily, this allegation should not deserve a response from anyone knowing very well it fits into the deep rooted hatred for Mr Rawlings by some of those who now want to twist history in order to claim some undeserved glory of being the founders of the party or the 'kingmakers' of the party. But we need to respond since history is at stake. We start off by asking two simple questions as follows: Who in the NDC can claim to love Prof. Mills more than Mr Rawlings? Who in the party can claim to have supported and campaigned for Prof. Mills more than Mr Rawlings? The undeniable truth is that although Prof Mills was a self-made academic and astute professional of the highest level of integrity, as far as political life is concerned, it was Mr Rawlings who brought him to the limelight. Since 1996, Mr Rawlings had given his full support to Prof Mills politically. He had on many occasions attested to the integrity and professional competence of Prof. Mills. Indeed, Mr Rawlings had paid heavy prices for his unalloyed support for Prof. Mills. He had lost very close friends and political associates who felt aggrieved about his unrepentant support for Prof. Mills. The first of such reactions was what culminated into the first implosion suffered by the party in the year 2000 when Mr Goosie Tandoh and a host of party loyalists and Rawlings associates left the party to form their own party National Reform Party. But this did not deter Rawlings. Not even a painful defeat in the 2000 elections when Prof Mills was the Flagbearer discouraged Mr Rawlings. He still supported and campaigned tooth and nail for Prof. Mills in the 2004 elections which the party again lost bitterly to its arch rival, the NPP. Rawlings' continuous support for Prof. Mills ahead of the 2008 elections was what led to the second major implosion in the party when personalities such as Dr Obed Yao Asamoah and Mr Bede Ziedeng and Madam Frances Essiam left the NDC to form their own political party, the Democratic Freedom Party, an event some political analysts saw as a good omen that hugely contributed to the second- round narrow victory of the NDC in the 2008 general elections. It is important to uncover the fact that ahead of the 2008 elections, no one in the NDC can be said to have campaigned for the party's Presidential candidate and Parliamentary candidates more than Jerry Rawlings did. He was seen nearly everywhere campaigning for his beloved Prof. Mills sometimes at the peril of his health and against the advice of his medical doctors. As the head of the three-pronged campaign strategy by the party, he was the one who was feared by the ruling NPP at the time. Some of those who now claim to know everything about the party were hardly seen on campaign platforms. Even if they did, their messages and voices were only feeble and insignificant to the NPP. They did not matter to the NPP. We vividly recall Rawlings' entry into Tain ahead of the announcement of the 'Third round' of voting by Dr Afari Djan, the EC Chairperson. That entry into Tain by Mr Rawlings did not only throw confusion into the ranks of the NPP, but it more importantly led to the narrow victory the NDC chalked in that election to the disappointment of then candidate Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo. Meanwhile, it is important to reveal that some of those who now constitute themselves into a strategic caucus in the party were politically docile in the post-defeat era of the NDC. Some of them had publicly resigned from the party and had announced to the whole world that they were out of active politics. Others too had claimed at the time that they were sick, hence they were absent in the activities of the party. Again, it is important to put on record that between 2001 and 2008 when the NDC functionaries were being politically persecuted by the Kuffour-led government, some of these people who now claim control of the heart and soul of the NDC were conspicuously absent from the political scene. At that torturous period when it was not fanciful to talk, it took very few bold and courageous individuals such as Mr Rawlings, Hon. Alban Sumani Bagbin ( Minority Leader at the time), Dr Tony Aidoo, Mr Victor Smith ( the Spokesperson of Mr Rawlings at the time), Ama Benyiwaa Doe, Asiedu Nketia, Hon. John Mahama, Dr Ben Kumbour, Mr Samuel Ofosu Ampofo and Mr Baba Jamal to sustain the NDC. Where were some of those who now claim the heart and soul of the NDC? The other assertion by Prof. Ahwoi that the late Mr P.V. Obeng was one of those Mr Rawlings referred to as 'greedy bastards' in the Mills' government could not be true. This flies in the face of Rawlings' publicly acknowledged commentary about and commendation of Mr P. V. Obeng. This is a man Mr Rawlings has always singled out for mention for his integrity, so how could Mr Rawlings be referring to him as one of the 'greedy bastards?' Meanwhile, Mr Ahwoi's revelation that upon the NDC's assumption of power in the year 2009, he Ahwoi, Mr P.V. Obeng and Mr Alex Segbefia had prepared up to one hundred dockets for the prosecution of former functionaries of the Kuffour-led government only for Prof. Mills to shoot down the call for prosecution only goes to strengthen Rawlings' publicly expressed 'beef' with Prof. Mills. Every active observer of the political space ahead of the 2008 general elections will recall that the NDC campaigned on the mantra of anti-corruption with a promise to prosecute corrupt elements in the NPP government. The NDC promised to find and prosecute the killers of both Ya-Na and Alhaji Mobila both of whom were gruesomely murdered by unknown assailants. The NDC won power only to renege on its promise, so why won't the Founder who had made these issues his main campaign mantra not be angry when it appeared the party and government were drifting from their campaign promises? As for the other issues of Mr Rawlings not wanting Democracy ahead of the 4th Republic, that is no news really. Who in Ghana does not know Rawlings's reservations even up till now about the ills of unbridled Western style Democracy? He, unlike some others, has never shied away from expressing his views on some of these issues, so that should not have found its place into a book at all. It is no revealed fact. At best, it is just a recap of what the public already know. The revelation by the author that he and some senior kingpins in the government had unleashed some relatively young party and government functionaries termed 'babies with sharp teeth' on Mr Rawlings as a strategy of containing him is however interesting. Unknown to the author, he is casting those young individuals who know themselves and are known by the public as people who do not have a mind of their own. They are pushed around and used to do other people's bidding for political gains. Simply put, they are hatchet men and women. Yes, that may have worked in the past, but to such individuals, until they come out to clean their soiled names and identities, they will live to bear the brunt of this revelation one day despite they may be doing well politically today. They should remember that for their own future in politics, it will be in their interest to come out and confirm with reasons or reject in no uncertain terms the assertion by Prof. Ahwoi. For the other issues raised in the book, distinguished party folks such as Hon. Dan Abodakpi had either poured cold water on them or doubted their factual accuracies. The NDC Founder himself has promised to deal with the author and his content by revealing the hidden facts. But while we await this response from the Founder, we seek to find out one more thing. Why is it that despite their purported claim to wit, war chess, stratagem, skills, expertise and knowledge, some of those who claim kingship titles in the NDC fear to put themselves up for elections either in the party or nationally? Why do they only ride at the back and the political fortune and success of others? Why are they hardly seen on political platforms only to emerge as occupants of juicy positions at GRA, NCA, ECG and GNPC? Why do they love and cherish only those national assets? How blessed they have been in the party! We would have wished that the thousands of true cadres and party functionaries who had been in the trenches since June 4, 1979 had gotten just 1/64 of what some of those kingmakers enjoy in the party and government. Aren't they deserving of it too? Aren't the millions of ordinary Voltarians across the length and breadth of the country who continue to support the party against all forms of vilification, dehumanization and name calling deserving of some of these CEO positions and oil proceeds and investments too? Or their roles end just immediately after the vote whilst the Kingmakers now assume their 'rightful positions' in deciding who occupies which position in the government? 'Monkey dey work for the kingmakers to chop?' Expectedly, one would have hoped that given their claim to the magical wand of political success and victory, they will not remain only kingmakers but king themselves by contesting elections. Is it the case that contrary to their public image, they do not really enjoy strong base and constituency in the party? How many people are they able to influence to vote for the party? Are such people overrated or are living in the past? Notice is served all such individuals that none of them can ever destroy or obliterate the J. J. Rawlings legacy. As Mr Dan Abodakpi put it, it is a waste of time. It is an exercise in futility that is leading nowhere. He will forever remain an important part of the political history of Ghana. He is no saint, but history will forever shine on him as the boldest and the most courageous leader of this country who took very unpopular decisions to bring this nation to where it is today. He will find favour with history for being the main architect of the 4th Republic, a feat no book or agenda can deny him of. He has seen more serious betrayals and attacks in the past than whatever may be happening now, but he has survived them all. Can those people ask themselves how they will be remembered by history? Again we ask, if not just for commercial exploitation, why won't more sublime titles such as Working with the NDC or Working in the Public Service in Ghana be chosen for such a book? We do not take away from the right of the author to select a title suitable to him. But why must is it always be about Rawlings? Any secret? Anyway, we know the name 'Rawlings' sells. Finally, we feel pity for Mr John Mahama and Prof. Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang who are making overtures to the Founder and other important party folks to join the party's campaign. And they appear to be succeeding only for some ill-timed, self-aggrandizing issues to be derailing the efforts of the campaign team and the candidate. Is there an agenda unknown to the Flagbearer? We advise the campaign team and the candidate to remain resolute like the ruling party. But we advise him to be weary of some of those 'kingmakers' who themselves hate to be kings. Let no one pretend to love him more than he loves himself. He should be skeptical about some of those kingmakers who unashamedly prefer the sweetest part of the meat whenever the meal is served. They should now be told that the board room strategy is too much. They should hit the ground, the trenches, the mud, the ghettos and the hamlets to campaign for the party just as the Party Executives and thousands of unrecognized party loyalists and enthusiasts are doing even though they will never get the opportunity of being the Board Chairs of GRA, NCA, GNPC, ECG or BOST. Every such person should be told to stop feeding on the sweat of the teeming masses of ordinary party folks whose toil bring the power to power only for the government to be hijacked by the so called experts and caucuses. But one wonders what the motivation of those self-acclaimed power brokers and kingpins is in doing what they are doing at this eleventh hour to a critical national election. To rock the boat and turn round to blame Rawlings again? The Volta Youth Forum ---citinewsroom Amid increasing tensions between the world's two most powerful nations, the United States and China, a new development has come up. On August 5, China said a visit by a top US cabinet member to Taiwan was endangering peace and stability in the region. A statement by United states de facto embassy in Taipei said US health secretary Alex Azar would lead a delegation to the self-ruled island of Taiwan, which Beijing claims it as part of China. Read India An 'Important Pacific Power'; Will Continue To Invest In It: Pro-Biden Democrat Platform According to media reports Wang Wenbin, a spokesman of Chinas Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said China strongly opposes official exchanges between the United States of America and Taiwan. He also added we urge the USA to abide by the one-China principle and to avoid seriously endangering Sino-US relations and to keep peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait. Read: Trump Backs Mail Voting In Florida Battleground US-Taiwan relations The United States switched diplomatic recognition from Taiwan to China in 1979. It remains the leading arms supplier to the island of Taiwan but historically been conscious in holding official contacts with Taiwan. Taiwans foreign ministry has confirmed the trip and said US health secretary Alex Azar would meet President Tsai Ing-wen. Neither side disclosed when the trip would happen in their statements, said media reports. Read: Switzerland Warns It 'will React More Decisively' If China Sticks To Its 'course' Azar would be the first Health Secretary to visit Taiwan and the first Cabinet member to visit in six years, the last being then-Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Gina McCarthy. His Cabinet ranking is higher than previous US visitors. Taiwans strong performance in handling its COVID-19 outbreak has also won it plaudits while highlighting its exclusion from the World Health Organization and other U.N. bodies. Despite its close proximity to China, where the global pandemic is believed to have originated, the island of 23 million has recorded just 476 cases and seven deaths from COVID-19, largely as a result of rigorous testing and case tracing. Read: China Downgrades Its '5th Generation' Chengdu J-20 Fighter Jet; Hyperventilates At Rafale Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-05 21:56:37|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close CAIRO, Aug. 5 (Xinhua) -- Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry and his Spanish counterpart Arancha Gonzalez Laya on Wednesday discussed the latest security and stability updates in the Middle East. In a phone conversation, the two diplomats reviewed the situation in Libya, Ahmed Hafez, the spokesperson of the Foreign Ministry said in a statement. Shoukry stressed the importance of reaching a comprehensive and sustainable settlement to the Libyan crisis by stabilizing the ceasefire and continue efforts to activate the "Cairo Declaration." The Egyptian foreign minister also reiterated "the need to firmly confront the transfer of terrorists and mercenaries into Libya, along with rejecting all foreign interventions." Gonzalez Laya agreed on the importance of containing any kind of escalations in the Eastern Mediterranean region. The conversation also tackled the recent developments in Palestine and the significance of preserving the two-state solution in accordance with the relevant international legitimacy decisions. Enditem The Rajasthan government has ordered an inquiry and has suspended two forest officials after two radio-collared tigers died in newly created Mukundra Hills Tiger Reserve (MHTR) within 15 days. Assistant forest conservator Rajesh Kumar Sharma and forest ranger Makkhan Lal Sharma were suspended on the charges of negligence in discharge of government duty. According to a government order, an inquiry has been set up to determine the cause of the death of tigers MT-3 and MT-2; to enquire into the circumstances that led to the deaths and to establish laxity on part of any officers/ staff if any. Also read: Indias move in J&K illegal - China on one year of Article 370 abrogation The government has also directed to affix responsibility accordingly and to review the existing systems of management in the tiger reserve including monitoring protocols, identifying lacunae, if any, and suggest ways to improve and strengthen facilities and systems. Principal chief conservator of forests (development) Yogendra Kumar Dak has been appointed as the enquiry officer, according to an order by forest secretary B Praveen. The carcass of radio-collared MT-2 tiger was found at Beora Talai in MHTR on Monday, 48 hours after its death, which, experts said, showed that the movement of the tigers was not being monitored. Rajasthans representative in National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA), the apex body in the country, Daulat Singh Shaktawat said that fact that the wildlife department found the body of a radio-collared tiger 48 hours after its death is enough to indict the MHTR officials. If they cannot track a big cat with a radio collar, what will they do with other tigers? he questioned. Shekhawat, who has been DCF in Ranthambhore Tiger Reserve, said the vet who conducted the autopsy of MT-2 told the media that the tiger died at least 48 hours before its carcass was found. MHTR tourism advisory committee member Tapeshwar Singh Bhati also blamed lack of monitoring for the death of MT-2. The tigress had infection. The forest department did not do anything about it on time, he said. Kota chief conservator of forest Anand Mohan said there was a technical glitch in the radio collar. We received and downloaded signals from the radio collar of MT-2 on July 31; after that signals were unavailable due to technical glitch until Tuesday morning, said the officer who was removed on Tuesday. Mohan said there was no lapse in monitoring. There is heavy growth [of vegetation] in the reserve and streams are full of water in the monsoon making it difficult for us to track tigers in the field; tracking of a tigress with cubs is even riskier, he said. But conservationists dont buy these arguments. They are unsure how could there be any territorial fight when there are only three big cats. The death will happen, be it natural or unnatural due to conflict, accidental or, in rare cases, due to poaching, which is negligence. Death of two tigers is a serious concern, said YK Sahu, who was the field director of Ranthambore when tigers were moved from Ranthambore to Mukundra. MT-3 died 12 days ago on July 23 under mysterious circumstances. Mukundra Hills was declared a tiger reserve in 2013 with portions of wildlife sanctuaries of Kota, Bundi, Jhalawar and Chittorgarh. It is spread across 759 square kilometre area and is now left with two adults tigers and four cubs. Of the four cubs, one is missing and another has been admitted to Kota zoo in critical condition. MHTR was notified because it was an important corridor for Ranthambore tigers. The plan was to decongest Ranthambore and make MHTR a satellite area for big cats, Sahu added. Sariska Tiger Foundation president and former IFS officer Sunayan Sharma said the shortage of skilled staff, especially forester, rangers and guards, was an issue with all wildlife sanctuaries in the state including Mukundra. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Note to readers: Hello world is a program developers run to check if a newly installed programming language is working alright. Startups and tech companies are continuously launching new software to run the real world. This column will attempt to be the "Hello World" for the real world, celebrating success when it's due and highlighting errors when needed. A virus, surprisingly biological, has forced the tech world to adopt remote work with gusto. Companies like Google that set the bar high for workplace ambiance with free laundry and gourmet food have allowed employees to work from home until mid next year. Within weeks of the pandemic, Infosys, Wipro, and several other Indian technology services companies, allowed millions of workers to log in from home and service clients halfway across the world. All told, were likely to see a few people returning to the office sometime by the end of this year or early next year. And thats hoping that science has a fitting reply for the scourge unleashed by the Coronavirus a vaccine if were being optimistic or at least some form of herd immunity. One can only hope for the best. But one thing is clear. Remote work or what was called telecommuting a few years ago, is finally mainstream and will continue to be that way for years to come. This means as adults, were going to spend more and more time online. Living, working, and entertaining ourselves online. The kids? The kids are alright. But theyre young and unsuspecting of the rather dark side of the digital economy built by us. They will leave more of their footprints online. The cameras will be on more than ever before. The emails, instant messages, and even whispers in your drawing room will be read, heard, and analyzed. All that may still be okay. But in virtual worlds games and social media included strangers will befriend the vulnerable and exploit them. Hackers and criminals will continue to find and attack the weak links. Imagine the laptop of an early teenager under siege by ransomware. Imagine the attacker sitting halfway across the world, heavily cloaked, forcing them to commit real-world actions. Truth is, you dont have to imagine this. Its already happening around the world. Since the schools are shut, millions of children in India where online safety is poorly understood have suddenly been thrust into the world of online learning. But teachers and parents are neither equipped with the knowledge or tools to be able to prevent such attacks. Millions of computing devices that make up the worlds second-largest online population run pirated software that could further expose them. Its easy for someone to start a WhatsApp rumour and send millions of users to download apps from developers of questionable credentials. Nothing online can be 100 percent secure. But as Luis Corron, the technical director of PandaLabs points out, as adults we can help secure their digital life as best as we can. Corron suggests setting up parental controls on devices, web browsers, and all apps that children access. He also recommends using anti-virus software; reviewing the privacy settings of apps and services, and setting up age-appropriate controls on streaming services. Schools and colleges must educate children about the risks and advise ways to protect themselves. In fact, it wouldnt be too much of a stretch to have a security administrator review security settings of devices and apps or publish best practices. Policing agencies that are geared to deal with law and order in the physical world, must gear themselves better to deal with online crime. Above all, the police must develop mechanisms to collaborate with their peers in other countries. And finally, informational privacy and security must become part of the mainstream discourse a lot more than it is today. The problem is very real. And the time to act is now. India has banned some mobile apps of Chinese companies such as Xiaomi Corp and Baidu Inc, three sources told Reuters on Wednesday, in New Delhi's latest move to hit Chinese companies following a border clash between the neighbours. India in June outlawed 59 Chinese apps for threatening the country's "sovereignty and integrity", including ByteDance's video-sharing app TikTok, Alibaba's UC Browser and Xiaomi's Mi Community app. Another ban was imposed in recent weeks on about 47 apps which mostly contained clones, or simply different versions, of the already banned apps, the sources said. Unlike its June move, the government did not make its latest decision public, but there are a few new apps that have made it to that list, including Xiaomi's Mi Browser Pro and Baidu's search apps, the sources said. It wasn't immediately clear how many new apps have been affected. Also read: Govt bans 47 more Chinese apps; 250 more, including PUBG, on radar India's IT Ministry and the Chinese Embassy in New Delhi did not respond to a request for comment. China has previously criticized India's decision to ban the apps. A spokesman for Xiaomi in India said the company was trying to understand the development and will take appropriate measures. Baidu declined to comment. A ban on the Mi Browser, which comes pre-loaded on most Xiaomi smartphones, could potentially mean the Chinese firm will need to stop installing it on new devices it sells in India. Also read: No legal framework to ban TikTok! Crackdown on Chinese apps easier said than done Xiaomi is India's No.1 smartphone seller with close to 90 million users, according to Hong Kong-based tech researcher Counterpoint. The bans are part of India's moves to counter China's dominant presence in the country's internet services market following a border clash in June between the two nuclear-armed neighbours in which 20 Indian soldiers were killed. India has also made approval processes more stringent for Chinese companies wanting to invest in the country, and also tightened norms for Chinese companies wanting to participate in government tenders. Also read: Govt warns 59 Chinese apps of serious action if found operating despite ban Also read: 'Helo Lite, ShareIt Lite, Bigo Lite': Govt to ban more Chinese apps Also read: How much money does TikTok make in India? The concentration of acetate increases particularly sharply at the site of an infection in the body. As reported in the journal Cell Metabolism by a team of researchers from the University of Basel and colleagues, acetate supports the function of certain immune cells and thus helps to eliminate pathogens safely and efficiently. An armada of immune cells protects the body in the event of infections and works to eliminate pathogens. At the same time, the soldiers that make up this army are only as good as the conditions in which they face their enemies, and the mix of molecules and metabolites at the site of infection plays a decisive role in how the immune cells do their job. An important factor is the metabolite acetate, as reported by the team of researchers led by Professor Christoph Hess and Dr. Maria Balmer from the Universities of Basel, Cambridge and Bern. The researchers investigated the effect of acetate on what are known as memory T cells, which ensure efficient protection against known pathogens. Protection against an excessive immune response In a first stage of the response, the rising concentration of acetate fuels the "killer function" of the T cells. However, if the concentration rises above a certain threshold, a protective mechanism slows down the immune function of these cells and promotes the production of anti-inflammatory mediators. This prevents an excessive immune response, along with corresponding collateral damage to the tissue. This is the first study demonstrating this dual effect - of one and the same metabolite - on our immune system. Acetate essentially has two faces: stimulating immune function on the one hand, and slowing it down in a timely manner on the other." Dr. Maria Balmer, Study Lead Author, University of Basel "If we understand how metabolites influence our immune system at various stages of the immune response, this may point at new approaches that allow, for example, better treatment of chronic inflammatory or autoimmune diseases," says Hess. The health ministry on Monday received a donation of personal protective equipment (PPE) worth N$2 million from Capricorn Group, Project HOPE Namibia, and FirstRand Namibia. The donation was received by the Minister of Health and Social Services, Dr Kalumbi Shangula, at the Covid-19 Communication Centre to help in the nationwide effort to tackle the virus. Project HOPE Namibia donated 75 000 surgical masks and 3 800 isolation gowns worth N$750 000. FirstRand Namibia donated 2 500 PPE worth N$810 000 and Capricorn Group donated medical supplies to the ministry of health with a combined value of N$500 000. Shangula, when he received the donation, said the fight against Covid-19 cannot be managed single-handedly by the government: "The state where we are now with clustered community transmission requires the full participation of every resident to observe the infection progression control measures to contain the pandemic." The nation has thus far witnessed new cases in other parts of the country. Cases of Covid-19 have been reported in 12 regions, with the exception of Kavango West and Omaheke regions. Shangula said this is a call for unity of purpose to combine forces and fight the pandemic by moving in the same direction and adhering to public health measures to contain the pandemic. Erwin Tjipuka, the chief executive officer of FirstRand, said as a business they are concerned about the increase in the number of Covid-19 cases in Namibia and the negative effect the pandemic has on the Namibian economy at large. Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Namibia Governance Coronavirus By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later. The corporate started the FirstRand Health Optimisation in Pandemic Emergency (HOPE) fund in March 2020, to assist the government and its partners in mitigating the impact of Covid-19. Through its fund they donated the items. "It is our hope that our donation and PPE kits will further assist in the prevention of the spread of Covid-19, ultimately contributing towards reviving our Namibian economy and society at large," said Tjipuka. Further, he said the supply of PPE kits is vital in ensuring healthcare workers operate in a safe environment and ensure the country stays productive in this time of crisis. The chair of Project HOPE Namibia, Ingo Schneider, said a US-based relief and development organisation has partnered with Latter-day Saints charities to procure and ship PPE to Namibia to support Covid-19 response efforts through its local partner Project HOPE Namibia. Project HOPE Namibia is a non-profit organization that started operations in 2002. Schneider explained that Project HOPE US has been responding to the Covid-19 pandemic since January 2020 starting in Wuhan, China: "When sporadic cases started appearing globally, a decision was made to pivot the response globally including Namibia. The African package of response to the Covid-19 outbreak includes training of frontline healthcare workers, donations of PPE, complex case management support, and contact investigation and testing." Marlize Horn, Group Executive: Brand & Corporate Affairs, Capricorn Group, said this is their contribution to help the ministry in fighting the pandemic that is impacting all residents' lives in so many ways: "Now is the time to work together and save lives, that should be our priority." With help from China, Saudi Arabia has constructed a facility that would extract uranium yellowcake from uranium ore. The agreement suggests the strengthening of the oil-rich country's attempts to harness nuclear technology, said Western officials who had knowledge of the region. Growing nuclear capabilities According to the Wall Street Journal, the facility has not yet been disclosed to the public. It is found in a remote and sparsely populated region in the northwestern parts of Saudi Arabia. It has also raised the alarm within the United States government where officials worry the country's budding nuclear program is steadily growing and that Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia, is thinking of further developing nuclear weapons. Despite the country still, far away from being capable of using nuclear weapons, the facility's exposure raises the concern within the US Congress where lawmakers are alarmed by Saudi Arabia's plans for its nuclear energy. US officials are also worried about the country's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's statement in 2018, where he said if Iran were going to build a nuclear bomb, Saudi Arabia, at the soonest possible time, would follow suit. The events could also cause anxiety within Israel as officials have been keeping a wary eye on Saudi Arabia's nuclear status. In a statement, Saudi Arabia's Energy Ministry said it denied the allegations that it built a uranium ore facility in the region. Officials added that extracting minerals, including uranium, was a crucial part of the country's economic diversification strategy. The statement also said that the kingdom had accepted Chinese aid to locate uranium in some parts of the country. A spokesman refused to comment on the announcement of the ministry. Previously, Saudi Arabia had also constructed a research reactor at the King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology. Also Read: Japan PM Calls for Pre-Emptive Strike Capability to Combat North Korean, Chinese Missile Launch Developing its nuclear powers The kingdom had repeatedly stated that its nuclear efforts were an attempt to expand its civilian energy projects, as reported by Aljazeera. A Cold War between Saudi Arabia and Iran is not far from the realm of possibility. Growing concerns over several nuclearizations in the Arab peninsula are developing, which could lead to rising tensions between the Gulf and the Middle East. Since 2006, Saudi Arabia has been attempting to expand its capabilities when it started to explore nuclear power options as part of the joint program with several other members of the Gulf Cooperation Council. Recently, Saudi's crown prince included the kingdom's nuclear plans in his "Vision 2030" blueprint, which aims to diversify the country's economy from just supplying oil. Saudi Arabia argues that nuclear energy would allow it to generate more income for state coffers. At the same time, develop a high tech industry to give more job opportunities for its citizens. However, some experts argue that if the country is looking for a sustainable and abundant energy source, nuclear power pales in comparison to other, more accessible sources such as solar and wind. Related Article: China Using Coronavirus Pandemic as Cover Up to Silence, Detain Critics and Human Rights Violations? @ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. The cast of Wentworth have reportedly been told to downplay the fact that production is still going forward despite the coronavirus lockdown in Victoria. According to Mumbrella, Victoria's Department of Health and Human Services has allowed production to continue as long as there is a 'COVID Safe' plan in place. An email was reportedly sent to the show's cast members, telling them it's 'wiser to stay below the radar' for the time being. Filming: The cast of Wentworth have reportedly been told to downplay the fact that production is still going forward despite the coronavirus lockdown in Victoria Mumbrella claimed that an email from production company Fremantle to the cast stated: 'We're not trying to hide the fact we are working through. Media are aware that production in general is continuing; however, in this current climate, it's such an emotive issue, [it's] wiser to stay below the radar.' Fremantle also reportedly advised the staff to avoid drawing attention to filming on their social media accounts and during interviews. 'For the moment on your socials, please focus on promoting what is playing out on air rather than filming,' the email continued. Still going: According to Mumbrella, Victoria's Department of Health and Human Services has allowed production to continue as long as there is a 'COVID Safe' plan in place 'For those doing interviews for Foxtel and Channel 5 in the UK, continue with the usual response if asked about filming "very fortunate to be working through with our very strict COVID safety measures which have been in place for some time now, everyone is invested in making it work and it's all going well."' On Sunday, Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews declared a State of Disaster after 671 new COVID-19 cases that day - bringing the state's number of active cases to 6,322. This means that Melbourne is under a police-enforceable curfew of 8pm until 5am until at least September 13, as the rest of Australia returns to business as usual. Production: An email was reportedly sent to the show's cast members, telling them it's 'wiser to stay below the radar' and avoid drawing attention to filming on their social media accounts Melburnians can only leave their homes between these hours for work, care-giving, medical reasons or on compassionate grounds. The city's 4.9 million residents have also been banned from travelling more than 5km from home to do their shopping - and only one person from each household can leave at any time. Regional Victorians have also had further restrictions imposed on their freedom as they re-enter stage-three restrictions. (Natural News) Two years after the global spread of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) back in 2003, the Special Pathogens Branch (SPB) of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) published a series of theoretical models and detailed in vitro findings about chloroquine (CQ), a relative of hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) that was found to have a prophylactic and therapeutic advantage against coronaviruses. So why, then, are todays leftists so against this generic anti-malaria drug, which has the potential to help save peoples lives? The SPBs cell culture studies have been cited hundreds of times in the scientific literature, serving as a springboard for other research including a 2006 paper published in The Lancet Infectious Diseases journal identifying CQ as a valuable therapeutic option if SARS re-emerges. Later on in 2014, following the Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) outbreak, research conducted by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease (NIAID), which was headed by the same Anthony Fauci that oversees this agency today, found that CQ and HCQ exhibit activity against both MERS-CoV and SARS-CoV. Keep in mind that the Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) has been classified as SARS-CoV-2, meaning it is essentially a second-generation variety of the original SARS. In other words, there is no reason why CQ and/or HCQ would not be effective against it as well. We already know from Dr. Stella Immanuels testimony that HCQ combined with zinc and one of two antibiotics is effective in treating the Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) at her clinic, as well as at medical facilities in other parts of the world where it is being used. The way that CQ works HCQ is simply a benign analog of CQ at least according to the NIAID, is that it has the ability to reconfigure coronaviruses into a less virulent subclinical infection. This means that HCQ effectively neuters coronaviruses, leading to their disease outcomes being less virulent. Survey finds that most U.S. physicians would prescribe HCQ to their family members if they became infected Earlier this year, a survey of U.S. physicians found that upwards of two-thirds of them, or around 65 percent, would prescribe HCQ to family members if they became infected with the Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19). Roughly the same percentage indicated that they would also take the drug themselves if they became infected. In another survey that included more than 6,000 physicians from the U.S. and other countries, 37 percent of respondents who had treated Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) patients indicated that HCQ was the most effective therapy they utilized. Many heads of state are likewise in favor of using HCQ either for themselves or their families, including President Donald Trump, who recently indicated that he had taken a round of it preventatively. According to El Salvador President Nayib Bukele, most of the worlds leaders have been taking HCQ for prophylaxis purposes as they feel the need to do so. He also admitted that sometimes whats recommended to the people is something different than whats recommended to the leaders. Keep in mind that back in March, the U.S. was gifted millions of tablets of HCQ from drug giants Bayer and Sandoz, which donated them from the U.S. Strategic National Stockpile. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) had even granted emergency approval for the use of HCQ in addressing the plandemic. But all of this changed more recently when the left decided to engage a witch hunt against HCQ, claiming that it does not work and is even dangerous. We know this is not the case when HCQ is used correctly, so what are these liberals who claim to want to save lives really up to in trying to deter the public against its use? For more related news about the plandemic, be sure to check out Pandemic.news. Sources for this article include: ChildrensHealthDefense.org NaturalNews.com Terming the foundation laying of Ram temple in Ayodhya as a "historic and proud day" for India, Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday said it heralds the beginning of a new era. He said by starting the construction of the grand Ram temple in Ayodhya, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has written a golden chapter in the history of the great Indian civilisation and asserted that the government remains committed to the preservation of Indian culture and its values. Taking to micro-blogging site Twitter, Shah said, "Today is a historic and proud day for India. The consecration of the grand Ram temple by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Lord Ram's birthplace has written a golden chapter in the history of great Indian culture and civilisation and heralded the beginning of a new era." The Union Minister is recuperating at a private hospital in Gurgaon after contracting COVID-19. He said the construction of the temple is the result of centuries-long sacrifice, struggle and penance of the innumerable devotees of Lord Ram. "On this day, I salute all those ascetics who fought for this priceless heritage of them who struggled for years to preserve this precious heritage of Sanatan civilization. Jai Shree Ram," he tweeted in Hindi. "The construction of the grand Ram temple demonstrates the strong and decisive leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. My heartiest congratulations to all Indians on this unforgettable day. The Modi government will always remain committed to the preservation of Indian culture and its values," he also said. Shah said the ideals and thoughts of Lord Ram reside in the soul of India. "His character and philosophy are the foundation of Indian culture." With the construction of the Ram temple, this sacred land of Ayodhya will once again rise to its pristine glory in the world, he said, adding that the amalgamation of religion and development will also generate employment opportunities. "The construction of a Ram temple in Ayodhya has been a symbol of the faith of Hindus across the world for centuries. By consecrating the Ram temple in Ram Janmabhoomi today, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has honoured the faith of crores of people for which I express my heartfelt gratitude to him," he said. "Today is a historic and proud day for India. The consecration of the grand Ram temple by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Lord Ram's birthplace has written a golden chapter in the history of great Indian culture and civilization and heralded the beginning of a new era," Shah said. Artist's interpretation of the calcium-rich supernova 2019ehk. Shown in orange is the calcium-rich material created in the explosion. Purple coloring represents gas shedded by the star right before the explosion, which then produced bright X-ray emission when the material collided with the supernova shockwave. Credit: Aaron M. Geller/Northwestern University Half of all the calcium in the universeincluding the very calcium in our teeth and boneswas created in the last gasp of dying stars. Called "calcium-rich supernovae," these stellar explosions are so rare that astrophysicists have struggled to find and subsequently study them. The nature of these supernovae and their mechanism for creating calcium, therefore, have remained elusive. Now a Northwestern University-led team has potentially uncovered the true nature of these rare, mysterious events. For the first time ever, the researchers examined a calcium-rich supernova with X-ray imaging, which provided an unprecedented glimpse into the star during the last month of its life and ultimate explosion. The new findings revealed that a calcium-rich supernova is a compact star that sheds an outer layer of gas during the final stages of its life. When the star explodes, its matter collides with the loose material in that outer shell, emitting bright X-rays. The overall explosion causes intensely hot temperatures and high pressure, driving a chemical reaction that produces calcium. "These events are so few in number that we have never known what produced calcium-rich supernova," said Wynn Jacobson-Galan, a first-year Northwestern graduate student who led the study. "By observing what this star did in its final month before it reached its critical, tumultuous end, we peered into a place previously unexplored, opening new avenues of study within transient science." "Before this event, we had indirect information about what calcium-rich supernovae might or might not be," said Northwestern's Raffaella Margutti, a senior author of the study. "Now, we can confidently rule out several possibilities." The research will be published on August 5 in The Astrophysical Journal. Nearly 70 co-authors from more than 15 countries contributed to the paper. Margutti is an assistant professor of physics and astronomy in Northwestern's Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences and a member of CIERA (Center for Interdisciplinary Exploration and Research in Astrophysics). Jacobson-Galan is an NSF Graduate Research Fellow in Margutti's transients research group. Hubble Space Telescope image of SN 2019ehk in its spiral host galaxy, Messier 100. The image is a composite made of pre- and post-explosion images. Credit: CTIO/SOAR/NOIRLab/NSF/AURA/Northwestern University/C. Kilpatrick/University of California Santa Cruz/NASA-ESA Hubble Space Telescope 'A global collaboration was ignited' Amateur astronomer Joel Shepherd first spotted the bright burst, dubbed SN2019ehk, while stargazing in Seattle. On April 28, 2019, Shepherd used his new telescope to view Messier 100 (M100), a spiral galaxy located 55 million light years from Earth. The next day, a bright orange dot appeared in the frame. Shepherd reported the anomaly to a community astronomical survey. "As soon as the world knew that there was a potential supernova in M100, a global collaboration was ignited," Jacobson-Galan said. "Every single country with a prominent telescope turned to look at this object." This included leading observatories in the United States such as NASA's Swift Satellite, W.M. Keck Observatory in Hawaii and the Lick Observatory in California. The Northwestern team, which has remote access to Keck, was one of the many teams worldwide who triggered its telescopes to examine SN2019ehk in optical wavelengths. University of California Santa Barbara graduate student Daichi Hiramatsu was the first to trigger Swift to study SN2019ehk in the X-ray and ultraviolet. Hiramatsu also is a staff scientist at Las Cumbres Observatory, which played a crucial role in monitoring the long-term evolution of this supernova with its global telescope network. The worldwide follow-up operation moved so quickly that the supernova was observed just 10 hours after explosion. The X-ray emission detected with Swift only lingered for five days and then completely disappeared. "In the world of transients, we have to discover things very, very fast before they fade," Margutti said. "Initially, no one was looking for X-rays. Daichi noticed something and alerted us to the strange appearance of what looked like X-rays. We looked at the images and realized something was there. It was much more luminous than anybody would have ever thought. There were no preexisting theories that predicted calcium-rich transients would be so luminous in X-ray wavelengths." 'The richest of the rich' While all calcium comes from stars, calcium-rich supernovae pack the most powerful punch. Typical stars create small amounts of calcium slowly through burning helium throughout their lives. Calcium-rich supernovae, on the other hand, produce massive amounts of calcium within seconds. "The explosion is trying to cool down," Margutti explained. "It wants to give away its energy, and calcium emission is an efficient way to do that." Using Keck, the Northwestern team discovered that SN 2019ehk emitted the most calcium ever observed in a singular astrophysical event. "It wasn't just calcium rich," Margutti said. "It was the richest of the rich." Uncovering new clues SN2019ehk's brief luminosity told another a story about its nature. The Northwestern researchers believe that the star shed an outer layer of gas in its final days. When the star exploded, its material collided with this outer layer to produce a bright, energetic burst of X-rays. "The luminosity tells us how much material the star shed and how close that material was to the star," Jacobson-Galan said. "In this case, the star lost a very small amount of material right before it exploded. That material was still nearby." Although the Hubble Space Telescope had been observing M100 for the past 25 years, the powerful device never registered the starwhich was experiencing its final evolutionresponsible for SN2019ehk. The researchers used the Hubble images to examine the supernova site before the explosion occurred and say this is yet another clue to the star's true nature. "It was likely a white dwarf or very low-mass massive star," Jacobson-Galan said. "Both of those would be very faint." "Without this explosion, you wouldn't know that anything was ever there," Margutti added. "Not even Hubble could see it." Explore further Astrophysicists capture new class of transient objects More information: "SN2019ehk: A double-peaked Ca-rich transient with luminous X-ray emission and shock-ionized spectral features," Astrophysical Journal (2020). arXiv:2005.01782 [astro-ph.HE] Journal information: Astrophysical Journal "SN2019ehk: A double-peaked Ca-rich transient with luminous X-ray emission and shock-ionized spectral features,"(2020). arXiv:2005.01782 [astro-ph.HE] arxiv.org/abs/2005.01782 Under the contract, Minnielands weekly fees will range from $50 for before- and after-school care for one child to $450 for three children receiving full-time care. The contract also includes a fee schedule for before- and after-school care for when the school system is able to provide 100 percent in-school learning. For one child, the fee is $55 a week for before-school care, $65 for after-school care and $85 for both times. Parents can register at minnielandsac.com, and Minnieland will be compensated by the fees for providing the services at Hugh Mercer and Lafayette Upper Elementary School. FCPS has the option of renewing the contract for each of the next three years. The city school system is partnering with the Rappahannock Area YMCA to get Healthy Learning Centers up and running at Hugh Mercer, Lafayette Upper Elementary and WalkerGrant Middle schools for the children of teachers and staff. School employees are considered essential personnel, and have had a hard time finding child care, Matthew Eberhardt, interim deputy superintendent, told the School Board. He said the school system reached out to YMCA officials to help develop the centers because they have more experience with these types of programs. Authorities are investigating a fire in Delaware that heavily damaged a home and displaced six people. Five adults and one child fled from the home in Wilmington early Sunday morning when the blaze erupted, the State Fire Marshals Office said in a news release. They were not injured. The fire also caused exposure damage to nearby homes, the release said. Investigators are asking anyone with information to contact the State Fire Marshals Office. Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Two US officials say there are no indications that the massive explosion Tuesday evening in Lebanons capital was the result of an attack by either a nation state or proxy forces. A senior Defense Department official and a member of the US intelligence community told The Associated Press that, at the moment, the explosion appears to have been caused by improper storage of explosions. Both individuals spoke Wednesday to the AP on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss intelligence briefings publicly. The senior Defense Department official told the AP that they had no idea what President Donald Trump was referring to when he said during a press briefing at the White House on Tuesday that the explosion looks like a terrible attack. Trump later said that his great generals told him that they felt like it was an attack. Inquiries to the Pentagon on Tuesday about President Trumps attack remarks were referred to the White House. The Paris prosecutors office says a first assessment has established that 21 French nationals were among those injured in the Beirut port explosion. In a statement Wednesday, the office said it is opening an unintentional injuries investigation into the blast and its causes. The investigation will be carried out by the French National Gendarmerie, one of the countrys two national police forces. The prosecutors statement said the group France Victimes is working to bring help and assistance to the French who were wounded, as well as their loved ones. Tunisian President Kais Saied has ordered the dispatch of two military planes loaded with medical equipment, medicine and food to Lebanon following the deadly Beirut port explosion. A statement from the presidency Wednesday said that the Tunisian head of state gave instructions to ministers of defense Imad Hazgui and interim Social Affairs and Health Minister Mohamed Habib Kchaou, to deliver this aid urgently. According to the statement, a team of Tunisian doctors and nurses will also be sent to Lebanon to help treat the wounded, 100 of whom will be flown back to Tunisia aboard the two planes to be treated in Tunisian hospitals. The Tunisian president sent a note of condolence to his Lebanese counterpart Michel Aoun on Tuesday, in which he assured him of Tunisias support and solidarity in this ordeal. 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. The policies bar postal employees from working overtime, a crucial method of resolving staffing shortages during the coronavirus pandemic, and instructs workers to leave mail behind at post offices and processing plants if they run late. Other procedures being piloted at some postal facilities instruct workers to leave the bulk of a days mail behind to be sorted in the afternoon instead of delivering it the day it was received, according to postal employees and memos obtained by The Washington Post. Using stem cells to restore lost functions due to spinal cord injury (SCI) has long been an ambition of scientists and doctors. Nearly 18,000 people in the United States suffer SCIs each year, with another 294,000 persons living with an SCI, usually involving some degree of permanent paralysis or diminished physical function, such as bladder control or difficulty breathing. In a new study, published August 5, 2020 in Cell Stem Cell, researchers at University of California San Diego School of Medicine report successfully implanting highly specialized grafts of neural stem cells directly into spinal cord injuries in mice, then documenting how the grafts grew and filled the injury sites, integrating with and mimicking the animals' existing neuronal network. Until this study, said the study's first author Steven Ceto, a postdoctoral fellow in the lab of Mark H. Tuszynski, MD, PhD, professor of neurosciences and director of the Translational Neuroscience Institute at UC San Diego School of Medicine, neural stem cell grafts being developed in the lab were sort of a black box. Although previous research, including published work by Tuszynski and colleagues, had shown improved functioning in SCI animal models after neural stem cell grafts, scientists did not know exactly what was happening. "We knew that damaged host axons grew extensively into (injury sites), and that graft neurons in turn extended large numbers of axons into the spinal cord, but we had no idea what kind of activity was actually occurring inside the graft itself," said Ceto. "We didn't know if host and graft axons were actually making functional connections, or if they just looked like they could be." Ceto, Tuszynski and colleagues took advantage of recent technological advances that allow researchers to both stimulate and record the activity of genetically and anatomically defined neuron populations with light rather than electricity. This ensured they knew exactly which host and graft neurons were in play, without having to worry about electric currents spreading through tissue and giving potentially misleading results. They discovered that even in the absence of a specific stimulus, graft neurons fired spontaneously in distinct clusters of neurons with highly correlated activity, much like in the neural networks of the normal spinal cord. When researchers stimulated regenerating axons coming from the animals' brain, they found that some of the same spontaneously active clusters of graft neurons responded robustly, indicating that these networks receive functional synaptic connections from inputs that typically drive movement. Sensory stimuli, such as a light touch and pinch, also activated graft neurons. "We showed that we could turn on spinal cord neurons below the injury site by stimulating graft axons extending into these areas," said Ceto. "Putting all these results together, it turns out that neural stem cell grafts have a remarkable ability to self-assemble into spinal cord-like neural networks that functionally integrate with the host nervous system. After years of speculation and inference, we showed directly that each of the building blocks of a neuronal relay across spinal cord injury are in fact functional." Tuszynski said his team is now working on several avenues to enhance the functional connectivity of stem cell grafts, such as organizing the topology of grafts to mimic that of the normal spinal cord with scaffolds and using electrical stimulation to strengthen the synapses between host and graft neurons. "While the perfect combination of stem cells, stimulation, rehabilitation and other interventions may be years off, patients are living with spinal cord injury right now," Tuszynski said. "Therefore, we are currently working with regulatory authorities to move our stem cell graft approach into clinical trials as soon as possible. If everything goes well, we could have a therapy within the decade." ### Co-authors of the study are Kohel J. Sekiguchi and Axel Nimmerjahn, Salk Institute for Biological Studies and Yoshio Takashima, UC San Diego and Veterans Administration Medical Center, San Diego. WASHINGTON Ali Mokdad, an epidemiologist at the University of Washington, has been trying to make sense of this summers COVID-19 surge. He says he can theorize only in a general way about why the virus spread and what to do about it. Yes, the new cases appear to be mainly young people, he said. Yes, they may be letting down their guard. Yes, it might make sense to close the bars. But as a global health expert at the universitys Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, he says he should be able to provide much more nuanced answers. Why cant we figure out whats contributing to the recent spread? It is very simple, Mokdad said. No access to data. In a move seen as potentially obstructing access to COVID-19 information even more, the Trump administration last month ordered hospitals to stop sending data to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and instead send it to a private data firm under contract with the Department of Health and Human Services, whose secretary reports directly to the White House. Skyrocketing cases, clashes among federal leaders and a hodgepodge of state data have left many Americans asking how the United States will get back to anything resembling normal life. The answer is straightforward, Mokdad and other epidemiologists say: wearing masks, social distancing, more testing and better data. Epidemiologists insist that standardizing the COVID-19 data states and localities publish is essential to helping people navigate their daily lives and enabling political leaders to make science-based decisions that the public can support. Its particularly critical now, they say, as parents, teachers and elected officials are deciding when to open schools and how to keep them open. This virus isnt disappearing, said Dr. William Schaffner, professor of preventive medicine and infectious diseases at Vanderbilt Universitys medical school. COVID will be here three years from now in some form. We hope we get a vaccine soon. But even when we do, people will need data to see the impact of vaccinations. State and local health officials say providing better data isnt so simple. Meager budgets, stodgy technology and disjointed state and local reporting systems make standardizing data an arduous undertaking. Its a nice idea, said Oscar Alleyne, chief of programs and services at the National Association of County and City Health Officials. But its not the highest priority in most jurisdictions right now. Local health departments are focused on whats in front of them, and thats the data they need to decide how to open schools without getting caught up in a whirlwind of amplifying disease. Still, epidemiologists point out that every other developed country battling the virus has been able to publish the kind of data average people and scientists need to track the course of the disease each day and pivot their individual behavior and public response accordingly. The nations lack of federal leadership has caused it to fall behind other countries in combating the virus, said Dr. Tom Frieden, former CDC chief, at a news briefing last month. He and other public health experts urged state and local health agencies to adopt a uniform system of reporting on testing, positive cases, hospitalizations and deaths, as well as on the effectiveness of contact tracing efforts and the percentage of people wearing masks. Separately, researchers at Stanford University and the University of California who are trying to determine what caused Californias COVID-19 surge reported last month that the state had refused to release crucial data, citing privacy concerns and workload constraints. Detailed case and contact-tracing data from state and county health authorities, they said, could point to more effective, targeted approaches to slowing the pandemic. Without the data, the scientists said, little more can be done. For the states part, Janet Hamilton, executive director of the Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists, said privacy protections and worries about publishing incomplete data are major concerns. Its a matter of trying to present data in ways that get people to make behavior changes, which usually happens when people are impacted personally or when they have local information, she said. We want to provide data as locally as possible without violating privacy rights or confusing people. But we know we have information gaps. For example, she said, in some communities where very little testing is available and, therefore, very few cases are reported, people could decide that they are not at risk, when they actually are. Public health officials and advocates argued in a new report that without uniform data, the United States will continue to lag behind the rest of the world in fighting the pandemic. The groups included Friedens organization, Resolve to Save Lives, along with the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security, the American Public Health Association, Trust for Americas Health and the Association of Schools and Programs of Public Health. People need to know what their local health departments are doing to contain the virus and hold them accountable, said Dr. Cyrus Shahpar, who directs the epidemics prevention team at Resolve to Save Lives, an initiative of Vital Strategies, in an interview with Stateline. Shahpar, who lives in California, said: If theres a bunch of fires outside, I want to know how many are contained. Right now, we know there are big fires everywhere. But we have no idea which ones are contained. We also need to compare cities and states. If Im in New York state, I need to know which states to restrict travel from. I also need to know which states and cities are safe to visit. An important piece of missing information, he said, is the lag time between collecting a test sample and getting the results. Is the delay the same in every ZIP code? Are poor neighborhoods and predominantly Black and brown neighborhoods experiencing greater testing delays? No states are providing that type of data, Shahpar said. Public health agencies need to tell the public what the local data means, Shahpar said. Five cases could be a crisis in a tiny rural town, while 50 could be manageable in a medium-sized city. The average person doesnt know that on their own, he said. Some states and cities have developed red, orange, yellow and green alert level systems that include a list of guidance for each age and demographic group at each risk level, Shahpar said. That type of graphic presentation can help guide businesses and residents as they plan their days, he said. To let people know how well their local health department is controlling the virus, cities and states should report the percentage of new cases arising from so-called community spread, outside of known transmission chains, said Dr. Amesh Adalja, a senior scholar at the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security. How many new cases were already on their radar and how many werent? Thats really important, because if too many cases have unknown sources, the virus could be spiraling out of control, Adalja said. People need to know that. Only a handful of states do that. Oregons health department measures the success of contact tracing based on the percentage of new cases that are tied to a known source. Every day, the state posts those percentages on its COVID-19 dashboard. For most of July, the daily number of new cases rose in Oregon, as did the percentage of cases with no known source. As of July 28, more than 73% of new cases had no known source. The goal, according to the state, is that no more than 30% of new cases are without a known source. Virginia also tracks contact tracing by publishing the percentage of new cases and contacts the health department is able to reach within 24 hours of receiving test results. As of last week, the state reported reaching 75% of all new cases and 85% of their contacts the same day. Far too often states provide numbers to show their success, when it really is not success at all, Dr. Georges Benjamin, executive director of the American Public Health Association, said at the Resolve to Save Lives news briefing. Epidemiologists say many state and local websites provide numbers that can be misconstrued or that require people to do their own math to put them in context. For example, daily test totals mean nothing, Adalja said, unless the percentage of positive tests is provided along with the date the samples were taken. Those numbers should be parsed at the county or ZIP code level and presented as a number per capita so they can be compared among states, counties and cities. And while daily case counts may be useful, the trend is more revealing, he said. The daily number of hospital admissions is important data for epidemiologists but is not helpful for average people, Adalja said. They need to know how many COVID-19 patients are in their local hospital on any given day and whether the hospital is near capacity. They also need to know how many health care workers have tested positive for the virus and how many people are coming into emergency departments with flu-like symptoms. According to Friedens organization, states are providing only 40% of the data needed to fight the pandemic, with some states reporting less relevant data than others. No state is reporting data on testing delays, and few are reporting on contact tracing. Frieden said the nonprofit is working with states to help them provide more data, much of which he said they already have. Its no surprise we havent been able to get this virus under control, said Dr. Ali Khan, dean of the University of Nebraska Medical Centers public health school and a former CDC official. States dont have timely, complete, relevant or transparent data. And they lack the political will to develop it. That needs to change. 2020 Stateline.org PGIT SECURITIES 2020 PLC Interim Report for the six months to 30 June 2020 PGIT Securities 2020 PLC (the "Company") announces its interim results for the six months ended 30 June 2020. The Company's principal objective is to provide Zero Dividend Preference Shares with a predetermined final capital entitlement. It is recommended that these accounts are read in conjunction with those of its parent, Premier Global Infrastructure Trust PLC, also issued today. Directors' Responsibility Statement The Directors are responsible for preparing the Interim Report, in accordance with applicable law and regulations. The Directors confirm that, to the best of their knowledge: The condensed set of Financial Statements within the Interim Report has been prepared in accordance with IAS 34, "Interim Financial Reporting", as adopted by the European Union; and The Interim Management Report includes a fair review of the information required by 4.2.7R (indication of important events during the first six months of the year) and 4.2.8R (disclosure of related party transactions and changes therein) of the FCA's Disclosure and Transparency Rules. For and on behalf of the Board. Gillian Nott OBE Chairman 4 August 2020 Income Statement For the six months to 30 June 2020 (Unaudited) (Unaudited) (Audited) Six months to 30 June 2020 Six months to 30 June 2019 Year ended to 31 December 2019 000 000 000 Finance costs* (679) (637) (1,314) Loss before taxation (679) (637) (1,314) Taxation - - - Loss for the period (679) (637) (1,314) All items derive from continuing operations; the Company does not have any other recognised gains or losses. *These costs relate to the provision for compound growth entitlement of the Zero Dividend Preference Shares. Balance Sheet As at 30 June 2020 (Unaudited) (Unaudited) (Audited) Six months to 30 June 2020 Six months to 30 June 2019 Year ended 31 December 2019 000 000 000 Current assets Amount due from Parent Company 29,716 28,360 29,037 Total assets 29,716 28,360 29,037 Creditors: amounts falling due after more than one year Zero Dividend Preference Shares (29,666) (28,310) (28,987) Net Assets 50 50 50 Equity Attributable to Ordinary Shareholders Share Capital 50 50 50 Capital reserve 5,592 4,236 4,913 Accumulated loss (5,592) (4,236) (4,913) Total Equity Attributable to Ordinary Shareholders 50 50 50 Cashflow statement For the six months ended 30 June 2020 (Unaudited) (Unaudited) (Audited) Six months to 30 June 2020 Six months to 30 June 2019 Year ended 31 December 2019 000 000 000 Loss before taxation (679) (637) (1,314) Adjustments for: Increase in trade and other receivables 679 637 1,314 Increase in trade and other payables - - _ Net cash inflow from operating activities - - - Increase in cash and cash equivalents - - - Cash and cash equivalents at the start of the period - - - Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the period - - - Statement of Changes in Equity (Unaudited) For the six months ended 30 June 2020 Ordinary Share Capital Capital Contribution Accumulated Loss Total 000 000 000 000 Balance at start of period 50 4,913 (4,913) 50 Loss for the period - - (679) (679) Contribution by Parent Company - 679 - 679 Balance at 30 June 2020 50 5,592 (5,592) 50 (Unaudited) For the six months ended 30 June 2019 Ordinary Share Capital Capital Contribution Accumulated Loss Total 000 000 000 000 Balance at start of period 50 3,599 (3,599) 50 Loss for the period - - (637) (637) Contribution by Parent Company - 637 - 637 Balance at 30 June 2019 50 4,236 (4,236) 50 (Audited) For the year ended to 31 December 2019 Ordinary Share Capital Capital Contribution Accumulated Loss Total 000 000 000 000 Balance at 31 December 2018 50 3,599 (3,559) 50 Issue of Ordinary shares - - - - Loss for the year - - (1,314) (1,314) Contribution by Parent Company - 1,314 - 1,314 Balance at 31 December 2019 50 4,913 (4,913) 50 Notes to the Financial Statements For the six months ended 30 June 2020 1. General Information PGIT Securities 2020 PLC (the "Company") was incorporated in England and Wales on 9 November 2015 and is a wholly owned subsidiary of Premier Global Infrastructure Trust PLC (the "Parent") which is an investment trust registered in England and Wales. The Company commenced operation on 31 December 2015 as part of the reconstruction of the Parent when it issued 24,073,337 New Zero Dividend Preference Shares. The financial statements are prepared from 31 December 2019 to 30 June 2020. 2. Accounting Policies 2.1 Basis of preparation The Interim Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with International Accounting Standard ("IAS") 34 Interim Financial Reporting and in accordance with the Statement of Recommended Practice ("SORP") for investment trusts issued by the Association of Investment Companies ("AIC") in November 2014 (and updated in October 2019), where the SORP is not inconsistent with IFRS. The financial information contained in this Interim Report does not constitute statutory accounts as defined in Section 434 of the Companies Act 2006 and have not been audited. The functional currency of the Company is Sterling as this is the currency of the primary economic environment in which the Company operates. Accordingly, the Financial Statements are presented in Sterling rounded to the nearest thousand pounds. 2.2 Presentation of Statement In order to better reflect the activities of the Company as an investment trust company, and in accordance with guidance issued by the AIC, supplementary information which analyses the Income Statement between items of a revenue and capital nature has been presented alongside the Income Statement. 2.3 Use of estimates The preparation of Financial Statements requires the Company to make estimates and assumptions that affect the items reported in the Balance Sheet and Statement of Comprehensive Income and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the Financial Statements. Although these estimates are based on the Board's best knowledge of current facts, circumstances and, to some extent, future events and actions, the Company's actual results may ultimately differ from those estimates, possibly by a significant amount. 2.4 Segmental reporting The chief operating decision maker has been identified as the Board of the Company. The Board reviews the Company's internal management accounts in order to analyse performance. The Directors are of the opinion that the Company is engaged in one segment of business, being the issue of Zero Dividend Preference shares to fund the operation of the Parent Company. As such, no additional segmental reporting disclosure has been prepared. 3. Administrative Expenses The Company's administrative expenses are met by its Parent Company. 4. Amounts due from Parent Company (Unaudited) (Unaudited) (Audited) Six months to 30 June 2020 Six months to 30 June 2019 Year ended 31 December 2019 000 000 000 Funds raised through ZDP share issue 24,074 24,074 24,074 Amount due in respect of issued share capital 50 50 50 Additions under undertaking agreement 5,592 4,236 4,913 Total due 29,716 28,360 29,037 Funds raised through the ZDP share issue after the deduction of issue costs totaled 23.6m. These funds have been transferred to the Parent Company under an Undertaking Agreement pursuant to which the Parent Company agrees to contribute to the Company such amount as will result in the Company having sufficient assets to satisfy the then current or, as the case may be, the final capital entitlement of the ZDP shares (scheduled repayment date of 30 November 2020, however the facility is repayable on demand). The Directors believe the carrying amount due from the Parent Company approximates its fair value. 5. Creditors (Unaudited) (Unaudited) (Audited) 30 June 2020 30 June 2019 31 December 2019 000 000 000 24,073,337 Zero Dividend Preference Shares of 0.01 29,666 28,310 28,987 The accrued capital entitlement of each Zero Dividend Preference Share was 123.23p as at 30 June 2020. 6. Zero Dividend Preference Shares 30 June 2020 30 June 2019 31 December 2019 Number of Shares Number of Shares Number of Shares Balance at start of period 24,073,337 24,073,337 24,073,337 Share issued during the period 0 0 0 Balance at end of period 24,073,337 24,073,337 24,073,337 The Company issued 24,073,337 Zero Dividend Preference Shares ("ZDP shares") at 100 pence per share on 31 December 2015. The ZDP shares have an entitlement to receive a fixed cash amount on 30 November 2020, being the maturity date, of 125.65 pence per share, but do not receive any dividends or income distributions. The ZDP shares do not carry the right to vote at general meetings of the Company, although they carry the right to vote as a class on certain proposals which would be likely to materially affect their position. The ZDP shares also carry the right to vote, as a class, on certain matters that relate to the activities of the Group. The fair value of the ZDP shares at 30 June 2020, based on the quoted bid price at that date, was 27,684,338. The fair value of the ZDP shares is classified as level 2 under the hierarchy of fair value measurements. 7. Share capital The Company has one class of share which carries no right to fixed income. The authorised and issued share capital of the Company is 50,000 ordinary share issued at 1. 8. Related Parties The Directors are all directors of the Parent and received no remuneration for their services to the Company during the period. The amount due from the Parent Company was 29,716,000. Enemy seeking to institutionalize insecurity in region: Defense Minister IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Tehran, Aug 4, IRNA -- Iran's Defense Minister Brigadier-General Amir Hatami said on Tuesday that the enemy had a big plan for the region aiming to institutionalize insecurity in the region for decades and centuries. Brigadier-General Hatami said that Lieutenant-General Soleimani and other Resistance members stood against the plan driving it to failure. Talking to the press on the sidelines of the inauguration of a gallery to honor late General Soleimani, Hatami said the exhibition shows two issues: the wickedness and the crimes of the enemy indicating they had a big plan for the region. He added that soldiers of the Resistance could stand up to all the blasphemy, crimes, money and weapons of the enemy with General Soleimani as the commander and with Iran's military support. He said that Iran is better-equipped than before and will support its military -- the air force, navy, civil defense, missile units, and cyber and electronic units in order to defend the Iranians and the people of countries endeavoring to beef up security so that they can uproot crime and oppression from the world. 9417**1416 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address By Edward McAllister AGADEZ, Niger, Aug 5 (Reuters) - Andre Chani said he once earned thousands of dollars a month driving Europe-bound migrants from Niger's desert trading hub of Agadez to Libya. But in 2016, he said, police in Niger impounded his two white pick-up trucks as part of an effort to stem the flow of Africans onto European shores. So Chani, 44, applied for 2.5 million CFA francs ($4,511) in aid from a European Union (EU)-funded program to start trucking agricultural produce to neighbouring Algeria. He never heard back, he said, so briefly turned to drug smuggling to support his family. Now he scrapes by growing onions, he said. Chani is one of many would-be entrepreneurs in this ancient city, long a launch point for northbound travelers, to seek support from the vast EU fund, established in 2015 to address the root causes of illegal migration to Europe. A spike in migration from sub-Saharan Africa in the last decade has proved deadly to thousands and created a refugee crisis in countries like Italy and Spain. Yet the EU money has been slow to arrive: Only half the 4.7 billion euros ($5.5 billion) from the Emergency Trust Fund for Africa (EUTF) approved over the last five years has been distributed, according to statistics on the funds website. "It is frustrating that the help is so late," Mohamed Agali, head of migration at the Regional Council of Agadez, the local governing body, told Reuters, referring to the money Chani sought. "The EU wants to stop migration, but to do that you need to help the people recover. Without that, they will have to try something else." An EU official familiar with the program said the rollout in Agadez was in line with the timings for EU processes. The official, who declined to be named, citing EU protocol, also said it took Agadez authorities longer than expected to draw up a list of potential beneficiaries, evaluate their proposals and purchase goods. The authorities did not respond to requests for comment. Story continues Under EU rules, local officials buy merchandise and equipment for EUTF beneficiaries. They are not allowed to receive cash. The Agadez business proposals were submitted for approval to a committee including local authorities, aid groups and ex-traffickers - not EU representatives. Some phases of the EUTF program were delayed by the coronavirus pandemic, the official said. But that did not affect Chani and many other Agape residents who applied long before the outbreak. MIGRATION CRISIS Thousands of migrants have perished since 2010 on the journey northward, often during crossings of the desert in open-back pick-up trucks or the Mediterranean Sea in overloaded, rickety boats. In 2016, about 300,000 migrants passed through Niger to Libya. That dropped to around 50,000 in 2019, due largely to Nigers EU-backed clamp-down. The Agadez program was set up the following year to jump-start small businesses for former smugglers. It was one of more than 200 such projects launched in 26 African countries, and one of 12 in Niger. All told, EUTF projects have created over 66,000 jobs in Africa, the funds website says. Since its genesis, EU data show, about 42% of the more than 2,300 business plans submitted in Agadez have been approved for funding. Of those applicants with approved business plans, the data show, less than half have received the assistance. Twenty people from Agadez who identified themselves as former smugglers told Reuters they had submitted applications in 2017 - sometimes more than one. They said they either received no assistance or not enough to replace lost livelihoods. Some also said the application process was infuriatingly complex and time-consuming. Reuters was unable to independently confirm most individual stories, because the applicants did not keep copies of their business proposals and correspondence, and the EU would not address questions about individual cases. However, the EU official said it was unrealistic to match the kind of compensation ex-smugglers used to earn trafficking migrants. Let us not forget that 10 million Nigeriens live on less than two euros a day, the official said. Among the 20 people Reuters interviewed, four said they received aid. However, they said they were given cash, not goods, by local suppliers - which is against EU rules - and that the funds were less than the value of the goods they were promised. Agadez leaders told Reuters that the growing ranks of unemployed in the city could make residents susceptible to recruitment by groups with links to al Qaeda and Islamic State. Although the region has remained largely free of Islamist violence, attacks elsewhere in Niger surged in 2019, mainly along the western border with Mali and Burkina Faso. Critics of the EU program, including philanthropies, human rights groups and migration experts, say the European fund was hastily put together, with slow and opaque decision-making and poor oversight. "Again and again with these EU migration-related projects, the top line is about stopping migration to Europe, and they become blind to the problems along the way," said Raphael Shilhav, EU migration policy advisor at anti-poverty charity Oxfam International. POORER THAN BEFORE Without a way to support his wife and two children, Chani said he agreed to transport a truckload of drugs from Agadez to the town of Ingal, 150 kilometers (93 miles) to the west. He said he did not know what drugs he was carrying and quit when he didn't get paid for his first run. Another former trafficker, Moussa Ditresta, said he became a motorcycle taxi driver with help from the European program but made too little to provide for his seven children. So he returned to smuggling migrants. "I need to feed my children," he said, as he waited to transport migrants arriving by bus from Ghana and Burkina Faso to a smugglers compound. Until 2016, Ahmed Mohammed ran one such compound in Agadez, a job he said allowed him to pay his wife's family a belated bride price: a suitcase filled with cash, clothes and gold. Mohammed said he submitted three business proposals in 2017, two of which were rejected as too costly. On his third try, he said, he was offered rice and cooking oil worth 1.5 million CFA francs ($2,706) to sell. But he said the rice - provided through a local charity - was of poor quality, and he could not have sold it at market rate. To settle the dispute, Mohammed said, the supplier gave him cash instead of the goods 30% less than the value of the materials he was promised. He accepted the payment anyway, he said. The supplier, Mahaman Garba, denied that he had paid Mohammed in cash. But he said other suppliers frequently do so, and shortchange them on the amounts. The EU said in an email that an audit of the project carried out by Agadez authorities had "not provided any assertions of the sort presented" by Reuters regarding cash payments. An evaluation of the EUTF by the EU Court of Auditors also found no irregularities, it said. Mohammed said his money was gone within six weeks. He now sells used mobile phones on the streets of Agadez. "We are angry because we have become poorer than before," Mohammed said. Its very dangerous to have a lot of unemployed men in a city like this. ($1 = 554.2000 CFA francs) ($1 = 0.8478 euros) (Edward McAllister reported from Agadez, Niger; Editing by Alexandra Zavis and Julie Marquis) Advertisement The Queen celebrated the natural beauty of the Scottish Highlands by donning a gold stag brooch ahead of her arrival at Balmoral yesterday. The Queen, 94, who has been isolating at Windsor Castle, was not wearing the accessory when she and the Duke of Edinburgh, left RAF Northolt, in west London, yesterday afternoon in a private jet bound for Aberdeen airport. However on their arrival at Balmoral, the royal family's 50,000-acre estate, the Queen was seen sporting the charming pin on the lapel of her powder blue tweed suit. The brooch is not often seen on Her Majesty but is worn on occasion during her long summer holidays in Scotland. To add to the ensemble, the Queen wrapped her hair in a silk headscarf - a go-to look when she is off-duty. Prince Philip, 99, wore a jacket over his shirt and jumper. The Queen waved to photographers and well-wishers as they drove into the sprawling estate, where they will remain until early October. They are expected to be joined by family members throughout their stay, although social distancing measures will be in place to protect Her Majesty and the Duke of Edinburgh. A moving truck from high-end firm Abels, which holds a royal warrant, arrived at the residence shortly before the couple. The time in the Scottish countryside will be a welcome change of scenery for the couple, who have not left the grounds of Windsor Castle since March. Scroll down for video The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh appeared in excellent spirits as they arrived at Balmoral for the start of their summer holiday. Arriving at the Scottish holiday home, the Queen, 94, waved to photographers and well-wishers as she drove past In a nod to the setting, the Queen had added a favourite gold stag brooch to the lapel of her powder blue tweed suit. The accessory is a favourite of Her Majesty when she is staying in Balmoral. She also wrapped her hair in a silk headscarf The couple, who have been isolating at Windsor Castle, travelled by car to RAF Northolt, in west London, yesterday, where they boarded a private jet. The Queen was wearing different accessories when she left England (pictured) The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh travelled by car from Windsor Castle to RAF Northolt to board the private plane, which formerly belonged to Tottenham Hotspur chairman Daniel Levy. After a short flight, the Queen, 94, and Prince Philip, 99, touched down at Aberdeen airport where they were met by a Range Rover. The couple landed in overcast weather, with the Queen donning a rain mac over her smart powder blue suit as her husband followed her down the stairs of the plane in his own practical waterproof coat. They were followed by royal aides carrying luggage and a pair of dorgis, the Queen's beloved dogs which are a cross between a dachshund and a Welsh corgi. A group of royal aides travelled up to the estate ahead of time to prepare the castle for the couple's arrival. It is understood staff quarantined for two weeks in order to minimise the risk of the Queen or Prince Philip, who are both in their 90s, being exposed to Covid-19. The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh have arrived in Scotland for the start of their summer holiday. The couple travelled by private jet from RAF Northolt, in west London, to Aberdeen airport where they were met by driver, pictured The couple were followed off the plane by royal aides carrying luggage and their faithful dorgis - a cross between a dachshund and a Welsh corgi. Pictured, a member of royal staff carries one of the dorgis off the flight The Queen's removal van, from high-end moving company Abels is pictured crossing a bridge to approach the the Scottish castle The Queens removal van departs Balmoral Castle after moving Her Majesty from Windsor Castle to Balmoral to mark the start of her summer break - albeit on a rainy day Balmoral: The Royal Family's summer retreat A group of aides have already travelled up to the Scottish home of the Royal Family to prepare the castle for the couple's arrival. The Queen and Philip will stay in the main castle, pictured Balmoral Castle has been the Scottish home of the Royal Family since it was purchased for Queen Victoria by Prince Albert in 1852, having been first leased in 1848. In the autumn of 1842, two and a half years after her marriage to Prince Albert, Queen Victoria paid her first visit to Scotland. They were so struck with the Highlands that they resolved to return. A further visit to Perthshire and then Ardverikie encouraged them to seize the opportunity to purchase Balmoral. After Queen Victoria bought the Castle in 1852, plans were made to build a new castle about 100 yards north-west of the old building designed by the city of Aberdeen architect William Smith. On 28 September 1853 the foundation stone of the new Castle was laid by Queen Victoria. Prince Albert took a great interest in the design and construction which was completed by 1856, also in the Scottish Baronial style. The Castle is constructed from local granite, which was precision cut using the modern machinery of the day, producing a much smoother finish to the building than usual. Prince Albert set about landscaping the area, starting a programme of improvements lasting several years, which was done in accordance with a model he had constructed in sand. The main works were completed by 1859 and included new houses, stables, workshops and schools. Royals continue to make improvements to the castle and the ruggedly beautiful surroundings have captivated generations of royals since. The Queen has visited Balmoral almost every year of her reign and it holds a special place in her heart. Advertisement Reports suggest the hand-picked team of royal aides who will join the couple include Vice-Admiral Tony Johnstone-Burt, master of the household; Sir Edward Young, the Queens private secretary, and Paul Whybrew and William Henderson, her pages. Major Nana Kofi Twumasi-Ankrah, her equerry; Terry Pendry, her head groom; Angela Kelly, the Queens personal assistant and her senior dresser; Jackie Newbold, Kellys PA; and three assistant dressers will also join, according to The Sunday Times. It is thought staff will minimise their contact with people outside the royal household in order to create a 'Balmoral bubble' designed to keep the Queen and Prince Philip safe. Measures will also be taken if any members of the royal family come to visit. Typically the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh are joined by their children and grandchildren, as well as close friends, throughout the summer holiday. After the short flight, the couple were seen arriving to overcast weather, with the Queen donning a rain mac over her smart powder blue suit as her husband followed her down the stairs of the plane The Queen's beloved dorgis were carried from the plane after the royal couple, one pictured above Another royal aide was carrying what appears to be a new Apple laptop, unopened in its box (pictured) Pampered pooches: The Queen's lifelong love of dogs The Queen pictured with two of her corgis at Buckingham Palace in 1936 Known for her love of Corgis, the Queen's two remaining dogs - Vulcan and Candy - are in fact Dorgis, a Dachshund cross breed. She has not owned a Corgi since her last one, Willow, died in April 2018. Her love affair with the dogs began 85 years ago when the Queen's father then Duke of York brought home a Pembroke corgi called Dookie from kennels in Surrey. Three years later Jane arrived to breed with Dookie, but no puppies were forthcoming. Jane did produce two puppies with another mate, however, and Crackers and Carol joined King George and Queen Elizabeth's household during World War II. In 1944, Susan arrived as Princess Elizabeth's 18th birthday present. Mistress and pet were inseparable. She even accompanied the Princess on her honeymoon with Prince Philip in 1947, hidden from view under a blanket in the royal carriage. A year later, Susan followed her royal mistress into motherhood, producing a pair of puppies: Sugar, who belonged to Prince Charles, and Honey who, in later years, lived with the Queen Mother. It marked the beginning of a new royal dynasty. Over the years, the Queen became one of the most experienced breeders of Pembrokeshire corgis in the country. She always chose the sire herself, aiming for good-looking puppies that maintain the red colouring of the original Pembrokes. At one stage there were said to be 13 corgis memorably described by Princess Diana as a 'moving carpet' lolling in the Queen's private sitting room, and nipping the heels of footmen, prime ministers, ladies-in-waiting and diplomats. Queen Elizabeth II with some of her corgis walking the Cross Country course during the second day of the Windsor Horse Trials Every few years, a fresh litter arrived and older dogs passed away. No puppies were ever sold; instead the Queen ensured that they went to good homes. Susan's descendants have gone to Australia and America. Then came the dorgis, a cross-breed resulting from an unplanned liaison between one of the Queen's corgis and Princess Margaret's dachshund Pipkin. In 2009, it emerged that the Queen had stopped breeding the dogs. She worried about puppies and lively young dogs around her feet, and the fear that she might trip over, hurting herself or them. But what was not clear then was that she no longer wanted any new four-legged companions to replace those that died. Monty Roberts, the Californian cowboy who inspired the Hollywood film The Horse Whisperer, who was an informal adviser to her on horses and dogs for more than 25 years offered to find her a replacement puppy in 2012, when Monty - named after him - died. 'But she didn't want to have any more young dogs. She didn't want to leave any young dog behind. I understood we would discuss it further at a later date,' he said. 'Well, we never did, and I have no right to try to force her into continuing to bring on young puppies if she doesn't want to.' By Richard Kay for the Daily Mail Advertisement However this year any visitors, who typically include the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall and Prince Edward and the Countess of Wessex, will likely maintain social distancing while on site. Family members will not stay in the castle with the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh as they have done in previous years and will instead be housed in other properties in the grounds of the 50,000-acre estate. They will be able to meet her for outside activities instead including walks, horse riding and picnics. Previous reports suggest Balmoral staff have been banned from social activity and the annual Ghillies Ball has also been cancelled due to coronavirus. An insider told the Mail on Sunday 'stir-crazy' aides are staying in the New Block, a dull granite building with a dozen bedrooms outside near the castle. The insider said: 'Without all the normal facilities which make a stay pleasant for staff, everyone's saying it's like being in Colditz, the prisoner of war camp. The couple, who have been isolating at Windsor Castle since March, travelled by car from Windsor to RAF Northolt, west London, ahead of their private flight to Aberdeenshire The Duke of Edinburgh, 98, was dapper in a yellow collard shirt and green jumper as he travelled in the back of a car for the flight to Aberdeenshire yesterday The Queen looked perfectly made up with a slick of berry-coloured lipstick and expertly coiffed hair as she arrived at the airfield with the Duke of Edinburgh The Queen, pictured, arrived at RAF Northolt in the back of a chauffeur-driven car ahead of the flight. She and Prince Philip will remain at Balmoral, in Aberdeenshire, until early October 'It's the assignment from hell because there is absolutely nothing people can do. The social club remains shut and the staff bar closed. With so little to do they're going stir-crazy.' The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh have been isolating at Windsor Castle with a reduced household since March 19. Although she has been unable to carry out many engagements in person, the Queen has remained active in her royal duties, taking part in video call meetings and conducting her weekly audience with the Prime Minister via telephone. Meanwhile the Duke of Edinburgh recently came out of retirement to perform a long-distance royal engagement with his daughter-in-law the Duchess of Cornwall, who remained in Gloucestershire. The couple were most recently seen together at the wedding of their granddaughter Princess Beatrice, 31, and property developer Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi, who tied the knot in secret on 17 July at Royal Chapel of All Saints, Windsor. That same day the Queen knighted Colonel Sir Tom Moore, 100, in recognition of his extraordinary fundraising efforts. At one point it was feared Covid-19 travel restrictions would scupper the Queen's annual summer getaway. Meanwhile, Prince Charles also visited Scotland and shared pictures from his visit to the North Highlands. He met with his local Caithness to thank them for their work during the pandemic The Prince of Wales sported a grey suit and his signature spotted tie and pocket square combo to meet representatives from Dounreay and the Castletown Community Council Trust to the Castle of Mey Charles revealed on Instagram that he met with locals after hearing about the remarkable support they have provided locally including grocery and hot food deliveries, manufacturing of much needed PPE and vital prescription pick-ups for residents The weeks in Balmoral will be a welcome change of scenery for the couple, who have not left the grounds of Windsor Castle since March. Pictured, the couple in the quadrangle of the royal residence in a photo shared to mark Philip's birthday in June What happens when you pull a DNA molecule? It behaves quite differently than we are used to from macroscopic objects. Scientists at TU Wien were now able to explain this. When large forces, for example in bridge construction, act on a heavy beam, the beam will be slightly deformed. Calculating the relationship between forces, internal stresses and deformations is one of the standard tasks in civil engineering. But what happens when you apply these considerations to tiny objects - for example, to a single DNA double helix? Experiments with DNA molecules show that their mechanical properties are completely different from what those of macroscopic objects - and this has important consequences for biology and medicine. Scientists at TU Wien (Vienna) has now succeeded in explaining these properties in detail by combining ideas from civil engineering and physics. Unexpected behaviour at the molecular level At first glance, you might think of the DNA double helix as a tiny little spring that you can simply stretch and compress just like you would an ordinary spring. But it is not quite that simple: "If you stretch a piece of DNA, you would actually expect the number of turns to decrease. But in certain cases the opposite is true: "When the helix gets longer, it sometimes twists even more," says civil engineer Johannes Kalliauer from the Institute of Mechanics of Materials and Structures at TU Wien. "Apart from that, DNA molecules are much more ductile than the materials we usually deal with in civil engineering: They can become 70% longer under tensile stress." These strange mechanical properties of DNA are of great importance for biology and medicine: "When the genetic information is read from the DNA molecule in a living cell, the details of the geometry can determine whether a reading error occurs, which in the worst case can even cause cancer," says Johannes Kalliauer. "Until now, molecular biology has had to be satisfied with empirical methods to explain the relationship between forces and the geometry of DNA." In his dissertation, Johannes Kalliauer got to the bottom of this issue - and he did so in the form of a rather unusual combination of subjects: His work was supervised on the one hand by the civil engineer Prof. Christian Hellmich, and on the other hand by Prof. Gerhard Kahl from the Institute of Theoretical Physics. "We used molecular dynamics methods to reproduce the DNA molecule on an atomic scale on the computer," explains Kalliauer. "You determine how the DNA helices are compressed, stretched or twisted - and then you calculate the forces that occur and the final position of the atoms." Such calculations are very complex and only possible with the help of large supercomputers - Johannes Kalliauer used the Vienna Scientific Cluster (VSC) for this purpose. That way, the strange experimental findings could be explaned - such as the counterintuitive result that in certain cases the DNA twists even more when stretched. "It's hard to imagine on a large scale, but at the atomic level it all makes sense," says Johannes Kalliauer. Strange intermediate world Within the atomic models of theoretical physics, interatomic forces and distances can be determined. Using certain rules developed by the team based on principles from civil engineering, the relevant force quantities required to describe the DNA strand as a whole can then be determined - similar to the way the statics of a beam in civil engineering can be described using some important cross-sectional properties. "We are working in an interesting intermediate world here, between the microscopic and the macroscopic," says Johannes Kalliauer. "The special thing about this research project is that you really need both perspectives and you have to combine them." This combination of significantly different size scales plays a central role at the Institute for Mechanics of Materials and Structures time and again. After all, the material properties that we feel every day on a large scale are always determined by behaviour at the micro level. The current work, which has now been published in the "Journal of the Mechanics and Physics of Solids", is intended to show on the one hand how to combine the large and the small in a scientifically exact way, and on the other hand to help to better understand the behaviour of DNA - right down to the explanation of hereditary diseases. ### Contact Dr. Johannes Kalliauer Institute of Mechanics of Materials and Structures TU Wien T +43-1-58801-20251 johannes.kalliauer@tuwien.ac.at Boris Johnsons controversial adviser Dominic Cummings has been branded malevolent by Margaret Thatchers former press secretary. Sir Bernard Ingham said ministers handling of coronavirus was a confused mess and incoherent because they were all over the show. They had pretended to know more than they did about the pandemic when it started. Sir Bernard, Mrs Thatchers Downing Street spokesman for most of her 11 years in office, claimed that Mr Johnsons plan to appoint a White House style spokesman to give daily briefings on live television was a constitutional outrage. Boris Johnsons controversial adviser Dominic Cummings has been branded malevolent by Margaret Thatchers former press secretary, Sir Bernard Ingham It is a further ill-considered undermining of our parliamentary democracy. Parliament will be for ever damned if it permits this further step down the road to US-style presidential government, he said. Sir Bernard, 88, said Mr Johnsons intention to recruit a 100,000 No 10 official to brief the media in public on his behalf was the last thing the Government needs. It would fail, he argued, partly because of the way Mr Johnsons chief adviser Mr Cummings had treated the civil service. Sir Bernard said Whitehall was demoralised by the way senior mandarins had been removed at Mr Cummingss behest, because he regarded them as either not up to it or not sufficiently pro-Brexit. At its [the Governments] heart is the malevolent presence of Dominic Cummings, the PMs principal adviser, who thinks the Civil Service is pretty useless and the machine would be better in the hands of weirdos like himself, Sir Bernard said. The idea of daily televised White House-style media briefings was a constitutional outrage even if we have been subjected to televised briefings since the onset of coronavirus. Sir Bernard (left), Mrs Thatchers (right) Downing Street spokesman for most of her 11 years in office, claimed that Mr Johnsons plan to appoint a White House style spokesman to give daily briefings on live television was a constitutional outrage Sir Bernard, 88, said Mr Johnsons intention to recruit a 100,000 No 10 official to brief the media in public on his behalf was the last thing the Government needs Criticising the Governments approach to the pandemic, Sir Bernard said: Attitudes are all wrong. It is not hindsight to say that a certain humility was required at the outset of a pandemic caused by a new virus with still no antidote. Yet, while the uncertainties have been implicit in the following the science mantra, ministers have tended to convey a certain command instead of admitting they are learning as they go along. The result has been a confused mess as the anomalies thrown up by measures such as social distancing and masks have demonstrated that government, national, regional or local, cannot cope with the infinite variety of personal circumstances. Writing in the Yorkshire Post newspaper, Sir Bernard said Mr Johnson should focus on more important matters. He noted: Brexit is still unresolved, Europe and the USA in a mess, China and Putins Russia are a serious threat to the worlds well-being. 'And what about all those economic, social and infrastructural problems lying around? He said the danger of one of Mr Johnsons aides giving daily briefings on television was that however fast on their feet they would regularly reveal their ignorance to the nation, adding: It is bad enough ministers being occasionally all over the show. Such an appointment would only advertise and underline the inconsistencies of the Governments approach to Covid-19. It was not short of official spokesmen... what it lacks is a coherent approach. A source close to Mr Cummings said: Government communications has changed since the secrecy of Sir Bernards day. Voters want and deserve more accountability. A health officer at PT Indonesia Morowali Industrial Park takes the temperature of a Chinese worker in Morowali, Central Sulawesi, Jan. 28, 2020. A Chinese national who works at a nickel smelter in Indonesias Southeast Sulawesi province will stand trial on charges of involuntary manslaughter after he allegedly drove a truck over and killed a colleague last month, police said Tuesday. The incident came amid public opposition to the recent arrivals of 500 Chinese workers to the province, where they are employed at China-owned nickel smelters. Lee Shang Bing, 35, allegedly drove a dump truck over the Indonesian mechanic, who was lying under the vehicle, and killed him while the two were doing repair work on July 18, said the head of the local polices criminal investigation unit, Husni Abdi. We have sent the file to the prosecutors office, Husni told BenarNews, adding that a date for Lees trial had not been decided. Lee could face a maximum of five years in prison if convicted, Husni said. Lee, who works as a mechanic at PT Virtue Dragon Nickel Industry (VDNI) in Konawe regency, had been assigned to repair the 10-wheel dump truck along with Yusran, a 30-year-old Indonesian coworker, Husni said. Lee asked his subordinate to fix it together. When Yusran was checking a cable under the truck, Lee started the engine and the truck ran over the victim, Husni said. It was a case of negligence, either because of miscommunication or something else, said Husni, adding that during the investigation, the suspect was accompanied by an interpreter from the company. The companys external affairs manager, Indrayanto, declined to comment on the case. It was the second fatal incident involving Chinese workers in the province this year. In May, Dong Ming, a Chinese worker at PT Obsidian Stainless Steel (OSS), was charged with manslaughter after his truck allegedly collided with a motorcycle carrying a fellow Chinese and a local colleague, killing them both. A date for his trial has not been set, a police official said. 500 Chinese workers Since June, about 500 Chinese workers have arrived at Konawe to work at VDNI and Obsidian, replacing other Chinese staff whose contracts had expired. VDNI is a subsidiary of Delong Nickel Industry Co. Ltd, based in Jiangsu, China, while Obsidian is a unit of Singapore-based Hongkong Xiangyu Hansheng Co., Ltd. The two companies are building nickel smelters in a 5,500-hectare (13,590-acre) industrial estate in Konawe. Their arrivals prompted rallies by students and others who fear that the Chinese will take jobs from locals. They also said the new workers could spread coronavirus at a time when the country is struggling to contain the pandemic. A director at the Ministry of Manpower, Aris Wahyudi, said the Chinese were skilled workers whose contracts required them to transfer their knowledge to local colleagues, and who would not steal their jobs. He also said they had passed health examinations and did not have COVID-19. When their job is done, they will return to their country, he told BenarNews, an RFA-affiliated online news service. He declined to comment on the state of work safety at the two projects. Indonesian President Joko Jokowi Widodo has made improving the countrys infrastructure a priority during his second term in office and has been trying to woo Chinese investment. Prior to his re-election last year, Jokowi attended the 2017 unveiling of Beijings One Belt, One Road (OBOR) initiative, an estimated U.S. $1 trillion-plus initiative to build a network of railways, ports and bridges across 70 countries. A $6 billion high-speed railway linking Jakarta and Bandung is OBORs flagship project in Indonesia. The perceived influx of Chinese workers into the country in recent years has caused unease among Indonesians, who fear that Chinese workers are stealing jobs from them. In recent years, local media have reported about foreigners, most of them Chinese nationals, being caught working illegally in parts of the country. Fears of foreigners taking over jobs from locals are often inflamed by baseless rumors spreading on social media and online messaging platforms that millions of Chinese have flooded the country. The Manpower Ministry said in February that there were just over 40,000 Chinese workers in Indonesia. Reported by BenarNews, an RFA-affiliated online news service. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (Reuters) Sydney, Australia Wed, August 5, 2020 14:15 531 6657ac82168da9fa101c8a4066bba7bc 2 World Australia,Indo-Pacific,alliance,militarization Free Australia Prime Minister Scott Morrison said on Wednesday that building an Indo-Pacific alliance with like-minded nations will be a "critical priority" for his government, warning the pace of militarization in the region was unprecedented. "Today, the Indo-Pacific is the epicenter of strategic competition," Morrison told the Aspen Security Forum, which brings government and military leaders together with experts. "Tensions over territorial claims are growing." The annual conference is being hosted using virtual digital platforms this year due to the coronavirus pandemic. Australia last month said it would boost defense spending by 40% over the next 10 years, buying long-range military equipment that will be focused on the Indo-Pacific region, where both Beijing and Canberra are competing for influence. Diplomatic tension between China and Australia has worsened recently over issues including an Australian call for an international inquiry into the origin of the coronavirus, and debate about China's new national security law in Hong Kong. Last week, the United States and Australia held high-level talks on China and agreed on the need to uphold a rules-based global order, but Australia stressed its relationship with China was important and it had no intention of hurting it. Morrison said on Wednesday China's rise as a major economic partner has been good for the global economy, Indo-Pacific region and Australia, "but with economic rise comes responsibility". The prime minister said China and the United States together have a "special responsibility" to respect international law and should resolve their disputes peacefully. "It means a commitment to rules-based economic interaction. Neither coercion nor abdication from international systems is the way forward," Morrison said. Scranton, PA (18503) Today Partly cloudy this evening, then becoming cloudy after midnight. Low 19F. Winds SSW at 10 to 15 mph.. Tonight Partly cloudy this evening, then becoming cloudy after midnight. Low 19F. Winds SSW at 10 to 15 mph. Instagram's Reels feature that is designed to rival TikTok has launched in more than 50 countries worldwide, including the UK, US and Australia. Short-form video editing tools are now available in Reels, allowing users to get creative and make 15-second clips with captions and music. The roll-out of the feature comes as TikTok, the hugely popular Chinese app, is embroiled in an international controversy and faces being banned in the US. Short-form video editing tools are now available in Instagram as Reels allows users to get creative and create 15-second clips with captions and music Reels looks startlingly similar to TikTok and is aimed at the same audience. Instagram is using its Explore page as a landing spot for Reels, with the new feature appearing at the top of the screen and allowing users to vertically scroll through content. This is very similar to the 'For You' page on TikTok. Those similarities led TikTok Chief Executive Kevin Mayer to call Reels a 'copycat product' that could coast on Instagram's enormous existing user base after 'their other copycat Lasso failed quickly.' Lasso was a standalone app which Facebook launched in an attempt to lure users away from TikTok, but it failed to gain traction and was shut down on July 10. Vishal Shah, Instagram's vice president of product, has acknowledged the similarities between TikTok and Reels. In a video call with reporters he said that 'inspiration for products comes from everywhere'. 'I think the consumer product ecosystem is one that's constantly being inspired by the things that people are doing around then, whether that's internally in your own organisation or more broadly,' he told the PA news agency. 'I think the fact that people have a choice and that they can pick from a different set of apps to use and find the one that works for them, I think, is great. 'I also think that not any one company can invent everything - we take for granted now that it's very common for mobile products to have a feed, that was new when Facebook brought it to scale.' Reels looks startlingly similar to TikTok and is aimed at the same audience. Instagram has used its Explore page as a landing spot for Reels, with it being at the top of the screen and allowing users to vertically scroll through content The launch of Reels escalates a bruising fight between Facebook and TikTok, with each casting the other as a threat. Both have been eager to attract American teenagers, many of whom have flocked to TikTok in the last two years TikTok 'will open a London HQ after move is approved by ministers' TikTok will reportedly open a London HQ in a move approved by ministers risking a major row with Donald Trump over the Chinese app. The investment is set to be unveiled next week by ByteDance, who own the popular social media platform, as reported by The Sun. However the move risks opening up a rift with the US who have accused the company of passing personal data to Chinese government. US President Trump said on Friday he would soon ban TikTok in the United States, and critics have claimed users' personal data could be at risk. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on Sunday that Trump would take action on what he sees as a broad array of national security risks presented by firms connected to the Chinese government. Advertisement The launch of Reels escalates a bruising fight between Facebook and TikTok, with each casting the other as a threat. Both have been eager to attract American teenagers, many of whom have flocked to TikTok in the last two years. Reels was first tested in Brazil in 2018 and then later in France, Germany and India, which was TikTok's biggest market until the Indian government banned it last month following a border clash with China. Facebook also tried out a standalone app called Lasso which did not gain much traction. Facebook and its daughter companies, including WhatsApp and Instagram, have previously been accused of using similar copycat techniques, notably imitating Stories from Snapchat. It faced such allegations at a US congressional hearing last week. Mr Shah said: '(Introducing) Stories in 2016 was one where we give full credit to Snapchat in terms of inventing the format and we then absolutely took it and made it our own. 'I think of short-form video in very much the same vein - TikTok certainly didn't invent short-form video, I think they've done a lot of really amazing work to make it their own, and I think we've been inspired by that great work, but then want to take that and integrate that into Instagram in a different way.' Instagram is not yet planning to offer advertising or other ways for users to make money through Reels. However, it did recruit young online stars like dancer Merrick Hanna and musician Tiagz - who was recently signed by Sony/ATV after rising to fame via TikTok memes - to test the product ahead of launch. The company paid the creators for production costs, Shah said. Joe Gagliese, chief executive of influencer marketing agency Viral Nation, said Reels was poised to mimic Instagram's success with Stories, a product modeled on Snapchat's core offering. 'They're a huge monstrous threat [to TikTok],' he said. 'The current turmoil couldn't be playing more into [Instagram's] court to launch this thing.' The Reels debut comes days after Microsoft said it was in talks to acquire TikTok's US operations from China's ByteDance. ByteDance has agreed to divest parts of TikTok, sources have said, following the pressure from the White House. Donald Trump has cited security concerns for his wanting to eradicate the app from the US, due to the closeness between TikTok's parent company ByteDance and the Chinese government. TikTok has repeatedly dismissed such allegations. Ray Walsh, Digital Privacy Expert at ProPrivacy, believes Facebook has launched Reels today to capitalise on the increasingly poor PR image TikTok has, mainly as a result of the US President. 'TikTok is known to harvest invasive levels of consumer data, which the firm could potentially share with the Chinese government,' he says 'The opportunistic release of Instagram's competing video service is an attempt to position a TikTok-like service on the market in preparation for the potential TikTok ban.' However, while Donald Trump has threatened to ban the app over its security issues, Mr Walsh believes user data will scarcely be safer in the hands of the US firm. 'Reels is likely to result in similar kinds of data harvesting to its Chinese counterpart. 'However, that data will be processed by Facebook; which could easily find itself compelled to share that data with the US authorities via warrants and gag orders. 'Only time will tell whether Instagram's new video feature will prove as popular as TikTok, despite Facebook paying successful influencers to promote the service. 'Its success is also likely to depend on whether TikTok is acquired by Microsoft allowing it to evade a US government ban.' President Donald Trump signed into law a major piece of legislation that preserves national parks and protects public lands on Tuesday. The law allocates nearly $3 billion a year for projects that aim to protect public lands and national parks, following its overwhelming approval by both parties in the Congress. According to Associated Press, the Great American Outdoors Act that Trump signed requires full permanent funding of the popular Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF). It tackles the maintenance backlog to protect public land and parks. Trump signed the bill into law as he and other members of the GOP seek to increase conservation efforts ahead of the elections in November, reported The Hill. During the signing, Trump said it was a "passage of truly landmark legislation that will preserve American's majestic natural wonders, priceless historic treasures ... grand national monuments and glorious national parks." A White House release said the legislation "will benefit current and future generations of Americans." In Reversal of the LWCF Trump's support of the bill is a reversal to his past desire to cut the LWCF. In his budget plans for the next fiscal year, Trump proposed to cut the LWCF by almost 97%. His administration also sought out big cuts to the LWCF based on budget proposals from past years. In March, Trump announced his reversal to support the funding. In a tweet, he credited two senators for the law: Sen. Cory Gardner and Steve Daines, who are both Republicans up for reelection this fall. Both senators are also running in races that are considered toss-ups. Holding either of the seats could be the key for Republicans to keep their senate majority. In a New York Times report, Trump said people would start to think about the things the GOP has done for conservation and other fronts. He said he wanted people to think of "incredible things" coming from the party. Convincing Trump When asked how the senators convinced the president to support the measures, Gardner said in June that he and Daines met with Trump and Senator Mitch McConnell earlier this year. According to him, the meeting must have lasted for "over an hour or so," and they talked about key components, how they worked, and how they were funded. He added that, during the meeting, he showed a picture of the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, which Trump found beautiful. In the meeting, both he and Haines pointed to a picture of former president Theodore Roosevelt and said, "this could be the biggest accomplishment going back to Teddy Roosevelt." Trump said he was convinced "within about a minute," and he wasn't even convinced before he met with the two men. The bill was cleared in both the House and the Senate by this summer. It had great support from Democrats in Congress, but there were no Democrats at the signing of the law. Trump also only gave credit to Republicans in his remarks. White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany said they were not in the signing because both parties are still in the process of agreeing on the virus relief payments. Want to read more? Take a look at these! US Nears 5 Million Virus Cases as COVID-19 Evolves into 'Behavioral Disease' FDA: Keep Your Hands Clean, but Beware of These Harmful Sanitizers Deaf Association Demands ASL Interpreters at COVID-19 Briefings Facing a resurgence of the coronavirus, public schools in the suburbs of the nations capital decided in recent weeks that more than a million children would start the school year from home. On Friday, officials in Marylands most populous county said that private schools, including some of the nations most elite, had to join them. Gov. Larry Hogan, a Republican, abruptly overruled that directive this week, contending that Marylands private schools should be allowed to make their own reopening decisions. The governor staked out his position on the same day that a group of parents filed a federal lawsuit seeking to overturn the countys order, saying it discriminated against private and religious schools. The wrangling threw into sharp relief the challenges facing local health officials as they piece together a response to the pandemic only to see their efforts encounter political resistance and legal pushback. Montgomery County officials tried again on Wednesday, issuing a new order to keep the schools closed that cites a different source of authority under state law. Two new baby gorillas have been discovered in a Ugandan national park where a beloved primate named Rafiki was killed in June, a wildlife official announced Tuesday, saying the infants are part of a baby boom in the protected forest popular with tourists. For us its a sign of relief. We lost one. We got two. But, of course, losing one is bad enough, said Bashir Hangi, a spokesman for Uganda Wildlife Authority, talking about the loss of Rafiki. The babies are believed to have been born in the same week last month to two separate groups of habituated gorillas primates that seem comfortable in the presence of humans in the remote Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, according to wildlife authorities. The International Union for the Conservation of Nature classifies the mountain gorilla as an endangered species. Until November 2018, the same group classified mountain gorillas as critically endangered. The population of mountain gorillas has increased to allow for the less severe classification. East Africas mountain gorilla population dropped sharply in the past century because of poaching, illness and human encroachment. In the past few years some of Ugandas gorillas died of natural causes, with some falling from trees and others killed when males battled for territory or dominance. A major threat to the gorillas has been poaching. A Ugandan man was sentenced to 11 years in prison last week over the killing of Rafiki, who went missing on June 1 and was found dead the next day, the apparent victim of a spear attack. An arrest was made on June 4, and authorities said the suspect was in possession of several hunting items, including a spear and snares. He told investigators that he killed the gorilla in self-defence before he was convicted. Around 1,000 mountain gorillas live in protected areas in Congo, Uganda and Rwanda, serving as a critical source of tourism revenue for those countries. A gorilla tracking permit costs up to $600 in Uganda, and thousands of tourists pay each year. A similar permit costs upward of $1,000 in Rwanda. Those funds are essential to protecting the animals because authorities can use some of them to invest in anti-poaching activities and help local communities. But tourist numbers have dropped dramatically amid the coronavirus pandemic, raising concerns about how to protect vulnerable animals. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON As it relates to the coronavirus, well start with some good news, according to Philadelphia Health Commissioner Thomas Farley. The number of new COVID-19 cases is decreasing in Philadelphia. Officials arent sure exactly why, and the good news might be temporary. Farley warned that it was too early to tell whether the decline would continue. Josh Rosenblat (@joshrosenblat, morningnewsletter@inquirer.com) Hundreds of thousands were left without power as Isaias moved through the region yesterday. The storm also brought flooding and water rescues, with rainfall reported up to 8 inches in some areas. Tornadoes also touched down in New Jersey and Delaware. One came off the ocean in Strathmere, N.J., and cut through the mainland community of Marmora. Witnesses say they saw the tornado rip off roofs and down power lines, according to my colleagues Amy S. Rosenberg and David Maialetti. There are 11 (and counting) formerly homeless families who have recently taken over vacant properties left by the Philadelphia Housing Authority, my colleague Samantha Melamed reports. Theyve been supported by the same activists who organized the homeless encampments on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway (more on that below) and outside of PHA headquarters in North Philly. The squatting is a response to intersecting problems. Theres homelessness and lack of affordable housing, along with family separation, which is worse in Philadelphia than it is in any other big city. What you need to know today Through your eyes | #OurPhilly I hope everyone was able to stay dry and safe yesterday. Thanks for sharing this storm pic, @strangerphilly. 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 I know it is frustrating to have trash sitting out on our streets and sidewalks past collection day, but the truth is we all play a role in the trash problem in our city. writes Philadelphia City Councilmember Katherine Gilmore Richardson, chair of the Committee on the Environment, about what everyone can do to help reduce trash. What were reading The local face of Hilco, the company that bought the bankrupt South Philly refinery site, is focused on being the liaison with the community, government, businesses, and media, WHYY reports. She seems well-suited, having grown up in Point Breeze. Have you checked out the WNBAs Wubble yet? The New Yorker writes about star Nneka Ogwumike, whos president of the leagues players union. Check out the 19th, a new nonprofit newsroom focusing on serving women, people of color, and those who have been underserved by American media traditionally. It launched last weekend. Your Daily Dose of | Socially distanced dates Socially distanced dates seem to be here to stay, at least for the time being. You can get more creative than an aimless walk around the neighborhood, my colleague Grace Dickinson writes. Outdoor movies, low-risk sports, and kayaking are all options. Photographer Ian Byers-Gamber in his Honda, the vehicle that frames portraits he's shot during the pandemic. (Dania Maxwell / Los Angeles Times) How to shoot a photographic portrait in the age of contagion? Proximity is risky. A sealed studio unimaginable. The very form one person capturing the likeness of another in a shared space has required an overhaul at a time when we shout at each other from a distance of six feet, surgical masks obscuring our expressions. Artist Ian Byers-Gamber, however, has found a way to embrace these limitations and make some intriguing photographs in the process. Since April, the Los Angeles artist has hit the town with a pair of bulky film cameras a medium-format Mamiya RB67 and a large-format Chamonix 45F-2 to make portraits of the city's artists and arts workers at this moment in time. Serving as studio is his black Honda HR-V. His principal framing device: his car window. Ian Byers-Gamber photographs artist Alison Saar from his Honda. He has taken more than 130 portraits this way since the pandemic hit Southern California. (Dania Maxwell / Los Angeles Times) That's because Byers-Gamber doesn't get out of the car to take pictures. He does it from the safety of his front seat, capturing his subjects in front of their homes and studios. In this way, he has made a striking record more than 130 portraits, all shot on film of the Los Angeles artistic community amid the pandemic. Some he has posted to his Instagram account (@bamblerdander), where the series has garnered an art world following. They are images that read like informal hellos. Performance artist Patrisse Cullors (who is also a founder of Black Lives Matter) stands casually before a bright Spanish Revival bungalow. Sculptor Beatriz Cortez peers down, smiling, from a Modernist terrace. Josh Vasquez materializes between the bars of a fence. Paul Pescador hams it up on an apartment stairwell. Paul Mpagi Sepuya photographs the photographer right back. Nao Bustamante and Marcus Kuiland-Nazario strike a pose with sangria. "Patrisse, 9 June 2020," by Ian Byers-Gamber a portrait of artist and Black Lives Matter co-founder Patrisse Cullors. (Ian Byers-Gamber) The project, says Byers-Gamber, "felt like a way to see people but with a safety mechanism." It also functions as a record of the Southern California landscape. Los Angeles serves as backdrop to this series, represented by fragments of old factories, Craftsman homes and Spanish Revival bungalows. Story continues "You have suburbia and deep downtown a couple of people are at work, most are at their homes," says the artist. "I'm really into the New Topographics," he adds, referring to the 1970s landscape photographers known for recording the banal aspects of the man-made environment. "It's thinking of the geography of it too." "Paul, 4 May 2020" by Ian Byers-Gamber a portrait of conceptual artist Paul Pescador. (Ian Byers-Gamber) The portraits have taken Byers-Gamber all over Los Angeles, Long Beach, the San Fernando Valley and Claremont. On a warm Wednesday afternoon in July, he pulls up to a small industrial park full of automotive shops in North Hollywood to photograph artist Alison Saar. Ian Byers-Gamber chats with artist Alison Saar at her studio before taking her portrait in North Hollywood. (Dania Maxwell / Los Angeles Times) Saar is known for producing sculptures of Black figures inspired by U.S. cultural histories, figures imbued with an otherworldly power. On this day, she is whittling a piece of wood into recognizable human form. Byers-Gamber pulls up and angles his Honda in front her studio's open gate. Then he gets to work: rolling down windows and opening the sunroof to give himself enough headspace to be able to look down into the viewfinder of the Mamiya. A couple of men at one of the automotive shops nearby feed a flock of pigeons, unperturbed by the photo shoot in their midst. In a few clicks, he is done. It will take much longer to develop and print the photo; he has yet to post the Saar image to his Instagram account. Byers-Gamber says the informality and the improvisational nature of the shoots are the exact opposite of how he generally works. Professionally, he specializes in portraiture and documenting museum exhibitions. For one recent project, he photographed the puppets of the Bob Baker Marionette Theater. Those pictures were shown last year at the Chan Gallery at Pomona College. "Normally I would shoot with lights in a controlled environment," he says. "Now I'm shooting in a car and the framing may be wonky depending on where I can park. I've really had to let go." He had met Saar once previously, while photographing one of her works for the Benton Museum at Pomona College. Saar says she was intrigued by the images because they so clearly reveal the photographer's perspective: windows and rearview mirrors regularly frame the portraits (in ways that echo Lee Friedlander's "America by Car" series). Byers-Gamber says he has been thinking a lot about car culture as part of the series: "That feeling when you drive and you can feel invisible, you are in your bubble." "It's like a double confinement," Saar says. "He's in his car and people are in their spaces, their terraces and balconies." "Paul, 12 May 2020" by Ian Byers-Gamber. Photographer Paul Mpagi Sepuya photographs Byers-Gamber in return. (Ian Byers-Gamber) Like many art workers, Byers-Gamber found himself without gigs from one day to the next when the safer-at-home orders landed in March. Shows were put on hold. Exhibitions were canceled. The first few weeks of the pandemic, he says he wasn't quite sure what to do with himself. "I was totally paralyzed," he says. But as the days passed, he decided it was time to pick up his camera. "My first impulse was taking photos of empty streets, but I didn't want to glorify that the ruins porn thing," he says. So he began calling friends to see who might be up for a portrait. "I wanted to make it about people and about survival," he explains. "Josh, 11 April 2020" is Ian Byers-Gamber's portrait of artist Josh Vasquez, whose work often examines the landscape of Los Angeles. (Ian Byers-Gamber) In the early days, traffic was extraordinarily light, so he could get around with ease. Some friends waited for him with small gifts: some cookies, a bit of food, a plant, some books. "It was," he says, "like Los Angeles had shrunk." Over the weeks, one photograph has led to the next. Friends have introduced him to friends and friends offriends. The circle of portraits has expanded to include artists he may be meeting for the first time. "Meldia, 3 May 2020" by Ian Byers-Gamber captures Meldia Yesayan, director of Oxy Arts at Occidental College. (Ian Byers-Gamber) With the pandemic still raging, Byers-Gamber isn't done shooting. But ultimately, he'd like to assemble the collected images into a book. The working title: "So Close Right Now." In a time of distance, proximity can still be found. By Online Desk Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday performed the 'bhoomi pujan' of a Supreme Court-mandated Ram temple in Ayodhya, bringing to fruition the BJP's 'mandir' movement that defined its politics for three decades and took it to the heights of power. RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath were among those who attended the event at the site where a large number of devout Hindus believe Lord Ram was born. The guest list, including religious leaders who formed part of the movement that started in the 1980s, was restricted to 175 in view of the COVID-19 crisis. As a priest chanted Sanskrit 'shlokas' and the ground-breaking ceremony got under way under a giant marquee decorated in shades of reds and yellows, Modi and the other dignitaries, all in masks, maintained social distancing and sat a safe distance away from each other. This August marks a year since the Indian government abrogated Articles 370 and 35(a) of the Indian constitution, revoking Indian-administered Kashmirs semi-autonomous status and formally annexing the disputed region. Article 370, although reduced to an empty husk through a series of legislations since 1953, allowed the region to have its own constitution, flag and laws. Article 35(a) enshrined the rights of indigenous Kashmiris towards land, education and jobs. The move lent credence to the widespread belief in Kashmir that India wanted to effect a demographic change in the region. Even before the abrogation of the articles, Kashmiri scholars like Sheikh Showkat Hussain observed that the manipulation of population census data and the settlement of residents from outside the region had laid the foundations for altering the ethnoreligious makeup of Kashmir. In its defence of the abrogation of Articles 370 and 35(a), the Indian government of the Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has claimed that these constitutional amendments will bring development and normalcy, ending violence in the conflict-ridden region. In October 2019, Prime Minister Narendra Modi assured his supporters at a public rally that it would take no more than four months to normalise the abnormal situation that has persisted [in Jammu and Kashmir] for 40 years. The government also claims that by taking away Kashmirs special powers and integrating it with the rest of India, it will be able to bring the region at par with other Indian states and strengthen national unity. In late March this year, the Indian government made all doubts about its intentions disappear by announcing a new domicile law allowing Indian citizens from outside Kashmir who fulfil certain criteria to obtain domicile status, which in turn enables them to lay a claim on land and government jobs in the region. These developments signal the arrival of settler colonialism to Kashmir with the aim of marginalising its majority Muslim population. A development mirage As with any colonial project, New Delhi is also crafting compelling narratives of progress, modernity and development to justify its actions in Kashmir. Yet, it seems increasingly clear that it is the governments aggressive policies towards the region that have hurt its development path and its economy. Kashmirs economic history shows that it enjoyed a relatively stable economy compared to other Indian states for decades before annexation. In the mid-20th century, it underwent a social transformation that had few parallels in South Asia. In an interview with an Indian daily last year, noted economist Jean Dreze emphasised that Jammu and Kashmir had been able to maintain key development indicators at par with other Indian states because of Article 370 which allowed for the radical land reforms of the 1950s. The reforms abolished the feudal economic structure and extortionate taxes on peasants and put an end to the feudal exploitation of their labour. This reshaped the socioeconomic landscape of the region, improving the lot of many Kashmiris. As a result, Kashmir has historically ranked better than the national average in terms of life expectancy, infant mortality and poverty. The Indian governments actions, however, threaten to undo this progress. The local economy has already suffered immensely due to its policy of militarisation. In the lead-up to August 5, 2019, the longest communication blockade in any democracys history was imposed in the region. Thousands of additional troops were moved in, businesses and schools were shut down and a complete lockdown was enforced. By mid-March this year, the spread of the novel coronavirus necessitated another lockdown. These events have dealt an unprecedented blow to the economy. A preliminary assessment conducted by the Kashmir Chamber of Commerce (KCCI) estimates that Kashmirs economy has incurred losses of up to $5.32bn and more than 100,000 people have become unemployed since India stripped Kashmir of its special status. Kashmiris of various political leanings unambiguously believe that the Indian state is deliberately trying to disenfranchise them with its policies. With a federally appointed lieutenant governor calling the shots, even pro-India politicians have raised concerns that an influx of outsiders, combined with the suspension of safeguards for the locals, will shred Kashmirs social, political and economic fabric. In July, the Indian government granted approval to the Indian armed forces to carry out construction activities beyond military cantonments to reconcile security needs with developmental aspirations. On the ground, this policy could translate into entire areas being taken over and developed for the use of Indian soldiers. Earlier in June, a majority of sand mining tenders along the river bed of Jhelum and its tributaries were bagged by non-locals for the first time. The bidding process was held online with local contractors disproportionately disadvantaged, as high-speed internet connectivity remains restricted in most parts of Kashmir. Until last year, only local contractors held rights for the extraction of minerals. The abrogation of Articles 370 and 35(a) has set the foundation for companies from big urban centres to lay their footprint in Kashmir which, in absence of legal safeguards, could lead to the exploitation of the local population and the extraction of natural resources, with profits being moved out of the region. Under the guise of unleashing Kashmirs development potential, indigenous Kashmiris are being squeezed out of economic gains reaped from their land. Hand in hand with demographic changes in the region, these neoliberal ambitions reinforce the nexus between colonialism and capitalism, which is hurting Kashmiri livelihoods. A militarised normalcy After the revocation of Kashmirs special status, Indian media and officials have repeatedly insisted that Kashmir is limping back to normalcy. Kashmiris have lost count of the times they have had to limp towards normalcy after an armed uprising against Indian rule broke out in Kashmir in 1989. A year after the abrogation of the constitutional articles, Kashmiris still have access only to 2G internet and arbitrary internet and mobile phone shutdowns are routine. This not only hampers economic activity and makes it difficult for Kashmiris to connect with one another, but has also gravely impacted the spread of vital information about the COVID-19 pandemic and the ability of local authorities to trace contacts of infected people. Over the past year, activists and journalists from the region have also accused authorities of preventing them from performing their professional duties. After the communications blackout was imposed, a media facilitation centre was set up by the authorities, which consisted of five computers with internet connectivity and one landline phone connection for the entire journalist fraternity of Kashmir, including those who went there to report from outside. The new media policy regulating reporting on and from the region has further expanded government powers, allowing the way for authorities to register a case against any journalist deemed to be writing fake news or engaging in unethical or anti-national activities. The definition of what may constitute as anti-national or unethical remains murky. Several Kashmiri reporters have already been summoned by authorities, harassed and beaten, while charges have been brought forth against noted journalists for indulging in unlawful activities and for anti-national social media posts. Two local journalists, Haziq Qadri and Irfan Malik, were arrested last year and there have been constant fears that the authorities are preparing to arrest more. More than 7,000 people including some pro-India politicians were arrested by the Indian authorities before and after the events of August 5, 2019. A number of detainees were sent to prisons outside Kashmir. While most pro-India politicians have been released, many including people with serious underlying health conditions remain incarcerated in the countrys overpopulated prisons as coronavirus continues to spread in India at an alarming rate. Additionally, Kashmir is seeing a major surge in violence. Currently, there are more than half a million Indian soldiers stationed in Kashmir. Many Indian army camps are located adjacent to residential areas and, in some cases, entire villages are surrounded. Cordon and search operations against Kashmiri fighters, a regular occurrence in the rural hinterland, have recently returned to towns. Locals, including women and children, have to routinely pass through checkpoints and military crackdowns remain frequent. Gunfights between rebels and Indian soldiers which more than often take place in residential areas have increased. In the month of May, more than 20 houses were gutted in a fire that started during the course of a gun battle in the densely populated downtown area of Srinagar. In June, at least 35 rebels were killed in different parts of Kashmir bringing the number of rebels killed this year to 116. The worst feature of the conflict in Kashmir is, undoubtedly, its persistence. In the last 31 years, at least 70,000 people have been killed. Thousands have been forcibly disappeared, tortured, raped, and sexually abused. Even when Kashmir is dumped from the news cycle, the conflict continues. This absence of the region from the news is seemingly referred to as normalcy by Indian media and officials. As the world grapples with a pandemic, the Indian state is engaged in and, in fact, has upped the tempo of violating the basic rights of Kashmiris. The facts on the ground are changing fast and for the worse of the locals. Government claims of bringing normalcy and development are increasingly taking a rather dystopian form. With newfound legal legitimacy shielded by the moral cover of development and normalcy, the inscription of violence on Kashmiri bodies continues with more impunity. There surely is a prospect for wealth accumulation and development in Kashmir, but as with any colonial endeavour, indigenous people are unlikely to benefit from them. The views expressed in this article are the authors own and do not necessarily reflect Al Jazeeras editorial stance. There's an image in my head that I just can't shift these past few days. It's of John Hume, a political colossus, a peacemaker, a visionary, a man who has supped with presidents and premiers across the globe, and there he is, out walking by himself around the city. His city. Just out strolling alongside the flowing Foyle and through the streets he loves so well; streets where he played as a young boy, streets where he walked as a respected local teacher, streets where he witnessed protest, and heartache, and murder and mayhem. Streets where he battled against division, against prejudice, against injustice. Against violence and hatred. And where he never gave up until, finally, those streets were made safe again. And there he is in this image in my head, on those same streets some years later, older now, physically more frail, and mentally struggling with the pitiless disease that is dementia. A lost boy, adrift in a landscape that he knows is familiar - if only he could remember why. And they see him out walking, the people of this city. His people. And they notice that he is not quite himself. So they join him, one person one day, perhaps two or three on another, and they fall into step with him, this hero of theirs, and they chat to him as they gently and purposefully steer him in the right direction. Until they bring him safely home. Surely there's no more telling picture of the love of the people of Derry for John Hume then that little true-story vignette as recounted this week in the wake of his death. John Hume loved Derry. And Derry loved John Hume. For it was that sense of home, that commitment to 'his own' that first propelled him politically all those years ago. It strengthened his social-justice resolve and equipped him with the determination to lift Derry out of poverty. The power of home is a potent force. Even for those who think they have moved on because they have moved away, that's rarely the reality. For how many coffins or urns of ashes, after all, have been carried back from far-flung corners of the world so that a loved one's wishes can be respected and they can finally find rest in the graveyard of their birthplace or amid the waves that lap the beach where they frolicked as a child? For those of us who live distant from our homeplace, the pull of our childhood home is like an invisible elastic thread that's attached to us forever, letting us run, yes, but also always snapping us back. A piece of radio footage from a few years ago always springs to my mind in this context. Tony Connelly, RTE's Europe Editor, was interviewing a Syrian refugee who had settled in Germany. So, Tony asked the refugee, was Germany his dream country? I've never forgotten the man's answer. "No," he replied quickly and quietly. "Syria is my dream country." Like Martin McGuinness before him, John Hume was fortunate to live in his dream place. Despite his global reputation, his access-all-areas in the White House, and all the accolades from across the world, John Hume's heart remained in Derry. Now in death, as in life, his homeplace has wrapped him in its embrace. And it's there that he now rests - a peacemaker at peace. The Non-Governmental Organisations (NGO) Board of Malawi-the registrar and regulator of operations of NGOs in the country-is delighted with what it describes as "high political will" by the Tonse Alliance regime in ensuring that the NGO Act Amendment Bill is expedited. This follows a directive by Minister Patricia Kaliati-ordering the Ministry of Gender, Community Development and Social Welfare and the NGO Board of Malawi to work with the Ministry of Justice and the office of the Attorney General to quickly vacate a court injunction which restrains the tabling in Parliament of the NGO Act Amendment Bill. The injunction was obtained in November, 2018 by the Council for Non-Govermental Organizations in Malawi (Congoma)-a membership umbrella organization and coordinating body for NGOs-which feels threatened by the bill. Among other things, the NGO Act Amendment Bill seeks to transform the NGO Board of Malawi into a more powerful NGO regulatory authority. It also seeks to impose new stiffer penalties and criminalization in case of malpractices by NGOs. Speaking when she toured NGO Board of Malawi projects in Nsanje and Blantyre on Thursday and Friday, Kaliati said the Congoma injunction is a stumbling block ahead of the NGO Board's resolve to ensure that NGOs are transparent and accountable. "The injunction must be vacated as soon as possible. And once that is done, I will table the bill in Parliament and make sure that it is passed," Kaliati told Principal Secretary Dr Ken Ndala and NGO Board Of Malawi Chief Executive Officer, Voice Mhone. Apparently, Kaliati's directive comes after State Vice President, Dr Saulos Chilima, had earlier also expressed to her his desire to have the injunction lifted so that the NGO Act Amendment Bill is implemented as part of the reforms he is championing in the new Tonse Alliance adminstration. And reacting to the minister's directive in an interview with Nyasa Times, Mhone said her order is timely because it gives credence to efforts of ensuring that the NGO sector is aligned to the plans of the country. "Now that our own minister has given us deadlines, we will ensure that the injunction is vacated. We will talk with all players within the NGO sector and ensure that we conclude all issues with NGOs as soon as possible. "We are expectant of the fact that the minister has also committed herself that she is looking forward to tabling the bill in Parliament. The amendment is just one of the reforms that will take place. But we are also looking forward to a complete review of the NGO law-a process we are sure must be done three years from now," said Mhone. Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Malawi Governance NGO By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later. The chief executive officer added that the transformation of the NGO Board of Malawi to an NGO regulatory authority should not worry anyone, saying this is the normal practice all over the World-a practice that "just stamps more authority" on NGO boards so that players in the NGO sector are always reminded that they cannot operate without following the Laws of the Land. "So it should not be a threat at all. Congoma is registered under the Trustees Act and is allowed perpetually to operate under that regime. Our focus should be on what is in the bill. Why do we need to amend it. As far as we are concerned, the main aim is to align the NGO Act to the Republican Constitution. "For instance, the current act falls short of promoting freedom of association as guaranteed in the constitution. NGOs annually receive more than one trillion Kwacha which is 60% of the national budget but transparency and accountability to such resources is lacking," he said. He added that government's dialogue with Congoma over these issues is at the conclusion stage. According to Mhone, the NGO Act Amendment Bill is-at this stage-a low hanging fruit that can impact highly on the reforms being championed by Vice President Chilima in the Tonse Alliance government. CASS CITY In the mid-1940s, the people of Cass City decided they needed a hospital for their growing community. So the effort to build one in town became the focus of a post-war project. Over the next several years, the community worked to raise funds to achieve that goal. Construction on the hospital began in the late 1950s, and on Aug. 15, 1960, Hills & Dales General Hospital opened its doors to patients for the first time. Now, 60 years later, the facility has grown and expanded to meet the needs of its patients as health care has evolved and has become a vital part of the community. To mark its 60th anniversary, the hospital will hold a special celebration on Friday, Aug. 14. Originally planned as an open house and luncheon, hospital officials have instead changed their plans to an outdoor roll and stroll event, where those attending can still meet staff while social distancing (see sidebar). Hills & Dales President & CEO Jean Anthony said in a statement that hospital staff are grateful for the continued support of the Cass City community and are committed to serving their health care needs. As we prepare to celebrate our 60th anniversary, I am incredibly thankful to be a part of Hills & Dales, Anthony said. I have the distinct pleasure of leading a team that is dedicated to our patients and community. To see the growth of the hospital over the years, it is truly humbling to have patients continue to support and trust Hills & Dales for their care. We wouldnt be here without our patients and community and we look forward to providing care for many more years to come. The hospital currently offers a 24-hour emergency department, an after-hours clinic, X-ray services, nuclear medicine, sleep studies and mammography. Danielle Blaine, director of Hills & Dales public relations, marketing and foundation, said the hospital is constantly looking to expand and improve the services it offers. She said there is a lot of training that goes along with technology like the hospitals new 3D mammography machine, and the work to provide their patients with the best care available is a continual process. In 2018, Hills & Dales had around 7,000 ER visits, performed about 1,000 surgeries, saw about 50,000 outpatient visits and provided about 1,900 inpatient days of care. Hills & Dales medical staff includes 12 physicians encompassing the areas of emergency medicine, family practice, internal medicine, pediatrics, general surgery and orthopedics. Additionally, there are 12 nurse practitioners who work beside physicians in caring for their patients. Hills & Dales also has clinics in Cass City, Caro, Kingston and Ubly and two rehab centers located in Cass City and Caro. The hospital grew with the completion of expansion projects in 1972, 1980, 2017 and 2019. Hills & Dales was also instrumental in bringing renal dialysis and MRI services to the community. In 2017, Hills & Dales earned a Level IV Trauma Facility designation, making it the first facility in Michigan to do so. As a Level IV Trauma Facility, the hospital became a designated part of the statewide trauma system; endeavoring to help improve the care and outcomes provided to all trauma patients. Hills & Dales provides evaluation, stabilization, and diagnostic capabilities for injured patients and when needed, will transfer a patient onto a Level I, II or III facility. T he school that Shamima Begum and two other schoolgirls attended before they left the UK to become Islamic State brides today said it had introduced robust initiatives to prevent pupils being radicalised. Bethnal Green Academy, where Begum, then 15, was a pupil when she left with two friends to travel to Syria in 2015, was taken over by the Mulberry Academy chain in 2018. In 2015 the school was criticised for failing to do more to spot the girls could be at risk, after a friend had travelled to join IS just two months before. Mulberry said it was now a very different school. Measures in place include personal, social and health and economic education, a pastoral house system, and strong parent liaison. The Home Office has been granted permission to challenge a ruling made by the Court of Appeal in July that Begum should be allowed to return to the UK to fight the removal of her British citizenship. New Delhi, Aug 5 : A PIL has been filed in the Supreme Court, seeking direction for a CBI probe into the death of Sushant Singh Rajput's former manager Disha Salian, along with that of the Bollywood actor, claiming "both are inter-linked". The plea, filed by advocate Vineet Dhanda, has sought direction to Mumbai Police to place on record the detailed investigation report in the case of Salian, after it was reported that her case file is missing or has been deleted. Dhanda urged the top court if after perusing the report, the court finds it unsatisfactory, then the matter may be referred to the Central Bureau of Investigation for further investigation. Salian died on June 8 after falling off the 14th floor of a residential building (Regent Galaxy) in Mumbai's Malad West. "A week later, on the morning of June 14, Sushant Singh Rajput allegedly died by suicide which creates suspicion," said the plea. The plea argued that Salian was in a relationship with actor Rohan Rai, who had been in some TV serials, and they were about to get married after the nationwide lockdown to stop the spread of coronavirus. "According to a family statement given to Mumbai Police, the family was happy with the relationship. The couple was waiting for the lockdown to get over and wanted to get married immediately. Just before the lockdown, Disha and Rohan had brought a 2 BHK flat in the Regent Galaxy building at Malad West.....", added the plea. The petitioner has insisted that Sushant and Salian's deaths are interconnected. "The Bihar Police reached Malwani Police Station to seek details about Rajput's ex-manager's death. However, the Mumbai Police told Bihar Police that the description of her case has been 'deleted by accident' and cannot be retrieved. This is to be noted that the Mumbai Police investigating officer initially was ready to share the details of the case but things changed after he received a call," the plea claimed. The plea argued that Bihar Police offered to help in retrieving the folder but the officers were not allowed to access the laptop. "A CBI probe into Salian's and Sushant Singh's murders is necessary in the present scenario. The petitioner wants a fair trial in their murder case without the interference of politicians," argued the petitioner. Already, two PILs have been filed in the apex court seeking a CBI probe into the matter, while Bollywood actor Rhea Chakraborty has moved the top court seeking transfer of the Patna case to Mumbai. After a hearing on the matter on Wednesday, the apex court has sought response from the Maharashtra and Bihar governments, and will take up the matter next week. Latest updates on Sushant Singh Rajput Death Mystery The Supreme Court on Wednesday decided to form a five-judge Constitution bench to scrutinize a Central law introducing 10% reservation in government jobs and college admissions for the poor among the general category of citizens. The law titled Constitution (One Hundred and Third) Amendment Act, 2019 was passed by Parliament in January 2019 and made applicable to even private, unaided educational institutions. It introduced two new clauses - Articles 15(6) and 16(6) -- by which the Government extended a helping hand to the economically weaker sections (EWS) in the general category of citizens. Dealing with a host of petitions challenging the validity of the 2019 law, a three-judge bench headed by Chief Justice of India (CJI) SA Bobde felt it appropriate to refer the matter to a Constitution bench. The bench was of the view that the petitions raised a substantial question of law as to whether reservation could be granted on an economic criterion alone. No interim stay was ordered by the court, meaning that the states will be free to implement the 10% EWS quota. A quota based on economic grounds had never been provided in the past. Beneficiaries of the 10% EWS quota were identified based on criteria set out by the government to identify the so-called creamy layer among reserved categories of citizens. This included households earning less than Rs 8 lakh annually. They were to own not more than 5 acres of agricultural land, or a residential flat with an area of 1,000 square feet and above, or residential plots not more than 100 yards in notified areas and 200 yards in non-notified municipal areas. The bench, also comprising justices R Subhash Reddy and BR Gavai, said, By virtue of the impugned amendments, very Constitution is amended by inserting new clauses in Articles 15 and 16 thereof, which empower the State to make reservations by way of affirmative action to the extent of 10% to economically weaker sections.we are of the view that such questions do constitute substantial questions of law to be considered by a Bench of five judges. The lead petitioner, the non-government organisation Janhit Abhiyan, demanded that the law be referred to a Constitution bench for an added reason. Senior advocate Rajeev Dhavan, appearing for the NGO, submitted that the 10% quota will breach the existing ceiling of 50% on reservation fixed by a nine-judge bench of the apex court in the 1992 Indra Sawhney case. Other petitioners argued that extending reservation benefits to private, unaided institutions violated Article 19(1)(g) which gives citizens the right to carry out any trade or profession. Attorney general KK Venugopal submitted for the Centre that the 50% rule can be breached in extraordinary situations. Presently, there exists a 49.5% reservation in admissions and public appointments, apportioned between Scheduled Castes (15%), Scheduled Tribes (7.5%) and Other Backward Classess (27%). The bench said, It is the case of Union of India that though ordinarily 50% is the rule but same will not prevent to amend the Constitution itself in view of the existing special circumstances to uplift the members of the society belonging to economically weaker sections. Even such questions also constitute as substantial questions of law to be examined by a Bench of five Judges as per Article 145(3) of the Constitution read with Order XXXVIII Rule 1(1) of the Supreme Court of Rules, 2013. Following the three-judge bench order, the batch of more than 20 petitions will be placed before the CJI on the administrative side to form a five-judge bench. By PTI NEW DELHI: Billionaire Mukesh Ambani's oil-to-telecom conglomerate Reliance Industries has been ranked second biggest brand after Apple on the FutureBrand Index 2020. "This year's highest entrant at number two, Reliance Industries excels on every attribute," FutureBrand said, releasing its 2020 Index. One of the most profitable companies in India, Reliance is, "very well respected" and "seen as behaving ethically" as well as being associated with "growth", "innovative products" and "great customer service", it said. "In particular, people have a strong emotional connection with the organisation. FutureBrand, which is a global brand transformation company, said part of Reliance's success could be attributed to Mukesh Ambani's recasting of the firm as a one-stop-shop for Indians. The chairman built on the existing petrochemicals business, transforming it into a digital behemoth designed to meet every customer need. Today, this company is engaged in a number of sectors including energy, petrochemicals, textiles, natural resources, retail, and telecommunications. Now that Google and Facebook are taking equity stakes in the firm, we may see Reliance jostling for the top spot in the next Index," it said. FutureBrand said six years on from the first FutureBrand Index, the world has changed dramatically, priorities have shifted and the globe's top 100 companies are dealing with challenges unthinkable even 12 months ago. "The FutureBrand Index is a global perception study that reorders PwC's Global Top 100 Companies by Market Cap on perception strength rather than financial strength," it said. "While the FutureBrand Index 2020 has uncovered a number of seismic shifts in the way companies work and how they present themselves to the outside world, one key theme has stood out: individuality. " The 2020 list is topped by Apple, while Samsung is ranked third, followed by Nvidia, Moutai, Nike, Microsoft, ASML, PayPal and Netflix. Reliance ranks 91st on PWC 2020 list, it said. "A slew of new entrants to our Index include ASML Holdings, PayPal, Danaher, Saudi Aramco, and American Tower Corporation. In total, there are 15 new entrants this year, seven of which make it into the top 20, including Reliance Industries slotting in at number two," it said. The FutureBrand Index is not based on consumer research. Unlike most other rankings, the Index offers a rigorous assessment of how prominent companies are doing and are likely to do over the next few years. "We are living in unprecedented times," it said, adding the world is living through the worst healthcare crisis in a century. "But out of this will emerge a reimagined world, and it will be up to leading companies and the people who work for them to respond to new demands and new expectations," it said. The FutureBrand Index 2020 examines the world's leading firms and determine how they have fared over the past year. "Our unique perspective shines a light on the innovators as well as the brands which have successfully navigated sector-specific rough waters. As we discovered, it can be premature to write off a company in difficulty and risky to extol the virtues of a seemingly unbreakable brand," it added. The Leon Valley City Council has initiated another office forfeiture hearing against one of its members in the ongoing feud among leaders in this suburban community. That makes three elected members now facing the possibility of getting ousted from the council. Acting on concerns presented by City Manager Kelly Kuenstler, the council voted 4-1 Tuesday night to launch a hearing into the actions of Councilor Will Bradshaw under Section 3.12 of the City Charter. Its the same proceeding that resulted in the removal last year of Councilor Benny Martinez. Bradshaw, who opposed the removal of Martinez, is accused of engaging in a pattern of harassing the suburbs police and undermining the authority of the city manager in violation of the charter. Its just the latest salvo in the pitched battle that has plagued Leon Valley for more than a year. The council already has approved investigations for those types of hearings for two other council members, Donna Charles and Mayor Chris Riley, over the release of internal city documents. And Charles and Councilor Monica Alcocer, who voted to remove Martinez, are the subject of recall elections in November. In regard to Bradshaw, Kuenstler presented videos to the council showing Bradshaw questioning the arrest of Olen Yarnell, the citys former zoning chairman, after a late-night council meeting June 4. After addressing the council that night, Yarnell, 79, was arrested on an assault warrant and handcuffed in the City Hall foyer outside the council chambers and taken to Bexar County Jail. Yarnells arrest was related to a complaint filed more than a year earlier by Councilor Monica Alcocer, 78, who alleged he had aggressively grabbed her shoulder after a long council meeting in May 2019. Police Chief Joe Salvaggio said Yarnell was given a chance to provide a statement, but exercised his Fifth Amendment right to decline. The case was filed and an arrest warrant was issued. On ExpressNews.com: Leon Valley grapples with COVID-19 Salvaggio has said at least two police officers witnessed Bradshaw berating the arresting officer, Assistant Chief David Gonzalez, and comparing the officers to the Minneapolis police charged in the May 25 death of George Floyd. As part of her presentation, Kuenstler submitted body camera recording from officers on the scene. One of them shows Bradshaw shouting at Gonzalez at the entrance of City Hall at about 1:30 a.m. June 5. Youre the problem with this country. Youre the problem. Youre the guys that are kneeling on peoples necks. Im sorry but this is disgusting. This is disgusting, Bradshaw, wearing a face mask, is seen telling Gonzalez in the video. The incident is the latest clash between Salvaggio and Bradshaw, who has accused Leon Valley police of using gestapo tactics in towing vehicles with expired registration and other operations, as well as overzealous enforcement of social-distancing rules for businesses in response to COVID-19. In a July 10 letter to Kuenstler, Salvaggio alleged a pattern of harassment, negative stereotyping and creating a hostile work environment by Bradshaw, a political ally of Mayor Chris Riley. Leon Valley resident William Johnson, who saw Yarnells arrest, spoke in defense of Bradshaw while addressing the council Tuesday. I was stunned and speechless, Johnson said. Its understandable for someone to get emotional and vocal in that situation. But another resident, Evan Bohl, said Bradshaw crossed a line that night. He acted like someone who didnt understand his role in our community, Bohl said. Kuenstler said the city has maintained order in the police force during her administration, firing two police officers for inappropriate remarks. But she said the Police Department has been treated unfairly by some citizens, including Bradshaw, who has an obligation as a council member to respect professional boundaries. He violated the charter by not going through the manager to level a complaint about the police, she said. These videos are indicative of a council member violating the charter. And Im asking you to help me stop this, Kuenstler told the council. Im at my wits end. I dont know what to do any more. Were doing our jobs. And were constantly getting pushback and harassed. Bradshaw countered that hes been targeted by Kuenstler and Salvaggio for trying to expose fraud, abuse, waste of city funds by our chief of police and our city manager. And then a complaint was filed against me. Is that not retaliatory? Is that not, Im getting too close? Im pointing out whats going on in the city, so weve got to get rid of Councilor Bradshaw, and weve got to do it quickly, because we cant have this? he asked rhetorically. On ExpressNews.com: Hearing could result in Leon Valley mayors forfeiture Wednesday, Bradshaw said he plans to file a lawsuit against the city. I hope people can see the pattern of oppression going on in Leon Valley, he said. The council majority continues targeting citizens and officials who do not share their views. It is dangerous to democracy. Kuenstler has announced plans to leave Leon Valley to pursue other opportunities on Sept. 30. In February, the council supported a plan for Salvaggio to serve as interim city manager until a permanent replacement for Kuenstler could be found. 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 Frederica von Stade, Mezzo- Soprano, performs with Jake Heggie at Classical Tahoe on Thursday, July 30, 2020 We want to be an example for the music industry; in these uncertain times, we have found a way to bring musicians back to work in a safe, socially distanced yet socially connected environment. Classical Tahoe, a celebration of classical music that aims to enrich the cultural and community vitality of Lake Tahoe, is adapting its annual Orchestra Festival to a Chamber Music Series in Incline Village from July 30 to August 16. As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to affect the careers of musicians and artists, the performance nonprofit seeks to bring awareness on how chamber groups can perform safely for the community while providing a transformative, intimate music experience. In pre-social distancing times, the annual classical music event took the form of a three-week-long orchestra festival, with 60 world-class musicians performing exceptional classical music to an audience of hundreds. As the pandemic spread to the United States and events were canceled or postponed, Classical Tahoe surveyed the musicians, donors, and supporters to ask them how they would like to see or not see the coveted event proceed. Based on the responses, one message was clear: art in these times of uncertainty is more important than ever. The Classical Tahoe team focused on how to host the celebration in the safest way while bringing the healing power of music to the community. After months of careful planning and the guidance of a health advisor, the team decided to move from their traditional Orchestra Festival setting to instead host an intimate, live chamber series outdoors featuring up to 12 renowned musicians, open only to season ticket holders in a small and spaced-out audience of 25 people per concert. Additionally, Classical Tahoe has partnered with PBS Reno to livestream many of the chamber performances for those who feel safer enjoying the music at home. A subsequent six-episode PBS Reno documentary series will feature the story of 2020 in the form of brilliant music and first-hand accounts of both musicians and supporters who make up the Classical Tahoe community. The decision to pivot to a Chamber Music Series was inspired by the organizations beloved maestro, Joel Revzen, who battled COVID-19 through April and May before dying from complications on May 25. To honor Revzens legacy of musical excellence, Classical Tahoe aims to provide the community with an opportunity to experience world-class musicians from New York to Los Angeles that represents the late maestros vision despite the uncertain circumstances. Through this years chamber series, world-renowned musicians are coming together to tell the story of the pandemic through music, said Karen Craig, Executive Director of Classical Tahoe. 90 percent of the country does not know anyone who has COVID-19, and our story tells that in spades. We want to be an example for the music industry; in these uncertain times, we have found a way to bring musicians back to work in a safe, socially distanced yet socially connected environment. We are proud to perform in Joels honor. This years Classical Tahoe event is organized by Concertmaster Laura Hamilton, who stepped in as Interim Artistic Director for the Chamber Series during Revzens two-month illness. Notable musicians who will be performing at this years Classical Tahoe series include: Emmanuel Ceysson, Principal Harp Los Angeles Philharmonic Gilles Vonsattel, Pianist Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center, Avery - - - Fisher Career Grant, Winner of the Naumburg and Geneva Competitions David Chan, Concertmaster Metropolitan Opera Orchestra Nicholas Phan, Tenor 2017 Grammy Award Nominee for Best Classical Vocal Solo Album Nathan Hughes, Principal Oboe Metropolitan Opera Orchestra David Cooper, Principal Horn Chicago Symphony Orchestra Laura Hamilton, Concertmaster Classical Tahoe since 2012 Festival Inception Katie Kadarauch, Assistant Principal Viola San Francisco Symphony Peter Wyrick, Associate Principal Cello San Francisco Symphony Milan Milisavljevic, Principal Viola Metropolitan Opera Orchestra Simon James, Second Assistant Concertmaster Seattle Symphony Orchestra The chamber series will also welcome special guests Frederica von Stade, world-famous mezzo-soprano, and renowned pianist and composer Jake Heggie. Each intermissionless concert will be followed by a Meet the Musicians question-and-answer session hosted by program annotator Cindy Rhys-Revzen. Music doesnt sound the same in a vacuum, and it is not the same without an audience, said Craig. Most musical events throughout the pandemic have been streamed without an audience present at all. With our safe, socially-distanced event, our musicians will be responding to the energy of a small, intimate audience in order to bring forth the best performance possible. We want this years event to be a healing experience for all as we navigate our new normal together. The Classical Tahoe team deeply understands the gravity of the pandemic, especially with the personal loss of their maestro. While striving to provide opportunities for musicians as the performing arts industry adapts to this new normal, it is of the utmost importance to protect the health and wellbeing of the musicians and community by ensuring thorough and heightened safety precautions are in place. The team sought the professional advice of a doctor to plan a safe series, and is following CDC, state and local guidelines. During the rehearsal and performance, as individuals arrive at the venue there will be temperature checks, guests and musicians will have specific arrival times to promote social distancing. They will be health-screened and asked to wear a mask or face shield (while not in their seat or performing). All guests will be seated by household and spaced six feet apart. Staff will escort individuals to their assigned seats and sanitizer will be provided on each table. There will be frequent cleaning of the restroom, and guests will be asked to remain in their seats to ensure social distancing. Upon departure, everyone will be released by family units to promote social distancing. Additionally, chairs and stands will be wiped down in between each rehearsal and performance as well as full sanitization and cleaning of the space. The livestream of the Chamber Music Series will be aired at 7 p.m. PST on Fridays and Saturdays from July 31-August 1, August 7-8 and August 14-15. The PBS Reno docuseries is slated to air later this year. For more information about this years Classical Tahoe chamber series lineup, visit ClassicalTahoe.org. About Classical Tahoe Each summer, Classical Tahoe brings together Americas leading classical musicians for a three-week festival of orchestra concerts on the campus of Sierra Nevada University in Incline Village, Nev. The Classical Tahoe orchestra includes virtuoso musicians from orchestras such as the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, San Francisco Symphony, Seattle Symphony, Los Angeles Philharmonic and others. Highlights include world premieres by Aldo Lopez-Gavilan and Chris Brubeck along with performances of Beethoven, Tchaikovsky, Mozart, Gershwin, Bernstein, Copland and more. Now in its 9th season, Classical Tahoes 10-concert series delights audiences with its superb musicians, an intimate pop-up concert pavilion, educational programs, and majestic setting. The Classical Tahoe Music Institute and the Brubeck Jazz Summit engage musicians and audiences of all ages and abilities. Learn more at ClassicalTahoe.org. EDWARDSVILLE Madison County Circuit Judge Sarah Smith has graduated from the U.S. Army War College with a masters degree in strategic studies. She was one of three Illinois National Guard officers to attend the college, the Armys top leadership school. She was recently promoted to full colonel and attended the college via correspondence courses, as well as attending classes. It is a strenuous two-year program. Like most of the students, I was balancing a civilian career, family, my duties with the National Guard and the curriculum requirements, Smith said. I want to thank my family, particularly my husband and three boys, for taking this journey with me. There were some stressful times over the past two years, but they kept pushing me through. She was selected for the college two years ago. The U.S. Army War College is a difficult program to get into, said Smith, the state judge advocate for the Illinois Army National Guard. I want to extend my deepest gratitude to the senior leaders of the Illinois Army National Guard who believed in me enough to select me for this exceptional learning experience. The U.S. Army War College educates and develops leaders for service at the strategic level and produces graduates who are skilled critical thinkers and complex problem solvers. The program focuses on key concepts in the study of war at the strategic level, including national security policy, strategic leadership, and national strategy with a focus on the relationships among military, economic, diplomatic and informational elements of power in both a domestic and international context, according to an Army news release. Since it was founded in 1901, the Army War College has had notable graduates, including President Dwight D. Eisenhower, who graduated first in his class as a captain; Generals Omar Bradley, George Patton, Colin Powell, Norman Schwarzkopf, and Tommy Franks. This year, the program graduated about 80% of the incoming class. Smith was mobilized for the first time in 2005 in support of Hurricane Katrina. Her overseas experience includes service as the chief of operational and administrative law for the 35th Infantry Division in Kosovo and as deputy staff judge advocate for the 33rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team in Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. She was the first woman military judge in the entire Army National Guard. I have learned so much from all of my military experiences, Smith said. I am excited to use the strategic knowledge and critical thinking skills from this program and to see what doors open up for me in the future. Smith has earned multiple service awards, most notably the Bronze Star medal for her service in Afghanistan. She serves as the state judge advocate of the Illinois Army National Guard, where she is the highest-ranking JAG officer and advises general officers and other senior level commanders on all military matters. She is a circuit judge for the Third Judicial Circuit in Madison County. Hong Jin-bae, director at the Ministry of Science and ICT, announced the results of the 2020 5G telecom service quality evaluation at the Seoul Government Complex, Wednesday. / Yonhap By Kim Hyun-bin SK Telecom, the country's top telecom carrier, offers the fastest fifth-generation (5G) service in Korea, while runner-up KT has the country's most stable 5G service and LG Uplus has the widest 5G network coverage in the nation, the government said Wednesday. The science ministry released its first 5G quality evaluation, and three major telecom companies failed to reach connection speeds of 700 megabytes per second (Mbps), falling far short of the promised quality of 5G connectivity. The carriers commercialized 5G here in April 2019 and advertised that 5G is 20 times faster than the 4G Long-Term Evolution (LTE) network, and in theory able to produce 20 gigabytes per second (Gbps). According to the Ministry of Science and ICT, which evaluated in Seoul and six metropolitan cities in Korea, the average 5G download speed among the three telecom companies came out to 656.56 Mbps, while the average upload speed was found to be 64.16 Mbps. In a quality evaluation of LTE last year, the average download speed was 158.53 Mbps, and the average upload speed just 42.83 Mbps. When comparing the 5G and LTE networks, 5G was only faster by 4.1 times in downloads and 1.5 in uploads, which is way short of the advertised speed. The ministry also conducted another study using citizens' 5G smartphones, through which the average speed came out lower than the government's official results. The average consumer download speed was found to be 622.67 Mbps and the average upload speed was 48.25 Mbps. When looking at the average download rate by location, at a subway station it was 885.26 Mbps and on the subway 703.37 Mbps, with the KTX at 272.75 Mbps and the SRT 368.35 Mbps, showing varying speeds even on the train transportation system. The rate of 5G devices switching over to LTE due to high traffic within the subway came out to 19.49 percent. The government evaluation shows that 5G coverage is not 100 percent fully established within the capital. The three telecom companies' average coverage in Seoul came out to 425.53 square kilometers. The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport states that Seoul's total area is 605.2 square kilometers, so the telecom companies only cover around 70 percent of the capital region. Only 67.93 percent of multi-purpose facilities including department stores, passenger terminals and large hospitals provided 5G signals in the capital. Many customers have been criticizing the telecom companies for failing to provide 5G connectivity when customers are paying more than 20 percent more for 5G subscription plans than they would for LTE. The 5G coverage and lack of connectivity has become cause for major dissatisfaction among smartphone users. According to the Korea Communications Commission (KCC) there have been 280 dispute mediation cases since June last year. Among them 56 cases, or 20 percent, were about 5G quality. Many experts claim the lack of 5G connection and low quality of service will continue through 2022 as there is a lack of 5G base stations around the country. They added that the telecom companies are facing these issues as they were ill-prepared, rushing into launching 5G as they were too focused on taking the title as the world's first to commercialize 5G. Pechersky District Court of Kyiv sustained the motion of the prosecutor's office of Kyiv and imposed pretrial restraint in the form of detention for a citizen of Uzbekistan, who on August 3 threatened to blow up a bank in the center of Kyiv. "The relevant decision was made at a meeting on Wednesday, August 5, 2020," the press service of Kyiv prosecutor's office said. As reported, at about noon Monday, a man entered the Universal Bank office in the Leonardo business center on the intersection of Volodymyrska and Khmelnytskoho streets in the center of Kyiv, said he had a bomb in his backpack and asked to call the police. The employees of the banking institution left the premises, and the department head volunteered to remain. According to preliminary information, the terrorist was a citizen of Uzbekistan, a native of Samarkand, Sukhrob Karimov, born in 1988. He demanded access to media and live coverage to make a statement. Annual Request for Proposals (RFP) - CY2021/FY2023 Contact Questions? Email us at research.dot@state.mn.us The 2021 MnDOT/LRRB Academic Research RFP is now open. Please see instructions below and at right for how to respond to a Research Need Statement or submit an unsolicited proposal. Who is eligible? This solicitation is open to the following qualified universities*: Auburn University Iowa State University Marquette University Michigan State University Michigan Technological University Minnesota State Colleges and Universities North Dakota State University Oklahoma State University Texas State University University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign University of Minnesota University of New Hampshire University of Pittsburgh University of Wisconsin-Madison Wayne State University West Virginia University The solicitation is also open to the MnDOT Office of Materials and Road Research. *Please note that an active master contract must be in place as of December 1, 2020 to be selected. What research is being requested? Each year, MnDOT and the Local Road Research Board (LRRB) seek research proposals. These proposals attempt to address the research needs and ideas of the Minnesota city, county and state transportation practitioners. MnDOT collects research ideas from various sources, including MnDOT staff and city/county engineers throughout the year. These ideas are developed into Research Need Statements. Researchers are asked to submit proposals to address these research needs, and are encouraged to work with the Technical Liaison (TL) listed for a particular research need statement when developing the research proposal. Researchers are reminded to follow and organize each research project according to the terms of their University Master Contract with MnDOT, and the Technical Advisory Panel (TAP) Guidelines. Researchers should be familiar with this research process prior to submitting research proposals. Also, research proposals submitted must allocate more than 50 percent of the budget to the Master Agreement University, State University, or the MnDOT Office of Materials and Road Research. How to Submit a Proposal Proposals must: Be formed around the high-priority research needs for MnDOT and the LRRB. Use the MnDOT/LRRB Proposal Form. (Note: They are limited to 14 pages.) Researchers should coordinate with their university research contact for internal due dates. (Universities will collate and coordinate each University submittal to MnDOT.) MnDOT will not accept proposals directly from proposing researchers. accept proposals directly from proposing researchers. Proposals must be submitted in Microsoft Word format from the university research contacts to the MnDOT Office of Research & Innovation by Sept. 14, 2021 (due at 4:30 p.m. CST), along with a summary of all their proposals in Microsoft Excel format. Unsolicited Proposals (Proposals Not Responding to a Need Statement) One of MnDOTs flagship initiatives is to foster innovation, develop ground-breaking multi-modal transportation practices and encourage research. In support of this initiative, we will accept research proposals for a need which was not identified during the need statement development period. However, the researcher needs to identify a public sector champion, city or county engineer, MnDOT office director or district willing to sponsor the project by participating on the TAP and state this in their letter or e-mail support. Without a public sector champion the proposal will not be carried forward for funding consideration. Once a champion has been identified, submittal deadlines and process are the same as above. Research Funding Levels and Duration Researchers are encouraged to review both the MnDOT Research & Innovation and LRRB websites for examples of previous research efforts. Project-level details for MnDOT and LRRB research projects, organized by fiscal year, can be found in our annual At-A-Glance publications. When will proposals be selected for funding? The selection process is documented on the Research & Innovation website: Early November 2021: Submitters are notified if a presentation is requested by MnDOT/LRRB. If you are not contacted by this time, your proposal is not moving forward for funding consideration by MnDOT/LRRB. Submitters are notified if a presentation is requested by MnDOT/LRRB. If you are contacted by this time, your proposal is not moving forward for funding consideration by MnDOT/LRRB. December 1-2, 2021: Presentations are made to MnDOT. Presentations are made to MnDOT. December 8-9, 2021 : Presentations are made to the LRRB. : Presentations are made to the LRRB. January 2022: Funding decisions will be posted. Funding decisions will be posted. July 1, 2022: Funding is available; however, depending on funding, earlier start dates may be approved. Last updated: April 2021 Non-essential retail stores in Melbourne shut at midnight on Wednesday as part of the citys stage four COVID-19 lockdown. The move is expected to lead to 250,000 workers being stood down. The harsh measures have shattered hopes of a swift economic recovery, with independent modelling showing Victorias state government debt ballooning to $60 billion next year. In this episode, national editor Tory Maguire is joined by economics correspondent Jennifer Duke to discuss the ripple effect the Victorian lockdown is having on businesses. Our supporters power our newsrooms and are critical for the sustainability of news coverage. Victorian Health Minister Jenny Mikakos has missed a parliamentary deadline to provide responses to questions she previously refused to answer about the government's handling of the coronavirus pandemic. Unhappy at having to attend Parliament on Tuesday after Chief Health Officer Brett Sutton suggested it should be delayed, Ms Mikakos told Parliament she would prepare written answers on Wednesday to six questions about Victoria's botched hotel quarantine program and the government's coronavirus response. Health Minister Jenny Mikakos in Parliament on Tuesday. Credit:Jason South She failed to respond before the midday deadline stipulated by Victorian Parliament regulations, eventually providing answers more than five hours later. The opposition which had decried the minister's refusal to answer questions in Parliament was forced to confront its own controversy on Wednesday after Liberal MP Bernie Finn made crude references directed at Premier Daniel Andrews and Ms Mikakos on Facebook. 'Nobody can control Kashmir and what happens here.' 'Even a government with a full sweeping majority and strong mandate hasn't been able to control the state.' All Photographs: Umar Ganie for Rediff.com IMAGE: Security personnel at a temporary checkpost in Srinagar due to the strict curfew imposed to maintain law and order on the first anniversary of the abrogation of Article 370, August 4, 2020. "The ruling dispensation is obviously trying to do its own little experiment by disempowering people, but things haven't worked to their favour either." "A year ago, they probably hadn't even imagined that instead of being a bilateral issue, Kashmir will become a trilateral issue after how China has taken over land and pastures in Ladakh." Iltija Mufti, daughter of former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Mehbooba Mufti whose detention was extended by yet another three months, speaks to Rediff.com's Archana Masih. What change have you seen in the state a year the abrogation of Article 370 today? I see no middle ground policy. Most of the people of the state have questions about the accession of Kashmir to India because the atmosphere has become sinister and poisonous. You can understand the sense of insecurity that every Kashmiri has because on August 5, the same day as the scrapping of J&K's special status, the prime minister is laying the foundation of the Ram temple where a mosque was demolished. He is not the prime minister of one sect or one religion. He is the prime minister of the entire country, but what signal is he sending to Kashmiris? By going there on August 5, he will be endorsing the demolition and that will only increase the sense of insecurity in Jammu and Kashmir which is the only Muslim majority state. People of J&K already feel isolated and alienated. There is a trust deficit and I don't know how the government is going to breach that trust deficit. I doubt they are interested. My mother is a politician, it's her job is to go out, meet people, but she has not been allowed to do so and is not even allowed to speak! She's been booked under a draconian act and jailed indefinitely. IMAGE: A deserted street in Srinagar due to the strict curfew imposed to maintain law and order on the first anniversary of the abrogation of Article 370, August 04, 2020. How is your mother spending time after returning home and under house arrest? She reads a lot and watches a lot of Al Jazeera because most Indian news channels are like an extension of the propaganda arm of the government. We feel very relieved to have her home because till March she was in detention in another location. How do you see the future of politics in the state? Everybody asks me this question and I tell them that Jammu and Kashmir cannot be reduced to a lab experiment. The ruling dispensation is obviously trying to do its own little experiment by disempowering people, but things haven't worked to their favour either. A year ago, they probably hadn't even imagined that instead of being a bilateral issue, Kashmir will become a trilateral issue after how China has taken over land and pastures in Ladakh. You ask how will politics change? Nobody can control Kashmir and what happens here. Even a government with a full sweeping majority and strong mandate, hasn't been able to control the state. A lot of things have changed and honestly the BJP does not have any sense of control over it. They know themselves that militancy has only increased. People ask about elections, but even if a party got 80 seats, what can it do? Earlier, in the order of precedence, the chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir had greater powers than any chief minister in India. The state's assembly could make its own laws and the state had special status. Now the chief minister of the state will only be at par with a chief secretary and report to the lieutenant governor. It is the other way around in other states. Kashmiris have been stripped naked. Tomorrow, when restrictions are relaxed, you don't really know what is going to happen here. Revolutions happen when huge changes happen in society. Do you think Gandhiji would have asked the British, 'Is it ok if I protest now?' I am not saying anybody here is Gandhiji, but political leaders who brought changes to the state will never get permission to do what they think is right for their people. IMAGE: Security personnel in Srinagar due to the strict curfew imposed to maintain law and order on the first anniversary of the abrogation of Article 370, August 4, 2020. Your mother was detained away from home for 7 months -- what were some of the challenges this past year? It has been traumatic for every Kashmiri. It would be very selfish and self-centered to just talk about what I endured. Every Kashmir has been in pain which has increased the sense of anxiety and uncertainty. A year ago, a few days before the abrogation, speculation was mounting about what's going to happen. People had a feeling that something big was coming their way which was not going to be nice. This past year, we have seen a double lockdown. Our economy has suffered heavy losses. We've been in lockdown since last August 2019. Then the entire world was brought to its knees by an unseen virus which made things worse. Kids weren't able to go to school since August 2019, and since March there has been this lockdown because of covid. Obviously, covid is also an excuse to crack down on people and curtail their rights even more. In these trying, tough and turbulent times, Kashmiris have had solace only in religion and humour. It's very natural that when you are upset you turn to religion and humour, but even that has been denied to us. Our own Jama Masjid has been shut, and as far as humour is concerned, an innocuous meme could result in an FIR under UAPA if they feel you're making fun of something even if you're just being sarcastic. All these things have pushed Kashmiris to the wall. IMAGE: A deserted street in Srinagar due to the strict curfew imposed to maintain law and order on the first anniversary of the abrogation of Article 370, August 4, 2020. Do you believe statehood will be restored? This ploy of dangling statehood is a psychological, sinister ploy. They have a proper agenda to disempower people, break them financially, emotionally, psychologically and inflict as much trauma as they can. There's also a demographic angle to it. Last year when I spoke about it, people thought I am being paranoid, but look at the way they are issuing domicile certificates to outsiders? What is the rush? Why do you have to issue certificates in the middle of a pandemic? It's an extraordinary health situation where the economies of countries all over the world are collapsing and this is the government's priority right now? Clearly, what they are engineering is a cultural genocide. I'm very strongly using those words 'cultural genocide'. We know they want to wipe out our culture and sense of identity in 10 to 15 years. They don't want the state to be what it is like right now. Till they don't achieve what they have in mind, they will not restore statehood. They are going to get parties to beg for statehood. I think that's the plan. It is their psyche to make you beg, even for the small things. In the past one year, we haven't had 3G, many don't have WiFi connections at home, not everyone can afford it, while data is very cheap. But we don't have that. Do we have to beg them for everything? Why? Feature Presentation: Aslam Hunani/Rediff.com Several Congress leaders have welcomed Wednesday's 'Bhumi Pujan' in Ayodhya and termed August 5 as a day of national unity. Some are even clamouring to claim a role in sowing the seeds of the Ram temple project. Kerala Governor Arif Mohammad Khan speaks to News18.com on why he is not surprised at the stand taken by leaders of his erstwhile party on the Ram Mandir. There is a pandemic in India that has led to 18 lakh positive cases with almost 38,000 deaths. In the middle of a global health crisis, we are holding 'Bhumi Pujan' for the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya. Several BJP leaders are quarantined. There is much discussion on the priorities of the Indian government. How do you see this development of the RSS-BJP Ram Mandir project so far in the middle of the pandemic? The coronavirus pandemic requires us to follow a certain discipline and regulations like maintaining physical distance, wearing masks and avoiding large gatherings. It does not mean that normal life has come to a total halt. Those who are raising this question are people whose vested interest is in keeping society divided from within. They thrive by raising divisive and communal slogans. If it were not Covid-19, they would have raised objections on other grounds. I would like to ignore them as the right to freedom of expression does not exclude the right to say things which are illogical and absurd. The politicians are putting out statements on social media, removing any doubts about their stand on Ram Mandir, which was once a divisive issue. Priyanka Gandhi issued a statement to make this moment all about national unity while Kamal Nath wants to recite the Hanuman Chalisa. Seeing the reaction from Congress leaders, how much does the party need the Rama Mandir issue now? How is it going to help the party that was voted out of power from the Centre in 2014? I have repeatedly said that removal of the locks in Ayodhya in 1986 was part of a deal which the then central government had entered into with the Muslim Personal Law Board (MPLB). In the second week of January 1986, the then Prime Minister announced the decision to accept the demand of the MPLB to reverse the judgment of the Supreme Court in the Shah Bano case and the blowback was so severe that the government felt the need to do some balancing act and the unlocking was done on February 1, 1986. I have written in my book 'Text and Context' that on February 6, 1986, when I met the Prime Minister, he told me that before removing the lock, he had informed the MPLB leaders and, therefore, he did not apprehend any protest by them. That is the reason the MPLB as an organisation did not take up this issue till the unfortunate demise of Sri Rajiv Gandhi in 1991. In fact the then chairman of the MPLB strongly denounced the protest movement launched by some of its own members who had floated the Babri Masjid Action Committee. In his autobiography, Ali Mian says, "The author, like many other people of vision, saw with open eyes that the manner in which Babri Masjid movement was conducted generated tremendous enthusiasm in the minds of the majority for Hindu revivalism that even great Hindu leaders had not been able to arouse. From Islamic viewpoint it is sheer lack of foresight, narrow-mindedness and from the viewpoint of a religious community it was like committing collective suicide." There are Congress leaders like Kamal Nath who are claiming that "Rajiv Gandhi is the one who opened the locks to the Ram Mandir". There seems to be a movement to not make the victory of the Hindutva project solely about the BJP. Why do you think this is happening, especially when it has always been clearly mentioned in the BJP's manifesto since 1996? I am glad that Congress leaders have finally admitted what they had been denying all these years. In a recent book 'The RSS: And the Making of the Deep Nation', the author pointed out that Ram Mandir might have been an RSS project but Indira Gandhi did not miss the political potential of the "holy city". Another Congress leader Karan Singh said, "We cannot even light a holy lamp at Ram's birthplace in Ayodhya." After Indira Gandhi, INC's interest in Ram Mandir changed. How and why? There is no denying the fact that Sri Ram is the embodiment of all the noble values and ethos of Indian civilisation. Scholars world over acknowledge that among ancient civilisations, the Indian civilisation is the only living and continuous one. It is understandable that Indians who identified Ayodhya with Sri Rama felt heartache in the absence of a temple at his birthplace. It was this sense of deprivation which often created tensions. Now is the time that instead of ruminating on the past, we as Indians join together and celebrate our culture and civilisation which is defined by spirit and spirituality and has tremendous capacity to accommodate all religions and all traditions. As governor of Kerala holding a constitutional post, what do you think of Asaddudin Owaisi's opposition to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's participation in the 'bhumi pujan' at Ayodhya? He said, "Modi's participation is in violation of his constitutional oath." On this solemn occasion, I do not wish to talk about spoilsports. The people who because of their divisive and communal politics delayed the liberation of Hyderabad for more than a year feel they can still create obstacles and bad blood. I can only hope and pray that good sense will prevail and they will give up their old antics. A leader of the Revolution Now in Osun State, Olawale Bakare and others have been arrested by operatives of the Department of Secret Service (DSS) during a protest today in Osogbo demanding a better governance from the government. Bakare and other members of the movement numbering about six were arrested while they were addressing journalists at a popular junction, Ola-Iya. The protesters who were armed with placards with several inscriptions against bad governance, lack of infrastructure, extrajudicial activities and others were arrested in the presence of policemen. Other members who were on the scene ran away to avoid arrest. Follow Us on Facebook @LadunLiadi; Instagram @LadunLiadi; Twitter @LadunLiadi; Youtube @LadunLiadiTV for updates Niamey, Niger (PANA) - The World Bank Board of Trustees Tuesday approved a loan and grant totalling $100 million dollars to strengthen the capacities of local administrations and management of the extractive sector in Niger, a press release issued here said BEIRUT It seemed like all hope was lost. But after 15 hours buried under the rubble of his home in Beirut, Imad Atar was miraculously pulled out alive by a civil defense team Wednesday, punching the air weakly with joy as crowds clapped, cried and cheered in an emotional display. Drenched in sweat from the August sun, the team of volunteers used pickaxes and shovels to dig Atar out from under the rubble of his home in the Geitawi neighborhood, in the east of the Lebanese capital. A roar of joy reverberated through the streets as the volunteers screamed "he's alive!" and pulled him out along with items from his former home a pair of slippers, children's toys and jewelry. Related: Rescuers searched for survivors in Beirut in the morning after a cataclysmic explosion at the port sowed devastation across entire neighborhoods, killing more than 100 people, wounding thousands and plunging Lebanon deeper into crisis. The rescue team lifted Atar onto a stretcher and into a nearby Red Cross ambulance amid cheers a brief moment of joy in a city in mourning. Atar is one of the survivors of an explosion that rocked Beirut on Tuesday, killing at least 100 people and injuring thousands more, according to the Lebanese Red Cross. Although the exact trigger of the blast remains unclear, tons of ammonium nitrate stored at a warehouse at the Beirut port have been blamed, Lebanese Prime Minister Hassan Diab said, promising a full investigation. Image: Aftermath of Beirut explosion (AFP - Getty Images) As day broke in Beirut, residents woke up to near-apocalyptic scenes as the city was shrouded in smoke and dust. Whole apartment facades had fallen, windows were blown out and furniture was strewn in the streets of many neighborhoods. Hundreds of dazed and blood-soaked residents many of them used to catastrophe, having lived through decades of civil war fled to the nearby mountains for safety Tuesday night. Overwhelmed hospitals turned people away as scores of people nursed injuries from the blast, which was heard as far away as Cyprus. Story continues Many Beirutis expressed anger and sadness as they tried to digest the shock. "Our shop is destroyed. Our home is destroyed. Our life is destroyed. Why are we stuck in this country?" asked wedding store owner Mohamed Abidis, dejected and distraught. "Even in the civil war we didn't see anything like this. Not in this neighborhood," he said in an interview, referring to the conflict that tore the country apart from 1975 to 1990. Some pointed the finger at Lebanon's beleaguered government as the extent of the destruction came to light. "I'd almost rather this be an act of terrorism rather than an act of negligence," said a Beirut bar owner who spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of persecution. "At least in that sense there would be somebody else to blame, for once." Others took a practical approach. Volunteers flocked to downtown Beirut just a day before, the trendy heart of the capital to sweep up debris and give out food and water in the heat. Image: Beirut explosion (AFP - Getty Images) Images and videos were feverishly being circulated on social media, with #PrayforLebanon trending Wednesday, along with international outpourings of solidarity and grief. The front pages of Lebanese newspapers depicted striking scenes of chaos and destruction. Download the NBC News app for the latest on the Beirut explosion "It really sounded like thunder. Then there was an enormous bang, and I was blown backwards from the doorway. ... Our door was ripped off its hinges," said Lizzie Porter, a journalist living in Beirut, who initially mistook the blast for an earthquake. "People here, unfortunately, are now used to this kind of very traumatic experience," she said. Lebanon is struggling with an unprecedented economic crisis in which its currency has lost 80 percent of its value and unemployment has spiraled, with fed-up residents frequently taking to the streets in protests. "It's mayhem here, honestly. I used to live in New York, and I was in Manhattan on 9/11, and it's the same there today it's the same feeling, the same smell," said Hassan Sinno, 42, a construction company manager. Image: Beirut explosion (Anwar Amro / AFP - Getty Images) The governor of Beirut, Marwan Abboud, said Wednesday that the cost of the damage to the capital, already under economic pressure, could be $3 billion to $5 billion, adding that the explosion had made at least 200,000 people homeless. Offers of international aid from France to the United States and Middle East have poured in for the tiny country, but more needs to be done, said Samah Hadid, head of advocacy at the Norwegian Refugee Council, a nongovernmental organization, who witnessed the blast. "Lebanon really needs support. Lebanese communities were already facing poverty, starvation and an economic crisis, as well as the COVID pandemic now this explosion adds so much more misery and suffering," Hadid said. "The country is brought to its knees and can't cope with this catastrophe alone." Wyndham Destinations has laid off 116 sales and marketing employees in its San Antonio timeshare office, a reflection of the depressed hospitality industry both locally and nationally. The publicly-traded time-share company operates two properties in San Antonio: Club Wyndham La Cascada and Club Wyndham Riverside Suites. Wyndham Destinations will lay off 20 of the employees on Aug. 7 and 8, in addition to the 96 workers it dismissed in April, May, June and July, according to a letter from the company to the Texas Workforce Commission. The workforce reduction is a result of new unforeseen business circumstances resulting from the sudden and unprecedented effects of the coronavirus outbreak on our business, Dan Williams, Wyndhams Virginia-based human resource director, said in the July 27 letter. Wyndham Destinations has laid off 7,000 of its 9,000 employees globally since the beginning of the COVID-19 outbreak, the company disclosed in its quarterly financial report on July 30. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported a 28.9 percent unemployment rate in the U.S. leisure and hospitality sector in June, down from 35.9 percent in May. Millions of Americans have lost their jobs in hotels and have been unable to find new employment. San Antonio is particularly affected with hotel occupancy rates overall currently in the low 30 percent range, half the level of a year ago, said Paul Vaughn, senior vice president at local hotel consulting firm Source Strategies. The lodging industry in San Antonio is one of the hardest hit in the state, Vaughn said. The downturn has hit timeshare sales, a segment of the hotel industry. Vaughn said San Antonio is suffering more than other major Texas cities, including Dallas and Fort Worth, because tourism officials have spent conservatively on marketing over the last several years. He also said there are few new tourist attractions to entice visitors. When you have a crisis hit like this, it exacerbates the underlying problem, Vaughn said. Officials at Visit San Antonio, the public-private partnership that runs tourism marketing efforts for the city, did not respond to a request for comment. Some downtown San Antonio hotels remain closed, including the Grand Hyatt and the Marriott Riverwalk continuing victims of the collapse of the citys convention business this year. Vaughn said he expects more layoffs in coming months, with no recovery in sight for auxiliary tourism businesses in San Antonio such as restaurants, attractions and transportation providers. In his letter to the TWC, Wyndhams Williams said he expects directives at the federal, state and local levels will continue to cause, among other things, a drastic impact on the companys business. Wyndhan Destinations put a different spin on it in its July quarterly financial report. We expect to continue to see United States of America consumers shift from international to domestic travel and also to destinations that require driving versus flying. We believe these shifts may be favorable to the timeshare industry, company officials said. The company reported a loss of $164 million in the quarter ended June 30, down from earnings of $124 million in the same period a year ago. Randy Diamond covers tourism and the travel industry. To read more from Randy, become a subscriber. randy.diamond@express-news.net Representatives of the two major political parties in the Bono Region have signed an agreement to ensure peace in the Banda District during and after the registration exercise and the elections on December 7, this year. According to a statement issued by the Public Relations Directorate of the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) and signed by the Director of Public Relations, Colonel, E. Aggrey Quashie, in Accra yesterday, this was as a result of the riots that lead to the death of one person in the Banda District. This was in the wake of the disturbances that resulted in the unfortunate demise of one person, it stated. The agreement signed by Mr Joe Danquah of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and Mr Ahmed Ibrahim, the National Democratic Congress (National Democratic Congress Member of Parliament for Banda constituency) and witnessed by the Regional Minister, Evelyn Ama Kumi-Richardson, stated: We the undersigned agreed to maintain peace in the Banda District during the remaining days of the voters registration exercise and after, until the end of the 2020 general elections in December 2020. It cautioned the two parliamentary candidates to stop sending people to the registration centres to harass others of their nationality. The two parliamentary candidates (Mr Joe Danquah and Hon. Ahmed Ibrahim MP) should stop bussing people to the registration centres, if indeed they were ordinary residents; they should go there on their own volition, it said. The statement urged political parties to educate their agents at the registration centres to fill challenge forms in challenging people whose citizenship or residency were in doubt and that no physical violence should be used in preventing people from registering 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 Fifth Fort Hood Soldier Dies Since May: Officials Another Fort Hood soldier was found dead in a Texas lake over the weekend, the fifth such incident in about three months. Spc. Francisco Gilberto Hernandezvargas, 24, of New York, died Sunday in a boating incident at the Stillhouse Hollow Lake, officials with Fort Hood said in a news release. Witnesses said they saw him go under the water while on an inner tube and never came back up. Well, we were out in the water and happened to notice a lot of emergency service vehicles, saw people out with binoculars out on the lake, Karen Lange told WFXR-TV. On July 21, 26-year-old Pvt. Mejhor Morta was found dead at Stillhouse Hollow Lake. Sheriffs officials suspect he likely drowned. About a month ago, Fort Hood soldier Vanessa Guillen was found dead near the Leon River. Cecily Aguilar is currently behind bars in connection with the soldiers death, and another suspect, Aaron Robinson, himself a Fort Hood soldier, killed himself while he was being pursued by police. A month before, Brandon Rosecrans, 27, another soldier, was found dead about 9 miles from Fort Hood. He was shot and killed, and his body was found near a charred vehicle. No suspects have been named in his slaying. In mid-June, soldier Gregory Morales was found dead in a field in Killeen, Texas, about 10 miles from the base, reports said. No suspects have been named in the case. The Black Knight family is heartbroken by the loss of Specialist Francisco Hernandezvargas. Our hearts go out to his family and friends during this difficult time, said Lt. Col. Neil Armstrong of Hernandezvargass death over the weekend. Specialist Hernandezvargas served his country honorably both stateside while at Fort Hood and abroad in Korea and Romania and this tragic loss is felt by every member within our formation. President Donald Trump speaks with Gloria Guillen (3rd L), the mother of Vanessa Guillen, a Fort Hood soldier found dead after disappearing from Fort Hood, Texas, as well as her family and lawyer in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington on July 30, 2020. (Jim Watson/AFP via Getty Images) His death is currently under investigation. Last week, President Donald Trump met with the family of Guillen. I saw what happened to your daughter, Vanessa, who was a spectacular person, and respected and loved by everybody, including in the military, Trump told Guillens mother. He added that the FBI and Department of Justice are now involved in the case, as well as people at Fort Hood. We didnt want to have this swept under the rug, which could happen, Trump said. Army Chief of Staff Gen. James McConville made it official Tuesday: A headquarters group will be going to Poland as the first move in the major realignment of forces in Europe brought on by President Donald Trump's decision to withdraw about 11,900 troops from Germany. In a ceremony in the Polish city of Krakow, McConville promoted John Kolasheski, the Army's V Corps commander, to the rank of lieutenant general and officially unfurled the headquarters' flag for the first time on Polish soil. Read next: 4th US Service Member to Die of COVID-19 Was Army Reservist, Christian Pastor Elements of V Corps' headquarters had been scheduled to be based in Germany but, under the new plan, about 200 of 630 personnel will now be sent to Poland. The rest will remain in Fort Knox, Kentucky, according to the Army. The date for the move, as well as the location in Poland, has not been announced, but it will take place in 2021, U.S. Army Europe stated. "The activation of an additional Corps headquarters provides the needed level of command and control focused on synchronizing U.S. Army, allied, and partner nation tactical formations operating in Europe," McConville said in a statement. In a Pentagon briefing last Wednesday, Defense Secretary Mark Esper said that the withdrawal of 11,900 troops from Germany, reducing the U.S. presence there to about 24,000 personnel, would be accompanied by a shift in the U.S. and NATO force posture to the Black Sea region, the Baltic states and Poland to counter Russia. Of the 11,900 troops to be withdrawn, about 6,400 will eventually return to the U.S.; the rest will be repositioned in other NATO countries, Esper said. At the briefing, Esper and Air Force Gen. Tod Wolters, who doubles as the head of NATO and U.S. European Command, said that EUCOM's headquarters will move out of Germany to Belgium, and two Army battalions will relocate to Italy. U.S. Africa Command will also move out of its current headquarters in Stuttgart, Germany. AFRICOM will likely go to Belgium, although a location has yet to be designated, Esper said. He had no estimate for the overall cost of the withdrawal, but said it could be in the "single-digit" billions. -- Richard Sisk can be reached at Richard.Sisk@Military.com. Related: Nearly 12,000 US Troops Will Pull Out of Germany at Cost of Billions, SecDef Says Seldom has the passing of a man managed to reach every corner of every home on the island of Ireland, but John Hume's death on Monday brought to light some of the darkest moments in our recent history when Hume saw hope when it was furthest away. From Civil Rights campaigns in the 1960s, to the Good Friday Agreement in 1998, Hume's legacy is one of risk for the greater good of peace: 'If you can keep your head when all about you are losing theirs and blaming it on you,' is a famous Rudyard Kipling line that could have been penned with the Hume-Adams peace talks in mind. The talks happened against the backdrop of Republican and Loyalist violence and while many trusted Hume's judgment, more slated him unfairly. Peace-keeper and visionary, the Derry man was no slave to ideology. This meant Hume could often assess the political landscapes that others could not - logical response ahead of emotional reaction was Hume's strength. Born in Derry in 1937, the former SDLP leader and Nobel Prize recipient worked to put 'the Troubles' at the forefront of European and US politics. From a platform of diplomacy and non-violence, Hume engineered the kind of political clout in Washington D.C that would weaken the British Home Office's input into 'Irish affairs' in the White House. When President Bill Clinton took office in January 1993, Hume's strategy found its intended target. Hume's links with Kerry come through his friend and political ally, Dick Spring. As Minister for Foreign Affairs, and prior to the Downing Street Declaration of 1993, Dick Spring proposed his 'six democratic principles' - of which the primacy of Unionist consent was key. These 'principles' were considered a compliment to Hume's behind the scenes peace strategy at that time; a strategy that would later underpin the Good Friday Agreement. Spring described Hume this week as someone who 'changed relationships' and put the north on an international stage. "John played a very important role in establishing peace on the island of Ireland. One had to admire his energy and dedication, he went the extra mile all the time and I think lesser people would have given up during the dark days. But John persisted as he believed in establishing better relations between the communities in Northern Ireland," Dick told The Kerryman. Dick added that John always believed in the idea that you must unite people, not land, and establish principles that people can share. "John was very conscious of the fact he needed to bring his Unionist colleagues to the table in a spirit of openness, they had to be willing partners. He was fighting battles on all sides: trying to get the IRA to stop its campaign of violence, and at the same time try to reassure Unionists on the principle of consent," he said. During the height of the peace process John Hume and Dick Spring often enjoyed a quiet pint together in Tralee. "John was a very easy person to get on with and good company. The public persona was of a man fighting 24 hours a day for peace. But John liked a sing-song; in fact he broke many an icy room at that time with his easygoing nature. "He established a very good rapport with some of the Loyalists. They realised they had more in common than not and they could work together. John enjoyed his pint. He loved Derry and loved singing about the town he loved so well. "I was very sorry for what happened him with his dementia. John really should have been having a lap of honour. Sadly, that wasn't to be. Great credit goes to Pat and his family. They were a great team who worked together. Pat was as committed to the peace process as John was," Dick said. In 1999 Hume was invited by Tanaiste Dick Spring to see the Jennie Johnston in Blennerville. Hume praised the project's nod to peace and reconciliation on the island. "John was a fantastic supporter of the Jennie Johnston from the outset," said John Griffin of Kerry County Council. "He understood the whole concept of the north/south link. We had young people from both communities working on the project. "I recall John as always being full of enthusiasm. He understood that to solve problems you had to see the other side's perspective. It was a very crucial period. John was aware of the historic northern connection between the original ship and the one being built. He was a colossus and I would put him on the same terms as Daniel O'Connell," John said. In November, 2000, John and his wife Pat were honoured at a civic reception by Killarney Urban District Council. UDC Chairman at the time, and former Labour Party member, Sean Counihan, said John 'was a great man'. "Meeting John you definitely felt like you were in the presence of someone who had something meaningful to say," Sean said. He described John as a great supporter of local town councils as democracy at local level was part of Hume's strategy to minimise Unionist domination in the city of Derry and across the six counties. "You just knew whatever he said came from the heart. John was a politician that wanted solutions to problems, not just to talk about them," he said. Sean continued: "John Hume was for the working people. An awful lot of what he wanted to achieve came from a working class perspective. He realised many of the people dying during the Troubles were from a working class background. My childhood hero growing up was Jim Larkin; I would hold John Hume very much in a similar light, and beyond that in what he achieved for this country." (Natural News) Contrary to what most people might think, the human skull the bone structure that supports the face and forms a protective cavity for the brain is actually composed of many bones rather than one 22 bones, to be precise. These bones, which are connected together by fibrous structures known as cranial sutures, harden and fuse together as an individual ages to effectively protect the brain. And because they only fully do so in adulthood, these bones essentially permit brain growth during adolescence. But if you think 22 cranial bones are too many, then youre in for a surprise: According to experts, some animals, which are considerably smaller in size, have even more skull bones than humans. Why some animals need more bones in their skulls One example of an animal with numerous skull bones is the fish. Fish generally have the most number of bones in their heads a feature exemplified by an extinct species of fish that possessed 156 cranial bones in total. Brian Sidlauskas, an associate professor and the curator of fishes at Oregon State University, noted in an email interview with LiveScience that while the number of cranial bones varies per species, fish usually have an average of 130 or so bones in their heads. Having numerous skull bones is typical of creatures who exhibit cranial kinesis, a term that refers to the significant movement of skull bones relative to each other in addition to movement at the joint between the upper and lower jaws. Cranial kinesis, according to experts, is present in a wide variety of animals, such as reptiles, birds and fish. As detailed in several studies, cranial kinesis is thought to have evolved as a way to optimize the feeding habits of animals, with researchers noting that the ability essentially reflects how the skull is used by specific animals. (Related: Cool survival technique: Shrew skulls shrink during winter to reduce food requirements, then regrow in spring, according to new research.) For example, animals such as snakes that swallow large prey whole, birds that have to grip awkwardly-shaped food items, or fish that feed via suction, often have kinetic skulls with numerous mobile joints. Conversely, animals that possess a secondary palate, such as the majority of mammals including humans often have akinetic skulls. To maintain that movement within the skull, something we call cranial kinesis, you need a whole bunch of bones, Larry Witmer, a professor of anatomy and paleontology at Ohio University, said. In his interview, Witmer also noted that some species of fish even take cranial kinesis to the extreme by developing multiple sets of jaws. Aside from feeding behavior, another angle that scientists are looking at to explain the development of cranial kinesis is ancestry. According to Paolo Viscardi, curator of zoology at the Natural Museum of Ireland, this is, again, more evident in fish, whose skulls are allegedly more variable compared to other vertebrates. The skull itself is more variable in fish than other vertebrates unsurprising when you consider that all other vertebrates are derived from a single lineage of fish, so there would have been a bottleneck in cranial diversity at that point, Viscardi said. Viscardi, in an interview with LiveScience, also said that unlike terrestrial vertebrates, fish do not have to deal with gravity, thus their bones tend to be lighter and more flexible than the bones of some of their terrestrial counterparts. Aside from fish, birds also have highly flexible craniums and display increased mobility. According to a study published in the journal PNAS, these features came about as a result of birds losing some of the bones their dinosaur ancestors once had. This evolution of cranial kinesis allowed birds to diversify into a wider array of ecological niches. Interested in more weird but real science facts? Visit WeirdScienceNews.com. Sources include: LiveScience.com NCBI.NLM.NIH.gov TeachMeAnatomy.info Phys.org A PIL has been filed in the Supreme Court seeking a court-monitored CBI probe into the death of Disha Salian, who was a former manager of the late Sushant Singh Rajput. The PIL, filed by Supreme Court lawyer Vineet Dhanda on Wednesday, August 5, claims that the deaths of Disha and Sushant are 'interlinked.' Earlier in the day, the central government told the Supreme Court that they have accepted the Bihar government's recommendation for a CBI probe into Sushant's demise. Many have been demanding for the Central Bureau of Investigation to take charge of the case due to alleged inefficiency of the Mumbai Police's investigation into the matter. ALSO READ: Sushant's Death Case: Centre Accepts Bihar Govt's Request For CBI Inquiry, Actor's Sister Reacts Recently, former Maharashtra CM and BJP leader Narayan Rane made a claim that Disha was raped and murdered, and the autopsy reports had revealed injury marks on Disha's private parts. Disha died on June 8, after falling off the 14th floor of a residential building. Her death was declared a suicide. Sushant died nearly a week later, on June 14, and was found hanging in his Mumbai apartment. Vineet Dhanda has sought the Supreme Court's direction to Mumbai Police to place on record the detailed investigation report of Disha's case. It was earlier reported that her case file has been deleted. Dhanda urged the apex court to refer the case to CBI, if it finds the Mumbai Police's investigation report unsatisfactory after examining it. ALSO READ: Sushant Singh Rajput's Ex-Manager Disha Salian's Death: Folder With The Case Details Gets Deleted On the other hand, Disha Salian's mother has said that her daughter's death has no connection with Sushant's death. "She never took his name. We didn't know that she was Sushant's manager. We came to know later. Only once, she had told us that she had gone to Sushant's house with somebody. How can there be a connection aftee meeting him just once? She was his manager for a very short time," said Disha's mother Vasanti, in an interview with Zee News. ALSO READ: Disha Salian's Mother Doesn't Believe Her Death Has Any Connection With Sushant Singh Rajput's Death Worried about your mental well-being or of someone you know? Help is just a call away. Reach out to the nearest mental health specialist at COOJ Mental Health Foundation (COOJ)- 0832-2252525, Parivarthan- +91 7676 602 602, Connecting Trust- +91 992 200 1122/+91-992 200 4305 or Sahai- 080-25497777/ SAHAIHELPLINE@GMAIL.COM AMRITSAR/JALANDHAR Hundreds of Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) workers protested outside residences of Congress MLAs from Khadoor Sahib and Jandiala, demanding their arrest in connection with the hooch tragedy, which has claimed over 110 lives to date. SADs Amritsar city president Gurpartap Singh Tikka led the protest outside Jandiala MLA Sukhwinder Singh Dannys residence at Anand Avenue in Amritsar. The Akalis Tarn Taran district president Virsa Singh Valtoha led the protest outside Khadoor Sahib MLA Ramanjit Singh Sikkis residence in Raishiana village. In Jalandhar, SAD workers held a protest march to gherao the residence of Sikki. Youth Akali Dal president Parambans Singh Romana said, Ministers of the government, MLAs and other leaders of the Congress party are involved in the illegal sale of the spurious liquor. In Amritsar, police stopped SAD leaders and workers a little distance away from the house by barricading. Tikka said, Danny sheltered those who were selling illicit liquor. The MLA should be booked for murder. We also demand a high level probe to unearth the political-police-mafia nexus. In Rashiana village, Valtoha said, More than 80 people have been killed by consuming illicit liquor in Tarn Taran. Most victims belong to Khadoor Sahib constituency and some of the victims kin have given written complaints to police against MLA Sikki and his personal assistant (PA) Jarmanjit Singh. The MLA and his PA are solely responsible for deaths of innocent people. We will continue our protest until the MLA and his PA are booked, Valtoha added. Sikki said, SAD is playing dirty politics. Punjab chief minister Amarinder Singh has already taken strict action against those involved in illicit liquor trade. Those killed in the tragedy were close to me and they were like my family members. I am pained by the deaths. We have also ensured free treatment for those admitted at various hospitals. Some politicians are defaming me and my PA. If you were looking for the Charlestown Democratic Town Committee website and ended up here, try this Got news tips, gossip, suggestions, complaints?E-mail us: progressivecharlestown@gmail.com We strive to avoid errors in our articles. Our correction policy can be found here A medical staff collects a swab sample from a man to test for the novel coronavirus in Hai Lang District, Quang Tri Province, August 5, 2020. Photo by VnExpress/Hoang Tao. Vietnam confirmed 41 new Covid-19 cases Wednesday evening, all but one linked to Da Nang outbreak. "Patients 673-678" are people aged 10-41 who recently returned from a trip they made together to Da Nang, currently the Covid-19 epicenter in Vietnam. Two of them are from the northern province of Bac Giang and four from Lang Son, also in the north. All six are being treated at the National Hospital of Tropical Diseases in Hanoi. "Patient 679" is a 44-year old male returning from Russia who was quarantined upon arrival in the southern province of Ba Ria-Vung Tau on July 11. The flight that carried him has so far recorded 17 positive cases. He is being treated at the Ba Ria Hospital. "Patients 680-713", aged 1 to 75, are all in Da Nang. All but one of them are linked to hospitals in the city, and one of them lives in Lien Chieu District. This brings the total number of new cases confirmed Wednesday to 43, with two cases reported in the morning in Quang Nam Province, which borders Da Nang. The number of cases in Da Nang is now at 192. In the last 11 days, Quang Nam Province has recorded 46 cases; Ho Chi Minh City, eight; Lang Son, four; the Central Highlands province of Dak Lak and the central province of Quang Ngai, three each; Hanoi, Bac Giang and the southern province of Dong Nai, two each; and the northern provinces of Thai Binh and Ha Nam, one each. Vietnam has recorded a total of 713 Covid-19 cases, 332 of them active. Eight patients have died and 11 are in critical condition with a very high risk of death, doctors say. Over 120,000 people are in isolation - 20,000 at quarantine facilities, 1,500 in hospitals and the rest in their homes. More than 704,000 Covid-19 deaths have been recorded worldwide. Two Black San Francisco Sheriffs Department employees are suing the city, claiming they were subjected to racial discrimination, harassment and retaliation while on the job. Both employees Danielle Dillard and Kim Lee work as clerks processing warrants for criminal suspects. Their complaint, filed in San Francisco Superior Court on Monday, alleges they were subjected to a workplace culture in which discrimination, harassment and retaliation have taken root and flourished. Their conditions at work worsened, they claim, after they complained about alleged discriminatory acts by co-workers and superiors that occurred over the course of several years. Among a number of other claims, Dillard says a supervisor referred to her as a monkey in 2016 after Dillard introduced herself as a clerk and as a shop steward with the SEIU 1021 union. Months later, Dillard claims the same supervisor barred her from selecting her days off and vacation days after returning to work following a bereavement leave she took after the death of her mother. As Dillard was preparing to return to work, she claims the supervisor said she would have to accept an 8% pay cut, and again told Dillard to spare her all that monkey junk, according to the complaint. As a union shop steward, Dillard claims she received complaints of racial discrimination from other employees within the Sheriffs Department and brought them to the attention of Capt. James Quanico, who oversees Dillards unit. A month later, Dillard claims she was served with a cease-and-desist order stating she could not communicate with employees in her division. After raising questions about the order, Dillard alleges Quanico told her to just sit down and be quiet and do your job. The lawsuit claims that, since March of 2019, Dillard has not spoken at the workplace for fear of losing her job. Because of this, Ms. Dillard would spend her lunch and rest times crying due to the hostile atmosphere she found herself in, not being able to speak at all to colleagues. Lees discrimination allegations also begin in 2016, when she claims the department refused to grant her vacation time to leave work early, and was told by a sergeant that she would be written up as absent without leave for leaving the job site without the permission of a supervisor. Lee was allegedly subjected to multiple other instances of extraordinary procedures involving time-off requests. She was also allegedly told by the same supervisor, a subordinate to Quanico, to cut out any monkey junk on several occasions, despite her protestations about the phrase. Lee later raised concerns with the citys Human Resources Department for being treated differently and the hostile work environment, according to the complaint. She was later subjected to baseless disciplinary write-ups, including the threat of a suspension after raising concerns, according to the complaint. Lee was served an identical cease-and-desist order from Quanico ordering her to refrain from speaking to others in her unit. A spokeswoman for the Sheriffs Department said it does not comment on pending litigation. and declined to make Quanico available for an interview. Sheriff Paul Miyamoto promoted Quanico to captain in March. Dillard claims she raised detailed concerns about discrimination in the workplace to Miyamoto in June but received no response. 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. John Cote, a spokesman for the City Attorneys Office, said the city had not yet been served with the lawsuit. Both Dillard and Lee are being represented by former San Francisco supervisor, mayoral candidate and civil rights attorney Angela Alioto. The case represents the second racial discrimination lawsuit Alioto has filed on behalf of city workers in as many weeks. Alioto is also representing a former San Francisco firefighter and a marine engineer, who sued the city last week, claiming they were passed over for assignments in favor of white colleagues with comparable or less experience and blocked from performing their duties. Both of the men suing are Black. Alioto stirred controversy last year after she used a racial epithet multiple times during a meeting of the San Francisco Democratic County Central Committee where city workers were raising concerns about racial discrimination and pay inequity. Alioto, who later apologized, said she was attempting to underscore the corrosive, traumatic effects the word has in the workplace and urged the city workers to press their cases in court. Dominic Fracassa is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: dfracassa@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @dominicfracassa The Marine amphibious assault vehicle that sank off the coast of California last week has been located in 385 feet of water, along with the remains of at least some of the missing service members, officials announced Tuesday. Marine Corps and Navy officials positively identified the location of the AAV on Monday, according to I Marine Expeditionary Force. The Navy's Undersea Rescue Command used a remotely operated undersea search-and-rescue ship to confirm that remains of the missing are inside the 26-ton vehicle, which sank July 30. "The Navy has expedited the movement of assets to recover the remains of the Marines and Sailor, as well as raise the AAV," a Marine Corps statement said. "The equipment to properly and safely perform the recovery from the sea floor will be in place at the end of this week, and a dignified transfer of our Marines and Sailor will occur as soon as possible after the conclusion of recovery operations." Read next: Marine AAV Hit Rough Seas, Rapidly Took on Water Before Sinking Eight Marines and one sailor were killed in the accident off the coast of San Clemente Island. The sailor and seven of the Marines were not found after the mishap, leading to a massive search-and-rescue mission that was called off Sunday when officials declared the troops dead. The victims were Pfcs. Bryan Baltierra, Evan Bath and Jack Ryan Ostrovsky; Lance Cpls. Marco Barranco, Guillermo Perez and Chase Sweetwood; Cpls. Wesley Rodd and Cesar Villanueva; and Navy Hospitalman Christopher Gnem. President Donald Trump on Tuesday said he was deeply saddened by the tragic loss. "Our prayers are with their families," the commander in chief tweeted. "I thank them for the brave service their loved ones gave to our Nation. #SemperFidelis" Marine Corps Commandant Gen. David Berger, the service's top general, on Monday said the AAV was on its way back to the amphibious transport dock ship Somerset when it hit rough waters. The vehicle began taking on more water than it could pump out, he said. Eight Marines were able to escape from the AAV before it sank. Perez was one of the Marines pulled from the water, but he succumbed to wounds from a serious head injury, Berger said. Two other Marines remained hospitalized as of Monday. All of the personnel are assigned to the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, which is training for an upcoming deployment. Navy Cmdr. Josh Powers, commanding officer of Undersea Rescue Command, said it has been humbling to work alongside the Marine Corps and Coast Guard to find the eight missing service members. "Our sincerest prayers and sympathies remain with their families, friends and fellow Marines and Sailors," he said in a statement. Berger has ordered all waterborne AAV operations to pause while the Marine Corps investigates what caused this one to sink. An investigation into the accident is underway. -- Gina Harkins can be reached at gina.harkins@military.com. Follow her on Twitter @ginaaharkins. Related: Marines Suspend All AAV Water Ops as Search for 8 Missing Troops Continues The "Loyalists Against Democracy" social media platforms disappeared last week. An Ulster Unionist Party councillor has called on the PSNI to investigate the Loyalists Against Democracy (LAD) social media parody account. Newry, Mourne and Down councillor Alan Lewis stated that police know who was responsible for the social media pages. On Monday night, a cafe in Co Antrim, which is linked to the founder of LAD, was attacked. Arden's of Whitehead owner Barbara Whearty shared images of a broken front window and the premises also had green paint thrown over it. Her husband John-Paul created the controversial LAD account but says he parted ways with it four years ago. Belfast comedian Paddy Raff admitted earlier this week that he had a role in producing content for the controversial social media account. However, he disputed claims that he was involved in its creation or ever taking charge of the account. LAD, which was accused by critics of mocking the loyalist community in Northern Ireland, was suddenly shut down last week following calls from Mr Whearty to close it. Mr Lewis stated that the people behind the LAD accounts must be held accountable if any laws were broken. "I myself have been the victim of online trolling, my young family targeted and abused, vile comments posted under pictures of my kids," Mr Lewis said. "I know only too well the feeling of being victimised. "The group LAD, which had profiles on both Facebook and Twitter, was rarely satirical, rarely funny, regularly nasty and vindictive. "Without question some of the posts went too far, the screen shots are widely available, the videos still online. "Police must now conduct a full, open and transparent investigation. "This was systematic, orchestrated and sustained abuse of one section of the community, drawn out over many years." A Police Service spokesperson said: "We are aware of a statement from an elected representative in relation to a social media account." In their new roles, Marsden and MacAdam will lead OG&C's and M&M's worldwide operations with responsibility for all aspects of the business units' performance and their results for customers. Marsden will assume his position on September 8, and MacAdam will begin her new role on November 1. "With their focus on collaboration, quality, and creating lasting value, Paul and Ailie have proven themselves as trusted partners to our customers," said Albert. "Their leadership will ensure we are ready to help customers succeed as they work to solve the evolving energy and resources challenges that are shaping the future." Bechtel Chairman and CEO Brendan Bechtel said, "I am proud and excited that Paul and Ailie are stepping up to lead these key parts of our business. I am also personally grateful to Alasdair and Paige for their decades of service to our company." Marsden's experience includes serving in senior customer-facing leadership roles on several landmark projects for OG&C. Since 2018, he has been senior project manager for the Pennsylvania Chemicals Project, a world-class petrochemicals facility under construction near Pittsburgh. Earlier, he served for three years as senior project manager for the Wheatstone LNG project in Australia, and prior to that was senior project manager on the landmark Queensland Curtis LNG project in Australia. Marsden was elected principal vice president in 2014 and senior vice president in 2017. He joined the company in 1995 with a master's degree from Durham University in the United Kingdom, and he is a fellow at the Institution of Civil Engineers. MacAdam is currently operations manager of the company's Infrastructure business unit, where she has helped grow the unit's project portfolio and overseen investments to enhance its capabilities in the aviation, civil, rail, power, and communications sectors. In 2019, she served as the unit's acting president. Previously, she was general manager for Infrastructure's Asia-Pacific region based in Sydney. MacAdam's experience includes managing some of the most complex mega-projects in the company's history. As project director for Crossrail, she oversaw the largest civil infrastructure project in Europe. She also served as project director for High Speed 1, the UK's first high-speed rail line. MacAdam was elected principal vice president in 2009 and senior vice president in 2012. She joined Bechtel in 1985. She holds a Bachelor of Chemical Engineering degree from Bradford University and is a fellow of the Institution of Civil Engineers. In 2016, she was listed among the UK's Top 50 Women in Engineering by the Daily Telegraph and the Women's Engineering Society. About Bechtel: Bechtel is a trusted engineering, construction and project management partner to industry and government. Differentiated by the quality of our people and our relentless drive to deliver the most successful outcomes, we align our capabilities to our customers' objectives to create a lasting positive impact. Since 1898, we have helped customers complete more than 25,000 projects in 160 countries on all seven continents that have created jobs, grown economies, improved the resiliency of the world's infrastructure, increased access to energy, resources, and vital services, and made the world a safer, cleaner place. Bechtel serves the Infrastructure; Nuclear, Security & Environmental; Oil, Gas & Chemicals; and Mining & Metals markets. Our services span from initial planning and investment, through start-up and operations. www.bechtel.com Media contact: Iva Zagar [email protected] tel. +1-713-235-3088 SOURCE Bechtel Related Links http://www.bechtel.com Editor's Note: Get caught up in minutes with our speedy summary of today's must-read news stories and expert opinions that moved the precious metals and financial markets. Sign up here! (Kitco News) - Donald Trump Jr. tweeted Tuesday that Pebble Mine should not be built due to environmental risks. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers issued a final environmental analysis last month supporting the mine, a reversal from the Obama administrations previous decision stating that the mine should not be built. Opponents to the mine cite risks to salmon runs, as well as preserving the natural beauty of the area. Northern Dynasty's Pebble Project is located in southwest Alaska. The chief of staff for Vice President Mike Pence, Nick Ayers, also opposes Pebble Mine. As a sportsman who has spent plenty of time in the area I agree 100%. The headwaters of Bristol Bay and the surrounding fishery are too unique and fragile to take any chances with. #PebbleMine https://t.co/4ffLdF4Qqe Donald Trump Jr. (@DonaldJTrumpJr) August 4, 2020 If permitted, the Pebble mine will be North Americas largest mine, according to a study by the Center for Science in Public Participation. On the Northern Dynasty's website the current resource estimate for the project is 6.5 billion tonnes in the measured and indicated categories containing 57 billion lb copper and 71 million oz gold. The mine plans calls for a pit 1,970 feet (600 meters) deep, as well as a new road, pipeline and power plant. Donald Trump Jr. is an avid hunter. New Delhi: Telugu Desam Party (TDP) chief N Chandrababu Naidu on Wednesday tweeted a video showing the Andhra Pradesh police severely thrashing and kicking a Dalit man after the latter allegedly went to lodge a complaint. Shocking! Under orders from YSRCP Leaders, a Dalit man who went to lodge a complaint at the Police Station in Palasa, Srikakulam, was kicked & slapped by police even as his mother wailed & tried protecting her son. When will this YSRCP sponsored brutality & madness stop in AP?, Naidu tweeted. Shocking! Under orders from YSRCP Leaders, a Dalit man who went to lodge a complaint at the Police Station in Palasa, Srikakulam, was kicked & slapped by police even as his mother wailed & tried protecting her son. When will this YSRCP sponsored brutality & madness stop in AP? pic.twitter.com/Z9z7hgswO5 N Chandrababu Naidu #StayHomeSaveLives (@ncbn) August 5, 2020 This is a developing story and more details are awaited. Chandrababu Naidu has several times denounced the police action against Dalits alleging that atrocities on Dalits have increased under Jagan Mohan Reddy's rule. Earlier in June Dalit youth had his head tonsured and was beaten up, allegedly by police, in East Godavari district, after a ruling YSR Congress party leader lodged a complaint over blocking of a sand-laden lorry. A senior police officer said the Dalit youth was booked in a case filed by YSRC leader Kavala Krishna Murthy for allegedly blocking the truck that was reportedly transporting sand illicitly. According to the statement issued by the aggrieved youth, Krishna Murthy knocked him down with his car when he questioned the illegal transport of sand. Later a case was registered against him in Seetanagaram police station and the police picked him up. He was allegedly beaten up before being tonsured. SAN FRANCISCO and ATLANTA, Aug. 5, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Bluedot , which provides location technology for mobile apps to power meaningful interactions between brands and their customers, in partnership with market research agency SeeLevel HX , today released the second installment of State of What Feeds Us Report which examines consumer habits and behavior of restaurant and retail customers. The research, based on a survey of 1,501 American consumers, was completed last month. The findings offer critical insights to help brands navigate through the rising pandemic. Highlights of the report include a major spike in mobile app usage, up to 64% from 51% since the first State of What Feeds Us Report released in April which also uncovered a sharp uptick in mobile app usage. Strikingly, fast food customers have substantially increased their visits to the drive-thru with a 43% jump since the first report three months into the pandemic. Nearly three out of four consumers are now visiting the drive-thru as often or more often than before. Consumers have also increased their use of curbside pickup with 62% choosing the contactless option as much or more often over the last month. "The latest findings further signal a dramatic shift in consumer habits as a result of the rising pandemic. There's even more data now to support prioritizing a mobile strategy with drive-thru and pickup options and significant safety precautions to both retain revenue and gain customers," said Emil Davityan, CEO and co-founder of Bluedot. "It's also critical to recognize the value of speed of service. Long wait times can not only negatively impact the overall customer experience, but are likely to turn away customers upon approach as well." The report revealed the vast majority (81%) of consumers feel that waiting more than 10 minutes at the drive-thru is too long. Further, 4 out of 10 customers say wait time longer than 4 minutes for curbside pickup at a fast food restaurant is too long. "There's no question service times have a direct impact on a store's revenue. Our annual QSR Drive-Thru Study indicates service times could be costing QSRs roughly $36,397.80 per unit per year on average. That's hundreds of millions of dollars annually for major brands," said Lisa van Kesteren, SeeLevel HX CEO. "This new data further emphasizes how critical it is for QSRs to explore new strategies for improving efficiencies to both stay competitive and increase revenue." Safety and sanitation also stood out as key factors with COVID cases continuing to rise throughout the country. Not only do consumers want to see staff wearing masks and gloves, they also want to see sanitation and safety information posted at the drive-thru (29%) as well as less or zero contact with staff (25%). Key Findings Mobile apps: Americans are continuing to download more mobile apps The majority of consumers (88%) are using mobile apps to order food, groceries and other products the same amount or more often than before, up from 85% in April. While 64% have downloaded at least one or more new apps to purchase food from restaurants, grocers and other essential stores, 49% have downloaded two or more apps compared to 45% in April. Half are using mobile apps more often or much more often than before compared to 42% in April. Drive-thru and curbside: Americans are still relying on fast food amid COVID 74% have visited the drive-thru the same amount or more often than usual. Additionally, 46% stated they're visiting more often than usual in the last month. 62% have used curbside pickup the same amount as before or more often than before. 40% have used it more often than usual compared to 27% in the first State of What Feeds Us. Consumers feel most safe at the drive-thru followed by curbside pickup. Wait time: Wait time impacts the bottom line The majority (81%) feel that waiting more than 10 minutes at the drive-thru is too long. Almost 4 out of 10 customers say wait time longer than 4 minutes for curbside pickup at a fast food restaurant is too long. Safety: Safety is still top of mind, communication as important Overwhelmingly, respondents rank both staff and customers wearing a mask as most important when it comes to safety precautions. Sanitation and safety information posted at the drive-thru would make consumers feel safer (29%), followed closely by less contact or zero contact with staff (25%). When using curbside pickup, consumers feel safest when they don't need to leave their car (27%), followed by staff meeting them with a mask and gloves (26%), and having minimal or zero contact with staff (22%). Employees not wearing masks is by far the number one reason why consumers will not return to an establishment. To learn more, the second installment of State of What Feeds Us e-book can be found here . Survey Methodology The survey was conducted and completed by SeeLevel HX between June 23 - July 2, 2020, among a national sample of 1,501 American adults aged 18 and older. Qualified respondents were those who had visited a fast food drive-thru in the past month. Within the general population, the age groups were slightly balanced to be representative of the U.S. population. About Bluedot Bluedot's location technology for mobile apps powers meaningful interactions between brands and their customers across key industries including quick service restaurants , retail , and transportation . With pinpoint accuracy, Bluedot's easy-to-implement location technology can identify when a mobile app user arrives at a business, places mobile orders at drive-thrus, arrives at a curbside or pickup spot, or passes a toll location. Inherently compliant with GDPR and CCPA, Bluedot focuses on protecting end-user privacy and never shares or sells personal information. Top global brands trust Bluedot for their location-based needs. For more information on Bluedot and its solutions, visit bluedot.io . About SeeLevel HX Founded in 2008 by a mystery shopping pioneer Lisa van Kesteren, SeeLevel HX supports the improvement of customer experience, brand reputation and brand loyalty through competitive intelligence, market research and secret shopping services. With over 55 years of combined industry experience, 792,000 secret shoppers and employees in every time zone across the nation, SeeLevel HX continues to be a leader in mystery shopping for the QSR and fast casual, retail, financial services and automotive industries. For more information or to see your business at the level of your customers, visit www.SeeLevelhx.com . SOURCE Bluedot Related Links https://bluedot.io Mr. Kuyorwu Lambert, Assembly member for Wli Afegame Electoral Area in the Hohoe Municipality, has said the Wli Waterfalls has not been opened to tourists and tourism business since the outbreak of pandemic. We are holding a series of meetings in relation to the opening of the Falls to tourists and how we will put in precautionary measures and materials for safety of tourists, reason the Falls is still closed. Mr. Kuyorwu disclosed these in a telephone interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA) that the Volta Regional Office of the Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA) had dispatched operational guidelines regarding opening of tourists sites, which called for deliberations among stakeholders on the way forward. He said the site would be opened to tourists once the modus operandi concerning it had been approved by the Authority. The falls, which cascades from a height of about 80 metres above sea level is mostly visited on holidays and festive occasions. A Founders Day observation would have attracted individuals, families and groups spending the day at the falls but due to the coronavirus pandemic, the site has been shut to tourists. The Wli falls charges adult tourists an amount of GH15.00 for Ghanaians and foreigners and GH 8.00 each for a group of 20 people and more. It also charges between GH 3.00 to GH 5.00 for children. Mr. Emmanuel Kodzo Gblokpor, a Senior Tour Guide at the Wli Falls Office, in an interview with the GNA, recently asserted that the Office was putting in measures to make the waterfalls attractive to tourists. He said the Office reconstructed some roads and bridges to the falls after they were destroyed by rains and had several challenges including; the absence of a place of convenience at the Waterfalls and changing rooms for tourists who would like to swim. Founders Day is a statutory public holiday celebrated on August 4 every year after the passing of the Public Holiday Amendment Bill into law in March 2019. The Day also marks two important events in Ghana's history, the date for the formation of the Aborigines Rights Protection Society by John Mensah Sarbah in 1897. It also marked the formation of the United Gold Coast Convention (UGCC) in 1947 by J.B. Danquah and George Alfred "Paa" Grant. 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 Syracuse, N.Y. Travis Duffy says the three doses of an emergency experimental Covid-19 treatment he got at Upstate University Hospital saved his life. Duffy, 39, a Canastota farmer, was on a ventilator 21 days at the hospital after getting the coronavirus. Duffy has asthma which made it harder for him to fight the disease. He was placed in a medically induced coma and paralyzed so he couldnt move. The hospital gave him three infusions of blood plasma siphoned from fully recovered survivors of the disease. The doctors told me thats what really turned me around, said Duffy, who was released from Upstate May 7 after being hospitalized for a month. Upstate will soon begin producing a more potent version of the plasma and use it to rapidly treat other Central New Yorkers infected with the virus. Duffy is one of 76 Covid-19 patients at Upstate and other hospitals in Syracuse, Utica and Rome who have received the plasma from Upstate since April. When separated from blood, plasma is a light yellow liquid. Preliminary evidence shows most of the patients benefitted from the treatment, said Dr. Tim Endy, chair of microbiology and immunology at Upstate. We have had patients whove made remarkable recoveries after getting convalescent plasma, Endy said. Some were on a ventilator several weeks and then within 72 hours of getting convalescent plasma treatment they were able to get off the ventilator and be discharged from the hospital. Three elderly patients did not respond to the treatment and died, he said. Upstate is starting its own convalescent plasma bank later this month in the hospital with blood it will collect from a select pool of recovered Covid-19 patients. It will provide a high octane, more effective version of the plasma that will be readily available to treat Central New Yorkers suffering from severe cases of Covid-19. We all realize Covid-19 is not going away, Endy said. We will probably see a resurgence when the flu season hits. We think its very important to have this resource available for patients in our community. The immune systems of many Covid-19 patients produce antibodies in their blood plasma to fight off the virus. It appears that infusing severely ill patients with those antibodies can help many of them improve faster. The treatment, known as convalescent plasma therapy, has been used since the 1800s to treat many illnesses such as diphtheria, flu, measles and chickenpox. The plasma does not offer immunity to the virus like a vaccine, but it can aid in a patients recovery. The effectiveness of treating Covid-19 patients with plasma therapy has not been proven yet in clinical trials. But anecdotal evidence suggests it works for many patients and a recent study determined the treatment is safe. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has authorized use of the plasma on an emergency basis. Upstate initially got the plasma from the American Red Cross. Upstate sometimes had to wait seven to 10 days to get it way too long for the sickest patients, Endy said. The Red Cross recently announced it is running out of plasma because of a surge in Covid-19 cases in many parts of the country. The hospital switched to a different supplier, the New York Blood Center near Manhattan which provides plasma within 48 hours. Thats still not quick enough, Endy said. Upstates new program, expected to open this month, will be able to provide the plasma within 30 minutes. We have had patients who have passed away while waiting for plasma, said Dr. Matt Elkins, Upstates director of transfusion medicine. Some might have survived had they got the treatment faster, he said The plasma Upstate produces in house will also be higher quality, Elkins said. Using the plasma from blood banks has been a bit of a crapshoot, he said. Thats because some Covid-19 survivors have no detectable levels of antibodies and some have antibodies that are not effective in fighting the virus, he said. We had no way of knowing in the beginning, Elkins said. As a result, Upstate started giving patients plasma from three different donors to increase their chances of getting protective antibodies. Upstate researchers have determined only about 20% of Covid-19 survivors they track have high levels of antibodies. They can also determine through blood testing which potential donors have the antibodies that do the best job of neutralizing the virus. Elkins said Upstate will collect blood exclusively from potential donors in its pool of recovered Covid-19 patients who have plenty of the right kind of antibodies. We will be giving patients a more standardized product, Elkins said. We want to give them jet fuel, not unleaded. Duffy doubts he would be back working on his Canastota farm and feeling well had he not received the plasma. Thats the reason Im here, he said. James T. Mulder covers health news. Have a news tip? Contact him at (315) 470-2245 or jmulder@syracuse.com Houston on Wednesday added another $20 million to its rent relief program, aimed at helping thousands of tenants catch up on late rent payments. City council voted unanimously to add the money Wednesday, more than doubling the initial program the city launched in May. Private donors, including Texans owner Janice McNair, gave $5 million toward the effort, and the city devoted another $15 million from the federal money it received from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act. The program requires concessions from landlords for them to receive the funds. They must forego eviction proceedings through September for all of their residents, even if only one of them is set to receive assistance. They also must waive late fees and interest on late payments, and agree to a payment plan for residents that are behind. The concern was, you took the money, and then a month later, youre still trying to get them out, said District F Councilmember Tiffany Thomas, who chairs the councils housing committee. The application window will open first for landlords, and then their tenants will be able to apply. Thomas said that will open some time in the next two weeks. Mayor Sylvester Turner, who has rejected calls for a grace period ordinance that would give residents more time to catch up before getting evicted, said the assistance and resulting concessions provide for a more fruitful approach. He said a grace period worsens the financial liability those tenants will have to cover later down the road. When their grace period comes to an end, they are facing a tsunami of a situation where the financial obligation has not been eliminated, Turner said of cities that have implemented similar policies. What will happen is that at the end, the hole is so much bigger. Advocates have said a grace period would provide blanket coverage to residents who will not get access to the citys relief funds, which Turner and others have acknowledged cannot meet the overwhelming demand. There is no perfect formula. There is no perfect plan, but this does assist, Turner said. It doesnt solve everything, because cities cant do everything. The mayor has called on Congress and the Texas Legislature to devote more substantial funds toward rent relief. The Houston Apartment Association lauded the new investment. Many of our hard working residents have been unable to work for months some since March, said Clay Hicks, the groups president. Our HAA members have deferred millions of dollars in rent and waived millions of dollars in fees to help do our part in keeping residents in their homes, but we can't do it alone, and neither can the City of Houston. We agree with Mayor Turner in the plea for Congress to provide additional rental assistance funding to help renters and housing providers get through this difficult time. In addition to McNair, who gave $1 million to the citys rent relief effort Wednesday, the Houston Endowment contributed $2 million; the Greater Houston COVID-19 Recovery Fund and Kinder Foundation each contributed $1 million. BakerRipley will adminster the funds. Landlords will be able to apply in the first week. Then, their tenants can apply for the funds, which will be doled out based on vulnerability. The initial round of money was allotted on a first-come, first-served basis and exhausted within 90 minutes. To be eligible, residents must live in Houston and prove they have experienced economic hardship due to COVID-19. Additionally, they must make less than 80 percent of Houstons Area Median Income, or qualify for assistance programs such as Medicaid or SNAP. dylan.mcguinness@chron.com The likelihood of pubs re-opening next Monday remains uncertain as public health officials have voiced concern that the return of bars could lead to a spike in coronavirus cases. Sources say that officials in the National Public Health Emergency Team have privately intimated that they would prefer the bars did not re-open, and are expected to relay this message to the government after they meet on it today. NPHET will pass on its advice on moving to Phase Four of the lockdown restrictions to the government this afternoon, after which the cabinet will meet to decide whether to push ahead with the reopening of the economy. If the restrictions are lifted, pubs, bars, hotel bars and casinos may re-open, as well as gatherings of up to 100 people indoors and 500 outdoors will be permitted to go ahead. The decision to pause phase Four, which was supposed to go ahead on July 27, was taken after a spike in cases gave health officials cause for concern and they advised a more cautious approach. The majority of pubs across the country have been closed for over 140 days and vintners associations say the Government either needs to let them re-open as planned on August 10 or come up with a meaningful support plan for the sector. The Licensed Vintners Association (LVA) expressed concern that this is the second time in three weeks that pubs have been left uncertain about whether they will re-open with less than a weeks notice. It is creating intolerable pressure for publicans, their staff and suppliers," said Donall OKeeffe, LVA chief executive. "With less than seven days to go until the pubs are due to re-open, we still dont know what is happening. This is exactly the same situation we were in three weeks ago. We cant just keep going from three-week period to three-week period. How many times are the Government going to walk an entire industry up that hill of uncertainty?" Health Minister Stephen Donnelly refused to be drawn into speculation on the issue of pubs when asked by media over the weekend but did note that the key focus of the government is having schools re-opened in September. He admitted that further postponing the re-opening of pubs may have to be considered if it poses a risk to the state's ability to return children to classrooms as normal at the end of the summer. On Monday, the Health Protection Surveillance Centre said it had been notified of 46 new confirmed cases of Covid-19, and no further deaths. 85% of the new cases are under 45 years old, 32 are associated with outbreaks or are close contacts of a confirmed case and five cases have been identified as community transmission. 15 cases are located in Kildare, eight in Laois, seven in Clare, five in Offaly and the remaining 11 are spread across nine other counties. It comes after Gardai were forced to break up a number of gatherings of young people over the weekend in Co. Clare and Dublin amid fears about public health. Dr Ronan Glynn, Acting Chief Medical Officer, said: The vast majority of young people in Ireland have followed public health advice and have made very significant sacrifices to protect themselves and others. People of all ages will occasionally slip up as they learn to live safely with this virus. We should not seek to attribute blame, but rather continue to encourage one another to build on and sustain the great efforts that we have all made to date. NPHET continues to monitor the evolving situation very closely and will meet tomorrow. For many, enjoyment of an ice-cold beverage in an aluminum can is a simple and rare moment of pleasure amid the current turmoil. Yet, some special interests in Washington are encouraging President Trump to impose tariffs on Canadian aluminum which could make an existing shortage of aluminum cans much worse. One of the first rules of politics is to try not to make a bad situation worse. Especially one that makes it harder or more expensive for people to enjoy their favorite beverage, whether its Cherry Coke or Budweiser. The president should avoid this landmine. Trump loyalist and campaign advisor Andy Surabian rang the alarm bell on this issue two weeks ago. He uncovered that a Clinton-linked global company was behind a swamp campaign to convince Trump to raise tariffs on Canadian aluminum. Why? Because higher prices on aluminum and less market access for Canada means the global trading behemoth Glencore gets higher prices for the aluminum it makes in the U.S., the metal it puts in its warehouses in Baltimore and New Orleans becomes more valuable, and it receives new market opportunities for the aluminum it buys from Russia and sells in the U.S. This policy strategy represents a three-point gamer-winner for Swiss billionaires but higher prices and potential shortages for the rest of us. Glencore and its advocates are trying to convince Trump to whack the Canadians because they allege there has been a surge of aluminum from our neighbor to the North that is making prices too low. Glencore and its US subsidiary Century Aluminum have stated they want aluminum prices to go up to save the smelters they own. True, there are American workers these smelters, but even the Steelworkers and Machinist unions who represent aluminum smelter workers say the real problem is China, not Canada. This ill-advised trade move comes on top of a flurry of news reports that beverage makers from Coca-Cola to local micro-breweries are already facing a shortage of aluminum cans. A Fox New report showed that some beer makers have already moved production away from smaller brands to keep bigger brands from going out of stock. Business Insider warned last week that industry analysts believe that the can shortage is due to more people buying beer and other beverages in the light metal containers and more people taking to low-calorie alcoholic drinks like White Claw. Canada is the largest supplier of aluminum to the U.S. and has done so since American financiers and entrepreneurs built the Canadian aluminum infrastructure before World War II to harness cheap hydroelectricity in Quebec and British Columbia and supply the allied war effort. The biggest cost of producing aluminum is energy, so it makes sense Canada produces most the U.S. aluminum given their lower cost of hydropower relatively small population. U.S. smelters, struggling under high energy prices, produce just under 1 million tons of aluminum. Last year the U.S. consumed over 5 million tons. So, we have to buy the difference from somewhere. Canada is our long-standing ally, USMCA trade partner, and neighbor. Would US trade officials prefer aluminum from Russia or China? The details of trade policy are not going to matter if there is a run on six-packs at Costco or there is job loss in my home state of Georgia, where thousands of employees depend on Coca-Cola and local breweries. People are going to want to blame someone. If President Trump puts tariffs on Canada, they arent going to Blame Canada, they will, unfortunately, blame President Trump. Lets hope someone in the White House or Trump campaign talks some sense into him before there are lines out the door at 7-11s. Turkey orders Hagia Sophia, 6th century seat of eastern Christianity, be turned into mosque Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment Religious and political leaders worldwide on Friday criticized Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan for officially declaring that the Hagia Sophia site, originally the seat of Eastern Christianity for 900 years, is now a mosque open to Muslim worship. Turkish people have no less right to Hagia Sophia than those who built it first 1,500 years ago, Erdogan said in a televised speech Friday after signing a decree transferring the management of the sixth century Unesco world heritage site from the Ministry of Culture to the Directorate of Religious Affairs, The Wall Street Journal reported. Istanbuls Hagia Sophia, built in A.D. 537 as a Greek Orthodox church, was the seat of Eastern Christianity for 900 years before the city was seized in the 15th century by Sultan Mehmed II, the Conqueror, who converted it into an Ottoman mosque. In 1934, modern Turkeys founder, Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, banned worship in Hagia Sophia and designated it as a museum. Erdogans declaration came within an hour after the Council of State, Turkeys highest administrative court, on Friday ruled that the edict that converted the structure into a museum was illegal. Erdogan said Hagia Sophia would reopen to Muslim prayer as a full-fledged mosque this month. Like all our mosques, the doors of Hagia Sophia will be wide open to locals and foreigners, Muslims and non-Muslims, he said, according to BBC. Greece, where millions of Orthodox Christians live, condemned Turkeys move. The countrys Culture Minister Lina G. Mendoni called it an open provocation to the civilized world. The nationalism displayed by President Erdogan... takes his country back six centuries, she said in a statement, adding that the court ruling absolutely confirms that there is no independent justice in Turkey. The United States also responded to Erdogans decision. We are disappointed by the decision by the Government of Turkey to change the status of the Hagia Sophia, State Department spokesperson Morgan Ortagus said in a statement, according to Reuters. We understand the Turkish Government remains committed to maintaining access to the Hagia Sophia for all visitors, and look forward to hearing its plans for continued stewardship of the Hagia Sophia to ensure it remains accessible without impediment for all. U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman James Risch, R-Idaho, and ranking member Bob Menendez, D-N.J., called the move a deep affront to Christians around the world who look to Hagia Sophia as a shining light and deeply revered holy site, The Hill reported. We strongly denounce President Erdogans decision to convert Hagia Sophia from a museum into a mosque, they said in a joint statement. At points in its history, Hagia Sophia served as a place of worship for Muslims and Christians, and for decades has been an extraordinary and welcoming center to people of all faiths. The European Unions foreign policy chief Josep Borrell called Turkeys decision regrettable. The ruling by the Turkish Council of State to overturn one of modern Turkeys landmark decisions and President Erdogans decision to place the monument under the management of the Religious Affairs Presidency is regrettable, Borrell said in a statement, according to Al Jazeera, a Qatari government-run news outlet. The U.N. cultural body Unesco called on Turkey to open a dialog without delay in order to avoid a step back from the universal value of this exceptional heritage whose preservation will be reviewed by the World Heritage Committee in its next session. It is regrettable that the Turkish decision was not the subject of dialog nor notification beforehand, it said. Russian Orthodox Church spokesman Vladimir Legoida told the Russian news agency Interfax that the concern of millions of Christians has not been heard. Todays court ruling shows that all calls for the need for extreme delicacy in this matter were ignored, the spokesperson said. Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, the Istanbul-based spiritual head of about 300 million Orthodox Christians worldwide, had said that the conversion of Hagia Sophia into a mosque would disappoint millions of Christians around the world, according to Reuters. U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo had urged Turkey to continue to maintain the Hagia Sophia as a museum, as an exemplar of its commitment to respect the faith traditions and diverse history that contributed to the Republic of Turkey, and to ensure it remains accessible to all. The United States views a change in the status of the Hagia Sophia as diminishing the legacy of this remarkable building and its unsurpassed ability so rare in the modern world to serve humanity as a much-needed bridge between those of differing faith traditions and cultures, Pompeo had said in a statement. Many believe Erdogan made this decision as an attempt to gain support among his conservative base at a time when the opposition party has called for early elections. And American educational institutions are not doing nearly enough to protect us from racism and discrimination. On July 6, in a bid to reopen United States schools and universities as soon as possible, the administration of President Donald Trump issued a directive that threw the international student community under the bus. The directive stated that unless international students enrol in at least one course that is taught in person (or transfer to a college that offers such a course), they will face consequences including but not limited to the initiation of deportation proceedings. The directive was met with an almost immediate backlash from US educational institutions. Harvard University and the Massachusetts Insitute of Technology (MIT) filed a joint lawsuit against the directive, with the state of California and the University of California also announcing their intention to sue Trump over the new rule. Thousands of students and professors from across the US also signed petitions demanding that the authorities reconsider their decision. Eventually, on July 14, the Trump administration rescinded the directive. Many perceived Trumps about-turn on the issue as a momentous win for American academia in general and the international student community in particular, and applauded educational institutions for standing by their students. However, few have questioned why these institutions chose to resist Trumps demands on this particular issue or whether they are doing enough to ensure the safety and security of their international students living in a country led by an increasingly xenophobic administration in the middle of a pandemic. International students contributed an estimated $41bn to the US economy in the 2018-19 academic year, according to the non-profit NAFSA: Association of International Educators. Almost all international undergrads pay higher tuition fees than domestic students, and their contributions make up a significant share of the tuition revenues of most top US universities. The truth is, American universities earn a significant amount of money from the tuition, labour and human capital that international students bring, but have done little in the past to protect them from increasingly vicious racism and discrimination. International students contributed more than $6bn to the economy of the state of California in 2018-19 alone . The Davis campus of the University of California, of which I am a part, is not even among the top five educational institutions in the state in terms of international enrolment, and yet, it earns roughly $440m a year in tuition revenue from international students. Moreover, international graduate students are an important source of cheap labour for many US universities. They account for more than half of the US PhD population (PDF). Because many of them come to the US on visas that do not allow them to work outside the universities in which they are enrolled, they are forced to work as teaching assistants for abysmal wages throughout their degrees. Their labour helps increase the research and teaching output of these institutions at a minimal cost. At the moment, all US universities are anticipating a decline in international enrolment, and a consequent reduction in their tuition revenues, due to the coronavirus pandemic and the devastating impact it had on the global economy. They need the additional revenue and cheap labour that we generate, now, more than ever. Before the controversial directive, US universities had repeatedly demonstrated that they saw their international students merely as a source of revenue. They did little to counter the Trump administrations xenophobic policies that effected these students negatively and they themselves actively resisted demands by international students for basic rights. For example, in February this year, the University of California (UC) fired dozens of student workers for demanding a living wage. Several international students faced the risk of deportation because of the decision. Are we now supposed to believe that the university is suddenly worried about the wellbeing of its international student community? And even the richest universities, such as Harvard and MIT, which are not as dependent on international undergraduate tuition revenues as UC, had many reasons to resist Trumps directive beyond protecting the rights of their students. As economist Richard Freeman stated in a 2009 research paper (PDF), with the expansion of higher education overseas, the US has come to rely extensively on the immigration of graduate students to maintain a lead position in science and technology. Specifically, institutions like Harvard and MIT are international hubs of knowledge and prestige due to their ability to attract some of the most brilliant young minds from overseas. Trumps directive, if implemented, would have stopped this flow of talent. Thus, there is reason to suspect these universities resisted Trumps directive not to protect their students, but to preserve their own image and prospects. If the MIT administration is truly invested to protect its international students, why doesnt it start by fixing the disparate treatment these students receive when struggling with mental health? The inaction of these institutions in the face of threats against international students in recent years gives us plenty of reason to question the sincerity of their newfound concern for the wellbeing of their international students. Since the start of the Trump presidency, stress and anxiety have become the norm in the average international students life. When the Trump administration focussed its attention on Iran, our Iranian friends started to be harassed at US airports. When Trump introduced his Muslim travel ban many of our Muslim friends got stranded in their home countries, with some even being forced to delay or completely abandon their plans to receive an education in the US. Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, Trumps racist comments and policies resulted in many of our Chinese friends being turned away from airports or facing racist abuse during their time in the country. US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) even set up a fake university to lure international students facing immigration status problems and then filed lawsuits against them for visa fraud. Some students ended up being deported as a result of this operation. The US universities that are now acting as if they have our backs did not do anything to counter these policies. It is clear to us that US academia, dominated by privileged white liberals, is choosing its fights very carefully. It is clear to us that US universities took action against Trumps recent directive only because doing so suited their financial and other self-interests. It is clear to us that if it was more profitable for them, they would have happily helped ICE agents put us on a plane home. The US academia do not object when we are defined as aliens, despite critics labelling the term as dehumanising in the context of immigration. They do not mind when we pay more tuition fees on average than a domestic student, despite the same services received in return, because they benefit from such a system. They seem to be in peace with the system which on one hand denies a living wage to all teaching assistants, but in addition restricts the aliens from even applying for additional financial aid. We have reasons to suspect that US academia is not fighting the system, but rather a part of it. So, no, the Trump administrations decision to rescind its directive is not a decisive win for the international student community. We, the aliens in US higher education, do not view any of this in terms of winning or losing. For now, we do not face immediate deportation if we choose not to sit in a classroom in the middle of a pandemic, but our lives are still as precarious as they have always been. The white, liberal flag bearers of American academia who repeatedly failed to protect us aliens from a hostile administration, and refused to take action to reform a discriminatory system that takes advantage of us cannot keep repeating the empty rhetoric of we are in this together simply because they helped block Trumps directive. We will not be in this together until they choose to stand with us every single day, and not only when there is a threat to their own interests. The views expressed in this article are the authors own and do not necessarily reflect Al Jazeeras editorial stance. Tripoli, Libya (PANA) - The United States has called for a demilitarized solution in Sirte and al-Jafra, Libya, where a large mobilization of troops is currently taking place by Libya's warring parties, calling for compliance with the arms embargo and the finalization of a ceasefire under the auspices of the United Nations Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-05 09:12:53|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close MANILA, Aug. 5 (Xinhua) -- Two Filipinos were among those killed in Tuesday's powerful explosion that ripped through Lebanese capital Beirut, the Philippines' Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said on Wednesday. "Per latest reports from the Philippine Embassy (in Beirut), two Filipinos have been reported killed and six injured," DFA spokesperson Eduardo Menez said in a statement. He said all the Filipino victims were in their employers' homes when the powerful blast occurred in the Port of Beirut on Tuesday that resulted in dozens of fatalities, as well as widespread damage throughout the city. "The Philippine Embassy is in touch with the Filipino community in Lebanon to assess the situation and provide assistance to any affected Filipinos," Menez said. Menez said there are approximately 33,000 Filipinos in Lebanon, 75 percent of whom are in the Greater Beirut area. Enditem HARARE (Reuters) - Zimbabwe's President Emmerson Mnangagwa on Tuesday appointed his deputy Constantino Chiwenga as the new health minister, tasking him with reforming a decaying health sector amid a rise in COVID-19 infections and strikes by health workers. Chiwenga replaces Obaddiah Moyo who was removed from the post last month after allegations of corruption. HARARE (Reuters) - Zimbabwe's President Emmerson Mnangagwa on Tuesday appointed his deputy Constantino Chiwenga as the new health minister, tasking him with reforming a decaying health sector amid a rise in COVID-19 infections and strikes by health workers. Chiwenga replaces Obaddiah Moyo who was removed from the post last month after allegations of corruption. In his new role, Chiwenga will be required to "stabilise, restructure and reform" the national healthcare system, the government said in a statement. The main opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC)immediately criticised the appointment, saying Chiwenga was not the right man for the job in a time of the coronavirus pandemic. Zimbabwe has recorded more than 4,000 COVID-19 cases and 80 deaths and health officials say infections will continue to rise for sometime. The MDC said in appointing Chiwenga, Mnangagwa had shown a "gross display of incompetence." Chiwenga spent four months in China receiving medical treatment for an unknown illness until November last year. He has returned three times since then for medical check-ups, according to government officials. (Reporting by MacDonald Dzirutwe; Editing by Promit Mukherjee and Tom Brown) This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed. Family of 90-year-old Akua Denteh, who was lynched at Kafaba on Thursday, July 23 on accusation of witchcraft, have commended the police administration for the urgency with which they are putting in the case. This follows the arrest of the spiritualist, Hajia Serena Mohammed, Latifa Bumaye and other suspects in connection with the death of Akua Denteh. Spokesperson to the family Salami Mahama is happy with the speed with which police is treating the issue. As a family, we cant only thank the [Ghana] Police Service for the urgency with which they have treated the issue which has led to the arrest of these key suspects. He expressed trust in the judiciary to also ensure justice is served. Mr Mahama, however, refuted reports making rounds in the media that the old woman died at the Salaga Government Hospital. We hear some reports from other media outlets that our mother died at the Salaga hospital. It is far from the truth and the police can testify. Eight suspects have so far been arrested. The Chief of the Kafaba community, Seidu Yahaya, was the first to be arrested on Tuesday, July 28 after he turned himself to the police but has since been granted bail. Five others all male were also arrested on Wednesday, July 29 following an invitation by the Savannah Regional Police Command. On Friday, July 31, police in Salaga arrested Latifa Bumaye at Kejewu Bator following a tip-off. She assisted the spiritualist in exorcising the supposed witches in Kafaba. The latest to be arrested is Hajia Serena Mohammed, the spiritualist at the forefront of the Kafaba lynching incident. This brings the number of arrests to 8 with the Chief on bail. Six of them have also been remanded into police custody by the Bole Magistrate Court. Meanwhile, the spiritualist has been provisionally charged with murder by the Savannah Regional Police Command. According to the Regional Commander, DCOP Enoch Bediako, the suspect admitted being the one in the video which went viral. She would be put before court today, August 5, he revealed. Three other suspects on the police wanted list for their alleged involvement in the murder are still at large. View this post on Instagram Daily Graphic @okwabrane_gh #AdekyeNsroma #UTVGhana #DespiteMedia A post shared by UTV Ghana (@utvghana) on Aug 5, 2020 at 1:03am PDT Source: utv/3news.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video On August 3, a "final medical examination" of participants in clinical trials of the vaccine took place at the Burdenko Main Military Clinical Hospital, it said in a statement. Moscow, Aug 4 (IANS) The Russian Ministry of Defence has said that a Covid-19 vaccine that it developed in partnership with the Gamaleya Scientific Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology appears to be safe. The results clearly showed that all volunteers had a clear immune response resulting from vaccination, the ministry said, adding that there were no side effects or abnormalities in the work of the volunteers. "Thus, the available data of laboratory and instrumental studies allow us to speak about the safety and good tolerance of the vaccine," the statement added. The announcement comes amid international scepticism surrounding Russia's approach to developing Covid-19. According to the World Health Organisation, at least 26 Covid-19 vaccine candidates are in clinical trials around the world, including one early-stage one from the Gamaleya Institute, CNBC reported on Monday. But the UN health agency did not list any second or third-phase trials from Russia in its latest update of the list. Last month, officials in the US, Canada and Britain accused Russia of attempting to hack and steal Covid-19 vaccine data. In a BBC interview in July, Russia's envoy in Britain said that there was "no sense" in the allegations. According to Russian Health Minister Mikhail Murashko, the country is planning a mass vaccination campaign against the novel coronavirus for October. "We plan wider (vaccination) for October because we need to launch a new system of treatment gradually," the Minister told TASS News Agency on Saturday. Another vaccine, developed by the State Research Center of Virology and Biotechnology Vector, was going through clinical trials, he said. Moreover, the Health Ministry in Russia expects that two more vaccine developers will request permission to start clinical trials on volunteers in the coming weeks. --IANS gb/vd SRINAGAR, India - Authorities enforced security restrictions in many parts of Indian-controlled Kashmir on Wednesday, a year after New Delhi revoked the disputed regions semi-autonomy in a decision that set off anger and economic ruin amid a harsh security clampdown. Officials lifted a curfew in the restive regions main city of Srinagar late Tuesday, but said restrictions on public movement, transport and commercial activities would continue because of the coronavirus pandemic. Government forces placed steel barricades and razor wire across many roads, bridges and intersections. Shops and businesses remained shut and police and soldiers stopped residents at checkpoints, only letting an occasional vehicle or pedestrian pass. Several residents said government forces stopped them at checkpoints, saying the curfew was still in place. You call it a curfew or virus lockdown, the fact is that were under a brutal siege and this siege is a year old now, said Ishfaq Ahmed, a Srinagar resident. On Aug. 5, 2019, Prime Minister Narendra Modis Hindu nationalist government stripped Jammu and Kashmirs statehood, scrapped its separate constitution and removed inherited protections on land and jobs. The region was also split into two federal territories Ladakh and Jammu-Kashmir. Following the move, Indian authorities enforced an information blackout and a security clampdown in Kashmir for months. Thousands of Kashmiri youths and pro-independence leaders, as well as pro-India Kashmiri politicians, were arrested. Hundreds are still incarcerated. As some of the restrictions were eased, India enforced another harsh lockdown to combat the spread of the coronavirus, deepening the economic crisis in the region. In Ladakhs Muslim-majority Kargil district, where people have resented Indias move, religious and political groups demanded revocation of the order, calling Aug. 5 a black day. Businesses and shops remained closed in most of the district. China on Wednesday called Indias action in Kashmir illegal and said it hoped Pakistan and India would resolve their differences through dialogue. China pays great attention to the situation in Kashmir, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin said at daily briefing in Beijing. Any unilateral change of the status quo in the Kashmir region is illegal and invalid. Indias foreign ministry responded late Wednesday, saying China has no standing in the matter and is advised not to comment on the internal affairs of other nations. Chinese and Indian soldiers are locked in a military standoff along their disputed border in Ladakh region since May. During one confrontation on June 15, 20 Indian soldiers were killed and dozens wounded when the two nations soldiers fought hand to hand. Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan demanded Wednesday that the international community force India to reverse its present course against the Kashmiri people. Pakistan will always be with its brothers and sisters in Indian-controlled Kashmir, Khan said in a statement. On Tuesday, Khan unveiled a new map of Pakistan that includes Indian-held Kashmir and Junagadh, part of the western Indian state of Gujrat, within the Muslim-majority countrys boundaries for the first time in 70 years. India rejected the move as an exercise in political absurdity. On Wednesday, Pakistans military accused Indian troops of targeting civilians in a border village in Pakistan-controlled Kashmir, killing a teenage girl and wounding six others. In a statement, it said a combination of mortars and heavy fire hit the village of Hot Spring, and Pakistani troops retaliated. Pakistans foreign ministry summoned a senior diplomat at the Indian Embassy to protest, another Pakistani statement said. There was no immediate comment from India. While most Kashmiris were confined to their homes Wednesday, over a dozen activists from Modis Hindu-nationalist governing party assembled in Srinagar to celebrate the scrapping of regions special status. Today were celebrating because ever since Bharatiya Janata Party came into being its slogan always has been one constitution, one leader and one flag. That has been completed, said Altaf Thakur, the partys regional spokesman. Authorities barred some pro-India Kashmiri leaders who have opposed the decision from meeting in Srinagar. BJP displaying its hypocrisy. They can gather & celebrate, tweeted Omar Abdullah, the regions former top elected official who was released after about eight months in detention. The rest of us cant even meet to discuss whats happening in the region, he said. In Pakistan, several anti-India rallies were organized to denounce last years changes by India. In the capital, Islamabad, President Arif Alvi addressed a rally and sought a solution to the Kashmir issue under 1948 U.N. resolutions. The anti-India rallies were peaceful, but in port city of Karachi, someone threw a powerful cracker at the rally of Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan on Wednesday, wounding 39 people, police said. They said one person was listed in critical condition at a hospital. It was unclear who targeted Islamists at the rally. The status of Kashmir has been a key point of dispute between Pakistan and India since the two split after the end of British colonial rule. They each control part of Kashmir and have fought two wars over their rival claims. Initially, the anti-India movement in the Indian-controlled portion of Kashmir was largely peaceful, but after a series of political blunders, broken promises and a crackdown on dissent, Kashmiris launched a full-blown armed revolt in 1989. Meanwhile, 18 U.N. human rights experts urged India and the international community on Wednesday to take urgent action to address the alarming human rights situation in Indian-administered Kashmir. They asked India to allow U.N. teams to visit the disputed region. If India will not take any genuine and immediate steps to resolve the situation, meet their obligations to investigate historic and recent cases of human rights violations and prevent future violations, then the international community should step up, they said in a statement. ___ Associated Press writer Munir Ahmed in Islamabad, Pakistan, contributed to this report. Read more about: The cruise ship SeaDream 1 at the quay in Bodo, Norway (Sondre Skjelvik/AP) A cruise ship carrying more than 200 people docked in a Norwegian harbour on Wednesday and ordered to keep everyone on board after a passenger from a previous trip tested positive for the coronavirus upon returning home to Denmark. Bodos mayor Ida Pinneroed told Norwegian broadcaster NRK that the SeaDream 1s 85 crew members would all be tested for the virus and that authorities were in contact with the Norwegian Institute of Public Health on whether the 123 passengers should be as well. We take the situation very seriously, the mayor said. The Norway-based company that owns the ship, SeaDream Yacht Club, said the former passenger had no symptoms of Covid-19 during the earlier voyage and had travelled home from Tromso on August 2. The person underwent a routine virus test upon arrival in Denmark and it came back positive on Tuesday. All the other passengers from the infected individuals trip must self-quarantine for 10 days, the Norwegian Institute of Public Health said. The ships new journey, down the Norwegian coast started on August 2 in Tromso and stopped in Bodo, 124.3 miles to the south. We sincerely hope that there is no Covid-19 on board, and we are not aware of any other guests or crew who are infected or have any symptoms, but we are taking all necessary precautions, SeaDream Yacht Club said in a statement. Expand Close Norwegian cruise ship MS Roald Amundsen moored in Tromso (Terje Pedersen/AP) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Norwegian cruise ship MS Roald Amundsen moored in Tromso (Terje Pedersen/AP) Norwegian news agency NTB reported later Wednesday that the entire crew had tested negative. It was not immediately clear if the ship would remain under quarantine or would be permitted to disembark some or all of those on board. Meanwhile, the number of people on another Norwegian cruise ship who have tested positive for the virus has reached 44, nine passengers and 35 crew members, the Norwegian Institute of Public Health reported late Tuesday. All nine infected passengers on the MS Roald Amundsen were registered as Norway residents. The Hurtigruten cruise line halted all its cruise trips after the outbreak emerged and Norway on Monday closed its ports to cruise ships for two weeks. It was not immediately clear why SeaDream 1 was allowed to dock in Bodo. Hurtigrutens ships often act like a local ferry, travelling from port to port along Norways west coast. Some disembarking passengers may have spread the virus to local communities. In Russia, a river cruise ship was detained in the city of Nizhny Novgorod on Saturday after nine crew members tested positive for the coronavirus. Three of them were taken to hospital, and all the passengers aboard were taken home by bus, local authorities said. The National Democratic Congress (NDC) Tuesday called for the withdrawal of military personnel at the Voters Registration Centres, alleging harassment and intimidation of persons perceived to be sympathizers of the Party. The Party said Registration Centres, which recorded such incidents were Banda; Ahafo Ano North; Sekyere Afram Plains; Ketu South, Oti, Asougyman; and Atiwa East constituencies. It alleged some registrants had suffered injuries from the activities of some military personnel and called for the immediate withdrawal of the personnel. Addressing a media conference in Accra, Mr Sammy Gyamfi, the National Communication Officer of the Party, urged civil society organisations and religious leaders to speak against the acts of violence, which he said, threatened national peace. Mr Gyamfi alleged that at Banda Constituency in the Bono Region, armed military personnel were terrorising some citizens, creating tension and discouraging people from registering. He alleged that over the weekend, the Party received reports of brutalities meted out to some residents of Bator Akanyakrom, a fishing community, which was relocated as part of the Bui Dam Resettlement Plan. Mr Gyamfi claimed five persons, whose eligibility were challenged upon registration and were on their way to attend the Adjudication Committee's meeting of the Electoral Commission were attacked by some armed military men around the Bui Lake close to Bongase. He alleged that some 17 Ghanaians who were in a queue waiting for their turn to register at a village called Kpena in the Nkwanta South Constituency of the Oti Region were also arrested by an armed security operative on the grounds that they were speaking French and so they were Togolese. "The Party is deeply worried and totally aghast at what appears to be a deliberate agenda of tribal discrimination to frustrate and disenfranchise Ghanaians of certain tribes from acquiring the voter ID cards," he said. Mr Gyamfi said there were clear rules under the country's Electoral Law, which a party agent could use to challenge forms if a person was suspected to be a foreigner and asked all stakeholders to go by the rule. "NDC is a political tradition that holds the dear peace, unity and development of our beloved country because we are patriotic and guided by history," he said. Meanwhile, the Ghana Armed Forces has denied the accusations of wrongdoing by its personnel, saying they only assisted the process of peace, brokered by the NDC and the New Patriotic Party representatives at Banda. 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 Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-06 00:14:26|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close HARARE, Aug. 5 (Xinhua) -- The Zimbabwean government is keen to issue a 30-year debt instrument on the global financial market to mobilize 3.5 billion U.S. dollars to compensate white farmers whose land was taken by government for resettlement of blacks during the land reform program, Finance and Economic Development Minister Mthuli Ncube said Wednesday. The Zimbabwean government and the white farmers signed a deal last Wednesday for the compensation of the white farmers for improvements made on the land, and not for the land itself. Under the deal, the Zimbabwean government agreed to set up a joint committee with farmer representatives to raise the funds, targeting at least 1.75 billion U.S. dollars in the next 12 months and the remainder in two years. Speaking at a post-cabinet media briefing, Ncube said a 10-member joint committee had since been set up to spearhead the process. "We are going to hire a financial advisor to assist in raising the funding. We are keen to use a 30-year debt instrument, that is why we need a financial advisor because this has to be placed in the global capital markets and that's an investment banking exercise for which we require a financial advisor," he said. Ncube said the committee would also look at ways to mobilize funding locally, including a possible listing of part of the bond on the Victoria Falls Stock Exchange, a new equity market that will allow shares to be quoted and traded in foreign currency. "It will be interesting to see if we can place part of this 30-year bond in the domestic markets so that those investors who wish to invest can invest as well," Ncube said. The fundraising committee, made up of six government representatives and four members from the farming community, had already begun to test and probe a number of prospective partners, Ncube said. "We are determined to make sure by August next year we will have raised 50 percent of the target," he said. Ncube said regardless of the success or lack of it in raising funding on the global market, the government would, in its national budget, continue to set aside funding to compensate vulnerable and elderly white farmers. Zimbabwe embarked on the land reform program in the early 2000s to address colonial land imbalances that favored minority whites. Enditem After a federal judge ruled that the NCAA cant limit educational benefits for student athletes, the organization is looking to the nations highest court. The NCAA filed a petition with the United States Supreme Court on Wednesday to temporarily halt a decision allowing schools to provide unlimited educational benefits, indicating intent to file a formal appeal to reverse the ruling permanently, ESPN reports. NCAA wants limits on laptops, other educational tools Benefits under the ruling include laptops, science equipment and potential monetary incentives for good grades. Federal judge Judge Claudia Wilken ruled in 2019 that NCAA restrictions on what schools can provide athletes violated antitrust laws. That ruling deemed that schools can provide unlimited benefits as along as theyre linked to education. The ruling was a victory for former West Virginia running back Shawne Alston, who sued the NCAA in 2014. The NCAA wants the Supreme Court to allow it to restrict educational benefits for student athletes. (Photo by Liu Jie/Xinhua via Getty) The NCAA lost an appeal of the ruling earlier in 2020 and is now looking to the Supreme Court. Its not clear if the court will hear the case. Attorney for the plaintiffs Jeffrey Kessler told ESPN he believes the NCAA is fighting a losing battle. I think they're trying to put off the inevitable, Kessler said. They keep losing, and they keep trying to prevent athletes from getting these benefits. Sooner or later the athletes will get these benefits and the world will move forward. They need to accept that reality. The NCAA runs a billion-dollar industry that depends on unpaid athletes for revenue. It did not respond to ESPNs request for comment on the filing. More from Yahoo Sports: A University of Utah police officer kept explicit photos of a student who complained her ex was trying to extort her, and showed them off to other officers at least four times before she was shot dead. Officer Miguel Deras even showed the photos of slain student Lauren McCluskey to a superior at the murder scene on campus on the night of her death, an investigation shows. McCluskey, 21, was shot several times by her ex-boyfriend Melvin Rowland, 37, on October 22, 2018, outside her dorm room in Salt Lake City. He later died by suicide. Rowland was a registered sex offender who lied to her about his name and age, and she reported him to police saying he was extorting her for money using her explicit photos. In May the Salt Lake Tribune revealed McCluskey reported the extortion to Officer Deras and provided her intimate photos as evidence, and Deras inappropriately kept them. On Wednesday Utahs Department of Public Safety (DPS) released findings in their investigation into police misconduct in the case, and found that Deras showed her photos to at least three of his male co-workers without a work-related reason. One staffer said Deras commented about getting to 'look at them whenever he wants', according to the Salt Lake Tribune. University of Utah campus cop Miguel Deras showed explicit photos of 21-year-old student athlete Lauren McCluskey (left) to his peers after she turned them in as evidence on at least four occasions. She reported her ex-boyfriend Melvin Rowland (right) saying he was using her explicit images to extort her for money On Wednesday Utahs Department of Public Safety (DPS) released findings in their investigation into police misconduct in the case and found that Deras showed her photos to at least three of his male co-workers without a work-related reason That employee admitted he too made crude remarks on the photos. Another employee said other officers said Deras was 'lucky' to get to work on the case and McCluskey was a 'cute girl.' At the time of the initial report the university confirmed Deras showed the photos to his peers but said their internal probe was not thorough enough and called in DPS to investigate further. The probe determined Deras showed McCluskey's photos on four occasions. McCluskley first came into the department on October 13, 2018 to fill out a statement over her concerns of extortion and reported the incident to Deras. That same day he first opened the intimate photos though his email account on his personal phone to show them to a superior at the campus department asking how to upload them into the evidence system. He had been working as a campus cop for about three years at that point. On October 15 he showed them to a second supervisor, a sergeant, asking again how to attach the photos to the case file. The third occasion was after a staff briefing in October 2018 where he showed three other officers the photos, even though they were not working on the case. 'Sometime after the briefing, Officer Deras showed the images to a group of officers,' the report said. He showed them again on a fourth occasion to a sergeant after the shooting at the crime scene. He displayed the images after the superior said, 'I wonder what she looked like.' 'He said it was a sexually explicit image. He says he doesnt recall anything else about the photo, only that it was a quick glimpse. When he saw the photo, he could have said something along the lines of "Um, shes cute" but doesnt recall what he said. He didnt think Miguel [Deras] showed it to him to get a reaction out of him or for shock value,' the report stated. One peer said Deras boasted about getting to 'look at them whenever he wants'. Other officers made crude comments by calling him 'lucky' to have the case and McCluskey a 'cute girl' Investigators were unable to determine if Deras had saved or downloaded the photos onto his personal phone, one which one former cop claimed to have seen. The report did find that Deras opened the images on his phone by accessing his work email and displayed them that way on four occasions. One was after the briefing and three other times were with supervisors. However, its not clear if Deras will face any consequences by the Logan Police Department where he was hired after leaving the university in 2019. The Logan Police Chief also promised to investigate the matter. He said Wednesday it will 'take time to read and disseminate the report'. The state has not determined whether it will suspend or revoke Deras police certification based on the findings, according to Maj. Scott Stephenson, who oversees the Peace Officer Standards Training (POST) division, which is responsible for discipline within law enforcement. Following the report the University of Utah announced Wednesday it is 'pursuing action against individual officers'. The student athlete's parents Matt and Jill McCluskey pictured together at her vigil in October 2018 Police Chief Rodney Chatman confirmed that action was taken against three individuals, largely for failing to report the misconduct when it first occurred or participating in the inappropriate remarks. 'It is inexcusable for any law enforcement officer to discuss photos or information provided by a victim outside of clear and legitimate law enforcement reasons,' Chatman said in a statement. For the review DPS staff interviewed nearly 40 current and former employees of the Universitys campus police. Deras declined to participate in the probe. His attorneys previously denied he showed off any of McCluskeys photos. Now his attorney Jeremy Jones says that Deras did show the photos during a routine briefing, but only to ask how they should be handled and stored and did not make any inappropriate comments. 'From my clients recollection, he never participated in that. He showed the photos in the briefing, he didnt smoke and joke about the photos at any time,' he said. The Ministry of Construction has announced a national action plan on green growth in 2020-2030 focusing on reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and implementing the Paris Agreement. The Ministry of Construction announces a national action plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 and implement the Paris Agreement. Photo for illustration. According to deputy minister Nguyen Tuong Van, the goal of the plan is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in construction materials production and develop construction works, urban areas and technical infrastructure for new urban areas that suit the Government's commitment for achieving green growth. The plan also aims to complete institutions and policies to support and encourage businesses to improve technology, enhance production management and construction capacity to reduce emissions and improve the management capacity of the Ministry of Construction on reducing GHG emissions. To accomplish the targets, the ministry has set out four main tasks, including mitigating GHG emissions, adapting to climate change, preparing resources and establishing a transparent and public system of measurement, reporting and evaluation. The ministry will conduct a periodic inventory of greenhouse gas for 2018 and 2020 to produce construction materials, solid waste, construction works and urban areas. It will also study and propose a collaborative mechanism for GHG emission reduction for construction industry activities and develop mitigation actions in line with national conditions for the production of building materials and construction works, especially cement. To adapt to climate change, the ministry will complete technical standards for infrastructure, public and civil works; combat flooding for coastal cities, build urban infrastructure that can cope with potential impacts of climate change and sea-level rises; upgrade and build new water supply and drainage facilities in big cities. On resource preparation, the ministry will propose mechanisms and policies to encourage research and pilot application of potential technologies to cope with climate change and suit Viet Nam's conditions. The Ministry of Construction will focus on building a technology transfer monitoring system and strengthening the construction industry's capacity, strengthening international negotiations to develop guidelines for the implementation of the Paris Agreement and mobilising international resources to support the construction sector's climate change response. In addition, to ensure production requirements, the ministry has appointed the Institute of Building Materials and the International Certification Joint Stock Company to conduct testing and certifying the quality of products and construction materials such as cement, additives for cement and concrete. VNS How Vietnam can lure private funding to cut GHG emissions Vietnam used to be a poor country with only negligible greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, but that has changed dramatically in recent decades. Copyright 2020 Albuquerque Journal The Navajo Nation Council has passed a plan for spending nearly $651 million from the federal CARES Act to address effects of the coronavirus pandemic on the reservation. The council approved the plan on July 31, following a three-day special session and several committee hearings. This was a collective effort that brought to the surface all the underlying, systemic challenges, like lack of running water and access to electricity, that are common throughout the Navajo Nation, Council Speaker Seth Damon said in a statement Saturday. Included in the bill is $130 million for water projects. At least 30% of homes on the Navajo Nation lack running water, according to a 2019 report by the U.S. Water Alliance and DigDeep. More than $87 million would go to the Navajo Nation Department of Water Resources for waterline and cistern projects, water hauling, windmill repairs, water well infrastructure, earthen dam and irrigation project rehabilitation. The Navajo Tribal Utility Authority would receive $39.5 million for water projects. A Tohajiilee-Albuquerque water line would receive $2 million. The plan outlines $44 million for powerlines and $68.2 million for broadband and telecommunications, including funding for Navajo Technical University and Dine College. Solar-powered electricity projects would receive more than $69 million. More than $75.8 million would be directed to the Navajo Department of Health, with an additional $9.6 million allocated to the Judicial Branch, and $60 million for Navajo businesses. About $33 million would be spent on housing. Reservation leaders often cite overcrowded housing as a factor in the spread of COVID-19. Navajo Nation Gaming Enterprises would receive $24.6 million under the plan. The tribes casinos have been closed since March. The money comes with a year-end spending deadline. Distribution of pandemic relief funds to tribes was delayed for weeks because of a legal dispute with the U.S. Treasury Department. Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez has 10 days to act on the plan once it is presented to his office. Many provisions in the councils plan align with a spending proposal from the Office of the President. But Nez said during a video update Tuesday that for some proposed expenditures, its hard to even justify that its for COVID-19. Nez said the reservation will begin to relax some public health orders, including shortening the weekend curfews. The Navajo Nation will have a 32-hour weekend curfew starting Saturday at 9 p.m. and ending Monday at 5 a.m. As of Monday, the Navajo Nation had reported a total of 9,139 COVID-19 cases and 462 deaths. More than 6,700 people have recovered. New York, Aug 5 : A woman of Indian origin and her son and daughter were killed when their car was hit by a tractor-trailer truck on a New York State highway, according to media reports. Five other family members were injured in the crash on Monday that also involved a second car in which the group was travelling, the New York Post reported quoting police. Zulika Gayapersad, 47, and her children Justin, 10, and Chelsea, 14, were killed when the truck driven by a Canadian hit their Honda Accord from the rear, CBS New York TV reported on Wednesday. Another son of Gayapersad, Aamir Jagdeo told the channel: "We're literally shaken to the core, can't function, can't move." A five-year-old child in the second car, a Kia Sedona, miraculously escaped unhurt, MidHudsonNews reported. Its driver, Maheshwarnauth Karan, 26, did not require treatment. The driver of the Honda, Neta Singh, 24, and front-seat passenger, Saleena Singh, 18, were hospitalised, near Bloomington, about 150 km from the city, MidhudsonNews reported. But Ramarine Singh, 48, who was in the Kia, was seriously injured requiring to be airlifted to a hospital and two others, Sangeeta Singh, 27, and Saleema Salim, 45, were also hospitalised. All those in the two cars were family members living in the Bronx in New York City and had come from Trinidad and Guyana, CBS New York said. MidHudsonNews said that traffic had been stopped on the highway when the truck hit the Honda and pushed it for about 150 metres and it slammed into the Kia. Uber is planning to recruit 140 more engineers for its tech teams in Bengaluru and Hyderabad. The cab-aggregator is aiming to build in areas such as safety, digital payments, finance technology, delivery, marketplace, customer service as well as rider and driver growth. Jayaram Valliyur who is leading the company's global finance technology team as Senior Director said they are looking for engineers who are passionate about solving complex problems. "We're leveraging India's product and engineering talent to fuel our next wave of products and services. We're looking to hire engineers who are technical and passionate about solving complex problems in the mobility and delivery space," he said. The company has been working to build mask recognition capability that aims to ensure that driver partners wear masks for their own safety as well as the safety of the passengers. Advanced Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence techniques are being looked into by Uber to seamlessly onboard restaurant menus onto Uber marketplace. As the cab-aggregator gears up to hire more engineers and invest in technology, it also shut down its Mumbai office to cut costs. Mumbai office is part of around 45 offices globally that are reportedly being shut by the company. This development came after Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi had said the company would refocus on its core business and close 45 offices globally. Almost all departments would be affected by layoffs, he said. Amid the peak of the coronavirus pandemic in May, the cab-aggregator had laid off 600 employees in India. "Today is an incredibly sad day for colleagues leaving the Uber family and all of us at the company. We made the decision now so that we can look to the future with confidence. I want to apologise to departing colleagues and extend my heartfelt thanks to them for their contributions to Uber, the riders, and the driver-partners we serve in India," said Uber India head Pradeep Parameswaran. Also read: Uber shuts Mumbai office to cut cost; operations to continue Also read: Coronavirus lockdown impact: Uber lays off 600 employees in India Kuala Lumpur: Malaysian police raided the office of broadcaster Al Jazeera said in Kuala Lumpur on Tuesday, amid an investigation into a program it aired on the country's treatment of undocumented foreign workers during the coronavirus pandemic. The July 3 program, titled Locked up in Malaysia's lockdown, prompted a backlash in the south-east Asia nation, with authorities branding the report inaccurate, misleading and unfair. Australian Al Jazeera journalist Drew Ambrose, right, leaves the Bukit Aman police headquarters in Kuala Lumpur after being questioned by the police over the documentary on July 10. Credit:AP Rights groups have accused the government of suppressing media freedom after Al Jazeera six journalists were called in for questioning by the police on July 10 and an investigation opened into alleged sedition, defamation and violation of a communications law. Five of the journalists are Australian, among them senior producer and correspondent Drew Ambrose, the networks bureau chief, executive producer, cameraman, and digital crew. Malaysian police seized two computers from the Al Jazeera office during Tuesday's raid, the Qatar-based broadcaster said in a statement. With a major chunk of CSR funding having gone towards the PM-CARES Fund, there are few resources left with corporate organisations to fund new initiatives The COVID-19 pandemic and the attention to providing relief for those affected by it has thrown non-governmental organisations' (NGOs) functioning and philanthropy into disarray. Relief for the pandemic-hit has become the focus to such an extent that other causes like health, education, women empowerment, employment, nutrition, forest rights and climate change among a host of others have been thrown onto the back-burner. One of the fallouts of the pandemic has been the growing rates of crime against women. The National Commission for Women (NCW) reported a 94 percent rise in complaint cases. In June alone, 2,043 complaints of crimes committed against women were reported the highest in the past eight months. Yet there isn't much being done to address this issue as COVID-19 relief has taken centre stage. The pandemic has unleashed an unprecedented triple crisis viz health, economic, and social, that has affected NGO operations, staff, and finances. In March 2020, thousands of nonprofit organisations (NPOs) that engage with low income and vulnerable communities on critical issues like health, education, womens empowerment, livelihood creation, and more had to halt their programmes due to the nationwide lockdown, according to a study by the Centre for Social Impact and Philanthropy at Ashoka University. It conducted 50 interviews with nonprofit leaders in April and May 2020, to assess their engagement in relief work, operational and financial status, and coping strategies during the pandemic. Around 54 percent of NPOs said they had funds to cover fixed costs for a year while 16 percent said they had funds to cover costs for even longer. Worryingly, 30 percent said they had funds to cover only six months or less. Organisations reported considering drastic measures including suspension of core programmes and trimming down team strength if funding was not forthcoming. As most philanthropic funding is being channelled towards immediate relief work and healthcare needs, conversations with funders on core programmatic funding of these NPOs have stalled, the study revealed. CSR funding focussed on COVID-19 relief RPG Enterprises' RPG Foundation, for instance, is currently focusing on causes that are aligned towards COVID-19 relief. The foundation's initiatives are in the domain of eye care, women empowerment, education and local community development besides carrying out the group companies' social outreach programmes. Radha Goenka, director, RPG Foundation, said for the current year they are 'comfortably placed' as the foundation has received last year's profit for this year's action plan. "We are not facing a fund crunch and have been able to give money towards COVID-19 relief, and have collaborated with NGOs working on the pandemic-centric projects. We know funds are drying up for many NGOs. However, we are not taking up any new initiatives as we do not know how much funding will be available to us next year," Goenka said. Since the outbreak of the pandemic, a majority of the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) funding has been channelled towards COVID-19 relief. CRISIL drew up two lists of top 100 companies by revenue and CSR spending, and found that 70 firms appeared on both lists, while 60 figured in only one. Of this total of 130 companies, 113 spent on pandemic-related mitigation. In less than two months through 15 March, 2020, 84 of these companies (including support through the corporate group) had spent Rs 7,537 crore on causes that can be classified as CSR spend. Maya Vengurlekar, chief operating officer, CRISIL Foundation, said, "Interestingly, the 130 companies analysed by CRISIL accounted for nearly 80 percent of the total CSR spend by all listed companies in fiscal 2019. Assuming other companies would have followed a similar path, India Inc has already allocated over 80 percent of the annual CSR budget to address the pandemic. This could impact spending on other areas this fiscal." FSG, a social action nonprofit, said funding for traditional CSR activities could be reduced by 30 to 60 percent after it conducted in-depth interviews with 22 NGOs and 18 CSR heads and CEOs. Many NGOs said in instances where a long-term CSR funder has made an informal commitment or verbal agreement, there is a possibility that funding may not come through. PM-CARES Fund, a major benefactor The Prime Minister's Citizen Assistance and Relief in Emergency Situations Fund (PM-CARES Fund) for COVID-19 relief, announced by Narendra Modi on 28 March, has received donations from corporates and other donors across the country. The annual average CSR budget in India is estimated to be Rs 15,000 crore and according to news reports, the PM-CARES fund has received over a third of it. "Around 60 percent to 70 percent of corporate spend has gone into this fund or some other COVID-19 related projects. What about other projects?" asked Chachra of ActionAid India that works for child rights, womens rights and emergency responses. "Another way of doing this would be to give funds to civil society for disbursal," he said. "What was the need for the new fund in the first place when there are many others for natural disasters and calamities?" asked Ingrid Srinath, director, Centre for Social Impact and Philanthropy at Ashoka University. "I have heard that there has been overt pressure on corporates to donate money to the fund as everyone wants to be on the right side of the government. There is no data yet on how much money has been collected, except that Rs 3,000 crore was given towards buying ventilators," Srinath said. With a major chunk of CSR funding having gone towards the PM-CARES Fund (donations made to the Fund enables donors to get 80G benefits for 100 percent exemption under the Income Tax Act, 1961 and also qualifies to be counted as CSR expenditure under the Companies Act, 2013), there are few resources left with corporate organisations to fund new initiatives. Amitabh Behar, CEO, Oxfam India that combats inequality, poverty and injustice, said a significant chunk of resources that would have been available to address other issues by civil society has gone to the PM-CARES Fund. "Funds are available to NGOs, but only if they are COVID-19-related. It is true that we have a humanitarian issue with the pandemic but going ahead, it will be difficult years for NGOs to get funding," Behar said. Concurring with him, Harsh Jaitli, CEO, Voluntary Action Network India (VANI) an apex body of Indian voluntary organisations said CSR funds cannot go into the PM-CARES Fund as it is a public charitable trust. "According to the new CSR rules, trusts and foundations cannot carry out CSR activities," he stated. What can be done Govt should increase healthcare spend: All governments that come to power commit to providing two to three percent of GDP to healthcare, but contribute just over a percent and less than two percent, said Behar, adding, "If this wasn't the case, there would not be a situation like the migrant crisis during COVID-19." Provide financial relief package to NGO sector: "Britain announced an extra 750 million ($930 million) of funding for frontline charities, so they could continue their work during the coronavirus outbreak. Some months ago, our government announced a Rs 20 lakh crore economic stimulus package across sectors. How about announcing one for the NPOs too?" asked Sandeep Chachra, executive director, ActionAid India and Co-chair, World Urban Campaign, UN-HABITAT. Government-NPO collaboration needed: The new normal of working from home, social distancing etc has changed everything, said Jaitli of VANI. The government, CSR arms and NPOs have to work together as this crisis continues and also for future causes. It is important funding is provided and ongoing projects are not starved of funds. Industry should take care of contract workers: Everyone is talking about a supply chain crisis, but why does the corporate industry not take care of its workers that it sources on a contractual basis, asked Behar. "For instance, if an industry is procuring sugar from sugarcane fields supplied by a contractor, it is responsible for what is happening in the sector. It cannot wash its hands of it all by saying it is only concerned with procurement," he added. Support from PM-CARES Fund for NGOs: At least Rs 9,677.9 crore ($1.27 billion) has been collected in the PM-CARES fund for COVID-19 relief, according to an analysis by IndiaSpend. These donations have been made in the 52 days since the fund was announced on 28 March. A small portion of this fund would help save the jobs of employees at NGOs and support other important causes, said Ashoka University's Srinath The author tweets @SulekhaNair8 Republicans are considering using the South Lawn at the White House as the setting for Donald Trump's speech accepting the party's presidential nomination, exposing them to an array of ethics concerns. The federal Hatch Act typically prevents a political candidate from using government employees and property for campaign purposes. Still, Mr Trump said he would "probably" deliver his speech at the White House unless someone had a "problem" with it. Were thinking about it. It would be the easiest from the standpoint of security, Mr Trump said in an interview with Fox & Friends when asked about the possibility of delivering his acceptance speech from the White House. Were thinking about doing it from the White House because theres no movement and its easy, he said, also noting that a speech from the White House would cost less money. The Washington Post and Fox News were two of the first outlets to report the GOP's potential move to use the White House for Mr Trump's acceptance speech, citing sources familiar with the deliberations. With Mr Trump to accept his nomination on the last day of the quadrennial Republican National Convention from 24 to 27 August, nothing has been set in stone with regards to the location of his acceptance speech, the outlets both reported. Several legal and political ethics experts aired their frustrations about Republicans' new plans to use White House grounds for the speech, saying it puts Mr Trump's advisers at the White House at risk of violating the Hatch Act. "Here we go .... again. A staged political event at the White House. Every White House staff member who participates in this violates the Hatch Act," tweeted Richard W Painter, the former chief White House ethics lawyer under President George W Bush. Mr Trump was initially slated to deliver his keynote speech in Charlotte, North Carolina, the original site of this year's convention, but the president nixed those plans after publicly sparring with Democratic Governor Roy Cooper, who said they only way Republicans could hold the convention in his state was if they did so in compliance with social distancing guidelines. Speaking events for the convention were subsequently moved to Jacksonville, Florida. But Mr Trump scrapped those plans in July after Covid-19 cases resurged in the Sunshine State. Mr Trump whose romp across US stages in 2016 at his signature raucous rallies put his penchant for controversy and showmanship on full display has been largely confined to the White House this election cycle. His most-publicised campaign rally, a 20 June event in Tulsa, Oklahoma, was widely panned as a flop and has been linked to a local surge of coronavirus cases in the city. Some 6,200 people attended Mr Trumps event at the 19,000-seat BOK Center arena in June with Covid-19 concerns an apparent deterrent for some. The rally is also where Tea Party favourite Herman Cain, a staunch Trump supporter, is believed to have contracted Covid-19, which ultimately killed him. Early on during the pandemic, Mr Trump complained that the public concern over coronavirus was a Democratic "hoax" to keep him from holding his rallies and winning re-election against Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden this fall. Nearly 5m Americans have contracted Covid-19, and 159,000 have died. Here are todays top news, analysis and opinion at 9 PM. Know all about the latest news and other news updates from Hindustan Times. A blessed day: PM Modi tweets on Ram temple bhoomi poojan ceremony Prime minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday said the day of foundation stone laying ceremony of Ram temple in Ayodhya will remain etched in the memory of every Indian. Read more. ED summons Rhea Chakraborty for questioning on Friday in Sushant Singh Rajput case Enforcement Directorate on Wednesday issued summons to Sushant Singh Rajputs former live-in partner Rhea Chakraborty asking her to appear before the agency on Friday at 11 am, said officials privy to the development. Read more. Imran Khans Pakistan might end up regretting its new political map. Here is why Prime Minister Imran Khans move to unveil the so-called new political map of Pakistan by including the entire erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir as well as Junagadh in Gujarat may be an exercise to appease the domestic political sentiments but the move is fraught with serious implications. And none of them are good for Pakistan. Read more. Lord Ram living in tents for years, will finally get a temple: PM Modi at Ayodhya event Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday expressed gratitude to all citizens of the country, the Indian diaspora across the world and all the devotees of Lord Ram as he laid the foundation stone for Ram temple in Ayodhya. This is the first time that a Prime Minister has visited Ram Janmabhoomi to offer prayers at the sanctum sanctorum where the deity has been worshipped since 1949. Read more. Uddhav Thackeray puts BMC on high alert citing more rains in Mumbai on Thursday Maharashtra chief minister Uddhav Thackeray has asked the Mumbai municipal corporation to stay on high alert in the view of weather forecast for the current spell of rains to continue on Thursday leading to further water logging and other disruptions to routine life in the city. Read more. Ram Temple | BJP, RSS intervention expedited the process: Rita Joshi BJP leader Rita Bahuguna Joshi spoke on the construction of Ram temple. Speaking in a debate at Hindustan Times, Joshi spoke on the politics around the construction of the temple and said the process was expedited by BJP and other Sangh organizations. The entire country has accepted the decision and people should not try to invoke others, Joshi said. Joshi added that development is the main goal for the BJP government and that wont be mixed with religious issues. Watch more. 60 Years of Mughal-e-Azam: Iconic Bollywood film screenplay enters Oscars library Mughal-e-Azam is a larger-than-life epic that can easily be considered an important chapter for cinema-lovers. The magnum opus, directed by K Asif, is still a captivating watch, 60 years since its release in 1960. Gifted actors such as Prithiviraj Kapoor, Dilip Kumar and Madhubala became synonymous with their onscreen personas - Akbar, Salim and Anarkali. Read more. Samsung Galaxy Note 20 series goes official with big upgrades, improvements Samsung has officially launched the Galaxy Note 20 series. Thanks to a recent spate of leaks and rumours, there was little left to know about the latest smartphone series. Nonetheless, the new series features Galaxy Note 20 and Galaxy Note 20 Ultra. Read more. A 'disinherited' daughter faces losing the 260,000 home she won in her divorce just months ago after losing a legal battle with the RNLI over her lifeboatman father's 300,000 estate. Sonya Young gave up her job to concentrate on a legal fight with the lifesaving charity in 2015 after discovering her father, Brian Cole, had left around 268,000 to the RNLI, while handing her and his former partner just 5,000 each. In 2008 Mr Cole published a will naming his daughter as his main heir, but she was largely disinherited at the publication of a second will in 2012, which favoured his then partner Angela Saunders. Both Ms Saunders and Ms Young lost out when Mr Cole executed a third will in 2013, leaving nearly all of his 300,000 to fund the lifeboat in Penarth, Wales, where he was once a member of the crew and 5,000 each to his daughter and former partner. Troubled Mr Cole killed himself, aged 70, on August 30, 2013, just 25 days after he signed off the will. Two years later Ms Saunders quit her job as part of her fight to obtain the full funds instead of the RNLI, claiming her father was not of sound mind when he signed his third and final will. Last year, a judge ruled in favour of the RNLI, which led to her handing over 214,000 of her father's money, having already 'dissipated' or spent around 54,000 while it was in her hands, the court heard. As part of her divorce proceedings in March this year, Ms Young was awarded full ownership of a 260,000 family home. But this week another judge has put a 140,000 charging order on the property - to cover the missing 54,000 and the charity's legal costs. Sonya Young, pictured, gave up her job to concentrate on a legal fight with the RNLI in 2015 after discovering her former lifeboatman father, Brian Cole. had 'disinherited' her in his will Mrs Young, of St Ambrose Close, Dinas Powys, Wales, has been fighting the charity since in a bid to prove her father was not in his right mind when he made his final will. At the same time, she has also been going through a divorce with her ex husband Phillip Young and in March this year a court ruled that she should walk away from the marriage with the whole of the 260,000 family home. But now she faces losing everything she gained after the fallout from her inheritance fight caught up with her this week. In July last year, Judge Paul Teverson found in favour of the charity, upholding the will and ruling that Mr Cole had known what he was doing. He had made a conscious decision to 'disinherit' his daughter after a bad falling-out, the judge said. At the charity's request, another judge this week imposed charging orders totalling more than 140,000 in favour of the RNLI on the house she won in the divorce, paving the way for the property to be sold to pay off what she owes to the charity. London's High Court heard that Mr Cole, who was worth around 300,000 when he passed away, had named his only daughter as his main heir in 2008. But in another will he executed in 2012, he largely 'disinherited her' in favour of his then girlfriend Angela Saunders. A judge this week imposed charging orders totalling more than 140,000 in favour of the RNLI on the 260,000 house in Dinas Powys, Wales, pictured, which Ms Young she won in her divorce, paving the way for the property to be sold to pay off what she owes to the charity His last will in 2013 then left both women only 5,000 each, with nearly all of his assets going to the RNLI in honour of his former service as a lifeboatman 'for the purpose of the upkeep of the Penarth life boat and the station at Penarth'. Mr Cole told the lawyer who prepared his last will that he had been a crew member of the Penarth life boat 'many years ago' and wanted the RNLI to get most of his wealth. Daniel Burton - the RNLI's barrister - told the court there was a troubled history between father and daughter, and that there had been some 'fundamental disagreement' between them. 'The evidence is clear that his intention was to disinherit his daughter and he had already done that pursuant to his previous will,' he added. But Mrs Young said her father had a history of boozing and suggested he may have been deluded when his last will was executed, also pointing out that he committed suicide just over three weeks later. 'None of it makes any sense,' she argued. Judge Teverson said the issue he had to decide was not whether the pensioner was being 'fair or kind', but whether he was not in his right mind at the time. The evidence did not suggest this, the judge found, saying the changes Mr Cole made to his various wills 'are explained by him falling out with his daughter and then with his partner'. The judge ruled in favour of that will and the RNLI in July last year. Brian Cole's last will in 2013 left his daughter and partner only 5,000 each, with nearly all of his assets going to the RNLI in honour of his former service as a lifeboatman 'for the purpose of the upkeep of the Penarth life boat and the station at Penarth' Mrs Young went on to pay out 214,000 of her father's money to the RNLI, but had already 'dissipated' or spent around 54,000 whilst it was in her hands, the court heard. This week Judge Timothy Bowles ordered Mrs Young to pay the charity a total of over 140,000 to cover the shortfall, plus the costs of the court fight and approved charging orders totalling that sum on her house. He made the move after hearing Mr Burton say that Mrs Young had 'admitted having the assets in her hands' and that she had 'held and partly dissipated them.' Mr Burton also told the judge that following a hearing in the divorce proceedings in March this year, Phillip Young, Mrs Young's estranged husband, had 'transferred his interest in the property to her or been ordered to do so..' Mr Young was in court at an earlier hearing and had told Judge Teverson: 'She gave up work to fight this case. Because of what she's done, everything that I've worked for that should have gone to my children is going to be handed to the RNLI. I do feel very strong and bitter about it.' Judge Bowles approved charging orders of 82,243.10 to cover the shortfall in repayment plus interest, plus around another 38,825.65 in legal costs. The judge said a further 26,000 charging order for her costs bill had already been approved. A spokesman for the RNLI after an earlier hearing said: 'Legacies such as those left by Mr Cole play a vital part in saving lives at sea and the charity is extremely grateful to anyone who leaves a gift in their will.' Mr Cole's ex, Angela Saunders, played no part in the court hearing. WASHINGTON - President Donald Trump said U.S. military generals have told him that they seem to feel the massive explosion that rocked Beirut on Tuesday, killing at least 70 people, was a terrible attack likely caused by a bomb. Trump was asked why he called it an attack and not an accident, especially since Lebanese officials say they have not determined the cause of the explosion. He told reporters at the White House: It would seem like it based on the explosion. I met with some of our great generals and they just seem to feel that it was. This was not a some kind of a manufacturing explosion type of a event. ... They seem to think it was a attack. It was a bomb of some kind, yes. Trump offered condolences to the victims and said the United States stood ready to assist Lebanon. It looks like a terrible attack, he said. A Pentagon spokesman declined to comment on the matter Tuesday night, referring questions back to the White House. The explosion flattened much of a port and damaged buildings across the capital, sending a giant mushroom cloud into the sky. In addition to those who died, more than 3,000 other people were injured, with bodies buried in the rubble, officials said. The cause of the blast was not immediately known, but initial reports suggested a fire had detonated a warehouse at the port. Abbas Ibrahim, chief of Lebanese General Security, said it might have been caused by highly explosive material that was confiscated from a ship some time ago and stored at the port. Local television channel LBC said the material was ammonium nitrate. Witnesses reported seeing a strange, orange cloud like that which appears when toxic nitrogen dioxide gas is released after an explosion involving nitrates. - Associated Press writers Bassem Mroue in Beirut and Deb Riechmann in Washington contributed to this report. Two senior Louisville officials have walked out of Metro Council meeting after refusing to answer questions about the mayor's handling of protests in the wake of Breonna Taylor's death. Louisville Metro Police acting Chief Robert Schroeder and Public Safety Chief Amy Hess were appearing at the Council's Government Oversight and Audit Committee on Monday but left on the advice of their counsel. Their lawyers said that testifying publicly before the committee would jeopardize a federal civil rights lawsuit which was filed last week against Mayor Greg Fischer, the Metro Government, Schroeder and several LMPD officers. The attorneys said that their clients could give evidence behind closed doors, WDRB reported, but this proposal was rejected by Democrat Councillor Brent Ackerson. Public Safety Chief Amy Hess (left) and and Louisville Metro Police acting Chief Robert Schroeder (right) walking out of the Louisville Metro Council hearing on Monday on the advice of their lawyers 'We're not going into executive session. There will be nothing hidden from the public regarding this matter,' Ackerson said emphatically. 'Zero. Plain and simple. So, with that being said, if you're not going to proceed, there's the door.' It was the first hearing by the Metro Council into Mayor Fischer and his government's handling of the demonstrations that erupted after the 26-year-old woman's death on March 13. As the officials left the hall, Schroeder's lawyer denounced the 'politicization' of the hearing and called it a 'dog and pony show.' Oprah Winfrey put Breonna Taylor on the cover of O Magazine's September issue, marking the first time in 20 years that the mogul hasn't featured on the front of the publication 'To come in here and politicize this matter with these elected officials is not what our city needed today to heal. To suggest that we are hiding something is farther from the truth. Chief Schroeder, just like anyone in this Commonwealth, has rights.' Joey Klausing said. After they left, council members continued to tear into their refusal to give evidence and rejected their legal argument for doing so. Democrat member Jessica Green said: 'Let's face it. We have to call a spade a spade. This is a pattern of behavior in terms of this administration and this police department seeking to hide information not only from the public but also from us as elected officials, and so I'm sick of it.' The councillors proceeded to subpoena Schroeder and Hess which will oblige them to give evidence and likely trigger a court battle. Tensions have swelled in Louisville since the death of Taylor and that anger has spread far afield as activists, professional athletes and social media stars push for action while investigators plead for more patience. Taylor, a Louisville emergency medical tech studying to become a nurse, was shot multiple times March 13 after being roused from sleep by police at her door. The warrant was approved as part of a narcotics investigation into a suspect who lived across town, and no drugs were found at her home. Despite the public pressure, prosecutors may face significant obstacles to bringing homicide-related charges against police officers who were shot at when sent to her house with a warrant, legal experts have said. Louisville Metro Police Department officers detail a protestor after jumping a barrier during a rally to protest the killing of Breonna Taylor, in Louisville, Kentucky on July 25, 2020 Members of the 'Not F***ing Around Coalition' (NFAC), an all black militia, march during a rally to protest the killing of Breonna Taylor, in Louisville, Kentucky on July 25, 2020 A leader Grand Master Jay and members of an all-black militia group called NFAC are seen during a rally, in Louisville, Kentucky, U.S. July 25, 2020 The warrant also has been called into question and, with federal officials looking into potential civil rights abuses, the case could reach beyond the officers on the scene that night. Attorney General Daniel Cameron, the first African American elected to the job in Kentucky, has declined to put a timetable on his decision since taking over the case in May. 'It's a tough issue. He has to figure out whether there's probable cause to believe that there was an unreasonable use of force' by the officers, said Christopher Slobogin, director of the criminal justice program at Vanderbilt University. Slobogin said attorneys for the officers would certainly raise the warrant as a defense in a criminal case. Cameron has seen increasing pressure from protesters in recent weeks. Dozens of activists who went to his Louisville home were arrested after they wouldn't leave his yard, and last week, an armed militia marched into downtown and demanded that Cameron make his decision within a month. Taylor's family and multiple cultural luminaries - from LeBron James to Oprah Winfrey - have called for three police officers who were at her home to be charged with her killing. Oprah put Taylor on the cover of her O magazine this month. Taylor's boyfriend, Kenny Walker, was with her at the apartment and fired a shot at Louisville police Sgt. Jonathan Mattingly after the door was broken down. Mattingly was struck in the leg and returned fire, along with other officers who were outside the apartment. Taylor, unarmed, was shot several times in her hallway and died on the scene. The officers on the scene were not wearing body cameras and the department has said there is no video of the raid. The warrant they were carrying has come under scrutiny, and the police lieutenant who sought it, Joshua Jaynes, has been placed on administrative leave during the investigation. Attorneys for Taylor's family said it was based on erroneous information that a drug dealer was sending packages to Taylor's apartment. The FBI is investigating the case for civil rights violations, and agents at its state-of-the-art crime lab in Quantico, Virginia, are examining evidence. Walker told police investigators he heard knocking but didn't know who was at the door. Police had secured a controversial no-knock warrant that allows for sudden entry, but Mattingly insisted to investigators they knocked and announced themselves before entering. Louisville has since banned no-knock warrants in a local ordinance named for Taylor. Slobogin and other experts noted that it may be challenging for prosecutors to push for charges against police officers who were shot at, prompting them to fire back. The warrant, 'combined with the fact that they were fired upon, would make for a powerful defense argument that they acted in valid self-defense while conducting a lawful police operation,' said Sam Marcosson, a University of Louisville law professor who has closely watched the local case. Breonna Taylor, 26, was shot and killed at her home in Louisville, Kentucky on March 13. A coroner says she died from gunshot wounds almost instantly, but her boyfriend says she was coughing and gasping for air for five minutes Marcosson and Slobogin said if the warrant were proven to be obtained fraudulently, the officers would have had to be aware of that, another difficult legal hurdle. Police department protocol allows the use of lethal force when officers feel threatened, giving some measure of latitude to their judgment at the time. But the warrant does not necessarily immunize the police, Slobogin said. Even if they had a valid no-knock warrant and properly announced themselves, 'blazing away, the way they did, arguably is an excessive use of force.' One of the officers involved, Brett Hankison, was fired in June. A termination letter said the officer violated procedures by showing 'extreme indifference to the value of human life' by 'wantonly and blindly' shooting 10 rounds into Taylor's apartment It's not yet clear whose bullets struck Taylor. Mattingly and Myles Cosgrove remain on administrative leave. Sam Aguiar, an attorney for Taylor's family who is suing the three officers, said the police shot an innocent person. 'Breonna did not shoot at them and posed no threat,' Aguiar said in an email to AP. 'Mattingly clearly says (in his testimony) he sees a female without a firearm and a male with a firearm. He and the others don't get a license to keep shooting an unarmed female simply because they are confronted by an armed male.' Aguiar said the officers 'created the initial threat' and Hankison should be charged with attempted murder for his recklessness. Louisville's top criminal prosecutor, who recused himself from the Taylor investigation, has pointed to the confusion over whether Taylor and Walker knew the police were at the door. Tom Wine dropped an attempted murder charge against Walker in May and has said he believes the police announced themselves at least three times before knocking down the door. At a news conference in late May, Wine played sections of testimony from Walker and Mattingly, who said he and the other officers were called in that night for extra manpower in a large-scale drug operation. 'It's possible there was no criminal activity on either side of that door because no one could hear what the other party is saying,' Wine said. Since Wine made those statements, the city's police chief has been fired, the FBI's Louisville office called the case their 'top priority' and Taylor's name has spread to protests against racial injustice around the world. Spains tourism industry continues to feel the impact of the coronavirus crisis. According to figures published Monday by the National Statistics Institute (INE), just 204,926 international visitors arrived in Spain in June, a drop of 97.7% from the same month in 2019. This culminates the worst semester on record for the Spanish tourism industry, with just 10.78 million visitors, a fall of 71.7% from the same period in 2019. Tourist spending in the first half of the year has also plummeted 70.6% to just 11.84 billion. This means that the sector has lost 27.3 million visitors and 28.4 billion in revenue in the first half of the year compared with the same period last year. And the new outbreaks, coupled with travel advisories issued by several countries, suggest that things will not improve significantly during the second half of the year. It is the most catastrophic summer season in the last 50 years Jose Luis Zoreda, deputy president of Spanish tourism lobby Exceltur The tourism sector has been one of the hardest-hit by the coronavirus pandemic and the resulting global restrictions on travel. In mid-March, the Spanish government declared a state of alarm in a bid to curb the spread of Covid-19, which limited all non-essential trips to the country. That month, international visitors fell by two thirds. The situation worsened in April and March, with zero tourist arrivals recorded a previously unthinkable figure in a country where tourism accounts for 11.9% of gross domestic product (GDP). In mid-June, German tourists visited Spains Balearic Islands on a pilot program, and on June 21, the state of alarm came to an end and Spain reopened its borders to countries within the Schengen Area (with the exception of Portugal, which reopened on July 1). But despite laxer travel restrictions, Spains tourism industry has been unable to bounce back. All of Spains regions recorded a sharp drop in the first half of the year, with tourists arrivals falling 92.2% in the Balearic Islands, 74% in Catalonia, 72.5% in Andalusia and 63.8% in Madrid. Tourist spending also fell in line with the drop in visitors. Although this figure does not represent exactly how much visitors spend in a destination, given that it also includes travel costs, which are paid in the country of origin, it is a good indication of the dire situation the tourism industry is facing. According to the latest figures from the INE, tourists in Spain spent 133 million in June just 1.4% of the figure from the same month last year. Palma beach in Palma de Mallorca is typically filled with tourists in summer. CATI CLADERA (EFE) Making matters worse, several European countries have since issued warnings against travel to regions in Spain, while the United Kingdom, Norway and Slovenia have reimposed quarantine measures on travelers from the country. Industry groups believe this will result in even greater losses than the 40 billion forecast, and warn that 750,000 jobs may be at risk in the second semester. It is the most catastrophic summer season in the last 50 years, says Jose Luis Zoreda, the deputy president of Spanish tourism lobby Exceltur. Tourist spending in the first half of the year plummeted 70.6% to just 11.84 billion The Spanish tourism industry is facing the most difficult summer in its history, agrees Juan Ignacio Pulido, a professor of applied economics at the University of Jaen. We have had other challenging periods, like the crisis of 2008 and 2009, September 11 [terrorist attacks in New York] and the SARS virus in 2003, but there is no comparison to the [2020] fall in tourist numbers. The crisis has also impacted air travel. In the first half of the year, 43.5 million travelers passed through airports run by Spains airport operator AENA, a fall of 66% from last years figures, and 50% less than in 2009, when Spain was suffering from the fallout of the financial crisis. Indeed, in June, more travelers arrived in Spain by road than by plane. What is happening is that the recovery is being very slow, says Javier Gandara, the president of the Airline Association (ALA). The association indicates that there was a 40% drop in flights in June from the same period in 2019. And according to Gandara, the travel warning and quarantine measure introduced by the British government are going to make the recovery much slower. The United Kingdom is the main source of tourists to Spain in 2019, one in every five visitors to the country was British. Although its not yet known what impact the travel measures will have on the sector, Excelturs Luis Zoreda warns that in the Mediterranean region, the Spanish tourism industry will not in any way be able to compensate for the fall in foreign visitors. English version by Melissa Kitson. As of Tuesday, the island of 23 million just off the coast of southeastern China had reported just 476 coronavirus cases and seven deaths. Officials in Taiwan have tried to turn that success into a geopolitical victory. Its government has sent millions of masks, emblazoned with the words made in Taiwan, to the United States, Italy and other countries devastated by the coronavirus. It has also promoted itself as a model of democracy, even as China tries to use the crisis to promote the strength of its authoritarian system. On Wednesday, a spokesman for Chinas Ministry of Foreign Affairs said China was firmly opposed to official interactions between the U.S. and Taiwan, without mentioning Mr. Azar by name. The spokesman, Wang Wenbin, urged the United States to adhere to the one China principle, which holds that mainland China and Taiwan are part of a single country, so as not to gravely damage Sino-U.S. relations and the peace and stability of the Taiwan Strait. China has lodged solemn representations with the U.S., Mr. Wang said at a regular briefing, adding that Taiwan was the most important and sensitive issue in China-U.S. relations. Beijing has long sought to isolate Taiwan diplomatically and objected to U.S. support for the island, which remains an important, though unofficial, American ally in the Pacific region. Though the United States has been cautious about making official contact with Taiwan, it continues to be the islands leading arms supplier. A magistrate entered a not guilty plea on Orosz's behalf during an initial hearing Monday, records show. Two of Pratchett's friends found his body about 9:20 a.m. March 13, 2003. One of those friends died in 2018, but the other told police she had called Pratchett's house about an hour earlier for a ride. The male friend was at Pratchett's house when she called, so he left to pick her up. As he was leaving, he saw "Painter Bob" arriving at the house, records allege. When the two friends returned about an hour later, the woman found Pratchett's body inside the house. The woman told police she later spoke with Orosz, whom she knew as "Painter Bob," at a neighbor's home, documents state. She alleged Orosz showed her a tool that looked like a tomahawk and said, "You mean they killed him with something like this?" Witnesses also told police Orosz owed Pratchett money and they believed drugs were missing from inside a flashlight at Pratchett's home, records state. Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-05 23:08:40|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close BEIJING, Aug. 5 (Xinhua) -- Foreign political party leaders have sent messages to the International Department of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, opposing the plot of some U.S. politicians who fabricated accusations to smear China and escalated provocations against China to contain its development. In their messages, foreign political party leaders said they think the CPC is the guarantee for China's development and revitalization as well as the guarantee for the world's peace and development. Simon Compaore, president of the People's Movement for Progress of Burkina Faso, said that under the strong leadership of the CPC, China is developing rapidly, and its international influence is rising. China is committed to global cooperation to promote mutual benefit and win-win results. Some countries stick to the Cold-War mentality and attempt to readopt the containment policy, noted Compaore, calling on the world to abandon the Cold-War mentality and ideological prejudice, jointly deal with issues such as the COVID-19 pandemic and climate change, and safeguard world peace and promote human progress together. The politburo of the Egyptian Communist Party said some U.S. anti-China politicians have attempted to hamper China's development, created a tense atmosphere in the world, and jeopardized the efforts exerted by other countries especially the developing nations in advancing economy and eliminating poverty. The Egyptian Communist Party supports China's rights in safeguarding sovereignty, security and its development interest, and believes that any attempt to sow dissension between the CPC and the Chinese people is doomed to fail, it said. Dogu Perincek, chairman of the Patriotic Party of Turkey, said some countries are trying to hold China down economically, militarily and politically, which his party firmly opposes. The CPC is not only a miracle maker who lifts the Chinese people from poverty and realizes China's fast development, but also a guardian of world peace and future hope, he said. The politburo of the Arab Unification Party of Lebanon condemned what some countries have done to slander China and infringe upon China's legitimate rights. It said that U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo's recent attacks against China were aimed to undermine China's role in counterweighing U.S. unilateralism. The party lauded China's active stands toward the people around the world and thanked China for its support to developing countries in economy, development and other fields. Aleksandar Paunov, first secretary of the Central Committee of Communist Party of Bulgaria, said the recent positions and statements issued by some U.S. politicians are outright provocations which must be strongly condemned. Against the backdrop of globalization and the rampant COVID-19 pandemic, this is not the right style and approach to conduct international politics, said Paunov, noting that solidarity and cooperation are more powerful than fighting alone. The statement issued by the Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Russian Federation said the United States has continuously defamed and suppressed China on a series of issues concerning Xinjiang, Tibet, and Hong Kong in recent years. The recent remarks by Pompeo are destructive and will escalate international tensions. The CPC has been the backbone of China's development and it has led China to attain brilliant achievements in the construction of socialism with Chinese characteristics, the statement said. China is committed to international cooperation on an equal footing, and the concept of a community with a shared future for mankind proposed by Xi Jinping has become increasingly attractive to the world. The Russian Communist Party supports Russia and China in consolidating their comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination and jointly promoting the democratization of international relations, it said. Enditem North Macedonias newly elected lawmakers took their seats on Tuesday for the first time since the countrys July 15 elections, wearing masks and maintaining social distancing due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The formal first session of parliament starts a 10-day countdown for the leader of the party that came first in the elections to conclude complicated power-sharing negotiations with smaller parties. If these talks fail then the second party will have a go. Lawmakers met in a specially prepared parliamentary hall that allowed them to be spaced two meters (6.5 feet) apart, while temperature checks were carried out on politicians as they arrived. North Macedonia, with a population of just two million, is one of the worst-affected countries in the Balkans. By Monday, the country had more than 11,000 confirmed cases, with 500 deaths. In last month's elections, a coalition headed by the pro-Western Social Democrats garnered only 46 seats in the 120-seat parliament, well short of the 61 that they must secure to be granted the mandate to form a government. Social Democrat leader and former prime minister Zoran Zaev said on Tuesday he is starting power-sharing talks and is expected to begin with two parties representing the country's sometimes restive ethnic Albanian minority. The Democratic Union for Integrations, or DUI, has been part of coalition governments for the past 18 years. But the party is demanding that an ethnic Albanian be appointed prime minister - a demand flatly rejected by the main political parties during the election campaign. The DUI won 15 seats in Julys election, while another coalition of two small ethnic Albanian parties, the Alliance for Albanians Alternative, won 12 seats. The centre-right VMRO-DPMNE party, which came a close second in the election, holds 44 seats. (Image Credit Pixabay) Comedian and TV presenter Hardeep Singh Kohli has issued a public apology after he was accused of behaving inappropriately towards women. A number of women came forward to accuse the former Celebrity Masterchef contestant of sexual misconduct, physical violence, harassment and inappropriate behaviour. Comedian Lulu Popplewell, 29, alleged in a Twitter thread that the 51-year-old Glaswegian used his position to proposition her with sex at Edinburgh Fringe Festival last year. Popplewell, who starred as Emma Thompson and Alan Rickman's daughter Daisy in the rom-com Love Actually, claimed on 23 June that Kohli tried to manipulate her and used his status and power to get [her] to sleep with him". In the thread, a number of other women replied to detail similar encounters with Kohli. Following the accusations, BBC Scotland has said the corporation will no longer work with Kohli, who is based in London. He has also been given a lifetime ban by Edinburgh Fringe promoter Gilded Balloon. Kohli has since addressed the accusations and offered an apology on his Twitter page. I have been reluctant to make a statement regarding the allegations against me, he began. This is primarily because I fundamentally believe every person should have the platform and space to say what they feel needs to be said. Any offer of context, explanation or alternative narrative would diminish their words and that is something I did not want to do. It is now clear to me that my actions and words made women feel intimidated, undermined and undervalued. For this, I apologise unreservedly and can only hope to live a life of greater understanding. Kohli was removed as a roving reporter on The One Show in 2009 after a female researcher accused him of sexual misconduct. Tapped out: Guinness sales plummeted when pubs were closed due to the pandemic SALES of Guinness in Ireland have slumped by nearly a quarter over the past year, a loss deepened by the mass recall of kegs from pubs shut by Covid-19. The sharp decline in local demand for Ireland's iconic stout is reported in yesterday's full-year results from its British parent, Diageo. Diageo said sales of its drink brands overall fell by 20pc in Ireland but just 4pc in Britain during the 12-month period ending in June. It attributed the much steeper drop in Irish demand to the stricter and longer-lasting closures of pubs here, as well as stronger 2019 sales in Britain. Sales of Guinness fell more than 22pc in Ireland, where drinkers did buy more of Diageo's Rockshore lager and cider brands. Diageo said beer sales were already "soft" in Ireland in the second half of 2019. But Guinness sales plummeted once pubs nationwide shut in mid-March, leading to "a keg return scheme to support customers and maintain product quality". With the reopening of pubs now delayed until at least August 31, that sales slump can be expected to continue. Its spirits brands - including J&B whiskey, Smirnoff vodka, Baileys liqueur and Captain Morgan rum - saw sales in Ireland slide 10pc as growth in sales at off-licences failed to compensate for lost pub trade. Globally, Diageo sales fell by 12pc in volume terms and 9pc in value to below 11.8bn (13bn). Operating profit nearly halved to 2.1bn. Across Europe, Guinness and the Johnnie Walker whiskey brands were hit hardest, both suffering 21pc falls in sales versus the previous fiscal year. Diageo chief executive Ivan Menezes attributed the global sales slump - the sharpest experienced by Diageo since the depths of the fiscal crisis a decade - to the worldwide disruption of bars and other social venues amid Covid-19. The London-based firm wrote off 1.3bn in exceptional losses attributed to pandemic market disruption in India, Nigeria, Korea and Ethiopia. "After good, consistent performance in the first half of fiscal '20, the outbreak of Covid-19 presented significant challenges for our business," Mr Menezes said. Diageo was "tightly managing" costs, he said, while "enhancing our data analytics and technology tools to rapidly respond to local consumer and customer shifts triggered by the pandemic". Diageo in April withdrew its outlook for the 2021 fiscal year. It offered no specific sales data for the period of Covid-19 disruption. In the past quarter, Diageo has bolstered its cash reserves by pausing its planned 4.5bn share buyback programme, securing a new 2.5bn credit facility, and issuing $2.5bn in bonds due to mature between 2025 and 2032. Ahead of the December polls, some supporters of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) at Bodi constituency in the Western North Region have defected to the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP). The leadership of the defectors said their decision to join NPP was informed by the massive development within four years of President Akufo-Addos government. According to some defected persons from the Puakrom community in the constituency, the NDC has neglected them over the years - hence, their reason among others to defect. They further explained that, though they have been a stronghold of the opposition NDC, the enormous contributions of President Akufo-Addo's led NPP administration has contributed significantly to their well-being and development. The defectors also accused their Member of Parliament, Sampson Ahi for doing nothing to help the constituency. Under the close to sixteen (16) years of NDC's Sampson Ahi's reign as Member of Parliament (MP) in the Sefwi Bodi constituency, and the several years of voting for the NDC, there is nothing significant that can be pointed out as the legacy of the Member of Parliament (MP) nor the NDC as a party, an individual recounted, they claimed. Adding that, Should we lay aside the social intervention initiatives and flagship programs of the President Akuffo-Addo's government, the Western North Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Mr. William Benjamin Assuah, has been very supportive upon his assumption of office. Every support we appealed to him for has been provided, including a mechanized borehole he recently single-handedly funded. However, the Western North Regional Chairman, Mr. William Benjamin Assuah, and his entourage gave a warm reception to the NDC defected members and also admonished them to contribute immensely to the re-election of President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo led NPP. 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 Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-05 23:49:19|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close MOGADISHU, Aug. 5 (Xinhua) -- Somali government on Wednesday dismissed claims by the al-Shabab group to have killed five government soldiers during an operation in southwest Baidoa region. Ismael Mukhtar Omar, the government spokesman said there were no clashes on Wednesday morning at a military base at Deynunay village 25 km south of Baidoa as claimed by the militant group. "It's a baseless propaganda, no clashes have taken place in the last 24 hours," Omar told Xinhua. His remarks came after al-Shabab said its fighters overran a military base at Deynunay village near Baidoa killing five government soldiers including two commanders in the attack. According to al-Shabab, military vehicles were also destroyed during the fighting. The militant group has been engaging the government forces in near-daily attacks in its bid to overthrow the government. But the Somali and partner forces have intensified military operations into territory formerly controlled by al-Shabab after driving the insurgents out of Mogadishu in 2011. Enditem Donald Trump said Wednesday that he will likely give his Republican nomination speech from the White House after he was forced to shake up convention plans several times due to coronavirus restrictions. 'We're going to do virtual and we're going to do some live speeches from different locations,' Trump detailed to Fox & Friends during a Wednesday morning call-in interview. 'And I'm going to do mine on Thursday night, and that will be live.' 'I'll probably do mine live from the White House,' Trump said of the speech, confirming reports that he is considering moving the main event of the convention to Washington, D.C. Trump said while he is open to giving his speech from a different location, he feels the White House is the 'easiest, least expensive' and 'very beautiful' location. Donald Trump Fox & Friends Wednesday morning that he will likely give his Republican Convention acceptance speech 'live from the White House' because it is the 'easiest, least expensive' and a 'very beautiful' option Reports emerged ahead of Trump's comments that the speech would be on the South Lawn after the president was forced to change plans a few times due to coronavirus restrictions in North Carolina and Florida 'First Lady is making a speech,' the president continued, 'numerous people are making speeches senators, a lot of really, really terrific people.' He said that some 'warrior congressmen,' like his Capitol Hill allies Jim Jordan and Matt Gaetz, will be making speeches as part of the Republican National Convention nominating events. The first night of the four-day convention will still take place on August 26 in Charlotte, North Carolina the original site of the quadrennial event. That Monday will be the nomination voting night, which will be live streamed. Reports indicated over the weekend that the media would be barred from attending the convention in Charlotte in-person but Trump said those reports were not true. 'We're going to let the press go in to watch it,' Trump told the Fox & Friends panel. 'But you know, socially distanced.' The convention initially was scheduled to take place in Charlotte but the president pushed the committee to change the events to Jacksonville, Florida after North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper restricted attendance numbers due to concerns over coronavirus. Florida, at the time of the change had much looser lockdown orders, which would have allowed for the president to have his desired crowd for his nomination acceptance speech. Due to a surge in cases in the Sunshine State, however, lockdown orders were reinstated and the president gave up on moving his speech and other major convention events to Florida. Since then, the official plans have been up in the air with no final decision being announced. Several hundred Republican delegates will gather in Charlotte on August 24 to nominate Trump as the Republican presidential candidate. There will then be three more days of speeches and programming from sites that are still undetermined, ending with Trump's speech August 27 likely at the White House. Al Jazeera looks at what happened to the miners whose rescue was watched by millions around the world. It is exactly 10 years since 33 miners were trapped after a copper and gold mine explosion in Chiles Atacama Desert. The rescue effort was watched by millions around the world. Al Jazeeras Lucia Newman, who covered the story at the time, now looks at what has happened to them since. NEW YORK, Aug. 5, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Commercial Kitchen Appliances & Equipment Market Research Report by Product (Cooking Appliance, Kitchen Ventilation, Mixers and Blenders, Refrigerator, and Washing and Drying Equipment), by End User (Ferry & Cruise, Full Service Restaurant, Hospital, Institutional Canteen, and Quick Service Restaurants) - Global Forecast to 2025 - Cumulative Impact of COVID-19 Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p05913906/?utm_source=PRN The Global Commercial Kitchen Appliances & Equipment Market is expected to grow from USD 81,552.42 Million in 2019 to USD 110,050.31 Million by the end of 2025 at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 5.12%. Market Segmentation & Coverage: This research report categorizes the Commercial Kitchen Appliances & Equipment to forecast the revenues and analyze the trends in each of the following sub-markets: Based on Product, the Commercial Kitchen Appliances & Equipment Market studied across Cooking Appliance, Kitchen Ventilation, Mixers and Blenders, Refrigerator, and Washing and Drying Equipment. The Cooking Appliance further studied across Cooktop & Cooking Range, Oven, Rice Cooker, and Toaster, Kettles and Coffee Makers. Based on End User, the Commercial Kitchen Appliances & Equipment Market studied across Ferry & Cruise, Full Service Restaurant, Hospital, Institutional Canteen, Quick Service Restaurants, Railway Dining, and Resort & Hotel. Based on Geography, the Commercial Kitchen Appliances & Equipment Market studied across Americas, Asia-Pacific, and Europe, Middle East & Africa. The Americas region surveyed across Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Mexico, and United States. The Asia-Pacific region surveyed across Australia, China, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Philippines, South Korea, and Thailand. The Europe, Middle East & Africa region surveyed 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 Commercial Kitchen Appliances & Equipment Market including American Range, Carrier Corporation, Electrolux, Fagor Industrial, Hamilton Beach Brands, Inc., Hobart International Pte Ltd., Hoshizaki Corporation, Interlevin Refrigeration Ltd, MEIKO GROUP, and Universal Steel Industries Pte Ltd.. FPNV Positioning Matrix: The FPNV Positioning Matrix evaluates and categorizes the vendors in the Commercial Kitchen Appliances & Equipment 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 the market 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 Commercial Kitchen Appliances & Equipment Market? 2. What are the inhibiting factors and impact of COVID-19 shaping the Global Commercial Kitchen Appliances & Equipment Market during the forecast period? 3. Which are the products/segments/applications/areas to invest in over the forecast period in the Global Commercial Kitchen Appliances & Equipment Market? 4. What is the competitive strategic window for opportunities in the Global Commercial Kitchen Appliances & Equipment Market? 5. What are the technology trends and regulatory frameworks in the Global Commercial Kitchen Appliances & Equipment Market? 6. What are the modes and strategic moves considered suitable for entering the Global Commercial Kitchen Appliances & Equipment Market? Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p05913906/?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 Here is a recap of key events in Lebanon since its independence from France 76 years ago: Power-sharing The small Mediterranean country becomes independent on November 22, 1943 after 23 years under French mandate. A "national pact" lays out a power-sharing agreement between Christians and Muslims that is still in place today. Civil strife A five-month civil war breaks out in 1958 when Muslims take up arms against the pro-Western regime. Lebanon's president Camille Chamoun appeals to the United States for help and Washington sends troops. Successful in suppressing the revolt, they leave after three months. Palestinians take root After the Arab defeat in the 1967 Six-Day War, the first Palestinian bases are established in south Lebanon on the border with Israel and Syria. In 1969, Lebanon legalises the armed Palestinian presence on its soil under the Cairo Accord. Following the bloody Black September clashes in Jordan in 1970, Yasser Arafat's Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO) retreats to Lebanon. Civil war In 1975, a 15-year-long civil war begins with Christian militias battling Palestinians, who are backed by leftists and Muslim forces. The following year the Syrian army intervenes, with US approval, after an appeal by embattled Christian forces. In 1982, Israel invades and besieges Beirut. Arafat and 11,000 Palestinian fighters evacuate the capital. In September that year, a Christian militia massacres at least 1,000 people in the Palestinian camps of Sabra and Shatila in Beirut. The war ends in 1990. More than 150,000 people were killed in the conflict and 17,000 went missing. Syrian domination Syria's military and political presence is cemented in a 1991 treaty between Damascus and Beirut. Israel maintains its occupation of southern Lebanon, withdrawing only in 2000. In 2005, Lebanon's former prime minister Rafic Hariri is killed in a bombing attack in Beirut along with 21 others. Those opposed to Syria blame Damascus, which denies any role. Mass demonstrations lead to all Syrian troops withdrawing from Lebanon the same year, ending a 29-year deployment. Israel vs Hezbollah In 2006, a conflict breaks out between Israeli forces and Lebanon's powerful Shiite movement Hezbollah, founded in 1982 during the civil war. The unrest is sparked by Hezbollah's capture of two Israeli soldiers from the southern Lebanon border area. The devastating 34-day war costs Lebanon around 1,200 lives, mostly civilians. Syria war In 2013, two years after the start of Syria's civil war, Hezbollah says it has intervened in support of the Damascus government. Syria's conflict entrenches Lebanon's divided political blocs. Anti-regime unrest In 2019 protests break out, sparked by a government plan to tax online phone calls made via apps. The unrest turns into a nationwide revolt involving hundreds of thousands of people, cutting across sectarian lines, against the perceived ineptitude and corruption of the ruling class. In April 2020, Lebanon, which has defaulted on its debt, adopts a plan to relaunch the economy, but negotiations stall with the International Monetary Fund. Deadly explosion On August 4, two explosions at Beirut's port devastate entire city neighbourhoods, killing more than 100 people, wounding thousands and leaving hundreds of thousands homeless. The government says the massive blast appears to have been caused by a fire igniting 2,750 tonnes of ammonium nitrate left unsecured in a warehouse. *This story was edited by Ahram Online. Search Keywords: Short link: Kevin Simpson, 47, of Eureka, California, was arrested Saturday after deliberately crashing into 26 different vehicles up a 40-mile stretch of highway in Oregon A California man has been arrested after he deliberately crashed into 26 different vehicles after speeding up Highway 101 into neighboring Oregon. Kevin Simpson, 47, of Eureka, was taken into custody on Saturday following his reckless interstate excursion that left at least one woman in the hospital. Police say Simpson stole a Dodge 1500 pickup in his hometown, before cruising up The 101 over state lines. At 10am, in the town of Coos Bay, officers were alerted to a series of hit-and-runs. Shortly after, a woman in nearby North Bend called cops to say she had been 'struck from behind while stopped at a traffic signal', Mercury News reports. The female driver said the Dodge pickup sped off, making no attempt to stop. As Smith continued to speed north, he plowed into more than a dozen additional vehicles. At the Siltcoos Lake trailhead, near the town of Florence, several cars were struck and a woman was injured. Police say Simpson stole a Dodge 1500 pick-up in his hometown, before cruising up The 101 over state lines. He is pictured during his hit-and-run spree on Saturday morning She was rushed to hospital, but is expected to make a full recovery. Police launched a pursuit for Smith, before discovering the Dodge 1500 abandoned on a private property nearby. The stolen car had crashed through a gate and become stuck in the sand - ending his 40-mile hit-and-run spree. However, Smith was quickly located and apprehended by Oregon State Troopers. He told them he had kept count of all the vehicles he had crashed into, and declared that there were 26 damaged vehicles in total. Smith crashed through a gate and the stolen pickup became stuck in the sand - ending his 40-mile hit-and-run spree Smith was booked on suspicion of hit-and-run, reckless endangerment, reckless driving and criminal mischief. He remains in Lane County Jail. Mercury News reports that he has a lengthy rap sheet, which consists of burglary and home invasion charges. During one 2014 home invasion, he allegedly threatened a female occupant with a meat cleaver. Dozens of people were wounded in a grenade attack at a rally in Pakistan as the country marked the first anniversary of neighboring Indias decision to revoke the special status of territory under its administration in the disputed Himalayan region of Kashmir. At least 39 people were injured in the grenade attack on a rally organized by a hard-line Islamic party in the port city of Karachi, the provincial capital of Sindh Province. The attack, which left at least one person in critical condition, was claimed by Sindhudesh Revolutionary Army, a separatist group that has become active in the recent months. The attack took place as thousands of people rallied in Pakistan's major cities on August 5 as political leaders, trade unions, councils for lawyers, and rights activists attended the protests to condemn what they called a "repressive Indian decision." Pakistani President Arif Alvi and Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi led the largest rally in the capital, Islamabad, where protesters chanted anti-India slogans and urged world powers to intervene on behalf of residents in the Muslim-majority Indian administered region. The Indian government announced on August 5, 2019, that it was revoking the semi-autonomous status of territory under its control in Kashmir -- a Himalayan valley controlled in parts by New Delhi and Islamabad but claimed by both in its entirety. Islamabad rejects what it sees as an annexation of Kashmir by India, which in turn opposes Islamabad's position that the region's fate should be decided through a plebiscite conducted by the United Nations (UN). Pakistan downgraded diplomatic relations with India, suspended a cross-border bus service, and halted bilateral trade in response to New Delhi's move. "The Indian move in Kashmir is the worst rights violation," Alvi said. Indian authorities deployed troops and curbed public movement on August 5 to stop potential protests in Kashmir. The UN Security Council was briefed behind closed doors on the situation in Kashmir on August 5 at the request of China, which is India's rival and a close ally to Pakistan. "China is seriously concerned about the current situation in Kashmir and the relevant military actions. We oppose unilateral actions that will complicate the situation," China's mission to the United Nations in New York said in a statement. Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan urged the world to intervene against the move that he says has made 8 million Muslims prisoners in their own homes. On August 4, Pakistan's cabinet approved a new map showing the entire Kashmir region as part of Pakistan and renamed a major road in Islamabad Srinagar Highway, after the capital of Indian-administered Kashmir. Khan, addressing the nation on August 4 alongside Qureshi, said the new national map had been approved by the cabinet and will be the official map of Pakistan. https://twitter.com/pakpmo/status/1290652496499793920?s=21 The new map marks the Himalayan region as Indian illegally occupied" Jammu-Kashmir, clearly stating it is disputed territory awaiting final status to be decided by UN resolutions. Khan said the Kashmiri people have a right of self-determination. But he said this promise has not been honored by the international community. The map will be used in educational institutions across Pakistan. India responded by calling the map an exercise in political absurdity" that establishes untenable claims to Indian territory. The status of Kashmir has been a key dispute between Pakistan and India since the two split in 1947 after British colonial rule. The nuclear-armed rivals each control part of Kashmir and have fought three of their four wars over the region -- including major conflicts in 1947 and 1965, and a limited conflict in 1999. India accuses Pakistan of sending militants across the Line Of Control that the region's de-facto border to commit violence. New Delhi also accuses Pakistan of supporting militants in Indian-administered Kashmir -- charges that Islamabad denies. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modis decision to change the status of Kashmir led to a weeks-long clampdown in the region and well-documented human rights abuses. Indian and Pakistani soldiers have traded gunfire across the highly militarized Line Of Control almost daily for more than a year, killing dozens of civilians and soldiers on both sides. With reporting by AFP, dpa, Reuters, and Dawn France is among the many countries sending aid and search teams to Beirut on Wednesday as the death continues to rise after an explosion at a warehouse in the capitals port on Tuesday sent a blast across the city, killing at more than 135 and injuring more than 5,000 people, with many still missing. Lebanon's cabinet has declared a two-week state of emergency, giving security control to the military. Rescue workers searched for survivors amidst the wreckage. They are being helped by Turkey's Humanitarian Relief Foundation, who are digging through debris to find people and recover bodies. The blast was felt all the way to Cyprus, an island almost 200km away. The government says the explosion stemmed from 2,750 tonnes of ammonium nitrate, which is used as a fertiliser, but can also be used to make explosives, that was seized at the port in 2014. All port personnel who have worked since 2014 are under house arrest while the blast is being investigated, in what officials believe was due to negligence. France has also decided to open an investigation into the explosion after Paris prosecutor Remy Heintz said that at least 21 French citizens were wounded in the incident. Anger, sadness Many Lebanese are upset at the government as the port is the main entry for food imports. Lebanon is suffering an economic crisis and fears that people could go hungry, including some nearly one million Syrian refugees. The government has allocated 100 billion Lebanese pounds, or approximately 55 million (according to the official exchange rate) to deal with the crisis, but the money on the parallel market would only be worth 10 million.. Governor Marwan Abboud told Lebanese media that the blast has caused between 2.5 to 4.2 billion in damage. In addition to the economic hardship and pandemic, a UN-backed tribunal in the Netherlands is set to announce the verdicts on Friday of the four Hezbollah members who were charged in absentia with collaborating in the 2005 assassination of former Lebanese prime minister Rafik Hariri. Story continues France pledges assistance Frances President Emmanuel Macron will be flying to Beirut on Thursday to meet politicians and government officials, while two planes filled with 55 security personnel, 10 emergency doctors and six tonnes of health equipment traveled on Wednesday to help the strapped Lebanese hospitals in and around Beirut. Included on the planes are emergency experts with chemical and technological specialties who can work in damaged industrial sites and identify if there are other risks in the area, said Frances national security spokesman Michael Bernier. Macrons office said French peacekeepers who are stationed in Lebanon, have been helping since the explosions. International effort to help Lebanon Indonesian peacekeepers, also part of the United Nations Interim Forces in Lebanon (UNFIL) are also helping to evacuate civilians, although there are a number of UNFIL peacekeepers injured, who were at the port at the time of the explosion. Bangladesh's military said at least 21 Bangladesh Navy UNFIL members were injured. The European Union is activating its emergency system across its 27 member states, as it plans to send more than 100 firefighters and vehicles and sniffer dogs for people trapped in urban areas. The Czech Republic, Germany, Greece, Poland and the Netherlands as well as France have said they are participating in this effort and other countries are expected to join. The EU is also using its Copernicus special satellite mapping system to establish the extent of the damage, according to Crisis Management Commissioner Janez Lenarcic. Help is also coming from a number of countries around the world. Iraq has given one plane with medical supplies, Egypt has given two planes with medical supplies. Qatar is sending four flights beginning on Wednesday with medical supplies and is delivering two 500-bed field hospitals with supplies and respirators. Kuwait has delivered medical aid, while local Iranian press say Iran is giving nine tonnes of food, medical supplies and personnel, and a field hospital. Tunisia is sending two planes of food and medical aid, and Tunisian President Kais Saied announced that the country could take 100 people to be treated in their hospitals. Russia is sending five planes filled with medical personnel and supplies. Cyprus is sending two helicopters, 10 rescuers and eight rescue dogs, and has offered to repatriate any Cypriots who want to return50 have reportedly already taken the offer. Norway is sending 40 tonnes of medical equipment and 2.34 million in financial aid, while Italy is reportedly sending two Air Force planes filled with eight tonnes of medical equipment as well as medical personnel. Australia says it will donate 1.2 million in humanitarian support through the World Food Program and the Red Cross for Lebanon. The World Health Organization says it is airlifting medical supplies to Lebanon on Wednesday for 1,000 trauma interventions, including burns and wounds, and supplies for 1,000 surgical interventions. The supplies are made after a request for help from Hamad Hasan, Lebanons health minister. Help from within Lebanese have opened their homes to the more than 250,000 people who have been made homeless due to the blast, using the hashtag #OurHomesAreOpen in Arabic and English on social media. Spare beds and empty properties have been offered to the victims. Those in need have gone to ThawraMap, (Revolution Map in Arabic) on Instagram and twitter, showing a map of the locations offered, including in hotels. ThawraMap is usually used to show where protests are in the capital. Many who remember the civil war from 1975 to 1990 have been also offering to transport people and give shelter in their homes. The contact information of doctors who could suture wounds sustained in the blast was also being given. Some diplomacy in dark times Although Israel is still in a state of war with Lebanon, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, offering condolences to the people of Lebanon, said that Israel had offered aid through the United Nations. Israels capital Tel Aviv is also offering a gesture, although far right politicians were unhappy with mayor Ron Huldais announcement. "Tonight we will illuminate the city hall with the Lebanese flag," said Huldai on social media. "Humanity precedes any conflict, and our hearts are with the Lebanese people in the wake of the terrible disaster that befell them," he added. In addition to the Covid-19 pandemic and the economic crisis hitting the country, there had been raised tensions between the Lebanese Shiite Hezbollah group and Israel in recent weeks. Those in Khan Yunis, a city in the occupied Palestinian Territory of the Gaza Strip, have organized a blood drive to help Beirut casualties and are working with the Red Cross and Red Crescent to deliver the blood to Lebanon. In the Republican primary for an open Senate seat for Kansas, there are 11 candidates on the ballot. But most people are focused on just two of them: Kris Kobach, former Kansas secretary of state and a big Trump supporter, and Roger Marshall, a congressman hoping for a promotion. This race luminates a dread for the GOP: that Kobach, the iconic conservative, the one most connected to the president, is also the one most likely to lose. And Kansas Democrats are loving this: No Dem has won a Senate seat for Kansas since the 1930s. The result of this primary could change that. Advertisement On Tuesdays episode of What Next, I spoke with David Weigel, national politics reporter for the Washington Post, about why Republicans are fearful of Kobach, why Democrats have hope here, and what this could mean for Novembers congressional elections. Our conversation has been edited and condensed for clarity. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mary Harris: You flew to Kansas in the middle of a pandemic. Why? David Weigel: Kansas stood out to me because this is a race that just about no one else from the East Coast media had personally covered. Its a race between one of the most influential conservative politicians of his generation and a candidate being propped up by the Chamber of Commerce and other groupsbecause they see him as more electable and they see Kobach, iconic as he is, as the only person who can blow the seat. 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. When was the first time you began to think that Democrats were really making a play for it in Kansas? When Democrats began spending money on a PAC that was elevating Kris Kobach. The president has been pretty weak in Kansas, relative to where he was in 2016, ever since COVID. And Joe Biden is not as much of a drag on Democrats as Hillary Clinton was four years ago, as Barack Obama was eight years ago. Rightly or wrongly, Dems thought Bernie Sanders or Elizabeth Warren would hurt them in states like this. They dont have that issue. They have Joe Biden, whom the Trump campaign has struggled to define. So Democrats had large ambitions at the start of the cycle that I think got larger when they realized that if Republicans are in bad shape, winning a Senate race in Kansas might mean running just 8, 9 points ahead of the president as opposed to 25 points ahead of the president. Advertisement Advertisement Tell me a little bit about Barbara Bollier, who she is, and why shes such an appealing candidate for Democrats. Bollier, the Democrat who was strong enough to get most of the other candidates to drop out, was a liberal Republican from the Kansas City suburbs who left the party in 2018 over a bunch of issues, among them abortion and the Trump Republican Partys direction. Shes not a very ideological candidate. In her ads, she talks about why she got into politics, and its basically improving peoples lives. Thats it. Shes emphasizing how little she cares about most of political debate, and she defines that pretty broadly. There are, I think, people exhausted by the politicization of everything. She has taken this tone of We know how government should work, weve done it pretty well before, with very little interest in litigating individual issues. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When I spoke with her for this podcast, she talked about how shed watched her party evolve and become very strict, policing its own to be very, very conservative. She said its why she left. And shes running against people who are very much a part of that Kansas Republican Party system. Advertisement Advertisement So lets talk about the Republicans a little bit. Kris Kobach is known for being a big believer in election fraud. Introduce me to him, because I know you traveled with him a bit. Hes an ultimately terribly unsuccessful and really successful politician. I guess there are not many people whove bounced this far between such extremes as he has. He got started in politics very young in Kansas. He worked in the George W. Bush administration setting up the DHS. Then Kobach came back to Kansas, ran for state Senate, flopped, ran for Congress, flopped. Then he ran the state party, with a focus on not just election fraud but in specifically getting voters challenged or off the rolls. Advertisement The problem was, as a manager, he just wasnt very good. His career seemed to be over in 2008 because he ran the state party into the ground, but then he turns around, runs for secretary of state in 2010, has a lot of success for about a decade, and then runs for governor in 2018. He narrowly wins the primary and loses badly in the general election. Interestingly, he actually got more votes for governor than the last candidate who wonthe problem was that Democrats surged in the suburbs. Some Republicans might look at that and say, Why did we do so badly in the suburbs? Lets change that. Advertisement And I say all this because you might ask, how come somebody with these blots on his record become an iconic Republican figure invited by the president to help write his immigration and voting voter fraud policy? Advertisement Advertisement Because it seems like hes failing up. Yeah, well, the overall attitude is that these ideas cant failthey can only be failed. That in general, the idea of making it harder for immigrants to live here, the idea of making it harder to show up to the polls and vote, those are good concepts. The president has never abandoned Kobach, even as Republicans have said, This guy cant win. Youve got to cut bait so we can get somebody more electable. Kobach loves looking like a hard-liner. I still remember this image of him from when he was running for governor, where he was on the back of a Jeep with a giant machine gun. He seems to delight in these conservative tropes, and were at this moment where the country is thinking about how much it wants to engage with those tropes. So its interesting to me that hes running again because it just makes you wonder, like, is he making any attempt to moderate his position? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Well, no, because he believes that this is what the state wants and that when its been denied its a fluke. Ive not seen any watering down. So you have Kobach basically reiterating, look, I was with Trump when it was hard, I endorsed him early, and I was advising him. The anti-Kobach campaign is left with: He didnt get the job as administration, so he must not be that great. Meanwhile, Roger Marshall also agrees with Trump on everything. Lets talk about Marshall. Hes definitely the pick of the Washington GOP establishment. Why? He does not have the flaws that Kobach has. Hes a veteran and doctor who became a member of Congress. Hes Rotary Club volunteer. He basically has what you see a lot in this era, the classic Republican biography. But his typical Republican story came about in the age of Trump. So he combines Im a family man and doctor and veteran who can work to get stuff done with I am 110 percent loyal to the president and he will trust me to get his agenda through. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement So hes still a Trump Republican. Hes just not as flashy. Advertisement Thats a fair way to put it. Can we talk about the stakes here? A top lieutenant to Mitch McConnell and said the Republican Senate majority is gone if Kobach is the nominee. Is that just panic? I think theres panic because of this moment, and they need to get as much money as fast as possible. If theyre on defense everywhere, then every dollar they have to spend in Kansas is a dollar that didnt go to Iowa, that didnt go to Arizona. So I think its the idea of donors being spread thin and fatigued. And just the asklets say Biden was requesting, help me with this fund to win Connecticut. The donor might say, what am I investing in? Because if Bidens losing Connecticut, hes lost by a landslide. Same thing here: What is the utility of giving to this cause if the party is in such trouble that it has to spend money in Kansas and Arizona and North Carolina, states that the party thought were heading its way? Advertisement So far, the president hasnt endorsed anyone in this race, despite the fact that he and Kobach have worked closely together, something Kobach talks about on the trail. Is there a chance that Trump associates Kobach with loss because he lost that gubernatorial election, and so its easier for him to stay out of it? Advertisement Advertisement Yeah, much easier, I think. The president flew to Kansas and put political capital behind Kobach. It didnt work. Now, Kobach is running videos of the 2018 Trump appearance, running footage of the president singing his praises from a campaign that he lost. And Trump could make a splash and tell him to stop using it. But were in the final hours before the election. He never did. I wonder if you think of Kansas itself as a kind of laboratory to understand whats happening in the Republican Party right now, because the state has been solidly red, and its been going through this transition. Bollier, the assumed Democratic nominee for Senate, transitioned along with a bunch of other women in the state Senate to being Democrats. It seems like the state is evolving in some way. Well, Kansas has never really been a swing state. LBJ was able to win it, and thats it for Democrats. There was a Democratic tradition in some rural areas thats pretty gone. So politically, its a state where almost everybody outside the biggest suburbs votes Republican. For the longest time, the strength the party was in those suburbs: of Wichita, of Topeka, of Kansas City. It is very heavily white, except for some Latino immigrants in the farming areas. And its very anti-abortion. So I dont think its been changing as much as the parties have been moving around within the state. What you see in Kansas versus 10 years ago is not a surge of people becoming liberals. Its that people are about the same amount of liberal or conservative, but the Trump Republican Party has gone so much further to the right that a lot of people have left it for the Democrats. 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. Police said one victim was shot in the chest and stomach, two were shot in the legs and the fourth was struck in the buttocks. Police said none of the injuries appeared to be life threatening. No arrests were made. More than 33,000 Laptops Meant For Alabama Schools Held by Customs Over Human Rights Dispute More than 30,000 laptops headed to Alabama schools for use in distance learning programs this fall have been halted by U.S. customs officials, reportedly over a human rights dispute, according to local officials. Some $1.3 million worth of computer equipment is currently being held and some may not make their way to school districts until October, according to Ryan Hollingsworth, the director of the School Superintendents of Alabama, which represents the superintendents of all of the states 138 school districts. Speaking to AL.com, Hollingsworth didnt elaborate on which specific human rights dispute was holding up the items. However, late last month, the U.S. Commerce Department added 11 Chinese companies to its economic blacklist, citing their involvement in human rights violations and abuses in the western region of Xinjiang. Local officials are reportedly discussing the matter with both of the states U.S. senators, Doug Jones (D) and Richard Shelby (R), and Rep. Robert Aderholt (R-Ala.). Were going to begin as safely as we can with as many protective measures as possible, Etowah County School Superintendent Alan Cosby told the news outlet. This is just something we didnt anticipate. Cosby said Etowah County, which is due to start classes for students on Aug. 17, had been expecting roughly 4,000 Chromebook computers this week, but they have now been held back until late September or early October. The equipment, he said, was meant for use by pupils wishing to resume classes both in-person and online. Its just one more obstacle to overcome as we begin the school year, he said. On July 20, the Commerce Department said the 11 Chinese firms were implicated in helping the Chinese communist regime in its campaign of repression, mass arbitrary detention, forced labor, involuntary collection of biometric data, and genetic analyses targeted at Muslim minority groups. These companies were added to the U.S. entity list, which bans their access to American goods, including commodities and technology, unless they get approval from the U.S. government. The new list includes nine companies that are involved in using Uyghurs and other Muslim minority groups as forced labor. Among them is Nanchang O-Film Tech, supplier of nearly two dozen tech and automotive companies, including Amazon, Apple, Dell, General Motors, and Microsoft. Another company is Changji Esquel Textile Co, founded by the Esquel Group, a Chinese textile manufacturing company that produces clothing for Ralph Lauren, Tommy Hilfiger, Hugo Boss, and Patagonia. Four companies included in the entity list in connection with the practice of forced laborNanchang O-Film, Hefei Meiling Co., KTK Group, and Tanyuanare listed on the Chinese stock exchange. In addition, two companiesXinjiang Silk Road BGI and Beijing Liuhe BGIwere added to the entity list for their role in conducting genetic analyses used to further the repression of Uyghurs and other Muslim minorities. In response, Chinas s foreign ministry accused the White House of attempting to suppress Chinese companies, undermine the stability of Xinjiang, and smear Chinas Xinjiang policies. At least 83 famous global brands have been tied to forced labor in China, in the technology, clothing, and automotive industries, including Apple, Acer, BMW, Gap, Google, Nike, and Samsung, according to a report by the Australian Strategic Policy Institute. The report released in March estimated that more than 80,000 Uyghurs were sent to factories across China between 2017 and 2019. Emel Akan contributed to this report. Technavio has been monitoring the smart plug market and it is poised to grow by 13.99 bn during 2020-2024, progressing at a CAGR of almost 30% 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/20200805005077/en/ Technavio has announced its latest market research report titled Global Smart Plug Market 2020-2024 (Graphic: Business Wire) Although the COVID-19 pandemic continues to transform the growth of various industries, the immediate impact of the outbreak is varied. While a few industries will register a drop in demand, numerous others will continue to remain unscathed and show promising growth opportunities. Technavio's in-depth research has all your needs covered as our research reports include all foreseeable market scenarios, including pre- post-COVID-19 analysis. Download a Free Sample Report on COVID-19 Impacts Frequently Asked Questions: What is a major trend in the market? Increasing demand for smart homes and the development of smart cities are major trends driving the market growth. Increasing demand for smart homes and the development of smart cities are major trends driving the market growth. At what rate is the market projected to grow? The year-over-year growth for 2020 is estimated at 26.54% and the incremental growth of the market is anticipated to be 13.99 bn during the forecast period. The year-over-year growth for 2020 is estimated at 26.54% and the incremental growth of the market is anticipated to be 13.99 bn during the forecast period. Who are the top players in the market? Belkin International Inc., D-Link Corp., EDIMAX Technology Co. Ltd., Etekcity Corp., Insteon, iSmart Alarm Inc., Leviton Manufacturing Co. Inc., Panasonic Corp., SDI Technologies Inc., and TP-Link Technologies Co. Ltd, are some of the major market participants Belkin International Inc., D-Link Corp., EDIMAX Technology Co. Ltd., Etekcity Corp., Insteon, iSmart Alarm Inc., Leviton Manufacturing Co. Inc., Panasonic Corp., SDI Technologies Inc., and TP-Link Technologies Co. Ltd, are some of the major market participants What are the key market drivers and challenges? The high demand for remote access to appliances has been instrumental in driving the growth of the market. However, security concerns associated with smart plugs and IoT might hamper market growth. The high demand for remote access to appliances has been instrumental in driving the growth of the market. However, security concerns associated with smart plugs and IoT might hamper market growth. How big is the North American market? The North America region will contribute 33% of the market share. The market is fragmented, and the degree of fragmentation will accelerate during the forecast period. Belkin International Inc., D-Link Corp., EDIMAX Technology Co. Ltd., Etekcity Corp., Insteon, iSmart Alarm Inc., Leviton Manufacturing Co. Inc., Panasonic Corp., SDI Technologies Inc., and TP-Link Technologies Co. Ltd. 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. 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 The high demand for remote access to appliances has been instrumental in driving the growth of the market. However, security concerns associated with smart plugs and IoT might hamper the market growth. Technavio's custom research reports offer detailed insights on the impact of COVID-19 at an industry level, a regional level, and subsequent supply chain operations. This customized report will also help clients keep up with new product launches in direct indirect COVID-19 related markets, upcoming vaccines and pipeline analysis, and significant developments in vendor operations and government regulations. Smart Plug Market 2020-2024: Segmentation Smart Plug Market is segmented as below: Technology Early Majority Innovator Early Adopters End-user Residential Commercial Geography North America Europe APAC MEA 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=IRTNTR43229 Smart Plug 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. The smart plug market report covers the following areas: Smart Plug Market Size Smart Plug Market Trends Smart Plug Market Industry Analysis This study identifies increasing demand for smart homes and the development of smart cities as the prime reasons driving the smart plug market growth during the next few years. 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 Smart Plug Market 2020-2024: Key Highlights CAGR of the market during the forecast period 2020-2024 Detailed information on factors that will assist smart plug market growth during the next five years Estimation of the smart plug market size and its contribution to the parent market Predictions on upcoming trends and changes in consumer behavior The growth of the smart plug market Analysis of the market's competitive landscape and detailed information on vendors Comprehensive details of factors that will challenge the growth of smart plug 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 Adopters Market segments Comparison by Technology Adopters Early majority Market size and forecast 2019-2024 Innovator Market size and forecast 2019-2024 Early adopters Market size and forecast 2019-2024 Market opportunity by Technology Adopters Market Segmentation by End-user Market segments Comparison by End-user Residential Market size and forecast 2019-2024 Commercial Market size and forecast 2019-2024 Market opportunity by End-user Customer landscape Geographic Landscape Geographic segmentation Geographic comparison North America Market size and forecast 2019-2024 Europe Market size and forecast 2019-2024 APAC Market size and forecast 2019-2024 MEA Market size and forecast 2019-2024 South America Market size and forecast 2019-2024 Key leading countries Market opportunity by geography Volume Drivers Demand led growth Market Challenges Market Trends Vendor Landscape Overview Vendor landscape Landscape disruption Vendor Analysis Vendors covered Market positioning of vendors Belkin International Inc. D-Link Corp. EDIMAX Technology Co. Ltd. Etekcity Corp. Insteon iSmart Alarm Inc. Leviton Manufacturing Co. Inc. Panasonic Corp. SDI Technologies Inc. TP-Link Technologies Co. Ltd. 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 focuses 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/20200805005077/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/ TikTok has updated its content policies to curb misinformation on its platform ahead of the presidential elections in the United States, the short-form video app said on Wednesday. The app, under fire for its alleged links to the Chinese government, said it was working with experts from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to protect against foreign influence". (https://bit.ly/2PoG8qj) TikTok will allow users to report election-related misinformation on the app itself, the company said in a blog post. TikTok-owner ByteDance became the first Chinese company to achieve global success with a consumer app. However, amid rising U.S.-China tensions, the White House has threatened to ban TikTok and other Chinese-owned apps, citing national security risks. TikTok currently faces a deadline of Sept. 15 to either sell its U.S. operations to Microsoft Corp or face an outright ban. Disclaimer: This post has been auto-published from an agency feed without any modifications to the text and has not been reviewed by an editor Letters show officials knew of danger posed by ammonium nitrate cargo at Beirut port six years before deadly blast. Beirut, Lebanon It was only after a massive explosion ripped through Beirut that most people in Lebanon learned about the 2,750 tonnes of ammonium nitrate stored in a hangar at the citys port. The detonation of the material used in bombs and fertilisers sent shockwaves through the Lebanese capital, killing scores of people, injuring thousands, and leaving much of the city a mangled mess. In the explosions devastating aftermath, many Lebanese are expressing immense shock and sadness at the destruction, and great anger towards those who allowed this to happen. Analysis of public records and documents published online show senior Lebanese officials knew for more than six years that the ammonium nitrate was stored in Hangar 12 of Beiruts port. And they were well aware of the dangers it posed. So how did this happen? Heres what we know so far. The cargo of ammonium nitrate arrived in Lebanon in September 2013, on board a Russian-owned cargo vessel flying a Moldovan Flag. The Rhosus, according to information from the ship-tracking site, Fleetmon, was heading from Georgia to Mozambique. It was forced to dock in Beirut after facing technical problems at sea, according to (PDF) lawyers representing the boats crew. But Lebanese officials prevented the vessel from sailing, and eventually, it was abandoned by its owners and crew information partially corroborated by Fleetmon. The ships dangerous cargo was then offloaded and placed in Hangar 12 of Beirut port, a large grey structure facing the countrys main north-south highway at the main entrance to the capital. Months later, on June 27, 2014, then-director of Lebanese Customs Shafik Merhi sent a letter addressed to an unnamed Urgent Matters judge, asking for a solution to the cargo, according to documents shared online. Customs officials sent at least five more letters over the next three years on December 5, 2014, May 6, 2015, May 20, 2016, October 13, 2016, and October 27, 2017 asking for guidance and warning that the material posed a danger, Badri Daher, the current director of Lebanese Customs, told broadcaster LBCI on Wednesday. They proposed three options: Export the ammonium nitrate, hand it over to the Lebanese Army, or sell it to the privately-owned Lebanese Explosives Company. @MarieClaudeNajm pic.twitter.com/EuPy7loktF Wadih AL-ASMAR (@walasmar) August 4, 2020 One letter sent in 2016 noted there had been no reply from judges to previous requests. It pleaded: In view of the serious danger of keeping these goods in the hangar in unsuitable climatic conditions, we reaffirm our request to please request the marine agency to re-export these goods immediately to preserve the safety of the port and those working in it, or to look into agreeing to sell this amount to the Lebanese Explosives Company. Again, there was no reply. A year later, Daher, the new Lebanese Customs director, wrote to a judge once again. In the October 27, 2017, letter, Daher urged the judge to come to a decision on the matter in view of the danger of leaving these goods in the place they are, and to those working there. Nearly three years later, the ammonium nitrate was still in the hangar. A view of the harbour area in Beirut following the massive explosion on Tuesday afternoon [Wael Hamzeh/EPA] Lebanons Prime Minister Hassan Diab on Tuesday declared the explosion at the port a great national disaster and promised that all those responsible for this catastrophe will pay the price. Lebanese President Michel Aoun called the failure to deal with the ammonium nitrate unacceptable and vowed the harshest punishment for those responsible. An investigation has now been launched, and the committee is to refer its findings to the judiciary within five days. The cause of the explosion is still not clear, but many Lebanese were quick to point out what they believe to be the root causes; immense mismanagement in a broken state run by a corrupt political class who they say treat the countrys inhabitants with contempt. I dont want to die a young girl screams as the blast hits. Those responsible for this must pay. pic.twitter.com/yTyCaoPtvc Timour Azhari (@timourazhari) August 4, 2020 It is also not lost on Beiruts residents that this tragedy emanated from the citys port, a public utility known locally as the Cave of Ali Baba and the 40 Thieves for the vast amount of state funds that have reportedly been stolen there over the decades. The allegations include claims that billions of dollars in tax revenue never reached the state treasury due to schemes to undervalue imports, as well as accusations of systematic and widespread bribery to avoid paying customs taxes. Beirut is gone and those who ruled this country for the past decades cannot get away with this, Rima Majed, a Lebanese political activist and sociologist said in a tweet. They are criminals and this is probably the biggest of their (too many) crimes so far. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Riska Rahman (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Wed, August 5, 2020 20:00 531 6657ac82168da9fa101c8a4066bd43c1 1 Business financial-statement,profit,sales,Indofood,ICBP,first-half,earnings Free Food manufacturing giant PT Indofood Sukses Makmur and its subsidiary, processed food company PT Indofood CBP Sukses Makmur (ICBP), have managed to book double-digit profit growth in the first half of the year thanks to an increase in sales and a drop in production costs. Indofood booked an 11.7 percent year-on-year (yoy) increase in profit to Rp 2.8 trillion (US$195 million) in the first half of 2020. The rise in profit during the period was in line with the firms sales, which rose 2 percent to Rp 39.4 trillion, while cost of goods sold declined 1.2 percent to Rp 26.9 trillion. Indofood president director and chief executive officer Anthoni Salim said Tuesday that the company managed to maintain a positive performance despite the global challenges caused by COVID-19. We expect this challenging situation to continue until the second half of the year, so we will continue to maintain supplies and product quality for our clients, he said in a statement. Mirae Asset Sekuritas analyst Mimi Halimin said that she had expected the solid performance early in the year. Indofoods revenue in the second quarter of this year was quite resilient as it was supported by the recovery of its agribusiness segment, she said. Read also: Consumer goods firms grow in Q1 amid economic crisis Agribusiness sales rose 7 percent yoy to Rp 6.88 trillion from January to June. The relaxation of lockdown measures in several countries in the second quarter of the year boosted crude palm oil prices during the period, Kontan reported. Although sales in the firms wheat manufacturing segment, Bogasari, contracted 4.5 percent yoy to Rp 11.08 trillion, its consumer-branded product sales managed to record positive growth during the period. Consumer-branded products, which include famous instant noodle brand Indomie operated by ICBP, recorded 4.15 percent yoy growth during the first six months of the year to Rp 23.05 trillion as the sale of instant noodles, the companys biggest contributor, increased 6.31 percent yoy to Rp 15.49 trillion. The growing top line during the period, however, was mainly supported by its strong sales in the first quarter of the year as sales in the second quarter were slower, Mimi said. We note that ICBPs top line in the second quarter of this year also got hit by the sluggish economic activities due to the implementation of large-scale social restrictions (PSBB), she said, adding that the companys revenue from March to June saw a quarterly contraction of 8 percent. The PSBB were implemented in most regional administrations across the country as part of efforts to curb the spread of the coronavirus. The measures forced non-essential businesses to shutter their doors and saw millions face unemployment. Despite the weaker sales in the second quarter, ICBP still managed to book Rp 3.38 trillion in profit throughout the first quarter, a jump of 31.4 percent yoy. Anthoni, the former CEO of ICBP, said that the firm would also focus on maintaining the health of its employees and preserve product quality for its customers. We will also improve our ability to adapt swiftly to the ever-changing market dynamics, he said. Read also: Investors wary of Indofood CBPs acquisition of noodle maker Pinehill In the meantime, ICBP has announced that its shareholders have consented to its plan to acquire all of the shares of Pinehill Company Limited (Pinehill Group), which supplies Indomie to the Middle East, Africa and Serbia. Corporate secretary Gideon A. Putro said in February that the company responded to its British Virgin Island affiliates, Pinehill Corpora Limited and Steele Lake Limited, on an offer to acquire Pinehill Group. Pinehill Groups core business was manufacturing instant noodles in Saudi Arabia, Nigeria, Turkey, Egypt, Kenya, Morocco and Serbia under the Indomie brand licensed by ICBPs parent company, Indofood. Indofoods share price, traded under the code INDF, had gained 4.44 percent to Rp 7,025 as of 2:38 p.m. on Wednesday. Meanwhile, ICBPs share price went up by 4.74 percent from the day before to Rp 10,500. ANN ARBOR, MI - Republican Greg Marquis pulled off a tight victory in the 52nd Michigan House of Representatives primary Tuesday, setting up a November showdown with incumbent Democrat Donna Lasinski. Voters in Saline, Chelsea, parts of Ann Arbor and surrounding townships selected Marquis over fellow Republican Melanie Weidmayer 4,848 to 4,099, to capture the primary on Aug. 4. Marquis will face Lasinski, D-Scio Township, in the November general election. Lasinski has held the office since 2017. He could not be reached for comment Wednesday. In other Washtenaw County House of Representative races Tuesday, incumbent Yousef Rabhi, D-Ann Arbor, won comfortably over challenger Sam Larson by a 21,137 to 2,051 margin, to capture the 53rd Michigan House of Representatives primary. Rabhi, a two-term representative and the Democratic Floor Leader who also has served as a Washtenaw County commissioner, will once again face Republican challenger Jean Holland in November. Rabhi said he is excited not only at the prospect of winning a third term in November, but potentially helping flip the House in favor of the Democrats. I feel like we have really built something that has meant a lot to me, Rabhi said of the support he received in the primary. Its something I take with me when I go to Lansing and Im confronted with the Republican-dominated House and Senate. Really, bringing that love, energy and positivity from this community - I never feel like Im alone. This community really has my back. In the 55th District, Felicia Brabec, D-Pittsfield Township, soundly defeated fellow Democrat Stephen Kurant, 17,871 to 2,622. Brabec, who represents district 4 on the Washtenaw County Board of Commissioners and is a clinical psychologist, is seeking the seat currently held by Rebekah Warren, D-Ann Arbor, who is term-limited. She will face Republican Bob Baird in the November general election. Brabec could not be reached for comment Wednesday. READ MORE: See more Michigan primary election results Three Republicans, two Democrats vying for open Congressional seat in Trump stronghold district Who is running for Congress in 2020? Michigans top races to watch Clayton wins Democratic primary in Washtenaw County sheriff race analysis "Let people vent," lamented performing artist and television personality Kudzai Sevenzo in a tweet as Zimbabweans on social media reacted to the death of Perence Shiri. Shiri was the Minister of Lands, Agriculture and Rural Resettlement. Zenzele Ndebele, an investigative journalist, also spoke out in a tweet: "Shiri gets to be buried like a hero. We never got a chance to mourn our relatives who were killed by the 5th Brigade." Shiri was a military man who commandeered a praetorian army that killed over 20,000 civilians in the provinces of Matabeleland and the Midlands between 1983 and 1987. Gukurahundi saw his North Korean-trained unit, the Fifth Brigade, descend on provinces inhabited by the Ndebele people to quell dissent. Gukurahundi is a Shona term referring to the early summer rains that remove chaff and dirt from the fields. The death of Shiri on 29 July 2020 has kindled flames of debate that the ruling party has tried to shut down for many years. I argue, in a paper on Gukurahundi, that writers and artists have left behind a richly textured memory on what writer Novuyo Rosa Tshuma has called the country's "original sin". Enforced 'collective amnesia' In the aftermath of Gukurahundi, former president Robert Mugabe enforced collective forgetting of this period in Zimbabwe's history. He referred to it simply as a "moment of madness" and suggested that discussing the events would undermine attempts to nurture national unity. His successor, Emmerson Mnangagwa, Minister of State Security at the time of the Gukurahundi genocide, has also implored Zimbabweans to "let bygones be bygones". At his 2017 inauguration he said that the past cannot be changed, but "there is a lot we can do in the present and the future to give our nation a different positive direction". However, as l contend in another paper, silence on Gukurahundi has not led to any national cohesion. Instead, it has been a part of what's responsible for the culture of state violence and impunity in Zimbabwe since independence in 1980. Writing against forgetting Yet, a rich body of literary and visual artworks has emerged thematising the genocide. There have been books in indigenous languages such as Uyangisinda Lumhlaba (This world is unbearable) in Ndebele by Ezekiel Hleza and Mhandu Dzorusununguko (Enemies of independence) in Shona by Edward Masundire. There has been an even bigger corpus of texts written in English. Among them is the late Yvonne Vera's 2002 novel The Stone Virgins. It details the horrors faced by villagers from a ruthless army. In Running with Mother, a 2012 novel by Christopher Mlalazi, a child narrator, Rudo, recounts the arrival of the Fifth Brigade in her village. Peter Godwin's largely autobiographical Mukiwa: A White Boy in Africa in 1996 gives a picture of Gukurahundi from the eyes of a young white journalist. And House of Stone, the 2018 novel by Novuyo Rosa Tshuma, tells the story of an orphaned young man trying to explore his past. He'll find out that his father is Black Jesus (a name by which Shiri was known). Tshuma's descriptions of the genocide are detailed, graphic and ghastly. Literary creativity has made it possible to remember, commemorate and document experiences that otherwise would have been forgotten or dispersed through wilful omission. In doing so, literary texts create narratives of Zimbabwe's history and national identity. "To write is to banish silence," writes Vera in her 1995 doctoral thesis on colonialism and narratives of resistance. "As a writer, you don't want to suppress history, you want to be one of the people liberating stories." She explains that "to write is to engage possibilities for triumphant and repeated exits, inversion and recuperation of identity". In this line of thinking, writing can offer victims of Gukurahundi a voice which the state continues to deny them. Art of torture Visual artworks have also engaged with Gukurahundi, such as in the exhibition Sibathontisele by Owen Maseko, which has stood for years as a material text-under-erasure in Zimbabwe. Sibathontisele is a Ndebele word meaning "we drip it on them". It refers to an infamous torture technique used by the Fifth Brigade in which they dripped hot and melted plastic on victims. Unlike literary texts, which have remained unbanned and uncensored, Maseko's 2010 exhibition was banned by state security a day after its opening at the National Arts Gallery in Bulawayo and the artist was arrested. Visual art, it appears, is deemed more subversive than written texts. In spite of such restrictions, Maseko's exhibition has been hosted outside Zimbabwe. Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Zimbabwe Governance Entertainment By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later. The artist explains in this article that art, justice and human rights are intricately interrelated. Visual art plays a role in bringing to the surface narratives on Gukurahundi, which have been buried for almost three decades. The rich memory Writers and visual artists are able to create alternative spaces for marginalised and forgotten stories. And Zimbabwe's artists have created a rich memory and archive that counters the culture of forgetting and criminalising open discussion of Gukurahundi. Through their works, histories are revisited so that they can be better understood and can be accorded their rightful recognition. They have opened new spaces of discussion and have gestured towards the importance of remembering and learning from the past. Gibson Ncube, Associate Professor, University of Zimbabwe It's strange times in New York City. COVID and confused government policies has commercial buildings desolate in Manhattan. Few are returning to work in their offices despite politicians proclaiming otherwise. Restaurants can open for food but not for drinks. Gatherings are forbidden unless it is to protest. Crime is through the roof, months after elected officials allowed looting and forced police to turn a blind eye. The Hamptons where I write this from is filled with business-owners and CEOs in no rush to return to Manhattan. As the Partnership for NYC president, Kathryn Wylde, rightly said in an interview this week, wealthy New Yorkers who fled the city during the coronavirus crisis "don't want to come back." The top one percent of earners currently account for 40 percent of New York state tax revenue, according to numbers, and in a city dominated by ultra-liberal voters, there is concern about what happens next if New York raises taxes. In fact, taxes being raised will cause even deeper problems in N.Y. The wealthy are afraid to speak up targeted by demonstrations at homes or "cancel culture" in a world where differing thoughts are often attacked. This week, I and a number of other business executives were thrown out of Facebook discussion groups formed to discuss NYC's problems for suggesting that Governor Andrew Cuomo and Mayor Bill de Blasio are to blame for the situation we find ourselves in and should be held responsible. Organizers of these groups removed us for "discussing politics" as they advocated calling City Council members for an answer to the increased homeless and crime problems now dominating wealthy neighborhoods in the city. I a native of NYC who has generated hundreds of millions of dollars in revenue in New York City was called a troll for daring to suggest that Cuomo and de Blasio are responsible. Daring to criticize Democrats in New York is cause for being canceled. People are afraid to speak out. For the next few years, the city that never sleeps will be sleeping. Without restaurants, culture, and all the things that made our city great, many will be leaving. Taxes, overregulation, soft-on-crime policies like bail reform leave many like this native of NYC wondering why the hell we need it. Governor Cuomo and Mayor de Blasio will go down in history as the great destroyers of New York City. Let us pray that sane minds prevail in New York City. I don't have my hopes up. Ronn Torossian is a native New Yorker and entrepreneur. After a fifth call from an unknown number, Winnipegger James Ham answered his phone thinking hed humour whatever scammer might be on the other end of the line. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 4/8/2020 (532 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. After a fifth call from an unknown number, Winnipegger James Ham answered his phone thinking hed humour whatever scammer might be on the other end of the line. The caller wanted to know how quarantine was going for the dad and his 10-year-old son who live part-time in the United States and recently returned to the country at their home in Westwood. Taken by surprise, Ham realized the call he had been ducking was an employee with the Public Health Agency of Canada checking to see whether the family was complying with the federal Quarantine Act. "They were happy that I had answered and they wanted to make sure I was quarantining and she said they were close to having police do a check on our house just to make sure we were where we were supposed to be," Ham said Tuesday, recalling the mid-May interaction. "It sounds very intimidating, but by the same token, I want to know that theyre doing what they need to do to keep our population as safe as possible," he said. Under the act, people arriving in Canada from abroad are required to go into mandatory self-isolation for 14 days, or face fines up to $750,000 or six months in jail, unless they are exempt as an essential worker. Manitoba RCMP receives a list each day of people who have crossed the border, along with a suggested check-in schedule. (Jeff McIntosh / The Canadian Press files) Public Health Agency of Canada media relations officer Geoffroy Legault-Thivierge said screening officers phone arrivals before the fifth day of their isolation and keep calling for three consecutive days until someone answers. The travellers compliance is rated by the screening officers based on answers to a series of questions, Legault-Thivierge said in a written statement. "If designated screening officers are unable to reach a traveller or if there is an indication of non-compliance, PHAC will refer the traveller to law enforcement for public health compliance followup," Legault-Thivierge said. "The frequency of compliance visits by law enforcement is based on operational requirements and priorities of each law enforcement unit," he said. Manitoba RCMP media relations officer Cpl. Julie Courchaine said the Mounties receive a PHAC list each day of people who have crossed the border, along with a suggested check-in schedule. Depending on the day, anywhere between five and 133 people may be flagged for a visit from the police. "The amount of estimated time the RCMP spend daily on followup with the mandatory isolation travellers list within our jurisdiction can be anywhere from two to 20 hours a day," she said. "And as of right now, its not overwhelming at this point because there could be one a day in certain detachment areas." Within Winnipeg, where the bulk of arrivals tend to reside, Courchaine said information about quarantined travellers is shared with the Winnipeg Police Service, which is responsible for making the home calls. Winnipeg police said no one was available for an interview Tuesday. Spokesman Const. Rob Carver said central district community support unit officers are responsible for the checks. Signage tells travellers to self-isolate for 14 days upon arrival in Canada at the border of United States in Emerson. (Mikaela MacKenzie / Winnipeg Free Press files) The service was not able to provide statistics on enforcing federal public health orders, Carver said. Enforcing the Quarantine Act The Public Health Agency of Canada is working with the RCMP and provincial law enforcement to make sure returning travellers comply with self-isolation orders. The Canadian Border Services Agency collects basic biographical data, contact information and quarantine-based information for travellers when they arrive in Canada. All information is shared with PHAC, which determines when and how to pass on the details to provincial authorities and law enforcement. click to read more The Public Health Agency of Canada is working with the RCMP and provincial law enforcement to make sure returning travellers comply with self-isolation orders. The Canadian Border Services Agency collects basic biographical data, contact information and quarantine-based information for travellers when they arrive in Canada. All information is shared with PHAC, which determines when and how to pass on the details to provincial authorities and law enforcement. When someone enters the country, theyre asked about their health and symptoms, which they are required to report to a screening officer. Travellers are also asked questions to determine their ability to effectively self-isolate. Information is then shared on a daily basis with the RCMP national operations centre, which sends it along to local law enforcement. Our measures are not intended to be punitive. We have found that Canadians are responsive to their obligations and dedicated to protecting public health, a PHAC spokesman said in an email to the Free Press. At the Public Health Agencys recommendation, local law enforcement may choose to issue warnings (written or verbal) prior to issuing a ticket under the Quarantine Act. Public health began calling travellers subject to the Quarantine Act on May 5. As of July 26, a total of 222,783 non-exempt travellers to Canada received calls from public health screening officers, out of the 433,275 travellers that have been subject to isolation requirements since March 25, PHAC said. Between March 25 and May 4, screening officers called only travellers displaying symptoms of COVID-19. Source: Public Health Agency of Canada, Canada Border Services Agency Close 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. Numbers kept by Manitoba RCMP, however, show that as of July 29, 3,075 people were subject to the Quarantine Act in Manitoba since it took effect March 25; 1,186 were within RCMP jurisdiction. According to Courchaine, travellers are prioritized by PHAC and police may be expected to make a visit as soon as possible, or visit just once throughout the quarantine period, if resources allow, for low-priority arrivals. Enforcing mandatory self-isolation hasnt added significantly to the Mounties workload, Courchaine said, noting officers fit in the required visits as part of their daily routines. Legault-Thivierge said as of July 29, 22 tickets for offences under the Quarantine Act have been reported to PHAC by law enforcement. None were in Manitoba. Two verbal warnings and one written warning have been issued in Manitoba, he said. danielle.dasilva@freepress.mb.ca CLEVELAND -- Like many of my generation whose fathers were off fighting in the Pacific theater 75 years ago during World War II, I have long felt that -- but for the fateful and terrible U.S. decision to end the war, definitively, with the dropping of two atom bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, in lieu of an invasion of Japans main islands -- I might not be here. That doesnt mean that, once old enough to contemplate such things, I supported the decision to drop those atom bombs -- Little Boy on Hiroshima Aug. 6, 1945, and Fat Man on Nagasaki on Aug. 9, 1945 -- or that I discounted the suffering it caused for Japans innocent civilians, obliterating in an instant the lives of tens of thousands in each city, and dooming others to lingering, painful deaths. Far from it. But after seeing for myself two years ago the full reach of destruction memorialized at Hiroshima and Nagasaki during visits to those cities, I had to confront directly that what those bombs did could never be justified. No matter what that might otherwise have meant to my fathers life or the lives of any father or anyones son. The 75th anniversary tomorrow and Sunday of the worlds first use of nuclear weapons in war has brought back these impressions in full force. And it turns out this is one of the key aims of the haunting atomic-bomb memorials at Hiroshima and Nagasaki: to drive home not just the vast suffering and loss of life, but also to show exactly what happens when an atom bomb is dropped on a large city, and why it should never happen again. This photo of the ruins of the Urakami Cathedral after the bombing of Nagasaki with explanatory plaque is in the Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Museum, photographed June 3, 2018. (Elizabeth Sullivan, cleveland.com) To tell the story, for generations to come, of the almost instant obliteration of thousands of blocks and thousands of buildings in two bustling cities. To preserve the skeletal, unforgettable Genbaku (Atom Bomb in Japanese) Dome at the epicenter in Hiroshima. To record the incineration of worshippers in Nagasakis great Catholic cathedral -- in a city that for nearly two centuries of Japanese history had been the most open to the West and its cultural influences. To show the fateful pre-bomb images of children in school or working in factories who would never come home. Japanese schoolchildren remember. One surprising discovery from our family trip was how Hiroshima today has become a favored destination for schoolchildren -- enthused to encounter us as Americans outside the Hiroshima memorial, holding out their maps and questionnaires designed to improve their English and record from how many destinations Hiroshima visitors had come. The author's son marking a map to show we were from Ohio for Japanese schoolchildren at Hiroshima, May 29, 2018. All were glad to meet Americans and none expressed any concern or animosity that it was our nation that dropped the atomic bombs on Japan. (Elizabeth Sullivan, cleveland.com) Schoolchildren who also gathered beneath the Childrens Peace Monument nearby, erected in 1958 in memory of all the children killed, but, in particular, of Sadako Sasaki, who died at age 12 of radiation-related leukemia 10 years after Little Boy was dropped on Hiroshima. It was Sadakos belief that, if she folded 1,000 origami cranes, she could get her wish -- for recovery, for no more pain, a wish for peace. She is now immortalized atop the Childrens Peace Monument holding a crane -- a monument built in part with small change contributed by schoolchildren all over Japan. The main Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum was closed for renovations to increase its earthquake resistance when we were there in May 2018, so its possible that it, too, contained graphic displays of the bombs destructive power. But it was in Nagasaki that we felt the full force of the shockingly graphic images of what an atom bomb can do. The Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Museum is determined to show exactly what happened to the city and its people, a city flattened along a key artery. Aerial photographs credited to the U.S. Army from two days before the bombing, and then about a month afterward, tell that story from thousands of feet up. Nagasaki two days before the Aug. 9, 1945 atomic bombing in a photograph credited to the U.S. Army displayed at the Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Museum. (Elizabeth Sullivan, cleveland.com( Nagasaki about a month after the the Aug. 9, 1945 atomic bombing as displayed in the Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Museum. But at the ground level are the photographs of the carnage and rubble, often shown at life-size - limbs sticking up from the ruins, the charred bodies scattered like black sticks. These are images not for the faint of heart. The museum shows other perspectives, too -- including video of some of the allied prisoners of war in Nagasaki who survived the bombing and were interviewed afterward. Most regretted the terrible loss of life, but one, from Australia, expressed his satisfaction that the bombing definitively ended the war, saved countless allied lives and allowed him to go home. The damage in Nagasaki, the museum tells us, would have been far worse had the five-ton Fat Man plutonium bomb hit its target in the harbor, where the blast waves and destruction would then have radiated throughout the hilly, confined metropolitan area. As it was, with Nagasaki obscured by clouds when Bockscar, the B-29 bomber carrying Fat Man, arrived, the bomb it dropped Aug. 9 exploded at 11:02 a.m. local time almost directly over the Urakami Cathedral. Mass was in progress on that fateful Thursday morning, given the approach of the Feast of the Assumption. Little was left of what was at the time one of East Asias largest Catholic churches (since rebuilt). The rebuilt Urakami Cathedral in Nagasaki as seen on June 3, 2018. Why us? That is another question the Nagasaki museum poses, noting that Nagasaki residents were shocked that the United States would choose to try to obliterate Japans most Western-oriented city. For more than 200 years of Japanese history, from the mid-17th to mid-19th centuries, Nagasaki was Japans window to the West -- primarily to the Dutch, confined to what was then an artificial island, now renovated as a tourist site, but also at one time to the Portuguese traders who had brought their Catholicism with them. In 1945, Nagasaki was a shipbuilding center and industrial port, important for the war effort. After the religious heart of Japan, Kyoto, was taken off the a-bomb list and another city determined to be too far for the B-29 bombers to reach, Nagasaki had become the secondary target for Fat Man -- a far more powerful bomb than the uranium fission device dropped on Hiroshima. The primary Aug. 9 target was Kokura, site of a huge arms factory and chemical weapons plant, but the Bockscar crew found it shrouded in dense clouds -- and headed for Nagasaki instead. For an American visitor to Nagasaki and Hiroshima today, the lack of rancor, the absence of blame is striking. Blame may be an issue still for historians and others -- with questions that can never be fully answered: Of whether the Japanese would have surrendered anyway, without the use of atom bombs. Of whether the second bomb was necessary. Of whether part of the decision-making had to do with testing the destructive power of the two different bombs -- the uranium-235 fission bomb Little Boy and the plutonium bomb Fat Man. Those terrible questions will reverberate through history, maybe until and if there is the next bomb. There is also the question of how many died in the two bombings 75 years ago. At Hiroshima, a circular underground memorial attempts to record by name all known to have died in the worlds first atomic bombing. But no one knows for sure how many lost their lives in bombings that simply vaporized thousands. Scholar Alex Wellerstein, an assistant professor and director of the Science and Technology Studies program at the Stevens Institute of Technology in New Jersey, addresses this issue in a special edition of The Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists devoted to the 75th anniversary of the bombings. According to Wellerstein, the most credible estimates have a high of 210,000 and a low of 110,000 -- an astounding range. The sheer magnitude of the uncertainty should be the take-away. The casualties from these first crude nuclear bombs were vast but unknowable. That is enough to assure us that, if there is a next time -- with the far more destructive power of todays nuclear bombs -- the carnage will be monumentally worse. Which, finally, may be the ultimate aim of the memorials at Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Remembering and recording in its full, never-to-be-forgotten detail what happened at ground level when the bombs were dropped is part of the cry from these two cities, and from all the schoolchildrens pennies and yen and handmade origami cranes that contributed to these memorials, of Never again. The scope of the destruction is something that you have to see and absorb over the course of a day at each site fully to internalize. And even then, its a pallid shadow of the real thing. There is only so much we can process from a retelling of such an event. But if you dont have a chance to visit Hiroshima and Nagasaki, read about it. Read or re-read John Hersheys pathbreaking book, Hiroshima, that tried to bring the reality into American living rooms -- but succeeded only partially. Read the special edition from the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists -- a nonprofit started by the practitioners and experts in nuclear bomb-making who recognized the existential threat to humankind from nuclear war -- and who earlier this year moved the needle of their Doomsday Clock closer to midnight. Just 100 seconds to go. Its been 75 years without another nuclear attack, even though nuclear weapons are spreading, and thats something to celebrate. But remembering Hiroshima and Nagasaki in all their terrible detail is to understand that use of such weapons is unthinkable. That is the message that needs reinforcing. Elizabeth Sullivan is director of opinion and director of the editorial board for The Plain Dealer and cleveland.com. Editors note: This column was updated at 3 p.m. to correct an erroneous first reference to the names to the atomic bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Have something to say about this topic? * Send a letter to the editor, which will be considered for print publication. * Email general questions about our editorial board or comments on this column to Elizabeth Sullivan, director of opinion, at esullivan@cleveland.com. A Portland firefighter who got drunk and unleashed racist slurs against a Black hotel clerk in Nashville, Tennessee, where he was attending work-related health training in August, was suspended without pay for six months by the fire chief and ordered to complete diversity training. Portland firefighter Nicholas Perkins, who has been with the Fire Bureau for 13 years and most recently worked at a North Portland station, acknowledged the city had cause to fire him and signed a last-chance agreement that requires him to complete one-on-one implicit bias training and not challenge his discipline. When Portland Fire & Rescue received the complaint, we immediately launched an investigation, Chief Sara Boone said in a statement sent to firefighters Tuesday as Willamette Week prepared to publish a story on the firefighter. She called the firefighters actions appalling, ones that shook me to the core as both a Black woman and chief of a public safety bureau, and said she appreciated the hotel clerks courage for reporting the incident to the Fire Bureau. The woman who suffered so much from this abhorrent act asked for us to make sure that this doesnt happen again: I keep her request close to me as I lead the work for change, Boone said in a prepared statement. Perkins was involved in peer fitness training, attending a health and safety symposium in Nashville last August when the encounter occurred and prompted a call to the Nashville Metro Police, according to Fire Bureau records. After drinking at bars in Nashville, Perkins returned to his hotel early on Aug. 18, 2019, and used his credit card, instead of his electronic room key, to gain access to the hotel. When he was unable to get in, he started banging and kicking on the door, according to his disciplinary letter. Over a front door phone, he yelled at a hotel clerk, a Black woman, I have my key, you Black (expletive) ... you Black (racial slur), open the door. The clerk was scared and called the hotel assistant manager, Will Lawrence, who could hear Perkins through the phone continuing to beat on the door and using the racist slur, according to the chiefs disciplinary letter. Police responded, but the clerk did not want to press charges, the letter says. A Tennessee corrections officer who was staying at the hotel also witnessed Perkins banging and kicking on the door and told investigators Perkins was so intoxicated that he fell on the police officer when he arrived, the disciplinary letter said. City Council member Jo Ann Hardesty, who oversees the Fire Bureau, had sought Perkins firing. The fire chief suspended Perkins for six months after interviewing Perkins but also placed him under a last-chance agreement, meaning he could lose his job for any bureau policy violation during a five-year period from the date the agreement was signed. The chief signed the last-chance agreement on May 26. Hardesty signed off on the discipline. Perkins signed the discipline letter on June 12, records show. Perkins, in his meeting with the chief, said he wanted to apologize to the front desk clerk the next morning, but was asked to write a letter instead, which he did. He told the chief he recognized that his actions showed significant and shameful issues with anger, alcohol, and race, though he said he never thought he had issues with race, according to the disciplinary letter. He expressed deep personal pain by his actions and said he was sick to his stomach when he read transcripts of the hotel clerks statement, the letter said. Boone found Perkins violated the citys workplace rules against harassment and discrimination and represented discourteous treatment of people and offensive conduct. The violations were of such an egregious level as to cause severe distress, emotional trauma, and fear from the complainant, which is the antithesis of who we are as public servants and the oath we have sworn to uphold, Boone wrote to Perkins. Again, while I appreciate the steps and ownership you have taken regarding these events, I must consider the harm to the standards we hold as a Bureau and as a City. Your use of targeted racial slurs against a resident of Nashville, Tennessee, and while representing PF&R on official City business is simply unacceptable and violates the core values of the City and the Bureau. But the chief said she decided not to fire Perkins after he expressed deep contrition and a true commitment to explore the racism he had never known to be a part of himself. Under a separate last-chance agreement, Perkins acknowledged the city had just cause to fire him. He agreed to complete an Equity 101 online course offered by the city, engage in a discussion guided by an equity mentor, complete one-one-one implicit bias training delivered by the city, donate $5,000 to one of a selected group of nonprofits that focus on racial equity and refrain from drinking alcohol. The chief also obtained an agreement with the firefighters union to require diversity and equity training of its leadership. Under a memorandum of understanding signed June 10, the firefighters union leadership along with the Fire Bureau command staff will receive equity and diversity training over the next year, provided by Markisha Smith and the firm Diamond Law Training. It will include implicit bias training, microaggression theory and other trainings, according to the memorandum. The city will provide for Smiths services, and the union must cover services offered by Diamond Law Training. Training will start when its safe for firefighters to meet in person. Alan Ferschweiler, president of the Portland Fire Fighters Association, said the union supports the suspension. It is our moral and ethical duty to conduct ourselves in a professional, respectful manner at all times. We apologize for failing to meet those expectations and we must learn from our mistakes, he said in a statement. The union hired an independent investigator to travel to Nashville to do a separate inquiry into the allegations because the citys investigations are not as thorough as the union would like at times, Ferschweiler said. The union sought independent verification of the account of Perkins statements to the hotel clerk as Perkins memory was very spotty, the union president said. Theres a lot he did not remember, Ferschweiler said. There also was no video footage with audio found of the encounter, Ferschweiler noted. On July 25, the Multnomah County District Attorneys Office, in response to an appeal from Willamette Week, ordered the release of Perkins discipline letter, last-chance agreement and a memorandum of understanding between the Portland Fire Fighters Association and the Fire Bureau. Then-District Attorney Rod Underhill found the documents in this case do shed light on the issues of structural reform, race, and public employee union involvement in the disciplinary process.' -- Maxine Bernstein Email at mbernstein@oregonian.com; 503-221-8212 Follow on Twitter @maxoregonian Subscribe to Facebook page Subscribe to Oregonian/OregonLive newsletters and podcasts for the latest news and top stories. Japanese Government to Review New Missile Defence Proposal After Scrapping US Aegis Ashore Sputnik News 04:26 GMT 04.08.2020(updated 05:08 GMT 04.08.2020) TOKYO (Sputnik) - An expert council of Japan's governing Liberal Democratic Party will submit a proposal to the government on Tuesday to consider the possibilities of how to halt ballistic missile attacks within enemy territory, Japan's NHK reports. The proposal comes in the wake of Japan scrapping the deployment of the US Aegis Ashore Ballistic Missile Defence systems on its territory. The expert council is expected to ask the Japanese government to search for alternative ways to ensure security. The recommendations are expected to be discussed by Japan's National Security Council. In June, Japan abandoned plans to deploy American Aegis Ashore land-based missile defence systems, which were expected to counter the "threat" from North Korea. Defence Minister Taro Kono said that the decision was made in part because of the risk of rocket boosters falling on residential areas. A Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Sen. Mitt Romney (R-Utah) speaks to reporters near the Senate Subway on Capitol Hill on Jan. 24, 2019. (Zach Gibson/Getty Images) Romney Introduces Plan to Extend Extra Unemployment Insurance Benefits Several Republican senators introduced a plan to extend the expired federal unemployment insurance benefits of $600 per week while negotiations between Democrats and Republicans continue. Unemployed workers should not be left in limbo while Congress continues to negotiate the next relief package, Sen. Mitt Romney (R-Utah) said in a statement. Our solution extends the supplemental benefits for three months and incentivizes states to update their UI processing systems. We should act with urgency to help the millions of Americans who are on the verge of losing these additional benefits. The proposal would allow states to choose whether to reduce unemployment benefits to 80 percent of wage replacement or gradually reduce benefits to $500 per week in August, $400 per week in September, and $300 per week in October. The expired benefits were authorized in the CARES Act, paying out $600 per week. The three senators said the benefits should use a phased approach. As Congress continues to debate additional federal relief, we must avoid a sharp drop in benefits that would cause further harm to families that have been hit hard by the pandemic, co-sponsor Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) said in a statement. The phased approach our bill creates would help individuals who have been laid off by compensating them for their lost wages in a way that does not create a disincentive to return to work if they are able to do so. At the same time, it would support states efforts to upgrade their unemployment systems. The bill was also co-sponsored by Sen. Martha McSally (R-Ariz.). It would additionally provide $2 billion to states to update to their unemployment insurance systems to handle targeted wage replacement. In the HEALS Act proposed by Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), the federal benefits would amount to $200 per week and later implement a program of paying 70 percent of wage reduction. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), who opposes the $200-per-week provision in the HEALS Act, said she doesnt believe Romneys proposal will pass. I dont think he can pass that in the Senate either, she told reporters. All of it is predicated on a lower benefit for Americas working families at a time where the virus is accelerating. Pelosi later said that she will support a $600-per-week unemployment program until the jobless rate declines. If the unemployment goes down, then that number can go down, Pelosi said Monday. I think that the number, the $600, is related more to the unemployment rate, she told CNN. Those benefits were passed in the CARES Act to deal with potential economic losses incurred during the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus pandemic. RNC Chairman Ronna McDaniel Democrats changed the rules of the game at the last minute to try and rig this election. They overturned a bipartisan ballot harvesting ban to allow strangers to pick up a ballot for anyone, including the most vulnerable to COVID-19, and have thrown out many important safeguards. Nevadans saw the dangers of automatically mailing ballots during their June primary. The integrity of the election was at risk then, and it is even more so now. AB4 will destroy the confidence every voter deserves to have in our elections. Nevada Democratic Party Chair William McCurdy II This lawsuit is a sham meant to intimidate the states from pursuing voting access expansions. AB4 expands mail-in and in-person voting options, granting Nevadans greater choice this November. As states fill the void of Trumps leadership and begin to step up to the challenge of protecting both voters health and their constitutional right to vote, Trump and Republicans are throwing a fit. That is because Trump does not want to hear from the people, he knows what they will say. Rather than listen to Donald Trumps lies about mail-in voting, Nevada Democrats did their job and listened to the people. Nevadans overwhelmingly support expanded vote-by-mail options; so does the rest of the country. The people are with us, and this November the people will be heard as they reject Trumps lies and misplaced priorities. I am proud of my colleagues courage and hard work in moving Nevada towards a safe and secure election this November. Nevada GOP Chairman Michael J. McDonald The Nevada Republican Party is proud to stand with the hundreds of thousands of Nevadans that will vote in November. They deserve to have faith in the results. We are honored to join the other interested parties in this lawsuit and are committed to protecting Nevada from the threat of voter fraud. Annette Magnus, Executive Director Battle Born Progress We thank Governor Steve Sisolak for signing AB 4 today and recognizing the priority of ensuring that every eligible voter can safely vote in the November general election. AB 4 is a fantastic bill that will allow each registered voter to receive a mail ballot which they can return either by mail, drop off at designated drop-off locations, or return at an in-person vote center if they wish to vote in-person. This bill also ensures there will not be a repeat of the extremely long wait times that plagued vote centers during the primary election by mandating a far higher number of vote centers to be established in large counties. AB 4 also helps tribes request vote centers, and end ballot collection restrictions that prevented many voters from participating due to the pandemic lockdown. We are also proud of the leadership of Assembly Speaker Jason Frierson and Senate Majority Leader Nicole Cannizzaro for moving this bill through their respective chambers. Thanks to this bill, we are looking forward to a general election where all eligible voters can participate without being forced to choose between putting their health at risk and exercising their right to vote. Jenna Ellis, Trump 2020 Senior Legal Adviser Democrats know President Trump is gaining ground in Nevada, so they fully and fundamentally overhauled Nevadas election laws in a rushed 72-hour attempt to rig the election. This unconstitutional legislation implements the exact universal vote-by-mail system President Trump has been warning against for months, making it nearly impossible for every Nevada voters ballot to count. Nevada Democrats are allowing ballots cast after Election Day to count, practically inviting Nevadas elected liberal leaders to hold the election open until their political operatives harvest enough ballots to swing the election in their favorultimately delaying the election. President Trump will not stand for this attack on election integrity, and he is fighting to protect Nevadas right to vote. Briana Escamilla, Nevada Director of Human Rights Campaign HRC thanks Governor Sisolak for signing AB4 today and for being committed to ensuring Nevadans can safely cast their ballot during these unprecedented times. AB4 ensures that voters do not have to wait in lines for an excessive period of time and provide voters with many choices to safely cast their ballot in November. Thanks to AB4, all Nevadans will have the opportunity to let their voice be heard whether they decide to vote in-person or by mail. All active registered voters will be automatically sent a mail ballot with pre-paid postage, extend the deadline for tribes to request a vote center on their land, and removes the restrictions on ballot collection and signature assistance. We are confident that, in November, all voters will be able to safely cast their ballot without facing any significant burdens thanks to this legislation. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 KALAMAZOO, MI -- In this years race for Congress in Southwest Michigan, Tuesdays Democratic primary was decided by less than 3,000 votes. It was a close race between three-term state Rep. Jon Hoadley and a first-time candidate Jen Richardson, a local science teacher. Kalamazoo County carried Hoadley to victory. In fact, Democrat Jen Richardson beat Hoadley in every other county in the district, leading unofficial vote totals in Allegan, Berrien, Cass, St. Joseph and Van Buren counties. Hoadleys home base secured him 61.27% of the vote a key factor in his victory as it is also the largest of the six counties. I was really humbled that they would be willing to continue to support me on this next step that we could serve in Congress, Hoadley said. I think that as we look at the results all across the district it is clear people are ready for change. In the end, Hoadley pulled ahead, claiming 52.29% of the overall vote by the time final unofficial results were reported. In November, the Democratic state lawmaker will go on to challenge U.S. Rep. Fred Upton, who is campaigning for his 18th consecutive term in Congress. Upton also won his primary Tuesday, defeating Republican challenger Elena Oelke. Upton brought in 53,054 votes to Oelkes 31,795 votes, according to unofficial results. Yesterdays primary victory demonstrated southwest Michigan voters value results, thats for certain. And we have a long track record of solving problems and getting stuff done, Upton said in a statement released after the election. Despite Uptons history of holding the seat, Hoadley remains a strong contender for three reasons, said Peter Wielhouwer, associate professor of political science and director of the Institute for Government and Politics at Western Michigan University. First, Hoadleys base is in the districts most populated county. Second, he has a winning track record. Third, he has the money and manpower to campaign against a longstanding incumbent like Upton. As of the July 15 filing deadline, Hoadleys campaign had raised $1.3 million. Uptons campaign fund balance sat at $2.1 million as of the most recent campaign finance reports. Those same three factors will be key in mobilizing voters if Democrats hope to flip the district long held by a Republican, Wielhouwer said, similar to what is seen in other hotly contested political battlegrounds. Its a two-prong approach in terms of all these campaigns, he said. Its focusing on persuading people that can be persuaded, activating people who are on your side already and then mobilizing people to actually show up to vote. District 6s demographics lean Republican, Wielhouwer said, which has likely contributed to Uptons 34 consecutive years in office. Wielhouwer noted that, politically, Upton is a skilled moderate, though the region is growing increasingly conservative. Although playing both sides can be an advantage as well as a disadvantage, he said. As Southwest Michigan Republicans become more Trumpy', then that is not good for candidates like Upton, Wielhouwer said. But hes got his own independent base, and he was here before Trump and all things being equal hell probably be here after Trump unless he chooses to retire. If Democrats remain engaged and produce a higher voter turnout than Republicans in November, then Hoadleys odds of beating Upton improve, Wielhouwer said. I think if Upton is going to be defeated its going to be part of a wave election, he said. Kalamazoo County Democrats are looking at Hoadley to be the leader of that blue wave, party chairperson Margy Belchak said. Well if there was a candidate that everyone could fall in love with, it would be Jon Hoadley, she said. Democratic turnout, at least in Kalamazoo County, exceeded GOP voter turnout in both the 2016 and 2018 primary elections. In the 2016 primary, 11,766 Democrats voted in Kalamazoo County compared to 10,766 Republicans. During the 2018 primary, 30,575 Democrats voted in Kalamazoo County compared to 19,674 Republicans. In Tuesdays 2020 primary, 34,095 Democrats voted in Kalamazoo County compared to 22,171 Republicans, according to unofficial results. Though candidates before him have come close in votes and the campaign finances needed, and still failed to unseat the veteran congressman, Belchak has confidence that Hoadley is the David to Uptons Goliath. His charisma, his fundraising, his platform and his experience set him apart from previous Democrats, she said. If anyone can be Fred Upton, its going to be Jon Hoadley, she said. Mobilizing Democrats will be key, but Hoadley does not plan to turn away from Republican voters who may be tired of the incumbent, he said. Hoadley is running on a platform of change compared to Uptons platform of consistency. I hope you [voters] take a look at the issues that are most important to you and your family and then compare our records, Hoadley said. If we have a clean campaign, thats about issues, and about the direction that we want to move our district, I think then the choice becomes very clear. Despite the hope for a clean campaign, some mud has already been slung. On Election Day, the New York Post published a story unearthing Hoadleys deleted college blog, in which allegedly wrote about sex and drugs. The National Republican Congressional Committee Spokesman Michael McAdams said the Democratic Congressional Committee needs to disavow its recent endorsement of Hoadley. Days before the primary, DCC tapped Hoadley for the Red to Blue program, providing him with organizational and fundraising support. In response to the criticism from the right, Hoadleys campaign communication director Brittany Bodenheimer issued the following statement: Amid more than 150,000 deaths from COVID-19 and a collapsing economy, this type of false attack is whats wrong with Washington politics and its exactly the type of thing Jon is running to change. While Uptons Republican allies are slinging mud to distract from Uptons record, Jon is focused on protecting affordable health care and lowering the cost of prescription drugs issues that he hears about every day from voters in Southwest Michigan. Uptons statement issued after Tuesdays primary also addressed the ongoing pandemic and the congressmans role in addressing the issues that have resulted. The COVID-19 crisis is unlike anything we have ever faced, and we have been working 24/7 to help folks across the region, he said in the statement. Those efforts will continue. My team and I are fully committed to working with anyone anywhere at any time to support workers and their families, small businesses, schools and teachers, front line workers, local leaders, and public health officials. Read more: Election results for Kalamazoo-area races Aug. 4, 2020 Kalamazoo County Commissioner Julie Rogers declared winner of 60th District primary 6 candidates win contested primaries in Kalamazoo County board races County commissioner wins primary in race to replace retiring Kalamazoo County clerk A project to help church communities become more 'dementia friendly' has had a significant impact across the country. The Dementia Friendly Church programme began as a collaboration between Peter Kevern, Professor of Values in Health and Social Care at Staffordshire University, and the Anglican Diocese of Lichfield in 2012. It was developed to inform, inspire and embed change in church communities so that their resources can contribute to the wellbeing of people with dementia. This includes making small practical changes to the layout, worship and hospitality available in church buildings. The project is directed primarily at church attendees via volunteer 'champions' in each church, with the intention of making churches both 'friendly spaces' for people living with dementia and their carers, and providing them with the tools and encouragement to lead beneficial change in their local communities. Professor Kevern commented: "Faith-based organisations represent a fantastic resource for helping to care for people in their local communities, one which is usually overlooked and underused by policymakers and statutory providers of social care. The Church of England, for example, covers every square metre of England and reckons to be available to everybody. "The Diocese of Lichfield alone covers an area serving 2 million people, from isolated rural villages to industrial conurbations. In each of those communities, it can potentially make a difference to the experience of people with dementia." The Dementia Friendly Church programme has involved partners from local authorities, the health community and the volunteer sector and a total of 3,900 'Dementia Friends' have been trained across the 94 churches in the Anglican Diocese of Lichfield. Research by Professor Kevern and Revd Dr. David Primrose of the Diocese of Lichfield has shown a significant improvement in the ease with which church attendees interact with people with dementia, which translates into making churches more welcoming and responsive places. Revd Dr. David Primrose said: "One of the big barriers around dementia has been an underlying fearpeople don't know how to respond, people are anxious. The fact that this programme has enabled people to talk about dementia in church and in the community is itself liberating." The model has since been adopted and adapted by a number of dioceses across England and Wales, as well as attracting attention from the USA and Canada. The experiences of some of these dioceses are the subject of a recent film, which can be viewed here. More information: Peter Kevern et al, Changes in Measures of Dementia Awareness in UK Church Congregations Following a 'Dementia-Friendly' Intervention: A PrePost Cohort Study, Religions (2020). Peter Kevern et al, Changes in Measures of Dementia Awareness in UK Church Congregations Following a 'Dementia-Friendly' Intervention: A PrePost Cohort Study,(2020). DOI: 10.3390/rel11070337 Provided by Staffordshire University Welcome to the News Release Wire Selection Control Panel. Instant News Wire Liqour companies are struggling to stay afloat amid the economic crisis caused by the ripple effect of the coronavirus pandemic. Keroche Breweries chief executive officer Tabitha Karanja said her company has been forced to consider cost cutting measures to survive the harsh economic times. Speaking to the Nation via telephone, she said the firm had scaled down on major operations, only retaining staff offering critical services like maintenance. "It is a global phenomenon and just like many companies around the world, we have to adapt to measures that will enable us survive this critical period," said Mrs Karanja. Prior to the halting of beer selling in bars, the company had increased its online presence and embraced home deliveries, aimed at retaining its customer base. "Beer taking in African setup is a social event and drinking from home is not as popular," said Mrs Karanja. She also said that some employees are on unpaid leave while others had their stay home period extended. The CEO said she was in support of the President's order to halt the selling of liqour in bars and other social places. "The move is aimed at helping to curb the spread of the virus and I totally support it," added Mrs Karanja. She said her company is closely monitoring the situation and adjusting accordingly. "It is apparent we will be forced to change our business model to cope with the evolving business situation in order to stay afloat," revealed Mrs Karanja. She said the company was optimistic of bouncing back after the current period of uncertainties. Keroche Breweries has been eyeing more than 20 per cent of the market share with a production plant that has a capacity of producing 30 different brands. The company has enjoyed steady growth since its inception 18-years ago, being a paltry 100,000 hectolitre brew house. by Biju Veticad Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Sunni representative Iqbal Ansari were present at the laying of the first stone of the new temple dedicated to the god Rama (where the old Babri mosque stood). In 1992 the conflict over the site led to the death of over 2,000 people, mostly Muslims. Aid for the development of the poor is as important as building temples and cleaning the Ganges River. Ayodhya (AsiaNews) I hope for all Indians that the construction of the Hindu temple and a mosque in Ayodhya will end the historical hatred between Hindus and Muslims, and will give harmony and hope to the new generations, said Fr Anand Matthew of the Indian Missionary Society (IMS). The clergyman spoke to AsiaNews a few hours after the ceremony that saw Prime Minister Narendra Modi laying the first stone (a 40 kg brick of silver) in what will be the Sacta sanctorum of the temple dedicated to Rama in Ayodhya (Uttar Pradesh). The temple is going to be built on the site of the Babri Masjid (mosque) that was destroyed in 1992 by members of Sangh Parivar groups (Hindu nationalists linked to Modi's party, the Bharatiya Janata Party). The new temple is set for construction after the Supreme Court ruled in 2019 that the land where the mosque stood had to be ceded to Hindus, but five acres of land had to be offered to the Muslim community in the village of Dhannipur to build a new mosque. As an initial token of reconciliation, Iqbal Ansari, representative of the Sunni Waqf Board, took part in the laying of the foundation stone. In the past few years, he defended the rights of Muslims against the destruction of Babri Masjid and the seizure of the land. For centuries, the sacred place of Ayodhya has been a source of clashes and violence. According to a story found in the Ramayana, a major Sanskrit epic, the Hindu god Rama, incarnation of Vishnu, was born in Ayodhya. In the 16th century, the Mughal dynasty built a mosque (Babri Masjid) on the site where god Rama was born. In the mid-1800s there were disputes and unrest between Hindus and Muslims over possession of the place. In 1992, some 150,000 militants from Hindu Sangh Parivar groups razed the mosque to the ground; riots ensued across the country, which resulted in the death of over 2,000 people, mostly Muslims. The complaint filed before the Supreme Court led to a ruling on 9 November 2019. The Court recognised that the place belonged to Hindus. At the same time, it condemned the destruction of the mosque as an illegal act and gave Muslims the right to build another place of worship. Only a hundred guests took part in the first stone laying ceremony and the offering of fire to the deity (Bhumi Pooja) given pandemic restrictions on gatherings. However, many Hindus crowded the roads leading to site regardless of the restrictions. The ceremony was broadcast on national television. According to Fr Anand, "the basic principle of leading the nation should be to support the development of the poor, not just the construction of temples or the cleansing of the sacred Ganges." The priest noted that millions of migrant workers lost their jobs and are struggling to survive due to the lockdown. Thousands of them, to escape hunger, have tried to go back to their villages on foot, marching for hundreds of kilometres. Several of them died along the road. Niagara wineries hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic are hoping a new petition will lead to a change in the way wines in the province are taxed, and bring some relief to growers. The petition on change.org, started by Ontario Craft Wineries, is calling for an end to a 6.1 per cent tax wineries pay to the province on bottles sold at their on-site retail stores. Allan Schmidt, president of Vineland Estates Winery, said wine sold at vineyards through either a retail store or online should not be treated the same as wine sold at the LCBO. It is like an additional tax on our tourism outlet. The government and the LCBO does nothing for that; it is just a pure sin tax. It is not like we are selling imported product. These are grapes that are grown right on our estate, and sold off that same property. Ontario is the only province that charges winemakers a tax on products sold at wineries. Schmidt said that 6.1 per cent is a significant amount of money when wine sales are down 60 to 70 per cent. It is tens of thousands of dollars for some wineries. We have said we dont want anymore handouts or grants, we just want a fair taxation like the rest of the world does. At Vineland Estates, Schmidt said saving the 6.1 per cent tax would allow him to hire three or four additional staff. For many craft wineries across the region, on-site sales make up the majority of their revenue. One of those wineries is Westcott Vineyards in Lincoln run by Carolyn Hurst. Hurst said the tax system hurts small winemakers disproportionally more than the larger suppliers given from where their sales come. For small wineries, we dont sell much of our wine through the LCBO because we are too small. We dont have the quantities that are necessary to compete in that market. So we are highly dependant on our local sales. The customers that buy the wine from our local store, that buy online. Our LCBO sales represent less than 10 per cent of our sales. So we are so dependent on the direct sale from our cellar door at the winery location. According to Hurst, even the smaller craft wineries like Westcott see the financial impact of the on-site tax, and that changes to the provinces tax system would create more jobs locally. You can do that math: $1 million in sales at 6.1 per cent, that is $60,000 that is another persons job basically. You can hire a $60,000-a-year employee, or you can write a cheque to the government. With so many wine growers struggling, and the government looking at ways to offer support and compensation to keep businesses running, Schmidt said he believes the best way the province can lend a hand during tough economic times is by looking at long-term solutions, rather than a short-term fix. Instead of giving us COVID relief, or continuing government grants, and then maybe not renewing them, we are saying once and for all change the tax regime so we are treated like all the other wineries in the rest of the world. Hurst and Schmidt both sit on the Ontario Craft Wineries board. Hurst said she has been in talks with the government the past two to three years as a part of her work with the association, lobbying for tax policy reform. She said voices of local wine growers havent been heard, and she hopes the new petition will help. I have been going into Queens Park for the past two and half to three years ... We have been explaining to them over and over again that this tax is killing our businesses, and we get absolutely nothing back. Is Ontario open for business? I dont see that slogan anymore. The secretary general of the artisan federation (la Federation des Artisans) sat down with RTL for an interview on Wednesday morning. No consensus could be achieved with unions on the postponement of the collective leave period, Schmit regrets. Many businesses are now forced to close shop again for a few weeks, which robs them of an opportunity to make up for losses made during the general confinement. A significant amount of artisanal businesses are suffering under the crisis and might not make it through in the end. A first wave of bankruptcies is expected to hit the country in Autumn, since many planned investments had to be called off. Moreover, the increased tendency of remote work has made it more difficult for businesses to attract regular customers. Schmit also argued that the government's financial support would be too restricted and bound to unreasonable conditions. He did, however, offer praise to the initiative of partial unemployment as a supportive measure. Video report in Luxembourgish: Dirty water issues have been made more dangerous during the pandemic, according to a group working to solve Texas pressing environmental issues. More people are crowding the beaches in efforts to socially distance while retaining some sense of a normal summer, said Anna Farrell-Sherman with the Environment Texas Research Policy Center, a nonpartisan group. The group released its annual Safe for Swimming?: Pollution at our Beaches and How to Prevent It report in July. At any given moment, there is traceable and harmful amounts of fecal bacteria in Texas Gulf Coast waters from Sea Rim State Park in Southeast Texas to Boca Chica State Park in the Lower Grande Valley. The Texas General Land Office works with local health department officials along the states shoreline to monitor the waters bacteria levels for Enterococcus, a bacteria commonly found in fecal matter. Testing is typically conducted every three days to a week. Renew Houston: Get the latest wellness news delivered to your inbox After large rain events, bacteria swarm the beaches, Farrell-Sherman said. I think the fact that 90 percent of our beaches in Texas are unsafe to swim in at least once a year that speaks to a really big problem with runoff pollution, she said. Its something thats not only gross, but it can make us sick. The Texas GLOs Texas Beach Watch program is partially funded by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The goal is to provide information about water quality at selected recreational beaches in Aransas, Brazoria, Cameron, Galveston, Harris, Jefferson, Matagorda, Nueces and San Patricio counties. Each beachs measured bacteria level is recorded as green, yellow or red, with green being the safest and red being the most dangerous. The EPA-recommended maximum amount allowed for Enterococcus bacteria is 104 colony forming units (CFU) per 100 milliliters of water. When it reaches this red level, swimming and fishing while standing in the water is not recommended. The low green level is bacteria counts less than 35 CFU per 100 milliliters, and the medium yellow level is between 35 and 104 CFU per 100 milliliters. Its a variety of causes, but most of it comes from our agriculture and industrial-sized farms. Manure is used as fertilizer and if its not carefully stored, it can wash into the water, streams and eventually the oceans, Farrell-Sherman said. It can also come from the municipal system and sewage spills. We dont have the infrastructure to slow down the water, so it rushes directly into our waterways. On HoustonChronicle.com: Is it safe to hang out at the pool during the COVID-19 pandemic? In 2019, nearly one of every eight surveyed beaches in 29 coastal and Great Lakes states and Puerto Rico showed potentially unsafe levels of pollution on at least 25 percent of the days that sampling took place, according to the reports fact sheet. More than half of the 3,172 beaches reviewed were potentially unsafe for swimming on at least one day, the report stated. Human contact with contaminated water can result in gastrointestinal illness, respiratory disease, ear and eye infection and a skin rash. At least three of these symptoms mirror COVID-19 symptoms. There are an estimated 57 million cases of recreational waterborne illness in the U.S. every year, according to the group. While Texas Beach Watch monitors harmful bacteria year round, its impossible to know if a person will get sick when they enter the water. Unfortunately, theres no way to see the pollution when you go to the beach. Thats why we think the most important solution is to actually keep the pollution from getting there in the first place, Farrell-Sherman said. The thing people ask me the most is if they are going to get sick if they go in the water. Theres no way to tell. On HoustonChronicle.com: Your Sunscreen Guide for 2020 Possible solutions to contaminated water runoff include the development of nature-based infrastructure systems that will slow the water and soak it into the ground, she said. Most streets and highways were not built with this in mind. Once those slow-down mechanisms are put in place, Farrell-Sherman said a number of issues will be addressed from flooding, drought and urban heat. The group has proposed policies to protect Texas beaches from unsafe pollution including increasing state funding to fix sewage systems and install natural infrastructure; protecting wetlands, which will filter out bacteria and other pollutants; and enacting moratoriums on new or expanded industrial livestock operations. We shouldnt be worried that the water will make us sick, she said. Here in Texas, this is something we need to pay attention to fix its not that hard to fix. julie.garcia@chron.com Twitter.com/reporterjulie Conte echoes call from Italian president to respect the rules in place to contain the spread of covid-19. Italy's prime minister Giuseppe Conte has again stressed that respecting the "minimal but necessary" covid-19 precautions is "fundamental" for the country to return to normality. Conte said that since the beginning of the coronavirus emergency he has followed a "path marked by caution, but also by measures proportionate to what was happening." "I am convinced that this government has acted well and I do not change my mind," the premier said in an interview with Italian newspaper of record, Corriere della Sera. Conte said he believes that "now the time has come not to think about new restrictions, but to support an effective restart." The premier said the cruise ship industry "must start travelling again, because tourism is fundamental to our economy," however he believes that reopening discos is "too dangerous." I've always been strict but I don't regret anything," - Conte told Corriere della Sera - "If foreign governments are all praising us, it means that we have done something good. I don't want to waste all of this." Photo credit: Alessia Pierdomenico / Shutterstock.com. The two rockets that hit Baghdad airport July 30 were one of several attacks in Iraq last month presumed to be or declared by Shiite armed groups against any Western military presence in the country. The airport, which had reopened July 23 for commercial flights after it was closed in March in an attempt to stem the coronavirus pandemic, lies just west of the capital. No significant damage resulted; the rockets had reportedly been shot from two different areas along an international highway in al-Radwaniyah, southwest of the capital. On July 28, some media sources had been told by unnamed Iraqi security that two rockets had landed inside the airport but had not resulted in any damage. The claim was shortly thereafter denied by the Iraqi Security Media Cell, which instead confirmed exactly such an attack two days later. The latest of many attacks on Camp Taji, on July 27, less than 30 kilometers (19 miles) north of Baghdad, meanwhile damaged an Iraqi helicopter but did not affect coalition troops or facilities. Several attacks in recent months have been claimed by new pro-Iran groups that some say may instead be unofficial branches of Kataib Hezbollah, which has brigades within Iraqs official government Popular Mobilization Units (PMU), but which was declared a terrorist organization by the United States in 2009 and has long received support from Iran. Al-Monitor tried to get in touch with a number of PMU commanders and a PMU spokesman, and even though in the past they had commented, they said they could not respond to questions relating to recent attacks and prominent Shiite armed groups call for "revenge" for the deaths of Iranian Gen. Qasem Soleimani and Kataib Hezbollah leader Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, who were killed by a US drone strike next to the Baghdad airport Jan. 3. Many factions within the PMU are linked to parties in the parliament and political jockeying is expected the coming months ahead of early elections scheduled for June 2021. A message requesting comments from Kataib Hezbollah spokesman Jaafar al-Husseini was left unanswered. However, Husseini had told Al-Monitor via WhatsApp June 29 that there would be severe consequences for the raid of Kataib Hezbollah headquarters by the Iraqi Counter-Terrorism Services, which have received training and extensive support from the US-led international coalition. Husseini noted that the various factions close to Iran as part of "the axis of resistance" would continue to put pressure on the Americans to leave after the decision from the parliament, and after millions took to the streets to say they want the Americans out [after] the crimes they committed like the airport crime and the attacks on the PMU. He claimed that this will lead us to take action in order to stop the governments unlawful measures," vowing that the Americans and [Prime Minister] Mustafa al-Kadhimi should know that Iraq will not be for the Americans or the Israelis or the oil countries, in reference to Gulf nations. A June 29 tweet by the Iraqi security and counterterrorism expert Hisham al-Hashimi, about a week before his assassination, had asked the question of what the factions of "the axis of resistance" meant when they said that they are under the command of the commander-in-chief of the armed forces and his security and military vision, when they circulated photos of Kataib Hezbollah fighters who had been arrested stomping on the face of the commander-in-chief, the prime minister, as soon as they were released after their arrest. Hashimi, whose killers have not yet been found but who had received threats from Kataib Hezbollah prior to his death, said that these factions were thus deceiving themselves and their audiences. PMU officially created in 2014 when Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani issued a fatwa calling on Iraqis to fight in unison against the Islamic State (IS) after they took control of Mosul not close to Iran will comment much on the killing of Soleimani other than that any assassination by a foreign country on Iraqi soil should be answered for. The death of PMU leader Muhandis was seen by some as a major loss, in part due to his ability to exercise control over a wide variety of disparate armed groups. The commander of one Sunni PMU faction, which had received support from Iran via Muhandis to fight against IS post-2014, told Al-Monitor earlier this year that Muhandis was "the soul of the PMU. The commander, Sheikh Wennas al-Jbara from Salahhuddin province, widely praised Muhandis in an interview at one of his outposts near the Hamreen Mountains in March. However, he carefully sidestepped questions specifically about Iran and the United States, simply saying he was against any foreign interference on Iraqi soil. The situation seems extremely dangerous for anyone who might voice a different opinion, as Hashimis assassination shows. One concern is that these attacks by Shiite militias on Iraqi government facilities seen as close to the international coalition will negatively impact the fight against IS sleeper cells, including near the capital. On the damage to Iraqi bases hosting or previously hosting international coalition troops, international coalition spokesman Col. Myles B. Caggins III told Al-Monitor in a WhatsApp voice message July 29 that "their effect on the fight against IS is somewhat limited. What is more important, more egregious and more dastardly about these attacks is that the groups who are doing these attacks [and] are under different names are once again harming Iraqi people. This is Iraqi equipment flown by Iraqi pilots for the fight to ensure that ISIS does not harm Iraqi people. So the question is why are these attacks happening on Iraqi security force bases. And it is clear that the government of Iraq is making strong statements about these outlawed groups and working quite intensely to find the groups and bring people to justice. He stressed that "the relationship between the government of Iraq and the coalition is strong and any groups that are envious of that relationship perhaps their motivation is not fully aligned with defeating ISIS. I dont know, I cant speak for those groups. The continuing attacks may force the coalition troops to shift more to defending themselves and to supporting areas where they feel more welcome as they continue their drawdown. Whether this will result in greater independence for Iraq, as Kataib Hezbollah claims, or the opposite along with more IS activity and less potential investment and aid in a country desperate for both will become clear in the coming months. For more coverage, visit our complete coronavirus section here. Alaska Airlines has intensified their mask-wearing policy for guests flying during the pandemic. Effective August 7, all guests age 2 and older are required to wear a cloth mask or face covering over their nose and mouth, without exception. Passengers who will not or cannot comply with this requirement will not be permitted to travel. Masks must be worn at all times when at the airport and onboard Alaska Airlines aircraft. This enhanced policy is part of the airlines Next-Level Care and ongoing efforts to keep guests and employees safe. Guests who are unwilling or unable to wear a mask for any reason at the airport or onboard the aircraft will not be permitted to travel. Should a guest remove or refuse to wear a mask once in the air, that guest will be suspended from future travel. We all need to look out for each other during this health emergency, and the best way we can do that and prevent the spread of the virus is to simply wear a mask or face covering when we're around each other, said Max Tidwell, Alaska Airlines vice president of safety and security. Safety remains priority number one for Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air. Our tougher policy shows how important this issue is to us and our guests. If you dont wear a mask, you won't be flying with us. This strict policy urges flyers to take flight health and safety seriously, with severe ramifications for those who break the mask policy. Alaska Airlines flight attendants are empowered to issue a final notice to any guest not in compliance. Guests who disregard the mask requirement policy will be handed a yellow card to signal the final warning along with consequences: suspended travel with the airline. A noncompliant guest will have any remaining itinerary canceled, including connecting and returning flights, along with cancelled future bookings as well. Noncompliant guests will be provided with a refund for any unused travel, and the guest must make their own alternative travel arrangements from that point onward. Its easy enough for guests to comply with these heightened policies. Acceptable face coverings must be made from cloth or other barrier material preventing discharge and release of respiratory droplets from a persons nose or mouth. Unacceptable face coverings include those with direct exhaust valves, coverings that do not fully cover both the nose and mouth or face shields worn without masks. For guests who forget an acceptable mask, Alaska Airlines will have masks available upon request, along with individual hand-sanitizer wipes. The airline says the overwhelming majority of guests have followed the requirement since the mask enforcement policy was first enacted this spring. In addition to the strict mask policy, Alaska Airlines continues to block middle seats to aid in physical distancing, while providing options for families to sit near each other if requested. Alaskas Next-Level Care efforts include health agreements acknowledged during guest check-in, enhanced cleaning of planes in between flights, hospital-grade HEPA air filters onboard and hand sanitizing options throughout the travel experience. The airline has also extended their peace of mind travel policy through September 8, allowing guests increased flexibility in adjusting travel plans. Guests will not be subject to change or cancellation fees throughout this period. Alaska Airlines has also added new mileage promotions for loyal guests flying at this time. RELATED: Zhang Suzhen, a senior engineer with Hefei Institute of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, gives a lecture titled From the Future Man-Made Sun to more than 20 children at Hefei 168 Middle School, a temporary settlement for flood-affected residents in Hefei, East Chinas Anhui province, on August 4, 2020. The activity was launched by local authorities including the Hefei Municipal Committee of Communist Youth League of China.(Photo by Xu Mengyu) Wang Hui, an associate researcher with Hefei Institute of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, gives a lecture titled Magical Mind Control to more than 20 children at Hefei 168 Middle School, a temporary settlement for flood-affected residents in Hefei, East Chinas Anhui province, on August 4, 2020. The activity was launched by local authorities including the Hefei Municipal Committee of Communist Youth League of China.(Photo by Xu Mengyu) Guo Mengmeng, a technician with the Geological Exploration Technology Institute of Anhui Province, shows a drone to more than 20 children at Hefei 168 Middle School, a temporary settlement for flood-affected residents in Hefei, East Chinas Anhui province, on August 4, 2020. The activity was launched by local authorities including the Hefei Municipal Committee of Communist Youth League of China.(Photo by Xu Mengyu) Wang Hui, an associate researcher with Hefei Institute of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, gives a lecture titled Magical Mind Control to more than 20 children at Hefei 168 Middle School, a temporary settlement for flood-affected residents in Hefei, East Chinas Anhui province, on August 4, 2020. The activity was launched by local authorities including the Hefei Municipal Committee of Communist Youth League of China.(Photo by Xu Mengyu) Guo Mengmeng, a technician with the Geological Exploration Technology Institute of Anhui Province, shows a drone to more than 20 children at Hefei 168 Middle School, a temporary settlement for flood-affected residents in Hefei, East Chinas Anhui province, on August 4, 2020. The activity was launched by local authorities including the Hefei Municipal Committee of Communist Youth League of China.(Photo by Xu Mengyu) A volunteer teaches a child how to assemble an aircraft model at Hefei 168 Middle School, a temporary settlement for flood-affected residents in Hefei, East Chinas Anhui province, on August 4, 2020. The activity was launched by local authorities including the Hefei Municipal Committee of Communist Youth League of China.(Photo by Xu Mengyu) T his is the moment a tourist snapped the toes off a 200-year-old statue while posing for a photograph in a northern Italian museum. Surveillance footage shows a tourist lay beside an 1804 sculpture by Antonio Canova at the Gypsotheca Museum in Possagno, Italy on July 31. When he "sprawled over the statue" he broke the toes off the art work, police told CNN. The 50-year-old man fled the museum after damaging the statue. Investigators said there could be further damage to the base of the sculpture that the "museum experts still have to ascertain". A picture released by Italian police shows the damage to the sculpture / via REUTERS Luckily, we found the broken parts of the gypsum, Museum Director Moira Mascotto told Der Standard, an Austrian newspaper. That helps us with the restoration. Italian police managed to track down the Austrian tourist responsible for damaging the 19th century statue by contacting the man's wife who made a group booking for eight visitors to the museum. According to a press release from Treviso Carabinieri, the man's wife burst into tears when contacted by the police and confessed that her husband broke the toes. The man also apologised for the "stupid move" and wrote a letter to the President of the Canova Foundation Vittorio Sgarbi in which he acknowledged his "irresponsible behaviour". A court in Treviso is has yet to decide whether the 50-year-old will face charges for damaging the statue. The Neoclassical sculpture 'Pauline Bonaparte as Venus Victrix' is the original plaster cast model from which Canova carved a marble statue that is housed in the Borghese Gallery in Rome. - S. Korea reports 33 more cases of new coronavirus, total now at 14,456 - 1 additional coronavirus deaths, death toll at 302 - 54 more patients released from coronavirus treatment, total now at 13,406 South Korea reported 33 more cases of the new coronavirus Wednesday due to a continued rise in local infections coming in from overseas and locally transmitted cases. The new cases, including 18 imported cases, raised South Korea's total cases of COVID-19 to 14,456, according to the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC). The number of new COVID-19 cases had been in the 30s since Friday, when South Korea reported 36 new virus cases. The number briefly fell to 23 on Monday. Of the local infections, six were reported from central North Chungcheong Province. The virus cases are believed to be tied to a religious gathering in Cheongju, 137 kilometers south of Seoul. Some 340 people, mainly foreign nationals, are believed to have attended an Islamic service on Friday. Six Uzbeks were confirmed to have contracted COVID-19 after attending the gathering. Seoul reported five more cases, followed by Gyeonggi Province surrounding the capital city with two, the KCDC said. As of noon Tuesday, a total of 12 cases have been traced to a coffee shop and a restaurant, both of them located in southern Seoul, up two from a day earlier, the authorities said. Of the imported cases, 11 were South Koreans and seven foreigners. Six of them tested positive for the virus in the screening process at either an airport or a seaport, while 12 others were confirmed to have the virus while under self-quarantine, according to the public health agency. The daily number of imported cases has increased by a double-digit number for 41 consecutive days. The accumulated number of imported cases reached 2,500 in South Korea. The country reported one more additional death, with the death toll standing at 302, according to the KCDC. The KCDC said South Korea's fatality rate of people infected with the virus was 2.09 percent. The number of patients fully cured of the virus reached 13,352, up 72 from the previous day. South Korea has carried out 1,598,187 tests since Jan. 3. (Yonhap) Ryan Reynolds has apologised for holding his wedding with Blake Lively at a former slave plantation (Dennis Van Tine/PA) Ryan Reynolds has apologised for holding his wedding with Blake Lively at a former slave plantation. The Hollywood stars tied the knot in 2012 at Boone Hall, South Carolina. Its something well always be deeply and unreservedly sorry for, Reynolds told Fast Company. Expand Close Ryan Reynolds has apologised for getting married at a former slave plantation (PA) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Ryan Reynolds has apologised for getting married at a former slave plantation (PA) Its impossible to reconcile. What we saw at the time was a wedding venue on Pinterest. What we saw after was a place built upon devastating tragedy. Deadpool star Reynolds, 43, said the couple later held a second wedding ceremony at home and that the shame from the original mistake works in weird ways. He added: A giant f****** mistake like that can either cause you to shut down or it can reframe things and move you into action. It doesnt mean you wont f*** up again. But repatterning and challenging lifelong social conditioning is a job that doesnt end. Reynolds and Gossip Girl star Lively, 33, have three daughters. In June, the couple donated 200,000 dollars (about 152,000) to the NAACP Legal Defence and Educational Fund (LDF). Attorneys in Missoulas state public defenders office issued a letter to the local judiciary on Monday urging judges to cease in-person hearings until Missoula County is no longer designated a hot spot and confirmed COVID-19 cases have made a steady decline. The request is up against months of deliberations and planning to get trials back on the calendar. Missoula judges on Tuesday said the measures in place to help prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus have been tried and tested, and the plan keeps the docket moving in a system where crime and civil disagreements halt for no virus. The Montana Supreme Court and the American Bar Association have directed the courts to be active in developing a route for jury trials to return. The letter, signed by 20 attorneys with the state Office of Public Defender and addressed to Missoulas judges in District Court, Justice Court and Municipal Court, is formal, rather than legal in nature. Myshell Lyday, one of the public defenders behind the letter, contends the novel coronavirus surge locally and statewide is unsafe for attorneys, clients and community members to appear in courtrooms for hearings such as jury trials. In a recent two-day trial, she was concerned with what she saw as a lack of detailing in sanitation efforts. She saw the mic wasn't cleaned before it was handed to another person during jury selection, and the chair wasn't disinfected after a juror was excused. "We're hoping there's some consideration," she said. "I just feel like it's a really dangerous time, and we need to be thinking about what could happen in the community we live in and the impact we have on that community is concerning to me." Jennifer Streano, the state public defenders office regional deputy, was not listed among the public defenders who signed on to the statement. The public defender's union also is not getting involved, and calls for the same messaging from the state public defender's agency were largely dismissed as matters for individuals, Lyday said. In District Court, Judge John Larson has a jury trial scheduled for Monday. He's already held three jury trials, in three different counties, and each were coordinated with local county health officers, he said. Missoula County Public Health Officer Ellen Leahy offered direction in how to conduct trial proceedings, he said. None to his knowledge have spawned outbreaks in those jurisdictions. "We're continuing to refine the process," Larson said in a phone interview Tuesday, noting the jury selection process has been conducted across multiple courtrooms, and jurors are spaced out when the trial proceeds. Witnesses are now behind a Plexiglass shield, and he's got a portable face shield. "I've tried as many (trials) as anybody so far, and we're always open to suggestions, and I've had frequent interactions with Missoula attorneys as to what the protocols are (and) what option's you've got. We're not limiting their ability to bring a portable face shield to their table, either." In the early days of the pandemic, local judiciaries took their cues from the Montana Supreme Court. Chief Justice Mike McGrath's guidance braced the local courts to stay the course when the first wave hit Montana, but soon jurisdictions gave way to phone lines and eventually video conferencing. McGrath issued his last public guidance on May 22, ahead of the Phase Two start date. At the time Montana had seen a cumulative 479 cases, 22 of which were active. McGrath still urged judiciaries to continue using remote conferencing for court hearings when possible, maintain social distancing where hearings are not possible, dispense hand sanitizer everywhere and require face masks. He also set a goal without a hard deadline: local jurisdictions must plan for the return of jury trials. These plans should include input from attorneys, law enforcement and public health officials, and be conducted in a fashion that protects public health, McGrath wrote. Beyond Montana, the American bar Association House of Delegates, the association's policy-making arm, adopted a resolution urging federal, state and local governments to, among other things, "reintroduce in-person court options as soon as safely feasible as determined by public health officials." The public defenders' letter and American Bar Association's resolution "illustrate the tension facing our judicial system the desire to protect the health of all litigants and court staff, and the preservation of fundamental rights to appear in-person and have a jury trial," Missoula District Judge Shane Vannatta said in an email Tuesday. "Where we can avoid in-person proceedings, the courts have been active in doing so," Vannatta wrote. "There is no right or wrong answer. (The public defenders') anxiety is understandable. We all want to avoid infection with COVID-19. We simply need to come to an appropriate balance that reduces exposure but allows our judicial system to proceed with the administration of justice." Today, COVID-19 deaths are steadily festering in Montana, and the state's cumulative confirmed case count is at 4,314 cases compared to 2,231 two weeks ago. Tuesday, Montana had 1,484 active cases, compared to 1,226 in mid-July. Cases have continued climbing in Missoula at the same time county health officials are seeing a delay in test results, which hinders an accurate understanding of current spread, the attorneys wrote in their letter to the Missoula judiciary. All these facts constitute evidence that things will continue getting worse before they get better. Tuesday, Missoula County Justice of the Peace Alex Beal described the current courthouse situation as a balance. "How comfortable am I having hearings in person? Not super comfortable. But all we can do is the best we can," he said. "If you assume the justice system is an essential function and has to remain open, it's not 'Should we do these things,' it is, 'We have to do these things.'" Not every attorney is asking for the same thing, either, Beal said. Defense attorneys are also demanding a jury trial for their client. And in Municipal Court, Judge Kathleen Jenks said a case backlog has been mounting and attorneys have filed motions to dismiss cases against their clients based on the continuances already granted due to COVID-19. "We have an obligation to get the trials done," Jenks said. "We have speedy trial rights and obligations to the victims to get the trials done." Lyday, the public defender who signed onto the letter, noted the attorneys did not bring up the matter of speedy trial rights. "Looking at it, if it's an impossibility for a trial to happen because it's unsafe and people might die, I'm not going to win a speedy trial motion." The letter to local judges, in part, claimed some footing on the clean and healthful environment provision of the Montana Constitution. Attorneys typically wield that provision in environmental and natural resource cases, not workplace matters, said Derf Johnson, a staff attorney for the Montana Environmental Information Center. But Lyday contends that constitutional right outweighs the individuals' right to a speedy trial, and she's the defense attorney. "I understand efficiency and I understand that concern, but do we outweigh our constitutional right to a speedy trial to the right of a clean and healthful environment?" Lyday asked. "That's the rights of 80 people versus one person's right. That's not judicially fair. And as public defenders, we are saying we don't think it's safe to be in this courtroom." You must be logged in to react. Click any reaction to login. Love 1 Funny 0 Wow 1 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. Former State Rep. Movita Johnson-Harrell left the Stout Center for Criminal Justice after pleading guilty to theft charges related to her nonprofit, Motivations Education & Consultation Associates (MECA) in January. Read more Former Pennsylvania Rep. Movita Johnson-Harrell will begin serving the house-arrest portion of her sentence in her nonprofit theft case this month, a Philadelphia judge ordered Wednesday. Common Pleas Court Judge Scott DiClaudio said during a virtual hearing that when Johnson-Harrell was released early from the Riverside Correctional Facility on April 7 because of the coronavirus pandemic, the Philadelphia probation department was not able to set up her house arrest at that time. Johnson-Harrell, 54, appearing via Zoom, told the judge that when she went home she had the coronavirus and recovered from it on April 20. In an interview with KYW Newsradio that month, she said she was infected in jail and self-quarantined at home. In January, Johnson-Harrell, a Democrat who had represented part of West Philadelphia, pleaded guilty to theft and related charges in a case in which the state Attorney Generals Office alleged she stole more than $500,000 from Motivations Education & Consultation Associates (MECA), the nonprofit she had established to help people struggling with mental illness, addiction, and homelessness. State prosecutors said she spent the funds on family vacations, designer clothing, furs, and personal bills. Johnson-Harrell did not admit in court to stealing any specific amount of money, but pleaded guilty to three felony charges of stealing from $2,000 to $75,000 in total. Under a negotiated plea deal, she was sentenced to 11 to 23 months in jail, with the plan that if she had no misconducts behind bars during her first three months, she would serve the remainder of her minimum sentence, or 8 months, under house arrest. She was also sentenced to two years probation. As restitution, she was ordered to surrender a Tioga property she owned to MECA. DiClaudio ordered her to begin her jail sentence Feb. 6. She served two months behind bars before her release. Under house arrest, as DiClaudio had ordered in January, Johnson-Harrell is allowed to leave home for paid employment, Friday religious services, Narcotics Anonymous meetings, and to take her grandchildren to school in the mornings. Her attorney, Jessica Natali, on Wednesday told the judge that Johnson-Harrell was requesting permission to leave her home for other reasons, including to accompany her daughter to kidney dialysis appointments for several hours three days a week and for any additional medical appointments. Johnson-Harrell also requested permission to engage in unpaid volunteer community work, Natali said. Johnson-Harrell told the judge that since her release, she has been volunteering for the Charles Foundation, a nonprofit she created in memory of her son, Charles Andre Johnson, who was fatally shot in 2011 at age 18, and by distributing food to 1,000 people for COVID poverty food relief on Mondays and Fridays. Chief Deputy Attorney General Kirsten Heine did not object to the additional requests. DiClaudio permitted Johnson-Harrell to leave home for the dialysis appointments and to distribute food for coronavirus relief, but declined her request to travel for the Charles Foundation to advocate for gun-violence prevention. But he warned her not to violate house-arrest rules. If you play me, so to speak, or do something youre not supposed to do, I will not hesitate putting you back in jail. For instance, if I let you out 9 to 2 to distribute food and youre seen on TV at a rally that night youll be in jail. He said that she had about nine months of house arrest to serve before being paroled, but he could release her from house arrest a month early for good behavior. Johnson-Harrell was the first Muslim woman to serve in the Pennsylvania legislature. Before winning the state House seat, she served as supervisor of the Victim/Witness Services Unit under Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner. Jeantrix owners, Muhammad Abdul-Basit, left, and Deric Crawley, pose for a photo with Jeantrix outfits. Jeantrix, a local fashion brand, had pieces in Beyonces newest visual album, "Black Is King." Read more In the wee hours of Friday morning, Deric Nyce Crawley mindlessly scrolled through his phone. When he saw that the music video for Already, a song from Beyonces newest visual album Black Is King, was uploaded to YouTube, it stopped him in his tracks. In one scene in Already, Ghanaian rapper Shatta Wale stood next to Beyonce in a black-and-white, hand-painted motorcycle jacket designed by the Philly-based fashion brand, Jeantrix, which Crawley, 34, cofounded with Muhammad Homm Abdul-Basit, 35. In another scene, Shatta Wale wore a fringed leather jacket, also hand-painted by Jeantrix. Crawley immediately sent a text message to Abdul-Basit to let him know the video for Already, and their garments, were on YouTube. Hours later, the entire visual album premiered on Disney+, where its now available to stream. Black Is King is the visual companion to The Lion King: The Gift, a collection of music that Beyonce performed, curated, and produced for the 2019 computer-animated reboot of Disneys The Lion King. The duo said they knew that their clothing might appear in the video. Last summer, they were approached by stylist Beoncia Dunn to pull pieces for a project with Beyonce. Details of the project were kept mum. [Dunn] told us about a week before [Black Is King] came out, that the items pulled were used, Crawley, a Chester native, said. We were really excited about it. The two Jeantrix jackets worn by Shatta Wale were part of an unnamed capsule collection that was created in 2018. The inspiration for the collection was the graffiti artwork the two saw in Brooklyn, where they lived that year. Abdul-Basit said that seeing his garments in Beyonces Black Is King was bittersweet. Last Wednesday, rapper Malik Abdul-Basit, known as Malik B and a founding member of the Roots, died. Malik B was Abdul-Basits brother. Not only am I celebrating a new journey for our brand with the release of the Beyonce video, Abdul-Basit said. Im also mourning the death of my older brother, so its been tough balancing the highs and lows of both. Both designers say their fashion designing know-how is self-taught. When they met through mutual connections in 2004, they didnt have plans to start a brand. It started with just one pair of sneakers, said Abdul-Basit, who grew up in West Oak Lane. We painted one pair of sneakers and we painted a T-shirt to match. Then, after that, people started requesting custom orders. Two years and hundreds of orders later, they officially launched their luxury streetwear brand, Jeantrix, in 2006. The brands signature look is graffiti-styled artwork and calligraphy applied to mostly denim and leather fabrics. Their garments have been spotted on such celebrities as Janet Jackson, Alicia Keys, Lil Kim, Lil Nas X, Megan Thee Stallion, and others. Philly Fashion Weeks cofounder Kevin Parker and his business partner Kerry Scott were early mentors to Crawley and Abdul-Basit. Parker said he was overwhelmed with excitement after seeing the Jeantrix garments in Already. We saw that they were very talented and ahead of their time with their design aesthetic, Parker said. Theyve evolved their brand so far and now theyre just taking over the world. But we always knew they were incredible and we wanted to help nurture that. Parker describes the brand as vibrant and admires their innovative approach to fashion, especially early on when they would take unconventional materials and created 3D items. It was all so futuristic, he said. Randi Edelman met the Jeantrix duo in 2014 when she was the director of marketing at Saks Fifth Avenue in Bala Cynwyd. Since then, shes collaborated with the brand in several capacities including an in-store customizing station and mural work. Edelman also noted how Jeantrixs style has evolved, but it hasnt changed so much that you cant recognize it. She said she appreciates the duos ability to bring ideas to fruition, and their desire to build strong relationships with their clients. A lot of the times, designers will go into a project where they are very set on what their vision is, Edelman said. But thats what I love about these guys, its always a collaboration. KeiMante Wright has known the owners of Jeantrix since 2016 and owns at least half a dozen custom garments from the brand. His favorite items are the hand-painted leather jackets. First and foremost, the jackets. When you have it on, you feel like a badass, Wright said. Everybody is watching you because its a big statement piece. Jeantrixs prices range from $18 for a pair of socks to over $1,000 for a custom jacket. Both owners know how to sew, but they buy garments wholesale and customize them with a variety of techniques and materials. A simple design with limited colors takes about two hours to complete, but a more elaborate design could take days. The Jeantrix team has grown to include sample makers and patternmakers, so you will see some constructed garments [by us] in the near future, said Crawley. Since Jeantrixs work has been spotted in Black Is King, sales have increased and the brand has been getting a lot of attention, both designers agreed. To be a part of something so huge, not just for us but in music in general, said Abdul-Basit. Its like a dream come true. Were still floating right now. Budding gymnast, Max Clark, is now back to jumping on his trampoline just weeks after he got into an accident. He does not let his prosthetic leg get in the way of his acrobatic tricks. Back up after the fall The nine-year-old boy uses his "robot leg" to bounce back, do flips, and other "crazy things" on his trampoline. The motorcyclist that caused Clark's leg amputation has been sentenced three years in prison. His dangerous driving has caused serious injury to Clark. The young dancer from Preston said that he finds the moves easy, and believes that he only needs to trust himself to do them again. His dad, Patrick Clark, also noted the dedication of his son to continue with his dreams. He said that Clark is progressing well physically. Adding that the boy leaps and bounces more than he thinks his son could. See also: 5-year-old boy walked with prosthetic legs, raised over $1M for hospital that saved him The dad also shared that his son is positive that he could make the moves. The boy is, indeed, successful in making the moves. Mr. Clark also shared that his son keeps jumping to show that he could do better than his dad. How the accident happened On May 25, Clark was out with his family doing his school assignment when he got hit by the bike. He was crossing a path in Rosemead Park, Hull, that was 15 minutes upon arriving at the park when the accident happened. It was the first time that the family went out since the lockdown happened on March 21 due to the pandemic. Kirsty and his 32-year-old partner, Patrick, went out to take their four children to meet with friends. See also: 12-year-old girl invented car seat device that prevents hot car deaths [wins $20,000] A witness told Hull Crown Court how 24-year-old Jerome Cawkwell was moving at a "crazy speed" that day. With a defective front brake, the driver fled the scene after the crash incident. During the collision, Clark's lower limb got "entangled in the machine," so it had to be amputated from below his knee. Clark's mom, Kirsty, said that their "little Max" could have been worse. The 31-year-old mom said that her son could get up from his bed to move to his wheelchair. She said that it was hard for her to watch her son get into an accident. She described it as watching a film which you could not turn off. She said that her six-year-old daughter, Molly, saw everything, so the girl will need some help moving forward. See also: Police Officer Jumps Into Pond, Saves Teens Trapped Inside a Sunken Car Future police dog handler During his recovery, Clark visited a local police station, leading him to want to become a police dog handler someday. His family is now getting him his puppy so Clark could take care of it to become healthy and "do lots of tricks" like him. A dock worker from Cambridge Grove, Hull, Cawkwell, admitted that he had five vehicle offenses in June. He was jailed and got banned from driving for over five years. A former MMA fighter and Melbourne anti-mask ringleader has live-streamed an extraordinary tirade at protective service officers moments before he was arrested for refusing to wear a face mask in public. Nick Patterson filmed the confrontation at a Melbourne train station on Wednesday while being questioned why he wasn't wearing a mask, which became mandatory in Victoria's capital almost a fortnight ago. Mr Patterson lectures the two officers about the Public Administration Act before insisting he wasn't doing anything illegal. 'I haven't committed any crime it's terrible what you're doing is evil. It's communist, it's evil and it's sad you're having to do this,' he started his bizarre rant. Anti-masker ringleader Nick Patterson (pictured ) continued to defy orders on Wednesday Mr Patterson then claims because they're not police officers, they can't arrest him. 'Youre a PSO, not a police officer. You can only detain,' he argued. 'Where do you get the powers from. Please provide the evidence. You've actually made the claim I've committed the offence and I don't believe I am.' A defiant Mr Patterson went on to claim he has an 'exemption' to not wear a mask but wouldn't provide any more details, claiming it was of a 'private nature'. 'I don't have to speak to you,' he argued. 'If you arrest me, it will be a false arrest and I'll be taking you for deprivation of liberty.' The two protective service officers questioned Mr Patterson at a Melbourne train station Mr Patterson then calls them the 'harassment squad' as one of the officers informs him he's under arrest for refusing to provide his identity. The footage shows the first seconds of his arrest and blurred vision of his Mr Patterson's young son watching on nearby before the camera is turned off. PSO officers are sworn officers of Victoria Police who patrol metropolitan and major regional railway stations. A Victoria Police spokesman confirmed PSOs are empowered to make arrests, as well as obtaining personal information, search and seizure and issue infringement notices and fines. Mr Patterson later filmed a second video where he describes living under a 'totalitarian dictatorship' and 'full communism' arguing his 'human rights' were under threat. 'You can't talk to them any more, you can't reason with them, you can't have a conversation with them,' he complains in the 10 minute rant. Mr Patterson told the protective service officers (one pictured) they couldn't arrest him Face masks became mandatory in Melbourne two weeks ago in a desperate attempt to control the second coronavirus outbreak that continues to spread across the state, with a record 725 cases and 15 deaths recorded on Wednesday. The city has since entered a six week stage four lockdown with strict evening curfews between 8pm and 5am. Anyone not caught wearing a face mask is fined $200. Mr Patterson's rant comes on the same day Prime Minister Scott Morrison ripped into so called 'sovereign citizens' in Victoria in a strong-worded interview on Sunrise. Mr Morrison's calls come after a range of incidents involving entitled members of the public breaching coronavirus safety measures. 'Get real is my message. Get real,' Mr Morrison he said. 'This is a difficult time for everybody, I know people are angry and frustrated. 'There's been a lot of confusion and still to be worked out on some of these restrictions.' The final seconds of the footage is blurred as the officers detain Nick Patterson Mr Patterson is one of the city's anti-mask group ringleaders and hosts a weekly meeting of up to 50 followers in his Melbourne gym. A photo from a July 26 meeting showed a tight circle of followers with Mr Patterson in the middle - even as gatherings of more than two were banned. 'A great night together discussing the putrid conduct of the police, government and media lies. We are strong and won't bow down to these oppressors,' he wrote. Nick Patterson posts numerous videos on Facebook airing his views, including one where he went to a supermarket without a mask. He's pictured in another recent social media rant He also praised Eve Black, who was widely condemned in recent weeks for refusing to provide her details to officers as she left a coronavirus hotspot. Mr Patterson's website John 8 acts as a resource for anti-mask conspiracy theorists, including the script they read out to police, and the dubious legal argument behind it. 'I want to help people learn the Truth so they can become strong, not just with knowledge, but with the mindset of a warrior,' it reads. Ongwediva Oshana governor Elia Irimari says affordable urban land delivery for both housing and business development is moving at a snail's pace in the region. Whilst giving account of the region's activities for the 2019/2020 financial year recently, Irimari pledged to work with the three local authorities in the region to fast-track land delivery. "My office together with our three towns will be spearheading innovative approaches in addressing lack of access to affordable decent houses for ultra-low and low-income earners in the region," said Irimari. During the year under review, the Oshakati, Ongwediva and Ondangwa local authorities have provided a combined 3 563 plots. The region is also in the process of establishing about 11 townships with a combined 2 798 plots to address the land shortage. The governor said the demand for land is exacerbated by the high influx urban migration of people in search of jobs, especially the youth. In terms of employment, the region has created 1 800 permanent and 800 temporary jobs in both government and the private sector. To mitigate the devastating drought experienced during the last years, the government through the drought relief programme supported 15 367 households with 74 001 benefiting in the region. About 2 375 local farmers also benefited from a government ploughing services subsidy offered through the Dry Land Production Programme while more than 4 000 farmers also benefited from the subsidised sale of cowpea. Meanwhile, Irimari also voiced concern over the high number of gender-based violence and rape cases. The governor said the region is also haunted by income inequality and a high unemployed rate which currently stands at 32% amongst the youth. Moving forward, the region has pledged to prioritise and direct funding towards sectors such as agriculture, water, technology and road infrastructure to address human development and capacity building challenges in the region. Furthermore, the region will also fast-track the implementation of capital projects and other developmental programmes to stimulate economic activities in the country. "This year we had a symposium aimed at accelerating capital projects implementation, and improving service delivery and empowering local businesses," said Irimari. SV Krishna Chaitanya By Express News Service CHENNAI: The Tamil Nadu government on Wednesday began a major exercise to deploy artificial reefs along the Chennai coast. A total of 30 sites have been chosen in Chennai, Kancheepuram, Tiruvallur and Chengalpattu districts for the purpose. Fisheries minister D Jayakumar flagged off and personally supervised the deployment of 200 units of artificial reefs over three nautical miles off the Urur Kuppam fishing village in Besant Nagar. The idea is to revive traditional fishing grounds of small fishermen and create a cluster of artificial reefs, which act as natural breakwaters by reducing wave energy, along the coast with the focus on fragile coastal stretches as Tamil Nadu is experiencing increasing recurrence of extreme weather events and erosion of beaches. The concept is nothing new for Tamil Nadu. Since 2006, the Department of Fisheries has deployed artificial reefs in 35 coastal sites spread across eight districts and later in 2014, the International Funding for Agricultural Development (IFAD) assisted the Post Tsunami Sustainable Livelihoods Programme of Department of Rural Development and Panchayat Raj to deploy reefs in six coastal sites, both with technical assistance of the Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI). GS Sameeran, director of fisheries, told The New Indian Express that the government has approved two projects. "The government has accorded permission for installing artificial reefs in 30 locations off shore of Chennai and the neighboring districts, which were affected in the 2017 oil spill. The restoration claim of Rs 10 crore received from insurers of shipping companies is being used for implementation of the project." As per the GO, the insurers of two merchant ships BW Maple and MT Dawn Kancheepuram that collided off the Ennore coast resulting in a massive oil spill have deposited Rs 141 crore, including the restoration claim of Rs 10 crore, besides providing a bank guarantee of Rs 84 crore. "The compensation received has been disbursed to the affected fishermen of Chennai, Tiruvallur and Kancheepuram. Further, as a measure to improve the coastal marine fishery resources through stock enhancement, it has been proposed to deploy artificial reefs in the coastal villages of these three districts," Sameeran said. Later, another project costing Rs 18 crore under the Gaja Rehabilitation Project was sanctioned where artificial reefs would be installed at different offshore locations from Cuddalore to Ramanathapuram covering the entire east coast of Tamil Nadu. CMFRI scientist Joe K Kizhakudan, who was offering technical support to the fisheries ministry for the project, told The New Indian Express that a combination of three types of artificial reef modules - Grouper, Fish and Crustacean - were used. "These modules would start supporting life (growth of corals) from the third month and would take two years to mature and stabilise. These structures are known to act as a perfect habitat for marine life which helps in augmenting the productivity of the marine ecosystem. It increases the available area for food, shelter and breeding activities for fishes and other marine organisms. It also enhances the fish production through increased breeding activity and increases the survival of young ones." Kizhakudan said the deployment activity would continue till the end of this month to cover all the 30 sites provided the weather cooperates. "Each day, about 200 units would be dumped into the sea weighing close to 150 tonnes." The fisheries director said a safety mechanism would be developed to protect these sites from trawler boats. In June 2020, news reports highlighted one of the biggest DDoS attacks ever recorded. The attack, which targeted a large European bank, generated 809m packets per second (Mpps). This is a new industry record for a PPS-focused attack which is more than double the size of previous attacks. A10 Networks (News - Alert) recently launched its Q2 2020: State of DDoS Weapons Report, based on approximately 10 million unique source addresses tracked by A10 Networks, and the report sheds more light on the loud, distributed nature of DDoS attacks and the key trends and observations that enterprises can learn from when adopting a successful defence. DDoS Botnet Agents Weve previously written about how IoT devices and DDoS attacks are a perfect match. IoT devices such as smart watches, routers and cameras are now commonly infected by malware and under the control of malicious actors who use them to launch flexible DDoS attacks. Our researchers accumulated knowledge of repeatedly used hosts in these attacks, scanning for those that show malware-infected characteristics that deserve to be treated with caution whilst under a DDoS attack. The report highlighted the top three countries hosting DDoS botnet agents as follows: China 15% Vietnam 12% Taiwan 9% From the countries above, the top ASNs hosting DDoS botnet agents were: Chungwha Telecoms (Taiwan) China Telecom China Unicom (News - Alert) CN VNPT Corp (Vietnam) Malware Proliferation With IoT devices vulnerable, largely due to devices lacking the necessary built-in security to counter threats, this allows threat actors an opportunity to target these devices, through a collection of remote code execution (RCE) exploits and an ever growing list of default user names and passwords from device vendors, to constantly increase the size and strength of DDoS attacks. Our weapons intelligence system detects hundreds of thousands of events per hour on the internet, providing insights into the top IoT exploits and the attack capabilities. One of the key report findings highlighted thousands of malware binaries being dropped into systems, in the wake of the different IoT-based attacks and exploits. Among the malware families that were most frequent in attack were the following: Gafgyt family, Dark Nexus and Mirai family. The related binary names from these malwares were arm7, Cloud.x86, mmmmh.x86 respectively. Digging deeper into the characteristics and behaviour of the binary we saw the most this quarter, arm7, we found that attack types came in varied forms including, but not limited to, TCP floods, HTTP floods and UDP (News - Alert) floods. To mitigate these attacks a firm understanding of these DDoS weapons needs to be established by understanding and reverse engineering the attack toolkits. Amplified Attacks When it comes to large-scale DDoS attacks, amplified reflection is the most effective. An example of this is when the attacker sends volumes of small requests with the spoofed victims IP address to internet-exposed servers. The servers reply with large amplified responses to the unwitting victim. These particular servers are targeted because they answer to unauthenticated requests and are running applications or protocols with amplification capabilities. The most common types of these attacks can use millions of exposed DNS, NTP, SSDP, SNMP, and CLDAP UDP-based services. These attacks have resulted in record-breaking volumetric attacks, such as the recent CLDAP-based AWS attack in Q1 2020, which peaked at 2.3 Tbps and was 70% higher than the previous record holder, the 1.35 Tbps Memcached-based GitHub attack of 2018. Although CLDAP does not make the top 5 list of our Amplification attack weapons in Q2, we did record 15,651 potential CLDAP weapons. This makes it a fraction of the top amplification attack weapon this quarter, i.e., portmap, where for every CLDAP weapon, we have 116 portmap weapons available to attackers. The AWS attack shows that even this fractional attack surface has the potential for generating very large-scale DDoS attacks and the only way to protect against these attacks is to proactively keep track of DDoS weapons and potential exploits. Battling the Landscape Every quarter, the findings of our DDoS attack research point to one thing: the need for increased security. Sophisticated DDoS weapons intelligence, combined with real-time threat detection and automated signature extraction, will allow organisations to defend against even the most massive multi-vector DDoS attacks, no matter where they originate. Actionable DDoS weapons intelligence enables a proactive approach to DDoS defences by creating blacklists based on current and accurate feeds of IP addresses of DDoS botnets and available vulnerable servers commonly used for DDoS attacks. DDoS attacks are not going away, and it is time for organisations to match their attackers sophistication with a stronger defence, especially as new technology like IoT and 5G continue to gain further momentum. Edited by Maurice Nagle ATLANTA and PITTSBURGH, Aug. 5, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, the University of Pittsburgh and Parallel, a company that is pioneering human well-being through its proprietary cannabinoid brands, science and technology-led innovation, announced a relationship to establish a clinical research program to study medical marijuana. As part of a 10-year agreement, Parallel, through Goodblend, its new global retail brand, will provide University of Pittsburgh an initial $3 million in unrestricted grants to be used for the exploration of the efficacy and safety of medical cannabis with an initial focus on treating sickle cell disease symptoms. Parallel will also dispense cutting-edge cannabis formulations to research study participants. Subsequent research will address other chronic conditions, most notably generalized anxiety disorders and chronic intractable pain. The University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine (Pitt) is one of eight Pennsylvania academic research universities approved to conduct clinical research in association with the commonwealth's medical marijuana program. With Pennsylvania's approval of this medical cannabis research partnership, Parallel was also granted a license for vertically -integrated operations to grow and process cannabis and open up to six retail locations across the state. "The University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine sees great value in the partnership with Parallel for the residents of the commonwealth and beyond," said Anantha Shekhar, senior vice chancellor for health sciences and the John and Gertrude Petersen Dean of the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. "Pennsylvania's medical marijuana law emphasizes the need for rigorous research related to the use of medical cannabis," Shekhar continued. "Pitt is taking a leadership role in conducting that research and we look forward to advancing the safety and efficacy of cannabis therapies via scientific rigor. Parallel's focus on the innovation, quality, safety and consistency of its products makes them an ideal partner for Pitt's research program." "Parallel is honored to be the medical cannabis partner of the University of Pittsburgh. Their position as one of the leading global medical research institutions will assist us in advancing our medical understanding of the benefits of cannabinoids in treating a wide spectrum of diseases and conditions," said William "Beau" Wrigley, Jr., Parallel chief executive officer. "Parallel is pioneering the development of cannabis therapies through strategic partnerships with leading institutions such as the University of Pittsburgh. We believe that research is essential to optimize the targeted benefits of cannabinoids as they hold great promise to replace pharmaceuticals for numerous conditions. We are honored to have been selected to provide the patients of Pennsylvania with our therapies to help improve their well-being." Pitt will begin its medical marijuana research program with a clinical trial in patients who suffer from sickle cell disease (SCD). This program will be led Dr. Laura DeCastro MD, Associate Professor of Medicine and Director of Clinical Translational Research for the Sickle Cell Disease Research Center of Excellence. The trial will investigate what role cannabis can play in treating the symptoms of SCD, a red blood cell disorder characterized by anemia and pain due to the obstruction of blood vessels by rigid and adhesive red blood cells. Approximately 100,000 Americans suffer from SCD, which is associated with a median life expectancy of 45 years and which disproportionately affects African Americans. About 15% of sickle cell patients suffer chronic pain, which is typically treated with opioids. This class of drugs often fails to completely control pain and comes with serious side effects. Pain and other clinical complications are responsible for frequent hospitalizations of those with SCD and lifetime undiscounted health care costs amount to nearly $1 million per patient. "Patients with sickle cell disease and chronic pain have no real alternative to chronic opioid therapy, which has severe limitations and disadvantages," said Laura DeCastro, MD, MBBS and Pitt associate professor of medicine, director of benign hematology for the Institute for Transfusion Medicine and UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, and director of Clinical Translational Research for the Sickle Cell Disease Research Center of Excellence. "We are proud to have this opportunity to study potential cannabis treatments for these patients who live in constant debilitating pain." "Our partnership with the University of Pittsburgh aligns with our mission of promoting well-being for all and to provide access and treatment options to communities who need it most," said Wrigley. "SCD is a devastating disease that has impacted many African American families, both medically and financially, and we are hopeful that our research partnership with Pitt will help to improve outcomes through cannabis." About the University of Pittsburgh A nonsectarian, coeducational, state-related, public research university founded in 1787, the University of Pittsburgh (Pitt) is a member of the prestigious by-invitation-only Association of American Universities and internationally renowned as a leading center of learning and research in the arts, sciences, humanities, professions and health sciences. Comprising a Pittsburgh campus, which is home to 16 undergraduate, graduate and professional schools, and four Western Pennsylvania regional campuses, Pitt offers nearly 500 distinct degree programs and confers more than 8,500 degrees annually. Pitt has ranked among the top 10 recipients of funding from the National Institutes of Health since 1998 and is ranked among the top 10 American research universities nationally in terms of total federal science and engineering research and development obligations. For more information, visit www.pitt.edu. About Parallel Parallel is one of the largest privately held, vertically integrated, multi-state cannabis companies in the world with a mission to pioneer well-being and improve the quality of life through cannabinoids. Parallel owns and operates retail dispensaries in four medical and adult-use markets: Surterra Wellness in Florida and Texas; New England Treatment Access (NETA) in Massachusetts, and The Apothecary Shoppe in Nevada. The Company has a diverse portfolio of high quality, proprietary and licensed consumer brands and products including Surterra Wellness, Coral Reefer, and Float. Parallel operates approximately 50 retail stores nationwide, including cultivation and manufacturing sites across the four states. The Company conducts advanced cannabis science through Molecular Infusions (Mi), a cannabis-based biopharmaceutical company, and conducts R&D for new product development in its facilities in Texas, Massachusetts, Florida, and Budapest, Hungary. Parallel follows rigorous operations and business practices to ensure the quality, safety, consistency and efficacy of its products and is building its business by following strong values and putting the well-being of its customers and employees first. For more information: www.liveParallel.com. UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH MEDIA CONTACT: Kevin Zwick, University of Pittsburgh [email protected] PARALLEL MEDIA CONTACT: Taylor Foxman [email protected] SOURCE Parallel Related Links https://www.liveparallel.com Like several other districts in the area, Lone Star College has decided to delay the start of in-person classes until Sept. 8. This coming semester, LSC has moved around half of its classes to be online-only, and those will start on the originally planned date, Aug. 24. About 25 percent of classes will be a hybrid of online and in-person classes, and the other 25 percent will be in-person only. Hybrid classes will start with an online portion on Aug. 24. Lone Star College will be returning to a schedule similar to the one used this past spring, said Stephen C. Head, LSC chancellor, in a release from the college system. We felt this change prudent after reviewing the latest COVID-19 cases in our community. THE BIG DEBATE: Should you send your kid back to school? New study shows the risk on a county-wide basis Face-to-face classes without an online component are predominantly workforce-related and cant be done online. The change to the semester is not likely to have an impact on the schedule later in the year, said Kyle Scott, Vice Chancellor of Strategic Priorities for LSC. Theres no need to extend the semester, at this point, Scott said. We may be able to use some extended class time, so instead of going an hour, maybe going an hour and a half. There is a possibility that finals will be pushed back by a week but that decision has not yet been made. Fall enrollment is still ongoing. ON HOUSTONCHRONICLE.COM: Abbott: Local health officials cannot keep schools closed to start year Because there will likely not be much change to the end of the semester, Scott said the college system does not expect the change to impact enrollment, but that LSC is planning out contingencies. Were going to work with all students to make sure that theyre able to remain in their classes, he said. While local schools in Montgomery County announced their delayed returns several weeks ago, LSC announced later because it has a different population to serve, and has seven campuses across two counties. Even though the college system has several campuses in Harris County, LSC was not subject to Judge Lina Hidalgos order to delay school openings. This gave LSC more time to consider its options. The recent spike in COVID-19 cases did play a part in the decision to wait. MORNING REPORT: Get the top stories on HoustonChronicle.com sent directly to your inbox We saw that cases werent trending in the right direction, that there was continued uptick, Scott said. So, the thought was, nows the right time to make that call, while were still a month out. When students do return to campus for in-person classes they will need to adhere to new safety guidelines created in response to COVID-19. Buildings that will be open will have limited access, temperatures will be taken, and masks will need to be worn at all times. For those without masks, LSC will be providing PPE. While there is some staff at LSC facilities now, student-facing staff and faculty were expected to return earlier this week. Their return to campuses will be delayed another few weeks, which was announced at the same time as the delay of in-person classes. Scott said the college system is projecting that this falls enrollment will be about even with last year. While LSC is always hoping for growth year over year, its important for the college systems budget that fall enrollment doesnt decrease too much. LSC has already put on hold an expected increase in tuition for this semester. jamie.swinnerton@chron.com "We haven't made enough investment in education, in infrastructure, in partnerships in technology, we have a divided polity and an unsuccessful coronavirus effort." Campbell includes perceptions of the US military's capability as part of the concern. "Trump has tried to focus more on that. It is a component of a larger package." President Donald Trump and Chinas leader, Xi Jinping, at a bilateral meeting at the G20 summit in June 2019. Credit:The New York Times Second, Biden would rediscover a group of countries formerly known as US allies. The US stands at the centre of a network of alliances embracing some 40 nations. Trump has disparaged many of them while gratifying US rivals, notably Putin's Russia. "The second-most important ingredient in national strategy is a deeper set of engagements with allies and partners," says Campbell, currently chief of the Asia Group consultancy in Washington. "That's harder than most people think it takes a degree of humility, some listening, some shared responses, treating allies with respect, not in the manner Trump has dealt with Germany or other countries, removing US troops to punish them. Loading "We need a deeper set of strategic interactions with Japan, Australia, South Korea, India, Singapore, Vietnam, Great Britain, Germany and a few others. Not all but most of these share our values Vietnam is an autocracy and a purpose will be to animate conversations around promoting democracy, and the importance of human dignity." How would this affect US policy on China? "By reframing engagement and bringing more countries onside, construct a China narrative to change China's behaviour and its more egregious activities. There is a recognition that it will not be an easy challenge," Campbell says. How would that work in one of the hottest of contested theatres, the South China Sea, where Chinese forces press territorial claims that endanger half a dozen of its neighbours? Campbell knows the difficulties. During the Obama administration, he proposed to Chinese officials the idea of some basic rules to avoid escalating accidents into crises. The Chinese declined. Loading "They feared that would give US ships and planes greater impunity, that the US would feel like speeders with seatbelts." And Beijing didn't want to give the Americans seatbelts China wanted to maintain the element of risk for US ships and planes, says Campbell. "They had a different view of deterrence ours was our strength, theirs was uncertainty." And now? "There is a clear determination for the US to continue freedom of navigation operations and engagement in the area and wanting to bring other nations into this," which is exactly the policy that the Trump administration advanced recently. A Biden administration would want to negotiate "rules of the road with the Chinese military" in the South China Sea because current patterns of conduct "are dangerous and we'd want to figure out how to avoid crisis." But Beijing said no last time. What's changed? The power asymmetry has changed China now has more naval vessels in the Indo-Pacific than the US does, for instance. "The Chinese have been resistant till recently and they're more open to it now," says Campbell. "The Chinese realise that there's a hardening of positions on both sides." The risks of war by accident have risen. A President Biden would reject some of the Soviet-era Cold War tendencies that Trump has been showing, Campbell says. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo's recent speeches "felt like he was trying to take the playbook from the former Soviet Union and I don't think that's a workable paradigm". Loading "There will be a degree of decoupling," or a severing of dealings with China, Campbell warns. "There will be a hard edge to engagement on tech. China's pattern of behaviour in tech and some other investment areas takes advantage of other partners. "We are going to have to look hard at the supply chain and reconsider some areas where we are too reliant on China. "There will also be other elements of policy to give us a better chance, long-term, of some stability with China on climate change, nuclear proliferation, the tail end of the pandemic, that will require a degree of co-ordination with China." Campbell has a long relationship with Australia. He says the US alliance is "in fine shape, and there's a whole bunch of stuff we can engage on there are broader opportunities in trade, and I'm ambitious about climate change. New Delhi: Megastar Amitabh Bachchan, who returned home this weekend after his coronavirus treatment at a Mumbai hospital, earlier today shared a picture of his wrist covered with rakhis and shared his experience of home quarantine. For his post on Rakhi, Big B wrote in Hindi, "Keep counting your blessings. I have heard money, fame and ego do not last long." Meanwhile, he called home quarantine a "prison cell" where there are "visiting hours". On his official blog, Amitabh Bachchan, 77, wrote, "And in the solitude of your own home .. no contact .. a prison cell where the visiting hours, often seen in films, occurs through glass shields and telephoned conversation .. to see and connect in hand actions .. they be family, just a few inches away, yet so far .." Big B was admitted to Nanavati Hospital along with son Abhishek Bachchan, daughter-in-law Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and granddaughter Aaradhya. The father-son duo tested positive for COVID-19 on July 11 and was immediately hospitalised while Aishwarya and Aaradhya's reports came on July 12. They were earlier home quarantined but a few days later, the mother-daughter duo was shifted to Nanavati Hospital. Aishwarya and Aaradhya were discharged a week ago. Abhishek continues to remain in the hospital. Work is underway on a $1-million LCBO store in north Welland. Part of the SmartCentres retail cluster along Woodlawn Road at Primeway Drive, it is being built next to Dollar Tree on the southeast end of the property, near Marks. Also taking place is the construction of an additional 104 parking spots, said Grant Munday, Wellands manager of development approvals. The build is part of a site plan agreement the developer has with the municipality. Permits allow for a 720-square-metre addition. A spokesperson from LCBOs communication team could not be reached Wednesday to confirm its plans and whether liquor stores at Rose City Plaza on Ontario Road and at Fitch Street Plaza are slated for closure. Munday said it has been SmartCentres intention to build something on the land for a while. Generally, SmartCentres dont build things unless they have it leased out, Munday said Wednesday. Neither Munday nor Sandra Kaiser, vice-president of corporate affairs for SmartCentres, had information on when the project that started more than a month ago will be completed. Munday suspects LCBO is moving into the area a result of new homes in that part of Welland, as well as in south Thorold, which is mostly served by Welland amenities. Theres a lot of growth and development happening in the city. The nearby Canadian Tire will soon be expanded, sitting in front of an 80-room Holiday Inn Express under construction. Munday said another building is expected to go up in the near future. Walmart and Rona are other major retailers in the same group of stores. San Francisco, Aug 5 : Anthony Levandowski, a self-driving car engineer who worked for Google before joining Uber, has been sentenced to 18 months in prison for stealing trade secrets. According to a report in TechCrunch on Tuesday, US District Judge in San Francisco, William Alsup said that home confinement would "(give) a green light to every future brilliant engineer to steal trade secrets. Prison time is the answer to that". Levandowski also agreed to pay $756,499.22 in restitution to Google's self-driving car unit Waymo and a fine of $95,000, said the report. "Today marks the end of three and a half long years and the beginning of another long road ahead. I'm thankful to my family and friends for their continued love and support during this difficult time," Levandowski said in a statement provided by his attorneys after the sentencing. The case dates back to 2017 when Uber and Alphabet, Google's parent company, locked horns with each other over the latter's accusation on the ride-hailing app of stealing its self-driving technology. Waymo filed a lawsuit against Uber in 2017, alleging that the stolen information became the technological basis for Uber's self-driving cars. According to the lawsuit, Levandowski, who earlier headed its self-driving car project, downloaded around 14,000 files from his company-issued computer containing trade secrets related to Waymo's LIDAR technology, circuit board designs, and testing documentation. The company also alleged that Levandowski tried to remove traces of those actions by reformatting his laptop. Levandowski joined Uber after his stint at Google, where he shepherded the company's own self-driving car programme. Uber fired him in 2017 over this case. Google's parent company Alphabet and Uber agreed on a settlement in 2018 over trade secret theft claims. But Levandowski recently filed a lawsuit to demand $4.1 billion from Uber in relation to its acquisition of his previous self-driving truck startup, Otto Trucking, TechCrunch reported. These were among reports received by the Calvert County Sheriffs Office and the Maryland State Police for this edition of Local Living. Anyone with information about these crimes is asked to call 410-535-2800 or 301-855-1194 or use the Submit a Tip feature on the mobile app. Call the Crime Solvers line at 410-535-2880 or the state police Prince Frederick Barrack at 410-535-1400. It come as earlier today the bank announced it lost 669 million before tax in the first half of 2020 ahead of an expected spike in bad debt due to the coronavirus crisis. According to the Irish Times a spokesman for the bank said on a call this morning: We have launched a groupwide voluntary redundancy programme to colleagues this morning. Into the medium term, we anticipate a headcount of fewer than 9,000 within the group from our current position of under 10,400. The bank also said that it was carrying out a strategic review to look at options for its Northern Ireland unit, and planned to restructure its wider UK business by running down its lower-margin mortgage book in that market and focusing on more profitable home loans. Payment break According to the bank's second quarter report, new lending volumes are expected to fall to 30 per cent, while business income will slide to between 20 and 30 per cent. Advertisement Despite the losses, the bank says the new report is more cautiously optimistic than its first quarter report. Bank of Ireland CEO, Francesca McDonagh, says many customers on a payment break are looking for an extension. "We are seeing just over 50% of mortgage customers want to have another three month payment break and it's slightly higher for SME customers. "We are below the market, but still slightly higher than we would have seen in mortgages and I think a lot of that is to do with businesses waiting to get benefits from the Capital Guarantee Scheme." BUENOS AIRES, Aug 4 (Reuters) - The head of the International Monetary Fund congratulated Argentina and its creditors on Tuesday for the "significant step" of reaching a debt agreement. "Look forward to a successful conclusion in the interest of all," said Fund managing director Kristalina Georgieva in a tweet. (Reporting by Cassandra Garrison) New Delhi: The BCCI on Friday maintained its opposition to some of the reforms recommended by the Lodha committee and will for the Supreme Court's verdict on the matter come December 5. At a Special General Meeting, the Board did not take any decision on the recommendations but it has been learnt from sources that state associations have been told to keep a Plan B ready in case the verdict is not favourable from the apex court. Lodha Committee has sought directions on appointment offormer union Home Secretary GK Pillai as observer and removalof all BCCI office-bearers. "Senior office-bearers said we have to wait till December 5. Any decision taken can be Contempt of Court. He also advised that state units will have to keep a Plan B ready. If court gives a verdict we have to abide by it and change constitution accordingly," a state unit official told PTI. On Friday's Special General Meeting witnessed Status Quo being maintained by members. Two associations Tripura and Vidarbha, who have decided to implement Lodha reforms in toto were absent. The reason cited by BCCI Secretary Ajay Shirke was thedelay in flights landing in foggy conditions."There was a feeling members are having different opinion. Vidharbha and Tripura did not come due to fog. We explained the situation and clarified with them again. They reiterated their stand that was taken in the first SGM on October 1. Almost all recommendations agreed upon except afew. We will wait for December 5 Supreme Court hearing," BCCI Secretary Ajay Shirke told reporters. The basic objections of BCCI remain the same. The age cap of 70, cooling off period of three years between terms and one state one vote policy are being opposed by the Board. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. MBABANE Prime Minister Ambrose Dlamini has disclosed 20 reasons why government decided to open schools. The PM outlined the reasons in his confirmatory affidavit where government and the Swaziland National Association of Teachers (SNAT) are embroiled in a legal battle over the opening of schools amid the scourge of COVID-19. He submitted that governments decision to reopen completing classes who were due for external examinations was informed by the report of the National COVID-19 Task Force, which included the report of the Educational Sector. Recommendations Our decision was mainly influenced by the advice and recommendations of the said tasks team and our considerations of the situation in the country. Parents also weighed in on the matter with inundated calls to government pleading for the re- opening of schools, alleged the PM. He further told the court that government also considered the following in opening the classes; the dissemination of information on COVID-19 prevention on a face-to-face basis; the school feeding and nutrition programme that would come handy for the children, especially those who come from poor families; and the curbing of pregnancy and substance abuse. Disparity According to the premier, government also considered the disparity between private schools that offered online learning against government schools that were closed, for whom capacity and technological inadequacies made remote learning impossible or difficult. Government also considered that the children were desirous to return to class and it is important to attempt to facilitate this, given the need to safeguard the growth, development needs and wellbeing of children, contended Dlamini. He further highlighted that in addition, the school environment played a crucial role in meeting the important social, physiological and physical needs of children. The PM averred that the longer the children were away from school, the greater the impact it would have on their long-term education and life opportunities. He further mentioned that children who were at home remained a risk to other threats of their wellbeing, including child labour, domestic violence and other forms of neglect. For many children who live in deplorable and overcrowded conditions, the risk created by their environment is greater than any risk they would face in returning to school, he argued. The school, according to the PM presented a safer environment for teachers, learners and support staff. He contended that parents would be able to attend work instead of looking after the children or worrying about their childrens wellbeing, who might refuse to stay put at home. Dlamini went on to inform the court that government roped in the National Disaster Management Agency to ensure reliable supply of all personal protective equipment and sanitary essentials to the schools. He submitted that government had plans to ensure all the necessary personal protective equipment (PPE) were replenished in schools. The schools principals and the school committees were directed to re-allocate the funds in their budgets in line with the provisions of the Disaster Management Act of 2006 on the acquiring of personal protective equipment, which is also in line with the protocols set by the Ministry of Health working with the World Health Organisation (WHO), said the PM. Reckless Dlamini said: I maintain the exception that government takes to applicants (SNAT) invocation of Regulation 27 of the COVID-19 regulations as being reckless and not taking into account the welfare of learners. He pointed out to the court that Regulation 27 specifically concerned the closure and reopening of all schools. The prime minister argued that contrastingly, government had not opened all schools, but only resolved to resume lessons for those pupils who needed to formally prepare for their external examination. In any event, Regulation 27 is undergoing an amendment to cater for the opening of all schools. For the objectives of the 2020 academic year to be achieved, we need to allow the current Form V learners to progress to tertiary level, said Dlamini. According to the PM, to do so, the pupils need to sit for their examination and complete their end-of-school cycle. He argued that the disadvantages of losing one academic year could not be overemphasised as that could lead to unwanted challenges such as gaps in labour market skill- sets in subsequent years. Dlamini alleged that SNAT had been advocating for the opening of schools fully aware of the said provisions and if one had regard to the founding affidavit of its president, this fact became clear. Their complaint, which I dare to be incorrect, is that the teachers have not been supplied with PPE and water. We also appeal to the court to take into its esteemed consideration our submission that COVID-19 is an entirely new phenomenon that struck without forewarning, he argued. Armenian News - NEWS.am presents a daily digest of Armenia-related top news as of 05.08.2020: More than 100 people have died in Tuesdays explosion in the port of Beirut, Sky News Arabia television reported, citing the Lebanese Red Cross. According to the TV channel, the number of injured has exceeded four thousand. City hospitals are overcrowded, and the injured are being sent to the medical centers in the outskirts of Beirut. Beirut's governor said the blast caused up to $5 billion worth of damage. It's still unclear what exactly caused the explosion. According to Lebanon's PM, an investigation would focus on an estimated 2,750 metric tons of the explosive ammonium nitrate, stored at a warehouse. A two-week state of emergency has been declared in the city. The number of Armenians killed in the explosion in Beirut is currently six, while over 100 have been injured, said Anna Naghdalyan, MFA spokesperson. [UPDATE] 11 members of the Armenian community has died in Beirut blast, while 250 were injured, Arevelk reported. There are also missing Armenians. Among the victims is Nazar Najarian, the secretary-general of Lebanon's Kataeb political party. A working group has been set up at the MFA to coordinate the provision of targeted assistance to Lebanon, she noted adding that the Armenian embassy in Lebanon is in constant contact with the relevant local authorities to jointly assess the needs of the Lebanese side and the scope of assistance. In the meantime, according to Gevorg Khachatryan, Deputy Director of Armenia airline, the Lebanon office of Aircompany Armenia has suffered heavy damage following the blast. Armenian PM Nikol Pashinyan said Wednesday he had phone talks with Lebanese President Michel Aoun. The PM offered Armenia's help to the 'brotherly people of Lebanon.' "The Lebanese government is currently conducting a needs assessment, and as a result of the assessment, the Armenian government will make decisions as needed," Pashinyan added. 288 COVID-19 new cases were reported in Armenia on Wednesday. A total of 39,586 COVID-19 cases were confirmed, of which 30,850 were cured, whereas 770 were fataltwo patients died Tuesday. The number of Armenias COVID-19 patients who died from other diseases has not changed and is 228. Thus, the overall death toll is 998 now. UPDATE: Armenian deputy PM Tigran Avinyan told a briefing on Wednesday that a state of emergency will be extended for a month. According to him, restrictions on the entry of foreign citizens into the country, the export of products, as well as on holding public events and meetings may be revised. The Armenian Virtual Bridge program has officially launched. According to the Minister of High Technological Industry of Armenia Hakob Arshakyan, it aims to become a platform connecting and bridging the technological community of Armenia to the world, which will also be the basis for collaboration with the technological community of the Armenian diaspora. He noted that the Armenian Virtual Bridge is one of the cornerstones of his ministry, in terms of presenting Armenia as a high-tech country, developing the Armenian high-tech community. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 5) Nearly 290,000 people were either warned, fined and charged for violating quarantine rules over the past five months, police said on Wednesday. The Joint Task Force Shield on COVID-19 reported there were 289,900 violators since the start of community quarantine on March 17 until August 3. Authorities said violations continued even during the first day of retightening of restrictions on Tuesday. "There were reports that some people continue to go out and roam in places of convergence even if they are not listed as Authorized Persons Outside Residence," the task force said in a statement, adding that some restaurants also continued dine-in services. The group also said it ordered police commanders in Metro Manila and nearby provinces to "intensify police visibility" in public areas. The government placed Metro Manila, Bulacan, Cavite and Laguna under modified enhanced community quarantine from August 4 to 18, as COVID-19 cases overwhelm health facilities. North Korea likely developed miniature nuclear devices fitting into ballistic warheads: UN report Iran Press TV Tuesday, 04 August 2020 4:55 AM A confidential United Nations (UN) report purportedly says several countries believe that North Korea may have developed "miniaturized nuclear devices to fit into the warheads of its ballistic missiles." The report, prepared by an independent panel of experts monitoring UN sanctions and seen by Reuters, said several countries, which it did not identify, believed Pyongyang "may seek to further develop miniaturization in order to allow incorporation of technological improvements such as penetration aid packages or, potentially, to develop multiple warhead systems." It said Pyongyang "is continuing its nuclear program, including the production of highly enriched uranium and construction of an experimental light water reactor." "A Member State assessed that the Democratic People's Republic of Korea is continuing production of nuclear weapons," said the report, referring to North Korea by its official name. North Korea has conducted six nuclear tests, between 2006 and 2017. In 2018, the country suspended its nuclear and missile tests and demolished a nuclear test site as signs of goodwill in the course of diplomacy then underway with the US. North Korean leader Kim Jong-un said at the time that Pyongyang no longer needed to conduct nuclear tests or intercontinental ballistic missile tests because it had completed its goal of developing the weapons. The US has imposed rounds of unilateral sanctions against the North over its nuclear and missile programs since 2006. Kim and US President Donald Trump have met three times, but diplomacy has gradually halted owing to Washington's refusal to relieve any of the harsh sanctions in exchange for the goodwill measures by Pyongyang. Early this year, Kim also called off two years of the moratorium on nuclear and missile tests and said Pyongyang would soon develop a "new strategic weapon." He said last week that his county now had "absolute might" thanks to its nuclear weapons, which he said guaranteed its security in the face of threats of war. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Court to hear arguments on preventing export of live animals The Eastern Cape High Court is set to hear arguments in an interdict to prevent around 70,000 sheep from being exported live to the Middle East On Thursday, 6 August, the Eastern Cape High Court is set to hear arguments around an interdict to prevent around 70,000 sheep from being exported live to Kuwait. Animal Law Reform South Africa, represented by the Centre for Applied Legal Studies, is seeking to intervene in the case as a friend of the court. We argue that exporting live animals for slaughter is not only cruel and unnecessary, but poses serious risks to human health and affects our environmental and other constitutional rights. In June this year, the NSPCA approached the High Court in Makhanda to prevent a ship from carrying about 70,000 sheep to the Middle East. Concerned about the terrible conditions these animals may be kept in during such long and senseless journeys, particularly during the torturous heat of the summer months in the Gulf, the NSPCA urgently applied for an interdict against the importing and exporting companies. They were granted an interim interdict to prevent the ship Al Messilah from leaving South Africa until the case could be heard, and also later successfully defended an application by the companies to have the interim interdict reconsidered. The hearing for the final interim interdict will take place virtually on Thursday, 6 August. Animal Law Reform South Africa (ALRSA), represented by the Centre for Applied Legal Studies (CALS), is seeking to intervene in the matter as a friend of the court. This case raises important issues not only in relation to animal welfare but also to administrative law, environmental law, international and customary law and various constitutional rights. Given our unique knowledge and expertise in these areas, we hope to assist the court with these issues. Its difficult to understand why anyone would want to transport animals in this way, says Sheena Swemmer from CALS. Exporting live animals for slaughter is not the same as exporting meat. Not only can they suffer pointlessly, they can become sick and die. This has impacts on people down the line. We need strong regulations in place around animal welfare, not only for the animals sake, but for people too, agrees Basetsana Koitsioe of CALS. In places where animals are kept in unhealthy conditions, there is a strong chance of developing diseases like listeriosis that also affect humans. Animals are protected from cruelty under our law, says Prof David Bilchitz, a Director of ALRSA and Professor of Law at the University of Johannesburg. The Constitutional Court has recognised animals have intrinsic value, and allowing such a cruel trade directly contradicts this important legal development and thus runs counter to our values as a country. In allowing live export to proceed, government has also failed in its duties to act lawfully through ensuring compliance with the animal welfare standards enshrined in the Animal Protection Act. The live export of animals by sea is not only extremely cruel to the animals themselves, it has implications for our environment and human rights. While there is huge public opposition to the trade within the country, at an international level, the practice implicates South Africas reputation. Due in part to such opposition and recognition, other countries in the world, such as New Zealand and Australia have developed clear policy and a strict legal and regulatory framework on these issues says Amy P. Wilson of ALRSA. Read more in our court papers here. The matter is set to be heard virtually by the Eastern Cape High Court on 6 August 2020. For inquiries, please contact: From ALRSA Prof David Bilchitz at davidb@saifac.org.za Amy P. Wilson at amywilson@animallawreform.org From CALS Sheena Swemmer at Sheena.Swemmer@wits.ac.za Basetsana Koitsioe at Basetsana.Koitsioe@wits.ac.za About ALRSA Animal Law Reform South Africa (ALRSA) is a non-profit organisation that envisages a society whose laws, courts and enforcement agencies advance the protection and well-being of both humans and non-human animals. Utilising the law and related avenues, ALRSA works on intersectional matters to achieve justice for all who require it. Through its main pillars it aims to achieve incremental change for vulnerable beings and ensure that their interests are accounted for in the legal system. Find out more about us at https://www.animallawreform.org/ or follow @AnimalLawReform. About CALS The Centre for Applied Legal Studies (CALS) is a public interest law organisation based at the Wits University School of Law. Founded in 1978 by Professor John Dugard, CALS continues to use a combination of research, advocacy and litigation to advance human rights and social justice in South Africa. Read more about our work at https://www.wits.ac.za/cals/ or follow @CALS_ZA. A female senior constable has shot a man who stabbed her colleague in the face and neck while responding to a domestic violence incident in suburban Brisbane. Police swarmed Hillgrove Street in Upper Mt Gravatt in the city's south at about 5pm on Wednesday, with locals reporting hearing multiple gunshots. It's understood two police officers attended a home to serve domestic violence papers when they were confronted by a man wielding a knife. The officers ordered the man to drop the weapon, which he refused. The man lunged at the male policeman and stabbed him below the eye before the officer's colleague fired four shots. The horrifying incident unfolded in front of shocked residents, including children. Dozens of police remain at the scene in Hillgrove Street Upper Mt Gravatt on Wednesday night after a policewoman shot a man who stabbed her male colleague in the face The alleged knifeman is believed to be in a critical condition in Princess Alexandra Hospital, where he underwent life-saving surgery and is expected to survive. The male officer's injuries are also understood to be very serious. He was taken to Royal Brisbane Hospital suffering from deep lacerations and is in a stable condition. Shocked police and first emergency responders who attended the scene have received counselling. Bailey, 12, told Seven News he was returning home from school with his mum when he saw a man run out of the house with what looked like a kitchen knife. 'He came over and stabbed one of the police officers in the face,' Bailey said. 'Then he's run away and the other one has shot him. The officer shot him who there for five minutes by herself. Then thousands of police cars came over helping the guy on the ground.' At least two people were treated at the scene by paramedics and rushed to hospital The male police officer and knife-wielding man were rushed to separate Brisbane hospitals Neighbour Victoria Frick, 26, initially thought the sound of gunshots was fireworks before she heard a woman screaming. 'Then we saw a police officer with blood on his face walking down the street, he was asking people for towels,' she told the Courier Mail. 'There was a female officer trying to calm him down.' Neighbours rushed to the aid of the injured officer. Ms Frick saw the man who had been shot sitting on the grass. 'There was a female officer holding a gun that was telling him to stay down... he was doing that, they were asking him to throw the knife away,' she said. Another resident arrived home to find 50 police officers in the street. The police incident occurred in Upper Mount Gravatt in Brisbane's south at around 5pm 'Apparently there was a guy walking around, a middle-aged man, just walking around with a paring knife in his hand and [he] approached one of the police officers,' Jamie Sporne told the ABC. 'And he just slashes one of their faces from like one side to the other. 'Then the other cop apparently just pulled out his gun and started shooting at the guy and fired and hit him.' A crime scene was declared in Hillgrove Street, which remained cordoned off for most of the night. Queensland Police's ethical standards command have spent the night at the scene and launched an investigation. Forensic officers and detectives also spent the night examining the scene and will return on Thursday morning to continue their investigations. Former Vice President Joe Biden and the rest of the planned convention speakers will not travel to Wisconsin for the quadrennial Democratic National Convention, according to a release from its committee Wednesday, citing health concerns with the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. "After ongoing consultation with public health officials and experts -- who underscored the worsening coronavirus pandemic -- the Democratic National Convention Committee announced today speakers for the 2020 Democratic National Convention will no longer travel to Milwaukee, Wisconsin in order to prevent risking the health of our host community as well as the convention's production teams, security officials, community partners, media and others necessary to orchestrate the event," the release said. MORE: Biden campaign goes on offense, looks to expand electoral map with $280 million general election ad buy Biden, who was scheduled to accept the party's nomination in the key battleground state on Aug. 20, will now accept the nomination from Delaware. PHOTO: Joe Biden arrives to speak about modernizing infrastructure and his plans for tackling climate change during a campaign event in Wilmington, Delaware, July 14, 2020. (Leah Millis/Reuters) "In accordance with this guidance, Vice President Joe Biden will no longer travel to Milwaukee and will instead address the nation and accept the Democratic nomination from his home state of Delaware. Details about the location of the speech will be released at a later time. Other speakers who had been planning to come to Milwaukee will not travel to the city," the announcement continued. Less than two weeks out, the sudden changes to the convention, an event that historically takes years to plan and is the capstone of the party's nominating process that typically attracts thousands of supporters and party loyalists, has effectively been reduced to an entirely virtual affair. MORE: The Note: Oppo takes toll on Biden's veepstakes contenders "From the very beginning of this pandemic, we put the health and safety of the American people first. We followed the science, listened to doctors and public health experts, and we continued making adjustments to our plans in order to protect lives. That's the kind of steady and responsible leadership America deserves. And that's the leadership Joe Biden will bring to the White House," Democratic National Committee Chair Tom Perez said in a statement along with the announcement. Story continues The convention was initially scheduled to take place in mid-July, but was pushed back to August over concerns about the coronavirus outbreak back in April. Democrats had already significantly scaled back the convention, announcing in late June that officials were planning for a mix of in-person and virtual elements. But over the last two months, as the coronavirus hobbled planning, organizers further pared back the event, urging members of Congress, state delegations and delegates not to travel to Wisconsin. Delegates are also voting entirely by online ballot, which began on Aug. 3 and will run until Aug. 15, two days before the convention kicks off. The results are expected to be announced on Aug. 17, the first night of the event. MORE: Biden, Obama reunite for socially distanced conversation, slam Trumps handling of COVID-19 crisis A source with knowledge of DNC convention plans in Milwaukee described the news as "definitely a gut punch." The source tells ABC News several officials have been left in the dark since the DNCC begin laying off staff in May. "They were trying to figure out what they're going to do with the convention, how we're going to do it and what would be done," the source said. "This is definitely a disappointing, missed opportunity. It's not the DNC's fault, they were doing everything. It's the coronavirus." The source added, "This is a failure of the administration not taking s--t seriously." PHOTO: Joe Biden speaks at a campaign event at the William 'Hicks' Anderson Community Center in Wilmington, Del., July 28, 2020. (Andrew Harnik/AP Photo) Despite the lack of presence in Milwaukee, the Democratic National Convention will still air in primetime for two hours each night from Aug. 17-20, with remarks from the former vice president on the evening of Aug. 20 and his highly anticipated vice presidential pick the night before. The gathering will include both taped segments and live broadcasts. Convention speakers are still expected to be in virtual locations across the country, according to the newest announcement from organizers. Details have yet to be released on exactly where those satellite locations will be. "This convention will look different than any previous convention in history. It will reach more people than ever before, and truly be a convention across America for all Americans, regardless of which party you belong to or who you've voted for in previous elections. This 'unconventional' convention will launch Joe Biden to victory in November," Joe Solmonese, CEO of the 2020 Democratic National Convention, said in a statement. MORE: The Note: Streamlined Trump campaign again meets scattershot candidate Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers, who officially endorsed Biden earlier this week, issued a statement on Wednesday on the news, arguing that the decision reflects the presumptive Democratic nominee's commitment to the protection of the public health. "It has never been more important for elected officials to lead by examplethat's the kind of leader Joe is, and that's the kind of president we need. I know he will continue to have a presence in Wisconsin, virtually or otherwise, and I look forward to doing everything we can to win Wisconsin," Evers said. Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes also reacted to the news with a single angry emoji, reflecting the frustration of many over what many believed would be a celebratory convention anchored in a key swing state. Mandela Barnes (@TheOtherMandela) August 5, 2020 As recently as July 23, Biden publicly said he intended to accept the nomination in Milwaukee, but cautioned that all decisions around the convention should be made in accordance with guidance from health officials. "In contrast with what Donald Trump and Republicans are doing, our top priority is going to be the health and safety of the people of Milwaukee. Any decision will be guided by science and public health, period. Milwaukee is still the anchor of our convention," Biden said in an interview with a Milwaukee news affiliate last month. MORE: Biden promises 3 million new jobs in caregiving, early education in 3rd pillar of his economic plan Just last week, party officials released a schedule of events that included a statement from Perez that said the event would be "anchored" in Milwaukee -- underscoring how abruptly and on-the-fly planning has changed. Despite Democrats holding out hope for an in-person event in some form, Biden has often warned about the impact COVID-19 could have on the gathering. Shortly after the date change to August was announced, the former vice president speculated on what form the convention would take due to the virus during an interview on ABC's "This Week." "We're going to have to do a convention. We may have to do a virtual convention. I think we should be thinking about that right now," Biden told ABC News' Chief Anchor George Stephanopoulos in April. "Again let's see where it is -- and what we do between now and then is going to dictate a lot of that as well. But my point is that I think you just got to follow the science." What to know about the 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 Tune into ABC at 1 p.m. ET and ABC News Live at 4 p.m. ET every weekday for special coverage of the novel coronavirus with the full ABC News team, including the latest news, context and analysis. Biden will no longer travel to DNC to accept Democratic nomination amid pandemic originally appeared on abcnews.go.com Colombia's former President Alvaro Uribe was placed under house arrest Tuesday by the Supreme Court as he continues to be investigated for fraud and witness tampering. The court reached a unanimous decision after finding there was potential for obstruction of justice to take place, it said in a statement. 'Senator Uribe will serve out his confinement in his residence, from where he can continue to mount his defense,' the court said. The investigation comes from accusations made by Senator Ivan Cepeda, who alleges that Uribe was a founding member of a paramilitary group in his home province during the decades-long civil conflict involving government forces, leftist rebels and right-wing bands that left hundreds of thousands dead, displaced or missing. Alvaro Uribe, who was president of Colombia from 2002 to 2010, was placed under house arrest Tuesday by the Supreme Court. Uribe is being investigated for fraud and witness tampering after an accusation was brought forward alleging the former leader was a founding member of a paramilitary group People who support the house arrest of Senator Alvaro Uribe gather in a street in Bogota, Colombia, after the Supreme Court announced its unanimous decision as part of an investigation surrounding fraud and witness tampering by the former president Residents in Colombia take part in a caravan in support of former President Alvaro Uribe Uribe, a mentor of President Ivan Duque who now serves as a senator, has repeatedly declared his innocence in the case and questioned the high court's independence. 'The deprivation of my freedom causes me a profound sadness for my wife, for my family and for the Colombians who still believe that I have done something good for the homeland,' the 68-year-old wrote on Twitter. It is the first time ever that a former president in Colombia has been ordered detained. A celebration of the court's decision took place in Bogota and other cities Tuesday evening. Supporters of Uribe protested the Supreme Court's decision, which was denounced by Duque. Supporters of former President Alvaro Uribe confront the police in Bogota, Colombia, after the Supreme Court announced its decision to place Uribe under house arrest A woman shouts slogans during a caravan in support of former Colombian President and current senator Alvaro Uribe Colombia's former President Alvaro Uribe, a mentor of President Ivan Duque, has repeatedly declared his innocence in the case and questioned the high court's independence as he is being investigated for fraud and witness tampering after he was was accused of allegedly being a founding member of a paramilitary group 'I have always considered him and will considered him a genuine patriot, dedicated to serving Colombia," Duque said in a video statement. 'Alvaro Uribe confronted drug trafficking, terrorism, and the totalitarian regimes of Latin America. 'It hurts, as a Colombian, that many who have wounded the country with barbarities defend themselves in freedom ... that an exemplary public servant who has held the highest position of the state cannot defend himself in freedom with the presumption of innocence.' According to local media, Uribe is at his country house in the northern province of Cordoba, off Colombia's Caribbean coast. Supporters of the former Colombian President and current senator Alvaro Uribe Velez shout slogans and wave the national flag while protesting against the senator's arrest warrant in the streets of Bogota, Colombia People show their support for former President Uribe Uribe served as president from 2002 to 2010, overseeing the country at a time of continuing conflict with the former Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia [FARC]. His political legacy remains highly polarizing, with some Colombians crediting him for weakening leftist rebels and turning the tide in the country's long civil conflict, and others decrying his iron-fisted approach. Some of the Andean nation's most grave human rights abuses took place during his mandate. Throughout his career, Uribe has been dogged by allegations of ties to drug cartels and paramilitaries. The civil aviation agency he led in the early 1980s was accused of giving air licenses to drug traffickers. Declassified State Department cables from a decade earlier show U.S. officials were told the up-and-coming politician had ties to cartels. In 2012, Uribe accused Cepeda of orchestrating a plot to tie him to right-wing paramilitary groups. But in 2018 the court said Cepeda had collected information from former fighters as part of his work and had not paid or pressured former paramilitaries. Instead it was Uribe who was at fault, the court said, adding that his allies had undertaken new witness tampering efforts even after its original ruling. Uribe and lawmaker Alvaro Hernan Prada face prison terms of up to 12 years. That would put Uribe in the ranks of other former Latin American presidents, including Brazil's Lula da Silva and Peru's Alberto Fujimori, who have served time in confinement. 'There is no one in Colombia who is above justice or the law, no matter how influential they are,' Cepeda said in a virtual news conference. Uribe is best known for mounting an aggressive offensive against Marxist guerrillas during his 2002 to 2010 tenure. He and his family have long been accused of paramilitary links. His brother Santiago is facing a murder charge. Uribe's detention may weaken the cohesion of the Democratic Center in Congress as Duque ties to pass reforms meant to help manage the fallout of coronavirus. Right-wing paramilitary groups, formed in the 1980s to fight leftist rebels, were financed by drug traffickers, ranchers and landowners. The groups ruled through terror, committing massacres, rape and mass displacements. The latest talks involving Ethiopia, Egypt and Sudan on Ethiopias Nile River dam have broken down just days after they began. The development puts the future of negotiations on the controversial mega dam in jeopardy. Egypt and Sudan suspended the African Union-sponsored talks following a new disagreement with Ethiopia, The Associated Press reported today. Ethiopia began filling the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) in July following years of talks with the downstream nations Egypt and Sudan. The GERD is on the Blue Nile River, which is a tributary of the Nile River. The dam was built to provide electricity to Ethiopia, but Egypt and Sudan are concerned filling the dam could dangerously lower the water levels of the river in their country. The Nile and its tributaries flow northward in East Africa through Ethiopia, Sudan and Egypt until the Mediterranean. The latest round of talks began on Monday following earlier controversial news regarding the filling. In mid-July, Ethiopian news outlets reported that the country had begun filling the dam sans an agreement with Egypt and Sudan. Hours later, Ethiopian officials denied this, saying heavy rainfall led to increased water levels in the dam. Ethiopia then said that the first year of filling was over and called for new talks. These talks broke down due to a disagreement over new Ethiopian guidelines for future fillings. Ethiopia submitted the guidelines on Monday in the talks observed by the African Union, South Africa, the United States and the European Union. Egypt and Sudan then adjourned the meeting to review these, according to a Tuesday statement from Ethiopias Ministry of Water, Irrigation and Energy. Ethiopia did not specify what the new guidelines were in its statement. Sudans Ministry of Irrigation and Water Resources said the guidelines only cover the first filling of the GERD and not future fillings, the state-run Sudan News Agency reported on Tuesday. Egypt felt the guidelines lacked rules for operating the dam and violated past agreements, according to the state-owned Al-Ahram news outlet. Sudan also said the water levels in the Blue Nile River increased by an unspecified amount on Tuesday. It is unclear if or when the tripartite negotiations will next occur. The dam is a sensitive issue for all countries involved. The Nile is a major part of the East African economy. At a UN Security Council meeting on the GERD in June, Egypt said the agreement on the dam is a matter of survival. Ethiopia strongly believes that the dam is necessary to alleviate poverty in the country. The disagreement runs the risk of turning into a more serious issue. The UN Security Council usually deliberates on issues of armed conflict, and it felt the need to host GERD discussions. An Ethiopian military commander also made a vague threat toward Egypt in June. Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-05 04:57:02|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close A protective mask is seen beside a map of famous Parisian tourist spots in Paris, France, Aug. 4, 2020. Amid signs of the epidemic resurgence, Paris is considering ordering people to wear masks in busy outdoor public spaces after the government authorized local authorities to toughen rule to contain coronavirus circulation during summer holidays. Parisians and visitors will have to wear a mask when they stroll along the banks of the Seine, visit the capital's open-air markets or main tourist spots. (Xinhua/Gao Jing) PARIS, Aug. 4 (Xinhua) -- Amid signs of the epidemic resurgence, Paris is considering ordering people to wear masks in busy outdoor public spaces after the government authorized local authorities to toughen rule to contain coronavirus circulation during summer holidays. "Wearing a mask is unpleasant, especially in hot weather, but it is really a necessary gesture as the epidemic resurges," said Anne Souyris, deputy mayor of Paris in charge of health issues. "We are therefore going to ask that it become mandatory in outdoor places where there are a lot of people and where keeping the distance of one meter is difficult," she told national daily Le Monde on Tuesday. Parisians and visitors will have to wear a mask when they stroll along the banks of the Seine, visit the capital's open-air markets or main tourist spots. In Toulouse, France's fourth-largest city, starting from Wednesday any person older than 10 years must come out with a mask in "places where barrier measures are poorly respected." "This new measure, although binding, have the sole purpose of further protecting the people... against the spread of the epidemic," Jean-Luc Moudenc, Toulouse mayor, told le Figaro newspaper. Amidst fears of a second pandemic wave, a number of cities in France, including Lille, Nice and La Mayenne, have made mask-wearing compulsory in busy pedestrian streets and uncovered markets in addition to tourist spots. The new anti-coronavirus rule coincided with an alarming report issued by the country's scientific council, which pointed that a second wave was "highly likely" this autumn or winter unless people avoid social mixing and respect barrier gestures. "The virus is circulating actively with an increased absence of distancing and barrier measures: the balance is fragile and we can switch at any time to a less controlled scenario like in Spain," the council said. "The short-term future of the pandemic mainly lies in the hands of the population," it added. The advisory body asked authorities to anticipate all the possible scenarios and prepare "prevention plans" for the country's most populated metropolitan areas, and to consider local lockdown according to the epidemic situation. It also recommended better access to tests to rapidly trace and isolate cases, as well as stricter control on travelers arriving from countries "at risk." Since the epidemic outbreak, 192,334 people in France have tested positive for the COVID-19, with a single-day rise of 1,039 on Tuesday, higher than 556 registered a day before, the Health Ministry said. In a visit to the Mediterranean city of Toulon early Tuesday, President Emmanuel Macron recalled "the importance of remaining vigilant in this period of coronavirus." "It's important to continue to respect guidelines against kissing and shaking hands, to wear masks, wash your hands with antibacterial gel, and be careful when the grandchildren come to visit, because the virus is still circulating in our country," Macron said after meeting social workers looking after old people. On Monday, Prime Minister Jean Castex gave the same alert, urging French citizens not to "let down the guard." Enditem BP chopped its prized dividend in half after a record quarterly loss of 13.5billion. The energy giant was hammered by a sharp drop in oil prices, triggered by the pandemic. It is the first time BP has cut its payout to shareholders since the Deepwater Horizon disaster a decade ago. Dividend cut: Energy giant BP was hammered by a sharp drop in oil prices, triggered by the pandemic The move deals another devastating blow to UK pension funds and savers, which rely on BP's regular payouts for extra income. The company will hand investors 850million for the period between April and June. This works out at about 4p per share, down from 1.7billion between January and March when it paid 8.1p. But shares jumped 6.5 per cent, or 18.2p, to 299.25p after chief executive Bernard Looney unveiled some details of its new green strategy. Analysts had predicted that BP would axe its dividend after a hellish period that Looney has described as the 'toughest quarter in the industry's history'. Measures to contain the spread of the coronavirus across the world led to transport and work restrictions that grounded planes, took cars off the road and closed factories for months. This meant demand for oil fell even though lots was still being produced and drove down the price of Brent crude as low as $19 a barrel, compared with almost $70 at the start of the year. BP has now had to cut its long-term oil price forecasts and write off the value of some exploration assets, admitting that these might never be developed. It took the firm's impairment and writedown charges to 13.4billion in the second quarter. Its share price has plunged by around 37 per cent this year and it is axing 10,000 staff from its global workforce of 70,000. The company thinks demand for oil could fall by 9m barrels a day or about 9 per cent of pre-coronavirus oil consumption, which was about 100m barrels a day. BP had been on track to pay out almost 7billion to shareholders this year and had become the largest dividend payer on the FTSE 100 after rival Royal Dutch Shell knocked two-thirds off its payout. But BP's dividend will total around 4.3billion after it has pledged to pay the 4p per share rate for the foreseeable future. Looney, who took over from long-running boss Bob Dudley in February this year, said the top priority for cash will be funding the dividend. Next, it will be paying down debt and then investing in becoming a green energy group. If there is any spare cash left, it will hand back about 60 per cent of this to shareholders by buying back shares, once the net debt is below 27billion. BP plans to pivot from being a traditional oil and gas group to an 'integrated energy company'. Looney unveiled plans to invest in renewables, bioenergy and carbon storage technology. It wants to increase its investment in low-carbon technology tenfold, to around 3.8billion a year by 2030, and cut its oil and gas output by at least 40 per cent. Environmental campaigners Greenpeace said BP had 'woken up to the immediate need to cut carbon emissions this decade'. Looney said: 'This coming decade is critical for the world in the fight against climate change, and to drive the necessary change in global energy systems will require action from everyone.' He will give a more detailed 'roadmap' for the transition in mid-September. After a lot of sensitization and provision of gadgets to lay the pandemic to rest, the population now sees the need to implement government prescribed measures. The Buea Council has embraced different methods to see that its population is free from the Coronavirus pandemic which is ravaging mankind. When social distancing was most talked, the Council ordered that all markets in the municipality should function on a daily basis. It went further in creating a food market below the Cameroon Opportunity Industralisation Centre (COIC) which is now part of the Great Soppo Market. Speaking on July 8, 2020, the Mayor of Buea Council, David Mafani Namange, said that several preventive measures ranging from those put in place by the World Health Organisation and the Government are being implemented to the letter by the Buea Council team. To contain the spread of COVID-19 within municipality, Buea Council embarked on sensitisation using mobile communication vans that combed the municipality presenting the realities of Coronavirus and how to avoid it. The Council distributed more than 5,000 face masks to its population. Wash hand kits with soap and hand sanitizers were placed at strategic areas for public usage. Prior to school reopening on June 1, 2020, the Buea Council in synergy with South West Regional Delegation for Public Health disinfected all classrooms in the municipality. However, the Mayor decried that some Buea denizens are still nonchalant about the measures to prevent COVID-19. Buea Council said its outreach to its population has seen enormous contribution from partners. They brought in hand washing containers, waste water collectors, faces masks, cartons of laundry soap, dozens of Carmel water among others. In its vision of not letting even the downtrodden behind, the Buea Council donated face masks to prisoners at the Buea Central Prison, orphanages, to the trainees at the National Disarmament Demobilisation and Reintegration Committee Centre (NDDRC) etc. Through Chiefs and Quarter Heads, thousands of anti-Coronavirus kits were given to the general public to curb the spread of the pandemic in villages. Moderna Inc said on Wednesday smaller volume agreements for its experimental coronavirus vaccine have been priced in the range of $32 to $37 per dose, higher than the price set by the U.S. deal for Pfizer Incs vaccine candidate. As the race to develop COVID-19 vaccines reach a decisive stage, with several candidates being tested in pivotal late-stage studies, pricing has come under increasing scrutiny. We will be responsible on price well below (its) value during the pandemic," Chief Executive Officer Stephane Bancel said on a conference call, adding that larger volume agreements for its vaccine will be priced lower. Last month, the U.S. government struck a deal for an experiment vaccine being developed by Pfizer and partner BioNTech SE that secures enough vaccine to inoculate 50 million Americans for about $40 a person. Modernas two-dose vaccine regimen would cost between $64 and $74 per person. Moderna, which has no drugs on the market, has received nearly $1 billion from the U.S. government under a plan to speed up vaccine development. It has not struck a supply agreement with the United States. The company said on Wednesday it was in talks with several countries for supply agreements for its vaccine, adding that it had already received about $400 million in deposits for eventual supply. Moderna said enrolment for its late-stage vaccine study that aims to include 30,000 people is on track to be completed in September. The companys vaccine candidate is one of the few that have already advanced to the final stage of testing. Effective vaccines are seen as essential to halting a pandemic that has claimed more than 700,000 lives worldwide. Moderna said last month it plans to price its coronavirus vaccine in a way that ensures broad access and that it did not intend to conduct late-stage trials of the vaccine outside the United States. Moderna shares fell 5% in early trading on Wednesday. Disclaimer: This post has been auto-published from an agency feed without any modifications to the text and has not been reviewed by an editor Egypts Prosecutor-General Hamada El-Sawy ordered on Wednesday an investigation into a recent rape allegation dubbed by social media users as the Fairmont incident. According to a statement issued on Tuesday by the prosecutors office, the prosecution received a letter from the National Council of Woman on Tuesday which detailed a complaint sent to the council by a woman alleging she was raped by several people inside Fairmont Nile City Hotel in Cairo in August 2014. The complaint included testimonies of other people concerning the incident, the statement said. Two weeks ago, an anonymous Instagram account posted a series of allegations accusing a group of young men, including the sons of prominent businessmen, of being involved in a gang rape at the Fairmont Hotel following a dance party. The account, which shared the names and photos of the suspects, said that an underage victim was raped after being drugged by the assailants with GHB, and that the incident was filmed by the suspects and shared among their social circle. The account said that the victim left Egypt following the rape. The allegation has gained widespread attention on social media networks, especially on Twitter and Facebook, with hashtags in Arabic and English including #fairmontincident going viral. In statements to AFP earlier this week, the Fairmont Nile City Hotel administration said that there is an ongoing internal investigation into the allegation. This is the second case involving sexual assault that has caused outrage in Egypt over the past two months, after the recent accusations against alleged serial rapist Ahmed Bassam Zaki. Zaki was arrested in early July after dozens of women took to social media to accuse him of rape, sexual assault, and blackmail. Zaki is facing charges of attempting to have sex with two females, including a minor, without their consent. He is also accused of using blackmail in attempts to coerce women into granting him sexual favours. Zaki is currently detained pending investigation. Search Keywords: Short link: Denver authorities have opened an investigation into a fire that killed five people in a suburban house in the city. The Denver Fire Department were called to a Green Valley Ranch home at 2:40am on Wednesday morning, after a local police officer alerted them to the burning building. Officers quickly determined there were people in the home, Joe Montoya, chief of the Denver Police Departments investigations division, said in a press conference on Wednesday morning. There was a valiant effort to try to pull people from the home. They were unable to save some of the individuals that perished in the fire. he added. Although he did not elaborate on what the department had found, Mr Montoya told reporters that the authorities have indication through some evidence that it was arson. The victims bodies were discovered after the fire had been extinguished and Denver Fire Department captain Greg Pixley told the AP that they believe they were three adults, a toddler and an older child. Recommended Man arrested over deadly arson at Japanese animation studio Three other people were able to escape the fire by jumping from the houses second floor, but their current conditions are unknown, according to the Associated Press. The family who lived in the house are believed to have come to the US from Senegal a few years ago and other people from the citys Senegalese community gathered outside their home on Wednesday. Many of them said that they will wait at the house until the bodies are removed from the residence, according to The Denver Post. One of the people waiting outside, Ousman Ba, told the Post that he does not understand why the house would be intentionally set on fire, and asked: What would our community do to be a target? Mr Pixley praised the fire department for their work keeping the fire under control and stopping it from spreading to other houses in the area, and said: Were very lucky in that respect because this fire could have been far more significant, affecting far more people. He added: This is a devastating time for Denver and this community. Our heart and our prayers go out to this community. YEREVAN, AUGUST 5, ARMENPRESS. Since early morning, the Office of the High Commissioner for Diaspora Affairs, and High Commissioner Zareh Sinanyan, have been in direct and constant contact with the Lebanese Armenian community, including representatives from religious, healthcare, educational and charitable organizations, the media, as well as the Ambassador of the Republic of Armenia Vahagn Atabekyan, in order to conduct a preliminary assessment of needs following the explosion that took place in Beirut on August 4. As ARMENPRESS was informed from the Office of the High Commissioner for Diaspora Affairs, according to the information received from the community, the most urgent needs at the moment are acquiring medication (especially for chronically ill patients), food and water, financial assistance for reconstruction efforts in Armenian populated neighborhoods (residential houses, shops, schools, churches, and community centers), assistance with and streamlining of the repatriation process for those who would like to repatriate to Armenia. The representatives also highlighted the necessity for psychological support as a secondary need. Community representatives stated that they too are conducting a needs assessment and that it will take some time to develop a more comprehensive analysis of the situation. This evening, His Holiness Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia Aram I will hold a meeting with community leaders, during which these issues will be discussed. During a phone call, His Holiness Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia Aram I and High Commissioner Zareh Sinanyan discussed the situation in Lebanon in general, and in the Armenian community, the victims and the wounded. Efforts are being made to assess the situation correctly, which will allow for the provision of more targeted support. The High Commissioner is in constant contact with Aram I. Based on the analysis of the Office of the High Commissioner for Diaspora Affairs, several aid and support options are currently being developed. South Africa: NPA welcomes sentencing of ex-SASSA official for fraud The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) in the Eastern Cape has welcomed the sentence imposed on a former South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) official and her accomplice, who defrauded SASSA of R1.2 million. Nombuso Lynette Dlamini, 44, and Siyasanga Gqamane, 31, were sentenced by the Mbizana Regional Court last week Friday for defrauding the State of approximately R1.2 million between 2006 and 2011. The suspects fraudulent activities were uncovered in 2011 and upon their arrest, multiple bank cards were found in their possession. Provincial NPA spokesperson, Luxolo Tyali, said Dlamini, a former clerk at SASSA, and her accomplice Gqamane created, captured and approved fictitious social grants using other unsuspecting peoples identity documents. They also opened bank accounts using the identity document numbers and the fictitious names used when capturing the applications. The social grants were then deposited into those accounts. After a lengthy trial, the duo pleaded guilty after the State had presented its evidence. As the NPA, we welcome the sentence with the hope that its going to serve as a deterrent to other government officials, who intend defrauding the state, Tyali said. Dlamini was sentenced to 10 years imprisonment, two of which were suspended for five years with stringent conditions. Gqamane was sentenced to eight years imprisonment, with two years suspended for five years with stringent conditions. SAnews.gov.za This story has been published on: 2020-08-05. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. Endeavour Silver Corp (NYSE:EXK) Q2 2020 Earnings Call , 1:00 p.m. ET Contents: Prepared Remarks Questions and Answers Call Participants Prepared Remarks: Operator Thank you for standing by. This is the conference operator. Welcome to the Endeavour Silver Second Quarter Financial Results Conference Call. [Operator Instructions] I would now like to turn the conference over to Galina Meleger, Director of Investor Relations. Please go ahead. Galina Meleger -- Director of Investor Relations Thank you, operator. Good morning, everyone, and welcome to the Endeavour Silver 2020 Second Quarter Financial Results Conference Call. With me on the line today, we have the company's Chief Executive Officer, Bradford Cooke; our Chief Financial Officer, Dan Dickson; and our Chief Operating Officer, Godfrey Walton. Before we get started, I'm required to remind you that certain statements on today's call will contain forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws. These may include statements regarding Endeavour's anticipated performance in 2020 and future years, including revenue and cost figures, silver and gold production, grades and recoveries, and the timing and expenditures required to develop new silver mines and mineralized zones. We do not intend to and do not assume any obligation to update such forward-looking information other than as required by applicable law. On behalf of Endeavour Silver, I'd like to thank you again for joining our call. And I'll now turn it over to our CEO, Bradford Cooke. Bradford Cooke -- Chief Executive Officer Great. Thank you, Galina, and welcome everybody to this financial results for the second quarter conference call. We had a lot of challenges thrown at us during the second quarter not the least, of which was the COVID-19 pandemic, the government-mandated shutdown of mines in Mexico, since reopened, and all the issues related to that. I am pleased to report that, notwithstanding all of that, Endeavour was actually able to deliver a decent quarter. We reduced our net loss quarter-on-quarter. Each mine generated positive line free cash flow. And that was generally due to the -- not only the higher metal -- precious metal prices but our improved operating performance across the three mines. So I'm just going to go through the highlights of today's news release and then we'll open it up for Q&A. Top line revenue was $20.2 million in the second quarter. And of course with reduced production that was quite an accomplishment. Our cash flow came in at $1.9 million before -- sorry that's from operations before working capital changes. Net income was a loss of $3.3 million or $0.02 per share, but virtually all of that could be found in the care and maintenance costs during the mine suspension period when we actually had to send our employees home on their full wages and wait out the suspension period, and also in general and administrative costs related to the mark-to-market of our deferred share units, due to the higher share price. So balance sheet improved during the quarter. We finished the quarter with more than $30 million in cash, and more than $44 million working capital. That was partly, due to making use of our ATM equity financing, but also due to the performance of the operations. Metal production as a reminder was just shy of 600,000 ounces silver and 6,000 ounces gold. That works out to about 1.1 million ounces of silver equivalents at the now 80:1 silver/gold ratio. Operating costs improved significantly during the quarter. Cash costs were down to $2.78 per ounce net of the gold credit. And the all-in sustaining costs consolidated were $14.91 per ounce of payable silver net of the gold credit. Both were substantially lower quarter-on-quarter and year-on-year, again due to the improved operating performance at Guanacevi and the high realized -- higher realized gold price for the by-product credit. Guanacevi continues to outperform. If you recall, we launched over a year ago a complete clean sweep of the operations operating turnaround and a transitioning from mining deep low-grade ore bodies to opening new higher-grade ore bodies. That transition was completed in January. As a result in Q2, Guanacevi continued to generate mine free cash flow of around $2.7 million, and we saw higher processed tonnes higher silver and gold grades, higher silver and gold recoveries all well above plan. We also had an advantage at Guanacevi when we did the restart in May in that we've had not only a significant high-grade stockpile built up prior to shutdown, but we had prepared some long hole stopes for blasting prior to shutdown. And that really expedited both an early plant restart and a on-time mine restart. Bolanitos, still turning the corner. As forecasted the operating turnaround there was launched not even a year ago. But it also was able to squeak out a small profit on a mine free cash flow basis. And its restart was slower -- because of smaller stockpile and more of a focus on accelerating the mine development and grade control during the ramp-up period the restart period. El Compas was also able to generate free cash flow with mine free cash flow at $1.1 million. Its restart was also slower than Guanacevi again due to a smaller stockpile and the focus on mine development and grade control. And last, but not least, we did rev up the exploration drills again in late May after a shutdown in early April. And we did enjoy continued exploration, positive exploration drill results from the El Curso area at Guanacevi and the Melladito area at Bolanitos. We're actually mining the El Curso area now and they continue to grow the resources there. And we're currently developing toward the Melladito area and we hope to be in it here in Q3, Q4 for production. So that's basically a summary of our Q2 operational and financial performance. I think now we might as well open this up for Q&A. Questions and Answers: Operator Thank you. We will now begin the question-and-answer session. [Operator Instructions] Our first question comes from Heiko Ihle of H.C. Wainwright. Please go ahead. Marcus Giannini -- H.C. Wainwright -- Analyst Hey, guys. This is Marcus Giannini calling in for Heiko. Thanks for taking questions and congrats on the quarter. You made some pretty strong moves in the silver prices recently. Bradford Cooke -- Chief Executive Officer Yes. Thank you. Marcus Giannini -- H.C. Wainwright -- Analyst So you meaningfully improved operations at Guanacevi as the mine seems to be running quite well and it's nice to see all the progress that's been made. We're currently in August so there's about five months left in 2020. Could you just provide some 2021 and possibly even longer-term plans and goals for the mine? Bradford Cooke -- Chief Executive Officer For Guanacevi in particular? Marcus Giannini -- H.C. Wainwright -- Analyst Yes, Guanacevi in particular. Bradford Cooke -- Chief Executive Officer Okay. Well, thanks for your question Marcus. On the financial side maybe I'll let Dan answer. Dan Dickson -- Chief Financial Officer Well, we haven't come out with 2020 guidance just because of the COVID situation in Mexico where COVID cases are continuing to rise. But otherwise, if we can continue to operate we are an essential business in Mexico. We continue to operate close to 1,200 tonne per day capacity. So we'll be slightly below the 1,200 days 1,150 with similar grades to what we originally guided for the year. But ultimately we expect that same capacity and similar grades into 2021 if you're trying to predict that Marcus. Marcus Giannini -- H.C. Wainwright -- Analyst All right. Excellent. Yeah. Bradford Cooke -- Chief Executive Officer So if I could add to that. What Dan's saying is that everything based on site is going according to plan or better. But offsite concerns such as stopping COVID at the gates, keeping high-risk people at home so we actually have a depleted workforce because -- particularly the contractors can't maintain the level of employment that we require. We're still a little bit concerned that we'll be able to outperform on a continued basis. So this is just being careful. But everything that we control on-site is doing better than planned. Marcus Giannini -- H.C. Wainwright -- Analyst Okay. Yes, fair enough. And then, sort of, on that note if we ask you to guess do you have a dollar figure regarding the impact of COVID-19 through today? And if you have an estimate of sort of projected expenditures related to COVID that have not yet been incurred thus far? Dan Dickson -- Chief Financial Officer Yes. As far as costs have not yet been incurred, I think, we've incurred everything from a COVID standpoint. We were shut down for remote -- all of April and a little bit of May, which ended up being about $800,000 but most of that was standby costs. The costs incurred to bring in lost stations increased security, get metal equipment were really incurred in April -- March and April. And then ultimately it's the testing kits that, we have on-site, that is the continued cost. So it's actually quite little. You're talking about $125,000 on a quarterly basis, so small impact at each operation going forward. It's just the larger impact of COVID that is a bigger concern for us. There's other thing that because of COVID we've seen a decrease in costs, such as travel to and from sites. So even that -- the increased medical costs, so to speak has probably been offset a little bit by efficiencies just using, Zoom and Teams and reduced workforce. Eventually maybe that will catch up to all mines that are offering that way, but we seem to be managing pretty well. Bradford Cooke -- Chief Executive Officer And I think we are able to utilize our existing workforce. The security, we haven't really had to beef up much. They're doing more obviously with temperature and questionnaires. And all of that with every person coming and going at the gates of each mine. But it didn't require a significant increase in security. Same thing with sanitation, we probably hired a few more bodies to do a lot more sanitation. But it wasn't a big number. Marcus Giannini -- H.C. Wainwright -- Analyst Perfect. All right. Thanks for taking my questions guys. Operator Our next question comes from Joseph Reagor of ROTH Capital Partners. Please go ahead. Joseph Reagor -- ROTH Capital Partners -- Analyst Good morning guys. Thanks for taking my questions. Bradford Cooke -- Chief Executive Officer Hi Joseph. Joseph Reagor -- ROTH Capital Partners -- Analyst Just -- hi. So on the G&A level, when I looked at the breakdown, it looks like, salaries wages and benefits were up quite a bit in the quarter. Is that just like a one-time thing because of the shutdown, you had to move some G&A costs from the mine level up to the corporate level? Dan Dickson -- Chief Financial Officer No, actually Joe, its Dan here. The G&A movement was actually mark-to-market on deferred share units. A lot of our directors are paid in deferred shares. And under IFRS we have to mark that to market. So it's a function of our share price going from about CAD2.14 [Phonetic], up into the CAD4 [Phonetic] -- I don't want to say almost CAD5 [Phonetic] range, at the end of the quarter. So we have a $1.1 million salary charge related just to that mark-to-market. Joseph Reagor -- ROTH Capital Partners -- Analyst Okay, but its, non-cash, right? So... Dan Dickson -- Chief Financial Officer Non-cash. Joseph Reagor -- ROTH Capital Partners -- Analyst Yeah. Okay. All right, so I guess the way to think about it is if the stock is higher again there might be another one this quarter but just backing out of our cash flow statement. Dan Dickson -- Chief Financial Officer Exactly. Joseph Reagor -- ROTH Capital Partners -- Analyst Okay. Then on -- obviously ATM you guys raised a good amount of money. Balance sheet is a lot stronger than it was at the end of last quarter. Do you guys think you have enough capital to now go out and fund Terronera via debt-only in addition to here, or do you still think there might be an equity component to that in addition to what you've already raised? And do you have any [Technical Issues] used what is it $2.25 million on the [Technical Issues]. Bradford Cooke -- Chief Executive Officer Thanks for your question, Joe. It's Brad. I don't think we've changed how we plan to finance Terronera. It's still going to be a debt equity mix. The timing and amounts are still somewhat, up to debate. But with the new capex on Terronera of around $100 million, it does make it a lot more financeable project. And ideally, it would be like a 35-65 equity debt split. So that's the plan. We have launched into commissioning a feasibility study. We hope to actually grant the study to an engineering firm by the end of August, early September. And it will be less than a year from then to complete that study. Guanacevi the hot markets, we may not need to wait to put the financing in place. That was the original plan. But when gold was -- and silver prices were beat up, in March. We were thinking well, we'll just go to feasibility and worry about financing later. But obviously the markets have responded very robustly to the global monetization of COVID shall we say. And as a result, the markets are definitely open. So timing still to be determined, but 35-65 debt -- equity debt split is still the plan. Operator Our next question comes from Justin Stevens of PI Financial. Please go ahead. Justin Stevens -- PI Financial -- Analyst Good morning, guys. Most of my questions have been crossed off here. So, just a couple on some order sourcing though. So, Guanacevi, how's the development of Santa Cruz Sur going? I know it was running a bit behind schedule. But are you guys getting close there? Godfrey Walton -- President and Chief Operating Officer Thanks, Justin. This is Godfrey. We were a bit behind in Q2, but we've actually managed to catch up. And the ore split right now is a third from Milache, a third from Curso and a third from Santa Cruz Sur. So, we've got some very nice grades coming out of Santa Cruz Sur at the present time. Justin Stevens -- PI Financial -- Analyst And that -- and so that's pretty steady now. That will be the plan, I guess going forward for at least the next few quarters year? Is it was about one-third, one-third, one-third? Godfrey Walton -- President and Chief Operating Officer Yeah. That's the plan for the rest of year. Justin Stevens -- PI Financial -- Analyst Okay. Great. No, that's what I like to hear. And then just over the Bolanitos side. I think Brad you said that you're currently mining from San Miguel, but you're getting into Bolanitos? Is that what I heard? Bradford Cooke -- Chief Executive Officer Yeah. The plan is to be -- we're developing toward Bolanitos right now, and we expect to be in there in Q4. So, we'll have some self development mineral coming from there in Q4. Justin Stevens -- PI Financial -- Analyst Great. Yeah. And then we did -- I guess I mean Brad you sort of touched on that there. But, just sort of the -- do you guys have an idea internally of what your tipping point might be in terms of, I guess silver price or sort of cost of capital that would make you sort of move ahead to the Terronera decision development design before the feasibility study? Bradford Cooke -- Chief Executive Officer Well, I don't think it's going to be price sensitive. If we're weighing the money on price that was on the old prices, not today's price. I think the determinant factor on timing is simply, are the markets sufficient to finance the project and are there some long lead items that our Project Director is happy that he'd be willing to start breaking ground for instance before the feasibility study is finished. So, those are questions we hope to answer here very quickly in the coming weeks and give some clarity on timing in the -- hopefully this quarter. Justin Stevens -- PI Financial -- Analyst Great. All right. That's it for me. Thanks guys. Bradford Cooke -- Chief Executive Officer Thanks for your questions. Operator Our next question comes from Bhakti Pavani of Alliance Global Partners. Please go ahead. Bhakti Pavani -- Alliance Global Partners -- Analyst Good morning, guys. Thank you for taking my questions, and congratulations on the quarter. Bradford Cooke -- Chief Executive Officer Thank you, Bhakti. Bhakti Pavani -- Alliance Global Partners -- Analyst I just wanted to dig a little bit deeper into Guanacevi. I know Dan kind of previously alluded on the grade profile. But the grade for both silver and gold increased quite a bit in second quarter compared to first quarter of this year. So, from the margin perspective, what would be the best way to model the grades as well going forward? Godfrey Walton -- President and Chief Operating Officer Hi, Bhakti, this is Godfrey. Yeah, ore grades did come up. And that was a result of mining from Curso and actually even getting some high-grade material from Santa Cruz Sur. But we're still planning on the budgeted grades, which was lower than what we actually mined in Q2. But, we do expect to continue with those grades and maybe get a little bit higher grades. Bhakti Pavani -- Alliance Global Partners -- Analyst Got it, OK. And secondly, you did previously mentioned about the increasing COVID cases in Mexico. I know everything is uncertain at this point. But how are you preparing yourself in case, there is a second shutdown? Are you doing anything in particular? Godfrey Walton -- President and Chief Operating Officer Hi, Bhakti, it's Godfrey again. We are very diligent at checking everybody as they come on to site and checking everybody on a daily basis. So, we've stopped a few cases at the gate and turned people back and send them for further evaluation at some of the clinics. So we're just being extra cautious. So far we've had a few cases occur at our operations, but we've been very, very successful in making sure it doesn't spread very quickly. Bhakti Pavani -- Alliance Global Partners -- Analyst Got it. And in terms of mine planning and mine development has there been any changes? Godfrey Walton -- President and Chief Operating Officer No, the mine planning and development has continued. We were able to up -- increase the speed of some development at Bolanitos, which was holding us back in Q1 and Q2. So that's catching up. And development at Guanacevi's been going very well. Bhakti Pavani -- Alliance Global Partners -- Analyst All right. Thank you very much. That's it from my side. Godfrey Walton -- President and Chief Operating Officer Thanks for your questions. Operator This concludes the question-and-answer session. I would like to turn the conference back over to Mr. Cooke for any closing remarks. Bradford Cooke -- Chief Executive Officer Well, thank you operator and thanks all for listening today. As we look forward through the rest of the quarter, we've got some pretty significant catalysts. We've restarted exploration drilling at several sites. Specifically Bolanitos, Guanacevi, near El Compas and we're planning to get started on Terronera this quarter as well. It will be almost two years Godfrey since we drilled Terronera. Godfrey Walton -- President and Chief Operating Officer Yeah about two years. Bradford Cooke -- Chief Executive Officer So there's significant upside to be had through drilling additional veins at Terronera. And we only stopped drilling two years ago because of the desire to go to economic analysis and see if we had enough reserves to build a mine, which we do. And now that we've got the final PFS results and they're extremely robust it's time to restart the drills. So that's one catalyst for this quarter. Another catalyst, obviously, is granting the feasibility study to an EPC firm here in the next month and get that work under way. In fact there's some bridge engineering studies already being conducted under the auspices of our Director of Project Development, Ernesto Lima, so work is already under way on the feasibility level. And Dan do you want to add anything to that? Dan Dickson -- Chief Financial Officer So I think we're in a good position going forward especially with where the silver and gold prices are. And -- but the operations continue to operate at capacity and where we expect they'll operate especially after putting in significant time and energy into getting them back to what we've historically done especially at Guanacevi and hopefully coming here soon at Bolanitos, we should be in a great position to be able to fund a lot of these programs going forward. Bradford Cooke -- Chief Executive Officer Godfrey anything to add? Godfrey Walton -- President and Chief Operating Officer No. I will just continue with a steady ship. Bradford Cooke -- Chief Executive Officer All right. Well I'm busy with Dale on various merger and acquisition opportunities, small brownfields one kind of bolt-ons to our existing operations. We're always working on those, always optimistic and every once in a while we pulled the trigger like our deal last year in Guanacevi, which really helped to turn around that operation. We're looking at bigger opportunities as well, but they always take time and it takes two to dance. So lots going on, a very catalyst-rich quarter for the company. And boy what a tailwind for metal prices, I do think we're still early in the precious metal cycle. We've probably got a little bit too far too fast. And so I wouldn't be surprised if there was a minor pullback in the near future. But other than that, I mean, the overall, overarching direction here is more monetary intervention globally by central bankers. And there's only one direction I think that precious metal prices can go from here. Anyway that's it for me. Operator, thank you. Operator [Operator Closing Remarks] Duration: 24 minutes Call participants: Galina Meleger -- Director of Investor Relations Bradford Cooke -- Chief Executive Officer Dan Dickson -- Chief Financial Officer Godfrey Walton -- President and Chief Operating Officer Marcus Giannini -- H.C. Wainwright -- Analyst Joseph Reagor -- ROTH Capital Partners -- Analyst Justin Stevens -- PI Financial -- Analyst Bhakti Pavani -- Alliance Global Partners -- Analyst More EXK analysis All earnings call transcripts Things could turn chaotic quickly. An airline thats aggressively downsizing over the holidays could unleash hundreds of thousands of displaced air travelers on the other airlines, wreaking havoc the likes of which we havent seen. Whats more, airlines have done their best to avoid paying out refunds for canceled flights, despite being required to do so by federal law. Its not a question of whether this scenario will unfold, but of how catastrophic it will be. The Rajasthan High Court on Wednesday asked state assembly Speaker CP Joshi to respond by Thursday to the petition filed by Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) seeking an immediate stay on the merger of six BSP MLAs with the Congress. The six MLAs, who won the BSP ticket, had joined the Congress in September 2019 and the Speaker had approved the merger next day. The MLAs are Sandeep Yadav (Tijara), Wajib Ali (Nagar), Deepchand Kheria (Kishangarh Bas), LakhanMeena (Karauli) and Rajendra Gudha (Udaipurwati). The Bharatiya Janata Party had opposed the merger and sought the disqualification of the six MLAs in February 2020. Joshi on July 30 rejected the disqualification petition. Besides BSP, BJP MLA Madan Dilawar had filed a petition with the single bench of Rajasthan High Court seeking a stay on Speakers order. The single bench sought reply from Joshi and the six MLAs by August 11. Also read: Rajasthan govt cracks whip on Mukundra officers after death of two adult tigers On Tuesday, the BSP and Dilawar filed a review petition with the division bench of the High Court seeking a stay on the merger of BSP MLAs with the Congress. The division bench comprising chief justice Indrajeet Mahanty and justice Prakash Gupta has issued notice to assembly Speaker and has sought a reply by tomorrow, said Dinesh Kumar Garg, counsel for BSP. He said the arguments on behalf of the BSP were made by BSP national general secretary Satish Mishra and on behalf of the BJP the arguments were made by Harish Salve. Garg said that earlier, they had prayed the court to accept their special appeal and to suspend the order of assembly Speaker dated September 18, 2019, whereby he had declared that 6 elected representatives of BSP have merged with Indian National Congress. He said, earlier, the single bench of the HC had issued a notice to the six MLAs who, at present, are in a private hotel in Jaisalmer and had sought a reply by August 11. As per the news published in the newspapers that the six MLAs were staying at a hotel in Jaipur and now been shifted to a hotel in Jaisalmer, service of the notices upon the respondents is not possible and the session of the assembly is proposed to be started on August 14. If the stay prayed for is not granted the present, the matter would be rendered infructuous and will defeat the whole purpose of filing the present writ petition before the court, Garg said. BJP spokesperson Pankaj Meena said that its a fact that the nod to the merger of the MLAs was biased. This notice reflects that the merger of the BSP MLAs with the Congress was not fair and the issuing of notice is indicative of the fact, Meena said. BSP state president Bhagwan Singh Baba said that the party is excited as the case is moving swiftly and in the right direction. The issuing of the notice is a positive indicator and we have full faith in the judiciary, we will get justice, Baba said. State Congress spokesperson Archana Sharma said that the matter is subjudice. I can only say that the Speaker is a constitutional post and the decision taken by him were constitutionally and legally correct, Sharma said. The nations leading health insurers are experiencing an embarrassment of profits. Some of the largest companies, including Anthem, Humana and UnitedHealth Group, are reporting second-quarter earnings that are double what they were a year ago. And while insurance profits are capped under the Affordable Care Act, with the requirement that consumers should benefit from such excesses in the form of rebates, no one should expect an immediate windfall. But the amounts that insurers are retaining have caught the attention of the Trump administration. The Health and Human Services Department advised companies to consider speeding up rebates, and on Tuesday suggested that they reduce premiums to help consumers through the economic downturn caused by the pandemic. Just this Wednesday, CVS Health, which owns Aetna, the big insurer, posted much higher earnings. CVS, which also owns a large pharmacy benefit manager and a drugstore chain, said net income for the second quarter reached $3 billion, about $1 billion more than it reported for the same period of 2019, on revenues of $65 billion. Others had already trumpeted blockbuster results, ensuring that their stocks weathered swings in the markets. Anthems net income soared to $2.3 billion for the second quarter, from $1.1 billion in 2019, while UnitedHealth reported net earnings of $6.7 billion, compared to $3.4 billion for the same three months last year. Clearly, it would be wrong to determine the outcome of the awful events of two years ago solely with reference to contractual claims and market forces. The question is what is the right thing to do to ensure that the families of the victims and others affected are well compensated, that suitable penalties are levied and that necessary works are carried out to prevent another tragedy. In just under five hours, the last nine players out of a field of 971 entries in the 2020 PokerStars Stadium Series Freezeout Grand Final - High $5,200 NLHE have been whittled down to a champion and it was Brazil's Fernando "fviana" Viana that came out on top. Viana secured the top prize of $721,235 after striking a deal with eventual runner-up Vlada "Vlada2018" Stojanovic ($553,932) and third-place finisher Maxime "Daghemuneguu" Chilaud ($570,220) as they battled fiercely for two hours after the numbers were agreed to. It was the conclusion of the first festival of it's kind and the flagship event featured a guaranteed prize pool of $5,000,000 in a Freezeout format, no re-entries were allowed. The final outcome also has a lot of similarities with the $530 Medium tier, as there was a three-way deal with a Brazilian victory and it all ended with a setup hand, too. Viana has been a well-known pro on the Brazilian poker scene for several years. His best result on the live circuit thus far was a third place in the 2019 WSOP Event #56 $1,500 NLHE Super Turbo Bounty for $116,426. The top three finishers all earned a bigger payday on the virtual felt than they previously had at any live tournaments. Featured on the final table were five players from Russia and one from Belarus, however, they were all gone by the time the deal was struck. The only known alias belonged to Sergei "Futti18" Koliakov, who finished in 5th place for $224,249. Final Result Stadium Series Freezeout Grand Final - High $5,200 NLHE Place Winner Country Prize (in USD) 1 Fernando "fviana" Viana Brazil $721,235* 2 Vlada "Vlada2108" Stojanovic Serbia $553,932* 3 Maxime "Daghemuneguu" Chilaud France $570,220* 4 serggorelyi7 Russia $310,287 5 Sergei "Futti18" Koliakov Russia $224,249 6 MarinkaHT Russia $162,068 7 LeslieGroves Russia $117,128 8 isscreamo Belarus $84,650 9 Goallinfishara Russia $67,992 *denotes deal of the final three players Chilaud Dominates the Early Stages; Stojanovic Rises From Short Stack The road to victory for Viana was a tough one to say the least as he in fact nursed a quite short stack for most of the first two hours. Chilaud entered the final table as the chip leader and dominated the action, even pulled into a comfortable lead with more than half of the chips in play. Day 1 chip leader "Goallinfishara" was in the middle of the pack when the action resumed and actively played one single hand. They jammed with ace-king and "serggorelyi7" called with nines, Stojanovic called for less with queens and both pairs flopped a set. "isscreamo" then lost a flip to Chilaud and "LeslieGroves" fired three barrels with a bluff to send their chips over to "serggorelyi7". Viana was still one of the two short stacks with six remaining and knocked out "MarinkaHT" with kings versus queens. Chilaud was still in the lead and had nearly three times as many chips as the nearest follower despite a few minor setbacks. Maxime Chilaud started the day as chip leader and finished in 3rd place Viana From Almost Zero to Hero The short stacks Viana and Koliakov carefully nursed their shorter stacks and suddenly the Brazilian skyrocketed into the lead after doubling through Stojanovic with king-ten suited versus ace-jack followed by pocket queens holding up against the three-bet jam of Chilaud with pocket sixes. Half an hour later, Koliakov check-jammed second pair into the top pair of Viana and found no help to bow out in 5th place. Only five minutes later, "serggorelyi7" lost a flip with ace-queen against the pocket jacks of Viana and now it was the Brazilian with more than half of the chips in play. Fernando Viana went on a hot streak to take over the lead Fierce Battle of the Final Three As Stojanovic closed the gap to Chilaud and Viana dropped a few chips, the final three players agreed to a deal. A rapid conclusion of the event was in sight but what broke out was a hard-fought battle which lasted two hours. The lead changed back and forth and Stojanovic won a flip against Viana to get back into contention after being short. When Stojanovic was about to assume control and run away with a big lead, he doubled Viana with king-queen versus ace-king and Chilaud succumbed to his short stack. The UK-based Frenchman got it in with pocket nines and Viana called with pocket tens to river a full house for good measure. The heads-up battle itself lasted exactly three hands and Viana won them all. In the final hand, Viana turned the nut straight in a three-bet pot while Stojanovic turned a set of eights. There was no escaping on a blank river as Stojanovic moved all-in and was snap-called to bow out in second place. Among those leading the protest was a member of the House, state Rep. Rasheen Aldridge, D-St. Louis. A protest organized by the same group is set for Thursday in Jefferson City. The charges stand in contrast to a protest at the Capitol in April when hundreds gathered despite the states stay-at-home order. They argued that the government mandate requiring people to stay home was unjust and too damaging to the economy. Police that day appeared to be taking a hands-off approach to the protests. Dr. Randall Williams, director of the Department of Health and Senior Services, when asked whether the protesters had violated the law, said on the day of the protests that his order carries the force of law. If they deviate from that, then yes, it is a deviation from the law, Williams said. Meanwhile, on June 1, as the state was grappling with civil unrest sparked by the Minneapolis killing of George Floyd at the hands of police, dozens of conservation agents were deployed to surround the Capitol as protesters gathered in Jefferson City. Like millions of other unemployed Americans, Veronica Guerra a laid-off special education teacher and single mother of two just took a $600-a-week hit to her household budget. In late March, as employers shed workers in staggering numbers, Congress approved a rescue package that included extra unemployment payments to soften the economic blow. But the additional $600 per week ended Friday, and federal lawmakers continue to wrangle over whether to extend the assistance. With more than 35,000 area unemployment claims in June alone, tens of thousands of San Antonians are left trying to figure out how to stay afloat in the worst jobs market in generations. Its been helping, Guerra said of the extra $600 shes received weekly since May. I hope they dont change it, but I knew it was going to end. She noted, Im on a tight budget with me and my kids so its difficult. On ExpressNews.com: San Antonio unemployment rate drops in June despite COVID-19 surge and reopening uncertainty Tuesday morning at Camargo Park on the West Side, Guerra, her 10-year-old daughter, Izabella Garibaldi, and Guerras aunt, Edna Guerra, waited in their car alongside 124 other vehicles lined up for the San Antonio Food Banks giveaway. I want to go back to work, the former Southside Independent School District instructor said. Its been tough. Billy Calzada, Staff / San Antonio Express-News Even with the extra unemployment payments, Guerra said she still needed assistance to pay rent and utilities. The economic effects of the coronavirus are going to be around for a while, said Steven Nivin, an economist and associate professor at St. Marys University. That fact, to me, justifies another stimulus package of some sort. In Nivins view, a new federal stimulus package including extra unemployment money is critical to getting the economy out of the ditch. The sooner the better, he said. The longer (lawmakers) wait, the worse they make it. On ExpressNews.com: San Antonios unemployment dipped in May, but new uncertainty is ahead A few vehicles away from Guerra, Diana Aguilar and Connie Garcia sat in camping chairs in the shade of their car. Aguilar, who worked as a child care provider at the Boys & Girls Club, has been receiving unemployment since April. Every two weeks, were able to get a little bit of groceries with those checks, Garcia said. The average weekly unemployment benefit in Texas is $432 without the $600 from the CARES Act, Labor Department says. One of the concerns among some Republicans in Congress is that the extra funds kept people from returning to work. Nivin disagrees. Part of the problem I have with that argument is that some of these jobs arent there, he said, referring to hotels, restaurants and shops that have been shuttered by the pandemic perhaps permanently in some cases. We had a little bump and recovery when it started to reopen again, and its clear to me that thats stalled out, he said. So theres just not going to be the jobs to go back to because a lot of these firms arent going to open. On ExpressNews.com: San Antonio Food Bank braces for potential new surge of hungry families as eviction moratorium, extra unemployment benefits run out Without more federal recovery funds, he said, more companies will go out of business and more jobs will be lost. This is not a situation where, Oh, were going to lower those benefits to $200 or completely get rid of them, and then all these people are going to go back to work, he said. Theyre not going to have the opportunity to go back to work because the jobs arent there. The pandemic-induced recession has hit industries such as retail, hospitality and travel especially hard. It could take them several years to recover to prepandemic levels. Anna Alvarado lost her job as a chef at Absolutely Delicious catering March 14. Shes currently on unemployment. Whatever I get is not going to be enough to pay the rent and, you know, all the payments, Alvarado said. For me, its bad because I dont get too much pay. SA Inc.: Get the best of business news sent directly to your inbox She was in line at Camargo Park. She said shes applying for jobs, but the catering business largely has collapsed and restaurant jobs are hard to find.. I need to go back to work I want to go back to work, Alvarado said, holding her 1-year-old daughter. Any cut in the $600 payments will be another disaster, said Seyed Mohammadi, a former Lyft driver whos supported his wife and two children with the unemployment hes collected over the past three months. With $600, we are OK, he said. Its not that much, but at least we can pay rent. His combined state and federal unemployment benefits currently cover about two-thirds of what he earned while employed. I hope they keep it or raise it, he said of the additional unemployment funds. The hardest thing right now is telling his kids he cant afford items that they ask for, he said. I say, OK, later, later, well buy, he said. Well just postpone it until later, we buy time. On ExpressNews.com: Get the latest update on coronavirus and a tracking map of U.S. cases Several people in the food distribution line noted long delays and difficulties in filing, and following up on, their unemployment claims with the Texas Workforce Commission. You cant even get hold of any representatives, said Tiffany Fletcher, who until recently was a bartender. She went on unemployment in March when bars first closed. Fletcher went back to work, but when bars closed the second time, she ran into delays with her claim. I received a paper saying that I qualified, she said. And that was over a month ago, and I havent seen a penny. Fletcher looks forward to getting back to work, but said there are risks. I dont want to get COVID-19, but being a single mother, I have to do what I got to do, she said. I dont want to bring it home to my kids, but without any help from anybody, I have to do something. Brandon Lingle writes for the Express-News through Report for America, a national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms. ReportforAmerica.org. brandon.lingle@express-news.net The opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) on Tuesday, August 4 released video and photo evidence of alleged military intimidation of some Ghanaians in the ongoing voter registration exercise. Officials of the opposition party insist such actions are calculated attempts by the governing New Patriotic Party to suppress votes in the NDCs strongholds. The NDC released the visuals following a challenge thrown it by the Minister of Defence, Dominic Nitiwul for the party to provide evidence of its military intimidation and voter suppression claims. Addressing the press at the NDCs headquarters in Accra, National Communication Officer of the party, Sammy Gyamfi, referenced recent pockets of violence at some registration centres and developments at Banda where residents in settler communities were allegedly prevented by the military from registering in the voter registration exercise. He also recounted similar happenings in the Ahafo Ano North Constituency, Sekyere Afram Plains Constituency, Ketu South Constituency as well as the Oti and Central Regions. Mr. Gyamfi also spoke about other incidents in the Asougyaman Constituency, Atiwa East Constituency and other parts of the Eastern Region. In the Ahafo Ano North Constituency, Sammy Gyamfi insisted that the armed military personnel deployed to that area were aiding Electoral Commission Officials to deny hundreds of people of northern descent, predominantly of the Grumah tribe from taking part in the Voter Registration Exercise, despite majority of them possessing Ghana Cards, one of the requirements needed to register. Their only crime according to their oppressors is that, they do not bear Akan names and therefore cannot be identified as hailing from the Ahafo Ano North Constituency. Not even the presence of the media to highlight these obvious infractions of the law has been able to convince the EC and the armed military men deployed to the area to allow these Ghanaian citizens to register, he added. In the Sekyere Afram Plains Constituency, Mr. Gyamfi said on Thursday 9th July 2020, when NDC supporters in accordance with Ghanas electoral laws challenged some registrants in the area on grounds that they were not residents of the area were arrested by the military and beaten to pulp and locked up at the Drobonso Police Station based on the suspicion that they were foreigners. ---citinewsroom The date has been announced to watch live online as two Portlaoise friends chop off their hair in aid of Kolbe Special School. Friends Amanda Lalor and Lindsey McFall from Portlaoise are cutting off 17 to 20 inches of their long dark locks for the school. Read their full story here. Lindsey has confirmed they are going for the chop this Friday. "It's this Friday August 7 at 7pm during The Crooked Jacks live Facebook gig in Lilly's bar behind closed doors," she said. They set a target of 3,000 and are getting close. "We are just over 400 short of our target for the Kolbe Special School," she said. Their hair will be donated to the Little Princess Trust in the UK. The trust gives wigs to children who have lost their hair through cancer treatment and other conditions. See their Gofundme account here. The Armenian Virtual Bridge program, which has officially launched, aims to become a platform connecting and bridging the technological community of Armenia to the world, which will also be the basis for collaboration with the technological community of the Armenian diaspora. Hakob Arshakyan, the Minister of High Technological Industry of Armenia, participated in the online official launch of this program. He noted that the Armenian Virtual Bridge is one of the cornerstones of his ministry, in terms of presenting Armenia as a high-tech country, developing the Armenian high-tech community, and implementing the ministry's programs and vision. "We have many engineers in Armenia who are really able to develop their creative thinking and create programs and products, but at some stage it is necessary to ensure connection with industrial markets and other entrepreneurs and investors. We have compatriots who have achieved great success and want to be useful to Armenia in some way (); but that assistance is spontaneous, not systematic and institutional," the minister said. "An agreement has been reached with Silicon Valley to set up an Armenian branch on the spot, so that Armenian entrepreneurs can have their addresses, organize meetings, communicate with investors there, live and work together," Arshakyan added. The participants of this program have extensive experience in technology and have expressed a willingness to assist the establishment of this sector in Armenia. Summing up the event, minister Hakob Arshakyan noted that he was proud to note the readiness of compatriots to support Armenias initiatives. "Armenia is a country of opportunities, and everyone's contribution to the realization of those opportunities is really invaluable and important," the minister concluded. Lebanon's main grain silo at Beirut port was destroyed in a blast along with the wheat inside, leaving the nation with less than a month's reserves of the grain although other vessels with supplies are on the way, the economy minister said on Wednesday. Raoul Nehme told Reuters a day after Tuesday's devastating blast that Lebanon needed reserves for at least three months to ensure food security and was looking at other storage areas. He said reserves now stood at "a bit less than a month". The explosion was the most powerful ever to rip through Beirut, leaving the port district a wreck of mangled masonry and disabling the main entry port for imports to feed a nation of more than 6 million people. The Beirut silo was capable of holding 120,000 tonnes of grain, said Ahmed Tamer, the director of the port of Tripoli, Lebanon's second biggest city. The port in Tripoli, Lebanon's second biggest port, is not equipped with grain storage facilities but wheat could be transferred to warehouses 2 km (about one mile) away, he said. At the time of the blast, the Beirut silo held no more than 15,000 tonnes of wheat as some millers had unloaded cargoes directly because of a delay in issuing letters of credit for payment, Ahmed Hattit, the head of the wheat importers union, told the local Al-Akhbar newspaper. Hattit said existing reserves of flour were sufficient to cover market needs for a month and a half and said there were four ships carrying cargoes totalling 28,000 tonnes of wheat that had not docked at the port yet. Lebanon is trying to immediately transfer four vessels carrying 25,000 tonnes of flour to the port in Tripoli, an economy ministry official told news channel LBCI. Search Keywords: Short link: KALAMAZOO, MI The reporting of results from the Tuesday, Aug. 4, primary stretched into Wednesday as Election Day drew to a close. Though some candidates and proposals in Kalamazoo County had a clear enough leads for winners to be declared, despite incomplete election results, many other races were less certain as Wednesday began. Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson on Tuesday night estimated that unofficial election results could be complete by mid-day Wednesday. The delay in results was attributed in part to the higher number of absentee votes to be counted Tuesday night. More people voted absentee this year because of the coronavirus pandemic and Proposal 3, passed by voters in 2018, which allows anyone to vote absentee without providing a reason. As of the most recent count Tuesday evening, more than 1.6 million absentee ballots had been returned, a state record, Benson said. And more absentee votes are expected in the general election, which typically attracts higher turnout than primaries. Related: Expect Michigan election results by mid-Wednesday, Secretary of State says In the weeks leading up to Election Day, voters considered several contested primary races in Kalamazoo County, including for the 60th District state House seat, the 6th District in the U.S. House of Representatives, sheriff, county clerk and for six of the 11 county Board of Commissioners districts. The Republican congressional primary was clear enough to call for incumbent U.S. Rep. Fred Upton, R-St. Joseph, despite incomplete results late into the evening Tuesday. But the ultimate result of the Democratic primary between state Rep. Jon Hoadley, D-Kalamazoo, and teacher Jen Richardson was less certain. As of Wednesday at 7:45 a.m., Hoadley held 52% of the tallied votes with 283 of 290 precincts reporting. The race for the 60th District seat in the Michigan House of Representatives included a Democratic primary Tuesday in which two Kalamazoo County commissioners went head to head. Stephanie Moore led the race as of midnight with 60% of the vote compared to opponent Julie Rogers. Rogers, however, had pulled back ahead, securing 51% of the vote with all ballots counted as of 6:45 a.m. Aug. 5. In the 61st state House District Republican primary, small business owner Bronwyn Haltom claimed victory over opponent Tom Graham. With 35 of 40 precincts reporting as of 1:30 a.m. Wednesday, Haltom had 3,532 votes, compared to 1,546 for Graham, according to the AP. The Democratic nomination for the 63rd District seat in the Michigan House of Representatives was still too close to call as of Wednesday morning, despite 100% of precincts reporting. As of 9:45 a.m. Luke Howell had 3,625 votes and Ron Hawkins had 3,544 votes. In St. Joseph County, the result of the race for county prosecutor was more certain. Republican David Marvin has defeated incumbent St. Joseph County Prosecuting Attorney John McDonough, according to unofficial voting totals posted by local elections officials on electionreporting.com. Marvin received 7,994 votes more than four times as many as three-term incumbent McDonoughs 1,735 votes -- as of 11:20 p.m. Aug. 4, with 23 of 23 precincts reporting, according to the unofficial results. There were 24 write-in votes. Back in Kalamazoo County, a Republican primary for county sheriff pitted a former Kalamazoo police captain against a current county sheriff deputy. With all precincts reporting, Shannon Bagley had 11,396 votes to Thomas Swaffords 9,426 votes, according to unofficial results. Kalamazoo County voters approved a countywide tax to fund 911 operations. With all precincts reporting, the proposal passed with 62% of the vote. Click here for more of MLives Election Day coverage from across the state, or here for full coverage of Kalamazoo-area elections. Also on MLive: Election results for Kalamazoo-area races Aug. 4, 2020 See more results for state House and U.S. congressional races here Your guide to local elections in Michigan on Tuesday, Aug. 4 Absentee ballot lost in the mail? You can still vote in Michigan primary Tuesday Secondary school students should have to wear masks in the classroom. That is according to the former Director General of the HSE, who is accusing the Department of Education of dithering on the issue. Under the current guidelines, the use of PPE like face masks is not required except in certain circumstances, such as performing intimate care or where a suspected case of Covid-19 is identified while the school is in operation. Face coverings will be compulsory in shops and shopping centres from next Monday. Tony O'Brien believes it makes sense to ask students to wear masks when they return to school. Theyre going to need to wear masks to travel to school on public transport, he said. Former HSE chief Tony O'Brien. File picture: Niall Carson/PA Wire And then when they are in situations that are likely to be equally crowded, theyll not be required to wear them. Many of those students are going to the coming from families who have vulnerable other members of their families at home. Some of the teachers will have vulnerabilities, other students will have vulnerabilities. I think its just a matter until were going to see a requirement for masks and it would be better just to get on with it and make that clear at this stage. Meanwhile, public health officials are considering whether to recommend face masks be mandatory in secondary schools. The current advice from the National Public Health Emergency Team is that face coverings are not required in school settings. Health Minister Stephen Donnelly says NPHET are awaiting a report from the European Centre for Disease Control on the issue. There is emerging evidence that younger children are far less contagious and far less susceptible than older children. So NPHET is waiting to see what the ECDC says. They may come back and they may recommend in secondary schools for example or over a particular age that face masks should be worn. Late last month, the Government announced a blueprint for reopening schools this autumn, including a 375m financial package. These plans include more than 1,000 extra staff for post-primary schools to reduce class sizes, as well as the supply of PPE gear and strict cleaning regimes. Also included in the plan is assigned seating on school buses, 120 additional guidance counsellors and psychologists, and 1m distancing between pupils in secondary schools. On Thursday evening, the Department of Education said their PPE procurement process has identified "a number of suppliers that are capable of providing the full suite of core products" required for reopening schools. A medical worker (centre L) speaks to people queueing outside a COVID-19 testing venue at The Royal Melbourne Hospital in Melbourne on July 16, 2020. (WILLIAM WEST/AFP via Getty Images) South Australians Flock to Virus Testing Thousands of people have flocked to COVID-19 testing facilities across South Australia, the rush prompted by the devastating surge of infections in Victoria and a worrying cluster of cases in Adelaide. SA Pathology conducted a record 4300 tests on Aug 4 and the total number conducted in SA is likely to top 5000 once the figures from private laboratories are included. The number could be exceeded again on Wednesday with long queues evident at testing stations around Adelaide including new sites in the citys north and a second drive-through facility at Victoria Park, close to the city centre. The rising concern in SA came after warnings were issued in relation to a cluster of cases centred on the inner-northern suburbs but also after one puzzling infection, involving a woman in her 20s, was declared a false positive. SA Pathology microbiologist Ivan Bastian said extra resources, including more staff, were being deployed to handle the increasing demand for tests. We need to get as many people tested as we can, he told reporters on Wednesday. Its been a great response by the South Australian public. Bastian said the occasional false positive was something to be expected given systems were set at the breakpoint to ensure they picked up the smallest traces of the virus. The initial test had been conducted by a private laboratory but a second sample was taken after contact tracing proved difficult in tracking down where the woman might have come in contact with COVID-19. The second SA Pathology result came back clearly negative, easing concerns of growing community transmission. However, worries remain over the northern suburbs cluster, prompting calls for people who visited three businesses on certain days to self isolate and get tested if they develop symptoms. The alert applies to anyone who visited Fernwood Fitness Centre in Salisbury Downs at 6-8.30pm on August 1, Agha Juice House in Blair Athol at 5-7.30pm on July 31 and Najafi Carpet Gallery in Kilburn at 5-8pm on July 29. It also extends to two schools and a suburban hotel but those people are not required to self-isolate unless they develop symptoms. Another case of a woman in her 20s was linked to this cluster on Tuesday, which has taken the number of active infections in SA to nine. Tim Dornin in Adelaide Dubai Economy, in partnership with the Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government (MBRSG) has launched "The Great Economic Reset Programme" as part of the efforts to reshape the emirates economy and reset it towards a more agile, sustainable, resilient, and inclusive post-pandemic future. The programme will feature robust analyses of current and future policies, rigorous research and extensive stakeholder consultation to set the direction and tone of future economic policies, regulations and initiatives, reported Emirates News Agency Wam. Part of a "CovExit", Covid Exit, initiative for promoting collaborative action to navigate recovery and reshape the next normal economy, "The Great Economic Reset Programme" will harness the collective knowledge of local and international experts for economies and societies to adapt growth strategies to the next normal. The programme is in line with the directive of Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, for governments to think beyond the coronavirus and move to the next normal and preserve the gains made by the UAE, refuel its economy and ensure its prosperity. As a first step, global experts and thought leaders are being brought together in a "Virtual Policy Council," an engagement platform run by MBRSG, to discuss the enduring impacts of Covid-19 on different facets of the economy and potential policy responses and initiatives. The first roundtable was an invitation-only forum. Chief economists, senior practitioners and researchers from leading global institutions including the World Bank, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, the United Nations International Labour Organization, the Development Bank of Latin America, Harvard Kennedy School, Cornell University, Brookings Institution, the Economist Intelligence Unit, European Schoolnet, The Edtech Hub, and Nasser Saidi & Associates joined experts from Dubai Economy and the Mohammed Bin Rashid School of Government at the first roundtable. "I believe the triple helix collaboration between public, private and academia stakeholders have always produced the best solutions in the past. In the highly uncertain environment now, extensive collaboration and cooperation between all stakeholders are vital to our future prosperity. The Virtual Policy Council will propose the best approaches Dubai and the UAE can adopt to address the risks and opportunities in the next normal economy," said Mohammed Shael Al Saadi, CEO of the Corporate Strategic Affairs sector in Dubai Economy. "This Virtual Policy Council is a key component of the whole process where global experts and thinkers share their views on the future economy. In this new era, the role of governments in enabling the new economic actors is becoming increasingly central, and Dubai is well-positioned to lead the way with innovative models of growth post Covid19," said Professor Raed Awamleh, Dean, Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government. The globalisation debate analysed the impact of the pandemic on international trade, protectionist sentiment, global value chains, foreign direct investment (FDI, and tourism, and the rise of digital globalisation. Education experts discussed the shift to distance learning, opportunities for a fundamental transformation in how young people learn, the evolving role of educators, and the need for changes in what young people are taught to prepare for future work and citizenship. Prime Minister Narendra Modi performed special 'pooja' of 'Bhagwan Shri Ramlalla Virajman' during the bhoomi pujan ceremony at the Ram Janmabhoomi in Ayodhya amid Vedic mantra chanting and sounds of conch-shells. People across India celebrated the historic Ram Janmabhoomi Shilanyas in a grand manner. Take a look at the pictures...Rashtriya Bajrang Dal activists participate in an event to mark the groundbreaking ceremony of Ram Mandir, in Jammu. (Image: AP) WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - Oil prices rose over 2 percent to their higher since March on Wednesday after industry data showed a big drop in U.S. crude inventories. Benchmark Brent crude jumped 2.3 percent to $45.47 a barrel, while West Texas Intermediate oil futures were up 2.6 percent at $42.80 a barrel. The American Petroleum Institute on Tuesday said U.S. crude inventories fell 8.6 million barrels to 520 million barrels in the week to 1 August, compared with analysts' expectations for a 3 million barrel drop. The Energy Information Administration's more closely followed inventories report is due later in the session. Last week's data from the Energy Information Administration showed crude inventories in the U.S. dropped by 10.6 million barrels, the largest so far in 2020. Investor sentiment was also boosted by signs that talks between Democrats in Congress and the White House on a new coronavirus relief package are making progress. Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann. With one judge too old to run again and another withdrawing his name from the ballot, Orleans Parish Juvenile Court will be dramatically different on Jan. 1. It could also be smaller. Six years ago, in response to the courts meager caseload, the Louisiana Legislature adopted a law aimed at cutting two of six spots from the bench. One judgeship is already gone, and one more is set to vanish. The law says the next judgeship should be eliminated the day after it becomes vacant by death, resignation, retirement, disqualification from exercising any judicial function pursuant to order of the Louisiana Supreme Court, or removal during the term of office. That language has drawn vastly different interpretations, however -- and those takes on the law could put the future of the court in doubt. New Orleans candidates draw ballot challenges for Nov. 3 election Eight candidates who filed papers to run in the Nov. 3 election in New Orleans have drawn ballot challenges seeking to disqualify them. Judge Ernestine Gray has served on the court since 1984, but this election season shes over the states 70-year-old age limit for judicial candidates. Three candidates are vying to replace her. Meanwhile, Judge Mark Doherty informed Secretary of State Kyle Ardoins office last week that he was withdrawing his name from the ballot for the Nov. 3 election. Four candidates hope to replace him. If either judge formally retires before the end of the year, that would trigger the elimination of their seat and make the election for their office meaningless. And at least one observer says that Grays aging out should trigger the law. Former Mayor Mitch Landrieu, who spearheaded the laws passage, said Grays judgeship should vanish. Top stories in New Orleans in your inbox Twice daily we'll send you the day's biggest headlines. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up The intent was to reduce the next judgeship following retirement including someone aging out, and that funding saved could be directed to juvenile services. The intent of the law is for the seat to no longer exist, Landrieu said in a statement. As mayor, Landrieu argued that the number of judgeships on the court was vastly out of proportion to its actual caseload. He believed that the court needed to be downsized so much that when his administration built a new juvenile courthouse in 2013, it included only four courtrooms, even though the law hadnt yet been passed. Compared to Louisianas other three juvenile courts, New Orleans still has the lightest caseload per judge. Last year the courts five judges handled 1,191 cases, or 238 cases per judge, compared to the 4,011 cases that their three peers in Jefferson Parish handled, for an average of 1,337 cases each, according to the state Supreme Court annual report. The court didnt respond to a request for comment on its caseload. After Landrieu commented on Grays seat, Doherty withdrew from his race. If the law also applies upon his departure, that could create a situation where the courts have to decide which judgeship continues to exist. Or, either he or Gray could resign and effectively end their judgeship. Meanwhile, its also possible that both judgeships will continue to exist if aging out or declining to run again do not trigger the law. Ardoins office has placed both on the ballot. Tyler Brey, a spokesman for the office, said that none of the conditions have yet been met under the law for the elimination of another seat. The candidates who hope to replace Doherty are Ranord J. Darensburg, Tenee Felix, Amy Kern and Niki Roberts. Kevin Guillory, Clinton "Clint" Smith and Marie Williams are running to replace Gray. Tammy Stewart, Candice Bates Anderson and Desiree Cook-Calvin won the other three Juvenile Court judgeships when no opponents qualified to run against them. Washington : US president-elect Donald Trump's "ignorant" conversation with Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif may send India an unwelcome message, a leading American magazine has said. The Forbes magazine said that Trump's "flattering" conversation sends a message that he has no awareness of the issues between the US, Pakistan and India. "His bluster is more likely to be taken as the initial signal of his Administration's position. When he goes on and on about how wonderful Pakistan is, and how strong is his friendship, it matters. It matters that he uses words like: very good reputation, amazing work...fantastic country, fantastic place, fantastic people," it said. "One of the main messages it sends, is that he shows no awareness of the issues between the United States, Pakistan, and India," it said. Stating that Trump is not aware about the ground realities in South Asia, it said, his "ignorant" conversation with Sharif may send India an "unwelcome message". Meanwhile, a prominent Hindu American group urged Trump to carefully look at the records of Pakistan in particular its fight against terrorism and human rights. "Diplomacy is necessary in dealing with Pakistan, but President-elect Trump and his administration will need to proceed with caution and full awareness of the country's double-dealing track record," Suhag Shukla, executive director of Hindu American Foundation (HAF) said in a statement expressing concern over the readout issued by Pakistan after a telephonic conversation between Trump and Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. "If the transcript of the conversation is indeed accurate, we?d urge President-elect Trump to look more carefully at Pakistan's record within its own borders and with its neighbours before offering praise to a state that according to most observers is failing," Shukla said. For all the Latest World News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Burma Myanmar Govt Restores Internet in Rakhine, Locals Complain of Weak Signal A mobile phone user. / Aung Kyaw Htet / The Irrawaddy YANGONInternet service reportedly resumed in seven townships in northern Rakhine State and southern Chin States Paletwa Township as of Saturday after an internet blackout lasting more than a year, but local residents say internet connections are still unavailable. In June 2019, the Myanmar government cut off internet access in Ponnagyun, Rathedaung, Mrauk-U, Kyauktaw, Minbya, Myebon, Maungdaw and Buthidaung townships in Rakhine and Paletwa in Chin State, citing security concerns over the fighting between the Myanmar military and the Arakan Army (AA) in the area. According to the Ministry of Transport and Communications, all telecom operators including MPT, Telenor, Ooredoo and Mytel have resumed mobile internet services for the area as of Saturday. I received a message from MPT that internet service resumed on August 1. But it is just 2G and there was no internet at all, Salai Htan Lai from Paletwas Kuwa Village told The Irrawaddy. Mrauk-U resident U Sein Hlaing also said that he cannot use the internet nor send messages. Others reported slow connections. MPT chief engineer U Myo Swe said, There are two parts regarding this. The connection is largely 2G in smaller towns and there are also subversive acts being carried out by using the mobile network. So, we adjusted the connection because of this so that mobile data service cant be used. It is 2G but still you could do a lot with it back in 2013, 2014. In July, Myanmars Foreign Ministry said the internet shutdown was justified because the AA has abused mobile internet technologies to remotely detonate landmines and improvised explosive devices, as well as to incite hatred between ethnic people and to abduct and attack government personnel. Rakhine parliament member U Tun Thar Sein, representing Mrauk-U, said people in Rakhinefrom businessmen to displaced peoplehave no access to information due to the internet shutdown. As we are helping displaced people, there were many difficulties in providing them with emergency relief supplies. To confirm what was happening, we had to use internet, so there were weaknesses in verifying news. It was also difficult for our staff to travel to villages as we dont know the situation on the ground, said U Zaw Zaw Tun, secretary of the Rakhine Ethnic Congress, which is helping displaced people in Rakhine State. Mai Nan Wai, the spokeswoman of the Paletwa-based Relief and Rehabilitation Committee for Chin IDPs, said the committee has lost access to information on the ground due to the internet shutdown and was thus unable to provide appropriate assistance to the IDPs. Two months after the internet ban was introduced in June 2019, internet and data traffic services were resumed in five of the nine townships: Rathedaung, Myebon, Maungdaw, Buthidaung and Paletwa. But the government then re-imposed the internet blackout in the five townships after clashes intensified in February. Internet services then resumed again in Maungdaw Township on the evening of May 2 of this year, according to local residents. U Zaw Zaw Tun suggested that the internet resumption is likely connected with the coming election or to allow high school students to be able to check matriculation exam results online. [The resumption] is mainly intended to facilitate to some extent the social life of internet users in those areas, and for rural people to be able to use internet for their businesses, said U Myo Swe. When asked if the government will place another internet ban in those townships after the election in November, U Myo Swe said that for the time being, the government has no plan to re-impose the ban. Translated from Burmese by Thet Ko Ko. You may also like these stories: Myanmar Military: Rakhine Internet Blackout Still Required to Protect Military Secrets Myanmar Called to End Yearlong Internet Blackout in Volatile West SOUTHBURY A Waterbury woman was arrested Sunday after police say she threatened a coworker at the Southbury Training School last month. Tanee Serice Snow, 43, was charged with second-degree threatening following a state police investigation into a complaint filed by a state employee at the training school July 28. The employee told police she had been assaulted by Snow, her supervisor, during a temperature check four days earlier at the school, which serves as a residential facility for adults with intellectual disabilities. The employee said all Southbury Training School staff and residents are required to have their temperatures taken each shift, and supervisors signed an in service stating that thermometers should not have skin contact, according to police. But on the morning of July 24, the employee told police, Snow slapped the thermometer on her forehead with a lot of force and started to laugh, according to the arrest warrant affidavit. She deliberately smacked the thermometer to my forehead and pushed it hard enough for me to fall back and realize it was done on purpose to provoke us into a physical altercation, which did not happen, the employee said in a written statement to police. The employee told police she reported the incident a higher-up and a humans rights employee at the training school. After that, she said, Snow threatened to harm her and others if her job (was) on the line due to her threatening behavior and stated that she has a gun, the arrest warrant affidavit states. The employee said she reported those statements to higher-ups as well before filing a report with state police. According to police, a Southbury Training School director said there was an in-house investigation underway and that Snow had been transferred to another cottage in the meantime. After learning Snow had a revoked Connecticut pistol permit and owned two firearms, state and Waterbury police obtained a search and arrest warrant, which was executed at Snows Waterbury residence on Sunday. State police did not say if any firearms were found at the residence. Snow was arrested and arraigned at state Superior Court in Waterbury earlier this week. She was released after posting $10,000 bond and her next court date is scheduled for Oct. 16. The National Bank of Ukraine (NBU) will remain an independent institution that will make apolitical and economically motivated decisions and will continue to be a predictable and consistent partner to the banking community, NBU Governor Kyrylo Shevchenko has said. He stated this at the first working meeting with the heads of banks that are members of the Independent Association of the Banks of Ukraine, the NBU's press service reported on Facebook. "I appreciate and respect the institutional independence gained by the central bank. Our task is to preserve it and increase the efficiency of the regulator. The recent personnel changes in both the board and the NBU have been aimed at strengthening the NBU's work," Shevchenko said. He noted five main priorities in the work of the regulator - the real resumption of lending, reducing the portfolios of bad debts in banks, maintaining macro-financial stability, developing corporate governance reform in banks, and deepening cooperation with international partners. According to the report, during the coronavirus crisis, resources and the support of the banking system are critical for the Ukrainian economy, and the reduction of portfolios of bad debts in banks is another "key" to launching full-fledged lending. The fact that macro-financial stability has been maintained is an unconditional achievement of the last five years and a foundation for a stable and healthy economy, the report said. "We remain in the program of cooperation with the IMF. It is important to Ukraine," the NBU said. op Tata Consumer Products reported 82% jump in consolidated net profit to Rs 346 crore on 13% rise in revenue to Rs 2,714 crore in Q1 FY21 over Q1 FY20. EBITDA increased by 37% to Rs 486 crore in the June quarter (from Rs 354 crore reported in the corresponding period last year) as a result of higher sales, gross margin improvement and rationalization of discretionary expenditure. EBITDA margin stood at 17.9% as on 30 June 2020 as against 14.8% as on 30 June 2019. The company recorded an exceptional income of Rs 63 crore during the quarter. "Exceptional item for the current quarter represent gain of Rs 84 crore on conversion of a joint venture into a subsidiary and costs relating to the business integration of foods business Rs 21 crore", the company said. Profit before tax in Q1 June 2020 stood at Rs 499 crore, up by 67% from Rs 299 crore in Q1 June 2019. The company wrote back taxes to the tune of Rs 110 crore in the first quarter. In the branded business segment, India Beverages revenue was at Rs 1,000 crore (up 11% YoY), India Foods revenue was at Rs 589 (up 19% YoY) and International Beverages revenue was at Rs 867 crore (up 15% YoY) while non-branded business revenue rose 9% on a year-on-year (YoY) basis to Rs 264 during the quarter. Tata Consumer said that the company along with its subsidiaries and affiliates continues to manufacture and supply essential food and beverage items in domestic and international markets in the current COVID-19 environment. The demand for the food and beverage products for in home consumption was buoyant, whereas segments in out of home consumption were adversely impacted. Based on the trends observed, there is some tapering off of demand across geographies and significant hardening of commodity costs in India. Impact on future operations would to a large extent depend on how the pandemic develops. Sunil D'Souza, managing director & CEO of Tata Consumer Products, said "We have recorded good revenue and profit growth in Q1 due to increased demand in some categories, strong marketing campaigns and adopting new routes to reach the end consumer effectively. The integration of our foods and beverages businesses in India is progressing well and will unlock significant synergy benefits. In our international markets, we are investing behind our core brands and driving innovations in the tea and coffee segment. We are also strengthening key processes across the organization to scale up capability and build a future ready organization." Tata Consumer Products, a subsidiary of the Tata Group, is a consumer products company. The company's portfolio of products includes tea, coffee, water, salt, pulses, spices, and ready-to-cook offerings. It is the world's second-largest manufacturer and distributor of tea and a major producer of coffee. The scrip shed 0.67% to Rs 446.75 on the BSE. It traded in the range of 444.10 and 471.70 so far during the day. Powered by Capital Market - Live News (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A man wears a protective mask as he walks past a "Now Hiring" sign in front of a store amid the COVID-19 pandemic, in Arlington, Va., on May 14, 2020. (Olivier Douliery/AFP/Getty Images) American Businesses Cut Back on Hiring in July: ADP Jobs Report Businesses in the United States cut back sharply on hiring in July, suggesting the COVID-19 resurge was dampening enthusiasm among the nations private employers to onboard staff amid doubts about the sustainability of the economic rebound. Private-sector employment surged by 4.3 million in June and 3.3 million in May, fueling hopes for a robust recovery, but payroll processor ADPs newest report (pdf) shows the U.S. economy added an anemic 167,000 jobs in July. The ADP report reinforces our view that the economy has lost momentum in recent weeks following a period of strong growth, said Daniel Silver, an economist at JPMorgan in New York. Julys lackluster hiring means the economy still has 13 million fewer jobs than it did in February, according to ADP, before the COVID-19 outbreak intensified, sparking business shutdowns and throwing Americas economy into a tailspin. The downbeat ADP jobs report comes as somewhat of a surprise, as economists polled by Reuters said they expected private payrolls to jump by 1.5 million in July. The economy will remain at risk of a renewed downturn so long as a vaccine or therapeutic for the virus remains out of reach, said Oren Klachkin, lead U.S. economist at Oxford Economics in New York. Several industries shed jobs in July, the ADP report shows, with financial activities leading the way with a loss of 18,000 jobs, followed by construction (18,000), IT (3,000), and natural resources and mining (1,000). Sectors with the biggest gains were professional/business services (58,000), education and health services (46,000), and the category of trade/transport/utilities (41,000). A category that includes restaurants, bars, and hotels added 38,000 jobs in July, after gaining more than 3 million in May and June combined. Other data released on Aug. 5 showed that while activity in the services sector gained momentum in July, hiring declined. The Institute for Supply Management (ISM) said its services index surged to a reading of 58.1 in July, the highest since March 2019. A reading above 50 indicates growth, while a number below that means the category is in contraction. But the ISMs employment index came in at 42.1 in July compared to 43.1 in June, suggesting hiring in the services sector is falling at a faster rate. The bright spot in the ISM report was the new orders index, which came in at 67.7, surging by 6.1 percent compared to Junes already solid reading of 61.6. Services account for more than two-thirds of U.S. economic activity. The reports, together with a recent rise in applications for unemployment benefits, suggest job growth pulled back sharply in July. Still, there are glimmers of hope for Americas economy, which slipped into recession in February. In a separate report on Aug. 5, the Commerce Department said exports increased between May and June by a record 9.4 percent to $158.3 billion. The latest trade figures confirm that both exports and imports began rebounding in June, and we expect a continued recovery over the coming months as production catches up with the recovery in consumption, said Michael Pearce, senior U.S. economist at Capital Economics, in remarks to The Associated Press. Americas economy suffered its biggest blow since the Great Depression in the second quarter of this year, with gross domestic product falling at its steepest pace in at least 73 years. Annu Kapoor recently took to social media to celebrate his struggle of 38 years in Indian Cinema. While most actors celebrate their journey, the senior actor thought of highlighting his struggles because he considers they have been more consistent than success. Were destined to suffer, therefore we seek happiness. As they say, Dukh baatne se dil thoda halka ho jaata hai, aur sach baatne se hausle badh jaate hai, so I believe in that, he says. But, the 64-year-old adds that he has never been greedy for a role onscreen or money or fame. Ive run a tea stall, fried food stall, among other things, to get myself going. So difficulties werent new in my life. By the time I started working in the film industry, I knew what struggle means. No workspace has the guts to ignore talent, and when they do its their loss. Thats why people who do hard work can survive everything, he asserts. Looking back at the initial hurdles he faced, Kapoor says that once has to face the odds without failing from grace and honour, as difficulties would always cross ones path. But, I learnt the lesson that never trust people till youve tried and tested them numerous times, otherwise youll repent. Till an actor becomes a star, hes never considered of any worth, so work harder to achieve the goals, he maintains. While actors often talk about how it isnt easy to make it big in the industry and how failures affect them much, Kapoor believes that struggle never ends. I might have crossed the initial hurdles to an extent but I still consider myself a struggler. Remember everyone cant be Muqaddar Ka Sikandar. Having option B helps. When you make it big, everybody will jump over to grab the credit of your success, he points. For those whore dreaming of making it big in the industry, Kapoor advises that one should not try to become a Shah Rukh Khan or Salman Khan or Hrithik Roshan. The history has bluntly proved that clones become clowns. Every individual is unique, so is their journey. Your talent is subject to the approval and appreciation by the audience so even if you feel talented having a fire within yourself, itll never take you anywhere if the audience does not favour you. You also need to compromise on certain things, he reasons. Follow @htshowbiz for more Author tweets @Shreya_MJ SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON A Holocaust survivor who famously forgave Josefe Mengele for subjecting her and her twin sister to horrific experiments at Auschwitz has revaled how he injected her with a virus in the hope of killing her. Romania-born Eva Kor and her twin sister Miriam arrived in Auschwitz with their family in the summer of 1944, aged 10. They were then separated from their parents and older sisters and kept with 3,000 other twins in a special barracks in the death camp. Eva passed away in Krakow in 2019 aged 85 during an annual education trip to Poland to visit the camp. In The Twins of Auschwitz, she shared her testimony of her experience of the camp and the experiments she was subjected to at the hands of 'The Angel of Death.' An updated version of the book will be republished posthumously on 6th August by Octopus books. Dr Mengele, a fervent Nazi physician, took advantage of the death camps to run pseudo-medicinal studies on inmates. He had a particular interest in twins, as he thought they held the key to multiplying the Aryan race. In her book, Eva recalled how the doctor injected her with a deadly virus, expecting her to die so he could kill her twin and perform autopsies comparing unhealthy and healthy organs. However, years after her traumatic experience, the Holocaust survivor publicly forgave the Nazis, including Menegele, for their crimes. Holocaust survivor Eva Kor opened up about her harrowing experiences of Auschwitz and Dr Mengele before her death in 2019. Eva and her twin sister Miriam arrived in Auschwitz with their family in the summer of 1944. They were then unceremoniously separated from their parents and older sisters and kept with 3,000 other twins in a special barrack in the death camp (pictured in 2015 in Berlin) Eva said that up until her death, she was not certain of which experiments were carried out on her, or which substances were injected into her blood. Experiments carried on her sister Miriam would affect her growth and afflict her for the rest of her life. 'Later, I learned that Dr Mengele wanted to discover the secret of twinning. One goal of his experiments was to learn how to create blond-haired, blue-eyed babies in multiple numbers to increase the German population,' Eva wrote in The Twins of Auschwitz. 'Hitler called Aryans, the blond and blue-eyed, white skinned Germans "The master Race" and we were his human guinea pigs. Eva (right) and Miriam (left), pictured after the war, were the only members of their direct family to survive Auschwitz. Their parents and older sisters all died in the camp Dr Joseph Mengele was called 'the Angel of Death' for performing inhumane experiments on death camps inmates. By torturing countless Jews, Romani and people with disablities, he hoped to perfect the Aryan race 'To study other natural "abnormalities" and to try to figure out how to prevent genetic mutation, the subjects of Mengele's research included dwarfs, people with disabilities, and Romani people,' she added. Studies carried on twins monitored how physically and psychologically similar the siblings in Auschwitz were, by carrying measurements and exercises on the pairs. 'They measured our earlobes, the bridges of our noses, the size of our lips, the width, shape and color our eyes. They compared the shade of blue of Miriam's eyes to the blue of my eyes with a chart of eye colors,' Evan recalled. The twins' life was schedule around their time in the Mengele labs, where they would undergo painful and bizarre procedures. 'Three days a week we were forced to march to the labs in Auschwitz for intensive studies that left us exhausted,' Eva wrote. HORRIFIC EXPERIMENTS OF THE NAZI 'ANGEL OF DEATH' Dr. Josef Mengele, an SS physician from 1943 to 1945, was known as the 'Angel of Death' for overseeing gruesome experiments at the Auschwitz death camp in Poland Immaculately dressed, it was Josef Mengele who greeted doomed arrivals at the Nazi death camp, Auschwitz, in occupied Poland. With a flick of his gloved hands, the supreme arbiter of life and death would consign terrified prisoners either to work or to death in the gas chambers. But many were condemned to an altogether more diabolical fate; they became guinea pigs upon his operating table as he pursued his berserk quest to clone blue-eyed Aryan supermen. Most of his victims died in terrible pain without anaesthetic. Captivated by oddities, victims of Mengele's medical experiments were chosen based on different eye colors, growth anomalies such as a clubfoot or a hunchback, giantism or dwarfism, twins and gypsies. A choice 'specimen' he sent to his lab for study was the head of a 12-year-old boy he was going to dissect. Twins held a particular fascination for him and it's estimated that he examined around 3,000 - but only 100 pairs survived. Mengele once impregnated one twin with the sperm from a different twin to see if she would produce twins. When there was only one baby, one survivor claimed he tore the baby out of the mother's uterus and threw the child into an oven and walked away. Mengele had a doctorate in medicine from Frankfurt University, but used his knowledge in a sickening manner at the Auschwitz concentration camp, where he performed experiments as an SS physician from 1943 to 1945. The so-called Angel of Death was on the Allied commanders' most-wanted list from 1944, but he escaped to South America and was never found Although prisoners transferred to his wing to be studied escaped the gas chambers and were well fed, they often ultimately met an even more painful death. Mengele regularly performed surgery without anaesthetic and would obtain bodies to work on simply by injecting chloroform into inmates' hearts while they slept, which would kill them in seconds. He was most interested in heredity and once tried to change the colour of childrens eyes by injecting chemicals directly into them. Pregnant women were also singled out. He was known to have performed vivisections on them before consigning them to the death chambers. Prisoners suffering from schizophrenia and depression were subjected to electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). The goal was to treat incapacitated prisoners so that they could return to the work force. Most of the experiments were unsuccessful and led to the death of the prisoners. The so-called Angel of Death was on the Allied commanders' most-wanted list from 1944, but he escaped to South America and was never found, despite the best efforts of private investigators and the Israeli secret service, Mossad. He died in 1979 after suffering a stroke while swimming and thirteen years later, DNA tests proved his identity beyond doubt. Advertisement 'The other three days we were in the blood labs in Birkenau. One day melded into the next,' she added. In the blood lab, the twins would all be injected with different unknown substances. 'I took those injections as the price we had to pay to survive,' Eva explained. 'We gave them our blood, our bodies, our pride, our dignity and in turn, they let us live one more day.' 'In those days we didn't know what the experiments were for or what we were injected with. Later, we found out that Dr Mengele purposely gave some twins dangerous, life-threatening diseases such as scarlet fever, then followed them with injections of something else to see if it cured the disease. 'Some injections were attempts to change the color of eyes,' she revealed. 'Older girls many years after we were all liberated, told us Mengele had taken them to a lab and given them a transfusion of blood from a boy and had transfused their blood into the bodies of boys.' The Twins of Auschwitz, by Eva Mozes Kor and Lisa Rojany Buccieri is published by Octopus on August 6 'He wanted to discover a way to change girls into boys and boys into girls. Many of these details I learned forty years later, such as the twin teenage boys who had some of their private parts cut off in Mengele's quest to see if they could turn them into girls,' Eva wrote. 'One of those boys died in his bed right next to his twin, who said later, "I could feel my brother's body turning cold".' Eva revealed she herself was injected with a life-threatening disease as part of Mengele's experiments, adding they did not inject her twin with the same substance. She was taken to the camp infirmary, a place, she said, which looked like the Valley of Death from scriptures. 'Dr Mengele laughed and said about me with a smirk: "Too bad, She is so young and has only two weeks to live".' 'I've since learned that Mengele knew what disease they had infected me with and how it would progress. It might have been beriberi (which affects the pulmonary system and can cause heart failure) or spotted fever. In all the years since, I have never found out for sure,' Eva wrote. Powered only by her will to live, Eva managed to miraculously overcome her symptoms and was sent back to her barracks, where she was reunited with Miriam. However, she learned that her sister had suffered some consequences of her recovery. 'When I did not die as Mengele expected, Mirian was taken to the labs and given many injections that made her sick. The shots would stunt the growth of her kidneys, keeping them the size of a ten-year-old's,' she explained in the book. 'I did learn that Mengele had planned for me to die from the disease I had been given,' Eva revealed. 'Mr Miklos Nyiszli, a Jewish prison and pathologist, wrote and published an eyewitness account about how Mengele routinely ordered pathologists to perform autopsies on twins who had died within hours of each other, an unique opportunity to compare the effects of disease on healthy and diseased bodies that were identical in most other ways,' she explained. Eva and Miriam in 1935, aged four. The twins were always dressed in pretty dresses by their mother Top row from the left, sister Aliz, father Alexander Mozes, sister Edit and friend Luci. Bottom row from the left: Miriam, mother Jaffa, Eva and cousin Shmulik before the war 'If I had died in the infirmary, Miriam would have been rushed to the lab and killed with a shot of chloroform to her heart,' she added. Miriam and Eva both survived the camp and were liberated by the Red Army on 27 January 1945. They returned to Portz, in central Romania, to the farm their family had owned before the war, However, they found that their parents and older sisters had not survived the camps, and had one aunt for only family, who managed to move them to Israel to escape the communist rule. Eva explained how she met her husband, Michael Kor in 1960, married him within weeks and followed him to the US where they settled in Indiana. The couple had two children, the eldest being a boy named Alex. In The Twins of Auschwitz, Eva revealed her children were bullied by other kids because she was not 'like other moms.' WHAT WAS THE AUSCHWITZ CONCENTRATION CAMP? Auschwitz was a concentration and extermination camp used by the Nazis during World War Two. The camp, which was located in Nazi-occupied Poland, was made up of three main sites. Auschwitz I, the original concentration camp, Auschwitz II-Birkenau, a combined concentration and extermination camp and Auschwitz IIIMonowitz, a labour camp, with a further 45 satellite sites. Auschwitz was an extermination camp used by the Nazis in Poland to murder more than 1.1 million Jews Birkenau became a major part of the Nazis' 'Final Solution', where they sought to rid Europe of Jews. An estimated 1.3 million people were sent to Auschwitz-Birkenau, of whom at least 1.1 million died around 90 percent of which were Jews. Since 1947, it has operated as Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum, which in 1979 was named a World Heritage Site by Unesco. Since 1947, it has operated as Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum, which in 1979 was named a World Heritage Site by Unesco Advertisement Public perception of the Kors and other American Holocaust survivors changed when a documentary about the Holocaust aired in 1978. In 1995, Eva opened the CANDLES Holocaust Museum and Education Center in Terre Haute, Indiana. Though the non-profit organisation, Eva and Miriam contacted hundreds of so-called Mengele twins who had survived the horrors of the camp and the Angel of Death's inhumane experiments. Eva publicly forgave numerous Nazi officers in her later years, including Dr Joseph Mengele. She first decided to write a letter of forgiveness to a one Dr Munch, who had agreed to speak at a lecture with her in 1993. Eva said she felt a weight had been lifted off her shoulders after writing the letter. She did not consider writing one for Mengele until a friend challenged her to do so. 'At first I was adamant that I could never forgive Dr Mengele but then I realized I had the power nowthe power to forgive. It was my right to use it. No one could take it away,' she wrote for The Forgiveness Project. 'On 27 January 1995, at the 50th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz, I stood by the ruins of the gas chambers with my children Dr Alex Kor and Rina Kor and with Dr Munch and his children and grandchild,' she recalled. 'Dr Munch signed his document about the operation of the gas chambers while I read my document of forgiveness and signed it. As I did that, I felt a burden of pain was lifted from me. I was no longer in the grip of hate; I was finally free,' she went on. 'The day I forgave the Nazis, privately I forgave my parents whom I hated all my life for not having saved me from Auschwitz.' 'Children expect their parents to protect them; mine couldnt. And then I forgave myself for hating my parents.' As some economies begin to reopen and recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, UNDPs Human Development Report warns that on some dimensions of human development, we are seeing deprivation equivalent to the mid-1980s levels. Yet, as we look forward, one would argue that the goal is not to return to normal in 2019, the progress on many SDGs was not on track to meet the 2030 deadline but to build back better, which is a more inclusive, green and resilient economy. The pandemic has shown the importance of technology and in many cases has sped up digital transformation. We have looked at emerging trends on some key technologies in developing economies which have the potential to contribute to realizing a green, climate resilient economy in the longer term. New or cheaper technologies have made geospatial data more accessible. In Small Island Developing States, which are facing immediate risks of sea rise and extreme weather induced by climate change, new technologies play a key role. In the Maldives, UNDP uses drones to map disaster risks. In Tuvalu, a Light Detection and Ranging technology-enabled accurate measurement of the situation on the impact of the rising ocean level. In Peru, we use spatial data to identify how to increase forest management between indigenous groups and the government and help the government chart a forestry recovery plan. Satellite data can also be used to develop microinsurance programmes for farmers, although there are some chasms to cross. A consortium of insurers through the Blue Marble Alliance develop microinsurance plans in partnership with the World Food Programme. Satellite precipitation data and a mobile app enable seamless, automated payments to farmers in the event of crop loss due to precipitation significantly above or below the mean. This can improve the resilience and livelihoods of many farmers in developing countries. Innovative mechanisms are emerging in fintech, including the GCash Forest Platform supported by UNDPs Biodiversity Finance Initiative in the Philippines. People sign up on an app and gather points for sustainable activities such as walking, forfeiting paper bills or buying organic produce. More than two million people already up for the app since it was launched one year ago, and more than US$500,000 has invested in tree planting. In Lebanon, UNDPs AltFinLab piloted a cryptocurrency called Cedar Coin. A tree is planted for every coin purchased. These are native species, and each type of cedar has its own price. The specific trees are registered in a ledger using blockchain. Smaller and cheaper sensors enable real-time environmental data collection and efficient management of resources. Applications of the internet of things are growing, from smart mobility and smart cities to smart agriculture, such as irrigation systems and value chain management. Smart metres are key for scaling renewable energies, both on- and off-grid. They allow real-time monitoring of demand and supply and open doors to other applications such as smart payment and metering, which is one of the tools for de-risking renewable energy investment in many developing countries. NGOs and academia are also exploring unique applications in project monitoring and learning cycles. To reap the benefits of technology, we still need to get the basics right and 3.6 billion people are still unconnected, the majority in developing countries. We cannot expect countries to utilize technologies to their full extent without having a reliable and affordable connection. If we were to break the paradigm of the global north developing solutions to test in the global south, we need more people to have training and skills-building, so people in developing countries wont only use the available technology but innovate locally. And, of course, we should also find models for sustainably financing expensive technology such as very high-resolution satellite imagery, which is important to machine learning, and we must invest in local networks to nurture innovation. Sometimes, a cheaper, simpler solution will do the job when you have people who understand the context from within. During a hackathon several teams of young engineers in Rwanda proposed the use of new technologies to transmit sensor data from remote areas without internet coverage to the nearest internet point. Similarly, an idea to send meteorological data collected at manual weather stations through Unstructured Supplementary Service Data was accepted right away. A strong vision and strategy for high-tech and universal coverage, combined with appropriate bottom-up attempts could be key. The upward trend in businesses' commitments to sustainability is well documented, but whether those commitments are for branding purposes, or for mitigating climate change is an important question. Carrying on business as usual and then reporting on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as an afterthought is not enough. Substantive change must come from thinking through the impact across all layers of operations, from the supply chain, to hiring, to running facilities, to production and beyond. For businesses to successfully promote sustainability, they cannot work in siloes. It is necessary to build a cross-sectoral ecosystem of partnerships across governments, companies, and nonprofits. This will ensure that organizations benefit from best practices and avoid reinventing the wheel where possible. One such example of a cross-sectoral partnership is UNDP in Armenias ImpactAim Venture Accelerator. In cooperation with the Enterprise Incubator Foundation and Innovative Solutions and Technologies Center Foundation, the Accelerator is calling on tech ventures focused on energy efficiency and renewables to apply. Exploring the application of technologies like artificial intelligence and data science in the environmental sector can better inform policymakers and lead to revolutionary results. By working across sectors to scale innovative solutions to climate change, this accelerator is effectively building a better future. The UNDP Nature, Climate and Energy team together with the Chief Digital Officers Office are open to hearing more ideas on how digital technologies can bring impact on the ground for sustainable development. Please send feedback and ideas to digital@undp.org President Donald Trump has made no secret of his skepticism toward mail-in voting, which he has repeatedly and without evidence claimed will lead to a "fraudulent" election result. Nor has he attempted to hide his ire for the U.S. Postal Service, complaining in April that their operation "has been mismanaged for years." So when the new postmaster general -- who happens to be a major Trump donor -- enacted guidelines last month that critics say will lead to delays in mail delivery, experts suggested the move could be interpreted as an effort to undermine the viability of mail-in ballots. PHOTO: Elections workers open ballots at the King County Elections headquarters on Aug. 4, 2020, in Renton, Wash. (David Ryder/Getty Images) "This is going to look political to many people," said Lawrence Norden, director of the Brennan Center's Election Reform Program, "because the postmaster general is a big donor and the president has been railing against mail voting." In interviews with ABC News, election experts, state election administrators and postal union leaders expressed concern that the implications of recent reforms at the postal service could undermine confidence in absentee voting -- and perhaps even lead to uncounted ballots. "I worry that, whether there were political motivations or not, there will be political outcomes," said Tammy Patrick, a senior advisor to the elections program at the Democracy Fund Voice, a nonprofit electoral advocacy group. MORE: 'I don't trust it': Is Trump's false rhetoric on vote-by-mail resonating? The White House, for its part, said allegations that the postal service reforms have political underpinnings are "baseless and absurd." A postal service spokesperson echoed that sentiment in a statement to ABC News, calling it "wholly misplaced and off-base." Regardless of the motive, however, experts said the changes to the postal service could complicate mail-in voting come November. Here is how: What are the changes to the U.S. Postal Service? Last month, newly minted U.S. Postmaster General Louis DeJoy, a former business executive and longtime Republican financier, put in place a range of operational and procedural changes at the postal service meant to cut costs of retrieving and delivering mail. Story continues "The Postal Service is in a financially unsustainable position, stemming from substantial declines in mail volume, and a broken business model," DeJoy said in a statement posted on July 27 to the postal service website. PHOTO: An election worker removes ballots from a sorting machine as vote-by-mail ballots for the Aug. 4, Washington state primary are processed at King County Elections in Renton, Wash., on Aug. 3, 2020. (Jason Redmond/AFP via Getty Images) "Given our current situation," he continued, "it is critical that the Postal Service take a fresh look at our operations and make necessary adjustments." Those adjustments, according to a postal service spokesperson, seek to maintain their "present service standards in an efficient and effective manner" -- but critics of the new protocols, which include limitations on overtime hours for mail carriers, say they needlessly undermine efficiency. Mark Dimondstein, president of the American Postal Workers Union, warned that the changes "will do nothing but slow down and delay mail." MORE: Mail-in voting is hot during pandemic, but are states ready? "We're getting reports from postal workers all over the country and customers that mail is backing up," Dimondstein said. "Mail is slowing down, and in some places they've never seen this (type of) backup." In addition to the crackdown on overtime hours and pay, Dimondstein said the changes include limiting trips when a mail truck is not full and enforcing stricter start and end times for shifts. The implications of these changes, Dimondstein warned, will be far-reaching. "If they're not reversed, this affects everything we do," Dimondstein said, "and that includes a vote-by-mail." How will those changes impact mail-in voting? With no end in sight for the coronavirus pandemic, more Americans than ever are expected to skip the lines and opt to vote absentee this fall. The postal service will play a crucial role in ensuring a smooth process. But critics of their shift in protocol are already ringing alarm bells. PHOTO: A U.S. postal service worker delivers mail during the outbreak of COVID-19 in Encinitas, Calif., July 30, 2020. (Mike Blake/Reuters) "The impact on election mail under this guidance could be severe, and unless addressed, may cause an increased number of ballots rejected for being late at various points in the pipeline," wrote Patrick, the senior advisor to Democracy Fund Voice. Norden, from the Brennan Center, said he shares concerns that "the new policies may cause delays in people getting their ballots and being able to send their ballot back." A postal service spokesperson dismissed any suggestion that election mail would be intentionally delayed, and committed to "delivering Election Mail in a timely manner consistent with our operational standards." "With regard to Election Mail, the Postal Service remains fully committed to fulfilling our role in the electoral process when public policy makers choose to utilize the mail as a part of their election system," the spokesperson said in a statement. "To be clear, however, and despite any assertions to the contrary, we are not slowing down Election Mail or any other mail." Even so, in Washington state, where elections are largely conducted by mail-in voting, Secretary of State Kim Wyman -- the state's chief election official -- said she remains confident in the postal service's ability to execute its role, but has already seen disruptions in mail delivery. "(The policy changes) could have a ripple effect on the speed with which ballots are delivered to voters," Wyman told ABC News. "That is certainly a concern." State election officials elsewhere across the country share that concern. A spokesperson with the National Association of Secretaries of State said the organization has requested a meeting with DeJoy to discuss issues tied to the postal service's ability to do its job in November. MORE: Politicizing vote-by-mail efforts amid COVID-19 could disenfranchise some voters: Experts On Capitol Hill, Senate Democrats have taken up the cause, writing in a letter to DeJoy that the procedural change "undermines public trust and only increases concerns that service compromises will grow in advance of the election and peak mail volumes in November." Even so, election experts say voters have the power to avoid risking their vote. They are encouraging voters to request ballots as soon as possible and not to wait to return them. "A lot of people are going to be voting in a new way for the first time," Norden said. "If you're going to vote by mail, apply for that mail ballot as early as possible and cast it as early as possible." What to know about the 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 Tune into ABC at 1 p.m. ET and ABC News Live at 4 p.m. ET every weekday for special coverage of the novel coronavirus with the full ABC News team, including the latest news, context and analysis. How US Postal Service changes could complicate mail-in voting originally appeared on abcnews.go.com The Duchess of Cambridge has been seen wearing a face mask in at a royal event for the first time, during a visit to a baby bank in South Yorkshire. Kate Middleton recounted her emotional trip to Baby Basics in Sheffield, South Yorkshire, which provides essential items to vulnerable mothers during a visit to the National Gallery in London. She wore a floral face mask during the tour of the baby bank and highlighted her efforts in spearheading a donation drive which prompted big-name stores such as John Lewis, Marks & Spencer, Sainsburys and Tesco give more than 10,000 new items to baby banks throughout the UK. Speaking about how she cried after returning home from the visit, Kate said: I remembered a couple of the families I met from Kings Lynn and I went home and literally burst into tears, their stories were so moving. The struggles they have gone through, the bravery they have shown in extraordinary circumstances. Helping their families through these extraordinary times. Baby banks found themselves under increasing pressure as demand for their services mounted during the coronavirus crisis and they were unable to accept second hand donations for fear the virus may spread through contaminated surfaces. Having previously visited Baby Basics in West Norfolk, Kate encouraged donations from 19 brands and high street retailers to Baby Basics, Little Village and AberNecessities, who run baby banks across the country. She helped unpack donations of clothes, toys and other necessities during her visit in Sheffield and spoke to parents about the invaluable support provided to them by the baby banks. Cat Ross, CEO of Baby Basics, told Kate: Often in a world where there is a lot of judgement and stereotyping about being poor, that additional stress can be even more difficult for parents who are doing amazing things to keep their families going with such strength, such determination. The Duchess of Cambridge wearing a face mask, talks to Founder of Abernecessities Danielle Flecher-Horn, CEO Little Village Sophia Parker and CEO Baby Basics UK Cat Ross during a visit to Baby Basic UK & Baby Basics Sheffield (PA) Ms Ross added there is a lot of fear and worry among people about what will happen when furlough periods come to an end and what it means for families. But one of the positives to come out of it is the strength of communities across the UK and people wanting to help, volunteering and wanting to provide for each other, she said. Organisations like us want to harvest that and keep it going as much as possible. Kate said lockdown had been wonderful in regards to people who have been helping and contributing to small volunteering acts. That inter-generational support system has been amazing, she said. Knowing that you can make such a big difference to another family is wonderful. T ragic TV star Caroline Flack was devastated shortly before she died after learning her boyfriend Lewis Burton had sent a bloody image from her assault arrest to an ex-girlfriend, an inquest heard. The presenters mother Christine said she had received this news at around the same time as learning that the CPS was determined to take a domestic violence charge against her to trial. The picture, of blood stains on a bed, appeared on the front page of The Sun newspaper following Ms Flacks first court appearance, and friends told the inquest today the revelation caused her to spiral. The Love Island host, 40, was accused of assaulting Mr Burton but insisted it had been an accident, and the blood in the photo was said to have come from a wound in her own hand. Christine Flack told the hearing her daughter had found out it was Lewis that had sent photos of the blood on the bed to his friend. Ms Flacks friend, Mollie Grosberg, said the star was angry the night before her death on February 15, but she was not aware if Ms Flack knew that Mr Burton had been responsible for passing on the image. Lewis Burton and Caroline Flack / SplashNews.com As far as I know, this is the Gods honest truth, she never mentioned a word to me whether she thought Lewis had sold that image or gave the image to an ex-girlfriend, she said. That was never brought up. She was very angry about certain things, but never mentioned it to me. Mrs Flack, watching proceedings over a videolink, then told the hearing: She did say it to me. She was devastated when she found out he sent the photo to an ex-girlfriend. She has told the court the blood in the image was Ms Flacks, rather than Mr Burtons. Ms Grosberg also revealed that the Love Island host had been advised to plead guilty to the charge, which was due to be tried in early March. She wanted to plead guilty from the beginning and get it over and done with, she said. They were advising her not to do that, then they changed it. She was saying if she pleaded guilty from the beginning, she would have been able to speak and it wouldnt have escalated into this kind of circus show. Caroline Flack leaving court after pleading not guilty to assaulting boyfriend Lewis Burton / Jonathan Brady/PA The hearing has been told Ms Flack took three drug overdoses prior to her death, including before her first court appearance in December 2019 and another on February 14 - the night before she died. Her twin sister Jody said Ms Flack took a drug overdose the evening before her first court appearance as she struggled to cope with the shame of the domestic violence allegations being levelled against her. Heartbreak was something Caroline found extremely difficult to cope with, emotionally. It was a cause of much concern for us, said Jody Flack. She attempted to take her own life the night before she appeared in court. I believe the shame of what the charge became against her was too much for her to cope with. Tony Rumore, a paramedic called out on February 14 to Ms Flacks east London home, said the TV star was unwilling to go to hospital and was worried about publicity if she appeared in A&E. He and a colleague decided they could not take her to hospital that night. Caroline Flack / PA We were told she was merely attempting to sleep and escape the current stresses she was under, he said. Mr Rumore said they were unaware of previous drug overdoses, friends were planning to stay with her, and an agreement was made for Ms Flack to seek mental health support through her GP in the morning. He said friends were advised to stay with her overnight and the plan to contact her GP was a safety net, although the paramedics had wanted her to go to hospital that night. We wanted her to be in hospital that night and have an assessment that night, he said. Caroline said she adamantly would not be going to hospital and wanted to stay at home. He added: We knew there was some issue around privacy. The paramedic said he wouldnt have done anything differently if he had known of Ms Flacks previous drug overdoses or her friends' concerns for her welfare. Ms Flacks mother said she believes the CPS was pursuing a show trial and was amazed false statements from the first court hearing had not been corrected, telling the court in a statement: I believe she was seriously let down by the authorities, in particular the CPS who pursued the case. There was disputed evidence read out in court and picked up by many reporters, but it was disputed, she said. The result of media attention of this hearing forced Caroline to leave her home which she loved, and I believe eventually to taking her own life. Being well-known should not allow special treatment, but equally they should not have different rules applying to make an example of something. She added that her heartbroken daughter had been advised not to speak out while legal proceedings were live. Caroline was told not to comment while all the time her heart was breaking. She lost the job she absolutely loved and had worked so hard at, her home, and reputation, she added. Flack's friend Louise Teasdale told the court of Flacks struggles with media attention, including a front page story in The Sun about her assault arrest complete with bloody photos that had sent her spiralling. Jody Flack, who found her sister unconscious and attempted to save her life, called it a false allegation, and said her sisters fear of the video of her arrest had weighed heavily on her. She said the star "would rather plead guilty, go to prison, and be termed an abuser" than have her private life "turned into entertainment. She added that the TV star had been hounded by some sections of the media, while neighbours had been paid for information about her. Caroline spent the last few months of her life hiding inside, scared of the abuse, she said. Caroline seemed very sad the day before her death she seemed to have lost her fight. Mr Burton said he had seen a devastated Ms Flack after her court appearance, and she had previously talked about taking her own life. The media were constantly bashing her character, writing unkind and hurtful stories and generally hounding her daily, he said. What was bothering her the most was the police case and losing her presenter job on Love Island, the negative media attention plus not being able to see him. The court heard this morning that she was found unconscious by her sister, Ms Teasdale, and Ms Teasdales father, and a paramedic saw a note, lying on top of an open magazine, which read: I hope me and Lewis can one day find harmony. The inquest in front of Senior Coroner Mary Hassell continues and is expected to last two days. Worrying Covid-19 clusters are emerging in direct provision centres, among Travellers, and in meat plants, according to the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET). Fresh concerns have been raised about the spread of the virus by NPHET, in advice it has given to the Government. The advice, which has just been published, is what the Government used when deciding to delay Phase 4. The public health doctors said "concerning" outbreaks have occurred in direct provision centres, among the Traveller community, and in meat factories in the past week. There have 37 new clusters, with 21 in Direct Provision Centres, involving 235 people. 21 new cases from two clusters have been found in the Traveller community, with two outbreaks in meat factories involving 47 new cases. NPHET also warns there has been a shift in cases from the greater Dublin area to other counties in the past 10 days. It recommends pubs and restaurants should close by 10.30pm, but the Government has changed this to 11pm. It also said it should be mandatory for staff to wear face coverings if not behind protective glass, and all customers should sit at tables, not at the bar. YEREVAN, AUGUST 5, ARMENPRESS. Speaker of Parliament of Artsakh Arthur Tovmasyan has offered condolences to the people and government of Lebanon on the deadly explosion in Beirut. The pain of human loss as a consequence of the Beirut blast is immense and cruel. On behalf of the Parliament of Artsakh, I extend our condolences to Lebanons authorities and people, who include our compatriots; resilience and fortitude to you to mitigate the pain of this disaster, Speaker Tovmasyan said in a statement published on social media. Editing and Translating by Stepan Kocharyan Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-05 23:36:28|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close MOSCOW, Aug. 5 (Xinhua) -- The Russian Armed Forces showed high combat capabilities during a recent snap check held amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said Wednesday. "The snap check proved that there is no decrease in the ability of the Russian Armed Forces to solve tasks they are meant for," Shoigu said, according to the ministry's Zvezda broadcasting service. Russia held a large-scale snap check of the combat readiness of its Southern and Western military districts, large troop units, airborne forces, and Northern and Pacific fleets on July 17-21. During the check, 56 tactical-level exercises were conducted, involving a total of 149,755 troops, 26,820 weapon units, 414 aircraft, and 106 warships and support vessels. All participants acted professionally, strictly observing safety requirements, Shoigu said, adding that snap checks will continue in the future. Enditem The mother of Sushant Singh Rajputs former manager, Disha Salian, has said that her death might not be a case of suicide. Disha fell to her death from the 14th floor of a high-rise building on June 8. It is being alleged that her death might be connected to Sushants death on June 14. In an interview with Times Now, Dishas mother said that the family did not suspect anyone and that it could have been an accident. No, we dont suspect anyone, she said. When asked if it was a clear case of suicide, she said, We dont know if it was suicide. It could be an accident too. Earlier this week, Simi Garewal said that an investigation into Dishas death will uncover the conspiracy behind Sushants death. She wrote on Twitter, #DishaSalian death must be investigated.Why was it ignored?? It will reveal the truth of the conspiracy linked to the murder of #SSR. #CBIforShushant MUST investigate. We demand the truth. We cant be stopped now.. Also read: Shweta Nanda tells brother Abhishek Bachchan to hang in there as he remains hospitalised for Covid-19 A police official told PTI that the Malvani Police had registered an Accidental Death Report (ADR) in Dishas case and are investigating the death. There are various reports appearing on social media, newspapers and TV channels about her death. The police are trying to get more information in the case and want to verify those reports, he said. The police have requested people to come forward if they have any information or evidence related to the case. On Wednesday, the Centre accepted the Bihar governments recommendation for a CBI probe into the actors death. The move has been welcomed by Sushants sister Shweta Singh Kirti and ex-girlfriend Ankita Lokhande. (With inputs from PTI) If you need support or know someone who does, please reach out to your nearest mental health specialist. Helplines: Aasra: 022 2754 6669; Sneha India Foundation: +914424640050 and Sanjivini: 011-24311918 Follow @htshowbiz for more Nippon Steel is appealing a Korean court order to seize its assets in a joint venture here after it refused to compensate wartime victims of forced labor. The Japanese giant has until next Tuesday to file the appeal. The seizure, effective Tuesday, allows the victims to seize and sell Nippon Steel's shares in a joint venture with POSCO, but Nippon Steel said "issues related to the compensation for forced labor have been completely and definitively resolved under the "Korea-Japan Treaty" of 1965. The appeal will buy Nippon Steel time before the 81,075 shares in POSCO-Nippon Steel RFH (PNR) are sold off to make up for its refusal to comply with an earlier court order to compensate the victims. It could take anywhere from months to years for a court to decide on the appeal. Two men in separate cases were sentenced to six months in jail after being arrested on the same day and charged with attempting to rape whom they thought were going to be underage girls. Daniel Grader, 53, of Clay, was sentenced in Cayuga County Court Tuesday morning by Judge Mark Fandrich after his February guilty plea to second-degree attempted rape, second-degree criminal sex act and first-degree attempted disseminating indecent material to minors. Cayuga County District Attorney Jon Budelmann said Tuesday that Grader traveled from his then-residence at Baldwinsville on May 17, 2019, to meet whom he believed was a stepfather and a 14-year-old stepdaughter in order to have sex with them. But he was met by state police instead. Budelmann noted that Grader had brought condoms with him and had agreed to "ground rules" set by the trooper whom he thought was a stepfather. Budelmann told the court he had concerns that at one some point during the pre-sentencing investigation, Grader had made comments that indicated Grader was attempting to minimize his acknowledgment of responsibility. Budelmann's office had been arguing for a state prison term for Grader. Grader said Tuesday he knew he was on a sex app but "I didn't know what ages were being thrown out there." Fandrich asked Grader if he knew he was coming to Cayuga County to have sex with an underage girl, to which Grader said "yes." Grader was given the sentence of six months in jail and 10 years of probation, which Budelmann said Fandrich promised in February for his plea. Grader will also have to register as a sex offender and will have a risk level assessment hearing in September. Another defendant caught in the same state police investigation, Joseph Gibbons was also sentenced by Fandrich Tuesday morning. A copy of Gibbons's indictment alleged he tried on May 17, 2019 to "engage in sexual intercourse" with a New York State Police officer he believed to be a person younger than 15 years old. Budelmann said Gibbons, 57, of Manlius, pleaded guilty in January to second-degree attempted rape and first-degree attempted disseminating indecent material to minors. On Tuesday, Gibbons described his actions as a "one-time terrible judgement and not a lifestyle," and apologized to the court, law enforcement and his family and friends. Gibbons was sentenced to six months at the jail and 10 years of probation, which Budelmann said Fandrich promised in January for Gibbons' plea. He will also have to register as a sex offender and have a risk level assessment hearing next month. Budelmann told the judge he felt Gibbons' expression of remorse was "authentic." In other cases: The sentencing for an Auburn man found guilty by a Cayuga County jury earlier this year of having heroin and a stolen rifle has been delayed. Floyd Chavis, 38, was set to be sentenced at court Tuesday, but it was pushed to September after he was assigned a new attorney in response to Chavis filing a grievance against his former lawyer, Norm Chirco. Fandrich asked Chirco Tuesday if his client was ready for sentencing. "I don't know that he is, judge, to be honest," Chirco said. He said Chavis, of Auburn, had filed a grievance against him and that he didn't see how he could continue to represent Chavis. "I don't want Mr. Chirco to represent me at all," Chavis said to Fandrich at one point. Fandrich said he was assigning attorney David Elkovitch. Chavis was convicted in January of illegally having heroin, a stolen assault rifle and drug paraphernalia, such as a scale and envelopes for the purpose of packaging drugs for sale. He was arrested in February 2019 after the Finger Lakes Drug Task Force and various other agencies served a search warrant at an apartment following an investigation into illegal narcotics sales. Staff writer Kelly Rocheleau can be reached at (315) 282-2243 or kelly.rocheleau@lee.net. Follow him on Twitter @KellyRocheleau. Love 0 Funny 3 Wow 0 Sad 1 Angry 4 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. This year might have been the saddest one, primarily because of the catastrophe COVID-19 is causing, but it has been an amazing year for astronomers and avid stargazers. Whether it was the beautiful eclipses that weve seen or even the Neowise comet that put us all in a state of awe last month. Prasenjeet Yadav And this streak continues. A few weeks ago, South Indias Prasanjeet Yadav --a molecular ecologist by profession -- captured a rather breathtaking image of a green meteor passing through South India. Talk about great timing. Around the same time, people in Sydney spotted a similar green meteor shooting across the pitch dark sky at night. Many people spotted this green ball of fire, capturing them on their smartphones, giving us all major Green Lantern feels. A green meteor off the coast of Australia pic.twitter.com/4RkknZoSj8 Engineering (@engineeringvids) August 5, 2020 Just seen a green meteor pic.twitter.com/bnlwMQmkNB Fernando DonDale (@LaVieDouce2) July 31, 2020 Green meteor origin story The meteor looks truly breathtaking! You may be wondering that normally meteor showers have been either white or golden, but green surely looks ominous -- like some alien UFO is coming to attack us. However, that isnt really the case. It is no news that when a meteor enters Earths atmosphere, it comes in contact with immense heat -- thats why shuttles coming down from the international space station are equipped with heat shields to prevent them from melting and disintegrating, Meteors dont have such heat shields, so they burn up. Guys, we just saw one of the craziest things we have ever seen in our lives and I managed to capture some of it. A meteor for the ages! pic.twitter.com/kPIchIPREV Amber Coffman (@Amber_Coffman) July 29, 2020 And meteors normally contain different kinds of minerals or metals. The green glow of a falling meteorite occurs from nickel when it burns up in the atmosphere. And one of the most common metallic meteors are made of iron and nickel, so the green colour. Similarly, a meteor with oxygen and nitrogen results in the glow to turn red, calcium turns it bright purple and magnesium turns it cyan-teal blue. The intensity of this glow tends to get the brightest when meteors are going through the atmosphere at high speed. Have you ever gotten a chance to spot a meteor shower? What colour was that? Tell us in the comments below. The Federal Government has increased the fine for hate speech from N500 to N5 million. The Minister for Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, announced this at the unveiling ceremony of the revised National Broadcasting Code by the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) in Lagos on Tuesday. According to him, the new regulation is part of the amended Nigerian Broadcasting Code which contains Antitrust provision aimed at boosting local content and encouraging the growth of the local industry, among other provisions. Mohammed said the Antitrust provision will boost local content and local industry due to laws prohibiting exclusive use of rights by broadcasters who intend to create monopolies and hold the entire market to themselves. I must explain that this provision is not new to Nigeria Broadcasting. Exclusivity was disallowed at a certain time in the history of our broadcasting. I recall Multichoice sub-licensing EPL matches to other local operators in Nigeria. I recall HITV engaging several local operators on sub-licensing the EPL when they got the rights, Mohammed said. He said the revised Code contains the law prohibiting backlog of advertising debts in order to promote sustainability for the station owners and producers of content, as well as the law on registration of Web Broadcasting, which will grant the country the opportunity to regulate negative foreign broadcasts that can harm the nation. The provisions on responsibility of broadcast stations to devote airtime to national emergenciesobviously mandates terrestrial and Pay TV channels to make their services available to Nigerians at time of national emergencies like the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic for their education and enlightenment, the minister said. He clarified that the amendments were necessitated by a Presidential directive, in the wake of the 2019 general election, for an inquiry into the regulatory role of the NBC with a view to repositioning the regulator for optimum performance. According to him, despite the attacks by some vested interests, who believe that their singular business interest is superior to national interest, over the provisions of the amended Code, the Federal Government remains unperturbed. But, as it currently stands, the 6th edition and the amendments, which we are unveiling today, remain the regulations for broadcasting in Nigeria. Our intention remains the good of the country. We need to catalyze the growth of the local industry. We need to create jobs for our teeming creative youths. The opportunities must be created and we believe that effective regulatory interventions are a sure way of attaining this. Thats why we will not waver, he said. KanyiDaily recalls that the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) had also warned media houses to desist from airing hate speech, as such action would henceforth attract a fine of N5million. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has confirmed receiving the notification for investigating death of Hindi film actor Sushant Singh Rajput. The central probe agency said it will now begin probe in the case that was being handled by Mumbai and Bihar police so far. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) is already investigating suspected money laundering related to Sushant's death. The agency has filed a money laundering case over suspicious transactions worth Rs 15 crore in connection to the actor's death on the basis of a First Information Report (FIR) by Bihar Police. On wednesday, the Supreme Court said the truth behind the Sushant's death should come out. Meanwhile, Centre had announced that the recommendation of Bihar government for a CBI probe in the matter has been accepted. ALSO READ: Sushant Singh Rajput case: CBI takes over investigation; Bihar Gov suggests probe into KK Singh's complaint Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray and Home Minister Anil Deshmukh have been saying that there is no need to hand over the case to the CBI, despite the pressure mounting on them from various quarters. BJP Rajya Sabha MP Subramanian Swamy had written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi demanding a probe by the CBI and the ED in the Sushant Singh Rajput case. Bihar's Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Kumar Modi had also demanded that the CBI should take over the case as the Mumbai police was "obstructing the fair investigation" by the Bihar police on a complaint lodged by the Sushant's father Krishna Kishore Singh. A Bihar Police team is currently camping in Mumbai to investigate the matter. ALSO READ: Sushant Singh Rajput Googled his name, 'painless death', 'bipolar disorder' hours before death Meanwhile, NCP minister Nawab Malik said Bihar government's recommendation for a CBI probe for an incident not under its jurisdiction amounts to encroachment of power of another state in the federal system. Former Maharashtra minister and local BJP leader Ashish Shelar had sought a CBI probe in the matter saying that innocent people are being questioned while the suspects are being ignored. Ajay Nishad, BJP MP from Muzaffarpur, had also written to Union Home Minister Amit Shah, seeking a CBI inquiry into the suicide of the Patna-born actor. Former BJP MP Kirit Somaiya said with the decision to let CBI probe the case, he expects the state government to let Mumbai police function independently. ALSO READ: Sushant Singh Rajput death: Sister Shweta appeals to PM Modi to intervene (With PTI Inputs) Vice President, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, is expected to open on Thursday in Accra a conference seeking to determine the smartest policies for Ghanas prosperity. At the conference, eminent economists from Ghana and abroad are due to prioritise the smartest solutions to the countrys challenges. The conference is being organised by the Ghana Priorities project, a collaboration between the National Development Planning Commission (NDPC) and the award-winning think tank Copenhagen Consensus. The Ghana Priorities Eminent Panel Event is to be held at the Kempinski Hotel, Gamel Abdul Nasser Ave, Accra. Over the past 18 months, a reference group drawn from the public sector, private sector, civil society organizations, academia, the media, identifiable groups and individuals identified 80 of the most promising solutions for Ghana. About 28 teams of Ghanaian, regional and international economists have researched the costs and benefits of each. Now, this research is presented to a panel of eminent economists who will rank all the interventions and establish what will do the most good for every cedi spent. The Eminent Panel is comprised of Ken Ofori-Atta, Minister of Finance, Prof. George Gyan-Baffour, Minister of Planning, former Finance Minister Prof. Kwesi Botchwey, Prof. Augustin Fosu from the Institute of Statistical, Social and Economic Research (ISSER), University of Ghana, Prof. Ernest Aryeetey, Secretary-General of the African Research Universities Alliance (ARUA), Prof. Eugenia Amporfu from Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), and Prof. Finn Kydland, winner of the Nobel Prize in Economic Sciences. Dr. Bjorn Lomborg, President of Copenhagen Consensus and named by TIME magazine as one of the 100 most influential people in the world, will facilitate the work of the panel. It is a great honour to have Mr Ofori-Atta, Prof. Gyan-Baffour, Prof. Botchwey, Prof. Fosu, Prof. Aryeetey, Prof. Amporfu and Prof. Kydland studying the economic, social and environmental impact of policies to help inform the debate on priorities for a prosperous future. The results of their labours can help focus attention on the smartest policies for the country that do the most good for every Ghana cedi spent, said Dr. Kodjo Esseim Mensah-Abrampa, Director General of the NDPC. The Eminent Panels prioritized list of the most promising policy pursuits will be presented on Monday, 10 August, according to the organizers. ---Daily Guide NEWPORT BEACH, Calif., Aug. 5, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian has been selected to conduct a Phase 2 clinical trial that researchers hope will demonstrate preliminary efficacy on pancreatic cancer. Pancreatic cancer is one of the deadliest forms of cancer, with a five-year survival rate of just 5%. The new combination therapy uses the body's own immune system to fight off deadly cancer cells. "Hoag will be the first in Orange County to offer cell therapy for solid tumors, and was exclusively selected as the only hospital in Orange County to offer this pancreatic cancer trial as part of its new cell therapy program," said Burton L. Eisenberg, M.D., F.A.C.S., executive medical director of Hoag Family Cancer Institute and the Grace E. Hoag Executive Medical Director Endowed Chair. "Pancreatic cancer is a deadly cancer. Our present-day therapies are better than they use to be, but science is not anywhere near where it needs to be for these patients," he said. "Hoag continues to push forward and expand our ability to offer patients with advanced pancreatic cancer new hope as we deliver on innovative treatments, such as immunotherapy clinical trials." This type of immunotherapy, also known as cell therapy, harnesses the body's own immune system to target, kill and "remember" cancer cells. The agents involved in this pancreatic cancer clinical trial have been "designed" to find pancreatic cancer cells and initiate a large immune response against them. This may allow the body to develop its own antibodies to fight the cancer. The treatment involves combining standard-of-care chemotherapy with investigational therapies, including cell therapy company NantKwest's tumor-targeted natural killer cells, PD-L1 t-haNK; ImmunityBio's superagonist, N-803, and the drug aldoxorubicin HCI. The trial will compare the results of the combination therapy against the use of chemotherapy alone in patients with locally advanced or metastatic pancreatic cancer. "This unique approach to orchestrating the innate and adaptive immune systems to target and kill cancer cells may be an important new approach for pancreatic cancer patients," said Patrick Soon-Shiong, M.D., Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of NantKwest and ImmunityBio. "We are excited to collaborate with Hoag to offer this investigational approach to more patients who suffer from pancreatic cancer." Hoag's commitment to innovation and excellence has earned the hospital a reputation as an effective partner for these investigational new therapies on-par with leading academic centers. "For many patients, especially those with advanced cancers, a clinical trial can offer a more effective treatment option than standard therapy," Dr. Eisenberg said. "Hoag continues to relentlessly pursue innovative treatment options and leading-edge medical advances to deliver a level of care that is truly personalized medicine." For more information please email [email protected] or call 949-764-4577. ABOUT HOAG Hoag is a nonprofit, regional health care delivery network in Orange County, California, that treats more than 30,000 inpatients and 480,000 outpatients annually. Hoag consists of two acute-care hospitals Hoag Hospital Newport Beach, which opened in 1952, and Hoag Hospital Irvine, which opened in 2010 in addition to nine health centers and 13 urgent care centers. Hoag has invested $261 million in programs and services to support the underserved community within the past five years, including areas like mental health, homelessness, transportation for seniors, education, and support for single mothers. Hoag is a designated Magnet hospital by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC). Hoag offers a comprehensive blend of health care services that includes five institutes providing specialized services in the following areas: cancer , heart and vascular , neurosciences , women's health , and orthopedics through Hoag's affiliate, Hoag Orthopedic Institute , which consists of an orthopedic hospital and two ambulatory surgical centers. In the 2020 - 2021 U.S. News & World Report Best Hospitals Rankings, Hoag is the highest ranked hospital in Orange County and the only OC hospital ranked in the Top 10 in California. For an unprecedented 23 years, residents of Orange County have chosen Hoag as one of the county's best hospitals in a local newspaper survey. Visit www.hoag.org for more information. ABOUT HOAG FAMILY CANCER INSTITUTE As the largest cancer program in Southern California outside of Los Angeles County, Hoag Family Cancer Institute treats more than 4,000 new patients and 18,000 total patients annually. Hoag's multidisciplinary cancer team orchestrates subspecialized, tumor-specific programs that provide leading edge cancer treatments and a full range of advanced cancer therapies, as well as Hoag's Precision Medicine Program and new investigational treatments. Hoag Family Cancer Institute formed an alliance with USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center to become the first community hospital in Orange County to offer patients access to Early Development Clinical Trials. Hoag also offers patients access to a Cancer Prevention, High Risk & Early Detection Network to educate, screen and implement best practices for preventing the onset of cancer. With dedicated, site-specific nurse navigation and extensive support services, Hoag helps patients optimize quality of life from diagnosis through survivorship. Hoag Family Cancer Institute has received numerous national distinctions, including Hoag Radiation Oncology ranking in the top 1% of outpatient facilities in the Press Ganey overall patient satisfaction ratings, and U.S. News & World Report ranking Hoag as high performing in cancer, placing them in the top 10% in the nation, along with high performing in lung cancer surgery and colon cancer surgery. SOURCE Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian Related Links http://www.hoag.org The Vigilance Bureau (VB) on Tuesday arrested an assistant sub-inspector of the Ludhiana police for accepting a bribe of 10,000 in lieu of favouring an accused in an assault case and giving a clean chit in the case on Tuesday. The VB arrested ASI Jaswinder Singh red-handed immediately after he accepted the bribe and pocketed the amount. The cash was recovered from his pocket. Senior superintendent of police (SSP, VB) Rupinder Singh said that Ajay Tiwari of Bachittar Nagar in Jamalpur contacted the VB and lodged a complaint that the ASI was demanding a bribe from him for favouring him in the case. Tiwari told the VB that an unidentified person had assaulted his neighbour Uday Kant Rao on May 3 and he had been falsely implicated based on suspicion. Rao had even lodged an FIR against him, and he was arrested on May 5 and sent to judicial remand. Tiwari added that he was bailed out on July 27. His wife had filed an application with the commissioner of police, Rakesh Agrawal, for re-investigation. The police chief had marked an inquiry on the application. On August 1, Tiwari was called to the police station where the ASI demanded 25,000 in cash as a bribe for giving him a clean chit in the case. The deal was cracked for 20,000, to be paid in two installments. On Tuesday the VB laid a trap and arrested the errant cop. A case under Section 7 of the Prohibition of Corruption Act was registered. TAINT ON KHAKI July 19: A head constable deputed at Ludhiana Central Jail was arrested for supplying narcotics among the inmates. The jail staff had arrested the accused during special checking and recovered eight packets of tobacco tucked in his shoes. July 18: The division number 2 police arrested a constable for duping a delivery man employed with a gas agency of an LPG gas cylinder. July 17: Head constable Surinder Kumar deputed at Kanganwal police post was arrested on graft charges. The accused had changed the entire FIR for a bribe of 50,000 to benefit a drug peddler. Advertisement By CHUKS EKE The Anglican Bishop on the Niger, Rt. Revd Owen Nwokolo has charged men of the Anglican Communion to always walk in the spirit and show more dedication to evangelism by devoting their time and material resources towards the support of church projects. He also charged Christians to raise God-fearing children as a panacea to curb societal ills that is currently plaguing the Nigerian nation in particular and the entire society at large. MCF Niger Diocesan president, Rt. Hon Emeka Anyaenetu Bishop Nwokolo who gave the charge in his sermon during at the opening ceremony of a two-day annual conference of of the Anglican Diocese on the Niger Mens Christian Fellowship, DON-MCF held at St Philip Anglican Church, Ogidi in Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra state, stated that based on the Synod theme Walk in the Spirit they should be evangelistic in their approach to religious programmes. According to the Bishop, Men should be up and doing in carrying the gospel from here to the farthest part of the world including where the Diocese on the Niger has missions like in Bokinafaso, Togo etc, adding, Mens fellowship should take a cue from the Womens fellowship learning from their passion for the work of God and their organized way they contribute in the ongoing developmental projects in the diocese. In his speech, the MCF Diocesan President, Rt. Hon. Emeka Anyaenetu, a one-time Speaker of Anambra State House of Assembly, the essence of the conference is for men to stand firm. We need to walk in the Spirit and develop ourselves spiritually in order to take charge of our homes and build homes devoid of deviants, cultists, drug addicts, etc. Although, women look after the children, Most men lag behind spiritually. Our spirit needs revival just as Paul said that what defiles a man comes from within,said Anyaenetu. Also speaking, the Diocesan MCF Chaplain and Archdeacon Onitsha Archdeaconry, Venerable Obi Ubaka said that men should allow the Holy Spirit to inspire them to live a spirit led life, be responsible fathers who help in shaping their society. The family is the nucleus of every society. Corruption and various societal ills are perpetrated from people who came from families. So Christian men should sit up and start curbing this soieital menace beginning with their family members, said Obi Ubaka. Dr. Carl Nwudo-Odenigbo delivering a seminar during Mens conference at St. Philip Anglican Church, Ogidi. In their separate speeches, the trio of MCF Secretary, Comrade Ozioma Ekezie, Chief Angus Umeh and Chigozie Ezeanochie, described the conference as very apt and enriching both spiritually and healthwise saying that they benefited immensely from a health seminar delivered by Dr. Carl Nwudo-Odenigbo at the conference. Dr.Nwudo-Odenigbo taught us on the need to eat more fruits, vegetables and Vitamin C other than processed and sugary foods. He taught us to avoid sleeping on the left side, use orthorpaedic mattresses or its equivalent to minimize curving our frame and avoid back pain and so on, they stated. Syndicated and guest columns represent the personal views of the writers, not necessarily those of the editorial staff. The editorial department operates entirely independently of the news department and is not involved in newsroom operations. The majority of RTL readers has indicated that they would support the wearing of masks in public at all times. When asked about the possible extension of mandatory mask wearing in public, around 61% of RTL readers have been in favour of it, 1,608 in people in total. 925 people considered the measure too extreme, while 79 people refrained from taking a position on the matter. Surprising? Probably not, considering the current developments all across Europe, with many cities making masks mandatory in the streets. Several communities in France and Belgium have followed the example. A reminder of the ongoing pandemic Luxembourg has experienced a second wave of infections unfolding over the past weeks and reinforced its fight against the virus. Some readers have noted that people begin to be less attentive to safety distances and health regulations, which is why a wake-up call could be necessary to remind people that the pandemic is not yet over. View Tuesday's figures here It appears that masks have a reassuring affect on many readers, who would feel more at ease if everybody would wear a mask at all times to protect themselves as well as others in an act of civil solidarity. Discomfort in the heat On the other hand, many readers have voiced concerns about the introduction of reinforced security measures. Especially during the summer months, masks can have stifling effects and provoke headaches. Some readers have noted that they would therefore already avoid shops and stores, and would prefer if they did not have to avoid the open air as well. Some people are beginning to feel violated in their personal liberties by the reinforced measures, being annoyed by every single step the administration takes and showing less effort in following order. Others argue that safety distances out in the open would suffice as a safety measure. In May 2020, the Luxembourgish government distributed millions of masks to the country's residents, as well as to cross-border workers. Enough to impose them in the streets? / JEAN-CHRISTOPHE VERHAEGEN / AFP It becomes apparent that public opinion on the issue remains divided. While some argue that masks only make sense in situations where safety distances cannot be assured, others believe that they do not represent a major inconvenience, while again others claim to develop physical discomfort when wearing them for prolonged periods. Protecting North Countys buried treasure of prehistoric and Native American artifacts requires tight lips and deep pockets. Over the past several decades, workers in this region have unearthed the fossilized bones of long-extinct mammals and other ancient creatures, and the stone tools and grave sites of people who roamed the coast for thousands of years. Though such discoveries have thrilled scientists and sociologists, theyre an expensive wrinkle for cities bound by state and federal laws that require culturally and historically significant relics to be painstakingly protected and preserved. No city knows that better than Carlsbad, where costs linked to monitoring and preserving artifacts during a massive road-widening project along El Camino Real recently spiked by more than $1.2 million. City officials and contractors wont comment about what was unearthed during the road-widening job, or why the costs associated with archaeological work have more than doubled from the original estimates. State and federal laws discourage the release of such information to protect culturally significant sites from thieves and vandals. Advertisement Preserving and protecting those resources is just the right thing to do, said Casey Arndt, the citys project manager. Scientists and Native American groups have worked for years in Carlsbad on important finds. Initial excavations in 2007 for the 600-home Robertson Ranch community, near the present El Camino widening project, unearthed bones from an ancient sloth, and the tusks, jawbone and other bones of a mastodon that lived there 200,000 years ago. Several other Ice Age fossils, including bones from a mammoth and a prehistoric bison, were discovered last year at the Quarry Creek development east of El Camino Real along state Route 78. Those fossils are now at the San Diego Natural History Museum, where some of them are on display. A much more rare item turned up in Carlsbad in 1985, when a dig overlooking the Agua Hedionda Lagoon uncovered a small volcanic stone chipped into the shape of a bear by a Native American craftsman between 7,000 and 8,000 years ago. That relic, possibly a religious icon, is now the official California State Prehistoric Artifact and is kept by the Department of Parks and Recreation at the state archives in Sacramento. El Camino Real has its own historic status as one of the oldest roads in California, and a major north-south route through Carlsbad. Much of the present-day road was established in the late 1700s as a trail connecting the Spanish missions along the coast. The ongoing work there now will expand a narrow section of the thoroughfare to three lanes in each direction, with the city tackling the stretch between Chestnut and Tamarack avenues, and Toll Brothers the developer behind Robertson Ranch handling the part from Tamarack south to Cannon Road. Also being built are new sidewalks on each side, a new landscaped median, new storm drains, underground utilities and other features. Carlsbad hired two separate companies to monitor cultural resources on its portion of the project. Saving Sacred Sites, a privately held arm of the Luiseno band, signed a contract with the city originally estimated at $9,120, however, as work progressed that amount increased three times to a final total of $337,633. The city also contracted with Atkins North America for archaeological recovery and processing services on the site. That contract was originally for $588,757 and climbed to $868,228 as the work unfolded. Cami Mojado, president of Saving Sacred Sites, did not return a phone call last week about the contract. The citys updated agreement with Atkins states that culturally significant material was found, but that specific details such as the type and location of the finds are exempt from disclosure. Van Lynch, Carlsbads city planner, said he didnt know those details, but that the increased costs werent unexpected. We hire an archaeologist to go out and survey the site, and determine the potential for finding these artifacts, said Van Lynch, Carlsbads city planner. If anything is found, there is going to be additional work. Several state and federal laws passed in recent decades add layers of protection to ancient cultural resources. Stone tools that once might have gone to a museum or private collectors now are returned to the soil. Human remains are an especially sensitive topic. A federal law passed in 1990, the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act, requires remains to be reburied in place or nearby, sometimes with a small ceremony, according to the wishes of the tribe thats determined to be the most likely descendant. It also requires important artifacts such as stone tools or religious objects to be returned to the Native American group they came from. Work on the El Camino Real road-widening began in late 2014 and is several months behind schedule for a number of reasons, said Arndt, the project manager. Any cultural remains found are one of the lesser factors. Rain required work to be stopped for 27 weather days last year, he said, and the city added 40 days to install recycled water pipelines for the new landscaped medians. Other problems compounded the delays. For example, when vehicles were diverted onto the old medians during construction, workers found the thin asphalt was insufficient to carry the weight of full-time traffic. The minute we put traffic on that, it failed, Arndt said. We had to remove the bad areas and put back hot-mix asphalt. We had to do two to three weeks of emergency paving just to keep the road usable. Another problem was the geology of the site, he said. Saturated soils made it difficult to dig the new storm drains in the plan. Also, an old landfill filled with trash found in a sloped bank near Chestnut Avenue had to be dug out and filled with clean soil. The additional expenses bring the total cost of the project to about $15.7 million project, he said, which remained within contingency funds budgeted for the project. A combination of developer fees, county TransNet sales tax proceeds, and city general fund money is paying for the work. Construction has disrupted traffic for several blocks north and south of Tamarack for well over a year. That should end in a few weeks. At the end of the day, its going to be a wonderful project, Arndt said. It will enhance peoples commute well into the future. Twitter: @phildiehl The Oregon Liquor Control Commission has suspended the liquor license of a southern Oregon bar because the venue failed to require patrons to keep their distance. Its the first bar in the state to have its liquor license suspended under the new temporary rules the OLCC adopted on July 31, which require alcohol licensees to abide by the governors directives regarding facial coverings and social distancing requirements. An OLCC press release said the operator of the Jammin Salmon bar in Jackson County was cited for two violations, related to social distancing and face covering requirements. On Saturday, Aug. 1, the OLCC Medford regional office responded to a request for assistance from the Jackson County Sheriffs Office and the Rogue River Police Department because of a large event taking place at the Jammin Salmon. The bar has a Grants Pass address but is located in Jackson County, about three miles west of Rogue River. An OLCC inspector reported that the Jammin Salmon was packed with patrons, many spilling out of the bar and carrying away alcohol beverages as they left. According to the inspector, the bars inside service areas and outside patios were crowded with several hundred people, with only about 10 percent of them wearing any face coverings. The OLCC investigation is continuing, and the licensee faces the possibility of additional charges. In April, two Oregon businesses Los Arcos Mexican Grill in Salem and The Sportsman Tavern in Cave Junction had their liquor licenses suspended for violating the governors executive order which, at that time, prohibited on-premises consumption of food or drink. Since then, that restriction has been lifted, except in Umatilla County. While the suspension is in place, the bar can continue to serve food, but not alcoholic beverages. Ayodhya the roads leading to Ram Mandir site is all decked up with flowers, artworks and mythological paintings for the 'bhumi pujan' of the Ram temple scheduled to be held in the city on August 05, 2020. Here are some glimpses of the preparation. A photo of Prime Minister Narendra Modi along with other leaders are seen on the decorated ghats of the Saryu river ahead of a groundbreaking ceremony of Ram Mandir temple in Ayodhya, in Uttar Pradesh. (Image: AP) A new chapter is beginning for the Toronto Star. Entrepreneurs Jordan Bitove and Paul Rivett have officially sealed the deal and taken over Torstar, the company which publishes the Star along with more than 70 other regional dailies and community newspapers. The $60-million purchase, made through Bitove and Rivetts company NordStar Capital, closed officially Wednesday, capping a roller-coaster six-month journey which began in February when Bitove first approached the Torstar board. What originally appeared to be a smooth sale to NordStar looked like it could go off the rails in early July when a second surprise offer emerged from Canadian Modern Media Holdings, led by technology executive brothers Matthew and Tyler Proud, along with finance industry veteran Neil Selfe. That led to a counter-offer from NordStar that was locked in by Torstars major shareholders, then challenged by the upstart bidder in court. The courts eventually approved the NordStar deal and denied a request for stay to delay the closing until an appeal could be heard. That appeal, originally scheduled for this Friday, has now been withdrawn. Now that the deal is closed and the company is going private, Torstars new owners are focusing on the future of the company. Job one? Listening to their new employees. We will be going into the office and sitting down and listening and hearing perspectives on what we need to do. We will listen to everyone, said Bitove in an interview Wednesday afternoon. Bitove said he and Rivett will meet with executives and editors in a series of small, socially distant get-togethers and will also be holding a digital town hall for all Torstar employees. As part of the ongoing digital transformation of the company, Bitove says the Star will be building on an already-strong relationship with its readers and community. Exactly what form the changes take isnt set in stone, he added. How can we build on whats already been done? How can we maintain and build that relationship with readers? Should there be a section on bitcoin in the business section? Should we do our own daily betting lines in the sports section? Bitove asked, speculating on what some of the changes could look like. When I was a kid in high school, youd go read the Star to see how your team did. Theres a real connection with the community. We know how important that is. While selling some non-core assets is in the cards, Bitove said no decisions have been made on what exactly will be sold and when. Among the assets which have reportedly been the subject of interest from other investors are Torstars stake in VerticalScope a digital discussion and community board company and BlueAnt Media, a digital media production company. Nor will there be any snap decisions about cutting costs or new investments, Bitove added. Were not making any rash decisions on anything, said Bitove, adding that he and Rivett will also be taking a look at Torstars books, to see how much damage has been wrought by the COVID-19 pandemic. Its a huge concern. Its one of the reasons we wanted to close the deal sooner. Its not just Toronto, its a global impact, Bitove said. That financial impact doesnt mean major cuts are coming, said Rivett, who spent 17 years as a senior executive at Fairfax Financial, a major Torstar shareholder controlling 40 per cent of Class B shares, before retiring this year. Ive worked on a lot of turnarounds, and cutting is never the preferred route. A better way to do things is to grow, and thats what well be focusing on. Well be bringing all our experience and our contacts to help the Star grow and continue its traditions of journalistic excellence, said Rivett. At the end of the first quarter, Torstar which in addition to the Star publishes the Hamilton Spectator, Waterloo Region Record, Peterborough Examiner, Niagara Falls Review, St. Catharines Standard and Welland Tribune had $69 million in cash in the bank. With advertising slumping because of the global pandemic, its unclear what the size of that cash reserve is today. No matter what the picture is, says Bitove, one thing that wont be changing is the Stars commitment to the Atkinson Principles, which have guided the papers progressive philosophy and journalism for over a century. How many newspapers do you know that have their own set of principles? We do. The Atkinson Principles are the moat around this wonderful 128-year-old institution, said Bitove. Support for those principles was a vital part of NordStars bid, said Torstar chair John Honderich in an interview. Im delighted that weve come to the finish line with this sale. The board and I feel that the new owners have a great vision for the Star, and their support for the Atkinson Principles is crucial, said Honderich, whose family has been part of the Star for almost eight decades. Its certainly the end of an era. My father started at the Star in 1943, so its been a long time. This business is in my blood, said Honderich, whose father Beland was a legendarily-fierce editor of the Star. Now that Torstar has been sold, Honderich said his immediate plans include some relaxation and some writing. For now, Im up at the cottage, and Im writing a book, said Honderich. By Catarina Demony and Patricia Vicente Rua LISBON (Reuters) - Portugal's Azores Islands, some 1,400 km from the Portuguese coast, breached the national constitution by forcing air passengers to the popular tourist destination to quarantine for 14 days, the country's Constitutional Court has ruled. The court said authorities on the islands had treated people as if they were serving a short prison sentence by confining them in hotels, regardless of whether they had symptoms. "The competence to legislate on rights, freedom and guarantees lies with the parliament, or the (national) government - and only with those two sovereign bodies," the court ruled. The regional government of the Azores had decided in March that all arriving air passengers had to stay in confinement for two weeks in a hotel. Authorities initially paid for the hotel but those arriving from May 8 onwards were told they had to pay for their own stay. The Constitutional Court's July 30 ruling, made public on Wednesday, came after a man launched a legal appeal over having to quarantine for two weeks in a hotel in Sao Miguel, the Azores' biggest island. A lower court decided the man, who had a family home in Sao Miguel, had been deprived of his freedom and ordered authorities to release him immediately. Court documents state the man's meals were sent to his room three times a day, he was not able to see his family or friends, and had to clean his room himself. After the lower court's ruling, prosecutors asked the Constitutional Court for clarification of the legal framework. Since the lower court's ruling in mid-May, those travelling to the Azores must now either take a COVID-19 test before their trip or on arrival if they wish to be admitted. Vasco Cordeiro, president of Azores' regional government, told reporters authorities had complied with both court decisions, but it had become apparent that the legal framework was not sufficient for dealing with the completely unexpected situation of the pandemic. (Reporting by Catarina Demony and Patricia Vicente Rua, Additional reporting by Victoria Waldersee, Editing by Andrei Khalip and Alexandra Hudson) Small and Medium Enterprises and corporations seeking to acquire assets for operations now have it easier following the introduction of asset financing by Banque Populaire du Rwanda Plc (BPR Plc.) The new product by the lender is targeted towards facilitating established SME and corporate firms seeking moveable assets (machinery, vehicles, equipment, etc.) for commercial use and in order to expand their businesses. The facility, the bank said, will be offered on terms favourable for businesses such as flexibility in repayment period (up to 60 months for new assets and 48 months for used assets aged below 6 years). The financing covers up to 80 per cent for said assets with the maximum age of assets not exceeding six years. Among the eligibility terms include full insurance with a comprehensive policy on the acquired asset. The loan amount is disbursed directly to the seller of the assets or any other beneficiary. The bank noted that the product was introduced with aims to ensure that businesses have access to assets and equipment that improve their capacity, profitability and performance. "The asset being financed should be used to improve the capacity and profitability of the existing business," the bank said. In light of the Covid-19 pandemic, the bank said that they are aiming at enabling businesses to acquire assets that will facilitate recovery from the effects of the pandemic. The terms of eligibility also include proof of being operational for at least three years with a positive operating profit at least for the last 2 years. Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Rwanda Business By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later. Businesses will be expected to present financial statements at least for the last 2 years as well as evidence of business income (Audited accounts, management accounts, business cash flow statements etc). The application process also includes review of proof of the value or cost of the asset as well as projections for at least the proposed duration of the loan. This is one of many adjustments BPR has made in recent months to improve access to financial services for corporate and individual clients. In May this year, the bank adjusted its unsecured loans up to Rwf 15M from Rwf 6M previously a move that the bank says is in response to consumer demands and market trends. The bank has also innovated further with the introduction of card-less transactions at Banque Populaire du Rwanda agent outlets (popularly known as BPR Hafi Agents). With the innovation, BPR clients registered on either mobile banking or internet banking can now use the 'izi cash' functionality without a debit card to generate a one-time password which can be used by the customer or someone they want to send money to at BPR Hafi Agents. NASA providing data on Tropical Storm Isaias as it blankets eastern seaboard Tropical Storm Isaias made landfall late on Aug. 3 and by today, Aug. 4, the huge storm stretched from Virginia to Maine. NASA satellites have been providing forecasters with rainfall rates, cloud top temperatures, storm extent and strength as Isaias batters the U.S. East Coast. Warnings and Watches for Tuesday, August 4, 2020 NOAA's National Hurricane Center (NHC) posted many warnings and watches on Aug. 4. Storm Surge Warning is in effect for the Pamlico and Albemarle Sounds, Ocracoke Inlet, North Carolina to the North Carolina/Virginia border. A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect from north of Surf City, North Carolina to Eastport, Maine, for the Pamlico and Albemarle Sounds, the Chesapeake Bay, the Tidal Potomac River, Delaware Bay, Long Island and Long Island Sound, NY, Martha's Vineyard, Nantucket, and Block Island. Infrared Imagery Reveals Isaias' Rain Potential One of the ways NASA researches tropical cyclones is using infrared data that provides temperature information. Cloud top temperatures provide information to forecasters about where the strongest storms are located within a tropical cyclone. The stronger the storms, the higher they extend into the troposphere, and the colder the cloud temperatures. On Aug. 3 at 2:47 p.m. EDT (1847 UTC) NASA's Aqua satellite analyzed Isaias using the Atmospheric Infrared Sounder or AIRS instrument. The infrared data showed the bulk of the storms wrapped from west to north to east of the center of circulation. AIRS found coldest cloud top temperatures as cold as or colder than minus 63 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 53 degrees Celsius). NASA research has shown that cloud top temperatures that cold indicate strong storms that have the capability to create heavy rain. That heavy rain brought flooding to areas of South and North Carolina as the storm approached for landfall. Isaias Landfall Doppler radar imagery and surface observations indicate that eye of Hurricane Isaias made landfall in southern North Carolina around 11:10 p.m. EDT (0310 UTC) on Monday, Aug. 3 near Ocean Isle Beach, with maximum sustained winds of 85 mph (140 kph). Isaias' Water Vapor Content The Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer or MODIS instrument that flies aboard NASA's Aqua satellite provided forecasters at the National Hurricane Center with water vapor imagery in Tropical Storm Isaias. NASA's Aqua satellite passed over Isaias on Aug. 4 at 2:50 a.m. EDT (0650 UTC). Coldest cloud top temperatures were as cold as or colder than minus 70 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 56.6 degrees Celsius) in some of the bands of thunderstorms north of Isaias's center and were over parts of Virginia, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware, and over the Atlantic Ocean. Storms with cloud top temperatures that cold have the capability to produce heavy rainfall. Water vapor analysis of tropical cyclones tells forecasters how much potential a storm has to develop. Water vapor releases latent heat as it condenses into liquid. That liquid becomes clouds and thunderstorms that make up a tropical cyclone. Temperature is important when trying to understand how strong storms can be. The higher the cloud tops, the colder and the stronger they are. That rainfall potential is evident in the NHC forecast for Aug. 4. The following rainfall accumulations are expected along and near the track of Isaias: central and eastern North Carolina into the Mid-Atlantic: 3 to 6 inches, isolated totals a maximum of 8 inches; eastern New York into Vermont: 2 to 4 inches, isolated maximum totals 6 inches; and western Connecticut, western Massachusetts, New Hampshire and western Maine: 1 to 3 inches. Status of Isaias on Aug. 4 At 8 a.m. EDT (1200 UTC), the center of Tropical Storm Isaias was located over southeastern Virginia near latitude 37.7 degrees north and longitude 76.8 degrees west. That is about 15 miles (20 km) south-southeast of Tappahannock, Virginia. Isaias is moving toward the north-northeast near 33 mph (54 kph), and this general motion accompanied by some additional increase in forward speed is expected through today. Maximum sustained winds are near 70 mph (110 kph) with higher gusts. The estimated minimum central pressure based on surface observations is 993 millibars. In the 7 a.m. EDT hour, the National Weather Service reported sustained winds of 63 mph (101 kph) and a gust to 77 mph (124 kph) at Third Island, Virginia, at the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay. NHC noted, "In addition to the storm surge and wind threats, Isaias is expected to produce heavy rainfall along and just west of the I-95 corridor today, and the Weather Prediction Center has placed a portion of this area in a high risk for life-threatening flash flooding. There is also a risk of tornadoes from southeast Virginia to New Jersey through midday. The risk of tornadoes will spread northward into southeastern New York this afternoon and across New England by tonight." NHC Forecast for Isaias Only gradual weakening is anticipated while Isaias moves north northeastward near the mid-Atlantic coast today. A faster rate of weakening is expected to begin tonight, and the system is forecast to become post-tropical tonight or early Wednesday. On the NHC forecast track, the center of Isaias will continue to move near or along the coast of the mid-Atlantic states today, and move across the northeastern United States into southern Canada tonight. NASA Researches Tropical Cyclones Hurricanes/tropical cyclones are the most powerful weather events on Earth. NASA's expertise in space and scientific exploration contributes to essential services provided to the American people by other federal agencies, such as hurricane weather forecasting. For more than five decades, NASA has used the vantage point of space to understand and explore our home planet, improve lives and safeguard our future. NASA brings together technology, science, and unique global Earth observations to provide societal benefits and strengthen our nation. Advancing knowledge of our home planet contributes directly to America's leadership in space and scientific exploration. For updated forecasts, visit: http://www. nhc. noaa. gov ### This story has been published on: 2020-08-05. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. KYIV. Aug 5 (Interfax-Ukraine) The international financial company TeleTrade has undergone an information attack and will defend its business reputation both in the media space and by legal methods, the partner of the Sayenko Kharenko law firm, Yevhen Solodko, representing the interests of the company, says. "On July 28, there was a press conference of allegedly deceived TeleTrade investors, who spoke a lot of negatives about the company and stated that they call on law enforcement agencies to investigate certain things," he said at a press conference in the Interfax-Ukraine agency. At the same time, Solodko noted that the information announced about the alleged deception lacks any specific details. "The assumptions made by the speakers of that press conference, at which the victims were not yet clear, to put it mildly, may contain signs of such a crime as a deliberately false report of the crime," the lawyer said, explaining that the persons who called themselves victims did not specify particular illegal facts and the amounts they were allegedly deceived. "It is vilification... with a thread of war with the Russian Federation that TeleTrade allegedly finances. This is a serious enough charge," the lawyer added. Solodko said that Volodymyr Chernobay, the only founder of TeleTrade, passed away over a year ago and had no partners. "There's a question rising: whose attack is this? People who want to grab assets from the Chernobay family, or it's a common forcible takeover with the use of dishonest technologies and pseudo-complainants," the lawyer said. "As the person who is authorized to represent and defend TeleTrade, I will do so... We thoroughly analyze the statements of the press conference participants and based on the analysis we will take actions - not only civil but criminal as well," the lawyer said. According to Solodko, there is no corporate conflict in TeleTrade itself. "Therefore, it is a merely external information wave for TeleTrade to make an offer to someone ... So there goes a mailing according to the list of clients, then - to employees ... What is happening now is a well-orchestrated black media attack to undermine the company's reputation, the trust of clients," he said. "What we're doing now is a defense: it is not a reputation whitening... not an excuse... to bring dishonest speakers and customers to responsibility later," the lawyer added: "The company will protect its honor, not only by legal but by media methods as well," Solodko summed up. The day is here. Samsung has finally unraveled its new devices for 2020. Back in February we saw the Galaxy S20 lineup, along with its folding smartphone the Galaxy Z Flip. It is now time for the new Galaxy Note 20 and Note 20 Ultra smartphones as well as the new Galaxy Z Fold 2, Galaxy Buds Live, Galaxy Watch 3, and the new Galaxy Tab S7 tablet series. Lets have a look at everything that Samsung announced: Galaxy Note 20 and Note 20 Ultra Much like last year, Samsung has announced two new Galaxy Note devices. Samsung is following a bronze colour scheme for all its devices this year. Apart from the Mystic Bronze these phones will come in Black, Green, White and Grey colour options. The new Galaxy Note 20 and Note 20 Ultra both have sort of a similar design and look and of course come with the S-Pen stylus. The regular Note 20 comes with a flat 6.7-inch 1080p AMOLED panel with a regular 60Hz refresh rate while the Note 20 Ultra comes with an edged (curved) 6.9-inch 1440p Dynamic AMOLED 2X with a 120Hz refresh rate. Samsung has also pulled the latency of the S-Pen down to just 9ms. Both come with Qualcomms new Snapdragon 865+ processor but consumers in India will get the Exynos 990 chipset. Now the memory configurations are a bit confusing. The Note 20 and the Note 20 5G comes with a maximum of 8GB of RAM with up to 256GB of storage. The Note 20 Ultra also comes with 8GB of RAM but the Note 20 Ultra 5G comes with 12GB of RAM with storage options of up to 512GB. In terms of batteries, the bigger Note 20 Ultra packs a 4,500mAh battery while the Note 20 comes with a 4,300mAh unit. Both come with 25W fast charging, which isnt as fast as the Note 10 from last year, but there is also support for USB PD 3.0 which means consumers get a wider choice when picking a charger. You also get wireless charging with support for Qi as well as reverse wireless charging to charge your watch or earbuds. As for cameras, both come with triple cameras at the back and a single camera in the front inside the punch hole. The Note 20 Ultra comes with a primary 108-megapixel sensor with two 12-megapixel cameras, and the Note 20 has a 12-megapixel primary sensor but with a 64-megapixel telephoto camera and another 12-megapixel camera for ultra-wide shots. Both can shoot up to 8K videos while the front camera comes with a 10-megapixel sensor. Galaxy Tab S7 and Tab S7+ Before we tell about the new tablets, for some reason Samsung is using a + instead of Ultra for the bigger variant. Come on Samsung, can we have some uniformity here? Anyway, the new Tab S7 and Tab S7+ are the companys answer to Apples iPad Pro range. They come with the S-pen as well which you can slap on the back using magnets. It is pretty much like the Tab S6 from last year. You also get the option two-piece keyboard accessory which is said to be improved for better typing and productivity. Both the Tab S7 and Tab S7+ feature 120Hz HDR10+ panels. While the larger one features a 12.4-inch AMOLED panel, the smaller one comes with an 11-inch LCD panel. Qualcomms Snapdragon 865+ processor provides the performance juice and you can get it with up to 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage with the option of adding a microSD card. The batteries are rated at 8,000mAh on the Tab S7+ and a massive 10,090mAh on the bigger tablet. You also get 45W fast charging on these. If you care for cameras on a tablet, both come with 13-megapixel and 5-megapixel dual cameras at the back and at the front you get an 8-megapixel camera. Galaxy Buds Live Samsungs newest true wireless earphones, the Galaxy Buds Live are tiny little bean-shaped earbuds that go inside your ears offering active noise cancellation. These feature 12mm drivers that have been tuned by AKG and three microphones for improved voice calling. Theres Bluetooth v5.0 along with 60mAh batteries in each earbuds and a 472mAh battery in the case. Samsung claims up to a total of 29 hours of battery life and up to 8 hours per on the buds itself. These are IPX2 rated for water resistance along with touch controls, and a bunch of customisation through the bundled app. Other features include support for Samsung's Bixby voice assistant and the charging case offers fast charging via the USB Type-C as well as Qi wireless charging. Galaxy Watch 3 The newest smartwatch from Samsung, the new Galaxy Watch 3 continues to feature a round dial with a rotating bezel and of course, the Mystic Bronze colour scheme. It features a 41mm variant with a 1.2-inch 360 x 360 pixels Super AMOLED display and a larger 1.4-inch display on the 45mm variant having a similar resolution and protection by Corning Gorilla Glass DX. Theres a dual-core Exynos 9110 CPU, 1GB of RAM and 8GB of storage. It is compliant with MIL-STD-810G standards along with IP68 water resistance. Apart from various fitness tracking features and a heart rate sensor, the new Galaxy Watch 3 comes with a Blood oxygen (SpO2) sensor and support for blood pressure (BP) monitoring and electrocardiogram (ECG) readings. Samsung has also added a mic and speaker so you can now take calls directly from the watch. The 41mm variant features a 247mAh battery and the bigger 45mm variant comes with a 340mAh battery. Rest of the features include Wi-Fi and Bluetooth v5.0 and there is an LTE model as well that offers eSIM support. Lastly Samsung has also included a new Trip Detection feature similar to the Apple Watch that can send a custom SOS alert to emergency contacts. Galaxy Z Fold 2 Last, but not the least, the new Galaxy Z Fold 2. This is Samsung's third foldable device and proper successor to the original Galaxy Fold. You get a similar tall design that opens to unveil larger display on the inside. This time Samsung has made some well-needed enhancements to make the displays sturdier and more durable as well as making the hinge more reliable. The outer display now measures at 6.2-inches while the inner display is now 7.6-inches and features 120Hz refresh rate, which is something to applaud here. The inner display now makes use of a folding, super-thin layer of glass instead of plastic and the device is overall slimmer and more robust. There is a new 'Flex Mode' that we saw on the Z Flip, while the hinge has also been reworked to offer better durability as well as includes a self cleaning mechanism that makes use of elastic fibers to keep the hinge clean. By Nazma Parveen, TwoCircles.net Kolkata: August 2020 marks one year to the dilution of Article 370 in Kashmir, which stripped it of its statehood by questionable legal means and the resultant communication blockade that followed the decision. One year ago, this decision was taken by the Indian Government in a bid to integrate Kashmir into mainstream India. Support TwoCircles One year later Kashmir continues to remain under a 4G ban, at least a dozen leaders of mainstream parties like PDP and NC, remain under house arrest and the cycle of violence continue s unabated in the valley. What we witnessed in the last year is the systematic desensitization of the Indian population to what is happening in Kashmir. When Herbert Spencer gave the Organismic theory of society, he compared society with an organism. He explained that individuals are the limbs of the society and behave as its cells. Every organism depends for its life and full performance of its functions on the proper coordination and interrelation of the units. Just as the diseased condition of one organ affects the health and proper functioning of other organs, similarly individuals who form the society are inseparably connected for the realization of their best selves. Indian society is currently suffering from what can be called the desensitization syndrome. It would be preposterous to say that before 2019, the Indian society was empathetic or understood the circumstances of a common Kashmiri, but it would be fair to assume that the worst Indian society felt was an air of indifference. When the Pulwama attack happened in February 2019, it set the tone for what was to happen in Kashmir over the next few months. The desensitization has happened regularly with uninterrupted doses of propaganda portraying Kashmiris as mischief-makers and their systematic dehumanization over a continuous period of time. The erstwhile sentiment of indifference gradually transformed into naked hatred. Despite repeated reports of human rights violations in the valley, the Indian populace either justified and even cheered for the developments. What has Govt. achieved so far? Isnt it important to know what exactly has the Government achieved by ripping a state of its statehood, muzzling the voices of around 8 million and caging an entire state in the name of integration? The decision of revocation which was taken by the BJP led NDA coalition govt. with tall claims have fallen flat on its face. There are enough figures to indicate that militancy was on a decline since 2000, so what was the need for applying brute force and an iron fist approach? Yes, public protests and stone-throwing incidents have been stopped, but if the recent reports are to be believed there has been a surge in recruitment of locals in militant groups, which is a worrying trend. Also, the militant activities and the resultant violence that were previously restricted to the hilly regions have been extended to the heart of Kashmir with numerous incidents reported from Srinagar in the past one year. The brutal clampdown, along with the pandemic and 4G internet ban has broken the back of the economy in the state since tourism and local businesses suffered immensely. At least 1.5 million Kashmiri students have been missing school first because of the clampdown and now because of the pandemic, with no means of accessing online classes like the rest of the country. The resentment and feeling of dispossession have only increased in the valley and Kashmir is now like a ticking bomb. If stripping them of their identity, communication blockade, detention of leaders, arresting journalists was not enough the Government has come up with the delimitation exercise which is nothing but a ploy for disempowering the residents of Jammu and Kashmir and gradually changing the demography of the region. A few ago, a Kashmiri Pandit body demanded the restoration of Article 370 to protect the cultural and economic interests of the people in the region and reiterated that there cannot be a military solution to a political situation. But the truth is that for the Narendra Modi Government the agenda was never about the welfare or upliftment of the Kashmiris but only a political gimmick and furthering the larger cause of Sangh ideology. A downward spiral of morality The fact that the majority of Indians dont see anything wrong in the oppression and humiliation of their countrymen is a testimony to the level of desensitization they have achieved. Coming back to Herbert Spencers theory, it is ignorant of the people to believe that while a small section of the society they belong to, is being subjected to various atrocities they will continue to remain unaffected. When a disease grips a part of the body, if left unattended, sooner or later it spreads to the remaining parts as well. A disease only manifests when it gets the appropriate conditions and environment for it, similarly, the desensitization has manifested in its full glory in the communally charged environment of the country. The Government is confident that a country that has been surviving on mere spectacles since the past 6 years be it the Balakot attack, demonetization exercise, or the recent lamp lighting and utensil banging feat during a pandemic is not bothered about asking relevant questions. When it comes to Kashmir, it figures way down on the Indian morality pyramid. We have successfully managed to alienate the Kashmiris even further and perhaps it will be too late when people realize that there is no victory in humiliating our countrymen and invisibilizing an entire state. The success of this decision can be gauged by the fact that the Government has decided to impose a curfew in Kashmir, just before the first anniversary of the masterstroke. A royal expert has recalled how Prince Harry once told him that he 'resents' the misconception that his older brother Prince William is the 'sensible' royal sibling. Royal commentator and journalist Duncan Larcombe remembered meeting Harry, now 35, for a drink in 2008 after the results of the inquest into the death of his mother, the late Princess Diana, were published. The British writer told Ok! magazine that he spotted the first signs of 'unresolved anger' Harry was harbouring, over his lack of control over his own destiny and what was being said about his mother. According to the expert, Harry has 'never been able to shake his discomfort at not being 'normal', and how his public image has been portrayed compared to that of his brother, 38, despite him 'often offering William advice'. Scroll down for video Royal commentator and journalist Duncan Larcombe remembered meeting Harry, now 35, for a drink in 2008 after the results of the inquest into the death of his mother, the late Princess Diana, were published (William and Harry seen in 2018 at St James' Palace) Royal commentator Duncan Larcombe told the publication how he met Harry for a drink after the results of the inquest into his mother's death were published 12 years ago. He said: 'Harry was absolutely furious that his father's advisors had put out a statement. That was a sign to me that he has an inbuilt, unresolved anger about having no control of what's said. This desire to control his own destiny has always been there.' He added: 'Harry has never been able to shake that resentment of not feeling normal either. It's a shame that no one has said to him, 'Your brother wants what's best for you.' 'Harry once told me that he really resents the perception that William's the sensible one while he's the loose cannon. He said there were times when it was actually Harry giving William advice.' According to the expert, Harry has 'never been able to shake his discomfort at not being 'normal', and how his public image has been portrayed compared to that of his brother, 38 (William, Harry, Meghan and Kate are seen in 2018 at Westminster Abbey) In new royal biography Finding Freedom, authors Omid Scobie and Carolyn Durand lay bare the rumoured rift between the Princes. Kate and Prince William are currently staying at Amner Hall in Norfolk with Prince William and the couple's children Prince George, seven, Princess Charlotte, five, and Prince Louis, two. Finding Freedom is already an Amazon bestseller after topping the site's UK-list last week Meanwhile, Meghan and Prince Harry are living in Tyler Perry's mansion in Los Angeles and their son Archie, one. The authors detail how Kate 'did little to bridge the divide' with Meghan, while sources have said that the Duchess of Cambridge had 'definitely sided with her husband. Reports of a rift first surfaced amid reports that William told Harry he should 'take things slowly' with Meghan, before rumours arose that Kate told Meghan what her flower girls should be wearing for her 2018 wedding to Harry. The reports intensified when the Sussexes moved out of their Kensington Palace abode, where the Cambridges are based, to Windsor Castle. Speaking about the new book - which describes the brothers' conversations as 'stilted'- this week, royal author Andrew Morton called the divide between Prince Harry and Prince William 'just a very sad situation', explaining that the duo have now 'gone their separate ways.' WASHINGTON - Former deputy attorney general Sally Q. Yates told Congress on Wednesday that President Donald Trump's incoming national security adviser Michael Flynn in late 2016 had secretly "neutered" Obama administration actions toward Russia, prompting an investigation that consumed the early days of Trump's presidency. Yates has been a target of Trump and many Republicans for her brief oversight of the investigation of Russia's election interference and possible conspiracy with the Trump campaign four years ago. She testified via video before the Senate Judiciary Committee, whose chairman, Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., has been highly critical of the FBI's handling of that case. Trump attacked Yates before the hearing began, tweeting that she "has zero credibility" and declaring her "part of the greatest political crime of the Century, and ObamaBiden knew EVERYTHING!" Graham's review of the Russia investigation is one of two in the Republican-controlled Senate focused on reviewing the FBI's investigation of the Trump campaign. The president's allies leading those reviews say they are focused on exposing misconduct and working to restore public confidence in federal law enforcement. Critics, including congressional Democrats, say they are a politically motivated attempt to rewrite history and help the incumbent in an election year. Seeking to use Yates to discredit the FBI's investigations around the 2016 Trump campaign, Republicans instead got a spirited defense of that work as ethical and necessary, even though she was critical of some of the FBI's moves at the time. Graham pressed Yates in depth about a White House meeting on Jan. 5, 2017, in which then-President Barack Obama, then-Vice President Joe Biden and then-national security adviser Susan Rice met with her and then-FBI Director James Comey to talk about Flynn's recent phone conversations with Sergey Kislyak, Russia's ambassador to the United States at that time. The Obama administration had just expelled dozens of suspected Russian intelligence agents in response to the election interference. Obama and his aides expected Russia to retaliate, but they did not. FBI agents quickly learned the reason why: Flynn had called Kislyak and asked them not to. "General Flynn had essentially neutered the U.S. government's message of deterrence," Yates said. Instead of rebuking the Russian government, she said, Flynn had been "conciliatory." Conservatives have rallied to defend Flynn, and focused on the Oval Office meeting as evidence that the investigation of him was politically motivated. Yates denied that. "That meeting was not about an investigation at all," she said. "That is something that would have crossed the line." If Obama or Biden, now the Democrats' presumptive nominee to challenge Trump in November, had talked about the investigation of Flynn, "that would have set off alarms for me," she said. The main point of the meeting, she said, was to figure out what the Russians were up to. Days after Trump was sworn in as president, FBI agents went to the White House to interview Flynn about his conversations with Kislyak. In that interview, Flynn denied having discussed key elements of Obama's new sanctions on Russia. Flynn ultimately pleaded guilty to having lied in that interview, but later reversed course and fought the case. Earlier this year, the Justice Department asked for the case against Flynn to be dismissed, an issue still being weighed by the courts. Republicans also questioned Yates' approval of foreign intelligence surveillance court applications for former Trump adviser Carter Page. A lengthy report by Justice Department Inspector General Michael Horowitz found 17 significant errors or omissions in the court papers filed for surveillance in that case. Yates said that if she had known about those errors at the time, she would not have signed those applications to the surveillance court. "I wouldn't sign anything that I knew to contain errors or omissions," she said. "I would never knowingly do that." Yates said her main concern with the Page surveillance was that, in hindsight, it appeared the FBI agents substituted their own judgment for those of the Justice Department prosecutors in deciding what pieces of information were important and worth telling the court. Trump reacted to Yates's regret about the Page surveillance by tweeting that it was the "Political Crime of the Century" and, as he often does when discussing the FBI investigation of his campaign, called it "Treason!" Yates denied a suggestion by Sen. John Neely Kennedy, R-La., that senior federal law enforcement officials despised Trump and sought to prevent him from becoming president. "No, Senator, they did not hate Trump," Yates said. "I have to speak up here for the career men and women of the Department of Justice." Kennedy fired back that Yates and her colleagues "have tarnished the reputation of the FBI." After Yates spent several hours denying Republican accusations of corruption, political bias, and dishonesty at the Justice Department, the committee chairman vowed to dig further into the issue of the Page surveillance, which was based in large part on a dossier of allegations against the Trump campaign compiled by a former British intelligence officer. "I don't buy for a minute that there are only two people in the FBI (who) knew the dossier was garbage and they didn't tell anybody," Graham said, adding he is determined "to make sure that the biggest system failure maybe ever at the FBI is not repeated." Story Highlights Black Americans a bit more likely than most other groups to see police locally Still, most (81%) want police to spend same amount of or more time in their area Big racial gaps seen in views of police fairness, perceived bias WASHINGTON, D.C. -- When asked whether they want the police to spend more time, the same amount of time or less time than they currently do in their area, most Black Americans -- 61% -- want the police presence to remain the same. This is similar to the 67% of all U.S. adults preferring the status quo, including 71% of White Americans. Meanwhile, nearly equal proportions of Black Americans say they would like the police to spend more time in their area (20%) as say they'd like them to spend less time there (19%). Preference for Amount of Time Police Spend in Your Area Would you rather the police spend more time, the same amount of time or less time as they currently spend in your area? More time Same amount of time Less time % % % Black Americans 20 61 19 White Americans 17 71 12 Hispanic Americans 24 59 17 Asian Americans 9 63 28 U.S. adults 19 67 14 Gallup Panel, June 23-July 6, 2020 These findings are from a June 23-July 6 Gallup Panel survey, administered by web in English and conducted as part of the newly launched Gallup Center on Black Voices. The study includes large samples of Black, Hispanic and Asian Americans, weighted to their correct proportions of the population. Of these four racial/ethnic groups, Asian Americans are the most likely to want less police presence where they live, with 28% saying this. That contrasts with 12% of White Americans, 17% of Hispanic Americans and 19% of Black Americans. Little Difference by Race in Local Exposure to Police The survey also asked Americans to estimate how often they see police in their neighborhood. Black Americans' reported exposure to local police is slightly above the national average, with 32% saying they see the police often or very often in their neighborhood. This compares with 22% of White Americans and 21% of Asian Americans. Hispanic Americans' experience is similar to that of Black Americans, with 28% often seeing police where they live. Most other Black Americans (41%) say they sometimes see police in their area, matching the national average, while another 27% say they rarely or never see them. Frequency With Which Americans See Their Local Police How often do you see police in your neighborhood? Very often/Often Sometimes Rarely/Never % % % Black Americans 32 41 27 White Americans 22 42 36 Hispanic Americans 28 37 34 Asian Americans 21 47 32 U.S. adults 24 41 35 Gallup Panel, June 23-July 6, 2020 The slightly elevated frequency with which Black Americans see police in their neighborhood has limited impact on their preferences for changing the local police presence. About a third of Black Americans who say they often see the police in their neighborhood think the police should spend less time there (34%); however, the majority of adults in this group think they should spend the same amount of time (56%) or more time (10%). Black Americans' desire for reduced police presence drops to 16% for those who "sometimes" see the police and to 8% for those who rarely or never see the police. Black Americans' Preference for Time Police Spend in Their Neighborhood Results according to frequency with which they see local police See police: Very often/Often See police: Sometimes See police: Rarely/Never % % % More time 10 24 25 Same amount of time 56 60 67 Less time 34 16 8 Gallup Panel, June 23-July 6, 2020 Black Americans Lack Assurance Police Encounters Will Go Well Although Black Americans seem about as comfortable as Americans overall with the amount of police presence where they live, they differ markedly in their perceptions of how their local police might treat them if they were to interact. Fewer than one in five Black Americans feel very confident that the police in their area would treat them with courtesy and respect. While similar to the 24% of Asian Americans saying the same, it is markedly lower than the 40% of Hispanic Americans and the 56% of White Americans who feel this way. This could either stem from Black Americans' own negative experiences with the police or from their familiarity with people who have had negative encounters with law enforcement. When factoring in those who are at least somewhat confident that the police would treat them well, a majority of Black Americans (61%) are generally confident, but this is still below the 85% seen nationally, including 91% of White Americans. Confidence About Receiving Positive Treatment by Police If you had an interaction with police in your area, how confident are you that they would treat you with courtesy and respect? Very confident Somewhat confident Not too confident Not at all confident % % % % Black Americans 18 43 27 12 White Americans 56 35 7 2 Hispanic Americans 40 37 17 5 Asian Americans 24 54 16 6 U.S. adults 48 37 11 4 Gallup Panel, June 23-July 6, 2020 Black Americans' preference for the amount of time police spend in their area is modestly related to their expectation about receiving fair treatment. However, 59% of the relatively small group of Black Americans who are "not at all confident" that the police would treat them with courtesy and respect want the police to spend less time in their neighborhood. The majority of all other Black Americans, including those who are "not too confident" about receiving considerate police treatment, want the police to spend the same amount of time, with additional percentages favoring more time. Black Americans' Preference for Amount of Time Police Spend in Their Neighborhood Results according to their confidence that police would treat them courteously, respectfully Very confident Somewhat confident Not too confident Not at all confident % % % % More time 24 19 19 18 Same amount of time 68 71 56 23 Less time 7 10 25 59 Gallup Panel, June 23-July 6, 2020 Notably, simply having an interaction with the police in the past year has no bearing on Black Americans' preference for local police presence in their area: Seventy-nine percent of those who have had an interaction with the police in the past 12 months say they want the police to spend more or the same amount of time in their neighborhood; 21% favor less time. Eighty-two percent of those who have not had an interaction want the same or greater police presence; 18% want less. What does matter is the quality of the interaction: Forty-five percent of Black Americans who report not being treated with courtesy or respect by the police within the past 12 months want less of a police presence in their neighborhood. Meanwhile, 55% want the same or more police presence. By contrast, just 13% of those who did feel they were treated respectfully want the police to spend less time in their neighborhood; 87% want them there as much or more often. Bottom Line It's not so much the volume of interactions Black Americans have with the police that troubles them or differentiates them from other racial groups, but rather the quality of those interactions. Most Black Americans want the police to spend at least as much time in their area as they currently do, indicating that they value the need for the service that police provide. However, that exposure comes with more trepidation for Black than White or Hispanic Americans about what they might experience in a police encounter. And those harboring the least confidence that they will be treated well, or who have had negative encounters in the past, are much more likely to want the police presence curtailed. These results correspond with Gallup's previously reported findings showing that only 22% of Black Americans favor abolishing police departments. However, the vast majority believe reform is needed, with upward of 90% favoring specific reforms aimed at improving police relations with the communities they serve and preventing or punishing abusive police behavior. In these findings, policymakers may find a path forward that helps the police both protect communities and establish relations that make all citizens feel good about their presence. Learn more about how the Gallup Panel works. Stay up to date with the trends, historical findings and new data from the Gallup Center on Black Voices. We oppose changing the zoning from R2, which requires a minimum 20,000 square foot lot to a much higher density, which is not why we moved here, said David Williams who has lived on Canterbury Court off Madison Street in Hinsdale for 27 years. The Fullersburg neighborhood has large lots and a semi-rural feel, he said. We are going to lose that, which would cause their property value to decline, Williams said. The Kerala HC had dismissed a plea by the bishop last month while admitting the prosecution argument that there was prima facie evidence against him. New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Wednesday directed Bishop Franco Mulakkal to face trial as it dismissed his plea seeking discharge in the rape case lodged against him by a nun, saying that there is no merit in his petition. A bench of Chief Justice SA Bobde, AS Bopanna and V Ramasubramanian told the counsel for Bishop that the court is not saying anything on merit but is dismissing the plea on the issue of discharge from the case. Mulakkal, in his plea has challenged the Kerala High Court order of 7 July, dismissing his discharge plea in the rape case filed by the nun. The Kerala High Court on 7 July rejected his petition seeking discharge in the case. The High Court had asked the deposed Bishop of Jalandhar diocese to stand for trial in the rape case, which was registered on the basis of a complaint filed by a nun of same diocese in Kerala. The High Court had dismissed the plea by the bishop, admitting the prosecution argument that there was prima facie evidence against Mulakkal in the rape case, which was registered on the basis of a complaint filed by a nun of Jalandhar diocese. The senior priest of the Roman Catholic Church had filed the revision petition following the dismissal of his discharge plea by a trial court in March this year. The rape case against the Bishop was registered by police in Kottayam district. In his plea filed before the High Court, the accused priest argued that he was implicated after he questioned the financial dealings of the victim nun. The bishop had filed the discharge plea in the trial court just ahead of commencement of the preliminary hearing on charges against him. In her complaint to the police in June 2018, the nun had alleged that she was subjected to sexual abuse by the bishop during the period between 2014 and 2016. The bishop, who was arrested by the Special Investigation team, which probed the case, charged him with wrongful confinement, rape, unnatural sex and criminal intimidation. Qatar Airways has announced a resumption of services from the Kigali International Airport. According to an official communication from the airline, it will restart its operations with three weekly flights. After reopening its airspace on August 1, Rwanda has allowed commercial airlines, most of which had suspended flights, to restart operations. Following the reopening, RwandAir-the national career took the lead - resuming flights on August 1. Qatar's has also recently resumed flights to key destinations in Africa including Addis Ababa, Dar es Salaam, Djibouti, Kilimanjaro, Zanzibar and Tunis. Speaking about their resumption in Kigali, the airline said they have "a strong relationship with Rwanda with eight years of operations to Kigali," having begun scheduled services from Kigali in 2012. "We hope to see many people come visit Rwanda and explore the world's stunning wildlife and more," said Bennet Stephens, Qatar Airways Acting Vice-President, Middle East, Africa & Pakistan, speaking about the reopening of their operations to the country. The airline said it has further enhanced its on-board safety measures for passengers and cabin crew. It will provide Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for cabin crew which includes gloves, face masks, safety glasses and a new protective gown that is fitted over their uniforms. This is in addition to a modified service that reduces interactions between passengers and the crew inflight has also been introduced. "On-board, all Qatar Airways passengers are now provided with a complimentary protective kit. Inside a zip lock pouch they will find a single-use surgical face mask, large disposable powder-free gloves and an alcohol-based hand sanitizer gel," read a statement from Qatar Airways. Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Rwanda Transport Travel By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later. "The airline has also introduced disposable face shields for adults and children. Passengers travelling from Hamad International Airport (HIA) will receive their face shields at the check-in counters, whereas at other destinations, the face shields will be distributed at the boarding gates," they added. The airline also said it will allow unlimited date changes, and passengers can change their destination as often as they need if it is within 5,000 miles of the original destination. "The airline will not charge any fare differences for travel completed before 31 December 2020, after which fare rules will apply. All tickets booked for travel up to 31 December 2020 will be valid for two years from the date of issuance," reads the statement. Qatar says it was one of the largest passenger carriers during the pandemic with a steady schedule that never dropped below 30 destinations. "We are delighted to resume flights to Kigali, totalling our flights to 33 weekly flights to Africa with eight destinations. Qatar Airways continues to maintain an expanding schedule with now more than 500 weekly flights to over 75 destinations," Stephens said. "Our wide network of flights during these challenging times has ensured we have kept up to date with the latest in international airport procedures," he added. "We also implemented the most advanced safety & hygiene measures on board our aircraft and in our home and hub at Hamad International Airport which was recently voted the Best Airport in the Middle East for the sixth year in a row." I feel optimistic that there is a light at the end of the tunnel, Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Democrat of California, said after hosting another round of talks in her Capitol Hill office with Steven Mnuchin, the Treasury secretary; Mark Meadows, the White House chief of staff; and Senator Chuck Schumer, Democrat of New York, the minority leader. But how long that tunnel is remains to be seen, Ms. Pelosi added. On the Senate floor, Mr. Schumer called for the Postal Service to fix mail delays that have resulted from cutbacks that Postmaster General Louis DeJoy put in place during the pandemic. Democrats and voting rights groups have charged that the cuts are part of a deliberate effort by President Trump to undermine the service in order to interfere with mail-in voting that will be critical to a safe election in November. Democrats have called for $3.6 billion in the aid package to ensure a secure election, including broader mail balloting, but Republicans are opposing the funds. Other outstanding disputes include whether to appropriate hundreds of billions of dollars to help states and local governments avoid laying off public workers as tax revenues fall, and whether to reinstate a $600 per week unemployment supplement from the federal government to laid-off workers. Democrats are pressing to extend the payments, which lapsed last week, through January. Republicans on Tuesday countered with a plan to resume them at $400 per week through Dec. 15, according to two people with knowledge of the discussions who insisted on anonymity to describe them. Democrats declined the offer, they said. There are no top-line numbers that have been agreed to, Mr. Meadows, the White House chief of staff, said after the Capitol Hill meeting, charging that Democrats were unwilling to make significant concessions. We continue to be trillions of dollars apart in terms of what Democrats and Republicans hopefully will ultimately compromise on. RICHMOND, Va. - Virginia has rolled out a smartphone app to automatically notify people if they might have been exposed to the coronavirus, becoming the first U.S. state to use new pandemic technology created by Apple and Google. But hopes for a nationwide app that can work seamlessly across state borders remain unrealized, and there are no known federal plans to create one. State officials say their new app wont work as well outside Virginia, at least until a group of co-ordinating public health agencies gets a national server up and running and other states join in. Virginias free Covidwise app is available in Apple and Android app stores as of Wednesday. State officials, who repeatedly emphasized its privacy-protection features, announced the launch of a statewide public information campaign encouraging people to download and use it. Now, I want you all to listen to this very closely. I want to be clear, this app, Covidwise, does not I will repeat that does not track or store your personal information. It does not track you at all, Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam said at a news conference. The technology arrives nearly four months after Apple and Google partnered to create the software for public health agencies trying to contain the spread of the pandemic. Canada and a number of countries in Europe and elsewhere have already rolled out apps using the tech companies framework. The app, developed by SpringML, based in Pleasanton, California, relies on Bluetooth wireless technology to detect when someone who downloaded the app has spent time near another app user who later tests positive for the virus. Those who test positive can anonymously notify others to help stop the spread of COVID-19. Instead of recording someones geographic location, the app tracks proximity by keeping an encrypted record of when two phones send short-range signals to one other. It doesnt know where you are. It just knows the distance, it just knows how strong the proximity was, said Suresh Soundararajan, the Virginia health departments chief information technology officer. The department will verify positive test results and issue app users who want to report them a pin number tied to their lab records in order to prevent malicious actors from sharing false positives. People who receive a warning of possible exposure can seek advice from the health department or their doctor. Information on Virginias public health department website says the app measures close contact as within 6 feet of someone for at least 15 minutes, using guidelines from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The signal strength would diminish if a wall separates two phones, though its still possible someone would get alerted if a neighbour in an adjacent apartment or dorm room were infected. A number of states have expressed interest in the Apple-Google technology, including Alabama which has begun pilot testing South Carolina, North Dakota and Pennsylvania. Google said that as of Friday there were 20 states and territories exploring an app using the framework. Such apps have already launched in 16 countries and regions across Africa, Asia, Europe, North America and South America, the company said. Everyone is trying so hard and theres limited time, limited capacity, said Sameer Halia, who is working to launch an app in Arizona using the Google and Apple software. Every state will look at what their needs are and what their population cares about and make a decision. Several states have introduced apps using other approaches, such as satellite-based GPS location tracking, but theres little evidence they have been successful. Unlike the Apple-Google model, many of these apps make data available to public health officials so they can use it to trace the contacts of infected patients. One of the first to launch, in Utah, has since disabled location-tracking features. Rhode Islands app uses GPS and has been downloaded by nearly 70,000 people, about 7% of the population, but health officials dont know how often it has led to someone being notified of an exposure. Instead of an automatic notification, it is meant to jog someones memory by showing them or health workers where they have been for the past two weeks. While we know that it has been very helpful in many cases, we cant say exactly how many, said Rhode Island health department spokesman Joseph Wendelken. Privacy advocates have largely favoured the approach taken by Apple and Google, but app developers have struggled to explain to privacy-wary citizens why they should trust a model endorsed by giant corporations known for tracking people in other ways. Concern arose in June when both companies made phone setting updates that make the pandemic apps possible, even though phones wont log peoples encounters unless they choose to download an app. The Apple-Google model has also drawn criticism from some health experts who have questioned its effectiveness, especially if there are too many false alarms and if local health agencies dont have the capacity to test enough people. It remains to be seen if apps from various states will eventually be able to work together effectively, enabling people to use just one as they travel across borders. The Virginia health department website advises that because a positive diagnosis must be verified with the department through the issuance of a pin number, the app is currently much less effective outside of Virginia. State officials say they are working with the Association of Public Health Laboratories, which is leading an initiative to put together and host a national key server where the randomly generated Bluetooth keys the app runs on can be stored. If other states get their own apps up and running, the keys could then be shared, so someone who is exposed to the virus while in another state could still get a notification. Another tech giant, Microsoft, plans to host the server, according to the health agency association. - OBrien reported from Providence, Rhode Island. Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Wang Wenbin's Regular Press Conference on August 5, 2020 2020/08/05 CCTV: Joerg Wuttke, President of European Union Chamber of Commerce in China, told a press conference yesterday that despite the fallout of coronavirus, there have been effective measures taken by the Chinese side. European companies remain fully confident in doing business in China and hope to be part of the story of China's development. According to a survey by the European Chamber in June, China remains in the top three investment destinations for over 60 percent of respondents. Do you have any comment? Wang Wenbin: We noted the remarks by the head of the European Union Chamber of Commerce in China. As a champion and promoter for an open world economy, China has always kept its door wide open and committed to provide a market-based, legal and international business environment for companies from Europe and other parts of the world. By 2019, the European Union has been China's top trade partner for 16 consecutive years, with a total trade volume hitting a record high of $700 billion. I want to stress that be it companies from Europe or other parts of the world, they are optimistic about China's economic prospect and improving business environment. As a major developing country with a 1.4 billion population, 900 million-strong workforce and 120 million market players, China will as always welcome European investors and companies and those from other countries, continue to firmly deepen reform and expand opening-up, and provide more cooperation opportunities and development dividends for their operations in China. Foreign companies, including those European ones, were part of the story of China's development, and we believe they will continue to be part of the successful story of China's development and win-win cooperation. Al Jazeera: A massive explosion shook Lebanon's capital Beirut on August 4. At least 100 people were killed and over 4,000 wounded. What is China's comment? Is China planning to offer assistance to Lebanon? Wang Wenbin: China is deeply shocked and saddened by the massive explosion in Lebanon which has caused great casualties. We deeply mourn the victims and express sincere condolences to the injured and the bereaved families and wish a speedy recovery to those injured. China stands ready to provide assistance to help Lebanon properly handle the incident and achieve national development to the best of its capacity. AFP: According to the Wall Street Journal, the US and China have agreed to high-level trade talks on August 15. Can you confirm that? Wang Wenbin: I'd like to refer you to the competent authority for the specifics concerning the trade deal. Phoenix TV: The American Institute in Taiwan said on August 5 that Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar is going to lead a delegation to visit Taiwan in the coming days. Do you have any comment? Wang Wenbin: China firmly opposes any official interactions between the US and Taiwan. This position is consistent and clear. China has made stern representations with the US side both in Beijing and in Washington. For the China-US relationship, the Taiwan question is one of the utmost importance with the highest level of sensitivity, and the one-China principle is the political foundation. We urge the US to adhere to the one-China principle and the three joint communiques, stop making official interactions of any kind with Taiwan, handle Taiwan-related issues prudently and properly, and not to send any wrong signals to "Taiwan independence" elements to avoid severe damage to China-US relations and peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait. I want to stress that the one-China principle is universally recognized by the international community. Any attempt to ignore, deny or challenge that principle is doomed to fail. Associated Press of Pakistan: Today marks one year completion of India's unilateral measures to change demography of occupied Kashmir and its continuing massive atrocities on the innocent Kashmiris. This Indian attempt and its escalating ceasefire violations and rhetoric against Pakistan pose a threat to regional and international peace and security. Since then, China in its principled stance, has been calling for resolving the Kashmir issue under the UN Charter and through peaceful means. What is China's position now? Wang Wenbin: China follows closely the situation in the Kashmir region. Our position on the Kashmir issue is consistent and clear. First, the Kashmir issue is a dispute left over from history between Pakistan and India, which is an objective fact established by the UN Charter, relevant Security Council resolutions and bilateral agreements between Pakistan and India. Second, any unilateral change to the status quo in the Kashmir region is illegal and invalid. Third, the Kashmir region issue should be properly and peacefully resolved through dialogue and consultation between the parties concerned. Pakistan and India are neighbors that cannot be moved away. Harmony between the two countries serves the fundamental interests of both sides and the common aspiration of the international community. China sincerely hopes that the two sides can properly handle differences through dialogue, improve relations and jointly safeguard peace, stability and development of the two countries and the region. Shenzhen TV: According to Japanese media reports, by August 3, a total of 270 US troops stationed in Okinawa alone have tested positive for coronavirus. Some commented that US troops in Japan have failed to follow quarantine regulations on entry and become a big loophole in Japan's anti-epidemic system. Do you have any comment? Wang Wenbin: We noted relevant reports. The US abuse of extraterritorial jurisdiction has added to the risk of the spreading of epidemic worldwide. A major country should behave in a way commensurate to its status. The US should fulfill its special responsibility as a major country, earnestly strengthen the discipline of its troops overseas and cooperate with local authorities in epidemic control. China Daily: Philippine Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana on Monday said that President Rodrigo Duterte has a standing order to the military and the Philippines would not join navies of other countries in maritime drills in the South China Sea for fear of raising tension in the area. The Philippines stays committed to resolving relevant disputes through peaceful and legal means and hopes to develop friendly relations with China. China and the Philippines have conducted exchanges in epidemic control, people-to-people exchange and military. It is believed that the two countries will gradually resume exchanges in various fields after the pandemic is overcome. Do you have any comment? Wang Wenbin: This statement once again reflects the independent foreign policy of the Philippines and the common aspiration of countries in the region to pursue peace and development. This fully demonstrates that certain non-regional countries' attempt to stir up trouble and create tension in the South China Sea goes against the will of regional countries and is unpopular. At present, China and ASEAN countries, including the Philippines, are focusing on fighting the epidemic and restoring economic growth. What we need is solidarity, coordination, peace and stability. I'm pleased to tell you that, thanks to the joint efforts of China and ASEAN countries, two-way trade and investment grew in the first half of this year, showing a strong momentum of development despite difficulties. The two sides have opened a fast-track for personnel exchanges and a green channel for flow of goods, which has boosted the resumption of work and production and smooth operation of industrial and supply chains. China is confident in working with countries in the region to overcome the challenge of the epidemic, maintain the sound momentum of development and safeguard the common well-being of the people in the region. NHK: US Secretary of State Pompeo said in a statement that Chinese authorities have reportedly issued arrest warrants for six residents outside of China, including a US citizen, which is the long arm of Beijing's authoritarianism. Do you have any response to that? Wang Wenbin: Peompeo has made so many wrong remarks and groundless accusations on Hong Kong-related issues and on China's rightful decision to uphold national security in accordance with law. His politically-motivated lies have no facts in them at all. Our solemn position has been made clear many times. Issuing arrest warrants for crime suspects is part of legitimate law enforcement and what police in every country do to bring offenders to justice. No external forces have any right to comment otherwise. We urge Pompeo and his likes to abide by international law and basic norms governing international relations, immediately stop making irresponsible remarks, and stop interfering in China's internal affairs, including Hong Kong affairs, in any way. AFP: The BBC published a video today showing someone that appears to be a Uighur man. The video apparently was shot in a training facility in Xinjiang and this man was filming himself. What's your comment? Wang Wenbin: I'm not aware of what you said. Since you mentioned it was a video clip released by BBC, it reminds me of another BBC video cut claiming that the Chinese government forced sterilization on Uighur women. But it turns out that the video has no facts in it at all and is entirely a fabricated lie. As a principle, China is a rule-of-law country where the citizens' legal rights and interests are protected and crimes cracked down on in accordance with law. All are equal before the law. Xinjiang is enjoying sustained economic development, social stability, better living standards, unprecedented cultural vivacity and a harmonious coexistence of religions. Xinjiang-related issues are never about human rights, ethnicity or religion, but about counter-terrorism, anti-separatism and de-radicalization. The government of Xinjiang Autonomous Region lawfully has fought violent and terrorist crimes while addressing the root causes and advancing de-radicalization. These measures have proven effective. Over the past three years and more, there has not been a single violent terrorist case in Xinjiang. They have safeguarded to the greatest extent possible the fundamental rights of the people of all ethnic groups in Xinjiang, including their rights to life, health and development, thus fully supported and endorsed by people in Xinjiang. As to the vocational education and training centers in Xinjiang you mentioned, I would like to say that the rights and freedoms of all trainees are fully and truly safeguarded during their training. The Global Times: According to ABC News, the National Foundation for Australia-China Relations, a body meant to strengthen engagement between the two countries has been plagued by a scandal recently. Among the advisory board members appointed by the foreign minister, two have been funded by the US Department of State and one is even a member of the anti-China cult Falun Gong. How do you comment on that? Wang Wenbin: I noted relevant reports. If the Australian side does hope this institution will play a positive role in enhancing mutual trust and expanding exchange and cooperation with China, it shouldn't allow anti-China elements to be part of it. Such arrangement runs contrary to the original purpose and mission of the Foundation and sends gravely wrong message to the outside world. We hope the Australian side will immediately rectify its wrongdoing, demonstrate sincerity and contribute more to mutual trust and cooperation between the two sides, rather than doing the opposite. We also noted that a flurry of media reports recently revealed that those Australian institutions and individuals taking the lead in fueling hostility towards China have received funding from the US government. We hope the Australian side will face up to these facts, discard double stands and ideological bias when talking about "counter foreign influence" and "foreign influence transparency" and refrain from political manipulation and acting in a selective and discriminatory way. South China Morning Post: Pakistani President yesterday showed a new map which identifies the Pakistan-occupied part of Kashmir as a disputed territory. Do you have any comment? Wang Wenbin: I just stated China's position on the Kashmir issue and am not going to repeat that. AFP: Pompeo said yesterday that he will protect all Hong Kong activists that are currently outside China, including the Hong Kong activists who are wanted by the Chinese authorities. Did China protest to the US side after these Pompeo's comments? Wang Wenbin: Peompeo has made so many wrong remarks on Hong Kong-related issues. We urge Pompeo and his likes to abide by international law and basic norms governing international relations, immediately stop making irresponsible remarks, and stop interfering in China's internal affairs, including Hong Kong affairs, in any way. Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - August 5, 2020) - James Bay Resources Limited (CSE: JBR) ("James Bay" or the "Company") announced that it has closed a non-brokered private placement (the "Offering") of 4,316,667 units ("Units") at a price of $0.06 per Unit, for aggregate gross proceeds of $259,000. Each Unit is comprised of one common share (a "Common Share") and one Common Share purchase warrant (each a "Warrant") in the capital of James Bay. Each Warrant comprising part of the Units is exercisable for a Common Shares at a price of $0.12 for 2 years from the date of issuance. The net proceeds from the Offering will be used to fund working capital. The Common Shares and Warrants issued as Units pursuant to the Offering will be subject to a four month regulatory hold period commencing from the date of closing The securities offered have not been registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an exemption from the registration requirements. This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of the securities in any State in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful. About James Bay Resources Limited James Bay is a Canadian resource company with 50,980,735 shares outstanding after the Offering, and trades on the Canadian Securities Exchange under the symbol "JBR". Please visit the James Bay website at www.jamesbayresources.com. Disclaimer This news release includes certain statements that may be deemed "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to the Corporation's operations, exploration and development plans, expansion plans, estimates, expectations, forecasts, objectives, predictions and projections of the future. Generally, these forward-looking statements can be identified by the forward-looking terminology such as "plans", "expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "projects", "intends", "anticipates", or "does not anticipate", or "believes", or "variations of such words and phrases or state that certain actions, events or results "may", "can", "could", "would", "might", or "will" be taken", "occur" or "be achieved". Forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements of James Bay Resources Limited to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements, including but not limited to: risks related to the Corporation's change of business and the oil and gas industry in Nigeria generally, risks related to operations, construction delays and cost overruns, the actual results of exploration, development and construction activities, conclusions of economic evaluations, changes in project parameters as plans continue to be refined, future copper prices, as well as those factors discussed in the sections relating to risk factors of our business filed in James Bay Resources Limited's required securities filings on SEDAR. Although James Bay Resources Limited has attempted to identify important factors that could cause results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause results to be materially different from those anticipated, described, estimated, assessed or intended. There can be no assurance that any forward-looking statements will prove 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. James Bay Resources Limited does not undertake to update any forward-looking statements that are incorporated by reference herein, except in accordance with applicable securities laws. For further information please contact: Stephen Shefsky President and CEO Tel: 416-366-4200 sshefsky@jamesbayresources.com The Canadian Securities Exchange does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release. NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. NEWS WIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE U.S. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/61131 CLEVELAND, Aug. 05, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- via NEWMEDIAWIRE -- Datatrak International, Inc. (OTC Markets: DTRK), a worldwide Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) provider and innovation leader of cloud-based technologies for the life sciences industry, today announced its operating results for the second quarter and the first half of 2020. Financial Highlights: Revenue for the second quarter of 2020 was $1,745,000 compared to $1,884,000 for the second quarter of 2019. Despite the overall decrease in revenue, the Company has seen a rise in the number of new contracts and new customers during the second quarter of 2020 compared to the second quarter of 2019. Direct costs decreased by $104,000 for the three months ended June 30, 2020 compared to the three months ended June 30, 2019 due to less amortization related to software development efforts that have been placed into production. There was also a decrease in employee costs due to a higher percentage of direct employee costs being included in capitalized software development efforts for the three months ended June 30, 2020 compared to the three months ended June 30, 2019. The Companys gross margin was 73% for the three months ended June 30, 2020 compared to 70% for the three months ended June 30, 2019. Selling, general and administrative (SG&A) expenses increased by $34,000 for the three months ended June 30, 2020 compared to the three months ended June 30, 2019. The increase in SG&A expenses was driven by higher employee expenses, due to lower software capitalization and salary adjustments, and consulting costs. However, travel and advertising costs decreased for the three months ended June 30, 2020 compared to the three months ended June 30, 2019. Depreciation and amortization was $3,000 and $5,000 for the three months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively. As a result of the items discussed, Datatrak had a loss from operations for the three months ended June 30, 2020 of ($39,000) compared to income from operations of $28,000 for the three months ended June 30, 2019. After other expenses of ($2,000) for the three months ended June 30, 2020 and other income of $2,000 for the three months ended June 30, 2019, the Companys net loss for the three months ended June 30, 2020 was ($41,000) compared to net income of $30,000 for the three months ended June 30, 2019. Revenue for the first half of 2020 was $3,696,000 compared to $3,806,000 for the first half of 2019. Despite the overall decrease in revenue, the Company has seen a rise in the number of new contracts and new customers during the first half of 2020 compared to the first half of 2019. Direct costs decreased by $149,000 for the six months ended June 30, 2020 compared to the six months ended June 30, 2019 due to less amortization related to software development efforts that have been placed into production, which was partially offset by higher ISP costs. The Companys gross margin was 74% for the six months ended June 30, 2020 compared to 71% for the six months ended June 30, 2019. SG&A expenses increased by $212,000 for the six months ended June 30, 2020 compared to the six months ended June 30, 2019. The increase in SG&A expenses was driven by higher employee expenses, due to salary adjustments and lower software capitalization, and consulting costs. However, travel, advertising and legal costs decreased for the six months ended June 30, 2020 compared to the six months ended June 30, 2019. Depreciation and amortization was $7,000 and $10,000 for the six months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively. As a result of the items discussed, Datatrak had income from operations for the six months ended June 30, 2020 of $23,000 compared to $193,000 for the six months ended June 30, 2019. After other income of $2,000 for the six months ended June 30, 2020 and $4,000 for the six months ended June 30, 2019, the Companys net income for the six months ended June 30, 2020 was $25,000 compared to $197,000 for the six months ended June 30, 2019. Datatraks backlog at June 30, 2020 was $11.8 million compared to a backlog of $13.3 million at December 31, 2019. Backlog consists of future value from authorization letters to commence services, statements of work, technology and services agreements, change orders and other customer contracts, billed and unbilled. All contracts are subject to possible delays or cancellation or can change in scope in a positive or negative direction. Therefore, current backlog is not necessarily indicative of the Companys future quarterly or annual revenue. Historically, backlog has not always been an accurate predictor of the Companys short-term revenue. While the Company has seen a delay in the signing of some new contracts due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it has not laid off and does not currently have plans to lay off any employees. Datatraks employees were all able to work remotely during quarantine, and the Company has continued to deliver services according to the terms of its contracts. Datatrak re-opened its offices as of May 4, 2020 to correspond with the state of Ohios plan for general office environments. Employees who are comfortable and would like to work out of the offices have been able to do so as long as they follow social distancing requirements and wear masks. Office cleaning takes place daily. The Company has been monitoring state and federal guidelines regarding the COVID-19 pandemic and will modify business operations as needed to comply with these guidelines for the safety of its employees and customers. As the COVID-19 pandemic is a continually evolving situation, the Company cannot provide any assurance that the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic will not have an adverse effect on its business or results of operations going forward. In addition, the COVID-19 pandemic has caused a global economic recession, which could potentially materially impact the Company. Executive Highlights: Datatraks Enterprise Cloud was built to ensure stability, maintain focus and drive progress in times like we are currently experiencing due to the COVID-19 pandemic, said Jim Bob Ward, CEO at Datatrak. We believe our unified platform allows us to innovate and bridge service delivery gaps in ways that are impossible for our competitors to address with their integrated solutions. Providing streamlined collection and management of site, lab and direct patient data with business analytics to support new protocol development that allow our customers to push the boundaries of their product development efforts has never been more important than it is right now. Given that we are working through the worst socioeconomic disaster in recent history, we are very encouraged by the increased number of top-tier opportunities presented and the significant increase in new clients signed to date over the last three cumulative years, said Scott DeMell, VP Sales at Datatrak. From large to small, our current and future customers are reviewing and contributing to our innovations with enthusiasm for the future. Join Datatrak thought leaders: Tweet: Datatrak Reports Results for Second Quarter and First Half of 2020 See the Earnings Release on Datatraks website: https://bit.ly/3kbhoQR About Datatrak International, Inc. Datatrak International, Inc. is a software-as-a-service provider of enterprise cloud-based technologies for the life sciences industry. Datatraks unified eClinical solutions and related services help improve cost and time efficiencies for the clinical trials industry. Datatrak built its multi-component, comprehensive solution on a single, unified platform and expanded this concept to include services delivery via Datatraks Clinical and Consulting Services group. The Company delivers a complete portfolio of software products designed to accelerate the reporting of clinical research data from sites to sponsors and ultimately regulatory authorities, faster and more efficiently than loosely integrated technologies. The Datatrak Enterprise Cloud software solution, deployed worldwide through an ASP or Enterprise Transfer offering, supports Preclinical and Phase I - Phase IV drug and device studies in multiple languages throughout the world. Datatrak is located in Cleveland, Ohio and College Station, Texas. For more information, visit http://www.datatrak.com . Except for the historical information contained in this press release, the statements made in this release are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are made based on managements expectations, assumptions, estimates and current beliefs concerning the operations, future results and prospects of the Company and are subject to uncertainties and factors which are difficult to predict and, in many instances, are beyond the control of the Company, and which could cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated in these forward-looking statements. All statements that address operating performance, events or developments that management anticipates will occur in the future, including statements related to future revenue, profits, the impact of COVID-19, expenses, cost reductions, cash management alternatives and working capital requirements, release or success of new products, market share, strategic alternatives, raising additional funds, income and earnings per share or statements expressing general opinion about future results, are forward-looking statements. For a list of certain factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated in these forward looking statements, please see the Companys report filed with the OTC Markets on March 24, 2020 announcing its results for the full-year period ended December 31, 2019 and subsequent filings with the OTC Markets. Many such factors have been, and may further be, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. The Company undertakes no obligation to update publicly or revise any forward-looking statement whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Contacts: Sales: Scott DeMell Scott.DeMell@datatrak.com Employment Opportunities: Laura Stuebbe Laura.Stuebbe@datatrak.com Shareholders: Alex Tabatabai investor@datatrak.com Datatrak International, Inc. and Subsidiaries Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet Data (Unaudited and Not Reviewed) June 30, 2020 December 31, 2019 Cash and cash equivalents $3,649,022 $3,990,549 Marketable securities 6,422 6,998 Certificate of deposit 125,021 165,224 Accounts receivable, net 757,969 634,571 Operating right-of-use asset, net 1,692,425 1,845,460 Property & equipment, net 1,459,393 1,355,164 Other 631,701 375,506 Total assets $8,321,953 $8,373,472 Accounts payable and other current liabilities $1,661,482 $ 902,183 Deferred revenue 3,115,622 4,308,563 Other long-term liabilities 2,248,334 2,016,407 Shareholders equity 1,296,515 1,146,319 Total liabilities and shareholders equity $8,321,953 $8,373,472 Datatrak International, Inc. and Subsidiaries Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited and Not Reviewed) For the 3 Months Ended June 30, 2020 2019 Revenue $1,745,465 $1,883,567 Direct costs 467,428 570,543 Gross profit 1,278,037 1,313,024 Selling, general and administrative expenses 1,313,622 1,279,818 Depreciation and amortization 2,872 4,819 (Loss) income from operations (38,457) 28,387 Interest income 121 3,819 Interest expense (2,508) (1,220) Other income (expense) 172 (645) Net (loss) income before tax provision $ (40,672) $ 30,341 Tax provision Net (loss) income $ (40,672) $ 30,341 Net (loss) income per share: Net (loss) income per share, basic $ (0.02) $ 0.01 Weighted-average shares outstanding, basic 2,382,849 2,343,924 Net (loss) income per share, diluted $ (0.02) $ 0.01 Weighted-average shares outstanding, diluted 2,382,849 2,374,456 Datatrak International, Inc. and Subsidiaries Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited and Not Reviewed) The Delhi University has urged the city government to release grant-in-aid for payment of pending salaries to 12 colleges fully funded by it. Dean of Colleges Balaram Pani on Tuesday wrote a letter to Education minister Manish Sisodia and the Department of Higher Education of the Delhi government, saying that the staffers of these colleges were facing problems during the pandemic as their dues have not been cleared. It came to our notice from various sources that the salaries for the teaching and non-teaching staff of the colleges under the University of Delhi that are 100 per cent funded by the Government of NCT have not been released for the past four months, the letter said. The staff members of the concerned colleges are put to unfathomable hardship in the absence of their monthly salaries. The staff members and their families are facing distress during the present pandemic situation, it said. Stating that the basic survival of staff members in these trying times is at risk, Pani requested Sisodia to issue necessary directions to the officers concerned to release the required grant-in-aid to the respective colleges on top priority. The Delhi government had released Rs 18.75 crore as grant-in-aid for payment of salaries to employees of 12 University of Delhi (DU) colleges funded by it in June, which was called insufficient. Prior to that, the government had also sanctioned grant-in-aid in May, which was also called inadequate. DU and the Delhi government have been locked in a tussle over the formation of governing bodies in 28 colleges, partially or fully funded by the city government, with both accusing the other of delaying the process. Because of concerns over the novel coronavirus and social distancing, the police department will take police reports for minor and nonviolent crimes by telephone. To increase social distancing, callers may be required to file a report online at aacounty.org when reporting the following crimes. If the crime is in progress, call 911 or 410-222-8610. New C-Band satellites when launched in 2022 will enable delivery of 5G services as well as the uninterrupted delivery of digital television services in the United States SES, the leader in global content connectivity solutions, announced today that American launch provider SpaceX will provide launch capability for up to 3 of its C-band satellites over two launches as part of the company's accelerated C-band clearing plan. SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket will launch two C-band satellites built by Northrop Grumman as well as provide enhanced protection to rapidly launch a contingency satellite from Cape Canaveral, Florida in 2022 allowing SES to meet the Federal Communications Commission's time-critical objective to roll out 5G services across the United States. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200805005594/en/ Credit: SpaceX Previous Falcon 9 launch In June, SES announced it contracted American companies Northrop Grumman and the Boeing Company to deliver four C-band satellites in accordance with SES's accelerated C-band clearing plan. These satellites will enable SES to clear 280MHz of mid-band spectrum for 5G use while seamlessly migrating SES's existing C-band customers and ensuring the continued delivery of digital television to nearly 120 million American TV homes and other critical data services. In the last few months, SES has been increasingly working with U.S. businesses across the country and investing in America in the C-band transition plan, and its long-standing relationship with SpaceX signifies its latest commitment to the U.S. SpaceX has launched six SES satellites in the last seven years. "Clearing mid-band spectrum and protecting our broadcast customers to ensure business continuity is a significant undertaking and we absolutely need to be working with the right partners," said Steve Collar, CEO at SES. "We have a deep and trusted relationship with SpaceX having been the first to launch a commercial satellite with them and subsequently the first commercial company to adopt the flight-proven booster and we could not be more confident in their ability to deliver on this time-critical mission." SpaceX President and Chief Operating Officer Gwynne Shotwell noted, "SES is one of SpaceX's most-valued partners, and we are proud of their continued trust in our capabilities to reliably deliver their satellites to orbit. We are excited to once again play a role in executing SES's solutions to meet their customers' needs." Follow us on: Social Media Blog Media Library About SES SES has a bold vision to deliver amazing experiences everywhere on earth by distributing the highest quality video content and providing seamless connectivity around the world. As the leader in global content connectivity solutions, SES operates the world's only multi-orbit constellation of satellites with the unique combination of global coverage and high performance, including the commercially-proven, low-latency Medium Earth Orbit O3b system. By leveraging a vast and intelligent, cloud-enabled network, SES is able to deliver high-quality connectivity solutions anywhere on land, at sea or in the air, and is a trusted partner to the world's leading telecommunications companies, mobile network operators, governments, connectivity and cloud service providers, broadcasters, video platform operators and content owners. SES's video network carries over 8,300 channels and has an unparalleled reach of 367 million households, delivering managed media services for both linear and non-linear content. The company is listed on Paris and Luxembourg stock exchanges (Ticker: SESG). Further information is available at: www.ses.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200805005594/en/ Contacts: For further information please contact: Suzanne Ong External Communications Tel. +352 710 725 500 suzanne.ong@ses.com Singapore Prison Service. (SCREENSHOT: Google Maps Street View) SINGAPORE The prison inmate who was confirmed to be infected with COVID-19 was a Sri Lankan who was arrested for overstaying in Singapore without a valid pass, the authorities said. The man (case 53086) arrived in Singapore on 2 January on a short-term visit pass, the Singapore Prison Service (SPS) and the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) said in a joint statement on Tuesday night (4 August). On Monday, the Ministry of Health reported that a 26-year-old prison inmate on short-term visit pass was an unlinked COVID-19 case. He had arrived in Singapore before the implementation of border measures, the MOH said. The man was arrested by the ICA on 30 June and was remanded at Changi Prison Complex on 1 July, the joint statement said. Subsequently, he was sentenced on 6 July to four weeks jail. Upon admission, he was subjected to the mandatory 14-day cohort segregation for all new admissions. He underwent swab tests on 2 July and 22 July, and tested negative on both occasions. At the end of his sentence, the man was released into ICAs custody on 27 July for repatriation to Sri Lanka. His temperature was taken three times a day and he was monitored for Acute Respiratory Infection symptoms. On 28 July, he was escorted to Khoo Teck Puat Hospital for a medical review related to his previous hospitalisation for dengue. As there were no flights available, he was returned to SPS custody on 30 July to await repatriation and underwent the mandatory 14-day cohort segregation and swab tests again. He tested positive for COVID-19 on 2 August. The inmate is currently well. He is being housed separately from other inmates and closely monitored by medical staff. Two other inmates who were admitted on the same day (30 July) as the man and segregated in the same isolation cell tested negative for COVID-19. They are being closely monitored by medical staff, and will undergo swab tests again at the end of the 14-day segregation period, before they are allowed to join the general inmate population. Story continues Staff who were in contact with the man are well and the authorities will continue to monitor their health. One SPS officer, five ICA officers and five auxiliary police officers under ICA who had close contact with the man have been issued Quarantine Orders. All areas to which the man had been have since been thoroughly disinfected. On 19 June, SPS announced that four inmates and one staff nurse from SPS medical service provider had contracted COVID-19, and that these cases were not linked to one another. The latest case involving the Sri Lankan man is also unlinked to these five previous cases. The four inmates have since been discharged from the isolation facility after being cleared of COVID-19, and have either joined the general inmate population or been released from custody. The healthcare worker has also recovered and is back at work. Stay in the know on-the-go: Join Yahoo Singapore's Telegram channel at http://t.me/YahooSingapore Other Singapore stories Singapore tops travel destination list for tourists in Asia when borders reopen Man accused of throwing plate of rice on cleaner's back, pushing her at Quality Road Food Centre Security officer who died in manhole at 1-Altitude tried to prevent patrons' entry in area The Cannabis Business Association of Illinois wrote Gov. J.B. Pritzker last week urging support for those who have been waiting to find out if theyll be awarded one of the long-delayed licenses, and the group is offering its own lifeline too. Ayodhya, Aug 5 : BJP's National Vice President Uma Bharti who earlier said that she will not go to the 'Bhumi Pujan' ceremony for the construction of the Ram temple in Ayodhya, has reached the Ramjnmabhoomi site here. She said, "I am bound by the dignity of Maryada Purushottam Ram. I have been instructed by the senior officials of Ram Temple Trust to be present at the ceremony. That is why I am here in this programme." Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has also reached Ayodhya to join the 'Bhumi Pujan' ceremony there. All the saints have also reached there to participate in the program. Ram Temple Trust chief Mahant Nritya Gopal Das has also reached the venue. Many saints including Yoga guru Ramdev, Sadhvi Ritambhara are present at the venue. Priests from Kashi, Delhi and Prayagraj have been called in to perform the 'Bhumi Pujan' ceremony. A team of 21 priests will perform 'puja' in different ways. Apart from this, the Ram Janmabhoomi campus has also been decorated with flowers, pandals and stage have been made with beautiful 'Rangolis'. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will lay the foundation stone of the temple by placing silver bricks at the auspicious time according to Vedic customs here. Latest updates on Ayodhya Ram Temple Bhumi Pujan -- Except for the title, this story has not been edited by Prokerala team and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed The next batch of quarterly numbers, stock-specific action, global cues, and Covid-19 trends are expected to dominate investor sentiment today. Besides, investors will also keep an eye on Markit Services PMI for July, which is slated to be declared today. On the earnings front, over 65 companies, including Adani Gas, Apollo Tyres, Butterfly Gandhimathi, Canara Bank, and Cadila Healthcare, are scheduled to release their June quarter results today. Tata Consumer Products Ltd (TCPL) on Tuesday reported 81.78 per cent rise in net profit at Rs 345.55 crore for the June quarter helped by an increase in demand in some categories. Revenue from operations was up 13.44 per cent to Rs 2,713.91 crore during the quarter under review as against Rs 2,392.36 crore in the corresponding period of the last fiscal. On the Covid front, India has recorded 52,020 cases in 24 hours for a 6th straight day, taking its tally to 1,878,382. After conducting over 20 million tests, India's positivity rate is now at over 8%. India's death toll stands at 39,188. Now, let's look at the global cues for the day. The SGX Nifty is indicating a subdued start for the Indian today. Globally, Wall Street ended higher after a choppy session on Tuesday, lifted by Apple and energy stocks. Asia shares were set to open lower on Wednesday, following a choppy trading session on Wall Street and losses in Europe. In commodities, oil prices fell for the first time in four days on Wednesday, pulling back from as much as five-month highs as mounting coronavirus cases worldwide and in the United States undercut market confidence in a pickup in fuel demand. Gold, on the other hand, scaled an all-time peak on Wednesday, rising above the key $2,000 mark. People on a beach in Biarritz, France. COVID-19 spikes in the country will be of concern to UK travellers. (AP) A second wave of the coronavirus is "highly likely" this autumn or winter, the top scientific body in France has said following a rise in cases. The warning comes as German doctors also said the country is already dealing with a second spike of infections because people were flouting social distancing rules. Both France and Germany are currently on the UK governments list of air bridges, which means people arriving in England from those countries do not have to quarantine for 14 days upon their arrival. The warnings came as the World Health Organization (WHO) said the virus is surging back in most countries that previously had it under control. Frances health ministry said in a statement: France has the situation under control but it is precarious with a surge of virus circulation this summer. The short-term future of the pandemic mainly lies in the hands of the population. "It is highly likely that we will experience a second epidemic wave this autumn or winter." On Monday, France reported 3,376 new confirmed cases over the previous three days, with the number of people being treated in intensive care units for the disease also creeping higher. The seven-day moving average for new cases has held above the 1,000 threshold for the fifth day in a row, meaning the country is experiencing an infection rate not seen since the two-month lockdown. In Germany, Susanne Johna, president of the Marburger Bund doctors union, told the Augsburger Allgemeine newspaper there was a danger that a longing to return to normality would damage the success Germany had achieved so far in restricting the spread of the virus. "We are already in a second, shallow upswing," she said. The number of daily confirmed coronavirus cases in Germany has risen steadily in recent weeks, with health experts warning lax adherence to hygiene and distancing rules among some people is spreading the virus across communities. The number of confirmed cases in Germany increased by 879 to 211,281, data from the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) for infectious diseases showed on Tuesday. Story continues In the UK, there were 938 new COVID-19 cases confirmed on Monday. Overall, a total of 305,623 cases have been confirmed. Virus capable of surging back really quickly On Tuesday, Dr David Nabarro, the WHOs special envoy on COVID-19, warned on BBC Radio 4s Today programme: This virus is capable of surging back really quickly and is actually doing so in most countries where theres been success at getting it under control. As it surges back, the way you stop outbreaks developing is through having well-functioning contact tracing linked to testing, with isolation of people whove got symptoms or whove been in contact. If we can do that, and do it well, then the surges are kept really small, theyre dealt with quickly and life can go on. If, on the other hand, this testing and tracing and isolation just is not done properly, then you get very bad surges occurring and this will lead to economic challenges. Additional reporting by Reuters. Coronavirus: what happened today Click here to sign up to the latest news and information with our daily Catch-up newsletter The ceremony shall start at around 8 am and end at about 2 pm. Ayodhya: Police barricades, yellow banners, walls with a fresh coat of paint and the sounds of bhajan mark parts of Ayodhya as the city awaits its big day Wednesday, when the first brick will be laid for the Ram temple. Ayodhya is decked up for the bhumi pujan that will be attended at the Ram Janmabhoomi by 175 people who figure in a select guest list of seers and politicians topped by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Concerned over the spread of coronavirus, the authorities are encouraging others not to come to the temple town, asking them to mark the occasion by celebrating at their homes. The ceremony shall start at around 8 am and end at about 2 pm. The main bhumi pujan is expected to take place at 12.30 pm and the foundation stone will be laid at 12.40 pm. The groundbreaking ceremony will be telecast live. Roads leading to Ayodhya display hoardings with the picture of the proposed Ram temple and of Ram Lalla, the infant Ram, the deity now housed in a makeshift temple. For the BJP, the beginning of construction of a grand temple in Ayodhya is an ideological victory over its rivals with even many Opposition leaders now welcoming the development. Incidentally, the ground-breaking ceremony by Modi, in the presence of leading lights of Hindutva movement including RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat, is being be conducted on August 5, which coincides with the first anniversary of the annulment of Article 370, another key ideological plank for the saffron party. Beirut Appeals Court Applies Law Criminalizing Same-Sex Activities A Tunisian appeals court on July 28, 2020 upheld the conviction of two men accused of sodomy but reduced their sentence to one year in prison, Human Rights Watch said today. This conviction contradicts the rights to privacy and nondiscrimination under international law, which are also enshrined in Tunisia's 2014 constitution. In June, police arrested the men, both 26, on suspicion of same-sex conduct in Le Kef, a city 175 kilometers southwest of Tunis, after one of them filed a complaint against the other regarding an outstanding loan. The first instance court in Le Kef sentenced both men on June 6 to two years in prison for sodomy under article 230 of the penal code, which punishes consensual same-sex conduct with up to three years in prison. The lower court's decision, which Human Rights Watch reviewed, was based on the defendants' alleged "confessions" during the police investigation to engaging in same-sex relations, which both defendants repudiated before that court. "The court's insistence on upholding sodomy charges against the defendants and locking them up for one year is a grave injustice," said Rasha Younes, lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) rights researcher at Human Rights Watch. "Tunisia needs to step up to its image as a guardian of individual freedoms and stop convicting people under article 230, while acting swiftly to abolish this law altogether." Hassina Darraji, the lawyer who represented the men before the appeals court, said she brought to the court's attention the defendants' statements that the police bullied, insulted, and threatened them to get them to confess to being gay, and attempted to persuade them to undergo an anal exam, purportedly to test for sodomy, which they refused. At the trial, Darraji said, the defendants pleaded not guilty to all charges and refuted allegations related to their sexual orientation. Darraji said that she maintained before the appeals court that the charges against the defendants are based solely on statements that they made while in police custody, which they subsequently repudiated in court, saying that the police had used inappropriate pressure to extract them. She said she also attempted to persuade the court that the charges stated by the first instance court are arbitrary and violate Tunisia's 2014 constitution. Darraji told Human Rights Watch that she told the court that the men's refusal to undergo an anal exam is protected by their rights to privacy and bodily integrity under Tunisia's constitution and should be inadmissible evidence in their case. Darraji also told the court that the police discriminated against one of the defendants during the preliminary investigation by stating that his appearance indicates that he is gay. The written decision, with the appeals court's reasoning behind the verdict, has yet to be published. The two men are being held in a prison in Ben Arous, near Tunis, said Darraji and Damj, a Tunis-based LGBT rights organization. The judge in the case has handed down similarly harsh sentences for sodomy in recent years. The judge has sentenced six students to three years in prison on homosexuality charges in 2015 in the town of Kairouan and banned the students from the town for three years after their release from prison. The two defendants in the current case petitioned the Court of Cassation, the highest instance court in Tunisia, to review their conviction. Damj said that this is the first time a sodomy case has reached the country's cassation court. During Tunisia's 2017 Universal Periodic Review (UPR) hearing at the UN Human Rights Council, Tunisia formally accepted a recommendation from several countries to end forced anal exams as a method of "proving" homosexuality. However, Tunisia's delegation stated: "Medical examinations will be conducted based on the consent of the person and in the presence of a medical expert." This approach fails to recognize that consent is seriously compromised when trial courts infer guilt from a refusal to undergo the exam, Human Rights Watch said. Furthermore, the tests violate medical ethics and are of no scientific or evidentiary value in proving homosexuality. Such invasive and intrusive examinations, when forcible or coerced, amount to cruel, inhuman, and degrading treatment that violates international law, and have been recognized as torture by the UN Committee Against Torture. Tunisian authorities should immediately revoke the two men's convictions and release them, Human Rights Watch said. Tunisia's parliament should repeal penal code article 230, and the Justice Ministry should direct public prosecutors to abandon prosecutions under article 230 and issue a directive ordering prosecutors to stop sending detainees for anal examinations, "consensual" or not, as part of investigative procedures to determine suspects' sexual behavior. Tunisia's health minister should also direct all forensic doctors under the ministry's authority to cease all anal examinations for these purposes and to respect people's right to physical dignity and integrity. Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Tunisia Legal Affairs Human Rights By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later. Prosecutions for consensual sex in private between adults violate the rights to privacy and nondiscrimination guaranteed by the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to which Tunisia is a state party. The UN Human Rights Committee, which monitors compliance with the covenant, has made clear that sexual orientation is a status protected against discrimination under the ICCPR. The UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention has found that arrests for same-sex conduct between consenting adults are, by definition, arbitrary. Article 24 of Tunisia's constitution obligates the government to protect the rights to privacy and the inviolability of the home. Article 21 provides that all citizens "have equal rights and duties and are equal before the law without any discrimination." "The Tunisian appeals court's convictions of these men violate basic human rights principles, including the rights to privacy and nondiscrimination protected by the 2014 constitution," Younes said. "Tunisia should send a strong message against arbitrary convictions under archaic sodomy laws and release the two men immediately." Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-05 10:08:32|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close TRIPOLI, Aug. 5 (Xinhua) -- The International Organization for Migration (IOM) said Tuesday that 6,848 illegal immigrants have been rescued and returned to Libya so far in 2020. The rescued immigrants include 474 women and 364 miners, the IOM said, adding that 115 illegal immigrants have died and 180 gone missing on the central Mediterranean route in 2020. A total of 9,225 illegal immigrants were rescued and returned to Libya in 2019, while 270 people died and 992 were missing, the IOM said. The fall of the previous Muammar Gaddafi's government in 2011 has created a state of insecurity and chaos in Libya, which made it a preferred point of departure for illegal immigrants to cross the Mediterranean Sea towards European shores. Immigrant shelters in Libya are overcrowded with immigrants, despite repeated international calls to close them. Enditem The blast damaged Caritas headquarters. The charity is ready to hand out aid, said Fr Paul Karam, who stresses that psychological support" to victims families is also fundamental. Some 200 employees and volunteers divided into 15 groups are already at work. Catholic schools and convents are open to those left homeless. AsiaNews and the PIME Foundation are ready to help the victims. Beirut (AsiaNews) People who lost their homes in the blast need food, medicine, clothes and a roof, said Fr Paul Karam, president of Caritas Lebanon. The clergyman spoke to AsiaNews about the first steps taken by the Catholic charity to help Beirut residents hit by the powerful explosions that tore through parts of the city. The blasts and subsequent shock wave (pictured) struck Caritas headquarters as well, causing damage "to at least 10 floors of the building" which houses the Catholic charity; fortunately, its priests and employees inside were spared, left unharmed. "I just ended a meeting to assign tasks, said Fr Paul. We are already taking action and are ready to hand out aid, like food and medicine, as well as clothing. At this stage, those affected and the families of those who died need psychological support as well as material aid. We have set up support groups with doctors, psychologists and experts," he explained. Some people "still know nothing about the fate of friends and family". To cope with the emergency, Caritas Lebanon is making a huge effort with at least "200 workers and volunteers divided in 15 different groups. "We just set up field tents near the area where the explosion occurred, to start handing out food and medicine. Obviously, no distinctions are made between Christians and Muslims. We look at those in need, not their identity card, religion or country of origin. For the Caritas Lebanon president, food, clothes, medicines and shelter "are the first things to provide in an emergency. At the same time, we are also making available convents and schools, providing hospitality and a place for the needy, families who have no help. To do this, we have designated a group to take care of the logistics and arrange help for the various families. Some of them refuse to leave their homes and prefer to sleep on broken glass and debris. Others have nothing; everything they had was destroyed, and urgently need shelter. The incident comes at a really bad time for Lebanon. The country had already been grappling "with a very serious economic crisis, exacerbated by the emergency caused by the novel coronavirus pandemic. For many families, things were already difficult; now this tragedy with more than a hundred dead and thousands injured. Yesterday, after the explosion, "there was great fear that it might be the start of a new war" with a possible "reaction by Lebanons Hezbollah to an attack by Israel. Later, we learnt that it was just an accident. In order to help the people of Beirut and Lebanon, as well as Caritas Lebanon, AsiaNews is launching a campaign to Help devastated Beirut. Those who want to contribute can make a donation to: PIME Foundation: - International Bank Account Number (IBAN): IT78C0306909606100000169898 - Bank Identifier Code (BIC): BCITITMM - Reason for transfer: AN04 HELP DEVASTATED BEIRUT Parent visiting chicks Credit: Santiago Merino / National Museum of Natural Sciences Madrid Flying insects and parasites are often vectors for disease, but a mosquito needs to first find someone before they can bite them. In a recent study published in Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution, researchers examined bird nests in order to understand how insects and parasites detect gases such as carbon dioxide and methane as a way to locate their hosts. The researchers focused on blue tit bird nest boxes located in a deciduous forest in central Spain. They found that the nests contained more biting midges when concentrations of carbon dioxide were higher inside the nest compared to the forest air. "This is important because biting midges are the main vector of Haemoproteus, the most abundant blood parasite infecting birds in our study area," says Dr. Santiago Merino of the National Museum of Natural Sciences in Madrid, one of the researchers on the study. With the looming threat of climate change, rising carbon levels will affect every aspect of our ecosystemfrom the largest to the smallest organism. "Predictions expect an increase of diseases in northern latitudes due to climate change," he says, "But factors like gas concentrations and temperature may affect the incidence of diseases," as well. The first step to understanding the future of course, is studying the present. "We want to know how the relationship between gas concentrations and parasite attraction is changing," Merino says, "in order to adjust our predictions on extension of diseases." Begging chicks Credit: Santiago Merino / National Museum of Natural Sciences Madrid Feeding the chicks Credit: Santiago Merino / National Museum of Natural Sciences Madrid Bird nesting cavities offered a unique opportunity to study the interaction between gas concentration and parasites since the enclosed space allows for better comparisons. In addition to the positive correlation between carbon dioxide and biting midges, Merino and his colleagues found that there were more mites inside the nests when carbon dioxide was higher, and more black flies when methane was lower. The methane concentration may be related to bacteria in the nesting materials. The authors also factored in variables such as temperature, brood size, and time to their analyses. When there were no nestlings present in the nest boxes, carbon dioxide concentration inside the nest was not significantly different compared with the forest air, indicating that the presence of nestlings caused gas fluctuations. Merino says that the relationship between humidity and gas concentration is important and, while it was examined in this study, it should be studied further. While the study is limited in its focused approach, the authors would like to collaborate with other researchers working in different environments to see if their results differ in other conditions. Explore further Feeding bluebirds helps fend off parasites More information: Francisco Castano-Vazquez et al, Nest Gasses as a Potential Attraction Cue for Biting Flying Insects and Other Ectoparasites of Cavity Nesting Birds, Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution (2020). Francisco Castano-Vazquez et al, Nest Gasses as a Potential Attraction Cue for Biting Flying Insects and Other Ectoparasites of Cavity Nesting Birds,(2020). DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2020.00258 The European Commission has rejected calls for the Brexit withdrawal agreement to be rewritten after senior Tories complained it could leave the UK liable for 160bn (178bn) of unpaid loans. Former Tory leader Iain Duncan Smith said the deal means Britain is "hooked into the EU's loan book". But Brussels said the commitments made in the Withdrawal Agreement Bill - the divorce signed by Boris Johnson and the 27 EU members - are reasonable and will stand. Mr Duncan Smith claimed that the UK's liabilities go far beyond the 39bn (43bn) divorce deal - although the full scale of the financial implications will depend on defaults on loans made available through the European Investment Bank (EIB) and European Financial Stability Mechanism. Commission spokesman Eric Mamer insisted that the withdrawal agreement is a "firm document" which is not going to be rewritten. He said: "I think it's very clear that we are not going to get into a debate with British politicians on liabilities or any other of the provisions of the withdrawal agreement. "The withdrawal agreement is there, it is now a firm document that has been accepted by both parties and it is the basis on which both sides are acting. "In this document it is clear that the UK has taken a certain number of completely normal legal commitments when it comes to its share of liabilities related to loans that would have been given by the EIB whilst the UK was still a member of the European Union." Mr Duncan Smith claimed that the EU "want our money and they want to stop us being a competitor". He said the withdrawal agreement "costs too much", "denies us true national independence" and "has to go". "Britain faces a 160bn EU loans bill after Brexit," he said. Meanwhile, the number of British people moving to EU countries soared after the Brexit vote in 2016, according to a UK-German study released yesterday. An analysis of official statistics by the Oxford in Berlin research partnership and the Berlin-based WZB Social Science Centre found that migration from the UK to other EU countries rose by 30pc, from about 57,000 a year in 2008-2015 to more than 73,000 a year in 2016-2018. Spain saw the largest number of UK arrivals, followed by France. WASHINGTON - President Donald Trump is set to host Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey at the White House on Wednesday, as he points to the state as a model for the nation for addressing embers of the coronavirus. The state, like much of the Sun Belt region, began experiencing a severe spike in COVID-19 cases after the Memorial Day holiday, as states aggressive reopening plans coincided with an increase in travel. A senior White House official said Trump planned to highlight the surge in government resources and personnel to the state once federal officials observed an uptick in Arizonas test positivity rate a critical early warning sign of spreading infection. The official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to preview the presidents remarks, said Trump was to highlight the states efforts to encourage face covering and discourage indoor dining and gathering at bars as examples for other states to follow when they experience what Trump has called embers of the outbreak. The nation set daily records for new cases as the Sun Belt spread intensified. The federal government also sent additional personnel to Arizona to assist medical professionals in treating cases, as well as doses of therapeutics like the anti-viral drug remdesivir. The official said Trump would credit those efforts with a reduction in new cases, hospitalizations and mortality over the last several weeks, saying the Republican-led state, was a model for other states in managing upticks while continuing their reopening plans. The new SGM1430 meter line caters to a full range of residential and small business clients, completing Aclara's suite of electricity meters for UK utilities CAMBRIDGE, England, Aug. 5, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Aclara, a leading supplier of smart infrastructure solutions (SIS) to electric, gas and water utilities worldwide, announces the first fully compliant and certified SMETS2 (Smart Metering Equipment Technical Specifications 2) polyphase electricity meter series for the UK market. The new meter series, which offers three variants, allows UK utilities to further automate the management of their meter assets at a total lower cost of ownership. The release of the SGM1430 series polyphase smart electricity meters continues Aclara's 100-year tradition of providing reliable and robust metering solutions to utility companies and their customers. The new smart meter series permits UK utilities to cater to a full range of large residential and small business client configurations, allowing them to optimize and manage their energy usage, a capability not previously available in the UK. The variants of the meter line include: The SGM1431B Intended for installation in larger residential premises with high energy usage and businesses such as small retail shops. Intended for installation in larger residential premises with high energy usage and businesses such as small retail shops. SGM1432B Developed for installation in larger residential premises and businesses such as shops with high energy usage, it includes a single auxiliary load control for applications that require automatic heating control. Developed for installation in larger residential premises and businesses such as shops with high energy usage, it includes a single auxiliary load control for applications that require automatic heating control. SGM1433B Also designed for installation in larger residential premises and businesses such as shops with high energy usage, this meter offers two auxiliary load control outputs for automatic night storage heating control and control of water heating. The addition of the polyphase SGM1430 line of electricity meters is an integral part of the UK's dual-fuel smart metering solution. The full range of Aclara electricity meters., under a common platform, allows for optimized installation, easier testing, maintenance, and firmware updates. The first ever polyphase SMETS2 smart meter, an Aclara SGM1433B, was installed recently at a large residential property in Gloucestershire, Great Britain, by SMS plc for a customer of Good Energy. Large residential and small business customers, which require polyphase meters because of the higher amount of electricity they draw, previously could not take advantage of smart meters, which automatically log energy consumption to facilitate accurate billing. Smart meters are also an essential enabler of energy efficiency and green technologies - such as electric vehicles - that encourage flexible demand and help reduce carbon emissions and costs. "Aclara today supplies most of the tier one energy retail suppliers in the United Kingdom, including SSE Business Energy , now part of OVO Energy, as well as leading meter asset providers such as SMS plc and National Grid , " said Jason Subirana, Division Vice President - Meters, Aclara. "The introduction of our new polyphase variant meter cements Aclara's leadership in providing a complete suite of SMETS2 electricity smart meter variants that meet UK Regulatory metering requirements." Aclara's smart meters have long been at the forefront of smart metering deployment programs in the UK and other parts of the world. Its dual-energy solution consists of its SGM1400TM SMETS2 electricity meters, designed specifically for large-scale SMETS2 deployments, as well as SMET2 gas meters supplied through a strategic alliance with FLONIDAN. All Aclara meters are Commercial Product Assurance (CPA) certified by the UK National Cyber Security Centre. CPA certification is a fundamental requirement for deploying SMETS2 meters in the UK's National Smart Metering Implementation Program. About Aclara Aclara, now part of the Hubbell Power Systems family of brands, is a world-class supplier of smart infrastructure solutions (SIS) and services to more than 1000 water, gas, and electric utilities globally. Aclara SIS offerings include smart meters and other field devices, advanced metering infrastructure and software and services that enable utilities to predict and respond to conditions, leverage their distribution networks effectively, and engage with their customers. Aclara won a Frost & Sullivan Global Smart Energy Networks Enabling Technology Leadership Award in 2017 and was named a finalist in three categories of the Platts Global Energy Awards in 2016. Visit us at Aclara.com, follow us on Twitter @AclaraSolutions or subscribe to our blog. About Hubbell Power Systems Hubbell Power Systems, Inc. (HPS) is a subsidiary of Hubbell Incorporated and an international manufacturer of quality transmission, distribution, substation, OEM, and telecommunications products for a broad range of non-residential and residential construction and electric, gas and water utility applications. With revenues of $1.1 billion, HPS operates manufacturing facilities in the United States and around the world. The headquarters is located in Columbia, South Carolina. Aclara Media Contacts: Nancy Talley Ann Seamonds Aclara Seamonds & Company 440-528-7287 978-764-5528 ntalley@aclara.com seamonds@seamonds.com Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1224439/Aclara_SMS_plc.jpg Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/386124/Aclara_Primary_Logo.jpg Amsterdam, 5 August 2020 Arcadis (EURONEXT: ARCAD), the leading global Design & Consultancy organization for natural and built assets, today announces that it has signed a share purchase and sale agreement with its local partner Porto de Cima Concessoes S.A. and has transferred the shares it holds in Arcadis Logos Energia S.A. (ALEN) as per today. In December 2019 Arcadis decided to stop investing in the ALEN associate and its participations in the clean energy assets in Brazil and took a provision to cover the full exposure. As a result of todays transaction 6 million of guaranteed debt by Arcadis will be repaid and part of the provisions will be released. Peter Oosterveer, CEO of Arcadis says: I am very pleased that we reached an agreement to transfer our shares in the ALEN associate to our local partner. After we stopped investing in the ALEN associate, our local partners continued with the operations and we remained in a constructive dialogue with them to come to an orderly wind down of our investment in ALEN. With the closing of the transaction today we can finally leave this legacy issue behind us. ### FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT: ARCADIS INVESTOR RELATIONS Jurgen Pullens Mobile: +31 6 5159 9483 E-mail: jurgen.pullens@arcadis.com ARCADIS CORPORATE COMMUNICATIONS Joost Slooten Mobile: +31 6 2706 1880 E-mail: joost.slooten@arcadis.com ABOUT ARCADIS Arcadis is a leading global Design & Consultancy organization for natural and built assets. Applying our deep market sector insights and collective design, consultancy, engineering, project and management services we work in partnership with our clients to deliver exceptional and sustainable outcomes throughout the lifecycle of their natural and built assets. We are 28,000 people, active in over 70 countries that generate 3.5 billion in revenues. We support UN-Habitat with knowledge and expertise to improve the quality of life in rapidly growing cities around the world. www.arcadis.com . Story continues REGULATED INFORMATION This press release contains information that qualifies or may qualify as inside information within the meaning of Article 7(1) of the EU Market Abuse Regulation. FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS Statements included in this press release that are not historical facts (including any statements concerning investment objectives, other plans and objectives of management for future operations or economic performance, or assumptions or forecasts related thereto) are forward-looking statements. These statements are only predictions and are not guarantees. Actual events or the results of our operations could differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are typically identified by the use of terms such as may, will, should, expect, could, intend, plan, anticipate, estimate, believe, continue, predict, potential or the negative of such terms and other comparable terminology. The forward-looking statements are based upon our current expectations, plans, estimates, assumptions and beliefs that involve numerous risks and uncertainties. Assumptions relating to the foregoing involve judgments with respect to, among other things, future economic, competitive and market conditions and future business decisions, all of which are difficult or impossible to predict accurately and many of which are beyond our control. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, our actual results and performance could differ materially from those set forth in the forward-looking statements. Attachment Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-05 20:36:28|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close KUWAIT CITY, Aug. 5 (Xinhua) -- Kuwait on Wednesday reported 651 new COVID-19 cases and three more deaths, raising the tally of infections to 69,425 and the death toll to 468, the Health Ministry said in a statement. Currently, 8,051 patients are receiving treatment, including 128 in ICU, the statement added. The ministry also announced the recovery of 580 more patients, raising the total recoveries in the country to 60,906. On July 28, Kuwait started the third-phase plan of restoring normal life. During the third phase, labor capacity will increase to no more than 50 percent and visits to social care homes will be allowed. 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 Two businesses in Co Down have closed after staff members tested positive for coronavirus. Kent Amusements and Bon Bon, both in Newcastle, announced the closures on social media. In a statement, Kent Amusements said: "Unfortunately, this morning Kent Amusements has been notified that some of our staff members have tested positive for Covid-19. We will therefore be closed until further notice." Kent Amusements said it had undertaken all precautions, risk assessments and procedures required to keep staff and customers safe. It added: "We continue to carry out deep cleaning of the premises and all our staff will be tested for Covid-19. "We will reopen when we are assured it is safe to do so. "We thank all our customers and staff for their much appreciated support at this unprecedented time. Expand Close Bon Bon, Newcastle. Credit: Google Maps / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Bon Bon, Newcastle. Credit: Google Maps "We also extend our best wishes to our staff who have tested positive, to other local businesses and their employees and the general public who have tested positive for Covid-19 and wish them all a speedy recovery and return to good health." Sweet shop Bon Bon said management had been informed that a member of staff had tested positive for the virus yesterday morning. "We shall be closed until further notice when we have had the proper guidance," a statement read. "We had taken precautions earlier in the week and deep cleaned and made staff and customers wear masks due to so many local cases as we were hoping to prevent this situation. "We would appreciate your understanding and support during this time." It comes after a handful of coronavirus cases were confirmed at a SuperValu store in Newcastle earlier this week. The latest Department of Health statistics show more than 6,000 people have now contracted coronavirus since testing began. Another day passed with no further deaths, while 10 tests returned positive, the department said yesterday. The death toll in Northern Ireland remains at 556. It has emerged the Stop Covid NI app, launched last week, has been downloaded 170,000 times. East Londonderry MP Gregory Campbell said: "Northern Ireland was the first region of the UK to have a functioning Covid tracing app and in less than a week it has been downloaded 170,000 times. "This is almost 20% of the entire adult population of the country in a few days. "Alongside the more traditional contact tracing which has been in operation for some time now we all hope it can help prevent spread of the virus." Meanwhile Sinn Fein MLA Catherine Kelly has urged Education Minister Peter Weir to urgently publish a plan around children returning to school later this month. She said parents are contacting her party's advice centres and schools "on a daily basis" seeking more information about the return to school. "Only weeks away from the reopening of schools there is still no clear guidance from the minister," she said. Mr Weir published guidance in June aimed at providing a "planning framework for the restart of schools in August/September". This guidance states that Primary 7, and Years 12 and 14 should return on August 24 if it is safe to do so, while other year groups should return by the normal school starting date. Face coverings are strongly encouraged in Northern Ireland's shops, but are not mandatory at present. The Northern Ireland Executive is due to review the policy on August 20, however, some have called for the region to follow England and Wales, where the wearing of face coverings is mandatory in shops. Health Minister Robin Swann wants the review date brought forward to August 13, a move Deputy First Minister Michelle O'Neill has indicated she supports. After the Northern Ireland Executive announced that swimming pools and spas could reopen from July 24, the first are due to welcome the public in Belfast today. Six pools will reopen, including the newly refurbished Andersonstown Leisure Centre in the west of the city, as well as Lisnasharragh, Olympia, Falls, Whiterock and Grove. At a signing ceremony at the Iowa Capitol, Reynolds said her order requires Iowans convicted of felonies to complete any prison time, probation or special sentence before their right to participate in elections is restored. The order excludes people convicted of felony homicide, who must apply individually to regain their right to vote, she said. Campaign posters and banners of Ondo Deputy Governor, Hon Agboola Ajayi, seeking to contest for the October 10 governorship election on the platform of the Zenith Labour Party(ZLP) have flooded the social media and streets of Akure. Secretariat of the ZLP in Akure was also adorned with Ajayi campaign posters, which confirmed talks the Deputy Governor would dump the PDP this week. Ajayi resigned from the ruling All Progressives Congress and joined the Peoples Democratic Party in June. In July, he contested the primary of the PDP and failed to secure the partys ticket, which was won by Barr. Eyitayo Jegede. Ajayi was said to have met with former Governor Olusegun Mimiko where talks were finalised on his move to ZLP. An aide to Ajayi, who pleaded anonymity, said his boss was aware of ZLP campaign posters but did not authorise them. The aide said talks have reached advanced stage for formal defection to the ZLP. Follow Us on Facebook @LadunLiadi; Instagram @LadunLiadi; Twitter @LadunLiadi; Youtube @LadunLiadiTV for updates A Jacksonville native hopes to use her new role as Kiwanis district lieutenant governor to bolster the social organizations community service role. Tracy Armstrong of Winchester is responsible for Kiwanis groups in Jacksonville, Beardstown, Winchester and Quincy. Armstrong joined Kiwanis in 2003. She served a year as president of the Winchester Kiwanis, which qualified her to be lieutenant governor. She first served as a lieutenant governor in 2011 as a representative of Quincy Kiwanis. This will be her second time as lieutenant governor. She will start her second term as lieutenant governor Oct. 1. She is a full-time chaplain at Blessing Hospital in Quincy and part-time pastor in Carrollton and White Hall. Her involvement with Kiwanis came from her passion for children, which she said is the heart of Kiwanis mission. Armstrong said what she hopes to bring to the role of lieutenant governor is a passion for changing the world one child at a time. I have a very strong passion for children and youth, she said. Being in a small community like Winchester, I wanted to be part of the organization that made a difference in the community and Kiwanis was the club that got things done. She will success Kiwanis Lt. Gov. Lee Bevil, giving guidance to the organizations in the division and supporting them in growing. One of her jobs will be the installation of new officers in all of the groups. The installation will be done online instead of in person because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Training for the oncoming lieutenant governor begins at the end of August and all lieutenant governors will be trained in Bloomington. A lot of people thrive on volunteering, maybe thats within their churches or at their local hospitals. For me, the way I give back to my communities is through Kiwanis, Armstrong said. Since 2003, when I first joined Kiwanis, Id like to say that I bleed blue Kiwanis blood because thats my service, thats my volunteering, thats how I give back to my community. Armstrong is the lieutenant governor-elect and lieutenant governor -designate Jack Ferneyhough of Beardstown is in line to be the lieutenant governor the following year. Kiwanis has done a lot of philanthropy and one example is called the Eliminate Project, which the goal is to eliminate maternal and neonatal tetanus, she said. Millions of dollars have been donated to that project. We are about children, changing the world one child at a time. Its a great way to take care of the children in our communities and just really make a difference, Armstrong said. I think when you become a member of Kiwanis you become a member of family and we all work together to change the world. New Delhi: Whenever there is a culture war, a seminal event or any debate or discussion of global importance social media serves as the best platform to its users to divulge their sides. From politicians, socialites to the common person social media has become the battleground for them to hold their guns onto each other. Twitter has become the virtual battleground for Indian polity to lose or win over. Sometimes, it is serious, funny, apologetic, dubious, shocking, disappointing informative, controversial or call it whatever!A Imagine the epic scale at which micro-blogging service Twitter is used that it has become a hot bed for hackers. Hackers of various breeds from nationalists, anti-nationalists, comic, sarcasm masters, wit master to anybody take it so seriously that by hacking the official accounts of their antagonists they feel on top of the world. The most recent case of Twitter battle happens to be Thursday night high voltage drama by West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee in which all actors acted, reacted and counter-acted on Twitter. Derek OaBrien: TMC MP first raised the question on Indian Armyas presence on toll plazas in West Bengal on Twitter What is the Army doing at toll plazas in Bengal without Centre informing State. Watch video 2/2 pic.twitter.com/3Kxb9yYa85 a Derek O'Brien (@quizderek) December 1, 2016 Is it Army's duty ? Is this interference part of a plan to start an internal war? Proof on this VIDEO #DeMonetisation #emergency #notesban pic.twitter.com/LxM1EvcZb6 a Derek O'Brien (@quizderek) December 1, 2016 It hasn't stopped at Army at 2 Bengal toll plazas. Now Army in more districts.?Can confirm Murshidabad, Bengal. Have u declared Emergency ? a Derek O'Brien (@quizderek) December 1, 2016 #BREAKING @MamataOfficial will continue to be at Bengal Secretariat, till army at toll plazas is withdrawn.Says "I will guard democracy" a Derek O'Brien (@quizderek) December 1, 2016 Absolutely incorrect. Do not spread misinformation. Please https://t.co/guiFZ8YnG1 a Derek O'Brien (@quizderek) December 1, 2016 All respect for army, but must set record straight 1)Data is already available 2. Cannot do vehicle check,not authorized to do so 1/2 a Derek O'Brien (@quizderek) December 2, 2016 Mamata Banerjee: West Bengal CM announced her decision to stay inside State Secretariat all night demanding removal of Army from toll plazas through micro-blogging site. Very unfortunate. Army stationed in front of Nabanno, the Bengal State Secretariat in a high security zone, inspite of Police objection 1/2 a Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) December 1, 2016 Until and unless the Army stationed in front of Nabanno, the Bengal state govt secretariat, is withdrawn 1/2 a Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) December 1, 2016 Absolutely wrong and misleading facts by @easterncomd We have great respect for you, but please please don't mislead the people a Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) December 1, 2016 More army deployment in diff Bengal districts Jalpaiguri,Alipurduar, Darjeeling,Barrackpur, N24Pgs, Howrah,Hooghly,Kol,Murshidabad Burdwan a Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) December 1, 2016 Indian Army: Even the Eastern Command of Army chose to reply on the matter of serious national security concern on social media Army conducting routine exercise with full knowledge & coord with WB Police. Speculation of army taking over toll plaza incorrect @adgpi a EasternCommand_IA (@easterncomd) December 1, 2016 Routine exercise in all NE states. In Assam @ 18 places, Arunanchal@13, WB@19, Manipur@6, Nagaland@5, Meghalaya@5, Tripura & Mizoram@1@adgpi a EasternCommand_IA (@easterncomd) December 1, 2016 Kolkata Police chose to participate in the debate using the same channel In almost all areas of West Bengal army has been deployed without consent of the State Govt a West Bengal Police (@wbpolice) December 1, 2016 Congress and Rahul Gandhi official Twiiter accounts got hacked Recently Rahul Gandhias official Twitter account got hacked and the hacker indubitably posted objectionable content that was laughed upon. Congress cried conspiracy while people found it funny to ever happen. The very next day Congress official account was also hacked in a similar way. Within hours, Congress Partyas Twitter account too got hacked and it also reflected two things- first- this shows how Twitter has become an indispensable, inseparable part of our lives? And second- How important it is to validate your thoughts, opinions that a hacking event can either make you big or put you down. Not only this, Twitteratis are too fast that any information is consumed at high speed and propagated at even faster speed. RBI announcements and demonetisation Whenever there are any RBI announcements, government decisions Twitter is ever ready with its witty quotes, funny pictorial graphs, edited pictures, photoshopped frames to mock the talk.A More than the News, here sarcasm and wit do the talking. Call it boon or bane but this is the power of social media. You can get trolled here, blame it on technology or the fast-paced consumption. Nobody is spared here- be it the new notes or post demonetisation feeds. You see the prism of reality filtered through the jokes based on real time situations. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Several peaceful protesters under the umbrella of #RevolutionNow were molested and arrested Wednesday by security agents from the State Security Service (SSS), the Nigerian Army, and the Nigeria Police. The protesters were demanding good governance, proper infrastructural development, end to extrajudicial killings, the sack of service chiefs over the poor security situation in the country, and low employment opportunities, among other agitations. The protests were in states such as Lagos, Ogun, Osun, Ondo, Niger, and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to mark the first anniversary of the #RevolutionNow Movement. Activists said over 100 protesters have been arrested. According to Deji Adeyanju, a right activist, about 60 protesters were arrested in Abuja around the Unity Fountain and whisked away in police trucks. Mr Adeyanju, who also took part in the protest, shared on Twitter pictures of protesters who were ordered to lie face down by armed security agents. Security agents harassing peaceful protesters but they run or cry when they see Boko Haram or bandits, he said. We are currently witnessing a joint madness by the military, police and other security agencies as over 60 of our comrades have been arrested over peaceful #RevolutionNow protest. The Abacha days are here once again.. In Lagos, at least, 10 persons, including Agba Jalingo, a journalist, were arrested by the police, witnesses said. The protesters were arrested at Ikeja Along during their second convergence for the protest on Wednesday. Mr Jalingo and the others arrested were sensitising traders and passersby on the need to rise and fight bad governance in Nigeria. Follow Us on Facebook @LadunLiadi; Instagram @LadunLiadi; Twitter @LadunLiadi; Youtube @LadunLiadiTV for updates Senior Congress leader and Lok Sabha MP Manish Tewari on Wednesday opined that Pakistan's new political map is China's geostrategic statement. To buttress his point, he highlighted Nepal's recent move to incorporate Indian territories in its map. According to him, this was China's attempt to isolate India in the neighbourhood. Moreover, Tewari predicted that some other countries also might try to take such "absurd" steps at the behest of China. Read: US Planning To Ramp Up Arms Sales To India Amid Rising Tensions With China: Report Pakistan's incredulous claim On Tuesday, Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan unveiled his country's new political map ahead of the first anniversary of Jammu and Kashmir's special status revocation. In a marked departure from its claim that Jammu and Kashmir is "disputed territory", this entire Union Territory along with the Union Territory of Ladakh has been incorporated in the map. Moreover, Pakistan has claimed sovereignty over Siachen by extending the Line of Control to the Karakoram Pass. The neighbouring country also specified that its international border lies along the eastern bank of Sir Creek, which was previously shown as the western bank. However, the part of the Kashmir and Ladakh border with China was not marked and described as 'Frontier Undecided'. In another incredulous development, Pakistan incorporated parts of Gujarat such as Junagadh and Manavdar in its political map. Reacting to Pakistan's misadventure, the Ministry of External Affairs termed it as an exercise in "political absurdity". It stated that Pakistan's ridiculous assertions had no legal validity. According to the MEA, this was proof of Pakistan's obsession with territorial aggrandizement. Read: Gujarat CM Condemns Pakistan's 'absurd' Act Of Including Indian Territories In Its New Map Nepal Parliament clears Constitutional Amendment Bill The Nepal government introduced a Constitutional Amendment Bill to incorporate the Indian territories of Kalapani, Lipulekh, and Limpiyadhura in its map. It was passed by the House of Representatives and the Upper House on June 13 and June 18 respectively and subsequently ratified by the Nepal President. Opposing the new map, MEA official spokesperson Anurag Srivastava stressed that the "artificial enlargement of claims" is not based on any evidence. The MEA spokesperson added that it was violative of the current understanding between the two countries of holding talks on outstanding boundary issues. After Chinese Ambassador to Nepal Hou Yanqi met a number of key stakeholders such as Nepal PM KP Sharma Oli and Nepal President Bidhya Devi Bhandari, speculations are afoot about China's influence on Nepal's map change. This assumes significance at a juncture when India and China are involved in a prolonged faceoff at the Line of Actual Control. Read: 'Political Absurdity': India Lambasts Pakistan Over New Map Claiming J&K, Junagadh (Removes repeated words in paragraph 2) TOKYO, Aug 4 (Reuters) - Japan Post Holdings Co Ltd has decided to sell its Australian logistics arm Toll Holdings Ltd, a media report said on Tuesday. In 2015, Japan Post acquired Australia's transport logistics firm Toll for A$6.5 billion ($4.64 billion), making an ambitious bet to diversify overseas. But two years after the deal, it had to write down the bulk of Toll's value due to its weak performance. Japanese business magazine Diamond reported that Japan Post had started sounding out brokerage firms this week to find advisors for the sale of the troubled Australian firm, citing multiple unidentified sources. Japan Post plans to pick two brokerages, one Japanese and one from overseas, by August, the magazine added. A spokesman for Japan Post Holdings declined to comment on the media report. ($1 = 1.4015 Australian dollars) (Reporting by Junko Fujita and Ju-min Park; Editing by Louise Heavens) PM Modi also mentioned China in his speech as a country where references to Lord Rama have been found New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday reached out to South-east Asian countries like Indonesia and also parts of Indias immediate neighbourhood like Nepal and Sri Lanka, where the cultural influence of the ancient epic Ramayana is still felt, adding significantly that when a nation is strong, it is able to ensure peace. At a time of Sino-Indian military tensions, PM Modi also mentioned China in his speech as a country where references to Lord Rama have been found. He also pitched for a continued strong cultural outreach by India to the world. In his address at the temple town of Ayodhya, on the occasion of the foundation stone-laying ceremony for construction of a grand temple dedicated to Lord Rama, PM Modi mentioned five south-east Asian nations Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Laos and Cambodia where the cultural influence of the Ramayana and Lord Rama are still felt. In Indias immediate neighbourhood, he mentioned Nepal and Sri Lanka in this regard. PM Modi also said references to Lord Rama were found even in China (in Indias immediate neighbourhood) as well as Iran (in Indias extended neighbourhood). India has been ramping up ties with ASEAN comprising the 10 South-east Asian nations, a move seen as extremely important for India in the Indo-Pacific maritime region. India also continues to nurture close strategic and cultural ties with Indonesia which has the worlds largest Muslim population. Not surprisingly, therefore, Indonesia was also the first foreign nation to be mentioned by PM Modi in his speech on Wednesday at Ayodhya. In addition, the fond reference to Nepal in PM Modis speech in the cultural context of the Ramayana is also being seen as significant, given the recent turbulence in Indo-Nepal bilateral ties. It may be recalled that Nepalese Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli, widely seen as pro-China and anti-India, had recently 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 had then immediately swung into damage-control mode, saying 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 had said its Prime Minister Oli also did not mean to debase the significance of Ayodhya or its cultural value. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (Agence France-Presse) Dublin, Ireland Wed, August 5, 2020 12:30 531 6657ac82168da9fa101c8a4066bb41d9 2 World Ireland,reopening,reopening-plan,coronavirus,coronavirus-restrictions,COVID-19,COVID-19-infection,pandemic,SARS-CoV-2,virus-corona Free Ireland on Tuesday further put back the end of its coronavirus lockdown with prime minister Micheal Martin announcing that "pubs, bars, hotel bars, night clubs and casinos will remain closed". He acknowledged the delay would come as a "bitter disappointment" to many, but that a rise in cases at home and abroad meant the focus was still on "keeping the pressure on the virus". "I know this will come as a blow to publicans," Martin added. He also announced that the current limits on crowds of 200 for outdoors and 50 for indoors would remain in place, while face coverings will be mandatory in shops from August 10. Under an accelerated version of the government's original plan to leave lockdown, Ireland had been set to enter the fourth and final stage of restrictions relaxing three weeks ago, but delayed due to a rise in cases. Even though the numbers remain relatively low, they are still on the rise and scientists advised the government to extend the delay for at least another three weeks. As Ireland raised the tempo of its plan to end lockdown in June, those of its 7,000 pubs serving food were allowed to open on June 29. It is the remaining drinking-only establishments which are still shut. "I wish I was in the position to share better news today, but I am not...evidence of increased transmission is even clearer," said Martin. There have been several days where no deaths have been registered but since the country began reopening, the number of infections has risen. Public health officials have expressed particularly concern about new cases among younger people. Dressed in a white dhoti and gamcha, octogenarian Jagannath Das was effusive in his praise for Prime Minister Narendra Modi for actualising the centuries-old Ram temple dream and reassuring people about his leadership qualities. The people of Ayodhya have been celebrating Diwali over the past few days in the run up to the groundbreaking ceremony of the temple, Das, an ascetic, said on Wednesday, while taking a stroll on the banks of Saryu river, which is flowing above the danger mark owing to monsoon. 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. 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Digital Editor Member of Parliament (MP) for North Tongu constituency, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa has come out strongly to deny certain portions of the book titled: "Working with Rawlings" authored by NDC stalwart, Professor Kwamena Ahwoi. According to him, the claims by several media reportage that some of his colleagues and him were recruited and groomed to attack the founder of the NDC during the Atta Mills administration are false, malicious, offensive, and most unfair. "It is worth pointing out that the media renditions are not contained in the aforementioned book," he added. "Respectfully, I am an avowed devotee of the politics of principle and conviction. I have a mind of my own and I am not one to be "recruited" to say or do what I do not believe in or consider dishonourable". In a statement, he stated that he has no time been drafted to "talk back" at the Founder of the NDC, former President Jerry John Rawlings neither has he needed prodding to defend the unblemished record and exemplary virtues of the iconic Asomdweehene - Prof. John Evans Atta Mills, particularly, having been spurred on at all times by unwavering personal conviction added to the fact that he had a responsibility to serve as Deputy Minister for Information at the time and for which he had amongst others, the core duty to defend and protect the image of the government. "I am in politics for the pursuit of nobler and higher objectives; that in our collective struggles we can build for ourselves a fair, just, and egalitarian society. We cannot waste precious time on anything to the contrary," the statement added. Read Statement Below Hon. Sam Okudzeto Ablakwa writes: FOR THE RECORD It has become necessary to react to vilifications targeted at my person and other young members of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) as a consequence of portions and misleading interpretations by sections of the media and the public of the book titled: Working with Rawlings as authored by NDC stalwart, Professor Kwamena Ahwoi. The claim by several media reportage that some of my colleagues and I were recruited and groomed to attack the founder of the NDC during the Atta Mills administration are false, malicious, offensive, and most unfair. It is worth pointing out that the media renditions are not contained in the aforementioned book. Respectfully, I am an avowed devotee of the politics of principle and conviction. I have a mind of my own and I am not one to be "recruited" to say or do what I do not believe in or consider dishonourable. For the record, I have at no time been drafted to "talk back" at the Founder of the NDC, former President Jerry John Rawlings neither have I needed prodding to defend the unblemished record and exemplary virtues of the iconic Asomdweehene - Prof. John Evans Atta Mills, particularly, having been spurred on at all times by unwavering personal conviction added to the fact that I had a responsibility to serve as Deputy Minister for Information at the time and for which I had amongst others, the core duty to defend and protect the image of the government. In more than a decade of public life, the reverence and respect I have for our elders and forebears within and without the NDC cannot be questioned. I have always been greatly indebted to our venerable elders for their generous wise counsel and mentorship in shaping my career. Everything within me abhors the politics of insults and denigrating our elders knowing that affronts our much-cherished traditions. Indeed, the distinguished author himself acknowledges at page 211 that in speaking for Prof. Mills, we did not resort to insults but logic. I am in politics for the pursuit of nobler and higher objectives; that in our collective struggles we can build for ourselves a fair, just and egalitarian society. We cannot waste precious time on anything to the contrary. It is instructive to note that the malicious interpretation of page 211 cannot be reconciled with page 179 where the author concedes that long before Prof. Mills won the 2008 election and therefore much earlier than the erroneous claim of a 2010 recruitment - a pro-Mills group of talented youthful intellectuals and activists emerged. They were dedicated to upholding the attributes and promoting the values of Professor Mills and defending him against vicious and unprovoked attacks." Let the younger ones coming after us not be misled by the rather unfounded aspersions and innuendos in media circles and elsewhere to assume that theres any glory in lending themselves to conspiracies targeted at disrespecting or disparaging the elders of this Republic. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa [MP, North Tongu] Source: Isaac Kwame Owusu/Peacefmonline.com/[email protected] Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Tom Lyne, John Hume's "man in Europe", was walking the corridors in Strasbourg as the hectoring tones of Ian Paisley boomed out of the PA system. For the London-Irish Labour man it was a predictable Paisley diatribe unleashed to the European Parliament. Read More "The word 'No' occurred from time to time," Lyne sardonically recalled that evening for this writer. But Lyne's other anecdote was more telling. "I got back to John's office to find a neatly penned note from 'the boy Nigel'. It read: 'Tom, that meeting with Commissioner Millan has been put back to 4.30 tomorrow.' See, things ain't what they seem," Hume's assistant explained. It was the spring of 1994. The "boy Nigel" was the courteous Nigel Dodds, later a major figure in Paisley's Democratic Unionist Party, recently elevated to the House of Lords. "Commissioner Millan" was EU regional commissioner, Bruce Millan, a low-key Scottish Labour politician, who delivered billions to Ireland north and south in grant aid through the 1990s. Both Hume and Paisley landed in the European Parliament after the first direct elections to that assembly in 1979. Unlike Paisley, Hume was an enthusiastic Europhile, inspired by being in Strasbourg, the scene of centuries of bitter Franco-German conflict. The way France and Germany transformed this conflict in the "European project" - with an emphasis of people's unity via prosperity - utterly inspired Hume. The role of the USA in forging the 1998 Good Friday Agreement has rightly been highlighted for its funding and political oomph. But the role of Europe was hugely influential, offering personal income, space for reflection, and inspiration to frame potential solutions for the North's violent conflict. John Hume had first begun working in June 1977 as a political assistant to Irish EU Commissioner Dick Burke. He continued to live in Derry but travelled often to Brussels, Luxembourg and Strasbourg. Alan Dukes, a future Fine Gael leader and the adviser to Commissioner Burke, recalls the deal was that Hume would research and write for Commissioner Burke from time to time. "But it was also an effort to offer some support. Most Northern politicians were without any income at all at that awful time," Dukes recalled last year. Around that time, Hume summed up how Europe could impact the North. "It's an accident of birth where you are born and what you are born. The answer to difference is to respect difference," he wrote. John Hume's association with Brussels, Luxembourg and Strasbourg continued when he was elected MEP from 1979, and lasted over a quarter of a century until his retirement in 2004. He was a proud and popular figure in the extended Irish community in those cities. Ian Paisley, also elected an MEP in 1979, was a Eurosceptic who felt the EU was "a Catholic plot". But little by little he tempered his scepticism, first to meet the demands of the North's farmers, and later for the potential to put his name locally on grants from other EU funds. The presence of his Ulster Unionist Party MEP and rival, Jim Nicholson, who used all the Brussels' possibilities to great effect, was a big goad to Paisley in this. The generosity of successive Irish commissioners, Ray MacSharry and Padraig Flynn especially, various Irish officials in Brussels, and John Hume also helped pave Paisley's reluctant Euro way. Away from the poisoned Northern Ireland politics, Hume and Paisley had a chance to relate differently. Hume was careful never to overstate or embarrass his colleague and rival about any of this. "We get on well enough, you know. Ian is very practical when it comes to nuts and bolts," Hume told me when asked how they related in Europe. In their later years both were sparing in their forays into the actual parliament chamber. This writer remembers watching Hume on the television monitor, in the good company of some other Irish MEPs, as he tried in vain to master a new smart-card voting system. The point was that the vote card system had been installed some months previously but Hume was unaware of it until then. The more important point was that Hume worked the corridors and extracted favours as he hoovered up information. By contrast with Paisley, John Hume liked all of his time in Europe. For many years, when the European Parliament met in plenary session in Strasbourg, he would hold court each Tuesday at a reserved table in La Maison des Tanneurs, a superb Alsacien restaurant in the heart of the historic 'Petite France' district. For several years the attendance included politicians, students and journalists, including this writer. It has left warm memories of engaging conversation, great food and drink, and good fun. He especially loved Alsace, over which the French and Germans had fought interminably. On occasion he would organise an "escape" to visit some of his favourite vineyards for some "wine-tasting." Hume liked to joke frequently that he could "unite Ireland" if only he could get Paisley to share a jug of good French country wine with him. But Paisley's occasional forays to the many European Parliament bars were to find a giant pot of tea and a quiet corner where he could read his well-thumbed travelling Bible. Over the last few decades, there has been a tremendous shift in the military spouse community in regard to spouses' clubs. Originally clubs for officers' wives or enlisted wives, these clubs were separate, rank-based and often snobby. Yes, they frequently did good work for their community, but they originated as an excuse to get together. In the past 20 years, many have consolidated into a community spouses' club, including spouses of service members of all ranks and even some civilians. There are still clubs separated by service member ranks, but the animosity has disappeared. We've even seen the "wives" part dropped off of almost all the clubs' names, acknowledging the greater diversity in the military today. But after months of canceled events last spring and anticipating the same for at least the rest of the year, what are spouses' clubs going to do? Can they transition fast enough, or will 2020 be the death of them? The Dover Spouses' Club canceled its annual craft show this year, its sole fundraiser. Its website states that this craft show began in 1984 and lists a November 2021 date for the next show. The club at Fort Riley, Kansas, is scaling down events but still moving forward with them. Its fall auction fundraiser will feature smaller, timed groups and auctions finishing up online. The club is considering luncheons with pre-packed meals and an attendance limit, and plans another sign-up in January, said member Alejandra Fernandez-Rubio. The DC JAG Club made an adjustment last spring that it is pushing forward with. Bana Miller, president of the club, said that it helps that they're a small branch club so they can be nimbler and more responsive. The club has worked hard over the last few years to modernize, even changing names from the Army Judge Advocate's Women's and Spouses' Club to the DC JAG Club. "We hosted virtual events in the spring and will continue that throughout the fall. We scaled back scholarships and cut other fundraisers in 2019, focusing efforts on supporting deployed soldiers and their families," Miller said. She explained that 2020 marked the first year in decades that the club did not award scholarships as its focus shifted to charitable acts bringing people together. [We are] hoping it means longevity and greater relevancy for the club, she said. Similarly, the Marine Officers' Spouses' Club of Washington, D.C. (MOSCDC) announced an optional reduction in membership fees because of this year's unpredictability. Since they aren't sure whether they can offer some of their popular events, they thought this was a good option, said member Christina, who opted not to give her last name. Its website states, "In consideration of the impact that COVID-19 may have on our members and their families this year, MOSCDC is offering new and existing annual members the option to pay $15 (instead of $30) for full-year membership." But finances will be a difficult hurdle to overcome. Spouses' clubs don't fundraise for operating costs (memberships cover that), they fundraise for scholarships and grants. And this is where some are feeling the COVID-related slowdown the most. Some clubs rely on thrift stores, which were closed for a few months or are still closed, to fund their scholarship programs such as the Fort Gordon, Georgia thrift store. An update on the Fort Gordon Spouses' and Civilians' Club website says its continuing education scholarship program has been placed on hold. Overall, spouses' clubs have weathered a lot of changes over the years. There's reason to believe that, with a little creativity and flexibility, they will be able to reinvent and adapt this year and beyond. Keep Up with the Ins and Outs of Military Life For the latest military news and tips on military family benefits and more, subscribe to Military.com and have the information you need delivered directly to your inbox. --Rebecca Alwine can be reached at rebecca.alwine@monster.com. Follow her on Twitter @rebecca_alwine. The seized gold is stated to be worth nearly Rs 15 crore. New Delhi/Thiruvananthapuram: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Wednesday obtained the custody of three people, including main accused Swapna Suresh, in connection with the Kerala gold smuggling-money laundering case, officials said. The agency got their custody from a special NIA court in Thiruvananthapuram, they said. The ED has got the custody of Sarith PS, Swapna Suresh and Sandeep Nair who were arrested by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) earlier in this case, they said. The three will be questioned and their statements recorded under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), the officials said. The central probe agency had filed a PMLA case last month to probe the alleged gold smuggling using a 'diplomatic bag' after studying an NIA FIR. The central agency will investigate if proceeds of crime were generated by the accused by laundering of funds that were earned through the alleged gold smuggling racket. The case emerged on July 5 when gold, weighing over 30 kg, was seized by the Customs Department from the "diplomatic baggage" that had landed by air cargo at the Thiruvananthapuram international airport from the Gulf. The seized gold is stated to be worth nearly Rs 15 crore. The ED is the fourth central agency that is probing the accused involved in the case after the Customs, NIA and the Income Tax Department. The NIA had arrested the prime accused in the case, Swapna Suresh and her associate Sandeep Nair, from Bengaluru on July 11. Sarith P S, also a former employee of the UAE consulate in Kerala, was arrested by the Customs Department after the gold was seized. Samsungs Galaxy Tab S7 series is now official but Samsung, for now, hasnt given a whole lot of detail about where or when it will be available to buy. The news will undoubtedly become available shortly after Samsungs Galaxy Unpacked 2020 event ends. But the pricing of the devices is much more certain. As are details about exactly what customers are getting for their money from Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 and Tab S7+. The latest in Samsungs premium line of tablets, the Galaxy Tab S7 is available in two primary form-factors. And there are at least a couple of variants on the smaller of those available too. Samsung indicates the 11-inch Galaxy Tab S7 will start at $649. Thats likely for the Wi-Fi-only variant. the company lists separate weights for the Galaxy Tab S7 with Wi-Fi, LTE, and 5G support. Samsung also indicates that the 12.4-inch, 5G-only Galaxy Tab S7+ will only be available to buy in a 5G-supporting configuration. Thatll start at a much more premium $849. There will likely be carrier deals as well to bring the cost down. But that remains to be seen as of this writing. Advertisement So where are these gadgets set to be available? Another detail thats been kept under wraps at this point is exactly where the Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 or Tab S7+ will be made available to buy, to begin with. The company hasnt provided details about which carriers might be selling the 4G and 5G variants in-store. If at all. And even regions havent been revealed just yet. Thats with one exception; the United States. It can be surmised that Samsung will likely deliver most sales through its own dedicated online storefront. That was the chief sales point for these gadgets predecessors too. And it will likely cost a bit more to buy the carrier-supported variants. At least for the smaller Galaxy Tab S7. And it will likely appear in effectively every region that other devices, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 was sold. For the time being, Samsung has only said this gadget will go on sale in the US, this fall. Advertisement What colors are available to buy for the new Galaxy Tab S7? Now, when this device does go on sale, Samsung is launching three different color configurations. And those will align with the newly launched Samsung Galaxy Note 20 series. With one exception. Samsung isnt selling its tablet in Mystic White. It is selling its third variation in Mystic Silver. The other two available colors, for both gadgets from launch, are Mystic Black and Mystic Bronze. SAN FRANCISCO As the Chinese-owned video app TikTok works to head off the threat of a ban in the United States, Facebook has sensed opportunity. On Wednesday, Instagram, the photo-sharing app owned by Facebook, released Reels. Just like TikTok, people can use Reels to create 15-second videos that are designed to be easily shareable. And just like TikTok, Reels allows users to sync up their video recordings with clips of music or audio files that they record themselves, while adding other effects, like augmented reality filters. The timing of the release couldnt be more on the nose. TikTok has been struggling through a geopolitical morass with President Trump. The White House, which has said TikTok is a national security threat because of its ownership by the Chinese internet company ByteDance, has said the app must sell its U.S. business within 45 days or face a ban. Reels will be available widely starting Wednesday in more than 50 countries, including the United States, Britain and Japan. It will also be featured in India, one of Facebooks key growth areas. In June, TikTok was banned in India as part of a crackdown on many Chinese apps. Reno Omokri, a former aide of ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, has cautioned Rotimi Amaechi, minister of transportation, against dragging... Reno Omokri, a former aide of ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, has cautioned Rotimi Amaechi, minister of transportation, against dragging the former president into the controversy on the loans obtained by the federal government from China. A house of representatives panel had recently raised the alarm over clauses conceding Nigerias sovereignty to China in a loan agreement. The clause, described as lethal by the panel, is in article 8(1) of the commercial loan agreement between Nigeria and Export-Import Bank of China. The section of the agreement has triggered controversy and strengthened claims about Nigerias reliance on Chinese loans. While reacting to a call for his resignation by a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Amaechi had said some earlier loans from China were signed during Jonathans era. By the way, he said he is PDP; that loan was taken under President Goodluck Jonathans government. The loan hes talking about the Kaduna-Abuja railway was signed by the President Goodluck Jonathan government, the minister said. Dont forget that we told the whole world when commissioning that project, that 80 percent of that project was executed by President Goodluck Jonathans government. The loan was taken by President Goodluck Jonathans government, and for that reason we had to name the train station and infrastructure in Agbor after President Goodluck Jonathans government for that laudable achievement. Reacting to the ministers remark in a statement on Wednesday, Omokri said although Jonathan took loans from China, the former president did not sign away the countrys sovereignty. Omokri said the loan agreement which included the controversial clause was signed between the federal ministry of finance and the Export-Import Bank of China in 2018. Rotimi Amaechi is as usual, being deceptive. It is his stock in trade. For the avoidance of doubt, it is true that the Jonathan administration also took loans from China. However, it is false that that government signed away Nigerias sovereignty to China while taking those loans, the statement read. The loans which were suspected to have surrendered Nigerias sovereignty away were taken by the Buhari administration. The specific loan in question, which is suspected of signing away Nigerias sovereignty to China was signed on September 5, 2018, between the Nigerian Federal Ministry of Finance and the Export-Import Bank of China. It may be recalled that Nigerias total foreign debt on May 29, 2015, when then President Goodluck Jonathan handed over power to incumbent President Muhammadu Buhari, was 12 trillion, of which a total of $7.02 billion out of the 12 trillion was foreign debt. As at June 2020, Nigerias total debt was 28.63 trillion, of which a total of $22 billion out of the 28.63 trillion is foreign debt. Rotimi Amaechi is therefore counselled to defend himself and his government, without dragging past administrations into the matter. Meanwhile, Amaechi had clarified that the immunity referred to in the loan agreement does not relate to the countrys sovereignty as a nation but to Nigerias immunity from arbitration. He said the clause is only a diplomatic agreement between both parties to ensure payment is made accordingly. New Delhi on Wednesday tersely asked Beijing to keep out of the internal affairs of other countries after China contended that Indias unilateral changes to the status of the former state of Jammu and Kashmir were illegal and invalid. As the Pakistan government observed Yaum-e-Istehsal or a day of exploitation to protest Indias decision last year to scrap Jammu and Kashmirs special status and split it into two union territories, Beijing had also called on New Delhi and Islamabad to resolve the dispute over Kashmir through dialogue and consultations. Indias decision on August 5 last year had triggered a strong response from China, mainly because it believed the move would affect its territorial claims in Ladakh region. Also read | Indias move in J&K illegal: China on one year of Article 370 abrogation Responding to a query from Pakistans state-run APP news agency about the impact of Indias move a year later, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin told a regular news briefing that Beijing is closely following the situation in Kashmir. He said: Any unilateral change to the status quo is illegal and invalid. This issue should be properly resolved peacefully through dialogue and consultations between the parties concerned. Chinas position on the Kashmir issue, Wang said, is clear and consistent. He added: This issue is a dispute leftover from history between Pakistan and India. That is an objective fact as laid out by the UN Charter, UN Security Council resolutions and the bilateral agreements between Pakistan and India. External affairs ministry spokesperson Anurag Srivastava responded to Wangs remarks through a brief statement: We have noted the comments of the Chinese MFA spokesperson on the Indian union territory of Jammu and Kashmir. The Chinese side has no locus standi whatsoever on this matter and is advised not to comment on the internal affairs of other nations. Also read | PLA drags its feet over disengagement. Stalemate at Ladakh continues Wednesdays developments also came against the backdrop of the months-long India-China border standoff in Ladakh, which has taken bilateral relations to a new low. India has accused China of failing to deliver on commitments to withdraw its troops from friction points along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) and asked it to sincerely implement measures for disengagement and de-escalation. Wang described Pakistan and India as neighbours who cannot be moved away. He said China hopes the two sides can properly handle differences through dialogue, improve relations and jointly safeguard peace, security and development of both countries and the wider region. Coexistence serves the fundamental interests of both and the common aspiration of the international community, Wang added. Pakistan on Tuesday released a new political map in which it claimed all of Jammu & Kashmir, Ladakh and parts of Gujarat a move that India described as an exercise in political absurdity. In August last year, China had described the move to scrap Jammu and Kashmirs special status as unacceptable, and urged India to respect Chinese territorial sovereignty and uphold peace and tranquillity in the border areas. China had referred to the disputed territory of Aksai Chin, which China controls but India claims as part of the new union territory of Ladakh. India had then rejected Chinas criticism, saying the proposal to form new union territories was an internal matter that had no implications for the countrys external borders. New Delhi also pointed out that India and China had agreed to maintain peace along their disputed border until a mutually acceptable solution is found. External affairs minister S Jaishankar, during a visit to Beijing last August, explained Indias position, saying the change in administrative status of the region wouldnt impact the LAC. * Blast rocks Lebanese port area: https://graphics.reuters.com/LEBANON-SECURITY/BLAST/xklvydjjqpg/chart.png By Samia Nakhoul and Ellen Francis BEIRUT, Aug 5 (Reuters) - Lebanese rescue workers dug through the rubble looking for survivors of a powerful warehouse explosion that shook the capital Beirut, killing 78 people and injuring nearly 4,000 in a toll that officials expected to rise. Tuesday's blast at port warehouses storing highly explosive material was the most powerful in years in Beirut, already reeling from an economic crisis and a surge in coronavirus infections. President Michel Aoun said that 2,750 tonnes of ammonium nitrate, used in fertilisers and bombs, had been stored for six years at the port without safety measures, and he said that was "unacceptable". He called for an emergency cabinet meeting on Wednesday. Officials did not say what caused the blaze that set off the blast. A security source and local media said it was started by welding work being carried out on a hole in the warehouse. "What we are witnessing is a huge catastrophe," the head of Lebanon's Red Cross George Kettani told broadcaster Mayadeen. "There are victims and casualties everywhere." Hours after the blast, which struck shortly after 6 p.m. (1500 GMT), a fire still blazed in the port district, casting an orange glow across the night sky as helicopters hovered and ambulance sirens sounded across the capital. The blast revived memories of a 1975-90 civil war and its aftermath, when Lebanese endured heavy shelling, car bombings and Israeli air raids. Some residents thought an earthquake had struck. Dazed, weeping and injured people walked through streets searching for relatives. The blast blew me off metres away. I was in a daze and was all covered in blood. It brought back the vision of another explosion I witnessed against the U.S. embassy in 1983," said Huda Baroudi, a Beirut designer. Prime Minister Hassan Diab promised there would be accountability for the deadly blast at the "dangerous warehouse", adding "those responsible will pay the price." The U.S. embassy in Beirut warned residents about reports of toxic gases released by the blast, urging people to stay indoors and wear masks if available. Story continues MANY MISSING "There are many people missing. People are asking the emergency department about their loved ones and it is difficult to search at night because there is no electricity," Health Minister Hamad Hasan told Reuters. Hasan said 78 people were killed and nearly 4,000 injured. Footage of the explosion shared by residents on social media showed a column of smoke rising from the port, followed by an enormous blast, sending a white cloud and a fireball into the sky. Those filming the incident from high buildings 2 km (one mile) from the port were thrown backwards by the shock. Bleeding people were seen running and shouting for help in clouds of smoke and dust in streets littered with damaged buildings, flying debris, and wrecked cars and furniture. The explosion occurred three days before a U.N.-backed court is due to deliver a verdict in the trial of four suspects from the Shi'ite Muslim group Hezbollah over a 2005 bombing which killed former Prime Minister Rafik al-Hariri and 21 others. Hariri was killed by a huge truck bomb on the same waterfront, about 2 km (about one mile) from the port. Israeli officials said Israel, which has fought several wars with Lebanon, had nothing to do with Tuesday's blast and said their country was ready to give humanitarian and medical assistance. Shi'ite Iran, the main backer of Hezbollah, also offered support, as did Tehran's regional rival Saudi Arabia, a leading Sunni power. At a White House briefing, U.S. President Donald Trump indicated that the explosion was a possible attack, but two U.S. officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, said initial information contradicted Trump's view. (Reporting by Samia Nakhoul and Ellen Francis; Additional reporting by Yara Abi Nader in Beirut, and by Dubai and Cairo bureaus; Writing by Dominic Evans and Ghaida Ghantous; Editing by Edmund Blair, Howard Goller and Sonya Hepinstall) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Marie Giffard (Agence France-Presse) Madrid, Spain Wed, August 5, 2020 10:30 531 6657ac82168da9fa101c8a4066baadc5 2 World Spain,Juan-Carlos,corruption,exile Free Spaniards were divided Tuesday as to whether former king Juan Carlos, who is under investigation for corruption, is trying to escape responsibility for his actions by moving abroad. Some analysts said the 82-year-old, who has not been charged, did not have much choice even if his departure was poorly received by the public. According to an online poll carried out by conservative and pro-monarchy daily newspaper ABC, fully 68 percent of Spaniards think Juan Carlos made the wrong decision. "He should have stayed, it's a bit shameful that he left," said Aranzazu Catalina, a 43-year-old sales assistant at a high-end clothing shop in Madrid, a day after the ex-king made his surprise announcement that he would quit Spain. Juan Carlos announced the move Monday in a letter addressed to King Felipe VI, his son and Spain's current monarch, which was released by the royal palace. He said the move would help his son "exercise his responsibilities" in the face of "the public consequences of certain past events in my private life". 'Kicked out' The former head of state has been under a cloud since news reports from several sources that he had allegedly received funds from Saudi Arabia. Investigations are now under way in both Switzerland and Spain. In June, Spain's Supreme Court announced an investigation to determine the legal responsibility of the ex-monarch -- but only for acts committed after his abdication in 2014, because of the immunity he holds. The suspicions center on $100 million (85 million euros) allegedly paid secretly into a Swiss bank account in 2008. Several analysts said the former king had not fled, as anti-monarchists argue, but was in exile. "It's an involuntary departure," said Paloma Roman, politics professor at Madrids Complutense University. Juan Carlos had been pressured to leave by "the government and his own son", she said. "Felipe has always tried to soften the blows" against the monarchy as it has been rocked by a series of scandals, she added. Earlier this year the king withdrew his father's an annual royal allowance of nearly 200,000 euros and renounced his inheritance. "This is not a king who is fleeing, this is a king that is being kicked out," said Abel Hernandez, a journalist who was written several books about Juan Carlos. Juan Carlos is "leaving to prevent his problems from contaminating the institution", he added. 'Questionable conduct' Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez suggested that King Felipe VI had decided that his father should go into exile. Asked at a press conference Tuesday about Juan Carlos's move abroad, Sanchez said he "completely respected the decision of the royal palace to distance itself from the questionable and reprehensible conduct" of a member of the royal family. The former monarch did not mention in his letter where he would go, but Spanish media said he was in the Dominican Republic staying with friends for now. His wife Sofia is still in Spain, a source close to the royal palace told AFP. The couple have reportedly long been estranged. The ex-king's lawyer, Javier Sanchez-Junco, said his client would remain available to prosecutors. Felipe VI's biographer, Jose Apezarena, said the move abroad would "not change anything" for Juan Carlos but would make a difference to his son. Juan Carlos will be "gone for a while but he will not stay forever abroad" and will return to Spain if summoned for questioning, he added. "He is doing it for his son, not for himself," Apezarena said. Juan Carlos ascended the throne in 1975 on the death of the fascist dictator Francisco Franco. He ruled for 38 years before abdicating in favor of his son Felipe VI in June 2014, following a steady flow of embarrassing press reports about his lifestyle and personal wealth. For years though, he was a popular figure for decades, playing a key role in the democratic transition from the Franco dictatorship which ruled Spain from 1939-1975. Subscriber content preview MALTBY, Snohomish County (AP) The owner of a plant nursery in Washington state has been fined $4,200 for failing to ensure a safe workplace and potentially exposing employees to the coronavirus after preventing them from wearing masks. The state Department of Labor and Industries cited Flower World last week for violating state guidelines intended to limit the spread of COVID-19, including not requiring masks or face coverings, not practicing social distancing and not conducting employee temperature checks, The Daily Herald reported. . . . The Nabango Community has donated 75 dual desks to the Nabango Senior High Technical School to support candidates writing the West African Secondary School Certificate Examination (WASSCE). The 75 desks presented to the school on Sunday cost GH13,000 and would partly cover the furniture deficit of an estimated 360 desks. Dr Akambe Ayirebasia, a retired Public Servant and Board Chairman of the school said the donation would not only improve the furniture deficit but would also improve the status of the school that has recently been given an examination centre status. In a speech to parents, teachers and students at a durbar at the school in Nabango, Upper East Region, he noted that the donation was from contributions of community members living in and outside the community. The retired Public Servant said the school was built in 1960 as a primary school to reduce the long trekking children made daily to Mirigu and surrounding communities to attend primary school. It was later turned into a community Day Senior High in 2010 and later absorbed by government in 2016. Dr Ayirebasia pledged the Boards commitment to improve enrolment and infrastructure of the school and take measures that would improve academic performance of the students. Mr Augustine Atanga, the Headmaster of the school in an address, reiterated some of the challenges of the school and commended the Board for its efforts at improving the performance of the institution. Mr Atanga thanked the government for giving the school a bus and appealed for infrastructure. Speaking in an interview with the GNA, the headmaster expressed dissatisfaction at the performance of students over the years and pledged his commitment to improve the situation by ensuring that 20 per cent of the current candidates qualify for tertiary education. He said in 2018 out of 32 candidates presented for the WASSCE, the school recorded a zero pass, and in 2019 again recorded zero from 29 students participating in the examination. The Headmaster, the board and students welcomed the arrival of a new school bus donated by government, which arrived in the early hours of Sunday morning to the school. The bus was later blessed by Reverend Fr Jacob Moldana of the Martyrs of Uganda Catholic Church at the Sirigu Parish. 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 western Japanese city of Kobe has made its official TikTok account private amid growing security concerns, Nikkei has learned, in a sign of how the U.S. crackdown on the Chinese owner of the popular video-sharing app is rippling across the world. The city said it had heard from a number of citizens worried that their personal data might be leaked to the Chinese government, after Washington raised the issue. "Once the concerns have been dispelled, we would like to reopen [the account]. We will continue to monitor the response of the [national] government and other cities," Kobe said. In May, the city signed a partnership agreement to promote Kobe with the Japanese unit of ByteDance, TikTok's Chinese owner. The goal was to entertain children at home, as the novel coronavirus outbreak made it difficult for people to go out. California voters at all levels are anxious about fallout from the coronavirus pandemic, especially the economic impacts, according to a new statewide poll by FM3 Research and Baughman Merrill. Respondents described themselves as feeling fearful, anxious, depressed or worried when it came to the coronavirus pandemic with 89% saying the economic impacts of the virus are an extremely or very serious problem. Economic anxiety runs across party lines, with 91% of Democrats, 90% of independents and 83% of Republicans expressing concern. A majority of those surveyed also believe the economic downturn will last up to two years. Concern about the economic impacts is broad, strong and completely bipartisan, pollster Dave Metz said. But when it comes to health impacts of the virus, partisan politics come back into play. Nearly three-quarters of the 1,026 likely voters surveyed said the health impacts of the virus are either an extremely or very serious problem that broke down to 92% of Democrats and 75% of independents, but just 40% of Republicans. And no one appears overly optimistic about a recovery, with 61% of voters thinking the worst of the pandemic is yet to come. As for reopening, 65% of the respondents said they would be uncomfortable going to a bar, 73% uncomfortable attending a concert or professional sporting event, 65% about going to the movies and 68% flying on a plane. The news for mass transit systems wasnt good, either, with 65% saying they would be uncomfortable getting back on a bus or train. 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 poll had a bit of good news for Gov. Gavin Newsom, with a majority of Californians believing the state is handling the pandemic better than other states, even as the recent spike in cases occurred over the course of the survey. The online poll was conducted from June 27 to July 17 and has a margin of error of plus or minus 3.1 percentage points. Both FM3 and Baughman Merrill normally work for Democratic clients, but they did this poll for themselves. San Francisco Chronicle columnist Phil Matier appears Sundays and Wednesdays. Matier can be seen on the KGO-TV morning and evening news and can also be heard on KCBS radio Monday through Friday at 7:50 a.m. and 5:50 p.m. Got a tip? Call 415-777-8815, or email pmatier@sfchronicle.com. Twitter: @philmatier By Marco Trujillo and Nathan Allen MADRID (Reuters) - Spain's former king Juan Carlos has gone to the Dominican Republic after abruptly leaving his home country under a cloud of scandal, several Spanish newspapers said on Tuesday, though one placed him in Portugal. The royal palace said on Monday that Juan Carlos, who abdicated in 2014 over a previous scandal, was leaving so that his personal affairs would not overshadow his son King Felipe's reign, in a statement that stunned Spaniards. The palace did not say where the 82-year-old went, triggering intense speculation about his whereabouts. Adding to the confusion, RTVE broadcaster, citing unnamed sources close to Juan Carlos, said the former monarch wanted to return to Spain soon and El Mundo quoted an anonymous person close to him saying he may come back in September. Pressure had been building on Juan Carlos and Felipe to take action to protect the monarchy, after Spanish and Swiss prosecutors started examining allegations of bribes relating to a high-speed rail contract and reports of offshore accounts. Juan Carlos came to the throne in 1975 after the death of General Francisco Franco and was widely respected for his role in helping guide Spain from dictatorship to democracy, but recent scandals have tarnished his image. "I think he's running away like a coward. He should admit what he has done and be up front," said Madrid resident Paz Rodriguez. Retiree Santiago Pradas was more understanding. "They're not being fair. There are many politicians, many parties, who have stolen three times as much," he said. DOMINICAN EXILE? Juan Carlos' lawyer said on Monday the ex-king was "at the disposal" of prosecutors. Neither the lawyer nor the Royal House have commented on whether Juan Carlos has left Spain or where he is. Via his lawyer, the ex-king has repeatedly declined to comment on the corruption allegations. La Vanguardia said Juan Carlos, who is keeping the title of King Emeritus, left the palace on Sunday, before going to Portugal by car on Monday and flying on to the Dominican Republic. Story continues The former monarch plans to stay for a few weeks with a family who made their fortune in sugar plantations, the newspaper said, without citing a source. The ABC newspaper also said Juan Carlos had gone to the Caribbean country. However El Confidencial said he was in Portugal, not far from Lisbon. Authorities in the Dominican Republic and Portugal said they had no news of his whereabouts. While prosecutors in Geneva and Madrid are looking into offshore accounts and possible bribes, Juan Carlos is not formally under investigation in either country and so is not technically a fugitive. The Geneva prosecutor's office did not respond to a request for comment. In Spain, the Supreme Court's prosecutor's office said it was carrying on with its investigation, adding that Juan Carlos' decision to leave changed nothing. Switzerland classifies the Dominican Republic as a country with which judicial cooperation is "very difficult", but Spain has an extradition agreement with it. "EVADE JUSTICE"? Many of Spain's newspapers sought to defend the former king's achievements. "The disappointing ... conduct by Juan Carlos in the last years of his reign cannot make us forget his irreplaceable contribution to Spaniards' progress and freedom during close to half a century," the left-leaning El Pais said in an editorial, adding that it would be irresponsible to launch a debate on the monarchy now because Spain needs stability. Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said he respected the royal household's decision. "Institutions should not be judged, people should be judged. In this case, Juan Carlos has said clearly he is at the disposal of the legal system if necessary, just like any other Spaniard," he told a news conference. His leftist Podemos allies took a much harsher stance, saying Juan Carlos was "trying to evade justice" and putting the future of the monarchy in question. Jose Juan Toharia of polling firm Metroscopia said the royal household's handling of the situation would go down well with Spaniards, because Juan Carlos had said he would answer any legal case and Felipe inspires the trust of 70% of the population. (Reporting by Isla Binnie, Marco Trujillo, Michael Gore, Miguel Gutierrez, Nathan Allen, Joan Faus, Catarina Demony, Paola Luelmo, Emma Farge, Ezequiel Abiu Lopez, Elena Rodriguez, Andrei Khalip; Writing by Ingrid Melander; Editing by Giles Elgood and Alexandra Hudson) To further address COVID-19, the legislators should oversee CARES Act dollars to ensure that Hoosiers affected by this crisis get the relief they need, according to the letter. Legislators could address how to support residents who need help paying for rent and mortgage, those who have lost their health insurance, and supporting small businesses, according to the letter. Dr Ronan Glynn, the acting chief medical officer, has said we should not attribute blame to any particular group for the resurgence of Covid, but there are individuals who are flouting the rules and putting those they encounter in danger. For the first time since lockdown eased, I got a train from Dublin to Cork at the weekend. While the vast majority of people in the carriage were wearing face coverings, a fit-looking middle-aged woman who sat directly behind me was not. Not content with flouting Covid regulations, she then ignored social etiquette by spending the entire journey roaring down her mobile phone - ensuring the droplets that emerged from her mouth travelled as far from her as possible. A ticket inspector who checked tickets didn't seem to care that she wasn't wearing a mask but, given I was going to Cork to visit my elderly parents and was about to spend nearly three hours in the vicinity of this woman, I certainly did. Read More It was not possible to sit elsewhere as the train was busy, and I did not want to say anything to the woman and risk her wrath. If passengers on public transport - particularly those going on relatively lengthy journeys - refuse to wear a mask, they should be kicked off. This is not rocket science. In fact, it's the law. Since July 13, those who decline to wear a face covering on public transport are committing an offence, punishable with a jail sentence of up to six months or a 2,500 fine. Perhaps if some of those who are not wearing face coverings on trains or buses were handed hefty fines, others would be more eager to comply. Irish Rail spokesman Barry Kenny told the Independent.ie yesterday that their employees "engage with customers" to ensure compliance. He noted that 90pc to 95pc of passengers are wearing masks, while some people have medical conditions which exempt them. However, Mr Kenny also confirmed that just seven people have been ejected from trains since the regulations became law - a decidedly paltry number given that thousands of people are now travelling on trains every day. In the last number of weeks, we have seen how easy it is for Covid to regain a foothold in communities, with transmission increasing to alarming levels. After a surge in reported confirmed cases last week, the five-day average is now 53 - almost three times as many as on July 15, when the Government postponed the reopening of pubs. We all know what we need to do to protect ourselves, and each other, from the virus. We need to wear face coverings in certain settings, maintain social distancing and ensure our hand hygiene is good. Failing to wear a face covering on public transport needs to become as socially frowned upon as picking your nose so that slow learners, who refuse to act conscientiously, are shamed into abiding by the regulations. Many of us also need lessons in the correct way to wear a face covering. Wearing your mask around your neck is as useful as strapping a condom to your head. It does absolutely nothing to prevent the spread of the virus. Meanwhile, those who persist in wearing a mask with their noses hanging out are also rendering it almost useless. Is it really that difficult to cover both your mouth and nose for a brief amount of time in order to stop the spread of a deadly virus? If doctors and nurses can wear full Personal Protective Equipment while they treat desperately sick patients during 12-hour shifts, you can wear a mask over your mouth and nose for 20 minutes on the bus. Given there is no legislation that criminalises house parties, those who engage in this risky behaviour should also be socially shamed. When pictures and videos of these parties are uploaded to social media, those who comment need to point out how irresponsible these gatherings are and how much danger they pose for vulnerable members of our communities. There has been much talk about the threat posed by those travelling from hotspots, and clearly this is a risk that needs to be better managed, but turning tourists into bogeymen absolves the rest of us of responsibility for our own inadequate behaviour. So-called wet pubs - that don't serve food - are another handy whipping boy when it comes to the transmission of the disease, but if businesses can demonstrate that they can operate within the guidelines then it is time for them to open. Having a meal with your drink doesn't protect you from Covid. It is the behaviour you engage in while you are outside your home, in these premises, that protects you - and others. The owners of bars and restaurants need to have a zero-tolerance approach to anyone who disregards the rules and endangers their customers. Since the start of this crisis, the government's consistent message has been "we are all in this together", but that saccharine mantra needs to be more than just a cosy slogan. Clearly, some of us are abiding by the rules and others are not. If those on social welfare or low wages are finding it difficult to find the money to purchase face coverings, which can be expensive, then the Government should find a way to ease this burden with, perhaps, a scheme akin to the fuel allowance. However, those who are wilfully ignoring Covid guidelines should be denied access to trains and buses until they are ready to comply. If we ever want to get back to, and retain, a semblance of normality, then the Government must work hard to manage risks at ports and airports and ensure that workplaces are complying with guidelines and can safely operate. But responsibility doesn't start and end with the Government. We all have a role in stopping the spread of this virus. It's time that some of us took that responsibility seriously and did a lot more. BRUSSELS (dpa-AFX) - Hungary's retail sales declined at a softer pace in June due to the easing of the Covid-19 restrictions, figures from the Hungarian Central Statistical Office showed on Wednesday. Retail sales fell by a calendar-adjusted 0.1 percent year-on-year in June, following a 2.0 percent decrease in May. Sales declined for the third straight month. Sales of food products decreased 1.5 percent annually in June and sales of automotive fuel 10.9 percent. Meanwhile, sales of non-food products grew 4.9 percent. The volume of mail order and internet retailing, which accounted for 7.3 percent of all retail sales and involved a wide range of goods, surged by 30 percent yearly in June, continuing a multi-year expansion, the agency said. On a non-adjusted basis, retail sales rose 0.8 percent annually in June, after 2.8 percent decrease 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. It wouldn't even take four hours for the final table of the 2020 PokerStars Stadium Series Freezeout Grand Final - Medium: $530 to come to an end with Brazilian grinder Caio "pessagno" Pessagno claiming the victory over Alexandru "JustPray" Marcu heads-up. They agreed on a deal three-way with "RB Tiger" as the third player for Pessagno to walk away with the biggest share of the $2,117,000 prize pool which was created by the 4,234 entries. Pessagno won $266,006 for his efforts over the past three days. The former PokerStars Team Online member scored his biggest online cash in this event as his previous personal best on PokerStars came when he finished in second place back in 2013 in a Super Tuesday for $66,548. Marcu is also not new to the online poker felt with over $1,000,000 in online cashes. Rodrigo "digopapel" Semeghini, "luckyluck653", "hanji", Fernando "ferdahouse" Santos, "KKing James", and "The_Senseman" joined them at the final table. The 2020 PokerStars Stadium Series Grand Final - Medium: $530 Final Table Results Place Player Country Prize 1 Caio "pessagno" Pessagno Brazil $266,066* 2 Alexandru "JustPray" Marcu Romania $202,586* 3 "RB Tiger" United Kingdom $202,935* 4 Rodrigo "digopapel" Semeghini Brazil $109,518 5 "luckyluck653" Estonia $78,068 6 "hanji" Canada $55,650 7 Fernando "ferdahouse" Santos Brazil $39,669 8 "KKing James" Brazil $28,277 9 "The_Senseman" Germany $20,157 *denotes a three-way deal From Nine to Five "hanji" quickly won three in a row where they eliminated "The_Senseman" in the last one to jump into the chip lead with a turned nut-flush. A few hands later, "KKing James" was kicked out of the tournament by Day 2 chip leader Marcu who rivered the higher pair before the players could go for their first break. Santos left the final table soon after when his ace-queen couldn't beat the ace-five of "luckyluck653" who flopped two pair. Six-handed play lasted an hour with several double-ups and big pots going back and forth before "hanji" was halted Pessagno. "luckyluck653" was next to go when they got their eleven big blinds in with ace-jack. They were ahead against the jack-ten of Semeghini but the ten on the flop spelled the end of their tournament run. Getting Down to a Deal Pessagno first doubled through Semeghini for the chip lead and kept the pressure on to add more chips to his stack. The latter then doubled up "RB Tiger" before losing the rest of his stack to Pessagno when he ran his treys into the tens of the chip leader. Rodrigo "digopapel" Semeghini finishes in fourth place for $109,518 "RB Tiger" then doubled through Marcu before the tournament was paused and a deal was discussed with Pessagno holding almost 60% of all the chips in play while the other two had almost even stacks. The deal was agreed upon and play resumed immediately. Three-handed play lasted about 40 minutes with "RB Tiger" downed in the third place when they called the three-bet shove of Marcu for the 21 big blinds they had behind with ace-seven suited. The kings of Marcu held to get the tournament into the heads-up phase. Heads-Up Battle The heads-up battle started with even stacks with only one big blind between them but soon Marcu took a 2:1 chip lead when he caught Pessagno's bluff. Pessagno's got down to 31 big blinds which he shoved and doubled up with to get the stacks back to almost even. A four-bet and call later, it would be Pessagno with the 2:1 chip lead. In the final hand of the night, Pessagno called Marcu's raise preflop and flopped a straight flush. He check-called Marcu's continuation-bet who had hit a set of aces. They both checked through the turn when Marcu improved his hand to a full house for Pessagno to check-raise the bet of Marcu. Marcu then shoved to see Pessagno call for the tournament to be over and done with. This concludes the PokerNews coverage for this event. Thank you for following the updates and see you at the next one! Lithuania will continue to support Ukraine in the fight against the aggression of the Russian Federation and advocate for the maintenance of sanctions until the complete de-occupation of Ukrainian territories is achieved. Newly appointed Ambassador of the Republic of Lithuania to Ukraine Valdemaras Sarapinas said this at a meeting with Ukrainian Defense Minister Andriy Taran on August 4, the press service of the Defense Ministry reported. "The ambassador noted that the Republic of Lithuania will support Ukraine in the fight against the aggression of the Russian Federation, as well as the continuation of sanctions until the territory of Ukraine is de-occupied," the report says. During the meeting, the parties reaffirmed their interest in developing dialogue within regional projects and initiatives, as well as exchanged views on the further development of regional cooperation, and stressed the importance of developing new security projects aimed at addressing existing challenges and threats. In this context, the parties agreed on the importance of LITPOLUKRBRIG's activities for ensuring stability and maintaining security in the region. Special attention during the meeting was paid to the state of implementation of defense reform, as well as discussion of its directions and results. The Ukrainian minister thanked the Lithuanian partners for advisory assistance aimed at the implementation of the defense reform, noting the active role of the Lithuanian side in the assessment process of the system of professional military education. Following the meeting, the parties agreed to continue work on the transformation of military education, training of units, NCO Corp and the development of cyber security and special operations forces. ish First grade student Isabella Tahmasian writes her name with fellow classmates on the first day of school for LAUSD in 2017. The Los Angeles Unified School District and United Teachers Los Angeles agreed upon a deal for online learning just before the first day of school on Aug. 18. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times) How do we start school online? I have five children and one Wi-Fi hot spot. I cant answer the questions my children are asking. The kids have way too much free time. What took so long to come up with this schedule? We need help. As a more detailed picture of the new online-only school day in Los Angeles emerges, a crescendo of concerns and questions is arising among parents, whose children will be expected to fire up computers in less than two weeks for the opening of the 2020-21 school year amid a global pandemic. The broad outline of a tentative agreement between the teachers union and school district is clear: Students and parents will follow a predictable schedule that somewhat mirrors a traditional school day. And there will be more live, face-to-face time, via computer, with teachers and counselors. But what parents are not seeing and what many say they desperately need is assistance with child care, a full school day, supervised activities after school and real-time academic supervision. All would be needed for them to return fully to work and for their children to catch up and keep pace in their studies. And, while having a structured online school day should enhance learning, some parents worry that the new schedule and rules, which will require daily attendance, will result in more intense demands to carry out a role that many say they are not qualified to handle that of co-teacher. The school district doesnt understand were not qualified to answer a lot of questions our kids are asking, said Adriana Ruiz, a mother of five children in Cudahy who also serves as a caregiver for her 51-year-old sister. Thats the frustrating part. Its like the schools saying, Hey, were here for two hours and then youre on your own. Her children, ages 10 to 16, attend Cudahys Elizabeth Learning Center some are still learning English and others have special learning needs. She does not see her familys situation getting much better. Story continues I think its a good start, but its not enough, Ruiz said of the schedule. Youre leaving the children with a lot of free time. At Tuesdays board meeting, officials pledged to provide district families about 80% of whom are low-income with many answers in the next few days, via a new handbook and direct contact from schools. For elementary grades, the school day would begin at 9 a.m. with an activity related to social and emotional learning. The idea is that for learning to be successful, schools first need to address the trauma associated with COVID-19 and the loss of social interaction and personal development that a campus setting provides. The agreement does not spell out what such activities would look like, but they could include icebreakers in which students develop friendships or talk about experiences or feelings important to them. The district will release sample activities. This element is crucial because parents reported in a union survey that students were sad and anxious, said Arlene Inouye, a leader of the unions bargaining team, in a video session to announce the pact. The typical morning continues with two sessions of instruction divided by breaks. These sessions are supposed to concentrate on math and English. A third morning session can teach music, art, science, social science, health and physical education. Lunch at home, of course is scheduled to begin just before noon. There are two sessions in the early afternoon, which have a somewhat different focus and allow for a teacher to work live with small groups. This offers an opportunity, for example, for a teacher to provide special assistance to students who are learning English, guide a small group project or work with high-achieving students who need an extra challenge. The typical school day ends with a 50-minute period for office hours by appointment or teacher planning time. All learning sessions dont have to be live, but live sessions have to be part of the day. For example, in fourth grade, students must have 90 minutes of live interaction on Monday and 120 minutes each day on Tuesday through Friday. Live instruction would include full-class videoconferencing, students working with one another online under active teacher guidance or a teacher working with smaller groups. Other kinds of learning would occupy 120 to 150 minutes. These would include students working independently offline or online, such as moving through an instructional module or watching a prerecorded lesson. Learning time also can include emails and chats. For the higher grades, in which students move from class to class throughout the day, schools will use block schedules to reduce the number of videoconferences per day. For example, on one day high school students would have sessions for half their classes. On another day, they would virtually attend the other half. There also will be smaller group advisory periods for the older students, where teachers can do a wellness check, students can connect with one another, and informal college and career counseling could take place. The uneven instruction of last semester still makes Ruiz uneasy. She said that some teachers had been very active online, but most who dealt with her children were not. I still dont know exactly what the plan is, who are my childrens teachers and what do they need to have before the first day of school, she said. My kids are anxious. While relieved that a plan is in place, some parents said union concerns trumped theirs. The school year is about to start and we as parents are here sitting in the dark waiting to find out whats going on, said Koreatown parent Kellyn Gonzalez. Last week, Gonzalez waited outside for hours in a heat wave with 750 other families to receive donated backpacks, school supplies and food pantry items in East Los Angeles. But she fretted that shed need other sorts of supplies for the online education of Johnny, 6, Jayla, 5, and Jacob, 3 all enrolled at Alexandria Avenue Elementary in East Hollywood. Not one of her children has a tablet or laptop, she said. In the spring, they shared an older sisters laptop and one Wi-Fi hot spot. I dont know what Im supposed to do, she said Monday afternoon. This problem is supposed to be resolved next week, officials said, when schools will begin handing out devices as needed, although they are not likely to go to preschoolers. School board member Monica Garcia, speaking at Tuesdays board meeting, made a plea to parents to make sure schools have their up-to-date contact information. David Zarate, a roofing installer with three children at Belvedere Elementary in East Los Angeles, said his children stayed on top of online learning last spring because of his wife, Cynthia Moreno. He is grateful for the set schedule and live learning announced Monday. To know that theres a first period, that were starting at 9 a.m., is really important, he said. You cant have it like last year where there was like two Zoom meetings a week and you and your kids are just supposed to figure everything out. In September, said district officials, more help would be available to students, including one-on-one tutoring after school and on Saturdays. The hope is that students will be allowed to visit an actual classroom one at a time for this help. L.A. schools Supt. Austin Beutner said Tuesday that he understands the pressing need for child care but that there are legal hurdles that, for now, make it difficult, if not impossible. As part of its escalating conflict with China, the Trump administration last week imposed another set of sanctions on Chinese officials and an organization over their alleged abuse of the rights of the Muslim Uyghur minority in the western province of Xinjiang. The allegations have centred on the mass detention of Uyghurs in re-education camps, as the Beijing regime attempts to stamp out Uyghur separatism. Last Friday, the US Treasury imposed sanctions on the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corp, as well as two officials connected with itPeng Jiarui and Sun Jinlong. As a result, in a move designed to block access to the US financial system, American companies and citizens are banned from carrying out economic transactions with them. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin issued a thoroughly hypocritical statement declaring that the US would use the full breadth of its financial powers to hold human rights abusers accountable in Xinjiang and across the world. In reality, Washingtons highly selective human rights campaigns are aimed at furthering the interests of US imperialism and providing the pretext for aggression and war. The latest sanctions are part of a far broader anti-China campaign involving trade war measures and a military build-up throughout the Indo-Pacific, as well as denunciations of Beijing over human rights in Tibet and Hong Kong, and unsubstantiated accusations of spying and intellectual property theft. Last weeks measures are just the latest in a series of sanctions levelled against Chinese officials and entities over Xinjiang. * In October 2019, the Trump administration placed 28 Chinese companies and police departments on a black list banning American companies from selling them technology and other goods without a licence. A number of Chinese officials were also subjected to visa restrictions. * On July 9, the US imposed sanctions on four high-ranking officials, including Chen Quanguo, a member of the Chinese Communist Partys 25-member Politburo and Xinjiang party secretary. * On July 20, the Trump administration added 11 new Chinese companies to the list that restricts them from purchasing American products. These included Chinese suppliers for major American corporations such as Apple, Ralph Lauren and Tommy Hilfiger. The Beijing regime is based on the use of police state measures to suppress any opposition to its rule, in particular from the working class. Its response to unrest in Xinjiang, where the Uyghurs have been increasingly marginalized by Han Chinese from other areas of the country, has undoubtedly been repressive. The hue and cry from Washington, however, has nothing to do with defending the basic democratic rights of Uyghurs, or, for that matter, the people of Hong Kong and Tibet. Rather, it is part of a strategy aimed at encouraging separatist sentiment and undermining China, which the US regards as the chief threat to its global hegemony. The US has particularly focussed on Xinjiang, which not only has significant natural resources including oil, but is also adjacent to the energy-rich Central Asia republics with which Beijing has sought to establish close economic and political ties. Beijings ambitious Belt and Road Initiativea massive infrastructure project linking the Eurasian landmassinvolves crucial road, rail and communication routes that pass through Xinjiang. The US propaganda campaign denouncing Chinese detention camps in Xinjiang is based on inflated figures of a million plus Uyghur detainees that lack any serious documentation, along with lurid individual accounts fed to the media by Uyghur exile organisations. Likewise, Chinese counter claims that the camps are simply vocational centres lack any credibility. In the absence of independent reporting, the extent of detentions remains unclear. US condemnations of Uyghur detentions have now been supplemented by allegations of genocide against the Uyghurs, based on claims of enforced birth control and the sterilization of Uyghur women. Once again, the allegations are based on the sensational accounts of individuals and tendentious reports of the broader situation in Xinjiang. The latest claims rest on another report produced by German anti-communist academic Adrian Zenz, who was also closely involved in the release last year of leaked CCP documents purporting to show the extent and purpose of the Xinjiang detention camps. Zenz is associated with a network of right-wing think tanks, including the European School of Culture and Theology in Germany and the Victims of Communism Memorial Foundation in Washington. Zenzs latest document Sterilisation, IUDs and mandatory birth control: The CCPs campaign to suppress Uyghur birthrates in Xinjiang, was published by a Washington-based think-tank, the Jamestown Foundation. His main contentions are that population growth in predominantly Uyghur areas is declining, that birth control violations have been punished by detention, and that a campaign is underway to sterilize rural minority women with three or more children, as well as some with two children. The central flaw in Zenzs research is that it is ripped out of the context of Chinas birth control policies, including the one child policy that was introduced in the late 1970s by Chinese leader Deng Xiaoping and that generated widespread opposition. It was enforced with police state measures including forced abortions and sterilisations. The policy was directed in particular against the working class, with exceptions made for rural families and, also significantly, for Chinas minorities including the Uyghurs. There were also ways for individuals with money and/or influence to avoid the limit of one child per couple. Such was the opposition to the policy, including concerns in ruling circles about an ageing workforce, that the one-child limit was modified and finally dropped in 2016, when all couples were permitted to have two children. Even if accurate, Zenzs figures on slowing Uyghur population growth from 2010 as compared to the Han Chinese do not to take into account the change in policy, let alone other factors such as Uyghur emigration. Nor does his report bother to consider that the current two-child policy is enforced not only against Uyghurs but against the broader population, including Han Chinese. None of this has stopped American media outlets, such as the Washington Post and Foreign Policy, from ramping up sensational stories about Uyghur genocide. This dovetails with the decision of two Uyghur exile organisations based in the USthe East Turkistan Government in Exile and the East Turkistan National Awakening Movementto file a case alleging genocide in the International Criminal Court last month against China. The Uyghurs are one of the Turkic speaking groups that trace their origins to the Silk Road land routes from China through Central Asia to Europe. Uyghur separatist groups claim areas of Xinjiang as their homeland of East Turkistan. These Uyghur organisations, which are led by wealthy and well-connected exiles, have close connections to the US state apparatus and its intelligence agencies. The CIA and its front organization, such as the National Endowment for Democracy (NED), have long funded and promoted exile Uyghur organisations, including the World Uyghur Congress based in Europe and the American Uyghur Association, as a means of fostering separatist sentiment in Xinjiang. The democratic rights of the Uyghur minority in China cannot be defended through US imperialism, which has flagrantly used human rights as a means of waging war and regime change. The fight for the democratic rights of Uyghur and other ethnic minorities in China is completely bound up with a political struggle of the Chinese working class as a whole against the oppressive regime in Beijing. Above all, that needs to be informed by the historical lessons derived by the Trotskyist movement from its protracted struggle against Stalinism, including its Chinese variant, Maoism. The author also recommends: US media ramps up anti-China campaign over Uyghur human rights [28 November 2019] The New York Times and its Uyghur activist [9 May 2019] Court Challenge of Newfoundland and Labradors COVID-19 Travel Ban Begins ST. JOHNS, N.L.A legal challenge of Newfoundland and Labradors COVID-19 travel ban was before the courts Tuesday, with a Supreme Court judge asked to consider the intervention of a Canadian civil rights group in the case. Halifax resident Kim Taylor and the Canadian Civil Liberties Association filed a claim in May, claiming the restrictions violate the charter and fall outside provincial jurisdiction. The case is scheduled to be heard through Friday. A special measures order in May from the provinces chief medical officer of health banned anyone but permanent residents and asymptomatic workers in key sectors from entering the province. The province has defended the measure, saying it was necessary to slow the spread and importation of COVID-19 cases. Since it was introduced, the Atlantic provinces have agreed to allow residents who live in the region to travel between provinces. Taylor was denied the opportunity to travel to Newfoundland after her mother died suddenly. Justice Donald Burrage was asked Tuesday to consider the scope of the Canadian Civil Liberties Associations standing on the issue of the ban itself and enforcement measures introduced into law. Lawyer Rosellen Sullivan, representing the association, said the case touches on legal questions affecting all Canadians that have never been subject to a court hearing before, such as a citizens ability to travel between provinces. It affects Newfoundlanders, yes, but it affects choices all Canadians could make, Sullivan said outside the Supreme Court building in St. Johns. Representing the province, lawyer Justin Mellor argued that the groups mandate is too broad to justify allowing its involvement on litigation on any case involving a charter issue. Medical workers at Kaiser Permanente French Campus test a patient for the novel coronavirus at a drive-thru testing facility in San Francisco, Calif., on March 12, 2020. (Josh Edelson/AFP via Getty Images) The association is also challenging changes to the provinces Public Health Protection and Promotion Act which allows police officers to detain and remove individuals to points of entry to the province, and authorizes increased search powers. On Tuesday, lawyers argued about whether the association should have standing to challenge the police powers, as no individual has yet been subjected to them, including Taylor. Its not being challenged because its not being applied, Mellor said, arguing that there is no evidence filed on the issue of police powers. Sullivan responded the measures should still be challenged even if they have not been enforced, because citizens have to abide by them. What were suggesting is that you shouldnt wait for someones rights to breached, Sullivan said outside the courtroom. We would argue that they are unconstitutional on their face. Burrage said he would render a decision on whether the group has standing on Wednesday. Taylor has said she was denied her request for an exemption to be allowed to visit her home province following her mothers death, despite including a plan to self-isolate for 14 days upon arrival. While that decision was ultimately reversed and she was granted an exemption by provincial officials, Taylor said it came too late. The case is not seeking monetary damages, but a declaration that the measures are unconstitutional, Sullivan said. Taylor said the court challenge is about other people avoiding the same experience. Another ongoing case is seeking damages related to the travel ban. A proposed class-action lawsuit was filed in June on behalf of non-residents who own property in the province, arguing the measure contravenes guaranteed charter mobility rights. It also argues that the government was negligent when introducing the ban because it ought to have known the law was unconstitutional and would cause damages to people in the suit. By Holly McKenzie-Sutter Chandigarh, Aug 5 : Even as Punjab is mulling a stringent law to tackle organised crime like manufacture and smuggling of illicit liquor, Chief Minister Amarinder Singh on Wednesday directed DGP Dinkar Gupta that those directly involved in the hooch tragedy in the state be booked for murder. During a Cabinet meeting here, the Chief Minister also mooted stricter punishment for those involved in the manufacture and smuggling of spurious and illicit liquor under the Excise Act. As several Ministers agreed to the suggestion of Advocate General Atul Nanda that a strict law like PCOCA was needed to combat organised crime like smuggling of illicit liquor, the Chief Minister asked a sub-Committee led by Minister Brahm Mohindra to examine the provisions of the new law and submit its report at the earliest. He also assured of justice for the bereaved families and survivors in the case, in which at least 111 persons have died in three districts of Punjab. As many as 40 persons have so far been arrested. He agreed with Sukhjinder Randhawa and other Ministers that PCOCA (Punjab Control of Organised Crime Act) could help control hard-core criminals and act as a deterrent to gangsters, who continue to deal in organised crime even from prisons, and had close connections with terrorists too. The Chief Minister's directives on the hooch tragedy came during his two videoconferences meetings with the Cabinet as well as top police and administrative officials regarding the hooch tragedy. Amarinder Singh also led his Council of Ministers in observing a two-minute silence as a mark of homage to the victims. The review meeting was attended by Director General of Police Dinkar Gupta and Chief Secretary Vini Mahajan, along with top functionaries of the affected districts of Tarn Taran, Amritsar Rural, and Gurdaspur. Asserting that he wanted to see an end to this whole business of spurious and illicit and smuggled liquor," the Chief Minister directed the officials concerned to be extremely strict in dealing with the criminals, whether men or women. On Monday evening, Punjab Police had arrested a Ludhiana paint store owner, who had allegedly supplied three drums of methanol (methyl alcohol) used to make spurious alcohol, to Prabhdeep Singh, a nephew of Ravinder Anand of Moga who is further linked with accused Avtar Singh. Details of the Beef Finishers Payment (BFP), an Exchequer funded scheme of 50 million to provide income support for up to 42,000 farmers with beef finishing enterprises, who have been impacted by the economic effects of the Covid-19 pandemic has been announced. The support is being targetted at farmers who finished cattle during the period from 1 February to 12 June 2020 will help to mitigate the economic impact of the Covid-19 pandemic for those farmers and provide a valuable additional income support this year. An estimated 42,000 farmers will be eligible to apply for the scheme, which will be based on the number of cattle sent for slaughter in the period from 1 February to 12 June 2020, subject to a limit of 100 animals per herd. Based on estimates of eligible animals, a rate in the region of 100 per animal will be payable. In the event of an over subscription, the rate of payment per animal will be subject to a linear cut in order to comply with the available budget of 50 million. The opening date for applications will be 19 August 2020 and the closing date will be 9 September 2020. Applications will be made online through the agfood.ie portal. Eligibility Eligible animals slaughtered: Slaughtered in the reference period of 1 February to 12 June 2020 . . Aged 8 months or more when slaughtered Resident on the qualifying herd for at least 30 days prior to slaughter (if not the previous owner is eligible for payment if they are an applicant and have had the animal for over 30 days on their holding) Animals identified on the Department systems as presented for slaughter by or on behalf of a factory will not be eligible. Subject to a cap on payments in respect of 100 eligible animals per herd. Eligible applicants: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday expressed gratitude to all citizens of the country, the Indian diaspora across the world and all the devotees of Lord Ram as he laid the foundation stone for Ram temple in Ayodhya. This is the first time that a Prime Minister has visited Ram Janmabhoomi to offer prayers at the sanctum sanctorum where the deity has been worshipped since 1949. The Prime Minister started his address with Jai Shri Ram chant. This chant is not just echoing in Ayodhya but in the entire world, he said. He also said that Ram Lalla (infant Lord Ram) who has been living in tents for years will finally get a temple of his own now. Today, Ram Janmbhoomi breaks free of the cycle of breaking and getting built again - that had been going on for centuries, said PM Modi. Lord Ram is in our hearts, whatever work we have to do he is our inspiration, the prime minister added. He further said that attempts were made to finish the existence, but Lord Ram is the basis of Indias culture. The movement for building a Ram temple had dedication, struggle and resolve. I bow to those people whose sacrifice has made this possible, PM Modi said. Before the ceremony, the prime minister visited the Hanuman Garhi temple where he performed aarti of Lord Hanuman. Ramesh Das, the head mahant of the temple, gifted a turban and a crown to PM Modi. PM Modi has come to Ayodhya after a gap of 29 years. It was in 1991 when he last visited the city. He has been associated with the Bharatiya Janata Partys (BJP) movement to build a Ram temple for a long time. He was a part of veteran BJP leader LK Advanis Rath Yatra in 1990. In 1991, when he last visited Ayodhya, Modi had said that he will come to city only when the construction of Ram temple begins. That was made possible by a judgement of the Supreme Court in November last year when a bench headed by former chief justice of India (CJI) Ranjan Gogoi ruled in favour of Hindus. The Muslims were given land separately for the construction of a mosque. A Peterborough Police officer was discharged from hospital Tuesday night after she was stabbed in the back while on duty on Sunday, said Police Chief Scott Gilbert and he said assaults on officers in the city have more than tripled so far this year, compared to the first half of 2019. Const. Tina Sanders was attacked in the George (Red) Sullivan East City Bowl on Sunday afternoon while investigating a theft. Still a long road ahead for her recovery, Gilbert stated Tuesday night. An arrest was made. Cody Patterson was charged with attempted murder, assault with a weapon, theft under $5,000 and breaching a weapons prohibition. Sanders was stabbed in the back and it caused one of her lungs to collapse, according to Gilbert. So far this year there have been 24 assaults on Peterborough Police officers, Gilbert wrote, compared to seven by this time last year. There could be several factors contributing to the surge in assaults against officers, Gilbert wrote: people are less respectful of police lately amid an uprising against police brutality in the United States, for example. In Peterborough people are interfering more often in police activity, Gilbert added, which he writes can cause needless escalation of situations. He also wrote that the release of people from jails in the COVID-19 pandemic, to reduce the chances of prison outbreaks, have put more alleged offenders back on the street where they will offend again. The local statistic of 24 assaults against Peterborough Police includes special constables one of whom was left with a broken leg after releasing a man from custody in April in what Gilbert believes to have been a racially motivated assault. Peterborough Police released details April 7 about an officer injured after releasing a man from custody on April 6. Police had been called to the Sport and Wellness Centre on April 5 to investigate reports of a man allegedly smoking in a washroom and refusing to leave. The facility was being used at the time as a temporary shelter. Jesse Dean Rowe, 26, of no fixed address was taken to the police station where he allegedly spat on officers. On the evening of April 6, Rowe was being released from custody at the police station when he allegedly called a police officer derogatory names, spit and threw a cellphone charging cord at an officer. An officer was injured during the attempt to arrest him again and paramedics were called. Police classified it as a hate crime. Shanghai (Gasgoo)- Chinese startup Xpeng Motors announced that the deliveries of its second mass-produced model, the Xpeng P7, amounted to 1,641 units in July, a record-breaking figure in terms of the first-month deliveries of single startup-made model immediately after the scale delivery kicks off. (Xpeng P7, photo source: Xpeng Motors) According to a press release, Xpeng Motors held the P7 scale delivery ceremony in Beijing, Shanghai, Zhaoqing and Chengdu on July 17. On July 20, the startup announced the signing of its Series C+ financing of around $500 million with a group of investors including Aspex, Coatue, Hillhouse and Sequoia Capital China. The company said the funding round further enhances its commitment to serving the large and growing base of technology-savvy middle-class consumers in China by providing Smart EV experiences empowered by advanced technology. Only half a month later, local media outlets reported that Xpeng Motor has reportedly raised $300 million in a new round of financing that is led by Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba Group and involves Qatar Investment Authority. However, the EV manufacturer declined to comment over the report. Xpeng Motors said in May it has secured the production license for its self-built fully-owned manufacturing plant in Zhaoqing, Guangdong province, where the P7 BEVs are manufactured. As of June 2020, the company has built 128 sales outlets in 63 cities and 65 service centers in 52 cities. Besides, it has signed up with nearly 200 supercharging stations located in 62 cities and has been given access to over 200,000 third-party charging piles so as to provide users with fast and efficient charging solutions. US Defense Secretary Mark Esper undermined President Donald Trumps claim that American military officials believe a deliberate attack was behind the massive explosion that devastated Beirut on Tuesday. Most believe that it was an accident as reported, Esper said during a virtual Aspen Security Forum event this afternoon. Esper did not directly address the presidents statement a day prior in which Trump said some of our great generals seem to think it was an attack, it was a bomb of some kind. Trump did not offer any evidence for the claim. US officials have told multiple news outlets they have seen no such evidence. White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows then pushed back on Esper's comments later on Wednesday, saying, From Secretary Espers standpoint, he doesnt know. No group or government has claimed credit for any action connected to the blast. Lebanons neighbor Israel denied any involvement and was among the first of many countries in the region to offer aid. Beirut was wracked by the catastrophic explosion Tuesday, which Lebanese officials say was caused by a welding fire at a dockside warehouse storing 2,750 tons of ammonium nitrate. The blast tore through the coastal capital, leveling Beiruts port and knocking out windows and walls throughout much of the city. So far more than 135 people are reportedly dead, more than 5,000 injured and more than 300,000 left homeless. The blast was felt as far away as Cyprus. Lebanese Prime Minister Hassan Diab has vowed to hold those responsible to account. The country's information minister, Manal Abdel Samad, said an investigation over the coming days would lead to house arrest for those officials deemed responsible. Lebanon's parliament voted Tuesday to place security in Beirut under military authority, declaring a two-week state of emergency. The countrys port authority has been aware of the presence of the tons of ammonium nitrate since 2014 when the substance was offloaded from a ship deemed unfit to continue its scheduled journey to Mozambique, Agence France-Presse reported. Workers began repairs on the warehouse this week after an investigation in 2019 said the facility was not fit to store the chemicals. Lebanons hospitals are overwhelmed as the country simultaneously faces a wave of coronavirus cases amid an economic tailspin. Countries around the world from the Middle East to Europe to Asia have pledged support in the wake of the blast. French President Emmanuel Macron is set to visit Lebanon on Thursday. UK Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said his government is sending a Royal Navy ship as well as civilian rescue workers and is readying more than $6.5 million in aid. Mannedorf, Switzerland, August 5, 2020 - The Tecan Group (SIX Swiss Exchange: TECN) and Thermo Fisher Scientific (NYSE: TMO), the world leader in serving science, announced today a collaboration to enable scaled-up COVID-19 testing globally. Thermo Fisher Scientific is introducing a new highly automated, real-time PCR solution designed to analyze up to 6,000 samples in a single day to meet increasing global demand for COVID-19 testing. The high-throughput system enables laboratories to double or even triple their testing capacity to support global efforts to return communities back to work and school. The system includes instruments of the Tecan Fluent Laboratory Workstation family, the highest performance platform within Tecan's extensive portfolio of liquid handling solutions for laboratory automation and the Introspect software, an instrument and consumables usage analysis and reporting software. The Thermo Fisher Scientific Amplitude Solution is a molecular diagnostic testing system that leverages the company's Applied Biosystems QuantStudio 7 PCR instruments along with liquid handling products from Tecan. The modular solution delivers test results in a four-step process requiring minimal hands-on time, laboratory space and staffing resources Tecan CEO Dr. Achim von Leoprechting commented: "We are excited to partner with Thermo Fisher Scientific, supporting the efforts to further scale up COVID-19 testing capacities with our Fluent workstation and Introspect software. In this unprecedented time, we are passionately contributing to the international efforts to turn the tide on COVID-19 by empowering the scientific and clinical communities to accelerate research, aiding the discovery of treatments and scaling up testing globally." "Increased testing capability is an essential part of any community's plan to reopen schools and businesses," said Marc N. Casper, chairman, president and chief executive officer of Thermo Fisher Scientific. "Current approaches to scale up testing require substantial resources and personnel. This more automated, high-throughput solution will enable laboratories around the world to increase testing volumes and help the public get their test results faster." The Amplitude Solution utilizes Thermo Fisher's Applied Biosystems TaqPath COVID-19 Combo Kit, a fast, highly sensitive multiplex diagnostic test that contains the assays and controls needed for the qualitative detection of nucleic acid from SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. The company will submit this new end-to-end solution to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) and plans to secure additional registrations globally. As part of this offering, Amplitude Solution customers will enter into a supply agreement with Thermo Fisher to secure an up-front, confirmed and reliable supply of reagents and consumables. Backed by dedicated, 24/7 customer support from Thermo Fisher, the end-to-end solution, including the reagents, consumables and test kits, is available from a single source. For more information on the Amplitude Solution, please visit www.thermofisher.com/amplitude . About Tecan Tecan (www.tecan.com) is a leading global provider of laboratory instruments and solutions in biopharmaceuticals, forensics and clinical diagnostics. The company specializes in the development, production and distribution of automation solutions for laboratories in the life sciences sector. Its clients include pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, university research departments, forensic and diagnostic laboratories. As an original equipment manufacturer (OEM), Tecan is also a leader in developing and manufacturing OEM instruments and components that are then distributed by partner companies. Founded in Switzerland in 1980, the company has manufacturing, research and development sites in both Europe and North America and maintains a sales and service network in 52 countries. In 2019, Tecan generated sales of CHF 637 million (USD 643 million; EUR 574 million). Registered shares of Tecan Group are traded on the SIX Swiss Exchange (TECN; ISIN CH0012100191). About Thermo Fisher Scientific Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. is the world leader in serving science, with annual revenue exceeding $25 billion. Our Mission is to enable our customers to make the world healthier, cleaner and safer. Whether our customers are accelerating life sciences research, solving complex analytical challenges, improving patient diagnostics and therapies or increasing productivity in their laboratories, we are here to support them. Our global team of more than 75,000 colleagues delivers an unrivaled combination of innovative technologies, purchasing convenience and pharmaceutical services through our industry-leading brands, including Thermo Scientific, Applied Biosystems, Invitrogen, Fisher Scientific, Unity Lab Services and Patheon. For more information, please visit www.thermofisher.com . For further information: Tecan Group Martin Brandle Senior Vice President, Corporate Communications & IR Tel. +41 (0) 44 922 84 30 Fax +41 (0) 44 922 88 89 investor@tecan.com www.tecan.com Attachment Chinese side has no locus standi: India rejects Beijings remarks on Kashmir India oi-Madhuri Adnal New Delhi, Aug 05: India on Wednesday slammed China for describing the reorganisation of Jammu and Kashmir in 2019 as "illegal and invalid", and advised Beijing not to comment on the internal affairs of other nations. In a sharp reaction to China's comments on the first anniversary of India's decision on J and K, External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Anurag Srivastava said China has no locus standi on the matter. ''We have noted the comments of the Chinese MFA spokesperson on the Indian Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir. The Chinese side has no locus standi whatsoever on this matter and is advised not to comment on the internal affairs of other nations,'' Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) Spokesperson Anurag Srivastava said. India, China agree on 'early and complete' disengagement from eastern Ladakh: MEA India bans more Chinese apps | Ram mandir foundation laid & more news | Oneindia News Earlier, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson said in Beijing that any unilateral change to the status quo of Jammu and Kashmir is illegal and invalid. On August 5 last year, India announced its decision to withdraw special status of Jammu and Kashmir and bifurcate the state into two union territories. China has been critical of India's reorganisation of J&K, and has particularly criticised New Delhi for making Ladakh a union territory. China lays claim over several parts of Ladakh. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said China's position on the Kashmir issue is "consistent and clear". "First, the Kashmir issue is a dispute left over from history between Pakistan and India, which is an objective fact established by the UN Charter, relevant Security Council resolutions and bilateral agreements between Pakistan and India," he said. "Second, any unilateral change to the status quo in the Kashmir region is illegal and invalid. Third, the Kashmir region issue should be properly and peacefully resolved through dialogue and consultation between the parties concerned," Wang said. China has always been siding with its all-weather ally Pakistan on the Kashmir issue. Kulbhushan Jadhav case: Pakistan blocked all legal remedies, India exploring options, says MEA The Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson said peaceful coexistence serves the fundamental interests of both India and Pakistan, and the common aspiration of the international community. Following India's decision, China had made multiple attempts to raise the Kashmir issue in the UN Security Council. However, these attempts were rejected by other member nations of the global body. "Pakistan and India are neighbours that cannot be moved away. Harmony between the two countries serves the fundamental interests of both sides and the common aspiration of the international community," Wang said. The Chinese spokesperson made the comments following a question by a Pakistani correspondent on the completion of one-year of the reorganisation of Jammu and Kashmir. The comments by the spokesman came amid the border face-off between India and China in eastern Ladakh. Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-06 01:58:10|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close BEIJING, Aug. 5 (Xinhua) -- UN Women, the United Nations' entity for gender equality and the empowerment of women, on Wednesday held a virtual ministerial roundtable meeting on ensuring progress toward gender equality amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Chinese women affairs official Huang Xiaowei delivered a keynote speech at the meeting. Huang, vice chairperson of the National Working Committee on Children and Women under the State Council and first member of the secretariat of the All-China Women's Federation, shared China's achievements and experience in coordinating epidemic control and economic and social development. In the face of COVID-19, the Communist Party of China and the Chinese government have put the people and lives above everything else, and mobilized the whole country to fight the novel coronavirus, Huang said in the speech. Huang introduced China's efforts in protecting the lives and health of women and children amid the epidemic and the roles Chinese women and women's federations have played in COVID-19 response and recovery. Huang called for more global solidarity against the virus, as well as efforts to achieve gender equality and women's well-rounded development. UN Women Executive Director Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka called for more attention to women's contributions to COVID-19 response and recovery, as well as better global cooperation to build a more inclusive and equal world. Representatives from 11 countries including China, Egypt and Uganda spoke at the roundtable, which was attended by nearly 90 people online. Enditem Colorized scanning electron micrograph of a cultured human neuron. Credit: Thomas Deerinck, UC San Diego National Center for Microscopy and Imaging Using stem cells to restore lost functions due to spinal cord injury (SCI) has long been an ambition of scientists and doctors. Nearly 18,000 people in the United States suffer SCIs each year, with another 294,000 persons living with an SCI, usually involving some degree of permanent paralysis or diminished physical function, such as bladder control or difficulty breathing. In a new study, published August 5, 2020 in Cell Stem Cell, researchers at University of California San Diego School of Medicine report successfully implanting highly specialized grafts of neural stem cells directly into spinal cord injuries in mice, then documenting how the grafts grew and filled the injury sites, integrating with and mimicking the animals' existing neuronal network. Until this study, said the study's first author Steven Ceto, a postdoctoral fellow in the lab of Mark H. Tuszynski, MD, Ph.D., professor of neurosciences and director of the Translational Neuroscience Institute at UC San Diego School of Medicine, neural stem cell grafts being developed in the lab were sort of a black box. Although previous research, including published work by Tuszynski and colleagues, had shown improved functioning in SCI animal models after neural stem cell grafts, scientists did not know exactly what was happening. "We knew that damaged host axons grew extensively into (injury sites), and that graft neurons in turn extended large numbers of axons into the spinal cord, but we had no idea what kind of activity was actually occurring inside the graft itself," said Ceto. "We didn't know if host and graft axons were actually making functional connections, or if they just looked like they could be." Ceto, Tuszynski and colleagues took advantage of recent technological advances that allow researchers to both stimulate and record the activity of genetically and anatomically defined neuron populations with light rather than electricity. This ensured they knew exactly which host and graft neurons were in play, without having to worry about electric currents spreading through tissue and giving potentially misleading results. They discovered that even in the absence of a specific stimulus, graft neurons fired spontaneously in distinct clusters of neurons with highly correlated activity, much like in the neural networks of the normal spinal cord. When researchers stimulated regenerating axons coming from the animals' brain, they found that some of the same spontaneously active clusters of graft neurons responded robustly, indicating that these networks receive functional synaptic connections from inputs that typically drive movement. Sensory stimuli, such as a light touch and pinch, also activated graft neurons. "We showed that we could turn on spinal cord neurons below the injury site by stimulating graft axons extending into these areas," said Ceto. "Putting all these results together, it turns out that neural stem cell grafts have a remarkable ability to self-assemble into spinal cord-like neural networks that functionally integrate with the host nervous system. After years of speculation and inference, we showed directly that each of the building blocks of a neuronal relay across spinal cord injury are in fact functional." Tuszynski said his team is now working on several avenues to enhance the functional connectivity of stem cell grafts, such as organizing the topology of grafts to mimic that of the normal spinal cord with scaffolds and using electrical stimulation to strengthen the synapses between host and graft neurons. "While the perfect combination of stem cells, stimulation, rehabilitation and other interventions may be years off, patients are living with spinal cord injury right now," Tuszynski said. "Therefore, we are currently working with regulatory authorities to move our stem cell graft approach into clinical trials as soon as possible. If everything goes well, we could have a therapy within the decade." Explore further Created line of spinal cord neural stem cells shows diverse promise More information: Steven Ceto et al. Neural Stem Cell Grafts Form Extensive Synaptic Networks that Integrate with Host Circuits after Spinal Cord Injury, Cell Stem Cell (2020). Journal information: Cell Stem Cell Steven Ceto et al. Neural Stem Cell Grafts Form Extensive Synaptic Networks that Integrate with Host Circuits after Spinal Cord Injury,(2020). DOI: 10.1016/j.stem.2020.07.007 Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom has refuted claims in some quarters that he plans to dump the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, for the ... Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom has refuted claims in some quarters that he plans to dump the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, for the All Progressives Congress, APC. The Governor gave the clarification in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Terver Akase. According to him, it became necessary owing to a recent statement credited to the Benue State Chairman of APC, Comrade Abba Yaro in which he insinuated that the Governor will soon be returning to the party. It is pertinent to state categorically that Governor Ortom is not contemplating leaving PDP for whatever reason. Ortom believes that the political, economic and security challenges currently facing the country cannot merely be solved by people decamping from one political party to another. He says what is most important at this point is for Nigerians of all walks of life to join hands and surmount the challenges confronting the nation, he said. Myanmar State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi looks out of a vehicle after leaving a local election commission office in Yangon, where she submitted an application to run as a candidate in the upcoming 2020 general elections, Aug. 4, 2020. Myanmar State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi on Tuesday officially registered to run for her seat in parliament for a third time in November general elections that are widely seen as a referendum on her partys five years in office. Hundreds of supporters awaited the 75-year-old democracy icons arrival at the election commission office in Thanlyin, a town that lies across the Bago River from Yangon, the historic capital once known as Rangoon. She has come to register herself as a candidate for the House of Representatives as a part of the procedure, said Kyaw Moe Kyi, head of the election commission office. We have assessed and accepted the registration. A spokesman for the ruling National League for Democracy (NLD) welcomed Aung San Suu Kyis candidacy for the seat in Yangon region's Kawhmu township and said the party would work to win the election in the southern part of Myanmars biggest city. Some members of the crowd, however, handed Aung San Suu Kyi complaint letters about land disputes in her district, and she accepted two from them before leaving. Myanmar has 96 registered political parties whose candidates will compete for 1,171 seats available in both houses of the national parliament and in state and regional legislatures on Nov. 8. Aung San Suu Kyi became Myanmars de facto leader after her pro-democracy NLD party swept the 2015 elections. She continues to enjoy broad support at home even as her reputation abroad has been tarnished by her handling of the expulsion of Rohingya Muslims in the western state of Rakhine. Aung San Suu Kyi came to power in 2016 as a welcome change from decades of military rule in the nation of 54 million people, with a pledge to end long and costly wars with armed ethnic groups along Myanmars borders with Thailand, China, and India. While peace talks continued to sputter, however, Aung San Suu Kyi appeared at an international court in The Hague and defended the 2017 military-led crackdown on the Rohingyas in Rakhine that left thousands dead and drove more than 740,000 others into Bangladesh. Though United Nations investigators said the campaign of violence had been carried out with genocidal intent, Aung San Suu Kyi echoed the militarys stock response that the exodus was driven by a clearance operation to sweep northern Rakhine of insurgents. Several opponents Back on the ground in Kawhmu, an opponent of the ruling party is focusing on land disputes that pit developers backed by the military or state against local residents. David Hla Myint, who ran on the NLDs ticket in the 1990 elections but later quit the party, is running against Aung San Suu Kyi in the township, a southern coastal area with more than 90,000 registered voters. Our party has been involved in resolving many land confiscation problems in the region, said the politician who is now chairman of the relatively new United Nationalities Democracy Party (UNDP). In the current political atmosphere, I believe it is the best for me to contest in Kawhmu township, David Hla Myint told RFAs Myanmar Service, adding that his party was not intimidated by running against Aung San Suu Kyi. Our party has the best strategy to resolve the problems in this township, and the central committee has decided to assign me as a candidate, he said. Besides the UNDP, the main opposition Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) party, the newly formed Union Betterment Party, chaired by former lower house speaker Shwe Mann, and independent candidates are also running in Kawhmu township. Political analyst Maung Maung Soe said the candidates have very little chance of winning against Aung San Suu Kyi. As for the rival candidates and parties, they know their chances of winning are very slim, he said. But they can still contest for the township to showcase their different political stances. Reported by Aung Theinkha for RFAs Myanmar Service. Translated by Ye Kaung Myint Maung. Written in English by Roseanne Gerin. RASTATT, GERMANY - MAY 08: A German border police officer stops cars in a checkpoint of the D87 road at the German-French border during the coronavirus crisis on May 8, 2020 near Rastatt, Germany. The rates of new infections in both Germany and France, as in much of the European Union, have fallen dramatically over recent weeks, allowing governments to ease lockdown measures and strengthening demands by both business leaders and local communities to reopen international borders. In Germany so far Interior Minister Horst Seehofer is resisting a fast-paced lifting of border closures. (Photo by Thomas Niedermueller/Getty Images) - Thomas Niedermueller/ Getty Images Europe A Syrian refugee has been hailed as a hero in Germany after he stopped a man raping a woman. The 30-year-old Syrian, named only as Faner O under German privacy laws, intervened after he saw a woman being attacked by a man in the early hours of Sunday morning. With the help of another passerby, he overpowered the rapist and held him until police could reach the scene. The rape victim, who has not been named, is understood to be a trainee police officer. Faner O, who fled to Germany from his native Syria four years ago, works as a car mechanic in the west German city of Wuppertal. He was driving home in the early hours of Sunday morning when he saw a woman being pursued by a man. It was around half past three in the morning. I had just dropped a friend off and was driving home to my wife and daughter, when I saw a woman walking along Friedrich-Engels-Allee and a man in a red T-shirt running after her. Then they disappeared into the bushes, he told Bild newspaper. Concerned, Faner O stopped his car and followed them into the bushes, where he found the man pinning the woman to the ground. He had one hand over her mouth and was choking her with the other. She was resisting, but he was very strong. The would-be rapist fled but Faner O gave chase. A 20-year-old passerby who had heard the sounds of struggle came to his help, and together they were able to overpower the perpetrator. The rapist has not been named but is understood to be a 20-year-old Afghan migrant known to local police in connection with similar incidents. The woman suffered only minor injuries, according to local police. She fought hard and cried out for help. This alerted witnesses who rushed to her aid and drove off her attacker. They then gave chase and were able to seize him after a short pursuit. They held him until officers arrived, police said in a statement. Faner O said he was not afraid during the encounter. At that moment I was only thinking of helping the woman, he told Bild. If something like that happened to my daughter, Id want some one to help her. ATLANTA - Joe Biden is pushing back at Republican assertions that he should take a cognitive test to disprove President Donald Trumps claim that the Democrat isnt fit for the Oval Office. Biden grew testy when CBS News correspondent Errol Barnett asked the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee about the matter in a recent interview. No, I havent taken a test? Why the hell would I take a test? Biden said. He then told Barnett: Thats like saying before you got on this program, youre taking a test whether youre taking cocaine or not. What do you think? Huh? Are you a junkie? The former vice-president, who is 77, also tried to turn the matter back around on the 74-year-old president in the latest jousting over the two mens fitness for office. Well, if he cant figure out the difference between an elephant and a lion, I dont know what the hell hes talking about, Biden said, appearing to refer to Trumps public discussion about his own clinical examinations that physicians often give older patients to identify early signs of dementia. Bidens exchange with Barnett was part of an interview conducted with the National Association of Black Journalists and the National Association of Hispanic Journalists. It was scheduled to air in full on Thursday. In a recent interview with Chris Wallace of Fox News, Trump hailed his own mental acuity by referencing his recent examinations. Trump framed his results as a sign of intellectual prowess. He recalled in another Fox News interview that he successfully repeated back to a physician a series of words hed been given audibly: Person. Woman. Man. Camera. TV. Trump and his allies have repeatedly raised questions about whether Biden has been administered such an examination. Biden told reporters in June that he is constantly tested by the rigours of the presidential campaign and said hes eager to match wits against Trump in fall debates. He repeated those sentiments with Barnett. Im so forward-looking to have an opportunity to sit with the president or stand with the president and the debates, Biden said. He later said he was very willing to let the American public judge my physical, mental my physical, as well as my mental fitness and to, you know, to make a judgment about who I am. Allies of both Trump and Biden often seize on the others verbal slips. Both men have provided enough material to generate widely shared video mashups of their mistakes. Bidens third White House bid has drawn renewed attention on his lifelong struggle as a stutterer. Kathleen Hall Jamieson, a professor of political communication at the University of Pennsylvania, said voters and the media should try to discern whether presidential candidates have the reasoning skills and temperament to handle the job. But she cautioned against using verbal inaccuracies to settle on a conclusion. You dont always know what that means, Jamieson said, adding that biases about age can influence how voters and media treat an older candidates syntax. But you do know when you have an exchange in real time whether a person can handle the questions and answers and as a result is able to function in the White House. Some cues dont really say anything about governance, Jamieson said. If you cant focus, thats a problem. If you cant provide a coherent answer, thats a problem. (But) sometimes what youre seeing, it may be annoying, but it doesnt speak to a persons capacity to govern. A lot of what Trump has done over the years is hes not going to be able to create a new reality, he said. There is a reality in this country and the reality is that the coronavirus is out of control. The reality is that he has failed to lead, and the reality is that the country is looking for a person who will take leadership on this issue and really bring the country together and give people confidence that we have the ability to get this virus under control, get the economy back on track. Things appear to be particularly awkward for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex and the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. The two couples, once known as the Fab Four, are now separated by the Atlantic Ocean. Prince William, Kate Middleton, Meghan Markle, and Prince Harry arrive for Christmas Day church service, 2018 | Stephen Pond/Getty Images What could be adding more tension to a supposed rift between William and Harry is a new book. Finding Freedom chronicles Meghan Markle and Prince Harrys time as senior royals The Duke and Duchess of Sussex announced their decision to step down as senior members of the British royal family in early 2020. They transitioned out of their roles, and by the end of March 2020, theyd officially stepped down. Theyre now living in Meghans hometown of Los Angeles with their 1-year-old son, Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor. And because of the coronavirus, theyve put their rebranding plans on hold. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle attend 2020 Commonwealth Day Service | Karwai Tang/WireImage RELATED: This Is How Meghan Markle Tried to Bond With Kate Middleton, Book Reveals Meanwhile, royal experts Omid Scobie and Carolyn Durand are preparing for the release of Finding Freedom: Harry and Meghan and the Making of A Modern Family. A biography about Harry and Meghans relationship, their time together in the royal family, and their stepping down, Finding Freedom covers all sorts of drama. Its important to note the Duke and Duchess have said in a statement they made no contributions to the book. Andrew Morton says the Cambridges and Sussexes will survive the book Things appear to be pretty tense between the Cambridges and the Sussexes. As the public dissects each and every word of the forthcoming Finding Freedom, William and Harry are talking again. And supposedly, Catherine and Meghan arent close. Meghan Markle, Prince Harry, Prince William, and Kate Middleton attend centenary of Royal Air Force | Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images RELATED: Meghan Markles Father Criticizes His Daughter and Prince Harry for Whining and Complaining During Pandemic With the book days away from hitting shelves, its understandable that things might get even more complicated for the couples. But royal author, Andrew Morton, says theyll make it through, according to Express. They will survive this, Morton said. This isnt going to be the first time there is some kind of kerfuffle. Book gives more details on supposed rift between Prince Harry and Prince William Excerpts released in advance of the books launch include details about a reported rift between brothers William and Harry. It started when William offered up some advice. The book claims William told Harry to take his relationship slow with then-girlfriend, Meghan. In doing so, the Duke of Cambridge referred to his future sister-in-law as this girl, which pissed off Harry. The books claims come after months of speculation and some comments from the Duke of Sussex on the matter. Finding Freedom hits shelves on August 11, 2020. RELATED: This Is Why Royal Fans Are Convinced Prince Harry and Meghan Markle Contributed to Finding Freedom Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-05 21:51:35|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi gives an exclusive interview to Xinhua on China-U.S. ties in Beijing, capital of China, Aug. 5, 2020. (Xinhua/Zhai Jianlan) BEIJING, Aug. 5 (Xinhua) -- Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Wednesday said the United States should give up its failed interventionism. There have always been forces in the United States attempting to rebut the leadership role of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and China's path of socialism with Chinese characteristics, Wang said during an exclusive interview with Xinhua. Their purpose is notably obvious, which is to contain and destabilize China, Wang said. Wang noted that next year will mark the 100th anniversary of the CPC, stressing that the great endeavor of the Chinese people under the CPC leadership has been recorded in the history of modernization as an outstanding, epoch-making chapter. Practice is the sole criterion of truth, Wang said. "Does China's system work for the country? The Chinese people know better than anyone else." Wang also noted that many international polls in recent years show that at least 90 percent of the Chinese people trust their government. The relationship between the CPC and the Chinese people is as close as between "fish and water" and between "seed and soil," Wang said, stressing that those who attempt to break this strong bond are making themselves enemies of the 1.4 billion Chinese people. "We have great confidence in our path of socialism with Chinese characteristics. In the meantime, we also respect the development paths chosen by other nations," he said. "We are not interested in rivalry of systems, or ideological confrontation with any country," Wang added. "Likewise, we hope that the United States will respect China's social system and the Chinese people's choice, and give up its failed interventionism." Enditem If the government has concluded that permitting use of certain social networking websites, including Facebook and Instagram, by its defence personnel is enabling enemy countries gain an edge, the courts would be loath to interfere with the decision, the Delhi high court said on Wednesday. It said warfare in today's world is not confined to "accession of territory" but extends to affecting the economy and "inciting civil unrest" by enemy nations. The high court's order came while dismissing a senior army officer's plea challenging the Indian Army's recent policy banning armed forces personnel from using 89 social networking platforms. A bench of justices Rajiv Sahai Endlaw and Asha Menon, while pronouncing the order, said, "Sorry we are dismissing. Thank you." The high court, while considering the controversy for the stage of admission only, said other means of communication are still available to the petitioner officer and the ban was with respect to certain social networking websites only. It dismissed the petition of Lieutenant Colonel P K Choudhary seeking a direction to the Director General of Military Intelligence to withdraw its June 6 policy by which all Indian Army personnel were ordered to delete their accounts from Facebook, Instagram and 87 other applications. We may also notice that warfare and inter-country rivalries and animosities today are not confined to accession of territory and destruction of installations and infrastructure of enemy countries but also extend to influencing and affecting the economies and political stability of enemy country including by inciting civil unrest and disturbance and influencing the political will of the citizens of the enemy country. In such a scenario, if the government, after complete assessment, has concluded that permitting use of certain social networking websites by personnel of its defence forces is enabling the enemy countries to gain an edge, the courts would be loath to interfere. In the circumstances, no case for interference is made out. Dismissed, the bench said. The court said on perusal of the policy if it had found it to be suffering from the vice of non-application of mind of being not based on any material on record or being without proper deliberations, it would have certainly proceeded to answer the legal issue raised in the petition on the ban. However, once we are satisfied on the aforesaid parameters and find other means of communication to be still available to the petitioner and the ban being with respect to certain social networking websites only and more so, once we have found the petitioner himself to have been posting tweets which according to the ASG are in violation of the policy earlier in force qua use of social media, we do not deem it apposite to at the instance of the petitioner to go into the questions urged. Rather, we do not appreciate the pleadings of the petitioner as a senior officer in the Army, of army personnel being treated as slaves and the government not trusting its army, the bench said. The court said it was evident from the records produced that the earlier advisories and directives qua conduct and behaviours of army personnel on social networking sites have not been abided by some. The material produced shows certain army personnel to be unsuspectingly answering all kinds of questions relating to their postings and whereabouts and postings and whereabouts of others merely on being told by a person befriended on social networking sites, of a defence background and which information when collated from a number of sources can easily convey a full picture to an expert espionage eye, it noted. The bench said even if there is any error in the authorities issuing this policy and direction, without complying with the procedure prescribed in the Army Act, considering that the issue has an element of urgency and concerns the safety and security of the entire country, we do not deem it necessary to, for the grievance of the petitioner only, render an adjudication on the questions urged and which may require us to refer to the documents and materials shown to us in confidence. The court said besides stating that Facebook and Twitter are more convenient, no answer was forthcoming as to why the filial and other social needs of Choudhary cannot be fulfilled by other means of communication cited by Additional Solicitor General Chetan Sharma, which are still available. The Centre, represented by standing counsel Ajay Digpaul, had earlier told the court that the policy decision was taken as it was found that Facebook was a bug and it was infiltrating as a cyber warfare and there were so many instances of personnel being targeted. Choudhary, who is currently posted in Jammu and Kashmir, said that he is an active user of Facebook and uses the platform to connect with his friends and family as most of them are settled abroad, including his elder daughter. The officer had sought a direction to the Ministry of Defence to withdraw the June 6 policy to ensure that the fundamental rights of armed forces personnel are not abrogated amended or modified by arbitrary executive action which is not backed by the mandate of law, offends the provisions of the Army Act and Rules made thereunder and is unconstitutional. The petition had alleged that the policy which bans social media platforms is illegal, arbitrary, disproportionate and violates the fundamental rights of soldiers. On the heels of the Joint Trade Union Movement calling for an independent third party to eva (Natural News) On Friday, July 31, in a column ostensibly dealing with health care misinformation, Washington Post media critic Margaret Sullivan opened by lambasting fringe doctors spouting dangerous falsehoods about hydroxychloroquine as a COVID-19 wonder cure. (Article by Steven Hatfill republished from RealClearPolitics.com) Actually, it was Sullivan who was spouting dangerous falsehoods about this drug, something the Washington Post and much of the rest of the media have been doing for months. On May 15, the Post offered a stark warning to any Americans who may have taken hope in a possible therapy for COVID-19. In the newspapers telling, there was nothing unambiguous about the science or the politics of hydroxychloroquine: Drug promoted by Trump as coronavirus game-changer increasingly linked to deaths, blared the headline. Written by three Post staff writers, the story asserted that the effectiveness of hydroxychloroquine in treating COVID-19 is scant and that the drug is inherently unsafe. This claim is nonsense. Biased against the use of hydroxychloroquine for COVID-19 and the Washington Post is hardly alone the paper described an April 21, 2020, drug study on U.S. Veterans Affairs patients hospitalized with the illness. It found a high death rate in patients taking the drug hydroxychloroquine. But this was a flawed study with a small sample, the main flaw being that the drug was given to the sickest patients who were already dying because of their age and severe pre-existing conditions. This study was quickly debunked. It had been posted on a non-peer-reviewed medical archive that specifically warns that studies posted on its website should not be reported in the media as established information. Yet, the Post and countless other news outlets did just the opposite, making repeated claims that hydroxychloroquine was ineffective and caused serious cardiac problems. Nowhere was there any mention of the fact that COVID-19 damages the heart during infection, sometimes causing irregular and sometimes fatal heart rhythms in patients not taking the drug. To a media unrelentingly hostile to Donald Trump, this meant that the president could be portrayed as recklessly promoting the use of a dangerous drug. Ignoring the refutation of the VA study in its May 15 article, the Washington Post cited a Brazil study published on April 24 in which a COVID trial using chloroquine (a related but different drug than hydroxychloroquine) was stopped because 11 patients treated with it died. The reporters never mentioned another problem with that study: The Brazilian doctors were giving their patients lethal cumulative doses of the drug. On and on it has gone since then, in a circle of self-reinforcing commentary. Following the news that Trump was taking the drug himself, opinion hosts on cable news channels launched continual attacks on both hydroxychloroquine and the president. This will kill you! Fox News Channels Neil Cavuto exclaimed. The president of the United States just acknowledge that he is taking hydroxychloroquine, a drug that [was] meant really to treat malaria and lupus. Washington Post reporters Ariana Cha and Laurie McGinley were back again on May 22, with a new article shouting out the new supposed news: Antimalarial drug touted by President Trump is linked to increased risk of death in coronavirus patients, study says. The media uproar this time was based on a large study just published in the Lancet. There was just one problem. The Lancet paper was fraudulent and it was quickly retracted. However, the damage from the biased media storm was done and it was long-lasting. Continuing patient enrollment needed for early-use clinical trials of hydroxychloroquine dried up within a week. Patients were afraid to take the drug, doctors became afraid to prescribe it, pharmacies refused to fill prescriptions, and in a rush of incompetent analysis and non-existent senior leadership, the FDA revoked its Emergency Use Authorization for the drug. So what is the real story on hydroxychloroquine? Here, briefly, is what we know: When the COVID-19 pandemic began, a search was made for suitable antiviral therapies to use as treatment until a vaccine could be produced. One drug, hydroxychloroquine, was found to be the most effective and safe for use against the virus. Federal funds were used for clinical trials of it, but there was no guidance from Dr. Anthony Fauci or the NIH Treatment Guidelines Panel on what role the drug would play in the national pandemic response. Fauci seemed to be unaware that there actually was a national pandemic plan for respiratory viruses. Following a careful regimen developed by doctors in France, some knowledgeable practicing U.S. physicians began prescribing hydroxychloroquine to patients still in the early phase of COVID infection. Its effects seemed dramatic. Patients still became sick, but for the most part they avoided hospitalization. In contrast and in error the NIH-funded studies somehow became focused on giving hydroxychloroquine to late-presenting hospitalized patients. This was in spite of the fact that unlike the drugs early use in ambulatory patients, there was no real data to support the drugs use in more severe hospitalized patients. By April, it was clear that roughly seven days from the time of the first onset of symptoms, a COVID-19 infection could sometimes progress into a more radical late phase of severe disease with inflammation of the blood vessels in the body and immune system over-reactions. Many patients developed blood clots in their lungs and needed mechanical ventilation. Some needed kidney dialysis. In light of this pathological carnage, no antiviral drug could be expected to show much of an effect during this severe second stage of COVID. On April 6, 2020, an international team of medical experts published an extensive study of hydroxychloroquine in more than 130,000 patients with connective tissue disorders. They reaffirmed that hydroxychloroquine was a safe drug with no serious side effects. The drug could safely be given to pregnant women and breast-feeding mothers. Consequently, countries such as China, Turkey, South Korea, India, Morocco, Algeria, and others began to use hydroxychloroquine widely and early in their national pandemic response. Doctors overseas were safely prescribing the drug based on clinical signs and symptoms because widespread testing was not available. However, the NIH promoted a much different strategy for the United States. The Fauci Strategy was to keep early infected patients quarantined at home without treatment until they developed a shortness of breath and had to be admitted to a hospital. Then they would they be given hydroxychloroquine. The Food and Drug Administration cluelessly agreed to this doctrine and it stated in its hydroxychloroquine Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) that hospitalized patients were likely to have a greater prospect of benefit (compared to ambulatory patients with mild illness). In reality just the opposite was true. This was a tragic mistake by Fauci and FDA Commissioner Dr. Stephen Hahn and it was a mistake that would cost the lives of thousands of Americans in the days to come. At the same time, accumulating data showed remarkable results if hydroxychloroquine were given to patients early, during a seven-day window from the time of first symptom onset. If given during this window, most infections did not progress into the severe, lethal second stage of the disease. Patients still got sick, but they avoided hospitalization or the later transfer to an intensive care unit. In mid-April a high-level memo was sent to the FDA alerting them to the fact that the best use for hydroxychloroquine was for its early use in still ambulatory COVID patients. These patients were quarantined at home but were not short of breath and did not yet require supplemental oxygen and hospitalization. Failing to understand that COVID-19 could be a two-stage disease process, the FDA ignored the memo and, as previously mentioned, it withdrew its EUA for hydroxychloroquine based on flawed studies and clinical trials that were applicable only to late-stage COVID patients. By now, however, some countries had already implemented early, aggressive, outpatient community treatment with hydroxychloroquine and within weeks were able to minimize their COVID deaths and bring their national pandemic under some degree of control. In countries such as Great Britain and the United States, where the Fauci-Hahn Strategy was followed, there was a much higher death rate and an ever-increasing number of cases. COVID patients in the U.S. would continue to be quarantined at home and left untreated until they developed shortness of breath. Then they would be admitted to the hospital and given hydroxychloroquine outside the narrow window for the drugs maximum effectiveness. In further contrast, countries that started out with the Fauci-Hahn Doctrine and then later shifted their policy towards aggressive outpatient hydroxychloroquine use, after a brief lag period also saw a stunning rapid reduction in COVID mortality and hospital admissions. Finally, several nations that had started using an aggressive early-use outpatient policy for hydroxychloroquine, including France and Switzerland, stopped this practice when the WHO temporarily withdrew its support for the drug. Five days after the publication of the fake Lancet study and the resulting media onslaught, Swiss politicians banned hydroxychloroquine use in the country from May 27 until June 11, when it was quickly reinstated. The consequences of suddenly stopping hydroxychloroquine can be seen by examining a graph of the Case Fatality Ratio Index (nrCFR) for Switzerland. This is derived by dividing the number of daily new COVID fatalities by the new cases resolved over a period with a seven-day moving average. Looking at the evolution curve of the CFR it can be seen that during the weeks preceding the ban on hydroxychloroquine, the nrCFR index fluctuated between 3% and 5%. Following a lag of 13 days after stopping outpatient hydroxychloroquine use, the countrys COVID-19 deaths increased four-fold and the nrCFR index stayed elevated at the highest level it had been since early in the COVID pandemic, oscillating at over 10%-15%. Early outpatient hydroxychloroquine was restarted June 11 but the four-fold wave of excess lethality lasted until June 22, after which the nrCFR rapidly returned to its background value. Here in our country, Fauci continued to ignore the ever accumulating and remarkable early-use data on hydroxychloroquine and he became focused on a new antiviral compound named remdesivir. This was an experimental drug that had to be given intravenously every day for five days. It was never suitable for major widespread outpatient or at-home use as part of a national pandemic plan. We now know now that remdesivir has no effect on overall COVID patient mortality and it costs thousands of dollars per patient. Hydroxychloroquine, by contrast, costs 60 cents a tablet, it can be taken at home, it fits in with the national pandemic plan for respiratory viruses, and a course of therapy simply requires swallowing three tablets in the first 24 hours followed by one tablet every 12 hours for five days. There are now 53 studies that show positive results of hydroxychloroquine in COVID infections. There are 14 global studies that show neutral or negative results and 10 of them were of patients in very late stages of COVID-19, where no antiviral drug can be expected to have much effect. Of the remaining four studies, two come from the same University of Minnesota author. The other two are from the faulty Brazil paper, which should be retracted, and the fake Lancet paper, which was. Millions of people are taking or have taken hydroxychloroquine in nations that have managed to get their national pandemic under some degree of control. Two recent, large, early-use clinical trials have been conducted by the Henry Ford Health System and at Mount Sinai showing a 51% and 47% lower mortality, respectively, in hospitalized patients given hydroxychloroquine. A recent study from Spain published on July 29, two days before Margaret Sullivans strafing of fringe doctors, shows a 66% reduction in COVID mortality in patients taking hydroxychloroquine. No serious side effects were reported in these studies and no epidemic of heartbeat abnormalities. This is ground-shaking news. Why is it not being widely reported? Why is the American media trying to run the U.S. pandemic response with its own misinformation? Read more at: RealClearPolitics.com AYODHYA: Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat on Wednesday said that his outfit and other like-minded organisations struggled for nearly 30 years to fulfill the resolve of a grand Ram temple in Ayodhya. "I remember the then RSS chief Balasaheb Deoras telling us that we shall have to struggle for 20-30 years, only then will this be fulfilled. We struggled for 30 years and in the 30th year, we have now attained the joy of fulfilling our resolution," Bhagwat said. The RSS chief was one of the selected invitees at the bhoomi pujan' ceremony of a Ram temple at the Ram Janmabhumi site where a large number of Hindus believe Lord Ram was born. Bhagwat, who attended the `Bhumi Pujan` ceremony for Ram Mandir along with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, recalled that several people made sacrifices for the temple in Ayodhya and now with the construction work starting there is a wave of joy across the country. "So many people sacrificed their lives, but they could not be present here physically," Bhagwat said that the RSS had taken the cause for the Ram Mandir while addressing a gathering in Ayodhya. The RSS chief also mentioned BJP patriarch LK Advani and the late VHP leader Ashok Singhal among others for their contribution to the Ram Temple Movement. Remembering Advani, who could not attend the `Bhumi Pujan` ceremony in Ayodhya, the RSS chief said, "There are many who could not be physically present today due to the global pandemic, but they are present in spirit. I am sure all of them, including Advani ji, would be watching the event from his home and will be glad today to see their dream come true." The RSS leader also hailed Prime Minister Narendra Modi for taking bold steps for making the country self-reliant. He stressed that everyone should take a vow to make India self-reliant. This day brings the confidence needed to make India self-reliant, Bhagwat told the gathering. The RSS chief added that India believes in `Vasudev Kutumbhkam`, which means the entire World is One Family. "We believe in taking everyone along. Today is a new beginning of a new India," Bhagwat said. He also emphasised on making Ayodhya beautiful and said that the work for the Ram temple has started and we are eager for the completion of the temple. Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi performed the ground-breaking ceremony during which he laid the foundation stone for the construction of a grand Ram Temple in the holy town of Ayodhya. While addressing an august gathering of 175 distinguished guests, PM Modi said, A grand temple will now be built for our Ram Lalla who had been staying in a tent. Today, Ram Janmbhoomi breaks free of the cycle of breaking and getting built again - that had been going on for centuries. The Prime Minister further said, It is my good fortune that I was invited to witness this historical moment... From Kanyakumari to Kshirbhavani, from Koteshwar to Kamakhya, from Jagannath to Kedarnath, Somnath to Kashi Vishwanath...today entire country is immersed in Lord Ram. The PM, who began his speech with 'Jai Siyaram', said, This call is resonating not only in the city of Lord Ram but throughout the world today. I express gratitude to all citizens of this nation, Indian diaspora across the world and all the devotees of Lord Ram on today's pious occasion. The PM went on to say "Ram Mandir will become the modern symbol of our traditions. It'll become a symbol of our devotion, our national sentiment. This temple will also symbolise the power of the collective resolution of crores of people. It will keep inspiring future generations.'' PM Narendra Modi, RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat, UP CM Yogi Adityanath, Ram Temple trust president Nritya Gopal Das and a group of priests performed the foundation stone laying ceremony amid chants of the Vedic Mantras. The Prime Minister also unveiled the plaque of Ram Mandir in Ayodhya in the presence of Ram Mandir Trust president Nitya Gopal Das, UP CM Yogi Adityanath, UP Governor Anandiben Patel and RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat and many others. He also released a commemorative postage stamp on the 'Shree Ram Janmabhoomi Mandir'. Genome sequencing has revealed a rare lizard found in New Zealand shares DNA with mammals and its ancestors roamed with dinosaurs 250 million years ago. Scientists from the University of Adelaide and South Australian Museum worked with Otago University, New Zealand to study the rare tuatara and its genetic makeup. Tuatara is only found in New Zealand and is a 'single species reptile', the last of a type of creature that originated during the Triassic period. Analysis of its genome led to a startling revelation - it is halfway between mammal and reptile and diverged in its evolution from other reptiles 250 million years ago. Genome sequencing has revealed a rare lizard found in New Zealand shares DNA with mammals and its ancestors roamed with dinosaurs 250 million years ago Professor David Adelson of the University of Adelaide and Dr Terry Bertozzi of the South Australian Museum carried out the key analysis of the tuatara genome. 'The tuatara is the last surviving species of a reptile group that roamed the earth with the dinosaurs and remarkably, its genome shares features with those of mammals such as the platypus and echidna,' said Adelson. Researchers demonstrated that some sequences of DNA that move or jump location, referred to as 'jumping genes', found in the tuatara are most similar to those found in platypus while others are more similar to those in lizards. 'The tuatara genome contained about 4 per cent jumping genes that are common in reptiles, about 10 per cent common in monotremes (platypus and echidna) and less than 1 per cent common in placental mammals such as humans,' said Adelson. 'This was a highly unusual observation and indicated that the tuatara genome is an odd combination of both mammalian and reptilian components.' 'The unusual sharing of both monotreme and reptile-like repetitive elements is a clear indication of shared ancestry albeit a long time ago,' said Dr Bertozzi. With no close relatives, the position of tuatara on the tree of life has long been contentious, the team explained. Some believed it was more closely related to birds, crocodiles and turtles, while others linked it to snakes and lizards. The genome of the tuatara is 67 per cent bigger than the human genome and has helped cement its evolutionary position in the tree of life, researchers said. Lead-author, Professor Neil Gemmell, a geneticist at the University of Otago said: 'we can finally see with some certainty where the tuatara sits.' The research places tuatara in the branch shared with lizards and snakes, but they appear to have split off and been their own species for around 250 million years. This is an enormous amount of time given primates only originated around 65 million years ago, and hominids, from which humans descend, about six million years ago. One area of particular interest now the genome has been sequenced is to understand how tuatara, which can live to be more than 100 years of age, achieve such longevity, according to the team behind the study. Examination of some of the genes implicated in protecting the body from the ravages of age found that tuatara have more of these genes than any other vertebrate species so far examined Scientists from the University of Adelaide and South Australian Museum worked with Otago University, New Zealand to study the rare tuatara and its genetic makeup 'Could this be one of the keys to their long lifespan? Tuatara also dont appear to get many diseases, so looking into what genetic factors might protect them is another point of focus for our study, as too we have also explored genetic aspects that underpin the vision, smell and temperature regulation of tuatara, Gemmell said. 'It has been a privilege to be part of this project, which has been a true, historic collaboration with local iwi (Maori indigenous tribe) Ngatiwai,' Adelson said. 'While this is largely fundamental science, I expect it to yield new ways of thinking about our own genome structure that may have relevance to our health.' This project has also provided a significant opportunity to demonstrate the importance and value obtained when iwi, conservators and scientists work together to provide data critical for a species long-term preservation, the team said. Clive Stone, Te Uri O Hikihiki ki Mokau, said with the genome sequenced the science community have a blueprint to examine the unique features of tuatara biology. The findings have been published in the journal Nature. (Pictured from left to right: EARTH FOCUS Coal Mining in South Africa, The Youth Climate Movement Around the World and The Price of Gold in Peru. Images courtesy of Thomson Reuters Foundation.) KCET, Southern California's home for award-winning original public media programming, and Link TV, the national independent non-commercial satellite television network, today announced the episode lineup for the new season of Link TVs acclaimed original environmental series EARTH FOCUS in partnership with the Thomson Reuters Foundation and the Laboratory for Environmental Narrative Strategies (LENS) at UCLA. EARTH FOCUS features investigative reports about our changing environment and how it affects people around the world. In the new season, EARTH FOCUS examines the politics of the environment including youth climate activists around the globe, the transition away from coal in South Africa, curbing illegal, poisonous gold mining in Peru, and a feature-length documentary on the environmental politics of the New West. The new season of EARTH FOCUS premieres on Tues., Sept. 8 at 8 p.m. PT on KCET in Southern California, on Wed., Sept. 9 at 9 p.m. ET/PT on Link TV nationwide (DirecTV 375 and DISH Network 9410), and on Sun., Sept. 13 at 3:30 p.m. ET/PT on WORLD Channel, with streaming on kcet.org/earthfocus and linktv.org/earthfocus. Launched in 2007, EARTH FOCUS is the longest-running investigative environmental news program on U.S. television. The series provides audiences with urgent global environmental coverage on key issues such as endangered species, climate change, environmental health and sustainable practices. With three new episodes focused on international environmental politics co-produced by the Thomson Reuters Foundation and KCET, EARTH FOCUS continues its commitment to educate audiences about the global issues impacting our planet. This season will conclude with a fourth episode, a special 90-minute documentary, The New West and the Politics of the Environment, set to air on Tues. Sept. 29 at 8 p.m. PT on KCET in Southern California and Wed., Sept. 30 at 9 p.m. ET/PT on Link TV nationwide (DirecTV 375 and DISH Network 9410). Co-produced by KCET and LENS at UCLA, this special episode focuses on legendary Nevada Senator Harry Reid, and how he built the foundations of a green new deal in the most unlikely state in America. The new season of EARTH FOCUS will air as follows (*schedule subject to change): The Youth Climate Movement Around the World - Tues., Sept. 8 on KCET and Wed., Sept. 9 on Link TV In 2019, sixteen children from across the world including Greta Thunberg filed a historical, global lawsuit petitioning the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child to hold five of the worlds leading economic powers accountable for inaction on the climate crisis. All 16 young people are alarmed by the changes they see in their homelands. This episode includes an interview with Greta and in-depth profiles of four of these young environmentalists: Alexandria Villasenor in California, Carl Smith in Alaska, Ayakha Melithafa in South Africa and Litokne Kabua in the Marshall Islands. Coal Mining in South Africa Tues., Sept. 15 on KCET and Wed., Sept. 16 on Link TV South Africa faces a stark reality as the continents largest greenhouse gas emitter. More than 80% of power generation comes from coal, with 11 coal power plants turning the province of Mpumalanga into one of the most polluted areas of the world. As the world moves away from fossil fuels and major global investors pull out, renewable energy fights to forge the future. The tension is palpable among the government, coal producers, workers, and the environment in a post-apartheid South Africa facing pressing developmental challenges of unemployment, poverty and inequality. The Price of Gold in Peru Tues., Sept. 22 on KCET and Wed., Sept. 23 on Link TV When Perus President Martin Vizcarra came to power in 2018, one of his first priorities was to gain control over the devastating outbreak of illegal gold mining operations. In February 2019, the government launched Operation Mercury, a decisive action to shut down an entire town built around an illegal gold mine. This episode follows chief environmental prosecutor Karina Garay as she works with the police, army and navy in destroying illegal mines and arresting miners in protected areas, while retraining illegal miners and persuading them to join the formalized mining operations. The New West and the Politics of the Environment Tues., Sept. 29 on KCET and Wed., Sept. 30 on Link TV A quiet, little-known revolution is taking place in American environmental politics in a most surprising placeNevada. In this feature-length documentary, EARTH FOCUS tells the story of Harry Reid, a politician who grew up in an Old West mining town, saw the possibility of a New West emerging in Nevada and rode that change to power. Reid used power in new ways to settle water wars with respect for Native Americans, protect endangered species and wilderness, and usher in a just transition to renewable energy. EARTH FOCUS supports Link TVs mission to connect viewers to the world. Celebrating its 20th anniversary in 2020, Link TV brings Americans closer to people and events beyond our borders. Leveraging its strong relationships with international producers, it has become a place for powerful human stories, high-quality international journalism, documentaries, and scripted dramas. Link TV is a passport for the globally engaged. By conveying diverse perspectives and unfiltered viewpoints, Link TV works to bridge divides and facilitate conversation, understanding, empathy and change on important global topics. Live streaming takes place daily at LinkTV.org/live from 3:00pm-11:00pm Pacific (6:00pm-2:00am Eastern), showing Link TVs broad range of quality content for free. The new season of EARTH FOCUS is part of programming focused on this election cycle, where PBS SoCal and KCET explore the past, present and future of our democracy. KCET and PBS SoCal will bring you NewsHour's unbiased coverage of the conventions and the debates, FRONTLINE's investigative reports on the candidates and Washington Week's analysis. All-new KCET Original documentaries will spotlight California's changing population, values and social movements. Local election coverage both on-air and online at kcet.org and pbssocal.org deciphers and explains the propositions and measures viewers will find on the ballot and how they will impact the city and state. Join the conversation on social media using #EarthFocus ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS EARTH FOCUS is supported by generous institutional funders. The EARTH FOCUS series was created by Raisa Scriabine. ABOUT KCET On-air, online and in the community, KCET plays a vital role in the cultural and educational enrichment of Southern and Central California. KCET offers a wide range of award-winning local programming as well as the finest public television programs from around the world. Throughout its 54-year history, KCET has won hundreds of major awards for its local and regional news and public affairs programming, its national drama and documentary productions, its quality educational family and children's programs, its outreach and community platforms and its website, kcet.org. KCET is a donor-supported community institution. For additional information about KCET productions, web-exclusive content, programming schedules and community events, please visit kcet.org. Select original programming from KCET is also available for streaming on Apple TV, Samsung devices, YouTube, Amazon and Roku platforms. For more information please visit kcet.org/apps. KCET is a content channel of the Public Media Group of Southern California. ABOUT LINK TV Founded in 1999, Link TV is an independent viewer-supported media organization dedicated to providing programs that engage and inform its audiences with unique perspectives, and empower them to become involved in the world. Reaching more than 31 million U.S. satellite households nationally (DIRECTV channel 375 and DISH Network channel 9410), Link TV connects American viewers with people at the heart of breaking events, organizations at the forefront of social change and the vibrant cultures of an increasingly global community. Select programming from Link TV is also available for streaming on Apple TV, YouTube and Roku platforms. For additional information about Link TV productions, web-exclusive content and program schedules, please visit linktv.org. ABOUT THE THOMSON REUTERS FOUNDATION The Thomson Reuters Foundation is the corporate foundation of Thomson Reuters, the global news and information services company. As an independent charity, registered in the UK and the USA, we work to advance media freedom, foster more inclusive economies, and promote human rights. Through news, media development, free legal assistance and convening initiatives, we combine our unique services to drive systemic change. ABOUT THE LABORATORY FOR ENVIRONMENTAL NARRATIVE STRATEGIES AT UCLA The Laboratory for Environmental Narrative Strategies (LENS) is an incubator for new research and collaboration on storytelling, communications, and media. LENS begins with the idea that the environmental, sustainability, and justice challenges that we face are as much cultural and political as they are scientific and technological. At LENS, scholars investigate environmental stories across cultures and contexts, research the impact of environmental media and communications, teach multimedia storytelling, and collaborate to create new environmental narratives. When a business administrator, pediatrician and a nurse joined forces to open a health clinic for newcomers to Canada in 2011, they intended it as a stopgap solution until something better came along. Nearly a decade later, Refuge Newcomer Health, which has recently shortened its name, is a mainstay in the community, providing health-care services to Hamiltons new immigrant and refugee populations. We would like to think of ourselves as the first point of contact, said co-founder and executive director Terri Bedminster. We are preventive in our approach. The centre provides immediate, post-arrival care, including a family doctor, pediatrics and psychiatry, among other services, with the goal of connecting clients to mainstream health care after a period of time. Offering a range of services under one roof makes it easier for newcomers to access health care. We found that we had a pretty good show rate because the clinics were happening here at the centre, she said. Some clients, particularly those who experience extreme barriers such as language acquisition, might stay with Refuge for up to five years. Others are able to transition to mainstream health care after just a few months. Folks are taking longer to settle, Bedminster said. Folks are not picking up the language as quickly as we would want. The centre relies on a regular group of health-care practitioners who donate their time and sometimes the fee they bill to the government to the clinic. Its current resources allow the centre to take on about 800 clients a year a number they could triple with core funding. Could we do more, and are we turning away people? Yes, she said. Language presents an added challenge and cost to the Refuges operations. After English, Arabic, Spanish and Somali are the most common languages spoken by clients. The cost of hiring an interpreter is significant, especially for an organization without core funding. There's just not doctors or clinicians in the community who speak the language, Bedminster said. Bedminster says COVID-19 has disproportionately affected their clients. The biggest issue we saw was mental health, she said. The clinic recently received funding from the Hamilton Community Foundation (HCF) and the United Way as part of the pandemic response. That has increased our ability to provide mental health services, she said. When the pandemic hit, Refuge immediately shifted to virtual and mobile services, but found they had to work harder to connect with clients. What we saw happen was folks retreated a bit, she said. We had to reach out and say, We can call you. In the spring, Black-led organizations, including Refuge, formed a coalition to find ways to support each other, look for funding and address racism in Hamilton. In response to the death of George Floyd, a Black man killed by a white police officer in the U.S., the group organized a rally in support of Black-led organizations on June 12. By default we operate from an anti-racism framework, Bedminster said. And the work that we do responds to racism. Bedminster describes Refuges mandate to give newcomers, many of whom are from racialized communities, access to health care as anti-racism in action. There are some systemic issues there that we can't hide from, she said. We're at a point where it just makes sense to highlight them so that we can correct them, and so that we can dismantle some of the issues impacting these communities. They are not interested in urban and congress destinations. Font size: A - | A + Comments disabled Due to the novel coronavirus pandemic, many people living in Slovakia opted to spend the holiday in the country. Slovaks change holiday plans. They want to stay home Read more They take sightseeing tours, spend nights in several places, or stay in one place (ideally near water) from where they take crisscrossing trips, said Jiri Pec from the Association of Tourism Organisations, as quoted by the TASR newswire. Skryt Remove ad Article continues after video advertisement Skryt Remove ad Article continues after video advertisement Even destinations that were not much visited in the past, like the Gemer region, report a lower number of free vacancies, he added Not interested in Bratislava On the other hand, urban- or congress-type destinations such as Bratislava are not that much popular. Thus there have been several campaigns inviting people to these regions, Pec said, as quoted by TASR, adding that they will try to divert visitors from much-visited places to those that have not been fully discovered yet. Slovak mountains are overcrowded. People are queuing to get to the top Read more Moreover, some tourism organisations are changing their focus, depending on the preferences of holidaymakers. While the capital focused on foreign and congress clients before the coronavirus crisis, it is currently focused on local visitors and border areas, Pec said, as quoted by TASR. They are now promoting Bratislava as a 72-hour city. Experience attractions in the region always quickly sell out as people are interested, he continued. We believe that the number of overnight stays will be positive and Slovaks will continue travelling across Slovakia on prolonged weekends also throughout the year, not only summer, Pec told TASR. This would not be possible without state support, as tourism is the sphere most impacted by the coronavirus crisis, he noted. Sixty-one state lawmakers sent a letter to Gov. Gavin Newsom on Wednesday asking for bigger and faster changes to the states backlogged, antiquated unemployment system than he promised in his strike team announcement last week. It is apparent to us that while so many EDD staffers are working hard under unprecedented circumstances, EDD is an organization directed by a small inner circle of long-serving bureaucrats rooted in the status quo and unable to drive reform, the letter said. Given how little has improved at EDD over the course of the pandemic and its overall resistance to change, others must be brought in to assess the crisis and be provided authority to make change. The letter called for many changes, including beefing up EDDs customer service center, paying partial benefits to people while theyre waiting for their claims to be approved and treating claimants with more respect. There is a culture within EDD that presumes every claimant may be guilty of fraud and must prove themselves innocent, rather than a desperate constituent who should be treated with compassion and dignity via a model of truly customer-focused government, it said. The letter was spearheaded by Assemblyman David Chiu, D-San Francisco, and signed by 49 Democrats, 11 Republicans and one independent. The Newsom administration is fully committed to ensuring impacted California workers get the benefits they have earned, Vicky Waters, a spokesman for the governor, said in an email. Since March, the state has processed 9.3 million claims and paid $55.1 billion in benefits, as well as quickly implemented several federal pandemic-related programs that have helped millions of workers. She added that EDD has redirected and hired staff to assist with calls and claims, and created a chat box and text messaging alert system for claimants. EDD said it is reviewing the letter for a possible response. Sharon Hilliard, EDDs director, disclosed last week that about 1.13 million unemployment claims have not been paid or resolved, but the authors said they believe that number is much higher based on U.S. Department of Labor data. That total includes 239,000 claims pending resolution, meaning they just need action from EDD. Newsom said last week that EDD is actively processing all claims in the Pending Resolution category and anticipates eliminating the backlog of actionable claims by the end of September. An additional 889,000 may be eligible with additional information from the claimants. This includes about 587,000 who havent gone online to certify that they are eligible for benefits theyve been conditionally awarded and 302,000 who did not provide wage claim information. EDD noted in a footnote to a chart last week that due to the unprecedented demand and workload, some of those 302,000 claimants may not have been able to contact EDD to provide the necessary documents. Claimants may have submitted information and documents that have not been identified as actionable workload items. The legislators said they want a commitment from you for when the backlog will be eliminated, ideally by an earlier date, pointing out that the end of September will be more than six months after the state imposed a stay-at-home order. Chiu spokeswoman Jennifer Kwart clarified that the authors want the 239,000 claims paid before late September. For the other 889,000, There needs to be a plan for how to resolve them, especially for that group of 302,000. EDD very well might have the information it needs from those people to pay claims. Newsom said last week he is forming a strike team supported by the California Department of Technology and the Office of Digital Innovation to find ways to transform unemployment insurance for the digital age. Within 45 days, the strike team will deliver a road map that outlines short-, mid- and long-term recommendations and solutions, he said. The legislators said they want the strike team to also include thought leaders and employees from different levels of EDDs organization whose input has not been valued and private-sector technology experts. They also said, Changing EDDs practices and culture will require a longer (than 45 days), sustained effort by the EDD strike team, as well as real authority to overrule EDD leadership, who has continued to stymie change. Specifically, the legislators asked for the following improvements: Provide many claimants initial or partial benefits while EDD is reviewing their claim. On March 20, Labor Secretary Julie Su directed EDD to pay claims before making a final eligibility determination. During an assembly subcommittee hearing last week, Hilliard said the federal Labor Department questioned this directive. We do not believe this was true, and instead, is indicative of EDDs inclination towards overly restrictive interpretations of eligibility requirements, the letter said. Air Quality Tracker Check levels down to the neighborhood Ratings for the Bay Area and California, updated every 10 minutes Immediately beef up the customer support line (800-300-5616) where agents can look into a persons claim and solve complex problems. Its only open four hours on weekday mornings and has 100 agents. EDD says it takes six months to train these people. EDD this year opened a second phone line (833-978-2511) that operates from 8 a.m. until 8 p.m. seven days per week, but these agents will not have access to your claim or payment information, EDD says on its website. EDD says it has about 1,100 people answering these two lines, but plans to have 2,600 by the end of August and provide more thorough training and resources so staff can answer more complex questions. Consolidate the overwhelming amount of information on EDD website and make it user-friendly. Assign an EDD staffer to each legislative office. Resolve identity verification bottlenecks. Rephrase questions and directly incorporate more information on biweekly certification forms so claimants do not answer incorrectly and jeopardize benefits. Train staff to deal better with employees who may have been incorrectly classified as independent contractors under AB5. Speed up EDDs 11-year technology modernization program, now in its fourth year, and consider moving to a cloud-based system. Hold Deloitte and other outside vendors more accountable. Kathleen Pender is a San Francisco Chronicle columnist. Email: kpender@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @kathpender Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Ghina Ghaliya (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Wed, August 5, 2020 16:28 531 6657ac82168da9fa101c8a4066bc606d 1 Politics omnibus-bill-on-job-creation,house-of-representatives,PDI-P,Golkar,omnibus-bill,omnibus-law Free The ruling Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) is at loggerheads with its political partner in the government coalition, the Golkar Party, following concerns that the omnibus bill on job creation will further expand the powers of the presidency. In a hearing on the bill at the House of Representatives Legislative Body (Baleg) on Tuesday, PDI-P lawmakers questioned why several articles in the bill transferred authority from ministries and local administrations to the government. PDI-P lawmaker Arteria Dahlan, for instance took issue with the shift of regional administrations authority regarding spatial planning to the central government, citing Law No. 23/2014 on regional administration, which stipulates that the central administration has authority only in matters of foreign policy, defense and security, justice, fiscal and monetary policy and religion. "Spatial planning is not the central administration's authority. Its illogical," he said. Read also: Under omnibus bill, central govt to pick winners in mining sector Arteria went on to question who wrote the bill. Did they read the 2014 law? he asked. Perhaps businesspeople are the ones behind this. Fellow PDI-P politician Sturman Panjaitan echoed Arterias concerns, saying the faction would need more time to study the pending 3,172 articles on the bills inventory problem list (DIM). "We need more time to study all of these. We could not immediately agree after the government explained it to us. We have to be careful, he said. Golkar lawmaker Firman Subagyo criticized the PDI-P for making assumptions by saying that the bill was drafted by the business community. "It's not right to throw an accusation like that in a forum like this, he said. We should be open to anyone, there is nothing wrong if the private sector provides any input to the bill. What is wrong with that? Read also: Tripartite forum to deliver suggestions on labor issues in omnibus bill to House He emphasized that the Golkar Party, as part of President Joko "Jokowi" Widodos coalition, would fully support the government proposals in the draft bill, one of the Presidents priorities for his second term. The PDI-P, whose constituents are mostly from the working class, has been reluctant to pursue the bill, which has met strong opposition from labor unions, who are concerned that the bill will reduce employee protections. It was the only party to urge lawmakers not to rush into deliberation, citing public objections to the bill. However, Golkar has been a major supporter of the bill, which is one of the flagship programs of Coordinating Economic Minister Airlangga Hartarto, who is also the party chairman. Both parties are among the largest in the House, with the PDI-P holding 128 seats and Golkar holding 85 seats. Representative image - The central government awarded a contract for the supply of solar and wind energy. Unlike other such contracts, this was the first-ever round-the-clock supply contract.- A closer look at the contract documentation shows that the government amended the terms multiple times such that in the final form, all the conditions that required round-the-clock supply were deleted or diluted.- In its final form the contract does not serve the round-the-clock supply it is touted for. It is at best, analysts say, a step towards a round-the-clock supply in the distant future. ------------------------------------------------- In May, India claimed to have reached a historic milestone in renewable energy. The central government awarded a contract for the supply of 400 megawatts of solar and wind energy. Unlike other such contracts, this was the first-ever round-the-clock supply contract. Round-the-clock (RTC) supply overcomes the natural limitations of renewable sources like solar and wind, which produce power only when theres enough sunshine and wind. Without RTC supply of renewable power, electricity supply companies still have to rely on coal-fired thermal power, which becomes one of the biggest impediments to a transition out of fossil fuels. Because batteries and energy storage is too expensive, no country has been able to achieve RTC renewable power supply. Announcing Indias RTC contract, renewable energy minister RK Singh wrote in a post on Twitter that India had added a golden chapter to its renewables story, and made a new beginning towards schedulable power from 100 percent renewable energy. However, a closer look at the contract documentation paints a different picture. The government documentation of the contract shows that between January and May, the government amended the terms five times such that in the final form, all the conditions that required an RTC supply were deleted or diluted. The final result is that the RTC contract is neither round-the-clock nor does it guarantee schedulable power. It is at best, analysts said, a step towards a round-the-clock supply in the distant future. In India, the renewable power supply is finalised in auctions managed by the Solar Energy Corporation of India, (SECI). The SECI calls auctions for a particular amount of power and renewable power companies enter bids to supply the power at a particular tariff. The lowest bidder wins and signs a supply contract with SECI, which then supplies the power to specific state-level power utilities, which in turn supply the power to homes, offices and industries. As per norms, the terms of the power supply contract are made public in a Request for Selection (RfS) document. The round-the-clock (RTC) supply contracts RfS was announced in October 2019 for the supply of a blend of solar, wind power and energy storage systems. The RfS contained several terms that ensured that electricity supply companies (known as distribution companies or discoms). For example, discoms could demand power at any time in the day, and schedule for periods when it could receive electricity from the renewable power supplier. Starting January 29, the SECI issued five amendments to the RfS that deleted these conditions and diluted others. Summary of the changes made in the terms of the Request for Selection for Round-The-Clock power supply While the amendments took away the discoms ability to demand power on a round-the-clock basis, they also made it compulsory for them to buy power from the power generators whenever they supplied it. Significantly, the power supplier was now required to supply power not round-the-clock, but at any time as long as the total supply totalled to at least 80 percent of the capacity utilisation factor or CUF 400 mw in this case in a year, and minimum 70 percent in a month. This means that instead of supplying round-the-clock, the power could be concentrated over a few hours only, said Vibhuti Garg, energy economist at the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis. It doesnt mean that electricity will be supplied 24 hours a day, Garg said. It is not actually round-the-clock supply. The main challenge with renewables is that availability of power is not synchronised with demand profile, said Vinay Rustagi, Managing Director of Bridge to India, a renewable energy consultancy. This is the big impediment to the growth of renewables even though they are already cheaper than coal-based power, he said. The RTC contract is still not truly round-the-clock as it may not be consistent with demand profile, Rustagi said. In addition, the amendments also allowed the supplying company to split its solar and wind plants anywhere in India, as long as at least one of them had an energy storage system. This was objected to by the National Solar Energy Federation of India, an industry lobby, which wrote to the government saying this would lead to inefficient and suboptimal use of transmission infrastructure and go against the governments own policy on solar-wind hybrid energy. The RTC contract was won by ReNew Power, Indias largest renewable energy company that started operations in 2012 with a wind farm near Rajkot, Gujarat, and now operates 48 solar projects in seven states and 47 wind projects in six states. ReNews win has caught the attention of market analysts. Its winning tariff of Rs 2.9 per unit is comparable to regular wind and solar energy projects, and lower than most coal-based thermal projects, even though energy storage is still expensive. The 70-80 percent supply commitment is far higher than the average capacity utilisation of 20 percent for solar power and 30 percent for wind power. ReNew founder Sumant Sinha told The Financial Express that the company may not even need energy storage. It is widely expected in the market that the company would simply oversize its capacity build four-times the necessary capacity so that together they would provide 80 percent of 400 MW, said Garg who is also associated with the International Institute of Sustainable Development. Meanwhile, the company might expect for battery prices to fall in the next two years as technologies improve, she said. A research note by Bloomberg NEF said that the company may resort to creative financial and technical engineering to meet the targets and still earn a return. For example, when the power output is high, the company may sell the surplus to third parties, and when it is low, it may pay the penalties for lack of supply, the note said. A ReNew spokesperson declined to offer comment to Mongabay-India, saying the company did not wish to add anything more than its press release issued after it won the auction. As per the press release, under the terms of the agreement, the company will have to ensure that it operates and maintains with 80 percent capacity utilization annually and 70 percent PLF (plant load factor) every month to the buying discoms. A normal renewable energy project in India operates with the capacity utilization rate of 30-40 percent depending upon the choice of technology and resource availability, the release said. Despite Indias first RTC contract, the Holy Grail of round-the-clock renewable power is still far away. Energy storage technologies like batteries are nascent and expensive. At current costs of batteries, a complete RTC renewable supply would cost Rs 5-6 per unit, a rate too high for Indias electricity distribution companies, said Rustagi of Bridge to India. From the techno-economic point of view were still not there, he said. But the government is right to push renewable energy providers in that direction from the predominant plain vanilla projects, he said. We need to take it in small increments. The Douglas County Board on Tuesday approved $650,000 in federal COVID-19 money for improvements in and around the Douglas County Courthouse, including Ring-like doorbell systems for judges offices. Court administrator Doug Johnson said several of the judges offices are cramped and afford little space for social distancing when members of the public enter. Johnson said the intercom systems, similar to the Ring systems on peoples houses, also would address a safety concern. Johnson pointed to a bailiff who recently had to deal with a combative litigant who had walked into the bailiffs office, enraged. You go to most courthouses in the country and you dont just toddle into a judges office, he said. You have to be let in. Youve got members of the public not wearing masks, and half the time, they dont know where theyre going. Well be able to direct them by intercom. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (Agence France-Presse) Bangkok, Thailand Wed, August 5, 2020 19:30 531 6657ac82168da9fa101c8a4066bd34e9 2 SE Asia anti-government,Thailand,pro-democracy,kingdom Free Thailand's powerful army chief on Wednesday told cadets that the "hatred of the nation" plaguing the country was a bigger threat than the coronavirus, as a nascent pro-democracy movement grows bolder. The kingdom has seen near-daily protests for more than two weeks by mostly young Thais, fuelled by their anger at a pro-military royalist government headed by former army chief Prayut Chan-O-Cha. The most overt show of discontent came Monday night, when young students dressed in Harry Potter robes cheered on a lawyer as he led a discussion on the monarchy's role in Thailand. During a visit to a military academy on Wednesday, army chief Apirat Kongsompong -- an arch-royalist who has slammed pro-democracy figures in the past -- spoke obliquely about the "disease" of criticizing one's country. "COVID-19 can be cured... but the disease that cannot be cured is the hatred of the nation," the general said. "We cannot cure people who hate their nation." Thailand's politics has long been defined by a cycle of violent protests and military coups, in apparent zealous protection of the monarchy. The super-rich King Maha Vajiralongkorn sits at the apex of Thai power, and is protected from open criticism by harsh royal defamation laws. Premier Prayut, who led the last coup in 2014, is seen as a product of the military's legacy in politics, and much of his cabinet is stacked with generals and royalist establishment elite. His administration has faced criticism for its handling of the coronavirus pandemic, which has slammed the Thai economy and left millions jobless. Social-media savvy protesters have called for his government's ouster and amendments to a 2017 military-scripted constitution, which critics say unfairly stacks the power in favor of the military-aligned ruling party. Prayut appeared to strike a conciliatory tone Tuesday, saying that a committee has been set up to discuss constitutional amendments and floated "public forums with the people, including the young" to discuss grievances. Kindness Monterey, a campaign initiated to help individuals in need and restaurants that have been challenged as the result of the coronavirus emergency (TRAVPR.COM) CA - August 2nd, 2020 - Monterey, CA, August 03, 2020 Kindness Monterey, a campaign initiated to help individuals in need and restaurants that have been challenged as the result of the coronavirus emergency, is expanding its campaign to include a gofundme page, new partners working to get sponsors and donations, assistance to restaurants wanting to set up gift cards on their websites and organizing two streaming concerts to raise funds. KindnessMonterey.com is excited to announce that we have partnered with a CSUMB initiative called GetVirtual.org. GetVirtual gives local businesses affected by COVID-19 the tools to adapt to the virtual landscape and extend their businesses online. Their program pairs local businesses, who need help with online tools like gift cards, with college students who are tech savvy and want business experience. It's a win-win. Businesses get help for free and the students get college credit. KindnessMonterey.org will partner with GetVirtuals CSU Monterey Bay chapter starting the week of July 20, 2020. Maren Elwood, (co-founder of KindnessMonterey.com), will work with Brad Barbaeu (GetVirtual CSUMB Program Director) and Kenneth Olsen (CSUMB GetVirtual Program Manager) to pull together a team of students who will assist our local restaurants to offer an online gift card option on their website. Kindness Monterey has teamed up with The American Institute of Wine & Food (AIWF), Monterey Bay Chapter (https://www.aiwfmb.org/), which has agreed to be the campaigns 501(c)3 non-profit fiscal sponsor. Kindness Monterey can now accept donations of $250 or more from corporate sponsors or individuals through their fiscal sponsor AIWF-Monterey Bay Chapter, and those donating at that level or higher will then be able to get a tax write off. Chef/caterer and cookbook author, Mary Chamberlin, Emeritus Chapter Chair/National Vice Chair of AIWF Monterey Bay Chapter, has been instrumental in making this happen. Kindness Monterey has also set up a GoFundMe page at: https://www.Gofundme.com/manage/kindness-monterey. You can also access the page with the Donate button on the Kindness Monterey website (kindnessmonterey.com) or Facebook page (facebook.com/kindnessmonterey). The GoFundMe page was set up primarily for individuals to give smaller donations to help fund the campaign. It will enable the Kindness Monterey team to spread the word about this important program that benefits so many local community members through print advertising and social media. The advertising will urge everyone in the community to go the KindnessMonterey.com website and purchase restaurant gift cards. Please note that any donation under $250 is not tax-deductible. For individuals or businesses who do not have a specific person in mind and would still like to make a donation to the Kindness Monterey program, these GoFundMe funds will be used to purchase gift cards for the Food Bank For Monterey County, to support the Boys and Girls Clubs of Monterey County and other worthy local community members in need. Kindness Monterey has also teamed up with marketing and PR professional, Wendy Brickman (https://www.brickmanmarketing.com), who will reach out to local businesses and individuals to secure sponsorships to help fund the campaign. Sponsorships will allow Kindness Monterey to accomplish five important goals: 1. Fund its campaign enabling Kindness Monterey to do widespread marketing through social media, print advertising, Constant Contact and various Chamber of Commerce email blasts. 2. Allow Kindness Monterey to buy restaurant gift cards and distribute them to organizations such as the Food Bank For Monterey County, Chambers of Commerce, small business owners whose companies are being challenged by COVID-19, first responders, musicians, displaced hospitality workers, including those working in the restaurants, field workers, etc. 3. Provide matching funds to offer 2-for-1 deals to generate additional sales for gift card promotions. 4. Allow Kindness Monterey to donate six grab-and-go weekend meals to the Boys and Girls Clubs of Monterey County for every $1,000 raised through sponsorships and GoFundMe. 5. Fund the two online Music Care-A-Thon concerts produced by musician and promoter, Kiki Wow, on Aug. 23rd and another date in the fall to be determined, as well as other fundraising events. Online Care-A-Thon The first online Music Care-A-Thon concert produced by musician and promoter Kiki Wow will be held from 6-9 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 23, 2020. This concert will feature nine to 12 local musicians, short video interviews with local restaurant owners, and a call-out to donate to the gofundme campaign. The link to the concert will be available on the website 24 hours after its initial airing as well as their kindness Monterey facebook page. Musicians confirmed so far include: Alisa Fineman & Kimball, Kenny Stahl & Bob Burnett, Lee Durley, Robert Turner, Dave Holodiloff Trio, Dennis Murphy, Kiki & Wowettes, Hayley Jane, Mira Malcom and Michael Martinez, Richard Bryant & Kyle Kovalik, and Roger Eddy & Bruce Forman. KRML community radio will also be doing interviews during the livestream and on-air. The concert will be aired on the Kindness Monterey Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/kindnessmonterey. Kindness Monterey will continue to provide as long as there is a need in our community. For more information, go to: info@kindnessmonterey.com, like Kindness Monterey on its Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/kindnessmonterey, or call Annee Martin at 831-236-5618; Maren Elwood at 831-238-5503; or Kiki Wow at 831-235-7662. Or, go to the website at: kindnessmonterey.com. The Kindness Monterey campaign was created by local businesswomen Annee Martin and Maren Elwood, and the website, www.kindnessmonterey.com launched on July 8, 2020. The pay-it-forward gift card campaign to help Monterey Peninsula restaurants encourages generosity from the community by purchasing these gift cards to give to family, friends, neighbors, musicians, service providers, small business owners, field workers, frontline medical personnel and first responders. Martin believes that not only are you helping restaurants stay alive and letting them know they are loved and supported by their community, but by paying it forward, you are lifting the spirits and hopes of our entire community. Contact: Marci Bracco Cain Chatterbox PR Salinas, CA 93901 (831) 747-7455 http://www.kindnessmonterey.com ### BISHOPSGATE, LONDON / ACCESSWIRE / August 5, 2020 / The Board of SolGold Plc (LSE:SOLG)(TSX:SOLG) is pleased to provide an update on its ongoing Corporate Governance initiatives relating to the Company's Board and Management structure, function and remuneration to ensure the Company takes the most appropriate way forward on its transition from explorer to developer over the coming 18 months. As part of the Company's ongoing engagement with its investors and the continuing commitment to adopt best practice Corporate Governance standards, SolGold has developed new governance policies, processes and guidelines. These initiatives are the culmination of an ongoing strategy commenced at the beginning of the year and include the appointment of Ms Nadine Dennison as the Company's Chief Human Resources Officer in February 2020, following her previous Senior HR role with BHP. The main focus of these work streams are as follows: a) Board composition; independence, tenure and diversity; b) Board and Executive performance and remuneration; and c) Board succession planning and evaluation. The first tangible outcomes of this process include the appointment of Ms Elodie Grant Goodey as an independent Non-Executive Director on 17 July 2020 and the establishment of a Nominations Committee and improvements to the Remuneration Committee. Other corporate plans and policies are currently in various stages of implementation. To accelerate the development of SolGold's Corporate Governance framework, and increase the Company's strategic shareholder engagement, the Company has appointed CMi2i and Boudicca, two leading London proxy solicitation firms, ahead of SolGold's 2020 AGM. Their mandate comprises capital market intelligence, Investor Relations, Corporate Governance and policy advice, together with strategic shareholder engagement. The Company has also appointed the law firm White & Case LLP in London, who will advise the Company on its Corporate Governance and shareholder matters as and when required. Board Composition As part of the Company's commitment to being represented by an appropriate balance of experience, independence and diversity, the Board of Directors has resolved to strengthen the Board so that at least half of the Board is comprised of independent Non-Executive Directors by the end of this calendar year. Furthermore, long-standing Non-Executive Director, Dr Robert Weinberg has indicated his intention to retire at the Company's 2020 Annual General Meeting. Commenting on Mr Weinberg's retirement, CEO Nicholas Mather said: "Mr Weinberg's service to SolGold has likewise been exemplary. We will be sorry to see him leave and wish him well for the future." The Company's Chairperson, Mr Brian Moller, has stepped down as Chairperson and Mr Liam Twigger, an independent Non-Executive director appointed on 17 June 2019, will step into the role and has been appointed as Chairperson of SolGold with immediate effect. Mr Moller will remain as a Non-Executive Director. The Board of SolGold thanks Mr Moller for his services as Chairperson through SolGold's formative years, helping the Company to create the strong platform on which SolGold stands today. Mr Twigger is an experienced corporate advisory consultant and principal of PCF Capital in Perth, Western Australia, and was a founding partner for the establishment of Macquarie Bank in Perth. There is no fee arrangement with PCF Capital and it does not provide services to SolGold. Mr Twigger was instrumental in advising Gold Road Resources with respect to financing the development of the AUD$600 million, 6Moz Gruyere Gold Project in Western Australia. He also acted as a corporate advisor to Doray Minerals Limited in relation to its AUD$650 million merger with Silver Lake Resources (current market cap AUD$2.1 billion). On his appointment, Mr Twigger said: "I am grateful for the opportunity to Chair SolGold into its next phase of growth. The Company has unrivalled potential, not only through our operational control and 85% ownership of the Alpala project and its world class resource of 22Moz of gold, 10Mt of copper and 92Moz of silver, but also through our exposure to numerous highly prospective exploration targets across the Andean Copper Belt. The strong fundamentals of the Alpala Project present a great variety of financing options, with all of them considerably endorsed by improved price and value outcomes for all shareholders, which is significantly higher than the current market capitalisation. "Through the sterling work of our world class management and exploration teams over the last several years, SolGold is ideally placed to deliver on its ambitions and to continue delivering value to our shareholders financiers and the people and government of Ecuador. With a growing development team and now up to US$190 million in funding that offers the Company a clear path through to feasibility and a development decision, it is a hugely exciting time to be involved in this stage of SolGold's growth. "I thank the Board for its faith in me and Brian Moller for his Chairmanship since 2013." Both Mr Moller and SolGold CEO Mr Nicholas Mather have also indicated their intention to step down from a number of other listed company Boards on which they currently sit. In order to canvass a wide range of suitable candidates to fill new Non-Executive Director positions, SolGold has commenced an independently run process which will be overseen by Mr Liam Twigger, SolGold's recently appointed Chairperson and an independent Non-Executive Director, and member of the Remuneration Committee and newly formed Nominations Committee. The Company's objective is to secure up to three new Non-Executive Directors that are based in close proximity to the Company's stakeholder base in London, Toronto and Ecuador, enhance its mining development experience, promote liaison with the Ecuadorean Government and further improve diversity at Board level. As a growth-focussed Company with a standard listing on the London Stock Exchange, SolGold currently reports to the Quoted Companies Alliance Corporate Governance Code. However, in appointing the abovementioned proxy advisers, the Board has committed to starting a process of ultimately moving to compliance with the more robust UK Corporate Governance Code. The Board changes outlined above are an initial step in this process. Furthermore, aligned to market feedback and benchmarked peer organizations, the Remuneration Committee is currently reviewing a Performance and Remuneration Framework to attract top senior talent to the organization, underpin increased Board independence, and more strongly align Executive remuneration to organisational performance outcomes. By order of the Board Karl Schlobohm Company Secretary CONTACTS Nicholas Mather SolGold Plc (Chief Executive Officer) nmather@solgold.com.au Tel: +61 (0) 7 3303 0665 +61 (0) 417 880 448 Karl Schlobohm SolGold Plc (Company Secretary) kschlobohm@solgold.com.au Tel: +61 (0) 7 3303 0661 Ingo Hofmaier SolGold Plc (GM - Project & Corporate Finance) ihofmaier@solgold.com.au Tel: +44 (0) 20 3823 2131 Gordon Poole / Nick Hennis Camarco (Financial PR / IR) solgold@camarco.co.uk Tel: +44 (0) 20 3757 4997 Andrew Chubb Hannam & Partners (Joint Broker and Financial Advisor) solgold@hannam.partners Tel: +44 (0) 20 7907 8500 Ross Allister / David McKeown Peel Hunt (Joint Broker and Financial Advisor) solgold@peelhunt.com Tel: +44 (0)20 7418 8900 Clayton Bush / Scott Mathieson Tel: +44 (0) 20 3100 2227 Liberum (Joint Broker) solgold@liberum.com James Kofman / Darren Wallace Cormark Securities Inc. (Financial Advisor) dwallace@cormark.com Tel: +1 416 943 6411 Follow us on twitter @SolGold_plc ABOUT SOLGOLD SolGold is a leading resources company focussed on the discovery, definition and development of world-class copper and gold deposits. In 2018, SolGold's management team was recognised by the "Mines and Money" Forum as an example of excellence in the industry and continues to strive to deliver objectives efficiently and in the interests of shareholders. SolGold is the largest concession holder by land area, and most active explorer in Ecuador and is aggressively exploring the length and breadth of this highly prospective and gold-rich section of the Andean Copper Belt. The Company operates with transparency and in accordance with international best practices. SolGold is committed to delivering value to its shareholders, while simultaneously providing economic and social benefits to the communities amongst which it operates, fostering a healthy and safe workplace and minimizing the environmental impact. Dedicated stakeholders SolGold employs a staff of 626 employees of whom 98% are Ecuadorian. This is expected to grow as the operations expand at Alpala, and in Ecuador generally. SolGold focusses its operations to be safe, reliable and environmentally responsible and maintains close relationships with its local communities. SolGold has engaged an increasingly skilled, refined and experienced team of geoscientists using state of the art geophysical and geochemical modelling applied to an extensive database to enable the delivery of ore grade intersections from nearly every drill hole at Alpala. SolGold has 86 geologists, of whom 30% are female, on the ground in Ecuador exploring for economic copper and gold deposits. About Cascabel and Alpala The Alpala deposit is the main target in the Cascabel concession, located on the northern section of the heavily endowed Andean Copper Belt, the entirety of which is renowned as the base for nearly half of the world's copper production. The project area hosts mineralisation of Eocene age, the same age as numerous Tier 1 deposits along the Andean Copper Belt in Chile and Peru to the south. The project base is located at Rocafuerte within the Cascabel concession in northern Ecuador, an approximately three-hour drive on sealed highway north of the capital Quito, close to water, power supply and Pacific ports. Having fulfilled its earn-in requirements, SolGold is a registered shareholder with an unencumbered legal and beneficial 85% interest in ENSA (Exploraciones Novomining S.A.) which holds 100% of the Cascabel concession covering approximately 50km2. The minority equity owner in ENSA is required to repay 15% of costs since SolGold's earn in was completed, from 90% of its share of the distribution of earnings or dividends from ENSA or the Cascabel concession. It is also required to contribute to development or be diluted, and if its interest falls below 10%, it shall convert to a 0.5% NSR royalty which SolGold may acquire for US$3.5m. Advancing Alpala towards development The resource at the Alpala deposit boasts a high-grade core which is targeted to facilitate early cashflows and an accelerated payback of initial capital. SolGold is currently assessing financing options available to the Company for the development of the Alpala mine following completion of the Definitive Feasibility Study. Mineral Resource Estimate #3: Mineral Resource of 2,663 Mt @ 0.53% CuEq for 9.9 Mt Cu, 21.7 Moz Au and 92.2 Moz Ag in the Measured plus Indicated categories. Mineral Resource of 544 Mt @ 0.31% CuEq for 1.3 Mt Cu, 1.9 Moz Au and 10.6 Moz Ag in the Inferred category SolGold's Regional Exploration Drive SolGold is using its successful and cost-efficient blueprint established at Alpala, and Cascabel generally, to explore for additional world class copper and gold projects across Ecuador. SolGold is the largest and most active concessionaire in Ecuador. The Company wholly-owns four other subsidiaries active throughout the country that are now focussed on thirteen high priority gold and copper resource targets, several of which the Company believes have the potential, subject to resource definition and feasibility, to be developed in close succession or even on a more accelerated basis compared to Alpala. SolGold is listed on the London Stock Exchange and Toronto Stock Exchange (LSE/TSX: SOLG). The Company has on issue a total of 2,072,213,495 fully-paid ordinary shares and 183,662,000 unlisted options exercisable at various prices. Quality Assurance / Quality Control on Sample Collection, Security and Assaying SolGold operates according to its rigorous Quality Assurance and Quality Control (QA/QC) protocol, which is consistent with industry best practices. Primary sample collection involves secure transport from SolGold's concessions in Ecuador, to the ALS certified sample preparation facility in Quito, Ecuador. Samples are then air freighted from Quito to the ALS certified laboratory in Lima, Peru where the assaying of drill core, channel samples, rock chips and soil samples is undertaken. SolGold utilises ALS certified laboratories in Canada and Australia for the analysis of metallurgical samples. Samples are prepared and analysed using 100g 4-Acid digest ICP with MS finish for 48 elements on a 0.25g aliquot (ME-MS61). Laboratory performance is routinely monitored using umpire assays, check batches and inter-laboratory comparisons between ALS certified laboratory in Lima and the ACME certified laboratory in Cuenca, Ecuador. In order to monitor the ongoing quality of its analytical database, SolGold's QA/QC protocol encompasses standard sampling methodologies, including the insertion of certified powder blanks, coarse chip blanks, standards, pulp duplicates and field duplicates. The blanks and standards are Certified Reference Materials supplied by Ore Research and Exploration, Australia. SolGold's QA/QC protocol also monitors the ongoing quality of its analytical database. The Company's protocol involves Independent data validation of the digital analytical database including search for sample overlaps, duplicate or absent samples as well as anomalous assay and survey results. These are routinely performed ahead of Mineral Resource Estimates and Feasibility Studies. No material QA/QC issues have been identified with respect to sample collection, security and assaying. Reviews of the sample preparation, chain of custody, data security procedures and assaying methods used by SolGold confirm that they are consistent with industry best practices and all results stated in this announcement have passed SolGold's QA/QC protocol. See www.solgold.com.au for more information. Follow us on twitter @SolGold_plc CAUTIONARY NOTICE News releases, presentations and public commentary made by SolGold plc (the "Company") and its Officers may contain certain statements and expressions of belief, expectation or opinion which are forward looking statements, and which relate, inter alia, to interpretations of exploration results to date and the Company's proposed strategy, plans and objectives or to the expectations or intentions of the Company's Directors. Such forward-looking and interpretative statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other important factors beyond the control of the Company that could cause the actual performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from such interpretations and forward-looking statements. Accordingly, the reader should not rely on any interpretations or forward-looking statements; and save as required by the exchange rules of the TSX and LSE or by applicable laws, the Company does not accept any obligation to disseminate any updates or revisions to such interpretations or forward-looking statements. The Company may reinterpret results to date as the status of its assets and projects changes with time expenditure, metals prices and other affecting circumstances. This release may contain "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking information includes, but is not limited to, statements regarding the Company's plans for developing its properties, successful completion of the NSR Financing, future gold stream financing, resource estimates, the lifting of travel-related COVID-19 restrictions, results of exploration activities, development of the Alpala project, future funding participation by Cornerstone, future budgets to complete a feasibility study and re-activation of operations . 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 the Company to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information, including but not limited to: timing of the lifting of COVID-19 related-related restrictions, satisfactory completion of site visit due diligence by Franco-Nevada, the ability to complete future financings on terms acceptable to SolGold, transaction risks; general business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties; future prices of mineral prices; accidents, labour disputes and shortages and other risks of the mining industry. 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. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking information, except in accordance with applicable securities laws. The Company and its officers do not endorse, or reject or otherwise comment on the conclusions, interpretations or views expressed in press articles or third-party analysis, and where possible aims to circulate all available material on its website. This information is provided by RNS, the news service of the London Stock Exchange. RNS is approved by the Financial Conduct Authority to act as a Primary Information Provider in the United Kingdom. Terms and conditions relating to the use and distribution of this information may apply. For further information, please contact rns@lseg.com or visit www.rns.com. SOURCE: SolGold PLC View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/600363/SolGold-PLC-Announces-Board-and-Corporate-Governance-Update The federal government says it will very soon resume the roll out of Digital Switch Over (DSO) a transition from analogue to digital television broadcasting across the country. The Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, stated this on Tuesday in Lagos at a ceremony to unveil the new amendment to the 6th Edition of the Broadcasting Code. Fielding questions from stakeholders at the ceremony, the minister said the DSO suffered some set back which led to a hold after it was launched in six states. He reiterated the commitment of the government to spread the massive benefits of digital television to the people, stressing that it was the fastest way to create jobs. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls the roll out of DSO commenced in Jos, Plateau in April 2016 and moved to Abuja, Ilorin, Kaduna, Enugu and lastly in Oshogbo in February, 2018. The minister assured the stakeholders that they would hear from the government on the resumption of the DSO roll out in the coming weeks. Mr Mohammed also told the stakeholders that government had been implementing policies and programmes to reposition the creative industry. He said one of the major recommendations of the Post COVID-19 Initiative Committee on the Creative Industry chaired by ace comedian, Ali Baba, was a restructure of the industry. The minister reassured that the government would soon set up a committee on the implementation of the recommendations to move the industry forward. The minister also reiterated governments commitment to assist the Newspaper Proprietors Association of Nigeria in securing the N10 billion Nigeria Media Intervention Fund from the Central Bank of Nigeria. (NAN) The ground breaking ceremony of a Ram temple in Ayodhya has spread joy across the country and will establish the self confidence needed for making India self-reliant, RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat on Wednesday said. Recalling the three-decade-old struggle of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and its ideological family members for the construction of the temple, he hailed the contribution of veteran BJP leader LK Advani, late VHP president Ashok Singhal and Mahant Ramchandra Das Paramhans. There are many people who worked hard and some even sacrificed their lives for the temple, many may not be here physically, Bhagwat said remembering Singhal and spiritual face of the temple movement late Paramhans. While there are some like Advani ji who led rath yatra but could not come due to the current situation (Covid-19 pandemic). He must be watching this from his home on TV, Bhagwat said while addressing from the Ram temple site in Ayodhya. Bhagwat, the guest of honour for the ground breaking ceremony, termed it is a moment of joy asserting there is a wave of happiness in the country. There is a pleasure of fulfilment of a dream for years. But the greatest joy is establishment of the self confidence and self-sufficiency needed for making India self-reliant is realised today, said the RSS chief, who sat along with Modi at the havan ceremony. With the bhoomi pujan, the Sanghs three-decade-old pledge of constructing the Ram temple in Ayodhya is being realised, he said. When we had taken the pledge, our then Sangh chief Balasahab Deoras had told us we would have to work hard continuously for 20-30 years and we did, Bhagwat said, adding today the society is realising the joy of fulfilment of its pledge. Emphasising that the foundation stone of the temple laid on Wednesday signifies the spirit to take everyone along, he said it is being done by the able leadership of the country to make India a global leader. Requesting people to follow the ideals of Lord Ram to regain the past glory of the country, Bhagwat said people should also build an Ayodhya inside them based on values and teachings of its king to make India great. Projecting Ram as an universal king, the RSS chief said he belongs to all and all belongs to him. Bhagwat was one of the selected invitees at the bhoomi poojan ceremony of the Ram temple at the site where a large number of Hindus believe Lord Ram was born. Construction of the Ram temple has been a core issue of the RSS, and it has been providing all necessary support to its ideological family members BJP and VHP to realise this long awaited mission of the saffron organisations. Besides Bhagwat, top office bearers of Sangh - its general secretary Suresh Bhaiyyaji Joshi, its joint general secretaries Krishna Gopal and Dattateya Hosabale were also present at the ceremony. More than a dozen Republican senators on Wednesday backed $25 billion in additional federal aid for the airline industry as a spike in coronavirus cases in the U.S. in recent weeks derailed a nascent recovery in travel demand. The news sent shares sharply higher Wednesday afternoon. American Airlines' stock closed up 9.5%, after trading as much as 12% higher on the day. United Airlines and Delta Air Lines added more than 4% and 3%, respectively. The added GOP support increases the likelihood that the funds get included in the next big aid package to help the U.S. weather the impact of the pandemic. More than 200 House lawmakers have already backed the extension, which would preserve jobs until the end of March 2021. The endorsement from GOP senators in the Republican-controlled Senate puts pressure on Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell to include the provision in a final aid package. U.S. passenger airlines were allocated $25 billion in aid, mostly in grants, that would preserve sector jobs through Sept. 30, but carriers have told more than 70,000 workers that their jobs are at risk after that deadline passes. Meanwhile, travel demand remains at a fraction of last year's levels and financial losses at airlines are mounting. Executives say a demand recovery to 2019 levels could take years and that appetite for air travel will be limited barring a coronavirus vaccine. "For these reasons, we support a clean extension of payroll support for passenger air carrier employees included in the CARES Act to avoid furloughs and further support those workers," the 16 Republican senators wrote in a letter, which was seen by CNBC, to McConnell and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer. The letter was signed by Sens. Cory Gardner, R-Colo., Todd Young, R-Ind., Roger Wicker, R-Miss., Marco Rubio, R-Fla., John Cornyn, R-Texas, and Susan Collins, R-Maine, and others. The senators also urged Congress to consider support for other aviation-related businesses like concessionaires and aircraft producers. "Such businesses and their workers are uniquely tethered to air travel and have been and will continued to be significantly impacted by the decline in air travel," they wrote. Boeing shares rose 5.6% on Wednesday while its key supplier Spirit Aerosystems, which makes fuselages and other parts, added nearly 9%. A key state investigator in the high profile third in command at the graft busting body ACB murder case has died. Bob Mtekama, the only forensic expert on murder cases has succumbed to diabetis, according to family sources. Mtekama has battled the sugar disease for years. Until his death at Seventh Day Adventist hospital in Blantyre, Mtekama was appointed head of the Criminal Investigative Division (CID). Reports we have gathered show that the deceased police chief had a wound which never healed due to the underlying condition of the diabetis. As a result, the wound became cancerous. Police authorities are yet to comment on the matter. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Paula Ramon (Agence France-Presse) Sao Paulo, Brazil Wed, August 5, 2020 11:15 531 6657ac82168da9fa101c8a4066bb024c 2 Science & Tech artificial-intelligence,doctors,Brazil,coronavirus,COVID-19,COVID-19-infection,pandemic,SARS-CoV-2,virus-corona,novel-coronavirus Free Doctors in Brazil, the country with the second-highest number of cases and deaths in the coronavirus pandemic, have a new tool in their fight against COVID-19: artificial intelligence to detect infections. Under-testing remains a huge problem in the sprawling South American country, but AI is helping fill the gap, thanks to a system called RadVid-19 developed using algorithms from German company Siemens and Chinese firm Huawei. Brazil has been hit harder by the pandemic than any country except the United States, with nearly 2.8 million infections and 95,000 deaths. Experts say the numbers would be much higher if there were more widespread testing. RadVid-19 seeks to fill that gap, and help doctors decide the right course of treatment for their patients. It analyzes chest X-rays and CT scans to find spots on patients' lungs that are likely markers of infection by the new coronavirus. "The software identifies those areas and estimates the probability of a case of COVID-19," says Marcio Sawamura, deputy head of the radiology center at the University of Sao Paulo Clinical Hospital. The program shows doctors on a computer screen how their patients' lungs are changing over time and enables them to analyze the white and yellow circles marking potential infection. The software is being used by 43 Brazilian hospitals, 60 percent of them public, thanks in part to funding from the Inter-American Development Bank. It is not a replacement for a lab-based diagnosis by a physician. But it can help doctors decide what treatment to pursue during the sometimes long wait for lab results to come back, in a country where no large-scale testing campaign has been launched and President Jair Bolsonaro faces criticism for downplaying the pandemic. Creativity in crisis "Since Brazil is testing less than it should, CT scans and X-rays end up being used as diagnostic tools," says Arthur Lobo, a radiologist in the northern city of Belem. "It's helped us reach diagnoses when we were in doubt." That was welcome relief in the early stages of the pandemic in Brazil, when doctors were racing to keep up with a rapidly exploding infection curve, says Claudia Leite, a professor in the radiology and oncology department at the University of Sao Paulo. "At the beginning, we were really in anguish, because sometimes the lab results were taking a long time to come back and the patient would start getting worse, developing breathing difficulty, and we still didn't have a diagnosis," she says. Using AI, she says, "we were able to conclude it was COVID and take the right measures. And the test results later confirmed it." RadVid-19 had analyzed 10,700 X-rays and CT scans as of the end of July. Researchers are still assessing its accuracy rate. As proceedings on actor Rhea Chakraborty's petition to transfer the case of Sushant Singh Rajput's death from Bihar to Mumbai were underway in the Supreme Court, the Centre notified that it has accepted Bihar government's recommendation to transfer probe to the CBI. All the parties in the case have been granted 3 days by the SC to file their replies. The Centre on Wednesday informed the Supreme Court that it has accepted Bihar governments recommendation for CBI intervention in the looming case of Sushant Singh Rajputs apparent suicide. Solicitor General, Tushar Mehta, representing the Union of India informed the apex court of the Centres decision on August 5, as proceedings on actor Rhea Chakrabortys petition, seeking transfer of probe in late actor Sushant Singh Rajputs suspected suicide from Bihar to Mumbai, were underway. Chakraborty, who has been accused by the late actors father, KK Singh, for abetting Rajputs suicide, in an FIR lodged against her last week with Bihar Police in Patna, claims her innocence. Her legal counsel and advocate, Satish Maneshinde, has also cited absence of jurisdiction of the Bihar Police in the matter, while senior advocate Shyam Divan, representing Chakraborty in the Supreme Court accused the state of Bihar and Rajputs father of connivance and destruction of the federal structure by interfering and seeking the CBI probe in an unlawful, backdoor manner. Also read: SSR death probe: Rhea Chakrabortys lawyer objects Bihar govts involvement Also read: SSR probe: Bombay HC defers PIL seeking CBI inquiry due to heavy rains Meanwhile, Senior Advocate R. Besant, appearing for the state of Maharashtra attempted to re-instate the focus of the hearing to the matter of jurisdiction in the case, as also raised by Rhea Chakraborty. Clearly, the matter seems to be getting acutely embroiled in an inter-state political conflict, now attemping resolution from a legal front. Justice Hrishikesh Roy, who was leading the proceeding, asserted that while the case is high-profile, and the circumstances of Rajputs death unusual and unprecedented, bound to stir public opinion, the court shall stick to the legal order of the day. Consequently, Chakrabortys counsel, Advocate Divan, sought for a protective order in her favour, to which Senior Advocate Vikas Singh, who was representing the Rajput family expressed his fears that crucial evidence in the case might be tampered with if a prospective protection was to be accorded to Rhea. He also slammed the BMC order to compulsorily home-quarantine senior IPS, Vinay Tiwari, leading the Bihar investigation team, and furthered the accusations on evidence distortion from Chakrabortys end. Justice Roy conceded that the order of forceful quarantine imposed on IPS Vinay Tiwari didnt convey a positive message. He also asked the state of Maharahsra to ensure that the investigation is conducted professionally. This ensued a verbal banter between the representatives of the state of Bihar and the state of Maharashtra on the subject of jurisdiction. The Solicitor General also requested the Supreme Court to make Centre a party to the case, to which the apex court asked him to file a separate application. Meanwhile, the Supreme Court directed all parties to file their replies within three days on the question of transfer of the case. The Court adjourned the hearing till the next week. However, the court has not granted any stay on the ongoing investigation by the Bihar Police on the FIR incriminating Rhea Chakraborty in collaboration with the Mumbai Police. Notably, deceased actor Sushant Singh Rajputs father has accused Rhea Chakraborty of financial swindling, emotional harassment, and finally, driving Rajput to the edge and abetting his suicide. Chakraborty, in response has claimed that she was in a live-in relationship with the late actor till June 8, after which she had temporarily moved to another residence. Actor Sushant Singh Rajput was found hanging, in what is being alleged a case of suicide, in his Bandra apartment on June 14. Also read: SSR death probe: IGP Patna writes to BMC, seeks release of SP Vinay Tiwari from home quarantine Christian women detail racism they face in workplace Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment Racism goes beyond the black and white narrative seen on television, said a group of minority Christian women. When Jenny Yang, who is Asian American and vice president of Policy & Advocacy on Refugee Resettlement at World Relief, attended a Congress briefing recently, a man began using hand sanitizer. At that moment, a woman behind her made a joke, saying, He needs it, hes the one next to an Asian. Yang said she knows colleagues who have experienced other harmful words and stereotypes. Asian Americans have been facing increased racism due to the coronavirus origin in the Wuhan Province in China. She and other women spoke about racial issues they face in the workplace and abroad during COVID-19 as part of Women at Work's online event this week. The racist biases and tendencies are exposed because of the pandemic. A lot of my friends who are Asian American had personal issues of racism because of COVID, Yang said. It goes to show that even at the highest levels of government, racism doesnt hide its head. At the Congress briefing, Yang said she had a friend who spoke up to the woman who made the joke. Once the woman realized how hurtful the words were, she apologized. The ignorance of a persons bias was a key issue highlighted during the Women at Work discussion because racism can infect culture through comments as simple as a joke, according to Yang. She said she was thankful that her friend was able to speak up in her defense because if he was not there, Yang would be forced to respond herself. Witnesses also play a role in curbing racism, she noted. It starts at a personal level, when racial stereotypes go unchecked, if casual comments go unchecked, it creates a culture of dehumanization and leads to greater issues that go unchecked, Yang stated. We cant continue to let them go. Sunni Harris, a litigation and law expert, addressed workplace discrimination that black women have faced. Harris said that 67% of black women are left out of networking opportunities in the legal field. While the exclusion is personally hurtful, it can make socially-active jobs very difficult. It hurts to be excluded but more importantly you need relationships to do your job, Harris said. If Im not invited, then it hinders my ability to do my job well. Karen Ellis, a black woman and director of the Center for the Study of the Bible and Ethnicity in Atlanta, said that division and stereotyping have been in human nature since creation. Genesis 1-3 makes it clear though that God is deeply saddened when humans practice division, she noted. In agreement, Trillia Newbell, a black woman and Ellis colleague, stressed that the Bible makes it clear that division is wrong. But, she said, Scripture can oftentimes be manipulated or taken out of context to be used in support of racism. She experienced this while speaking about human dignity at a program in Jackson, Tennessee. This man was taught that black women were a curse, they were subhuman and tried to use pieces of Scripture to support it, Newbell recalled. People whove engaged with me have been taught similarly. Thats why we need to look at all of Scripture and not just pick it apart. Thats what causes misapplication. While the panel agreed that racism is noticeable during the pandemic, the U.S. is moving in the right direction in some cases. One example provided by Harris is that seven states no longer have hair laws for workplaces, a rule that would often force black women to change their appearance just to be employed. Too often these conversations are had without hope, Newbell said. But thats the whole reason Im here. There is hope. We can continue to persevere because every woman has hope. That hope has a name and that name is Jesus. Family sues 9 policemen over ex-army major Sinha's shooting death The family of Sinha Md Rashed Khan has started a case against nine policemen, including two inspectors, on charges of shooting the former army major to death. Sinhas elder sister Sharmin Shahriar Ferdous filed the case with Teknaf Judicial Magistrate Court on Wednesday. Inspector Liaqat Ali of Baharchhara Police Investigation Centre and OC Pradeep Kumar Das are among the nine policemen named in the case, said the plaintiff. Judge Tamanna Farah took the case into cognizance and ordered the Teknaf Police Station to record the complaint. The court also ordered the Rapid Action Battalion to investigate the case. Advocate Md Mostafa represented Sharmin in court. Sinha, 36, was a member of the Special Security Force, tasked with guarding the prime minister. His father late Ershad Khan was a deputy secretary at the finance ministry. The former army officer had been staying at Nilima Resort in Himchhari of Coxs Bazar with three others for around a month to film a travel documentary. After his death on Jul 31 night, police said they fired in self-defence when he brandished a pistol after obstructing a search of his vehicle at the checkpoint at Shamlapur along the Cox's Bazar-Teknaf Marine Drive. They also said they seized drugs from the vehicle and detained a person from the scene and another from the resort. Two cases have been initiated over the incident. But the police account has been greeted with disbelief and there was doubt over whether Rashed has indeed pointed the gun at the policemen. There were allegations that the members of the law-enforcement agency were late in taking him to hospital. With these questions hanging heavy in the air, the government has formed a committee to investigate the incident. Source: bdnews24.com Russia has issued a thinly veiled threat against Belarus over the detention of 33 Russian mercenaries who were arrested at gunpoint near the capital, Minsk, last week. Dmitry Medvedev, the deputy head of Russia's Security Council, said the incident could have grave consequences for bilateral relations. His remarks came just days before Belarus holds a crucial presidential election in which longtime President Alyaksandr Lukashenka is seeking to extend his 26 years in office. Medvedev said the Belarusian leadership had turned bilateral ties into "small change in the election campaign. "It's not only offensive, it's very sad, said Medvedev, who previously served as Russian president and prime minister. "And it will entail sad consequences, too." The mercenaries' arrest, and the circumstances of their presence in Belarus, has ratcheted up tensions in the run-up to the August 9 presidential vote. Lukashenka is facing one of the most serious challenges to his tenure, with masses of Belarusians attending campaign rallies organized by his challengers. Belarusian authorities have charged the arrested Russians with plotting to stage riots. Russia has demanded their release, saying they were only in Belarus because they missed a connecting flight to another country. In a speech on August 4, Lukashenka lashed out at the Russian mercenaries, suggesting they were plotting a "colored revolution" in Belarus -- a reference to the popular upheavals that have rocked Georgia, Ukraine, and Kyrgyzstan over the past two decades. The Russians were reportedly employed by a private military firm owned by Yevgeny Prigozhin, a Kremlin-connected businessman who has been indicted in the United States for meddling in the 2016 U.S. presidential election. With reporting by Interfax Wing Loong-10 drone makes typhoon detection debut Global Times By Liu Xuanzun Source: Global Times Published: 2020/8/4 19:53:17 The Wing Loong-10, China's domestically developed large, high-altitude drone, successfully conducted its first typhoon detection test flight on Sunday, when Typhoon Sinlaku hit South China's Hainan Province. The test marked a breakthrough in China's typhoon detection and forecast system, reports said on Tuesday. Also capable of conducting military operations including armed reconnaissance, the Wing Loong-10 demonstrated its performance in extreme weather conditions with the typhoon test, analysts said. During the typhoon detection test flight, the Wing Loong-10 drone took off from Bo'ao Airport in South China's Hainan Province, dropped 30 sondes from an altitude of 10,000 meters, and conducted a multidimensional scan of Typhoon Sinlaku together with its millimeter wave radar, as observation data on factors including temperature, humidity, atmospheric pressure and hydrometeors was sent back to the ground in real time, China Central Television (CCTV) reported on Tuesday. Typhoons cause 29.5 billion yuan ($4.22 billion) in economic losses to China every year, and drones have the potential to significantly improve typhoon forecasts, reports said. Built by Chengdu Aircraft Industrial (Group) Co Ltd under the state-owned Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC), the Wing Loong series drones are well-known for their military applications. The designation of the Wing Loong-10 was not immediately found in previous reports. According to an AVIC statement released on the company's WeChat account on Tuesday, the Wing Loong-10 can also conduct military operations including optical, electronic and armed reconnaissance. Military observers noted that the Wing Loong-10 greatly resembles the Cloud Shadow drone, which was also produced by the Chengdu aircraft company. They also found that the CCTV report used video clips of the Cloud Shadow when introducing the Wing Loong-10. The Cloud Shadow is a high-altitude high-speed multifunction drone installed with a high-end turbojet engine. It can conduct rapid and extensive intelligence gathering and long-distance precision land/sea attacks, AVIC said in a statement sent to the Global Times in 2017. In addition to its striking resemblance to the Cloud Shadow, the Wing Loong-10 also seems to use a turbojet engine, while most other Wing Loong series drones use turboprop engines, a drone industry expert told the Global Times on Tuesday. The Wing Loong series and the Cloud Shadow drones are all available on the international market. This particular Wing Loong-10 built for typhoon detection purposes is likely still in its development phase, and more tests will also likely be conducted for its other functions, the expert said. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address A Canadian artist from Montreal heard nothing but thought his apartment in Beirut had been hit by an earthquake as a massive explosion tore through the citys port district Tuesday. The whole building shook, paintings fell, things broke, chairs moved. Like two seconds later, I heard the blast, said Sami Basbous in a WhatsApp interview. Basbous, who is visiting Lebanon, said he lives about five kilometres from the site of the blast in an apartment with an unobstructed view of the port. It was like the air was sucked out of the city and was sucked out of people. It was sucked out of me, he said. Basbous had been watching a plume of smoke billowing from the port when the blast hit. He described a strange, red, ochre colour mushroom cloud coming from the area of the fire within seconds of the explosion. The whole city was engulfed by the smoke. It was terrifying. It almost took your breath away. And it threw me off. It was absolutely devastating. Rawane Al Zahed also lives about five kilometres from the blast site and said she ran through her home to check on her family after she heard explosions and felt the ground shake. Al Zahed, 24, said she felt two explosions a few seconds apart. The first felt like an earthquake, while the second sent shock waves through her familys fifth-floor apartment. I was super afraid, Al Zahed said. I didnt want to die. I was screaming, I dont want to die now. Al Zahed, who has filed paperwork to join her Canadian husband in Vancouver, said the second explosion left a wood and iron door cracked, and shattered the television screen in her house. The explosion has killed at least 135 people, among them a long-time Montreal resident identified by a Montreal city councillor. Thousands more are injured, and the federal government said a member of the Canadian Armed Forces is among those hurt, although the injuries are not considered life threatening. The Lebanese government said it had put an unspecified number of port officials under house arrest pending an explanation about how 2,750 tonnes of ammonium nitrate came to be stored at the port for years. The scale of the damage, from the epicentre of the explosion to the windows blown out kilometres away, resembles other blasts involving the chemical compound commonly used as an agricultural fertilizer, experts said. Basbous, who came to Canada from Beirut in 1981 and returned for a visit, only to be stranded there by the COVID-19 pandemic, said the blast was so powerful it took his breath away. Never have I ever experienced something like this, and I hope I will never experience it again, he said. The blast has compounded the various problems already facing the people of Lebanon, said Basbous. And I have love for this beautiful country that sadly is terribly complicated. Since the blast on Tuesday, he said he has been in constant contact with friends and family. He has been calling various non-profit organizations, food banks and shelters to offer his services and mobilize resources for them, he added. Al Zahed said she called her husband. He tried to lighten the mood with a couple jokes, but she said she was far too panicked to sleep. I wake up, I tweet. I wake up, I open Facebook. I want to see whats happening, she said. All I can think of (is) how I ran. All I can remember (is) when I ran. The blast has been described as the most powerful explosion ever seen in the city, which was divided by the 1975-1990 civil war and has endured conflicts with neighbouring Israel and periodic bombings and terror attacks. Lebanon was experiencing a severe economic crisis that has ignited mass protests in recent months. Its health system is confronting a surge of COVID-19, and there are concerns the virus could spread further as people flood into hospitals. Al Zahed said shes still trying to come to terms with what happened, noting that because of her age, she was spared from much of Lebanons recent tragedy. Im 24 years old. I didnt live through any other big Lebanese wars, Al Zahed said. I was too young for the one in 2006, and I didnt pass through any trauma before like this one. It was really scary. Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry and Anita Anand, Minister of Public Services and Procurement make an announcement regarding vaccine procurement, in Toronto, on Wed., Aug., 5, 2020. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Christopher Katsarov) Canada Signs Deals With Pfizer, Moderna to Get Doses of COVID-19 Vaccines OTTAWACanada now has deals in place with pharmaceutical giant Pfizer and U.S.-based biotech firm Moderna to secure millions of doses of their experimental COVID-19 vaccines, in case either of the candidates is approved for wide-scale use. But Procurement Minister Anita Anand will not yet say how much Canada is spending or how many doses of either vaccine candidate Canada will get because she says Canada is in talks with other domestic and international firms to secure doses of their experimental vaccines as well. The information we can reveal at the current time regarding doses in particular is being kept confidential because we are taking a prudent approach to the negotiations while we are engaged with other suppliers, she said Wednesday at a news conference in Toronto. She said there will be firm orders with multiple suppliers and options to purchase more should further doses be needed. After a company pronounces a vaccine safe and effective, Health Canada must approve it for use here before it can be used. Anand said once that happens, she anticipates delivery of approved vaccines in 2021. As the situation evolves and as the number of suppliers becomes more firm for Canada we can isolate precisely how many doses we might need, Anand said. Last month Public Services and Procurement Canada issued bids to supply 75 million syringes and other vaccine administration supplies like alcohol swabs and bandages, to be delivered by the end of October. The goal is to have enough supplies to give every Canadian two doses of a vaccine. These agreements with Moderna and Pfizer are indicative of our aggressive approach to secure access to vaccine candidates now so that Canadians are at the front of a line when a vaccine becomes available, Anand said. These vaccine candidates are very promising and we all look forward to the day when restrictions can be lifted entirely. Both Pfizer and Moderna began Phase 3 clinical trials of their vaccine candidates in the last week, which are large-scale tests to determine how well the vaccines work. Both of these vaccine candidates use something called messenger RNA (mRNA) to try to provoke an immune response to COVID-19. They are among about two dozen COVID-19 vaccine candidates in clinical trials around the world. Dozens more are in earlier stages of development. Both Pfizer and Moderna are part of the U.S. governments Operation Warp Speed program to facilitate the development and production of COVID-19 vaccines quickly. Pfizer said July 22 that it has a US$1.95-billion agreement to supply 100 million doses to the U.S. government, with an option for 500 million more. Moderna CEO Stephane Bancel said in a conference call Wednesday that small amounts of Modernas vaccine have been priced between US$32 and US$37 a dose, but that the price would be lower for big orders. Pfizer also said it expects it can produce 100 million doses of its vaccine by the end of December, and another 1.3 billion doses in 2021. Last month both Pfizer and Moderna reported positive results from smaller trials. Modernas vaccine was tested on 45 healthy adults between 18 and 55 years old in a Phase 1 trial in May and June, and reported a strong immune response in all people, with mild or moderate side effects such as fatigue, fever and body aches. The Phase 3 trials will both test the vaccines on 30,000 people, and results are expected in the fall. Anand and Innovation Minister Navdeep Bains stressed they are looking for both domestic and international vaccine solutions for COVID-19. Bains announced a $56-million contribution to Variation Biotechnologies Inc. to support clinical trials of its vaccine candidate. Bains also said Ottawa hasnt yet decided whether it will make getting a vaccine mandatory. Canadas chief public health officer Dr. Theresa Tam warned Tuesday against expecting a vaccine to provide a quick end to the pandemic, saying they provide hope but likely no silver bullet for the novel coronavirus. Anand echoed that sentiment, urging Canadians to continue to practice physical distancing, wash their hands and wear masks in public to prevent the spread of the virus while waiting for a vaccine. By Mia Rabson Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-05 14:11:55|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close BEIJING, Aug. 5 (Xinhua) -- China plans to launch two more meteorological satellites in 2021, sources with the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation said Wednesday. One of the planned satellites is called Fengyun-3E (FY-3E). It will be the fifth member of the country's Fengyun-3 series of satellites in polar orbit and the world's first meteorological satellite in dawn-dusk orbit. A dawn-dusk orbit is a sun-synchronous orbit in which the satellite tracks but never moves into the Earth's shadow. Since the satellite is close to the shadow, the part of Earth the satellite is directly above is always at sunset or sunrise, giving the orbit its name. As the sun's light is always shining upon the satellite, it can make constant use of its solar panels. Once in orbit, the FY-3E satellite will improve the accuracy and efficiency of global numerical weather prediction, according to the company. The other satellite is Fengyun-4B (FY-4B), which will be the second geostationary meteorological satellite of the Fengyun-4 series. China launched the FY-4A, a scientific experiment satellite, into space in December 2016. The FY-4B will mark an upgrade of China's meteorological satellites in geostationary orbit. As early as 1969, China started receiving, processing and using foreign meteorological satellite data. Meanwhile, the country has been developing its own meteorological satellite system. Over the past 50 years, China's meteorological services have made huge progress. So far, the country has launched a total of 17 Fengyun meteorological satellites. Enditem Conakry (AFP) - Guinean Prime Minister Kassory Fofana on Wednesday proclaimed his support for President Alpha Conde at a party convention likely to confirm whether he runs for a third term in office, a scenario that has stirred bloody protests in the West African state. Fofana made the appeal at the start of a two-day convention of the Rally of the Guinean People (RPG) to select a candidate for a presidential vote expected in October. "This convention is being held at a particular time, when the world faces the COVID-19 pandemic and where violence is widespread," Fofana told around 350 delegates gathered in the parliament building in Conakry. "The difficult times are menacing, but I am sure we will emerge victorious under the leadership of President Alpha Conde." Conde is near the end of his second five-year term in office -- the maximum under the old constitution, which has just been revised and approved by a referendum. Critics say the changes are a ploy to enable the 82-year-old to reset his time in power. Under the new constitution, presidential terms are also limited to two but extended from five years to six, which could theoretically enable Conde to govern for another 12 years. Conde was a long-time dissident under iron-fisted regimes that ruled Guinea after it gained independence from France in 1958. He came to power by the ballot box in 2010 -- a first in a country with a chronic history of military coups. Voters returned him to office five years later, although his opponents say his presidency has since lurched towards authoritarianism. Protests over suspicions that he sought to engineer a third term erupted last October, triggering clashes costing dozens of lives. Conde himself has been ambiguous about whether he intends to run again, saying that it is "the party which will decide". - Corruption allegations - Nor has Conde yet confirmed the date of October 18 which the electoral commission has proposed for the first round. Story continues "Following the convention (on Thursday), we expect professor Alpha Conde to respond favourably to our request, which is that he be our candidate for the next presidential election in Guinea," said Malick Sankon, a member of the RPG's national political bureau. "We have no alternative, nobody has emerged, so we are continuing to tell him to do the work and we will see later," Sankon told AFP. Delegates to the convention were tested for coronavirus before they attended. Many said they enthusiastically supported the presidential incumbent. "This is the convention which will anoint Professor Alpha Conde. We want him to be our candidate," said Fantamady Diakite, a delegate from the central region of Upper Guinea. The electoral commission has proposed that the presidential poll be held on October 18, but Conde has yet to issue a decree to confirm a date. On the eve of the convention, a group of dissidents said they had filed a lawsuit in France accusing Conde and others of corruption, money laundering and influence-peddling. The complaint, they said, focuses on a bauxite concession awarded to a French mining company called AMR. In a statement issued Wednesday, AMR (Alliance Miniere Responsable) rejected accusations against it as "completely fictitious." Allegations that AMR had sold the concession to a French-Chinese-Singaporean consortium were particularly wrong, as this contract was for a partnership, it said. "Our company has always and will continue to work in compliance with Guinean and international law," AMR said. YEREVAN, AUGUST 4, ARMENPRESS. Speaker of Parliament of Armenia Ararat Mirzoyan has offered condolences to the people of Lebanon over the deadly explosion that hit Beirut on Tuesday. Together with the brotherly people of Lebanon, we mourn the deaths of the victims of the Beirut blasts, Mirzoyan said on Facebook. The blast erupted at a port warehouse in the Lebanese capital on Tuesday. More than 100 people are dead and 4000 injured. The enormous blast was reportedly heard as far away as Cyprus, some 150 miles away from the port. Beirut authorities have traced the blast to a massive stash of explosive ammonium nitrate in a warehouse at the port. The cause of the explosion is under investigation. Editing and Translating by Stepan Kocharyan ROME - The death toll from several small explosions followed by a massive detonation in Beirut on Tuesday had risen to over 100 by Wednesday morning. About 4,000 people were also injured, according to the Lebanese Red Cross, which noted that these numbers may rise further. Rescue workers struggled through the entire night to find survivors. The explosions, which were heard as far away as the Cypriot capital of Nicosia, 240 km away, were recorded by seismologists as the equivalent of an earthquake registering 3.3 on the Richter scale. Sparking the explosions seems to have been over 2,700 tons of ammonium nitrate kept in the hangar number 12 of the port since it was confiscated in 2013 from a ship. President Michel Aoun said that the fact that the highly combustible material had been kept there without appropriate safety measures was ''unacceptable''. Prime Minister Hassan Diab pledged that those responsible would be held accountable. Eyewitnesses said that they had seen an orange mushroom cloud sparked by explosions involving nitrates and there is a great deal of concern that toxins remain in the air. Lebanese health minister Hamad Hasan has recommended that anyone who can leave Beirut do so. Local media said that Hasan had noted that the dangerous materials released into the air could over the long term prove fatal. Rescue workers are still seeking over 100 people reported missing. A state of emergency has been declared for the next two weeks and the international community is mobilising to offer aid. The explosions happened at an extremely delicate moment for the country, which has been suffering from a disastrous economic crisis and border tensions that have been rekindled in recent days between Israel and the Iran-linked Hezbollah militias, as well as a sentence expected Friday for a trial on the 2005 killing in Beirut of former prime minister Rafik Hariri and 21 others. The defendants in the trial are all from Hezbollah and are all being tried in absentia. UN's FAO alarmed at Beirut grain silo destruction Following that explosions that destroyed the grain silos next to the Beirut port, the UN's Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) expressed concern that there may be dire flour shortages across all of Lebanon. ''I received a very short message from the FAO official in Beirut: indeed it is feared that a large quantity of the wheat reserves at the port have been affected or destroyed by the explosion. The stocks are seriously damaged" a declared the FAO emergency manager, Dominique Burgeon, contacted by AFP from Paris. "And we fear that we will soon have a problem with the availability of flour for the entire country.'' German carmaker BMW remains fully confident about the positive mid- and long-term business prospects of China, a spokesman of the company told Xinhua in a recent interview. "We stand firm on BMW's long-term strategy in China, and are committed to our large-scale investments and will continue introducing new products and technologies into BMW's largest single market, especially on e-mobility and digitalization," the spokesman said. At BMW, the production follows the market, according to the spokesman. As China is by far BMW's largest market, the company has set up two plants for vehicle production and one for powertrain. "We've announced some big investments in additional plant capacities. So, from a China perspective, we will see an even stronger effect on the local production and supply chain and we have no plans to have any adverse effects here," he said. "Signs of business rebound have been seen in China since March. This is because, on the one hand, the market was recovering thanks to the series of targeted economic measures announced by the government; On the other hand, the economy in China is proving to be very resilient due to the economic foundation built up over the past decades," he noted. According to BMW, BMW has more than 400 suppliers in China, and the China market registered an annual sales volume of more than 720,000 units of BMW and MINI vehicles in 2019. China is also a large production base for the Bavarian company, as about one fifth of the BMW vehicles were produced in China's northeast city of Shenyang last year. Airline is filing for Chapter 15 bankruptcy protection in US as it seeks to secure $1.6bn rescue package in UK. Richard Bransons Virgin Atlantic Airways Ltd. filed for Chapter 15 bankruptcy protection in the U.S. on Tuesday after telling a London court it was set to run out of cash next month if a pending rescue deal isnt approved. The airline filed its petition in the Southern District of New York. Chapter 15 allows foreign companies with U.S. assets to protect themselves against claims while they work on a turnaround plan at home. The company had said during proceedings in the U.K. that it planned to apply for the U.S. protection while it finalizes a rescue plan thats already supported by a majority of its stakeholders. Virgin is seeking to secure a 1.2 billion-pound ($1.6 billion) rescue, which was announced in July. The process we have asked to be recognized is a solvent restructuring of an English company, a Virgin spokesperson said of the Chapter 15 filing. The U.K. process is proceeding with the support of a majority of its creditors, the company said. Airlines are under pressure as travelers shun flights to avoid exposure to the coronavirus. Three of Latin Americas biggest airlines Latam Airlines Group SA, Avianca Holdings SA and Grupo Aeromexico SAB are reorganizing in bankruptcy court in New York. Sales Plunge At least four U.S. regional airlines have collapsed and revenue at carriers with vast international networks could see sales plunge 66% this year, according to a Bloomberg Intelligence report. Since Jan. 1, Virgins reservations are down 89% year-over-year and demand for the second half of 2020 is at approximately 25% of 2019 levels, according to court papers. The group and its business have been adversely affected by the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, which has caused an unprecedented near-shutdown of the global passenger aviation industry, according to the court papers. Global aviation was one of the first industries to be impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic and is likely to be one of the last to fully recover. Virgins restructuring plan in the U.K. depends on the approval of its Chapter 15 filing in the U.S., the company said in its court filing. Without the plan, theres uncertainty as to whether Virgin could get enough creditor support to implement its restructuring in time to avoid going into formal insolvency proceedings, according to the filing. Because VAAL has material assets and operations in the United States, the recognition of the English proceeding and enforcement of the sanction order and the plan through Chapter 15 of the bankruptcy code are necessary to ensure that the plan is effective and binding, the filing states. Delta owns a non-controlling 49% equity stake in Virgin Atlantic Ltd., the parent of the airline. Delta remains firmly supportive of its partner Virgin Atlantic as the airline proceeds with the fully funded recapitalization plan it announced in July, Delta said in a statement. The case is Virgin Atlantic Airways Limited, 20-11804-mew, U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York. Bangkok: Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn was on Friday proclaimed the new Thai King, heralding a new chapter in the countrys monarchy after the passing away of his revered father who was the worlds longest reigning monarch. Vajiralongkorn, 64, accepted the throne of politically troubled nation following an invitation from the head of the National Legislative Assembly (NLA), becoming the 10th monarch of the Chakri dynasty that dates back to 1782. I agree to accept the wishes of the late king... for the benefit of the entire Thai people, he said tonight, two days after he was proclaimed King Rama X. The event was broadcast on all Thai television channels. The sombre ceremony at his Bangkok palace was attended by powerful junta leader and NLA chief Prayut Chan-O-Cha. Buddhist temples across the country have been instructed to beat drums and gongs after his proclamation. He succeeds his father King Bhumibol Adulyadej, also called King Rama the IX who died in October aged 88 and was the worlds longest-reigning monarch. Vajiralongkorns accession to the throne ends a period of uncertainty during which Privy Council President Gen Prem Tinsulanonda, a 96-year-old former prime minister, was serving as regent. He ascends the throne 50 days after King Bhumibol Adulyadejs death. Many school representatives from the provinces headed to Bangkok yesterday to buy portraits of the Crown Prince as well as flags with the Crown Princes emblem. They are preparing decorations to celebrate the new Kings succession. It is a tradition in Thai households, private offices and government agencies to display portraits of the monarch. Besides photographs and flags, clothes with logos and messages to welcome the new King are also being stocked to meet the expected high demand. Earlier, Prime Minister Prayut led members of the Cabinet and government officials in front of Government House to mark the 50th day of mourning for King Bhumibol. The ceremony began with the abbot of Ratchabopitsathitmahasimaram temple, leading 89 monks in chanting prayers. Gen Prayut then led cabinet members and government officials to give alms to the monks. A similar ceremony was held in front of the the office of the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration, where governer Aswin Kwanmuang led city officials and members of the city and district councils by giving alms to monks. A one-year mourning period was announced in Thailand following the monarchs death. The late Kings funeral is expected to be late next year. For all the Latest World News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. SEATTLE, Aug. 5, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Amperity , the first AI-powered Customer Data Platform (CDP), has partnered with Infutor, a consumer identity data expert, to provide brands with an end-to-end solution for connecting persistent customer profiles to rich third-party data sets. After a thorough evaluation process that included many top data providers, Amperity selected Infutor as its premier third-party data services partner based on the quality, accuracy, and coverage of Infutor's robust US consumer datasets including individuals, households, emails, phone numbers, mobile ad IDs (MAIDs), and deterministic-matched demographics. "Brands are typically sitting on vast stores of rich first-party data, but they lack the intelligent and scalable identity resolution toolset to unify all that data into usable customer profiles," said Zora Senat, VP of Partnerships for Infutor. "We're excited to combine our trusted consumer identity data with Amperity's world-class first-party identity and Customer 360 CDP foundation, giving brands an end-to-end approach to understand and connect with their customers." As marketers plan for a future without the third-party cookie, the partnership between Amperity and Infutor offers a comprehensive and one-stop alternative for rebuilding a data foundation based on permissioned first-party data. Amperity intelligently stitches together first-party customer data at scale, delivering brands a complete and actionable Customer 360, predictive insights, and the power to efficiently personalize every interaction. The combination of Infutor's trusted third-party data with Amperity's multi-patented CDP technology will enable brands to transform raw data into persistent customer profiles and enrich them with attribute data from a variety of premium and privacy compliant data sources. Benefits of this approach: More accurate and complete customer profiles - Enriching Amperity's customer profiles with Infutor's high-quality consumer identity data unlocks a more vivid picture of a brand's consumers, while also providing more data points to support Amperity's best-in-class machine learning identity resolution capabilities. - Enriching Amperity's customer profiles with Infutor's high-quality consumer identity data unlocks a more vivid picture of a brand's consumers, while also providing more data points to support Amperity's best-in-class machine learning identity resolution capabilities. Increased transparency - Amperity's CDP provides full visibility into a brand's first-party data, allowing them to have control over how to match and merge their first-party data. - Amperity's CDP provides full visibility into a brand's first-party data, allowing them to have control over how to match and merge their first-party data. Efficiency gains - Marketers only pay for supplementary data as needed and have the option to enrich data on select customers (high value, likely to churn, etc). Amperity's solution stays up-to-date because it resolves first-party identities every day while other solutions are weekly, monthly, or quarterly. "There are many providers who sell data and dabble in legacy data management, providing all-in-one identity solutions that lack transparency and are ultimately more expensive than they need to be," said Barry Padgett, COO of Amperity. "We're thrilled to partner with Infutor to enrich Amperity's customer profiles with best-of-breed third-party data. Infutor's high-quality data and compliance-first approach made them stand out as a clear winner in the foundational identity data space." Amperity specializes in resolving customer identities across disparate first-party customer data silos. It offers solution packages consisting of implementation, ongoing servicing, and advisory services in collaboration with leading consumer identity data companies such as Infutor. Register here for a live webinar co-hosted by Amperity and Infutor on Wednesday, August 26, 2020 at 10 a.m. PT / 1 p.m. ET that will cover: How to combine 1st & 3rd party data for more accurate and efficient identity management Compliant use cases for 1st & 3rd party data Examples of how brands are systematically using data to better connect with their customers About Infutor Infutor is an expert in data-driven consumer identity data and identity resolution . The company is solely focused on enabling brands to instantly gain access to the most complete and accurate information about consumers, exactly when they need it, to make informed marketing and risk mitigation decisions. In the past year, Infutor has been named to the Inc. 5000 list and recognized by Crain's Chicago and Built In Chicago as a Best Place to Work. About Amperity Amperity's mission is to help companies use data to serve their customers. The software company has revolutionized the way brands identify, understand, and connect with their customers by leveraging AI to deliver a truly comprehensive and actionable Customer 360. This multi-patented unified view improves marketing performance, fuels accurate customer insights, and enables world-class customer experiences. With Amperity, technical teams are freed from endless integration and data management, and business teams have direct access to the comprehensive data they need to build long-term customer loyalty and drive growth. Amperity serves many of the world's most loved brands, including Alaska Airlines, Lucky Brand, Kendra Scott, Planet Fitness, Kenneth Cole, e.l.f. Cosmetics, Seattle Sounders FC, Crocs, Stanley, Endeavour Drinks, and many more. To learn more, visit Amperity.com . SOURCE Amperity Related Links https://www.amperity.com NEW HAVEN, Conn., Aug. 4, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Knights of Columbus Supreme Knight Carl Anderson today announced the creation of a new pilgrimage destination named for the Order's founder. The Blessed Michael McGivney Pilgrimage Center will be located at the current Knights of Columbus Museum in New Haven, Connecticut. Fr. McGivney, a priest in the St. Mary's Parish in New Haven, founded the Knights of Columbus 138 years ago to enable Catholic men to support one another and their families with spiritual and temporal needs. On May 27, 2020, Pope Francis approved a decree recognizing a miracle attributed to Fr. McGivney's intercession, qualifying Fr. McGivney for beatification. At today's opening Mass of the Knights of Columbus' 138th annual Supreme Convention, Archbishop Leonard P. Blair of the Archdiocese of Hartford shared that Father McGivney's beatification Mass will take place on Oct. 31, 2020, at the Cathedral of St. Joseph in Hartford, Connecticut. At that liturgical celebration, an apostolic letter from the Holy Father will be read along with the bestowing of the title "Blessed" on Father McGivney. This is the step just prior to sainthood. An additional miracle attributed to Father McGivney's intercession will be required for his canonization as a saint. Supreme Knight Anderson said, "For members of the Knights of Columbus and many others, the news of the beatification is a time of great joy and celebration. Father McGivney ministered to those on the margins of society in the 19th century, and his example has inspired millions of Knights to follow his example in their own parishes and communities." Father McGivney served his flock during the pandemic of 1890, before himself becoming ill and dying of pneumonia. Today's opening Mass of the Knights of Columbus Supreme Convention was celebrated by Archbishop Blair at St. Mary's in New Haven. In addition to being the historic location where the Knights was founded, Father McGivney's remains are interred there. Anderson added, "While the museum will continue to recount the Knights' history, it will also broaden its mission by focusing more on the spirituality and charitable vision of our founder and his legacy. A visit to the Blessed Michael McGivney Pilgrimage Center will enhance the formative experience of a pilgrimage to Father McGivney's tomb at St. Mary's." It is anticipated that COVID-19 restrictions will be in place on the date of the beatification, and preparations to broadcast the Mass to a worldwide audience are being made so that the public might join the celebration. About the Knights of Columbus The Knights of Columbus is one of the world's leading fraternal and service organizations with 2 million members in more than 16,000 parish-based councils. During the past year, Knights around the world donated more than 77 million service hours and $187 million for worthy causes in their communities. The organization also provides financial services to groups and individuals, resulting in more than $112 billion of life insurance in force, and through its money management firm, Knights of Columbus Asset Advisors, it invests in accord with Catholic social teachings. From helping children in need, to providing wheelchairs for the disabled, to helping stock food banks, to offering top-rated and affordable insurance products to its members, the Knights of Columbus has supported families and communities for more than 138 years. About Venerable Father Michael McGivney Nearly a century before the Second Vatican Council, Venerable Michael McGivney's prescient vision empowered the laity to serve Church and neighbor in a new way. Today, the Knights of Columbus is one of the largest Catholic organizations in the world with 2 million members in North and Latin America, the Caribbean, Asia, and Europe. The miracle recognized as coming through Father McGivney's intercession involved an unborn child in the United States who in 2015 was healed in utero of a fatal condition after prayers by his family to Father McGivney. In March 2008, he was declared a Venerable Servant of God by Pope Benedict XVI, who during his visit to St. Patrick's Cathedral cited the "remarkable accomplishment of that exemplary American priest, the Venerable Michael McGivney, whose vision and zeal led to the establishment of the Knights of Columbus." Two recent books also tell the story of Father McGivney and his legacy: Parish Priest (2006), his biography; and the The Knights of Columbus: An Illustrated History (2020). More information is also available at www.FatherMcGivney.org. Photos and other visual resources are available here. SOURCE Knights of Columbus Related Links www.kofc.org Jeff Hunt Jeff Hunt CHARLOTTE, N.C., Aug. 05, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Elior North America has named Jeff Hunt as the Charlotte-based culinary management company's chief financial officer. Hunt joins the company with more than 30 years of experience as a finance leader in the service and hospitality industry. He brings a broad background in accounting, financial planning and analysis, mergers and acquisitions, capital management, and commercial finance with publicly owned global organizations. Hunt began his career with Arthur Andersen before joining Marriott International in a variety of finance roles. Jeffs vast experience and strategic focus are vital assets to our leadership team, and his skill set is uniquely positioned to support our ambitious growth agenda, said Olivier Poirot, president and CEO of Elior North America. We will rely on his leadership and discipline to help guide our business through the global crisis while building on our strengths in the process. Most recently, Hunt served as global head of finance for Sodexo SAs Universities and Seniors segments, where he had geographic responsibility for operations in Europe, South America and North America. Im thrilled to work with Eliors amazing team to solidify a strong finance foundation that will enable the business to remain flexible to seize new opportunities, said Hunt. Hunt is a member of the Pennsylvania Society of Certified Public Accountants, the American Society of Certified Public Accountants and is a Chartered Global Management Accountant. He grew up in Pittsburgh, Pa., and earned a bachelors degree in accounting from Pennsylvania State University. About Elior North America Elior North America is a family of distinct hospitality companies with more than 50 years of industry experience and 15,000 team members united in our passion for food, service and excellence. We share an appetite for growth which drives all of us to continually reimagine our customers experience. The company is part of the European contract catering firm Elior Group. Learn more at www.elior-na.com. Story continues Attachment CONTACT: Laura Rojo-Eddy Elior North America 704.719.1252 laura.rojo-eddy@elior-na.com 05.08.2020 LISTEN Gentlemen, I salute you. As a patriotic Ghanaian who loves his country passionately, one feels that it is important that the Ghana Armed Forces' High Command, are sent a heartfelt message, such as this one, in clear and unambiguous terms, so that there is no misunderstanding, amongst you, as to who and who, amongst Ghana's hard-of-hearing ruling-elites, will bear ultimate responsibility, should widespread violence break out across Ghana, during the December presidential and parliamentary elections. What the world has been seeing, in shocking television news reports, and smartphone-videos, gone viral, showing disturbing scenes of 'soldiers' deployed in voter registration centres, have definitely dented the hard-won global reputation, of the Ghana Armed Forces - a professional military force known globally as a disciplined, well-trained and well-equipped military force, which plays a crucial role, in sensitive United Nations peacekeeping operations, in some of the world's hottest trouble spots. No question. With the greatest respect, gentlemen, it is in your own self-interest, as indivudual professional soldiers, that you are clear in your minds, that there are patriotic and discerning Ghanaians, who love Mother Ghana, so passionately that they are determined, if need be, to take all those powerful politicians, who are behind the abomination now going on, in many voters' registration centres, nationwide (in which Ghanaian 'soldiers' are clearly seen working in tandem with the ruling party's local executives, to prevent some individuals from being registered, despite the fact that the electoral laws make provision for challenging the registration of such people), to the International Criminal Court (ICC). Yoooooo... The question is: How come that such a disturbing situation, is still being tolerated, by your good selves - when our country is definitely not a banana republic, I ask? Gentlemen, more than most Ghanaians, it is you who ought to know, perfectly well, that the profession of arms is a noble one. Does it not follow, a priori, then, that you must not be seen to be condoning what concerned and fair-minded-critics, insist, is the execution of a secret Bryan Acheampong (who, for all we know, might be, or might not be, a covert CIA agent), and Bernard Antwi-Boasiako, inspired-conspiratory-agenda, which in effect, prostitutes the honour of our armed forces? So, how come that is apparently being allowed, by the High Command of the Ghana Armed Forces, gentlemen? The subsequent question then is: As truly disciplined professionals (paid relatively well, by hapless and impoverished taxpayers, to protect all Ghanaians, and defend their sovereign, stable, and very peaceful African country, from internal-fifth-collumnists, and external terrorist-aggressors), why, are you not putting your collective-booted-foots, down, to halt that unpardonable, abominable and unspeakable outrage, from continuing? Yoooooo... Do you not understand that it is your patriotic duty, to demand an immediate end, to the crime-against-humanity, which (if bush-telegraph sources are to be believed), the treasonable-conspiracy, and electoral-scorched-earth-strategy, which is today embolding, and empowering, myrmidon-thugs, from the NPP's privately-owned paramilitary forces, the Delta Force, and the Invincible forces (who have apparently been infiltrated into tbe national security apparatus - imagine that monstrosity being tolerated in what is a constitutional democracy. Haaba.), to wear military uniforms, with total impunity, ditto police uniforms, and are thus giving the world the wrong impression that our military and police, are being used, as willing-lackeys, by NPP local party executives? Amazing. With the greatest respect, gentlemen, speaking frankly, the enablers of those brutish-morons, will unquestionably all end up appearing before the ICC, should they instigate widespread violence, across Ghana, during the December 2020 presidential and parliamentary elections, too, oooo. Yoooooo... Repeat: Those of us who love Mother Ghana passionately, will, as sure as day follows night, drag every power-drunk-dullard, in the upper echelons of the NPP, involved in this treasonable-and-monstrous-conspiracy, to the ICC, if this outrage is repeated in the December presidential and parliamentary elections, and tips our country over the precipice, and leads to her descent into nation-wrecking-chaos and violonce. Full stop. Yooooo... That is why, it is your collective-duty, as the ultimate guardians of our sovereignty at any given point in time, that as the High Command, overseeing the service commanders of our three armed services, you stop them from continuing to execute their unpardonable, and treasonable, secret agenda - which poses such a threat to the peace and stability of our united homeland Ghana. Yoooooo... Above all, remember constantly, that, in the final analysis, in our system, sovereignty actually lies in the hands of the masses of the Ghanaian people - whom those who govern our nation, at all material times, are elected to serve - not to terrrorise, and lord it over, koraaaaa, oooo. Yooooo. Consequently, act now, as the Ghana Armed Forces' High Command, overseeing the work of the service commanders of our three armed services, to stop the NPP's supporters arrogant and power-drunk hardliners, from continuing to execute their unpardonable, and treasonable, secret agenda - which poses such a threat to the peace and stability of our united homeland Ghana. Gentlemen, you must never forget that ours is a modern African nation, in which no tribe is superior, or inferior, to another. As you very well know, there is not a single extended family clan in our country, which is not ethnically-diverse: as a result of marriage, and ties of consanquinity. Finally, is that blessing, not the main reason, why ours continues to remain a stable and united country, which attracts investors from around the world: precisely because it is seen, justly, as an oasis of peace, and stability, in Africa, I ask? Gentlemen, it is said that to be forewarned, is to be forearmed. It is also said that those who dare, also eventually win battles. Enough is enough. You must act to stop the intolerable egregious-nonsense going on, across the Republic of Ghana. Now. Not, tomorrow. Case closed. Hmmmm... Yoooooo... Yours in the service of Mother Ghana Kofi. WhatsApp:+2335756564600. - Machakos governor Alfred Mutua said it was inappropriate to spend the Kazi Mtaani money on recurrent expenditure - He said the government should instead focus on development projects - The county boss faulted the project saying it was only encouraging the circulation of money without any tangible end product Machakos governor Alfred Mutua has hit out at President Uhuru Kenyatta's Kazi Mtaani saying the initiative was counterproductive as it only focused on recurrent expenditure. The county boss said the programme should have focused on development projects instead of sweeping and cleaning activities that are recurrent in nature. READ ALSO: Kakamega: Woman clobbered by neighbours who accused her of poisoning chicken Machakos governor Alfred Mutua during past event. Photo: Governor Alred Mutua Source: Facebook READ ALSO: Beirut blast: Ammonium nitrate fertiliser linked to Lebanon's city explosions Speaking to Citizen TV on Wednesday, August 5, the county boss said the head of state was only pouring money into activities that cannot advance the economy in any way. "I remember when President Uhuru Kenyatta was asked about getting more debt, he said 'we are not getting that debt for recurrent expenditure, we are getting it for development expenditure. "Kazi Mtaani should be put for development. Let our youth build something. Let them come and build toilets and roads. Let them build the things that they can walk by a month later and can see it, not sweeping streets , slashing and clearing trenches," he explained. Youths collecting garbage during Kazi Mtaani Initiative in Nairobi county. Photo: Capital FM Source: UGC READ ALSO: Nairobi woman says magic gave her powers to sleep with rich men, eat their money Mutua argued that as long as the initiative focused on having money in circulation, it would have served a worthy cause if the funds were channeled into development projects. The Kazi Mtaani project was launched in May by the head of state with a KSh 10 billion kitty set aside. The first phase saw over 26,000 youths secure employment with a daily wage pay of KSh 600. READ ALSO: Kakamega: Mama atandikwa kwa kudaiwa kulisha kuku wa jirani sumu However, in the second phase over 270,000 youths were recruited which saw the wages reduce to KSh 450 per day. Notably, the project has had its shortcomings with youths taking to the streets in protest over unpaid wages or due to nepotism from local authorities in recruiting the youths. Do you have a groundbreaking story you would like us to publish? Please reach us through news@tuko.co.ke or WhatsApp: 0732482690. Contact Tuko.co.ke instantly. Source: TUKO.co.ke 05.08.2020 LISTEN Member of Parliament for North Tongu, Hon. Sam Okudzeto Ablakwa rubbishes claims that he, together with Dr Omane Boamah and Felix Ofosu Kwakye were recruited and groomed to launch attacks on ex-President Rawlings whenever he [Rawlings] attacks then president, late Professor Mills. He said the purported revelations by the media are nowhere found in Professor Kwamena Ahwoi's book titled "Working With Rawlings." Hon. Ablakwa's outburst came after former Local Government Minister under the Rawlings' administration, Professor Kwamena Ahwoi revealed in his now controversial book 'Working with Rawlings' that he with few other young politicians in the opposition NDC were paid to launch verbal attacks on Rawlings should he speak ill of the late Prof. Mills who was the President at the time. However, Hon. Ablakwa denied Prof. Ahwoi's claim and described it as false, malicious, offensive and most unfair. "The claim by several media reportage that some of my colleagues and I were recruited and groomed to attack the founder of the NDC during the Atta Mills administration are false, malicious, offensive and most unfair. It is worth pointing out that the media renditions are not contained in the aforementioned book." The former Deputy Education Minister under the Mahama's administration further revealed in his statement issued in Accra that the respect he has for elders within the NDC party can not be questioned. Below is Hon. Ablakwa's full statement as released on social media. --- In George Orwell's dystopian Nineteen Eighty-Four, the concept that two plus two equals four had extraordinary symbolic weight. The State, as embodied in Big Brother, controlled everything that people could think or say. Part of how the rebellious Winston Smith fought back against this totalitarianism was to remind himself that, no matter what the State said, two plus two does, in fact, equal four. To the all-powerful State, though, Smith's belief in objective math was a threatening form of insanity. The State therefore used a mixture of torture and cajoling to force Smith to embrace a State-sanctioned "sanity" that denied reality: "You are a slow learner, Winston." "How can I help it? How can I help but see what is in front of my eyes? Two and two are four." "Sometimes, Winston. Sometimes they are five. Sometimes they are three. Sometimes they are all of them at once. You must try harder. It is not easy to become sane." By the novel's end, with the State's torture having broken him, Smith readily conceded that, yes, if the State said that two plus two equals five, that would be the correct answer. Judging by a comprehensive Twitter thread, we have reached the Orwellian world of Big Brother. This is a world in which those who represent power for the sake of power are working overtime to convince their fellow Americans to dismiss reality and concede that two plus two does not equal four but, instead, equals five: 2/ To start, lets look at EXACTLY what they say as how they argue here is VERY important. They don't say 2+2=4 is FALSE. They don't say 2+2 always equals 5. What they say is: A. 2+2 can sometimes equal 5, And B. That 2+2 doesn't always equal 4. Please read that again carefully Wokal Distance (@wokal_distance) August 4, 2020 4/ How does deconstruction work? Deconstruction works by attacking at the level of MEANING. This means that words, ideas, concepts, discourses, art, texts, symbols; whatever is used to MEAN something or communicate gets deconstructed. Thus deconstruction "destabilizes meaning." Wokal Distance (@wokal_distance) August 4, 2020 6/ Woke people think racism, sexism, and bigotry are baked into the language and concepts we use. Since we think and communicate with language, if the language we use is inherently racist and sexist then our communication, and the ideas we communicate will be racist and sexist... Wokal Distance (@wokal_distance) August 4, 2020 8/ This is Dr. Rochelle Gutierrez. She thinks math teachers need political knowledge (She thinks math is political), not just knowledge of teaching Math. And she created a type of math where Humans are no longer-centered. What she teaches her students is as follows... pic.twitter.com/GCMpz9htez Wokal Distance (@wokal_distance) August 4, 2020 10/ Dr. Gutierrez also says the idea math can solve anything is a fallacy. She asks why math: 1. values logic over intuition and asks student to use logic instead of intuition, and 2. teaches people to critique reasoning rather then just appreciate it various reasoning attempts. pic.twitter.com/Jg2CX3LEkD Wokal Distance (@wokal_distance) August 4, 2020 12/ Dr. Gutierrez also thinks it is important to ask the students to consider how various forms of problem solving bring joy. Before finally bringing us to her big point... pic.twitter.com/hCZpllHluZ Wokal Distance (@wokal_distance) August 4, 2020 14/ This "I don't care about truth" view is common in social justice circles. For example, Kevin Bird @itsbirdemic (who mocked @conceptualjames and his followers for pushing back at people saying 2+2=5) admits here that he doesn't care about what the truth is when he does science pic.twitter.com/ewsBltKElf Wokal Distance (@wokal_distance) August 4, 2020 16/ Dr. Gutierrez thinks that math has been controlled by global white supremacy. So every area of mathematics might come to the conclusions it does because of white supremacy. So even 2+2=4 might be racist or the result of western imperialism. Some even say that directly. pic.twitter.com/gthX3c0WFF Wokal Distance (@wokal_distance) August 4, 2020 18/ The time of fear is over, the time has come to boldly call this out in the clear understanding that we are looking for truth. We will not be cowed by accusations of racism, nor will we be brought to heel by social shaming. Call it out, truth is on your side. /fin Wokal Distance (@wokal_distance) August 4, 2020 The left knows, and truly hates, the fact that reality tells Americans some important things: Humans cannot control the enormousness of our climate. Except for a minute subset of people born with damaged DNA, boys are boys and girls are girls. Penalties help deter criminal activity. Without penalties, crime gets worse, and people engage in vigilante conduct that is worse for criminals than the rule of law. Race is real, but it's only as a superficial construct (different skin color, different eyes, etc.). What is infinitely more important is that we are all members of the same human species, and that's true whether or not one believes we are made in God's image or reached this point through pure evolution. America has raised up more people around the world from poverty and into liberty than any other country in history. Socialism has failed everywhere it's been tried. As a reminder, socialism succeeded in Europe as long as it did only because America funded Europe during the Cold War. All of you, with your 80-hour work weeks, helped bring Europeans their 35-hour work weeks and mediocre cradle-to-grave "free" medical care. If leftists are to convince Americans that socialism has succeeded, they must convince them to deny all those other things that Americans know are true and real. If boys aren't boys, if race is the only thing that matters, and if America is evil, then socialists can also make us accept that socialism is a workable system that just "hasn't been done right before." In 2020, as the election looms, Americans must have a death grip on reality. Two plus two equals four, no matter how much the critical race theorists (the ones who hold that the only reality is power and what the powerful deem true) claim otherwise. If we do not hang on to the life raft of reality, socialism offers no life vest and we will all drown. "Dr. Spanakis study demonstrates that glucose levels can be monitored more frequently and efficiently," said Dr. Thomas J. Hornyak, associate chief of staff for Research and Development at the VA Maryland Heath Care System. Hypoglycemia (low blood glucose levels) in hospitalized patients can lead to loss of consciousness, seizures, prolonged length of hospital stay, or even death. A researcher at the VA Maryland Health Care System, conducted the first investigational study of insulin-treated patients with Type 2 diabetes to see if the use of continuous glucose monitoring devices can prevent hypoglycemia in inpatients on medical units. Dr Ilias (Elias) Spanakis, a physician and researcher at the VA Maryland Heath Care System and associate professor at the University of Maryland School of Medicine and the studys principle investigator, used continuous glucose monitoring devices in the first randomized two-year clinical trial that included 72 patients and found that this intervention reduced the number of hypoglycemic events inpatients suffered. The Food and Drug Administration has not approved the use of continuous glucose monitoring devices in the hospital setting and this trial offers the first evidence of their efficacy. Study findings will be published in the forthcoming issue of peer-reviewed journal Diabetes Care in an article titled, Reducing inpatient hypoglycemia in the general wards using real-time DEXCOM CGM - the Glucose Telemetry system: A randomized clinical trial. The article is available at this link: https://care.diabetesjournals.org/lookup/doi/10.2337/dc20-0840 Typically, glucose monitoring relies on point-of-care finger sticks which must happen frequently to prevent adverse events in patients with diabetes, said Dr. Thomas J. Hornyak, associate chief of staff for Research and Development at the VA Maryland Heath Care System. Dr. Spanakis study demonstrates that glucose levels can be monitored more frequently and efficiently. Also, in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic, use of the continuous glucose monitoring systems proved to be prescient, showing a decrease in hypoglycemia while also safeguarding health care providers caring for virus-positive patients with diabetes. In addition to Spanakis, an eight-member interdisciplinary team, which included Dr. Lakshmi G. Singh, Dr. Medha Satyarengga, Dr. Isabel Marcano, Dr. William H. Scott, Lillian F. Pinault, Zhaoyong Feng, Dr. John D. Sorkin, and Dr. Guillermo E. Umpierrez, sought to explore ways to reduce hypoglycemia and increase patient safety. The purpose of the trial was to explore if continuous glucose monitoring devices combined with a simplified hypoglycemia prevention protocol could reduce hypoglycemic events in patients predisposed to such. For the study, the patients were divided into two groups, 36 monitored remotely with continuous glucose monitoring devices and 36 monitored via traditional point-of-care finger stick testing; patients in the continuous glucose monitoring group experienced fewer episodes of hypoglycemia, a condition leading to seizures, comas, arrhythmias, increased lengths of hospital stays, and death. Studies have indicated that insulin use in hospitalized patients with diabetes predisposes them to hypoglycemia, a condition that is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Preventing hypoglycemia requires intensive glucose monitoring. Frequent point-of-care finger sticks with a goal to monitor closely glucose levels is not easy as this approach may be painful and surveillance of these patients in a busy hospital environment may increase nursing workload, Spanakis said. The continuous glucose monitoring devices check glucose levels every five minutes and transmit the results to a centralized monitoring device (i.e. tablet) at the nurses station, where alerts would sound when a patients glucose levels started to decrease and approach dangerous levels. Nurses responding to alerts, could then take corrective actions, preventing a hypoglycemic event. Although not tested in COVID-19 subjects, as the COVID-19 pandemic unfolded, an unexpected benefit of using these devices included the monitoring of glucose levels of COVID-19 positive patients remotely while safeguarding health care providers by eliminating entry to patients rooms for obtaining point-of-care finger stick glucose testing. Diabetes Care is the official journal of the American Diabetes Association (ADA) ranking fourth in its impact in the areas of endocrinology and metabolism for the health care practitioner intended to increase knowledge, stimulate research, and promote better management of people with diabetes. Diabetes Care publishes original research on human studies in the following categories: Clinical Care/Education/Nutrition, Psychosocial Research, Epidemiology/Health Services Research, Emerging Treatments and Technologies, Pathophysiology/Complications, and Cardiovascular and Metabolic Risk. The journal also publishes ADA statements, consensus reports, clinically relevant review articles, letters to the editor, and health/medical news or points of view. Topics covered are of interest to clinically oriented physicians, researchers, epidemiologists, psychologists, diabetes educators, and other health professionals. # # # MEDIA NOTE: To interview Dr. Ilias (Elias) Spanakis contact Rosalia Scalia at Rosalia.scalia@va.gov, or by calling 410-736-8444. The VA Maryland Health Care System (VAMHCS) provides a broad spectrum of medical, surgical, rehabilitative, mental health and outpatient care to veterans at three medical centers and five outpatient clinics located throughout the state. More than 52,000 veterans from various generations receive care from VAMHCS annually. Nationally recognized for its state-of-the-art technology and quality patient care, VAMHCS is proud of its reputation as a leader in veterans health care, research and education. It costs nothing for veterans to enroll for health care with the VA Maryland Health Care System and it could be one of the more important things a veteran can do. To enroll for VA health care, interested veterans can call 877-222-8387 Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., or they can visit http://www.va.gov and clinic on Apply now for VA health care. The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have been pictured wearing face masks together for the first time while visiting a care home. On Wednesday 5 August, Kate Middleton and Prince William carried out a series of engagements in South Wales. The royal couple paid a visit to Barry Island, where they spoke to local business owners about the impact the coronavirus pandemic has had on the tourism sector. They also called upon Shire Hall Care Home in Cardiff, where they met staff members, residents and their relatives. While speaking to members of staff and residents of the care home, the duke and duchess wore face coverings to protect themselves and others from further transmission of Covid-19. Catherine appeared to be wearing the same face mask that she wore on Tuesday 4 August, while visiting a baby bank in South Yorkshire. The face mask in question is sold by fashion label Amai for 15. Prince William, on the other hand, opted for a light blue face covering. (Jonathan Buckmaster/Daily Express/PA Wire (Jonathan Buckmaster/Daily Express/PA Wire) The duke was first seen wearing a face mask in June, when he paid a visit to the team at the University of Oxford that is working on a vaccine for the virus. Almost three months prior to their visit to Shire Hall Care Home, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge spoke with members of staff and residents of the nursing home during a Zoom call. (Jonathan Buckmaster/Daily Express/PA Wire (Jonathan Buckmaster/Daily Express/PA Wire) In addition to chatting with residents and staff members, the duke and duchess also joined them for a virtual game of bingo. At the time, the care home described their call from the members of the royal family as an honour. (Jonathan Buckmaster/Daily Express/PA Wire (Jonathan Buckmaster/Daily Express/PA Wire) During their visit to Barry Island in South Wales, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge briefly let their hair down while playing a teddy game at the Island Leisure Amusement Arcade. In comedy television show Gavin and Stacey, Nessa, played by Ruth Jones, famously works at the amusement arcade. The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge also spoke to members of the public during their visit to Barry Island, the royal couple separated from the crowd by a metal barrier. Successful balance sheet restructuring positions Company to fund its future growth Oversubscribed Offering raises significantly more capital than originally anticipated Strong demand expands shareholder liquidity; financing attracts over 40 new investors, with minimal equity dilution and no disruption of $200 million of favorable tax assets Proceeds applied to settle $34 million of debt owed to Vertex and Pender Funds DENVER, CO, Aug. 5, 2020 /PRNewswire/ - Intermap Technologies Corporation ("Intermap" or the "Company") today announced that it has closed the first tranche of its previously announced and fully subscribed issuer private placement (the "Private Placement") of up to 4,317,118 Class A common shares ("Shares") at a price of CAD$0.56 per Share a 40% premium to the previously announced offering price on July 7, 2020. Both tranches were well oversubscribed. The first tranche included the issuance of 3,571,428 Shares, raising aggregate gross proceeds of CAD$2 million. Strong investor demand allowed the Company to attract dozens of new sophisticated investors. The Private Placement was executed carefully, with the Company taking care not to disturb its valuable tax attributes. As previously disclosed in the Company's financial statements, Intermap has $221 million in Net Operating Losses ("NOLs"), including $164 million in the United States and $57 million in Canada. Greater ownership diversification protects the Company's tax assets from a deemed ownership change, as defined by US IRC Section 382. A deemed ownership change would limit the Company's ability to utilize its tax attributes to increase future cash flow. As a result of this private placement, the total ownership shift for the prior three years immediately after the private placement will be approximately 40%, well within the US IRC Section 382 allowances. The Board and management will remain diligent in maximizing these tax assets as they consider alternative capital strategies to accelerate the Company's growth and strategic alternatives. The Company intends to use the net proceeds of the Private Placement to satisfy obligations under the amended settlement agreement (the "Settlement Agreement") entered into among the Company, its wholly-owned subsidiary, Intermap Technologies Inc. ("ITI"), and PenderFund Capital Management Ltd. (the "Lender"). Under the terms of the Settlement Agreement, the Company and ITI can fully settle the Company's outstanding debt of US$33.9 million to the Lender with a payment to the Lender of US$1 million on or before September 1, 2020. "This is the first time we have issued stock in nearly three years and we issued only the amount of stock necessary to achieve our goals," commented Patrick Blott, Intermap's Chairman and CEO. "Because the offering was oversubscribed, we issued fewer shares at a higher price to raise more capital with less dilution than we announced previously. With this financing, the Company has eliminated its debt overhang, strengthened its investor base, and positioned itself for highly scalable growth, while preserving the Company's valuable tax assets, which can fund growth and acquisitions. Investors and customers have begun to respond favorably as we continue to responsibly execute on Intermap's business plan." The Company also issued 139,284 warrants to certain finders (the "Warrants") under the Private Placement. Each Warrant is exercisable for one Share at an exercise price of US$0.417 per Share, being the U.S. dollar equivalent to CAD$0.56 as of the date of issuance of the Warrants, at any time until July 31, 2022. All Shares and Warrants issued in connection with the Private Placement are subject to a 4-month hold period during which trading in the securities is restricted in accordance with applicable securities laws. The Company intends to close a second tranche of the Private Placement within the next two weeks at the same offering price of $0.56 per Share, up to the cumulative maximum number of Shares and Warrants issuable under the Private Placement of 4,317,118. The second tranche is oversubscribed. The Private Placement and the listing of the Shares issued under the Private Placement and the Shares issuable upon exercise of the Warrants on the Toronto Stock Exchange (the "TSX") are subject to final approval of the TSX upon satisfaction of customary closing conditions. The TSX conditionally approved the Private Placement and the listing of the Shares issued thereunder and the Shares issuable upon exercise of the Warrants prior to closing of the first tranche. Patrick A. Blott, the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, subscribed for 267,857 Shares. His participation constitutes a "related party transaction" as defined under Multilateral Instrument 61-101 Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions ("MI 61-101"). Such participation is exempt from the formal valuation and minority shareholder approval requirements of MI 61-101 on the basis that participation in the Private Placement by Mr. Blott does not exceed 25% of the fair market value of the Company's market capitalization. Mr. Blott's participation was reduced by strong demand among other investors and reflects continued insider commitment to the Company's business plan. In order to accommodate strong investor demand, amounts allocated to insiders were reduced to approximately 8% of the newly issued shares, down from an initial requested allocation of approximately 23% of the Offering. The Board of Directors and management team are committed to the ongoing protection of shareholder value and re-establishment of credibility in the capital and business markets where the Company competes. The Company completed the Private Placement among 41 investors, including existing, former and new shareholders. As a result, the Company expanded and diversified its investor base, and following the lock-up the publicly traded stock, now has a bigger float with greater liquidity. The Company will continue to minimize dilution as it seeks to capitalize on opportunities to grow the Company and safeguard and maximize shareholder value. For more information about Intermap's geospatial solutions, visit intermap.com/investors to download a presentation. Intermap Reader Advisory Certain information provided in this news release, including (but not limited to): the completion of additional issuances of Shares and Warrants in one or more subsequent tranches, the use of proceeds of the Private Placement, the elimination of the Company's debt to the Lender, the future value and liquidity of the Company's updated investor base and the Company's future efforts to minimize dilution, the Company's future growth prospects, and the value of the NOLs including their ability to fund future growth and acquisitions, constitutes forward-looking statements. The words "anticipate", "expect", "project", "estimate", "forecast", "will be", "will consider", "intends" and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. Although Intermap believes that these statements are based on information and assumptions which are current, reasonable and complete, these statements are necessarily subject to a variety of known and unknown risks and uncertainties. Intermap's forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties pertaining to, among other things, COVID-19 and its impact on both the Company's business and operations and those of its customers, cash available to fund operations, availability of capital, revenue fluctuations, nature of government contracts, economic conditions, loss of key customers, retention and availability of executive talent, competing technologies, common share price volatility, loss of proprietary information, software functionality, internet and system infrastructure functionality, information technology security, breakdown of strategic alliances, and international and political considerations, as well as those risks and uncertainties discussed Intermap's Annual Information Form and other securities filings. While the Company makes these forward-looking statements in good faith, should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary significantly from those expected. Accordingly, no assurances can be given that any of the events anticipated by the forward-looking statements will transpire or occur, or if any of them do so, what benefits that the Company will derive therefrom. All subsequent forward-looking statements, whether written or oral, attributable to Intermap or persons acting on its behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by these cautionary statements. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as at the date of this news release and the Company does not undertake any obligation to update publicly or to revise any of the forwardlooking statements made herein, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required by applicable securities law. About Intermap Technologies Founded in 1997 and headquartered in Denver, Colorado, Intermap (TSX: IMP) (ITMSF: BB) is a global leader in geospatial intelligence solutions. The Company's proprietary NEXTMap database and value-added geospatial data management, processing, analytics, fusion and orthorectification software and solutions are utilized across a range of industries that rely on accurate, high-resolution elevation data, including aviation, engineering, environmental planning, government markets, hydrology, insurance, land management, law enforcement and patrol, oil and gas, renewable energy, telecommunications, transportation and utilities. Intermap's commercial applications include locationbased intelligence, risk assessment, geographic information systems, global positioning systems and 3D visualization. For more information, please visit www.intermap.com. SOURCE Intermap Technologies Corporation Related Links www.intermap.com Sisters Harita and Sharada Suresh, 13 and 12, of Jersey City, were blessed enough to be raised in a tech-sound family, so the two used time amid the coronavirus pandemic to pass some knowledge along. In April, the middle schoolers launched a non-profit called Little Apple Academy a virtual service used to teach coding and other computer programming skills to kids aged 8-11. The two have taught for over 400 hours and their students have written over 70,000 lines of code. The students come from all over the world, including the U.S., United Kingdom, India and Egypt. Our parents work in the technology field, Sharada said. They encouraged us to learn coding from a very young age. I wrote my first program on code.org when I was five years old. Weve been interested in technology ever since we were little, Harita said. We participated in Code Rush, a national competition conducted by CodeMonkey Studios, in 2017 and 2018. Our team won first place both times. We also took an online Python Programming course offered by Georgia Tech on edX. The Little Apple Academy classes are run through the online program Jitsi, which is accessible to kids outside of the U.S. Some students are seasoned coders while others are first timers who enroll in the seven-week course the girls conduct for newcomers. Sharada, a rising seventh grader at MS4 Middle School, loves the international interaction and recalled a fun experience with one of her students. The rewarding part for me about Little Apple Academy is the engagement I have with kids from around the world, she said. This was an opportunity for kids to continue learning, even when schools were closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. One of our students from India stayed up every day from 10-11 p.m. to attend the class. His determination was inspiring to me. The satisfaction is similar for Harita, who graduated from St. Nicholas School and will attend McNair Academic High School in the fall. I like teaching kids about how amazing coding is and how technology impacts our future, she said. Since I learned coding at a very young age, I believe that any child can learn how to code regardless of age. Its very special to see their reaction when their lines of code translate into action on the screen. The girls additionally host advanced one-on-one classes for a small fee and donate 100 percent of the proceeds to two food banks in Jersey City. Thus far, they have raised $400 that has gone to the Mary House Emergency Food Pantry of Our Lady of Sorrows Church and to the NJ Black Interest Team Enterprise Free Food and Juice Distribution program. Sharada has seen the help NJ BITE needs and explained why she finds joy in giving back to the hometown pantry. The NJ BITE is committed to helping those in need and bringing hope to communities through their food and clothes distribution program. They usually have a long line of people waiting to receive food and juice distribution every Saturday. To me, being able to help people in need is an important part of life. Meanwhile, Harita was blown away by the volunteer efforts at the other aforementioned food bank and felt compelled to join in. Hunger is a worldwide crisis worsened by the pandemic, she said. We wanted to support our community in any way we could to relieve hunger in these difficult times. According to Sister Alice McCoy, as of June, the Mary House Emergency Food Pantry of Our Lady of Sorrows Church has provided food to 616 families including 951 adults and 648 children. We think this is a great service to the community and we wanted to be part of it. The girls have a website where they list their ongoing classes and curriculum. Aspiring students can send them an email to get started. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. Ryan Patti may be reached at rpatti@njadvancemedia.com. Tell us your coronavirus story or send a tip here. (Photo : Kaxelrod/Wiki Commons) Former Google engineer sentenced to 18 months imprisonment for stealing Waymo Design Files Now Asks $4.128 Billion from Uber (Photo : REUTERS/Luisa Gonzalez) Uber's logo is pictured at its office in Bogota, Colombia, December 12, 2019. Picture taken December 12, 2019. Despite getting 18 months prison sentence, former engineer for Google and Uber Anthony Levandowski will seem to walk away as a billionaire after seeking $4.1 billion revenue from the ride-hailing company. According to Engadget, US District Judge William Alsup sentenced Levandowski to 18 months in federal prison on Tuesday, August 4, for stealing trade secrets from Google. Judge Alsup also fined him $95,000 and ordered to pay Waymo, self-driving business of Google's parent company Alphabet, a total of $756,499.22 in compensation. In a statement, Waymo told TechCrunch that Levandowki's conduct "erases the contributions of many" while Alsup's decision is a triumph for trade secret laws that upholds the development of advanced technology. The statement also reads that Levandowski's theft of technology trade secrets has been massively disturbing and damaging to Waymo and its effects could have been even worse if it was not discovered. Levandowski pleaded guilty to the charges and apologized to his "colleagues at Google for betraying their trust." He also apologized to his family who had to bear the consequences of his actions. However, he seeks for house arrest due to his pneumonia, which would make him susceptible to COVID-19, which Judge Alsup denied. Instead, his imprisonment would be postponed until the risks of coronavirus infection in prisons are under control. In 2017, Alphabet filed a case against Uber for conspiring with Levandowski who downloaded various Waymo proprietary and confidential designs. This mounts to over 14,000 data, including its LiDAR system, which he used in the new company he started, the Otto Trucking that Uber acquired. However, the two tech companies reached a settlement after a year with Uber asked to develop its own self-driving technology. Read also: Google CEO Sundar Pichai Apologizes To Trump: What is This About? Levandowski may have lost in a battle, but he is set to earn more in another case While the recent sentence concluded the court warfare between Levandowski and Google which began in February 2017, the 40-year-old engineer is now seeking for compensation from Uber for the supposed earnout plan he had with the company. Court documents filed on July 26, Uber promised to give him "a percent interest of billions in profit for Uber's new trucking business." The University of California, Berkeley graduate claimed to have suffered damages amounting to at least $4.128 billion. The case roots to alleged breach of Otto Trucking Agreement. Levandowski wrote in court documents that Uber had an option to acquire Otto Trucking, but the former is obligated to support. On August 18, 2016, Uber decided to close its acquisition of Levandowski's trucking business. However, Uber's deal with Otto was delayed by nine months, instead of the required 45 days. Uber also advised Levandowski that the transaction will not push through if he is still part of the company, neither will they give him the IP license. This forced Levandowski to "engage in protracted litigation." Meanwhile, Uber spokesperson gave no comment on the most recent case, which was called "desperate filing." Since Uber Freight is already a separate business from Uber since August 2018 with a valuation of $4 billion, Levandowski intends to get the whole company. 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. As the race for a COVID-19 vaccine heads into the stretch run, scientists are tempering their enthusiasm with caution. The biotechnology company Moderna and the National Institutes of Health have begun Phase III efficacy trials for their vaccine. The University of Oxford and Pfizer are running combined Phase II and III testing for their respective drugs. All together, drugmakers have 27 vaccines in trials. The goal of Operation Warp Speed, the U.S. vaccine initiative, is 300 million doses of a safe, effective vaccine by January, and if realized, it would be one of the greatest scientific achievements of all time. On Tuesday, Goldman Sachs predicted the Food and Drug Administration would approve at least one vaccine before the end of the year. Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, said last month he was hopeful a vaccine would be available by late fall or early winter. Heres what worries scientists: FDA regulators will likely face enormous political pressure to approve a vaccine, even one thats not proven safe and effective. A vaccine thats less effective than billed could cause wider spread of the pandemic, Michael S. Kinch, director of the Centers for Research Innovation in Biotechnology and Drug Discovery at Washington University in St. Louis, writes in Stat News. A merely short-term effect could encourage vaccinated individuals to resume risky behaviors, which would all but guarantee that the epidemic endures, argues Kinch, who is also a professor of biochemistry and molecular biophysics. A vaccine would likely erode compliance of social distancing and mask wearing, measures that are proven effective against spread of the virus. They automatically are going to say, Oh great, Im just going to get my little vaccine, and I can go back and do exactly the things I was doing last year. That is absolutely not true, Maria Elena Bottazzi, associate dean of the National School of Tropical Medicine at Baylor College of Medicine, told Business Insider in an interview. We dont have enough data. What we have right now is a collection of animal data, immune response data and safety data based on early trials and from similar vaccines for other diseases, writes Natalie Dean, assistant professor of biostatistics at the University of Florida, in the New York Times. The evidence that would convince me to get a COVID-19 vaccine, or to recommend that my loved ones get vaccinated, does not yet exist, she says. If a substandard vaccine is green-lighted without adequate testing or trials, unforeseen harmful side effects could emerge. A weak initial vaccine and/or one with dangerous side effects would likely cause confidence in all vaccines to plummet and strengthen anti-vaccine sentiments. If a safer, more effective vaccine were subsequently developed, the residual mistrust could result in fewer people getting vaccinated. Epidemiologists estimate that to tame the pandemic, at least 70 percent of the population may need to develop immunity, either by vaccine or getting infected. Millions of Americans refusing to get inoculated by a vaccine thats at least 50 percent effective (the minimum level according to the World Health Organization) could thwart that goal. A vaccine might only provide short-term immunity because of the nature of coronaviruses. Back in April, Dr. David States, professor of human genetics and director of bioinformatics at the University of Michigan, tweeted: If youre hoping a vaccine is going to be a knight in shining armor saving the day, you may be in for a disappointment. SARS COV2 is a highly contagious virus. A vaccine will need to induce durable high level immunity, but coronaviruses often dont induce that kind of immunity. MORE CORONAVIRUS COVERAGE: Sign up for 'The Daily' newsletter for the latest on coronavirus here. Newsom delivers encouraging COVID-19 numbers for Calif. with caution Meet the Bay Area rapper working on a COVID vaccine Solano County health chief: It may be impossible to get off state watch list Does a plastic face shield protect you and others as well as a mask? You told us how your 2020 would look if COVID never happened Mike Moffitt is an SFGATE Reporter. Email: moffitt@sfgate.com. Twitter: @Mike_at_SFGate Kolkata: Trinamool Congress MLAs and ministers staged a protest dharna outside Raj Bhavan in Kolkata on Friday demanding immediate withdrawal of army from toll plazas in the state. TMC legislators and some ministers marched to the Raj Bhavan from state assembly and sat outside carrying placards and posters criticising the Narendra Modi government besides raising slogans like 'Modi haaye haaye'. "We are here to protest against the unconstitutional method adopted by Modi government," TMC chief whip in the assembly Nirmal Ghosh said. Governor KN Tripathi, however, was not present at the Raj Bhavan as he is in Delhi. When contacted, Tripathi told PTI, "I have read about it newspapers. Army has already given a clarification. I have nothing more to say." Asked to comment on party chief Mamata Banerjee's allegation of "army coup" on army presence at toll plazas in several parts of the state, Tripathi said, "It is the chief minister's view. I have nothing more to say." For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. BAKU, Azerbaijan, Aug.5 Trend: The special session of the UN General Assembly on COVID-19 pandemic, which was convened on the initiative of Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, who currently is Chair of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), continues its work, Azerbaijani Foreign Ministrys Spokesperson Leyla Abdullayeva said. Abdullayeva was answering questions of media outlets about the session, Trend reports. According to the spokesperson, the special session that officially opened on July 10, 2020, like all other sessions of the UN General Assembly, is being held in a format consisting of two segments. The segment, in which procedural decisions were made, was completed on July 21. Within this segment, the following six decisions were adopted through a silence procedure and were published as official documents of the UN General Assembly. - Decision on the election of Tijjani Muhammad Bande, the current president of the UN General Assemblys 74th session, as president of the special session; - Decision on the election of vice presidents of the special session; - Decision on the election of chairs of six Main Committees; - Decision on the adoption of the special sessions agenda; - Decision on the approval of the composition of the special sessions Credentials Committee; - Decision on the consideration of the list of states that have not paid for membership in the UN and thus, in accordance with Article 19 of the UN Charter, were deprived of the right to vote. "Due to the ongoing pandemic, decisions within the UN General Assembly are made under a silence procedure. In accordance with the procedure, draft decisions are circulated to all UN members within 72 hours, and in the absence of a protesting state, they are adopted by the end of this time," Abdullayeva noted adding that given the restrictions imposed at the UN headquarters due to the coronavirus pandemic, it is impossible to hold official meetings of the UN General Assembly with the physical participation of delegations. In this regard, for the first time in history, the regular session of the General Assembly in September 2020 will be held in a mixed form, that is, depending on the wishes of the states, either through pre-recorded video messages from the heads of delegations, or with the physical participation of the permanent missions of these states to the UN in the Assemblys hall, said the spokesperson In connection with the situation that has developed in result of the pandemic, its envisaged to hold discussions of the special session on various segments in a different format from the previous special sessions. In this regard, the UN member states are discussing modalities in connection with the holding of the session at the level of heads of state and government in the format of videoconference. After reaching an appropriate agreement, specific dates for the discussions will be determined," added Abdullayeva. China Home to Six of the Worlds Top 10 Unicorns, Hurun Report Says By Ding Yi / Aug 05, 2020 01:25 PM / Economy Six of the worlds ten largest unicorns startups worth more than $1 billion are headquartered in China, as the country aims to become the world leader in innovation. Ant Group, the fintech arm of Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba, ranks as the worlds largest unicorn with a valuation of $150 billion on the back of its planned initial public offering (IPO) in Shanghai and Hong Kong, according to the Hurun Global Unicorn Index 2020 released by Shanghai-based publishing group Hurun Report on Tuesday. ByteDance claimed the second spot with a valuation of $80 billion despite a recent Indian ban on its flagship app TikTok. The app is also under fire in the U.S. with President Trump threatening to terminate the apps U.S. operations if it is not sold by mid-September. Chinese ride-hailing giant Didi Chuxing came in third with a valuation of $55 billion. The company is expanding its footprint across the globe and testing its autonomous taxi service as part of ongoing efforts to build a smart transportation system. The other three Chinese unicorns breaking into the top 10 list are peer-to-peer online lending platform Lufax, TikTok rival Kuaishou and Alibabas logistics affiliate Cainiao. China is home to 227 unicorns, six less than in the U.S., meaning that the two countries account for a combined 78% of the worlds 586 known unicorns based on valuations at the end of March, said Hurun Report. The U.S. and China continue to dominate with nearly 80% of the worlds known unicorns, despite representing only 40% of the worlds GDP and a quarter of the worlds population, Hurun Report chairman Rupert Hoogewerf said. The rest of the world needs to wake up to providing an ecosystem that allows unicorns to flourish, he added. When it comes to cities, Beijing is home to a greater percentage of unicorns 16% than any other city in the world. The Chinese capital is followed by San Francisco with 12% and Shanghai with 8%, according to Hurun Report. Contact reporter Ding Yi (dingyi@caixin.com) Related: China Home to One-Third of Worlds Best Unicorn Investors, Hurun Report Says People traveling from one of the several dozen states deemed high risk for COVID-19 could face a $10,000 fine at checkpoints that have been set up at entry points into the city, according to New York City Mayor Bill De Blasio. The announcement comes on Wednesday for travelers from the 35 high-risk infection areas. Those wishing to enter the city must quarantine for a fortnight and those flying into New York airports are required to fill out a special travel form or face a smaller, but still significant, fine of $2,000. New York City is holding the line against COVID-19, and New Yorkers have shown tremendous discipline, said De Blasio. Were not going to let our hard work slip away and will continue to do everything we can to keep New Yorkers safe and healthy. The Department of Finance Sheriffs Office, in partnership with other law enforcement agencies, will operate traveler registration checkpoints at major bridge and tunnel crossings into New York City, according to New York City Sheriff Joseph Fucito. He added that starting on Thursday, De Blasios Public Engagement Unit, will begin outreach at Penn Station to educate travelers about New York State home-quarantine orders. The progress were seeing across New York City in reducing transmission of COVID-19 is a collective effort by New Yorkers. Were focused on continuing and building on those efforts by encouraging those who travel to states with a high COVID positivity rate to follow state law and quarantine at home and only leave if its essential, said NYC Test & Trace Corps Executive Director Ted Long. This virus is one that affects all and we want to ensure that we continue on a path to keep all New Yorkers safe through awareness and necessary resources. Massachusetts is not on the list of the 35 states that are seen as high-risk where Gov. Charlie Baker has also said that travelers who enter from high-risk states will incur a $500 fine. Under the Bay States order, out-of-state visitors must fill out a Massachusetts Travel Form and quarantine for two weeks. They can only cut that quarantine short if they test negative for COVID-19 in the first 72 hours. Visitors coming to Massachusetts from New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire and Hawaii remain exempt from the New Yorks restrictions. Workers are also exempt from the travel order. In Massachusetts the language in Bakers order indicates that enforcement will fall on local boards of health, many of which, on the Cape, work in concert with a small number of health officials who are often overworked, particularly during the summer months. Exactly how enforcement of the mandate will be carried out in the Bay State remains foggy. The order states that local health officials are authorized to issue fines when requested by [the Department of Public Health] to provide assistance. DPH can also enlist the help of state or municipal police or any other agency formally designated at the request of the Commissioner Monica Bharel. Non-essential workers subject to the states travel quarantine must: Stay at their residence or in a hotel room, leaving only for essential medical appointments or treatment or to obtain food and other essential goods when the delivery of food or other essential goods to their residence or hotel is not feasible. Not invite or allow guests, other than caregivers, into their quarantined residence or hotel room. Self-monitor for symptoms of COVID-19 and seek appropriate medical advice or testing if COVID-19 symptoms arise. Essential workers subject to the states quarantine must: Self-monitor for symptoms of COVID-19 and self-quarantine and seek medical advice or testing if they show symptoms of COVID-19. Limit their activities involving contact with other persons for fourteen (14) days to the purposes that exempted them from the self-quarantine requirement to the extent possible. If staying longer than 36 hours in New York state, seek diagnostic testing for COVID-19 as soon as possible upon arrival or within 24 hours. The travel advisory list of the 35 high risk areas as of Wednesday is: Alaska Alabama Arkansas Arizona California Florida Georgia Iowa Idaho Illinois Indiana Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maryland Minnesota Missouri Mississippi Montana North Carolina North Dakota Nebraska New Mexico Nevada Ohio Oklahoma Puerto Rico Rhode Island South Carolina Tennessee Texas Utah Virginia Washington Wisconsin Related Content: Sign up for free text messages about important updates on coronavirus in Massachusetts Hundreds of Queensland-based airline staff could lose their jobs after Virgin Australia Airlines announced it would cut 3000 staff throughout the country. About 5000 of Virgin's 9000 staff work in Queensland and 1200 are based in its Bowen Hills head office, according to Queensland Treasury. The airline, which went into liquidation in April, has not detailed its plans for its workforce on a state-by-state basis. Australian Services Union assistant national secretary Linda White said the job losses would be staggering. Welcome Guest! You Are Here: A former producer of The Ellen DeGeneres Show has come out and made some shocking claims about the embattled TV host, 62. On Wednesday, Hedda Muskat appeared on the Australian breakfast program Sunrise and claimed that she was 'emotionally abused' during her time working on the show. It comes amid a scandal that the show's work culture is rife with bullying, racism and sexual harassment. Speaking out: Former Ellen DeGeneres Show producer Hedda Muskat has made more shocking claims about the embattled host (pictured) and said she was 'emotionally abused' amid toxic workplace scandal Ms Muskat, who worked on the show during its debut season in 2003, said that she was 'fired for no reason'. 'I was more emotionally abused, fired for no reason... they told me that they were just going to take the show in a different direction. They ended up gave my job to a guy I trained who was about 24 years old and had no experience,' Ms Muskat said. Ms Muskat said that once when executive producer Ed Glavin pulled her into his office, she was asked about her contacts and sources and refused to give them up to maintain journalistic integrity, which did her no favours. 'From that moment I was on the hit list and no longer invited to staff meetings... wasn't allowed to sit at their table at the Emmy's - it was a very egg-shell environment,' Hedda said. Claims: Ms Muskat, who worked on the show during its debut season in 2003, said that she was 'fired for no reason.' Pictured on Sunrise on Wednesday Ms Muskat said on Sunrise that Ellen's behaviour was poor from the beginning and that she'd often 'snarl'. 'When you walk into her office for example, to pitch her your segments, there was always a snarl. I always felt that I was never welcomed in her office, she always hurried me, "like get to the point, get to the point," Ms Muskat said. Ms Muskat claimed that after a few months, she was told to no longer go into Ellen's office. Bad behaviour? Ms Muskat said on Sunrise that Ellen's behaviour was poor from the beginning and that she'd often 'snarl' She said that one day she even took her daughter into work and wanted to introduce her to Ellen, but she was shown 'so much disrespect'. 'She just snarled again, walked by and I was flabbergasted, she didn't even make eye contact,' Ms Muskat said. 'I was told later to no longer bring my daughter to work... I was told... "she doesn't want kids in the office." Ms Muskat said that she's the first producer to come forward and put their name to their claims, with many going forward anonymously. But she hopes to encourage others to do the same. 'I'm coming forward because... she trivalised and minimalised everybody's accusations.... nobody wanted to listen to us until now.' Ms Muskat meanwhile called DeGeneres 'toxic' in an interview with The Wrap that was published on Monday. 'I had never seen this before, I had never been around a toxic host,' she said. Speaking with The Wrap, she recalled one instance in which Ellen 'giggled' while the show's executive producer, Ed Glavin, screamed at a crew member in front of an entire room. Toxic: Ms Muskat meanwhile called DeGeneres 'toxic' in an interview with The Wrap that was published on Monday 'He [Glavin] just went off on them. His whole face turned red. We were stunned,' Ms Muskat recalled. 'I was waiting for Ellen to say something like, "Whoa, Ed, dont talk like that". But do you know what she did? She giggled.' Ms Muskat went on: 'She [Ellen] crossed her legs up on the chair and she said, "Well, I guess every production needs their dog". 'You could just see everybody's faces go stiff. We're professionals; we're adults. We don't need a dog to get us to do our jobs She was the only one giggling.' 'Ed [Glavin] didn't act independently. Ed was a bully, but he worked for Ellen. It was her show,' Ms Muskat stated. The scandal is making headlines around the world, with claims that the show's work culture is rife with bullying, racism and sexual harrassment. In July, staffers on the syndicated daytime talk show had cited a number of the show's executive producers in their complaints, including Kevin Leman and Ed Glavin. Last week, DeGeneres told staffers she was sorry about what was going on, in a memo addressing the ongoing controversy. Making headlines: The scandal is making headlines around the world, with claims that the show's work culture is rife with bullying, racism and sexual harrassment. Last week, DeGeneres told staffers she was sorry about what was going on, in a memo addressing the ongoing controversy 'On day one of our show, I told everyone in our first meeting that The Ellen DeGeneres Show would be a place of happiness - no one would ever raise their voice, and everyone would be treated with respect,' she wrote. 'Obviously, something changed, and I am disappointed to learn that this has not been the case. And for that, I am sorry. Anyone who knows me knows its the opposite of what I believe and what I hoped for our show.' DeGeneres said she was unable to 'stay on top of everything' with her hosting duties and delegated to 'others to do their jobs as they knew I'd want them done. 'Clearly some didn't. That will now change and I'm committed to ensuring this does not happen again... I'm also learning that people who work with me and for me are speaking on my behalf and misrepresenting who I am and that has to stop.' She added: 'As someone who was judged and nearly lost everything for just being who I am, I truly understand and have deep compassion for those being looked at differently, or treated unfairly, not equal, or - worse - disregarded. To think that any one of you felt that way is awful to me.' Celebs who have gone public against Ellen include Brad Garrett and Lea Thompson, while celebs who've emerged in defense of the embattled talk show host, including Scooter Braun, DJ/musician Samantha Ronson and Ellen's wife of 12 years Portia de Rossi. Support: Celebs who have gone public against Ellen include Brad Garrett and Lea Thompson, while celebs who've emerged in defense of the embattled talk show host, including Scooter Braun, DJ/musician Samantha Ronson and Ellen's wife of 12 years Portia de Rossi (pictured) Portia who posted a graphic on Instagram saying, 'I stand by Ellen' in what appeared to be an attempt to push public sentiment back in the corner of the talk show host. 'To all our fans....we see you. Thank you for your support,' Portia wrote Monday, adding the hashtags, #stopbotattacks, #IStandWithEllenDeGeneres and #IStandByEllen. A source told the New York Post that the talk show host has been 'crushed,' 'devastated' and 'hysterical' amid calls for her to leave the show. 'She felt like everything she worked so hard for was falling apart,' the insider said. Daily Mail Australia has contacted representatives of Ellen for comment in relation to this story. Top officials of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) paid themselves scholarship grants at a time hundreds of deserving scholarship beneficiaries had not been paid for years and were stranded in different countries, a report has shown. The report by lawmakers joins the other revelations that emanated from the National Assemblys investigation into spending by the NDDC, which has generated mixed reactions among Nigerians. The Senate had on May 5, set up a seven-member ad-hoc committee to probe the financial recklessness of the Interim Management Committee (IMC) of the NDDC. READ ALSO: The committee was specifically asked to probe the IMC for allegedly squandering N40 billion in three months. In the same vein, the House of Representatives Committee on Niger Delta commenced an investigative hearing on the alleged mismanagement of N81.5 billion between January and July by the commission. Investigative hearings conducted by the Senate and House committees in July, witnessed accusations and counter-accusations between some lawmakers and members of the NDDC, among other discoveries. Besides how lawmakers allegedly hijacked NDDC projects and how the commission spent N1.3 billion for staff as COVID-19 relief funds, the latest major revelation is how the NDDC paid scholarship grants to the Managing Director, Daniel Pondei, and other top officials of the commission. This was contained in the report of the Senate ad-hoc committee obtained by PREMIUM TIMES. Top among the beneficiaries are Mr Pondei, the acting deputy director, projects, Cairo Ojougboh, and another director, Luke Ibanga. The report The Senate had on July 23 considered the report of the panel that exposed the reckless and budgetless spending by the IMC. According to the document, the NDDCs account showed that a number of staff were awarded varying sums of money as foreign postgraduate scholarship second trip 2020 abroad. And within the period under review (October 2019 and May 2020), the organisation spent N347 million on Education Grants and Scholarship. Thirty-two beneficiaries were listed in the report of which Messrs Pondei and Ojougboh were paid N5.6 million each for foreign postgraduate scholarship second trip 2020. Mr Ibanga was paid twice N5.19 million and N3.7 million for the same purpose. The report also listed a Seledi Wakama who was paid N3.5 million twice for the same purpose. It is unclear if the aforementioned is a staff of the commission. The document also mentions a Marg Consultant that was paid N3.5 million twice, for the same purpose. And another Marg Educational International Limited paid the sum of N106.2 million for 2019 NDDC Foreign postgraduate scheme and data infrastructure scheme and admin cost. The committee wondered if the N106 million paid to the latter was for services rendered to the NDDC. However the character of the transaction suggests that Marg international is a middleman or an agent for foreign postgraduate admission. The justification of this expenditure is questionable especially when prospective students can directly approach any institution of their choice; and particularly so when current scholarship holders are yet to be paid their allowances, part of the report read. Although the date for the approval of these payments were not stated, the purpose of payment, however, suggests 2020. Mr Pondei, during the hearing, had complained that the NDDC is currently owing students studying abroad from 2016 to date and the commission is clearing the backlog. The report further questioned why Mr Pondei and other top officials were part of the beneficiaries. Looking through the account shown above, it was unclear if these education grants were actually being paid to staff who are stranded abroad as portrayed by the MD/CEO. The names of beneficiaries on the account featured the interim MD/CEO Kemebradikumo Pondei, the ED, Project Cairo Ojuogboh and other notable Directors such as Luke Ibanga. Infact Luke Ibanga got the payment twice. From the public hearing; the interim MD/CEO stated that he is currently not studying being a professor already, therefore seeing his name on the list as a beneficiary of a scholarship grant is totally unexpected. This comes at a time when Nigerian students under the NDDC scholarship are reportedly stranded abroad because of the alleged lack of funding from the commission. The students, in May, wrote to the Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, complaining that life for them abroad has been compounded by the coronavirus pandemic which has prevented them from even engaging in menial jobs for survival. Advertisements President Muhammadu Buhari has, however, directed the NDDC to pay the fees and stipends of scholars of the commission who are facing hardships abroad. This was disclosed in a statement by the Director of Corporate Affairs at the NDDC, Charles Odili, Channels Television reported. He explained that the delay in remittance of the fees of the scholars was caused by the sudden death of the then acting Executive Director of Finance and Administration (EDFA), Ibanga Etang, in May. He said the students fees and stipends would be paid by the end of the week. Since the revelations emerged individuals and civic groups have been calling for the prosecution of guilty NDDC officials as well as sanction of lawmakers who are complicit in the NDDC scandal. This article originally appeared on Food52. As the pandemic rolls on and ingredient scarcity continues, you might find yourself in need of a tasty whipped topping (like for one of these), but without the cream to whip. Rather than make a less-than-essential trip to the grocery store or go without whipped cream altogether, you can, in fact, substitute whole milk or half-and-half for heavy cream. Conventional baking wisdom (not to mention science) holds that its pretty much impossible to make whipped cream with these lower-fat dairy products: Where whole milk is between three to four percent and half-and-half contains anywhere from 10.5 to 18 percent fat, heavy cream, the ideal base for whipped cream, clocks in at 36 percent fatat least. Advertisement According to food science writer Harold McGee, that high-fat content is crucial to creating the fluffy, swoopy texture weve come to expect from whipped cream. The fat allows the cream to whip more effectively, and to maintain said dense peaks while minimizing froth. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a perfect world, wed always have heavy cream around to make whipped cream, but these are, to say the least, imperfect times. Besides, there is a way, in the immortal words of Tim Gunn, to nevertheless make it work with whole milk or half-and-half, as long as youre willing to make some creative changes to your average whipped cream recipe. Here, well show you how to make whipped cream out of milkall without getting whipped into a frenzy. (And if your problem is actually a surplus of heavy cream, weve got some ideas for that, too.) How To Make Whipped Cream With Milk 1. Add Gelatin. For around three cups of whipped cream made with whole milk, The Culinary Institute of America chef instructor Steven Isaac first recommends blooming 3 teaspoons of gelatin in 4 ounces of milk. The gelatin thickens and helps the milk maintain its volume once whipped. Once the gelatins bloomed, microwave it in five-second increments until just liquified. 2. Add More Milk & Chill. In the bowl you plan to whip the cream in, combine 12 ounces of cold milk with the gelatin-mixture, stir to combine well, and refrigerate for an hour. (Cold milk, like cold cream, is more likely to whip and not curdle.) 3. Whip! Once thoroughly chilled, sweeten the mix to taste. Then, commence whipping: With a stand mixer, hand mixer, or even by hand with a whisk, beat until the stabilized milk grows thick and holds peaks. Advertisement Advertisement How To Make Whipped Cream With Half-&-Half 1. Add Gelatin. Escoffier chef instructor Colette Christian also recommends the use of gelatin when making whipped cream with anything other than, well, cream. For around three cups of whipped cream made with half-and-half, first combine 1 1/4 teaspoons of powdered gelatin with 2 ounces of half-and-half. Allow the gelatin to bloom for about five minutes. 2. Combine The Half-&-Half With Sugar. Meanwhile, in the bowl you plan to whip the cream in, sweeten 10 ounces of cold half-and-half to taste. 3. Melt The Gelatin & Add To The Half-And-Half. Microwave the gelatin mixture in five-second increments until completely liquified. Add the liquid gelatin to the sweetened half-and-half, stirring with a whisk to combine well. Refrigerate for 30 minutes, or until slightly thickened but not overly solidified. 4. Whip! Whip the mixture using a stand mixer, hand mixer, or whisk until the cream is voluminous and can hold peaks. Looser cream will take less time, but if youre aiming for a stiffer, stabler texture, that will require a little more beating. Be sure not to get distracted or leave your mixer unattended while beatingthe cream will firm up within minutes and will devolve into butter if you arent careful. More from Food52: The Virtues of Canned Fruit Salad Samin Nosrats Instant Green Soup With a Power Ingredient The Wonder Syrup for Better Drinks, Every Time How to Make A Very Good Pour Over Coffee Tiny Cheese Plates Are *The* No-Cook Summer Dinner 19 Cozy Chicken Recipes We Cant Wait to Cook This Fall THE LOST PIANOS OF SIBERIA By Sophy Roberts No musical instrument connotes bourgeois European respectability like the piano. Large, unwieldy and expensive, a good piano is a mark of affluence and stability. With its delicate balance of wood and strings, it also requires a stable climate. For all these reasons, the piano is not often associated with Siberia. In The Lost Pianos of Siberia, the English travel writer Sophy Roberts describes her attempt to track down lost pianos in remote places like Irkutsk, Kamchatka and Kolyma. Her quest begins in the summer of 2015 in Mongolia, where a wealthy German friend introduces her to his protege: a gifted musician named Odgerel Sampilnorov. Within a few hours of hearing her play, I had an epiphany, the German recalled of Sampilnorovs earlier performances, on an old instrument from Ulaanbaatar. Id never heard talent like it. She now plays in a tent on the steppe on a modern Yamaha thats out of sorts. So her patron offers to help finance Roberts in an effort to find Sampilnorov a Siberian piano with a better back story and more character in its sound: a historic piano which still resonated with the gentler timbre of the 19th century. In the end, Sampilnorov gets her piano, and Roberts a travel narrative in which Siberias sublimely harsh natural setting, brutal history and exotic folk traditions are placed in contrast with the great percussive symbol of European civilization. Image In the process of trying to locate lost instruments, Roberts discovers stories of Siberian musicians and music lovers. In 1774, Catherine the Great ordered a square piano anglais then the hot new instrument from England. By the beginning of the 19th century many affluent Russian households had pianofortes, and piano lessons and recitals were in high demand. Russia eventually produced outstanding classical composers and musicians, among them pianists like Anton and Nikolai Rubinstein and Sergei Rachmaninoff. The 1917 Revolution scattered and destroyed many of Russias pianos, but the Soviets later brought affordable pianos, as well as musical education, to people who could not otherwise have afforded to touch such an instrument. A wind shift has caused some very frigid water to take over some of Michigans Lake Michigan shoreline. Now we can get a great look at exactly where the cold water is positioned. We can also look into the future, and see when the beach waters temperatures rebound. Satellites can look at the infrared spectrum, which is the emitting of heat from land masses and bodies of water. The satellite animation below shows the cold water developing along the shoreline. Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has strongly condemned reported violent attacks on #RevolutionNow protesters in Abuja, Osogbo and other parts of the country. The government of President Muhammadu Buhari must end the use of excessive force against protesters, and allow people to peacefully exercise their human rights. The Department of State Services today reportedly arrested Olawale Bakare and six other #RevolutionNow protesters wearing orange-coloured caps around Olaiya area of Osogbo, Osun State capital. Several protesters were also arrested by the police and the Nigerian Army in the Abuja metropolis. In a statement today by SERAP deputy director Kolawole Oluwadare, the organization said: By failing to adequately protect protesters from violent attacks, Nigerian authorities have blatantly violated their obligations under the Nigerian Constitution of 1999 (as amended), the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights to which Nigeria is a state party. Nobody should be arrested or subjected to torture and ill-treatment simply for taking part in peaceful protests. The authorities should stop criminalising peaceful protesters. Rather than suppressing peaceful protests, the authorities ought to protect peaceful protesters and ensure a safe and enabling environment for people to exercise their constitutionally and internationally guaranteed rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly. SERAP urges the authorities to immediately and unconditionally release all those arrested, promptly investigate attacks on protesters, and identify security agents suspected to be responsible and bring them to justice. Nigerian authorities need to take seriously the protesters socio-economic grievances, including by immediately taking measures to genuinely fight grand corruption, and improve access of Nigerians to basic public goods and services. SERAP urges the international community including the UN Human Rights Council, the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, the African Union and the African Commission on Human and Peoples Rights to publicly condemn attacks on peaceful protests and to put pressure on the Nigerian authorities to effectively investigate attacks on protesters, prosecute perpetrators and to respect and protect the human rights of everyone. Nigerian constitution and human rights treaties to which Nigeria is a state party guarantee the rights to liberty and security of person, freedom from arbitrary detention, freedom of expression, and the right of peaceful assembly. The UN Basic Principles on the Use of Force and Firearms by Law Enforcement Officials prohibit the use of excessive force against peaceful protesters. Kolawole Oluwadare SERAP Deputy Director 5/08/2020 Lagos, Nigeria Emails: [email protected]; [email protected] Twitter: @SERAPNigeria Website: www.serap-nigeria.org For more information or to request an interview, please contact Kolawole Oluwadare on: +2348160537202 Baxley and Jennings intend to focus on complex and significant litigation matters and are already working on multiple cases in different jurisdictions. We are available to collaborate with or accept referrals from attorneys who do not typically handle complex litigation because of the expense, duration and unique challenges of these type cases, and would be grateful for the opportunity, Baxley said. I look forward to returning to the courtroom and am grateful to the people of Darlington County for allowing me to be a part of the legal system for almost four decades. For 34 years, the Douglas Jennings Law Firm LLC has been engaged in the general practice of law with a focus on civil litigation in Bennettsville and throughout the Pee Dee Region and state. The firms principal office will continue to be in the historic former Strauss home at 151 Broad St. in Bennettsville. Baxley will be available to meet with clients in the Bennettsville office, but will primarily be working out of the new Charleston office, where he can be reached at 843-408-0070. Baxley, is married to the former Kristina Young of Summerville and they have three children, Michael, Grace and Will. As the Black Life Matters protesters taking a knee irritate US President Donald Trump, so do the RevolutionNow protesters with their yellow caps annoy Nigerias President Muhammadu Buhari in the renewed rally that started across Nigeria Aug 5. Security agents, including police, DSS, and army have so far brutalized and arrested dozens of protesters, including Olawale Bakare and Agba Jalingo in Lagos Osun, Abuja, and other states. Bakare and Jalingo, arrested in the maiden edition of the protest last year, are associates of Omoyele Sowore, the RevolutionNow originator the DSS arrested and detained for months last August for igniting the protestan intended mass revolt against Buharis bad governance. Sowore was released on court order which rebuked the action of the federal government detaining the media activist and publisher of Sahara Reporters for exercising his fundamental freedom of expression. The police have yet to state officially the reason for disrupting again the peaceful protest which the Nigerian constitution guarantees. Sowores detention last year embarrassed Nigeria internationally, and members of Trumps administration and some Republican senators threatened Buhari and his government for holding on to the activist. But the Trump administration itself has been in the eye of the storm June for deploying police and National Guard to quell protests against a cop who smothered an African-American, George Floyd, for spending a fake dollar bill in a supermarket. Nu Skin Enterprises, Inc. (NYSE:NUS) shareholders will doubtless be very grateful to see the share price up 31% in the last quarter. But that cannot eclipse the less-than-impressive returns over the last three years. Truth be told the share price declined 26% in three years and that return, Dear Reader, falls short of what you could have got from passive investing with an index fund. See our latest analysis for Nu Skin Enterprises While the efficient markets hypothesis continues to be taught by some, it has been proven that markets are over-reactive dynamic systems, and investors are not always rational. 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. Nu Skin Enterprises saw its EPS decline at a compound rate of 4.0% per year, over the last three years. This reduction in EPS is slower than the 9.5% annual reduction in the share price. So it seems the market was too confident about the business, in the past. The graphic below depicts how EPS has changed over time (unveil the exact values by clicking on the image). We like that insiders have been buying shares in the last twelve months. Even so, future earnings will be far more important to whether current shareholders make money. This free interactive report on Nu Skin Enterprises' earnings, revenue and cash flow is a great place to start, if you want to investigate the stock further. What About Dividends? When looking at investment returns, it is important to consider the difference between total shareholder return (TSR) and share price return. Whereas the share price return only reflects the change in the share price, the TSR includes the value of dividends (assuming they were reinvested) and the benefit of any discounted capital raising or spin-off. So for companies that pay a generous dividend, the TSR is often a lot higher than the share price return. We note that for Nu Skin Enterprises the TSR over the last 3 years was -19%, which is better than the share price return mentioned above. This is largely a result of its dividend payments! Story continues A Different Perspective Nu Skin Enterprises provided a TSR of 19% over the year (including dividends). That's fairly close to the broader market return. Most would be happy with a gain, and it helps that the year's return is actually better than the average return over five years, which was 3.6%. Even if the share price growth slows down from here, there's a good chance that this is business worth watching in the long term. 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 instance, we've identified 3 warning signs for Nu Skin Enterprises that you should be aware of. Nu Skin Enterprises is not the only stock insiders are buying. So take a peek at this free list of growing companies with insider buying. Please note, the market returns quoted in this article reflect the market weighted average returns of stocks that currently trade on 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. Chamberlain, the second most important actor in the lead-up to war curiously, he is left out of the books subtitle in favor of his successor, Winston Churchill tried desperately to negotiate a lasting solution to the crisis. In keeping with much recent scholarship, Hett presents Chamberlain as a complex figure, intelligent and composed but also vainglorious and gullible. After a meeting at Hitlers Alpine retreat at Berchtesgaden in September 1938, Chamberlain wrote that he had established a certain confidence which was my aim and on my side in spite of the hardness & ruthlessness I thought I saw in [Hitlers] face I got the impression that here was a man who could be relied upon when he had given his word. Even after March 1939, when Hitlers seizure of most of the rest of Czechoslovakia showed the bankruptcy of Chamberlains appeasement strategy, he clung to the belief that the Fuhrer could be reasoned with. That Hitler might actually desire war was to the prime ministers rational way of thinking impossible, especially following the mass carnage of World War I. Still, with Hitler now turning his murderous gaze toward Poland, the Chamberlain government shifted to a strategy of deterrence, joining with France to guarantee Polish and later Romanian independence. It also stepped up preparations for war, introducing peacetime conscription for the first time in British history and commencing Anglo-French military staff talks. War came a few months later. For the Western leaders and their populations, the second half of the 1930s represented, Hett argues, a crisis of democracy. In the minds of influential observers like Churchill and the American columnist Walter Lippmann, it seemed an open question whether the major democracies could respond effectively to the threat from totalitarian states that were primed for war and had ready access to resources. Could Western leaders mobilize their competing interest groups and fickle constituents to support costly overseas commitments? What if these same constituents fell under the sway of fascism, with its racist and nationalist appeals? Harold L. Ickes, the irascible and perspicacious American secretary of the interior, saw the danger. Fascism is an ever-present threat, even here in America, he warned in a speech before the Cleveland Zionist Society at the end of 1938. Every intelligent man and woman knows that the danger that threatens America is the same that has already engulfed other countries. Ickess fear was not realized, not then little by little, Hett writes, democratic leaders in Washington and London found their footing. They were able to turn back the totalitarian threats while upholding what Franklin D. Roosevelt in his 1941 State of the Union address called the Four Freedoms: freedom of speech and expression, freedom of worship, freedom from want and freedom from fear. Today, we are again in a crisis of democracy, a point Hett stresses from his opening pages. Perhaps he does so with more insistence than necessary, as if uncertain his readers will grasp the parallels between the 1930s and our own day without his firm direction. Still, its hard to disagree with his overarching judgment: Above all, the world of the 1930s was wracked by a fundamental conflict: Should the world system be open and international, based on democracy, free trade and rights for all, anchored in law? Or should the world be organized along racial and national lines, with dominant groups owing nothing to minorities and closing off their economic space as much as possible to the outer world? Today we face this very conflict once again. Emergency medical aid and pop-up field hospitals were dispatched to Lebanon Wednesday along with rescue experts and tracking dogs, as the world reached out to the victims of the explosion that devastated Beirut. The blast centred on the city's port caused massive destruction and killed at least 113 people, heaping misery on a country already in crisis. Gulf states were among the first to respond, with Qatar sending mobile hospitals to ease pressure on Lebanon's medical system, already strained by the coronavirus pandemic. A Qatari air force plane with a cargo of hundreds of collapsible beds, generators and burn sheets touched down in Beirut in the first of a convoy of flights to the Mediterranean country. Medical supplies from Kuwait also arrived, as the Lebanese Red Cross said more than 4,000 people were being treated for injuries after the explosion, which sent glass shards and debris flying. A Greek C-130 army transport plane bearing a dozen rescuers landed at Beirut's airport, itself damaged in the catastrophic explosion. Lebanon's Prime Minister Hassan Diab has called on "friendly countries" to support a nation already reeling from its worst economic crisis in decades as well as the impact of the coronavirus. As emergency crews hauled survivors from the rubble of demolished buildings, France said it was sending search and rescue experts aboard three military planes loaded with a mobile clinic and tonnes of medical and sanitary supplies. President Emmanuel Macron is to travel to Lebanon on Thursday, becoming the first world leader to visit Beirut after the disaster, as France seeks to swiftly push reconstruction in its former colony. "France is at the side of Lebanon. Always," Macron tweeted in Arabic. Cyprus -- which lies just 150 miles (240 kilometres) to the northwest and where Tuesday's blast were both heard and sighted -- said it was sending eight police tracking dogs and their handlers aboard two helicopters, to help in the search for victims trapped under rubble. Tunisia offered to send medical teams to collect 100 wounded people and evacuate them for treatment, as well as sending in two military transporters carrying food and medical aid. From Europe, authorities in the Netherlands, Czech Republic and Poland offered an array of assistance including doctors, police and firefighters, together with rescue experts and sniffer dogs. Iran's President Hassan Rouhani said Tehran stood "ready to offer medical and medicinal aid and help treat the injured", and Jordan's King Abdullah II also promised to dispatch a field hospital. The United Arab Emirates sent 30 tonnes of medicines, medical supplies and surgical equipment. - 'Stay strong, Lebanon' - The World Health Organization said it was dispatching trauma and surgical kits from its base in Dubai after what it called a "shocking event" that comes at a "particularly difficult time in Lebanon". "As you've seen, many hospitals are overwhelmed with casualties and people are still looking for the injured and the dead, so it's a very sad day," the UN agency's emergencies director Michael Ryan told an online session. Close allies and traditional adversaries of Lebanon alike sent their condolences, with Iran and Saudi Arabia -- long rivals for influence over the country -- both sending messages of support. "Our thoughts and prayers are with the great and resilient people of Lebanon," Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif tweeted. "Stay strong, Lebanon." Saudi Arabia said it was following the situation with "great concern". Unusually, neighbouring Israel offered humanitarian aid -- to a country with which it is still technically at war -- via international intermediaries. Lebanon's flag was to be projected onto Tel Aviv's city hall later Wednesday, in Israel's latest gesture. United Nations chief Antonio Guterres expressed his "deepest condolences... following the horrific explosions in Beirut," which also injured some UN personnel. US President Donald Trump, who said it looked like "a terrible attack", without giving any evidence, said: "Our prayers go out to all the victims and their families... The United States stands ready to assist Lebanon." British Prime Minister Boris Johnson called the pictures and videos from Beirut "shocking". And Pope Francis offered prayers for the victims and their families so that they might "face this extremely tragic and painful moment and, with the help of the international community, overcome the grave crisis they are experiencing". burs-dm/sls/hc The local arm of the British-bred MG recently received the highest recognition given to MG distributors worldwide at the 2020 MG Overseas Dealers and Distributors Conference. Held online, The Covenant Car Company, Inc. (TCCCI) was bestowed the Five Star Distributor award from over the 50 MG distributors around the globe based on sales performance, marketing, aftersales services, and dealership network. Aside from TCCCI, Five Star Distributor awardees for this year include Taajeer Group MG Saudi Arabia, South Pacific Motor Chile SPA, Brisbane MG, and Mansour MG Automotive. This award also marks a special milestone, as TCCCI is identified as the first overseas MG distributor to achieve Five Star status while only in its first full year of operations. MG ZS MG PH It is our honor at The Covenant Car Company, Inc. to receive the Five Star Distributor recognition from our international principals at MG. We are privileged and proud to represent the MG brand in the Philippines, and to be recognized on our first year of full operations fuels our drive at TCCCI to go further in elevating the MG brand in the country, TCCCI President and CEO-MG Philippines Atty. Alberto Arcilla said. This award is a recognition of the collective work of all who have dedicated themselves to the introduction and expansion of MG in the Philippines: our shareholders, our esteemed board, stewards, dealer partners, bank partners, our colleagues in the media, and our valued MG clients. As we are thankful, we acknowledge that this is truly a testament of the Lords covenant to our company, he added. The TCCCI chief also said that the recognition will further push them to be better in providing the Filipino motoring public with modern, attainable mobility solutions, and innovative aftersales services. In the dealership category, MG Iloilo bagged a Four-Star award. MG PH Current Full Model Lineup The annual appreciation awards is presented by SAIC Motor International (SMIL), a subsidiary of SAIC Motor: the largest company in Chinas A-share market which is also currently ranked 39th on the Fortune Global 500 list and 7th among all auto makers on said list. Story continues MG is currently available in 86 countries worldwide including the United Kingdom, Australia, Germany, the United States, Mexico, Egypt, South Africa, Germany, Austria, Belgium, Netherlands, Norway, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Israel, India, Vietnam, Brunei, United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, and Thailand among others. Last year, MG has sold more than 298,000 vehicles around the globe. Aside from MG Iloilo, MG Philippines has 23 other dealerships such as MG Alabang, MG Bacolod, MG Batangas, MG BF Paranaque, MG Bohol, MG Cabanatuan, MG Cagayan de Oro, MG Calasiao, MG Carmona, MG Cebu, MG Commonwealth, MG Congressional, MG Cubao, MG Dasmarinas, MG Davao, MG EDSA Centris, MG Lipa, MG Marikina, MG San Fernando, MG Shaw, MG Sta. Rosa, MG Sucat, and MG Tacloban. Photos from The Covenant Car Company, Inc. (TCCCI)-MG Philippines Also read: MG PH is Official Car Of Miss Universe Philippines 2020 MG PH Finishes 2019 Strong in Sales, Expansion MG PH offers easy payment terms, online garage service The Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC) today announced the opening of registration for the Deep Learning Camp for university students, which will be held virtually from August 18 to 20. The Deep Learning Camp is part of the initiatives of the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre to support the UAE's strategic directions in the science and technology fields, promoting the building of a generation capable of adopting advanced technologies to develop different solutions to tackle future challenges. Through the camp, MBRSC aims to provide the youth with a unique experience to explore space science through theoretical and practical lessons, activities conducted by experts and specialists in the field from the Centre. The camp is a great opportunity for students interested in the field of space sciences to acquire new skills about remote sensing and satellite analysis. Yousuf Hamad Al Shaibani, Director General, MBRSC, said: The Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre is keen to make effective contributions that support the UAEs strategic directions in the science and technology field. Young people can explore the important aspect of space science and modern technologies that are the basis for advanced science in all fields through this camp. The UAE's ambition to strengthen its leadership in the space sector is clear, as the country is taking prominent initiatives in space technology and enhancing its role in this field. This has acted as a catalyst for younger generations to study such scientific disciplines. Saeed AlMansoori, Head of Application Development & Analysis Section, MBRSC, said: Through these initiatives, we are working to prepare the youth and develop their skills to keep pace with the future of deep learning and Artificial intelligence technologies. To keep pace with the developments in the field of space sciences and technology in the region and globally, it has become necessary to possess such important skills and knowledge. This camp is a great opportunity for students interested in space science. The camp includes theoretical and practical activities, including sessions on satellite image analysis, remote sensing and artificial intelligence, and other topics related to enriching young people's knowledge and attracting them to this field, added AlMansoori. The Deep Learning Camp is divided into theoretical and practical sessions. The theoretical sessions deal with the definition of the principles of deep learning, its applications and the techniques used therein, with focus on satellite image analysis. The practical sessions will involve learning the applied aspects of deep learning through specialised machine learning applications, including Python Programming with Google Colab. The practical session will also engage the participants in a technological challenge through the Hacakathon Competition with great prizes awaiting the winners. The contestants will need to apply what they learned throughout the camp about deep learning and its application for the competition. Participants will also be awarded certificates from the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre. During the three-day camp, participants will learn three key elements: principles of deep learning and artificial intelligence, how to use satellite imagery, and the ability to analyse and classify satellite images from a set of satellite image data. Terms of participation To apply for the camp, the participant needs to be a student of a university in the UAE within the ages of 18 to 30, with basic knowledge of mathematics, Python programming language and image process operations. A total of 15 participants, both boys and girls, will be selected from those who have registered. The last date to register and submit the required documents is August 12 via the website https://mbrsc-campreg.evsreg.com, while the fee for the camp can be paid between August 13 to 15. - TradeArabia News Service Power lines criss-cross at street level after Tropical Storm Isaias and its high winds and heavy rain passed through Guttenberg, N.J., on Aug. 4, 2020. (Eduardo Munoz Alvarez/Getty Images) After Killing 6 Across the East Coast, Isaias Has Made Its Way to Canada Isaias, now a post-tropical cyclone, has moved into southeastern Canada, bringing heavy rain and powerful winds over the province of Quebec. The storms maximum sustained winds are now about 40 mph and it is expected to get weaker, the National Hurricane Center said, adding the storm is likely to dissipate Wednesday night or Thursday. A wind advisory was in effect for all of eastern and Northern Maine until early Wednesday morning, according to the National Weather Service in Caribou. We are seeing numerous reports of Gusty Winds 35-45 mph within showers and behind the precipitation. We could see gusts as high as 50 mph. This may cause downed trees on power lines, the service said on Twitter. The storm system killed several people as it ripped through the East Coast after making landfall as a Category 1 hurricane on Ocean Isle Beach, North Carolina, Monday. 6 Dead in Storms Path At least two people were killed when a tornado struck a mobile home park in Windsor, North Carolina, Bertie County officials said. Twelve people were injured and taken to hospitals. Another person died in Pennsylvania when their vehicle was overtaken by water and swept downstream. In St. Marys County in southern Maryland, the driver of a car died after a tree fell on the vehicles roof. The weather service reported at least three separate tornadoes occurred in the southern part of the state early Tuesday. Two were in St. Marys County while the other was in Calvert County, the service said. Mario Siles, 60, was found inside a 2014 Dodge van with trauma about the head and body, and pronounced dead at the scene, a New York Police Department spokeswoman said. In Delaware, an 83-year-old woman was found under a large branch in a pond near her home, Cpl. Jason Hatchell with Delaware State Police told CNN. Cars are buried under the remains of a fallen tree in the Greenpoint area of Brooklyn, N.Y., on Aug. 4, 2020. (Diane Desobeau /AFP via Getty Images) Across the region, nearly 3 million people were in the dark early Wednesday morning, according to poweroutage.us, including more than 800,000 in the state of New York. Teacher Carries Students to Dry Land In Cecil County, Maryland, Isaias flooded a day care, prompting a teacher to carry her 25 students to safety, CNN affiliate WBAL reported. Our parking lot flooded, Brittany Austin told the news station. So, for me to get the children to the parents, who had to park as soon as they came in the parking lot, I had to sludge my way through a good 6 feet of water to get them out to the parents. The Coney Island boardwalk stands mostly empty as Tropical Storm Isaias churns its way up the East Coast, in New York City on Aug. 4, 2020. (Spencer Platt/Getty Images) Multiple streets were flooded Tuesday, the affiliate reported. Ripped Trees and Submerged Streets As the storm moved to Canada, it left in its wake flooded U.S. neighborhoods and residents cleaning up the damage. In Eastwick, Philadelphia, some residents were told to evacuate their homes as streets transformed to rivers Tuesday, CNN affiliate WPVI reported. I was sitting in my living room and I was telling my husband water is coming through the back, Tanya Andrews told the affiliate. It was already flooded. Then the police captain came and told us to evacuate. My house is flooded. In the northeastern part of the city, roofs were torn off, wires were on the ground and residents told the news station they saw powerful winds ripping trees off the ground. Something out of a movie, thats the only way I can explain it, one resident told the news station. The CNN Wire and The Associated Press contributed to this report Hong Kong: 2 COVID-19 cases probed The Hospital Authority announced that it is investigating the relationship between two COVID-19 patients who stayed in the same cubicle of a surveillance ward at Kwong Wah Hospital. An 81-year-old male patient with chronic disease attended the hospitals accident and emergency department on July 22 due to diarrhea. He was then admitted to a surveillance ward and a COVID-19 test was arranged for him. The test result was negative and the patient was transferred to the general medical ward for treatment on the same day. The patient was later discharged from the hospital on July 29. The patient presented with cough and diarrhea on July 31 and attended the hospitals accident and emergency department again due to fever on August 3. He preliminarily tested positive for COVID-19 after undergoing a nasopharyngeal swab test. The hospital checked his previous admission records and found that a 69-year-old male patient who stayed in the same cubicle with him on July 22 was confirmed as having COVID-19 and transferred to an isolation ward on the same day. The authority said that according to Centre for Health Protection guidelines, the infectious period was two days before the onset of symptoms. The hospital's infection control team immediately conducted contact tracing and confirmed that seven patients had stayed in the same cubicle with the 81-year-old patient and were therefore classified as close contacts. Among the patients, one passed away due to his underlying disease. The remaining five patients were being quarantined and viral tests had been arranged for them. One of the five patients tested negative and results for the other four are pending. The centre stated that it would follow up on quarantine arrangements for the remaining one patient who had been discharged. The hospital arranged thorough cleansing and disinfection for the ward involved and reminded patients to wear masks and ensure hand hygiene at all times. This story has been published on: 2020-08-05. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. BAKU, Azerbaijan, Aug.5 Trend: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan expressed condolences to Lebanon in connection with the tragedy that occurred on August 4, Trend reports referring to the official Twitter page of the ministry. "The news of the terrible explosion in the port of Beirut has deeply saddened us. We express our condolences to the families of the victims and the people of Lebanon, and wish the injured a speedy recovery," the ministry said. As earlier reported, a heavy explosion took place in the port in Beirut on Aug. 4 evening. The Ministry of Internal Affairs of the country said that it happened in a warehouse with ammonium nitrate. Lebanese Prime Minister Hassan Diyab said the explosion was caused by improper storage of 2,750 tons of ammonium nitrate. It has been reported about numerous dead and wounded people. An Australian man has told of the moment his friends were ripped apart before his eyes in the devastating explosion that rocked Beirut and killed at least 100 people. Omar Jheir, an Australian man who lives in Lebanon with his wife, was in his apartment only 500 metres from the citys port when the blast occurred. Omar Jheir was one of thousands injured in the Beirut blasts. Source: Instagram The effects of the explosion and its shock wave were felt as far away as Cyprus, with Lebanese seismologists saying the blast was equivalent to a 4.3-magnitude earthquake. Mr Jheir, from North Parramatta, owns a hotel, restaurant and coffee shop in Beirut and told the Daily Telegraph his businesses were all destroyed in the blast. In a first-person account to the publication, Mr Jheir said he had opened the windows to look at the smoke pluming from the industrial area. Mr Jheir's Beirut apartment was destroyed in the explosion. Source: Instagram We opened the windows to look and within three seconds there was a huge explosion. The sheer magnitude of it was more powerful than anything I have ever experienced, he said. I was thrown against the wall, bruising my ribs, and my house just collapsed around us. My friends, my neighbours, my customers, they were just ripped apart. There was blood gushing out of their faces. There were people on the floor dead. It was devastating. At least 100 people were killed and 4,000 more injured after an explosion, caused by over 2,500 tonnes of ammonium nitrate stored in a warehouse, devastated the port area. Source: AAP With cuts all over his face and body and a broken hand, Mr Jheir tried to find safety. He wasnt wearing shoes and his feet were cut to ribbons as he walked down the street. I grabbed two table sheets to bandage them until I saw a friend and he gave me his shoes, he said. Amidst the chaos, and with dust so thick he could barely see, Mr Jhein attempted to make it to the closest hospital, but it had collapsed in the explosion. After trying four more hospitals, he was finally able to be treated. A pile of destroyed vehicles following the explosion at the Beirut Port. Source: AAP Whoever is responsible, we have got to get rid of a government that allowed this to happen and has ripped this country apart, he said. Mr Jhein had only been back in Lebanon for a month after returning to Australia to get married. Story continues The deadly mix that caused explosion A deadly concoction of fireworks and ammonium nitrate appear to have been the fuel that ignited the blast that rocked the countrys capital, experts and videos of the blast suggest. The scale of the damage - from the epicentre of the explosion to the windows blown out kilometres away - resembles other blasts involving the chemical compound commonly used as an agricultural fertiliser. The death toll is expected to rise as hundreds of people remain missing. Source: AAP Online videos of the disaster's initial moments show sparks and lights inside the smoke rising from the blaze, just prior to the massive blast. The explosion was the most powerful ever to rip through Beirut, a city still scarred by civil war three decades ago and reeling from an economic meltdown and a surge in coronavirus infections. 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. Sabi Ward Development Committee (WDC) has on Sunday raised concerns over the newly constructed Kumbija bridge in Fulladu East District, Upper River Region (URR). They have in a statement issued and signed by Hagi Suwaneh - the Secretary-General of Sabi WDC, raised concerns about the splitting of the road without prior notice. This, Mr Swaneh said, is hampering their movement from one end to the other. The WDC Secretary-General also raised concern on the awarding of contract which he alleged was done without consulting them and the local authorities. "When the said project was announced and the time it was about to start, almost every inhabitant of the surrounding communities was delighted to receive the good news including the Ward's WDC," Mr. Suwaneh disclosed. However, he cited that when the contract was awarded, the way the work started worried everyone. He added neither the Ward councilor nor the WDC was informed or involved in the process which was not in line with the guidelines of the National Road Authority. He also expressed concern over the splitting of the road without providing any temporary crossing solution to ease the movement of people to get to their intended destinations or get access to their different communities. The WDC secretary-general said no contract document was given to them and no prior notice was given as well. He said they have written to the Authorities responsible demanding explanations, but they are yet to receive any response. Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Gambia Construction By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later. He said their ward development committee is entrusted with powers by the Local Government Act to monitor and supervise any project within their jurisdiction. "The Ward's main concern now is the bridge in question." He said the heavy downpour of rain has resulted in a serious accident in the area. He said the accident involving a taxi resulted in the death of a woman. He said this was caused by the poor planning and lack of proper consultations in the construction of the bridge. He said the people of Sabi are calling on the authorities to fix this problem, to make life easy for the people of the community. Speaking to this reporter through a telephone interview, the ward councilor for Sabi who is also the vice-chairman for Basse area council, Yubba Jawara, accused the government for 'wasting taxpayers' money on the construction of the said bridge. The Vice-Chairman of Basse Area Council demanded for the contract documents, the plan, and other information about the bridge project from the National Road Authority (NRA). He added: "I am urging the government to investigate this project that is my position." The representative of the National Road Authority in the region was contacted to shed light on the issues raised by the people, but he declined on the issue. He said NRA has no office in Basse therefore, whoever needs information regarding the roads and bridges from the NRA in URR should contact their main office in Banjul. Prochant has built an unmatched reputation for delivering best-in-class results to HME clients for over two decades. Now is the time to expand that value to the pharmacy market. Prochant, a leader in home medical equipment (HME) reimbursement, announces its expansion into the infusion pharmacy market. The company now offers its billing and process outsourcing solutions to infusion pharmacies and current HME provider clients that administer infusion therapies. This entry reflects Prochants growth and continued commitment to the healthcare community. Pharmacy providers face daily challenges with reimbursement, hindering their ability to care for their patients. With its focus on strategic partnerships, advanced technology, and best-in-class results, Prochant saves clients time and gives them the resources necessary to meet their financial goals and grow their business. We are excited to start our work with pharmacy providers, says Joey Graham, General Manager and Executive Vice President at Prochant. He adds, With the COVID-19 crisis, infusion pharmacies play a more important role in healthcare than ever before. Prochant is ready to help these overwhelmed providers manage their business better. As part of this entry, Prochant welcomes two new hires: Jon Love, Vice President of Business Development, and Tina Ratliff, Pharmacy Reimbursement Manager. Love leads Prochants new pharmacy division and works to grow enterprise accounts. Previously, he worked as Director of Sales for WellSkys home care division and served as Chief Operating Officer at Rock Pond Solutions, a software provider for home infusion, HME, and specialty pharmacies. I was attracted to Prochants mission of simplifying reimbursement for HME and pharmacy providers. Everyday reimbursement is difficult, and without question, affects the time and care providers can give their patients, Love says. He continues, Prochant has built an unmatched reputation for delivering best-in-class results to HME clients for over two decades. Now is the time to expand that value to the pharmacy market. Jons deep knowledge of pharmacy reimbursement and strong experience in sales and business development is exactly what we need at this stage of our expansion, reveals Graham. I am also excited to welcome Tina Ratliff as our new Pharmacy Reimbursement Manager. Tina comes to us with over 25 years of pharmacy reimbursement experience. Love and Ratliff will work with pharmacy providers to find the right solution for their needs. Prochants solutions include: Full-service Billing: This solution pairs providers with a dedicated team, including an expert account manager. By choosing this service, providers completely outsource their billing operations, so that they can provide better patient care. They have end-to-end visibility on all billing operations and get frequent performance reports with comparisons to industry benchmarks. Staff Augmentation: This solution is a convenient option for providers that are not ready for complete outsourcing. They can strategically offload processes that are not core competencies for their reimbursement operations. As their business grows, providers can also use this option to efficiently scale operations. To learn more about Prochants infusion pharmacy solutions, please visit https://bit.ly/infusion-info or contact Sarah Tollie at marketing(at)prochant(dot)com. About Prochant Prochant is the leading reimbursement firm with a dedicated focus on HME and pharmacy. When you partner with Prochant, you have the resources necessary to grow your business. As healthcare evolves, so should the way you manage your business. Prochant has a proven track record of helping HME and pharmacy providers meet their financial goals. Our scalable solutions, years of experience, and advanced technology provide best-in-class results to the healthcare community. Headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, our client base includes national HME and pharmacy providers and health systems. For more information, please visit http://www.prochant.com or follow us on LinkedIn and Twitter @prochant. T he Leicester factories scandal at online fashion giant Boohoo is likely to take as little as 5% off its sales, according to detailed social media analysis which found influencers flocking back to promote the brand in recent weeks. Key to Boohoo's success has been its sophisticated use of Instagram and YouTube stars close to the hearts of its teenage customers. Its digital marketing through social media generally has set it apart from rivals, so search data from Google and other engines can give an accurate picture of trading patterns. Analysts at brokerage Sandford C Bernstein today showed how Boohoo had brought vital influencers back on board after the scandal first broke, citing management's "behind-the-scenes" work to "retain and reassure" the social media stars who plug its products. Boohoo may have also benefited from influencers' dwindling income from cash-strapped brands during Covid to persuade them to stay loyal, Bernstein said. Research from social media marketing platform Socialbakers last month showed the number of brands working with influencers had fallen 37% on last year as brands pulled back on advertising. "In a year when influencers are getting much smaller pay cheques than normal due to massive cuts in brand marketing budgets we are not surprised that many influencers chose not to drop Boohoo," the report says. "After a brief period of quiet, influencers are now back in full force promoting items across the portfolio of brands." Bernstein cited recent posts promoting Boohoo's Nasty Gal and PrettyLittleThing brands by fashion favourites such as the model Chandra (whose Lame.Cobain site has 231,000 Instagram followers) and YouTube star Sydney Crouch (with 242,000 Instagram followers). Bernstein tracked social media followership of Boohoo's brands and found that, after a small dip after news stories last month alleged poor working practices at a Leicester supplier, the trend has now reversed for Boohoo, PrettyLittleThing and Nasty Gal. On TikTok, followership continues rising with a particularly big spike for NastyGal in the past week. Meanwhile, online search interest in the scandal has fallen and the #boycottboohoo hashtag use has tapered off in the past few weeks. Bernstein analyst Aneesha Sherman said the scandal had "very limited residual social media effect - all is forgotten, back to business." She predicted the impact of the scandal on sales would be to clip 5% off previously expected figures, with original predictions of 30% sales growth now more likely to be around 24% for 2020. Most of that decline will be from third party platforms pulling the brand from their sites such as Zalando, Asos and Next, which Boohoo uses primarily to drive brand awareness. Having seen its shares fall to 217p from lockdown highs of 412p, Boohoo now trades at 274p. Bernstein has a rating of "outperform" on the shares and a price target of 350p. Bernstein's research was published as media interest in the Leicester scandal was likely to spike again as the lawyer running the investigation into the scandal sent out a public call for evidence. Alison Levitt QC said she wanted to hear from anyone with information on working conditions in Leicester factories supplying the Boohoo group brands, how much Boohoo knew about those conditions and suggestions for improvements in the future.. She said she was particularly interested to hear from current and former workers and had set up a confidential website to which people can respond anonymously and in foreign languages. The Navy has located a seafaring tank that sank off the Southern California coast last week using a remote controlled submersible which found the wreck and it is now working to recover human remains that lie onboard by the end of the week. The Navy planned to place equipment near the amphibious assault vehicle that is under 385ft of water by the end of the week in order to begin the recovery of the remains. After that process is complete, it will raise the amphibious vehicle. Seven Marines and one Navy sailor were missing after the 26-ton landing craft sank on Thursday. Undersea Rescue Command deploys the Sibitzky Remotely Operated Vehicle from the deck of the Military Sealift Command-chartered merchant vessel HOS Dominator in the Pacific Ocean, during recovery efforts for the missing seven Marines and one sailor from the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit. The submersible located the wreck of the AAV on Monday The remote vechicle was able to locate the missing amphibious assault vehicle with human remains aboard some 385ft below the surface of the water on the sea bed Senior Chief Navy Diver Daniel Colletti from Undersea Rescue Command operates controls to deploy the Sibitzky Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) from the deck of the Military Sealift Command-chartered merchant vessel HOS Dominator What is the Sibitzky Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV)? The Sibitzky ROV submersible consists of an operations cabin from which a winch is attached to 3,000 feet of cord which the submersible (Sibitzky vehicle) can be lowered comprising of a 'launch and recovery system'. The Sibitzky ROV weighs 2,000lbs and can dive to a maximum of 2,000 feet. It consists of six thrusters for maneuvering, five high-definition cameras for intervention and salvage, two robust manipulators capable of lifting 100 pounds each, a front-looking sonar system and an advanced navigation system. The ROV is the main component of the Assessment/Underwater Work System (AUWS), which also includes Launch and Recovery System (LARS), a flyaway sonar and associated support equipment. It is the system mobilized in the event that a submarine becomes disabled in some way. The system will help confirm and mark the disabled submarine, assess surrounding conditions, clear debris from a submarines hatch and even provide emergency life support to those on board. The ROV is named after BM2 Martin C. Sibitzky, who received a Navy Cross for his valiant actions during WWII in 1939. Advertisement The AAV was one of three Marine Corps amphibious assault vehicles making the journey back to the ship when they suddenly hit rough seas and began taking on more water than could be pumped back out. Sailors from Undersea Rescue Command deployed a special submersible known as Sibitzky Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) from the deck of the Military Sealift Command-chartered merchant vessel HOS Dominator. The U.S. Navy's Undersea Rescue Command said the human remains were seen aboard the craft using remotely operated video systems from the merchant vessel HOS Dominator, a ship specializing in undersea search and rescue. Dominator happened to already be in the water when the accident occurred and was able to quickly join the search Dominator is contracted for use by San Diego-based Submarine Squadron 11 and the Navy's Undersea Rescue Command and is based at Naval Air Station North Island in Coronado, California. 'Undersea Rescue Command was underway conducting routine training operations near San Clemente Island when they were diverted to aid in the search and rescue efforts,' according to a statement. 'For this particular search and rescue mission, Undersea Rescue Command used the Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) to survey the seafloor of the affected area.' Another Marine was pronounced dead at the scene and seven others were rescued. Two remain hospitalized with injuries. The military ended rescue efforts on Sunday. The troops had completed routine training on a nearby beach and were heading back to a Navy ship when the craft sank less than a mile from San Clemente Island off the coast of San Diego. Shortly after taking on water the vehicle 'rapidly sank' with all 16 service members still onboard according to the Marine Corps Times. The Navy dispatched submarine search and rescue ship HOS Dominator to assist in the recovery. The ship, assigned to as Undersea Rescue Command, is equipped with remotely operated underwater vehicles and other specialized undersea equipment Marines with Bravo Company, Battalion Landing Team 1/4, 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, are pictured operate the assault amphibious vehicle last Monday. Three days before the accident The Navy has located a seafaring tank that sank off the Southern California coast last week and is now working to recover human remains, officials said on Tuesday An announcement was made by the Marine Expeditionary Force on Tuesday that the search team had manage to find the amphibious assault vehicle It was the AAV filling up with more water than it could pump out sending it to the sea floor, Commandant Gen. David Berger said. Other assault vehicles quickly responded but couldn't stop the 26-ton, tank-like vehicle from quickly sinking. Eight Marines were able to escape the drowning vehicle, but one, Lance Cpl. Guillermo S. Perez, 20, of New Braunfels, Texas, was pronounced dead shortly after being returned to the amphibious transport dock Somerset. The vehicle took on water at around 5.45pm while 15 Marines and one sailor were inside near San Clemente Island in Los Angeles County. 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit is seen training President Donald Trump expressed his condolences in a tweet Tuesday: 'I am deeply saddened by the tragic loss of eight Marines and one Sailor during a training exercise off the coast of California. Our prayers are with their families. I thank them for the brave service their loved ones gave to our Nation. #SemperFidelis.' The commandant of the Marine Corps has suspended all waterborne operations of its more than 800 amphibious assault vehicles until the cause of the accident is determined. There are about 800 AAV's in the Marin'e inventory that can carry up to 21 people and each weighs 26 tons. All waterborne operations of the vehicle have been suspended All of the Marines aboard were attached to the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, based at nearby Camp Pendleton, north of San Diego, the largest Marine base on the West Coast of the United States, between Orange and San Diego counties. The troops were wearing full combat gear and flotation devices at the time of the disaster. The incident occurred during what the Marine Corps said was a routine training exercise near San Clemente Island. Marines often practice beach assaults there using amphibious troop transport vehicles. (Pictured left to right) Privates Bryan J. Baltierra, 18, of California, Evan Bath, 19, of Wisconsin, and Lance Corporal Chase D. Sweetwood, 19, of Oregon were identified as the youngest of the victims Only one of the victim's bodies was recovered: Lance Cpl. Guillermo S. Perez, 20, of Texas, who was pronounced dead at the scene Pfc. Jack Ryan Ostrovsky, 21, of Oregon (left) and Cpl. Cesar A. Villanueva, 21, of California (right), are also presumed dead The oldest victim of the incident was revealed to be 23-year-old Cpl. Wesley Rodd of Texas. He recently became a father, family members revealed Victim Lance Cpl. Marco A. Barranco, 21, is shown left. One sailor, US Navy Hospitalman Christopher Gnem, 22, of California (right), is also believed to have died The Marines and sailor that are presumed dead are Privates Bryan J. Baltierra, 18, of California, Evan Bath, 19, of Wisconsin, and Lance Corporal Chase D. Sweetwood, 19, of Oregon who have been identified as the youngest of the victims. Their fellow Marines Lance Cpl. Marco A. Barranco, 21, of California, Pfc. Jack Ryan Ostrovsky, 21, of Oregon, Cpl. Wesley A. Rodd, 23, of Texas, and Cpl. Cesar A. Villanueva, 21, of California, are also presumed dead. One sailor, US Navy Hospitalman Christopher Gnem, 22, of California, is also believed to have died. The vehicle, nicknamed an 'amtrac' - short for amphibious tractor - was designed to be buoyant and had three water-tight hatches and two large troop hatches. The Marines use the vehicles to transport troops and equipment from Navy ships to land. The vehicles have been used since 1972 and continually refurbished. The accident was one of the deadliest involving such a vehicle. Anoushka Warden's hit play My Mum's A Tw*t has been released to listen to online in a new recording presented by Audible. The play, which originally premiered in 2018 at the Royal Court, is described as 'one girl's funny and frank account of losing her Mum to a cult.' Since its premiere the show was re-mounted at the Edinburgh Fringe in 2019, with Warden presenting the piece herself. The new audio production stars Susan Wokoma (Teenage Dick) and is directed by Debbie Hannan, incoming co-artistic director at the Traverse Theatre. The play also features music by British rapper, music producer and DJ, The Last Skeptik. Speaking about the project Warden said: "Part of the brilliance of live theatre is that once the run is over, the production can only remain in your head. But as a writer it can feel a bit sad, as you may never see or hear your piece performed again. Thanks to this Audible version when I'm 87 and living in a pod somewhere in the earth's atmosphere (coz it's the future right?!) I like that I'll be able to listen to the amazing voice of Susan Wokoma speaking words that I wrote when I was much younger. That's pretty cool!" Washington: It had all the withering satire of an ABC sketch featuring comedic duo John Clarke and Bryan Dawe. The musings of an American president struggling with the facts. The baffled expressions of an Australian journalist refusing to accept the spin. And all the subject matter you'd expect to find in a game of 2020 Nightmare Bingo: Global Pandemic! Sex Trafficking! Civil Uprisings! Except this wasn't satire at all, but a serious political interview with US President Donald Trump merely 91 days from one of the most consequential elections in US history. To the credit of Axios reporter Jonathan Swan - a former scribe at The Age and The Sydney Morning Herald and the son of our own coronavirus guru and presenter of the ABC Health Report Dr Norman Swan - the 37-minute interview was an eye-opener from the start. An open letter to the Kutztown University administration pointing out perceived shortcomings in the schools plan for bringing students back to campus for in-person classes this fall drew nearly 1,000 signatories in just one day. The letter, signed by faculty, staff, students, parents, alumni, and community members, posted just after noon on Monday demands that the health and safety deficiencies they see in the universitys reopening plan be addressed before the start of the fall semester or the university should move all classes online. If the administration does not sufficiently and substantially address our concerns by the start of the semester, 24 August 2020, this document will become the basis for a call for a Vote of No Confidence in the KU leaderships handling of the reopening amid the pandemic, it states. Among other problems the letter identifies in the return to campus plan includes the absence of health screenings or temperature checks for students, faculty and staff; a vague testing and contact tracing policy, and an expectation that faculty and students sanitize classrooms in between classes. To me, the plan comes off as were just going to cross our fingers and hope for the best, said Eric Johnson, an associate history professor who was among the hundreds who signed the letter. Its not really responding well to the actual nature of the pandemic and peoples lives and health are at risk. Mike Gambone, a longtime Kutztown history professor who had a hand in writing the letter, said its infuriating to think the university isnt better prepared to address the potential risks posed by COVID-19. He said the faculty have been making suggestions for months to ensure a safer return. One faculty member described the administration tone deaf to those ideas. What provoked the faculty to decide to post the letter on Facebook was universitys President Kenneth Hawkinsons statement to the university community on Monday that doubled down on the commitment to offer in-person instruction. We are not an online university, Hawkinson stated. I promised our current students, and future students, and so many others at the university and in our broader community, that we would have a residential experience for our students in the fall, assuming that our government leaders, health experts, and scientists determined that the risk was mitigated to the extent that allowed businesses and institutions to reopen. Experts in the CDC, PDE, and the State System created protocols that universities could follow to reopen. The commonwealth reopened in May and June and, at this time, we continue to be in green and so have a responsibility to reopen following the recommendations of our governing entities. Hawkinson went on to speak about how impressed he is with the bravery of front-line workers in businesses and the community. We, too, must show this fortitude yes, this grit that defines who we are, he said. To that, Gambone said, I think Im a fairly strong person but Im not going to be able to muscle my way through COVID. Its just nonsense. A statement from the universitys vice president for university relations Matt Santos acknowledged the administration is aware of the letter and the concerns expressed by those who signed it. He said, many of the concerns mentioned in the petition have been addressed in President Hawkinsons recent remarks or in the universitys reopening plan. He went on further to reiterate the president is committed to providing an in-person option for students and said if it has to pivot due to health concerns, it will. Santos also pointed out that the university has made an effort to provide students and faculty with underlying conditions to have an online option. According to Hawkinsons statement, about 40% of the universitys professors documented having an underlying condition and are permitted to teach remotely from their homes. Additionally, Santos said, We also have many students and parents who have expressed interest in being on campus this fall under the new normal, and we are attempting to give them that experience. For those who will be on campus, we have put many health and wellness protocols in place to mitigate risk. Ultimately, we encourage members of our campus community to put their personal health and wellness first, and make decisions that they are most comfortable with in the current environment. But Gambone questioned that commitment to mitigating the risks. He said expecting students and faculty to sanitize a classroom in the 10-minute break between classes is unrealistic. Gambone added to date, they have yet to provide gloves to perform that task. Another example he cited where the universitys commitment to employee health and safety is questionable, he said a secretary employed by the university who has a son who just finished cancer treatment and is immune-compromised. Her request for plexiglass for her office was rejected. So the faculty built one for her, he said. Johnson said he has spoken to many students who are nervous about going back in the conditions as described. I have not heard from any saying I want to come back no matter what. He also questions how faculty will manage teaching in-person classes while monitoring students participating via Zoom as the university expects. As someone who imagines myself going into this situation, theres a lot about the plan that I think is impractical, Johnson said. To date, West Chester, East Stroudsburg and Millersville universities Kutztowns sister schools in the State System of Higher Education located in the eastern part of the state have all announced their fall semesters will be offered through remote delivery. That leaves Kutztowns faculty even more disturbed why their president is insisting on bringing students back to campus when the school has the option to go remote. Along with a concern about the campus community, Johnson said he also worries about the impact the students return will have on the community. As a member of the Kutztown Area School Board, he said the school boards decision made on Monday to bring the elementary and middle school students back for in-person classes five days a week and splitting the high school population with each group coming two days a week would have been a lot easier if the university didnt have 3,000 students returning to the community. That extra 3,000 people is going to be coming in increasing our towns population by 50% and theyre coming in from all over. That to me, as a community member and member of the school board, is a big risk, Johnson said. Johnson and other faculty members see other universities taking more stringent measures to protect their university communities health and safety. Meanwhile at Kutztown, they say the administration seems focused on the schools image and improving enrollment. Now, with the fall semester starting in less than three weeks, Gambone said the public pressure and threat of a no-confidence vote may be the only way to get university leaders to address the problems they see in the plan to bring students back or to recognize the safest option is to go with online classes. Everybody wants the face to face experience. We do, too, Gambone said. But youre balancing that against the risk. I get the whole idea of the college experience but Im more interested in health than marketing. Our [enrollment] numbers actually look pretty good. Were down but were not collapsing. I look at it this way. If they are worried about our image and face-to-face classes, whats our image if we have a COVID outbreak? Jan Murphy may be reached at jmurphy@pennlive.com. Follow her on Twitter at @JanMurphy. 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. Philippe Tawileh was with his wife and children watching television after dinner when they heard a blast and felt the house shake. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 4/8/2020 (532 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Philippe Tawileh was with his wife and children watching television after dinner when they heard a blast and felt the house shake. The family of five who live in Byblos (Jbeil), about 40 kilometres north of Beirut in Lebanon, rushed to look out the window but couldn't see anything, Tawileh said in a WhatsApp interview Tuesday night. Philippe Tawileh poses for a photo with his wife Rawane Dagher and their children Adriana, 8, Andrew, 9, and 22-month-old son, Alexandre in this undated handout photo. Philippe Tawileh was with his wife and children watching television after dinner when they heard a blast and felt the house shake. The family of five who live in Byblos (Jbeil), about 40 kilometres north of Beirut in Lebanon, rushed to look out the window but couldn't see anything, Tawileh said in a WhatsApp interview Tuesday night. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO, Philippe Tawileh *MANDATORY CREDIT* "We felt like an earthquake and we heard the blast. It was very loud, big, huge." That's when he turned on the news while simultaneously scrolling through his social media to find out what was happening. Tawileh's 22-month-old son, Alexandre, was born in Montreal and is a Canadian citizen. His two other children are nine-year-old Andrew and eight-year-old Adriana. His wife, Rawane Dagher, who is a pediatrician, recently accepted a job at a hospital in Montreal. They are waiting for their documents to immigrate, which have been delayed by the pandemic, he said. His parents and brother live in Quebec. The massive explosion rocked Beirut Tuesday, flattening much of the city's port, damaging buildings across the capital and sending a giant mushroom cloud into the sky. More than 70 people were killed and 3,000 injured, with bodies buried in the rubble, officials said. The blast struck with the force of a 3.5 magnitude earthquake, according to Germanys geosciences centre GFZ, and it was heard and felt as far away as Cyprus more than 200 kilometres across the Mediterranean. Global Affairs Canada said in a statement that it is closely monitoring the "tragic situation" in Beirut. It has received one request for consular assistance. Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan said a member of the Canadian Forces suffered non-life threatening injuries. "We are providing support to the member," Sajjan said in a post on Twitter. "I wish them a speedy recovery." The federal government says there are 10,996 Canadians in Lebanon who are registered in the Registration of Canadians Abroad database. However, as registration is voluntary, this is not a complete picture of Canadians in the country. What caused the detonation was not immediately clear. Videos showed what appeared to be a fire erupting nearby just before the blast. Local TV stations reported that a fireworks warehouse was involved. The fire appeared to spread to a nearby building, triggering the more massive explosion, generating a shock wave. A former Montrealer is among those who died in the blast. Nizar Najarian lived many years in Montreal. The businessman had recently returned to his home country to get involved in politics. Aref Salem, a Montreal city councillor, confirmed Najarian's passing. Salem, a friend of the victim, said his wife and two children still live in Montreal. "His wife left two weeks ago for a visit and his two children will leave tomorrow for the funeral," Salem said in an interview. "He was an extremely dedicated man who believed in certain values and he believed in change," Salem said. "He had accepted a job in an insecure country, far from his family, because he was a man who had values, but he ended up giving his life for those values." The country's national news agency reported that Najarian, the secretary-general of the Christian Kataeb party, was in his office at party headquarters about one kilometre from the blast site. Tawileh said Beirut and the surrounding areas have been rocked by explosions every few months. "You know in Lebanon, normally we are used to explosions. Now it was new for the kids to hear something that huge. So, they were afraid they were very afraid," he said. "They came and asked, 'what happened there, Daddy'?" Sounds of police and ambulance sirens filled the air a few minutes after the explosion, he said. It was dusty for a while, adding a strange smell that lingered in the air. "Here we are 40 kilometres far, and when we go outside, we can smell a certain chemical smell, something strange. I don't know what it is." 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. Dagher said she rushed to the local hospital minutes after the explosion. The queue outside the ER was "shocking," she said, noting some people who were wounded were carrying injured children. With most Beirut hospitals overloaded and others destroyed by the blast, this one took patients coming in from the capital, she said. "I have never seen something like this," she said. "Even older doctors who outlived many wars in Lebanon have never seen such a dramatic situation." With files from Stephane Blais in Montreal and The Associated Press This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 4, 2020 The First Trust and Wealth Management Division currently manages $400 million in trust and brokerage assets. Hotchkiss will assist First Bank & Trust Company clients in Augusta and Rockingham Counties with asset management, financial planning and trust and estate administration. Hotchkiss began his career in financial services in the Richmond metropolitan area following graduation from the University of Richmond. He has been providing wealth management services to his clients for 18 years, partnering with trust advisors, private bankers, and portfolio managers to provide goal-oriented investment related solutions. "Our mission is to help trust and wealth management clients lay the groundwork for a secure financial future by helping them map their journey based on individual life circumstances," stated Chris Henry, Senior Vice President and Manager of the First Trust and Wealth Management Division. "What differentiates us is the quality of the people we have put in place to provide this service." James A. "Bo" Hotchkiss is a native of Rockingham County. He returned to the Shenandoah Valley in 1990 where he continued his work while raising four children with his wife, Sherri. Bo Hotchkiss is a member of the Ruritan Club and is active in his family's church. Bo Hotchkiss can be reached at 540-292-8703 or [email protected] About First Trust and Wealth Management To read more on the importance of choosing a good financial advisor, read this article, "Who Are the Most Important People in Your Life?" To access more about First Trust and Wealth Management Services, click here. About First Bank & Tru st Company First Bank & Trust Company, one of the top community banks in the United States, is a diversified financial services firm with office locations in southwest Virginia, northeast Tennessee, and New River and Shenandoah Valleys. Financial objectives are addressed by offering free checking products for personal and business accounts, and assessing lending solutions managed by mortgage, agricultural and commercial lending divisions. Comprehensive financial solutions are available through trust and brokerage service representatives. For more information, contact Nicole Franks [email protected] SOURCE First Trust and Wealth Management, a division of First Bank & Trust Company On floods in the regions, increased crime and elections By Malkhaz Matsaberidze Natural disasters caused by bad weather in the regions of Georgia, increased crime in the country and the upcoming parliamentary elections were the three main topics that the Georgian media has been actively discussing in recent days.As a result of the overflow of mountain rivers, the mountainous part of Racha, one of the corners of western Georgia, found itself in a particularly difficult situation. The floodwaters swept away sections of the road, bridges, villages were cut off and people were evacuated by helicopters. The developments in Mountain Racha are also interesting in that the government has issued a permit to build a cascade of hydropower plants on the Rio River in the region. The local population opposes the start of construction, which will be followed by flooding of a large area. What happened to them will be another argument against the construction of hydropower plants.The public is concerned about increased crime. According to official statistics, up to 23,000 crimes have been committed in the last five months, of which only 7,000 have been solved. Of particular interest are the two criminal cases that led to the deaths of 19-year-old Giorgi Shakarashvili and 23-year-old Tamar Bachaliashvili. Independent journalists are trying to find out about these cases. Many distrust the investigation and believe that it is "protecting from the perpetrators."The opposition sees the reason for the increase in crime and especially the lack of investigation of high-profile cases in the government. According to them, the police became an instrument of political tasks, the police were demoralized - because of the social contract concluded by the government with the criminal."The criminal world is intertwined with the state structures, it is most clearly expressed during the elections, when criminal authorities, in fact, campaign and help the Georgian Dream to stay in power," said Levan Bezhashvili, one of the leaders of the United National Movement.Such accusations by the opposition are especially important in the run-up to the elections, when they say the government will continue to mobilize the criminal world to influence voters. The opposition in general suspects that the government will try to rig the elections and considers the support of Western friends as one of the ways to prevent this.It was with their help that the electoral system was changed and the number of government representatives in the Parliament was reduced to 30.Our country's strategic partners also insist on holding the upcoming parliamentary elections in accordance with democratic standards. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo spoke to Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia on July 27th. This conversation was followed by different comments from the Georgian government and the opposition. According to officials, the conversation was a demonstration of the USs support for Georgia and that there were no problems with its strategic partner, while opposition officials said Pompeo's goal was to warn the Georgian authorities about the upcoming elections. The need for free and fair elections in Georgia was stressed.The same statement was made by US Ambassador to Georgia Kelly Degnan. As he told reporters, "now it is important that the election law is enforced in practice during the elections, so that voters can go to the polls freely, without intimidation or other obstacles, and have confidence in the results that will be determined."Opposition groups called for the beleaguered PM to resign, saying that sanctions would not be imposed on Western parties for violating democratic standards. 15% of the US aid to Georgia has already been officially frozen, and the condition for its receipt will be the steps towards democracy in Georgia.But even if the democratic standards of the elections are met, the opposition will need to make great efforts to win. First, the opposition political spectrum that is presented to the voters is becoming very wide. The 1% threshold in 2020 parliamentary elections gives many small and new parties a chance to get into the Parliament. It also increases the temptation of major political forces to include satellite parties in Parliament. 68 parties that do not have representation in the Parliament have already applied to the election administration with a request to register as an election subject. Such a plethora of parties will clearly confuse the electorate.Secondly, the more or less well-known opposition parties, which are gathered in the coalition Strength is in Unity can no longer reach an agreement on joint candidates in other cities and regions of Georgia. This, of course, benefits the Georgian Dream. Talk about the final configuration of the opposition will be possible in a few days, when the legal deadlines for registration expire. The Delhi HC said that available evidence has shown that certain army personnel unsuspectingly revealed key information to people they befriended on social networking sites If the government has concluded that permitting use of certain social networking websites, including Facebook and Instagram, by its defence personnel is enabling enemy countries gain an edge, the courts would be loath to interfere with the decision, the Delhi High Court said on Wednesday. It said warfare in today's world is not confined to "accession of territory" but extends to affecting the economy and "inciting civil unrest" by enemy nations. The high court's order came while dismissing a senior army officer's plea challenging the Indian Army's recent policy banning armed forces personnel from using 89 social networking platforms. A bench of justices Rajiv Sahai Endlaw and Asha Menon, while pronouncing the order, said, "Sorry we are dismissing. Thank you." The high court, while considering the controversy for the stage of admission only, said other means of communication are still available to the petitioner officer and the ban was with respect to certain social networking websites only. It dismissed the petition of Lieutenant Colonel PK Choudhary seeking a direction to the Director General of Military Intelligence to withdraw its June 6 policy by which all Indian Army personnel were ordered to delete their accounts from Facebook, Instagram and 87 other applications. "We may also notice that warfare and inter-country rivalries and animosities today are not confined to accession of territory and destruction of installations and infrastructure of enemy countries but also extend to influencing and affecting the economies and political stability of enemy country including by inciting civil unrest and disturbance and influencing the political will of the citizens of the enemy country. "In such a scenario, if the government, after complete assessment, has concluded that permitting use of certain social networking websites by personnel of its defence forces is enabling the enemy countries to gain an edge, the courts would be loath to interfere. In the circumstances, no case for interference is made out. Dismissed," the bench said. The court said on perusal of the policy if it had found it to be suffering from the vice of non-application of mind of being not based on any material on record or being without proper deliberations, it would have certainly proceeded to answer the legal issue raised in the petition on the ban. "However, once we are satisfied on the aforesaid parameters and find other means of communication to be still available to the petitioner and the ban being with respect to certain social networking websites only and more so, once we have found the petitioner himself to have been posting tweets which according to the ASG are in violation of the policy earlier in force qua use of social media, we do not deem it apposite to at the instance of the petitioner to go into the questions urged. Rather, we do not appreciate the pleadings of the petitioner as a senior officer in the Army, of army personnel being treated as slaves and the government not trusting its army," the bench said. The court said it was evident from the records produced that the earlier advisories and directives qua conduct and behaviours of army personnel on social networking sites have not been abided by . "The material produced shows certain army personnel to be unsuspectingly answering all kinds of questions relating to postings and whereabouts of themselves and others merely on being asked by a person befriended on social networking sites. This information when collated from a number of sources can easily convey a full picture to an expert espionage eye," it noted. The bench said even if there is any error in the authorities issuing this policy and direction, without complying with the procedure prescribed in the Army Act, considering that the issue has an element of urgency and concerns the safety and security of the entire country," we do not deem it necessary to, for the grievance of the petitioner only, render an adjudication on the questions urged and which may require us to refer to the documents and materials shown to us in confidence." The court said besides stating that Facebook and Twitter are more convenient, no answer was forthcoming as to why the filial and other social needs of Choudhary cannot be fulfilled by other means of communication cited by Additional Solicitor General Chetan Sharma, which are still available. The Centre, represented by standing counsel Ajay Digpaul, had earlier told the court that the policy decision was taken as it was found that Facebook was a bug and it was infiltrating as a cyber warfare and there were so many instances of personnel being targeted. Choudhary, who is currently posted in Jammu and Kashmir, said that he is an active user of Facebook and uses the platform to connect with his friends and family as most of them are settled abroad, including his elder daughter. The officer had sought a direction to the Ministry of Defence to withdraw the 6 June policy to ensure that the fundamental rights of armed forces personnel are not abrogated amended or modified by arbitrary executive action which is not backed by the mandate of law, offends the provisions of the Army Act and Rules made thereunder and is unconstitutional. The petition had alleged that the policy which bans social media platforms is illegal, arbitrary, disproportionate and violates the fundamental rights of soldiers. GENESEE COUNTY, MI -- Thousands of ballots cast in the primary election on Tuesday, Aug. 5, have been declared invalid because voters supported candidates in both Republican and Democratic primaries -- a problem that Genesee County Clerk -Register John Gleason was likely fueled by absentee voting. Gleason said in-person voters would have been alerted they were spoiling their ballots when they were fed into counting machines at polling places and given the chance to start over again. Last year's Bachelorette winner Carlin Sterritt has joined forces with ex-girlfriend Angie Kent to take aim at former co-stars Timm Hanly and Ciarran Stott. In a post on Instagram on Wednesday, the 30-year-old slammed his fellow reality stars after a fan showed support for him. 'When it turns out Carlin Sterritt was the only one NOT acting on Bachie last year,' referencing rumours Carlin had only agreed to appear on The Bachelorette to advance his acting career. Take that! Bachelorette winner Carlin Sterritt has joined forces with ex Angie Kent, both 30, and taken a swipe at Timm Hanly and Ciarran Stott on Instagram on Wednesday Carlin took the opportunity to point out how difficult it was to deal with his fame hungry edit on the show. He wrote: 'I certainly copped it for months after by Aus [Australia] while these lads got the praise. Made dating hard that's for sure. But that's life.' But he went on to say he didn't want to see Timm and Ciarran being bullied, after they emerged as nice guys on last year's season of The Bachelorette, only to be slammed for their bad behaviour on this year's Bachelor In Paradise. Slammed: Carlin wrote: 'I certainly copped it for months after by Aus [Australia] while these lads got the praise. Made dating hard that's for sure. But that's life.' (L) Timm Hanly (R) Ciarran Stott 'I, however, don't want to see ANYONE being bullied. It scares the s**t out of me what it can do to an individual's mental health,' he continued. He finished: 'No one deserves it... hear me, NO ONE!' On Tuesday, Angie, 30, spoke out about Timm and Ciarran, saying she would have sent them home earlier on the show. No bullying: 'I, however, don't want to see ANYONE being bullied. It scares the sh*t out of me what it can do to an individual's mental health,' Carlin (pictured) said Angie made the jab in a scathing Instagram comment under a Mean Girls meme posted by comedy Instagram account, Bachie Funny. 'Who here has ever had feelings for Ciarran Stott?' the meme read. It then showed a number of former Bachelor stars raising their hands. Angie commented underneath: 'She doesn't even go here! Sorry Straya! If I knew sooner I would've sent him and his hype man home second episode when I sent old mate politician home, because NO ONE f**ks with my sisterhood.' 'Who here has ever had feelings for Ciarran Stott?' Angie made the jab in a scathing Instagram comment obtained by Bachie Funny. The comment came under a hilarious Mean Girls meme She added: 'Sorry that at some point we were all victimised by Regina George.' In her post, Angie was referring to Timm as Ciarran's hype man, and disgraced politician Jess Glasgow, who she booted off after he behaved inappropriately on the show. Last week, Angie accused some of her Bachelorette suitors of 'lying' their way through the show to get a ticket to Fiji for Bachelor In Paradise. Scathing: 'She doesn't even go here! Sorry Straya! If I knew sooner I would've sent him and his hype man home second episode when I sent old mate politician home, because NO ONE f**ks with my sisterhood,' Angie commented Carlin and Angie announced their breakup on July 1. Despite being the eventual winner of the series, Carlin struggled to gain Angie's trust after his acting past was revealed. On the show, Carlin's brother, Jarvie, told her Carlin saw the show as a career opportunity, which made their connection rocky. The glimpse of what the remade Virgin will look like after it emerges from administration and COVID-19 hibernation is exactly what Qantas wouldn't want to see. All the talk over the past five months that the airline could be resurrected as Virgin Blue Mark 2 evaporated when chief executive Paul Scurrah outlined its new shape as a carrier designed to cater to the leisure and corporate market. "It wont be back to the days of cracking jokes and rolling toilet paper down the aisle," Scurrah declared. Bain baptizes the new Virgin Credit:Beau Chenery Virgin will be a full-service airline with a business class, lounges and frequency between capital cities sufficient to satisfy most corporate travellers albeit with a slightly reduced corporate focus. South Africa: COVID-19: SA not out of the woods yet Health Minister, Dr Zweli Mkhize, says while South Africa is making progress in its fight against the Coronavirus, it is still too early to claim the victory of a decline. There were reports that the hospitals were full and we went around confirmed that it is admission areas that were filling up. The field hospital beds have never been full and even today we have not filled Nasrec. However the trends are now decreasing but we are not out of the woods yet, said Mkhize. The Minister was speaking during a virtual briefing on Wednesday where he provided an update on the countrys efforts to fight the Coronavirus. To determine if the country is indeed on the brink of decline, the Minister said key indicators such as hospital admissions, hospital capacity and the mortality rate must be taken into account. Mkhize said despite the surge, the country has not breached hospital capacity; has a low mortality rate and has seen reduced hospital admissions and patients under investigation presenting in health facilities. Whilst we are cautiously optimistic, it is still too early for us to make definite conclusions regarding the observed decline. We need to continue to track all these indicators and ensure that our testing capacity reflects a realist picture of our epidemiological status. We will therefore only know for sure when there is a consistent decline over a period, he said. As of Tuesday, South Africa recorded 521 318 COVID-19 cases with 345 new COVID-19 related deaths pushing the death to 8 884. We are happy that even with the targeted testing approach which we adopted as a department based on the Ministerial Advisory Committee advice, our testing numbers continue to grow. To date we have tested 3 078 202. This translates to a testing rate of 51 514 per million population which compares well to global figures, said the Minister. As part of improving the records of COVID-19 related deaths in response to reports on excess deaths, the Minister announced that his department now requires that all the sudden deaths and those that occur at home must have specimens taken for COVID-19 before a death certificate is issued. Mkhize said while containment measures such as the wearing of masks, sanitizing of hands and social distancing are working, the risk of experiencing a second wave remains a possibility. The containment measures being implemented are assisting however, we must not be complacent. The real risk of experiencing the second wave of the pandemic remains, so containment measures must never be abandoned, he said. Until the country is completely safe, the Minister said government will keep reviewing restrictions and, if necessary certain restrictions will still remain in place. Following Wednesdays update, the Health Minster said he will be tabling recommendations to the National Coronavirus Command Council on the way forward. We will be tabling recommendations to the National Coronavirus Command Council and therefore at some point during the course of next week we should be able to get further guidance from the national Command Council and the President, he said. SAnews.gov.za This story has been published on: 2020-08-05. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. Now that Minneapolis is the eye of the Democrats hurricane of destruction, the ad below deserves a national audience. Titled Democrat politicians ruined Minneapolis, the 30- second video gives a short course in Minnesotas kakistocracy. Starting with Governor Tim Walz and our two United States Senators, its Democrats all the way down. A narrow Republican majority in the state senate has saved us from the full catastrophe. The video has gone viral on social media. I saw it for the first time this afternoon on FOX News and have to say it woke me up. Please pass it on. If you would like to support its further dissemination on social media or cable television, you can contribute to the ads supporters at Minnesotas Freedom Club here. JOHN adds: As a member of the Executive Board of the Freedom Club, I am proud of this ad. I heartily endorse Scotts suggestion that you donate. Novembers election is moving, I think, our way, and hard-hitting ads like this one can help make it happen. Japanas decision to offer an initial group of 87 companies subsidies totalling US$653 million to expand production at home and in Southeast Asia has sparked debate whether the worldas third largest economy is trying to gradually decouple from China. The coronavirus pandemic has wreaked havoc on global supply chains, with the crisis underlining what many companies and countries have known for some time: they are too reliant on China. China is Japan's largest trading partner, and Japan is Chinaas second largest trading partner, and while not all of the enterprises involved in the initial wave have operations in China, the move by the Japanese government has sparked concerns in China. Although the companies involved are estimated to be less than 1 per cent of total Japanese investment in China, and there will not be an immediate economic impact, if the trend continues, it might shake the foundation of Chinaas long-term growth model and potentially lead to some hollowing out of the countryas industrial base. Using the subsidy, 57 of the companies will open more factories in Japan, while the remaining 30 plan to expand production in Southeast Asian countries, including Vietnam, Myanmar and Thailand. Around 70 per cent of the companies are small and medium-sized enterprises, with over two thirds involved in medical supply manufacturing. A second list of companies to be offered subsidies is also being drawn up, with a similar composition to the first, according to Japanese officials. A survey by Teikoku Databank, a leading Japanese credit research house, showed that there were 13,685 Japanese firms in China at the end of May 2019, down from 13,934 in the previous survey conducted in 2016. At the peak in 2012, there were 14,394 Japanese firms with operations in China. Japanas imports of electronic products, computers and car parts is heavily dependent on China, but the coronavirus ground factory production in China to a halt earlier this year, which resulted in production disruptions in Japan. Although the level of imported parts is not large, the car industry has a complex production system and a concentrated supply chain, meaning any disruption can cause vehicle production to be suspended. Last month, Japanas annual white paper on trade also said companies in upstream positions are easily affected when production activities are disrupted in China, so the country needs to rebuild a resilient supply chain to prepare for and deal with another potential crisis in the future. Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-05 18:02:45|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close COLOMBO, Aug. 5 (Xinhua) -- Sri Lanka's Foreign Ministry on Wednesday said that two local nationals had been injured in the powerful explosion that took place in Beirut on Tuesday, causing several deaths and injuries. The Ministry in a statement said the Sri Lankan Embassy in Beirut was awaiting further information over the two injured nationals from Lebanon's Ministry of Public Health. The Foreign Ministry said minor damages had also occurred at the premises of the Sri Lankan Embassy and embassy officials' residences in Beirut. Around 25,000 Sri Lankans presently reside in Lebanon and the Sri Lanka Embassy continues to maintain a 24-hour hotline for queries, the ministry statement said. Enditem Beginning with E.O. 13288, Blocking Property of Persons Undermining Democratic Processes or Institutions in Zimbabwe, in March 2003, the U.S. Department of the Treasury has used its authorities to identify, disrupt the activities of, and promote accountability for persons who commit human rights abuses, engage in corruption, or undermine democratic processes or institutions in Zimbabwe. Treasury joins the U.S. Department of State in urging the Zimbabwean government to take meaningful steps towards creating a peaceful, prosperous, and politically vibrant Zimbabwe, rather than using public resources to blame Zimbabwes ills on parties other than its corrupt elite and the institutions they abuse for their personal benefit. Todays actions continue to demonstrate the importance of Treasurys sanctions authorities and the United States ongoing commitment to supporting a transparent and prosperous Zimbabwe. The European Commission has opened an in-depth investigation into Google's $2.1billion Fitbit acquisition. Google acquired the wearable company in November 2019. The commission voiced its concerns in a press note stating that Google's acquisition will further its position in the advertising markets "by increasing the already vast amount of data that Google could use for personalisation of the ads it serves and displays." It said that Google currently has a dominant position in the supply of online search advertising services in the European Economic Area (EEA) countries. It also noted that Google has a strong market position in the supply of online display advertising services and the supply of ad tech services. The European Commission noted that Google had submitted its commitments to not use user data from silo, a virtual storage of data, and that it would keep its data sets separate from the ones collected from that of the wearables. Google also said that the data in the silo would have been restricted from usage for Google's advertising purposes. However, as per the commission, Google's commitment was insufficient "to clearly dismiss the serious doubts identified at this stage as to the effects of the transaction." The commission noted its preliminary concerns over Google's acquisition of Fitbit. They were mainly Google acquiring the database maintained by Fitbit about its users' health and fitness and the technology to develop a database similar to Fitbit's. The commission will also examine the effects of the combination of Fitbit's and Google's databases and capabilities in the digital healthcare sector in Europe. It will further see if Google will have the ability and incentive to degrade the interoperability of rivals' wearables with Google's Android operating system for smartphones once it owns Fitbit. The commission will make a final decision about the acquisition on December 9, 2020. Google acknowledged that there is enough competition in the European market when it comes to smartwatches and fitness trackers from companies like Apple, Samsung, Garmin, Fossil, Huawei, Xiaomi, and many others offering numerous products at a range of prices. "This deal is about devices, not data. We've been clear from the beginning that we will not use Fitbit health and wellness data for Google ads. We recently offered to make a legally binding commitment to the European Commission regarding our use of Fitbit data. As we do with all our products, we will give Fitbit users the choice to review, move or delete their data," Rick Osterloh, Google's Senior Vice President for Devices & Services in a blog post wrote. A Reuters report in February had stated that Google is planning to move its British users' accounts out of the control of European Union privacy regulators, placing them under US jurisdiction instead. Google in the past has paid 8 million euros as fine by EU antitrust regulators for abusing its market power in online searches and the Android smartphone operating system. Flash Brunei resumed direct flights with Hangzhou, China on Tuesday, marking its first direct flights with the Chinese mainland after COVID-19 pandemic cut air connection between the two sides. According to travel agencies and the Chinese embassy in Brunei, the round-trip direct flights between Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei's capital, and Hangzhou will be carried out by Royal Brunei Airlines (RB), the sultanate's national carrier, with Boeing 787 or Airbus 320. The flights will be flown every Tuesday from Aug. 4 to Oct. 24 for the time being. Passengers need to take mandatory isolation for 14 days after arriving at Brunei and Hangzhou. Before the outbreak of COVID-19, Brunei had maintained regular flights to China including Hong Kong, Shanghai, Haikou, Nanning, Hangzhou and Changsha. But now the sultanate only has round-trip flights with Hong Kong every Tuesday and Thursday. Brunei reported no new cases of COVID-19 on Tuesday with the national tally standing at 141. It marked the 89th consecutive day without new cases. According to Brunei's Ministry of Health, there are 489 individuals who are currently undergoing mandatory isolation at the monitoring centers provided by the government, as they arrived in the country after traveling abroad. There have been three deaths resulting from COVID-19 in Brunei and a total of 138 patients have recovered. Italy's defence ministry said on Wednesday it would strengthen cooperation with Libya, citing a willingness for improved relations with the war-torn country's UN-recognised government. Italian Defence Minister Lorenzo Guerini met in Tripoli on Wednesday with Fayez al-Sarraj, the head of Libya's Government of National Accord, the ministry said in a brief statement. Both countries will collaborate on reclamation and demining activities, the ministry said, while expanding cooperation in medicine and military health within the Misurata hospital, which it said would be moved to a "more functional area". The statement also cited construction of a new hospital centre in Tripoli, and a plan to train Libyan military officers and cadets. The ministry cited a "mutual willingness" to cooperate on defence "for an improvement" in relations. Libya's unity government, with Turkey's backing, is battling forces loyal to strongman Khalifa Haftar, who has support from Egypt, Russia and the United Arab Emirates. A year-long push by Haftar to seize the capital of Tripoli was repelled in June. Italy's foreign minister, Luigi Di Maio, met al-Sarraj in late June, promising that a Mediterranean naval operation to enforce an ongoing arms embargo would be effective. Italy, which is the main arrival point for migrants leaving Libya, signed an agreement with Libya in 2017 for its coast guard to block migrants before they can reach Europe. Rights groups have severely criticised the deal, as migrants are returned to overcrowded detention centres in Libya, where many are victims of abuse and even torture. Italian Defence Minister Lorenzo Guerini (pictured March 2020) met in Tripoli with Fayez al-Sarraj, the head of Libya's Government of National Accord RaghavEvoX BHPian Join Date: Jan 2020 Location: Chennai Posts: 101 Thanked: 563 Times My first impression about the USA. What's yours? Almost 90% of my WhatsApp school friends group starts with +1 and majority of the household where I live are parents-only with son/daughter settled in the USA. Being in the IT industry, the expectation of me settling there from family & friends were quite high. But I was very clear. I can go visit US and work for a short time (may be not more than 2 years) but I will not settle anywhere abroad. For that matter I will not move anywhere out of Chennai even within India. I have seen US only through Hollywood movies and Facebook pictures of friends and family members. And I thought it was a great partying place with beautiful cars, tall buildings, nice places and amazing technologies. I assumed the ones who work in US just make a hell lot of money and bought all sorts of luxury goods and gadgets because they did not know what to do with their money (Only later to realise that it is not completely true). Finally my day also came and my manager asked me to visit US for a short term project. I was excited. I have already visualised how it is going to be based on what I have heard and seen. And I was just married few months at that time. So it was the first International trip for me and my wife as a couple.We were all set. Like the general norm for a newly married visiting an International location, I did a Check-In in Facebook, travelling from Chennai to Washington DC (which I will mention as DC henceforth). I have heard lot of stories about visa struggles and harassment by US officers during security check. But I did not face any. I was travelling on a G4 Visa, so it had some special privileges and I was surprised that things went really smooth. So I landed in DC on a Saturday and we didn't waste our time sitting in the hotel and the below is what we saw on the first and the second day. (All the pictures shared in this post were taken by me and apologies if some does not have good clarity). Yes. US too had rickshaws. First day in the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum. Many aircrafts were just like what I had seen in Sci-Fi movies. Wikileaks demonstration very near to the White house. Well I thought this is democracy in the real sense. Not like a namesake democracy. Capitol building was magnificient to look at. This is the home of the United States Congress and the seat of the legislative branch of the U.S. federal government. City Tour Bus. Well, I could Visualize Nicholas Cage in National treasure when we went here. Yes, we saw the declaration of Independence Mr.Cage. Some Random pictures during our City walk. Beautiful parks, clean roads and nice buildings were just wonderful. I am starting to like USA. That straight out of Gangsta hollywood flicks. I am starting to like the city even more for the variety of automobiles that I could spot. Knock! Knock! POTUS. Can we come in ? City with so many beautiful parks, perfect for running enthusiasts. Thats my first day to the office. Felt privileged and proud at the same time. Few buildings aside is IMF. All the while I have heard about this organization only in news articles. It was great to see their headquarters. And I liked the way no buildings had a compound or a gate. Just an entry gate with 2 security guards. Have never seen like that in India. These roads deserved fast bikes. Wish I was Tom cruise in TopGun driving with leather jacket and aviators. Had I went alone, definitely shopping is not in my list. But I didn't have a choice But Indian city malls are no less. Not really impressed. We have almost all the brands that is available there. But we just bought a few for the sake of buying it in AMERICA. I spotted the US president's convoy in the first week of staying in US. Just 2 security cars in the front and 4 cars in the back (Security cars mostly were Ford & GMC) and some bikes (all Harleys). There was no blockage of traffic or public nuisance. This was Obama's final few months in the office. I get the feeling that this is how politicians should conduct themselves. On the contrary, in Chennai I have the privilege of getting caught in frequent traffic blocks (near the Raj Bhavan, Guindy which is on the way to my office) whenever some politicians come to visit the Governor. These boys were doing an excellent job playing Trumpets near a metro station. People stopped for few minutes, enjoyed their music and left few dollars in the side for them. I have seen similar people in Suburban trains and I used to look at them as beggars. But here I don't. Why this change of perspective with change of place ? Time to correct my views on few. Most of the main roads had bicycle lanes. Nice little area named Georgetown famous for its old town charm. Dupont Circle metro station in DC. Never seen such huge escalators anywhere before that. Well this is not a review about USA or the cars in the country. This is about how my expectations were set before I reached there and how I felt after roaming many places in the US. What I saw there and how I could relate it to similar things in India.Almost 90% of my WhatsApp school friends group starts with +1 and majority of the household where I live are parents-only with son/daughter settled in the USA. Being in the IT industry, the expectation of me settling there from family & friends were quite high. But I was very clear. I can go visit US and work for a short time (may be not more than 2 years) but I will not settle anywhere abroad. For that matter I will not move anywhere out of Chennai even within India.I have seen US only through Hollywood movies and Facebook pictures of friends and family members. And I thought it was a great partying place with beautiful cars, tall buildings, nice places and amazing technologies. I assumed the ones who work in US just make a hell lot of money and bought all sorts of luxury goods and gadgets because they did not know what to do with their money (Only later to realise that it is not completely true).Finally my day also came and my manager asked me to visit US for a short term project. I was excited. I have already visualised how it is going to be based on what I have heard and seen. And I was just married few months at that time. So it was the first International trip for me and my wife as a couple.We were all set.Like the general norm for a newly married visiting an International location, I did a Check-In in Facebook, travelling from Chennai to Washington DC (which I will mention as DC henceforth). I have heard lot of stories about visa struggles and harassment by US officers during security check. But I did not face any. I was travelling on a G4 Visa, so it had some special privileges and I was surprised that things went really smooth.So I landed in DC on a Saturday and we didn't waste our time sitting in the hotel and the below is what we saw on the first and the second day.(All the pictures shared in this post were taken by me and apologies if some does not have good clarity).Yes. US too had rickshaws.First day in the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum. Many aircrafts were just like what I had seen in Sci-Fi movies.Wikileaks demonstration very near to the White house. Well I thought this is democracy in the real sense. Not like a namesake democracy.Capitol building was magnificient to look at. This is the home of the United States Congress and the seat of the legislative branch of the U.S. federal government.City Tour Bus.Well, I could Visualize Nicholas Cage in National treasure when we went here. Yes, we saw the declaration of Independence Mr.Cage.Some Random pictures during our City walk. Beautiful parks, clean roads and nice buildings were just wonderful. I am starting to like USA.That straight out of Gangsta hollywood flicks. I am starting to like the city even more for the variety of automobiles that I could spot.Knock! Knock! POTUS. Can we come in ?City with so many beautiful parks, perfect for running enthusiasts.Thats my first day to the office. Felt privileged and proud at the same time.Few buildings aside is IMF. All the while I have heard about this organization only in news articles. It was great to see their headquarters. And I liked the way no buildings had a compound or a gate. Just an entry gate with 2 security guards. Have never seen like that in India.These roads deserved fast bikes. Wish I was Tom cruise in TopGun driving with leather jacket and aviators.Had I went alone, definitely shopping is not in my list. But I didn't have a choiceBut Indian city malls are no less. Not really impressed. We have almost all the brands that is available there. But we just bought a few for the sake of buying it in AMERICA.I spotted the US president's convoy in the first week of staying in US. Just 2 security cars in the front and 4 cars in the back (Security cars mostly were Ford & GMC) and some bikes (all Harleys). There was no blockage of traffic or public nuisance. This was Obama's final few months in the office. I get the feeling that this is how politicians should conduct themselves.On the contrary, in Chennai I have the privilege of getting caught in frequent traffic blocks (near the Raj Bhavan, Guindy which is on the way to my office) whenever some politicians come to visit the Governor.These boys were doing an excellent job playing Trumpets near a metro station. People stopped for few minutes, enjoyed their music and left few dollars in the side for them. I have seen similar people in Suburban trains and I used to look at them as beggars. But here I don't. Why this change of perspective with change of place ? Time to correct my views on few.Most of the main roads had bicycle lanes.Nice little area named Georgetown famous for its old town charm.Dupont Circle metro station in DC. Never seen such huge escalators anywhere before that. Last edited by SDP : 9th August 2020 at 03:40 . Reason: Typo The Northern Region Office of the Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA), has undertaken a tree planting exercise on the campus of the Yumbas Special School in Tamale. It was done in collaboration with the Tamale Metropolitan Directorate of the Forestry Commission, as part of activities to celebrate the Authoritys 2020 Emancipation Programme which commemorates the end of the Atlantic Slave Trade in the country. A total of 100 acacia seedlings were planted. Speaking to the Ghana News Agency (GNA), Alhaji Hakeem Ismael, Northern Regional Manager of the GTA, said the move was to help address climate change problems in the Northern Region. He said it was also in line with the GTAs commitment to encourage institutions to have safe and green environment. We decided to undertake this exercise because we think tree planting should be part of our lives so that we can have serene environment, and so we are encouraging other institutions and corporate bodies to also make this exercise part of their responsibilities in their communities, he noted. Mr Tutu Brempong, the Headmaster of the School, expressed gratitude to the GTA for the initiative, and appealed to other institutions to emulate the efforts of the Authority to help protect the environment from issues of climate change. 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 Union government on Wednesday told the Supreme Court that it has accepted Bihars recommendation for a probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) into actor Sushant Singh Rajputs death, which has sparked a debate on mental health issues, how the film industry treats outsiders, and also the circumstances that led to his suspected suicide on June 14. The court was hearing a plea by Rajputs girlfriend, Rhea Chakraborty, who sought the transfer of a first information report (FIR) against her from Patna to Mumbai in the wake of a jurisdictional dispute between police forces in Bihar and Maharashtra. The July 25 FIR based on a complaint by KK Singh, Rajputs father accused Chakraborty of abetting the 34-year-old actors suicide. A single-judge bench of the Supreme Court, which observed that the truth behind the death of the talented artist should come out, asked Maharashtra and Bihar as well as Singh to file their replies on Chakrabortys plea within three days. Justice Hrishikesh Roy did not pass any protective order in Chakrabortys favour. The court also asked Maharashtra to inform the court about the status of investigation by the Mumbai Police. The case will come up for hearing next week. During the hearing through video-conferencing, solicitor general Tushar Mehta, who represented the Centre, told the court: The Union of India has in principle accepted the request by Bihar to have a CBI probe. Later in the day, the department of personnel and training issued a notification to this effect. At the heart of the case is a question of who the case originally belongs to Maharashtra or Bihar. Chakrabortys legal team says the Bihar government cannot recommend a CBI probe since police from that state do not have any jurisdiction to even investigate the case. On Wednesday, the Maharashtra government, through senior counsel R Basant, too, contested the Bihar Polices jurisdiction to first register an FIR, and then to recommend a CBI probe. He argued that the Bihar governments actions went against the principles of federalism and that the state where the incident took place had the authority to investigate. The cause of action was in Mumbai and Mumbai Police are investigating [the matter]. This person [Rajputs father], without even filing a complaint before Mumbai Police, says Mumbai Police are not investigating properly. Mumbai police have done very professional job, Basant argued. The incident is being used to score political points, he added. The court told Basant that it was not professional on the part of Mumbai Police to confine an officer who came from Patna on the ground of Covid. He was referring to civic authorities in Mumbai quarantining a senior police officer who arrived in the city to supervise the Bihars Polices investigation. Quarantining of Bihar Police officer has not sent good message, the court said. Senior counsel Shyam Divan, who represented Chakraborty, prayed that no coercive action should be taken against her. A protective order needs to be passed in favour of the petitioner, Divan said. The court did not grant his request. Senior counsel Mukul Rohatgi, who represented Bihar, opposed Rheas transfer plea and asked the court to adjourn the matter. Keep the matter next week. Do not pass any orders and no one will be prejudiced, he said. Senior counsel Vikas Singh, who represented Rajputs father, expressed concerns that the Mumbai Police were destroying evidence, an allegation that Maharashtra rejected. The court observed that a serious allegation has been levelled against the petitioner. She has sought transfer of proceedings from Patna to Mumbai. Whether there is criminality involved needs to be investigated. In a high-profile case, everybody has an opinion. But we have to proceed on the basis of law, the court said. Rajput, who had a short but promising career, was found hanging at his Bandra residence in suburban Mumbai. The mystery surrounding Rajputs death has moved on from theories on and investigations into how nepotism in Bollywood may have claimed his life to allegations of a criminal conspiracy involving Chakraborty. The Mumbai Police found the cause of death as asphyxia due to hanging, filed an accidental death report (ADR) and began an investigation. Chakraborty, an actress herself, has been questioned by the Mumbai police. Meanwhile, the Bihar Police filed an abetment to suicide case on the basis of a complaint filed by Rajputs father. In the complaint, he accused Chakraborty of having befriended his son in May 2019 with the intention of furthering her own career. The matter was then sent by the Bihar Police to the additional chief judicial magistrate, Patna. Chakraborty moved the top court on July 29, challenging the jurisdiction of the Bihar court, saying the incident took place in Mumbai. She submitted that Rajput was suffering from depression and that she was in deep trauma due to his death. While Spain's former king Juan Carlos is not under formal investigation, revelations by a former mistress raise legal questions about his financial affairs which officials are poring over both at home and abroad. In a surprise move, the 82-year-old announced Monday that he was leaving Spain to prevent his personal affairs from undermining his son King Felipe VI's reign, prompting anti-monarchists to accuse him of trying to "flee justice". But Carmen Calvo, Spain's deputy prime minister, defended the former monarch Wednesday, saying "he is not fleeing anything because he is not implicated in any (criminal) case." Even so, public prosecutors in Spain and Switzerland are looking into his accounts in the wake of statements made by his former mistress, German businesswoman Corinna Larsen. In conversations which were apparently recorded without her knowledge that were leaked to the media, Larsen claimed the former king had bank accounts in Switzerland and received a payoff relating to a 2011 high-speed rail contract in Saudi Arabia. Swiss daily La Tribune reported in March that late Saudi king Abdullah in 2008 deposited $100 million into a Panamanian foundation's account in Swiss private bank Mirabaud to which Juan Carlos had access. - 'Out of love' - The former Spanish king used the account until it was closed in 2012, when he transferred the remaining money in it -- nearly $65 million -- to Larsen, the newspaper added. Larsen told Swiss investigators he had transferred to her nearly 65 million euros in the Bahamas, "not to get rid of the money", but "out of gratitude and out of love", according to Spanish daily El Pais. La Tribune said a Geneva prosecutor in 2018 opened a criminal investigation into "suspected money laundering" regarding these transactions and formally accused Larsen, Mirabaud bank, a lawyer and a businessman -- but not Juan Carlos. Swiss prosecutors have declined to comment on the case. Meanwhile, Spanish prosecutors in 2018 opened a probe into the Saudi high-speed rail contract, which was awarded to a consortium of Spanish companies. The 450-kilometre (280-mile) link between Mecca and Medina was inaugurated in 2018. Spain's Supreme Court in June announced an investigation to determine whether the contract had involved the "crime of corruption in international transactions" and whether Juan Carlos was legally responsible -- but only for acts committed after his abdication in 2014, because of the immunity he enjoyed until then. - 'Disturbing information' - Corruption is one of the most difficult crimes to prove, according to sources at Spain's public prosecutors office. And it will be hard to argue that the 100 million dollars Juan Carlos allegedly received from Saudi Arabia was a kickback for the high-speed rail contract which was awarded three years later. Investigators looking into the former king's bank accounts could search for evidence of money laundering and tax fraud, according to the sources. But money can be considered to have been laundered only if its source is illegal, the sources said. So even if it is proven that Juan Carlos received millions of euros from Gulf royals, from Kuwait to Oman to Saudi Arabia as press reports allege, it would still have to be shown that this was not a perfectly legal gift. And if they found that it was not a mere gift, prosecutors would still have to prove that the former king used this money -- by investing it or transferring it from one bank account to another -- after he lost his immunity when he abdicated in 2014. If the former king moved his money abroad without declaring it, he can be held liable for tax fraud, but only for events going back five years. Anything before that falls under the statute of limitations. But while there is no formal investigation, Socialist Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said in June "the entire Spanish population are receiving disturbing information which is troubling for us all, including me". ONE of Canada's largest investment firms, CI Investments, has emerged as a significant shareholder in Ireland's largest hotel group, Dalata. The stock exchange has been informed that CI Investments has just over a 3pc stake in the listed Irish group, which is headed by chief executive Pat McCann. The holding is worth just over 14m based on Dalata's market capitalisation yesterday. It is thought to be the first time that CI Investments has emerged as a significant shareholder in the hotel company, which operates brands such as Clayton and Maldron in Ireland and the UK. CI Investments was founded in 1965 and provides a broad range of investment solutions for clients. Under stock market rules, investors that own 3pc or more of a listed company must publicly disclose their stakes. The emergence of the Canadian company on Dalata's share register marks the latest of a number of shareholder moves for the hotel group in recent months. Its 2019 annual report published earlier this year showed that on February 24 Dalata's largest shareholder was Ameriprise Financial, with a 9.04pc stake. The next largest was FMR, with 4.94pc. Other shareholders included Blackrock, with slightly more than 4pc, and Allianz Global Investors, with 3.1pc. Ameriprise now has a 6.84pc stake. FMR's holding see-sawed since the end of February, dipping below 3pc on March 20. It has since raised its stake again, and now owns just shy of 5pc of the hotel group. Blackrock, meanwhile, reduced its stake to 3.66pc on March 9. But the pandemic era has so far seen other changes to Dalata's share register. On March 6, funds belonging to London-based investment manager Ennismore raised their combined stakes to 3.08pc of Dalata. On March 13, the stake increased to 4.31pc, before being cut to 3.74pc on May 27 and below 3pc two days later. Paris-based Amiral Gestion emerged as a shareholder in March, having held a 3.01pc stake on St Patrick's Day. But it reduced it to 2.93pc on April 9. Bank of Montreal was also a brief significant shareholder in the hotel company, increasing its holding to 3.46pc on April 1, but reducing it to 1.48pc on April 29. Last month, Dalata said it agreed an amendment to its debt facilities, as it reopened its hotels. It also increased a revolving credit facility. A facility believed to be an internment camp located north of Kashgar, in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, June 2, 2019. Authorities in Kashgar (in Chinese, Kashi) prefecture in northwest Chinas Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region (XUAR) have established a special, restricted-access residential area to relocate Uyghurs and other Muslim minorities released from internment camps, according to local officials. Confirmation of the new facility in the southern XUARs Uyghur heartland comes amid indications China is relocating some inmates of a three-year-old internment camp program that has drawn international condemnation and U.S. sanctions, sending many to work in factories across China and putting some on trial. The residential zone in the seat of Kashgars Makit (in Chinese, Maigaiti) county permits detainees to live with their families, but otherwise differs little from the camps where authorities are believed to have held 1.8 million people since April 2017, a source in the region told RFA. Sources who described the new guarded community of former inmates outside Kashgar, a trading post city of 500,000, gave estimates ranging from several hundred families to 7,000 people. RFA was unable to verify the population of the residential zone. The residential area, known as the 14th Neighborhood Committee, accommodates those who have completed their studies at the camps, said one source, who requested anonymity, citing fear of reprisal. He said hundreds of families are housed there and that entry and exit are prohibited without special permission. The committee requires that residents continue to attend mandatory political indoctrination classes, as well as sessions involving self-examinations and confessions, the source recently told RFAs Uyghur Service in an interview. The source said he had learned about the situation in Makit county from a Uyghur former camp detainee from Tumental township named Ismail Dawut, who was sent to live in the residential area after being released from an area camp. One way in and out RFA spoke with an officer at a Makit county police station who refused to comment on the existence of the 14th Neighborhood Committee and said they had no knowledge of Dawut. But official sources in Tumental confirmed that Dawut is a resident of their township and had been sent to live in the special area in Makit. We have a person named Ismail Dawut from our village who was placed in the areahes a farmer, an officer at the Tumental Township Police Station told RFA. He was released from the camp and works a day job, but in the evening, he has to go back to the place called Yuanqu, where all the people who went to reeducation are held. The officer, who also declined to be named, said Yuanqu is officially known as the 14th Neighborhood Committee, and that the area has an entrance that is guarded by police. He said Dawut, who still owns a home in Tumental, was released from an internment camp in April last year and directly placed in Yuanqu. He lives in an apartment with his family, but Ive never been there, the officer said. Its a residential area and his kids go to school as normal. However, he has to ask for permission to travel home to Tumental. He is allowed to return only once a week. A Tumental township government official called Dawut 98 percent free, in that he can work a job of his choosing during the day as long as he returns to the 14th Neighborhood Committee in the evening. The two percent restriction is, from what I can tell, not being able to visit his parents [back home], he said. According to the official, Dawut told him that more than 7,000 people are living in the special residential area, all of whom were relocated there after re-education, using the official euphemism for detention at a camp. The 14th Neighborhood Committee is located in a walled and gated area with only one way in and out, he said. There is a school there. There are more than 100 [apartment] buildings that are eight to 10 stories tall. And there are also factories located there. A map shows Makit county in Xinjiang's Kashgar prefecture. Credit: RFA Mounting pressure Beijing describes its three-year-old network of camps as voluntary vocational centers, but reporting by RFA and other media outlets shows that detainees are mostly held against their will in poor conditions, where they are forced to endure inhumane treatment and political indoctrination. Amid pressure from the U.S. and, to a lesser extent, the European Union and the United Nations, experts believe that China has begun sentencing Uyghurs held in internment camps to prison, providing legal cover to the detentions. Some Uyghurs and other detainees are being relocated to factories inside and outside of the XUAR as forced labor, under the guise of gaining employment connected to their purported vocational training. Information RFA obtained about the 14th Neighborhood Committee appears to dovetail with reports that China is shifting detainees out of the camps in a bid to sidestep international criticism and potentially to prepare for allowing foreign monitors into the region to investigate accounts of abuses. Late last month, sources told RFA that authorities in the XUAR are organizing local residents for visits with outside inspectors by ordering them to disavow knowledge of family planning policies targeting Uyghurs forced contraception and sterilization measures featured in a recent damning report on XUAR practices. The meetings appear to have begun shortly after Adrian Zenz, a senior fellow in China Studies at the Washington-based Victims of Communism Memorial Foundation, published a report in collaboration with the Associated Press in June detailing a dramatic increase in recent years in the number of forced sterilizations and abortions targeting Uyghurs in region. In his report, Zenz concludes such policies may amount to a government-led campaign of genocide according to the United Nations Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide. They also came as Chinas Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin addressed a question during a regular press briefing in Beijing about Frances recent condemnation of the mass incarceration of Uyghurs and other Muslim minorities in the XUAR, and its demand that independent rights observers be granted access to the region. We welcome those with a truly objective and fair attitude to visit Xinjiang and see for themselves the real situation and avoid being blinded by these rumors and slanders, he said at the time, dismissing reports of mass incarcerations of Uyghurs and other Muslim minorities. China in 2019 organized two visits to monitor internment camps in the XUARone for a small group of foreign journalists, and another for diplomats from non-Western countries, including Russia, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, and Thailandduring which officials dismissed claims about mistreatment and poor conditions in the facilities as slanderous lies. During the United Nations General Assembly in New York in September, U.S. Deputy Secretary of State John J. Sullivan told the gathering that these trips and the China-friendly accounts they produced were Potemkin tours in a failed attempt to prove that the camps were humane training centers. Last week, the Trump administration sanctioned the quasi-military Xinjiang Production and Construction Corp (XPCC) and two of its current and former officials over rights violations in the XUAR. The move followed similar sanctions in July against several top Chinese officials, including regional party secretary Chen Quanguo, marking the first time Washington targeted a member of Chinas powerful Politburo. Coronavirus cases in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region through Aug. 3, 2020. RFA Graphics Coronavirus outbreak The reports on the special residential area in Makit county also come as authorities in the XUAR continue to grapple with a new outbreak of the coronavirus in the capital Urumqiwith two related cases each in the cities of Kashgar city and Sanji (Changji) in the Changji Hui (Changji Huizu) Autonomous prefectureprompting strict lockdowns. According to the official Global Times newspaper, XUAR officials announced 28 new domestic cases on Monday, including nine asymptomatic carriers of the virus, bringing the total number of cases to 606 since infections were first reported in the region on July 15months since the last positive test. At least 15,213 people are under medical observation, the government said. Beijing has come under criticism for its lack of transparency in handling the initial outbreak, which originated in Hubei provinces Wuhan city in late December and has since gone on to infect nearly 18.4 million people worldwide, leaving almost 700,000 dead. Reported by Shohret Hoshur for RFAs Uyghur Service. Translated by Mamatjan Juma. Written in English by Joshua Lipes. U.S. short of plan to get vaccine to communities of color hit by COVID-19 Despite its efforts to develop a vaccine against the COVID-19 pandemic, the United States lacks a plan to get shots to communities of color affected by the coronavirus, according to a piece published in U.S. magazine Politico on Monday. "For decades, communities of color have been underrepresented in clinical trials, faced greater barriers to getting vaccinated and harbored deeper distrust of a health care system," the Politico piece said. The magazine quoted Julie Gerberding, an executive of American multinational pharmaceutical firm Merck, as saying, "we have a number of hurdles in terms of broad vaccine coverage but also specially the people we most want to vaccinate in the African American and Latinx communities that are hardest hit with the disease." According to a study by the Pew Research Center in June, although the tally of African Americans who have been hospitalized for COVID-19 are nearly five times higher than that of white people, just over half of African American adults said they would definitely or probably get a coronavirus vaccine. Currently, "the large-scale effort to defeat the virus depends not just on developing a safe and effective vaccine, but ensuring it reaches all corners of America," Politico said, calling for a sustained national effort that brings together federal agencies, local officials and communities on the issue. Additionally, dual challenges of surging unemployment and racism have also placed communities of color at disadvantage amid the pandemic. According to a recent study by the University of California, Los Angeles, 83 percent of the Asian American labor force with high school degrees or lower has filed unemployment insurance claims in California -- the U.S. state with the highest population of Asian Americans -- since the onset of the coronavirus's spread. Simultaneously, new research shows that discrimination against Asian Americans is rising, with over 2,300 Asian Americans reporting incidents of bias as of July 15, the Asian Pacific Policy and Planning Council said in late July. As of Tuesday morning, the United States has reported more than 4.71 million COVID-19 cases, according to Johns Hopkins University. A 50-year-old man allegedly stabbed a couple to death in front of their two children and then killed himself by consuming poison in outer Delhis Narela on Wednesday morning, police said. While the suspect was conscious when police officers reached the crime spot, he fell unconsciousness minutes later, and died in a hospital later that day. Police identified the couple as Mohammad Hashim (28), who was a motor mechanic and Minnat Khatoon (25), a homemaker. The alleged murderer Mohammad Mushtaq, an e-rickshaw driver, stabbed the two multiple times with a meat cleaver, killing them on the spot, said a senior police officer associated with the investigations. According to the police, the two families often quarrelled over minor domestic matters such as disposing waste water and garbage outside their houses. The police also said that the murdered man and the alleged killer had a heated argument on Saturday, after their vehicles collided. The senior officer the alleged murdered was alive when police reached the scene after a neighbour informed them of the attack. A case of murder was registered at Narela police station based on the neighbours statement. We caught him from the terrace of his house and were interrogating him when we saw him frothing from his mouth. While telling us about the petty disputes he had with the couple, he fell unconscious. We rushed him to Baba Saheb Ambedkar hospital where he died during treatment, said the officer. Deputy commissioner of police (outer north) Gaurav Sharma said that around 2.40 am, Narela police were informed that a person with blood on his clothes had escaped the couples house after killing a woman. A police team reached the spot and met the caller, a neighbour, who told them he had seen the 50-year-old rickshaw puller attacking the couple at their house. The neighbour told the police that he saw, through his window, the man allegedly attacking the woman with a weapon while she slept. He said the woman was trying to fight him away and screaming for help. When her husband came to her rescue, the man allegedly stabbed him as well. The couples two children, aged two and four years, were in the same room where their parents were stabbed, the officer said, quoting the neighbours statement. Police said that after stabbing the couple, the man went to his house changed his blood-stained clothes, cleaned blood from the chopper while his wife and three children were sleeping. He later went to the terrace, where he consumed some poisonous substance. The neighbour told us that the killer was hiding on the terrace of his house. We went there and caught him. However, by then he already had consumed the poisonous substance, the officer said, adding that the blood splattered on the walls suggested that the couple had fought with the killer in a bid to save their lives. Sharma said they recovered the meat cleaver. The couple hail from Bihar and had shifted to Delhi around two years ago. The alleged killer had lived in the neighbourhood for more than 17 years. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON What does it feel like to insert evergreen pine branches into the bronzes of ancient China's Western Zhou Dynasty (1046-771 BC)? Recently, a special art show is taking place at Wang Chuanfeng Museum in Ginza district in downtown Tokyo. Wang Chuanfeng, a Chinese artist who has been living in Japan for almost 30 years, inserted peony, orchid, pine branches into various bronzes, while Japanese prominent photographer Yoshihiko Ueda used a 50-year-old Deardorff camera to produce photos. "Wang has his own unique sense of beauty. He creates flower arrangement works from the perspective of oriental art aesthetics, while I use my own aesthetic and intuitive feeling of Japanese culture to photograph the artistic moments," Ueda said. Wang said they started cooperation three years ago, creating 100 photographs of flower arrangements in 100 bronzes. "I hope our cooperation can use the present life to awaken the ancient life. Through the fusion of ancient and modern times, history and present, spirit and reality, the audience will experience the fusion and collision of Chinese and Japanese aesthetics," said Wang. This is not the first time Wang has collaborated with a photographer. Five years ago, he cooperated with celebrated Japanese photographer Kishin Shinoyama to photograph flower arrangements in ancient bamboo baskets in architectural spaces designed by Kengo Kuma, a globally acclaimed architect. "Most of the baskets used in the last shooting were from Japan, and people felt that there were too much Japanese elements. Therefore, I want to have an artistic cooperation that can fully reflect the Chinese elements. Undoubtedly, bronze ware is the most historical and unique equipment with Chinese characteristics," said Wang. Kuma, who watched the shoot at the scene, spoke highly of the collaboration. "This is a masterpiece of cooperation between the two masters, conveying the eastern aesthetic concept. The sense of beauty is different from western thinking, which emphasizes that life and art exist separately, but in the eastern Zen world, there is art in life and life in art,"he said. In fact, arranging flowers is just Wang's hobby and his major is painting. The artist is known for his fish paintings, which have appeared on two Japanese stamps and were once used to decorate the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing, China. Over the years, Wang has been committed to people-to-people exchanges between China and Japan. During the COVID-19 outbreak, Wang donated 300,000 face masks to China's Wuhan city and Zhejiang province through friends. When face masks were in short supply in Japan, he bought a large number of masks from China and donated them to the University of Tokyo and other agencies. "I just did something within my power, "said Wang, "Although I am living abroad, my heart connects with my home country. I hope that I can serve as a bridge for people-to-people exchanges between China and Japan so that our two peoples can jointly fight the pandemic and overcome difficulties." WASHINGTON The White House and congressional Democrats on Tuesday crept toward an elusive compromise on an economic recovery plan, agreeing to an end-of-the-week deadline to seal a deal that would restore expired jobless aid for tens of millions of Americans even as they remained far apart on the contours of the package. In a sign that Republicans may be willing to offer a major concession amid deep divisions in their ranks about supporting any additional federal relief, Senator Mitch McConnell, Republican of Kentucky and the majority leader, signaled that he might be willing to accept the extension of $600-per-week unemployment payments something many in his party oppose if it would yield a compromise. Later, after a meeting with Mark Meadows, the White House chief of staff, and Steven Mnuchin, the Treasury secretary, top Democrats indicated there had been progress toward a potential deal. They made some concessions, which we appreciated; we made some concessions, which they appreciated, Senator Chuck Schumer of New York, the Democratic leader, said after the 90-minute meeting, which Speaker Nancy Pelosi of California hosted in her Capitol Hill suite. Were still far away on a lot of the important issues, but were continuing to go at it. Progressive Squad member Representative Rashida Tlaib (D., Mich.) has claimed victory over her establishment challenger in a primary race for her House seat. Tlaib beat out Detroit City Council president Brenda Jones, whom she narrowly defeated in a crowded primary in 2018 before first being elected to her seat. Tlaibs 2018 election made her one of the first two Muslim women in Congress. Headlines said I was the most vulnerable member of the Squad, Tlaib tweeted Wednesday. My community responded last night and said our Squad is big. It includes all who believe we must show up for each other and prioritize people over profits. Its here to stay, and its only getting bigger. Headlines said I was the most vulnerable member of the Squad. My community responded last night and said our Squad is big. It includes all who believe we must show up for each other and prioritize people over profits. Its here to stay, and its only getting bigger. Rashida Tlaib (@RashidaTlaib) August 5, 2020 Jones campaign had focused on criticizing Tlaibs fondness for attention and controversial behavior, including booing Hillary Clinton at a Bernie Sanders campaign event and, on a separate occasion, calling the president an expletive in vows to impeach him. Jones platform had involved bringing the focus back to the people of Detroit. As Michigans 13th Congressional District Representative, Tlaib has worked hard to become an international rock star, Jones tweeted last month. Representative Tlaib has a huge war chest of nearly $2 million. The money in Rashida Tlaibs war chest is mostly from people around the world. This means Tlaib is beholding (sic) to her money people, & not focused on the citizens of the 13th Congressional District, she added. David Dudenhoefer, the 13th Congressional District chairman, was leading in the Republican primary Wednesday morning with 87% of precincts reporting. Story continues Tlaibs victory is another win for progressives, who saw fellow squad member Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D., N.Y.) win against her primary challenger, CNBC personality Michelle Caruso-Cabrera, earlier this year. From the Bronx to St. Louis, the Squad is here to stay, and its still growing, Justice Democrats tweeted early Wednesday morning. More from National Review A severe thunderstorm warning issued for the City of Toronto and parts of the GTA this evening has now ended, Environment Canada says. At one time Tuesday afternoon much of the GTA was under a tornado watch. Tornado warnings issued earlier for Caledon, Orangeville and other parts of Southern Ontario just east of Toronto have also ended. The federal weather agency had warned that the thunderstorm could bring heavy downpours, lightening and strong wind gusts which can "toss loose objects, damage weak buildings, break branches off trees and overturn large vehicles." The coronavirus has already upended the traditional campaign cycle - Reuters Joe Biden announced he will no longer travel to Wisconsin to accept the Democratic presidential nomination during the partys national convention this month because of coronavirus concerns. Instead, Mr Biden, 77, will accept the nomination and deliver a national address from his home state of Delaware. It means the Democratic convention, usually a huge jamboree designed to boost party morale and give maximum media exposure to the presidential candidate, will be almost entirely virtual. The even, which runs from August 17 - 20, had originally been intended to take place in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, a key swing state which Donald Trump narrowly won in 2016 and Mr Biden hopes to retake in November. It comes hours after Mr Trump suggested that he may deliver his own Republican nomination acceptance speech later this month from the White House. Party conventions are usually designed to maximise attendance and press coverage - Jim Watson /AFP We are thinking about doing it from the White House because theres no movement, the US president told Fox News. Its easy, and I think its a beautiful setting and we are thinking about that. Its certainly one of the alternatives. Its the easiest alternative, I think its a beautiful alternative. However the proposal has already received push back from members of Mr Trump's own party, who questioned the legality of using the White House for party political purposes. Thune: Is that even legal? I assume thats not something that you could do. I assume theres some Hatch Act issues or something there. I dont know the answer to that." Thune added: "I think anything you do on federal property would seem to be problematic." https://t.co/jk916KC6qK Manu Raju (@mkraju) August 5, 2020 The last-minute changes are the latest set back for the parties traditional campaigning on account of the pandemic. The presidential conventions are typically made-for-television affairs featuring often-raucous speeches in front of thousands of the party faithful. Story continues The Democratic National Committee (DNC) said it took the decision in order to protect Milwaukee residents as well as the vast number of people needed to stage a national convention. The event will feature two hours of prime-time programming each night with feeds from around the country, the DNC said. From the very beginning of this pandemic, we put the health and safety of the American people first, said Tom Perez, the DNC Chairman. The Republican convention was initially set for Charlotte, North Carolina, before Mr Trump moved his speech - the crowning event of the week-long festivities - to Jacksonville, Florida in the hope of securing a larger crowd. But a surge of coronavirus cases in Florida prompted the president to later cancel those plans. Only one night of the convention, a nomination night, will take place in Charlotte, Mr Trump told Fox News on Wednesday. The rest of the convention, including Mr Trump's speech, will be virtual and include live speeches from different locations. Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-05 23:41:50|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close BEIJING, Aug. 5 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese mainland spokesperson said on Wednesday that it is very dangerous for the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) in Taiwan to collude with the United States. In response to media reports about a U.S. health official's upcoming trip to Taiwan, Ma Xiaoguang, spokesperson for the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office, said the Taiwan question is China's internal affair that brooks no external interference. Ma urged the United States to honor its commitment to the one-China principle and the three China-U.S. joint communiques, and voiced strong opposition to official interactions between the United States and China's Taiwan region. The DPP's attempts to collude with the United States to seek political gains at the expense of the common interests of the compatriots across the Taiwan Strait are doomed to fail, Ma added. Enditem As his counsel, we are well aware and well versed on the importance of civil and criminal prosecution of true sexual assaults, the lawyer said. This is not one of those situations. A spokeswoman for the Los Angeles Police Department said that an investigation had been opened. But Neama Rahmani, a lawyer for the woman, said the police had not spoken to his client since responding to the hospital in June, despite several efforts to make her available to speak with investigators. According to the suit, the woman had gone to the home at the invitation of Daryl McPherson, a D.J., producer and engineer for Migos who travels with the group and is known as DJ Durel. Mr. Rahmani said his client believed she was meeting Durel for a date. But when she arrived at the house, around 7 p.m. on June 22, she discovered multiple people there in a party setting, the suit says. Takeoff arrived later, the suit says, and took an interest in her over the course of the evening in a way that the woman said made her feel uncomfortable. She said she alerted Durel of her discomfort and he offered to take her upstairs to his room, according to the lawsuit. On the staircase, the suit says, they ran into Takeoff, and the two men appeared to have an argument. The woman continued to Durels room and lay down on the bed. It was around 2 a.m., according to the suit. "They counted us out," Bush told supporters Tuesday night after her win, reports the Associated Press . "They called me I'm just the protester, I'm just the activist with no name, no title and no real money. That's all they said that I was. But St. Louis showed up today." Bush's victory Tuesday night comes after her unsuccessful 2018 attempt to unseat Clay, who has represented the district since 2001. Prior to Clay's election, his father, William Lacy Clay Sr., Missouri's first Black representative in Congress , held the position for 32 years before retiring. Cori Bush, a Black Lives Matter activist and community leader, defeated longtime Rep. William Lacy Clay Jr. in Tuesday's Democratic primary in Missouri. If elected to the House in November, Bush, who is running to lead Missouri's first district which includes the St. Louis area, will be the first Black woman to represent Missouri in Congress. Missouri Democratic congressional candidate Cori Bush gives her victory speech at her campaign office on August 4, 2020 in St. Louis, Missouri. Bush, an activist backed by the progressive group Justice Democrats, defeated 10-term incumbent Rep. William Lacy Clay (D-MO) in Tuesday's primary election to become the first black woman elected to represent the state of Missouri in congress. Bush, who is a mom, nurse and pastor, has always been actively involved in her community, but she told Essence.com that her community activism turned political following the 2014 death of Michael Brown, an 18-year-old Black man who was shot and killed by a Ferguson, Missouri police officer. "Thinking about my son who was 14 at the time, and my daughter who was 13, if I didn't stand up, could one of them be the next hashtag?" Bush said she wondered. "And I thought about our congressperson He was out there, I remember, one time for a photo op when we protested more than 400 days." Bush, who remained on the front lines of the Ferguson protests, says that talking to other residents about the fight for justice propelled her to do more to help her community. "Since 2014, I've fought for justice in our communities, and I'm ready to bring the fight from protest to politics," she says on her website. "We are living through a history-making moment. When we face unprecedented challenges, we must respond with bold solutions and fearless leadership." A once-homeless mom who lived out of her car with her kids, Bush says she understands the everyday struggle that people in her community go through and she wants to bring the change that's needed in Congress to help. "I fight for [progressive] values just because it's right," she told Essence, while saying that she believes Congressman Clay is "only progressive when he's pushed." She adds, "I always think that 'I am the people I serve.' I did not coin the phrase, but I always say that because I have lived low-wage. I've been unhoused, living out of a car with two children. I have lived uninsured I'm a victim of violent crime. I'm a survivor of sexual assault and domestic violence. So I've been through so many things that have happened here in this community that haven't really been addressed by our congressperson even though he's been in that seat for 20 years." In Congress, Bush says she plans to increase the minimum wage in her district to $15 an hour, push for free public college and trade school, fight for criminal justice reform and fight for the Green New Deal, which is a legislation package that aims to address issues around climate change and economic inequality. Bush, whose victory came on the same night that Missouri voters voted to expand Medicaid eligibility, says she also plans to continue the fight for Medicare for all. The 44-year-old, who has spoken openly about her support and leadership within the Black Lives Matter movement, says that though her campaign against Congressman Clay wasn't a success in 2018, she had a strong feeling that this year would be different. "With Ferguson, it was really the start of saying 'Black Lives Matter' and getting people to understand what that's like," she says, while explaining that this year she thinks more people understand why the fight for Black Lives Matter is needed and why greater change is needed in Congress. Following her Tuesday night victory, Bush received several congratulatory tweets and messages from supporters and other political leaders including former presidential candidate Bernie Sanders and former educator turned politician Jamaal Bowman, who defeated Rep. Eliot Engel in New York during the state's primary in June. Twitter Twitter Correction: This story has been updated to more accurately reflect the circumstances of Michael Brown's death. CNBC Make It is NOW STREAMING on Peacock. Find our original programming in the Channels section. Don't miss: She went to prison for a crime she says she didn't commit. Now Keeda Haynes is running for Congress A 70-year-old woman died of suffocation, while her husband sustained burn injuries in a fire that broke out from the air conditioning unit, due to a short circuit in their flat in Shrusti Complex area, Mira Road, on Wednesday. Senior inspector, Sanjay Hazare of Kashimira police station, said, The victim Geeta Anand died on the spot. We rushed her husband Anil, 75, to a private hospital, where he is undergoing treatment for burn injuries. The couple stayed alone as their son works in Singapore and their daughter is married and stays in another part of Mira Road, said Hazare. Both have been informed about the accident. The fire brigade officers were informed by neighbours. We are awaiting the post-mortem report and have registered a case of accidental death, said Hazare. Farmworker Earl Edwards, a Jamaican who died last week in Washington state while in quarantine for suspected COVID-19, celebrates a graduation with his wife, Marcia, in 2011. (Courtesy of Edwards family) Earl Edwards left his farm in Jamaica in June, planning to spend a final season harvesting fruit in Washington state. The 63-year-old father of four had made the journey each summer for more than a decade, counting on the income to supplement his meager earnings raising ginger and sweet potato at home. He was one of about 250,000 temporary farmworkers allowed into the United States on H-2A visas this year. Edwards telephoned his wife, Marcia, on Friday from COVID-19 quarantine housing at Gebbers Farms, where he had stayed for more than a week while suffering flu-like symptoms. He said he'd been struggling, but his cough was almost gone. Later that day, she got another call. She was told her husband had collapsed, while taking a shower, and died. He was my heartbeat, Marcia Edwards said Tuesday during a phone interview. We had been married 18 years. The death was the second in a month among quarantined guest workers at Gebbers, one of Washingtons largest apple and cherry growers, where more than 3,000 of the company's 4,500 seasonal workers come from abroad on the visa program. The fatalities, and positive COVID-19 test results for more than 100 other temporary employees, have renewed fears concerning farmworkers' exposure to the coronavirus. Union representatives in Washington had warned last spring that workers crammed into farm housing and toiling close to one another in orchards and crowded fruit-packing plants would be vulnerable to the coronavirus. They tried to get state officials to ban the use of bunk beds in housing that growers provide for as many as 30,000 foreign laborers who work in Washington each summer, arguing that the virus could easily spread between top and bottom levels. But growers argued that a proposal made to state health and labor agencies to ban the use of top beds would leave half their workers without housing and hurt Washington's $4.5-billion fruit industry, leading to shortages and price hikes in grocery stores. Story continues In a compromise brokered by Democratic Gov. Jay Inslee's office, the state agencies permitted bunk beds as long as any unrelated workers sleeping in them were split into household-like groups of no more than 15 people. Under the rules, workers in the small groups would stay together while living, working and moving around in vehicles. Occupants of top and bottom bunks were required to sleep head-to-toe to create maximum distance between workers exhaling and inhaling. The state's Department of Labor and Industries began investigating Gebbers last month after learning that one of its H-2A workers from Mexico had died. Juan Carlos Santiago Rincon, who was in his 30s, died July 8 after experiencing symptoms consistent with COVID-19 and being quarantined in farm housing. Tim Church, an agency spokesman, said Gebbers was found to be out of compliance with the rules instituted due to the coronavirus. We had indications that they were using bunk beds but were not following the emergency temporary housing requirements, like properly separating workers into groups, he said. Gebbers was separating workers, but into larger groups of 42 on the advice of an infectious disease specialist, said Amy Philpott, a company spokeswoman. The grower had applied to the Labor and Industries agency for a variance to allow the bigger groups, and hadn't heard back, she said. Philpott said she didnt know whether the two men who died were among workers who slept in bunk beds. Both workers were tested for the virus, she said, but their causes of death are as yet unknown. Philpott also didnt know whether the two men worked picking or packing fruit. Marcia Edwards said her husband told her he worked this year for the first time in a cherry-packing plant, instead of in orchards. Outbreaks of COVID-10 have been common in meat plants, where workers are often crowded together, in Washington and other states. Dan Fazio, executive director of Wafla, an organization that helps farms hire foreign laborers, said that H-2A workers at Gebbers were routinely lodged in bunk beds. He said the regulations developed by officials to separate workers had created numerous complications. I dont think [state officials] have a well-thought-out plan, Fazio said. For example, workers who normally wake before dawn to avoid summer heat have to get up even earlier, starting at 2:30 a.m., to take 10-minute showers in sequence, he said. Okanogan County, where Gebbers is located, in north-central Washington, had relatively few COVID-19 cases until recently. The largely rural county with a population of fewer than 44,000 had escaped the fate of urban areas of the state where the U.S. coronavirus epidemic first appeared. But the county now has the highest rate of cases per capita in Washington, at 892 positive test results per 100,000 residents, according to the latest report by the state Department of Health. The surge in cases since mid-July has overwhelmed two Okanogan County public hospitals, which are having to refer COVID-19 patients to larger medical centers in distant cities. Three Rivers Hospital in Brewster, Wash., has no intensive care units or ventilators, said Scott Graham, the hospitals chief executive officer. Ive got tired nurses, and Ive got tired doctors, he said. Were taxed to the limit right now with the amount of care thats needed. Helicopters land frequently to transport COVID-19 patients to bigger hospitals, Graham said. He said that Three Rivers and North Valley Hospital, which he also heads, in nearby Tonasket, have enough coronavirus test kits, but results often take 10 days or more, hampering efforts by contact tracers to map and prevent the spread of the disease. Whats more, mask wearing and social distancing are still not common in the county, Graham said. I wish I could look around and see everybody wearing masks and taking precautions," he said. "Its very concerning because it means that were going to continue to see more cases, which is a big strain not only for our hospitals but for our economy and community." Theres no shortage of analysis about the horrific COVID-19 crisis in Victorias aged care facilities and what it reveals about a system near collapse. But while the finger pointers slug it out in the news and opinion pages, weve largely ignored an issue that has been laid bare by this disaster and will remain long after the emergency has passed if we dont do something about it. Its the terrible way our health and aged care systems work together. Or don't. Aged care and health care ... working in silos. Credit:Nic Walker St Vincents Health is one of the few organisations in Australia that provides both hospitals and aged care services. That gives us a front-row seat to how badly these sectors interact and how every player has a hand in contributing to the mess. On the primary care front, many GPs are reluctant to continue caring for a patient once they enter aged care. This can be devastating for the patient because these are usually relationships that have been built up over years, sometimes decades. Lebanese army soldiers stand while behind a helicopter puts out a fire at the scene of an explosion at the port of Lebanon's capital Beirut: AFP via Getty Images Donald Trump has described deadly explosions in Lebanon as a "terrible attack" before officials have determined the cause of the blasts and with no immediate evidence to suggest they were intentional. Massive explosions in Beirut on Tuesday have killed at least 70 people and injured more than 3,000 others while levelling a large segment of the capital. Multiple videos showed fires and thick plumes of smoke emerging from a building before a mushroom cloud swallows the area. "Let me begin by sending America's deepest sympathies to the people of Lebanon," the president said at a White House briefing on Tuesday. "It looks like a terrible attack." Lebanese officials believe the explosions were caused by thousands of tonnes of ammonium nitrate left unsecured for several years in a warehouse. Conspiracy theories quickly spread on social media following the explosions as experts and officials urged caution against rampant speculation within a country reeling from several crises. When asked what evidence supported his characterisation, the president claimed that US generals told him they believed the explosions were the result of an attack. "I met with some of our great generals and they just seem to feel that it was," the president said. "This was not some kind of a manufacturing explosion type of event. This was a seems to be, according to them, they would know better than I would but they seem to think it was an attack. It was a bomb of some kind, yes." The US Geological Survey reported that the explosions were as powerful as an earthquake with a magnitude measuring 3.3 on the Richter scale. Lebanese Prime Minister Hassan Diab said that "those responsible will pay for what happened" following an investigation into the "dangerous conditions" at the warehouse. "I promise you that this catastrophe will not pass without accountability," he said in televised remarks. Story continues Lebanese officials have called for international aid to help heal "deep wounds" in the aftermath. On Twitter, UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson said: "The pictures and videos from Beirut tonight are shocking. All of my thoughts and prayers are with those caught up in this terrible incident. "The UK is ready to provide support in any way we can, including to those British nationals affected." US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said that the US is "monitoring" and "ready to assist the people of Lebanon as they recover from this horrible tragedy". During the president's briefing, Joe Biden his Democratic rival said that "our hearts and prayers are with the people of Lebanon, and the victims of the horrific explosion in Beirut". "I urge both the Trump Administration and international community to immediately mobilise assistance to the thousands injured in the blast," he said. Read more At least 70 dead and over 3,000 injured in Beirut explosions Devastating photos show destruction from Beirut explosions Video shows destruction throughout Beirut after Lebanon explosions Boris Johnson responds to 'shocking' Beirut explosions The mayor says this isnt a Democrat vs. Republican issue after taking a whack at Senate Republicans: Asked how it might hurt the citys finances if it was left out of the equation Lightfoot said during an unrelated news conference this morning that shes told member of congress we will not recover as a city, as a region as a state, as a country if the federal government and particularly ... Republican members of the Senate choose this moment when we are all hurting, when we are looking at Depression-like economic conditions, when we have millions of people unemployed ... (to) defer to partisanship. Shame on them and we ought to vote everyone of them out of office, before adding: This isnt a Democrat vs. Republican issue and it shouldnt be made one. CANTON, GA The day after school began for Cherokee County Schools, a second grade classroom at Sixes Elementary School in Cherokee County has been forced to quarantine after a student tested positive for the coronavirus. Now, three additional schools have reported more positive cases on Wednesday. Three students from a first grade classroom at Hasty Elementary School Fine Arts Academy, the teacher and seven students from an after school program must now quarantine after being exposed on Monday. The student did not show symptoms until after school on Monday, and did not attend school Tuesday or Wednesday, the AJC reports. Fifteen eighth grade students at Dean Rusk Middle School must quarantine for two weeks after being exposed to the virus by another student on Monday. Againt, the student did not show symptoms until after school on Monday, and did not attend school Tuesday or Wednesday, the AJC reports. A kindergarten teacher at R.M. Moore Elementary School STEM Academy worked on Monday with no symptoms until after school on Monday. She did not return to school Tuesday or Wednesday, and is awaiting testing results. However, she did have contact with a family member who has tested positive, so the class and paraprofessional must quarantine for two weeks, the AJC reported. In a letter from Sixes Elementary Principal Ashley Kennerly sent to parents on Tuesday, "all students who have been deemed a 'close contact' received a personalized correspondence from school." "In an abundance of caution and in accordance with our Exposure and Response Plan, we will close the impacted class effective immediately for a 14-day quarantine window," Kennerly wrote. "As you are reading this notification, we have implemented CCSD safety protocols in partnership with the Department of Public Health. The affected class will participate in a remote learning model during the closure window. "We continue to encourage all parents to temperature scan and monitor students closely for any sign of potential illness. Students should remain at home if they are exhibiting any symptoms of COVID-19 including fever, new or persistent cough, headache, loss of taste or smell, fatigue and/or stomach issues (diarrhea.)" Story continues The AJC reported the teacher and 20 students must quarantine from home, and the teacher, who is symptom-free, will teach the class digitally. The student did not show symptoms of the coronavirus until after school, which is when they got tested, the AJC reported. Cherokee County Schools is one of the first districts in Georgia to start the school year, and most families elected to send their students back to in-person learning. On Monday, the district started its 2020-21 school year, and of the more than 42,000 students and 5,000 employees, 77 percent will begin in-person. The school district has set up a coronavirus case status report website, which the district said will be updated on Fridays with the total number of COVID-19 positive cases at Cherokee County schools. As of the July 31 update, nine staff members have reported a positive case of the coronavirus, including: Avery ES: 1 Positive Ball Ground ES STEM Academy: 1 Positive Creekland MS: 1 Positive Creekview HS: 2 Positive Hickory Flat ES: 1 Positive Indian Knoll ES: 1 Positive Mill Creek MS: 1 Positive Woodstock ES: 1 Positive School staff reports include all school-based personnel including, but not limited to, teachers, paraprofessionals, cafeteria workers, custodians, front office staff or administrators, the district said. The district said starting on the first day of school on Monday, they "will notify students parents/guardians and employees whenever there is a positive COVID-19 case at their school. If a students exposure to a student or employee who has tested positive meets the Department of Healths requirements for mandated precautionary quarantine, parents/guardians will be immediately advised; the same notification will be made to employees who meet these requirements. A precautionary quarantine does not mean that an employee or student is sick or will become sick, but is a Department of Public Health-mandated practice, fully supported by CCSD, to best ensure the safety of the student or employee, as well as those teaching and learning around them." Masks and face coverings are required for staff, and strongly recommended and encouraged for students. Two washable and reusable masks will be provided to students and staff, the district said. Visit online to view the reopening of school plan. Related: Most Cherokee Students Attending In-Person As School Year Begins This article originally appeared on the Canton-Sixes Patch By Express News Service HYDERABAD: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has laid the foundation of a 'Hindu Rashtra' by attending the Bhoomi Pujan event at Ayodhya, claimed AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi on Wednesday. The Hyderabad MP who was addressing mediapersons hours after the completion of the Bhoomi Pujan said, "By attending the Bhoomi Pujan, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has violated his constitutional oath and the tenet of secularism. His attendance is the victory of Hindutva and he has laid the foundation of Hindu Rashtra today." ALSO READ: Modi chants 'Siyavar Ramchandra ki Jai', promises grand temple at Ayodhya soon Owaisi also took exception to Modi's statement that the proposed temple will be a symbol of the country. "You (Modi) should understand that India's symbol cannot be a mosque or temple. It can be representative of a religion but never of a country. By saying that the temple will be a symbol of the country, he is endorsing majoritarianism," Owaisi said. He also criticised Modi's apparent statement equating the Independence Day with Bhoomi Pujan. "In his speech, he equated August 15 with today. I again want to tell him that August 15 is for the freedom of our country. Is the PM trying to tell that his followers have gotten freedom from something?" The Hyderabad MP also took a potshot at the presence of the RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat at the event, who in his statement said that the Bhoomi Pujan 'marked the beginning of a new India'. Owaisi asked, "What new India is he talking about? He is talking about a Hindu Rashtra where Muslims will be treated as second class citizens." Lastly, he also trained his guns towards the Congress and other 'secular parties'. To the Congress, he asked how the Bhoomi Pujan was a symbol of brotherhood. "Thousands died in the riots involving Babri Masjid, a mosque was demolished. Is this brotherhood?" he asked Owaisi said he was emotional today because the mosque was demolished illegally and that the 'Sangh Parivar and BJP lied to the Supreme Court' on it. The Supreme Court is scheduled to hear on Wednesday the plea of Bollywood actress Rhea Chakraborty seeking transfer of an FIR, accusing her of abetting suicide of actor Sushant Singh Rajput, from Patna to Mumbai. Amid unprecedented tug of war between police of Bihar and Maharashtra over the right to probe the death of the actor who was found hanging at his Mumbai residence on June 14, the actress has sought transfer of FIR lodged in Patna on ground of jurisdiction. The hearing before a bench headed by Justice Hrisheksh Roy would be keenly watched as Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Tuesday recommended CBI probe to the Centre in the sensational case at the request of Rajput's father, Krishna Kishore Singh. Maharashtra has been opposed to transferring the probe to CBI. Rhea, who had once allegedly tweeted to the Union Home Minister seeking CBI probe into the matter, on Tuesday opposed the move through her lawyer Satish Maneshinde by saying that the decision has no legal sanctity. The actress, in her interim pleas filed with the pending transfer petition, said, "it is becoming increasingly evident through the widespread media reports that the captioned FIR (at Patna) was successfully filed in Patna only due to intervention of the Chief Minister of Bihar and other local politicians." This act is indicative of the Respondent No 2's (Rajput's father) attempt of engaging in forum shopping which is contrary to law. Rhea, through her lawyer Malak Manish Bhatt, has also sought to bring on record some news reports to allege that Rajput's family did not want Mumbai police to probe the case and attempted to use in her favour the statement of senior advocate Vikas Singh, the family lawyer of Rajput, to the media. The plea said that the actress has a strong prima facie case in her favour as it is submitted that the cause of action has not even remotely occurred within Patna, and there is no basis for Respondent No 1 to proceed with any kind of investigation. She has sought to make the Maharashtra government a party to her plea. Bihar Government and actors's father Krishna Kishore Singh are also made parties in her petition. Rajput, aged 34, was found hanging from the ceiling of his apartment in suburban Bandra in Mumbai on June 14 and since then the Mumbai police has been probing the case keeping in mind various angles. Governments of Bihar and Maharashtra have already filed caveat in the top court seeking to be heard before any order is passed on Chakraborty's plea in which she has sought transfer of the FIR, lodged against her and others for alleged offence of abetment of suicide, from Patna to Mumbai. The father of the late actor, has also filed a caveat in the apex court in the matter. Caveat is a pre-emptive legal measure taken to ensure that a party does not get any favourable order without a notice or a hearing accorded to the opponent. On July 25, Rajput's father had lodged an FIR at Rajiv Nagar police station in Patna against Chakraborty and six others, including her family members, accusing them of abetting the actor's suicide. In her plea filed in the apex court, Chakraborty has alleged that Rajput's father has used his "influence" in roping her in FIR lodged at Patna in Bihar accusing her of abetment of suicide of his son. The actress has said in her plea that she was in a live-in relationship with Rajput and has been in deep trauma due the death of the actor and moreover getting rape and death threats. "It is pertinent to mention that the deceased and petitioner were in live-in relationship since a year up till June 8, 2020 when the petitioner had temporarily shifted to her own residence in Mumbai," she has said in her plea. Chakraborty has also said, Deceased (Rajput) was suffering from depression for some time and was also on anti-depressants and he committed suicide on the morning of June 14, 2020 at his Bandra residence by hanging himself. She has said in her plea that it becomes abundantly clear that the commencement of investigation in Patna is erroneous in absence of any cause of action having arisen at Patna. The entire cause of action as alleged in the FIR had arisen at Bandra in Mumbai, her plea has said. An FIR has been registered against her and others at Patna for alleged offences under various sections of the Indian Penal Code, including 306 (abetment of suicide), 341 (punishment for wrongful restraint), 342 (punishment for wrongful confinement), 380 (theft in dwelling house), 406 (punishment for criminal breach of trust) and 420 (Cheating and dishonestly inducing delivery of property). The chemical compound that exploded in Beirut, which killed more than 100 and leveled buildings miles away, could be stored in your own neighborhood. But the Environmental Protection Agency doesnt want you to know where. Tuesdays blast in Lebanon was likely fueled by ammonium nitrate, which is typically used in fertilizer. Lebanese authorities say nearly 2,700 tons of the compound were left sitting in the port for years before it exploded, according to the Associated Press. The explosion sent a shockwave pulsing through the city and left behind a trail of death and destruction in a country already ravaged by COVID-19 and economic unrest. The United States Texas in particular has a destructive history with the compound, to say the least. In 1947, nearly 600 people were killed in Texas City when 2,300 tons of ammonium nitrate exploded on freighters in the water. In 2013, 15 people were killed and hundreds of others were injured when a fertilizer plant exploded in West, Texas. After the West explosion, the Obama administration enacted rules that tightened investigations into incidents and made public the list of chemicals stored at facilities across the country including the explosive ammonium nitrate. In a city like Houston, where chemical incidents happen once every six days, it was a silver lining to know which chemicals were stored in our own back yards. If anything, it provided peace of mind and transparency about the chemical companies and massive corporations that often creep up to our back porch. But in 2019, the Trump administration rolled back the regulations to save $88 million, according to the Houston Chronicle. Simply knowing what chemicals exist in our city wont stop them from exploding, but relaxing regulations designed to allow more oversight from people and their government wont either. jay.jordan@chron.com With coronavirus cases nearing 5 million in the United States and average daily deaths topping 1,000, the United States is the hottest hot spot in the ongoing global pandemic - a ranking that wasn't exactly what President Donald Trump had in mind with his "America First" doctrine. You wouldn't know it, however, to hear the president describe the US performance in handling the virus; he called it "an amazing job, a great job" on Monday, and recited a list of other countries experiencing a rebound in infections. In recent days, Trump has increasingly pointed to the experiences of other countries in an attempt to dilute the bad news at home and justify the largely hands-off federal response, which has included no national mandates or lockdowns. Read More Australia, Belgium, Brazil, China, France, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Israel, Japan, South Korea, Spain and others have been part of a presidential spin-the-globe review of trouble spots, in which Trump makes misleading claims about the US record and talks up the prospects for a cure. "I think we're doing very well, and I think that we have done as well as any nation," Trump said at another point Monday. "If you really look - if you take a look at what's going on, especially now with all these flare-ups in nations" where the virus had appeared to subside, Trump said, "and don't forget: We're much bigger, other than India and China. China is having a massive flare-up right now. India has a tremendous problem. Other countries have problems." But none is equal to the United States, which, with a little more than 4pc of the global population, has clocked about a quarter of the world's cases. Trump has sometimes stuck to what appears to be a script, making the case that the experiences of other countries bear out his view that US businesses and schools should be open. "As we're seeing in foreign countries around the world where cases are once again surging - you have many places where we thought they were under control and doing a great job, and they are doing a great job - but this is a very tough, invisible enemy, lockdowns do not prevent infection in the future," the president said Monday. "They just don't. It comes back. Many times, it comes back." At other times he has been defensive, insisting that his accomplishments are ignored or minimised relative to other nations. "With the exception of New York & a few other locations, we've done MUCH better than most other Countries in dealing with the China Virus. Many of these countries are now having a major second wave. The Fake News is working overtime to make the USA (& me) look as bad as possible!" Trump tweeted early Monday. He has said the United States is doing better than Europe, where infections largely peaked earlier; better than South Korea, which has a fraction of the cases and deaths of the United States; and better than Mexico, where Trump also says his partial border wall is helping keep Americans safe from the virus. "You take a look, why don't they talk about Mexico? Which is not helping us. And all I can say is thank God I built most of the wall, because if I didn't have the wall up we would have a much bigger problem with Mexico," Trump said during a "Fox News Sunday" interview with Chris Wallace late last month. It's a familiar pattern of deflection for Trump, who routinely spreads the blame to perceived antagonists including the news media, Democrats or foreigners. But the comparisons don't always mean what Trump thinks they do, as with his erroneous claim that the high US caseload is a function of more testing rather than wider underlying infection. "Cases are up because we have the best testing in the world and we have the most testing. No country has ever done what we've done in terms of testing. We are the envy of the world. They call and they say the most incredible job anybody's done is our job on testing, because we're going to very shortly be up to 50 million tests," Trump said in the Fox interview. "You look at other countries; they don't even do tests. They do tests if somebody walks into the hospital, they're sick, they're really sick, they test them then, or they'll test them in a doctor's office. But they don't go around have massive areas of testing, and we do. And I'm glad we do, but it really skews the numbers." The portrait is misleading at best, according to public health experts. "Most of the observations the president makes about the virus are inaccurate," said Cheryl Healton, dean of the School of Global Public Health at New York University. She pointed to Japan, which is now facing a wave of infection after early success containing the virus without strict lockdown measures. Criticism of Japan's approach has focused on priorities that match Trump's: reopening businesses quickly and allowing people to resume normal activities such as travel and dining out. Yet even with the resurgence, Japan is doing much better than the United States, Healton said. With a population of about 126 million, Japan has recorded about 41,000 cases and slightly more than 1,000 deaths. The United States, with about 330 million people, had recorded 4.7 million cases and more than 153,000 deaths as of Tuesday. "Their total deaths are what our deaths are on a daily basis," Healton said in an interview. And although Trump now seems to marvel at pandemic twists of fate affecting other countries, he previously cited some of those same countries as examples to follow. "More than a dozen European countries - as well as South Korea, Taiwan and many others - have already reopened schools, and cases have not risen. We can achieve the same goal if we unite together, follow the best medical practices and apply common sense," Trump said on July 23. His administration has deflected questions about the move in Israel to shut down schools that had reopened, only to experience a surge in cases. Asked about that development Tuesday, White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany referred a reporter to congressional testimony from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention last week about the overall importance of having students return to school. Trump also turns frequently to what he has called the "death chart," a comparison of U.S. mortality rates with those elsewhere, claiming in the Fox interview that the United States has the "number one low mortality rate." Although Wallace tried to correct Trump, the president was having none of it, dismissing the questions with a wave of his hand. Read More He seemed just as sure of U.S. primacy in an Axios interview that aired Monday, in which Trump brandished a sheaf of charts that didn't quite say what he claimed they did. "Right here," he said, thrusting a chart at reporter Jonathan Swan. "The United States is lowest in - numerous categories. We're lower than the world." Swan asked what that meant. "We're lower than Europe," Trump said. "Look. Take a look. Right here." Studying the paper, Swan quickly pointed out the disconnect. "Oh, you're doing death as a proportion of cases," Swan said. "I'm talking about death as a proportion of population. That's where the U.S. is really bad. Much worse than South Korea, Germany, et cetera." "You can't do that," Trump replied. "Why can't I do that?" Swan asked. "You have go by -" Trump said, seeming a bit flustered. "You have to go by where - Look, here is the United States. You have to go by the cases of death." Northern Chinese City on Edge as Virus Outbreak Spreads A third wave of the CCP virus (COVID-19) outbreak has been spreading to nine cities across five Chinese provinces, including Beijing. Dalian officials have again set up drastic lockdown measures that have given rise to residents complaints about virus testing mismanagement and food shortages. The climbing virus cases prompted a visit from Vice Premier Sun Chunlan, whose last inspection tour was at Wuhanthe worlds first CCP virus hotspot. On July 23, the city entered into wartime modea day after officials identified a seafood company as ground zero of the new outbreak. Three days later, officials mandated that all 6.9 million residents in the city be tested for the CCP virus. Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-05 23:33:51|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close BEIJING, Aug. 5 (Xinhua) -- China has allocated 300 million yuan (about 43 million U.S. dollars) in disaster relief funds for east China's Anhui Province that was hit by floods, the Ministry of Emergency Management (MEM) said on Wednesday. The funds, earmarked by the MEM and the Ministry of Finance, will be used to help flood diversion areas in the province relocate affected residents and reconstruct damaged houses. The MEM said it has sent two working teams to Anhui and Jiangxi to aid in local disaster relief work. Enditem Your job is to avoid those dangerous protesters, and to only exhale. Pretend youre an unmarked federal agent and youre exhaling billowing clouds of beautiful tear gas at all those ornery anarchists. Its fun, and you only have to resist inhaling until the bus drops you home in the afternoon! (If you lack the lung capacity to hold your breath for eight hours, then you dont love America and it is what it is.) The horrific explosion in Beirut has left nearly 100 persons killed and nearly 4,000 people injured. The unprecedented blast took place in a portside warehouse storing seized explosives that appear to have ignited. Tuesdays blast was the most powerful in years in Beirut, a city that is already reeling from an economic crisis and a surge in coronavirus infections. As photos and videos of the exact moment when the blast occurred went viral, support and solidarity for Lebanon poured in from across the world. From the Pyramids in Giza, Egypt to Burj Khalifa in Dubai, monuments were lit up with a display of Lebanon's flag to show solidarity for the victims of the blast in Beirut. "#BurjKhalifa lights up in solidarity with our brothers and sisters in #Lebanon", the building's official Twitter account tweeted. ! .. .. #BurjKhalifa lights up in solidarity with our brothers and sisters in #Lebanon pic.twitter.com/VRR00hXiUM Burj Khalifa (@BurjKhalifa) August 4, 2020 The great Pyramids of Giza were also lit up. #Egypt's Giza pyramids were illuminated on Tuesday night with colours of #Lebanon flag in solidarity with victims of #BeirutBlast pic.twitter.com/fBiw43k9v2 DNE Buzz (@Dnebuzz) August 4, 2020 Pakistani actress Mehreen Syed shared a photo of a representation of the flag of Lebanon in solidarity. The hashtag #PrayForLebanon became viral on Twitter with several netizens tweeting their love and support for the Lebanese. Many shared artworks as well. Our hearts stand with you Beirut. May the comfort of God help you during this difficult time. #PrayForLebanon pic.twitter.com/4Xtp2q6WZl Mehreen Syed (@iMehreenSyed) August 5, 2020 sending prayers of love to all people in lebanon #prayforbeirut pic.twitter.com/IrS7HG7y7Z nope (@hansoldvernon) August 5, 2020 Meanwhile, Lebanese rescue workers have been digging through the rubble to looking for survivors of the powerful warehouse explosion that shook the capital, killing 100 people and injuring nearly 4,000 in a toll that officials expected to rise. (With inputs from Reuters) After landing at KS Saket PG College Helipad, PM Modi left for Hanumangarhi temple before heading to Ram Temple for bhumi pujan. (Image: Special Arrangement) Ayodhya is all set for the foundation stone laying ceremony of the Ram temple, a historical occasion, on Wednesday afternoon. Every street of Ayodhya has been decorated with paintings depicting scenes from the Ramayana. Ayodhya is all set for the foundation stone laying ceremony of the Ram temple, a historical occasion, on Wednesday afternoon. Every street of Ayodhya has been decorated with paintings depicting scenes from the Ramayana and huge preparations have been made for this occasion with a festive air. Today, after 29 years, Prime Minister Narendra Modi returned to Ayodhya for the Bhoomi Pujan. PM Modi was received by CM Yogi Adityanath. Around 11:30 pm, Modi took off from the plane on the ground of Saket College and left for Hanumangarhi Darshan directly. 175 people will be present at the ceremony, including Modi. PM Narendra Modi will lay the first brick for the temple. He shared the stage with just four other people RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat, trust chief Nritya Gopaldas Maharaj, Uttar Pradesh Governor Anandiben Patel, and CM Yogi Adityanath. To mark the laying of the foundation stone of the temple, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will unveil a plaque. After that, he will release a commemorative postage stamp on Shree Ram Janmabhoomi Mandir. Also read: Mandir-Masjid politics continues as India awaits mega mandir, Owaisi raises Babri bogey Also read: PM Modis resolve makes him Indias tallest leader in 500 years: Shivraj Singh Chouhan ahead of bhoomi-pujan The Prime Minister is wearing a traditional dhoti-kurta for the ceremony. He deboarded an Air Force helicopter that flew him to Ayodhya from Lucknow. Gifts like silver bricks and coins for the ceremony have been sent by devotees from Varanasi to Tamil Nadu. Last year Supreme Court handed over the ownership of the site to Hindus, ending the decade long dispute. Also read: Abrogation of Article 370: PM Modi undid decades of darkness, says Piyush Goyal Prime minister also says stronger Indo-Pacific alliance with like-minded nations is a critical priority for Australia. Australias Prime Minister Scott Morrison has said his government held a less dramatic view of US-China strategic tensions than a predecessor who warned of a potential hot war before US presidential elections in November, but added that a conflict is no longer inconceivable. Morrisons comments at the Aspen Security Forum on Wednesday came days after former Australian Prime Minister and China scholar Kevin Rudd wrote in the Foreign Affairs journal that the risk of armed conflict between the United States and China in the next three months was especially high. Morrison said his administration expresses it differently and certainly not as dramatically as Rudds views. But weve acknowledged that what was previously inconceivable and not considered even possible or likely in terms of those types of outcomes is not considered in those contexts anymore, he said in an online address from the Australian capital, Canberra. Australia last month said it would boost defence spending by 40 percent over the next 10 years, buying long-range military equipment that will be focused on the Indo-Pacific region, where both Beijing and Canberra are competing for influence. Morrison said building an Indo-Pacific alliance with like-minded nations will be a critical priority for his government, warning the pace of militarisation in the region was unprecedented. Today, the Indo-Pacific is the epicentre of strategic competition. Tensions over territorial claims are growing, he said. Australias relations with China, its most important trading partner, has plummeted to new lows in part because of Canberras calls for an independent investigation into the origins of and responses to the coronavirus. Morrison said Chinas rise as a major economic partner has been good for the global economy, Indo-Pacific region and Australia, but with economic rise comes responsibility. Morrison also disagreed with many in Washington that Washington was in a new Cold War with China, saying the circumstances are quite different. He stressed that China and the US together have a special responsibility to respect international law and should resolve their disputes peacefully. However, he had no answers for how Chinas push for power in the South China Sea, on the Indian border and in Hong Kong should be handled. Im an optimist, Australians are indefatigable optimists about these things, Morrison said. We have to take an optimistic attitude but not an unrealistic or naive attitude. Weve got to set out and wed ourselves to the objectives here and that is not the suppression or containment of any one state, its about the productive and strategic balance that can be achieved, he added. Australia and the Unites States share a bilateral security treaty as well as an alliance with India and Japan through the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue, which China views with distrust. Morrison said he had not met Chinese President Xi Jinping since the pair spoke on the sidelines of the G20 summit in Japan in June last year. Australia has extended an open invitation for further talks. I dont get hung up on these things, to be honest, the prime minister said. What matters is that the trading relationship, the economic relationship is able to be pursued. That is occurring. It has its frustrations from time to time. Axios, citing sources outside Apple, earlier reported the iPhone maker has expressed interest in buying the ByteDance-owned firm. Apple Inc has no interest in acquiring TikTok, the company said on Tuesday, denying a report by news website Axios from earlier in the day. Axios, citing sources outside Apple, earlier reported the iPhone maker has expressed interest in buying the ByteDance-owned firm. Microsoft is currently negotiating a deal to acquire the popular short-video app, with a 45-day deadline imposed by President Donald Trump's administration. Last week, Trump said he was planning to ban TikTok amid concerns its Chinese ownership represents a national security risk because of the personal data it handles. It might not be a secret to anyone that Russias coal industry has been pivoting towards Asia domestic utilization of the countrys vast coal reserves is stagnant at best, however its exports towards China, Japan and other Asia Pacific consumers have been increasing at a constant rate, recurring crises notwithstanding. Yet up until now Russias coal industry was functioning in a conventional way, whereby both production and exports were carried out by coal-focused companies, with little to no interference from firms from other segments. Now one of the most peculiar developments in Russias coal was the recent takeover of the Elginskoye mine with 2.2 billion tons in total reserves, sold by Mechel to A-Property, a company headed by Albert Avdolyan with no previous exposure to large-scale energy projects and a heavy background in telecommunications/IT. Mechel is one of the ultimate survivors of Russias energy scene. Having accumulated a whole array of assets in the countrys Far East in the Golden Era of the 2000s, the financial crisis of 2008/2009 has crippled its finances and launched a decade-long history of debt restructuration. Mechels market capitalization was further weakened by then-Prime Minister Putins repeated rebukes against the firms alleged practices of overpricing coal supplies to the domestic market. Between 2008 and 2012 Mechels debts doubled from $5 billion to $9.6 billion, further aggravated by unnecessary acquisitions and the post-2014 economic stagnation of Russia. Luckily for Mechel, its main lenders were state-owned banks that turned out to be rather cooperative vis-a-vis the company, agreeing to a 5.1 billion restructuring deal in 2017. Yet the coal depression of 2019/2020 brought Mechels odyssey with the Elginskoye mine to an end. The new owners of Elginskoye intend to invest $2 billion into the coal mine, bringing total production from its current level of roughly 5 million tons per year to 45 mtpa, which would make it the third-largest mine globally in terms of annual output. To this end A-Property wants to build a new mining and processing plant with a 1st phase nominal capacity of 32mtpa (by 2021) which would be increased with the projects 2nd phase to 45mtpa by 2023. Even at the heyday of Mechels ambitious plans, the company planned annual production to plateau at some 30 mtpa, so the new owners plans have surpassed all previous expectations. Ramping up production and processing in itself would not be enough the produced coal needs to find its way towards the Asia Pacific market and needs dedicated rail conduits to get the crude from landlocked Yakutia to the Pacific coast. Related: Oil Rallies Despite String Of Bearish News When it comes to infrastructure, A-Property has been lucky again with Mechel blazing the trail the Elginskoye coal mine is connected to the Baikal-Amur Mainline (one of Russias largest transportation conduits that runs parallel to the Trans-Siberian railway) via the Elga-Ulak feeder line, 321-kilometer long. The new owners are claiming that they would try to increase the feeder throughput capacity almost fourfold to 12mtpa by the end of this year, to 24mtpa by the end of 2021 and to 30mtpa by 2023. Enhancing the feeder line, in effect built specifically for the Elginskoye mine and heretofore the only railway line to be built by a private entity, might still be feasible if the new owners can maintain the level of financing theyve pledged. Finding a suitable port might turn out to be a bigger problem. A-Property has also started to prepare for the construction of a coal-loading terminal in Vanino, one of the main coal export ports en route to Asia (handled 32 million tons of coal in 2019). Linking the Elginskoye mine to the Baikal-Amur Mainline might be easier than ensuring proper port access the construction of a new terminal (preliminarily labelled Port Dalniy) has already triggered protests from the local populace who decry the fact that they were not consulted on the project. Moreover, the maximum throughput capacity of Vanino is around 43-44 million tons per year, meaning that available spare capacity at the port stands at best around 12 mtpa meaning that were A-Property genuinely to ramp up production to 45mtpa, the port would need to increase its capacity to 75mtpa. Regional authorities have already welcomed the Elginskoye developments, having lamented recently that Mechel massively underperformed its objectives instead of the 20mtpa set for 2020, the coal mine would still only be a quarter of the target, depriving the Yakutia budget of much-needed revenues. Related: Oil Prices Soar After EIA Reports Large Crude Draw Federal authorities have been tacit so far yet they, too, have every reason to support the current outcome Russias ambitious coal export plans (the ambitious scenario stipulates an output hike of 51% by 2035, to 668mtpa; the conservative scenario foresees an increase of 10% to 485mtpa) have been hindered lately by Mechels survival struggles. Federal banks seem to be also satisfied that the ever-looming threat of Mechel going bust is now alleviated by the sale of Elginskoye. Graph 1. Russias Monthly Seaborne Coal Exports by Continent in 2017-2020 (thousand tons). Source: Thomson Reuters. All in all, Russias coal exports have seen a spectacular surge after the 2008 crisis watershed after it, internal consumption has started to gradually decrease all the while production kept on rising. The overall output volumes could have grown even further, were it not for the 2019 coal price drop which has tempered the appetites of Russian producers. General coal-related skepticism and this years COVID-depression will halt Russian coal exports for a while, in the meantime though Russia has been working on clearing all the logistics constraints that have hindered Asia-bound supplies previously. As exports to Europe seem to be evaporating completely, preparing all the Asian rail infrastructure before producers actually see the coal demand they are expecting makes commercial sense. It is difficult to assess A-Propertys long-term goals with one of Russias largest coal mines and certainly the hottest prospect on its roster. As opposed to the oil and gas sector, both of which experienced a palpable period of ownership rights regression after the fairly liberal period of the 1990s, Russias coal sector does not have a state-owned national champion, hence the usual suspicion of the government preparing itself for a sudden nationalization does not seem to be the most likely scenario (though certainly not impossible, with A-Property then acting as a temporary asset developer). If A-Property is indeed interested in committing to coal in general and the Elginskoye mine in particular, it might provide the first pioneering case for Russia when IT capital (probably the only one today that is reasonably immune to government intervention) has kickstarted a major hydrocarbon cluster. By Viktor Katona for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: All but 12 states eight of them in the old Confederacy have now expanded Medicaid. And the evidence is strong that if their voters were given the chance, they, too, would decide for expansion. In May, the Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF) Health Tracking Poll found that in the states that had not accepted Obamacares Medicaid offer (which then included Missouri and Oklahoma), 66 percent favored expansion. Even in red areas of red states, there is some support for expanding Medicaid, said Liz Hamel, KFFs director of public opinion and survey research, noting that the May survey found 37 percent of Republicans favoring the step. By PTI NEW DELHI: As many as 197 women are among the 829 candidates who have qualified in the prestigious civil services examination 2019, officials said on Wednesday. The number of successful women candidates is slightly more than in the 2018 civil services exam. Of the total of 829 candidates selected for Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Foreign Service (IFS) and Indian Police Service (IPS), among other services through the civil services exam 2019, 632 are men and 197 women, the officials said. In percentage terms, 23.7 per cent women have qualified the test this time. The results of the 2019 exam were announced on Tuesday. IRS officer Pradeep Singh ranked first while third rank holder Pratibha Verma topped among the women candidates. Jatin Kishore got the second position in the list of successful candidates. IN 2018 civil services exam, 759 candidates had qualified -- including 577 men and 182 women. The women candidates accounted for 23. 9 per cent of the successful candidates. The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), which conducts the examination, has been encouraging women to apply in large number to be part of the county's civil services. Government strives to have a workforce which reflects gender balance and women candidates are encouraged to apply, the UPSC has been saying in its notifications for the civil services examinations for the last few years. The civil services examination is conducted annually by the UPSC in three phases -- preliminary, main and interview. Of the total candidates who qualified the 2019 civil services exam results, 304 are from General category, 78 from Economically Weaker Section (EWS), 251 from Other Backward Classes (OBC), 129 from Scheduled Castes (SC) and 67 from Scheduled Tribes (ST) category, according to the UPSC. A total of 182 other candidates have been put in the reserve list, it said. There were 927 vacancies reported by the government for selection through the civil services examination 2019. Advertisement Over a million people are living in subterranean tunnels in China 50 years after they were built as a bomb shelter during the Cold War. Low income workers known as the 'Rat Tribe' now occupy the tunnels, which cover an estimated area of 30 square miles. Construction of the underground city, dubbed 'The Dungeon', began in 1969 when the threat of nuclear war was at its peak. A man sits inside his apartment inside a Chinese air defense bunker in the outskirts of Beijing, China Laundry hangs at a housing complex inside a Chinese air defense bunker. Over a million people are living in subterranean tunnels in China 50 years after they were built as a bomb shelter during the Cold War A man prepares food in the shared kitchen at a housing complex inside a Chinese bunker. The underground city, dubbed 'The Dungeon', was constructed in 1969 when the threat of nuclear war was at its peak Chinese migrant worker Li Youhong (right) sitting with his wife Qi Shulai in their tiny room, three storeys down in a dimly lit civil defence shelter That year, Chinese Communist Party Chairman Mao Zedong ordered his citizens to 'dig deep tunnels, store food, and prepare for war'. 10,000 bunkers were built, and when the nuclear threat never materialised, migrant workers and students were ushered into them to live. The living conditions inside the bunkers are basic, with mold and stagnant air due to the lack of ventilation. An entrance to the underground bunkers where over a million people live beneath Beijing's streets A view of a stairway down to the underground bunkers which were built in the 1960s and 1970s at the height of the threat of nuclear war A woman prepares to leave for work at her apartment inside a Chinese air defense bunker in the outskirts of Beijing, China Although there is electricity, plumbing and sewage systems, it is far from luxurious. Those living in the bunkers often share bedrooms, sleeping in bunk beds, and kitchens and bathrooms are also communal, leading to overcrowded, dirty conditions. The underground bunker metropolis is technically illegal to live in following a 2010 ruling by Beijing authorities after safety concerns were raised. A washing machine sits in the bathroom of one of the underground apartments. Although there is electricity, plumbing and sewage systems, it is far from luxurious The entrance to a housing complex inside a Chinese air defense bunker stands in front of a luxury housing development in the outskirts of Beijing The manager of a housing complex inside a Chinese air defense bunker adjusts a placard displaying the rules of the community, in the outskirts of Beijing However many continue to inhabit the underground space. Some of the residents have lived in the complex for decades, while others use the bunker as a stop gap before finding a place to live above ground. Rising rents in Beijing are forcing many of the city's migrant workers into small dwellings underground. Insurance salesman Wei Kuan lives in one of the basement apartments. Speaking to Al Jazeera, he said: 'I am doing well because I'm scared of being poor. 'Many of my colleagues live above ground, but I think it's too comfortable; this place forces me to work harder.' 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 Proposal to change rules for central deputation of IAS officers affects states' administration: Mamata to PM Narendra Modi becomes the first prime minister to visit Ram Janmabhoomi India oi-Deepika S New Delhi, Aug 05: Prime Minister Narendra Modi create history, when he becomes the first PM to visit Ram Janmabhoomi and offer his prayers. Ram Mandir: PM Modi returns to Ayodhya after 29 years, lays foundation stone | Oneindia News The Prime Minister's Office shared a picture of Modi boarding an Air Force plane to Lucknow. He was dressed in traditional dhoti-kurta. Sri Gaddinsheen Premdas ji Maharaj, head priest of Hanuman Garhi, said PM Modi's visit to Ayodhya is a proud moment. "We'll honour him with headgear, a silver crown and a stole with the name of Lord Ram printed on it. We also hope that he rings the 3.5 quintal bell and proceed towards Ram Janmabhoomi." This is the method, PM Modi would use to plant the Parijat sapling in Ayodhya "PM Narendra Modi leaves for Ayodhya," the PMO tweeted. A helicopter would fly him to Ayodhya from Lucknow. Prior to the function, the prime minister will take part in 'pooja' and 'darshan' at Hanumangarhi, a statement by the PMO said on Tuesday. From Hanumangarhi, the prime minister will travel to 'Shree Ram Janmabhoomi' where he will take part in pooja and darshan of 'Bhagwan Shree Ramlala Virajman'. He will also plant a Parijat (Indian night jasmine) sapling. Modi will subsequently perform 'bhoomi poojan', the statement said. He will unveil a plaque to mark the laying of foundation stone and also release a commemorative postage stamp on the 'Shree Ram Janmabhoomi Mandir'. Syracuse, N.Y. Onondaga County today reported 16 new cases of coronavirus since Tuesday, bringing the total to 3,398 since March. Health officials attributed seven of the new cases nearly half -- to travelers. Three came from locations within the state -- Long Island, Albany and Scotia. Others came from Virginia, Maryland, and Ohio. One case was blamed on international travel, but county officials said they were still investigating the travelers itinerary. Five of the new cases are attributed to local community spread; two occurred in senior living facilities (among residents or staff); one occurred in a household with a previous infection; and one was still under investigation. There were no new deaths overnight. A total of 200 county residents have died from the virus. The number of Onondaga County residents hospitalized with Covid-19 dropped to 16 today, down one from Tuesday. Thats the lowest number since late March. Of the patients currently in hospitals, three are in intensive care, officials said. Six others are awaiting discharge to nursing homes, pending a negative test result. There are currently 124 active cases of Covid-19 in the county, up six since Tuesday. The number of active cases has declined from a peak of 941 on June 8. According to the state Department of Health, an average of 0.8% of people tested in Onondaga County were positive for the virus during the seven days ending Tuesday. Regions that have positive test rates below 5% will be allowed by state officials to send kids back to school in September. News tips? Contact reporter Tim Knauss of syracuse.com/The Post-Standard: email | Twitter | | 315-470-3023 The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) says the list of contract beneficiaries released by Godswill Akpabio, minister of Niger De... The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) says the list of contract beneficiaries released by Godswill Akpabio, minister of Niger Delta affairs, is authentic. Akpabio had named some federal lawmakers and former governors as beneficiaries of contracts awarded by the commission. Peter Nwaoboshi, chairman of the senate committee on NDDC; Matthew Urhoghide, chairman of the senate committee on public accounts; and Orji Uzor Kalu, senate whip; are among the lawmakers named as beneficiaries. James Ibori and Emmanuel Uduaghan, former governors of Delta state, were also listed as beneficiaries. from the contracts, accusing Akpabio of tarnishing their reputation. All of them have denied benefittingfrom the contracts, accusing Akpabio of tarnishing their reputation. But in a statement on Tuesday, Charles Odili, NDDCs director of corporate affairs, said the the list emanated from 8,000 documents handed over to forensic auditors. The Interim Management Committee of the commission stands by the list which came from files already in the possession of the forensic auditors, he said. It is not an Akpabio list but the NDDCs list; the list is part of the volume of 8,000 documents already handed over to the forensic auditors. Prominent indigenes of the Niger Delta whose names were on the list should not panic as the commission knew that people used the names of prominent persons in the region to secure contracts, and the ongoing forensic audit would unearth those behind the contracts. [The] intention of the list was to expose committee chairmen in the national assembly who used fronts to collect contracts from the commission, some of which were never executed. In 1957, Gordon Parks accepted an assignment from Life magazine, where he had been a staff photographer for a decade - the first African American to hold such a position - to explore crime in America. An interesting gig. How to tackle it? Parks traveled for six weeks, visiting Chicago, San Francisco, Los Angeles and New York. Many of his photographs were taken at night and on the street. He photographed crime scenes, police stations and prisons. He captured the dramatic moment when detectives kicked down a door in a raid. He took close-ups of a man injecting himself with drugs. And he captured the fingerprinting of drug addicts arrested after forging prescriptions. Some of his pictures dwelled on the aftermath of violence. One showed a homicide victim splayed on the ground. Another was of an elderly White nurse dressing the wounds of a bloodied Black victim. Other photographs were at once humdrum and macabre. One indelible image was of a short, stocky worker in a morgue, a cigarette dangling from his mouth, bending down to retrieve a shooting victim covered in a white cloth. Some of the photographs are the more disturbing for the absence of bodies. Parks zoomed in, for instance, on a pre-execution order on a prison clipboard. And in the next shot, we see a uniformed guard, through the threshold of a half-closed door, sitting by an empty electric chair, arranging the leather straps. At the warden's invitation, which he regretted accepting, Parks witnessed a man being executed in that chair. He also took photos inside San Quentin prison and showed Alacatraz across the water at night. None of these images is crude or cliched. A few, it's true, are brutally direct, in the spirit of Robert Lowell ("Yet why not say what happened?") or Walker Evans ("If the thing is there, why there it is."). But others are oddly - and arrestingly - tentative. They're optically blurred, obscured by visual impediments, as if filtered through the artist's melancholy, his pity, his black-of-night bewilderment. Looking at them, you feel that something others might rush to - judgment, sentencing, finality - has been deliberately withheld. A selection of these photographs appeared alongside text by staff writer Robert Wallace as an eight-page photo essay in a 1957 issue of Life. At the time, Life was one of the most popular and influential publications in the nation. It was aimed at a mass market, which meant that its readers were middle class and mostly White, as the tenor of the magazine's advertising attests. So even though Parks, who once described himself as "an objective reporter with a subjective heart," brought to bear his deeply artistic and compassionate sensibility on the subject of American crime, its presentation in the magazine was subtly skewed to fit a preexisting, politically loaded narrative about crime. Where Parks's camera captured, for instance, his subjects' vulnerability, the captions tendentiously described "known criminals." Other images were described in terms of impending violence, to stoke sensation. Thanks to the Gordon Parks Foundation, the Museum of Modern Art in New York and the great German photography publisher Steidl, we can now see Parks's photo-essay in expanded form, shorn of Life magazine's prejudicial framing, in a new book, "Gordon Parks: The Atmosphere of Crime, 1957." Images from the series also can be seen as part of an online presentation of Parks's work on the MoMA website. The presence of the word "atmosphere" in the title is apt. It captures both the cumulative impact of the imagery and the complexity of crime's causes and effects. Park's use of blur, his unexpected vantage points and his embrace of pooling darkness all elevate his feeling for complication and suffering over the usual simplistic story lines that crowd to the subject of crime. Where did Parks's pity, his feeling for injustice, come from? Born in 1912, the youngest of 15 children, Parks grew up in Kansas, where he suffered, he said, "all the indignities of being a Negro in Kansas in those early days, and I had lots of problems." Three of his friends died before they were 20. It was an era of racial terror. Bryan Stevenson, the executive director of the Equal Justice Initiative (and author of "Just Mercy"), writes in the lead essay of the Parks book that in 1920, when Parks was just 7 and living in racially segregated Fort Scott, a man named Albert Evans - described in the local press as a "Negro tramp" - was falsely accused of assaulting a White girl (the White man who accused him later admitted to the crime). Just 25 miles from Parks's home, Evans was imprisoned, pulled out of the jail window, and tortured and lynched by a mob of more than 1,000 White people. Four years later, Stevenson writes, Parks was thrown into a river by three White boys who knew he couldn't swim. He would go on to become one of the 20th century's greatest photographers, as well as a groundbreaking filmmaker, writer, choreographer and composer. But first he had to learn how to defeat what he called "the elaborate conspiracy of evil that once beckoned me towards such a death," meaning the state execution he had witnessed in 1957. The statement attests to Parks's instinctive identification with his subjects. He didn't witness that execution as a pitying observer. He looked at it with horror, imagining that the executed man could have been him. By then, Parks had many extraordinary photo-essays under his belt, including "Segregation Story," which focused on race and poverty in the South, and his famous photo-essay on Leonard "Red" Jackson, who was presented by Life magazine as a "notorious Harlem gangster." Parks refused to subscribe to old, prejudicial narratives about crime. According to Stevenson, he "consistently humanized people who were meant to be objects of scorn and derision." Stevenson's essay is a brisk and eloquent snapshot of the history of American crime as seen through the lens of race. He notes the screeching dissonance during the slavery era of laws against kidnapping that did not protect Black people, and laws against sexual assault and rape that did not protect Black women. He notes equally egregious discrepancies in 19th-century punishments and sentencing: A White man who killed or raped a Black woman might get a fine of $100, whereas a Black man convicted of the same crime against a White woman could expect mandatory execution. After the Civil War, Whites continued to commit violence against Blacks with impunity. In Memphis in 1866, for instance, White mobs killed 46 African Americans over three days. Fear of Black criminality, Stevenson writes, was used to justify "crime control" strategies - such as laws against assembling after dark or in groups of more than five people - that authorities enacted whenever Black people succeeded or asserted their independence. Fines and other draconian penalties created spirals of dependency that could be "worse than slavery." Between 1880 and 1950, lynchings were committed in open defiance of the law, terrorizing a Black population that proceeded to escape to the ghettos of the North in massive numbers. If all of this were mere history - a series of episodes confined to the past - it would be one thing. But Parks's photographs are alive to the many ways in which crime in the 1950s was a continuation of this legacy. Sixty years after he took these photographs, it's difficult to deny the conclusion that today's crime-related inequities, from mass incarceration to police brutality, are likewise an extension of this racist legacy. Big-city street crime has been in steady decline for three decades now. And yet the complexities and inequities of American crime still hinge on race and are still crudely narrated in the media. Parks's photographs present a more insightful, delicate and disinterested view. They remind us that an atmosphere is not the same as a narrative. One is complex, pervasive, inchoate and, like a fog, it can lift. The other is linear. Like an obsession, it keeps corkscrewing ahead, leaving all kinds of damage in its wake. Following her exit from Bachelor in Paradise, Keira Maguire is shacking up with Love Island Australia star Matthew Zukowski - who is nine years her junior. And the 34-year-old spoke about her sex life with her 25-year-old toyboy on Wednesday, during an interview on The Kyle and Jackie O Show. She was asked how long it took the pair to 'jump each other's bones', prompting Keira to spill about their antics underneath the sheets. Heating up: Bachelor in Paradise star Keira Maguire, 34, (pictured) spoke about her sex life with toyboy Matthew Zukowski, 25, on The Kyle and Jackie O Show on Wednesday Radio host Kyle Sandilands asked Keira bluntly: 'How long after you met did you jump each other's bones?' 'Oh my god, probably like a month,' Keira said, much to Kyle's surprise. While she did not go into further detail about her sex life, Keira used the opportunity to take a swipe at her ex-boyfriend Jarrod Woodgate, 35. Ouch! While she did not go into detail about their bedroom antics, Keira used the opportunity to take a swipe at her ex Jarrod Woodgate (right), saying he was 'no comparison' to Matthew When asked how Matt's physique compared to Jarrod's, she cackled and said: 'There's no comparison between the two.' Keira and Matt went 'Instagram official' on Tuesday, just hours after her dramatic exit from Bachelor in Paradise aired on television. 'Went on the wrong show... but doesn't matter, I found you,' Keira captioned her photo, which showed the lovebirds cuddling in a car. 'Went on the wrong show, but doesn't matter, I found you': Keira and Matt (left) went 'Instagram official' on Tuesday, just hours after her dramatic exit from Paradise aired on TV The pair had kept their romance a secret for several months before paparazzi photos of them surfaced on July 7. Keira left Bachelor in Paradise on Tuesday's episode after learning that there wouldn't be any more intruders arriving. She sat down with co-star Alex McKay, with whom she had agreed to exchange friendship roses until new contestants arrived, and they both agreed to leave. Under wraps: The pair had kept their romance a secret for several months before paparazzi photos of them surfaced on July 7 "Being able to remotely change prices, with little to no human assistance needed, is vital to maintaining our business - and during the 2020 pandemic, this automation was even more critical," shared Chris Hartman, Rutters Director of Fuel and Forecourt. PriceAdvantage, a patented software solution that helps retailers optimize and manage fuel prices, then automatically execute and verify price changes to the POS, pumps, and price signs, announced today a new case study. The case study demonstrates how Rutters, a convenience store chain that operates 78 stores throughout Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Maryland, embraced technology to optimize fuel prices and streamline the price change execution process. During the 2020 pandemic, Rutter's, like all fuel retailers, dealt with extraordinary, day-to-day operational hurdles. They had to ensure that both customers and employees were safe, managed in-store inventory demands, and addressed volatile fuel costs, margins, and decreased volumes. PriceAdvantage enables Rutters to manage fuel prices and execute price changes anytime from anywhere - using a laptop or mobile app. We are proud to provide Rutters with PriceAdvantage software and Skyline Price Signs, a combination that creates a complete fuel pricing ecosystem, said Chip Stadjuhar, CEO of Skyline Products. Rutters can optimize and execute fuel price changes, and also receive industry-exclusive communication from the Skyline price signs that automatically confirms the price changed successfully and is displayed correctly on the price sign. Using PriceAdvantage, I can quickly react to market movement at my desk and on my mobile phone, shared Chris Hartman, Rutters Director of Fuel and Forecourt. Chris established pricing rules for all of the stores within PriceAdvantage including considerations for competitors, desired margins, etc. and looks at PriceAdvantage each morning, and throughout the day, to review all of the stores to ensure they are priced appropriately. "Also, PriceAdvantage ensures that the price change process prevents us from having a posted sign price that is lower than the pump price. The combination of PriceAdvantage and Skyline price signs mitigates these issues." Read the case study in its entirety. About PriceAdvantage PriceAdvantage creates Software to Fuel Your Pricing StrategyTM. Our easy-to-use, highly configurable solution allows fuel marketers to execute their unique fuel pricing strategy faster and more accurately by reducing manual processes and human errors. PriceAdvantage enables customers to make rapid, informed fuel pricing decisions based on their unique business rules, then automatically post new prices to their POS systems, fuel pumps and price signs, and then receive price change confirmation all in just minutes. PriceAdvantage is singularly focused on fuel pricing software and is a division of a privately held U.S. company, Skyline Products, which produces software solutions and thousands of American-made gas price and transportation signs annually. Learn more at http://www.PriceAdvantage.com. About Skyline Products Skyline Products helps convenience stores and fuel retailers differentiate themselves and increase automotive traffic through electronic LED and scroll price signs that are Designed to be Bold, Engineered to Last. Since 1970, Skyline has invested heavily in research and development to create the industrys most legible and reliable price signs. Fully designed and manufactured in Colorado Springs, CO, Skylines industry-exclusive technologies provide superior display feedback, unmatched brightness control, exceptional full-bodied digits, advanced energy efficiency, and military-grade durability. Additionally, Skyline provides customers with price-change confirmation and the most advanced sign diagnostics on the market. Learn more at SkylineProducts.com. Frederic Pflanz, the chief financial officer at troubled Swiss-Irish food group Aryzta, is to step down from his role. Mr Pflanz is moving to an unrelated business, according to a statement from Aryzta. He will finish up at the group in December and a search process for the position of group CFO will now be initiated. Kevin Toland, CEO of Aryzta, said: We are naturally disappointed to see Frederic leave and we recognise his substantial positive impact on Aryzta generally and to the finance function specifically. Both as CFO and as a valued colleague, Frederic has contributed significantly to the overall business. Last week it was reported that Canadian bakery giant George Weston Ltd is exploring a potential deal to buy Aryzta. Aryzta has been heavily tipped as a takeover target amid a swirling row between its board and biggest shareholder. George Weston Ltd is part of a sprawling empire of companies, including Penneys and Brown Thomas, owned or dominated by various descendants of the original empire builder George Weston himself, although the various companies are independent of each other. In July Aryzta said a number of third parties had made unsolicited takeover approaches for the company. Aryzta, best known here for the Cuisine de France brand, is a global supplier of buns for burgers to McDonalds. uschools/iStockBy TRISH TURNER, KATHERINE FAULDERS, and ALLISON PECORIN, ABC News (WASHINGTON) -- A week of bipartisan talks between the White House and Democratic leaders has shown little-to-no sign of progress, but Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin told reporters after talks with Democrats on Tuesday that the two sides had agreed to try to reach a deal by week's end -- if a deal was even possible. "We're going to work around the clock the next few days to see if we can bridge the issues," Mnuchin said. "Some issues we've been able to agree on. Some significant issues are still open." "I would characterize the conversations as productive and a step in the right direction. Probably the most productive meeting we've had today," said White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows, who has joined Mnuchin for the week of bipartisan talks. "They made some concessions, which we appreciated. We made some concessions, which they appreciated," Sen. Chuck Schumer said following the 90-minute meeting, while not offering specifics. "We're still far away on a lot of the important issues, but we're continuing to go at it. From my view the fundamental disagreement: the scope and depth of the problem and its solution." But part of that solution for Democrats, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said after the talks, is forcing the administration to come up with a comprehensive plan for virus testing, something Democrats have sought unsuccessfully for months. The administration has, to date, resisted such pressure. "We're insisting on that in terms of a strategic plan for testing, tracing, treatment, isolation, masks, sanitation -- all that it takes to hold this in check until, God willing and science providing, we have a vaccine soon," the speaker told reporters. "So this is -- it's hard -- and in some cases we're inching along, in others we're making more progress, but it takes time and we'll take more time tomorrow." This slight progress Tuesday night comes after Republican senators -- leaving a closed-door GOP lunch earlier in the day -- said Mnuchin told their conference that no headway had been made. "He didn't think they were any closer to a deal now than this time last week," recounted Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo. Sen. Kevin Cramer, R-N.D. said, "There was a lot of discussion about a lack of progress." Meanwhile, ABC News has learned that Democrats have upped their demand for school aid by an additional $300 billion in the talks with the administration officials, according to a senior source familiar with the matter. That's three times the amount passed in May by the House in their $3.4 trillion coronavirus relief bill. A congressional aide told ABC News that Democrats brought data to back up their push for more school money to their meeting with the administration on Monday afternoon, after initially broaching the topic on Saturday with Mnuchin and Meadows. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi relayed this to Democrats on her caucus call that night, according to the source. Sen. Roy Blunt, R-Mo., who was central to crafting the $105 billion education portion of the GOP coronavirus aid bill known as the HEALS Act (Health, Economic Assistance, Liability Protections & Schools), told reporters, "The Democrats said, 'We were off a little bit. We need $400 billion, not a hundred billion.'" "I want my school to make all the investments necessary to keep them safe and what we know is that safety for kids doesn't magically fall from the tree. You have to pay for it," said Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., a father of two children who attend public school. "Masks and gloves and sanitizer and cleaning supplies -- they cost money. Adjustments to school buildings to create enough social distance to comply with CDC regulations -- that costs money. Hiring additional teachers and support staff to keep schools safe -- that costs money." "If you open up a school that's not safe, inevitably, kids, teachers will get COVID(-19), and they'll have to close them right back down," Schumer said at a news conference Tuesday afternoon before his meeting with Mnuchin and Meadows. In the face of near-partisan gridlock, the White House has threatened executive action to address expired federal jobless benefits. When asked if the presidential move was still on the table, Mnuchin replied, "Absolutely." ABC News has learned the administration is contemplating redirecting already approved congressional funding to federal unemployment benefits, this according to two sources familiar with the matter, who added that the White House counsel's office was currently working through the legality of the move. The Washington Post first reported the potential executive action. From unemployment insurance benefits to school funding to more aid for state and local governments, the two sides remain far apart, and with Republicans far from unified on their own position, the math was all the more complicated for a deal. "I think I've made it very clear for some time now, if you're looking for a total consensus among Republican senators, you're not going to find it. So we do have divisions about what to do," Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell told reporters. "What we're hoping for here is a bipartisan proposal negotiated by the president of the United States and his team, and can sign a bill into law, and the Democratic majority in the House that can appeal to a significant percentage of Republicans in the House and Senate. That's where we are." McConnell, once again, suggested a short-term fix for unemployment benefits while a longer-term deal remains difficult to achieve quickly. But Democrats have rejected that approach, and the administration has focused this week more on a sweeping compromise, however elusive that has proven to be. Schumer said he was still "hopeful for a deal," but with an impasse at the leadership level, rank-and-file members were getting restless and beginning to negotiate amongst themselves to try to break through the logjam, ever conscious of the political peril in any failure. "I've been talking to members on the other side of the aisle about what we might do as individual members to help facilitate a little more progress," Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska told reporters. "As I look to where we are, I feel the same discouragement, desperation, despair that we're here on the fourth of August. We don't have answers for people right now. So, we're gonna keep working." Sen. Rob Portman said he is talking to about a dozen Democrats to try to find common ground on one of the biggest ticking points -- a federal, expanded unemployment insurance benefit that is lower than the $600 per week paycheck that just ran out for some 30 million Americans. One Republican senator with knowledge of the bipartisan talks said, "Democrats are floating different ideas. Some like the return-to-work bonus" -- a roughly $450 per week payment for returning to work proposed by Portman, and some are looking at gradually tapering down the weekly federal jobless benefit, among other ideas. But time is running out, and frustration is mounting. Increasingly, senators are saying that the monthlong August recess -- which is set to begin Friday -- must be delayed if a deal cannot be reached by week's end, something that appears highly unlikely at this point. "How do you think it looks for us to be back home when this is unresolved? This is the most important thing we need to be doing," said Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, who is up for re-election. "I think we ought to stay until we get a deal," said Sen. Rick Scott, R-Fla. Some Republicans said if no deal materializes soon, they may start to put their own proposals on the floor to show they are trying to get something done -- this ahead of crucial elections in just three months that might change the balance of power in the Senate. "There's ... a desire to get our stuff on the floor, and whether it's a skinny bill or something that resembles a HEALS Act or something that we start to put on the floor, start debating. I think there's a little bit of pent up anxiety to do that," said Cramer. But any partisan move might poison the well for bipartisan talks, though leaders cautioned that the same unanimity of action that saw virtually no opposition to trillions of relief back in March in order to rescue the flagging economy was nowhere near reality now. "I don't think we're going to have a total consensus in this round. The atmosphere is much more partisan than it was back in March and April, that much closer to the election," McConnell warned, before calling on Democrats to slash $1 trillion from their proposal, money that he said was "unrelated to the problem." ABC News' Benjamin Siegel and Mariam Khan contributed to this report. Copyright 2020, ABC Audio. All rights reserved. The teacher's post was later taken down or hidden by privacy settings, but a screenshot was confirmed by an official from the Iowa State Education Association, the teachers union. Both the district and the union declined to name the teacher who uses an alias on her social media but said they were aware of the situation. The governor has said the state will require at least half of a school's instruction to be held in person in the new school year, and would allow exceptions only if counties have coronavirus positivity rates of 15% to 20% over a two week period, and at least 10% of students absent. Waivers for remote-only learning, if granted, would expire after 14 days. Reynolds said at a news conference Tuesday that districts will not be credited for days of home learning not approved by the state and that school administrators who go against the policy may be subject to "licensure discipline." When asked about the concerns of school board members that students could get sick or elderly teachers could die from COVID-19 she at first accused the news media of scare tactics but later apologized for being accusatory. Sherrilynn Evans was shopping, for among other things, pancake mix, with her mother at the Giant Tiger in downtown St. Catharines on Sunday when something caught her eye. There was a Niagara Regional Police officer at the door asking an employee where he could find some shoes. Curious, she watched what was unfolding. The young man with him was in his socks, and Sunday was one of those days where it is rainy and then sunny and then rainy again, Evans said. His socks were muddy, and his feet were soaking wet. As we were leaving, my mom said she had to go back and thank the officer. You dont see kindness like this much anymore. Evans said the officer he identified himself as Const. Chris Morin bought the shoes and some other items the man needed. Since Evans posted the story to Facebook, there has been a steady stream of reaction. Its been flying around the internet like crazy, said Evans, 32, of St. Catharines. There has been so much backlash against the police recently. I saw what was happening and thought people need to know about this. Evans said she approached Morin and the young man outside the store and asked permission to take a picture and post the story. She was careful to photograph the young man from behind to protect his identity. They were both sweethearts, Evans said. The young man said, There are decent cops. They are decent people. Its just nobody knows about it. Niagara Regional Police Chief Bryan MacCulloch said his officers actions are an example of the dedication his members bring to the community. I am proud of the work our members do on a daily basis while displaying compassion and empathy to the community we serve. Cliff Priest, the Niagara Region Police Association president, which represents sworn members and civilians employed by the NRP, called Morins actions a common occurrence. Our guys and gals will come across someone in need and try to help out when we can, Priest said. Sometimes it is someone who is at the side of the road and needs gas. In this case, there was someone in the rain without shoes or adequate clothing, and it came out of Chriss pocket. What is different here is a member of the public witnessed it. Quite often, its a charitable act that isnt seen by anyone other than the person being helped. The last thing Chris was looking for was recognition, but a member of the public saw it and let people know about it. I appreciate what she did. Chris would never have said anything. Betty Lou Souter, chief executive officer of Community Care St. Catharines and Thorold, said there are supports for members of the community if they ask for help. People can put together a wish list of clothing they need, and we will fill it, Souter said. Clothing, shoes if we have it, its theirs. We have to quarantine the stuff right now, so we arent accepting donations. We are relying on our inventory. We can receive new donations of new clothing because it doesnt have to have the same quarantine as second-hand stuff. Evans said the comments on social media have been almost all positive. There have been one or two (critical), Evans said. They stopped once they understood I wasnt trying to get any credit myself. It was all about the officer doing something decent. A conversation on whether or not publications should capitalize white was inevitable. On Juneteenth, the Associated Press announced that it would be changing its style guide to capitalize Black, which marked a significant shift in a centurieslong conversation about how to respectfully address an entire diaspora of people. When the New York Times announced that it would also capitalize Black, the paper made it clear that it would not do the same for white. The announcement explained: We will retain lowercase treatment for white. While there is an obvious question of parallelism, there has been no comparable movement toward widespread adoption of a new style for white, and there is less of a sense that white describes a shared culture and history. Moreover, hate groups and white supremacists have long favored the uppercase style, which in itself is reason to avoid it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The AP also later announced it would not be capitalizing white. (Slate typically follows AP style guidelines and also now capitalizes Black.) But the Washington Post took a different stance. The editors said they would capitalize both Black and white in order to recognize these groups distinct cultural identity. This style change also prompts the question of how Americas largest racial community should be identified. Stories involving race show that White also represents a distinct cultural identity in the United States. In American history, many White Europeans who entered the country during times of mass migration were the targets of racial and ethnic discrimination, reads the announcement. These diverse ethnicities were eventually assimilated into the collective group that has had its own cultural and historical impact on the nation. As such, White should be represented with a capital W. Advertisement Advertisement In general, racial identification and ethnic background should not be mentioned unless they are clearly relevant, such as in stories about civil rights, problems or achievements of people of color, cultural history and similar topics, the announcement added. The announcement sparked heated debate online between people who celebrated the move to capitalize white as overdue, others who criticized it as empowering a social construct, and those who felt all of it was politically correct nonsense. And not everybody wants to capitalize white for the same reason the Post did. A number of anti-racist scholars, policy analysts, and journalists who do choose to use White have said that their decision is not to acknowledge white experience as a distinct cultural identity but to explicitly identify and contend with the privilege afforded to white folks, the violence it allows them to wield, and to uproot the invisibility that makes it possible. Advertisement Advertisement In maintaining the pretense of its invisibility, Whiteness maintains the pretense of its inevitability, and its innocence, wrote scholar Eve Ewing in a piece explaining why she chooses to capitalize it in her work. As long as White people do not ever have to interrogate what Whiteness is, where it comes from, how it operates, or what it does, they can maintain the fiction that race is other peoples problem, that they are mere observers in a centuries-long stage play in which they have, in fact, been the producers, directors, and central actors. Advertisement Advertisement When we ignore the specificity and significance of Whitenessthe things that it is, the things that it doeswe contribute to its seeming neutrality and thereby grant it power to maintain its invisibility, she added. Advertisement Advertisement But theres reason to be skeptical that news organizations newly embracing the capital letter are prepared to make whiteness visible. The white perspective on the world is already treated as the default in media, in textbooks, in literature, and in pop culture. Media outlets uphold white supremacy in a number of subtle ways. Its evident most notably in the stories we see value in telling, the way we choose to tell them, and the way employees of color are treated. Advertisement Advertisement White experiences are presumed universal. Dozens of Black journalists have recently come forward to share how their newsrooms doubted their ability to be objective conveyors of truth when reporting on racism, while white writers are assumed not to have any stake in these stories. If outlets are forward thinking enough to have a beat dedicated to covering race and racism, they undercut their own initiative by treating it as a separate entity instead of as an influential undercurrent in every topic worthy of publication. Just look at the difference between coverage of white domestic terrorists, which tends to carefully explore each young white gunmans mental health struggles, social awkwardness, and upbringing, and coverage of supposedly intractable urban violence by gangs of hardened criminals in inner cities. Or consider reporters frequent field trips to rural diners to sit with average Americans who just happen to be white. The role their race plays in fueling their economic anxiety is rarely examined, if at all. These newsrooms make the choice to center whiteness every day, to the point where its become more of a reflex than a decision. Advertisement Advertisement We dont need any more mechanisms to make whiteness more visible, said Jenn M. Jackson, an assistant professor at Syracuse University, in a nuanced Twitter thread arguing that leaving white in the lowercase strips its power. Perhaps journalistic outlets are confronting this for the first time and they are contending with understanding whiteness as absence VS. overtly violent social contruction. But, most journalistic outlets are also white-owned, white run, and white facing. Jenn M. Jackson, PhD (@JennMJacksonPhD) August 2, 2020 Advertisement Essentially, when I choose not to capitalize the "w" in white, I'm saying the work I'm presenting is not about white people. While they can and should read it, they should also sit in the discomfort of sitting at someone else's table on a folding chair they brought with them. Jenn M. Jackson, PhD (@JennMJacksonPhD) August 2, 2020 Advertisement Advertisement This is why simplifying the pervasive power of whiteness to a distinct cultural identity that is only sometimes relevant does us all a disservice. The act of capitalizing white, while hopefully a sign of greater changes to come, does not on its own accomplish the harder and messier work of dismantling these habits. This work does not stop at the style guide. It has to be followed by institutional action to knock whiteness out of its default status in coverage and in practice. And if the most powerful media institutions in the world truly want to take on that work, it could be transformative. What kind of storytelling is possible if we do away with the assumed protagonists, both the white ones and the White ones? I dont know the answer, but its about time we figured it out. Treating severe COVID-19 might require an immunological reset, with drugs that could, in theory, restore the balance in the body. Scientists are beginning to untangle one of the most complex biological mysteries of the coronavirus pandemic: Why do some people get severely sick, whereas others quickly recover? In certain patients, according to a flurry of recent studies, the virus appears to make the immune system go haywire. Unable to marshal the right cells and molecules to fight off the invader, the bodies of the infected instead launch an entire arsenal of weapons a misguided barrage that can wreak havoc on healthy tissues, experts said. We are seeing some crazy things coming up at various stages of infection, said Akiko Iwasaki, an immunologist at Yale University who led one of the new studies. Researchers studying these unusual responses are finding patterns that distinguish patients on the path to recovery from those who fare far worse. Insights gleaned from the data might help tailor treatments to individuals, easing symptoms or perhaps even vanquishing the virus before it has a chance to push the immune system too far. A lot of these data are telling us that we need to be acting pretty early in this process, said John Wherry, an immunologist at the University of Pennsylvania who recently published a study of these telltale immune signatures. As more findings come out, researchers may be able to begin testing the idea that we can change the trajectory of disease, he said. When a more familiar respiratory infection, like a flu virus, tries to gain a foothold in the body, the immune response launches a defense in two orchestrated acts. First, a cavalry of fast-acting fighters flocks to the site of infection and tries to corral the invader, buying the rest of the immune system time to mount a more tailored attack. Much of the early response depends on signaling molecules called cytokines that are produced in response to a virus. Like microscopic alarms, cytokines can mobilize reinforcements from elsewhere in the body, triggering a round of inflammation. Eventually, these cells and molecules leading the initial charge will stand down, making way for antibodies and T cells specialized assassins built to home in on the virus and the cells it has infected. But this coordinated handoff seems to break down in people with severe COVID-19. Rather than bowing out gracefully, the cytokines that drive the first surge never stop sounding the alarm, even after antibodies and T cells arrive on the scene. That means the wildfire response of inflammation may never get snuffed out, even when its no longer needed. Its normal to develop inflammation during a viral infection, said Catherine Blish, a viral immunologist at Stanford University. The problem comes when you cant resolve it. This sustained signaling may result in part from the bodys inability to keep the virus in check, Iwasaki said. Many who struggle to recover from their illness seem to harbor the pathogen long after other patients have purged it, perhaps goading the immune system into prolonging its frantic inflammatory siege. Plenty of other viruses, including those that cause AIDS and herpes, have evolved tricks to elude the immune system. Recent evidence hints that the new coronavirus might have a way of delaying or muffling interferon, one of the earliest cytokine defenses the body mounts. The failure of this first line of defense may dupe the immune system into sounding its alarm bells even louder, dragging out the response into something destructive. Its an enigma, said Avery August, an immunologist at Cornell University. You have this raging immune response, but the virus continues to replicate. And the quality of these cytokines may matter as much as the quantity. In a paper published last week in Nature Medicine, Iwasaki and her colleagues showed that patients with severe COVID-19 appear to be churning out signals that are better suited to subduing pathogens that arent viruses. Although the delineations arent always clear-cut, the immune systems responses to pathogens can be roughly grouped into three categories: type 1, which is directed against viruses and certain bacteria that infiltrate our cells; type 2, which fights parasites like worms that dont invade cells; and type 3, which goes after fungi and bacteria that can survive outside cells. Each branch uses different cytokines to rouse different subsets of molecular fighters. People with moderate cases of COVID-19 take what seems like the most sensible approach, concentrating on type 1 responses, Iwasakis team found. Patients struggling to recover, on the other hand, seem to be pouring an unusual number of resources into type 2 and type 3 responses, which is kind of wacky, Iwasaki said. As far as we know, there is no parasite involved. Its almost as if the immune system is struggling to pick a lane, Wherry said. This disorientation also seems to extend into the realm of B cells and T cells two types of immune fighters that usually need to stay in conversation to coordinate their attacks. Certain types of T cells, for instance, are crucial for coaxing B cells into manufacturing disease-fighting antibodies. Last month, Wherry and his colleagues published a paper in Science finding that, in many patients with severe COVID-19, the virus had somehow driven a wedge between these two close-knit cellular communities. Its too soon to tell for sure, but perhaps something about the coronavirus is preventing B and T cells from talking to each other, he said. These studies suggest that treating bad cases of COVID-19 might require an immunological reset drugs that could, in theory, restore the balance in the body and resurrect lines of communication between bamboozled cells. Such therapies could even be focused on specific subsets of patients whose bodies are responding bizarrely to the virus, Blish said: the ones who have deranged cytokines from the beginning. But thats easier said than done. The challenge here is trying to blunt the response, without completely suppressing it, and getting the right types of responses, August said. Its hard to fine-tune that. Timing is also crucial. Dose a patient too early with a drug that tempers immune signaling, and they may not respond strongly enough; give it too late, and the worst of the damage may have already been done. The same goes for treatments intended to shore up the initial immune response against the coronavirus, like interferon-based therapies, Blish said. These could stamp out the pathogen if given shortly after infection or run roughshod over the body if administered after too long of a delay. So far, treatments that block the effects of one cytokine at a time have yielded mixed or lackluster results perhaps because researchers havent yet identified the right combinations of signals that drive disease, said Donna Farber, an immunologist at Columbia University. Steroids like dexamethasone, on the other hand, are like big hammers that can curb the activity of multiple cytokines at once, Farber said. Early clinical trials have hinted at dexamethasones benefits against severe cases of the coronavirus, and more are underway. Such broad-acting treatments have their downsides. But, she added, it seems thats a good strategy, until we know more. Katherine J. Wu. c.2020 The New York Times Company South Plains College Plainview Cosmetology program is in search of students that would like to earn an education in hairstyling. Students of the program will be required to wear a face mask at all times. Some steps must be followed to earn admission into the hairstyling program. An application must first be accepted by the college. Students are encouraged to complete financial aid information to help pay for college. The Cosmetology Entrance Exam is also required for all new cosmetology students. Interviews will be completed by the program coordinator to finish up the process. New students are being accepted for the fall and spring semesters. Students in the Plainview Independent School District can participate in a dual credit program through the SPC Plainview Center Cosmetology program. High school counselors have more information for those interested in the program. Students work in a full-service salon that is open to residents and visitors in Plainview during the one-year training program. Jan Decker, Program Coordinator and Instructor in Cosmetology, who is licensed by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, will supervise the students. For more information, call Decker at 806-291-3288. Morneau Shepell's Mental Health Index remains steady in July at 12 points below the pre-pandemic benchmark of 75 LONDON, Aug. 5, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Morneau Shepell, a leading provider of total wellbeing, mental health and digital mental health services, today released its monthly Mental Health Index report, making July the fourth consecutive month with negative mental health score for British workers compared to pre-pandemic levels. While mental stress has increased for one-in-four Britons (25 per cent), nine per cent reported experiencing less stress in July compared to the previous month. The greatest increase in stress month over month was for respondents living in Scotland, with those living in Wales reporting the lowest increase in mental stress. The Mental Health Index score for July is -12, which measures a decline in mental health from the pre-2020 benchmark of 75, is unchanged from the previous month. The Mental Health Index also tracks sub-scores against the benchmark, measuring optimism (-16.5), anxiety (-14.9), depression (-14.6), work productivity (-12.8) and isolation (-10.7). Although the sub-scores remain low, depression improved the most when compared with the prior month (-15.3). "While parts of the United Kingdom began reopening in June, leaders and public health officials continue to struggle with finding the right balance between reopening the economy and ensuring public safety. The Mental Health Index shows the continued negative impact that uncertainty is having on British workers' mental health and quality of life," said Philip Mullen, managing director, U.K. and Europe. "Even with a gradual return to the 'new normal,' many Britons remain on edge, hoping for an economic recovery while keeping a close eye on transmission rates." Britons divided about systemic racism in society and the workplace Overall, 61 per cent of individuals surveyed believe that racism is a problem in the United Kingdom, though only 13 per cent believe that racism is a problem in their workplace. When considering the results by race, 82 per cent of individuals identifying as East Asian, 76 per cent identifying as Black and 76 per cent identifying as South Asian strongly agree or agree that racism is a problem in the United Kingdom. Sixty (60) per cent of individuals identifying as White strongly agree or agree that racism is a problem in the United Kingdom. One of the major issues facing British society - systemic racism - has received heightened awareness as a result from the many protests held worldwide in response to the number of recent killings of Black Americans, in addition to the negative experiences of racialised residents in the United Kingdom. As more Britons begin to give meaningful thought to this issue, their outlook varies. Twenty-eight (28) per cent of respondents feel that systemic racism is likely to decrease in the United Kingdom, 36 per cent are unsure, and 35 per cent feel that systemic racism is unlikely to decrease. When it comes to their workplace, 19 per cent feel that it is likely systemic racism will decrease, 37 per cent are unsure, and 44 per cent feel that systemic racism is unlikely to decrease. Employer size also plays a key role in mental health levels July's report reflects a strong correlation between an individual's Mental Health Index scores and the size of the company where they are employed. Britons who indicate working at companies with 51-100 employees have the lowest average mental health scores (-15.2), while those who report being self-employed/sole proprietors (-10.4) or at employers with 2-50 employees (-10.5) have the highest mental health scores. Those working at companies with more than 10,000 employees had a mental health score of -10.9. "While small businesses continue to be disproportionally impacted by the pandemic over large companies, once an organization reaches more than 50 workers, that close-knit familial sentiment felt by employees begins to strain, as managers need to supervise more workers and have less time to do so," said Paula Allen, senior vice president of research, analytics and innovation. "Larger employers are likely to offer benefits and programs to support employees, which are extremely valuable for employee wellbeing. It's critical for employers of all sizes to seek ways to support their people's health and wellbeing, now more than ever. Employee assistance programs are much more cost effective than many small- to mid-size organizations realize and they offer support that can be life changing." The full U.K. report includes more insight on changes to mental stress and variations of the Mental Health Index score by demographics, industries and regions. The full U.K. report can be found at: https://www.morneaushepell.com/permafiles/92898/mental-health-index-report-uk-july-2020.pdf. About the Mental Health Index The monthly survey by Morneau Shepell was conducted through an online survey in English from June 22 to June 30, 2020, with 2,000 respondents in the United Kingdom. All respondents reside in the United Kingdom and were employed within the last six months. The data has been statistically weighted to ensure the regional and gender composition of the sample reflect this population. The margins of error for the survey are +/- 3.2 per cent, valid 19 times out of 20. The Mental Health Index is published monthly, beginning April 2020, and compares against benchmark data collected in 2017, 2018 and 2019. The Mental Health Index is owned by Morneau Shepell - the wellbeing company that acquired LifeWorks in 2018. About Morneau Shepell Morneau Shepell is a leading provider of technology-enabled HR services that deliver an integrated approach to employee wellbeing through our cloud-based platform. Our focus is providing world-class solutions to our clients to support the mental, physical, social and financial wellbeing of their people. By improving lives, we improve business. Our approach spans services in employee and family assistance, health and wellness, recognition, pension and benefits administration, retirement consulting, actuarial and investment services. Morneau Shepell employs approximately 6,000 employees who work with some 24,000 client organizations that use our services in 162 countries. For more information, visit morneaushepell.com. Heather MacDonald, Morneau Shepell, media@morneaushepell.com, 00-1-855-622-3327; Mike Jurs, Allison+Partners, mike.jurs@allisonpr.com, 00-1-415-875-3050 Thousands of publicans are reeling after the Government again delayed the reopening of pubs for another three weeks at least, with some warning the move could be the death of rural pubs. The Government confirmed this evening that pubs must remain closed until August 31, when plans to move to phase four of the Government's reopening plans will again be considered. Nightclubs and casinos must also remain closed until the end of the month. The move follows advice from the National Public Health Emergency Team following a rise in Covid-19 cases in the past week. The latest postponement represents a second false start for thousands of publicans, who were due to reopen initially on July 20, and then August 10, and are now heading into their sixth month of being closed. Bantry publican Danny Collins said thousands of publicans were left reeling by the Governments nanny State decision to prevent pubs from reopening when so many other businesses were allowed to trade. The owner of the Boston Bar said he had hoped pubs could reopen next week, and was shocked and in despair by the decision. He lashed out at the Government and Taoiseach Micheal Martin for failing to support vintners, who had already been hit by the smoking ban and drink-driving laws. Basically what theyre saying is that publicans arent capable of running a business like every other business that is open at the moment, an irate Mr Collins said. Thats what theyre saying to us and putting their two fingers up to us. Rural publicans, he said, needed a break, and pubs should be allowed to reopen in areas where Covid-19 numbers are low, particularly in rural areas. There should be regional breaks in areas with no cases or low numbers, he said. "There have been no cases in Kerry and a low number in Co Cork in July. So give us a break. You have 15 to 20 cases per day in Dublin, so lockdown them down for a while but down here in rural parts of Ireland, like Bantry, Schull, and Castleownbere, seeing pubs closed there ... its going to be the death of them, he added. The Government, Mr Collins said, will have to come up with a better package and additional support for the sector, given the extended closure, as well as new regulations and a roadmap for reopening. Give us the regulations, he said. "Let us try to work with them. If we arent working with them, let the gardai close us down. Thats all we have wanted all along." The incoming president of the Vinters Federation of Ireland (VFI), Paul Moynihan, a rural publican based in West Wicklow, described the uncertain situation facing 3,500 publicans as a nightmare. There has to be a pathway, he said. If it is going to be another three weeks or more, just tell us and be fair about it and give us the guidelines so that we can prepare to reopen. We cannot do that at the moment. Mr Moynihan said the Government had not given the sector a chance to operate like other businesses. He said the decision to keep pubs closed was a hit on rural Ireland, and that additional financial support will be needed. If you think about it, they havent even given us a chance to prove that we could do it right, Mr Moynihan said. "They just made a decision that an industry wasnt worth helping. Financial help will be needed now. We need special help here and were going to look hard for special help from the Government. "If they decide that we cant open, they are stopping us making our livelihoods, so theyre going to have to help us out. Pubs serving food, he said, had successfully shown that they could operate safely, but thousands of other pubs not serving food had not been given a chance or any guidance. It was too early, he added, to say how many pubs will not reopen their doors because of the extended closure. The longer this goes on, the harder it will be to get going again and the uncertainty isnt helping, he said. The United Nations Secretary General, Antonio Guterres, has reacted to the massive explosion in Beirut, Lebanon, which has left 73 people dead and 2,750 injured, according to a CNN report. PREMIUM TIMES earlier reported that a massive explosion, Tuesday evening, hit central Beirut, shattering windows, knocking down doors and shaking buildings several hundred feet away. The blast also injured dozens of people and damaged buildings in the nations capital Beirut and its suburbs, officials said. Footage seen on social media showed a huge mushroom-like plume of smoke billowing into the sky, before a large orange blast shot into the air. Further footages also showed how cars were left damaged across the highway adjoining the Beirut port. In a statement attributed to the Deputy Spokesperson for the Secretary-General, Farhan Haq, on Monday, Mr Guterres expressed his deepest condolences to the families of the victims, as well as to the people and Government of Lebanon, following the horrific explosions in Beirut today. He also wishes a speedy recovery to the injured, including several United Nations personnel working in Lebanon. The United Nations remains committed to supporting Lebanon at this difficult time, and is actively assisting in the response to this incident, he added. President Donald Trump and German Chancellor Angela Merkel who were devastated by the incident have promised to help Lebanon. Let me begin by sending Americas deepest sympathies to the people of Lebanon, where reports indicate that many, many people were killed, hundreds more were very badly wounded in a large explosion in Beirut, Mr Trump said at a press briefing Tuesday evening. Our prayers go out to all the victims and their families. The United States ready to assist Lebanon. said Mr Trump in a White House State address. According to Ms Merkels spokesperson, Ulrike Demmer, the German Chancellor said, Our thoughts are with those who have lost loved ones. We wish the wounded a speedy recovery. We will offer Lebanon our help. Visitors to the Natural History Museum have expressed their delight as the venue opened its doors for the first time in months. People queued outside the London museum on Wednesday morning to become some of the first members of the public to go inside since it was forced to close at the start of the coronavirus outbreak. A range of new safety measures have been put in place, including mandatory pre-booking, a reduction in the museums capacity and social distancing rules. Expand Close Museum-goers queued outside as it reopened (Kirsty OConnor/PA) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Museum-goers queued outside as it reopened (Kirsty OConnor/PA) Jen White, a 36-year-old production manager, travelled with her children from Manchester for a visit to the museum. She told the PA news agency: I have been home schooling these guys, so we have been literally cooped up in the house. I just wanted to get out and educate them somewhere that is not a home school setting. I think when they get in they will be wowed because we have never done this before. Vicky Lowry said her son had told her on the way to the museum: This is going to be the best day of my life. Expand Close Staff carried out conservation work ahead of the reopening (Yui Mok/PA) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Staff carried out conservation work ahead of the reopening (Yui Mok/PA) Video of the Day The 34-year-old receptionist added that she feels confident it is safe to visit the venue. I have felt pretty safe at most places that I have gone, we have taken our masks and got our hand sanitiser with us, she added. Nikkie Bransfield, a 39-year-old jeweller, said it felt good to be getting back to a little bit of normality. She added: Theres always an element of risk, but you cant live your life stuck indoors all the time. Expand Close Museum staff said dust had built up on exhibits during lockdown (Yui Mok/PA) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Museum staff said dust had built up on exhibits during lockdown (Yui Mok/PA) Project manager Raymond Nelson, 34, said he was quite excited to be going to the museum while visiting London. We came here for a holiday from Scotland and everything has been shut, so it is good that this is open, he added. Slots to visit the museum this week are fully booked, while 80% of the tickets for next week have also already been sold, according to a spokesman for the venue. Ahead of the reopening, museum staff carried out conservation work on exhibits including the 25.2 metre-long blue whale skeleton named Hope, which is suspended in the entrance. Head of conservation Lorraine Cornish previously said quite a lot of dust had accumulated on displays while the venue was closed. Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden welcomed the museums reopening. He tweeted: Another crown jewel museum reopens today. Museums and galleries have been able to reopen since July 4, however a number of venues did not immediately do so. The National Gallery and Tate venues in Liverpool, London and St Ives are among those to have welcomed back visitors, while the Victoria & Albert Museum will welcome back visitors on Thursday. The British Museum and Science Museum are yet to reopen. The Army has released new footage of an experimental hypersonic missile warhead that is believed to be the 'super duper missile' promised by President Donald Trump. The footage, from a March 19 test at the Pacific Missile Range Facility in Kauai, Hawaii, was released during the online Space and Missile Defense Symposium on Tuesday. It shows the joint Army-Navy common hypersonic glide body (C-HGB) that is being developed for launch from both land and submarine. Hypersonic re-entry vehicles travel at extremely high speeds and are able to maneuver unpredictably in comparison to traditional ballistic missiles, making them impervious to most missile defense countermeasures. New footage shows the joint Army-Navy common hypersonic glide body (C-HGB) that is being developed for launch from both land and submarine Although the Army has not revealed how far or fast the C-HGB flew in the test launch, the Pentagon has previously said that this weapon would allow the Army and Navy to 'strike targets hundreds and even thousands of miles away' and that it will get up to a speed of Mach 17, according to The Drive. The new video was unveiled by Army Lieutenant General L. Neil Thurgood, the Director for Hypersonics, Directed Energy, Space and Rapid Acquisition within the Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Acquisition, Logistics, and Technology. 'It gets off the pad pretty quick,' Lieutenant General Thurgood said, narrating the footage. 'It gets pretty high pretty fast.' The video shows clips of the missile on the launch pad, and then clips of lift-off and flight. The footage, from a March 19 test at the Pacific Missile Range Facility in Kauai, Hawaii, was released during the online Space and Missile Defense Symposium The video shows clips of the missile on the launch pad, and then clips of lift-off and flight 'It gets off the pad pretty quick,' Lieutenant General Thurgood said, narrating the footage. 'It gets pretty high pretty fast' The video montage ends with a clip of the boost-glide vehicle actually hitting its mark. 'That is the explosion at the other end,' Thurgood said. It was unclear whether the test missile had an explosive payload, or whether the clip shows a kinetic impact. According to the Pentagon, the Missile Defense Agency monitored and gathered tracking data from the test flight that will help in the development of systems designed to defend against adversary hypersonic weapons. Trump in May said the military was building 'incredible military equipment,' which he only loosely described, in a likely reference to a hypersonic missile. 'We have, I call it the Super Duper Missile, and I heard the other night 17 times faster than what they have right now, when you take the fastest missile we have right now,' Trump said. 'You've heard Russia has five times and China's working on five or six times, we have one 17 times and it's just gotten the go ahead,' Trump said. It comes as Russia and China both make strides in hypersonic missiles, threatening to upend the longstanding status quo in nuclear war doctrine. Russian President Vladimir Putin in December boasted of his country's hypersonic arsenal when he unveiled a land-based variant of the 'unstoppable' missile with speeds of Mach 9 (7,000mph). However, the Russian Navy's top officer later admitted the country's hypersonic Zircon cruise missile is suffering 'childhood diseases.' Admiral Nikolai Evmenov said these issues - which he did not elaborate on - would take at least a few years to resolve before the 3M22 Zircon becomes operational. And in January, China released rare footage of its nuclear-capable, hypersonic missile DF-26 being launched during a military exercise. The mighty weapon, commissioned to the People's Liberation Army in 2018, is able to reach US territory and destroy aircraft carriers, according to previous reports. Beijing did not reveal the time or location of the exercise, but footage of the launch was recently released by the country's state broadcaster China Central Television Station. The clip was also shared by the Rocket Force, part of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) which handles Beijing's growing missile arsenal. The Rocket Force of the People's Liberation Army of China released footage of a missile being launched from a desert during a military drill. State media China Daily then confirmed that the missile was DF-26, a medium-to-long-range missile said to be able to reach the United States The military division did not mention the model of the missile in the video shared on Saturday on Weibo, the Chinese equivalent to Twitter. The clip shows a missile being launched from a desert. 'The rocket rose into the sky like a giant, flaming dragon, piercing through fog and clouds and charging towards vast space,' the troop wrote. State media China Daily confirmed that the missile was DF-26 or Dongfeng-26, a medium-to-long-range missile said to be able to reach Guam, a US territory about 2,000 miles from the Chinese coast. Srinagar, Aug 5 : In order to strengthen the grassroots democracy in Jammu and Kashmir, the administration has decided to spend Rs 1,700 crore to empower the newly constituted panchayats and give them control of 21 departments to be headed by Panchs and Sarpanchs. On the first anniversary of the abrogation of Article 370, the UT administration shared the plan with IANS under which it says the administration has devolved Rs 1,000 crore while another Rs 700 crore is in the pipeline. The plans, a government data reveals, were prepared soon after Panchayat elections for nearly 4,500 Panchayat Halqas-- a cluster of villages represented by a sarpanch -- in Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh were successfully conducted in 2018 despite many fears and apprehensions and number of boycott calls by militant elements. In addition, functions like nutrition of Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) centres, Mid Day Meals and salaries of certain functionaries have also been formally devolved to the Panchayats, the data mentions. Besides, there is a continuous attempt to institutionalise and energise the functioning of Panchayats and to assist them wherever they face any impediments in using the funds. Panchayats, in addition to being involved in the selection of eligible beneficiaries for various government welfare schemes, can get Rs 50 lakh-Rs 80 lakh per year for implementation of key national schemes such as the National Health Mission, Samagra Shiksha. A group of around 5,000 gazetted officers of all levels of seniority -- one for every Panchayat -- also stay for two days and a night in the villages notwithstanding any challenges of geography, climate or law and order to address issues like impediment faced by Panchayats, level of cooperation (or otherwise) received from the departments and the administration, office and procedural delays. "In fact a questionnaire to be filled in by the visiting officer specifically," a Jammu and Kashmir official involved in the process told IANS. Principal Secretary (Power and Information) Rohit Kansal said Panchayat level and other developmental projects were undertaken by the Jammu and Kashmir government to specially strengthen grassroots level democracy and participatory development. The Valley simmers with anger against the Centre's decision and the subsequent curbs on civil liberties, local representatives have been thrust into an uneasy spotlight. But nearly a year after they were elected, Panchs and Sarpanchs here say they are yet to receive the kind of help they were expecting. Ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, leading to over three months lockdown in the Valley, they say might be one of the reasons. While talking to IANS, two Panchs, requesting anonymity, told IANS they hope for better developments at village level. "We have not received help which was expected during elections. Initial two months were very crucial for the government which was busy in managing law and order. For the last more than three months, there is lockdown in the Valley due to COVID-19. Several steps were taken by the government but the implementation on the ground is much more desirable. We expect for better situation in coming days," said one of the Panchs in Kupwara district-- around 100 km from Srinagar. Although Panchayati Raj was introduced by the Dogra rulers of Jammu and Kashmir in 1935, the system has historically been weaker than in other parts of the country. Before August 5, the erstwhile state followed the Jammu and Kashmir Panchayati Raj Act of 1989, and rules were introduced in 1996. They provided for a three-tier system. The base is formed by the halqa panchayats, directly elected bodies headed by a sarpanch and panchs representing the village wards. The block development councils form the second tier. The chairpersons of these bodies are to be elected by an electoral college consisting of panchs and sarpanchs in the area. Finally, the act provided for district boards, comprising local legislators, chairmen of the block development councils and the heads of other civic bodies. The second and third tiers of the panchayat system have never existed in Kashmir. Elections for the halqas have been held sporadically. The 2018 elections were two years late. The panchayat terms had ended early in 2016. Elections could not be held because of the turmoil triggered by Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani's death on July 8, 2016. (Rajnish Singh can be contacted at rajnish.s@ians.in) -- Except for the title, this story has not been edited by Prokerala team and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed Current Affairs T he medical team from Cuba which arrived in early June will be here for a while, according to Minister of Health the Honourable Edwin Astwood whose ministry is leading the Coronavirus response in the Turks and Caicos Islands. We will definitely have to look at extending the time frame for the Cuban health professionals that are here, and if we are able to do that, I do believe that we can withstand a long term punch and be in the trenches for some time. We need to extend if this pandemic goes on throughout the year, so we need to look at trying to retain them here so when those persons do get sick and we have about six or eight persons coming to the health facilities that need ventilation or oxygen or so, that we have those capacities, he said on Radio Turks and Caicos First Edition on Monday July 20th, 2020 during an interview with moderator Cheryl Foreman. The 20-member medical team from Cuba arrived in the Turks and Caicos Islands on Monday, June 15th, 2020 with the aim of providing additional expert medical support to the TCI in response to the Coronavirus and other medical issues. They are based in Providenciales. The Turks and Caicos Islands is the first British Overseas Territory to receive assistance from Cuban medical personnel during the COVID-19 pandemic. Astwood added that with the continuous help of the Cuban medical team, should this pandemic last longer, the TCIs health care system can survive it. They have done all their registrations for practising here in the Turks and Caicos Islands. They have been doing all of their walk throughs in the hospitals, going through all the equipment and SOPs of InterHealth Canada. They have far advanced and I do believe that now that they are helping with assisting some patients, so we have that capacity here now. Weve had 11 nurses, I think its nine doctors and one administrator, so theyre ready to go and they have done everything that they had to do to be allowed to practice here in the Turks and Caicos Islands, he explained. The Turks and Caicos Islands signed a three-month agreement with Cuba for the provision of additional medical support to the TCI with the option to extend for a further term if necessary. The brigade consists of nine medical specialists including a Chief of Brigade, 10 registered nurses and an administrative assistant. As their areas of specialty span across a number of areas, they are a great resource to not only TCIs response to the Coronavirus, but also to other medical concerns being experienced by residents in the TCI. WASHINGTON, Aug. 5, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Around 450 philanthropic organizations, alarmed by the announcement that the U.S. Department of Commerce intends to "drastically cut short" 2020 census operations amid a surging coronavirus pandemic, urged the U.S. Census Bureau not to rush the significant enumeration and data processing that remain unfinished. "Rushing the censuswould hurt a diverse range of rural and urban communities, leaving them underrepresented locally and in Congress and cutting their fair share of federal funding for Medicaid, economic development, child care, schools, road and public transit improvements, home heating assistance for senior citizens, and many more vital services," read a letter the philanthropies made public today. The letter reflects an unprecedented consensus among national, state and local grantmakers and philanthropic institutions that have given a total of more than $100 million to help ensure an accurate census. The Administration is planning to end door-to-door census enumeration and self response operations Sept. 30, a full month earlier than it announced when it modified the 2020 census timeline as the COVID-19 pandemic took hold in the United States. The philanthropic leaders that signed the letter share the belief that the additional month is needed to complete the count; nearly four in ten households were still yet to be counted as August began. "The bottom line is that shortening the census in the face of national public health and economic crises will result in inaccurate data, distorting the true picture of America for the next decade," said Gary D. Bass, executive director of the Bauman Foundation and chair of a national philanthropic collaborative to promote a fair and accurate census. "An inaccurate census is not an inevitable outcome. This letter is a nonpartisan plea to the Administration to fulfill its constitutional requirement to count every person in America." "State and local funders have supported the 2020 census with a focus on historically undercounted communities, including people of color, low-income and immigrant families, and young children," said Jocelyn Bissonnette, director of the Funders Census Initiative, which supports funders in their get out the count efforts. "Philanthropy has raised its voice at this critical moment because communities deserve to be fairly and accurately counted, resourced, and represented." The full text of the letter and list of signatories, including the Annie E. Casey Foundation, can be found at https://funderscommittee.org/resource/letter-funder-letter-to-commerce-secretary/ . Contact: Gary Bass, The Bauman Foundation, 202/328-2040, [email protected] SOURCE The Annie E. Casey Foundation Related Links http://www.aecf.org Ethiopia says the dam will provide electricity to millions of its nearly 110 million citizens, while Egypt, with its own booming population of about 100 million, sees the project as an existential threat that could deprive it of its share of the Nile waters. The confluence of the White Nile and the Blue Nile near the Sudanese capital of Khartoum forms the Nile River that flows the length of Egypt. A massive explosion rocked the Beirut Port on Tuesday, August 4, killing 100 people and injuring nearly 4,000. Although the blast occurred in a storage facility containing 2,750 tons of ammonium nitrate, used in fertilizers and bombs, stored in the warehouse since 2013, a subversive attack cannot be ruled out, considering that regional spy agencies and their moles were well aware that highly explosive material was stored in the unguarded facility for nearly seven years. In fact, US President Donald Trump has described the explosion [1] as a bomb attack. In an opening statement at a news conference, Trump expressed solidarity with the people of Lebanon, and said: "We will be there to help. It looks like a terrible attack." When pressed by reporters about characterizing the incident as an "attack", Trump stood by his statement, saying US generals believe the explosion was caused by a "bomb of some kind." Although Trump was likely pointing out the bomb attack was a handiwork of Lebanon-based resistance group Hezbollah, the fact is a joint American-Israeli program [2], involving a series of short-of-war clandestine strikes, aimed at taking out the most prominent generals of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) and targeting Irans power stations, industrial infrastructure, and missile and nuclear facilities has been going on since early this year when commander of IRGCs Quds Force General Qassem Soleimani was assassinated in a US airstrike at Baghdad airport in January. As the US presidential race is heating up, the pace and sophistication of subversive attacks in Iran and Iran-aligned countries, including Iraq, Syria and Lebanon, is picking up simultaneously. Since June, mysterious explosions were reported in a missile and explosives storage facility near a military base in Parchin, east of the capital Tehran, in power stations in the cities of Shiraz and Ahvaz, and the Natanz nuclear site on July 2 that has reportedly set back Irans nuclear program by at least two years. Besides whipping up nationalist sentiment among Americas conservative electorate on the eve of US presidential election slated for November, another purpose of the subversive attacks appears to be to avenge a string of audacious attacks mounted by Iran-backed forces against the US strategic interests in the Middle East that brought the US and Iran to the brink of full-scale war last year. In addition to planting limpet mines on oil tankers off the coast of the UAE in May last year and the subsequent downing of the US surveillance drone in the Persian Gulf by Iran, the brazen attack on the Abqaiq petroleum facility and the Khurais oil field in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia on September 14 was the third major attack in the Persian Gulf against the assets of Washington and its regional clients. That the UAE had forewarning about imminent attacks is proved by the fact that weeks before the attacks, it recalled forces from Yemen battling the Houthi rebels and redeployed them to man the UAEs territorial borders. Nevertheless, a puerile prank like planting limpet mines on oil tankers can be overlooked but major provocations like downing a $200-million Global Hawk surveillance aircraft and mounting a drone and missile attack on the Abqaiq petroleum facility that crippled its oil-processing functions for weeks could have had serious repercussions. The September 14 attack on the Abqaiq petroleum facility in eastern Saudi Arabia was an apocalypse for the global oil industry because it processes five million barrels crude oil per day, more than half of Saudi Arabias total oil production. The subversive attack sent jitters across the global markets and the oil price surged 15%, the biggest spike witnessed in three decades since the First Gulf War when Saddam Hussein invaded Kuwait in 1990, though the oil price was eased within days after industrialized nations released their strategic oil reserves. Unless Iran got the green light to go ahead with the attacks from a major power that equals Washingtons military might, such confrontation would have amounted to a suicidal approach. Therefore, the last years acts of subversion in the Persian Gulf should be viewed in the broader backdrop of the New Cold War that has begun after the Ukrainian crisis in 2014 when Russia occupied the Crimean peninsula and Washington imposed sanctions against Russia. The Kremlins immediate response to the escalation by Washington was that it jumped into the fray in Syria in September 2015, after a clandestine visit to Moscow by General Qassem Soleimani, the commander of the IRGCs Quds Force. When Russia deployed its forces and military hardware to Syria in September 2015, the militant proxies of Washington and its regional clients were on the verge of drawing a wedge between Damascus and the Alawite heartland of coastal Latakia, which could have led to the imminent downfall of the Assad government. With the help of the Russian air power, the Syrian government has since reclaimed most of Syrias territory from the insurgents, excluding Idlib in the northwest occupied by the Turkish-backed militants and Deir al-Zor and the Kurdish-held areas in the east, thus inflicting a humiliating defeat on Washington and its regional clients. Moreover, several momentous events have taken place in the Syrian theater of proxy war and on the global stage that have further exacerbated the New Cold War between Moscow and Washington: On February 7, 2018, the US B-52 bombers and Apache helicopters struck a contingent of Syrian government troops and allied forces in Deir al-Zor province of eastern Syria that reportedly [3] killed and wounded scores of Russian military contractors working for the Russian private security firm, the Wagner Group. The survivors described the bombing as an absolute carnage, and Moscow lost more Russian nationals in one day than it had lost throughout its more than two-year-long military campaign in support of the Syrian government since September 2015. A month after the massacre of Russian military contractors in Syria, on March 4, 2018, Sergei Skripal, a Russian double agent working for the British foreign intelligence service, and his daughter Yulia were found unconscious on a public bench outside a shopping center in Salisbury. A few months later, in July 2018, a British woman, Dawn Sturgess, died after touching the container of the nerve agent that allegedly poisoned the Skripals. In the case of the Skripals, Theresa May, then the prime minister of the United Kingdom, promptly accused Russia of attempted assassinations and the British government concluded that Skripal and his daughter were poisoned with a Moscow-made, military-grade nerve agent, Novichok. Sergei Skripal was recruited by the British MI6 in 1995, and before his arrest in Russia in December 2004, he was alleged to have blown the cover of scores of Russian secret agents. He was released in a spy swap deal in 2010 and was allowed to settle in Salisbury. Both Sergei Skripal and his daughter have since recovered and were discharged from hospital in May 2018. Nevertheless, the motive that prompted the Vladimir Putin-led government to escalate the conflict with the Western powers was that the Russian presidential elections were slated for March 18, 2018, which Putin was poised to win anyway but he won a resounding electoral victory with 77% vote by whipping up chauvinism of the Russian electorate after the war of words with the Western powers. In the aftermath of the Salisbury poisonings in March 2018, the US, UK and several European nations expelled scores of Russian diplomats and the Trump administration ordered the closure of the Russian consulate in Seattle. In a retaliatory move, Russia also expelled a similar number of American, British and European diplomats, and ordered the closure of American consulate in Saint Petersburg. The relations between Moscow and Western powers reached their lowest ebb since the break-up of the former Soviet Union and the end of the Cold War in December 1991. A month later, an alleged chemical weapons attack took place in Douma, Syria, on April 7, 2018, and Donald Trump ordered a cruise missile strike in Syria on April 14, 2018, in collaboration with the Theresa May government in the UK and the Emmanuel Macron administration in France. The strike took place little over a year after a similar cruise missile strike on al-Shayrat airfield on April 6, 2017, after an alleged chemical weapons attack in Khan Sheikhoun, though both cruise missile strikes were nothing more than a show of force. But the fact that out of 105 total cruise missiles deployed in the April 14, 2018, strikes against a military research facility in the Barzeh district of Damascus and two alleged chemical weapons storage facilities in Homs, 85 were launched by the US, 12 by the French and 8 by the UK aircrafts demonstrated the unified resolve of the Western powers against Russia in the aftermath of the Salisbury poisonings in the UK a month earlier. Finally, a word about the venerated commander of IRGCs Quds Force General Qassem Soleimani who was assassinated in a US airstrike at Baghdad airport in January. He was the main liaison between Irans Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and the Kremlin. Not only did he invite Russia to strike at Washingtons Achilles heel in Syrias proxy war but he was also the main architect of the audacious September 14 attacks at Abqaiq petroleum facility and the Khurais oil field in the oil-rich Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia. Alongside deploying several thousand American troops and additional aircraft squadrons and Patriot missile batteries in Saudi Arabia in the aftermath of the Abqaiq attack, Washington also took out its most fearsome nemesis General Soleimani in January, and now it can freely stage subversive attacks in Iran and its allies without the fear of reprisals. Its worth pointing out that Trump initially rejected [4] the Pentagons option to assassinate General Soleimani on December 28 due to the fear of full-scale confrontation with Iran, and authorized airstrikes on an Iran-backed militia group in Iraq instead. But after the attack at the US embassy in Baghdad by Iran-backed forces, Trump succumbed to pressure from the American deep state, led by the Pentagon and the State Department, which had a score to settle with General Soleimani for giving the global power a bloody nose in Syrias proxy war. Footnotes: [1] Trump says Beirut explosion was an 'attack': [2] Long-Planned and Bigger Than Thought: Strike on Irans Nuclear Program: [3] Russian toll in Syria battle was 300 killed and wounded: [4] Trump initially rejected the Pentagons option to assassinate General Soleimani: About the author: Nauman Sadiq is an Islamabad-based attorney, columnist and geopolitical analyst focused on the politics of Af-Pak and Middle East regions, neocolonialism and petro-imperialism. New Delhi: Considered the father of modern Indian theatre, Ebrahim Alkazi, the first director of National School of Drama (NSD), breathed his last in the capital on Tuesday. He was 94. Also an art connoisseur, collector and gallery owner, he founded Art Heritage Gallery in New Delhi. This Royal Academy of Dramatics Art (RADA) pass-out staged more than 50 plays during his distinguished career and won the BBC Broadcasting Award in 1950. Some of the major plays directed by him include "Tuglaq" (Girish Karnad), "Ashadh Ka Ek Din" (Mohan Rakesh), Dharamvir Bharti`s "Andha Yug" besides several Greek tragedies and Shakespeare`s works. Recipient of the Padma Vibhushan (2010), Padma Bhushan (1991) and Padma Shri (1966) honours, he was known to be a strict disciplinarian who provided a blueprint for theatre training during his years as the Director of NSD (1962-1977). Associated with training some of the best known talents in the country, including Naseeruddin Shah, Om Puri, Uttara Baokar and Rohini Hattangadi, besides a host of major theatre directors in the country, Alkazi was married to Roshan Alkazi, who designed costumes for his plays. His two children are also theatre artists. Amal Allana, is a theatre director and former Chairperson of National School of Drama while Feisal Alkazi too is a theatre director. She's been on cloud nine ever since embarking on a new relationship with musician Josh Newsham last month. And Arabella Chi sent temperatures soaring as she soaked up the sun at the Atzaro Agroturismo Hotel in Ibiza, Spain. The former Love Island star, 29, showcased her incredible figure as she donned a black bikini with a white striped pattern. Model: Arabella Chi, 29, sent temperatures soaring as she soaked up the sun at the Atzaro Agroturismo Hotel in Ibiza, Spain Arabella looked sensational as she reclined on a four poster bed with white sheets and matching linen drapes. The social media influencer turned up the heat as she struck a series of sultry poses and added to her look with several gold necklaces. Earlier, Arabella looked radiant as she uploaded another snap where she donned a pale green bikini. Displaying her bronzed hue, Arabella fixed the camera with a smoldering stare as she continued to enjoy her holiday. Sensational: The former Love Island star showcased her incredible figure as she donned a black bikini with a white striped pattern Photoshoot: Arabella looked sensational as she reclined on a four poster bed with white sheets and matching linen drapes The reality star let her blonde locks fall loose down her shoulders as she shared a second snap of the look to her Instagram Stories. Arabella shared another swimsuit snap from the trip, ensuring all eyes were on her as she relaxed in a bright orange bikini. The TV star will face 14 days of quarantine when she returns to the UK after the government pulled its air bridge with Spain following a spike in COVID-19 cases. Sizzling: Earlier, Arabella looked radiant as she uploaded another snap where she donned a pale green bikini Wow: Displaying her bronzed hue, Arabella fixed the camera with a smoldering stare as she continued to enjoy her holiday Arabella recently moved in with fellow Love Island star Harley Brash, 21, following her split from Wes Nelson. The pair had been dating for nine months but were said to have 'grown apart' and had become more aware of their six-year age gap ahead of their split. The hunk left the home he shared with the blonde so they didn't have to isolate together under lockdown rules. He is now living with his friend and former Love Island 2018 co-star, Josh Denzel. Bombshell: Arabella shared another swimsuit snap from the trip, ensuring all eyes were on her as she relaxed in a bright orange bikini A source told The Sun at the time: 'It's all over. They started to grow apart. They want to remain civil with each other and hope to remain friends.' The news likely came as a shock to their fans, as just a week before they called it quits, they revealed that they were enjoying their time in lockdown together. Speaking to OK! Online, Wes said: 'It's been alright. It's hard to get out at the moment, isn't it? We're just trying to do our piece of exercise a day.' BAKU, Azerbaijan, Aug. 5 Trend: The next stage of the Azerbaijani-Turkish joint large-scale tactical exercises with combat shooting has been completed in Azerbaijan, Trend reports citing the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry. At this stage of the exercises, the units, passing through territory with different terrain relief, accomplished combat-training tasks for organizing and conducting counteroffensive operations using weapons and armored vehicles, delivering preemptive strikes against the military personnel and combat equipment of the imaginary enemy, as well as for liberating strategically advantageous areas and frontiers, the ministry said. The units successfully completed the assigned tasks, demonstrating high professionalism in interaction with other elements of the battle formation. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Wed, August 5, 2020 13:30 531 6657ac82168da9fa101c8a4066bb79c4 1 Books Big-Bad-Wolf,Tokopedia,Independence-Day,discount,online-shopping Free To celebrate Indonesias 75th Independence Day, the Big Bad Wolf (BBW) book sale is scheduled to hold an online book sale from Aug. 7 to 17. To be available on its official store on e-commerce platform Tokopedia, the online book sale will feature more international books with discounts up to 90 percent. Free delivery to all provinces in Indonesia will also be available. Tokopedias assistant vice president of business Jessica Stephanie Jap said the online bazaar was being held following the enthusiasm over Big Bad Wolfs online book sales in April, May and June. Hopefully, our exclusive collaboration with Big Bad Wolf can expand the public's access to books, Jessica said in a statement. Big Bad Wolfs first online book sale, which was held from April 27 to May 3, was well received by the public with the most popular categories being childrens books, novels and hobby books. Customers came from all parts of the country, including North Sulawesi, West Nusa Tenggara and Papua as the farthest areas. Big Bad Wolf was launched in 2009 in Malaysia before making its debut in Jakarta in May 2016. In 2019, the annual book bazaar was held in seven cities in Indonesia, such as Jakarta, Bandung in West Java, Yogyakarta, Surabaya in East Java, Medan in North Sumatra, Balikpapan in East Kalimantan and Makassar in South Sulawesi. It is recognized as one of the largest book sales in the country, offering books from various genres, from childrens books and politics to fiction and arts. (wir/wng) NUR-SULTAN -- Kazakhstan has allowed the transit of thousands of Uzbek and Kyrgyz migrant workers who've been stranded in Russia for months along the border with Kazakhstan due to coronavirus travel restrictions. The decision by Kazakhstan's government to allow the migrant workers to cross through the country to return to their homelands was made after clashes near the border between the migrants and Russian police. Kazakh Foreign Ministry's spokesman Aibek Smadiyarov said on August 5 that 2,435 Kyrgyz citizens had been allowed to pass through Kazakhstan from Russia's adjacent Samara region aboard 40 buses. He said 2,200 Uzbek citizens also were allowed to cross through Kazakhstan on trains. Asked by RFE/RL about clashes earlier this week between the stranded migrants and Russian police, Smadiyarov said: "That is what happened in Russia. Kazakhstan has nothing to do with that." A video report on the Telegram social media channel of Russia's Mashu.ru online news outlet included footage of Central Asian migrants clashing with police in the Samara region near the border. The Moscow-based RBK news agency quoted regional authorities in Samara as saying the video was taken on August 3 when migrants were demanding permission to cross the border. Those authorities said there were no arrests or injuries during "the brawl." Dmitry Medvedev, the deputy chairman of Russia's Security Council, said on August 3 that among the hundreds of thousands of migrant workers in Russia, about 40 percent had lost their jobs as a result of coronavirus restrictions. With reporting by Mash, RBK, Interfax, and Tengrinews BAKU, Azerbaijan, Aug.5 By Leman Zeynalova - Trend: Deputy Chairman of the State Statistics Committee of Azerbaijan Yusif Yusifov told about activities to improve transparency in the mining industry in an interview with Trend News Agency. As known, in accordance with Azerbaijani presidents decree, the State Statistics Committee was assigned to ensure transparency in the mining industry. What steps are envisaged to be taken by the committee to implement this assignment? First of all, Id like to note that Azerbaijan has always supported international efforts for transparency and accountability in the mining industry. Our country, encouraging transparency in the industry at the highest level, joined the "Mining Transparency Initiative" in 2003, and in 2005, published a report on the Initiative for the first time in the world. The activities carried out in our country in the field of ensuring transparency and the provision of public services in the mining industry are highly appreciated at the international level and were awarded Public Services Award of UN and the 2009 Mining Transparency Initiative Awards. By Azerbaijani presidents decree dated April 5, 2017, No. 1315 "On additional measures to improve transparency and accountability in the mining industries", a Commission on Transparency in the Mining Industry was set up, consisting of senior officials of the relevant government agencies. During its activity, the commission carried out the necessary activities, regularly issued reports in this area and provided information to the public in order to ensure transparency in the mining industry. But, as you know, in recent years, important changes have been made to international principles and standards that promote accountability, with the aim of improving the efficiency and more flexible operation of the reporting mechanisms. One of these changes is their gradual integration into data publishing and reporting systems by gradually turning them into an integral part of the activities of the relevant state reporting structures in order to increase the efficiency of work carried out with using modern technologies in public administration, simplify access to information, and ensure transparency and regularity of reporting for free access to information. In this regard, in order to ensure more consistent and sustainable reporting on transparency in the mining industry, Azerbaijani president signed a decree "On additional measures for the application of transparency reporting in the mining industry" dated July 28, 2020. Of course, the signing of the decree will increase the effectiveness of reporting in this area and simplify access to the information. Within the cooperation with the relevant state bodies and structures, international organizations, and foreign companies operating in the mining industry, the State Statistics Committee will prepare a corresponding reporting form, determine the procedure, frequency and timing of its submission. In accordance with this form, information from enterprises and organizations operating in the mining industry will be collected, on the basis of the collected data, the publication of summarized official statistics will be ensured. When will the measures start to be undertaken? In connection with the decrees execution, the preparatory work has already begun and the international practice is currently being studied because the adoption of this decree determines a new approach in official statistics. Thus, on the one hand, new and more detailed information in the mining industry must be collected, and on the other hand, the data collected on the basis of existing official statistical reports must meet the new requirements. From this point of view, our main goal, as we noted, is to integrate reporting into the official statistical system, to ensure that the processes of collecting, processing and disseminating data become a constituent part of the statistical production process, in connection with which the necessary measures will be taken. What changes will occur in the preparation of statistics in this context? Will the committee cooperate with some other structures for this? To date, the committee has prepared and is publishing statistical data based on the available official statistical reports in the mining industry. For example, the annual statistical compendium "Industry of Azerbaijan" reflects the volume of production in the mining industry, fixed assets, the number of workers in this sector, their average monthly wages, manufacturing of products in physical terms and other key indicators. The statistical compendium "Energy of Azerbaijan" provides information on the national energy balance, commodity balances of energy products and other necessary information related to energy statistics, including the main indicators of the energy enterprises' operations. The publication also provides data on the share of energy and electricity consumption, energy intensity, efficiency and balance, balance by sectors, commodity balances of individual energy products, consumption of energy products by type of economic activity, production of crude oil, natural gas and other indicators. Moreover, various statistical bulletins, analytical materials, press releases, and other information in this area were developed and presented to the users. As noted above, the signing of this decree determines both the systematization of the available data in the mining industry and the collection of new data on a number of indicators, which currently are not considered in official statistics, in particular financial indicators, their generalization and publication on a single platform. In this regard, the committee will cooperate with relevant agencies depending on the stages of the statistical production process, including from demand research to data publication. Integration of databases of public authorities into the statistical database of the committee for obtaining additional statistical data in this area, increasing access to administrative data in terms of the purposes of official statistics, as well as reducing the burden on respondents are also included in the list of forthcoming tasks. What breakthroughs in the development of this area will contribute to ensuring transparency in the mining industry? I would like to note that the committees main task is to organize information support to meet the needs of users of official statistics. We believe that the transition to systematic publication of data in the mining industry through the taken measures will further increase the efficiency of the activities carried out, simplify access to the information and allow ensuring higher accessibility of the data. Equipped with naloxone and a smartphone app, community members can save lives in the fight against America's opioid crisis, according to a paper from researchers at Drexel University's Dornsife School of Public Health and colleagues published this week in The Lancet journal EClinicalMedicine. During a pilot study, researchers found that enrolled participants were able to signal and respond to opioid overdoses using a smartphone app, called UnityPhilly, developed by the study team. During 22 overdose emergencies, a participant received an overdose alert on the UnityPhilly app, traveled to the location and then administered naloxone to the overdose victim at the scene. In an additional 52 overdose emergencies, the participant who witnessed the overdose signaled an alert with the app and then administered naloxone themselves. A successful reversal was reported in 95.9% (71/74) of cases. In over half of these events (59.5%), study participants administered naloxone more than five minutes faster than Emergency Medical Services (EMS) were able to arrive on scene. During the year-long observational study, that concluded in February 2020, 112 adult Philadelphians, 57 of whom use opioids, reported 291 suspected overdoses and alerted nearby volunteers using the UnityPhilly app. All study participants were trained in how to administer naloxone, use the app and give rescue breathing, and then they were provided with two doses of naloxone. Every time an alert was signaled by pressing an "SOS" button in the app, it also alerted EMS via 911 which allowed them to follow up with their protocol, regardless of whether a layperson responded. "We know that the lay public is effective at administering naloxone, but now we know that an app can help laypersons provide naloxone faster when every second counts," said senior author Stephen Lankenau, PhD, a professor and associate dean for research at the Dornsife School of Public Health who co-led the study with David Schwartz of Bar-Ilan University, Israel. "By empowering community members with these tools, we strengthen the 'chain of survival,' and keep people alive until EMS or other medical personal administer further aid." Unless it's reversed in time, an overdose from opioids, such as heroin, or pain relievers, like oxycodone or fentanyl, can cause breathing to slow or stop. Naloxone works as an antagonist that connects to opioid receptors to prevent the effects of other opioids in the body. Signs of an overdose include skin feeling cold, blue nails and lips, slow heartbeat and vomiting, among other symptoms. In 2018, U.S. overdose deaths decreased for the first time in 25 years with 67,367 drug deaths, roughly seven out of 10 involving opioids, but that rate rose nearly 5% to an estimated 72,000 in 2019, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The coronavirus pandemic is also suspected of raising overdose deaths and other "deaths of despair." As of July 15, drug deaths are up 13% this year compared to last year, according to government data compiled by The New York Times. Philadelphia has the highest per capita overdose mortality rate among large U.S. cities, with 1,150 deaths in 2019, a number up 3% from 2018. The study focused on four Philadelphia zip codes, with participants recruited in the Kensington neighborhood, which experiences higher drug use and availability of naloxone than other areas of the city. The authors will next look at a city-wide study to test if the app can be scaled for all of Philadelphia. ### Funding for this study was provided by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA). In addition to Lankenau, authors contributing to this paper include lead author David G. Schwartz, of Bar-Ilan University, Israel; Janna Ataiants and Alexis Roth of the Dornsife School of Public Health; Gabriela Marcu of the University of Michigan; Inbal Yahav, of Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel; Benjamin Cocchiaro, of the University of Pennsylvania; and Michael Khalemsky, of Bar-Ilan University. Samsung officially announced the Galaxy Watch 3 earlier this morning and it wont be long before you can buy it. That might not be a surprise to some consumers. But whether it was or not, the fact of the matter is you can actually buy the Samsung Galaxy Watch 3 this week if youre eager to get a hold of it as soon as you can. The watch will also be pretty widely available. As youll be able to pick it up from a number of different retailers. Advertisement Buy the Samsung Galaxy Watch 3 at midnight on August 6 Samsung is making it possible for consumers to place their orders for the Galaxy Watch 3 very, very soon. In fact, youll be able to secure your device in just a matter of hours. Because availability of the device will go live at midnight. Which will technically be August 6 when Samsung confirmed the watch would be made available. Worth keeping in mind is that this is when the watch will be available in the US. But it should also be available at same time in other regions where Samsung plans to launch the watch on August 6. Which is likely South Korea, and probably other international regions. Advertisement As for where you can buy the watch, Samsung is making it available through the usual channels. Which is a pretty widespread avenue of purchase possibilities. Pick it up from Samsung directly or at a number of retail partners Youll of course be able to buy the watch from Samsung directly. If this is who you tend to purchase your Samsung products from, then you can do so from Samsungs own website. The watch will retail for $399 if you grab it in the Bluetooth model. If you want the LTE model, then youll be paying $449. This might be where you want to buy the watch if youre also planning to purchase the Galaxy Note 20 and are buying the phone there. Advertisement In addition to Samsungs website, you can also buy the Galaxy Watch 3 from Amazon, Best Buy, and other retail partners from their respective websites. Though keep in mind that stock may vary depending on where you buy it. You can grab the watch in two different material options. The Stainless Steel model or the Titanium model. It will also be available in three different colors. Though not all colors will be available in every configuration. The 41mm version of the watch will be available in Mystic Silver and Mystic Bronze. Meanwhile the 45mm version will be available in Mystic Silver and Mystic Black. Advertisement Pre-order the Samsung Galaxy Watch 3 The Council will hold a ministerial-level open debate on "the linkages between terrorism and transnational organized crime" on Thursday, Dian Triansyah Djani, permanent representative of Indonesia to the UN and president of the Council for the month of August, said at a virtual press conference on the Council's program of work on Monday. United Nations, Aug 4 (IANS) UN Security Council (UNSC) is expected to have focus on counter-terrorism issues in August, it was reported. There will also be a briefing on Secretary-Gneral's biannual strategic-level report on the threat posed by the Islamic State terror group on August 24, reports Xinhua news agency. The Council's other open debate is "pandemics and the challenges to peacebuilding and sustaining peace". The likely briefers include Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, former Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and Sarah Cliffe, director of New York University's Center on International Cooperation, according to the program of work. Several regular Middle East meetings are on the program of work as well. There will be the three monthly Syria meetings: open and closed video-conferences on the political and humanitarian situation and a closed VTC on the use of chemical weapons. The monthly meetings on developments in Yemen and on the situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian Question, are also planned in both open and closed format. In addition, the Council will meet for a briefing on recent developments in Iraq and on the two latest secretary-general's reports, on the UN Assistance Mission in Iraq and on the issue of missing Kuwaiti and third-country nationals and missing Kuwaiti property, including the national archives. Meetings in open and closed format are also planned ahead of adoptions to renew the UN missions in Lebanon and Somalia. An adoption is also expected to renew the Mali sanctions regime, as well as the mandate of its Panel of Experts. The Council will be briefed on the latest secretary-general's report on the UN Integrated Peacebuilding Office in Guinea-Bissau, as well as developments in the country following the post-electoral crisis earlier in the year. Council members may also participate in a "virtual visiting mission" to meet with key stakeholders in Somalia ahead of the adoption, according to the Security Council Report (SCR), whose mission is to advance the transparency and effectiveness of the Council. The Council will be watching developments in Burundi, Iran, Libya, Myanmar and Sudan, as well as those related to the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, and additional meetings may be added as necessary, the SCR said. Indonesia, the fourth most populous country on earth after China, India, and the US, has been elected four times as non-permanent member to the Security Council. --IANS ksk/ A migrant, left, seeks help in Tucson's desert in a moment from Netflix's "Immigration Nation." (Netflix) Early in the first episode of new docuseries "Immigration Nation," a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement official pulls out his phone and records a video inside the agency's New York City office, where a lone immigrant sits inside the processing room. It's the start of a weeklong operation to arrest undocumented immigrants. "Just making sure ... I thought there was an op today," the official says sarcastically, at one point looking at the documentary camera, before sending the video to supervisors with a gleeful chuckle. It's one of many fly-on-the-wall moments captured in the six-part Netflix series that gives a rare inside look at the machinery of ICE and the bureaucratic maze of the country's immigration system. Covering the spring of 2017 to the winter of 2019, "Immigration Nation" documents the implementation of President Donald Trump's hard-line immigration framework, a central theme in his 2016 campaign, and its effect on the migrants who must grapple with it casting the lens on the enforcers and the immigrants. (None of the participants were compensated for their participation.) The series hails from directors Shaul Schwarz and Christina Clusiau, the team behind 2017's "Trophy," which explored both sides of the debate over big-game hunting. The Times spoke with Clusiau and Schwartz about embedding with ICE, administration officials' complaints about the docuseries and efforts to delay its release, and cultivating trust with the featured migrants. The conversation has been edited for clarity and condensed. What was the catalyst that set you on this journey? Was it a certain speech Trump gave? A person you encountered whose story resonated? Clusiau: Schwarz: Yeah, I shot with him a little bit about their drug enforcement and Homeland Security investigations. And I stayed in touch with a spokesman, who I would kind of consider a friend. I actually was interested in immigrants that came to this country, and I thought ICE is kind of a fascinating asset to cover... even in the Obama days, when I think there was less attention. I had asked them if we could do a show or something about immigration. At that time, they kind of thought that the attention was off them and they didn't want to let that kind of come in. And when Trump was elected, me and Christina went to lunch with the spokesman and kind of said, given the rhetoric of the campaign and how things were kind of building up around the wall and ... Story continues Clusiau: The travel ban ... Schwarz: [We said]: "Would you consider [it], because we think ICE is going to be much more in the forefront." And that's kind of how the project started. We were always fascinated, particularly in this time, and the access just made it a no-brainer. But, we always told them that it would be a mix. ... We called it a "'Wire'-like look," in a pitch, about the immigration system. Did you have to make concessions early on to get this access? Schwartz: Clusiau: Within it was kind of a standard approach that they have the right to review for factual inaccuracies, like our statistics are correct ... Schwarz: Or law enforcement sensitivities basically anything that would give away tactics that are sensitive. Those were the two main privacy issues. It's a pretty standard contract, actually, with [Department of Homeland Security] that a lot of production companies do sign, if you work with them. I imagine most production companies slightly negotiate that contract. So did we. I can't remember exactly how long it takes, but I want to say somewhere between two to three months, but it wasn't because there was that much to do. It was kind of a slow burn at the beginning. And then we just got going. But it was clear that they normally don't grant access. And we said, "We're going to do a substantial show about this if the access would be real." Were you surprised they ended up granting you the access they did? Schwarz: We were really grateful when we actually landed with people on the ground, because I think some people really didn't want to talk and that was OK. That was maybe half of the people. But we would get introduced to people and then we would kind of start embedding or talking to them. And we pretty quickly could tell what was a little bit of a tour ... Clusiau: And what was real access. I feel like because the agency's so vast too, there's a lot of ICE individuals who were ICE individuals under Obama, as they are [under] Trump, as they are [under] whatever the next administration is. I think they have a very large spectrum of opinions. And I think we were able to connect with individuals on that level because so many of them come from different backgrounds, different places and different tenures, and in the agency, once you kind of land with them and spend time in cars with them and drive for four hours because you're going to some operation, you do find common ground. You start to really talk and realize that they are in a tough position under this administration to do their job. It was quite a variety of individuals. ... I think there's this perception that immigration just happens on the border. I think it was unique to be able to go to New York and North Carolina, Arizona, Texas to kind of show how each place, they're up against different things. And I think that was something that was important to us, to dive in and understand where they were coming from in their place in the country. Schwarz: People would ask us like, "Oh, my God, you're spending time with them" depending on where you come from, it's such a polarized issue. People are like, "Are they assholes? They must be the worst." And the truth is, that's not the ICE officers we met. There's already controversy around our show, and I guess that's too bad because the review process is completely different than the people we spent the years with. And, yeah, like Christina said, we just found them in a very hard position as this issue got more and more heated and as orders came across. I grew up in Israel and I served in the [Israeli Defense Forces], and now I can kind of be very open to say: I wasn't for the occupation; I thought it was not the right thing. But I served in an army; that was its job. And as somebody who takes orders, you're caught in a hard position. You're just a soldier. And I think that is something that interested us, that we hope actually comes across in the show that is not throwing any side under the bus. I think people want us to say, "Oh, tell them that they're so bad," and "abolish ICE," and this and that, or the other way around. The series traces the Trump administration's zero tolerance stance on immigration. And as we see over the six episodes, the policies were changing in the midst of your filming. How did this documentary change from where it started? Clusiau: As we saw how quickly things developed within policies, we had to be very nimble. ... But we always had that idea that everybody's chewed up within the system whether it's the immigrants, whether it's the ICE agents. The overarching thing is the policy that is consistently chipping away at immigrant rights. Schwarz: It's like everything changed and nothing changed. ... There was a clear tactic: to instill fear, to push people to be scared this way of thinking, "We'll make it bad enough they'll just leave or not come." That's just what everybody inside the system said. I think it's very hard when you cover immigration because there's so much fear [among] the undocumented and inside ICE. They usually don't let you actually talk to the people or show their faces. And it's very hard to humanize a person without doing that. Those were like our driving pillars. And it wasn't easy, because even with the great access to ICE, it wasn't that we could just do anything. These guys get moved all over detention centers a lot of people will say by design. We could only enter in certain points and certain moments. I think it's still extraordinary compared to what ICE usually gives journalists. All of these things made for a really, really hard production that was really super shifting. It's been reported that ICE tried to have the series held, at least until after the election. And that it's shocked by what it says are "mischaracterizations" in the series. What is your response to all that it has said so far? Schwarz: We don't think the show portrays ICE in a way that mischaracterizes them. If we wanted to just do a gotcha, we could have done a lot more, to be honest. We're really looking forward for the men and women of ICE to watch the show, because when they talk in honesty whether it's at the bar or after work, or it's 6 a.m. waiting for someone for hours to come out the door I think they're going to see a mirror of what they do all the time. I don't think it shows them as the bad guy necessarily. I think it shows their reality. Again, I was a soldier. I served in a place where I didn't agree with the politics. And maybe if someone documented everybody, everything, my platoon, it would at times look bad to me. I get it. Our message is: Look at the bigger, systemic problem. Did they at any point try to stop production? Schwarz: You touched on this a little bit earlier, but how did you find the families or individuals willing to participate? I imagine many of these immigrants had never spoken to a journalist or a filmmaker before. So how do you cultivate that trust at their most vulnerable and navigate safety concerns with the subjects? Clusiau: But I do think that there were some situations where, for example, like the [fathers separated from their children] there's this whole world around them that's closing in on them. And I think there was a moment where they just felt like they wanted to tell their story. They wanted somebody to talk to. And I think that was kind of the guiding light: If somebody wanted to really tell their story, we would try to go from that point and talk to them more and say, this is what we're doing; are you interested in participating? We would walk that line very carefully because we think all these individuals are in such vulnerable positions, and we don't want anybody to be put more in danger because of the work that we're doing. Schwarz: It was very challenging because a lot of the time we would find our subjects from embedding with ICE. So if you can imagine knocking on the door at 6 o'clock in the morning and needing to say, these guys are trying to come in and do their business and we're like, "We're separate from them" slightly in my broken Spanish. I understand everything, but I speak a little bit, so usually it was in Spanish of me saying, 'We're independent journalists. We're not with them. Would you be OK if we document your story? If you sign paperwork, we could air this and we can try and stay in touch and so on." And you know, a lot of people said no. But a lot of people said yes. And I think they felt slightly more protected, although we can never influence any situation, really. You talked about allowing your subjects to speak for themselves. And I think there's the assumption that people might be on their best behavior in front of cameras. But over the course of the episodes, we see some of the ICE employees say and do some pretty brazen things, knowing full well that the cameras are there. Was that shocking to you? Clusiau: Schwarz: The opening scene of this immigrant being brought to detention, when he bangs his head and Scott, who was the head of the unit there, pretty higher up, [records video] that was actually one of the first days of production. And because it was kind of an operation, me and Christina were in different cars. So I was there [in the office] by myself. and I remember, as he makes clear, it was like the first arrest. It was early morning. And I remember texting Christina if she can talk for a second because I was little bit like, "Holy [expletive]!" I was the only guy in the room. It was like the three of us. He was looking at the camera and he's clearly aware of the camera. It's how he acts. And some people will hate him, and ICE told us that he would get fired for it; I don't know if that's true. As time went by, there was a lot of that. What shocks me is ICE is like, 'Oh, they managed to catch these couple of moments. And we're not like that.' I'm sorry. Bull. I'm calling bull on that. And to make it complicated, I think again, from serving in the army, from embedding in policing as a journalist, I think if you have this environment that is set from the top and it's really true to DHS under Trump then some individuals are going to be emboldened. Now listen, to put in perspective, they're not kneeling on a guy, killing him in the footage we saw. Nothing like that. It just shocks me that they would pretend that that's not the day-to-day part of the operation. That's the honest truth. How did you decide what issues or points about immigration to focus on? Had there been thought about exploring the Muslim ban since it was one of the first controversial policies of the Trump administration? Schwarz: Clusiau: There's an early cut with that in it in Episode 1. We used to have this map on our wall with a construction paper cutout of some different places where we want to explore. And a lot of it was guided from the inside access that we had to ICE. We kind of focused on wanting to have stories unfold in front of us. So a lot of it was like the Muslim ban already had happened, so it was archival. Stefania Artega, a young activist and immigrant from El Salvador, in Netflix's "Immigration Nation." (Netflix) There's a pretty remarkable moment, I think it's in Episode 4, where Stefania, a teenage immigrant from El Salvador and activist we meet in the series, is live-streaming in close range some of the arrests ICE is making in her neighborhood following the dissolution of the 287(g) program in North Carolina's Mecklenburg County. What was that like to film? Clusiau: Schwarz: This world is so depressing when you spend time in it. On one hand you feel so lucky and the other hand you're just so helpless. And then you meet the Stefanias of the world and they just give you hope. They give you hope because they push and they're truly courageous. She particularly is. We had the scene that didn't make it in with her. She was driving and we were like, "What do you want to do now?" And she's like, "I wish I could just go to college." And I suddenly remembered (a) how unprivileged she is; (b) how young she is; and (c) that she's just a regular person. It put into perspective what she did: how she beat an election. It was really a lot to do. It wasn't just her but Comunidad Colectiva, the grassroots [immigrants rights organization] that she leads; they really changed the landscape in North Carolina. I know you said you stopped filming last year, but considering the ways the coronavirus has affected immigrants how the virus has spread in detention centers, who is out there working and most directly affected, who's eligible for stimulus checks have you wanted to resume filming as an additional episode? Do you think you might explore this down the line? Schwarz: I think we need a break from this just because it was very taxing, and then the fight to get it to go out to people was really emotionally taxing. But I don't know. I think we might maybe, in a different format. Pretty sure ICE is not going to allow me and Christina back on exclusive access. We often, through the production, wished we could tell stories we couldn't, which sounds weird because we have this great access, but there were some immigrant stories that we had to drop a lot of things or not follow through for obvious reasons. Maybe when we get a break, we're going to try to write something on this world that is based on truth, but it is a fiction show or film. That is something we've thought about a lot. It's un-American, it's inhumane that we do this to people. I don't think people understand the human toll, the price and how in a story like Bernardo [an immigrant from Guatemala separated from his son, Emilio, when they came to the U.S.], how it destroys a family. You talk to the left and they're like, "Abolish ICE, no wall." And I'm like, "OK, but every country needs some kind of system."And then you go to the other side and they're like, "It's all fake news." And I was like, "Do you think we can deport veterans?" And they're like, "You're lying." I think that's really our focus now: to get some conversation going so we can agree on these things and actually change them and relax our screaming. Delhi University, which conducted the first phase of online mock tests in July, has started with the second phase. The open book online mock examinations will be held till August 4. While some universities have exempted final year students owing to Covid 19 precautions, no such respite seems likely for DU students. Final year students who wrote the exams talk about the hurdles they faced and what they expect of the university. Mock tests are a mockery. Political science students were given the question paper for Geography. Later, they covered it up saying that this was just for sample. The site on which you cant upload simple documents weighing in KBs and that crashes on results day, how do you expect to upload megabytes of answer sheets, questions Dishant Grewal, final year Political Science student at Kirori Mal College. Internet connectivity has been a matter of grave concern for outstation students who left for their hometowns. Benna Fathima, a final year Sociology student at Hindu College who went back to Kerala in March, says that during monsoon, there are frequent power cuts. The electricity just goes off and there is no internet. The university has made provisions for students to go to a centre in case they cant write from home, but I live in a containment zone. Where do I go? I have my exam on August 13, but I am hoping it gets cancelled or postponed, otherwise I am doomed, she says. Read: Students should prepare for final year university exams: UGC to SC The problem with online exams is not just technical; the build up to prepare has lead to anxiety for many. Priyanshi Singh, a final year History student at Miranda House, who gave her mock test on August 1 from her hometown Ayodhya, says that the question paper was different from the ones they were used to. This question paper missed certain themes. We usually get eight themes, with an option to answer any four. This paper had six themes with an option to answer any three. Many of my friends dont have a laptop and had to upload from their mobile phone. At first, it showed uploaded, but within 10 minutes, it showed error, she says. Adding to their worries is the time limit in which they have to scan, upload, fill in details and answer the questions. All this in three hoursdo we write the answers or spend time filling in roll numbers on each side? It was very haphazard. I would like to dissociate myself from the OBEs. I spent my days in anxiety and it has taken a mental toll on many of us. Despite repeated petitions, there is no solution. We are helpless, says Singh. Read: HC pulls up DU for lack of preparation regarding exams for differently abled students Students from various colleges and courses have filed petitions requesting that exams be cancelled. With no assurance on a concrete course of action, they are unable to apply for further studies. In the first phase, only around 26% of the students sat for the mocks. Many students went home, where they dont even have proper internet connection. There is a time limit during which the link remains active. What do we do in these scenarios? We have written to the VC and the chancellor but to no avail, says Ashish Lamba, final year student at Campus Law Centre. Till the time final year students are graded, they cant apply for higher studies or jobs, creating a state of limbo. I appeal that the exams be cancelled, and instead we are graded on our past performance, or given assignments. In any case, these are open book exams, so what difference does it make if we submit assignments, says Mayank Madaan, final year B.Com student at Satyawati College. Interact with Etti Bali @TheBalinian Follow @htcity for more SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON The Australian Federal Police raided the house of a Labor MP's staffer because it believed he was collaborating with the Chinese government's leading spy agency to influence NSW politics. Documents filed in the High Court reveal for the first time the basis for the raids on the home and business of John Zhang, a part-time staffer to suspended state Labor MP Shaoquett Moselmane. NSW Labor MLC Shaoquett Moselmane (far right) with his staffer, John Zhang, (second from the left) at a function at NSW Parliament's Jubilee Room in July 2018. Credit:WEMP.app The reasons include that Mr Zhang used a private social media chat group with Mr Moselmane to encourage the MP to advocate for Chinese state interests. He is also accused of failing to disclose to Mr Moselmane that he was acting "on behalf of, or in collaboration with" key apparatus of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), "including the Ministry of State Security and the United Front Work Department". Ammonium nitrate - identified as the cause of the deadly explosion in Beirut - is an odourless crystalline substance used as a fertiliser that has been behind many industrial explosions and terrorist attacks over the decades. Two tonnes of it was used to create the bomb in the 1995 Oklahoma City attack that destroyed a federal building, leaving 168 people dead, and it has been widely used by the Taliban in improvised devices. Experts say a fire in Beirut started after a spark from a welder likely ignited the highly reactive chemical, causing a blast the equivalent to three kilotons of TNT, killing at least 100 people and leaving thousands more injured. There were 2,750 tonnes of the hazardous chemical held in the warehouse at the time of the explosion - which measured as the equivalent of a 3.5 earthquake. Survivors of the blast which devastated Beirut overnight were sifting through the ruins of the city on Wednesday for bodies as the death toll rose to 100 with more than 4,000 wounded, and hospitals struggling to cope Death and injury from the explosion would have come in a number of phases, according to Dr David Caldicott from the Australian National University. 'Primary injuries are blast-related, as a consequence of the overpressure wave interacting with the hollow space in victims; lung injuries are often survived, but subsequently fatal, and bowel injuries are common. 'Secondary injuries are caused by flying debris; effectively environmental shrapnel. AMMONIUM NITRATE: DEADLY WHEN CONTAMINATED Ammonium nitrate contains two groups: Ammonia (NH4+) - a nitrogen and four hydrogens, which provide the fuel. Nitrate that comprises of a nitrogen and three oxygens (NO3-) that provide the oxygen necessary for combustion. It contains both groups required for a fire and if heated then the three components of the fire-triangle are present - that is fuel, oxygen and heat. An explosion occurs when a large amount of an energetic substance detonates, producing a large volume of confined, hot gases that expand and cause a shock wave. The video footage of the incident show initial white/grey smoke followed by an explosion that released a large cloud of red/brown smoke and a large white 'mushroom cloud'. These indicate that the gasses released are white ammonium nitrate fumes, toxic, red/brown nitrous oxide and water. SOURCE: Stewart Walker, ammonium nitrate expert from Flinders University Advertisement 'Tertiary injuries are as a consequence of being thrown by the blast, and quaternary injuries by other features such as inhalation.' When combined with fuel oils, ammonium nitrate creates a potent explosive widely used in the construction industry, but its deadly power has also been harnessed by insurgent groups to create bombs. As well as the Oklahoma City bomb in the US, it has been used in a number of IRA attacks on the UK. These include the Bishopsgate attack in April 1993 that left 40 injured and a 40ft wide crater. A 3,300lb bomb in Manchester in June 1996 planted by the IRA left 2,000 injured but no deaths due to a phone warning an hour before the blast. Other fertiliser bomb attacks include one on the Baltic Exchange building in the City of London that was hit by a one-tonne bomb planted by the IRA in 1992. It killed three people. In agriculture, ammonium nitrate fertiliser is applied in granule form and quickly dissolves under moisture, allowing nitrogen to be released into the soil. However, under normal storage conditions and without very high heat, it is difficult to ignite ammonium nitrate, Jimmie Oxley, a chemistry professor at the University of Rhode Island, said. 'If you look at the video (of the Beirut explosion), you saw the black smoke, you saw the red smoke - that was an incomplete reaction,' she said. 'I am assuming that there was a small explosion that instigated the reaction of the ammonium nitrate - whether that small explosion was an accident or something on purpose I haven't heard yet.' That's because ammonium nitrate is an oxidiser - it intensifies combustion and allows other substances to ignite more readily, but is not itself very combustible. For these reasons, there are generally very strict rules about where it can be stored: for example, it must be kept away from fuels and sources of heat. In fact, many countries in the European Union require that calcium carbonate to be added to ammonium nitrate to create calcium ammonium nitrate, which is safer. In the United States, regulations were tightened significantly after the Oklahoma City attack, with inspections required if more than 2,000lbs of it are stored in one place. Despite its dangers, Oxley said legitimate uses of ammonium nitrate in agriculture and construction have made it indispensable. 'We wouldn't have this modern world without explosives, and we wouldn't feed the population we have today without ammonium nitrate fertilizer,' she said. 'We need ammonium nitrate, we just need to pay good attention to what we're doing with it,' explained Oxley. The compound was first synthesised by German chemist Johann Rudolf Glauber after he combined ammonium carbonate and nitric acid in 1659. However, modern cheap and readily available supplies are only possible as a result of a technique developed during WW1 by German scientist Fritz Haber. He found a way to produce ammonia artificially - called the Haber process that won him the Nobel Prize - his technique is still used today to make ammonium nitrate. The Haber method kept Germany supplied with the chemical throughout the war despite blockades and attempts to cut off supplies. The country used the chemical compound as a fertiliser but also as an explosive. Haber went on to develop other chemicals, methods and processes including a way to weaponise chlorine and other poisonous gases during WW1 that led to him being called the 'father of chemical warfare'. Although relatively stable by default, ammonium nitrate is dangerous. For example, an explosion at a Texas fertilizer plant in 2013 killed 15 and was ruled deliberate. Another at a chemical plant in Toulouse, France in 2001 that killed 31 people but was accidental also involved ammonium nitrate. Many of those killed or injured by the explosion in Beirut would have been hit by the shock wave or fire - but shrapnel from destroyed buildings would also have had a devastating impact. The ammonium nitrate had remained unsecured in the warehouse for six years, according to Lebanon prime minister Hassan Diab, who said it had been taken from a ship and placed in the warehouse. Professor Andrea Sella from University College London said the fact it has been allowed to sit in a warehouse for so long is a 'catastrophic regulatory failure'. 'The idea that such a quantity would have been left unattended for six years beggars belief and was an accident waiting to happen,' Sella said. A general view of the harbour area with smoke billowing from an area of a large explosion, with damage and debris after a large explosion rocked the harbour area of Beirut According to experts it actually takes very specific circumstances for ammonium nitrate to explode as it isn't an explosive in its own right - it is an oxidiser that draws oxygen to a fire and makes it more intense. If the chemical becomes contaminated with something like oil then it can explode and at that point becomes highly explosive. Speaking on this morning's BBC Today Programme, Philip Ingram, an expert on chemical weapons, said it was appalling so much of the chemical was stored in one place. 'It has been responsible for some of the largest accidental explosions we've seen since it has been used,' Ingram said. 'In its pure, well stored, basic form it is relatively safe, but when it is poorly stored, in a confined space, over time it gets contaminated and something can spark it off. 'It generates its own heat and once that is started it continues to generate it and over time it can lead to a high order explosion like the one we've seen in Beirut.' Two tonnes of Ammonium Nitrate was used to create the bomb in the 1995 Oklahoma City (pictured) attack that destroyed a federal building, leaving 168 people dead Because of this highly reactive state when contaminated and the fact it is cheap and readily available, ammonium nitrate has become a chemical of choice for terrorists. The chemical was used again in the 2002 nightclub bombing in Bali that killed 202 people, in the 2011 Oslo bombing by Anders Behring Breivik, which killed eight people, and in numerous other terrorist attacks. In these improvised explosives the detonator goes off first and the energy causes the ammonium nitrate to vaporise and become a gas. This forms large amounts of oxygen as the molecules breakdown and drives the explosion to become bigger. Other incidents have occurred where ammonium nitrate in storage or transit has caused an explosion, with widespread destruction to the surrounding area. Incidents in Australia involving transportation include a truck carrying ammonium nitrate that experienced an electrical fault and a fire and exploded, killing three people in Taroom, Queensland on August 30 1972. Another incident in Wyandra, Queensland on September 6 2014 saw a truck carrying ammonium nitrate explode after rolling - destroying a bridge. China's Virus Testing Pledge Sparks DNA Fears in Hong Kong 2020-08-04 -- Concerns are growing in Hong Kong that a mass coronavirus testing program could result in the DNA of Hongkongers being sent to mainland China, potentially for law enforcement and surveillance purposes. A team of experts sent by the ruling Chinese Communist Party in Beijing to kickstart a mass coronavirus testing program in Hong Kong were met with protests as they visited a potential laboratory in an industrial area of Tai Po district, although protesters expressed concerns over infection control rather than the use of DNA. But there has also been widespread concern over the program based on a report last year in The New York Times that authorities in the northwestern region of Xinjiang had collected DNA samples from ethnic minorities groups in the troubled region, then used it to recreate facial images for use in tracking systems. Public trust in the local government and in Beijing is at a low ebb following months of crackdown on pro-democracy protesters and a draconian new security regime that includes the stationing of Chinese state security police in the city, marking the end of the city's promised autonomy and traditional freedoms. The New York Times reported that the DNA data could be used to build a mass surveillance and facial recognition system to track people of specific ethnicities or political dissidents. The ruling Chinese Communist Party has been rolling out a national medical check-up program in Xinjiang, collecting blood samples, fingerprints, and facial scans from residents, which many fear is a pretext for collecting DNA for tracking purposes. Further concerns were sparked after Hong Kong police started taking DNA samples from suspects arrested under the national security law imposed on the city by decree from Beijing last month. Lawyers said at the time that the Hong Kong police didn't usually take DNA from suspects unless they were involved in fights or rape allegations. Among the arrestees who confirmed having had a saliva sample taken was Tony Chung, former leader of the now-disbanded activist group Studentlocalism. The Hong Kong government on Sunday issued a statement denying that DNA samples would be collected by mainland Chinese medical teams, who arrived in the city on Sunday to help with a mass coronavirus testing program. "Certain individuals are spreading rumors intentionally on the internet, claiming the government will transport the DNA data of the public to the mainland during virus testing," the statement said. "This is absolutely unfounded." "Virus testing will only be conducted in Hong Kong, samples of which will not be transported to the mainland for testing," it said, warning that the authorities were collecting evidence of rumor-mongering and could bring criminal charges. Questions remaining Michael Felix Lau of the Hong Kong Allied Health Professionals and Nurses Association said the government had yet to give a clear account of the testing process, however, and that questions remain in the minds of medical staff. "This is really a question of whether we trust [the government's denial]," Lau said, adding that it was unclear whether the mainland Chinese staff would be asked to remain in quarantine for 14 days on arrival. "The government isn't telling the people of Hong Kong such things, so people don't trust them." Authorities in mainland China have dispatched a 60-member advance team to Hong Kong, who will set up a "temporary laboratory," according to the Hong Kong government statement on Aug. 2. But no details of the lab's location were released. The Hong Kong government plans to test up to 200,000 people for coronavirus under the scheme, according to Yu Dewen, an official at the Guangdong provincial health commission. "The main goal [for the advance team] is to understand their sites, equipment, and workflow, so that our staff can get into the role as soon as possible and carry out nucleic acid testing," Yu told RFA. But it is unclear whether the testing program will stop at 200,000 people. The Beijing-backed Wen Wei Po newspaper recently cited sources as saying that the plan is for Beijing to provide free coronavirus testing for Hong Kong's seven million residents. Chief executive Carrie Lam said the government was still looking at whether that would happen, however. Testing not always effective Ho Pak-leung, who directs the Centre for Infectious Diseases at the University of Hong Kong, has told local media that universal testing isn't always effective in preventing the spread of coronavirus, which has seen a resurgence in Hong Kong in recent weeks. "The median incubation period of the virus is five days, which means that you have to be one day ahead of the virus and complete the testing of 7.5 million people within four days," Ho told a local radio station. "Can we mobilize to collect more than two million samples a day?" he said. And Leung Chi-chiu, chairman of the Infectious Diseases Advisory Committee of the Hong Kong Medical Association, said universal testing is only effective when an entire area or community is closed off from the outside world. He said new coronavirus infections are already appearing throughout the city, so such an approach may be too late to contain the spread of the virus. Hong Kong has reported more than 100 new, confirmed cases of coronavirus in the past 10 days, although the number of cases dipped slightly on Monday. The Hospital Authority (HA) said 56 patients are being treated at the newly converted community treatment facility in the AsiaWorld-Expo building. Reported by Man Hoi-tsan and Lu Xi for RFA's Mandarin and Cantonese Services. Translated and edited by Luisetta Mudie. Copyright 1998-2020, RFA. Used with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. For any commercial use of RFA content please send an email to: mahajanr@rfa.org. RFA content August not be used in a manner which would give the appearance of any endorsement of any product or support of any issue or political position. Please read the full text of our Terms of Use. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address 281 Shares Share Its something we are taught from when we are very young and is a core middle class belief: work hard, get a qualification, and then youll be able to find a good employer who will send you a nice paycheck every month. On some levels, this seems like an attractive option. Yet on so many others, it falls apart. For physicians in the United States, the concept of employment is relatively new, because prior to the corporate takeover of health care over the last 20 years, nearly all physicians were self-employedso essentially working for themselves. I was recently having a discussion with a colleague about physicians breaking away from full-time medicine and working in a more flexible way. As many readers of my blog know, I took the decision after a few years of working as a full-time employee that there was no way I could carry on like that in the current health care environment. I took the decision to independently contract with facilities on a regular basis, doing a mix of inpatient and outpatient workbut on my own terms. This allowed me to not burn out, avoid getting dragged into excessive administration and bureaucracy, and spread my skills and avoid monotony. Dare I say, earn more and work less too (which any professional, not just a physician, can doyou just have to be savvy). I love clinical medicine, serving my patients, and have no intentions of ever leaving the front lines. Ive never been happier and moreover, have ample time for other creative non-clinical ventures too. The arguments Ive heard against working in this way are most often along the lines of: I need job security. I hate to break it to anyone, doctor or not, but there is no job security as an employee. You will always be beholden to your employer, and the nature of your job could change on a whim. Been loyal and dedicated for 10, 20, 30 years? Well, guess what, no matter what your position, your organization would fire you in a second if they ever needed to. Its a total illusion to think that an employer gives you security. That may be what your corporation wants you to think, to get you hooked on them and completely dependent. Yes, that will suit them well. But think about this: look at any of the top executives. Most of them are on a merry-go-round of promotion after promotion, company after company. That CEO who completely reorganized things, trimmed down departments in the name of efficiency, and gave a speech about how proud of the place he or she wasis gone after a few months. Nowhere to be seen. If they get it, so should you. What you should believe gives you security, however, is this: Your own skills in whatever you do. Keep working on them, be as good as you can possibly be, and make yourself indispensable. An asset to anywhere that hires you. Know that if you ever needed to, you could walk away in a minute and be totally OK. If you are in a market where demand far exceeds supply, youll be just fine. And even if you are in a market where demand doesnt exceed supply, and youve made yourself far from average, youll be just fine too. Thats where your security lies. Ironically if you have this attitude in your career, your employer will also respect you more too. Health care or not, the era of our parents and grandparents joining an organization and staying there throughout their 40-year career, is long gone. Millennials realize it, hop from job to job, frequently freelance, and are on an upward curve, always seeking the best possible deal. And thats how it should be. If you work in health care, whether youre a doctor, nurse, or any other front line professional, focus relentlessly on your own skills and be secure in the knowledge that they will always be needed. Suneel Dhand is an internal medicine physician, author, and co-founder, DocsDox. He can be reached at his self-titled site, Suneel Dhand, and on YouTube. Image credit: Shutterstock.com GREENLAND, N.H., Aug. 5, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- RTA Outdoor Living announces the launch of a new blog - "Why Skip Bedell of 'Catch a Contractor' Chose RTA Outdoor Kitchen Kits'". RTA specializes in manufacturing highly customizable, ready-to-assemble outdoor kitchen kits. This blog outlines exactly what the current options for outdoor kitchens are and what sets RTA above the rest. This blog also features Skip Bedell from Spike TV building his RTA outdoor kitchen kit in one afternoon. RTA has completely streamlined the process of ordering and building an outdoor kitchen. Through their unique process, RTA has shaved down the project time to a single afternoon. In all of Skip's years as a contractor, he's never seen an outdoor kitchen come together so quickly. "Every kitchen I've ever built hasn't gone together in less than a couple days, sometimes a couple of weeks" - Skip Bedell of 'Catch a Contractor'. The beauty of the RTA system is one does not have to be a professional to assemble these outdoor kitchens. RTA's product is accessible to homeowners and DIY enthusiasts. All one needs are a couple friends/family to help and a power drill. "If you're a DIYer and you don't have all the contractor connections, you don't have someone coming to build this thing, you can actually do it yourself with just simple tools" - Skip Bedell of 'Catch a Contractor'. The nature of this product allows RTA outdoor kitchens to be highly customizable. Whatever the requirements one has, RTA is sure to meet and exceed those needs. There is even a free design tool available online to design an outdoor kitchen from scratch. "Everything about this was a custom build. We had a very specified size that we needed to use and every inch of it was used and it is every inch of perfection" - Alison Bedell of 'Catch a Contractor'. The RTA Outdoor Living system is the next level in building an outdoor kitchen. RTA kitchens are the centerpiece of the backyard that will last for years to come. There is no process on the market currently that is quicker, simpler, more convenient, durable, or more customizable. The ready-to-assemble outdoor kitchen will soon become the industry standard. To view the blog, please visit: https://rtaoutdoorliving.com/why-skip-bedell-chose-rta-outdoor-kitchen-kits/ SOURCE RTA Outdoor Living After months of lockdown-induced fights and tension between Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban, the two returned to Australia. They even caught some backlash after they skipped the standard quarantine procedures. Still, it was supposed to mark a new chapter in their lives - one where they no longer butt heads, at least for the kids. According to Woman's Day August 10 magaziine, however, their dream of a stable relationship is likely to fail once more. Insiders told the magazine that Keith truly could not stand Australia anymore, knowing his career is back in the United States. This restlessness makes him think of leaving Nicole behind, even their daughters on Sundays and Faith, who are just 12 and 9, respectively. If that is the case, Nicole would be completely blindsided because she fully expects Keith to ease into their new lives. She cannot return to the US because she just bagged a massive project that earned even the NSW government's approval. But Keith Urban is adamant. Here she thought Keith was on board, but no. One sign is that when a massive virtual mega-concert for the 10th anniversary of the legendary IHeartRadio Music Festival was announced, one of the acts that was reported to be performing is Keith Urban. The insider said that this news surprises not only his fans but Nicole Kidman herself. Naturally, she's not pleased - she's pissed! The insider explained, "it's come as a shock to her as she was under the impression they're both be staying in Australia for the foreseeable future, especially given the girls have been enrolled in school." The source added that Keith certainly has something else in his mind when Nicole thought he'd be by his side. This makes the A-list actress feel so angry, more so when she knows Keith must truly want to leave, as he's willing to risk traveling in the middle of a pandemic. The source revealed that Keith's plans could only push on if the Australian government lets him leave, which he is banking on. There is a huge possibility, though, since he can show evidence that his home base and career are all back in Nashville. Another source said that Keith is using the gig to warn his wife that he could and would if he wants to go back home and forget them. He wants to ascertain to Nicole Kidman that even if she's bringing in the big bucks these days amidst the coronavirus crisis, his career is still full. All these rumors seem supported by the fact that Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban purchased a $5 million New York City apartment. Given that Nicole Kidman as a mom would not want o take her children into a crowded city like New York as long as the COVID-19 pandemic rages on, this means the property is meant for Keith's use. Nicole did not realize it would this soon. Reportedly, Keith would be headlining the IHeartRadio concert with Miley Cyrus, Khalid, and many more. It's still a few weeks away, but Nicole still cannot believe her husband would commit to it and just leave them. The CW Network will be broadcasting the two-night televised iHeartRadio Music Festival on Sunday, Sept. 27 (8:00-10:00 pm ET) and Monday, Sept. 28 (8:00-10:00 pm ET). READ MORE: Jojo Siwa Gets Hate For Introducing Boyfriend - 'How Can She Have A BF?' The question is hovering as teachers, principals, and district leaders plan for a uniquely challenging school year: How are we going to diagnose our students learning loss so we can catch them up on everything they missed? But experts warn that its risky to frame the question that way. Theyre worried that educators, under pressure to recover unfinished learning, will use formal tests to gauge learning loss, and then get stuck in a remediating cycle that prevents students from moving fully into grade-level learning. EdWeek interviewed a dozen assessment and instruction experts and reviewed 17 guidance documents and articles by education organizations and think tanks and distilled their concerns and advice. Heres what you need to know to avoid the danger zones when youre figuring out what students need. My district says we need to test all our students to figure out what they missed last year. Are you saying we shouldnt do that? It depends on what you mean by test. Most experts are urging teachers to avoid starting the year with a formal or standardized assessment. Instead, start with instruction. That might feel counterintuitive: How do I know what to teach if I dont know what my students missed? The trick here is to expand your idea of what the word assessment means. Think about the many strategies teachers use to gauge how well students are understanding something as theyre learning it. Well-crafted questions, games, tasks, or discussion prompts are part of teaching, but they serve as informal assessments, too. These kinds of strategiesknown in the testing field as formative assessments or practicesare what most experts are strongly advising teachers to prioritize when school begins. Does that mean we shouldnt use a test that commercial publishers sell? Not necessarily. Its helpful to think about this in phases (whens the right time for these different kinds of tests?) and in layers (who needs the information from these different kinds of tests?). In the first phase of the new school year, most experts are urging schools to focus on building community and belonging and getting a sense of students emotional, physical, and social needs. As that gets under way, teachers can begin instruction, with lessons that are fun and interesting, but also designed to reveal whether students have a good grasp of the few key skills and concepts theyll need to succeed in that first unit of instruction. Those techniques help teachers adjust instruction so students can do well. There is a place for commercially designed teststhe ones built into good-quality curricula or bought separately to measure growth, verify mastery of a specific unit, or diagnose struggles. If theyre well designed, those assessments can help principals and district leaders figure out where to deploy resources and supports or identify students who might need further attention. But since many of those assessments can feel like official sit-down testssome take an hour or moreexperts are strongly urging schools to wait at least a few weeks. Far more important, they say, is forging a positive learning environment, supporting students well-being, and starting grade-level instruction in a way that immediately adjusts to students needs. Teachers use these informal testing-by-teaching strategies all the time. Why are they suddenly top priority? Precisely because so many children are returning to school (whether in-person or remotely) having missed some learning and having experienced COVID-related trauma. It makes little sense to start the year with a formal test when students are more likely to score low and can end up feeling that theyre already falling short. The test-first approach can also put educators into a deficit mindset, where they are looking for last years gaps to fill, instead of focusing on what students need right now. Leading thinkers on this are advocating that teachers take a just in time approach to remediating unfinished learning, not a just in case approach. Just in time remediation means that teachers avoid trying to teach every standard or skill from last year. They can work togetheror use guides like this one from Student Achievement Partners to identify the handful of most essential skills and knowledge that students need to succeed at grade level right now, in a given unit. Then theyd create lessons that would shed light on where each student is with those essentials. What students need isnt necessarily the same thing as what they missed, said Thomas Guskey, an expert on testing and grading whos a professor emeritus at the University of Kentucky. OK, so we should hold off on the official tests. Yes, but it might take some fortitude. Given the level of learning disruption caused by COVID-19, districts will face a strong temptation to test students immediately upon re-entry to school, identify their academic deficits, and reteach or remediate, the Council of the Great City Schools said in its advice on school reopening. According to research, both are largely ineffective practices that can alienate students from school and exacerbate inequitable access to grade-level instruction, the Council wrote. Districts should avoid the misuse of standardized testing and instead keep the focus on grade-level content and rigor, addressing learning gaps as needed. Its also particularly important this year to avoid using testseven data gathered from informal tests embedded in instructionas gatekeepers. Miring students in remediation and barring them from grade-level study would only serve to further marginalize them, the Council of Chief State School Officers said in its reopening guidance . So, what does testing-by-teaching look like? Dylan Wiliam, an authority on formative assessment, offered an example in elementary level math. If hes about to teach a unit on adding fractions, he said, he doesnt want to find out whether his class knows how to add fractions. He wants to know whether they can generate sequences of equivalent fractions, a key precursor skill they need to find the least common denominator. Hell come up with activities to see if they can do that and see where students need more support. Katherine Smith, who oversees assessments, research, and professional learning in Lyons Township High School District 204 in LaGrange, Ill., offered a glimpse of how it can look in social studies. A teacher could start the year with a K-W-L chart to find out what students already know, want to know, and have already learned, about the next unit. She could also create activities using primary source documents, charts, and graphs to gauge their skills in analyzing and drawing information from them. A key trick of testing-by-teaching lies in structuring questions and discussion to elicit misconceptions. Class, David has just said that a square is a trapezoid. What do you think, and why do you think so? Teachers want to be sure to blend feedback from discussions with techniques that ensure responses from every student, like showing a thumbs up or thumbs down, or collecting entry or exit tickets. Experts vary on their level of comfort with using traditional gauges like multiple-choice or fill-in-the-blank quizzes. Some think they feel too much like official tests to use early in this school year. Others say its fine, as long as theyre short and used only to yield insight for teachers, not to grade students. Some of these things could be challenging remotely. How can I adapt them for distance learning? Many in-class techniques, from Socratic discussion to exit tickets, can be easily shifted to live, remote instruction. Teachers can also use online tools like instant polling, breakout room discussions, digital hand-raising, and writing on a virtual whiteboard to get instant feedback on students learning. If teachers are working only asynchronously, theyll face a little time lag, which isnt ideal in adjusting instruction quickly. But they can still get pretty quick feedback by asking students to do short writing assignments, upload an image of a completed math problem, or share their thinking in a short recording on their cell phones or with apps like Flipgrid or Seesaw. They could also do short daily phone or text check-ins. Should teachers approach informal assessments the same way in all grades and subjects? No. The key precursor skills teachers are looking for varies by grade level and the nature of the subject. Not all topics will have prerequisite skills or knowledge; students dont need to know geography to succeed in civics, for instance. Math often builds on prior knowledge, so an elementary teacher would want to design activities to elicit students knowledge of place value, for instance, as she begins a unit on multi-digit addition. Not all math is linear, though, so teachers should analyze each unit for its precursor skills as they go. Reading in grade 3 and higher generally requires teachers to scaffold students up to grade-level text, so assessment techniques can focus on ascertaining the background knowledge and vocabulary that might hinder that access. Reading in grades K-2, however, requires something different: Teachers must figure out how well students have mastered all the components of early reading, and design strategies to cover them all, in a research-based sequence, if students have missed them. Youre not saying that just in time remediation will be sufficient for everyone, are you? No. Schools will likely need to dive deeper into missed material with some students, providing extra learning time, one-on-one tutoring, and other interventions to help students regain lost ground. Fresh ideas about ways to deploy teachers can also offer additional support to students. My curriculum doesnt have very good assessment strategies or tools built in. Are there good resources that can guide me as I design my own? There are a number of item banks that have questions teachers can use in informal tests or to design class discussions around, to gauge students learning. Diagnosticquestions.com has 20,000 free questions. Teachers in states that use the Smarter Balanced assessment can search its new item bank, Tools for Teachers . A collection managed by New Meridian , which inherited and built upon the item bank from the PARCC assessment consortium, also offers released questions teachers can use. Curriculum publishers have been getting in on the question of classrooms assessments, too. A project by the Collaborative for Student Success produced a list of publishers whose embedded assessments align with the priority content identified by Student Achievement Partners. Some states and districts are also posting resources that can help teachers design classroom assessments. California, for instance, recently released guidance designed to help its teachers create formative assessments . The following is the chronology of events related to the Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid land dispute in which, after the Supreme Court verdict, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday conducted the 'Bhoomi Pujan' or ground breaking ceremony and laid the foundation stone for the temple's construction. IMAGE: Artist Sudarsan Pattnaik makes a replica of Ram temple out of sand on Puri beach. Photograph: PTI Photo - 1528: Babri Masjid built by Mir Baqi, commander of Mughal emperor Babur. - 1885: Mahant Raghubir Das files plea in Faizabad district court seeking permission to build a canopy outside the disputed structure. Court rejects the plea. - 1949: Idols of Ram Lalla placed under central dome outside the disputed structure. - 1950: Gopal Simla Visharad files suit in Faizabad district court for rights to worship the idols of Ram Lalla. - Paramahansa Ramachandra Das files suit for continuation of worship and keeping the idols. - 1959: Nirmohi Akhara files suit seeking possession of the site. - 1961: UP Sunni Central Waqf Board files suit for possession of the site. - February 1, 1986: Local court orders the government to open the site for Hindu worshippers. - August 14, 1989: Allahabad HC orders status quo in respect of the disputed structure. - December 6, 1992: Babri Masjid demolished. - April 3, 1993: 'Acquisition of Certain Area at Ayodhya Act' passed for acquiring land by Centre in the disputed area. - Various writ petitions, including one by Ismail Faruqui, filed in Allahabad HC challenging various aspects of the Act. - SC exercising its jurisdiction under Article 139A transfers the writ petitions, which were pending in the High Court. - October 24, 1994: SC says in historic Ismail Faruqui case mosque was not integral to Islam. - April 2002: HC begins hearing on determining who owns the disputed site. - Mar 13, 2003: SC says, in the Aslam alias Bhure case, no religious activity of any nature be allowed at the acquired land. - September 30, 2010: HC, in a 2:1 majority, rules three-way division of disputed area between Sunni Waqf Board, the Nirmohi Akhara and Ram Lalla. - May 9, 2011: SC stays HC verdict on Ayodhya land dispute. - March 21, 2017: CJI JS Khehar suggests out-of-court settlement among rival parties. - August 7: SC constitutes three-judge bench to hear pleas challenging 1994 verdict of the Allahabad HC. - February 8, 2018: SC starts hearing the civil appeals. - July 20: SC reserves verdict. - September 27: SC declines to refer the case to a five-judge Constitution bench. Case to be heard by a newly constituted three-judge bench on October 29. - October 29: SC fixes the case for the first week of January before an appropriate bench, which decides the schedule of hearing. - December 24: SC decides to take up petitions on case for hearing on January 4, 2019. - January 4, 2019: SC says an appropriate bench constituted by it will pass an order on January 10 for fixing the date of hearing in the title case. - January 8: SC sets up a five-judge Constitution Bench to hear the case headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi and comprising justices S A Bobde, N V Ramana, U U Lalit and D Y Chandrachud. - January 10: Justice U U Lalit recuses himself prompting SC to reschedule the hearing for January 29 before a new bench. - January 25: SC reconstitutes 5-member Constitution Bench to hear the case. The new bench comprises Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi and Justices S A Bobde, D Y Chandrachud, Ashok Bhushan and S A Nazeer. - January 29: Centre moves SC seeking permission to return the 67-acre acquired land around the disputed site to original owners. - February 26: SC favours mediation, fixes Mar 5 for order on whether to refer matter to court-appointed mediator. - March 8: SC refers the dispute for mediation by a panel headed by former apex court judge F M I Kallifulla. - April 9: Nirmohi Akhara opposes in SC Centre's plea to return acquired land around Ayodhya site to owners. - May 9: 3-member mediation committee submits interim report in SC. - May 10: SC extends time till Aug 15 to complete mediation process. - July 11: SC seeks report on "progress of mediation". - July 18: SC allows mediation process to continue, seeks outcome report by Aug 1. - August 1: Report of mediation submitted in sealed cover to SC. - August 2: SC decides to conduct day-to day hearing from Aug 6 as mediation fails. - August 6: SC commences day-to-day hearing on the land dispute. - October 4: SC says it will wrap up hearing on Oct 17, judgment by Nov 17. - SC directs UP govt to provide security to state Waqf Board Chairperson. - October 16: SC concludes hearing; reserves order. - November 9: SC grants entire 2.77 acre of disputed land in Ayodhya to deity Ram Lalla, possession of land will remain with central government receiver. SC also directs Centre and UP govt to allot 5 acre land to the Muslims at a prominent place for building mosque. - February 5, 2020: PM announces in Parliament 15-Member Trust for Ram Temple in Ayodhya. - February 19: Ram Mandir Trust appoints office bearers. - August 5: PM Modi conducts 'Bhoomi Pujan' at Ayodhya for initiation of temple construction, lays foundation stone. COPENHAGEN - A cruise ship carrying more than 200 people docked in a Norwegian harbour Wednesday and ordered to keep everyone on board after a passenger from a previous trip tested positive for the coronavirus upon returning home to Denmark. Bodoe Mayor Ida Pinneroed told Norwegian broadcaster NRK that the SeaDream 1s 85 crew members would all be tested for the virus and that authorities were in contact with the Norwegian Institute of Public Health on whether the 123 passengers should be as well. We take the situation very seriously, the mayor said. The Norway-based company that owns the ship, SeaDream Yacht Club, said the former passenger had no symptoms of COVID-19 during the earlier voyage and had travelled home from Tromsoe on Aug. 2. The person underwent a routine virus test upon arrival in Denmark and it came back positive on Tuesday. All the other passengers from the infected individuals trip must self-quarantine for 10 days, the Norwegian Institute of Public Health said. The ships new journey, down the Norwegian coast started on Aug. 2 in Tromsoe and stopped in Bodoe, 200 kilometres (124.3 miles) to the south. We sincerely hope that there is no COVID-19 on board, and we are not aware of any other guests or crew who are infected or have any symptoms, but we are taking all necessary precautions, SeaDream Yacht Club said in a statement. Norwegian news agency NTB reported later Wednesday that the entire crew had tested negative. It was not immediately clear if the ship would remain under quarantine or would be permitted to disembark some or all of those on board. Meanwhile, the number of people on another Norwegian cruise ship who have tested positive for the virus has reached 44, nine passengers and 35 crew members, the Norwegian Institute of Public Health reported late Tuesday. All nine infected passengers on the MS Roald Amundsen were registered as Norway residents. Its not clear how that outbreak. The Hurtigruten cruise line halted all its cruise trips after the outbreak emerged and Norway on Monday closed its ports to cruise ships for two weeks. It was not immediately clear why SeaDream 1 was allowed to dock in Bodoe. Hurtigrutens ships often act like a local ferry, travelling from port to port along Norways west coast. Some disembarking passengers may have spread the virus to local communities. In Russia, a river cruise ship was detained in the city of Nizhny Novgorod on Saturday after nine crew members tested positive for the coronavirus. Three of them were hospitalized, and all the passengers aboard were bused home, local authorities said. ___ Daria Litvinova in Moscow contributed to this story. Indian Embassy in Lebanon is in touch with the Indian community after a massive explosion rocked capital Beirut on Tuesday, leaving many feared dead and a considerable number of people injured. Indian envoy to Lebanon Suhel Ajaz Khan told ANI: All our embassy staff are safe. We are in touch with Indian community members, so far there is no report of casualty. We are keeping a close watch and are in touch with community organisations. There is lot of damage to buildings in central Beirut. The Embassy has also shared its helpline numbers with the Indian community. The National News Agency of Lebanon reported that a warehouse at the Beirut Port caught fire and lead to major explosions, which reverberated in the capital and the suburbs and left behind great damages to the surrounding buildings and a considerable number of wounded. Dramatic images and videos on social media showed huge plumes of smoke billowing out of the site of the massive blast near Beiruts port. Local media showed people reporting shattering of glass windows of buildings and cars shaking. Al Jazeera reported that the force of the blast was massive and it caused panic in the streets and pieces of glass were seen everywhere. The daily quoted Hamad Hassan, Lebanons health minister saying hundreds were wounded in the explosion. It also quoted security sources put the initial death toll at 10 but medical and rescue teams on the ground said dozens were killed. Several people on board an Italian ship docked near the explosion site, the Orient Queen, were wounded and taken to hospital. Though the cause of the blast is unknown, the initial reports have stated that the explosion occurred in Beiruts port area containing warehouses. The blast comes ahead of a verdict on Friday by UN-backed panel on the 2005 assassination of former prime minister Rafik Hariri, who was killed in car bombing. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON New Delhi, Aug 5 : The case in connection with the death of actor Sushant Singh Rajput has reached a curious juncture. On Wednesday, counsel for Sushant's father K.K. Singh, during the hearing of Rhea Chakraborty's plea seeking transfer of case from Patna to Mumbai, contended before the Supreme Court that Bihar Police can continue with its investigations, but the Maharashtra government counsel opposed this, stating the eastern state lacks jurisdiction in the matter. Legal experts reckon that the Bihar government may be hamstrung due to jurisdiction issues. Therefore, either the Maharashtra government can ask for a Central Bureau of Investigation probe or the top court may refer it to the agency for a fair inquiry. Speaking to IANS, senior advocate Rakesh Dwivedi held that this is not a matter where the case set up is of two FIRs, one in Mumbai and the other in Bihar. "However, it seems the crime alleged in Bihar FIR is one of abetment to suicide and the entire crime has happened in Mumbai. So, while Bihar Police are duty bound to register an FIR, they cannot investigate and will be bound to transfer the FIR to Mumbai Police," he said. On the jurisdiction issue with the Bihar government asking for a CBI probe into the matter, Dwivedi said that the Maharashtra government can contend that since Bihar has no jurisdiction to investigate, it cannot seek to refer the matter to the CBI. "So, either Maharashtra asks for a CBI enquiry or the Supreme Court can itself refer the matter to the CBI for a fair inquiry and may monitor the investigation," he said. Senior advocate K.V. Viswanathan said that, in law, under the T.T. Anthony verdict of the Supreme Court, there can be only one FIR. "However, if the second FIR pertains to a counter case or deals with allegations which are qualitatively of a different character and point towards a totally different set of facts, such an FIR will not be hit by the Anthony principle, and it will be maintainable," he added. In the Sushant Singh case, he said, there is a contention that no FIR was registered in Mumbai, and only inquest proceedings were carried out. "The question of territorial jurisdiction in Patna remains to be answered, under section 177 and 178 CrPC. That will depend on the facts of each case and the inquiry will be whether any part of the offence has also been committed in the local area of Patna," Viswanathan added. Senior advocate Vikas Singh, representing Sushant's father, argued before the top court that his client is apprehensive about misdirection of the investigation by the Mumbai Police and, therefore, the Bihar Police should be permitted to carry on their investigation into the suspicious circumstances leading to the actor's death. He further argued that the Mumbai Police have just made an inquiry report into the suicide and there is no criminal case there. He also insisted the claim of Maharashtra that 56 statements have been recorded so far has no bearing on the investigation in the criminal offence in connection with Sushant's death. The Centre has informed the top court that in principle, the authorities have decided to accept the request of the Bihar authorities seeking a CBI probe into the matter. (Sumit Saxena can be contacted at sumit.s@ians.in) Latest updates on Sushant Singh Rajput Death Mystery It's a question that has been bugging audiences for years. At the end of the final number of Lin-Manuel Miranda's iconic, award-winning musical Hamilton, when Alexander Hamilton's wife Eliza looks out at the audience and utters a big gasp (some think it is in horror, others think in excitement), what does the gasp mean? A couple of theories have rumbled around the internet that Eliza at this point has "died" and joined her husband, son, and family "on the other side" (in reference to Hamilton's words in "The World Was Wide Enough" a few minutes before the end), while another states that the moment is a fourth wall break and Eliza is witnessing her and her husband's legacies presented in front of them. A third idea involves Miranda himself guiding Eliza into the future in some strange Brechtian fantasy, but this has been pooh-poohed by the composer and lyricist online. Miranda himself has been coy on the subject on Twitter earlier this month he simply said: "The Gasp is The Gasp is The Gasp. I love all the interpretations." But now the original Eliza herself, Phillipa Soo, has provided what seems to be more concrete answers. Chatting on Sirius XM Radio, she said: "I would not be able to tell you what I was thinking in that precise moment when that shot was taken and what exactly was in my brain." Soo had encouraged the Sirius presenters to give their own theories (that Eliza was stepping forward in time and breaking the fourth wall), which she confirmed were pretty much on the mark. She went on: "Night to night it was different but it was a mixture of Eliza seeing that legacy, the orphanage (which is still standing), her kids telling her story. It's an exploration every day and you find new things every time. "Sometimes, the [fourth] wall would break it was looking out at all the beautiful audience faces and acknowledging the story that we had all just taken a ride to witness. The fact that we'd sat in the dark for two and a half hours, put ourselves in his shoes and told his story. "So it was a culmination of all of those things. We shot the film two weeks before my final show so a lot of what you're seeing is not just that performance, but also that year and moment in time the hope and potential that lived in that moment." Soo also said she has been asked the question a lot more since the show has been released for streaming online. "My curiosity is always, 'What did you think?,' because that's more important to me." There you go folks confirmed by a Schuyler sister herself. Watch Hamilton on Disney Plus now. TORONTO, ON / ACCESSWIRE / August 5, 2020 / California Gold Mining Inc. (CSE:CGM) ("California Gold" or the "Company") announces that at its annual meeting of shareholders held earlier today that MNP LLP, Chartered Accountants were reappointed as the Company's auditors. Furthermore in respect of the election of directors Vishal Gupta, Patrick Cronin and Kevin Cinq-Mars were re-elected and received more votes in favour than votes withheld and Scott Rasenberg, William Tomlinson and Larry Phillips received more votes withheld than votes in favour. As a result, and in accordance with the Company's majority voting policy, Messrs, Rasenberg, Tomlinson and Phillips are required to offer their resignations as directors of the board to the Chairman of the Board. The remaining members of the Board will then have 90 days to consider whether to accept such resignations and issue a press release in respect of such decision. About California Gold Mining Inc. California Gold Mining Inc. is focused on continued development of a high-quality gold resource on its 100%-owned Fremont property in Mariposa County, California. The Fremont property consists of an entirely private and patented land package totaling 3,351 acres of historically producing gold mines, with a state highway, PG&E electric substation and abundant water present on the property itself. The Fremont property lies within California's prolific Mother Lode Gold Belt that has produced over 50 million ounces of gold. The Company purchased the Fremont property in March 2013. The Company also has an outdoor, high-CBD industrial hemp biomass cultivation operation on its Grove Road Farm property in Kendall County, Illinois. The Company's technical report in respect of the Fremont Property prepared pursuant to National Instrument 43-101 is available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com and on the Company's website at www.caligold.ca. CAUTION REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION This news release of California Gold contains statements that constitute "forward-looking statements". Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause California Gold's actual results, performance or achievements, or developments in the industry to differ materially from the anticipated results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts and are generally, but not always, identified by the words "expects", "plans", "anticipates", "believes", "intends", "estimates", "projects", "potential" and similar expressions, or that events or conditions "will", "would", "may", "could" or "should" occur. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward looking statements in this press release. California Gold does not undertake any obligation to update these forward-looking statements in the event that management's beliefs, estimates or opinions, or other factors, should change, unless otherwise required by law. 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. For further information contact: Vishal Gupta, President & CEO Tel.: 647-977-9267 x333 | Website: www.caligold.ca SOURCE: California Gold Mining Inc. View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/600427/California-Gold-Announces-Results-of-AGM In July, I flew with my children to visit my parents, my first airline trip of the COVID-19 era. As a customer experience, it was better than normal. Tickets were very cheap. The terminals in Austin and Boston were practically empty. Boarding took about five minutes, rather than the usual 20. We felt downright leisurely as we passed through the security checkpoints. On my first leg on JetBlue, I counted a total of 40 passengers on a plane with 162 seats. Nobody sat in the row ahead of us or behind us. Two return legs on American were two-thirds full, as was the Charlotte, N.C., airport we briefly passed through. If you could ignore the invisible threat of death-by-virus, overall this was a very pleasant flying experience. One of our best in years. On ExpressNews.com: Travelers return to San Antonio International Airport a few of them, anyway For the airlines, obviously, this year is the opposite of pleasant. Our happy experience comes at a devastating cost. A June report from the International Air Transport Association described 2020 as the worst year in the history of aviation. Before 2020, the year following the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, had been the worst year in commercial aviation. In that period, Delta, US Airways, Northwest and United all filed for bankruptcy, and then carriers rapidly merged with each other. American staved off bankruptcy until 2011, and then filed Chapter 11. Airbus Is this a good time to repeat that old investing joke? Question: Whats the fastest way to become a millionaire? Answer: Easy. Start out as a billionaire and invest in an airline! Virgin Airlines Richard Branson is busy testing the accuracy of this one. April 2020 saw a free-fall in air traffic, down 96 percent year-over-year. In May and June, U.S. airlines had a choice to make about how to respond to COVID-19. On ExpressNews.com: Liberty Bar owner in the age of coronavirus: I feel like the tail struggling to wag the dog This crisis theoretically could offer a clear experiment in leadership. Potentially, we have a head-to-head comparison of corporate strategy and of airline CEOs. When faced with an existential threat like the coronavirus, what direction do you take your company? According to the Wall Street Journal, American Airlines CEO Doug Parker increased flights in June and July in an attempt to take market share, exclaiming Lets go fly, for Gods sake! American added the equivalent of JetBlues entire daily schedule, offering twice as many seats as United and 50 percent more than Delta. Parker who heads the most heavily indebted airline, with $33.4 billion at the beginning of 2020 apparently looked at the poker table and shoved in all of his chips. Daniel Slim /AFP via Getty Images United CEO Scott Kirby, meanwhile, doubted his competitors strategy, signaling his airline would try to hunker down and manage its cash. Deltas CEO, Ed Bastian, said his company would be the most conservatively managed of the major carriers. American proudly announced in July it was only losing $30 million per day, an improvement over $100 million per day in April. United says it expects to lose $25 million per day in the third quarter, better than the $40 million per day it lost in the second quarter. More from Taylor: What has the coronavirus pandemic done to the bottom line for State of Texas Inc.? According to a reader, who would like to be identified as Captain Jerry and is a pilot of a major U.S. carrier, his company will seek up to 2,500 voluntary pilot retirements out of a total of 14,000 by this fall. He plans to take the buyout offer, although he is not yet age 60. Delta, United and American may have to shed 100,000 jobs combined, according to Bloomberg. Right now, the stock market differentiates sharply between the top four U.S. carriers, partly reflecting their strategies. American, in particular, looks vulnerable. American has the most employees, flies the most miles and has the highest amount of debt. As of July 31, Southwest was the most valuable airline by market capitalization, even though it generates about half the revenue of Delta, American and United. Southwest is twice as valuable as United and three times as valuable as American, which tells us what investors think of the relative future prospects of these airlines. On ExpressNews.com: With travelers staying put, Southwest scraps plan to restore full flight schedule in S.A. This kind of valuation difference makes sense in a world in which companies rise and fall on their own merits and strategic choices. An alternate perspective, however, is that two factors make the future fate of all airlines essentially the same. First is the apparent willingness of the federal government to bail out airlines. All of the major carriers, plus many smaller ones, have announced agreements to take federal loans from the U.S. Treasury, as well as grants to encourage them not to lay off employees. We dont usually call our semi-regular airline bailouts socialism because, well, Im not really sure why. But thats one factor that lumps the future fate of all airlines together. The other factor that really drives airline stocks right now, if you are approaching this like an investor, is not the horse race between CEOs adopting vastly different strategies within the same market. The main factor is the high correlation between vaccine developments and airline stocks. More from Taylor: On this scary stock market ride, our only control is over ourselves Like with a few other vulnerable industries, the difference between life and death for the air carriers in the next 18 months has less to do with any particular strategic bet the CEO makes and more to do with what teams of vaccine researchers can do. Im also aware that the success of the airline industry inversely correlates with the customer experience. I really appreciated the empty airports and the empty seats in July. If we get a vaccine which I hope we do and the airlines start making money again again, I hope they do well all return to the old normal of expensive, overcrowded flights, packed like vacuum-sealed meats in flying cans. I wish we could demand better customer treatment for our taxpayer-funded bailouts. Michael Taylor is a columnist for the San Antonio Express-News and author of The Financial Rules for New College Graduates. michael@michaelthesmartmoney.com |twitter.com/michael_taylor QUEBEC CITY, Aug. 5, 2020 /PRNewswire/ - The Canadian Innu First Nation of Pessamit and the Atikamekw First Nation of Wemotaci (Province of Quebec) are joining forces to put an end to the stranglehold of the Quebec government and Hydro-Quebec on their traditional territories. They mean to obtain compensation for production facilities, reservoirs and transmission lines set up without their consent by threatening to derail a project to run a high-voltage transmission line through Maine to Massachusetts. Currently, 36% of the total hydroelectric power installed by Hydro-Quebec comes from Innu, Atikamekw and Anishnabeg traditional territories, protected by ancestral and treaty rights that have never been respected. In total, 33 production structures, 130 dams and dikes, 10,400 km2 of reservoirs, tens of thousands of kilometres of transmission, distribution and road lines have been illegally installed. These facilities continue to be operated by Hydro-Quebec in violation of the rights recognized by the Constitution Act of 1982 and the jurisprudence of the Supreme Court of Canada. At the Cost of Others For nearly a century, six Innu, Atikamekw and Anishnabeg communities have borne the brunt of successive hydroelectric developments that have allowed Quebec to industrialize and the majority of its citizens to access a better quality of life. Conversely, these successive and massive hydroelectric developments on their traditional territories have never translated into a better quality of life for the members of the communities most directly and negatively impacted. Quite the contrary! All internationally recognized well-being indicators are largely unfavourable for them compared to the entire population of Quebec and are comparable to those of third world countries. A Suspended Sentence The most recent legal episode in the Quebec government's crusade to evade the ancestral rights of the First Nations ended in 1996. The Supreme Court of Canada then definitively put an end to Quebec's claims that First Nations had no ancestral rights over the territory of the province. The illegitimate position of the government of Quebec nevertheless gave it enough time to de facto dispossess First Nations of their traditional territories. This rejection in the Supreme Court did not, however, convince Quebec to apply the necessary corrective measures. Since then, successive provincial governments have embarked on a strategy of perpetually delaying enforcement of the Supreme Court ruling. In doing so, Quebec scandalously self-awarded itself a suspended sentence. Sand in the Gears According to Chiefs Rene Simon of Pessamit and Francois Neashit of Wemotaci: "The First Nations directly affected by the odious regime imposed by Quebec with the complicity of the government of Canada, now have an important lever capable of establishing the rule of law, right where state brutality has always prevailed. Now is the time for our two communities to put up a concerted resistance to what is morally, legally and constitutionally indefensible! We intend to come down directly on the revenues that the government and Hydro-Quebec expect to generate with their project to run a high-voltage line with a capacity of 1200 MW through the northeast of the United States." It should be remembered in this regard that Hydro-Quebec has a significant energy surplus that cannot be absorbed by internal consumption. From a business standpoint, then, it's no wonder that the crown corporation is looking to improve its performance by selling power in the northeastern US. In this context, the weakening of the profit objective imposed by the state-owned company in its five-year 2020 to 2024 plan ($16.1 billion) could have the consequence of encouraging Quebec to review its position regarding First Nations. The Route Through Maine Hydro-Quebec's intentions in the United States are far from being unanimously supported there. In 2018, when Hydro-Quebec was awarded the contract to deliver 9.45 TWh of energy to Massachusetts via the Northern Pass transmission line that was to cross New Hampshire from North to South, the Innu First Nation of Pessamit closely coordinated its action with regulatory bodies and American opponents of this project. Pessamit then assumed a leading role with the American media and various non-Native and Native American political bodies. In July 2019, after having exhausted all its legal options, the promoter saw its project definitively rejected by the Supreme Court of New Hampshire. Pessamit was instrumental in the termination of Northern Pass. After this resounding and still very recent failure, Hydro-Quebec is now banking on the New England Clean Energy Connect (NECEC) project to honour its contract with Massachusetts. The state-owned company plans to run its electricity through Maine instead of New Hampshire, in order to reach Massachusetts. But history could repeat itself. What We Are Demanding Our First Nations cannot allow Hydro-Quebec to financially benefit from our heritage without openly taking part in the debate in Maine about NECEC. After a century of denial on the part of the Quebec government, our communities have an unexpected opportunity to see our rights on their ancestral territories respected. We will resolutely seize this opportunity to force the settlement that has always been denied. The government of Quebec and Hydro-Quebec have never had and still do not have the moral and constitutional legitimacy to operate 33 of the 63 hydroelectric production structures since they have never consulted and compensated the First Nations concerned. They have even less right to sell electricity in the United States when 13,200 MW, or 36% of the installed capacity in Quebec out of a total of 36,700 MW, has been usurped from the said First Nations. And if the government turns a deaf ear, Pessamit and Wemotaci will do their utmost to derail the project and ensure a resounding NO to NECEC! SOURCE Innu First Nation of Pessamit CAIRO The Turkish Ministry of Defense announced July 25 via Twitter that the Turkish air force carried out military exercises in the eastern Mediterranean. It also posted photos and videos confirming the drill. This comes in light of the escalating regional tensions between Turkey, Greece and Cyprus over gas exploration in the eastern Mediterranean, as well as between Turkey and Egypt on Libya. Greek news website Greek City Times reported July 26 that Turkey withdrew some warships from an area off the coast of Greece and deleted a tweet from the Turkish Embassy in the United States saying the Turkish drilling ship Oruc Reis had begun research in the eastern Mediterranean. The website said that the Oruc Reis remains moored outside Antalya. Maj. Gen. Nasr Salem, former head of the Egyptian armys reconnaissance and professor of strategic sciences at Nasser Military Academy, told Al-Monitor, These exercises are messages to specific parties. Turkey mainly aims to reassure the [Libyan] Government of National Accord [GNA] headed by Prime Minister Fayez al-Sarraj as well as the Syrian mercenaries that are working to tranfer them to Libyan territory that it can protect them. It is also sending a message to Greece, by showing off its naval capabilities. Meanwhile, the Egyptian and French naval forces carried out a joint maritime training in the Mediterranean on July 25, with the participation of the Egyptian navy stealth frigate Tahya Masr (Long Live Egypt) and the Aconit French navy stealth frigate. The training falls within the framework of the Egyptian armed forces' plan to boost its military training and exchange military expertise with friendly countries. The joint training focused on repelling hostile formations, according to a press statement by the Egyptian military spokesman. Meanwhile, French-Turkish relations are witnessing rising tensions in light of the situation in Libya. Paris has condemned Ankaras interference in Libya and its support to the GNA, as well as its deployment of mercenaries to Libya. Ankara, for its part, has said that the French support for Libyas eastern military commander Khalifa Hifter has worsened the crisis in Libya. Relations are also tense between the two countries in regard to the Turkish gas drilling operation in the eastern Mediterranean. Salem explained that the military exercises that took place recently in the Mediterranean represent a deterrence strategy, whereby each party tries to flex its muscles and show off its capabilities to the other party. The Turkish and Egyptian exercises are a form of moral pressure on the opponent, he noted. Egypt has the largest naval fleet in the region. It previously carried out large military maneuvers such as the Qader/National Defender 2020 maneuver in January and the July 9 maneuver dubbed Hasm 2020 which reflected the Egyptian armed forces readiness to secure the countrys borders. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan had announced Jan. 5 the start of the deployment of Turkish soldiers in Libya. On Jan. 2, the move was greenlighted by the Turkish parliament, amid Arab and international criticism. On June 20, during an inspection tour of Egyptian armed forces stationed in the west near the border with Liya, President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi had asserted, Any direct intervention from the Egyptian state has now acquired international legitimacy, in reference to Libya. Erdogan told journalists July 17 that Egyptian interference in the Libyan affairs is illegitimate. Turkey is supporting the GNA in Libya against Hifter, who in turn is backed by Egypt. Hamdi Bakhit, a member of the parliamentary Defense and National Security Committee, concurred and told Al-Monitor over the phone that the exercises carried out by Turkey and Egypt are part of one scenario. Each party is proving its power in the Mediterranean. Turkeys presence in the Mediterranean waters is illegitimate and it cannot provide logistical support for its naval frigate at this distance, he said. Bakhit added, The Egyptian-French training is based on coordination between the two countries to repel any maritime hostility. He pointed to the soaring tension and state of alert between Turkey and Egypt, and said the Egyptian exercise is a response to the drills conducted by Turkey in the eastern Mediterranean, especially in light of the tensions regarding Libya. Turkish presidential spokesman Ibrahim Kalin said in statements carried by the official Turkish Anatolia news agency July 24 that his country wants a fair distribution of all natural resources in the eastern Mediterranean, also warning that deploying Egyptian forces in Libya would be a dangerous military adventure. In an interview with the Turkish channel NTV July 20, Kalin stressed that his country does not seek escalation of tensions in Libya, denying any intention by Ankara to get in a confrontation with Egypt, France or any other country on Libyan soil. Tarik Fahmy, professor of political science at Cairo University, told Al-Monitor, What Turkey has done in the Mediterranean is not a comprehensive training or maneuver. It is rather a naval redeployment of its forces as part of Ankaras anticipation of any confrontation. He added, Cairo responded within two days to this Turkish deployment by conducting the joint naval training with France. Both sides are raising their state of alert ahead of any possible scenario at this time. Fahmy concluded, These exercises are not a show of strength, they carry strategic messages. Democratic Party donor Ed Buck, who has been accused of plying men with drugs during sexual encounters, is facing new charges. Prosecutors say Buck solicited men to consume drugs and perform sexual acts at his West Hollywood apartment. Once there, officials say, he allegedly injected the men with or without their consent. He sometimes injected victims while they were unconscious, according to prosecutors. Buck was previously charged with distributing methamphetamine that led to the overdose deaths of two men at his apartment. He pleaded not guilty to those charges last year. On Tuesday, a grand jury returned new counts against the 65-year-old including allegations of luring men across state lines for the purpose of prostitution. Buck is accused of distributing narcotics gamma hydroxybutyric acid and clonazepam, sedatives that the DEA has described as date-rape drugs. The four felony charges introduced Tuesday are in addition to five counts filed last year, including distribution of methamphetamine and distribution of narcotics resulting in death. The grand jury folded all nine counts against Buck, who is being held in federal custody without bond, into one filing as a "superseding indictment" Tuesday, according to the U.S. Attorney's office in Los Angeles. "Buck exerted power over his victims, often targeting vulnerable individuals who were destitute, homeless, and/or struggled with drug addiction, in order to exploit the relative wealth and power imbalance between them, the initial indictment in October alleged. Buck's attorney, Christopher Darden, said via email Tuesday night that he would not comment until he sees the new indictment. Gemmel Moore. (Justice4Gemmel.org) Gemmel Moore, 26, died of a methamphetamine overdose July 27, 2017, the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner-Coroner said. The cause was initially described as accidental, and the Los Angeles Sheriff's Department said there was nothing to investigate. There isn't anything suspicious about it, Lt. Edward Ramirez said at the time. "There's nothing pointing toward death at the hands of another, so it's not something we would do any follow-up on." Story continues But Moore's mother, LaTisha Nixon, challenged officials and has said that Moore returned to his home state of Texas because he was afraid of Buck. She said her son wrote about Buck in a diary as a sexual partner who had injected him with methamphetamine in a previous encounter. Nixon said Buck purchased a plane ticket so he could return to the Los Angeles area a day before his death. The sheriff's department opened an investigation in August 2017 into Moore's death after Nixon received press inquires about her son's plight. On Tuesday, Nixon said by email that she was pleased additional charges had been filed and that "We are looking forward to our day in court in 2021." Buck was under investigation on Jan. 7, 2019, when another man, Timothy Dean, suffered a fatal overdose in his apartment. In September, citing the case of a man who overdosed on methamphetamine that month and survived, Los Angeles County prosecutors charged Buck with "operating a drug house." The families of both deceased men have filed civil claims against Buck. Federal election records show that Buck, who has advocated for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender issues for decades, has donated more than $50,000 to Democratic candidates and to the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee since 2008. He has posed for photos with Hillary Clinton and former California Gov. Jerry Brown. Several Democrats, including U.S. Rep. Ted Lieu, and former state Senator Kevin de Leon, have returned Buck's campaign donations. The four new counts each carry maximum sentences of 60 years, the U.S. Attorney's office said. Preparations are underway to conduct examinations for final semester students at Mangalore University (MU) and backlog papers of previous semesters in order to help students clear their courses without wasting an academic year, the university's Vice Chancellor Prof P S Yadapadithaya said. In the wake of Covid-19, it has been decided to hold exams for only final semester students in undergraduate and postgraduate (PG) programmes from September 16. A standard operation procedure (SOP) has been prepared to conduct exams with the utmost care, he added. For latest updates and live news on coronavirus, click here Talking about the students from outside the state, who are unable to visit their respective colleges/university to attend the exams, the Vice Chancellor said they will be given an opportunity may be in January, when normalcy returns, to write exams as freshers only. A section of students from North-Eastern states, especially from Manipur, had enquired about the possibility of conducting the exams under the supervision of Manipur University. Accordingly, the registrar has written to the Vice Chancellor and registrars of Manipur University seeking permission to conduct the exams for the final year students in Manipur, Yadapadithaya said. Subject experts can make videos of experiments in the laboratory and upload it on the university's website. Also, PG departments have been asked to conduct webinars for students. Earlier, in the academic council meeting, a member brought up the issue of a final year student of Speech and Hearing course from Bhutan, who was worried over his exam as he might not be able to return to India due to flight restrictions. To this, Registrar Evaluation Dr P L Dharma and the Vice Chancellor said options like conducting the exam in the nearest university in Bhutan would be explored. The student can also take up the exam when the situation comes to normal as a fresh candidate, they said. The registrar said the answer scripts would be digitally evaluated. Utilising the computer laboratories of the colleges, the lecturers will evaluate the scanned answer scripts of the students, he said. The university will work to adopt 10 government schools as suggested by Prof M R Doreswamy, the advisor to the state government on education reforms, the VC said. BASLP to continue The academic council of the university has decided to continue Bachelor in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology courses offered in five affiliated colleges under the science faculty of the university for the time being. In fact, the additional chief secretary to the education department had asked to shift it to Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences jurisdiction. Registrar Raju Mogaveera and Finance Officer Dr B Narayana were present. ALTON YWCA of Alton officially has cancelled its annual Women of Distinction event that was rescheduled twice to take place next month. After careful consideration, the Women of Distinction Committee came to the difficult conclusion that it is not possible to hold an event to allow all necessary persons to attend, while still in compliance with the COVID-19 regulations and recommendations, the committee stated in a news release. The 2021 Women of Distinction Event is tentatively scheduled for late April 2021, during which the YWCA of Alton will honor the 2020 and the 2021 Women of Distinction. The 2020 Women of Distinction honorees include Dr. Wendy Adams, State Sen. Rachelle Aud Crowe, Nancy Berry, Rosetta Brown, Monica Ellebracht, Olivia Ann Ervin, Angela Gray, Lisa Renee Hayes, Sherry McCrady, Robyne OMara, Kendra Stiff and Virginia Woulfe-Beile. Nominations for the 2021 Women of Distinction will open later this year. The Women of Distinction event honors a group of outstanding women leaders in our community, said Lisa Brown, YWCA board member and Women of Distinction event co-chair. The decision to cancel the 2020 WOD event was a sad, but necessary one, she said. The health and safety of the community has to take precedence. We look forward to honoring not one, but two groups of exceptional women in 2021. For anyone who generously provided support for the 2020 event through sponsorship, advertisements or reservation purchases, the Women of Distinction Committee has asked that they consider making a donation to the YWCA instead. COVID-19 has caused harsh economic conditions and has significantly affected the YWCA of Alton. While we are hit hard by the pandemic, we have continued to offer our Child Enrichment and Community Tutoring programs. It would mean the world to us if you would consider making it a donation so that we can continue to offer successful programming. YWCA will happily provide full refunds, if requested, stated the news release. YWCA of Alton is continuing with the annual Women of Distinction Raffle and requests the public to support this raffle. Cash prizes will be award in the amount of $1,000, $500, $250 and $125. Raffle prizes have been generously donated by Dr. Stephanie Monroe, River Bend Chiropractic, Barbara Morrissey McGrew, Morrissey Contracting Co., Lisa Nielsen and Michael Moehn, Sharon Pratt, RE/MAX River Bend, and Cameo Holland, city of Alton Treasurer. Raffle tickets cost $10 each or six tickets for $50. Raffle tickets may be purchased online at www.altonywca.com or by calling 618-465-7774. Fahnestock Financial will be responsible for pulling the winning raffle tickets Thursday, Oct.1. For questions, contact YWCA of Alton at 618-465-7774 or email info@altonywca.com. Coronavirus cases in Pennsylvania increased by 705 on Wednesday as the state reported 12 more deaths from COVID-19. The latest daily figures from the Pennsylvania Department of Health bring the states coronavirus case count to 115,714 with a death toll of 7,244. (Cant see the map? Click here.) Among the deaths was the Lehigh Valleys first in four days. Meanwhile, the statewide rate of new cases has fallen for a week straight. And as schools debate how to reopen, a national task force looks at how or if school buses can be made safe. Your Pennsylvania coronavirus updates for Aug. 5, 2020: Coronavirus in Pa. Starting in mid-June, Pennsylvanias coronavirus case rate began rising back to springtime levels. But for the last week, the states seven-day average of new cases has been falling. Including Wednesdays data, Pennsylvania is now averaging 785 new cases a day over the last seven days, down from 975 a week ago and the first time the rate has been below 800 since July 18. The seven-day case rate first peaked in early April with 1,663 cases a day on average. (Cant see the chart? Click here.) Pennsylvanias seven-day positivity rate the percentage of positive tests to individuals tested over the previous week held steady at 5.5% on Wednesday, still above the 5% recommendation by the World Health Organization but down from 6.1% a week ago. The state says 1,284,725 tests have been issued, including 13,196 in the last day. Pennsylvania has averaged 14,278 tests a day over the last week, down from 16,086 a week ago. (MORE: How to understand Pa. COVID-19 data with interactive charts) The health department estimates that 76% of infected Pennsylvanians have so far recovered. However, adults over 65 continue to be most at risk of hospitalization or death. Nursing home residents account for 17% of the states total cases but 68% of deaths. On average, 12 Pennsylvanians a day have died from COVID-19 over the last week. The death rate is down slightly from 14 a week ago. (Cant see the chart? Click here.) Coronavirus in the Lehigh Valley There were 29 new COVID-19 cases and one death reported Wednesday in the Lehigh Valley, per the states data. It is the regions second death in the last week and third since July 26. The Lehigh Valley now totals 8,778 cases and 626 deaths. That breaks down to: 4,887 cases and 335 deaths in Lehigh County , with 16 new cases and no deaths in the last day. 3,891 cases and 291 deaths in Northampton County , with 13 new cases and one death in the last day. Like Pennsylvania overall, the rate of new cases in the Lehigh Valley has fallen over the last week. As of Wednesday, Northampton County was averaging 12 cases a day over the last seven days, down from 20 a week ago. Lehigh County currently averages 16 new cases a day, down from 25 a week ago. (Cant see the table? Click here.) Schools reopening: How to make buses safe? As school districts debate how to reopen in the fall, the Associated Press reports that few challenges are proving to be more daunting than figuring out how to maintain social distance on school buses. A wide array of strategies have emerged to reduce the health risks but nobody has found a silver bullet. A team of industry and school officials produced a 70-page report on ways to lower the risk of COVID-19 transmission. The task force report warned that a 6-foot social distancing regulation is not financially nor operationally feasible, and that current thinking is that a 72-student capacity bus can accommodate 24 students, or more if family members sit together. Most bus drivers are old enough to put them at heightened risk for severe illness if they catch the virus. In Pennsylvania, the Transportation Department shot down a proposal to install plastic barriers around bus drivers, telling a school bus contractor there is not evidence it would make students or drivers safer. Some Pennsylvania districts are considering assigned bus seating, making students fill empty buses from the back and emptying them from the front. See the full story from the AP at apnews.com. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to lehighvalleylive.com. Steve Novak may be reached at snovak@lehighvalleylive.com. The Trump administration wants to remove "untrusted" Chinese tech apps like TikTok and WeChat from U.S. app stores, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announced on Wednesday, detailing a new five-pronged "Clean Network" effort aimed at curbing potential national security risks. "With parent companies based in China, apps like TikTok and WeChat and others, are significant threats to personal data of American citizens, not to mention tools for Chinese Communist Party content censorship," Pompeo said during a press briefing. The nation's top diplomat also added that the State Department would work with the Commerce Department as well as the Defense Department to limit the ability of Chinese cloud service providers to collect, store, and process data in the United States. Pompeo's comments come less than a week after President Donald Trump told reporters on Air Force One that he will act soon to ban Chinese-owned video app TikTok from the United States. "As far as TikTok is concerned we're banning them from the United States," Trump said, calling the action a "severance." Chinese company ByteDance launched TikTok in 2017. The app has grown more popular during the coronavirus pandemic, with 2 billion downloads in April, according to Sensor Tower. On Sunday, Microsoft confirmed that it has held talks with Chinese technology company ByteDance to acquire TikTok's operations in the U.S. and several other countries. Microsoft said in a statement that it will keep working with the U.S. government on a deal and that it intends to conclude talks by September 15. On Wednesday, CNBC reported that Microsoft could pay up to $30 billion for the deal. The app will be banned in the U.S. if it's not sold by Sept. 15, Trump said on Monday. Last month, Pompeo said the U.S. was looking at banning TikTok as well as other Chinese social media apps, citing national security concerns. Pompeo added that the Trump administration was evaluating TikTok akin to Chinese state-backed tech companies Huawei and ZTE, which he has previously described as "Trojan horses for Chinese intelligence." U.S. officials have long complained that Chinese intellectual property theft has cost the economy billions of dollars in revenue and thousands of jobs and threatens national security. Beijing maintains it does not engage in intellectual property theft. The move by the Trump administration represents another step in the deteriorating relations between Washington and Beijing and comes a week after the U.S. closed the Chinese consulate in Houston, prompting China to shutter the U.S. consulate in Chengdu. In addition to restricting Chinese apps and cloud services, the Clean Network effort will also try to ensure that "untrusted" Chinese handset makers such as Huawei don't preinstall trusted apps or make them available to download through their app stores, that Chinese carriers aren't connected to U.S. telecoms networks, and that the Chinese government does not subvert underseas network cables connecting the U.S. to the internet in order to gather intelligence. (Natural News) The Jeffrey Epstein files are being unsealed and the details are shocking, as the elite pedophile ring comes to light. One of the names implicated in the documents is former President Bill Clinton. The former President was not only friends with Jeffrey Epstein, but he also took trips to Jeffreys Pedophile Island. To make matters worse, an Epstein victim testified that Bill Clinton was present at the island with two young girls from New York. Bill Clinton was mentioned six times in the victims deposition. FBI ignored the pleas of Epsteins victims, covering up crimes of the elite The victim, Virginia Roberts, directly implicated Bill Clinton in an April 2011 interview that was conducted with lawyers. This interview is now unsealed. Clinton was present with Epstein on his private island where young girls were routinely trafficked and abused. According to Virginia Roberts, the island has four or five villas outside the main house, where orgies occurred often. In one conversation, the victim recalls Epstein talking about Clinton owing him favors. If a former President knew about the island and the victims, why didnt he direct the nations highest law enforcement officials to descend upon the island and arrest the criminals who were sexually abusing minors, trafficking them, and doing so many more illegal activities? Instead, the FBI completely ignored requests for help from the victims of Jeffrey Epstein and his sexual predation. The unsealed files reveal that victims reached out to FBI agents but nothing was ever done. Interviews with victims often fell on deaf ears and the suspects were rarely interviewed. Corrupt forces within the FBI were complicit in preserving Jeffrey Epsteins Pedophile Island and the elite sex trafficking ring. In fact, the Department of Justice freed Epsteins co-conspirators in the Florida case that implicated Ghislaine Maxwell and Sarah Kellen. The victim described sexual abuse in graphic detail during flights orchestrated by Epstein, Maxwell, and Kellen, but the co-conspirators got off free. I think that when you go through these files in detail as I have, youre really looking at the FBI and wondering what exactly was the FBIs role in all of this stuff with Epstein, said investigative journalist and author Mike Cernovich. What troubled me most so was how these victims have reached out to the FBI repeatedly [and were] completely ignored. The FBI conspired to protect powerful democrats and others like Prince Andrew, who was never interviewed, even though he was pictured back in 2011 with Epsteins victims. The FBI had the picture for years before the victims came forward with Prince Andrews abuses in deposition. The mainstream media is also complicit in these crimes because almost every news station is mum on this issue right now, even as official documents on the matter are unsealed, implicating powerful people like former President Bill Clinton. Alan Dershowitz, Glenn Dubin, Stephen Kaufmann, Prince Andrew, Jean Luc Brunel, Bill Richardson, and Marvin Minsky. Read more at Epstein.news. Sources include: Breitbart.com NewsTarget.com Cernovich.com Resident and graduate assistants at the University of Pennsylvania are demanding hazard pay and safer working conditions. They will be on the front lines in the university's residence halls this fall. Read more Breaking up a crowded party in a student residence hall was never easy. Now, it could turn dangerous. Its just one concern that undergraduate and graduate students who serve as advisers in the University of Pennsylvanias residence halls have raised as the start of the fall semester approaches. In a petition, resident and graduate advisers have demanded safer working conditions, hazard pay, and clear protocols for what to do when students break rules designed to combat the spread of the coronavirus. Parties are generally harmless, though not allowed in a normal year, said Zoe Osborne, 21, a rising senior from Philadelphia, who is in her second year as a resident adviser. They are not harmless now. The student advisers, who serve as mentors and guides in helping younger students adjust to campus life, have aired their concerns in a letter to the administration and on a Change.org petition that has garnered more than 1,000 signatures. Part of me would just like to drop everything and quit, said Paola Perez, 25, a graduate associate from New Haven, Conn. Thats how frustrated I am. Penn officials value the student workers and are working closely with them to address their concerns and reduce risks in this unprecedented situation, said Stephen J. MacCarthy, vice president of university communications. The student housing adviser concerns are among a growing chorus of worries from faculty and staff at campuses across the region. Drexel Universitys faculty senate this week said all classes should be conducted remotely unless the university can ensure a series of safety requirements, including adequate cleaning, ventilation, and reduced classroom capacities. And even then, in-person instruction should be used only when absolutely necessary, such as for design studios and labs, they said. Temple Universitys faculty union last week made similar demands, and a group of faculty at Pennsylvania State University at a virtual rally Wednesday said the university isnt planning to test enough students and staff for COVID-19 before returning, nor during the semester. READ MORE: How Philly-area colleges are planning to test students and staff for coronavirus The concerns come as some colleges are moving away from in-person classes to most or all virtual instruction or planning for fewer students on campus. Lehigh University announced last week that it would only allow freshmen and students with extenuating circumstances, such as personal or academic hardships, on campus, while the College of New Jersey said all instruction would be remote. Others, including West Chester and Dickinson, previously moved to all remote instruction. READ MORE: Nearly three-quarters of Pa. state university faculty would not feel safe teaching students face-to-face this fall, survey shows But even with remote instruction, many campuses are planning to bring hundreds, in some cases thousands, of students to live in residence halls. And many more are moving into off-campus housing, raising safety concerns. Universities have defended their decisions. Were responding to our community, said Ray Betzner, a spokesperson for Temple University. Many of our students, especially our first-year students, told us they wanted to have an on-campus component if it could be done safely. READ MORE: Temple University intends to open for in-person classes this fall Temple maintains it can, noting that more than 150 people have been planning the return since the spring, with the help of university medical experts. Drexel also maintained it is doing everything possible, including training and testing, to ensure safety, said spokesperson Niki Gianakaris. Classes are scheduled to start Sept. 21. Drexels decision to move forward with the hybrid learning model was based on the models flexibility and adaptability, she said. But even some students have questioned the wisdom of bringing so many students back to campus. Its a blatant grab for money and I think they are putting the students at risk, said Penn resident hall adviser Jay Falk, 20, a rising junior from Alexandria, Va. READ MORE: What if students wont wear masks in class? Professors want assurances that universities will enforce a mandate. Penn announced last week that most instruction would be conducted remotely. More than 4,000 undergraduates are scheduled to live in university housing. Resident hall advisers get free housing and half of a meal plan as payment, which students said isnt enough in the best of times. They are asking for a full meal plan and a stipend. Even then, the work is risky, they said. I feel like its the choice of being able to have my housing and potentially get sick and die, or figure out something else financially, Falk said. Student advisers said they want to be assured they will receive an adequate supply of masks and hand sanitizer and they are looking for guidance on how shared spaces, including laundry rooms, lounges, bathrooms, and kitchens will be kept safe. Freshmen will test boundaries, Falk said. If you cant trust them to not binge-drink, theres no reason to trust them to wear a mask, Falk said. Administrators, said Hector Kilgoe, a graduate associate from Boston, have told advisers to trust that students will follow safety rules outlined by the campus. The whole point of our job is that sometimes people dont do the right thing, and we are there to make sure everyone is safe, he said. Right now, I think one of the most important things is that we get a new contract that lays out all of our responsibilities and the way we are supposed to go about our duties this year. Five people were found dead Wednesday after an early morning fire destroyed a suburban Denver home - a blaze that authorities said they suspect was intentionally set. Three people escaped the fire by jumping from the home's second floor. Investigators believe the victims were a toddler, an older child and three adults, said Denver Fire Department Capt. Greg Pixley. Their bodies were discovered after firefighters extinguished the fire at 5312 N. Truckee St., which was first reported by a Denver police officer at 2.40 a.m., Pixley said. The three survivors were hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries, said Denver police spokesman Jay Casillas. This photo from the Denver Fire Department shows the house where five people were found dead in a fire that authorities suspect was intentionally set, early Wednesday, Aug. 5 Investigators believe the victims were a toddler, an older child and three adults. Family members said that the group had immigrated from Senegal in recent years Pixley spoke outside the charred house in the Green Valley Ranch neighborhood, a relatively new suburban development of tightly packed homes near Denver International Airport. A police officer attempting to rescue people on the first floor was pushed back by the fire's heat and it appears that those who died were all on the first floor, he said. Police are investigating the fire along with firefighters because there are indications that it was arson, said Joe Montoya, division chief of investigations for Denver police. He would not elaborate on the evidence because he said he did not want to compromise the investigation. Several personnel with the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives arrived at the home about mid-day. Telephone calls to the agency's Denver office for comment went unanswered. The ATF frequently assists agencies in arson investigations. 'This is a devastating time for Denver and this community. Our heart and our prayers go out to this community,' Pixley said. This photo from the Denver Fire Department shows the house where multiple people were found dead in a fire that authorities suspect was intentionally set Abou Djibril, who said he was a relative of the victims, told The Denver Post the people who died were members of a family that had immigrated from Senegal. Another friend, Ousmane Ndiaye, told the newspaper that the father was an engineer with Kiewit, a construction and engineering firm. An email sent to Kiewit for comment wasn't immediately returned. The family is said to be comprised of a mother, father, two children and a sister to one of the adults. Neighbor Maria Mendoza said she was awakened by noise and someone screaming, 'Get the baby out! Get the baby out!' at 2:40 a.m. She ran to a window and saw flames and plumes of smoke rising from the home just down the street. Two other properties were damaged in the fire 'I awoke my husband and he ran outside to see if he could help but there was nothing he could do. The fire was too big,' Mendoza said. Firefighters arrived moments later. 'It all happened so fast, less than 10 minutes. These are big houses but they're all made of wood,' Mendoza said, holding back tears. 'May God and the community help this family.' Mendoza said she didn't know the family but would wave or say 'Hi' whenever she saw the children. She said the neighborhood was built about two years ago. Investigators erected a white tent outside the nearly destroyed home, its frame blackened in stark contrast to neighboring beige houses with neatly manicured lawns. Venezuela no longer has any operational oil rigs after the last oilfield services firm that was still drilling for oil in the country holding the worlds largest crude oil reserves pulled its only rig out of service. As of June 2020, Venezuela had one operational rig, according to the monthly international rig count of Baker Hughes. However, after U.S. supermajor Chevron suspended its operations in Venezuela because of the U.S. sanctions on Nicolas Maduros regime, Chevrons contractor Nabors Industries has shut down its activity, Sergio Chapa of Houston Chronicle reports. In the second quarter, Chevron fully impaired its US$2.6 billion investment in Venezuela because of uncertainties over the current operating environment and overall outlook, which contributed to the worst loss at the U.S. supermajor in three decades. In Venezuela, the exit of our main customer has led to a shutdown of our activity, Tony Petrello, president and CEO at Nabors, said on the Q2 earnings call last week. With Nabors shutting down its rig activity, Venezuela is now left with zero oil drilling rigs, Russ Dallen, founder of investment bank Caracas Capital, told Houston Chronicle. That sends the Latin American nation back more than a century in terms of rig count, to before 1914 when Venezuelas first oil well was drilled, according to Dallen. Venezuelas oil production has been in freefall for several years, but the U.S. sanctions on its industry and exports, the crash in demand, and the pandemic further accelerated the decline. Venezuelas oil industry was collapsing even before the oil price crash and the pandemic, due to the increasingly stricter sanctions in the U.S. maximum pressure campaign against Nicolas Maduros regime and its sources of revenues. Oil income is pretty much the only hard currency that Maduro gets, so the U.S. is looking to stifle as much of Venezuelas oil trade as possible. In addition, Venezuelas state oil firm PDVSA is severely cash-strapped and hasnt invested in the repair and maintenance of oil facilities and refineries in years. PDVSA saw its June production plunge by 32 percent, with output in the country holding the worlds largest oil reserves plummeting to its lowest level in 75 years in early June when it was just 374,000 bpd. By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: Wednesday, August 5, 2020 at 4:50AM With the delayed release of the Google Pixel 4a, it isn't surprising that the company opted to share what's in the pipeline. So, during the Pixel 4a's launch, we also get some teasers on the Pixel 4a 5G and Pixel 5 5G. Both will be launched in the fall, and both will be coming to Canada. The teaser image shows two different-sized devices, one with a matte black finish and another smaller handset with a sparklier exterior. The Verge speculates that the larger handset is the Pixel 4a 5G, while the regular-sized handset will be the Pixel 5. Google promises to share more about these devices "in the coming months." The company pivoted its strategy this year, perhaps to respond to carriers who want to push 5G phones. In a blog post, Brian Rakowski, Google's VP of product management, said the 5G variant of the Pixel 4a would cost US$499 (around CA$662). Based on the US pricing, that will be a US$150 (around $200) price jump from the regular Pixel 4a (which retails for $479 here). The Verge points out that the reason Google is unveiling all versions is to give prospective buyers a chance to see what's coming out, mainly since all three devices will target different buyers. The Pixel 5's unveiling might also be seen as Google saving face, as the company hasn't been able to promptly release the Pixel 4a. So now, buyers will have three Pixel options to choose from. When Meghan, Duchess of Sussex met Prince Harry in the summer of 2016 in London she was smitten almost immediately. Though the former actor had her own public profile as a castmember on Suits and an activist, she had no idea about the hoopla surrounding the princes life. In fact, the duo was able to keep the details of their relationship under wraps for quite some time. However, as soon as the romance was confirmed in the press, the mania began. In October 2019, Meghan revealed that she had no idea what she was getting into when she married into the British royal family. This rings true, considering the fact that back in 2011, she was equally befuddled by all of the obsession surrounding Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, and her royal wedding to Prince Willam. RELATED: Meghan Markle Is Not a Fan of Mushy Love Stories Like The Notebook Meghan Markle is a realist when it comes to romance Though the Sussexes are obviously enamored with one another, Meghan, who has been married previously is very realistic when it comes to marriage. In fact, had the duke and duchess not been on the same page about resigning from their roles as senior working royals, their relationship may not have survived. Meghan said they made it seem like this is the way it is, deal with it, a source told Daily Mail. Harry had been dealing with it far too long. She said he wasnt going to let this destroy her life and their marriage. RELATED: Meghan Markle Was Charmed by Prince Harrys Adorable Habit After Their First Date Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have a very modern marriage One of the reasons Meghan struggled so much in the royal fold is because of its steadfast traditions that seemed unyielding even though they dont necessarily serve the people that must live under them. Her marriage to Prince Harry was never going to fulfill her on its own. Meghan needed a full life in order to thrive and she could not do that living in the U.K. and working as a senior royal. Relationship expert Sami Wunder told Express, It is easy to see that Meghan is not looking for Harry or this marriage to complete her. She may have given up her Hollywood career due to royal protocol but the woman continues to keep herself busy and involved with several charitable interests and even flew all the way to New York to enjoy her baby shower with her own set of personal friends. She is not going to be the woman that looks up to Prince Harry to fulfill each and every one of her needs, as many first time married women would do. RELATED: Fans Are Furious That the Royal Family Is Defending Kate Middleton but Not Meghan Markle Meghan Markle commented on the obsession surrounding Kate Middleton and her royal wedding to Prince William Though Meghan did not understand the drama regarding the fascination with her life, she was equally puzzled by societys obsession with Kate when she and Prince William married nearly a decade ago. In 2014, Meghan wrote about societys obsession with Kate. She said on The Tig, Little girls dream of being princesses. I, for one, was all about She-Ra, Princess of Power. For those of you unfamiliar with the 80s cartoon reference, She-Ra is the twin sister of He-Man, and a sword-wielding royal rebel known for her strength. Were definitely not talking about Cinderella here. Grown women seem to retain this childhood fantasy. Just look at the pomp and circumstance surrounding the royal wedding and endless conversation about Princess Kate. Who would have thought Meghan would find herself in the middle of a royal storm just a few years later. Tourists compete during a dragon boat race held in the mud at Paddy Art Dream Park in the northern outskirts of Shenyang, Liaoning Province. [For China Daily/Yu Minsi] Different from most women in their 20s, Zhang Wanting chose to work with farmers instead of taking a position as a college lecturer after gaining her master's degree in finance from overseas. Now her ecofarm has become one of the most famous agricultural tourist attractions in the city of Shenyang, Liaoning Province, demonstrating the nation's efforts to improve farmers' incomes. Zhang's ecofarm, Paddy Art Dream Park, which covers 20 million square meters, is fueled by paddy planting, food processing and tourism. Last year, it attracted over 200,000 visitors, provided over 200 jobs and benefited over 2,000 local villagers. "I love this land and hope to build it into a modern farmland that could provide people with natural beauty and prosperity," Zhang said. "Because everyone dreams of returning to the countryside to enjoy a comfortable environment and refreshment." Paddy Art Dream Park is located in the northern outskirts of Shenyang. As the nation's granary, the region enjoys vast farmland but faces the challenge of improving the incomes of farmers who used to mainly rely on agricultural output. Experts suggest that the key is to make use of the unique advantage of the countryside instead of moving farmers into cities. "An ecofarm is not only a new attempt to modernize agriculture, but also a new form of agricultural industrialization. It could fundamentally transform traditional agriculture," said Li Hongbiao, a senior researcher at the China Academy of Northeast Revitalization. "The ecofarm is of great significance to help improve farmers' incomes and promote the sustainable and healthy growth of the rural economy." Zhang Jian, a local farmer who signed a contract with the ecofarm, told China Daily that he made over 100,000 yuan ($14,300) last year. "I can have better access to seeds, pesticides and fertilizers and even harvesting via the ecofarm, which has better bargaining power," he said. Furthermore, the ecofarm provides financing services as well as rice sales services two major challenges for farmers so farmers can focus on green ecological planting and improving food quality. So far, more than 400 farmers have joined Zhang Wanting, and their combined incomes increased to over 5 million yuan last year. "With more partners, we could explore the new food processing industry, which includes rice noodles, brown rice ice cream and rice pudding," she explained. "Tourism is the major driving force for my farm because it can help the farm attract attention and drive consumption." After six years of operation, her ecofarm has won the title of national 3A-level scenic area, and more college graduates have joined her to find their dreams. "The new countryside should not be dirty and messy, but a place that people yearn for," she said. (Source: China Daily) There is a violent crisis bubbling under the surface of Americas pandemic. In the first six months of 2020, murder rates have climbed noticeably in major cities across the US. In Chicago, a city fabled for its gun crime, the month of July ended how it began mourning the death of a child whose only mistake was venturing outside to play when someone armed with a gun came to the neighbourhood hunting for an enemy. Recounting the tragedy of nine-year-old Janari Ricks, police this week released statistics which showed the month had been one of the deadliest in the history of the city. Police officers and detectives enter the crime scene area where a 9-year-old boy was fatally shot in Chicago on July 31. Source: AP From January 1 through the end of July, there were 440 homicides in Chicago and 2,240 people were shot. July was especially violent as the city recorded 105 homicides and 584 shootings. Thats compared to 44 homicides and 308 shootings in July 2019. Despite the increase in violent crime, overall crime, which includes violent crimes, burglaries and thefts, was down nine per cent compared to the same period last year. The decrease was driven by a 26 per cent decline in thefts and a 19 per cent decline in sexual assaults, police said. A similar trend, albeit with varying degrees has been playing out in cities across the US which have seen a surge in gun violence this year. In New York City, there have been 237 homicides in 2020 compared to 181 for the same period last year. In Atlanta, the totals are lower but the surge is apparent: 76 homicides so far this year compared to 56 for the first seven months of 2019. Of this years total number of homicides, 23, or nearly a third, were recorded in July alone. It has been a similar story in Boston. After recording 25 homicides in the first seven months of 2019, Boston had 35 during the same period this year. And 15 of those were during July. Updated data on 23 big cities (250k+) with crime statistics available through June. Murder is up a combined 23% in those cities, but overall crime is down 7.2% with violent crime down 2.2% and property crime down 8.8%. pic.twitter.com/AzxtGsO1cr Jeff Asher (@Crimealytics) July 30, 2020 Children among the shooting victims Story continues Just how many of the years victims are children is difficult to say. But every day headlines around the country tell story after story of children dying while doing nothing more than being children. In Ohio, in little more than a week, a 14-year-old boy in Columbus died on July 25 when he was shot while riding a scooter, an infant was killed and his twin brother wounded when someone fired shots into their home on July 22. And on Sunday (local time) a one-year-old was killed in Akron and two adults wounded when someone opened fire on a home. It was not immediately clear exactly how many children were homicide victims this year in Ohio, but in Columbus alone, the total stands at 13. In Philadelphia, a seven-year-old shot in the head over the weekend during a shootout between three men in front of his home later died of his injuries. The boy was sitting on his porch when he was shot. Nathan Wallace stands outside of his home holding a button showing his daughter, Natalia Wallace, 7, who was killed on the west side of Chicago last month. Source: AP Theories over cause of growing gun violence While the murder rates is still down compared to previous decades, its not entirely clear as to whats driving the recent rise in gun violence and homicides in US cities, but its believed the coronavirus pandemic is a major factor. So too could be defiant and disgruntled police unions in the wake of increasing scrutiny and criticism stemming from George Floyd protests. There have been numerous stories of officers pulling back from their duties in the face of greater community distrust in police officers, which could be leading to more unchecked violence. Another potential factor is a large increase in gun purchases this year with sales of firearms surging in May and April as the novel coronavirus spread throughout the country. As the pandemic kicked off, videos posted online showed people queueing down the block to buy guns. Police stand at the scene of a shooting which happened as Save Our Streets (S.O.S.) was holding a peace march last month in response to a surge in shootings in the Bedford Stuyvesant neighbourhood in Brooklyn, NY. Source: Getty Others point to the bad economy brought on by the pandemic and subsequent shutdown, leaving economically insecure citizens with more time on their hands. With the US one of the worst hit countries in the world to date, others suggest the more basic consequences of the pandemic such as boredom and social displacement as a result of the need for social distancing has led to people acting out. with AP Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com. You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter and download the Yahoo News app from the App Store or Google Play. The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted our lives in unique waysthrowing millions of individuals into a new role as family caregiver and challenging seasoned caregivers to take on additional responsibilities in order to keep themselves and their loved ones safe. Whether theyre lending a hand to an aging spouse, parent, relative or friend, more than one in five Americans now serve as unpaid family caregivers, according to the latest research from AARP. For every family caregiverveteran or newcomerits often difficult to balance personal obligations such as work and caring for children, in addition to daily caregiving responsibilities. The challenges of tending to a loved one can place significant stress on the person overseeing care. Gradually, this stress can build up and lead to caregiver distressa situation where an individual may become more susceptible to other health risks such as high blood pressure, diabetes and increased risk of stroke. Its very common to see caregivers placing the needs of their loved ones before their own, said Lakelyn Hogan, gerontologist and caregiver advocate at Home Instead Senior Care. But we just cant pour from an empty cup. By taking time to tend to your own needs and acknowledge the challenges you may be facing, we can create a caregiving environment that is healthy and rewarding for every person involved. While caring for an older adult can be a meaningful and fulfilling experience, the daily duties of caregiving can still prompt isolation and self-neglect. To keep your personal well-being top of mind, Hogan recommends the following strategies and tips: Schedule me time. Even just a few mindful moments each day can help reduce feelings of stress or resentment. A quick walk around the block, a 30-minute music break or a three-minute deep breathing exercise on a meditation app can make all the difference. If youre struggling to find time for just yourself, try asking other family members and friends to momentarily step in. Or, consider seeking out a professional caregiver for intermittent help. Create a gratitude jar. It can be easy to lose sight of why you took on this role in the first place. Try to remain optimistic by using note cards to record what you are thankful for. Place them by your desk or bedside table and at the end of the year or season, reflect on the small moments that made you smile. This simple exercise can even retrain your brain for positive thinking. If you need help getting started, try filling in the blank: The best part of being a caregiver is __________. (Actually) unplug. Plan for respite care to take single days off or even enjoy a week-long vacation. When youre away, stay away. Talk about things other than caregiving, crack open a book you havent been able to get to and treat yourself to something special as a reward for everything youve accomplished. Whenever possible, avoid long periods of time on social media, which can leave you comparing yourself to others or feeling down in the dumps about your current situation. Explore workplace benefits. Balancing a career and caregiving can come with its own set of challenges. But oftentimes, employees arent aware of what their company offers in the way of family-friendly benefits. Especially now during the current work environment, many companies have introduced flexible arrangements, such as more paid time-off or remote working solutions. Take time to familiarize yourself with the benefits your employer may offer, and be sure to use them to your advantage. Join a support group. Social distancing can create feelings of isolation for caregivers, but it doesnt have to be that way. Dedicate time each week to connecting with other caregivers and lifting one another up. Lean on your own support group, whether your team is friends, family or even an online community like Home Insteads Caregiver Stress Facebook page. Practicing self-care is not selfish. We are all living in uncertain times and adjusting to the new normal. By making time for yourself, you can ensure youre able to provide the best care for your loved one for years to come. And, most importantly, dont forget that the care youre providing is making a significant impact on your loved one. For more resources to help manage stress or identify the things that might make caregiving more challenging for you, visit CaregiverStress.com. ABOUT HOME INSTEAD SENIOR CARE Founded in 1994 in Omaha, Nebraska, the Home Instead Senior Care franchise network provides personalized care, support and education to enhance the lives of aging adults and their families. Today, the network is the world's leading provider of in-home care services for seniors, with more than 1,200 independently owned and operated franchises that provide more than 80 million hours of care annually throughout the United States and 13 other countries. Local Home Instead Senior Care offices employ approximately 90,000 CAREGivers worldwide who provide basic support services that enable seniors to live safely and comfortably in their own homes for as long as possible. Home Instead Senior Care franchise owners partner with clients and their family members to help meet varied individual needs. Services span the care continuum from providing personal care to specialized Alzheimers care and hospice support. Also available are family caregiver education and support resources. Visit HomeInstead.com. Connect with us on Facebook and Twitter. Car users from the world's least affluent cities are exposed to a disproportionate amount of in-car air pollution because they rely heavily on opening their windows for ventilation, finds a first of its kind study from the University of Surrey. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), air pollution kills an estimated seven million people worldwide every year and nine out of 10 people breathe air with high levels of pollutants. In a study published by the Science of the Total Environment journal, a global team of researchers led by Surrey's Global Centre for Clean Air Research (GCARE) investigated air pollution exposure levels for commuters in 10 different global cities - Dhaka (Bangladesh), Chennai (India), Guangzhou (China), Medelli?n (Colombia), Sa?o Paulo (Brazil), Cairo (Egypt), Sulaymaniyah (Iraq), Addis Ababa (Ethiopia), Blantyre (Malawi), and Dar-es-Salaam (Tanzania). The research team investigated PM2.5 and PM10 exposure levels inside vehicles during peak hours in the morning and evening, as well as off-peak hours in the middle of the day. The scientists measured how exposure levels changed when drivers used recirculation systems, fans and simply opened the windows. The study discovered that drivers in some of the world's poorest cities experienced higher levels of in-car pollution. Irrespective of the city and car model used, a windows-open setting showed the highest exposure, followed by fan-on and recirculation. Pollution exposure for windows-open during off-peak hours was 91 percent and 40 percent less than morning and evening peak hours, respectively. The study also found that the windows-open setting exposed car passengers to hotspots of air pollution for up to a third of the total travel length. The study found that commuters who turn on the recirculation are exposed to around 80 percent less harmful particles than those who open their car windows. Car cabin filters were more effective in removing pollution than fine particles, suggesting that if new cars had more efficient filters, it could reduce the overall exposure of car commuters. Professor Prashant Kumar, Director of GCARE at the University of Surrey, said: "To be blunt, we need as many cars as possible off the road, or more green vehicles to reduce air pollution exposure. This is yet a distant dream in many ODA countries. Air-conditioned cars are unattainable for many poor and vulnerable commuters across the world, but our data is clear and coherent for all 10 participating cities. "We must now work with our global partners to make sure they have the information needed to put in place programmes, policies and strategies to protect the most vulnerable in our communities and find realistic solutions to these serious problems." Professor Abdus Salam from the University of Dhaka said: "The study has drawn important conclusions that can help commuters make decisions in their day-to-day lives to protect their health. Simple choices, like travelling during off-peak hours, can go a long way in reducing their exposure to air pollution." Professor Adamson S. Muula from the University of Malawi said: "Working with the GCARE team and global collaborators on this study has been an insightful experience. We were given access to affordable technology to collect novel datasets that haven't been available for cities in this part of the world. We also got to see where our cities stand in comparison to other global cities in developing countries. This has allowed for the sharing of much needed knowledge and best practices." ### Professor David Sampson, Pro Vice-Chancellor for Research and Innovation at the University of Surrey, said: "I commend Professor Kumar and his GCARE team for their continued global leadership in air quality challenges around the world. The collaborative research of the GCARE team represents best in class, taking evidence from quality science and turning it into leading-edge policy for the betterment of all." Note to editors: The study was part of the Clean Air Engineering for Cities (CArE-Cities) project. CArE-Cities is a seed funding project, awarded by the University of Surrey under the Research England's Global Challenge Research Funds. CArE-Cities involves 11 Development Assistance Committee (DAC) listed countries and aspires to bring cleaner air to cities by building a knowledge exchange platform. Its activities include joint workshops, researchers exchange and pilot studies to address urban development and health impact assessment agendas in ODA countries. Reference Kumar, P., Hama, S., Nogueira, T., Abbass, R.A., Brand, V.S., de Fatima Andrade, M., Asfaw, A., Aziz, K.H., Cao, S.-J., El-Gendy, A., Islam, S., Jeba, F., Khare, M., Mamuya, S.H., Martinez, J., Meng, M.-R., Morawska, L., Muula, A.S., S M, S.N., Ngowi, A.V., Omer, K., Olaya, Y., Osano, P., Salam, A., 2020. In-Car Particulate Matter Exposure across Ten Global Cities. Science of the Total Environment, 141395. Link: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.141395 Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-05 18:16:17|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close Rescuers search for survivors after the explosions in Beirut, Lebanon, Aug. 5, 2020. The explosions in Lebanese capital Beirut have caused at least 100 deaths and left over 4,000 injured, with many more missing, Lebanese Health Minister Hamad Hassan announced on Wednesday. (Xinhua/Bilal Jawich) BEIRUT, Aug. 5 (Xinhua) -- The explosions in Lebanese capital Beirut have caused at least 100 deaths and left over 4,000 injured, with many more missing, Lebanese Health Minister Hamad Hassan announced on Wednesday. Meanwhile, the Lebanese Red Cross and Civil Defense teams are still looking for survivors through the rubble. Two huge explosions rocked Port of Beirut on Tuesday, shaking buildings all over the city while causing massive casualties and damage. Pieces of shattered glasses covered most of the areas in Beirut. Lebanese citizens were seen picking up broken glass from the streets of Beirut. Most of the shops in Beirut's downtown area, which is located near the port, were destroyed. Primary information reveals that ammonium nitrate stored in a warehouse in Beirut's port for six years may have caused the explosions in Beirut. "Customs' authorities must be asked about reasons behind storing such chemical materials at Port of Beirut," Interior Minister Mohammad Fahmi said a day earlier. The Lebanese cabinet is currently holding a meeting to announce new measures to deal with the current crisis and look into the proposal by the Higher Defense Council a day earlier. The council on Tuesday declared Beirut as an afflicted city while urging the Lebanese cabinet to announce a state of emergency in the city for two weeks. It recommended hosting the families whose houses were destroyed in schools, while importing glass and controlling the prices of all materials needed to fix the damaged houses. Many countries have expressed solidarity and sympathy with Lebanon over the explosions that have dealt a further blow to the country already plagued by the COVID-19 pandemic and an economic crisis. After early morning clouds burn away, Wednesday will be sunny with a high of nearly 84 degrees - about average for early August. Some locations in the Coast Range and the Columbia River Gorge may see gusty winds associated with a new weather system moving into the area from the north. This system will begin to affect the coast overnight and move rain into the metro area by early Thursday morning. Cooler temperatures and rain will arrive Thursday. The system will spread from the northwest across the northern parts of Oregon and southwest Washington. Portland could see light rain through about 11 a.m., then it has a chance of showers after about 2 p.m., according to the National Weather Service. The last measurable rainfall in the city was July 7. Locations along the coast could pick up about a half inch of rain. Portland will likely struggle to reach a tenth of an inch. Locations south of about Salem may not see any rain at all. The high will reach about 74 degrees, nearly 10 degrees below average for early August. It's been almost a month since we had rain across much of NW Oregon and SW Washington. There's a good chance for rain Thursday morning across mainly the northern part of our forecast area. Amounts will likely be just enough to ruin a good car wash. #orwx #wawx #pdxtst pic.twitter.com/wm9HEFQVU6 NWS Portland (@NWSPortland) August 4, 2020 Some showers will linger into the evening, but Friday should be dry. Low level onshore flow will provide morning clouds, but the workweek should end with a mostly sunny day. High temperatures will top out at about 79 degrees. back to school coronavirus izusek/Getty Images Dr. Fauci said "we should try as best as we possibly can" to reopen schools for both the psychological and physical welfare of children and to avoid the effects closures will have on families. But there's a big "however," he said. "We must not compromise the health, the safety, and the welfare of the children, of the teachers, and secondarily of their parents." Like top health and education organizations, he said that means safe school reopenings will look different in different parts of the country, depending in part on rates of transmission. Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories. In step with President Trump's push, Dr. Anthony Fauci said Monday that "as a default point, we should try as best as we possibly can to get the children back to school." Out of stride with the commander in chief, however, Fauci emphasized what he said was "a big however." The nation's leading infectious-disease expert's comments, aired during a livestream hosted by US News & World Report, echo the position held by top education and health professionals: Opening schools is a priority, but only if it's safe. Schools should open to support kids' welfare and their families' livelihoods There are two main reasons why opening schools is critical, Fauci said. First, school reopenings are important for "the psychological welfare of the children, the fact that many children rely on schools for nutrition, for breakfast, for healthy lunches," he said. Children's developmental specialists say young children may be at a heightened risk for developing mental health issues when isolated from friends and teachers. school children face mask coronavirus Sixth graders wear protective face masks at an elementary school in Berlin, Germany, on May 5, 2020. Christian Ender/Getty Images Second, returning to in-person classes should be a national priority in order to avoid "the unintended downstream ripple effects on families," he said, like parents needing to interrupt or stop work in order to take care of and homeschool their children. Story continues That "creates a big issue," he said. "The 'however,'" Fauci said, "is we must not compromise the health, the safety, and the welfare of the children, of the teachers and secondarily of their parents, who they may spread it to." School reopenings are not 'one size fits all' Reopening schools safely will look different in different parts of the country, Fauci said. "We must be flexible and open-minded, and one size does not fit all." In counties and cities with very low infection rates, for example, it may be possible to "go back to school with impunity and not worry about things," he said. In places with moderate infection rates, however, a modified approach like bringing kids in only some days or parts of the day and implementing mask-wearing and physical distancing may be safest. "And then there are other areas of the country where the infection prevalence and rate of new infection is so high that you really have to say, 'it is not a good idea to bring the kids back to school,'" Fauci said. "You've just got to be flexible depending upon the level of infection where you're located." Fauci's stance aligns with other top education and health organizations The American Academy of Pediatrics, American Federation of Teachers, National Education Association, and The School Superintendents Association released a joint statement July 10 saying "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." They added that health experts should dictate when is best to reopen in-person learning, and that openings should take into account transmission rates in the community. Like Fauci, the statement said, "a one-size-fits-all approach is not appropriate for return to school decisions." Read the original article on Business Insider With the arrival of 2020, one of the first tourism trails in the State The Connecticut Art Trail is celebrating 25 years of guiding art aficionados across the state on a journey that includes 22 world-class museums and historic sites. Originally launched in 1995 as the Connecticut Impressionist Art Trail, encompassing 10 museums, today the trail includes more than double that number, plus a growing range of affiliate members including galleries and art-based environments. The Connecticut Art Trail launches its 25th anniversary year and celebrates with Made in Connecticut, a collaborative exhibition at Wadsworth Atheneum Museum. When the founding museums first gathered, over two decades ago, Im not sure that anyone imagined that this trail would not only continue to thrive but grow in reach and reputation, across the country, shares Carey Weber, volunteer President of the Connecticut Art Trail and Executive Director of the Fairfield University Art Museum. When considering how to celebrate 25 years of collaboration, the answer was clear curating and opening a collaborative exhibition comprised of works from all of our member museums, hosted by a member. The resulting Made in Connecticut collaborative exhibition will open to the public Oct. 15, and run through Feb. 7 at the Wadsworth Atheneum Museum in Hartford. James Prosek, American artist, writer, naturalist, and current Artist-in-Residence at the Yale University Art Gallery will be the independent curator for the exhibition. This exhibition is made possible thanks to the tremendous collaboration of the partner museums, and the generosity of our guest curator James Prosek. We are excited about building on this energy for our next 25 years, continues Ms. Weber. In addition to paintings, drawings, prints and other traditional works of art, this exhibition will feature a number of decorative and industrial art objects including a rubber desk, an early typewriter, a selection of historic buttons and much more. The member museums and historic sites of the Connecticut Art Trail are spread statewide, shared Mr. Prosek. Their combined collections number over half a million objects and are filled with astonishing works. It is an honor to be working with the museums to showcase the diversity of objects that have impacted Connecticuts rich cultural landscape over the centuries. The Made in Connecticut exhibition is the highlight of this milestone year for the Trail, which will also include educational programming and unique anniversary exhibits among individuals members. This will also be the final year that the popular Connecticut Art Trail passport, which provides no-cost admission to all 22 member sites, will be available for its original, $25. Entrance to the Wadsworth and the Made in Connecticut exhibition are included with the purchase of the Passport which can be done online at ctarttrail.org or at any member location. The proceeds of passports purchased directly at a member location results in a $25 donation directly to that museum, concludes Ms. Weber. Not everyone realizes that the Trail currently does not receive any state or federal funding and that we strictly operate from members dues and the sales of passport. Therefore the sales of the passports have a direct impact on the ability of the museums to promote their great work. The Connecticut Art Trail Passport is officially sponsored by the Greenwich Hospitality Group - a luxury hotelier with properties that includes DELAMAR, The Goodwin, and Hotel Zero Degrees. For timely updates about the Trail visits ctarttrail.org or follow the Trail on social media. Connecticut Art Trail offers the Art Passport, granting visitors one-day access to each museum along the trail for a $25 fee. More information about the Art Trail can be found online at ctarttrail.org or at www.facebook.com/ctarttrail, www.twitter.com/ctarttrail, or https://www.instagram.com/ctarttrail The MLA denied speculation that he will join the BJP after his visit, and said he went to meet Piyush Goyal to discuss projects for his constituency Chennai: The DMK on Wednesday suspended its MLA Ku Ka Selvam from the party and relieved him of party posts, a day after he praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi and met BJP president JP Nadda. The Dravidian party also sent the legislator a show cause notice asking him why he should not be expelled from the primary membership of the party. DMK chief MK Stalin, in a party release said, "DMK headquarters office secretary and executive committee member Ku Ka Selvam is relieved from the posts effective today." The party president said Selvam was suspended for violating party discipline and bringing disrepute and his explanation has been sought. During his visit to Delhi On Tuesday, Selvam, representing the Thousand Lights constituency, praised Modi for good governance and extended his best wishes to him for efforts to construct the Ram temple at Ayodhya. Amid speculation that he was set to join the saffron party, Selvam had denied it and maintained he was in the National Capital to meet Union Railways Minister Piyush Goyal to seek projects for his constituency. He said he utilised the opportunity to meet Nadda and urged him to develop Rameswaram and the places associated with Lord Ram, on par with Ayodhya. The MLA, who could not be reached for comments, also had wanted Stalin to snap ties with the Congress and condemn "Karuppar Kootam" channel, for denigrating 'Kanda Sashti Kavacham' hymn in praise of Lord Muruga. Montgomery Public Schools start Aug. 10 with plans to be virtual for the first nine weeks. And shortly after students go back for in-person learning, voters in the county will be deciding on a tax increase to benefit schools. The Montgomery County Commission voted Monday to place a tax increase measure on the November ballot. Proceeds from the tax increase would go towards schools. Montgomery Countys ad-valorem tax rate is currently 10 mills. The increase would raise that by 12 mills, equaling roughly $12.75 more per month in property taxes. The ad valorem increase would raise about $33 million for the school system, officials said. The measure will be on the Nov. 3 ballot. Here is a look at back-to-school headlines: Jefferson County latest to go virtual due to coronavirus Jefferson County Schools are the latest to opt to start the school year virtually. The Jefferson County Board of Education voted Tuesday to provide online-only instruction for the first nine weeks. School will begin Sept. 1, later than previously planned, to allow teachers and parents to prepare for the change. A recent survey sent to parents showed 56% of parents preferred online instruction compared to 44% who wanted to start the school year with a traditional classroom setting. The plans will be reevaluated after the first nine weeks. Shelby changes to staggered schedule Shelby County Schools are the latest to move to a staggered schedule. Students with the last name beginning with letters A-J will attend on Monday and Tuesday of each week, followed by three days of virtual learning. Students whose last names start with K-Z will attend on Thursday and Friday with the other three days being virtual learning. Wednesday will be a day for teachers to check in with students virtually. Shelby County is slated to start schools Aug. 13. Mississippi mandates masks, delays school Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves is delaying the reopening of schools in certain areas hard-hit by coronavirus. Reeves also announced a statewide mandate requiring people over age 6 to wear facial coverings when social distancing cant be maintained. He also announced an executive order delaying the reopening of grades 7-12 in eight school districts, pushing back the start date until Aug. 17. What schools will do if a student or teacher has COVID symptoms School systems are developing protocols for what they will do if a student or teacher shows symptoms of coronavirus. Guntersville School System laid out its plans in a chart: Please be advised of the attached scenario regarding a student or staff member found ill with COVID-19 symptoms based... Posted by Guntersville City Schools on Tuesday, August 4, 2020 Classroom closes in Georgia Students in a second-grade classroom in Georgia are quarantined after a student tested positive for coronavirus. Parents at Sixes Elementary School in Canton, Georgia were notified of the positive tests of a student. The notification came on the second day of the new school year. School officials said the case if the first reported among students and staff since school opened Monday morning. The classroom has been closed for cleaning and the teacher and all students in the class must quarantine for 2 weeks. The teacher, who is symptom free, will teach the class online from home. The minister thanked Italy for its consistent position regarding territorial integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine. Ukrainian Interior Minister Arsen Avakov has said three Italians were sentenced to imprisonment for their participation in the Russian-backed illegal armed formations in Donbas. During a meeting with his Italian counterpart Luciana Lamorgese in Rome, Avakov thanked for Italy's clear position regarding the Italian mercenaries fighting on the side of Russian illegal armed groups in eastern Ukraine. "I am grateful to the Republic of Italy for its consistent position regarding the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine. Three Italians have already been sentenced to real terms of imprisonment for their participation in the Russian-backed illegal armed formations in Donbas, and over 20 Italian citizens, according to our information, participated in such illegal armed groups. I hope other members of terrorist organizations will also receive a fair verdict, regardless of the host country," Avakov said, according to the ministry's press service. He emphasized that the activities of the so-called "DPR/LPR" [Donetsk and Luhansk People's Republics] offices in Italy are unacceptable. According to Avakov, such NGOs, which do not have and cannot have any official diplomatic status, may be involved in illegal and terrorist activities. In particular, the recruitment of radical militants to participate in illegal armed groups in the temporarily occupied territories. During the meeting, the parties also discussed strengthening cooperation between the two countries, in particular, on tackling cyber threats, fighting transnational crime and illegal migration. Read alsoUkraine ready to provide all necessary assistance to Lebanon PM Shmyhal An agreement was reached on the exchange of experience between Ukrainian and Italian law enforcement. It is about joint training of Ukrainian police officers in Italy. In addition, the Ukrainian law enforcement officers are ready to share with their Italian colleagues the experience of the police of dialogue, combating domestic violence and countering the spread of drugs via the Internet. It is also reported Ukraine is delegating a representative of the Interior Ministry to the embassy in Italy. This will strengthen and expand cooperation between countries in the fight against organized crime, drug trafficking and illegal migration. In turn, the Italian side positively assessed the decision to appoint Avakov as chairman of the Ukrainian part of the Ukrainian-Italian working group and expressed hope for further deepening of cooperation. Lamorgese also thanked the doctors of the Interior Ministry who helped their Italian colleagues in the fight against COVID-19. Tina and Rick Newman and their neighbor Dennis Reale try to figure out how to start the generator that the Newmans' friend Squirts lent them. They and the rest of their block on Roberts Avenue in Drexel Hill have been without power since about 2 p.m. on Aug. 4 when Tropical Storm Isaias toppled over a 65-year-old tree across the street. Read more Power outages are frustrating enough. Add in a generator catastrophe, and, well ... boom. Portable generators provide a convenient backup supply of electricity when the grid goes down. But use one incorrectly, and the hazards are high. Among them are carbon monoxide poisoning, electrical shocks and electrocution, and fires. Any one of these can lead to death. But carbon monoxide exposure may be your biggest enemy. According to data from the Consumer Product Safety Commission, more than 900 people died from carbon monoxide poisoning from portable generators between 2005 and 2017, and an estimated 15,400 people required emergency-room visits. Yes, its grim. But newer portable generators are being designed with built-in sensors to prevent carbon monoxide tragedies. When dangerous levels are detected, an automatic shutdown is triggered. In even better news, no matter what model you own, there are some basic safety tips you can, and should, practice to avoid all generator hazards. Heres how to use your generator safely: Never use a generator indoors. Theres a reason carbon monoxide is often called the silent killer. The poisonous gas is colorless, odorless, and tasteless, making it easy to build up inside your home without warning. And as a byproduct of generators, this means you should never use your generator indoors, or in any enclosed spaces, including garages, crawl spaces, and basements. Opening doors and windows and using fans do not make it safe. Always place your generator at least 20 feet from your home, positioned away from all doors, windows, and vents. Make sure there is at least three to four feet of clear space on all sides and above the generator to ensure adequate ventilation, advises the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). Then, as a precautionary step, the American Red Cross encourages you to install carbon monoxide alarms on every level of your home and in any outside sleeping areas. These are designed to provide early warnings of potential gas accumulation. Wait until the storm is over. If its raining outside, keep your generator powered off. Both the generator and your hands should be dry when operating to avoid electrocution. To help keep the area dry and ventilated, create a canopy-like structure over the generator, says the American Red Cross, using a tarp held up by poles. You can also find manufactured generator coverings online, from brands like GenTent and IGAN. Use a transfer switch. Hire an electrician to install a transfer switch, a heavy-duty cable that connects the generator to your circuit panel. This allows you to power devices without the use of extension cords, and minimizes the likelihood of your electronics frying. It also enhances safety. A properly installed transfer switch decreases risk of electrical shock, power overloading, and fires. It also keeps others safe. Plugging the generator straight into a wall outlet is known as backfeeding, which, according to OSHA, can energize wiring systems across great distances and put utility workers, your neighbors, and your household at risk of electrocution. Quality extension cords matter. If you plan to plug an electrical appliance directly into the generator, use a heavy-duty, outdoor-rated extension cord. Choose one thats rated (in watts or amps) at least equal to the sum of the connected appliance loads, says the American Red Cross. Never use a cord thats cut, frayed, or otherwise damaged. And avoid overloading the generator, which can lead to overheating, creating a fire hazard and/or generator failure. You may need to stagger when youre using various appliances. (Not sure what size generator to purchase? Check out the American Red Crosss sizing guide here.) Cool, then refuel. Generators build up heat while running. Accidentally spill generator fuel, like gasoline or kerosene, onto the engine, and its easy for a fire to ignite. Before refueling, always shut down the generator first, and allow it to cool. Check the generators label or instructions to see what type of fuel to use. Think about how youre storing your fuel. Just as you dont want your generator indoors, you dont want your fuel inside either. Store fuel in an approved safety can in a shed or other protected area, away from fuel-burning appliances. That, of course, means you should store it away from your generator. Take it for a test run. Before an emergency, try out your generator to make sure its operating smoothly. Likely youll be in a calmer state at this point should something need to be adjusted or fixed. One thing to consider: Is there a power overload? Some machines draw three times more power in their first few seconds of startup. ARNOLDS PARK, Iowa -- Don't worry, no burros were hurt during the course of this article. The "burro" at The Screaming Burro Tacos + Tapas is actually a burrito bowl that comes with your choice of meat, along with white rice, romaine lettuce, pinto beans salsa, jack cheese and Mexican crema. That was just one of the question we asked of Nelette Schukei, a marketing assistant for the 320 U.S. Highway 71 S. eatery that opened in June. "People saw our restaurant going up and were curious about our food," she explained. "Since the day we've opened, business has been good and improving all the time." In large part, this is due to the fact that Screaming Burro's full menu of South-of-the-border eats contains fresh ingredients with names you can actually pronounce. "You know, like fresh toppings house-made salsa and quality meats," Schukei said. "In other words, the good stuff." For instance, the Screaming Burro tacos are made with fresh, gluten-free corn tortillas that come with your choice of marinated Adobe Chicken; shredded Barbacoa Beef; Grilled Steak; pineapple-marinated Pork, a vegetarian-friendly Potato and Roasted Peppers; as well as Schukei's personal favorite. "I love the Screaming Burro's Fish Taco," she said. "It is made with beer-battered Barramundi and is served with cabbage, onions, jalapeno and a Sriracha mayo that is delicious." Similarly, the Burro Bowls -- essentially a burrito minus the tortilla shell -- is made to order for hungry customers. But don't forget the tapas, which are the snack-sized appetizers that are popular with Spanish cuisine. Tapas may include anything from kale and poblano guacamole or pork cracklings to a bowl of Mexican sweet corn or some stick-to-your-rubs chicken tortilla soup. "When people think fast food, they think it will be unhealthy," Schukei said. "The Screaming Burro takes the fast-food experience to the next level. Our crew prepares everything from scratch while using nothing but the freshest ingredients." "You can taste the results each and every time," she added. Perhaps, the best compliment Schukei had received came from a customer who had recently traveled to Mexico. "The man said the Screaming Burro fish taco were the best ones he ever ate," she said. "Even better than the ones in Mexico!" "That says a lot about our authenticity," Schukei continued. "It also says a lot about our flavor." Every Journal photo of Siouxland food (and drink) in 2020 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. Mumbai, Aug 5 : Actress Vaani Kapoor would love to do a biopic and says it would be an absolute honour for her to play astronaut Kalpana Chawala on screen. "Kalpana Chawla is a huge role model for women around the world and for anyone who has ever dreamt of being an astronaut. She's an inspiration and her story is definitely one to be celebrated and told. I would really, really want to play her on-screen. It'll be an absolute honour," she said. Vaani feels she would love to take risks as an artiste and try her hand at doing the biopic and also experiment with several other genres. "I've tried to pick the best from what came my way and it feels amazing to have worked with some of the best in the industry. I have been able to get opportunities for roles so distinctive. From the smalltown girl Tara in 'Shudh Desi Romance' to a girl who is French in 'Befikre', to an independent single mother in 'War', to a completely different era in 'Shamshera', it's been pretty good," she said. "However, there are many more films one desires to be part of -- genres like action, comedy, rom-coms, drama, suspense, and thriller, and many more versatile roles to discover," she said. Talking about what attracts her to sign a film, Vaani said: "It's about connecting to a story and then to the character. I try and pick parts that can be diverse, yet meaningful, and exciting." Despite not being a trained dancer, Vaani has impressed with her dancing on screen. She shared how hard she had to work on herself to get to this level of dancing. "I enjoy dancing but, yes, really didn't have any sort of expertise in any of the dance forms. So, it did require many hours of rehearsals -- especially the dance sequences in 'Befikre'. I have given around eight hours (sometimes more) to rehearsals to get the dance sequence in 'Love is a dare' right," she says. Blocking of the online system for exporters to apply for tax incentives under the export incentive scheme MEIS has created an "extremely precarious situation" for aluminium exports, the Aluminium Association of India (AAI) said on Wednesday. The move will further render exports vulnerable and uncompetitive, the industry body added. The commerce ministry has blocked the online system for exporters to apply for availing tax incentives under the MEIS (Merchandise Export from India Scheme) from July 23, as the Department of Revenue decided to limit the benefits under the plan at Rs 9,000 crore for April-December 2020. urged the Centre to continue with processing of applications through the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) MEIS portal. "The DGFT has also blocked the MEIS module from 23rd July from accepting new applications to limit the issuance of any more scrips. This has created an extremely precarious situation for the Indian which have declined by 11 per cent from USD 5.7 billion in FY-19 to USD 5 billion in FY-20, and further will render exports vulnerable and uncompetitive vis-a-vis global players in international markets," said in a statement. The aluminium body also demanded inclusion of aluminium in the product-linked incentive scheme and implementation of Remission of Duties or Taxes on Export Products (RoDTEP) scheme for the aluminium industry to create a level playing field with global players. Being a continuous process industry, all the Indian aluminium smelters are operating at around 90 per cent capacity. The slump in domestic demand is hurting the aluminium industry and it will take substantial time for the domestic demand to pick up, it said. The only option left for the industry is to export aluminium products to survive the current situation due to the COVID-10 pandemic, but the prices are expected to be weak due to a demand slump globally, it added. from India are struggling to remain globally competitive due to high incidence of unrebated central and state taxes and duties, constituting 15 per cent of cost, which is amongst the highest in the world, it said. This is in sharp contrast to global aluminium industry which is heavily supported by countries, specially China, by way of various incentives/ subsidies for raw materials, tax benefits and other incentives, said. are currently eligible for a 2 per cent MEIS reward rate which itself does not provide ample cushion to remain competitive against current bearish market conditions, it added, and pitched for hiking the rate to 5 per cent. The government has identified aluminium amongst 12 champion sectors where India can be a global leader and major supplier. (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.) Rating Action: Moody's assigns Aaa to MN Housing's Homeownership Fin. Bds. 2020 D; outlook stable Global Credit Research - 04 Aug 2020 New York, August 04, 2020 -- Moody's Investors Service has assigned a Aaa rating to the proposed $100 million of Minnesota Housing Finance Agency's ("Minnesota Housing" or the "Agency") Homeownership Finance Bonds, 2020 Series D (Taxable) (Mortgage-Backed Securities Pass-Through Program) (the "2020 Bonds"). The Aaa ratings on all outstanding Homeownership Finance Bonds have also been maintained. The outlook is stable. RATINGS RATIONALE The Aaa rating on the Bonds reflects the high-quality MBS collateral (GNMA, Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and Uniform Mortgage-Backed Securities), continuing strong financial performance, as well as oversight by a capable and active management team. The coronavirus crisis is not a key driver for this rating action. We do not see any material immediate credit risks for the Agency or the Program. However, the situation surrounding Coronavirus is rapidly evolving and the longer-term impact will depend on both the severity and duration of the crisis. If our view of the credit quality of the Agency or the Program changes, we will update the rating and/or outlook at that time. RATING OUTLOOK The stable outlook is based on the outlook of the US government rating and of the rating of Fannie Mae. FACTORS THAT COULD LEAD TO A DOWNGRADE OF THE RATING - Substantial erosion of program asset-to-debt ratio and profit margins - Downgrade of the US government's rating or Fannie Mae's rating LEGAL SECURITY The 2020 Bonds are issued under the Homeownership Finance Bond Resolution (the "Resolution") adopted December 11, 2009 and 2020 Series Resolution adopted February 27, 2020. The 2020 Bonds will be general obligations of Minnesota Housing (Aa1 with a stable outlook) and are further secured by all revenues and assets pledged under the Resolution which will consist primarily of bond proceeds, program obligations, investment obligations and revenues. While the Resolution provides for a Mortgage Reserve Fund, so long as proceeds of the bonds are solely used to acquire MBS and no mortgage loans are financed, there will be no required deposit into Mortgage Reserve Fund. Story continues USE OF PROCEEDS The proceeds of the 2020 Bonds will be used to purchase MBS backed by pools of qualifying mortgages financing the purchase of affordable single-family residences in the State of Minnesota. The Agency expects to fully disburse all proceeds to acquire MBS upon delivery of the 2020 Bonds. PROFILE The Homeownership Finance Bonds resolution was established in 2009 and has been a primary program for the Agency to house bond-financed mortgages. Bonds have been issued to finance Minnesota Housing's single-family mortgage lending program for the purpose of promoting affordable housing for moderate- and-low income families in the state. Minnesota Housing is an agency of the State of Minnesota, created in 1971 and authorized to issue bonds to further affordable housing in the state. The Agency has no taxing power. METHODOLOGY The principal methodology used in this rating was US Housing Finance Agency Single-Family Housing Methodology published in October 2019 and available at https://www.moodys.com/researchdocumentcontentpage.aspx?docid=PBC_1154478. 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. 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. Ping Hsieh Lead Analyst Housing Moody's Investors Service, Inc. 7 World Trade Center 250 Greenwich Street New York 10007 US JOURNALISTS: 1 212 553 0376 Client Service: 1 212 553 1653 Florence Zeman Additional Contact Housing JOURNALISTS: 1 212 553 0376 Client Service: 1 212 553 1653 Releasing Office: Moody's Investors Service, Inc. 250 Greenwich Street New York, NY 10007 U.S.A JOURNALISTS: 1 212 553 0376 Client Service: 1 212 553 1653 2020 Moody's Corporation, Moody's Investors Service, Inc., Moody's Analytics, Inc. and/or their licensors and affiliates (collectively, "MOODY'S"). All rights reserved. CREDIT RATINGS ISSUED BY MOODY'S INVESTORS SERVICE, INC. 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The first question that arises about the bhoomipujan for the Ram temple in Ayodhya, to be done by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday, is whether this is the right time for it. The nation is in the grip of a pandemic with over 50,000 people getting infected every day, many dying and the scourge spreading and aggravating by the day. The economy is in the doldrums and large numbers of people have lost their jobs and livelihood, and its is worsening. There is a national security threat on the border with China. Starting the construction of the Ram temple and making a big celebration of it in this situation does not reflect well on the priorities of the government. Is it such an urgent matter that it cannot wait for some months? The chosen date of August 5 is significant because it marks the first anniversary of the scrapping of the special status of Jammu and Kashmir. That underlines the political importance of the event for all those who are behind it and involved in it. It is the obvious politics of the event that makes it wrong and inappropriate for the Prime Minister to be associated with it. He will not just be involved in it, but will be the main participant, presiding over it. It is not right for the Prime Minister of the country, who is oath-bound to protect a secular Constitution, to be at the centre-stage of an event that is the culmination of a divisive and fractious political campaign. The nation has accepted the Supreme Court's verdict on Ayodhya, but there is no reason for the Government of India to be involved in the construction of the temple, which is what the Prime Ministers presence and participation shows. Even the State-owned information and publicity systems have been deployed in its service. This happens only in a religious State. That is the message that the Prime Minister perhaps wants to send out through the launching of the construction of the temple. The temple at Ayodhya is at the heart of the BJPs politics, and the party's and the entire Sangh Parivars campaign in the last few decades has revolved around it. The Prime Minister will be talking and acting that politics in Ayodhya and the temple will be its symbol. But the point needs to be made again that it is wrong to obfuscate the difference between the government and the party and between the Prime Minister and the politician in matters that are of crucial importance to the nature of the State and the working of the Constitution that underlies it. This release should be read with the Company's Financial Statements and Management Discussion & Analysis ("MD&A"), available at www.tasekomines.com and filed on www.sedar.com. Except where otherwise noted, all currency amounts are stated in Canadian dollars. Taseko's 75% owned Gibraltar Mine is located north of the City of Williams Lake in south-central British Columbia. Production volumes stated in this release are on a 100% basis unless otherwise indicated. VANCOUVER, BC, Aug. 5, 2020 /PRNewswire/ - Taseko Mines Limited (TSX: TKO) (NYSE American: TGB) (LSE: TKO) ("Taseko" or the "Company") reports earnings from mining operations before depletion and amortization* of $50.3 million, Adjusted EBITDA* of $50.9 million and Net income of $18.7 million, or $0.08 per share, in the second quarter of 2020. Russell Hallbauer, CEO and Director, commented, "In March, in response to a lower copper pricing environment, we seamlessly implemented a modified mine plan at Gibraltar and are very pleased with our operating results for the first half of 2020, and our response to the changing market conditions. The copper price recovery from the lows in mid-March is remarkable and demonstrates how strong the fundamentals for copper really are. With current pricing at US$2.95 per pound, copper is 20% higher than the second quarter average price. This price increase flows straight to Taseko's bottom line and directly increases cash flow from Gibraltar. While we remain very bullish on the prospects for copper, it is still early days in the recovery and we have no intentions to adjust this current mine plan." Stuart McDonald, President of Taseko stated, "Strong second quarter production of 36.8 million pounds of copper and 644,000 pounds of molybdenum resulted in a significant uptick in quarterly financial performance. Total operating costs (C1)* of US$1.34 per pound combined with average copper prices for the quarter of US$2.43 per pound provided Taseko with a strong operating margin of $50 million (excluding depletion and amortization) for the quarter. Our cash balance increased to $64 million at the end of June, after making the C$15 million interest payment on our outstanding bonds." "Copper production for the first half of 2020 was right on plan and in line with the higher end of our original guidance. Production and site spending in the second half of the year is expected to be at similar levels as the first half," added Mr. McDonald. Mr. Hallbauer continued, "As previously disclosed, we are expecting the draft Aquifer Protection Permit to be issued by the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality tomorrow. This is a very exciting milestone to have achieved and is another important step closer to adding 85 million pounds of low cost copper production to our Gibraltar base." *Non-GAAP performance measure. See end of news release. "The US Environmental Protection Agency is nearing completion of their technical review and no significant issues have been identified. While progress is being made, the COVID-19 situation in Arizona has had an impact on the permitting process and this has extended the timeline by a few months, but we still expect to have a fully permitted project in early 2021." "Discussions with potential joint venture partners and lenders, as well as streaming and royalty companies, continue. Interest on all fronts remains at a high level and we believe a financing package will be finalized and committed prior to final permits being issued. For the most part, this process has not been hindered by COVID-19," concluded Mr. Hallbauer. Second Quarter Review The Gibraltar Mine (100% basis) produced 36.8 million pounds of copper in the second quarter, a 14% increase over the first quarter. Copper recoveries were 85.2% and copper head grades were 0.281%; In April, management implemented a revised mine plan and budget for Gibraltar which has reduced site spending in the current year while maintaining long-term mine plan requirements. Total operating costs (C1)* were US$1.34 per pound produced in the second quarter, which is US$0.48 per pound lower than the prior quarter, and in line with the revised operating plan; which has reduced site spending in the current year while maintaining long-term mine plan requirements. Total operating costs (C1)* were per pound produced in the second quarter, which is per pound lower than the prior quarter, and in line with the revised operating plan; Earnings from mining operations before depletion and amortization* were $50.3 million , and Adjusted EBITDA* was $50.9 million ; , and Adjusted EBITDA* was ; Cash flow from operations were $37.1 million and the Company had an ending cash balance at June 30, 2020 of $63.6 million ; and the Company had an ending cash balance at of ; Gibraltar sold 39.3 million pounds of copper in the quarter (100% basis) which resulted in $106.0 million of revenue for Taseko, a 71% increase from the first quarter. Revenue included upward provisional price adjustments of $10.1 million ; sold 39.3 million pounds of copper in the quarter (100% basis) which resulted in of revenue for Taseko, a 71% increase from the first quarter. Revenue included upward provisional price adjustments of ; Net income (GAAP) for the second quarter was $18.7 million ( $0.08 per share). Adjusted net income* was $8.3 million ( $0.03 per share); ( per share). Adjusted net income* was ( per share); On April 24, 2020 , Taseko concluded an amendment to its silver stream with Osisko Gold Royalties and received $8.5 million in exchange for reducing the delivery price of silver from US$2.75 per ounce to nil; , Taseko concluded an amendment to its silver stream with Osisko Gold Royalties and received in exchange for reducing the delivery price of silver from per ounce to nil; Gibraltar also concluded a spot tender for copper concentrate in the second half of the year at a TC/RC rate approximately 40% below the 2020 benchmark level as buyers competed for clean, high quality concentrate like Gibraltar's ; also concluded a spot tender for copper concentrate in the second half of the year at a TC/RC rate approximately 40% below the 2020 benchmark level as buyers competed for clean, high quality concentrate like ; With all required production test results completed, Florence Copper made the decision to begin the wind-down of the production test facility and to commence the final phase of rinsing the small section of the orebody where the test wellfield is located. The Arizona Department of Environmental Quality ("ADEQ") has informed Taseko it plans to issue the draft Aquifer Protection Permit on August 6, 2020 ; and ; and In May 2020 , Taseko published its first Environmental, Social, and Governance report, which includes an examination of the Company's sustainable performance, with specific details for 2017, 2018 and 2019. The report is available on the Company's website at www.tasekomines.com/esg . *Non-GAAP performance measure. See end of news release. HIGHLIGHTS Operating Data (Gibraltar - 100% basis) Three months ended June 30, Six months ended June 30, 2020 2019 Change 2020 2019 Change Tons mined (millions) 20.5 26.6 (6.1) 49.0 50.0 (1.0) Tons milled (millions) 7.7 7.7 - 15.2 14.5 0.7 Production (million pounds Cu) 36.8 34.7 2.1 69.2 59.5 9.7 Sales (million pounds Cu) 39.3 32.3 7.0 70.4 55.6 14.8 Financial Data Three months ended June 30, Six months ended June 30, (Cdn$ in thousands, except for per share amounts) 2020 2019 Change 2020 2019 Change Revenues 106,005 86,521 19,484 168,089 156,795 11,294 Earnings from mining operations before depletion and amortization* 50,336 18,646 31,690 56,259 34,375 21,884 Adjusted EBITDA* 50,860 14,660 36,200 56,206 24,905 31,301 Cash flows provided by operations 37,079 11,073 26,006 54,750 18,264 36.486 Adjusted net income (loss)* 8,335 (17,471) 25,806 (13,312) (31,890) 18,578 Per share - basic ("adjusted EPS")* 0.03 (0.07) 0.10 (0.05) (0.13) 0.08 Net income (loss) (GAAP) 18,745 (11,012) 29,757 (30,205) (18,943) (11,262) Per share - basic ("EPS") 0.08 (0.04) 0.12 (0.12) (0.08) (0.04) *Non-GAAP performance measure. See end of news release. REVIEW OF OPERATIONS Gibraltar Mine (75% Owned) Operating data (100% basis) Q2 2020 Q1 2020 Q4 2019 Q3 2019 Q2 2019 Tons mined (millions) 20.5 28.5 25.8 24.7 26.6 Tons milled (millions) 7.7 7.5 7.8 7.5 7.7 Strip ratio 1.9 2.7 2.1 3.0 2.3 Site operating cost per ton milled (CAD$)* $7.66 $9.52 $10.46 $10.83 $11.51 Copper concentrate Head grade (%) 0.281 0.259 0.253 0.249 0.256 Copper recovery (%) 85.2 83.4 84.5 87.7 87.7 Production (million pounds Cu) 36.8 32.4 33.4 33.0 34.7 Sales (million pounds Cu) 39.3 31.1 33.3 33.5 32.3 Inventory (million pounds Cu) 3.8 6.4 5.0 5.0 5.5 Molybdenum concentrate Production (thousand pounds Mo) 639 412 728 620 653 Sales (thousand pounds Mo) 656 403 791 518 708 Per unit data (US$ per pound produced)* Site operating costs* $1.15 $1.64 $1.85 $1.88 $1.92 By-product credits* (0.11) (0.11) (0.16) (0.16) (0.21) Site operating costs, net of by-product credits* $1.04 $1.53 $1.69 $1.72 $1.71 Off-property costs 0.30 0.29 0.32 0.33 0.30 Total operating costs (C1)* $1.34 $1.82 $2.01 $2.05 $2.01 OPERATIONS ANALYSIS Second quarter results To-date, there have been no interruptions to the Company's operations, logistics and supply chains as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Effective health and safety protocols continue to be implemented. There have been no known cases of COVID-19 at any of Taseko's locations in Canada and the US to-date. However, the COVID-19 situation has had a significant impact on the global economy which has led to increased volatility in commodity prices. In light of the volatility, management has reviewed a number of mine plan options for Gibraltar and commencing in April implemented a revised mining plan for 2020 that will reduce spending in the near term while still maintaining long-term mine plan requirements and flexibility, and without negatively impacting 2020 copper production. Copper production in the second quarter was 36.8 million pounds as a result of grade and recovery as higher grade ore was mined from the bottom of the Granite pit. The strip ratio for the second quarter was 1.9 to 1 and was lower than previous quarters due to less waste rock remaining in the Granite pit, but in line with the life of mine average strip ratio. The lower overall mining rate resulted in reduced costs and the operation also benefited from falling input costs, including diesel fuel which was 35% lower than 2019 average prices. As a result, total site spending (including capitalized stripping costs) was 24% lower than the previous quarter. Shorter haul distances in the Pollyanna pit also contributed to lower spending. Molybdenum production was 639 thousand pounds in the second quarter, an increase from the prior quarter due to higher molybdenum grade, which also increased recovery. Molybdenum prices averaged US$8.37 per pound over the second quarter compared to US$9.63 per pound in the prior quarter and US$12.18 per pound in Q2 2019. By-product credits per pound of copper produced* was US$0.11 in the second quarter, consistent with the prior quarter. Off-property costs per pound produced* were US$0.30 for the second quarter of 2020 and consist of concentrate treatment, refining and transportation costs. These costs are in line with recent quarters relative to pounds of copper sold. *Non-GAAP performance measure. See end of news release. GIBRALTAR OUTLOOK Production guidance for 2020 remains unchanged at 130 million pounds (+/-5%), although management expects production to be at the higher end of that range based on its revised plan and the strong first half of 2020. The new operating plan and other identified cost savings will continue to result in lower site spending in the coming months. Total site spending in the second half of the year is expected to be at similar levels as the first half of 2020. Operating a large, open pit mine such as Gibraltar requires adaptability thus management will continue to monitor market conditions and adjust operating plans as required to respond to copper price movements. Mine site engineering has found opportunities in changing the pit development sequencing by incorporating the Gibraltar pit after completion of the current mining phase of the Granite pit. The Gibraltar pit has not been mined since the 1970s and is the lowest work index ore (softer ore) on the Gibraltar property. Access to, and processing of, this ore type will provide substantial productivity and cost improvements to the operation once developed and active. Copper prices have recovered swiftly due to recovery in Chinese demand and supply disruptions, most notably in South America. The medium to long-term fundamentals for copper remain strong despite recent volatility caused by uncertain global economic demand arising from the COVID-19 pandemic. Most industry analysts are projecting supply constraints after an economic recovery, which should bring higher copper prices in the coming years. *Non-GAAP performance measure. See end of news release. REVIEW OF PROJECTS Taseko's strategy has been to grow the Company from the operating cash flow and credit quality of the Gibraltar Mine to assemble and develop a pipeline of complimentary projects. We continue to believe this will generate long-term returns for shareholders. Our development projects are focused primarily on copper and are located in stable mining jurisdictions in British Columbia and Arizona. Our current focus is on the near-term development of the Florence Copper Project. Florence Copper Project The Production Test Facility ("PTF") operated continuously without disruption during the second quarter of 2020. Steady state operation was achieved in 2019 and the focus turned to testing different wellfield operating strategies, including adjusting pumping rates, solution strength, flow direction, and the use of packers in recovery and injection wells to isolate different zones of the ore body. The operating team has used physical and operating control mechanisms to adjust solution chemistry and flow rates and has successfully achieved targeted copper concentration in solution. Pregnant leach solution ("PLS") grade in the centre recovery well (most representative of the performance of the commercial wellfield) has been stable at roughly two grams per litre since November and in June and July the SX/EW plant produced at a rate of approximately one million pounds of copper cathode per year, mainly from the centre recovery well. The PTF has provided valuable data to validate the Company's modelled assumptions and operating parameters, and this data is being used to refine operating plans for the commercial phase. With all of the required data in hand, we recently made the decision to wind down the production phase of the test facility and commence rinsing the small section of the orebody where the wellfield has been operating. Two permits are required to commence construction of the commercial scale wellfield at Florence Copper, which is expected to produce 85 million pounds of copper cathode annually for 20 years. These are the Aquifer Protection Permit ("APP") from the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality ("ADEQ") and the Underground Injection Control ("UIC") Permit from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency ("EPA"). The Company has been informed by the ADEQ that it will issue the draft APP on August 6, 2020. After the draft permit is issued there will be a 30-day public comment period and public meetings before the final APP permit is approved. The EPA is also nearing completion of its technical review for the UIC permit, and no significant issues have been identified. While progress is being made, the COVID-19 situation in Arizona has had an impact on the EPA process and this has extended the timeline by a few months, but management still expects the project will be fully permitted in early 2021. During the second quarter, the Company continued to advance discussions with interested parties regarding the potential sale of a minority interest in the Florence project, and the proceeds of any such sale could fund a significant portion of the capital required to develop the commercial operation. Discussions with potential lenders and other finance providers are ongoing. The Company targets having a committed financing package in place prior to receipt of the permits. Total net expenditures at the Florence Project during the first half of 2020 were $9.1 million including operation of the PTF and other project development costs. Yellowhead Copper Project In January 2020, the Company announced the results of its technical studies on Yellowhead Mining Inc. ("Yellowhead") which resulted in a 22% increase in recoverable copper reserves and significantly improved project economics. The Company filed a new NI 43-101 technical report (dated January 16, 2020) (the "Technical Report") on Sedar. Yellowhead holds a 100% interest in a copper-gold-silver development project located in south-central British Columbia. The Technical Report outlines a new development plan for the project, which includes an 817 million tonne reserve and a 25-year mine life with a pre-tax NPV of $1.3 billion at an 8% discount rate using a US$3.10 per pound copper price. This represents a $500 million increase over the 2014 Feasibility Study completed by the previous owner. Capital costs of the project are estimated at $1.3 billion over a 2-year construction period. Over the first 5 years of operation, the copper equivalent grade will average 0.35% producing an average of 200 million pounds of copper per year at an average C1 cost, net of by-product credit, of US$1.67 per pound of copper. The Yellowhead Copper Project contains valuable precious metal by-products with 440,000 ounces of gold and 19 million ounces of silver with a life of mine value of over $1 billion at current prices. The Company is focusing its current efforts on advancing the environmental assessment and some additional engineering work in conjunction with ongoing engagement with local communities including First Nations. A focus group has been formed between the Company and high-level regulators in the appropriate Provincial Ministries in order to expedite the advancement of the environmental assessment and the permitting of the project. Management also commenced joint venture partnering discussions in 2020 with a number of strategic industry groups that are interested in potentially investing in the Yellowhead project in combination with acquiring the significant copper offtake rights. In May 2020, the Company announced it has entered into an agreement with an Indigenous Nation regarding Taseko's intentions to commence the regulatory approval process of the Yellowhead Copper Project. The agreement represents Taseko's commitment to recognize and respect the Nation's inherent right to govern its lands, and the importance of assessing the Yellowhead Copper Project in accordance with its values, laws, and community aspirations to make an informed decision on the project. New Prosperity Gold- Copper Project On December 5, 2019, the Company announced that the Tsilhqot'in Nation as represented by Tsilhqot'in National Government and Taseko have entered into a dialogue, facilitated by the Province of British Columbia, to try to obtain a long-term solution to the conflict regarding Taseko's proposed gold-copper mine currently known as New Prosperity, acknowledging Taseko's commercial interests and the opposition of the Tsilhqot'in Nation to the Project. While the details of this process are confidential, in order to facilitate a dialogue, the parties have agreed to a standstill on certain outstanding litigation and regulatory matters which relate to Taseko's tenures and the area in the vicinity of Teztan Biny (Fish Lake). Aley Niobium Project Environmental monitoring and product marketing initiatives on the Aley Niobium project continue. The pilot plant program commenced in the second quarter of 2019 has successfully completed the niobium flotation process portion of the test, raising confidence in the design and providing feed to begin the converter portion of the process. Completion of the converter portion of the pilot plant will provide additional process data to support the design of the commercial process facilities and provide final product samples for marketing purposes. Note: Gibraltar is a contractual, unincorporated joint venture between Taseko Mines Limited (75% interest) and Cariboo Copper Corp. (25% interest). All production and sales figures are reported on a 100% basis, unless otherwise noted. Taseko will host a telephone conference call and live webcast on Thursday, August 6, 2020 at 11:00 a.m. Eastern Time (8:00 a.m. Pacific) to discuss these results. After opening remarks by management, there will be a question and answer session open to analysts and investors. The conference call may be accessed by dialing (888) 390-0546 in Canada and the United States, or (416) 764-8688 internationally. The conference call will be archived for later playback until August 20, 2020 and can be accessed by dialing (888) 390-0541 in Canada and the United States, or (416) 764-8677 internationally and using the passcode 273649 #. Russell Hallbauer CEO and Director No regulatory authority has approved or disapproved of the information in this news release. NON-GAAP PERFORMANCE MEASURES This document includes certain non-GAAP performance measures that do not have a standardized meaning prescribed by IFRS. These measures may differ from those used by, and may not be comparable to such measures as reported by, other issuers. The Company believes that these measures are commonly used by certain investors, in conjunction with conventional IFRS measures, to enhance their understanding of the Company's performance. These measures have been derived from the Company's financial statements and applied on a consistent basis. The following tables below provide a reconciliation of these non-GAAP measures to the most directly comparable IFRS measure. Total operating costs and site operating costs, net of by-product credits Total costs of sales include all costs absorbed into inventory, as well as transportation costs and insurance recoverable. Site operating costs are calculated by removing net changes in inventory, depletion and amortization, insurance recoverable, and transportation costs from cost of sales. Site operating costs, net of by-product credits is calculated by subtracting by-product credits from the site operating costs. Site operating costs, net of by-product credits per pound are calculated by dividing the aggregate of the applicable costs by copper pounds produced. Total operating costs per pound is the sum of site operating costs, net of by-product credits and off-property costs divided by the copper pounds produced. By-product credits are calculated based on actual sales of molybdenum (net of treatment costs) and silver during the period divided by the total pounds of copper produced during the period. These measures are calculated on a consistent basis for the periods presented. Three months ended June 30, Six months ended June 30, (Cdn$ in thousands, unless otherwise indicated) 75% basis 2020 2019 2020 2019 Cost of sales 81,181 98,013 164,490 172,742 Less: Depletion and amortization (25,512) (30,138) (52,660) (50,322) Net change in inventories of finished goods (5,753) 3,989 (4,441) 8,035 Net change in inventories of ore stockpiles (50) (540) 543 (413) Transportation costs (5,834) (4,630) (10,353) (7,918) Site operating costs 44,032 66,694 97,579 122,124 Less by-product credits: Molybdenum, net of treatment costs (4,252) (7,243) (7,483) (15,062) Silver, excluding amortization of deferred revenue (28) (93) (382) (279) Site operating costs, net of by-product credits 39,752 59,358 89,714 106,783 Total copper produced (thousand pounds) 27,576 26,020 51,894 44,661 Total costs per pound produced 1.44 2.28 1.73 2.39 Average exchange rate for the period (CAD/USD) 1.39 1.34 1.37 1.33 Site operating costs, net of by-product credits (US$ per pound) 1.04 1.71 1.27 1.79 Site operating costs, net of by-product credits 39,752 59,358 89,714 106,783 Add off-property costs: Treatment and refining costs 5,676 5,839 10,632 10,105 Transportation costs 5,834 4,630 10,353 7,918 Total operating costs 51,262 69,827 110,699 124,806 Total operating costs (C1) (US$ per pound) 1.34 2.01 1.56 2.10 Adjusted net income (loss) Adjusted net income (loss) remove the effect of the following transactions from net income as reported under IFRS: Unrealized foreign currency gains/losses; and Unrealized gain/loss on copper put and fuel call options. Management believes these transactions do not reflect the underlying operating performance of our core mining business and are not necessarily indicative of future operating results. Furthermore, unrealized gains/losses on derivative instruments, changes in the fair value of financial instruments, and unrealized foreign currency gains/losses are not necessarily reflective of the underlying operating results for the reporting periods presented. Three months ended June 30, Six months ended June 30, ($ in thousands, except per share amounts) 2020 2019 2020 2019 Net income (loss) 18,745 (11,012) (30,205) (18,943) Unrealized foreign exchange (gain) loss (12,985) (6,258) 16,762 (12,947) Unrealized (gain) loss on copper put and fuel call options 3,528 (276) 180 - Estimated tax effect of adjustments (953) 75 (49) - Adjusted net income (loss) 8,335 (17,471) (13,312) (31,890) Adjusted EPS 0.03 (0.07) (0.05) (0.13) Adjusted EBITDA Adjusted EBITDA is presented as a supplemental measure of the Company's performance and ability to service debt. Adjusted EBITDA is frequently used by securities analysts, investors and other interested parties in the evaluation of companies in the industry, many of which present Adjusted EBITDA when reporting their results. Issuers of "high yield" securities also present Adjusted EBITDA because investors, analysts and rating agencies consider it useful in measuring the ability of those issuers to meet debt service obligations. Adjusted EBITDA represents net income before interest, income taxes, and depreciation and also eliminates the impact of a number of items that are not considered indicative of ongoing operating performance. Certain items of expense are added and certain items of income are deducted from net income that are not likely to recur or are not indicative of the Company's underlying operating results for the reporting periods presented or for future operating performance and consist of: Unrealized foreign exchange gains/losses; Unrealized gain/loss on copper put and fuel call options; and Amortization of share-based compensation expense. Three months ended June 30, Six months ended June 30, ($ in thousands) 2020 2019 2020 2019 Net income (loss) 18,745 (11,012) (30,205) (18,943) Add: Depletion and amortization 25,512 30,138 52,660 50,322 Finance expense 10,461 10,048 21,232 19,790 Finance income (48) (299) (198) (607) Income tax expense (recovery) 4,326 (8,125) (5,792) (14,941) Unrealized foreign exchange (gain) loss (12,985) (6,258) 16,762 (12,947) Unrealized loss (gain) on copper put and fuel call options 3,528 (276) 180 - Amortization of share-based compensation expense 1,321 444 1,567 2,231 Adjusted EBITDA 50,860 14,660 56,206 24,905 Earnings from mining operations before depletion and amortization Earnings from mining operations before depletion and amortization is earnings from mining operations with depletion and amortization added back. The Company discloses this measure, which has been derived from our financial statements and applied on a consistent basis, to provide assistance in understanding the results of the Company's operations and financial position and it is meant to provide further information about the financial results to investors. Three months ended June 30, Six months ended June 30, (Cdn$ in thousands) 2020 2019 2020 2019 Earnings (loss) from mining operations 24,824 (11,492) 3,599 (15,947) Add: Depletion and amortization 25,512 30,138 52,660 50,322 Earnings from mining operations before depletion and amortization 50,336 18,646 56,259 34,375 Site operating costs per ton milled Three months ended June 30, Six months ended June 30, (Cdn$ in thousands, except per ton milled amounts) 2020 2019 2020 2019 Site operating costs (included in cost of sales) 44,032 66,694 97,579 122,124 Tons milled (thousands) (75% basis) 5,748 5,794 11,370 10,890 Site operating costs per ton milled $7.66 $11.51 $8.58 $11.21 CAUTION REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION This document contains "forward-looking statements" that were based on Taseko's expectations, estimates and projections as of the dates as of which those statements were made. Generally, these forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "outlook", "anticipate", "project", "target", "believe", "estimate", "expect", "intend", "should" and similar expressions. Forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the Company's actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. These included but are not limited to: uncertainties about the effect of COVID-19 and the response of local, provincial, federal and international governments to the threat of COVID-19 on our operations (including our suppliers, customers, supply chain, employees and contractors) and economic conditions generally and in particular with respect to the demand for copper and other metals we produce; uncertainties and costs related to the Company's exploration and development activities, such as those associated with continuity of mineralization or determining whether mineral resources or reserves exist on a property; uncertainties related to the accuracy of our estimates of mineral reserves, mineral resources, production rates and timing of production, future production and future cash and total costs of production and milling; uncertainties related to feasibility studies that provide estimates of expected or anticipated costs, expenditures and economic returns from a mining project; uncertainties related to the ability to obtain necessary licenses permits for development projects and project delays due to third party opposition; uncertainties related to unexpected judicial or regulatory proceedings; changes in, and the effects of, the laws, regulations and government policies affecting our exploration and development activities and mining operations, particularly laws, regulations and policies; changes in general economic conditions, the financial markets and in the demand and market price for copper, gold and other minerals and commodities, such as diesel fuel, steel, concrete, electricity and other forms of energy, mining equipment, and fluctuations in exchange rates, particularly with respect to the value of the U.S. dollar and Canadian dollar, and the continued availability of capital and financing; the effects of forward selling instruments to protect against fluctuations in copper prices and exchange rate movements and the risks of counterparty defaults, and mark to market risk; the risk of inadequate insurance or inability to obtain insurance to cover mining risks; the risk of loss of key employees; the risk of changes in accounting policies and methods we use to report our financial condition, including uncertainties associated with critical accounting assumptions and estimates; environmental issues and liabilities associated with mining including processing and stock piling ore; and labour strikes, work stoppages, or other interruptions to, or difficulties in, the employment of labour in markets in which we operate mines, or environmental hazards, industrial accidents or other events or occurrences, including third party interference that interrupt the production of minerals in our mines. For further information on Taseko, investors should review the Company's annual Form 40-F filing with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission www.sec.gov and home jurisdiction filings that are available at www.sedar.com . Cautionary Statement on Forward-Looking Information This discussion includes certain statements that may be deemed "forward-looking statements". All statements in this discussion, other than statements of historical facts, that address future production, reserve potential, exploration drilling, exploitation activities, and events or developments that the Company expects are forward-looking statements. Although we believe the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include market prices, exploitation and exploration successes, continued availability of capital and financing and general economic, market or business conditions. Investors are cautioned that any such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. All of the forward-looking statements made in this MD&A are qualified by these cautionary statements. We disclaim any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except to the extent required by applicable law. Further information concerning risks and uncertainties associated with these forward-looking statements and our business may be found in our most recent Form 40-F/Annual Information Form on file with the SEC and Canadian provincial securities regulatory authorities. SOURCE Taseko Mines Limited Related Links www.tasekomines.com Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Mardika Parama (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Wed, August 5, 2020 17:09 531 6657ac82168da9fa101c8a4066bc9632 1 Business Bali-Airport,tourism-industry,COVID-19,bappenas,reopening Free A minister has urged travelers to comply with health protocols in Bali as the island has reopened for domestic tourists in the hope of reigniting the local economy hit by the pandemic. National Development Planning Minister Suharso Monoarfa assured the public on Tuesday that the island was safe for visits and that the local administration and businesses were taking unprecedented steps to prevent COVID-19 transmission in the tourist destination. While we should remain vigilant with regard to the virus, we shouldnt be paranoid. It is safe to visit Bali, but please adhere to the health protocols implemented on the island, he said during an online discussion held by the ministry. As Bali reopened for domestic tourists on Friday, an estimated 4,000 passengers reportedly arrived at I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport. A representative of the Airport Authority Office Area IV, Puguh Lukito, said Ngurah Rai airport served 28 takeoffs and 28 landings on the day. Tourism is among the sectors hit hardest by the coronavirus outbreak as people stay at home and limit traveling to avoid catching the virus. Bali has lost an estimated Rp 48.5 trillion (US$3.33 billion) in tourism revenue between March and July, making the reopening a much-awaited move. Bali Tourism Agency head Putu Aswata on Monday reported a surge in airport arrivals since the reopening, mainly by domestic tourist. Based on our observation at the airport, it seems there has been an increase of around 15 to 17 percent in arrivals, Putu said as quoted by Kompas. Putu said the agency recorded 2,128 domestic tourist arrivals through the islands main airport on Friday. On Saturday, the number of arrivals declined to 1,847, before jumping to 2,419 on Sunday. Minister Suharso urged tourists to take a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test prior to their visit to Bali, although the island accepts rapid test result as a requirement for visits. We should take a PCR test before and after our visit to Bali. The rapid test should only be used if we cant take the PCR test, as the former only shows our antibody reaction [to COVID-19], he said. Suharso also urged tourists to always bring along hand sanitizer, wet wipes and face masks during their trips and take a shower at the hotel at the end of the day. Previously, Bali Governor I Wayan Koster expressed optimism that Bali would be ready for the full reopening of tourism, an industry that accounts for more than 52 percent of the island's economy. Koster stressed that tourist attractions and facilities across the island had implemented the required health protocols to ensure the safety of patrons. As of Wednesday, Bali has recorded 3,617 cases of COVID-19 with 3,130 recoveries and 48 fatalities, according to official data. Indonesia reported 116,871 cases and 5,452 deaths as of Wednesday. Former Minister of Communications, Dr. Edward Omane Boamah has reacted to Professor Kwamena Ahwoi's book, "Working with Rawlings" and said the claim that he was engaged to talk back at former President Jerry Rawlings was untrue. Prof Ahwoi had stated in his book that since former President Rawlings had fallen out with former President John Evans Atta Mills and was constantly attacking his government, which culminated in Mills onetime taking a decision to resign, they [Ahwoi's] decided to train some young men to deal with Mr. Rawlings. He mentioned those young men as Felix Kwakye Ofosu, Edward Omane Boamah, and Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa. The young men are the ones whom Mr. Rawlings is said to have later referred to as "babies with sharp teeth." But in a press stated issued Wednesday morning [August 5, 2020], Dr Omane Boamah said, "Respectfully, I need to place on record that this claim is wholly and completely inaccurate and untrue." Below is a copy of his statement DISCLAIMER PROF. KWAMENA AHWOIS BOOK WORKING WITH RAWLINGS I have read excerpts of the Prof. Kwamena Ahwois Book, Working with Rawlings that appear to suggest I was among a group of young politicians, who were purposely engaged by him and others to respond to and talk back at former President Rawlings for the latters attacks on the personality of the late President of Ghana, His Excellency John Evans Fiifi Atta Mills. Respectfully, I need to place on record that this claim is wholly and completely inaccurate and untrue. As a young man and politician with core convictions, I was never engaged nor could I have allowed myself to be used by anyone to talk back at former President Rawlings. My principled stand in defending the late President Atta Mills, without insults, against attacks I thought were underserved was borne out of my respect and appreciation of the personality of the late President Mills the Asomdwehene, his pureness of heart and other sterling and unique qualities that he possessed to a fault. The suggestion that my defence of the late President was part of a deliberate strategy by elders is irksome to me. It does not reflect my personality as a politician of conviction and not of convenience. For the record, I state emphatically and unequivocally that any claim that I was a recruited participant in any such grand agenda could only be the result of an inadvertent error in recollection and not founded on anything that remotely resembles the truth. SIGNED Dr. Edward Kofi Omane Boamah Former Minister of Communication 5th August, 2020 Source: Graphic.com.gh Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video RECCE 435 Oral Rat Study % Positive for H. pylori, Urease Test % Positive for H. pylori, Urease Test Mean Body Weights of Rats Following Oral Administration w/vehicle and RECCE 435 Group Mean Body Weights of Rats Following Oral Administration w/vehicle and RECCE 435 Group Mean Body Weights of Rats Following Oral Administration w/vehicle and RECCE 435 Group Highlights: New RECCE 435 oral showed dose-dependent and efficacy against Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) bacteria isolated from a patient with a duodenal ulcer compared to control vehicle in independent study model in rats Separate and independent repeat oral dosing study indicates 500mg/kg twice daily vs. water control yielded no observed toxicity with favorable weight gain throughout High solubility and antibacterial effect supportive of a targeted oral therapy for stomach infection Discussions with world leading H. pylori experts to assess commercial pathway SYDNEY, Australia, Aug. 05, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Recce Pharmaceuticals Ltd (ASX: RCE) (Company), the Company developing a new class of synthetic anti-infectives, today announced positive efficacy activity against Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) bacteria in rats treated with new antibiotic RECCE 435, including a favorable toxicity profile in a related study. RECCE 435 is a broad-spectrum synthetic polymer antibiotic formulated for oral use. The Company is most encouraged by these data, further indicating a long anticipated potential against H. pylori, a significant pathogen with a particular prevalence in the neighboring Asia-Pacific region, said Dr. John Prendergast, Recce Pharmaceuticals Non-Executive Chairman. This study further endorses our ever promising therapeutic potential to advance a new class of synthetic antibiotics and anti-infectives for the treatment of a wide spectrum of pathogens capable of causing deadly infections. While Recce is pleased with these results, they do not mean that the RECCE 435 compound will be safe or effective for use in humans. The efficacy study was conducted by an independent Contract Research Organization to assess oral dose-dependent efficacy of RECCE 435 in-vivo (rats) against a clinical isolate of H. pylori. H. pylori is a species of Gram-negative bacteria commonly infecting the lining of the stomach and upper digestive tract. There is no available first-line therapy that is curative in all patients at this time and it is a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide; it is estimated more than 50% of the global population is infected.1,2 Story continues In the study, five groups of 10 rats each were observed. Three of these groups were treated with varying doses of RECCE 435 (250, 500, 1,000 mg/kg) and dose-dependent efficacy was seen at all doses with significant reduction in bacterial load. Upon completion of the study, a urease test was carried out upon the stomach lining to confirm the presence of H. pylori in the subjects. Helicobacter pylori can survive within the acidic environment of the stomach by producing an enzyme called urease. Therefore, H. pylori presence was measured by a urease diagnostic test in the stomachs of rats in the study with those. No signs of toxicity were observed at any dosage level throughout the efficacy study. A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/2e899f19-b3ca-4432-a304-9000d38b5c13 Group Group ID Rats Urease test % Positive for H. pylori [Urease Test] Positive Negative 1 Uninfected control 10 0 10 0 2 Infected control 10 9 1 90 3 AB Combo 135 mg/kg (Amoxicillin 90 mg/kg + Clarithromycin 45 mg/kg) 10 5 5 50 4 Infected + RECCE 435 - 250 mg/kg 10 6 4 60 5 Infected + RECCE 435 - 500 mg/kg 10 4 6 40 6 Infected + RECCE 435 - 1000 mg/kg 10 2 8 20 RECCE 435 mg/kg dosing is based upon total administered solution. A significant proportion of RECCE 435 administered solution quoted includes inactive components such as diluent/water and stabilizing medium. The Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient (API) as is sometimes the quoted mg/kg of the comparative product/s, likely to dramatically benefit by way of reduction to the otherwise stated RECCE figure. This study assessed a combination of two broad spectrum antibiotics being used Amoxicillin and Clarithromycin. Amoxicillin was used at a higher dosage, being one of the most active antimicrobials against H. pylori.3 This standard therapy has recently been undermined by its ineffectiveness for a number of reasons including the development of high resistance rates and the lack of novel drugs. An additional independent study examining the safety of oral dosing of RECCE 435 up to 500mg/kg was administered to groups of five mice each twice daily for seven days, compared to water-only administration. The data indicates their feeding habits, which contributes to weight gain, were not negatively impacted, supporting overall general and gastrointestinal health. A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/c1a9300a-c2e6-42a9-98ed-3c7e276d7300 Mean body weights of rats following oral administration with vehicle and RECCE 435 group Body weight (g) (Mean SD) Days Day 1 Day 2 Day 3 Day 4 Day 5 Day 6 Day 7 Vehicle Water dosed twice daily (each 12h) over 7 days 213 8.09 224.4 6.73 236.2 4.82 246 5.15 253.2 4.15 262.6 3.65 268.2 5.81 RECCE 435 - 500 mg/kg dosed twice daily (each 12h) over 7 days 213.4 4.56 223.4 9.32 231.6 7.7 240 4.74 246.8 5.89 255.2 9.65 269.4 5.77 H. pylori was recently added by the FDA to the Agency's list of qualifying pathogens that have the potential to pose a serious threat to public health. As a result, drug treatments being studied for patients with H. pylori infection have been granted Qualified Infectious Disease Product (QIDP) designation. In addition to H. pylori increasing risk of ulcers and other gastric diseases, research suggests that some 35-60% of gastric adenocarcinomas are attributable to H. pylori infection.4 The World Health Organisation (WHO) also lists H. pylori as a priority pathogen on its list of antibiotic-resistant bacteria that pose the greatest threat to human health.5 Helicobacter pylori is known to cause stomach inflammation (gastritis) and more serious conditions such as stomach ulcers and stomach cancer.6 About Recce Pharmaceuticals Ltd Recce Pharmaceuticals Ltd (ASX: RCE) is pioneering the development and commercialization of new classes of synthetic anti-infectives designed to address the urgent global health problems of antibiotic resistant superbugs and emerging viral pathogens. Recce antibiotics are unique their potency does not diminish even with repeated use, a common failure associated with existing antibiotics and their propensity to rapidly succumb to resistant superbugs. Patented lead candidate RECCE 327, wholly owned and manufactured in Australia, has been developed for the treatment of blood infections and sepsis derived from E. coli and S. aureus bacteria including their superbug forms. The FDA has awarded RECCE 327 Qualified Infectious Disease Product designation under the Generating Antibiotic Initiatives Now (GAIN) Act labelling it for Fast Track Designation, plus 10 years of market exclusivity post approval. Recce wholly owns its automated manufacturing, ready to support first-in-human clinical trials. Recces anti-infective pipeline seeks to exploit the unique capabilities of RECCE technologies targeting synergistic, unmet medical needs. 1 https://www.mja.com.au/journal/2016/204/10/epidemiology-clinical-impacts-and-current-clinical-management-helicobacter 2 https://www.racgp.org.au/afp/2014/may/helicobacter-pylori-eradication/ 3 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5314729/ 4 https://journals.lww.com/ctg/Abstract/2013/03000/Helicobacter_Pylori_Test_and_Treat__Strategy_for.2.aspx 5 WHO list of bacteria 6 ttps://www.healthdirect.gov.au/helicobacter-pylori Executive Director Media & Investor Relations (AU) Media & Investor Relations (USA) James Graham Andrew Geddes Meredith Sosulski, PhD Reece Pharmaceuticals, Ltd. CityPR LifeSci Communications +61 (02) 8075 4585 +61 (02) 9267 4511 +1 929 469 3851 james.graham@reece.com.au ageddes@citypublicrelations.com.au msosulski@lifescicomms.com There is an awful lot of rubbish being talked about how Covid-19 will lead to the decline of once-bustling cities. Middle-class millennials who have fled their flat-shares to return chez mum and dad in the shires are bleating in lifestyle articles that they don't want to go back to Stoke Newington. And, after being locked down with the kids, well-heeled parents are resorting to property porn, fantasising about the vast country home they could buy for the price of their inner-city terrace. If you want to sell brands that will capture the imagination, your ideal home is a social and cultural hub, not a soulless industrial estate with a low rent Businesses are alleged to be drawing up plans to save millions of pounds by moving out of prime locations and letting staff work from home forever. It's extremely difficult to make predictions about the pandemic but here's one: the urge to leave town will wear off. When we've vanquished the virus, London and our other great cities will soon revert to teeming, maddening, exhilarating honeypots. Ivan Menezes, the chief executive of drinks giant Diageo, thinks so too. He, of all people, has seen how hard city centres have been hit in the pandemic as his sales and profits were banjaxed when the shutters came down on the pubs. Although many of us have been glugging at home on the Baileys and mixing up DIY quarantinis to take the edge off lockdown, it hasn't been enough to bolster Diageo's bottom line. But Menezes is pressing ahead with plans for a new head office to house 800 senior staff in Soho, the bohemian, creative heart of London, and it has moved to new premises in New York. Sure, there would be cheaper office space out of town, but he believes a drinks company needs to be in the middle of life, near the theatres, cinemas and art galleries. If you want to sell brands that will capture the imagination, your ideal home is a social and cultural hub, not a soulless industrial estate with a low rent. He's right, of course. For a multinational company like Diageo, a Soho HQ is a relatively small move, but it is symbolic of a broader attitude. Menezes is betting that we will return to urban melting pots, congregate again in bars, cinemas and concerts, in cities replete with material wealth and the cultural variety. There are three imperatives in facing down Covid-19. Saving lives comes first. Livelihoods second. But let's not forget the third: emerging with lives that are sociable, rich in experience and worth living. Cheers! Jobs for the girls The plight of an elite handful of women who run FTSE 100 companies but are paid less than male chief executives is not likely to goad armies of woke protesters onto the streets. Yet a consistent finding of the High Pay Centre's annual review of the Footsie is that the women at the top are paid significantly less than the men. The mean average pay of a male CEO was 4.74million, nearly three-quarters of a million pounds more than the mean average for a female leader. It's not possible to put this definitively down to sexism in fact, it would be easy to mansplain away the discrepancy. There are only half a dozen or so female CEOs in the Footsie and a variety of reasons they might be on a lower package. These include the size and type of company, experience, the length of time in the job or a horrible thought maybe the women sometimes put in a less impressive performance. Perhaps Emma Walmsley, the chief executive of drugs giant Glaxosmithkline on 8.4million, really is worth nearly 6million a year less than Pascal Soriot, her male counterpart at rival Astrazeneca, who is on 14.3million. She's impressive, but he's been there longer, Astra has a bigger market value and he's had better publicity in the pandemic, so maybe it's fair enough. But the process of setting rewards is subjective and opaque. The system is run by pay committees who are meant to be independent but are often so in thrall to the CEO they seem to suffer from Stockholm syndrome. It is supposedly policed by big investors. They, however, are so fantastically spineless they have never defeated a pay policy in a binding vote at a FTSE 100 company since given the power to do so seven years ago. That's right, not once even when faced with truly obscene packages. Executive pay is so riddled with unfairness it might seem absurd to complain about inequity within the Footsie towards a minority group who are by any measure highly privileged. All of that said, it's interesting that, for whatever reasons, even at the very top women are still paid less. Carnival said it will voluntarily extend its coronavirus-related hiatus on voyages from the Port of Charleston and other U.S. destinations through at least Oct. 31, following the lead of an industry group that represents more than 50 cruise lines worldwide. "This is a difficult decision as we recognize the crushing impact that this pandemic has had on our community and every other industry," the Cruise Lines International Association said in a statement. "However, we believe this proactive action further demonstrates the cruise industry's commitment to public health and safety." Carnival, which bases its Sunshine pleasure ship at Union Pier in downtown Charleston, said it is offering passengers whose cruises are canceled "an enhanced value package of a future cruise credit and onboard credit, or a full refund." This is the sixth time Carnival has extended its pause in cruise ship operations due to COVID-19 fears, but the Miami-based line left some wiggle room in its latest announcement. "If conditions in the U.S. change and short and modified sailings are possible, the industry may consider an earlier restart, and we would consider that as well," Carnival said in a statement. "In the meantime, we will continue to work with public health and government officials to finalize enhanced health and sanitation protocols and procedures that will guide our eventual return to service." The latest announcement halts cruises beyond the Sept. 30 expiration of a no-sail order issued by the Centers for Disease Control, although the federal health agency has hinted it plans to extend the order. Meanwhile, the CDC is seeking public feedback on when cruise ships should be allowed to sail again from Charleston and other U.S. ports. The federal health agency recently issued a request for comments via the Federal Register to help "inform future public health guidance and preventative measures relating to travel on cruise ships." Instruction on how to comment are included in the Federal Register notice. The Sunshine and other vacation vessels in North America halted operations in mid-March as the coronavirus pandemic spread throughout the U.S. The Sunshine docked at Columbus Street Terminal for about a month before Carnival decided its 1,100 crew members should return to their home countries. Marine tracking sites show the ship is in the Bahamas. The Cruise Lines International Association said its economic impact study shows that the nation loses $110 million in economic activity for each day U.S. cruise operations are suspended. The impact is felt strongest in states that depend heavily on cruise tourism, including Florida, Texas, Alaska, Washington, New York and California. In Charleston, cruise operations account for about 5 percent of the State Ports Authority's budget, or about $8 million a year. Charleston hosted 217,673 passengers from the Sunshine and other pleasure ships making ports of call in fiscal 2020, which ended June 30. A Kildare man had a flick knife, a knuckle duster and CS gas for sale, Naas District Court heard last week. Andrew Cross, 65, whose address was given as Ballyteague, Kilmeague, was prosecuted for possessing a flick knife at Hunting Ground, Athy, on January 19 last. Read more County Kildare news Sgt Brian Jacob said the defendant had a stall selling the items and, when he was approached, he said the flick knife was to be sold for fishing purposes and not to a child; and the gas might be sold to a woman for protection. He said the defendant was very cooperative, and said the knuckle duster was for sale to a motorcyclist, who would likely weld it on to the machine. Why would anybody want to display a knuckle duster? asked Judge Desmlond Zaidan. The defendant told the court the items were part of a collection he had got together over a period of 20 years at different markets. He said some of the items were purchased at markets in Bosnia or Germany. Sgt Jacob described the defendant as an amateur salesman who picked the wrong products and he said the case was more about naivety than criminality. He added that the market concerned takes placed near the river and is nothing like as formal as the regular market. I believe he was foolish and it was a once off incident, added Sgt Jacob. The defendant also told the court he was training to do voluntary work with the Samaritans, but this was suspended pending the outcome of the court case. Solicitor Cairbre Finan told the court the defendant has worked all his life and had cooperated with the gardai. Mr Finan described him as earnest and said he is concerned about the case. He also said the defendant has never been in trouble before and there was a certain element of ignorance associated with the case. Referring to the items for sale, Mr Finan said he shouldnt have had them. Noting that the man was not selling the items every week, Judge Zaidan accepted a charitable donation of 500 for Pieta House. He ordered that the items be destroyed. PHILIPSBURG:--- Since the Kingdom Council of Ministers meeting on July 10th, whereby Prime Minister Jacobs attended with her colleague Prime Ministers of Aruba and Curacao, and their Ministers Plenipotentiary regarding the liquidity support for 3rd tranche, Prime Minister Jacobs has been in constant contact with her colleague Prime Ministers of Aruba and Curacao about a plan of approach and also lobbying for a joint proposal to the Netherlands. Unfortunately, this has not always prospered as they would have desired as each country has its own challenges. The Council of Ministers established a workgroup of legal experts to review the draft kingdom law and the enclosed documents. The group of the legal experts consisted of five persons and had a clearly defined goal to do a legal review with a focus on the counterproposal to present to the Netherlands. The Council of Ministers is awaiting the final report which will include other options for St. Maarten. The letter, in keeping with the related motion of Parliament, was sent to the State Secretary, Mr. Knops on Monday, August 3, 2020 after being approved by the Council of Ministers. The letter once again outlined the importance and willingness of St. Maartens Government to sit around the table and come up with an alternative proposal together that would be beneficial for both St. Maarten and our Kingdom partner. In this letter, the different aspects that St. Maarten would like to have adjusted were highlighted, she also outlined St. Maartens stance on what structure the agreements that are being made should take on. Since the last Kingdom Council of Ministers meeting and prior to sending the letter, during the past 2 weeks, Prime Minister had spoken to State Secretary Knops . In these discussions, Mr. Knops had indicated that he would be on vacation soon however, discussions on a technical level would continue. Earlier today, Prime Minister held a closed-door meeting at Parliament to share information with Parliament and dialogue the letter and its content with the Members of Parliament. The information was well-received by the Members, with some critical opinions that are important and necessary to be taken into account moving forward. Sint Maarten is now awaiting a response to its letter from the Netherlands and State Secretary Knops in particular. Prime Minister Jacobs remains optimistic about the expected feedback from the Netherlands so that we can proceed in the interest of the greater good of St. Maarten and its people. The spectacle of the chief executives of Amazon, Apple, Facebook and Googles parent testifying before Congress last week made for good TV drama. Yet the theatrics of the showdown distracted from the real payoff of the hearings: the accompanying cache of subpoenaed emails and texts from the past decade and a half. These documents provide compelling evidence long rumored but seldom established that the companies, especially Facebook and Amazon, in their rise to dominance did not always play by the rules and apparently violated antitrust laws. Both public opinion ... Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-05 18:52:25|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close ISLAMABAD, Aug. 5 (Xinhua) -- Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan on Wednesday expressed deep pain over the deadly explosions in the Lebanese capital Beirut on Tuesday. "Deeply pained to hear of the massive explosions in Beirut with precious lives lost and thousand injured," Khan said on Twitter. The prime minister wished speedy recovery of the injured and strength for the bereaved. "We stand in solidarity with our Lebanese brethren in their difficult hour, sharing their sorrow and grief," he added. Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi also expressed solidarity with the Lebanese government and people on Twitter. "Terribly tragic scenes from Beirut. Pakistan's prayers and thoughts are with the government and people of Lebanon in this difficult time." The explosions in Beirut have caused at least 100 deaths and over 4,000 injured, with many more missing, Lebanese Health Minister Hamad Hassan announced on Wednesday. Enditem Bank of Ireland's shares rose by 10% on Wednesday as some signs of recovery from the coronavirus crisis outweighed a first-half pre-tax loss of 669 million euros. Ireland's largest bank by assets put aside 937 million euros mainly to cover likely losses from 105,000 loan repayment breaks for customers hit by the crisis, making up the bulk of a "prudent" 1.1-1.3 billion euro charge expected during 2020. Davy Stockbrokers analysts said that although the impairments were much higher than forecast they appeared to be front-loaded and pointed to a 2020 income outlook that was better than indicated in the first quarter. "We're cautiously optimistic that we're beginning to see green shoots," Chief Financial Officer Myles O'Grady told Reuters by telephone, pointing to a 25% year-on-year jump in Irish mortgage applications in July and a 6% month-on-month rise in business loan volumes. "It's all premised on there not being another lockdown but it does seem like things are picking up for a recovery as we get towards the end of the year and into 2021." The bank's shares were 10.5% higher at 0800 GMT, versus a 1.1% rise in the wider market. Allied Irish Banks rose 3.7% ahead of its interim results on Thursday. Bank of Ireland put 63,000 payment breaks in place in the United Kingdom, where it is the biggest Irish lender and where it announced further restructuring to shrink its balance sheet. Most UK breaks were for smaller consumer loans and O'Grady said 33% of impacted mortgage customers had extended the initial three-month holiday. In Ireland, 54% of affected mortgage customers sought to extend the break to six months. Smaller rivals permanent tsb and NatWest Group's Ulster Bank have reported a similar level. The bank, which made a pretax profit of 376 million euros in the same period last year, said its core Tier 1 capital ratio, a key measure of financial strength, rose to 13.6% from 13.5% at the end of March, above the minimum requirement of 9.27%. It also cut costs by 3% year-on-year and announced a voluntary redundancy programme for staff. (Reuters) Source: www.businessworld.ie MINSK, Belarus - Belaruss authoritarian president vowed to maintain a close alliance with Russia even as he blasted the country Tuesday for sending in military contractors with allegedly nefarious purposes as he campaigns to win a sixth term in office in a weekend election. In a state-of-the-nation address ahead of Sundays election, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko said the partnership between the neighbouring countries reflects historic ties. Russia has always been and will remain our close ally, irrespective of who takes power in Belarus or Russia, Lukashenko said. The pledge contrasts with Lukashenkos diatribes against Russia following the arrest of 33 Russian contractors in Belarus last week on charges of planning to stage mass riots. Moscow has dismissed the accusations, saying the contractors were heading to another country and stayed in Belarus after missing a connecting flight at the Minsk airport. While he spoke of preserving warm relations with Moscow, Lukashenko stood his ground on the arrested contractors, dismissing the Kremlins explanations as lies. He asserted the arrested individuals told investigators they were sent to Belarus and told to wait for further orders. He alleged that another group of militants had been sent to southern Belarus, adding that we will have to run through the forests to catch them, but we will get them all. He provided no further details. Lukashenko warned Moscow against trying to stoke tensions in the country he has led for 26 years, saying that instability could spread across the border and engulf Russia. It will explode in such a way that it would reverberate all the way to Vladivostok, he said, referring to Russias far eastern port city. In Moscow, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova dismissed the Belarusian accusations as a theatrical performance but added that the close ties between the two nations are rooted in history and based on pragmatic co-operation. During his five terms as president of Belarus, Lukashenko has relied on cheap Russian energy and other subsidies and loans worth billions of dollars to shore up the Soviet-style economy in the nation of 9.5 million people. But at the same time, he has engaged in fierce economic arguments with the Kremlin, resisting Russian attempts to take control over Belaruss economic assets. Russia this year has sharply scaled down its subsidies, saying Belarus needs to accept closer economic integration if it wants to receive Russian energy at a steep discount. Lukashenko has described the move as part of Moscows efforts to subdue its neighbour. Lukashenko obliquely referred to those arguments in his state-of-the-nation speech, lamenting that Russia has shifted from brotherly to partner-like relations with us. But he argued that Moscow needs warm relations with its neighbour to the west. Russia fears losing us because it has no really close allies left except us, he said. And the West has shown increasing interest in us. Throughout his presidency, Lukashenko has sought to scare the Kremlin with the prospect of turning to the West. The tactics have worked to some extent, even though Lukashenko has earned the nickname of Europes last dictator in the West for his authoritarian ways. The 65-year-old former state farm director has stifled dissent and independent media and extended his rule through votes the West has seen as rigged. Early balloting began Tuesday in Belarus ahead of Sundays presidential election, which the opposition sees as fertile ground for vote-rigging. This time, the Belarusian leader has faced the toughest challenge yet from the opposition, amid public fatigue with his rule and fallout from the coronavirus pandemic. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, the wife of a jailed opposition blogger, has unified fragmented opposition groups and attracted tens of thousands to her campaign rallies. On Tuesday, Belarusian police abruptly banned Tsikhanouskayas previously approved rallies in the cities of Slutsk and Soligorsk. They dispersed hundreds of people who had gathered for the rallies and detained about 30 people in total, according to Belarusian human rights organization Viasna. The police actions marked the first crackdown on a sanctioned Tsikhanouskaya campaign rally and appear to signal a toughening of the government authorities stance in the days before the election. Belarusian authorities have detained more than 1,000 participants during protests since the start of the presidential campaign. In his speech, Lukashenko pointed to alleged plans to organize a massacre in Minsk again giving no details and sternly warned opposition supporters against holding unsanctioned protests. The response will be instant and the sanctions will be harsh, he said. ___ Vladimir Isachenkov in Moscow contributed to this report. YEREVAN, AUGUST 5, ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan held a telephone conversation with President of Lebanon Michel Aoun over the Beirut blast consequences. By expressing support and condolences regarding yesterdays explosion and the deaths, I offered the Republic of Armenias help to the brotherly people of Lebanon. The Lebanese government is currently conducting assessment of needs and as a result of the assessment the Armenian government will make decision according to necessity, PM Pashinyan said on social media. The Prime Ministers Office said in a readout that President Aoun thanked the Armenian PM for the condolences and for the readiness to provide help. Aoun said that the Lebanese authorities are doing their utmost to overcome the consequences as soon as possible. More than 2700 tons of ammonium nitrate exploded in the port of Beirut at a warehouse on Tuesday, sending massive shockwaves through the Lebanese capital. More than 100 people are dead and 4000 are wounded. Heavy damages occurred across the city. The blast was so powerful that it was reportedly heard in Cyprus, some 150 miles away from the port. Editing and Translating by Stepan Kocharyan New Delhi: Kangana Ranaut in a recent interview on the occasion of Ram Mandir Bhoomi Pujan, spoke about the mega event and how her next directorial venture Aparajita Ayodhya will capture the entire six-century old journey of the Ram Mandir. It's a big day for Indians as Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone of Ram Mandir temple in Ayodhya today. While it's been a battle fought over several decades, this has brought in a sense of joy among the country and countrymen. The PM, while addressing the countrymen, said, "The temple should be constructed on the foundation of mutual love and brotherhood." Now, Kangana Ranaut has also opened up on the historic moment that will truly go down as one of the memorable incidents in India's history. When asked Kangana on how she feels, the Queen actress, replies in pride. "The Ram Mandir isn't just a temple, but an emotion. "For me, Ayodhya is very symbolic and this journey of the last 500-600 years that we have had as a civilization is very exciting for me. I want to not waste the limited time we all have and I'd rather do things that cause a shift in the way we live, we think. From whatever study I've done in the old times, our society was sophisticated and one of the greatest in the world. I see that we, as people, had a certain structure in the society that we followed. But with rapid invasions, we have not only lost our wealth, but we have also lost that blueprint which our Indian greats left for us. They had established a moral and ethnic code for our civilization," she shares. Kangana further explains that now is the correct moment to introspect and act upon things that need to change within the society. "I personally feel that this is the time for us to delve and go beyond our 'roti, kapda, makaan' needs, and see what we lack as a society and how we can revive that. For me, a temple isn't about pillars, bricks or just a structure. It's a symbol of something that our civilization considered the highest. Ram is not a God, he's Purushottam - an elevated man. He's no more but his qualities continue to live. The temple is a symbol of those qualities. He established Ram Rajya which to a great extent was followed by Mahatma Gandhi and that's how he got us freedom, so his consciousness prevailed through so many great beings and continued to save us and affect our lives." The superstar heroine is all set to make a film on the temple's 600 year old journey, that she will be directing. After Manikarnika: The Queen of Jhansi, writer KV Vijayendra Prasad will reunite with Kangana for Aparajita Ayodhya. "This temple has been a struggle of 600 years even when it was invaded by Babur and demolished. After that, 72 battles were fought and even during First Mutiny, the British used the temple (in the 19th century) when it was divided into Hindus and Muslims. Because Hindus and Muslims were fighting for independence and this was an attempt to divide them," she explains. Kangana further adds that today's iconic moment will also be a huge episode in her directorial venture. "In my film, there are several real Muslim characters who have fought in favour of the Ram temple. So it's a story of devotion, faith and above all, unity in the country. Ram Rajya is beyond religion and that's what Aparajita Ayodhya will be about. It's a very tough screenplay as it travels across 600 years and the Ram Mandir Bhoomi Pujan will very much be a part of my film. Vijayendra sir has put it together in a beautiful way. It could have been a logo launch for us today because it was a perfect day. Nevertheless, we have high hopes that we will be able to go on floors very soon. I can't wait to narrate the film to my actors." Kangana Ranaut is ably balancing her time between acting, direction and production. Aparajita Ayodhya will be launched under her banner Manikarnika Films announced earlier this year. Armed men on Thursday morning ambushed some officials of the Nigerian Correctional Service within the vicinity of Plateau State High Court in Barkin Ladi local government area of the State and freed some suspects taken for arraignment in the court. The suspects who were said to be 14 in number with alleged crimes ranging feom rape, kidnapping to murder were conveyed from Jos, the capital city to Barkin Ladi but the Services convoy was waylaid by the gunmen and six of the suspects escaped. Unconfirmed report had it that the gunmen who laid in wait near the court premises opened fire on the convoy but the officials did not retaliate and the targeted suspects were freed by their alleged gang members. The State Commissioner of Police, Edward Egbuka had visited the area even as the State Commandant of the Nigerian Correctional Service, Mr Musa, briefed him of the incident stating the Court did not notify him of a change in hearing date as it was gathered the suspects were not supposed to be in court at the time of the incident. A court source who anonymously said, We only had four cases today with only one criminal, and the suspect was not among those brought from the Correctional Centre. The court since resumption from lockdown has hardly heard five cases a day, let alone ten, to have warranted the deployment of those suspects today. However, four out of the six fleeing suspects have been arrested while two are still at large and two motorcycles said to be abandoned by the gang which ambushed the convoy have also been recovered. Portland: Big protest crowds again over US agents presence Thousands of people gathered in Portland, Oregon, for another night of protests Saturday as demonstrations over George Floyds killing and the presence of federal agents sent by President Donald Trump showed no signs of abating. Crowds began to march toward the citys federal courthouse around 9:15 p.m., some marching from 5 miles (8 kilometers) away. A big group of demonstrators in the North Portland neighborhood also paraded by the police precinct there, which was roped off and had officers in riot gear standing outside the building. They paused outside a downtown hotel, where federal agents are staying, chanting Feds go home and yelling the names of Black people killed by police. ADVERTISEMENT As protesters marched down the streets, the Portland Police Bureau posted on social media for people to not walk or block the street as they may be subject to charges such as disorderly conduct and interfering with peace officers. Hundreds of others crossed the Steel Bridge around 11 p.m. to the courthouse, meeting up with thousands of people that had already been tear-gassed by federal agents. The fence surrounding the building had flowers and banners draped across as federal agents emerged from the courthouse to inspect it. They were met with fireworks shot over the fence. Federal agents tossed canisters of teargas at the crowd, while people ran towards the plumes, picked up some of the canisters and threw them back over the fence. As some protesters attempted to cut the fence using power tools, streams of pepper spray were spewed at the crowd. At the nearby Justice Center, images and words were projected onto the building including Keep fighting. Keep pushing. During demonstrations the previous night federal agents repeatedly fired tear gas to break up rowdy protests that continued into the early morning Saturday. Authorities say six federal officers were injured and one person was arrested. ADVERTISEMENT Demonstrations have happened in Oregons largest city nightly for two months since Floyd was killed in Minneapolis in May. Trump said he sent federal agents to Portland to halt the unrest but state and local officials say they are making the situation worse. There were demonstrations for police reform and against the increased presence of federal law enforcement in cities across the country Saturday. In Seattle, police declared a riot Saturday afternoon following large demonstrations and deployed flash bangs and pepper spray to try to clear crowds. Authorities made more than 40 arrests said 21 officers suffered mostly minor injuries. were injured. Chuck Lovell, the Portland police chief, released a video message on social media Saturday night calling for peace. Across the country people are committing violence, supposedly in support of Portland, Lovell said. If you want to support Portland then stop the violence, work for peace. Portland police officers and police facilities have been threatened. Now more than ever, Portland police need your support. We want to be with you in the community and working on the real relationships that will create change. We want to get back to the critical issues that have been hijacked by people committing crimes under the cover of the crowds. Late Friday, a federal judge denied a request by Oregons attorney general to restrict the actions of federal police. The Federal Protective Service had declared the gathering in Portland that began Friday evening an unlawful assembly. Harry Fones, a Homeland Security spokesman, said at a news conference Saturday afternoon some people launched large fireworks, threw hard projectiles and used power tools to damage property. Craig Gabriel, Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon, said at the news conference that of the six federal officers who were injured, one suffered a concussion and another was taken to the hospital for burns. He said one person was arrested for failing to comply with orders. That person was later released without charges, bringing the total number of people arrested on or near the courthouse property since early July to 60. Its the very few of the crowd who come not intent on doing anything with their voice but intent on destruction and intent on confrontation, unfortunately, with federal police, Gabriel said, acknowledging that the majority of protesters are peaceful. Gabriel said the fence erected around the courthouse has been targeted by violent agitators. If the courthouse can stand and can have integrity and not subject to damage or attack, then the officers will go home. I think not to be flippant but I think its that simple, Gabriel said. Daniel Pereyo was one protester who was tear-gassed during the demonstration that began Friday. Pereyo said he had been at the nearby park watching drummers and fireworks being shot, when his face and eyes began to burn. Its extremely painful, he said. Its not the worst pain ever, but it is discomforting and its distracting. As the crowd dispersed, someone was found stabbed nearby, Portland police said. The person was taken to a hospital and a suspect was taken into custody. STILLWATER The Saratoga National Historical Park will receive a little more than $19 million from the Great American Outdoors Act signed Tuesday into law by President Donald Trump. Sens. Charles Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand announced $19,092,115 in funding for the national park by a joint news release. The Great American Outdoors Act, totals more than $17 billion, offers nearly $3 billion annually to conservation projects, outdoor recreation and maintenance of national parks and other public lands. The measure was overwhelmingly approved by Congress. The Great American Outdoors Act will preserve and protect New Yorks natural wonders and maintain its history, Sen. Schumer said in a news release. The Saratoga National Historical Park, along the Hudson River, highlights and preserves the Battles of Saratoga in 1777 during the American Revolutionary War. The battlefield was the site of the first significant American victory over the British. It has been a national historic park since 1938. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the visitors center is closed due to rehabilitation projects, which were interrupted. The tour road and hiking trails are open. New York is home to many of the nations breathtaking natural treasures and historical landmarks, which house hundreds of acres of parks, generate billions in economic activity, and create and support over 300,000 jobs. This monumental legislation will ensure that generations to come can continue to enjoy the natural beauty and history of New York, Schumer said Sen. Gillibrand also praised the legislation and the assist from her colleagues on both sides of the aisle. The Great American Outdoors Act will establish a vital funding stream for our shared lands and waters, said Sen. Gillibrand. Funding the Land and Water Conservation Fund and programs to preserve our national parks have been critical to protecting New Yorks natural treasures and landmarks, generating economic activity and creating thousands of jobs across the state. Im proud to have been an original cosponsor of this legislation and to have continuously pushed to permanently fund the Land and Water Conservation Fund, one of the most important programs we have to protect our nations natural and historic treasures. The Land and Water Conservation Fund will receive $900 million a year and establish a National Park and Public Lands Legacy Restoration Fund to address the deferred maintenance backlog on our nations public lands and provide up to $1.9 billion annually or $9.5 billion in total, according to the news release. New York is home to 35 national parks as well as 10 wildlife refuges managed by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services and the Finger Lakes National Forest managed by the U.S. Forest Service. Love 1 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 1 I was heartbroken reading about the plight of nursing home visitors and the residents isolation due to the coronavirus. Although New Jersey in June began allowing outdoor visits from relatives, if no one involved is COVID-19 positive, the conditions and amount of time are limited. One resident called this prison. I know this because I meet with the residents of these homes often via FaceTime. I am an entertainer who appears on a screen that sits by their bedsides, safe from the virus, and I am happy to see them. The feeling is mutual as I play my guitar and sing songs from the 1940s to the 1980s, and they sing along, clap, cry occasionally, and get up and dance. I worked with a wonderful recreation director at one of the homes, who reached out to me expressing the need for music. The recreation director noted that some of my friends in the residence, for whom Ive played in person for years, missed me. We experimented with various technologies and gave it a go. I am reaching out to all my fellow solo volunteers or professional musicians, and entertainers of any stripe to try this. All thats needed are two laptops or iPads plus your smiling face, optimism, chatter between songs, personal connections and the ultimate balm: music. Terry Moore, Verona Relief measure must include anti-eviction funds The Aug. 3 front-page article " Tsunami of evictions nears, advocates say, accurately identified a critical issue in New Jersey. However, the story missed a key solution to this potential catastrophe. The U.S. Senate needs to pass the housing provisions in the HEROES Act, which has already passed the House of Representatives. This portion of the next coronavirus bill would extend the eviction moratorium on federally backed properties by 12 months, in addition to providing $100 billion in rental assistance. Federal rental assistance is essential to prevent evictions and help owners of small rental buildings stay in business. This should be an approach embraced by both Republicans and Democrats. Our organization urges the Senate to include these housing provisions in the COVID assistance package currently under consideration. The last thing we want to see at this time of the pandemic is tens of thousands of evictions. Where would these people go? Most would end up homeless, costing the government more money, and taking away our best defense against the virus: the ability to stay home. Arnold Cohen, Senior Policy Adviser, Housing & Community Development Network of New Jersey, Trenton School children require semblance of normal' Maureen Nassans recent letter (headlined Kids need to be in the classroom to learn in the print edition) hit on everything I have been thinking, but couldnt quite get the thoughts properly arranged. Our children deserve to be in school and get some semblance of normal. The educator unions are attempting to clench their fists of control over the members and dictating manifestos. I would hope their money and mouths would be in mutual agreement for the benefit of the children they educate, and not for their own selfish agendas. It appears to me that the unions resources can cover safety costs for teachers, and then some. Teachers should not be held above others who are at work and must interact with the public every day without a whimper and have been throughout this COVID-19 nightmare. As Nassan stated, A working arrangement is possible if the unions and the school districts work together for the health and safety of all. I thank the writer for for such a well-thought-out, intelligent letter. Jill Russell, West Caldwell Teach classes live, or not at all Teachers are entitled to safety at work during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, a repeat of the kind of home learning that many districts provided before the summer break is not acceptable. Teachers should teach their classes live online. We should not have parents and grandparents doing the teaching for them. If we have a repeat of no-interaction home learning, then everyones school taxes should be canceled so that parents and grandparents can provide equivalent learning in person or online. James Filippone, East Brunswick 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. Most new hires make mistakes in negotiating their salaries. Most veterans are just excited to have a job after leaving the military. Others don't want to offend their new employers by saying their offer isn't good enough. It's important to remember that a salary negotiation doesn't have to be a bad thing. In fact, a good negotiation leaves everyone happy and more motivated. With that in mind, here are a few ideas to consider when negotiating a desired salary with a new employer. Keeping these in mind will help ensure you reach that happy medium. 1. Money Isn't Everything But it's something. While many companies have a set benefits package that includes vacation time, sick leave, bonuses, retirement plans etc., others may be willing to bargain with those items. If salary is the most important thing, consider what you're willing to give up to get a pay bump. If one or more of those benefits is more important to you, then consider how you can get more of that. Be sure to find out how much is on the table to be negotiated. 2. Timing Is Important If an employer offers you a job and you don't have to accept right away, give yourself time to think it over. Feeling rushed in front of an employer's desk isn't going to help you consider what you need to do the job. Sleep on it if you can -- even if it's just a nap. Call the employer back late in the day and revisit the offer. Then, start negotiating your salary. They've been at work all day, while you've been thoughtfully considering your new needs and resting, giving you an advantage. 3. Do Your Research If you even suspect you might be offered the job during the next interview or you've already received the offer and now you're going for the salary negotiation, take your time and consider your needs, career goals and what people make in comparable jobs across the industry -- not just what you need. You also should be aware of the skills, experience and intangible benefits you bring to the job. Do this calculus before getting to the office. Knowing what you're worth can help ensure you get paid what you're worth. 4. Ask Questions This works best if you've researched the industry and know what salaries, benefits and other expectations are common. It also works best if you have a thorough understanding of what your experience brings to the role. If they begin with an offer that sounds like a lowball, it probably is. This is the chance to ask questions. If they offer few benefits or a small benefits package compared to the industry -- or are offering very little for someone with your expertise -- walk them through their own math and the compensation data you researched and ask how they can be competitive with those offers. Then, counteroffer. 5. Silence Is (Literally) Golden MWI, a Boston-based mediation firm, notes that silence provokes a response because most people are uncomfortable with it. But silence also implies confidence, strength and a willingness to listen. If the person on the other side of the desk isn't saying what you want to hear, err on the side of silence. Silence is a kind of pressure that forces the other person to begin to fill in the gaps, perhaps revealing more information than they intended. 6. Reveal Your Value When discussing your future role and the compensation you want for that role, make sure the HR professional across from you knows exactly what they're getting by hiring you. If you think your skills and experience will help you excel, let them know. If you think your military experience can bring new efficiency to the workplace, tell them that too. They already want to hire you for the job. If you are asking for more money in a salary negotiation, be sure to let them know why you are worth that much, even if it means going into detail. A plumber doesn't have to explain to a customer with a broken toilet how much they're worth, but a management executive might. -- 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. Politically volatile West Bengal is likely to witness a showdown on Wednesday, when VHP and other saffron outfits will perform religious rituals in temples and elsewhere to mark the 'bhoomi pujan' ceremony of Ram temple in Ayodhya amid complete lockdown to be enforced by the state administration. The Trinamool Congress government on July 28 announced a series of dates in this month when total lockdown would be imposed across West Bengal to contain the spread of Covid-19. 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 Three Zimbabwean nationals are living in fear after they allegedly received death threats following attempts to organise a solidarity march in Windhoek over multiple accusations of violations of human rights and corruption by the ruling Zanu-PF. A number of protest marchers are being held across the world in solidarity with the people of Zimbabwe, where President Emmerson Mnangagwa yesterday warned he would "flush" out political opponents protesting against alleged state corruption and the country's slumping economy. The three Zimbabwean-born nationals failed in their attempts to hold a protest march in Windhoek last week Friday. In an interview with New Era yesterday, one of the organisers, Elisha Chambara, confirmed that together with two other Zimbabwean nationals Daniel Nyaungwa and Tabby Moyo, are living in fear, as they received death threats for organising the failed demonstration. They said the threats were coming from known Zanu-PF functionaries living in Namibia. "He sent these death threats when we started organising the demonstration. We can't take these death threats lightly because people have been killed in Zimbabwe for talking out against corruption and human rights violations. So, we opened a case with the Namibian police yesterday. We took the evidence of the clip to the police station. He is well-known here in Windhoek. So, we are waiting for the police to act," Chambara noted. Khomas police commander Joseph Shikongo confirmed he has advised the trio to open a case over the alleged threats. "They threatened to visit us door-to-door, abduct and kill us. They also did direct threats to me, saying if anyone finds me in a town in Namibia, they must deal with me because I will cause hunger to their families here in Namibia. They said we will not do anything because Swapo is in their hands," Nyaungwa added. The group had prepared a petition for the Zimbabwean ambassador to Namibia Rofina Chikava last week Friday. However, the embassy called off the demonstration at the last minute. They claimed the embassy informed the police that all Zimbabwean anti-corruption demonstrations, slated for last Friday, had been banned by the Zimbabwean government and that the embassy would be closed on that day. Although the ambassador was not available for comment yesterday, the organisers accused the embassy of having used its diplomatic ties with the international relations ministry to ensure the Namibian police does not allow Zimbabwean nationals to demonstrate. International relations minister Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah yesterday confirmed seeing a letter written by Zimbabwean nationals, addressed to their ambassador, to join other countrymen and women in expressing themselves on the political situation back home. "The high commissioner responded to them that the planned demonstration has been called off. That is all I know," she said. She, however, said, she is waiting to get a full report from the Namibian embassy in Zimbabwe on the situation prevailing in that country before Namibia could comment on the issue. Shikongo said the police could not allow the demonstration to take place until they receive confirmation from the Zimbabwean embassy and the international relations ministry. 'Not in our name' Meanwhile, human rights lawyer Norman Tjombe criticised the stance adopted by the authorities, saying the Namibian constitution guarantees the right to demonstrate. "What the police did to disperse peaceful demonstrators, at the risk of arrest and detention, was unlawful and unconstitutional," he told New Era yesterday. "As a country, we must be able to allow citizens and non-citizens alike to be able to vent their frustrations and concerns through peaceful demonstrations. As a country, we must be offended by what the Zimbabwean government is doing to our fellow SADC citizens, and by not permitting the demonstrations was tantamount to supporting the brutal assault of citizens across the Zambezi River. It must not be done in our name." Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Governance Business Legal Affairs By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later. The ACTION Coalition yesterday also pleaded with President Hage Geingob and AU Commission chairperson Moussa Faki Mahamat to act in the interests of human rights in Zimbabwe. "As a coalition of Namibian human rights and media organisations, we condemn the recent arrests, kidnappings, beatings and harassment of Zimbabwean civil society activists protesting against corruption and journalists exposing it," read the statement issued by Frederico Links. "The crackdown by the Zimbabwean government has seen the arrest of investigative journalist Hopewell Chin'ono on 20 July on charges of "inciting public violence" after he merely amplified the investigative report by Zimlive's Mduduzi Mathuthu. Mathuthu's report exposed corruption in the awarding of government contracts related to Covid-19. Other journalists have had to go into hiding for fear of being arrested over their critical reporting of what is happening in the country." Editor's take: It's still early days for on-demand food delivery services but if concepts like virtual convenience stores take off, traditional e-commerce giants such as Amazon might have to rethink how they conduct business. Ultimately, it'll be up for the market to decide how this plays out and really, we won't have a genuine idea of the sustainability of services like this until the pandemic blows over. DoorDash is further expanding into the convenience category. The on-demand food delivery service, which dipped its toes into the essential household products category earlier this year as the pandemic gripped the globe, announced a new channel on Wednesday called DashMart. In essence, DashMart is a virtual convenience store that sells grocery, convenience and restaurant items. The stores are owned, operated and curated by DoorDash but populated with products sourced from local partners. It sounds like a win-win for everyone involved. DoorDash partners get another distribution channel for their merchandise, which could boost sales and awareness for their brand. DoorDash customers now have access to an even wider selection of products and of course, DoorDash itself is also profiting from the venture. And with more goods going out to customers, more delivery drivers are needed, creating additional job opportunities for local economies. DashMart is already live in eight cities: Minneapolis, Columbus, Dallas, Cincinnati, Chicago, Salt Lake City, Redwood City and the Phoenix area. DoorDash said it plans to launch in several other cities in the coming months including Baltimore, Denver, Sacramento, San Diego and Concord, CA. Masthead credit: Michael Vi Ever since Sushant Singh Rajput left for his heavenly abode, netizens have been fuming over Karan Johar. While some blamed Karan Johar for being unfair towards Sushant, others blamed Karan for making the film industry a toxic place to work in for outsiders like Sushant. Amid all the hulabaloo, Karan maintained his silence, and still hasn't spoken a word. While some celebrities like Sonam Kapoor and Swara Bhasker came out in his support, actress like Kangana Ranaut slammed the producer left, right and center. Now, veteran actor Shatrughan Sinha has shared his stand and told a leading daily that it's unfair to blame Karan Johar for Sushant's death. Sinha told HT, "It is unfair and futile to blame Karan Johar for Sushant Singh Rajput's death. First of all, who is Karan Johar to make or break careers? I don't think he sees himself that way at all." Shatrughan Sinha also asserted that even though he has launched many star kids, but one can't deny the fact that he has given a chance to many filmmakers, who were not related to any film personality. "I don't think anyone can break your destiny. Jo kismet mein likha hai wohi hoga (You'll get what's written in your destiny). When I came to Mumbai from Patna, I just had a few hundred rupees in my pocket. I was determined to be an actor at any cost. I had to face a lot of insults. I never forgot them," added Sinha. He further praised Karan Johar's father Yash Johar, who's no more in the world and said that he was a lovely kind man as he had worked with him. Rhea Chakraborty Had Accused Sushant Singh Rajput's Sister Priyanka Of Molesting Her, Says Lawyer "My daughter (Sonakshi Sinha) has worked with Karan. He has worked to get where he is. Being born in a film family doesn't automatically qualify you for success. Likewise being an outsider doesn't disqualify you from stardom. And Sushant was a very successful star," concluded Shatrughan Sinha. Worried about your mental well-being or of someone you know? Help is just a call away. Reach out to the nearest mental health specialist at COOJ Mental Health Foundation (COOJ)- 0832-2252525, Parivarthan- +91 7676 602 602, Connecting Trust- +91 992 200 1122/+91-992 200 4305 or Sahai- 080-25497777/ SAHAIHELPLINE@GMAIL.COM Beirut, Aug 5 : Over 50 people have been killed and around 2,500 wounded in two huge explosions that rocked Lebanese capital Beirut, Health Minister Hamad Hassan said. The blasts took place on Tuesday evening (around 6.10 p.m. -- local time), shaking buildings all over the city while also causing severe damages and casualties, Xinhua reported. Hassan was quoted by al-Jadeed TV as saying that more than 50 people were killed and 2,500 others were injured in the blasts. The number of casualties were expected to rise as the counting continued. Lebanese Prime Minister Hassan Diab has urged his country's allies to help Lebanon overcome the repercussions of the disastrous explosions. Meanwhile, Diab declared Wednesday a national mourning day for the victims of the explosions. Lebanese President Michel Aoun called for an emergency meeting of the Higher Defence Council to discuss the reasons and repercussions of the explosions. The causes of the blasts remained unknown, but Lebanese Interior Minister Mohammad Fahmi said that the explosive chemicals stored at Port of Beirut may have caused the explosions. "Customs' authorities must be asked about the reasons behind storing such chemical materials at Port of Beirut," Fahmi said. Many countries in the region expressed solidarity and sympathy with Lebanon over the explosions that have dealt a further blow to the country already plagued by the Covid-19 pandemic and an economic crisis. Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said on Tuesday that Iran is ready to offer help to Lebanon after the huge blasts caused massive casualties and damages in Beirut. "Our thoughts and prayers are with the great and resilient people of Lebanon," Zarif tweeted. "As always, Iran is fully prepared to render assistance in any way necessary," he said. "Stay strong, Lebanon," he added. Turkey on Tuesday expressed sorrow over the massive casualties and damages caused by the huge explosions in Lebanon. Two Turkish citizens were slightly injured in the blasts, said the Turkish Foreign Ministry in a statement. Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi extended his condolences to Lebanon over the deadly explosions that rocked the Lebanese capital. "My sincere condolences and sympathy go to the government and people of Lebanon, over the tragic explosions that happened today in the Lebanese capital Beirut," Sisi wrote on his official Facebook page. Sisi also wished speedy recovery for those injured in the blasts, while extending condolences to the families of the killed. Palestine has also expressed its solidarity with Lebanon following the massive explosions in Beirut. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said his country is ready to provide any support it could to Lebanon to help it recover from the tragedy, while sending his condolences to the families of the victims. Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammed Ishtaye said in a press statement that Palestine is "ready to put all its capabilities" for the service of Lebanon and provide any needed assistance immediately. -- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text Statewide All information from the Iowa Department of Public Health, except where noted. (In parentheses: Change from yesterday.) Cases of coronavirus: 46,492 (+510) The total number of people who have ever tested positive for active novel coronavirus infection since testing began March 8, 2020. Average number of cases per day: 373 (+4) As of yesterday, over a seven-day average. Percent change in cases over 14 days: -14.3% (-13.2%). National average: -11.3% (-4.0%). (Info: KFF.org) Rate of spread: 1.04 (no change) The average number of people who currently become infected by an infectious person. Over 1.0 means the virus will spread, and below 1.0 means it has stopped spreading. (Info: Rt.live) Positive testing rate on previous day: 5.7% (+0.5%) As of May 12, the World Health Organization recommends a positive testing rate of less than 5% or lower for at least 14 days before a state reopens. Deaths: 893 (+8) The total number of people whose deaths were attributable to the novel coronavirus since IDPH began tracking such deaths March 8, 2020. Average number of deaths per day: 2.9 (no change) As of yesterday, over a seven-day average. National ranking in cases per capita in last 7 days: 20th (no change) (Info: kff.org) National ranking in deaths per capita in last 7 days: 25th (no change) (Info: kff.org) Recoveries: 34,660 (+735) As of June 30, IDPH now classifies anyone not hospitalized or deceased after 28 days to be recovered. Recovery rate: 74.6% (+0.8%) Positive serology tests: 2,792 (+18) The number of people with no current infection who tested positive for antibodies of the novel coronavirus. Hospitalized patients with COVID-19: 248 (+5) Hospitalized in NE Iowa (RMCC Region 6): 54 (+3) Patients admitted in last 24 hours: 44 (+20) Last 24 hours in NE Iowa: 8 (+2) Hospitalized in intensive care units: 77 (+2) In ICU in NE Iowa: 14 (no change) Hospitalized on a ventilator: 34 (+2) On ventilator in NE Iowa: 6 (no change) Long-term care facility outbreaks: 25 (+1) An outbreak is added when a facility has three or more residents test positive, and removed when no new cases appear. Deaths attributable to long-term care facility outbreaks: 479 (+3). Percentage of total deaths: 53.6% (-0.2%) ------------------ Black Hawk County Cases: 3,033 (+26) Average cases per day (7-day average): 16 (-0.9) Recoveries: 2,376 (+50) Number currently infected: 595 (-24) Percent currently infected of total infections: 15.9% (-0.8%) Deaths: 62 (no change) Average deaths per day (7-day average): 0 (no change) Fatality rate: 2.0% (-0.1%) Serology positive: 700 (no change) Total population currently infected: 0.5% (no change) Total population ever infected: 2.8% (no change) Data below from blackhawkcovid19.com: 14-day average positive testing rate: 7.8% (-0.1%) Reported cases by sex: Male: 54.7% (-0.1%) Female: 45.3% (+0.1%) Reported cases by age: 0-17: 5.1% (+0.2%) 18-40: 53.2% (-0.2%) 41-60: 30.1% (-0.4%) 61-80: 9.3% (+0.2%) 80+: 2.3% (+0.1%) Reported cases by race: Asian: 10.6% (-0.2%) Black: 25.0% (-0.3%) Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander: 2.3% (+0.1%) White: 62.1% (+0.4%) Reported cases by ethnicity: Hispanic/Latinx: 16.3% (no change) Non-Hispanic: 83.7% (no change) Hospitalization rate: 4.3% (no change) ------------------ Bremer County Cases: 193 (+4) Average cases per day (7-day average): 3.3 (+0.2) Recoveries: 103 (+10) Number currently infected: 83 (-6) Percent currently infected of total infections: 41.7% (-3.9%) Deaths: 7 (no change) Average deaths per day (7-day average): 0 (no change) Fatality rate: 3.6% (-0.1%) Serology positive: 6 (no change) Total population currently infected: 0.3% (-0.1%) Total population ever infected: 0.8% (no change) ----------------- Buchanan County Cases: 115 (+4) Average cases per day (7-day average): 2.9 (+0.1) Recoveries: 61 (+2) Number currently infected: 53 (+2) Percent currently infected of total infections: 44.5% (+0.2%) Deaths: 1 (no change) Average deaths per day (7-day average): 0 (no change) Fatality rate: 0.9% (no change) Serology positive: 4 (no change) Total population currently infected: 0.3% (+0.1%) Total population ever infected: 0.6% (+0.1%) ------------------ Butler County Cases: 115 (+1) Average cases per day (7-day average): 2.1 (no change) Recoveries: 97 (+1) Number currently infected: 16 (no change) Percent currently infected of total infections: 13.5% (-0.1%) Deaths: 2 (no change) Average deaths per day (7-day average): 0 (no change) Fatality rate: 1.7% (-0.1%) Serology positive: 4 (no change) Total population currently infected: 0.1% (no change) Total population ever infected: 0.8% (no change) --------------- Fayette County Cases: 81 (no change) Average cases per day (7-day average): 1.3 (-0.1) Recoveries: 55 (no change) Number currently infected: 26 (no change) Percent currently infected of total infections: 28.3% (no change) Deaths: 0 Average deaths per day (7-day average): 0 (no change) Fatality rate: 0% Serology positive: 11 (no change) Total population currently infected: 0.1% (no change) Total population ever infected: 0.5% (no change) ---------------- Floyd County Cases: 131 (+2) Average cases per day (7-day average): 4.7 (-0.2) Recoveries: 91 (+1) Number currently infected: 38 (+1) Percent currently infected of total infections: 27.5% (+0.3%) Deaths: 2 (no change) Average deaths per day (7-day average): 0 (no change) Fatality rate: 1.5% (-0.1%) Serology positive: 7 (no change) Total population currently infected: 0.2% (no change) Total population ever infected: 0.9% (no change) -------------------- Grundy County Cases: 74 (no change) Average cases per day (7-day average): 1 (-0.3) Recoveries: 45 (+3) Number currently infected: 28 (-2) Percent currently infected of total infections: 35.4% (-3.8%) Deaths: 1 (no change) Average deaths per day (7-day average): 0 (no change) Fatality rate: 1.4% (no change) Serology positive: 5 (no change) Total population currently infected: 0.2% (-0.1%) Total population ever infected: 0.6% (no change) 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. Researchers at Uppsala University have described the presence, throughout the human body, of the enzyme ACE2. This is thought to be the key protein used by the SARS-CoV-2 virus for host cell entry and development of the disease COVID-19. In contrast to previous studies, the study shows that no or very little ACE2 protein is present in the normal respiratory system. The results are presented in Molecular Systems Biology. The article presents a large-scale, systematic evaluation of angiotensin I converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) expression in more than 150 cell types, at both messenger RNA (mRNA) and protein levels, and reports that ACE2 is expressed only at very low levels, if at all, in respiratory epithelial cells. Considering the clinical manifestations of COVID-19, with acute respiratory distress syndrome and extensive damage to the lung parenchyma, the results highlight the need for further study of the biological mechanisms responsible for COVID-19 infection and disease progression." Dr Cecilia Lindskog, senior author of the paper and Head Director of the Human Protein Atlas tissue team at Uppsala University A full understanding of susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 infection and its progression to a severe and sometimes deadly disease calls for study of the SARS-CoV-2 entry receptors and their cell-type-specific expression in human tissues, at both mRNA and protein levels. It has been suggested that SARS-CoV-2 employs the enzyme ACE2 for host cell entry, and that penetration of SARS-CoV-2 via this receptor would explain the severe clinical manifestations observed in various tissues and organs, including the respiratory system. The study by Hikmet et al. presents a comprehensive update on ACE2 expression throughout the human body, at both mRNA and protein levels. Consistently high expression was found in the intestines, kidney, gallbladder, heart, male reproductive organs, placenta, eye and vascular system. In the respiratory system, however, expression was limited, and in a subset of cells in a few individuals there was no or only low expression. "Previous studies have indicated that ACE2 protein is highly expressed in the human lung. But these expression profiles have not been reliably presented along with tissues and organs from the entire human body, or based on several different datasets at mRNA and protein levels," Lindskog says. "Here, in contrast to previous studies, we were able to confidently show that no ACE2 protein is present, or that it occurs at only very low levels, in the normal respiratory system." Immunohistochemical analysis of 360 normal lung samples from an extended patient cohort was based on the Human Protein Atlas (HPA) resource. Two different antibodies, which were stringently validated, were used. "The HPA programme has devoted considerable efforts to introducing and implementing a new concept for enhanced validation of antibodies, using strategies recommended by the International Working Group for Antibody Validation (IWGAV). Such strategies are crucial for determining whether the antibody staining corresponds to true protein expression," says Professor Mathias Uhlen, Director of the HPA consortium and co-author of the paper. In a News & Views article published along with the ACE2 paper, Nawijn et al. acknowledge the importance of the study and discuss potential explanations for the low expression in the respiratory system. Recent studies suggest that ACE2 could be an interferon-induced gene, leading to upregulation during SARS-CoV-2 infection. It is proposed that ACE2 may first enter and infect eye conjunctiva and cells in the upper airways, and that this is followed by ACE2 upregulation due to the antiviral response, enabling the SARS-CoV-2 to spread and infect the lung parenchyma. It has also been suggested that smoking may increase ACE2 expression in the respiratory system. "Further studies addressing the dynamic regulation of ACE2, and to confirm whether the low ACE2 expression in the human respiratory system is sufficient for SARS-CoV-2 infection or whether other factors are needed for host cell entry, are urgently needed," Lindskog says. The Human Protein Atlas The Human Protein Atlas (HPA) programme, based at the Science for Life Laboratory in Stockholm, Sweden, started in 2003. Its aim is to map all the human proteins in cells, tissues and organs using integration of various omics technologies, including antibody-based imaging, mass spectrometry-based proteomics, transcriptomics and systems biology. There is open access to all the data in this knowledge resource, so that scientists in academia and industry alike can freely use the data to explore the human proteome. The Human Protein Atlas programme, which has already contributed to several thousand publications in the fields of human biology and disease, has been selected by ELIXIR (www.elixireurope.org), the European intergovernmental organisation, as a core resource for Europe because of its fundamental importance for a wider life-science community. The HPA consortium is funded by the Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation. Scientists recently discovered that a species of tiny water beetles can live through being eaten by a frog by somehow surviving a journey through its gut and simply exiting through the butt hole. Until this week, Regimbartia attenuata was just another species of water beetle, but ever since a study on its astonishing survival skills came out on Monday, its been making headlines in mainstream media outlets around the world. And for good reason, as there arent many creatures on this Earth that can survive being swallowed alive, journey through their predators digestive system, simply crawl out the back door and go on with their lives as if they didnt just pull off a Houdini-like magic trick. Regimbartia attenuata were the subject of an unusual study carried out by Shinji Sugiura, an associate professor in the department of agrobioscience at Kobe University in Japan. He put the tiny beetles in the same laboratory bin with specimens from five different frog species, and the little bugs managed to crawl out the frogs vents in the vast majority of experiments. Photo: Shinji Sugiura/Kobe University During his study, Sugiura put beetles in the same plastic bins with the frogs, which ate 15 of the bugs, but excreted 93% of them alive within four hours. Some came out entangled in frog excrement, but they soon recovered and went on to live normal lives for weeks after the experiments. Because frogs lack teeth, they rarely kill their prey before swallowing them, so they rely on their digestive system to kill and dissolve food into nutrients. Apparently, that doesnt work on Regimbartia attenuata beetles. There is something special about them, though as Sugiura tried the same experiment on a different aquatic beetle(Enochrus japonicus), all of which were swallowed and excreted more than a day later. Here, I report active escape of the aquatic beetle R. attenuata from the vents of five frog species via the digestive tract, Shinji Sugiura wrote in his study. Although adult beetles were easily eaten by frogs, 90 percent of swallowed beetles were excreted within six hours after being eaten and, surprisingly, were still alive. Photo: Shinji Sugiura/Kobe University No one knows exactly how the beetles find their way through the frogs bowls, but Sugiura knows they need their legs to move in there. He actually fixed some of the bugs legs together with sticky wax, and without their means of locomotion, the bugs died and eventually excreted as feces. But the vast majority of those beetles that were free to move, emerged alive and well in a few hours. The fastest R. attenuata specimen exited the gauntlet in just after 7 minutes after being swallowed. Beetles tend to have tough exoskeletons relative to most insects, and many aquatic beetles in particular carry their own air to breathe from, Matthew Pintar, an aquatic ecologist at Florida International University, told CNN. Both of these characteristics may help prevent digestion if they are able to quickly move through the frogs digestive tract, which R. attenuata is capable of. Another mysterious aspect of the beetles daring escape is how it manages to open the frogs back door. The sphincter muscle pressure keeps the vent closed, and since R. attenuata specimens always exit head-first, Shinji Sugiura believes they must stimulate the hind gut somehow, urging the frog to defecate. Even the Japanese scientist who conducted these unusual experiments declared his surprise after documenting the beetles escape. I did not predict that R. attenuata can escape from the frog vent, Sugiura told WIRED Magazine. I simply provided the beetle to the frogs, expecting that the frogs spat them out in response to the beetles behavior or something. New Delhi: Ghaziabad police on Wednesday (August 5, 2020) arrested another accused in the murder case of journalist Vikram Joshi. Ghaziabad Police had placed a reward of Rs 25000 on the accused Akash Bihari. He is the tenth suspect arrested in teh case. In their fight against crime and criminals, at the Vijay Nagar police station a reward of Rs 25000 was announced against the accused Akash Bihari. The police caught the accused from Jassi Pura Kat of police station after receiving a tip off from an informer during intensive checking last night. Accused Akash Bihari has two more cases registered against him at Vijay Nagar police station in Ghaziabad. With his arrest all 10 accused in the journalist Vikram Joshi murder case have been held. Notably, the police has already arrested main accused Ravi and Chhotu, for their alleged involvement in Joshi's murder. Joshi died on July 22 after he was shot at by miscreants on July 21. Joshi had suffered bullet injuries in head and was admitted to Yashoda Hospital in Ghaziabad. The attack on Joshi took place at Mata Colony in Ghaziabad's Pratap Vihar. According to doctor, the veins in Joshi's head had got badly damaged due to the bullet injury. Statistics on the economy are, to most people, just a remote and abstract jumble of numbers right until the moment they are the one to have lost their job. It happened to my father in the 1980s and it is happening to hundreds of thousands of people right now. Yet there seems to be a collective failure to grasp the threat to our way of life. We need to face two facts immediately. Emergency measure: Working from home is not a bread-baking, middle-class nirvana that can continue forever The first is that mass working from home is an emergency measure that needs to end as quickly as possible. It is not a bread-baking, middle-class nirvana that can continue forever. Just ask the staff at WH Smith, who have lost their livelihoods because the commuters who kept their shops in stations busy are now cocooned with their laptops at home. The second is that extending the furlough, which has created a false sense of security, is throwing good taxpayer money after bad. Many jobs being lost in hospitality and on the High Street are not coming back. So where does that leave us? Rebuilding the economy will need creative thinking and what Nigel Wilson, the chief executive of Legal & General, calls 'inclusive capitalism'. In practical terms, he is putting his money where his mouth is by investing in projects that will directly benefit local communities and, he hopes, deliver a good return to pension savers. If it works, it is a win-win formula. It is certainly a departure from the kind of debt-driven vulture capitalism that has scarred too much of the British High Street, and landed companies such as Debenhams and the AA in deep trouble. Traditional shopping streets, where landlords charge high and escalating rents, need to change their practices so that new tenants, including small independent shops and start-ups can move in. As John Lewis has realised, some stores could be turned into offices or affordable homes. This is happening close to my home in London, where L&G has embarked on a 500million rental home development on the site of a B&Q and a Homebase store. L&G is also ploughing 100million into a project to regenerate the former Vaux Brewery site in Sunderland and providing finance to develop a major studio for Sky. These could deliver up to 5,000 jobs. There are many areas in which the UK could excel with the backing of patient investment, from green tech to gene therapy. The way to come back from this pandemic is not to cower at home, rely on Rishi, or to stand by as prowling venture capitalists buy more companies at bargain prices. Why is it left to an insurance company to make the case for inclusive capitalism, when the Government should be shouting it from the rooftops? Detecting hope News on the economic front is often so grim that colleagues have nicknamed me The Angel of Doom. But might it turn out not to be so bad after all? Martin Beck, of Oxford Economics, thinks the Cassandras might be overdoing it a touch. He suspects his peers fail to appreciate how adaptable and resourceful we Brits are those of us who have taken the reality pills, at any rate. He draws a parallel with the three-day week in 1974, when companies' energy use was curbed, there were power cuts, most pubs were closed, and non-essential travel was discouraged. I'm too young to know, but he says around 1.5m people were laid off and national income suffered the biggest fall ever, until this year. Armageddon was confidently predicted, but did not materialise: the rebound was far stronger than most experts expected. This unhappy episode is not an exact parallel with now. The remainder of the 1970s was hardly an economic success story but it is still thought-provoking. I'm favourably disposed towards the Oxford economist for the admittedly whimsical reason that he shares a name with Martin Beck, protagonist of ten Scandi noir crime novels and countless radio, TV and film adaptations. Here's hoping his instincts are as sound as the fictional detective's. Good bet The Daily Mail has led the way in exposing the gambling industry's faults, from lavish pay to executives to basing themselves in tax-efficient havens like Gibraltar. William Hill, though, has done the right thing by promising to repay 24.5million of furlough cash to taxpayers, and set an example to others. Credit where it's due. Vodafone Idea (Image: Reuters) Vodafone Idea has paid the Rs 1,200 crore due towards license fee and spectrum usage charge (SUC) for April-June to the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) an Economic Times report said. This came after the company missed the July 15 deadline and a further delay could have resulted in the DoT invoking bank guarantees to recover the dues, the report said. "The payments have started coming in for the circles and the telco did not have much choice, because further delays would have led to invoking of bank guarantees," said a senior government official. Moneycontrol could not independently verify the report. Invoking of bank guarantees is something the cash strapped telco cannot afford. The company had told the Supreme Court (during the AGR hearings) that banks refused to provide guarantees for it, given its debt. Vodafone Idea had earlier informed the DoT of inability to pay the April-June quarter dues and had sought more time. But the company likely feared being pulled up by the SC for not meeting obligations, especially when its financials and payment abilities already under question, government officials told the paper. Vodafone Idea had debt of Rs 112,520 crore till March-end, besides the Rs 50,000 crore it still owes DoT towards adjusted gross revenue (AGR) dues. These have eroded its net worth and spiralled the telco towards an existential crisis, the report said. Vodafone did not respond to queries, it added. GentiBio launches to develop engineered regulatory T cells for autoimmune and inflammatory diseases BOSTON, Mass., SEATTLE, Wash., and QIRYAT SHMONA, Israel, August 5, 2020 - GentiBio, Inc., an emerging biotherapeutics company developing engineered regulatory T cells (EngTregs) programmed to treat autoimmune, alloimmune, autoinflammatory, and allergic diseases, announced today it has closed a $20 million seed funding led by OrbiMed, Novartis Venture Fund and RA Capital Management, L.P. GentiBio also announced it has entered into exclusive licensing partnerships with Seattle Children's Research Institute, Benaroya Research Institute at Virginia Mason (BRI), and MIGAL Galilee Research Institute (MIGAL) to advance the company's unique immune tolerance platform. GentiBio was co-founded by a team of scientific pioneers from Seattle Children's, BRI and MIGAL to restore immune tolerance using Treg cell therapy engineered with novel technologies that direct potent EngTregs to specific tissues damaged by abnormal immune responses. Under the terms of the licensing agreements, Seattle Children's, BRI and MIGAL will exclusively license unique technologies to GentiBio that overcome many of the current limitations of Tregs therapeutics, including rarity and plasticity of endogenous Tregs populations. Additionally, GentiBio's platform will enable the scaled production of robust EngTregs cell therapy products that are antigen specific and tunable. The platform may also have the potential to accelerate the development of new therapeutics to treat and cure a variety of diseases, including autoimmune diseases that impact tens of millions of patients globally and 23 million people in the U.S. "GentiBio is focused on addressing the technical bottlenecks that have throttled Treg therapeutics, and we are thrilled to exclusively in-license a portfolio of unprecedented breadth from Seattle Children's and Benaroya Research Institute in the U.S. and MIGAL Galilee Research Institute in Israel," said Adel Nada, M.D., Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of GentiBio. "The technologies licensed from these premier research institutions are mature and well-differentiated, and will be further optimized in sponsored research collaborations with the scientific teams that discovered them to advance novel and potent therapeutics with the potential to treat and cure serious autoimmune and inflammatory diseases." "Tregs are rare cells within the immune system and current therapies that source Tregs cells from the blood stream can be costly and cumbersome. In contrast, Seattle Children's unique technology enables the generation of engineered regulatory T cells, or EngTregs, from the more abundant CD4+ cell population, addressing a critical manufacturing shortcoming for this novel treatment," said David Rawlings, M.D., Director, Center for Immunity and Immunotherapies, Seattle Children's Research Institute and Scientific Co-Founder and Senior Scientific Advisor of GentiBio. Rawlings also serves as Chief of the Division of Immunology at Seattle Children's and is a professor of pediatrics and immunology at the University of Washington School of Medicine. "This partnership with GentiBio is an important step forward in identifying and improving novel treatments for autoimmune diseases--a key goal of the Benaroya Research Institute. Currently, the majority of available treatments indiscriminately suppress the immune system, leaving the body vulnerable to infections. EngTregs endowed with antigen specific moieties can selectively restrict inflammation temporally and spatially in specific tissues where it's beneficial," said Jane Buckner, M.D., President of BRI and Scientific Co-Founder and Scientific Advisory Board member of GentiBio. Rawlings and Buckner led the team of researchers at Seattle Children's and BRI that published a study in Science Translational Medicine in June 2020 describing this novel gene-editing strategy for FOXP3 expression in CD4+ T cells. "At MIGAL, we believe international collaboration is necessary to drive novel therapies. Our team brings in a unique and deep expertise in synthetic immunology, starting from the first invention of T-cell chimeric antigen receptors (CAR Ts) in 1989. We are excited to team with GentiBio to develop unique breakthrough treatments that are wide-ranging in their impact, extending the reach of GentiBio to unique and novel disease targets," said Prof. Gidi Gross, Head, Immunology Lab, MIGAL and Scientific Co-Founder and Scientific Advisory Board member of GentiBio. ### About GentiBio GentiBio, Inc., is an early stage biotherapeutics company co-founded by pioneers in Treg biology and synthetic immunology to develop engineered regulatory T cells (EngTregs) programmed to treat autoimmune, alloimmune, autoinflammatory and allergic diseases. GentiBio's proprietary autologous and allogeneic EngTregs platform integrates key complimentary technologies needed to successfully restore immune tolerance and overcome major limitations in existing regulatory T-cell therapeutics. GentiBio is at the forefront of leveraging a unique therapeutic modality that can be used to address the fundamental cause of many diseases that result from overshooting and/or malfunctioning of the immune system. About Seattle Children's Seattle Children's mission is to provide hope, care and cures to help every child live the healthiest and most fulfilling life possible. Together, Seattle Children's Hospital, Research Institute and Foundation deliver superior patient care, identify new discoveries and treatments through pediatric research, and raise funds to create better futures for patients. Ranked as one of the top children's hospitals in the country by U.S. News & World Report, Seattle Children's serves as the pediatric and adolescent academic medical center for Washington, Alaska, Montana and Idaho - the largest region of any children's hospital in the country. As one of the nation's top five pediatric research centers, Seattle Children's Research Institute is internationally recognized for its work in neurosciences, immunology, cancer, infectious disease, injury prevention and much more. Seattle Children's Hospital and Research Foundation works with the Seattle Children's Guild Association, the largest all-volunteer fundraising network for any hospital in the country, to gather community support and raise funds for uncompensated care and research. Join Seattle Children's bold initiative - It Starts With Yes: The Campaign for Seattle Children's - to transform children's health for generations to come. For more information, visit http://www. seattlechildrens. org or follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram or on our On the Pulse blog. About Benaroya Research Institute at Virginia Mason Benaroya Research Institute at Virginia Mason (BRI) works to advance the science that will predict, prevent, reverse and cure diseases of the immune system. BRI is committed to eliminating autoimmune diseases such as type 1 diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease and multiple sclerosis, as well as immune system diseases such as allergies, asthma and COVID-19. An internationally recognized medical research institute, BRI accelerates discovery through laboratory breakthroughs in immunology that are translated to clinical therapies. Visit benaroyaresearch.org or follow BRI's Autoimmune Life blog, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn or Twitter to learn more. About MIGAL Galilee Research Institute MIGAL Galilee Research Institute Ltd is a regional R&D center of the Israeli Science and Technology Ministry owned by the Galilee Development Company ltd. An internationally-recognized multi-disciplinary applied research institute, MIGAL specializes in biotechnology and computer sciences, plant science, precision agriculture and environmental sciences, and food, nutrition and health. Recognized as a powerhouse of applied research, for forty years MIGAL has cooperated closely with industry leaders, innovative startups, and technological accelerators. MIGALs' employees include 90 PhDs and 190 researchers distributed across 44 research groups, operating as an innovative research ecosystem that encourages collaboration across scientific, industrial, agricultural, academic and technological specialties. This story has been published on: 2020-08-05. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-05 21:34:39|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close MACAO, Aug. 5 (Xinhua) -- A total of 2,438 new companies were incorporated in China's Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) in the first half of this year, down by 25.6 percent year-on-year, the SAR's statistics service said here on Wednesday. Information from the Statistics and Census Service also indicated that the total value of registered capital fell by 89.4 percent to 360 million patacas in the first half year. At the end of the second quarter of this year, the number of registered companies in Macao totalled 73,540, an increase of 4,498 from a year earlier. A total of 1,392 new companies were incorporated in the second quarter of this year, a decrease of 273 year-on-year. The total value of registered capital fell by 94.9 percent year-on-year to 111 million patacas in the second quarter. In the second quarter, the Macao SAR contributed 64 million patacas to the capital of newly incorporated companies, accounting for 57.6 percent of the total. Capital from the mainland totalled 11 million patacas. Meanwhile, capital from the Hong Kong SAR amounted to 10 million patacas. In the second quarter, analysed by size of registered capital, there were 1,114 new companies registered with capital under 50,000 patacas (80.0 percent of total) and 14 new companies were registered with capital of 1 million patacas or over. (One U.S. dollar equals to 7.97 patacas) Enditem An officer manning a checkpoint has been injured and two others threatened with serious injury in a string of violent outbursts against police on COVID-19 duties over the past 24 hours. Police said those arrested included a 36-year-old man who was allegedly found to have breached the Chief Health Officer's directions four times in the past 14 days. Protective Services officers patrolling and issuing fines in Melbourne's CBD on Tuesday. Credit:Simon Schluter Officers were called to a department store in Malop Street, Geelong, after reports a man was behaving erratically and not wearing a mask or face covering, about 10.30am on Tuesday. After several warnings, police said they tried to arrest the 36-year-old West Melbourne man when he made serious threats to injure the officers. The saffron hue cut across party lines in Madhya Pradesh on Wednesday with both the ruling party and opposition leaders embracing the colour to mark the foundation stone laying ceremony for construction of a grand Ram temple at Ayodhya. Chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, discharged earlier in the day from a Bhopal hospital after getting cured of Covid-19, turned up in saffron clothes before the media and so did state Congress president Kamal Nath on his social media page. Several other leaders including ministers posted their profile photos either in saffron clothes or posted a picture of Lord Ram in place of their profile photos. On the occasion, the state headquarters of the ruling BJP and the opposition Congress parties were both illuminated. In the evening Congress workers worshipped Lord Ram at their state headquarters in Bhopal by placing a framed image of Ram darbar at the main gate, lighting lamps and performing an aarti in presence of Kamal Nath and several other senior Congress leaders. Bhajans were sung and Congress workers even chanted Jai Shriram, said Narendra Saluja, media coordinator of state Congress president. Talking to media persons after he was discharged, Chouhan said PM Narendra Modi was a once-in-five-centuries leader since it was under his leadership that the Central government made forceful pleas before the Supreme Court and the latter ruled in favour of the temple. We have seen leaders of decades and a century but Prime Minister Narendra Modi is the leader of five centuries as one of the most contentious issues in the country was resolved amicably, Chouhan said. Also Read: Gorakhpur celebrates Ram temple foundation stone laying ceremony with diyas, colours, bhajans Senior BJP leader and Rajya Sabha member Jyotiraditya Scindia said, Laying of foundation stone for the magnificent temple of Lord Ram in Ayodhya is a moment of amazing joy and glory for every Indian. Please come together to celebrate the occasion by lighting lamps at our homes and make this historical moment lasting forever. State Congress president Kamal Nath, who recited Hanuman Chalisa on Tuesday said, I welcome the construction of Ram temple in Ayodhya. People in the country had been waiting for and expecting this for a long time. The construction of Ram temple is taking place with consent of every Indian and this is possible in India only. Also Read: Not surprised by Priyanka Gandhis Ram temple comment: Kerala CM Vijayan Senior Congress leader and Rajya Sabha member Digvijaya Singh stuck to his stand and said, Laying of foundation stone for god Ramlala temple in Ayodhya is taking place in violation of the established norms of astrology. I pray to the god to forgive us and grant blessings for construction of the temple without any obstruction. People across the state celebrated the occasion reciting Sundarkand in temples, greeting one another. Special worship and prayers were organised at Mahakal temple in Ujjain and other temples in Bhopal, Jabalpur, Gwalior, Indore and other districts. Fireworks were organised in Bhopal and people danced while beating drums, as per reports from various parts of the state. Researchers have found that the SARS-CoV-2 virus, which presents at least six strains, shows little variability despite its mutations, suggesting that the mutations do not impinge on the process of developing effective COVID-19 vaccines.Currently, there are six strains of coronavirus. The original one is the L strain that appeared in Wuhan in December 2019. Its first mutation - the S strain - appeared at the beginning of 2020, while, since mid-January 2020, there were the V and G strains. To date, strain G is the most widespread and mutated into strains GR and GH at the end of February 2020. A look at the coronavirus map shows that strains G and GR are the most frequent across Europe and Italy. According to the available data, GH strain seems close to non-existence in Italy, while it occurs more frequently in France and Germany. In North America the most widespread strain is GH, while the GR strain is found more frequently in South America. In Asia, where the Wuhan L strain initially appeared, the spread of strains G, GH and GR is increasing. These strains landed in Asia only at the beginning of March, more than a month after their spread in Europe. Globally, strains G, GH and GR are constantly increasing. Strain S can be found in some restricted areas in the US and Spain. The L and V strains are gradually disappearing. In addition to the six main coronavirus strains, researchers have also identified some infrequent mutations, which, at the moment, are not worrying but still need to be monitored.Researchers at the University of Bologna (Bologna, Italy) carried out the most extensive study ever on SARS-CoV-2 sequencing by drawing from the analysis of 48,635 coronavirus genomes, which were isolated by researchers in labs all over the world. This made it possible for the researchers to map the spread and the mutations of the virus during its journey to all continents. The first results were encouraging as they found that the coronavirus presents little variability, approximately seven mutations per sample."The SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus is presumably already optimized to affect human beings, and this explains its low evolutionary change", said Federico Giorgi, researcher at Unibo and coordinator of the study. "This means that the treatments we are developing, including a vaccine, might be effective against all the virus strains". In a big development in the Sushant Singh Rajput death case on Wednesday, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta informed the Supreme Court that the Union of India has in principle accepted the recommendation by Bihar government to order a CBI inquiry into the case. Mehta, appearing for the Centre, submitted before Justice Hrishikesh Roy that the notification for the Central Bureau of Investigation will be issued soon, preferably by the end of the day. The top court, in its order, gave three days to all parties to put on record their respective stand. It also noted that the Mumbai Police must submits it's records of investigations done so far. Hearing on the matter is scheduled for next week. "We want to know what Mumbai police have done so far," said Justice Roy. The counsel for the Maharashtra government opposed the CBI probe and argued that it is the Mumbai Police that is authorised to investigate under the CrPC. The Maharashtra government counsel also said that the Bihar Police's actions are "politically motivated" and insisted that under the CrPC, it is only the Mumbai Police that has "duty, power and function to register the case". In An American Pickle, the new film from director Brandon Trost and screenwriter Simon Rich, Seth Rogen plays a 1920s pickle works employee who falls into a vat of brine and is perfectly preserved for a century, waking up in pre-COVID New York City. The movie plays fast and loose with the science of pickling human beings, but its a long-overdue reminder that in many ways, the story of the pickle industrythe pickles, the picklers who pickled the pickles, the pickle works where pickle picklers pickled the pickles they pickledis the story of America itself. Here are some of pivotal events that helped shape the nations vibrant pickle industry and laid the foundations for our modern age. Advertisement Nov. 18, 1876. John Shelton, an employee of the Janesville Pickle Works of Janesville, Wisconsin, is killed instantly when a barrel of vinegar falls on his head. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Aug. 7, 1883: A building in Mount Vernon, New York, that the New York Times describes as the pickle-works and tenement house of George Frieschel burns down. Five million pickles are lost. Sept. 10, 1886: Representatives of the Los Angeles Pickle Works convince local farmers to raise cucumbers for pickling, then do not buy the cucumbers, infuriating the public. There is too much of this kind of work going on, which causes shaken confidence, laments the Los Angeles Times. Nov. 9, 1887: The Los Angeles Pickle Works burns down. May 29, 1890: The Lyman A. Budlong Pickle Works of Bowmanville, Illinois, burns down. Advertisement Advertisement Aug. 21, 1890: The Banning Pickle Works of Los Angeles burns down. Aug. 3, 1891: A Mr. P. Steinhagen sues his former business partner Rudolph Franke for tricking him into going into the pickle business by making false and fraudulent representations as to the capacity of the pickle works. Dec. 25, 1894: The Marshall Vinegar and Pickle Works of Marshalltown, Iowa, burns down, two weeks after proprietor Joseph Holmes lets the fire insurance lapse. Jan. 10, 1895: The C.B. Gedner Pickle Works of Omaha, Nebraska, burns down. March 27, 1897: Patrolmen Kennedy and McGuire of the Louisville Police Department, in Louisville, Kentucky, successfully defend the Jones Bros. & Carr Pickle Works from a band of robbers. Advertisement Oct. 23, 1897: Australian immigrant William Cowan sues San Francisco residents William S. Woods and Arthur Semler for involving him in what the Chronicle dubs a swindle in pickles. Cowan alleges that Woods and Semler purported to be the owners of the Sonoma Pickle Works, gave him a tour of the property, and sold him a half share in their business. In reality, the men didnt even own a single pickle works! Advertisement May 5, 1899: The Lyman A. Budlong Pickle Works of Bowmanville, Illinois, catches fire again. This time, firefighters, some presumably veterans of the last conflagration at the Lyman A. Budlong Pickle Works, are able to save the structure. Advertisement Advertisement Sign up for the Slate Culture newsletter The best of movies, TV, books, music, and more, delivered to your inbox three times a week. 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. Aug. 13, 1926: The Great Pickle Works Wreck, the deadliest pickle works disaster in American history. May 5, 1928: In a daring daylight heist, two unarmed men steal the entire payroll of the New York Citys Empire Pickle Works by grabbing it out of the hands of stenographer Clara Wilder as she walks it from the bank to the pickle works. The thieves get away with $970. Dec. 27, 1934: Edward Boyle, a 23-year-old burglar on trial for stealing 700 pounds of sugar from the Harvard Pickle Works in Cambridge, Massachusetts, explains in sworn testimony that he was able to elude the pickle works guard dog with a friendly word that started his tail wagging. The Boston Globe speculates that the guard dog may lose his job. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement July 10, 1937: A horse named Katy, apparently unhappy with the heat, finds her way into the cellar of a Manhattan pickle works, stretches out on the floor in the shade, and refuses to leave. The sanitation department eventually has to hoist her out of the cellar, an operation that draws 200 spectators. Freed at last, Katy immediately lies down in the middle of the street, only returning home after she is given a bath and plenty of water to drink. April 12, 1947: The Harvard Pickle Works suffers another embarrassing security lapse when vandals break in at night and flood the pickle works with two pickling vats worth of pickling solution, doing thousands of dollars in damage. Nov. 26, 1949: Manassah I. Gorsey of Brighton, Massachusetts is kidnapped outside the Middlesex County National Bank by three gunmen. Keep quiet if you want to see your family again, they tell him, before robbing him at gunpoint and stealing his car. The thieves escape with $871.63, the entire payroll of the Harvard Pickle Works. June 3, 1955: The Harvard Pickle Works burns down. For more on An American Pickle, listen to Dana Stevens and Isaac Butler discuss the movie on Slates Spoiler Specials podcast. AUBURN, Ala., Aug. 5, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Chicken Salad Chick, the nation's only southern inspired, fast casual chicken salad restaurant concept, announced today it will be expanding in North Carolina with its newest restaurant in High Point. With an existing location currently open in Greensboro, the High Point restaurant marks the brand's second in the Piedmont Triad and emphasizes Chicken Salad Chick's continued development in the north-central region, with plans to open an additional location in Clemmons later this year. The High Point restaurant, which is located at 4117 Brian Jordan Place, will celebrate its grand opening on August 19 by offering free chicken salad for a year to the first 100 guests. Those awarded will be properly distanced and will receive a designated return time upon arrival to spread out the number of guests at the restaurant throughout the day. Chicken Salad Chick is closely following North Carolina's state and local guidelines for COVID-19 procedures and will open the High Point restaurant at limited capacity with social distancing measures in place. All employees will be wearing masks and gloves, as well as practicing proper handwashing and food safety protocol, and all guests will be required to wear masks until seated for dining. During grand opening week, guests will experience the southern hospitality that Chicken Salad Chick is known for, with modified giveaways and specials that include: Wednesday, August 19 Free Chicken Salad for a Year The first 100 guests will receive one large Quick Chick of chicken salad per month for an entire year, with one of those lucky guests randomly selected to win one large Quick Chick of chicken salad per week.* Any guest not part of the first 100 in line can make an in-store purchase and enter for a chance to win free chicken salad for a year.** Free Chicken Salad for a Year The first 100 guests will receive one large Quick Chick of chicken salad per month for an entire year, with one of those lucky guests randomly selected to win one large Quick Chick of chicken salad per week.* Any guest not part of the first 100 in line can make an in-store purchase and enter for a chance to win free chicken salad for a year.** Thursday, August 20 The first 100 guests to purchase the Chick will receive a free Chick Special redeemable on the next visit. The first 100 guests to purchase the Chick will receive a free Chick Special redeemable on the next visit. Friday, August 21 The first 50 guests to purchase a Chick Trio will receive a free Chick tumbler. The first 50 guests to purchase a Chick Trio will receive a free Chick tumbler. Saturday, August 22 The first 50 guests to purchase two large Quick Chicks will receive a free large Chick cooler. The High Point restaurant is owned and operated by first-time Chicken Salad Chick franchise owner Michael Umphenour of Piedmont Restaurant Group, Inc. A restaurant industry veteran with more than two decades of restaurant management experience with Mrs. Winners Chicken & Biscuits, Umphenour was first introduced to Chicken Salad Chick back in 2016 through his uncle, Russ Umphenour, who served as the brand's Chairman of the Board. He was immediately impressed with Chicken Salad Chick's people-centric business model so when he saw an opportunity to develop his own location in his backyard, he jumped at the chance. Umphenour will co-own and operate the High Point restaurant with his father Paul and has plans to open three additional Chicken Salad Chick locations across the Piedmont Triad over the next few years. "Chicken Salad Chick's fresh, flavorful meals and culture of spreading joy immediately drew me to the brand," said Michael Umphenour. "After managing restaurants for over two decades, I know how important it is to prioritize service and Chicken Salad Chick's passion for serving others and commitment to delivering a stellar dining experience sets it apart from the rest. That's why I'm excited to finally bring the concept to High Point, and, as a Greensboro native, I know the brand's southern charm and robust menu will resonate with the tight-knit community here." The Chicken Salad Chick concept was established in 2008 by founder, Stacy Brown. With more than a dozen original chicken salad flavors as well as fresh side salads, gourmet soups, signature sandwiches and delicious desserts, Chicken Salad Chick's robust menu offers a variety of options suitable for any guest. Under the leadership of CEO Scott Deviney and the Chicken Salad Chick team, the company now has more than 160 restaurants currently open in 17 states and remains a standout brand within the fast casual segment. Chicken Salad Chick in High Point will be open Monday Saturday from 10:00a.m. 8p.m. For more information, visit www.chickensaladchick.com. Follow Chicken Salad Chick on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for the latest news and trends. *Guests should arrive between 7-10am to get checked in, while maintaining social distancing. The first 100 guests will be assigned a number and designated return time between 9:45-11:15am. Upon return, guests will make a purchase of "The Chick" or anything of greater value and scan the code '1st 100 Spot' on the CravingCredits app to officially secure your spot. If you are late, or miss return time, your spot will be awarded to next in-line. Guests much be 16 years or older, redemption begins 8/24. **Eligible winners must be 16 years or older and are required to download the Craving Credits app. 10 winners will be drawn at the end of the day. Redemption will start 8/24. For more information on giveaways and specials, visit https://www.facebook.com/ChickenSaladChickHighPointNC/ . About Chicken Salad Chick Founded in Auburn, Alabama, in 2008, Chicken Salad Chick serves full-flavored, Southern-style chicken salad made from scratch and served from the heart. With more than a dozen original chicken salad flavors as well as fresh side salads, gourmet soups, signature sandwiches and delicious desserts, Chicken Salad Chick's robust menu is a perfect fit for any guest. Today, the brand has more than 160 restaurants in 17 states and is continuing its rapid expansion with both franchise and company locations. Chicken Salad Chick has received numerous accolades including rankings in Franchise Times' Fast & Serious and Fast Casual.com's top Movers and Shakers for the third consecutive year and Franchise Times' Dealmaker Awards and Franchise Business Review's Top Food Franchises in 2020. See www.chickensaladchick.com for additional information. Contact: Shana Rosenthal Fish Consulting 954-893-9150 [email protected] SOURCE Chicken Salad Chick Related Links http://www.chickensaladchick.com The heavy limb of an ancient-looking tree on a street ironically named Evergreen Place had pulled down a tangle of power and phone lines to a house in Maplewood, where the noisy drone of a generator broke the stillness of the morning. A block away, another street littered with more tree branches and paved with a carpet of fallen leaves was blocked off with yellow caution tape, while more generators chugged away. Nowhere were there any signs of utility crews. When Isaias hit Jersey, it wasnt the rain or storm tides that did the most damage. The high winds accompanying the tropical storm knocked down thousands of trees, taking down power lines up and down the state, leaving well over a million people without power. As of noon on Wednesday, more than 930,000 people were still in the dark, and state and utility officials had no clear answer as to when the power might be back. At the governors daily briefing, officials said they expected 80 percent of customers to have power back by sometime Friday, but the rest could take far longer. The legacy of this storm is going to be power outages, Gov. Phil Murphy acknowledged during his latest coronavirus briefing in Trenton. This could be a number of days for folks. Murphy declined to grade the response of utility companies in the wake of Isaias. Were still in the third quarter of the game, said the governor, who toured storm damage in a residential neighborhood in Jackson on Wednesday. Well do a postmortem. He also said the state is looking into getting federal disaster aid. However, state Assembly Minority Leader Jon Bramnick, R-Union, called for a special legislative session to find ways to avoid such large-scale power outages. There has been much discussion about investment in our power grid infrastructure, said Bramnick, who is considering running for the Republican nomination to challenge Murphy, a Democrat, in next years governors race. It is time to move forward. The long and maddening wait for so many utility customers to get their power restored is like a never-ending story in a state with overhead power lines and more than 912 million trees. Last year, it was a series of powerful thunderstorms that ripped the state, wreaking havoc on New Jerseys power grid. The previous year, tens of thousands more were without power after a similar line of summertime storms, which had come on the heels of a big noreaster and then a snowstorm earlier that year, leading the governor to later order a state investigation into how New Jersey utility companies responded to the winter storms. Assessing the current situation in New Jersey, state Board of Public Utilities President Joseph L. Fiordaliso predicted some who lost power may not be restored until the weekend. New Jersey got literally wacked and it really left its mark through the entire state, the state regulator declared. The entire state was ravaged. One of the reasons for the states vulnerability is that so many communities are linked to the grid by overhead wires, and New Jersey itself has many suburban tree-lined streets often planted with older trees that are often susceptible to heavy winds. When they come down, they take wires with them. That takes time to fix. Repairing wires brought down by trees is always a labor-intensive job, say utility officials, who note that fixing one wire brought to the ground by a falling tree limb sometimes only restores service to a single home. If there are tens of thousands out because service to a home was knocked out by a heavy branchwell, do the math. One crew might be able to restore just one house at a time. Just clearing the roads of trees to allow repair crews into neighborhoods also has delayed restoration, Fiordaliso said. He added that it was not just the utility distribution systems the lines that run down streets and carry electricity to homes and businesses that suffered damage. The transmission system has also been damaged considerably, he said. SEE WHERE THE POWER IS STILL OUT Public Service Electric & Gas Co. Jersey Central Power & Light Co. Atlantic City Electric Co. Rockland Electric Co. Power to New Jersey comes from a mix of generating stations, all connected to a regional power grid a highly interconnected and intricate network designed to let utilities share electricity and back each other up. They deliver power over high-voltage transmission lines that serve thousands of customers over wide areas. Substations then step down the power from the high-voltage transmission lines, sending it at a lower voltage distribution system into neighborhoods and industrial areas. Jersey Central Power & Light over the years has been particularly susceptible to outages because there are many trees and wooded areas throughout its service territory, and falling branches are the most common cause for blackouts. It remained the hardest hit utility on Wednesday, with more than half a million of its 1.1 million customers still out of service at noon. When we have a storm of this magnitude and winds of this force when we have those kind of catastrophic effects, the likelihood is that the infrastructure will have damage, said JCP&L spokesman Cliff Cole. The goal is to get the service back as quickly as we can. He acknowledged the frustration for customers, but said it is often a multi-day process. The utility, a subsidiary of FirstEnergy Corp in Akron, Ohio, has often come under heat in recent years for its reliance on outside help, its out-of-state management, and questions over its performance. JCP&L set up staging sites in Jackson Township, Oceanport and Livingston before the storm, and said it also brought in 740 line workers, 725 forestry contractors, 270 hazard responders and 75 damage assessors. Public Service Electric & Gas Co., which still had nearly 300,000 of its 2.3 million customers out of service at noon, said Isaias may have been among the strongest storms to hit its service territory in recent years, and that some outages could last for an extended period. We cant project restoration times until we have had a chance to assess the damage, said spokesman Michael Jennings. Jersey City Power & Light crews in Jackson Township. Ed Murray | NJ Advance Media for Atlantic City Electric Co., which serves the southern end of the state, reported about 67,900 customers without service into Wednesday afternoon. Spokesman Frank Tedesco said the very high winds with gusts exceeding 65 mph toppled trees and brought down tree limbs that downed power lines and damaged electric equipment. The utility also saw the loss of multiple transmission lines, and was also impacted by winds from a tornado confirmed in portions of Cape May County. The utility has crews from its sister Exelon company, ComEd in Chicago, assisting its restoration efforts and said it secured additional mutual assistance from companies in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, Ohio, Tennessee and Canada. Atlantic Electric said it hopes to restore service for most customers by end of day Thursday, have power back for all customers including those in the most heavily damaged areas by Saturday evening. Jeff Tittel, director of the New Jersey Sierra Club, said the constant power outages put people and communities at risk and damage the economy. He called for investments in better technology rather than routing more high-power transmission lines into the state. Every time we have a storm, the power goes out. The damage and outages that this tropical storm has caused is a clear-cut example as to why we need to modernize and fix our grid, he said. Fiordaliso said the state had been preparing for the worst when Isaias began tracking toward New Jersey. Unfortunately, we experienced the worst. Our luck ran out, he said, noting that at the peak of Superstorm Sandy, which brought historic damage to the state, 2.7 million utility customers were without power. At the peak of Tuesdays storm, 1.4 million people were in the dark. New Jersey was probably one of the hardest hit states, the BPU president said. NJ Advance Media staff writer Brent Johnson contributed to this report. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. Ted Sherman may be reached at tsherman@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @TedShermanSL. Gov. Godwin Obaseki of Edo has denied the allegation of bloated contracts, using his company, Afrinvest Ltd., to siphon states funds. Obasekis denial is contained in a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Communication Strategy, Crusoe Osagie on Tuesday in Benin. Some members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), under the aegis of Concerned PDP members, had petitioned the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC), alleging unfair awards of contracts to companies in which the governor had a personal interest. The petition was authored by one Andrew Egboigbe, who claimed to be a PDP member in Ward 3, Orhionmwon LGA of Edo, on behalf of the other petitioners. Osagie states: Our attention has been drawn to the baseless petition to the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC) published in the media on Tuesday, Aug. 4. In the petition, one Andrew Egboigbe, who is said to be a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ward 3, Orhionmwon LGA of Edo State, accused Gov. Obaseki of unfair award of contracts to companies. The allegation is false and a feeble attempt to tarnish the image of the Edo State Governor. Edo, under Gov. Obaseki, prides herself as one of the most transparent states in the management of finances. As a matter of fact, Edo has been rated highly by the World Bank and other development institutions for her openness and transparency in the allocation of scarce resources, beginning with the process of making her budget, awards of contracts and release of funds to contractors. He stated that the Edo government understood that during the electioneering times that the state is in currently, such bogus and baseless claims could be sponsored the opposition. As we head into the election, our eyes are constantly on the ball and we will not be distracted by such falsehoods, he said. Related WASHTENAW COUNTY, MI Washtenaw County Sheriff Jerry Clayton was enjoying a huge lead in his reelection bid early Wednesday morning. Clayton was in the lead with 47,446 votes over challenger Ken Magee, who had 15,490 votes as of 12:05 a.m. Aug. 5. Around 11:30 p.m. Tuesday, Magee told The Ann Arbor News/MLive that he had not yet conceded the race to Clayton, however. Clayton previously beat Magee in the 2016 election by 67,000 votes. There are no Republican candidates in the race, therefore the winner of the primary will be the presumptive sheriff unless a write-in candidate comes along. Write-in candidates have a deadline of Oct. 23 to file. This would be Claytons fourth term as sheriff. He was first elected back in 2008. This is our fourth time running and each time weve told the people Washtenaw County what our vision was and how we, in office, can add value to and serve the community. Clayton said when reached by phone Tuesday night. I think for the last 12 years, weve demonstrated that. During his next term, Clayton said he would continue to work on implementing mental health services funded by a county public safety millage in 2017 and rebuilding trust between police and people of color through community outreach. Washtenaw sheriff seeking 4th term talks mental health, police budgets, limiting incarceration At a recent Ann Arbor rally against police brutality and federal agents coming to Michigan, Clayton said he is behind defunding the police if there is a strategy attached to it. What Im not good with is politicians that are going along and saying, Yeah well take money from here and put it there without a strategy, Clayton said. This will have unintended consequences and the people were most trying to help are the people who get hurt. Those are usually people (who are) Black, brown and poor. Ann Arbor protesters rally against use of federal agents; police brutality Magee previously served as a police officer in Jackson, a federal agent with the Drug Enforcement Administration and as the University of Michigans police chief. He ran on rebuilding public trust with police officers and opting for more transparency with the sheriffs office. Rebuilding public trust in police key to Washtenaw sheriff candidates campaign S Kumaresan By Express News Service CHENNAI: A day after meeting BJP president JP Nadda in New Delhi, rebel DMK MLA Ku Ka Selvam on Wednesday alleged that none of the seniors in the DMK would be able to get any recognition for their service in the party as Udhayanidhi, son of party chief MK Stalin, has started making decisions on the appointment of party's district secretaries. The New Indian Express tracked down the Thousand Lights MLA and found he was clearly upset at being denied an opportunity to lead the DMK Chennai West unit as district secretary. Selvam, known as a Stalin loyalist, said the appointment of N Chitrarasu, who is close to Udhayanidhi as in-charge of that unit made it clear that the DMK youth wing chief was calling the shots. Party cadres and seniors are of the view that Selvams statements against Udhayanidhi are a big blow and would deter the latter from exerting his influence in DMK, at least for a while. Excerpts: Q: Why did you visit Kamalayam (state BJP headquarters) on Wednesday when there are no Union ministers there to listen to your demands? What is the logic behind the visit? A: When I was in New Delhi to meet with the railway minister, BJP state president L Murugan helped me a lot. He took me to meet BJPs national president JP Nadda and made him listen to my demands. I wanted to thank him for this in person and did so. Q: Why did you praise Prime Minister Modi on the Ram Mandir despite belonging to a party opposed to the concept of a Ram Mandir at the disputed site in Ayodhya? A: First of all, I want to make it clear that I am not an atheist. I have done various works for several temples in Chennai. For example, I spent around Rs 1.5 crore to carry out a facelift and consecration works at the Sri Bharatheeswarar temple located near Kodambakkam powerhouse. The foundation for the Ram Mandir is being laid following the court order and it shows the religious harmony of the country. Hence, I wished him. Q: Why did you ask your party president MK Stalin to comment on the Kandha Sashti Kavasam issue standing at the entrance to the house of the president (Nadda) to a different party (BJP)? A: You see, while he has expressed his condemnation to various other issues why does he maintain silence on this issue? That's why I asked. Q: What is your grievance over the Chennai west district unit post? A: I applied for the Chennai west district secretary post in 2014 after getting permission from Stalin. At the time, late chief minister M Karunanidhi pacified me, and late J Anbazhagan was made district secretary. I am 68 years old and I have served the party for the last 25 years. I have 50 years of political experience. But, they have appointed Chitarasu without consulting any of the others, because he has Udhayanidhis strong support. Hence, they have clearly shown that the party is under Udhayanidhis control. So there is no space for seniors like me in the party and all seniors will be shown the door one day. If the party high command had conducted inner-party elections at the appropriate time I would have become the district secretary. Q: How are you going to face the party's suspension and show-cause notice over your recent activities? A: I didnt receive any notice. I will decide after getting the notice and consulting with my advocates. I will take a decision at an appropriate time and it would be a reaction to the DMKs action. (CNN) As the Trump administration's coronavirus testing czar, Admiral Brett Giroir has repeatedly said the federal government is doing everything possible to address the country's unmet demand for tests and timelier results. "If there is a stone that needs to be turned that is left unturned," Giroir said on CNN's "State of the Union" on July 26, "you tell me what it is." CNN asked more than 20 public health and lab industry sources whether Giroir and the administration were doing all they could to fix the country's testing problems and there was an overwhelming consensus: No. What's most needed, they said, was for the federal government to seize a larger leadership role in coordinating a focused national effort aimed at identifying and solving issues in the testing supply chain and providing better guidance to health workers on how best to use limited resources. Their recommendations come as test results often take multiple days or more, which can stunt health officials' abilities to effectively track the spread of the virus. Some lab directors broadly argued the White House's testing blueprint, which largely placed responsibility on states to develop their own testing plans, reinforced a patchwork system that has exacerbated current challenges. "I don't see a national plan in place. I see some state level plans," said Omai Garner, who directs clinical microbiology testing for UCLA Health. "We need a national testing strategy, absolutely." A spokesperson for the Department of Health and Human Services disputed that saying, "What is right for Florida, is not right for Massachusetts, at this point in the pandemic. That is why a single national plan is not appropriate, as opposed to national principles and a blueprint, that we implement on a state and local level." The HHS spokesperson said the administration works with states everyday on testing to assure they are focused on meeting goals and each week provides governors with recommendations. Here are five things these experts say need to be done now to address the testing problems. More coordination of supplies While Giroir says the US is now averaging more than 800,000 coronavirus tests per day, manufacturers of test components warn that demand still outweighs supply. The resulting supply shortages have hampered the number of daily samples many US labs can test. One lab company in New Mexico, for example, says it could perform about 10,000 tests per day but that number is currently down to about 3,700 per day. "Most the time we are not running at full capacity," said Karissa Culbreath, medical director of infectious disease at TriCore Reference Laboratories, who said her company is receiving limited amounts of reagents, which are the chemicals used to perform the tests. While the Trump administration has procured and distributed to states tens of millions of individual testing supplies, some public health and industry sources say supply shortages are still rampant and the government should better coordinate the distribution of supplies to reduce zero-sum competition between labs and government agencies. The Association of American Medical Colleges, for example, has called on the government to create a centralized web portal where labs and suppliers could share and collect information about shortages. Heather Pierce, AAMC's regulatory counsel, says more can be done. "It would be far more efficient if there was a transparent and clear strategy," said Pierce, who added that the government should publicly share more information about the extent to which it has directed certain suppliers to send equipment to certain types of labs. The HHS spokesperson said the agency welcomes the opportunity to work with other organizations such as the AAMC on distribution efforts, but said the idea of the government managing supplies for every lab "is not a realistic solution." Defense Production Act Calls have also increased for the Trump administration to make more strategic use of the Cold War-era Defense Production Act. The Trump administration has invoked the DPA to ramp up production of testing swabs as well as ventilators and other equipment, but some health experts have pressed the administration to use the law more aggressively. The Rockefeller Foundation, a nonprofit group that has been working with scientists to combat the virus, published a road map for increased testing that said the US needs to greatly expand capacity to be able to perform 30 million tests per week by October. As part of that effort, the plan stated the government should "immediately invoke" the DPA to increase chemical reagents for tests, which it called "one of the major sticking points" in the supply chain. "The only way you're going to get a huge amount of volume of supply at that level is with real intervention and real action," Dr. Rajiv Shah, the foundation's president, told CNN. Some industry groups have cautioned against certain applications of the DPA, arguing that too much intervention could lead to inefficiencies. AdvaMed, a trade association that last month announced a national registry to help coordinate diagnostic supplies, asked the White House in a July letter not to use the DPA "to orchestrate a takeover" of manufacturing. Though AdvaMed did welcome the government's use of the law to "channel relevant supplies away from nonessential industries to our industry." One manufacturer of coronavirus tests and diagnostic instruments, Roche, said it was already operating at full capacity so nothing would be gained by more government action. A Roche spokesperson added that the company has increased capacity three-fold since the beginning of the year but said "there is simply not enough supply to meet demand." More testing guidance In the midst of dwindling supplies, some labs have faced tough choices on how to best use the capacity they do have. Lab directors and others told CNN they could use better direction from the federal government on how to design strategies to screen for the virus within communities. Kelly Wroblewski, the director of infectious disease programs for the Association of Public Health Laboratories, said public health labs would benefit from more national guidance on how to prioritize testing in order to meet goals of both testing high-risk populations and identifying people who may be infected and spread the virus without showing symptoms. She said the government has asked states to come up with plans to test vulnerable populations such as minority communities and people in long-term-care facilities. "But instead of asking each state to describe their approach, providing guidance on how one might approach that would be helpful," Wroblewski said. Shah, of the Rockefeller Foundation, said some essential workplaces like meatpacking plants have already begun screening for sick employees, but he said with more people returning to school and work, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention should issue protocols for doing so effectively. The CDC has released some guidance for testing asymptomatic people, but Shah and others said more detail is needed. "If you're a teacher, if you're a health care worker, if you're an essential worker in a sanitation division in a city that critically depends on your efforts, you're out there doing your job and asked to do your job without the benefit of support for testing," said Shah, who noted some professional athletes have had regular access to testing. "That's not fair and that's not right." Julie Khani, the president of the American Clinical Laboratory Association, whose members include commercial labs, said ACLA recently received guidance from HHS to prioritize samples from nursing home patients in certain hotspots and said, "Continued clear direction is critical to better manage demand." Consistent messaging Health experts said the federal government could be doing a better job of sending a clear public message about the importance of social distancing, mask-wearing and hand washing to prevent the spread of infection, which would reduce overall demand for testing. While Giroir and others on the White House Coronavirus Task Force have emphasized such messages, others within the administration, particularly the President, have repeatedly flouted them. "All of the pieces have to work together for a full strategy that works. If we only focus on testing and not prevention, we will never have enough tests. If we only focus on prevention without testing, then we won't be able to identify those infected," Culbreath of TriCore said. "It really takes a coordinated effort." Ensuring tests are paid for Public health officials also said increased government funding and insurance coverage must be part of the solution to solve ongoing test problems. The Families First Coronavirus Response Act passed in March required that insurers cover costs of tests when "medically appropriate," but a spokesperson for Minnesota's Department of Health, for example, told CNN the state would like the federal government to more broadly define testing as a medical necessity for a wider group of people. A letter from about 50 health and business groups on July 21 called on congressional leaders to fund expanded access to Covid-19 testing for all people, regardless of insurance coverage or reason for being tested. "Without such funding, and with demand increasing, Americans will only see a reduction in access to testing, as well disruptions in clinician, hospital, and laboratory payments, diminished public health surveillance capacity, and higher insurance premiums," the letter said. CNN reported last month that the White House initially pushed back against Senate GOP requests to significantly boost funds for testing and contact tracing. Stimulus negotiations, which include proposals for test spending, are ongoing. This story was first published on CNN.com 'Trump's Covid-19 testing czar says the government is doing all it can on tests. That's not what the experts say.' (Alliance News) - The following is a round-up of updates by London-listed companies, issued on Wednesday and not separately reported by Alliance News: Airtel Africa PLC - Africa-focused mobile operator - Subsidiary Airtel Networks Kenya Ltd and Telkom Kenya Ltd business combination in Kenya falls through after "a very lengthy process which has led the parties to reconsider their stance". The two businesses are no longer pursuing completion of the combination. Adamas Finance Asia Ltd - pan-Asian diversified investment vehicle - Says Future Metal Holdings Ltd asset quarry set to operate at full production for the rest of 2020 after a temporary pause in early 2020 amid the Covid-19 pandemic. Quarry operations in Future Metal's open-pit dolomite quarry in Shanxi Province, China resumed in mid-March. Adamas says that, given the "continuing rapid urbanisation" in China, demand for Future Metal's product is likely to say "robust". Regency Mines PLC - battery metals company - Proposes name change to Corcel PLC with the aim of more closely reflecting its "strategy to develop its businesses across the battery metals exploration and flexible grid solutions space." Application for name change being made to Companies House and a new website it to be launched. TP Group PLC - Reading-based software solutions provider - Subsidiary Sapienza Consulting chosen to participate in framework contract providing consulting and technical services for Eurocontrol. Framework to last up to five years and relates to "Common IT Contractor Profiles at the Maastricht Upper Area Control Centre (MUAC) in the Netherlands." Eurocontrol to release restricted tenders to pre-qualified participants for "a range of specialist capabilities" under this framework. Eurocontrol described by TP as "a pan-European civil-military organisation dedicated to supporting European aviation". MediaZest PLC - London-based audio visual services provider - Raises GBP150,000 through issue of unsecured convertible loan notes with maturity date August 2023. Proceeds will provide more working capital for MediaZest and have interest of 7% per annum. Chief Executive Geoff Robertson: "We are delighted to announce the fundraise at a difficult time for all businesses and we're grateful for the continuing support of shareholders as we move out of the UK lockdown period and seek to build on the group's encouraging performance in the run up to the Covid-19 outbreak." Hummingbird Resources PLC - African gold producer - Provides second quarter operational and trading update on Yanfolila showing 24,054 ounces gold poured in period, down from 27,466 ounces in the same quarter of 2019. Sells 31,520 ounces of gold at USD1,663 average price per ounce. All in sustaining cost for Yanfolila USD963 per ounce versus USD998 year-on-year. Recordable injury frequency rate 2.3, under 2.5 target. June 30 cash USD6 million versus USD9 million December 31 and 4,000 ounces gold inventory on hand compared to 2.900 ounced 2019 end worth around USD8 million. Reduces bank debt by USD14 million from December to USD26 million. Maintains 2020 guidance for 11,000 to 125,000 ounces and ASIC USD995 per ounce. On track for net cash position target in second half with bank loans repaid by end of 2021 first half. Q2 Yanfolila mine drill intersections received includes 5.7 metres at 16.42 grams per tonne of ore from 263 metres depth. IQ-AI Ltd - medical software company with headquarters in Jersey - Signs letter of intent with undisclosed "major international medical group" that wishes to buy StoneChecker Software Ltd. The sale is part of IQ-AI's decision to focus on neuro imaging. StoneChecker analyses CT assets the evaluate the likelihood of a kidney stone breaking up when a patient undergoes lithotripsy, where shock waves are used to break up kidney stones. This procedure fails 29% of the time and StoneChecker would therefore reduce the the number of these failed procedures. If completed, the sales will involve a cash consideration as well as ongoing royalty on sales. Cora Gold Ltd - West African focused gold company - Says warrant holders have exercised their right to subscribe for 55,564 depositary interests at 10 pence each, raising GBP55,556 in total. NB Global Floating Rate Income Fund Ltd - closed-ended investment company incorporated in Guernsey - Intends to propose investment policy amendment and institure new discount control mechanism. This includes a revised investment objective letting it invest in a broader range of assets such as alternative credit. It will also pay income on a monthly basis starting from the declaration of its third quarter dividend. It explains: "The new investment objective will mean the trust can still invest in 'senior secured, floating rate' loans where the majority of its portfolio is currently held, but will also be able to invest in a broad range of other debt types." New proposals will involve a tender offer to let shareholder exist the trust, which is trading on an 8% discount, at a 2% discount. The discount control policy will let investors tender shares at a 3% discount every six months. Tiziana Life Sciences PLC - London-headquartered biotechnology company focused on innovative therapeutics for oncology, inflammation and infectious diseases - Closes American Depositary Shares registered direct offering. Issues 11.0 million ADSs as USD5.20 each raising USD57.25 million gross. ThinkEquity, division of Fordham Financial Management Inc, is sole placement agenct. Proceeds will help advance clinical development of Foralumab and allow it to start a trial in HCC patients with Milciclib. Funds also assist in expediating clinical development of TZLS-501 for Covid-19. Columbus Energy Resources PLC - oil and gas producer and explorer focused on onshore Trinidad and Suriname - Gets court sanction for scheme to effect merger with Bahamas Petroleum Co PLC, expected to be effective August 7. August 6 to be last day of dealings in Columbus shares. By Anna Farley; annafarley@alliancenews.com Copyright 2020 Alliance News Limited. All Rights Reserved. Trumps personal attorney backs Pastor John MacArthur after he defies church restrictions Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment Pastor John MacArthur is facing legal action after openly defying Californias restrictions on church gatherings. Now the embattled pastor is receiving special counsel from President Donald Trumps personal attorney, Jenna Ellis, and religious freedom expert Charles LiMandri. I stand firm with Grace Community Church, its Elder Board, and Pastor MacArthur in biblical truth and the protections American churches are provided by our Constitution, Ellis told The Christian Post. I look forward to advocating on their behalf and hopefully encouraging other pastors and churches to also have the courage of Pastor MacArthur to stand firm that church is essential. The legal support comes as Grace Community Church received a cease and desist letter from the City of Los Angeles, threatening the church with a daily fine of $1,000 or arrest, if they continue to meet for indoor worship services. Last month, California issued a measure that banned indoor operations, including at houses of worship, in many counties across the state. MacArthur publicly declared this move an overreach and, after prayer and counsel with his elders, decided to reopen his church despite the edict. In a blog posted to his churchs website, MacArthur wrote: In response to the recent state order requiring churches in California to limit or suspend all meetings indefinitely, we, the pastors and elders of Grace Community Church, respectfully inform our civic leaders that they have exceeded their legitimate jurisdiction, and faithfulness to Christ prohibits us from observing the restrictions they want to impose on our corporate worship services. That following Sunday, July 26, MacArthur stepped up to the pulpit and was met with a standing ovation. Without much for remarks, he immediately read from Scripture. In an interview with Fox News on Monday, the pastor noted that the government does not have the power to tell the church what it can or can't do. "Never before has the government invaded the territory that belongs only to the Lord Jesus Christ and told us we can't meet, we can't worship, we can't sing. There's no power given to the government to make those kinds of calls against us," he said. The Thomas Moore Society released a statement Wednesday morning announcing its support for MacArthur: The State of California is using a pretext of COVID-19 to attempt to force churches to close indefinitely. This illegitimate, over-broad, and unconstitutional order to indefinitely cease assembly, and exercising their religion and sincerely held religious beliefs, forced Grace Community Church to defy the order and continue exercising their rights, seeking shelter in the guaranteed religious freedom protections of the United States and California constitutions. Pastor MacArthur and Grace Community church are not disobeying the Constitution; it is Californias Governor Gavin Newsom and Mayor Eric Garcetti that are defying their constitutional obligation to protect religious freedom and church assembly. Seniors Helping Seniors, a senior care brand that employs a mature caregiver workforce, allowing clients to continue to live independent lives while cultivating meaningful relationships, has announced a partnership with virtual healthcare solutions provider, Electronic Caregiver. The partnership will allow seniors and their families to monitor their loved ones safely, at a distance. Partnering with Electronic Caregiver will allow us to continue to offer our services, allowing seniors to age safely and peacefully, said Daniel Jan, VP of Operations for Seniors Helping Seniors. The remote patient monitoring will give families peace of mind that their loved ones are safe, when they cant physically be there. Founded in 1998 by husband-and-wife team Kiran and Philip Yocom, Seniors Helping Seniors believes in providing loving and empathetic care and maintains that seniors who give, and those who receive, both benefit from The Power of Love. The announcement comes at a crucial time, as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to prove the biggest threat to the senior community. With an increased demand for Seniors Helping Seniors, due to more people moving their loved ones to in-home care, Electronic Caregiver will benefit seniors both on the giving and receiving side of care. Were creating a one-stop shop for our franchise owners and are providing them with the tools to keep the senior community as safe as possible, said Seniors Helping Seniors Executive Vice President Namrata Yocom-Jan. "Our mission has always been to Bring Love into the lives of Seniors with Dignity and Respect, and, through turbulent times, well continue to adapt in order to carry out this mission. Electronic Caregiver is one of the fastest growing health technology providers in the U.S., offering automated solutions and safety devices nationwide. The company was founded in 2009 with the intention of improving health and safety monitoring and bettering peoples lives. Today, the brand is only a handful of nationwide service providers and has created Addison, the Virtual Caregiver. She is a voice and visual sensing, 3D, AI-based, connected caregiver designed to transform a residence into a digital Smart Health Home. "Our technology, paired with a true partner like Seniors Helping Seniors allows the home care community to better address the needs of the ever-growing senior population, said Electronic Caregiver Director of Business Development Vincent Melendez. Now more than ever, early interventions, real-time relevant data, and care coordination are key to aging in place and improved outcomes." ABOUT SENIORS HELPING SENIORS Seniors Helping Seniors was founded by husband-and-wife duo Kiran and Philip Yocom. Kiran, who grew up in India, later worked to advance humanitarian efforts alongside Mother Teresa. After moving to the U.S. in 1995 and marrying her husband Philip, the Yocoms felt called to provide loving care to seniors and to cultivate an exchange of gifts at every generational level. Together, the Yocoms founded Seniors Helping Seniors in 1998, opening the brand up to franchising in 2006. With a mission to be the most respected and rewarding homecare provider in the U.S., Seniors Helping Seniors stands apart from competitors as the only company that prioritizes hiring active seniors to provide care services to their less-active counterparts. Seniors Helping Seniors aligns caregivers and care recipients based on the abilities and needs of both by offering a wide range of care services. Seniors Helping Seniors has grown to over 200 locations in 30-plus states and seven international locations, with 125 franchise partners. For more information on Seniors Helping Seniors, visit https://seniorshelpingseniors.com/. To learn more about franchising opportunities with Seniors Helping Seniors, please visit https://franchise.seniorshelpingseniors.com/. At least one American citizen was killed and several others injured when a massive explosions rocked Beirut on Tuesday, the US Embassy in the Lebanese capital has said. In a Wednesday statement, the embassy said its still working closely with local authorities to determine if any additional US citizens died or were hurt in the blast. We offer our sincerest condolences to their loved ones and are working to provide the affected U.S. citizens and their families all possible consular assistance, the statement read. The death toll in Beirut continued to rise Wednesday as at least 135 people have now been confirmed to have died in the blast, with more than 5,000 others injured. Scroll down for video A series of massive explosions in the Lebanese capital's port area rocked the city on Tuesday evening local time, killing at least 78 people and injuring more than 4,000 others Dramatic footage shows smoke billowing from the port area shortly before an enormous fireball explodes into the sky and blankets the city in a thick mushroom cloud The death toll in Beirut continued to rise Wednesday as at least 135 people have now been confirmed to have died in the blast, with more than 5,000 others injured The explosion was triggered when a warehouse filled with dangerous chemicals caught fire in the citys port area and erupted with the force of a small nuclear bomb yesterday evening. Lebanon Health Minister Hamad Hassan says he expects to number of fatalities to continue to rise, with many still missing as emergency services continue to pull bodies out from beneath the rubble. The enormous explosion, which leveled a large portion of the city, has also left up to 300,000 people homeless, local officials said. Lebanon was already grappling with a severe coronavirus outbreak, poor governance and an economic crisis before the devastating blast rang out. Beiruts hospitals reached capacity a short time after the explosion, forcing hundreds of the wounded to travel as far at 50 miles north, to Tripoli, to receive treatment. At least three hospitals were damaged in the blast. The exact cause of the explosion is still under investigation, however its thought to have been triggered after a welder caused a fire that spread to an adjacent warehouse where 2,750 tons of highly explosive ammonium nitrate was being stored without adequate safety precautions. During a video appearance at the Aspen Security Forum on Wednesday, US Defense Secretary Mark Esper said that intelligence about the explosion is still coming in, however most believe it was an accident, as reported. The tentative conclusions drawn by Esper contradict a statement issued by President Trump during a White House Briefing on Tuesday evening, in which he called the blast a terrible attack. Wounded men are evacuated following of an explosion at the port of the Lebanese capital Beirut The damaged grain silo and a burnt boat at Beirut's harbour, one day after a powerful twin explosion tore through Lebanon's capital Destruction laid bare: Aerial photos show the gutted frames of the warehouses in Beirut's port following the massive explosion yesterday Declining to provide any evidence of his claims, Trump said he had met with some of our great generals and they seem to feel that it was [an attack]. This was not some kind of a manufacturing explosion type of event. They would know better than I would,' the president continued. 'They seem to think ... it was a bomb of some kind, yes.' The Pentagon declined to comment on the presidents claims when quizzed by DailyMail.com. Trump added that US is sending its thoughts and prayers out to all the victims and their families. The united States stands ready to assist Lebanon, he said. Following an emergency cabinet meeting, Lebanon's President Michel Aoun announced that an unspecified number of people in charge of seeing the ammonium nitrate stash at the warehouse at the center of the blast are to be placed on house arrest. Aoun also said that four government field hospitals will be set up in the city to help treat the overwhelming number of victims, and an official report into the explosion will be delivered to the cabinet in the next five days. Ammonium nitrate is a type of fertilizer that can be used to make bombs. Its the same fertilizer that was used to make explosives in the Oklahoma City bombings that killing 168 people in 1995. The thousands of tons of ammonium nitrate was reportedly confiscated from a commercial cargo ship abandoned in Beirut in 2013. Lebanon has placed all officials responsible for Beirut's port security for the last six years under house arrest, after a warehouse packed with ammonium nitrate (believed to be pictured here) exploded with the force of a small nuke President Donald Trump described deadly explosions as a terrible attack during a Tuesday press conference, despite no evidence suggesting the blasts were intentional Sobering scenes showed citizens in despair as their homes were damaged, with walls blown through and windows shattered Soldiers use pickaxes to dig through the rubble of buildings in Beirut in a desperate search for survivors on Wednesday According to the lawyers who represented its crew, the ship, the Rhosus, was forced to dock because of technical issues in autumn 2013 and then forbidden to sail by Lebanese authorities after they found a number of violations during an inspection. The lawyers said the ammonium was seized by Beiruts port authorities and placed in warehouses to await auctioning or proper disposal, according to ABC News. But the nitrate was never moved. The Lebanese Red Cross has made urgent appeals for blood donations, having sent more than 75 ambulances and 375 EMTs to the scene. Search a rescue teams continue to sift through the rubble in search of survivors across Wednesday. A firefighter told ABC that a group of 10 emergency responders who responded to the initial fire at the warehouse are currently missing, having potentially been caught up in the blast. Multiple videos of the explosion show fires and thick plumes of smoke emanating from a building in Beirut's port area before a mushroom cloud erupts, sending a shockwave ripping through the city. Lebanon's Prime Minister Hassan Diab called the explosion a 'catastrophe' and vowed that those responsible 'will pay for what happened'. Lebanon's President Michel Aoun (centre) visits the site of a massive explosion the previous day in the heart of the Beirut Fires were still burning at the destroyed port on Wednesday morning as the full extent of the devastation - in a country that was already in the midst of an economic crisis - was laid bare Fires burning at the port on Beirut well into the night following an explosion, believed to be from chemicals An injured man covered in blood is seen in Beirut following the explosion in Beirut on Tuesday Wounded people are treated at a hospital following the explosion, which has left hundreds of casualties in Beirut last night Vital infrastructure such as hospitals sustained damage, as did the city's airport despite its location six miles away from the blast site, laying bare the magnitude of the trauma Diab said an investigation will be launched into the conditions at the 'dangerous warehouse' where the blast occurred. 'I promise you that this catastrophe will not pass without accountability,' he added during a televised address. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo spoke with the Lebanese Prime Minister to express his condolences and offer assistance on Wednesday. Esper also said Wednesday that the US is positioning ourselves to provide them whatever assistance we can: humanitarian aid, medical supplies, you name it, to assist the people of Lebanon. A spokesperson for the US State Department said they are urging US citizens in the affected areas who are safe to contact their loved ones directly and/or update their status on social media. If you are in the affected area and need immediate emergency services, please contact local authorities. We urge US citizens to avoid the affected areas / shelter in place and follow the directions of local authorities. For many years, Turkey was the top tourist destination for Israelis. All-inclusive deals offered Israeli travelers a vacation at attractive prices, and the deals were snapped up by Israeli tourists wishing to get as much as they could on the cheap. The Turks are considered hospitable and warm hosts, and it seemed that this friendship could never be ruined. Then came the Mavi Marmara flotilla in 2010. The flotilla that sailed from Turkey carrying hundreds of activists, mostly Turks, sought to break the maritime blockade on the Gaza Strip. When Israeli naval commandos boarded the deck of the Mavi Marmara, they were unexpectedly attacked and were forced to use live ammunition. The result: 10 Turkish activists were killed and an unprecedented diplomatic crisis between Jerusalem and Ankara ensued. Only in March 2013, following pressure from then-US President Barack Obama, did Israel apologize for the event. Later on, Israel agreed to compensate the families of those killed and injured, but this was reconciliation on paper only. Israelis preferred to refrain from visiting the country that was seen to be hostile to them. According to Ministry of Tourism data obtained by Al-Monitor, until the Marmara incident in 2010, about 600,000 Israeli tourists visited Turkey every year. After the incident the number shrunk to 100,000 a year. The situation has lasted nearly a decade, with ups and downs, until the first significant change was first noted in 2019, when the number of Israeli tourists in Turkey broke a record, crossing 500,000 for the year. But it seems that the jump in 2019 was not coincidental. A decade after the crisis, it seems that Israelis have rediscovered Turkey, and now it seems, even the coronavirus can't stop the mass tourist flow to Turkey. Although Israel is facing a second wave of infections at the moment, and although the situation in Turkey is not encouraging, flights from Tel Aviv to Istanbul havent stopped for a minute, and they are mostly full. In the period before the coronavirus crisis there were at least five daily flights from Tel Aviv to Istanbul, said Shlomo Germon, an Israeli travel agent. He told Al-Monitor, Today, despite the situation, there are 11 weekly Turkish Airlines flights, and 14 weekly Pegasus flights. There are no fewer than 150 Israelis flying to Turkey every day. This is considered quite a few during coronavirus times, and the numbers keep rising. As of today, only a few countries are allowing Israeli tourists to enter their territory without quarantining or showing the results of a coronavirus test. Cyprus and Greece are not letting in tourists from Israel, and neither do most European states. Israelis can enter the United States and Mexico, but these are long and expensive trips, and Asia is virtually hermetically closed to Israeli tourists. As all this is happening, Turkey is the best option and it seems that quite a few Israelis are jumping on this find. Turkey is the ultimate destination for the Israeli tourist who seeks a close and inexpensive vacation without the requirement to quarantine on arrival, Germon said. This is one of the only destinations that allows Israelis to enter and travel in the country after a sample coronavirus test at the airport. The relative proximity only a two-hour flight and the cheap hotel prices attract Israelis, who can now stay at a five-star hotel for $80 a night in August. For such a price, many Israelis are willing to quarantine for 14 days when they return to Israel. Israelis love Turkey, Dror Nimni, an Israeli tour guide, told Al-Monitor in conversation from Ankara. The Turks know how to spoil and host their guests, and the Middle Eastern mentality allows for better communication. Israelis feel at home in Turkey and no diplomatic crisis between the two countries can change this. Israelis who arrive here are surprised at the warmth of the Turks and at the fact that the tension between the governments is hardly felt by its citizens. In my opinion, the trend will only grow in the coming years. In addition to vacation flights to Turkey, it is also a popular lay-over for a variety of destinations around the world. Germon noted that because of the significant cut in the number of flights from Ben Gurion Airport, the option to fly with Turkish Airlines, which offers a variety of destinations around the world through connections in Istanbul, makes the country attractive. The United States is in principle the biggest draw from Ben Gurion Airport, and for an Israeli citizen the option of a flight to the United States that connects through Europe is not available as a result of US President [Donald] Trumps decision to close off the United States to anyone coming from Europe. This decision doesn't apply to Turkey, which makes it a very good stop on the way to New York. There are hardly any tourists from Europe in Turkey, and hotel owners who understand that the Israeli tourist is once more crucial come to me and to other tour guides in order to draw Israeli tourism here, Nimni added. In this latest period, they are starting to offer again especially to Israelis all-inclusive packages that were once a huge hit especially in Anatolia. The pandemic demonstrates that Israelis and Turks have no choice but to recognize that cooperation between them is necessary, and that politics should be put aside and relations restored to what they were a decade ago. In the end, Israelis dont have a real alternative to what Turkey has to offer. OTTAWA - A new study suggests Canadians, especially women, will face a potentially explosive increase in mental illness for years after the COVID-19 pandemic is finally over. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 5/8/2020 (531 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. People sit at picnic tables on the plaza outside the Vancouver Art Gallery, in Vancouver, B.C., Monday, Aug. 3, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck OTTAWA - A new study suggests Canadians, especially women, will face a potentially explosive increase in mental illness for years after the COVID-19 pandemic is finally over. Over the long term, the Deloitte study estimates that visits to emergency rooms for stress and anxiety-related disorders will increase one to three per cent from pre-pandemic rates. Moreover, the study estimates that 6.3 million to 10.7 million Canadians will visit a doctor for mental health issues a whopping 54 to 163 per cent increase over pre-pandemic levels. The consulting firm says governments should be funding mental health services, providers should be getting ready for the demand and insurance companies should look at revising coverage options. The estimates are based on an analysis of what transpired in the years following the Fort McMurray wildfire in 2016, which forced the evacuation of 88,000 people and destroyed more than 2,400 homes in Alberta. It's also based on an analysis of the long-term impact on Canadians of the "great recession" of 2008-09, a global economic crash that was nowhere near as deep or as long-lasting as the expected impact of the COVID-19 crisis. The country is still gripped by the pandemic-induced health crisis and the resulting economic crisis but the study warns that "a third-order crisis" is simmering. "This is a human crisis. Our previous research on the impact of natural disasters on humans shows that once the public health and economic crises have subsided, the human crisis will endure for months, if not years," Deloitte says. The human crisis includes poorer educational outcomes, increased substance abuse and crime, as well as a hike in the incidence of mental illness. The study focuses strictly on mental health because there was not enough data available to analyze the other social impacts, said co-author Matt Laberge, Deloitte's senior economic advisory manager. "We did expect obviously some human impacts from COVID-19, especially around mental health," Laberge said in an interview. "But the sheer magnitude of them were pretty surprising to us." Laberge said the statistics from Fort McMurray suggest that the mental health impact will linger for years. Visits to mental health professionals and prescriptions for antidepressants shot up in the months following the May 2016 wildfire "and as of the most recent data of late 2018, there's no sign of coming back to the pre-disaster normal." The message, Laberge said, is that once the pandemic-induced health and economic crises subside, "the third crisis of human impacts will still be with us for quite some time and people will need help." He noted that factors the study did not analyze such as the disruption in education opportunities and potential increase in substance abuse could have a lifelong impact on some Canadians. Particularly "heartbreaking" is the impact on women, he said. 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. Whereas the 2008-09 recession hit the goods-producing sector hardest, resulting in mostly men being thrown out of work, the COVID-19 pandemic has hit the retail and services sectors hardest, with women bearing the brunt of job losses. The study says women who were already disproportionately represented among low-income Canadians, especially single mothers account for 68 per cent of the jobs lost due to the pandemic. It notes that a Statistics Canada survey conducted in April and May found that women were more likely than men to report that their mental health was somewhat or much worse since the pandemic began in March (57 per cent versus 47 per cent). And they were more likely to report that their mental-health needs were not being met. "Women are the epicentre of the human impact of COVID-19," the study concludes. The study urges governments to mobilize school and daycare networks to identify people who need mental-health support and to direct them to available resources. It also urges mental health professionals to prepare their facilities to handle an influx of patients. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 5, 2020. KALAMAZOO, MI -- The August primary election was Tuesday, though many Kalamazoo-area races did not see final tallies of unofficial results until Wednesday morning. Absentee and in-person votes were tallied overnight Tuesday and into Wednesday in several contested primary races in Kalamazoo County, including for the 60th District state House seat, the 6th District in the U.S. House of Representatives, county sheriff, county clerk and for six of the 11 county Board of Commissioners districts. Related: Election results for Kalamazoo-area races Aug. 4, 2020 The delay in results was attributed in part to the higher number of absentee votes to be counted Tuesday night. More people voted absentee this year because of the coronavirus pandemic and Proposal 3, passed by voters in 2018, which allows anyone to vote absentee without providing a reason. Though delayed results meant the winner in many cases was not clear in the early hours Wednesday, most major local races had final unofficial results are could be called for winning candidates by later the morning after the election. Here are some highlights from Tuesdays election in Kalamazoo County: 60th District state House race (Democratic primary) Julie Rogers (Photo provided to MLive by Julie Rogers)Photo provided to MLive by Julie Rogers Two current members of the Kalamazoo County Board of Commissioners ran for the Democratic nomination for the District 60 seat in the Michigan House of Representatives. Commissioner Julie Rogers beat Stephanie Moore in Tuesdays primary, according to unofficial results, and will next face lone Republican candidate Gary Mitchell in Novembers general election. Rogers earned 7,108 votes (about 51%) compared to Moore, who brought in 6,685 votes (about 48%), according to unofficial election results from the Kalamazoo County Clerks office. Related: Kalamazoo County Commissioner Julie Rogers declared winner of 60th District primary Rogers, 44, is a former board chairperson and is serving her fourth term on the Kalamazoo County Board of Commissioners. She serves as the vice president for the National Association of Counties (NACo) Health Steering Committee and sits on the Michigan Assoc. of Counties Board of Directors. She works as a physical therapist at Ascension Borgess. Moore, who trailed Rogers by 423 votes once all precincts were in and absentee ballots were included in the count, said she is looking into the possibility of a recount because of questions about the processing of ballots and technical difficulties overnight. Prior to Tuesdays election, Rogers resigned as the county boards chairperson on July 7. Newly elected board leadership said Rogers was asked to leave because of past behavior. Rogers denies the claim, calling the information released by fellow commissioners a politically motivated smear campaign. Related: 2 Kalamazoo County commissioners compete for Democratic nomination in state House race The 60th District seat, which is currently held by state Rep. Jon Hoadley, D-Kalamazoo, includes all of the city of Kalamazoo as well as portions of the city of Portage and Kalamazoo Township. 6th District congressional race (Republican primary) U.S. Rep. Fred Upton speaks during an oath ceremony at Van Buren County Courthouse in Paw Paw, Mich., on Monday, Dec. 19, 2016. Fourteen recently-elected state and county officials were sworn in. (Chelsea Purgahn | MLive.com)Chelsea Purgahn In the Republican primary, U.S. Rep. Fred Upton, R-St. Joseph, beat out Elena Oelke in the race for Michigans 6th District seat in the U.S. House of Representatives. Upton won 53,054 votes (about 62%) compared to Oelke, who won 31,795 votes (about 37%), according to unofficial election results. Upton, 67, R-St. Joseph, will run in November for an 18th consecutive term, facing opposition from Democratic primary victor state Rep. Jon Hoadley, D-Kalamazoo. In the wake of Tuesdays election, a local election expert says it will be a difficult fight for Hoadley and other Democrats hopeful of unseating the longtime incumbent in November. Related: Democrats will need another blue wave to unseat Fred Upton, political expert says Upton was first elected to Congress in 1986. Prior to his time as a congressman, Upton worked for President Ronald Reagan in the Office of Management and Budget. Michigans 6th congressional district encompasses Berrien, Cass, Kalamazoo, St. Joseph and Van Buren counties, plus most of Allegan County. 6th District congressional race (Democratic primary) State Rep. Jon Hoadley, D-Kalamazoo, talks with reporters after Governor Gretchen Whitmer's State of the State address to legislators on the House floor at the Michigan State Capitol in Lansing, on Wednesday, January 29, 2020. (Mike Mulholland | MLive.com)Mike Mulholland | MLive.com On the other side of the aisle, state Rep. Jon Hoadley, D-Kalamazoo, defeated Jen Richardson, a research director and a science teacher at the Kalamazoo Area Math and Science Center, in a close race for the 6th District Democratic nomination. Related: Kalamazoo teacher and state lawmaker face off in U.S. District 6 Democratic primary Hoadley won 33,762 votes (about 52%) compared to Richardson, who won 30,809 votes (about 48%), according to unofficial election results. Hoadley, first elected to represent the 60th state House district in 2014, is currently serving his third and final term in the Michigan House of Representatives. He serves as minority vice chair of the House Appropriations Committee, and is also a member of the National LGBTQ Task Force, National Caucus of Environmental Legislators, the American State Legislators for Gun Violence Prevention. Hoadley will go on to face incumbent U.S. Rep. Fred Upton, R-St. Joseph, in the Nov. 3 general election. Kalamazoo County Democrats hope Hoadley will help lead a blue wave of victories for their party. A local political expert says its exactly that kind of excitement among Democratic voters the state lawmaker will need to defeat the longtime incumbent later this year. Kalamazoo County 911 proposal The Kalamazoo County Consolidated Dispatch Authority center. (MLive file photo | Kayla Miller)Kayla Miller Voters in Kalamazoo County on Tuesday approved a countywide tax for the purpose of funding a central public safety communication system and 911 service system. Related: New 911 millage would fund Kalamazoo County consolidated dispatch through 2029 The tax proposal was approved by 35,131 votes (about 62%) compared to 21,717 votes (about 38%) against the proposal, according to unofficial election results. After more than three decades of planning, the consolidated dispatch authority went live in 2018, bringing together the City of Kalamazoo, the City of Portage, the County of Kalamazoo, the Charter Township of Kalamazoo and Western Michigan University. The tax will also provide funding to bring Portage Public Safetys police department onto the same centralized system. Proceeds from the tax not to exceed 0.65 mills, or $0.65 on each $1,000 of taxable value will be distributed to the Kalamazoo County Consolidated Dispatch Authority for countywide 911 facilities, functions and services as provided in the Kalamazoo County Emergency 911 Service System Plan. The millage will run for 10 years and raise an estimated $6,111,513 in its first year. Kalamazoo County Sheriff (Republican primary) Retired Kalamazoo Police Capt. Shannon Bagley has announced his candidacy to run for Kalamazoo County Sheriff in 2020. Republican Shannon Bagley will go head-to-head against incumbent Sheriff Richard Fuller, a Democrat running for reelection, in November. Bagley beat out Thomas Swafford for the GOP nomination in Tuesdays primary election. Related: Current deputy, former Kalamazoo police captain square off in GOP sheriff primary Bagley won 11,396 votes (about 55%) compared to Swafford, who brought in 9,426 votes (about 45%), according to unofficial election results. Bagley, 51, is a retired Kalamazoo Public Safety captain, and Swafford is a current Kalamazoo County Sheriffs deputy. Bagley currently works as a police officer at Kalamazoo Valley Community College, according to biographical information submitted to the Vote411 voter guide. He has a bachelors degree in organization and resource management from Spring Arbor University, as well as an associates degree in criminal justice from KVCC. Fuller, who was first elected sheriff in Kalamazoo County in 2008, ran unopposed in Augusts Democratic primary. Kalamazoo County Clerk/Register of Deeds (Democratic primary) Meredith Place came out on top for the Democratic nomination for Kalamazoo County Clerk and Register of Deeds. She won the nomination against Doreen Gardner and Sarah O. Joshi. Place will go on to face lone Republican candidate Mona Lisa Watson in the November general election. (Photo provided to MLive by Place) Meredith Place came out on top in the race among Democrats seeking the partys nomination for Kalamazoo County Clerk and Register of Deeds. Place won the primary, beating fellow Democrats Doreen Gardner and Sarah O. Joshi, according to unofficial results. The primary victor will go on to face lone Republican candidate Mona Lisa Watson in the November general election. Related: Three Democrats competing for Kalamazoo County Clerk and Register of Deeds nomination Place won 12,750 votes compared to Gardner, who won 10,616 votes and Joshi, who won 8,935 votes, according to unofficial election results. Place is currently serving as a county commissioner representing District 11, and works as a contract administrator at the Clerical Technical Union at Michigan State University. Place holds a bachelors degree from the University of Iowa. Current Kalamazoo County Clerk Tim Snow previously announced his retirement when his current term expires, explaining he would not seek reelection in 2020. Kalamazoo County Board of Commissioners Unofficial results were finalized Wednesday morning in the six contested primaries for seats on the Kalamazoo County Board of Commissioners. The winners of the party primaries will advance to face any remaining opposition from other parties in Novembers upcoming general election. Related: 6 candidates win contested primaries in Kalamazoo County board races Four Democrats and two Republicans won primary victories Tuesday. Here are the six primary winners, according to unofficial results from Kalamazoo County: Tami Rey Tami Rey beat Andrew D. Sellin for the Democratic nomination to represent District 1. Rey earned 1,009 votes compared to Sellin, who brought in 196 votes, according to unofficial election results. Related: Two Democrats running for District 1 seat on Kalamazoo County Board of Commissioners The District 1 seat is currently occupied by Commissioner Stephanie Moore, who ran for state House rather than seeking reelection to the county board. No Republican candidate filed to run for the seat. Tami Rey serves as chairperson of the city of Kalamazoo Community Development Act Advisory Committee and recently worked as a property manager at Herman & Kittle, where she was a member of the public safety review and appeals board. Rey is a member of the ISAAC gun violence task force and has worked as a NAACP branch secretary. The countys 1st District includes a portion of the city of Kalamazoo as well as an eastern portion of Kalamazoo Township. In District 2, Zac Bauer beat out Monteze Morales for the Democratic nomination. Bauer won 1,861 votes and Morales won 1,836 votes, according to unofficial election results. (Photo provided to MLive from Bauer) In District 2, Zac Bauer beat out Monteze Morales by a narrow margin to secure the Democratic nomination. Bauer won the race with 1,861 votes to Morales 1,836 votes, according to unofficial election results from Kalamazoo County. Related: Kalamazoo Promise expert challenges newly appointed county commissioner for District 2 seat In October 2019, both Bauer and Morales interviewed for the open seat after a commissioner stepped down due to a move out of the district. Morales received one vote from the board. Bauer was appointed with six votes. No Republican candidate filed to run for the seat. Bauer, 39, is a Navy veteran. He currently works as program officer focusing on affordable housing and economic development through nonprofit Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC). Previously, he worked as a law clerk for Zoetis Inc., a community investment manager of the Kalamazoo Community Foundation and was executive director of the Kalamazoo Gay Lesbian Resource Center. District 2 encompasses Milwood, Edison, Southside and some of the Vine neighborhoods of Kalamazoo. Jen Strebs won the Democratic nomination for District 4 on the Kalamazoo County Board of Commissioners. (Photo provided to MLive by Strebs) In District 4, Jen Strebs beat incumbent Mike Seals for the Democratic nomination. Strebs won 2,230 votes compared to Seals, who won 1,195 votes, according to unofficial election results. Related: Kalamazoo Township trustee challenges longstanding county commissioner for District 4 board seat Strebs will go on to face Republican Andrew Smith in Novembers general election. Strebs, 43, has served on the townships board for three years. She also serves on the, regional water and wastewater commission and on the board of directors for Public Media Network. Previously, she served on the election commission in Kalamazoo Township. Strebs has also served in Kalamazoo County roles, on the ID advisory board and health equity task force. Seals, 59, has held the District 4 seat for 10 years, making him the longest serving commissioner currently on the board. Democrat Veronica McKissack beat Chris Pomeroy in the race for seat representing District 5 on the Kalamazoo County Board of Commissioners. (Photo provided to MLive by McKissack) Democrat Veronica McKissack beat Chris Pomeroy in the race for seat representing District 5 on the Kalamazoo County Board of Commissioners. Related: Social worker, union leader face off in Kalamazoo County Democratic primary for District 5 McKissack won 2,523 votes versus Pomeroy, who won 1,213 votes, according to unofficial election results. McKissack will go on to face the lone Republican candidate for the seat, Valarie Cunningham, in Novembers general election. The seat is currently held by Commissioner Julie Rogers, who won the Democratic nomination in the District 60 state House race against fellow Commissioner Stephanie Moore. McKissack, 43, works as a clinical social worker at the Kalamazoo Psychiatric Hospital. She holds a bachelors degree in psychology and a masters degree in social work from Western Michigan University. Augusta Police Chief Martin "Jeff" HepplerWinter Keefer | MLive.com In District 6, Jeff Heppler won the Republican nomination for the Board of Commissioners. Related: Business owner, police chief battle in Republican primary for Kalamazoo County Commission Heppler, the Augusta police chief and village manager, beat Vince Carahaly for the nomination. He brought in 1,813 votes compared to Carahleys 1,434 votes. When Republican Ron Kendall resigned from the commission, Democrat Jen Aniano was appointed to serve out his term. Aniano ran unopposed to win the Democratic nomination. Heppler and Aniano will face each other in November. Heppler, 67, previously held the District 6 seat for 14 years until he left in 2016 to run for Kalamazoo County sheriff. He has been the police chief for the Village of Augusta for 38 years and village manager for six years. He also cites being a fireman for 38 years and business owner for 32 years. He previously worked as the Galesburg Police Chief but was fired in 2017. It was a 4-3 vote and the reason cited was that he wasnt responsive to city needs. He sued, saying the firing was over alleged age and weight discrimination but the case was dismissed. The countys 6th District commissioner is elected by and represents residents of Cooper, Richland and Ross townships. Incumbent Dale Shugars won the Republican nomination to represent District 9 on the Kalamazoo County Board of Commissioners. (Photo provided to MLive from Shugars) The final contested race for the Board of Commissioners was between Brian Kovacik and Dale Shugars, who were vying for the Republican nomination to represent District 9. Shugars won the nomination, earning 1,912 votes compared to Kovaciks 660 votes, according to unofficial election results from Kalamazoo County. Related: Republicans square off for fourth time in Kalamazoo County board race In November, Shugars will to on to face Democrat Keshia Dickason, who ran unopposed to win Tuesdays Democratic primary. In addition to serving the District 9 county commissioner from 2014-2018, Shugars, 67, was a state senator for eight years, served in the state house for four years and sat on the Portage City Council for seven years. He is a graduate of Western Michigan University, where he majored in accountancy and policy. A registered CPA, he is self-employed and, according to his bio, performs management and consulting services. The 9th District commissioner is elected by and represents residents of Texas Township as well as a southeast section of Oshtemo Township. Click here for more of MLives Election Day coverage from across the state, or here for full coverage of Kalamazoo-area elections. Also on MLive: Election results for Kalamazoo-area races Aug. 4, 2020 See more results for state House and U.S. congressional races here Your guide to local elections in Michigan on Tuesday, Aug. 4 Absentee ballot lost in the mail? You can still vote in Michigan primary Tuesday If you're a little confused about the different school reopenings across Texas, you're not alone. On Tuesday, Governor Greg Abbott made it clear that Texas school districts will have the power to decide exactly how they will reopen this fall amid the coronavirus pandemic. Abbott stated that only local school boards, not local governments will make the call about when to start during a news conference in San Antonio, according to KXAN. "As it concerns when schools open, we need to make sure they're not bound by any date dictated months in advance by a public health authority," Abbott said during a news conference at the Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM). 'SHAME ON ALL OF YOU': Texas wife blames Trump and Governor Abbott for husband's COVID-19 death Abbott also provided an update about the state's personal protective equipment (PPE) during the conference. According to Abbott, TDEM has given Texas schools with over 59 million masks, 567,948 gallons of sanitizer, 511,294 face shields, and 24,017 thermometers. There will be 40 warehouses across the state to ensure that Texas schools continue having PPE they need throughout the year, according to KXAN. The start of Texas schools has been a heated topic of confusion and frustration for many teachers and parents. Abbott has previously supported Attorney General Ken Paxton's opinion that prevents local health authorities from making decisions about school closures before the academic year begins. Local school boards can choose to keep their schools closed to in-person learning for up to eight weeks. What may apply to one school district in one region of Texas could be completely different from what may apply to a different school district in different region, Abbott stated in the press conference. Hence, there will be the local flexibility so local school districts will be able to meet the education needs of their students, parents and teachers. Abbott added that the "people who know best" about reopening are the local school officials. According to the state's guidance, local health authorities can weigh in with recommendations, if there is an outbreak once students return to campus. Abbott emphasized that school boards are free to consult with local health authorities when it comes to the reopening process. Texans weighed in on social media after Abbott stated that local school officials should make the call about reopening. This fall, HISD will start virtually on Sept. 8, and in-person instruction will tentatively begin on Oct. 19. This reopening is subject to change based upon COVID-19 conditions across Houston. alison.medley@chron.com Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin. [Photo/fmprc.gov.cn] The Philippines' decision not to participate in joint military exercises in the South China Sea has shown attempts of countries outside the region to stir up trouble and create tensions in the area are against the will of countries in the region, Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said on Wednesday. Philippine Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana on Monday said the Philippines would not join navies of other countries, including the United States, in maritime drills in the South China Sea for fear of raising tensions in the area, Philippine media outlet Inquirer reported. Such remarks again reflected the independent diplomacy pursued by the Philippines, and also reflect the common aspirations of regional countries to seek peace and promote development, Wang said at a daily news conference. China and ASEAN members are focusing on the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic and economic recovery, he said, adding what they need is solidarity, cooperation, peace and stability. China has the confidence to work with countries in the region to overcome the challenge of the pandemic, maintain the good momentum of regional development and safeguard the common welfare of the peoples in the region, he said. Also on Wednesday, Wang said China welcomes companies from various countries including Europe to invest and operate in the country, and will unswervingly deepen reforms and expand opening-up. Joerg Wuttke, president of the European Union Chamber of Commerce in China, said on Tuesday the measures taken by China to cope with the coronavirus are effective, and enterprises from the EU are still confident in their development in China. A June survey by the chamber showed European companies overall remain strongly committed to China, which remains a top three investment destination for 63 percent of respondents. "Companies from Europe and other parts of the world are all part of China's story of development", he said, adding they will continue to achieve mutual benefit through their operation in China. As of 2019, the EU has been China's largest trading partner for 16 consecutive years, and bilateral trade volume exceeded $700 billion last year, Wang said. Credit: CC0 Public Domain A survey conducted immediately before and after the 2016 US presidential election reveals that the election of Donald Trump had a negative effect on Europeans' image of the United States, but it did not seem to affect the willingness of Europeans to sign a trade and investment agreement with the country. The authors of the analysis, which is published in Economic Inquiry, noted that the election mainly caused undecided people to adjust their image of the United States in a negative way, rather than cause people with a positive image to take on a negative one. "We found that the election outcome led to an immediate and sizable negative effect on Europeans' image of the United States," said Tom Coupe, Ph.D., of the University of Canterbury, New Zealand. "But because people with a positive image are most likely to support a trade agreement, little changed overall," added Oleksandr Shepotylo, Ph.D., of Aston University, in the UK. More information: Tom Coupe et al, POPULAR SUPPORT FOR TRADE AGREEMENTS AND PARTNER COUNTRY CHARACTERISTICS: EVIDENCE FROM AN UNEXPECTED ELECTION OUTCOME, Economic Inquiry (2020). Tom Coupe et al, POPULAR SUPPORT FOR TRADE AGREEMENTS AND PARTNER COUNTRY CHARACTERISTICS: EVIDENCE FROM AN UNEXPECTED ELECTION OUTCOME,(2020). DOI: 10.1111/ecin.12927 Phoenix, Arizona--(Newsfile Corp. - August 5, 2020) - The Stock Day Podcast welcomed Nevada Exploration Inc. (OTCQB: NVDEF) (TSXV: NGE) ("the Company"), a company that has spent 15 years developing and integrating new hydrogeochemistry (groundwater chemistry) and low-cost drilling technology to build an industry-leading, geochemistry-focused, under-cover toolkit specifically to explore for large new Carlin-type gold deposits ("CTGDs") in the more than half of Nevada where the bedrock is hidden beneath post-mineral cover. President of the Company, James Buskard, joined Stock Day host Everett Jolly. Jolly began the interview by asking about the Company's background and current projects. "We're a junior exploration company focused in Nevada. We're really looking for the second half of Nevada's gold endowment," shared Buskard. "More than 50% of the state's bedrock is hidden beneath large valleys that haven't yet been effectively explored. While there's nowhere on the planet that produces more gold by area, half of Nevada's gold is sitting there waiting to be uncovered. So, we set up Nevada Exploration to develop and apply the best geoscience to go after this second half of Nevada's gold endowment," explained Buskard. For more information regarding the opportunity to find large new gold deposits under cover in Nevada, be sure to check out this video. Buskard then elaborated on the value and potential of gold moving forward, while also providing insight into the historical mistakes of this industry. "It's about getting back to making the big discoveries that traditionally have sustained the industry. It's about coming up with new exploration targets," said Buskard. "As an investor wanting to participate in this, if they really want to enjoy the discovery upside, it's about focusing on projects and districts that haven't been exhaustively turned over," he continued, noting the advantage of investing during the early stages of an exploration project. Jolly then asked about the potential of new technology in regards to finding new discoveries of significant value. "When I look at new technology, it's about: How do we go into new search spaces to be the early entrant to take a ride on the early part of what we call the creaming curve?" said Buskard. "It's all about trying to open up new search spaces, and that's what we're doing in Nevada." The conversation then turned to the location of the Company's flagship project. Buskard shared Nevada's prolific gold production primarily comes from three mining camps or "districts": Carlin, Getchell, and Cortez. "Those three camps together are responsible for more than 200 million ounces of gold," he explained. "If we just look at the Cortez camp, it currently produces a million ounces per year," continued Buskard. "It is an incredible, billion-dollar cornerstone at the hub of Nevada's mining infrastructure, and what we're looking to do is to find another one of these camps." To close the interview, Buskard shared that the demographics of mining investors are continuing to evolve. "It's up to us to connect to a new generation of mining investors," said Buskard. "This is a new day for the industry and we appreciate opportunities like this to utilize an unconventional medium." To hear James Buskard's entire interview, follow the link to the podcast here: https://audioboom.com/posts/7650010-president-of-nevada-exploration-inc-james-buskard-is-featured-on-the-stock-day-podcast Investors Hangout is a proud sponsor of "Stock Day," and Stock Day Media encourages listeners to visit the company's message board at https://investorshangout.com/ About Nevada Exploration Inc. With mature, exposed search spaces seeing falling discovery rates, NGE believes the future of exploration is under cover. The Company has spent 15 years developing and integrating new hydrogeochemistry (groundwater chemistry) and low-cost drilling technology to build an industry-leading, geochemistry-focused, under-cover toolkit specifically to explore for large new CTGDs in the more than half of Nevada where the bedrock is hidden beneath post-mineral cover. Nevada's exposed terrains have produced more than 200 Moz of gold, and experts agree there is likely another +200 Moz waiting to be discovered under cover in Nevada. NGE has completed the world's largest hydrogeochemistry exploration program, focused on north-central Nevada, and is now advancing a portfolio of three district-scale projects in the heart of the Cortez (Battle Mountain-Eureka) Trend. NGE's most-advanced project is South Grass Valley, located south of Nevada Gold Mines' Cortez Complex. Based on the Company's work to date at the project, NGE believes it has discovered a mineral system at South Grass Valley with the architecture and scale to support multiple Carlin-type gold deposits (CTGDs), and the potential to host an entire new district. NGE believes South Grass Valley is one of the most exciting new district-scale, Carlin-type projects in Nevada. For more information, the Company's latest videos are available at: https://www.nevadaexploration.com/investors/media/ For further information, please contact: Nevada Exploration Inc. Email: info@nevadaexploration.com Telephone: +1 (604) 601 2006 Website: www.nevadaexploration.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. Wade A. Hodges, CEO & Director, Nevada Exploration Inc., is the Qualified Person, as defined in National Instrument 43-101, and has prepared the technical and scientific information contained in this News Release. Cautionary Statement on Forward-Looking Information: This news release contains "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" (collectively, "forward-looking information") within the meaning of applicable securities laws, including, without limitation, expectations, beliefs, plans, and objectives regarding projects, potential transactions, and ventures discussed in this release. In connection with the forward-looking information contained in this news release, the Company has made numerous assumptions, regarding, among other things, the assumption the Company will continue as a going concern and will continue to be able to access the capital required to advance its projects and continue operations. While the Company considers these assumptions to be reasonable, these assumptions are inherently subject to significant uncertainties and contingencies. In addition, there are known and unknown risk factors which could cause the Company's actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking information contained herein. Among the important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements are the risks inherent in mineral exploration, the need to obtain additional financing, environmental permits, the availability of needed personnel and equipment for exploration and development, fluctuations in the price of minerals, and general economic conditions. A more complete discussion of the risks and uncertainties facing the Company is disclosed in the Company's continuous disclosure filings with Canadian securities regulatory authorities at www.sedar.com. All forward-looking information herein is qualified in its entirety by this cautionary statement, and the Company disclaims any obligation to revise or update any such forward-looking information or to publicly announce the result of any revisions to any of the forward-looking information contained herein to reflect future results, events or developments, except as required by law. About The "Stock Day" Podcast Founded in 2013, Stock Day is the fastest growing media outlet for Nano-Cap and Micro-Cap companies. It educates investors while simultaneously working with penny stock and OTC companies, providing transparency and clarification of under-valued, under-sold Micro-Cap stocks of the market. Stock Day provides companies with customized solutions to their news distribution in both national and international media outlets. The Stock Day Podcast is the number one radio show of its kind in America. Stock Day recently launched its Video Interview Studio located in Phoenix, Arizona. SOURCE: Stock Day Media (602) 821-1102 To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/61101 Melburnians have scrambled to get their hair cut and shopping done in a last-minute rush before the draconian stage-four lockdown forces a swathe of businesses to shut their doors for six weeks at midnight. Hairdressers, electrical and furniture shops, food courts and clothes shops all served their last customers on Wednesday until at the very least mid September. By then it will be a different state in both economic and seasonal climate than the icy and wet conditions those that ventured outside encountered today. People flocked into the hairdresser on Wednesday for a final cut before an even harder lockdown Bunnings will open to trade workers only from tomorrow. On Wednesday people ventured out in the rain to change gas bottles Homewares shops were busy on Wednesday with last minute shoppers As rain pelted down in Melbourne's west, the car park at Bunnings Warehouse in COVID-19 hotspot of Wyndham was bustling with last-minute customers. People scrambled to exchange gas bottles and pick up items that might keep them busy over the next six weeks of hard lockdown. Come tomorrow, only tradies finishing up jobs will be able to pop in and get what they need. It was a similar scene at soon-to-be-closed businesses along the Old Geelong Road shopping strip, with car parks filled with customers making last chance buys. At Spotlight, customers were spotted lining up with bundles of cloth to make face masks with. One woman made sure to stock up on fabric displaying Christmas characters with the full presumption that this latest lockdown could drag well into the summer. Further down the footpath anxious motorists lined-up outside a VicRoads office amid confusion about whether or not it would remain open during the lockdown. It was a question Hoppers Crossing motor mechanic Mick was also keen on learning the answer to. His business, Rapidflow Developments, resembled a Christmas Eve shopping centre carpark on Wednesday as motorists inundated the mechanic with their vehicles. Under the stage-four lockdown laws to come into play at midnight, mechanics are only supposed to make 'emergency repairs'. The state government has made life harder by shutting down the auto parts industry that supplies the state's mechanics. Mick told Daily Mail Australia he was confused about what exactly an emergency repair even was. 'If a car's engine light is displaying and the owner is worried the car is going to catch fire, well, does that class as an emergency?' he pondered. 'Then again, someone might need their brakes looked at or they need their car serviced because they are an essential worker that does a lot of driving.' Mick from Rapidflow Developments was inundated with customers hoping to get their cars serviced before the lockdown VicRoads saw people lining up outside to get in on Wednesday in Melbourne's west Spotlight continued to do a roaring trade on Wednesday as people came in for materials to make masks The veteran mechanic said some would probably class their radio not working as an emergency. 'We'll try to do the right thing. Repairs on cars are predominantly a safety issue otherwise they wouldn't be here,' he said. Talkback radio was peppered with calls from like-minded Melburnians asking for clarity about what they could or could not do. 'Were UberEats deliveries still allowed after the 8pm curfew?' one asked. Answers were not in strong supply. At Werribee Pacific, a large shopping centre that caters to the Wyndham hotspot, many of the shops had already closed their doors. Some had closed during the first outbreak and never re-opened. The Zing Pop Culture shop remained open, but planned to close its doors at 3pm. Bunnings was full of last day shoppers on Wednesday in Hoppers Crossing Hairdressers were kept busy with customers before they have to close on Thursday Most of its customers had stripped its shelves of its Lego Super Mario starter packs on Saturday. 'They'll probably be an essential item over the next six weeks,' the soon-to-be unemployed shopkeeper said. He planned to spend his days in lockdown catching up on his video games. In JB HiFi, shoppers made last minute purchases to help get them through the lockdown. Kitchen supply shops and clothes outlets opened up for what may very well be the last time ever. Food courts served their last customers and hairdressers cut their last locks. The owner of one busy hairdressing salon told Daily Mail Australia she understood why they needed to close. 'It's for the safety of the community,' she said. 'We just hope that this gets the job done and we can return to work when this is all over.' Busy mum Rachel had brought her daughter Madison in for a haircut just in the nick of time. 'I'll have to get my hair done in six weeks now,' she said. Kmart had already closed its doors on Wednesday Many shops across Melbourne closed early before the Thursday lockdown Beauty salons were forced to close weeks ago under stage three restrictions. Some will never open again K-mart had already shut as Big W and Target served a stream of customers for the final time. While Melburnians have again stockpiled supermarket items such as meat over the past few days, the mad rush seemed to subside by Wednesday morning. Still, supplies of chicken and minced meat were the items of choice among the soon-to-be heavily isolated. As Premier Daniel Andrews reported 15 deaths and 725 new cases of coronavirus, Victorians prepared to lock themselves inside and wait for the next grim update tomorrow and hope the numbers begin to fall. An elderly woman sits quietly inside a near deserted shopping centre on Wednesday Food courts will be totally closed come tomorrow. A few customers enjoyed a last meal on Wednesday Secretary of Homeland Security Chad Wolf speaks during a press conference on the actions taken by Customs and Border Protection and Homeland Security agents in Portland during continued protests at the US Customs and Border Patrol headquarters on July 21, 2020 in Washington, DC. Several former lobbying clients of Chad Wolf, now the acting secretary of Homeland Security, have received millions of dollars' worth of government contracts while he has held senior positions within the department. Wolf, who became the acting chief of the department late last year, was a lobbyist for over a decade at Wexler & Walker before he took leadership roles with DHS under President Donald Trump. Wolf served as the acting chief of staff at the Transportation Security Administration in 2017 and later became the chief of staff for former Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen. Since then, several of Wolf's former clients reaped a total of at least $160 million in contracts from DHS, according to a CNBC analysis of the public filings. A DHS spokesman told CNBC that Wolf has no involvement with any government contracts. "Acting Secretary Wolf has had zero involvement in DHS contract awards, including contracts won by his former clients. He leaves those matters to the career professionals in the DHS Chief Procurement Office," the agency spokesman said. After joining TSA, Wolf recused himself from DHS matters that involved his former clients. He has maintained that recusal throughout his tenure at the department. Still, Democrats pounced on the revelation, arguing that it marks the latest example of how the Trump administration acts against the president's own promise of "draining the swamp." "Donald Trump and Chad Wolf's flagrant conflicts of interest screw taxpayers over while rewarding their crony friends and special interests. When voters sent Trump to Washington, they thought he would 'drain the swamp,'" Kyle Morse, a spokesman at Democratic super PAC American Bridge, told CNBC. Trump signed an executive order in 2017 that banned former lobbyists and lawyers from taking part in government matters linked to their previous clients for the first two years of their tenure in the administration. Some Trump officials, however, have been given waivers to that rule. Wolf's name is not on the public waiver list that was issued in April of this year. A list created by ProPublica showing Trump aides who signed the ethics waiver also does not include Wolf. The executive order also called on former Trump officials not to take part in lobbying for the five years following their appointments. The nonpartisan Center for Responsive Politics shows that even after being a member of the Trump White House, many do go on to work for lobbying firms. The developments also come as Wolf and the department are under scrutiny by Democrats for how they treated protesters in Portland, Oregon. The protests stemmed from the unrest following the Minneapolis police killing of George Floyd, an unarmed Black man, on Memorial Day. Among the former Wolf clients to receive multimillion-dollar contracts are American Science and Engineering, an X-ray equipment manufacturer; ABB, an automation company based in Switzerland, and Analogic Corporation, a technology business owned by private equity firm Altaris. These companies did have other contracts with DHS before Wolf arrived there. One American Science and Engineering contract, which took effect on July 1, 2018, is worth just over $80 million, a filing says. The company, in this case, is dedicated to supplying U.S. Customs and Border Protection, which is under DHS, with maintenance and support services. AS&E, which, according to its website, is now owned by Rapiscan Systems, saw at least $93 million in DHS contract obligations in 2018. Analogic received over $9 million in DHS contracts between 2017 and 2018. In 2017, Analogic announced a $4 million base contract with TSA, another agency under Homeland Security. The contract allowed Analogic "a 12-month development phase and 24 months of prototype warranty, with options for additional ConneCT prototypes and warranty for a period of 24 months at the TSA's discretion," the release, dated Nov. 2, 2017, says. From 2008 until 2010, Wolf lobbied TSA for Analogic on issues related to security equipment, lobbying disclosure reports say. The New York Times reported that Wolf tried to help Analogic sell its carry-on baggage equipment to TSA when he was still working at Wexler & Walker. Wolf, who also worked at TSA during the Bush administration, later became the agency's acting chief of staff under the Trump presidency. ABB, which had tapped Wolf to lobby Congress on its behalf, also saw a major contract go its way while Wolf held top positions at DHS. ABB received a DHS government contract worth $5.6 million for services dedicated to the U.S. Coast Guard. Wolf lobbied for ABB until 2016. Filings show that during his last year of work for the company, he focused, in part, on issues related to the "United States Coast Guard Icebreaker," a fleet of ships that have the ability to go through thick sheets of ice in places such as the Arctic. An ABB spokesman gave details about the focus of the contract and noted that the company has had no contact with Wolf since he finished his tenure as a lobbyist. "The contract referenced in your email is a service and maintenance contract for a vessel commissioned with an ABB Azipod propulsion system back in 2006," the spokesman, Chris Shigas, explained. "To our knowledge, ABB representatives did not meet or discuss any agreements with Mr. Wolf since he left Wexler Walker." Representatives for Analogic and AS&E did not respond to requests for comment. MBABANE While 2020 is proving to be a very challenging year on many fronts, the Eswatini equity investor is still able to make money. The African Alliance South African Prescient Equity Fund has performed well against the challenging backdrop, gaining +7.5 per cent return year-to-date while in the same period the average general equity fund has lost its investor 8.1 per cent. Equity funds invest in stocks/shares of listed companies across the markets and sectors. Equity is considered a risky investment but as a result has the potential to deliver higher returns than fixed income or money market returns over the long term. Pension funds and investors with a long-term goal of generally five years should have exposure to equity funds. Exposure The Prescient Equity Fund is said to be for investors seeking broad-based exposure to the South African equity market. This Fund is appropriate for investors with a long-term investment horizon. Victor Langa, who is African Alliance Eswatini General Manager, in an interview, confirmed the good performance of the Fund. The Fund is a solution we are using for all of our clients that are seeking exposure to the SA equity market. It is used as a building block in a total portfolio sense to ensure that the local investment regulations are adhered to that of the 50 per cent local asset allocation, Langa explained. Every pension fund managed by African Alliance Eswatini with SA equity exposure is said to be benefitting from this strong performance. What has worked well for the Fund is the strength of the investment process. We actively manage our portfolios and that has enabled the fund to react in a positive and efficient manner during times of market stress, said Langa. He stressed that investment managers began the year optimistic about the prospects of the year ahead. The global economy was on a strong footing and a trade deal was on the table between the United States and China; to partially end what was the longest trade dispute between the two world super powers. Little did we know that COVID-19 was about to unleash its devastating effects on the global economy. Unfold Investors are rightfully concerned as the pandemic continues to unfold. The world is operating in unprecedented times as we deal with the consequences the likes of which have not been seen since the Spanish Flu of the early 20th Century, he said. Langa has shared that until the world can find a cure, there is a need to adjust to a new normal. At African Alliance we are doing great during this time, the performance of our funds in both absolute and relative terms remains strong said Langa. Our investment team has no particular style bias (we are style agnostic), which differs to the peer group that often follow a style of investment management, typically growth or value. We combine both a bottom-up and top-down approach when screening, building and positioning the Fund, he said. Technavio has been monitoring the set-top box market and it is poised to grow by USD 4.19 billion during 2020-2024, progressing at a CAGR of over 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/20200805005517/en/ Technavio has announced its latest market research report titled Global Set-top Box Market 2020-2024 (Graphic: Business Wire) Technavio suggests three forecast scenarios (optimistic, probable, and pessimistic) considering the impact of COVID-19. Please Request Free Sample Report on COVID-19 Impact Frequently Asked Questions- At what rate is the market projected to grow during the forecast period 2020-2024? Growing at a CAGR of over 3%, the market growth will accelerate during the forecast period. What is the key factor driving the market? The integration of voice control into set-top boxes and the integration of new technologies into set-top boxes are the key factors driving the market growth. Who are the top players in the market? ABOX42 GmbH, Advanced Digital Broadcast SA, Broadcom Inc., CommScope Inc., DISH Network LLC, Huawei Technologies Co. Ltd, MyBox Technologies Pvt. Ltd., Roku Inc., Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd., and Technicolor SA are some of the major market participants. Which region is expected to hold the highest market share? APAC What is the year-over-year growth rate of the global market? The year-over-year growth rate for 2020 is estimated at 2.97%. The market is fragmented, and the degree of fragmentation will accelerate during the forecast period. ABOX42 GmbH, Advanced Digital Broadcast SA, Broadcom Inc., CommScope Inc., DISH Network LLC, Huawei Technologies Co. Ltd, MyBox Technologies Pvt. Ltd., Roku Inc., Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd., and Technicolor 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 integration of voice control into set-top boxes has been instrumental in driving the growth of the market. Set-top Box Market 2020-2024: Segmentation Set-top Box Market is segmented as below: Type Satellite Set-top Box DTT Set-top Box IPTV Set-top Box OTT Set-top Box Cable Set-top Box 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=IRTNTR40856 Set-top Box 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 set-top box market report covers the following areas: Set-top Box Market size Set-top Box Market trends Set-top Box Market analysis This study identifies the integration of new technologies into set-top boxes as one of the prime reasons driving the set-top box market growth during the next few years. Set-top Box Market 2020-2024: Vendor Analysis We provide a detailed analysis of vendors operating in the set-top box market, including some of the vendors such as ABOX42 GmbH, Advanced Digital Broadcast SA, Broadcom Inc., CommScope Inc., DISH Network LLC, Huawei Technologies Co. Ltd, MyBox Technologies Pvt. Ltd., Roku Inc., Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd., and Technicolor SA. Backed with competitive intelligence and benchmarking, our research reports on the set-top box 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 Set-top Box Market 2020-2024: Key Highlights CAGR of the market during the forecast period 2020-2024 Detailed information on factors that will assist set-top box market growth during the next five years Estimation of the set-top box market size and its contribution to the parent market Predictions on upcoming trends and changes in consumer behavior The growth of the set-top box market Analysis of the market's competitive landscape and detailed information on vendors Comprehensive details of factors that will challenge the growth of set-top box market vendors Table of Contents: PART 01: EXECUTIVE SUMMARY PART 02: SCOPE OF THE REPORT 2.1 Preface 2.2 Currency conversion rates for US$ PART 03: MARKET LANDSCAPE Market ecosystem Market characteristics Value chain analysis Market segmentation analysis PART 04: MARKET SIZING Market definition Market sizing 2019 Market outlook Market size and forecast 2019-2024 PART 05: FIVE FORCES ANALYSIS Bargaining power of buyers Bargaining power of suppliers Threat of new entrants Threat of substitutes Threat of rivalry Market condition PART 06: MARKET SEGMENTATION BY TYPE Market segmentation by type Comparison by type Satellite set-top box Market size and forecast 2019-2024 DTT set-top box Market size and forecast 2019-2024 IPTV set-top box Market size and forecast 2019-2024 OTT set-top box Market size and forecast 2019-2024 Cable set-top box Market size and forecast 2019-2024 Market opportunity by type PART 07: CUSTOMER LANDSCAPE PART 08: 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 PART 09: MARKET SEGMENTATION BY RESOLUTION Market segmentation by resolution Comparison by resolution HD set-top box Market size and forecast 2019-2024 SD set-top box Market size and forecast 2019-2024 4K set-top box Market size and forecast 2019-2024 Market opportunity by resolution PART 10: DECISION FRAMEWORK PART 11: DRIVERS AND CHALLENGES Market drivers Market challenges PART 12: MARKET TRENDS Integration of new technologies into set-top boxes Declining prices of DRAM chips Increasing number of households with access to TV PART 13: VENDOR LANDSCAPE Overview Landscape disruption Competitive scenario PART 14: VENDOR ANALYSIS Vendors covered Vendor classification Market positioning of vendors ABOX42 GmbH Advanced Digital Broadcast SA Broadcom Inc. CommScope Inc. DISH Network LLC Huawei Technologies Co. Ltd MyBox Technologies Pvt. Ltd. Roku Inc. Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. Technicolor SA 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 focuses 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/20200805005517/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/ Four of the technology industrys biggest companies were grilled by Congress last week, with leaders from both parties raising big questions that bear on public education. The daylong virtual hearing , held by the House Judiciary Committee, was primarily focused on the ostensible monopoly power held by Amazon, Apple, Facebook, and Google, most of whom have growing, if sometimes indirect, footprints in the K-12 sector. Their control of the marketplace allows them to do whatever it takes to crush independent business and expand their own power, said Rep. David Cicilline of Rhode Island, the committees Democratic chairperson. Some need to be broken up. All need to be properly regulated and held accountable. The Judiciary Committee is in the midst of a year-long investigation that is expected to yield a scathing report about the anti-competitive practices of the tech giants. The Department of Justice is also said to be pursuing an antitrust suit against Google . Among the accusations that flew during last Wednesdays hearing: Amazon was criticized for using its massive online platform to determine which other products sell well, then undercutting them with its own private-label alternatives. for using its massive online platform to determine which other products sell well, then undercutting them with its own private-label alternatives. Apple was accused of using its popular App Store to punish rivals to services the company itself offers. Facebook was slammed for making corporate acquisitions in order to neutralize a competitor, words taken from one of founder and CEO Mark Zuckerbergs own emails , collected by the committee as part of its investigation. , collected by the committee as part of its investigation. Google was pressed on favoring its own pages and products in search and advertising. Like Amazons Jeff Bezos, Apples Tim Cook, and Googles Sundar Pichai, Zuckerberg of Facebook defended his company vigorously. We compete hard. We compete fairly. We try to be the best, he said. Here are four issues from the hearing for the K-12 sector to keep an eye on: 1. Tech companies controlling markets to which their own products have privileged access This is the biggest complaint against the tech titans. The general argument is that because technology companies control essential infrastructure (think Amazons online marketplace, or Googles online search engine), they are able to give their own products and services unfair advantages while controlling the extent to which consumers and other companies can find and do business with each other. The implications stretch across nearly every sector of society. One example, raised by Rep. Lucy McBath, Democrat from Georgia: At the same time Apple released its Screen Time feature, it allegedly removed from its app store a number of third-party apps that provided similar functionality. Schools are also affected by this dynamic, maintained Doug Levin of EdTech Strategies. He said the current marketplace resembles a feudal system in which school district IT administrators often work to align their technology offerings to the products and services of a single big tech provider. Such an approach may be convenient and come with some benefits, but it also can leave districts beholden to the changing whims and aims of their masters, Levin said. Among the drawbacks: Significant risk to cost containment, choice of solution provider, control over data privacy and security, and interoperability, he argued. 2. Pandemic profiteering? Democratic Representative Jerry Nadler of New York leveled this charge at Tim Cook of Apple, specifically raising schools as a potential area where the company might extract commissions from businesses that change their models from in-person to online amid coronavirus-related shutdowns and closures. School is about to start around the country and millions of parents and students will attend school online. They will rely on apps to talk to teachers, tutors and virtual learning tools. Are these online learning tools...next on Apples list to monetize? Nadler said. Cook denied the charge, saying Apples commission model has long been in place and is a good deal for developers seeking access to the App Store. The Software and Information Industry Association declined to comment on whether theyve seen any evidence of Apple charging exorbitant or unusual commissions to ed-tech services trying to move into the app store in recent months. 3. The possibility of big tech companies acquisition strategies quashing innovation It was Facebook that found itself in Congresss crosshairs on this issue, particularly with regard to its 2012 purchase of Instagram, exactly the type of anticompetitive acquisition that the antitrust laws were designed to prevent, Nadler said. The concern is that big companies gobbling up potential competitors before they can get a foothold stifles innovation. The same dynamic is at play in the K-12 market, said Levin of EdTech Strategies, although Silicon Valleys Big Four arent often directly involved. The ed-tech market is made up of many small companies and only a handful of large ones, who are still dwarfed in size by those who participated in the hearing, he said. Given the ability of these outsized players to influence the market in which smaller companies operate, to say nothing of the risk that they might choose to directly compete with promising new entrants and sustain an operating loss indefinitely while doing so, special risks are borne by those seeking to truly offer innovative new products. 4. How the flow of misinformation about COVID-19 might shape the debate about school reopenings While Wednesdays focus was mostly on tech companies monopoly power, several Republican members of the Judiciary Committee chose to instead level complaints that Facebook and Google, in particular, were censoring conservative viewpoints on social media. That quickly veered into an acrimonious conversation over the companies proper role in managing the flow of information, and misinformation, related to COVID-19 and the politically charged issue of whether to restart in-person schooling this fall. Take this statement, from Representative Greg Steube, Republican from Florida. There are rioting groups that are going unchecked with the posting of what I would contend is very violent video, yet yesterday I was sent a YouTube video about doctors discussing hydroxychloroquine and discussing the dangers of children not returning to school, and when I clicked on the link, it was taken down...How can doctors giving their opinion on a drug they think is effective for the treatment of COVID-19 and doctors who think it's appropriate for children to return back to school violate YouTube's community guidelines when all of these videos of violence is [sic] all posted on YouTube?" Pichai, the CEO of Google and its parent company Alphabet, through which YouTube operates as a subsidiary, said the company believes in freedom of expression and allows robust debate, but will remove videos that explicitly state something is a proven cure for COVID-19 when that claim does not meet CDC guidelines. Is misinformation about COVID-19, or tech companies decision to remove it from platforms such as YouTube, making states and school districts decisions about whether and how to reopen schools more difficult? Both the Council of Chief State School Officers and AASA, the Superintendents Association, declined to comment. Image: J. Scott Applewhite/AP See also: for the latest news on ed-tech policies, practices, and trends. Mozper, a new service launching from Y Combinator's latest cohort to provide digital banking services, takes its name from the English words for money, prosperity and Generation Z, according to co-founder Yael Israeli. A former banker at Lehman Brothers and Barclays Capital, Israeli worked as a consultant for Copa Airlines and then as an independent advisor from her home in Panama. It was during conversations with her husband's roommate from Israel, Gabriel Roizner, a serial entrepreneur who built consumer startups in Latin America (like Disca, the online fashion community), that Mozper was born. Roizner had spent years wandering from Uruguay to France to Brazil to Israel to Mexico and now, settled in Miami, Roizner was ready to start another business. So the two began planning a service for Latin American consumers that would mirror the kinds of options parents and children have in the U.S. and Europe through startups like Greenlight and GoHenry. Last year, in a sign of how well the business resonates with investors, Greenlight Card raised $54 million in funding to roll out its banking business for parents to teach kids about money. The team added longtime tech developer Pablo Klestorny as chief technology officer and co-founder and set out to raise capital for their business. Mozper co-founders Gabriel Roizner, Pablo Klestorny and Yael Israeli. Image Credit: Mozper Investors know a good thing when they've seen it before, so Mozper has already managed to raise roughly $1.5 million on the back of the company's founders' personal connections and a business plan that's proven successful. What's different in Latin America is the massive disparity in financial education. Only 30% of Latin Americans have received financial education, according to Israeli. So a service like Mozper's is far more necessary, she says. Like the incumbents in the U.S. and Europe, Mozper intends to charge a fee for access to the card and will provide a debit card and an app that both parents and their children can access. Mozper's initial market is Mexico, where it launched in late July. The company uses Toka as its sponsor bank and is working on getting its fintech license from the Mexican government. Mozper has also partnered with Visa on card processing services, according to Israeli. August 5, 2020: Iran is becoming increasingly aggressive and desperate in Syria. Iran needs a win against Israel and all it is getting in Syria is an endless string of defeats. Because of its death to Israel obsession, Iran is destroying its alliance with Turkey and Russia. Yet Iran is not the only one with an Israel obsession. Turkey seems to be at war with everyone, officially or unofficially. The reality is that Turkey has different priorities in Syrian than Iran. Turkey wants to avoid war with Israel yet portrays Israel as an enemy of Islam and tries to ignore the fact that Russia and Israel have long been friends and that relationship continues. Turkey and Russia agree with Israel when it comes to Iran in Syria. Turkey would prefer that Iran go home. Many Iranians and Syrians openly agree with Russia and Turkey on this point. The Iranian government responds with Israeli airstrikes are killing people in Syria. Syrians note that most of the dead are Iranians or mercenaries (usually Arab) on the Iranian payroll. The Iranian government deliberately keeps as few Iranians as possible in Syrian bases likely to be hit. Iranians getting killed in Syria, even if they are IRGC (Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps) Iranians, is very unpopular back in Iran. Syrians just dont like all these Syrians who are working as mercenaries for Iran or Turkey and getting killed by whoever. Similar situation with Russia and Turkey. Both nations keep as few of their own troops in Syria as possible. Russia and Turkey both have the majority of voters back home hostile to their soldiers getting killed in Syria. Russia uses a lot of Russian military contractors; whose deaths are less of an issue in Russia. The Turks, as they have done for centuries, use Arab mercenaries to fight other Arabs. There are lots of Turkish troops in Syria providing support, and ensuring that Turkish mercs do what they are paid for. There are other sources of disagreement. Turkey, Iran and Syria are angry at Russia over the poor performance of Russian air defense systems. The Syrians frequently claim to have intercepted Israeli air-launched, often from inside Lebanon or Israel, missiles but the reality is that few of the Israeli missiles fail to hit their targets. Commercial satellite photos are available to determine damage and there is always a lot of it. Iran and Syria complain that the formidable Russian air defense system in Syria is not used to stop the Israelis. The Russians dont want a fight with the Israelis, if only because the Israelis might publicly demonstrate the ineffectiveness of Russian air defense systems. These systems are a major export item for Russia and the Israelis could reduce those export sales with demonstrations of how Israelis get past the Russian air defenses. Iran offered to provide Syria with Iranian made air defense systems. That was not appreciated because the Iranian systems are seen as old tech and more propaganda than performance. Russia and Turkey are actually fighting each other in Libya, where Turkey recently (late 2019) intervened on the side of the UN backed government there. That government is weak and backs Islamic rule, which is why it was about to be eliminated by the Russian backed Libyan government and its more capable army. This force was backed by Egypt, the UAE and Saudi Arabia. Turkey intervened in return for a signed agreement giving it a right to drill for oil in disputed waters between Libya and Turkey. In Syria Russian airstrikes have killed Turkish troops while the Turks have killed Syrian troops. The Libya fighting led to NATO countries backing Greece in the maritime dispute with Turkey that led to the Libya invasion. Turkey, Russia and Iran continue to pretend they are all friends and allies of Syria but the reality is different and becoming more visible and violent. Many Libyans fear that Russia and Turkey are planning to grab the Libyan oil and keep it for themselves. Theres nothing to be grabbed in Syria. Iran also has problems at home it blames on Israel. In the last few months Iran has experienced over a dozen mysterious explosions, fires and expensive equipment failures at facilities related to Iranian nuclear and missile research and development. One July incident involved a particularly violent explosion at a facility related to the Iranian nuclear weapons program. Officially, Iran considers these explosions accidents, unofficially it is believed the Israelis, perhaps with the Americans, are carrying out another major cyber-attack on Iranian nuclear weapons efforts. Iran believes this is the Israeli response to the growing number of unsuccessful Iranian hacker attacks on Israel since early 2019. Iran claims some of these hack attacks are succeeding but without any visible result. That means no success at all that Iran can claim in the media. Israel admits that the Iranians have been poking around in Israeli civilian networks but has little to show (in the mass media) for it. The situation becomes more ominous as Iranian officials escalate their threatening gestures against Israel. This puts Iran in an embarrassing situation because the reality is that Iran does not have the capability to launch an effective attack of any kind on Israel. They can carry out attacks that will likely fail and undermine Iranian credibility throughout the region as well as inside Iran. In addition to all the Iranian bases and facilities in Syria hit with airstrikes over the last few years, the Israeli military recently revealed that in 2017 Israel had detected and thwarted a major Iranian effort to hack into the Israeli domestic warning system. In the last year alone Israeli Cyber War defense efforts have thwarted 130 Iranian Internet based attacks on Israel. There have been bombs going off in some of Iranian facilities, indicating Israeli agents were able to gain access and plant explosives. This is particularly disturbing for Iranian leaders because it indicates that Israel is able to recruit agents inside Iran. Thats what happens when a lot of young Iranians are openly angry at their own government. Now the Iranian nuclear weapons program is literally blowing up and the Iranian government appears as hapless as ever. Even the most loyal fans of the Iranian religious dictatorship are dismayed because, if Allah is on the side of their leaders, how can the Israelis manage to carry out attack after attack. Turks Versus Egypt Turkey does not seem to fear an Egyptian military response to their invasion of western Libya and threats to move east to the Egyptian border. The official Turkish view is that Egypt is a wholly owned subsidiary of Saudis Arabia and the UAE who have been backing the anti-Islamic terrorist/Moslem Brotherhood LNA (Libyan National Army) in Libya for years. The Turks may underestimate the Arab hostility towards Turkish aggression in North Africa. Another source of concern is that the Turks and Iranians both agree that the Saudis are unfit to be the guardians of Islams most holy places in Mecca and Medina. Turkey has it in for the Saudis and Egypt for the way the current Egyptian government, with financial support from Saudi Arabia, forcibly replaced the elected Egyptian Moslem Brotherhood government in 2014. Turkey does not like to discuss how similarly Egyptian and Turkish voters respond to efforts to force Islamic law on them. That was what caused the popular uprising against the elected Egyptian Moslem Brotherhood government. The current Turkish Islamic government favors the Moslem Brotherhood, a popular group throughout the Moslem world that believes you can have a secular democratic Islamic government. The problem is that every time it is tried, it does not work because the radicals (there is always a radical faction) demand that an Islamic religious dictatorship be installed and this always triggers popular resistance. Iran wants a more Islamic government in Syria, which has long been a secular dictatorship led by the Shia Assad clan. The Assads always hated Islamic movements, be they Moslem Brotherhood or anything else with Islamic attached to it. Israel sees this Islamic angle as the key reason why so many Moslem states are so unstable and close to another revolution or civil war. There is no easy solution to this Islamic problem and more Moslem majority states are at least admitting the problem exists and trying to do something about it. That takes time and is prone to creating more violence. August 4, 2020: In the north, across the border in Lebanon, a massive explosion obliterated the port area of Beirut. Buildings were damaged and windows blown out more than five kilometers from the explosions. About a hundred died and nearly 3,000 were wounded, mostly by the flying glass. Israel immediately denied any involvement, followed by Hezbollah, which has been accused of storing rockets and other Iranian munitions in the port area. The cause of the huge explosion, which created a mushroom cloud from water and dust, was apparently caused by large quantities of explosive materials stored in the port area. One warehouse exploded and that set off others nearby, triggering a slow explosion that could be felt 25 kilometers away in the countryside. Further east, on the Syrian border Israeli warplanes, UAVs and armed helicopters attacked Syrian Army positions being used to observe Israeli troops in the Golan Heights. These airstrikes were largely in retaliation for Syrian or Iranian efforts on the 2nd to get men across the border to plant bomb. Further east, near the Iraq border an Israeli airstrike hit several Iranian targets next to the Al Bukamal crossing into Iraq. Fifteen Iranian mercenaries were killed. Since late April Israel has carried out twenty or more airstrikes in Syria. Nearly half the attacks were in Deir Ezzor province, where the Al Bukamal crossing is, as well as other Israeli targets further away from the Iraq border. The rest of the airstrikes were all over southern Syria, wherever Iranian forces were operating. August 3, 2020: In the south (Gaza) a rocket was fired into Israel. This was followed by Israeli airstrikes on Hamas facilities. Israel also revealed that in 2019 Iron Dome batteries in the south had an 85 percent success rate intercepting rockets or mortar shells headed for inhabited areas. An American firm announced that it will begin building Iron Dome components in the United States. Israel has long wanted this, as a backup for their own production of Iron Dome missiles. This will include an American version of Iron Dome Tamir missile called SkyHunter. The American missile will be optimized for destroying cruise missiles. American firms have long produced about half the components that go into Iron Dome and the new operation will produce two Iron Dome batteries for the U.S. as well as Tamir and SkyHunter missiles. Covid19 Recovery Israeli analysts believe that it will take several years for the economy to recover from the damage the covid19 shutdowns have inflicted. For 2020 GDP will lose shrink six percent and the unemployment rate will still be about ten percent going into 2021, versus 4 percent before the virus arrived. Currently unemployment is about 20 percent, down from the peak of 26 percent It was expected that the virus-related quarantine would hurt the economy and dealing with that was a priority from the beginning. The infections and deaths have been declining for over a month and the economy is expected to be operating at full capacity by 2021. So far Israel has suffered 8,300 infected per million people and 61 dead per million. The Israeli population travels to foreign destinations more (per million people) than any other nation in the region. That meant Israel was infected about the same time the rest industrialized nations were. In Egypt covid19 did less economic damage. Currently the virus has infected 924 per million Egyptians and killed 48 per million. The national health system in Egypt is largely non-existent and many cases of covid19 will go undetected as will deaths, which can be confused with any number of similar diseases. In contrast Israel has the best health care system in the region and more of its population is regularly exposed to foreign travelers who unknowingly spread such diseases all over the world. The Egyptian GDP growth is expected to be, at best, only half a percent for 2020 and probably a decline before rebounding to over five percent in 2021. August 2, 2020: In the north (Golan Heights) Israeli troops intercepted and killed four men trying to cross the border and place bombs along Israeli roads and trails. August 1, 2020: In the north (Golan Heights) a Russia-backed Syrian militia has been taking control of the Syrian side of the border. Called the Huran Army, the militia contains many former rebels who are hostile to Iranian influence in Syria but willing to cooperate with the Assads. The U.S. government approved another half billion dollars to support Israeli air defense research and development. This includes the new Patriot system replacement (Davids Sling) the Arrow ABM (anti-ballistic missile) system. Also included was the U.S. Army purchase of two batteries of Iron Dome. The U.S. has invested billions in Israeli air and missile defense systems and gets to share new technology the Israelis develop. The Israeli air defense tech is particularly good because it usually gets a lot of combat experience and is usually very effective. July 29, 2020: Israel revealed that at end of June they had arrested a low-level Hamas leader who was captured as he swam from Gaza to Israel. The seven year Hamas veteran wanted to defect, not carry out attacks and provided a lot of useful information. Some of the questions asked were about items the Israelis already knew a lot about and how these were answered determined if the defector was telling the truth. The defector complained of problems within Hamas and his family because of poor Hamas leadership and management. July 28, 2020: Since May Israel has carried out at least ten airstrikes against Iranian targets in Syria. In addition to large quantities of weapons and munitions destroyed, at least sixty Iranian or local mercenary personnel. Iran is building a new mercenary force by hiring Syrians rather than bringing in Shia Afghans or Shia from other nations. The Afghans were good fighters but there was a limited supply of Afghan Shia willing to serve as Iranian mercs in far away Syria. A growing number would not renew their contracts and returned to Afghanistan or Iran, where mercenary service also earned a residency permit. Iran is short of cash and the local mercs are cheaper, especially given the bad shape the economy is in and the dire poverty many Syrians live with. There are over 10,000 of these Syrian mercs and most are based on or near the Israeli or Jordanian borders. Many Syrians see the Iranians and their Syrian mercs as another foreign occupation force. Syrians are tired of war while the Iranians want more of it, against Israel. That is not popular because attacking Israel generally fails but always brings very effective counterattacks. Moreover a lot of Syrians living along the Israel border befitted from the medical aid Israel provided for badly injured Syrians. S ince 2011 Israel has provided medical treatment to several thousand badly injured Syrian civilians and rebels. This was done at a few border crossings where a field hospital was set up nearby and Syrians were told they could bring badly wounded kin or people they would vouch for to the crossing where Israelis doctors would examine them at the border, admit those who did need care and first try to treat the patient at the field hospital. If that was not possible the patient was sent to a hospital in Israel where specialists could provide the needed care. Family were notified of the progress and when to be at the border to pick up their mended friend or family member. Via this program Israel established contacts on the Syrian side as well as receiving a steady supply of what the chatter was on the Syrian side of the border. Israel has many Arab speaking medical personnel and has no problem treating Arab speaking patients. This medical program earned Israel a lot of good will on the Syrian side of the border. The care was free and there were no strings attached other than no Islamic terrorists were welcome, and these would be arrested if identified as such. There were a few such cases and that was not seen by the Syrians as a bad thing. Same attitude towards the Iranians and their mercs, who are seen as a danger to nearby civilians and an enemy of Syria. July 27, 2020: In the north (Lebanon) the Israeli border security system detected a group of armed men crossing the border near the disputed Shebaa Farms (occupied by Israel but claimed by both Lebanon and Syria). Israeli rapid reaction forces drove up and spotted the intruders and opened fire. The men ran back into Lebanon. Hezbollah denied the incident occurred and said they had nothing to do with it. The Israelis have video from their border surveillance system, which they are willing to release, and other electronic evidence, which they are not willing to release. Israel regularly taps into Hezbollah communications, despite frequent Iranian efforts to upgrade the security of Hezbollah comms. It was revealed that a Hezbollah attack was expected, somewhere on the Lebanon border, to coincide with the Moslem religious celebration of Eid al Adha July 26, 2020: In Egypt (north Sinai) ISIL (Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant) occupied four villages north of Al Arish for several days. This was apparently part of their failed July 21 attack on a nearby army base. That attack was supposed to drive the security forces out of the area so that ISIL could declare that they now controlled territory. They apparently did not plan to occupy the villages long because they placed explosive booby traps in several buildings. This was an effort to kill villagers or soldiers who would eventually show up. July 24, 2020: In the north (Golan Heights) Israeli helicopter gunships attacked several Syrian army positions near the border. July 22, 2020: Israeli police revealed that an investigation that began in April had led to the arrest of ten Palestinians who were recruited by a Iran-backed Syrian militia and Hezbollah in Lebanon. There were actually two separate groups operating in the West Bank and their main goal was to kidnap an Israeli soldier and hold him for ransom. That would consist of freeing a lot of imprisoned Palestinian terrorists. July 21, 2020: In Egypt (north Sinai) two soldiers and 19 Islamic terrorists died when ISIL tried to attack a small army base in a rural are 80 kilometers north of Al Arish. The attackers soon realized they were not going to succeed and retreated. By then the air force had showed up and attacked the retreating Islamic terrorists, destroying four vehicles and causing most of the casualties. The army also sent out a pursuit force, to capture prisoners and gather intel from the enemy dead. July 20, 2020: In Syria an Israeli airstrike south of Damascus killed eight Syrian soldiers, but one of the dead turned out to be a Hezbollah commander. Israel later sent a message to Hezbollah that the Hezbollah commander was not targeted on purpose and Israel did not know he was there. Israel was trying to give Hezbollah an excuse not to retaliate and trigger a series if exchanges that would hurt Hezbollah and Lebanon more than Israel. In Egypt the parliament authorized the government to send troops into Libya to deal with the growing Turkish threat. Like all other North African countries, Egypt was once part of the Ottoman Turkish, which dissolved in the 1920s after having lost control of Egypt during the 1798 French invasion. The French were soon expelled by the British and by 1805 an Egyptian monarchy took over until replaced by a military coup in 1952. Egyptians still remember the Turks as brutal overlords who, in the decades before the French invasion, presided over massive famines that killed over 15 percent of the population. Egypt is the most populous and militarily powerful of the North African states the Ott0man Turks conquered and ruled five centuries ago. None of the North Africans want a repeat. Turkey has sent, by ship, over a dozen Turkish made MLRS (multiple launch rocket system) and self-propelled 155mm artillery vehicles. The MLRS trucks each carry 40 122mm rockets with a range of 40 kilometers. The tracked vehicle carrying the 155mm howitzer is the T-155 Frtna. This vehicle was based on the South Korean K9. The T-155 is a 46-ton armored vehicle. The 155mm howitzer has the same range as the MLRS but is more accurate. The MLRS and T-155 are operated by Turkish troops and both weapons have been used in Syria. July 11, 2020: In eastern Syria (Deir Ezzor province) an airstrike, apparently Israeli, hit a convoy of Iranian mercenaries in Syrian Army uniforms. At least 35 men were killed including two officers. Deir Ezzor is now a key link in a land route from Iran, via Iraq to Lebanon. Deir Ezzor is also where Iran bases most of its mercenaries and a growing number of them are Iraqis. July 10, 2020: In Egypt (north Sinai) ISIL and pro-government Bedouin tribesmen fought each other several times in the last few days. There were dozens of casualties. ISIL is trying to gain tribal support via violence and intimidation. ATLANTA - The former Atlanta police officer who fatally shot Rayshard Brooks is suing the mayor and interim police chief, saying his firing violated his constitutional rights and the city code. Meanwhile, prosecutors have asked a judge to revoke his bond. Garrett Rolfe was fired June 13, the day after he fatally shot Brooks outside a Wendys restaurant in Atlanta. In a lawsuit filed Tuesday in Fulton County Superior Court, he says he was fired without an investigation, without proper notice, without a disciplinary hearing, and in direct violation of the municipal code of the City of Atlanta. Rolfe, 27, faces 11 charges, including felony murder. He was granted bond June 30. Also Tuesday, prosecutors filed a motion to revoke Rolfes bond, saying he had travelled to Florida without permission. The bond order expressly states that the Defendant is only allowed to leave home for medical, legal, or work related obligations, the motion says. Police body cameras showed Rolfe and another officer, Devin Brosnan, having a calm and respectful conversation with Brooks for more than 40 minutes after complaints that the 27-year-old Black man had fallen asleep in his car in a Wendys drive-thru lane on June 12. But when officers told him hed had too much to drink to be driving and tried to handcuff him, Brooks resisted. A struggle was caught on dash camera video. Brooks grabbed one of their Tasers and fled, firing the Taser at Rolfe as he ran away. An autopsy found Brooks was shot twice in the back. Brosnan, 26, is charged with aggravated assault and violating his oath and is also free on bond. Rolfes lawsuit, which was first reported by the Daily Report, argues that Rolfe used deadly force within the scope and course of his duties in response to Brooks violent, unlawful, aggressive resistance to a lawful arrest. The lawsuit says that Rolfe could only be disciplined or terminated for cause and that he has a right to due process. The proper steps, outlined in the city code, were not taken before Rolfe was fired by then-Chief Erika Shields, who resigned the same day. The lawsuit also notes that Brosnan and many other Atlanta police officers who have been charged with crimes have remained employed while their criminal charges were pending. Rolfe has suffered irreparable injury to his personal and professional reputation as a result of his unlawful dismissal, the lawsuit says, adding that he has become a public spectacle and object of ridicule. The lawsuit asks a judge to hold a hearing and to order that Rolfe be immediately reinstated with back pay and other benefits. Atlanta police on Wednesday declined to comment, citing the pending litigation. The mayors office did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Prosecutors received an email Monday afternoon from one of Rolfes attorneys notifying them that Rolfe had travelled to Florida for vacation, according to the motion to revoke his bond. A location report from the company that owns the ankle monitor Rolfe is wearing shows that he left home early Sunday and was in Daytona Beach, the motion says. Prosecutors arent aware of him having been granted permission to travel and they argue that Rolfe has clearly shown that he will not abide by the conditions of bond imposed by the Court. Lawyers for Rolfe did not immediately respond to an email seeking comment Wednesday. Two edited photos from North Korea's Rodong Sinmun, Wednesday, show maintenance workers checking a water drainage system, as the country is hit by heavy rain and prepares for flooding. Yonhap By Yi Whan-woo Heavy rainfall is adding another problem for North Korea which is already struggling with poverty and the COVID-19 pandemic. The North's Korean Central Television (KCTV) citing its weather agency said Tuesday "many parts of the country" have been experiencing the downpour since Monday and that it will continue through Thursday, under the influence of Typhoon No. 4. A red alert warning the highest possible level was issued for the inter-Korean border city of Gaeseong, North and South Pyongan provinces, North and South Hwanghae provinces, the southern area of Chagang province and the interior of Kangwon Province. Each of the seven regions is expected to receive a cumulative rainfall of more than 500 millimeters. Flood alerts were also issued near the Taedong River, the Chongchon River and the Ryesong River for Thursday and Friday. This downpour comes after the North adopted a "maximum emergency system" against the coronavirus, July 26. The North said the measure was in response to the recent return of a defector from the South, who it claims has displayed virus symptoms. But sources familiar with Pyongyang speculated the reclusive state is losing control against the pandemic and that it is using the defector as a "scapegoat" to justify its claim that it had been coronavirus-free. Lacking an adequate healthcare system, the North shut down its China border in January when the COVID-19 outbreak was first reported in China. The sources said the border closure has worsened the country's economy, already hit by U.N. sanctions. The North has been unable to import many daily necessities such as cooking oil, flour and rice, resulting in skyrocketing prices. The country's Ministry of Public Health ordered hospitals in each province, city and county to manufacture their own medicines. But most hospitals are unable to carry out this directive given the lack of necessary equipment and raw materials. International aid groups have sent face masks, test kits and other medical supplies to the North to help it overcome the pandemic. The delivery of supplies, however, has been complicated by export controls, border closures and international sanctions. "And it is so apparent the heavy rain is dealing another blow to North Korea in addition to the coronavirus and crippled economy," said Kang Myung-do, a defector living in Seoul. He pointed out the North in the past struggled to cope with natural disasters, as seen in floods and landslides in 2019 when Typhoon Lingling hit the country. The defector said, "It's anybody's guess how many people year will be exposed to higher risk of being infected with coronavirus and other diseases." Meanwhile, state-controlled media outlets have been promoting propaganda slogans focused on flood prevention efforts, when updating the weather news. Justice Ministry seeks disciplinary actions against defense of ex-journalist Safronov AGN Moskva, Sophia Sandurskaya 11:39 05/08/2020 MOSCOW, August 5 (RAPSI) The Justice Ministry has asked the Moscow Bar Association to take disciplinary actions against four defense lawyers for ex-newspaper journalist Ivan Safronov charged with treason, attorney Ivan Pavlov has told RAPSI. According to Pavlov, the Ministry seeks disciplinary against the defense team because of their refusal to make a signed non-disclosure statement after bringing charges against the defendant. Safronov was arrested on July 8. The same day Moscows Lefortovsky District Court detained him until September 6. According to the Roscosmos press service, Safronovs arrest is not connected with his work in the company. On July 13, he was charged with treason. Investigators claim Safronov has transmitted secret military information to the Czech intelligence services which, as it known, are linked to the U.S. security agencies. The defendant pleads not guilty. The former reporter of Kommersant and Vedomosti newspapers was appointed as advisor of Dmitry Rogozin in May 2020 after a scandal related to the publication of an explosive article about possible resignation of the Federation Council head Valentina Matviyenko. (Alliance News) - Europe on Wednesday tightened virus restrictions as fears of a second wave of infections spurred by the holiday season grew with the worldwide death toll crossing 700,000. Greece announced a "wake-up week," tightening restrictions after domestic infections saw over 380 new cases in August. Scotland reimposed restrictions in and around the city of Aberdeen, after a cluster of cases was identified there. Toulouse in southwest France made the wearing of face masks compulsory in the busiest streets and squares from Wednesday. Paris and other cities are expected to follow suit soon, authorities said. South Africa announced that 24,000 of its health workers had contracted the virus, with more than a hundred of them dying from it. New York, meanwhile, announced it was setting up checkpoints at key entry points to the city to ensure travellers were complying with the state's quarantine requirements. A total of 701,559 deaths have been recorded so far around the world, according to an AFP tally compiled from official sources AT 1600 GMT. Europe remains the hardest hit region with 211,603 fatalities, but the number of deaths is rising fast in Latin America, with 206,835 recorded. Announcing the re-introduction of restrictions in Greece, government spokesman Stelios Petsas told Mega TV: "We are trying to awaken people with messages and daily announcements on additional measures."A "The virus is here, it feeds on our complacency," he said. They had identified three areas of concern, he added: regular crossings by ethnic Greeks from Balkans countries; social gatherings, from clubbing youths to baptisms; and public transport. The restrictions reimposed on the northeast Scottish city of Aberdeen included the closure of all indoor and outdoor hospitality venues from Wednesday evening as First Minister Nicola Sturgeon referred to what could become a "significant outbreak."A The measures will be reviewed in a week, which is when many Scottish schools will reopen. One of Belgium's biggest meat processing plants, Westvlees, sent 225 staff home to quarantine after a cluster of coronavirus cases was discovered. Switzerland added mainland Spain to a quarantine list of 46 countries as well as Singapore and Romania. In the Netherlands, similar mask-wearing measures came into force Wednesday in Rotterdam and in some busy neighbourhoods of Amsterdam, including its famous red-light district. New York mayor Bill de Blasio, announcing the new checkpoints at access roads into the city, said: "New York City is holding the line against Covid-19, and New Yorkers have shown tremendous discipline. "We're not going to let our hard work slip away and will continue to do everything we can to keep New Yorkers safe and healthy." The virus killed more than 32,000 people in the city, which was one of its first epicentres in the US. One of Brazil's leading indigenous chiefs, 71-year-old Aritana Yawalapiti, died Wednesday of respiratory complications caused by Covid-19. Brazil, South America's largest country, is driving a surge in Latin America and the Caribbean.A It has recorded more than 2.8 million cases, and nearly 96,000 deaths, nearly half the region's 206,835 fatalities. In Afghanistan, the health ministry said nearly a third of the population a or 10 million people a has been infected with the coronavirus. In South Africa, the hardest-hit country in Africa, some 24,000 health workers have contracted the coronavirus and 181 have died since March, Health Minister Zweli Mkwize announced. The number of infected health care workers translates to around five percent of South Africa's overall caseload, which has been rising rapidly in recent weeks. But he added: "We haven't got to the stage where we don't have hospital space for patients." The world's hope of ending the current cycle of outbreaks and lockdowns rests on finding a treatment, which has proved elusive so far. The US government Wednesday announced a new USD1 billion investment in a Covid-19 vaccine being developed by Johnson & Johnson, guaranteeing 100 million doses. J&J, via its subsidiary Janssen, received USD456 million in March. Clinical trials on humans began in China for a potential coronavirus vaccine developed by German pharmaceutical group BioNTech with Chinese company Fosun Pharma. The travel sector announced fresh cutbacks due to the pandemic. British airline Virgin Atlantic, which has not flown since April, has applied for bankruptcy protection in the US as it seeks to tie up a rescue deal in the UK.A Virgin Australia said it would close its budget subsidiary Tigerair Australia, laying off 3,000 staff as it prepares to relaunch under new owners.A Copenhagen airport, Scandinavia's largest, said Wednesday that it might lay off a quarter of its staff. source: AFP Copyright 2020 Alliance News Limited. All Rights Reserved. 'GIFT City is now on a growth trajectory,' says Tapan Ray, MD and group CEO, GIFT City, 'The time has come for the GIFT City to take the big leap and emerge as the next financial hub of Asia.' IMAGE: The GIFT One and GIFT Two towers in GIFT City. Photograph: Courtesy, giftgujarat.in Brexit, China's crackdown and Singapore's saturation have weakened the outlook for the great global financial hubs of London, Hong Kong and Singapore. Can India's first international financial services centre (IFSC) at Gujarat International Finance Tec (GIFT) City fill the breach? Recent history points to multiple challenges but those responsible for managing it suggest it is on the cusp of faster growth. "The current geopolitical challenges could well work in favour of the GIFT City in attracting more foreign financial institutions," says Kaku Nakhate, president and India country head, Bank of America, the first foreign bank to set up a centre at the GIFT City in 2019. So far, the gains have been modest. For a project that began in 2007 as a 50:50 joint venture by the Gujarat government with IL&FS, the infrastructure financing behemoth that is now in deep crisis, the going has been slow. But like much else in India, GIFT City was the victim of the snail-paced bureaucracy. Financial services SEZs received "in principle" approval only in 2011, while GIFT City was approved in December of that year. After that, the Gujarat government allotted land, and work on developing a futuristic smart city started. Operating guidelines were issued in 2015, about a year after Narendra Modi came to power at the Centre, and the 2016 Union Budget announced tax concessions for units in IFSC. By 2018-19, financial services exports from GIFT City's IFSC accounted for 11 per cent of India's financial services exports, momentum that has continued for the first three quarters of 2019-20. Of the 11 million sq ft development rights allotted, two million sq ft (seven buildings) in the domestic tariff area and one million in the IFSC have been developed. Another two million sq ft is under construction and six million (15 buildings) sq ft is under planning. Twenty-two residential blocks are already occupied. A school, a five-star hotel and a club house are already operational. To ensure that GIFT City does not became a real estate play, the ownership of the land remains with the state government. Last month, the Gujarat government bought out the troubled IL&FS' 50 per cent stake, which opens a door for the entry of new strategic partners. The appointment of former company affairs secretary Injeti Srinivas as chairman of the GIFT City's IFSC earlier last month is widely regarded as a move towards accelerating developments. "GIFT City is now on a growth trajectory," said Tapan Ray, MD and group CEO, GIFT City. But, he added, "The time has come for the GIFT City to take the big leap and emerge as the next financial hub of Asia." Regulation would be a key issue. Right now, the financial services sector has to decipher rules and regulations from four different regulatory bodies: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI), Securities and Exchange Board of India, Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority and the Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority. In January 2017, then RBI governor Urjit Patel had proposed a unified regulator for GIFT City. "The role of the new unified regulator will be very important. It should follow international standards and norms, and avoid the traditional rule-based approach," said Nakhate. Indeed, in December 2018, the Baba Kalyani committee to study India's SEZ policy had recommended separate rules and procedures for manufacturing and service SEZs. Certain operational procedures also need to be streamlined. At present, it takes 24 hours to clear a debit or credit. As a financial market expert operating in the IFSC pointed out, dollar clearing that is, clearing on a realtime basis will generate more business. A proposal to this effect has been pending with the RBI for some years now. This apart, it may be necessary for the Centre to take a stake in the GIFT City to provide a counter-party security for foreign investors. Nakhate has also suggested that the GIFT City should map measures taken by the world's top 10 IFSCs to attract institutional investors and then work towards building a macro-framework. This is the time for India to think big and develop India's IFSC on the lines of Singapore, she says. English law and affiliation with Singapore's arbitration centre have the potential to make GIFT IFSC a key global hub for financial institutions. In line with the proposed international bullion exchange, allowing trading in other commodities like coal would give GIFT City operations a further boost, as would aircraft-leasing services. The potential is clearly huge. The challenge for GIFT City's IFSC would be to overcome the traditional Indian weaknesses of slow or unpredictable policymaking. Chinese electric car maker Xpeng Motors has raised $400 million ahead of an initial public offering (IPO) in the U.S., two sources familiar with the matter told CNBC. The Tesla rival was in talks to raise $300 million, CNBC previously reported, but an additional investor has come on board, bringing the total to $400 million. This current sum of money is as add-on to $500 million the company raised last month. In addition to existing investors Alibaba and sovereign wealth fund Qatar Investment Authority, Abu Dhabi's sovereign wealth fund Mubadala has also jumped on board as part of the $400 million tranche, the two sources said. Mubadala was not immediately available for comment when contacted by CNBC. The current funding round is close to completion, the sources said. Xpeng's is raising capital ahead of an IPO in the U.S. It has confidentially filed for a listing on Wall Street, but has not decided what exchange to list on, sources previously said. The company's IPO would follow other Chinese electric carmakers Nio and Li Auto which have already listed in the U.S. and whose share prices have risen sharply recently. Nio's stock is up 239% this year while Li Auto, which listed last week, has seen its shares rise 45% since its debut. Meanwhile, Tesla is over 237% higher year-to-date. But Xpeng's upcoming listing also comes at time of rising tensions between the U.S. and China which could impact foreign firms trading on Wall Street. In May, the U.S. Senate passed legislation that would increase scrutiny on Chinese firms trading on American exchanges and carries the threat of delistings for some foreign firms. China has spawned lots of electric car makers, thanks to favorable policies such as state subsidies. While some have collapsed, a handful including Xpeng, Nio and Li Auto, are pushing forward to get a slice of the world's largest electric car market. Last month, Xpeng Motors started deliveries of its new P7 sedan which is seen as a competitor to Tesla's Model 3. In January, Tesla began rolling out Model 3 cars made in its Shanghai factory to customers in China. However, the coronavirus outbreak has hit China's electric vehicle sector. Sales of so-called new energy vehicles fell 33.1% year-on-year in June, according to data from the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers. But on a month-to-month basis, sales have been rising as the Chinese economy shows signs of rebounding. NATIONAL PARKS President signs bill to fund improvements WASHINGTON President Donald Trump on Tuesday signed into law legislation that will devote nearly $3 billion annually to conservation projects, outdoor recreation and maintenance of national parks and other public lands. The measure was overwhelmingly approved by Congress. Supporters say the Great American Outdoors Act is the most significant conservation legislation enacted in nearly half a century. Opponents counter that the money isnt enough to cover the estimated $20 billion maintenance backlog on federally owned lands. The law requires full, mandatory funding of the popular Land and Water Conservation Fund and addresses the maintenance backlog facing Americas national parks and public lands. The law would spend about $900 million a year double current spending on the conservation fund and another $1.9 billion per year on improvements at national parks, forests, wildlife refuges and range lands. VENEZUELA U.S. official endorses opposition leader CARACAS, Venezuela The State Departments top official on Venezuela said Tuesday that the Trump administration will continue recognizing lawmaker Juan Guaido as the nations interim president even if President Nicolas Maduros government ousts the opposition from control of congress its last major stronghold. Maduros government has set a Dec. 6 election to renew the National Assembly. As the bodys leader, Guaido last year claimed the nations presidency, arguing that Maduros reelection had been fraudulent, in part because top opposition figures had been banned. The U.S. is among more than 50 nations that have recognized Guaido as interim leader, saying the nations presidency is vacant because Maduros rule is illegitimate. SOCIAL MEDIA Teen pleads not guilty to charges of fraud TAMPA, Fla. A Florida teen identified as the mastermind of a scheme that gained control of Twitter accounts of prominent politicians, celebrities and technology moguls pleaded not guilty on Tuesday to multiple counts of fraud. Graham Ivan Clark, 17, is accused of using the hijacked Twitter accounts to scam people around the world out of more than $100,000 in Bitcoin. He is charged with 17 counts of communications fraud, 11 counts of fraudulent use of personal information, and one count each of organized fraud of more than $5,000 and accessing computers or electronic devices without authority. Clark is scheduled for a bond hearing on Wednesday. Clark was arrested on Friday in Tampa, and the Hillsborough State Attorneys Office is prosecuting him as an adult, a news release said. TVA Regional agency chair fired by president WASHINGTON President Donald Trump said Monday that he had fired the chair of the Tennessee Valley Authority, criticizing the federally owned corporation for hiring foreign workers. Trump told reporters at the White House that he was formally removing chair Skip Thompson and another member of the board, and he threatened to remove other board members if they continued to hire foreign labor. Thompson was appointed to the post by Trump. Trump said the authority was replacing many of its in-house technology workers with contractors who rely heavily on foreign workers under the H1-B visa program for highly skilled workers. Cofounders Anthony Khan (left) and Ronak Vyas (center) poise in their new start-up Aug. 3, 2020, with registered nurse Marybell Rodriguez (right) of Blissful Aesthetics and Wellness. She is one of the first tenants in MedCoShare, their coworking space in Fishtown that's only for medical offices. Both she and her patients are required to wear masks at all times because of the COVID-19 pandemic, and all rooms are fully sanitized by a cleaning service between appointments, said Vyas. Read more Fewer physicians than ever before own private practices. But new local start-up MedCoShare is hoping to reverse that trend and capitalize on it. MedCoShare, which officially opened on July 1, brands itself as a coworking space for outpatient medical offices. And like other coworking businesses, its based on the idea of shared space and resources. Physicians and medical providers can book time for patient appointments at the Fishtown location as needed, and have access to such common equipment as EKG machines, blood pressure cuffs, and exam tables. The booking fee also includes cleaning services and disposal for syringes and biohazards. Membership plans, which vary from levels of part-time to full-time booking, range from $390 to $2,500 a month. MedCoShares backers say it is the first start-up of its kind to launch in Philadelphia. Other cities such as New York have seen similar businesses in medical office coworking such as Clinicube. But because providers are often licensed in only one or two states, these businesses arent a real concern for competition against MedCoShare. The start-ups first-floor site at 2418 E. York St. holds eight exam rooms and two offices, and could serve 10 doctors if each signed up for full-time membership, though the owners expect most clients to choose part-time options. Two doctors are already confirmed as tenants while a third is signing papers, the principals said. The company says that, if this site is successful, it hopes to expand to other locations and become the first medical coworking company to go national. The start-up grew out of a collaboration at Temple Universitys Fox School of Business between Ronak Vyas and Greg Goldmacher, who were partners for their capstone project there. Vyas, along with fellow MedCoShare co-owner Amit Mundae, brings real estate expertise to the business, while Goldmacher, a physician now working in the pharmaceutical industry, provides insight on the medical side. The fourth co-owner, Anthony Khan, has worked as a project manager in the health-care and pharmaceutical industry and cofounded investment holding company ARA Group LLC with Vyas. With these backgrounds and local knowledge of real estate and medicine, Goldmacher hopes that MedCoShare will allow more providers to consider private ownership options. Because medical workers pay only for the time they need, instead of signing a long-term office lease, Goldmacher says, MedCoShare makes private practice more flexible. We can alleviate one of the major risks, which is going to sign up for a seven-year lease and pay huge upfront costs, he said. The most recent survey from the American Medical Association published in 2019 found that private practice ownership was at a historical low among physicians in 2018. Only 45.9% reported owning an independent practice, while 47.4% were employed by a hospital or other organization, marking the first year on record that there were fewer physician owners than employees. Jaan Sidorov, an internal medicine physician and CEO of the Care Centered Collaborative at the Pennsylvania Medical Society, said that private practice isnt as attractive as it used to be. He noted that although there are benefits to being a business owner, theres also the downside of having to deal with administrative regulations and overhead costs. The income, too, is less predictable, as it relies on keeping a consistent group of patients. But these challenges dont obscure what Sidorov sees as the biggest advantage of independent practices: improved quality of patient care. Theyve got a lot of patient loyalty, and they focus on their patients, he said. He noted that often, the benefits of this individualized focus are reflected in high-quality scores on patient satisfaction and physician availability. Sidorov argued that COVID-19 might be eroding the stability of hospital employment for providers. Although the Philadelphia area is home to dozens of hospitals, he pointed out that many have faced economic losses and layoffs, leading to lower income or fewer support staff for doctors. If I were a physician in Philadelphia right now, and I was thinking about trying private practice, what better way to do this than to put your toe in the water with this start-up? Sidorov said. The flexibility of the space-booking process, he argued, might be appealing to providers who want a taste of independence on a part-time basis. Anjana Patel, a health-care lawyer with Epstein Becker Green, thinks the pandemic could accelerate the exodus of doctors from private practice. With widespread economic turmoil, independent physicians might feel more pressure to sell their practice to a hospital, she argued. Im seeing a lot of inquiries from physicians right now, saying, Hey, I think wed like to explore a strategic partnership because I dont think we can survive the next level of this, she said. Despite those pressures, Patel thinks there still might be demand from patients for a service such as MedCoShare. A lot of people want to avoid the hospital at all costs, she noted, and gaps in telemedicine could require in-person appointments. Goldmacher sees this as one potential business model for MedCoShare. One example, he said, would be an endocrinologist, who can review lab results with patients over telemedicine, but would need a place to perform a thyroid biopsy. All you would need is a little portable ultrasound machine and some needles, which he said MedCoShare could provide. Goldmacher and Vyas also think their business could attract new graduates from the areas many medical schools. This is a really great offering for them because they may not have a patient base that justifies a long-term commitment and all the upfront costs of a full-time office, Vyas said. He also hopes that MedCoShare will provide a space for people who want to try a new market before committing to that market. Thats the case for Marybell Rodriguez, a cardiovascular nurse practitioner who recently launched her company, Blissful Aesthetics, with its first location at MedCoShare. While medical aesthetics and skin care have long been Rodriguezs side passion, she worried about establishing a steady client base for her business, especially during the pandemic. Knowing that I dont have a full lease through my membership [with MedCoShare] gives me confidence and reassurance that if I dont have a huge clientele in the next couple of months, Im not bound to anything, said Rodriguez. Blissful Aesthetics started offering in-person consultations at MedCoShare once businesses were allowed to reopen in Philadelphia in early July. Rodriguezs clients check in through an iPad when they arrive. Both she and her patients are required to wear masks at all times because of the pandemic, and all rooms are fully sanitized by a cleaning service between appointments, said Vyas. She brings her own laptop for appointments to keep track of client medical records and maintain their privacy. MedCoShare has HIPAA-compliant storage for any paper medical records as well. MedCoShare launched during one of the worst economic crises of the century and targets a decreasing population of independent providers as its clientele. But Vyas and his fellow co-owners remain confident. Even though we didnt plan to open during the pandemic, were being optimistic, and going full speed ahead. 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. Grand Jury Charges Ed Buck with Four Additional Felonies, Including that He Enticed Victims to Travel Interstate to Engage in Prostitution A federal grand jury today returned a superseding indictment charging Edward Buck with four additional felonies, including that he allegedly enticed victims including a man who died at his West Hollywood apartment after he administered drugs to him to travel interstate to engage in prostitution. Buck, 65, was arrested in September 2019 after being charged in United States District Court with providing methamphetamine to a man who died after receiving the drug intravenously. Since that time, federal authorities have continued to investigate Buck for additional crimes. The four additional counts charged today bringing the total number of charges in this case to nine counts include one count alleging that Buck knowingly enticed 26-year-old Gemmel Moore to travel to the Los Angeles area to engage in prostitution. Buck allegedly provided methamphetamine to Moore, who overdosed on the drug and died on July 27, 2017.] Buck also is charged with another count of enticing another man to travel with the intent of engaging in prostitution. ADVERTISEMENT The superseding indictment also charges Buck with one count of knowingly and intentionally distributing methamphetamine, and one count of using his residence for the purpose of distributing narcotics such as methamphetamine, and the sedatives gamma hydroxybutyric acid (GHB) and clonazepam. Last year, a federal grand jury returned a five-count indictment charging that Buck engaged in a pattern of soliciting men to consume drugs that Buck provided and perform sexual acts at Bucks apartment, which is a practice described as party and play. Buck allegedly solicited victims on social media platforms, including a gay dating website, and used a recruiter to scout and proposition men. Once the men were at his apartment, Buck allegedly prepared syringes containing methamphetamine, sometimes personally injecting the victims with or without their consent, according to the indictment. Buck also allegedly injected victims with more narcotics than they expected and sometimes injected victims while they were unconscious. Another victim, Timothy Dean also suffered a fatal overdose in Bucks apartment, on January 7, 2019, the indictment alleges. Buck is scheduled to go to trial in this matter on January 19, 2021. His arraignment on the first superseding indictment is expected in the coming weeks. An indictment contains allegations that a defendant has committed a crime. Every defendant is presumed to be innocent until proven guilty in court. Each of the charges alleging the distribution of narcotics resulting in death carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 20 years in federal prison and a maximum penalty of life without parole. The four new charges carry a statutory maximum sentence of 60 years in federal prison. Buck also faces charges, including operating a drug house, that were filed last year by the Los Angeles County District Attorneys Office. Buck is currently being held in federal custody without bond, and the federal case is expected to proceed first. ADVERTISEMENT The federal case is being investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department and the FBI. The investigation is being conducted with the support of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Chelsea C. Norell and Brittney M. Harris of the International Narcotics, Money Laundering, and Racketeering Section. Zhang Guimei, a 63-year-old teacher from Lijiang City, Southwest China's Yunnan Province, is honored the title of the March 8th Red-banner Pacesetter. [For Women of China] Zhang Guimei, a 63-year-old woman who has devoted to education for needy girls, recently won a national-level honorary title, the March 8th Red-banner Pacesetter, one of the highest honors for Chinese women for their excellent achievements in different fields. Zhang founded the Huaping Senior High School for Girls in Lijiang City, Southwest China's Yunnan Province, in 2008. It was the country's first all-girls public high school that does not charge tuition fees, and it has helped more than 1,600 students realize their dreams of receiving higher education. Zhang has spent more than a million yuan (US $142,594), part of which was originally for her medical treatment, in running the school in the mountains, and she stuck to her position even when she was feeling under the weather. Zhang Guimei (in black) sees off the gaokao students at the Huaping Senior High School for Girls in Lijiang City, Southwest China's Yunnan Province. [yunnan.cn] For the past 10 years, Zhang has seen off graduates heading for the gaokao (the national college entrance examination), and was never absent. "I will fight as long as I can still grab a breath," she said. To her relief, her students achieved good results in this year's gaokao among all the 159 students, 70 were eligible for admission to good universities in China, according to the local government. Zhang was proud of all the girls as they ranked in the forefront both in Lijiang City and in the county as a whole, but she will never cease taking steps for better results. "Compared to big cities, we still lag behind," she noted. Zhang Guimei accompanies a group of orphans at a children's welfare home in Huaping County, Lijiang City, Southwest China's Yunnan Province. [For Women of China] In addition to the next generation's education, she also cared for their lives. As president of a children's welfare home in Huaping for two decades, she has shown care and love to 130 unaccompanied children. The All-China Women's Federation (ACWF) announced Zhang an outstanding example of a Chinese woman in the new era, who remains true to her original aspiration, keeps her mission firmly in mind as a CPC member, and dedicates all her life to the cause of education and impoverished people. The ACWF called on more Chinese women to learn from her selfless devotion and struggling spirit and to continue to contribute to the poverty alleviation work. (Women of China) By PTI WASHINGTON: US testing for the coronavirus is dropping even as infections remain high and the death toll rises by more than 1,000 a day, a worrisome trend that officials attribute largely to Americans getting discouraged over having to wait hours to get a test and days or weeks to find out the results. An Associated Press analysis found that the number of tests per day slid 3.6% over the past two weeks to 750,000, with the count falling in 22 states. That includes places like Alabama, Mississippi, Missouri and Iowa where the percentage of positive tests is high and continuing to climb, an indicator that the virus is still spreading uncontrolled. Amid the crisis, some health officials are calling for the introduction of a different type of test that would yield results in a matter of minutes and would be cheap and simple enough for millions of Americans to test themselves but would also be less accurate. "There's a sense of desperation that we need to do something else," said Dr. Ashish Jha, director of Harvard's Global Health Institute. Widespread testing is considered essential to containing the outbreak as the U.S. approaches a mammoth 5 million confirmed infections and more than 156,000 deaths out of over 700,000 worldwide. Testing demand is expected to surge again this fall, when schools reopen and flu season hits, most likely outstripping supplies and leading to new delays and bottlenecks. Some of the decline in testing over the past few weeks was expected after backlogged commercial labs urged doctors to concentrate on their highest-risk patients. But some health and government officials are seeing growing public frustration and waning demand. In Iowa, state officials are reporting less interest in testing, despite ample supplies. The state's daily testing rate peaked in mid-July but has declined 40% in the last two weeks. "We have the capacity. Iowans just need to test," Gov. Kim Reynolds said last week. Jessica Moore of rural Newberry, South Carolina, said that after a private lab lost her COVID-19 test results in mid-July, she had to get re-tested at a pop-up site organized by the state. Moore and her husband arrived early on a Saturday morning at the site, a community center, where they waited for two hours for her test. Moore watched in the rear-view mirror as people drove up, saw the long line of cars, and then turned around and left. "If people have something to do on a Saturday and they want to get tested, they're not going to wait for two hours in the South Carolina heat for a test, especially if they're not symptomatic," Moore said. Before traveling from Florida to Delaware last month, Laura DuBose Schumacher signed up to go to a drive-up testing site in Orlando with her husband. They were given a one-hour window in which to arrive. They got there at the start of the window, but after 50 minutes it looked as if the wait would be another hour. Others who had gone through the line told them that they wouldn't get their results until five days later, a Monday, at the earliest. They were planning to travel the next day, so they gave up. "Monday would have been pointless, so we left the line," Schumacher said. The number of confirmed infections in the U.S. has topped 4.7 million, with new cases running at nearly 60,000 a day on average, down from more than 70,000 in the second half of July. U.S. testing is built on highly sensitive molecular tests that detect the genetic code of the coronavirus. Although the test is considered the gold standard for accuracy, experts increasingly say the country's overburdened lab system is incapable of keeping pace with the outbreak and producing results within two or three days, the time frame crucial to isolating patients and containing the virus. "They're doing as good a job as they possibly can do, but the current system will not allow them to keep up with the demand," said Mara Aspinall of Arizona State University's College of Health Solutions. Testing delays have led researchers at Harvard and elsewhere to propose a new approach using so-called antigen tests rapid technology already used to screen for flu, strep throat and other common infections. Instead of detecting the virus itself, such tests look for viral proteins, or antigens, which are generally considered a less accurate measure of infection. A number of companies are studying COVID-19 antigen tests in which you spit on a specially coated strip of paper, and if you are infected, it changes colour. Experts say the speed and widespread availability of such tests would more than make up for their lower precision. While no such tests for the coronavirus are on the U.S. market, experts say the technology is simple and the hurdles are more regulatory than technical. The Harvard researchers say production could quickly be scaled into the millions. A proposal from the Harvard researchers calls for the federal government to distribute $1 saliva-based antigen tests to all Americans so that they can test themselves regularly, perhaps even daily. SEDALIA, Mo. - A special prosecutor will decide whether a central Missouri sheriffs deputy will be charged in the shooting death of a woman he had stopped for a traffic violation. The deputy shot Hannah Fizer on June 13 in Sedalia. He told investigators she had a gun and threatened to kill him but the Missouri State Highway Patrol said no gun was found in the car. The patrol delivered its report on the shooting to Pettis County Prosecutor Phillip Sawyer last week and he announced Tuesday that he had asked for a special prosecutor so the families involved and the county will know the death was investigated by someone with no ties to the jurisdiction that I serve, The Kansas City Star reported. Stephen Sokoloff, general counsel for the Missouri Office of Prosecution Services, was appointed to the case. Sawyer said he expected it to take some time for Sokoloff to review the case. Fizers friends and family say she was driving to work at the time of the shooting. They have questioned the deputys version of events, saying Fizer did not own a gun and was not a violent person. It was possible he was there the day Pratchett was killed, but couldnt remember, had no idea where he kept drugs, denied knowing about the murder. Pratchett never fronted him drugs, he told police. They never had an argument and he never owed Pratchett money. He denied there was ever a physical altercation and had left Pratchett alive in a back room, he said. Ohio Governor Issues Mask Mandate for K-12 Students Returning to School A new order from Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine requires all students in kindergarten through high school to wear masks when they return to in-person classes this fall. The mask mandate, which applies to all public, private, and charter schools in the state, is expected to affect around 1.7 million students. A few exceptions to the order include those who are unable to remove masks without assistance, and those with medical or psychological conditions that would be aggravated by wearing a mask, such as severe autism. Frankly this gives us the best shot to keep Ohios kids and educators safe and physically in school, DeWine said Tuesday during a press briefing, adding that the decision was made based on a letter from the Ohio Childrens Hospital Association and Ohio chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics, in which the health experts recommended face covering for school-age children. We all are trying to bring certainty to something we quite candidly cannot bring certainty to, the Republican governor said. DeWine said his state is working with the Federal Emergency Management Agency to deliver 2 million masks to regional education service centers, which will distribute them to individual schools. The Ohio government has issued a statewide mask mandate last week, requiring people to wear masks in indoor public places, in outdoor places where physical distancing isnt possible, and on public transportation. Exceptions to the order include those under the age of 10, those with medical problems that restrict breathing, law enforcement personnel, speakers at religious services, and people actively exercising, eating, or drinking. We cannot know what the next three weeks will bring, let alone the next three months or six months or nine months of school, said DeWine on Tuesday. Each school district in this state faces a different reality because each school district is in a different placedifferent place because of their buildings, different place because of whats going on in their community, different place because of the community spread that they have and how great that spread is. What Im told is that the community spread in that community will be reflected in that school. I guess it just makes common sense, DeWine said. As of Tuesday, Ohios health department reported over 95,000 confirmed and probable cases of COVID-19, with more than 11,100 hospitalizations and 3,570 confirmed and probable deaths. (Newser) A Los Angeles mansion party held Monday night did more than violate California's social distancing ordersit resulted in a shooting that left a woman dead and four others injured. Police were first called to the Mulholland Drive address after multiple neighbors complained about buses dropping off guests at a large gathering. Hours later, the shooting was reported, and LAPD officers found two women and a man with gunshot wounds in what is being described as a gang-related incident. The other two injured people were not shot; it's not clear how they got hurt, but both have been discharged from the hospital. A 35-year-old woman died, and the others who were shot were in stable condition, the Los Angeles Times reports. Police are also investigating reports of gambling activity inside the home, CNN reports. story continues below In addition to the shooting, officials are concerned about the possibility that the party will contribute to the spread of the coronavirus. "It sounds like a high-risk experience for those who were there and, frankly, for the loved ones that they go home to," California's Health and Human Services secretary said Tuesday. With bars and nightclubs still closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, private parties like this one are a growing concern, and the LAPD has been receiving an increasing number of calls about them. No arrests have yet been made in the Monday night incident. About 200 people were at the party when police first arrived hours before the shooting, and while officers did cite and impound some illegally-parked vehicles, they did not enforce the county's coronavirus health order, which bans gatherings of any size. But police say it's difficult to enforce when the gathering is on private property. (A similar party in New Jersey had 700 guests.) Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Tuesday offered US assistance to Lebanon after Beirut was rocked by massive blasts. "We are monitoring and stand ready to assist the people of Lebanon as they recover from this horrible tragedy," Pompeo wrote on Twitter. Id like to extend my deepest condolences to all those affected by the massive explosion at the port of Beirut on August 4. We are monitoring and stand ready to assist the people of Lebanon as they recover from this horrible tragedy. Secretary Pompeo (@SecPompeo) August 4, 2020 Pompeo in an accompanying statement said that the United States will wait for the findings of Lebanese authorities on the cause of the explosions, which killed at least 50 people and flattened the Mediterranean city's harborside. "Our team in Beirut has reported to me the extensive damage to a city and a people that I hold dear, an additional challenge in a time of already deep crisis," said Pompeo, who has spoken in the past of his personal interest in Lebanon. The US embassy in Beirut encouraged Americans in the city to take shelter. "There are reports of toxic gases released in the explosion so all in the area should stay indoors and wear masks if available," it said in a security alert. Phuket travel roadshow lands B1.3mn in tour packages sold PHUKET: The four-day Phuket travel promotion roadshow held in Bangkok last weekend and early this week landed more than B1.3 million in tour packages sold, reports the Phuket office of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT). tourismeconomicsCOVID-19 By The Phuket News Wednesday 5 August 2020, 04:42PM Montri Manator, Deputy Director of the TAT Phuket office, delivered the news at a meeting at Provincial Hall yesterday (Aug 4), held to announce further steps Phuket officials are taking to help revive the islands tourism industry. The Phuket Dedthangkoh (Phuket Awesome Island) roadshow, held at the Siam Paragon Shopping center on July 30 - Aug 2, saw tour packages totalling B1,307,278 sold, Mr Montri said. At the meeting, presided over by Phuket Governor Narong Woonciew, Phuket Land Transport Office (PLTO) Chief Banyat Kantha revealed that his office had organised with local transport operators major discounts on vehicle-hire rates to help local businesses provide tourist services. Under the agreement, the cost of hiring tour vehicles for 10 hours, including fuel and paying the driver was reduced as follows: Large tour buses, reduced from B6,500 to B4,500, Medium-sized buses reduced from B6,000 to B4,000 Small buses from B5,500 to B3,000, and Vans now available at B2,200 Taxis will charge according to fare meters, Mr Banyat said, while Patong motorbike taxi rates had been reduced by 50%, to about B20-50 per ride, he added. Meanwhile, Phuket Provincial Employment Office Chief Santi Nantasuwan explained that his office will be holding its Phuket Job Fair 2020 at the Baan and Beyond Phuket mall on the bypass road (opposite Central Festival Phuket) from 9am to 3pm on Aug 20. At the fair, recruiters from more than 30 companies will open booths and 796 vacancies will be open to applicants, Mr Santi said. Officers from the Ministry of Labour will give suggestions about how people can claim unemployment compensation. They will even have vacancies on offer for positions abroad, and can offer advice on how to register for them, among other services, he said. There will also be training and consulting sessions for those who are unemployed, Mr Santi added. He urged any people seeking more information about job hunting in Phuket to contact the Phuket Employment Office by calling 076-219660 or contact them through the Phuket offices official facebook page: https://web.facebook.com/doe.phuket/ Of note, in opening the meeting, Governor Narong also commented on the death of 29-year-old science teacher Thanachart Teanwattanakun, who was crushed to death when a large tree fell onto his teachers accommodation house at Thairatwithaya School in Kathu on Sunday night (Aug 2). We are very saddened by this incident and we want all officials to check trees and buildings near your offices. Some tree branches should be cut to prevent them from falling down and hurting people during this rainy reason, Governor Narong said. Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-04 22:04:49|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close BAGHDAD, Aug. 4 (Xinhua) -- The Iraqi Health Ministry reported on Tuesday 2,836 new COVID-19 cases, raising the total number in the country to 134,722. The new cases included 769 in the capital Baghdad, 296 in Karbala, 244 in Erbil, 207 in Basra, 194 in Babil, 135 in Maysan, and 129 in Najaf, the ministry said in a statement. It also reported 83 fatalities during the day, raising the death toll to 5,017, while 1,992 more patients recovered, bringing the total number of recoveries to 96,103. The new cases were recorded after 16,813 testing kits were used across Iraq during the day, and a total of 1,059,619 tests have been carried out since the outbreak of the disease, according to the ministry statement. Meanwhile, Health Minister Hassan al-Tamimi said in a press release that hospitals in Baghdad that had been required to receive coronavirus patients will not assume the duty anymore. The ministry has assigned two hospitals in Karkh area on the western bank of Tigris River and two others in Risafa area on the eastern bank of the river for COVID-19 patients, al-Tamimi explained. Since the outbreak of the novel coronavirus, Iraq has been taking measures to contain the pandemic. On July 26, Iraq's Higher Committee for Health and National Safety, headed by Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi, decided to extend the weekly full curfew from July 30 to Aug. 9. 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 also sent three batches of medical aid to Iraq. Enditem CW Benelux - August-October 2020: Problems with critical security systems at Schiphol Airport Schiphol Airport in Amsterdam is one of Europes main access points, so you might be surprised to read that IT systems such as those controlling the Dutch borders are rarely tested. In this issue, read about a critical report from the Dutch Court of Audit. Also read how an EU-backed bid to build data preservation cloud for European research community is gathering pace, and why the Netherlands digital sector yearns for government recognition. Two brazen teenage thieves are on the run after they were filmed using a hire van to ram raid two shops in the early hours of Wednesday morning. The white Toyota van, fitted with stolen licence plates, smashed through the glass doors of a camera store in Maroochydore on Queensland's Sunshine Coast at about 3.20am. The thieves can be seen on CCTV footage squeezing through the partially broken window before running around the store smashing a number of glass cabinets and then stealing cameras and other equipment. The white Toyota van, fitted with stolen licence plates, smashed through the glass doors of a camera store in Maroochydore on Queensland's Sunshine Coast at about 3.20am Garricks Camera House on Plaza Parade at Maroochydore (pictured) was ram raided The second ram raid was then carried out 50 minutes later at a lawnmower shop in nearby Caloundra. The manager of Sunshine Coast Mowers, Steve Dufficy, said he was called by security after two thieves smashed the front door with a van and before kicking through the glass. He said they manage to grab two items, a little chainsaw and a leaf blower worth under $1,000 combined, before the alarm blasted which caused them to flee. 'The doors were closed still, they hadn't got right in ... The damage is more than what the stuff is worth,' Mr Dufficy told The Courier Mail. A CCTV picture of one of the offenders 'They didn't get much because we've got a big alarm inside which is awfully loud,' he said. He said CCTV footage from his store showed what appeared to be a boy and girl in their late teens running away from the scene. After the store employees pitched in by tidying up the damage to the store he said it would be business as usual by Wednesday afternoon. Police have confirmed the van was stolen from Brisbane and will have visible damage as a result of the raids. Investigations are ongoing and police have appealed for anyone with information to contact them anonymously via Crime Stoppers. President Donald Trump speaks during a briefing with reporters in the James Brady Press Briefing Room of the White House in Washington on Aug. 4, 2020. (Alex Brandon/AP Photo) Trump Could Accept GOP Nomination at White House President Donald Trump may accept the Republican presidential nomination at the White House, he said on Wednesday. Were thinking about it. It would be the easiest from the standpoint of security, Trump said during a phone interview with Fox & Friends. Movement of personnel required for the nomination is expensive, the president said. Were thinking about doing it from the White House because theres no movement and its easy, he added. I think its a beautiful setting and we are thinking about that. Its certainly one of the alternatives. Trump said he enjoys spending time at the White House and believes the building represents the nation. The plan is to hold a limited, business-oriented event in Charlotte while keeping the broader activities virtual, according to the president. Then-Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump is seen onscreen at the closing of the Republican National Convention at the Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, Ohio, on July 21, 2016. (Jim Watson/AFP via Getty Images) What were going to do is, were going to do virtual, and were going to do some live speeches from different locations, Trump said. Ill probably do mine live from the White House, he added, though hes open to it being somewhere else. First lady Melania Trump, senators, and Reps. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) and Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) will also give live speeches, Trump said. The Republican National Committee, which is holding the Republican National Convention, including the nomination, didnt respond to a request for comment. Before the COVID-19 pandemic hit, organizers planned on holding the entire convention in Charlotte, North Carolina. Because harsh restrictions remain in place in the state, organizers moved a portion of the convention, including the nominating portion, to Jacksonville, Fla. Those plans were scuppered last month because Florida saw a rise in the spread of the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus. The virus causes the disease COVID-19. Delegates still plan on gathering in Charlotte but all other business will be virtual, Trump announced last month. Allen Zhong contributed to this report. He was careful enough to avoid mentioning the other part of the Ayodhya settlement as directed by the SC in its November 2019 ruling It will be futile to bewail the violation of secularism with Prime Minister Narendra Modi participating in the bhoomi pujan of the Ram Mandir a little after Wednesday noon. Secularism has been squarely checkmated time and again from the 1989 Lok Sabha election onwards. The question now is how this would benefit the future of the BJP and Mr Modi himself. Will Wednesdays ceremony ensure that the BJP and Mr Modi will return to power in 2024? The BJP and Mr Modi would like to believe that it will, and they have taken all the pains to prove that the temple was now happening because the party had fought for it, turned a local property dispute in obscure Ayodhya into a political issue of national importance. But he did not say any of this in his address to the limited gathering at the Ram Janmabhoomi site after the foundation stone-laying ceremony. He waxed eloquent about the Ram of Valmiki and Tulsi, of Kabir and Nanak, of Mahatma Gandhi, though he deftly inserted the Hindutva narrative of undoing a historical injustice, which was a half-truth. He tried to project Ram as the symbol of national culture, of inclusiveness and modernity. But it was simply rhetoric in the service of BJP politics. He was careful enough to avoid mentioning the other part of the Ayodhya settlement as directed by the Supreme Court in its November 2019 ruling the allotment of land for Muslims to build a mosque in the place of the Babri Masjid that stood at the temple site. Obviously, the Prime Minister did not want to dilute the Hindu civilisation and culture line of his argument. The dispute was settled in favour of the Hindu side by the Supreme Court and not by the Narendra Modi government. The BJP leaders know that they cannot take credit for what the court had done, because if they were to do it that would mean that the Modi government had influenced or arm-twisted the highest court in the land. But the non-government trust set up to build the temple as mandated by the court was handpicked by the BJP, as is evident in the choice of the former principal secretary to Prime Minister Modi as head of the panel of the temple construction committee, and to express their gratitude to the BJP and the Prime Minister, the members of the trust asked Mr Modi to be the chief guest at the stone-laying ceremony. The BJP government in Uttar Pradesh under chief minister Yogi Adityanath had walked the extra mile to conduct the temple construction ceremony to make the bold declaration that this was a BJP event and that the temple trust was almost like a fig leaf to keep the separation between the BJPs Modi government and the temple, between state and religion. As Mr Modi and his colleagues project themselves to be admirers of the Constitution as the supreme philosophy of Dr B.R. Ambedkar, they are keen to maintain the fictional distance between the government and the Hindu faith. Mr Modi might have participated in the temple ritual like a believer and he has every right to do so as a private citizen but he did not keep it as an affair in the private sphere of Hindus, whether they are in India or abroad. The Prime Minister seemed to have got carried away by the emotion of the moment and said the temple marks a happy moment nationally and globally. Of course, he meant Hindus. He spoke as Prime Minister and for the nation, and he seemed to genuinely believe that Ram as a national symbol was acceptable to the followers of all religions in the country. But he would not want to say it because then he would lose the Hindu base of his party, and neither he nor the party can afford to do so. Did the BJP ever dare fight an election on the Ayodhya issue? It did not because its leaders, including Atal Behari Vajpayee and Lal Krishna Advani, were not too sure that it would pay dividends. Despite the 1990 rath yatra of Mr Advani, the party did not gain much in the 1991 Lok Sabha election, nor did it forge far ahead in the 1996, 1998 and 1999 general elections. After the defeats in 2004 and 2009, the party again fought two general elections in 2014 and 2019 under the redoubtable Hindutva icon, Mr Modi. But it still did not dare fight the election on the issue of the temple in Ayodhya. It can be argued that the BJP leaders displayed sufficient political savvy in keeping silent on the temple issue, along with that of the abrogation of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir. They were not whether they would be able to romp home based on these two evocative questions. Mr Amit Shah, when he was in charge of the BJPs election campaign in Uttar Pradesh in 2014 and as president of the party in 2019, followed the rulebook as it were. He said that the Ayodhya issue had to be settled either through mutual consent between the two communities the Hindus and Muslims or through the courts decision. Neither he nor his party said that if they get a parliamentary majority, they would bring in the necessary legislation to enable the construction of the temple. The sense of triumph of Hindu nationalism is unmistakable, and it is useful to remember that since the fall of the Soviet Union in 1991, religion has been the defining characteristic of national politics in many countries, in Russia and Turkey, and also partially in the United States of Donald Trump. India is following a global trend. The question is to see how it will play itself out because the politics of religion is generally based on hatred. It is sure to come in the way of Indias economic progress and social well-being. Mr Modi wants modernism as well as divisive religious nationalism. But history shows that religion is beautiful and sublime if it is not made a national political issue. However, the BJP has chosen, like many others elsewhere, to make it a national issue. The writer is a Delhi-based commentator and analyst MAUMEE, Ohio, Aug. 5, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- With 25 years of experience between them, Josh Torres and Isaac Lee express great passion when discussing the vital role chambers of commerce play in local communities. Having both worked extensively within chambers, they bring first-hand knowledge to the essentiality of such business-driven membership organizations. The necessity of chambers to adapt, evolve and uphold their relevance is what led Josh and Isaac to develop a revolutionary concept which will help such business organizations maintain their critical place in the continuously changing corporate world. ChamberLife is a new productivity tool for chambers which allows them to more effectively manage the recruitment and retention of members. The product creates an automated process to stay on task, focus on revenue-driven activities and enhance relationships with membership. "This is a product which will improve chamber productivity," said Torres, co-founder of ChamberLife Technologies. "If they follow the steps of this program, they'll see higher rates in retaining and bringing in new members. And membership is the lifeblood of chambers." According to Lee, chambers of commerce have struggled in recent years maintaining relationships with members as they battle too often with operational and funding hurdles. "ChamberLife builds in efficiency so more time can be spent working on mission-critical items," Lee said. "We created a game-changer that will allow chambers to stay on task and know exactly who to contact and when to contact them. This process will tag and trigger the next task for the chamber with a deadline, and keep the task automated throughout." The implementation of ChamberLife requires advanced technology and software development, something the entrepreneurs were seeking assistance with. They partnered with Digital-55, a creative marketing firm with extensive experience in cloud-based development. "We developed a simple, but potent CRM which produces solid lead generation," said Greg Whitlow, CEO, Digital-55. "Our technology was critical to implement with ChamberLife to encompass its features and sleek design. We took our technology and wrapped it around their productivity tool." Whitlow added that existing membership management systems in the marketplace are not adequately designed to accommodate the needs of chambers, so Digital-55 customized its product, built in automation and developed a workflow for best optimization. "Now, even one-person chambers will be able to accomplish their goals of retention and new membership," Whitlow added. As a full-service marketing agency, Digital-55 will also offer a discounted bundle package for ChamberLife users, which will include a custom website, full service email marketing and dedicated customer care and technology support, Whitlow said. To get their concept started, the entrepreneurs worked with local entrepreneurial support groups including NextTech Ohio, and Mercy Health. Torres said these groups provided funding, mentoring and technical assistance. "It has been a pleasure to work with Josh and Isaac on ChamberLife, as a former chamber employee, I immediately saw the value that they were creating. The founders' are motivated, positive clients, and Mercy Health is pleased that through the ESP grant we were able to assist them with the development of their product so that they could go to market. We are excited by the early adoption of so many clients with their Beta version, and know that their tool will have a positive impact." Megan Reichert Director, Innovation, Mercy Health Toledo. ChamberLife received its first endorsement recently when the Southern Ohio Chamber Alliance agreed to test the product through its membership consisting of more than 100 statewide chambers of commerce. "There's no other tool like this which automates productivity," Torres said. "We're very confident chambers which utilize this will realize greater success in creating stronger, more dynamic communities." To learn more about ChamberLife Technologies, visit chamberlifehq.com. Digital-55, a Maumee-based agency, can be found at digital-55.com. SOURCE Digital 55 Related Links https://digital-55.com YEREVAN, AUGUST 5, ARMENPRESS. Chairman of the ruling United Russia Party, former Prime Minister of Russia Dmitry Medvedev referred to border tensions between Armenia and Azerbaijan and noted that it should not create grounds for violence and clashes in the Russian Federation, ARMENPRESS reports Ria Novosti informs. ''I think our law enforcement bodies should focus on that this situation should not create grounds for violence or clashes inside our country'', he said. Medvedev noted that diasporas should also acknowledge their responsibilities. ''Otherwise, those who violate the Russian legislation should be held accountable under the Russian law irrespective of their nationality. And if those who violate the laws are foreign citizens, even from our friendly countries, reasonable measures should be taken against them. They should just be expelled from the country if there are no other grounds for holding them accountable'', Dmitry Medvedev said. Azerbaijan unleashed aggression against Armenia's Tavush region on July 12 but suffered losses and withdrew, after which Armenian community representatives in 3rd countries were attacked by Azerbaijanis. Editing and Translating by Tigran Sirekanyan ABC chair Ita Buttrose is continuing to put her stamp on the national broadcaster this time with a decidedly non-ABC choice for the annual Boyer Lectures. Twiggy Forrest and Ita Buttrose. Credit:Joe Benke The prestige lecture series, regarded as the intellectual centrepiece of the ABC each year, is broadcast on Radio National. This year Buttrose has approached billionaire miner Andrew Twiggy Forrest to line up in front of the microphone. The choice has caused consternation in some parts of the ABC. It could be said Forrest exhibits qualities not often championed by the noisier elements of the national broadcaster, being a male white heterosexual Christian mining capitalist. Staff at RN, sometimes affectionately described by other parts of the ABC as a commune, might well have cause to choke on their kombucha. Australian security agencies do not believe a massive explosion that rocked the city of Beruit was an attack, with the evidence from Lebanon suggesting it was a tragic accident. United States President Donald Trump suggested a bomb attack was behind the catastrophic explosion, contradicting explanations from Lebanese officials that it was caused by ammonium nitrate held in a port since 2014. The Australian government has seen no evidence the explosion was deliberate, with senior government sources saying it appeared it was an accident. At least one Australian is dead and the Australian embassy, which is reasonably close to the blast site, is significantly damaged with about 95 per cent of its windows blown out. iStock/ninjaMonkeyStudio(NEW YORK) -- With over 18 million people infected globally with COVID-19, the global death toll is swiftly approaching 700,000, according to data from Johns Hopkins University. The U.S. is the nation with the worst outbreak, with over 4.7 million confirmed cases and nearly 157,000 deaths. As COVID-19 continues to worsen in the South, several states have enacted new measures to prevent the further spread of the virus. Louisiana has mandated all bars to remain closed and enacted a statewide mask mandate through August 28, the second time Governor John Bel Edwards extended his measures, as they were anticipated to end on Friday. Meanwhile, Mississippi ordered all residents must wear masks during public gatherings and when out shopping. Governor Tate Reeves said the mandate will last two weeks. The state has over 62,000 COVID-19 cases and nearly 1,800 deaths. Also, in response to the growing number or cases, Governor Reeve issued an executive order that delays school openings for middle and high schools in counties designated as hot spots. The Northeast is now dealing with a climbing number of cases with Rhode Island landing itself on several travel quarantine lists. New York, New Jersey and Connecticut mandated that all persons who travel to or come from Rhode Island must quarantine for two weeks. In addition, Delaware and Washington D.C. have been removed from those lists. Overall, Doctor Deborah Birx cautioned that deaths will continue to rise due to COVID-19, saying there will be a climb over the next two weeks. The Centre on Wednesday issued a notification asking the CBI to probe the death of Bollywood actor Sushant Singh Rajput, that occurred in June at his Mumbai residence, officials said. A copy of the notification has been sent to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) asking it to probe the case, they said. "A notification has been issued by the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) paving way for the CBI probe in Rajput's death case," a senior official said. The move comes after the Bihar government on Tuesday recommended a CBI probe to the Centre in the sensational case at the request of Rajput's father. Rajput, aged 34, was found hanging from the ceiling of his apartment in suburban Bandra in Mumbai on June 14 and since then Mumbai police has been probing the case keeping in mind various angles. While hearing a case in connection with the actor's death, the Supreme Court on Wednesday said the truth behind the death of the "gifted and talented artist" should come out. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Centre, told the court that the Bihar government's recommendation has been accepted and the case has been transferred to the CBI. Bihar police had registered a case against Bollywood actor Rhea Chakraborty and five others, including three of her family members, under IPC sections 306 (abetment of suicide), 341 (wrongful restraint), 342 (wrongful confinement), 380 (theft in dwelling house), 406 (criminal breach of trust) and 420 (cheating). Besides Chakraborty, the others named in the FIR are three of her relatives Indrajit Chakraborty, Sandhya Chakraborty and Shobhik Chakraborty, and two others Samuel Miranda and Shruti Modi. The registration of the case led to a turf war between Mumbai Police and Bihar Police over jurisdiction of investigation. Maharashtra government has said it will file its reply after the apex court, while hearing a plea by Rhea Chakraborty in the case, directed the Mumbai Police to place before it the status report of the probe conducted so far. . Other posts from family, friends and colleagues included information about a firefighter who went missing after rushing to help tame the flames at the port and a photograph of a grandfather cradling his grandson. Hundreds lined up to donate blood overnight at a blood bank in the northern city of Tripoli, with one ride sharing company offering free rides to and from hospitals for those willing to give blood. Urban search and rescue units from across the region and further afield including from France, Poland, Greece and the Netherlands were sent to Beirut to assist in the hunt for the missing. Trump insists again that the blast could have been an attack. President Trump doubled down on his claim that the Beirut explosion might have been a bombing though other administration officials and foreign leaders say it was probably an accident telling reporters at the White House on Wednesday that he had heard both arguments. They dont really know what it is. Nobody knows yet. At this moment, they are looking, how can you say? Somebody left some terrible explosive type of devices, and the things around, perhaps it was that, perhaps it was on attack. I dont think anybody can say right now. We are looking into it very strongly, Mr. Trump said at a late-day briefing with reporters. Mr. Trump had said on Tuesday that the explosion looks like a bomb of some kind, and that American military leaders seem to think it was an attack. He reiterated that view a day later, and did not relent after it was noted that Defense Secretary, Mark Esper, had said that it was likely an accident. Ive heard accident, Ive heard explosives. Obviously it mustve been some form of explosives, Mr. Trump said. If Ive heard it both ways, it could have been an accident, it also couldve been something very offensive. The embassy and Malaysias foreign affairs minister said today that no Malaysians were affected by yesterdays shocking explosions that rocked Lebanons Beirut harbor, killing at least 100 and injuring thousands of others. Malaysian soldiers currently deployed under the United Nations Interim Force in the country are based out of South Lebanon and away from the disaster scene, according to the Lebanon embassy in Malaysia. No casualties were reported at the time being (involving Malaysian soldiers of UNIFIL), its statement said. (The situation in Beirut) is very bad, catastrophic. However, we have not received anything official at this present moment. It is not clear how many Malaysians are currently residing in Lebanon. Foreign Affairs Minister Hishammuddin Hussein also posted an update on social media, adding that Malaysians in Lebanon have been told to not leave their homes. Reports from the Malaysian Embassy in Beirut has confirmed that all Malaysians there are safe and have been advised to stay indoors, Hishammudin wrote online earlier today. Malaysia stands together in grief as our thoughts and prayers accompany the strong people of Lebanon. We stand ready to support any way we can, he wrote separately on Twitter. Malaysia is part of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon, or UNIFIL, and involved in its peacekeeping missions. The Lebanese capital was struck by two explosions around 6pm local time, or 11pm Malaysia time, near warehouses housing a large supply of explosives. President Michel Aoun said 2,700 tonnes of ammonium nitrate were stored in a warehouse without safety measures. Viral video footage showed thick smoke rising into the air after the first explosion took place, followed by a mushroom cloud that then swept through the whole of Beirut harbor during the second blast. More than 100 people were killed and at least 4,000 wounded. Two of those who died were from the Philippines. Other stories to check out: Face masks now compulsory in parts of Malaysia This article, Malaysians in Lebanon safe from Beirut blast: embassy, originally appeared on Coconuts, Asia's leading alternative media company. Want more Coconuts? Sign up for our newsletters! Chennai, Aug 5 : The DMK on Wednesday suspended its legislator Ku.Ka. Selvam for actions defaming the party. It also removed Selvam from all party posts and issued a show cause notice on why he should not be removed as a basic member of the party. On his part, Selvam said he was not worried even if he was removed from the party. He also attended a puja at the office of the BJP's Tamil Nadu unit on Wednesday. The DMK action against Selvam comes a day after he met BJP National President J.P. Nadda and Railway Minister Piyush Goyal in New Delhi. On Tuesday, Selvam had also asked DMK President M.K. Stalin to hold organisational elections and condemn the denigration of Hindu deity Murugan and the prayer "Kanda Shasti Kavacham" by YouTube channel Karuppar Koottam. However, he denied that he is joining the BJP. Selvam, who spoke to reporters in New Delhi on Tuesday, also demanded that Stalin cut the DMK's ties with the Congress as its leader Rahul Gandhi has been critical of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Returning here from New Delhi, Selvam went to the BJP office here and told reporters he is not worried if he is removed from the party. He participated in the special puja held at the BJP party office to mark the laying of foundation stone for the Ram temple in Ayodhya. He also indirectly criticised his party, saying that hereditary politics has now become family politics. Selvam said he was hoping for the post of DMK's Chennai West District Secretary following the death of sitting legislator J. Anbazhagan due to Covid-19, but was denied it. His meetings with BJP leaders in New Delhi led to speculation that the DMK legislator, will be formally joining the BJP, following in the footsteps of former Assembly Deputy Speaker V.P. Duraisamy. Duraisamy quit the DMK soon after meeting the BJP's Tamil Nadu President L. Murugan. The DMK had stripped him of his party post for meeting the BJP leader. Selvam, who had joined the DMK in 1997 after quitting the AIADMK and is the sitting MLA from the Thousand Lights constituency in Chennai, said that he is ready to face any action that the DMK may take against him. Dr Alex George has thanked those who came to his younger brother Llyr's funeral, a day after his family laid him to rest on Monday. The former Love Island star, 29, took to Instagram on Tuesday to share an update with fans, as well as his gratitude for the turnout to the ceremony as he felt it 'would have meant so much' to his sibling. Penning an emotional message, Alex wrote: 'Thank you to everyone who came to the funeral yesterday. Grateful: Dr Alex George thanked everyone who attended his brother Llyr's funeral on Monday as he claimed on Tuesday that the turnout 'would have meant so much' to him 'It would have meant so much to Llyr seeing so many of you, sharing your love for him. We will never forget.' Earlier in the day the reality star posted another heartbreaking tribute to his younger brother by sharing a photo of him with his arm around his sibling. Standing in front of a scenic backdrop, Alex captioned the image: 'Yesterday I said goodbye to my little brother Llyr. It was the hardest day of my life. 'Except it wasnt goodbye. Llyr, your dream was to become a doctor, you will live that dream. Every patient I see, we will do it together, you and I ' Moving: Penning an emotional message, Alex said that he and his family 'will never forget' how many people came to attend the funeral Thankful: Dr George (pictured in 2018) added: 'It would have meant so much to Llyr seeing so many of you, sharing your love for him' He went on: 'Your favorite passion is cars, every time I am out driving, I know you will be there laughing and smiling with me. 'I love you so much Llyr, you are always with me, my boy ' Several fellow Love Island stars replied to Alex's post, sending their love to him. Alex told his followers on Instagram late last month that he had lost his 'beautiful little brother to mental health' in an emotional post. Farewell: Earlier in the day the reality star posted another heartbreaking tribute to his younger brother: 'Yesterday I said goodbye to my little brother Llyr. It was the hardest day of my life' Poignant: In his touching tribute, Dr Alex said, 'Llyr, your dream was to become a doctor, you will live that dream. Every patient I see, we will do it together, you and I' Ahead of Monday's funeral, the A&E doctor wrote: 'Life throws us in at the deep end sometimes, however, with family and friends we overcome the most seemingly insurmountable challenges. Today is for you Llyr.' The previous evening, Dr Alex shared a post which read: 'Tomorrow will be the hardest day of my life. We will get through for Llyr and the rest of the family.' Llyr died just weeks before he was due to follow in his older brother's footsteps and start medical school. Dr Alex recently said he is 'still going' and 'will be OK' in time in an Instagram story shared on Thursday. Support: On the day of Lyr's funeral, he wrote: 'Life throws us in at the deep end sometimes, however, with family and friends we overcome the most insurmountable challenges' Sad: On Monday, Dr Alex appeared to confirm that his family had laid Llyr to rest that day as he took to the social media platform to share an update He said: 'So many of you are checking in on me so I want to say thank you and let you know I am still going.' 'In time I will be ok.' Taking to his Stories on Monday, the Love Island star thanked his followers for their support as he candidly discussed his grief. Trying to cope: The Love Islander recently thanked fans for their well wishes and concerns as he grieves with his family Tragic: Dr Alex announced to Instagram last month that he had lost his 'beautiful little brother to mental health' He wrote: 'These are the hardest times I could ever have imagined. 'The kindness and love our family has received has been incredible and I am so grateful. 'In the darkest times we must pick ourselves up, find strength and be there for our family and friends. That is exactly what I will do.' Emotional: The grieving star also emotionally revealed that he and his family are going through the 'hardest' and 'darkest' times Dr Alex also took to his stories on Saturday morning, thanking his followers for their support and said that he needs to time to take in the tragic news. He wrote: 'Thank you for all the messages of kindness here and to my phone. I am incredibly grateful of the support and it means so much. 'I am sorry that I can't reply yet. I need to try and process what has happened somehow.' In the emotional tribute announcing Llyr's death, the A&E doctor wrote: 'I can't believe I am actually writing this post. Distraught: Dr Alex announced to Instagram that he had lost his 'beautiful little brother to mental health' (posted on Instagram in 2018) 'I have lost my beautiful little brother to mental health. I love you so much Llyr. The kindest and most caring soul. 'I was so proud of you starting medical school next month, you would have been the most incredible doctor. We are hurting so bad. No words can explain. 'As a family we are devastated. We love you and miss you so much. Please rest in peace x Our boy.' Moving: In his emotional post he said 'I was so proud of you starting medical school next month, you would have been the most incredible doctor' It is believed Dr Alex's brother would have been 19 at the time of his death. MailOnline has contacted his representatives for comment. In 2018, Dr Alex competed on ITV's Love Island, the popular reality dating series which has seen former contestants Sophie Gradon, 32, and Mike Thalassitis, 26, as well as 40-year-old host Caroline Flack kill themselves. Many of Alex's Love Island co-stars rushed to pay tribute to his late brother in the comments of his post, with Rosie Williams writing: 'Oh no Alex! This is so awful. 'I'm so so sorry from the bottom of my heart. Sending you all the love in the world. Thinking of you and your family through this terrible time.' Charlie Brake penned: 'So, so sorry mate. Here if you need anything. Devastating,' Frankie Foster wrote: 'Sending my love to you and family mate.' Samira Mighty wrote: 'Stay strong,' and Wes Nelson added: 'So sorry to hear this Alex! Stay strong I love you mate!' Josh Denzel also commented: 'Brooo here if you need me.' Sympathies: Many of Alex's Love Island co-stars rushed to pay tribute to his late brother in the comments of his post Dr Alex is currently working on the frontline of the coronavirus pandemic at the University Hospital Lewisham in south-east London. Originally from Carmarthen, Wales, he studied medicine at the University of Exeter before he set his heart on finding romance on Love Island. He struggled to find his dream girl in the villa, though he did enjoy a brief fling with Alexandra Cane and started dating Amelia Bath in December 2018. The couple recently split after struggling to see each other during lockdown. If you have been affected by this story, you can call the Samaritans on 116 123 or visit www.samaritans.org. In this picture obtained from a social media video, smoke rises after an explosion in Beirut, Lebanon, on Aug. 4, 2020. (Karim Sokhn/Instagram/Ksokhn + Thebikekitchenbeirut/via Reuters) Trump Says Deadly Beirut Explosion Looks Like a Terrible Attack President Donald Trump said on Tuesday that the deadly explosion that killed at least 100 people and injured more than 4,000 in Lebanons capital, Beirut, looks like a terrible attack. His remarks were made at a briefing on the situation of the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States, where he began the conference expressing his condolences to the people of Lebanon. Reports indicate that many, many people were killed, hundreds were badly wounded in a large explosion in Beirut. Our prayers go out to all the victims and their families. The United States stands ready to assist Lebanon. We have a very good relationship with the people of Lebanon and we will be there to help. It looks like a terrible attack, he said. President Donald Trump answers questions from the press in the Brady Briefing Room of the White House in Washington on Aug. 4, 2020. (Brendan Smialowski/AFP via Getty Images) Asked later whether he was confident that the Beirut explosion was an attack and not an accident, Trump responded, It would seem like it, based on the explosion. Ive met with some of our great generals and they just seemed to feel that it was, it was not some kind of a manufacturing explosion type of event. This was aseems to be, according to them, they would know better than I would, but they seem to think it was an attack. It was a bomb of some kind. The cause of the huge blast, which occurred in port warehouses near central Beirut storing highly explosive material, was not immediately clear. Lebanons state-run National News Agency said that the source of the explosion was a major fire at a firecracker warehouse. According to a translation, the agency said that a major fire broke out in Amber No. 12 near the wheat silos at the Beirut port, in a bunker warehouse. The report added that firefighting teams were sent to put out the fires. Lebanons president, Michel Aoun, said that 2,750 tonnes of ammonium nitrate had been stored for six years at the port without safety measures and said it was unacceptable. He called for an emergency cabinet meeting on Wednesday and said that a two-week state of emergency should be declared. Social media footage of the explosion showed a giant mushroom cloud blasting into the sky. The death toll from the blast is at least 100. Officials said they expected the death toll to rise further as emergency workers dig through rubble to rescue people and remove the dead. The explosion flattened much of the port and damaged buildings across Beirut, and sent shockwaves that reached miles. Smoke rises from the site of an explosion in Beirut, Lebanon, on Aug. 4, 2020. (Mohamed Azakir/Reuters) Civilians carry a victim at the explosion scene that hit the seaport, in Beirut Lebanon, on Aug. 4, 2020. (Hussein Malla/AP Photo) Smoke rises from a massive explosion in Beirut, Lebanon, on Aug. 4, 2020. (Hassan Ammar/AP Photo) A red-orange glow hung over the city following the explosion. Lebanons health minister, Hamad Hasan, told the BBC that extensive damage and numerous injuries were reported. It was the most powerful explosion in years to hit Beirut, coming at a time when Lebanon is facing its worst economic and financial crisis in decades. U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo issued a statement expressing his condolences to the victims of the blast. Id like to extend my deepest condolences to all those affected by the massive explosion at the port of Beirut today. We are closely monitoring and stand ready to assist the people of Lebanon as they recover from this tragedy, he said in a statement. Our team in Beirut has reported to me the extensive damage to a city and a people that I hold dear, an additional challenge in a time of already deep crisis, Pompeo added. We understand that the Government of Lebanon continues to investigate its cause and look forward to the outcome of those efforts. Jack Phillips, The Associated Press, and Reuters contributed to this report. (Natural News) U.S. Attorney General William Barr is smarter than every Democrat on Capitol Hill, and he proved it again last week during what can only be described as a clown show disguised as hearings. Because in reality, Democrats didnt want to hear anything from him, as evidenced by their continued interruptions every time he attempted to answer their questions. The Epoch Times reported: The Democrats frequently interrupted Barrs responses to their questions and accusations, as Republicans yielded some of their own time to allow the attorney general to respond. Barr raised his voice on a few occasions to attempt to get a word in, but remained composed and calm as Democrats lobbed insults and what appeared to be poorly substantiated insinuations. The political theater was Barrs first appearance before the House panel since President Donald Trump appointed him to his second stint as AG (the first one was from 1991-1993 during President George H. W. Bushs only term), and the Democrats on the panel werent going to waste the opportunity to trash him, the president, and the presidents policies (which, so far as we know, do not include using the Justice Department and the FBI and the intelligence services as political weapons against the Joe Biden campaign). In his opening statement, House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerrold Nadler (D-N.Y.) went right after the president and Barrs DoJ. In the hands of President Trump, a Department of Justice that adopts a dangerously expansive view of executive power and demonstrates a willingness to shield him from accountability represents a direct threat to the country, he said without evidence. This administration has twisted the Department of Justice into a shadow of its former self, capable of serving most Americans only after it has served those in power, he added (the shadow of its former self part is true; the DoJ under Barr no longer spies on rival presidential campaigns like it did under Obama). During his opening statement, Barr dedicated roughly half of his time to the incident involving George Floyd, who died after being pinned to the pavement by a Minneapolis cops knee for nearly nine minutes, all the time pleading for air. Barr also dropped some major truth bombs that Democrats and especially black Democrats and BLM leaders refuse to acknowledge, much less discuss. The threat to black lives posed by crime on the streets is massively greater than any threat posed by police misconduct, Barr said. The leading cause of death for young black males is homicide. Every year, approximately 7,500 black Americans are victims of homicide, and the vast majority of themaround 90 percentare killed by other blacks, mainly by gunfire. Each of those lives matter. So much truth. And its not even recent truth; the Justice Department has known this for years. In 2007 a special report, Black Victims of Violent Crime, by Dr. Erika Harrell, Ph.D., a Bureau of Justice Statistics statistician, noted that, between 2001-2005, males were more vulnerable to violent victimization than black females, while blacks were generally more likely than older blacks to be victims of violence. Blacks were killed with a firearm in about 77% of homicides against them, she found. By 2016, the numbers were higher and worse. And it is not just that crime snuffs out lives. Crime snuffs out opportunity, Barr continued. But were not supposed to point out to the BLM hypocrites all of this black on black crime. Were not supposed to ask, how come those lives dont matter because those deaths dont advance the political narrative (lie) on the Left that police killed lots of black men and for no good reason. (Related: Everyone self identify as Black and we all get reparations!) Black leaders and those in the BLM movement have often said, its time we had an honest conversation about whats really going on. Agreed. But they dont mean that. What they really want is for the country to just accept the systemic racism lie so that well bend a knee and agree to all kinds of policies favorable to blacks, at the expense of everyone elses liberties. Sources include: TheEpochTimes.com NationalReview.com NewsTarget.com UPDATED Wednesday, Aug. 5: Police declare riot amid protest at union building *** Portland protests have gotten underway for the 69th consecutive day Tuesday. Demonstrations resumed Tuesday afternoon, the day after authorities declared an unlawful assembly and arrested two during a protest along East Burnside Street. A 15-year-old boy suspected of pointing a gun at people was also detained during a downtown demonstration Monday. Tuesdays protests began with a gathering outside the Portland Police Bureaus East Precinct on Southeast 106th Avenue, where a handful of demonstrators rallied against police violence. Additional demonstrations were held Tuesday, including a Black Lives Matter march, which is ongoing after beginning at North Portlands Peninsula Park, and the nightly protest outside the Multnomah County Detention Center. Protesters have gathered near the downtown facility since late May, demonstrating against police brutality and anti-Black racism after the Minnesota police killing of George Floyd. About 100 protesters gathered in Peninsula Park about 8 p.m. and began the 1.3-mile march toward the Portland Police Association building on North Lombard Street shortly before 9 p.m. There, they chanted in the street and listened to speakers. The contents of one trash bin was set on fire on North Lombard Street. Police just after 10:30 p.m. warned some demonstrators to stop trying to break into the police association building or face arrest or use of force. They issued numerous warnings throughout the night, declaring the assembly unlawful and saying use of force and tear gas could be deployed. A shock was sent through the crowd after 11 p.m., when a pickup truck raced through a street where the crowd was assembled, metal sparks flying from the undercarriage where a motorcycle had been lodged. The driver abandoned the truck blocks from the scene, and photos showed the motorcycle underneath the front bumper. No injuries were immediately reported. Video on Twitter showed a man who appeared to be the driver carrying a handgun and yelling at protesters as he walked away. A police officer told an Oregonian/OregonLive reporter that police were speaking with the driver. Shortly before midnight, officers moved through the crowd to deal with someone trying to break into the back of the police association building, but they retreated shortly after. Then about 12:30 a.m. Wednesday, gunshots were heard near a 7-Eleven convenience store nearby. The crowd scattered, and police officers arrived to investigate and look for any potential victims. A report that someone had been shot could not be confirmed, and officers began leaving the area about 15 minutes later. Protesters also gathered in downtown Portland for a nightly protest near the Justice Center and the federal courthouse. Numerous speakers also addressed the crowd there. On Monday, a crowd of about 150 marched to the Penumbra Kelly Building at 4735 E. Burnside St., which is used by the Multnomah County Sheriffs Office. The group rallied before being pushed back by Portland police, mirroring a similar confrontation that unfolded Saturday. Another crowd of over 100 gathered near the Justice Center. That event also briefly turned tense as police appeared to detain the boy with the gun, which turned out to be a pellet gun that looked similar to a firearm. Police seized the pellet gun, metal knuckles and a knife. The boy was released to a parent, police said, and the case has been referred to prosecutors. The items above were seized by police.Handout photo/Portland Police Bureau Recent downtown protests have been fairly subdued in contrast to those from the previous few weeks, when protesters clashed with federal police who repeatedly released tear gas and munitions on crowds. The Oregon State Police took over the federal courthouse security detail last week after the Trump administration dispatched more than 100 federal officers to guard the building in July. The move ratcheted up nightly downtown protests and prompted widespread condemnation by city, state and congressional officials. -- Jim Ryan; jryan@oregonian.com; 503-221-8005; @Jimryan015 Jayati Ramakrishnan, Dave Killen and Fedor Zarkhin of The Oregonian/OregonLive contributed to this report. Subscribe to Oregonian/OregonLive newsletters and podcasts for the latest news and top stories. DELRAY BEACH, Fla., Aug. 5, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- US Claims, the longest continuously operating pre-settlement funding company in the U.S., today announced several new executive appointments: Steve Bashmakov CEO; Sharon Levy COO; Scott Shey CFO; Ina Berlingeri General Counsel; and Alex Irvin SVP of Marketing. US Claims' current Chief Executive Officer, James Terlizzi, will take on the newly created role of Executive Chairman and will continue to work closely with the rest of the executive team. Mr. Bashmakov takes the helm with an extensive 20+ years finance background and significant financial management, investor relations, risk management, credit analysis, and strategic planning expertise. Steve has been with the parent company, DRB Financial Solutions, LLC, since 2015 and previously served as a Chief Financial Officer for DRB Financial Solutions and its subsidiaries. Mr. Bashmakov commented, "Today marks another chapter in US Claims' history and I am humbled to be a part of it. This is a 24-year-old business in a marketplace that has potential to grow substantially. It is rare for a business that has been around for 20+ years to operate in the market where one can see such growth potential. I could not have asked for a better team and I am excited by the future and confident that we will accomplish our growth goals." Donna Lee Jones, President of US Claims said of the appointments, "US Claims continues to demonstrate impressive growth and is having its best year ever, even with the formidable headwinds related to COVID-19. I continue to be confident of the business' prospects going forward and expect these additions to the executive team to position the Company to continue growing for the foreseeable future. I have worked with Steve for the last five years and I am excited about the future prospects of this business under his leadership." Sharon Levy will assume the role of Chief Operations Officer, bringing extensive experience in improving operations and business development. Ms. Levy began her career with Peachtree Settlement Funding and, with a Certificate of Professional Achievement from the Executive Development program at Kellogg Executive Education, offers a well-rounded perspective and valuable insight. Sharon has been with the parent company, DRB Financial Solutions, LLC, since 2013. Scott Shey, CPA, will assume the role of a Chief Financial Officer. Mr. Shey joined DRB Financial Solutions, LLC in 2018 as head of the FP&A group. Prior to DRB Financial Solutions, Mr. Shey served as a Vice President at Morgan Stanley where he spent ten years in various roles. Mr. Shey brings in-depth knowledge and expertise in financial audits and reporting, risk management, strategic financial planning, modeling, and analysis. He graduated from The Isenberg School of Management at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. Ina Berlingeri will assume the role of General Counsel. Ms. Berlingeri brings over 20 years' experience as an attorney specializing in commercial and intellectual property litigation as well as counseling in various areas of contract and commercial law. She was previously a partner at Holland & Knight, LLP and has an LLM degree from Harvard Law School, a J.D. from the University of Puerto Rico, and an A.B. from Amherst College. Ina has been with DRB Financial Solutions, LLC since 2014. Alex Irvin will assume the role of SVP of Marketing, bringing strategic and tactical expertise including e-commerce, online marketing, branding, customer experience/acquisition/retention at scale, and reputation management. He spent 16 years building and leading marketing and e-commerce for 1-800-PetMeds before entering the field of specialty finance. Mr. Irvin is a contributor and speaker for several media, marketing, and advertising industry resources and his education includes a Bachelor of Science in Business Management with a Minor in Linguistics from Liberty University. About US Claims: US Claims (www.USClaims.com) provides litigation funding for plaintiffs, attorneys and surgeries. Its flagship offering is providing non-recourse financial support to personal injury victims, some of whom may have suffered catastrophic injuries from defective products, unsafe premises, motor vehicle accidents, and other types of accidents; this financial support provides the injured plaintiff the means to pay bills and endure the often long and arduous litigation process. In addition, US Claims provides specialized lending to personal injury law firms to help them grow their practices. SOURCE US Claims Related Links http://www.usclaims.com Out of total Covid-19 tests being conducted every day across the country, about 25-30% tests comprise of rapid antigen tests, informed the union health ministry on Tuesday. So far, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has reported over two crore tests, out of which 26.5 lakh tests are antigen tests. In the last 24 hours, ICMR has conducted over 6,61,892 Covid-19 tests. With more than two crore tests done till date, ICMR reports 15,119 tests per million (TPM). When we started, antigen tests comprised only 5-6 per cent of the total tests being conducted in a single, but this proportion is consistently rising. Today, total antigen tests are nearly between 25-30 per cent tests of the total number of covid19 tests done so far, said ICMR Director-General Dr Balram Bhargava while addressing media on Covid-19 updates in India. Also read: Covid-19 effect on students a catastrophe, may hurt decades of progress, says UN Dr Bhargava said that rapid antigen detection test has a very high specificity, i.e., its ability to detect true negative from 99.3 to 100%. However, it has moderate sensitivity between 55 to 85%. This means that--about 45-15 per cent of the positive cases could be getting missed. And that is why we have reiterated in our advisory that if the person is symptomatic, the rapid antigen test results are negative then it should be followed by RT-PCR test to confirm the diagnosis, Bhargava said. Click here for complete coronavirus coverage When asked about what are chances of asymptomatic cases getting missed out, Bhargava said once the virus enters the body, it takes about five days for the person to manifest symptoms of fever. From 0 day to 5 day, you may not have any symptoms. And that point of time, even the RT-PCR tests may be negative and even the antigen test is also negative. So that problem is there. Once I get the fever, then we expect the test will be positive whether it is by antigen test or RT-PCR test, from that perspective both are similar. From 0-5 day one may not have any symptoms and at that point of time even the RT-PCR and antigen test may be negative, he said. Regarding the number of asymptomatic people and what percentage that varies and it ranges between 20 to 28 per cent, said Dr Bhargava pointed out a paper published in Indian Journal of Medical. Also read: Vaccine candidates from India progressing well, says ICMR Our advisory is clearly saying that if they are symptomatic then the RT-PCR test would be positive and the chances of antigen test being positive are very high. If the antigen test is negative in an asymptomatic person, RT-PCR may also be negative in a large percentage. So you need to look for symptoms and if a person develops symptoms in next two-three days, a definitely a repeat RT-PCT test may be done. New Delhi: Finally, the long-awaited moment has come. Bollywood actor Sushant Singh Rajput's death case will now be probed by the CBI. The Solicitor General Tushar Mehta told the Supreme Court on Wednesday that Centre has accepted Bihar government's recommendation to hand over the case to the CBI. The Supreme Court Wednesday said the truth behind the death of 'gifted and talented artist' Sushant Singh Rajput should come out, even as the Centre informed that it has accepted the recommendation of Bihar government for a CBI probe in the matter. As soon as the hearing was complete, social media was abuzz with reactions on the same. Sushant's former girlfriend and actress Ankita Lokhande hailing the decision wrote on social media: "The moment we have waited for has finally arrived." It was also liked by Suhsant's sister Shweta Singh Kirti. PTI reported that a bench of Justice Hrishikesh Roy directed Maharashtra, Bihar and Rajput's father Krishna Kishore Singh to file their replies within three days on a plea by Bollywood actress Rhea Chakraborty who is seeking transfer of an FIR, accusing her of abetting the suicide of Rajput, from Patna to Mumbai. The apex court, which posted the matter for hearing next week, also directed Mumbai Police to place before it the status report of the probe conducted so far in Rajput's death case. Sushant Singh Rajput was found dead at his Bandra residence on June 14, 2020. Fans and many celebrities had been pressing for a CBI probe suspecting foul play in his death. For the uninitiated, late actor's former manager Disha Salian was found dead on June 8, 2020, a few days before Sushant died. She allegedly fell from a Mumbai high-rise. (With PTI inputs) Shareholders' equity increased to a record $9.3 billion, with book value per share of $232.32, up 3.8% compared to $223.85 at year-end 2019. Gross written premium of $2.4 billion, reflecting growth of 9.4% (10.7% excluding the impact of foreign exchange). Strong renewal rate change in Everest Insurance, up 18% excluding workers' compensation and up over 12% including workers' compensation. Combined ratio of 97.5% and $50.9 million of underwriting income, inclusive of $160 million of Covid-19 Pandemic ("Pandemic") losses and $15 million of catastrophe losses. Attritional combined ratio excluding the Pandemic impacts improved to 88.5% vs. 88.6% in the same period last year. Net income of $190.9 million, net operating income of $82.9 million. Everest Re Group, Ltd. ("Everest" or the "Company") today reported that for the three months ended June 30, 2020, net income was $190.9 million, or $4.77 per diluted common share, compared to net income of $332.9 million, or $8.15 per diluted common share, for the three months ended June 30, 2019. After-tax operating income for the quarter was $82.9 million, or $2.07 per diluted common share, compared to after-tax operating income of $320.9 million, or $7.85 per diluted common share, for the same period in 2019. Everest Re Group President CEO Juan C. Andrade commented: "Despite the current challenging and uncertain public health, economic, and social environment, Everest reported another solid quarter and first half of 2020 results. Our ability to successfully leverage our capital position, our global platform, and our success in executing against our objectives even under adverse conditions drive our results. Our people continue to demonstrate the passion and resilience to differentiate Everest and deliver value to our customers. We have strong forward momentum across our Reinsurance and Insurance Segments. Turning to the Company's results, Everest wrote nearly $2.4 billion in gross written premiums for the quarter, an increase of 9.4% as compared to a year ago, 10.7% excluding the impact of foreign exchange. Our Reinsurance Segment ("Reinsurance") grew 9.1% while the Insurance Segment ("Insurance") was up 9.8% (11.0% and 10.0% respectively excluding the impact of foreign exchange). In Reinsurance, we continue to see excellent opportunities in several areas such as facultative risk, property and in certain territories including the US, Canada, Latin America and Asia, with an overall environment that gives us the opportunity to better shape our book towards deals with much better terms and pricing. In Insurance, the main growth drivers were continued strength in the Excess Surplus business, strong and widespread rate momentum (excluding workers compensation up 18% and up over 12% including workers compensation) and high renewal retention across all of our businesses. Insurance written rate also continues to exceed loss trend across our core P&C lines of business. Our combined ratio for the quarter was 97.5%, 95.4% for Reinsurance and 103.4% for Insurance, resulting in $50.9 million of underwriting income and highlighting the underlying strength and sustainable profitability of the franchise. These results include $160 million in net pre-tax losses related to the Covid-19 Pandemic ("Pandemic"), attributed $130 million to Reinsurance and $30 million to Insurance. The Company also recorded $15 million of catastrophe losses from civil unrest in the United States. The attritional combined ratio excluding Pandemic impacts was 88.5%, 86.7% for Reinsurance and 93.7% for Insurance. Our balance sheet and capital position remain a fundamental source of strength for Everest. This quarter reported record shareholder's equity of $9.3 billion; combined with our low financial leverage and top tier ratings we have more than ample capital to take advantage of current and future opportunities in the global reinsurance and insurance market." Other operating highlights for the second quarter of 2020 included the following: Net written premium of $2.0 billion reflecting growth of 13.1% Cash flow from operations was $598.6 million for the quarter compared to $393.7 million for 2019. Net investment income of $38.1 million for the quarter including limited partnership losses of ($88.3) million. Note that net investment income from limited partnerships is generally subject to a quarterly reporting lag, which indicates that limited partnership losses in the first quarter of 2020 are reflected in our net investment income for the second quarter of 2020. Net after-tax realized gains amounted to $150.5 million for the quarter, while net after-tax unrealized gains were $544.5 million for the quarter. Shareholders' equity at quarter end was $9.3 billion vs. $9.1 billion at year end 2019. The Company has paid $61.9 million in common share dividends during the quarter and $125.2 million thus far in 2020. This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the U.S. federal securities laws. We intend these forward-looking statements to be covered by the safe harbor provisions for forward-looking statements in the U.S. Federal securities laws. These statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements made on behalf of the Company. These risks and uncertainties include the impact of general economic conditions and conditions affecting the insurance and reinsurance industry, the adequacy of our reserves, our ability to assess underwriting risk, trends in rates for property and casualty insurance and reinsurance, competition, investment market and investment income fluctuations, trends in insured and paid losses, catastrophes, pandemic, regulatory and legal uncertainties and other factors described in our latest Annual Report on Form 10-K. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. About Everest Re Group, Ltd. Everest Re Group, Ltd. ("Everest") is a leading global provider of reinsurance and insurance, operating for close to 50 years through subsidiaries in the U.S., Europe, Singapore, Canada, Bermuda and other territories. Everest offers property, casualty, and specialty products through its various operating affiliates located in key markets around the world. Everest common stock (NYSE:RE) is a component of the S&P 500 index. Additional information about Everest, our people, and our products can be found on our website atwww.everestre.com. All issuing companies may not do business in all jurisdictions. A conference call discussing the second quarter results will be held at 10:30 a.m. Eastern Time on August 6, 2020. The call will be available on the Internet through the Company's web site at everestre.com/investors. Recipients are encouraged to visit the Company's web site to view supplemental financial information on the Company's results. The supplemental information is located at www.everestre.com in the "Financial Reports" section of the "Investor Center". The supplemental financial information may also be obtained by contacting the Company directly. _________________________ 1 The Company generally uses after-tax operating income (loss), a non-GAAP financial measure, to evaluate its performance. After-tax operating income (loss) consists of net income (loss) excluding after-tax net realized capital gains (losses) and after-tax net foreign exchange income (expense) as the following reconciliation displays: Three Months Ended June 30, Six Months Ended June 30, (Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts) 2020 2019 2020 2019 (unaudited) (unaudited) Per Diluted Per Diluted Per Diluted Per Diluted Common Common Common Common Amount Share Amount Share Amount Share Amount Share Net income (loss) $190,880 $4.77 $332,868 $8.15 $207,492 $5.13 $687,419 $16.82 After-tax net realized capital gains (losses) 150,519 3.76 25,994 0.64 (21,844 (0.54 99,899 2.44 After-tax net foreign exchange income (expense) (42,528 (1.06 (13,988 (0.34 (17,924 (0.44 (15,710 (0.38 After-tax operating income (loss) $82,889 $2.07 $320,862 $7.85 $247,260 $6.12 $603,230 $14.76 (Some amounts may not reconcile due to rounding.) Although net realized capital gains (losses) and net foreign exchange income (expense) are an integral part of the Company's insurance operations, the determination of net realized capital gains (losses) and foreign exchange income (expense) is independent of the insurance underwriting process. The Company believes that the level of net realized capital gains (losses) and net foreign exchange income (expense) for any particular period is not indicative of the performance of the underlying business in that particular period. Providing only a GAAP presentation of net income (loss) makes it more difficult for users of the financial information to evaluate the Company's success or failure in its basic business and may lead to incorrect or misleading assumptions and conclusions. The Company understands that the equity analysts who follow the Company focus on after-tax operating income (loss) in their analyses for the reasons discussed above. The Company provides after-tax operating income (loss) to investors so that they have what management believes to be a useful supplement to GAAP information concerning the Company's performance. --Financial Details Follow-- EVEREST RE GROUP, LTD. CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) Three Months Ended Six Months Ended June 30, June 30, (Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts) 2020 2019 2020 2019 (unaudited) (unaudited) REVENUES: Premiums earned 2,042,405 1,817,299 4,079,219 3,549,996 Net investment income 38,083 179,028 185,883 320,004 Net realized capital gains (losses): Credit allowances on fixed maturity securities (4,063 (25,837 Other-than-temporary impairments on fixed maturity securities (5,157 (8,090 Other net realized capital gains (losses) 188,711 35,429 (103 130,594 Total net realized capital gains (losses) 184,648 30,272 (25,940 122,504 Net derivative gain (loss) 11,869 353 (3,504 3,584 Other income (expense) (32,490 (18,225 (9,127 (21,525 Total revenues 2,244,515 2,008,727 4,226,531 3,974,563 CLAIMS AND EXPENSES: Incurred losses and loss adjustment expenses 1,407,016 1,094,630 2,837,856 2,143,180 Commission, brokerage, taxes and fees 466,316 420,950 914,838 810,424 Other underwriting expenses 118,130 104,833 246,990 203,818 Corporate expenses 8,733 7,535 18,566 14,187 Interest, fees and bond issue cost amortization expense 7,253 8,434 14,836 16,065 Total claims and expenses 2,007,448 1,636,382 4,033,086 3,187,674 INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE TAXES 237,067 372,345 193,445 786,889 Income tax expense (benefit) 46,187 39,477 (14,047 99,470 NET INCOME (LOSS) 190,880 332,868 207,492 687,419 Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax: Unrealized appreciation (depreciation) ("URA(D)") on securities arising during the period 551,753 197,759 272,354 430,824 Reclassification adjustment for realized losses (gains) included in net income (loss) (7,257 (1,869 24,142 (3,691 Total URA(D) on securities arising during the period 544,496 195,890 296,496 427,133 Foreign currency translation adjustments 20,586 (25,832 (30,238 (11,780 Reclassification adjustment for amortization of net (gain) loss included in net income (loss) 1,806 1,151 2,726 2,302 Total benefit plan net gain (loss) for the period 1,806 1,151 2,726 2,302 Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax 566,888 171,209 268,984 417,655 COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) 757,768 504,077 476,476 1,105,074 EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE: Basic 4.78 8.17 5.14 16.88 Diluted 4.77 8.15 5.13 16.82 EVEREST RE GROUP, LTD. CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS June 30, December 31, (Dollars and share amounts in thousands, except par value per share) 2020 2019 (unaudited) ASSETS: Fixed maturities available for sale, at market value 17,055,259 16,824,944 (amortized cost: 2020, $16,392,238; 2019, $16,473,491, credit allowances: 2020, $25,837; 2019, $0) Fixed maturities available for sale, at fair value 4,431 5,826 Equity securities, at fair value 949,170 931,457 Short-term investments (cost: 2020, $854,248; 2019, $414,639) 853,964 414,706 Other invested assets (cost: 2020, $1,816,373; 2019, $1,763,531) 1,816,373 1,763,531 Cash 922,479 808,036 Total investments and cash 21,601,676 20,748,500 Accrued investment income 120,387 116,804 Premiums receivable 2,484,271 2,259,088 Reinsurance receivables 1,852,887 1,763,471 Funds held by reinsureds 513,123 489,901 Deferred acquisition costs 578,210 581,863 Prepaid reinsurance premiums 464,206 445,716 Income taxes 294,333 305,711 Other assets 675,700 612,997 TOTAL ASSETS 28,584,793 27,324,051 LIABILITIES: Reserve for losses and loss adjustment expenses 14,276,641 13,611,313 Future policy benefit reserve 40,659 42,592 Unearned premium reserve 3,190,174 3,056,735 Funds held under reinsurance treaties 11,876 10,668 Other net payable to reinsurers 369,761 291,660 Losses in course of payment 199,157 51,950 Senior notes due 6/1/2044 397,134 397,074 Long term notes due 5/1/2067 223,625 236,758 Accrued interest on debt and borrowings 2,368 2,878 Equity index put option liability 9,088 5,584 Unsettled securities payable 89,749 30,650 Other liabilities 488,262 453,264 Total liabilities 19,298,494 18,191,126 SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY: Preferred shares, par value: $0.01; 50,000 shares authorized; no shares issued and outstanding Common shares, par value: $0.01; 200,000 shares authorized; (2020) 69,608 and (2019) 69,464 outstanding before treasury shares 696 694 Additional paid-in capital 2,225,993 2,219,660 Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of deferred income tax expense (benefit) of $66,616 at 2020 and $30,996 at 2019 297,137 28,152 Treasury shares, at cost; 29,636 shares (2020) and 28,665 shares (2019) (3,622,172 (3,422,152 Retained earnings 10,384,645 10,306,571 Total shareholders' equity 9,286,299 9,132,925 TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY 28,584,793 27,324,051 EVEREST RE GROUP, LTD. CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS Six Months Ended June 30, (Dollars in thousands) 2020 2019 (unaudited) CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES: Net income (loss) 207,492 687,419 Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: Decrease (increase) in premiums receivable (252,609 (174,583 Decrease (increase) in funds held by reinsureds, net (23,498 (55,421 Decrease (increase) in reinsurance receivables (147,515 (19,319 Decrease (increase) in income taxes (25,000 180,126 Decrease (increase) in prepaid reinsurance premiums (29,699 (137,092 Increase (decrease) in reserve for losses and loss adjustment expenses 800,816 155,096 Increase (decrease) in future policy benefit reserve (1,933 (1,648 Increase (decrease) in unearned premiums 159,744 219,263 Increase (decrease) in other net payable to reinsurers 89,499 132,474 Increase (decrease) in losses in course of payment 147,427 35,738 Change in equity adjustments in limited partnerships 84,066 (57,031 Distribution of limited partnership income 40,447 41,321 Change in other assets and liabilities, net (10,313 (60,820 Non-cash compensation expense 19,175 17,171 Amortization of bond premium (accrual of bond discount) 20,547 13,321 Net realized capital (gains) losses 25,940 (122,504 Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities 1,104,586 853,511 CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES: Proceeds from fixed maturities matured/called available for sale, at market value 1,261,650 1,009,921 Proceeds from fixed maturities sold available for sale, at market value 990,273 2,318,207 Proceeds from fixed maturities sold available for sale, at fair value 2,706 Proceeds from equity securities sold, at fair value 213,185 149,233 Distributions from other invested assets 164,975 143,752 Cost of fixed maturities acquired available for sale, at market value (2,301,701 (3,466,331 Cost of equity securities acquired, at fair value (224,086 (229,070 Cost of other invested assets acquired (343,332 (207,323 Net change in short-term investments (439,457 (499,983 Net change in unsettled securities transactions 49,504 88,531 Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities (628,989 (690,357 CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES: Common shares issued during the period for share-based compensation, net of expense (12,841 (7,485 Purchase of treasury shares (200,019 (24,604 Dividends paid to shareholders (125,205 (114,136 Cost of debt repurchase (10,647 Cost of shares withheld on settlements of share-based compensation awards (14,141 (11,748 Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities (362,853 (157,973 EFFECT OF EXCHANGE RATE CHANGES ON CASH 1,699 91 Net increase (decrease) in cash 114,443 5,272 Cash, beginning of period 808,036 656,095 Cash, end of period 922,479 661,367 SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION: Income taxes paid (recovered) 10,895 (83,995 Interest paid 14,992 15,984 View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200805006000/en/ Contacts: Media: Dane Lopes Group Head of Marketing Communications Everest Global Services, Inc. 203.388.3977 Investors: Jon Levenson Head of Investor Relations Everest Global Services, Inc. 908.604.3169 LOS ANGELESFollowing a Donald Trump executive order in May calling for rollbacks to Section 230, the Federal Communications Commission is now calling for input from the public on whether it should review that law. Last week, the Trump administration formally requested that the Federal Communications Commission potentially revise the 24-year-old law. On Monday, over objections from critics including its own members, the FCC opened the Section 230 review up for public comment, using the same system that during the 2017 debate over repeal of net neutrality was flooded with millions of fake comments from telecom industry lobbyists, bots, and even Russians. Section 230 is a 1996 law that protects online platforms from legal liability over content posted by their users. It has been under legislative assault from both sides of the political aisle at least since the 2018 passage of the FOSTA/SESTA anti-sex trafficking law, amid complaints that its protections for online platforms go too far. Those complaints have ranged from accusations that Section 230 allows platforms to turn a blind eye to online sex trafficking, to the claim that social media sites censor speech for political reasons. But critics of Trumps order, including sitting FCC Commissioner Geoffrey Starks, say that a presidential order cannot legally result in changes to an existing law. Only Congress can do that, they say. The broader debate about Section 230 long predates President Trumps conflict with Twitter in particular, and there are so many smart people who believe the law here should be updated, Starks said in a statement. But ultimately that debate belongs to Congress. That the president may find it more expedient to influence a five-member commission than a 538-member Congress is not a sufficient reason, much less a good one, to circumvent the constitutional function of our democratically elected representatives. Starks called on the FCC to simply dismiss the executive order, letting Congress make any legal modifications to Section 230. But FCC Chair Ajit Pai, a Republican appointed to the post by Trump, appeared to lash back at Starks in his own statement announcing the public comment period on Monday. I strongly disagree with those who demand that we ignore the law and deny the public and all stakeholders the opportunity to weigh in on this important issue, he wrote. We should welcome vigorous debatenot foreclose it. The public comment period remains open for 45 days, but public opinion is not legally required to play any part in the FCCs decision-making process. To leave a comment about the proposed rollback of Section 230, visit this FCC link. Photo By Janeb 13 / Pixabay In the eight months since China first alerted the World Health Organisation about a new pneumonia emerging in Wuhan, more than 18 million people have been infected by the disease known as COVID-19 and the global economy has been upended. The first case and the first death outside of China occurred in south-east Asia - in both instances, tourists from China who had travelled to Thailand and the Philippines respectively. A woman walks past a row of T-shirts printed with Vietnamese flags in Hanoi. For 99 days, Vietnam seemed to have defeated the coronavirus, but now a new outbreak in the city of Da Nang has grown to dozens of cases in six cities. Credit:AP But south-east Asian nations' handling of the virus has varied wildly, from out-and-out suppression (Thailand, Malaysia, Vietnam) and initial suppression followed by a big second wave (Singapore), through to disastrous (Indonesia and the Philippines). The extremely low infection rates of Cambodia, Myanmar and Laos are treated with suspicion by some observers each country has reported fewer than 400 cases while others argue the low numbers reflect high levels of citizens' compliance. Northwell nurses are welcomed to Intermountain Healthcare Northwell nurses are welcomed to Intermountain Healthcare Salt Lake City, Utah, Aug. 05, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Intermountain Healthcare today welcomed a team of 10 ICU nurses from New Yorks Northwell Health system who are in Utah as part of a collaborative partnership between two of the nations premier health systems to assist each other and share best practices and protocols for the treatment and support of COVID-19 and non-COVID patients. Last April, Intermountain deployed two COVID-19 Response Teams totaling 100 caregivers to assist New York hospitals during that states major surge of COVID-19 cases. Those hospitals planned to return the favor when their surge subsided, which it now has. Although Utah is not currently experiencing a surge of COVID-19 patients, these highly-trained ICU nurses from Northwell Health will support ICU teams at Intermountain Healthcare as they cross train and share best practices with one another while treating COVID-19 and non-COVID patients. A total of about 30 Northwell nurses will come to Intermountain in three teams of 10 for two-week assignments and will work in the ICUs at Intermountain Medical Center in Murray. We are excited to welcome our New York colleagues from Northwell Health, said Heather Brace, Intermountains senior vice president and chief people officer. This is a great example of two premier health systems and amazing and dedicated caregivers helping each other in times of need to support and care for our patients and communities. During the height of the pandemic here in New York, we were grateful for the extraordinary support provided by the Intermountain Healthcare system, said Michael Dowling, president and CEO of Northwell Health. We are now delighted to be able to reciprocate by sending staff to assist them in their current battle against this disease. Northwell Health has treated more than 70,000 COVID-19 patients during the height of the pandemic in New York, more than any other health system in the nation. Story continues During a news conference today, the visiting Northwell nurses shared their thoughts about why they wanted to come to Utah to assist Intermountain caregivers. "When Intermountain came (to NY) we were at one to four. One nurse for every four patients. When the Intermountain group came, they gave us a relief. A big part of nursing is helping one another, said Northwell Health nurse Shereyah Barbera, RN. I was very grateful for my own team and the Intermountain team became a part of my team. Now, being in Utah after getting our numbers in control, now I can come back and help this team again. "Why am I doing this? Why am I coming back? Honestly, it's a simple answer. I feel like I need to give back, said Adara Abrahamsen, RN, from Northwell Health. Nurses band together. If any of you are struggling, we are here to help you. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for having me." Last week, during an announcement of the deployment of New York caregivers to Utah, New York Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo thanked Intermountain Healthcare and the people of Utah for their support during the height of the outbreak in New York. On behalf of New Yorkers, we wont forget, and we will do for them what they did for us, because thats the American way, said Gov. Cuomo. "We're taking new steps in New York State's continuing effort to repay the gratitude that we've been shown by people all across the country. Utah and Intermountain were very generous to New York when we needed help." Although Intermountain isnt currently experiencing a significant surge of COVID-19 hospitalizations, clinical leaders are continually monitoring, preparing, learning, and adjusting treatment protocols to provide the best care for patients and the communities. This is a true representation of teamwork, working together across the country to support each other, said Paul Krakovitz, MD, Intermountain Healthcares chief medical officer for specialty-based care, who helped organize the Intermountain COVID-10 Response Team that traveled to New York. This sharing of best practices between health systems will greatly benefit patients in Utah and New York. The experience and knowledge that our 100 caregivers gained in New York during the peak of the pandemic there was invaluable for our preparation here in Utah, Dr. Krakovitz added. We hope the caregivers from Northwell will also benefit from their time with us here in Utah. ### For Media: B-roll and high resolution photos link About Intermountain Healthcare Intermountain Healthcare is a not-for-profit system of 24 hospitals, 215 clinics, a Medical Group with 2,500 employed physicians and advanced practice clinicians, a health insurance company called SelectHealth, and other health services in Idaho, Utah, and Nevada. Intermountain is widely recognized as a leader in transforming healthcare by using evidence-based best practices to consistently deliver high-quality outcomes and sustainable costs. For more information, see intermountainhealthcare.org. About Northwell Health Northwell Health is New York State's largest health care provider and private employer, with 23 hospitals, about 750 outpatient facilities and more than 13,600 affiliated physicians. We care for over two million people annually in the New York metro area and beyond, thanks to philanthropic support from our communities. Our 70,000 employees 16,000-plus nurses and 4,000 employed doctors, including members of Northwell Health Physician Partners are working to change health care for the better. We're making breakthroughs in medicine at the Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research. We're training the next generation of medical professionals at the visionary Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell and the Hofstra Northwell School of Graduate Nursing and Physician Assistant Studies. For information on our more than 100 medical specialties, visit Northwell.edu. Attachments CONTACT: Erin Goff Intermountain Healthcare (801) 507-7455 erin.goff@imail.org Anthony Levandowski was sentenced to 18 months in prison after pleading guilty to one count of trade secret theft. Justin Sullivan/Getty Images Self-driving-car engineer Anthony Levandowski was sentenced to 18 months in prison by a federal judge in San Francisco Tuesday afternoon, after pleading guilty to one count of trade secret theft in May. The once-celebrated engineer was at the center of Waymo's legal fight with Uber. Levandowski was a founding member of Google's "Project Chauffeur," which eventually became Waymo. Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories. After pleading guilty to trade secret theft, Anthony Levandowski, the former Google engineer at the center of a massive legal fight between Waymo and Uber, was sentenced to 18 months in prison by a federal judge Tuesday afternoon. He also agreed to pay Waymo $756,499 in restitution, to compensate the company for helping the government prosecute the case. Levandowski will not begin his prison sentence until the COVID-19 pandemic has entirely passed, and will also be charged a fine of $95,000. Levandowski, 40, was indicted on 33 criminal counts of trade secret theft and attempted trade secret theft in August 2019. The Department of Justice alleged he had left Google with troves of confidential technical documents with the intent to use them for his personal gain. Those same charges were at the heart of Waymo's 2017 lawsuit against Uber, which did not name Levandowski as a defendant. The engineer left Google's team which he had helped found in 2009 in January 2016 to found a trucking-focused startup called Otto. The Google effort, meanwhile, took on the name Waymo in December 2016, when it became a standalone company under the Alphabet umbrella. A few months after Otto was founded, Uber acquired the small outfit for a reported $680 million and put Levandowski in charge of its entire self-driving effort. Waymo alleged that the ride-hailing giant set up the deal with Levandowski so it could use Google IP to accelerate its self-driving research, which then-CEO Travis Kalanick believed was key to Uber's long-term survival. After a year of legal wrangling, the case went to trial in February 2018, only to be settled within a week. By then, Kalanick had fired Levandowski, who declined to testify in the case, invoking his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination. Story continues Levandowski soon founded another self-driving truck startup, Pronto, but resigned his post as CEO when the DOJ indicted him. He initially declared himself innocent and promised to fight the charges, which could have landed him in prison for decades. In March, he accepted a deal in which he pled guilty to one of the 33 counts, involving a weekly report that tracked the Google team's progress, detailed technical challenges, and included notes on how the team had solved various problems in the past. As part of his plea, the engineer acknowledged that that document counted as a trade secret, and that he had intended to use it for personal gain. He also admitted to downloading about 14,000 files from a Google server and moving them onto his personal computer. "I'm happy to put this behind me," he told Wired at the time. In his hearing, Levandowski's attorneys asked that he serve 12 months in home confinement at his house in Marin County, California, citing respiratory problems (he's suffered two bouts of pneumonia in recent years) and the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Levandowski also proposed he do community service involving talking to engineering students about lessons from his case. "Mr Levandowski can solve big problems," Judge William Alsup who also tried the Waymo v. Uber case said. "I respect that. I want you to know that." But, Alsup said, "This was not a small crime...This was the biggest trade secret crime I have ever seen." He cited the importance of deterring others from committing such crimes. "I want them to think, 'I could end up in federal prison.'" Alsup also instructed Levandowski that, after serving his sentence, he must give a speech to a total of 200 people, titled "Why I Went to Federal Prison." Read the original article on Business Insider A Kurdish-Iranian refugee who wrote an award-winning book on his mobile phone while held in one of Australia's notorious Pacific detention camps has been granted asylum in New Zealand, officials said Friday. Behrouz Boochani has been in New Zealand since November when he applied for refugee status after attending a literary festival to speak about his six years in limbo under Australia's hardline immigration policies. Immigration New Zealand said Boochani's application had been successful, which means he has the right to stay in the South Pacific nation indefinitely. "Mr. Boochani has been recognised as a refugee under the 1951 Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees and its 1967 Protocol," it said in a brief statement, refusing to release further details on privacy grounds. Reports said the decision was relayed to the author on Thursday, his 37th birthday. A relieved Boochani vowed to continue campaigning for refugee rights from his adopted homeland, where he will apply for permanent residency. "I now have certainty about my future, which is good, but I cannot fully enjoy this or celebrate while the Australian government is still unfairly detaining people in Port Moresby, Nauru and Australia," he said in a statement. Boochani is currently working as a researcher at Canterbury University in the South Island city of Christchurch. He painstakingly tapped out his book "No Friend But The Mountains" on WhatsApp while detained in the Australian-run Manus Island migrant camp off Papua New Guinea, which is now officially closed. After being pulled from a sinking boat in Australian waters in 2013, Boochani was held in Papua New Guinea under a policy adopted by Canberra to prevent asylum seekers arriving by sea from setting foot on Australian soil. His account of his plight won numerous awards, including Australia's richest literary honour, the Victorian Prize for Literature. New Zealand Green Party human rights spokeswoman Golriz Ghahraman, a longtime supporter of Boochani, said the refugee decision showed her country was "a place where fairness and compassion prevails". "People escaping torture and persecution based on their religion, race, and political activism deserve a place to call home, they deserve protection," she said. "We welcome Behrouz wholeheartedly." He fled Iran for Indonesia in 2013 when the Kurdish magazine he wrote for was raided by the military for publishing anti-government articles. He then paid a people-smuggler to take him to Australia but the voyage ended with him being sent to Manus Island. Behrouz Boochani has been in New Zealand since November when he applied for refugee status Washington (AFP) - Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Tuesday offered US assistance to Lebanon after Beirut was rocked by massive blasts. "We are monitoring and stand ready to assist the people of Lebanon as they recover from this horrible tragedy," Pompeo wrote on Twitter. Pompeo in an accompanying statement said that the United States will wait for the findings of Lebanese authorities on the cause of the explosions, which killed at least 50 people and flattened the Mediterranean city's harborside. "Our team in Beirut has reported to me the extensive damage to a city and a people that I hold dear, an additional challenge in a time of already deep crisis," said Pompeo, who has spoken in the past of his personal interest in Lebanon. The US embassy in Beirut encouraged Americans in the city to take shelter. "There are reports of toxic gases released in the explosion so all in the area should stay indoors and wear masks if available," it said in a security alert. By Ralph Caputo and Valerie Vainieri Huttle As Gov. Phil Murphy carefully reopens New Jerseys economy, these measures are often accompanied by mask mandates requiring masks to be worn in hair and nail salons, grocery stores and other indoor facilities. In the midst of a global pandemic that has killed nearly 14,000 New Jerseyans and more than 155,000 people nationwide, there should be no debate whether or not we should all wear masks. Governor Murphy has made his views clear: masks save lives. This debate is not new. During the 1918 Flu Pandemic, a cultural war broke out regarding the use of masks. Is history repeating itself? As the United States continues to battle outbreaks of COVID-19, debates persist regarding whether or not masks should be required. Mask ordinances in cities like San Francisco stoked political division, even prompting the formation of the Anti-Mask League. The 1918 Flu Pandemic holds many lessons for us as we continue to battle our 21st-century contagion. Amongst these lessons is the importance of masks. Wearing a mask is a sign of mutual respect. You wear a mask to protect others and others wear a mask to protect you. In fact, the Institute of Health Metrics and Evaluation has released new research that estimates 33,000 American deaths could be avoided by Oct. 1 if 95% of people wore masks in public. Or, lets think about masks as our path forward to economic recovery. According to research conducted by Goldman Sachs, if the United States were to enact a nationwide mandate on masks, it could save the American economy a $1 trillion economic loss. The research states that widespread mask usage could spare communities from needing to declare stay at home orders, reducing the need for strict lockdowns that stagnate the economy. There is no question that widespread adherence to mask requirements in New Jersey would accelerate our economic re-opening. Meanwhile, New Jerseys business community, especially small businesses, will continue to endure economic injury until it is deemed safe to restart or expand operations. Motivated by the public health and economic benefits of mask usage, we have introduced legislation (A4453) that would institute a petty disorderly persons offense in the event that an individual enters a store without a mask when it has been designated by the establishment that masks are mandatory for entry. Lets be clear, this should not have to be legislated. Public health experts around the nation and around the world have all confirmed that mask usage can help to slow the spread of the virus. And New Jersey is in good company for requiring masks in public places as 32 other states have also issued similar mandates. Mask usage, in concurrence with a comprehensive testing system and robust contact tracing, is the best solution to truly flatten the curve and save lives. Under the leadership of Governor Murphy, the State of New Jersey has made incredible strides to flatten the curve. But he cannot do it alone. To truly defeat this virus, we all need to do our part. This is not a partisan issue, whether or not opponents have tried to frame it that way. The simple truth is, the coronavirus doesnt ask for your party registration before it infects you, it doesnt care who you vote for before it confines you to a ventilator and kills you. One century ago, misguided and groundless debates on the usage of masks led to a culture war while thousands of Americans died. How many lives could have been spared? History doesnt have to repeat itself. We can all do our part to protect one another and it takes minimal effort. Just wear a mask. Lets leave the legacy of fear mongering and senseless culture wars behind us. Lets learn from the mistakes of a century ago and do our part to do better this time around. Lets be on the right side of history. Assemblyman Ralph Caputo represents the 28th Legislative District, which includes parts of Essex County. Assemblywoman Valerie Vainieri Huttle represents the 37th Legislative District, which includes parts of Bergen County. 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. More than 1,300 people were killed in the first half of 2020 by armed groups in DR Congo, three times more than in the same period in 2019, according to a report published on Wednesday by the United Nations. Between January and June 2020, fighters of all armed groups were responsible for the summary executions or arbitrary killings of at least 1,315 people, including 267 women and 165 children, the UN Joint Human Rights Office (UNJHRO) said. That was more than three times the 416 such deaths recorded in the first half of 2019. The surge is the result of a deterioration in the human rights situation in provinces where conflict is rife, particularly Ituri, South Kivu, Tanganyika and North Kivu, the UNJHRO said. Eastern DR Congo has been unstable for nearly three decades, its population terrorised by dozens of militia groups that are chiefly the legacy of two major wars. Violence in the gold-mining region of Ituri has raged since December 2017. The flare-up has pitched the Hema ethnic group, who are predominantly herders, against the Lendu community, who are mostly sedentary farmers. The two communities were embroiled in a bloody conflict between 1999-2003 that triggered concern across southern-central Africa and led to the European Unions first foreign military mission, the short-term Operation Artemis. The United Nations has warned that some of the latest attacks could amount to crimes against humanity. As in Ituri, civilians are caught up in escalating conflicts in the eastern provinces of North and South Kivu and the southeastern province of Tanganyika. At the end of October 2019, the army launched operations against all armed groups in the eastern part of the country. Despite those offensives, however, the massacres of civilians have not ceased. The UNJHRO report also noted that the number of violations committed by state agents decreased slightly during the first six months of 2020. State agents were responsible for 43 percent of documented human rights violations, including the extrajudicial executions of at least 225 people, including 33 women and 18 children, throughout DR Congo, according to the report. Advertisement Australian Omair Jheir (pictured) was lucky to survive the blast which happened 500 metres from his home A newlywed Australian couple living 500 metres from the Beirut port that exploded with the force of a small nuclear bomb have given harrowing accounts of the death and destruction they faced - and their desperate battle for survival. Omair Jheir, from Sydney, was relaxing at his apartment in the Lebanese capital when more than 2,750 tonnes of highly explosive ammonium nitrate - the main ingredient in fertiliser bombs - detonated. 'The sheer magnitude of it was more powerful than anything I have ever experienced. I was thrown against the wall, bruising my ribs, and my house just collapsed around us,' Mr Jheir told The Daily Telegraph. The 41-year-old - who owns a hotel, restaurant and coffee shop close to the port - frantically tried to find medical help as he walked over dead bodies and watched buildings collapse around him. 'My friends, my neighbours, my customers, they were just ripped apart. There was blood gushing out of their faces. There were people on the floor dead. It was devastating,' he said. 'I was not wearing shoes and there was glass everywhere. My feet were cut to ribbons as I walked down the street.' Mr Jheir created a makeshift bandage out of sheets to protect his feet before he and a friend went in search of a hospital. Newlyweds Omair Jheir and Hala Okeil had their lives torn apart after the explosion ripped through the city of Beirut on Wednesday morning AEST Red and orange clouds of smoke billow into the sky from the massive explosion that has left at least 100 people dead But the nearest medical centre was flattened - and the next three were already overwhelmed by patients. He was finally able to get help after presenting to a fifth facility, then drove two hours north where he was admitted to a hospital in Tripoli. Mr Jheir suffered serious abrasions to his face and body, as well as a broken arm. His three businesses on Gemmayze Street were completely destroyed. His yoga instructor wife Hala Okeili was lucky to avoid the worst of the blast. 'I was reaching home when [the port exploded]. I was lucky to be two minutes away,' Ms Okeili said. The couple's apartment was completely destroyed when the blast ripped through the city on Wednesday morning AEST Shattered glass and overturned furniture littered the floor of the couple's Beirut home following the disaster The couple lost everything including their hotel, coffee shop, restaurant and yoga studio 'In five minutes, I lost my home and everything in it, I almost lost my husband. Thank God he survived the... massive destruction,' she wrote. 'The yoga studio is extremely damaged, my cat who means the world to me is missing. 'The entire street we live in is down to ashes... many have died... Our lives as we know it are gone. What more is left!?' The Australian hotel owner's new wife Hala Okeili managed to escape the worst of the blast The pair had only returned to Lebanon a month ago after a dream wedding in Sydney In a tearful video online she added: 'Thank God we're alive. Thank God my husband is alive. Thank God the helper that works with us is alive. 'Our house is gone. The studio destroyed. But we're alive. 'It's really tough times, so thank you for all your solidarity. 'God be with those who lost their lives. God be with their parents.' The pair had only returned to Lebanon a month ago after a dream wedding in Sydney. Photos from the day show the happy couple smiling as they shared the moment with friends in front of the Sydney Harbour Bridge. 'Thank god we're alive. Thank god my husband is alive. Thank god the helper that works with us is alive,' she wept A drone captures the devastation wrought by the explosion, including a watery crater (bottom left) where the warehouse containing the explosive chemicals previously stood A man reacts at the scene of an explosion at the port in Lebanon's capital Beirut on August 4 At least one Australian was killed in the explosion which has claimed 100 lives and injured 4000 more. The death toll is expected to rise. The blast at a warehouse district at the port, where 2750 tonnes of ammonium nitrate had been stored, rocked the city early on Wednesday AEST. Reports suggest the chemical, used in fertilisers and bombs, had been stored for six years at the port without safety measures and may have been set off by welding work. Witnesses reported windows being shattered and buildings damaged 10km from the blast area. Shattered buildings litter the skyline in the seaport of Beirut after the tragic blast People run in the aftermath of a massive explosion An injured man waits for help at the explosion scene that hit the seaport Cars and buildings were torn apart during the blast Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the Australian embassy in the Lebanese capital had been 'significantly impacted' but staff escaped without major injuries. 'It's my deep regret to inform you that one Australian has been killed in this horrific blast,' he told Nine Network. Mr Morrison said there were usually about 20,000 Australians in the Lebanese capital but he was unsure how many had returned to Australia because of the coronavirus pandemic. 'Our hearts really go out to our Lebanese Australian community,' the prime minister said. 'I know there will be many prayers in the churches and the mosques in Australia but given the COVID restrictions, I would just urge the appropriate response.' Foreign Minister Marise Payne said the embassy had considerable damage from the blast. Army soldiers evacuate injured people An injured worker walks at the explosion scene that hit the seaport of Beirut, Lebanon 'About 95 per cent of the windows and front of the chancery of the embassy have been blown out,' she told ABC radio. 'Staff have been affected by a number of glass injuries. Fortunately, they are relatively minor and they have all been treated.' She announced on Wednesday evening that In response to the disaster Australia would direct $2 million in humanitarian support to Lebanon to help with the recovery. The funding will consist of $1 million each to trusted aid partners, the World Food Program and the Red Cross movement, to help ensure food, medical care and essential items were provided to those affected by the tragedy. 'Australia and Lebanon have a strong relationship built on extensive community ties, with more than 230,000 Australians having Lebanese heritage. This tragedy will affect many people in both countries,' Ms Payne said. Fires were still burning at the destroyed port on Wednesday morning as the full extent of the devastation - in a country that was already in the midst of an economic crisis - was laid bare Wounded people are treated at a hospital following the explosion, which has left hundreds of casualties in Beirut last night A drone picture shows the scene of an explosion that struck the port in Beirut yesterday and has caused devastation in the capital 'Tragically, one Australian has been confirmed killed. We send our sincere condolences to family members and friends.' Labor leader Anthony Albanese expressed his profound sympathy for those impacted. Human Rights Watch researcher Aya Majzoub, who lives 4km from the scene of the explosion, described it as a 'humanitarian catastrophe'. 'Entire neighbourhoods have been reduced to rubble. People's cars have been crushed under the weight of the rubble. 'People are still trapped in their homes or under buildings that have collapsed.' She said hospitals were overwhelmed, had to treat patients in parking lots and were running out of medical supplies. A destroyed silo is seen amid the rubble and debris following yesterday's blast at the port of Lebanon's capital Beirut Young Lebanese women wearing protective masks and gloves stand amid the rubble in Beirut's Gimmayzeh commercial district which was heavily damaged after the explosion tore through Lebanon's capital An injured man covered in blood is seen in Beirut following the explosion in Beirut on Tuesday The Lebanese Muslim Association said there was a dire need for international assistance. 'Today is a test of our humanity,' association president Samier Dandan said. 'We call on all people of goodwill to stand together in solidarity.' The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade said the embassy was making urgent inquiries of local authorities to establish the full extent of the impact of the incident on Australians. It said all Australian embassy staff had been accounted for. Australians who need consular assistance after the Beirut explosion can call (+61) 2 6261 3305 (outside Australia) or 1300 555 135 (inside Australia). Dramatic footage shows smoke billowing from the port area shortly before an enormous fireball explodes into the sky and blankets the city in a thick mushroom cloud It lay waste to the immediate surrounding buildings, where firefighters were still battling flames this evening, and even wreaked havoc on districts miles away from the blast site Many states have turned to mail-in voting to combat the spread of coronavirus Donald Trump has repeatedly spoken out in opposition of using mail-in voting She speculated on Twitter that making mail-in voting harder was an election plan Hillary Clinton has warned that 'Republican sabotage' of the United States Postal Service, including slow mail delivery times, is a strategy Donald Trump is using for reelection this year. When sharing a Philadelphia Inquirer article on Tuesday, Hillary Clinton speculated that the 'sabotage' of USPS is one of Donald Trump's election techniques, aiming to make voting by mail 'more difficult' and aid his reelection. Donald Trump has repeatedly spoken out against mail-in voting, rallying against states that have began implementing it amid the coronavirus pandemic. The article she shared on Twitter detailed Philadelphia residents's anger over mail delays and USPS staffing cuts, leaving the postal service short-staffed. Hillary Clinton has warned that the 'sabotage' of USPS, including slow mail delivery, is a strategy by Donald Trump to make mail-in voting more difficult and aid his reelection On Twitter, Hillary Clinton urged urged voters to request and return their ballots as early as possible, as concerns rise about how USPS will handle the record number of mail-in votes Clinton, 72, wrote on Twitter: 'I fear Republican sabotage of the USPS, including slower mail delivery, is a Trump strategy to make voting by mail more difficult this fall. 'Request your ballots and return them as early as you can.' Local union leaders in Philadelphia allege mail is 'piling up in offices, unscanned and unsorted' and that mail carriers are becoming 'overwhelmed'. Many states are turning to a mail-in voting option, in order to combat the spread of the coronavirus. Hillary Clinton's concerns come as some Michigan voters reported they did not receive their ballot in the mail on August 4, as the state voted in its primary contest. State officials reassured voters they can still vote in person in Tuesday's contest but the snafu came amid concerns about how the post office will handle the record numbers of mail-in ballots expected this election year. Nearly two-million people in Michigan requested absentee ballots to vote in the state and congressional primary contests and around 1.28million people have already returned those ballots, according to the Secretary of State's office. President Trump has repeatedly spoken out against mail-in voting ahead of the November 3 election against Joe Biden. He said the post office would not be ready to handle the millions of ballots expected to go through the mail system. Donald Trump has repeatedly spoken out against mail-in voting ahead of the November 3 election against Joe Biden, saying it will lead to voter fraud He slammed Nevada officials for approving a vote-by-mail election, repeating his charge that states that are going to mail-in voting are using the pandemic to steal the election. Trump, 74, added the Republican Party would be suing in Nevada to stop the mail-in voting, as it is suing in other states like California. On Monday morning, he accused Nevada of conducting an 'illegal late night coup' with its decision to embrace that option, as Republicans fret Trump's salvos could hurt them at the ballot box in November. 'In an illegal late night coup, Nevada's clubhouse Governor made it impossible for Republicans to win the state. Post Office could never handle the Traffic of Mail-In Votes without preparation. Using Covid to steal the state. See you in Court!,' he wrote. Trump and Republicans have warned that mail-in voting will lead to voter fraud, despite repeated studies that show that is not the case. Seven states have decided to automatically mail ballots to voters without them having to request one. Five states already conduct elections by mail-in ballots. And many other states have allowed fear of the coronavirus to be used as a reason for requesting an absentee ballot. Trump has repeatedly slammed mail-in voting even as he defends absentee voting, which he used in Florida's presidential primary and plans to use in the general election. The President slammed Nevada officials for approving a vote-by-mail election, saying states are using the pandemic to steal the election. Pictured, workers conduct testing on voting equipments in Miami, Florida But President Donald Trump came out for vote-by-mail efforts in his home state of Florida on Tuesday after spending months blasting mail voting nationwide as rife with fraud. He said: 'Whether you call it Vote by Mail or Absentee Voting, in Florida the election system is Safe and Secure, Tried and True. 'Florida's Voting system has been cleaned up (we defeated Democrats attempts at change), so in Florida I encourage all to request a Ballot & Vote by Mail!' He then defended the move in a Tuesday evening news conference where his first justification for his position was that the state has a 'great Republican governor', who is Trump-loyalist Gov. Ron DeSantis. 'Over a long period of time, they've been able to get the absentee ballots done extremely professionally,' he said. 'Florida's different from other states.' In response to Clinton's warning, Daily Caller opinion contributor Eddie Zipperer tweeted: 'This is silly, tin-foil hat nonsense, but Clinton actually makes a very good point here (accidentally) that mail-in voting allows the executive branch of the federal government to handle ballots en masse for the election of the executive. One more reason it's a terrible idea.' The foreign minister of Armenia, Zohrab Mnatsakanyan, has expressed support in connection with Tuesdays powerful explosion in Beirut. Shocked by the terrible news of Beirut Blast and its devastating consequences. Our thoughts and prayers with brotherly people of Lebanon. Armenia is ready to urgently provide assistance to Lebanon and its people. Beirut glory will definitely be restored, Mnatsakanyan wrote on Twitter. Zimbabwe's president has vowed to "flush out" his opponents as anger with his government grows over alleged corruption and economic mismanagement. Attempts by "a few rogue Zimbabweans" to destabilise the country in "league with foreign detractors" would be overcome, Emmerson Mnangagwa added. More than 20 people have been arrested since last week when an anti-government protest was blocked, lawyers say. Images of security forces beating civilians have prompted global outrage. #ZimbabweanLivesMatter has trended on Twitter, with celebrities - including South African rapper Kiernan Forbes, who is popularly known as AKA - supporting the campaign. Award-winning Zimbabwean author Tsitsi Dangarembga, a nominee for this year's Booker Prize, was among those detained for taking protest in a protest on Friday in defiance of a police ban. She was released on bail after being charged with incitement to commit violence and for breaching health regulations introduced to curb the spread of coronavirus. Journalist Hopewell Chin'ono is still in detention after being arrested and charged last month with inciting public violence. He had exposed alleged corruption in the health ministry during the purchase of medical supplies to tackle the virus. His arrest was condemned by the US government and UN officials. What exactly did the president say? In a televised address on Tuesday, Mr Mnangagwa condemned the "machinations of destructive, terrorist opposition groupings". "Those who promote hate and disharmony will never win. The bad apples that have attempted to divide our people and to weaken our systems will be flushed out. Good shall triumph over evil," he said. Mr Mnangagwa added that his government had faced many hurdles since taking office following the ousting of long-time leader Robert Mugabe in 2017, but it would remain resolute. "We will defeat the attack and stop the bleeding of our economy. We will overcome attempts at the destabilisation of our society," he said. 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 Mathura: At least three persons were killed and over half a dozen injured in two separate road accidents which occurred on the Yamuna Expressway on Thursday night due to fog, police said. In the first incident that occurred under Surir police station area, six vehicles had collided with each other amid dense fog on the expressway, they said. Half a dozen persons had got down from different vehicles to see the incident when a truck hit them in the dense fog at about midnight with the result that one person was killed and others got internal injuries, state a police report filed at Surir police station. The deceased, who was proceeding to Etawah from Delhi to attend a wedding, has been identified as Sumit Narain, 51. In the second accident, a car proceeding to Noida rammed a canter going ahead of it under Baldeo police station area on Yamuna Expressway, resulting in the death of two and injury of three. While the car driver, identified as Durvesh Kumar, 36, working in Noida Development Authority, succumbed to the injuries on the spot, his friend Gajab Singh, 38, died at S N Medical College in Agra, police said. They added that the condition others who were injured in the accident and are hospitalised in Agra is serious. All the injured and the deceased were returning to Noida from a wedding, the police said. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Ciarran Stott proudly declared he had no interest in becoming a social media influencer on Tuesday's episode of Bachelor in Paradise. But a quick glance at the 26-year-old's Instagram account tells a very different story. Since filming wrapped in December, Ciarran has uploaded dozens of sponsored posts, many of which feature special discount codes for the brands being promoted. Exposed: Bachelor in Paradise villain Ciarran Stott has been exposed after saying he has 'no interest in being an influencer' - as fans discover dozens of sponsored Instagram posts Within days of returning to Australia from Fiji, he had already uploaded sponsored posts for the likes of Novotel, Universal Store and Port Macquarie Koala Hospital. In January, he travelled to Queensland for what appeared to be a sponsored holiday at The Ville luxury resort. Spruiking the hotel in Instagram, Ciarran uploaded a photo of himself posing next to a car on the beach, alongside a glowing caption that read: 'Had such a mint time staying @thevilletsv and they planned so many amazing activities for me!' Cash in: Within days of returning to Australia from Fiji in December, he had already uploaded sponsored posts for the likes of Novotel, Universal Store and Port Macquarie Koala Hospital Branded: In December, the 26-year-old former Army rifleman modelled clothing from Universal Store as part of a paid-for partnership 'The hotel is proper swanky': In January, he travelled to Queensland for what appeared to be a sponsored holiday at The Ville luxury resort 'The hotel is proper swanky and the staff are really friendly!' the former Army rifleman added. Ciarran went on to promote the car rental company that had provided his flashy wheels for the trip. In the following months, Ciarran used his Instagram account to plug energy drinks and various fashion brands, including Diesel, Culture Kings and General Pants. Sponsored smile: In March, Ciarran received porcelain veneers as part of a sponsored deal with celebrity dentist Dr Deepan Duraisamy at Melbourne's Vogue Dental Studio Celebrity sparklers: Dr Duraisamy uploaded photos of Ciarran's new veneers just last week In March, Ciarran received porcelain veneers as part of a sponsored deal with celebrity dentist Dr Deepan Duraisamy at Melbourne's Vogue Dental Studio. 'I can't stop smiling now!' the tattooed Englishman wrote on Instagram as he debuted his new pearly whites. Dr Duraisamy has sponsored the smiles of countless reality stars, including Keira Maguire, Jessika Power, Tash Herz, Jessica Brody and Jack Vidgen. Drinking in the attention? Ciarran plugged Doctor V Energy drinks on Instagram in June Ciarran, who said on Tuesday's episode that he 'isn't looking for celebrity status', also recently signed with renowned publicist Max Markson. According to insiders, he reportedly charges $5,000 for a single Instagram post. Mr Markson boasted last month that companies from all over the world were reaching out to his clients to help sell their products. Under scrutiny: On Tuesday's episode of Bachelor in Paradise, the outspoken Brit was forced to justify his reasons for going on the show On Tuesday's episode of Bachelor in Paradise, the outspoken Brit was forced to justify his reasons for going on the show. During a tense interrogation with CIA profiler and 'Human Lie Detector' Steve Van Aperen, Ciarran insisted: 'I'm not looking for celebrity status or to be an influencer.' 'I've got an Instagram account, but I didn't know how to use it before I joined The Bachelorette. I still don't know how to use it now,' he added. Enemies fail to institutionalize insecurity in region: Iran's Defense Minister ISNA - Iranian Students' News Agency Tue / 4 August 2020 / 16:08 Tehran (ISNA) - Iran's Defense Minister Brigadier-General Amir Hatami said on Tuesday that enemies have failed to institutionalize insecurity in the region. He made the remarks during the inauguration ceremony of a gallery to honor late General Soleimani. "Enemies had a big plan for the region aiming to institutionalize insecurity in the region for decades and centuries but Lieutenant-General Soleimani and other Resistance members stood against the plan driving it to failure," he said. He stressed, "The exhibition shows two issues: the wickedness and the crimes of the enemies indicating they had a big plan for the region". He added that soldiers of the Resistance could stand up to all the blasphemy, crimes, money and weapons of the enemies with General Soleimani as the commander and with Iran's military support. General Hatami emphasized that Iran is better-equipped than before and will support its military -- the air force, navy, civil defense, missile units, and cyber and electronic units in order to defend the Iranians and the people of countries endeavoring to beef up security so that they can uproot crime and oppression from the world, according to IRNA. End Item NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Hersey could not, however, immunize his nation from some subsequent follies when nuclear weapons became entangled in interservice parochialism and rivalries. Fred Kaplans jaw-dropping 2020 book The Bomb: Presidents, Generals, and the Secret History of Nuclear War reports that a Navy commander once minimized the military effectiveness of nuclear weapons the Air Force had custody of them by testifying that you could stand at one end of Washington National Airport, set off an atom bomb on the other end, and walk away without serious injury. The Air Force, exuberantly multiplying potential Soviet targets to match the expanding U.S. nuclear arsenal, assigned 17 nuclear weapons to a Soviet base inside the Arctic Circle, where Soviet planes would land after bombing U.S. sites. U.S. nuclear weapons were allocated not just to Soviet tanks but also to the factory that produced them, the steel mill that supplied the factory, the ore-processing facility that supplied the mill, and the ore mine. As most epic love stories do, it began with a thoughtfully penned letter. Okay, a slide into her DMsthat, of course, being how things are done in 2018. But Dylan Sprouse's hopeful missive to the model he chatted up at an industry event was left lingering in cyberspace for the better part of a year. "I was like, 'Hey, I don't know if you're in New York for very long, but we should hang out if you want to. Here's my number,'" he told W Magazine of his opening salvo to Barbara Palvin after discovering she had followed him on Twitter. "And she didn't message me for six months." The Hungarian-bred beauty had her reasons. For all the reports attaching her to the likes of Lewis Hamilton and Justin Bieber, this was a bold-faced name she thought just might stickas long as they didn't do anything to screw it up. "I took my time," she explained. "I knew I wasn't in a good mindset at the time, and maybe deep inside I knew that it could be something more." All the Celeb Couples Who Broke Up in Quarantine She was right, of course, as evidenced by the fact that the twosome were sharing this tale at their first joint magazine shoot. Already a well-worn dialogue in the months since they'd gotten together, each knew their lines, with Palvin punctuating her last statement by turning to the actor, 28, and instructing, "Now say your part." The too long; didn't read version: he didn't want to look desperate and so he booked a gig in China, where he'd spend six long months filming Xiaolong Zheng's Turandot. "I'm not one to chase," he noted. "If I get left on read after putting out my number, f--k that." The time away meant he missed the long-anticipated opening of his Brooklyn meadery, but not his shot with Palvin. Because just as he was wondering, whatever happened to that girl, she finally texted. Now the former Disney Channel star (one half of The Suite Life of Zack & Cody's Sprouse twins, as most 20somethings would tell you) and the Giorgio Armani beauty ambassadormarking her 27th birthday todayhave eclipsed their second anniversary en route to a potential forever. Story continues "A few days late now due to having no service in Yosemite but happy two-year anniversary," Sprouse captioned a selfie, recognizing the June day they finally met up in Asia. "Here's to us looking more alike with each passing year until we're a single beast with four arms and four legs that runs at a top speed of 50 mph and screams like a baboon at nearby travelers trespassing into our woods. I love you." Dylan Sprouse, Barbara Palvin So you could say he's grateful he took the risk. That initial text launched an endless chain with the multilinguist (in addition to her native Hungarian, she speaks German, English, French and Japanese) quickly finding her digital footing. "There's a little language barrier for me, so I was never good with texting or flirting," she admitted to W. "With Dylan, everything seemed so easy. We had the same interests, and jokes were hitting at the right spot, and he didn't think I was disgusting or anything." Which is apparently a problem for someone who's been selected to model for the likes of Prada, Louis Vuitton, Miu Miu, Vivienne Westwood and Chanel. Eager to see if giving good text translated to IRL chemistry, Palvin booked a flight to China, deciding not to cancel even when her planned job in the country fell through. "I was like, 'Do you think that's crazy that I still want to go and see you?' because I was so excited," she recalled in a 2019 interview with People. "And he's like, 'Please come.'" 2019 Oscars: Red Carpet Couples Though she initially rebuffed his requests to be exclusive, she knew she was done considering other prospects "the first minute we met," she admitted. "I just sat down, took a deep breath and I'm like, 'What am I waiting for? There's no other guy I would love more than I love him and he's got everything that I need.'" If millennials had an answer for going steady, it'd be going Instagram official, and by August 2018, Palvin was wishing her actor love a happy birthday by gushing it was she that had received "the biggest present of all." And with the confirmation band-aid ripped off, there was no reason not to be very public on the Internet, posting snapshots of their August trip to her native Hungary. Though the couple explored the sites of Budapest, the getaway's major attraction was one not listed in tour guides: meeting the fam. Some boyfriends buy flowers, Sprouse studied Hungarian, taking particular note of common phrases during the earlier part of their trip and listening to Palvin's advice that he accept any offers of sausage and palinka, a traditional liquor. Dylan Sprouse, Barbara Palvin, Budapest "I wasn't nervous to meet her parents," he said, "but the truth is that there is a language barrier, obviously. Her mother speaks a very tiny bit [of English], and I am not proficient in Hungarian. I'm trying, but learning is definitely an overstatement." Mastering his role as Palvin's plus-one has been infinitely easier. Since making their red carpet debut in a very on-brand way at a New York Fashion Week party in September 2018, the couple have become step-and-repeat regulars. Most memorably, Sprouse turned up, Shake Shack in hand, to watch the 5-foot-9 pro work the Victoria's Secret runway in 2018, then hand-deliver her requested post-lingerie splurge. That move earned him more than a few boyfriend-of-the-year declarations, plus a few offers to reprise his role. The proud owner of a Dos Toros black card (it nets the user unlimited burritos), he told W, "I'm going to be the new food guy on red carpets." He's also the guy in the front row, offering endless encouragement, his vows to thoroughly embarrass her with his over-the-top cheering leaving her grateful her family attended the runway show's earlier viewing. But he simply couldn't help playing the part of proud boyfriend. Young Celeb Breakups "You know what, it's hard to see, like, from these interviews and I guess just from the Instagram posts and stuff how hard she's really worked to do this," he told E! News. "So I think the best part for me is just knowing that like after all of that, it really paid off." He was equally congratulatory when she was officially named one of the venerable brand's Angels in March 2019, bragging on Instagram that "the missus" had just scored the coveted gig. "Not only am I proud of her but really I think it's a case of feeling good about the world a little bit," he said to E! News, "because this is someone who I know has worked her ass off to achieve something that she's really dreamed about for a long time and then seeing someone put in that much effort, it often times doesn't pay off. But, with her, everyone supported her and came together and then she made it happen for herself, so it just gave me hope." So a public shoutout was a must, though he could have just as easily delivered the message in person at their shared Brooklyn flat. Their home for the past year and change, it's where the couple log much of their time indulging in sweets and a shared love of Dragon Ball Z and Naruto. While Sprouse told E! News they do venture out at times, to scope out new food joints in the city (you know, back when people did that sort of thing), and that they have plans to expand their culinary scope to Iceland and Japan ("Those are the two places that we want to go really badly"), asked to name their favorite date night, he had to admit they're of the homebody variety. "Honestly, we're pretty low-key," he said. "We like watching anime and chilling inside and eating ice cream together. That's kind of our thing." Cole Sprouse, Dylan Sprouse, Barbara Palvin, 2019 Vanity Fair Oscar Party, 2019 Oscars Of course as two, young, attractive public figures, duty calls at times. In February 2019, they turned up at the Vanity Fair fete (the post-Oscars bash) to hobnob with the rest of the industry's hot young things, but mostly to hold court with one in particular: Dylan's brother Cole Sprouse, who'd yet to make Palvin's acquaintance. (Riverdale filming requirements kept him tied to Vancouver, forcing the siblings to meet up in the most Hollywood of ways.) Though they're so loathe to be apart, their W mag profile describes them as refusing to "lose touch with each other," Palvin's status as one of modeling's current crop of "It Girls" means the occasional stretch of long-distance is a reality. But when her work and his on-location acting gigs divide them, "We make sure we FaceTime once a day," she recently told ET. "And we just text and just send a lot of memes to each other." And these days she never ever leaves him on read. (Originally published Oct. 8, 2019, at 3 a.m. PT) Member of Parliament (MP) for Ablekuma West Constituency, Hon. Ursula Owusu Ekuful and Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) of Ablekuma West Municipal Assembly, Hon George Cyril Bray joined the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Coastal Development Authority (CODA), Lawyer Jerry Ahmed Shaib on Saturday 1st August, 2020 to carry out public education on COVID-19. They also distributed facemasks and hand sanitizers to registrants and electoral officials at some registration centres as well as to residents in some communities within the constituency. The exercise was part of intensive public education being embarked on by the Authority to ensure that Ghanaians living within the Coastal Development Zone understand issues related to the pandemic. CODAs efforts are also aimed at distributing facemasks and hand sanitizers to the most vulnerable groups including front-liners, petty traders, fishers, farmers, commercial drivers, and the media as a gesture to demonstrate what is expected of all Ghanaians. Enhanced hygiene etiquette Hon. Ursula Owusu Ekuful, while she distributed the personal protective equipment (PPEs), educated residents on the need for them to comply with the safety protocols. Most residents, who were excited to see and hear from their MP, enthusiastically received and wore their facemasks. Officials at registration centres visited were happy to receive the group. They assured the leaders of their commitment to enforce the protocols to ensure that stakeholders in the registration remained safe while they underwent the process. Among places visited were Last Stop, Chemunaa, Glefe, Shiabu and Mamponse. At the Dansoman Market, traders were educated on the need to observe the safety measures in order to protect themselves as well as their customers. "Wear Your Mask" campaign CODA, an implementing agency of the Ministry of Special Development Initiatives (MSDI) is leading the implementation of the Infrastructure for Poverty Eradication Programme (IPEP) in the 109 constituencies of the six (6) regions that make up the Coastal Development Zone. Following the lifting of a partial lockdown of Greater Accra and Greater Kumasi in April, 2020 due to the outbreak of the new coronavirus pandemic, CODA launched the Wear Your Mask campaign to reach out to people at the greatest risk of infection. The Authoritys efforts have been geared towards educating the public on preventive measures to end the spread of the virus. Source: Daniel Adu Darko/Peacefmonline.com/[email protected] Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video The Olivia Valere nightclub in Marbella has announced it will reopen on Thursday after closing unexpectedly on Monday night due to some members of staff testing positive for Covid-19. The management cancelled the event planned saying that "due to safety measures and for the wellbeing of our customers we have decided to close our premises". It said, however that it was disinfecting and deep cleaning the club and that the doors would open again this Thursday 6 August, when Drian Lopez is due to peform. On Monday 27, the nighclub's staff, formed by some 80 people, were tested for coronavirus and the firm published on its Facebook page that 100 per cent of the workforce were negative. However some employees started to feel unwell a few days later, with Covid-19 symptoms. One of them publicly denounced the situation. Marbella Local Police then contacted the firm to ensure that the correct protocol for positive tests in a business was being followed. On Wednesday 29 July, the Costa del Sol Health District Epidemiology Unit asked the firm to provide the details of the members of staff as a possible case had been detected. The nightclub's management has said that owner Olivia Valere was very upset by the situation. "While this is happening in many other businesses, our nightclub is always in the news; it must be because our brand is internationally known", she said. Marbella town hall said that according to regulations, when cases are detected in a workplace, those affected must self-isolate and the premises disinfected and sanitised to be able to reopen. Overcrowding incident In the middle of July, the Marbella Local Police had to intervene at the nightclub when more than 150 people without tickets entered the premises where the Algerian artist Soolking was performing. The management had sold the 350 tickets permitted according to Covid-19 capacity restrictions, however more people gathered outside trying to get in. The 30 private security guards taken on for the event were unable to control the crowds of young people who found their way into the club through several doors. According to owner Olivia Valere, it was ticket holders inside who opened the emergency exit doors to let their friends in. The Local Police removed the clubbers without tickets and the show was able to continue at 4am. Later in the press conference, Deputy Chief Health Officer Allen Cheng noted that of the 725 new cases, 164 were tied to known outbreaks at places such as workplaces and aged care centres, a higher proportion than in previous days. This graph shows the number of new cases each day in Victoria going back to June 1. The red line is the seven-day average, which helps to adjust for day-to-day variations. As you can see it has been heading up and up, and on Wednesday its at the highest its ever been for Victoria, but in the last couple of weeks, it has wobbled a bit. We have also added in some annotations that show when new measures were put in place to halt the spread of the virus. Keep in mind that it takes about two weeks for any new interventions to take effect, given the time it takes for someone who contracts COVID-19 to show symptoms, get tested and then receive their positive result from health authorities. Loading Based on the experience of the first lockdown in March, when the numbers decreased virtually all the way through April, many would have been expecting something similar to happen this time. But over the course of July the reaction each day to the daily numbers for many went from when will the numbers start coming down? to why arent the numbers coming down? to why wont the numbers stop going up?. But to look at why the numbers keep going up, we have to focus on the R value, or the reproductive factor, which is a measure of how an infectious disease is spreading. This graph from Professor Bennett calculates the R value for Victoria since late June. It compares the number of new infections on a given day with new infection numbers five days ago. Five days was chosen as the reference window, Professor Bennett said, because that is the average incubation period for coronavirus. When it is at two, it suggests that people with coronavirus are infecting two other people on average, which would cause numbers to start doubling in a matter of days. When it is below one, people are not infecting others, and daily case numbers should start to decline. As you can see, the reproductive factor is still consistently above one which means case numbers will keep increasing but not at a level where new daily cases numbers start to double or triple every few days. Professor Bennett said her calculations corresponded with the state governments own internal modelling on infection rates and were the best estimate possible from publicly available data. Separate analysis from the Burnet Institute and published in the Medical Journal of Australia this week has found the reproduction ratio went from being 1.75 at the start of July to 1.16 at the end of July. As Burnet Institute deputy director and infectious diseases physician Margaret Hellard explained, that means in early July if there were 10 people with coronavirus, they would spread it to about 17 or 18 others. Loading Now, if there are 10 people infected, they pass it on to 11 or 12 others. In Victoria's case, that means 500 new cases give rise to about 580 further cases about one week down the line. For this week it is not surprising that we will have the same number of cases, if not 10 per cent more cases, because of the R value being what it is, Professor Hellard said. Hopefully in a week or two weeks the R value will fall below one and we will see a decline in the number of cases each day after that. If that R value had stayed at 1.75 through the course of last month, the Burnet Insitutes modelling suggests the numbers would have surged predicting between 9000 and 37,000 more cases than what were recorded. Loading Professor Hellard said the stage three restrictions had been effective, but not effective enough to drive the R value below one, but that enhanced restrictions may be what drives down the numbers. It is still a real concern. Those numbers are all a person, someones loved one, getting sick and at risk of dying of the disease, she said. In a recent survey, only 18% of Floridians were happy with how Gov. Ron DeSantis' government has managed the COVID-19 pandemic. (Joe Burbank / Associated Press) With the COVID-19 outbreak spreading to virtually every corner of the nation, both Donald Trump and his supporters in state legislatures and governors mansions should be worried with election day looming around the corner. In response to the pandemic, the federal government has essentially delegated responsibility to states and municipalities because its easier to hand off the job, with the assumption that people would be happy with their states handling the crisis. The numbers show quite the opposite. New data from the AEI COVID-19 and American Life Survey, conducted in June even before the current spike in cases, reveals that Americans across the board are not happy with the Trump administrations performance during this crisis. The level of dissatisfaction in red states that went for President Trump in 2016 is ominous for Republicans. Only about 11% of red state residents believe that the federal government is managing the crisis very well, compared with 8% of blue state residents. The difference in approval between individual states is not big either; California, for instance, shows a 10% approval for the Trump administration and most states fall within the same range, give or take a few points. In other words, the frustration didnt break down along traditional political lines. Many leaders in red states have taken a cue from Trump to discount the severity of COVID-19 and limit interventions to reduce virus spread such as mask wearing mandates and business shutdowns. Their constituents, however, rate them harshly. In fact, people surveyed in conservative states were often more displeased with their state leaders than people in more liberal states. Nearly 60% in both red and blue states support steps to ensure the public is safe even if that means keeping businesses closed. Nationally, residents of both blue and red states are also largely unhappy with how their state governments are managing the outbreak. Only 25% of Americans believe that their state governments are handling the pandemic very well. Residents in blue states, which have tended to be more aggressive in shutting down business and imposing public health orders, gave their state governments higher approval (29%) compared with people in red states (21%). For California, a traditionally blue-leaning state, the figure is 25%. Story continues The survey also found that state governments that most resisted closure measures presumably because they are following the lead of the White House have even lower approval ratings than red states generally. In Florida, for instance, only 18% of people believe that the state government under Gov. Ron DeSantis, a close Trump ally, has been handling the situation with COVID-19 very well; that number is 17% for Georgias state government led by Gov. Brian Kemp. Approval rates are significantly higher in blue states with stricter coronavirus controls, including Michigan at 29% under Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, who has been consistently attacked by Trump. In New York, 37% support the Andrew Cuomo administrations coronavirus response in New York, even though many generally disliked Cuomo prior to the pandemic. These numbers show a real disconnect between red state leadership and their conservative-leaning residents. Americans, regardless of whether they are living in red or blue states, are of the same mind about the impact of COVID-19. For example, around 50% of both red and blue state residents think that the worst is yet to come. More than 60% of people in both conservative and liberal states worried about someone in their own household contracting the coronavirus. About 36% of red staters have seen their incomes decrease, as have 32% of people in blue states. About 18% in both kinds of states report that half or more of their close friends and family have lost their jobs due to the pandemic. Its not surprising that theres so little public confidence in how any level of government has handled the pandemic. The failures are obvious in the daily case and death counts: This country now has 4.7 million coronavirus cases and deaths are approaching 160,000, possibly reaching 300,000 by the end of the year. In this national disaster, its notable that people in red states are even less satisfied with their leaders. With the November elections less than 100 days away, the question is whether state Republican officials will realize that the choices theyve made in managing this pandemic are out of step with the outlook of their constituents. This misalignment could be extremely hard to overcome for Trump and Republican candidates for offices further down the ballot. Samuel J. Abrams is professor of politics at Sarah Lawrence College and a visiting scholar at the American Enterprise Institute. Brian Ou 23 received a Scott and Anne Perper Internship Fund from the Career Exploration and Development office, one of 102 funded internships awarded to students this summer to pursue internships. Last fall, Ou was on a field trip to Portland, Maine, with other members of Bowdoin's THRIVE group when he met Scott Budde 81, who was hosting a networking event for the students with his wife and international children's TV producer Charlotte Cole 82. "Scott told me he had twenty-five years of experience in consulting and financial servicesindustries I'm interested inand he told me about his current project," Ou said. That project is the state's first credit union aimed at supporting local agriculture and Maine's food economy. Maine Harvest opened last October in Unity; Governor Janet Mills, US Senator Angus King, and US State Representatives Chellie Pingree and Jared Golden all attended. "Brian was just very inquisitive," Budde said. "We got to talking." So when Ou asked whether he could intern for Maine Harvest, Budde welcomed him. This summer, Ou is working remotely for the credit union from his home in Los Angeles. His project is to create a financial and qualitative analysis of fifteen mission-oriented credit unions in the US. His research has helped Maine Harvest calculate its rates for products like five-year CDs. Maine Harvest uses its deposits from credit union members to make loansfor equipment, land, or closing coststo small farmers and food producers who practice sustainable methods and direct-to-consumer business. "Maine is a great place to do this for a lot of reasons," Budde said. "It has strong institutions around farming and a great resurgence of small farms. But there are financing gapslegitimate needs for financing that are not easily fed by existing sources of funding." Ou said that his internship has opened his eyes to impact investing. "I think that impact and ESG [environmental, social, and governance) investing will become much more relevant and important in finance," he said. "In my research, there is evidence pointing out that millennials, my generation, care much more about how our investments reflect our values and what we believe in. He added that millennials will also be receiving the largest shift of intergenerational wealth in a decade or so, "so the demand for more environmentally and socially-aware investment products will definitely rise." More younger people, he added, are choosing not to invest in global corporations like oil and gas companies and tobacco companies, or are demanding more accountability from them. These insights are shaping the way Ou is thinking about his career. He'd like to focus on impact-oriented investmentswhether with a well-established company like Vanguard or at smaller investment management firms like hedge funds. "Working with Maine Harvest this summer has opened up a new niche path in finance that I really look forward to exploring further," he said. "Because the whole point of finance shouldn't just be about making money, but also making a positive change in communities and the world." For the first time, the Air Force is allowing female airmen to wear pants instead of the traditional floor-length A-line skirt with their mess dress uniforms. The exception-to-policy memorandum, issued Aug. 4, is effective immediately, according to a service news release. The decision, officials said, was the result of "overwhelming feedback" from airmen. Read Next: Navy SEAL Boss Cuts Ties with Museum Over Kaepernick Dog Attack Video "It's our responsibility to provide flexible uniform options that are functional and comfortable for all Air and Space Professionals," Lt. Gen. Brian Kelly, deputy chief of staff for manpower, personnel and services, said in the release. "We have a lot of people working really hard to review our existing policies to make sure there are no unintended barriers or unfair practices that may be impacting specific groups of people on our team." Air Force mess dress is the most formal dress uniform, reserved for black tie-level events. It consists of a blue dress jacket with silver trim and shiny lapels over a white shirt, with blue pants or a floor-length skirt. Previously, exceptions to allow women to wear trousers with the uniform had been made on a more narrow, case-by-case basis. Female airmen are now authorized to purchase and alter men's mess dress trousers, which will be provided by the Army and Air Force Exchange Service without cost, according to the release. New mess dress slacks designed specifically for women will be available in approximately 18 to 24 months, it added. Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force Kaleth Wright said the brass considered airmen's feedback in making the decision. "A small thing, but one that I hope can go a long way to helping Airmen realize that we listen, we hear, and we care," he said. The change will be included in the next update of Air Force Instruction 36-2903, Dress and Personal Appearance of Air Force Personnel, according to the release. "This is a step in the right direction in creating an inclusive culture, Kelly said, adding that the Air Force will continue making efforts to remove uniform barriers in the Air Force. The most recent change follows a series of uniform updates aimed at better meeting the needs of female airmen. Under recently retired Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David Goldfein, the Air Force began an in-depth overhaul of female flight suits and other uniform items. Last year, it authorized two-piece flight suits, making it easier for women to take bathroom breaks on long flights. In June, the service moved forward with plans to purchase specially made maternity flight suits for the first time. Last October, Goldfein promised that better-fitting dress blue uniforms for female airmen were also on the way. "Our uniforms have traditionally not been sized for women, and that's beyond just the uniform itself. It's also the gear that we have. We have women performing in every combat mission, and we owe it to them to have gear that fits," Goldfein told reporters in 2018. -- Bing Xiao can be reached at bingxiao2020@u.northwestern.edu. Related: The Air Force Is On a Mission to Fix Its Uniforms A Hertfordshire theatre and gig venue named after the colonialist Cecil Rhodes has officially dropped its 57-year-old moniker amid growing pressure from campaigners who labelled it racist. Rhodes Arts Complex, in Bishops Stortford, will now be known as South Mill Arts. The change follows heated debate in the town and online about whether it was appropriate for the centre to effectively honour a Victorian imperialist who, critics say, was actively involved in the exploitation of black South Africans. That itself was sparked by the wider Black Lives Matter protests that exploded across the western world following the death of George Floyd at the hands of white police officers in the US city of Minneapolis in May. Now, after a petition was signed by more than 1,000 people, the theatre which has hosted performances by David Bowie, The Who and Elton John will be given the identity makeover. The trust that runs the complex will also change its name from Rhodes Birthplace Trust to Bishops Stortford Museum and Arts Charitable Incorporated Organisation, reports the Bishops Stortford Independent website. In a statement on Wednesday, the group said the transformation would allow it to better fulfil its anticipated future role in the cultural life of Bishops Stortford and district. It added: Whilst the trust originally indicated that it would consult the local community about a new name, the lively debate in the press, on social media and in unsolicited emails to the complex has more than adequately expressed the communitys views and the trustees now feel that such a consultation is not necessary The choice of South Mill Arts reflects clear and appropriate historical links spanning almost a millennium, recognises the towns heritage in the milling and malting industries. The centre was named after Rhodes when it first opened in 1963 because he was born on the site and, until recent years, was considered one of the towns greatest sons. The change comes less than two months after it was announced by Oxford University bosses that they were looking into removing a controversial statue of Rhodes from outside Oriel College. But Shannon Jezzard, a councillor in neighbouring Harlow who campaigned for the renaming, said it should have happened sooner. There are so many positive things about Bishops Stortford and, in this age, we shouldnt be honouring someone no matter where he was born who had done so many awful things and who was a white supremacist, she told The Independent. She added: This is an arts venue. It is supposed to be inclusive. It is unclear however if the new name will satisfy all campaigners: some had demanded the complex should be retitled after a person of colour. A former master sergeant in the Army Band who claims service officials forced him into retirement because of expressions of his Christian faith and conservative opinions says he plans to appeal after an adverse ruling in his case. The U.S. Court of Federal Claims published a ruling Tuesday in favor of a government motion to dismiss the case brought by Nathan Sommers, saying that, because he'd chosen retirement over separation from the military, the move was not involuntary. Read Next: Army Special Forces Colonel Faces Court-Martial on Sexual Assault Charges Sommers, whose lawsuit made national headlines when he filed it in 2014, claimed that his display of anti-Obama bumper stickers on his car, reading a book by conservative talk-show host Rush Limbaugh before a performance, and pointedly serving Chick-fil-A sandwiches at a promotion party "in honor of the repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell" all served to turn his unit against him and precipitated the end of his Army career. He served in the Air Force from 1988 to 1997, joined the Army immediately after his honorable discharge, and took a position in the Army Band as a tenor soloist. He was promoted to master sergeant on Sept. 1, 2012. That same month, according to the court opinion, he posted two Twitter messages mentioning Don't Ask, Don't Tell, the policy prohibiting gay troops from serving openly that was repealed in 2011, and his decision to serve Chick-fil-A. "In honor of DADT repeal, and Obama/Holder's refusal to enforce DOMA act, I'm serving Chick-fil-A at my MSG promo reception for Army today," he tweeted in one message, referencing then-President Barack Obama, former U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder, and the federal Defense of Marriage Act, which would later be ruled unconstitutional by the U.S. Supreme Court. While the fast food chain's owners never weighed in on Don't Ask Don't Tell, Chick-fil-A COO Dan Cathy made public statements in 2012 in opposition of same-sex marriage, leading to controversy and boycotts. In October 2012, according to court papers, Sommers was counseled by his chain of command against political activity while in uniform, and his commanding officer, Col. Thomas Palmatier, initiated a fact-finding investigation. Continued tension between Sommers and his chain of command culminated in non-judicial punishment proceedings on June 7, 2013, on the grounds that he had inappropriately traveled while on convalescent leave status. While Sommers disputed the claim, he was found guilty and punished. In May of that year, he also got a poor enlisted performance review that stated, among other things, that he "demonstrated difficulty accepting correction from his leadership and taking responsibility for his own actions;" "demonstrated limited potential for positions of greater rank and responsibility;" and "did not treat people as they should be treated." Sommers claims it was the first substandard review of his military career. Less than a year later, on Feb. 7, 2014, under the Army's Qualitative Management Program, he was notified that he had a choice: to accept discharge by Aug. 1; request voluntary retirement with benefits; or appeal and request to be retained. Sommers' appeal was denied on March 26, and he elected to retire on the last day before his discharge deadline, July 31. "The issue has to do with whether or not Master Sgt. Sommers voluntarily retired," Sommers' attorney, John Wells of the legal group Military Veterans Advocacy Inc., told Military.com. "He did not accept retirement until the last day. That's no real decision; he fought it until the last minute of the last day." The court disagreed, however. Delivering the opinion, Judge Richard Hertling said Sommers had not exhausted the options available to him before choosing retirement to preserve his military benefits. "The plaintiff took and continues to take issue with both his evaluation and his nonjudicial punishment, the factors that the plaintiff alleges informed the [Qualitative Management Program] decision," Hertling wrote. "The plaintiff could have continued to pursue avenues of administrative relief. He could have brought his complaints with both the evaluation and the non-judicial punishment, and with the QMP determination itself, before this Court had he accepted a discharge. He might have prevailed, but there was risk in such an approach. He decided to retire. He had that option on account of his many years of distinguished service." Wells said he plans to take the case to the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit for another look. "I think it probably needs to be decided at the appellate level," he said. He added that he believed the actions taken against Sommers were an "obvious" attempt to target him for his views. "It was a setup by a clique within the Army Band who disagreed with his political and religious beliefs," he said. "We watched it unfold, knew exactly what was going to happen, and it did." -- Hope Hodge Seck can be reached at hope.seck@military.com. Follow her on Twitter at @HopeSeck. Related: Navy SEAL Boss Cuts Ties with Museum Over Kaepernick Dog Attack Video The Andhra Pradesh police on Wednesday suspended a police inspector in Srikakulam district for allegedly kicking and beating a villager who went to the police station to complain about a dispute over distribution of house sites on Tuesday. A video of the inspector, C Venugopal of Palasa-Kasigbugga town police station, kicking Marri Jagan from Tekkalipatnam village of Palasa block on his stomach and slapping him a couple of times, went viral in the social media, triggering protests from opposition parties and local Scheduled Caste organisations. Following instructions from state deputy chief minister Dharmana Krishna Das, district superintendent of police Amit Bardar and deputy inspector general L K V Ranga Rao ordered a probe into the incident and took action against the erring police inspector. Amit Bardar told reporters later in the afternoon that Venugopal had been placed under suspension and a probe had been ordered. Condemning the behaviour of the inspector against the villager, he apologised to the victims family on behalf of the police. We shall take measures to prevent recurrence of such instances in future, he assured. Andhra Pradesh director general of police Gautam Sawang also said such highhanded behaviour is not acceptable in the police department. The AP police, through its Twitter handle, said it will not tolerate highhanded behavior. An incident was reported regarding Police behaviour with Youth in Srikakulam Dist. Inspector Kasibugga has been suspended for his highhanded #behaviour. An enquiry has also been ordered to go into the facts. Such behaviour cannot be tolerated within #APPolice & @POLICESRIKAKULM, it tweeted. According to the police, the family of Marri Jagan had a dispute over land patta with some others in the village. On Tuesday evening, Jagan and his mother went to the Kasibugga police station to lodge a complaint. The inspector suddenly got angry and kicked the man out of the police station and slapped him repeatedly. The victims mother came to his rescue and took him away. Opposition leader N Chandrababu Naidu tweeted the video of the attack and condemned the attack on the youth: Shocking! Under orders from YSRCP Leaders, a Dalit man who went to lodge a complaint at the Police Station in Palasa, Srikakulam, was kicked & slapped by police even as his mother wailed & tried protecting her son. When will this YSRCP sponsored brutality & madness stop in AP? Naidus son and TDP general secretary Nara Lokesh also condemned the incident and accused the Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy government of being a mute spectator to the attacks on Dalits. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Malaysia is investigating Qatar-based network over its report on treatment of migrant workers amid coronavirus pandemic. Malaysias police chief has insisted investigations into an Al Jazeera report are being conducted professionally and rejected concerns about worsening media freedom, a day after the broadcasters office was searched. Authorities are investigating the news networks programme, titled Locked up in Malaysias Lockdown, after the government was angered by its critical look at the treatment of migrant workers during the coronavirus pandemic. Officials on Tuesday searched the Qatar-based broadcasters Kuala Lumpur office and seized two computers, sparking fresh anger from Al Jazeera and rights groups and adding to concerns about media independence in Malaysia. But the countrys Inspector General of Police Abdul Hamid Bador on Wednesday said the search by police and communications ministry officials was carried out very professionally. It was not a military kind of action taken by the police, he told AFP news agency in an interview. He added that Al Jazeera staff were informed earlier of our intent to be there. They were even asked which devices were used. They cooperated, he said. The search came after seven Al Jazeera journalists were questioned by police last month in connection with the report. Abdul Hamid said the probe would be wrapped up soon, after which the attorney general will decide whether to bring charges. But the government insists the Al Jazeera report which focused on alleged mistreatment of migrants when they were rounded up during a coronavirus lockdown in May tarnished the countrys image. Authorities say the round-up was necessary to protect the public from the virus. Al Jazeera is being probed for alleged sedition, defamation and transmitting offensive content, but it has stood by the documentary and insists the reporting was impartial. Abdul Hamid said the investigation will be very transparent and insisted journalists in Malaysia were still free to do their jobs. But he also urged international media to be responsible, calling them not to write something that is inaccurate. In 1948, when Baldwin fled America for France, he was neither a migrant nor a refugee, but he was, as he later wrote, at the "end of a certain rope," living an impossible nightmare in the country of his birth. He was either going to be killed or kill somebody if he stayed. He was also trying to escape his father's fate of becoming embittered, angry and beaten down by his native country. As Baldwin fled America, refugees and migrants were fleeing to America, seeking to escape the authoritarian regimes that had curtailed their livelihoods and find a place of safety and prosperity. The irony was not lost on Baldwin. As he stated in his 1965 debate with William Buckley, the "American dream comes at the expense of the American Negro." By 7, I had absorbed the grammar of American life. I realized even before I became fluent in English that I did not want to assimilate; I wanted to disappear into whiteness. This terrified my father. One morning as he walked me to school, I told him I wanted to change my name to Julie and have blond hair. Like Baldwin, my father understood that my desired erasure meant a "profound rupture" with our history, our language, even our connection. He would often remind me, "Americans do not know who they are." In some ways, we are all still reeling about it. Given all the crazy stuff going on this year, its sometimes easy to forget that Meghan Markle and Prince Harry dropped such a bombshell at the beginning of 2020 when they announced they were departing their official duties in the royal family. While they knew it wouldnt be easy, Harry and Markle were probably hoping it would be mostly smooth sailing once the family knew. Unfortunately, the notorious transition some are calling Megxit has been anything but. You have to think thats all to be expected when you make an announcement as shocking as that one especially since no other royals saw it coming beforehand, apparently. It had to have made things really tense with the family. And the worst part is that Markle and Prince Harry have been dealing with a ton of courtroom drama ever since. Meghan Markle and Prince Harry | Chris Jackson/Getty Images Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have been trying to protect their privacy RELATED: Critic Compares Meghan Markle to This Irrelevant Movie Star Amid Ongoing Tabloid Lawsuit One of the main reasons the Duke and Duchess of Sussex wanted to transition to private living in the first place was their feeling that the tabloids and the press were way too involved in their lives. Especially given Harrys sensitivity because of how his mother died, they also had a lot of concerns for their son, Archie. Its very clear that the couple is over having to deal with the paparazzi at all yet they cant seem to escape! They spent their first few weeks in North America without issue, but after the British tabloid Daily Mail published their exact location, it quickly turned into a paparazzi circus once again. They had drones flying over their property and photographers all over the place. As a result, theyve been filing numerous lawsuits to try to protect the privacy theyre so desperate to finally get. Their most recent lawsuit describes a rather distressing situation Their new paparazzi lawsuit shows that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are unafraid to sue their media tormentors. It is also a mark of their freedom of not being senior royals. https://t.co/SPfFvi2j2a The Daily Beast (@thedailybeast) July 24, 2020 This most recent case, like many of the others, is a lawsuit against an unnamed defendant regarding an invasion of privacy. It seems to specifically address the fact that the Daily Mail had leaked their exact location, stating that this action resulted in up to 40 paparazzi and media organizations descending on this peaceful community from hundreds of miles away. The resulting harassment and intimidation created disruption and discomfort for both the family and local community. Three defendants are mentioned as John Doe 1-3, but none are named directly. For this case, the couple is represented by A-list lawyer Michael Kemp, whose other famous clients include Barbara Streisand and Sandra Bullock. They filed the lawsuit in California since they have been living in a mansion owned by Tyler Perry in the Beverly Hills area. There, they have again been bothered by drones and had to hire extra security, reports PageSix. Both the presence of the drones and their worries about the safety of their son, Archie, is reiterated throughout the filing. It makes it sound like things have honestly been kind of a nightmare for the little family! The tabloids are their main target The legal papers filed in Meghan Markles lawsuit against The Mail on Sunday, as well as the couple's recent action against a California paparazzo, offer an unprecedented glimpse the duke and duchess's ongoing struggle. https://t.co/IClCbxV1Rx Vogue Magazine (@voguemagazine) July 26, 2020 The one thing that all the lawsuits theyve been working through have in common is that they all seem to be about protecting the couples privacy and tabloids are their main target. Other lawsuits concern the fact that tabloids have published private info about Markle including a letter from her father, and have engaged in bullying behavior toward her. Markle also pushed to protect the identities of some friends who spoke kindly to People about her, as the Mail was trying to use those women to support their own case, according to PageSix. Its obvious that Markle and Harry are willing to do what it takes to get the paparazzi off their backs, by filing at least two majorly public lawsuits in efforts to protect their privacy. But sadly, the paparazzi dont seem willing to go down without a long and drawn-out legal battle. I guess to get the details, well have to wait for that new book where close sources explain the whole Megxit ordeal from Markles side. While resuming business is a relief for malls, the question remains whether people will visit malls in times of COVID-19. The government has allowed malls to reopen, but not without certain restrictions. Malls have been permitted to stay open between 9 am to 7 pm, curtailing the operational hours. Moneycontrol visited the Palladium & High Street Phoenix mall, a flagship property of Phoenix Mills located in Lower Parel, Mumbai, to find out whether customers are keen on entering malls and the standard operating procedures (SOPs) being followed to ensure hygiene and social distancing. On the safety measures front, to stave off the ill-effects of the pandemic and reassure consumers, retailers and malls have gone an extra mile to re-align their strategies to meet the new normal and gain customer confidence. The whole experience of going to a mall has changed, with strict guidelines in place to ensure social distancing norms. Safety Measures in the Mall As I entered the mall, the first thing the mall staff at the gate asked to show the back of my palm to know whether I have a quarantined mark or not. Second, I was asked to show the colour code on the Aarogya Setu app on my phone. The app showed 'Green' colour indicating 'Low Risk'. This means that customers are required to show the risk status as indicated by the app on their phones, and those without the green colour code are not allowed to enter the mall. At the entrance, we saw a screen for controlling crowd density. The mall has also put in place a slew of entry protocols for customers, such as UV (ultraviolet) Scanner for disinfecting handbags and thermal scanners at entrances, sanitization mats at mall entry points for sanitising footwear, and pedal sanitiser stands. The mall also ensures a unidirectional movement of customers (entry and exit) with the help of floor markers and signage -- in common areas, and contactless billing in retail stores. There are round floor markers across the mall to ensure social distancing of 1.5 metres. There are also pre-sanitised shopping bags, trolleys and baskets available to shoppers in all stores. The mall management has provisioned for contactless digital payment methods at all touchpoints at stores, parking, F&B stores, and food courts.We have ensured all measures to ensure the safety of customers in a safe shopping zone. We also have a UV Box for disinfecting shopping bags after shopping, Rajendra Kalkar, President West, The Phoenix Mills told Moneycontrol. Usage of alternate urinals and washbasins, and sensor-based taps and soap dispensers are some of the other measures being adopted. Only a certain number of customers, based on the size of individual retail stores, are allowed inside. The mall has also set up an isolation room and an ambulance for contingencies. Retail shops within malls were also taking extra care in terms of hygiene and social distancing. Safety protocols have also been outlined for retailers, such as security personnel screening with thermo guns, stores to be managed with minimal staff, availability of sanitisers at all times, markings to ensure social distancing at the cash counter. Boost to the economy? This reopening comes as a ray of hope for retailers and mall developers. Allowing malls to open up has been one of the biggest demands from the retail industry. Maharashtra has more than 75 malls, with almost 50 percent spread across Mumbai MMR, Thane, Kalyan, Navi Mumbai Dombivli, etc. Similarly, Pune has more than 20 percent malls while the rest are spread across Amravati, Aurangabad, Kolhapur, Nasik, Nagpur, Aurangabad, etc. Comprising a large chunk of the organized retail sector, malls and shopping complexes provide vital support to Indias consumption economy. However, in recent months, the COVID-19 pandemic has created fundamental shifts in consumer behavior, especially related to shopping. No restaurants, no theatres? Restaurants and theatres inside the mall remained shut as the state government has not allowed restaurants, food-court and theatres within mall premises to reopen as yet. Under Unlock 3.0, malls are allowed to open but lockdown in Maharashtra has been extended until Aug 31. How about Footfalls? The scene outside the mall was so unlike the days before the coronavirus pandemic struck the world. Earlier, the seating area outside the Phoenix Mall used to be fully occupied throughout the day. However, during our visit, we spotted only two people sitting and relaxing. In terms of footfall, there were only 4 or 5 college-going students who had been eagerly awaiting for the malls to open up. Since the last two days, Mumbai has been receiving incessant rains that may also have impacted the footfall on the first day of the mall's reopening. Malls have been known to have higher footfalls on work-off days and discount seasons and festivals. It remains to be seen how well the response is over the coming weekend and during the Independence day discount period. On the Chinese Communist Party's Extra-Territorial Authoritarianism Press Statement Michael R. Pompeo, Secretary of State August 4, 2020 The Chinese Communist Party cannot tolerate the free thinking of its own people, and increasingly is trying to extend its reach outside China's borders. In the latest example, Chinese authorities have reportedly issued arrest warrants for six pro-democracy advocates resident outside of China, including a U.S. citizen. The United States and other free nations will continue to protect our peoples from the long arm of Beijing's authoritarianism. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address The stage is set for the biggest afternoon of the year on the harness racing calendar: Hambletonian Day at the Meadowlands Racetrack. On Saturday (Aug. 8), the East Rutherford, NJ oval will host 16 races topped by the $600,000 Hambletonian Oaks and the $1,000,000 Hambletonian. The afternoons stakes start with five sophomore pacing fillies competing in the $90,525 Shady Daisy fronted by Reflect With Me, who enters off wins in the $194,400 Mistletoe Shalee and the $100,000 Nadia Lobell. The Tony Alagna-trained daughter of Captaintreacherous looks to expand her $625,122 bankroll for owners Brittany Farms LLC and Brad Grant when driver Andrew McCarthy sends her from post 3. A sextet gathers for the $166,550 Dr. John Steele Memorial, with the five other mares aiming to somehow beat Manchego. Trained by Nancy Takter, Manchego ships to the Meadowlands off a world-record mile in the $250,000 Spirit of Massachusetts Trot, where she trotted over the Plainridge track in 1:49.3. The five-year-old Muscle Hill mare has $2,342,705 banked for owner Black Horse Racing and will have Dexter Dunn in the bike from post 5. Later in the card, two-year-old trotting fillies compete in the $350,300 Jim Doherty Memorial. Elimination winners Darlene Hanover and Mazzarati will start at the center of the gate, with the former drawing post 5 and the latter post 6. Racing from off the speed in her first two starts, Darlene Hanover swept from the back to the pack to win her elimination at odds of 12-1 in 1:54.4. Yankeeland Partners LLP purchased the Chapter Seven filly for $130,000 and sent her to trainer Brett Bittle, who notably won the 2002 Hambletonian Oaks with Windylane Hanover. Andrew McCarthy will drive. Mazzarati composes half of the entrants in the Doherty for trainer Lucas Wallin, a former assistant to Ake Svanstedt. The filly by Cantab Hall came first over to win her elimination in 1:56 with Tim Tetrick in the bike, and will again have Tetrick at the reins in the final. Mazza Racing Stables LLC and Stormi&Bruiser Stable own the $100,000 yearling purchase. Next on the card, the $229,660 Sam McKee Memorial gathers 11 Free for All pacing horses, among them Breeders Crown winner American History, William Haughton winner Dancin Lou, Graduate champ Hurrikane Emperor and Bettors Wish, who makes his second start on Lasix since scoping sick after the Graduate final. The competitors of the aged pacing division have traded blows many times already through the abbreviated season, including last week when American History charged from the back to win in the $25,000 Open Pace which served for many entered as a prep for the final. Tony Alagna trains the now five-year-old son of American Ideal for owners Brittany Farms LLC, Marvin Katz and American History Racing while Joe Bongiorno will be in the bike. Off since winning the Haughton, Dancin Lou neighbors American History from post 2. The four-year-old son of Sweet Lou gives Australian-native trainer Tahnee Camilleri her first start in the Sam McKee Memorial as Brian Sears will drive the potential millionaire for owners David Kryway and 1362313 Ontario Ltd. Driver Mark MacDonald exploded off cover with Hurrikane Emperor in the Graduate final on July 11 to post a 1:47 win for trainer John McDermott. The four-year-old son of Hurrikane Kingcole neighbors Dancin Lou from post 3 for owners Jonathan Klee Racing, Kuhen Racing LLC and William Garofalo. Making his first start in nearly three weeks, Bettors Wish ground first over to a third-place finish in a 1:47.2 mile for trainer Chris Ryder, who co-owns the four-year-old son of Bettors Delight with Fair Island Farm and Bettors Wish Partners. With a win in the Sam McKee Memorial, Bettors Wish would propel over the $2-million earnings plateau. Dexter Dunn will drive from post 8. The $339,000 Peter Haughton Memorial required only a single elimination, and the winner of said elimination benefited from the post-draw privilege and will start form post 1. Plumville Prince, a colt by Father Patrick, came from off the speed with a :27.1 final quarter to win the $20,000 elimination in 1:54.2 with Scott Zeron in the bike for trainer Rick Zeron. The pair famously teamed on Hambletonian day two years ago to win the Hambletonian with Atlanta, who became the first filly in 22 years to win the event (the last being Continentalvictory). Team Zeron will unite again with Plumville Prince for owners Thomas Brice and Charles Receski. The $600,000 Hambletonian Oaks gathers 12 fillies behind the gate. The last time the Hambletonian Oaks featured a second tier was in 2014 when 11 fillies competed in the final. After overcoming post 13 with stablemate Gimpanzee, Marcus Melander trainee Hypnotic AM will have to navigate from post 12 with Brian Sears in the bike. The winner of $624,725 for owner-breeder Courant Inc. enters off a 1:52.3 win in the $15,000 prep event held at the Meadowlands last week. The Jim Doherty Memorial champ will look to become the third ever to win that race along with the Hambletonian Oaks, the only other two ever to do so being Ariana G and Manchego. The Yoders enter the Oaks this time as competitors, with father Verlin Yoder sending Reba Blue Chip and son J. D. Yoder sending May Baby. Verlin, known for campaigning horses including Natural Herbie and Woodside Charm, sends the filly by Chapter Seven from post 3 off a fourth-place finish to Hypnotic AM in the prep last week. He co-owns the filly with Rachel Yoder. J. D. Yoder sends May Baby from post 4 following a second-place effort in the prep despite a first-over trip. The filly by Guccio has nine wins to her name from 14 starts and $277,990 earned for James wife, Cheyenne. Sorella will make her first start in about three weeks when she goes from post 7 in the Oaks final. The daughter of Muscle Hill tore the track since the Meadowlands reopened from the shutdown, posting quicker victories leading up to a 1:50.2 mile in the $61,000 Reynolds Memorial on July 11. However the Nancy Takter trainee was foiled in the $253,500 Del Miller Memorial as the 2-5 favourite and finished fourth off a first-over trip to Ramona Hill. The filly will try to get back on track for owners Elmer Fannin, Crawford Farms Racing and Brent Fannin while Yannick Gingras will drive from post 7. Sandwiched between the two Hambletonian events, the $284,200 John Cashman Memorial features a matchup between four-year-old sensation Gimpanzee and world champion Atlanta. Ron Burke will send the five-year-old Chapter Seven mare from post 2 off a 1:50 second-place effort to Manchego in her world-record mile. Yannick Gingras will drive the earner of $2,088,589 for owners Crawford Farms Racing, Brad Grant and Howard Taylor. Gimpanzee enters the Cashman undefeated this season in four starts. He last competed in the $464,900 Hambletonian Maturity, where he found position from post 13 and vaulted to a 2:05.4 win going one-and-one-eighth miles. Marcus Melander conditions the son of Chapter Seven for owners Courant Inc. and S R F Stable while Brian Sears will sit in the bike. For the first time since 2013, the Hambletonian will race as one final dash in the afternoon. Ramona Hill will look to become the 15th filly ever to beat the boys in the Hambletonian following an eye-catching performance in her elimination, where she ripped from last to first with a :25.4 final quarter under minimal encouragement from driver Andrew McCarthy. Tony Alagna trains the Breeders Crown champ for owners Brad Grant, Crawford Farms Racing, Robert LeBlanc and In The Gym Partners. Shell start from post 5. The other elimination winner, Ready For Moni, starts from post 1. The Nancy Takter-trained colt by Ready Cash rolled to the lead past the half in his elimination to win in 1:51.3 as the 6-5 favourite. Hell make just his third start of the year going into the August classic with Yannick Gingras trying for his first victory in the Hambletonian. The colt races for owners John Fielding, Lindy Farms of Connecticut, Herb Liverman and Bud Hatfield. This years Hambletonian features another filly, Sister Sledge. Driven mainly by Yannick Gingras for trainer Ron Burke, the filly by Father Patrick out of 2010 Hambletonian Oaks finalist Behindcloseddoors picked up Brian Seras for her elimination, finishing fourth in a 1:52 mile. Shell have to overcome post 9 for owners Burke Racing Stable, J&T Silva-Purnel & Libby and Weaver Bruscemi. Tall Dark Stranger will attempt to rebound after bleeding in the Tompkins-Geers last week when he adds Lasix for the $273,125 Cane Pace. The Nancy Takter-trained Bettors Delight colt will start from post 6outside of Captain Kirk, the Tony Alagna-trained Captaintreacherous colt who pulled a 16-1 upset in the Tompkins-Geers. Yannick Gingras drives Tall Dark Strangerwho has banked $1,061,083for owners Crawford Farms Racing, Marvin Katz, Caviart Farms and Howard Taylor. Joe Bongiorno drives Captain Kirk for owners Brittany Farms LLC, Marvin Katz, Brad Grant and Captain Kirk Racing. The Sam McKee Memorial this year features a $61,540 consolation, which gathers millionaires Filibuster Hanover and Dealt A Winner against several horses at the top of the Meadowlands condition sheet such as Trump Nation, Geez Joe, Donttellmeagain and Our Majordan A, the last of which won the William Haughton Consolation in 1:47.3. The aged pacing mares will wrap stakes competition in the $177,100 Lady Liberty Final, where Jim King Jr. trainee Shartin N will attempt to rebound following her last start at the Meadowlands when she finished second to 50-1 Major Occasion A in the Dorothy Haughton Memorial. The seven-year-old mare by Tintin In America bounced back from the Haughton in the $100,000 Clara Barton at Plainridge Park, strolling to a 1:48.1 win over stablemate Soho Burning Love A. Tim Tetrick will drive the winner of 44 races from 60 starts and $2,244,946 in earnings for his LLC along with Richard Poillucci and Joanne Looney-King. The 16-race card at the Meadowlands features two overnight races along with opportunities for once Hambletonian and Hambletonian Oaks hopefuls to compete, with the former racing in a $50,000 division of the Muscle and the latter a $30,000 division of the Continentalvictory. The card also features the $25,000 Vincennes Invitational Trot, which will go after the Hambletonian. Racing at the Meadowlands for Hambletonian Day 2020 will get underway with the first race slated for 12:00 p.m. (EDT). Two others were shot in the incident, police said: real_fbgduck/Instagram Chicago rapper FBG Duck has reportedly been killed in a drive-by shooting in the citys Gold Coast area. Police have confirmed that three people were shot, one of them the fatally, on East Oak Street at around 4.37pm on Tuesday. On social media, friends and family members have identified the deceased as FBG Duck, whose real name is Carlton D. Weekly. It is understood that FBG Duck, 26, had been shopping in the area with two friends. East Oak Street is typically known for some of Chicagos most expensive stores and was busy with shoppers at the time of the shooting. Chicago Police Department confirmed that a 26-year-old male was shot in the chest, the groin and the neck. He was transported to Northwestern Hospital, where he was pronounced dead just after 5 p.m., the force added. Police said that two cars pulled up, and four individuals got out and opened fire, striking the three victims, before fleeing the scene. A 36-year-old man and a 26-year-old woman were also taken to hospitals in the city. Both are in a serious condition, police added. Both vehicles fled westbound on Oak Street, and no suspects are in custody. A weapon has been recovered from the scene. Anyone with information is asked to submit an anonymous tip at cpdtip.com. Read more Shooting outside Chicago funeral home injures 14 people UW Alumni Association to Participate in Wyoming Womens Suffrage Celebration As part of the ongoing celebration surrounding the 150th anniversary of Wyoming womens suffrage, the University of Wyoming Alumni Association (UWAA) will recognize the women of its board of directors and those who have been employed by the association. The UWAA originally planned to host a womens leadership recognition ceremony at the Marian H. Rochelle Gateway Center in Laramie Saturday, Sept. 5. In response to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the UWAA decided to transition from an in-person event to a virtual celebration. The UWAA is creating a specific page on its website, www.uwyo.edu/alumni, to highlight the women who have been involved with the organization. UWAA staff members are asking current and former board members, along with current and former employees, to fill out a profile questionnaire at http://uw.uwyo.edu/uwaaprofile to be featured on the UWAA website and communication platforms. The deadline to submit the questionnaire is Monday, Aug. 24. The UWAA will electronically release a prerecorded UW Alumni Womens Panelist event -- sponsored by Black Hills Energy, First Interstate Bank and UniWyo Federal Credit Union -- Saturday, Sept. 5. The panelist event will be moderated by UWAA board member Joslyn McGriff (B.S. 05), and it will highlight four UW alumnae who will speak about their career pathways; their keys to success; and any obstacles they faced and how they overcame them. The panelist members are: -- Gaurdia Banister, executive director of the Institute for Patient Care at Massachusetts General Hospital and director of the Yvonne L. Munn Center for Nursing Research. -- Mary Ellbogen Garland, president and chair of the John P. Ellbogen Foundation. -- Mary Johnson, vice president of special projects for YoungWilliams, a government health and human services company. -- Rita Meyer, infrastructure investments director for Rocky Mountain Power in Wyoming. The recording also will recognize former UWAA Executive Director Robbie Darnall, who served the association for 34 years. Full biographies for each panelist can be found at www.uwyo.edu/alumni. The UWAA is proud to recognize the women who have served and continue to serve the association, says UWAA Executive Director Keener Fry. They have dedicated their time, leadership and knowledge to the association while continually upholding the UWAAs vision and mission of engagement with alumni and promoting UW. For more information about the recognition or panelist event, call the UWAA at (307) 766-4166 or email uwalumni@uwyo.edu. Joe Marquez, a former sheet metal worker from La Habra, looks for jobs at the One-Stop center in East Los Angeles. (Damian Dovarganes / Associated Press) More than half the members of the California Legislature called on Gov. Gavin Newsom on Wednesday to immediately begin paying unemployment benefits to many of the more than 1 million jobless workers whose claims have been stalled in the system as the state works to clear a months-long backlog. In a letter to the governor, a bipartisan group of 61 lawmakers issued a series of requests for immediate action at the state Employment Development Department, including calls for the agency to ensure service representatives do not hang up on callers whom they can't help, and implement an automatic call-back system to quickly respond to those who cannot reach a live operator. The lawmakers also called for the agency to expedite its approval of unemployment benefits by retroactively certifying claims and resolving issues later in the process. In our fifth month of the pandemic, with so many constituents yet to receive a single unemployment payment, its clear that EDD is failing California, said the letter to Newsom. Millions of our constituents have had no income for months. As Californians wait for answers from EDD, they have depleted their life savings, have gone into extreme debt, and are in deep panic as they figure out how to put food on the table and a roof over their heads. A representative for Newsom responded to the letter by saying the governors office will continue to work with the Legislature on improving EDD operations, but did not address the lawmakers' call for payments to go out before claims are certified. Thousands of state workers have been redirected to help process claims, and Newsom has told the agency to send weekly reminders to applicants that they need to recertify their claims, said Vicky Waters, a spokeswoman for Newsom. The Administration is fully committed to ensuring impacted California workers get the benefits they have earned, Waters said in an emailed statement. Last week, the governor directed EDD to take immediate action to eliminate the unacceptable backlog of unpaid unemployment insurance claims by no later than the end of September. Story continues EDD spokeswoman Loree Levy said the agency is reviewing the letter and will provide a response as soon as possible. The letter, which was organized by Assemblyman David Chiu (D-San Francisco), was signed by 49 members of the Assembly and 12 members of the state Senate, including Senate Republican leader Shannon Grove of Bakersfield, and sent a week after Newsom announced the creation of a strike team to reform EDD and complete all unanswered claims by the end of September. The governor said the claims are from those who may be eligible for payment but require more information. Many claims are pending resolution because they have issues to resolve, including verification of the identity of the filer, he said. The legislators said in their letter that the backlog should be cleared sooner than the end of September and that, in the interim, Californians with stalled claims should receive some portion of their benefits to help them make ends meet. As claimants suffer without income while EDD slowly makes its way through the queue of backlogged claims, EDD should provide many of them with at least initial or partial benefits," the letter said, adding that the assumption should be that the vast majority of claimants have legitimate claims to what they are owed, with retroactive certification. The EDD could still continue to manually review claims in which certification questions were answered incorrectly and issue overpayment notices, if necessary, the lawmakers said. The lawmakers noted that there is a precedent for approving payments before issues are worked out with claims, citing a technology breakdown that hit the EDD in 2013 and delayed benefits to 80,000 people. At the time, the state labor secretary issued an order that the agency must immediately begin the process of paying backlogged claims for continued UI benefits prior to a final determination of eligibility, the letter said. Clogged phone lines at the agency that disconnect callers have also been a significant problem for Californians trying to file unemployment claims since the COVID-19 crisis began in March. Many jobless people say they have called EDD hundreds of times a day without reaching a live operator to help them resolve problems with claims, and when they do reach a service representative, some say they have been disconnected or hung up on with no return call. EDD Director Sharon Hilliard told legislators at a hearing Thursday that there was a four- to six-week wait time for EDD workers to call back customers with problems. On Wednesday, the legislators said the call center operations must change. Like any basic call center operation throughout the private sector and in many public sectors, EDD should implement an automatic call back feature, the letter said. Even if the call back doesnt happen immediately, that would be far superior and serve our constituents far better than the status quo. Other recommendations to the governor would have the EDD: Allow applicants to edit their claims online if mistakes are made. Rephrase certification questions so that they are clear and less likely to lead to mistakes. Waive deadlines for paper responses so that applicants do not have to restart the process. Assign an EDD staff member to each legislative office to help lawmakers resolve constituent problems. Adopt a cloud-based strategy to augment the agency's outdated technology, which would allow it to process a greater volume of transactions more quickly. Provide the public with a clear explanation of all pending technology updates, with reasonable timelines and steps to hold contractors accountable. My colleagues and I are pushing EDD to rapidly upgrade their customer service and technology to better serve the people of California amidst this crisis," said Assemblywoman Cottie Petrie-Norris (D-Laguna Beach), who signed the letter and is chairwoman of the Assembly Accountability and Administrative Review Committee. The lawmakers asked Newsom for a timely response to their recommendations. During this pandemic and recession, it is unacceptable that millions of Californians have gone for months without income due to the failure of our state government, the letter concluded. In-depth Analysis and Data-driven Insights on the Impact of COVID-19 Included in this Africa Data Center Market Report. The Africa data center market by revenue is expected to grow at a CAGR of over 12% during the period 20192025. New York, Aug. 04, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Reportlinker.com announces the release of the report "Data Center Market in Africa - Industry Outlook and Forecast 2020-2025" - https://www.reportlinker.com/p05822887/?utm_source=GNW Africa data center market size is expected to cross $3 billion by 2025, growing at a CAGR of over 12% during the forecast period. The Africa data center industry has witnessed a steady interest from major global cloud service providers such as AWS and Microsoft, along with Huawei over the last five years. The increasing demand for cloud-based services and modular data center solutions among enterprises, especially in SMEs and government agencies, are expected to drive the market in Africa. It is expected that over 70% of organizations operating in the region will shift to the cloud region by 2025. South Africa, Kenya, Morocco, Egypt, and Nigeria are at the forefront of improving the digital economy. These countries, along with cloud-based service adoption, have also witnessed high usage of big data analytics. Several African countries are yet to be cloud-ready, and the improvement in inland and submarine connectivity will see multiple enterprises migrating their workloads to the cloud during the forecast period. A majority of the investment in Africa is led by colocation and telecommunication service providers, followed by enterprises and government agencies due to the installation of modular data centers. The rapid spread of COVID-19 has significantly increased data traffic since March 2020. To provide high availability services to end-users, operators are taking precautionary measures for their on-site employees. Colocation data center operators have taken steps to manage the available workforce to monitor their existing faculties without any service disruption. Construction projects in African countries have not been completed halted after the outbreak of the COVID-19. A reduced workforce followed restrictions imposed by the government on site. The impact of the pandemic in African countries is low-to-moderate. The following factors are likely to contribute to the growth of the Africa data center market during the forecast period: Availability of Renewable Energy fuels Procurement Growth Smart City Initiatives Fuel Data Center/Edge Deployments Government Support to Boost Digital Economy Increase in Adoption of All-flash Storage Solutions The study considers the present scenario of the Africa data center market and its market dynamics for the period 2019?2025. It covers a detailed overview of several market growth enablers, restraints, and trends. The report offers both the demand and supply aspects of the market. It profiles and examines leading companies and other prominent ones operating in the market. Africa data center market size is expected to cross $3 billion by 2025, growing at a CAGR of over 12% during the forecast period. The Africa data center industry has witnessed a steady interest from major global cloud service providers such as AWS and Microsoft, along with Huawei over the last five years. The increasing demand for cloud-based services and modular data center solutions among enterprises, especially in SMEs and government agencies, are expected to drive the market in Africa. It is expected that over 70% of organizations operating in the region will shift to the cloud region by 2025. South Africa, Kenya, Morocco, Egypt, and Nigeria are at the forefront of improving the digital economy. These countries, along with cloud-based service adoption, have also witnessed high usage of big data analytics. Several African countries are yet to be cloud-ready, and the improvement in inland and submarine connectivity will see multiple enterprises migrating their workloads to the cloud during the forecast period. A majority of the investment in Africa is led by colocation and telecommunication service providers, followed by enterprises and government agencies due to the installation of modular data centers. The rapid spread of COVID-19 has significantly increased data traffic since March 2020. To provide high availability services to end-users, operators are taking precautionary measures for their on-site employees. Colocation data center operators have taken steps to manage the available workforce to monitor their existing faculties without any service disruption. Construction projects in African countries have not been completed halted after the outbreak of the COVID-19. A reduced workforce followed restrictions imposed by the government on site. The impact of the pandemic in African countries is low-to-moderate. Africa Data Center Market Segmentation The Africa data center market research report includes a detailed segmentation by IT infrastructure, electrical infrastructure, mechanical infrastructure, general construction, tier standards, and geography. The server market in Africa is expected to witness significant growth in the next few years due to investments from major cloud service providers in the region. It is likely to grow with the increase in the physical presence of SaaS providers. These expansions will increase the demand for servers and promote the procurement of high-performance infrastructure solutions. The trend of adopting organization-specific software over the cloud platform will also increase the demand for high computing servers. UPS systems are widely adopted to provide backup power for cooling systems installed in the region. Over the last five years, the operators have been laying higher emphasis on the monitoring of batteries in the UPS system. The adoption of lithium-ion batteries is expected to grow during the forecast period as their price will continue to decline. However, the use of lithium-ion batteries will be witnessed only after 3 to 4 years in Africa, as many operators start to build large and hyper-scale facilities in the continent. Data centers in Africa support the use of free cooling systems as they take advantage of cold nights and winter seasons in the region. This will lead to the adoption of free cooling chillers. Operators in the African region are still dependent on air-based cooling techniques. Dedicated data center buildings, especially those operating at higher rack densities, are witnessing the use of chilled water systems. The operators are looking for efficient solutions to reduce their CAPEX and OPEX, maintain data center space, and reduce the power consumption of cooling units. The greenfield development of data centers in South Africa, Morocco, Kenya, Nigeria, and Egypt will continue to grow along with the installation of on-site renewable power sources such as solar energy to partially or entirely power the operations. Global construction contractors dominate the Africa data center construction market as principal contractors and local construction companies as sub-contractors. However, the increasing demand is prompting contractors to consider data centers as continuous revenue generators with a skilled workforce trained in building the facilities. Labor costs are low in the country. However, the demand for a skilled workforce will increase labor costs in the region. The growth in greenfield facilities will generate more revenue for installation and commission service providers. The number of Tier I and Tier II data centers in Africa has reduced significantly over the last five years because of high awareness about the use of redundant infrastructure. UPS and PDU systems of Tier II facilities are equipped with a minimum of N+N redundancy. Most under-developed projects across the region fall under the Tier III category. This trend is likely to continue throughout the forecast period, with many operators expected to move to the Tier IV category based on the growth in rack power density and critical applications. Tier IV facilities are equipped with at least 2N+1 redundancy in infrastructure that makes the facility fault-tolerant, with UPS systems and PDUs having 2N+2 redundancy. In Africa, mostly enterprises offering cloud services are likely to develop Tier IV facilities during the forecast period. Segmentation by IT Infrastructure Server Infrastructure Storage Infrastructure Network Infrastructure Segmentation by Electrical Infrastructure UPS Systems Generators Transfer Switches & Switchgears PDUs Other Electrical Infrastructure Segmentation by Mechanical Infrastructure Cooling Systems o CRAC & CRAH Units o Chiller Units o Cooling Towers & Dry Coolers o Other Units Racks Other Mechanical Infrastructure Segmentation by General Construction Building Development Installation & Commissioning Services Building Designs Physical Security DCIM Tier Standard Tier I & Tier II Tier III Tier IV INSIGHTS BY GEOGRAPHY Data center facilities in South Africa are equipped with reliable power backup sources. The country suffers from non-reliability in the power supply. UPSs and generators will continue to grow due to the increasing construction of large and mega facilities and the inaccurate power grid connectivity. The increased need for data center solutions in the country is expected to fuel the demand for transfer switches and switchgear during the forecast period. South Africa is likely to move to the adoption of free-cooling chillers or evaporative coolers. The market for cooling systems is likely to depend on the construction of mega and hyperscale data center, especially of 10 MW capacity. While several smaller facilities in Africa use DX-based CRAC units, medium and extensive facilities are installing CRAH units. The implementation of air-cooled CRAC systems with cooling units that use refrigerants or glycol-based cooling is expected to grow during the forecast period. In terms of general construction, most colocation facilities in the country have installed physical security solutions, ranging from perimeters to rack-guarded through CCTV cameras and biometric systems. Companies have also adopted DCIM/BMS solutions that enable remote monitoring of entire operations. Segmentation by Africa South Africa Morocco Kenya Nigeria Other Countries INSIGHTS BY VENDORS The Africa market has a strong presence of leading IT infrastructure vendors - HPE, Dell Technologies, Cisco, Huawei, IBM, and Lenovo. The Africa data center market share is growing YOY due to the increase in digitalization initiatives. Schneider Electric, Vertiv, and Huawei are the major vendors in electrical infrastructure and have a strong presence in the market. In terms of generators, Cummins and Caterpillar have a strong market presence. Multiple colocation providers are operating in this market with strong partnerships with facility operators. The market for mechanical infrastructure comprises multiple systems that provide sufficient cooling solutions for the growing rack power density. The market will witness intense competition owing to the growing construction of data centers over the next few years. The Africa data center market comprises several construction contractors, architectural and engineering firms, physical security vendors, and DCIM solutions providers. Prominent IT Infrastructure Vendors Arista Broadcom Cisco Dell Technologies Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE) Huawei IBM Juniper Lenovo NetApp Prominent Data Center Support Infrastructure Vendors ABB Caterpillar Cummins Eaton Shenzhen Envicool Technology Legrand MTU On Site Energy Schneider Electric STULZ Rittal Vertiv Prominent Construction Contractors Atkins Aveng Grinaker Concor Edarat Group Etix Everywhere Future-tech Huawei ISG Prominent Data Center Investors Africa Data Centres (Liquid Telecom) Amazon Web Services (AWS) Icolo.io Internet Technologies Angola (ITA) Inwi MDXi (MainOne) N+ONE Orange Raxio Data Center Rayan Data Center Teraco Data Environments Key Questions Answered 1. What is the Africa data center market size and growth rate during the forecast period? 2. What are the factors impacting the growth of the Africa data center market share? 3. How is the growth of electrical and mechanical infrastructure affecting the growth of the Africa data center market? 4. Who are the leading vendors in the Africa data center market, and what are their market shares? 5. What is the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the South Africa data center market? Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p05822887/?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. __________________________ Story continues CONTACT: Clare: clare@reportlinker.com US: (339)-368-6001 Intl: +1 339-368-6001 Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (Agence France-Presse) Beirut, Lebanon Wed, August 5, 2020 19:00 531 6657ac82168da9fa101c8a4066bce2b0 2 World Lebanon,Beirut,blast,explosion,aid,medical-emergency Free Emergency medical aid and pop-up field hospitals were dispatched to Lebanon on Wednesday, as the world offered assistance and paid tribute to the victims of the huge explosion that devastated Beirut. The blast centered on the city's port caused massive destruction and killed more than 100 people, heaping misery on a country already in crisis. Emergency medical aid from Kuwait arrived in the Lebanese capital on Wednesday morning, as the Lebanese Red Cross said that more than 4,000 people were being treated for injuries after the explosion which sent glass shards and debris flying. Lebanon's Prime Minister Hassan Diab has called on "friendly countries" to support a nation already reeling from its worst economic crisis in decades as well as the coronavirus pandemic. Gulf states were among the first to respond, with Qatar announcing it would send field hospitals to ease pressure on Lebanon's strained medical system. Crews at Doha's Al-Udeid airbase loaded hundreds of collapsible beds, generators and burn sheets onto an air force cargo plane, one of four due to fly from the Gulf to the Mediterranean on Wednesday. Iran's President Hassan Rouhani said in a message to his Lebanese counterpart that Tehran was "ready to offer medical and medicinal aid and help treat the injured". Jordan's King Abdullah II also promised to dispatch a field hospital. "The field hospital will include specialists and medical staff, to contribute in offering medical services and treatment to support our brothers in Lebanon," Jordanian state television said in a report. Dutch authorities announced that 67 aid workers were headed for Beirut, including doctors, police officers and firefighters. 'Stay strong, Lebanon' Close allies and traditional adversaries of Lebanon alike sent their condolences, with Iran and Saudi Arabia -- long rivals for influence over the country -- both sending messages of support. "Our thoughts and prayers are with the great and resilient people of Lebanon," Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif tweeted. "Stay strong, Lebanon." Saudi Arabia said it was following the situation with "great concern". Unusually, neighboring Israel offered humanitarian aid -- to a country with which it is still technically at war. "Defense Minister Benny Gantz and Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi, on behalf of the State of Israel, have offered the Lebanese government -- via international intermediaries -- medical and humanitarian aid, as well as immediate emergency assistance," a statement said. UN chief Antonio Guterres expressed his "deepest condolences ... following the horrific explosions in Beirut" which he said had also injured some United Nations personnel. US President Donald Trump said "it looks like a terrible attack" and that US generals had told him that the powerful explosions appeared to have been caused by a "bomb of some kind", without offering evidence. Qatar's emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani wished "a speedy recovery for the injured," while the United Arab Emirates' vice president and ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al-Maktoum, tweeted "our condolences to our beloved people in Lebanon". Egypt expressed "deep concern" at the destruction, and Arab League chief Ahmed Aboul Gheit offered condolences, stressing "the importance of finding the truth about the explosions". Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad wrote to his Lebanese counterpart Michel Aoun that "on behalf of the Syrian Arab people, we extend our sincere condolences to you and the Lebanese people". Outside the region, President Vladimir Putin said that "Russia shares the grief of the Lebanese people", according to a Kremlin statement. "I ask you to convey words of sympathy and support to the families and friends of the victims, as well as wishes for a speedy recovery to all affected." British Prime Minister Boris Johnson called the pictures and videos from Beirut "shocking". French President Emmanuel Macron said in a tweet in Arabic that "France is at the side of Lebanon. Always." His office said two military planes would take off for Lebanon later Wednesday with search and rescue experts, 15 tons of sanitary equipment and a mobile clinic. FILE PHOTO: Portugal's coat of arms is seen carved in sand on a beach in Angra do Heroismo on the Azores islands By Catarina Demony and Patricia Vicente Rua LISBON (Reuters) - Portugal's Azores Islands, some 1,400 km from the Portuguese coast, breached the national constitution by forcing air passengers to the popular tourist destination to quarantine for 14 days, the country's Constitutional Court has ruled. The court said authorities on the islands had treated people as if they were serving a short prison sentence by confining them in hotels, regardless of whether they had symptoms. "The competence to legislate on rights, freedom and guarantees lies with the parliament, or the (national) government - and only with those two sovereign bodies," the court ruled. The regional government of the Azores had decided in March that all arriving air passengers had to stay in confinement for two weeks in a hotel. Authorities initially paid for the hotel but those arriving from May 8 onwards were told they had to pay for their own stay. The Constitutional Court's July 30 ruling, made public on Wednesday, came after a man launched a legal appeal over having to quarantine for two weeks in a hotel in Sao Miguel, the Azores' biggest island. A lower court decided the man, who had a family home in Sao Miguel, had been deprived of his freedom and ordered authorities to release him immediately. Court documents state the man's meals were sent to his room three times a day, he was not able to see his family or friends, and had to clean his room himself. After the lower court's ruling, prosecutors asked the Constitutional Court for clarification of the legal framework. Since the lower court's ruling in mid-May, those travelling to the Azores must now either take a COVID-19 test before their trip or on arrival if they wish to be admitted. Vasco Cordeiro, president of Azores' regional government, told reporters authorities had complied with both court decisions, but it had become apparent that the legal framework was not sufficient for dealing with the completely unexpected situation of the pandemic. (Reporting by Catarina Demony and Patricia Vicente Rua, Additional reporting by Victoria Waldersee, Editing by Andrei Khalip and Alexandra Hudson) The new partnership between Collins, a leader in FSC-certified well-managed forestry, and RenewWest, the only company exclusively focused on western carbon projects, showcases the shared interest in using forests to capture atmospheric carbon and meet landowner needs. "As we have evaluated carbon opportunities over the years, we lacked a way to leverage these markets to help us invest in fire restoration and reforestation," said Galen Smith, Project Manager for Collins. "RenewWest was the first potential partner to jump at the opportunity to develop a long-term reforestation carbon project with us. Their commitment to landscape restoration is impressive, and this partnership will allow us to finish the process of coming back from the Barry Point Fire." Over the lifespan of the project, the Collins-Modoc Reforestation Project is expected to recreate a working, sustainable forest and carbon sink, capturing and sequestering several hundred thousand metric tons of carbon dioxide while simultaneously allowing for sustainable timber harvests. The project is imperative to the health of the local economy and will also create recreational opportunities. "When we first met with representatives of Collins in 2018, we were immediately impressed by their commitment to employees and the landscapes they manage," said Mike Smith, Co-Founder and Managing Partner for RenewWest. "We're excited about the future of working with this ethical company in developing a new nature-based solution to capturing atmospheric carbon." Fellow Co-Founder John Cleland adds, "The two-year process bringing this project to fruition has been challenging, yet incredibly rewarding and we could not be happier with the partnership we have created." Prior to the fire, the property had a mosaic of meadows, riparian woodlands, aspen groves, and pine stands. As a headwater for the Klamath and Sacramento Rivers, the replanting activity will help to restore these important terrestrial ecosystems, as well as reduce erosion, increase aquifer recharge, and create and support habitat along the Pacific Flyway. The exploration of carbon values was enabled by RenewWest's strategic partnership with Coalitions & Collaboratives Inc., a not-for-profit leader working on wildfire preparation and response and its intersection with western forests and watersheds. Financial support for this exploration was partially provided by funds from the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation, as administered by The Nature Conservancy. Significant project funds were provided by the California Climate Investments program and administered by the California Department of Forestry and Fire. About Collins Based in Oregon and family-owned since 1855, Collins produces these wood products: softwoods, hardwoods, pine particleboard, TruWood Siding & Trim. Collins upholds their long-standing commitment to land and resource stewardship with more than 311,000 acres of FSC-certified forest lands, 5 manufacturing facilities in the US and one retail yard in California. Divisions are located in: Chester, CA, Kane, PA, and Lakeview and Klamath Falls, OR. For more information, please visit: www.CollinsCo.com About RenewWest Based in Denver, Colorado, RenewWest creates Nature Based Solutions for carbon outcomes. With a focus on regenerating landscapes damaged by wildfire, RenewWest works to create projects beneficial for both landowners and the environment. Its areas of work include reforestation, improved forest management, and the avoided conversion of grasslands and forests. For more information, please visit www.RenewWest.com. Media Contact Collins RenewWest Cameron Waner Elisabeth O'Neal Marketing Manager Marketing Director [email protected] [email protected] (800) 329-1219 x5212 (720) 477-3516 The Collins Modoc Reforestation Project is part of California Climate Investments, a statewide program that puts billions of Cap-and-Trade dollars to work reducing GHG emissions, strengthening the economy, and improving public health and the environment particularly in disadvantaged communities. The Cap-and-Trade program also creates a financial incentive for industries to invest in clean technologies and develop innovative ways to reduce pollution. California Climate Investments projects include affordable housing, renewable energy, public transportation, zero-emission vehicles, environmental restoration, more sustainable agriculture, recycling, and much more. At least 35 percent of these investments are located within and benefiting residents of disadvantaged communities, low-income communities, and low-income households across California. For more information, visit the California Climate Investments website at: www.caclimateinvestments.ca.gov. Funding for this project provided by the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection as part of the California Climate Investments Program. SOURCE Collins Related Links http://www.collinsco.com Gardai have been praised for their heroism after entering a family's burning home and helping to extinguish a fire which started after a chip pan went ablaze. The house is adjacent to Bruff garda station, in Co Limerick, and gardai were able to reach the property quickly. First on the scene was Garda Noelle Fitzgerald, who was on duty at the station, viewing CCTV footage when she heard the "very distressed crying of a baby coming from a nearby house through an open window", a Garda spokesman said. "She rushed to the house where she met a man who told her that a chip pan had caught fire." Gardai Robert Young, David Hennessy and Noreen Moloney arrived on the scene moments later with fire extinguishers. "Whilst Garda Fitzgerald and Moloney looked after the family, Garda Young and Hennessy entered the house and extinguished the fire, and Garda Hennessy also managed to disconnect the electricity supply to the house to prevent further damage," the spokesman said. The fire broke out at Barrack View, Sycamore Drive, Bruff, Co Limerick, shortly after 10pm last Saturday, August 1. Bruff Superintendent John Ryan, said that "due to the quick actions of all involved, we prevented a very serious incident from happening". Three units of the fire brigade, attached to Kilmallock and Charleville fire stations, attended the scene. Travellers from Belgium will have to quarantine for 14 days following a dramatic rise in coronavirus infections there. Officials are finalising plans to add the country to the list of places from where people will be ordered to isolate on arrival into Britain. At a meeting this evening, ministers are expected to sign off on the change, which will come into force at either midnight tonight or tomorrow. Belgium follows Spain which was put on the quarantine list a fortnight ago, wrecking the holiday plans of millions and Luxembourg, which was added last week. Travellers from Belgium will have to quarantine for 14 days following a dramatic rise in coronavirus infections there. Pictured: People wearing face masks walk through the shopping district of Brussels It comes after the number of new cases in Belgium doubled in a week following earlier success in bringing the virus under control in the country The decision will cause problems for thousands of people who travel each day on the Eurostar between Brussels and London, as well as those on flights connecting the two countries. It comes after the number of new cases in Belgium doubled in a week following earlier success in bringing the virus under control in the country. Some 9,852 people have died of the disease, giving Belgium the highest mortality rate, per capita, in the world. It has had 85 fatalities per 100,000 inhabitants, followed by Britain with 68, Spain 61, Peru 61, and Italy 58. Men walk through the entrance of meat processing plant Westvlees, in Westrozebeke, part of Staden, Belgium, on Wednesday after several employees of the plant were tested positive for coronavirus How Covid-19 cases have changed in Spain, Belgium, Finland, Greece, France, Ireland, Germany, Italy, the UK, Luxembourg and Europe overall. The biweekly growth rate on any given date measures the percentage change in the number of new confirmed cases over the last 14 days relative to the number in the previous 14 days The biweekly map shows how most countries in Europe have reported between a 25 and 200 per cent increase in cases in the past two weeks New confirmed infections there rose to an average of 448.1 per day in the last week of July, which was a 104 per cent increase on the previous seven days. As many as half of the new cases have been in Antwerp, where a night-time curfew has been imposed and restrictions on where residents can meet have been brought back in. Ministers are also monitoring spikes in other countries, including Croatia, Romania, Hong Kong and even parts of British holiday favourites Germany and France amid fears of a second wave. The number of patients in intensive care in France has started to creep upwards over the past few days, reversing a 16-week downward trend. Belgium follows Spain which was put on the quarantine list a fortnight ago, wrecking the holiday plans of millions and Luxembourg, which was added last week. Pictured: People wearing face masks walk through the centre of Brussels Yesterday there were queues of people outside testing centres in Paris amid a flare-up in infections. The British Government has been under pressure to introduce airport coronavirus tests for arrivals. Ministers are looking at whether people coming to the UK from at-risk countries such as the US and Spain could be given tests to reduce the number of days they have to quarantine for. And the boss of Heathrow airport has proposed a double-testing regime that would see passengers tested at their point of entry to the country, and again five to eight days later. If given the all clear in both tests, they would no longer be required to stay at home for 14 days and could go back to normal life. Ferrari has now joined the growing push against Racing Point's 'pink Mercedes'. Technical director Andrew Green says he hates the nickname the car that admittedly strongly resembles last year's Mercedes has acquired. "To see the work of the engineers discredited like that is totally false and has gone too far," he is quoted by France's Auto Hebdo. Renault was the team that, after three races on the trot now, lodged official protests against the legality of the 2020 car's brake ducts. But many other teams agree with Renault that Racing Point's explanation - that it designed its car solely on the basis of photographs of the 2019 Mercedes - is clearly untrue. "This is not possible with photos taken in the pitlane or parc ferme," said McLaren team boss Andreas Seidl. "You'd need a scan." However, Green admits that the design of the brake inlets was based on a part supplied legally by Mercedes under the former rules. "In 2019, the transfer of information on brake ducts was quite legitimate," he said. "We used that data as a starting point for our design. "Renault is trying to apply the 2020 regulations to the 2019 season," Green added. However, Gunther Steiner says that when the rules changed, Haas had to stop using Ferrari brake ducts for 2020. "I hired three engineers and had tools built to develop and build our own brake ducts," he told Auto Motor und Sport. However, the brake duct issue is just the tip of the iceberg. Dr Helmut Marko has already warned that if copying a full car based on photographs is now allowed, Red Bull will supply a full chassis to Alpha Tauri in 2021. And Ferrari is now adding its voice to the saga. According to Sky Italia, the Maranello team has written to the FIA for clarification. The stewards are meeting at Silverstone on Wednesday to consider the Renault protests. (GMM) Russian Emergency Situations personnel walk on the site of the explosion in the port of Beirut, Lebanon. Russia's emergency officials say the country sent five planeloads of aid to Beirut after an explosion in the Lebanese capital's port killed at least 100 people and injured thousands. (AP Photo/Ministry of Emergency Situations press service via AP) HANOVER (dpa-AFX) - German automotive supplier and tire manufacturer Continental AG (CTTAY.PK) reported Wednesday that its second-quarter net loss was 741 million euros, compared to profit of 485 million euros a year ago. The adjusted operating result or EBIT In the second quarter was negative 634 million euros, compared to prior year's positive 865 million euros. Adjusted EBIT margin was negative 9.6 percent, compared to positive 7.7 percent last year. Consolidated sales in the second quarter amounted to 6.6 billion euros, down from 11.3 billion euros a year ago. Organic sales declined 40 percent. Continental's business with industrial and end customers was down 23 percent in the second quarter, demonstrating that it is substantially more robust than global vehicle production, which fell 45 percent in the same period at 12.3 million units. Second-quarter production figures in Europe and North America were very weak, at 2.0 million units, down 63 percent, and 1.3 million units, down 69 percent, respectively. In contrast, production in China increased to 9 percent year-on-year thanks to government subsidy programs, with 5.9 million passenger cars and light commercial vehicles rolling off the lines. CEO Elmar Degenhart, said, 'At the low point of the worst economic crisis experienced by the automotive industry since the end of the Second World War, we outperformed our markets in China, the USA and Europe. We are keeping our targets firmly in sight. Our tough cost-cutting measures are having a quick and noticeable effect.' For the third quarter of 2020, Continental expects global vehicle production to fall substantially by 10 to 20 percent year-on-year. Further, Continental said it is currently still refraining from providing a detailed outlook for the 2020 fiscal year. However, the company is expecting sales volumes, sales and adjusted EBIT to fall significantly short of the previous year's figures. 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. Ghanaian rapper Kwame Ametepee Tsikata also known as M.anifest has expressed his quest to do songs with some iconic Ghanaian artistes like highlife star Amandzeba before he retires from music. The artiste who has worked with musicians like Obrafour, Kelvynboy, Sarkodie, Kelvyn Boy, Simi, Worlasi, Kwesi Arthur, Burna Boy, Strongman and Mi Casa also said another artiste he would love to work with apart from Amandzeba is former NAKOREX member, Akosua Agyapong. Amandzeba He said this on Citi TVs Face to Face in an interview with Umaru Sanda Amadu when he was asked which artistes he is yearning to work with. Akosua Agyepong I actually need to do something with Amandzeba, I think its long overdue. I have done some stuff with Ebo Taylor but I havent done some stuff with some legendary people. Akosua Agyapong too Ive been thinking about, he said. When asked about international collaborations, he mentioned he would like to work with American rapper Kendrick Lamar or J.Cole. Touching on awards he would like to add to his collection, M.anifest who won Ghana Music Awards Best Rapper and Hip Hop song of the year, 2017 stated that he is not driven by the accolades that come with the job. One thing I realized especially when I came to Ghana is my focus has to be on the work. The accolades or the things that come from the work is not within my control. Neither should it be what drives me, he explained. He recently released We No Dey Hear with Kelvynboy and Kel-P. M.anifest is among the old students of Macalester College who received the Distinguished Citizen Alumni Awards this year. ---citinewsroom Hundreds of thousands of patients living in the poorest areas of the UK could miss out on face-to-face GP appointments due to Covid precautions, a report has warned. NHS guidance urges all GPs who are at high risk of the coronavirus themselves to move to online or phone consultations for the safety of their own health and their patients'. Family doctors deemed high risk are normally over-50, from a black, Asian or ethnic minority (BAME) background or suffer from a co-morbidity themselves. Research by the Health Foundation charity estimates one in three GPs who run their own surgery fall into this category, meaning the entire practice could have to close. Doctors running their own surgery single-handedly are also three times more likely to operate in areas with high deprivation, according to the charity. In total, the Health Foundation estimates that 710,043 patients will miss out on the in-person appointments due to the volume of GPs deemed at risk of Covid. It found at least 8 per cent (3,632) of family doctors fell under this category. Experts say face-to-face appointments are critical because doctors can pick up on subtle symptoms and patients often feel comfortable enough to disclose more specific information about their health troubles. It is feared some of this nuance is being lost through cyber visits, which consist of either a telephone call or video chat. Last Friday, Health Secretary Matt Hancock threw his weight behind much greater use of remote appointments, dismissing those concerned as simply being naysayers. Hundreds of thousands of patients living in the poorest areas of the UK could miss out on face-to-face GP appointments due to Covid precautions, a report has warned (file) NHS England has ordered all of its frontline staff to be Covid-19 risk-assessed, with factors like age, sex, ethnicity and BMI all taken into consideration. Nurses and paramedics who are put in this category are either moved to areas where infection rates are low, while GPs are told to move to online consultations. Across England, at least 8 per cent (3,632) of GPs are deemed at high risk of death from Covid-19. Analysis by the Health Foundation estimates that one in three (32.7 per cent) GPs who single-handedly manage a GP practice fall into the category. Just 1 in 10 GP appointments are now face to face as patients fear cyber visits are here to stay Only one in ten GP appointments is face to face three months after ministers vowed to get the NHS back to normal. A major survey found 61 per cent of consultations are via phone call, 6 per cent through text or email and 4 per cent by online video. Telephone triage assessments and home visits account for another 18 per cent, meaning that only 11 per cent of consultations led to direct contact at a surgery. Yet in late April as coronavirus cases tailed off Matt Hancock promised to restore regular NHS care. And today the Health Secretary will announce major plans for future working, including proposals for doctors to contact patients on WhatsApp. Mr Hancock will also promise to slash bureaucracy and let staff work more flexibly so they stay in their jobs for longer. The survey by the Royal College of GPs involved 859 family doctors and was carried out over the two weeks to last Wednesday. If the results are a true picture of the UK as a whole it means patients are three times more likely to receive a text or email from their GP than a home visit. As many as 88 per cent of doctors said their surgery was offering video or online consultations compared with 5 per cent before the pandemic. Seven in ten said telephone appointments increased their efficiency, rising to 76 per cent when asked about telephone triage. Advertisement These family doctors are more than three times as likely to be working in the most deprived regions, which risks worsening health inequalities already exacerbated by Covid-19, the charity said The analysis also found that London may be particularly affected if GPs at high risk from the disease restrict their patient-facing activities. The capital has the highest proportion of GPs at very high risk from Covid and of single-handed GP surgeries run by a GP at very high risk. The Health Foundation is calling for CCGs to make sure all patients have access to face-to-face appointments if they need one. Dr Rebecca Fisher, senior policy fellow at the Health Foundation and practicing GP, said: The ongoing risk of Covid-19 to the safety of both patients and GPs means that hundreds of thousands of people may find it much harder to get a face-to-face GP appointment. 'Its particularly worrying that GPs at higher risk from Covid-19 are far more likely to be working in areas of high deprivation. 'Those are precisely the areas with the greatest health need, the biggest burden from Covid-19, and an existing under-supply of GPs relative to need. 'Unless urgent action is taken this could become another way in which poorer communities become further disadvantaged, and risks further widening health inequalities. The report comes just days after a retired taxi driver ended up in hospital with a serious infection after being denied a face-to-face GP appointment under Covid-19 safety rules. Since March, most GP surgeries have radically cut down on face-to-face consultations in a bid to reduce coronavirus spreading. Doctors phone patients instead, often from their own homes. Few surgeries have resumed normal service and some remain closed, despite the virus dropping to low levels in many areas. Lisa King, 54, from Brentwood in Essex, feared the arrangements could have been fatal for her husband Peter, 62. Three weeks ago she emailed their surgery requesting an urgent face-to-face appointment for Peter. Hed had ongoing pains for weeks, his stomach was bloated and tender and he had just been violently sick. She was worried it was cancer. Deal Tree Health Centre emailed back the following day saying on this occasion they would grant Mr King a telephone GP consultation, which took place that day. After asking a series of questions, the GP said Mr King probably had acid reflux and prescribed a drug. The doctor told him to get back in touch in a weeks time if he had not improved. Lisa King (pictured right), 54, from Brentwood in Essex, feared the arrangements could have been fatal for her husband Peter (pictured left), 62 But Mr King did not improve and the following Sunday his condition markedly worsened. Mrs King called 999 and an ambulance arrived within 20 minutes. She recalled: Peter was in so much pain he was crying. When the paramedics got here, one ask him where it hurt and suggested a physical examination. As she moved to do so, Peter flinched. She then said, Right, you need to go to hospital immediately.' At Queens Hospital in Romford, doctors found a gall stone lodged in his bile duct and his gall bladder badly infected and inflamed. Mrs King recalled: We were told if it had been left much longer, his gall bladder would have ruptured and caused systemic sepsis, which can be fatal. If hed seen a doctor six days earlier, the GP would have known something was wrong that it wasnt just indigestion. You cant diagnose something like this over the phone. She warned: People will die if this lack of face-to-face consultations continues. And I dont know why surgeries are not re-opening. Does anyone? Because I can go and get my hair done. You can go to the pub, and the gym too. All those places have had to invest in PPE for their staff. Doctors are part of the NHS theyve got PPE provided for them. So what are they afraid of? Mr King has had an operation to remove one gall stone but may need more surgery for others found in his gall bladder. He has also been diagnosed with an inflamed pancreas, and been told the delay in surgery probably made matters worse. The telephone consultation was not good enough, he said. The symptoms I was displaying required a physical examination by a GP to determine accurately what was wrong with me. The doctor had appeared terse and dismissive, he said, which I presume was because he thought it was only indigestion. Mr King said: It seems to me that GPs are establishing a new normal behaviour for themselves, of phone consultations. I think it needs to be addressed before it gets out of hand. Last night, Dr Ken Wrixon, of Deal Tree Health Centre, said: We hope Mr King makes a speedy recovery, and encourage him or his wife to get in touch with us so that we can look into this further. While face-to-face appointments are available at the practice, to help keep people safe were offering telephone appointments with our GPs in the first instance, but encourage patients to get back in touch if they feel their condition has got worse so we can reassess whether their care needs have changed. BEIJING, Aug 4 (Reuters) - China Hongqiao Group, the worlds biggest aluminium producer, has left the International Aluminium Institute (IAI) only four years after joining the global industry body for the metal used in everything from cars to cans. The move means the Chinese aluminium giant has broken ranks with a body that represented companies producing more than 60% of the metal and its raw materials bauxite and alumina worldwide, prior to Hongqiaos departure. Hongqiao, which has about 6.5 million tonnes of licensed annual aluminium smelting capacity, became an IAI member in 2016 and now employs former IAI secretary-general Ron Knapp as an adviser to the companys chairman, Zhang Bo. Knapp confirmed to Reuters that Hongqiao had resigned from the IAI but declined to comment on the reasons. What Hongqiao is about is increasing its engagement internationally and we are looking at a number of vehicles to assist in realising that goal, he said. The IAI, whose website no longer lists Hongqiao as a member, declined to comment on Tuesday. Its objectives include increasing the market for aluminium by enhancing awareness of its qualities and providing a global forum for aluminium producers on matters of common concern for its now 26 members. China is by far the worlds biggest aluminium producing and consuming country. Hongqiao chairman Zhang previously served as vice chairman of the IAI, which is currently chaired by Alcoa Corp executive Ben Kahrs and has a secretariat in London. Other members include Aluminum Corp of China, known as Chinalco, Rio Tinto , United Company Rusal and Norsk Hydro. Other organisations Shandong-based Hongqiao would like to work with include the Aluminium Stewardship Initiative, a standards-setting body that aims to foster responsible production and sourcing of the metal, Knapp said. (Reporting by Tom Daly; Additional reporting by Pratima Desai in London; Editing by David Clarke) A recently proposed bill would spend $1 billion to provide more resources, and encouragement, to doctors of color. The Expanding Medical Education Act was introduced by Senator Tim Kaine, D-Va., on July 30 and aims to "tackle the lack of representation of rural students, underserved students, and students of color in the physician pipeline. The bill, according to a press release from Kaine, would provide grants to colleges and universities to establish or expand allopathic (which focuses on diagnosing and treating human disease) or osteopathic (which views the patient more holistically to reach a diagnosis) medical schools in underserved areas or at minority-serving institutions, including Historically Black Colleges and Universities. Black Americans made up less than six percent of doctors in 2017, despite making up almost 12 percent of the U.S. population. Similarly, Hispanics also made up around six percent, even though they made up 17 percent of the population. This bill was proposed to help change that. Communities of color and those living in rural and underserved areas face significant barriers to health care, said Kaine. Medical students of color and those from rural areas are more likely to practice in the communities theyre from, but in many of these places, there are limited pathways to enter the medical profession. We need to diversify our physician pipeline and change the disparity in representation." REMOTE LEARNING: Survey reveals Latino parents apprehensive about remote learning The legislation would encourage the recruitment, enrollment and retention of students from disadvantaged backgrounds, according to Kaine. Citing the National Institutes of Health, NBC News reported that Black populations are less likely to trust medical providers for multiple reasons, including systemic racism or experiments in American history using Black people without their permission for medical research (The Tuskegee Experiment, for example). "COVID-19 has shined a bright light on the health disparities that continue to persist in Americas communities of color," said Norfolk State University President Dr. Javaune Adams-Gaston. "The Expanding Medical Education Act will help to address these disparities and diversify the physician pipeline by providing the financial resources to increase the number of medical schools at Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Minority Serving Institutions, and institutions of higher education in underserved and rural areas." Texas' new tallying method recently confirmed that COVID-19 does, indeed, disproportionately affect people of color. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention said discrimination and healthcare access, or lack thereof, plays a part in putting people of color at "increased risk of getting sick and dying" from the virus. New Delhi: South Korean Electronics manufacturer Samsung is all set to host the online Galaxy Unpacked event on Wednesday (August 5). The Samsung Galaxy Unpacked 2020 event will kick off at 10am EST (7:30pm IST) on Wednesday. It will be live streamed through various Samsung channels. You can watch the live-streaming of the event at Samsung Global Newsroom, Samsung.com, and Samsung Global's Facebook page. On August 5, join us for a Galaxy Unpacked virtual event to explore our latest ecosystem of Galaxy devices designed to empower your life. Live streaming of the event will be available at Samsung Global Newsroom, Samsung.com at 10 a.m. ET., Samsung said in a statement. The company tweeted: Power a new form for a new norm. Unpacked on August 5, 2020. #SamsungEvent pic.twitter.com/DtwxXXurNP Samsung Mobile (@SamsungMobile) July 7, 2020 Samsung has shared a video related to the event but the teaser does not have much details. The company is likely to debut the new Galaxy Note 20 series and a next-generation foldable device. Ahead of the launch, some specifications of the Galaxy Note 20 series surfaced online. The standard Galaxy Note 20 will sport a 6.42-inch Full HD+ AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate and a 1084x2345 resolution. The top-end Note 20 smartphone will get slightly bigger and sport a massive 6.87-inch LTPO screen with an AMOLED panel. Like Note 20, Note 20+ will also have support for 120Hz refresh rate but with QHD+ resolution of 1444x3096 pixels. The smartphone maker may launch the Galaxy Note 20 with Snapdragon 865 processor or its custom Exynos 990 SoC, depending upon the region. The processor could be paired with up to 16GB LPDDR5 RAM, which Samsung had previously started mass-producing. The Samsung Galaxy Fold 2 is likely to feature a 7.59-inch screen with 2213x1689 resolution and a refresh rate of 120Hz. We are in one of the busiest weeks of the current reporting cycle. Investors are busy crunching profit numbers and surprises of companies that have already released their quarterly numbers so far. However, instead of accumulating stocks later, investing in the ones that are yet to report earnings and are poised for a beat can be far more rewarding. This is because an earnings beat essentially serves as a catalyst, boosts investor confidence in a stock and results in further price appreciation. Nonetheless, the June-end quarter was different compared with the previous quarters in recent times as the coronavirus mayhem has disrupted the economy and the job market. Several industries have been adversely impacted and reported massive losses. However, there have been gainers too, like e-commerce and cloud business, which are gaining from the heightening reliance on technology thanks to the surge in remote working across the globe due to the imposition of social-distancing measures. REITs invest in all types of properties, from residential, industrial, offices, malls to hospitals, hotels and data centers and several others. And underlying asset categories as well as location of properties play a crucial role in determining their performance. Therefore, not all companies in the sector have suffered a setback during the period under discussion. Hence, delving into the asset fundamentals and markets of each REIT becomes all the more important. For example the industrial real estate asset category showed resilience in the second quarter amid the coronavirus crisis on low vacancy rates, high-asking rents, positive net absorptions and robust rent collections. There has been a notable increase in e-commerces share of total retail sales, spurring demand for warehouse and distribution space. Per a CBRE Group CBRE report, the average asking rents finished the mid-year at $7.96 per square feet, marking a 6.3% increase year on year. In addition, the asset category has a near-record low overall vacancy rate of 4.7%. Furthermore, the stay-at-home economy amid the pandemic acted as a catalyst for data centers and tower REITs, which play a vital role in providing the critical infrastructures needed for a seamless connection. These REITs too are likely to have witnessed solid demand and leasing activities during the June-end quarter. Also, given the higher investments in pharmaceutical research and development, critical monetary support from the government and urgent hiring by tenants, lab-office assets are anticipated to have been in high demand during the second quarter. Apart from this, increasing levels of patient traffic and activity have buoyed performance of medical office buildings. Nonetheless, things are not bright elsewhere, and residential and retail asset categories seem to have been affected. The April-June period, which marks the start of the prime leasing season for the U.S. apartment market, was not favorable this time as the pandemic has impacted the economy, while job cuts in the beginning of the quarter affected leasing activity. Furthermore, the retail real estate market had already been bearing the brunt of declining traffic, store closures and retailer bankruptcies, and now the pandemic has only added to its woes. Story continues The Zacks Methodology However, picking the right stock could be difficult unless one knows the proper method. To make the task simple, we rely on the Zacks methodology, combining a Zacks Rank Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) or 2 (Buy) or 3 (Hold) and a positive Earnings ESP. Our proprietary methodology, Earnings ESP, shows the percentage difference between the Most Accurate Estimate and the Zacks Consensus Estimate. And research shows that for stocks with this combination of rank and ESP, chances of a positive earnings surprise are as high as 70%. You can uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before theyre reported with our Earnings ESP Filter. Here are four REITs that have the right combination of elements to deliver positive surprises this season. Also, the diversification benefits that real estates offer make them prudent investment choices now. VEREIT, Inc. VER currently carries a Zacks Rank of 2 and has an Earnings ESP of +3.33%. This Phoenix, AZ-based diversified REIT has a decent surprise history, having beaten estimates in all of the preceding four quarters, the average surprise being 3.47%. VEREIT Inc. owns and manages one of the largest portfolios of single-tenant commercial properties in the United States. It has a diversified portfolio of retail, restaurant, office and industrial real estate assets. VEREIT Inc. is set to report quarterly numbers on Aug 6. Healthcare Trust of America, Inc. HTA currently carries a Zacks Rank of 3 and has an Earnings ESP of +0.96% for the quarter under review. Healthcare Trust of America is the largest dedicated owner and operator of medical office buildings (MOBs) in the United States. Its tenants mainly comprise health systems, universities, physicians, and healthcare service providers, like imaging companies, surgery center operators, and pharmacies. The company has witnessed increasing levels of patient traffic and activity at its buildings, and is likely to have enjoyed steady occupancy levels and leasing activity in its portfolio during the June-end quarter. Healthcare Trust of America is scheduled to announce second-quarter figures on Aug 6. You can see the complete list of todays Zacks #1 Rank stocks here. Physicians Realty Trust DOC currently carries a Zacks Rank of 3 and has an Earnings ESP of +0.55% for the to-be-reported quarter. Physicians Realty Trust is engaged in acquisition, selective development, ownership and management of healthcare properties that are leased to physicians, hospitals and healthcare delivery systems. Physicians Realty Trust is set to release earnings results on Aug 6. National Storage Affiliates Trust NSA holds a Zacks Rank #3 and has an Earnings ESP of +0.44%, at present. The company surpassed estimates in three of the trailing four quarters and met in the other, the average surprise being 1.92%. National Storage Affiliates is focused on ownership, operation and acquisition of high quality regional self-storage facilities situated within high growth markets. The self-storage industry has continued to gain from favorable demographic changes. Specifically, migration and downsizing trend, and increase in the number of people renting homes have triggered the needs of consumers to rent spaces at storage facilities to park their possessions. National Storage Affiliates will announce April-June quarterly figures on Aug 6. Note: Anything related to earnings presented in this write-up represent funds from operations (FFO) a widely used metric to gauge the performance of REITs. Biggest Tech Breakthrough in a Generation Be among the early investors in the new type of device that experts say could impact society as much as the discovery of electricity. Current technology will soon be outdated and replaced by these new devices. In the process, its expected to create 22 million jobs and generate $12.3 trillion in activity. A select few stocks could skyrocket the most as rollout accelerates for this new tech. Early investors could see gains similar to buying Microsoft in the 1990s. Zacks just-released special report reveals 8 stocks to watch. The report is only available for a limited time. See 8 breakthrough stocks now>> Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report Physicians Realty Trust (DOC) : Free Stock Analysis Report Healthcare Trust of America, Inc. (HTA) : Free Stock Analysis Report National Storage Affiliates Trust (NSA) : Free Stock Analysis Report VEREIT Inc. (VER) : Free Stock Analysis Report CBRE Group, Inc. (CBRE) : Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. Zacks Investment Research Following a row regarding sexism, German car-maker Audi has apologized for an ad that was accused of being offensive toward women. The recent ad for Audi RS 4 Avant which was shared on the car manufacturer's official Twitter handle featured a girl child dressed in a smart jacket and dress while eating a banana as she leaned on the car's bonnet. Audi posted the ad on social media with a caption, "Let's your heart beat faster - in every aspect". Lets your heart beat faster in every aspect. #AudiRS4 pic.twitter.com/14XaKhlRVL AudiOfficial (@AudiOfficial) August 2, 2020 The strange poster was quick to attract anger and outrage on social media with many pointing out that the poster seemed to sexualize a child in the act of eating a banana. Many pointed out the existing sexual innuendoes that can be attributed to a banana and claimed that the poster was rather inappropriate. While some claimed that the image was "suggestive", others claimed it was "gross". Whomever thought of the banana should be fired. Bunch of paedos at Audi? Her hands in pockets would have sufficed https://t.co/pw9A0nL40Y Rob (@Rob79993499) August 4, 2020 Following the outrage, Audi was forced to apologise for the advertisement. The company claimed that it was not its intention to show the child in an insensitive manner but to emphasise that even a child could relax with the new Audi car. "We hoped we could convey these messages, showing that even for the weakest traffic participants it is possible to relaxingly lean on the RS technology. That was a mistake! Audi never intended to hurt anyones feelings," Audi tweeted. Ita lso promised to not use the "insensitive image" in further ads and brandings. We sincerely apologize for this insensitive image and ensure that it will not be used in future. We will also immediately examine internally, how this campaign has been created and if control mechanisms failed in this case. (3/3) AudiOfficial (@AudiOfficial) August 3, 2020 Fans of the German carmaker and sympathizers on social media nevertheless came to the aid of Audi claiming that the viral outrage against the poster was not Audi's fault but rather a problem with the "sick" mentality of people. Dear @AudiOfficial there wasn't anything offensive in the picture this was the shit mentality of the viewers who made it offensive I am sorry you got hatred https://t.co/223ydZ2z6f Sakshi Sharma (@Sakshi46465733) August 5, 2020 This is not the first time that Audi has been called out for sexist advertising. In 2017, Audi's China office was condemned for an advertisement that compared used cars to women. Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-05 18:35:02|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close STOCKHOLM, Aug. 5 (Xinhua) -- Sweden's economy shrank by 8.6 percent in the second quarter of this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Statistics Sweden (SCB) said Wednesday. The government agency released the early compilation of the country's second quarter GDP indicator on Wednesday, saying the drop was the largest quarterly decline in 40 years. "It is a dramatic reduction but in line with expectations," said Mattias Kain Wyatt, statistician at the SCB. The decline is mainly due to falling exports and household consumption, according to the SCB. SCB said the GDP indicator is an early compilation of the quarterly national accounts and is based on more limited and preliminary data. The regular estimate of Sweden's GDP will be published at the end of this month. Enditem A Sacramento Superior Court judge on Tuesday rebuffed backers of Proposition 22, a referendum aiming to keep some gig workers as independent contractors, in their lawsuit claiming California Attorney General Xavier Becerra wrote a slanted description of their measure. The attorney general writes the title, summary and label of an initiative that appear on the California ballot and ballot pamphlet and are vital to communicating to voters. The Yes on 22 campaign charged that Becerra was biased and wrote language painting the measure in a negative light because he is suing Uber and Lyft, two of the major backers of Prop. 22, over their driver classification. Becerras lawsuit says that Uber and Lyft drivers should be employees under AB5, Californias new gig-work law which is exactly what Prop. 22 seeks to avoid. Besides Uber and Lyft, the other backers of Prop. 22 are DoorDash, Postmates and Instacart. The five companies have put up $110 million so far in their quest to convince voters that drivers and couriers should not be employees, which the companies say would destroy the flexibility those workers rely on. It would also cost the companies hundreds of millions of dollars, and potentially increase the prices consumers pay for rides and deliveries. Becerras language accurately informs voters about the initiative, wrote Judge Laurie Earl in a tentative decision that will become final unless Yes on 22 requests a hearing. The campaign has until Wednesday afternoon to make that request. The hearing would occur Thursday morning with each side limited to 30 minutes of oral arguments. Yes on 22 did not immediately say whether it will request the hearing. The title written by Becerra that Yes on 22 objects to reads: Exempts app-based transportation and delivery companies from providing employee benefits to certain drivers. The Yes on 22 campaign charged that exempt was a prejudicial term. But the judge disagreed. Read as a whole, this is not false, misleading, or inaccurate, and the use of the word exempt in the ballot title does not make it so, Earl wrote. In fact, she wrote, the ballot measure would exempt the companies from complying with various state laws applicable to employees. Earl rejected Yes on 22s claim that Becerras case against Uber and Lyft meant he was not impartial. This lawsuit is irrelevant, the judge wrote, pointing to precedents that elected state officers are entitled to take public positions on matters of public importance. Air Quality Tracker Check levels down to the neighborhood Ratings for the Bay Area and California, updated every 10 minutes The Yes on 22 provided a written statement responding to the ruling from Doug Mead, a freelance writer and Uber Eats and Postmates driver from Palm Springs. The campaign said he was among thousands of drivers who support remaining independent workers. The Attorney General is playing politics with the jobs of nearly one million Californians and threatening the services so many families rely on, Meads statement read. His biased and prejudicial description of Prop. 22 only benefits his special-interest supporters while doing a disservice to California voters. The No on 22 campaign, which is backed by organized labor, applauded the tentative ruling. The judges thoughtful deliberation on this ruling ensures that every Californian will know the unbiased truth when they fill out their ballots in November: Uber, Lyft, and DoorDash are trying to buy themselves a special exemption to roll back drivers rights, said Mike Roth, spokesman for the No on Prop. 22 campaign. Carolyn Said is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: csaid@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @csaid The former head of the opposition Higher Negotiation Commission is in Washington, D.C. to meet with US officials and discuss future political formations writes Al-Modon. The US State Departments Special Envoy to Syria, Joel Rayburn, revealed that a meeting took place between the former Syrian Prime Minister Riad Hijab and US departments of State and Treasury senior officials and members of the Caesar Coordination Group as part of Hijabs visit to the American capital. He said, Anna Morris, and members of the Caesar Coordination Group had valuable discussions with Hijab about the best ways to implement the Caesar sanctions and end the suffering of the Syrian people at the hands of the Assad regime. The meeting lasted for about four hours. The US official indicated that he held important talks with Hijab during his second day in Washington, D.C., adding, I am very pleased to be able to continue discussions with Riad Hijab. We talked about the need to cooperate with all sectors of Syrian society to search for a political solution for all Syrian people. Hijab, who served as the head of the opposition Higher Negotiation Commission, is visiting Washington, D.C. Hijab stressed during a webinar at the Institute of International Policy in Washington on, the transformations of the Syrian scene and the need for new mechanisms for dealing with the new situation. He advocated the need to restructure the Syrian opposition while preserving the existing institutions. He said, I call for its rehabilitation and reshaping of its institutions, while stressing the importance of preserving opposition institutions, but after nine years, these institutions need to be reshaped and rearranged to strengthen them and expand their representation. He added that, the opposition should not be party to the regional disagreements. We should be concerned with the Syrian cause first and we need everyone. We have no interest in us being party to any dispute, but rather we should be at the same distance from everyone so that we can offer our people salvation and relief. 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. New York Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, the fifth-highest ranking House Democrat, on Wednesday recommended two of his colleagues for the role of former Vice President Joe Bidens running mate: California Rep. Karen Bass and Florida Rep. Val Demings. Pressed on who he would like to see the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee select for the No. 2 spot on the partys ticket, Jeffries told MSNBC it is Joe Bidens choice to make. The House Democratic Caucus chair went on to praise the extraordinary group of women who Joe Biden can choose from to become effective partners with him in government. But all things being equal, Jeffries added, Karen Bass or Val Demings would be great choices. Jeffries endorsement of his fellow House lawmakers is not necessarily surprising, given his close working relationships with the two congresswomen. Jeffries and Demings both served as House impeachment managers in President Donald Trumps Senate trial, and Bass is the chair of the Congressional Black Caucus, of which all three lawmakers are members. But as the Biden campaign has continued its search process for a running mate, Democratic officials and prominent party figures have been largely reluctant to elevate any particular candidate, instead declining to weigh in and deferring to Bidens judgment. Jeffries remarks Wednesday come as Bass standing on Bidens shortlist is reported to have risen. The Los Angeles congresswoman has faced new scrutiny in recent days, however, with Republicans attacking her past comments about the late Cuban dictator Fidel Castro and the Church of Scientology. Demings, a former Orlando, Fla., police chief, emerged as a potential running mate for Biden earlier this summer. But she too has been criticized for her law enforcement record amid a national reckoning on racial injustices in policing. Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti, one of the four co-chairs of Bidens vice presidential selection committee, told MSNBC on Tuesday that the campaign had a group of amazing women that have been a part of this process. Story continues Were keeping them all, he said. We vetted them heavily. All of them have passed a vet. And now in this next week, week and a half Mr. Biden can spend some time with them. Jill Biden, the former vice presidents wife, told Fox News on Tuesday her husband was nearing a final decision. Were close. Hes close, she said. Joe Biden is expected to announce his running mate sometime early this month ahead of the Democratic National Convention, set to take place in Milwaukee from Aug. 17-20. Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, right, speaks accompanied by House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-Md.), during a news conference on Capitol Hill, after a meeting at the White House in Washington on June 30, 2020. (Alex Brandon/AP Photo) House Intelligence Committee Begins Probe into Federal Response to Ongoing Riots The House Intelligence Committee is demanding answers from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) about their handling of the riots in Portland and other U.S. cities. Chairman, Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) sent a letter to DHS calling for information on the intelligence collected by the department on what he called peaceful protestors and journalists. Let me be clear: the reporting regarding the monitoring of peaceful protesters, creating and disseminating intelligence reports about journalists and protesters, and potential exploitation of electronic devices is deeply troubling, Schiff wrote in the letter (pdf) to acting Homeland Security Secretary Chad Wolf and Office of Intelligence and Analysis (I&A) acting under secretary Horace Jen. The revelations thus far require a full accounting, and, if substantiated, must never be allowed to occur again. The Committee is therefore initiating, pursuant to its unique oversight and legislative authority, an investigation of I&As activities in Portland and in support of the Departments response to protests nationwide, Schiff wrote. DHS did not immediately respond to The Epoch Times request for comment. Schiff criticized the department for their decreased efforts to provide the information the committee has asked for since July 22. In response to the Committees July 22, 2020 letter and its subsequent requests, I&A was initially cooperative, providing a partial set of the requested documents and making officials available to the Committee for briefings. Cooperation has since decreased significantly and the provision of materials has paused, Schiff wrote. In addition, Schiff raised concerns about a former I&A official who was reported by Politico to be the one trying to change the wording in the intelligence reports. Recently reassigned Acting Under Secretary for Intelligence and Analysis Brian Murphy sought on July 25, 2020, to change the content of intelligence reports by directing that all references to VIOLENT OPPORTUNISTS be replaced with VIOLENT ANTIFA ANARCHISTS INSPIRED. The Committee is concerned that then-Under Secretary Murphy provided incomplete and potentially misleading information to Committee staff regarding I&As activities in Portland, including the actions of its personnel in the city, and I&As intelligence collection, analysis, and dissemination efforts related to Portland and other protests nationwide, Schiff continued. The House Committee is requesting all documents listed in the July 22 letter, reports related to I&A actions against protestors and, to question, close to a dozen DHS officials, including former acting Under Secretary for I&A Brian Murphy. Schiff wrote that he wanted information from DHS by Monday, August 10. The California Congressman ended his letter by emphasizing that the panel will consider all options necessary to obtain complianceincluding compulsory process. The Canary Islands have taken out a broad "travel assistance policy" that will cover visitors for incidents related to Covid-19, including any need to extend stays due to quarantine. "There is no cost to travellers and all are automatically covered," a spokesperson for the Spanish Tourist Office in Dublin said. The policy has been agreed between insurance company AXA and the islands' Department of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, and will cover both Spanish and foreign visitors provided they are staying at regulated tourist accommodation - and not, for example, with friends, the Office clarified. It means that should tourists test positive for Covid-19 while holidaying on the Canaries, their medical expenses and any health repatriation and extended stays due to quarantine (which is mandatory for positive results on the islands) will be covered. The policy comes into force this week and will initially last for twelve months - it will not cover cases of Covid-19 known prior to travel, however. It comes as the Canary Islands battle to reboot a devastated tourist industry, having implemented a wide range of health and safety protocols in a bid for recognition as a safe holiday destination. Read More The move follows a similar step by Emirates, which is now offering passengers free cover for Covid-19-related expenses if they test positive while travelling and away from home. The policy, with no registration necessary, provides up to 150,000 in health expenses and quarantine costs of 100 per day for 14 days. The cover is effective until October 31, 2020, and is valid for 31 days from the moment they fly the first sector of their journey, the airline says. Expand Close Lanzarote: A barman at work in the "new normal" / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Lanzarote: A barman at work in the "new normal" Visit Portugal has also advertised a 'Portugal Travel Insurance' product, designed to offer "complete reassurance" during the pandemic. It starts from 37.20, and cover includes refunds for flight cancellation or interruption and unlimited access to a tourist assistance service. Neither Portugal, Spain nor Dubai are on Ireland's 'green list', of course - and the Government continues to advise against non-essential travel to those places. The Canaries have kept a relatively low Covid-19 caseload (Lanzarote has so far reported just 97 total cases, for example), however, and Spanish authorities have lobbied to have them included on the 'green list' in future. No countries or regions were added in the first update to the list this week - in fact, five destinations including Malta and Cyprus were removed, leaving some Irish holidaymakers scrambling for alternative flights home. By now, Irish consumers have largely written off overseas trips in 2020, the Irish Travel Agents Association (ITAA) said today. "The Association believes that the addition or removal of countries to the list is immaterial, as many consumers are choosing not to travel abroad for the remainder of 2020, postponing their travel arrangements until next year." Outbound travel is down by 98pc since March, the ITAA says. 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. Ferrexpo mining company with assets in Ukraine in the first half of 2020 saw $249.91 million in net profit, which is 7.6% less than in the first half of 2019 ($270.35 million). According to the half year report posted by the company on the London Stock Exchange on Wednesday, its revenues for the reporting period decreased 1.4%, to $ 775.83 million, while pellets production and sales increased 5% and 22%, respectively. EBITDA decreased 5.4%, to $352 million (in the first half of 2019 it was $372 million), and net debt decreased from $282 million to $174 million since the beginning of the year. Ferrexpo's capital investment in the first half of this year was $96 million, up from $114 million in the first half of last year. Non-Executive Chairman Steve Lucas was pleased to report a positive set of results for the half year, all in the context of a pandemic that has disrupted the global economy. He said that in light of the strong liquidity position the group is pleased to declare today a further interim dividend of 6.6 U.S. cents per share. "The company has approached the uncertainty of current global events with caution, destocking throughout the period and has reduced net debt to $174 million and increased cash to $169 million as at June 30, 2020," he said. Lucas said that the operations are now benefiting from the refurbishment work completed in 2019. He said that Ferrexpo has continued its investment for growth in the first half year and aims to double output from the group's operations in Ukraine over the medium term. JULIE, 44, a housing officer He wore black and white I thought he might be a waiter VITAL STATISTICS Single for nine years with a daughter, eight. CURRENT ROLE Housing officer working in law. WOULD LIKE TO MEET Some body who is grounded, busy, emotionally intelligent and truthful I am an empath and I know when someone is lying to me . Advertisement JULIE, 44 Dating Past? IVE BEEN engaged three times: once in my teens, which naturally dissolved; once in my 20s, but he called it off; and to my husband, who I split with nine years ago. I had my daughter with a friend shortly afterwards, although he was never going to be involved. I tend to date people Ive met through friends and Im not on dating sites. I trust I will connect with those Im meant to meet. Pre-Date Nerves? I come across as confident but Im quite shy, so I was nervous. Luckily I was busy and didnt have time to think about the date. I was late and arrived all hot and bothered. I wore trousers and a jumper as I wanted to be honest about how I dress. First Impressions? Alistair was waiting outside, and I thought he might be a waiter as he was wearing black and white, but he quickly introduced himself. He is a stereotypically good-looking chap, but he didnt ignite my spark. Easy To Talk To? We had the table for two hours and I was concerned the date might drag on, but the time flew by. Im vegetarian and said Id looked at the menu online for meat-free options. Alistair was understanding, but not inquisitive. We shared a Greek platter, but I requested that the lamb was served separately. We both work in homeless prevention in the probation sector and I wouldnt be surprised if our paths crossed professionally. I asked about his upbringing, too, and he seemed happy to open up. Embarrassing Moments? No, but we had to have our temperatures taken before going in and I worried I might be too hot. Did Sparks Fly? Not for me. I got a text saying that my parking had expired, so I needed to leave quite quickly. I said Id be happy to stay in contact. Did You Kiss? No, but I blew him a friendly kiss when I left as a Covid-19 alternative to a peck on the cheek. What do you think he thought of you? If he is honest, hell say we didnt have a connection, but I can be flirty so I hope I didnt come across as romantically interested. I suspect he wants a relationship that could end in marriage. He referred to us a few times, and seemed keen to plan a second date, but I just wanted to get to know him over the meal. Would your friends like him? What they think has no bearing on who I date. As a rule I do not mix my love life with my friendships. Alistair, 53, probation officer working with the homeless It was awkward when she left before Id asked for the bill VITAL STATISTICS Single for 18 months, no children. CURRENT ROLE Probation officer, working with the homeless. WOULD LIKE TO MEET A music lover. Im in a choir and have been on stage with the likes of Russell Watson and Michael Ball. Im a travel junkie and enjoy cycling and countryside walks. Advertisement ALISTAIR, 53 Dating Past? My PREVIOUS two relationships both lasted more than three years. My birth mother put me forward for a blind date as she decided it was time to put an end to me being the only bachelor in my village. Im used to organising dates online and going speed dating. Pre-Date nerves? if youre not nervous about a date, you clearly dont care about it. I had butterflies, but I wasnt unbearably nervous. I wore a black-and-white patterned shirt, black jeans and suede shoes. First impressions? I arrived first at The Olive Branch in Worcester, but didnt know Julie was running late. There was a moment when I thought, Shes not coming!, but I was relieved when she arrived ten minutes later. She put me at ease with her warm nature, and was open and easy-going. Easy to talk to? We both work with homeless people so we had a lot to talk about. Julie has recently completed a law degree, and has already started temporary work in the legal field. I found it interesting as I have a degree in criminal justice probation myself. We talked about our travels and how we are both exploring more of Britain due to the pandemic. Julie wants to visit the Welsh coast, while I want to see Whitby and Robin Hoods Bay in Yorkshire. I like going to gigs and festivals, but our musical tastes dont match she likes acoustic music. Embarrassing moments? Julie could only stay for two hours and she had to leave rather quickly. When she left it seemed like shed done a runner as I hadnt paid for the bill yet, which was awkward. The date ended too abruptly for me, but I stayed to settle the bill. Did sparks fly? Its difficult to gauge, as it was a new experience for both of us. I do like Julie and I find her attractive, but she has a busy life. She is a mum, runs a business and works full-time. Did you kiss? No, but I asked for her number and she blew me an air kiss. What do you think she thought of you? That I am good to talk to. We had a lot in common too, so that must count for something. Would your friends like her? Yes, definitely. JULIE'S VERDICT 8/10 LIKED? The tiramisu. REGRETS? No. COFFEE OR CAB? Coffee as a friend. Advertisement GPs aren't allowed to refuse to treat patients who won't cover their face, according to controversial new NHS guidance. Government advice given to the public says that face coverings are recommended in NHS settings, including hospitals and GP surgeries. But family doctors have now been told that they are not allowed to refuse treatment to patients who refuse to wear one. One GP criticised the decision and called it 'barmy', saying practices have a 'duty of care to other patients, carers and staff'. NHS England told doctors that patients 'should not be refused entry to a premises or access to care if they are unable to or refuse to' wear a face mask. The instruction added: 'It is not a legal requirement in healthcare settings for people to wear a face covering. 'Government advice says you should wear a face covering in enclosed spaces if you can, including places such as primary care services. 'However, a patient shouldn't be refused entry to a premises or access to care if they are unable to, or refuse to, wear a covering. This should be clearly communicated to all patients.' GPs are not allowed to refuse to treat patients who refuse to wear a face covering, according to new 'barmy' NHS guidance Dr Grant Ingrams, a GP in Leicestershire, told Pulse, a monthly news magazine on primary care: 'It is barmy to state that practices must not only see patients who just refuse to wear a face covering but must advertise that they will do this. 'Practices have a duty of care to other patients, carers and staff in the practice.' The email, from NHS England to all GPs, said that practices must now give face-to-face consultations as well as video, online and phone appointments whenever necessary. It said that GPs should access which patients need to be seen in person based on how urgent their condition is. The letter from NHS England said: 'All GP practices must offer face-to-face appointments at their surgeries as well as continuing to use remote triage and video, online and telephone consultation wherever appropriate whilst also considering those who are unable to access or engage with digital services.' The number of NHS patients who have been forced to wait more than a year for treatment in London is 20 times the figure for the whole of England in 2019 YOU'LL HAVE TO BOOK A&E VISITS THIS WINTER Patients will be asked to book an A&E appointment by calling 111 this winter, NHS bosses have been told. The plans, revealed in a board meeting for NHS England and NHS Improvement yesterday, are set to be put in place before December. But hospitals will not turn away patients who turn up without calling ahead of their visit, it was claimed. Pilot studies of the ring-ahead scheme at casualty departments in Portsmouth and London have reportedly produced good results. The plans to 'transform' A&E care will move towards scrapping the four-hour waiting time target, it was also revealed. Hospitals will be asked to rapidly adjust to the measures and make improvements as they go, according to board papers seen by The Times. NHS trusts across England currently work off a four-hour wait time target to operate emergency departments. The standard is 95 per cent of patients visiting A&E should be admitted, transferred or discharged within four hours. However, the NHS has failed to hit its four-hour benchmark for almost five years in a row. Advertisement A Department of Health and Social Care spokesman said: 'It is mandatory for face coverings to be worn on public transport and in enclosed spaces like shops and supermarkets. 'And we strongly encourage the wearing of face coverings in other public spaces, such as healthcare settings, where social distancing may be difficult and where you come into contact with people you do not normally meet.' Matt Hancock said last week all NHS consultations should be done over the phone or on video unless there was a 'compelling clinical reason not to'. He argued even in some emergencies, people should try to go online before turning up at A&E. Mr Hancock told the Royal College of Physicians that the NHS must not 'fall back into bad old habits' following the pandemic. The Health Secretary's comments led to a backlash from patient groups, who said online consultations 'cannot be allowed to become the new normal'. Charity Age UK warned many older people have struggled to access NHS help online during the pandemic, especially those with poor internet or hearing problems. GPs have also been instructed to get in touch with vulnerable patients and those 'whose care may have been delayed' to tell them about catch-up programmes for vaccinations and screenings. It comes as NHS England chief executive, Sir Simon Stevens, told hospital bosses to get back to 'near-normal' levels of activity or they could face a fine. Leaked performance data showed 19,775 patients in London were waiting longer than 12 months for procedures such as hip or knee ops by July 19. In contrast, only 1,032 people across the entire country had not started treatment within a year of being referred in July 2019. NHS data last month revealed 1.5million patients in England were forced to wait at least 18 weeks to start treatment, the most since 2007. Under the health service's own rulebook, patients should be treated within 18 weeks of a GP referral. Health bosses fear it could take up to four years to clear the growing backlog of patients needing treatment. The overall waiting list at a record-high of 4.4million before the pandemic struck was described as ticking time bomb. Top medics have since warned it has detonated, with the decision to postpone tens of thousands of operations during the crisis causing backlog to grow. The data for London seen by The Independent was submitted to NHS England by 23 hospitals across the country. Earlier this year, royal watchers and even the members of the monarchy were shocked when Prince Harry and Meghan Markle decided to step down as senior members of the Firm. This has brought a massive blow to the royal family, considering that Prince Andrew had just resigned from his public duties at the time due to his association with convicted sex offender Jeffery Epstein. As part of the couple's bombshell announcement, Buckingham Palace declared that the Sussexes are barred to use their HRH titles and would not receive public funds for royal duties. Months since officially leaving the monarchy, the sought-after couple and their 1-year-old child have now settled in a rented $18 million hilltop mansion in Beverly Hills. Since they vowed to be financially independent from the sovereign, royal watchers are curious how the Duke and Duchess of Sussex will sustain their extravagant lifestyle in Los Angeles. Meghan Markle Net Worth 2020: $5 Million While Prince Harry's net worth is at least $25 million, a huge chunk of it came from his inheritance from the late Princess Diana and a seven-figure allowance from Prince Charles -- courtesy of the Duchy of Cornwall. Meanwhile, the former "Suits" star has some money stashed aside, thanks to her previous career as an actress. According to Money.com, Meghan Markle's net worth is estimated to be $5 million. Although it's way below his husband's wealth (or even her sister in law Kate Middleton who is reportedly worth $ 6.8 million before marrying Prince William), it's still enough to keep their family afloat as they figure out how to support themselves. Duchess Meghan's Previous Work Before joining the royal family in 2018, the LA-based actress worked as a commercial model for various advertisements, as well as as "Deal or No Deal" briefcase girl. Her biggest break in Hollywood was when she played the role of a a paralegal named Rachel Zane in the longtime running legal drama series "Suits." It was reported that she made more than $50,000 per episode on the hit show. Her annual salary was "around $450,000, which also includes around $80,000 worth of annual sponsorship/endorsements income," as cited by knownetworth.com Adding more to Meghan Markle's net worth was her big-screen role in the romantic drama film "Remember Me" with Robert Pattinson, as well as her role in "The Candidate" where she received a paycheck worth $171,429. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's Post Royal Life Meanwhile, as the couple lives their post royal life, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have been often seen delivering virtual speeches for different organizations. According to reports, the Sussexes signed with renowned agency Harry Walker Agency. The New York-based firm is known for repping A-list Hollywood talent and political leaders such as Oprah Winfrey and former U.S. President and first lady Barack and Michelle Obama. According to Town and Country, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex are expected to earn $1 million from delivering speeches about "social issues in the world." READ MORE: TikTok Video: Debby Ryan Wins the Internet With 'What I'd Wear' Video! Australian mum Sally Faulkner has shared a heartbreaking message for Beirut after an agonising wait to find out if her children were safe following the horror explosion in the Lebanese capital. She offered prayers for Lebanon after a chemical explosion ripped through the city where her oldest children Lahela, 9, and Noah, 7, live with their dad. 'Pray for Beirut. For my children and their family, for my Lebanese followers, for anyone affected,' Ms Faulkner wrote on Facebook. Sally Faulkner (pictured middle) has shared a heartbreaking message after a chemical explosion ripped through Beirut where her children Lahela (left) and Noah (right) live She offered her prayers for the Lebanese capital (pictured) and confirmed her kids were safe Ms Faulkner has not seen her two children since they travelled to Beirut with their father Ali Elamine (pictured) for a holiday in May 2015 and never returned The chemical explosion, believed to have been caused by ammonium nitrate in a storage unit, has killed at least 73 people and left more than 3,700 injured. Smoke billowed from the city's industrial port around 6pm on Tuesday before an enormous fireball exploded and blanketed the city in a thick mushroom cloud. Ms Faulkner said she was going to take a break from social media after discovering that her children were safe. 'Please pray for the people affected in the explosion in Beirut. I have confirmation that Lahela and Noah are ok. 'Please keep them and their family in your prayers and thoughts. 'I am so sad for Lebanon right now,' she wrote. Her children travelled to Beirut for a holiday with their dad Ali Elamine in May 2015 but never returned. Ms Faulkner's case became famous 11 months later when she and a 60 Minutes crew tried to recover the children but were instead arrested by Lebanese police. The case became famous when 60 Minutes (reporter Tara Brown pictured left of centre) tried to recover the children with Ms Faulkner (pictured centre) but they were arrested in Lebanon The mother-of-five has been pursuing legal avenues to get her children back ever since she returned from Lebanon in 2015 While in prison Ms Faulkner handed custody of her children to her ex-husband and is now trying desperately to bring her kids back to Australia. Ms Faulkner and Mr Elamine began dating in 2008 when she was an Emirates flight attendant, and had their first child in 2010. They lived together as a family in Beirut until a car bomb exploded near their home in August 2013 and she returned to Brisbane with the children. The distance between them ended their marriage, but Ms Faulkner said the couple remained amicable and Mr Elamine visited regularly, so she agreed they would visit Lebanon with him. Ms Faulkner vowed to never give up on her two eldest children (pictured) and has spent a fortune fighting to bring them back to Australia Ms Faulkner has several fundraisers to aid her legal battle in bringing her children home 'Ali was a good father and the kids loved him, I trusted him and never thought he would take them away forever,' she wrote in a Facebook post. 'Not long after arriving in Lebanon, Ali phoned me at home and told me that the kids would be staying with him and would never be returning to Australia.' Ms Faulkner believed her ex-husband's change of heart arose from her new relationship with her now-fiance Brendan Pierce. Four days later she discovered she was pregnant with her third child, Eli. She and Mr Pierce have since had three children together names Eli, Izac and Iylah. Lahela and Noah with an unknown man in Lebanon where they are still living with their father Child recovery agents hired by Channel 9 managed to grab Lahela and Noah and reunite them with their mother, but everyone was caught before they could leave. Nine negotiated a $500,000 settlement to have kidnapping charges dropped and Ms Faulkner was forced to surrender custody before she could go home. 'I have no contact whatsoever with Ali and he has refused requests from my lawyers to have any form of contact with Lahela and Noah,' she wrote. 'Welfare checks by the Australian Embassy in Beirut have been unsuccessful and my constant messages were left unanswered.' Ms Faulkner has been running fundraising campaigns to support her legal battles in fighting for her children to return home. As hunters and conservationists, we are nothing short of grateful that our states citizens demand their leaders to lead on public lands issues. Montanans know that the tie that binds us all in Montana is, well, Montana. Thats why it was so alarming to read William Perry Pendleys recent opinion piece that sang the virtues of two management plans he just approved for the Lewistown and Missoula areas. Mr. Pendley is the acting director of the Bureau of Land Management and was recently formally nominated by the president to lead the agency. He now needs a vote of the Senate to keep the job. Perhaps this is why he is trying to position himself as a champion of public lands with these plans. The problem is, the regional management plans he just announced, which will dictate the management of these lands for the next 20 years, completely miss the mark for ensuring future generations have the same opportunities we have on our public lands. How can anyone say, as Mr. Pendley did, that a plan that opens up 95% of its acreage to oil and gas development would make Theodore Roosevelt proud? We think itd make him hopping mad. Students take a practice university entrance exam in this July 8 photo. Korea Times file By Bahk Eun-ji Epidemiologists raised concerns Wednesday over the government's safety measures against COVID-19 for the national university entrance exam on Dec. 3, calling them "inadequate" and "ill-prepared." On Tuesday, the Ministry of Education announced the plan for the College Scholastic Ability Test (CSAT), Tuesday, including safety measures for the test which nearly 480,000 students will take amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Although the safety measures were jointly made with the health authorities, infectious disease specialists pointed out that additional measures are needed for the sake of students' safety. They say that stronger measures should be taken to prevent the spread of infectious diseases among students due to the nature of the CSAT, in which hundreds of thousands of exam-takers stay in one place for more than eight hours. According to the guidelines, 1,185 test sites will be set up in accordance with quarantine protocols. The number of test-takers per classroom will be limited to a maximum 24, down from the usual 28. Plastic partitions will be also installed on all desks in the test rooms. All test-takers should wear face masks and have their temperature checked. Infectious disease experts said, however, downsizing the number of test-takers per room from 28 to 24 will not be much help in keeping sufficient distance between students. In addition, all invigilators should be tested as a preemptive measure. Vice Education Minister Park Baeg-beom announces measures to carry out this year's college entrance examination amid the pandemic, at the government complex in Sejong, Tuesday. Yonhap Lebanons main grain silo at Beirut port was destroyed in a blast, leaving the nation with less than a months reserves of the grain but still with enough flour to avoid a crisis, the economy minister said on Wednesday. Lebanese rescue workers have continued to dig through the mangled wreckage of buildings looking for survivors after the massive warehouse explosion sent a devastating blast wave across the city, killing at least 100 people and injuring nearly 4,000. Raoul Nehme told Reuters a day after Tuesdays devastating explosion that Lebanon needed reserves for at least three months to ensure food security and was looking at other storage areas. The explosion was the most powerful to rip through Beirut, a city torn apart by civil war three decades ago. The economy was already in meltdown before the blast, slowing grain imports as the nation struggled to find hard currency for purchases. There is no bread or flour crisis," the minister said. We have enough inventory and boats on their way to cover the needs of Lebanon on the long term." He said grain reserves in Lebanons remaining silos stood at a bit less than a month" but said the destroyed silos had only held 15,000 tonnes of the grain at the time, much less than capacity which one official put at 120,000 tonnes. Beiruts port district was a mangled wreck, disabling the main entry point for imports to feed a nation of more than 6 million people. Ahmed Tamer, the director of Tripoli port, Lebanons second biggest facility, said his port did not have grain storage but cargoes could be taken to warehouses 2 km (about one mile) away. I want to reassure all Lebanese that we can receive the vessels," he said. Alongside Tripoli, the ports of Saida, Selaata and Jiyeh were also equipped to handle grain, the economy minister said. But former Deputy Prime Minister Ghassan Hasbani said other ports did not have the same capabilities. Hani Bohsali, head of the importers syndicate said: We fear there will be a huge supply chain problem, unless there is an international consensus to save us." Reserves of flour were sufficient to cover market needs for a month and a half and there were four ships carrying 28,000 tonnes of wheat heading to Lebanon, Ahmed Hattit, the head of the wheat importers union, told Al-Akhbar newspaper. Lebanon is trying to transfer immediately four vessels carrying 25,000 tonnes of flour to the port in Tripoli, one official told LBCI news channel. Disclaimer: This post has been auto-published from an agency feed without any modifications to the text and has not been reviewed by an editor The Northern Health Science Alliance (NHSA) has almost doubled its team with six new appointments over the last few months. The Norths leading life sciences cluster has grown its team significantly with appointments made across a range of expertise, including Dr Sunil Nedungayil, Associate Medical Director (Healthy Ageing); Helen Cole, Industry Partnerships Manager; Mhairi Murdoch, Events and Visits Officer; Vanessa Nolan, Administrative Officer; Sean Collins, Senior Designer; and Ruth Lawson, Communications Manager. The appointments come at an important time for the NHSA following the start of multimillion-pound Research England-funded partnership project between the NHSA and MedCity earlier this year, which will improve the visibility of UK life sciences expertise on the international stage. Were delighted to welcome Sunil, Helen, Mhairi, Vanessa, Sean and Ruth to the NHSA team during an exciting period of growth for the organization. Each team member brings a valuable set of skills to the table and they will all play an important role as the NHSA continues to work towards building a healthy and prosperous North through health research and innovation excellence. Dr Seamus ONeill, Chief Executive at the NHSA Dr Sunil Nedungayil has been appointed as the NHSAs Associate Medical Director for Healthy Ageing. He delivers this role alongside his work as a General Practitioner at The Castle Medical Group, in North West England. His frontline work has focused on the needs of the community, both from the health perspective and from the wellness angle. Helen Cole, Industry Partnerships Manager, began her career as a medical physicist in the NHS and over the past two decades has specialized in medtech evaluation, working within the regulatory, procurement, commissioning and NHS provider landscapes. Her last role before joining the NHSA was Head of an External Assessment Centre for the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). Mhairi Murdoch, Events and Visits Officer, has a varied background within in the health and social care sector, working previously in the events department for the strategic body for workforce development in adult social care in England and prior to that working on the frontline within the NHS. Vanessa Nolan, NHSA Administrative Officer, has over 30 years experience in office work across a variety of sectors most recently working in the third sector and healthcare. Sean Collins, Senior Designer at the NHSA, worked as a Graphic Artist at ncjMedia for 20 years before becoming a freelance illustrator, during which time his clients included nationally and internationally renowned brands. Ruth Lawson, Communications Manager with the NHSA, has ten years experience in the media industry, starting her career as a journalist before moving into PR. She has worked at one of the North Easts leading communications agencies and as a freelance communications specialist. The NHSA is a partnership that links 10 universities and 10 research-intensive NHS Teaching Trusts with four Academic Health Science Networks across the North of England. The organization acts as a front door for northern health innovation, brokering research collaborations, attracting investment, and providing a unified voice for the regions health research system. In this episode of "Intelligence Matters DECLASSIFIED: Spy Stories from the Officers Who Were There," host Michael Morell interviews former FBI agent Bradley Garrett, who recounts one of the most high-profile homicide cases he worked over the course of his career at FBI. He describes the global manhunt for Mir Aimal Kansi, who was put to death for killing two CIA officers outside Langley headquarters in 1993. Garrett tells Morell how he forged a relationship with Kansi to extract his confession and wound up being, at Kansi's request, one of few people present at his execution in 2002. "Intelligence Matters DECLASSIFIED" is new series dedicated to featuring first-hand accounts from former intelligence officers. Download, rate and subscribe here: iTunes, Spotify and Stitcher. HIGHLIGHTS:On finding Kansi: "[I]t wasn't until the spring of 1997 which is now four years and a few months after the shooting where a local clerk in Quetta called a local Pakistani clerk at the U.S. consulate in Karachi and they had a conversation, I think, in Urdu, where he basically said, 'Look, we know that the U.S. wants this guy. We know where he is. We can place him at a particular location at a particular time. And but that's going to probably cost you some money.'" Confronting Kansi in Pakistan: "We go in, we get into a fairly big fight with him, eventually. Get him down, get a light on. I'm not convinced 100 percent he's the right guy, but I think he is. We have him handcuffed behind his back. I say, 'Flip him over, lay him on the bed.' And so I got on. I straddled him, took an ink pad, inked his thumb, rolled his print. Got on the ground with a flashlight, a magnifying glass and his prints. And in about two minutes, because I had studied his fingerprints extensively: it's the right guy. So we get him up, take him outside. The military's outside waiting for us. We basically drive from there to a small airport outside DG Khan, get aboard an ISID general's plane. Fly to Rawalpindi, which is where the military has a primary focus, not far from Islamabad. And then we run into trouble. Political trouble. ISID says we can't leave the country, and so for basically two days we're stalled." Story continues Kansi's execution: "[H]e goes through the appeals, he loses the appeal, and they set an execution date. So they move him or are about to move him from one prison to the other where they carry out the executions. And he asked me if I would come to his execution. Probably not many folks in my position get invited to executions, but I, out of respect for him and because he had been straightforward with me, I said yes." Former FBI agent Bradley Garrett INTELLIGENCE MATTERS BRADLEY GARRETT PRODUCER: OLIVIA GAZIS MICHAEL MORELL: Brad, thank you for joining us. It's great to have you on the show, especially as part of our series of new episodes on real stories that happen to real people. Just a little background before we get into the case we're going to talk about, itself. Brad, you were a career FBI agent. How did you end up at the Bureau? How did that happen? BRADLEY GARRETT: So I was in the Marine Corps at the end of Vietnam. I ended up not going just because of timing. So when I was released from active duty in '74, I really wanted to try to get in the Bureau then, but they weren't hiring at all. So I went to graduate school for the first time. After I finished that, I became a federal probation and parole officer in Indiana, which basically covers all the probationers out of federal court in middle and southern Indiana, all the parolees released from federal prison and also all the military folks that are paroled. I did that for 10 years, got a Ph.D. while I was doing that, and then came in the FBI in the mid 80s. MICHAEL MORELL: So you focused on homicides for most of your career, correct? BRADLEY GARRETT: Yeah. It's an interesting it's all about timing. I could not replicate my career today because obviously priorities have changed, like they do regularly. But I had worked almost all violent stuff when I was in Nashville, Tennessee bank robberies, kidnappings, extortions, child pornography. And then when I came to Washington, I was placed on a squad that handles all of the sort of violent stuff that the Feds work. And it was during that assignment that the homicide rate inside the District of Columbia, statistically, was one of the highest in the country mainly attributed to a crack cocaine epidemic. So we formed what they called a cold case squad of FBI agents and D.C. homicide detectives and literally worked cold cases in the District of Columbia because the backlog was so high. And so from that, I then went on to work a number of homicides, including the one we're going to talk about overseas, when Americans were harmed or killed overseas. MICHAEL MORELL: OK, so let's dive into the case itself. So, Brad, where were you working in January of 1993? Were you in this particular unit you just talked about? BRADLEY GARRETT: I was, because I spent actually my entire career on a violent crime squad and/or a cold case homicide squad. And so in January of '93, January 25th of '93, I was on the Violent Crime Squad and we received a call in the neighborhood of eight o'clock in the morning. And all I knew at that point is that there had been a shooting at the CIA or near the CIA, and that there were people deceased but it was unclear at that point whether it occurred actually on CIA property or outside because that depended on who would actually work the case: inside would be crime on a government reservation; outside would be something that my squad worked. And I, you know, obviously quickly realized once I walked up on the scene that it was going to be probably assigned to my squad. MICHAEL MORELL: So, Brad, before we actually dive into what happened when you got there that day, can you give us a little background on Mir Aimal Kansi, say, from his birth, I think, sometime in the mid 1960s to January 1993. What's his background? BRADLEY GARRETT: OK, so Kansi is from Quetta, Pakistan, which is 800 miles from the Afghanistan border. So you're really talking, like, northwestern Pakistan. It's very remote, like most of Pakistan, tribally driven. In other words, tribes controlled sections of the country, as they basically still do today. And he was from a family of which his father had more than one wife. But Kansi was the only child of one particular wife. So he had basically our term would be half brothers, half sisters. Had difficulty in the family based on my interviews with family members a month or so after this shooting that he basically wouldn't work. And they said he was they even used the word, 'lazy' and that he decided to come to the United States to see if he could sort of start over. So he left the family roughly 90 days to maybe four months before the shooting actually occurred. So he was in the United States for a period of time before this actually happened. MICHAEL MORELL: OK, so you get you get this call at 8:00 in the morning and you go to the scene and what what do you find there? BRADLEY GARRETT: Well, when you come off the George Washington Parkway, going north and cut over and on 123 you know, I've been to a lot of homicide scenes, but I've never been to one quite like this, because as you drive closer to where you would turn off to go to the front gate of the CIA, it looked like they were making a movie. And I only say that because you have vehicles with deceased people inside them, glass all over the place, the cars are like frozen in place. At that point, the Fairfax County police had blocked off the area and they had their mobile crime truck there. And so it's kind of like, 'What is really going on here?' Obviously, something horrible has gone on, but it was totally unclear at that point exactly what had happened. MICHAEL MORELL: So, Brad, you're doing a crime scene investigation. Meanwhile, where is Kansi? BRADLEY GARRETT: So obviously, I don't know this until four and a half years later. But apparently these are his words that when he committed this act, like so many people who commit mass shootings, they believe they're not going to survive the shooting. And he realized that when he finished and walked back to his truck and drove off eastbound on 123, that he was alive and apparently no one was following him. So he drove down roughly a mile and turned right by an Exxon station and drove up that winding road up to a community park, pulled his truck into the parking lot, walked into the woods. Took his AK-47 that he used in the shooting and he literally stayed in the woods for about two-and-a-half hours thinking that the police would show up and he ultimately get into a shootout with them. That didn't occur. He walks back to his vehicle again, him describing this to me and he drove to a McDonald's, got some food, then drove home in Herndon, Virginia, and then started planning what he should do next, which, I will also tell you is common in mass shooters. They may plan the event, acquire the weapon, determine where and how and who they're going to shoot. But then they don't think beyond that. And that's clearly fits his profile. MICHAEL MORELL: So how long did it take you to link Kansi to the crime? BRADLEY GARRETT: So it occurred on January 25th. We actually figured out who he was the first of February. And, you know, it was, I guess, partly luck, but partly just good investigative work. One thing that we did was look at all of the AK-47s that were purchased about a year before the shooting. Now, you would ask me, 'Why a year?' And I would tell you that typically mass shooters acquire their weapons a reasonably short period of time prior to the shooting. You can't buy weapons in D.C., so that only left us Maryland and Virginia. And I'm talking about contiguous to the District of Columbia, not spread out throughout Virginia and Maryland. So when we had the the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms pull all of the legal purchases. And I emphasize that because obviously you can pick up weapons on the black market or off the street. There were 1,300 AK-47s sold between January of '92 and January of '93 in Maryland and Virginia. And it was weeding through those that we came up with this lead that we thought had viability of a AR-15 that was exchanged for an AK-47 on Friday, the 22nd of January before the shooting on Monday the 25th. MICHAEL MORELL: So you go to his apartment in Reston, I believe. And what did you what did you find there? BRADLEY GARRETT: OK, so, yes, the apartment section in Herndon, which is the next city, but very close, very close to Reston. So we go initially a detective and an agent went there and then what they believed, what they really thought was a viable lead, myself, and the lead homicide detective, Fred Fife (PH), went to the location. And so we meet an individual by the name of Zahed Mir who didn't want to talk to us, didn't want to tell us the truth. And, you know, this is where, sort of, culture kicks in. You have to really think when you talk to people, 'Where are they from? What has been their experience with the police and what is it going to take maybe to get them to talk to me?' This case was a huge learning curve because I hadn't dealt with the Pakistanis or Afghans prior to this. So I started I started figuring out and, you know, I talked to a number of people that also helped me. But the short answer is it doesn't do you much good if you live in Pakistan to talk to the police. Corruption level's high, they don't make much money. They may arrest you for something that wouldn't even be considered a crime here. So eventually we break through that. It took six hours initially. And he started telling us that he had this roommate that he knew as Mir Aimal Kansi and that Kansi had lived in this one bedroom apartment at times with four other Pakistanis. At the current time, it was only Zahed Mir and Kansi. And that on January 22nd, Kansi had mentioned to to Zahed Mir that he wanted to go to the mosque and pray that he'd said, 'Great idea.' So they hop in a vehicle and Kansi ends up driving to a gun shop in Chantilly, Virginia. Goes inside this is in Mir's words goes inside, exchanges an AR-15 for an AK-47. He thought that was odd, but he didn't ask any questions. They went to the mosque and prayed. They went back home. Zahed went to work. And that's the last time he saw Kansi until there's a shooting, obviously, on the morning of January 25th. He has no link, and I believe him on this, that Kansi was the one who did that. He didn't know where he was and he hadn't heard from him. But at that point, it was only about a week into it that he started figuring out maybe something was wrong. MICHAEL MORELL: So, Brad, when did you realize that he had left the country? BRADLEY GARRETT: So as we start doing a deep dive into his movements, after we figured out, who he was, where he lived, et cetera, and doing interviews with people, we we realized that he had purchased a one-way ticket to Pakistan on the afternoon of January 25th, again fitting the profile that he didn't plan in advance. So he contacts a market in Herndon, Virginia, which is actually on the first floor where the mosque is on the second floor, where they went to pray. And the manager of the market also has a connection to a travel agency. Kansi went to him, said, 'I need a one-way ticket back to Pakistan.' He said, 'No problem.' I think he paid him in cash. He said, 'But the ticket won't be available until the next day.' So Kansi leaves, goes back home, apparently contemplates that maybe it's not a wise thing to stay at his own residence. So he goes to the Days Inn in Herndon, which is next to the access road that goes on out to the airport. And he stayed at the Days Inn that day, the second day into the morning, and then traveled to Reagan Airport and flew to JFK and then flew to Karachi. MICHAEL MORELL: So, Brad, now Kansi is a is an international fugitive and it takes some period of time to track him down and find him and bring him back to the United States. Can you walk us through how that happened? How did you ultimately find him and how did you bring him back? BRADLEY GARRETT: So, you know, four-and-a-half years of basically leads that did not lead us to Kansi's door. And some of them were quite elaborate, in remote parts of Pakistan and Afghanistan. I traveled virtually all over the world to interview people who claimed they knew where he was and how we could catch him. But it wasn't until the spring of 1997 which is now four years and a few months after the shooting where a local clerk in Quetta called a local Pakistani clerk at the U.S. consulate in Karachi and they had a conversation, I think, in Urdu, where he basically said, 'Look, we know that the U.S. wants this guy. We know where he is. We can place him at a particular location at a particular time. And but that's going to probably cost you some money.' So eventually that information gets to the CIA, which then ultimately gets to the FBI Legat, and then to me. And so over a series of meetings with these sources, because once the clerk is out of the picture, we're now dealing with tribal chieftains in Afghanistan and they sort of tell us the following: 'Look, we can place him at a location if you can pick him up there.' And so there was two things: I've been up this road before where people say they can deliver. So you're going to have to prove to me that you have the product. And so through these negotiations, they provided what would appear to be a recent picture of Kansi. He's heavier, but it was clear to me that was probably him. They then also gave us a glass that they claim his fingerprints were on. I bagged the glass, brought it back to the US, took it to the lab, and it was, in fact, his fingerprint. And so this this is like potentially now going together. And so what happens next is that sort of working with, obviously, the CIA station chief and the RSO, the regional security officer for the embassy, a State Department agent, the FBI legat and myself, they started laying the groundwork with the Pakistani government if they'd be willing to allow us to basically arrest Kansi in Pakistan. And so working with the ISID, which is sort of military intelligence, or is military intelligence in Pakistan, we worked closely with them. But we didn't give them a whole lot of detail. We needed them, obviously, from a legal standpoint and a logistical standpoint, because they had the ability, through helicopters and planes, to move us around the country. So because of the station chief's relationship with ISID, and the legat's relationship with other parts of the Pakistani government, this went together. So basically what happened is, on the day before we captured him, we got on helicopters and flew up to a city not far from where we ultimately arrested him, which was in DG Khan, Pakistan. We staged with the military. We actually sent an agent and some of the ISID people down in a in a blacked out vehicle to do a surveillance of the hotel he was supposed to be in. Now we have a source telling us that the source is with him and that the source knows what room he's in and so forth and so on. So after we have decided that it's probably the right place, we've got the Pakistani military basically being our backup, myself, and three other FBI agents. One was the legat and the other two were from the FBI's super SWAT hostage rescue team at Quantico. So with me, that's four of us, get in a vehicle along with the military, obviously in plainclothes, in unmarked vehicles behind us. We drive down to DG Khan. We stage outside the town. The source comes to our vehicle, said, 'Look. He he's in he's in room 317, the third floor of the Shalimar Hotel.' So one of the reasons you're playing raids early in the morning is the obvious, either no one or few people are up, and it's more safety for you and maybe even the person you're about to arrest, hopefully. The problem is and this always happens when you plan these things - it's very hot in this town in June. And so they start to work at four o'clock in the morning. So there are hundreds of people on the street as we're driving through this main road to get to the front of this hotel, the Shalimar Hotel. So, you know, at this point, we're committed, we step out of the vehicle, we got on shalwar-kameezes, but underneath it we've got body armor and weapons and extra magazines and handcuffs and shotguns, et cetera. So the source had told us that there is no security guard in the hotel and the front door would be unlocked. So we get out of the vehicle and line up and immediately there's people now looking at us because obviously we don't look Pakistani and we can't get in. And so the source starts knocking on the door. Eventually, who comes to the door but a security guard? He unlocks the door before he looks at us, so when he opens that, we just pull the door open. And so as we walk by him, I'm the last person in the door, I mean, his his eyes are about as big as they could get, because this is like out of a movie for him, I'm sure. So we go through; it's so dark in this hotel. We have to turn flashlights because you can't see. And so we we stack up, walk up to the third floor, the legat steps into the hallway with a shotgun, racks it, for security, and then we have the source knock on the door as the three of us are stacked outside the door. Light comes on, the doors unlock. We tell the source to disappear and we kick the door at that point. We go in, we get into a fairly big fight with him, eventually. Get him down, get a light on. I'm not convinced 100 percent he's the right guy, but I think he is. We have him handcuffed behind his back. I say, 'Flip him over, lay him on the bed.' And so I got on. I straddled him, took an ink pad, inked his thumb, rolled his print. Got on the ground with a flashlight, a magnifying glass and his prints. And in about two minutes, because I had studied his fingerprints extensively: it's the right guy. So we get him up, take him outside. The military's outside waiting for us. We basically drive from there to a small airport outside DG Khan, get aboard an ISID general's plane. Fly to Rawalpindi, which is where the military has a primary focus, not far from Islamabad. And then we run into trouble. Political trouble. ISID says we can't leave the country, and so for basically two days we're stalled. And so I had said to the ISID general, I said, 'Well, that may well be accurate, but you allowed us to arrest him. And so I've got to stay with him or an agent's got to stay with him to make sure nobody questions him, harms him, etc..' Well, they agreed to that. So for the next two days, every five hours, four of us switched out sitting outside his cell to make sure nobody bothered him. Talked to him, make sure he was fed. He got scratched up a little bit during the tussle to get handcuffs on him. You know, I had to treat a couple of minor wounds. And so eventually, after two days and, I was told, conversations by then President Clinton and Secretary of State Albright with their counterparts in Pakistan, they let us go. So at five o'clock on Tuesday after the arrest on Sunday, we go and get on an unmarked military plane and fly back and do midair refueling and eventually land at Dulles. MICHAEL MORELL: So, Brad, on the flight back to the United States, I understand that he made a full confession. Is that right? And how did he talk about what he did? BRADLEY GARRETT: So one of the keys in interrogating somebody is to figure out a way to develop a relationship with them, as odd as that may sound to your audience. And how I do that is, I don't have judgments about what people have done. And I've you know, I've seen a lot. I've done a lot. And so nothing sort of affects me as far as that. You know, I prejudged this guy. I just treated him with respect, like I do everybody else. And during those two days that he was being held in an ISID location where one of us was with him, he got to see how we treated him and in particular, me. Respect. I said, 'I'll tell you exactly how things are going to happen as we move along.' So I had some respect with him. So by the time we got him on a plane and settled in, he was just super comfortable with us and, you know, he was resolved that he was going back to the United States and he could well face the death penalty. And so for about an hour, I just small talk with him and have not Mirandized him yet because I'm not talking about anything that would incriminate him. If he had started talking about, let's say, running drugs or something else, I would have had to stop him. But so we have that chat. I eventually say, 'Look, I'd like to talk to you about the shooting.' He said, 'Fine.' I Mirandized him. He signed the form. And he basically said that, look, that he opposed the CIA's involvement in Muslim countries and that they go in and they manipulate the government to whatever ends and means that the United States would like out of that particular country or government. And he said that's not right. And he says, 'I just felt like somebody needed to make a statement.' You know, it's obviously totally illogical, but in his mind, it was logical in that maybe it would change things. So, you know, he describes how he picked the location, where he got the weapon that I've already described and decides to pick that Monday morning to commit the act and goes and commits the act, goes to the park, stays in the park, eventually gets the plane ticket, flies home. And then once he gets back to Quetta, he then realizes that we know who he is because it was on CNN and that he'd better move. So at that point, he said he went into Afghanistan and basically stayed at various locations in Pakistan, which is interesting because some of the intel I'm getting place him potentially in some of the cities he stated he stayed for a period of time. He wouldn't give me any details about the following, but I said, did somebody protect you? And he said, basically, yes. I think it was probably the Taliban because they had, you know, they were really getting up to speed at that point. So he seldom came back into Pakistan, but he did because he needed to go home to do something with the family. And that's when he got caught. MICHAEL MORELL: So, Brad, he gets tried in Fairfax County, Virginia court. He's found guilty, I think, of capital murder, first degree murder and three counts of malicious wounding. And he is sentenced to death. You spent some time with him between the sentencing and the execution, I understand. What was the purpose of that? And I'm wondering if, during any of that time, he showed any remorse for what he did. BRADLEY GARRETT: So, you know, what was interesting is that during the trial, when I testified, he basically was not far from me with his defense attorneys. And I always make it a habit when I testify to look at the person I'm talking about. And so I looked at him basically the whole time I testified, and he wouldn't look at me. He looked down, which I found interesting. Later, after he gets into the state Virginia prison system, I go to visit him and I said, 'Why is it you didn't look at me during the trial?' 'Because,' he says, 'I was embarrassed that you had to get on the stand and talk about what happened.' Odd thing, you would think, from a shooter to say that. But yeah. So I knew at that point, as I knew before, that he still wanted to have a relationship with me. So as he goes on death row, about every six months, I would go visit him and, you know, clearly trying to figure out if he'll fill in some of those gaps in Afghanistan, because, you know, obviously at this point, we need as much information as we can as to what the Taliban and other extremist groups might be doing there. He wouldn't come off the dime on that at all. And, you know, I think I get that. But what's interesting is that he really felt bad for the families of the people that were either killed or harmed. And I think he was sincere about that. But if you ask him, 'Well, then would you go do it again?' He'd say, 'Yes, I would go do it again.' So it's sort of that flipside of, he has some sympathy for the victims families, but not really at the at the end of the day. There's one very brief, interesting conversation. I went to see him after 9/11. And I said, 'What do you think about 9/11?' And he was angry about the World Trade Center; you know, 'That wasn't right. They should never should have attacked those buildings, there were Pakistanis in there working' which there were, I think, there were over 100 killed. And then I said, 'Well, what about the Pentagon? He goes, well, that's OK, it's totally fine to attack the Pentagon.' And I said, 'Well, why is that?' And he says, 'Because it's the military. The military carry out U.S. policy overseas.' So, again, I'm giving you some logic as to his mindset. So, anyway, the long and the short is he goes through the appeals, he loses the appeal, and they set an execution date. So they move him or are about to move him from one prison to the other where they carry out the executions. And he asked me if I would come to his execution. Probably not many folks in my position get invited to executions, but I, out of respect for him and because he had been straightforward with me, I said yes. MICHAEL MORELL: Why do you think he wanted you there? BRADLEY GARRETT: I think the idea that, really, I'm sort of the only person in his life anymore. I mean, he's on death row. All of his family's in Pakistan. At the very end, two of his brothers do come from Pakistan to briefly say good-bye to him. And so they went to the prison briefly and then they weren't allowed to go back to the prison because nobody from the subject's family are allowed to have anything to do with the execution unlike the victim's families, the police, the prosecutor, cetera, can actually attend the execution. No family members did, but some police officers and prosecutors did attend the execution. So I think that's the reason that I'm sort of the person that was straightforward, was respectful. You know, he said a number of times, he says, 'I hold nothing against you. You're just doing your job. And you were polite and respectful.' He used the word 'respectful' a lot, which for those of us who have worked in South Asian cultures, that's a big deal. It's when you burn respect that you're not going to get any place. And so I stood next to him while they gave him lethal injection. I had talked to him a couple of hours earlier in the day, like around noontime. And then the execution was at nine o'clock at night. And then at that point, obviously, he was gone. MICHAEL MORELL: Brad, you've been terrific with your time. Just ask you one more question. I don't think I don't think his crime at the time was considered terrorism. I'm wondering in retrospect if it was. What are your thoughts on that? BRADLEY GARRETT: Well, because I'd had all this experience with homicide cases that it was sort of a natural fit for me to work on this, and because, as we and, in particular, the CIA initially thought this was probably some sort of organized or state-sponsored hit and, you know, that's their world, not mine. I said, 'Well, that may well be, I don't see anything that fits that, looking at it from a homicide perspective.' And things that you would look for in the background of somebody that was driven, you know, or sent by a state-sponsored government someplace. So, as we go through it, the reason I actually kept the case if that crime would have happened after 9/11, I would have worked the crime scene, worked with Fairfax police on the homicide part of it, and probably never worked on any more the case because it would have gone to a terrorism squad. Now, is that a good idea? Is that a bad idea? There would be nobody on a terrorism squad that would have had my homicide experience. And I take these things personal, not toward the person, but towards solving it. And so this is something we just stuck with. I mean, this basically from beginning to end, it almost took up 10 years of my life, off and on obviously. I worked on other things, but it's important to bring things to an end, in my view. MICHAEL MORELL: And then just one more question. So you had not you had not spent a lot of time working with CIA prior to this case. And I'm just wondering how you found that, particularly on a case that had so inflamed passions at the agency? BRADLEY GARRETT: Well, it's, on some levels, obviously a very serious subject. But it was amusing because the CIA was never, they never dealt with an FBI agent like me because they were used to intelligence agents. And I'm asking straightforward questions. I need to see employment records, I need the backgrounds of the people that were killed or shot. And I need it today. I mean, they were like, 'Well, you can't have any of that.' And so we had to do this back and forth. Eventually we get agents to go inside the agency who had clearances and they started going through files. But after we cleared the dust with that, they totally accepted me, I totally accepted them. It was a phenomenal relationship, basically, for the next four and a half years. They traveled with me to do certain interviews. You know, I can't say any it was just a wonderful experience from that regard. MICHAEL MORELL: Brad, thank you so much for joining us. And thanks so much for the terrific work you did on this particular case and for everything else you've done in your career and for your country. Thanks for joining us. BRADLEY GARRETT: You're welcome. Take care. Expected timeline for presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden's VP pick and who it may be Tracking Tropical Storm Isaias as millions could face flooding rains, high winds Tropical Storm Isaias gains strength as it heads for the Carolinas Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-06 00:07:19|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close BANGKOK, Aug. 5 (Xinhua) -- Thailand's Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha said on Wednesday he would find the opportunity to listen in person to viewpoints of anti-government students at a specific venue some day. Speaking at Chulachomklao Royal Military Academy in Nakhon Nayok province, the prime minister said he himself would go to a certain venue where those anti-government students, led by the so-called Student Union of Thailand and Free Youth, will air their views on political and other issues. Prayut said he has instructed the National Economic and Social Development Council to find specific venues in the Thai capital and provinces for those students to deliver their views. Prayut declined to tell exactly where or how soon he would attend any student gathering to listen to their views. Enditem Parsippany, New Jersey, USA, Aug. 04, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Wireless Telecom Group (NYSE American: WTT ), a leader providing specialized software, instruments, solutions, and components enabling the development, test and deployment of wireless communications and connectivity, announced the appointment of Alfred Rodriguez as Chief Revenue Officer (CRO). Mr. Rodriguez brings more than 20 years of experience leading sales and business development teams selling deep, design-in solutions and signal processing products. He joins the company from Xilinx. We are delighted Alfred is joining the executive leadership team said Tim Whelan, Wireless Telecom Groups CEO, Alfred is a proven executive with deep experience in digital signal processing and design-in solution sales, with a track record of building successful sales organizations and developing strategic accounts. In his last few years at Xilinx, he was responsible for sales for a segment of the wired and wireless communications business nearly twice the size of Wireless Telecom Group and led that group to double digit growth, developing new business models and engagements. Mr. Rodriguez noted, Wireless Telecom Group has market-leading solutions and long-term, blue-chip customer relationships poised to capture investments in 5G, satellite communications, millimeter wave and the future of wireless connectivity. I am thrilled to join the executive team to continue building on the companys foundation for driving future growth and success. In addition to 17 years at Xilinx, Mr. Rodriguez brings years of experience at ST Microelectronics and Cavium, Inc. He started his career as an Application Engineer, advising clients from design through solution verification before advancing to senior sales and business development roles managing strategic account teams, manufacturer representatives and distributor channels. He has a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering and an MBA, Finance and General Management from the University of California, Davis. As CRO, Mr. Rodriguez will be responsible for the global sales team across all the Companys product portfolios. He will also oversee the performance, strategy, and alignment of the sales and business development teams within Wireless Telecom Group, as well as continuing to build a high-performance team focused on specialized private networks, growth in 5G investments and the development, test and deployment of wireless technologies. - END - About Wireless Telecom Group Wireless Telecom Group, Inc., comprised of Boonton , CommAgility , Holzworth , Microlab , and Noisecom , is a global designer and manufacturer of advanced RF and microwave components, modules, systems, and instruments. Serving the wireless, telecommunication, satellite, military, aerospace, semiconductor, and medical industries, Wireless Telecom Group products enable innovation across existing and emerging wireless technologies. With a product portfolio including peak power meters, signal generators, phase noise analyzers, signal processing modules, LTE PHY/stack software, power splitters and combiners, GPS repeaters, public safety components, noise sources, and programmable noise generators, Wireless Telecom Group supports the development, testing, and deployment of wireless technologies around the globe. Wireless Telecom Group, Inc.s website address is www.wtcom.com . Except for historical information, the matters discussed in this news release may be considered "forward-looking" statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Such statements include declarations regarding the intent, belief, or current expectations of the Company and its management. Prospective investors are cautioned that any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve a number of risks and uncertainties that could materially affect actual results. Such risks and uncertainties are identified in the Company's reports and registration statements filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019. Marketing Contact Maria Droge: +1 (973) 386-9696 Karabi Bezboruah has won the 2020 United States Distance Learning Association (USDLA) International Excellence in Teaching/Training Award. Bezboruah, an associate professor in the College of Architecture, Planning and Public Affairs (CAPPA), said the award is an honor for The University of Texas at Arlington because it is recognized globally. "I try to humanize my online courses and be available for my students," she said. "Additionally, I use student feedback as a mechanism to improve my courses and teaching every semester." CAPPA Dean Adrian Parr said Bezboruah is an inspirational teacher, both in-person and online. "She uses a variety of different tools and pedagogical approaches that she incorporates in a traditional classroom setting, thereby giving her students the best of both online and classroom worlds," Parr said. "Dr. Bezboruah's main strength, though, is the manner in which she uses her own rich research outcomes as a platform to inspire her students, regardless of the teaching modality." Bezboruah, who specializes in public and nonprofit management, said she incorporates experiential projects in her online courses that benefit communities. "Experiential projects help students acquire critical thinking skillsets that are so needed in today's workforce," she said. "It makes the online courses more context-based and practical for students, and the experience adds value to the curriculum." USDLA, founded in 1987, is the nation's leading distance learning organization. These prestigious USDLA International Awards are presented annually to organizations and individuals engaged in the development and delivery of distance learning programs. The USDLA International Awards are closely followed by the distance learning community. "As the premier organization for the entire distance learning profession, USDLA has a history of honoring leaders within the industry," said Reggie Smith III, CEO/executive director of USDLA. "We recognize leaders in the field each year and their award-winning best practices are especially important during a global pandemic when so many are learning from a distance." The USDLA Awards were created to acknowledge major accomplishments in distance learning and to highlight those distance learning instructors, programs, and professionals who have achieved and demonstrated extraordinary results through the use of online, videoconferencing, satellite and blended learning delivery technologies. "This year's USDLA Award recipients represent the finest examples of online courses, best practices and leadership in our field," said Rhonda Blackburn, president of USDLA. "Each year we are impressed with the caliber of our winners, and they stand as examples for the world to emulate." ### The U.S. Justice Department filed a lawsuit against a New Jersey landlord Wednesday alleging the man, who owns hundreds of rental units in and around Elizabeth, sexually harassed tenants and applicants, including demanding sexual favors in exchange for housing, for more than a decade. The complaint alleges that Joseph Centanni, of Mountainside, used his position as a property owner to allegedly sexually harass tenants and prospective tenants on multiple occasions since at least 2005, according to the complaint. The complaint outlines numerous occasions in which Centanni allegedly demanded sexual favors in exchange for helping women with their housing situation, according to the complaint. The lawsuit alleges he violated the Fair Housing Act, which protects tenants from sexual harassment and retaliation by their landlords. No one should ever be forced to provide sexual favors, or otherwise endure sexual harassment, as a condition to keep or obtain housing, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito said in a statement. Sexual harassment in housing is illegal under the Fair Housing Act, and we will vigorously enforce this federal law to end this depraved type of behavior. In one instance in 2019, a female tenant who had told Centanni she was moving out ended up asking him if she could stay, as she was having difficulty finding a new place to live, according to the complaint. How bad do you want your apartment? he asked the tenant, according to the complaint, before taking her to an empty storage room where he allegedly exposed himself and asked for oral sex. Because she felt like she had no choice, the tenant submitted to Centannis sexual demand, the complaint says. After this incident, Centanni allowed her to stay in her apartment. Two years prior, a prospective tenant inquired about an apartment at one of Centannis properties. According to the complaint, he took her to an empty laundry room and asked if I give you an apartment, what will you do for me? When the woman didnt respond, Centanni allegedly asked the woman to go down on him, according to the complaint. The woman resisted his advances and then Centanni refused to rent an apartment to her, the complaint says. The complaint says those examples were part of Centannis allegedly longstanding pattern and practice of illegal sexual harassment of multiple actual and prospective tenants. Centanni owns 18 residential properties in and around Elizabeth, according to the complaint, and is actively involved in the management of each property. He has benefitted immensely from federal funding, according to the complaint. He has participated in the Housing Choice Voucher Program, a federally-funded rental assistance program that subsidizes the rent of lower-income families, the elderly and people with disabilities, according to the complaint. As of April, Centanni had approximately 120 tenants with Housing Choice Vouchers and received more than $100,000 each month from the program, according to the complaint. Raymond Londa, one of Centannis attorney, declined to comment on the allegations. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. Joe Atmonavage may be reached at jatmonavage@njadvancemedia.com. TORONTO, Aug. 05, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Montero Mining and Exploration Ltd. (TSX-V: MON) (Montero or the Company) has signed a Binding Purchase and Sale Agreement (Agreement) to acquire a 100% interest in a private Chilean company (ChileCo) which holds various mineral rights to exploration claims that make up the Isabella Gold Silver Project (Project) in Chile. Isabellas exploration claims cover an area of 67km2. The Agreement is subject to corporate and legal process in Chile and regulatory approval. Dr. Tony Harwood, President and Chief Executive Officer of Montero commented, Montero has secured the highly prospective Isabella Gold Silver Project in Chile where the Company can utilize its gold silver exploration, discovery and development expertise in a tier one mining jurisdiction. The Company is assessing previous exploration data with a view to carrying out a drill program in the fall of 2020. The Isabella Gold Silver Project is located in the Southern Coastal Range of Chile approximately 200 km south of Santiago and has excellent year-round access. The Coastal Range contains numerous gold and copper occurrences hosted within a package of intermediate intrusives, sediments and volcanics of Mesozoic age. The Isabella Gold Silver Project is located regionally south of Yamanas Minera Florida gold mine and north of an extensive regional gold area being explored by Fresnillo. However, these operations do not confirm the mineral potential of the Isabella properties. The Isabella region has seen little modern exploration and most occurrences remain undrilled. The Isabella Gold Silver Project area hosts numerous structurally controlled quartz veins that have been mapped over an area of approximately 12 km long and 4 km wide. A review of field reports on mapping and sampling prepared by the previous owner indicate high gold - silver concentrations within quartz veins with values of up to 48 g/t gold and 629 g/t silver. Story continues The samples collected where grab samples of exposed vein material and are not considered representative of the overall concentration of mineralization in any particular vein. Samples were collected in accordance with industry best practices and analyzed by ALS Chile under the supervision of a qualified person. No independent sampling has been completed by Montero. The veins form part of an extensive regional polymetallic Au-Ag vein and breccia system occurring in dilational fractures in the granite and along contacts with older sediments. Prior exploration at Isabella by the previous operator includes surface mapping, rock sampling, trenching, and airborne magnetics. No drilling in the Isabella district has been carried out to date. Under the terms of the Agreement, Montero has acquired a 100% interest in ChileCo which holds all the mineral interests to the Isabella Gold Silver Project. ChileCo was purchased for a nominal amount and by taking over the earn-in obligations of cash payments totaling US$ 450,000 to be made by August 2022. ChileCo directly holds 100% of the mineral rights to 18 km2 of mineral claims and has two subsidiaries with 49 km2 under option agreements. In Subsidiary 1 Montero has an 85% interest in Isabella West mineral claims while in Subsidiary 2 Montero is earning an 85% interest in Isabella East mineral claims. The mineral claims held by both subsidiaries are subject to joint venture and mining option agreements with local parties. Montero is reviewing several drill target areas that have been identified and permitted for drilling by the previous owners in order to commence a drill program. Qualified Person's Statement This press release was reviewed and approved by Mr. Mike Evans, M.Sc. Pr.Sci.Nat., who is a qualified person for the purpose of National Instrument 43-101 and a Consulting Geologist to Montero. A review was also undertaken by Ing. Marcial Vergara B.Sc. and Mr. Michael Corey P.Geo. both of whom are qualified persons as defined by NI 43-101 and have extensive experience in gold exploration in Chile. About Montero Montero is a junior exploration company focused on finding, exploring and advancing globally significant gold deposits in Latin America. The Company is in the process of relinquishing its portfolio of battery metal projects in Africa to focus on gold opportunities in Latin America. Monteros board of directors and management have an impressive track record of successfully discovering and advancing precious metal projects. Montero trades on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol MON and has 21,880,818 shares outstanding. For more information, contact: Montero Mining and Exploration Ltd. Dr. Tony Harwood, President and Chief Executive Officer E-mail: ir@monteromining.com Tel: +1 416 840 9197 | Fax: +1 866 688 4671 www.monteromining.com Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION: This news release includes certain "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws. Forward looking information includes, but is not limited to, statements, projections and estimates. 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. Such information is based on information currently available to Montero and Montero provides no assurance that actual results will meet management's expectations. Forward-looking information by its very nature involves inherent risks and uncertainties that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance, or achievements of Montero to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. Actual results relating to, among other things, completion of the HOA, results of exploration, project development, reclamation and capital costs of Monteros mineral properties, and financial condition and prospects, could differ materially from those currently anticipated in such statements for many reasons such as: an inability to complete the HOA on the terms as announced or at all; changes in general economic conditions and conditions in the financial markets; changes in demand and prices for minerals; litigation, legislative, environmental and other judicial, regulatory, political and competitive developments; technological and operational difficulties encountered in connection with Monteros activities; and other matters discussed in this news release and in filings made with securities regulators. This list is not exhaustive of the factors that may affect any of Monteros forward-looking statements. These and other factors should be considered carefully and accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. Montero does not undertake to update any forward-looking information, except in accordance with applicable securities laws. Although the moratorium book of lenders has shrunk in Phase-2 (June-August), yet the pressure on asset quality remains very high as borrowers who have continued with moratorium are more vulnerable to default. Rating agency Icra says, while there is debate on whether the moratorium period should be extended beyond August or a one-time restructuring should be granted, both the sops could pose challenges to lenders not only in implementation but also on their financial stability. According to the rating agency, median loans under moratorium would be around 25-30 per cent compared to a ... A 51-year-old Ukrainian woman was recently arrested after it was discovered that she had been digging an underground tunnel near the walls of a prison, with the intention of helping her convicted son to escape. The unnamed woman reportedly hails from the Ukrainian city of Nikolaev and had rented a house near the prison where her son was serving a life sentence for murder. Every night, she drove a silent electric scooter to an empty field near the Zaporizhia maximum security prison and used rudimentary tools to dig a 10-foot-deep tunnel toward the penal colony. She worked only during the night, using an improvised trolley to take the dirt out of the narrow tunnel. She had been working for at least three weeks and had almost reached the prison walls when she was discovered and arrested. Photo: Ukrainian police The loving mother allegedly stayed inside the rented house during the day, and only came out at night, as to avoid attracting attention or later being identified by the locals. That part of her plan actually worked, as when showed pictures of the woman following her arrest, none of the neighbors recognized her. According to Ukrainian media, at the time of her arrest, the woman had managed to single-handedly dig a 35-foot-long tunnel at a depth of about 10 feet, which even police admitted was pretty impressive. She reportedly carried the dirt near an abandoned garage, close to where the dig site was located. During the three weeks of work, she managed to move three tons of soil. Photo: YouTube screengrab Its unclear how the woman was eventually caught, but local news sources reported that digging tools were also found inside the rented house and the mother admitted her guilt, adding that she was only trying to break out her son. She has been taking into custody and now risks spending time behind bars. Despite technically committing a crime, the dairing womans actions have earned her praises from the Ukrainian public. This mother prepared thoroughly. Perhaps she is a miners daughter. To dig three meters deep would be hard enough. She had no excavator or anything of the kind, local resident Serhey Pilnyansky told reporters. This is a real mother not one of those who abandon their children, another local said. Two people have been charged after drugs were seized from a car Monday. Richard Todd Frady, 37, of 1736 Suburban Drive, Lot 17, in Morganton, was charged with felony trafficking in methamphetamine and felony possession of a controlled substance in prison/jail premises, according to a release from the Burke County Sheriffs Office. Curston Shay Graybeal, 29, of 2437 Peeler St. in Morganton, was charged with felony possession of a schedule II controlled substance and misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia, the release said. Support Local Journalism Your subscription makes our reporting possible. {{featured_button_text}} The charges came after an officer with the Morganton Department of Public Safety stopped a car on Green Street the pair were traveling in that had a fictitious tag, the release said. BCSO detectives were nearby and responded to assist with the investigative stop. Police seized substantial amounts of methamphetamine from the vehicle and Graybeals person, the release said. Frady and Graybeal were placed under arrest and transported to the magistrates office. Frady told the detective that he had concealed controlled substance on his person during the booking process, the release said. HOUSTON - Federal prosecutors say a Houston man bilked the government out of $1.6 million in COVID-19 business relief funding and spent some of the money on a Lamborghini, jewelry and trips to strip clubs, among other things. Lee Price III, 29, is charged with making false statements to a financial institution, wire fraud, bank fraud and engaging in unlawful monetary transactions, the Houston Chronicle reported. Prosecutors allege that Price stole from the Paycheck Protection Program, which gives low-interest loans to small businesses struggling during the pandemic. One company called Price Enterprises Holdings received $900,000 and another company, 713 Construction, received $700,000, according to an unsealed complaint. The 713 Construction application named a person as the CEO who had died a month before the form was submitted in May. Prosecutors say the application contained inaccurate information pertaining to employee numbers and payroll expenses. Price also used the loans for a 2020 Ford pickup, a Rolex watch and real estate, according to prosecutors. He was scheduled to make an initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Sam S. Sheldon on Tuesday. (Bloomberg) -- A bail hearing by Zoom for the 17-year-old accused of hacking some of the worlds highest-profile Twitter accounts last month offered some surprises when a lawyer revealed that the teenager was already under investigation last year -- and then the session was interrupted by participants showing porn. Graham Ivan Clarks lawyers were in the middle of asking a Florida judge to lower their clients bail -- saying the $725,000 hes required to post to get out of jail is disproportionate to the $117,000 hes alleged to have reaped from the hack -- when the raunchy images were broadcast into Wednesdays hearing, bringing it to an unceremonious end. Clark was arrested last week and charged with hacking into the accounts of notable businesspeople, celebrities and politicians, including former president Barack Obama, Amazon.com Inc. Chief Executive Officer Jeff Bezos and Tesla Inc. CEO Elon Musk, and posting messages soliciting Bitcoin donations. He has pleaded not guilty and remains in jail on the $725,000 bond. On top of arguing for lower bail, attorney David Weisbrod told Judge Christopher Nash in Tampa that his client shouldnt have to prove the source of any funds he posts. In making that argument, he revealed that authorities had served a search warrant on Clarks residence last August, almost a year before the massive Twitter hack, as part of a separate investigation, and froze a cryptocurrency account of his. After the raid, Clark agreed to forfeit 100 Bitcoins -- about $1.2 million based on todays Bitcoin price of about $11,600 -- as part of an agreement under which he wasnt prosecuted and admitted no wrongdoing, Weisbrod told the court. In an interview after the hearing, he said the 100 Bitcoins represented about 25% of the cryptocurrency in Clarks account, which authorities unfroze after making the agreement. He declined to comment further on the previous investigation. Read More: Mastermind Accused of Twitter Hack Just Out of High School Story continues Last years probe was into a SIM swap scheme, lawyers for Clark said in court filings. In a SIM swap, hackers fool phone carriers into changing a persons SIM card, used in authentication, to capture calls, texts and sensitive data, sometimes including bank account information. Such a ruse was at the center of a hack last year of Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey himself. The company closed the loophole by suspending the ability to tweet via text. The investigation involved the alleged theft of $1 million from California residents, Florida prosecutors said in court papers. The day his funds were unfrozen, prosecutors say, Clark allegedly transferred them to another account to begin the activity that led to the current charges. Prosecutor Darrell Dirks urged the judge not to budge on the bail, saying the loss may be greater than $117,000 and that we are still discovering the breadth and depth of the defendants criminal conduct. The judge hadnt ruled on the bail request when he was forced to cancel the hearing because of the porn bombs. In the end, he kept the bail amount as it is but agreed to remove the condition that Clark prove the source of his funds, Weisbrod said in the interview. (Updates with further details of the previous investigation. An earlier version of this story was corrected to reflect Clarks not-guilty plea.) 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. Management and administration of Ghana Infectious Disease Centre situated at the Ga East Municipal Hospital in Accra has been blessed with a donation of a hundred thousand Ghana Cedis (Ghc100,000) cash by the Ghana Employers Association (GEA). The Association President Mr Daniel Acheampong leading a delegation to the Ghana Infectious Disease Centre also presented to the centres management hand sanitizers and some personal protective equipment. Mr Daniel Acheampong during the presentation of the cash and the other items indicated that the Ghana Employers Association has been part of the concept from the start; adding that their partnership with the centre cannot be just conceptual but have to offer practical support. This is a demonstration of the fact that we are a private sector organization and we are aware of the fact that government cant do it all by itself. So we decided to make this donation and this will be the first of the series, he indicated. The President of Ghana Employers Association however showered the Ghana Covid-19 Private Sector Fund with praises for promoting the project and spearheading its construction. We are amazed that we have been able to do this in such a short period of time and to think that most of the items in here were made by Ghanaians convinces us that we have so much talent and there is a lot that we can do for ourselves to propel our country, he said. Senyo Hosi, managing trustee of the Ghana Covid-19 Private Sector Fund, therefore, expressed appreciation for the donation; stressing that the funds were coming at a very critical time. We are very grateful that you have us in your thoughts. We are really happy to have our colleagues stand by us, he added. Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia commissioned the 100-bed Ghana Infectious Disease Centre on Friday, July 24, 2020. The Ghana Covid-19 Private Fund is hoping to raise funds to construct similar facilities in Kumasi, Tamale and Takoradi. The project was completed in three months at a cost of 7.5 million US dollars. Source: Daniel Adu Darko/Peacefmonline.com/[email protected] Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video A new study in Review of Economic Studies suggests that a large increase in the stock of immigrants to the United States would have little impact on the wages of native US citizens. Allowing for more high-skill immigration could be detrimental to some highly skilled workers in the country, but disproportionately beneficial to low skilled workers. The researcher involved in the study, Suphanit Piyapromdee of the economics department at University College London, quanti?ed the impact of immigration in a spatial equilibrium model. Using a framework that incorporates characteristics of workers and local labour markets, Piyapromdee studied welfare implications of changes in the skill mix and stock of immigrants as well as the welfare effects of the border wall between the United States and Mexico. The researcher measured the wage, rent, and welfare effects of immigration on different groups of workers across cities. Piyapromdee also measured the increased rental income accruing to landlords, highlighting a potential bene?t that is often not included in welfare analysis of immigration. Ultimately the study found that a policy favoring the entry of high-skill immigrants leads to wage gains for natives, particularly those with low skill. The average wage gains are about 4% for low skilled natives and low skilled immigrants. There is a small positive effect on the average wages of high skilled natives. The adverse wage effects, however, are concentrated on the incumbent high skilled immigrants--the average wage loss is about 5%. Although rents may initially go up more proportionately in popular destinations of immigrants and offset some of the wage gains of low skill workers, internal migration can equalize the rent effects across locations. Overall, this policy also reduces local real wage inequality across workers. "The adverse effects are concentrated on the wages of incumbent high skilled immigrants since they are in direct competition with the new high skilled immigrants," said Piyapromdee. "But since these new arrivals are not close substitutes to high skilled natives, and given some complementarity between the new arrivals and low skill workers, a skill selective policy can lead to higher productivity and raise natives' wages regardless of their skill levels. However, the gains are larger for low than high skilled natives. As a result, this policy can reduce local real wage inequality." The same research methods were additionally used to analyze the potential benefits of President Donald Trump's proposed border wall between Mexico and the United States, and whether those benefits would outweigh the cost of the wall's construction. The study found the effects on wages, rent, and welfare would be small for workers in the four states adjacent to Mexico as well as in other cities. Given the number of workers, the proposed construction cost of the border would be approximately $47 per worker. Calculations suggest that even if 80% of the in?ow of potentially undocumented immigrants was removed, the additional gains relative to the baseline (the case of no wall) would be $5 per worker. These results show that the potential bene?ts of the border wall are considerably lower than the estimated construction cost. "In all cases, there is a signi?cant increase in rental income accruing to landlords from increased immigration," said Piyapromdee. "An appropriate tax scheme on rental income and housing regulations would be an important consideration if policymakers want to redistribute gains or losses more evenly." ### The paper "The Impact of Immigration on Wages, Internal Migration and Welfare" in The Review of Economic Studies will be available at: https://academic.oup.com/restud/article-lookup/doi/10.1093/restud/rdaa029 Direct correspondence to: Dr. Suphanit Piyapromdee Department of Economics University College London s.piyapromdee@ucl.ac.uk To request a copy of the study, please contact: Emily Tobin emily.tobin@oup.com Sharing on social media? Find Oxford Journals online at @OxfordJournals Top 100 Cybersecurity Start-up This award showcases companies like CYFIRMA who have the potential to reach US$1B in valuation. CYFIRMA, a threat discovery and cyber-intelligence platform company, funded by Goldman Sachs, Zodius Capital and Z3Partners today announced that it has been named a Top 100 Cybersecurity Start-up for 2020. CYFIRMA competed against many of the industrys hot start-ups in cybersecurity for this prestigious award. Cyber Defence Magazine searched the globe and found over 3200 cybersecurity companies. Nearly 30 per cent of these companies are in the start-up phase having been incorporated within the last 36 months or released their first round of innovative cybersecurity products and services. Were pleased to name CYFIRMA as a winner among the Top 100 Cybersecurity Start-Ups for 2020 in our second annual Black Unicorn awards. The Black Unicorn awards recognize companies who have reached or have the potential to attain US$1B valuation. This award showcases companies like CYFIRMA who have this kind of incredible potential in the cybersecurity marketplace, said Judges Robert R. Ackerman Jr. of http://www.allegiscyber.com, David DeWalt of http://www.nightdragon.com, and Gary Miliefsky of http://www.cyberdefensemediagroup.com. CYFIRMAs flagship product, DeCYFIR, empowers organizations to identify potential threats at the planning stage of cyberattacks. The platform picks up threat indicators as observed in deep/dark web, hackers forums, and other closed communities, and predicts upcoming attacks based on a set of probability models and analytical engines. DeCYFIR provides quality intelligence which is relevant to the clients specific industry, geography, and technology. The platform has the unique capabilities to connect the dots between hackers, exploit campaigns, motivations, and attack readiness. This provides the enterprise a complete contextual analysis of its threat landscape. Were excited to be recognized as one of the top 100 cybersecurity start-ups by the prestigious publication, Cyber Defence Magazine. This award is testament of our effort to bring a new way of looking at cyber-intelligence into the market. We know the conventional way of solving cybersecurity challenges with perimeter defence is neither efficient nor effective. In the post-pandemic new normal, our intelligence-driven approach will help close the digital risk gap with predictive and personalized intelligence so that enterprises can fend off imminent attacks, and embark confidently on their digital transformation journeys, Kumar Ritesh, Founder and CEO, CYFIRMA. About Cyber Defence Awards This is Cyber Defence Magazines 8th year of honouring cybersecurity innovators, in this case the Black Unicorn Awards for 2020 on our Cyber Defence Awards platform. In this competition, judges for these prestigious awards includes cybersecurity industry veterans, trailblazers and market makers Gary Miliefsky of CDMG, Robert R. Ackerman Jr. of Allegis Cyber and David DeWalt of NightDragon with much appreciation to emeritus judge Robert Herjavec of Herjavec Group. To see the complete list of Top 100 Cybersecurity Start-ups for 2020 please visit https://cyberdefenseawards.com/top-100-cybersecurity-startups-for-2020/ About Cyber Defence Magazine Cyber Defence Magazine was founded in 2012 by Gary S. Miliefsky, globally recognized cyber security thought leader, inventor and entrepreneur and continues to be the premier source of IT Security information. We are managed and published by and for ethical, honest, passionate information security professionals. Our mission is to share cutting-edge knowledge, real-world stories and awards on the best ideas, products and services in the information technology industry. We deliver electronic magazines every month online for free, and limited print editions exclusively for the RSA, BlackHat and IPEXPO conferences and our limited edition paid reprint subscribers. Learn more about us at http://www.cyberdefensemagazine.com. Cyber Defence Magazine is a proud member of the Cyber Defence Media Group. About CYFIRMA Headquartered in Singapore and Tokyo, CYFIRMA is a leading threat discovery and cybersecurity platform company. Its cloud-based AI and ML-powered cyber intelligence analytics platform helps organizations proactively identify potential threats at the planning stage of cyberattacks, offers deep insights into their cyber landscape, and amplifies preparedness by keeping the organization's cybersecurity posture up-to-date, resilient, and ready against upcoming attacks. CYFIRMA works with many Fortune 500 companies. The company has offices and teams located in Singapore, Japan and India. Official websites: https://www.cyfirma.com/ https://www.cyfirma.jp/ CYFIRMA Communications Contact Anna Koh Tel: +65 94892177 Anna.Koh@cyfirma.com Who wants to pay $30 to watch the live action Mulan remake on Disney+? No seriously, who? I'm asking, because Disney also seems pretty confused about this whole thing. And I'm fairly sure they're just making everything up as they go along. Disney announced during its earnings call that the long-awaited Mulan would arrive on Disney+ on September 4th as a premium offering. And yes, that means you'll have to pay $30 on top of the $7 monthly or $70 annual Disney+ subscription fee to watch Mulan. On the face of it, the news seems baffling, especially since Disney has never mentioned the possibility of bringing additional purchases to Disney+. It also took the company several hours to clarify that you're actually purchasing Mulan digitally, and not just renting it. Specifically, a spokesperson said you'll have access to the film as long you're a Disney+ subscriber. That's great news if you were hoping to rewatch it, but it's definitely a strange way to handle a purchase. iTunes or Vudu don't demand a monthly subscription for you to access films you digitally own, so I'm not sure how Disney can justify this limitation. Disney could allow Mulan to sync up with MoviesAnywhere, so it's accessible on other services in the future. But, theres been no suggestion that will be the case. Again, it's like the company hasn't fully thought out this whole plan -- it's just taking a gamble and seeing if consumers bite. During Disney's earnings call, CEO Bob Chapek said that it was treating this Mulan release as a one-off event, meaning the company isn't planning to offer other upcoming films as a Disney+ purchase. But, he also said Disney would be paying close attention to how Mulan performs. If it ends up earning a ton of money and convinces people to subscribe to Disney+, you can bet the company will consider similar premium offerings for other films. After all, it needs to make up for theaters being closed during the COVID-19 pandemic and limited theme park access. Disney's revenue basically cratered during the last quarter, which explains why it may be so willing to throw caution to the wind with Mulan. I can understand why many people might be turned off by the idea of spending an extra $30, especially when the movie will most likely show up on Disney+'s normal lineup a few months later. That's twice the price of an average movie ticket in a major city, and it's unclear if you'll get any extras or special features. But for parents with kids, Disney's gamble is an intriguing one. A family of four would need to spend much more than $30 to get to a theater, and thats just for tickets. Thats not including snacks and the headache of dealing with kids in a public space. Sure, it's not like we can even run out to a theater now, but compared to the state of the world in the before times, $30 doesn't seem completely unreasonable. We've seen other studios experiment with faster VOD turnarounds during the pandemic, and those are typically $20 rentals. Spending a bit more to virtually own a movie seems worth it. Part of the problem for Disney is that its been undercutting itself by making Disney+ an incredible value for subscribers. Not only do they have access to many major franchises and releases, the company dropped major films like The Rise of Skywalker early as the pandemic forced us indoors. It even released Hamilton on the service over a year early at no extra cost. As much as I'm looking forward to Mulan, I don't think it'll have the cultural impact of that musical. So is it really worth an extra $30? It's particularly baffling that Disney hasn't even put this Mulan offering in writing at the time of this post. There's no mention of it on the Disney+ Twitter, or any of the company's corporate PR sites. All we have to go on is what Bob Chapek said during his earnings statements, and Disney PR's confirmation that it would be a digital purchase. And even that was on background, so we can't even quote the reps by name. This all feels particularly strange coming from a company known for strictly controlling corporate messaging. Here's the thing: I think it's smart for Disney and other giant media firms to explore new ways to bring movies to consumers. Until a COVID-19 vaccine is widely available, we won't be rushing back into theaters anytime soon. I'm just hoping the company has a more solid plan than it seems on the surface, especially when it comes to locking in a digital purchase to Disney+. Because if they bungle this release, it could hurt other attempts at bringing theatrical experiences into homes. Japan should change stance on compensation issue The tension between Seoul and Tokyo is escalating with both sides showing no signs of budging an inch from their firm stances regarding South Korea's Supreme Court ruling ordering Japanese companies to compensate surviving victims forced to work for them before and during World War II. A Daegu court sent official notice to Nippon Steel that it will seize the firm's assets to pay the former Korean workers after the Aug. 4 deadline. The assets are shares of PNR, a joint venture between the firm and the Korean steelmaker POSCO. The company is poised to file an appeal against the ruling. In the same vein, the Japanese government has threatened to take retaliatory measures against Korea. Nippon Steel has said such compensation claims were completely resolved with the signing of the diplomatic normalization treaty between the two countries in 1965. This echoes the stance of the nationalist Shinzo Abe administration. It is regrettable that the Japanese side is sticking to its position notwithstanding the fact that individual claims for damage inflicted on by Japan during the 1910-45 colonial period cannot be canceled by any treaty between governments. It is proper for the Japanese government to find a compromise to narrow the gap over the compensation issue through dialogue. But Tokyo has made no efforts toward that end, only taking retaliatory measures against Seoul and Korean companies. Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga said that the selling off of any assets will result in serious consequences, vowing to "resolutely deal with the issue, considering all possible options." Japanese media, largely influenced by the government, cite the possibility of recalling the Japanese ambassador to Korea, toughening visa requirements for Koreans, seizing Korean assets in Japan, and taking financial retaliation. The Abe administration has only been engrossed in turning the rising tension with Korea to its favor for domestic political gain. It has disregarded growing calls to repent its past misdeeds during the colonial rule and heal the wounds of victims. The Korean government, for its part, has been seeking to find a solution. Last year, Seoul proposed that companies from both countries take part in a compensatory campaign, only to be rebuffed by Tokyo. Former National Assembly Speaker Moon Hee-sang proposed a plan to invite citizens as well as companies from the two countries to make donations to a compensation fund for the forced labor victims. But the move ended in failure after Japan rejected it. This means the Korean side has been exerting all possible efforts to resolve the issue, despite opposition from the public. In contrast, Japan has yet to make any efforts to address the problem. Tokyo is still maintaining a series of export restrictions on key materials crucial for Korea's semiconductor and panel industries in apparent retaliation for the compensation ruling. Also, it has pressed Korea to undo the ruling, claiming that Seoul had violated the 1965 treaty. It is high time for Tokyo and Seoul to explore ways of meeting halfway and settle the protracted dispute between the two based on the principle of mutual respect. That is the only way for them to guarantee bilateral benefits without further harming bilateral relations. Iran Hardliners Claim China Is Serving Islam By Suppressing Uyghur Muslims Reza Haqiqatnezhad August 04, 2020 Iranian conservatives have been justifying the Chinese government's suppression of Uyghur Muslims in China and keeping silent in the face of systematic violence against Chines Muslims in Xinjiang Province. During the past days two tweets by Ali Motahari, a former member of the Iranian Parliament, about the situation of Uyghur Muslims in China has stirred a lot of controversy among conservative political figures close to Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. Motahari tweeted that the Iranian government has kept silent about the situation of Muslims in China because it needs China's economic support. He said that this silence has been humiliating for the Islamic Republic. Meanwhile, Motahari accused the Chinese government of attempting to uproot in the Xinjiang Province of China. Motahari's comment led to many reactions among the hardliners. Conservative lawmaker Mahmoud Ahmadi Bighash described Motahari as "mentally impaired" and said that he has always been "useless and still nagging." Bighash further claimed that the Chinese government has no problem with Chinese Muslims. Meanwhile, Mehdi Hassanzadeh, the economic editor of hardliner daily newspaper Khorassan also addressed Motahari in a tweet and said that "The Chinese government has a problem with Wahabi Takfiri Muslims which is a hardline brand of Saudi-backed Islam, otherwise, China has no problem with Islam." In another reaction, Taqi Dezhakam, a former columnist at the hardliner daily newspaper Kayhan said ironically that the ISIS is also full of Iraqi and Syrian Muslims. Many other Twitter users who opposed Motahari used the same argument in their attacks against the former MP. Motahari's critics claim that governments such as Saudi Arabia have made investments in Xinjiang and are planning to promote Wahabism. They claimed that if the Chinese government does not confront these groups, ISIS is going to spread in the region. They further believe that "China is serving Islam." Such reactions are not limited to Twitter and have their precedence in the official rhetoric of the Islamic Republic officials. As an example, the research unit of the Iranian state-owned television's external services said in a December 2016 report about the Chinese government's attitude toward Muslims in that country: "There are good Muslims and bad Muslims in China. The problems about Muslims in China have their roots in the pro-Saudi radical policies that follow radical Wahabi and Takfiri ideology." The situation of Chines Muslims and the way the government violates their rights has been actively criticized by the U.S. and European governments particularly during the past six years. However, pro-Chines elements on Twitter argue that China is not against Muslims. It is against radicalism and ISIS. IRGC-linked Tasnim news agency in July rejected talks about violation of Muslims' rights in China as "disparaging propaganda, lies and accusations." The agency defended "Beijing's struggle against terrorism and radicalism" and said that "China followed the best policy to defend human rights." A recent report by a German researcher pointed out that the Chinese government has been sterilizing Uyghur women living in the Western part of Xinjiang Province to control their population. Meanwhile, China has been keeping mainly Muslim ethnic groups in concentration camps. International human rights watchdogs characterized the practice as "genocide and crime against humanity." Tehran's double standard is not without precendent. The Islamic Republic has been previously criticized for turning a blind eye to the violation of Muslims' human rights by China. However, the fact that these media outlets suggest that Iran should follow China's policy in this regard is quite new. The reason for Iranian officials' silence in the face of what China has been doing cannot be just Tehran's economic expectations from China or the suggestion that China is confronting Saudi-style extremism. The behavior of Iranian hardliners is so odd that it is not unlikely they would at one point portray China as part of the "resistance axis." This looks strange but it is not totally unprecedented. Last year, many reports in Iranian media including Mashregh news which is maintained by hardliners close to Supreme Leader Khamenei and the IRGC, asked China to carry out a joint military exercise with Iran and Russia in the Persian Gulf. Apparently, China was not interested. Source: https://en.radiofarda.com/a/iran-hardliners -claim-china-is-serving-islam-by-suppressing- uyghur-muslims-/30766289.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 Chinese students in Australia are being terrorised into silence and claim their families will be targeted if they speak out against the communist government. The Chinese government has even created a new online portal for students to report their peers to police for 'political crimes'. The portals are accessible in Australia and leave young Chinese nationals terrified they will be accused of expressing pro-democracy sentiments - a crime under the communist laws. According to Australian Human Rights director Elaine Peason, a 23-year-old UNSW law student from China said relentless threats left students terrified. The Chinese Communist Party created an online portal for students to report their peers to police (pictured, UNSW in Sydney, which was accused of pandering to Chinese censorship) Riot police (pictured) detain protesters calling for electoral reforms and a boycott of the Chinese Communist Party in Hong Kong in January The student said: 'If you protest against the CCP abroad, they will find people you love and hurt you to make you pay,' reported the Sydney Morning Herald. Kevin Carrico, a senior lecturer at Monash University, told the publication he taught Chinese students who suffered extreme intimidation following class presentations that weren't completely aligned with pro-China propaganda. 'I have had students who have had their families pressured simply because they did a presentation on the situation in Tibet or they discussed the historical events of 1989,' he said. He added that the pressure piled on is 'considerably more intimidating than anything your average student faces'. The Melbourne-based lecturer also explained that while the opinions of Chinese students differ wildly, many are uncomfortable talking about it because of ongoing threats from their homeland. The portals were sparked by a controversial article posted on the University of New South Wales website and social media pages over the weekend that raised concerns about the erosion of human rights in China, authored by Elaine Pearson. The piece calling for human rights in Hong Kong (pictured, pro-democracy supporters scuffle with riot police during an detention at a rally in Causeway Bay district on May 27) The first tweet from the university directly quoted Ms Pearson's article, saying: 'Now is a pivotal moment to bring attention to the rapidly deteriorating situation in Hong Kong'. People in Hong Kong have seen their human rights eradicated in a matter of weeks as Beijing brought in sweeping new national security laws that essentially block any form of dissent against the government. Hong Kong had previously operated under the 'one nation, two systems' model that allowed the state to have a different political and legal system to mainland China following the handover from the UK in 1997. Both social media posts were deleted on Saturday following masses of complaints from pro-communist Chinese students. The article was also temporarily removed from the website before reappearing in the business and law section labelled as 'opinion'. UNSW (pictured, its campus) has been slammed for removing a social media post calling for human rights in Hong Kong after Chinese nationalists complained Several federal MPs slammed the university's actions as 'censorship' and accused the institution of bowing to Chinese pressure. An editorial in the Global Times, a mouthpiece for the communist government, demanded an apology from the university - even after the posts were removed. 'Students who are still outraged have said the university's behaviour brings ''shame to Chinese students'',' the article said. Liberal senator James Paterson accused the university of valuing revenue from Chinese students over academic freedom 'Academic freedom and free speech on campus are core values of any self-respecting higher education institution and they should never be sacrificed for lucrative international student income,' he told the publication. Almost 70 per cent of all overseas enrollments at UNSW come from China. Xi Jinping, the president and leader of the Communist Party of China (pictured) is accused of denying human rights in Hong Kong Ms Pearson said the move to take down the social media posts was worrying, and showed UNSW was bowing to censorship. 'Clearly those pro-CCP supporters feel they can bully the university into censoring certain views,' she told The Australian. 'I think the university needs to make it very clear that is absolutely not negotiable and that academic freedom is very important to Australian universities.' She said there was a lot of concern at Australian universities about academic freedom, and 'particularly around Chinese government threats to that'. Relations with China are already under heavy strain after Australia led international calls for a coronavirus inquiry (pictured, Chinese soldiers in Tienanmen Square in October) Liberal MP Tim Wilson said the university was showing 'cowardice', while Labor senator Tony Sheldon said the move was censorship and there was a 'big problem' The university later posted another tweet which said: 'Opinions expressed by our academics do not always represent the views of UNSW. 'We have a long and valued relationship with Greater China going back 60 years.' Both posts were later removed. A UNSW spokeswoman said the posts were removed because they were 'not in line with our policies'. She said the views of an academic were being misconstrued as representing the university. 'UNSW protects academic freedom and freedom of speech, respecting the right of academics and others to express their views within the law.' Commander, United States Special Operation Command, Africa, Dagvin Anderson has issued warning to Nigeria that the terrorist group known as ISIS and Al-Qaeda are currently planning to invade the Southern part of the country. The Commander during a press briefing, cautioned that presently, Al-Qaeda has already started to make its way into the North-Western part of the country, while adding that the United States will continue divulging information on sensitive issues to Nigeria. We are committed to sharing information with Nigeria, and we will continue informing them on the actions taken by the terrorists, adding that the Intel given has been pivotal to the fight against terrorism by the countrys Military force in Borno State and large area of Northwest that Al-Qaeda is making their way into, he explained. Our engagement with the Nigerian government becomes important; the information provided to them will enable and give them a head start as to the activities of Boko Haram, ISIS and what other terrorist groups are doing, coupled with Al-Qaedas plan of encroaching further into the Southern parts. Anderson highlighted the defeat ditched to the terrorist in previous years, saying that each time the international relations community thinks they have taken an advanced step in stopping the terrorists and their undermining activities, it turns out not to be so. Nigerian government must act now by taking lead position, if the fight against terrorism in Nigeria is expected to provide substantiable results, he added. During the next round of negotiations on compensation for the families of the victims of Flight PS752 in October, Ukraine expects to receive the full information about the circumstances of the plane crash from Iran. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said this during a phone conversation with Foreign Minister of the Islamic Republic of Iran Mohammad Javad Zarif on Wednesday, the press service of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine reported. The parties discussed the results of the first round of negotiations on compensation to the families of the crash victims, which took place in Kyiv on July 30. The Ukrainian foreign minister stressed that at the next round of talks in October, Ukraine expects to receive from the Iranian side all the necessary information about the circumstances of the plane crash. According to him, after establishing all the facts, it will be possible to start calculating the amount of compensation, the report reads. The ministers agreed that the meeting in October should be fruitful, and both sides will work to achieve this goal. The two ministers noted that the tragedy of the Ukraine International Airlines Flight PS752 crash has become a painful and sensitive topic for the peoples of their countries, as well as for the societies of other affected countries. On January 8, 2020, Ukraine International Airlines Flight PS752 was shot down near Tehran by an Iranian surface-to-air missile, killing 176 people, including nine crew members (all Ukrainians) and 167 passengers (citizens of Ukraine, Iran, Canada, Sweden, Afghanistan, Germany, and the UK). On July 18, France's Civil Aviation Safety Investigation Authority (BEA) received Flight PS752s recorders from Iran. On July 24, Deputy Foreign Minister of Ukraine Yevhenii Yenin informed that the transcript from Flight PS752s recorders had confirmed illegal interference with the plane. On July 30, Irans delegation arrived in Kyiv to participate in talks on compensation for the downing of UIA flight PS752. On July 31, the Prosecutor General's Office of Ukraine informed that the next round of Ukraine-Iran talks on the investigation into PS752 flight crash was scheduled for October. ish Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday morning left for Ayodhya where he will lay the foundation stone of Ram temple. The Prime Ministers Office shared a picture of Modi boarding an Air Force plane. He was dressed in traditional dhoti-kurta. PM Narendra Modi leaves for Ayodhya, the PMO tweeted. A helicopter would fly him to Ayodhya from Lucknow. Prior to the function, the prime minister will take part in pooja and darshan at Hanumangarhi, a statement by the PMO said on Tuesday. From Hanumangarhi, the prime minister will travel to Shree Ram Janmabhoomi where he will take part in pooja and darshan of Bhagwan Shree Ramlala Virajman. He will also plant a Parijat (Indian night jasmine) sapling. Modi will subsequently perform bhoomi poojan, the statement said. He will unveil a plaque to mark the laying of foundation stone and also release a commemorative postage stamp on the Shree Ram Janmabhoomi Mandir. As many school districts across the USA prepare to reopen campuses, some fear classrooms will become the next incubators for large coronavirus outbreaks. Advocates for resuming school in person, including President Donald Trump, have repeatedly claimed that children pose less of a risk of spreading COVID-19 and that the benefits of returning them to the classroom outweigh the risks of keeping them home. Such statements have been used by conservatives, as well as many parents, to argue for a prompt reopening of classrooms. We know that children get the virus at a far lower rate than any other part of the population, U.S. Education Secretary Betsy DeVos said during a CNN interview in July. "Theres nothing in the data that suggests that kids being back in school is dangerous to them." The evidence suggests otherwise. About 245,000 youth from birth to 17 have tested positive, according to the latest data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Hundreds have transmitted the virus at summer camps and youth programs that have welcomed kids, often with the kinds of hygiene, masking and physical distancing rules proposed by many schools. A student gets his temperature checked by a teacher before entering a summer STEM camp at Wylie High School in Texas. Schools across the USA continue to plan on how to reopen schools this fall. More than 300 cases have been linked to state child care facilities in California, 62 in Pennsylvania and 54 in North Carolina, according to data published by those states. In Georgia, at least 260 people became infected in June at an overnight youth camp where the median age of campers was 12 and staff members 17, according to a CDC report. The first person a teenage staffer became sick two days after the first weeklong camp session. Officials started sending campers home the next day and closed the camp by the end of the week. Test results were available for 344 camp attendees, the CDC reported. Among them, 76% tested positive. These findings demonstrate that SARS-CoV-2 spread efficiently in a youth-centric overnight setting, resulting in high attack rates among persons in all age groups, despite efforts by camp officials to implement most recommended strategies to prevent transmission, the CDC report said. Story continues Larson Elementary School teacher Cyndi Reichert protests in front of the Lodi Unified School District offices in California over the reopening of schools planned for Aug. 3. Bright spots could be misleading Although children account for 22% of the population, their share of coronavirus cases is just a fraction of that ratio 7%. Even fewer kids get seriously ill. About 6 out of 100,000 school-age kids are hospitalized with COVID-19 compared with the overall rate of 130 people per 100,000, according to the latest data from the CDC. Most children who are infectious never experience the symptoms commonly seen in adults, such as fever, cough or shortness of breath. Some scientists worry that because kids are less likely to show symptoms, they are less likely to be tested and that the real rate of infection among youth could be much higher. Also, it's unknown how effectively children might spread the virus to both kids and adults. Elizabeth Pathak, an epidemiologist and director of the Coronavirus in Kids Tracking and Education Project, said the limited data available to researchers and parents is likely a drastic undercount. We know that the majority of kids who are infected have no symptoms whatsoever, she said. That means most children who are contagious never will be tested and might spread the virus to a vulnerable peer or adult. Unless you have a program where you are routinely and comprehensively testing people with no symptoms, youre going to miss the majority of cases of COVID-19 in kids, Pathak said. Most states do not report how many schools, child care facilities or youth programs have been linked to outbreaks. Several people who returned to school in the past week tested positive, including at least nine in Tennessee, six in Indiana, five in Mississippi and two in Kentucky, according to those school districts and health officials. Jason Salemi, an epidemiologist and professor at the University of South Florida College of Public Health, said poor data collection and transparency mean he often cant even answer simple questions about how coronavirus spread among kids. We knew the discussion to open schools was going to come, he said, and we need comprehensive and consistent data across states to make those decisions. School closings spared lives A study published last month by JAMA estimated that closing schools in March reduced the rate of new COVID-19 cases by 66%. That meant about 1.4 million fewer people becoming ill and about 40,600 fewer people dying over the 26- and 16-day periods studied. The mathematical model weighted its results based on community demographics and other shutdown orders. Policymakers were hopeful that closing schools would curb the coronavirus epidemic, but that wasnt known, said lead study author Dr. Katherine Auger, an associate professor of pediatrics at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine. We show that it actually did make a difference in cases and in deaths. That was a very important thing society did. Auger said the research, which has limitations as a modeling study, should not be misconstrued as proof that schools should never return to in-person instruction. Schools reopening would probably follow precautions that were not in place in the spring. Its not just about education. Its about other services schools offer, Auger said. We support families through our school system in this country. That is critically important infrastructure. Masked students arrive at Newton County Elementary School in Decatur, Miss., on Aug. 3. Thousands of students across the nation are set to resume in-person school for the first time since March. Parents have to balance the children's need for socialization and instruction that school provides with the risks of coronavirus. The cost to childhood development and to working families who rely on schools as affordable child care is worth the risk of reopening classrooms in places with low levels of community spread, some experts said. This is going to be a local decision that needs to be made. And it might have to be made over and over again as changes occur in infection rates, said Enriqueta Bond, who leads an advisory committee on reopening schools at the National Academies of Science and Engineering. States have disagreed on whether to track outbreaks among kids as diligently as for other hot spots, such as nursing homes. Few state health departments share what they know about such cases with the public. Local health departments may identify outbreaks in these types of facilities during their investigations, but we are not tracking them at the state level or posting them to our website, Michigan Department of Health and Human Services public information officer Lynn Sutfin said in an email to USA TODAY. If there was an outbreak and public notification needed to occur, that would happen at the local level. In Arkansas, health officials said they are discussing how best to share outbreak information this fall. We track outbreaks in all settings, but school has not started, public information officer Danyelle McNeill wrote. We are working to determine how we will present this information once schools are back in session. The Arkansas Department of Human Services has tracked outbreaks in day care centers but has not shared that information with the public because no one has previously asked us for that data, spokesperson Amy Webb said. Alabama officials said it is against their policy to publicly identify the particular settings of any outbreak. Alabama school principal Quentin Lee created a parody video of MC Hammer's U Cant Touch This" to show students and families what to expect as children return to class amid coronavirus. In contrast, Colorado reports the location of all outbreaks, including those at schools and child-centric facilities. Although the data does not separate cases into age groups, state officials report the number of attendees versus staff who contracted the virus. Our primary goal is to be as transparent as possible with our data while ensuring were reporting accurate information to the public, the state Health Department wrote in an emailed response to questions. Children will be at risk Without better information about cases in kids, Pathak, the epidemiologist tracking cases nationwide, said it will be difficult to prevent large outbreaks that, inevitably, will result in severe complications or deaths for some children. For every 2,381 kids who are infected, one will become sick enough to need intensive care, based on a study by Pathak and others that was published in the Journal of Public Health Management and Practice. Even though its a low rate, if you talk about millions of kids getting infected, youre still going to have thousands of kids needing to go into the ICU, she said. Those risks are even higher for adults, especially those with underlying medical conditions such as diabetes, asthma or high blood pressure. These are the risks that haunt Petal Cates, 16, of Charlotte, North Carolina, a high school student on the autism spectrum. Cates said she has mixed feelings about her mom signing her up for remote digital school this fall. On one hand, Cates misses her friends and wishes she could take drivers ed. She said face-to-face experience is the best way for her to learn about managing her anxiety and responding to certain social cues. On the other hand, Cates worries about her mom, Rose, a widow who uses a wheelchair and is at higher risk of complications from COVID-19. She doesnt want to bring the virus home from school and get her sick. Until we have a vaccine, I wont go. I dont want to put my mom in danger, she said. Theres a lot of germs around school, and janitors hardly clean the bathroom. Rose Toth-Cates worries about her daughters quality of education in online classes and the social development provided by in-person schooling. She said she would encourage Petal to return to the classroom on three conditions: if the rate of community transmission was much lower than it is today, if the school reduced class sizes and if masks were mandated. I would risk it, she said. I feel like this is stealing her high school experience. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: COVID-19: Back-to-school plans fuel fear of spread in children, adults Rwanda Environment Management Authority (REMA) has closed four resorts and halted farming activities after they were found to be in a 50-meter range from Kivu Lake buffer zone. REMA declined to reveal the names of the four resorts. The operation which took place on August 3, was conducted in partnership with Rwanda National Police and Rwanda Investigation Bureau. Banned activities were found in all five districts bordering Kivu Lake, including Rubavu, Rusizi, Nyamasheke, Karongi and Rutsiro. REMA said the crackdown intended to inspect whether the people observed water bodies protection law which reserves 50 metres from lake banks. Human activities in the buffer zone can cause harm to biodiversity in water, such as shrinking fish produce in lakes, according to REMA. The protection body also said that fertilizers and pesticides used in farming can flow into lakes when rain falls and kill biodiversity. Of 23 lakes in Rwanda, apart from Kivu, investigations into buffer zone encroachment are conducted regularly on lakes of Muhazi, Mugesera, Burera and Ruhondo. Article 49 of the Environmental law N48/2018 of 13/08/2018 stipulates that activities which pollute and damage water bodies are illegal and must be removed. The law says that fines for those who pollute lakes range between Rwf500,000 and Rwf5 million, and can be taken to court as well. Polluting lakes could reduce fish production in the country since fish reproduction takes place on coasts of lakes. Kivu produced 18,879 tons of fish in 2018, contributing by 70 per cent to total fish production. The production is expected to triple to 112,000 tonnes by 2024 in a move that aims at reducing imports which, sometimes, do not meet the desired quality, according to Rwanda Agriculture Board (RAB). RAB's statistics indicate that the country imports more than 15,000 tonnes per year. TAMPA, Fla., Aug. 05, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- HCI Group, Inc. (NYSE:HCI), an InsurTech company with operations in insurance, software development and real estate, has completed the previously announced sale of its headquarters property and a nearby right of way to the State of Florida as part of a planned road improvement project. The headquarters property, known as Cypress Commons, was part of a portfolio of Florida commercial properties owned and operated by HCIs real estate division, Greenleaf Capital. HCI acquired the property in 2010. The combined compensation to HCI for the properties was $47.5 million. After transaction costs, including legal expenses and expert fees, HCI received $44 million from which $7 million was used to retire mortgage debt on the headquarters property. The properties were valued on HCIs books at approximately $7 million. Accordingly, HCI will report a pre-tax gain on the sale of approximately $37 million. After tax, that gain should increase HCIs book value by approximately 15% or $3.58 per share. As part of the sale agreement, HCI has the option to occupy the headquarters property for up to three years after the sale. During this time, Greenleaf will continue to manage the property, which has numerous other tenants. Management Commentary This sale demonstrates the value of our judicious investments in real estate, said HCI Group Chief Executive Officer Paresh Patel. In this case, we not only had use of the property for many years, but during those years, we also quietly and consistently added shareholder value on an income tax efficient basis. With this sale, we added significant cash to our balance sheet, paid down debt and increased book value. While we are disappointed to give up ownership of our headquarters, we are gratified the property will go to improving transportation in the Tampa Bay area. About HCI Group, Inc. HCI Group, Inc. is an InsurTech company with operations in insurance, software development and real estate. HCIs leading insurance operation, TypTap Insurance Company, is a rapidly growing, technology-driven insurance company, which provides homeowners insurance and flood insurance primarily in Florida. TypTaps operations are powered in large part by insurance-related information technology developed by HCIs software subsidiary, Exzeo USA, Inc. HCIs largest subsidiary, Homeowners Choice Property & Casualty Insurance Company, Inc., provides homeowners insurance primarily in Florida. HCIs real estate subsidiary, Greenleaf Capital LLC, owns and operates multiple properties in Florida, including office buildings, retail centers and marinas. The company's common shares trade on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol "HCI" and are included in the Russell 2000 and S&P SmallCap 600 Index. HCI Group, Inc. regularly publishes financial and other information in the Investor Information section of the companys website. For more information about HCI Group and its subsidiaries, visit www.hcigroup.com. About Greenleaf Capital Greenleaf Capital, LLC is the real estate division of HCI Group, Inc. Greenleaf owns and manages numerous Florida real estate properties, including office buildings, retail shopping centers and waterfront properties. Greenleaf Capital owns and manages over 500,000 square feet of space on over 60 acres of land. For more information, please visit www.gleafcapital.com. Company Contact: Rachel Swansiger, Esq. HCI Group, Inc. Tel (813) 405-3206 rswansiger@hcigroup.com Investor Relations Contact: Matt Glover Gateway Investor Relations Tel (949) 574-3860 HCI@gatewayir.com Media Contact: Amber Brinkley Kippen Communications Tel (727) 466-7695 amber@kippencommunications.com Samsung Galaxy Note 20 has officially launched at the Unpacked 2020 event along with Note 20 Ultra, and Z Fold 2. Apart from new phones, new wireless earbuds and smartwatch have launched as well. Here are the highlights. Samsung at its Galaxy Unpacked 2020 event unveiled as many as five new products. The new offerings include premium Galaxy Note 20 and Galaxy Note 20 Ultra. Samsung has also unveiled the Galaxy Z Fold 2 foldable phone. Other top announcements include Galaxy Buds Live wireless earbuds and Galaxy Watch 3 smartwatch. First up is the Samsung Galaxy Note 20 series. The new smartphones come with upgraded design and specifications. The stylus has also been improved. Samsung has also teamed up with Microsoft to bundle Project xCloud streaming and for deeper integration between Galaxy Note phones and Windows. The top-end model Galaxy Note 20 Ultra comes with many firsts for the decade-old series. It has an AMOLED 2x display with 120Hz refresh rate. It has Wi-Fi 6 as well as 5G support. The latest foldable phone from Samsung comes with two edge-to-edge, nearly bezel-less Infinity-O Displays. The Galaxy Z Fold 2 has a larger 6.2-inch cover screen and a larger 7.6-inch main display. Samsung has again partnered with iconic New York fashion house Thom Browne to introduce a limited Galaxy Z Fold2 Thom Browne Edition. Samsung Electronics Co. Galaxy Note 20 smartphones are displayed during the Samsung Unpacked product launch event in New York, U.S., on Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2020. Samsung Electronics Co. set out its premium Android device lineup for the rest of the year with the launch of the Galaxy Note 20 series and a teaser for the upcoming Galaxy Z Fold 2 foldable in its first virtual launch event. Photographer: Jeenah Moon/Bloomberg (Bloomberg) Samsungs new tablet series has Galaxy Tab S7 and Tab S7+. The 5G-enabled tabs come with stylus support, 120Hz screen, support for Samsung Notes, S Pen, Book Cover Keyboard and Bluetooth accessories. For the wearable space, Samsung has introduced Galaxy Watch 3. As expected, the smartwatch comes with blood pressure monitoring, enhanced Samsung Health app, and rotating bezels. Samsung's Galaxy Buds Live wireless earphones are official (Bloomberg) Another key announcement at the Galaxy Unpacked 2020 was Galaxy Buds Live. Samsungs AirPods-rival has a bigger, 12mm speaker with AKG audio technology. The earbuds also support Active Noise Cancellation. Samsungs new products will be available in select markets starting August 21. The company has not disclosed the India price and availability yet. Here are the top highlights of the event. Xbox on Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Samsung Galaxy Note 20 will be one of the first phones to support Project xCloud. The streaming service will be available be part of the Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscription, which is available for $14.99 ( 1,125 approximately). The service officially launched for Android on September 15. Xbox bundle for Samsung users (Samsung) Galaxy Note 20 prices The Note 20 Ultra is priced at $1,299.99 for the 128GB storage / 12GB RAM model and $1,449.99 for the 512GB model. The base Galaxy Note 20 is priced at $999.99 for the 28GB of storage and 8GB of RAM model. Microsoft Teams on Samsung devices Microsoft has brought deeper integration between premium Samsung phones to Windows PCs. Going forward, notes and reminders will also be available on the PC. The Your Phone app has also been updated to better sync between Samsung phones and Windows. Galaxy Tab S7 features Samsung has made some interesting additions to the tablets. The company has optimised several apps for the new tab. It also supports S Pen. The note app on the device can also support audio, language translation and lots more. The feature is also available on the Samsung Galaxy Note 20 phones. The Galaxy Tab S7 and Tab S7 Plus are priced at $649.99 and $849.99, respectively. Advanced S Pen Samsung has also continued to make improvements to the stylus on the Note series. The new S Pen is said to deliver lifelike precision as well as better accuracy and responsiveness. The S Pens five new Anywhere actions makes touchless navigation of your device like returning to the home screen or taking a screenshot as simple as a flick of the wrist, says the company. A Samsung Electronics Co. Galaxy Note 20 Ultra smartphone with a S-Pen stylus is displayed during the Samsung Unpacked product launch event in New York, U.S., on Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2020. Samsung Electronics Co. set out its premium Android device lineup for the rest of the year with the launch of the Galaxy Note 20 series and a teaser for the upcoming Galaxy Z Fold 2 foldable in its first virtual launch event. Photographer: Jeenah Moon/Bloomberg (Bloomberg) Galaxy Tab S7 series Samsung has launched Galaxy Tab S7 and the Galaxy Tab S7+. The tabs come in Mystic Black, Mystic Silver and Mystic Bronze colour variants. Both the models run on Android 10 and 64-bit octa-core processor clocked at 3.0GHz. The Galaxy Tab S7 series is available with up to 8GB of RAM and up to 256GB of storage space. This is the latest Samsung foldable phone Samsung is going ahead with the tradition of an annual upgrade of the foldable phones. The latest is Galaxy Z Fold 2 which comes with a range of improvements and upgrades. One of the biggest improvements is the screen design. The longer notch has been replaced by a punch-hole cut-out on the front. Galaxy Watch 3 is the latest Apple Watch competitor Samsung's new smartwatch comes in 41mm and 45mm models. The smartwatch also comes with an ECG monitor, 5ATM and IP68 water and dust resistant certifications. READ: Samsung launches the Galaxy Watch 3 Samsung Note 20 goes official Samsung has officially launched the Galaxy Note 20 series. Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra comes with a 6.9-inch Dynamic AMOLED Quad HD+ display with a 120Hz refresh rate. Its also the first phone to feature Corning Gorilla Glass 7. Theres an in-display fingerprint sensor as well. The smartphone is powered by a 7nm 64-bit Octa-Core Processor. Check full specifications, features of the Galaxy Note 20 here. The Galaxy Note20 series and Tab S7 series will be available in select markets starting August 21, 2020. The event begins Samsung's first-ever virtual Galaxy Unpacked event has started. The company will launch its latest premium phones as well as a new foldable phone. Also, expect the company to launch two new wearables. All set? Samsung Brazil begins the live stream already The virtual Samsung Galaxy Unpacked event has already begun streaming in Brazil. If you cannot wait for the official announcements, here's the live stream link. Samsung trolls leaksters As you already know, Samsung's new devices have already been leaked multiple times. Samsung, however, still wants you to follow the event. After all, you have to hear it from the source. We're just sayin: there's nothing quite like hearing it from the source. So dont miss it: Unpacked, streaming soon at https://t.co/D6nxws2O4T #SamsungEvent Samsung Mobile (@SamsungMobile) August 5, 2020 Pre-launch round-up Samsung will showcase at least five new devices today. This will include Galaxy Note 20, Galaxy Note 20 Ultra, Galaxy Z Fold 2, Galaxy Buds Live, and Galaxy Watch 3. You can check out our detailed round-up here. Samsung Galaxy Buds Live is already listed! Samsung Galaxy Buds Live has already been listed on Staples' Canada website. It is priced at $249.99 ( 18,000 approximately). The listing also gives away the kidney-bean design for the new wireless earbuds. Samsung Galaxy Buds Live leaks (Staple) What Microsoft is up to at Samsung's event? Samsung's events do not have the one more thing moments but do have some surprises. Microsoft is said to be the surprise package at the Galaxy Unpacked event 2020. This time around, the two companies are partnering to bring the Project xCloud cloud-based gaming service to the Note series. Watch out Asus ROG Phone 3, Samsung is stepping up its game (pun intended). Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra to steal the show If reports are to be believed, Galaxy Note 20 Ultra is the phone to watch out for. The phone borrows the Ultra moniker from Samsung's Galaxy S20 series. It is expected to come with top-of-the-line specifications such as 108-megapixel camera, highest ever on a Note phone. ALSO READ: Heres why Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra could be the flagship to watch out for Its going to be an epic event, with extraordinary guests like @thegreatkhalid! Dont miss it: a whole new Galaxy Unpacked happens August 5, 2020. Visit https://t.co/D6nxwskptt to watch the #SamsungEvent pic.twitter.com/knxnoNHM6N Samsung Mobile (@SamsungMobile) August 4, 2020 How to watch Galaxy Unpacked 2020 Samsung is livestreaming the event on its official website as well as YouTube channel. On YT, you can also set a reminder. For real-time updates, you can follow Samsung Mobile's official Twitter and Facebook handles. Or, you can simply stay here to stay up to date. Murphy said the bill is not a repudiation of diplomacy as practiced by President Trump and his senior diplomat, and he allowed that he has not discussed it with Pompeo. Rather, he characterized the bill as a recognition that officials who do not work for the federal government can assist in diplomacy. The NSW north coast will reap the benefits of a captive Sydney holiday market after Queensland sealed its border for the second time in five months. The clampdown threatens to damage consumer and business confidence on both sides of the border, but economists said the move would hit the Queensland economy hardest because of that states reliance on interstate tourism. Byron Bay in northern NSW is one beneficiary of Queensland's hard border closure. Credit:Destination NSW Byron Bay is among the towns poised to cash in, with local tourism operators receiving an influx of bookings from Sydneysiders keen to escape the winter. Destination Byron president David Jones said the border closure provided a boon for Byron Bay and surrounding towns with "a barrage of demand" coming through recently. For the 2020-21 academic year, Autobell Car Wash presented 118 of its team members in the Carolinas, Virginia, Georgia and Maryland with scholarships toward the college or university of their choice, with the years gifts totaling $104,750. Since its inception in 2000, the Autobell Car Wash Scholarship Program has awarded over 1,700 qualifying applicants more than $1.7 million in scholarship funding. Open to current Autobell team members employed with the company for a continuous 12 months, the scholarship program considers each students academic diligence and accomplishments, productive extracurricular activities, civic engagement and letters from references familiar with the applicant through school and community involvement. The application also requires an essay that explores an educational or creative aspect of their employment experience. Almost $50 million will be put towards Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community-controlled services over the next four years aiming to help end entrenched disadvantage among Indigenous Australians. The federal government will partner with state and territories to help fund the organisations, which will be placed at the heart of new Closing the Gap efforts to redress inequality between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders and the broader community. Indigenous Australians Minister Ken Wyatt said the only way to Close the Gap was for Indigenous Australians to own, commit to, and drive improvements. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen A new national agreement was signed off last week to lift the proportion of Indigenous Australians completing secondary school to 96 per cent in the next decade under a historic community-led push to close the gap in disadvantage levels. It will also aim to reduce the number of young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders in detention by at least 30 per cent by 2031 and at least 15 per cent for adults. One Dead, 4 Others Injured in Los Angeles Mansion Party Shooting A mansion party on Los Angeless famed Mulholland Drive on Monday turned deadly when someone opened fire, killing a 35-year-old woman and injuring several others, police said Tuesday. At around 7 p.m. local time on Monday, LA news helicopters caught images of more than 100 people gathering at the rented mega mansionsome inside, poolside, and others on various balconies overlooking the back yard. The video, broadcast by CNN affiliate KCAL, appears to show many attendees not wearing masks or social distancing, despite a Los Angeles County order banning large gatherings in private homes due to the coronavirus pandemic. Neighbors complained about noise and parked cars obstructing the roadway outside the rental home, according to Los Angeles Police Department officials. That prompted police to make their first visit to the home Monday evening. For us that was the primary concern at the time, to make sure nobody gets killed on the streets, Los Angeles Police Department Lt. Chris Ramirez told CNN. He said police left the scene after several vehicles were cited and moved, and noise complaints were resolved. By 1:15 a.m., police officials said they returned after a report of shots fired. They found two women and one man on the driveway. One of those victims, the 35-year-old woman, died at the hospital. In the chaos that followed the shooting, many partygoers fled the home. Police said another woman took herself to the hospital and is stable, while another man was transported from the surrounding area and checked in and out of the hospital, according to Ramirez. The victims have not yet been identified, and a motive for the shooting is still unclear, Ramirez said. No arrests have been made. However, police officials are investigating a gambling match in the home, as well as various social media posts about the party. We are treating this as a gang-related homicide, he added. The gathering itself had garnered attention throughout the evening, as it took place amid a global pandemic that has led to more than 4.7 million cases nationwide. Health experts and officials have pointed to large gatherings as one of several causes for the spikes in cases. California Gov. Gavin Newsom rolled back the states reopening plans on July 13, amid surges in coronavirus. The California case count, which surpassed half a million over the weekend, stands at 521,019, according to Johns Hopkins University data. There have been 9,508 reported deaths in the state. In Los Angeles County, officials reported 193,788 cases as of Tuesday. The gathering drew a rebuke from state health officials. It sounds like a high risk experience for those who were there and frankly for the loved ones that they go home to, Dr. Mark Ghaly, Californias Health and Human Services secretary, said at a press conference on Tuesday. A spokesperson for Los Angeles County Public Health Department did not immediately respond to CNNs request for comment. Police said they were aware of the news footage showing what appeared to be a violation of Los Angeles Countys ban on large gatherings, but said that there wasnt much they could do. Its really hard to enforce something like that, especially when its a private party, Ramirez said. If its a public gathering it might be different Its like me going into your house and telling you what to do in your own property. According to KCAL-TV, the company that manages the short-term rental property said it was the first it had heard of the party. The company told the CNN affiliate that it had advised the renters that the party was a serious violation of the rental agreement. The-CNN-Wire & 2020 Cable News Network, Inc., a WarnerMedia Company. All rights reserved. A researcher works on a vaccine against the new coronavirus COVID-19 at the Copenhagen's University research lab in Copenhagen, Denmark, on March 23, 2020. THIBAULT SAVARY/AFP via Getty Images On Monday, Dr. Anthony Fauci said the acceleration of vaccine development isn't sacrificing safety, scientific integrity, or otherwise cutting corners. Rather, it's due to improved technologies and the US's proactive investment in making vaccines that may never be used. Vaccine hesitancy is on the rise, but research suggests vaccines are one of the safest modern medical interventions. Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories. As drugmakers around the US race to develop a coronavirus vaccine, even Americans who consider themselves pro-vaccine are wondering whether rushing a vaccine's development under the banner, no less, of "Operation Warp Speed" means it's more likely to be dangerous. On Monday, Dr. Anthony Fauci, the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, said advanced technologies and money are fueling the accelerated effort. Safety isn't being overlooked, he said. "We've been able to move extremely quickly without sacrificing any safety issues, without cutting corners, and certainly without compromising scientific integrity," he said during a livestream hosted by US News & World Report. He said he's optimistic a safe and effective vaccine will be available by the end of 2020. Cutting-edge technology and investment in vaccines that may never be used has accelerated the process, Fauci said Vaccine programs have been able to move so rapidly for two reasons. First, they're using cutting-edge vaccine technologies. For example, the biotech startup Moderna and NIH investigators used a new mRNA vaccine technology to turn the genetic code of the virus into an experimental vaccine that was given to the first volunteers in just over two months. "That is unprecedented," Fauci said during the webcast. If Moderna was using traditional vaccine technologies, the company would "still be working at it as we speak, and we most probably would not even have started to make the product," CEO Bancel told Business Insider's Andrew Dunn a couple days after shipping the vaccine to the NIH. Story continues Platforms like mRNA are promising yet unproven technologies. There are no federally approved mRNA vaccines, but, by using mRNA, companies like Moderna could develop experimental shots without ever needing a live sample of the virus. Second, the US is literally buying time by manufacturing vaccines that may never be used. "The government has invested hundreds of millions, if not billions, of dollars to make vaccine doses before you even know that the vaccine works," Fauci said. "That means that if the vaccine works, you've saved a bunch of months, rather than waiting until it works and then making the vaccine," Fauci said. "If the vaccine doesn't work, you lost a lot of money, but we feel this is serious enough that it's worth the financial risk." Vaccine hesitancy is on the rise, but a study found they're safer than 'almost any other modern medical intervention' Vaccine hesitancy has been on the rise in the US in recent years, and the pandemic has turned up even more skeptics. But an August study spanning 20 years and including 57 vaccines found "almost no significant side effects were identified," which lead author Dr. Daniel Shepshelovich told Business Insider was " remarkable." Medical devices and pharmaceuticals do not have that track record. Shepshelovich said his study underscores the competence of scientists responsible for making sure vaccines are safe and effective. He expects their handling of a future COVID vaccine will be no different. "I'm sure that regulators are well aware of the public focus on the upcoming vaccine and will balance the urgent need for marketing approval with the need to make sure the vaccine is safe," he said. FILE - In this April 22, 2020, file photo, Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, speaks about the new coronavirus in the James Brady Press Briefing Room of the White House, in Washington. A Senate hearing on reopening workplaces and schools safely is turning into a teaching moment on the fickle nature of the coronavirus outbreak. Senior health officials, including Fauci, scheduled to testify in person before the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions committee on Tuesday, May 12 will instead appear via video link. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, File) Associated Press On Monday, Fauci voiced similar sentiments, saying on a show hosted by the journal JAMA that regulatory and safety boards evaluate the vaccines as they're being developed to see if they're worthless, harmful, or effective. That group is independent of both the teams running the clinical trials and the companies manufacturing them, he said. So while vaccines are being developed much more rapidly than during outbreaks' past, they still take time. Fauci said he's hesitant to say one could be available as early as September, as some reports have suggested. "You've heard the Russians and the Chinese saying they're already vaccinating people. The question is, you've got to test the vaccine if you want to be sure that it's safe and effective," he said on the JAMA show. "And I think we owe it to the American public that when we give them a vaccine, we can say with a degree of confidence that this vaccine is safe and that it's effective." Business Insider's Andrew Dunn contributed to the reporting of this story. Read the original article on Business Insider On Tuesday, one of those officials Dr. Oxiris Barbot, the citys health commissioner since 2018 resigned in protest over the mayors decision-making. I leave my post today with deep disappointment that during the most critical public health crisis in our lifetime, that the Health Departments incomparable disease control expertise was not used to the degree it could have been, Dr. Barbot wrote in her resignation email. [Read more about the health commissioners resignation.] For months, some health officials have been clashing with the mayor over his response to the crisis. Heres what you need to know. The details Dr. Barbots resignation came at a critical moment for the citys Department of Health and Mental Hygiene: Public schools are set to partly reopen next month, and fears are growing that the fall could bring a second wave of the outbreak. 5 | India to get 100 million AstraZeneca's vaccine shots by December 2020, say Reports: With Covishield, the coronavirus vaccine candidate jointly developed by the University of Oxford and British firm AstraZeneca entering phase 3 trials, Serum Institute of India (SII) has started ramping up the production of the vaccine. The world's largest vaccine maker plans to have 100 million doses ready by December 2020 for an inoculation drive that could begin across India that same month, Bloomberg reported on November 13. Even as Russia said it would be starting with the vaccination process from October, the World Health Organisation (WHO) cautioned the country against rushing through the process. "There are established practices and there are guidelines out Any vaccine (or medicine) for this purpose should be, or course, going through all the various trials and tests before being licenced for roll-out," Christian Lindmeier, a spokesperson for WHO told news agency AFP. "Sometimes individual researchers claim they have found something, which is, of course, as such, great news. But between finding or having a clue of maybe having a vaccine that works, and having gone through all the stages, is a big difference," the spokesperson said. Zydus Cadila said its COVID-19 vaccine candidate was found to be safe and well-tolerated in an early-stage human trial. It will now start a mid-stage trial of the vaccine candidate, ZyCoV-D, in over 1,000 healthy adult volunteers from August 6 to test its effectiveness, it said in a regulatory filing. Zydus plans to complete late-stage trials for ZyCoV-D by February or March and could produce up to 100 million doses a year initially, the company's chairman said. COVID-19 Vaccine Frequently Asked Questions View more How does a vaccine work? A vaccine works by mimicking a natural infection. A vaccine not only induces immune response to protect people from any future COVID-19 infection, but also helps quickly build herd immunity to put an end to the pandemic. Herd immunity occurs when a sufficient percentage of a population becomes immune to a disease, making the spread of disease from person to person unlikely. The good news is that SARS-CoV-2 virus has been fairly stable, which increases the viability of a vaccine. How many types of vaccines are there? There are broadly four types of vaccine one, a vaccine based on the whole virus (this could be either inactivated, or an attenuated [weakened] virus vaccine); two, a non-replicating viral vector vaccine that uses a benign virus as vector that carries the antigen of SARS-CoV; three, nucleic-acid vaccines that have genetic material like DNA and RNA of antigens like spike protein given to a person, helping human cells decode genetic material and produce the vaccine; and four, protein subunit vaccine wherein the recombinant proteins of SARS-COV-2 along with an adjuvant (booster) is given as a vaccine. What does it take to develop a vaccine of this kind? Vaccine development is a long, complex process. Unlike drugs that are given to people with a diseased, vaccines are given to healthy people and also vulnerable sections such as children, pregnant women and the elderly. So rigorous tests are compulsory. History says that the fastest time it took to develop a vaccine is five years, but it usually takes double or sometimes triple that time. View more Show The United States government said it will pay Johnson & Johnson over $1 billion for 100 million doses of its potential coronavirus vaccine. The latest contract is priced at roughly $10 per vaccine dose produced by J&J, or $20 per dose, including a second $1 billion from the US government promised to J&J in March.Switzerland said it is close to signing a deal to secure access for a coronavirus vaccine being developed by US-based Moderna. It will soon sign a reservation and supply deal, Pascal Strupler, the Director of the Federal Office of Public Health, told the Swiss TV programme Club. "We are only a few hours away from completing a purchase contract. With this contract we will get it very quickly," Strupler said.Pharmaceutical giant Pfizer and German biotech firm BioNTech SE said they have signed a deal to supply Canada with an experimental coronavirus vaccine. Deliveries of the BNT162 mRNA-based vaccine candidate are planned over the course of 2021, subject to clinical success and Health Canada approval, the two companies said in a statement. By Tess Williams | Alaska Dispatch News, Anchorage ANCHORAGE, Alaska A 71-year-old man survived a brown bear mauling on a Kodiak trail Sunday, officials said. Donald Zimmerman called for help around 11:35 a.m. and said hed been mauled by a bear on Pillar Mountain, troopers wrote in an online statement. Zimmerman had been jogging along the trail when he was attacked from behind, said Nathan Svoboda, a wildlife biologist in Kodiak for the Alaska Department of Fish and Game. Zimmerman had seen the bear from the corner of his eye before the attack but didnt have time to use his bear spray, Svoboda said. The bear mauled Zimmerman and then returned, but Svoboda said Zimmerman was ready with the bear spray. He aimed it at the charging bear, sprayed it and that scared the bear off for good, Svoboda said. His bear spray quite possibly saved his life, Svoboda said. First responders found Zimmerman about a half-mile from the road on a trail, troopers said. Zimmerman was in stable condition following the attack, and troopers said he was brought to Providence Kodiak Island Medical Center for treatment. Wildlife troopers searched the area with officials from the Department of Fish and Game and saw several bears, although Svoboda said its impossible to determine which bear may have mauled Zimmerman. Its unclear what prompted the attack, but Svoboda said it may have been a defensive sow protecting cubs or Zimmerman may have surprised the bear. Zimmerman believed he may have seen another bear during the attack, Svoboda said. The area where Zimmerman was attacked was rich with berries that Svoboda said the bears may have been foraging for. During defensive brown bear attacks, Svoboda advised people to play dead. What brown bears are trying to do typically in these defensive attacks is neutralize a threat, Svoboda said. Whether they think youre threatening their cubs or threatening their food source or threatening them in some way or another, theyre trying to neutralize the threat. Thats why we tell people when youre attacked to play dead, because then the bear thinks that the threat is no longer there and the bear will move on. There havent been other maulings on Kodiak recently, Svoboda said. A man was fatally mauled last week near Hope by what officials believe was a brown bear. The World Health Organization says it is airlifting medical supplies to to cover up to 1,000 trauma interventions and up to 1,000 surgical interventions following the explosion in Beirut. spokesman Tarik Jasarevic said supplies airlifted from a humanitarian hub in Dubai in the United Arab Emirates would be used to treat burns and wounds caused by broken glass and other debris from the explosion. The airlift follows a request from the Lebanese health minister, and the supplies were expected to arrive in later Wednesday. Jasarevic said in an email that the will stand ready to also provide other urgent support. Meanwhile, Russian emergency officials said the first plane with medical workers and equipment for a make-shift hospital had left the country and was en route to Beirut. Four more flights were due to follow in the next 24 hours with more rescuers and medical workers, as well as equipment for a coronavirus testing lab and protective gear. Some 150 Russian personnel will be deployed to to help deal with consequences of the explosion that devastated Beirut. Norway is offering 25 million kroner ($2.74 million) and 40 tons of medical equipment to Lebanon after the huge explosion in the harbor of the Lebanese capital. The situation is pretty confusing right now. In the coming days we will know more about what is needed in the long-term, Norwegian Foreign Minister Ine Eriksen Soereide told reporters on Wednesday. She said the Norwegian embassy in Beirut suffered damage in the explosion but all staff members were safe. She said there is no indication of Norwegian citizens being injured in Tuesday's blast, which killed at least 100 people. Turkey is sending search and rescue teams along with emergency medical personnel to aid Lebanon in the aftermath of a devastating explosion. Foreign Ministry spokesman Hami Aksoy said Wednesday that Turkey also is preparing a field hospital, humanitarian aid, medical equipment and medicine for use in Beirut. We will continue giving Lebanon all support with the hope that these difficult days will be overcome as soon as possible through solidarity and cooperation, the spokesman said. A government minister says the Netherlands is sending a search and rescue team made up of police, firefighters, trauma doctors and nurses to help find survivors and victims of the huge blast in Beirut. Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation Minister Sigrid Kaag told Dutch public broadcaster NPO Radio 1 the 67-strong team is leaving Wednesday evening and will start work immediately. Kaag said one or two people were seriously wounded at the Netherlands' Embassy and suffered minor injuries as the diplomatic office suffered damage from the devastating explosion. Kaag previously served as a United Nations under-secretary general in Lebanon and says she has friends there are injured or have lost a home. Gulf Arab states have offered various forms of support for Lebanon, though any sustained financial assistance is complicated by the Iranian-backed Hezbollah group's presence in government and on the ground. Saudi-funded medical teams were dispatched from north Lebanon to Beirut to care for and to help transport the wounded on Tuesday, while a specialized team from a Saudi-funded medical center provided emergency health care services in the Lebanese capital, according to the state-run Saudi Press Agency. Kuwait and Qatar dispatched airplanes full of medical cargo. Qatari officials told The Associated Press that cargo from Doha included two large air-conditioned tents, kits for 1,000 beds, generators and diesel tanks, 50 ventilators, emergency medical supplies like first aid kits, gauze and needles, and medicine. A search and rescue team was also being sent to support. Meanwhile, urgent medical and humanitarian supplies were being sent from the Humanitarian City in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Turkish authorities say six Turkish citizens are among thousands of people injured in the massive explosion in Beirut that killed at least 100 people. Turkey's Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu tweeted that one Turkish national was in surgery and the were lightly injured. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan spoke on the phone with Lebanese President Michel Auon late Tuesday and tweeted his condolences. Erdogan's communications director, Fahrettin Altun, tweeted: All our government agencies are ready to help the Lebanese people. There were no immediate details. Separately, Greek diplomatic officials say one Greek woman appears to be among the dead and two other Greek women are injured. Authorities say Greece has sent a search and rescue team to Beirut and will send more aid if needed. Cyprus' foreign minister says two police helicopters are on their way to the Lebanese capital with 10 emergency response personnel and eight sniffer dogs to help locate survivors in the rubble of buildings destroyed in Tuesday's massive blast. Cyprus is approximately 120 miles (180 kilometers) away from Beirut, but the explosion was heard and felt by many on the east Mediterranean island nation. Minister Nikos Christodoulides told The Associated Press that Cyprus will also dispatch additional rescue crews, paramedics, non-perishable food items, aluminum and glass that Lebanese authorities have requested. Cyprus will also send chartered flights to Lebanon to repatriate Cypriot citizens wishing to return home. (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 Hacienda bar in this French seaside resort was heaving with Saturday night revellers: a crowd of people, beer glasses and smartphones in hand, moving to the sounds of pop and hip-hop music as red and blue strobe lights flashed. The scenes in the bar in northwest France in mid-July were captured in mobile phone footage. Reuters could not independently verify the video, but health officials said the dancing that evening breached hygiene rules and one person present described it as too full. One of the people there was a 19-year-old student working a summer job on the bakery counter in a supermarket. He had a headache and left early. Three days later, on July 21, the student was diagnosed with COVID-19. Over the following days, dozens of his friends, many of them regulars at the Hacienda, tested positive. Public health officials said that as of Wednesday they had traced 72 positive cases back to the student and his circle of friends. Public health authorities closed the bar, shut the nearby beach from 9:00 p.m. nightly, set up a campaign of mass testing and appealed to young people to rein in their socialising. They want to party, said Patrice Faure, the prefect of the region who ordered the Hacienda shut for two months when contact tracers connected the COVID-19 cases to the bar. The outbreak at the Hacienda is an example a phenomenon that is being repeated across Europe. After COVID-19 infection rates were driven down by months of strict lockdown, hotspots of infection are starting to emerge. Healthcare workers collect samples in a walk-through test site to detect possible coronavirus infections after the emergence of a cluster of cases due to the illegal opening of the Hacienda Cafe nightclub in Quiberon, France, July 29, 2020. (REUTERS) PARTIES AMID PANDEMIC Several of the clusters - from Barcelona to northern France and Germany - were in vacation spots favoured by young people letting their hair down for the summer. Battling a resurgence in new coronavirus cases, Spains regions have imposed a patchwork of restrictions on nightlife, ranging from socially-distanced dance floors to curfews and attendance limits. Hard-hit Catalonia, home to the famed nightspots of Barcelona, last week closed nightclubs, told bars in dozens of municipalities to shut at midnight and introduced fines of up to 15,000 euros for youngsters participating in outdoor botellon parties. Although the number of outbreaks linked to discos is relatively low, Spanish authorities want to clamp down on parties as the number of cases linked to each outbreak is high. Health ministry data on Thursday showed 30 active clusters linked to nightlife accounted for 1,100 cases, while family gatherings were responsible for 90 clusters but just 770 infections. In Germany, cities and police are trying to battle open-air parties in public parks and squares as dancing in night clubs and big public gatherings remain illegal in most places. The city-state of Hamburg has banned the sale of alcohol in stores and kiosks after 8 p.m. to cut down on dense crowds of revellers in the streets. In Frankfurt, Germanys financial capital, 39 people were arrested after late-night clashes with police earlier this month, and in Berlin police broke up an illegal rave involving around 3,000 people in a public park last weekend. The phenomenon has given rise to fears of a second wave of the disease sweeping Europe, hurting an already fragile economic recovery. QUARANTINE In the week before he took ill, the 19-year-old at the centre of the outbreak in Quiberon had been at the Hacienda every night. Earlier in the week, it was not busy, but by Saturday it was packed. There were a few too many people, said the student, who asked not to be identified because he feared being stigmatised for his role in the outbreak. Earlier on Saturday, he had a headache, which he attributed to a migraine. He took some paracetamol, and went to the bar, but said he left before midnight. By Monday, still feeling unwell, he went to his doctor, who referred him to a hospital. He was tested for COVID, and received a positive result on Tuesday morning. Public health officials quarantined him in an apartment. General view of a walk-through test site set up by health authorities to detect possible coronavirus infections after the emergence of a cluster of cases due to the illegal opening of the Hacienda Cafe nightclub in Quiberon, France, July 29, 2020. (REUTERS) The student told Reuters that he had tried to abide by health guidelines by socialising with the same group of people throughout his stay in Quiberon. Faure, the prefect, said the Hacienda was illegally running a discotheque, banned under COVID restrictions. Eric Adami, the bars manager, said he thought he was doing nothing wrong, and that other bars in Quiberon were operating the same way, yet were not punished. We got caught, he said in a brief telephone interview. My morale is at zero. YOUTH CULTURE In France, the daily number of new confirmed COVID-19 cases is running at its highest level since May, though still well short of the peak of the virus. The biggest rise in new cases is among people in the 15-44 age range. Six weeks ago, 4 people per 100,000 in this category were infected; now it is double that. The number of people seriously ill or dying continues to fall. Young people are less likely to have serious symptoms. People relax on the beach after the emergence of a cluster of coronavirus cases due to the illegal opening of the Hacienda Cafe nightclub in Quiberon, France, July 29, 2020. (REUTERS) Still, young people - if they dont follow social distancing advice - could get infected and contaminate older, more vulnerable relatives, public health officials say. One of the challenges we face is convincing younger people of this risk, WHO Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told a news briefing in Geneva this week. We have said it before and well say it again: young people are not invincible. Young people can be infected; young people can die; and young people can transmit the virus to others. The man at the centre of the Hacienda cluster was released from quarantine earlier this week. On Tuesday evening he was at the caravan where he stays through the summer, dressed in a mask, shorts and a T-shirt. He was gathering belongings before heading to stay with his parents, in a city 150 km away, for a week. He said he wanted to get away from Quiberon where, he said, he and his friends were being blamed unfairly for the outbreak even though they broke no law. Recalling the Saturday night when he went to the Hacienda with symptoms of what later turned out to be COVID-19, he said: I didnt want to do harm, I just wanted to live a bit. (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 At the first-ever virtual Galaxy Unpacked event, live-streamed from Korea, Samsung announced the next-gen Galaxy Watch3 and the Galaxy Buds Live along with the Galaxy Note20 Series, Galaxy Tab S7 and S7+, and Galaxy Z Fold 2. The next-gen Galaxy Watch3 smartwatch is claimed to be a companion for managing your routines, smashing fitness goals, and taking ownership over health. It has been built using premium materials and continues to have the popular rotating bezel. Focusing on health, the watch can measure and track oxygen saturation over time for fitness and wellness purposes. The new Samsung Health Monitor app on Galaxy Watch3 offers cuff-less blood pressure and electrocardiogram measurements (in markets where the feature has been authorised). In case of an accident, fall detection feature will send your location immediately to pre-designated contacts. Running Analysis will help you run better, improve form and prevent injuries, while VO2 max follows your cardio progress to provide insight into oxygen consumption. For staying fit at home, Samsung Health also provides more than 120 different home training programs. The Samsung Galaxy Watch3 will be available in stainless steel and titanium variants, in 45mm and 41mm size. The 41mm variant will be priced starting $399 and the 45mm starts at $429. The Galaxy Buds Live are said to be ergonomic, to offer a comfortable fit. It combines AKG's sound expertise with a bigger, 12mm speaker compared to Galaxy Buds+, along with a bass duct, for the deep and rich sound experience. The Galaxy Buds Live come with three microphones and Voice Pickup Unit and also features Active Noise Cancellation. For more convenient navigation, Galaxy Buds Live feature an intuitive touch-based PUI (physical user interface) for touch control, as well as Bixby voice wake-up, which allows you to navigate music, open apps, and send messages hands-free and eyes-free. A fully charged earbuds can support up to 6 hours of playback, and the charging case allows an additional 15 hours over multiple charges. The Galaxy Buds Live have been priced at $169. "Never before have we relied on technology like we are today. It's how we are staying connected as we navigate the extraordinary challenges faced around the world. Technology must make life easier, not more complex. That's why we have introduced five new power devices. Alone, these devices are powerful tools to help you maximise work and play. Together, as part of the Galaxy ecosystem, they work together seamlessly so you can spend your time focused on what matters most," said Dr TM Roh, President and Head of Mobile Communications Business, Samsung Electronics. Motivation, atmosphere and characterization tend to be perfunctory in most honkaku mysteries and thats part of their appeal. But The Tokyo Zodiac Murders is much more involving. In 1936 an artist, obsessed with astrology, apparently plans to slaughter six family members his own daughters, stepdaughters and nieces and use their body parts to create the ultimate woman, Azoth. Before he can execute his inhuman design, he is found inside his locked studio with his skull bashed in. His murder seems impossible, yet mainly serves as the teaser for a greater mystery: A week after the painters death, the six young women and one other disappear. Eventually, their remains are discovered in astrologically significant locations. Each body, no surprise, is missing a piece. It would appear that someone else is creating Azoth. A 12-year-old girl is battling for her life at the All India Institute of Medical Science (AIIMS) after she was allegedly sexually assaulted inside her home before being stabbed multiple times with a pair of scissors on Tuesday, the police said. Police are yet to identify or nab the alleged perpetrator(s). A case of attempt to murder and sexual assault under Section 307 of the Indian Penal Code and Section 8 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act has been registered at the Paschim Vihar West police station, a Delhi Police spokesperson said. Police said the girls parents and sister work at a nearby garment factory. They had gone to work and the girl was alone in the single-room house when the crime took place. The building where the family lives has many rooms which have been rented out to other people, mostly factory workers. Police are questioning her neighbours. Investigators are questioning people living in the building and the neighbourhood as well. Since the crime took place in a room, the role of someone she knew has not been ruled out. The CCTV cameras installed in the neighbourhood are also being scanned for clues, the spokesperson said. Joint commissioner of police (western range) Shalini Singh said the crime was reported to police control room around 5.30pm Tuesday by a neighbour who spotted the injured teenager coming out of her home. An investigating officer, who did not want to be named, said a police team was dispatched and the personnel rushed the critically injured girl to a nearby government hospital. But on ascertaining her serious condition, doctors there referred her to AIIMS. The police officer said according to neighbours,they had found the girl, drenched in blood, walking out of the single room accommodation. They said the child fell unconscious before she could tell them anything. There was a deep stab wound to her head apart from other injuries to her abdomen and other parts of the body, the officer said. When the police team went inside, they found blood splattered all over the room and a bloodstained pair of scissors on the floor. A sewing machine in the room suggested that the alleged perpetrator(s) used the pair of scissors kept there to attack her. Prime facie, it appears that the suspect used the pair of scissors to try and kill the girl. The exact sequence of events can be ascertained only when we record the girls statement or after we nab and question the suspect(s), the officer said. On Wednesday, Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) took suo motu cognizance of the crime and issued a notice to the station house officer (SHO) of Paschim VIhar police station, demanding by August 8 a copy of the first information report (FIR), detailed action taken report and other information related to the case. Reportedly, the girl was brutally raped and the culprit(s) tried to kill her. Presently, she is fighting for her life in AIIMS, Delhi. It is reported that she was attacked with blunt objects and has injuries all over her body. This is a very serious matter, the notice, signed by DCW chief Swati Maliwal, read. The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Campaign Council on Edo State governorship election, has said the upcoming election in the state will be decided by the integrity, reliability and truthfulness of the contestants. The Chairman of the council, Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State, stated on Tuesday that Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State epitomised such virtues. In a statement issued in Abuja by Kola Ologbondiyan, the PDP National Publicity Secretary and Secretary, Publicity Sub-Committee of the council, Mr Wike expressed optimism that Mr Obaseki would be re-elected. He stated that the Edo electorate could not be swayed to the contrary by deceptions, lies and antics, adding that the people of the state were with Mr Obaseki. He attributed Mr Obasekis large following to his proven integrity and performance in office. Mr Wike said the people would use the election to tell selfish politicians in Edo that they know what is best for their state. He recalled how the former National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Adams Oshiomhole, stated that Mr Obaseki was the brain behind his achievements when he was governor. Funny enough, the former national Chairman of the APC confessed that this is one man who used his contact, connections and brain to make sure that he achieved what he achieved as governor of Edo. He even went further to say that he would prefer that they named the Edo State Government House as Godwin Obasekis House. He said so. He wondered how Mr Oshiomhole would market the APC candidate, Osagie Ize Iyamu, whom he had earlier despised, pointing out that Edo people could not be fooled. The Rivers governor said time had come to end politics of lies, false claims and propaganda to deceive the electorate. (NAN) The COVID-19 virus is resurgent across Spain and Europe. On Sunday the Ministry of Health confirmed 1,525 new COVID-19 cases had been detected in Spain in the last 24 hours. This was 300 more than Saturdays record-breaking total, the first time daily new cases topped the 1,000 mark since early May, when Spaniards were confined to their homes and even daily walks and exercise were still not allowed. There are now officially over 500 outbreaks of the virus, though the real number is likely larger. New infections are concentrated in three areas: Aragon, Catalonia and Madrid. However, the incidence of the virus this week has risen in almost all of Spains 17 regions. Hundreds of thousands of people in various towns and regions have been recommended to remain at home. In this resurgence, the average age of the infected are younger than in the spring. It has fallen from 60 in March-April, to 45 for men and 41 for women. Data from the last three weeks show that figure is even lower: 36 and 38, respectively. The political establishment and the media have blamed the youth for this rise, blaming parties and other social gatherings or nightlife that undermine social distancing for the recent surge. Maria Jesus Montero, the Socialist Party (PSOE)-Podemos governments spokeswoman, sent a message last week to people who are younger, because some of the outbreaks are linked to the behaviour in nightlife venues or places where a large number of people gather. However, the main reason for the spread is not risky partying, but the criminal policies of the PSOE-Podemos government. In May and June, Spain was able to contain the virus due to a strict lockdown imposed to gain control over one of Europes worst outbreaks, after mass anger erupted at the slow response and a strike wave in major industries erupted in Italy and throughout Europe. Spain halted all nonessential activity for two weeks and gradually started deescalating. Instead of using this time to rapidly invest in tracers and mass testing, however, the government started lifting measures only in order to open the economy. The aim was to save the tourism season, which represents 12 percent of Spains GDP, so the extraction of profits from the working class could continue unabated. While the rise in infected youth highlights the need for more testing and contact tracing, especially as many seem to be asymptomatic, the government ignored the issue. According to data collected by daily El Pais from the regional authorities, only 3,500 contact tracers have been hired, though international health authorities recommended Spain hire at least 8,000 to control the COVID-19 pandemic. Amid this resurgence, the Spanish political establishment is promoting a campaign to reopen schools across Spain in Septemberas are Britain, France, Germany and other countries across Europe. Most have been closed since mid-March. This threatens to further escalate the soaring levels of COVID-19 infections. The return to school is a criminal policy exposing children, teachers, families and neighbourhoods open to serious illness and death. It has nothing to do with concern for children. Teachers and children are being sent into unsafe environments that will become breeding grounds for COVID-19. It is the other side of the coin of the back-to-work policy of the ruling class. The back-to-school entails sending children to be kept in confined spaces so millions of parents can be sent to work in nonessential industries. A hasty reopening of schools has been singled out as a key factor behind the catastrophic resurgence in South Africa and Israel. Israel had 6,800 students of various ages and teachers in quarantine in early July, just two weeks after the centres reopened. South Africa has closed its schools for four weeks to limit the spread, but will once again reopen. In Spain, testament to the criminality of this policy is the fact that they have yet to plan the reopening of schools. Last Wednesday, Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez announced in parliament that he would call a conference with all the regional premiers at the end of August to finalise the back to school. He said, We have to meet at the end of August to prepare or finalize, rather, the return to school of our sons and our daughters, I think that is also very important. Education Minister Isabel Celaa put the whole responsibility on the regions, stating that they must provide the measures and establish a provision of the spaces that allow the distances to be observed. At this stage, the only guidance the government has given for the reopening of schools this September was posted in June. The guidance even goes against the general COVID-19 precautions. Social distancing requirements have been reduced from 2 metres to 1.5 metres, while those aged 10 and younger will not be required to social distance or wear a mask in school. Older children will only need to wear masks when the 1.5-meter distance cannot be maintained. Recommended class capacity has been set at 15, but could be a maximum as 20. However, due to the EU-backed austerity policies implemented by successive right-wing and Socialist Party-led governments, average class sizes are 25 in primary and 35 in secondary education in Spain. Educators are also expected to use available areas throughout the school area to ensure the latest safety guidelines can be met, including cafeterias and gyms. Classes will supposedly be aired out after each use and windows in classrooms will need to remain open as long as possible throughout the day, even amid cold weather. Directors of each school will also nominate one staff person responsible to establish a health protocol for each centre. How teaching staff without medical qualifications will be able to differentiate COVID symptoms from others like the flu is also unclear. The recklessness reopening of schools is provoking growing opposition amongst parents, educators and working people. Raimundo de los Reyes, director of a Murcian institute and president of Fedadi, the largest association of directors of secondary schools in Spain, told eldiario.es: They tell us that there should be no meetings of more than 15 people, but they plan a return to class with 35 students in 50 square metres. In Galicia, protests have been taking place since last Wednesday, when hundreds of teachers surrounded the regional Education Ministry in a human chain. In Andalusia, 150 centres have sent a letter to the Ministry of Education rejecting instructions that they write a protocol explaining that they cannot open their doors under current conditions and with the current means. In Castilla y Leon, the Leon Teaching Personnel Board and the parents federation issued a statement criticising Ministry of Education officials for washing their hands of the pandemic and turning over responsibilities to the schools. Teachers must be warned, moreover, that the unions do not oppose reopening the schools. They aim to isolate teachers region by region and channel their opposition into empty protests. Just as the unions were the chief enforcers of the reckless back-to-work policy implemented by the PSOE-Podemos government that provoked the resurgence of the virus, now they are also key implementers of the back-to-school policy. Education workers and parents must act independently by forming action committees to ensure the safety and well-being of children, staff, families and communities. Rank-and-file action committees must do everything possible to ensure the maximum safety and well-being of children. The International Committee of the Fourth International and its affiliated Socialist Equality parties throughout Europe propose the following demands as a basis for waging such a fight: Schools must remain closed for all pupils to prevent the spread of COVID-19 until scientific advice establishes that it is safe to reopen. Any teacher refusing to work for health reasons, related to themselves or their family, must be provided a full wage and protected from victimisation. Adequate personal protective equipment must be provided, regular deep cleaning carried out and all activities risk-assessed to protect staff and children from cross infection, and maintain social distancing. Staff must be involved in the drawing up of these measures through elected representatives. All cases of COVID-19 must be immediately reported to staff and families and affected schools closed until testing and contact tracing establishes that it is safe to reopen. Vulnerable staff must have the right not to return to work without any loss of pay or disciplinary action. Casual staff who could not to work and did not receive income during the lockdown must receive full back pay. They must be defended against schools demands that they cover for teachers who refuse to work in unsafe conditions. Free, high-quality computer and internet access must be guaranteed to every family, to ensure that accessibility to online learning is not dependent on wealth. A massive increase in government funding must be advanced to overcome the gutting of educational services. PHOENIX A woman has been arrested in connection with the fatal shooting of her husband, Phoenix police said Tuesday. They said 33-year-old Samone Lomax has been booked into a Maricopa County jail on suspicion of murder. It was unclear Tuesday if Lomax has a lawyer yet who can speak on her behalf. Police said a 37-year-old man called 911 around 4 p.m. Monday to report that his wife allegedly had shot him. Officers responded to the scene and found the man with a gunshot wound at the couples west Phoenix home. He was taken to the hospital where he later died. A possible motive for the shooting was unclear and the mans name wasnt immediately released. Police said there were three small children inside the home at the time of the shooting, but they werent injured. Former Vice President Joe Biden suggested that he would name his running mate about Aug. 1. (Cliff Owen / Associated Press) Former Vice President Joe Biden is taking some heat for postponing the announcement of his choice of a running mate, a decision he once suggested would be made at the beginning of this month but now could be more than a week away. The impatience among his fellow Democrats isn't all that surprising. Although vice presidential nominees typically haven't swayed many voters, Bidens pick is more eagerly anticipated than usual for several reasons: his age (he would be 78 on Inauguration Day), his promise to choose a female running mate and the speculation that he will choose a woman of color. Biden added to the buildup by suggesting that he would make his choice well in advance of the Democratic convention. By prolonging the selection process now, he invites accusations that he's indecisive or has no good options. Meanwhile, the delay has allowed attacks on the various candidates to multiply. But seriously, people get a grip. As with many inside-the-Beltway dramas, this one was ginned up largely by media and political insiders looking to promote their favored veepstakes candidate. At the end of the day, all that matters is whether the person Biden chooses is qualified to be on the ticket, and every name floated thus far is more qualified to work in the White House than the current occupant of the Oval Office. Its especially unseemly that in some eyes women of color are being pitted against one another. Referring to narratives portraying a contest between Rep. Karen Bass (D-Los Angeles) and Sen. Kamala Harris (D-Calif.), Rep. James E. Clyburn (D-S.C.) complained: Nobody is trying to pit Sen. Elizabeth Warren against [Michigan Gov. Gretchen] Whitmer," two white candidates. Besides, Biden isn't dragging the process out in comparison to other recent presidential candidates. In 2016, both Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton waited until a few days before their respective party conventions to announce their running mates. In 2008, Barack Obama introduced Biden as his choice on Aug 23, two days before the first day of business at the Democratic convention. Bidens choice whenever its announced will bring an end to intra-party intrigue and induce some therapeutic amnesia about past divisions. Is it possible that Republicans will recycle criticisms of the eventual nominee that surfaced within the Democratic Party as Biden was making up his mind? Of course. But the Trump campaign has doubtlessly done plenty of opposition research on its own. Biden supporters worried about the delayed announcement should calm down. The vice presidential choice matters and merits scrutiny, but that part of the race will be a sideshow in 2020, just as it has been in previous years. Whoever Biden picks, the attention of Democrats and of principled Republicans and independents will quickly focus on the imperative of ending the misrule of the incumbent. This page requires Javascript. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings. The race for Cowlitz County District 1 commissioner was nearly a three-way tie Tuesday, with incumbent Arne Mortensen clinging to second place and fighting for his political life. In the District 2 commissioner race, incumbent Republican Dennis Weber won easily and will face the No. 2 finisher, Kurt Anagnostou, in the November general election. The District 1 race remained too close to call Tuesday evening and will be decided by ballot counting later this week. Democratic challenger Rosemary Siipola of Kalama led Mortensen, also of Kalama, by 45 votes, 2,514 to 2,469. Woodland Mayor Will Finn captured 2,383 votes, 86 behind Mortensen. With a 131 vote lead over third-place Finn, Siipola seemed to have an inside track to at least winning a slot in the November election. Our goal was to finish in the top two, so were very pleased so far, Siipola said Tuesday. I think it was our message that Cowlitz County is just a wonderful place to live and were working together to make it as good as it can be. Finn and Mortensen are Republicans, and their vote tally nearly doubled Siipolas numbers. However, only voters in District 1 cast primary ballots. The general election will be countywide. Siipola captured 34.1% of the vote. Mortensen got 33.5% and Finn tallied about 32.3%. Mortensen is seeking his second four-year term representing District 1, which covers Kelso and the south county. Hes often a controversial figure on the three-person board for his focus on individual rights and small-government ideology. He said Tuesday he has no expectations about the race because elections are hard to predict. He had no comment about Tuesday nights results. Finn, however, said he anticipated a really close race. All three of us come from a place of wanting to do good for the community and the people we serve. How we get there is different, he said Tuesday. Finn, 42, said hes running to fix what he considers the countys lack of cooperation with the cities and other entities. He said his experience as mayor and job as a public information officer for the Washington State Patrol make him a facilitator of conversations. Former Kalama Councilwoman Siipola said she is running because the county can do better to move its economy forward. Many Kalama voters criticized Siipola for pushing her own agenda and not listening to citizens during the process of locating and funding the citys new police station. Although it was widely considered the cause of her lost re-election bid to the Kalama City Council last year, Siipola stands by her decision. In the District 2 race, Weber took 41.6% of the vote and Anagnostou tallied 35.4%. Weber captured 2,919 votes, a 438-vote lead over Anagnostou. Jack Hansen got 1,554 votes, or 22.2%, and wont move on to Novembers election. Weber, a Republican, is seeking his third four-year term representing the district, which covers Longview and the immediate rural area around the city. Weber, 68, served on the Longview City Council for more than 20 years and has campaigned on his experience as a tool to get things done. I feel grateful people of the 2nd District want to give me another chance to serve another four years, he said Tuesday. Anagnostou, 61, ran as an independent. He said was disappointed in some of the commissioners recent decisions about how to address homelessness and the COVID-19 pandemic, and he wants to make a change in the direction of the board. Hansen, a Republican, said he had an advantage as a political newcomer and would help bring a needed culture change to the board. Neither Anagnostou nor Hansen were available for comment Tuesday or Wednesday. Note: This story has been updated with Wednesday's election results. Love 3 Funny 5 Wow 0 Sad 1 Angry 0 Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. With Laredo schools starting to lay their plans for the start of the fall semester, local parents are beginning to wonder if they should send their children back to schools amid the novel coronavirus pandemic. Researchers at The University of Texas at Austin, some who may be pondering the same question, have released a study which directly predicts how many cases of COVID-19 can be seen at schools in Webb County and the rest of Texas. The study makes use of the rate of prevalence of the virus and weighs exactly how much risk the virus has of being introduced to local schools. Watertown, NY (13601) Today Partly cloudy skies this evening will give way to occasional snow showers overnight. Low -3F. SSE winds at 5 to 10 mph, increasing to 15 to 25 mph. Chance of snow 50%. Higher wind gusts possible.. Tonight Partly cloudy skies this evening will give way to occasional snow showers overnight. Low -3F. SSE winds at 5 to 10 mph, increasing to 15 to 25 mph. Chance of snow 50%. Higher wind gusts possible. Graham Ivan Clark (pictured), 17, who was accused of masterminding a global Twitter hack that hijacked the accounts of 45 high-profile people, has been linked to a deadly home invasion in Florida A Florida teen who was accused of masterminding a global Twitter hack that hijacked the accounts of 45 high-profile individuals, including Barack Obama and Elon Musk, has been linked to a deadly home invasion where a teenager was shot dead and another was critically injured. Graham Ivan Clark, 17, was arrested Friday in Tampa over the scheme that gained control of the accounts of prominent politicians, celebrities and technology moguls on July 15. Records obtained by the Tampa Bay Times, show that investigators also believe Clark was one of four teens involved in a home invasion that occurred in January. According to the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office, two of the teens broke into an apartment in the Citrus Park area on January 4. One of the teens was armed at the time of the invasion. A man who lived at the apartment shot both of the teens, killing one, who was identified as 17-year-old Carlos Alejandro Lopez Cancela. The other teenager was critically injured by the gunshot wound. Authorities at the time said two other teenagers were stopped by deputies were likely involved in the home invasion. According to the Times, Clark's mother told a deputy in June 'that ever since her son was involved in a homicide at the beginning of the year, he has been harassed by several individuals'. But deputies said Clark 'did not actively participate in the shooting'. One of the teens was armed at the time of the invasion. A man who lived at the apartment shot both of the teens, killing one, who was identified as 17-year-old Carlos Alejandro Lopez (left and right, on New Year's Day 2020) According to the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office, two of the teens broke into an apartment (complex pictured) in the Citrus Park area on January 4 On Tuesday, Clark pleaded not guilty to 'masterminding' the Twitter hack. He entered the not guilty plea to multiple counts of fraud in a court hearing in Tampa that took place via Zoom. During the hack, messages were posted from accounts belonging to Bill Gates and other prominent figures, telling followers to send Bitcoin payments to email addresses. The incident swindled more than $180,000 out of unsuspecting victims in the process as well as downloading the details of eight unverified accounts. The scheme also saw the hackers allegedly make thousands by selling stolen usernames. Nima Fazeli, 22, of Orlando, Florida, and Mason Sheppard, 19, of Bognor Regis, UK, were also charged for their alleged roles in the hack in California federal court last week. Clark faces 30 felony charges including 17 counts of communications fraud, 11 counts of fraudulent use of personal information, and one count each of organized fraud of more than $5,000 and accessing computers or electronic devices without authority. He remains behind bars in Hillsborough County Jail where his bail has been set at $725,000, according to court records. Hillsborough State Attorney Andrew Warren branded Clark the leader of the hacking scam Friday and said the teen will be prosecuted as an adult, as Florida law allows minors to be charged as adults in financial fraud cases when appropriate. Mason Sheppard, 19, of Bognor Regis, UK, (pictured) and Nima Fazeli, 22, of Orlando, Florida, were also charged in relation to the hack in California federal court last week The scheme commandeered Twitter accounts of prominent politicians, celebrities and technology moguls and scammed people around the globe out of more than $180,000 in Bitcoin 'This defendant lives here in Tampa, he committed the crime here, and he'll be prosecuted here,' Warren said Friday of the decision for the state to prosecute him despite the case being investigated by the FBI and the US Department of Justice. 'He gained access to Twitter accounts and to the internal controls of Twitter through compromising a Twitter employee. He sold access to those accounts,' said Warren. 'He then used the identities of prominent people to solicit money in the form of bitcoin, promising in return that he would send back twice as much bitcoin.' Court papers in the California cases say the two other suspects Fazeli and Sheppard brokered the sale of the Twitter accounts stolen by a hacker who identified himself online as 'Kirk.' 'Kirk' claimed to be a Twitter employee and said he could 'reset, swap and control any Twitter account at will' in exchange for cybercurrency payments, according to the papers. The documents do not specify Kirk's real identity but say he is a teen being prosecuted in the Tampa area. Twitter has said the hacker gained access to a company dashboard that manages user accounts by using social engineering and spear-phishing smartphones to obtain credentials from 'a small number' of Twitter employees 'to gain access to our internal systems'. Spear-phishing uses email or other messaging to deceive people into sharing access credentials. The hack is said to have begun with a message on Discord, a chat platform used by gamers, from user Kirk#5270, who wrote: 'I work for Twitter. I can claim any name, let me know if youre trying to work.' Another user, who went by the names of Ever so anxious#0001 and Chaewon, then lined up buyers for Twitter handles including an offer of $5,000 for the handle @xx. Chat logs obtained by investigators show 'Kirk' and 'Rolex' discussing the plan A third, Rolex#0373, then joined in, offering sought-after account names for $2,500 upwards. Fazeli is thought to be Rolex, Sheppard is Chaewon. A total of 130 accounts were targeted in what marked one of the most high-profile security breaches in recent years. Bogus tweets were sent from the accounts of Obama, Joe Biden, Mike Bloomberg and a number of tech billionaires including Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos, Microsoft co-founder Gates and Tesla CEO Musk. Celebrities Kanye West and his wife, Kim Kardashian West, were also hacked. The tweets offered to send $2,000 for every $1,000 sent to an anonymous Bitcoin address. The fraudulent posts managed to draw in more than $180,000 worth of Bitcoin before Twitter shut it down by deleting the posts and shutting off access for broad swaths of users. Twitter confirmed that 130 accounts were breached, including 45 where passwords and logins were reset and tweets sent. Personal data was also downloaded from eight unverified accounts. The net closed in on the alleged culprits when a rival group of hackers shared a database full of their usernames and private messages, leading the FBI to the three men, according to Wired. Clark's attorney David Weisbrod has not yet responded to requests for comment. Fazeli's father told the AP on Friday that he's 100 per cent sure his son is innocent of the hack. 'He's a very good person, very honest, very smart and loyal,' Mohamad Fazeli said. 'We are as shocked as everybody else. 'I'm sure this is a mix up.' A man was shot by police after he allegedly slashed an officer across the face with a knife soon after they arrived at his Brisbane residence on Wednesday afternoon. The alleged offender underwent surgery overnight after being rushed to hospital in a critical condition, while the injured officer was hospitalised with serious but non life-threatening injuries. The visit to the 25-year-old man's home on Hillgrove Road in Upper Mount Gravatt had been part of a routine matter to serve documents, with "no reason" for police to suspect what would unfold. Authorities have not yet released details regarding the documents. Lucknow, Aug 5 : The Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) and the Uttar Pradesh Police have intensified patrolling along the 551 km-long India-Nepal border, ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's scheduled visit to Ayodhya for Ram Temple Bhumi Puja on Wednesday. According to senior police officers, a tight vigil is being maintained on movement along the border and people living in villages adjoining the border have been asked to alert security officials if they come across any suspicious activity or element in their area. The security arrangements across the state, especially in Ayodhya and on the Indo-Nepal border, has been beefed up after intelligence agencies warned of a possible terror attack in August. The Pilibhit police has installed five barriers at different checking points along the 56 km-long Indo-Nepal border in the district to prevent infiltration bid by anti-social elements in the Indian territory. An additional barricade has been erected on the Pilibhit-Lucknow highway for checking of suspicious vehicles. Deputy inspector general of police, Bareilly range, Rajesh Pandey, who has been camping in Pilibhit for the past three days, said: "I have been monitoring policing during Eid and Raksha Bandhan, but I have also held the string of security and vigilance myself since Tuesday considering the high-profile ceremony in Ayodhya." He said: "I have patrolled the Indo-Nepal border stretch in the district along with police force and the SSB to take stock of the security arrangements and vigilance." Orders have been issued to take into custody any person who appears suspicious. Pilibhit superintendent of police (SP) Jai Prakash Yadav said: "We will not allow any foreigner to go Ayodhya via Pilibhit without an authorised invitation. Policemen in civil dresses have been deployed in border villages to keep a tab on activities there, while barricades have been erected on roads leading to Nepal and Uttarakhand for checking vehicles and identification of people." Both, police and SSB personnel, deployed on the Indo-Nepal border in Lakhimpur are also keeping a vigil on movement of people while forest officials have been asked to remain vigilant and share information with security agencies if they find any suspicious movement in the forest area. Lakhimpur ASP Arun Kumar Singh said: "Local police are in regular touch with SSB and even carrying out joint patrolling in the border areas. Following a security alert ahead of the ceremony in Ayodhya, the district borders have been sealed and the duty hours of policemen extended until the function gets over." Latest updates on Ayodhya Ram Temple Bhumi Pujan Cawthorn and Trump Campaign advisor discuss elections at Hendersonville meetup Madison Cawthorn, GOP nominee for the 11th congressional district, and John Pence, Trump campaign senior adviser and nephew of the vice president, spoke about the upcoming elections during a meetup at the Henderson County Republican Party office hosted by Trump Victory on Wednesday. Pence said, We need Madison in Washington with Trump ... Madison knows this: There are no shortcuts to great victory in life. Cawthorn, a Hendersonville native, had a U.S. Naval Academy nomination before he was critically injured in a car crash. In June, he beat Lynda Bennett in the race for the GOP nomination by a large margin. Bennett had the endorsement of President Trump and Mark Meadows, but Cawthorn, 24, acquired more local support, connecting with county commissioners, sheriffs and school board members. Madison Cawthorn, GOP nominee for the 11th congressional district, speaks to audience at meetup on Wednesday. At the meetup, he said he wants to go to Washington to say no to career politicians. Nancy Pelosi has been in Congress longer than Ive been alive, he said. He said he is not subject to the interests of large contributors like super PACs, but that he reflects the people of Western North Carolina. Michael Whatley, NCGOP Chairman, introduced the two speakers and said, Weve got to be able to take back the house and put Nancy Pelosi out to pasture. Cawthorn and Pence spoke of the importance of the upcoming election. Pence said, Americas future is up to vote in 90 days. He said Republicans defend freedoms by defending the police and the constitution. Cawthorn said that North Carolina has seen state and local governments power in Gov. Coopers response to COVID-19. So, these elections are important, he said. The time is now to take action, to rally your friends ... Dont be the silent majority. He said a vote for Democrats is a vote for bigger government and raising taxes, while a vote for Republicans is a vote for freedom and for fighters. Both Pence and Whatley said the that Republican campaigns have been strong across the country and across the state. Pence said many volunteers have been making calls and knocking on doors. Whatley said the enthusiasm behind Republican campaigning is a result of the experience of the past four years and the positive state of the economy prior to COVID-19. He quoted the president, saying promises made, promises kept. John Pence, Trump Campaign senior advisor and nephew of the vice president, poses in front of the Henderson County Republican Party office. Whatley said that Cawthorns success with voters is due to his pro-America stance and his optimism and energy. Despite Trumps support for Bennet, Cawthorn said he and the president share an ethos of putting America first. Putting America first was a theme in both speakers talks. We are the party of freedom," Pence said, "because we have a president that puts America first. Cawthorn competes against Democrat Moe Davis in November. Cawthorn said, amid COVID-19, his youth and experience with social media have helped him connect to voters digitally. At the meetup, the audience of more than a dozen people was largely young. Cawthorn turns 25 this month, the minimum age to serve in congress. Hong Kong: Wan Chai Post Office to close Wan Chai Delivery Office and the adjacent Wan Chai Post Office will be closed until August 15 for thorough cleaning and sterilisation after a postman working at the delivery office was confirmed to have COVID-19. Hongkong Post made the announcement in response to media enquiries on the case and service arrangements for Wan Chai District. The department said it is rendering its full support to the Centre for Health Protection for its investigation and tracing effort. Ten department staff have been identified as close contacts. A total of 200 personnel from the delivery and post offices will undergo virus testing. While waiting for test results, staff members concerned will rest at home. The department said it has activated its contingency arrangements and redeployed internal resources to maintain the current alternate day delivery service in the district to minimise the impact on the public. But part of the delivery service during the period may still be subject to delay, it added. Due to the temporary closure of Wan Chai Post Office, people can access postal services by using Hennessy Road Post Office, Gloucester Road Post Office or Morrison Hill Post Office. Hongkong Post said it has been strictly implementing precautionary measures and reminded its staff to pay attention to personal hygiene and stay vigilant at all times. Call 2723 3454 for enquiries. This story has been published on: 2020-08-05. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. Microsoft wants to buy TikTok. Donald Trump is not happy about it. Donald Trump is okay with it. Donald Trump has given his blessings. Donald Trump has set a deadline for the deal. Well, depending on which side of the bed you wake up and what day it is, the intersection of politics and technology is undoubtedly creating more confusion that it does good. At the time of writing this, it seems the political dispensation in the US is okay with Microsoft going ahead with the attempt to follow through on its interest in acquiring TikTok. At least the operations for certain parts of the world, including the US. Works out well for the tech giant, because TikTok is trying everything possible to remain present and active, in the US in particular, where it has a large and active user base. But the question still remains, why does Microsoft want to buy TikTok? The way things have been over the past few years, Microsoft has focused on the enterprise space. The part consumer plays, that have included the Surface computing device line-up and the revamped Microsoft 365 subscriptions, in the end, do plug into the enterprise space very nicely. But Microsoft, for most intents and purposes, doesnt really do consumer products. Except perhaps the Microsoft Xbox ecosystem. Let us look at some of Microsofts consumer products that no longer are around. Windows Phone, Groove Music, the Microsoft Band fitness accessory are some examples. Cortana, the virtual assistant, seems to be going down that paththe app for Android and iOS will be shut down next year, along with Cortana access for Harman Kardon Invoke smart speakers and the first-generation Microsoft Surface headphones. Cortana instead is getting deeper integration within the Outlook email app and Teams video meeting app, which have great enterprise significance. Gives you a sense of the demographic of users Microsoft is largely designing products and services for. At this time, it is believed Microsoft wants to acquire TikToks operations for US, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. This is a unique deal of a decade opportunity with a price tag that could easily be consummated, wrote Dan Ives, analyst at Wedbush, to the investors earlier this week, as reported by CNN. It is believed TikToks value stands at $50 billion. One of the primary reasons why Microsoft believes TikTok is an investment worth doing is it will get a readymade product in the social media space. The closest Microsoft right now is to that space is with LinkedIn, a professional network. Yet, it is no match for the might of Facebook, the Facebook owned Instagram and even Twitter and Snapchat. Maybe that LinkedIn acquisition holds a clueMicrosoft didnt change the branding or the foundations of the network that made it successful in the space it operates. If the company does the same with TikTok, as in leave the branding and the app as is, it could simply be successful because of the numbers that drive TikTok engagement on a daily basis. The only change would be that the user data for US based accounts will be saved on servers in the US. As a consumer, that would make no difference, except you may perhaps have to again accept the new terms and conditions at some point when you open the app post the expected Microsoft acquisition. Second, it is the oil of the modern world. Data. It all started with data, and the fears that data of US users was ending up with the Chinese government. After all, TikTok is owned by Chinese company ByteDance. In China, the National Intelligence Law of 2017 governs all tech companies that are based in China or are under Chinese ownership. The law mandates all businesses to share any and all information that the Chinese Government may ask for. This is something that is worrying governments around the world, including India. Microsoft acknowledges the importance of the data that itll get from TikTok. Among other measures, Microsoft would ensure that all private data of TikToks American users is transferred to and remains in the United States. To the extent that any such data is currently stored or backed-up outside the United States, Microsoft would ensure that this data is deleted from servers outside the country after it is transferred, says the company in an official statement confirming the talks. As of January, TikTok had clocked 800 million users worldwide. The app saw more than 49 million downloads in the US just last year. On an average, TikTok users in the US open the app 8 times a day, with each session around 5 minutesthat works out to around 40 minutes of app usage in a day. This is the sort of ready-made platforms that dont become available so easily for tech companies to acquire. Microsoft will finally have a product to take Facebook on with. If you notice the list of countries that Microsoft wants to acquire TikTok in, these are all English-speaking. That would mean limited challenges when it comes to moderating content as well, without having to deal with complexities of localization. TikTok is as consumer centric as it gets. In fact, this gives Microsoft a head-start in trying to understand a younger demographic of users, who will consume more services and apps in the years to come. While Microsoft fell behind with the previous generation with its much delayed attempts at battling with Google, Apple and Facebook in the past when it came to platforms such as Windows Phone, Outlook Mail, Bing Search and social networks in general, itll have an advantage over the rival big tech companies when it comes to understanding these users that itll adopt with TikTok. Microsoft is also in a safe spot as far as regulators are concerned. While Facebook, Google, Apple and Amazon are all very much under scrutiny by the US Congress, Microsoft hasnt been dragged into it just yet because of its business and enterprise focus. Remember, TikTok is the one social media platform that has had Facebook worried for a while now. The popularity, the quick video format and the product itself has been some concern for Facebook, which is trying the same with Instagram Reels. With Microsofts might behind it, TikTok can logically stand to gain. The key for Microsoft will be to leave TikTok as is, and not make it a Microsoft product. The Myelodysplastic Syndromes Group of Josep Carreras Leukaemia Research Institute, led by Dr. Francesc Sole, has participated in the first international study that confirms that having two mutated copies of the TP53 gene, as opposed to a single mutated copy, is associated with a worse prognosis in patients diagnosed with myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS). This study, published in the prestigious scientific journal Nature Medicine, has been conducted by researchers from the Memorial Sloan Kettering in the USA, involving 25 research centers in 12 countries and has been supervised by the international working group for the prognosis of MDS, whose aim is to develop new international guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of this disease. This is a preliminary result in order to define a prognostic score based on molecular changes. Considered the "guardian of the genome," TP53 is the most commonly mutated gene in cancer. The normal function of TP53 is to detect DNA damages and prevent cells from passing this damage to daughter cells. When TP53 is mutated, the protein resulting from this gene (called p53) can no longer perform this protective function and a cancer may be the result. In most cancers, TP53 mutations are associated with a worse prognosis, such as disease relapse, poor response to treatments and shorter survival. TP53 exists in duplicate in each of our cells, just like all other genes: one copy from our mother and one copy from our father. Until now, it was not clear whether a mutation of a single copy of TP53 was enough to cause a worse prognosis of the disease, or whether mutations in both copies were necessary. This study has confirmed for the first time that having the two mutated copies of the TP53 gene is associated with worse results for myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS), a group of blood cancers whose common characteristic is that the stem cells in the bone marrow, in charge of manufacturing all the blood cells, have a defect that makes them produce abnormal cells, unable to perform their usual functions, and in a lower quantity. From the Josep Carreras Institute we have actively participated by providing more than a hundred samples from patients with the diagnosis of MDS, in the comparative analysis of cytogenetic (karyotype) results versus those obtained by mass sequencing, and in the final discussion of the findings obtained. The results of this study will allow a great advance in the diagnosis and treatment of myelodysplastic syndromes. Current guidelines do not consider genomic data, such as the mutational status of TP53 and other genes to assess prognosis in patients with MDS or to determine appropriate treatment for this disease. However, studies like this show that we should include this information to improve the diagnosis and treatment of patients". Dr. Francesc Sole, leader of the Josep Carreras Institute's Myelodysplastic Syndromes group, member of the Spanish Myelodysplastic Syndromes Group (GESMD) and member of the international working group for the prognosis of MDS By using new computational methods in a serie of 4,444 patients with MDS, the researchers found that a third of the patients with TP53 mutations had only a mutated copy of this gene. These patients had similar results to patients who did not have a TP53 mutation, that is to say good response to treatment, low rates of disease progression and long-term survival. However, two-thirds of patients had both mutated copies of TP53 and these patients had worse results, including resistance to treatment, rapid disease progression, and short-term survival. In fact, the researchers found that the TP53 mutation status (0, 1, or 2 mutated copies of the gene), was the most important variable in predicting the clinical course of the disease. Given the frequency of TP53 mutations in cancer, these results also advocate to examine the impact of one or two mutations on other types of cancer, both hematologic and solid tumors, and reveal the need of clinical trials specifically designed with these molecular differences. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is recalling numerous vegetable products sold at Canadian grocery stores due to possible Salmonella contamination. The industry is recalling red, yellow, white, and sweet yellow onions grown by Thomson International Inc., Bakersfield, California, and imported from the USA from the marketplace due to possible Salmonella contamination, according to the CFIA recall. "Consumers should not consume the recalled products," the recall warning states, adding that "retailers, distributors, manufacturers, and food service establishments such as hotels, restaurants, cafeterias, hospitals, and nursing homes should not serve, use, or sell the recalled products." The heath agency reported that, as of July 30, there have been 114 confirmed cases of salmonella across Canada, with 43 in British Columbia; 55 in Alberta; 13 in Manitoba; two in Ontario; and one in Prince Edward Island, though this individual visited Alberta prior to getting ill. The illnesses occurred from mid-June to mid-July and no deaths have been reported. Health Canada said those most at risk are children under the age of 5, older adults, pregnant women and people with weakened immune systems. Symptoms include fever, chills, diarrhea, abdominal cramps, headache, nausea or vomiting and normally appear between 6 and 72 hours after ingesting the contaminated product. Health Canada is advising those in all affected provinces, save for Prince Edward Island, to dispose of any unlabelled red onions, or ones that have labels indicating they have been imported from the U.S., and wash their hands immediately after. When purchasing new red onions, it is advised residents of these provinces look closely at the label or packaging to ensure the onion was not grown in the U.S. Restaurants and retailers are also advised to also check their stock to ensure it is safe. As well, suppliers and distributors should be cautious not to ship or sell red onions that come from the U.S. Meanwhile, grocery stores are posting separate warnings about the recall. "Out of an abundance of caution, we are proactively removing all potentially impacted products from our shelves effective July 31, 2020," Sobeys said in a statement. Customers are asked to "destroy the any of the products" impacted by the recall and bring a receipt or product label back to the store where purchased for a full refund. A food safety investigation is currently being conducted by The Canadian Food Inspection Agency. For further information about the outbreak, visit https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/public-health-notices/2020/outbreak-salmonella-infections-under-investigation.html. Remembering the 1933 Massacre of Assyrians in Iraq (AINA) -- On the 87th anniversary of the massacre of Simmele, where the Iraqi Army systematically massacred the inhabitants of more than one hundred Assyrian villages in north Iraq, Joseph Yacoub, honorary Professor of political science at the Catholic University of Lyon, published an article in French titled Le drame des Assyro-ChaldAens ne commence pas aujourd'hui (the Drama of the Assyro-Chaldeans Does Not Begin Today). The article appeared in the online edition of the French Newspaper Le Figaro, reminding of the less-known massacre of Simmele in the year 1933 in Iraq. According to various sources, as many as 6,000 innocent Assyrians were killed, and tens of thousands displaced. This massacre marks a tragic milestone in the history of the Assyrians and resulted in the exodus of tens of thousands Assyrians into Syria, which at the time was under the French mandate. The Assyrians originated from the Hakkari mountains, in southeast Turkey, and were expelled by the Turkish state during the genocide of 1915 and pushed south into Iraq, which would become a British mandate. Professor Yacoub reports that the integration of the Assyrian from Hakkari into Iraq under the protection of the British mandate, which was granted by the League of Nations in 1920, "encountered difficulties, especially with respect to maintaining their traditional status to which they owed the sustainability of their existence." The issue became more complicated in September 1929 when the British government announced its intent to prematurely end the mandate in 1932. "This rapid development gave rise to strong concerns among the Assyrians," said Professor Yacoub, "who sent several petitions to the League of Nations, fearing for their safety, and worried about equal treatment and freedom of belief as Christians." Your browser does not support the video tag. Interview with Simmele Survivor Despite a declaration signed before the League of Nations on May 30, 1932, Baghdad refused to grant Assyrians any autonomy as a minority, and opposed their reunification as a homogeneous ethnic group. "In reality, the Assyrians were perceived as foreigners and the new Iraq, which wrongly regarded them a danger to its national cohesion," said Professor Yacoub. After the formal end of the British mandate the Kingdom of Iraq became independent on October 3, 1932 and was admitted to the League of Nations. Professor Yacoub goes on and reports on the chain of critical events, culminating in the Simmele Massacre of August 7, 1933. He cites several British and French reports about the massacre. The London correspondent of the French newspaper Le Temps, Robert Cru, wrote on August 8, 1933: "Grim revelations have just been added to what we already knew about the atrocities which took place in the north of Iraq. A British official on tour found 315 Assyrians slaughtered." Your browser does not support the video tag. Interview with Simmele Survivor The government of King Faisal I, while deploring these incidents, "gave its word of honor that such acts of savagery would not be repeated, but one year of advancement was granted to all officers who had taken part in these operations, and Colonel BAkir Sidqi, in charge of the operation, was promoted to general" (Le Temps, Paris, August 18). Professor Yacoub also refers to an article by the correspondent of Le Figaro in London, published on August 20 in which he writes "England having abandoned its mandate over Iraq, which was recognized as an independent nation and welcomed into the League of Nations, its result was not long to wait. The Muslims of Mesopotamia attacked the small minorities in their territory. Recently Assyrian tribes have been massacred." According Professor Yacoub, the massacre of Simmele aroused many echoes in Europe and was widely covered by the press. French and British diplomatic as well as military archives contain reports on the responsibility of the Iraqi authorities and its army in the massacres. Most reports were kept "top secret" and released decades later. As an example, Professor Yacoub points to photos the British Royal Air Force (RAF) took from the aerial of the burnt and demolished villages. Labeled top secret due to "overriding state interests," the authorities did not disclose them at the time. It was in 1984 when these images became accessible for research. On the 85th anniversary of the Simmele Massacre the Assyrian Policy Institute (API) published a comprehensive report on the Simmele Massacre, demanding from the Iraqi Government formal recognition of the massacre and other genocidal campaigns targeting Assyrians in Iraq. API proposed also the allocation of funds for a lasting memorial honoring the victims of Simmele at the massacre site. In addition, API criticized attempts by the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) to politicize the massacre for the benefit of the Kurdish nationalist agenda. The issue of recognition and of a proper memorial at the Simmele site is on ongoing theme on the agenda of Assyrian organizations. Visiting Iraq in February 2020, a delegation of the Assyrian Democratic Organization (ADO) from Syria met with Masoud Barzani, former President of the Kurdish Regional Government, in Erbil and addressed the issue of erecting of a monument in the village of Simmele for the martyrs who were killed in the Simmele massacre of 1933. Port Colborne will continue to be a destination for out-of-towners all summer. The municipally-operated Nickel Beach, which is not turning away guests who dont have a Port Colborne address, is always a draw when the warm weather arrives, said fire Chief Tom Cartwright. It has reached capacity several times this summer, as it did Saturday. Rainy weather kept crowds away Sunday, and a modest crowd on Monday enjoyed the final third of the long weekend at the public beach. In his nearly 20 years as the head of Port Colborne Fire and Emergency Services, Cartwright said this is one of the busiest summers he has seen in the city in a long time. He attributes this to warm weather, people coming out of lockdown and Nickel Beach being an already popular destination that isnt turning away people who dont reside in Niagara, as Fort Erie and St. Catharines public beaches are. The city is a focal point for surrounding regions. Everybody wants to go to the beach, and theyre headed to Port Colborne, Cartwright said. At certain times, its overwhelming. On July 22, two days before Toronto would be heading into Stage 3 of reopening, Wainfleet Mayor Kevin Gibson said he expected beach crowds in Niagara would shrink as more amenities opened up in the big city. Cartwright isnt sure if this is the case. Youd like to think it would, but Saturday it was pretty chaotic down there, he said about Nickel Beach. On Saturday, Niagara Regional Police posted on Twitter that beaches in Port Colborne and Wainfleet had reached capacity and that additional officers had been deployed to assist bylaw staff. Social media posts, roadside signage on highways 3 and 140, as well as near the Welland Canals Bridge 21, have been informing travellers when Nickel Beach is full. On Saturday, bylaw staff issued 20 tickets for illegal parking in the area, said the citys corporate communications officer, Michelle Idzenga. Police and the fire department were patrolling to monitor physical distancing and traffic flow, she said. Sunday and Monday were both not very busy. Nickel Beach hit its limit at about 10:30 a.m. Saturday. NRP Staff Sgt.Aaron Gross said there were minor issues in his jurisdiction on the weekend. The majority of them are parking-related. The weather played a factor and limited the crowds on the beach, he said Tuesday. On Saturday, crowds appeared as large as ever in Port Colborne and Wainfleet. A RIDE program was set up in the area of Sherkston Shores and Pleasant Beach on Saturday. We will be continuing enhanced beach patrols for the rest of the summer, said Gross, adding police will dedicate enhanced staffing on the days we anticipate the most people. "You're a mad young fella, nobody will pay you back" was the response to a 23-year-old John Hume setting up a credit union in Derry, the first in Northern Ireland. Four, however, agreed to help. They emptied their pockets in the Roswell Hall and, with five pound one and nine pence, Derry Credit Union was founded. Years later he reflected that there is no more constructive organisation or no more powerful organisation in this country than the credit union movement when you think of the good that it did on the ground". Today in Derry, his family and people bury a Nobel laureate and a credit union man. In a house where the shirt money Derry women created made up for the frequent unemployment of the men, his father Sam taught him that you cant eat flags. The credit union movement was not the ultimate achievement of a young John Hume, though he became president of the Irish League of Credit Unions, aged 27, in 1964. It was the foundation of his outlook, and all he went on to do later. In 1968, when events that would make him a world figure were still to unfold, he addressed the Irish League of Credit Unions, as its president, in Cork. In a little over a decade, credit unions had gone from an idea to a growing co-operative movement. Jack Lynch was the first taoiseach to attend a League AGM and Hume told him on behalf of the movement that we are promoting modern patriotism". We are living for our country, said Hume, and not dying for it. We are spilling our sweat, not our blood, to build our country. He summed up for Lynch what credit unions stood for in three words, written large on the grave of Abraham Lincoln: E pluribus unum, from many we are one. The essence of unity is respect for diversity, said Hume. It was through the credit union movement that he formulated the idea that became his lifes work. The modesty of todays funeral, asked for by his family and required by Covid-19, is a happy irony. John Hume did not lack self-belief but he did not require the affirmation of the crowd. He understood two things. Firstly that real power comes from the bottom up. That was the power of credit unions and the civil rights movement. Secondly, it is necessary to be prepared to stand your ground, however lonely a place that is. In the 1980s and early 1990s, he stood his ground, trying, failing, and trying again to begin a peace process. Negotiating with the IRA and Sinn Fein, its political wing, was toxic. But peace is made with your enemies. Difference is to be accepted. Some see the paraphernalia of paramilitary trappings at Sinn Fein funerals and are appalled. I am amused. The job lot of white shirts, black ties, and berets seem like a callous insult and an insensitive reminder to the victims of atrocities. They are that. But they are not the display of strength they seem. The modern paramilitary-style funeral is a parody. It is street carnival for people who surrendered to John Hume. They won subsequent elections. He won the war. We live in a version of his world, not theirs. What Hume won convincingly is the battle of ideas. I believe in the tradition of Hume, Albert Reynolds, and Bertie Ahern, that if Fianna Fail and the Greens had gone into government with Sinn Fein, that victory of ideas could have been advanced further. But whether from a lack of confidence, or a want of convenience, it did not happen. What Hume had, and it is a rare quality, is the ability to see the world differently and then change it. Most politicians are agents of continuity and managers of the here and now. Thence they are overtaken by events. Seamus Heaney, a contemporary of Hume's at St Columbs College in Derry, where Brian Friel had been a decade before, remembered the young man his fellow student had become in the 1960s as a figure of some mark and likelihood". He was involved in the credit union movement and had started a smoked-salmon business, some sort of co-operative. Their mutual association as mature men was often through Friel and in his Donegal home. These associations are both the intellectual scaffolding and the practical programme of what Hume stood for. Friel, along with Seamus Deane, also of St Columb's, and others were associated specifically with Field Day Theatre Company from its founding in 1980, a self-conscious fifth province of the Irish mind. They were avowedly anti-sectarian but fully alive to the sectarian imperium that ruled over them. The rigour of their education at St Columb's was notable. Scholarship boys, they were the first of their class and creed for generations to be schooled so well. They were also the last generation to receive a classical generation. They knew the myths, plays, and orations than underlie our culture, and they read them in the original Greek and Latin. In that sense they are the end of an era and final break with the thought world of the Four Masters. Their passing is culturally a flight of the earls. But they were thoroughly modern. The American civil rights movement, global decolonisation, entry into the then EEC, and the need to build bridges across a chasm, from which the flames of sectarian violence sprang, required new strategies. H ume was an originator. He was an organiser on the ground and a superlative networker. Politics, which was shaped by him, will take its course without him. For those in high places proffering homage, there is a living legacy. A man who grew up in a house with an outdoor toilet, could read the classics, and could lift the phone to presidents was rooted in his community. The people minded him, when, in old age, his own mind was clouded. His politics was about helping people. Of all the things I've been doing, he said, it's the thing I'm proudest of, because no movement has done more good for the people of Ireland, North and South, than the credit union movement." There is a new powerlessness now, and an economic gerrymandering. People have life-changing decisions made for them in financial institutions where they can never meet a decision-maker. They are blips on an algorithm. The Government says it wants credit unions to become a platform for community banking. Its delivery is the stuff of detail, devoid of romance. But the ideal is empowering and life-changing. It is an answer to alienation. We are in the grip of the politics of estrangement, but too little attention is paid to its causes. It can be different. In Freedom of the City, Friel articulated it: Stand your ground! Don't move! Don't panic! This is your city! This is your city! John Hume lived it. He stood his ground. Mr Howlin works with the Irish League of Credit Unions in a professional capacity. His views expressed here are done so in a personal capacity. [Updated with details from more ministries and links to their emergency response efforts] One hour later at work, and Sarah Chetti might have been one of thousands in a Beirut hospital. Director of the INSAAF migrant worker ministry in Lebanon, Chettis colleagues described shards of broken glass flying through the air, and the metal frames of doors ripped from their hinges. It was a similar experience for the one staff member inside the Youth for Christ youth center not far from the blast. To avoid the colossal damage, he ducked to the floor. Re-welding was necessary just to lock up the next day. Peter Ford was fortunate. Working quietly in his faculty office at the Near East School of Theology near downtown Beirut, the first small reverberations stirred his curiosity to investigate the problem. Moments later, the huge blast blew in his window and spewed the glass across his desk. Miraculously, the dozen evangelical churches and ministries in Lebanon contacted by CT reported no deaths and few serious injuries caused by the massive explosion. The official national tally is now over 100 dead, with over 5,000 injured. If they had, there would be nowhere for the bodies to go. Habib Badr of the historic National Evangelical Church was forced to conduct the burial of two elderly members (whose deaths were unrelated to the explosion) as Beiruts hospitals and morgues were all full. Two Filipinos, however, were killed in the blast. And amid the ongoing economic suffering of Lebanon, several migrant domestic workers have been abandoned by families no longer able to pay for their services. They are distraught, worried, and scared, said Chetti. Problems are piling up one after the other. Im reaching out to each one individually and praying for them, assuring them things will be okay. But migrants are not the only foreigners who are suffering. Many of our youth are Syrian refugees, so this is churning up all that stuff for them, said Scot Keranen, director of operations for Youth for Christ. Were just checking in on them, and that is really tough right now. Lebanese trauma goes further back in history. But this explosion was incomparable. Image: P. Clarkson Throughout the whole civil war [19751990], we never experienced anything like this blast, said Tony Skaff, pastor of Badaro Baptist Church in Beirut. But this incident made us remember, triggering many very sad memories within our community. His members suffered only minor injuries, though the church itself has much exterior damage. The tragedy is bringing everyone closer together to jump at the chance to help, he said. Though charity efforts are underway, it is not their primary currency. More than anything else, the Lebanese people need hope, said Skaff. They lost it in their politicians, in the health situation, in everything. The church has the calling to answer this need, by standing firm and continuing its ministry. Many evangelical ministries are answering this challenge. Image: P. Clarkson Arab Baptist Theological Seminary (ABTS), located in the mountains overlooking Beirut, was spared the worst of the emanating shockwaves. Having lost its students due to COVID-19, it had already opened its dormitories to frontline health workers. Now, in cooperation with the Our Home, Your Home ministry, the seminary is welcoming a fraction of the 300,000 Lebanese displaced from their homes. Its terrible, horrible. We wont have empty rooms when there are people on the streets, said Elie Haddad, president of ABTS. At least it is something, and Im not sure what else we can do. Resurrection Church of Beirut had many member families suffer damage to their homes. So it has organized a furniture drive, and sent volunteers downtown to clean up the messfor their community, and others. Now is the time for the wounded church to rise again, said pastor Hikmat Kashouh, and be a healing agent of Gods restoring presence in a practical and caring way. But it is not the only way. Andrew Salame, district superintendent for the Nazarene Church in Lebanon, picked up the phone. We are devastated and angry with the government because of what happened, he said. I reached out to our [Protestant] member of parliament to get an answer from those in authority. And I asked him to resign his position, and stand with the people. Located one mile from an epicenter that would comparably include all five boroughs of New York City, Salames Beirut church suffered more damage than others. He described a night of horror, with his whole house shaking and his son momentarily missing. He eventually located him with the neighbors, unhurt. Jean Moussa attends the Evangelical Free church, which escaped mostly unhurt. He thanked God for their protection. But he also put questions to the government, which stated the 2,750 tons of explosive material had been stored at the port since 2013. Who permitted this boat to make a delivery of so much ammonium nitrate? asked the coordinator for evangelical church outreach of the Lebanese Forces political party. How could anyone comprehend it would be left in a civilian area for so long? Image: P. Clarkson Lebanons Christians, however, are not united over the source of national danger. In a nation roughly divided into thirds between Christians, Sunni Muslims, and Shiite Muslims, their community is given the national presidency. (Egypts Coptic Christians, by comparison, compose only about 10 percent of its population.) Ralph Zarazir, the representative of the Free Patriotic Movement to the national dental board, puts questions to the West. So far, all aid has been conditional upon economic, andperhaps less formally statedpolitical reform. Despite the presence of certain groups disliked by the West, we are a country with the biggest percentage of Christians in the Middle East, and a large evangelical community, he said. We have something special. But when we get squeezed, the Christians are the first to leave. This is not a good strategy, Zarazir added, though he is not sure the West cares at all. He hopes the explosion will result in Western countries helping Lebanon get back on its feet. Whether or not other governments do, Lebanese evangelicals can only trust that God willat least in their individual lives. We pray for those who lost loved ones, said Raymond Abou Mekhael, pastor of Christ Bible Baptist Church in Keserwan, undamaged and far from the site of the explosion. We ask the Lord to use these circumstances to bring people back to the word of God, to seek his will in their lives. As for the nation, like for Lebanese in general, it is a moment of collective despair. We have hit rock bottom as a country. Other things could go wrong, but the worst-case scenario cannot be any worse than this one, said Charlie Costa, pastor of Ras Beirut Baptist Church. Is there any glimmer of hope? Only that God is sovereign. UPDATE (August 6): A few evangelical ministries responded after publication, sometimes with apologies that they were overwhelmed yesterday. Lighthouse Arab World is temporarily shifting its media ministry to facilitate help to those on the street. Near East Organization was able to feed 250 people yesterday, aiming to continue this service for at least three weeks. And some had to attend to personal difficulties. Joseph Nejm, pastor of the Free Evangelical Church of Beirut, needed to take care of his mother. She suffered a brain hemorrhage and broken hands in the blast. Camille Melkis mother, meanwhile, played the piano as volunteers cleaned up the debris in her family home. The video went viral within Lebanon. It is a symbol of our resilience, said Melki, and our hope in Christ. Melki heads Heart for Lebanon, which began serving Lebanese displaced by the Israeli invasion in 2006, and now ministers to Syrian refugees. Their 60 volunteers have split into 5 teams to secure homes and clear broken glass. Its a mess. Its a total mess, he said. But they have to be made safe to be lived in again. One church must be rebuilt to be made safe at all. City Bible Church was the closest congregation to the blast, only a quarter mile away. In a video, pastor Marwan Abou-Zelouf showed the massive structural damage to his church which had been built by the communitys own hands. The people here feel forgotten, he told The Gospel Coalition. They feel cursed because Lebanon in recent months has been ravaged. It seems unimaginable that something like this could happen right now. [But] Beiruts greatest hope isnt a stable economy or honest politicians, but blood-bought believers who carry with them the hope and power of the gospel. So, were praying and trusting that the church of Jesus Christ in Lebanon will be a shining light amid all the darkness and destruction. Damage was also suffered by the Beirut Baptist School and the Gateway Bookshop. We as Lebanese people find ourselves in a prison with walls made of economic crisis, COVID outcomes, and explosion disaster, Lina Raad, a vice president for the Baptist World Alliance, toldWord&Way. The only way that can help us is prayers from the Earth to get rains of mercy from above. The walls of this prison may not hold back Christians from emigration. Julie Tegho told CBN she thought she would die as the building shook and glass broke all around her. This is what death looks like, the Philos Project researcher recalled thinking. For many Christians who were thinking about leaving, yesterdays explosion may be the reason they were waiting for. But for now, with the airport operating at limited capacity, few will be able to migrate. In the meantime, Horizons International is providing free food and medical aid as well as plastic sheeting to cover broken windows. We pray that before the rainy and cold winter comes people can find better solutions, but plastic will have to do for now, said executive director Pierre Housney. Our hearts are very heavy with a considerable amount of survivors guilt. But we are pushing past it to do our best to help. Andrew Salame clarified that his message to the Protestant member of parliament, Edgar Traboulsi, was sent in electronic discussion with other evangelical church leaders. While respecting the help he offers in defense of evangelical pastors, Salame did not wish Traboulsis good name tainted by continuing in office with the political class. But Traboulsi, also the pastor of the Lebanon Baptist Church in the mountainous Metn region overlooking Beirut, views his political role as part of his spiritual responsibility. I am not the type of pastor who will abandon my role and be unfaithful to my calling, during a time of calamity and need, he said. My constituency is my flock, as much as my congregation. And in times of calamity, even the wounded must keep serving. Abbas Sibai, multi-area projects coordinator with World Vision Lebanon, crawled under the fallen wall that had smashed against his back in the blast. It was all he could do to shield from the falling debris. Eventually he staggered into the emergency room, surprised at each step how terrible the situation was becoming. I suffered so much less than others, it makes me feel guilty, said Sibai, who was hospitalized for his injuries. Especially in that I cant help others, and have no idea what to do next. He is trying. World Vision is putting together a fundraising campaign for food, medicine, and housing supplies, as its Beirut warehouse was severely damaged in the explosion. Sibai hasnt slept well for the past two nights, but is pitching in as he can. Just like his mother. A chief X-ray technician, she is back working in the hospital despite being injured herself. I always told my colleagues: We have chosen this track in life, so we are doomed to be hopeful, Sibai told CT. That doesnt sound right. But in the ministry sector we have to support others, no matter how much we are suffering ourselves. In an earlier CT interview, Joseph Kassab, president of the Supreme Council of the Evangelical Community in Syria and Lebanon, described the work of the Compassion Protestant Society. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Wednesday brushed off the sudden departure of his agency's acting inspector general, who left just months after Pompeo asked the president to fire his Senate-confirmed predecessor. 'He left to go back home. This happens. I dont have anything more to add to that,' Pompeo said at a brief press availability at the agency Wednesday. He quickly moved on to another question. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo speaks during a news conference at the State Department in Washington, DC, on August 5, 2020, where he said of his agency's acting IG's departure: 'This happens' The nation's top diplomat was at an advantage because the reporter who called in the query had his line broken up, with only part of the question about Stephen Acker's departure audible in a broadcast. Pompeo was asked whether the departure would further sideline the work of the IG's office in a series of events that has already drawn a congressional probe by House Democrats. Acker, the State Departments acting inspector general, resigned abruptly on Wednesday following the firing of his predecessor. He announced his resignation just two days after Democrats issued subpoenas for several of Pompeos top aides to answer questions about the shakeup in the watchdog's office. Mike Pompeo is pictured with new puppy Mercer in a photo shared to Instagram. Two House panels have subpoenaed a quartet of State Department officials, including a senior advisor alleged to have walked Pompeo's dog Longtime Mike Pompeo aide Toni Porter has been identified as the government employee whose role allegedly doing personal business for the secretary of state was being probed by an inspector general Brian J. Bulatao arrives for a Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing in Dirksen Building on his nomination to be Undersecretary of State for management on July 18, 2018. He also followed Pompeo to the CIA Trump announced in May that he was firing the inspector general, Steve Linick, pictured, an Obama administration appointee whose office was critical of what it saw as political bias in the State Department's management The department said Akard would return to the private sector but offered no other reason for his departure. 'We appreciate his dedication to the department and to our country,' the department said in a statement. Akard's deputy, Diana Shaw, will serve as the new acting inspector general once Akard leaves on Friday. Stephen J. Akard is departing as acting IG for the State Department Although Akard had not been expected to become the permanent inspector general, his departure underscores the tumult and uncertainty in the office, which has been wracked by Republican charges of leaks and politically biased investigations. A pair of House Committees issued subpoenas Monday that would require testimony and depositions from top aides to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo including the senior advisor alleged to have walked his dog and performed other errands. House Foreign Affairs Committee chairman Rep. Eliot Engel and House Oversight Committee chair Carolyn Maloney, both Democrats, fired off the subpoenas Monday as part of an ongoing probe into the firing of Inspector General Steve Linick. Pompeo asked President Trump to fire Linick, who was probing a variety of State Department matters, including allegations that aide Toni Porter walked Pompeo's dog and did other tasks while on the government payroll. Linick's office also was probing a Saudi arms sale and allegations regarding Pompeo's wife. The chairs accused the administration of 'stonewalling' and a 'coverup.' Democrats have alleged that Pompeo sought the ouster of Akards predecessor, Stephen Linick, because Linick was investigating allegations of impropriety by Pompeo. Pompeo has denied the allegations but acknowledged he asked President Donald Trump to fire Linick for poor performance. Akard, who had also served as the director of the Office of Foreign Missions at the State Department, had withdrawn from those investigations. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo appears during a Senate Foreign Relations committee hearing on the State Department's 2021 budget on Capitol Hill Thursday, July 30, 2020, in Washington. (Greg Nash/Pool via AP) Inspectors general are independent watchdogs empowered by Congress to evaluate the performance of executive branch agencies and investigate allegations of wrongdoing by government officials. President Donald Trump has taken exception to the work of several of the inspectors general and removed them despite congressional objections. On Monday, congressional Democrats subpoenaed four senior Pompeo aides for interviews, saying the Trump administration was stonewalling their investigation into Linick's firing in May. Akard was not among those subpoenaed. Linick had appeared before investigators in June and said top department officials tried to bully him and dissuade his office from conducting a review of a multibillion dollar arms sale to Saudi Arabia before he was fired. He also said his office was looking into allegations that Pompeo and his wife may have misused government staff to run personal errands and several other matters. The top Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Sen. Bob Menendez of New Jersey, said the investigation will not end and he expressed concern about Akard's departure. 'I do not believe he was the right choice to lead the office, but I am concerned that his sudden resignation leaves another opportunity for the Trump qdministration to try to weaken oversight and accountability,' Menendez said. 'The ongoing bicameral investigation into the abrupt and unexplained dismissal of IG Linick will continue full speed ahead.' The subpoenas for closed-door depositions are for Undersecretary of State for Management Brian Bulatao, acting State Department legal adviser Marik String, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Political-Military Affairs Michael Miller and senior adviser Toni A. Porter. The department flatly rejected the Democrats allegations as 'egregiously inaccurate' but did not say whether the officials would comply with the subpoenas. Pompeo has rejected allegations that Linick was fired for investigating alleged impropriety and Pompeo has denied he was aware of any such probe into his or his wifes matters. He has said Linick was removed for not doing his job. Linick, who had been inspector general since 2013, said he was in a 'state of shock' when he was fired. He told congressional investigators that he had opened a review of last years $8 billion arms sale to Saudi Arabia at the request of lawmakers who claimed Pompeo had inappropriately circumvented Congress to approve the deal. He said Bulatao and String then tried to stop him. SEOUL, South Korea, Aug. 5, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- The District Court Dusseldorf has dismissed patent infringement claims against Medit Corp. ("Medit") a global provider of 3D scanning solutions by competitor 3Shape A/S ("3Shape"). The subject-matter of the proceedings was the alleged indirect infringement of 3Shape's European Patent EP 2 400 919 B1 concerning a computer-implemented method for designing a post & core. Scanning for post & core is possible with the support of Medit's i500 intraoral scanner, T-Series lab scanners, and their respective software. 3Shape may appeal against the decision but Medit believes that it will prevail in any future proceedings. Furthermore, Medit has also filed a nullity suit against the patent with the Federal Patent Court in Germany. This suit is still pending. "Medit will continue to support our customers with their journey into digital dentistry. We develop all software in-house and our R&D department is always available for discussions and to resolve any potential misunderstandings," says GB Ko, CEO of Medit. About Medit Corp Medit is a global provider of 3D measurement solutions for dental clinics and labs, including intraoral scanners, based on its own patented state-of-the-art technology. The company also develops platform solutions for digital dentistry, supporting collaborative workflows. Additionally, the Solutionix line provides 3D scanners and software to the industrial market. The company's goal is to provide innovative technology and the highest quality products to ensure mutual growth for all partners. Medit is headquartered in Seoul, South Korea since its inception in 2000. The company also has representatives located in the Americas and Europe, and boasts a global network of distributors in over 70 countries. SOURCE Medit Related Links https://www.medit.com/ JACKSON COUNTY, MI Gary Schuette is moving on to the November election for Jackson County sheriff. Schuette received 9,789 votes in the Aug. 4 primary election, which topped his Republican challengers, David Elwell, who received 6,873 votes, and Kenneth Carpenter, who received 2,864 votes. Schuette now faces Democratic challenger Val Cochran Toops in the Nov. 3 general election. Three Republican contenders seek win in August primary race for Jackson County sheriff Im extremely excited, Schuette said. Im just thrilled to death that Im able to continue on. Sheriff Steve Rand is not seeking reelection. Rand is facing a lawsuit filed against him and Jackson County which states he is a multifaced bigot for his discriminatory comments against women, minorities and disabled people. Rand faced a failed recall effort and Gov. Gretchen Whitmer declined three formal requests to remove him from office. Schuette is the cousin of sheriffs Lt. Tommy Schuette, who filed the lawsuit. His run for sheriff is unrelated to the lawsuit, he said previously, adding hes considered running for years. Next, Schuette said hell take the rest of the week off to recover from the primary run and get some sleep after staying up for more than 24 hours waiting for votes to be tallied. Im going to hit right at it again, he said. Im going to keep going after it with my message. Im going to keep pounding it out there so I can make sure everybody has a chance to ask me questions. Live results: Jackson County voters head to the polls in August primary election Schuette, 49, worked at the Jackson Police Department for 25 years, 18 of which as a detective. He is now an attorney at White, Hotchkiss & Falahee PLLC and also is president of the Hanover-Horton School Board. Elwell resigned his position as Columbia Township Police Department chief and did not seek reelection for his seat on the Jackson County Board of Commissioners, he said, so he could focus on his campaign for sheriff. After failing to advance to the general election, Elwell thanked the people who supported him and the communities hes served in his 40 years in law enforcement and 18 years as a commissioner. I look forward to free time to spend with my family, including our three beautiful granddaughters, Elwell said in an email. Carpenter thanked his supporters for their efforts during his campaign in a Facebook post. To my committee, my wife Karen and my family, the post said. Thank you for all the hard work and believing in our vision for a better and safer Jackson and Jackson County. The three Republican candidates all had different strengths that drew voters to them, Schuette said. He said he hopes those who voted for the other candidates will give him a chance. I want them to give me a chance to be able to explain my position and talk to me about how I plan to better serve the Jackson community and better the Jackson sheriffs department, Schuette said. I think that if I have that chance, they will see that I will do an excellent job as the next sheriff. Im looking forward to those conversations. Cochran Toops was unopposed in the primary election. She also ran as a Democrat for Michigans 16th Senate District in November 2018, losing to incumbent Republican Mike Shirkey, R-Clark Lake. She also ran and lost the Democratic primary for the Michigan House of Representatives 65th District in 2016. It feels really good, but I think I have a long ways to go, Schuette said. I think I can reach out to more people and I think a lot of people need to understand who I am and where I come from and what I intend to do with the sheriffs office. Read more Jackson County election news: Two moving on to join incumbent on November ballot for Jackson County District Court judge seats Incumbents win primaries for Jackson County commissioner seats Jackson County voters approve senior services tax with 58% approval Johannesburg (AFP) - Some 24,000 health workers in South Africa have contracted the coronavirus, 181 of whom have died, since the pandemic hit the country in March, the health minister announced on Wednesday. South Africa is the hardest-hit country in Africa with at least 521,318 infections diagnosed so far, accounting for more than half the continent's cases. Health Minister Zweli Mkwize told a news conference that the numbers of health workers who tested positive for coronavirus stood at 24,104 with 181 deaths. The numbers of infected health care workers translates to around five percent of the country's total caseload, compared to the global rate of some 10 percent, he said. The country's caseload has been rising rapidly in recent weeks. Health authorities have been expecting a surge in infections after the gradual loosening of a strict lockdown that was imposed on March 27, during the early stage of the pandemic. South Africa now sits in the top five globally in terms of the number of infections. Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-05 15:57:48|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close Student representatives lay flowers for Nanjing Massacre victims at the Memorial Hall of the Victims in Nanjing Massacre by Japanese Invaders in Nanjing, east China's Jiangsu Province, Sept. 3, 2019. (Xinhua/Li Bo) China's role in World War II was "enormous" as 35 million Chinese soldiers and civilians were killed or wounded in the catastrophe, Morozov stressed. MOSCOW, Aug. 5 (Xinhua) -- As the main eastern battlefield in World War II, China contributed greatly to the victory of the global war against fascism, Mikhail Morozov, deputy editor-in-chief of Russia's Trud newspaper, has said. Morozov voiced this view in a recent interview with Xinhua as the world commemorates the 75th anniversary of the defeat of fascism this year. China's role in World War II was "enormous" as 35 million Chinese soldiers and civilians were killed or wounded in the catastrophe, he stressed. The war worsened the already difficult economic situation in China, and the Chinese troops continued to fight despite an acute shortage of weapons and other necessities, he noted. The first major strategic victory in the war between the Soviet Union and the Nazi Germany was achieved in the Battle of Moscow, Morozov noted, saying that the victory might not have happened if the Soviet command had not transferred fresh divisions from Siberia to the western front after making sure that the Japanese would not attack the Soviet Union. "All new historical documents show that the actions of the Chinese troops throughout World War II fettered the Japanese army, preventing it from entering the war against the Soviet Union as Adolf Hitler demanded Tokyo," he said. In recent years, some forces have been distorting the truths about World War II out of their political interests, and against this backdrop, "cooperation between China and Russia in opposing attempts to rewrite the history is difficult to overestimate," he added. Morozov hailed China's significant efforts to perpetuate the memory of the war against fascism by erecting monuments and preserving memorials to Soviet soldiers fighting in China. Furthermore, China marks Sept. 3 as the victory day of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, and the country is doing a lot of work to study the history of World War II, he noted. "The firm position of the Chinese leadership, which invariably stands for maintaining an objective view of the war, is of great importance," Morozov said. He praised the China-proposed concept of building a community with a shared future for humanity as it provides a real opportunity for global development and helps strengthen security and stability across the world. A Yale University student from Ohio has launched a federal lawsuit against the Ivy League university, demanding the school return tuition payments after deciding to keep classes online in response to the pandemic. Jonathan Michel, a soon-to-be third year student from Wooley, Ohio, said the prestigious university 'effectively breached or terminated the contract' it had with students 'who paid for the opportunity to participate fully in the academic life on the Yale campus.' 'While the effects of the COVID-19 crisis are shared by all individuals and institutions across the country, Defendant has failed to apportion the burden in an equitable manner or consistent with its obligations as an educational institution. Defendant has retained all tuition, fees, and related payments for the Spring 2020 semester, however, all or substantially all classes have been exclusively held online since on or about March 23, 2020,' the lawsuit, filed in the District Court of New Haven, Connecticut, reads. A lawsuit has been filed against Yale University, with the plaintiff claiming that the school breached its contract by offering classes online but not offering a partial return of tuition funds The suit joins many springing up across the country as disgruntled students bite back at their schools, with similar lawsuits brought up against Columbia and Cornell, along with many others. Schools have said that they will continue to offer the bulk of their classes online, only allowing a small fraction of students to return to campus. Michel, a student in the Davenport College, claimed that he's lost access to key parts of his educational experience by having to take the classes solely online as 'remote learning options cannot replace the comprehensive educational experience.' Jonathan Michel, a student in the Davenport College, claimed that he's lost access to key parts of his educational experience by having to take the classes solely online He cites 'access to facilities, materials, and faculty, and the opportunity for on campus living, school events, collaborative learning, dialogue, feedback and critique' as key factors of the in-person experience that he and other students are missing out on. The plaintiff is hoping to receive some portion of the funds from the Spring 2020 semester, which cost him $27,750, according to the suit. Academic totals for the entire 2019-20 school year came out to roughly $75,925. Yale announced on March 10 that students needed not return to campus after spring break as in-person classes were moving online. It closed the entire campus, soon after. 'While this step to close campus and end in-person classes was necessitated by circumstances, it effectively breached or terminated the contract Yale had with each and every student and tuition provider, who paid for the opportunity to participate fully in the academic life on the Yale campus,' the suit states. The suit slams the university for lauding the online classes as an adequate learning experience, asserting Yale was attempting to 'replace the irreplaceable' by attempting to 'pass off this substitute educational experience as the same as or just as good as fully participation in the university's academic life.' During the 2020-21 school year, the bulk of classes will remain online as only a small percentage of the students will be allowed back on campus It highlights how several of the online programs, already offered by the university, are priced at a much lower cost than their in-person counterpart. The suit cited the Women's Leadership program through the School of Management, which offered a more than $2000 price difference for their online and in-person options. Also cited in the suit are key findings from a study that showed that taking online classes 'reduced student achievement' by .44 points on a traditional four-point grading scale. The study also found that online courses reduced the probability of a student remaining enrolled at an institution by over 10 percentage points. Lawyers representing Michel are hoping to make the lawsuit a class action case so that they can include other students from the university. The school believes that the lawsuit is legally and factually baseless, according to Karen Peart, a spokeswoman for Yale. They are prepared to mount a defense against the suit, the Hartford Courant reports. 'Yale acted to protect the community by moving quickly and effectively to online classes, which allowed students to complete the semester safely,' Peart said. 'Yale also provided students with prorated refunds for the room and board that they were unable to use.' Kanye West speaks on stage at the "Kanye West and Steven Smith in Conversation with Mark Wilson" in New York City on Nov. 7, 2019. (Brad Barket/Getty Images for Fast Company) Kanye West Files Paperwork for Wisconsin Ballot in Presidential Race Reportedly hired petitioning firm to help gather signatures required Rapper Kanye West has filed paperwork with the Wisconsin Elections Commission in hopes of making it onto the presidential ballot in the swing state. According to TMJ4, West chose Michelle Tidball to be his running mate. The outlet reported that four other candidates have also filed paperwork. They are Jo Jorgensen (Pres.) and Jeremy Spike Cohen (VP), Libertarian Party; Howie Hawkins (Pres.) and Angela Walker (VP), Green Party; Brian Carroll (Pres.) and Amar Patel (VP), American Solidarity Party; and Kyle Kenley Kopitke (Pres.) and Taja Yvonne Iwanow (VP), The Peoples Revolution. The WEC is set to decide in the next few days whether the candidates meet qualifications to be on the ballot. Independent candidates must provide at least 2,000 signatures of Wisconsin electors as well as submit a Declaration of Candidacy form to get on the Nov. 3 ballot in the state by 5 p.m. on Tuesday. West, who announced his presidential bid last month, had reportedly hired a petitioning firm Let The Voters Decide to assist him in gathering the 2,000 valid signatures needed to get on the Wisconsin ballot, Intelligencer reported. In 2016, Wisconsin was decided by fewer than 23,000 votes. The petitioning firm reportedly deployed 45 people in the state to help get West on the ballot. The 43-year-old is also pushing to get on the presidential ballot in Ohiowhich requires 5,000 valid signaturesArkansas and West Virginia in the coming days as ballot deadlines loom in over a dozen states, according to the outlet. West, a former supporter of President Donald Trump, has so far submitted documents to appear on the presidential ballot in the states of Illinois, Missouri, and Oklahoma but missed the deadline to get onto South Carolinas. Chris Whitmire, a spokesman for the South Carolina State Election Commission, told The Epoch Times in an email last month that West failed to submit a petition before the 12 p.m. deadline. State law prohibits write-in votes for president. Wests only option to get on the ballot is to seek a nomination from one of the 10 certified political parties in South Carolina, including the Alliance Party, the Green Party, and the Libertarian Party. The parties have until Sept. 8 to certify their candidates. 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 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 in announcing his presidential bid on July 4. The president last month described Wests campaign as very interesting. Itd have to be limited to certain states because in some states the deadline has been missed, Trump told RealClearPolitics. If he did it, he would have to view this as a trial run for whats going to happen in four years. West has said that he was hoping that the filing deadline rules might be more flexible because of the COVID-19 pandemic. West told Forbes magazine last month that if wins the presidency, he plans to model his White House on the fictional land in Black Panther, adding Lets get back to Wakanda. Zachary Stieber contributed to this report. The creation of the state of Jammu and Kashmir by my ancestor Maharaja Gulab Singh in 1846 was a significant geopolitical event in the subcontinent. It resulted in the extension and consolidation of the northern borders of India all the way up to Central Asia (Gilgit-Baltistan) and Tibet (Ladakh). These Dogra campaigns involved the heavy sacrifice of lives but finally resulted in the creation of the Jammu and Kashmir (J&K), the largest princely state in India. This multi-regional, multilinguistic, multi-religious and multicultural state finally disappeared a year ago. It is important to understand that J&K was a unique state which encompassed far-flung areas that had not previously been administered by India. The end of the state a year ago, therefore, had significant geopolitical implications. These involve Gilgit-Baltistan, which we lost in 1947 along with Pakistan-occupied J&K as well as Aksai Chin, which we lost in 1952, and the Saksham valley, which has been handed over to China by Pakistan. Although these areas were not after 1947 under Indian administration, the dismantling of the state into two Union Territories (UTs) seems to have disturbed both our neighbours. Internally, while the Ladakhis welcomed the realisation of their long-standing desire to become a UT, the response in J&K was very different. For Kashmiris, who took pride in their special status, and were pressing for more autonomy and nursing unrealistic expectations, to have not only lost that status but also been reduced to a UT and virtually locked down for almost a whole year along with the closure of educational institutions has been traumatic. In Jammu, the move was generally welcomed as it was around the country. To be fair, this policy had been on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)s agenda for many years, though no one expected the dramatic manner in which it was implemented. The restoration of full statehood for J&K is a demand from both the regions. There is no reason why the erstwhile state should be demoted to the category of a UT, which is looked upon as a humiliation. The restoration should also involve a structure that ensures for the first time a fair distribution of political, financial and administrative authority between the J&K regions. The expensive and obsolete darbar move can be dispensed with, and a new structure put in place that ensures undisturbed year-round administration to both the regions. Domiciliary provisions for safeguarding public appointments and purchase of land by non-residents should be adopted on the same lines as in the hill states of Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand. The restructuring promised enhanced economic development to both regions and has raised high expectations. But the state and its people have suffered massive financial losses over the last year. Tourism, which is the mainstay of the Kashmiri economy, has totally collapsed as a result of which thousands of people involved in the tourism trade have been rendered unemployed. Horticulture has also suffered and there has been a sharp drop in the export of apples from the Valley. The cancellation of the Amarnath Yatra in Kashmir and the Mata Vaishno Devi Yatra in Jammu has also caused extensive unemployment and commercial losses. The first task before the government, which is now directly administering the state, therefore, must be to compensate for these massive losses without delay. It is only once the financial distress has been contained that economic development can begin and investors will feel secure enough to start putting money into new projects. Ladakh has also been badly hit by the drop in tourism. The disturbing influx of Chinese troops, which has been pushed back by our security forces, continues to be a source of deep national concern, especially to the people of Ladakh. While the official claim is that militancy has decreased over the last year, militant attacks still occur from time to time. However, we must now look realistically to the future. The first requirement is the resumption of normal political activity. This will necessarily involve a fresh unbiased delimitation based on the 2011 Census, followed by elections to the state assembly as may be decided by the Election Commission. The delimitation should include allotting additional seats due to the hundreds of thousands of refugees in the Jammu region who remained disenfranchised. It is also necessary for political parties to start functioning again. The BJP is already active, but the Congress must get its act together. The two main regional parties the National Congress and the Peoples Democratic Party would be well advised to restart political activities in light of the new realities. Some recent statements seem to indicate that mature elements are beginning to come to terms with the changed situation. In this context, the restoration of full Internet services, which the Supreme Court itself has favoured, will be an important step towards normalisation, as will be the release of political prisoners. A year later, the disappearance of J&K and its replacement by two Union territories presents a mixed picture of hope and despair, expectation and disappointment. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has often reiterated his determination to further the welfare of the people of the erstwhile state. He and the home minister must now personally ensure that this is achieved. The state administration needs to be far more proactive than it is, and once the political process starts, we hope to see the situation return to fresh stability. Then, the people of the erstwhile state can finally embark on a new chapter of welfare and all-round development. Karan Singh is a senior politician and the son of former J&K ruler Maharaj Hari Singh. He has been a member of both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha The views expressed are personal Port Neches-Groves ISD is asking parents to sign a Parent Code of Conduct as part of student registration, which opened last week. However the document, which has been part of the registration process for two years according to district officials, drew criticism this week for language prohibiting parents from making defamatory, offensive or derogatory comments regarding the school or school staff publicly to others, including on social media. A Facebook post showing the document has been shared more than 100 times as of Tuesday night, with some parents saying they wouldnt sign it. The post was written by Taylor VanDevender, who lives in Vidor, and received a screenshot of the document from one of her friends who was registering a child in the district. PN-G has come been under a lot of public scrutiny lately, VanDevender told The Enterprise. So to me personally, it just seems like they are trying to stay out of the public eye, but I dont necessarily agree with the way they are going about it. While PN-G has been criticized for several administrative actions in recent weeks including the usage of their mascot, the Parent Code of Conduct has been in place since 2018, district officials told The Enterprise. It has been part of our online registration for the last couple of years, Assistant Superintendent Julie Gauthier told said. It is from guidance we received at a training that we took and tweaked for PN-G. Gauthier pointed out that social media was mentioned once in the two page document, and that the district was not actively monitoring parents social media accounts. Other guidelines disallow parents from threatening teachers through any type of communication, damaging school property and making excessive unscheduled campus visits, e-mails, text/voicemail/phone messages. We are not trying to squelch anybodys rights or anything like that, she said. We are just asking that if you have a complaint please talk to the schools so they can try to address whatever it is before you go on social media and put somebody out there. Gauthier said problems in the past have spilled onto social media before the school was notified, delaying officials from responding to the issue. She said a parent has never been banned from a campus or event for content posted online. There is expectations of how we treat professionals, and how we treat our kids and how we treat our parents, she said. This lays out the groundwork for all of those things, whether they be on campus, at an after school activity, or on social media. Neighboring districts including Beaumont ISD and Bridge City ISD have identical Parent Codes of Conduct that bar parents from disparaging the districts on social media. Nathan Trahan, a PN-G alum who graduated in 2012, said he thinks social media is more important than ever as a place to voice concerns over issues concerning the school. If anything, the consequences section should be crystal clear and define what they would do for the social media offenses, Trahan said. But ideally, they'd allow American citizens to use their First Amendment right to criticize their public school; especially when you're discussing critical topics such as how safe it is to return to school, or potentially the talk of their mascot and the surrounding controversy. A school district in Indiana changed a similar Parent Code of Conduct earlier this year after parents and a chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union said the policy was infringing on the parents First Amendment rights, according to local reports. VanDevender said that while she agreed with the spirit of the policy, she worried that it could be used selectively against individuals critical of the school. My father is a teacher and my mother is a school board member, so I understand and recognize that it is important that we create a space for staff and educators to feel safe and not feel harassed by the public, she said. Because teaching is inherently a very public job, you put yourself open to a lot of criticism because youre working for an institution that is funded by taxpayers. However, (the policy) could be interpreted in a different way to push an agenda. isaac.windes@hearstnp.com twitter.com/isaacdwindes Rating Action: Moody's downgrades Men's Wearhouse's PDR to D-PD following Chapter 11 filing Global Credit Research - 04 Aug 2020 New York, August 04, 2020 -- Moody's Investors Service, ("Moody's") downgraded The Men's Wearhouse, Inc. ("Men's Wearhouse") ratings, including its probability of default rating ("PDR") to D-PD from Caa2-PD, corporate family rating to Ca from Caa2, senior secured term loan rating to Ca from Caa2, and unsecured notes to C from Ca. The speculative-grade liquidity rating was downgraded to SGL-4 from SGL-3 and the ratings outlook was changed to stable from negative. Today's actions follow the company's announcement [1] that it has filed for protection under Chapter 11 of the US Bankruptcy Code. Downgrades: ..Issuer: Men's Wearhouse, Inc. (The) .... Probability of Default Rating, Downgraded to D-PD from Caa2-PD .... Speculative Grade Liquidity Rating, Downgraded to SGL-4 from SGL-3 .... Corporate Family Rating, Downgraded to Ca from Caa2 ....Senior Secured Bank Credit Facility, Downgraded to Ca (LGD4) from Caa2 (LGD4) ....Senior Unsecured Regular Bond/Debenture, Downgraded to C (LGD6) from Ca (LGD6) Outlook Actions: ..Issuer: Men's Wearhouse, Inc. (The) ....Outlook, Changed To Stable From Negative RATINGS RATIONALE "The global coronavirus pandemic severely disrupted Tailored Brands' businesses, which were already facing challenges due to execution issues and a challenging retail environment," stated Moody's retail analyst, Mike Zuccaro. "Its Chapter 11 filing, which has support of over 75% of its senior lenders, will allow the company to reduce debt, rationalize its store base, and focus on executing its plan to drive profitable growth." The rapid spread of the coronavirus outbreak, deteriorating global economic outlook, low oil prices, and high asset price volatility have created an unprecedented credit shock across a range of sectors and regions. 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 Men's Wearhouse of the deterioration in credit quality it has triggered, given its exposure to men's apparel, which has left it vulnerable to shifts in market demand and sentiment in these unprecedented operating conditions. Story continues Subsequent to today's actions, Moody's will withdraw the ratings due to Men's Wearhouse's bankruptcy filing. Please refer to the Moody's Investors Service Policy for Withdrawal of Credit Ratings, available on its website, www.moodys.com. Men's Wearhouse, Inc. is a subsidiary of Tailored Brands, Inc., which operates around 1,445 stores in the U.S. and Canada under the Men's Wearhouse, Jos. A. Bank, Moores Clothing for Men and K&G brands. LTM revenue for the period ended May 2, 2020 approached $2.8 billion The principal methodology used in these ratings was Retail Industry published in May 2018 and available at https://www.moodys.com/researchdocumentcontentpage.aspx?docid=PBC_1120379. 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. 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 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. REFERENCES/CITATIONS [1] Form 8-K (SEC) 03-Aug-2020 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. Michael M. Zuccaro Vice President - Senior Analyst Corporate Finance Group Moody's Investors Service, Inc. 250 Greenwich Street New York, NY 10007 U.S.A. JOURNALISTS: 1 212 553 0376 Client Service: 1 212 553 1653 Margaret Taylor Associate Managing Director Corporate Finance Group JOURNALISTS: 1 212 553 0376 Client Service: 1 212 553 1653 Releasing Office: Moody's Investors Service, Inc. 250 Greenwich Street New York, NY 10007 U.S.A. JOURNALISTS: 1 212 553 0376 Client Service: 1 212 553 1653 2020 Moody's Corporation, Moody's Investors Service, Inc., Moody's Analytics, Inc. and/or their licensors and affiliates (collectively, "MOODY'S"). All rights reserved. CREDIT RATINGS ISSUED BY MOODY'S INVESTORS SERVICE, INC. AND/OR ITS CREDIT RATINGS AFFILIATES ARE MOODY'S CURRENT OPINIONS OF THE RELATIVE FUTURE CREDIT RISK OF ENTITIES, CREDIT COMMITMENTS, OR DEBT OR DEBT-LIKE SECURITIES, AND MATERIALS, PRODUCTS, SERVICES AND INFORMATION PUBLISHED BY MOODY'S (COLLECTIVELY, "PUBLICATIONS") MAY INCLUDE SUCH CURRENT OPINIONS. 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Just looking at Mr. Buncich in the courtroom, Connor said, it is evident that his prison term has taken a toll on him. Buncich has lost weight because he only eats food offered through the commissary to avoid eating in the cafeteria because given his background in law enforcement hes scared to eat with other inmates, she said. UNCLE Credit Union Announces Board of Directors Election Results for the 2020-2021 Term UNCLE Credit Union Board of Directors (L-R): Lee Neely, Bob Corey, Neda Gray, Hugh Bussell, Robin Morris, Chung Bothwell, John Freeman, John Stein, Mila Shapovalov, Clay Smith, Peter Goldstein UNCLE Credit Union Board of Directors (L-R): Lee Neely, Bob Corey, Neda Gray, Hugh Bussell, Robin Morris, Chung Bothwell, John Freeman, John Stein, Mila Shapovalov, Clay Smith, Peter Goldstein LIVERMORE, Calif., Aug. 05, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- UNCLE Credit Union, serving four counties in the eastern region of the San Francisco Bay Area and Central Valley, re-elected Chung Bothwell to oversee the financial cooperative as Board Chairman for the 2020-2021 term. First elected to this office in 2008, Bothwell now marks her thirteenth year at the helm of the board. For more than two decades, she has served in a principal role for the multiple award-winning financial institution, which was named Best in East Bay for credit unions by the East Bay Times Readers Choice Awards for the third consecutive year in 2020. In addition, UNCLE holds a 5-Star Superior rating from Bauer Financial for financial strength and security. The accelerated pace of todays financial environment has been further complicated by recent world events. As we move forward in this new reality, UNCLE will continue to serve as a critical community resource by successfully adapting to rapid change. In 2019, we took the important step of forming a new Audit Committee to provide more effective and efficient response to shifting regulations and market trends, said Bothwell, who holds a Juris Doctor (JD) and Master of Laws (LLM) degree, as well as a Master of Business Administration (MBA). The new three-member body is responsible for all of the essential internal controls and reporting functions of our former Supervisory Committee. However, it is empowered to act in a more streamlined and nimble manner so that we can better optimize opportunities that benefit our members. Bothwell has been an integral part of a stable leadership team that has steered the credit union on a strategic course to build member value through sustainable growth and long-term organizational health. Employed at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, she has deep experience in financial management, strategic planning and budgeting. While serving as Board Chairman for UNCLE, Bothwell has been instrumental in leading initiatives to promote financial education in the communities the credit union serves. In addition, she has persistently worked with Congress to advocate on behalf of credit unions. In 2017, she was awarded the California and Nevada Credit Union Leagues J. Alvin George Outstanding Volunteer Award. Story continues Serving alongside Chung Bothwell is Vice Chairman John Stein, Ph.D., who was re-elected to a second term in this role. A former Livermore city council member and current member of the citys planning commission, Stein has held varied leadership positions on UNCLEs Board of Directors for 11 years. He currently works as an engineer at Gryphon Technologies. Stepping up as Treasurer is Mila Shapovalov, who is currently a member of UNCLEs Board of Directors and served on the Supervisory Committee in 2013. Board Secretary Bob Corey was also re-elected to a second term in this office. With the restructuring of the Audit Committee, the three board members serving in this capacity are: Neda Gray, Robin Morris and Clay Smith. In addition, the credit union is honored to welcome Peter Goldstein, Ph.D., to a new board position. Goldstein has been a physicist, software developer and project manager at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory for over 30 years. About UNCLE Credit Union Established in 1957, UNCLE Credit Union is an over $541 million, full-service financial institution serving approximately 28,700 members. The organization offers the benefits of credit union membership and a full array of financial services to anyone who lives, works, worships, or attends school in Alameda, Contra Costa, San Joaquin and Stanislaus counties. UNCLE has seven financial centers located in the San Francisco Bay Area and the Central Valley, along with an additional 5,000 branches and nearly 30,000 ATMs available through participation in the CO-OP Shared Branching Network. Members can also access a full array of online and mobile banking services. UNCLE Credit Union is renowned for its community involvement, professional and personalized service and unwavering commitment to helping members achieve their financial goals. To learn more, visit www.unclecu.org . CONTACT: Jennifer Hall 408.406.6251 jh@stonemediaconsulting.com A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/da8c5738-12f4-4063-8c86-68ca40870671 A remand prisoner accused of murdering his estranged wife was only given 24 out of 48 scheduled checks on the night he died by suicide in Mountjoy, said the prison watchdog. Prison staff who had been carrying out checks on prisoners had been fooled into thinking Keith Lee was asleep by his use of a dummy in his bed. The interval between checks ranged from eight to 62 minutes. The report by the Inspector of Prisons, which did not identify Lee by name, said the use of the dummy was "a convincing strategy" to mislead prison officers. Lee (42) was found dead in the bathroom of his cell on April 12, 2018. He had been charged with the murder of Joanne Ball (38). Her body was found wrapped in a sleeping bag in a wardrobe in a flat in Ranelagh in February 2018, days after he had reported her missing. Lee suffered serious injuries including two broken legs after jumping from a third-storey window when officers arrived at the scene. The report noted he had received psychiatric attention in hospital after his arrest and during his 25 days in custody. It said the Irish Prison Service had successfully managed his status as a protected prisoner as well as his psychiatric and medical needs. "There was no indication that his placement in Mountjoy or threats from other prisoners played any part in his demise," it added. A discharge note from the hospital where he had spent four weeks recovering from his injuries after he jumped out the window had deemed he was not at risk of harming himself or others. Four psychiatrists who examined Lee in prison concurred he showed no evidence of major mental illness. Inspector of Prisons Patricia Gilheaney said prison staff had recognised a possible risk when they discovered "suicide notes" and an improvised knife in his cell at Cloverhill, where he was held in custody before a transfer to Mountjoy. Lee's family had complained that they had learnt of his death via social media. The Irish Prison Service suggested the news may have come from prisoners using illegal phones in Mountjoy, which they acknowledged was "highly undesirable". Right now, West Australians looking to buy or build a house can benefit from the McGowan governments Building Bonus grant, the Australian government HomeBuilder grant and the first home owner grant in some cases all three. The emphasis on the importance of home and the building of homes has never been higher. Around 9100 West Australians currently experience homelessness every night. Yet, in the three years since the McGowan government came to power, the total number of public housing properties available in WA has dropped by 1327, or almost 4 per cent. Pre-pandemic, around 9000 West Australians were experiencing homelessness every night. This number has already climbed to 9100 per night, according to Homelessness Australia and Everybodys Home. The data was released this week to mark the beginning of Homelessness Week 2020. 5. He Reveals Gods Word to Us When Jesus walked on this Earth, he taught everywhere he went. Since he is not here physically, the Holy Spirit has now taken that role. He does it by revealing Gods word to us through the Bible. The Bible itself is complete and trustworthy, but impossible to understand without the Holy Spirit. 2 Timothy 3:16 says that All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right." The Holy Spirit teaches and reveals the meaning of Scripture to Christians the way Jesus would. But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you (John 14:26). 6. He Brings Us Closer to Other Believers The final thing I want to touch on is the unity brought by the Holy Spirit. Acts 4:32 says All the believers were united in heart and mind. And they felt that what they owned was not their own, so they shared everything they had. The book of Acts describes the early church after receiving the Holy Spirit. It was the very Holy Spirit of God that brought about this kind of unity. This is the unity we need in the body of Christ today. If we draw near to the Holy Spirit. He will place love in our hearts for our brothers and sisters and we will be compelled to unite. Ever heard the saying Theres power in numbers? The Holy Spirit knows this and looks to bring about that power in the church. We as Christians need to dedicate more time to understand scriptures about unity and apply them in our everyday lives. Seek to Know Him More Fully As we learned about what the Holy Spirit does in the lives of believers, my prayer is that your heart will be open to him. Take what you have learned and share it with a friend who needs more of the Holy Spirit. We can always use more of him. Now it is time for us to get to know the Holy Spirit more. Explore his other characteristics and learn about the gifts of the holy spirit. Now we want to hear from you. What has the Holy Spirit done in your life that was not covered? Photo credit: Unsplash/Priscilla Du Preez Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-05 20:50:39|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close MALE, Aug. 5 (Xinhua) -- New restrictions have been placed on travel into and out of the Greater Male region of the Maldives as the country's COVID-19 cases continue to rise amid a possible second wave, local media reported on Wednesday. Starting Tuesday, travel into and out of the Greater Male region will be possible only with a special permit provided for essential purposes. Meanwhile, curfew in the region will be imposed from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. local time, with a police permit required to travel outside during these hours. The Health Emergency Operating Center (HEOC) has also passed regulations ordering shops, restaurants and businesses to close by 9:30 p.m. local time. Wearing a mask covering the nose, mouth and chin has also been made mandatory when outdoors. The COVID-19 death toll in the Maldives increased to 19 after an 80-year-old woman died at the Hulhumale Medical facility while receiving treatment, the third death in days. According to the Health Protection Agency (HPA), 10 islands in the country have reported active COVID-19 cases. The total case count stands at 4,446, with 93 people currently hospitalised and 2,691 having fully recovered. Enditem WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Department of Justice on Tuesday awarded nearly a half million dollars in grant money to a Cleveland Heights nonprofit organization that supports women in crisis. Jordan Community Resource Center got a $497,661 from the Office for Victims of Crime to provide safe, stable housing and other services to human trafficking victims, Attorney General Bill Barr and presidential adviser Ivanka Trump announced Tuesday. The organization provides recovery housing, workforce training, mentoring and other gender-responsive programming for women transitioning out of incarceration and treatment facilities who have been affected by human trafficking and opioid addiction, according to the Cleveland Foundation, which also supports the group. CEO Tenisha Gant-Watson said the organization she founded in 2004 typically serves around 85 women a year, many of whom are referred through human trafficking court, treatment facilities and community agencies. She said the grant will allow the organization named for the biblical River Jordan to take in more women from its waitlist and provide them with additional services. Gant-Watson said many of the women she serves are sold into prostitution or commit other crimes they wouldnt normally do if they werent coerced or abused or made to take drugs or made fearful of their lives. Some arent aware their situations fit the definition of trafficking. We believe that if one woman can be redirected, an entire generation is positively impacted, said Gant-Watson, who got to meet Barr and President Donald Trump at the White House on Tuesday. If mamas doing well, babys doing well. Another Ohio organization, Cincinnati Union Bethel, got $500,000 from the Justice Department on Tuesday. They were among 73 organizations that received more than $35 million in grants to provide six to 24 months of transitional or short- term housing assistance for trafficking victims, including rental, utilities or related expenses, such as security deposits and relocation costs. The grants will also provide funding for support needed to help victims locate permanent housing, secure employment and receive occupational training and counseling, the White House said. Barr described the grants as the first-ever federal program dedicated exclusively to providing housing for survivors of human trafficking, and said theyre part of approximately 100 million dollars in total grants that the department anticipates awarding this year to combat human trafficking. Aside from financial support, the department will continue to use the full force of our law enforcement resources to investigate, prosecute, and punish the people behind this cruel and criminal scourge, said Barr. A statement from U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio Justin Herdman said that in addition to combating the threat and harm posed by human trafficking, the Justice Department is committed to providing much-needed resources and assistance to victims. These funds announced today will help our partners provide victims with necessities such as housing and utilities assistance, occupational training and counseling, said Herdman. In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, combating human trafficking in the U.S. and abroad is critical work, said a statement from Ivanka Trump. DOJs grant recipients are on the frontlines of this fight, ensuring that survivors across our country are afforded safe and stable housing and empowered with the support and resources they need to rebuild their lives. More coverage: Lordstown Motors to become publicly traded company after merger House passes bill to fund Great Lakes projects and numerous federal departments Democrats including Sen. Sherrod Brown bemoan end of $600 federal unemployment supplement Jim Jordan grills Anthony Fauci on whether protests spread coronavirus, rails about restrictions on church services Ohio Democratic Party relents on controversial PPP loan as legislation is introduced to require a giveback Ohios U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown introduces legislation to boost domestic personal protective equipment production Rep. Jim Jordan attacks tech CEOs, saying they discriminate against conservatives Want to launder money? Buy art, says report by Ohio U.S. Sen. Rob Portman Ohio libraries to get coronavirus relief money President Donald Trump, Justice Department say Cleveland will see surge of federal agents to combat crime Sen. Sherrod Brown introduces resolution to declare racism a public health crisis Rep. Bob Gibbs asks President Trump to restrict TikTok app House passes Rep. Dave Joyces bill to ensure federal death and disability benefits for first responders afflicted by coronavirus Gov. Mike DeWine and other Ohio political leaders remember the late civil rights pioneer John Lewis Coronavirus recession will challenge the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, ex-head Rich Cordray and Sen. Elizabeth Warren predict Joe Bidens presidential campaign names Toni Webb its Ohio state director Rep. Marcia Fudge calls for a Poverty Bill of Rights BAKU, Azerbaijan, Aug. 5 By Elchin Mehdiyev - Trend: Fictitious and unreasonable pension applications amounting for payment of 54.8 million manat ($32.2 million) were dismissed in Azerbaijan during the first half of 2020, Minister of Labor and Social Protection of Population Sahil Babayev said, Trend reports. Babayev made the remark during discussions on amendments to the state budget of Azerbaijan at the meeting of the Parliament on August 5. The minister noted that the free balance of funds in the amount of 197.2 million manat ($116 million), formed by the beginning of this year in the fund's account due to adjustments, was included in the revenues of the State Social Protection Fund under the ministry. Taking into account this amount and the savings in expenditures totaling 40.8 million manat ($24 million), it became possible to reduce the volume of transfers from the state budget to the fund by 238 million manat ($140 million). These funds will be used to continue the implementation of the programs on social protection and financial support for social security in relation with the pandemic, Babayev said. (1 USD = 1.7 manat on August 5) Ajay Tyagi will continue to be the head of the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) for another 18 months after the Centre extended his term as Sebi chairman up to February 28, 2022. The appointments committee of the cabinet has approved the extension of term for a further period of 18 months with effect from September 1 upto February 28, 2022, or until further orders, whichever is earlier, the finance ministry said in a notification on Wednesday. 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. 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Digital Editor Representatives of Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) at the Strategic Stakeholders Consultative Meeting Accredited Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) at a one-day "Strategic Stakeholders Consultative Meeting" with the Chairman of the Board of the National Commission on Higher Education (NCHE) and Minister of Education called on the government of Liberia to permit HEIs to reopen in the month of September 2020, in order for them to exercise proposed strategies prior to reopening. The meeting, which brought together 82 stakeholders of HEIs schools across the country, was held in Montserrado County to allow representatives to give their views on the reopening of schools. The purpose of the HEIs "Strategic Stakeholders Consultative Meeting" was to discuss issues of concern regarding COVID-19 that led to the closure of all schools and for the HEIs to design strategies by formulating plans that will lead to reopening schools in observance of 'COVID-19 Health Protocols.'" The meeting, which was chaired by Prof. D. Ansu Sonii, Sr., gave birth to an 18 count resolution to the government to enable schools to reopen and for students to follow all health protocols put put in place by the Ministry of Health (MoH). The HEIs resolution included that prior to commencing classes, a joint team, which should comprise the NCHE, NPHIL (National Public Health Institute of Liberia), and MoH, conduct inspection of the HEIs facilities in order to determine their preparedness to operate in observance of COVID-19 Health Protocols; MoH should conduct refresher training for the HEIs Administrators; "Campus-Based COVID-19 Response" teams are constituted at all HEIs for students to carry out sensitization and awareness within their communities, and that of the schools in order to control the spread of the virus; the appropriate health protocols be observed on all campuses, including frequent hand washing, wearing of nose masks, and the observance of social distancing, among others; and a "Good Behavior Bond" (GBB) be signed by all students, committing themselves to wear face masks and other preventive measures. It also called on HEIs to ensure that the learning environment is kept clean and waste products are properly managed in ways to prevent students from getting infected with the virus and other diseases; that hygiene protocols be observed on campuses at all times, and hand-washing stations be established at various locations to enable students to implement the preventive measures on COVID-19; registration of students in the HEIs be designed within the timeframe by colleges and departments to minimize the crowdedness of students on campuses; limited courses be offered as a means to reduce overcrowding of classes; class sizes should be drastically reduced to a level that can easily carry out effective social distancing; HEIs should ensure safe water is available always on their campuses and HEIs having the capacities should conduct blended learning. Other measures include that all HEIs conduct general clean up exercises on their facilities before the resumption of classes; HEIs setup temporary isolation centers in their facilities to isolate anyone observed with signs and symptoms of COVID-19, and immediately contact the appropriate health authorities; all HEIs set up "Campus-Based Health Teams" to regularly monitor and enforce the adherence of health protocols at all times, Government of Liberia (GoL) provides financial support to enhance the reopening of HEIs, including all private and faith-based institutions of higher learning; and the GoL should intervene and engage the various GSM companies to reduce the cost of data in support of online programs offered by HEIs. Dr. Francis Nah Kateh, Liberia's Chief Medical Officer, who attended and participated as the Special Guest, presented on "Health Risk Mitigation" with a "Spotlight on COVID-19." His presentation provided realistic insight of COVID-19 globally, regionally, and locally. Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Liberia Education By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later. Dr. Linda Birch, President of the Liberia Medical & Dental Council (LMDC), and a member of the NCHE Board of Commissioners, in a brief statement highlighted three measures for consideration to provide guidance to the HEIs forum. Those measures highlighted by Dr. Birch included Public Health Measures, Environmental Measures, and Administrative Measures, all of which must be observed at all times. Dr. Birch suggested that the HEIs and the NCHE Secretariat should collaborate with the National Public Health Institute of Liberia (NPHIL) and the Ministry of Health (MOH) for inspections of their various campuses before resuming regular academic sessions. She further emphasized the need for thermometers to be used at the entrances of all the HEIs for testing temperatures of students, staffs, and others regularly, adding that additionally, social distancing should be enforced, and sharing of devices with other objects handled must be observed by being constantly sanitized and decontaminated. Qualcomm (QCOM) ended July with a bang. The semiconductor giant saw out the month by posting an estimate beating FQ3 report. Exuberant investors sent shares up by a mighty 20% in the following sessions, resulting in Qualcomm stock notching a new all-time high. While the results bought in beat both for the top and bottom line, the Streets most buoyant reaction was reserved for a surprise not reflected in the quarters balance sheet. The news Qualcomm had signed a long-term patent licensing agreement with Chinese telecom giant Huawei sent ripples of excitement across the Street. Add into the mix the $1.8 billion in past licensing fees which Huawei will pay Qualcomm and it is easy to understand the positive reaction. 5-star Deutsche Bank analyst Ross Seymore believes the deal with Huawei represents $200- 250m QTL revs in F4Q. For Seymore, the agreement removes the last major licensing uncertainty facing QCOM, and now means the chipmaker has multi-year license agreements with every major handset OEM. Overall, Seymore estimates the annual benefit to revenue will amount to approximately $1.5 billion and EPS should benefit to the tune of $0.8. However, looking at the bigger picture, the deal is an addition to what already looks like a fine set of catalysts to further propel Qualcomm forward. Seymore said, While this agreement alone warrants a higher value for QCOM shares, we see upside beyond the aftermarket rise as we continue to believe QCOM is well positioned to see further acceleration in revenue in Dec (Apple ramp, QTL seasonality), rising market share in 5G (increasing revenue/MSM on modems and RFFE) and improved margins. Consequently, while macro/COVID-related uncertainties remain elevated, we believe QCOM is uniquely positioned to benefit from growth in the 5G market, deliver upside to Street rev/EPS ests, and earn a higher valuation that closes its current discount vs. large cap semi peers. Down to basics, what does it all mean for investors? Seymore rates QCOM a Buy along with a $115 price target. This figure implies a modest upside of 4% from current levels. (To watch Seymores track record, click here) Story continues The Streets outlook for Qualcomm tells a similar story. QCOM's Moderate Buy consensus rating is based on 12 Buys, 7 Holds and 1 Sell. Backed with a $114.82 average price target virtually identical to Seymores - the analysts colleagues also project upside of 4.5%. (See Qualcomm stock-price forecast on TipRanks) To find good ideas for tech stocks trading at attractive valuations, visit TipRanks Best Stocks to Buy, a newly launched tool that unites all of TipRanks equity insights. Should teachers work from school buildings if all their students are learning at home? At first glance, there are plenty of reasons to say yes. Teachers struggled this spring adjusting to providing instruction from their homes, without their usual teaching tools and classroom objects. Plus, roughly 10 percent of U.S. teachers dont have reliable internet access or digital devices at home, which forced some to teach from the parking lots of their school buildings or to shell out money for expensive computing devices . And teaching from home blurs the boundaries between work and personal life , which was exhausting and frustrating for many educators last spring. An empty classroom gives a teacher room to spread out, and more time to evaluate the most effective ways to space out desks for social distancing when students eventually return. During live video sessions, students will also get to see their classrooms rather than their teachers homes. Its going to be one step closer to a sense of normalcy for us and the students, said Terri Holden, superintendent of the 750-student Yellow Springs district in Ohio, where educators will be required to work in the classroom, unless they have a valid health exemption, while nearly all students will learn remotely. But there are plenty of reasons to be wary of this approach, too. Leaving the home and working in a building with other people, even spread out for the most part from one room to another, increases the risk of spreading the COVID-19 virus. Teachers with underlying health conditions, as well as older teachers and teachers who live with older family members, worry about getting sick on the job . Further complicating matters are teachers who have young children or children with special needs at home due to school building closures. Many are already balking at being required to leave their homes for a large chunk of the day, preferring to struggle through balancing their child-care and teaching responsibilities. Reopened buildings also require cleaning and maintenance, all of which costs money at a time when schools resources are stretched thin. The teachers union in Los Angeles successfully lobbied against the districts requirement for teachers to conduct virtual instruction from school buildings. However, teachers still have the option of returning to school buildings if they choose to teach from there. The district, like many others across the country , has decided to start the year with full-time remote learning for students. Time to Figure Out Social Distancing Administrators for the Yellow Springs district earlier this summer had planned for schools to fully reopen this school year, which starts Aug. 27. But as the virus persisted and even worsened in parts of the country this summer, plans quickly changed. Requiring teachers to return to the school building gives the teachers the first quarter to intimately re-examine their space and say, When kids come back, how are we going to make this work? Holden said. Otherwise, she said, the schools maintenance teams would decide where to move the desks without necessarily getting teacher input. Students will get to see their classroom every day and imagine themselves in it. Im not seeing my teachers dining room, I see my classroom, I know Im getting back there at some point this year, she said. That opportunity can be particularly valuable for students with disabilities. Kirsten VanWagner, who teaches for the Fulton Virtual School, the online arm of Fulton County Schools in Georgia, said her son, who has autism, will benefit from the structure and repetition of seeing his classroom every day and eventually transitioning to going there in person. The district decided this summer to have teachers deliver instruction from their classrooms, but students will be learning remotely through at least Labor Day. The motivation to bring teachers back while students stay home isnt just about student learning. Holden said having teachers in the building allows her to convene small group sessions for technology training or professional development. But such meetings are risky. Two Nashville teachers who attended a professional development session this month later tested positive for the virus , forcing 18 others who attended the meeting to quarantine for two weeks. A teacher in Arizona died from COVID-19 after teaching summer school in a classroom with two other instructors, prompting the districts superintendent to write in the Washington Post that hes deeply concerned schools dont yet have the resources to reopen without putting peoples lives at risk. Ive gone over it in my head a thousand times. What precautions did we miss? What more could I have done? I dont have an answer, he wrote. These were three responsible adults in an otherwise empty classroom, and they worked hard to protect each other. We still couldnt control it. Thats what scares me. Health Risks Deemed Too High For some districts, the health risks of bringing adults back to school buildings outweigh the benefits for students and staff. Jason Kamras, superintendent of schools in Richmond, Va., wrote in the districts reopening plan that allowing virtual teaching to happen in school buildings would violate our commitment that no one would be forced to work in-person because custodians and some administrators would need to be there as well. Teachers and parents were strongly opposed to in-person instruction, said Kamras. He suspects thats in part because Black students make up roughly 75 percent of the districts population. Black people have been three times as likely to contract COVID-19 and twice as likely to die from it compared with white people, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control . In a recent Education Week Research Center survey , 76 percent of Black educators said they favor full-time remote learning to start the school year, and only 35 percent of Black respondents said theyd prefer full-time in-person learning. Bringing people back to the school building, even a far lower number than usual, could lead to an outbreak, Kamras said. People even with the best of intentions tend to congregate, using one bathroom or connecting at lunch in the teachers lounge, he said. It had the potential to undo the very reason we closed, which was health and safety. The district isnt leaving teachers entirely to fend for themselves at home, though. Kamras said every teacher will be able to take home anything from their classrooms, including whiteboards. And each teacher will get a home teaching kit that includes a document camera, a magnetic whiteboard easel, and office supplies. The district has also created uniform virtual backgrounds for teachers so they dont have to worry about students seeing their homes. For teachers that truly cant work at home because their apartments are too small or the distractions are too great, the district may identify alternative workspaces, including some district-owned sparsely used office-type properties or workspaces provided by partner organizations. None of the current options for remote or in-person teaching is especially appealing or universally favored, Kamras said. But the stakes are high and extend beyond schools themselves, he argues. We are part of the effort to not cause any transmission in Richmond and beyond, Kamras said. The fewer opportunities we have for people to be in the same place at the same time, the better off we are not just as a school system but as a community. From Romania, Poland, Morocco and Thailand, thousands of people flock to Western Europe each year to help farmers harvest precious crops, often paid low wages for long, backbreaking days of work. The migrant labourers' often poor work conditions are a point of recurring controversy, but the coronavirus outbreak has thrown their plight into stark relief with the added risk of contagion in overcrowded, unsanitary living quarters. Several outbreak clusters were reported among workers -- with 174 infections on a farm in Bavaria in Germany, 250 on another in Aragon, Spain, and 170 in Provence, France, since the European harvesting season began. Italy had to send riot police to a council estate in Mondragone, north of Naples, after a cluster of more than 100 coronavirus cases among Bulgarian workers living there sparked tensions with locals. With harvests set to continue until October, "it is very likely that we will see new outbreaks associated with seasonal workers," warned Fernando Simon, chief epidemiologist at the Spanish Ministry of Health. Yet many of the workers are illegal, with no recourse to medical care and who move under the radar to avoid visa controls. Few have access to coronavirus testing, and any infections among them run the risk of spreading the virus, even after their return home. - Impossible without them - But Europe's economy, devastated by the pandemic, cannot afford to lose these workers, many from the east of the continent and from Africa. France's agriculture minister Julien Denormandie said last week the government would not be "dogmatic" at this stage about its plans to regularise migrant labour, much reduced by virus-busting limits imposed by Europe on population movement. If farmhands cannot be found locally, "we are not going to let the fruit and vegetables rot or leave the grapes unpicked, so we turn to other countries where men and women agree to come and harvest" in France, the minister told the Europe 1 broadcaster. As continent-wide lockdowns persisted in May, farmers from several regions of Italy chartered planes to bring workers from Romania and Morocco. For worker Maria Codrea, whose annual income depends largely on her salary from picking grapes in Italy, the alternative of playing it safe and staying in Romania "would have been hard". On the other side of the coin, Spanish farmer Ignacio Gramunt affirmed: "without them, we would not be able to do it." - Sleeping on cardboard - But while farm labourers were hailed along with other essential workers for keeping locked-down citizens fed during the epidemic, this has not always translated into better treatment. In the Andalusian village of Lepe in Spain, dozens of African migrant workers have been camped outside the town hall since the shacks they were living in, without water or electricity, burnt down two weeks ago. "We sleep on these mattresses and cardboard boxes because we have no alternative," lamented Lamine Diakite, a 32-year-old Malian farm labourer interviewed by AFP. In Italy, the government promised in May to regularise temporarily undocumented seasonal workers. But few employers have agreed to pay the 500-euro ($586) fee required for this administrative procedure, according to local media. Sweden relaxed travel restrictions in June to enable foreign farm hands and berry pickers, many from Thailand, to enter, with employers obliged to take steps to ensure they can keep an safe distance from one another on the trip and during their stay. Germany, too, requires farmers to ensure workers can work and live "strictly separate" from one another for the first 14 days, and to not leave their host farm for the period. - 'Pick for Britain' - In Denmark, the authorities urged agricultural employers to ensure workers are tested on arrival, then isolated for 48 hours or until they test negative. Portugal has gone further, granting free access to public services to paperless migrants during the epidemic. In spite of government efforts, uncoordinated as they are, many farmers have battled to find the hands they need. In Germany, only 40,000 of the required 300,000 foreign workers could be recruited this season, meaning part of the fresh produce harvest will remain on trees or in the ground. In Italy, the epidemic caused a shortfall of between 250,000 and 270,000 workers, the agriculture ministry said. One option: going local. The British government launched a campaign dubbed "Pick for Britain" encouraging locals to replace some of the 70,000 foreign farm hands needed for the summer harvest. burx-pid/mlr/sjw/bsp Ukrainian seasonal workers wait in line for a charter flight to Finland in May Police in Mondragone cordoned off a block of flats where 43 positive cases of coronavirus have been identified among Bulgarian farm workers Seasonal workers in Lepe are camping outside the city hall after their makeshift shanty town was burned down Flash A second COVID-19 wave had already reached Germany, the German trade union of doctors, Marburger Bund, announced on Tuesday. "We are already in a second, flat wave of increases," Susanne Johna, first chairperson of the Marburger Bund told the German newspaper Augsburger Allgemeine on Tuesday. The second wave was not comparable with the high daily case figures recorded in March and April. "There is a danger that we will gamble away the successes we have achieved so far in Germany in a combination of suppression and a longing for normality," stressed Johna. At the height of the COVID-19 pandemic in Germany, more than 6,000 new infections had been recorded by the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) in a single day. Between late June and early July, no more than 500 daily COVID-19 cases had been reported to the RKI. But it recorded an increasing number of new infections again in recent weeks. As of Tuesday, new infections with COVID-19 in Germany rose by 879 within one day to 211,281 while the number of coronavirus-related deaths stood at 9,156. According to Johna, German hospitals were prepared for a second wave. In contrast to the first wave, however, hospitals should not generally keep a fixed amount of unoccupied beds for COVID-19 patients but instead manage beds in a demand-orientated way. "Because the pandemic is building up slowly, we need to provide graduated treatment options for COVID-19 patients," stressed Johna. As a first step, the number of intensive care beds kept free for COVID-19 patients would be reduced, according to Marburger Bund. If these beds were occupied, stage two would come into effect 24 hours later and capacities of intensive care units in the hospital in question would be expanded. "This will continue step by step until, in the highest alarm and expansion stage, all intensive care capacities available for COVID-19 patients are used up," explained Johna. According to the online registry of intensive care beds in German hospitals by German interdisciplinary association for intensive and emergency medicine (DIVI), 270 patients infected with COVID-19 were currently undergoing intensive care treatment, almost half of patients were being artificially ventilated. In total, of the more than 32,000 intensive care beds in Germany, 20,785 were currently in use, according to the DIVI online registry. "We all long for normality. We simply are in a situation that is not normal," stressed Johna, adding that as long as there were no drugs to treat COVID-19, the spread of the coronavirus had to be contained. Rome votes to name future Amba Aradam metro stop after Giorgio Marincola. Rome city council backed a motion in early August to name a future Metro C station after the so-called partigiano nero or 'black partisan' Giorgio Marincola, instead of the planned name of Amba Aradam - Ipponio. "Rome is proudly anti-fascist," said mayor Virginia Raggi who declared that Marincola "sacrificed his life for the good of our country, his example keeps alive the memory of those who died for the liberation of Italy." Naming the station after Marincola is "a precise and important signal, especially in this historical period," said Raggi, adding: "Rome does not forget." The move came six weeks after activists placed a banner over the Metro C works on Via dell'Amba Aradam which stated (in Italian) that no station should be named after "oppression", and signed in support of the Black Lives Matter movement. The activists pledged to "dismantle the symbols of colonialism in the capital", targeting Rome streets that recall "shameful massacres carried out by Italian soldiers in Ethiopia, such as Via dell'Amba Aradam" (named after a battle which took place in Ethiopia in 1936). The activism in Rome followed the defacing of the Milan monument to Indro Montanelli, the prominent right-wing Italian journalist who bought a 12-year-old Eritrean girl as his wife while serving in the Second Italo-Ethiopian War in 1936. Who was Giorgio Marincola? Son of an Italian military officer, Giuseppe Marincola, and a Somali woman, Ashkiro Hassan, Marincola was born in 1923 in the town of Mahaday, north of Mogadishu, in what was then called Italian Somaliland. Contrary to the customs of the time, his father recognised both children (Giorgio had a younger sister called Isabella) and brought them to Italy where they were raised as Italian citizens. Marincola chose to contribute actively to the liberation of Italy in the Resistance period, participating in raids against the German military in the provinces of Rome and Viterbo, before parachuting into the northern province of Biella in 1944. Giorgio Marincola. Photo Shalom. In January 1945, Marincola was arrested by the Germans who tried to coerce him to make disparaging remarks against the resistance movement during a radio broadcast. However Marincola defied them by saying the exact opposite of what was written in his script, reportedly saying: "Homeland means freedom and justice for the peoples of the world. This is why I fight the oppressors." The broadcast was interrupted as he was beaten while still on air. After the Nazi SS abandoned its transit camp in Bolzano, where Marincola had been incarcerated, he made his way to join a partisan faction in the Fiemme Valley in the northern province of Trento. Giorgio Marincola in Biella It was here that he was shot and killed, along with 25 other partisans and civilians, by retreating German soldiers at a checkpoint on 4 May 1945, two days after Germany had officially surrendered in Italy. In 1953 Marincola was posthumously awarded Italys highest military honour, the Medaglia dOro al Valor Militare, in recognition of his heroism and ultimate sacrifice. President Donald Trump participates in the swearing in of General Charles Q. Brown as the incoming Chief of Staff of the Air Force, in the Oval Office of the White House, Aug. 4, 2020. (Doug Mills-Pool/Getty Images) Trump Suggests Executive Order on Suspending Payroll Tax As Americans wait for another COVID-19 package, President Donald Trump said he may attempt to suspend the payroll tax via an executive order. Well, I may do it myself, Trump told Fox & Friends on Wednesday. I have the right to suspend it, and I may do it myselfI have the absolute right to suspend the payroll. Payroll taxes are shared by the employer as well as the employee. Each party responsible for a 6.2 percent levy that goes toward Social Security and a 1.45 percent tax payment for Medicare. Earlier this year, the Trump administration used its authority to delay the due date for 2019 federal income taxes, pushing it back to July 15. He added in the interview the Democrat statesthey dont want to open up anything. They dont want their schools open, they dont want their businesses open, they want to keep it shut, and you cant do that. Michael Graetz, a professor of tax law at Columbia University, told CNBC that a president only has the ability to postpone payroll taxes. He doesnt have the authority to forgive the taxes, said Graetz. Only Congress can do that. For the past several weeks, Democrats and Republicans have been at an impasse over a new stimulus package that is designed to offset losses incurred during the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus pandemic. Federal unemployment benefits of $600-per-week ended last week, and days before that, a federal moratorium on evictions ended. Republicans have proposed a $200-per-week initial benefit that would later replace 70 percent of workers wages. The White House is seeking to provide another round of $1,200 stimulus payments and extending the supplemental jobless benefit and partial eviction ban. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) appears intent on an agreement as well, but shes made it clear she needs big money for state and local governments, unemployment benefits, and food aid. It was productive, were moving down the track. We still have our differences, we are trying to have a clearer understanding of what the needs are, and the needs are that millions of children in our country are food insecure, Pelosi said earlier this week. Millions of people in our country are concerned about being evicted. Tens of millions of people are on unemployment insurance. I cant see how we can go home and tell people weve failed, so I think thats going to be a lot of pressure on everybody to come up with something, said Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas). It really is a matter of will. Its not a matter of substance at this point. This is just a painful period between people finally deciding OK, we want a deal, and then what that deal will ultimately look like. The Associated Press contributed to this report. The Shiv Sena on Wednesday said those who forget the sacrifices of 'kar sevaks' at the time of 'bhoomi pujan' of the Ram temple construction in Ayodhyawill be "Ram drohi". The 'bhoomi pujan' event is of the entire country and Hindus. But what is this adamant stand that nobody should get credit, the Sena wondered in an editorial in party mouthpiece 'Saamana'. It claimed the ceremony is "personality centric and political party centric". "The soil where the Ram temple will be constructed has the smell of sacrifices of 'kar sevaks'. Those who forget that will be Ram drohi," the Uddhav Thackeray-led party said. The mosque in Ayodhya was demolished in December 1992 by 'kar sevaks' who claimed an ancient Ram temple had stood on the same site. In November last year, the Supreme Court paved the way for the construction of Ram temple at the disputed site in Ayodhya, and directed the Centre to allot an alternative five-acre plot to the Sunni Waqf Board for building a new mosque at a "prominent" place in the holy town. The Shiv Sena lamented that former Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi, who delivered the historic verdict in the Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri mosque case, was not invited for the ground-breaking ceremony in Ayodhya. Even the Shiv Sena, which played a role in the demolition of the Babri mosque, was not invited, it said. "It has to be accepted that the legal issue was resolved during Modi's tenure. Otherwise, Gogoi wouldn't have been made the Rajya sabha member after his retirement," the Shiv Sena said. It said Iqbal Ansari of the Babri action committee got an invite for the function. Ansari stretched the legal battle for 30 years and "Gogoi took Lord Ram out of the legal tangle", the Marathi daily said. Workers of the VHP, Bajrang Dal, Shiv Sena, RSS "faced lathis and bullets and many laid down their lives in the movement for the Ram temple construction," it said. With the 'bhoomi pujan' on Wednesday, politics over the issue of Ram temple should end once and for all, the Shiv Sena said. It said sentiments of the Congress, the Samajwadi Party and the Left parties should have been considered. BJP leader Subramanian Swamy has credited (late Congress leaders) P V Narasimha Rao and Rajiv Gandhi for the Ram temple, it added. Also read: Ram Mandir Bhoomi Pujan: Sena carries out Babri Mosque demolition ad; praises Balasaheb Also read: Ayodhya Ram Mandir Bhoomi Pujan Live Updates: Bhoomi pujan begins; PM performs 'sashtang pranam' Bengaluru, Aug 5 : Breaking a short cycle of more recoveries than fresh coronavirus infections, Karnataka slipped back to the old pattern of recording more cases than recoveries as 5,619 new ones were detected, taking the state's total tally to 1,5l,449, an official said on Wednesday. The new cases were reported between 5 pm on Tuesday to 5 pm on Wednesday. Of the total, 73,958 cases are active. As usual, Bengaluru Urban accounted for the highest 1,848 new cases, raising the city's total tally to 64,881, of which 32,757 are still active. Ballari recorded 631 new cases, followed by Belagavi (293), Mysuru (261), Davangere (224), Dharwad (199), Kalaburagi (197), Udupi (173) and Koppal (154). Meanwhile, 100 more patients succumbed to the virus, increasing the state's death toll to 2,804. However, in a positive development, 5,407 more patients were cured and discharged, taking the total to 74,679 recoveries. Bengaluru's Municipal Commissioner N. Manjunatha Prasad said the number of discharge cases were increasing. He said the positive cases in the past one week till Tuesday totalled 14,212 while the number of discharged patients during the period added up to 15,124. Boston, Aug. 05, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Luminex Trading & Analytics LLC, a buy side-owned trading venue delivering efficient, low-cost block executions, today announced the hire of industry veteran Ilisa Gruber as sales and relationship manager. Based in Chicago, Gruber will oversee Luminexs relationships with top clients among its more than 200 buy-side, institutional investors. She will be responsible for increasing engagement with existing clients as well as managing the firms continued growth in the U.S. Midwest and other regions. Gruber joins Luminex with more than 30 years of experience in the financial industry. Most recently, she spent 18 years at Liquidnet, where she was initially hired as the firms first sales trader and helped grow the business into a global institutional investment network. Earlier in her career, Gruber worked at leading firms including Thomas Weisel Partners, Schroders & Company and CS First Boston. Grubers experience is wide-ranging, having begun her sales career in high-net-worth retail investing, eventually covering large institutional investors, both domestic and international, for both high-touch and electronic trading. Luminex is more than a trading venue; its a buy-side community, said Jonathan Clark, Luminex CEO. Like any community, it depends on its relationships for its success, and throughout her career, Ilisa has demonstrated an amazing ability to connect with clients and deliver for them. With a focus on block trading, shes a perfect fit for our team as our existing participants engage more with Luminex, and as we grow our business in the Midwest region. Luminexs commitment to its participants and to the end investor makes it a standard-bearer for the industry, said Gruber. Our team is laser-focused on block trading, while some competitors try to be all things to all people. Luminexs dedication to its clients, and the loyalty it has earned in return, is a perfect match for the midwestern mindset that searches for the best solutions and then sticks with them. Im excited to be joining the team as we deepen our relationships, and create new ones, in the Midwest and around the country. Since its launch in November 2015, trading among Luminexs participants has grown steadily, as the venue is fulfilling its promise as a destination dedicated to delivering low-cost block trading with minimal information leakage. In June 2020, the latest month for which FINRA data is available, Luminex saw an average natural block trade size of 46,000 shares, placing it among the leaders in FINRAs 10k block trading category1. About Luminex Luminex Trading & Analytics LLC is an independent trading venue that offers low-cost trading and superior execution quality with minimal information leakage by interacting only with venue-approved participants. Luminexs collaborative approach intends to improve trust, liquidity and control, helping buy side traders execute large block trades with little market impact. The company was formed by and is guided by a consortium of nine leading investment managers BNY Mellon, BlackRock, Capital Group, Fidelity Investments, Invesco, J.P. Morgan Asset Management, MFS Investment Management, State Street Global Advisors, and T. Rowe Price. For more information, visit www.luminextrading.com. Luminex Trading & Analytics LLC 157 Seaport Boulevard, Suite P-3 Boston, MA 02210 Member, FINRA/SIPC The Virginia Department of Health has launched COVIDWISE, an app that uses Apple and Googles COVID-19 contact tracing technology to track coronavirus cases and notify users when they may have been exposed. State officials had been beta testing the app, which is the first to fully use Apple and Googles exposure notification API. As of today, the app is free to download in the Apple App Store and Google Play Store. COVIDWISE doesnt employ GPS to monitor a users location, but instead uses Bluetooth to communicate between devices. After downloading the app and opting in to the Exposure Notifications System, it will generate random, anonymous beacons for your device. Other phones in the area receive and store those beacons, and emit their own. No location data or personal information is ever collected, stored or transmitted to VDH as part of the app,VDH spokeswoman Julie Grimes told Virginia Public Media. You can delete the app or turn off exposure notifications at any time. Virginia Department of Health If an app user tests positive for COVID-19, a VDH official will give them a personal identification number that will be used to report the positive result to the app. Each day, phones with the app download a list of all the anonymous beacons associated with positive COVID-19 cases, and checks them against the list of beacons it has encountered in the previous two weeks. If there is a match, the user is notified and given steps to keep themselves and those around them safe. Participation in the app is voluntary. The more that people download the app, the more effective it will be, Virginia health official Dr. Danny Avila told VPM. While the app could be helpful in letting people know whether theyve encountered a COVID-19 case, its not a replacement for more rigorous forms of contact tracing that involve government officials obtaining an infected persons information. Virginia is the first state to use the exposure notification API. North Dakota, Alabama and South Carolina have signed on to use it, but havent launched public apps yet, according to 9to5 Mac. MONTREAL, QUEBEC / ACCESSWIRE / August 5, 2020 / MONARCH GOLD CORPORATION ("Monarch" or the "Corporation") (TSX:MQR)(OTCQX:MRQRF)(FRANKFURT:MR7) is pleased to announce that the Corporation has qualified to trade on the OTCQX Best Market. Monarch upgraded to the OTCQX market from the Pink market. Monarch begins trading today on OTCQX under the symbol "MRQRF". U.S. investors can find current financial disclosure and Real-Time Level 2 quotes for the company on www.otcmarkets.com. Upgrading to the OTCQX Market is an important step for companies seeking to provide transparent trading for their U.S. investors. To qualify for OTCQX, companies must meet high financial standards, follow best practice corporate governance, and demonstrate compliance with applicable securities laws. "We are very pleased to be trading on the OTCQX," said Jean-Marc Lacoste, President and Chief Executive Officer of Monarch. "This is another important milestone for Monarch, which will facilitate trading in our stock for US investors as we continue to expand our shareholder base to a larger pool of retail and institutional investors. The timing is perfect as we're seeing an increase in volume coming from US investors over the last three months." ABOUT OTC MARKETS GROUP INC. OTC Markets Group Inc. (OTCM) operates the OTCQX Best Market, the OTCQB Venture Market and the Pink Open Market for 10,000 U.S. and global securities. Through OTC Link ATS and OTC Link ECN, we connect a diverse network of broker-dealers that provide liquidity and execution services. We enable investors to easily trade through the broker of their choice and empower companies to improve the quality of information available for investors. To learn more about how we create better informed and more efficient markets, visit www.otcmarkets.com. ABOUT MONARCH GOLD CORPORATION Monarch Gold Corporation (TSX:MQR) is an emerging gold mining company focused on becoming a 100,000 to 200,000 ounce per year gold producer through its large portfolio of high-quality projects in the Abitibi mining camp in Quebec, Canada. The Corporation currently owns over 315 km of gold properties (see map), including the Wasamac deposit (measured and indicated resource of 2.6 million ounces of gold, which includes proven and probable reserves of 1.8 million ounces of gold), the Beaufor, Croinor Gold (see video), and McKenzie Break advanced projects, the Camflo and Swanson exploration projects, and the Camflo and Beacon mills. It also offers custom milling services out of its 1,600 tonne-per-day Camflo mill. Forward-Looking Statements The forward-looking statements in this press release involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause Monarch's actual results, performance and achievements to be materially different from the results, performance or achievements expressed or implied therein. Neither TSX nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this press release. FOR MORE INFORMATION: Jean-Marc Lacoste 1-888-994-4465 President and Chief Executive Officer jm.lacoste@monarquesgold.com Mathieu Seguin 1-888-994-4465 Vice President, Corporate Development m.seguin@monarquesgold.com Elisabeth Tremblay 1-888-994-4465 Senior Geologist - Communications Specialist e.tremblay@monarquesgold.com www.monarquesgold.com SOURCE: Monarch Gold Corp. View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/600278/Monarch-Gold-Commences-Trading-on-the-OTCQX-Market Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Wednesday accused the Congress of toeing the soft Hindutva line, saying he was not surprised over party general secretary Priyanka Gandhis statement supporting the Ram temple construction in Ayodhya. We all know who opened the doors of the temple and who allowed Kar Sewa which ultimately led to the demolition of the Masjid. The Congress always supported soft Hindutva. So I did not find any surprise in the statements of Congress leaders, including Rahul and Priyanka Gandhi, the CM said. The Indian Union Muslim League, a major ally of the Congress in Kerala, on Wednesday passed a resolution expressing displeasure over Priyanka Gandhis statement on the construction of Ram temple in Ayodhya, saying her statement was inappropriate and reminded Congress leaders not to dilute their secular credentials. The CPI (M) has been taunting the League, asking it to explain its position after Priyanka lauded the construction of Ram temple. Without taking the name of anyone, the CM said the country was in the midst of a pandemic and all efforts should be there to contain the spread of the virus and it was no time for any celebration or festival. He said politburo has made the position on the temple clear and he did not want to elaborate it further. Meanwhile, the state has reported seven deaths and 1195 new cases. Out of 29,150 total cases active are 11,495 and recovered 17, 537. With seven more casualties the death toll went up to 96 and there are 515 containment spots in the state. Admit it, women are one of Gods strongest and most powerful creations. Why? Because they are simply the perfect amalgamation of strength, resolve, selflessness and deep compassion. Their resolute beliefs and the ability to put up a fight against every threat makes them invincible. That is also perhaps one of the major reasons why women make indomitable soldiers in the armed forces all over the globe. While many like to claim that women function based on their hearts and not their minds, they in fact make use of both on most occasions unlike popular belief. Twitter/YS_Sheoran And now the Indian Army has put a stamp on it too, because for the first time women soldiers have also been deployed along the Line of Control in Jammu & Kashmir on regular national security duty. This only reaffirms the fact that women are equally capable of putting up a tough fight in the face of danger and serve to protect their motherland just like their male counterparts. According to reports, the deployed female soldiers are Assam Rifles recruits who are serving in the Indian Army on deputation and have been deployed at Sadhana Top. These 12 rifle women, accompanied by a female commanding officer from the Indian Army shall be on guard duty on the national border that goes towards the LoC. Incredible! Indian Army Riflewomen deployed for the first time along LoC between #India and #Pakistan in Jammu & Kashmir. Here are the brave women soldiers protecting us all!!#Girlpower!!pic.twitter.com/qVlb9Dx0rQ Ashima Khosla (@khosla_ashima) August 3, 2020 Theirs is a key position given that it is close to Pakistan occupied Kashmir and is known for stray infiltration attempts by terrorists, apart from smuggling of narcotics, fake currency and weapons via Sadhana Pass in the area. It is also being said that this crucial position is being held by female soldiers because there are around 40 villages in the areas near the Line of Control. Vehicles from these villages enter various parts of Kashmir via the Sadhana Pass. Twitter/official_dgar Now, given the presence of women in these vehicles, Indian Army was finding it difficult to check vehicles thoroughly and thus this all-women squad has taken on the serious job. This comes as a great move in empowering the women of our country, and we are pretty sure the next thing on the list will be to take up combat roles in the Armed Forces where female soldiers will fight their enemies side-by-side their male counterparts. They're from Assam Rifles, now deployed in LoC. Assam Rifles is a fine force. Have raised and commanded a Division as a Major General. Now they show the way re women in combat Lt Gen Satish Dua (@TheSatishDua) August 4, 2020 Wish you all the very best. You make India proud. vijay wadhwani (@WWadhwani) August 4, 2020 It said the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) entered into force on August 1, after eight years of negotiations, gradually eliminating up to 99 percent of all mutual duties. Illustrative image (Photo: VNA) "This opens up new opportunities for the Czech Republic in the rapidly growing market of almost one hundred million in the attractive region of Southeast Asia. In contrast to current protectionist trends, the agreement can be seen as a positive signal towards open international trade based on rules," Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Industry and Trade Karel Havlicek was quoted as saying. "According to preliminary estimates, 100 million Czech crowns, an even higher amount will be saved by the removal of non-tariff barriers. The biggest opportunities will open up for Czech companies in the automotive, engineering and electrical engineering industries, he added. According to Minister of State for EU and Foreign Trade Martin Tauberova, after the experience of the pandemic, the agreement may also greatly help efforts to diversify supply, which could in the future make it possible to better deal with any similar global crises. The newly agreed framework has the potential to revive trade between the Czech Republic and Vietnam, which is currently the Czech Republic's 25th largest trading partner in the world. Vietnam is one of the fastest growing economies in the world, the article said, adding that the country's economy has grown steadily by 6 to 7 percent a year over the past decade. In addition, Vietnam has a young, active population, which gives its economy the potential for further rapid prosperity. Vietnams economic situation does not seem to be dramatically affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Vietnam has not resorted to a blanket curfew, but has targeted measures at specific areas with the disease, keeping the economy going. According to the World Bank's forecasts, the local economy should grow by up to 4 percent this year as well. In addition to favourable economic indicators, Czech businesses can also benefit from human capital. Close historical ties between the two countries gave rise to a significant Vietnamese minority in the Czech Republic and a large group of Vietnamese who, thanks to studies in the former Czechoslovakia, still speak Czech after returning to their home country. The newly agreed trade framework has the potential to develop trade relations between the two countries, the article said. The Czech Ministry of Industry and Trade affirmed that it is ready to advise entrepreneurs. EVFTA will also be one of the main topics of the next meeting of the MIT Expert Team on Free Trade Agreements, which will be convened during the autumn. In the following period, the evaluation of the real impacts of EVFTA on the Czech Republic is also planned, according to the article./. The Walt Disney Company lost nearly $5 billion (U.S.) April, May and June, while its theme parks were shut down due to the coronavirus pandemic, according to a presentation Disney executives made Tuesday. It cost the company $3.5 billion just to close the parks during the third quarter, on top of the $1 billion it cost to shut them down the second half of March. In all, the company posted a loss of nearly $5 billion for the third quarter, including a $2 billion loss in its parks, experiences and products segment. Disneys domestic parks Disney World and Disneyland, as well as Disneyland Paris, resorts and cruise operations were closed for the entirety of the quarter and the final two weeks of the previous quarter. The companys parks, experiences and products segment revenue declined 85 per cent to $1 billion compared with the same quarter in 2019. Operating income fell $3.7 billion to a loss of $2 billion. Disneys media networks segment helped offset the losses from parks, experiences and products. Across all segments, the coronavirus pandemics impact cost the company $2.9 billion in April, May and June. This is obviously a very uncertain time, CEO Bob Chapek said during an earnings webcast Tuesday. We should be in good shape once consumer confidence returns. Disney has felt the full impact of the coronavirus pandemic, from its theme parks, resort hotels and retail stores, to its cruise lines and TV and film production. Disney World in Florida and Disneyland Paris both opened in July; Disneyland backed off its plan to reopen July 17 amid the COVID-19 surge in California and has not announced a new reopening date. Shanghai Disneyland reopened in May. While Hong Kong Disneyland reopened in June, it closed again in July because of a new coronavirus outbreak. Both California and Florida have the highest numbers of coronavirus cases in the country. As of Tuesday, the Florida Department of Health counted more than 497,000 total cases, making the state second only to California, with more than 519,000 cases. The coronavirus surge in Florida has resulted in more cancellations and lower attendance than the company was expecting, with the park operating at lower capacity, Disney executives said Tuesday in the earnings presentation. Chapek said Disney World had experienced a fall-off in visitors coming to the park from out-of-state. Long-distance travel remains well below last years volume, and airlines have cut flights from their schedules. The impact of the parks reopening on the company wont be known until it releases fourth-quarter results. We expect demand will grow when the COVID situation in Florida improves, said Christine McCarthy, Disneys chief financial officer. An early-stage trial of a promising coronavirus vaccine found high levels of neutralising antibodies in Australians who volunteered to get the experimental injection. The US Biotech company Novavax announced the results of the Phase 1 trial on Wednesday, flagging its intention to start large-scale Phase III trials as soon as September and manufacture up to two billion doses of the vaccine in 2021. The data published on a pre-print site and not yet peer-reviewed appears promising, but the findings are too preliminary to draw firm conclusions about how effective it may be at protecting the public from the COVID-19 virus SARS-CoV-2 and curbing the pandemic. The trial tested the Novavax vaccine candidate NVX-CoV2373 in a trial of 130 heath volunteers in Melbourne and Brisbane who received varying doses of the vaccine or a placebo. With Russia systematically trying to eliminate any Ukraine-associated elements from occupied Crimea, Klyment recently spoke of the Church having become the only island of Ukrainian identity and spirituality on the occupied peninsula. A week after Archbishop Klyment was threatened with criminal prosecution if he did not demolish a Ukrainian Orthodox chapel in Yevpatoria, Russia's Supreme Court has taken a decision which places in jeopardy the very existence of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine in the occupied Crimea. On August 4, 2020, the Supreme Court refused to reconsider the judgment to evict the congregation of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine from the Cathedral of St Vladimir and Olga in Simferopol, which Russia has been trying to take over since its invasion and annexation in 2014, according to Kharkiv Human Rights Protection Group. Serhiy Zayets, the lawyer representing the Ukrainian Orthodox congregation says it is time to sound the alarm. The Supreme Court's move, he believes, "essentially means the total dissolution of the Ukrainian Orthodox community in Crimea. This is not formally genocide, but it borders on it. Russia is destroying yet another Ukrainian religious and cultural group and is continuing to purge Crimea of all that's Ukrainian". Archbishop Klyment has long warned of the dangers and implication of Russia allowing to destroy the Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Crimea. In December last year, the warning was stark: "If there is no Diocese and no Cathedral (of Saints Vladimir and Olga), it won't be possible to speak of anything Ukrainian having been preserved in Crimea." With Russia systematically trying to eliminate any Ukraine-associated elements from occupied Crimea, Klyment recently spoke of the Church having become the only island of Ukrainian identity and spirituality on the occupied peninsula. Read alsoUN Human Rights Committee again demands that Russia roll back eviction of Ukrainian church from temple in occupied Simferopol It is this Ukrainian identity which Russia has sought to eliminate. It is, however, likely that the Church and its Archbishop were also viewed as "the enemy" due to their openly pro-Ukrainian position and to the public statement from the Church on March 11, 2014, condemning Russian occupation of Crimea. During the first year after Russia's invasion, 38 of the 46 parishes under what was then still the Kyiv Patriarchate ceased to exist. In at least three cases, churches were seized by the occupation regime: in Sevastopol; Simferopol, and the village of Perevalne. Although western countries reacted very weakly to Russia's invasion, Moscow probably feared a more active reaction to open persecution of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, and instead used so-called "reregistration" under Russian legislation as a weapon, and set about physically withdrawing the Church's property. Read alsoRussian security agencies using religion as tool to meddle in Ukraine intelligence chief Reaction from both Kyiv and the international community is absolutely vital, the human rights watchdog says. Russia has already demonstrated its willingness to harass and even detain the Archbishop. If Moscow does not encounter real resistance from the West, the next step will almost certainly be persecution of the Archbishop and Ukrainian members of the Church, the report concludes. Massachusetts is one of seven states in talks with U.S. manufacturers to buy antigen tests, a diagnostic COVID-19 test that is known for producing faster, but less accurate results. Massachusetts joined Maryland, Louisiana, Michigan, Ohio and Virginia in an interstate compact with the Rockefeller to expand the use of antigen tests, Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan announced Tuesday night. North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper later announced his plans to join the compact. The compact is in discussions with New Jersey-based Becton Dickinson and California-based Quidel to purchase a total of 3 million tests, sending about 500,000 to each of the six states, according to the announcement. Increasing both testing capacity and access to testing is a critical part of stopping the spread of COVID-19, Gov. Charlie Baker, a Republican, said in a statement. We are pleased to joint the interstate compact and look forward to working with this bipartisan group of governors to collectively build on these shared goals. The first-of-its-kind compact aims to use the tests to detect outbreaks more quickly and expand long-term testing in congregate settings such as schools, nursing homes and other workplaces, said Hogan, chairman of the National Governors Association. With severe shortages and delays in testing and the federal administration attempting to cut funding for testing, the states are banding together to acquire millions of faster tests to help save lives and slow the spread of COVID-19, the Democratic governor said. The Food and Drug Administration authorized the first antigen test by Quidel in May. At the time, the FDA warned the antigen tests can lead to a higher chance of false negatives and, in some cases, false positives. In July, a cluster of COVID-19 antigen tests in Vermont ended up having a high number of false positives. Massachusetts residents who get tested for COVID-19 typically undergo the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test, a molecular diagnostic technique. The test results, however, have taken sometimes a week to come back with results as labs cite backlogs as other states seek to process more tests. Some have obtained the antibody tests to determine if they might have had COVID-19 at some point, but they are not useful for detecting active infections. The antigen test seeks out fragments of proteins from the virus in a sample, which is collected by swabbing the nasal cavity. Test results can come back in 15 to 20 minutes, according to the FDA. Because the test results were considered less accurate than a PCR test, the FDA suggested in May that negative tests should be confirmed with the traditional COVID-19 test to prevent the possible spread of the virus due to a false negative. In Massachusetts, more than 8,400 people have died from coronavirus-related complications as of Tuesday, according to the state Department of Public Health. State officials reported 438 new cases Tuesday, much higher than in previous weeks. Related Content: While she spent many years tending to all kinds of diseases and injuries, working across hospital specialties, her recent months have focused mainly on COVID-19 care. And of course, the coronavirus outbreak has made her and her colleagues worry about their own health, as well as that of their patients. In early March, Rodriguez learned that there were not enough masks for all members of the hospital staff; like so many institutions across the country, the hospital struggled to secure adequate levels of personal protective equipment, known as PPE. I f you came up with the plot for a film about a fictional social networking superpower poised to take over the world you might come up with something like TikTok. A catchy name. A product that makes no sense to anyone who isnt gripped by lip-syncing clips of a digital llama dancing to the tune of an outdated Russian cereal advert (that one has been watched about 90 million times). An owning company that is said to be worth more than $100 billion, run from China but which says it is really from the Cayman Islands, a small British territory in the Caribbean. A business at the centre of a battle between superpowers, with unsubstantiated warnings that it is a piece of spyware giving way to a plan for Microsoft to buy TikToks operations in four countries the US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand, with Donald Trump demanding the US Treasury get a big cut of the deal. All the story needs next is James Bond to jet in to some island hideout. That wont happen. But his security service bosses are certainly interested in whats going on. Thats partly because the possible Microsoft deal covers four of the countries which work together in the Five Eyes intelligence-sharing network, but not the fifth Britain. Quite why that is hasnt been made clear. One reason might be that Britain has been in the running for TikToks global headquarters and possibly, still is. The Government here says it would be a commercial decision but it should back the plan much more enthusiastically. Its a rare chance for Britain to take a lead in social media. Whether TikTok will still want to come here after China promised retribution for Britains defence of Hong Kongs rights is another matter. But we should welcome the dancing llama to London. Terror threat remains The horror of coronavirus has taken our minds off other serious threats to London. But that doesnt mean they have gone away. Today, Scotland Yards counter-terrorism chief tells the Evening Standard that the security services are currently investigating 800 different leads into potential attackers and that there is still a real threat. A terror attack, he warns, is likely. The danger comes from Right-wing extremists, as well as the supporters of Islamic State. London has already suffered two attacks in the last nine months. We must hope that another does not take place and back those who are working to keep us safe. A whale of a time Its returning with a terrible pun Whale hellooo again but dont let that put you off. The good news is that from today the Natural History Museum is open again, and with free, timed tickets that can be booked online in advance you can see it without the usual school-holiday scrum. Loading.... The museum is an extraordinary place not just a display but the home to many scientists too. Across the road, the V&A is back from tomorrow (also free, book online). The Science Museum joins them soon. London is reopening. Advertisement Kano state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Habu Sani Ahmadu is a Reporters delight any day. His composure and mastery of crime-fighting tactics cum strategy speak volume of the secret behind his success story less than one year in Kano, though he hugely attributed his triumph over criminals and criminal activities in the state to Community Policing and Technology-based crime busting pattern. Habu was born into the family of Alhaji Ahmadu Sani of KARHI Royal House, Hakimin Gidan Bango Gundumar Dinbiso, Wurno LGA of Sokoto State on 7th April, 1964. After the mandatory primary and secondary school education from 1971 to 1982, he attended the prestigious Usmanu Danfodiyo University Sokoto where he obtained his B.sc (Education) in Geography from 1985-1990. Did his one year National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) at GSSS, Ganye, Adamawa State (formerly Gongola) 1990/91. He joined the Nigeria Police Force as Cadet Assistant Superintendent of Police and did his training at Police Academy Annex Kaduna from 18th May, 1992 since then, he occupied various positions and posts in the Nigeria Police Force both within and outside Nigeria. His various postings took him to serve as Divisional Crime Officer (DCO) Divisional Police Officer (DPO) and Officer In-charge of Intelligence Bureau in various states of the Federation which includes: Jigawa, Kebbi Cross-river and Niger States as well as Ports Authority Police Command Officer In-Charge ZIB Zone 6 Calabar and Facilitator/Course Officer at the Police Intelligence School, Enugu. He served in United Nations Peace-Keeping Mission in Sudan (UNMIS) as training coordinator in Bentiu Team Site, South Sudan, 2006-2007. As an Assistant Commissioner of Police, he was posted Niger State Command as ACP Criminal Intelligence and Investigation Department (CIID). Later transferred to Force Headquarters Abuja, got promoted and headed the Technical Intelligence Unit (TIU) as Deputy Commissioner of Police In-charge of the Unit ie (TIU) In acknowledging his handwork and Successes recorded in the fight against Crimes and Criminality across the Country, he was posted to head IGP- Monitoring Unit at Force Headquarters Abuja and promoted the Rank of Commissioner of Police. The office is directly responsible for supervision and coordination of sensitive Intelligence and special tactical operational outfits as well as referred investigations of the Nigeria Police Force through the ISPs office. Some supervised and coordinated outfits include, the Technical Intelligence Unit (TIU), Analytical Tracking and Interception Centre (ATIC), Intelligence Response Team (IRT), Special Tactical Squad (STS), Terrorism Investigation Bureau (TIB) among other duties and responsibilities. Prior to his posting to Bauchi Command, he was the Commissioner of Police, Force Intelligence Bureau (FIB) FHQ Abuja and at the same time deputy coordinator of the intelligence arm of Operation Puff Adder that was recently launched by the Inspector General of Police, IGP Mohammed Abubakar Adamu, NPM,mni, to checkmate crimes across the country. He attended many courses, seminars and workshops both within and outside Nigeria, some of which includes but not limited to the following: central Planning and Training Unit (CPTU) at Police Staff College, Jos; Intermediate Command Course at Police Staff College, Jos; Advance Criminal Intelligence Analyst Course at Nigerian Army Intelligence School Tego Lagos; Advance Intelligence Processing Course; Technical Intelligence Management Methodology Course;ITF, Management Workshop; False Document and Border Police Technique course in Cesena Italy. He also attended the following courses at United Nations Institute for Training and Research programme of Correspondence Instruction (USA): Global Terrorism; International Humanitarian Law and Law of Armed Conflict; Mines Action, Humanitarian Impact, technical Aspect and global initiative; Peacekeeping and International Conflict Resolution; The Conduct of Humanitarian Relief Operations: Principles of Intervention and Management and 11 other courses under same institute. He is a member of professional bodies such as: Fellow of Institute of Cooperate Administration (FCAI). CP Habu Sani is a recipient of many certificates of commendations and awards, both within and outside the country due to his hard work and selfless service such as: United Nations Peace Keeping Service Medal (UNMIS) Sudan; United Nations Commissioner of Polices commendation for training the local police in Bentiu South Sudan; AIGs Letter of commendation for dedication to duty tenacity of purpose, timely and graphic intelligence report; AIGs letter of commendable service to the Nigeria Police; Best DPO of the year award in Jigawa State 2001. A seasoned Police Officer, CP Habu Sani Ahmadu has successfully supervised and Coordinated Tactical and Intelligence Response Team Operations which led to the arrest of high profile criminals and recovery of large cache of arms and ammunition. Having followed his impressive track record in crime busting, a team of 247ureports.com Editors engaged him on his stewardship in policing Kano, with its peculiarities. Excerpts: What has been your experience fighting crime in Kano so far? As you are aware, Kano is the commercial nerve centre of Northern Nigeria; and the most populated state in Nigeria. Since my assumption of duty in Kano State on the 21 November, 2019, as the 41st Commissioner of Police, I drew an Action Plan for efficient result-oriented crime fighting efforts. Some of which include, but not limited to: Sustained Puff-Adder Operations, Robust Community Policing Engagements, Community Problem Solving Approaches, Evidence-based and Intelligence-driven Investigations, utilization of Technology in execution of our policing mandate, and the launch of the Campaign against Thuggery (Daba), as well as curbing the menace of Drug Abuse and other vices. These approaches boosted public partnership, public trust and confidence on the Police and its policing activities to the effect that many successes/achievements were recorded in the fight against all forms of crimes and criminality in the State. It is indeed a rewarding and impressive experience. What would you say has been the major challenge you have faced policing Kano? I came to Kano when there were threats of banditry, kidnappings and armed robberies along border towns, especially, the frontline border Local Government Areas. I was also confronted with the continuous public outcry about missing children in the state. but with the strategies put in place, missing of children in Kano is now a history. Also, with our strategic deployments of both human and material assets, robust Community Policing Engagements, as well as, synergy with other sister-security agencies, we were able to secure our borders from the influx of bandits from neighboring states and contiguous locations. However, the accessibility problems especially in the Falgore areas remained the major challenge that must be viewed seriously. Historically, Kano had been a hotbed of religious/tribal conflicts where many deaths were recorded and properties lost. It adversely impacted Kano economy. How are you ensuring that the same does not occur again? The major focus of the present-administration under the adroit leadership of the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Muhammad Abubakar Adamu, NPM, mni is Community Policing; and this was fully adopted in Kano where all stakeholders are being engaged. Channels of intelligence gatherings were modified and intensified. Forums Such as Inter-Faith Peace Foundation (IPF) and Inter-Faith Dialogue are properly being utilized. Council of Ulama and Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Kano state chapter and all religious/tribal leaders were fully engaged in the Commands problem solving discourse. They are also part of the Community Policing Committees at State Command, Area Commands, Local Government Areas and Divisional Headquarters. So, I assure you that Kano is peaceful and Kano will remain peaceful irrespective of ethno-religious differences. I also commend the state Governor, His Excellency, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje for his commitment towards this direction. On the national stage, there has been push towards Community Policing. Though you have been mentioning the strategy on the cause of this interview, we want to know how you have used Community Policing to achieve results while fighting crime in Kano? Yes, Community Policing is working and has taken a centre stage in contemporary policing, and hence its practice in Kano is not an exception. It is worth noting that, Community Policing is collaboration between the Police and the Community that identifies and solves Community problems. The achievements recorded so far, is as a result of the exploit of the Inspector General of Police, IGP Muhammad Abubakar Adamu, NPM, mni Community Policing Policy, as a result of Intensified Community Policing Engagements. So, we are adequately utilizing community policing and it giving us the needed results here in Kano. How has the prevalence of the Corona Virus pandemic impacted Policing in Kano? The Corona Virus, otherwise called Covid-19 pandemic has, to some extent, affected the Commands manpower deployments due to enforcement of Total Lock Down, including Inter-State travel ban and restriction of movement, which though, have been lifted. However, despite such engagements, the Police Command has continued to sustain its crime fighting efforts. Consequently, deployments were made to 17 identified frontline Local Government Areas and 126 points across the remaining 27 Local Government Areas to effectively checkmate the activities of criminal elements that may want to take advantage of the pandemic to carry out their nefarious activities. At a point, cattle rustling became the major headache of the police in Kano, but was fought to a standstill. It is currently threatening a return. How is the battle against cattle rustling going? Fighting all forms of criminal activities in the state is a continuous process. From our review of crimes, the potential areas for Cattle Rustling and concealment of Rustled Cattle are Falgore Forest, the bordering Lame-Burra Forest of Bauchi and Plateau States and the extension of Falgore Forest on the Kaduna axis as well as other contagious areas along Kano-Katsina and Kano-Jigawa with vegetational advantage for the Cattle Rustlers to operate or conceal rustled Cattles. We have been carrying out clearance operations in these areas to contain the threats of not only Cattle Rustling but other forms of crimes that are peculiar to these terrains. Deployments were made in these areas and a lot of successes were achieved. 17 Cattle-Rustling Suspects were arrested and prosecuted and 542 Cows were recovered. Owners of the cows were identified and their Cows returned to them through the State Task Force on recovered rustled livestock. How would you review your achievements for almost eight months in Kano? Well, I wish to thank the Almighty God for giving us the grace to record modest achievements here in Kano. This could not have been possible without the full support and encouragement we receive from the Inspector General of Police, Muhammad Abubakar Adamu NPM, mni. We also appreciate the support and encouragment of the state Governor, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje. Since I assumed duty in Kano, we have arrested 91 kidnapping suspects and 140 armed robbery suspects. We have also secured the release and freedom of 27 abduction victims and six kidnapped victims. We also rescued 25 trafficking victims. Moreso, 29 fraudsters were arrested; 53 drug dealers were arrested; 1, 857 thugs (Yan Daba) were also arrested; 17 Cattle Rustling suspects were also arrested; and 53 motor vehicles, tricycles, motorcycles and bicycle thieves were also arrested. Moreso, over 542 cows were recovered; 57 different caliber of riffles, including 15 AK-47 riffles were recovered. 1, 758 different categories of live ammunition and cartridges were also recovered. 1, 785 matchets, 64-pointed rods and 412 clubs were recovered. Eighty six motor vehicles, 13 tricycles, 42 motorcycles and six bicycles were recovered. Also, over 667 mobile handsets were recovered. Seven hundred and fifty two brand new stolen motor vehicles tyres valued at N15, 000, 00.00; 56 bags and 1, 689 parcels of Indian Hemp valued at N19, 780, 000 were recovered. Eleven cartons and 59 bottles of Codiene Expectorant valued at N961, 550.00 were recovered. Tramadol valued at N2, 400,000.00; 11 drums of Suck-And-Die; 518 cartons of other assorted intoxicating and illicit drugs were also recovered. What is your advise to Kano residents? First of all, I want to congratulate Kano residents for observing a peaceful and glorious Sallah celebrations. I urge them to remain law-abiding. They should also be mindful of the COVID-19 pandemic and abide by the protocols. For criminals and hoodlums, I urge them to shun their unpatriotic activities or be ready to face the wrath of the law. Lets say I do my core lessons we make it from 8:30 to 10:30 ... some students are (then) going to work asynchronously, and then some groups are going to get in small groups with me. Thats how it would be in the classroom anyways, because if Im working with a small group of students, thats going to be differentiated based on their level, she said. So Im going to meet with some students live just like we are right now. Theyre going to be able to see me. I can share my screen, so there are lots of resources for guided reading, digital math, manipulatives, that we can do to make sure those small groups are happening, and then students will we have to work through these kinks but students will probably have an assigned time that This is my small group time with Ms. Wagoner, and Im going to log on. Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-06 01:06:32|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close NAIROBI, Aug 5 (Xinhua) -- Conservation lobby groups from the Sub-Saharan African region on Wednesday launched a campaign to strengthen the response to zoonotic diseases through the protection of vital ecosystems. The campaign, supported by an alliance of over 80 African conservation organizations, aims at enlightening local communities on the role of healthy ecosystems in containing the spread of zoonotic diseases. "As conservationists, we are at the frontline of curbing the spread of zoonotic diseases. This alliance provides a platform to articulate the challenges we face within the continent and identify the opportunities that elevate the African voices, protect our natural resources and our health," said Kaddu Sebunya, CEO of Nairobi-based African Wildlife Foundation (AWF). He said that Pan African conservation entities are keen to be part of the global response to zoonotic diseases through promoting sustainable management of biodiversity. Sebunya said that African governments and conservation partners should be on the frontline of promoting knowledge on disease-causing pathogens transmitted from animals to humans. He said the alliance for the conservation groups will leverage on policy discourse, innovations and community-based education to boost response to zoonotic diseases. Gladys Kalema-Zikusoka, chief executive officer Uganda-based Conservation through Public Health (CTPH) said that local communities should be encouraged to desist from unsustainable exploitation of biodiversity to prevent outbreaks. "Bushmeat sensitization in Uganda has already started. We are keen to engage the communities on a continuous basis to improve their understanding of the risks of contracting pathogens from wildlife," said Kalema-Zikusoka. She said that sustainable management of natural assets is key to boost the resilience of local communities amid threats of pandemics and climatic shocks. Maxi Louis, director, Namibian Association of Community Based Resources Association said that investments in ecological protection coupled with sanitation and hygiene are key to boost action on zoonotic diseases that have created a public health crisis in Africa. Enditem Kinshasa, DR Congo (PANA) - Two hundred and fifteen deaths and 7,727 recoveries from coronavirus (COVID-19) have been recorded in DR Congo since the declaration of the pandemic in the country on 10 March 2020, official sources told PANA here Tuesday DALLAS, Aug. 5, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Medecision, an integrated health management company, announced today that Jan Berger, MD, MJ, will serve as its new Advisory Board chair, succeeding Richard Popiel, MD, MBA , who served as Medecision's founding Advisory Board Chair. Dr. Popiel remains a member of the Advisory Board following the completion of his term as Chairman. During his tenure, Dr. Popiel provided critical guidance on the formation of the Advisory Board and was instrumental in recruiting new members. "Dr. Popiel provided key guidance to Medecision's leadership team on a wide variety of strategic and operational issues, particularly as we navigated the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our industry and business sector," said Deborah Gage, Medecision President and CEO. "We're grateful for his insight, guidance and contributions, and look forward to his ongoing work with our Advisory Board and leadership." Dr. Berger is an accomplished clinician, thought leader and advisor to many organizations in healthcare. She serves on public and private boards of directors and is a sought-after consultant with more than three decades of experience in the healthcare industry. Dr. Berger brings an extensive understanding of clinical policy and practice, population health strategies and has deep operational expertise in the health system, health plan and healthcare IT sectors. She is also a published author and sought-after speaker on behavioral health, healthcare IT and consumer health behavior. "Dr. Berger has made significant contributions to Medecision's strategy and growth as a valued member of our Advisory Board over the past year, and we're excited to have her leadership as our new Chair," Gage said. "Her advice and perspectives will help guide the company's strategy and execution, particularly in the rapidly emerging market for virtual and digital health care solutions." "Now more than ever, our customers and prospects understand the critical nature of replacing disconnected point solutions and internal transactional systems with the comprehensive capabilities available with our Aerial platform," according to Gage. "This platform powers data management, analytics, workflow and social-mobile engagement in a connected, consolidated and virtual experience for individuals, patients and members, and their care managers." Dr. Berger is CEO of consulting group Health Intelligence Partners and has previously served as Chief Medical Officer and Chief Innovation Officer at CVS Health. Dr. Berger is also a member of the boards of Cambia Health Solutions, GNS Healthcare, Tabula Rasa Health Care, UCB and Voluntis. About Medecision At Medecision, we believe in a liberated healthcare system where people, plans and care teams engage in driving the best health outcomes in a seamless, interconnected way. That's why we invest every year in delivering a better Aerial Experience to our customers and the people they serve. See how the Aerial Experience enables better health and care for people like Joan, Mack and Margaret, who want to thrive while managing chronic conditions. With more than 30 years of business success under our belt, and nearly 50 million lives under Aerial management, we know what it takes to power success for our clients more than 70 of the leading health plans and systems in the US. With our professional services division, Aveus, we tackle complex challenges in our pursuit to drive the best consumer experience. Learn more about our mission, vision, team and achievements by visiting medecision.com, or follow us on LinkedIn. Media contact: Regena Frieden [email protected] 480.258.9232 SOURCE Medecision Related Links www.medecision.com - Seoul International Financial Office (SIFO), a dedicated space for domestic and international financial institutions, will be created in Yeouido, a financial mecca of Korea - With the completion of the SIFO, Seoul invites financial institutions to move into SIFO from July 29 to August 21 - 70% of the office rental fee and legal and investment consulting services will be offered to the finally selected companies for up to five years - Eligible applicants are domestic and foreign financial firms and finance-related international organizations that have a plan to newly locate or re-locate their office in Yeouido - A total of ten companies will be selected, and they will be allowed to move into SIFO from the end of October SEOUL, South Korea, Aug. 5, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- The Seoul Metropolitan Government announced that it will open the "Seoul International Financial Office (SIFO)" in Yeouido*, Korea's financial mecca, in this coming October. * Yeouido was designated as the nation's financial hub in 2009 according to the Act on the Establishment and Development of Financial Centers. To be located on the 16th floor of the Seoul International Financial Center ("One IFC"), SIFO is a dedicated space for domestic and international financial institutions, featuring offices of various sizes that can accommodate from one to 30 people. With the completion of SIFO, the Seoul Metropolitan Government will select ten financial institutions to move into SIFO. Applications will be accepted for two days from August 20 to 21. The selected institutions will be allowed to move into SIFO from the end of October. The interested companies may get more detailed information and the documents to be submitted from the Seoul Metropolitan Government's website (www.seoul.go.kr). Applications should be submitted to the Economic Policy Division at the Seoul Metropolitan Government. Those unable to visit the City Hall may apply online (jmk0222@seoul.go.kr). The final selection will be made through written evaluation and face-to-face interviews around the end of August. The eligible companies for the application are the head offices, branches, and regional headquarters of domestic and foreign financial firms, and finance-related international organizations or non-profit corporations or groups that have a plan to newly locate or re-locate their office in Yeouido. Financial institutions that plan to run temporary offices to check the area before they decide to move in Yeouido are eligible for the application. The final selection will be conducted based on comprehensive evaluations of the applicants' organizational capacity, human resources' expertise, and contribution to the area's financial industry, such as attracting investment and creating jobs. Each selected firm is allowed to use an independent office space within SIFO for two years. After the two years, they can stay there for up to three years (five years in total) through performance evaluation. They also can use a lounge for networking, international conference rooms, seminar rooms, and meeting rooms free of charge. Various support programs will be offered including legal and investment consulting, educational seminars, networking with financial firms in Yeouido, and provision of foreign executives and employees. The Seoul Metropolitan Government plans to foster SIFO as a hub for the domestic and international financial industry while making it the key to enhancing the financial competitiveness of Yeouido by linking it with "Seoul FinTech Lab*," and "Financial Graduate School," a digital financial education hub. * 640 financial institutions and Seoul FinTech Lab lncluding 70 FinTech companies are based in Yeouido Networking events and IRs will be held throughout the year to link financial institutions in SIFO with Seoul FinTech Lab. The Financial Graduate School will be opened on the 17th floor of the same building in September and will provide opportunities for financial institutions to participate in the digital financial curriculum. Employees of the financial firms at SIFO can observe the digital financial expert courses operated by KAIST through a certain screening process. Mr. Kim Eui-seung, Deputy Mayor for Economic Policy, said, "Seoul will attract competitive domestic and international financial institutions in Yeouido to make Seoul an international financial hub. We will provide intensive support so that SIFO can become a driving force to do so and enhance synergy effects through the cooperation of domestic and foreign financial companies." For more information, please visit our website at http://english.seoul.go.kr/seoul-accepts-applications-for-moving-into-seoul-international-finance-office/ Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1224181/IFC_Seoul.jpg Judges in Slovakia on Tuesday delayed their verdict in one of the country's most notorious crimes - the killing of a well-known investigative journalist and his fiancee in 2018. Final decisions had been expected on Wednesday, but the panel of judges hearing the case announced they did not have enough time to prepare the verdicts and chose to delay them until September 3. The three defendants, one of them a businessman accused of masterminding the killings, have all pleaded not guilty to murdering Slovak journalist Jan Kuciak, 27, and fiancee Martina Kusnirova, also 27. Prosecutors have alleged that Marian Kocner threatened the journalist following publication of a story about his business dealings. The other two defendants on trial, Alena Zsuzsova and Tomas Szabo, are accused of being accomplices who helped him organize the fatal shooting of the couple in February 2018. The Pezinok court already has convicted a fourth defendant, Miroslav Marcek, who pleaded guilty in January to shooting Kuciak and Kusnirova. Prosecutors have alleged Kocner paid Marcek for the killings. (Image Credit Pixabay) Soon after she continued driving east, the teenager panicked when her 2008 silver Toyota Corolla ran out of gas, her mother said. As the car sputtered, Ms. Fuda pulled over on the side of U.S. Highway 2 near Stevens Pass and Scenic Falls. She wandered into the rugged Cascade Mountains with what she could grab: her cellphone, a Bible and a journal, leaving her purse and its contents behind. She was trying to cut off some distance through the dense forest to get help at a gas station in Skykomish, Wash., which the Sheriffs Office said was 10 miles away. Walking along the highway was too dangerous, her mother said. Thats when Ms. Fuda got lost. Image A poster seeking information on Ms. Fuda. Credit... King's County Sheriff's Office At about 11:30 p.m. on July 24, Ms. Fudas parents began to worry when she didnt return home or check in with them. They called and texted her but received no response. By 1 a.m., they called the police to report her missing. A Washington State Department of Transportation worker spotted Ms. Fudas car a day after she had disappeared, noticing it because of the awkward way it was parked. The Washington State Patrol checked the license plate number and found that the car belonged to Ms. Fuda. That prompted a search and rescue effort that began on July 26 and drew hundreds of volunteers from across the state, including dog teams, mountain rescuers and law enforcement officers. Her family made signs, handed out fliers at coffee shops and walked hiking trails trying to find her. It was a remarkable feat that Ill be forever grateful for, said Ms. Fudas father, Bob Fuda, 58. The areas where her cellphone was last used were traced, but it became a challenge because of the dead area where Ms. Fudas car was parked, Sergeant Abbott said. The brush was thick in the forest, making it difficult for searchers in helicopters to see below. Oneida Castle, N.Y. -- A 22-year-old Oneida Castle man was found dead Tuesday afternoon and state troopers are looking for a suspect near Rochester, according to New York State Police. When police responded to 91 Seneca Ave. at 1:39 p.m., troopers found Tyler A. McBain, 22, dead on the floor of a home, state police said. McBain lived at the house, according to state police. An investigation found that neighbors and witnesses heard an argument in an upstairs apartment and then saw a man running from the house before he got into a dark-colored SUV, police said. Troopers believe the man, a possible suspect, may have been headed to the Rochester area, according to police. Police are still investigating McBains death and ask that anyone with information call state police in Oneida at 315-366-6000. Got a tip, comment or story idea? Contact Chris Libonati via the Signal app for encrypted messaging at 585-290-0718, by phone at the same number, by email or on Twitter. The Supreme Court on Wednesday pulled up the Maharashtra government for putting a Bihar IPS officer in quarantine after he reached Mumbai to investigate the death of actor Sushant Singh Rajput on Monday. Saying that Maharashtras actions don't send the right message, a single judge bench of the apex court said the police officer leading the Bihar Police's investigation was only there to do his job and the government should act in a professional manner. Mumbai Police has been accused of "forcibly" quarantining Patna police officer Vinay Tiwari who was sent to Mumbai to lead the probe. It doesn't give a right message. You must do everything in a professional manner and protect all evidence, Judge Hrishikesh Roy said, adding that 'truth should unravel' in the case. The investigation has been handed from Bihar Police over to Central Bureau of Investigation after a high-pitched territorial battle broke out between the Mumbai Police and its Bihar counterpart. The Centre told the Supreme Court that it has accepted the Bihar government's recommendation for a CBI probe into actor's death, and the top court asked the Mumbai police to submit all the records of the investigation it has conducted so far in three days. The court also heard actor Rhea Chakraborty's petition seeking the transfer of an FIR - from Patna to Mumbai - accusing her of abetting Sushant Singh Rajput's alleged suicide in June. The SC said that a gifted and talented artist has passed away in circumstances that are unusual and the circumstances needs to be inquired into. The transfer of the case to CBI was opposed by the Maharashtra government, which claimed that the actions of Bihar police were politically motivated and that only Mumbai police was authorised to investigate. This is purely political, it said. The Maharashtra government also told the SC that Sushant Singh Rajputs father had not lodged any complaint in Mumbai. BEIRUT - As black smoke billowed into the sky, Shiva Karout stepped out of his gym with his colleagues and customers to watch. His gym, Barbell House, sits just across the coastal highway from Beiruts port where a fire raged. They were curious. Then a first boom shook them, and curiosity turned to fear realizing how close they were. We got a bit scared, and we all went back in, Karout recounted. Tense moments passed, waiting inside, and one of his customers panicked and ran out. Karout went after him. That was when hell erupted. A gigantic explosion threw up a towering mushroom cloud and sucked out the air, and a wave of destructive energy shot across Lebanons capital. The force threw Karout to the ground. He was cut and bruised, his full arm and leg tattoos of the Hindu god Shiva, after whom he is named, were punctured with lacerations and clotted blood. But his gym and everyone still in it took the brunt of the blast. It smashed out the windows, knocked holes in the walls. Blood now stains the welcome counter. One of his clients took a major head injury and lies in a coma in a hospital and nearly a dozen others sustained medium to serious injuries. That flashing instant, when a heavy fire on the horizon turned into an unimaginable burst of megatonnage, united Beirutis in a shared trauma and on Wednesday, the day after, they were still reeling with it and its aftermath. In multiple videos posted on social media, whether shot from high-rise balconies or nearby streets, that instant hits with the same blunt force: Rising black smoke, then a sudden freight train of dust and pink smoke that barrels across the city at the camera and sends it and whoever holds it tumbling amid wreckage and confusion. As the initial pall of smoke rose Tuesday afternoon, a team of 10 firefighters raced to the Port of Beirut to put out the fire raging in Warehouse 12, one a row of warehouses by the waters edge next to the ports large grain silo. They went down, thinking it was caused by fireworks, one firefighter named Freddy said of his colleagues who first responded. He asked to be identified only by his first name to speak freely to the Associated Press about the events still under investigation. Pops and flashes lit up the smoke, and it was reported the initial fire set off a stash of fireworks stored there. The team was at the epicenter when, at around 6:05 p.m., the giant explosion blasted a crater into the port and turned every building around to twisted metal . It is under investigation whether the fire touched off the cargo of 2,750 tons of ammonium nitrate a highly explosive component of fertilizers that had been stored there since 2013. Freddy and the second team of firefighters arrived about 20 minutes later. They each took a section of the port. For the next 24 hours, they pulled out bodies Freddy said he found 10 but only one was of their fellow firefighters, Sahar. We were looking for our friends but there were also lots of people dead, he said, standing at the main road, covered in soot and his face darkened with dust, smoke and sorrow. It is total destruction inside. Nothing is where it should be. His eyes welled with tears at the thought of losing his colleagues and his city. Lebanon is used to destruction, but not like this. Not a house on the coast has not been damaged, he said. At least 130 people were killed and more than 5,000 wounded, and elegant stone buildings, fashionable shopping districts and long stretches of the famed seaside promenade were reduced to rubble in the blast. On Wednesday, Beirutis searched for missing relatives and bandaged their wounds. They surveyed damaged homes, assessing if they could stay in them, retrieving what possessions they could and searching out places to stay. We dont deserve this, said Riwa Baltagi, a 23-year-old who was helping friends retrieve valuables from their demolished homes. The sound of ambulance sirens and the crunching of broken glass could be heard everywhere. Furniture and cushions were strewn along streets covered with wreckage. Elevators were dislocated from their shafts. Cars were crushed under the weight of debris. Some of the worst damage was in the leafy neighbourhoods of Mar Mikhael and Gemayzeh in east Beirut, where the blast damaged some of the few historic buildings that survived the 1975-1990 civil war. Balconies had dropped to street level, where bars and restaurants were buried and chairs and tables turned upside down. The stench of alcohol from broken bottles filled some narrow alleys, as if the neighbourhoods late night parties had turned bad. Nuns toured the churches along the streets, offering prayers and help. Supermarket owners filled plastic bags with the few remaining products in good shape one saying he will take what is left home to use before it rots in the summer heat. I have nowhere to go, a woman said as she wept in what remained of her home in Gemayzeh. What am I supposed to do? she screamed into her mobile phone. Throughout the night, radio presenters read the names of missing or wounded people. An Instagram page called Locating Victims Beirut sprung up with photos of missing people. Another account helped to connect the newly displaced with hotels and homeowners who were willing to host them. Hospitals, already struggling with the financial crisis and coronavirus pandemic, were overwhelmed by the wave of injured. Many patients had to be treated in hallways and parking lots once the wards filled up. Karout, the gym owner, said a complete mess followed the initial shock of explosion. Three hospitals in the area were in the orbit of the blast and were put out of service, unable to offer treatment. Others were unable to help. They are not equipped for such things, he said. We are not equipped. Now he mourns the fate of Barbell. The blast has destroyed what he said was the fruit of years of really hard work. Who will pay for this? he said. This is not fixable. Beirut is already gone. ___ Associated Press writer Aya Batrawy contributed to this report from Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Execution comes weeks after Tehran sentenced to death a former opposition figure implicated in the same protests. Iran has executed a man convicted of killing a member of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) during deadly protests in 2017-2018, the judiciarys news website reported. Mostafa Salehi, who had murdered martyr Guard Sajad Shahsanayi with a bullet during the riots of [December 2017-January 2018], was executed this morning upon the request of the victims family, Mizan Online said on Wednesday. The report said Salehi had shot at the security forces using a hunting rifle, killing Shahsanayi and wounding six others during a protest in Najafabad. The protests had erupted mainly over economic grievances in December 2017 with hundreds of demonstrators taking to the streets in Irans second city Mashhad and several other towns. Larger-scale protests followed in many cities, including capital Tehran, with authorities blocking access to online messaging services that were instrumental in organising the demonstrations. Ali Rabiei, the current government spokesman who was then the labour minister, later said the unrest had spread to 160 cities across Iran. At least 21 people died during the violence, according to authorities. Supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei had said at the time that enemies have united and are using all their means against Iran. Prosecutor Mohammad Jafar Montazeri accused the United States, Israel and Saudi Arabia of being behind the violence. News of Salehis execution comes weeks after Iran sentenced to death a former opposition figure implicated in the same protests. The IRGC announced the arrest of Ruhollah Zam in October last year, describing him as a counter-revolutionary who had been directed by Frances intelligence service. Zam, who had been living in self-exile Paris, ran a channel on the now-blocked Telegram messaging application called Amadnews. He was accused of inciting violence during the unrest. Iran does not publish official statistics on the number of people it has executed. London-based human rights group Amnesty International says the country executed at least 251 people last year. Credit: CC0 Public Domain Europe on Wednesday tightened virus restrictions as fears of a second wave of infections spurred by the holiday season grew with the worldwide death toll crossing 700,000. Greece announced a "wake-up week," tightening restrictions after domestic infections saw over 380 new cases in August. Scotland reimposed restrictions in and around the city of Aberdeen, after a cluster of cases was identified there. Toulouse in southwest France made the wearing of face masks compulsory in the busiest streets and squares from Wednesday. Paris and other cities are expected to follow suit soon, authorities said. Germany put Belgium's Antwerp province on its list of coronavirus risk zones, requiring travellers arriving from the region to go into quarantine for 14 days unless they can produce a negative COVID-19 test. Meanwhile South Africa announced that 24,000 of its health workers had contracted the virus, with more than a hundred of them dying from it. New York announced it was setting up checkpoints at key entry points to the city to ensure travellers comply with the state's quarantine requirements. A total of 701,559 deaths have been recorded so far around the world, according to an AFP tally compiled from official sources AT 1600 GMT. Europe remains the hardest-hit region with 211,603 fatalities, but the number of deaths is rising fast in Latin America, with 206,835 deaths recorded. Restrictions re-introduced Announcing the re-introduction of restrictions in Greece, government spokesman Stelios Petsas told Mega TV: "We are trying to awaken people with messages and daily announcements on additional measures," "The virus is here, it feeds on our complacency," he said, adding that three main areas of concern had been identified; regular crossings by ethnic Greeks from Balkans countries; social gatheringsfrom clubbing youths to baptismsand public transport. The restrictions reimposed on the northeast Scottish city of Aberdeen included the closure of all indoor and outdoor hospitality venues from Wednesday evening as First Minister Nicola Sturgeon referred to what could become a "significant outbreak". The measures will be reviewed in a week, which is when many Scottish schools will reopen. In Belgium, one of the country's biggest meat processing plants, Westvlees, sent 225 staff home to quarantine after a cluster of coronavirus cases was discovered. Switzerland added mainland Spain to a quarantine list of 46 countries as well as Singapore and Romania. In the Netherlands, similar mask-wearing measures came into force Wednesday in Rotterdam and in some busy neighbourhoods of Amsterdam, including its famous red-light district. New York checkpoints New York mayor Bill de Blasio, announcing the new checkpoints at access roads into the city, said: "New York City is holding the line against COVID-19, and New Yorkers have shown tremendous discipline. "We're not going to let our hard work slip away and will continue to do everything we can to keep New Yorkers safe and healthy." The virus killed more than 32,000 people in the city, which was one of its first epicentres in the United States. One of Brazil's leading indigenous chiefs, 71-year-old Aritana Yawalapiti, died Wednesday of respiratory complications caused by COVID-19. Brazil, South America's largest country, is driving a surge in Latin America and the Caribbean. It has recorded more than 2.8 million cases, and nearly 96,000 deaths, nearly half the region's 206,835 fatalities. In Afghanistan, the health ministry said nearly a third of the populationor 10 million peoplehas been infected with the coronavirus. Vaccine trials In South Africa, the hardest-hit country in Africa, some 24,000 health workers have contracted the coronavirus and 181 have died since March, Health Minister Zweli Mkwize announced. The number of infected health care workers translates to around five percent of South Africa's overall caseload, which has been rising rapidly in recent weeks. But he added: "We haven't got to the stage where we don't have hospital space for patients." The world's hope of ending the current cycle of outbreaks and lockdowns rests on finding a treatment, which has proved elusive so far. The US government Wednesday announced a new $1 billion investment in a COVID-19 vaccine being developed by Johnson & Johnson, guaranteeing 100 million doses. J&J, via its subsidiary Janssen, received $456 million in March. Clinical trials on humans began in China for a potential coronavirus vaccine developed by German pharmaceutical group BioNTech with Chinese company Fosun Pharma. Travel industry hit The travel sector announced fresh cutbacks due to the pandemic. British airline Virgin Atlantic, which has not flown since April, has applied for bankruptcy protection in the United States as it seeks to tie up a rescue deal in the UK. Virgin Australia said it would close its budget subsidiary Tigerair Australia, laying off 3,000 staff as it prepares to relaunch under new owners. Copenhagen airport, Scandinavia's largest, said Wednesday that it might lay off a quarter of its staff. Explore further Follow the latest news on the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak 2020 AFP Note: Americans are preparing to choose a leader and a path through a time of extraordinary division and turmoil. Associated Press journalists tell their stories in the series America Disrupted. Today we take a look at some of the Black women running for election in 2020. Black women have long been the heart of the Democratic Party among the partys most reliable and loyal voters but for decades that allegiance didnt translate to their own political rise. There have been zero Black female governors, just two senators, several dozen congresswomen. And the people representing them instead have not met their needs: Disparities, sometimes deadly ones, persist in health care, policing, education and economics. Now Black women are mobilized and demanding an overdue return on their investment. Over the last several years and across America, Black women ran and won elections in historic numbers, from Congress to county school boards. Just two years ago, five Black women were elected to Congress, four of them in majority-white districts, according to the Higher Heights Black Women in American Politics 2019 survey. KYODO NEWS - Aug 5, 2020 - 22:41 | World, All A Hong Kong court on Wednesday convicted prominent activist Agnes Chow of rallying in an unauthorized protest that saw thousands of protesters besieging the police headquarters amid a rising anti-government movement last year. The West Kowloon Magistracy convicted Chow, 23, of taking part in and inciting others to join an unauthorized assembly on June 21 last year, where a crowd rallying at the legislature complex protesting against a proposed China extradition bill and police brutality against protesters in past demonstrations moved to blockade the nearby police headquarters. "I am facing the trial in tranquility," Chow told reporters before standing in court. "Under the strong sense of fear of the national security law, it is even more important for us Hong Kongers to not surrender and to continue to believe in the universal values of democracy and freedom." Chow, then a member of the now-disbanded activist group Demosisto, pleaded guilty to the allegations, the court heard. Mitigation and sentencing were scheduled for Dec. 1, pending the trial of two other former members of the group, activists Joshua Wong and Ivan Lam, on similar charges. "Even the government try to prosecute us...it is still not the time for us to give up and surrender," Wong said after the pre-trial, as they were allowed to remain free on bail. "Compared to the threat of the national security law, or being extradited to China or kidnapped by national security agents, the price we pay right now is just a small piece of cake. We will continue our fight to overcome the fear and threat," he said. Wong, 23, charged with organizing, inciting and taking part in the unauthorized assembly, and Lam, 26, charged with incitement, will stand trial on Nov. 23. In late June, the National People's Congress Standing Committee, China's top legislative body, enacted the security law prohibiting acts of secession, subversion, terrorism and collusion with foreign forces in Hong Kong. A national security office run by Chinese officials was set up in Hong Kong. It can select cases to be investigated and prosecuted in mainland China. Wong, who founded Demosisto, announced the disbanding of the group right before the law was promulgated, and said he will take up democracy advocacy in his personal capacity. RENO, Nevada, Aug. 04, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Talage , a provider of digital distribution software solutions for commercial insurance, is pleased to announce the immediate availability of the latest version of the companys Wheelhouse technology, a platform designed to streamline the insurance purchasing process for small businesses and provide a digital solution for agents which automates traditionally manual processes. In a day when the death of the independent agent as the insurance industrys primary distribution channel is talked about at every conference or virtual event, we are actually doubling down on the future of insurance agents," said Adam Kiefer, CEO of Talage . "The pandemic has accelerated digital transformation initiatives not only for carriers, but for agents as well. Carriers are being challenged to find new ways to reach potential customers, such as investing in ecosystem buildouts, instead of enabling their existing agents to be more productive and profitable through the smart use of technology. We developed Wheelhouse specifically to support change and process improvement in the existing agent channel. Recognizing that the small commercial market has the same needs as the large commercial market, but traditionally it hasnt been as profitable for agents or carriers, Talage committed early on to boosting agent profitability and productivity by enhancing the small business insurance purchasing experience. By giving small business owners the ability to buy property and casualty coverages online, Wheelhouse jumpstarts the small commercial market. Currently powering the online purchase of workers compensation, liability, and property insurance by small businesses in all 50 states, Wheelhouse gives carriers and other financial institutions the ability to equip appointed agencies with online checkouts via user-friendly agent portals, as well as additional tools to support agency automation and growth in the small business segment. Story continues Many people and organizations in the insurance industry believe insurtech is about disruption, said Abel Travis, vice president of underwriting and innovation for AF Group. We dont believe you have to 'blow things up in order to move forward. There is a balance to be struck between the empowerment of traditional distribution channels and the development of new ones. At AF Group, agents will always be a key part of our business, and thats why working with Talage and utilizing Wheelhouse made sense. Talage field tested the product-market fit for Wheelhouse by engaging with top insurance carriers, brokers, and agencies as part of the 2020 cohort of BrokerTech Ventures and the Global Insurance Accelerators 2019 InsurTech Week. For more information about Talage or Wheelhouse, please visit the companys recently redesigned website at www.talageins.com . About Talage Talage develops digital distribution software solutions for commercial insurance that transform the insurance quoting process for agents and carriers. Talages Wheelhouse technology empowers property and casualty (P&C) agents to sell small business coverages via any channel, allows carriers to more effectively use APIs, and automates manual processes for increased productivity. For more information, please visit www.talageins.com . Media Contact: Jennifer Overhulse St. Nick Media Services jen@stnickmedia.com 859-803-6597 Coronavirus deaths across the world have surpassed 700, 000, as cases continue to surge in countries yet to reach the peak of infections. According to worldometer.info, more than 18.7 million infections have been recorded and 705, 288 deaths as of the time of reporting. Nearly half the worlds cases have been in the US and Europe, but Covid-19 is now rapidly growing in the Americas. The infectious disease is also picking pace in Africa with South Africa among the top five hardest-hit countries globally. A troubling uptick of deaths Four months earlier in March, the number of people killed worldwide by the coronavirus was 3,000. It crossed to half a million on June 28. About 20 days later, 100, 000 more deaths had been recorded and on Tuesday, the toll crossed 700, 000. Nearly one-quarter of those deaths are accounted for by the U.S. The U.S. reports approximately 5,000 deaths each week, according to Reuters. Meanwhile, the true number of infections and fatalities could be far higher, giving the varied ways in which countries conduct tests and report COVID-19, the CNN reported. Experts believe the death toll might even be twice the current figure as many people die without being tested. Countries have continued to report inadequate testing kits for potential patients of COVID-19. Nonetheless, the soaring death toll shows a world brought to a halt by a virus that paralysed the global economy with governments scrambling to reopen to avoid further crises. Spike in America, India and Africa While some countries have nearly brought the virus under control, others are seeing cases spike in record numbers. Brazil, India, Russia and South Africa are next in line for the highest number of confirmed cases after the U.S. But asides Brazil, other South American countries such as Peru, Mexico and Chile are seeing a daily rise in infections. They are now among the top ten most impacted countries. India has reported nearly two million confirmed cases, becoming the third country to do so. Brazil has now reported nearly three million cases, behind just the U.S. that has almost reached the five million mark. Africa Coronavirus has slowly but steadily started gaining a foothold in Africa. More than 21, 000 people have died in the continent of over a billion people, including the former Chief of Staff to President Muhammadu Buhari; the former president of the Republic of the Congo, Jacques Joachim Yhombi-Opango; and Somalias former prime minister Nur Hassan Hussein. Though Africas tally is still relatively low compared to global figures, it has doused the debate on the continent having some kind of immunity against COVID-19 due to its sunny temperature. There were no longer coronavirus-free countries in Africa by May 13 and governments are now rushing to reinforce measures to contain the spread of the disease, knowing that their fragile health systems will be swiftly overwhelmed if the disease spreads in large clusters. Nearly a million confirmed infections have been found in Africa, according to the African Centre for Disease Control (ACDC). Over 600, 000 people have recovered after treatment. More than 900 people have died from the virus in Nigeria. A former Communications Minister, Dr. Edward Omane Boamah has rejected claims he was part of a cohort groomed to attack founder of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Jerry John Rawlings. Dr. Omane Boamah in a statement insisted that his defence of then-President John Atta Mills was borne out of respect for the personality of Prof. Mills and not any grand agenda as portrayed in a book authored by a stalwart of the NDC, Prof. Kwamena Ahwoi. The book titled Working with Rawlings, claimed that he, Prof. Ahwoi and other kingpins of the party, groomed a number of the young NDC communicators including Omane Boamah with the view of taming Rawlings, who gave President John Atta Mills of blessed memory a tough time governing the country with his scathing attacks. I have read excerpts of the Prof. Kwamena Ahwoi's Book, Working with Rawlings that appear to suggest I was among a group of young politicians, who were purposely engaged by him and others to respond to and talk back at former President Rawlings for the latter's attacks on the personality of the late President of Ghana, His Excellency John Evans Fiifi Atta Mills. Respectfully, I need to place on record that this claim is wholly and completely inaccurate and untrue. As a young man and politician with core convictions, I was never engaged nor could I have allowed myself to be used by anyone to talk back at former President Rawlings, Dr. Omane Boamah explained in the statement issued on Thursday, August 5, 2020. The suggestion that my defense of the late President was part of a deliberate strategy by elders is irksome to me. It does not reflect my personality as a politician of conviction and not of convenience. For the record, I state emphatically and unequivocally that any claim that I was a recruited participant in any such grand agenda could only be the result of an inadvertent error in recollection and not founded on anything that remotely resembles the truth, he added. Below is the statement from Dr. Omane Boamah ---citinewsroom Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-05 16:32:19|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close BEIJING, Aug. 5 (Xinhua) -- China's success in controlling the COVID-19 epidemic means the economy is steadily reviving. The following facts and figures indicate how the country is forging ahead in resuming work and production: -- China's service trade fell in the first half of 2020 (H1) due to the COVID-19 epidemic, but the trade deficit continued to narrow, data from the Ministry of Commerce (MOC) showed. Service trade totaled 2.2 trillion yuan (about 315.2 billion U.S. dollars) during the Jan.-June period, down by 14.7 percent year on year, said MOC official Xian Guoyi. Xian said the country's service exports outperformed imports in recent months, with the service trade deficit narrowing by 46.1 percent from the same period last year to 401.7 billion yuan in H1. -- The value of China's local government bond issuance stood at 272.2 billion yuan in July, data from the Ministry of Finance (MOF) showed. The data took total local government bond issuance to 3.76 trillion yuan by the end of July as authorities quickened bond sales as part of proactive fiscal policies to shore up the virus-hit economy. Among the issuance, new sales amounted to 2.83 trillion yuan, accounting for 59.8 percent of the 4.73-trillion-yuan quota planned for the year, the MOF data showed. -- The power grid of Wuhan saw a maximum load of 12.31 million kilowatt on Tuesday, the highest since the city's outbound traffic restrictions due to COVID-19 were lifted in early April. The capital city of Hubei Province is home to the largest urban power grid in central China, and the figure was close to its historic peak of 12.76 million kilowatt on July 29 last year. Affected by the COVID-19 epidemic, Wuhan's total electricity consumption dropped about 15 percent year on year in the first half of 2020. The city has gradually resumed production and social activities under regular epidemic prevention and control. -- Beijing is gearing up for the China International Fair for Trade in Services scheduled for early September, which will have both online and offline exhibitions. By Tuesday, 141 international organizations, embassies in China, commerce associations and institutions are expected to participate in this year's event, a major comprehensive exhibition in service trade. Overseas guests, exhibitors and merchants will mainly attend the online exhibitions and all types of entities in China will mainly participate in the offline exhibitions. Enditem Europe on Wednesday tightened virus restrictions as fears of a second wave of infections spurred by the holiday season grew with the worldwide death toll crossing 700,000. Greece announced a "wake-up week," tightening restrictions after domestic infections saw over 380 new cases in August. Scotland reimposed restrictions in and around the city of Aberdeen, after a cluster of cases was identified there. Toulouse in southwest France made the wearing of face masks compulsory in the busiest streets and squares from Wednesday. Paris and other cities are expected to follow suit soon, authorities said. Germany put Belgium's Antwerp province on its list of coronavirus risk zones, requiring travellers arriving from the region to go into quarantine for 14 days unless they can produce a negative COVID-19 test. Meanwhile South Africa announced that 24,000 of its health workers had contracted the virus, with more than a hundred of them dying from it. New York announced it was setting up checkpoints at key entry points to the city to ensure travellers comply with the state's quarantine requirements. A total of 701,559 deaths have been recorded so far around the world, according to an AFP tally compiled from official sources AT 1600 GMT. Europe remains the hardest-hit region with 211,603 fatalities, but the number of deaths is rising fast in Latin America, with 206,835 deaths recorded. - Restrictions re-introduced - Announcing the re-introduction of restrictions in Greece, government spokesman Stelios Petsas told Mega TV: "We are trying to awaken people with messages and daily announcements on additional measures," "The virus is here, it feeds on our complacency," he said, adding that three main areas of concern had been identified; regular crossings by ethnic Greeks from Balkans countries; social gatherings -- from clubbing youths to baptisms -- and public transport. The restrictions reimposed on the northeast Scottish city of Aberdeen included the closure of all indoor and outdoor hospitality venues from Wednesday evening as First Minister Nicola Sturgeon referred to what could become a "significant outbreak". The measures will be reviewed in a week, which is when many Scottish schools will reopen. In Belgium, one of the country's biggest meat processing plants, Westvlees, sent 225 staff home to quarantine after a cluster of coronavirus cases was discovered. Switzerland added mainland Spain to a quarantine list of 46 countries as well as Singapore and Romania. In the Netherlands, similar mask-wearing measures came into force Wednesday in Rotterdam and in some busy neighbourhoods of Amsterdam, including its famous red-light district. - New York checkpoints - New York mayor Bill de Blasio, announcing the new checkpoints at access roads into the city, said: "New York City is holding the line against COVID-19, and New Yorkers have shown tremendous discipline. "We're not going to let our hard work slip away and will continue to do everything we can to keep New Yorkers safe and healthy." The virus killed more than 32,000 people in the city, which was one of its first epicentres in the United States. One of Brazil's leading indigenous chiefs, 71-year-old Aritana Yawalapiti, died Wednesday of respiratory complications caused by COVID-19. Brazil, South America's largest country, is driving a surge in Latin America and the Caribbean. It has recorded more than 2.8 million cases, and nearly 96,000 deaths, nearly half the region's 206,835 fatalities. In Afghanistan, the health ministry said nearly a third of the population -- or 10 million people -- has been infected with the coronavirus. - Vaccine trials - In South Africa, the hardest-hit country in Africa, some 24,000 health workers have contracted the coronavirus and 181 have died since March, Health Minister Zweli Mkwize announced. The number of infected health care workers translates to around five percent of South Africa's overall caseload, which has been rising rapidly in recent weeks. But he added: "We havent got to the stage where we dont have hospital space for patients." The world's hope of ending the current cycle of outbreaks and lockdowns rests on finding a treatment, which has proved elusive so far. The US government Wednesday announced a new $1 billion investment in a COVID-19 vaccine being developed by Johnson & Johnson, guaranteeing 100 million doses. J&J, via its subsidiary Janssen, received $456 million in March. Clinical trials on humans began in China for a potential coronavirus vaccine developed by German pharmaceutical group BioNTech with Chinese company Fosun Pharma. - Travel industry hit - The travel sector announced fresh cutbacks due to the pandemic. British airline Virgin Atlantic, which has not flown since April, has applied for bankruptcy protection in the United States as it seeks to tie up a rescue deal in the UK. Virgin Australia said it would close its budget subsidiary Tigerair Australia, laying off 3,000 staff as it prepares to relaunch under new owners. Copenhagen airport, Scandinavia's largest, said Wednesday that it might lay off a quarter of its staff. Fireworks and ammonium nitrate appear to have been the fuel that ignited a massive explosion that rocked the Lebanese capital of Beirut, experts and videos of the blast suggest. The scale of the damage from the epicenter of the explosion at the port of Beirut to the windows blown out miles away resembles other blasts involving the chemical compound commonly used as an agricultural fertilizer. But the compound itself typically doesn't detonate on its own and requires another ignition source. That likely came from a fire that engulfed what initially appeared to be fireworks that were stored at the port. Online videos of the disaster's initial moments show sparks and lights inside the smoke rising from the blaze, just prior to the massive blast. That likely indicates that fireworks were involved, said Boaz Hayoun, owner of the Tamar Group, an Israeli firm that works closely with the Israeli government on safety and certification issues involving explosives. "Before the big explosion, you can see in the center of the fire, you can see sparks, you can hear sounds like popcorn and you can hear whistles," Hayoun told The Associated Press. "This is very specific behavior of fireworks, the visuals, the sounds and the transformation from a slow burn to a massive explosion." Aftermath of a massive explosion is seen in in Beirut, Lebanon, Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2020. Massive explosions rocked downtown Beirut on Tuesday, flattening much of the port, damaging buildings and blowing out windows and doors as a giant mushroom cloud rose above the capital. Witnesses saw many people injured by flying glass and debris.AP Photo/Hussein Malla Jeffrey Lewis, a missile expert at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies in Monterey, California, offered a similar assessment. "It looks like an accident," Lewis told the AP. "First, there was a fire preceding the explosion, which is not an attack. And some of the videos show munitions what I could call popcorning, exploding like 'pop, pop, pop, pop.'" He added that "it's very common to see fires detonate explosives." "If you have a fire raging next to something explosive, and you don't put it out, it blows up," he said. The white cloud that accompanied the massive blast appeared to be a condensation cloud, often common in massive explosions in humid conditions that can follow the shock waves of an explosion, Lewis said. EDS NOTE: GRAPHIC CONTENT - An injured man walks at the explosion scene that hit the seaport, in Beirut Lebanon, Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2020. Massive explosions rocked downtown Beirut on Tuesday, flattening much of the port, damaging buildings and blowing out windows and doors as a giant mushroom cloud rose above the capital. Witnesses saw many people injured by flying glass and debris. (AP Photo/Hussein Malla)AP Orange clouds also followed the blast, likely from toxic nitrogen dioxide gas that's released after an explosion involving nitrates. Experts typically determine the power of the blast by measuring the crater left behind, which appeared massive in aerial footage shot on Wednesday morning by the AP. The Beirut blast, based on the crater and glass windows being blown out a distance away, exploded with the force equivalent to detonating at least 2.2 kilotons of TNT, said Sim Tack, an analyst and weapons expert at the Texas-based private intelligence firm Stratfor. What initially started the fire at the port remains unclear. Beirut was sunny before Tuesday's explosion, with a daily high of 30 degrees Celsius (86 degrees Fahrenheit). Lebanese Interior Minister Mohammed Fahmi, in comments to a local TV station, made no mention of ignited fireworks but said it appeared the blast was caused by the detonation of more than 2,700 tons of ammonium nitrate that had been stored in a warehouse at the dock ever since it was confiscated from a cargo ship in 2014. That amount could cause the explosive force seen in the blast Tuesday, Tack said. Based on the timeline and the size of the cargo, that ship could be the MV Rhosus. The ship was initially seized in Beirut in 2013 when it entered the port due to technical problems, according to lawyers involved in the case. It came from the nation of Georgia, and had been bound for Mozambique. "Owing to the risks associated with retaining the ammonium nitrate on board the vessel, the port authorities discharged the cargo onto the port's warehouses," the lawyers wrote in a 2015 article published by shiparrested.com. "The vessel and cargo remain to date in port awaiting auctioning and/or proper disposal." Aftermath of a massive explosion is seen in in Beirut, Lebanon, Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2020. Massive explosions rocked downtown Beirut on Tuesday, flattening much of the port, damaging buildings and blowing out windows and doors as a giant mushroom cloud rose above the capital. Witnesses saw many people injured by flying glass and debris. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)AP It remains unclear what conditions the ammonium nitrate had been stored in or why tons of an explosive chemical compound had been left there for years. Lebanon already was on the brink of collapse amid a severe economic crisis that has ignited mass protests in recent months. The devastation surrounding the port resembled other ammonium nitrate explosions, such as the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing and a 1947 ship explosion that struck Texas City, Texas. It also is unclear what conditions a possible shipment of fireworks at the port had been stored in. Fireworks are very common in Lebanon, used to celebrate religious occasions and weddings. While military explosives are generally safe to transport, common "cheap pyrotechnics" made in China are often of very low quality and can ignite very easily, especially in hot weather, said Hayoun, the Israeli explosives expert. The "end result," he added is that "hundreds of tons of energetic materials" were detonated to create a explosion of this magnitude. "It started definitely with fireworks," he said. By JON GAMBRELL and JOSEF FEDERMAN, The Associated Press More: Yosemite rangers urge tourists to slow down after 4 bears hit by cars Chasm grows between Trump and government coronavirus experts Pro poker player found dead, burned in Michigan; suspect arrested Afghan authorities were searching Tuesday for about 270 inmates -- most of them Islamic State fighters -- who remained on the loose after escaping during a deadly prison raid. At least 29 people were killed when Islamic State (IS) gunmen attacked the facility in Jalalabad on Sunday, with fierce fighting lasting until Monday afternoon. More than 1,300 inmates tried to escape, a senior Afghan security official told AFP on condition of anonymity, but most were either swiftly re-arrested or surrendered when surrounded by security forces. But some 270 prisoners are "still on the loose", the official said. "Most of those who escaped are from ISKP," he said, referring to IS's Afghan branch, known as the Islamic State in Khorasan Province. They included militants responsible for several bloody attacks, a second security official told AFP. Nangarhar provincial governor's spokesman Attaullah Khogyani confirmed many prisoners were still missing, but couldn't say how many were IS members. Officials also said that security forces had shot dead on Tuesday another group of IS fighters who had launched a mortar attack targeting Jalalabad airport from a neighbourhood in the city around the same time when the prison raid commenced. Several mortar shells and other ammunition seized from a house in the neighbourhood were shown to journalists. The brazen prison raid came a day after Afghanistan's intelligence agency announced the killing of a top IS commander near Jalalabad. Nangarhar province, where IS got its first foothold in Afghanistan, has seen repeated attacks by the group, including a suicide bomb that killed 32 mourners at a funeral in May. - Calm shattered - The attacks have continued even though officials last year claimed IS had been defeated in Nangarhar. "A large number of their leadership was arrested or killed... so it (the prison raid) was some sort of revenge to free some of their comrades," a senior Afghan security official said. Story continues Some local officials and analysts, however, have cautioned that elements of group remained. "They (IS) want to challenge the monopoly of the Taliban over militancy or anti-state violence in the country," said Abdul Sayed, independent researcher on jihadism in Afghanistan and Pakistan. He said the Taliban, Kabul and Washington miscalculated about IS's defeat in Afghanistan. "They (IS) now seem to have changed their strategies to (launch) high profile terrorist attacks in Nanagarhar to Kabul to provide proof of their existence," Sayed told AFP. The prison raid shattered the relative calm of the final day of a three-day ceasefire between the Taliban and Afghan forces. IS was not part of the truce. The Afghan government still attempted to link the raid to the Taliban, which it said had violated the ceasefire 38 times. Acting Interior Minister Massoud Andrabi said on Twitter that IS's new head in Afghanistan, Shahab Al-Mahajir, was a member of the Haqqani network, considered linked to the Taliban. Washington has branded the Haqqani network, accused of carrying out numerous deadly attacks in Afghanistan, a terrorist organisation. str-eb-us-jds/je Chinese people illegally enter Vietnam to seek ways to Cambodia Chinese people have been found illegally entering Vietnam for various reasons including seeking ways to Cambodia according to the Vietnamese Ministry of Public Security. Chinese people were detained in Quang Ninh Province. Speaking at the Government's regular press meeting on August 3, Chief of the Office of the Ministry of Public Security and spokesman, Maj. Gen. To An Xo said that the country has recently reported a rising number of illegal entries from some neighbouring countries through the borders. "They include Vietnamese workers who worked in neighbouring countries without contracts and Chinese citizens," the official said. "Due to continuous natural disasters and the virus outbreak in China, they entered Vietnam to seek jobs while some were on holiday or sought ways to move to Cambodia for gambling." According to a report from the ministry, as many as 504 Chinese people have been found to illegally enter Vietnam in 27 provinces and cities since the beginning of this year. Since June, local public security forces and border guards have uncovered 21 cases involving 177 illegal Chinese immigrants, and launched criminal proceedings against 19 Vietnamese and several Chinese in five cases. Xo also suggested issuing suitable policies for illegal Vietnamese immigrants, most of them illegal workers in China. Canara Bank has reported a 23.45 per cent increase in net profit for the quarter ended June 30, 2020. The public sector lender posted a standalone net profit of Rs 406.24 crore during the quarter under review as opposed to Rs 329.07 crore in the corresponding quarter last year. However, in a filing to the exchanges, Canara Bank stated that the results for current quarter were not comparable with immediately preceding quarter and corresponding financial quarter of previous year as it had amalgamated Syndicate Bank into itself with effect from April 1, 2020. ALSO READ: Coronavirus impact: Banks, NBFCs to face asset quality distress, says ICRA Operating profit rose 75.63 per cent to Rs 4,285.45 crore during Q1FY21 from Rs 2,440 crore in Q1 FY20. Net interest income, the difference between interest earned and interest expended, grew 21.11 per cent to Rs 6,096 crore during the June quarter this fiscal. Total income for the quarter under review stood at Rs 20,685.91 crore as compared to Rs 14,062.39 crore in the year ago period. The percentage of gross non-performing assets increased slightly to 8.84 per cent during the June quarter in FY21, as compared to 8.77 per cent in the same quarter in FY20. Amount of gross NPAs stood at Rs 57,525.52 crore in Q1 FY21, against Rs 39,399.02 crore in Q1 FY20. ALSO READ: SBI Q1 results: Profit rises 81% to Rs 4,189 crore, NII stands at Rs 26,641.6 crore Percentage of net NPAs declined to 3.95 per cent during the quarter under review from 5.35 per cent from the same quarter in previous fiscal. Amount of net NPAs in the April-June quarter this fiscal stood at Rs 24,355.23 crore, down from Rs 23,1149.62 crore in the corresponding quarter last fiscal. Provisions and contingencies of Canara Bank during the June quarter were Rs 3,826.34 crore, as compared to Rs 1,899.13 crore. ALSO READ: Loan moratorium should not be extended beyond August 31: SBI Chairman Rajnish Kumar 2020 2021 Development Map Refer to map Refer to map PDF available: http://ml.globenewswire.com/Resource/Download/c4b63d11-a7b8-432b-88f7-be35f5fcf316 CALGARY, Alberta, Aug. 05, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Pipestone Energy Corp. (Pipestone Energy or the Company) is pleased to announce that it has entered into subscription agreements with Riverstone V EMEA Holdings Cooperatief U.A. (Riverstone), GMT Capital Corp. (GMT Capital), and GMT Exploration Company LLC (GMT Exploration and collectively with Riverstone and GMT Capital, the Investors) in respect of the financing (the Financing). Pursuant to the terms of the subscription agreements, the Investors have agreed to acquire convertible preferred shares (the CP Shares) in the Company with an initial liquidation preference of $70 million (the Liquidation Preference), equivalent to 70,000 CP Shares. The CP Shares have a conversion price of $0.85 per Common Share (the Conversion Price), and have a term of five years. The CP Shares were sold at a price of $970 per share, and entitle the Investors to an annual dividend of 6.5% per year that is payable quarterly in-kind, or in cash after 2 years from issuance, at the sole option of Pipestone Energy. At close, the expected proceeds to Pipestone Energy are approximately $67 million, net of anticipated transaction costs. This financing is an exceptional opportunity for Pipestone Energy, providing the Company with the necessary capital to accelerate development activities in the fall of 2020 said Paul Wanklyn, President and CEO of Pipestone Energy. Pipestone can deliver attractive full-cycle returns at US$40+ WTI. The accelerated development program brings forward value and materially increases our future free cash flow generation capability. The significant financing commitment by our largest existing investors speaks to the high-quality nature of Pipestones assets, as well as the support for our business plan and team. Description of the Financing Story continues The CP Shares are, subject to certain conditions, convertible into common shares of the Company (the Common Shares) at a conversion price of $0.85 per Common Share, subject to customary adjustments. After two years, if among other things, the closing price of the Common Shares is above 200% of the Conversion Price for 20 days over a 30-day trading period, the CP Shares will automatically convert into Common Shares at the Conversion Price. The Conversion Price represents a 70% premium to the 30-day volume weighted average trading price of the Common Shares on August 4, 2020, the last trading day prior to entering into the subscription agreements. Holders of the CP Shares will be entitled to vote on all shareholder matters alongside existing holders of the Common Shares on an as-converted basis. Post the Financing, the CP Shares will represent approximately 30% of Pipestone Energys pro forma shares outstanding on a fully diluted basis. After the five year term the CP Shares will automatically convert into Common Shares at either the Conversion Price, if the Common Shares are trading at a price in excess of the Conversion Price or, otherwise, at a price based on the previous 20-day volume weighted average share price multiplied by 95%. While the CP Shares will not be listed on any stock exchange, the Company has applied to reserve the underlying Common Shares issuable upon conversion of the CP Shares for listing on the TSX Venture Exchange (the TSXV) and received conditional approval. Final listing approval from the TSXV is subject to the satisfaction of certain filing requirements by the Company. Closing of the Financing is subject to shareholder approval, including (i) a majority of not less than 66 percent of votes cast in person or by proxy and (ii) a majority of the minority vote to be held in accordance with Policy 5.9 of the TSX-V and Multilateral Instrument 61-101 Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions. The Companys board of directors, on recommendation from an independent committee of directors, has determined that the Financing is in the best interest of the Company and, after receiving advice from its financial and legal advisors, has unanimously approved the Financing. In addition, the Companys three largest shareholders, Canadian Non-Operated Resources L.P. (CNOR), GMT Capital and GMT Exploration, have entered into voting support agreements to support the Financing. CNOR holds approximately 54.5% of the outstanding Common Shares. GMT Capital and GMT Exploration collectively own approximately 13.8% of the outstanding Common Shares. The shareholder vote will be held at Pipestone Energys Annual General and Special Meeting to be held on September 14, 2020 at 2:30pm (Calgary time) at the Calgary Petroleum Club (McMurray Room). Further details about the Financing and other annual and special items of business will be described in a management information circular to be mailed to the shareholders on or about August 17, 2020. At closing of the Financing, the Company will enter into: (i) a registration rights agreement with Riverstone and GMT Capital that provides customary demand and piggy-back registration rights and (ii) nomination agreements with Riverstone and GMT Capital that provide for certain director nomination rights. Strategic Rationale of the Financing Highly Economic Drilling Inventory at Current Commodity Prices The Company has reduced drilling and completion costs approximately by 40% since early 2019 New wells are expected to generate an IRR of approximately 50% and deliver a payout of less than 2 years on a half-cycle basis at US$40 WTI Optimized Development and Returns Installed infrastructure capacity supports production growth from 17,000 boe/d currently to approximately 34,000 - 38,000 boe/d average in 2022 Minimal infrastructure capital required to further optimize and de-bottleneck to 40,000 boe/d of capacity Significant capital investment by Pipestone Energy through a continuous drilling and completion program should result in optimized corporate returns The Company expects to generate $75 million in annual free cash flow above maintenance capital in 2022+ at US$44 WTI or $115 million at US$50 WTI Enhanced Scale and Improved Competitive Positioning Peer leading production and cash flow per share growth and leading net debt to cash flow Execution of the growth plan through 2022 is expected to position Pipestone Energy as one of the larger condensate-rich Montney focused producers Attractive Financing Terms for Pipestone Energy and its Shareholders Conversion Price is an attractive premium to current common share trading price Execution of Pipestone Energys accelerated development plan is expected to generate higher per share metrics on a fully diluted basis than the status quo at current commodity prices Materially enhances the financial liquidity available to the Company Credit Facility In conjunction with the Financing, the Company has re-confirmed and executed an amendment (the Amendment) to its $225 million reserve-based lending facility (the Credit Facility) with its corporate banking syndicate, consisting of National Bank Financial Inc., Bank of Montreal, ATB Financial, and Canadian Western Bank. In light of the significant equity capital injection and accelerated capital plan, the banking syndicate has agreed to forgo the normal fall borrowing base review with the next redetermination scheduled for May 2021. In addition, the previously imposed capital spending restrictions from the June 2020 re-determination have been removed, and Pipestone Energy has committed to implement a robust hedging program with respect to expected condensate volumes through calendar 2021. On July 16, 2020, Pipestone Energy also closed on a $15 million unsecured letter of credit facility under Export Development Canadas performance security guarantee (PSG) program. The Company has transferred its ~$14 million letters of credit from its Credit Facility to the PSG facility, further enhancing the liquidity available under the Credit Facility. Pro Forma Liquidity and Net Debt As at June 30, 2020, the Company had $183 million drawn on its Credit Facility, excluding letters of credit, and a $13 million working capital deficit, for a combined net debt of approximately $196 million. Pro forma, including net proceeds of $67 million from the Financing, Pipestone Energy will have net debt of approximately $129 million and approximately $109 million of available capacity remaining on its Credit Facility. Operations Update Throughout Q2 2020, Pipestone Energy actively managed its production in response to increased volatility in crude oil prices and condensate differentials that prevailed during the quarter. Specifically, condensate production was optimized month to month by shutting in the seven well 6-24 pad during May and gradually bringing it back on in response to improved pricing during June. Production for the quarter averaged approximately 16,700 boe/d, based on field estimates for June 2020, which was comprised of 43% liquids (including 29% condensate), and 57% natural gas. The Company benefited from strong plant run-times at both the Keyera Wapiti Gas Plant and Tidewater Pipestone Gas Plant during the quarter of ~96% (compared to ~70% during Q1 2020). The Company has significant incremental production capability with six wells recently completed and tied-in on the 6-30 pad. The wells on this pad are being tested during July and August, and are expected to be brought on-stream permanently by Q4 2020. Accelerated Development Plan Contingent on closing the Financing, Pipestone Energy will be increasing its 2020 capital guidance from $60 million to $110 million. In September 2020, the Company expects to utilize two rigs to drill six wells on its 3-12 pad, which will be completed in November and available for production by year-end. On the 8-15 pad, one rig will drill four additional wells starting in November 2020, which are expected to be completed and brought on-stream during Q1 2021. In 2021, the Company plans to undertake a continuous drilling program, utilizing up to two rigs along the North-South gathering system. The program will be designed to optimize the infrastructure capital spent to date. In 2021, Pipestone Energy aims to bring 28 - 32 new wells on production, anticipates capital spending to be ~$210 million (90% of which will be on drilling, completion, and equip & tie-in costs) and expects to produce between 24,000 26,000 boe/d. 2020 2021 Development Map A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/ddf379f2-d36e-45e7-b634-2a34a7536584 Expected Development Activity Summary # Wells Drilled # Wells Completed # of New Wells on Production 2019 Actuals 10 16 20 H1 2020 Actuals 6 6 12 H2 2020 Forecast 10 6 - 2021 Forecast 30 - 36 30 - 36 28 - 32 3 Year Corporate Growth Trajectory (1) 2020 2021 2022 Full Year Production (boe/d) 16,000 17,000 24,000 26,000 34,000 38,000 Cash Flow ($MM)(2)(3) $40 $135 $205 Capex ($MM)(4) $110 $210 $215 YE Net Debt ($MM)(3) $180 $255 $265 LTM Debt / CF (x) 4.5x 1.8x 1.3x 3 year plan derived by utilizing, among other assumptions, historical Pipestone Energy production performance and current capital and operating cost assumptions held flat for illustration only. Budgets and forecast beyond 2020 have not been finalized and are subject to a variety of factors. Maximum total draw on the Companys Credit Facility in the forecasts shown would be less than C$225MM. Price assumptions: Rem. 2020 = US$40 WTI; $1.90 AECO; $0.74 CAD | 2021 = US$42 WTI; $2.25 AECO; $0.74 CAD | 2022 = US$44 WTI; $2.25 AECO; $0.74 CAD. See Advisory Regarding non-GAAP Measures. Forecast represents the mid-points of the anticipated production ranges. Net Debt excludes Convertible Preferred Shares as no cash liability and includes Working Capital Deficit. Capex includes all anticipated DCE&T, infrastructure and other capital expenditures, but excludes capitalized G&A. 2020 CAPEX increased from $60 million previously. The Company anticipates that the accelerated H2 2020 and 2021E development activity that will be undertaken as a direct result of the Financing will position Pipestone Energy to fill in-field infrastructure and generate significant free cash flow above maintenance requirements by YE 2022 at US$44 WTI, while maintaining significant liquidity and a conservative leverage profile. Risk Management The Company will continue its robust commodity price hedging program to reduce the volatility in expected future cash flow relative to the forecast capital expenditures. Currently for full year 2021, Pipestone Energy has ~30,000 GJ/d of AECO natural gas hedged at a weighted-average price of C$2.28/GJ and ~2,250 bbl/d of Canadian Dollar WTI hedged at a weighted-average price of C$56.37/bbl. Advisors Peters & Co. Limited, National Bank Financial, BMO Capital Markets, and ATB Capital Markets are acting as private placement advisors to Pipestone Energy with respect to the Financing. Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP is acting as Pipestone Energys legal advisor. Q2 2020 Financial Statements and Conference Call Second quarter results are expected to be released before market open on August 12th, 2020. A conference call has been scheduled for August 12th, 2020 at 9:00 a.m. Mountain Daylight Time (11:00 a.m. Easter Daylight Time) for interested investors, analysts, brokers, and media representatives. Conference Call Details: Toll-Free: (866) 953-0776 International: (630) 652-5852 Conference ID: 3775111 Pipestone Energy Corp. Pipestone Energy Corp. is an oil and gas exploration and production company with its head office located in Calgary, Alberta. The company is focused on developing its pure-play condensate-rich Montney asset in the Pipestone area near Grande Prairie. Pipestone Energy is committed to building long term value for our shareholders and values the partnerships that it is developing within its operating community. Pipestone Energy shares trade under the symbol PIPE on the TSX Venture Exchange. For more information, visit www.pipestonecorp.com . Pipestone Energy Contacts: Paul Wanklyn President and Chief Executive Officer (587) 392-8407 paul.wanklyn@pipestonecorp.com Craig Nieboer Chief Financial Officer (587) 392-8408 craig.nieboer@pipestonecorp.com Dan van Kessel VP Corporate Development (587) 392-8414 dan.vankessel@pipestonecorp.com Advisory Regarding Non-GAAP Measures This news release includes references to financial measures commonly used in the oil and natural gas industry. The terms free cash flow, cash flow, IRR and net debt are not defined under IFRS, which have been incorporated into Canadian GAAP, as set out in Part 1 of the Chartered Professional Accountants Canada Handbook Accounting, are not separately defined under GAAP, and may not be comparable with similar measures presented by other companies. Management believes the presentation of the non-GAAP measures provide useful information to investors and shareholders as the measures provide increased transparency and the opportunity to better analyze and compare performance against prior periods. Free cash flow should not be considered an alternative to, or more meaningful than, cash flow operating activities as determined in accordance with IFRS, as an indicator of financial performance. Free cash flow is presented to assist management and investors in analyzing operating performance by the business in the stated period. Free cash flow equals cash flow operating activities plus change in non-cash working capital less maintenance capital expenditures. Maintenance capital is defined as capital expenditures incurred to maintain flat production. Cash flow should not be considered an alternative to, or more meaningful than, cash flow operating activities as determined in accordance with IFRS, as an indicator of financial performance. Cash flow is presented to assist management and investors in analyzing operating performance by the business in the stated period. Cash flow equals EBITDA less interest expense. IRR or internal rate of return is a rate of return measure used to compare the profitability of an investment and represents the discount rate at which the net present value of costs equals the net present value of the benefits. The higher a projects IRR, the more desirable the project. Net debt is a non-GAAP measure that equals total debt outstanding + negative working capital cash and cash equivalents and includes transaction costs and the proceeds from the completed debt & equity financings. Total debt is calculated as long-term debt, long-term debt due within one year and short-term debt. Net debt is considered to be a useful measure in assisting management and investors to evaluate Pipestone Energys financial strength. Advisory Regarding Forward-Looking Statements In the interest of providing shareholders of Pipestone Energy and potential investors information regarding Pipestone Energy, this news release contains certain information and statements (forward-looking statements) that constitute forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws. Forward-looking statements relate to future results or events, are based upon internal plans, intentions, expectations and beliefs, and are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results or events to differ materially from those indicated or suggested therein. All statements other than statements of current or historical fact constitute forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are typically, but not always, identified by words such as anticipate, estimate, expect, intend, forecast, continue, propose, may, will, should, believe, plan, target, objective, project, potential and similar or other expressions indicating or suggesting future results or events. Forward-looking statements are not promises of future outcomes. There is no assurance that the results or events indicated or suggested by the forward-looking statements, or the plans, intentions, expectations or beliefs contained therein or upon which they are based, are correct or will in fact occur or be realized (or if they do, what benefits Pipestone Energy may derive therefrom). In particular, but without limiting the foregoing, this news release contains forward-looking statements pertaining to: strategic plans and growth strategies; expected IRRs; expectations of timing for the generation of full-cycle returns on capital; estimated production growth; proposed development and drilling plans; use of proceeds from the Financing; returns on capital investment through drilling and completion program; increased capital guidance; plans for cleaning, testing and bringing on-stream Pipestone Energys 6-30 pad-site; plans for drilling and completion on Pipestone Energys 3-12 pad-site; plans to drill, complete and bring on-stream Pipestone Energys 8-15 pad-site; plans to bring 28-32 new wells into production in 2021; future capital spending; three year corporate growth trajectory; and plans to fill in-field infrastructure capacity and generate free cash flow. With respect to the forward-looking statements contained in this news release, Pipestone Energy has assessed material factors and made assumptions regarding, among other things: future commodity prices and currency exchange rates, including consistency of future oil, natural gas liquids (NGLs) and natural gas prices with current commodity price forecasts; the economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and current oversupply of oil caused by OPEC; Pipestone Energys continued ability to obtain qualified staff and equipment in a timely and cost-efficient manner; the predictability of future results based on past and current experience; the predictability and consistency of the legislative and regulatory regime governing royalties, taxes, environmental matters and oil and gas operations, both provincially and federally; Pipestone Energys ability to successfully market its production of oil, NGLs and natural gas; the timing and success of drilling and completion activities (and the extent to which the results thereof meet expectations); Pipestone Energys future production levels and amount of future capital investment, and their consistency with Pipestone Energys current development plans and budget; future capital expenditure requirements and the sufficiency thereof to achieve Pipestone Energys objectives; the successful application of drilling and completion technology and processes; the applicability of new technologies for recovery and production of Pipestone Energys reserves and other resources, and their ability to improve capital and operational efficiencies in the future; the recoverability of Pipestone Energy's reserves and other resources; Pipestone Energys ability to economically produce oil and gas from its properties and the timing and cost to do so; the performance of both new and existing wells; future cash flows from production; future sources of funding for Pipestone Energys capital program, and its ability to obtain external financing when required and on acceptable terms; future debt levels; geological and engineering estimates in respect of Pipestone Energys reserves and other resources; the accuracy of geological and geophysical data and the interpretation thereof; the geography of the areas in which Pipestone Energy conducts exploration and development activities; the timely receipt of required regulatory approvals; the access, economic, regulatory and physical limitations to which Pipestone Energy may be subject from time to time; and the impact of industry competition. The forward-looking statements contained herein reflect management's current views, but the assessments and assumptions upon which they are based may prove to be incorrect. Although Pipestone Energy believes that its underlying assessments and assumptions are reasonable based on currently available information, undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking statements, which are inherently uncertain, depend upon the accuracy of such assessments and assumptions, and are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, both general and specific, many of which are beyond Pipestone Energys control, that may cause actual results or events to differ materially from those indicated or suggested in the forward-looking statements. Such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, volatility in market prices and demand for oil, NGLs and natural gas and hedging activities related thereto; the ability to successfully integrate Blackbirds and Pipestone Oils historical businesses and operations; general economic, business and industry conditions; variance of Pipestone Energys actual capital costs, operating costs and economic returns from those anticipated; the ability to find, develop or acquire additional reserves and the availability of the capital or financing necessary to do so on satisfactory terms; and risks related to the exploration, development and production of oil and natural gas reserves and resources. Additional risks, uncertainties and other factors are discussed in the MD&A for the period ended March 31, 2020 and in Pipestone Energys annual information form dated March 17, 2020, copies of which are available electronically on Pipestone Energys SEDAR at www.sedar.com. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as of the date hereof and Pipestone Energy assumes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, unless required by applicable securities laws. All forward-looking statements herein are expressly qualified by this advisory. Oil and Gas Measures Basis of Barrel of Oil Equivalent Petroleum and natural gas reserves and production volumes are stated as a barrel of oil equivalent (boe), derived by converting natural gas to oil equivalency in the ratio of 6,000 cubic feet of gas to one barrel of oil. Readers are cautioned that boe figures may be misleading, particularly if used in isolation. A boe conversion ratio of 6,000 cubic feet of gas to one barrel of oil is based on energy equivalency, which is primarily applicable at the burner tip, and does not represent a value equivalency at the wellhead. Half-Cycle Economics The forecast half-cycle economics include only the cost to drill, complete, equip and tie-in wells. The forecasts do not take into account certain other costs that would be required to construct infrastructure, central processing facilities, regional gathering facilities, condensate stabilization facilities and other infrastructure, nor do they take into account land acquisition costs, corporate overhead (G&A) expenses, financing costs or corporate taxes. Such forecast economics are intended to represent the marginal return of a single well investment. The forecasts present an idealistic view of results that could be achieved in the absence of additional infrastructure costs, operational challenges or downtime. Full-Cycle Economics Full-cycle economics are intended to represent a development scenario including adjustments for downtime and facility constraints, additional infrastructure costs and corporate overhead (G&A). Actual results will differ from the forecasts for the reasons described above and because of the risks and risk factors that are described in the Advisory Regarding Forward-Looking Statements set forth above. TSX Venture Exchange Disclaimer Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Los Angeles, Aug 5 : Hollywood star Jason Momoa gave a special surprise to his wife, Lisa Bonet, by restoring her first car. The "Aquaman" star, 41, shared a YouTube video of a project "14 years in the making", which documents him restoring a 1965 mustang -- Bonet's first car that she bought when she was 17, reports people.com. "I know we can't relive a memory, but maybe we can rebuild one," Momoa said in the video while sharing shots of the white, beat-up Mustang before he delivered it to a restoring company. "The story is this is the first car she ever bought. It's one of three ever made and it has a lot of custom parts to it," he said at the shop. The actor, who married Bonet in 2017 and has two children with her, said the project was "a big dream come true". Once he saw the restored vehicle, which is gleaming black with a black leather interior, he said: "I never thought that it would look like this." "To be in this passenger seat with my wife here and surprise her and our babies in the back -- riding in her first car when she was 17 -- I'm excited to see her face. It's come a long way, a long way," he said. In the video, Momoa brought his wife outside of their home where he waited for her reaction. "It's beautiful. Holy cow," she said, adding: "That is gorgeous. Oh my gosh. It's pristine, not too flashy but just enough." Dino Morea Denies Hosting Party For Sushant On 13 June, Says, DO NOT Drag My Name Into This I taly's national civil aviation authority (ENAC) has threatened to suspend Ryanair's right to fly to the country over alleged Covid-19 regulation breaches. In a press statement ENAC accused the budget airline of "repeated violations of the COVID-19 health regulations", Euronews reported. ENAC claimed that Ryanair has failed to socially distance passengers on its flights to Italy. Ryanair denied the claims and said that the airline "complies fully with the measures set out by the Italian government ". In a statement, ENAC said: "Not only is the obligation to distance passengers not respected, but the conditions for making an exception to that rule are also being ignored." The aviation authority added that it would suspend all of Ryanair's flights to and from Italian airports if the airline continued its alleged breach of regulations. Ryanair denied the aviation authority's allegations / REUTERS Ryanair told The Standard that ENAC's claims were "factually inaccurate" The airline added: "Ryanair complies fully with the measures set out by the Italian government and our customers can rest assured that we are doing everything to reduce interaction on both our aircraft and at airports to protect the health of our passengers when flying Ryanair. Ryanair has cut 3,000 jobs worldwide since the pandemic began. The police in Lagos have dispersed scores of protesters who gathered at under bridge, Ikeja, on Wednesday for a peaceful march. The protest, which kicked off around 10:00 a.m. was dead on arrival as the police barricaded their exit to Ikeja, Alausa, and started shooting tear gas into the air to disperse the crowd. The action of the police met with some resistance as some of the protesters faced the police, lying on the floor, holding their placards, protesting vehemently. This led to the police shooting into the air to disperse the angry protesters, while many of them were chased away. Many of the protesters found their ways into computer village, while others ran to different parts of Ikeja for safety, being chased by police officers. Details later (Natural News) In an interview with Fox News, Sen. Ted Cruz called the riots perpetrated by Antifa and their allies in the Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement as organized terror attacks, and claimed that the supporters of the group that is supposedly fighting for racial equality are avowed Marxists looking to destroy the Western-prescribed nuclear family structure. These violent riots are not spontaneous, Cruz said in an interview right before he went on to chair a hearing about anarchists and political violence in the United States. Nor are they mere coincidences, hs added. Instead, the evidence suggests they are organized terror attacks designed to instill fear and tear down the fundamental institutions of government. Cruz further went on to talk about how the BLM movements organizers are pursuing a radical agenda and are affiliated with Antifa, which he called a national terrorist organization. He alleged that the Antifa and BLM instigators are using the legitimate movement demanding racial justice to establish a Marxist government in the United States which is why many of these radicals are trying to assault and take over the federal courthouse in Portland every night. After alleging that the founders of the Black Lives Matter movement are Marxists pursuing an extreme agenda that includes policies such as defunding and abolishing police departments across the country, he once again tempered his rhetoric by stating that the phrase black lives matter is unquestionably true. However, the way the BLM organization uses it is inherently racist, as it calls for the movements supporters to disrupt the Western-prescribed nuclear family structure. Cruz, however, later tempered his language by reaffirming that the right of Americans to protest is protected by the constitution. (Related: Ted Cruz gets it right: If cities defund police and deprive residents of protection, they should be sued for damages.) You have a right to protest, I have a right to protest peacefully. We have a right to speak our minds the First Amendment protects that, he said. What you and I dont have the right to do is to hurt somebody else, to physically assault someone else, to firebomb police cars, to loot and destroy a small business, to murder a police officer and sadly weve seen all of that in riots across our country. Ted Cruz holds hearing on Antifa Following his interview with Fox News, Cruz went on to host a hearing titled The Right of the People Peaceably to Assemble: Protecting Speech by Stopping Anarchist Violence. The main topic of this hearing was about how Antifa had been launching terror attacks against law enforcement during anti-police demonstrations. During the hearing, Cruz and the Senate Judiciary Committees Subcommittee on the Constitution which he chairs heard several testimonies. One of these was from Ken Cuccinelli, the acting deputy secretary for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), who spoke to the senators about how the wave of engineered rioting and civil unrest in Portland has resulted in 277 injuries to 140 federal and local law enforcement officials. The Democrats in the subcommittee objected to Cuccinellis statements, despite him providing evidence. Sen. Mazie Hirono of Hawaii decried the negative portrayal of the peaceful protesters in Portland. The hearing we should be having is one called the right of the people peaceably assemble without being beaten up by unidentifiable federal agents. Cuccinelli, however, countered her statement by saying that at least 97 supposedly peaceful protesters have been arrested specifically for allegedly attacking federal law enforcement agents. He went on to talk about the dangers these federal officers faced while they were in Portland, such as rioters pouring accelerants and other flammable materials at the courthouse while commercial-grade, mortar style fireworks were being launched at the officers in an attempt to light them on fire. Cruz interviewed seven other Democratic senators, all of whom failed to denounce Antifa as well as many of their Democratic colleagues who have called police officers trying to maintain law and order several derogatory names such as Nazis, Stormtroopers and the Gestapo. But Hirono just was not listening when her Republican counterpart in the subcommittee continued to talk about how violence is never acceptable. I hope this is the end of this hearing, Mr. Chairman, and that we dont have to listen to any more of your rhetorical speeches, said Hirono just as she packed up her belongings and left the chamber. As she was leaving, Cruz urged her to say anything negative about Antifa, but Hirono declined to speak. Cruz noted, as the senator from Hawaii left the room, that refusal to denounce Antifas terrorism is the position of the Democratic Party. Antifa is getting bolder as the engineered rioting continues. Learn about their latest attacks against America in cities like Portland and Seattle by reading the unbiased articles at AntifaWatch.news. Sources include: DailyMail.co.uk NYPost.com FoxNews.com The World Bank issued a special report entitled Chinas Doing Business Success: Drivers of Reform and Opportunities for the Future on July 27. According to the report, China has made great achievements in advancing reforms to delegate power, streamline administration and optimize government services as well as in improving the business environment. The report has summarized the reforms China has carried out in recent years in fields such as starting a business, getting electricity and dealing with construction permits, in a bid to share lessons learned from Chinas experience in improving the business environment with other economies and then improve the global business environment on the whole. Taking the assessment of the World Bank on the business environment of global economies as an leverage, China has strived to create a stable, fair, transparent and predictable business environment in recent years. Chinas ranking in the world in terms of ease of doing business has continuously rocketed up, according to the World Banks Doing Business reports. China leaped from the 78th place in Doing Business 2018 to the 31st in 2020 and was recognized as one of the top 10 most improved economies worldwide for the ease of doing business for two years in a row. Before 2018, only around two to three reforms in China were captured by Doing Business each year. However, Doing Business 2019 recorded seven areas of reforms for China while Doing Business 2020 captured reforms in eight areas. The number of Chinas business reforms recognized by Doing Business ranks among the top three in the world and the country has become the top reformer among large economies. The World Bank attributed Chinas successful reforms to six key factors, including high-level leadership and ownership of the reform agenda, local policy experimentation, international knowledge sharing, strong enforcement of the reform agenda and accountability for results, robust private sector participation and effective communication, as well as intensive use of digital technologies and e-government services. Provinces and government departments in China have always comprehensively implemented the decisions and plans of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the State Council comprehensively and advanced reforms to delegate power, streamline administration and optimize government services. By cutting the drawbacks of institutional mechanisms and strengthening services and regulation, China has maximumly reduced its direct allocation of resources and direct intervention in market activities, and greatly stimulated market vitality and social creativity. For instance, Jiangsu Province allows residents and enterprises to have their matters dealt with through online platforms; Zhejiangs provincial government aims to ensure that things requiring presence in person get done in one place and without the need for a second trip; and Shanghai encourages the government to serve the enterprises wholeheartedly and suit their demands. During the first half of 2020, exports of private enterprises increased by 3.2 percent, 6.2 percentage points higher than the growth of Chinas general export, which mirrored the better business environment in the country. Against the backdrop of an ever-changing international environment and rampant anti-globalization and trade protectionism, the Chinese government has always advocated globalization and promoted opening-up to an even higher level. It has made continuous efforts to relax controls over and shorten negative list for market access, held large-scale trade fairs and expositions, created a fair market environment, and protected the legitimate rights and interests of foreign investors and intellectual property rights, which has boosted the long-term confidence of foreign companies in China. Data from the Ministry of Commerce suggested that the actual use of foreign capital increased by 8.4 percent year on year during the second quarter of the year. China determines to build a world-class business environment. It has officially put into force the Foreign Investment Law and its implementation regulations and repeatedly shortened negative list for market access. It is also speeding up in revising the Catalogue of Encouraged Industries for Foreign Investment for 2020 and the Working Measures for Complaints from Foreign Invested Enterprises. Recently, the State Council Information Office has hosted a press briefing where relevant government officials introduced a circular about further optimizing the business environment and better serving market entities. The international economic and financial practitioners are generally optimistic about Chinas economic performance and long-term development, including American business people who praised a series of measures related to reform and opening-up adopted by the Chinese government and expressed wishes to continue exploring the Chinese market. Despite the severe challenges brought about by the COVID-19 epidemic, China has been promoting the resumption of work, production, business and market, gradually restoring the economy and society to normal order. Chinas economy grew by 3.2 percent in the second quarter, making it the first major economy to achieve positive economic growth amid the epidemic and laying a solid foundation for the country to sustain economic recovery in the second half of the year. To carry out the vision of innovative, coordinated, green, open and inclusive development, promote high-quality economic growth, ensure stability in employment, financial operations, foreign trade, foreign investment, domestic investment, and expectations, and ensure security in job, basic living needs, operations of market entities, food and energy security, stable industrial and supply chains, and the normal functioning of primary-level governments, China will continue streamlining administration and delegating powers to establish a world-class business environment based on market principles and the rule of law. It will provide high-quality public services and a fair environment for domestic and foreign-funded enterprises and companies of various types of ownership, further stimulate the vitality of market players, strengthen new driving forces for development, and promote a higher level of opening-up. China will surely create new opportunities for the development of all countries with a more open mind and inject strong impetus into the international economic growth. Opinion Article 5 August 2020 A look into the role of art in hospitality spaces and its beneficial impact on customers, employees and company identity. Advertisements The benefits of art Whether we are looking at the enormous industry built around interior design or start-ups helping companies create a hospitable environment for clients and employees alike, the aesthetic context matters. The importance of physical environments, particularly in service-bound industries, is amply documented by research (Bitner, 1992; Harris & Ezeh, 2008; Rosenbaum & Massiah, 2011; Suh, Moon, Han, & Ham, 2014; Wakefield & Blodgett, 1996; Zemke & Pullman, 2008). Interestingly, all of the aforementioned articles point to the strong effect that the environment (often referred to as 'servicescapes') has on customers' and employees' emotional as well as cognitive responses. More specifically, studies show the effect on customer satisfaction (Bitner, 1992), customer loyalty (Harris & Ezeh, 2008; Suh et al., 2014) and even financial performance (Zemke & Pullmann, 2008). Well-being Exposing art in a physical space is more than just creating an appealing aesthetic environment. Several studies provide evidence that art has a beneficial impact on our spirit and health (Stuckey, H.L., & Nobel, J.M. ,2010; Jensen, Anita & Bonde, Lars Ole, 2018). For instance, engaging with art has been shown to contribute in reducing stress and depression, just to name two of the various positive psychological impacts (Stuckey, H.L., & Nobel, J.M. ,2010). A study from the University of Westminster shows that simple lunchtime visits to an art gallery can cause rapid normalization of cortisol levels from the consequences of high stress on office workers. Furthermore, the act of interpreting art is an important intellectual stimulation. To that end, a study by Knight and Haslam (2010), demonstrates that workers in an office enriched by art can increase employee productivity up to 15%, and up to 37%, if employees get actively involved in the selection process of the art pieces to be exhibited. Branding and identity Art can be a way of expressing a company's identity. There are many forms through which organizations may choose to showcase their identity: through declared values and beliefs, training and development, or contrasting as to how a company is different to its competition. Prior research shows that art and the choice of interior design can also reflect the identity of the organization and its overall purpose (Foroudia, Balmer, Chen, Foroudi, & Patsala, 2020). More specifically, the atmosphere created can impact one's organizational identity by making implicit indication on the norms and expectations within a servicescape. To that end, the physical expression is a means of communication and representation that can be used for storytelling towards employees, but also stakeholders at large. Last but not least, while the identity is important as it encapsulates what employees think and believe about their organization, it also translates into an image that external stakeholders hold about the organization, for instance customer beliefs (Bitner, 1992; Nguyen and Leblanc, 2002). Culture and context Finally, art is a way to connect with the larger environment. When well-executed, hospitality and art should work hand in hand, both offering an experience and a sense of escape. Art can be understood, transmitted and exchanged in any context. From well-known icons, to still lifes of Switzerland, or contemporary urban culture, each city has a wide variety of possibilities for showcasing its region through art made by local artists. In hospitality, local art brings a cultural touch of warmth, community and solidarity that allows customers to interact and connect with the local environment. This is the motivation behind the start-up, Artysco, whose aim is to hook up local artists with creatively-conscious companies, establishing a link so that hotels, businesses and professional service firms can rent pieces from local artists. Bringing hospitality elements together In the hotel industry specifically, many concept hotels have managed to bring together locals and tourists, creating a welcoming environment and a place for community gathering. Through the servicescape, architecture design, food and art there are many ways of creating a unique experience. Renting from local artists is not only a way of connecting with the community, but also an innovative way of transmitting what a travel destination stands for to its tourists. Art brings the local and historical culture to life, and the traveler is then imbued, inspired and transported. Travelers are now looking for unique and authentic experience when discovering a new place. Showcasing local artwork can give the possibility to travelers to immerse themselves in local cultures right in the hotel premises. Art is a fairly unvetted part of how hospitality is created. While it is an established constituent of the interior design discussion, there is little consideration as to how art creates hospitable environments and why it matters not only for hotels in particular, but service companies at large. Certainly, research has provided ample evidence that art has numerous positive effects - aside from creating a pleasant environment - yet little light has been cast on how it creates and enhances hospitality. This is an area that would merit further research, because in the end, creating a truly hospitable experience is truly an art in itself! References Amazon Prime Day 2020 sale began at 12AM on August 6 and it will go on until 11:53PM on August 7. Here are the top deals. Samsung is all set to host its annual Prime Day 2020 sale in India today. The sale began at 12AM on August 6 and it will go on until 11:53PM on August 7. During its Prime Day sale, Amazon India is offering interesting deals and discounts on the purchase of various products including smartphones and accessories, home appliances, laptops and its Echo devices among other things. In addition to offering discounts, Amazon India is offering a 10% instant discount on purchases made using the HDFC Bank debit and credit cards and EMI transactions. Here are the top deals that Prime users should watch out for: -- Amazon is offering up to 50% discount on the purchase of its Echo and Kindle devices. While the Fire TV Stick, which costs 3,999, is available for 2,399, Echo Plus smart speaker that retails at 14,999 is available for 7,4999. Similarly, Kindle Paperwhite that is priced at 12,999 is available for 9,999. -- The e-retailer is offering up to 60% off on the purchase of smart TVs and 4K TVs and up to 50% off on the purchase of large-screen TVs. While the 32-inch Samsung LED TV is available for 13,999, the 32-inch Mi TV 4A Pro is available for 11,999. -- During the sale, the e-retail giant is offering up to 30,000 off on the purchase of laptops. It is also offering exchange offers and no-cost EMI on the purchase of laptops. During the sale, the Lenovo Ideapad Slim 3i with 10th generation Intel Core i3 processor is available for 42,990, while the Asus VivoBook is available for 30,990. -- If you are interested in buying fitness wearables, Amazon India is offering up to 70% off on the purchase of smartwatches and fitness trackers. During the ongoing sale, the Mi Band 4 is available for 2,099 while the Apple Watch Series 3 is available for 18,990. -- Lastly, Amazon India is offering up to 40% off on the purchase of smartphones and accessories. In addition to discounts of the purchase of smartphones, the company is offering up to 13,500 off on exchange offer and no-cost EMI option starting at 1,665 per month. The deals include up to 7,000 off on Xiaomi smartphones and up to 25,000 off on flagship Samsung smartphones. Al Mohler denounces NY Times, media blaming churches for spreading COVID-19 Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment Southern Baptist Theological Seminary President Albert Mohler Jr. denounced The New York Times and other media outlets that seem to blame churches for the spread of COVID-19. In an episode of Mohlers podcast The Briefing on Monday, the Southern Baptist leader critically analyzed an article published by The New York Times last month that accused churches of being the epicenter of infections nationwide. Mohler noted that the piece, published on July 8 and updated on July 10, listed 650 confirmed novel coronavirus cases linked to 40 churches 365 of those infections cited by the Times were in Union County, Oregon, many of which were reportedly linked to a church following a wedding that was attended by guests from out of town. Six hundred and fifty? For Christians operating from a biblical worldview, every single human life is precious, but in the midst of a plague or a pandemic we have to do some math, said Mohler. Six hundred and fifty here, over against a confirmed 4.75 million cases of COVID-19 in the United States, according to the Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Center. Mohler stressed that he wasn't suggesting only 650 cases of COVID-19 can or should be traced to a church or religious service meeting. He was, however, taking issue with how much attention the Times gave to the number linked to the churches with its headline and story. I am saying that The New York Times documented only 650 cases and used that as justification to run what was in the print edition, a half-page of the paper, he continued. This tells us that there's something behind the story other than the math. There's indeed something behind the story other than the story. Mohler then pointed to a USA Today article released several days later, which reported the same 650 cases and used the NY Times piece as its source. That's lazy journalism at the very least. You're talking 10 days later and all this reporter cites is the number from The New York Times more than 10 days old, and a number that didn't justify The New York Times article in the first place, he added. There's something going on behind these stories, more than the math. It tells us something of the view of the secular media toward churches and church services. In response to state orders to shut down businesses and churches in late March, the vast majority of congregations decided to halt in-person worship services as a precaution until states slowly began allowing services to reopen. Many congregations have reopened their doors, but some quickly decided to shut back down after COVID-19 infections spiked among their church members. For example, First Baptist Church of Tillmans Corner of Mobile, Alabama, returned to online-only services in early July due to what Pastor Derek Allen called a spike in COVID-19 cases among our faith family. Regardless of what is happening nationally or statewide, there has been a significant increase in cases among FBTC members in the past two weeks. We need to move quickly and decisively to stop the virus before it spreads any further, Allen said in July. We dont want to see any of our faith family members suffer through a COVID-19 infection, and we want to do our part to contain this spike as much as possible. Nevertheless, many take issue with the media blaming churches for spreading the virus, especially congregations that observe social distancing guidelines, noting that there are other possible factors for the spike in cases. Last month, Arkansas Baptist State Convention Executive Director J.D. Tucker sent a complaint to state officials over a report singling out specifically churches as possible sources of COVID-19 infections. At issue for Tucker was a report by the Arkansas Department of Health naming dozens of churches, including two Baptist ones, as having allegedly documented COVID-19 exposure. Those two churches had at least 22,000 unique individual attendees since February 26, yet the ADH put them on the list for having four people attend (a family of three at one church, one person at the other) who later tested positive for the virus, stated Tucker. These two churches in particular, as well as a multitude of other Arkansas Baptist Convention churches, have provided an incredible amount of ministry to Arkansans during this pandemic, provided thousands upon thousands of meals, served their communities through Disaster Relief efforts, and served first responders and the medical community. BAKU, Azerbaijan, Aug. 5 By Nargiz Sadikhova - Trend: Open Society Foundations are a menace to European nations and encourage governments to operate in secrecy, violate human rights and conduct public spending outside of the public eyes, Peter M. Tase, the US expert on European and Latin American Politics, told Trend. Tase noted that Open Society Foundations established by George Soros are a real threat to Europe and its people. The deeply ingrained social and political influence of George Soros' institutions in Armenia is harming the economic wellbeing of Armenian nation and hampering the country from reaching a proactive social justice, impeding the implementation of economic reforms and encouraging corruption and organized crime to proliferate, the expert said. In his words, Open Society Foundations are a menace to European nations and encourage governments to operate in secrecy, violate human rights and conduct public spending outside of the public eyes. For Armenia to host Open Society Foundations' headquarters is a real social and cultural threat, socio-economic menace and political risk for the entire region in the Caucasus and Eurasia, Tase said. Tase went on to add that monoethnic policies, Pan Armenian irredentism and fascist ideology within the political circles and government of Armenia must be constantly condemned by the European Union institutions, European Council and European Commission, Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe and from across the Atlantic. Fascist statues erected in Armenia are a testimony of the backwards national vision and decaying philosophy that have encompassed the current government of Armenia and its Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan. We have to stand ready to denounce any acts of fascism and aspiration, plans for military aggression committed by Armenian fascist Armed Forces against the sovereign territory and the People of Azerbaijan, he said. He added that remaining silent and indifferent on these important matters is a terrible mistake committed by the international community and is a clear violation of the norms, treaties and resolutions approved by all of the multilateral organizations focused in the promotion of democracy, human rights and regional security in the European continent. A highly unconcerned spirit and endemic silence encountered in Brussels, Berlin and Washington in regards to the fascist psychology embraced by Armenian government leaders, and the glorification of fascist terrorist figures coming from the Armenian society is truly frightening especially now, as we have experienced recently a terrorist-violent attack committed by Armenian Dashnaktsutyun in Los Angeles, sending to the medical emergency room over 10 peaceful US-Azerbaijani protesters as a result of the brutal attack, he said. Vice President Joe Biden delivers remarks on the third day of the Democratic National Convention at the Wells Fargo Center, July 27, 2016 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. WASHINGTON Former Vice President Joe Biden and the rest of the speakers scheduled to take the stage at the Democratic National Convention later this month will not travel to Milwaukee in person for their speeches, convention organizers announced Wednesday. Citing the coronavirus pandemic, organizers said the speakers will avoid Milwaukee "in order to prevent risking the health of our host community as well as the convention's production teams, security officials, community partners, media and others." The announcement came as both Democratic and Republican convention committees scramble this week to make final arrangements for conventions that have been upended by the pandemic, which has surged in the past month. Democratic speakers are expected to include former President Barack Obama, presumptive nominee Joe Biden and his yet-to-be-announced vice presidential running mate. "From the very beginning of this pandemic, we put the health and safety of the American people first. We followed the science, listened to doctors and public health experts, and we continued making adjustments to our plans in order to protect lives," said DNC Chair Tom Perez in a statement accompanying the announcement. Instead of traveling to Milwaukee, Biden will deliver his program-topping acceptance speech from his home state of Delaware on Aug. 20, organizers said. The Democratic National Convention will air on television and online each night from 9:00-11:00 p.m. ET Aug. 17-20. Biden is not the only major candidate this year whose convention plans are up in the air. Incumbent President Donald Trump also has yet to announce where he plans to deliver his acceptance speech, which is slated to take place a week after Biden's speech. One idea that's reportedly being considered is for Trump to deliver his acceptance speech from the South Lawn of the White House. Such a move, however, would likely draw scrutiny from government ethics experts. While the president is exempted from the Hatch Act, it is still frowned upon to commandeer federal property maintained by taxpayers in order to hold purely political events. As word spread through Washington on Wednesday that Trump's acceptance speech might be held on White House grounds, at least one Senate Republican was already skeptical of the idea. "Is that even legal?" said South Dakota Sen. John Thune, when NBC asked him about a possible convention speech at the White House. "Anything on federal property would seem to me to be problematic," added Thune, who is the second highest-ranking Republican in the Senate. The Republican National Convention was originally scheduled to take place in Charlotte, North Carolina, but Trump abruptly yanked the convention speeches from the host city in early June, after the state's governor refused to guarantee that the attendees would be allowed to ignore face mask and social distancing requirements. Republican convention speeches were then moved to Jacksonville, Florida, after the Trump-allied GOP governor there, Ron DeSantis, assured the president that the event could have a pre-coronavirus look and feel. But within days of Trump's announcement that Jacksonville would be the site of a GOP convention "celebration," coronavirus cases in Florida began to soar. By the last week of July, it became clear that Jacksonville could no longer be the site of a major gathering either. "The timing for this event is not right. It's just not right with what's been happening," Trump said on July 23, announcing the cancellation of the Florida arm of the convention. In its place, he said, "We'll have a very nice something." New Delhi, Aug 5 : The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Wednesday received the Department of Personnel and Training's (DoPT) notification to initiate a probe into actor Sushant Singh Rajput's death, officials said. "The agency has received the notification from the government," a CBI spokesperson told IANS. Earlier in the day, the DoPT issued a notification paving the way for the CBI to register a case. In another related development, the Centre told the Supreme Court that it had accepted the Bihar government's recommendation for a CBI probe into the case. On Tuesday, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar had sought the CBI probe into the death of the actor on June 14 at his Bandra apartment in Mumbai, on the request of Sushant Singh's father K.K. Singh. On Singh's complaint, the Bihar Police registered a case against Sushant Singh's girlfriend Rhea Chakraborty on July 25. Sushant's father had lodged an FIR against Rhea in Patna, accusing her of cheating and threatening his son. Sushant's family has also accused her of keeping him away from his family. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has initiated a money laundering probe on the basis of the Patna Police's FIR. Earlier, a verbal duel erupted between the governments of Maharashtra and Bihar over the investigation by the Bihar Police in the case. Latest updates on Sushant Singh Rajput Death Mystery Statewide, Arnold said there have been just over 100 instances of a death being attributed to the coronavirus when the person in fact died of something else, resulting in the death being later removed from the states data. However, the information the state provides cant be independently verified because of the way the state interprets federal health privacy rules. The indigenously manufactured ventilators are being embedded with Global Positioning System chips to track if their locations in hospitals change as part of efforts to prevent their misuse, the Union health ministry has said. The ministry has created a dashboard for tracking the real-time status of ventilators dispatched, delivered, and installed for monitoring and feedback. We can track the location of each of these devices as each ventilator is geo-tagged. We will get to know in real-time if a ventilator is changing location, said Union health secretary Rajesh Bhushan. The government has constituted an empowered group to address issues and encourage the domestic industry to manufacture ventilators and ramp up their production. Also read: Zydus to start second phase of Covid-19 vaccine candidate trials today Based on expert projections in March, the health ministry decided to procure about 60,000 ventilators for Covid-19 patients. About 18,000 ventilators have been so far supplied to states, central government hospitals, and Defence Research Development Organisation facilities. They have been installed in at least 700 hospitals across the country. Bharat Electronics Ltd (BEL) rolled out the first locally-made ventilator on May 30. Officials said about 96% of the 60,000 ventilators being procured are indigenous and most of them have been sponsored by the PM CARES Fund established to fight the Covid-19 pandemic. Of the 60,000 ventilators, 50,000 are being funded by PM CARES Fund which comes to about Rs 2,000 crore in monetary terms, Bhushan said at a media briefing on Tuesday. The Make in India [indigenous] ventilators have a share of more than 96% by volume and more than 90% by value. Just about 0.27% of total active Covid-19 cases are on a ventilator across the country, according to government data. At any given time, not more than 1% of patients are sick enough to need ventilator support, said Bhushan. The ministrys technical expert committee has come up with minimum essential specifications for the basic ventilators manufactured in India. All the procurements are made based on the committees recommendations. Public sector BEL has manufactured 30,000 ventilators and Andhra Med-Tech Zone 13,500. The prices of locally-made ventilators range between Rs 1.5 and Rs 4 lakh per unit. Imported ventilators cost between Rs 10 and 20 lakh. A critical care expert at a prominent government hospital said a ventilator is a complex machine with several features meant to perform specific functions. It is not only about pumping in the air. There is much more to this machine. Having said that, it is better to have something to use in an emergency situation than nothing. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON March in Pakistani city was held by Jamaat-e-Islami political party to express solidarity with the people of Kashmir. Dozens of people have been wounded after a grenade explosion at a pro-Kashmir march in the southern Pakistani city of Karachi, according to local officials. Wednesdays attack in the Gulshan-i-Iqbal area targeted a rally organised by Jamaat-e-Islami (JI), one of Pakistans major religious parties. The provincial health department said in a statement at least 39 people were wounded, including one person who was in a critical condition. An ethnic Sindhi armed separatist group, the Sindhudesh Revolutionary Army claimed responsibility for the attack in a statement emailed to Al Jazeera. In June, four people were killed including two soldiers in three consecutive explosions claimed by the SRA. The group wants Sindh province, of which Karachi is the capital, to break from the Pakistani federation. It has also announced its alliance with the Balochistan Liberation Army, a rebel group fighting for greater autonomy for the Balochistan region in southwestern Pakistan. Siraj ul Haq, JI chief and a senator, condemned the attack, calling it a deplorable act. The attack on JI Kashmir rally in Karachi is deplorable & coward act. It shows that Indian proxies are still operating, trying to sabotage our solidarity with Kashmir. We will not be threatened by these attacks & will continue to support the freedom struggle of Kashmiri brothers Siraj ul Haq (@SirajOfficial) August 5, 2020 The JI rally was organised to express solidarity with the people of Indian-administered Kashmir on the first anniversary of Indias controversial decision to revoke the states semi-autonomous status. On August 5, 2019, Indias government revoked Kashmirs limited autonomy, promising that the move would facilitate economic development by bringing the territory into the countrys administrative mainstream. Since then, hundreds of thousands of Indian security forces have enforced a virtual siege in the territory, implementing widespread curfews and lockdowns, controlling citizens movements, banning protests and cutting off the regions mobile internet connectivity. In a speech marking the occasion on Wednesday, Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan reiterated a call for the world community to intervene in the Kashmir dispute by demanding Kashmiris right to self-determination be implemented. Today, [Indian Prime Minister] Narendra Modi is exposed in the world, said Khan. And the biggest thing to come from that is that the world is now looking at Kashmir. BOSTON A paper published today in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society reported results of an initiative designed to enhance implementation of hospital mobility programs aimed at improving quality of care and outcomes for older patients. Sharon K. Inouye, M.D., M.P.H., Director of the Aging Brain Center in the Hinda and Arthur Marcus Institute for Aging Research at Hebrew SeniorLife, headed the effort and is the papers senior author, and her mentee, Songprod Jonathan Lorgunpai, M.D., Division of Geriatric Medicine, Mount Auburn Hospital, is the papers lead author. Research shows that keeping older hospitalized patients confined to their beds often does more harm than good. Immobility contributes to poor patient outcomes, including increased risk of injurious falls, delirium, aspiration pneumonia, pressure ulcers, functional decline, prolonged length of stay, institutionalization, readmissions, increased healthcare costs, and mortality. Despite this reality, older adults are largely immobilized throughout their hospital stay. According to estimates in 2009 and 2013, patients spent more than 95 percent of their time in a bed or chair. Protocols in place to prevent falls are a driving force behind this statistic. In 2008, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services enacted new payment provisions that would no longer reimburse hospitals for diagnosis-related groups resulting from hospital-acquired conditions, including falls with injury. As an unintended consequence, many hospitals routinely use bed and chair alarms that discourage mobility as part of their fall prevention programs, despite large randomized clinical trials that have clearly demonstrated bed and chair alarms are ineffective at reducing falls. As part of a 20162017 Health and Aging Policy Fellowship, Dr. Inouye worked with the Center for Medicare & Medicaid Innovation (CMMI) to develop a new care delivery model designed to promote quality improvement related to mobility in hospitals participating in CMMIs bundled payment programs. The overarching goal of the initiative was to improve mobility and decrease use of bed and chair alarms with hospitalized older adults. To achieve this goal, Dr. Inouye and her team developed a Mobility Action Group (MACT) Change Package that provides a conceptual framework, roadmap, and step-by-step guide to help hospital mobility teams set and meet their mobilization goals. The MACT Change Package provided more than 40 participating hospitals of varying sizes across the United States with an innovative framework of peer support, expert faculty, and resources to create a successful culture of mobility in the care of hospitalized older adults. The Change Package was an essential tool and starting point for each hospital, while the peer support and assistance they received through the group meetings proved to be another key factor in their success, said Dr. Inouye. Results indicate that successful implementation of mobility programs was achieved at most (76 percent) participating sites in medical, surgical, and intensive care units, with 43 percent of mobility programs fully implemented and an additional 33 percent partially implemented by the end of the active initiative. Most (54 percent) reported a high likelihood that their mobility program would continue long-term. There was a more than twofold increase in the proportion of patients who received at least three walks per day and a 1.8-fold reduction in the use of bed or chair alarms across sites. Im greatly encouraged by the results of this effort, said Dr. Lorgunpai, who is also an Instructor in Medicine at Harvard Medical School. While additional study is needed to determine if this approach can improve patient outcomes such as decreased falls, functional decline, and readmissions, this initiative demonstrates that emphasizing system-wide change through a flexible approach can catalyze a culture of mobility in hospitals and improve care of older adults. Additional co-authors include: Bruce Finke, M.D., Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, Department of Health and Human Services, Baltimore; Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, Department of Health and Human Services, Baltimore; Isaac Burrows, M.P.H., Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, Department of Health and Human Services, Baltimore; Cigna Health and Life Insurance Company, Bloomfield, Conn.; Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, Department of Health and Human Services, Baltimore; Cigna Health and Life Insurance Company, Bloomfield, Conn.; Cynthia J. Brown, M.D., M.P.H., Division of Gerontology, Geriatrics, and Palliative Care, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Ala; Birmingham/Atlanta Geriatric Research, Education, and Clinical Care Center, Veterans Affairs; Division of Gerontology, Geriatrics, and Palliative Care, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Ala; Birmingham/Atlanta Geriatric Research, Education, and Clinical Care Center, Veterans Affairs; Fred H. Rubin, M.D., Division of Geriatric Medicine, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center Shadyside, Pittsburgh, Penn.; Division of Geriatric Medicine, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center Shadyside, Pittsburgh, Penn.; Heidi R. Wierman, M.D., Division of Geriatric Medicine, Maine Medical Center, Portland, Maine; Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, Mass.; Division of Geriatric Medicine, Maine Medical Center, Portland, Maine; Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, Mass.; Susan J. Heisey, M.S.W., M.P.H., Aging Brain Center, Hinda and Arthur Marcus Institute for Aging Research, Hebrew SeniorLife, Boston, Mass.; Inova Health System, Falls Church, Va.; Aging Brain Center, Hinda and Arthur Marcus Institute for Aging Research, Hebrew SeniorLife, Boston, Mass.; Inova Health System, Falls Church, Va.; Sarah Gartaganis, LIC.S.W., M.P.H., Aging Brain Center, Marcus Institute, Hebrew SeniorLife, Boston, Mass.; Aging Brain Center, Marcus Institute, Hebrew SeniorLife, Boston, Mass.; Shari M. Ling, M.D., Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, Department of Health and Human Services, Baltimore; Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, Department of Health and Human Services, Baltimore; Matthew Press, M.D., M.Sc., University of Pennsylvania Health System, Philadelphia, Penn. This work was supported in part by the Health and Aging Policy Fellowship, and by technical support from the Hospital Elder Life Program. Dr. Inouyes time was supported in part by grants no. R24AG054259 (SKI), K07AG041835 (SKI) from the National Institute on Aging, and by the Milton and Shirley F. Levy Family Chair at Hebrew SeniorLife/Harvard Medical School. About the Hinda and Arthur Marcus Institute for Aging Research Scientists at the Hinda and Arthur Marcus Institute seek to transform the human experience of aging by conducting research that will ensure a life of health, dignity, and productivity into advanced age. The Marcus Institute carries out rigorous studies that discover the mechanisms of age-related disease and disability; lead to the prevention, treatment, and cure of disease; advance the standard of care for older people; and inform public decision-making. For further information on the Hinda and Arthur Marcus Institute for Aging Research at Hebrew SeniorLife, please visit https://www.marcusinstituteforaging.org/. About Hebrew SeniorLife Hebrew SeniorLife, an affiliate of Harvard Medical School, is a national senior services leader uniquely dedicated to rethinking, researching, and redefining the possibilities of aging. Based in Boston, the nonprofit organization has provided communities and health care for seniors, research into aging, and education for geriatric care providers since 1903. For more information about Hebrew SeniorLife, visit http://www.hebrewseniorlife.org and our blog, or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn. PARIS - As Lebanese rescuers counted the dead and combed rubble for signs of life a day after a huge explosion shattered swaths of Beirut, nations near and far pledged Wednesday that the country, already trapped in a deep economic crisis, would not be left alone. The explosion at the capitals port that killed at least 135 and injured thousands, with shock waves smashing deep into the city, stunned the world. From Australia to Indonesia to Europe and the United States, countries readied to send in aid and search teams. Reflecting both the gravity of the disaster and Frances special relationship with its former protectorate, French President Emmanuel Macron was to visit Lebanon Thursday. Paris wasted no time in dispatching two planeloads of specialists, rescue workers and supplies to Beirut on Wednesday. The blast appeared to have been triggered by a fire that touched off a giant quantity of ammonium nitrate fertilizer stored for years in the port, which exploded with the force of a moderately strong earthquake. The disaster comes atop the worst economic crisis in Lebanons modern history, and hesitancy among some backers, including France, to keep propping up a country in dire need of reform. The European Union was activating its civil protection system to round up emergency workers and equipment from across the 27-nation bloc. The EU commission said the plan was to urgently dispatch over 100 firefighters with vehicles, sniffer dogs and equipment designed to find people trapped in urban areas. The Czech Republic, Germany, Greece, Poland and the Netherlands were taking part in the effort, with other countries expected to join. The EUs satellite mapping system will be used to help Lebanese authorities establish the extent of damage. Cyprus, where Tuesdays blast was felt approximately 120 miles (180 kilometres) from Beirut, was sending in emergency personnel and sniffer dogs. Britain promised a $6.6 million humanitarian support package. Russia flew in a mobile hospital, along with 50 emergency workers and medical personnel. Another three Russian flights were scheduled to arrive within the next 24 hours, carrying equipment for a coronavirus testing lab and protective gear, among other relief supplies. Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison told reporters Thursday that his country pledged an initial 2 million Australian dollars ($1.4 million) to the relief effort and is considering more. He said the aid will be provided to the World Food Program and to the Red Cross for food, medical care and essential items. Help also was coming from closer to home. Iraq was sending six trucks of medical supplies and an emergency medical team to help bolster Lebanons overstretched health system, and Egypt and Jordan were supplying field hospitals. Tunisia was sending medical teams, and offered to bring 100 patients back for treatment in Tunisia. In a mark of respect for victims, a U.N.-backed tribunal postponed until Aug. 18 the delivery of judgments in the trial of four people charged with involvement in the 2005 assassination of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri. The verdicts were to be read out Friday in a Netherlands courtroom. Even Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said his country, officially in a state of war with Lebanon, stood ready to offer to assist the Lebanese as human beings to human beings. U.N. peacekeepers from Indonesia already stationed in Lebanon were helping in the evacuation effort, and Australia said it was donating 2 million Australian dollars ($1.4 million) in humanitarian support. But the pledges of aid raised new questions for a country whose economic and political crisis, combined with endemic corruption, have made donors wary in recent years. Macrons visit could carry some awkward moments. In a visit to Lebanon less than two weeks ago, French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian made clear that France, Beiruts steadfast economic backer, would withhold support not destined directly to the Lebanese population, until credible and serious reform measures get under way. Whether the French president would skirt his countrys own no-go zone and offer more than emergency aid was unclear. About $11 billion was pledged to Lebanon at a 2018 Paris conference but on condition reforms are undertaken. U.S. Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo reaffirmed our steadfast commitment to assist the Lebanese people in a phone call with Prime Minister Hassan Diab, according to Deputy Spokesperson Cale Brown. It was unclear what support might be forthcoming. The World Health Organization is airlifting medical supplies to Lebanon to cover up to 1,000 trauma interventions and up to 1,000 surgical interventions, following a request from the countrys health minister. WHO spokesman Tarik Jasarevic said in an email that supplies were to be airlifted from a humanitarian hub in Dubai in the United Arab Emirates and expected to arrive later Wednesday. U.N. deputy spokesman Farhan Haq said it was too early to say if the U.N. will issue an international appeal to help rebuild Beirut. It would seem given the amount of damage that there will be a need for additional international support for Lebanon, he said, adding that the U.N. is heartened to see support from many governments and hopes all countries will stand beside the Lebanese people at this time. Pope Francis offered prayers for the Lebanese, while in Paris a special vigil was to be held late Wednesday in the Notre Dame Maronite Church. The Eiffel Tower will go dark at midnight in mourning. ___ Sylvie Corbet in Paris, Lorne Cook in Brussels, Jamey Keaten in Geneva and bureaus around the world contributed. Read more about: Kim Kardashian and Kanye West have reportedly jetted to the Caribbean in a final desperate bid to save their marriage. Sources claim the couple are holed up in what can only be described as a 'fortress' with their four children, as their relationship hangs by a thread following a series of public meltdowns. Kim, 39, and Kanye, 43, were previously seen together last week when she jetted to his ranch in Wyoming, following his series of controversial statements about their marriage, which she has attributed to his bipolar disorder. Remote: Kim Kardashian, 39, and Kanye West, 43, have reportedly jetted to the Caribbean in a final desperate bid to save their marriage (pictured in February 2020) According to TMZ, Kim and Kanye have jetted to the Caribbean after being spotted leaving Wyoming on a private jet, and are now staying on a remote estate to try and rebuild their relationship before its 'beyond repair.' Sources have also claimed the couple have brought along the pastor who married them, Rich Wilkerson Jnr on their 'make or break' trip, but Kim opted against bringing her mother Kris Jenner. An insider told The Sun: 'Kim and Kanye's trip isn't a romantic holiday. It's more of a chance for them to reconnect away from the chaos of Wyoming, the hangers on who surround Kanye and the audience of their entourage. Over? Sources claim the couple are holed up in what can only be described as a 'fortress' with their four children, following a series of public meltdowns 'She's planning to fly Rich Wilkerson Jnr, their pastor who married them, out with his wife - or if Kanye is resistant, to video call him. He's someone Kanye trusts. 'He's been a constant in Kim and Kanye's lives and he's a friend of the family. Kim is hoping an intervention will help Kanye.' MailOnline has contacted representatives for Kim Kardashian and Kanye West for comment. We are family: The couple are said to have taken their four children North, seven; Saint, four; Chicago, two, and Psalm, one with them on their break Guidance: Sources have also claimed the couple have brought along the pastor who married them, Rich Wilkerson Jnr (pictured in 2015) on their 'make or break' trip Kim and Kanye were last seen together last weekend, when Kim jetted from Los Angeles, where she's been staying with their children, for an emotional reunion in Wyoming with Kanye. During the reunion, the pair were pictured having an emotional exchange in the musician's car, which looked to have left Kim in tears. The Keeping Up With The Kardashian star proceeded to leave Wyoming solo back to Los Angeles to reunite with their children. Kim has since denied a report that she feels 'torn' about the prospect of leaving Kanye, whose recent erratic behaviour she has attributed to his bipolar disorder, but is reportedly viewing divorce as 'a last resort.' In the report, shared by People, a source is quoted as saying: 'She isn't getting back what she needs from Kanye. She was to the point that she flew to Cody to basically tell him their marriage is over and to say goodbye.' People reports that musician and fashion designer Kanye is eager to work on their marriage, recently issuing a public apology to her on Twitter after stating during a presidential rally that she contemplated aborting their first daughter North, seven. However, a source claimed the apology is as far as his reparative efforts have gone, explaining: 'He doesn't seem to get what she is saying. He hasn't changed anything that she told him needs to change.' 'Kim is very torn,' added the source. 'The last thing she wants is to be divorced with four kids. 'She knows that she will be fine financially, but her concerns are the kids and the partnership. She is moving towards a divorce, but who knows if she will actually sign papers.' Not true: Kim has since denied a report that she feels 'torn' about the prospect of leaving Kanye, whose recent behaviour she has attributed to his bipolar disorder (above in 2019) After his presidential campaign rally on July 19, in which he tearfully revealed he and Kim had considered aborting North, Kanye launched into a days-long string of Twitter rants denouncing both his wife and his mother-in-law Kris Jenner. Kim, who was reportedly livid that he shared the abortion story publicly, made a statement late last month, saying that her family was 'powerless' to intervene to help Kanye with his bipolar disorder issues. And while Kardashian's representatives have told MailOnline that reports that she is weighing whether to leave her husband are 'absolutely not true', a number of Kanye's recent tweets suggest divorce has been on his mind for some months. Clearly the distance between the couple has been a source of contention, as during Kanye's Twitter meltdown last week, he stated: 'My family must live next to me,' before adding: 'It's not up to E or NBC anymore.' 'Complicated and painful': Kim took to Instagram late last month following West's late night Twitter meltdown, saying she feels 'powerless' amid his struggle with bi-polar disorder The rapper appeared to be hinting that he wanted Kim and the kids to be based in Wyoming and not in LA, where she films her E! reality series Keeping Up with the Kardashians. 'Kanye has been in Wyoming for the last year. Kim goes about once every five weeks and brings the kids,' one source told Us Weekly. Added the source: 'They haven't been spending time together because he moved his life completely to Wyoming and that's not where their life is, their family is, their kids are in school or the larger family is.' Another report added that Kanye lives 'full time' in Wyoming as it is 'best for his creativity' according PageSix. Kim is also said to have urged Kanye to quit his bid for presidency, which lead him to a disastrous first campaign rally in North Charleston, South Carolina, where he claimed he and his wife considered aborting their first baby, daughter North. Concerns: Kanye appeared at a campaign rally in South Carolina on July 19 (pictured), during which he delivered a lengthy monologue that sparked concerns about his well-being Yet Kanye is still eager for his presidential bid to become a reality, after making another last-ditch attempt to get on another ballot in Missouri last week, and is said to have hired top political advisers. Last month, Kim took to Instagram following Kanye's controversial behaviour, admitting that she was 'powerless' amid his meltdown, calling her husband 'brilliant but complicated'. The reality star said 'his words sometimes do not align with his intentions' after Kanye last night claimed he has been 'trying to get divorced' from Kim since she met his fellow rapper Meek Mill at a hotel. Kanye said late last month that Kim was 'out of line' to meet Meek Mill at a hotel in Los Angeles to talk about 'prison reform', and blasted her mother Kris Jenner as 'Kris Jong-Un' while accusing the pair of 'white supremacy'. However, Kanye apologised to his wife in a tweet days later, amid reports that he went to hospital to be treated for anxiety. The rapper tweeted: 'I would like to apologize to my wife Kim for going public with something that was a private matter. I did not cover her like she has covered me. 'To Kim I want to say I know I hurt you. Please forgive me. Thank you for always being there for me.' His apology came after Kim gave a frank and open statement about the situation to her fans, sharing three pages to her Instagram story amid the controversy. She wrote: 'Those that understand mental illness or even compulsive behavior know that the family is powerless unless the member is a minor.' The star continued: 'I understand Kanye is subject to criticism because he is a public figure and his actions at times can cause strong opinions and emotions. 'He is a brilliant but complicated person who on top of the pressures of being an artist and a black man, who experienced the painful loss of his mother, and has to deal with the pressure and isolation that is heightened by his bi-polar disorder. 'Those who are close with Kanye know his heart and understand his words some times do not align with his intentions.' It has also been reported that the couple have been living separately for the past year, with Kanye at their $14 million ranch in Wyoming and Kim back in Hidden Hills, California, with their four children, making near-monthly trips to see Kayne Kim and Kanye four children daughters North, seven and Chicago, two, and sons Saint, four, and Psalm, 14 months. Capt Amarinder Singh Chandigarh: Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh on Wednesday said he will not tolerate any political interference in the hooch tragedy case, and directed the DGP to book those directly involved for murder under section 302 of IPC. Promising justice for the victims of the case, which he termed as the biggest tragedy of recent times, the Chief Minister also mooted enhancement of punishment for spurious/illicit liquor manufacturing and smuggling under the Excise Act, to ensure that repeat offenders remain behind the bars and are not able to come out easily to indulge again in the crime. Advertisement Capt Amarinder SinghAs several ministers agreed, during a Cabinet meet, to the suggestion of Advocate General Atul Nanda that a strict law like PCOCA was needed to combat organised crime like illicit liquor smuggling, the Chief Minister asked the Sub-Committee, that was set up under Brahm Mohindra to examine the provisions of the proposed law, to finalise and submit its report at the earliest. He agreed with Sukhjinder Randhawa and other ministers that PCOCA (Punjab Control of Organised Crime Act) could help control hardcore criminals and act as deterrent to gangsters, who continue to deal in organised crime even from prison, and had close connections with terrorists too, said the minister. The Chief Ministers directives on the hooch tragedy came during two separate video conferences one of the cabinet meeting and the other a review meeting of the case with top police and administrative officials. Advertisement Liquor worth Rs 10 lakh seized in Bihar Captain Amarinder also led his council of ministers in observing a 2-minute silence as a mark of homage to the victims of the tragedy. Finish off this business, clean up the border areas, was Captain Amarinders strict directive to police and district officials during the review VC earlier, which was attended by DGP Dinkar Gupta and Chief Secretary Vini Mahajan, along with SSPs and DCs of the affected districts of Tarn Taran, Amritsar Rural and Gurdaspur, along with officials of the Excise & Taxation Department. Advertisement This has to stop, he said, adding that the illicit liquor business had been going on in border areas for a long time, with use of Lahan, but now it had assumed even more dangerous proportions with the new trend of smuggling from neighbouring states. Asserting that he wanted to see an end to this whole business of spurious and illicit/smuggled liquor, the Chief Minister directed the concerned officials to be extremely strict in dealing with the criminals, whether men or women. DGP Dinkar Gupta Advertisement Reiterating his governments zero tolerance policy to illicit/spurious liquor and drugs, he asked the police to coordinate closely with the Excise and other concerned departments to wipe this menace out of Punjab once and for all. Pointing out that the victims were the poorest of the poor, Captain Amarinder set a 10-day deadline for the concerned DCs and police officers to identify and process cases to provide targeted additional relief for their families. The Chief Minister has already announced Rs 2 lakh ex-gratia compensation to the families of each of the victims of the tragedy, in which the death toll currently stands at 113, with several more under treatment, which is being provided free in hospitals. DC Tarn Taran, Kulwant Singh said his district had reported 84 deaths, with 13 people under treatment. Of these 13, 6 had been referred to Amritsar for eye treatment, while one was critical, he said. Punjab governmentOn the relief measures, the DC said disbursement of the Rs 2 lakh ex-gratia compensation announced by the Chief Minister for the families of the deceased would be disbursed tomorrow as verification had been completed and processing would be done in the next 24 hours. The Child Welfare Committee, along with NGOs, had been roped in to counsel the children of the affected families, including two siblings who had lost both their parents, said the DC. Children of employable age will be assisted for self-employment while widows will be given stitching machines and other assistance to earn their livelihood. DC Amritsar, Gurpreet Khaira, said 15 deaths had been reported in his district, where all efforts were being made to provide immediate relief to the families. DC Gurdaspur, Mohd Ishfaq, said ration kits had been provided to the affected people and a drive had been launched to create awareness about consumption of liquor, with instructions to destroy any illicit liquor lying with them. Capt Amarinder Singh IG Border Range, SPS Parmar, in a brief presentation, said cases had been registered under Section 304 IPC and the Excise Act, and a coordinated crackdown had been launched in all the border areas to identify and nab the criminals and initiate strict action against them under the law. He revealed that initially, the families of the victims in Tarn Taran, which had suffered the maximum loss of lives, hid the deaths and cremated the bodies without post-mortem. He suggested introduction of colour coding for ethanol and other spirits to check illegal sale/distribution of such products. The leaders of the countrys more than 13,000 school districts found themselves caught between the warnings of health officials that nothing should reopen without proper safety measures, and demands from Trump and Education Secretary Betsy DeVos that schools start back up as normal. Education leaders warned politicians they would need billions of federal dollars in aid to reopen safely, but that money has yet to be approved by Congress. Pressure from teachers unions built as well, with some unions demanding an all-virtual program and threatening to strike if forced to step back inside the classroom. Visitors sit inside circles designed to help prevent the spread of the coronavirus by encouraging social distancing at Dolores Park in San Francisco. (Jeff Chiu / Associated Press) The chalk circles that appeared in four San Francisco parks in late May weren't an art installation or giant checkerboard game: The city's parks and recreation team drew the circles 10 feet in diameter in the grass as boundaries, intended to encourage social distancing. But as weeks pass and the temperatures rise, more people are naturally flocking to the parks. The circles are filling up fast and social distancing is proving difficult. Last weekend, crowds gathered at Mission Dolores Park in the Mission District to enjoy the sunny weather. People are trying to be respectful and responsible and trying to stay in the circles, but there can be too many people in the circles some people are bursting out of them, said Dr. Peter Chin-Hong, an infectious disease doctor at UC San Francisco. In fact, the circles could be creating a greater health hazard, he said: They might actually be a disservice if they are making people come together in an artificial way. Chin-Hong said it can be a challenge to resist sharing snacks. You have your delicious Trader Joes mango slices, youre not going to take a slice of mango, walk away, eat it alone and come back its not human nature. Michael Piazza, a San Francisco based-photographer who was at Dolores Park over the weekend, said, The biggest issue is masks." He said many people werent wearing them. People want to talk with their friends and enjoy eating and drinking together, he said. But San Francisco residents are taking COVID-19 seriously, Piazza said: We are very mindful of the risks, but if the parks are open, people will want to visit them with their friends. Removing masks in crowded parks can be risky. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , wearing a mask is most essential when social distancing is difficult, and that includes in parks and on hikes. Parks are critical to our mental and physical health benefits that are too important to lose, Phil Ginsburg, general manager of the city's parks department, said in a statement. Wear your mask," he added. "Even if you know the people around you. Even if its not crowded. Do it so parks can stay open for everyone. One of the highest-ranking officials at the California agency that regulates private utilities says she is being forced out of her job after she sought to recover $200 million in fees owed to the agency. Alice Stebbins, who has been executive director of the California Public Utilities Commission since February 2018, was placed on administrative time off and believes her employer is preparing to fire her. Stebbins attorney sent a letter Tuesday to her bosses, the five commissioners who govern the agency, claiming she was being retaliated against for trying to clean up a broken CPUC. The letter says Commission President Marybel Batjer told Stebbins that she would be ousted because of ethical concerns about a handful of hires she allowed. But Stebbins told The Chronicle that she suspects the real reason has something to do with about $200 million in outstanding fees that the agency has not collected. Stebbins said the fees were owed by a range of utilities, including water companies that the commission did not collect from for many years. She said some of the officials working under her identified the issue after reviewing a state report, that she promptly raised the matter to the governing commissioners and that their reaction was not much really. Its definitely a catalyst, Stebbins said of the unpaid fees role in her potential firing. I get the feeling, maybe Im on the path to uncovering more. I know I am. And I am not one to walk away from problems or issues. I dont shy away from challenges, and I think Ive made people nervous. The utilities commission declined to comment on the letter from Stebbins attorney, which threatened a lawsuit if she is fired. We do not comment on personnel matters or pending litigation issues, commission spokeswoman Terrie Prosper said in an email. The internal discord over Stebbins employment comes as the commission has sought to move past years-old criticism that it is ineffective and too close to the sectors its supposed to regulate. Emails unearthed after the 2010 San Bruno pipeline blast showed a cozy relationship between the commission and Pacific Gas and Electric Co., which caused the blast. More recently, PG&E has caused a series of deadly and horrific wildfires, and under Batjers leadership, the commission is desperately trying to prevent more catastrophes. Stebbins is the top administrative official at the commission, which regulates investor-owned electric and gas companies such as PG&E, along with many other businesses providing phone, water and transportation services. Her job entails running the commissions executive office, which oversees how the policies and decisions of the agency are implemented and leads the commissions 1,300-person workforce. She was previously division chief over air administration at the California Air Resources Board and has held a variety of positions within the state government since 1986. In the letter, Stebbins lawyer, Karl Olson, said the commissions purported justification to terminate Stebbins traces back to a draft report from the State Personnel Board, which oversees the recruitment and hiring of many state government employees. That report was critical of about a half-dozen hires among hundreds hired during her tenure, the letter said, claiming that two of the commissioners told Stebbins she had otherwise done an exemplary job. The letter also accuses the commission of holding a staggering number of closed-door meetings in apparent violation of state law. Three of the five commissioners have said they already decided to dismiss Stebbins, the letter says, which Olson concluded was the result of illegal serial meetings to arrive at a collective consensus to fire (her). Olson also asked for the letter to serve as a public records request for one year of communications among the five commissioners and people affiliated with regulated utilities such as PG&E and AT&T. He believes those documents could reveal more information about how the commissioners soured on Stebbins. The fox should not be guarding the henhouse and, to put it simply, it appears to us that the threatened termination of Ms. Stebbins employment results not from anything she or her staff did wrong but because they were trying to hold regulated entities accountable, the letter says, adding that companies such as AT&T, other telecommunications companies and PG&E have lobbied for the removal of Ms. Stebbins. Air Quality Tracker Check levels down to the neighborhood Ratings for the Bay Area and California, updated every 10 minutes Both of those companies came under particularly intense scrutiny from the commission last fall, when PG&E botched extensive forced outages intended to prevent more power line-caused fires and cell phone service crashed. The letter is wrong, said Jim Kimberly, an AT&T spokesman, in a statement. We did not advocate for the removal of anyone at the CPUC. PG&E spokeswoman Lynsey Paulo said the company views the Stebbins issue as an internal CPUC personnel matter. She said the company is committed to complying with the letter and spirit of laws governing its relationship with regulators and that it provides yearly training for people who regularly interact with the commission. The allegation that PG&E has lobbied for the removal of any CPUC personnel is false, she said. At the commission, Stebbins has played a key role addressing concerns of disabled people about PG&Es planned blackouts, said Richard Skaff, a Guerneville resident who runs an organization called Designing Accessible Communities. Skaff, a former San Francisco city government employee who uses a wheelchair, has begun circulating a petition praising her work on the shutoffs and urging the commissioners to keep her in her role. Should she exit the commission, Skaff said in an interview that seniors and people with disabilities would be back to step one. We wont have the lead person who sets the tone of the staff operations and operations of the CPUC on a day-to-day basis, Skaff said. That voice wont be there. That is a huge threat to the safety of vulnerable seniors and people with disabilities across California ... thats not one we will accept. J.D. Morris is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: jd.morris@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @thejdmorris The city of Beirut and its residents are still reeling from a massive explosion on Tuesday, which demolished buildings and killed at least 70 people. Officials believes over 3,000 people have also been injured in the blast, which was felt by residents living miles away from the explosion site, located at Beiruts port. The explosion sent a giant mushroom cloud into the sky and the death toll is expected to climb as rescuers dig through the rubble left behind. Army helicopters were see helping battle fires still raging at the port, while ambulances carried away those who were wounded in the hours after the incident. Photos taken in the aftermath of the explosion show the true scale of devastation the explosion left behind. Lebanese President Michel Aoun said 2,750 tonnes of ammonium nitrate had been stored in a warehouse at the port for six years without safety measures and condemned it as unacceptable on Twitter. He called for a state of emergency to be declared in the Lebanese capital for two weeks. The Lebanese army joined forces with the Lebanese Red Cross and other rescue groups to try and help any survivors who may be trapped under debris. Dazed people with bloodied faces who were struck by flying debris when the explosion hit were seen in the flattened streets around the site. The Red Cross said on its Twitter account its teams cannot reach all the wounded in their homes at the moment, but they have set up first aid and triage stations to help those with non-critical injuries. Civilians were also seen helping, carrying survivors away from the ruined buildings and towards safety. Smoke rises near a destroyed grain silo (EPA) A general view of the damaged harbor area (EPA) Residents living more than a kilometre away from the site told PA news agency of its impact on their homes, shattering all windows and causing apartment balconies and ceilings to collapse. A Lebanese army soldier and a man carry away an injured man at a hospital in the aftermath of an explosion (AFP via Getty Images) A man carries away an injured girl while walking through debris past in the Achrafiyeh district (AFP via Getty Images) Paola Rebeiz, who lives in St Nicolas, south of the site, said there were dead bodies on the street after glass fell on them. The house shook. I dont have electricity, I dont have water. Its been non-stop sirens since the explosion. A man reacts at the scene of an explosion at the port in Lebanon's capital Beirut (AFP via Getty Images) People walk on a street covered in debris (Getty Images) Hospitals in the city are packed with those wounded from the blast, with many seen sitting outside waiting to receive treatment. Some were reportedly taken to medical facilities outside the city as Beiruts hospitals become crowded. A wounded woman receives help outside a hospital following an explosion in the Lebanese capital Beirut (AFP via Getty Images) Wounded people received help outside a hospital (AFP via Getty Images) People injured in the Beirut Port explosion receive first aid at Najjar Hospital in Al-Hamra area (EPA) Prime Minister Hassan Diab told the nation in a televised address the catastrophe will not pass without accountability. People gather by cars destroyed by the explosion (AFP via Getty Images) An injured man rests in a chair (Getty Images) Those responsible will pay the price, he said, adding details about the dangerous warehouse would be made public. The Standardbred Horse Sales Company has advised its consignors that while it plans to hold its annual yearling and mixed auctions this November, they will not take place at the Pennsylvania State Farm Show Complex in Harrisburg. In an email, Paul F. 'Pete' Spears, president and CEO of Standardbred Horse Sales Company, said the sales company was informed by Farm Show Complex officials that the facility will be unavailable for the annual November sale. "This outcome is disappointing, as we learned that our COVID-19 compliance protocol was well received by the reviewers," said Spears. "Standardbred has already been in the process of evaluating multiple alternate venues, and will be reaching out to several more in the near future. We are committed to doing everything we can to hold a live auction for our consignors and customers while respecting COVID-19 restrictions and public health considerations." Standardbred is also working with ProxiBid.com to provide comprehensive online bidding services for the 2020 sale and plans to expand telephone bidding opportunities for customers who are unable to attend the sale in person. "We will do everything possible to make purchases from remote locations easy and user-friendly," added Spears. (Harnessracing.com) Nearly one year after a prostitution sting in the Kingwood and East Montgomery areas found at least six human trafficking victims, Humble non-profit FamilyTime Crisis and Counseling Center has received a generous grant to help aid survivors. The Department of Justices Office of Justice Programs and the Office for Victims of Crime awarded FamilyTime with a $500,000 grant to provide housing and services to survivors of human trafficking. Santa Maria Hostel, which has a Spring Branch area location in Houston, is also receiving the same size grant. EDUCATION: Humble ISD approves phased return to class beginning Aug. 17 Announced by U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Patrick, the grants fund as much as 24 months of transitional or short-term housing assistance to trafficking victims, including rent, utilities, and related expenses. The grants will also be used to help survivors transition into permanent housing, find employment, and receive both occupational training and counseling, according to the press release. The two are part of 73 other organizations receiving a combined $35 million in funding for this mission. According to the press release, human trafficking offenses are one of the most difficult crimes to identify and may be a much greater issue than data currently shows. Human trafficking is a scourge, said Patrick. Prosecuting the pimps and enablers is sometimes not the hardest part. The support services for the victims can be difficult to find, fund and maintain. Grants like these take care of the victims with a safe space where they can begin to put their life back together. The Office for Victims of Crime hosted listening sessions and roundtable discussions with those in the field in 2018, leading to the launch of the Human Trafficking Capacity Building Center according to the press release. Grantees reported serving 8,375 clients with confirmed and strong indications of trafficking victimization from July 2018 to June 2019. CORONAVIRUS: 'We were supposed to retire together': Lifelong friend mourns Houston firefighter's COVID death The Office of Justice Programs, directed by principal deputy assistant attorney general Katharine T. Sullivan, provides federal leadership, grants, training, technical assistance and other resources for the nation in an effort to improve prevention and reduce crime, assist victims. They also work to amplify the rule of law by strengthening the criminal and juvenile justice systems according to the press release. For more information on the awarded grants, visit the Office of Justice Programs fact sheet here. savannah.mehrtens@chron.com By PTI SRINAGAR: A number of mainstream politicians in Jammu and Kashmir, who were prevented by authorities from meeting to hold a discussion on the first anniversary of the abrogation of special status of the erstwhile state, took to social media to express their disappointment. National Conference president Farooq Abdullah had called an all-party meeting at his Gupkar Road residence here on Wednesday but the authorities did not allow leaders to reach the meeting citing pandemic-related restrictions. BJP's Kashmir unit celebrated the "historic day" and distributed sweets among its workers at the party headquarters at Jawahar Nagar in the Civil Lines area of Srinagar town, pictures of which were uploaded online by local journalists. Taking note of the pictures of BJP leaders exchanging sweets, Abdullah's son and former chief minister Omar Abdullah tweeted, "BJP displaying its hypocrisy. They can gather and celebrate. The rest of us can't even meet to discuss what's happening in J&K." After the meeting called by his father could not take place, Omar tweeted, "One year on, this is Gupkar road today - police vehicles opposite our gates, concertina wire strung across the road at regular intervals and no vehicles allowed. My father had called a meeting of leaders of MAINSTREAM parties to deliberate on the current situation". In a veiled reference to an earlier statement by BJP General Secretary Ram Madhav that politicians should step up their activities, Omar said, "Clearly the meeting is not being allowed to go ahead. The BJP gets to announce a 15 day celebration to mark 5th Aug and a handful of us aren't allowed to meet on my father's lawn. So much for BJP national leaders wondering why there is no political activity". PDP president and former chief minister Mehbooba Mufti, whose twitter handle is being operated by her daughter Iltija, said on the micro blogging site, "until the restoration of the special position of Jammu and Kashmir, August 5 will be observed as Black Day. This is the issue of our identity and existence, this is the battle of all of us that we have to fight collectively." She also posted a picture of four PDP workers staging a protest outside the party office in Srinagar after which it was sealed by the authorities. "Despite the stringent and unofficial curfew, a handful of PDP workers managed to stage a protest in Srinagar today. The number might seem insignificant but symbolises how tough it is for the people of JK to peacefully protest," she tweeted. Taking a dig at the authorities, CPI(M) leader M Y Tarigami tweeted, "locks on gates, lock downs as celebrations and lies as defences has been the hallmark of last year. Today, political leaders were supposed to meet at Dr Farooq Abdullah's residence to discuss the political challenges the region is facing. But unfortunately, we were not allowed." Omar replied to him by tweeting, "not to worry Tarigami Sb some senior journalists have been parachuted into Srinagar to tell the nation how normal everything is. I suppose in a sense they are correct because this IS the new normal for 'new Kashmir'." People's Conference chairman Sajjad Lone, whose party was an alliance partner in the last government of the erstwhile state, tweeted, "sadness and emptiness billow amongst the vast swathes of helplessness and hopelessness. It is faceless. The newness is eerie and scary. The trees, the birds, the gaiety of summer seem all caged. What a sad day. What a sad reminder." J&K BJP's spokesperson Altaf Thakur hit out at parties like National Conference and PDP which have termed August 5 as "black day", claiming these parties were sympathisers of ISIS. "Those who are in love with 'black' are sympathisers of ISIS. Today is a colourful day and it is an ideological battle between black and colourful forces. The colourful forces will emerge victorious. They (opponents) should think what they are supporting," he said. Thakur said the abrogation of Article 370 last year was "the only operation in the history in which not a single bullet was fired, not a single stone was pelted". In the 1983 film Zelig, Woody Allen (who also wrote and directed the movie) plays the eponymous hero; a man who manages somehow to know everyone (from F Scott Fitzgerald to Adolf Hitler) and who turns up at every important event. The film is a mockumentary, which is to say that it is made to look like a documentary with shots of the fictional Zelig inserted into actual footage of real events. I first met Amar Singh around four years after I saw the movie and in my mind, Amar Singh was always the Indian Zelig: a man who managed to work his way into any situation of consequence and to stand shoulder to shoulder with any important person he saw. I first met Amar Singh after I moved to Calcutta in 1986. He was no big deal then. Though he was a Rajput, his twin claims to fame were his association with the citys prosperous Marwari community and his friendship with Bengal Congress leaders. As he was neither much of a businessman nor a politician of any great consequence, he was already punching much above his weight. He could get the citys richest men --- the Birlas, the Goenkas, and others --- on the phone and became involved, at a high level, in the feuds that characterized the Bengal Congress of that era. (He was pro-Subrata Mukherjee, anti-Mamata Banerjee and so on.) Rajya Sabha MP Amar Singh at Parliament house during the winter session, in New Delhi on Wednesday, Nov. 16, 2016. Rajya Sabha MP Amar Singh died at a Singapore hospital on August 1, 2020. (Arun Sharma/HT PHOTO) He also understood the media. He would turn up at the ABP office, where I then worked, escorting visiting notables. He brought Dr. Karan Singh to see us. He came again with Veer Bahadur Singh who was then (if I remember correctly) Telecom Minister. Amar Singh was hardly the only local politician to accompany national biggies on their visits to Calcutta. But what made him different was that he demanded almost as much attention as the visitor he was escorting, inserting himself into every conversation and holding forth at length. Interrupt him and you risked offending the important visitor so most of us heard him out politely. ALSO READ: Two kinds of cockroaches In a few years, Amar Singh had established a presence in Delhi as well. When Jaya and Amitabh Bachchan came to Calcutta for the premiere of Agneepath in 1990, Amar Singh attached himself to Jaya Bachchan whom he had helped with a Childrens Film Festival in Delhi. (At the time Jaya was Chairperson of the Childrens Film Society.) He was not yet a friend of Amitabhs but because he popped up, Zelig-like, in all the photos, he came off to the general public as a close friend of all the Bachchans. The following year, when Chandra Shekhar was Prime Minister, Amar Singh who knew the PM a little, performed what would become a classic Amar Singh maneuver. He told Chandra Shekhar that he would introduce him to Amitabh Bachchan, who was not only a legend but was also of immediate consequence to Chandra Shekhar because his government was dependent on Congress support and Bachchan was Rajiv Gandhis close friend. To Bachchan, Singh said that Chandra Shekhar was like a brother to him and he, Amar Singh, would personally ensure that any problems that had been created for the Bachchans by the predecessor VP Singh- government would disappear. Amitabh Bachchan and Jaya Bachchan with Amar Singh and Mulayam Singh Yadav in Lucknow on December 16, 2009. Rajya Sabha MP Amar Singh died at a Singapore hospital on August 1, 2020. (Ajay Kumar Singh / HT Archive) For years afterwards, Amar Singh would tell the story of how he personally carried the government file relating to a case against the Bachchans around till Chandra Shekhar agreed to sign it and close the case. Amitji may have been a friend of Rajiv Gandhis but it was Amar Singh who got the files signed and the case disposed off, Amar Singh would boost. This got him nowhere with Rajiv who turned down Amar Singhs request for a Congress ticket for the 1991 election and refused to even meet him despite Amitabhs urging. But it certainly endeared him to Amitabh and by 1992, the two men were extremely close and spoke to each other on the phone every single day. ALSO READ: The Covid Puzzle In his later years, after the Bachchans had thrown him out, Amar Singh would complain bitterly that Amitabh was never sufficiently grateful for all the things that he had done for him. And certainly there is no doubt that during the crucial phase when Bachchans ABCL had collapsed, leaving debts of hundreds of crores, Amar Singh helped raise the funds required to get the debts settled. Amitabh Bachchan and Amar Singh receiving guests at Abhishek Bachchan and Aishwarya Rais engagement party on Sunday, January 14, 2007. (Prodip Guha / HT Archive) But equally, there is no doubt that Amar Singh gained much more from the association than he admitted. His career advanced within the Samajwadi Party because he was able to deliver the Bachchans whenever Mulayam Singh Yadav needed them. He gained entry to political circles that would never have allowed him in by promising to bring Amitabh along. And though the Bachchans treated him with extraordinary respect and deference, Amar Singh made it a point to gratuitously inform people that Amitabh would come to the airport to receive him when he visited Mumbai and that he had organized the weddings of both the Bachchan children, exercising total control over the guest list. Nobody really knows what went wrong with that relationship --- I only have Amar Singhs version which was so poisonously anti-Bachchan as to lack all credibility --- but while it lasted, there is no doubt that Singh became the closest friend Amitabh had ever had, especially after the split between the Bachchan brothers. Did Amar Singh precipitate the split? He said various things at various times so it is hard to be certain. But there is no doubt that nearly everywhere Singh went, there were family issues. He was central to the split between Mulayam and his son Akhilesh. He was openly hostile to Mukesh Ambani and an active warrior for the Anil Ambani camp when the brothers fought. And when the Bajajs had a problem, he turned up there as well, Zelig-like. In this file photo dated Nov. 9, 2003, is seen Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mulayam Singh Yadav, Anil Ambani (L), senior leader Amar Singh (2R) and others during a meeting of the State Development Council in Lucknow. (PTI) By the end of his time in the limelight, Amar Singh had either fallen out with or moved away from every powerful person he was once close too. The parting with the Bachchans was bitter. He ceased to be a figure of any consequence in UP politics after Akhilesh kicked him out of the SP, though he tried very hard but fruitlessly to get somewhere with the BJP. He was openly attacking Anil Ambani in interviews which meant that the parting could not have been cordial. His attempts to suck up to Mukesh Ambani (I made a mistake by behaving badly with Mukeshbhai etc.) were rebuffed. Subroto Roy of Sahara whose planes and helicopters Amar Singh flew around in during the glory days told a TV interviewer that he thought Amar Singh had now become so arrogant that his feet hardly touched the ground. The story of his fall may not be surprising: any moth that flies too close to the flame always risks going up in smoke. But the more remarkable story is the one of his rise. I saw him at fairly close quarters for over 30 years and I still cant figure out how he managed to fly so high and get so far. Some of the explanations that I have heard from people who knew him make some sense. Yes, he was a perfect conduit between business and industry with an ability to fix deals, get projects cleared and raise election funding. But there are others who can do that too. So it is not enough of an explanation for his remarkable rise. Amitabh Bachchan with Samajwadi Party leader & MP Amar Singh at the 'Hero Cycles Stardust Awards' function in Mumbai, India on April 04, 2004. (Girish Srivastava / HT Archive) Some of his success was probably influence-peddling. As he did with Chandra Shekhar and Amitabh Bachchan way back in 1991, he knew how to trade in contacts and to fling names around. In the heyday of the Mulayam government, he used to brag that his house filled up every morning with important figures (including civil servants) all looking for favours. Every favour handed out was an IOU that he banked. In this file photo dated July 14, 2015, is seen Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav, SP chief Mulayam Singh Yadav and leader Amar Singh(R) at a Roza Iftaar party in Lucknow. (PTI) When HD Deve Gowda was Prime Minister, Amar Singh, who said he had arranged election financing for Gowda when he was just a Karnataka politician, would turn up at Race Course Road early in the morning and park himself there. Anyone who came to meet the Prime Minister would first have to reckon with Amar Singh. But much of his success had to do with his own drive, his own confidence and his ability to become the master of any situation. Often when he was with his star-friends, with top industrialists or even his political masters, it was hard to tell who was the star or the boss and who was the lesser figure. When he went with Mulayam to meet the President of India or such allies as Sonia Gandhi, Amar Singh was the one who took the chair nearest the host and led the conversation. Top industrialists were often reduced to inarticulate, blathering wrecks while Amar Singh took charge. **EDS: FILE** New Delhi: In this file photo dated Feb. 16, 2003, is seen Congress leader Sonia Gandhi with RJD Chief Lalu Prasad Yadav, Samajwadi Party leaders Mulayam Singh Yadav, Amar Singh (2R) and CPI-M leader Somnath Chatterjee during a meeting in New Delhi. (PTI) But none of this quite captures the secret of Amar Singhs success. How did he inveigle himself so successfully into the life of the notoriously private Bachchan family that they gave him his own room in their house?. Why did Anil Ambani, a smart, savvy and confident businessman, let Amar Singh pose as his alter-ego? Why did Mulayam let Amar Singh become his Svengali? I dont think anyone has ever been able to answer these questions. Nor can anyone explain what finally went so wrong. Why did nearly all of Amar Singhs friends turn their backs on him at roughly the same time? The last time I met him was in his huge new villa where he gave me a bitter interview about his ex-friends. He was excited to be the subject of a full-length interview, an increasingly rare occurrence towards the end of his life, and insisted on showing me around his palatial new house. When we got to his private cinema, he wanted to play a part of a song sequence from a Hindi movie on his huge screen.You will be surprised by how good the sound is, he bragged. But the system wouldnt work. No picture would play. Amar Singh asked someone to fix it. The man tried but had no success. Amar Singh got angrier and angrier. Aaj kuchch nahin chal raha hai! he complained in exasperation and rage. And of course, he was right. To read more on The Taste With Vir, click here Follow more stories on Facebook and Twitter SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Coronavirus lockdowns could have damaged the eyesight of thousands of people, scientists have warned. Another study has discovered spending hours looking at screens can lead to short-sightedness, which causes distant objects to appear blurred. And eye specialists in Singapore, Germany and Japan, behind the research, fear the Covid-19 pandemic may cause rates of the condition to spiral. The doctors analysed data of 120,643 children and found 'increased digital screen time and limited outdoor activities' were linked to causing myopia. And they wrote both factors 'could potentially be aggravated during and beyond the Covid-19 pandemic outbreak period'. Looking at screens more during lockdown could cause a spike in short-sightedness, according to a new study (stock picture) Countries across the world adopted strict measures to strangle the virus, including blanket lockdowns that effectively banned socialising outdoors. Such policies have led to children taking classes online, friends talking over Zoom instead of in real-life and people binge-watching TV. The experts said 'behavioural changes that arise from the growing dependence on digital devices may persist even after the pandemic'. They wrote: 'There is a possibility that a prolonged battle against the Covid-19 virus may lead to an increase in the incidence of myopia.' The team warned the drastic measures may shape 'long term behavioural changes conducive for the onset and progression of myopia'. Health Secretary Matt Hancock has already said all GP appointments should be done over by phone or video unless there 'is a compelling clinical reason not to'. The study's warning based on reviews of older studies on myopia was published in the American Journal of Ophthalmology. WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN SHORT AND LONG-SIGHTEDNESS? Both short-sightedness and long-sightedness are common conditions which diminish a person's eyesight. Short-sighted people (myopic) have difficulty seeing objects at a distance. They favour objects that are closer to them. Their vision is clear when looking at things up close, but further away objects become out of focus or blurred. Short-sightedness (myopia) occurs when the distance from the front to the back of the corneas curve is too steep. This forces the light to focus in front of the retina, making objects in the distance appear blurred. Long-sightedness (hyperopic) is the opposite of this and allows people to see objects clearly at a distance but find it hard to focus on things close to them. This makes day-to-day activities such as working, reading or watching TV difficult and can result in eye strain. This then produces fatigue and headaches. Long-sightedness (hyperopic) occurs when the distance from the front to the back of the corneas curve is too steep. Advertisement Short-sightedness happens when eyeballs grow slightly too long so that light can't focus on the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye properly. Light rays end up focusing just in front of the retina and make objects in the distance seem blurry. It often runs in families and has been linked to focusing on nearby objects, such as books and computers, for long periods during childhood. The NHS says: 'Ensuring your child regularly spends time playing outside may help to reduce their risk of becoming short-sighted.' Experts warned children faced the greatest risk, given the controversial decisions to shut schools and make them rely on digital devices to learn. Roughly 3.8billion people across the world currently have myopia. But it is estimated that 5billion people worldwide will suffer by 2050. Governments around the world have already tried to curb spiralling rates in the past by encouraging children to spend more time outside. In Taiwan, the government once encouraged schools to get students outside for two hours a day in a bid to cut spiralling rates of myopia. But it is much harder to spend time outside during lockdown first imposed in the UK on March 23 to tackle the Covid-19 crisis. Health chiefs across the country told Brits to 'stay at home, protect the NHS, save lives'. Blanket advice wasn't put into place in the US and different states imposed different measures. But the Center for Disease Control still urges the public to 'understand the potential risks of going out'. UNESCO says 1.4billion students across the world have been affected by lockdown measures and have been forced to adopt digital and e-learning. The review was led by experts at the Singapore Eye Research Institute, Germany's Heidelberg University and the Tokyo Medical and Dental University. One of the studies reviewed by experts of 5,000 youngsters in the Netherlands found a strong link between increased computer use and myopia. Another study of 418 children in Ireland revealed that smartphone usage was also associated with myopia. And one review of various studies that included 25,025 children aged six to 18 found spending less time reading may reduce the risk of myopia. But according to the results, increased screen time wasn't actually directly linked to myopia. However, children gave self-reported measurements of screen time which could be biased and not accurate. The World Health Organization recommends less than one hour of sedentary screen time for children aged between one and five every day. The authors of the study, led by Dr Chee Wai Wong from the Singapore National Eye Centre, advise children spend two or three hours outside every day. The team wrote: 'The health benefits of outdoor activities and an active lifestyle should not be stifled by Covid-19.' One of Belgium's biggest meat processing plants has sent 225 staff home to quarantine Wednesday after a cluster of coronavirus cases was discovered, the firm and the local mayor said. Abbatoirs and meat-packing plants have become infection hotspots in other countries as the world deals with the epidemic and the big Westvlees facility in Staden, in northwest Belgium is now under close watch. According to a Westvlees spokesman, Manuel Goderis, a number of cases of COVID-19 infection were discovered in recent days in the pork-cutting section of the plant, which employs 225 of the more than 800 workers on site. "We decided not to take any risks and to test all the employees of this production unit and to put them in quarantine," he said. The workers were tested on Wednesday and results are expected on Thursday. The bourgmestre or mayor of Staden, Francesco Vanderjeugd, told AFP that six confirmed cases had been reported earlier in the day and that the number had risen to 18 within hours, even as mass testing was ordered. Two of the initial six cases were cross-border workers from France, two came from Staden and two from elsewhere in West Flanders, he added. Westvlees is one of Europe's biggest producers of fresh and processed pork. It butchers 1.4 million pigs per year and supplies 140,000 tonnes of meat to clients worldwide. Belgium has one of the highest per capita rates of COVID-19 in the world and infection rates are again rising after earlier success in bringing the epidemic under control. Out of a population of around 11 million, 9,852 have died. Chennai: Tamil Nadu's Directorate of Government Examinations (DGE) is gearing up to release the Tamil Nadu SSLC class 10th results 2020 in the coming days. The DGE has announced that results will not displayed in schools due to coronavirus pandemic and will be available on DGE's official websites - dge.tn.gov.in, dge1.tn.nic.in, tnresults.nic.in. The results will also be available on alternative websites like - dge2.tn.nic.in, manabadi.co.in, schools9.com. Here's how you can check your Tamil Nadu SSLC Class 10 results 2020 online: 1. Visit the official website- tnresults.nic.in 2. Click on the link of 'SSLC Exam - March 2020 Results' 3. Enter the registration number and date-of-birth 4. The result will appear on the screen. Check for any discrepancy 5. Save and download the result 6. Take a print copy of the same and secure it for future The Tamil Nadu SSLC Result 2020 can also be accessed via an app. All the students need to do is download the TN SSLC Result app on their smartphone. To check their scorecard, visit the Results link in the app and enter credentials like Date of Birth and registration number and submit details. The Tamil Nadu class 10th SSLC Results 2020 will appear on the screen. The Tamil Nadu Class 10 exams that held between March 27 to April 13 and around 9 lakh students appeared for the exam. The Tamil Nadu's DGE has decided that 80% weightage will be given to marks in quarterly and half-yearly assessment tests, 20% weightage will be given to attendance. It may be recalled that Tamil Nadu Board Class 12 Results 2020 was announced on July 16. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 5) A Filipina domestic helper in Lebanon who had a clear view of the massive explosion in Port of Beirut recalled her horrifying experience, and the shock of seeing the extent of the blast's damage. The home of Ursula Guira's employer was located five minutes away from Tuesday's blast site. Guira was inside a room surrounded by windows where she saw the dark, billowing smoke. The impact of the blast was strong enough to blow out windows in the city, flip cars, and damage distant buildings. "Binuksan ko. Doon na ako napalipad, doon na ako napatapon, basta bumagsak ako sa sahig... Doon ko na nakita na tumutulo na ang dugo ko. Marami nang dugo sa sahig na umaagos. Hinipo ko yung mukha ko, puro dugo pala ako. Wala akong naramdaman kasi noong oras na 'yun," she told CNN Philippines on Wednesday. [Translation: I opened the window and I was thrown in the air by the impact, then I dropped on the floor. I saw that blood was dripping, the floor was covered in my blood. I touched my face and realized I was already bleeding. At that time I didn't feel anything.] Guira sustained a deep cut on her elbow and a gushing wound on the side of her head. She said shattered glass are also lodged in her mouth and face. When the shock and shaking wore off, she tried to go to a hospital. But she quickly went home when she saw that it was filled with people in worse shape, prompting her to do first-aid treatment on herself. "Punong-puno, ang daming sugatan talaga. Mas marami pang mas malalang sugatan kaysa sa akin," she said. [Translation: The hospital was filled with wounded people. They sustained worse wounds.] Related: Beirut explosion felt like an earthquake Guira was able to see some OFWs in her area and said they were okay, save for some wounds. Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. said the embassy is now taking care of Guila. Two Filipinos died, eight were injured, while 12 remain missing in Beirut, the Philippine Charge d' Affaires to Lebanon Ajeet Panemanglor said on Wednesday. The Department of Foreign Affairs said the Filipinos who died were in their employers' homes when the explosion happened. It said the Philippine Embassy in Beirut continues to monitor the situation and is ready to provide assistance to Filipinos affected by Tuesday's blast. Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said the government will work hard to bring home Filipinos from the war-torn country following the deadly blast. "I think the government will continue with its repatriation of nationals who wish to be evacuated from the area. Lebanon as we know is war-torn, weve issued series of advisories against working in Lebanon," he said. There are over 31,000 Filipinos in Lebanon. The explosion killed at least 80 people and wounded over 4,000 people, the country's Health Minister Hamad Hassan told Reuters. It's still unclear what caused the blast. Lebanon's Prime Minister Hassan Diab said in a statement that 2,750 tons of ammonium nitrate, a highly explosive material used in fertilizers and bombs, had been stored for six years at a port warehouse without safety measures, "endangering the safety of citizens." Lebanese officials have not called the explosion an attack. The National Coordinator Presidential Task Force on the COVID-19, Sani Aliyu has warned of another wave of the virus in Nigeria. A... The National Coordinator Presidential Task Force on the COVID-19, Sani Aliyu has warned of another wave of the virus in Nigeria. Aliyu warned that allowing the second wave of COVID-19 in Nigeria could destroy the countrys economy and lead to more deaths. Speaking during the daily media briefing of COVID-19 in Abuja, Aliyu urged businesses to adhere strictly to the guideline of COVID-19. According to Aliyu: We eventually have to reopen, but we can only do so if we reopen safely. It is quite clear, as we can see from the other parts of the world, that certain countries are now going back into lockdown because of the pandemic coming back, otherwise called recrudescence or what we call a second wave. We really cannot afford to have this happening in this country. It will destroy our economy and it will lead to a lot of deaths. Therefore, we have to reopen safely. We cannot risk another shutdown nor can we risk more lives being lost. Nigeria currently has 44,433 confirmed COVID-19 cases. This followed the confirmation of 304 new COVID-19 cases by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, NCDC, as at Tuesday night. (Natural News) Catholic bishops are concerned that proposed hate crime legislation could criminalize the Bible and Catholic Catechism in Scotland. The controversy is related to the Scottish Governments new Hate Crime and Public Order Bill. Section 5 of the bill relates to the possession of inflammatory material. They worry that the low threshold could render the Bible and Catechism hate crimes. The proposed legislation establishes a new crime out of stirring up hatred against protected groups related to sexual orientation, transgender identity, race and religion, and there are fears that the Churchs teachings on sex and gender could be perceived as an attempt to stir up hatred. The director of Scotlands Catholic Parliamentary Office, Anthony Horan, said: The Catholic Churchs understanding of the human person, including the belief that sex and gender are not fluid and changeable, could fall foul of the new law. Allowing for respectful debate means avoiding censorship and accepting the divergent views and multitude of arguments inhabiting society. The proposed bill came in response to an independent review of hate crime laws in the country. The bishops are concerned that this bill will add fuel to the cancel culture fire. They wrote that no single section of society has the final say on acceptable speech and expression, and while the government needs to create and interpret laws that maintain public order, it needs to do so cautiously. The provision regarding stirring up hatred has two components. The behavior or communication has to be abusive, insulting or threatening. In addition, the actor must either intend to stir up hatred against protected groups, or there must be a likelihood that their communication will do so. The definitions are so vague that the bishops believe it is open to a wide interpretation. The bishops have noted that prominent public figures are being accused of hatred and transphobia for saying that men cannot become women and that women cannot become men. They also pointed out that some people have been accused of hate simply because they use pronouns that correspond to peoples biological sex, like he and she. Moreover, they warned that favoring censorship over encouraging respectful debate could turn Scotland into an intolerant, illiberal society. Catholic leaders not the only ones concerned about new proposal Other groups have also expressed concern about the proposals. The Law Society of Scotland, for example, has said it has major reservations about provisions in the bill and its overall lack of clarity, while the Scottish Police Federation has said they fear the police would end up having to determine free speech. Scottish Police Federation General Secretary Calum Steele said: We are firmly of the view (that) this proposed legislation would see officers policing speech and would devastate the legitimacy of the police in the eyes of the public. That can never be an acceptable outcome and we should never forget that the police in Scotland police only with the consent of the people. The Presbyterian Free Church of Scotland has said these new offenses would harm free speech in Scottish society and echoed the Catholic bishops concerns about the Bible being criminalized. They said that people have already been reported to police for potential hate crimes simply for displaying Bible verses, so it doesnt seem like a big stretch that courts could decide the Bible is inflammatory and subject to being confiscated and destroyed. Once you start going down the path of designating everything that could even remotely offend someone hate speech, its pretty easy to end up in a place where owning a Bible or even sharing your opinion with friends over coffee could be a hate crime. Although its not on the books in Scotland yet, this could well become reality in America if the cancel culture hysteria is allowed to continue. Sources for this article include: LifeSiteNews.com Scotsman.com At the event (Photo: VNA) The event, chaired by the Russian Defence Ministry, aimed to honour the late military official for his contributions to the Russian Air Force and Aerospace Defence Forces in the past and the Russian Aerospace Forces at present, as well as his role in the noble international mission to support the Vietnamese people in the anti-US war for national liberation. As an eminent military strategist, Khiupenen led the international mission in Vietnam from 1972-1975. He directly assisted the Vietnamese air defence force in striking back the USs air attack on North Vietnam, contributing to the glorious victory of the campaign Hanoi Dien Bien Phu in the air in December 1972. He was also bestowed with many noble distinctions of the Vietnamese Party and State, including the first-class Feat Order and Friendship Order. When retiring, he joined the leadership of the Russia Vietnam Friendship Association (RVFA) and served as an advisor of the RVFA Chairman. He also made tireless dedication to developing the traditional friendship and comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership between Russia and Vietnam. The general passed away on July 13, 2019 and was buried at the Russian Defence Ministrys central cemetery in suburban Moscow./. Dhaka, Aug 5 : The probe committee constituted to investigate the killing of retired Bangladesh Army officer Sinha Md Rashed Khan will submit its report within seven days. Rashed was killed in alleged police firing on Marine Drive road in Teknaf last month. Mizanur Rahman, head of the probe committee and Additional Divisional Commissioner of Chittagong, said the panel will submit the investigation report within seven working days fixed by the Bangladesh Home Ministry. The committee was formed on Sunday by the Ministry of Home Affairs. The first meeting of the team was held in Cox's Bazar Circuit House on Tuesday morning. Rahman said: "During the seven-hour long meeting, the members of the investigation team discussed the incident in detail. Besides, specific action plan and activities of the investigation team have also been chalked out." "Accordingly, the investigation team will inspect the site of the incident first. They will also interrogate people, including eyewitnesses," he added. t will be a rare appearance for the Duke who retired from royal duties in 2017 Prince Philip, 99, will appear in a nationwide display of images showing surviving WWII heroes 'then and now' to mark 75 years since the end of the war in the East. The Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall will take part in a televised service of remembrance and thanksgiving and the Duke of Cambridge will appear separately in a programme paying tribute to the sacrifices of Second World War Allied Forces. Prime Minister Boris Johnson said: 'When the Second World War ended 75 years ago with the surrender of Japan, British soldiers, sailors and airmen were serving in the Far East, fighting hard to achieve victory and were among the last to come home. Prince Philip, pictured above in July this year, 99, will appear in a nationwide display of images showing surviving WWII heroes 'then and now' to mark the 75th anniversary of VJ Day 'On this anniversary I want to remember what we owe the veterans of the Far East campaign. They brought an end to the Second World War, they changed the course of history for the better, liberated South East Asia, and many paid the ultimate sacrifice. 'That's why on this remarkable anniversary and every day hereafter we will remember them.' Philip, 99, was on board the destroyer HMS Whelp moored in Tokyo Bay, a warship he served on as second-in-command and which was present when Japanese officials signed the surrender on the USS Missouri. During the commemorations on VJ Day, August 15, he will feature on large screens in locations across the country in a poignant photo montage alongside other Second World War veterans, with each pictured with an image of themselves from their time in service. It will be a rare appearance for the Duke who retired from royal duties in 2017 and has only been seen in public a handful of times, most recently for a military event at Windsor Castle where he has been isolating from Covid-19 with the Queen. Fundraising hero Captain Sir Tom Moore has called on the nation to 'stop, think and be thankful' about the 'ultimate sacrifices' made by Allied Forces on VJ Day. The Duke of Edinburgh meets veteran John Dean who served on the same ship as Philip during the 70th anniversary commemorations of VJ Day in August 2015 The 100-year-old, who was recently knighted by the Queen for raising almost 33 million for the NHS, said: 'It was VJ Day when the pain of war could finally start to fall away as peace was declared on all fronts.' The veteran of the Burma campaign added: 'I respectfully ask Britain to stop whatever it is doing and take some time to remember. 'We must all take the time to stop, think and be thankful that were it not for the ultimate sacrifices made all those years ago by such a brave band of men and women we would not be enjoying the freedoms we have today, even in these current difficult times.' Charles and Camilla will lead a two minute silence at 11am on VJ Day during the televised event, screened by the BBC, at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire. In tribute the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight will take part in a flypast after the silence has been observed. A number of veterans, including 93-year-old Albert Wills who served in the Royal Navy aboard HMS Indefatigable, will represent surviving veterans and will pay their respects to their fallen comrades. The Queen and Prince Philip attend the 70th anniversary commemorations of VJ Day (Victory over Japan) at London's St Martin-in-the-Fields Church in August 2015 The event is being hosted by the Royal British Legion, and to inspire people to participate in VJ Day 75, the charity has launched an interactive map on its website. It will show the range of nations that participated in the war effort and share the stories of those who lived through the conflict. William will take part in VJ Day 75: The Nation's Tribute, a pre-recorded BBC programme filmed at Horse Guards Parade where, alongside veteran testimony, the duke will honour and give thanks to all those who sacrificed so much during the Second World War. Another aerial tribute will also be staged, with the Red Arrows roaring over the cities of Edinburgh, Belfast, Cardiff and London with the flight path to include the home of the Chelsea Pensioners, where three Burma Star recipients live in retirement. Bob Gamble, the Royal British Legion's assistant director of commemorative events, said: 'Those serving with the British Forces in the Far East came from diverse backgrounds and cultures and much of the UK's modern-day multiculturism can be traced back to this period of history. 'Whilst the contribution of Commonwealth forces is talked about more than it used to be, on this significant anniversary, we want to take this opportunity to go further in ensuring that all who served are fully recognised and to inspire the general public to find out more about this vital part of our shared heritage and the impact it had on our lives today.' Careful reopening of international flights just around the corner, illustration photo Last month the Ministry of Transport (MoT) proposed that the government restarts international commercial flights to priority areas such as Guangzhou, Seoul, Tokyo, Taiwan, Vientiane, and Phnom Penh. If approved, the ministry will work with partners to discuss specific conditions of passenger transport between each side. The proposal involved semi-regular flights made across six routes Guangzhou-Danang, Tokyo-Hanoi, Seoul-Hanoi, Taipei-Ho Chi Minh City, Vientiane-Quang Ninh, and Phnom Penh-Can Tho based on the geographical suitability and the ability to allocate quarantine. Passengers travelling on these flights would require a valid visa and must carry out quarantine according to the regulations upon entry. It is hoped that around 2,500-3,000 passengers would enter Vietnam on these flights each week, in addition to flights to repatriate citizens and charter flights carrying experts from other locations around the world. According to information from the Civil Aviation Administration of Vietnam (CAAV), Vietnam Airlines is the only group designated to conduct international flights in the first phase with a frequency of one flight per week per destination. After the pandemic is under control and the frequency of flights and number of routes increases, the CAAV will appoint other airlines to participate. Le Tuan Anh, Deputy Minister of Transport, said that most countries have responded positively to the proposal to reopen routes of Vietnam, although China has yet to issue an official response despite numerous requests. Careful preparations Although no decision has yet been made, Vietnamese Airlines confirmed that it has been preparing resources for the recovery of international flights for months. In June and July, the group regularly operated one-way passenger routes from Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City to Seoul in South Korea with a total of five flights per week in June and 14 weekly flights since July. At the end of July, the airline continued to put into operation regular flight routes from Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City to Germany. Vietnam Airlines has also prepared a flight to Europe by the end of 2020 and the US in 2021 depending on the pandemic situation. Our operation of one-way flights from Vietnam to other countries is mainly aimed at meeting the needs of passengers who need to travel abroad with reasons such as continuing to work, study, or take care of relatives, a Vietnam Airlines spokesperson said. Representatives of Bamboo Airways confirmed that it is also ready to carry out international flights with the permission of the Vietnamese government and related countries. The destinations that the airline targets in order of priority are China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand, Southeast Asia, European nations likes the Czech Republic and Germany, and North America. Vietjet is also planning under the governments direction and hopes to soon resume commercial flights to countries with good control of the pandemic. In the opposite direction, many international airlines have begun deploying plans to resume flights to Vietnam, albeit mostly only for carrying goods in and out of the country. In June and July, foreign airlines such as Cathay Pacific, Singapore Airlines, Emirates Airlines, Qatar Airways, China Airlines, and Korean Air looked to re-exploit international routes to and from Vietnam. Recently, All Nippon Airways also announced plans to implement a route connecting Tokyo and Ho Chi Minh City. Safety the top priority It is undeniable that international flights bring the majority of revenues for Vietnamese airlines. However, according to many experts reopening international routes is necessary but risky, and trade effects are not high in the context of the complicated pandemic situation worldwide. The biggest priority of Vietnam since the outbreak began is to ensure the health and safety of its citizens. Therefore, says Phan Le Binh, transportation expert at the Japan International Cooperation Agency, even if international routes return, quarantine must always be the top priority. The best preventative measure is still to isolate for 14 days. All international passengers travelling to Vietnam will be required to do this. This of course will be a significant barrier for tourists who want to visit Vietnam, he said. A representative of the CAAV said that some countries are attempting to apply a travel bubble model moving within or creating a corridor to move between groups of safe countries. A number of countries and territories have controlled the spread of COVID-19 such as Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania, Australia, and New Zealand, which are gradually reopening travel routes together. The models to utilise such a bubble can be studied by Vietnam, but would only allow guests to travel directly within the region and not yet allow transfer of passengers from third countries outside the region, to ensure control of visitor resources. In addition, passengers on flights on arrival must be separated in their families for 14 days, registered with the government, or be sent to a government-designated accommodation facility with a fee. Home self-isolation, strictly controlled by technology, may also be an option. The MoT admitted that the reopening of international commercial flights would encounter many difficulties. Currently, both Tan Son Nhat and Noi Bai airports are being renovated, lowering the operational capacity at each airport to only 60-70 per cent. In addition, the Ministry of Health has not yet provided detailed guidance on the medical quarantine process for visitors from abroad, while there is also a necessity for creation of documents of the negotiation process with foreign aviation partners on pandemic prevention and control during flights. Democratic candidate, incumbent Gary Peters and Republican candidate John James are expected to be on the November election ballot. Both candidates were uncontested in their party. James had 747,898 votes and Peters saw 605,054 votes statewide as of Wednesday morning's unofficial results. This was as 79 of the states 83 counties had been reported on Wednesday morning. Statewide, James saw about 55% of votes and Peters had about 45% of the total votes cast. In Benzie County, James had 3,124 votes of support and Peters had 2,543 votes, as of Wednesday morning's unofficial results. There were also 32 unresolved write-ins for U.S. senator in the county. Results are unofficial until they are certified by the Manistee County Board of Canvassers. In an emailed news release from Peters he said that Service is in my DNA, and my focus is on getting things done for Michigan He then referenced supporting small businesses, fighting for quality, affordable health care and lowering the cost of prescription drugs, or protecting our Great Lakes. Im humbled and grateful for the diversity of support our campaign continues to receive from Michiganders across the state, Peters said in the release. I look forward to continue working to earn every single vote this November and ensure we take back the Senate and elect leaders up and down the ballot who will put Michigan first. This seat carries a six-year term. MUSKEGON COUNTY, MI Incumbent candidate Marcia Hovey-Wright will move on as the Democratic candidate for Muskegon County District 2 Commissioner on the Nov. 2 ballot after claiming victory over her challenger in Tuesdays primary election. Hovey-Wright, who has served as commissioner since 2018, won the Democratic contest with 2,162 votes Tuesday, Aug. 4, while her challenger Ben Cross got 845 votes, according to unofficial primary election results posted by the Muskegon County clerks office. Cross, the former chair of the Muskegon County Board of Commissioners, was previously defeated by Hovey-Wright in the 2018 Democratic primary for the seat. After winning the primary election, Hovey-Wright will move on to face Republican Nathan Wood, who has no primary opponent, in the Nov. 3 general election. The county board seat is a two-year term. The District 2 county board member represents residents of the city of Roosevelt Park and the Bluffton-Beachwood, Glenside, Lakeside, Campbell Field, Nims and a portion of Marsh Field neighborhoods in the city of Muskegon. This year, MLive Media Group partnered with the League of Women Voters of Michigan to provide candidate information for readers. Each candidate was asked to outline their stances on a variety of public policy issues. Hovey-Wright served as 92nd District House representative from 2011-17, according to background information she provided to Vote411.org. She is a social worker who previously worked as a health care administrator. The incumbent candidate earned her masters degree in social work from the University of Michigan and a masters degree in management from Aquinas College. In response to questions posed by the League of Women Voters, Hovey-Wright said her top three priorities are: Resolve the public transit system in a way that provides meaningful service to those who rely on it. Seek solutions to the racism and discrimination of all kinds and inequities in the health system. Continue to support the resolution of adequate funding for The mental health system. She also said she supports the county moving toward 100% renewable energy where economically feasible. I support responsible disposal of contamination, use of bio degradable products in industry and requiring industry to be responsible stewards of the environment, she said. Click here for more of MLives Election Day coverage from across the state, or here for full coverage of Muskegon-area elections. More on MLive: Voters pass Muskegon Township tax proposals for public safety, street lighting Voters approve $61M bond for Jenison Public Schools Learn about candidates, millages on Muskegon County primary ballot Tuesday Live election results from Aug 4. primary in Muskegon County Peter Meijer wins Republican primary in West Michigan congressional race SCHENECTADY The explosion of a food processor being tested for the manufacturing of guacamole killed a well-known businessman and left two others injured Wednesday morning, officials said. The man, who authorities identified as Joseph Kapp, 67, died after being taken to Ellis Hospital after the blast that happened shortly after 7 a.m. at Innovative Test Solutions, an engineering firm and test laboratory at 551 Kings Road that tests the viability of machinery. The Schenectady codes department and the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration were both notified about the incident. Police were at the scene for several hours. Assistant Chief Don Mareno said two other people suffered less serious injuries, though they needed hospital treatment. The machine was a "high-pressure vessel," Mareno said. Scott Briody, Innovative's CEO and vice president, told the Times Union Wednesday that Kapp was a client of the firm before declining further comment. Few other details were available about the incident later Wednesday. Kapp, the vice chairman of the Board of Trustees for Hudson Valley Community College in Troy, was a Rensselaer mayor during the 1990s. He is being remembered fondly and is being lauded for contributions to the college and Rensselaer County. "Joe Kapp leaves behind a legacy of service and accomplishment that greatly benefited Rensselaer County and the Capital Region," County Executive Steve McLaughlin said in a statement. He said Kapp "undertook important projects to revitalize the city" during his reign as mayor. "As a trustee of Hudson Valley Community College, he helped guide the college as it grew into one of the top two year colleges in the country, making a difference in the lives of many graduates and students." HVCC Board Chairman Neil Kelleher said Kapp was his friend, ally and "one of a kind." Special Investigation 147 NY dams are 'unsound,' potentially dangerous Thousands of dams have not been inspected in over 20 years. "He was humble with accomplishments around the world and a resume that had to be seen to believed," stated Kelleher. "His work at Hudson Valley helped make the college a shining star and we hope his work there is remembered." John Mooney, a city Democrat and former Rensselaer Board of Education president, said Kapp came from a strong Rensselaer family. "He was willing to work with anybody.' "Joe was a wealth of knowledge about so many things, and because of that and his experience as Mayor, he was often one of the first calls I would make if I needed direction or information. He loved Rensselaer, where his family became known for running Kapp's in the Hollow and other businesses. He was just as comfortable having a drink with friends at a tavern as he was at a lecture or conference in Europe. Joe Kapp was truly one a kind and cannot be easily replaced," said Rensselaer Mayor Mike Stammel, a Republican who also chairs county Legislature. Dr. Roger Ramsammy, HVCC president, said: "As a true friend, a remarkable leader, and the longest serving trustee on our board, Joe Kapp will be greatly missed by our college community. Once a student at Hudson Valley, Joe gave back to the college immensely and served admirably as a trustee for two decades. With heavy hearts, we share our deepest sympathies with Joes wife, Yolanta, and the entire Kapp family." The Presbyterian Church of Ghana in collaboration with the Act Alliance-Ghana Forum have donated Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs) to some health facilities to contain the spread of the COVID-19. The beneficiary health facilities were the Presbyterian Health Services at Agogo, Dormaa and Donkorkrom and the Weija/Gbawe Municipal Health Directorate. The PPEs which included N95 and N19 face masks, protective shields, infrared thermometers, surgical gloves, disposal gloves, gum boots, disposal gowns, handy clean wash (veronica bucket) stand and bowls, liquid soap, jumbo tissue and hand sanitizers at the cost of GH221,000.00. The items come on the backdrop of increased cases of COVID-19 in the country and will be key as the hospitals continue playing an integral role as the fight continues. Handing over the items to the health facilities at a short ceremony at the Head Office of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana at Osu in Accra on Wednesday 5th August 2020, the Moderator of the General Assembly, Rt. Rev Prof. Joseph Obiri Yeboah Mante expressed his appreciation to ACT Alliance who provided the financial support for the donations to be made. The Moderator said following the recent spike in COVID-19 cases in Ghana, it is now more than ever important to ensure that hospital staff are adequately resourced through the provision of PPEs. He mentioned that the Presbyterian Church of Ghana had already supported its 55 health facilities across the country with PPEs since the outbreak of the CONVID-19 in Ghana. Receiving the PPEs on behalf of the facilities, Rev. Dr. Isaac Appiah, General Manager of the Presbyterian Health Service, Dormaa, thanked the Church and Act Alliance Ghana Forum for the generous donation and for its commitment to supporting frontline health workers during this time. He said the donations has come at the opportune time for the health facilities as they are doing their best to contain the virus in Ghana. The programme Manager of the Act Alliance Ghana Forum, Mrs. Joyce Larko, in a brief statement said the ACT Alliance is the largest coalition of protestant and orthodox churches and church-related organizations engaged in humanitarian, development and advocacy work in the world. She said it consists of over 155 members working together in over 140 countries to create positive and sustainable change in the lives of poor and marginalized people regardless of their religion, politics, gender, sexual orientation, race, or nationality in keeping with the highest international codes and standards. She said the Ghana Forum was established in the year 2011 with current membership as follows; the Presbyterian Relief Services and Development, Christian Council of Ghana and Christian Aid Ghana. Mrs. Larko mentioned that the ACT Alliance with its Secretariat in Geneva approved GH398,400.00 to respond to the pandemic in Ghana. She said the presentation of the PPEs is the first phase of the project to enable the health facilities to respond adequately in their respective areas of operations. Present at the ceremony was the General Secretary of the Christian Council of Ghana Rev Dr. Cyril G. K. Fayose. Source: Rev George Larbi/Public Relations Officer/Presbyterian Church of 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 There's an old adage that when America sneezes, Ireland gets a cold. That's usually employed within a financial and corporate context but, as we have seen in the last few months, it is now equally applicable to social and cultural issues. That could be seen in the large and extremely controversial Black Lives Matter demonstrations in Dublin at the start of June, when thousands of Irish people gathered in the midst of the lockdown to protest the killing of George Floyd thousands of miles away in Minneapolis. But in the last few days, we have seen a vivid example occur much closer to home. The current American vogue for ripping down 'problematic' statues - and burning bibles, as was witnessed in Portland the other day - has spread to England, which saw the statue of slave owner Edward Colston tossed into the harbour in Bristol. While most Irish people could look at these incidents and make up their own minds, there was a certain sense that it was all rather removed from this country. But the recent controversy over the removal of the statues of the so-called 'Nubian slaves' that garlanded the entrance of Ireland's most iconic hotel, the Shelbourne, was a grim reminder that in these febrile times, nothing is safe. Following some complaints, the American owners decided to quietly remove the offending items. But if they thought nobody would notice, they were mistaken. So, a rather bizarre argument broke out - with some people claiming this proved the Shelbourne endorsed slavery, while art historians and lecturers - actual experts - pointed out that they were figures from Egyptian royalty. Even when that rather crucial point became clear, the objectors weren't satisfied. Even if they were queens rather than slaves, they were still representations of black bodies and that was unacceptable. They must vanish from sight. Welcome to cancel culture, ladies and gentlemen. Welcome to our brave new world where any perceived offence, even if that perception is factually inaccurate, is enough to have the mob demanding retribution. The row over those statues was an imported one and I sometimes think it stems from victim-envy. Protesters in the States and the UK are receiving high praise for their courage and human nature dictates that some Irish people want a piece of that action. But cancel culture runs much deeper, and more perniciously, than a row over a few decorative lamp holders outside the Shelbourne. It's an all-encompassing form of extreme censorship which decrees that anything which goes against the sensibilities of a minority of people must be forever consigned to the memory hole. Like all mobs, those involved think they are being righteous. Like all mobs, they are wrong. We're well used to cancel culture in Ireland, of course. We just used to refer to it as the power of the Catholic Church to denounce authors such as Sean O Faolain and Walter Macken. The Church is no longer the force it once was, and the Censorship of Publications Board was thankfully shut down in 2010. But a new breed of censors has replaced them, the only difference is that they call themselves 'progressive' rather than Catholic. As we all know, when you're on the receiving end, that's a distinction without a difference. Recently, we even saw calls for the removal from the school curriculum of two of the most important anti-racist works in American literature, 'Of Mice And Men' and 'To Kill A Mocking Bird'. That these two classics are now receiving a belt of the secular crozier for the crime of using outdated and offensive language shows that, like all censors, those who object to such works spectacularly miss the point of the art they're trying to suppress. When avowedly anti-racist novels are accused of being racist then we have truly gone down the rabbit hole. Irish author John Boyne was also on the receiving end of this new cancel culture trend. Boyne - who had already been criticised for writing about the Holocaust in 'The Boy In The Striped Pyjamas' - fell foul of the transgender lobby with his 2019 release, 'My Brother's Name Is Jessica'. He was accused of transphobia, misgendering, dead-naming and any other pejorative his hysterical critics could muster. Inevitably, he was then subjected to the usual Twitter pile-on, with the hashtag #JohnBoyneIsTransphobic gaining traction. JK Rowling has also attracted the ire of the transgender lobby for saying that she is a biological woman, and Irish writer Graham Linehan received a lifetime Twitter ban for his incessant and weird bickering with the transgender community. The irony of both of those characters being targeted by pressure groups who have no interest in freedom of expression is that neither of them have a great track record of defending other people. Rowling used her massive platform to denigrate Kevin Myers while Linehan has called for the prosecution of a Scottish comedian for a joke he made with his dog. This strange and sinister air of intolerant totalitarianism is not, as proponents of cancel culture claim, simply holding the powerful to account. Rowling may have the profile to highlight her predicament but the vast majority of those who find themselves exiled have no platform. Even more disturbingly, last week's Cato Institute study found that 62pc of Americans are extremely reluctant to express a political opinion that goes against the prevailing orthodoxy. Can you blame them? After all, the same survey discovered that 50pc of American liberals think anyone who donates to Trump should be fired from their job. This is madness - and in an age of madness, common sense is a radical position to hold. It's time for more of us to become radical. Former Deputy Minister of Communications, Felix Kwakye Ofosu has denied a publication in Professor Kwamena Ahwoi's book, "Working with Rawlings" that claimed that he was recruited together with some others to attack and denigrate former President Jerry Rawlings. Prof Kwamena Ahwoi had stated in his book that since former President Rawlings had fallen out with the late former President John Evans Atta Mills and was constantly attacking his government, which culminated in Mills' decision to resign, they [Ahwoi's] decided to train some young men to deal with Mr. Rawlings. He mentioned those young men as Felix Kwakye Ofosu, Edward Omane Boamah and Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa. The young men are the ones whom Mr. Rawlings is said to have later referred to as "babies with sharp teeth." But In a statement, Mr. Kwakye Ofosu disclosed that, "While acknowledging that the media reports are at best an exaggeration of portions of a book authored by the highly respected Prof Kwamena Ahwoi, I wish to place on record at the no point have I been part of any plot, recruitment exercise or strategy to talk back at President Rawlings". Read Below A Copy Of The Statement Felix Kwakye Ofosu writes... I have become aware of media reports suggesting that I was recruited together with others to denigrate or attack President Jerry John Rawlings following his criticism of the late President John Evans Atta Mills of blessed memory. While acknowledging that the media reports are at best an exaggeration of portions of a book authored by the highly respected Prof Kwamena Ahwoi, I wish to place on record at the no point have I been part of any plot, recruitment exercise or strategy to talk back at President Rawlings. It is a matter of public knowledge that I and others have rallied in the past to correct misimpressions created about the late President Mills during his tenure. My contribution to any such effort was based purely on principle, conviction, and loyalty to the then President of Ghana and the leader of the NDC. I have never required prompting or goading to speak about what I believe to be right or wrong. All my contributions in the said matter were devoid of insults or aspersions as claimed by the media reports. It is worth noting that the book in question speaks about our resort to logic rather than insults. Any claim therefore that there was a grand design to malign anyone for criticizing President Mills is inaccurate. Felix Kwakye Ofosu Former Deputy Communications Minister 5th August, 2020. Source: Isaac Kwame Owusu/Peacefmonline.com/[email protected] Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video live bse live nse live Volume Todays L/H More When China sneezes, India catches a cold. And what happens if China falls sick? Indian companies may perhaps need a ventilator. Such has been the dependence of Indian companies, that for many of them, their supply chains may collapse if imports from China come to a standstill. Indian companies did catch a cold when, post the standoff at Galwan Valley, shipments from China went through additional scrutiny at Indian ports, delaying supply of critical raw materials and components. But to ensure history doesn't repeat itself in future, government has called for an 'Atmanirbhar' India Inc. Moneycontrol spoke to industry leaders and companies across sectors to understand if it's possible to overcome the dependence on China; and if there is an opportunity, what will it take to do so. The good news: companies have taken notice, and a few have already taken the initial steps. The not-so good news: This will take time. White goods - A start has been made For producers of TVs, fridges and air conditioners to avoid Made in China components is easier said than done. There are no domestic manufacturing capacities available for segments like semiconductor fabrication (used to produce chips for mobile phones, LEDs and small appliances), air compressors and open-cell panels. According to the United Nations COMTRADE database on international trade, India imported electronic equipment, including finished goods and components, worth $19.97 billion in 2019. Industry veterans are of the view that while the government is working on setting up semiconductor fabrication facilities in India, it will take at least five to seven years to completely replace China. There should be a definitive tax incentive for setting up complete manufacturing units in India rather than a pure customs duty imposition. The 20 percent customs duty cannot stop component import because we have no facility yet in India, said the vice president of an electrical goods maker. However, India has made a start. The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology is working with the appliance and electronic goods makers to look at segment-wise information about which component is made where and what will be the requirement to set up production facilities in India. After semiconductor fabs, setting up air compressor units would be the next step so that products like air conditioners and refrigerators need not rely on China for getting this component. Auto - A road map needed Chinas share in the overall $120 billion Indian automotive industry is just 4 percent. But that is just half of the story. Here is the critical part. The country's share in India's automotive import is a substantial 27 percent, or $4.75 billion, of the total $17.6 billion, according to the Automotive Component Manufacturers Association (ACMA), the apex body of auto parts manufacturers. India imports drive transmission parts, electronic and electrical items, cooling systems, suspension, braking and steering parts from China. Despite some companies achieving localisation as high as 95 percent, some critical parts are still being imported from China. These parts are not imported by vehicle manufacturer but by their parts vendors. It is a similar story for battery cells. A senior executive from a large company involved in supplying crucial automotive parts said, More than giving a warning to China, it was the governments way of telling us to be self-dependent. If it is done once it can be done again in future, so better pull up your socks, was the message to us. But automotive industry is already highly localised. To ensure high self-reliance, planning and incentives are needed. We can achieve an Atmanirbhar Bharat only when a clear roadmap of eight to 10 years is planned, and economies of scale are achieved. Our logistics costs are some of the highest in the world. Industrial power costs are also high. It's a vicious cycle," Rajan Wadhera, President, the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers, said. Steel - Identifying alternatives JSW Group Chairman Sajjan Jindal was among the few leading entrepreneurs who openly talked about building local capabilities rather than depending on China. He added that many of his industrialist friends were upset as business with China is important to maintain healthy margins, but Jindal said the situation has arisen "because of our complacency" in accepting cheaper products from across the border, instead of developing local capabilities. His son Parth Jindal had earlier mentioned that the JSW Group will completely reduce its dependence on China over the next two years. The Group's flagship company - JSW Steel - has already identified alternative sources for some of the raw materials it uses to run its steel plants. "A lot of things, including ferro alloys, electrodes and refractories are imported by Indian steelmakers from China. The dependency is particularly high - 75 percent - when it comes to refractories," Joint MD and Group CFO Seshagiri Rao told Moneycontrol. "We have a plan. We have identified suppliers in Turkey, Brazil, Norway and South Korea. In the next two years, we will get out of China," Rao said. While that is promising, the tougher task is to find sources for capital goods used in steel industry. Even if one goes to manufacturers in Germany or Italy, these companies actually produce their equipment in China, Rao pointed out. Critical thing, Rao said, would be for the Indian government to incentivise these German and Italian companies to set up shop here. "China insists that these companies set up local units and transfer technology. There is no reason why we shouldn't do the same," he added. Not just India, but other countries too are looking to reduce their reliance on China. And that is beginning to benefit companies in India, especially those in the pharmaceutical industry. One of them is Aarti Drugs, which was one of the few companies to report a stellar rise in revenue and profit in Q1 FY21. The company manufactures Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient, or APIs, that are used to produce drugs. Despite the company's obvious gains, it is too early to say if India is becoming more self-reliant in the requirement of this critical raw material. Indian pharma companies import anywhere between 60 to 90 percent of their API needs from China. The good part is that the Indian government has announced Rs 6,940 crore and Rs 3,000 crore, respectively, for performance-linked incentives (PLIs) and bulk drug parks. Under the PLI scheme, financial incentives will be offered to eligible manufacturers of 53 identified critical APIs on their incremental sales over the base year (2019-20) for six years. Companies, including Aarti Drugs, are already finalising plans to make the most of the incentive. But this is a long-term play. India Ratings and Research believes material benefits, if any, will be visible only in the long term. Chinese raw material suppliers have inherent advantages in scale, cost productivity and government support, which are difficult to build in the short to medium term. Clearly, not just for the pharma sector, but overall, that will be the critical factor in becoming Atmanirbhar - if Indian companies and the government can keep their foot on the pedal, even after the nationalism fervour subsides. With inputs from M Saraswathy, Swaraj Baggonkar, Viswanath Pilla & Prince Mathews Thomas Less than half of all women in the workforce with vocational education and training certificates earn enough to repay their student loans. Analysis by the Mitchell Institute at Victoria University has found that only 43 per cent of women earn above the Higher Education Loan Program (HELP) repayment income threshold of $46,620. It also found 26 per cent of part-time workers with VET qualifications reach the minimum repayment threshold in any given year. Construction skills taught through vocational training are among those in high demand. Credit:Simon Schluter The release of the report, Skills for recovery: The vocational education system we need post-COVID-19, comes as the federal government considers Australian Productivity Commission proposals that include expanding student loans to all students in the VET sector. Loans are only offered for diploma level courses but would be extended to certificate level courses under the proposal. "Small loans can help some VET students meet out-of-pocket costs, but any amounts approaching the size of loans in the university sector would probably do more harm than good," report author Sarah Pilcher said. The probe in actor Sushant Singh Rajput's death has been taken over by CBI, Centre told the Supreme Court on Wednesday. The transfer of investigation was recommended by Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, following which Centre accepted the request. This development comes amid a war of words between Mumbai Police and Bihar Police that were investigating the case. "The Governor of Bihar is pleased to accord his consent to exercise of powers and jurisdiction to the whole of Bihar and other places related to the case to the members of Delhi Special Police Establishment to Investigative and enquire into the case related to the death of Bollywood actor Sushant Singh Rajput," stated a notification by Bihar government. Governor of Bihar Phagu Chauhan had also approved the transfer of investigation into Rajput's death. He added that the CBI should also investigate and supervise the case registered by Rajput's father KK Singh. KK Singh had filed a case against Rhea Chakraborty stating that the actress instigated the actor to take his own life. KK Singh also met Nitish Kumar. He had also released a video on Monday stating that he had informed Mumbai Police that Rajput's life was under threat. Mumbai Police, however, refuted the claim and said that they had not received any complaint from Singh. Mumbai Police said in a statement, "Today, Sh KK Singh, Father of late Sh Sushant Singh Rajput has released a statement saying that the family had made a written complaint to Bandra Police on 25th February It must be clarified that no such written complaint has been addressed to Bandra Police Station on that date. However, one Shri. OP Singh IPS the brother in law of late Sushant Singh Rajput, had sent some whatsapp messages to the then DCP Zone 9 regarding this matter." Also read: Sushant Singh Rajput case: Actor's family lawyer demands CBI inquiry Also read: Sushant Singh Rajput Googled his name, 'painless death', 'bipolar disorder' hours before death When John Daniell was 10 years old, his mother told him she was a spy for New Zealands Security Intelligence Service (SIS). Its a hell of a hook, and sets the scene to Radio New Zealands latest podcast, The Service. Daniell is joined by investigative journalist Guyon Espiner, as the two explore some previously unknown exploits of New Zealand during the Cold War. What makes it work as a podcast and as a story is that it's got those dual things going on, says Espiner. On one hand it's a personal story of John growing up in a house where his mum and stepfather were SIS officers. So it's a personal story of that and his quest to find out about this family's story. And it's also an historical and political story about the role of New Zealand's intelligence operations in the Cold War. The show details a number of covert operations on Wellington soil, including a break-in at the Czech embassy in 1986, in an attempt to get the Warsaw Pact codes. I had no idea New Zealand broke into embassies, says Espiner in disbelief. New Zealand is a member of the Five Eyes network, an intelligence alliance that includes Australia, Canada, the UK and USA. The Service reveals raids by the SIS on the Indian High Commission and another break-in on the Iranian embassy, this time to install listening devices for the CIA. An inexplicable failure to quarantine travellers to the UK fuelled the Covid-19 pandemic and led to unnecessary infections and deaths, a damning report by MPs finds today. The fateful decision in March taken without any scientific evidence to justify it is blamed for making the impact of coronavirus far worse than if restrictions had been imposed. It meant many hundreds of Covid-infected passengers arrived every day particularly from Spain, Italy and France as the UK stood almost unique in rejecting border checks, the report says. It was a serious mistake that significantly increased both the pace and the scale of the epidemic in the UK, and meant that many more people caught Covid-19, the Commons Home Affairs Committee concludes. Strikingly, it says the Home Office refused to set out any scientific advice to explain the grave error, despite repeatedly promising to do so a stance attacked as completely unacceptable. Yvette Cooper, the committees chair, said the critical mistake was the decision on 13 March 10 days before lockdown to remove all self-isolation guidance for travellers arriving in the UK. We were told that thousands more people with Covid-19 came back to the UK after that guidance was lifted, she warned. So, in the middle of March, at a time when the number of people with Covid coming back into the UK was at its peak, they were going back to work or onto public transport or seeing family without any quarantine in place. Pointing out that other countries were imposing restrictions in March, Ms Cooper added: That alone should have rung loud alarm bells for ministers and made them think again. Activists dig beach memorial for Brazil's 40,000 coronavirus victims Show all 9 1 /9 Activists dig beach memorial for Brazil's 40,000 coronavirus victims Activists dig beach memorial for Brazil's 40,000 coronavirus victims Activists from the Brazilian NGO Rio de Paz (Peace Rio), dig 100 mock graves on Copacabana beach in Rio, Brazil, 11 June 2020, to symbolise deaths from the Covid-19 coronavirus crisis in protest against Brazil's "bad governance" of the pandemic. Carl De Souza/AFP via Getty Activists dig beach memorial for Brazil's 40,000 coronavirus victims Leo Correa/AP Activists dig beach memorial for Brazil's 40,000 coronavirus victims Pilar Olivares/Reuters Activists dig beach memorial for Brazil's 40,000 coronavirus victims Buda Mendes/Getty Activists dig beach memorial for Brazil's 40,000 coronavirus victims Pilar Olivares/Reuters Activists dig beach memorial for Brazil's 40,000 coronavirus victims Pilar Olivares/Reuters Activists dig beach memorial for Brazil's 40,000 coronavirus victims Pilar Olivares/Reuters Activists dig beach memorial for Brazil's 40,000 coronavirus victims Pilar Olivares/Reuters Activists dig beach memorial for Brazil's 40,000 coronavirus victims Carl De Souza/AFP via Getty The report opens up a new front in criticism of Boris Johnson for being too slow in recognising the danger posed by the pandemic, leading to the highest death toll in Europe. In fact, almost 1.7 million passengers arrived in the UK in the first week of March and, even in the week ending 22 March, almost 600,000 did so. The committees inquiry heard that, in the crucial 10 days between scrapping isolation guidance and the lockdown, up to 10,000 infected people arrived. Nearly a third came from Spain, with a further 43 per cent from Italy and France combined, the Covid-19 Genomics UK virus-sequencing consortium found. Only 0.08 per cent were from China. Professor Neil Ferguson, the leading epidemiologist, told the committee: Probably 90 per cent of cases imported into this country were missed by those border measures because we were not checking people. The all-party committee says it was understandable that flights were not simply stopped, not least because of large numbers of British residents. But, on the rejection of restrictions on passengers movements, it adds: The committee was unable to find any scientific evidence to justify this inexplicable decision. The report supports the introduction of travel corridors to safer countries and the sudden re-imposition of quarantine on tourists to Spain, while criticising the way that decision was made. It calls for the Joint Biosecurity Centres traffic light assessment of the risks of travelling to different countries to be published, to give the public better information. The MPs also pour scorn on the Home Offices argument that 99.9 per cent of arrivals are obeying requirements to quarantine for two weeks, finally introduced in June. They describe the claim, made by home secretary Priti Patel as unreliable, because it appeared to be based only a limited number of compliance checks made and three fines issued. Accurate figures should be published fortnightly, to boost public confidence, the report says, arguing: This will allow oversight of the entire process. The government should also investigate testing at ports and airports, already in place in countries including Iceland, Hong Kong and South Korea, the committee recommends. A government spokesperson insisted that appropriate measures had been introduced at the right time, despite the alleged failure to produce the scientific basis for the decisions. With passengers numbers significantly reduced, the scientific advice was clear that quarantine measures for those entering the country from abroad would be most effective when the UK has a lower level of infection, the spokesperson said. Therefore, as the virus was brought under control here, border measures were introduced on 8 June to protect public health and help avoid a second peak that would overwhelm the NHS. Nearly 24 percent of evictions filed in Harris County during the federal eviction moratorium were illegal, according to an analysis released Wednesday. Led by public interest attorney and South Texas College of Law Houston professor Eric Kwartler, a team of lawyers and law students analyzed evictions filed during the federal CARES Act, from March 25 to July 25. The law prohibited various types of federally backed apartments from filing an eviction against tenants. It did not come with any consequences for landlords who violated the act. A big problem with the CARES Act is that it had no teeth, Kwartler said. If we have another moratorium, there needs to be consequences. That will at least make landlords think twice. On HoustonChronicle.com: They cant leave a Houston motel because of coronavirus. Worse, they might not be able to stay. The Houston Apartment Association disputes the data. The disagreement hinges on an interpretation of the CARES Act: Kwartler worked under the interpretation that it applied to every unit in a property that had even one tenant covered by the CARES Act. The HAA believes it applied only to that one covered unit, not the entire property. HAA attorney Howard Bookstaff pointed to a Department of Housing and Urban Development FAQ that said market-rate units at apartments that also had voucher tenants were not covered by the CARES Act. More Information Resources Houston Bar Association's eviction help site: hba.org/evictions Houston Volunteer Lawyers intake form: https://hvloi.legalserver.org/modules/matter/extern_intake.php?pid=138&h=652683& Lone Star Legal Aid: https://lonestarlegal.blog/apply-for-assistance/ See More Collapse There may be a misinterpretation with respect to when the property is subject to the CARES Act, Bookstaff said. Kwartler said he won a case in Harris County based on his interpretation. I imagine theres gonna be a litigation battle over this, said Jon-Ross Trevino, the managing attorney of the housing and consumer units at Lone Star Legal Aid. He shares Kwartlers interpretation. But the litigation battle can take a long timeit can take years for that to resolve. Its not comforting for the tenants who are facing those evictions on such a short time frame. In Harris County, anyone filing for an eviction had to sign an affidavit that their property was not covered by the CARES Act. It did not prevent covered properties from filing eviction anyway, or judges from allowing the cases to proceed. On HoustonChronicle.com: Advocates want an eviction grace period. Houstons mayor wont put it on the council agenda. Tenants who have already left their apartments either after they saw the eviction notice or after a court appearance dont have any real recourse. Im terrified for those people, said Zoe Middleton, Houston and Southeast co-director at Texas Housers. Thats the human cost of bad policy in illegal evictions. Kwartler shared the data with Lone Star Legal Aid and Houston Volunteer Lawyers. They did not share it with judges because that communication could violate court rules. The group of lawyers downloaded the eviction filings from a public portal on the Harris County Justices of the Peace website. They matched it up against data they obtained through public information requests on where tenants with publicly subsidized rentals lived. Kwartler said he plans to make the information public and searchable. One of the students at South Texas College of Law who worked on the study, Gaspar Gonzalez, is in his third year. As he sorted through the cases, it got personal: He saw apartments hed grown up around in East Houston. He hopes to go into commercial real estate. I wanted see the other side, he said. If I was representing a landlord, I could tell him what not to do so he doesnt become a bad guy. On HoustonChronicle.com: Houstons $15 million rental assistance program fills up in 90 minutes The Texas Supreme Court instituted an eviction moratorium at the beginning of the pandemic that expired in May. Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner has resisted calls for a citywide eviction grace period. An eviction filing is something thats a long-term blemish on an individuals rental history, Kwartler said. Even if its dismissed, that matters. (L) Congressman Roger Marshall (R-Kan.) appears on Urban View's Helping Our Heroes Special on Capitol Hill in Washington on May 16, 2018. (Larry French/Getty Images for SiriusXM). (R) Kris Kobach speaks to supporters in Topeka, Kan., on Aug. 7, 2018 (Steve Pope/Getty Images) Roger Marshall Defeats Kris Kobach in Kansas GOP Senate Primary Rep. Roger Marshall (R-Kan.) has defeated former Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach, Bob Hamilton, and eight others in Kansass Republican primary for the U.S. Senate on Aug. 4. The Associated Press called the race for Marshall with 41 percent of precincts reporting. By 10:35 p.m. local time, Marshall had received 39.1 percent of the vote, followed by Kobach and Hamilton at 26.5 percent and 19.1 percent respectively. No other candidate received 10 percent of the vote. Marshall will face Democratic state Sen. Barbara Bollier, a former moderate Republican who switched parties at the end of 2018. Bollier is a retired anesthesiologist from Kansas City. Rep. Roger Marshall (R-Kan.) speaks with supporters at his election night party at Rosewood Winery near Pawnee Rock, Kan., on Aug. 4, 2020. (Travis Heying/The Wichita Eagle via AP) The race was among a number of Congressional primary contests on Tuesday in five U.S. statesArizona, Kansas, Michigan, Missouri, and Washington. The outcomes will establish the nominees for the Nov. 3 elections to the House and Senate that will determine the balance of power in Congress. Republicans are trying to keep their 53-47 Senate majority with competitive races in other states, including Arizona, Colorado, and Maine. Republicans have not lost a Senate contest in Kansas since 1932. Establishment Republican leaders had hoped to avoid a nomination for Kobach over concerns that if he had won, Democrats could win over the seat and potentially gain control of the Senate. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) had urged Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, a former Wichita-area congressman, to run for the nomination, but Pompeo declined. Kobach is known for his support of strict immigration policies and lost the Kansas governors race in 2018, despite President Donald Trumps endorsement at the time. Following the vote, Marshall immediately called for party unity. At a watch party at a winery southwest of his central Kansas hometown of Great Bend, he told his supporters that the GOPs Senate majority is at stake and said he was strengthened by the primary. Trump in a call late Aug. 4 congratulated Marshall and called the race incredible. You have my total support, you know it, Trump said. The president had opted out of endorsing any candidate in the race, despite a push from some Republicans to back Marshall. Marshall is currently a member of the U.S. House representing Kansass 1st Congressional District. Prior to serving in Congress, he served in the U.S. Army reserve from 1984 to 1991, and started a medical practice, working as an obstetrician. Incumbent Sen. Pat Roberts (R-Kan.), who was first elected in 1996 and has served four terms, is retiring. Roberts endorsed Marshall on July 21. The endorsement came after Marshall had garnered endorsements from a number of organizations, including the U.S Chamber of Commerce, the Kansas Farm Bureau, the National Right to Life Committee, and Kansans for Life. Marshall also had an endorsement from Bob Dole, the former U.S. Senate majority leader and 1996 GOP presidential nominee. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Ahmed Aden sentenced for killing 15-year-old Somali outside KC mosque in December 2014 KANSAS CITY, MO (KCTV) - Ahmed Aden was sentenced by a Jackson County judge for killing a 15-year-old Somali boy outside a Kansas City mosque in December 2014. In December 2019, Aden pleaded guilty to second degree murder and armed criminal action. Prosecutors argued that the crime was heinous and the defendant was outwardly anti-Muslim. But they. . . Here's the aftermath of this tragedy all the way around . . . Read more: Visitors, students and residents of State College will have to immediately take heed of a new borough law that requires mask-wearing and severely limits gathering size or theyll face $300 fines. In a bid to better fight the COVID-19 pandemic, the State College Borough Council unanimously voted Tuesday to pass an ordinance that would require a mask when in public, forbid long lines and cap indoor or outdoor gatherings at 10 people. Those who refuse to comply will be hit with a $300 fine by police (or other officials). The local law officially went into effect Tuesday night. Weve got to try something. And, if that doesnt work, we have to try something else, councilman Evan Myers said. We need to act like our lives depend upon what we do because they do. Masks will essentially have to be worn at all times indoors, when in public, and will also have to be worn outside when social distancing is not possible like on a crowded downtown sidewalk or while waiting to board a bus. Likewise, in perhaps the most drastic measure, gatherings will be considerably limited, in part to prevent parties that can act as super-spreader events. The state Department of Health restricts outdoor gatherings to 250 people; the borough council reduced that number locally to 10. (It does not apply to businesses and, if more than 10 people live in a residence, then such a residence simply cannot have guests.) So, not only would a fraternity in violation of the ordinance potentially face discipline by Penn State and/or the Interfraternity Council, it would also face fines of up to $300 per tenant per incident. In an open letter to the Penn State community on Monday, university President Eric Barron expressed support for the draft ordinance, calling it a strong and appropriate step in the right direction. Penn State President Eric Barron Dan Gleiter | dgleiter@pennlive.com/2019PENNLIVE.COM The combination of a strong ordinance, an active communications campaign that supports it and enforcement is the best way to promote the health and safety of our community, he wrote. More: Future students could pay more after pandemic costs universities millions in refunds and safety measures Long lines, like the shoulder-to-shoulder queues seen last month during Arts Fest weekend, are also now forbidden. According to the ordinance, no more than 10 people will be allowed to wait outside of an establishment. If customers dont comply, businesses have been instructed to call police. Rob Schmidt, executive director of the Downtown State College Improvement District, told the Centre Daily Times last month that he had already spoken with bar owners about implementing better wait systems, like smartphone apps such as Waitlist and NextMe apps that virtually hold customers places so they dont have to physically stand in line. Schmidt declined to comment ahead of Tuesdays council meeting, saying a statement could instead be forthcoming Wednesday. A spokesperson from the Chamber of Business and Industry of Centre County also did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The council indicated it has attempted take local businesses into account as much as possible while focusing on safety. The borough is working on small-business loans, and they may or may not get them in time, but we are addressing that, councilwoman Theresa Lafer said. I want them to stay alive and well, too. With the exception of gathering size, the ordinance is not all that different from the measures that Gov. Tom Wolf has already implemented, nor does it stray far from the recommendations of the state DOH and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. But the ordinance does give the borough the power to fine, or enforce the law meaning there are now consequences in the borough for those who host parties, form long lines or refuse to wear masks. Talk of the ordinance first started to form several months ago, before fact-finding and research led to the ordinance being co-written by the borough manager and solicitor. The State College Borough Board of Health made recommendations and amendments to the ordinance Friday morning, before the council amended and passed the ordinance Tuesday. Penn States first day of class is Aug. 24. The ordinance is considered temporary and will be rescinded either on Jan. 31, 2021, or when the state DOH and the Centre Region Council of Governments rescind their emergency declarations whichever comes first. By Josh Moyer, Centre Daily Times (State College, Pa.) (TNS) More: Penn States 2020 college football schedule is out; here is who the Lions will face this fall Close Trump's top economic adviser appears extremely confused over new unemployment executive orders Donald Trump was whisked out of his daily weekday press briefing by a Secret Service officer following a shooting outside the White House on Monday. The US Secret Service confirmed that law enforcement had shot a person blocks away from the White House, prompting the president to abruptly end a press briefing as he was escorted to the Oval Office. He returned several minutes later announcing that a person had been shot and sent to a nearby hospital The president continued to falsely claim that children are nearly immune from coronavirus, despite a new report that found nearly 100,000 young people were infected within the last two weeks of July alone, as schools prepare to open across the US. Last week, Facebook and Twitter removed videos shared by the president in which he claimed that children are "virtually immune" from Covid-19, though Centres for Disease Control and Prevention reports show that children are as vulnerable to being able to transmit the virus as adults. As lawmakers debate additional emergency relief legislation for millions of Americans during a looming eviction crisis and mass unemployment, the president has faced intense scrutiny from Democrats challenging the constitutionality of a series of executive orders that undermine congressional efforts. Treasury Secretary told reporters that states can access extended unemployment relief "in the next week or two" despite governors signalling that the federal government, not the states, should be responsible for the additional funds. Secretary Mnuchin also said he has not met with Democrats to repair the stalled emergency relief funding talks, despite House Democrats authoring and passing legislation to do so and meeting Republican resistance, including Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell's accusation that Democrats are "obstructing" relief efforts. "If they want to meet and want to negotiate and have a new proposal, we'll be happy to meet," Mr Mnuchin said. Follow live coverage as it happened Please allow a moment for our liveblog to load RED BANK, N.J., Aug. 5, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- FIRST NATIONAL REALTY PARTNERS, a leading institutional real estate investment firm, is pleased to announce the acquisition of a 60,896 square foot Single Tenant ShopRite located at 1121 Jerusalem Avenue in Uniondale, NY. The property was acquired in a brokered transaction and adds another well-located asset to the firm's growing portfolio of premier real estate assets throughout the United States. ShopRite - Long Island, NY The ShopRite in Uniondale, NY is a top performing store within the ShopRite Cooperative. The ShopRite shares a two-tenant center with Walmart and generates significant daily visits as a staple of the community. The site benefits from the exceptional demographic profile of Nassau County and is well located based on its direct access off Jerusalem Avenue and proximity to the Meadowbrook Parkway. Christopher Palermo, Managing Principal at FNRP said, "The ShopRite property is a special asset that we were fortunate to acquire. The site captures the essence of our focus on acquiring well-located properties with tenants that are essential businesses that serve daily needs, are internet resistant and are established members of their respective communities. The First National team is excited to be a part of the Uniondale community and we look forward to working with Shoprite and other local stakeholders to ensure the continued success at this location." First National Realty Partners, LLC (FNRP) is a leading vertically integrated real estate investment firm focused on acquiring institutional quality commercial real estate assets throughout the United States. The firm is an active, opportunistic and value-add investment firm that is equipped to operate in all facets of the real estate acquisition process as investor, developer and asset manager of commercial investment properties. FNRP enhances the value of properties through hands-on management and targeted investments, resulting in substantial returns for investors. Contact Information Gina Jehn [email protected] Investor Relations First National Realty Partners 125 Half Mile Road Suite 207 Red Bank, New Jersey 07747 800-605-4966 https://fnrpusa.com/property/shoprite-long-island-ny/ SOURCE First National Realty Partners, LLC Related Links https://www.fnrpusa.com/ New Delhi, Aug 5 : The Congress leaders on Wednesday extended their best wishes for the ground-breaking ceremony (Bhumi Pujan) to be held for the construction of Ram Temple at Ayodhya. "Best wishes for Ram Mandir's Bhumi Pujan. We hope that today's event will pave the towards brotherhood and national unity. Jai Siya Ram," said the party's Chief Spokesperson Randeep Surjewala. The Congress has not been invited for the official ceremony at Ayodhya. The party's leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra has expressed hope that the Ayodhya ceremony will be an occasion for "national unity, fraternity and cultural congregation". "In Indian subcontinent and across the globe, Ramayan has put a stamp on every mind and the story of Lord Ram is a catalyst for connecting humanity," she said. The'Bhumi Pujan' for the proposed Ram Temple in Ayodhya will begin at 12.30 p.m. on Wednesday. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will lay the foundation stone of the Temple by placing silver bricks at the auspicious time according to Vedic customs here. Latest updates on Ayodhya Ram Temple Bhumi Pujan -- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text Questo comunicato e stato pubblicato piu di 1 anno fa. Le informazioni su questa pagina potrebbero non essere attendibili. FMI has compiled a study on matcha, which offers an analysis and forecast of the matcha market in its publication titled Matcha Market: Global Industry Analysis 2013 2017 and Opportunity Assessment 2018 2028. This report on matcha market covers some of the vital facets which are key influencing factors on the demand and supply for matcha over the next several years. An in-depth review of growth drivers, potential challenges, unique trends, and opportunities for market participants equip readers to fully comprehend the overall landscape of the matcha market. The report on matcha market also covers analysis of key regions and countries of particular interest which are anticipated to become frontrunners or remain laggards over the forecast period. The report covers a historical analysis of the market from 2013 to 2017 and provides forecasts from 2018 to 2028 in terms of volume in metric tons and revenue in US$. Matcha is a powdered variant of green tea with its roots in Japanese culture. While it is predominantly used for drinking as tea, it has also found its way into recipes as an ingredient. Matcha has a sophisticated flavour and is power-packed to the brim with antioxidants, amino acids, and other nutrients. For more insights into the market, request a Sample of this Report @ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-7863 One of the unique aspects of matcha lies in its cultivation: it is shade-grown towards the end of its harvest, thereby increasing the chlorophyll content and resulting in a vibrant, green colour. Matcha cultivated in Japan is different from matcha produced elsewhere, due to soil characteristics, micro-climate, and processing techniques used post-harvest that results in enhanced nutritional content, better taste, and brighter colours. This report on matcha market has been broken down into different chapters to enhance clarity and provide context. A brief executive summary at the beginning of the report consists of some of the key findings of the study on matcha market, as well as market estimates and growth rates for important segments. The following chapter presents the definitions and scope of the study, as well as the coverage in terms of the way the matcha market is structured. Subsequently, the chapter on market background presents the evolution of matcha, relevant economic indicators such as GDP and per capita consumption, including an assessment of the supply chain, policy developments and regulatory scenario, dynamics impacting the matcha market as well as an explanation of the factors considered important to develop forecasts and estimates. The report on matcha market also includes a chapter on pricing analysis, highlighting price point variations between different regions and products, including pricing forecasts. The following chapters dive deep into the global matcha market, covering detailed information based on grade, nature, end use, packaging, and sales channel. The next set of chapters provide region-wise analysis and forecasts of the matcha market, covering vital aspects of the market in North America, Latin America, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, China, Japan, Southeast Asia and rest of Asia Pacific, and the Middle East and Africa. A dashboard view of some of the key companies operating in the matcha market in terms of their offerings, regional presence, and other metrics is a precursor to detailed profiles of these participants including financial information, strategy overview, and SWOT analysis, market share, as well as analyst commentary. Some of the key players analyzed in the matcha market report include ITO EN Ltd., Tata Global Beverages Ltd., Starbucks Corporation, The Hain Celestial Group Inc., Unilever PLC, Aiya-Co. Ltd., The AOI Tea Company, McCormick & Company, Inc., Matchaah Holdings Inc., and The Republic of Tea. To develop the market estimates for matcha, the overall production of matcha in different regions and countries have been taken into account, which is followed by tracking the trade of matcha and imports by major consuming countries. This is then cross-referenced by understanding the average per capita consumption of matcha in different forms for top countries globally. Prices of matcha have been obtained from manufacturers, distributors, and wholesalers for bulk quantities at a country-level. Our teams of analysts reviews and interpret data from a variety of sources. Data attributed to FMI are derived by using a combination of various approaches, which are then consolidated, interpreted, and extrapolated by FMI analysts. Data is sourced from government statistics, trade associations, company annual reports and investor presentations, press articles and directories, technical publications, and online databases which are cross-referenced with FMIs reports and internal repository of data to filter and validate the collected information. Intelligence gathered from desk research is supplemented by extensive interviews with selected key expert participants across the value chain not only to gain information specific to their role and operations but also to obtain their perspective and insights of the issues impacting the matcha market. Global Matcha Market: Segmentation Analysis by Grade Ceremonial Classic Cafe Culinary Analysis by Nature Organic Conventional Analysis by End Use Food Processing Beverage Processing Personal Care Foodservice Tea Shops/Cafe Restaurants Institutional Household Analysis by Packaging Bulk Bags Cartons Sachets Stand Up Pouches Tins Request for covid19 Impact Analysis @ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/covid19/rep-gb-7863 Analysis by Sales Channel Direct Sales Indirect Sales Hypermarkets/Supermarkets Convenience Stores Specialty Stores Online Retailing Analysis by Region Jacob & Co. has unveiled its Part II Godfather watch, and it tops the previous Godfather music box watch by doing what the movie did: adding yet another layer of complexity. In this case, a minute repeater. The Godfather movie, which made its debut almost 50 years ago, was all about story lines on top of story lines, riveting secrets revealed. A tour of the new Jacob & Co. Opera Godfather Minute Repeater watch offers some of this, as well. Opera Godfather Minute Repeater Jacob & Co. If you werent around (or were too young to be allowed) to watch the movie when it first came out, you have most likely watched it since because it is such a strong piece of American history and culture. It was in March of 1972 that the American crime film burst onto the scenes. The shocking content of this movie chocked with famous actors including Marlon Brando and Al Pacino, among others made a lasting impression and has captured a cult-like following. With the opening scene shot at a wedding in New York in 1945, the movie spans from New York to Sicily, involves five different families, and includes such violence as machine guns, garroting, car bombs, drugs, and even the famed (and terrible) scene where a film director who denied Vitos request wakes up in bed with the severed head of his prized horse. Acclaimed as one of the most influential films in the gangster genre, and for a long time holding the title of highest-grossing film ever made (almost $287 million), the Paramount Pictures movie was so significant that in 1990 it was selected to be preserved in the U.S. National Film Registry of the Library of Congress because it was such a culturally important piece of America. Opera Godfather Minute Repeater Jacob & Co. It was with this cultural importance in mind that Jacob & Co. created its first tribute to The Godfather in 2018 in the form of a wristwatch showcasing a two-cylinder music box that plays the theme from the movie, and a miniature Don Vito Corleone in the center. Now, the new version, the Opera Godfather Minute Repeater, lets the wearer choose between playing the theme music or hearing the time chimed on hammers and gongs. The Opera Godfather Minute Repeater is a grand complication that offers the two-cylinder Swiss music box that can be activated on demand, and also a classic minute repeater that chimes the hours, quarter hours and minutes past the quarter hours on demand. The two musical cylinders play 120 notes and watching the carefully orchestrated dance of the combs and pins is mesmerizing all by itself. Add to that the fact that the minute repeater uses two hammers to strike visible gongs and another layer of visual and audible complexity comes into play. Opera Godfather Minute Repeater Jacob & Co. The manual-winding exclusive movement, JCFM07, consists of 758 components and also boasts a Triple-axis high-speed tourbillon with three cages rotating at different speeds another Jacob & Co. signature complication. Via a collaboration with Paramount Pictures, Jacob & Co. has the exclusive rights to use The Godfather logo and melody for this watch. As such, The Godfather movie logo is prominently placed on the dial side beneath one of the cylinders. The 49mm case of the watch is crafted in 18-karat rose gold and features a domed sapphire crystal and sapphire case sides and back allowing for expansive viewing of the highly complicated caliber and its moving functions. Just 18 pieces will be made. The concept of bringing both the minute repeater and the music box together was, of course, the idea of Jacob Arabo, founder of Jacob & Co. While he may turn to a piece of American history that features American/Italian gangsters to honor, he does so with the extraordinary Swiss craftsmanship. I am not sure which other watch brand would be so bold to go out on a limb and create such a statement, especially when that watch retails for $480,000. I wonder what The Godfather Part III watch might be Tool could improve success in translating drugs from animal studies to humans WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. -- About 50% of people who take the drug infliximab for inflammatory bowel diseases, such as Crohn's disease, end up becoming resistant or unresponsive to it. Scientists might be able to catch problems like this one earlier in the drug development process, when drugs move from testing in animals to clinical trials, with a new computational model developed by researchers from Purdue University and Massachusetts Institute of Technology. The researchers call the model "TransComp-R." In a study published in Science Signaling, they used the model to identify an overlooked biological mechanism possibly responsible for a patient's resistance to infliximab. Such a mechanism is hard to catch in preclinical testing of new drugs because animal models of human diseases may have different biological processes driving disease or a response to therapy. This makes it difficult to translate observations from animal experiments to human biological contexts. "This model could help better determine which drugs should move from animal testing to humans," said Doug Brubaker, a Purdue assistant professor of biomedical engineering, who led the development and testing of this model as a postdoctoral associate at MIT. "If there is a reason why the drug would fail, such as a resistance mechanism that wasn't obvious from the animal studies, then this model would also potentially detect that and help guide how a clinical trial should be set up," he said. TransComp-R consolidates thousands of measurements from an animal model to just a few data coordinates for comparing with humans. The dwindled-down data explain the most relevant sources of biological differences between the animal model and humans. From there, scientists could train other sets of models to predict a human's response to therapy in terms of those data coordinates from an animal model. For infliximab, data from a mouse model and human hadn't matched up because they were different types of biological measurements. The mouse model data came in the form of intestinal proteins, whereas data from patients were only available in the form of expressed genes, a discrepancy TransComp-R was able to address. TransComp-R helped Brubaker's team to find links in the data pointing toward a resistance mechanism in humans. The team collaborated with researchers from Vanderbilt University to test the predicted mechanism in intestinal biopsies from a Crohn's disease patient and then with experiments in human immune cells. The researchers used single-cell sequencing of a sample from an infliximab-resistant Crohn's disease patient to identify the cell types expressing the genes related to the resistance mechanism predicted by TransComp-R. They then treated immune cells with infliximab and an inhibitor of the receptor identified by the model to be part of the resistance mechanism. The experiment showed that inhibiting the receptor enhanced the anti-inflammatory effects of infliximab, enabling the drug to be more effective because it could better control inflammation. With additional testing to figure out a way to more precisely measure the markers of this resistance mechanism, doctors could use information about the drug response to determine if a patient needs a different course of treatment. Since this study, Brubaker has been working with his former research group at MIT to apply the mathematical framework behind TransComp-R to identify mouse models predictive of Alzheimer's disease biology and immune signatures of vaccine effectiveness in animal studies of COVID-19 vaccine candidates. "The modeling framework itself can be repurposed to different kinds of animals, different disease areas and different questions," Brubaker said. "Figuring out when what we see in animals doesn't track with what's happening in humans could save a lot of time, cost and effort in the drug development process overall." ### The TransComp-R code is available at MathWorks File Exchange (ID: 77987). Brubaker received funding for this research from the Strategic Hub for Innovation New Therapeutic Concept Exploration program of Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals. ABSTRACT An interspecies translation model implicates integrin signaling in infliximab-resistant inflammatory bowel disease Douglas K. Brubaker1,2,3, Manu P. Kumar1, Evan L. Chiswick1, Cecil Gregg1, Alina Starchenko1, Paige N. Vega4,5, Austin N. Southard-Smith4,5, Alan J. Simmons4,5, Elizabeth A. Scoville6,7, Lori A. Coburn6,7,8, Keith T. Wilson6,7,8,9, Ken S. Lau4,5,7, Douglas A. Lauffenburger1 1Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA. 2Department of Biomedical Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47906, USA 3Regenstrief Center for Healthcare Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47906, USA 4Epithelial Biology Center, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN 37232, USA 5Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA 6Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition, Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA 7Center for Mucosal Inflammation and Cancer, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA 8Veterans Affairs Tennessee Valley Healthcare System, Nashville, TN 37212, USA 9Department of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA DOI: 10.1126/scisignal.aay3258 Anti-tumor necrosis factor (anti-TNF) therapy resistance is a major clinical challenge in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), due, in part, to insufficient understanding of disease-site, protein-level mechanisms. Although proteomics data from IBD mouse models exist, data and phenotype discrepancies contribute to confounding translation from preclinical animal models of disease to clinical cohorts. We developed an approach called translatable components regression (TransComp-R) to overcome interspecies and transomic discrepancies between mouse models and human subjects. TransComp-R combines mouse proteomic data with patient pretreatment transcriptomic data to identify molecular features discernable in the mouse data that are predictive of patient response to therapy. Interrogating the TransComp-R models revealed activated integrin pathway signaling in patients with anti-TNF-resistant colonic Crohn's disease (cCD) and ulcerative colitis (UC). As a step toward validation, we performed single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) on biopsies from a patient with cCD and analyzed publicly available immune cell proteomics data to characterize the immune and intestinal cell types contributing to anti-TNF resistance. We found that ITGA1 was expressed in T cells and that interactions between these cells and intestinal cell types were associated with resistance to anti-TNF therapy. We experimentally showed that the 1 integrin subunit mediated the effectiveness of anti-TNF therapy in human immune cells. Thus, TransComp-R identified an integrin signaling mechanism with potential therapeutic implications for overcoming anti-TNF therapy resistance. We suggest that TransComp-R is a generalizable framework for addressing species, molecular, and phenotypic discrepancies between model systems and patients to translationally deliver relevant biological insights. This story has been published on: 2020-08-05. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. Catherine, the Duchess of Cambridge helped deliver baby supplies and talked with families in need during her first appearance in a face mask amid the coronavirus pandemic. The former Kate Middleton paid a visit to Baby Basics in Sheffield, a baby bank that provides household items to new parents. The Duchess Of Cambridge Visits Baby Basics UK And Baby Basics Sheffield (Chris Jackson / Getty Images) She wore a face mask most of the time, unpacking donated goods and talking to parents who are coping with the COVID-19 pandemic. Watch TODAY All Day! Get the best news, information and inspiration from TODAY, all day long. In a release, Baby Basics said the duchess also brought together 19 British brands to donate goods to baby banks across the United Kingdom. The Duchess Of Cambridge Visits Baby Basics UK And Baby Basics Sheffield (Chris Jackson / WPA Pool/Getty Images) Unsurprisingly, the company that makes the face mask worn by the duchess has already sold out of the pattern she was spotted in. Produced by London children's clothing company Amaia, the child version of her mask was still available as of Tuesday evening. According to Amaia's website, 30% of the proceeds are going to NHS Charities, a collection of charities that focus on helping hospitals across the U.K. England did not require people to wear masks until July 24. Now, anyone caught without a mask going forward could pay a 100 pound fine, though children and people with disabilities are exempt. Serbian president attends Operation Storm commemoration On bridge crossed by Serb refugees 25 years ago (ANSAmed) - BELGRADE, AUGUST 5 - Serbian president Aleksandar Vucic and Prime Minister Ana Brnabic took part in a commemoration ceremony Tuesday evening in a location near the border between Serbia-Herzegovina and Croatia. The ceremony marked the day when, in 1995, the Croatian military's Operation Storm, which marked the end of the war for independence of the socialist Yugoslav country, and was in remembrance of the Serbian victims and refugees that resulted. This event continues to deeply divide the two countries. Serbia continues to call it an act of genocide, while Croatia considers it to have bene a legitimate act in a war for independence. On one side of the border there is mourning and pain, celebration and rejoicing on the other. Operation Storm led to almost 2,000 Serb victims and about 250,000 Serb civilians were forced to leave their homes in the Krajna region. The ceremony on Tuesday evening was held in Sremska Raca on a bridge on the Sava river, which thousands of Serb refugees crossed 25 years ago. Vucic stressed that Serbia has not forgotten the crimes suffered and will never be happy about the victims and sufferings of others, since Serbia respects all victims and "this is what sets it apart" from others. However, he added, ''Serbia will not allow anyone to be silent about its victims. Yes to peace and reconciliation but never to humiliation.'' Vucic was alluding to a decision by the deputy prime minister of the Croatian government, who belongs to the Serb minority, to take part in Croatia's official celebration on Wednesday for the 25th anniversary of the success of Operation Storm. ''We cannot celebrate the tragedy of the Serb population, the killing of Serb civilians and children. Serbia will never accept such a humiliation.'' Also taking part in the commemoration ceremony were the leaders of Republika Srpska, the Serb-majority part of Bosnia-Herzegovina, and Orthodox Serb patriarch Irinej. The patriarch criticised Croatia's celebrations, saying that it was treating a tragedy of the Serb population as if it were a major triumph. He also criticised the Croatian Catholic Church, which, he said, is silent about the crimes suffered by Serbs. (ANSAmed).. Lucknow: In a message to those criticising note ban, Union Home Minsiter Rajnath Singh on Friday said they should show patience for the 50-day period as the decision has been taken keeping national interest in mind and the situation will normalise after that. "Those criticising note ban must exercise patience for atleast the 50-day period as the step has been taken in national interest to fight black money and corruption," he said. Prime Minister Narendra Modi while announcing thedemonetisation decision on November 8 had said there will be some inconvenience to people for the initial 50-day periodafter which the situation will ease out. Singh was talking to media persons on the sidelines of a function where he laid foundation stone of several railway projects. The Home Minister said the source of money supply will dry up, choking funding for terrorists and Maoists. Besides, the demonetisation decision will bridge the gap between the rich and the poor, he said. Opposition parties have locked horns with the governmentover the issue of demonetisation of high-value currencies with Parliament witnessing a virtual washout since the Winter Session began on November 16. Singh, who represents Lucknow constituency in Lok Sabha, said there should be no politics over development projects in the Uttar Pradesh. Observing that metro services will soon begin in Lucknow,he said whatever work he was doing for development of Lucknow,was dedicated to former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee,who was also an MP from the state capital till 2009 before retiring from active politics. His remarks came a day after Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav flagged-off the trial run of Lucknow Metro in the state capital. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Exiled Belarusian Presidential Challenger: Lukashenka Will Flee If Faced With Protests By Current Time August 04, 2020 An exiled challenger to Belarusian President Alyaksandr Lukashenka says the strongman will not use force if large crowds take to the streets to challenge the results of the upcoming election. Lukashenka's 26 years of authoritarian rule look increasingly vulnerable ahead of the August 9 presidential election, although most analysts say he will likely win through a combination of fraud and repression against an energized opposition. But Valer Tsapkala, a prominent businessman and former ambassador who was seen as a serious challenger to Lukashenka, says he believes the president will flee the country if faced with hundreds of thousands of protesters during and after the election. In an interview with Current Time, Tsapkala said he believes Lukashenka "will simply board a plane and will fly away somewhere" if faced with mass street mobilization. Current Time is a Russian-language network led by RFE/RL in cooperation with VOA. While the president may be able to use the police and security services to suppress several thousand protesters, if 100,000 people were mobilized he will not issue an order for the army to intervene, Tsapkala said. "I don't believe that the Belarusian Army will be capable of using arms against its own people," Tsapkala said from the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv. Tens of thousands of opposition supporters have attended daily rallies in recent weeks in support of presidential candidate Svyatlana Tsikhanouskaya, a 37-year-old political novice backed by disqualified presidential candidates. In recent weeks, Lukashenka has been meeting with Interior Ministry officials and inspecting the military, sending an intimidating signal that he may order a bloody crackdown to quell any unrest against his increasingly unpopular rule. Add to that a fresh allegation by Lukashenka that a group of purported Russian mercenaries who were detained last month in Belarus were trying to destabilize Belarus ahead of the election, and it shapes up as one of the most volatile elections of Lukashenka's authoritarian tenure. The lead-up to the vote has been marred by dubious disqualifications and an unprecedented scale of detentions and other persecution against a backdrop of a pandemic and pro-democracy protests. More than 1,100 people have been arrested since campaigning began, including politicians, organizers, and journalists. Authorities have barred aspiring candidates like Tsapkala and popular vlogger Syarhey Tsikhanouski, the husband of Svyatlana Tsikhanouskaya. Tsapkala's wife, Veranika, along with Maryya Kalesnikava, a coordinator of the campaign of another excluded presidential aspirant, former Belgazprombank head Viktar Babaryka, have joined forces to support Tsikhanouskaya, who unlike Tsapkala and Babaryka was registered as a presidential candidate. Tsapkala fled Belarus out of concern that he would be arrested like Babaryka and Tsikhanouski. Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/lukashenka-will-flee -if-faced-with-mass-protests----exiled-belarusian- presidential-challenger/30765162.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 Seniors in Ontario long-term-care homes receive a staggeringly low level of hands-on nursing care barely half the time they actually need, according to a vice-president of Ontario Nurses Association. Angela Preocanin was one of several health-care workers and representatives who met with Ontario NDP Leader Andrea Horwath in St. Catharines Wednesday to discuss long-term care in the province. Currently, we have six minutes allotted per patient per hour, said Preocanin, a registered nurse. Thats the time they get, so 2.7 hours a day is actually what the nursing care is for the present time. Her association is calling on the province to increase that to four hours a day per patient. Long-term care in Ontario is a broken system, said Horwath, that went from extremely bad to unbelievably worse when COVID-19 hit. After meeting privately with the health-care workers, Horwath said in an interview Premier Doug Ford should scrap the three-member commission he appointed to study the spread of COVID-19 in long-term-care homes. Such a limited investigation, she said, insulted and slapped in the face seniors who suffered or died during the pandemic as well as their families. Instead, he should launch a full public inquiry to investigate seniors care in Ontario with an aim to fixing the overall system. Noting nearly 1,900 seniors have died during the pandemic, Horwath said health-care workers are falling ill and dying as well. We know Mr. Ford does a great job of standing in front of the microphone and praising our health-care heroes, but what we are not seeing is any action to show these heroes what they deserve in terms of support. She said the Tory government needs to hire more full-time workers and provide decent pay, to have proper sick time, to have an ability not to have to move from one place to another and cobble two or three jobs together just to put food on the table. What she heard in St. Catharines and at other stops, she said, is that personal support workers feel overworked, short-staffed and underpaid. Folks today were talking about leaving their shifts in tears, she said. We need some kind of funded strategy for retention of PSWs as well as recruitment of PSWs. That has to happen. Lisa Frame, a personal support worker at Radiant Care Pleasant Manor in Niagara-on-the-Lake, echoed that. Due to chronic understaffing with personal support workers spread thin, seniors in long-term care can wait days and days for help with basic hygiene like bathing and shaving, Frame said. Seniors in long-term care suffer, and so do personal support workers who are burnt out to begin with and have been working overtime during this pandemic. Last month, responding to questions from St. Catharines NDP MPP Jennie Stevens in the legislature, Long-Term Care Minister Merrilee Fullerton denied the government is dragging its feet on improving long-term care. The government has promised to open 15,000 new long-term-care beds and redevelop another 15,000 over the next five years. Fullerton said it is addressing the last 15 years of neglect. That is no small piece of work, let me tell you. On Wednesday, Horwath called on the government to operate all long-term-care homes and eliminate for-profit ones. Its really clear that the death rate is higher in the for-profit homes, the outbreak rate was higher in the for-profit homes, she said. It highlights that health care should not be for-profit, and long-term care is an extension of our health-care system. She said its not about stricter regulations or doing anything at all in terms of trying to knuckle down on the for-profit homes. The bottom line is, their priority is profit. And thats just the way it works in the for-profit system. Read more about: Now that Pixel 4a is official attentions can turn to Googles next phone, thought to be the Pixel 5, which will apparently come with a high refresh rate display. A new rumor from Ross Young on Twitter states that the display will be a pretty good size. Potentially Googles biggest phone ever from a display standpoint. Young also stated in a follow-up response to his original tweet that it would have a high refresh rate. This would be out of the ordinary for Google with its phones. So far none of the Pixel phones have had displays with a refresh rate above standard for the market. But that could be changing with the Pixel 5. Advertisement The Pixel 5 display could have a 120Hz refresh rate According to Young, the refresh rate for the display on the Pixel will be able to go as high as 120Hz. This would match the refresh rate on Googles next phone with the likes of the ROG Phone II. As well as devices like the Razer Phone 2, and other devices like the OnePlus 8 Pro. If this is true, this also means that the Pixel 5 could be well-equipped to handle high-end games. Better than the Pixel 4 and past devices in the Pixel series at least. Worth keeping in mind is that the rumor about the refresh rate is not officially from Google. And so far theres not much to know about the upcoming devices other specs. Advertisement Such as the mobile platform CPU/GPU combination and how much RAM the device will have. Though it has been rumored that Google would utilize the Snapdragon 765G here. Should the Pixel 5 come with a 120Hz display and those other top-end pieces of hardware, it would also not necessarily be the best phone for gaming. If it does have powerful specs however, it should be able to hold its own. Even if it doesnt come with gaming-specific features. The display will potentially be 6.67-inches in size, come from Samsung and BOE Young also mentions the size of the display on the phone. Noting that it would be 6.67-inches in size. Advertisement Comparing that to the 6.3-inch display of the Pixel 4XL, it seems Google may be looking to go bigger with its next flagship Pixel phone. For more comparisons, thats also bigger than the size of the screen on the ROG Phone 3 and the ROG Phone II. The former, ASUS most recent phone, comes with a 6.59-inch display while the latter, features a slightly larger display of 6.6-inches. By all accounts, this would be the biggest display on any phone from Google. Its also rumored that the display panels would come from both Samsung and BOE. Pharmacies across the UK may be banned from selling codeine and other opioid-based painkillers over the counter. Codeine the pain-killing substance found in co-codamol and Nurofen Plus is a highly-addictive opioid. The UK's drug regulator, Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency, is now considering making all opioid painkillers prescription-only. The move comes after more than a dozen people died or were hospitalised over the past four months after buying illegal fake prescription drugs. And it follows new draft guidance which recommended GPs don't prescribe opioids for chronic pain because they are 'harmful' and cause addiction. Pharmacies across the UK may be banned from selling codeine and other opioid-based painkillers over the counter (stock picture) The MHRA told Pulse that it will consider 'reclassification' of codeine products while reviewing the safety of them being sold over the counter. A spokesperson said: 'The MHRA is keeping the safety of OTC products containing codeine under review.' They added the body 'will consider other interventions, including the possibility of reclassifying all opioid-based painkillers as prescription only, as necessary'. Over-the-counter codeine products are labelled as only to be used for a maximum of three days, the MHRA warned. However, there are no regulations or laws to stop someone from continually buying pills with low doses of codeine. SURGE IN FAKE PRESCRIPTION DRUG DEATHS PROMPTS RARE NATIONAL ALERT FROM HEALTH OFFICIALS More than a dozen people have died or been hospitalised over the past four months after buying illegal fake prescription drugs. Public Health England is tracking around 30 cases where information is not yet fully available. The health body issued the alert about blue pills being wrongly sold as benzodiazepines, such as Xanax and diazepam, which can be prescribed by doctors to treat anxiety and insomnia. Public Health England added that some of the pills, which are mostly blue but come in other colours, can stain people's mouths and may be marked with: DAN 5620, T-20, TEM 20, Bensedin and MSJ. One man who took a T-20 pill spent four weeks in a coma afterwards. He told The Guardian: 'They wiped me out. Don't buy them, don't take them.' Advertisement Opioids, or opiates, including codeine, morphine and methadone, are normally prescribed by doctors to treat pain associated with certain medical conditions or following surgery. They can be very effective short-term. However, when taken for longer than prescribed, or when abused, they can cause severe harm. Opioids work in the same way as the brain chemicals endorphins, acting on receptors within the brain that are in the region responsible for pain and pleasure. Opioids mimic natural endorphins are released to fight pain and to induce feelings of pleasure, but they are much more powerful. These intense feelings of pleasure that can hijack the reward centre in the brain of some people, making them want to take the drug again to replicate the experience. Around 5million adults a year receive prescriptions for opioid painkillers in Britain, with one in eight of the population dependent on the drugs. Health Secretary Matt Hancock last year promised to help patients hooked on opioid painkillers, fears of a US-style opioid crisis. It followed a surge in use of the drugs in the UK with opioid prescriptions soaring by 60 per cent in the past ten years. Mr Hancock announced all opioid medications would have to carry a clear warning on their labels, stating that they can cause addiction and contain opioids. According to official statistics, around 11,500 people are admitted to hospital a year for overdosing on opioids. Office for National Statistics (ONS) figures show codeine deaths increased from 131 in 2016 to 156 in 2017 an increase of nearly 20 per cent. Mr Hancock said last year: 'I refuse to let this escalate to the level seen in the United States.' Around 400,000 people in the US are estimated to have died after overdosing on opioid drugs between 1999 and 2017. The move follows a ruling by NICE on Monday that doctors should stop prescribing painkillers to millions of patients with chronic pain. NICE said that there was 'little or no evidence' that common painkillers including codeine, ibruprofen and paracetamol 'made any difference'. The watchdog added that 'even short-term use of opioids could be harmful for a chronic condition'. And it warned in draft guidance still up for consultation that patients could easily become dependent on the pills. MOUNTAIN VIEW (dpa-AFX) - Former Google engineer Anthony Levandowski was sentenced by a U.S. judge to eighteen months in prison for stealing trade secrets from Google's self-driving car unit before he defected to Uber's rival unit. Levandowski admitted that from 2009 to 2016, he worked in Google's self-driving car program, known then as Project Chauffer. Despite knowing that his employment agreement required him to keep Google's valuable non-public information confidential, Levandowski downloaded thousands of Project Chauffer files onto his personal laptop in 2016 while he was preparing to leave Google. The files downloaded by Levandowski contained a variety of confidential details regarding the status of Project Chauffer. Levandowski admitted he downloaded the files with the intent to use it to benefit himself and Uber. Levandowski left Google in January 2016 and launched Otto, a self-driving truck startup. Otto was acquired by Uber in August that year. Uber later fired Levandowski after Google accused him of stealing trade secrets that resulted in Google's Waymo filing a lawsuit against Uber and Levandowski. However, the lawsuit was settled in February 2018. Levandowski was not party to that case. U.S. District Judge William Alsup, who imposed the sentence, said Levandowski can begin serving the sentence after risks from the coronavirus pandemic have subsided. In sentencing Levandowski, Judge Alsup observed this was the biggest trade secret crime he has ever seen. In addition to eighteen months in prison, Levandowski was ordered to pay a fine of $95,000 and also pay $756,499.22 in restitution to Google's self-driving car unit, Waymo, according to a statement from the U.S. Department of Justice. He was also sentenced to a 3-year period of supervised release. Prosecutors, who described Levandowski's overall conduct as 'brazen and shocking', were seeking a prison sentence of 27 months. As part of a plea agreement, Levandowski, pleaded guilty to one of the 33 counts of trade secrets theft originally filed against him in 2019. Prosecutors agreed to dismiss the remaining 32 charges against Levandowski. Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX Kostenloser Wertpapierhandel auf Smartbroker.de WILMINGTON, N.C., Aug. 5, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Catalyst Clinical Research announced today that it has merged with Ce3, Inc. to expand its depth of oncology-specific therapeutic expertise. The combined company is strongly positioned to deliver oncology clinical development services to the biotechnology industry, as Ce3 has provided such services for more than 15 years. Catalyst's multi-therapeutic functional and resourcing solutions will continue to be offered via separate, dedicated management teams. This union creates a market-leading oncology CRO solution with a particular expertise working with biotech sponsors on complex cancer therapies and study designs. Ce3's therapeutic and market concentration complements Catalyst's recent focus in full-service oncology while retaining its comprehensive, flexible, and multi-therapeutic functional and resourcing solutions. The combined entity, headquartered in Wilmington, North Carolina, will benefit from a Northeast presence, with its office in Clinton, Connecticut. Together the companies will support oncology studies from First in Human (FIH) to accelerated approval derived from a 15-year history as trusted partners to the biopharmaceutical industry. The merger allows clients to easily draw on the combined expertise of the two legacy organizations that share a common culture and vision focused on high-quality services, expert study teams, scientific innovation, and ground-breaking technology capabilities. Catalyst Chief Executive Officer, Nick Dyer, states, "We are thrilled to achieve this exciting milestone, allowing us to offer our clients deeper oncology expertise and a combined scientific strength in oncology. The vision and expertise of Ce3 align perfectly with our mission, experience, and therapeutic focus. Working together with an organization that shares our values and approach to advancing therapies will be an honor." Ce3's Co-founders, Holly Coulter and Tim Garrelts noted that this partnership reinforces their commitment to being a premier provider of early phase oncology clinical development services, adding that the newly merged company will provide a powerful combination of proven oncology capabilities and development solutions for the biotechnology industry. The two are especially excited to leverage Catalyst's additional technology offerings, geographic footprint, and global network of clinical research professionals. Covington Associates served as financial advisor and Nutter McClennen & Fish LLP served as legal advisor to Ce3. Smith Anderson served as the legal advisor to Catalyst & NovaQuest Capital Management, LLC. Woodforest National Bank is providing debt financing for the transaction. About Ce3 Ce3, Inc. is a full-service CRO focused on providing early phase oncology clinical development services to the biotechnology industry. The company's therapeutic concentration is oncology, with a focus on novel modalities including immuno-oncology, cell and gene therapies. Since its inception in 2005, Ce3 has concentrated on thoroughly understanding the needs of biotechnology companies while providing high-quality, cost-effective solutions to support their clients' analytical, regulatory, and investor goals. About Catalyst Catalyst is a clinical development organization providing highly customizable clinical research solutions to the global biopharmaceutical industry. With offices in the US and EU, the company provides global resourcing solutions, functional and full-service managed solutions, the latter with a focus on oncology therapeutics. Catalyst's service model is built from more than a decade of listening to customers, devising customer-centric solutions and helping them drive breakthrough clinical development studies leveraging Catalyst's expert teams and innovative technologies. Catalyst is a portfolio company of NovaQuest Capital Management, LLC, a leading healthcare and life sciences investment firm. SOURCE Catalyst Clinical Research Infection experts believe Indonesia has had over a million cases of coronavirus despite the official figure being just over a tenth of that number. As of Monday evening, Indonesia recorded an official figure of 113,134 coronavirus cases and 5,302 deaths since the pandemic first struck. University of Indonesia epidemiologist Dr Pandu Riono and PhD student at Queensland's Griffith University Dr Dicky Budiman claim the likely number is one million. Indonesia is believed to have one million cases of coronavirus with the country's top experts claiming the truth is 'ten times the official figure' (Passengers at Bali airport) As of Monday evening, Indonesia recorded an official figure of 113,134 coronavirus cases and 5,302 deaths (Tourists on a Seminyak beach) Dr Budiman said his 'prediction is that the current number of Indonesians infected by COVID-19 is around one million because the majority of them are asymptomatic', the Sydney Morning Herald reported on Wednesday. 'This is a very serious problem because [being] asymptomatic doesn't mean they don't have the disease in their body. So we need to put prevention as our main priority. Prevention is still better than being infected by COVID-19,' he said. Mr Riono said he could not say what the exact number of Indonesian cases are but said it was 'maybe ten times the current rate'. As the country has such limited testing - about 1/35th of the Australian testing rate - it is hard to assess the spread of the virus through the population. Dr Riono said there are three reasons the infection rate could be higher than the official figure. 'There are many young people [in Indonesia], limited testing and third, transmission is still high, the positivity rate is 10 per cent or 12 per cent [of people tested]',' he said. By contrast, only 0.4 per cent of Australian tests came back positive. In April Australia re-directed $21 million in aid money to fight coronavirus and Prime Minister Scott Morrison expressed 'great concerns about the health and wellbeing of Indonesia. 'We send our best wishes and as much support as we can to President Widodo, and the great challenge that he has there,' Mr Morrison said. Diplomatic sources in Jakarta also confirmed the real infection rates could be up to one million people. 'We send our best wishes and as much support as we can to President Widodo (pictured), and the great challenge that he has there,' Mr Morrison said in April Mr Riono said he could not say what the exact number of Indonesian cases are but said it was 'a lot, maybe ten times the current rate' The sources said low testing rates outside of Jakarta and a youthful population could be the reason for the number being reported at 113,134. Dr Riono said Indonesia's national and provincial governments should impose tougher restrictions to stem the spread of the deadly virus. But if the country does not do anything it will see a peak during the first quarter of next year, he said. Bali announced it would reopen its borders to tourists on Sunday, but foreign tourists would only gradually be readmitted. The popular tourist destination opened its doors for domestic visitors on July 31 to save the tourist-driven economy from complete collapse amid COVID-19 lockdowns. A tourist wearing face sunbathe as beaches are gradually reopening following months of lockdown due to the new coronavirus outbreak in Bali While the local government plans to allow foreigners in from September 11, Bali's borders won't be open to Australians - as the nation battles through a second wave. Tourists from Australia represented the largest group to visit the resort island in previous years, with 1.3 million people flying to its famous beaches in 2019. Australian residents now need permission from the federal government to leave the country and anyone going overseas faces the prospect of two weeks in quarantine when they return. The global pandemic costs the holiday island about $950million for every month the borders are closed, according to head of the Bali government's tourism department, Putu Astawa. 'With the re-opening we have not set a target yet. We aim to get the trust of international visitors. We need to ensure those who will come are healthy tourists and that they stay healthy while holidaying in Bali,' he said. At least 1,200 disappearances reported across Latin American country since the start of coronavirus pandemic in March. Hundreds of women and girls have gone missing and are feared dead in Peru since a lockdown was imposed to curb the spread of the new coronavirus. From March 16 through June 30, a total of 915 people 606 girls and 309 women were reported missing, according to authorities. Last week, Perus womens ministry said 1,200 women and girls had been reported missing during the pandemic a higher figure that included the month of July. The figures are really quite alarming, Isabel Ortiz, a top womens rights official, told the Reuters news agency on Tuesday. We know the numbers of women and girls who have disappeared, but we dont have detailed information about how many have been found, she said. We dont have proper and up-to-date records. The Andean nation home to 33 million people has long had a domestic violence problem, but the home confinement measures because of the pandemic has made the situation worse, said Eliana Revollar, who leads the womens rights office of the National Ombudsmans office, an independent body that monitors Perus human rights. Peru is one of the hardest virus-hit Latin American nations, with more than 430,000 COVID-19 cases and 20,000 related deaths. Hospitals are struggling to cope with the rising number of patients and healthcare workers have protested against a lack of personal protective equipment (PPE). Before COVID-19, five women were reported missing in Peru every single day, but since the lockdown, that number has surged to eight a day. The womens ministry said the government was working to eradicate violence against women and had increased funding this year for gender-based violence prevention programmes. Countries worldwide have reported increases in domestic violence under coronavirus lockdowns, prompting the United Nations to call for urgent government action. Before the pandemic, hundreds of thousands of women throughout Latin America, including Peru, were staging mass street demonstrations demanding that their governments should act against gender-based violence. By AFP Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan on Wednesday branded India an "oppressor and aggressor" a year after New Delhi imposed direct rule in Kashmir. Protests were planned across Pakistan to mark the anniversary of New Delhi stripping Muslim-majority Kashmir of its semi-autonomous status, a move that outraged Islamabad. "India stands exposed before the world, yet again, as an oppressor and aggressor," Khan said in a statement. "Its so-called secular and democratic credentials stand fully discredited," he added, calling India's action last year a "crime against humanity". Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government had promised the move would bring peace and prosperity to Kashmir after three decades of violence sparked by an anti-India uprising. Pakistan, however, has alleged it is a violation of the rights of Kashmiri people. Khan accused India of trying to turn Kashmir's Muslim majority into a minority by ending restrictions on outsiders buying up property "in blatant violation of... UN Security Council Resolutions and international laws". The change in rules has sparked fears that the Modi government is pursuing an Israel-style "settler" project. A referendum in Kashmir mandated by a UN resolution in 1948 has never taken place. Police were enforcing tight restrictions in Kashmir on Wednesday, where religious and political groups had called on residents to observe a "black day". In the Pakistani capital Islamabad, a one-minute silence was held, along with a rally led by President Arif Alvi. "India has learned from Israel how to change the demography (of Kashmir)," Alvi told the rally Hundreds of billboards and banners displayed graphic images purportedly of human rights violations by Indian authorities in Kashmir. Khan led a rally through Muzaffarabad, the capital of Pakistan-administered-Kashmir, where a few thousand people had gathered. He was due to address the region's legislative assembly. Dozens of rallies are expected in other major Pakistani cities too. On Tuesday, Pakistan released a new official map showing all of Kashmir as its territory. Tensions spiralled between the nuclear-armed neighbours after India revoked Kashmir's autonomy and imposed movement and communications restrictions to quell unrest. Pakistan has repeatedly likened Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Adolf Hitler and called for international intervention. Jessie Riogelon Mangaliman Jessie Riogelon Mangaliman, an undocumented Filipino immigrant who left behind a leaky house in Manila for a high school exchange program in Oklahoma and went on to win a Pulitzer prize, died of an apparent heart attack Monday July 20, 2020 at his home in Oakland, CA. He was 63. Mangaliman, a role model for legions of journalists, particularly Asian-Americans and other people of color, was a crisis manager, gourmet cook and lifelong advocate for immigrant rights. When he became a US citizen in the 1990s, he was invited to a ceremony for 300 new Americans on Ellis Island and was one of five singled out for a special presentation as exemplary citizens. After beginning his journalism career in Oklahoma, Mangaliman went on to high-profile assignments for USA Today, New York Newsday, The Washington Post, and the San Jose Mercury News. But his work also took him from a summer gutting salmon on a fishing boat in Alaska to the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco. And yet the experience of living undocumented for years pervaded his world-view. In 1988, he wrote about covering a press conference at the Immigration and Naturalization Service: "To be in an INS office again was to know mortification. In my nightmare, I was hauled away, deported. But my pen and notebook provided a shield to hide my terror and my secret. I filed my story that afternoon. I went home exhausted, desperate." By September that year, with help from a New York Newsday lawyer, Mangaliman obtained a green card, assisted by columnist Sydney Schanberg and photographer Dith Pran of The Killing Fields fame. But he never forgot the fear. Mangaliman held leadership positions with the Asian American Journalists Association and served on the board of directors of the Immigration Institute of the Bay Area, which provides legal services and community outreach for immigrants and refugees. He was nominated for a Pulitzer Prize for articles on AIDS and immigration for New York Newsday and was a member of the paper's team that won the 1992 Pulitzer for breaking news for a midnight subway derailment. As news of Mangaliman's death spread this week, his husband John Meier received a call from a sobbing Iranian man whom Mangaliman had written about. "Jessie saved us from being deported. His picture is on our wall. He was our hero," the man told Meier before hanging up, too distraught to say more. "Jessie was most animated by the stories of individuals on the margins: the Hmong in the Central Valley, elderly refugees, and undocumented immigrants," said Cecilia Kang, a former Mercury News colleague who now covers technology policy for the New York Times. "He understood what it meant to live meaningfully." Slender and elegant, with a belly laugh, an incandescent smile and an enviable sweep of dark hair that became threaded with gray in middle age, Mangaliman was among the most fashionable reporters in the country. He sealed friendships with legendary meals, often pulling tomato, zucchini and fig leaves from his yard. Two days before his death, he served lamb chops with homemade romesco sauce to friends at a socially distanced dinner party.On the morning of his death, Mangaliman asked Meier: "Have you eaten? Can I cook you a fabulous meal tonight?" Mangaliman and Meier met in New York City, after stealing glances in an office elevator. They left the building without speaking, only to find themselves moments later shopping for travel supplies at the same Duane Reade. Mangaliman was headed to the Philippines to report on Imelda Marcos. Meier, at the time a fashion stylist, was on his way to Venezuela for Benetton. The two were together the next 27 years. They married at Frank Sinatra's Palm Springs estate in an intimate, surprise ceremony in 2016. "It hasn't really sunk in that he's gone," Meier said. "After so long, he was just half of me. I kind of feel like the better half of me is gone. He was my rock." Mangaliman felt the same about Meier, now an international jewelry designer. In February, Mangaliman told longtime friends Kay Foran and Maura Fritz: "Our home is a jewel box, created by John." The three later reunited at a service for Foran's husband, and afterwards picked up the thread of an old conversation. "I thought we had decades still to keep it going," Fritz said in a Facebook post. "Jessie was a keenly principled man, a crackerjack journalist. The embodiment of human decency." Mangaliman's quiet, seemingly passive demeanor "concealed a sharp intelligence, a universe of worldly perspective, experience and compassion," said David Brezing, who met Mangaliman at USA Today in Washington, D.C. in 1985. "He sometimes seemed to be as guileless and joyful as a puppy while simultaneously observing and coolly assessing dimensions of expression only he could see." Brezing recalled a camping trip to the Grand Tetons, where Mangaliman taught him the beauty and absurdity of being alive. "We swaggered toward a grazing bull moose for a closer look, only to turn and scamper, squealing like frightened squirrels when the beast snorted and stepped toward us," Brezing said. "Then later, lying on our backs on the hood of our car, we were awed to tears by the sunset flooding the Montana sky with never before seen colors from horizon to horizon. This was my Jessie." Mangaliman was born in Manila in 1957 in what he later described as "grinding poverty," one of eight children. His father, a police detective, died when Mangaliman was 7. His mother was a school teacher and a part-time taxi driver, who sold her taxi to send Mangaliman on a student-exchange program that brought him to Wagoner, Okla. as a high school student in 1974. His host family, the Galushas, welcomed him as if he were already a sibling and treated him as family for the rest of his life. "Jessie came to our family and he just immediately became our brother," said Kim Galusha, of Wagoner, whom Mangaliman considered a sister. "Everything he did, he was very talented at. He would cut everybody's hair, he would cook, he would mend everybody's clothes." On one family vacation in Santa Fe, NM, Galusha and Mangaliman decided to slide down a mountain together on their stomachs on the same inner tube. "We just kept going into a huge snowbank, where only our feet were sticking out," Galusha said. Another sister, Katy, was panic-stricken and "thought we were both dead but we were in the middle of that snowbank, laughing and laughing." After high school, Mangaliman was awarded a full scholarship to Northeastern State University in Tahlequah, Okla., where he earned a B.A. in journalism and French. He started his journalism career by working summers at the Wagoner Tribune, and at the Muskogee Phoenix, soon moving on to full-time positions in Springfield, MO and at USA Today before joining New York Newsday in 1987. All the while, from college onwards, he was undocumented. When he was asked to cover President George H.W. Bush's amnesty program, he knew it would be a conflict of interest and told his editor at New York Newsday the truth. "I know I may lose my job but I feel I have to be honest with you," he said, according to Galusha. Instead of firing him, the newspaper found him a lawyer, telling Mangaliman: "We don't want to lose you." At Newsday, Mangaliman covered breaking news and became a vocal advocate for Asian American reporters. In 1990, he helped lead a newsroom revolt against powerful columnist Jimmy Breslin, who had shouted expletives and racial slurs in the newsroom at a Korean American reporter who criticized his column. Mangaliman wrote a letter of protest that was initially signed by at least 50 colleagues. Breslin issued an apology, then was suspended for two weeks without pay after mocking that apology on the radio. "Though Breslin had the reputation of standing with 'the common man,' it was Jessie who exemplified standing for the dignity of all people, especially those on the margins," said Helen Zia, who was president of the New York chapter of AAJA and participated in the meeting with executives called by Jessie and other Asian American news staff. "He was not fired, as Jessie and I and so many of our appalled colleagues had hoped," said Kay Foran, the paper's transportation writer at the time. "Jessie was an ally long before that became fashionable." "He was an amazing support for a young journalist fresh out of college," said Ji-Yeon Yuh, the Korean American reporter who criticized Breslin. "Jessie always felt to me like a deep, cool pond, gentle, refreshing, a bit melancholy and yet somehow joyful." In 1999, the San Jose Mercury News hired Mangaliman as a reporter on the groundbreaking Race & Demographics team at a time when Silicon Valley and the Bay Area was undergoing a major shift that would be reflected in the 2000 Census. By the time he left the badly depleted paper in 2011, he was night city editor. Mangaliman was active for years as a board member of AAJA, which advocates for newsroom diversity and helps foster opportunities for Asian American journalists. He was also a John S. Knight Fellow at Stanford University and a Jefferson Fellow at the East West Center in Honolulu. He was a distinctive figure exacting and dedicated to order but also stylish and inclusive. "I still remember my first board meeting in Dallas," said Sharon Chan, Vice President of Philanthropy at the New York Times and a former AAJA board member. "We went around the table doing intros and he said, 'I am just here to bring my fashion sensibility to AAJA.' " Jose Antonio Vargas, a former Washington Post reporter who came out as undocumented in 2011 and authored Dear America: Notes of an Undocumented Citizen, said he saw Mangaliman as a role model. "Seeing an openly gay Filipino American journalist in newsrooms like The Washington Post and the San Jose Mercury News was a validating and liberating thing," Vargas said. "In life, you meet a lot of people, and there are those who, for one reason or another, you immediately feel comfortable, someone who makes you feel safe," said Michael James Rocha, who also served on the AAJA board. After journalism, Mangaliman worked as a PR and media relations manager for Kaiser Permanente, where he shaped stories, wrangled medical experts and adroitly managed crises for the country's largest integrated health care system. "I needed someone with his empathy and healing instincts to step into difficult situations and make it better," said Marc Brown, a former editor at the San Jose Mercury News who recruited Mangaliman to Kaiser. "You feel better every single day just for knowing him." In his last job, he served as director of public relations at the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco, where he developed strategy to explain the role of the Fed in the lives of everyday people. His skill at shaping and delivering stories, and his calm, responsive leadership landed him the job, Vice President for Public Affairs Jenny Mack said. "He taught me and so many others how to find beauty in simple things," such as the Redwood Regional Park and how to spend time during quarantine, Mack said. "Jessie was always a calm and gracious influence and that was never more evident than during the pandemic. He brought a sense of perspective and appreciation of the small joys in life." Mangaliman, fit from years of swimming laps and yoga, was careful about his eating habits. His sudden death at home was a shock to his family and friends. The cause of death is still pending. "We are so devastated," said his sister Christina Mangaliman Alegre, who said Mangaliman paid for her college education. "For years we have not been able to see each other, and now he's gone." "Jessie was a light to our life and we are having a hard time believing he has gone," his sister Katy Galusha-White said Tuesday. "We know Jessie and John have a great support system with so many wonderful friends. This brings us comfort." In Manila, Mangaliman is predeceased by his parents Emilia M. Riogelon and Jose L. Magaliman. When Riogelon put her son on a plane to America with a cardboard suitcase, she told him "Don't come back. Your brains are your future," Meier said. "Jessie believed in education, and he was so proud of his nieces and nephews. It's the best legacy he could give his Mom." In addition to Meier, Mangaliman is survived by the Wagoner, Okla. family he adopted as his own: parents Richard and Tish Galusha, his sister Kim Galusha, brother Keith Galusha, sister Katy Galusha-White and brother in law Scott White, his sister Kelly Galusha, and his brother Kris Galusha, as well as four nieces and two nephews. In the Philippines, Mangaliman is survived by two sisters, Cristina Mangaliman Alegre and Mila Mangaliman Gaoaten, a brother, Bayani Mangaliman, and 14 nieces and nephews, most of whose college education Mangaliman supported. He is survived by a third sister, Selia Mangaliman, in Canada. A remembrance is planned for a later date. Donations may be made to the Immigration Institute of the Bay Area, 1111 Market Street, 4th Floor, San Francisco, CA 94103. (415) 538- 8100. Email: sfinfo@iibayarea.org. Written by Maureen Fan and Donna Kato VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Aug. 04, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Finning International Inc. (TSX: FTT) (Finning or the Company or we, our or us) reported second quarter 2020 results today. All monetary amounts are in Canadian dollars unless otherwise stated. HIGHLIGHTS All comparisons are to Q2 2019 results unless indicated otherwise. Q2 2020 net revenue (1)(3) of $1.3 billion was down 33%, including a 24% reduction in Canadas product support revenue, as many customers parked equipment fleets and temporarily shut operations in response to low commodity prices and COVID-19 restrictions. SG&A (2) decreased by 12%, down in all operations, driven by effective cost management and lower variable costs. The Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS) program allowed the Company to preserve a significant number of jobs and technical capabilities through a unique period of uncertainty. As a result, the Company recognized $64 million of wage subsidy in Q2 2020 as other income. Without the benefit of this wage subsidy, the Canadian operations would have taken available alternative actions, which would have reduced SG&A by $15 to 20 million in Q2 2020, an equivalent of approximately $0.08 per share. Strong free cash flow (3) conversion in Q2 2020 resulted in free cash flow of $312 million, bringing year-to-date free cash flow to $262 million and further strengthening the Companys financial and liquidity position. As at June 30, 2020, net debt to Adjusted EBITDA ratio (2)(3)(4) was 2.1, down from 2.8 at June 30, 2019. The Company has accelerated existing strategic plans to drive productivity gains in Canada and South America, while maximizing flexibility and competitiveness to serve customers. As a result, the Company expects to reduce the global workforce by 8% by the end of 2020 from the end of 2019. Q2 2020 EPS(2) of $0.12 included the benefit of the CEWS program of $0.30 per share and global severance and restructuring costs of $0.24 per share. Story continues I am pleased with how our global teams have been navigating through various stages of lockdowns and re-openings across our regions, with a focus on safely servicing our customers and controlling what we can costs and capital. In these challenging times, our Total Injury Frequency rate decreased by over 40%, and our customer loyalty scores increased by 20% in Q2 2020 compared to Q2 2019. In Q2 2020, our SG&A(2) was down 12% year over year, and our net capital expenditures were minimized to $7 million. This performance speaks to the resiliency of our business model and adaptability and engagement of our people, said Scott Thomson, president and CEO of Finning International. COVID-19 disruptions have significantly impacted our people, customers, and operations. Our challenges in the second quarter included postponed equipment orders and deliveries, an unprecedented slowdown in product support activity in most sectors, and reduced productivity and labour utilization at our branches. Where we have qualified, the use of government programs has helped us to preserve a significant number of jobs and technical capabilities through a unique period of significant uncertainty, and has provided an effective bridge to enable us to ramp up faster as the economy recovers. While Q2 was difficult and the pace of economic recovery in our regions remains uncertain, we have seen signs of our markets recovering since May, with notable increases in rental activity, machine utilization hours, and product support revenue run rates. With the recent recovery in oil prices, most oil sands producers have put their truck fleets back to work and are expected to be operating at pre-COVID-19 levels by the end of August. The price of copper has also improved, providing continued support and stability for copper mining in Chile. However, increased cases of COVID-19 infections in South America have presented a significant challenge for our customers and our operations in the region, and we have deployed necessary resources and efforts to maintain operations and keep our employees safe. In the UK and Ireland, construction and power systems projects have resumed, and earthmoving work on the High Speed Rail 2 mega-project, which represents a significant opportunity for Finning, is expected to begin later this year. Despite the unique times and numerous challenges we have faced, I am pleased with how our teams have stayed focused on what we set out to do at the beginning of the year, namely improving execution in South America, lowering the cost base in Canada, positioning to capture HS2 opportunities in the UK, and reducing our finance costs. Looking ahead, we are accelerating our strategic plans to position our business to achieve improved productivity, profitability, and ROIC(2)(3) in each region. I am confident that our continued vigilance on costs, improved productivity, and tight management of invested capital will ensure we maintain our financial strength and are well positioned to succeed in the upcoming recovery phase, concluded Mr. Thomson. Q2 2020 FINANCIAL SUMMARY All comparisons are to Q2 2019 results unless indicated otherwise. Quarterly Overview $ millions, except per share amounts Q2 2020 Q2 2019 % change Revenue 1,419 2,137 (34 ) Net revenue 1,335 1,995 (33 ) EBIT(2) 52 137 (62 ) EBIT as a percentage of net revenue(3) 3.9 % 6.9 % EBITDA(3) 130 213 (39 ) EBITDA as a percentage of net revenue(3) 9.7 % 10.7 % Net income 18 88 (79 ) EPS 0.12 0.54 (78 ) Free cash flow 312 (162 ) 292 Q2 2020 EBITDA and EBIT by Operation $ millions, except per share amounts Canada South America UK & Ireland Corporate & Other Finning Total EPS EBITDA / EPS 110 24 4 (8 ) 130 0.12 CEWS support (60 ) - - (4 ) (64 ) (0.30 ) Severance costs 20 17 4 1 42 0.20 Facilities restructuring costs and impairment losses 5 4 - - 9 0.04 Adjusted EBITDA(3)(4) / Adjusted EPS(3)(4) 75 45 8 (11 ) 117 0.06 Adjusted EBIT(3)(4) 28 23 (1 ) (11 ) 39 Adjusted EBITDA as a percentage of net revenue(3)(4) 10.6 % 9.8 % 4.9 % - 8.8 % Adjusted EBIT as a percentage of net revenue(3)(4) 4.0 % 5.1 % (1.0 %) - 2.9 % Q2 2019 EBITDA and EBIT by Operation $ millions, except per share amounts Canada South America UK & Ireland Corporate & Other Finning Total EPS EBITDA / EPS 138 62 23 (10 ) 213 0.54 EBIT 92 41 14 (10 ) 137 EBITDA as a percentage of net revenue 12.9 % 9.8 % 7.7 % - 10.7 % EBIT as a percentage of net revenue 8.5 % 6.5 % 4.8 % - 6.9 % Invested Capital(3) and ROIC(2)(3) Q2 2020 Q2 2019 Q4 2019 Invested capital ($ millions) Consolidated 3,495 3,964 3,591 Canada 2,037 2,285 2,026 South America (US dollars) 812 983 918 UK & Ireland (UK pound sterling) 207 235 210 Invested capital turnover(3) (times) 1.71 2.04 1.92 Working capital(3) to net revenue ratio(3) 29.9 % 26.7 % 27.8 % Inventory turns (dealership)(3) (times) 1.97 2.36 2.53 Adjusted ROIC(3)(4) (%) Consolidated 9.7 12.3 12.0 Canada 11.6 15.4 14.4 South America 11.2 8.5 10.5 UK & Ireland 4.6 14.5 12.1 Excluding the impact of foreign exchange, invested capital decreased by approximately $517 million from Q2 2019 mostly due to inventory reduction in all regions. Inventory decreased by $473 million compared to Q2 2019. Q2 2020 HIGHLIGHTS BY OPERATION All comparisons are to Q2 2019 results unless indicated otherwise. All numbers are in functional currency: Canada Canadian dollar; South America US dollar; UK & Ireland UK pound sterling (GBP). Canada Net revenue decreased by 34% with lower revenue across all sectors and lines of business reflecting challenging market conditions from COVID-19 and volatility in commodity prices. New equipment sales were down 49% due to significantly reduced customer activity, particularly in Alberta. Product support revenue declined by 24% as customers in the oil sands and other mining operations parked a portion of their fleets during Q2 2020 and postponed major rebuilds and non-essential maintenance. In the construction sector, product support volumes were impacted by parked fleets, lower equipment utilization hours, temporary shutdowns of customer operations, and deferral of some customer projects due to COVID-19. Used equipment sales improved sequentially from Q1 2020. Rental revenue was down 35% from Q2 of last year on lower rental utilization. Due to a significant reduction in revenues year over year, the Companys Canadian operations qualified for CEWS and, as a result, recognized $60 million of this wage subsidy in Q2 2020. The Company estimates that approximately 500 full-time jobs, including technical capabilities and talent, have been preserved in Canada as a result of this program. SG&A was reduced by 11% compared to Q2 2019, a lower decrease compared to other regions due in part to the preservation of employment as a result of the above-noted government support program. Without the benefit of the wage subsidy, the Company would have taken available alternative actions in Canada, which would have reduced SG&A by a further $15 to 20 million in Q2 2020, and SG&A would have been approximately 20% lower than Q2 2019. The Canadian operations are taking methodical and strategic actions to continue improving employee and facility productivity. These actions include re-shaping the facilities network and workforce reductions. As a result, the Companys Canadian operations recorded severance and facility restructuring costs totaling $25 million in Q2 2020. The Canadian workforce is expected to be reduced by 11% by the end of 2020 from the end of 2019. The Canadian operations benefitted from the strong performance of 4Refuel in Q2 2020. 4Refuel achieved 5% growth in Adjusted EBITDA on a 4% decline in net revenue compared to Q2 2019 and contributed $13 million of positive free cash flow in Q2 2020. 4Refuel contributed $33 million of positive free cash flow since the acquisition date of February 1, 2019. In July 2020, 4Refuel secured a fueling agreement with AECON for a portion of the Coastal GasLink Project in Northern British Columbia. South America Net revenue decreased by 28% reflecting challenging market conditions across all countries and sectors, primarily as a result of COVID-19 impacts. New equipment sales were down 48% due to lower mining and construction deliveries in Chile, and a slowdown in customer activity in Argentina. Product support revenue declined by 17% as a result of lower product support volumes in Chilean mining operations and very weak market conditions in Argentina compared to Q2 2019. Adjusted EBITDA as a percentage of net revenue was similar to Q2 2019. A shift in revenue mix to product support resulted in a higher gross profit margin relative to Q2 2019. The Company is successfully leveraging one common ERP(2) system to improve operating efficiencies and reduce cost to serve. SG&A costs decreased by 17% from Q2 2019 driven by improved execution in Chilean mining operations, benefits of one common ERP system, and cost savings from restructuring measures. The Company recorded severance and restructuring costs totaling US$15 million in South America in Q2 2020. Improved profitability in Chile from Q2 2019 was offset by a loss in Argentina due to a shutdown of the economy to stop the spread of COVID-19. United Kingdom & Ireland Net revenue decreased by 45%, driven by 58% lower new equipment sales. Product support revenue decreased by 21%. Customer activity in construction and power systems markets slowed down significantly in compliance with COVID-19 lockdowns and restrictions. In power systems, the timing of project deliveries in the data centre and electricity capacity markets impacted revenue in Q2 2020. The Company has resumed execution of delayed projects, and expects to deliver additional large power systems projects currently in the backlog during the second half of 2020. UK & Irelands SG&A costs were down by 24% from Q2 2019 reflecting cost reduction measures and a 4 million benefit from the UK government program to offset approximately 80% of furloughed employee salary costs. The Company did not realize any service benefits from employees who were furloughed. Nearly half of UK & Ireland employees were on furlough during Q2 2020. CORPORATE AND BUSINESS DEVELOPMENTS Dividend The Board of Directors has approved a quarterly dividend of $0.205 per share, payable on September 3, 2020 to shareholders of record on August 20, 2020. This dividend will be considered an eligible dividend for Canadian income tax purposes. SELECTED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL INFORMATION $ millions, except per share amounts Three months ended June 30 Six months ended June 30 2020 2019 % change fav (unfav) 2020 2019 % change fav (unfav) New equipment 382 774 (51 ) 736 1,438 (49 ) Used equipment 64 106 (39 ) 132 187 (29 ) Equipment rental 41 62 (34 ) 94 120 (22 ) Product support 820 1,023 (20 ) 1,754 1,919 (9 ) Net fuel and other 28 30 58 50 Net revenue 1,335 1,995 (33 ) 2,774 3,714 (25 ) Gross profit 344 482 (29 ) 762 912 (16 ) Gross profit as a percentage of net revenue 25.7 % 24.1 % 27.5 % 24.6 % SG&A (306 ) (350 ) 12 (631 ) (693 ) 9 SG&A as a percentage of net revenue (22.9 )% (17.5 )% (22.8 )% (18.7 )% Equity earnings of joint ventures 1 5 2 9 Other income 64 - 64 - Other expenses (51 ) - (51 ) (29 ) EBIT 52 137 (62 ) 146 199 (27 ) EBIT as a percentage of net revenue 3.9 % 6.9 % 5.3 % 5.4 % Adjusted EBIT 39 137 (72 ) 133 228 (41 ) Adjusted EBIT as a percentage of net revenue 2.9 % 6.9 % 4.8 % 6.1 % Net income 18 88 (79 ) 72 116 (38 ) Basic EPS 0.12 0.54 (78 ) 0.45 0.71 (37 ) Adjusted EPS 0.06 0.54 (89 ) 0.39 0.85 (54 ) EBITDA 130 213 (39 ) 300 347 (14 ) EBITDA as a percentage of net revenue 9.7 % 10.7 % 10.8 % 9.3 % Adjusted EBITDA 117 213 (45 ) 287 376 (24 ) Adjusted EBITDA as a percentage of net revenue 8.8 % 10.7 % 10.4 % 10.1 % Free cash flow 312 (162 ) 292 262 (509 ) 151 June 30, 2020 Dec 31, 2019 Invested capital 3,495 3,591 Invested capital turnover (times) 1.71 1.92 Net debt to Adjusted EBITDA ratio 2.1 2.0 ROIC 10.0 % 11.2 % Adjusted ROIC 9.7 % 12.0 % To access Finning's complete Q2 2020 results in PDF, please visit our website at https://www.finning.com/en_CA/company/investors.html Q2 2020 INVESTOR CALL The Company will hold an investor call on August 5, 2020 at 10:00 am Eastern Time. Dial-in numbers: 1-800-319-4610 (Canada and US), 1-416-915-3239 (Toronto area), 1-604-638-5340 (international). The call will be webcast live and archived for three months at https://www.finning.com/en_CA/company/investors.html ABOUT FINNING Finning International Inc. (TSX: FTT) is the worlds largest Caterpillar equipment dealer delivering unrivalled service to customers for over 87 years. Finning sells, rents, and provides parts and service for equipment and engines to help customers maximize productivity. Headquartered in Vancouver, B.C., the Company operates in Western Canada, Chile, Argentina, Bolivia, the United Kingdom and Ireland. CONTACT INFORMATION Amanda Hobson Senior Vice President, Investor Relations and Treasury Phone: 604-331-4865 Email: amanda.hobson@finning.com https://www.finning.com FOOTNOTES Following the acquisition of 4Refuel, management views total revenue less cost of fuel (net revenue) as more representative in assessing the performance of the business as the cost of fuel is fully passed through to the customer and is not in the Companys control. The Companys results and non-GAAP financial measures, including key performance indicators and ratios, previously reported or calculated using total revenue or sales are now reported or calculated using net revenue. For South American and UK & Ireland operations, net revenue is the same as total revenue. Earnings Before Finance Costs and Income Taxes (EBIT); Basic Earnings per Share (EPS); Earnings Before Finance Costs, Income Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization (EBITDA); Selling, General & Administrative Expenses (SG&A); Return on Invested Capital (ROIC); Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP). These financial metrics, referred to as non-GAAP financial measures, do not have a standardized meaning under International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), which are also referred to herein as Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), and therefore may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other issuers. For additional information regarding these financial metrics, including definitions and reconciliations from each of these non-GAAP financial measures to their most directly comparable measure under GAAP, where available, see the heading Description of Non-GAAP Financial Measures and Reconciliations in the Companys Q2 2020 management discussion and analysis (MD&A). Management believes that providing certain non-GAAP financial measures provides users of the Companys MD&A and consolidated financial statements with important information regarding the operational performance and related trends of the Company's business. By considering these measures in combination with the comparable IFRS financial measures (where available) set out in the MD&A, management believes that users are provided a better overall understanding of the Company's business and its financial performance during the relevant period than if they simply considered the IFRS financial measures alone. Certain 2020 and 2019 financial metrics were impacted by significant items management does not consider indicative of operational and financial trends either by nature or amount; these significant items are described on pages 5 and 36-37 of the MD&A. The financial metrics that have been adjusted to take into account these items are referred to as Adjusted metrics. FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS CAUTION This news release contains statements about our business outlook, objectives, plans, strategic priorities and other statements that are not historical facts. A statement we make is forward-looking when it uses what we know and expect today to make a statement about the future. Forward-looking statements may include terminology such as aim, anticipate, assumption, believe, could, expect, goal, guidance, intend, may, objective, outlook, plan, project, seek, should, strategy, strive, target, and will, and variations of such terminology. Forward-looking statements in this news release include, but are not limited to, statements: that the Company expects to reduce the global workforce by 8% by the end of 2020 from the end of 2019; about our ability to ramp up faster as the economy recovers; about signs of our markets recovering, with notable increases in rental activity, machine utilization hours and product support run rates; that most oil sands producers are expected to be operating at pre-COVID levels by the end of August; that the improved copper price will provide continued support and stability for copper mining in Chile; that earthmoving work on the High Speed Rail 2 mega-project in the UK represents a significant opportunity for Finning and is expected to being later this year; that we are accelerating our strategic plans to position our business to achieve improved productivity, profitability, and ROIC in each region; about our continued vigilance on costs, improved productivity, and tight management of invested capital, and that those measures will ensure we maintain financial strength and are well positioned to succeed in the upcoming recovery phase; and about the Canadian income tax treatment of the quarterly dividend. All such forward-looking statements are made pursuant to the safe harbour provisions of applicable Canadian securities laws. Unless we indicate otherwise, forward-looking statements in this news release reflect our expectations at the date in this news release. Except as may be required by Canadian securities laws, we do not undertake any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise. Forward-looking statements, by their very nature, are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties and are based on a number of assumptions. This gives rise to the possibility that actual results could differ materially from the expectations expressed in or implied by such forward-looking statements and that our business outlook, objectives, plans, strategic priorities and other statements that are not historical facts may not be achieved. As a result, we cannot guarantee that any forward-looking statement will materialize. Factors that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from those expressed in or implied by these forward-looking statements include: the impact and duration of the COVID-19 pandemic and measures taken by governments and businesses in response; general economic and market conditions and economic and market conditions in the regions where we operate; foreign exchange rates; commodity prices; the level of customer confidence and spending, and the demand for, and prices of, our products and services; our ability to maintain our relationship with Caterpillar; our dependence on the continued market acceptance of our products, including Caterpillar products, and the timely supply of parts and equipment; our ability to continue to sustainably reduce costs and improve productivity and operational efficiencies while continuing to maintain customer service; our ability to manage cost pressures as growth in revenue occurs; our ability to negotiate satisfactory purchase or investment terms and prices, obtain necessary regulatory or other approvals, and secure financing on attractive terms or at all; our ability to manage our growth strategy effectively; our ability to effectively price and manage long-term product support contracts with our customers; our ability to reduce costs in response to slowing activity levels; our ability to attract sufficient skilled labour resources as market conditions, business strategy or technologies change; our ability to negotiate and renew collective bargaining agreements with satisfactory terms for our employees and us; the intensity of competitive activity; our ability to raise the capital needed to implement our business plan; regulatory initiatives or proceedings, litigation and changes in laws or regulations; stock market volatility; changes in political and economic environments; the occurrence of natural disasters, pandemic outbreaks, geo-political events, acts of terrorism, social unrest or similar disruptions; fluctuations in defined benefit pension plan contributions and related pension expenses; the availability of insurance at commercially reasonable rates and whether the amount of insurance coverage will be adequate to cover all liability or loss incurred by us; the potential of warranty claims being greater than we anticipate; the integrity, reliability and availability of, and benefits from, information technology and the data processed by that technology; and our ability to protect ourselves from cybersecurity threats or incidents. Forward-looking statements are provided in this news release for the purpose of giving information about managements current expectations and plans and allowing investors and others to get a better understanding of our operating environment. However, readers are cautioned that it may not be appropriate to use such forward-looking statements for any other purpose. Forward-looking statements made in this news release are based on a number of assumptions that we believed were reasonable on the day they were made, including but not limited to (i) that we will be able to successfully manage our business through the current challenging times involving the effects of the COVID-19 response and volatile commodity prices; (ii) that we will maintain improved execution in South America and a lower cost base in Canada; (ii) that general economic and market conditions will improve; (iii) that the level of customer confidence and spending, and the demand for, and prices of, our products and services will be maintained; (iv) our ability to successfully execute our plans and intentions; (v) our ability to attract and retain skilled staff; (vi) market competition; (vii) the products and technology offered by our competitors; and (viii) that our current good relationships with Caterpillar, our suppliers, service providers and other third parties will be maintained. Some of the assumptions, risks, and other factors which could cause results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements contained in this news release are discussed in Section 4 of the our current AIF, in the annual MD&A for the financial risks, and in the most recent quarterly MD&A for updated risks related to the COVID-19 pandemic. We caution readers that the risks described in the AIF and in the annual and most recent quarterly MD&A are not the only ones that could impact the Company. We cannot accurately predict the full impact that COVID-19 will have on our business, results of operations, financial condition or the demand for our services, due in part to the uncertainties relating to the ultimate geographic spread of the virus, the severity of the disease, the duration of the outbreak, the steps our customers and suppliers may take in current circumstances, including slowing or halting operations, the duration of travel and quarantine restrictions imposed by governments of affected countries and other steps that may be taken by such governments to respond to the pandemic. Additional risks and uncertainties not currently known to us or that are currently deemed to be immaterial may also have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, or results of operation. President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday said he is convinced the security chiefs are doing their best to address the security challenges in the country. The National Security Adviser, Babagana Monguno, disclosed this while briefing newsmen of the outcome of the National Security Council meeting held with the President at the Council Chambers of the Presidential Villa, Abuja. Monguno said: The President said to the Service Chiefs, you are doing your best as far as I am concerned but there is still a lot more to be done. I am more concerned about the promise we made to the larger Nigerian society and I am ordering an immediate re-engineering of the entire security apparatus. The NSA said President Buhari, however, ordered the security chiefs to reorganise their strategies. He has also directed that we must rejig our strategies both in terms of operations and intelligence. We must rejig our strategy to prevent further catastrophe; that we must bear in mind that we owe a duty that elected his government and at the end of the day, without securing the nation, all other things like revamping the economy and fighting corruption cannot be addressed. Mr Monguno said the defence minister, Bashir Magashi, is currently working on a strategy that will help resolve the security challenges across the country. Based on the marching orders given to us by the president form the last time till now, basically, these are operational matters that are best dealt with by the Minister of Defence. I know there is something he is working on which has led to this meeting being delayed slightly because it was actually supposed to take place before the sallah break but I think one or two things have come up which I dont want to disclose but I want Nigerians to be comfortable that something is being done since the last marching order, he said. The NSA also spoke on the use of hard drugs across Nigeria. He said there was a connection between drug use and the increase in crime rate. He said Nigerias security agencies shut 17 factories producing dangerous drugs between 2011 and 2019. This is the third National Security Council meeting we have had this year and todays meeting focused on the problem of drug trafficking and drug addiction in Nigeria, as contained in two memos that I presented to the council, he said. We considered the widespread use of these substances and their dangerous impact on our socio-economic situation. I also briefed on the security situation in the North-West and North-Central, looking at kidnapping and banditry in killing of innocent people. The Service Chiefs and Inspector General of Police also gave their various synopsis on what their outfits are doing on the matter. For the issue of drug trafficking and abuse of same, I told the council that this has taken a worrisome dimension because Nigerias perception in the drug trafficking index has changed from the status of a transit hub to a production centre, he said. There is hardly any violent crime today in Nigeria that is not propelled by the use of these hard substances, which have been coming in form all nooks and crannies. What is worrisome is that the reports we received form the Chairman of the National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency NDLEA shows that the numbers keep increasing and despite the closure of orders, we are still having to contend with the influx of these drugs. The problem here is that the reckless use of these substances is directly linked to the insecurity we are confronted with. KanyiDaily recalls that a few days ago, President Buhari said Nigerians know that his administration has done its best in fighting insecurity in the country. The store is very important for our business concept, especially in the Ukrainian market Leader of IKEA in Ukraine Exclusive Interview with Florian Mellet, Market Leader of IKEA in Ukraine Text by Tetiana Khomiak Two years ago, IKEA officially confirmed its intention to open its first store in Ukraine. However, this spring, in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, the company has decided to take another approach and launch online sales first. From the first day, customers have been facing issues when placing orders. What happened, why was IKEA unable to cope with the demand? I am happy to inform that we are now ready to fully meet our customers demand, as within two months we have more than doubled the capacity of our online store. Over the last two years, we have been working hard to make possible IKEAs market entry in Ukraine. This included work on product specifications and their adaptation as well as finding the right partners with whom we could launch our business in the country. All this allowed us to start sales through the online store, and this is just the beginning of our story in Ukraine. When we launched in early May, the number of orders exceeded our expectations by several times. On the one hand, we were very happy to see this, because this confirmed the potential of the Ukrainian market. On the other hand, we had to immediately start working with our partners to meet all this demand. We added new modern scanners to improve processing speed; we also started looking for additional employees and adapted our plan in Ukraine. For example, when we entered the market, we had only two Pick-Up Points, now we expect that two more will open before the end of the year. We also adjusted our plan to hire additional staff. Right now, we are functioning essentially like a startup, but we have significant ambitions to expand our operations in the Ukrainian market. We are looking for people not only to support operations of the online store, but also to prepare for physical store launch in Kyiv. This week, we are opening around 100 additional vacancies for our future store and pick-up points. We are looking forward to welcoming our new colleagues, and I would like to once again invite anyone who is interested to apply. We take pride in giving equal opportunity to every applicant while making sure that we work in diverse and gender-balanced teams. IKEA is often criticized for its slow market entry process, compared to local players who are much more flexible and take decisions regarding expansion a lot faster We have spent about two years studying not only the market, but also local laws and regulations to make sure that our products are fully compliant with them. IKEA has very strict internal rules to ensure that we operate in full compliance with both local and international requirements. What difficulties is the company facing in Ukraine in terms of business development? As Ive said, IKEA pays a lot of attention to working in strict compliance with local laws and regulations. We have looked in detail at all aspects of our work together with Ukraines government officials. Thanks to the fact that we structure our market entry, we do not have significant difficulties. How has the COVID-19 situation affected the company's operations globally? We have seen a boom in online sales all over the world. However, as soon as we reopened our stores, people rushed to them because they needed to touch and see our products. That is why we see great potential for combining online sales with physical stores. The store is very important for our business concept, especially in the Ukrainian market. I have noticed that in Ukraine, new furniture is selected at so-called family councils, where each family member can comment on his or her wishes, and decisions are taken collectively. In this situation, physical stores are very important. On the other hand, online sales help make our range of goods available to people across the country. Where will IKEAs new Pick-Up Points be located? Today, we have two Pick-Up Points one at Auchan Rive Gauche mall and another one at Metro Cash & Carry. We strive to cover the entire city with our Pick-Up Points as much as possible. I can't say exactly where the points will be located at this time, but they will complement the two points we already have. IKEA strives to be as close as possible to every customer in Ukraine, and accordingly, Pick-Up Points will be located at places with the largest concentrations of people. Kyiv is the seventh largest city in Europe, and it is our door to the whole of Ukraine with its population of over 40 million people. Thats why we want to get to know this market better. We are now studying where we need to be in Kyiv to be as close as possible to the many people. We have started our operations with e-commerce because it is the easiest way to enter the market in this specific situation related to COVID-19, as well as the safest way for both our customers and employees. Thus, Ukraine has become not only the first market where IKEA began its entry with an online store; its also one of the first markets where we will launch our modern city store format, which is more suitable for large cities. We have recently opened one in Shanghai, similar stores have been opened in Paris and Warsaw, and very soon one will open in Kyiv. What are the initial sales results of IKEAs online store in Ukraine? What types of goods are the most popular among Ukrainians and how do consumer trends differ from our neighbors for instance, Poland? We are very happy with the sales; Ukraine is an excellent market for our company. Before officially launching our online store, we conducted numerous home visits here in Ukraine to better understand the living habits of the many people, their preferences, needs, and desires. For example, we learned that due to limited living space, about 50% of Kyiv residents sleep in their living rooms, which told us that there is great need for creative storage solutions. We used these findings when adjusting our initial range offer for Ukraine around 3,600 items, covering all colors and designs. We have seen success in all product groups, however, solutions to Ukrainians biggest issue how to store things at home are the most popular. Storage solutions, from simple boxes to cabinets to our modular PAX range, have been very successful. Accessories, especially for the kitchen, are also very popular. These are the products that Ukrainians have been expecting for a long time. Can you name the average order and the volume of sales for this period of rather limited operation of e-commerce in Ukraine? We do not usually share data related to our operations. What I can say is that we have been very impressed since day one, both in terms of the number of orders as well as the number of products in each order. Ukrainians usually do not look for a specific product, but buy many products at the same time, which means they are looking for comprehensive solutions to improving their living space. Will the number of products available in the online store increase? We plan to expand the offer to more than 5,000 items. We are actively working to eliminate all existing gaps in the online store operations. We are already working on the expansion and planning to make these products available by the time we open the physical store in Kiev. In fact, we want them to become available to customers even faster. This is the selection we have identified for the needs of the Ukrainian market. The city store format is slightly smaller than a classical IKEA store, but it is much more accessible for people who use a car, public transport or even arrive on foot. This is the selection of products that is suitable for this store format. Is this range of goods a temporary or final decision for the Ukrainian market? We as a company see significant potential in the Ukrainian market. If you asked Kyiv residents where they buy household goods and furniture, IKEA would be in second place. This was back when we had not yet entered Ukraine. We understand the customers high expectations. We are at the beginning of our journey in Ukraine and plan to invest more and more to offer all IKEA products in Ukraine. How is the company planning to improve the online shopping experience for Ukrainians? Will the company launch a mobile application, for example? We have invested and continue to invest in expanding our capacity and improving the shopping experience. Ukraine became one of the first countries in the world for IKEA to receive the new web platform. As a resident of Kyiv, I can also see how fast Ukraine is developing in terms of IT innovation and digitalization. Indeed, many of our customers buy not only from tablets or computers, but also directly from their smartphones. Therefore, our website is already adapted for mobile phones. On the global level, IKEA has developed an application that is currently being tested in several markets. I can't say when exactly it will be available in Ukraine, but our ambition is to have it here as soon as possible. Has the company already started renovations at the future physical store location in Ukraine? Tell us what it will look like. We are currently focused on launching the first city store at Blockbuster Mall in Kyiv. As mentioned, this week we are opening 100 additional vacancies for employees and team leaders of this store and future pick-up points. We have already found and trained some of them, while some are still in the process of training. We will increase their number gradually to prepare all these people for the opening of the store at the end of this year. The total area of the store will be more than 5, 000 sq. m. Its main innovation is probably the combination of accessories and furniture in one installation. The way people will move around the store and view the goods will be significantly different from the typical big IKEA store. However, this is a unique store format where people will be able to buy goods directly as well as order them for pick-up later at the store, or have them delivered to their home or one of the Pick-Up Points. Therefore, there will be many options to access the goods. There will also be many digital solutions at the store. Will the store have a cafe with your famous meatballs? The city store in Kyiv will launch without a food section or restaurant, but we strive to launch them as soon as possible. We have recently opened two important vacancies: Food Manager and Business Analyst for the food market. These people will help us open the cafe and make our food accessible to everyone. I am French and food is very important for me. Moreover, I have been working at IKEA for 8 years and I understand how important food is for the concept. I worked as a store manager in Toulon in the south of France and it was one of the best IKEA stores in terms of food. IKEA founder Ingvar Kamprad often came to visit us, and he always went to the store's restaurant. He used to say that people buy less on an empty stomach than they do on a full one. Unless its a grocery store J So, does the company plan to expand to other cities with physical stores or Pick-Up Points? The company's development process in Ukraine never stops. We see significant potential in large Ukrainian cities, such as Kharkiv, Kyiv, Odesa, Dnipro, and we continue analyzing opportunities there. But we also see the interest of people living in smaller cities to have access to IKEA products. What is the company's strategy for developing its physical network? Does IKEA aim to saturate the Kyiv market, and then to go to the regions? Or will these processes happen simultaneously? Our strategy is never to saturate a single market, because we see potential of the whole market and try to work there in the best way. Of course, we are currently concentrated in Kyiv with e-commerce, but we provide delivery opportunities for people living outside the capital. I cannot reveal the expansion plan now, because we are only at the beginning of our journey, but of course we are trying to realize Kyivs potential. How many lease agreements has IKEA signed so far to open physical points? To date, we have signed three agreements: two for Pick-Up Points with Metro and Ceetrus at Auchan Rive Gauche, and a third one with Blockbuster. I'm currently working with a team to develop a plan for maximizing the market's potential. These plans will require additional investment and locations. So the company is now developing a new plan, which will include next steps for the companys development in Ukraine? How long will this process take place? Will the company define its further development only after this plan is adopted? Or are these simultaneous processes? I think it is very important to understand the environment in which we are living now. The whole world, Ukraine as a country, Kyiv as a city are moving and changing with extraordinary speed. No one could have foreseen the changes brought by the COVID-19 pandemic. Flexibility and adaptability are our main characteristics. We are constantly adapting and working on several issues simultaneously. We are currently working on a 6-month plan, a one-year plan, a two-year plan and more. And of course we are constantly adapting them. The situation with COVID-19 has also added several considerations to our plan. One of the integral parts of IKEA's work abroad is providing individual solutions for households as well as the B2B segment. Is the company working on implementing such services in Ukraine? Within the very short time of the pandemic, we have seen how people's work changed; many moved from physical offices to home offices. And we are the right company to support people during this transition period. We see the potential for B2B development in Kyiv. Restaurants with new design solutions are developing rapidly; we are also seeing a hotel boom. We have a company that specializes in furniture and design, and we plan to work not only with individual buyers, but also with business customers. We focus on being accessible to all customers individuals, companies, private entrepreneurs, restaurants. In particular, we are making available our modular products, which work for both small and large spaces. Will the company implement the IKEA Family loyalty program in Ukraine? Loyalty programs such as IKEA Family are very important to us. We strive to develop relationships with our customers to better understand their needs, to make them happier with the best deals. Today, the online store provides a warranty on the products, the ability to return an order and contact the support center. This is the basis, from which we plan to develop a full-fledged loyalty program when we launch a physical store. What are your impressions from working and living in Ukraine? To be frank, I was ready to work abroad, but Kyiv was not the first city on my list. When I moved here in July two years ago, I was completely unfamiliar with Ukraine or Kyiv. I was truly impressed by the dynamism of this city, how deep its cultural roots are. It is dynamic not only in terms of living, but also in terms of retail, sales and business in general. It is very nice to live here with a family, the city is very green, it has parks and places to walk. As a French person, there is nothing I or my family miss here compared to France. Of course, these are my personal impressions as a French person with a good income in Kyiv. There are many people in Ukraine who face problems in everyday life, especially in the recent years. I hope that IKEA will be able to help such people at least in terms of organizing comfortable living space. I hope that we will be able to offer such solutions and be affordable and accessible for the many people in Ukraine. And I am ready to work hard on this, because, first, I love IKEA, and second, I have learned to love Ukraine. Kanchanjuri: Wild Buffaloes run through flood waters towards a higher land at the inundated Kaziranga National Park in Assam's Kanchanjuri, on July 17, 2019. (Photo: IANS) Image Source: IANS News Guwahati, Aug 5 : Even as the flood situation in Assam improved significantly since July 24, 50 per cent of the world-famous Kaziranga National Park is still inundated, with 18 rhinos and 135 wild animals dying due to the deluge till date, officials said on Wednesday. Kaziranga Park Director Karmashree P. Sivakumar said that 172 wild animals have been rescued so far from floodwater, even though over 95 per cent of the park remained inundated until July 23. "Last year, 263 animals, including many endangered rhinos, were killed in flood while 169 animals were rescued... all-out efforts are being made to take care of the animals in the entire Kaziranga National Park," Sivakumar told IANS over phone. The animals that perished this year include 18 rhinos, 107 hog deer, 12 wild boars, six wild buffaloes, four porcupines and three swamp deer. The 172 rescued animals include three rhinos, 120 hog deer, 31 pythons and four cobras. Meanwhile, Britain's Prince William and his wife Kate have expressed deep concern over the devastation by flood in Assam for over a month that killed 111 men, women and children in 22 districts, while 26 others were killed in landslides since May 22. The British royals, known formally as the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, in a letter to Sivakumar have expressed their distress over the huge damage to the park sprawled over 884 sq km and its precious wildlife. The couple, who had visited the park in April 2016 to learn about conservation and anti-poaching efforts, said in their letter: "The deaths of so many animals, including one-horned rhinos, are deeply upsetting. "The loss of life and livelihood in Assam as a result of the flooding, coming on top of the Covid-19 pandemic, is deeply distressing." Forest officials said that not only the Kaziranga National Park, located on the edge of the eastern Himalayan biodiversity hotspots of Golaghat and Nagaon districts, but the Manas, R.G. Orang and Tinsukia national parks, and the Pabitora and Tinsukia wildlife sanctuaries were also affected by floodwater that led to death of many wild animals there. Of the 223 camps of forest personnel guarding the park, three were still inundated as of Wednesday despite receding floodwater. Around 1.43 lakh people in 270 villages in 15 districts are still in distress even as the situation in Assam has improved hugely in the past two weeks due to a let-up in the monsoon. According to the Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA) officials, of the 1.43 lakh affected people in 15 of the 33 districts, 1.35 lakh are in the state's eight districts -- Goalpara (86,515), Morigaon (16,042), Bongaigaon (8,239), Dhemaji (6,495), Baksa (5,000), Nagaon (4,500), Kokrajhar (4,272) and Kamrup-Metro (4,142). Crops on 21,476 hectares of land in 11 districts are still inundated. Marc Kielburger (L) and his brother Craig appear as witnesses via videoconference during a House of Commons finance committee hearing in the Wellington Building in Ottawa on July 28, 2020. (The Canadian Press/Sean Kilpatrick) WE Charity Scandal: Who Said What at the Committee Hearings As parliamentarians questioned key witnesses over five days in July on the latest scandal to beset the government, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Finance Minister Bill Morneau and WE Charity co-founders Marc and Craig Kielburger expressed regret and apologies, with some of the testimony offering new revelations. We didnt recognize how this decision would be perceived, Craig Kielburger said on July 28, referring to agreeing to distribute $912 million in federal funds to paid student volunteers through WE Charity Foundation, a separate entity under the WE organizations umbrella. We would never have picked up the phone when the civil service called asking us to help young Canadians get through the pandemic if we had known the consequences. During often tense questioning, Marc Kielburger said the PMs mother Margaret Trudeau was compensated nearly $168,000 for travel and accommodation expenses on top of $312,000 in speaking fees for 28 WE event appearancesnews originally reported by Canadaland. Beyond political fallout, other consequences for Trudeau and Morneau include coming under federal Ethics Commissioner Mario Dions magnifying glass. On July 3, Dion announced his office would investigate Trudeaus participation in the cabinet decision to award the Canada Student Service Grant (CSSG) contract, given his family ties to the charity that also included speaking fees and expenses for WE appearances by his brother Alexandre Trudeau and wife Sophie Gregoire Trudeau. On July 16, when the finance committee convened for day one of its review of how the contract was awarded, Minister of Diversity, Youth and Inclusion Bardish Chagger told MPs the deal was worth $43.5 million to WE Charitymore than twice the amount originally reported. The same day, Dion added Morneau to his conflict of interest probe of the contract following opposition MPs written request in the wake of media reports that both Morneaus daughters benefited from WE Charity, specifically his adopted daughter Grace Acan who currently works for the organization. On July 22, six days before the Kielburgers testified, Morneau appeared before the finance committee. In a stunning admission, he said he had just cut a cheque to WE Charity for more than $41,000 in unpaid expenses incurred for a pair of 2017 trips his family took to the Kielburgers overseas operations, one to Kenya and another to Ecuador. I expected and always intended to pay the full costs of the trip. I want to apologize for this error on my part, said Morneau, claiming it was an oversight; the family had already shelled out $52,000, he said. WE Charity sites enjoyed by the Morneaus in South America and Africa are among destinations for voluntourism adventures that the Kielburgers for-profit entity ME to WE markets to students during WE Day events hosted by the charity and held across Canada each year, as well as in the United States and United Kingdom. Michelle Douglas, the recently expunged chair of WE Charitys board of directors, testified she had been with the charity for nearly 15 years and a member of the board for a decade when Craig Kielburger asked her to resign on March 25. According to Douglas, it was over a dispute regarding financial recordsshe wanted justification for the nearly 400 layoffs at the charity as the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions were rippling through the economy. I resigned because I could not do my job. I could not discharge my governance duties, she said. By March 23rd, (the board) had not seen any written evidence, reports, or raw data to support the drastic measures being taken by the organization. On top of the board being kept in the dark about important financial information, Douglas was also unaware of high-profile guests like the Morneau family and the total number of WE-branded entities in the Kielburgers network of foundations, charities, and for-profits. I dont know the actual number, no Im not sure I could provide that with any precision, she said when pressed for a figure. Real Estate Holdings As the scandal over the CSSG contract intensified, media turned its attention to real estate the Kielburgers have amassed in Toronto. A National Post story documented nine properties worth $43 million the brothers owned through three entities: the for-profit ME to WE Social Enterprises Inc., ME to WE Foundation, and WE Charity. By the time Douglas testified in an hour-long session on July 28 (before the Kielburgers), media outlets had reported that the deal was between the federal government and WE Charity Foundation, not WE Charity. Chaggers office later confirmed this and provided supporting documents to the finance committee. Global News reported that WE Charity Foundation was set up in 2018 as a real estate holding vehicle, but the Kielburgers said in their testimony that that was erroneous, and explained the contract was made between the government and the foundation to indemnify WE Charity. We have sought to have that information [in the Global story] changed multiple times it was not a real estate holding company, it has never held any real estate, Marc Kielburger told the committee. [Employment, Skills and Development Canada] asked us to assume full liability for up to 40,000 young people who would be volunteering and all the non-profits those young people would be volunteering at. The consequences of the scandal have been significant for the Kielburgers philanthropic web of charities, foundations, and its for-profit ME to WE, the latter of which was acting as a travel agent for the charitys voluntourism outreach in places like Ecuador, India, and Kenya. On the same day the brothers appeared before the all-party finance committee, Royal Bank announced it was detaching itself from WE Charity, following in the footsteps of Telus, Virgin Atlantic, KPMG, GoodLife Fitness, and Loblaws, who similarly cut ties. When Trudeau testified on July 30, he denied that WE had received preferential treatment, insisting that the public service recommended WE Charity. When I learned that WE Charity was recommended, I pushed back. I wanted to be satisfied that the proposal that WE Charity deliver the CSSG had been properly screened, he said. I should have recused myself, but I didnt. I decided to push back instead, and that I regret because young people arent having the opportunities they would have had this summer through that program. Trudeaus chief of staff Katie Telford, who also appeared before the finance committee on July 30, said she, too, regretted not recusing herself from discussions about having WE Charity administer the grant, and that more scrutiny could have been added to the process. In hindsight, I recognize that while we did ask many questions to make this program a success, we could have done better. We couldve done more. We couldve added yet another layer of scrutiny to avoid any potential perception of favouritism, she said. On July 21, Clerk of the Privy Council Office Ian Shugart testified that no staff from the finance ministry or the Prime Ministers Office discussed with his office about possible WE Charity involvement in dispensing the Canadian Student Service Grant. Shugart also noted that no financial flags were raised through this process about the WE Charity. To the best of my knowledge, officials did not engage in detailed scrutiny of the financial affairs of the organization, he said. An exhausted mother-of-five who lashed out at a stranger for stealing her parking space ended up leaving a heartwarming note apologising to the woman for her outburst. Teegs Scotney, from Brisbane, left a $5 note under the woman's windscreen with a handwritten letter scrawled on a piece of paper as she raced to her gym class. But when she returned she was shocked to discover a new note left on her car with a touching response from the stranger. Ms Scotney took to Facebook to detail the moving interaction in a bid to encourage other mothers to show kindness as Australia is gripped by a coronavirus pandemic. A Queensland mother-of-five (pictured) has shared the surprising outcome of her road rage incident where she yelled at another woman outside of a gym class on Tuesday night The mum yelled at the woman for taking her parking spot before leaving a remorseful note (pictured above) and $5 as an apology for her actions 'I have had a rough time lately, mentally and emotionally drained, highly strung. We have had some full on weeks,' she wrote. The mother-of-five said she was looking forward to spending time alone at the gym after a stressful day. 'I drove around the carpark three times looking for a space. On that third time I turned back and saw a person indicate to me they were leaving. 'As they swung out I reversed to give them room but before I could pull into the now vacant space another car came from around the corner and into the park. 'I took off and as I passed back I yelled at them. I wasn't very aggressive, I didn't swear but I did yell out and go mad. Enough to intimidate and rattle.' The mum said she 'felt horrible' and hoped to reconcile with the woman. 'I found a pen and a scrap envelope in my bag... I wrote a note, slipped $5 inside and walked over to the car and left an apology note.' 'I'm sorry. No excuses, I shouldn't have had a go at you. 'It was just the straw on a very heavy load and I shouldn't have taken it out on someone else. 'I am not normally so aggressive or cranky. It's been a very trying time. Please enjoy a sweet treat or something as an apology.' The mum was surprised to receive a kind note (pictured above) in response from the woman She said she spotted a note on her own windscreen after returning from the class. 'Thank you so much for your lovely note and $5. I appreciate that more than you know. 'I honestly didn't know you were there first. I'm sorry you are having a hard day. Hope you're ok. It's a tough time for me also. Thank you again,' the note said. Ms Scotney said the interaction had taught her an important lesson. 'I owned my actions, I apologised and I turned my actions around. 'Tonight was a reminder to stay kind and that we do sometimes mess up, and that's okay because we aren't perfect, but we need to own our actions,' she explained. China on Wednesday said that unilateral changes India made to the status of the former state of Jammu and Kashmir by splitting it into two separate union territories in 2019 were illegal and invalid. China also called on India and Pakistan to resolve the dispute over Kashmir through dialogue and consultations. Jammu and Kashmir ceased to be a state and became two union territories - Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh - in October, three months after Parliament revoked the special status enjoyed by the former state under Article 370 of the Constitution on August 5 last year. Responding to a query on the impact of New Delhis decision one year later, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin said that Beijing has been closely following the situation in Kashmir. China follows closely the situation in the Kashmir region. Chinas position on the Kashmir issue is clear and consistent. This issue is a dispute leftover from history between Pakistan and India. That is an objective fact as laid out by the UN Charter, UN Security Council resolutions and the bilateral agreements between Pakistan and India, spokesperson Wang said at the regular ministry briefing on Wednesday. He was responding to a question from the Associated Press of Pakistan on the change of Kashmirs status. Any unilateral change to the status quo is illegal and invalid. This issue should be properly resolved peacefully through dialogue and consultations between the parties concerned, Wang said. Wang added that Pakistan and India are neighbours ...that cannot be moved away. Co-existence serves the fundamental interests of both and the common aspiration of the international community. China hopes, Wang said, that the two countries could properly handle differences through dialogue, improve relations and jointly safeguard peace, security and development of both countries and the wider region. Wang did not separately mention the areas over which New Delhi and Beijing have disputes in the region. Last year, China had called the move unacceptable, urging New Delhi to respect Chinese territorial sovereignty and uphold peace and tranquility in the border areas. Beijing had then referred to the disputed territory of Aksai Chin, which China controls but New Delhi claims as part of the new union territory of Ladakh. India had then rejected Beijings criticism, saying the proposal to form new UTs including that of Ladakh was an internal matter. New Delhi had also pointed out the two sides had agreed to maintain peace along their disputed border until a mutually acceptable solution is found to the issue. External affairs minister S Jaishankar had visited Beijing in August and explained Indias position, saying that the change in the administrative status of the region did not impact the Line of Actual Control (LAC) - the de facto border with China. When combined with fuel and oil, ammonium nitrate creates a potent explosive widely used in the construction industry. Ammonium nitrate, which Lebanese authorities have said caused the devastating Beirut blast, is an odourless crystalline substance commonly used as a fertiliser that has been the cause of numerous industrial explosions over the decades. Notable among these was an explosion at a fertiliser plant in the US state of Texas 2013 that killed 15 and was ruled deliberate, and another at a chemical plant in Toulouse, France, in 2001 that killed 31 people but was accidental. Two tonnes of it was used to create the bomb in the 1995 Oklahoma City attack that destroyed a federal building, leaving 168 people dead. Lebanese Prime Minister Hassan Diab said 2,750 tonnes of ammonium nitrate that had been stored for years in a Beirut Port hangar had blown up, killing dozens of people and causing widespread damage across the Lebanese capital. In agriculture, ammonium nitrate fertiliser is applied in granule form and quickly dissolves when exposed to moisture, allowing nitrogen which is key to plant growth to be released into the soil. However, under normal storage conditions and without very high heat, it is difficult to ignite ammonium nitrate, Jimmie Oxley, a chemistry professor at the University of Rhode Island, told AFP news agency. If you look at the video [of the Beirut explosion], you saw the black smoke, you saw the red smoke that was an incomplete reaction, she said. I am assuming that there was a small explosion that instigated the reaction of the ammonium nitrate whether that small explosion was an accident or something on purpose, I havent heard yet. Ammonium nitrate is an oxidiser it intensifies combustion and allows other substances to ignite more readily, but is not itself very combustible. That is why there are generally very strict rules about where it can be stored: For example, it must be kept away from fuels and sources of heat. In fact, many countries in the European Union require that calcium carbonate to be added to ammonium nitrate to create calcium ammonium nitrate, which is safer. In the United States, regulations were tightened significantly after the Oklahoma City attack. Under the Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards, for example, facilities that store more than 900kg (2,000 pounds) of ammonium nitrate are subject to inspections. Despite its dangers, Oxley says legitimate uses of ammonium nitrate in agriculture and construction have made it indispensable. We wouldnt have this modern world without explosives, and we wouldnt feed the population we have today without ammonium nitrate fertiliser, she said. We need ammonium nitrate; we just need to pay good attention to what were doing with it. McKee said she doesnt believe it has to be an either/or proposition. There is some other possible nuance that could be legislated, she said. One option councilors plan to look into is whether the Black Lives Matter street sign could be permitted as part of the Main Street Program. The Historic Greenwood District was recently added as a program of the Oklahoma Main Street Center. The Main Street Program is a comprehensive revitalization effort that provides communities tools to improve their historic central and neighborhood business districts. It serves as the state coordinating program for Main Street America, a program of the National Main Street Center Inc. The other options are a historic overlay or some other kind of neighborhood character overlay that allows for special characteristics of a certain area, McKee said. The idea is to create options that would be specific to a city use, McKee said, not just open it to anyone who wants to advertise anything that they want to put out there. Kendallville, IN (46755) Today Partly cloudy skies early will give way to cloudy skies late. Low 33F. Winds SW at 15 to 25 mph. Higher wind gusts possible.. Tonight Partly cloudy skies early will give way to cloudy skies late. Low 33F. Winds SW at 15 to 25 mph. Higher wind gusts possible. Spain's Canary Islands has taken out insurance to cover costs visitors face if they become infected with the coronavirus, the archipelago's regional government said Wednesday. Under a deal struck with the Spanish branch of French insurer AXA, any tourist who tests positive for COVID-19 during their stay will be eligible for free medical care, repatriation and additional accommodation for quarantine measures, a statement said. The islands off northwest Africa are "the first Spanish region where tourists, both Spanish and foreign, will be guaranteed" that their virus-related expenses will be covered, regional tourism chief Yaiza Castilla said. The coverage, which is already effective, is free to visitors but it will only apply those with no prior knowledge that they were infected with the virus. It will only be activated if a tourist does not have personal insurance to cover the costs. Tourism accounts for about 35 percent of the Canary's economic output, with tourists from Britain accounting for about a third of all visitors. The COVID-19 pandemic hit Spain harder than most countries, with 28,499 deaths so far and a three-month lockdown which crippled the tourism sector. Despite having a much lower infection rate than that of mainland Spain, the tourism sector on the islands has taken a hit from Britain's decision last month to require all people returning from Spain, no matter what region, to undergo quarantine. Under a deal struck with the Spanish branch of French insurer AXA, any tourist who tests positive for COVID-19 while visiting the Canary Islands will be eligible for free medical care, repatriation and additional accommodation for quarantine measures A two-thirds majority would allow Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to rewrite the constitution - Eranga Jayawardena/AP Sri Lankans go to the polls tomorrow in an election set to hand further power to the Sinhalese Buddhist nationalist Rajapaksa family, prompting fears they could rewrite the constitution and further target minorities. President Gotabaya Rajapaksas grip on the country will tighten if, as expected, his brother Mahinda is elected as Prime Minister and he obtains a two-thirds majority in tomorrows snap parliamentary election. Authoritarian Gotabaya surged to a win in Novembers presidential elections after promising to return law-and-order to Sri Lanka which had been devastated by the Easter Sunday bombings in April. Both Gotabaya and Mahinda enjoy enormous popularity among Sri Lankas Sinhalese, Buddhist majority - the group constitutes 75 percent of the countrys population - after playing pivotal roles in bringing the countrys 26-year civil war, which claimed over 100,000 lives, to an end. Mahinda was Sri Lankas President between 2005 and 2015 and Gotabaya his Defence Secretary, with the pair credited with finally defeating the largely Hindu, Tamil insurgents. However, in leading government troops to victory, Gotabaya - nicknamed the Terminator by his own family - was accused of carrying out war crimes. The Rajapaksa brothers promised to restore security in Sri Lanka following the Easter Sunday terror attacks - Reuters While the prospect of the Rajapaksa's dominating Sri Lankan politics may also stimulate its beleaguered economy - during Mahindas previous tenure the country accepted billions of pounds of developmental loans from China - it terrifies Sri Lankas minorities. Since his election in November, Gotabaya has spearheaded a campaign of fear, according to Human Rights Watch, targeting opposition lawyers, activists, and journalists, including earmarked arrests, intimidation, and threats. He has withdrawn from a United Nations agreement that would have seen government soldiers tried for human rights abuses carried out against Tamils during the civil war and promised to free Sinhalese, Buddhist soldiers already in jail. Activists fear a two-thirds majority in tomorrows election will intensify this crackdown. Sectarian politics have been the hallmark of the Rajapaksa family and people dont have short memories, said Charu Hogg, an Associate Fellow in the Asia-Pacific Programme at Chatham House. A large number of Tamils lost family members and friends in the war which came to a brutal end in 2009. The gaining in political strength of those who oversaw this violence will leave them scared. Health Minister Zweli Mkhize briefs the media on government's plans to combat the spread of Covid-19 in South Africa, July 13, 2020. The first team of experts from the World Health Organisation, who will assist South Africa in its fight against Coronavirus, is set to arrive in the country today. A total of 43 senior experts from across the globe, including renowned specialists Dr David Heymann (a seasoned infectious disease epidemiologist and public health expert) and Dr Mike Ryan, are among the team that will assist the country to refine its efforts against the pandemic. "Dr Mike Ryan will lead the team from Geneva and will... provide us with constant advice while analysing our strategies, including the decisions we have taken as the Department of Health in our COVID-19 response," said Health Minister, Dr Zweli Mkhize. The Minister made the announcement during a virtual briefing on Wednesday where he provided an update on government's efforts to fight Coronavirus. The arrival of the team of experts comes as South Africa ranks in the top five globally in terms of the number of infections. Making the announcement, Mkhize thanked WHO Director General, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, for his continuous support and counsel. "We see this as a great opportunity not only to improve our health strategies during this pandemic, but also to accelerate our path towards health care reform," said the Minister. The first 17 experts will touch down on South African soil today and will complete a period of quarantine and initiation before being deployed within the department and across various provinces. The groundbreaking ceremony for the Ram Lalla Mandir at Ram Janmbhoomi in Ayodhya will begin shortly. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Uttar Pradesh Governor Anandiben Patel and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, along with several other dignitaries are scheduled to attend the ceremony. The Bhumi Pujan is crucial the construction work for the grand Ram Temple will begin in Ayodhya after this ceremony. The architectural design of the temple has already been released by the government. Read to know about the time, guests, estimated cost of the temple, its design, how to donate for temple construction and other FAQs: When will Bhumi Pujan for Ayodhya Ram Mandir take place? The Bhumi Pujan or groundbreaking ceremony for the Ram Mandir temple in Ayodhya is scheduled to happen on August 5. At what time will Bhumi Pujan begin? The entire ceremony will be six-hour-long, starting at 8 AM and continuing till 2 PM. The actual Bhumi Pujan will begin at 12:30 PM and Prime Minister Narendra Modi will lay the foundation stone at 12:40 PM. Who will attend the Bhumi Pujan? Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be the main guest for the Bhumi Pujan ceremony, accompanied by Uttar Pradesh Governor Anandben Patel and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. Several other leaders and political dignitaries, sages and seers will also attend the event in Ayodhya. How will PM Modi reach Ayodhya? PM Narendra Modi will leave from Delhi at 9:30 AM and reach Lucknow airport by 10:30 AM. He will take a chopper to Ayodhya and will reach there by 11:40 AM. What is PM Modi's schedule in Ayodhya? PM Narendra Modi will be in Ayodhya for 3 hours. He will land in Ayodhya's Saket colony at 11:30 AM. He will offer prayers at Hanuman Garhi around 11:40 AM. The Prime Minister will reach Ram Janmabhoomi at 12 PM. He will offer prayers at Ram Lalla Temple. Till 12:15 PM, he plant trees in the premises of the Ram Mandir. At 12:30 PM, the Bhumi Pujan will begin. PM Modi will lay the foundation stone at around 12:40 PM. Following this, PM Modi will meet Swami Nrityagopal Das and other members of the Ram Janmabhoomi Trust at around 1:10 PM. PM Modi will leave for Lucknow at around 2:30 PM. Where to watch Ram Mandir Bhumi Pujan? The Bhumi Pujan ceremony will be telecasted live on Doordarshan. The telecast has already begun with Deepostsav on August 4 evening at 7 PM and will also cover the actual ceremony on August 5. How can I donate to Ram Mandir construction? The Shri Ram Janma Bhumi Tirth Kshetra Trust, set up to carry out the construction work for Ram Lalla Mandir, will accept donations, support and grants from any person in cash or kind including immovable properties, without any conditions. Details for donating can be found on srjbtkshetra.org/donation-options. How much will be spent on Ram Mandir construction? How long will it take? The Ram Lalla Mandir will be built at a cost of Rs 300 crore. The construction work will be finished in 3.5 years. Also read: No Lord Ram in Times Square; ad firm refuses to post billboards after Muslim groups' petition Also read: This is how the Ram Temple in Ayodhya will look Researchers have demonstrated the use of tinted, semi-transparent solar panels to generate electricity and produce nutritionally-superior crops simultaneously, bringing the prospect of higher incomes for farmers and maximising use of agricultural land. By allowing farmers to diversify their portfolio, this novel system could offer financial protection from fluctuations in market prices or changes in demand, and mitigate risks associated with an unreliable climate. On a larger scale it could vastly increase capacity for solar-powered electricity generation without compromising agricultural production. This is not the first time that crops and electricity have been produced simultaneously using semi-transparent solar panels - a technique called 'agrivoltaics'. But in a novel adaptation, the researchers used orange-tinted panels to make best use of the wavelengths - or colours - of light that could pass through them. The tinted solar panels absorb blue and green wavelengths to generate electricity. Orange and red wavelengths pass through, allowing plants underneath to grow. While the crop receives less than half the total amount of light it would get if grown in a standard agricultural system, the colours passing through the panels are the ones most suitable for its growth. "For high value crops like basil, the value of the electricity generated just compensates for the loss in biomass production caused by the tinted solar panels. But when the value of the crop was lower, like spinach, there was a significant financial advantage to this novel agrivoltaic technique," said Dr Paolo Bombelli, a researcher in the University of Cambridge's Department of Biochemistry, who led the study. The combined value of the spinach and electricity produced using the tinted agrivoltaic system was 35% higher than growing spinach alone under normal growing conditions. By contrast, the gross financial gain for basil grown in this way was only 2.5%. The calculations used current market prices: basil sells for around five times more than spinach. The value of the electricity produced was calculated by assuming it would be sold to the Italian national grid, where the study was conducted. "Our calculations are a fairly conservative estimate of the overall financial value of this system. In reality if a farmer were buying electricity from the national grid to run their premises then the benefit would be much greater," said Professor Christopher Howe in the University of Cambridge's Department of Biochemistry, who was also involved in the research. The study found the saleable yield of basil grown under the tinted solar panels reduced by 15%, and spinach reduced by around 26%, compared to under normal growing conditions. However, the spinach roots grew far less than their stems and leaves: with less light available, the plants were putting their energy into growing their 'biological solar panels' to capture the light. Laboratory analysis of the spinach and basil leaves grown under the panels revealed both had a higher concentration of protein. The researchers think the plants could be producing extra protein to boost their ability to photosynthesise under reduced light conditions. In an additional adaptation to the reduced light, longer stems produced by spinach could make harvesting easier by lifting the leaves further from the soil. "From a farmer's perspective, it's beneficial if your leafy greens grow larger leaves - this is the edible part of the plant that can be sold. And as global demand for protein continues to grow, techniques that can increase the amount of protein from plant crops will also be very beneficial," said Bombelli. "With so many crops currently grown under transparent covers of some sort, there is no loss of land to the extra energy production using tinted solar panels," said Dr Elinor Thompson at the University of Greenwich, and lead author of the study. All green plants use the process of photosynthesis to convert light from the sun into chemical energy that fuels their growth. The experiments were carried out in Italy using two trial crops. Spinach (Spinacia oleracea) represented a winter season crop: it can grow with fewer daylight hours and can tolerate colder weather. Basil (Ocimum basilicum) represented a summer season crop, requiring lots of light and higher temperatures. The researchers are currently discussing further trials of the system to understand how well it would work for other crops, and how growth under predominantly red and orange light affects the crops at the molecular level. ### This research was conducted in partnership with Polysolar Ltd. It was funded by the Leverhulme Trust and the Italian Ministry of University and Research. Reference Thompson, E. et al: 'Tinted Semi-Transparent Solar Panels allow Concurrent Production of Crops and Electricity on the Same Cropland.' Advanced Energy Materials, 2 Aug 2020. DOI: 10.1002/aenm.202001189 WASHINGTON -- The United States has said it is deeply troubled by growing violence in Libya and called on foreign powers to end their proxy war in the troubled North African nation. We strongly oppose foreign military involvement, including the use of mercenaries and private military contractors, by all sides in Libya, White House national-security adviser Robert OBrien said in a statement on August 4. The U.S. military has accused Moscow of supplying Russian mercenaries and military hardware to Libya in an attempt to gain a foothold in the North African country. The Pentagon has said that Russia is using the Vagner Group, a private Russia paramilitary organization believed to be close to the Kremlin, as a "proxy in Libya to establish a long-term presence on the Mediterranean Sea. Russia has been helping Libyan commander Khalifa Haftar's self-styled Libyan National Army (LNA) in the east of the country in its fight against the UN-recognized Government of National Accord (GNA) based in the capital, Tripoli. France, Egypt, and the United Arab Emirates also back Haftars forces. Turkey, which has deployed troops, drones, and Syrian rebel mercenaries to Libya, supports the government in Tripoli, alongside Qatar and Italy. Ankara's intervention in Libya in January turned the tide of the war by rolling back Haftar's offensive against Tripoli. OBrien said President Donald Trump has spoken with several world leaders over the past few weeks to discuss the deteriorating situation in Libya. OBrien said the action of foreign powers in Libya poses grave threats to regional stability and global commerce. The United States is calling on foreign powers to allow Libyas National Oil Corporation, the nations main source of revenue, to resume its work. Oil is being illegally exported from the country, depriving the struggling government of cash to repair its economy. The United States is also calling for a cease-fire and for countries to respect a UN arms embargo. Libya has been torn by civil war since a NATO-backed popular uprising ousted and killed the country's longtime dictator, Colonel Muammar Qaddafi, in 2011. Photo: @GoHawaii Picture taken prior to COVID-19 pandemic In less than a month, Canadians can travel to Hawaii without having to quarantine for two-weeks. According to the state's Department of Transportation, the imposed 14-day isolation period for all out-of-state travellers that began at the start of the pandemic will soon be lifted for "all trans-Pacific travellers." "Beginning Sept. 1, 2020, all trans-Pacific travellers arriving in Hawaii from out-of-state will have the option to get a valid COVID-19 test prior to their arrival, and show proof of a negative test result, to avoid the 14-day quarantine," states the site. The test must be taken within 72 hours of boarding a flight to Hawaii and proof of a negative test result will be needed for evidence for the island state. Travellers will, of course, still be required to self-isolate for 14 days upon return to Canada. "Travellers will be responsible for the cost of the pre-travel test. No testing will be provided upon arrival at the airport." Some new details on the pre-travel testing program: Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-05 19:30:06|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close FRANKFURT, Aug. 5 (Xinhua) -- Commerzbank, Germany's second largest commercial bank, expects a net loss in 2020 after posting a 21-percent drop in net profit in the second quarter, according to the bank's financial statement published on Wednesday. In the April-June period, Commerzbank reported a net profit of 220 million euros (261 million U.S. dollars), down from 279 million euros in the same period last year. The bank said that group revenues increased by 6.8 percent to 2.27 billion euros in the second quarter buoyed by robust growth in net commission income. However, the bank's provisions for credit losses increased significantly from 178 million euros a year earlier to 469 million euros. The company said 175 million euros of the risk provisions are due to "a large single case", referring to a commercial fraud scandal of German payment company Wirecard. Another 131 million euros are due to the impact of the coronavirus pandemic, the bank said. Overall, Commerzbank said it expects a negative net result for 2020 in light of an expected risk result between 1.3 billion and 1.5 billion euros for the entire year, as well as potential restructuring charges. If there's no second lockdown and the economy gradually recovers, the bank said it expects largely stable customer revenues for the private and small-business customers segment in the following months but a stronger impact from the pandemic in corporate clients segment. Enditem Today, Narendra Modis Bharatiya Janata Party can celebrate reaching two milestones that loomed large on its socio-religious agenda. The first is the ceremony, which the prime minister is to attend, to lay the foundation stone of a temple at Ayodhya, the culmination of an intense 30-year campaign. The second is the first anniversary of the abrogation of Articles 370 and 35A that gave the former state of Jammu & Kashmir its special status. These events must be weighed against the declining health of the Indian economy since 2016, which the pandemic has rendered precarious, and the ... BAKU, Azerbaijan, Aug. 5 Trend: Azerbaijani President expressed his condolences to President of the Republic of Lebanon His Excellency Mr Michel Aoun. "Dear Mr President, I was deeply saddened by the news of mass casualties and destruction in the wake of a horrible explosion in the city of Beirut," Azerbaijani president wrote. "In this difficult time, I wish to note that the people of Azerbaijan are in solidarity with the Lebanese people. The Republic of Azerbaijan will render financial aid to the friendly Republic of Lebanon to help eliminate the consequences of this tragedy," the head of state wrote. "I offer heartfelt condolences to you, the families of the victims and the people of Lebanon and wish a speedy recovery to the injured," the message said. Prof. Kwamena Ahwoi has revealed that he discovered the man who will go on to become Ghanas longest-serving Electoral Commission Chairman, Dr Kwadwo Afari-Gyan at a drinking spot. The former Local Government Minister said he had been sent on a mission by Captain Kojo Tsikata to make contact with Kofi Drah, a Senior Lecturer at the Department of Political Science at the University of Ghana. He was to convince him to join the committee of experts to work on Ghanas 1992 constitution. Prof. Ahwoi said while he was on his way, he branched into a drinking spot around the Achimota Forest where a number of University of Ghana lecturers including Dr Kwesi Botchwey usually met for the occasional social drinks. In his new controversial book Working with Rawlings the local government expert recalled meeting Dr Afari-Gyan drinking alone. I joined him and engaged him in a conversation, hoping to find out from him the residence of Mr Drah. As the conversation dragged on, I began to see Dr Afari-Gyan in a new light. He was not only a progressive intellectual; he was also pro-Nkrumaist and not hostile to the revolution. I steered the conversation in the direction of the unfolding transition to constitutional rule and his views seemed to echo those of the Provisional National Defence Council (PNDC). I aborted my trip to locate Mr Drahs house, turned back and reported to Captain Tsikatas Office the next day. The rest is history, Prof Ahwoi wrote. Source: myjoyonline.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 Businesswoman Lisa McClain defeated Rep. Shane Hernandez and retired brigadier general Doug Slocum in Michigans contested 10th Congressional District primary, paving the way to face off against Democrat Kimberly Bizon in the November general election. With 100 percent of precincts reporting, McClain, the senior vice president of the Michigan-based financial services company Hantz Group, won 41.72 percent of the vote to Hernandezs 36.37 percent. McClain, of Bruce Township, earned the majority of votes in four of six counties represented in the district, which covers all of Huron, Lapeer, Sanilac, and St. Clair counties as well as portions of Macomb and Tuscola counties. Hernandez, a sitting state representative from Port Huron, earned the most votes in St. Clair and Sanilac counties. Its traditionally considered a safely Republican seat Republican candidates have won the district since 2003, and President Donald Trump carried the region by 32 points in 2016. The open seat is being vacated by sitting U.S. Rep. Paul Mitchell, who was first elected in 2016 after former U.S. Rep. Candice Miller left office, Mitchell won re-election in 2018 with a 25 point margin. He opted not to seek re-election for a third term, citing frustration with political battles in Washington overshadowing policy discussions. Related: Congressman Paul Mitchell wont run for re-election in Trump stronghold district McClain is the senior vice president of Hantz Group, a Michigan-based financial services company she helped found in 1998. McClain is also involved in several philanthropic organizations supporting drug treatment courts, people experiencing homelessness, people with multiple sclerosis and community projects in Detroits east side neighborhood. In her Vote411.org candidate profile, McClain said she is a conservative outsider with experience building a business from the ground up. She supports ending the Affordable Care Act and sending Medicaid to the state level, and believes COVID-19 patients should be held harmless from non-covered insurance costs. When it comes to the economy, McClain wrote she would support deregulation wherever possible so the government gets out of the way of people in the workforce, and that the government should not pick winners and losers but instead create an environment where hard work and innovation can easily occur and be rewarded. McClain wrote that she does not support mailing ballots to all eligible voters and believes voters should have to request an application to vote by mail, and believes there should be a nationwide voter identification system administered by states so that we are sure of who is casting each ballot and that they are qualified to do so. McClain wrote that she believes making the U.S. more energy self-sufficient should be a high priority, and supports maintaining and enforcing existing immigration laws. McClain has raised more than $1.7 million since the beginning of her campaign, including a $1.45 million personal loan. She currently has $965,826 on hand, according to the latest campaign finance totals. Visit her campaign website here. On the Democratic side, Bizon, an environmental activist and the web and interactive director at Sussman Agency, won a second chance at the Democratic nomination. With 100 percent of precincts reporting, Bizon won 53.76 percent of the vote to the 46.24 percent earned by Kelly Noland, a U.S. Army veteran and longtime nurse. In her Vote411.org candidate profile, Bizon said she would fight any efforts to take away the Affordable Care Act and instead supports improving it, noting that shes open to any proposals that expand coverage or lower costs. She wrote that she supports a $15 per hour minimum wage and increasing investment into green infrastructure and small businesses, as well as increasing taxes on the wealthy. Bizon supports mail-in ballots, automatic voting registration and campaign finance reform, as well as federal police reforms such as ending chokeholds and more transparency when it comes to complaints against police officers. A persons right to survive an interaction with law enforcement should not be dependent on where they live or the color of their skin, she wrote. Bizon wrote that she would support the Green New Deal proposal and is committed to combating climate change, and disagrees with selling or renting public land and parks to private business. She supports a compassionate pathway to U.S. citizenship, including granting DACA recipients citizenship and keeping families seeking asylum together. Bizon wrote that she does not support the border wall and believes Congress needs to address inhumane and militarized ICE techniques. Bizon has raised $9,443 since the 2020 campaign began and has $25,583 on hand, according to campaign finance filings. Visit Bizons campaign website here. Sri Lanka, which a decade ago emerged from a devastating civil war but last year was rocked again by a series of deadly suicide bombings, will hold parliamentary elections on Wednesday. President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and his older brother Mahinda, the prime minister, hope to secure sweeping powers to govern. Here is a look at Sri Lanka: Mostly Buddhist The teardrop-shaped tropical island off the southern tip of India is separated from the subcontinent by a shallow strip of sea known as the Palk Strait that is about 20 kilometres (12 miles) wide at the narrowest point. The island has a population of 21.8 million, according to the World Bank in 2019. Seventy percent are Buddhist, mostly ethnic Sinhalese. Around 12 percent are Hindus mostly Tamils, who mainly live in the north and northeast of the island. Muslims make up 10 percent of the population and Christians about seven percent. Once Ceylon A strategic point on early maritime trade routes, the Indian Ocean island was controlled by Portugal (1505-1656) then The Netherlands (1656-1796) before becoming a British colony called Ceylon in 1815. The last Sinhalese king reigned from 1798 to 1815. After more than 130 years of British rule, the island gained independence in 1948. In 1972 it became a republic and adopted the name Sri Lanka. Tamil Tigers In 1972 Tamil rebels launched an armed struggle for a separate homeland that triggered a nearly four-decade civil war estimated to have claimed up to 100,000 lives. The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) campaign was marked by suicide bombings and assassinations, including of president Ranasinghe Premadasa in 1993, and it was labelled a terrorist group by some Western nations and India. After a ceasefire failed, the Sinhalese-majority government crushed the Tigers in an all-out military offensive in 2009, killing their founder and leader Velupillai Prabhakaran. War crimes? The operation that crushed the Tigers was criticised for its brutality, with troops accused of killing at least 40,000 Tamil civilians. The United Nations Human Rights Council has demanded an independent investigation into war crimes in the conflict. After coming to power in November 2019, Rajapaksa withdrew Sri Lanka from a UN resolution calling for action over the alleged rights abuses and in May 2020 he threatened to pull out of the UN Human Rights Council if it pursued the war crimes claims. Rajapaksa was the top defence official when the rebels were defeated under his brother, former president Mahinda Rajapaksa. Easter bloodshed Sri Lanka was about to mark a decade since the end of the Tamil separatist war when its capital was struck by new terror attacks on Easter Sunday in 2019. A series of suicide bombings on three packed churches and three luxury hotels on April 21, 2019 killed 279 people, including at least 45 foreigners, and injured nearly 600 people. The extremist National Thowheeth Jamaath (NTJ), that had pledged allegiance to the Islamic State militant group, was held responsible for the audacious bombings. Tea and tourism Sri Lankas main export is tea, with more than 90 percent of its production traded abroad. It ranks with China and Kenya as the top international exporters. The garment industry and remittances from workers abroad are also key sources of revenue. Following the end of the civil war, international tourism flourished in Sri Lanka with more than two million visitors per year since 2016 compared to 448,000 in 2009. But the Easter bombings battered the industry, and the COVID-19 pandemic has inflicted more pain, with hotels shuttering and flights grounded. Growth is estimated to have been 2.6 percent in 2019, an 18-year low, according to the World Bank. The Asian Development Bank forecasts that Sri Lankas economy could record its biggest-ever annual contraction of 6.1 percent this year. WATERBURY A city man authorities linked to a drug trafficking organization was sentenced to just over three years in federal prison earlier this week. Jean Carlos Fabal-Gonzalez, 26, was sentenced to serve 40 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release, according to a news release for the office of U.S. Attorney for Connecticut John Durham. His arrest stemmed from an investigation into a heroin and cocaine trafficking operation being led by Waterbury resident Keith Jordan, authorities said. Investigators learned that Jordan was getting large quantities of heroin and cocaine from various supplies and selling drugs to other distributors and street-level customers, according to federal officials. During the investigation, authorities said, Fabal-Gonzalez supplied cocaine to Waterbury resident Carlos Morais, who then supplied cocaine to Jordan. A grand jury in Hartford returned an indictment on March 13, 2019, charging Fabal-Gonzalez, Jordan, Morais and 26 others with various federal offenses linked to the sale of heroin, fentanyl, cocaine and crack cocaine. Fabal-Gonzalez was arrested March 20, 2019. During a search of his home, authorities said, investigators found a gun and more than $31,000 in cash. He has been detained since his March 2019 arrest. He is a citizen of the Dominican Republic and may face immigration proceedings when he finishes his prison term. Fabal-Gonzalez pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute, and to possess with intent to distribute, cocaine on Jan. 21. Jordan and Morais previously pleaded guilty to their charges. Jordan awaits sentencing. On Feb. 20, Morais was sentenced to 60 months in prison. Vietnam documented a total of 43 new cases of novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) on Wednesday, including 42 local infections and one imported patient who was quarantined upon arrival, the second-largest single-day increase in cases since January. Vietnam reported two new coronavirus patients on Wednesday morning, both registered in the central province of Quang Nam and traced to Da Nang, a neighboring city that is the country's outbreak epicenter. On Wednesday night, 41 cases were documented, including 34 in Da Nang, four in Lang Son Province, two in Bac Giang Province, and one imported case quarantined upon arrival, according to the National Steering Committee for COVID-19 Prevention and Control. Eleven provinces and cities in Vietnam have now registered at least a local COVID-19 infection, with Bac Giang and Lang Son being the latest additions to the list. The six patients from Bac Giang and Lang Son are relatives, aged 10 to 41, who recently returned from a trip to Da Nang. They are now quarantined and treated at the National Hospital for Tropical Diseases in Hanoi. The 34 patients in Da Nang include 32 traced to Da Nang Hospital the city's largest cluster of infections, one linked to Da Nang Hospital for Women and Children, and one resident in Lien Chieu District. They are aged one to 75. The remaining patient is a 44-year-old man who arrived in Ho Chi Minh City from Russia on the flight IO4405 on July 11 and was quarantined upon arrival at the airport. He is now hospitalized in the southern province of Ba Ria-Vung Tau, around 90 kilometers east of Ho Chi Minh City. Eighteen passengers on the repatriation flight have now been diagnosed with COVID-19. The Southeast Asian country announced the recovery of three COVID-19 patients on the same day. Vietnam has recorded 713 COVID-19 patients as of Wednesday night, including 309 imported cases quarantined upon arrival at airports, the Ministry of Health said. The country has announced 381 recoveries and eight virus-related deaths that all had serious pre-existing conditions. Vietnam on July 31 documented a total of 82 COVID-19 patients, including imported cases, the largest daily spike since the virus first hit Vietnam in January this year. Two hundred and sixty-four local infections have been associated with Da Nang since July 25, when Vietnam confirmed the first local transmission after having gone 99 days with no documented community spread. The 264 cases consist of 192 in Da Nang, 46 in Quang Nam, three in Quang Ngai Province, three in Dak Lak Province, two in Dong Nai Province, eight in Ho Chi Minh City, four in Lang Son Province, two in Bac Giang Province, two in Hanoi, one in Ha Nam Province, and one in Thai Binh Province. Vietnam is in control of the outbreaks in Da Nang and Quang Nam, the National Steering Committee for COVID-19 Prevention and Control said. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Wang Wenbin's Regular Press Conference on August 3, 2020 Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the People's Republic of China New Zealand, citing the Law on Safeguarding National Security in the Hong Kong SAR as an excuse, unilaterally suspended the agreement on surrender of fugitive offenders with the HKSAR. Such politicization of judicial cooperation with Hong Kong constitutes a gross interference in China's internal affairs and a grave violation of international law and basic norms governing international relations, which has seriously damaged the foundation for such cooperation and deviated from its purpose of upholding justice and rule of law. China firmly opposes it. Therefore, China has decided that the Hong Kong SAR will suspend its agreement on surrender of fugitive offenders with New Zealand. At the same time, China has decided that the Hong Kong SAR will suspend its agreement on mutual legal assistance in criminal matters with New Zealand. The Paper: Hong Kong's 7th legislative council election initially scheduled to take place on September 6 will be postponed by a year, Chief Executive Carrie Lam announced amid a new surge in coronavirus cases. A handful of countries have expressed concerns. What is your comment? Wang Wenbin: The Hong Kong SAR Government's decision to postpone the election in the face of the raging pandemic is a justified and necessary step to ensure people's safety and health and a safe, fair and just election. The Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council and the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Hong Kong SAR have all expressed support in their respective statements. Many countries and regions have put off elections due to epidemics and other disasters and the Hong Kong SAR government followed this common practice in making this legitimate, reasonable and lawful decision. I want to stress that Hong Kong is China's special administrative region and the HKSAR's legislative council election is China's local election, thus purely Hong Kong's internal affairs. No foreign government, organization or individual has any right or reason to interfere. Bloomberg: US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo told media on Sunday that the Trump administration will announce measures shortly against "a broad array" of Chinese-owned software deemed to pose national-security risks and in that interview he mentioned TikTok and WeChat. What's the ministry's comment? Wang Wenbin: The US side made this threat against relevant companies with presumption of guilt while presenting no evidence. This violation of market economy rules is no "fairness" and "freedom" as the US chants and only serves to reveal its hypocrisy and double standards. It also runs counter to the WTO principles of openness, fairness, transparency and non-discrimination. China firmly opposes that. We call on certain people in the US to heed the voices of the international community, provide an open, fair, just and non-discriminatory environment for all market entities investing and operating in the US, stop politicizing economic and trade issues, and stop practicing discriminatory and exclusive policies in the name of national security. Xinhua News Agency: We noted that the 24th session of the China-ROK Joint Economic Committee was held in Qingdao last weekend. This as we understand marks the first face-to-face intergovernmental meeting of economic cooperation mechanism China has held with other countries since COVID-19 broke out. Is China planning to have more such in-person interactions with the ROK going forward? Wang Wenbin: The competent Chinese authority has issued a press release on the 24th meeting of the China-ROK Joint Economic Committee. I want to stress that China and the ROK are important friendly close neighbors and cooperation partners. Since the COVID-19 outbreak, under the guidance of the heads of state of the two countries, China and the ROK are among the first to establish a joint prevention and control cooperation mechanism and a fast-track arrangement, setting a model of international anti-epidemic cooperation and sending out unequivocal positive signal of China and the ROK's firm commitment to bilateral economic and trade relations. This serves as an important exemplar for the recovery and growth of regional and global economic and trade cooperation. China and the ROK will continue to advance cooperation and exchange while maintaining ongoing COVID-19 response in light of respective epidemic situation and the need of developing bilateral relations. AFP: Switzerland foreign minister said in an interview published on Sunday that China is moving away from the path of openness. He said that the human rights violations are on the increase. He also expressed concerns about the new national security law in Hong Kong. Do you have any comment? Wang Wenbin: Such remarks are groundless and not constructive. As we've repeatedly stressed, Hong Kong affairs are China's internal affairs where no foreign country has any right to interfere. The Law on Safeguarding National Security in Hong Kong will ensure the steady and sustained implementation of "one country, two systems" along the legal track. When it comes to China's human rights conditions, the Chinese people are in the best position to judge and basic facts must be respected. China is committed to development through opening-up. Financial enterprises like Credit Suisse are among the first to benefit from China's new round of financial market opening-up. This year marks the 70th anniversary of China-Switzerland diplomatic relations. Over the past seven decades, with concerted efforts, bilateral relations have come a long way and realized mutual benefit. The most fundamental thing we've learned from this progress is that equality and mutual respect must be adhered to. We hope the Swiss side will cherish the sound momentum in bilateral relations and abide by basic norms governing international relations. The Global Times: On July 31, the US Department of State and Department of Treasury announced sanctions on the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps (XPCC) and two current or former government officials. Secretary of State Pompeo also criticized China's Xinjiang policies in a statement. What is your comment? Wang Wenbin: The US action is a gross interference in China's internal affairs and a grave violation of basic norms governing international relations. China firmly opposes and strongly condemns it. Xinjiang-related issues are never about human rights, ethnicity or religion. They are about counter-terrorism and anti-separatism. Xinjiang affairs are purely China's internal affairs. The US has no right and no ground to interfere. The XPCC has made important contributions to promoting Xinjiang's development, ethnic unity, social stability and border security, living in harmony with all ethnic groups as a friendly and supportive companion. The US allegation is nothing but rumor-mongering and mud-slinging. The Chinese government is resolute in upholding its sovereignty, security and development interests, in fighting violent terrorist, separatist and religious extremist forces, and in opposing any foreign interference in Xinjiang affairs and China's other internal affairs. We urge the US side to immediately withdraw its wrong decision and stop saying or doing anything that interferes in China's internal affairs and damages China's interests. If the US side is bent on behaving like this, the Chinese side will resolutely fight back. Shenzhen TV: US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo in a statement on July 31 again accused China of conducting surveillance against the Uighurs and other ethnic minorities. What's your response? Wang Wenbin: Pompeo's allegation has no factual basis at all. It is a common international practice to use modern scientific and technological products and big data to improve social governance, and the US is no exception. The installation of cameras in public places in accordance with law in Xinjiang doesn't target any specific ethnicity and it aims to improve social governance and prevent and fight crimes. This measure has been widely supported by people of all ethnic groups as it makes society safer. Speaking of surveillance, the US has long been criticized for its massive surveillance using high-techs. According to US media reports, in 2017 the US government demanded the deployment of facial recognition technology at 20 airports across the country. The New York police have built a city surveillance system, with surveillance devices for pedestrians and vehicles throughout the city and the tracking of individual cellphone data. Texas is home to eight secretive surveillance centers, supported jointly by federal, state and local law enforcement departments, who share intelligence to monitor social media and online forums. A report released by the United States Government Accountability Office (GAO) on June 4, 2019 showed that the FBI's FACE Services, even without license, has access to over 640 million face photos available in all searchable repositories. According to a report released by Georgetown University, half of American adults, or more than 117 million people, are enrolled in a law enforcement face recognition network, and African Americans are most likely to be singled out. Moreover, relevant US agencies have long been conducting massive, organized and indiscriminate cyber theft, surveillance and attack against foreign governments, companies and individuals in breach of international law and basic norms of international relations. This has been a well-known fact to all. Pompeo and his likes vilified Xinjiang's deployment of modern technology for better social governance as surveillance targeting Uighurs and other ethnic minorities. Such remarks are nothing better than malicious slanders. Such attempt to sabotage prosperity and stability in Xinjiang and seek pretext to have a hand in China's internal affairs is doomed to fail. Reuters: US President Donald Trump has agreed to give China's ByteDance 45 days to negotiate a sale of TikTok's US, New Zealand, Australia and Canada operations to Microsoft. How do you comment about this? Another question, ByteDance accused Facebook of smearing and plagiarizing it, and Chinese state media have accused Facebook of working with Washington to launch a witchhunt on ByteDance. How do you comment about this? Wang Wenbin: On your first question, I am not aware of the situation. We also don't comment on the specific business activity of the relevant companies. As for what was said by the relevant company, I have not seen the report. As you know, we usually do not respond specifically to reports or remarks made by companies, media, experts or scholars. I refer you to the relevant business. Bloomberg: My question relates to an article written by the deputy German foreign minister Michael Roth in Der Spiegel who said that Europe should safeguard its security by choosing domestic suppliers for 5G networks instead of Huawei's. Could you comment on that please? Wang Wenbin: We hope relevant party will provide an open, fair, just and non-discriminatory environment for the investment and operation of businesses from all countries and refrain from politicizing economic and trade issues and adopting discriminatory and exclusive measures by abusing the concept of national security. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Iran's medicinal plants exports fetches $500m annually 07/22/20 Source: Tehran Times Iran earns some $500 million annually by exporting medicinal herbs, an official with the Vice Presidency for Science and Technology said. About $350 million of the revenue is related to saffron and the rest is related to other medicinal herbs, IRNA quoted Mohammad Hassan Asareh as saying on Wednesday. Tarahom Behzad, deputy director of the Forests, Ranges, and Watershed Management Organization, has said that some 2,300 species of medicinal plants bare cultivated across Iran, of which 1,738 species are endemic species. Of the 8,425 species of herbs identified in the country, 2,300 have medicinal, aromatic, and cosmetic properties, he added. In the first nine months of the past Iranian calendar year (started March 2019), 1,600 tons of medicinal plants were exported, which was 1,434 tons last year and 870 tons a year before, he said, adding that export of medicinal plants has increased over the past two years. He also stated that this year 26 products have been exported, with 4 new products compared to the last year's products. According to the World Health Organization, the global market for herbal products is $60 billion annually. About 25 percent of medicines worldwide are made of herbs. Among 252 important medicines of WHO, 11 percent are exclusively produced from medicinal plants. Mohammad Reza Shams-Ardakani, director of the department of Iranian traditional medicine at the Ministry of Health, has said that the establishment of traditional health centers, enhanced cooperation to promote a healthy lifestyle based on traditional medicine, and flourishing of health tourism for Iranian traditional medicine are on the agenda. In July 2019, Javad Mirarab an official with the Ministry of Agriculture said that medicinal plants are cultivated on some 188,000 hectares of lands in Iran. Meanwhile, head of the natural products department at Food and Drug Administration Mahnaz Khanavi said that natural and herbal medicines constitute 4 percent of the total amount of medicines used in the country. Press Release August 5, 2020 Plug PhilHealth loopholes and leakages immediately-Angara Senator Sonny Angara said today that immediate actions should be taken to plug the loopholes at the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) to stop the bleeding of the state health insurer. During the Senate's inquiry into the alleged widespread corruption within PhilHealth, a former anti-fraud officer of the corporation claimed that over P15 billion has been wasted or stolen over the years due to rampant questionable transactions facilitated by a syndicate. Angara said the claims of such a huge amount being lost due to alleged leakages or corruption in PhilHealth are alarming considering that the corporation is already drawing on its reserves and is expected to record a net operating loss of P90 billion this year and P147 billion in 2021 as benefit payouts continue to increase because of the pandemic. "With the actuary saying reserves will run out in 2021, drastic action is needed against any mafia and corrupt practices at PhilHealth. Congress has appropriated approximately P400 billion for PhilHealth in less than a decade (not including premiums). We need stronger safeguards and better systems," Angara said. "PhilHealth has shown weak institutional checks and balances as it has been plagued over the years by fraud, scandals and scams such as those involving cataract and dialysis claims and now this," he added. In order for genuine reforms to take place within the institution, Angara said PhilHealth president and CEO Ricardo Morales "needs to be more activist against corruption. He noted how Morales responded to the claims made by the whistleblowers by demonizing them instead of verifying the information. "Many whistleblowers are far from being perfect and blow the whistle for highly partisan or political reasons. He (Morales) may be right that they may have suspect motives but the issues they raise may also be valid and he should make the most of the information given," Angara said. "He asks for support for greater spending on IT yet matamlay siya dito sa issue ng overpricing. He has to be more outraged," he added. In his manifestation during the hearing, Angara presented several recommendations to plug the leaks and prevent the collapse of PhilHealth. Top of the list is the conduct of a special audit of the funds of PhilHealth with particular focus on the payments that were "facilitated or in a brisk manner." "This is called for or has support under the Universal Healthcare Law. It also has support under the GCG (GOCC Governance Act of 2011) law where the head of the GCG can call for a special audit of any government corporation. I think it's about time we look in depth not just at the macro, but the micro situation," Angara said. While there are questions of overpricing in PhilHealth's information technology (IT) projects, Angara said there is a need for the firm to invest in a strong IT system in order to crack down on fraud and improve overall efficiency. "We need to invest in IT but it should not be an investment in a black hole na hindi natin nakikita saan napupunta yung pera. Kailangan may hangganan, may finish line. Ano yung roadmap? What are we aiming for? It must be finite, it must be definite," Angara said. Angara strongly suggested the appointment of independent board members of PhilHealth "to really safeguard the funds." In order to shed light on the various reports of losses and leakages due to inefficiencies, loopholes or corruption, Angara called for the presence of representatives from the Commission on Audit, the GCG and the Philippine Government Electronic Procurement Service (PHILGEPS) in the next hearing of the Senate. Angara also aired his support to the call for the Ombudsman to investigate some of the highly-placed officers of PhilHealth, especially those who have been in office for some time already. "They can conduct a confidential investigation and if necessary, preventively suspend some of the wrongdoers there in PhilHealth," he said. Courtesy Tito's Handmade Vodka Titos Handmade Vodka and the Houston Astros will hand out thousands bottles of hand sanitizer for free Thursday outside Minute Maid Park. The Austin distillery, which switched part of its production from vodka to alcohol-based hand sanitizer amid the COVID-19 pandemic, will provide 27,000 bottles outside the park from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Each car is entitled to three bottles, according to the company. A Texas man this week became the second person in less than two weeks to be accused by federal prosecutors of using Covid-19 relief money to buy a Lamborghini. The man, Lee Price III, 29, of Houston, received more than $1.6 million under the federal Paycheck Protection Program after he submitted five applications in May and June with fraudulent information to numerous banks claiming to employ dozens of people, prosecutors in Houston said on Tuesday. In response to two of those applications, a pair of banks that officials did not identify deposited money into bank accounts controlled by Mr. Price, according to a criminal complaint filed in the Southern District of Texas. With that money, Mr. Price went on a lavish spending spree, according to the complaint. On June 26 the day Mr. Price received $937,500 in response to one request he purchased a $14,000 Rolex watch, the complaint stated. The next day, it said, he bought a 2019 Lamborghini Urus, for $233,337.60. NSF backs bioinformatics approach to understanding plant RNA modifications ITHACA, NY, August 4, 2020 -- RNA perform a variety of functions in cells, helping with everything from regulating genes to building proteins. In recent years, it has become clear that chemical modifications to RNA help guide these functions, but only a handful of these modifications have been identified in plants. On July 24, Andrew Nelson, a faculty member at the Boyce Thompson Institute, and collaborators received a $2 million award from the National Science Foundation (NSF) to identify and infer the functional significance of dozens of different types of RNA modifications in 15 diverse model and crop species. Resources developed by the project will make it easier for plant scientists to utilize and expand upon the discoveries. The project also places a strong focus on building undergraduate curricula teaching biology as a data-driven science. "If these RNA modifications have the impact that we think they will," Nelson explains, "researchers will be able to do some very targeted gene editing in their favorite species and potentially make more stress-tolerant crops, which is becoming increasingly important because of the effects of climate change." Nelson is joined in this effort by project co-leaders Rebecca Murphy, an associate professor of biology at Centenary College of Louisiana, Brian Gregory, an associate professor of biology at University of Pennsylvania, and Eric Lyons, an associate professor of plant sciences at University of Arizona. The first step will be led by Nelson at BTI. His team will map more than a petabyte of publicly available RNA sequence data from at least 15 different species back to their respective genomes, including important crops like corn, rice, wheat and cotton. For perspective, a petabyte is approximately the same amount of data it would take to stream a playlist of music for 2,600 years. "The amount of publicly available RNA sequencing data for these 15 plants has tripled in the last two years," says Nelson. "It's an incredible resource." After the data are processed, Gregory's team will run them through two different algorithms. The first algorithm, called HAMR, was developed by the Gregory lab. HAMR capitalizes on flaws in RNA sequencing technologies, and can identify up to 45 different modifications based on the pattern of mistakes. The second algorithm, called PEA, identifies two important RNA marks that HAMR cannot detect. Once the modifications have been identified, Nelson will develop a pipeline for identifying the context in which they occur. Do the RNA modifications show up only in roots? Are they present on the same gene in many related species? Do certain genes get modified by a specific mark only under drought conditions? By answering questions like these, he hopes to identify specific RNA modifications that underlie critical cellular processes. All of these data, as well as the workflow used to process them, will be made available to scientists and the public. This effort, along with additional data analysis and management, will be headed by Lyons. "We are going to release our data as a curated list that researchers can use to generate hypotheses," Lyons explains. "In addition, we will be releasing our code and workflows for others to replicate and reuse our work." The potential of the data generated by the project is vast, emphasizes Gregory. "Hopefully, this large-scale resource will allow us and others to focus on the RNA modification sites that are truly important to crop plant stress responses," says Gregory, "in turn allowing us to utilize the knowledge for future crop improvement." Undergraduate involvement will be a key element of the project. Murphy will introduce students to bioinformatics, RNA sequencing, and genomics through course work at her primarily undergraduate institution. In the summer, a number of these students will travel to BTI to participate in immersive bioinformatics training as well as in vivo biomolecular work. "Students will be able to hone their computational and data analysis skills while making real contributions to cutting edge science," says Murphy. Teaching coding skills to undergraduates is imperative, Nelson adds: "Bioinformatics used to play a supporting role in plant biology. Now it is actually driving much of the discovery." Nelson stresses that collaborative funding opportunities such as those offered by the NSF make ambitious projects like this practical, adding, "This project wouldn't be possible without three amazing collaborators. I think together we will probably uncover some very fundamental principles of RNA biology." ### The NSF grant (no. IOS-2023310), entitled, "TRTech-PGR: Identification and characterization of stress-responsive and evolutionary conserved epitranscriptomic modification sites in plant transcriptomes," is in the amount of $2,022,004. About Boyce Thompson Institute: Boyce Thompson Institute is a premier life sciences research institution located in Ithaca, New York. BTI scientists conduct investigations into fundamental plant and life sciences research with the goals of increasing food security, improving environmental sustainability in agriculture, and making basic discoveries that will enhance human health. Throughout this work, BTI is committed to inspiring and educating students and to providing advanced training for the next generation of scientists. BTI is an independent nonprofit research institute that is also affiliated with Cornell University. For more information, please visit BTIscience.org. This story has been published on: 2020-08-05. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. In her speech Tuesday, Bush said Black Lives Matter "are not just words. It is historic that this year, of all the years, we're sending a Black, working-class, single mother, who's been fighting for Black lives since Ferguson, all the way to the halls of congress." Bushs campaign focused on universal health care, radically reforming police departments, free public education and raising the minimum wage policies advocated by U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders, a Vermont independent who describes himself as a democratic socialist. Bush thanked Sanders for his endorsement and support Tuesday. In their first matchup in 2018, Clay defeated Bush by more than 28,000 votes a 20-point margin that was the closest any challenger had come to unseating Clay until Tuesday night. This year, she defeated Clay by a 3-point margin, 72,812 votes to 68,201. Bush had more than triple the campaign donations than in 2018, and more name recognition from an appearance in Knock Down the House, a 2019 Netflix documentary that followed Bush and three other candidates seeking to replace incumbent Democrats with progressive women, including Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y. Microsoft, which is in talks with Beijing-based tech firm ByteDance to buy TikToks businesses in the US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand, has likely omitted the short-video apps operations in India from the deal. This is despite the fact that India is the biggest market for TikTok. According to industry insiders and analysts, there are several reasons for not including India in the deal. They range from the Centres ban on TikTok as a security measure to digital advertising opportunities being small in the country. Analysts said this is far more complicated than the ... On 14th June, we all were relaxing as it was a Sunday but everything changed when the news started to flash that Sushant Singh Rajput is no more and the reason stated was that he died by suicide. We were numb and hundreds of questions started to bother us when his last pictures surfaced on the internet. His case was more complicated than it looked like and there were set of revelations that were to come in light. The fans and well-wishers flooded the social media platforms and questioned if he was murdered because pictures of his deceased body told a different tale than it was being presented on the TV. For those who have met him, they were unable to wrap their heads around the whole theory of suicide but it looked like a well-planned murder. On YouTube, some forensic experts started to do the virtual autopsy and claimed that he was brutally beaten up before being choked to death. In no time, people started to ask for justice for Sushant Singh Rajput and its more than 50 days, theres no development in the direction of finding the truth. When Sushants father filed an FIR against Rhea Chakraborty, the whole narrative of the case changed, and heres when news channels swung into action and since then, there have been some very shocking revelations. We are sharing with you the 10 most shocking claims that came out in his case and it might change your perspective to see it. 1. As per a report in Mid-Day, a forensic surgeon, on the condition of anonymity, told the tabloid that the forensic surgeons who had done the autopsy on Sushant may not have collected the crucial finger swabs and nail clippings. The report quoted a forensic surgeon saying, This swab could have indicated if dust particles from the ceiling fan were present on Sushant's fingers. This would have cleared the ambiguity over foul play. The dust particles would have been on the cloth used for hanging, on the ceiling fan and fingertips. The type of dust particles on all would have offered a clue. Even if the fingertips did not have dust, the cloth and fan would surely have had. The forensic surgeon told the daily, The forensic surgeons/scientists could have asked to take specific fingerprints, which a fingerprint expert may miss out on as every crime scene is different. An analysis of the same by a forensic surgeon and forensic scientist usually helps gather more evidence. 2. Sushant Singh Rajput's family's appointed lawyer Vikas Singh, in an interview with Pinkvilla, had made some shocking revelations about Rhea Chakraborty. Well, she claimed that Sushants sister Priyanka Singh molested her at a party. Rhea invited Sushant and Priyanka to her brother Showick Chakraborty's birthday party. It was on 20th April that Sushant and his sister were at the party and things got ugly when Rhea allegedly told him that his sister took advantage of her. The lawyer said, Rhea told Sushant the earlier night, after the birthday party, that his sister Priyanka tried to take advantage of her and molest her on the intervening night of 18-19th April at Sushants residence, Sushant believed Rhea and had an altercation with his sister Priyanka and Priyanka couldn't even believe that Sushant would get manipulated this way but she wanted peace and vacated the apartment. Once she reached Delhi and told her husband about it, her husband told her that what happened was not correct as he was also there on the intervening night of 18-19th April 2019 and reasoned it out with Sushant directly through WhatsApp messages but Sushant wasn't ready to listen." Eventually, he did come back to realize that Rhea manipulated to create a rift between the siblings. 3. Rhea Chakraborty and the family left their building right after the Bihar Government sent the officials to investigate her. She was not available and the Bihar police also added their motive is not to punish any innocent. If Rhea has not done anything wrong then she should stop playing hide-and-seek with the police and come forward to clarify the things," the Bihar Police said. 4. Sushants former cook Ashok said the actor hardly took any medicine when he was working there. It was after the Europe trip, that things started to change. Ashok was asked not to continue and wasnt given any concrete reason for that. "I was working as a cook in Sushant's house and I am a chef. I worked for three-four years with him up till September 2019. Everything seemed fine till I was working there, neither did I see him taking any medicine during that time. I don't know what happened afterward," Ashok told ANI. He added, Sushant was in touch with his family till the time I was working. Even I spoke to his family members on some occasions when they used to call him. He was a strong man and how can he be depressed?" 5. The theory behind who saw him hanging is also very shady because there are different versions of it. Sidharth Pithani said he was the first one to see the body hanging and the cook also claimed the same thing. Yesterday, Sidharth Pithani, in an interview with Times Now said that he asked the key-maker to go and check who first found him hanging. He kept changing his statements every 5 minutes in the interview. He also added that he physically cut the cloth and brought down his body after his jiju asked him but the family has denied all his claims. Then, he said the key makers were asked to leave just after they opened the door. 6. His conflicting statements in the interview made it sure that he is hiding a lot of things. He earlier said that he didnt witness any fight between Rhea and Sushant and then went on to claim he knew about their troubled relationship. He had earlier said that he had professional ties with Sushant but then claimed that he left his job to be by the actors side. He said that he wasnt aware of the fact that Rhea was handling expenses and then claimed that he had informed the family about the expenses. He also admitted that he did give medicines to him but only recalled one of the names. Heres the interview. 7. Sushants former close aide Ankit Acharya told that the actor never slept with locked doors. He also claimed that he too was asked to leave and he went later to see Sushant, he was not allowed to meet him. He also revealed that he got to know that a different kind of Pooja happened at home. He also said that Rhea used to party on his expenses. Sushants bodyguard also claimed that Rhea did ask him to get the medicines for the actor. 8. Sushants friend on the basis of anonymity told Republic that the actor had told him about Sandip Ssingh and he knows everything but the friend also added Ssingh is a mysterious character because he is twisting statements. He also said that Bollywood biggies are somewhere connected. 9. Sushants family friend Smita also revealed that Disha Salians death did upset him and he was scared. He kept telling his sister that they wont leave me. He was very anxious but he wasnt depressed. Bihar DGP also agreed that both the deaths are linked. 10. Sandip Ssingh claimed on TV that it was only one ambulance that came but the videos claim otherwise. There were three ambulances on the premises. There are more such revelations but for us, these 10 were too big and would change your perspective of seeing his death because it's way more complicated than it looks like. We sincerely hope that the truth prevails and justice is served. Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-05 14:30:17|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close UNITED NATIONS, Aug. 4 (Xinhua) -- China on Tuesday expressed indignation and concern over the leak of a confidential UN draft report on the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK). "China notes that the 2020 Midterm Report drafted by the Panel of Experts of the Security Council 1718 Committee has been leaked to the media and caused unfounded media hypes. China expresses indignation and concern on this issue," the spokesperson for the Permanent Mission of China to the United Nations said. "The previous reports of the panel were also leaked, and some member states including China expressed concerns. China requests the Secretariat to take this issue seriously and avoid leakage in the future," the spokesperson said. "China has been completely and strictly implementing DPRK-related resolutions of the Security Council, and faithfully fulfilling its international obligations. To that end, China has sustained huge losses and made tremendous sacrifice," the spokesperson said. "China will continue to work towards dialogue and detente, advance political settlement process, and play a positive and constructive role on working towards denuclearization of the peninsula and lasting peace and stability in the region," the spokesperson stressed. The Security Council's sanctions committee on the DPRK, called the 1718 Sanctions Committee, was established in 2006 by Resolution 1718 in response to the DPRK's first nuclear test and other nuclear proliferation activities. Enditem Leitrim charities and not for profit organisations supporting vulnerable people during the Covid-19 pandemic can apply now to get support from almost 6m raised during RTE Does Comic Relief. The Community Foundation for Ireland is opening the application process for not for profit organisations of all sizes meeting the challenges caused by Covid on the ground in local communities. Leitrim groups are being advised that they have just over eight weeks to make their application, with the 30th September set as the closing date. Announcing the commencement of applications Denise Charlton, Chief Executive Officer of The Community Foundation for Ireland, said: RTE Does Comic Relief was not only a unique night on Irish broadcasting, it also brought us together as a country as one to support people hardest hit by the impact of the pandemic. We have seen extraordinary generosity from 1.4m viewers, corporate supporters as well as significant matching support from Government. "The process of converting that generosity into support and actions on the ground in communities in Leitrim and across the country is now underway. The opening of applications is a big moment for charities who are helping vulnerable people during these difficult days and in many cases providing a vital lifeline. "We are ready to support groups of all sizes, big and small, those in urban and rural areas as well as those cut off from loved ones by Covid-19." Local groups should be advised that funding will be provided under two strands, which recognise that the way not for profits have had to adapt and change their work under HSE restrictions and guidelines. Groups expected to benefit will include those working with older people, people medically at risk of Covid-19, people with disabilities and those in unsuitable accommodation. Under Demand for Digital groups can seek support for investment in software and hardware to improve their ability to continue to work while keeping their staff, volunteers and people they support safe. An Adapt and Respond strand will allow groups to seek funding to ensure their work remains effective and continues to deliver for those who need support. "In Leitrim there is a strong not for profit network. However, it is facing unprecedented demand at a time when donations are also down. This is why the RTE Does Comic Relief funding is particularly important. Deirdre O'Kane, Steering Group, Comic Relief in Ireland stated "I'm so pleased we're now at the point of opening applications to charities and organisations, small and large. It's another key step for the project and brings us closer again to delivering help to where it's needed - with those most impacted by the pandemic in Ireland." Full details of the strands as well as other information and support is being placed on www.communityfoundation.ie. Afghanistan To Convene Loya Jirga On Release Of Taliban Prisoners By RFE/RL's Radio Free Afghanistan August 04, 2020 The Afghan government will convene a grand assembly of elders, known as the Loya Jirga, in Kabul on August 7 to decide the fate of hundreds of Taliban prisoners that Taliban leaders insist should be released before they join peace talks with the government. Last week, President Ashraf Ghani ordered the release of 500 Taliban prisoners as a goodwill gesture amid a three-day cease-fire proposed by the Taliban and agreed to by the government. That cease-fire took effect on July 31. During a televised speech on July 31, Ghani said the government had released 4,600 Taliban prisoners out of the 5,000 pledged in a landmark agreement signed in February by the United States and Afghanistan's Taliban. But Ghani said he had "no authority" under the country's constitution to release the remaining 400 inmates on the Taliban's list because of their involvement in serious crimes. Ghani then announced he would summon a consultative Loya Jirga to decide the fate of the remaining 400 prisoners on the Taliban's list. "These 400 are those who have been convicted in killings from two to 40 people, drug trafficking, those sentenced to death and involved in major crimes, including kidnapping," Sediq Sediqqi, a spokesman for Ghani, said as he announced the date of the Loya Jirga. The Taliban says it has freed all 1,000 prisoners it had pledged in the agreement with U.S. negotiators. The Taliban insists on its demand for the release of the remaining 400 prisoners on its list. Ghani has called on the Taliban to enter into peace talks as soon as possible. The United States has reportedly proposed the Taliban prisoners be transferred from Afghan jails to a location where they would be under both Taliban and Afghan government surveillance. Of the 400 Taliban prisoners left, around 200 are accused by the Afghan government of masterminding attacks on embassies, public squares, and government offices, killing thousands of civilians in recent years. Held under a giant tent, the Loya Jirga is a centuries-old institution used to build consensus among Afghanistan's rival tribes, factions, and ethnic groups. They are traditionally convened under extraordinary circumstances to discuss matters of national importance. Since the U.S.-Taliban agreement in February, 3,560 Afghan security personnel have been killed in attacks by militants, Ghani said last week. He said thousands more were wounded. The same week, the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan said in a report that more than 1,280 Afghan civilians had been killed during the first half of 2020 -- mainly as a result of fighting between government forces and Taliban militants. With reporting by Reuters Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/afghanistan-to- convene-loya-jirga-on-release-of- taliban-prisoners/30765941.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 A lifelong Chippewa Falls resident is taking his engineering dreams to the stars. Mitchell Haglund is a 2018 Chippewa Falls Senior High School graduate and current junior engineering student at UW-Madison with a love for his craft. The former Chi-Hi varsity baseball player is working for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration as a pathways engineering program intern, gaining valuable experience in his field. Haglund said searching for summer internships on the UW-Madison resource Handshake, finding the NASA internship and getting to be a part of something bigger than himself is something he is extremely thankful for. Ive always loved figures like Neil deGrasse Tyson and Carl Sagan, these older astrophysics pioneers who have inspired people to look beyond, Haglund said. The scale of these projects are often so grand and thats what excites me. Particularly with NASA, many of these projects are human oriented and enhance human understanding of the universe. I think thats inspiring. The pathways internship is based out of the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland, and Haglunds responsibilities pertain to the Roman solar system telescope satellite. His responsibilities include helping work on the satellites antenna system and communications deck which transmit data back to the earth. More specifically, he helps identify what thermal hardware will go into the system (as it will be subjected to temperatures several hundred degrees below Fahrenheit). In addition to identifying potential hardware, Haglund said 80% of his time is spent putting together a 3D printed scale model of what the antenna will look like to see how it works and make changes as the engineers see fit. Getting to see how the NASA technology works and how it responds to environmental changes is something Haglund said has interested him since he was a child. Something I always enjoyed doing was building things and taking apart old toys of mine with my friends, Haglund said. I was mechanically minded in that way and I never really swayed from that. While he is enjoying working remotely for NASA from his Chippewa Valley home, Haglund said not being able to be boots on the ground in Maryland at the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center due to COVID-19 is difficult but he is thankful all of the employees are making the best of the unfortunate situation. Obviously it isnt ideal, Haglund said. It wouldve been great to interact with the hardware in-person and get my hands dirty that way. But Im still able to maintain a full-time schedule and interact with as many people as I can get ahold of. I was expecting it to be more of a challenge, but it has amazed me how quickly people have adapted to this and taking it all in stride. The NASA pathways internship program runs through August before the next school year begins, but Haglunds pathway to the stars doesnt end there. He will travel to the NASA space center in Maryland next summer for another summer of work, and after 640 hours of work he is eligible for a full-time position with NASA. He said if he is offered a position with the storied organization, he plans to accept and begin building a career in engineering. But before Haglund makes NASA a major part of his life, he said he is looking forward to working with Wisconsin Robotics program at UW-Madison where he and his team will build a mock Mars Rover that will travel to the Utah Desert. This experience will continue to give Haglund a deeper appreciation for space and the role engineering plays in it, and said his experience with NASA so far has shaped how he views new information and the potential of working with talented/like-minded people. When I first started in the end of May, I was extremely nervous and I felt like the information given to me was like drinking water from a fire hose, Haglund said. This is my first engineering internship and Im surrounded by a lot of smart and capable people. One of the first technical meetings I sat in on it felt like they were speaking another language. It was a humbling experience, but now Im starting to pick it up and its becoming a lot more enjoyable. Even like a time like COVID-19 when net stress is so much greater than normal, everyone I have worked with has been incredibly nice and helpful, he said. Its inspiring that even in these strange times theyve taken the time to help someone new and guide them through a really confusing and intimidating environment to where I feel like Im a useful member of the team through their grace. 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. Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden will not travel to Milwaukee to accept his partys White House nomination because of concerns over Covid-19. A Democrat source told reporters he would not head to the Wisconsin city. The move is the latest example of the pandemics sweeping effects on the 2020 presidential election and the latest blow to traditional party nominating conventions that historically have marked the start of autumn general election campaigns. Joe Biden will challenge incumbent Donald Trump for the presidency on November 3. Every American should be able to safely make their voice heard this November. We need to: - Expand vote-by-mail and early voting - Implement online voter registration - Make it safe and easy to vote in-person Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) August 3, 2020 The president had earlier suggested he might accept the Republican Partys nomination from the White House. The pandemic has created havoc with the political calendar with candidates unable to hold may rallies. The Democrats had chosen Milwaukee, Wisconsin for their convention in a state won unexpectedly by Mr Trump four years against Hillary Clinton. The Republicans had originally planned to meet in Charlotte, North Carolina. Mr Trump then moved the venue to Jacksonville, Florida because of coronavirus restrictions but now is considering the White House, which traditionally is not used for partisan events. How many of you took the risk over the holiday season and travelled out of the country? If you did, you would have had the same shared experience that everyone flying into Trinbago has been blessed with since borders reopened. Whether youre a frequent flyer or first-timer, everyone has the same great experience of completing a fresh Travel Pass to get access. Researchers at the University of Michigan are interested in changing the behavior of some 2 million farm youths affected by hazardous noise exposure and hearing loss in the United States. A study by the U-M School of Nursing found that incorporating hearing health education into an existing safety program increased the knowledge and attitude of hearing conservation practices among farm youths. It suggests that revisiting in-person lessons with online "boosters" or re-cap lessons may provide a pathway for sustainable hearing protection behaviors. The research followed nearly 2,000 fourth graders from farm and rural communities, splitting them into groups to determine the effectiveness of various hearing health education programs. They were split into roughly three even groups: one group took part in a Safety Day hosted by the Progressive Agriculture Foundation; another group participated in that same program but also received a follow-up online booster; and the third group had no planned hearing health education lesson. In comparison to the group without the lesson, those who had received the in-person lesson and the booster showed significant increases in favorable knowledge and attitudes toward hearing conservation practices. While the content of the lessons were designed by Marjorie McCullagh, U-M professor of nursing, and her team, the actual instructors were community volunteers. "The volunteers were almost exclusively untrained in education and health care, but they were committed to the idea that farm safety for kids is important," she said. When volunteers submitted their 20-minute lessons for review, McCullagh said the team was impressed by the skill in using best practices for educating children. "The instructors jumped in and learned the curriculum and did a fantastic job," she said. The lesson developed and tested by McCullagh's research team has been adopted by the Progressive Agriculture Foundation for inclusion in its curriculum--delivered to more than 100,000 farm children and adults annually. The study also revealed how frequently farm youth are exposed to hazardous noises. Nearly 10% of participants reported hearing loud sounds that "made your ears hurt or made you hear ringing sounds," and 85%, 63% and 43% reported exposure to one, two, and three sources of hazardous noise, respectively, at least once per week. McCullagh said such noise exposure is unfortunately considered normal. Farm children usually start operating tractors by age 7 or 8. Even infants may be given tractor rides while still in their carriers. Children from farm and rural communities are also more likely to be exposed to bystander noise, such as a running tractor used to power other machinery. While an adult farm worker might wear hearing protection when operating the tractor, children playing around the farm and exposed to the noise most likely do not. In one of the study's exercises, students held a handful of chenille stems that represented hairlike cells inside the inner ear. The students then imagined a typical day, and, for encounters with progressively louder noises (talking with parents, using the lawn mower, a July 4 fireworks show), the students would run their hands over the chenille stems with increasing vigor. When asked to straighten the stems back to their original state, the students realized they couldn't. The message was clear: Hearing damage cannot be undone. While the study provides evidence for improvement in knowledge and attitudes toward hearing conservation and noise mitigation strategies, there was no significant evidence that the online booster affected participants' actual intent to use such strategies. Possible limitations included measuring by self-report and potential confounding due to the "measurement effect," wherein repeated testing (interviewing participants) might have served as its own intervention. The finding isn't unfavorable, McCullagh says. "There's not going to be a one-shot solution," she said. "We were successful in changing knowledge, attitudes and beliefs, which is encouraging because we know that those are precursors to changing behavior in the long term." It's the long-term change in behavior that interests McCullagh. A native of North Dakota, she has witnessed first hand how farmers are at risk for many occupational hazards and underserved by health and safety programs. Her next project will focus on determining the prevalence of farmer suicide. The issue is interconnected with hearing health, she says, since individuals with hearing loss often socially isolate and develop low self-esteem, which contributes to depression and anxiety. McCullagh hopes her work with children can inspire the right habits to break such a vicious cycle. "There is still so much to be done," she said. ### McCullagh's study, published in the journal BMC Public Health, is an extension of her research that aims to promote health and safety among workers. Co-authors include James Yang and Michael Cohen, also of U-M Nursing. Study: Community-based program to increase use of hearing conservation practices among farm and rural youth: A cluster randomized trial of effectiveness Marjorie McCullagh Description The August Curators Corners include: Curators Corner: Attacked for Race Defilement on Wednesday, August 5 at 11:00am. Thorin Tritter will discuss a large photograph in our gallery that captures the public humiliation of a Jewish man and his non-Jewish girlfriend. Taken seven months after Hitlers rise to power, the photograph shows attacks on Jews that preceded any legal justification. Curators Corner: Meeting Herman Hy Horowitz on Wednesday, August 12 at 11:00am. As we continue to mark the 75th anniversary of the end of WWII, Thorin Tritter, our Museum and Programming Director, will explore a photograph of Liberator Herman Hy Horowitz, an American GI who was later awarded the title Chevalier, Knight, by the nation of France. Curators Corner: A Survivor Creates a Fire Department in Foehrenwald on Wednesday, August 19 at 11:00am. Our Museum and Programming Director, Dr. Thorin Tritter, will talk about a photograph in our gallery that shows the fire department at the Foehrenwald Displaced Person Camp, and discuss the Long Island Survivor, George Oscar Lee, who was integral to its creation. Curators Corner: The Nazification of a Creamer on Wednesday, August 26 at 2:00 pm. HMTCs Museum and Programming Director, Thorin Tritter, will talk about a silver creamer that was produced for a hotel in Nuremberg where Hitler frequently visited, and the addition of a swastika that highlighted the hotels endorsement of the Nazi Party. Update: Pleading eyes of missing Amish teen gaze out from car linked to accused kidnapper: testimony LANCASTER -- Video surveillance may have caught what police believe was the moment of the abduction of Linda Stoltzfoos. And based on video evidence discussed at a preliminary hearing today, as well as the accounts of several witnesses who told investigators they saw a Red Kia with an Amish girl in the passenger seat, Magisterial District Judge Denise Commins found there was enough evidence for charges of kidnapping and false imprisonment to move forward to Lancaster County Court for Justo Smoker. Smoker, 34, of Paradise Township, was taken into custody July 11 and charged in connection with the disappearance of 18-year-old Linda Stoltzfoos. Stoltzfoos went missing after a church service near Bird-in-Hand June 21. She hasnt been seen since. Linda Stoltzfoos According to court records, several members of the Amish community told law enforcement they saw a red car traveling the route where Stoltzfoos was expected to be walking on June 21. They said they saw an Amish woman sitting in the front seat. Authorities determined Smoker was the driver of a 2007 red Kia Rio. East Lampeter Township Police Detective Christopher Jones testified today that video surveillance from the area shows Stoltzfoos and her friends walking towards church. It later shows the red Kia in the area, he said. Zooming in on one of the videos, Jones testified the video shows the Kia pull over as a figure walks down the road, coming from the direction of the church. It also shows a figure getting out of the Kia, walking towards the figure coming from church, and then the two of them head to the Kia before it drives off. Numerous witnesses told investigators they saw an Amish girl riding in the car in her church clothes, which would be unusual on a Sunday, Jones testified. Jones testified that Stoltzfoos was happy with her life in the Amish community and never expressed a desire to leave. Her bank records show her account has been untouched since her disappearance. According to further testimony today, state police were investigating a suspicious-vehicle report from two days after Stoltzfoos disappearance. The caller took had taken photos of a red Kia parked near the woods behind a business in a remote area of the township. Police investigated that area and found a bra and stockings buried there. A plastic zip tie was found nearby. The clothing is similar to what Stoltzfoos family said she would have been wearing when she went missing. Authorities believe she could have been harmed. The search for Stoltzfoos continues. Smoker is in Lancaster County Prison. Bail has been denied as the investigation continues. Formal arraignment in Lancaster County Court is set for Aug. 28. Check back with PennLive soon for more details on todays hearing. 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. Siauliu Bankas AB, company code 112025254, address of the head office Tilzes str. 149, Siauliai, Lithuania. Siauliu bankas AB has received the notification of the person, closely associated with the manager, on transactions in securities issued by the bank (attached). Director of Securities Accounting Department Jolanta Dobiliauskiene is authorized by the Issuer to provide additional information and is available on tel.: +370 41 595669. Attachment Reverend Father Roland Kpoanu, Parish Priest, Christ the King Anglican Church (CKAC) in Sakumono, has called on Christians to exude compassion as it was a defining Christian virtue. He said a truly compassionate Christian worked at his or her own detriment to help others out of danger and alleviate their suffering. The Parish Priest was delivering a sermon on the theme: "Give them something to eat". Parishioners who were masked up and mindful of all the protocols put in place by the Parish, registered for their preferred service online to avoid overcrowding at registration desks. Before they made their way into the nave through the main entrance to occupy numbered pews, parishioners were required to wash and sanitise their hands, and their temperatures checked and recorded. As accustomed, since the reopening of Parishes throughout the Anglican Diocese of Accra, Eucharistic Service was conducted in strict adherence to all Covid-19 Protocols for congregational worship. Even though the President, in his last address to the nation, as part of efforts to ease Covid-19 restrictions, extended in-person worship from one to two hours, the parish was yet to resume normal sung mass. Rev'd Fr. Kpoanu said "the true essence of our living as Christians was to help one another however small, and true compassion demanded us to go out of our way to be present to someone in need of help." He called on Christians to seek the face of God and pray unceasingly to be delivered from evil doers. He said the weapon of Christians was prayer and they ought to put on the full armour of God and exercise perseverance in their prayer. 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 Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) on Wednesday took over the security of Leh's Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport with a sanctioned strength of more than 180 personnel. The unit will be headed by a Deputy Commandant rank officer. With this induction, total units under CISF security cover raised to 349 including 64 airports across the country. The airport is located in Western Himalayas of the Ladakh region and serves as the main airport of entire Ladakh. During the winter, Leh airport is the only gateway of Ladakh as there is limited connectivity by road due to heavy snowfall. This is the highest altitude airport of India and operates in extreme weather condition. This is the most tourist intensive airport in India. CISF Director General Rajesh Ranjan was the chief guest of the induction ceremony. Several other guests including Chief Advisor to Lt. Governor of Ladakh Umang Narula, SDG (APS) M A Ganapathy, CISF IGP Leh Ladakh Satish Khandare, ITBP IG Deepam Seth, AAI ED Security Raj K Mallick, CISF IG Vikram Singh Mann, and Airport Director Sonam Norbu, were present on the occasion. The function was also attended by other senior officials of CISF, ITBP, CRPF, Airports Authority of India, representatives of airlines operators and other stakeholders. During the ceremony, Norbu handed over a key replica to Deputy Commandant, Sanket Gaikwad as a symbol of handing over the reins of security to CISF. In his address, Ranjan elaborated the dynamics of security at this Hyper Sensitive Airport and emphasized that a coordinated effort is to be made by all government agencies and stakeholders to ensure the security of Leh airport. After the function, CISF DG along-with other senior officers of CISF and Airport Director, Leh airport had a security-walk around of all the areas of the airport including terminal building and airside. Earlier, on reaching Leh on August 4, Ranjan interacted with CISF personnel who will be shouldering the security of Leh airport and exhorted them to strive hard to achieve the state of zero-error security. He also inaugurated barracks for CISF personnel and reviewed the administrative and operational arrangements at the airport. Former Atlanta cop Garrett Rolfe (pictured) who shot dead Rayshard Brooks is suing the mayor and police chief claiming they 'violated his civil rights' after he was fired without an investigation The Atlanta cop who shot dead Rayshard Brooks in the drive-thru lane of a Wendy's during a DUI arrest is suing the mayor and police chief claiming they 'violated his civil rights' after he was fired without an investigation. Garrett Rolfe, 27, filed a lawsuit in Fulton County Superior Court Tuesday - the same day prosecutors asked a judge to revoke his bond saying he has violated the terms of his release by traveling to Florida without permission. The white cop was fired from the Atlanta Police Department on June 13 - one day after he shot 27-year-old black man Brooks twice in the back as he ran from officers outside the fast food joint. Rolfe was charged with felony murder and 10 other offenses over the shooting death of the unarmed father-of-four. Brooks' slaying sparked protests in Atlanta and the Wendy's was burned to the ground as demonstrators called for an end to police brutality and systemic racism. Tensions had already been raised by the police-involved killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis on Memorial Day. Brooks (pictured) was shot dead in the drive-thru lane of an Atlanta Wendy's by Rolfe during a DUI arrest back on June 12. Prosecutors on Tuesday asked a judge to revoke Rolfe's bond saying he has violated the terms of his release by traveling to Florida without permission Rolfe is now suing Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms and Interim Police Chief Rodney Bryant, saying his firing violated his constitutional rights and the city code. The disgraced cop was fired 'without an investigation, without proper notice, without a disciplinary hearing, and in direct violation of the municipal code of the City of Atlanta,' the suit claims. This comes as prosecutors also filed a motion Tuesday to revoke Rolfe's bond, saying he traveled to Florida without permission. The bond order 'expressly states that the Defendant is only allowed to leave home for medical, legal, or work related obligations,' the motion says. Rolfe was released from jail on bail on July 1 after posting $500,000 bond. A Georgia judge ruled he could be free while awaiting trial because she did not believe the former officer was a danger to the community or a flight risk. However his release is subject to numerous conditions, including that he wears an ankle monitor and obeys a curfew. Rolfe (pictured left in mugshot) faces 11 charges including felony murder while fellow cop Devin Brosnan (right in mugshot) was charged with aggravated assault and violating his oath Rolfe's lawsuit over his firing comes after his attorneys said in a court filing that Fulton County District Attorney Paul Howard (pictured) has repeatedly made comments to inflame public sentiment against the ex-cop and called for him to be removed from the case Rolfe's lawsuit over his firing is the latest attempt from the suspected murderer to discredit the investigation, following his calls for the district attorney prosecuting his case to be removed. In a court filing last month, Rolfe's attorneys said Fulton County District Attorney Paul Howard has repeatedly made comments to inflame public sentiment against the ex-cop, has issued contradictory statements about whether a stun gun is a deadly weapon and is under investigation himself. 'Paul Howard has systematically sought to deprive Garrett Rolfe of a fair trial and impartial jury since the day he announced his decision to arrest Garrett Rolfe,' attorneys Noah Pines and William Thomas Jr wrote. Howard announced charges against Rolfe less than five days after the killing. Lawyers for Rolfe and his fellow officer charged in the shooting - Devin Brosnan - have said both of their actions were justified. Brooks was killed on June 12 as he ran from the two cops in the Wendy's drive-thru. Bodycam footage of the incident shows the black man being approached by the officers after he was found asleep at the wheel of his car. The cops and Brooks are seen having a calm conversation for more than 40 minutes before a struggle breaks out when the officers tried to arrest him. Brooks then reached for and grabbed one of the officer's Tasers and ran away. He was shot twice by Rolfe, with the officer claiming Brooks turned to fire the Taser in his direction. An autopsy found Brooks was shot twice in the back. Rolfe faces 11 charges in total while Brosnan, 26, - who was placed on desk duty by the force - was charged with aggravated assault and violating his oath and is also free on bond. The Atlanta police chief stepped down from the force less than 24 hours after the shooting. A parent arrives to pick up a student at the Edward R. Roybal Learning Center in Los Angeles after the district announced school closures in March. (Associated Press) Most California schools are a week or two away from the start of the school year, which will be conducted online for at least 80% of them. Yet many are still trying to hammer out agreements with their teachers unions about what the school day will look like. How many minutes of live instruction will students receive? How many minutes of recorded instruction? How much small-group work with a teacher, or one-to-one contact? The results have been all over the map. San Diego Unified students will get about 30% more live, real-time instruction with a teacher than those in the nearby Sweetwater Union district, and nearly twice as much as in Los Angeles Unified. Oakland still hasnt reached an agreement with teachers, or fully trained them, even though its supposed to begin school Monday. They cant get lesson plans going if they dont know how much teaching will be live and how much recorded. California Gov. Gavin Newsom should have stepped into this fray with a heavy foot from the start. The Legislature, at least, set a minimum number of instructional hours and required daily attendance and grades but for the most part left it to school districts to decide exactly what instructional time meant. That time could mean back-and-forth among students and teachers in a live, interactive virtual classroom, which is generally considered the most effective. It could mean recording video lessons for students to view on their own, which gives both teacher and student more scheduling flexibility. Or students could be doing assignments outside the class setting, like homework. Some schools are adding time for small-group instruction or individual tutoring; others are not. Most will do some combination of the above but in differing amounts. School boards and their superintendents needed clear direction, not the figure-it-out-yourselves philosophy thats been coming from Sacramento and Washington. Having gotten no such guidance, schools are struggling to come up with their own scenarios and to negotiate those with sometimes reluctant unions. The result is a patchwork in which some students in the state will receive more and better education than others, and thats unacceptable. Without being too prescriptive, state leaders should have averted this situation with laws, regulations and firm admonishments so that schools, teachers and parents knew what to expect and would have been able to avoid the last-minute wrangling. Lets face it for most students and parents, last spring was a learning disaster. But that stemmed from the sudden, unforeseen hammer of the COVID-19 pandemic. By now, all school districts should have their training done, their remote classrooms set up and their schedules out to parents so families can be ready for the demands of the new school year. State Supt. of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond has no authority to impose instructional mandates on school districts, and Newsoms emergency authority may be limited. But both could have demanded clearer requirements from the Legislature that would have bypassed district-by-district union negotiations, and they could have used the bully pulpit to push relentlessly for teachers to spend significant time interacting with students. Newsom even could have promised extra funding for schools that met his yardstick. Now, sadly, it seems too late. Russias rights activist urges probe into desecration of WW2 memorial in Poland RAPSI, Vladimir Burnov 16:14 05/08/2020 MOSCOW, August 5 (RAPSI) Member of the Russian Presidential Human Rights Council Standing Commission on International Cooperation in Human Rights Alexander Brod believes Russias Investigative Committee must react to the desecration of a memorial of Soviet Marshal Konstantin Rokossovsky in Poland. The sculpture was stolen from a cemetery and later found beheaded and left in the street. The rights activist urges Russian and Polish investigators to launch a probe into the incident. As a Human Rights Council member, Brod intends to appeal to the ambassador of Poland in Russia and international rights organizations seeking their intervention in the case he calls a cynical act of vandalism and a manifestation of ingratitude to the Marshal who was a native of Poland and participated in the liberation of the county from the Nazis; the activist believes the incident resulted from the anti-Russian hysteria he alleges tears apart the Polish society. MIDDLETOWN After a yearlong effort to dedicate the new $87.35 million combined middle school to an African-American family prominent in the anti-slavery movement, city officials overwhelmingly voted Monday to name the facility Beman Middle School. The Common Council tally was 11-0, with one abstention. The proposal to rename Woodrow Wilson Middle School has been a long and contentious one. The issue has divided Woodrow Wilson middle and high school alums and the community for some time. Those for the change argued its time to remove the name of the 28th president, a self-avowed racist, from the structure, while graduates insist the school is an essential part of their history, identity and pride. About 10 members of the public spoke during the online meeting, as compared to the 50 or so who expressed their thoughts at the July council meeting. Councilwoman Linda Salafia abstained from the vote, saying she would have preferred the proposal had been initiated by the council, and not begun informally among the public, according to video of the meeting. Jeanette Blackwell, the citys first female African-American councilwoman, said she recognizes high school experiences can resonate with people for a very long time. I believe this body has a civic and moral obligation to ensure all of the students, for years to come, can attend this school with a name that all students can hold up with a sense of pride and respect, she said at the meeting. The Beman name is one that everyone, undeniably, should be able to accept. I cannot find a will to embrace a legacy where my ancestors were degraded, where people who look like me and my gender were not respected, and denied the right to vote. Now is the time to right some wrongs, Blackwell said. Minority Deputy Leader Anthony Gennaro, a Middletown police officer and Woodrow Wilson graduate, said he was conflicted in making a decision. But Gennaro backed the change. There are people who dont like me saying that. Im fine with the Beman name, but I do things with a more pragmatic approach, where we cant be questioned after, he said. Discussions he has had with residents have sometimes been heartbreaking. Some of them feel they just werent heard, he said. Some of them felt they were racist if they didnt agree. Many dont feel that way: They just feel left out of it. Gennaro was the last to speak before the vote. He ended up voting in favor of the name, which I thought was a brave thing to do after acknowledging how complicated it was for him, Mayor Ben Florsheim said. Other members of the public held differing opinions. There were others for whom it was a celebration of a family and a history that is centered on Middletown centered on our place in history rather than what Woodrow Wilsons place in history and our tangential relationship to that. It brings it home to this community. It puts the emphasis where it should belong in our schools, Florsheim said. While campaigning for mayor last year, he and others heard a lot about the proposal. A lot of us knocking on doors heard they liked the idea of naming the school Beman and wanted to see a Middletown proud of the fact we have a history in progressive movements like the abolitionist movement, he said. The push to honor the Bemans was a grassroots effort, Florsheim said It started from: What do we want this to be? a truly open-ended question driven by people who have not always been a part of the political process historically. A lot of people got involved in civic life in Middletown for the first time because of this issue and because of this question, he said. This one really came from the people. Our role was to facilitate that activism that led to this, and that research and discussion and debate. Our role was to convert that from something happening in the public sphere, and make it official and put it in brick and mortar on the side of our new school, the mayor said. Councilman Ed McKeon said the decision has been fraught with controversy, so much so that some members of the school board naming committee were mocked and threatened. Legally sanctioned segregation no longer exists, but the shadow is long, and the predjudices and fears still scar our country, McKeon said. The Beman familys patriarch, Caesar Beman, named himself after he found freedom fighting in the American Revolution. Talk about a founding father. He help found the country. He found his freedom. He found himself, he said. And he founded a family name, Beman, because he would no longer be a slave. He would no longer be someone elses property. He would no longer be overlooked, and powerless. He would Be A Man Beman, McKeon said. That surname is a very powerful one, he said. We will bestow an appropriate name on a school so that every child can be proud learning in a school named for true giants in the history of fighting for freedom, McKeon said. Editors note: The original version of this article mistakenly reported Wilson was the 44th president. He was the 28th. AGRs Well Management business unit in the UK is celebrating its highest ever score in the FPAL Verify system operated by Achilles, achieving a rating of excellent in nearly all areas. The results of the FPAL Verify audit, which examined the health, safety and environment, quality, competence and training practices at AGRs Aberdeen office, confirm AGRs position as the leading well and reservoir engineering consultancy providing support for the entire well lifecycle. Andrew Stannard, Chief Operating Officer for AGR in the UK, Middle East and Africa, said: We are delighted to yet again assure our verification with FPAL Achilles. The fact that our team achieved a rating of excellent in almost all of the areas indicates that our Management system maintains a high standard. At AGR, we work towards continuous improvement of our service delivery and aim to ensure that the HSEQ system is consistent with the requirements of our clients. It also provides a solid basis for planning our operations in order to deliver safe, environmentally responsible projects and improve performance. AGRs Aberdeen hub serves as the excellence centre for its UK, West Africa and Middle East operations, having delivered over 160 well projects during the past two decades. The team specialises in delivering well engineering projects, managing well construction projects and drilling projects. Services range from full project management as Well Operator through to bespoke engineering studies. Since it was set up by the oil and gas industry in 1996, FPAL has been helping operators promote successful contract delivery and improve business performance. Operated by Achilles, FPAL works to promote a transparent and competent supply chain by identifying, qualifying and auditing service providers in the oil and gas industry. --Tradearabia News Service Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries Corp. is requiring its employees to mask up when serving customers. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 4/8/2020 (532 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries Corp. is requiring its employees to mask up when serving customers. Starting Thursday, non-medical face masks will be mandated for all Liquor Mart employees, a MLL spokesperson said. While such masks have not been made mandatory for the general public in the province, casino employees were required to wear them when Winnipeg gaming facilities reopened last week. "We have, and will, continue to evolve, expand and implement these types of initiatives as new information about COVID-19 preventative best practices becomes available," the MLL spokesperson said Tuesday in an email to the Free Press. "The shift to mandatory masks is an example of one such measure." Manitoba Government and General Employees' Union president Michelle Gawronsky said liquor store workers were notified of the requirement over the weekend. "The members themselves are supportive of the decision to ask employees to wear the masks at work. They recognize, I think most of us do, that weve all got a responsibility," she said Tuesday. MGEU has yet to hear any direct concerns from its members regarding the decision to require from the Crown corporation that only employees not customers be required to wear face masks in liquor and gaming establishments. "I think our members know we should be making sure were following the health guidelines as close as we can," Gawronsky said. Want to get a head start on your day? Get the days breaking stories, weather forecast, and more sent straight to your inbox every weekday morning. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. There are no current plans from the MGEU to advocate for mandatory mask measures for customers rather, the unions focus will be on following recommendations set by chief provincial public health officer Dr. Brent Roussin, she said. "We would just ask the public to please respect our members, the employees, the people that are serving them at those liquor stores." Mandatory face-covering measures have been put into place across Canada in areas with a range of case counts. For example, Kenora, Ont., which had recorded eight COVID-19 cases so far, will require people to wear masks in enclosed public spaces starting Aug. 17. In his routine public COVID-19 status briefings, Roussin has only suggested a recommendation Manitobans mask up indoors may come in the fall. malak.abas@freepress.mb.ca Twitter: malakabas_ OAKVILLE, Ontario, Aug. 05, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- In response to high demand, ShariaPortfolio Canada has embarked on an aggressive plan to expand its ethical and Sharia-compliant investing footprint across Canada since its recent launch in January, 2020. ShariaPortfolio Canada, which is the first registered firm dedicated to socially responsible, Halal investing in Canada, has increased its reach and is now registered in Alberta as a Portfolio Manager and Exempt Market Dealer. Alberta joins British Columbia and Ontario as provinces where ShariaPortfolio Canada is active. In an invited comment, Naushad Virji, CEO of ShariaPortfolio Canada, said, We are privileged to be able to help residents of Alberta to achieve their financial goals according to their personal values through our professionally managed investment solutions. We offer a unique solution for Canadians who prefer to align their investments with their choices and lifestyles. We see great potentials in Alberta as we have been experiencing in British Columbia and Ontario. To enable its rapid growth and service delivery, the company has onboarded several qualified individuals to its growing team. Recently, ShariaPortfolio Canada welcomed Peter Barron as their new Institutional Sales Manager. Peter is a veteran Sales Manager who brings over 15 years of sales experience, including eight years in financial services. Before joining ShariaPortfolio Canada, he held several sales roles at major wealth management firms including Global Growth Assets Inc., where he worked in wholesale for their Sharia-compliant investments. About ShariaPortfolio Canada, Inc: ShariaPortfolio Canada Inc. is a registered Portfolio Management firm, specializing in socially responsible and Halal investing. ShariaPortfolio Canada offers comprehensive Wealth Management Solutions to help clients across Canada achieve their financial goals in accordance with their personal values. As the only licensed Portfolio Manager dedicated to Sharia-compliant Investing, ShariaPortfolio Canada Inc. upholds Halal, ethical standards in their Investment choices. With roots in value investing and fundamental analysis, ShariaPortfolio Canada offers a long-term perspective and a highly disciplined approach to Wealth Management, providing a full range of investment solutions for clients across the globe. Since 2003, their USA affiliate, ShariaPortfolio, Inc. has been successful in providing wealth management solutions across the United States. With clients located in 26 states, ShariaPortfolio, Inc. is currently managing over US$150M in assets. For more information, please visit: (Photo : Bank Security/Twitter) A well-known Russian-speaking Threat Actor shared details of over 1800 IPs vulnerable to the latest Pulse CVEs. (Photo : REUTERS/Raphael Satter) Part of the payment negotiations between ransom -seeking cybercriminals - marked "Support" - and a representative of travel giant CWT - marked "You" is seen in this photo taken in Washington, D.C., U.S., July 30, 2020. Picture taken July 30, 2020. A threat intelligence analyst spotted a post in a community forum about "1,800 vulnerable and deflated Pulse VPN" accounts on Tuesday, August 4. The list includes usernames and passwords as well as IP addresses for Pulse Secure VPN enterprise servers. ZDNet got a copy of the list and found more than 900 Pulse VPN" accounts, half of what the hacker's post indicated. According to an exclusive report, the media outlet was assisted by KELA, a threat intelligence firm, which gave them a copy of the Pulse VPN list. The company also seeks the help of various cyber-security sources to verify the report's authenticity. Timestamps on the folders or scan dates show that the list was created between June 24 and July 8. The threat intelligence analyst Bank Security who specialized in financial crime shared the list on Twitter. He said on his tweet that a popular Russian-speaking Threat Actor shared information about more than 1800 IPs that were compromised by the latest Pulse CVEs. A well-known Russian-speaking Threat Actor shared details of over 1800 IPs vulnerable to the latest Pulse CVEs. For each IP the actor shared many details including user & administrator clear-text credentials. PATCH NOW! Big Banks and notable organizations are on the list.PATCH NOW! pic.twitter.com/QqyPBG17Mq Bank Security (@Bank_Security) August 4, 2020 Bank Security made interesting observations about the content of the list. The list includes Pulse Secure VPN servers IP addresses and firmware version, SSH keys for each server, admin account details as well as local users and password hashes. The review also found VPN session cookies and last VPN usernames and cleartext passwords. According to the security analyst, all the Pulse Secure VPN servers in the list were running a firmware version that is exposed to CVE-2019-11510, where a remote attacker can send a unique URI to release a file reading vulnerability. In a nutshell, one of the DBs used by cyber criminals to sell access to various companies through Pulse Secure vulnerabilities has been shared. Some of the victims are categorized by type and revenue to maximize the sale. Bank Security (@Bank_Security) August 4, 2020 He believed the hacker scanned the entire IPv4 address space for Pulse Secure VPN servers and then accessed the systems using an exploit for the CVE-2019-11510 vulnerability. The attacker then dumped server details including usernames and passwords and collected all data in one central source. Read also: [BEWARE] Chinese Government Uses Malware? US Government Warns Public to be More Alert Unpatched Pulse Secure VPN serves Meanwhile, a US-based threat intelligence company Bad Packets that issued a scan in August 2019 for vulnerable Pulse Secure VPN with the CVE-2019-11510 vulnerability. It appears that 677 companies on the list did not repair the vulnerability, so they are included in the recent attack. "Of the 913 unique IP addresses found in that dump, 677 were detected by Bad Packets CTI scans to be vulnerable to CVE-2019-11510 when the exploit was made public last year," co-founder and chief research officer of Bad Packets told ZDNet. Worse, the list has been shared on a hacker forum where ransomware gangs like NetWalker, REvil (Sodinokibi), Avaddon, Lockbit, Exorcist, and Makop. These groups have their threads on the said forum where they recruit developer members and customers. According to VpnTesting, Most of the ransomware gangs invade corporate networks by leveraging network devices like Pulse Secure VPN servers. They usually demand huge ransom demands from the affected companies. Bank Security urged affected companies to immediately patch their Pulse Secure VPNs and change their passwords to avoid cyber criminals from utilizing the leaked credentials to control devices and access their internal networks. Since Pulse Secure VPN servers are usually used as gateways to access corporate networks, allowing staff to remotely connect to internal apps, it also permits hackers to the company's entire internal network when compromised. Read also: New Microsoft Office 365 Phishing Scam: Ignore Emails with 'Recent Policy Change' On the Subject Line This article is owned by Tech Times Written By CJ Robles 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. The Roman Emperor Caligula reputedly planned to appoint his horse a Consul. As Prime Minister, Robert Salisbury made his nephew Arthur Balfour Chief Secretary of Ireland in 1887. Hence, some say, the phrase Bobs your uncle. I wonder whether a phrase will enter the language as a result of Boris Johnson doling out a life peerage to his younger brother Jo as one of 36 new peers. Perhaps doing a Jo will come to mean winning a significant prize in an undeserved or fluky way. Jo Johnson was for three years a competent middle-ranking minister until he threw in the towel last year, citing an unresolvable tension between family loyalty and the national interest. He was a fervent Remainer who couldnt bear Brexit. It is rare for a former minister of relatively lowly status and comparative youth (Jo is 48) to receive a life peerage. But if your brother is a Prime Minister who couldnt give a damn, convention can be set aside. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson leaves 10 Downing Street for PMQs at the House of Commons on 15 July. Lets enter the mind of Boris Johnson. He is a decent fellow with a generous soul. He wants those close to him to be happy Lets enter the mind of Boris Johnson, which I have studied quite a bit. He is a decent fellow with a generous soul. He wants those close to him to be happy. He felt guilty that his brothers brief ministerial career was cut short. And so, like a benign medieval monarch bestowing gifts on a favoured retainer, he found a peerage for his younger bro. A kind of consolation. At least Jo will wear ermine and walk tall. Who knows, he might one day be offered ministerial office again without having to submit himself to the electorate. Its outrageous, of course, this handing-out of a peerage to a sibling who wouldnt otherwise have earned it. Shameless. Presumptuous. High-handed. Boris is treating the public sphere as though it were his private domain. That is where corruption begins. Here is the amazing thing. Almost no one in public life or the media seems to care. There have been a few grumbles in the Press, and Norman Fowler, the Lord Speaker, has complained about the House of Lords getting too big. Yet charges of nepotism have been sparse. Even the Boris-hating Guardian newspaper has for the most part kept its hands in its pockets. Some have suggested this is because Jo is a Remainer who is married to one of the papers female columnists, whom it doesnt wish to upset. Maybe. But actually it has fumed surprisingly little about Boriss other new peers, some of whom are almost as undeserving as Jo. Have they gone to sleep at The Guardian? Or have they written off the PM, and cant get worked up by what they may consider a trivial issue? What about Tories who wish Boris well and dont want him to ship water at an early stage in his prime ministership? Why arent they publicly urging caution and restraint and rectitude? Jo Johnson (pictured last September) was for three years a competent middle-ranking minister until he threw in the towel last year, citing an unresolvable tension between family loyalty and the national interest Its very odd. Compare the so-far muted response to Mr Johnsons list of peers to the howls of rage and indignation that greeted the resignation honours of his Labour predecessor Harold Wilson in 1976. This was the infamous Lavender List, so described because it was drawn up by Wilsons adviser, and possibly his lover, Marcia Falkender, on lavender-coloured writing paper. It undeniably contained some unworthy recipients of honours. In particular, there were two crooked businessmen: Joseph Kagan, who received a life peerage and was later convicted of fraud; and Eric Miller, who got a knighthood and killed himself the following year while under police investigation. In Wilsons partial defence, his dodgy list marked the end of his premiership, whereas Boris Johnsons controversial nominations have come near the beginning of his. And at least Wilson didnt ennoble a member of his own family. Look at some of Boriss other peers. There is Evgeny Lebedev, son of a former Russian KGB spy turned multi-millionaire oligarch. With his fathers money, he has tried with limited success to turn around two struggling British newspapers. Both Lebedevs deserve some recognition for that. But a peerage? Conferring such an honour on the son of an ex-KGB officer is risky, to say the least. Moreover, the young Lebedev and the Prime Minister are close. Friends of Evgeny tell me Boris has visited the Russians villa in Italy (he has a separate castle nearby) at least six times. It doesnt smell right. Other fortunate beneficiaries include Henry Bellingham, a long-serving backwoods MP and Old Etonian. Ed Vaizey, like Jo Johnson a former middle-ranking minister, also surprisingly becomes a peer. Interestingly, his late father figured controversially on the Lavender List. Admittedly, many of Boriss nominations for peerages are unexceptionable. No one could reasonably cavil at the inclusion of former Chancellors Ken Clarke and Philip Hammond. Margaret Thatchers biographer and former newspaper editor Charles Moore will be an adornment to the Lords, though I wish he hadnt recently described Boris as a genius. Boris assumes he can get away with it just as he unapologetically gave a peerage to his mate Zac Goldsmith (pictured in February) after the latter lost his seat in last Decembers election. Goldsmith carried on as Environment Minister as though nothing had happened Erstwhile Labour Brexiteers Frank Field, Gisela Stuart and Kate Hoey are deserving additions to the red benches, though Im not so sure about former Brexit Party MEP and stalwart of BBC Radio 4s Moral Maze, Claire Fox. It is odd to see her elevated while her old boss Nigel Farage, whom Boris dislikes, is overlooked. One interesting footnote. Though I yield to no one in my admiration for former newspaper editor Veronica Wadley, I note that her husband Tom Bower is preparing a biography of the PM. I hope Boris doesnt intend to blunt his normally harsh nib. Andrew Gimson, a previous biographer, says Boris offered him 100,000 to junk his book. All in all, this was a partial list, with some undistinguished names and several unsuitable nominations. Boris assumes he can get away with it just as he unapologetically gave a peerage to his mate Zac Goldsmith after the latter lost his seat in last Decembers election. Goldsmith carried on as Environment Minister as though nothing had happened. This habit of defying convention, and not caring what people think, has become a feature of Mr Johnsons time in office. We saw it in his relaxed response to the infringements of the lock- down by his friend and adviser Dominic Cummings. Robert Jenricks scandalous misdemeanours over planning law also werent taken seriously by No 10. Its as though the Prime Ministers loyalty to those close or useful to him trumps wider considerations of proper, decent behaviour. How else can one explain his appointing his younger brother a peer? So far there have been no very harmful consequences among his supporters. But I dont think the Red Wall Tories, who are about to be consumed in an economic tsunami, will take kindly to evidence of nepotism, or the revelation that Boriss friends live by other rules. Boris has always been pretty shameless, but he did once understand that most people dont relish abuses of power. I remember his describing to me around 2004 how Cherie Blair arrived outside a restaurant in Londons West End in a motorcade as though she were Eva Peron or Imelda Marcos. He didnt like that. For now, people may not care very much about his list of peers. But there is a growing sense that there is one set of rules for Boris and his pals, and another for the rest of us. Unless this is checked, it could one day be fatal. COMMUNITY groups helping children during the Covid-19 pandemic are to receive 6,500 in the latest round of Tesco Irelands Community Fund initiative. The retailer has annnounced it will dedicate the fifth round of this years programme to community-based projects that support childrens organisations impacted by virus. Every eight weeks, each Tesco store in Limerick and across Ireland donates up to 1,000 between three local causes in its local community. Each of the nominated groups will receive an even share of the donation during for the duration of the pandemic. Announcing the latest round of donations, Geoff Byrne, chief operating officer at Tesco Ireland said: As we continue to adapt and adjust to new ways of life in our communities, we must recognise the huge sacrifices young people throughout Limerick have made in recent months. The Tesco Community Fund continues to be a vital funding resource to the local communities that we serve, and we are delighted to be able to help these organisations at this time. The Limerick beneficiaries in the fifth round of the programme are: Abbeyfeale Scoil Ide agus Isosef Scoil Mhathair de St. Mary's Boys National School Arthurs Quay John the Baptist Boys School St Bridget's National School St Mary's Girls School Coonagh Christ The King Boys School Scoil Mhathair de St Gabrielle's School Dooradoyle (Crescent SC) Catherine Mc Auley School Mid West School for the Deaf St Gabrielle's School Newcastle West Ballyguiltenane National School Monagea National School St Moluas National School Roxboro Southill Hub Steps S.C.P Completion Program Weston Anglers Shannon Banks Christ the king Caherdavin Scoil Mhathair de St Gabrielle's School The Tesco Community Fund donations are just one in a series of measures that Tesco has implemented to help those most in need in communities across Ireland during Covid-19. Tesco Ireland previously donated 240,000 through the Community Fund programme to local causes affected by the Covid-19 pandemic earlier this year. Launched in July 2014, the Tesco Community Fund supports local causes in the communities around its 151 stores throughout Ireland. To date, the Community Fund has helped over 16,850 local projects. For more Limerick news, click here An arts centre and museum, which includes the house in which controversial colonialist Cecil Rhodes was born, has changed its name following Black Lives Matter protests. The Rhodes Art Complex in Bishop's Stortford, Herts, has severed its 82 year link to the controversial imperial figure, who was born in the building which now houses Bishop's Stortford Museum on July 17, 1890. It follows a petition signed by hundreds of residents, as well as a deluge of emails and calls protesting the name and pressure from campaign group Stortford Against Rhodes. The move also comes after other organisations moved to distance themselves from the colonialist, including a prestigious University of Oxford college, which agreed to remove his statue from one of its buildings following protests by the Rhodes Must Fall campaign. Now the Rhodes Arts Complex will change its name to South Mill Arts. The Stortford Against Rhodes campaign today welcomed the move, which it called 'long overdue', while trustees promised to work with schools 'to educate students about the life and times of Rhodes and the wider history of Bishop's Stortford'. The Rhodes Art Complex in Bishop's Stortford, Herts, has severed its 82 year link to the controversial imperial figure, who was born in the building which now houses Bishop's Stortford Museum on July 17, 1890 The move to change the name follows a petition signed by hundreds of residents, as well as a deluge of emails and calls protesting the name and pressure from campaign group Stortford Against Rhodes. Pictured: Cecil Rhodes in 1901 The move also comes after other organisations moved to distance themselves from the colonialist, including University of Oxford Oriel college, which agreed to remove his statue from one of its buildings following protests by the Rhodes Must Fall campaign (pictured: protesters outside Oriel College in June) As well as change the name of the complex, trustees running the centre have also cut ties to the colonist - who critics argue paved the way for the apartheid in southern Africa. Campaigners demand Rhodes primary school in North London change its name despite referring to Cecil Rhodes' great-uncle who died when the Victorian colonialist was just three Campaigners want an outstanding primary school to be renamed because of its links to a distant relative of Victorian colonialist Cecil Rhodes. Historians believe that Rhodes Avenue Primary in North London was named after wealthy landowner Thomas Rhodes, who died when his great nephew Cecil was just three years old. Despite no evidence that Thomas ever met infant Cecil, let alone had any colonial interests of his own, activists say the Rhodes name cannot be disentangled from the pursuit of white supremacy and the dehumanisation and subjugation of black people. Earlier this year, campaigners hung a banner on the schools railings with the message: Rename your school after someone who isnt a racist imperialist. An online petition was also launched by ex pupil Frances Browning and has attracted more than 600 signatures. But Trevor Phillips, former head of the Equality and Human Rights Commission and now chairman of the History Matters project at the Policy Exchange think tank, said: I find it puzzling that the most important thing about this school is thought to be its name, which refers not to Cecil Rhodes, but to Thomas, who can hardly be held responsible for his great nephews actions. 'Rather than trying to erase a tenuous link with the past, shouldnt we be focusing on the black lives of the future? Advertisement They will change the name of their group from the Rhodes Birthplace Trust to the Bishop's Stortford Museum and Arts Charitable Incorporated Organisation. However the body says it will not eradicate Rhodes from the town's history, instead promising to educate school children about his legacy. Meanwhile the Stortford Against Rhodes group has called for more to be done and said the arts complex - which has hosted David Bowie, The Who, Moody Blues, Fleetwood Mac, Elton - should reflect the affluent town's residents. In a statement the group said: 'The Rhodes Arts Complex is primarily funded by the citizens of Bishop's Stortford through taxes and donations and as such should be inclusive of all members of the community. 'The renaming is long overdue and whilst we appreciate their swiftness in meeting to discuss this issue, we would like to see immediate action to remove the name as well as commitment to further change.' They added: 'Rhodes was a white supremacist and not someone the signatories would like celebrated in this town. We need to educate the community on Cecil Rhodes, not exalt him.' In a statement issued today the trust said: 'In line with its strategy to relaunch the Rhodes Arts Complex, to better fulfil its anticipated future role in the cultural life of Bishop's Stortford and district, the Rhodes Birthplace Trust has announced that the new name for the complex will be South Mill Arts. 'Whilst the trust originally indicated that it would consult the local community about a new name, the lively debate in the press, on social media and in unsolicited emails to the complex has more than adequately expressed the community's views and the trustees now feel that such a consultation is not necessary. 'The rationale behind the chosen name is based upon the location of the complex and an examination of the town's industrial heritage, as themed by the museum.' The trust's chairwoman Deirdre Glasgow added: 'We have kept our promise to the town and chosen a name that does not honour any person, living or dead, but does have a historical link to the town and its wider history. Rhodes, a revered figure during the days of the British Empire, founded the De Beers mining company in South Africa and also took control of territory in southern Africa that eventually became Rhodesia, now Zimbabwe. Rhodes was born in Netteswell House (pictured) which is now home to Bishop's Stortford Museum The trust who run the centre will change the name of their group from the Rhodes Birthplace Trust to the Bishop's Stortford Museum and Arts Charitable Incorporated Organisation He believed that the English were the master race and both South Africa and the former Rhodesia were ruled by white minorities for many years. Thousands of locals signed a petition calling for the removal of Rhodes' name from the arts centre and in June the trust revealed it would change its name. The venue began as a memorial museum, financed by prominent Rhodesians after they bought the building where Rhodes was born, Netteswell House. In 1938, 36 years after his death, it became part of the Rhodes Memorial Museum. Its premises were later extended and opened in 1963 as the Rhodes Memorial Museum and Commonwealth Centre. The buildings were refurbished to form the current complex in 2005. The facility will formally change its name on Monday, August 24. The name change comes after the governing body of Oxford University's Oriel College in June said it wanted to remove the controversial statue of Cecil Rhodes. The name change comes after the governing body of Oxford University's Oriel College in June said it wanted to remove the controversial statue of Cecil Rhodes (pictured) A 'hit list' of 78 statues and memorials to some of Britain's most famous figures has been created by an anti-racism group urging local communities to remove them because they 'celebrate racism and slavery' Rhodes Must Fall: A timeline of events March 2015: Students at University of Cape Town begin protest to remove statue. April 2015: After a vote by the university's council, the statue is removed May 2015: A vote is held at Rhodes University, South Africa, to change the name of the university. The vote is defeated. January 2016: Vote held by Oxford students in Oxford Union, not affiliate to Oxford University, vote to remove the statue. January 2016: Leaked report reveals the university faces huge funding loss if it removes the statue. June 2020: The Rhodes Must Fall campaign is thrown into the spotlight among growing anti-racism protests by the Black Lives Matter movement following the death of American George Floyd. It gains particular attention following the toppling of a statue to slave trader Edward Colston in Bristol. Advertisement Board members met two months ago to discuss the future of the monument, which is one of dozens of targets appearing on a list of statues Black Lives Matter protesters want to see taken down for links to racism and colonialism. Recent Black Lives Matter protests reignited discussion on whether the statue should be removed - particularly in the wake of a monument to 18th century slave trader Edward Colston being pulled down and dumped in the harbour in Bristol. Critics argue Rhodes paved the way for the apartheid in southern Africa, and raise issue with his time as leader of the Cape Colony, from 1890 to 1896, when government restricted black Africans' rights by increasing the financial criteria people required in order to vote. Following demonstrations by the Rhodes Must Fall campaign, the board decided they wanted to remove the statue, along with the King Edward Street Plaque. However an independent commission into the statue will be set up before any action is taken. The college said in a statement: 'The Governing Body of Oriel College has voted to launch an independent Commission of Inquiry into the key issues surrounding the Rhodes statue. 'They also expressed their wish to remove the statue of Cecil Rhodes and the King Edward Street Plaque. This is what they intend to convey to the Independent Commission of Inquiry. 'Both of these decisions were reached after a thoughtful period of debate and reflection and with the full awareness of the impact these decisions are likely to have in Britain and around the world. 'The Commission will deal with the issue of the Rhodes legacy and how to improve access and attendance of BAME undergraduate, graduate students and faculty, together with a review of how the college's 21st Century commitment to diversity can sit more easily with its past.' A statue of Cecil Rhodes, top centre, the controversial Victorian imperialist, stands mounted on the facade of Oriel College in Oxford The board has now 'expressed their wish to remove the statue of Cecil Rhodes and the King Edward Street Plaque' (pictured: Protesters in Oxford) A plaque in honour of Rhodess great services to the UK on an outside wall of the college facing the street is also due to be removed. In a statement, Oriel Colleges 40-strong governing body said it had voted to launch an independent commission of inquiry into the key issues surrounding the Rhodes statue. The college said its inquiry, which will take evidence from Rhodes Must Fall supporters as well as historians and former students, will report back by the end of the year. Oriel College opened its Rhodes Building in 1911 after receiving a 100,000 from the former student, who died in 1902. A petition with 180,000 signatures calling for the statue to be removed is the latest rallying cry in five years of campaigning. In 2015 students at the University of Cape Town successfully lobbied to have a statue of the imperialist taken down. However attempts to change the name of Rhodes University were unsuccessful. YEREVAN, AUGUST 5, ARMENPRESS. The Armenian peacekeepers of UNIFIL were not in danger at the time when the devastating blast hit Beirut, the foreign ministry told ARMENPRESS. Foreign ministry spokesperson Anna Naghdalyan told ARMENPRESS that the Armenian Embassy maintains constant contact with the peacekeepers. Ambassador Atabekyan contacted them this morning. He said that the peacekeepers are serving in the direction of the southern border, which is rather far away from the blast area, she said, adding that the Armenian peacekeepers carry on with their service normally. UNIFIL (United Nations Interim Force Lebanon) said earlier in a statement that one of its Maritime Task Force ships was damaged and some of UNIFIL naval peacekeepers were injured. As a result of a huge explosion that rocked Beirut Port this evening, one of the UNIFIL ships of the Maritime Task Force docked in the port was damaged, leaving some UNIFIL naval peacekeepers injured some of them seriously. UNIFIL is transporting the injured peacekeepers to the nearest hospitals for medical treatment. UNIFIL is currently assessing the situation, including the scale of the impact on UNIFIL personnel the mission said in a statement. UNIFIL Head of Mission and Force Commander Major General Del Col said: We are with the people and the Government of Lebanon during this difficult time and stand ready to help and provide any assistance and support. More than 2700 tons of ammonium nitrate exploded in the port of Beirut at a warehouse on Tuesday, sending massive shockwaves through the Lebanese capital. More than 100 people are dead and 4000 are wounded. Heavy damages occurred across the city. Editing and Translating by Stepan Kocharyan OTTAWA - The federal government is moving ahead with plans to help provinces and territories shore up their defences against COVID-19 by freeing up billions of dollars to make schools and hospitals more pandemic resistant and expand outdoor public spaces. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 5/8/2020 (531 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Minister of Infrastructure and Communities Catherine McKenna speaks regarding support for Canadian communities as they adjust their public infrastructure priorities to the realities of the COVID-19 pandemic during an event at the Tomlinson Family Foundation Clubhouse in Ottawa on Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick OTTAWA - The federal government is moving ahead with plans to help provinces and territories shore up their defences against COVID-19 by freeing up billions of dollars to make schools and hospitals more pandemic resistant and expand outdoor public spaces. Infrastructure Minister Catherine McKenna unveiled details of the plan Wednesday, which followed weeks of talks between Ottawa and provincial and territorial governments as well as years of criticism about the slow pace of the Liberals' infrastructure spending. More than $3.3 billion out of the $33 billion that the Liberal government has previously promised in matching funds for provincial and territorial projects will be available for projects related to the pandemic that are ready to move quickly. The federal government is envisioning the money will be used to retrofit schools, hospitals and long-term care facilities to better limit the spread of the novel coronavirus, as well as build more bike lanes and walking paths for people to get outside. Provinces and territories will also be able to use the money to shore up their protections against other disasters such as floods and wildfires. Provincial projects need to be finished by 2021. The territories will have an extra year. The maximum cost for any single project is $10 million. To get things moving faster, McKenna said Ottawa is streamlining the process for provinces and territories to submit projects for funding. It will also cover 80 per cent of the cost of eligible projects submitted by provinces, and the full cost from the territories. Normally, Ottawa would cover one-third of the cost of municipal projects, half the cost of provincial projects and 75 per cent of the cost in Northwest Territories, Nunavut and Yukon. The goal is "to help address the pandemic, to make communities more resilient, to work on keeping kids and aging parents and all of us safer and also to improve the quality of life," McKenna said during a news conference at the Boys and Girls Club of Ottawa. "We will be speeding up project approvals. We will be opening up new projects eligible for funding. ... And recognizing the challenging financial situation for municipalities and provinces, we'll be offering a bigger federal share." The new approach comes as most governments across the country are looking at reopening schools in the next month and trying to better protect nursing homes and other facilities from new outbreaks of COVID-19. At the same time, many provincial and municipal governments are facing significant financial pressure due to the pandemic, which has caused severe economic damage and uncertainty in local communities. The federal government has promised billions of dollars in stimulus funding, though McKenna acknowledged the infrastructure funds in question on Wednesday had been previously announced. The government says every province and territory has at least 10 per cent of its allotment from the $33-billion Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program unspent, and that each will be able to decide which of that remaining money to divert to COVID-19 projects. Ottawa will now have to sign agreements with the provinces and territories modifying the terms of the previous infrastructure-funding arrangements. The Federation of Canadian Municipalities, which represents communities across the country, welcomed the new measure as reflective of the concerns they have raised about getting more federal infrastructure money out the door faster. "The federal government has heard us and also believes that supporting local action with more flexibility in funding, more efficient approvals and higher federal contributions will help municipal leaders across the country get projects out the door faster," FCM president Bill Karsten said in a statement. But NDP infrastructure critic Taylor Bachrach suggested the new measure amounted to robbing Peter to pay Paul, as the $33-billion fund was already insufficient to meet the needs of provinces and municipalities. "Shifting this existing program and the same pot of money to new COVID-related issues means other needs will go unmet," he said. "Offering new ways to access and cut up the same pie might sound nice, but it doesn't actually get you any more pie." Conservative infrastructure critic Luc Berthold blasted the Liberals for not having acted sooner to support Canadian municipalities as well as the slow pace of infrastructure spending over the years. 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. Disagreements and tensions between many provincial governments and Ottawa kept some projects from going ahead. The parliamentary budget office has issued several reports outlining the sloth-like pace of project approvals and complex nature of the arrangements. Opposition parties in the House of Commons joined forces in January to pass a motion asking for an official audit of the Investing in Canada program, which overall committed more than $180 billion across more than a decade to infrastructure programs. "The Liberal government has failed to work with our municipal and provincial partners to get shovels in the ground and deliver projects on time and on budget when our economy needed it the most, and they've waited too long before approving municipal projects that could have provided jobs and a boost to their economies this summer," Berthold said. McKenna underscored that as the country adapts to COVID-19, "every taxpayer dollar we invest, needs to do triple duty. "It needs to keep Canadians healthy and safe by making communities more resilient. It needs to create jobs and create economic stability. And it needs to tackle the big challenges we have, like climate change and inequality." This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 5, 2020. "There has been a significant drop in routine healthcare visits during the stay-at-home measures, leading to a dangerous decline in immunizations among adults. We are doing everything we can to help prevent outbreaks of other diseases that would add to the already tragic public health crisis of the pandemic," said Judy Stewart, Senior Vice President, Head of US Vaccines at GSK. "We must protect against other infectious diseasesones we can prevent with existing, recommended vaccines." Less than half of adults in the US receive most vaccines recommended for them, in part because awareness is low.1 Since the declaration of the COVID-19 pandemic and public health measures to slow the spread of the disease in the US, ordering rates across adult vaccines among healthcare practices have dropped an average of 62 percent.2 Most illnesses, hospitalizations, disability and deaths from vaccine-preventable illnesses occur among adults.3 An estimated average of 50,000 Americans die of vaccine-preventable diseases each year with adults, and especially older adults, disproportionally impacted.4 Thousands more suffer serious health problems that could have been prevented with recommended immunizations.5 The US spends about $26.5 billion annually treating four major vaccine-preventable diseases (influenza, pneumococcal disease, shingles and pertussis) among US adults ages 50 years and older.6 As part of the campaign, GSK is also supporting a broad initiative by the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) to educate patients about the importance of immunization over the next year. "We are committed to working with providers and the broader public health community to close the gap on adult immunizations and ensure a high level of community protection against all vaccine-preventable infectious diseases," said Barbara Howe, MD, Vice President and Director, Clinical Research and Development and Medical Affairs at GSK Vaccines. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends vaccines for adults because immunity from childhood vaccines wears off over time. Adults are also at risk for different diseases compared to children and their risk generally increases over time because their immune systems weaken as they age. Adults ages 50 and older may need a number of vaccines, based on their age, underlying medical conditions, lifestyle, prior vaccinations, and other considerations. Recommended adult vaccines protect against diseases like influenza, pneumococcal disease, shingles, hepatitis, pertussis and tetanus. GSK has launched a website where adults ages 50 and older can learn about the value and importance of vaccines and see a list of vaccines routinely recommended for their age group. The campaign, which will also utilize advertising, news media and social media, will run through 2021. Visit www.broughtbyvaccines.com for more information and resources. About GSK GSK is a science-led global healthcare company with a special purpose: to help people do more, feel better, live longer. For further information please visit www.gsk.com/about-us. GSK enquiries: US Media enquiries: Sean Clements +1 215 740 3088 (Philadelphia) Analyst/Investor enquiries: Sarah Elton-Farr +44 (0) 20 8047 5194 (London) Danielle Smith +44 (0) 20 8047 0932 (London) James Dodwell +44 (0) 20 8047 2406 (London) Jeff McLaughlin +1 215 751 7002 (Philadelphia) Frannie DeFranco +1 215 751 4855 (Philadelphia) Cautionary statement regarding forward-looking statements GSK cautions investors that any forward-looking statements or projections made by GSK, including those made in this announcement, are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from those projected. Such factors include, but are not limited to, those described under Item 3.D "Risk Factors" in the company's Annual Report on Form 20-F for 2019 and any impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. Registered in England & Wales: No. 3888792 Registered Office: 980 Great West Road Brentford, Middlesex TW8 9GS _________________________ 1 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Vaccination Coverage Among Adults in the United States, National Health Interview Survey, 2016. Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/imz-managers/coverage/adultvaxview/pubs-resources/NHIS-2016.html. 2 Drug distribution data from IQVIA for April and May 2020, showing change v. April and May 2019 3 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Surveillance of Vaccination Coverage Among Adult Populations United States, 2015. Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/66/ss/ss6611a1.htm. 4 National Center for Immunization & Respiratory Diseases. Disease Burden Among Adults for Vaccine Preventable Diseases: Medical, Social, and Economic Costs. Available at: https://www2.cdc.gov/vaccines/ed/pickup/ciinc/2017/CIINC_4_12_2017.pdf. 5 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Vaccine-Preventable Adult Diseases. Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/adults/vpd.html. 6 McLaughlin JM, McGinnis JJ, Tan L, et al. Estimated Human and Economic Burden of Four Major Adult Vaccine-Preventable Diseases in the United States, 2013. J Prim Prev. 2015;36(4):259273. SOURCE GSK Related Links http://www.gsk.com A renewed effort to discover whether or not a rank, egg-smell like exists around a wastewater treatment facility in the southern area of The Woodlands has been underway for more than a month, with sensors being deployed in various areas and scientists analyzing preliminary findings of what could be a months-long investigation. It is the second study of the air around the plant in the last five months. MORE FROM JEFF FORWARD: Woodlands residents complain about SJRA waste water plant odors Officials from both the San Jacinto River Authority as well as Woodlands Water are collaborating on the newest study to find out whether the alleged odors are really coming from the Waste Water Treatment Facility No. 1 in the Village of Grogans Mill. The study aims to discover if there are odors, and if so, how pungent are the smells for local residents of a pricey, small neigborhood called Lakeside Cove that is in close proximity to the plant. Heather Ramsey Cook, a spokesperson for the SJRA, said the second study currently ongoing will last several months, if not longer, and analysis will be used to determine whether or not improvements are needed or not at the facility, the oldest of three waste water treatment plants in The Woodlands. Findings are expected to be presented to trustees from Woodlands Water in mid-October and then the boards of the 10 MUDs in possibly mid-November. ON HOUSTONCHRONICLE.COM: Houston officials are using your poop to track the spread of coronavirus The previous study came back inconclusive, Ramsey Cook said of the April effort done by a different engineering firm. Now, a second civil engineering firm Kimley-Horn is doing a follow-up exploration of the allegations of rank odors at a cost of $160,000. Local MUDs are funding the study. The firm will conduct what is called a smoke test beginning at 9 a.m., Wednesday that will last roughly five to six hours and be focused in the Lakeside Cove community north of South Millbend Drive and east of the treatment facility. Ramsey Cook said residents of the area have been warned about the test and smoke in an effort to not cause alarm. On Thursday evening, a special online meeting will be hosted by officials from the SJRA, Woodlands Water and the engineering firm to update residents of the small neighborhood filled with pricey million-dollar homes on progress. MORNING REPORT: Get the top stories on HoustonChronicle.com sent directly to your inbox Jim Stinson, general manager of Woodlands Water, said the agency had collaborated with SJRA in regard to the odor study after the rampant complaints from residents and Woodlands director Shelley Sekula-Gibbs, who pressured the SJRA in April about the issue. It is a joint effort, the SJRA technical division in leading the review. The Woodlands Water trustees formed an odor control ad hoc committee to be informed about the process as we move through this study, Stinson added. The preliminary engineering report being worked on now, it should be wrapped up around October. Few previous complaints The issue of the alleged smells emanating from the waste treatment plant had been somewhat unknown to most residents of The Woodlands prior to 2020. A few residents of the small, wealthy enclave of homes along Lake Harrison near the plant had sent comments and asked questions about the odors to staff at the SJRA. Despite claims an odor existed, early probes by SJRA did not find any malfunctioning equipment and scant evidence of a gross smell. However, the issue rose in prominence in early April when numerous residents of the neighborhood called to public comment on the issue at a township board meeting. A week later, Sekula-Gibbs introduced an agenda item about the smell at an April board meetings. MORE FROM JEFF FORWARD: Woodlands board pressures SJRA to reduce odors from waste water plant Although the township has no authority nor role in the management of the plant, which is owned by the SJRA and funded by residents of The Woodlands through municipal utility district taxes and sewer fees, an official agenda item at the April meeting of the township board created even more discussion and awareness of the claims of bad odors. During the discussion of the issue, Sekula-Gibbs asked numerous questions about the alleged odors as well as pressed officials from the SJRA for action to remedy the situation. Sekula-Gibbs resides in the neighborhood, having relocated to a home in the area about two years ago. She ran for the township board in 2019 after only residing in the community for about 19 months and began to complain about the odor sometime in 2019 according to officials. Chris Meeks, Utility Enterprise O&M manager for the SJRA, said SJRA is about a month or so away from receiving the preliminary findings of the second study. The first study included four sensors trying to detect hydrogen sulfide. Those were removed but the SJRA purchased four sensors of their own and placed them at the plant and in the neighborhood, Meeks added. Once the study is done and findings are complete, possible action if any to renovate, repair or improve the treatment plant would be determined by the boards of the 10 municipal utility districts that Woodlands Water oversees, said Jace Houston, the general manager of SJRA. (Possible repairs) will ultimately be up to the MUDs. The job of Kimley-Horn is to study the plant, study all the issues and try to determine the source of whatever odors are emanating and develop a list of strategies and present those to the MUDs, Houston said. They will have to decide what they want to. We are happy to build, implement and operate whatever they want. (The MUDs) are the ones who will have to pay fir it, so they will have to decide (what to do). jeff.forward@chron.com In less than 11 months, Ream lost 88 kilograms by limiting himself to 2,000 calories a day, eating more fruit and vegetables and jogging in place in his garage while watching television. He wrote an essay in the Dayton Daily News about the inspiration for his weight loss. The essay began, "When people ask me how I did it, they usually think I'll respond with Keto, Atkins, Paleo or even surgery. They're wrong. My answer: Orion." Kings Island invited him to ride the Orion as many times as he liked on the park's media day, one day before it opened to the public. On July 1, weighing 108 kilograms, he sat down in the car of the Orion and buckled in, overjoyed that he fit in the safety restraint. He finally took the 91-metre drop on his dream roller coaster. "When I pulled down the lap restraint and heard it click, I couldn't stop smiling," he said. "And I even had room to spare. It was an incredible feeling all of that hard work had paid off." Chad Showalter, director of communications for Kings Island, called Jared's weight loss journey "nothing short of amazing." "Orion's first 91-metre drop makes it only the seventh giga coaster on the planet," he said, "which is a pretty incredible way to celebrate such an accomplishment." At 6 feet 9 inches, Ream has always been a large man, he said, but it wasn't until he took a desk job in digital advertising in 2015 that he started gaining a lot of weight. "It was a lack of caring, a lack of exercise," he said. "I'd come home, watch TV and eat whatever I wanted instead of doing something healthy." As the months passed, his eating became more problematic. "When I could no longer ride roller coasters something I'm passionate about that made it worse," he said. "I'd feel sad about it and eat a piece of cake." Ream's love of roller coasters goes back to the day he learned he met the height requirement as a boy on a trip to Kings Island with his parents and three older brothers. "I love everything about them the speed, the height, the thrill, the views," he said. "I've never been a screamer, though. More than anything, I find roller coasters relaxing. I just sit back and let them take me where they want to go." For years, he had gone out of his way to ride the fastest, smoothest and steepest coasters in the country, timing summer business trips to hit a park or two before coming home. When that came to an end because of his weight gain, Ream said he felt defeated. "I figured that I'd never get back that passion again," he said. "I had no motivation." But last summer when he heard about the new Orion coaster, everything changed. "To be honest, I don't know if I'd have been able to do this if they hadn't announced that roller coaster," he said. He gave himself less than a year to lose the weight. Besides exercising and cutting calories, Ream said he limited his eating to two meals and one snack a day between the hours of 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. "I also got more sleep," he said. "The more sleeping I did, the less time I had to eat." The weight quickly began to drop off, and Ream was soon losing about 10 kilograms a month, he said. In less than a year, he went down 18 sizes and now wears pants in a size 36, down from 54. Still, on the day when it mattered, he felt a little nervous about passing the "green light" test to ride the Orion. When he did, it made all his hard work worth it. Meghan McCain of The View is preparing to welcome her first child with husband Ben Domenech. With her due date rapidly approaching, the ABC panelist will soon be taking maternity leave. While producers are considering possible fill-ins for the conservative co-host, McCain tweeted an endorsement for a potential substitute. Meghan McCain of The View | Lou Rocco/Walt Disney Television via Getty Images The View co-host announces pregnancy Shortly after the coronavirus crisis prompted a nationwide lockdown in March, McCain took to Instagram to share the news of her pregnancy. My husband Ben and I have been blessed to find out Im pregnant, she wrote in her post. Although this isnt how I expected to announce my pregnancy, both we and our families are excited to share the news with you all. The View star revealed that she would appear on the show each day from home in order to protect her baby. RELATED: Why Meghan McCain Decided to Go from Fox News to The View I consulted with my doctors and they advised me that for the safety of our baby and myself, I should be extra vigilant about limiting the amount of people we come in contact with, McCain explained. Starting immediately, Ill be joining the millions of Americans who are self-isolating As a result, I will be appearing on The View from home via satellite. Former New York Times reporter named as potential sub for Meghan McCain A recent Decider article referenced McCains impending leave of absence, noting The View will undoubtedly need to replace their ratings-making star when she goes on maternity leave in the fall. The journalist suggested Bari Weiss, the former New York Times reporter who recently and publicly left the legendary news outlet. McCain stood in solidarity when Weiss resignation letter hit the headlines. Right before we came on air, it came out that my friend Bari Weiss is leaving the New York Times, McCain said on The View. Part of it is the controversy over that Tom Cotton op-ed, which exploded [Weiss] was entangled in it for a lot of different reasons. Shes been a target of many people on the left, in many different ways, despite the fact that she is a liberal Democrat. Weiss has previously co-hosted the daytime talk show and appeared as a guest multiple times. The former NYT writer is also friends with McCain. RELATED: The View: Author of Ladies Who Punch Says Higher Ratings are Due to Meghan McCain Meghan McCain seconds the suggestion Weiss outlined her reasons for leaving The New York Times, calling out the drastic changes in journalistic ethics during her time at the publication. 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, she wrote in her letter. Twitter is not on the masthead of The New York Times. But Twitter has become its ultimate editor. 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. Apparently, The View star is fully in favor of Weiss taking her seat while shes away. FWIW I love the idea of @bariweiss filling in for me when I go on maternity leave McCain tweeted. FWIW I love the idea of @bariweiss filling in for me when I go on maternity leave https://t.co/LpgdrvQPft Meghan McCain (@MeghanMcCain) August 5, 2020 RELATED: The View: Meghan McCain Says Theres Been A Lot To Deal With During Her Time on the Show With McCains baby about to make a highly anticipated debut, The View fans will soon find out who takes on the role of the resident conservative co-host. Its tough, especially when I have meetings, said Hampton, who will be working from home through at least the end of the year. They like to make little pop-ins and say hi to everyone on the meeting. But fortunately, everyone that I work with has similar circumstances and they just take it in stride. More stranded Russians fly home from Phuket PHUKET: The special flights to fly home Russian nationals left stranded in Phuket due to the COVID-19 pandemic continued at Phuket International Airport yesterday (Aug 4). tourismRussiantransportCOVID-19 By The Phuket News Wednesday 5 August 2020, 05:14PM Airport staff bid farewell to the Russian tourists before they board the flight home yesterday (Aug 4). Photo: AoT Phuket Airport staff bid farewell to the Russian tourists before they board the flight home yesterday (Aug 4). Photo: AoT Phuket Airport staff bid farewell to the Russian tourists before they board the flight home yesterday (Aug 4). Photo: AoT Phuket Russian tourists check-in to board the special flight home yesterday (Aug 4). Photo: Phuket Consulate-General of the Russian Federation A total of 265 Russians and 6 foreign citizens boarded Aeroflot Fight SU275 bound for Moscow at 11:04am, reported the Phuket Consulate-General of the Russian Federation. As is now tradition, the passengers were seen off at the departure terminal by airport staff, immigration police and health officials, holding cards spelling out the message See you again in Russian language. In marking the departure of more Russian nationals flying home on July 16, the Phuket Consulate-General of the Russian Federation noted that since the beginning of April, more than 1,500 people had flown out of Phuket on specially organised flights to various regions of Russia. The total number of specially arranged repatriation flights carried out from Thailand, according to the Russian Embassy in Bangkok, at that time was given as 42. In total, more than 9,000 Russian nationals have been flown home during the COVID-19 crisis, the embassy noted. Mail-in ballots are processed for Washington's primary election by elections workers at the King County Elections headquarters in Renton, Washington, on August 4, 2020. (David Ryder/Getty Images) Mail-in Voting Controversy Deepens as USPS Becomes Focal Point for Congress Over a hundred members of Congress sent a letter to congressional leaders requesting that funding for the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) be included in the pandemic relief package currently being negotiated. Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-N.Y.), chair of the House Committee on Oversight and Reform, and Rep. Gerald Connolly (D-Va.), chair of the House Government Operations Subcommittee, led 129 other House members to urge Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), Majority Leader Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), Sen. Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), and House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) to fully fund the USPS and ensure it can meet states needs in delivering mail-in ballots. As negotiations over phase 4 COVID-19 relief legislation continue, we urge you to continue to include strong support for the United States Postal Service (USPS) in any final relief legislation, the Congress members wrote in a letter. States throughout the union are expanding access to mail-in voting in an effort to reduce the spread of the CCP virus, which has led to growing concerns that inadequate postal service could extend vote counting for days or weeks after Election Day. Millions of Americans across the country rely on the Postal Service for the delivery of essential items, including life-saving medications, census forms, and mail-in ballots, Maloney said. She criticized the Trump administration for not prioritizing funding for the USPS. Congress must ensure that the next stimulus package includes provisions to protect the Postal Service and maintain the mail service that is essential to Americans across the country, she said. There are concerns that ballots that are missing or late, will lead to legal actions against states that have widespread mail-in voting. President Donald Trump has criticized widespread mail-in ballot initiatives, calling them corrupt. He told Axios that mail-in voting could significantly delay election results. We went through World War I, you went to the polls, you voted. We went through World War II, you went to the polls, you voted. And now because of the China virus, were supposed to stay home, send millions of ballots all over the country, millions and millions, Trump said in an interview with Axios. You know, you could have a case where this election wont be decided on the evening of Nov. 3. This election could be decided two months later. Trump and other Republicans have said mail-in voting could lead to ballot harvesting, allowing for dead people to vote, or allowing for people who have moved to fraudulently vote, as well as ballots being lost in the mail. However, Democrats say mail-in voting is secure as long as the USPS is adequately funded. The United States Postal Service will play a critical role in facilitating a safe, secure vote-by-mail election in November. We must fully fund @USPS and call out this administrations attempts to dismantle it for what they are: voter suppression, said Rep. Ayanna Pressley (D-Mass.). During a White House press event at the end of April with industry executives about opening the economy after lockdowns, Trump said big companies should pay more for the USPS services to help maintain the quality, not the taxpayers. No, we want to stabilize the post office, and the way you do that is these companies are going to have to pay more, not the people. Were not looking for the people to pay. But the companies are going to have to pay a percentage of thatthat loss. You cant do that. The government shouldnt have to do it. I think the post office couldwouldnt it be great if it could, after so many decades, break-even, Trump said. USPS and the Department of Treasury reached a deal at the end of July, which gives the service a loan of up to $10 billion, but only if its needed. The loan comes through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, a $2.2 trillion stimulus bill signed by President Donald Trump in late March to provide relief amid harsh restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic. In the letter House Democrats, said despite the emergency funding from the treasury and elsewhere they still have significant concerns about the USPS having the money it needs to fully handle mail-in voting if it is employed broadly across the nation. They pointed to the newly appointed, Postmaster General Louis DeJoys cost-cutting that prevents employees from working overtime, which they say has affected the timely delivery of mail. Congress must mandate that USPS return to operation standards as they were on June 14, 2020, immediately prior to Louis DeJoy joining USPS, they wrote. More recently, Trump said he supports mail-in ballots in states that have the proper infrastructure for a mail-in voting system. Trump wrote on Wednesday: Nevada has ZERO infrastructure for Mail-In Voting. It will be a corrupt disaster if not ended by the Courts. It will take months, or years, to figure out. Florida has built a great infrastructure, over the years, with two great Republican Governors. Florida, send in your Ballots! Meanwhile, Susan Dzieduszycka-Suinat, the president of the U.S. Vote Foundation, told The Hill: The ability of the USPS to function knows no party, you cant tell if the ballot is Republican or Democrat when its in an envelope. We believe this is a bipartisan issue of great concern. New York, Aug 5 : A remarkable soundbite -- "It is what it is" -- from a 37-minute US President Donald Trump interview telecast on HBO is emerging as a bizarre anthem for the catastrophic American experience with the coronavirus pandemic as the country's caseload spirals towards the 5 million mark. The virus has killed more than 157,000 Americans in less than 8 months since the first case and the US president is still touting "fantastic" US testing numbers as the defining metric of America's state of play. The US has the dubious distinction of leading the world in coronavirus cases after months of chaotic policy response and widespread resistance to masking up. Fact checked in real time, Trump repeatedly told his interviewer - Jonathon Swan of Axios - that America is showing more cases "because we are so much better at testing than any other country in the world." "We've tested more people than any other country, more than all of Europe put together times two, we have tested more people than anybody ever thought of. India has 1.4 billion people, they've done 11 million tests." Trump claimed that the "United States is lowest in numerous categories" basing his interpretation of deaths as a proportion of cases rather than as a proportion of population. "You can't do that," Trump said about assessing deaths as a proportion of total population. Trump insisted that deaths must be seen through the lens of total cases rather than population as the denominator. According to data from Johns Hopkins, America is currently recording 47 deaths per 100,000 people. The US has a 3.3 per cent case fatality ratio - which is deaths per 100 confirmed cases. "We're at the bottom of the list. We have four or five different lists. We have the lowest numbers by far," Trump repeated at Tuesday's White House news briefing. Trump's comments collide with the evidence on the coronavirus' relentless spread across America. New cases in the US are topping 60,000 a day, down from a peak of over 70,000 in late July. Cases are rising in more than half of all US states and deaths are on the rise in 35 states. Daily deaths have climbed past the 1,000 mark in the last two weeks. "It's under control as much as you can control it," Trump said about his handling of the virus in an interview being described variously as "bananas", "bizarre", "nonsense" and "fantasy" in wall to wall prime time coverage in the US. YEREVAN. A group of people on Wednesday protested in front of the Ministry of Health, accusing minister Arsen Torosyan of bringing the wrong vaccine to Armenia, which they say is not against COVID-19, but aims to "massacre" the Armenian people. Artur Aleksanyan, a member of Kamq initiative, stated that Torosyan was not interested in what vaccine he was going to bring to Armenia. Vahagn Chakhalyan, another protester and Kamq member, added that the Armenian authorities were trying to put pressure on those who have a different opinion and to silence them by using police force. During the protest, police apprehended Sona Aghekyan, a member of the Alternative Municipality initiative and a former member of the Yerevan Council of the Elders, for failing to comply with the lawful request of the police, as well as Artur Aleksanyan, who had gotten into an argument with a police officer. Shortly afterwards, an argument took place also between Vahagn Chakhalyan and a police officer, as a result of which Chakhalyan also was taken into custody. In his ruling, Osteen agreed with their argument that election officials should do more to give mail-in voters a say when their ballots are called into question for some reason. The lawsuit contended that in the March primary, nearly 15% of mail-in ballots were rejected, many for such arguable reasons as incomplete witness information and signature issues. The court finds an injunction should issue prohibiting the sate BoE (Board of Elections) from disallowing or rejecting absentee ballots without due process as to those ballots with a material error that is subject to remediation, such as a signature mismatch or deficient witness contact information, Osteen said in his 188-page decision. Osteen also agreed with the nonpartisan plaintiffs that group-living facilities such as nursing homes should be required to give their disabled residents the help they need to vote. But the judge did not go along with the groups on all their claims. Osteen said in his ruling they had not presented compelling enough arguments to overturn the states requirement that voters must register at least 25 days before the election. China advised to target US journalists in HK Global Times By Zhang Hui Source: Global Times Published: 2020/8/4 21:48:41 Last Updated: 2020/8/4 17:48:41 Chinese reporters have yet to receive visa renewal, could trigger retaliation China could impose visa restrictions on American journalists in Hong Kong as a countermeasure against US suppression, which was aimed at forcing Chinese journalists in the US out of the country by not extending their visas, analysts said. None of the Chinese journalists in the US who applied for visa extensions after the US limited visa terms for them to 90 days in May have yet to recieve a clear response, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin said Tuesday. If the US continues on its wrong path, China will be forced to make a proper response and safeguard its legitimate rights and interests, Wang said. Some Chinese analysts have urged the Chinese government to impose visa restrictions on American journalists in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) as part of countermeasures. On whether American reporters in Hong Kong will be targeted, Wang said that the Hong Kong SAR is part of China, and any necessary and proper response that China is forced to take against the US' unreasonable suppression of Chinese media falls under the diplomatic jurisdiction of the central government. The US Department of Homeland Security announced on May 8 that Chinese reporters working for non-US media outlets would be restricted to 90-day work visas, and will be permitted to apply for extensions of up to 90 days. The new rule took effect on May 11. Chinese journalists may be forced to leave the US if their visas are still not extended in the coming days. A Chinese journalist in the US told the Global Times on Tuesday that there are so many uncertainties on US' next move. "Our visas will expire soon, so we applied for a renewal, and now everything is pending," the journalist said. It will be difficult for them to book flights back home if the US denies their visa applications at the last minute and does not leave them enough preparation time. Failing to leave the US on time will make their stay illegal, the journalist said. Li Haidong, a professor at the Institute of International Relations of the China Foreign Affairs University, told the Global Times on Tuesday that the US is forcing Chinese journalists out of the US, and this is part of its de-coupling strategy with China. The US intension is so obvious that China should not have any illusion on this, Li said. The Trump administration's move is driven by presidential elections. Trump is now betting all his chips on shifting blame to China, and he blamed China for the US' worsening coronavirus situation and economic downturn, and hoped to successfully sell his story to Americans, Li said. He said China could target American journalists based in Hong Kong as a countermeasure, and the Hong Kong SAR government will fully cooperate with the central government. Visa matters fall within a country's sovereignty, and are in accordance with "one country, two systems" and Hong Kong's Basic Law, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said, after the SAR government refused to renew the visa of Victor Mallet, a Hong Kong correspondent of the Financial Times in 2018, after he, as vice president of Hong Kong's Foreign Correspondents' Club, hosted a speech by secessionist Andy Chan Ho-tin. Some American media in Hong Kong also frequently made biased reports during the social unrest in Hong Kong last year, and CNN's Hong Kong bureau chief apologized to Hong Kong police in August 2019 for creating rumors that police used petrol bombs and water cannons against protesters. The US has been intensifying its political suppression of Chinese media out of a Cold War mentality and ideological bias since 2018, and China has been compelled to take reciprocal measures against American journalists in China. China in early July required the China-based bureaus of the Associated Press, UPI, CBS and NPR to provide in written form information about their staff, finances, operations and properties in China within seven days, after the US in June listed four more Chinese media outlets as foreign missions rather than media outlets in the US. The US in March slashed the number of Chinese nationals allowed to work at the US offices of major Chinese media to 100 from 160. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Tropical Storm Isaias plowed through the region bringing high winds that knocked down limbs and uprooted trees onto power lines, leaving hundreds and thousands of people without electricity Tuesday night. It will be a multi-day response to get the power on, to replace all the equipment that has been broken and damaged by trees, said Priscilla Ress, spokeswoman for Eversource. Nearly 250,000 residents and businesses across the state reportedly lost electricity in a matter of a few hours due to sustained winds of as much as 40 mph and wind gusts that reached 65 mph in some areas. Some of the hardest hit areas are in the areas are in the Hilltowns and the Berkshires. In small towns such as Becket and Chester, more than 90 percent of customers have no power. Greenfield, Cummington, Pittsfield, Hinsdale and Otis also have a large number of outages, Ress said. Springfield has scattered outages throughout the city with more than 10,000 homes and businesses, or about 17 percent of the customers, left in the dark. In Longmeadow 3,340 customers are without power and Agawam and Amherst each have about 1,200 customers without electricity. National Grid is reporting nearly 175,000 of customers have no electricity across the state. In Wilbraham and Monson 95 percent of the residents and businesses are without power. There are 4,672 customers in Belchertown and 5,027 residents in East Longmeadow with no electricity. Municipal electric companies are also reporting multiple outages. In Holyoke the largest problems are along Route 5, in the Highlands and in the neighborhoods around Whiting Farms Road. Chicopee Electric Light is also reporting large outages spread throughout the city. Electric companies have been planning for the storm for days as soon as it became apparent it would bring high winds and rain to the region, officials said. National Grid has 1,987 crew members and contractors working on the outages after bringing in a number of people from other states, said Erin Del Llano, spokeswoman for the company. Eversource brought in crews and private contractors from New England states which are exempt from the 14-day quarantine required for anyone coming from a different state to Massachusetts due to the coronavirus pandemic. Multiple crews were also brought in from Canada, Ress said. One of the additional challenges is we are working in a pandemic. We are adhering to safety precautions, Ress said. That means that crews are traveling alone in trucks, wearing protective equipment and maintaining 6 feet distance from co-workers when possible. Because of that, restoration work may take longer, she said. She and Del Llano said no one is sure how the safety precautions workers must take to prevent spreading COVID-19 will impact the time it takes to restore power because it has never been done. National Grid workers are also following the state and federal Centers for Disease Control guidelines for working safely to prevent the spread of COVID-19. They are doing health screenings and ensuring crews have protective equipment and the training they need, Del Llano said. At National Grid most workers are doing assessments of damage Tuesday night to develop a plan to restore outages. While there are a few places were repairs can be made overnight, most work is expected to begin early Wednesday, she said. One of the problems is wind gusts are making it difficult for crews to be working on high utility poles usually while they are in the bucket of a truck, Del Llano said. Winds are expected to decrease overnight according to the National Weather Service. There have really high winds. The crews will assess if it is safe to go up in a bucket, Ress said. Sometimes they have to wait until gusts stop. Making it additionally difficult, many roads where outages occurred are blocked with trees and limbs. Crews are working with Department of Public Works in different communities to chainsaw through the debris so they can get close to the downed wires and damaged equipment, Ress said. At the same time high winds are continuing through Tuesday night and damaging more of the electrical infrastructure even while crews are working to make repairs, Ress said. Both Del Llano and Ress said the priority is safety and warn residents to never go near a downed wire because they may be electrified. Residents are asked to call their electric companies at 800-465-1212 for National Grid and 800-286-2000 for Eversource to report downed wires. If they feel if there is an immediate danger, residents should call 911. A live wire can electrify puddles, fences and anything else nearby so people should stay far away from any downed wires and also make sure their children and pets keep away from them, Ress said. People can find estimates of restoration for their own communities on the websites of most power companies. Technical problems caused the Eversource outage map to be out for some time during the storm and people still cannot self-report outages on the companys website or through the app. Residents are asked instead to email customerservicewmass@eversource.com and hundreds of extra customer care representatives are available to assist people, Ress said. Related Content: CLA maintained its hold on the number one spot in the renowned magazines rankings, which recognizes the leading independent construction accounting firms in the United States each year. CLA maintained its hold on the number one spot in the renowned magazines rankings, which recognizes the leading independent construction accounting firms in the United States each year. CLA maintained its hold on the number one spot in the renowned magazines rankings, which recognizes the leading independent construction accounting firms in the United States each year. Julian Xavier, CLA principal, said, Best-in-class contractors recognize completing a project is different today, and they develop strategies to help minimize any negative financial impact to the project. CLA provides the tools contractors need to complete those strategies. Julian Xavier, CLA principal, said, Best-in-class contractors recognize completing a project is different today, and they develop strategies to help minimize any negative financial impact to the project. CLA provides the tools contractors need to complete those strategies. Minneapolis, Aug. 05, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- For the second year in a row, CLA (CliftonLarsonAllen LLP) has been ranked the number one construction accounting firm in the United States by Construction Executive. The list recognizes the top independent construction accounting firms in the country. Construction Executive is now in its 18th year of publication and is considered a leading trade magazine for construction businesses. In the July/August 2020 issue, the magazine published a comprehensive ranking of The Top 50 Construction Accounting Firms, an annual feature that includes detailed breakouts and analysis of the industry. Rankings were determined by seven key factors: Revenue Number of CPAs in construction practice Percentage of firms total revenues that comes from construction practice Number of construction clients Number of office locations with a construction accounting practice Number of employees with CCIFP certification Year construction accounting practice established CLA maintained its number one ranking by growing the number of CPAs, clients, and number of employees with CCIFP certification. The number of CPAs in the firm increased from 2,651 to 2,691 The number of U.S. construction clients increased from 6,762 to 9,182 The number of U.S. employees with CCIFP certification increased from 32 to 45 Story continues CLA continues to expand its offering in the construction accounting arena, bringing a wealth of knowledge to its clients. Julian Xavier, CLA principal, said, Best-in-class contractors recognize completing a project is different today, and they develop strategies to help minimize any negative financial impact to the project. CLA provides the tools contractors need to complete those strategies. About CLA CLA exists to create opportunities for our clients, our people, and our communities through industry-focused wealth advisory, outsourcing, audit, tax, and consulting services. With more than 6,200 people, 120 U.S. locations and a global affiliation, we promise to know you and help you. For more information, visit CLAconnect.com. Investment advisory services are offered through CliftonLarsonAllen Wealth Advisors, LLC, an SEC-registered investment advisor. Attachments CONTACT: Jackie Kruger CLA (CliftonLarsonAllen LLP) 612-376-4623 jackie.kruger@CLAconnect.com Caral Ni Chuilin has been criticised by Jim Allister over use of ministerial car A second Sinn Fein minister has admitted using their ministerial car to travel to the funeral of senior republican Bobby Storey. Hundreds of people lined the streets for the veteran republican's funeral in west Belfast on June 30, despite the Covid-19 restrictions. Several senior Sinn Fein members attended including Deputy First Minister Michelle O'Neill, Finance Minister Conor Murphy and Communities Minister Caral Ni Chuilin. Their attendance later sparked a row at Stormont, where politicians from other parties accused Sinn Fein of breaching coronavirus restrictions and undermining the Executive's message on Covid-19. Read More Both Ms O'Neill and Mr Murphy denied breaching the social distancing measures while at the funeral. North Antrim TUV MLA Jim Allister asked both Mr Murphy and Ms Ni Chuilin if they were conveyed to the funeral of Mr Storey in an official Executive car through Assembly questions. Expand Close Deputy First Minister Michelle ONeill has denied breaching Stormonts Covid-19 regulations and guidance by attending the funeral of Bobby Storey (Liam McBurney/PA) PA / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Deputy First Minister Michelle ONeill has denied breaching Stormonts Covid-19 regulations and guidance by attending the funeral of Bobby Storey (Liam McBurney/PA) Last week, a spokesperson for the Department of Finance stated that Mr Murphy had stopped on his way home "en route to official business in Stormont". In Ms Ni Chuilin's official response, which has not yet been made public, she said: "I was collected from home on June 30, 2020, and taken to Bobby Storey's funeral in west Belfast by the ministerial car. "I was later collected and taken to Stormont for Assembly business, including the final stage of the Housing (Amendment) Bill." Mr Allister said that the transportation of Ms Ni Chuilin and Mr Murphy by ministerial car breached the coronavirus regulations at public expense. "Last week the Finance Minister confirmed in a written answer to me that he was taken to the funeral of IRA terrorist Bobby Storey in his ministerial car," said Mr Allister. "Today, Minister Ni Chuilin has confirmed that she too was taken to the funeral by ministerial car. "While [Michelle] O'Neill now pontificates about the importance of wearing masks, at least two of her ministerial team were transported to a funeral at which multiple breaches of the coronavirus regulations occurred at public expense. "The double standards and do as I say not as I do approach of Sinn Fein is nauseating and is made all the worse by the use of public money in this fashion." Mr Allister added that the revelation that the two ministers travelled in their Executive vehicles "deserves attention". Expand Close Jim Allister / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Jim Allister "There will be many who will note the contrast between the appeal of the Hume family not to go to John Hume's funeral because of the public health risks and the disregard which Sinn Fein displayed of the general public when it came to the Storey funeral," he added. Sinn Fein was asked to respond Mr Allister's comments. A primary school teacher sacked over a sexual fling with a pupil's father and a string of 'inappropriate relationships' with other dads is back with her husband. Ann Brenen, 42, scandalised Westoe Crown Primary School in South Shields, South Tyneside, with colleagues raising concern over her behaviour with fathers of children at the school. Mrs Brenen had told other teachers and teaching assistants that her marriage to husband Paul was on the rocks and it was after she left him in February 2016 that she began a string of concerning relationships with the fathers. Ann Brenen, 42, and her husband Paul Brenen, 41, who says they are happily married She was fired from the school as a result but took her case to an unsuccessful employment tribunal where the details of her actions were laid bare. In its findings of fact the tribunal panel said: 'The claimant left the family house in February half term 2016. 'She told Mr Price, the headteacher, that she was having problems at home. 'In her evidence to the tribunal, the claimant said she started a sexual relationship with the father of pupil F, a child at the school. Paul and Ann Brenen have reconciled after she was sacked from Westoe Crown Primary School 'The claimant did not disclose that relationship to the headteacher. She said she did not do so because it only lasted a short time. 'She said that with hindsight she acknowledged that the relationship was inappropriate, but says that her mental impairment affected her judgement at that time. 'A number of the claimant's colleagues indicated that they were aware that there were rumours circulating that the claimant was in a relationship with the father pupil F. Ann Brenen was sacked from Westoe Crown Primary School in South Shields in 2018 amid fears she was not properly safeguarding children 'A teaching assistant said that she saw the claimant's car parked outside pupil F's father house one morning. She said that she asked the claimant about that and the claimant implied to her that the relationship was physical.' Despite admitting her infidelity in the Tyneside tribunal hearing, Mrs Brenen appears to have been forgiven by Paul Brenen, 41, her second husband, who says they are 'happily married'. Westoe Crown Primary School in South Shields sacked Ann Brenen amid fears of 'inappropriate' relationships with several parents Dads' Army: Who were the four pupils' fathers in the tribunal case? Pupil D - This child's mother raised concerns that Mrs Brenen was sharing information with Pupil D's father, whom they were not in contact with. The teacher admitted her behaviour was inappropriate. Pupil E - Mrs Brenen was texting a parent at the school whom she was friends with about their child not doing any homework, and recommended that child was not sent to homework club. Pupil F: Mrs Brenen engaged in a short sexual relationship with Pupil F's father and later lied about it when asked by the school's headteacher. She also 'threatened,' another teacher who commented on the relationship, by pointing out she would be their line manager the following year. Pupil G - In June 2017, she started a friendship with the father of Pupil G, who was in her class. She later reported the father to police for harassing her, but allowed him to go on a school trip as a parent helper. Mrs Brenen says her 'judgement was impaired at this time'. Advertisement Mr Brenen, a former soldier who served with a locally affiliated regiment of the Light Infantry, stood as an independent councillor for the Westoe ward on South Tyneside Council earlier this year. As part of his campaigning he posted: 'I am a happily married family man with two daughters and I want the very best we can achieve for the ward and the town.' Asked to comment, he said: 'We'd rather not talk about this.' Mr Brenen, a former Unite union rep who now runs a pet service, has posted pictures on social media with his wife and family in recent weeks. Mrs Brenen was sacked for gross misconduct in 2018 amid concerns from parents and teachers that she was not properly safeguarding children. An online profile on TutorFair suggests she is now working as a 30-an-hour private tutor in the South Shields area, and boasts of her 'professional rapport with pupils and parents'. After separating from her husband, Mrs Brenen, who started working at Westoe Crown in 2004, formed a brief relationship with one pupil's dad after meeting him at a parents evening. The complaints against her related to the fathers of four pupils, identified in the tribunal only as Pupils D, E, F and G. The panel ruled she was guilty of a 'serious breach of the standards expected' of a senior teacher and found against her. They found they had no jurisdiction to rule on her claim of disability discrimination, saying she was unfairly treated whilst suffering depression. And they dismissed claims of unfair dismissal and breach of contract wrongful dismissal. The tribunal judgment stated: 'In her evidence to the tribunal, she said she started a sexual relationship with the father of pupil F, a child at her school. 'The claimant did not disclose that relationship to the head teacher. She said she did not do so because it only lasted a short time. 'The claimant's inability to recognise safeguarding issues was clearly a serious matter for the respondent. Her actions amounted to gross misconduct.' Credit: CC0 Public Domain In the face of a persistent global pandemic, disinfectants are more important than ever. These products sometimes rely on quaternary ammonium compounds, or "quats," to kill bacteria and viruses on surfaces. However, some scientists have started to examine these compounds for their possible toxicity in cells and animals. A new story in Chemical & Engineering News, the weekly newsmagazine of the American Chemical Society, explores the safety of quat-containing disinfectants. Quats are a family of several hundred compounds that have at least one positively charged nitrogen atom, typically linked to four alkyl or benzyl groups. These compounds kill bacteria and viruses by disrupting the structures of proteins and lipid membranes, writes special correspondent Xiaozhi Lim. Quats have been in use since the 1930s, and today they can be found in disinfecting sprays and wipes, hand soaps and hand sanitizers. They're also used as preservatives in eye drops and as surfactants in shampoo. In recent years, concerns have mounted regarding potential toxicity of quats. In animal and cell experiments, scientists have found links between the compounds and fertility and developmental problems, as well as disruption of other cellular processes. However, industry experts are skeptical about health risks in humans, as test doses given to animals in studies far exceed typical exposures in people. Some experts say that skin irritation is the biggest concern with the disinfectants, and that only a small amount of the compounds are actually absorbed by the body. The COVID-19 pandemic has provided a unique opportunity to further explore quat safety, according to researchers. Explore further Why a little dirt is good for us More information: "Do we know enough about the safety of quat disinfectants?," "Do we know enough about the safety of quat disinfectants?," cen.acs.org/safety/consumer-sa disinfectants/98/i30 Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden will not travel to Milwaukee to formally accept that honour later this month at the Democratic National Convention, multiple media outlets have reported. The former vice president will instead deliver his acceptance speech from Wilmington, Delaware, where he lives. While the Democratic National Convention, slated to run from 17 to 20 August, has been reduced to a mostly virtual event, Mr Biden had previously still planned to fly to Milwaukee to deliver his speech. "From the very beginning of this pandemic, we put the health and safety of the American people first. We followed the science, listened to doctors and public health experts, and we continued making adjustments to our plans in order to protect lives. That's the kind of steady and responsible leadership America deserves. And that's the leadership Joe Biden will bring to the White House," Democratic National Committee Chairman Tom Perez said in a statement, CNN reported. The news of Mr Biden's decision to stay in his hometown to accept his party's presidential nomination broke on the same morning Donald Trump confirmed speculation he would "probably" use the White House's South Lawn as the setting for his speech accepting the Republican nomination. Giving such a speech at the White House would expose Mr Trump's White House aides to an array of ethical questions and potentially put them in violation of the federal Hatch Act that prevents a political candidate from using government employees and property for campaign purposes. Were thinking about it. It would be the easiest from the standpoint of security, Mr Trump said in an interview with Fox & Friends when asked about the possibility of delivering his nomination acceptance speech from the White House. Were thinking about doing it from the White House because theres no movement and its easy, he said, also noting that a speech from the White House would cost less money. Rhea Chakraborty's petition hearing to take place in SC next week, said Advocate Satish Maneshinde The Centre Wednesday informed the Supreme Court that it has accepted the Bihar government's recommendation for CBI investigation into the death of actor Sushant Singh Rajput. (PTI Photo) New Delhi: The Centre Wednesday informed the Supreme Court that it has accepted the Bihar government's recommendation for CBI investigation into the death of actor Sushant Singh Rajput. Supreme Court said that the truth should come out so far as actor's death is concerned. Bollywood actress Rhea Chakraborty's plea seeking transfer of an FIR, accusing her of abetting suicide of Rajput, from Patna to Mumbai to take place in Supreme Court next week Rhea's lawyer Satish Maneshinde said "the Petition in the SC will be heard in the next week. All concerned have to file their replies in the meantime. State of Maharashtra is directed to place all the investigation steps taken in the case before the SC. We are satisfied with the outcome of the hearing. In view of the pendency of the proceedings in SC Rhea or anyone on her behalf refrain from making any comments in the case." The apex court directed Mumbai Police to file status report on probe conducted so far in Sushant Singh Rajput death case A bench of Justice Hrishikesh Roy observed that truth behind the actor's death should come out. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Centre, told the court that Bihar government's recommendation for CBI investigation in the case has been accepted. Rajput, aged 34, was found hanging from the ceiling of his apartment in suburban Bandra in Mumbai on June 14 and since then the Mumbai police has been probing the case keeping in mind various angles. RACINE John XXIII Educational Center, a ministry of St. Patrick Catholic Church, plans to reopen for students on Tuesday, Sept. 1. Safety precautions dealing with COVID-19 will be in place. Students and staff will be wearing masks, social distancing and committing to sanitizing hands. The classrooms will be regularly cleaned and organized for social distancing with no more than 10 students in a room at any given time. This will allow for each student to have their study space. The Center is planning to possibly adjust its times of service based on how local school systems such as the Racine Unified School District and Siena Catholic Schools decide to reopen. The priority is to provide a safe, healthy and accessible place for students grade five through 12 to be welcomed and supported academically, emotionally and socially. The centers partnerships with these systems will also readjust based on reopening plans. Further, the hope is to offer an online registration option for this coming year. The operational hours for students are scheduled to be 4-5:30 and 6:30-8 p.m. Monday through Thursday. For more information, call 262-898-7250 or email Geraldine Bodi at jeri_bodi@john23center.org for English or Marisol Salazar at marisol_salazar@j23center.org for Spanish. Messages or email will be responded to as quickly as possible. New technology In preparation for the new school year, the John XXIII Educational Center has purchased a number of new technology items for students. New laser printers and laptop computers have been purchased. Students who do not have their own computers or other devices will be able to use the centers equipment within the classrooms. Wi-Fi access throughout the center will allow for students to complete any assignments given via online or in person instruction. New staff Brother Johnathon Emanuelson has joined the staff as part of the high school team. He will also assist with development efforts and engage in various outreach program activities. Two new Lasallian volunteers, members of a long term, faith based program, have joined the Center team. Eddie Ventura and JD Mancini, both recent graduates of St. Marys College of California, will assist in the high school and middle school programs, respectively. Mancini will also be part of the outreach program. Mental health focus The outreach program which offers groups to local middle schools to facilitate safe spaces for social and emotional support will continue. Mental health is becoming a bigger issue than ever in schools as a result of the pandemic and its consequences. The center will be available to schools to provide services around the topics of building healthy relationships, dealing with loss and transition, restorative justice practices, and living an emotionally and socially healthy life amidst the pandemic. Two new support groups will be added Justice 2020 and Pandemic Recovery to help students process the new climate of social unrest. Credit Recovery Program Beginning in January 2020, the center partnered with the Alternative Learning Program of RUSD to offer the Credit Recovery Program on Monday through Thursday afternoons at the center. Students who participated in the online instruction were able to complete their academic credits and graduate in summer 2020. The plan is for this program to expand the number of students who can be served in 2020-2021. The center is the only neighborhood site of the Credit Recovery Program that exists outside of the Racine Alternative Learning Center on Northwestern Avenue. The flexibility and accessibility of the center along with a quiet and safe space for student study allows for a great partnership. Community support John XXIII Educational Center continues to be grateful to United Way of Racine County, SC Johnson Fund, Racine Community Foundation, Lasallian Educational Opportunities Fund, Erica P. John Family Foundation and Racine Dominican Mission Fund for ongoing support. These benefactors allowed the center to continue its services via online programming during the pandemic of the last school year. It also allowed the center is maintain all of its staff for the duration of the 2019-2020 school year. With these sustaining partnerships, the center is poised to grow in its service to the young people and families of Racine. Love 1 Funny 1 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Midlanders will get sneak peek Wednesday at both students in a campus setting and one of Midland ISDs newest partnerships. Sam Houston Collegiate Preparatory Elementary in central Midland begins its 2020-21 school year Tuesday with some students on campus and others learning at home. And taking over operations is Third Future, which is based in Aurora, Colorado. Third Future Executive Director of Schools Zach Craddock said Sam Houston officials will be ready for students this morning with one eye on student health and the other on student outcomes. Craddock told the Reporter-Telegram all systems are go for live and safe synchronous teaching. Houston staff has been on campus for nine days, learning the system put into place last spring and continued through a summer session in Colorado. He said that summer session on two Colorado campuses was especially important because it allowed for students to come together on campus. School officials were then able to test safety measures. At Houston there will be 20 people in a class on campus; 10 of those will be in a classroom and the other 10 will be in adjacent areas watching and learning, according to Craddock. Students on campus will rotate being in front of the teacher in a classroom and watching online. No student on campus will be watching from a computer more than 2.5 hours a day, Craddock said. He said 70 percent of the 364 students in the Sam Houston system will be learning on campus. The campus, including the gym and library, has been transformed to allow for the overflow and other safety measures, Craddock said, as classrooms were too small to allow for social distancing requirements for the up-to 20-person classrooms. Students watching from off-campus will be logged on and watching from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Parents and students picked up their Chromebooks and hot spots Tuesday evening. We have the technology, Craddock said. We have been working on it since March 18 It can be done, but it will be a challenge. Craddock complimented Principal Brandon Thurston and the teachers for their professionalism and planning for the school year that promises to be unlike any other in Sam Houston history. Midland ISD partnered with Third Future, which operates charter schools in Colorado, to take over operations. Sam Houston went into last year having failed as a campus for four straight years, one of the longer streaks in the state. And like Travis Elementarys operations were handed off to IDEA Public Schools, the MISD board made an agreement with Third Future to take over at Sam Houston and potentially avoid a Texas Education Agency takeover or having to close the campus. Craddock said Third Futures instructional model is designed to help close opportunity gaps in student populations. The message is consistent with what Mike Miles, a Third Future executive and former Dallas ISD superintendent, said in February during an appearance in Midland. He told Sam Houston parents and others that Third Futures Colorado campuses have shown the ability to make up a full year of academic progress in just five months and demonstrated cases of delivering two years of academic growth in one school year. Great instruction increases student outcomes and that closes opportunity gap, Craddock told the Reporter-Telegram this week. We want to prove ourselves. ATLANTA, GA / ACCESSWIRE / August 5, 2020 / Findit, Inc. (OTC PINK:FDIT) owner of Findit.com, a full service social networking platform which provides online marketing campaigns and tools for members to increase brand awareness through content creation and sharing resulting in indexing in search engines is highlighting: Folly Time, a vacation rental management company, Global WholeHealth Partners (OTC PINK:GWHP) and Hip Hop Bling. Each of these members have engaged Findit to assist them with their online marketing strategy. Folly Time recently engaged Findit to assist them with an outreach campaign to let local home owners in Folly Beach, South Carolina know that Folly Time is a locally owned and operated vacation rental property management company located on Folly Beach. The company is looking to take on additional homes in the area and help those homeowners reach more vacation renters while managing their properties more efficiently. Visit Folly Time Beach Rentals on Findit Under Their Findit Name findit.com/vacation-rentals-folly-beach Global Wholehealth Partners (OTC:GWHP) has been working with Findit for several months now with an objective of introducing their company as a PPE company offering products that can be used throughout the United States and abroad. Global Wholehealth Partners recently announced that they are now authorized to sell FDA Approved Covid-19 rt-PCR from 1 Drop Inc. throughout the United States. Findit provides Global Wholehealth Partners with content creation through Findit. The content created provides visitors with an insight into the full range of products Global Wholehealth Partners provides to businesses, sales reps and consumers. Visit Global WholeHealth Partners on Findit Under Some of Their Findit Names findit.com/covid-19-diagnostic-tests findit.com/ppe-mask-gloves-thermometers Hip Hop Bling has been an ongoing client of Findit for several years. Findit, on a daily basis, provides content creation through several Hip Hop Bling Findit URLs to reach their customer base. Through content creation and sharing, Findit's team of social media networking experts assist Hip Hop Bling in reaching their target audience. Visit Hip Hop Bling on Findit Under Some of Their Findit Names findit.com/blingblingjewelry findit.com/hiphopbling To be a featured member on Findit please reach out to Findit at 404-443-3224 or email clark@findit.com. Claim your Name on Findit today with a Findit URL. Findit URLs are $9.95 per month and each name only exists once on Findit. There is no limit to the number of URLs that you can have and URLs that are not renewed on a monthly basis do have the ability to be claimed by other people or businesses. Want to become a featured member on Findit? Please contact Findit at 404-443-3224. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B-cD0x0ucv4 About Findit, Inc. Findit.com which is a Social Media Content Management Platform that provides an interactive search engine for all content posted in Findit to appear in Findit search. The site is an open platform that provides access to Google, Yahoo, Bing and other search engines access to its content posted to Findit so it can be indexed in these search engines as well. Findit provides Members the ability to post, share and manage their content. Once they have posted in Findit, we ensure the content gets indexed in Findit Search results. Findit provides an option for anyone to submit URLs that they want indexed in Findit search result, along with posting status updates through Findit Right Now. Status Updates posted in Findit can be crawled by outside search engines which can result in additional organic indexing. All posts on Findit can be shared to other social and bookmarking sites by members and non-members. Findit provides Real Estate Agents the ability to create their own Findit Site where they can pull in their listing and others through their IDX account. Findit, Inc., is focused on the development of monetized Internet-based web products that can provide an increase in brand awareness of our members. Findit, Inc., trades under the stock symbol FDIT on the OTC Pinksheets. Safe Harbor: This press release contains forward-looking information within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), including statements regarding potential sales, the success of the company's business, as well as statements that include the word believe or similar expressions. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of Findit, Inc. to differ materially from those implied or expressed. CONTACT: Clark St. Amant 404-443-3224 SOURCE: Findit, Inc. View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/600383/Findit-Highlights-Three-Featured-Members-Folly-Time-Global-WholeHealth-Partners-and-Hip-Hop-Bling Day 1, Titusville: Explore the past and future of space exploration at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. They're committed to creating a Trusted Space for guests and while a few exhibits are still closed, you'll get a free ticket to return in 2021 to experience them. On your way to dinner, make time to stroll through the Astronaut Walk of Fame. Grab a meal at the iconic Dixie Crossroads or head to Shiloh's Steak and Seafood for a beautiful view of the Indian River Lagoon and NASA's Vehicle Assembly Building. If you have an RV, make reservations at Jetty Park or Canaveral National Seashore. Day 2, Beaches: With 72 miles of beaches, you're sure to find somewhere to relax. We're known as the East Coast Surfing Capital for a reason! Start off in Cocoa Beach by visiting Ron Jon Surf Shop and the Cocoa Beach Surf Company. Buy a swimsuit, take surfing lessons, and rent a board. Don't forget to pose with Kelly Slater's statue! Stroll down the Cocoa Beach Pier for more shopping and food while watching the waves. Please be aware that Cocoa Beach and Satellite have issued mask mandates. If you're interested in deep sea fishing, Port Canaveral has plenty of charters available. RV camping can be found at Palm Shores RV Park and Wickham Park. Day 3, Melbourne/Palm Bay: Start off your day at the Brevard Zoo, where you can kayak through Expedition Africa and past giraffes. Plan ahead as they are using timed entry and require face coverings. Take your lunch out to one of the Brevard County Parks along the Indian River Lagoon, the most biologically diverse estuary in North America. Visit Bass Pro Shop in Palm Bay and charter a fishing trip from one of our many fantastic captains. Stroll through Downtown Melbourne for more great dining and nightlife. Head to Sebastian Inlet State Park to park your RV and call it a night. Enjoy the park in the morning before leaving on your next adventure. "Whether you add an extra day to an existing trip, or decide to explore all the Space Coast has to offer as a trip on its own, there's opportunities for memories across the area," says Peter Cranis, Executive Director of Florida's Space Coast Office of Tourism. To plan your trip and find more information about safety precautions, visit our website. There's Space for You Here. About Florida's Space Coast Florida's Space Coast is a family-friendly destination located 45 minutes east of Orlando and encompasses Cocoa Beach, Melbourne and the Beaches, Port Canaveral, Titusville, Palm Bay and Viera. It's home to the world's second-busiest cruise port and 72 miles of beaches (the longest stretch in the state), as well as 190,000 acres of wetlands and waterways full of habitat found nowhere else. Florida's Space Coast is home to NASA's Kennedy Space Center, where rockets still soar into orbit. For more information, contact Florida's Space Coast Office of Tourism at (877) 572-3224 or visit http https://www.visitspacecoast.com. SOURCE Florida's Space Coast Office of Tourism The detainee is facing deportation. Ukrainian law enforcement agencies have detained a citizen of Belarus who is wanted by Interpol on charges of molestation. A request for the detention of 33-year-old Alexander Zatovka was sent to Interpol's Bureau in Ukraine, the media relations office of Ukraine's Interior Ministry reported on its website on August 5. Read alsoBelarus promises to cooperate with Ukraine on suspected Russian mercenaries media In Belarus, he is charged with committing crimes under Part 3 of Article 167 (violent acts of sexual nature), Part 1 of Article 169 (sexual abuse), and Part 3 of Article 343-1 (production and distribution of child pornography) of that country's Criminal Code. The detainee is facing deportation. America can be proud of many things: our innovation, generosity and entrepreneurial spirit are unsurpassed. Yet when it comes to our nation understanding one of the greatest gifts ever given to humanitythe Biblewe're moving from dumb to dumber, and it's no laughing matter. Kildare Chilling Company has issued a statement on the reported cluster of Covid-19 cases at its factory in Kildare town. The firm has not confirmed the number of confirmed cases at the plant on the Dublin Road. It's understood that the cluster is confined to a specific section of the sprawling factory. The gates remained open this morning to the premises. The short statement from the firm said: "Kildare Chilling Company is working closely with the HSE following confirmation of a number of Covid-19 cases. "Full contact tracing has been undertaken, affected staff are isolating and further testing is being undertaken in line with HSE recommendations." Of the 45 new cases reported yesterday to the Health Protection Surveillance Centre, a total of 33 of these cases were located in Co Kildare. Last week, the Irish Dog Foods factory in Naas was closed for a deep clean after a coronavirus cluster was confirmed there. Local Sinn Fein TD Patricia Ryan said there has been a high proportion of confirmed Covid-19 cases at meat factories and she called for great protections for workers. The TD added: "There are 15,000 employees of 46 meat factories in Ireland and 1,120 cases confirmed. "This means 1 in 13 employees has been affected. "There have been a number of outbreaks in meat factories throughout the country. "We need to ensure these employees are protected, and that the spread of Covid is contained as much as possible." The overall total death toll remains at 1,763 in Ireland from the virus. There is now a total of 26,253 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Ireland. Of the cases notified yesterday: 27 are men and 19 are women; 35 are men / 10 are women; 77% are under 45 years of age; 31 are associated with outbreaks or are close contacts of a confirmed case; 4 cases have been identified as community transmission; 33 cases are located in Kildare, 7 are in Dublin, and 5 are spread across four other counties. The HSE advice remains as follows: Everyone should be aware of the risk factors for getting COVID-19: Distance the risk of getting COVID-19 increases as the distance between you and others gets smaller. Keep 2 metres apart where possible Activity How you spend time with people and what you do with them can increase your risk. Follow the governments Stay Safe Guidelines when spending time with others Time The more time you spend in close contact with other people can increase your risk of getting COVID-19. Keep track of who you spend time with and how Environment Being outdoors is safer than being indoors. Where possible, meet with others outdoors. If this is not possible, keep windows and doors open when meeting others inside Symptoms Know the symptoms. If you have them self-isolate and contact your GP immediately. MARYVILLE, Tenn. - It was just before 7:30 Monday morning when the line of Blount County Schools buses grumbled into the parking lot of Heritage High School and began dropping off students - some wearing masks, others barefaced - into the fraught new world of in-school education during a pandemic. At the flagpole in front of the school, two unmasked teens hugged before sitting down in a small group to chat until the bell rang. The scene of students reuniting could have been from any other first day of school in any other year. But over their shoulders, an early August thunderstorm brewed above the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains - an almost-too-perfect metaphor for what many parents and teachers here, and across the country, worry is coming. Last week, the district began a staggered reopening, making it one of the first in the country to attempt a full return. The goal was to have everyone who wanted to return back in school by Aug. 10. On Tuesday morning, the district changed its plan, opting to allow only half the students to return on alternating days through Aug. 21 with the goal of keeping class sizes smaller while the district eases in to full attendance. The success or failure of the Blount County school district's reopening - as well as early attempts by other school districts - will be watched closely by many of the country's 13,500 other school districts, which will at some point have to navigate these same ominous waters. Already there have been significant setbacks in districts that have attempted to bring students back. A day after teachers returned to work in Georgia's Gwinnett County last week, some 260 employees tested positive or had possibly been exposed to the novel coronavirus and were told to stay home. At Corinth High School in Mississippi, in-person classes started last week, and within days five students tested positive for the coronavirus and others went into quarantine as a result of contact tracing, according to a statement by the school district. A photo of a packed Paulding County, Ga., high school hallway with few students wearing masks went viral Tuesday as many people expressed concern about how schools could safely reopen. For months, administrators, teachers and staff members in this eastern Tennessee district have been preparing for the best way to safely return its 10,542 students to the classroom. The plans evolved as officials responded to information about how the coronavirus spreads as well as pressure from some parents and politicians to open the schools on time. As new cases of the coronavirus increased in the county in July, more parents began wondering whether reopening was a good idea. Finding a path that works for everyone has not been easy. According to the school district, 75 percent of students are returning for in-school learning, while the remainder have opted to continue with virtual learning. "Although we rejoice in seeing many of our students back in school, we recognize that reopening comes with levels of concern and anxiety," the district's director of schools, Rob Britt, wrote in a letter to parents in late July. "Please be assured that protecting the health and safety of our students and our staff is our top priority, and we will do our best to reduce and slow the infection rate through our daily health practices." One of the more contentious issues in Blount County has been whether masks need to be worn all day by students. Some parents have insisted they won't send their kids back if masks are required all day. Other parents won't send their kids back unless they are. While masks are not mandatory in the school's reopening plan (the district notes that masks are not an enforceable part of the dress code), they are expected in any situation in which social distancing is not possible, such as class changes. The district plan also encourages parents to drive their children to school in private vehicles. Students who ride buses will have to sit one per seat unless they are in the same family. As for what happens when there's a case of covid-19 in a child's classroom, the district states it will notify parents only when their child has been within six feet for more than 10 minutes with a positive case. In the classroom, the district promises "thoughtful group sizes," though there's no clear definition of how many students that is. School district officials declined to be interviewed for this article or to say whether any student or teacher in the district had tested positive for the virus. Depending on who you talk to here, the Blount County school district's decision to fully reopen schools this week with in-classroom learning is either a careful and necessary return to traditional teaching or an unwise choice that could endanger many in the wider community. For Joshua Chambers, a single father of three whose wife passed away two years ago, the return of in-school learning is a huge relief. "I'm perfectly okay with them going back. Doing virtual was impossible for me," said Chambers, 46, a machinist who works 50-hour weeks and has children in ninth grade, eighth grade and kindergarten. Chambers said he thinks the district has put a good plan in place and is taking the necessary precautions to keep children and teachers safe. Like many parents interviewed for this story, he said it has been difficult to find reliable information on the risks involved. His biggest worry is that an outbreak of cases will cause the schools to be shut down again. "A lot of families in this area, both parents work and they need to be at work," he said. "If the schools close, it'll be a logistical nightmare for me, and I don't know how I could get it done short of hiring a tutor. And that's sort of out of my price range." Jennie Summers has boys in eighth and sixth grade and a daughter in second. She and her husband said that even though it wouldn't look like a normal school year, it was important for their children to be back in class with other students. Summers studied the district's plan and did her own research. Her main objection was to the possibility of masks being required all day in all circumstances. She was a little nervous when the kids left for their first day of school last week, but she said she was reassured after talking with them when they came home. "We all realize it's different than what it should be for our kids, but there's no way to have what we want right now," Summers said. "Most of the people I talked to had pretty good days and were pleased with what went on. It was nice to even hear the normal first-day-of-school whining from the kids." Her son, Joshua Summers, 13, began his first day of eighth grade at a county middle school on Friday. Everyone wore masks, there were signs in the halls reminding students to wash their hands between classes, and the class sizes were smaller, he said. Because everyone had become accustomed to wearing masks, it didn't seem odd to him to see students wearing them in school. "It was basically the same as last year. I was a bit nervous, but that's what usually happens on the first day of school," Joshua Summers said. "Everyone was just happy to see their friends again." All summer long, Cindy Faller has agonized over whether to send her daughter, Ellie, to first grade in Blount County this fall. At first, as lockdowns seemed to be tamping out Tennessee's spread, she had felt hopeful about Ellie going back. In July, as coronavirus cases throughout Tennessee kept climbing, Faller couldn't help but feel as though the odds were shifting, and not in the right direction. Faller used to be a special-education teacher in Knox County, which borders Blount. Having experienced firsthand all the sticky fingers and hugs and body fluids that seem to be part and parcel when dealing with first-graders, Faller just couldn't imagine how social distancing would work. "I refuse to expose my daughter to this disease at this extent, and I also don't think it's possible to keep them safe," she said. According to the state of Tennessee, since March, Blount County has had 1,181 confirmed cases of coronavirus. Of those cases, 562 are active. Right now, the county is averaging 41.43 new cases a day, a level deemed "above threshold" by the state. Elsewhere in the state, cities and counties are all approaching school reopening slightly differently. Knox County has a similar case rate, with 843.78 cases per 100,000. Knox County, however, has decided to push back reopening by five days. Nashville, which has been hit hard by the coronavirus, will begin the 2020 school year with online learning only. Across the globe, countries such as Finland and South Korea have successfully navigated school reopenings without case spikes, especially in primary schools. Up until late June, South Korea boasted that it didn't have a single coronavirus case spreading in a classroom. Not every country has had that same success, though. Israel opened schools in May, but by early June officials had closed 100 of those schools as cases surged all over the country. Officials in Israel said it's unclear how much spread happened at school vs. in the community, but at one middle and high school more than 100 students and 25 staff members tested positive for the virus. In a paper published July 29 in the New England Journal of Medicine, the authors argue that reopening primary schools is important and that many countries have successfully opened them without dire repercussions. They note one important difference, however, between what's happening abroad and here: In every case except Israel, countries had contained the spread to less than one new daily case per 100,000 residents. The United States has 18 new daily cases per 100,000 residents, according to a Washington Post analysis of the data. Tiffani Russell also researched the plans to return to school, and she and her husband decided they weren't comfortable sending their seventh- and second-grade children back for in-school learning. The couple both work but have altered their schedules and made arrangements with a neighbor so they can stick with the school's virtual plan until they feel in-school learning is safer. One of Russell's objections was signing a form that said the district was not responsible if her child contracted the coronavirus. "Everyone has different values and beliefs, but I can't sign a death waiver for my kids," Russell said. "Not everyone can do virtual, but they shouldn't be opening [schools] anyway, because it's not safe for our children. And you can't just think about the kids, you have to think about the bus drivers, the workers, the teachers." Rebecca Dickenson, a librarian at Eagleton Elementary School and the president of the Blount County Education Association, which represents the district's teachers, wears a mask and a face shield whenever she's around students. While that combo gets hot, she says, by far the hardest part of the first few days has been the strict no-hugs policy. "That's my favorite part of being an elementary school teacher," she says. Dickenson is 40 and considers herself low-risk, but she lives with her sister, who has an autoimmune disorder. Every evening, when Dickenson returns home from school, she de-scrubs the way a nurse might, shedding her clothes at the door and beelining for the shower. "If I really think about it, it's very worrying. I'm not so much worried about myself getting sick, but if I get sick and I don't know it, if I spread it, that's so many people I am in contact with," she said. The division in the county reflects the national debate about whether schools should reopen with students back in classrooms. President Donald Trump has repeatedly urged districts to fully reopen, and Education Secretary Betsy DeVos has threatened to withdraw federal funds from districts that don't. At the same time, top health officials in the administration, including the White House's top coronavirus coordinator, Deborah Birx, and Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, have cautioned about reopening in areas where the virus continues to thrive. Last week, Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee, R, announced the state's plan to reopen schools, saying that "in-person learning is the medically sound, preferred option" and urging districts to make in-classroom learning available to students. But on Monday, the Tennessee Education Association responded on behalf of the state's teachers to call for a pause on reopening across the state because of increasing rates of new coronavirus infections. "Educators want to get back to in-person instruction," said TEA President Beth Brown in a statement. "However, it is prudent and not contrary to Tennessee law to delay reopening school buildings for the next several weeks, when hopefully the data shows new infections have slowed." For now, though, the Blount County school district is moving forward with its plan to get students back in classrooms. - - - The Washington Post's Valerie Strauss contributed to this report. A.C. Shilton is a freelance journalist based in Fentress County, Tenn. Joe Heim reported from Washington. After two explosions ripped across Lebanon killing more than 70 and injuring several others, US President Donald Trump said his country's military generals have told him that they think the explosion was likely due to a bomb. "I've met with some of our great generals and they just seem to feel that this was not some kind of manufacturing explosion type of an event... They seem to think it was an attack. It was a bomb of some kind," he said at a press briefing Tuesday evening, Reuters reported. "Our prayers go out to all the victims and their families. The United States is ready to assist Lebanon," he said. Trump said the country has a "very good relationship with the people of Lebanon and we will be there to help." Meanwhile, the US embassy in Beirut has warned its residents in the city about reports of toxic gases released due to the blast, it urged people to stay indoors and wear masks, if available. While, leaders from across the world expressed their condolences to Lebanon over the incident. Russian President Vladimir Putin sent his condolences to Lebanese President Michel Aoun for the lives lost and massive destruction caused by the explosion, the Kremlin said in a statement. Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said at least one Australian has been killed in the Beirut blast and the Australian Embassy building has been "significantly compromised." "Terrible scenes out of Beirut after a major explosion. Our hearts go out to those caught up in this tragedy and to our Australian Lebanese community waiting to hear from their loved ones. Australia stands ready to provide our support, including to any Australians affected," he tweeted. While, Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif stated that his country is fully prepared to render assistance in any way necessary. "Our thoughts and prayers are with the great and resilient people of Lebanon. As always, Iran is fully prepared to render assistance in any way necessary. Stay strong, Lebanon," Zarif tweeted. Lebanese officials have not called the explosions an attack. Lebanese health minister Hamad Hassan said that the death toll in the blast has reached 73 and that 2,750 are wounded in the massive explosion, which shattered buildings and caused widespread damage. Lebanon's Prime Minister Hassan Diab in a televised address warned that those who were responsible for the devastating catastrophe will be held accountable and not go unpunished. Diab called for a day of mourning on Wednesday, and the country`s banking association said banks would be closed. President Michel Aoun said that 2,750 tonnes of ammonium nitrate had been stored for six years at the port without safety measures and said it was "unacceptable". He called for an emergency cabinet meeting on Wednesday and said a two-week state of emergency should be declared. The Bihar Police chief on Wednesday said that Rhea Chakraborty, against whom Sushant Singh Rajputs father has filed an FIR in Patna, is absconding. Rhea Chakraborty is not in touch with us. She is absconding, she is not coming forward. We dont have any information about she being in touch with even Mumbai Police, Director General of Police Gupteshwar Pandey said. His statement came on a day when the Supreme Court heard a petition filed by Chakraborty seeking to transfer the case from Patna to Mumbai. The Centre told the Supreme Court that it has accepted the recommendation made by the Bihar government to transfer the probe in the case to Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). An FIR was registered in Patna, based on a complaint filed by Rajputs father KK Singh, against Chakraborty under several sections including abetment to suicide. A team of Bihar Police is in Mumbai to probe the matter. But the man leading the team, IPS officer Vinay Tiwari, was quarantined when he reached Mumbai to investigate the case. While the BrimanMumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) said the decision was taken due to the spread of Covid-19, the Bihar Police said Tiwari was forcibly quarantined. Pandey today requested the Maharashtra Police to exempt Tiwari from quarantine. We requested BMC to exempt IPS officer Vinay Tiwari from being quarantined. We told them at least send him back as he is an IPS officer. This is not a professional behaviour. This officer is being kept as if he has been arrested, the Bihar DGP said. Rajput was found dead in his apartment in Mumbais Bandra on June 14. Mumbai Police, which are investigating the case along with a parallel investigation by Patna Police, said he died by suicide. According to Mumbai Police, the statements of 56 people have been recorded till now in connection with the case, including the family of the late actor, his domestic help and several industry persons. Shiv Sena leader and transport minister Anil Parab said that the suicide case has turned into a political slug fest for political benefit MUMBAI: The Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government on Tuesday refused to transfer Sushant Singh Rajputs case to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) saying that the state has full faith in the Mumbai police. Shiv Sena leader and transport minister Anil Parab said that the suicide case has turned into a political slug fest for the political benefit. He also alleged that efforts are being made to tarnish the image of a Yuva leader by its opponent. Those who have evidence can come forward and prove their allegations pertaining to whether Aaditya Thackeray was present in the party or not. Meanwhile, other two constituents of MVA Congress and NCP slammed chief minister Nitish Kumar-led Bihar government for recommending a CBI probe into the death of actor Sushant Singh Rajput, saying the move encroaches upon rights of the state government and helps the BJP in destruction of the Constitution. "Nitish Kumar is the head of the Bihar administration. He should speak about what is happening in Bihar. This case has acquired political colour and everyone is trying to derive a mileage out of it, Mr Parab told reporters when asked about the Bihar government recommending a CBI investigation. He alleged the opposition BJP was questioning the ability of the Mumbai police by pushing for a probe by the Central agency. How many suicide cases have you handed over to the CBI in the last five years? Why is the CBI probe being demanded only in this case? There is politics involved. The state government stands with the Mumbai police, he said. He added that state tourism minister and chief minister Uddhav Thackerays son Aaditya Thackeray is nowhere linked to the case. Allegations are being made in this connection to malign the image of the chief minister, he said. Parab alleged that political opponents of the Sena have engaged into this conspiracy (against the Thackerays). If anybody has any evidence that Aaditya Thackeray is related to this case, they can present the same and then we will speak, he added. Meanwhile, Maharashtra minister and NCP national spokesperson Nawab Malik said the Nitish Kumar government was probably trying to divert attention from its failure in combating Covid-19 by recommending a CBI probe. Tomorrow, for instance, suppose a case is registered against a person living in Mumbai for a crime that has taken place in Uttar Pradesh, will the Maharashtra government too register a case in Mumbai and go for investigation in Uttar Pradesh? It is a question of jurisdiction, Malik said. He said the way the Bihar government is behaving, it is creating a crisis. It is akin to encroaching upon the rights of another state, which is not healthy in a democratic set up, he added. The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine approved a draft law on the ratification of a protocol with the Government of the State of Qatar on amendments and additions to the agreement on air services, which aims to liberalize air traffic. "We continue to comply with the necessary domestic procedures and commitments for the entry into force of the Protocol between the Government of Ukraine and the Government of the State of Qatar amending the Agreement between the two countries on air services. It was signed back in November last year with the aim of further liberalizing the conditions for regular flights between Ukraine and Qatar," Infrastructure Minister Vladyslav Kryklii said. The minister noted that after the ratification of the protocol and its entry into force, it will be possible to remove restrictions on the number of flights, capacity and types of aircraft and points in the territories of both countries during the scheduled air service. In addition, the Government also approved the draft Law of Ukraine "On Ratification of the Agreement between the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine and the Government of Montenegro on International Road Transportation of Passengers and Cargo" and the relevant draft order of the Cabinet of Ministers on ratification of this protocol by the Verkhovna Rada. ish (Newser) President Trump's Axios on HBO interview has left at least one commentator worried that the president genuinely doesn't understand the severity of the pandemic. While discussing the coronavirus with interviewer Jonathan Swan, Trump insisted the pandemic was under control and displayed graphs that he said showed the US is "lowest in the world" in some categories. When Swan realized Trump was talking about deaths as a proportion of cases, he pointed out that the US is doing much worse than many other countries, including South Korea and Germany in deaths as a proportion of population. "You can't do that," Trump told Swan. "Why can't I do that?" Swan responded. The fact that Trump focused only on the single metric that shows the US doing well is "nonsensical" and raises many concerns, writes Philip Bump at the Washington Post. story continues below "Was it simply that, after months of doing almost no interviews besides overtly friendly ones on Fox News, he was unprepared to be challenged on basic points?" Bump asks. "Or, more alarmingly, was it that he didnt actually understand the scope of the pandemic that his team insists is the central focus of his time?" Other reactions: "Cluelessness." Swan exposed Trump's "cluelessness" about the pandemic in one of the most "incoherent, depressing, and flat-out embarrassing interviews" of his presidency, writes Ryan Bort at Rolling Stone. Unable to answer "extremely basic follow-up questions," Trump's "only recourse is to lie or cast doubt on empirical data," he writes. When Swan points out that only 300 people in South Korea have died, out of a population of over 50 million, Trump says, 'You don't know that,' implying the nation is lying about its death rate." Swan exposed Trump's "cluelessness" about the pandemic in one of the most "incoherent, depressing, and flat-out embarrassing interviews" of his presidency, writes Ryan Bort at Rolling Stone. Unable to answer "extremely basic follow-up questions," Trump's "only recourse is to lie or cast doubt on empirical data," he writes. When Swan points out that only 300 people in South Korea have died, out of a population of over 50 million, Trump says, 'You don't know that,' implying the nation is lying about its death rate." Three worst moments . Inae Oh at Mother Jones singles out the three worst moments from the interview. The first was the "You can't do that" response, the second was Trump's remark that he "doesn't know" late civil rights leader John Lewis, and the third was his doubling down on warm wishes for Ghislaine Maxwell, even after Swan pointed out that she is in jail accused of child sex trafficking. "Yeah, I wish her well. Id wish you well. I wish a lot of people well," Trump said. . Inae Oh at Mother Jones singles out the three worst moments from the interview. The first was the "You can't do that" response, the second was Trump's remark that he "doesn't know" late civil rights leader John Lewis, and the third was his doubling down on warm wishes for Ghislaine Maxwell, even after Swan pointed out that she is in jail accused of child sex trafficking. "Yeah, I wish her well. Id wish you well. I wish a lot of people well," Trump said. Swan's interviewing style praised . Oliver Darcy at CNN praises Swan for pushing back against many of Trump's assertions, including his claim that "some people" have said there can be too much coronavirus testing. Many TV anchors have "accepted Trump's blathering," but "it took Swana print journalistto meaningfully question the President and not let misinformation and nonsensical statements slide into the interview unchecked," he writes. "The results were astonishing to watch." . Oliver Darcy at CNN praises Swan for pushing back against many of Trump's assertions, including his claim that "some people" have said there can be too much coronavirus testing. Many TV anchors have "accepted Trump's blathering," but "it took Swana print journalistto meaningfully question the President and not let misinformation and nonsensical statements slide into the interview unchecked," he writes. "The results were astonishing to watch." Criticism from conservatives. Guy Benson at Townhall says Trump could have praised America's health care system or targeted China's "bogus figures" in answer to the mortality question, but he was "woefully underprepared" for the entirely predictable line of questioning. He also takes issue with another Trump statement on the pandemic. "Even a sub-average politician should have the awareness to realize, 'it is what it is' isn't the sort of tautological cliche that fits the moment," Benson writes. (Read more President Trump stories.) Theres still time for Ontario to get Septembers return to school right, despite a lacklustre plan announced last week that left many parents dissatisfied. With a month to go, the government has an opportunity to respond to the concerns of parents and teachers, and adopt some of the simpler practices that have worked in other parts of the world. When kids returned to class in Thailand at the end of June, for example, there were a number of relatively cost effective measures in place that didnt require double the number of classrooms, a tricky thing to magic up in Ontarios already crowded schools. For starters, they brought kids back ahead of lessons getting underway to rehearse new social distancing and hygiene routines, demystifying the new setup before learning began. Thats an easy thing for Ontario to do, either delaying the school work until Sept. 9, dedicating Sept. 8 to learning the routines, or inviting smaller groups of students to come in during the previous weeks, staggering to keep numbers low. Thailand has also made smart use of barriers, such as Plexiglas dividers at tables used by primary students for school work and for eating. Old ballot boxes have been repurposed on the desks of older students to create small separate work spaces. Whether old or new, surely thats something a comparatively wealthy part of the world such as Ontario can do for our kids. Parents like Paul Bryant are concerned about the plan for elementary students, particularly the absence of a plan to reduce class sizes for Kindergarten through Grade 8. His daughter, Ellie, will be in Senior Kindergarten this year, and they live in a multi-generational household that includes grandparents. Bryant, who has written a letter to Premier Doug Ford to express his discontent with the plan, said he was hoping to see something closer to what Sick Kids recommended, with money to improve ventilation and creative uses of other school spaces to break kids into smaller cohorts. The big thing is reducing the size of classrooms, said Bryant. At least for September and October, they could try to have classes outside because its safer. Thats the kind of thing parents can lobby their MPPs, local school boards and even individual school principals to make happen, despite its absence from the provinces plan so far. Bryant says he and his wife will send Ellie back to school, even if the plan isnt what theyd like it to be, because they know its important for mental health and education. But he wishes Ontario had taken more lessons from whats happened elsewhere in the world in forming their plan for the return to class. Australia, Israel, Japan have all had some regression after they managed to get it under control. Infectious disease expert Dr. Anna Banerji, as associate professor at the University of Torontos Dalla Lana School of Public Health, said Ontarios plan relies too much on testing and not enough on best practices around smaller cohorts. Because well soon be into the regular cold and flu season once school is underway again, itll be next to impossible to tell who has COVID versus other respiratory viruses, including influenza, she said. What are you going to do when so many kids get sick? You will not be able to test all the kids and the test is not always accurate. Theres a very high false negative rate, so if youre just relying on the test youre going to miss a lot, if not most, of the COVID. The province must establish a protocol for how to handle students with symptoms. Every parent should get a letter saying if your kids have any symptoms they must stay at home for a period of time, she said. Then theyve got to figure out what the length of time is. Nora Spinks, founder and CEO of the Vanier Institute of the Family, a charitable research and education institute based in Ottawa, notes that the provincial government and schools have a month to assure parents through additional information that the schools will be safe and buses properly sanitized. Theres still a lot of work to do before Sept. 8 because parental confidence will be key, no question, said Spinks. She said parents need to ensure they are well educated about the plan, but also that they can keep their kids calm and focused, and help them understand how to keep themselves safe without high anxiety. We have to learn to live with this in a post-COVID Canada. We can do this if we give each other time, space physically, emotionally and the kids time to prepare. Contingency planning around child care is going to be critical for parents, said Spinks. You used to get a letter about lice. Now youre going to get a letter that says were shut for the next 14 days. Jennifer Hargreaves has two kids going into grades 1 and 2 this fall. The founder and CEO of Tellent, a job recruitment agency for women, said shes got mixed feelings about the return to school. On the one hand, I want to make sure that it is safe. On the other, we need this in order to get back to some sort of normal in order to get women back into the workforce. My hope and my wish is that this is going to work and that it is going to be safe moving forward, said Hargreaves. She plans to have her kids wear masks, despite the fact the province only made it mandatory for Grade 4 and up. I think its like anything right now, I dont like that theyre going to have to wear masks all the time. But kids, theyre resilient and they adapt. It might be weird but, once they get used to it, theyll be fine. Were getting on board and hoping for the best, and making backup plans just in case. BW Brandie Weikle is a freelance contributing columnist for the Stars Life section, writing about parenting issues. She is the host of The New Family Podcast and editor of thenewfamily.com. Follow her on Twitter: @bweikle Read more about: Noting that no one has yet been held accountable for the 1984 Bhopal gas disaster that killed at least 3,700 people, the head of Britains Environment Agency (EA) has said that the incident is a textbook example of failed regulation. James Bevan, former British high commissioner to India and now head of the British agency tasked with protecting the environment, highlighted the importance of good regulation in a speech to the London Chamber of Commerce and Industry on Tuesday. Using the example of the Bhopal disaster, Bevan said good regulation protects people and the environment from harm; creates a level playing field for business, allowing well-run companies to thrive and stopping those who do not want to play by the rules from undercutting them. He said: Imagine a city where hundreds of thousands of people live. In the centre is a huge industrial plant which produces chemicals. One night there is an explosion in the plant. A deadly gas settles over much of the city and the sleeping people. By morning thousands are dead. The agony doesnt stop there: in the decades that follow, many thousands more die from the effects of the gas, or from birth deformities; hundreds of thousands more have their lives ruined; and the land and water around the plant are poisoned. This is not fiction. This happened, in 1984 in a place called Bhopal in India. Ive been to Bhopal and visited the site. The chemical plant is still there, derelict and rusting away. People still live all around it, many of them the victims of the explosion or their children. The land is still poisoned and the water is still undrinkable. Nearly forty years on, no one has been held accountable. The sense of loss and injustice is visceral. Bhopal is a textbook example of failed regulation. A hazardous industrial plant was allowed to operate in the middle of one of the most densely populated cities in the world without proper checks and precautions until one day disaster struck, he said. The Bhopal disaster, Bevan added, is the reason why he believes in regulation of the right kind that has teeth, because not everyone plays by the rules. He cited examples of how regulation has made a major difference in Englands environment. The disaster was caused by chemical methyl isocyanate leaking from the Union Carbides plant on the night of December 2 and 3, 1984, killing at least 3,700 people, hundreds of thousands injured and many more adversely affected for life. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Granite is Americas Infrastructure Company. Incorporated since 1922, Granite (NYSE:GVA) is one of the largest diversified construction and construction materials companies in the United States as well as a full-suite provider in the transportation, water infrastructure and mineral exploration markets. Granites Code of Conduct and strong Core Values guide the Company and its employees to uphold the highest ethical standards. In addition to being one of the Worlds Most Ethical Companies for ten consecutive years, Granite is an industry leader in safety and an award-winning firm in quality and sustainability. For more information, visit graniteconstruction.com, and connect with Granite on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. Thirty Nigerians, who were trafficked and left stranded in Lebanon have been rescued, and are among a total of 150 victims awaiting evacuation to Nigeria. The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) made this known in a statement by Gabriel Odu of its Media, Public Relations and Protocol Unit on Tuesday. The commission said the rescue came after a video footage of the stranded Nigerians making an appeal to the Federal Government and well-meaning Nigerians to come to their aid viral on the Internet. According to it, the appeal for help by the stranded Nigerians led to their rescue by officials of the countrys mission in Lebanon. The stranded Nigerians have already been relocated to a more conducive apartment. They will be part of 150 others to be evacuated to Nigeria after they were trafficked and left stranded in Lebanon. The Lebanese Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr Houssam Diab disclosed the evacuation plans when the Management of NIDCOM, led by the Secretary, Dr Sule Bassi, visited that countrys mission in Abuja, Odu said in the statement. He quoted Diab as saying that the 150 girls would be returned home in batches with the first group of 110 people leaving Beirut for Lagos on Aug. 12. The second batch sws expected to arrive Abuja on Aug. 16. Follow Us on Facebook @LadunLiadi; Instagram @LadunLiadi; Twitter @LadunLiadi; Youtube @LadunLiadiTV for updates Stop calling me a moustachioed cockroach, said Alexander Lukashenko. I am still the president of this country. But that doesnt sound very presidential, does it? Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 5/8/2020 (531 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Opinion "Stop calling me a moustachioed cockroach," said Alexander Lukashenko. "I am still the president of this country." But that doesnt sound very presidential, does it? Lukashenko has been the president of Belarus for the past 26 years, and Sergei Tikhanovsky, the video blogger who called him that, is now in one of Lukashenkos jails. But Tikhanovskys wife Svetlana is running for president in her husbands place in this Sundays election, and she may do well enough to force "Europes last dictator" into a second-round run-off vote. Tikhanovsky struck a popular note when he called Lukashenko a moustachioed cockroach: his moustache is definitely the "Eastern European dictator circa 1936" model, and like cockroaches, you just cant get rid of him. The YouTube star adopted a bedroom slipper as his symbol (because Belarusians squash cockroaches with their slippers, presumably), and started driving around Minsk with a giant slipper on the roof of his car. A dubious online poll claimed that Lukashenko would only get three per cent support for the forthcoming election (seeking a sixth term), and graffiti and T-shirts saying "3%" started appearing around town. Tikhanovsky took hope, declared he was running for president, and was arrested two days later but suddenly Lukashenko looked vulnerable, and other serious candidates started coming out of the woodwork. Former banker Viktor Babariko declared he was in the running, and was promptly jailed on fraud charges. Former ambassador to the United States Valery Tsepkalo, founder of a high-tech business park, was denied registration as a candidate and sufficiently intimidated that he has taken refuge in Russia with his two children. But none of them has really dropped out. Instead, three women have taken their places. Svetlana Tikhanovskaya is now the opposition candidate for the presidency, with the public support of Tsepkalos wife Veronika and Babarikos representative Maria Kolesnikova. And while Tikhanovskaya is unlikely to get over 50 per cent of the votes on Sunday, Lukashenko may also fall short (there are also three minor candidates running). Then it would get really interesting, since in the second round Tikhanovskaya would inherit most of the minor candidates votes. She might even win, because compared to the other "hard" regimes of Europe, Lukashenko doesnt have a lot to work with. He cant rely on the nationalism that keeps Viktor Orban in power in Hungary. Belarus was never independent before 1991, having spent two centuries in the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth and another two in the Russia and Soviet empires. Belarusians dont even hate or fear their neighbours. Neither can Lukashenko rely on the religious fervour that reliably delivers half the popular vote to the hard-line Catholic party in Poland and to the hard-line Islamic party in Turkey. Belarusians are not particularly fervent; indeed, more than 40 per cent of them say they have no religion at all. He has few successes to offer on the economic front: Belarus has barely half the per capita GDP of Russia on its eastern border, only a third of that of Poland to the west. He dismissed the COVID-19 pandemic as "psychosis," promoted drinking vodka as a cure and Belarus now has twice as many cases as Poland, although its population is only one-quarter the size. 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. Dictatorships that try to operate behind a facade of "free" elections have to maintain a certain level not only of fear but also of competence, and Lukashenkos credibility is starting to crumble. An anti-regime rally in Minsk on July 19 attracted around 10,000 people. A rally in the same city on July 30, only 11 days later, attracted 63,000. So he really could lose in a run-off election, unless there is massive vote-rigging but then it would probably also get really violent, because Lukashenko has no intention of retiring at the tender age of 65. If he goes down, he will go down fighting. Hes already laying the groundwork for that kind of repression. Last week his secret police raided a health spa and arrested 33 Russian "mercenaries," allegedly members of the Wagner group, whom he claimed were planning terrorist attacks to disrupt the elections. There are another 200 of them still loose in the country and intent on terrorism, he claimed. Its nonsense, of course: Vladimir Putin doesnt want other post-Soviet dictatorships to be overthrown by popular votes. The Russian mercenaries were probably just in (deniable) transit to Libya, Syria or Sudan, where they have lots of work. Lukashenko is spinning the terrorism tale to justify a violent crackdown on the opposition if it looks like its going to win. Svetlana Tikhanovskaya is not demanding to become president if she wins. She just wants the 700 opposition supporters and activists arrested since May (according to the Belarus human rights group Vyasna) to be released, and then a truly free election. Its not too much to ask. Gwynne Dyers latest book is Growing Pains: The Future of Democracy (and Work). Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Wednesday said that she hopes the Bhumi Pujan (groundbreaking ceremony) of the Ram temple in Ayodhya will become an occasion to celebrate national unity. Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav has repeatedly said: The temple is for all; lets now work for the progress of the state. Analysts point out that the Opposition cant openly celebrate the temple, nor criticise the ceremony. Scholar and political expert Badri Narain describes this as a big loss to the Opposition; they will need a viable issue to take on the Bharatiya Janata Party, in the state and outside it. The BJP, meanwhile, has sought to be seen as inclusive and invited three prominent Muslims, two of them associated with the Ram temple/Babri mosque movement. The three Muslim invitees included Iqbal Ansari, son of late Hashim Ansari who fought for the restoration of Babri Mosque for about 55 years. He was a close friend of late Ramchand Paramhans of Digamber Akhara, who fought for the liberation of Ram temple for five decades . Sometimes they used to travel together in a rickshaw to Faizabad court. The other two invitees are Mohammad Sharif, who has buried/cremated thousands of unclaimed bodies of Hindus and Muslims and Zafar Farooqui, chairman of the Sunni Central Waqf Board. Ansari attended todays ceremony. The decision to invite two prominent players in the mosque movement is a political move, the analysts added. The BJP has been systematically trying to dent the oppositions precious minority vote bank about 19% the countrys population and 21% of the states.They point out that it shouldnt surprise anyone that no provocative slogans or speeches are echoing in the state at a time such as this. Not everyone is convinced. Iqbal Mustafa, an educationist from Ayodhya, said: Muslims accept the existence of Ram and the Supreme Court verdict. However, the invites to three Muslims is a political move which will not help the BJP till they stop discrimination. The fact is, no one lost or won the case. Its time we build communal harmony in the country and not make provocative statements. Narain admits that while the invitations may not by themselves soften Muslim sentiments towards the BJP, it just makes the oppositions job that much more difficult in terms of picking an issue. For instance, he added, Dalits (traditionally, the vote base of the Bahujan Samaj Party) definitely want to be a part of the temple construction exercise. Dalits account for about 17% of the countrys population and 21% of Uttar Pradeshs. To be sure, the opposition has questioned the timing of the exercise -- in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic -- but most have resorted to the platitudinous Ram belongs to everyone statement. Their silence hasnt gone unnoticed. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said: The Opposition were demanding resolution of the dispute by the court. Now they are left with no choice but to respect the verdict of the Supreme Court. Even the Muslim parties to the Supreme Court case seem to have accepted the decision and instead of filing a review petition in the apex court, as the one-time convenor and lawyer in the case Zafaryab Jilani suggested, the Sunni Waqf Board is building the mosque 5 kms away from the disputed site in Ayodhya. But all that is history now. The land is no more disputed and analysts say it has ceased to be a fertile ground for the politics of consolidation. Over a dozen Indian companies are in partnership with other firms and institutes to bring a preventive vaccine into global markets by 2021. Editor's Note: This story was originally published on 31 July, and updated on 14 August to include updates on candidates from Bharat Biotech, Zydus Cadila, Biological E and Serum Institute. Two Indian companies are now in adaptive Phase 1/2 human trials of a potential COVID-19 vaccine in volunteers. There are, however, over a dozen Indian firms in partnership with companies and institutes both in India and overseas to bring a working vaccine against the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus into markets. Here's a brief overview of the various vaccine candidates that Indian companies are working on as of 13 August 2020, as well as some others that have declared progress or intent in developing a vaccine against the novel coronavirus. Bharat Biotech Covaxin Bharat Biotech, in a partnership with the National Institute of Virology, has concluded phase 1 human trials of their COVAXIN candidate at most of the 12 chosen centres as of 14 August. The results from the preliminary trial suggests that the vaccine is safe, principal investigators conducting the trials told the Economic Times. Now, the 12 trial centres have moved on to recruiting volunteers for phase 2 trials, in which the vaccine's efficiency will be tested to check for an immune response against the coronavirus. Phase 2 is scheduled to begin in the first week of September. Now that Phase 1 trials have concluded, Bharat Biotech intends to continue with a multicentre, randomized, double-blind Phase 2 trial with 750 volunteers to see how safe and effective the BBC152 vaccine is in a larger group. The preliminary Phase 1 trials were carried out to test safety and to check whether Covaxin (BBV152) could produce any neutralizing antibodies against SARS-CoV-2. 375 healthy volunteers were part of the trials, which began in mid-July in 12 centres across India. Other candidates Apart from Covaxin, Bharat Biotech is in collaboration with Thomas Jefferson University to develop a recombinant deactivated rabies virus containing the spike protein against SARS-CoV-2. With the Department of Biotechnology's backing, Bharat Biotech is aiming to enter human trials with this second vaccine candidate by December 2020. Bharat Biotech is also partnered with University of WisconsinMadison and FluGen to develop a vaccine against SARS-CoV-2 using an influenza virus vector. The candidate is currently in pre-clinical animal trials as per a 13 August update from WHO. Serum Institute of India BCG vaccine Serum Institute of India is currently carrying out a randomized, double-blind study of a recombinant BCG vaccine (VPM1002) for severe cases of coronavirus infection. This vaccine is a further development of the popular 100-year-old Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) vaccine still widely used in tuberculosis prevention globally. In the ongoing Phase 3 trials in 5,946 volunteers, Serum Institute is testing whether the vaccine reduces the severity of COVID-19 in high-risk patients. "We are delighted to partner with DBT-BIRAC for this study and look forward to the positive results of the trial, which should be available before the end of this year,Adar Poonawalla, owner and CEO of SII is quoted as saying by the Press Information Bureau. Oxford vaccine Serum Institute has partnered with AstraZeneca and Oxford University to manufacture the Oxford COVID-19 in India. On 10 August, Serum Institute said the vaccine will be priced at Rs 225 per dose in India. After promising results from Oxford's early trials rolled in mid-July, Serum announced it will manufacture a billion doses of the experimental Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine after seeking required approvals. The vaccine is presently undergoing Phase 3 trials in various countries, and Serum is said to begin testing for the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine (AZD1222) candidate in India soon, as per regulatory requirements. It received a no-go from Indian regulators for its trial protocol, after which the revised version was accepted by the Indian regulator (CDSCO) days later. Other candidates Serum Institute, in partnership with US-based Codagenix, is also developing a live attenuated COVID-19 vaccine candidate CDX-005, which is in pre-clinical trials as of early August 2020. Distribution SII announced a new partnership with global vaccine alliance GAVI and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to accelerate manufacturing and delivery of up to 100 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines for India as well as other low and middle-income countries. Zydus Cadila Zydus Cadila, backed by the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), has successfully passed a test of safety (Phase 1) of its DNA plasmid ZyCoV-D vaccine candidate in 1,048 volunteers on 5 August 2020. An adaptive Phase 1/2 trial to test for safe dosage and efficiency of the vaccine was started in over 1000 healthy adult volunteers on 6 August. Zydus said it is hopeful of completing Phase 2 trials for ZyCoV-D by September-October in an interview with CNBC-TV18. In the pre-clinical phase, ZyCoV-D produced a strong immune response in multiple animal species including mice, rats, guinea pigs and rabbits, and raised no safety concerns. A second measles vector vaccine candidate for COVID-19 from Zydus is currently in pre-clinical trials. Panacea Biotec Panacea Biotec has entered into a Joint Venture partnership with US-based Refana to develop, manufacture and distribute a COVID-19 vaccine candidate globally by next year. The Ireland-based joint venture is working on an inactivated SARS-CoV-2 vaccine, adding in an interview with Reuters that the vaccine is currently in animal pre-clinical trials, with Phase 1 human trials likely to begin only after September 2020. It has targeted producing 500 million doses in 2021 and one billion doses of its vaccine candidate in 2022, as per the report. Indian Immunologicals Indian Immunologicals and Australia's Griffith University entered a partnership to develop a potential COVID-19 vaccine candidate that could provide "long-lasting protection with a single dose," as per an April press release. The company intends to take over live attenuated vaccine strain once developed, and carry out clinical trials under Indian regulators in a phased manner. The vaccine development is currently in pre-clinical stages as per WHO's vaccine tracker as of 13 August. Mynvax Indian Institute of Science-incubated start-up Mynvax has received funding and support from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation to develop a series of recombinant subunit vaccines for SARS-CoV-2. The vaccine will be primarily aimed at the most at-risk groups for COVID-19 (health workers, senior citizens and people with co-morbid conditions). Mynvax said in a public update in May that selection and preclinical trials have been completed for many candidates, with more being screened "over the next few months." Mynvax has also applied for Rs 15 crores in funding from the Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC) to scale-up and manufacture successful candidates. Biological E Biological E, another Indian drugmaker backed by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, is developing a protein subunit vaccine using part of the SARS-COV-2 virus' spike protein. The vaccine candidate is in pre-clinical trials as of 13 August 2020. Biological E is in a licensing agreement with Houston-based Baylor College of Medicine to develop a COVID-19 vaccine, Reuters reported the company as saying. Biological E is also developing a drug substance used in Johnson & Johnsons COVID-19 vaccine candidate, which is currently in early to mid-stage trials, the report added. Other Indian companies in pre-clinical trials Aurobindo Pharma based in Hyderabad is also presently conducting pre-clinical tests for its replicating viral vector vaccine against SARS-CoV-2. Premas Biotech based in Gurugram is reportedly working on a triple-antigen vaccine candidate, and has successfully identified three antigens with which to develop independent recombinant vaccine candidates against SARS-CoV-2. Ahmedabad-based Hester Biosciences in collaboration with IIT-Guwahati is reportedly developing a vaccine against COVID-19 using a recombinant avian paramyxovirus vector. Primarily an animal healthcare firm, and the second largest poultry vaccine manufacturer, this will be the company's first foray into human vaccines. Gujarat Biotechnology Research Centre (GBRC) has partnered with Neuberg Supratech, an Ahmedabad-based pathology lab under Neuberg Diagnostics, to develop COVID-19 recombinant vaccines and diagnostics. Former Uber engineer Anthony Levandowski leaves the federal court after his arraignment hearing in San Jose A U.S. judge on Tuesday sentenced former Google engineer Anthony Levandowski to 18 months in prison for stealing a trade secret from Google related to self-driving cars months before becoming the head of Uber's rival unit. U.S. District Judge William Alsup in San Francisco said Levandowski, who was convicted on Tuesday following a March plea deal agreement, said Levandowski could enter custody once the Covid-19 pandemic has subsided. Alsup said a sentence short of imprisonment would have given "a green light to every future brilliant engineer to steal trade secrets," comparing what Levandowski took to a "competitor's game plan." The 75-year-old judge, who has been involved in Silicon Valley litigation for nearly five decades, described Levandowski's conviction as the "biggest trade secret crime I have ever seen." "Billions [of dollars] in the future were at play, and when those kind of financial incentives are there good people will do terrible things, and that's what happened here," Alsup said. Prosecutors sought a 27-month prison sentence. Levandowski requested one-year confinement at his Marin County home, contending that bouts with pneumonia in recent years would make him susceptible to death from the novel coronavirus while in prison. His attorneys asked the judge to consider that investigators found no evidence that "Levandowski used any of Google's trade secrets after leaving Google's employment." Levandowski transferred more than 14,000 Google files including development schedules and product designs to his personal laptop before leaving the company and while negotiating a deal with Uber, where he briefly led its self-driving car unit. Uber fired Levandowski in 2017 and then settled a lawsuit from Alphabet over the misuse of trade secrets, setting back the ride-hailing company's self-driving project. The dispute between the companies is ongoing. Levandowski filed for bankruptcy in March because he owes $179 million to Alphabet's Google for his actions before resigning in January 2016. Google last week asked the bankruptcy judge to reject Uber's argument that it is not responsible for paying the $179 million under his old employment agreement. Levandowski, who now runs self-driving truck company Pronto, apologized to Google and said he plans to share his story of regret with others in the tech industry. "Today marks the end of three and a half long years and the beginning of another long road ahead," he said in a statement. EDWARDSVILLE Edwardsville School District 7 addressed transportation and health screenings in its Return to Learn Plan released to the public Monday. In the 30-page document, the district addresses topics already released to the public including school scheduling but what is notably new to the public is the health screening guidelines. According to the plan, individuals will have the responsibility of conducting daily self-assessments. All students and staff will be required to conduct a daily, self-certification screening prior to reporting to school, the plan states. The self-certification form will only be required to be signed once during the fall semester; however, by reporting to work/school, all staff and students are committing to complete the self-certification process daily. The self-certification process consists of a simple yes or no checklist. The assessment includes a symptom checklist and if any student checks yes, that student is to not go to school. Symptoms in the checklist are congestion or runny nose, cough, diarrhea, fatigue, fever or chills, headache, contact with a person with COVID-19, temperature is 100.4 degrees or higher, muscle or body aches, nausea or vomiting, new loss of taste or smell, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing and sore throat. To view the full checklist, visit: http://ecusd7.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Student-Daily-Health-Checklist-COVID-19.pdf The plan does not discuss any additional health screening measures such as temperature checks prior to entering or COVID-19 testing. However, Jason Henderson, District 7 superintendent, has previously said portions of the plan are fluid. The plan also stresses personal hygiene for students at all levels will aid in keeping people healthy. Student transportation was also discussed in the plan. District 7 has a couple of thousand students that utilize buses as the rest drive or are dropped off. All individuals on a bus must wear a face covering, now more than 50 individuals will be on a bus at one time and social distancing must be maintained to the greatest extent possible, the plan states. Students will be assigned to seats on buses to help with contact tracing if needed. Sanitation of all school buses will be completed every 25 days by a third-party company trained to use Zoono Z71. The plan explained that Zoono Z71 is an antimicrobial defensive barrier that destroys pathogens, including COVID-19, and provides 30 days of protection. For elementary schools, staggered dismissal times will be used. Students can be picked up starting at 2:15 p.m. and bus riders will be released at 2:20 p.m. For Lincoln and Liberty middle schools, students can begin to be picked up at 12:20 p.m. Students being picked up will be able to purchase a boxed lunch prior to leaving. Bus riders will be able to eat their lunch in their fifth-hour class at 12:20 p.m. and will be dismissed at 12:40 p.m. The plan does not specify Edwardsville High Schools dismissal procedure. Other topics of note include: Visitors are restricted to authorized personnel only. English Language Learners may visit here for information: http://ecusd7.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/ELL-Reopening-Plan-.pdf Behind the wheel education will continue but limited to two students and one instructor per vehicle. Physical education will continue with an emphasis on outdoor utilization and social distancing. Extracurricular will continue but must follow current Illinois Department of Public Health requirements. To view the full plan, visit: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1AqmBbTqDoTBWgq1RJS8a-Zd_DUOHK17N5S38AjFGnY8/edit. CEO salaries are always under heavy scrutiny by the public hardly surprising when you consider that the highest paid FTSE 100 CEO makes over 1500 times the average wage in the UK. To make this information easily available, IG has created Pay Check a free online database of the salaries for some of the worlds most powerful people, which can be viewed here: https://www.ig.com/uk/special-reports/pay-check Pay Check reveals the salaries of CEOs of global brands and FTSE 100 companies, as well as the heads of government and state for every OECD country. Who are the highest paid global brand CEOs? * 1. Satya Nadella (Microsoft) 36,482,047 2. Sundar Pichai (Alphabet) 35,708,187 3. Chuck Robbins (Cisco) 21,960,393 Global brand CEOs pay vs GDP: fast facts Samsungs Kinam Kim earns more in relation to his countrys GDP than any other top-20 brand CEO, with pay of 2.22 for every 1,000,000 that South Korea generates Oracles Larry Ellison is the lowest paid top-20 global brand CEO by this metric, earning just 0.08 for every 1,000,000 of US GDP The average top-20 global brand CEO earns 0.94 for every 1,000,000 that their country generates in terms of GDP (equivalent to 0.94 per 1,000,000 or $0.94 per $1,000,000) Who are the highest paid FTSE 100 CEOs? * Tim Steiner (Ocado Group) 58,727,000 Dave Jenkinson (Persimmon) 24,986,383 Ben van Beurden (Royal Dutch Shell) 18,520,092 FTSE 100 CEOs pay vs GDP: fast facts Ocado Groups Tim Steiner earns 24.19 for every 1,000,000 of UK GDP more than any other FTSE 100 CEO Smith and Nephews Roland Diggelmann is the lowest paid FTSE 100 CEO by this metric, earning just 0.09 for every 1,000,000 of UK GDP The average FTSE 100 CEO earns 2.20 for every 1,000,000 that the UK generates in GDP (equivalent to 2.20 per 1,000,000 or $2.20 per $1,000,000) Who are the highest paid heads of state? * Elizabeth II (Monarch, United Kingdom) 104,100,000 WillemAlexander (Monarch, Netherlands) 36,948,044 Philippe (Monarch, Belgium) 10,645,828 Story continues Heads of state pay vs GDP: fast facts King of the Netherlands Willem Alexander earns 47.57 for every 1,000,000 his country generates in GDP more than any other OECD head of state President Donald Trump is the lowest paid OECD head of state by this metric, earning just 0.02 for every 1,000,000 of US GDP. Donald Trump The average OECD head of state earns 5.71 for every 1,000,000 that their country generates in GDP (equivalent to 5.71 per 1,000,000 or $5.71 per $1,000,000) Who are the highest paid heads of government? * Ueli Maurer (President of the Swiss Confederation, Switzerland) 422,103 Donald Trump (President, United States) 340,078 Sebastian Kurz (Chancellor, Austria) 287,446 Heads of goverment pay vs GDP: fast facts Luxembourgs prime minister, Xavier Bettel, earns 3.18 for every 1,000,000 his country generates in GDP more than any other OECD head of government President Donald Trump is the lowest paid OECD head of government by this metric, earning just 0.02 for every 1,000,000 of US GDP The average OECD head of government earns 0.60 for every 1,000,000 that their country generates in GDP (equivalent to 0.60 per 1,000,000 or $0.60 per $1,000,000) To find out more, visit Pay Check here: https://www.ig.com/uk/special-reports/pay-check Methodology: This research enables you to compare the pay of CEOs from the FTSE 100 and top-20 global brands (according to Interbrand), as well as OECD heads of state and government. The term pay has been used as a general term for the income that these individuals receive for their stated role, which may include a base salary, public grants, bonuses, stock options, pension contributions, and/or other forms of remuneration. CEO pay refers to total remuneration, rather than base salary. Where applicable, figures were converted to GBP, USD and EUR using forex rates at close on 18 March 2020. A full list of sources for the quoted data, including GDP and average salary figures, is available to download here. About IG IG is an award-winning, multi-platform trading company, the worlds No.1 provider of spread betting and CFD trading,1 and a global leader in forex. It provides leveraged trading products with negative balance protection,2 and an execution-only share dealing service. A range of affordable, fully managed investment portfolios completes IGs comprehensive offering. The company is a member of the FTSE 250, and has offices across Europe, North America, Africa, Asia-Pacific and the Middle East. It also offers on-exchange limited risk derivatives via the Nadex brand in the US. 1 Based on revenue excluding FX (published financial statements, February 2018); for forex based on number of primary relationships with FX traders (Investment Trends UK Leveraged Trading Report released August 2018). 2 Does not apply to professional traders. Donald Trump has said the US should receive a "large percentage" of the proceeds from any sale of TikTok to Microsoft.

The US president argued America will make a buyout of the Chinese-owned short-video app possible, and so deserved a share of the deal.

Washington argues the firm poses a national security risk because of the personal data it handles and Mr Trump has warned he will ban the service in the US next month without a sale.

TikTok has become a further source of heightened tensions between the US and China.

An editorial in state-backed English-language newspaper China Daily has warned Beijing will not accept the "theft" of a Chinese technology company.

It accused the US of "bullying" its country's tech companies and said China had "plenty of ways to respond if the administration carries out its planned smash and grab".

Mr Trump said any sale of TikTok would have to include a "substantial amount of money" coming to the US Treasury.

He told reporters: "Whether it's Microsoft or somebody else, or if it's the Chinese - what the price is, the United States could - should get a very large percentage of that price. Because we're making it possible."

The negotiations between Microsoft and TikTok's parent company ByteDance will be overseen by the US committee on foreign investment, a government panel that has the right to block any agreement, according to sources.

Under the proposed deal, Microsoft said it would take over TikTok's operations in the United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.

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The company said it would "ensure that all private data of TikTok's American users is transferred to and remains in the United States".

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has previously described Chinese state-backed tech companies as "Trojan horses for Chinese intelligence".

American military personnel have also been discouraged from using Chinese technology because of security fears, while Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden reportedly told staff not to use TikTok.

The Union Club Hotel renovation involved a complete overhaul of all guest rooms and public spaces, including a significant transformation of the lobby to create a grand entrance with a modern loft-like feel. Throughout the renovation, original Purdue architecture and academic-inspired design are preserved in carpet patterns, upholstery, room fixtures and countless other elements in the hotel. "It's truly an amazing hotel with all the modern amenities guests are looking for and showcases Purdue's legacy in so many ways," said Vicki Wicks, general manager at the Union Club Hotel. "We want our alumni to be proud of the new hotel, and those that didn't attend Purdue to be impressed enough to share the experience with their friends and colleagues after their stay." The hotel will also be used as a hands-on learning laboratory for students in Purdue's School of Hospitality and Tourism Management, a program expected to roll out in 2021. "At the same time we're creating a first-class hospitality experience for our honored guests, we're developing the next generation of our industry," Wicks said. Owned by Purdue University, the iconic property was built in phases and first opened in 1929 as an addition to the Purdue Memorial Union. In 1939 a second wing was added to the hotel, and in 1955 the five-story 130-room north wing was added. Parts of the hotel underwent renovations in the mid-1980s and at the turn of the century. The hotel is managed by White Lodging, one of the largest hotel development and management companies in the United States with more than 90 premium-brand hotels across the country. The company is based northern Indiana and was founded by Purdue alumnus, Bruce White. New dining concepts in West Lafayette The Union Club Hotel brings with it three new dining outlets for guests and the public. 8Eleven Bistro is a full-service modern restaurant serving breakfast, lunch and dinner. The name is inspired by two of NASA's most daring missions: Gemini 8 and Apollo 11 both commanded by Purdue alumnus Neil Armstrong. The bistro's menu features approachable American classic dishes with a few signatures, including a Grilled Tuna Nicoise Salad and a Croque Madame. A unique open kitchen allows guests to observe culinary craftsmanship firsthand. Boiler Up Bar , a refined cocktail lounge, honors the school's treasured traditions and iconic personalities. In this refined and sophisticated gathering spot, farm-inspired cocktails will be enhanced with fresh garnishes provided by the College of Agriculture while a fine selection of bourbons and whiskeys tells the story of Indiana's best small-batch distilleries. Boiler Up Bar will feature a streamlined 8Eleven menu for lunch and a dinner menu, including small plates that cater to the cocktail environment. Leaps Coffee & Artisan Pastries is an energetic hub for grab 'n' go goodness. Featuring a coffee and pastry counter with coffee and artisan teas from regional purveyor Hubbard & Cravens, and made-in-house pastries, this outlet pays homage to the generations of Purdue innovators who make the world better by leaps and bounds. StayConfident: Union Club Hotel's enhanced health and safety measures As part of Purdue's and White Lodging's commitment to health and safety, the Union Club Hotel's StayConfident cleaning program goes above and beyond to ensure an even more confident stay. StayConfident was developed in line with the Protect Purdue Plan, guidelines by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, national hotel associations and experience from top hotel brands. StayConfident includes a rigorous five-point guest room protocol, which takes extra safety and cleaning measures to disinfect all high-touch surfaces using hospital-grade disinfectants. The program also guides additional measures throughout the hotel and restaurants focused on three areas and supported by ongoing associate training and certification: Contactless operations wherever possible. Advanced cleaning and disinfection procedures. Individualized and social distanced services. Opportunities to learn more and book a stay are at www.PurdueUnionClubHotel.com. Interested persons can take advantage of the Gold and Black Grand Opening Offer and be one of the first to stay. Bookings through the offer by Sept. 18 will provide a discount on the hotel's best available rate, two complimentary cocktails at the Boiler Up Bar and a special Boilermaker swag welcome gift. About White Lodging White Lodging, established in 1985, is one of the leading ownership, development, and management companies in America. An innovative trendsetter, the organization's portfolio includes convention, urban lifestyle, and suburban select hotels with more than $1 billion in managed revenue. White Lodging operates more than 90 premium hotels, 40 restaurants and 30 brands in 19 states. Success knows no boundaries at White Lodging, where associates and leadership have consistently earned superior guest satisfaction scores, top market share and industry-leading profit margins while recruiting the best, brightest, and most passionate professionals in every discipline for three decades. White Lodging is a proud winner of the Gallup Great Workplace Award. For more information about White Lodging, visit www.whitelodging.com, or connect on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Instagram. Media Contacts: Union Club Hotel/White Lodging Mike Banas | [email protected] Purdue University Tim Doty | [email protected] SOURCE White Lodging Related Links http://www.whitelodging.com The Member of Parliament for Atiwa East, Abena Osei-Opare, is denying allegations by the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) that she used security personnel to intimidate voters who sought to register for the new ID in the constituency. According to the legislator, the claims by the opposition party are false, malicious and aimed at marring her reputation. The statement by the NDC is false and malicious with the sole intent to defame me and cause disaffection for the NPP and the Atiwa East Constituency. I have not on any occasion been engaged in any of the acts that are alleged in the said statement, she said in a statement. Madam Osei-Opare also urged Ghanaians to condemn the NDCs penchant to create an atmosphere of chaos by linking disparate incidents to the ongoing registration exercise and further described their actions as shameful. Find below the full statement: On Tuesday August 4, 2020, the National Democratic Congress, through its Communication Officer, Mr Sammy Gyamfi, released a statement which directly accused me of using the police and bandits to intimidate people seeking to register to vote in the Atiwa East Constituency. Among other things, the statement said I together with the Anyinam Police Commander and some thugs belonging to the NPP, stormed the houses of about 30 non-Akans who registered unchallenged at Anyinam and forcibly took their voter ID cards from them with the excuse that they are not Ghanaians. The statement by the NDC is false and malicious with the sole intent to defame me and cause disaffection for the NPP and the Atiwa East Constituency. I have not on any occasion been engaged in any of the acts that are alleged in the said statement. We have been through a peaceful democratic process so far in the constituency. We have worked together as a people from different backgrounds, indigenes, settlers and friends to educate ourselves, rally eligible registrants/voters and have been through the registration process as a people, encouraged by the need to work together to develop the constituency and Ghana at large. Electoral issues requiring attention have been brought to the attention of the appropriate institutions and at no point during the process have armed people been used to intimidate eligible registrants/voters. The National Democratic Congress's penchant to create an atmosphere of chaos by linking disparate incidents to the ongoing registration exercise is shameful and must be condemned by all well-meaning Ghanaians. Elections are won with records and solid executable plans, not with misinformation and fearmongering, and the NDC must strive to do that and stop the unnecessary propaganda. I wish to assure all Ghanaians that we shall continue to work with all stakeholders in the constituency to ensure the success of the registration exercise. We shall also put our shoulders to the wheel to continue developing the constituency and Ghana, and ensure that His Excellency Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo's vision for Ghana is achieved. ---citinewsroom GETTY The average cost of data breaches in Canada rose 6.7 per cent since 2019 totalling $6.35 million, but a cybersecurity expert says the increase is in line with previous years, and that Canada has been proactive in safeguarding information. IBMs Cost of Data Breach Report 2020 which was released on July 29, said 42 per cent of Canadian data breaches were caused by malicious attacks, 35 per cent from a system glitch, and 23 per cent from human error. Sumit Bhatia, director of communications and knowledge mobilization with Ryersons Cybersecure Catalyst, said in an interview that despite an increase, the average cost of data breaches in 2020 is not far off from what was reported in 2016 ($6.03 million) and 2018 ($6.11 million). The fact that weve actually managed to contain [breaches] despite the sophistication of attacks, I think is a positive trajectory, he said. Those numbers are not surprising nor is it dismal at this point, but its pretty much in line with the trend that weve seen over the last few years. Image credit: IBM The chart above shows the total cost of data breaches from 2015 to 2020. In 2015 it totalled to $5.32, 2016 to $6.03 million, in 2017 to $5.78 million, 2018 to $6.11 million, in 2019 to $5.95 million, and in 2020 to $6.35 million. Bhatia also said that the increase in data breaches is correlated with COVID-19 forcing many people to work from home, where security on laptops might not be as effective. A lot of these attackers, their point of entry is compromised employee accounts and cloud computing. And those are a result of, as I see, a rapid digital transformation initiative thats happening both right now and has been taking place in the last few years, he said. The report noted that the average time to identify a data breach decreased from 176 days to 168 days and that the average time to contain a data breach improved from 65 to 58 days. Bhatia said this is a reflection of companies starting to look at fully deploying security automation. Story continues In the past five years, Bhatia said Canadian companies have seen a shift in ensuring there is better cybersecurity protection. It has a lot to do with a combination of the investment in the technology infrastructure, plus the advancement in security technologies that have allowed companies to deal with some of these issues going forward, he said. Ray Boisvert, IBM Canadas security expert, said in the report that Canadian businesses need to make cyber resiliency a top priority; to mitigate not just the financial impact but the impact on customer and employee privacy as well. The onus isnt just on government and businesses, however, we all have a role to play in protecting and safeguarding our information, Boisvert said, who is also a former assistant director of the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS). Bhatia agreed that Canada needs to ensure any policy that helps safeguard privacy should incorporate different industries, as one policy might not fit all industries. There are certain industries that demonstrate different types of the root cause for the attack. We saw the root cause of attacks was malicious attacks. But we know this isnt the case for all industries. When we look at industries like the public sector and consumer industries, we saw human error as being the largest percentage of data breaches. Thats an important distinction to make. Policies can really help certain sectors. There need to be policies that support small-and-medium-sized businesses in creating a place for them to go through this digital transformation process, he said. Download the Yahoo Finance app, available for Apple and Android and sign up for the Yahoo Finance Canada Weekly Brief. Garrett Rolfe was fired on June 13, the day after he fatally shot Brooks outside a Wendys restaurant in Atlanta. The former Atlanta police officer who fatally shot Rayshard Brooks is suing the mayor and interim police chief, saying his firing violated his constitutional rights and the city code. Meanwhile, prosecutors have asked a judge to revoke his bond. Garrett Rolfe was fired on June 13, the day after he fatally shot Brooks outside a Wendys restaurant in Atlanta. In a lawsuit filed on Tuesday in Fulton County Superior Court, he says he was fired without an investigation, without proper notice, without a disciplinary hearing, and in direct violation of the municipal code of the City of Atlanta. Rolfe, 27, faces 11 charges, including felony murder. He was granted bond on June 30. Also on Tuesday, prosecutors filed a motion to revoke Rolfes bond, saying he had travelled to Florida without permission. The bond order expressly states that the Defendant is only allowed to leave home for medical, legal, or work related obligations, the motion says. Tomika Miller, the wife of Rayshard Brooks, centre, weeping near the entrance to Ebeneezer Baptist Church in Atlanta at Brooks funeral [File: John Bazemore/AP Photo] Police body cameras showed Rolfe and another officer, Devin Brosnan, having a calm and respectful conversation with Brooks for more than 40 minutes after complaints that the 27-year-old Black man had fallen asleep in his car in a Wendys drive-through lane on June 12. But when officers told him he had had too much to drink to be driving and tried to handcuff him, Brooks resisted. A struggle was caught on dash camera video. Brooks grabbed one of their Tasers and fled, firing the Taser at Rolfe as he ran away. An autopsy found Brooks was shot twice in the back. Brosnan, 26, is charged with aggravated assault and violating his oath and is also free on bond. Rolfes lawsuit, which was first reported by the Daily Report, argues that Rolfe used deadly force within the scope and course of his duties in response to Brooks violent, unlawful, aggressive resistance to a lawful arrest. The lawsuit says that Rolfe could only be disciplined or terminated for cause and that he has a right to due process. The proper steps, outlined in the city code, were not taken before Rolfe was fired by then-chief Erika Shields, who resigned the same day. The lawsuit also notes that Brosnan and many other Atlanta police officers who have been charged with crimes have remained employed while their criminal charges were pending. Rolfe has suffered irreparable injury to his personal and professional reputation as a result of his unlawful dismissal, the lawsuit says, adding that he has become a public spectacle and object of ridicule. The lawsuit asks a judge to hold a hearing and to order that Rolfe be immediately reinstated with back pay and other benefits. The mayors office and police department did not immediately comment on Wednesday on the lawsuit. Prosecutors received an email on Monday afternoon from one of Rolfes lawyers notifying them that Rolfe had travelled to Florida for vacation, according to the motion to revoke his bond. A location report from the company that owns the ankle monitor Rolfe is wearing shows that he left home early on Sunday and was in Daytona Beach, the motion says. Prosecutors are not aware of him having been granted permission to travel and they argue that Rolfe has clearly shown that he will not abide by the conditions of bond imposed by the Court. Lawyers for Rolfe did not immediately respond to an email seeking comment on Wednesday. LANCASTER All of Linda Stoltzfoos friends and family told Detective Christopher Jones that she was quite content living the Amish lifestyle in Bird-in-Hand. She was nice, caring and always wanted to know about other people, Jones testified today. The 18-year-old taught at an Amish school and worked in a nearby market. She didnt have many non-Amish friends and never had a boyfriend. She was active in her church and a youth group, and nothing out of the ordinary was going on in her life. There was no reason that she would want to leave, Jones told the court. Thats why he and her family think something terrible happened to Linda Stoltzfoos. They believe she was kidnapped after leaving church June 21. Furthering that notion, witnesses told Jones they saw a red Kia in the area, and some saw an Amish girl in the passenger seat which would have been unusual on a Sunday, particularly while wearing her traditional church clothing. Jones testified that police soon traced the Kia to Justo Smoker, 34, of Paradise Township. At a preliminary hearing held today for Smoker on charges of kidnapping and false imprisonment, Magisterial District Judge Denise Commins found there was enough evidence to send the case to Lancaster County Court, where Smoker is now set for arraignment Aug. 28. Justo Smoker is facing charges in connection with the disappearance of Linda Stoltzfoos. The question remains where is Stoltzfoos, and what happened to her? Lancaster County First Assistant District Attorney Todd Brown spent much of the two-hour hearing building the case that Smoker had kidnapped her, based upon video evidence and witness accounts. Jones, a detective with the East Lampeter Township Police Department, said a surveillance camera on Beechdale Road shows Stoltzfoos and several other girls walking in the direction of their church the morning of June 21. She was wearing a tan dress, black head covering and a white apron and cape her usual church attire. Those who knew her last saw her at church, but Jones said her family and friends were aware of what her plans were for the rest of the day. She was going to walk home, change out of her church clothes, grab a dessert she had made the night before and take the dessert to a nearby youth-group meeting, where she planned to spend the rest of the day. She never made it home from church. Thats where the red Kia comes in. Several witnesses in the Amish community told Jones they saw the red car in the area that day. Some of them say they saw an Amish girl in the passenger seat, in the clothing Stoltzfoos was described as wearing. One witness told Jones that the girl believed to be Stoltzfoos did not return her wave from the car also unusual in the Amish community adding, she looked at me with pleading eyes. As police investigated, they found several video surveillance cameras, which caught the red Kia -- in some cases with just a driver with a description similar to Smokers from earlier that day, and other images from after church with a passenger believed to be Stoltzfoos, he testified. One video, when zoomed in, showed the moment of the abduction, Jones said. The red Kia pulled over to the side of the road as someone was walking from the direction of the church at the time when Stoltzfoos would have been walking home, Jones said. A figure got out of the Kia, approached the walking figure, and the two moved together back to the red car, he said. Then two days after her disappearance, an employee at a nearby business on Harvest Drive called in a suspicious vehicle also a red Kia. Pennsylvania State Police Trooper Kory Wardrop said the Kia had been parked behind the business, near the wood line and a field. The witness saw no driver at first, took some photos of the red car, and called the police. The driver, who had a description similar to Smokers, left before the police arrived, but the employee led investigators back to where the Kia had been parked. Nearby, there was an area of disturbed dirt, as if someone had buried something, Wardrop testified. A cadaver dog and forensics team were brought in, and police soon found buried there a bra and a pair of stockings, which Jones said Stoltzfoos family identified as belonging to her. They also found a zip tie, which had been cut. Jones said police linked the red Kia to Smoker. They interviewed him twice, and he denied being in the area at first and denied recognizing Stoltzfoos photo. Defense attorney Christopher Tallarico worked to poke holes in some of the testimony and evidence. He pointed out that some of the details on the Kia, like the black trim, could not be seen on the zoomed-in video of the abduction, and he called the image that Jones said was Stoltzfoos walking from church pixels. He argued its not identifiable as a human being, but Jones said one could clearly see it is someone walking. And Brown argued the collective evidence of all of the videos and witness accounts was enough to move the case to county court. The judge agreed. Smoker is set for arraignment Aug. 28. Stoltzfoos is still missing. Anyone with information should call the East Lampeter Township Police, 717-291-4676, or the Pennsylvania State Police, 717-299-7650. 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. Between Friday and Tuesday at 9:30 a.m., there were 27 new cases of COVID-19 discovered in Manitoba, but the numbers presented to the public on Tuesday dont add up with what was reported during the weekend. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 5/8/2020 (531 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Advertisement Advertise With Us Between Friday and Tuesday at 9:30 a.m., there were 27 new cases of COVID-19 discovered in Manitoba, but the numbers presented to the public on Tuesday dont add up with what was reported during the weekend. Health Minister Cameron Friesen announced the single-day totals during a Tuesday afternoon media conference alongside chief nursing officer Lanette Siragusa. Ten new cases were detected in the Prairie Mountain Health region over those days, but the provinces online COVID-19 statistics dashboard showed an increase of 11 since the last update on Friday. Friesen and Siragusa had a simple explanation for that: When revising data, sometimes health officials check over postal codes and find that some people have been assigned to the wrong region and the numbers are eventually corrected. There were, in fact, 10 new cases in Prairie Mountain Health, they clarified. Of those 10 cases in Prairie Mountain Health, six were men in their 30s, one was a woman in her 30s, one was a woman in her 40s, one was a man in his 60s and the last was a woman in her 60s. According to the online dashboard, there have been 53 total cases in Prairie Mountain Health. Brandons drive-thru COVID-19 testing site was busy on Tuesday, with a lineup of cars stretching out of The Town Centre parkade onto Eighth Street and then curling around the corner onto Princess Avenue. Chief provincial public health officer Dr. Brent Roussin is on vacation this week and was not present at the conference. Some specifics on cases discovered during the long weekend were provided on Tuesday, having previously only reported provincial totals. Explanations for other discrepancies were not as specific. During the introduction to Tuesdays media conference, Friesen said there were three new cases discovered as of 9:30 a.m. for the day. Other sources, such as an update by Siragusa during the same conference, the provinces media release, the provinces Twitter account and online statistics, say there were only two. There were also discrepancies for the numbers presented for new cases reported on Saturday through Monday, with a total of 29 new cases reported on Twitter between Friday and Tuesday and 27 shown in the online statistics for this time frame on Tuesday. Another wrinkle is that the province announced in its COVID press release on Tuesday that one case had been removed from Mondays count because it was a duplicate from another jurisdiction. Vehicles were lined up around the block and onto Princess Avenue on Tuesday morning outside the COVID-19 test clinic in the Brandon Town Centre parkade, after the provincial government announced 27 new cases of the virus in Manitoba over the long weekend. Photos have been altered to remove licence plates due to privacy concerns. (Matt Goerzen/The Brandon Sun) Taking away that one extra case still means there is a discrepancy of a single case between what was originally announced and the new figure. This discrepancy also shows up in the total number of active cases. On the statistics dashboard and per Siragusa, there are 93 active cases. Per the media release sent out Tuesday afternoon, there are 94 active cases. Siragusa said the new figures had only come in 15 minutes before the press conference and the dashboard had yet to be updated, despite a section of the dashboard saying that it had been updated as of 1 p.m. on Tuesday. "It is just part of the Public Health process, the contact tracing and the investigation and the conversations with the people who are identified so that we can provide you with the most accurate information as it becomes available to us," she said. As of 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, it had not been updated. No specific explanation for the one-case discrepancy was given. See Most Page A2 Most new cases related to travel When it comes to the source of these cases, Friesen said that 25 out of 27 cases from over the long weekend were travel-related, with the source of the two remaining cases yet to have been tracked down. In Steinbach, where several businesses have voluntarily shut down after possible exposure to the virus, Friesen said the cases all come from the same family. The minister praised those diagnosed with the virus for how helpful theyve been to Public Health officials. "Public Health case contact thats going on is successful because Manitobans are responding, people who have COVID-19 are being very good about indicating who are the people theyve had the most contact with and those people are getting contacted," Friesen said. "All along this chain, the right things continue to be done by Manitobans." As announced last week, the province will be moving to a single COVID-19 media briefing per week except when the government deems that circumstances require additional briefings. Friesen was asked if that decision would be reversed with the recent spate of new cases or if more explanation would be given for large spikes like this past weekend and indicated its something the government would be looking into. cslark@brandonsun.com Twitter: @ColinSlark Nana Dr S. K. B. Asante, a Board Member of the National Peace Council (NPC), has expressed worry over the recent spate of attacks on the Council. I have been highly disturbed by the recent spate of scurrilous media and personal attacks on the integrity and performance of the NPC, Nana Dr Asante stated in Accra. Speaking at the inauguration of the National Monitoring Committee for the Implementation of Code of Conduct and Roadmap on political vigilantism, Nana Dr Asante stressed: It is amazing that we should be subjected to this unfair treatment despite our sacrifices and worthy endeavours to pursue peace in the country, which have been internationally acclaimed. He noted that the public might not know that a stream of high-powered delegations from other countries had visited the Council to study their techniques and experience; adding that Our Chairman has been honoured with two international awards. In my respectful opinion these misinformed, but highly damaging criticisms stem from a failure to appreciate the scope of the NPCs mandate. Nana Dr Asante said: However, it is my considered opinion, that the NPC does not have the mandate to denounce the acts of any party to a dispute or any player in the political or communal arena. In my respectful submission, a careful analysis of NPCs functions, as spelt out in sections 2 and 3 of the NPC Act 2011 (Act 818), does not disclose any such mandate. Section 2 states that; The object of the Council is to facilitate and develop mechanisms for conflict prevention, management, resolution and to build sustainable peace in the country. He said it should be stressed that the primary and only function of the Council was to facilitate and develop mechanisms for conflict prevention, management and resolution and to build sustainable peace in the country. Nana Dr Asante said this remit provides no basis for periodical and instant condemnation of any acts of any entity. He noted that denouncing was clearly distinguishable from facilitating and developing mechanisms for preventing, managing or resolving conflicts and building sustainable peace. Nana Dr Asante said the precise language of the NPCs mandate scrupulously and meticulously avoids the power to denounce any party or acts or even the power to make a mandatory intervention in a conflict, including; the incidental power to condemn any party to such a conflict. He intimated that the NPC, unlike a court of law, does not have the power to condemn any party or even issue an indictment against any entity; stating that such a line of operation is essentially repugnant to the especially facilitative and mediatory role of the Council. He said apart from the limitations imposed by the NPC Act, it would be highly inappropriate and, indeed, counterproductive, if the NPC issued an indictment on sighting any viral video or hearing any allegation of unbecoming conduct. He said nobody expects such reaction from the Police, the courts or the Attorney-General, adding that the same restraint should be expected from the NPC. It is my view that by accusing us of selective treatment and urging the Council to condemn allegedly wrongful acts from time to time, the political actors and the media are gradually embroiling us in activities which are well beyond our remit and which are bound to be counterproductive. He noted that public should expect the Council to deliver instant judgements, where it would take a whole Commission of Enquiry or a court of law, months or if not years, to make a pronouncement on the subject matter of a dispute or conflict. I know that members of the NPC are honourable men and women of impeachable integrity, - persons who are held in high esteem, and who are genuinely and conscientiously contributing to the peace and development of our country, Nana Dr Asante said. They deserve respect and approbation not persistent vile attacks. Mr George Amoh, the Executive Secretary, NPC, urged political parties to ensure compliance with the Code of Conduct. 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 CLEVELAND, Ohio - The Ohio Arts Council awarded 698 grants to artists and arts organizations around the state today, including 195 from Northeast Ohio. The Cleveland Museum of Art led the grant recipients locally with $505,589 to program arts activities. The Musical Arts Organization, parent group of the Cleveland Orchestra, was awarded $504,614 and the Playhouse Square Foundation was given $504,298. Rounding out the Top 10 for Northeast Ohio were the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame ($358,124), Cleveland Play House ($127,970), the Community Hall Foundation Program Endowment in Summit County ($92,441), Great Lakes Theater Festival ($81,556), the Akron Art Museum ($80,700), Cleveland Music School Settlement ($80,541) and LAND Studio ($70,903). The arts council issued grants totaling more than $4.3 million to artists and arts organizations in the seven-county Cleveland metropolitan area. The smallest awards for $1,000 went to the Cleveland Comedy Festival and Medina County Arts Council while the largest went to the Cleveland Museum of Art. The organizations were among the 195 artists and arts organizations in the seven-county Cleveland metropolitan area to receive grants totaling $4,359,208. The smallest awards for $1,000 went to the Cleveland Comedy Festival and Medina County Arts Council. You can see the full, searchable list of award recipients HERE. In total, the Ohio Arts Council board handed out more than $12.5 million via 698 individual awards. EASTHAMPTON Apical which had previously received approval for a Wemelco Way site now plans to establish an adult-use marijuana store and a cultivation operation at the former Cernak Buick property on 102 Northampton St. Apical has already hosted a community outreach meeting at the site, as required by state law, and plans to ask the Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission for permission to transfer its approvals to the former dealership, said Jeffry Bagg, city planner for Easthampton. Apical executives and its attorney, Thomas Estes of Northampton, did not returned calls and emails for comment Tuesday. The proposal makes Easthampton particularly this busy stretch of Route 10 heading to Northampton a center for the states growing, two-year-old legal adult-use marijuana industry. The city limited adult use its the industry term for recreation al marijuana i.e. not medical marijuana to six. Easthampton has two adult use retail establishments operating with one expected to pen soon an dine under construction. Holistic, 155 Northampton St. is expected to open soon, Bagg said. Holistic was permitted as a medical marijuana dispensary in early 2018 and was built for those plans. In early 2020, they were granted a special permit by the city to convert to adult use retail. Herbology, 195 Northampton St., is currently under construction. Herbology was permitted as an adult use retail with a micro cultivation element was granted a special permit for adult use retail in early 2019, Bagg said. Easthampton Advanced Research Park wants to create an adult-use use retail, cultivation, and research facility at 97 Northampton St., the former Tasty Top ice cream stand site. Easthampton Advanced Research Park is working on a zoning amendment that would allow cultivation in new buildings in the Highway Business District, Bagg said. Two operating marijuana retailers are Insa at 122 Pleasant St. in the Keystone Mill and Verb is Herb, 74 Cottage St. which is also known as Canna Provisions, opened earlier this year. Separately, Easthampton negotiated a host community agreement with a seventh business in July,, Bagg said. High Five, Inc. wants to have a a cultivation only facility at 19 Wemelco Way, Bagg said. High Five is expected to hold a community outreach meeting in the near future and have submitted their application to the state. Once deemed complete they will apply for a special permit. There is no cap on the number of cultivation establishments. Cernak, which started life as a Studebaker dealership in 1940, closed in January as it struggled as a one-make dealership with the limited product range of the Buick brand. The most recent records at the Hampshire County Registry of Deeds shows that a Cernak family trust owns the 1.26-acre property. Dublin, Aug. 05, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Atrial Fibrillation Pipeline Research Monitor, 2020 - Drugs, Companies, Clinical Trials, R&D Pipeline Updates, Status and Outlook" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. PIPELINE HIGHLIGHTS Atrial Fibrillation is one of the widely researched conditions during 2020 with 23 companies actively focusing on realizing pipeline's potential. Development of Atrial Fibrillation medicines is identified as integral to the strategy of the majority of companies operating in the industry. Global Atrial Fibrillation market presents promising new product pipeline with NME Projects, pivotal trials, and rapidly phase-advancing therapeutic candidates. Increasing number of companies are assessing the feasibility of developing treatment options for Atrial Fibrillation. Good progress is anticipated during 2020 and 2021 with Atrial Fibrillation pipeline molecules advancing from pre-clinical investigation to completion of advanced Phase clinical trials. Atrial Fibrillation pipeline continues to expand and progress with novel mechanisms and diverse routes of administration being tested by companies. DRUG DEVELOPMENT PIPELINE OVERVIEW The Atrial Fibrillation pipeline Research Monitor, 2020 report is an analytical research study on the progress achieved by pipeline companies during the year along with its historical development, current status, and outlook. This Atrial Fibrillation pipeline review explores high-potential early to late-stage pipeline projects with a continued focus on new insights, accelerated processes, and pipeline progression. 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Optimize your licensing and technology transfer strategies through identification of prospect partners Companies Mentioned Acesion Pharma Allergan plc Allosteros Therapeutics Inc AnaBios Corporation ARCA biopharma Inc Armaron Bio Pty Ltd Correvio Pharma Corp Daiichi Sankyo Co Ltd Espero BioPharma Inc G3 Pharmaceuticals Inc Gilead Sciences Inc HUYA Bioscience International Hyloris Pharmaceuticals SA InCarda Therapeutics Inc Merck & Co Inc Merz Pharma GmbH & Co KGaA Milestone Pharmaceuticals Inc Nissan Chemical Industries Ltd OMEICOS Therapeutics GmbH Rhythm Therapeutics Inc The Geneva Biotech Center SA Toa Eiyo Ltd Verseon Corp For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/5mhdfo Research and Markets also offers Custom Research services providing focused, comprehensive and tailored research. Since the novel coronavirus swiftly circled the planet this winter and shut down countries and economies, a full recovery and a return to normal, whatever that might be, has hinged on the development of a vaccine. Through strict measures, such as physical distancing, the about-face on face masks and ritual handwashing, we have slowly opened up our public spaces and businesses. But full schools and restaurants, airplanes and arenas, even hugging and dancing, will rely on a vaccine that prevents COVID-19. There have been promising headlines recently on that front and the World Health Organization reported last week a number of candidates are in late-stage trials. The first vaccine could be available by early 2021. For the first time in human history, however, every country in the world will be fighting for access to a vaccine, or perhaps several vaccines, and any rollout will face a multitude of logistical and ethical challenges. But when it comes to mass vaccinations, this isnt our first rodeo. We have decades of experience with the flu vaccine, which should serve as a cautionary tale. Lets first acknowledge that influenza is not COVID-19. Its not as deadly and apparently not as contagious, but it is a serious illness that is especially dangerous to the very young and very old and people with weakened immune systems or medical conditions, such as asthma. In this country, the Public Health Agency of Canada reports every year that an average of 3,500 people die of the flu and 12,200 more are hospitalized. It also recommends everyone six months of age and older get immunized between October and December, before the virus spreads. But the sad reality is that despite the seriousness of the danger the flu poses to public health, not enough people get the vaccine. Thats especially disappointing given that in most parts of Canada, including Ontario, its free and readily available. In the last fully reported cycle, 2018-2019, only 42 per cent of Canadians over the age of 18 got the vaccine. That is a substantial increase from 2015-2016 when only 34 per cent were vaccinated, but it is still far too low. Public health officials have long been urging more people to make a habit of getting the flu shot every year. Given the extreme steps weve all taken to reduce the spread of COVID-19, this may well be the year that far more people decide to take the easy step of getting a flu shot to protect themselves and others from seasonal influenza. If theres one year to get your flu shot, this is going to be the year, Dr. Natasha Crowcroft, a professor at the University of Torontos Centre for Vaccine Preventable Diseases said. Every flu season results in a surge of patients, which strained our hospitals even before the arrival of COVID-19. An outbreak of both could prove disastrous. In Australia, which is already in influenza season, there has been an increased demand to get the flu shot. Anticipating the same trend here, health officials in Ontario have purchased additional doses of the flu vaccine. Now they need to get moving on figuring out the best way to deliver the flu vaccine given that the coronavirus makes mass immunization clinics tricky. Ontarians have risen to the challenge of physical distancing and wearing masks. The Greater Toronto Area finally entering Phase 3 on Friday is proof of that. If COVID-19 has taught us anything about the importance of a vaccine to protect public health, then everyone who can should get the flu shot this year. Just like socially distancing or wearing a mask, you are protecting yourself and the most vulnerable among us. JOB ALERT: Advertising Sales Executives Multi-Media Attractive salary package Leitrim Starting a career in multi-media Advertising Sales could prove to be your launchpad into a long-term, successful future in the media sector. If you have the communication skills to present well and persuade customers of the immense value of advertising, it could be both highly lucrative and personally rewarding. About us Iconic is Irelands largest independently owned newspaper group, with an unrivalled audience in print, online and mobile. As part of the groups development strategy, we are now seeking Sales Executives to join the advertising sales team working on the Leitrim Observer and Leitrimobserver.ie. About the role As an Advertising Sales Executive you will be responsible for a portfolio of existing customers and for developing new relationships with potential advertisers. Youll be part of an experienced and dedicated team and will be fully supported in understanding the role and how to achieve targets. About you Previous customer-facing or telesales experience (retail or call-centre) would be desirable but is not essential for this role. Above all else we are seeking ambitious people with strong communication skills who can build relationships with existing and potential customers. To be a success youll need to be energetic, self-motivated and able to think on your feet. Professional, personable and able to inspire others, youll also need to demonstrate the confidence to hit the ground running. We offer a competitive salary and massive career progression for the right fit. To apply please email your CV with a covering letter to ocooper@iconicnewspapers.ie Strictly No Agencies MANAN VATSYAYANA/AFP/Getty North Korea has nukes. They work. They can threaten American military bases and cities. Not only is the United States powerless to rid the Korean Peninsula of atomic warheads, thanks to Kims nukes its also powerless to force regime-change on Pyongyang. In short, Kim Jong Un won. Thats the chilling thesis of an eye-opening new book about North Koreas decades-long effort to develop and deploy nuclear weapons. There is good reason to believe that, for all intents and purposes, the Korean Peninsula will only be denuclearized when nuclear weapons are abolished worldwide, Ankit Panda writes in Kim Jong Un and the Bomb. The reason for this is simple, continues Panda, an analyst with the Federation of American Scientists and a contributor to The Daily Beast. Kim faces a hostile superpower adversarythe United Statesand his survival can only be guaranteed by these weapons, which must be credibly usable. Pandas book challenges long-held misconceptions about Kim and his regime, underscores the enduring allure of nukes to rogue regimes. and puts in their place a succession of U.S. presidentsincluding Donald Trump, whose abortive charm offensive failed to dent Kims atomic rearmament. Kim Jong Uns Ugly Christmas Surprise: A Return to Threats of War The key to understanding North Koreas nuclear strategy is that its rational, despite popular characterizations of the Kim regime as befuddling, infantile or silly, according to Panda. North Korea is the worlds sole example of a communist monarchy, Panda explains. The regime rules with one goal in mind: protecting itself. Kim Jong Uns overarching goal, and the regimes core objective, is survival, Panda writes. Part of this objective will be for Kim Jong Un to successfully raise his suspected three children, bequeathing the North Korean throne to one of them as his father did to him. Kim Jong Uns father and grandfather had the same goal. Grandfather Kim Il Sung toyed with the idea of an atomic arsenal as the ultimate means to regime-survival. But it was his son Kim Jong Il, Jong Uns father, who got serious about nukes. His determination to make North Korea the worlds ninth nuclear power deepened in 2003 when the United States invaded Iraq. Story continues Thats when Jong Il decided that nukes represented the sole means of averting the fate that would eventually befall Saddam Hussein. He abandoned a 1994 agreement with the United States that traded economic and diplomatic benefits for a winding-down of North Koreas nuclear efforts. The Kim regime under Jong Il doubled down on the development of regional-range rockets and the production of weapons-grade plutonium. North Korea tested its first atomic warhead in 2006. Soon the regime possessed nuclear-capable rockets that could strike U.S. bases in South Korea, Japan, and Guam. The regimes strategy, it seems, is to nuke American facilities the moment it detects the United States building up forces for an attack on North Koreaand then deter a retaliatory U.S. atomic attack by threatening to launch additional nukes at Seoul or Tokyo. The Kim regime knows that to have a chance at survival, North Korea would need to go first and go big, Panda writes. President Barack Obama approached the North Korea problem cautiously. When Jong Il died in 2011 and Jong Un took his place as the head of the Kim regime, the Obama administration bet that sanctions would pressure North Koreas new leader, then just 27 years old, to negotiate in good faith. That was a bad bet, Panda writes. As was Obamas bet that his former secretary of state, Hillary Clinton, would win the 2016 presidential election and continue his administrations policy toward North Korea. When Trump won, it ushered in a chaotic new era in U.S.-North Korean relations. Obama implored his successor to treat Pyongyang as the priority it should be, Panda writes. Instead, Trump spent 2017 taunting and threatening Kim on Twitter while assuring the world that North Korea would never develop a long-range intercontinental ballistic missile that could allow the regime to lob an atomic warhead around the world and strike American cities. Trump was wrong. North Korea tested ICBMs three times in 2017. This new long-range rocket capability only bolstered Kims go first and go big strategy. The Nuclear Threats From Iran and North Korea, Working Together, Grow by the Day After three more major rocket tests in 2017, Kim claimed his scientists had enough data to build and deploy an effective atomic arsenal for the foreseeable future. In April 2018, Kim announced he would suspend testing of his treasured sword, his nickname for his nukes. Kim had declared his deterrent complete and was turning toward diplomacy, Panda writes. Trump, wager for a diplomatic win, was happy to oblige. In the course of three summits in 2018 and 2019, Kim and Trump smiled, posed for the cameras, and made vaguely positive statements about peace. Kim offered to blow up one of his nuclear test sitesa site that he no longer needed and which he could easily rebuild anyway. All he wanted in exchange was an end to all sanctions. Trump balked. In December, Kim announced a resumption of nuclear testing. His apparent goal now is to develop smaller nukes that can fit on smaller rockets. Realistically, nothing can stop him. Kim Jong Un now presides over a nuclear state, Panda writes. North Koreas success with its own nuclearization has forced the world into an unsavoryif gradualprocess of recognizing that coexistence will in all likelihood be the only plausible path going forward. Coexistence is not automatic or easy, Panda warns. It requires coming to terms with the basic fact that, just as the United States and its allies deterred North Korea for decades before it had nuclear weapons, so too does North Korea deter its adversaries today from pursuing a forcible change to its leadership. Kims treasured sword is here to stay. 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. WASHINGTON, Aug. 5, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation's largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today called on members of the U.S. Senate Committee on Foreign Relations to oppose President Trump's nomination of Retired Army Colonel Douglas Macgregor to the post of U.S. Ambassador to Germany. Macgregor has a long history or making violent anti-Muslim, anti-Mexican and anti-immigrant remarks. CNN: KFile: German ambassador pick disparaged immigrants and refugees, called for martial law at US-Mexico border https://edition.cnn.com/2020/08/04/politics/kfile-douglas-macgregor-german-ambassador-pick/index.html While Macgregor's nomination hearing has not yet been scheduled, CAIR is calling on Republican Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Jim Risch (Idaho), Ranking Member Bob Menendez (New Jersey), and their fellow committee members to reject Macgregor's nomination on the grounds that his xenophobic, racist and anti-Muslim remarks and should disqualify him from serving as U.S. Ambassador to Germany. In a statement that was sent today to the staff and members of the U.S. Senate Committee on Foreign Relations by CAIR Director of Government Affairs Department Robert S. McCaw: "CAIR is calling on the members of the U.S. Senate Committee on Foreign Relations to oppose the nomination of anti-Muslim and anti-immigrant racist Douglas Macgregor for the position of U.S. Ambassador to Germany. "Macgregor's repeated verbal attacks on German Chancellor Angela Merkel and his long history of making Islamophobic and conspiratorial remarks about Muslim refugees fleeing to Europe disparaging Muslims as 'invaders' 'coming to take over' and with the goal of 'turning Europe into an Islamic State' makes him totally unfit to serve as U.S. ambassador to a long standing ally like Germany. "Last week the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee -- in a bi-partisan manner -- rejected Anthony Tata, another Islamophobic Trump nominee to a position in the Department of Defense, we call on Senate Foreign Relations Committee to likewise reject Macgregor." Macgregor's History of Anti-Muslim and Mexican Remarks In 2018, Macgregor disparaged Muslim refugees fleeing to Europe as "invaders," following German Chancellor Angela Merkel's decision to allow refugees to enter that county. Macgregor claimed Merkel "seems more concerned about providing free services to millions of unwanted Muslim invaders" than funding "armed forces in the defense of its country." In 2016, Macgregor said on an internet radio show that Muslim refugees are "not coming to assimilate and become part of Europe" but come "with the goal of eventually turning Europe into an Islamic State" adding "That's a bad thing for the West. It's a bad thing for Europeans." In 2015, Macgregor similarly said on ABC News that Muslim refugees in Europe "are not coming to assimilate or become Europeans - quite the opposite. They're coming to take over whatever they can get." On that same program, Macgregor also stated the United States has "more than 9 million Muslims" and "I would be surprised if some were not inspired by the Islamic State." According to CNN's KFile and its review of dozens of radio and television interviews, Macgregor also opposed the United States' 1995 NATO-led military intervention against Serbian forces who by then murdered some 8,000 Bosnian Muslims, because it according to him, it "put, essentially, a Muslim drug mafia in charge of that country." Macgregor has also attacked Mexican immigrants to the U.S. stating that cartels were "driving millions of Mexicans with no education, no skills and the wrong culture into the United States, placing them essentially as wards of the American people." According to CNN's KFile, Macgregor also "repeatedly advocated to institute martial law at the US-Mexico border and 'shoot people' if necessary." CAIR notes that in 2017, it called for the resignation of Pete Hoekstra, the United States ambassador to the Netherlands, who told a reporter it was "fake news" that he said there are Muslim "no-go zones" in that country and then lied about making the fake news charge when presented with video evidence of his anti-Muslim comments. The Washington-based civil rights organization has repeatedly expressed concern about the Trump administration's Islamophobic, white supremacist and racist policies and appointments. SEE: CAIR Condemns Trump's Disrespect for Congressional Vetting After Appointment of Anti-Muslim Bigot Anthony Tata to Pentagon Post SEE: CAIR Condemns Trump's Appointment of Anti-Muslim Bigot Sebastian Gorka to National Security Education Board SEE: CAIR Condemns Selection of Trump's New Islamophobic Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany CAIR is America's largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. Its mission is to enhance understanding of Islam, protect civil rights, promote justice, and empower American Muslims. La mision de CAIR es proteger las libertades civiles, mejorar la comprension del Islam, promover la justicia, y empoderar a los musulmanes en los Estados Unidos. CONTACT: CAIR Government Affairs Director Robert McCaw, 202-742-6448, [email protected]; CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, [email protected] SOURCE Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) Related Links http://www.cair.com THE Mayor of the city and county of Limerick has paid tribute to former Limerick Leader editor Eugene Phelan following his retirement from the role. Mr Phelan, who worked for the newspaper for 45 years, was appointed as Managing Editor just over four years ago. To mark his final day, friends, family and colleagues (past and present) gathered to form a guard of honour outside the Limerick Leader offices at Glentworth Street in the city centre. While pubs remain closed, a freshly pulled pint of Guinness was delivered from the Glen Tavern, to mark the special and unique occasion. Mayor Michael Collins also attended the informal event Im delighted and thrilled to be here to celebrate such a long and distinguished career as Eugene has had, Ive interactions with him down through the years and it has always been positive, on behalf of the people of Limerick I want to wish you a very happy and healthy retirement, he said. Mayor .@cllrmcollins wishing @EugenePhelan1 all the best as he retires from the @Limerick_Leader after 45 years of a long and distinguished career. pic.twitter.com/OzKkp57rgT Limerick Council (@LimerickCouncil) August 5, 2020 Eugene said he miss working at the Limerick Leader once the reality of retirement hits The Limerick Leader is really part of my family, Im really chuffed at the turnout. The Limerick Leader will always be in my heart and it will always be with me, he said. Incoming Managing Editor, Donn OSullivan, thanked Eugene for his years of dedication to local journalism and the Limerick Leader. This is a very special moment for Eugene to leave the Limerick Leader after 45 years hes is the ultimate newspaper man, everyone here has learned about the news and how many calls it takes to run a great story, he said. It is a sad day because you can never replace a good nose for news, he added. Best wishes to @EugenePhelan1 on his next edition as he departs from his editorial role in @Limerick_Leader Go n-eiri leat! #Limerick pic.twitter.com/7O9ajwITbK Patrick O'Donovan (@podonovan) August 5, 2020 Cape Town (AFP) - British American Tobacco South Africa (BATSA) went to court on Wednesday for the first day of hearings in a case against a government-imposed ban on tobacco sales to limit the spread of coronavirus. South Africans have been unable to legally purchase cigarettes since the country went into a strict nationwide lockdown on March 27. While confinement measures are being gradually lifted, tobacco products have remained banned for the time being due to "health risks" associated to smoking. BATSA, which covers 78 percent of the legal cigarette market in South Africa, decided to sue the state in May after talks with the government fell through. Speaking before the Western Cape High Court on Wednesday, BATSA advocate Alfred Cockrell argued the ban was "unconstitutional" and "unscientific". Cockrell said the measure had "devastated" the tobacco industry in an already ailing economy and was costing the state around 38 million rand ($2.2 million) per day in excise taxes. Government representative Andrew Breitenbach argued the case was about "lives and livelihoods" but said the minister behind the ban had "taken steps" to allow trade between tobacco producers and cigarette manufacturers. "The ban deals with prohibiting sales," Breitenbach added. "So infringements on rights are just incidental." BATSA estimates that South Africa has around 8 million smokers. The company reported paying 13 billion rands ($750 million) in taxes last year, supplying cigarettes through 50,000 outlets including grocery stores, liquor shops, informal traders and fuel stations. Its legal action has been backed by Japan Tobacco International and by groups and organisations representing consumers, retailers and tobacco farmers, who agree that the ban is fuelling an illicit cigarette market. The Fair Trade Independent Tobacco Association (FITA) legally challenged the "irrational" ban last month, claiming it has diverted revenue away from a multi-million dollar business and into the black market. Story continues The court has since ruled in favour of the government but granted FITA leave to appeal. BATSA's case is scheduled to resume on Thursday. South Africa was already in recession before the coronavirus struck in March and the economy is now forecast to contract by more than six percent this year as a result of the pandemic. The country is the hardest-hit in Africa with at least 521,318 infections diagnosed so far, accounting for more than half the continent's cases. Its mortality rate has remained low however, with just over 8,800 deaths reported to date. GREENWICH Residents woke up Wednesday to the sound of roaring chainsaws and humming generators amid the damage caused by fast-moving but powerful Tropical Storm Isaias. And that will likely be the scene for a number of days to come. This was a bad storm, First Selectman Fred Camillo said Wednesday morning of Isaias. It caused a lot of damage. Were working right now to make sure roads are passable and were telling people to be patient. The town and the state remained under a state of emergency after the storm with its strong winds and heavy rain knocked down trees and power lines on Tuesday, leaving residents to deal with power outages, fallen trees and streets blocked by debris on Wednesday. Camillo, who headed out before the sun came up to survey the damage, said the storm wreaked havoc throughout Greenwich. Crews from the town and Eversource went to work, but at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, a total of 10,195 customers, or 36 percent of the town, were still without power after a hot summer day. The town started the day with two Eversource crews, and four or five expected at noon from Canada, according to Camillo said. Eversource spokesperson Mitch Gross said it could be some time before power is restore to everyone because of the amount of damage throughout the state. As of late Wednesday afternoon, over 607,000 customers in the state were without power, or about 47 percent of Eversources customers. Another 100,000 residents of Connecticut who are customers of United Illuminating were also without power. We are asking our customers to prepare for multiple days without power, Gross said. We are continuing our repairs and working on our damage assessment to give us a better understanding of how much time it will take. Trapped in ambulance Some minor injuries were reported in town due to the fallen trees said, Lt. Mark Zuccerella, the police departments public information officer. In one incident, a drive was injured when a tree fell on their car on North Street at the height of the storm Tuesday afternoon, he said. The driver had to be extricated from their car and was loaded into an ambulance to be taken to the hospital for treatment when another tree fell, which boxed in the ambulance, Zuccerella said. That tree was removed and the ambulance was able to proceed to Stamford Hospital with the injured driver. Gov. Ned Lamont talked about the incident while touring storm damage Wednesday in Middletown. A tree falls down, she (the driver) gets trapped, calls 911, an ambulance comes to get her. She gets in the ambulance. Shes fine. A tree comes down on the ambulance, Lamont said. There was no immediate update available Wednesday about her condition, police said. Clearing the roads The Greenwich Police Department posted updates on Facebook on Wednesday urging residents to remain at home and off the roads while crews are working. The first priorities for cleanup were focused on the health and safety of the community, such as Greenwich Hospital, the Nathaniel Witherell, police and fire stations, senior residences and the towns wastewater management facility. Town work crews also cleared a fallen tree that had blocked the entrance to the Holly Hill Resource Recovery facility, which was a major priority. The town was also working first to open up the major north/south and east/west roadways to facilitate town cleanup as well as emergency responses. The Department of Public Works, Department of Parks and Recreation, and the Trees Division were all on the job. Road opening is often a fluid process, the Greenwich Police Department said. The road may be cleared and open but may be closed later for a time to reset poles or allow additional cleanup. As of Wednesday afternoon, an estimated 280 roads in town were partially blocked or fully closed due to debris or downed power lines, the town said. With the state of emergency declaration in place, Greenwich may be eligible reimbursement for cleanup costs from the Federal Emergency Management Agency. That was the case after Superstorm Sandy caused extensive damage in town in 2012. Stay cool, get charged For residents who are without power and need to charge electronics or cool off, the towns Public Safety Complex at 11 Bruce Place is open 24 hours. Residents who plan to use the facility will be required to wear a mask and practice social distancing. It was unclear when power would be restored. Gross said that Eversource serves 149 of the 169 municipalities in Connecticut, with damage around the state. The heaviest damage in terms of power outages was reported in Danbury, West Hartford, Waterbury and Westport, he said. Every town and city we cover was affected to some degree, Gross said, blaming the strong winds from the storm. Gross could not confirm how many crews were working in Greenwich, bu he confirmed help is coming in to Connecticut from Canada, Massachusetts and Pennsylvania. The number of dangerous trees throughout the state remains a problem, he said. There are a lot of dead or dying trees out there due to drought or insect infestation, Gross said. Many of them went down during this storm. Blocked roads should be reported to the Greenwich Police Departments general dispatch at 203-622-8004. To report power outages, visit www.eversource.com or call 800-286-2000. All power outages should be reported. Storm in Stamford In Stamford, the storms strong winds knocked power out in about 9,000 households and businesses. A number of city trucks, including with five front loaders. were out clearing the roads in Stamford, with as many as 25 roads around the city blocked to traffic Wednesday afternoon, Public Safety Director Ted Jankowski said. That was down considerably from the more than 140 roads were reported blocked, at least partially, after Isaias swept through Stamford. Assistant Police Chief Tom Wuennemann said he knew of no storm-related injuries in Stamford. He said one city police officer was injured while leaving his house coming to work. While he was in his car in his driveway in a neighboring community, a tree fell on his car and he was taken to a hospital and released after being treated. Staff writer John Nickerson contributed to this story. kborsuk@greenwichtime.com New Delhi: In a first, the Indian military bands will perform for a fortnight across the country ahead of the Independence Day celebrations on August 15, the Defence Ministry said on Wednesday (August 5, 2020). Celebration of the Independence Day will be marked by the musical performances of the Bands from Army, Navy and Indian Air Force. The performances are intended as gestures of gratitude and appreciation of the nation towards the Corona warriors, a Defence Ministry release said. The bands of the Army, Navy and Police have performed at Porbandar, Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Raipur, Amritsar, Guwahati, Allahabad and Kolkata so far, the release said. "The performances are intended as gestures of gratitude and appreciation of the nation towards the corona warriors who have been steadfastly fighting to stop the spread of the coronavirus in the country even at the risk of their lives," the Defence Ministry statement read. The military bands are, for the first time, celebrating Independence Day by displaying their performances across the country, during the fortnight beginning August 1, it said. The military and police bands will perform on Wednesday afternoon at Vishakhapatnam, Nagpur and Gwalior. On August 7, military bands are scheduled to perform in Srinagar and Kolkata. The tri-services band will be giving three performances in Delhi, one each at Red Fort, Rajpath and the India Gate on August 8, 9 and 12 respectively. "Military and police bands will also perform in Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Shimla and Almora on August 8; in Chennai, Nasirabad, ANC (Andaman & Nicobar Command) Flag Point and Dandi on August 9 and in Imphal, Bhopal and Jhansi on August 12," the statement said. The final performances in the series will be held on August 13 in Lucknow, Faizabad, Shillong, Madurai and Champaran, it said. TOKYO The hibakusha, as the survivors of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki are known in Japan, have achieved a powerful feat of alchemy, transforming their nightmarish memories of the blasts and their aftermath into a visceral force for promoting a world free of nuclear arms. Each year for over half a century, many of them have gathered in the early hours of Aug. 6 at the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park to mourn the citys destruction by the American military during World War II, and to serve as a living testament to the abiding dangers of the bomb. But on Thursday, as Hiroshima marked the 75th anniversary of the nuclear assault, the hibakusha were a diminished presence, a victim of the twin forces of the coronavirus pandemic and advancing age. There were people who questioned whether it was OK for hibakusha to participate in the ceremony in the midst of the pandemic, said Kunihiko Sakuma, chair of the Hiroshima branch of the Japan Confederation of A- and H-Bomb Sufferers Organizations. Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-05 12:10:20|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close DUBLIN, Aug. 5 (Xinhua) -- Irish Prime Minister Micheal Martin announced Tuesday that the country has postponed its planned move into phase four of further lifting COVID-19 restrictions on Aug. 10, due to rising infections at home and abroad. Martin made the announcement at a press briefing held here following a cabinet meeting chaired by him. The cabinet has agreed to keep the current COVID-19 restrictions in place until when the government thinks it is safe for the country to move to the fourth phase of its reopening plan, he said, adding the government will meet and decide on this issue in three weeks. He also said the cabinet meeting has decided to make face coverings mandatory in retail settings nationwide starting from Aug. 10. The cabinet meeting has also decided to remove Cyprus, Malta, Gibraltar, Monaco and San Marino from a travel green list because of their "deteriorating virus numbers," he added. On July 21, the Irish government announced a green list of 15 countries and regions whose residents are allowed to visit Ireland without a 14-day quarantine requirement. The green list is subject to change based on a fortnightly review by the government. Ireland has planned to reopen its economy and society in four phases with the first phase commencing on May 18. Each phase is supposed to last three weeks and a new phase can be introduced if all goes well. Under the phase-four plan, pubs, hotel bars, nightclubs and casinos will be allowed to reopen and the number of people allowed for indoor and outdoor gatherings will be increased to 100 and 500 from the present 50 and 200, respectively. According to the Irish Department of Health, 286 coronavirus cases were reported in Ireland last week, more than doubled when compared with the 122 cases reported in the previous week. The country has reported a total of 26,253 COVID-19 cases and 1,763 deaths, according to the latest official figures. Enditem BAKU, Azerbaijan, Aug. 5 Trend: Azerbaijani Prime Minister Ali Asadov signed a decree on provision of financial assistance to Lebanon, Trend reports with reference to the decree. Thus, the decree said that taking into account Lebanon's need for humanitarian aid to eliminate the consequences of the tragedy, the Azerbaijani Ministry of Foreign Affairs has made a decision to allocate $1 million in manat equivalent to provide Lebanon with financial assistance. The assistance will be paid from reserve funds of Azerbaijani 2020 state budget. The Azerbaijani Ministry of Finance was instructed to ensure the payment of the allocated funds in the prescribed manner. The decree comes into force the date of its signing. A massive explosion rocked Beirut, Lebanon on Aug. 4, with the force of an earthquake followed by a shock wave that devastated much of the city. The blast appeared to have followed a fire that had broken out in the city's port area, based on a video from the scene. The cause of the blast was immediately unknown. Khartoum A planning team of the UN Integrated Transition Assistance Mission in Sudan (UNITAMS) has arrived in Khartoum to prepare options at the technical level for the deployment phase of the mission's unit on the ground. The head of the planning team, Stephen McCoyer, said that the planning team is visiting the country for a short time to consult with the Sudanese government and the executive committee to assess how the mission would execute its mandate. He indicated that although the mission was established according to the United Nations Security Council resolution 2524 of June 3, 2020, Civid-19 precautions dictated that the planning for this entire period was made on line. He pointed out that now the mission has arrived in Sudan in the form of a small planning team, and that after the appointment of the representative of the Secretary-General of the United Nations, a small team will be deployed in Sudan to implement the recommendations of the current advance planning team. UNITAMS strategic objectives will be to assist Sudan in its transition towards democratic governance, provide support for peace negotiations and bolster efforts to maintain accountable Rule of Law and security institutions. The new political mission will provide technical assistance to the Constitution drafting process, supporting implementation of all human rights, equality, accountability, and Rule of Law provisions in Sudan's Constitutional Charter. The UN mission is to "support Sudan's capacity to extend State presence and inclusive civilian governance, in particular by strengthening accountable rule of law and security institutions, and by building trust between State authorities and local communities". Another objective concerns assistance in peacebuilding and civilian protection, notably in Darfur, South Kordofan and Blue Nile state. In addition, UNITAMS will collaborate with international financial institutions to mobilise economic and development assistance, and facilitate full, rapid and unhindered delivery of humanitarian aid. Nature of the mission At the end of March, a draft resolution to the Security Council suggested that the current Unamid mission, that came into existence in 2007, could be disbanded as early as May 1. Protection of civilians, the primary mandate of Unamid, would be transferred to Sudan's interim government. On February 27, the Sudanese government officially requested the UN Secretary General support to Sudan, following a letter sent by Hamdok to Antonio Guterres a month earlier. The Sudanese government requested the UN to seek a Security Council mandate to establish, as soon as possible, a Chapter VI peace support operation in the form of a special political mission with a strong peacebuilding component," Hamdok said. On May 4, a group of 98 Sudanese civil society activists urged the PM to add 'physical protection' to his request for a new UN force to be deployed in the country. "As you're well aware that Chapter VI of the UN Charter aims to support the maintenance, monitoring, and building of peace, usually in the context of peace agreements, but not a peace enforcement mechanism to prevent violent conflict as it is the case in Chapter VII," they wrote in their petition to the PM. The activists doubt if Sudan is able protect its citizens one year after the ousting of the regime headed by Omar Al Bashir. "It has never been disputed fact that security forces remain part of the problem and have done little to prevent clashes, despite the ouster of the Al Bashir regime," they stated. "We wonder to what extent your government is aware of such threats that may lead to renewed atrocities and perhaps full fledge civil war in Darfur and elsewhere in Sudan," they stated. 'Marshall Plan' In response to the UN Security Council resolutions, Hamdok said in a television interview on Thursday that "Sudan has been at the mercy of Chapter VII for more than 15 years." The billion and a half Dollars annually spent on Unamid could now better be used for civil development issues. The PM further explained that the new political mission requested by Sudan in accordance with Chapter VI "is not an occupation by any country", but rather a full-fledged civilian UN mission "that does not have military forces, as the police issue was cancelled in the previous request". Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Sudan Governance International Organisations By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later. Khartoum's request for such a mission is based on two basic conditions: The ownership of the mission and the sovereignty of Sudan. "Sudan is a genuine member of the United Nations. We asked for a Chapter VI mission according to our vision and we also define the areas in which it will help us," he said. "We requested assistance in the form of a mission that helps us in addressing transition issues, chief among which is financing the implementation of the peace agreements that are imminent, for instance the establishment of schools and hospitals, something similar to the Marshall Plan." Radio Dabanga's editorial independence means that we can continue to provide factual updates about political developments to Sudanese and international actors, educate people about how to avoid outbreaks of infectious diseases, and provide a window to the world for those in all corners of Sudan. Support Radio Dabanga for as little as 2.50, the equivalent of a cup of coffee. BAKU, Azerbaijan, Aug.5 By Eldar Janashvili - Trend: Azerbaijani Ministry of Finance will allocate 600 million manat ($352.9 million) for implementation of support programs within the amendments to the state budget, Trend reports referring to the ministry. Within this program, taxes and fees of the state budget, as well as extra-budgetary revenues of organizations financed from the state budget, shall decrease by 890.5 million manat ($523.8 million). The contributions of the State Oil Fund and other state budget revenues shall grow by 850 million manat ($520 million). The state budget expenses for 2020 will amount to 27.5 billion manat ($16.1 billion). Moreover, its envisioned to allocate 190 million manat ($111.7 million) for the placement of bonds in the domestic market. As Finance Minister of Azerbaijan Samir Sharifov noted, according to the law on the budget system, the state budget drafting process begins 11 months before the next fiscal year and covers the period until the day of submitting the draft budget to the Parliament. In connection with the amendments, the application of the budgetary rule provided by the law "On the budgetary system" shall be suspended until January 1, 2022. 05.08.2020 LISTEN The National Communication Officer of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), Sammy Gyamfi has taken a swipe at the Defence Minister, Dominic Nitiwul for denying the picture and video evidence of voter suppression in some registration centres. Mr. Gyamfi said the Ministers comments on the matter were unfortunate. The Defence Ministers ludicrous attempt to explain away the sheer use of brute force and physical assault by certain elements in the once-revered Ghana Armed Forces to prevent some legitimate Ghanaians from taking part in the ongoing registration process, only goes to reinforce President Akufo-Addos attitude of see no evil, hear no evil. Speaking at the NDCs weekly press briefing, he added that the Minsters defence against allegations of voter suppression by the state is ample testament to deliberate targeting of that ethnic group, regardless of where they find themselves. The NDC has complained that some non-Akans in areas such as the Banda constituency, Oti Region and Ketu South constituency are being harassed by soldiers. Dominic Nitiwul should stop the unlawful use of armed military men to harass innocent Ghanaians based on their tribe or ethnicity in the ongoing voter registration exercise if he still has a conscience or shut up and spare us his lies if he has nothing meaningful to say. We have had enough of their chicanery and insults, Mr. Gyamfi added. For Banda, in particular, the NDC has called on the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) to immediately withdraw armed soldiers from registration centres. The partys General Secretary said the presence of armed personnel has deterred a lot of people from registering for a voters ID card, a development he believes will disenfranchise a lot of Ghanaians in Banda. The Adontenhene of Bongase Community in the Banda District, Nana Issah Yakubu also criticised the military deployed to the area, accusing them of intimidating residents participating in the voter registration exercise. The Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) has however denied targeting non-Akans in the Banda Constituency. Extra time is needed for postal votes and pre-polling for Queenslands state election on October 31 and votes should be counted before 6pm on polling day, former MP and speaker John Mickel says. The former Labor minister, now an adjunct professor at the Queensland University of Technology, said there was now an election season, no longer an election day as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and authorities needed to make changes. An election official sanitises a polling booth at the March council election in Brisbane. Credit:Getty Images He suggested nominations for individual seats could close earlier to give more time for postal votes. On Thursday, Queensland Electoral Commissioner Pat Vidgen said his staff were reviewing the voting timetable to see "if we can get out earlier to the community, and to the political parties, if we can". ELKHART, Ind., Aug. 5, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Mennonite Church USA Mennonite Church USA (MC USA), a historic peace church that actively practices biblically-based peace, justice and nonresistance, has issued a call to white people to engage in anti-racism work in the United States and across the world. In an open letter to the denomination, Michael Danner, MC USA's associate executive director of Church Vitality, invites his fellow white Christians to "engage in proactive, deliberate efforts to oppose and dismantle racism in all of its forms." Danner's letter examines Jesus' ministry of reconciliation across racial division as central to the work of being God's people and separate from political agendas and "popular notions of social justice." Acknowledging that anti-racism work must occur on an individual and systemic basis, Danner urges white people to specifically take responsibility for examining their own biases, learning to recognize systemic racism and working as people of faith to ensure racial justice. "Our denomination's position against racism isn't new," said Glen Guyton, MC USA's first African American executive director and one of its anti-racism trainers. "As a denomination, country and global community, we must move beyond making statements to long-term actions that yield positive results." Danner's letter is a follow up to the denomination's webinar series, Race, Church & Change. Led by a diverse team of church leaders and centering the voices of people of color, the series addressed questions, including "What role does racial healing and reconciliation play in being anti-racist?" "How do we begin a conversation about white supremacy?" and "What would it look like for congregations to practice racial reparations?" MC USA also launched an anti-racism resource section within its new website today. The resource portal is designed to meet people where they are in their anti-racism journey. Danner's letter joins the voices of other Mennonites who are contributing to an ongoing blog series on the denomination's website on what it means to do the work of anti-racism, recognize injustice and protest against it. The denomination also recently launched a Justice Fund to "provide a way for individuals and congregations to support MC USA churches that are actively involved in dismantling racism, addressing police brutality, reimagining policing in our society or combating poverty." Mennonite Church USA is the largest Mennonite denomination in the United States with 16 conferences, approximately 530 congregations and 62,000 members. Editorial Contact: Wil LaVeist, Chief Communication Officer, Mennonite Church USA, [email protected], (574) 523-3077 SOURCE Mennonite Church USA Related Links http://www.mennoniteusa.org Political neutrality, independence crucial for law enforcement Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-youl's comments made at a welcome ceremony for new prosecutors is receiving both a political interpretation and spin. After many months of tension with Justice Minister Choo Mi-ae, Yoon is regarded as having spoken up amid mounting pressure for prosecutorial reform. "The core value of liberal democracy is to shun dictatorships and totalitarianism in the appearance of democracy ... Liberal democracy can only be realized through the rule of law," Yoon said at the ceremony. Notably, on the same day the justice minister called on the prosecutors not to abuse their power so as to regain public trust. Yoon's comment may be an expression of not bowing to the increasing pressure for reform of the prosecution. The main opposition United Future Party (UFP) immediately welcomed his remarks. The ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) decried them and called on Yoon to resign. When he was appointed by President Moon Jae-in last year, he was touted as a top reformist prosecutor. Yoon's headlong investigations involving officials affiliated with the Moon administration however has ruptured their relationship. The fact that the chief prosecutor once had the support of the DPK which rapidly faded once he investigated its members and is now buttressed by the opposition UFP, demonstrates the untenable plight of the prosecution. In such times it should not lose sight of its task. The prosecution faces an array of challenges ahead the planned power-sharing with the police as part of prosecutorial reform, and the justice ministry's recent non-binding recommendation to deprive the prosecutor general of the power to directly command and supervise investigations among other things. These changes for reform are intended to ensure the political independence and neutrality of prosecutors as they do their job, not to politically rein them in. A series of investigations involving those close to the administration should not be deterred by pressure. The Prime Minister has been urged to block the peerage of a former Brexit Party MEP who previously failed to condemn the IRA Warrington bomb. Claire Fox was one of 36 people to the Lords by Boris Johnson. At the time of the 1993 attack, which killed two boys and injured more than 50, Claire Fox was a leading member of the Revolutionary Communist Party which said the right of the Irish people to take whatever measures are necessary in their struggle for freedom. Read More In a letter to Boris Johnson, Labours Warrington North MP Charlotte Nichols said Ms Foxs nomination had caused hurt to those directly affected by bombing and revulsion in her constituency. To allow Ms Fox to become a Life Peer would be to show crass insensitivity to victims of terrorism, and to the communities still scarred by the attack 27 years on, she said. Warrington will never forget that day, nor the victims whose lives were cruelly cut short. Labours MP for Ashton under Lyne, Angela Rayner, added that Boris Johnsons failure to block the peerage was an insult to the people of the North West and shows that he doesnt care about the victims and survivors of terrorism in our communities. She added: If the Prime Minister refuses to block this nomination he is showing that he doesnt care about the victims and survivors of terrorism in our communities. Ms Fox has denied defending IRA terrorism, and when asked about the controversy on Sky News this week, she said her views had moved on. Well it is true that I was involved in revolutionary politics a long time ago and they will have been views that I had then that I think at the time were part and parcel of politics as they were understood, including on Ireland, and they are very controversial today, but it was a long time ago. She added: Thats what Id say, it was a long time ago. Times have moved on, I understand people are very angry about views I had...27 years ago. Thats life, you know. I stand on what I say now. Asked about accepting a peerage after calling for the House of Lords to be abolished, she said: I appreciate that people will want to level the charge of hypocrisy against me but I just think that although its an unelected chamber and I do think its an affront to democracy Im pleased to be given and opportunity and a platform to argue for things that I feel very strongly about, like for example free speech and obviously some of the ideas associated with Brexit. So Ive taken it. Ive given it some thought as you would imagine. Colin Parrys 12-year-old son Tim was killed in the Warrington bomb in the attack as well as three-year-old Johnathan Ball. Mr Parry criticised the decision to hand Ms Fox a peerage, saying: This offends me and many others deeply. The Daily Mirror reported that an earlier statement from Ms Fox added: Contrary to what has been reported elsewhere, I do not support or defend the IRAs killing of two young boys in Warrington in 1993. I have not mentioned the horrific times of over 23 (now 27) years ago since then and do not believe there is any justification for violence in Ireland today. The killing of Johnathan Ball and Tim Parry was a terrible tragedy. The 1994 IRA ceasefire and the 1998 Good Friday Agreement drew a line under the conflict. Its surely time to move on. A Downing Street spokesman said: Claire Fox has addressed her historic comments about the Troubles and acknowledged the pain that the families of the victims of terrorism have faced. She is not a Conservative peer, and her political views will differ from those of the Conservative Government. Mr Johnsons list also includes Tory donors, his brother Jo and long-term friends such as the Evening Standard owner Evgeny Lebedev. Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-05 23:57:39|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close NAIVASHA, Kenya, Aug. 5 (Xinhua) -- Kenya's flower exports could soon hit 100 percent following the resumption of international flights after a four-month suspension linked to the COVID-19 pandemic, an official said on Wednesday. Clement Tulezi, chief executive officer of the Kenya Flower Council (KFC) said that resumption of international flights will boost the volume of cut flowers exported to the overseas market. " Currently we are exporting up to 80 percent of our produce and we can increase this to near 100 percent of our produce if we get more cargo planes and lower freight charges," said Tulezi. He said that high freight charges remained the major challenge currently facing the sector that employs over 150,000 people. Tulezi said that Kenyan flower farmers were currently exporting over 500 tonnes of the commodity per day despite the high freight charges. He said the sector had lost over 10 billion shillings (about 100 million U.S. dollars) in the last four months following the collapse of the Dutch auction market and the strict lockdown regulations in the European Union. "We were losing 300,000 dollars per day in the last three months but there is a tremendous improvement in the sector with the majority of the workforce resuming duties," said Tulezi. Enditem In just six years after his father's Rath Yatra, the BJP came to power in New Delhi, Jayant Advani points out. Photograph: Amit Dave/Reuters As Prime Minister Narendra Damodardas Modi performs the bhoomi puja for the Ram temple in Ayodhya, the man who was singularly responsible for bringing the issue to the nation's consciousness will watch the ceremony on television at his home on Prithviraj Road in New Delhi. "Lal Krishna Advani is elated and extremely happy today. He sees the expression of the sentiments of a majority Indians behind the construction of the Ram mandir. He had a desire to see the Ram temple's nirman in his lifetime. The dream of his lifetime has been realised. He is delighted as the objective of his mission is fulfilled," his son Jayant Advani tells Senior Rediff.com Contributor Sheela Bhatt. "Dada (Advani) is following all the necessary protocols due to covid and is keeping in touch with people through the phone," he adds. In the absence of an invitation to join the ceremony, Advani will watch Modi, his former disciple, lay the foundation stone for the temple. On July 22, a day before Advani's virtual deposition before the Babri Masjid demolition case in which he is one of the accused, Home Minister Amit Anilchandra Shah met him at his home. Jayant Advani does not wish to comment if the two men spoke about the bhoomi puja. Post-Independence history will record that it was Advani, one of the shrewdest Indian politicians, who made the Ram temple at Ayodhya a possibility by taking out the Rath Yatra from the symbolic Somnath temple in Gujarat on September 25, 1990, to travel to Ayodhya. Permission was then denied to Modi and his team of Bharatiya Janata Party workers to start the yatra from inside the Somnath temple complex, forcing Advani to set off by garlanding Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel's statue in the front of the complex. Modi was then in charge of Advani's Rath Yatra, steering it through 600 villages in Gujarat before it crossed over into Maharashtra. Recalls Jayant of his father's endeavour: "His Rath Yatra was historic, he mobilised public opinion in favour of building the temple. His journey from Somnath to Ayodhya was in sync with the people's aspirations" "Advaniji's Rath Yatra was an expression of the people's desire for the temple, but at the same time it completely changed the political narrative," Jayant adds. "Till the 1990s Indian politics was all about the Congress versus others, but the tremendous response from the people to the Rath Yatra helped the BJP come to the centre-stage of Indian politics. In just six years the BJP came to power in New Delhi for 13 days in 1996." "Since the Ayodhya verdict in November 2019," Jayant adds, "Dada is very happy, he is extremely satisfied with the judgment. He always wanted a grand temple where Shri Ram was born." "We feel happy that his hard work, his commitment to ideology and the prayers of millions of Indians have fructified." Narayana Hrudayalaya fell 1.55% to Rs 285.10 after the company reported consolidated net loss of Rs 119.76 crore in Q1 June 2020 compared with net profit of Rs 30.28 crore in Q1 June 2019. Consolidated net sales tanked 49.4% to Rs 393.50 crore in Q1 June 2020 over Q1 June 2019. Pre-tax loss stood at Rs 153.45 crore in Q1 June 2020 as compared to a pre-tax profit of Rs 43.28 crore in Q1 June 2019. The result was announced post market hours yesterday, 4 August 2020. EBITDA loss during the quarter stood at Rs 86.30 crore as against profit of Rs 107.60 crore in Q1 FY20. As on 30 June 2020, the consolidated net debt was at Rs 575.80 crore representing a net debt to equity ratio of 0.57 (out of which, debt worth $46.20 million is foreign currency denominated). Commenting on the Q1 performance, Dr Emmanuel Rupert, the managing director (MD) and group chief executive officer (CEO) of Narayana Hrudayalaya, has staed that: "With the full impact of COVID-19 induced lockdown and travel restrictions playing out in the first quarter, we registered operational losses on the expected lines. While the month of April bore the brunt in terms of the operations, there has been a steady uptick in business with us almost breaking even at the consolidated EBITDA level in June at the revised cost structure, aided by the sharp bounce back in our overseas operations at Cayman Islands." "Despite the lack of meaningful traction at our flagship centres, we are encouraged by the momentum generated by the hinterland facilities and would like to believe that the worst is behind us notwithstanding any fresh or stringent lockdown restrictions getting restored. Looking ahead, amidst all the uncertainty around us, we continue to tread with utmost caution and aim to judiciously deploy our resources in these testing times and embark on a fresh journey to adapt and thrive in the post-COVID world." Narayana Hrudayalaya operates a chain of multi-specialty, tertiary and primary healthcare facilities. The Company has a network of 21 hospitals and 5 heart centres across India and single hospital at Cayman Islands and a heart centre at Chittagong, Bangladesh. Powered by Capital Market - Live News (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The FBI was executing a federal search warrant Wednesday morning at the home of YouTube star Jake Paul in California, according to the agency. The search at Pauls home in Calabasas is related to an ongoing investigation, but the FBI could not immediately disclose any details because the affidavit in the case is sealed, a spokesman for the agencys Los Angeles office told the Daily News. The 23-year-old vlogger and social media influencer has not publicly addressed the incident and could not immediately be reached for comment. Wednesdays search comes two months after he was accused of participating in looting and riots at a mall in Arizona. He was charged with misdemeanor criminal trespassing and unlawful assembly. Paul grew up in the Cleveland suburb of Westlake and attended Westlake High School. Paul and his brother, Logan, began making YouTube videos while still in high school, eventually becoming two of the platforms most popular -- and controversial -- personalities. 2020 New York Daily News Visit New York Daily News at www.nydailynews.com Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. I will not rest till I see a society where women and girls are free to say "No" to the cut At the age of 10, Ms Sadia Hussein's grandmother cut her under the watch of her mother at Gafuru, a small village in Galoleni Sub-county, Tana River County. They had told her she would be "complete" upon undergoing the rite of passage. The physical and psychological scars this act of female genital mutilation (FGM) has caused her, nevertheless defeats their philosophy. Delivery of her three daughters caused her excruciating pain as a result. She delivered them at home with the assistance of a traditional birth attendant. In all the deliveries, she cut and sewed her already scarred genitalia. ENDURED PAIN She was tormented and her mother made it worse. She dismissed her when she reached out for psychological support. "I asked her why all the pain and she told me 'We all endured this pain. Are you different? You are just a coward'," narrates the 33-year-old. Her experience and that of other girls are the basis of her maiden book The hidden Scars of FGM. "This book is meant to show the world the lifetime damages of FGM on girls and women," she says. "To make people feel the enduring pain hidden behind their beautiful smiles." Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Kenya By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later. The 50-page book gives insights to her own struggles after the cut, complexities of traditions and religion in ending the vice and recommendations thereto. She delves into how Islamic religious beliefs entangle women and girls to FGM by brainwashing the women themselves to uphold the practice. She says the religion corrupts women to think they are incomplete without the cut and hence seek to "complete" their daughters by forcefully cutting them. TRAUMATIC EXPERIENCE "But it is complete deception," she says. "No one will tell you about the pain you will go through when giving birth or the trauma that comes with the experience." She hopes her experience will trigger communities and duty bearers to work together towards ending the vice. She argues that FGM is still rampant because "people don't see it as an issue." "Globally 200 million girls and women are living with the scars of FGM but it's still not taken seriously," she says. The book launched last month will retail at Sh2,000 in bookstores countrywide. She believes her dream of freeing women and girls from FGM would become true if every member of the community personalises the fight against the vice. "I will not rest till I see a society where women and girls are free to say "No" to FGM." Jesus Morales, who worked as a banquet server at The Drake hotel before he was laid off in March, does not know what he will do if he becomes one of them. He saw how high medical bills can get when his wife had brain surgery several years ago, at a cost of about $300,000 that was covered by insurance. TANZANIA, Tanzania - The United States and seven European countries marked Fridays 12th anniversary of the conflict between Russia and Georgia with a call to Moscow to withdraw forces from Abkhazia and South Ossetia and allow medical evacuations and aid deliveries especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. The western nations said after a closed briefing to the U.N. Security Council on Wednesday by Assistant Secretary-General Miroslav Jenca that Russias continuing military presence in Abkhazia and South Ossetia and its recognition of the so-called independence of the regions violates Georgias territorial integrity and undermines its sovereignty. Georgia made a botched attempt to regain control of its breakaway province of South Ossetia during the presidency of Mikhail Saakashvili, sparking the war with Russia that began on Aug. 7, 2008. Russia recognized the independence of South Ossetia as well as the breakaway province of Abkhazia and set up military bases there. The U.S. and European nations said in a joint statement that they are extremely concerned about Russias intensification of the so-called `borderization process over the past year, including during the global COVID-19 pandemic. They said Russias actions further divide communities and put at risk the health and lives of the conflict-affected population. Throughout this already challenging time, the de-facto authorities exercising effective control over the Georgian regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia have continued the practice of arbitrary detentions along the administrative boundary lines, the statement said. De facto South Ossetian authorities have repeatedly denied emergency medical evacuations and incoming humanitarian aid. The U.S., Belgium, Estonia, France, Germany, United Kingdom, Norway and Ireland also expressed concern about the ongoing disinformation campaign by Russia about the pandemic and related health issues. These acts prolong the conflict, threaten peace and stability, interfere with the enjoyment of human rights and fundamental freedoms, and negatively impact the health and safety of people across Georgia, destabilizing the region as a whole, the eight nations said. Russias deputy U.N. ambassador Dmitry Polyansky responded, tweeting that the joint statement is A beautiful fiction. But only a fiction. He made no mention of the pandemic but said Georgias aggression which triggered all the problems for this country & the region was officially confirmed in 2009 by the report of the Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on the conflict. As a result of former Georgian leaderships reckless policy unscrupulously encouraged by the US and some of its satellites 2 new independent states have emerged on the global map and this is the reality that cannot be ignored, Polyansky tweeted. Politicians promoting selfish geopolitical interests managed so far to drive a wedge between our countries but they failed to do so between our 2 peoples, he added. Discussions like today attempt to undermine the ongoing process of reconciliation of Russia and Georgia. The U.S. and Europeans called again on Russia to fully implement agreements in August 2008 to withdraw its armed forces to positions before hostilities began, and to establish an international security mechanism. Representatives of Georgia, Russia, Abkhazia, South Ossetia and the United States have held talks in Geneva since October 2008 to address the consequences of the Georgia conflict under the auspices of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, the European Union and the United Nations. The U.S. and Europeans expressed regret at Russias lack of commitment in the Geneva talks on the topic of refugees and Georgians internally displaced, and reiterated support for human rights, including for those forcibly displaced during the conflict to return safely to their homes. Pioneer Natural Resources posted a loss during the second quarter as the economic effects of the coronavirus pandemic wreaked havoc on the oil and gas industry. The Irving, Texas-based shale driller on Wednesday said it lost $439 million during the quarter, compared with a loss of $169 million during the same period a year ago. Second quarter revenue fell by more than half to $859 million from $1.9 billion in the same period in 2019. "Although the macroeconomic environment presented challenges, Pioneer delivered another excellent quarter, with continued strong operational execution, CEO Scott Sheffield said in a statement. The Company generated $165 million of free cash flow through significant cost reductions and operational efficiency improvements. Energy has become the worst performing sector of the U.S. stock market after the global pandemic slashed demand and sent prices for petroleum products plummeting, forcing companies to cut spending, halt drilling projects and lay off thousands of employees. ENERGY SECRETARY: Brouillette remains optimistic about the future of oil and gas Pioneer responded to the oil bust by halting oil and gas production by 7,000 barrels per day during the second quarter, and expects about 6,000 barrels per day to remain curtailed amid low crude prices. Unlike some of its competitors that have restarted production as crude prices have climbed above $40 a barrel, Pioneer said it will continue to pause production on lower-margin and higher-cost wells, and will bring back production on those wells on a well-by-well basis as economic conditions improve. The driller said it plans to spend between $1.4 billion and $1.6 billion on its 2020 capital budget used for drilling and completing new wells. The company plans to operate between five to eight horizontal drilling rigs in the Midland Basin of West Texas and operate two to three fracking fleets. Pioneer will continue to evaluate drilling and completion activity on an economic basis, with future activity levels assessed regularly, the company said. SACRAMENTO The tweet Richard Costigan posted July 23 was bluntly honest: We tried our best to limit exposure to #COVID19 but we slipped up somewhere. Costigan tweeted while waiting anxiously in the parking lot of a hospital outside Sacramento. The veteran Republican political consultant had just dropped his wife, Gloria, off at the emergency room. He wasnt allowed to go in with her. His thoughts traveled back to the small family gathering they had attended in Georgia nearly two weeks before with their 23-year-old daughter, Emma, and 17-year-old son, Andrew. They had planned it so carefully. Nobody wanted to get Glorias 88-year-old mother sick. But here they were, Costigans wife battling for breath in the ER, and Costigan sitting in his car coughing. The familys journey since then has been one of sleeplessness, pain and worry about the future. And its one that Costigan, who worked as deputy chief of staff for Republican Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, is taking to social media and his 4,400 Twitter followers. Looking back, Costigan, 54, doesnt think he and Gloria, 53, contracted the virus on their separate flights to Georgia, where the family owns a home. The flights were nearly empty and the passengers and crew wore masks, he said. In Georgia, the family continued its regimen of social distancing and wore masks whenever they left the house protocols they had followed for months at home in California. And when they gathered with their relatives on that sunny Saturday in July, they were careful to space the chairs 6 feet apart in the backyard. But they didnt wear masks, he said, and family members went in and out of the house to grab drinks and use the restroom. We thought wed done everything right, and we screwed up, Costigan said in a July 29 phone interview. We made a big mistake. Now seven of the 10 family members who attended that backyard gathering are sick. Emma and Andrew dont have any symptoms but havent been tested. Exactly who introduced the coronavirus to the group is unclear. No one showed signs of sickness at the time. The first person to become sick was Glorias sister, then her niece then her mom. Gloria Costigan became sick after they returned to Sacramento, spent a night in the hospital, needed an oxygen machine at home and developed COVID-related pneumonia. By Saturday, however, she no longer needed supplemental oxygen. Costigans reputation as a straight shooter, respected and liked by both Democrats and Republicans, could help change minds about the virus, said Barbara OConnor, emeritus director of the Institute for the Study of Politics and Media at California State University Sacramento. I think that Richard is being very honest about whats going on, said OConnor, who has known Costigan for decades. Its not political. Its really human. Lawmakers who have responded on Twitter with messages of support include state Controller Betty Yee, and state Sens. Richard Bloom and Steve Glazer, all Democrats. Sen. Richard Pan, D-Sacramento, a physician who chairs the Senate Health Committee, has texted well wishes to Costigan. For his followers, Costigans chronicles of the virus remain grim. I cant go very far without needing to lay down, he wrote in a July 25 tweet. Been sleeping constantly last two days and the joint pain is intense. In another tweet two days later, the symptoms were the same: Glorias 88-year-old mom is at home with a cough, he said. Costigan talked to California Healthline about his familys disease odyssey and what he hopes people will take away from his COVID-19 Twitter chronicles. The interview has been edited for length and clarity. Q: You have tweeted in such detail about the horrible symptoms you experienced. How do you feel now? A: My ribs just hurt with the coughing and the fatigue, and my joints hurt. I have the sweats and vivid dreams. I sleep on the floor because its more comfortable than the bed. This thing just hits like a ton of bricks. Its also the nervousness of it. How long is it going to last? Who are we going to expose to it? I just dont know what the end game is. Q: What is it like at your house now? A: I wear a mask inside, Gloria wears a mask inside, and Andrew wears a mask. Gloria is sleeping in Emmas old bedroom, Im in our bedroom, and Andrew stays upstairs. When Im hacking, you can see the spit come out. Im worried about getting pneumonia. Thats something Im worried about giving to my kid. Its not just COVID. Our daughter can only stand on our front porch. She delivers food to us. She puts it by the door, rings the bell and stands 6 feet back. Q: You suspect you got COVID from the family gathering in Georgia. How do you trace it to that event? A: When we looked at everybody that was at the gathering, we were trying to figure it out. It started with my sister-in-law getting sick. Out of 10 of us, seven of us are sick. Drought Map Track water shortages and restrictions across Bay Area Check the water shortage status of your area, plus see reservoir levels and a list of restrictions for the Bay Areas largest water districts. We never thought of our family being the one to harm us. Sometimes, you cant control your anger. You want to be mad at someone. Gloria and I just decided were not going to blame anyone. We just dont know who had it. Q: How has this experience been so far for you and your family? A: Its been a bizarre week. I went to Kaiser Thursday night. You drop your significant other off. You cant go in. Off they go to the tented area and I wait in the parking lot. She is admitted. Her oxygen levels are low. She gets a CT, she gets a shot in her stomach for possible blood clots. She gets out Friday and they send oxygen tanks to your house. Shes in her early 50s and doesnt have any health issues (otherwise). Saturday, my son is doubling over in pain. I end up in the ER with my son, and I start coughing. Im getting the side eye from everyone. Thankfully, he had a kidney stone. Q: What kind of precautions have you and your family taken these past few months? A: We hadnt been anywhere for months. It was: Stay home. Work from home. No school. Going to the store was extremely stressful. You go to the store, mask up, glove up, you bleach your shoes when you come home, spray down your car, wash your hands, use a towel to dry your hands, the towel goes straight into the washing machine. Our son got frustrated with us because we wouldnt let him see his friends. He saw photos of friends of his partying at Folsom Lake. We were the hard-core parents. Q: In posts on social media, you are asking people to wear a mask. Why do you think its become a political issue? A: Ive been taking flak from friends of mine because Ive been posting wear a mask. Wearing a mask somehow it has become a freedom issue. Its not a grand conspiracy. Wearing a mask is a simple thing to do to prevent someone else from getting sick. I do not understand how this has turned into a political issue. The government has a role to play. This is a health care crisis. Q: How do you move forward in this pandemic? A: Were locking down. Nobody is coming into our circle. I dont want it again. To see my wife this way is hard. I want folks to realize this thing is nondiscriminatory. It doesnt matter who you are. Samantha Young is the California politics correspondent with California Healthline, an editorially independent service of the California Health Care Foundation produced by Kaiser Health News, which is not affiliated with Kaiser Permanente. Email: syoung@kff.org A Eugene resident who became the states only woman on death row for torturing, starving and killing her teen daughter has been resentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. Angela McAnulty, now 51, previously pleaded guilty to and was convicted of aggravated murder in the death of her 15-year-old daughter, Jeanette Maples. The emaciated girl was found unconscious in a bathtub in 2009 and died later that night. McAnulty was sentenced to death in the case, one of the most notorious in modern Oregon history. The Oregon Supreme Court, which automatically reviews death sentences, affirmed McAnultys conviction in 2014. The U.S. Supreme Court declined to review her case. New attorneys appointed to review McAnultys case filed a petition in 2016 for post-conviction relief, saying her initial two lawyers inadequately represented her. A judge decided in July 2019 that McAnultys guilty plea should be vacated and the case returned to Lane County Circuit Court. The judge ruled her attorneys didnt use reasonable skill and judgment in advising her to plead guilty without concessions from the state, among other failings. The Oregon Department of Justice appealed, and McAnultys attorneys cross appealed. Also in 2019, Gov. Kate Brown signed Senate Bill 1013, which narrows the definition of aggravated murder the only crime in Oregon eligible for a death sentence. Aggravated murder is now limited to those who kill two or more people as an act of organized terrorism; kill a child younger than 14 intentionally and with premeditation; kill another person while locked in jail or prison for a previous murder; or kill a police, correctional or probation officer. A settlement in McAnultys case was ratified last week. In summary, the settlement agreement provides that the sentence of death is vacated, and Angela McAnulty is sentenced to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole, Patty Perlow, Lane County District Attorney, said in a statement Monday. Both parties dismiss their appeals in the Oregon Court of Appeals, and Angela McAnulty agrees she will never attempt to challenge in any court her aggravated murder conviction or the stipulated true-life sentence. Jeanettes stepfather, Richard McAnulty, pleaded guilty in 2011 to murder by abuse for his role in the death and was sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of release after 25 years. -- Jim Ryan; jryan@oregonian.com; 503-221-8005; @Jimryan015 Subscribe to Oregonian/OregonLive newsletters and podcasts for the latest news and top stories. "Hotel Mama", "Altricial", "mother's boy" the German language has a few unflattering words for those who do not want to leave in adulthood to the parental home. That frequently of sons the speech is may be a cliche, but one that is also supported by the statistics. According to a notice from the Federal statistical office, just under 34 percent of the 25-year-old men living with their parents in the year 2019, an average of, the women of the same age, there were only 21 percent. A significant difference also in the progressive does not compensate for the age: Five years later, 13 percent of the sons still lived with their parents, but only 5 percent of the daughters. With 40 years in the men's 4, women 1 percent. Anna Vollmer volunteer. F. A. Z. another difference between city and country represent. Although you might think that city-dwellers living due to rising rents may no longer live at home, the opposite is the case: In lower Saxony, 47 percent of the 20 to 25 year old people at home lived, for example, in Hamburg, by contrast, only 32 per cent. Also, the comparison between Brandenburg and Berlin came to similar results. in Europe, the extract age in Germany was below the average of 23.7 years old young German in 2019 as the parents left, the EU average is, however, to 25.9 years. Statistically, it was the geography a significant role: Moved from Scandinavian children very early at the recent the Sweden 17.8 years goods, the young in southern Europe for much longer at home. At the top of Croatia, with an average age of 31.8 years, but also Slovaks, Italians, and Bulgarians began to settle. Updated Date: 05 August 2020, 07:20 While the Canadian government claims to support nuclear disarmament, its actions speak louder than words. Seventy-five years ago, on Aug. 6, the U.S. military dropped an atomic bomb on Hiroshima resulting in an estimated 140,000 deaths. Three days later they dropped a different type of nuclear weapon on Nagasaki, killing an estimated 70,000 people. Those who justify the use of atomic weapons on human populations continue to frame what took place 75 years ago as having saved American lives by quickly ending the war with Japan. This ignores the reality that Tokyo had already been largely destroyed and had delivered multiple pleas for a surrender agreement. War historians note that the nuclear bombings served in part as a warning to the Soviet Union about U.S. military capacities amidst post-Second World War negotiations. Canada was not an innocent bystander in this military action, devoting significant resources to researching atomic weapons. Uranium from the Northwest Territories was also used in these nuclear arms. When the bomb was dropped on Hiroshima, Canadas Minister of Munitions and Supply, C. D. Howe, immediately praised the military action. It is a distinct pleasure for me to announce that Canadian scientists have played an intimate part, and have been associated in an effective way with this great scientific development, he told the press. After developing the nuclear technology, the U.S. submitted its proposal to bomb Japan to the Combined Policy Committee, which included Howe. While there is no record of Howes comments at the July 4, 1945, Combined Policy Committee meeting, the powerful Canadian minister likely supported the U.S. proposal. Reflecting his racism, Prime Minister Mackenzie King wrote in his (uncensored) diary, it is fortunate that the use of the bomb should have been upon the Japanese rather than upon the white races of Europe. The Combined Policy Committee grew out of the Quebec Agreement that merged U.S. and U.K. nuclear weapons programs. Signed in Quebec City in August 1943, the agreement constrained atomic weapon use and information sharing. While Ottawa didnt formally sign the secret accord, Canada was represented on the Combined Policy Committee because of its significant contribution to atomic weapons research. Canadas contribution to nuclear weapons didnt end with the destruction of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. For years, Canadian fighter jets stationed in Europe were loaded with atomic bombs. Nuclear-tipped U.S. Bomarc missiles were also based in Canada. In 1954, Ottawa supported NATOs adoption of nuclear weapons. According to NATOs current doctrine, nuclear weapons are a core component of the Alliances overall capabilities. While Justin Trudeaus government claims to support nuclear disarmament, the current governments track record tells another story. Canada refused to join 122 countries represented at the July 2017 UN Conference to Negotiate a Legally Binding Instrument to Prohibit Nuclear Weapons, Leading Towards their Total Elimination. Its also declined to sign the resulting treaty. Canada also voted against a 2018 UN General Assembly resolution for Strengthening Russian-United States Compliance with Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty and has contributed the bare minimum to Swedish efforts to reinvigorate nuclear disarmament commitments. The Liberals 2017 defence policy ignores the threat nuclear weapons pose to human survival (North Korean nuclear weapons are mentioned once). But, Canadas defence policy, Strong, Secure, Engaged (SSE) makes two dozen references to Canadas commitment to the nuclear-armed NATO alliance. Setsuko Thurlow, a survivor of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima and recipient of the 2017 Nobel Peace Prize on behalf of the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons, launched a petition to coincide with the 75th anniversary of the destruction of her city of birth. The appeal calls on the government to acknowledge Canadas contribution to building the first atom bombs, express regret for the deaths and suffering they caused, and sign the United Nations Nuclear Ban Treaty. If the Trudeau government is serious about promoting nuclear disarmament, this is the least it can do. The Louisiana Office of Alcohol and Tobacco Control is allowing restaurants to sell carry out containers of beer and wine while the coronavirus pandemic has shut down dine-in business. But the organization is drawing the line at allowing bars to sell curbside drinks. Rioters in Portland Assault Officers, Set Fire to Police Union Building Another riot broke out in Portland late Tuesday as a mob broke into and set fire to a police union building. Unrest in Oregons largest city has unfolded nightly since late May. The crowd of several hundred arrived outside the Portland Police Associations office and used vehicles and fencing to block off the road outside the building. Rioters started vandalizing the office with graffiti while others pulled plywood off of doors and windows. Just after 11 p.m., several people began trying to break into the office. Portland police officers in the area told them to stop over loudspeaker, but the group ignored the police. The mob attacked a woman wearing an American flag as a cape when she tried putting out a fire they started next to the building. Because of the efforts to break into the building and multiple fires, the Portland Police Bureau declared an unlawful assembly and ordered the crowd to leave the area. Rioters broke into the Portland Police Associations office in Portland, Ore., on Aug. 5, 2020. (Portland Police Bureau) As officers moved in to secure the building, rioters hurled projectiles like rocks and bricks, striking several officers. One officer was struck by an unknown alkaline substance, the bureau said in an incident summary. A few blocks away, someone unleashed gunfire following a fight in the parking lot of a convenience store. Officers arrived at the location to investigate but left after finding no one was shot. Everyone present refused to speak to officers and the crowd chanted, We dont need you. People threw items at officers as they drove away. Rioters returned to the police union office and broke in around 1 a.m., inflicting damage and setting fire to the building, prompting officers to declare a riot. Officers forcefully dispersed the crowd and most people left the area by 3:30 a.m. They used crowd-control munitions but not tear gas. Those arrested were identified as Lisa Webb, 28, accused of rioting, disorderly conduct, and interfering with a police officer; Isaac Martin, 31, accused of attempting to assault an officer and interfering with an officer; and Carlton Smith, 47, accused of interfering with a police officer. Portland officials have struggled to quell near-nightly violence since May. Rioters have regularly changed their targets, initially focusing on the Justice Center, a county building that houses a jail and a sheriffs office. They later turned to the Mark O. Hatfield Courthouse, a federal building. The Trump administration on July 4 sent federal assets to Portland because police failed to protect the building. Rioters light a fire at the Mark O. Hatfield Courthouse in Portland, Ore., on July 27, 2020. (Marcio Jose Sanchez/AP Photo) After the state agreed to help quell the violence around the courthouse, rioters began targeting the Penumbra Kelly Building east of downtown. The building includes county and local law enforcement offices. Rioters previously targeted the police associations building, setting it on fire on July 18. The union didnt respond to a request for comment. Daryl Turner, a police officer who heads the union, said last month that local leaders were at fault for not containing the unrest. The continued violence took place just hours after lawmakers in Washington heard testimony about whats transpired in Portland in recent months. Some of those arrested are linked to Antifa, a far-left anarcho-communist group that openly espouses violence. Kyle Shideler, director and senior analyst for Homeland Security and Counterterrorism for the Center for Security Policy, told officials that Antifas goal is to use physical violence and intimidation to terrorize American citizens to disengage them from the political process. Claiming that Antifa is too disorganized to understand should not be an acceptable excuse for law enforcementfederal, state, or localto tolerate Antifas private street war to overthrow the constitution, Shideler added later. Like their predecessors in the Weather Underground and Red Army Faction, Antifa will continue to escalate its behavior unless it is checked. There will be more attacks, and rioting techniques will continue to grow in capability and in sophistication, their cadres will grow, and there will be more autonomous zones for increased periods of time, and more Americans of all political persuasions will be terrorized. PHILIPSBURG:--- Minister of Finance Ardwell Irion announced on Wednesday during the Council of Ministers press briefing that the State Secretary has released some NAF.19.3M as SSRP support, he said the funds should arrive in St. Maartens coffers by Friday this week. The Minister explained that St. Maarten has met all conditions set forth by the Dutch Government, however, St. Maarten lost close to NAF.10M because it did not abide by the conditions when it was outlined in mid-May 2020. Irion said St. Maarten was busy negotiating with the CFT and Dutch government to allow the government to pay out the 80% they promised for the first quarter after which they will reduce it to 60% but the Dutch Government disagreed. In the meantime, Prime Minister Silveria Jacobs said the Council of Ministers took a decision to send a letter to State Secretary Raymond Knops requesting a roundtable discussion on the way forward for St. Maarten. Jacobs said her government wants to engage in an open dialogue. Knops releasing the NAF 19.3M for SSRP. Funds should be received by Friday. SXM government wants to sit around the table for dialogue. She said the Council of Ministers are of the opinion that certain things must be adjusted while there is no need for a new Kingdom Law but instead make adjustments to the current law which were suggested. Currently the Government of St. Maarten is waiting on a response from the State Secretary as they look forward to having mutual respect and understanding with each other. Croatias top ethnic Serb official joined a ceremony Wednesday marking the 25th anniversary of a military victory that ended the countrys independence war, setting a rare tone of reconciliation on a day normally charged with tension. Deputy Prime Minister Boris Milosevic is the first ethnic Serb political representative to attend the annual memorial for Operation Storm offensive, in which Croatian troops recaptured territory held by rebel Serbs during the 1991-95 independence war. While Zagreb celebrates the day as a victorious moment of liberation, Belgrade mourns the hundreds of ethnic Serbs who were killed and the more than 200,000 who fled Croatia in the aftermath. In Croatia this year, an olive branch was extended as the Serb minister joined other top officials during a wreath-laying ceremony in Knin. We mourn all the victims, especially civilians, and not only Croatians, but also Serbs and all the others, Croatias conservative Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic said in an address. The legitimate right to defence is not and cannot be an excuse for wrongdoing, he added, calling war crimes committed by Croatian forces an ugly scar on the just face of the 1990s war. Deputy Prime Minister Milosevic, whose grandmother was killed in the wake of the offensive, welcomed the messages of peace and reconciliation. I believe that this is the first step, Milosevic, a member of Croatias main ethnic Serb party, told reporters. Belgrade mourns The gesture was symbolic of the Croatian governments pledge to improve still fragile relations with ethnic Serbs, who make up some 4.5 percent of the countrys 4.2 million population. Yet Milosevics presence in Knin was met with backlash across the border in Serbia, where pro-government tabloids attacked the Serb politician as shameless. We do not want to celebrate the tragedy of the Serbian people and Serbia will never accept humiliation, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said at the countrys own memorial service Tuesday evening, held on a bridge that was crossed by the hundreds of thousands of Serb refugees who fled Croatia after Operation Storm. The war was sparked by Croatias proclamation of independence from Yugoslavia in 1991, which was opposed by Serb rebels. Politically and militarily backed by Belgrade, the rebels occupied one-third of Croatias territory, forcing more than 500,000 Croatians and other non-Serbs to flee. On August 4, 1995, Zagreb launched Operation Storm, recapturing the rebel-held lands in an 84-hour offensive. The assault effectively ended the war that claimed some 20,000 lives. Hundreds of mostly elderly Serb civilians were killed in the aftermath, while more than 200,000 others fled to Serbia and Bosnia as their property was looted, seized or burned down. Around half have since returned. In another symbolic move, Croatias Defence Minister Tomo Medved has agreed to attend a commemoration later this month in a village where six Serb civilians were killed by Croatian forces after the operation. Lenders for J.C. Penney want bidders to raise their offers as they vie for the bankrupt retailer, according to a Bloomberg report. The bids under consideration aren't close enough to the about $2.2 billion of debt the lenders hold after Penney filed for bankruptcy in May, according to the report. It cited people familiar with the matter, who said they couldn't be named because the deals are private. The earlier proposals were about $1.8 billion, according to the report. There are three separate bids being considered for the department store's real estate and other assets, the company's attorney Joshua Sussberg of Kirkland & Ellis said during a court hearing in late July. He did not disclose the names of the bidders or say which offer had been chosen. The bidders are private-equity firm Sycamore; mall operators Simon Property Group and Brookfield Property Partners, which are making a joint bid; and Saks Fifth Avenue owner Hudson's Bay Company, a person familiar with the talks previously told CNBC. Penney declined to comment. Representatives from Sycamore, Brookfield, Simon and Hudson's Bay weren't immediately available to comment. Penney was struggling even before the coronavirus pandemic, as consumer shopping habits changed, pushing more sales online and away from department stores. But being forced to have its stores closed for an extended period of time was the final blow for the debt-laden company. The department store has been trying to renegotiate lease terms with its landlords and plans to shut about 150 locations and lay off about 1,000 workers. At the time of its bankruptcy, Penney employed roughly 90,000 full- and part-time workers. The report said a bid that saves jobs could be preferable to one that would result in mass layoffs and store closures even if the offer isn't the most valuable proposal. It cited a 2019 decision to allow former Sears CEO Eddie Lampert to buy Sears Holdings as an example of how that could factor into the process. Read the Bloomberg full report. CNBC's Lauren Thomas contributed to this report. Complementary Engineering Team to Target New Product Opportunities SANTA CLARA, Calif., Aug. 04, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Inphi Corporation (NYSE: IPHI), a leader in high-speed data movement interconnects, today announced that it has acquired certain assets from Arrive Technologies, located in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. The addition of these resources will provide Inphi with front-end design, verification, validation and firmware skills that complement Inphis existing design teams in Singapore and Vietnam. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed. Resource allocation for new projects is an industry challenge. With the acquisition of resources from Arrive, we are now able to dedicate a world-class engineering team to projects targeting our cloud and telecom customers, said Ford Tamer, President and CEO of Inphi Corporation. We welcome the team from Arrive to the Inphi family and are excited to advance our shared commitments in driving successful customer engagement, industry-leading innovation and best of class execution. Arrive Technologies, founded in 2001, has 112 employees primarily located in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. The team from Arrive has strong design capabilities in embedded software, digital ASIC, post silicon validation and FPGA emulation. The team has designed highly complex transport framers and products including pseudowire and circuit emulation functions with domain expertise including, but not limited to, OTN/SONET, FEC, PTP, and Security (IPsec). Arrive had been engaged with many of Inphis system OEM customers in the cloud, telecom and 5G markets. The teams front-end design and firmware capabilities complement Inphis skill sets in South East Asia, with our analog and optical design teams, and analog layout teams in Singapore, our existing digital backend team in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam and our operations center in Penang, Malaysia. Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Such statements contain words such as "believe," "will," and "expect," or the negative thereof or comparable terminology, and include (without limitation) statements regarding the acquisition of Arrive and expectations regarding the impact thereof, including impact on talent acquisition, customer service, as well as the financial impacts of the acquisition. Forward-looking statements involve certain risks and uncertainties, and actual results may differ materially from those discussed in any such statement. These risks include, but are not limited to: Inphis ability to successfully integrate the assets of Arrive, including retention of key personnel of Arrive and maintaining sales to existing Arrive customers, the impact on Inphis financial performance, the ability to extend product offerings into new areas or products, the ability to commercialize technology, unexpected occurrences that deter the full documentation and "bring to market" plan for products, trends and fluctuations in the industry, changes in demand and purchasing volume of customers, unpredictability of suppliers, the ability to attract and retain qualified personnel, the ability to move product sales to production levels, the ability to compete for client design-in opportunities, the ability to cross-sell to new clients and to diversify, and the success of product sales in new markets or of recently produced product offerings, including bundled product solutions. Additional factors that could cause actual results to differ are discussed under the heading "Risk Factors" and in other sections of the Inphi filings with the SEC, and in its other current and periodic reports filed or furnished from time to time with the SEC. All forward-looking statements in this press release are made as of the date hereof, based on information available to Inphi as of the date hereof, and Inphi assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement. Story continues About Inphi Inphi Corporation is a leader in high-speed data movement. We move big data -- fast, throughout the globe, between data centers, and inside data centers. Inphi's expertise in signal integrity results in reliable data delivery, at high speeds, over a variety of distances. As data volumes ramp exponentially due to video streaming, social media, cloud-based services, and wireless infrastructure, the need for speed has never been greater. That's where we come in. Customers rely on Inphi's solutions to develop and build out the Service Provider and Cloud infrastructures, and data centers of tomorrow. To learn more about Inphi, visit www.inphi.com. Inphi, the Inphi logo and Think fast are registered trademarks of Inphi Corporation. All other trademarks used herein are the property of their respective owners. CONTACT: Investor Contact: Vernon P. Essi, Jr. 408-606-6524 vessi@inphi.com Corporate Contact: Kim Markle 408-217-7329 kmarkle@inphi.com London: Investigators in Lebanon have ordered the arrest of port officials over the Beirut blast, focussing on alleged negligence in the storage of an ammonium nitrate stockpile that's being blamed for the explosion. The country's cabinet ordered officials at the Port of Beirut to be placed under military-supervised house arrest after the deadly blast killed 137 people, injured more than 5000 and flattened stretches of the capital's downtown area. On Thursday night, DFAT said that there has only been one Australian killed and several dual citizens hospitalised. However, the federal government is still working with Lebanese authorities to identify whether any more Australians are among the missing. Rescue operations were continuing for survivors in the many collapsed buildings as foreign countries pledged assistance. Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa on Tuesday warned he would "flush out" what he called "bad apples" as rights groups reported dozens of activists had been arrested in a broad crackdown on dissent. Mnangagwa, who took over from longtime ruler Robert Mugabe after a coup in November 2017, said his administration was facing "many hurdles and attacks" including "divisive politics of some opposition elements". "The bad apples who have attempted to divide our people and to weaken our systems will be flushed out," he warned in an impromptu nationwide address from the State House in the capital Harare. "We will overcome attempts at destabilisation of our society by a few rogue Zimbabweans acting in league with foreign detractors." His speech came days after the authorities thwarted protests called by Jacob Ngarivhume, the leader of a small opposition party, against alleged state corruption and the country's slumping economy. The government described the protests as an "insurrection", and the police banned them citing coronavirus regulations. "The protection of the right to life is paramount, especially in light of the COVID-19 pandemic and machinations by destructive terrorist opposition groupings," the president said. "We make no apologies for fixing our systems across the socio-economic and political spectrum." 'Tipping point' The Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights said Tuesday it had represented more than 20 people arrested since last week, when authorities thwarted anti-government protests that had been scheduled for last Friday. Award-winning Zimbabwean writer Tsitsi Dangarembga pictured after being released on bail in Harare. By Jekesai NJIKIZANA (AFP) Among those arrested were top Zimbabwean writer Tsitsi Dangarembga and Fadzayi Mahere, a lawyer and spokeswoman for the main opposition party Movement for Democratic Change Alliance (MDC-Alliance). Both were charged with inciting public violence and released on bail. MDC-Alliance vice-president Tendai Biti said the situation had become "untenable". He condemned the regime for "closing political space", engaging "massively in corruption" and "abusing the constitution". "We are at a tipping point, something is going to give," Biti told AFP, warning that another military coup could be "around the corner". The latest government clampdown sparked outrage on social media with the hashtag #ZimbabweanLivesMatter trending worldwide on Twitter on Monday. Celebrities and politicians across the globe have posted outrage over the arrests and condemned the long-standing repression of protest movements in Zimbabwe. Soldiers opened fire on demonstrations over delayed election results shortly before Mnangagwa officially took office in 2018, killing at least six and injuring dozens. Fadzayi Mahere, a lawyer and spokeswoman for the main opposition MDC-Alliance, was arrested as part of the crackdown. By Jekesai NJIKIZANA (AFP/File) Another 17 protesters were shot dead in January last year during a march against rising fuel prices that was dispersed by the army. Activists and opposition figures are regularly kidnapped by suspected government agents and some are physically abused, rights groups say. 'It really is scary' "This pattern is becoming established," said Dewa Mavhinga, Human Rights Watch director for Southern Africa. "Security forces (are) being complicit in abductions, in torture, in harassment and in silencing government critics." Mavhinga was worried Mnangagwa's harsh rhetoric could be the sign of an even greater crackdown. "It really is scary," he told AFP. "We are likely to see an escalation in attacks in government critics because this is what has happened in the past." Novelist Dangarembga is arrested during an anti-corruption protest march on July 31. By ZINYANGE AUNTONY (AFP/File) Zimbabwean human rights activist Jestina Mukoko deplored the lack of accountability in both government and police forces. "We are suffering repression and criminalisation of our rights work," she said, adding that democracy had been "compromised". South African radical opposition leader Julius Malema on Tuesday demanded the immediate closure of the Zimbabwean Embassy "until they restore the human rights in that country". Zimbabwean political scientist Richard Mahomva suggested Mnangagwa was acting to defend himself from a "regime-change project". "There are indications of a huge role of state intelligence (against) anti-establishment elements," Mahomva acknowledged. "This could be emanating from the traditional, but now upscaled existential threat posed to the ruling (party)." Also on Tuesday, the country's vice president and ex-military commander Constantino Chiwenga was appointed health minister, one month after his predecessor was sacked over corruption allegations related to coronavirus testing kits. FLINT, MI -- State Rep. Cynthia Neeley will appear on the Nov. ballot after she won the 4th District state House Democratic primary Tuesday, Aug. 4. Neeley took the seat on March 17 after a special election after her husband, Sheldon Neeley, resigned to serves as Flints mayor. She faced Democrats DelTonya Burns, Claudia Perkins-Milton, Diana Phillips and Arthur Woodson. Republican James Miraglia is running unopposed for the upcoming primary election. August 2020 primary election results in Genesee, Saginaw, Bay and Midland counties Neeley won with 7,281 votes, trailed by Woodson with 1,360, Perkins-Milton with 1,202, Burns with 514 and Phillips with 454. Neeley could not immediately be reached for comment. 5 Democrats face off for Flints 34th state House seat during primary election The 34th House district is comprised of a majority of Flints precincts, although it does not include precincts 24, 32, 33, 34, 38, 43, 45, 46, 51, 54, 55 and 56. Neeley is a small business owner and state representative. She attended Mott Community College, and she has brought resources to Flint to create a health disparity study and clinic. She said she is proud to raise her two children in Flint. This year, MLive Media Group partnered with the League of Women Voters of Michigan to provide candidate information for readers. Each candidate was asked to outline their stances on a variety of public policy issues. Information on all state and federal races and many of Michigans county and local races will be available at Vote411.org, an online voter guide created by the League of Women Voters. Read more: High number of absentee voters may have fueled thousands of spoiled Genesee County ballots Mid-Michigan voters, poll workers prepare for primary election like no other Genesee County Sheriff Chris Swanson leads by large margin in August primary election An unseen letter by palaeontologist Mary Anning has been sold at auction for 100,000 more than eight times its estimated price. The three-page letter which she wrote in 1829 went up for auction yesterday with an estimate of 8,000 to 12,000. But it sparked a bidding war at Sothebys in London and was sold for 100,800. It was the first time a letter written by the greatest fossilist the world ever knew had gone up for auction. Pictured: Mary Anning with her dog, Tray, painted before 1842. The three-page letter which she wrote in 1829 went up for auction yesterday with an estimate of 8,000 to 12,000 Lyme Regis Museum, which is built on the site of Annings former home in Dorset, and the Jurassic Coast Trust had teamed up to buy the letter. They hoped to display it in the museum and launched a crowdfunding appeal but despite raising 40,000 the letter was bought by an anonymous private collector. Anning, pictured, found fossils near her Dorset home and sold them on. In 1811, when she was 12, she helped unearth the skull of an ichthyosaur. And she discovered the first full plesiosaur skeleton in 1823. She sent the letter to famed palaeontologist William Buckland, then a professor at Oxford University. In it she described her latest discoveries including the skeleton of a plesiosaur which is now at the Natural History Museum in London. She also said she had sent him a box of coprolites fossilised faeces which Anning was the first person to identify. Grounded in dubious science and cowardly politics, the grievous wounds we have inflicted upon ourselves with the Covid-19 lockdown are becoming more evident every day. Britain's economic outlook is dire and job losses are mounting daily. It is clear many of those currently bankrolled by the Government's furlough scheme to lie on the beach, lawn or sofa will soon discover that they have no employment to return to in the autumn. Meanwhile, disturbing figures reported in the Mail yesterday, reveal how alarm is spreading among doctors and patients at the continued mothballing of sectors of the NHS. The grievous wounds we have inflicted upon ourselves with the Covid-19 lockdown are becoming more evident every day (Stock image) Measures designed to help the health service withstand coronavirus cases served their purpose. But now tens of thousands of people with cancer, heart disease and diabetes find themselves consigned to ever-longer waiting lists, left undiagnosed and untreated. The damning survey by the Royal College of Physicians showed more than two-thirds of senior doctors and consultants were experiencing delays accessing outpatients' diagnostic tests and procedures. Damning Typically some 30,000 cases of cancer are diagnosed every month; since lockdown it has been roughly half that. And the latest figures from the Office for National Statistics reveal cancer deaths were almost four times higher than they should have been in June. What this means in reality is that tens of thousands more people will die of cancer due to counter-measures for a virus that, according to the latest figures, is killing less than a tenth of the number it was at its peak and overall has resulted in a similar number of fatalities to those we'd expect during a bad influenza season. At the same time, waiting times nationwide for routine and even acute surgery are lengthening alarmingly. In London alone, those waiting for procedures for more than a year have shot up to almost 20,000 from just 1,154 across England 18 months ago. We may never know precisely how many people in Britain have died and will die of Covid-19, but we know the death rate globally is very low, between 0.1 and 0.5 per cent of those infected, according to research group Swiss Policy Research. We know that the majority of deaths occurred in people with pre-existing conditions and we also know that in England, the median age of those who died from Covid is above 80. Every death is sad but should the country have been brought to such an abrupt halt with catastrophic consequences? Typically some 30,000 cases of cancer are diagnosed every month; since lockdown it has been roughly half that (Stock image) In the eyes of many in the political and scientific establishment it was necessary. But as I warned on these pages back in May, the Government's eagerness to lockdown amounts to nothing more than the medicine of the madhouse. There were no demands for a national shutdown in Britain in the winter of 2014/15, when more than 28,000 people died from seasonal flu; or during the Hong Kong flu epidemic of 1968, when a million people died worldwide, some 80,000 of them in Britain. To put that in perspective, when Boris Johnson saw fit to implement total lockdown on March 23 there had been just 335 Covid deaths in Britain. Of course, we are much more risk-averse today than in the Sixties, far less willing to accept death as our ultimate destiny or able to have a grown-up public discussion about it. Part of the story has also been bad luck, with Boris Johnson contracting the virus and falling seriously ill in April. Clearly he was scarred by his ordeal, and since then, normal politics has been in abeyance, as a small group of Cabinet ministers absolve themselves of responsibility by deferring to what they call 'The Science'. Yet the advice emerging from the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE) committee has been markedly unimpressive. The problem with epidemiologists is that they are essentially modellers of the progress of a disease, so they are only as good as the assumptions and data they put in their models. Parallels can be drawn with the models used by the banks before the 2008 financial crisis. Their creators thought they had modelled every eventuality. But their inputs were faulty, so they reached entirely the wrong conclusions about the solidity of global banks. Apocalyptic The same fate befell Professor Neil Ferguson, whose record for apocalyptic forecasting didn't stop the Government taking unprecedented action based on his data. Yesterday, I listened in disbelief as Ferguson, a member of SAGE until he was forced to resign for allowing a girlfriend to visit him in defiance of a lockdown he helped devise, appeared on the BBC Radio 4 Today programme to warn that reopening schools next month risked increasing the infection rate. Dr David Nabarro (pictured), the World Health Organisation's special envoy on Covid-19, told the same programme we will see 'very bad surges' if more action isn't taken His shamelessness is astounding. Here we had a scientist who has been proven wrong on countless predictions, pronouncing on the futures of millions of schoolchildren who have been out of school for six months, and whose chances of succumbing to the virus are minuscule. He isn't alone in his doom-mongering. The day before his appearance, Dr David Nabarro, the World Health Organisation's special envoy on Covid-19, told the same programme we will see 'very bad surges' if more action isn't taken. Throughout this crisis, watching the Prime Minister and his committee of experts puts me in mind of the brilliant Sky series Chernobyl, about Ukraine's nuclear disaster. In it, we see ultimate rule by committee, the failure of political accountability and all the hallmarks of totalitarianism that have characterised our own handling of Covid-19. Farcical We like to believe we are better than the Soviet Union. But time and again we have seen the same totalitarian impulse in the Government's instructions, from Stay Home, Save Lives, Protect the NHS, to social distancing and wearing face masks all in the absence of reliable evidence these measures do any real good and plenty to suggest harm. In this crazy world, citizens who thought they lived in a sane, civilised country are treated like imbeciles, unable to make everyday risk assessments for themselves. As a result, they are bound by farcical rules, exemplified by those governing the re-implemented Northern lockdown, where it is permitted to meet a lover with whom you do not co-habit in a hotel, but not in either of your private homes. Meanwhile, no one dares to admit the lockdown itself may be completely misguided, because then everything that has been done in its name will be seen to have been pointless. For months it has been clear that our own government and administrations internationally are in a fantasy world, determined to contain a virus which cannot be stamped out. Yet rather than face the uncomfortable truth we may have to learn to live with Covid-19, politicians are intent on pursuing policies which have devastating real-world effects. No one can predict the precise course of this pandemic, but we can be certain many thousands will die who would not have but for the draconian Covid counter-measures. And even for those who do survive, many of the experiences that make life worthwhile may become things of the past unless we wake up to the fact that lockdown could have a higher cost than Covid itself. Photo: The Canadian Press Sen. Don Meredith is seen during an interview in Toronto, Thursday, March 16, 2017. Two women who worked for Meredith say the independent process established by the Senate to determine compensation for Meredith's harassment victims is "totally unacceptable" and is re-victimizing them.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Colin Perkel Two women who worked for former senator Don Meredith say the independent process established by the Senate to determine compensation for Meredith's harassment victims is "totally unacceptable" and is re-victimizing them. The two women spoke to The Canadian Press with their lawyer, Brian Mitchell. They have not been named publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity to preserve their privacy as victims of harassment and abuse. They say they feel they're being bullied into taking part in a compensation process they believe is unfair and opaque. "It's disgraceful to the Senate. They keep on calling themselves honourable members and, to me, this whole process is nothing but dishonourable," one of the women said. "I will not engage in a process where I can harm myself more than I have been harmed by this institution." The second former Meredith staffer agreed, saying she took a job with the Senate because she believed in the importance of the work there. "I think that's why it hurts so much that this institution that I did hold in very high regard seems more focused on protecting itself than doing the right thing." Former Quebec appeals court judge Louise Otis has been hired as an independent evaluator and has been tasked to speak with six former employees in Meredith's office and review all materials from a four-year investigation completed last year by the Senate ethics officer. That probe found Meredith repeatedly bullied, threatened and intimidated his staff and repeatedly touched, kissed and propositioned some of them. Meredith, who was appointed by former prime minister Stephen Harper in 2010, resigned in 2017 after a separate investigation led to an internal recommendation that he be expelled over a sexual relationship he had with a teenage girl. He has not faced any criminal charges. The Senate's powerful internal economy committee launched the current evaluation process last month to determine "potential compensation" for Meredith's former employees. Those participating in Otis's evaluation are not allowed to use lawyers, their legal costs won't be covered and Otis's final decisions on compensation will not be binding on the Senate, according to letters sent to the former staffers by the Senate's legal counsel and by Otis. The correspondence was provided to The Canadian Press. "If we have a videoconference meeting, you may be accompanied by a support person of your choice, provided the person is not a lawyer as this is neither a trial nor a judicial hearing," Otis's letter to the employees states. However, if they have any questions or concerns, the employees are encouraged to contact the Senate's legal counsel a "David and Goliath" scenario their lawyer says is wholly unfair. "How can they defend themselves, how can they testify and how can they represent themselves when they don't have the same level playing field of the Senate as an institution?" Mitchell said. Sen. Sabi Marwah, the chair of the Senates committee on internal economy, declined to be interviewed for this story. In a statement, Senate spokeswoman Alison Korn said the committee unanimously decided on the current "impartial, independent and credible process," which will take all facts contained in the ethics officer's report as true and proven. "(The committee) established its process after hearing directly from former impacted employees," Korn said in the statement. "As the process is designed to be accessible, no participant is required to have a lawyer to participate. Out of respect for all participants and in order to not interfere in the ongoing process, we will not be commenting further. Otis's determination on damages will be based on other three recent harassment settlements in the RCMP, Canadian Armed Forces and Department of National Defence. Mitchell, who said he will soon be representing two more of the six victims, says his clients are concerned that Otis is not being asked to consider the Senate's duty to protect them as employees. "Without looking at the liability and accepting liability of the Senate for the acts that happened to these victims from the date of their employment with Sen. Meredith to the date hereof is, we suggest, an area that we hope the terms of reference will be amended so that it will be a full review of all damages that have been suffered," Mitchell said on behalf of his clients. Last week, Mitchell sent a letter to members of the internal economy committee outlining his clients' concerns and asking for the process to be changed. Senate lawyer Charles Feldman wrote back saying the process was established to provide redress to the employees affected by Meredith's conduct, and that the internal economy committee wasn't required to do anything to respond to the ethics officer's findings, but has done so "of its own volition." The two women say this makes them feel as though they should be happy the Senate is taking any action. "You cannot put us through six years of waiting, keep us on tenterhooks for six years, and then suddenly say the time is now and also take it or leave it," one of the women said. In a statement of regret made last month in the Upper Chamber, Marwah said that Merediths actions warrant an unequivocal condemnation from the Senate and from all senators. The two former employees do not accept this as an apology, but rather as senators telling them they are merely sorry they feel badly about their experiences, the women said. Tuesday was the deadline for the employees to inform Otis if they planned to participate in the evaluation process, but Mitchell says his clients will not take part unless Otis's terms of reference are changed. "I don't want them to pat themselves on the back and say, 'Look at what a great job we've done.' And I don't want this process to suddenly become a precedent for future victims of other offices," one of the women said. "There is no way that this process can be accepted in 2020 and it is also a slap in the face to any future victims," the other said. U.S. President Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence participate in the swearing-in of General Charles Q. Brown as the incoming chief of staff of the Air Force, in the Oval Office of the White House, Aug. 4, 2020. (Doug Mills-Pool/Getty Images) Trump Hosts Swearing-In of Gen. Charles Brown Jr., First Black Service Chief Gen. Charles Brown Jr. was sworn in as the Air Forces chief of staff during a ceremony hosted by President Donald Trump in the Oval Office on Aug. 4, making him first black chief of staff of a U.S. military branch. The ceremony followed a 980 vote by the Senate on June 9 to approve Brown for the position. The oath of office was administered to Brown by Vice President Mike Pence. The president described the moment as very special and an incredible occasion, telling Brown that he was very proud to have him in the Oval Office. Vice President Mike Pence (L) and President Donald Trump attend the swearing-in ceremony for General Charles Q. Brown (2nd R), as the incoming chief of staff of the Air Force, in the Oval Office of the White House on Aug. 4, 2020. (Brendan Smialowski/AFP via Getty Images) Gen. Charles Q. Brown Jr. is sworn is as chief of staff of the Air Force as his wife, Sharene Guilford Brown, holds a Bible, in the Oval Office of the White House on Aug. 4, 2020. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon) You have had an incredible career, and this is a capper, and I just want to congratulate you, Trump said. And its an honor to have you in this very fabled office and to have you in the White House. Before being approved as chief of staff for the Air Force, Brown served as commander of the Pacific Air Forces, which is responsible for Air Force activities spread over half the globe. Brown was commissioned in 1984 as a distinguished graduate of the ROTC program at Texas Tech University, according to his military biography. Brown served in a variety of positions, including an assignment to the U.S. Air Force Weapons School as an F-16 Fighting Falcon instructor. Other roles included secretary of the Air Force and aide-de-camp to the chief of staff of the force. Brown spent more than 2,900 hours flying as a command pilot. It is a distinct honor for me to have this opportunity, Brown told the president. And so I feel very honored and blessed. Gen. Charles Q. Brown embraces family members after being sworn in as the incoming chief of staff of the Air Force as U.S. President Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence look on, in the Oval Office of the White House on Aug. 4, 2020. (Doug Mills-Pool/Getty Images) Secretary of Defense Mark Esper extended his congratulations to Brown during the ceremony, telling the president that the event marks a historic day. Im so pleased to have General Brown selected for chief of staff of the Air Force, Esper said. Thank you, Mr. President. A great choice. And I know hes going to lead our Air Force well into the next century and beyond. Outlining his position on how hed approach heading the Air Force, Brown said previously, To compete, deter, and win, we will need to generate combat power faster than our adversaries. If confirmed, I am an advocate for early and constant collaboration between operators, acquisition professionals, and industry partners to unleash innovation and spiral development so that the warfighter has access to the most capable and state-of-the-art assets, sooner than later, he said. He agreed with Sen. Deb Fischer (R-Neb.) about the need to modernize land-based nuclear deterrents. Brown will assume the post later this week. Zachary Stieber contributed to this report. We need everyone to work together to help us stop the spread of the virus, DuPage County Board Chairman Dan Cronin said. Both DuPage and Kane Counties were successful in reducing case counts through adherence to public health guidance in the spring and early summer. However, as these case counts creep up, we need to remind the public that their actions will impact the decisions health leaders make to protect our communities. We each play an important role in this fight. The Stevensville School District broke ranks Monday night with other schools in Ravalli County when it decided against requiring returning students to wear face masks to protect against coronavirus. On the same night, the Florence-Carlton School District was the first in the county to require all returning students to wears masks when its doors open this fall, including younger students. Without firm direction from state or federal officials, school boards across the Bitterroot Valley have spent long hours trying to find the right mix for their student body. Stevensville Superintendent Dr. Bob Moore said the board spent several hours Monday listening to both sides of the issue before deciding the decision on whether a student should wear a mask to school should be left to individual families. I can tell you that a lot of us up and down the valley including teachers, board members and administrators have been losing a lot of sleep over this issue, Moore said. How do we best protect the interests of our students? Were all here to take care of the children and do whats in the best interest of children. Stevensville School Board chair Greg Trangmoe said he was happy that people remained civil during Monday nights meeting despite strong feelings on both sides of the issue. I came out in full support of masks because I didnt want to have kids be forced to choose on their own, but not everyone felt that way, he said. Even if you dont personally agree with the outcome, once you make a decision as a board, then everyone needs to move forward. At Florence-Carlton, board members dropped a motion that would have exempted younger students from the mask requirement after hearing concerns from elementary teachers about their safety. The board will revisit the issue again at its September board meeting. Its an issue with no easy answers. In the 27 years that Ive been an administrator, I never thought I would be dealing with something like this, Moore said. Last month, Gov. Steve Bullock issued a mask mandate in Montana for counties with four or more active cases of COVID-19. The mandate requires masks indoors in public places and outdoors when social distancing can't be observed, but school districts are making their own decisions on face coverings. Hamilton and Corvallis school districts decided last week to require masks for all but the lower the grades. Hamiltons board met Tuesday to refine when and where students will be required to wear masks. Hamilton District spokesperson Justine Stewart said parents uncomfortable with sending their children back to school will have to decide soon on whether they opt for remote learning. Those who chose that option will have to commit to nine weeks. We are trying to keep our classroom sizes down as much as possible, Stewart said. We are aiming for 12. That might not be possible in all cases. A leadership team at the Lone Rock School District will recommend masks for all its students at a special board meeting Tuesday. That district is currently without a superintendent after Scott Stiegler abruptly resigned last week. The Darby School Board held a special board meeting Tuesday to decide whether it will offer face-to-face instruction this fall and whether masks will be required if that happens. Darby Superintendent Chris Toynbee said hes putting the choice for masks in the hands of the board, which made its decision after press time Tuesday. The mask issue right now is challenging, Toynbee said. There are a variety of answers, and nothing is that clear. If the governor says we need to have masks, then thats what well do. We need some hard direction. All the schools are being left to make this really difficult decision on their own. Theres not been a lot of help in making those decisions. Victors school board tentatively adopted a plan that will require students above fifth grade to wear masks. Victor Superintendent Lance Pearson said the district plans to hand out masks printed in Victor Pirates blue and gold to younger students in hopes that will encourage them to keep it on. We want to try to make it a cool thing to do, Pearson said. We want to keep our students and employees safe. With the situation around the coronavirus changing rapidly, Stevensville Board Chair Trangmoe wont be surprised if the board is required to revisit the issue sometime in the future. If we know anything about this, we know now that we cant predict how this will play out, he said. We might get new directives from the governor or there could be changes made nationally. Our plan tries to include a lot of contingencies. Stevensville School Trustee Ben Meyer cast the lone vote against the schools plan to reopen. Meyer said his decision was based largely on information presented to the board from the schools nurse, which included mask requirements. I place a lot of trust in her professional recommendation, Meyer said. My priority as a school board trustee and as a parent of school-aged children is getting kids back to face-to-face learningIf we have tools at our disposal that can make that happen, based on recommendations from professionals, Im in support of using those. There are a number of tools that we can use, including social distancing, hygiene and masks, he said. I think we are better off when we implement everything we can rather than go back to online learning. Stevensville School librarian and Teacher Association President Chyrle Wohlman said the teachers she had heard from Tuesday expressed disappointment in the boards decision. Wohlman said the staff had been told that Bitterroot Valley superintendents were working together to ensure that the rules around masking would remain somewhat consistent. Other schools in Ravalli County as well as Missoula and Frenchtown are requiring masks. Wohlman has heard from teachers who are afraid to go back to their classrooms. They have looked at the science, she said. They have done their own investigation. They realize for their own health and that of their families, the best step is to follow the recommendations of health professionals. They feel compromised by this decision. From my personal standpoint, I want to see the kids, Wohlman said. I miss the kids. As teachers, we do a lot more than just instruct kids. We want to do that in a safe manner. Not just for the students, but for the staff too. Love 4 Funny 1 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 3 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. Could where you live dictate how long you live? New research at Syracuse University's Maxwell School, published today in the Milbank Quarterly, shows Americans who live in so called blue states tend to live longer than those in red states, primarily due to state policies. Among the findings: U.S. state policies since the 1980s have cut short American lives, particularly for women. U.S. life expectancy gains since 2010 would be 25% greater for women and 13% greater for men if states policies had not changed in the way they did, with many becoming more conservative. Enacting more liberal state policies could raise U.S. life expectancy by over 2 years, whereas enacting more conservative state policies could reduce it by 2 years. In the greatest gap between states, residents in Connecticut outlive their counterparts in Oklahoma by as many as seven years. The study examined how state policy environments contributed to U.S. life expectancy trends from 1970 to 2014. It used information on 18 policy domains such as abortion and guns, each measured on a liberal-to-conservative scale, for every state and calendar year. The analysis then predicted U.S. life expectancy trends from all policy domains, controlling for characteristics of states and their residents. Americans die younger than people in other high-income countries. This gap in life expectancy between the U.S. and other countries emerged in the 1980s and has grown ever since. Since that time, gaps in life expectancy between U.S. states also expanded." Jennifer Karas Montez, Study Lead Author and Sociology Professor, Maxwell School, Syracuse University The difference between the highest and lowest life expectancy states has grown to 7.0 years--the largest ever recorded. These two trends are related: the dismal life expectancy trends of some states have been an anchor on overall U.S. life expectancy."' For instance, between 1980 and 2017, life expectancy rose by just 2.2 years in Oklahoma (73.6 to 75.8 years) but 5.8 years in Connecticut (74.9 to 80.7 years). Life expectancy in Oklahoma now falls between that of Serbia and Brazil, while Connecticut falls between Denmark and Costa Rica. The study found that Oklahoma and Connecticut differ in other ways. While these two states were diverging in life expectancy, they were also diverging in their policy orientation. Oklahoma made one of the largest transitions toward a conservative state policy environment among all 50 states. Conversely, Connecticut made one of the largest transitions toward a liberal state policy environment. This polarization in state policy environments has occurred across the U.S. and helps to explain the growing gap in life expectancy between states and the troubling trends in U.S. life expectancy since the 1980s. Among the 18 policy domains studied, 10 strongly predict life expectancy. More liberal versions of those policies generally predict longer lives and more conservative versions generally predict shorter lives. This is especially the case for policies on tobacco, immigration, civil rights, labor (e.g., Right to Work laws, minimum wage), and the environment. For instance, by changing its labor laws from the most conservative to the most liberal orientation, a state could experience a large 1-year increase in life expectancy. State policies have particularly important consequences for women's life expectancy. This finding reflects the reality that state policies such as minimum wage, EITC, abortion laws, and Medicaid are more relevant for women's than men's lives. According to Montez, "During the 1980s and after 2010, overall changes in state policies had a negative impact on U.S. life expectancy. After 2010, the small gains in U.S. life expectancy would have been 13% steeper among men and 25% steeper among women if state policies had not changed in the way that they did, with many becoming more conservative." If all 50 states enacted either liberal or conservative policies, what would happen to U.S. life expectancy? "If all states enacted liberal policies across the 18 domains, our study estimated that U.S. life expectancy would increase by 2.8 years for women and 2.1 years for men," said Montez. "However, if all states enacted conservative policies, U.S. life expectancy would decline by 2.0 years for women and 1.9 years for men. If all states followed current national policy trends, there would continue to be little improvement in life expectancy. This is partly due to countervailing forces: gains in U.S. life expectancy associated with some national policy trends (e.g., toward liberal policies on the environment and civil rights) would be offset by losses associated with other trends (e.g., toward conservative policies on abortion and guns)." Montez said that trends in state policies since the 1980s have cut short many lives. "Improving U.S. health and longevity requires changing many of those policies," said Montez. "In particular, it is essential to enact policies that protect the environment, regulate tobacco and firearms, and ensure labor, reproductive, and civil rights." But Montez believes e nacting these changes in state policies will not be easy. "On the contrary: policymakers in many states have put the interests of corporations and their lobbyists--particularly the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC)--and wealthy donors over the interests and health of their constituents." To drive home her point, Montez points out Oklahoma, for example, is one of the most active states in terms of enacting the corporate-friendly and politically-conservative policies promoted by ALEC, while Connecticut is among the least active states. "Policymakers and the public must recognize," she said, "that putting profits over people cuts lives short." Good news for Irish fans of Guns N Roses. The iconic band fronted by Axl Rose has just confirmed that they have rescheduled their eagerly-awaited summer tour dates until 2021. There was huge dismay among music fans after the Covid-19 crisis forced them to pull the plug on their Marlay Park gig that had been due to take place on Saturday, June 27. The Patience' stars are now hoping to perform in Dublin on June 22, 2021 and say all tickets for their 2020 dates will be valid for their new date. Their European tour kicks off in Portugals Lisbon on June 2, 2021 and take in dates in Spain, Sweden, the UK and Germany. The band has issued a statement saying: Hey Gunners, picking up where we left off last week, our 2020 European tour dates are being rescheduled to June of 2021. The dates kick off in Lisbon, Portugal on 2nd June, 2021. We are forever grateful for your understanding and continued support during these unprecedented times. We are looking forward to getting back on stage. They said that while they were able to move most of their north American shows to new dates at the same venues, they had to cancel a handful, including stops in cities like Seattle and Atlanta. It said this was due to routing and venue availability issues that developed during the postponement process. Last week saw them confirming they have rescheduled their north American dates to July 2021, beginning on July 10 in Milwaukee. Video of the Day It will make stops all around American and Canada before finishing up on August 19. We thank everyone for their patience during this difficult time and look forward to performing for you all next year, it stated. A limited number of tickets for their Marlay Park gig go on sale this Friday, August 7 on ticketmaster.ie. Silchar : , Aug 5 (IANS) In view of the Bhumi Puja ceremony of Ram temple in Uttar Pradesh's Ayodhya on Wednesday, security has been beefed up in two southern Assam districts -- Cachar and Karimganj, officials said. Executive Magistrates have been appointed to oversee the situations, officials said on Tuesday, adding Central para-military and state security forces led by senior police officers have been deployed in Cachar and Karimganj districts. Cachar District Magistrate Keerthi Jalli has appointed four Executive Magistrates to supervise the overall situations in the mixed populated district, an official said. "The four Executive Magistrates would look after specific areas under the seven police stations including Silchar police station areas," the official said, adding that the magistrates would take appropriate steps as they deem fit and proper to deal with the situation. Similar steps were taken in the neighbouring Karimganj district. Karimganj District Magistrate Anbamuthan M.P. held a meeting on Tuesday with the senior citizens, leaders of various political parties, social activists and NGOs to help the administration maintain peace and tranquillity. "No public gathering and rallies would be allowed on Wednesday in the district," the District Magistrate told the meeting. Karimganj District police chief Kumar Sanjit Krishna said stern and legal action would be taken against any provocative campaign and postings on the social media. People comprising different religions and communities inhabit southern Assam's Barak Valley region comprising three districts -- Cachar, Karimganj and Hailakhandhi. Indefinite curfew has been clamped in certain areas of Silchar town on Monday following incidents of stone-pelting between two communities. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to attend the Bhumi Puja (laying of foundation stone) ceremony of Ram temple in Ayodhya on Wednesday. Latest updates on Ayodhya Ram Temple Bhumi Pujan Rotimi Amaechi, minister of transportation, says former President Goodluck Jonathan also collected loan from China. Recently, a hous... Rotimi Amaechi, minister of transportation, says former President Goodluck Jonathan also collected loan from China. Recently, a house of representatives panel expressed concern about a clause conceding Nigerias sovereignty to China in a loan agreement. The clause, described as lethal by the panel, is in article 8(1) of the commercial loan agreement between Nigeria and Export-Import Bank of China. Also speaking on the loan, Katch Ononuju, a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), while appearing as a guest on an AIT programme on July 30, accused Amaechi of perpetrating fraud under the guise of securing funds for railway projects and advised him to resign. But in an interview with Channels TV on Tuesday, Amaechi said the call for his resignation was unnecessary as the loan being referred to by the PDP chieftain was actually taken during Jonathans tenure. Amaechi also clarified that the immunity referred to in the loan agreement does not relate to the countrys sovereignty as a nation but to Nigerias immunity from arbitration. Theres a gentleman who went to AIT, and said oh I should resign and I wonder which university he graduated from, certainly not University of Port Harcourt, Amaechi said. He said I should resign. Resign from what? Are you saying those projects werent executed? Is there no Kaduna-Abuja railway? By the way, he said he is PDP; that loan was taken under President Goodluck Jonathans government. The loan hes talking about the Kaduna-Abuja railway was signed by the President Goodluck Jonathan government. Dont forget that we told the whole world when commissioning that project, that 80 percent of that project was executed by President Goodluck Jonathans government. The loan was taken by President Goodluck Jonathans government, and for that reason we had to name the train station and infrastructure in Agbor after President Goodluck Jonathans government for that laudable achievement. Meanwhile, a fact-check by TheCable confirms that while the Kaduna-Abuja railway project was conceived during the Olusegun Obasanjo administration, it was stalled during the tenure of Umaru YarAdua due to paucity of fund, but construction began in 2011 when Jonathan was acting president. Several countries and organizations are offering assistance to Lebanon following yesterdays explosion. On Tuesday evening, a massive explosion took place in Beiruts port, killing more than 100 people and injuring thousands more. The blast was so strong it was felt more than 150 miles away in Cyprus. The destruction of buildings near the port, which is close to the city center, was massive, and an unknown number of people are still trapped beneath the rubble. Investigators believe 2,700 tons of ammonium nitrate a chemical often used in agriculture as a fertilizer caught fire and exploded. For comparison, the Oklahoma City bomber in the United States in 1995 used two tons of the substance in his attack, which killed 168 people and destroyed a US federal building. Many in Lebanon blame government incompetence for the disaster since the explosive material was not properly stored. Several countries are providing aid to Lebanon following the tragedy. French President Emmanuel Macron will visit Lebanon on Thursday, and his government sent rescue workers, medical equipment and a mobile clinic there today. France used to govern Lebanon during the colonial era in the 20th century. Some Lebanese are so angry at their government over the explosion that a petition to return Lebanon to a French mandate has gained more than 15,000 signatures. Egypt set up a field hospital in Beirut with the help of its embassy there. Turkey dispatched emergency and medical workers to Lebanon, along with medical and emergency supplies. The country is also working to set up a field hospital there, according to the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Israel offered to provide assistance to Lebanon by communicating through France and the United Nations. Israel and Lebanon lack diplomatic relations and are technically in a state of war, making the gesture notable. Israel is in a state of conflict with the Lebanese political and military organization Hezbollah. Several non-state entities are accepting donations from individuals to help the Lebanese people recover, including the Lebanese Red Cross and Impact Lebanon. Some Lebanese have raised concerns that donations and aid may not adequately reach those affected. There are multiple exchange rates in Lebanon for the US dollar to the Lebanese pound amid the economic crisis, meaning the value of donations may diminish when converted to the local currency. There is also corruption in the government. The explosion was an unprecedented tragedy, even in Lebanon, which endured a 15-year civil war and the 2006 Israel-Hezbollah War. Around 300,000 have been left homeless from the blast, a spokesperson from the humanitarian organization Mercy Corps told Al-Monitor. In the next few days they will need food, water, shelter, hygiene and sanitation support, the spokesperson said. Then, cleanups and help to reopen small businesses will need to be prioritized. It could take a while for Lebanon to recover. Before the tragedy, the country was already grappling with unemployment, the coronavirus and chronic electricity cuts, among other issues. The Old Tea House in Whitehead has had a window smashed and paint thrown at the building The owners of a Co Antrim cafe, linked to the founder of the Loyalists Against Democracy (LAD) social media parody account, which was attacked have said it has left them ready to pack our bags and run away. Ardens of Whitehead owner Barbara Whearty shared images of a broken front window and the premises also had green paint thrown over it on Monday night. Her husband John-Paul created the controversial LAD account but says he parted ways with it four years ago. It is not known if the attack on the business premises is related to Mr Wheartys past association with LAD but the East Antrim area where Whitehead sits has a significant loyalist community. Read More Mr Whearty gave an interview to the Belfast Telegraphs sister paper Sunday Life at the weekend in which he said he was very proud of what he had achieved with LAD but added: Ive been accused of making fun of people from a less educated background and if people feel that is the case, I apologise. The couple live above the premises with their young son Flynn. Speaking to UTV last night, a tearful Barbara Whearty said: When I came round and I saw that this had happened I felt like I had been punched. This is just so disgusting. I hope that youre happy, I hope that you got the reaction that you wanted. Husband John-Paul added: You won. You broke us, you done it. Were broken. The last four years have been a transformational process in my life. Im sober and Im healthy and Im alive, despite numerous attempts for that not to be the case, Im still here. And I am contrite in my genuine apology to anybody affected by anything that I said or was said in my name. I dont know what were going to do theres a temptation to our pack our bags and run away. Read More In response to Mrs Whearty posting pictures of the aftermath of the attack on Twitter, she received support from a number of local political representatives. Sinn Fein MP Michelle Gildernew said: Thats absolutely atrocious Barbara. Its disgusting that there are people out there who would do that. Alliance councillor Sian Mulholland said: Im really sorry to see this Barbara. There is simply no justification. I cant imagine how you must feel knowing your wee man was asleep upstairs. I really hope youre doing OK. Read More Mrs Whearty told her: Im just rinsed by it all. I thought this would be a new start for us. Flynn has been so patient and he loved his new creche, I was so happy for him to finally have what he worked so hard for since he landed; hes done as many hours as we have to build the business. Devastated. In another reply Mrs Whearty also said she didnt know if the business would open ever again. In a statement, the PSNI said three men were involved in the attack at the Kings Road cafe at around 11.05pm and appealed for information. (Photo : (Photo by Loren Elliott/Getty Images)) BOCA CHICA, TX - SEPTEMBER 28: SpaceX CEO Elon Musk gives an update on the next-generation Starship spacecraft at the company's Texas launch facility on September 28, 2019 in Boca Chica near Brownsville, Texas. The Starship spacecraft is a massive vehicle meant to take people to the Moon, Mars, and beyond. (Photo : Unsplash) Elon Musk's Neuralink currently develops a new feature on their brain chip that will enable humans to go forth and choose the mood by balancing off a person's hormone levels. The secret project mentioned by Musk teased an update that will provide new feats for the company. He stated that an event on August 28, 2020, will thoroughly explain what the Tech CEO pertains. The American Tech Company founded by Musk, Neuralink, is working on their current project, the brain-implanted chip, that is capable of controlling a human's emotion and mood by emitting waves that are beyond the usual or natural frequency and amplitude. Neuralink pushes through updating the software of the project, as well as the chip and other hardware of the project. The Electronics reports that this software update aims to make the project more potent by programming its algorithms to learn more and improve the overall system. The Neuralink ASIC neural processor is upgraded as well, together with the project's proposed threads that are going to be used to collect data from the brain. The brain chip's function would move forward from its original innovation of helping people with an entirely severed spinal cord to restore mobility and movement. The tech would help in alleviating stress and anxiety by altering and balancing the brain's hormone levels, relieving emotional tension. ALSO READ: Elon Musk's Mysterious Neuralink Chip Could Make You Hear Things That Were Impossible to Hear Before The Neuralink Technology Neuralink's promising technology makes use of flexible threads that are believing it to be safe and effective for a brain implant. This technology will cause less of the supposed or expected harm that befalls the implant on a person's brains. The thread will function as it is named by having a device performing as a "sewing machine" that will then sew threads to the brain chip that can be connected via a USB-C cable to transmit vast loads of data for each person's intended use. This technology is capable of connecting the human brain to a computer if it emerges successful and able to produce a working prototype. A chunk load of data bandwidth will be available for streaming and use for the human brain. Musk is also optimistic for the chip to be parring with artificial intelligence as the project progresses. The company's team of scientists and researchers said in a published paper, last year. The same is with AI photo editors and video editing software that may become the best assistant if you're an amateur in post-production but want professional results. ALSO READ: [UPDATE] Teenage Twitter Hacker is Also a 'Minecraft' Scammer, According to Investigation Enhancing the Human Brain Apart from the chip's functions that will help in treating paralysis and mobility problems, it would also possess a brain-altering feature that will help in enhancing the human brain. This technology will help in a person's temperament and emotional levels to handle a surge in stress and emotions. In turn, the person using Neuralink's chip will have more control and have better reasoning skills. Musk strongly advocates for this project to combat AI as he suspects that the machines would overrun the world in the coming years. Not only does this project work for a person's well-being but doubles as a revolutionary step in enhancing a person's capabilities. This article is owned by Tech Times Written by Isaiah Alonzo 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Kaixiangong Village in east China's Jiangsu province serves not only as a symbol of Chinese sociological research, but also as an example of China's rural development. Kaixiangong Village (Photo/Wang Xinnian) In 1936, sociologist Fei Xiaotong carried out a two-month rural survey in the village and wrote the world-renowned book "Peasant Life in China: A Field Study of Country Life in the Yangtze Valley". Since then, Jiangcun Village has become synonymous with Kaixiangong Village. "In 2019, our per capita disposable income reached 35,800 yuan (about $5,140), which far exceeds the well-off level," said Yao Fukun, a resident of Kaixiangong Village, adding that "in 1978, the per capita living space in the village was less than 5 square meters, but now it has reached 80 square meters." "When I came to Jiangcun Village for the first time, I visited villagers' houses, and the living conditions were very poor. Houses were divided into two parts: in the back, there was a room with only one bed and a footrest in front of it, and next to the footrest is the toilet. In the front is the kitchen room," said Professor Liu Haoxing of Fudan University, noting that "now there are dozens of villas in the village." (Photo/Chang Hong) The improvement in living conditions is just one of many examples of the development and changes that have taken place in Kaixiangong Village. Shen Bin, secretary of the Party committee of Kaixiangong Village, said that in 2019, the village's collective income reached 3.2 million yuan, with each household owning 1.2 private cars. The local market, with an investment of 5 million yuan, had just been completed and put into operation in the village. "At present, chemical fiber textiles, woolen sweater knitting and aquaculture have become the three pillar industries of our village. They not only solve the employment problem in the village, but also draw many people here," Shen Bin said with pride when talking about the village's ability to retain talents. "There is no end to development. In the future, we want to focus on tapping the cultural resources of Jiangcun Village," Shen explained. A foreign reporter with People's Daily Online joins a tea party in the village (Photo/Chang Hong) The mode of production has become increasingly diversified, and industry is constantly being optimized and upgraded, which is reflected in every phase of development in Kaixiangong Village. As a demonstration village for public cultural services, Kaixiangong Village began building Jiangcun Village cultural park as early as 2010, and carried out expansion and renovation work in 2018. Now, Kaixiangong Village possesses cultural lanes and a cultural auditorium, which often puts on Kunqu Opera performances in the village. Ladies tea parties are also frequently held in the village. In July 2018, Kaixiangong Village established the first village-level township council in Wujiang District. By employing local rural talents to take part in managing village affairs, the village has used traditional rural culture to improve the rural social governance system. Walking through Kaixiangong village, visitors can see sorting trash bins in front of every house. The whole village is so clean that its difficult to find a single piece of rubbish here. A Kunqu puppet show (Photo/Dong Xiaowei) According to Shen, Kaixiangong Village was selected for the characteristic pastoral rural construction project in Suzhou in 2018. The village has fully mobilized housewives, and worked to create a new style for Jiangcun village, featuring beautiful courtyards and a civilized rural style. Jiangcun Village does not only refer to Kaixiangong village, but also the "Pan-Jiangcun Village concept, including all the rural areas of Wujiang, according to Zhu Jianwen, deputy mayor of Wujiang District, "Wujiang district takes Kaixiangong Village as the basis, Jiangcun Village as Wujiang's business card and brand, and proposes to build a rural revitalization demonstration zone of Jiangcun Village, China." In 2019, there were a total of 13 key projects in the rural revitalization demonstration zone, with an investment of about 383 million yuan. Not far from Kaixiangong Village is Pingwang Town. A recreational center and a hotel with their own distinctive features will soon be established, which will help increase local villagers incomes. The practice of gardai receiving allowances for carrying out non-essential work on public holidays represents a "culture of entitlement", according to the force's own auditors. The hard-hitting criticism of the practice is contained in a report by the Garda Internal Audit Service (GIAS). It estimated that the cost of allowances for staff working at Garda Headquarters over 12 public holidays was adding 800,000 to the Garda pay bill each year. It also found that many claimants were not engaged in "high visibility" duties. "Allowances are not intended to be used as supplemental income," the auditors observed. The allowance can be equal to two or three times basic pay, depending on rank and whether or not the public holiday is a rostered rest day. The GIAS recommended that non-essential work should not be necessary or undertaken as a matter of routine on public holidays in future. Garda auditors said they could only provide "limited assurance" that the payment of public holiday allowances to gardai for non-essential duties was efficient and represented good value for money, especially as some gardai would also be entitled to an extra day off work. They questioned if the duties performed by such gardai were necessary. The report was released under Freedom of Information legislation. It examined the payment of 201,000 in allowances to gardai based in Garda HQ for working on three public holidays over Christmas and New Year in 2018/19. "While this level of cost is not material in the context of the overall Garda Vote, it demonstrates the lack of prudent financial accountability and oversight of public monies by managers and supervisors," the audit observed. It added: "It suggests a culture of 'entitlement' versus the public good which is not true to the ethical values and professionalism being promoted in the organisation." An Garda Siochana refused to release details of how many of the 587 gardai based in 27 sections at Garda HQ worked on public holidays on security grounds. The total spend on public-holiday allowances over the Christmas period for the entire 13,800-strong force was 4.95m, with around 52pc of all gardai rostered to work on Christmas Day, St Stephen's Day and New Year's Day. The GIAS said a high attendance rate by gardai at Garda HQ over the three public holidays at Christmas was questionable and the duties performed on the public holidays required justification. It claimed senior management needed to put significant focus on reviewing the necessity for gardai to perform non-essential duties on Sundays and public holidays. Gardai attached to various divisions and districts told auditors that rosters could not be changed. However, the GIAS pointed out that the Westmanstown Agreement on working hours allowed for flexibility and adjustments to rosters in line with policing needs. The auditors found no evidence that civilian staff worked on public holidays or weekends. They said the issue raised the question of discrimination as gardai were perceived to be facilitated to work rostered duty in sections where attendance was generally required during normal office hours. In reply to the GIAS, Garda management said various sections examined by the audit were operational in nature and were required to have a presence every day including public holidays, but a working group was looking at reforming the roster system. Types of obituaries The Missourian publishes two types of obituaries family obituaries and life stories. A family obituary is the version submitted by a funeral home or family. Please see the submission form for details on cost and deadlines. Family obituaries A life story is a closer look at a person's life and involves a reporter contacting family and friends. Life stories are based on newsworthiness and consent of the family. Life stories. Not all readers are leaders, President Harry Truman once said, but all leaders are readers. No rational American can disagree with Trumans assertion which, while true at all times, is an especially imperative truism during national emergencies like the coronavirus pandemic. When faced with major events, shouldnt we feel secure taking our marching orders from someone who has read a few books (or even detailed reports) on the topics related to those very events? The only way to truly understand the world is to read. In fact, one of the traits we should look for when the time comes to judge someones capacity to hold the most powerful office in the free world is the value that person places on reading. Based on published accounts by a number of authors and journalists, Donald Trump, other than what was required of him to get through school, never reads books. And now that were in the midst of a pandemic, a report that Russia pays bounties for the killing of American soldiers, and more than a dozen other issues that affect national security, his apparent disinterest in reading books, reports and briefings can have deadly consequences. It may already have. There have been just 45 presidencies. For all the positions responsibilities, having so few over the course of 244 years gives us an opportunity to look over the lot and make a good assessment of the strengths and weaknesses that in all probability correlate to their ability to lead and lead wisely. In terms of reading, most of our previous 44 presidents comported themselves fairly well some more stridently than others. Jon Meacham relates a story about one of our Founding Fathers in Thomas Jefferson, The Art of Power, in which Jefferson offered to sell his personal collection of books to Congress after the British army burned the governments entire inventory. Jefferson had more than 6,000 in his collection. A relative of Americas sixth president once said of the boys reading habits, His candle goeth out not by night. I fear he will ruin his eyes. Quoted in Fred Kaplans biography, John Quincy Adams, American Visionary, the remembrance is supported by a list of authors that Adams enjoyed, among them David Hume, Samuel Johnson, John Locke, John Milton, and Jonathan Swift, as well as Homer, Aristotle and Shakespeare. A cousin of Abraham Lincolns mother once said that young Abe was hungry for books and read everything he could find. In A. Lincoln, A Biography, Ronald C. White Jr. writes that Lincoln at 23 walked six miles to borrow a book from a farmer. Ulysses S. Grant read every book he could borrow in the neighborhood, wrote Ron Chernow in Grant. He studied everything he read so that when he got through with a book, he knew everything in it. John Kennedy, too, devoured books. According to Michael OBrien in John F. Kennedy, A Biography, when JFK was about to go fight in World War II, he asked a friend to send him all the books from his familys library on government, economics, biographies, plus any really good novels. Hundreds of other biographies document similar stories of book-loving presidents. By contrast, it seems that none of the published volumes about Trump and there are now dozens of them mention any books he read, enjoyed or cited. The January 2018 edition of The Atlantic had a feature titled The President Who Doesnt Read by David Graham, in which Graham states, He didnt even skim. Some believed that for all practical purposes he was no more than semi-literate. Author Tim OBrien was quoted in the New York Times in November 2018 saying that Trump doesnt read at all. Im not overstating things here. He lacks the patience, curiosity and self-awareness to be a good reader. Maybe we can partially blame Trumps parents, or perhaps his teachers. But even if true, we must still blame his supporters for insisting that it doesnt matter. It matters. Causing such hate, misery, fear, anger, uncertainty and now potential disaster does not happen in an Oval Office vacuum. It must be surrounded by thousands of unread books and reports. It is so egregious a leadership flaw that we may even accept Trump just a bit better if he decided to start reading now. Make up for lost time! Even childrens books would do. As Dr. Seuss once said, The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places youll go. Because the truth of the matter is that if this pandemic gets further out of control, there will be fewer and fewer places to go. Joel Samberg is a Connecticut-based journalist and the author of several fiction and nonfiction books, most recently the coming-of-age novel Blowin in the Wind. He is frequent contributor to Hearst Connecticut Media. Advertisement The decaying remains of an abandoned male prison that once housed Fred West and is said to have more than 100 criminals buried in its grounds have been revealed in an urban explorer's pictures. HMP Gloucester was a Category B men's prison with space for 323 inmates when it shut for good in 2013, six years after elements of the prison were described as 'woeful' in a government report. It originally opened in 1792 and carried out 123 hangings, the last taking place in 1939, for a range of offences including sheep stealing, horse theft and burglary - but only one for murder. The offenders are thought to have been buried in unmarked groves within the prison's three and a half acres of grounds, which are situated in Gloucester city centre. Since it shut it has been used as a Hollywood filming location, a ghost hunting spot and there are hopes its pristine chapel could be used as a wedding venue. The 18th century prison nw hosts ghost tours, a 'real time Zombie scare experience,' and has been used for filming in Hollywood films including The Informer, which came out last year HMP Gloucester had a capacity of 323 men before it shut in 2013. The prison, which once housed Fred West, is thought to have more than 100 ex-criminals buried within its grounds Paint is peeling from the old cells' walls, with mould growing over them, but bedframes and an old Page 3 cut out show signs of the life that once filled the prison, before it closed in 2013 Notorious inmates kept at HMP Gloucester Herbert Rowse Armstrong The only solicitor in the history of the United Kingdom to be hanged for murder. He was executed in 1922 for the murder of his wife. Arthur Griffith The founder of Sinn Fein and former president of Dail Eireann was kept at the prison between May 1918 and March 1919. Stefan Kiszko Stefan, an intellectually disabled man, spent 16 years at the prison after he was wrongfully convicted of the murder and sexual assault of 11-year-old Lesley Molseed. Peter McAleese The former British solider spent time at the prison in the 1970s after committing assaults as a civilian. Pierce McCann An Irish revolutionary, McCann died in the prison in 1919. Fred West The serial killer was held on remand in 1994 after he was charged with two murders including that of his daughter in February 1994. Advertisement Incredible pictures have showed the state of decay at the sprawling prison, with mould growing and paint peeling from empty cells. Eerie images showed decrepit corridors, a surprisingly pristine chapel and inside abandoned cells, one of which features a nude Page 3 model on a decaying wall, with her face and body ripped out. The prison was home to serial killer Fred West after he was charged with two murders including that of his daughter in February 1994. Fred West killed at least 12 people with his wife Rosemary between 1967 and 1987. The murderer resided at HMP Gloucester in 1994 following his arrest, and was later transferred to Winson Green Prison in Birmingham, UK, where he hung himself just a year later. The unsettling images were captured by an anonymous British urban explorer known only as Punkitect, who used a Canon EOS 6D with a 16-35mm lens. 'The atmosphere felt cold, and sad, but not hostile. It was knowing that this tiny cell had housed the worst of society every single night for hundreds of years that made it all the more chilling,' said Punkitect. 'I've spent my life chasing dark tourism, treading where some of the evilest minds of humanity have trodden. 'As horrible as the prison environment was, it was still too good for someone who committed the acts that he [Fred West] did. 'There is a shift to moving prisons more towards the countryside, but the age of this jail has meant that Gloucester has grown up around it. 'Being sat in a cell and hearing people commute to work and the faint buzz of people relaxing in the bars and cafes at the docks only emphasises the feeling of having one's freedom taken away. 'The building has been a part of the city's history for centuries, a landmark that everyone is aware of, but very few have seen inside. Located in the city centre, inmates at Gloucester prison would have been able to hear the sound of the public going about the daily lives from their cells HMP Gloucester's chapel has been used as a music venue, but bosses at the abandoned prison hope it could be used as a wedding venue The prison was closed in 2013, six years after elements of the prison were branded 'woeful,' in an official government report Since 2017 parts of the prison have been reopened to the public for tours, ghost hunts and other events. Urban explorer Punkitect described its atmosphere as 'cold and sad' The empty prison's eerie atmosphere and three-acres of land make it a prime location for filming, which it has been offering in recent years Fred West was briefly kept at HMP Gloucester after he was charged with two murders 'I think it is fantastic that [before the pandemic] the building was being used to host events.' The prison was opened up for tours in 2017 and 2018, but has since been used for a host of activities. Its history has made it a prime spot for ghost tours, while it has also been made available for filming. According to www.gloucester-prison.co.uk, the abandoned jail has featured in Hollywood films, including The Informer, starring Clive Owen and Rosamund Pike, which was released last year. The prison chapel has been used as a music venue, with a statement on gloucester-prison.co.uk reading: 'We are hoping that someone who wants a unique day will ask about hiring it for their wedding.' It has also been used for filming documentaries, TV series and music videos. Members of the public are also able to take part in a 'real time zombie experience,' and Airsoft games, but is has also been used as a venue for film screenings, conferences and fashion walks. An insignia on the prison's floor denotes its 200th anniversary, which celebrated in 1992 after two centuries of housing criminals in Gloucester city centre There are still signs of the old life of HMP Gloucester, a Page 3 model lines one of the mould-spotted walls, but her face and stomach appear to have been ton out of the image Eerie images showed decrepit corridors, a surprisingly pristine chapel and inside some of the prison's now-abandoned cells THE High Court has reserved ruling in the case in which NetOne chief executive Lazarus Muchenje is challenging the decision by the companys board to fire him on three months notice last month, hours after he was reinstated by a court order. The matter was heard yesterday before Justice Webster Chinamora after the NetOne board filed its response to Muchenjes application to overturn the dismissal pending the final resolution of the labour dispute. After hearing submissions from both parties legal counsels, Justice Chinamora reserved his ruling to a later date. Advocate Wayne Nyamakura argued the matter for Mr Muchenje while Advocate Eric Matinenga acted for NetOne, in the matter in which the court had previously given Mr Muchenje a second reprieve, when it suspended the termination of his employment contract until the NetOne board has a chance to respond to his application. When the court last month deferred the hearing, Justice Chinamora said he did so to preserve the integrity of the proceedings and the efficacy of eventual order that he would grant after hearing arguments on the merits. He highlighted the areas, which he required the parties lawyers to address. And yesterday the lawyers addressed the legality of the dismissal of Mr Muchenje, done in terms of the Labour Act and common law, which requires the giving of three months notice. The judge, who presided over the chamber application, also heard submission in relation to the Public Entity and Corporate Governance Act, as read together with Public Entity and Corporate Governance Regulations in particular Section 11, which provides for the dismissal of a chief executive of a public entity. Both counsel were also asked to indicate, which of the Labour Act and Governance Act has precedence over the other. This is because Section 11 of the regulations when read with Section 16 the Governance Act provides that a chief executive of the public entity shall not be dismissed or be required to vacate his or her office unless he or she has been guilty of misconduct inconsistent with the discharge of his or her duties or if he or she failed to comply with conditions of service or provision of the contract . . . We thought the Hanover County School Board voted this past month to remove the names honoring Confederate leaders from two public schools. Appropriately, the signage for Lee-Davis High School and Stonewall Jackson Middle School promptly was taken down from the buildings. But then on Monday, Hanover Schools announced that the signage would temporarily be reinstalled while the system works through the renaming process. If the board agreed to drop the names of the schools, then why waste time and money briefly restoring the anachronistic appellations that honor two Confederate generals and the president of the failed Confederacy? What kind of message does that send? The names and changing of the names at each school have been an extremely sensitive issue to many Hanoverians, Chris Whitley, a spokesman for Hanover Schools, said in a statement on Monday. The School Board recognizes that those who find the names offensive would like them removed immediately and those who are not offended by the names would have liked them to remain longer. Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain Clinical trials on humans have begun in China for a potential coronavirus vaccine developed by German pharmaceutical group BioNTech with Chinese company Fosun Pharma, the companies said Wednesday. Seventy-two participants have already received their first dose following approval for the phase 1 trial from Chinese regulatory authorities, BioNTech and Fosun Pharma said in a statement. The vaccine candidate, known as BNT162b1, is one of four based on BioNTech's proprietary mRNA technology. Another, BNT162b2, is being evaluated in a global phase 3 trial conducted by BioNTech and US giant Pfizer which started on July 27. The phase 1 trial in China involves 144 participants who will receive two doses 21 days apart. Those aged 18-55 will be the first to take part, followed by older people. Laboratories around the world are racing to find a vaccine to curb COVID-19, which has claimed more than 700,000 lives and upended the livelihoods of millions. More than 200 candidate vaccines are currently being developed with roughly two dozen at the stage of clinical trials with human volunteers. Several Chinese companies are at the forefront of the global vaccine race, while Russia has said it hopes to be the first in the world to produce a vaccine for the public, with a target date of September. But the medicines will likely face heightened scrutiny given that the regulatory systems in both countries are far more opaque than they are in the West. On top of the BioNTech/Pfizer candidate, two other Western coronavirus vaccines are in final phase three trials: one produced by US biotech firm Moderna and the National Institutes for Health; and the other by the University of Oxford and Britain's AstraZeneca. Explore further Japan secures 120 mn doses of potential corona-vaccine: pharma group 2020 AFP ST. LOUIS Siteman Cancer Center at Barnes-Jewish Hospital and Washington University School of Medicine has been named among the top cancer centers nationally by U.S. News & World Report. The recognition is part of the overall ranking of Barnes-Jewish and Washington University, which are No. 18 on the news magazines 2020-21 Best Hospitals list, released Tuesday. Siteman was named No. 11 in adult cancer care, based on a review of 899 hospitals. Health care facilities are chosen largely on patient outcomes and other data and a national survey of physicians. In addition to their national rankings, Siteman and Barnes-Jewish each were ranked No. 1 in the St. Louis region and No. 1 in Missouri in their respective categories. Being recognized as one of the nations top cancer programs is an honor, said Dr. Timothy J. Eberlein, Sitemans director and the Spencer T. and Ann W. Olin Distinguished Professor and head of the Department of Surgery at the School of Medicine. More importantly, it speaks to the extraordinary care we provide to our patients, care thats built on one of the top cancer research programs anywhere. Sitemans Best Hospitals listing follows recent recognition by the National Cancer Institute (NCI), the principal federal agency for cancer research and training. Based on the NCIs review of Siteman research programs, the cancer center received the agencys highest possible rating Exceptional. Siteman is Missouri and Southern Illinois only NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center and the only cancer center in that area to be nationally ranked by U.S. News & World Report. The cancer center treats more than 75,000 patients, including 12,000 newly diagnosed patients, every year. Care is provided at six locations in the St. Louis region: on the Washington University Medical Campus and at Northwest HealthCare, part of Christian Hospital; Barnes-Jewish St. Peters Hospital; Barnes-Jewish West County Hospital; Siteman Cancer Center-South County; and Memorial Hospital East in Shiloh. Siteman also partners with Siteman Kids at St. Louis Childrens Hospital in the treatment of pediatric patients. The facilities all are affiliated with BJC HealthCare. Barnes-Jewish Hospital and its Washington University physician partners also are part of U.S. News & World Reports top 20 honor roll of hospitals that excel in complex specialty care. To determine its rankings, U.S. News & World reviews 16 specialties. Rankings for 12 of them, including cancer, are based on a mathematical model combining mortality rate for particularly challenging cases, patient experience and other data, as well as on the expert opinions of specialized physicians nationally. The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has demolished 102 houses built on water channels in the area. The development followed last weeks flood incident which claimed the lives of five people in Giri-Kpasere, along Airport Road in Gwagwalada Area Council. FCT Department of Development Control said the illegal houses had been marked down for demolition more than one year ago, and that the government had given the affected residents enough time to move out of the flood-prone areas. Deputy Director, Monitoring and Enforcement, Department of Department Control, Garba Kwamkur said the government could not spare the houses anymore, following the recent forecast of more rains and consequential flooding. Kwamkur noted the community was part of the land covering about 260 hectares allocated within the Abuja Master Plan for the development of the University of Abuja, Gwagwalada, but some indigenous people and other squatters are staying there temporarily. Follow Us on Facebook @LadunLiadi; Instagram @LadunLiadi; Twitter @LadunLiadi; Youtube @LadunLiadiTV for updates Artist's rendering of apartment building planned at 2601 Poplar St., as seen from corner of Poplar and Taney Streets. Read more Citizens Bank Financial Group is funding the construction of two apartment buildings in neighborhoods northwest of Center City with a total of $27.5 million in loans, allowing the projects to move forward despite economic headwinds from the coronavirus pandemic. The loans comprise $19 million in financing for a 108-unit apartment building with 11,000 square feet of commercial space at 2601 Poplar St. in the citys Fairmount section and $8.5 million for a 49-unit project with 1,488 square feet of commercial space at 3029-31 W. Glenwood Ave. in Brewerytown, the bank said Wednesday in a release. Bank officials declined to comment on the deal in the context of the current economic recession and associated job losses, which have made some investors skittish about projects that rely on rental income. These housing projects will meet a crucial need in our community and these loans demonstrate Citizens strong commitment to support more housing options for Philadelphia residents, Daniel K. Fitzpatrick, Citizens president for the mid-Atlantic region, said in a release. Although both properties are located in federal Qualified Opportunity Zones under the 2017 tax law, which means investors in the projects can claim big potential savings on taxes, bank officials said that did not drive their assessments of the projects. On July 23, 2020, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) released a memorandum announcing the Print Media Advertising Policy 2020. The policy pertains to the Bureau of Outreach and Communication (BOC), which is the arbiter for all paid outreach campaigns on any media on behalf of client Ministries/ Departments and organisations of Government of India. The Government regularly undertakes promotional campaigns to disseminate information on public sector undertakings (PSUs) such as schemes, programmes and policies for the benefit of the public. The objective of these campaigns is singular, that is, to secure the widest possible coverage of the intended content or message. BOC maintains a list of approved publications for release of advertisements by empanelling acceptable publications. Also read: MIB's New Print Media Ad Policy to focus on transparency & equity Leading print players have taken umbrage with one aspect of the new policy. According to the memorandum released by the MIB, the rate structure for advertisements against advertisements released by BOC will be worked out as per recommendations of the Rate Structure Committee. The rates will be related to certified circulation of a publication. Rate considerations will be made on the basis of circulation. The BOC requires print media players to furnish circulation figures up to 25,000 or above 25,000 after the approval of which empanelled publications will enter into a rate contract with BOC for a period of two years. In India, circulation of publishers may vary from 2,000 to tens of millions and the rates published by the Rate Structure Committee are very low for the leading newspapers in India. Furthermore, when PSUs and Autonomous Bodies complained that some newspapers refused to publish their ads at BOC rates, on behalf of member publications, the Indian Newspaper Society responded, INS sees no justification in PSUs and autonomous bodies engaged in commercial activities getting the benefits of DAVP rates, which are structured for social service and public education campaigns. MV Shreyams Kumar, Joint Managing Director, Mathrubhumi, observed, We have been accepting lower rates so that the Government can communicate their schemes for the benefit of the public. However, Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) or other financial institutions are issuing commercial advertising that are not in public interest. In such a case, accepting the DAVP rates is very detrimental to the newspaper industry, because it is a very low rate. Adding further, he said, There is an agenda to get newspapers to accept these rates because COVID-19 has created so much hardship in the overall market, not to mention that the entire print industry has been suffering for the past three years. The new Print Media Ad Policy was issued without any consultation with print publications in India, and print players are understandably miffed at the Governments attempts to enforce these guidelines. The new policy has increased the share of advertising (in terms of space) of regional players from 70 per cent to 80 per cent. According to Shital Vij, Chief Editor, Dainik Savera, The Government guidelines appear to focus on under-represented languages and regional publications will get a boost with this policy. The move is also expected to facilitate faster payouts to media organisations for the ad content carried by them on behalf of various ministries. He indicates that the policy could positively impact regional publications revenues by 20-30 per cent. Satyajit Sengupta Chief Corporate Sales and Marketing Officer commented, "The new Print Advertisement Policy 2020 would support Regional newspapers. The policy is now based on space allocation instead of revenue allocation earlier and would therefore be beneficial to newspapers with genuine and higher circulation numbers. The percentage allocation for regional newspapers has been revised to 80% in terms of space, this was 50% earlier in terms of revenue. Also, the earlier bifurcation between Hindi and Regional publications has been removed. So, this should result in some boost for players with higher circulation" He further says, "On the recommendation for release of PSU advertisements at BOC rates, we would abide by INS guidelines. We have been asked by INS not to publish PSU advertisements at DAVP/BOC rates." However, Mathrubhumis Kumar maintained that the 80:20 bifurcation is not a relief to leading print publications. He remarked, Only the number of columns advertised has increased. What about covering the cost? Newspapers have to bear the cost of newsprint, unlike television and radio, where inventory is there. If the Government issues a full-page ad, we will have to increase the number of pages, which is a cost. If the advertisement from the BOC wont even cover that cost, then it is unviable economically. MADRID (Reuters) - Former king Juan Carlos has decided to leave Spain amid a cloud of scandal, with local media reporting he is in the Dominican Republic. Prosecutors in Geneva and Madrid are investigating alleged financial misconduct, though Juan Carlos, who has repeatedly declined to comment on the matter, is not formally under investigation in either country. Here are some reactions: PRIME MINISTER PEDRO SANCHEZ, AT A NEWS CONFERENCE 'We declare absolute respect for what lies behind the royal household's decision, which is to create distance from alleged questionable, reprehensible behaviour on the part of a member of the royal household.' 'Institutions should not be judged, people should be judged MADRID (Reuters) - Former king Juan Carlos has decided to leave Spain amid a cloud of scandal, with local media reporting he is in the Dominican Republic. Prosecutors in Geneva and Madrid are investigating alleged financial misconduct, though Juan Carlos, who has repeatedly declined to comment on the matter, is not formally under investigation in either country. Here are some reactions: PRIME MINISTER PEDRO SANCHEZ, AT A NEWS CONFERENCE "We declare absolute respect for what lies behind the royal household's decision, which is to create distance from alleged questionable, reprehensible behaviour on the part of a member of the royal household." "Institutions should not be judged, people should be judged. In this case, Juan Carlos has said clearly he is at the disposal of the legal system if necessary, just like any other Spaniard." "I think the response is fitting of a robust democracy." RETIRED MADRID RESIDENT SANTIAGO PRADAS "It's an injustice what they're doing. They're not being fair. There are many politicians, many parties, who have stolen three times as much." MADRID RESIDENT RAUL, 28 "I think it's an escape, like running away, a dishonourable escape ... He's a guy who has taken business commissions out of Spain and it's a dishonourable escape." PABLO MONTESINOS, CONSERVATIVE PEOPLE'S PARTY LAWMAKER, ON TELECINCO TV "Today Spain is more free, more democratic and stronger as a nation thanks to the key role played by King Juan Carlos." "We respect judicial procedures, we respect and value the presumption of innocence. We call for unity around the head of state and the constitutional monarchy, today more than ever we must be at (the king) Don Felipe's side." PABLO SIMON, POLITICAL SCIENCE PROFESSOR AT MADRID'S CARLOS III UNIVERSITY "Both partners (in Spain's coalition government) want to differentiate themselves in the way they talk about this issue." "This won't be a problem for government policy, they will just highlight their differences. Podemos will try to set out a much more Republican profile to keep their voters happy because on the economic side they won't be able to do that." CATALAN LEADER QUIM TORRA IN A PRESS CONFERENCE "I denounce the flight of Juan Carlos de Borbon, which was tolerated by the Spanish government ... It should make any democrat ashamed, it calls into question the government and the monarchy's commitment to accountability." "In the words of the Catalan parliament, I ask King Felipe VI to abdicate to give Spanish society an opportunity to get out of this hole." EQUALITY MINISTER IRENE MONTERO ON CADENA SER RADIO "I believe that in Spain there is a widespread feeling among the population that justice is not the same for everyone." "That the institution (of the monarchy) itself endorses the decision of the King Emeritus to flee Spain puts the institution in a very delicate situation ... It leaves the monarchy in a very compromised position, no one in Spain can separate the actions of king Juan Carlos from his position as monarch and therefore from the Borbon family." JOSE JUAN TOHARIA, POLITICAL ANALYST AT METROSCOPIA "King Felipe acted with clarity and decision at the right moment, even though it was very difficult for him. He said he cares for (his father Juan Carlos) very much but the law and constitutional standards come first." "In the Bible there is a saying that the father will not answer for the sins of the son and the son will not answer for the sins of the father, and this explains very well what Spaniards think." PAZ RODRIGUEZ, MADRID RESIDENT "I think he's running away like a coward. He should admit what he has done and be upfront about it." ROMAN FERNANDEZ, MADRID RESIDENT "I think the position of the monarchy was already weak. I don't understand the monarchy's role these days because we are living in a different time. For me the monarchy should be abolished." MANUELA FERNANDEZ, RETIRED MADRID RESIDENT "I don't think it's wrong for him to leave, he has the right to do it if he wants to leave. However, if he's leaving because he is running away from the issue I don't like it." (Reporting by Miguel Gutierrez, Michael Gore, Isla Binnie, Nathan Allen, Paola Luelmo, Marco Trujillo, Joan Faus; Editing by Andrei Khalip, Giles Elgood, Alexandra Hudson and Mike Collett-White) This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed. Women are being urged to check whether they are being underpaid the state pension after a government blunder left tens of thousands missing out on money they are entitled to in their retirement. Married, divorced and widowed women are the three groups who may have been affected by the pension mishap - which has already led the Department of Pensions to pay out 750,000. Experts believe as many as 130,000 women may have been short-changed to the tune of up to 100million because of the error, which followed a change to the pension system in 2008. Previously some women, who reached state pension age before April 2016, could claim more than the basic state pension depending on their husband's National Insurance contributions. The scheme swapped from a claiming system to an automatic one in 2008 - but some women were not given the automatic uplift. One 96-year-old woman was deprived of 117k over 20 years while others such as Anne Psaros, 79, have been paid back more than 10,000 - around the average amount paid back to each woman by the DWP so far. Anne Psaros, 79, was handed 11,600 after realising that the DWP failed to upgrade her pension to the married woman's rate when husband retired more than ten years ago Around 130,000 women may have been short-changed to the tune of 100m in total The blunder was revealed following investigations by former pensions minister Sir Steve Webb and MailOnline's financial section This is Money. This is Money columnist Sir Steve and our pensions and investing editor Tanya Jefferies have highlighted the extent of the scandal since January and it featured in a report report by pensions consultants LCP (Lane Clark & Peacock) in May. The six groups of women who could be due money by the DWP LCP is urging six particular groups to contact the DWP to see if they could be entitled to more state pension. They are: 1. Married women whose husband turned 65 before March 17 2008 and who have never claimed an uplift to the 60 per cent rate. 2. Widows whose pension was not increased when their husband died. 3. Widows whose pension is now correct, but who think they may have been underpaid while their late husband was still alive, particularly if he reached the age of 65 after March 17 2008. 4. Over-80s who are receiving a basic pension of less than 80.45. 5. Widowers and heirs of married women, where the woman has now died but was underpaid state pension during her lifetime. 6. Divorced women, particularly those who divorced after retirement, to check that they are benefiting from the contributions of their ex-husband. Advertisement They say more than 160,000 people have visited a calculator on its website since it published the report, titled 'Are tens of thousands of older women being underpaid state pension?' Married, divorced and widowed women, as well as the heirs and successors of women who have been underpaid maybe able to claim a backdated refund. LCP say that, while some women have been refunded by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), it is urging more women to get their state pension checked. Some women have told LCP that they have received large lump sum repayments from the DWP, with the average refund it is aware of sitting at just over 9,000, but some amounting to more than 100,000. Sir Steve Webb, a former pensions minister who is now a partner at LCP, said: 'It is good news that DWP is checking its records to find married women who have been underpaid ... But this record check must be comprehensive rather than narrow.' The issue has arisen because, under the old state pension system, which includes women who reached state pension age before April 2016, married women could claim a basic state pension at 60 per cent of the full rate based on their husband's contributions, in cases where this would be bigger than the pension they could get based on their own contributions. Before March 17, 2008, a married woman would need to make a claim to have her pension increased - but since that date the uplift should have happened automatically. But LCP estimates that tens of thousands of 'post-March 2008' women have not had their pension automatically increased. On top of this, tens of thousands of 'pre-March 2008' women are also thought not to have put in a claim to have their pension increased, and so have also been missing out. Some women have told LCP that they have received large lump sum repayments from the DWP (pictured: Pensions Ministers Guy Opperman MP), with the average refund it is aware of sitting at just over 9,000, but some amounting to more than 100,000 LCP is urging six particular groups to contact the DWP to see if they could be entitled to more state pension. Woman, 96, is deprived of 117k over 20 years Rosemary Chattell's family say they had queried her 77-a-week pension before A 96-year-old widow has received more than 117,000 after it emerged she was not paid enough state pension for 20 years. Rosemary Chattell's family say they had queried her 77-a-week pension before, only to be repeatedly told by DWP officials that she was getting the correct amount. Rosemary lives in a care home in Cheshire and suffers from dementia. Her son John, 66, who has power of attorney for her, queried his mother's pension, but says he was fobbed off three times by the DWP. John, a retired sales manager, says it was only on the fourth call that someone agreed to investigate for him. They later called back to say his mother was owed 107,852.58. After sending two letters to the DWP requesting interest on top, he turned to This is Money for help. Following its intervention, the DWP also later added interest of 9,447.20. Rosemary's pension should have been increased automatically after her husband Roy died at the age of 76. John says: 'It's an injustice. How many other people are there like us? There's got to be thousands. Without making a call, you never find out.' A DWP spokesman says: 'We are very sorry that Mrs Chattell's state pension review was not processed correctly. We have amended this, paid the arrears owed with interest and apologise unreservedly.' Advertisement These include married women whose husband turned 65 before March 17 2008 and who have never claimed an uplift to the 60 per cent rate, widows whose pension was not increased when their husband died, and widows whose pension is now correct but who think they may have been underpaid while their late husband was still alive, particularly if he reached the age of 65 after March 17, 2008. Also included are over-80s who are receiving a basic pension of less than 80.45, widowers and heirs of married women, where the woman has now died but was underpaid state pension during her lifetime and divorced women, particularly those who divorced after retirement, to check that they are benefiting from the contributions of their ex-husband. Sir Steve added that he is aware of 'pre-March 2008' women who had not made a claim at the time their husband retired only receiving 12 months' worth of backdated payments when they did eventually make a claim, despite missing out on state pension uplifts for at least 12 years. He said some of these women are in the process of approaching the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman and he has written in support. A spokesman for the DWP said: 'We are aware of a number of cases where individuals have been underpaid state pension. We corrected our records and reimbursed those affected as soon as errors were identified. 'We are checking for further cases, and if any are found awards will also be reviewed and any arrears paid.' The DWP said it would encourage anyone who thinks they have failed to claim a state pension increase they are eligible for to contact the department. Helen Morrissey, pension specialist at Royal London, said: 'The benefits system is extremely complicated and here is another instance where people are falling through the cracks and not getting what they are due. 'These payments could have an enormous impact on their standard of living and we urge any woman who thinks they might be eligible to check as soon as possible.' The family of Rosemary Chattell, 96, say they had queried her 77-a-week pension before, only to be repeatedly told by DWP officials that she was getting the correct amount. They later called back to say his mother was owed 107,852.58. After sending two letters to the DWP requesting interest on top. The DWP also later added interest of 9,447.20. Anne Psaros, 79, was delighted to be handed 11,600 after realising that the DWP had failed to upgrade her pension to the married woman's rate when husband retired more than ten years ago. Lynda Hallaway, 74, had been receiving only 57 a week, despite her husband John, 73, reaching pension age in 2012. She now gets 80.45 and she has had a back payment of 9,160 Her pension has also gone up by 23.52 a week to 80.45. Anne, of Poole, Dorset, contacted the DWP after husband Anthony, 76, read about the scandal in our report. 'I am so chuffed that my husband read about it in the Mail. We could not get over our luck.' Lynda Hallaway, 74, had been receiving only 57 a week despite her husband John, 73, reaching pension age in 2012 Are you being underpaid state pension? How to check Steve Webb's firm LCP has launched an online tool to help older married women work out if they are being paid correctly. Find out more here. But Webb stresses that the website is simply designed as a useful tool, and anyone with any doubt about the amount of pension they are receiving should contact the Department for Work and Pensions. Its details are here. Advertisement The mother-of-two, from New Ellerby, near Hull, has seen her pension hiked to 80.45 and had a back payment of 9,160. Lynda says: 'I would encourage anyone who thinks her pension is being underpaid to get it checked.' Pension rules mean that once someone turns 80, they should receive 60 per cent of the full basic rate. This is irrespective of marital status and their NI contribution record. Those turning 80 should automatically receive the 'Category D' pension rate of 80.45 a week as long as they have lived in England, Scotland, Wales or a European Economic Area country for ten of the past 20 years. It means most women over the age of 80 should receive at least the married woman's rate. But there could be tens of thousands of women over 80 not receiving that amount. The scandal comes after women born in the 1950s have been made to wait up to six more years for their state pension after the Government raised the qualifying age from 60 to 66. A DWP spokesman says: 'In a number of cases individuals have been underpaid state pension. We corrected our records and reimbursed those affected as soon as errors were identified. 'We are checking for further cases. If any are found, awards will be reviewed and any arrears paid.' To see if you might have missed out, visit lcp.uk.com/is-your-state-pension-being-underpaid/.If you think you've been underpaid, call the Department for Work and Pensions on 0800 731 0469. New Delhi, Aug 6 : Air India pilots protesting against 60 per cent wage cut got a boost on Wednesday after the global pilots' body sought the urgent intervention of Civil Aviation Minister Hardeep Puri in the matter. In a letter to Puri, the Indian chapter of Montreal-based International Federation of Air Line Pilots' Associations (IFALPA) said, "It is with utmost concern that we bring to your attention the grave injustice that is being meted out to the Air India pilots via a unilateral and retrospective downward revision of emoluments to the tune of 60 per cent." The Airlines Pilots Association of India (ALPA) said that it is shocking that even after being in the line of duty, Air India pilots have been "singled out" for massive pay cuts. "Thank you @IFALPA for your support and appeal. We are sure @HardeepSPuri Ji will give us justice for the service rendered to the nation amidst the pandemic," the Indian Commercial Pilots Association said in a tweet thanking the international pilots' body. Recalling the contribution of Air India in the repatriation of thousands of Indian citizens, ALPA President Sam Thomas said in the letter to Puri, "These are the very same pilots who went above and beyond the call of duty when called upon by the government to operate the flights for the repatriation of Indian citizens from the world over. Stating that these pilots have operated these flights without concerning their personal health during the global pandemic and they continue to do so, ALPA said, "The entire nation is grateful to their services and appreciated their efforts as the frontline Covid worker. Therefore, it is shocking that these pilots, after such selfless service, undergoing numerous Covid tests and quarantine, have been singled out for a massive wage cut." Citing the disparity in pay cuts, ALPA said that it is important to note that the senior management has taken only "7 per cent" wage cuts. "We believe that a reasonable, negotiated revision, applicable across the board, is the only fair solution for which the two competent bodies -- the IPG and ICPA -- are available at any time. We therefore request your urgent intervention in the matter and the use of your good office for an amicable resolution," the letter said. North Carolina Begins Clean up After Hurricane Isaias COVID-19 Updates: Staying Informed & Prepared Free Community Testing Events Around NC Free Community Testing Events Around NC Get All of the Latest Information in Spanish Tweet of the Week Getting testing done quickly is key to slowing the spread of COVID-19. Gov. Cooper has joined a bipartisan group of governors to increase the amount of rapid testing done so we can continue protecting North Carolinians from this virus.https://t.co/3idNBTPxJT Governor Roy Cooper (@NC_Governor) August 5, 2020 Governor Cooper today updated North Carolinians on the effects of Hurricane Isaias, hours after the storm left the state. The storm slammed into the state Monday night with 85 mph winds, coming ashore at Ocean Isle Beach and spinning up the eastern part of the state causing floods, wind damage, and tornadoes in the eastern part of the state.Unfortunately, Isaias claimed the lives of two North Carolinians in Bertie County. The Governor joined the state in mourning those lost.said Governor Cooper.DOT crews spent Tuesday removing debris and clearing roadways as line workers moved quickly to restore power.Governor Cooper spoke with the President who pledged help to help the state recover from the effects of Isaias. Cooper will remain in contact with FEMA and other federal agencies as the needs are fully evaluated.State officials had prepared for months to handle a hurricane during the COVID-19 pandemic, making plans to have PPE at shelters, perform screening, and set up options for people with symptoms to safely isolate.For more information storm preparation visit www.readync.org/ For more information or to learn your zone, visit knowyourzone.nc.gov It's important to rely on trusted sources of information about COVID-19. Keep up with the latest information on Coronavirus in North Carolina HERE Texttoto receive general information and updates about COVID-19 and North Carolina's response. Dial 2-1-1 provides free, confidential information and is available 24 hours a day to help you find resources within your community. They can connect you with people and groups that can help with questions about access to food, shelter, health care, employment and child care.Families who need food assistance for their children can texttoto find free meal sites in their communities.Make sure to prioritize your overall wellness and don't hesitate to seek additional help. Optum has a toll-free 24-hour Emotional Support Help Line atfor people who may be experiencing anxiety or stress due to Coronavirus.You can track the disease in real time through the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services' COVID-19 NC Dashboard . It includes detailed information about the state's COVID-19 confirmed cases, hospital capacity and more.For an up-to-date list of events, visit the Community Testing Events page. People who may not currently have symptoms but may have been exposed to COVID-19 should get tested, especially people from historically marginalized communities.If someone tests positive for COVID-19, the COVID-19 Community Team will reach out to connect them with needed resources. People should answer when the Community Team reaches out, via phone, text from 45394, or email from NC-ARIAS-NoReply@dhhs.nc.gov with further instructions.Find a nearby testing site Find My Testing Place For more information visit the NCDHHS FAQs about Testing and FAQs about Contact Tracing The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) has announced community free testing events in Edgecombe, Halifax, Hertford, Johnston, Northampton, Sampson and Wake counties. For an up-to-date list of events, visit the Community Testing Events page. People who may not currently have symptoms but may have been exposed to COVID-19 should get tested, especially people from historically marginalized communities.If someone tests positive for COVID-19, the COVID-19 Community Team will reach out to connect them with needed resources. People should answer when the Community Team reaches out, via phone, text from 45394, or email from NC-ARIAS-NoReply@dhhs.nc.gov with further instructions.Find a nearby testing site Find My Testing Place For more information visit the NCDHHS FAQs about Testing and FAQs about Contact Tracing During this time it is imperative that everyone is informed about what is going on in our state. Governor Cooper's administration has been working to get information and resources translated for the Spanish speaking population in our state. Many of the Governor's press conferences press releases , and executive orders are available in Spanish. Resources are also available in Spanish on the DHHS website. Brazilian officials say they can start making Covid-19 vaccines developed by British and Chinese researchers within a year. Experts say it will take at least twice as long, leaving Brazil reliant on imports to slow the world's second-worst outbreak. If Brazil's underfunded medical institutions are unable to meet their ambitious goals, it would mark the latest failure by President Jair Bolsonaro's government to control the virus. It would also leave Brazil vulnerable to a frenzied global scramble for vaccine supplies. Some of the most advanced Covid-19 vaccine candidates - including from AstraZeneca Plc in partnership with Oxford University, and China's Sinovac Biotech Ltd - are undergoing large clinical trials in Brazil, which has more than 2.7 million reported cases and almost 95,000 deaths, second only to the United States. Researchers can get results faster by testing vaccines where active virus spread is rampant. As part of their agreements with Brazilian authorities, AstraZeneca and Sinovac have promised the federal government and the Sao Paulo state government, respectively, tens of millions of doses of their potential vaccines. They also pledged to transfer technology so Brazil can eventually produce them domestically at leading biomedical institutes Fiocruz, in Rio de Janeiro, and Butantan, in Sao Paulo. The institutes say production of new vaccines will begin by the middle of 2021. Brazil's federal government has said it will invest 1.9 billion reais ($355 million) to process and produce the AstraZeneca vaccine. But three experts told Reuters money alone would not be enough, saying it could take between two and 10 years for Brazil to produce Covid-19 vaccines, due to the difficulty of transferring technology and years of under-investment in the two production facilities. "It's impossible," Jose Gomes Temporao, a former Brazilian health minister, said of the 2021 goal. "This takes a long time. Maybe they can accelerate a bit, but not that much." A former head of federal health regulator Anvisa, who asked not to be named to avoid professional conflicts, also doubted Brazil could become self sufficient in a timely manner. "A tech transfer process lasts five to 10 years, on average. When Brazil has the complete technology, a Covid-19 vaccine will probably not be necessary anymore," the ex-Anvisa head said, adding that Brazil is likely to have to purchase vaccines rather than produce them domestically, for the foreseeable future. Brazil's Health Ministry said such predictions are premature and will depend on vaccine trial results. But officials have admitted the announced timeline may be hard to attain. "Although it seems remote, there is a possibility of delay in the development of the vaccine," Elcio Franco, Brazil's No.2 public health official, told reporters on Monday. Sao Paulo's state government, Fiocruz, Butantan, AstraZeneca and Sinovac did not respond to requests for comment. EXPENSIVE GAMBLE Brazil's state and federal governments are discussing additional late-stage coronavirus vaccine trials with U.S. drugmaker Pfizer Inc, China's Sinopharm Group and Russian diplomats. But they quickly made big bets on the first two candidates to start testing in the country from AstraZeneca and Sinovac. The Sinovac deal obliges Butantan to invest 85 million reais ($16 million) to conduct trials of the Chinese vaccine. In exchange, the Sao Paulo government, which runs Butantan, will get enough doses to vaccinate 60 million people. The federal government's memorandum of understanding with AstraZeneca requires it to buy 30 million doses of its still-unproven vaccine at a cost of $97 million, even if it fails in pivotal trials. The deal gives Brazil priority to buy 70 million more doses if the vaccine works. As part of that deal, Brazil pledged to invest 1.9 billion reais to produce the vaccine. About 1.3 billion will go toward technology transfer, and 95 million reais for updating Fiocruz facilities. The rest will be spent on processing the vaccine. The former Anvisa chief questioned Brazil's big bet. "I really think these agreements are too risky vis-a-vis the investment," said the source. "What will happen if the Phase III (trial) shows that these vaccines are not effective?" Brazil's government has hedged its bets by joining the World Health Organization's COVAX initiative, which intends to guarantee fast and equitable global access to Covid-19 vaccines, and aims to deliver 2 billion doses by the end of 2021. "The idea," said a Health Ministry source not authorized to speak publicly, "is not to put all our eggs in one basket." Also read: COVID-19: Novavax vaccine shows positive results in early-stage trial, shares up 10% Canada strikes deals for experimental vaccines; Greek PM warns over jump in cases; NYC to set up COVID-19 checkpoints. Spain has reported 1,772 new coronavirus infections, marking the biggest jump since a national lockdown was lifted in June and beating the previous days record rise. More than 18.55 million people around the world have been diagnosed with the new coronavirus as of Wednesday, up by more than 400,000 in just one day. More than 11.1 million have recovered, while about 700,000 have died. Amid fears of widespread coronavirus infections among voters, Sri Lankans will head to the polls on Wednesday to choose a new parliament in an election President Gotabaya Rajapaksas party is expected to win. Here are the latest updates: Wednesday, August 5 21:20 GMT US: Choctaw tribe hardest-hit by Mississippi coronavirus crisis When Sharon Taylor died of coronavirus, her family standing apart, wearing masks sang her favourite hymns at her graveside, next to a tiny headstone for her stillborn daughter, buried 26 years ago. Fresh flowers marked row after row of new graves. As confirmed coronavirus cases skyrocket in Mississippi, the states only federally recognised American Indian tribe has been devastated. COVID-19 has ripped through Choctaw families, many of whom live together in multigenerational homes. Almost 10 percent of the tribes roughly 11,000 members have tested positive for the virus. More than 75 have died. Read more here. Kristina Taylor, 18, cries as she holds a portrait of her late mother, Sharon Taylor, who never saw Kristina, the class valedictorian at Choctaw Central High School, graduate [Rogelio V Solis/AP Photo] 21:00 GMT Brazil death toll from COVID-19 rises to 97,256 Brazil has reported 57,152 new cases of coronavirus and 1,437 deaths from the disease caused by the virus in the past 24 hours, the health ministry has said. Brazil registered 2,859,073 cases of the virus since the pandemic began, while the official death toll from COVID-19 has risen to 97,256, according to ministry data, in the worlds worst coronavirus outbreak after the United States. 20:40 GMT US firms cut back dramatically on hiring in July Companies in the United States have drastically cut back on hiring workers last month, in yet another signal that the nations jobs market recovery is faltering as COVID-19 infections spike in parts of the country. The ADP National Employment Report showed private payrolls increased by a mere 167,000 jobs in July after jumping by 4.314 million in June and 3.3 million in May. That means the economy still has 13 million fewer jobs than it did in February, according to ADP before lockdowns swept the nation, throwing tens of millions of Americans out of work. Read more here. 20:30 GMT Florida tops 500,000 virus cases as testing resumes after storm Florida has surpassed 500,000 coronavirus cases as testing ramped up following a temporary shutdown of some sites because of Tropical Storm Isaias, state officials said. A long line of cars waited outside Hark Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens for a coronavirus testing site to reopen after being closed because of the storm. 20:15 GMT The Gambia imposes curfew as coronavirus cases surge The Gambia, mainland Africas smallest country, has imposed a three-week curfew after coronavirus cases surged over 60 percent in the last seven days to nearly 800. Authorities attributed the rise to people relaxing their guard on protective measures that had so far kept The Gambias case total the lowest in Africa. Testing has also increased in the country, where the number of deaths is 16. 20:00 GMT Former Colombian President Uribe tests positive for coronavirus Former Colombian President Alvaro Uribe has tested positive for the coronavirus, just one day after being placed under house arrest by the Andean countrys Supreme Court. The former president is not displaying symptoms, a member of Uribes team told Reuters. Colombia has reported almost 335,000 cases of coronavirus and 11,315 deaths. Uribe was placed under house arrest by the Supreme Court on Tuesday after it concluded there was potential for obstruction of justice to take place while a fraud and witness tampering case continues. Colombias former president Alvaro Uribe is not displaying symptoms [File: Luisa Gonzalez/Reuters] 19:45 GMT Virginia touts nations first contact tracing app Virginia has launched the first contact tracing app for the coronavirus in the US that uses new technology from Apple Inc and Alphabet Incs Google. The state is betting that the app, COVIDWISE, can help it catch new cases faster, though long delays in getting test results must be overcome in order for it to be effective. Phones with the app exchange Bluetooth signals to keep an anonymous list of close encounters. The app then allows people who catch the virus to notify those contacts without anyone revealing their identity. 19:30 GMT Italy threatens to ban Ryanair for virus rule-breaking Italys national civil aviation authority ENAC has threatened to suspend Ryanairs permit to fly in the country over alleged non-compliance with coronavirus safety rules, but the low-cost carrier denied flouting them. The authority accused the Irish airline of repeated violations of the COVID-19 health regulations currently in force and imposed by the Italian government to protect the health of passengers. Not only is the obligation to distance passengers not respected, but the conditions for making an exception to that rule are also being ignored, it said in a statement. 19:00 GMT Germany warns against travel to parts of Belgium following coronavirus surge Germanys Foreign Ministry has revised its travel guidance for Belgium, warning against all non-essential travel to the province of Antwerp because of the high incidence of the coronavirus epidemic in the region. In parallel, Germanys public health agency declared the region centred on Belgiums largest port and second city as a high-risk area, meaning returnees from there can be forced to enter 14 days of quarantine. Numbers of new infections and deaths have been rising since the end of July, especially in Antwerp province, where the number of new cases currently exceeds 50 cases per 100,000 inhabitants over seven days, the Foreign Ministry wrote. 18:45 GMT Trump, Biden face muted US political conventions amid coronavirus US President Donald Trump has proposed accepting the Republican Partys presidential nomination in a speech from the White House, prompting the countrys leading elected Democrat to accuse him of politicising the historic residence. Separately, his Democratic rival, former Vice President Joe Biden, will accept his partys nomination in a national address from his home state of Delaware rather than in Milwaukee as planned, party officials said. The coronavirus pandemic has led both political parties to downsize the traditional made-for-television affairs featuring often-raucous speeches in front of thousands of the party faithful. 18:30 GMT Moscow expands COVID-19 express tests to major airports Russia is expanding COVID-19 express tests to other major air hubs in Moscow after using them at the countrys busiest airport, Sheremetyevo, in the capital, the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) has said. The portable testing system, which fits in two small suitcases, gives results within an hour and is already being used by some Russian companies and at major events, the RDIF said. Moscow announced the resumption of some regular international flights on August 1 to Turkey, the UK and Tanzania, as the coronavirus crisis eases in Russia. The country has also been in talks with other countries to re-launch the flights. 18:15 GMT Frances daily COVID-19 cases highest since end-May Frances daily COVID-19 infections have reached the highest in more than two months, at 1,695, and the seven-day moving average stood above the 1,300 threshold for the first time since the end of April, when the country was still in lockdown. The 1,222 daily average of cases seen since the beginning of August is now almost three times higher than Junes 435 figure but still half Aprils 2,585, when the pandemic was in full swing. Frances main seaside resorts have made wearing masks in the streets mandatory and some have restricted access to the beaches in the wake of the uptick in new cases. 18:00 GMT Canary Islands to insure tourists who catch virus Spains Canary Islands has taken out insurance to cover costs visitors face if they become infected with the coronavirus, the archipelagos regional government said. Under a deal struck with the Spanish branch of French insurer AXA, any tourist who tests positive for COVID-19 during their stay will be eligible for free medical care, repatriation and additional accommodation for quarantine measures. 17:45 GMT Swedish economy plunges Swedens economy has shrunk 8.6 percent in the second quarter, even though the country never imposed strict coronavirus lockdowns seen elsewhere in Europe. According to Statistics Sweden, the downturn represents the largest drop since at least 1980, which is as far back as comparable statistics are available. 17:30 GMT Amsterdam enforces face masks in crowded places Amsterdam has made face masks compulsory in certain busy areas including the Dutch capitals Red Light district, as coronavirus infections showed a worrying spike. The new measures come as the number of infections doubled in a week in the country, where more than 55,000 people have now been infected and some 6,150 have died. 17:00 GMT North Dakota COVID-19 active cases surge North Dakota health officials have reported 124 new COVID-19 infections and one additional death. The updated report confirms 108 deaths from complications of the coronavirus since the pandemic began. 16:40 GMT Greek PM warns over jump in COVID-19 cases Greeks must stick to rules aimed at containing the coronavirus more closely than ever, the countrys prime minister has said, warning of new restrictions if a worrying rise in daily cases does not abate. Greece reported 124 new cases, part of a surge of what appears to be mainly domestic infections. Strict adherence to the rules is demanded even more at this crucial turn, to prevent a new significant rise in cases in August and the adoption of possible new restrictive measures which will hurt the economy and society, Kyriakos Mitsotakis said. Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis described the registered rise in infections, three months after restrictions were eased, as worrying [File: Reuters] 16:25 GMT Virus kills leading Brazil indigenous chief Aritana One of Brazils leading indigenous chiefs, Aritana Yawalapiti, has died of respiratory complications caused by COVID-19, his family said. Aritana, 71, a chief of the Yawalapiti people in the Amazon, was known for fighting to protect the worlds biggest rainforest and the rights of the indigenous peoples who live there. He was a great advocate in the struggle to preserve and perpetuate his peoples culture for future generations and a tireless activist against the effects of deforestation, his family said in a statement. Aritana, 71, a chief of the Yawalapiti people in the Amazon, was known for fighting to protect the worlds biggest rainforest [File: Ueslei Marcelino/ Reuters] 16:15 GMT Chicago says students will stay home Chicago will teach online only when school resumes in September, the mayor has said. The teachers union and many parents in Chicago had objected to a plan to allow students the option of attending class in pods of 15 pupils twice a week. Local media reported that the Chicago Teachers Union had called for a strike vote over the issue. In a perfect world, students would be in classrooms more, not less. But unfortunately, that is not where we find ourselves today, Chicago schools chief Janice Jackson said at a news conference. Chicago is the third-largest school district in the United States behind New York and Los Angeles, with 350,000 students. 16:10 GMT Switzerland adds Spain to coronavirus quarantine list Travellers returning to Switzerland from mainland Spain will be required to quarantine themselves, the health ministry has said, adding to a list of countries seen as having heightened risk of COVID-19 transmission. As well as Spain, one of the countries hardest hit by the coronavirus pandemic with more than 28,000 deaths, the Swiss health ministry also added Singapore and Romania. 15:55 GMT Turkey announces new measures to curb COVID-19 rise Turkeys interior ministry has announced new measures to curb the spread of COVID-19 as daily confirmed cases have peaked back above 1,000. In a circular, the interior ministry said its units would conduct one-on-one monitoring for people who have been required to self-quarantine, especially in the first seven days of isolation. The ministry warned it would not accept any violations of measures to wear masks and maintain social distancing at gatherings such as weddings or circumcision ceremonies. 15:40 GMT Arsenal to sack 55 staff as COVID-19 hits revenues Less than a week after winning the FA Cup to secure their place in next seasons Europa League and as they negotiate a multimillion-pound contract extension with striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Arsenal have announced plans to layoff 55 staff. The club said that the cuts were the result of the financial impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. The announcement sparked an immediate social media backlash from fans contrasting the huge sums involved with keeping key players to the lost jobs of staff at the north London outfit. An update from your club. Arsenal (@Arsenal) August 5, 2020 15:25 GMT New York City erects quarantine checkpoints to curb coronavirus New York City will put up COVID-19 quarantine checkpoints at key entry points to ensure that travellers from 35 states on New York states travel advisory comply with the states 14-day quarantine mandate, Mayor Bill de Blasio has said. Travelers coming in from those states will be given information about the quarantine and will be reminded that it is required, not optional, de Blasio told a news briefing. He added that, under certain circumstances, fines for not observing the quarantine order could be as high as $10,000. 14:35 GMT Canada signs deals for experimental COVID-19 vaccines Canada has signed separate deals with Pfizer Inc and Moderna Inc to supply millions of doses of their experimental coronavirus vaccines, a top official said. Procurement Minister Anita Anand also told a news conference that Ottawa was negotiating with other potential domestic and international vaccine suppliers but did not give details. There are no approved vaccines for COVID-19, the illness caused by the new coronavirus, but 19 vaccines are being tested in humans around the world. 14:20 GMT Oman to lift internal travel restrictions, reduce curfew Oman will on Saturday lift a domestic ban on travel between provinces, imposed on July 25 to prevent the spread of the coronavirus during the Muslim Eid al-Adha holiday, the state news agency ONA has said. From Saturday it will also reduce its curfew for a week to between 9 pm and 5 am (1700-0100 GMT), instead of 7 pm to 6 am (1500 to 0200 GMT). A full lockdown of the Dhofar province in the south will be maintained until further notice. Oman, a country of 4.7 million people, has recorded almost 80,000 coronavirus infections and 421 deaths. 14:15 GMT Hello, this is Elizabeth Melimopoulos taking over the live updates from my colleague Hamza Mohamed in Doha. 12:45 GMT Scotland shuts pubs in Aberdeen to tackle virus outbreak Scotland imposed new restrictions on the northeastern city of Aberdeen to tackle an outbreak of COVID-19 cases, ordering pubs to close and visitors to stay away. We are at a stage of this pandemic where extreme caution is necessary, and also in my view, sensible, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said at a news conference. 12:25 GMT Trump says he may suspend payroll tax US President Donald Trump said he may suspend the payroll tax himself as part of his administrations efforts to help the economy after the coronavirus shutdown when the idea faced opposition in Congress in talks on the next relief bill. Well I may do it myself, Trump said in an interview with Fox News. I have the right to suspend it, and I may do it myself I have the absolute right to suspend the payroll, he added. 12:05 GMT German-Chinese coronavirus vaccine trial begins in China Clinical trials on humans have begun in China for a potential coronavirus vaccine developed by German pharmaceutical group BioNTech with Chinese company Fosun Pharma, the companies said. Seventy-two participants have already received their first dose following approval for the phase one trial from Chinese regulatory authorities, BioNTech and Fosun Pharma said in a statement. The vaccine candidate, known as BNT162b1, is one of four based on BioNTechs proprietary mRNA technology. More than 200 candidate vaccines are currently being developed with roughly two dozen at the stage of clinical trials with human volunteers [File: Dado Ruvic/Reuters] Another, BNT162b2, is being evaluated in a global phase three trial conducted by BioNTech and US giant Pfizer which started on July 27. The phase one trial in China involves 144 participants who will receive two doses 21 days apart. Those aged 18-55 will be the first to take part, followed by older people. 11:45 GMT Vietnam confirms 41 new infections Vietnams health ministry on Wednesday reported an additional 41 new COVID-19 cases, bringing the countrys total to 713 infections, including eight deaths. Forty of the new cases are linked to Danang, the new coronavirus epicentre where Vietnam on July 25 detected its first locally transmitted infections in more than three months. There were two other cases reported earlier in the day. There have been 264 cases since the virus resurfaced in Danang, which include all eight of the countrys COVID-19 deaths. Infections have since been found in at least 10 locations in Vietnam. Last month, Vietnam detected its first locally transmitted infections in more than three months [Hoang Khanh/AFP] 11:15 GMT One-third of Afghans estimated to have contracted virus: Govt Nearly a third of Afghanistans population or 10 million people has been infected with the coronavirus, according to health ministry estimates published on Wednesday. The figure comes from a survey based on antibody tests on nearly 9,500 people across the country, with technical support from the World Health Organization, Health Minister Ahmad Jawad Osmani said at a press briefing. The virus entered Afghanistan in February as thousands of migrants returned from neighbouring Iran, which at the time was the regions worst-hit nation [Mohammad Ismail/Reuters] The survey estimated that 31.5 percent of the population had contracted the virus, with the highest infection rate in Kabul where more than half of the citys five million population were thought to have been infected. But the country of about 32 million people has a limited testing capacity and has officially declared just 36,000 cases and more than 1,200 deaths. A second wave of the infection is happening everywhere in the world and we cannot be an exception. We will use the findings of this survey to better prepare ourselves for a possible second wave, Osmani said. 10:30 GMT Hong Kong reports 85 cases as authorities battle third wave Hong Kong reported 85 new coronavirus cases on Wednesday, including three locally transmitted ones, as authorities battle to control a third wave of the outbreak which has seen a resurgence in infections over the past month. Since late January, about 3,700 people have been infected in Hong Kong, 42 of whom have died. Wednesdays figure was up marginally from Tuesdays 80 cases [Kin Cheung/AP] 10:00 GMT Indonesia reports more than 1,800 new cases, 64 new deaths Indonesia recorded 1,815 new coronavirus infections on Wednesday, bringing the total number of cases in the Southeast Asian country to 116,871, data by the countrys health ministry showed. There were 64 additional deaths, taking the overall number of fatalities to 5,452, the data showed. 09:45 GMT Russias coronavirus cases surpass 865,000 Russia reported 5,204 new cases of the novel coronavirus on Wednesday, bringing its nationwide tally to 866,627, the fourth-largest caseload in the world. Russias coronavirus task force said 139 people had died over the last 24 hours, pushing the official death toll to 14,490. Only the US, Brazil and India have reported more cases than Russia [File: Dmitri Lovetsky/AP] 09:25 GMT Hundreds of Peru women, girls went missing during lockdown Hundreds of women and girls have gone missing and are feared dead in Peru since a lockdown was imposed to curb the spread of the new coronavirus. From March 16 through June 30, 606 girls and 309 women were reported missing, according to authorities. Last week, Perus womens ministry said 1,200 women and girls had been reported missing during the pandemic a higher figure that included the month of July. Read more here. 09:15 GMT Philippines reports more than 3,400 new cases The Philippine health ministry reported 3,462 new coronavirus infections and nine additional deaths. In a bulletin, the ministry said total infections had risen to 115,980, putting the tally just behind Indonesias 116,871 cases, which is the highest in East Asia. Coronavirus deaths in the Philippines have reached 2,123. 08:45 GMT Coronavirus infects 24,000 South African health workers Some 24,000 health workers in South Africa have contracted the coronavirus, 181 of whom have died, since the pandemic hit the country in March, the health minister announced on Wednesday. South Africa is the hardest-hit country in Africa, with at least 521,318 infections diagnosed so far, accounting for more than half of the continents cases. Health Minister Zweli Mkwize told a news conference that the numbers of health workers who tested positive for coronavirus stood at 24,104, including 181 deaths. The numbers of infected healthcare workers translate to about 5 percent of South Africas total caseload [Siphiwe Sibeko/Reuters] 08:05 GMT Gargling solution flies off Japans shelves after governor touts anti-virus effect Japanese drugstores were stripped bare of gargling solution by Wednesday, a day after the governor of the western prefecture of Osaka suggested it could help fight coronavirus, triggering panic buying reminiscent of the early days of mask shortage. Hundreds of thousands of people posted pictures of emptied shelves on Twitter, accompanied by handwritten Out of Stock notices, as they canvassed suggestions on how to acquire the coveted antiseptic. On Tuesday, Osaka Governor Hirofumi Yoshimura said a study showed a smaller viral load in the saliva of 41 patients with mild symptoms after regular gargling with a medicine infused with a povidone-iodine solution than in those who had not. Banners notifying sold out of gargling medicine displayed at empty shelves at a drugstore in Tokyo [Issei Kato/Reuters] 07:10 GMT Indonesias virus-hit economy contracts for first time in 20 years Indonesias economy contracted in the second quarter for the first time in more than 20 years as it was slammed by coronavirus restrictions, with warnings that the recovery could be among the weakest in Southeast Asia. Output in the regions biggest economy slumped 5.3 percent on-year in April-June, the statistics agency said. Economic activity in Indonesia collapsed in the second quarter, research house Capital Economics said in a note after the figures were published. Indonesia has announced a stimulus package worth more than $48bn to help offset the impact of the virus [Reuters] 06:35 GMT Ukraine reports record daily new coronavirus cases Ukraine reported a record daily high of 1,271 new coronavirus cases on August 4, the countrys council of security and defence said on Wednesday. The number of new infections has increased sharply in the past two months following the gradual lifting of restrictions that began in late May. The total number of cases are 75,490, including 1,788 deaths and 41,527 recovered as of August 5 [Reuters] The total number of cases rose to 75,490, including 1,788 deaths and 41,527 recovered as of August 5. 05:50 GMT Czechs record biggest daily jump in cases since June end The Czech Republic reported on Wednesday its biggest daily jump in new coronavirus cases since the end of June as a recent uptick in infections stays elevated. The central European country of 10.7 million recorded 290 new cases on Tuesday, Health Ministry data showed, bringing the total number of cases detected to 17,286. Of those, 11,812 have recovered and 383 have died of the COVID-19 illness. 05:30 GMT Hello, this is Hamza Mohamed in Doha taking over from my colleague Ted Regencia in Kuala Lumpur. 04:50 Global coronavirus deaths exceed 700,000, one person dies every 15 seconds on average The global death toll from COVID-19 surpassed 700,000 on Wednesday, according to the Johns Hopkins University and Reuters tallies, with the United States, Brazil, India and Mexico leading the rise in fatalities. Nearly 5,900 people are dying every 24 hours from COVID-19 on average, according to Reuters calculations based on data from the past two weeks. That equates to 247 people per hour, or one person every 15 seconds. The United States and Latin America have been the epicentres of the pandemic and both are struggling to curb the spread of the virus. 03:45 GMT Latin America now has worlds highest death toll Latin America has surpassed Europe to become the region with the highest coronavirus death toll worldwide, according to a Reuters tally. The region has now recorded more than 206,000 deaths, approximately 30 percent of the global total. Brazil, the Latin American country most affected by the novel coronavirus, has now recorded a total of 95,819 deaths as of Tuesday. Mexico, the second-most affected country in the region, has recorded 48,869 deaths. The spread of the pandemic has also accelerated in Colombia, Peru, Argentina and Bolivia. 03:38 GMT US health chief to visit Taiwan US Secretary of Health and Human Services Alex Azar will visit Taiwan in coming days, making the highest level visit by a US official in 40 years in a move likely to anger China which claims the island as its own. Taiwan has been a model of transparency and cooperation in global health during the COVID-19 pandemic and long before it, Azar said in a statement. I look forward to conveying President Trumps support for Taiwans global health leadership and underscoring our shared belief that free and democratic societies are the best model for protecting and promoting health. 03:09 GMT Australias Victoria reports deadliest day of pandemic Australias second-most populous state of Victoria has reported its deadliest day of the coronavirus outbreak with 15 deaths in the last 24 hours and a record daily rise in infections. The state reported 725 new cases compared with 439 a day earlier. It recorded its previous one-day high of 723 cases and 13 deaths last week. 02:08 GMT US govt urged to let other firms make remdesivir A bipartisan group of state attorneys general has urged the US government to allow other companies to make Gilead Sciences COVID-19 treatment, remdesivir, to increase its availability and lower the price of the antiviral drug. The coalition of more than 30 state attorneys general called on the government to act or allow states to do so, saying in a letter to US health agencies that Gilead has not established a reasonable price for remdesivir. Gilead should not profit from the pandemic and it should be pushed to do more to help more people, the letter said. The drugmaker is charging most US patients $3,120 per course, or $520 per vial of remdesivir. Gilead said in a statement that the AGs were misrepresenting facts about access to remdesivir and that the regulatory actions proposed are unauthorised under these circumstances and would do nothing to speed up access. The medicine is one of only two that have demonstrated an ability to help hospitalized COVID-19 patients in formal clinical trials. 01:39 GMT Australias Queensland shuts state border Australias Queensland state will close its border with New South Wales (NSW) state to hold back a second wave of COVID-19 infections. A surge in coronavirus cases in Melbourne, the countrys second-largest city, has forced the state of Victoria to impose a night curfew, tighten restrictions on peoples movements and order most businesses to stop trading from Wednesday night. Other states are imposing new restrictions of their own to prevent any spillover from Victoria and Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk, who has already shut her northeastern states border to Victorians, said travellers from NSW and the capital Canberra also would be barred from Saturday. We have seen that Victoria is not getting better, and were not going to wait for New South Wales to get worse. We need to act, Palaszczuk said at a news conference in Brisbane. 00:45 GMT US fraud losses near $100m US losses from coronavirus-related fraud and identity theft have reached nearly $100m since the pandemic emerged in March, while complaints of COVID-19 scams have at least doubled in most states, a consumer protection group has said. A report from the Socialcatfish.com, based on government data, highlighted the vast scope of a fast-growing criminal cottage industry from phoney stimulus-check offers to shopping scams and fake cures preying on people already distressed by the pandemic and its economic fallout. Perhaps not surprisingly, the study found California, Florida, New York, Texas and Pennsylvania the most populous of the 50 US states to be the five most targeted by coronavirus scams in the country. Together, they accounted for about a third of more than 150,000 instances of COVID-related fraud reported nationally by the Federal Trade Commission from mid-March, when the World Health Organization declared a global pandemic, through July, the report published on Tuesday showed. Hello and welcome to Al Jazeeras continuing coverage of the coronavirus pandemic. Im Zaheena Rasheed in Male, Maldives. For all the key coronavirus-related developments from yesterday, August 4, click here. The Electoral Commission (EC) said yesterday, it has exceeded its registration target of 15 million Ghanaians onto the new voters register for the 2020 general elections. Speaking at the seventh edition of the EC's weekly 'Let the Citizen Know' encounter with the press in Accra yesterday, a Deputy Chairperson at the Commission in charge of Corporate Affairs, Dr Bossman Eric Asare, stated that, as of July 30, a total of 15,117,436 applicants had been registered. He indicated that four out of the 16 regions, Greater Accra, Ashanti, Eastern and Central have accounted for more than 50 per cent of the total registered applicants as of July 30. According to Dr Bossman Asare, the current provisional figures indicated that out of the 15,117,436 registered applicants in the 16 regions, the Greater Accra Region has registered 3,225,508, with Ashanti Region having registered 2,700,805. The Eastern Region has recorded 1,444,274 of the total registered voters, while Central Region has registered 1,404,018 people. In the Western, Northern, and Volta regions, a total of 974,293, 922,395, and 852,277 voters have been rolled onto the new register in the respective regions. Also, 590,185 applicants have been registered in the Bono Region, 569,563 in the North East Region, and 520,208 in the Bono East Regions respectively. In the Western North Region, the Commission has registered 406,062 prospective voters, 404,711 in the Upper East and 316,458 in the Oti Region. Additionally, the Commission has enrolled 282,308 applicants in the Ahafo Region onto the new voters register, and put 253,339 applicants onto the roll in the North East Region. The remaining 251,043 registered applicants were enrolled onto the new electoral roll in the Savannah region as of July 30, 2020. Meanwhile, the Chairperson of the Commission, Mrs Jean Adukwei Mensa indicated that the EC would ensure that the compilation of the new voters register was "credible and clean" by deleting the names of all foreigners who participated in the registration process. "Our desire is to have a credible and clean register and as Commission we'll make sure that, we have all the avenues and mechanisms in place to ensure that, we have a clean and credible register," she said. "A register that reflects Ghanaians only, a register that reflects persons who are eligible only, and so, we would ensure that no one who is not qualified has his or her name on the register," she added. Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Ghana Governance By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later. Speaking at the same programme, Mrs Mensa said that the Commission was committed to the course, adding that those who must determine who leads the country must be Ghanaians. "I believe that if we go to our neighbouring countries, we would not have the opportunity to register there and be on their roll; those who must determine who leads this country must be Ghanaians," she stated. The Electoral Commissioner has also urged all stakeholders and citizens of the country to assist in alerting the Commission so as to expunge their names from the electoral roll. "The onus is on us to be vigilant and we are asking Ghanaians, when you go to the registration centres in the next few days and you see people who are not citizens, draw our attention to it so that we can take the necessary action," she said. The Commission has also mentioned that despite today August 4 being Founders' Day, a public holiday, it would continue with the registration exercise which would end on Thursday, August 6. The health authorities in Switzerland have added Spain to the list of countries from which people arriving must enter a 10-day quarantine period to help curb the spread of coronavirus. Exemptions have, however, been made for the Balearic and Canary Islands. Patrick Mathys, head of crisis management for the federal public health office, told a briefing in Bern on Wednesday that the measure will take effect from Saturday. Advertisement A young woman has spoken about the moment she realised a monster saltwater crocodile was stalking her and her boyfriend. Northern Territory woman Kalais Minnis was fishing with her partner Luc at Shady Camp, east of Darwin, in June when they spotted the massive four metre crocodile on the shore. Ms Minnis told Daily Mail Australia she only noticed the crocodile following them when it got close to their small boat and said it was big enough to have taken both her and her boyfriend clean out. Northern Territory woman Kalais Minnis has spoken about the moment a four metre long saltwater crocodile (pictured) stalked her and her partner while they were in a tiny boat Ms Minnis said she only noticed the crocodile following them when it started to get close to their small boat, she said the reptile was big enough to have take her and her boyfriend Luc (pictured together) After taking a short clip of the saltwater crocodile sliding back into the water and thinking nothing of it the couple continued down the river. Shortly after leaving the area Ms Minnis looked back to see the monster crocodile, which was almost as big as their boat, coming up alongside them. 'We looked back to see the other crocs and saw him slowly following us so we kind of sent it because he could have eaten my partner and I both if he wanted to,' she said. Ms Minnis described the saltwater crocodile as 'monstrous' because of his massive girth. 'He was a big boy,' she said. Despite the terrifying encounter the pair are looking back on the incident with some excitement. 'It was definitely an amazing experience to see one that large in the wild because we have only ever seen them in movies or other articles,' Ms Minnis said. Nairobi Qatar Airways has resumed 14 weekly flights to Kenya's capital Nairobi. A statement from the airline said the flights resumed on August 3. The airline said it remained one of the largest carriers during the pandemic, with a steady schedule that never dropped below 30 destinations. Qatar connects many passengers seamlessly via its award-winning home and hub, Hamad International Airport (HIA) to key destinations via its rapidly expanding network including Europe, Americas, Asia and Pacific via Doha. Qatar began scheduled services from Nairobi on 17 November 2005 and Mombasa on 11 December 2018. It recently resumed flights to key destinations in Africa including Addis Ababa, Dar es Salaam, Djibouti, Kilimanjaro, Zanzibar and Tunis. "We are delighted to resume flights to Nairobi, totalling our flights to 33 weekly flights to Africa with eight destinations," said Bennet Stephens, Qatar Airways Acting Vice-President, Middle East, Africa & Pakistan. He said Qatar Airways continues to maintain an expanding schedule with now more than 500 weekly flights to over 75 destinations. Even during the pandemic, he said, Qatar Airways was the largest global carrier to maintain its schedule in taking people home with the highest safety measures. "Our wide network of flights during these challenging times has ensured we have kept up to date with the latest in international airport procedures. We also implemented the most advanced safety & hygiene measures onboard our aircraft and in our home and hub at Hamad International Airport which was recently voted the Best Airport in the Middle East for the sixth year in a row," he said. During COVID-19 pandemic, Qatar Airways Cargo continued operating its scheduled twice-weekly with A330 freighters and four times weekly with Boeing 777 freighters to Nairobi along with freight charters. These flights provided much-required capacity, supporting exporters and importers and bringing in essential medical supplies. With the resumption of passenger flights to Nairobi, the cargo carrier will operate 20 flights in total, offering more than 700 tonnes of cargo capacity each week, each way. The airline said it has also enhanced its onboard safety measures for passengers and cabin crew by introducing Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for cabin crew which includes gloves, face masks, safety glasses and a new protective gown that is fitted over their uniforms. "A modified service that reduces interactions between passengers and the crew inflight has also been introduced," the airline said. With the new measures, onboard, all Qatar Airways passengers are now provided with a complimentary protective kit. Inside a ziplock pouch they will find a single-use surgical face mask, large disposable powder-free gloves and an alcohol-based hand sanitiser gel. Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Kenya Transport Coronavirus By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later. The airline has also introduced disposable face shields for adults and children. Passengers traveling from Hamad International Airport (HIA) will receive their face shields at the check-in counters, whereas at other destinations, the face shields will be distributed at the boarding gates. And to ensure travelers can plan their travel with peace of mind, the airline has extended its booking policies to offer even more choice to its passengers. The airline will allow unlimited date changes, and passengers can change their destination as often as they need if it is within 5,000 miles of the original destination. The airline will not charge any fare differences for travel completed before 31 December 2020, after which fare rules will apply. All tickets booked for travel up to 31 December 2020 will be valid for two years from the date of issuance. The Israeli Defense Forces said the Jewish state offered humanitarian and medical assistance to Lebanon after the deadly Beirut port blast, adding that it was time to transcend conflict between the two neighbors. "Israel has offered to send humanitarian and medical assistance to Lebanon via security and international channels," IDF said. "This is the time to transcend conflict." Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu instructed the head of the Jewish states National Security Council Meir Ben Shabat to discuss ways of sending aid to Beirut with UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process Nickolay Mladenov. "Prime Minister Netanyahu gave the permission to render humanitarian and medical assistance to Lebanon. The minister tasked National Security Council head Meir Ben Shabat to speak with UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process Nickolay Mladenov and find out what else can Israel do to help Lebanon," the Israeli prime ministers office said in a statement. Israeli President Reuven Rivlin offered his condolences to the people of Lebanon and offered assistance to the country. "We share the pain of the Lebanese people and sincerely reach out to offer our aid at this difficult time," he wrote on Twitter. The Israeli Foreign Minsitry said earlier on Tuesday that at the direction of Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi and Defense Minister Benjamin Gantz, Israel has offered humanitarian medical assistance to the government of Lebanon via security and international channels. Israels Kan public radio station said Israel had also expressed readiness to receive people hurt in the blast for medical treatment. Kan said earlier in the day citing a source in Israels political system that Israel "had nothing to do with" the Beirut blast. A powerful blast rocked the Beirut port district on Tuesday, sending a shockwave that ripped through residential areas of the Lebanese capital. The shockwave destroyed and damaged dozens of buildings in the vicinity. The Lebanese Interior Ministry said the disaster was caused by detonation of more than 50 tonnes of ammonium nitrate, stored in the port since being confiscated from a ship nine years ago. Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-05 21:04:20|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi gives an exclusive interview to Xinhua on China-U.S. ties in Beijing, capital of China, Aug. 5, 2020. (Xinhua/Zhai Jianlan) BEIJING, Aug. 5 (Xinhua) -- China rejects any attempt to create a so-called "new Cold War," Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi said Wednesday. Some American politicians who are biased against and hostile to China are using their power to smear China with fabrications and impede normal ties with China under various pretexts, Wang told Xinhua in an exclusive interview. What they want is to revive McCarthyism in an attempt to undermine U.S. relations with China, stoke hostility between the two peoples, and erode trust between the two countries, Wang said. "Ultimately, they want to drag China and the United States into renewed conflict and confrontation and plunge the world into chaos and division again," he added. Noting China will not allow these people to get their way, Wang stressed that China rejects any attempt to create a so-called "new Cold War", because it contravenes the fundamental interests of the Chinese and American peoples and the global trend toward development and progress. Anyone who tries to start a so-called "new Cold War" in the 21st century will be on the wrong side of history and will only be remembered as the one who has upended international cooperation, Wang said. Today's China is not the former Soviet Union and China has no intention of becoming another United States, noted Wang. As the world's largest developing country and a permanent member of the UN Security Council, China will stay committed to peaceful development and to pursuing an opening-up strategy of mutual benefit, Wang stressed. "China will continue to promote global peace and development and uphold the international order," he added. Enditem Ottawa Food Bank and Rogers Step Up to the Plate to help 34,000 in Ottawa Rogers employees in Ottawa volunteered at the Ottawa Food Bank as part of the Step Up to the Plate initiative with Food Banks Canada. Through food hampers provided to local area food banks, the initiative will see more than 709,000 local meals for 34,000 people in need in Ottawa. The Rogers team was joined by The Honorable Mona Fortier, Minister of Middle Class Prosperity, and Associate Minister of Finance. Rogers employees in Ottawa volunteered at the Ottawa Food Bank as part of the Step Up to the Plate initiative with Food Banks Canada. Through food hampers provided to local area food banks, the initiative will see more than 709,000 local meals for 34,000 people in need in Ottawa. The Rogers team was joined by The Honorable Mona Fortier, Minister of Middle Class Prosperity, and Associate Minister of Finance. Ottawa food hampers will provide 709,000 local meals to support increased demand at food banks Rogers employees in Ottawa volunteer to help organize, fill and distribute hampers OTTAWA, Aug. 05, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Stepping up to help address food insecurity facing many Canadian families, Rogers Communications Step Up to the Plate initiative with Food Banks Canada has arrived in Ottawa, delivering food hampers that will provide more than 709,000 meals in hampers for local food banks. These hampers will help fill the plates of 34,000 across Ottawa. The Step Up to the Plate initiative started in June at Rogers Centre in Toronto, with Rogers employee volunteers and their families filling food hampers with non-perishable food items that provide an individual with a weeks worth of meals. Now, trucks loaded with hampers and pallets of food are on the move, destined for communities across Canada, where an unprecedented 8 million meals will be provided to Canadians when the initiative is completed this summer. On arrival in Ottawa, local Rogers employee volunteers, including the mobile retail Pro On-the-Go team, are working with the Ottawa Food Bank to organize and continue stuffing thousands of food hampers for distribution to local food banks to help those who need it most. Ottawa is where we live, where we work, and where we raise our families. Its our responsibility to step up locally and today thats through food donations and volunteer time, said Heidi Bonnell, President of National Capital Region and Vice-President, Federal Government Affairs, Rogers Communications. Rogers has a long legacy of supporting our communities and giving back. This is our 60th year as a company certainly a year like no other and we are here to roll up our sleeves and get to work so we can come through this together. Story continues As the country begins to reopen, the economic impact of the pandemic continues to be significant, affecting food insecurity and demand at food banks. According to Food Banks Canada, which supports over 3,000 food banks and community agencies from coast-to-coast-to-coast - including Ottawa Food Bank many local food banks have been severely impacted by COVID-19, from decreased volunteers and donations to having to adapt their operations, making it more challenging to meet their clients needs. Congratulations to Rogers on celebrating their 60th anniversary, says Michael Maidment, CEO, Ottawa Food Bank. We are thrilled that Rogers has chosen to honour this milestone by giving back to communities across the country, including Ottawa. This will go a long way to help our member agency food programs and neighbours. We are in an unprecedented time when helping one another is needed now more than ever. With that in mind, we are grateful that Rogers has stepped up to the plate. When vulnerable Canadians are most in need, food banks, community organizations, and our government are here to support them. We will continue to support Canadians facing social, economic, and health challenges through the COVID-19 pandemic, said The Honorable Mona Fortier, Minister of Middle Class Prosperity, and Associate Minister of Finance. We welcome todays announcement, and applaud the thousands of volunteers and partner organizations from across the country who have come together to Step Up to the Plate. Step Up to the Plate is part of The 60 Project, a year-long initiative to mark Rogers 60th anniversary by giving back and building a stronger Canada from donations of time, money and fundraising support, to investing in Canada and the networks that keep our customers connected. We are bringing this commitment to life by partnering with community organizations like Food Banks Canada, Womens Shelters Canada, Big Brothers Big Sisters, and Pflag; investing in a 100% Canadian-based Customer Service team and in our networks to help Canadas economy thrive and grow; and connecting the next generation to education and the support they need to build a bright future. The 60 Project is about making hope possible, right here, in the Canadian communities we call home. And with Step Up to the Plate and other initiatives this year, our Rogers family all 25,000 strong, including here in Ottawa will come together to give back an unprecedented 60,000 volunteer hours. With action, we will stand together with those who need us most, to ensure that all Canadians have an opportunity to move forward to discover a new normal that is better than the one that came before. About Rogers Rogers is a proud Canadian company dedicated to making more possible for Canadians each and every day. Our founder, Ted Rogers, purchased his first radio station, CHFI, in 1960. We have grown to become a leading technology and media company that strives to provide the very best in wireless, residential, sports, and media to Canadians and Canadian businesses. Our shares are publicly traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX: RCI.A and RCI.B) and on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: RCI). If you want to find out more about us, visit about.rogers.com. About Food Banks Canada Food Banks Canada provides national leadership to relieve hunger today and prevent hunger tomorrow in collaboration with the food bank network from coast-to-coast-to-coast. For 40 years, food banks have been dedicated to helping Canadians living with food insecurity. Over 3,000 food banks and community agencies come together to serve our most vulnerable neighbours who last year made 1.1 million visits to these organizations in one month alone, according to our HungerCount report. Over the past 10 years, as a system weve sourced and shared over 1.4 billion pounds of food and Food Banks Canada shared nearly $70 million in funding to help maximize collective impact and strengthen local capacity while advocating for reducing the need for food banks. Our vision is clear: create a Canada where no one goes hungry. Visit www.foodbankscanada.ca to learn more. For more information: Rogers media@rci.rogers.com , 647-747-5118 Ottawa Food Bank foodbank@ottawafoodbank.ca, 613-745-7001 A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/2fc2ede4-75d4-4d20-a329-c21ab195c2ff A math teacher from Texas has been charged with having sex with a 15-year-old male student at her school nearly two years ago. Hailey Pardy, 25, was arrested last week after being indicted by a grand jury on a felony count of improper relationship between educator and student. According to court documents cited by Austin American-Statesman, Pardy, then aged 23, had sex with the Bastrop High School student on December 1, 2018, less than a year after she was hired by the local school district. Hailey Pardy (left and right) has been charged with a felony count of improper relationship between educator and student. She is accused of having sex with a 15-year-old student in 2018 School officials received an anonymous tip about the alleged tryst between the math teacher and the underage boy in August 2019 and immediately placed Pardy on administrative leave. Three months later, the Bastrop school board voted unanimously to fire Pardy. 'The action of this teacher does not represent the more than 1,300 caring, dedicated and talented educators who make up Bastrop ISD,' district spokesperson Kristi Lee said in a statement. Pardy was suspended from work last August and then fired in November 'The foundation of the teacher-student relationship is one of trust, and when that trust is violated, it angers and saddens us. It goes against our very purpose, which is to teach children and provide them with opportunities to grow and be successful, Lee said. 'Bastrop ISD does not tolerate those who seek to violate that trust and to abuse their professional responsibility.' According to an item in the Shiner Gazette, a local publication, Pardy graduated alongside her sister from Texas State University in San Marcos in May 2018 with a Bachelor's degree in mathematics and won an academic award. She was hired by the Bastrop Independent School District in August 2018, drawing an annual salary of more than $48,000. Pardy was released from the county jail over the weekend after posting $100,000 bail. If convicted of the second-degree charge against her, the 25-year-old woman could face up to 20 years in prison. The Director-General of National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Mallam Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi has said that the agency is working round the clock to leverage the advantages of 4th Industrial Revolution by developing compliant frameworks to the revolution. He said the effort was in reaction to several studies that have indicated that some jobs are vulnerable to automation in the next decade, meaning that institutions and organisations must be prepared to adapt to the rapid transformation and security risks triggered by digitization. Abdullahi at a recent International Conference on Information Technology in Education and Development (ITED 2020) organised by Academia in Information Technology Profession, Ahmadu Bello University Zaria, said that NITDA has positioned itself to balance the concerns and help companies in Nigeria take advantage of 4th industrial revolution. The DG, who was represented at the event, by Dr Usman Gambo Abdullahi Director IT Infrastructure Solutions, stated that in order to adapt to the Information Technology development in the 4th Industrial Revolution, the agency is developing new and updating regulatory frameworks, putting into consideration economic, environmental and social aspects in a way it serves and benefit the people. He assured that NITDA is quite aware of the concerns and will continue to establish adequate regulatory system for new business models and services, while allowing the economy and the society to benefit from innovative ideas. "One of our priorities as a regulatory agency is to strengthen the innovation capacity of the IT industry, which is why we have been deploying hubs and technology infrastructures in various parts of the Nation." Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Nigeria ICT By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later. "We provide assistance to SMEs, start-ups and researchers by funding projects in line with digital innovation." He emphasised that in order to better understand the FIR, it's of importance to focus on the technologies driving aspects, which are: Artificial Intelligence (AI), Block-chain, Virtual Reality (VR), Augmented Reality, Holographic storages, Nanotechnology, Robotics, Biotechnology, IOT and many others. "It is important to note that with the 4th Industrial Revolution presenting both immense opportunities and challenges, utmost cooperation is required to ensure it benefits our economic, social, cultural, and individual lives", said the DG. "This is the reason we are ensuring that all stakeholders from civil society, private and public sector are fully involved in the decision-making. We do engage stakeholders in our policy-making processes", he added. The sun sets on the above-flood-stage Schuykill as spectators on the Water Works watch the high, fast moving waters flow over the Schuylkill Dam Aug. 4, 2020 following a morning of heavy rain from Isaias. Read more It didnt take long for the regions second tropical storm in less than four weeks to pull the plugs on 600,000 utility customers, spawn at least two tornadoes, break a rainfall record, and set off a flood of water rescues and high drama. And Isaias effects could linger into early Wednesday with the potential for historic flood levels along the cresting Schuylkill. The river was expected to crest sometime after midnight and reach 15.4 feet. Gary Szatkowski, a meteorologist retired from the National Weather Service, tweeted that the crest would be the second highest on record. This would be the highest river level since 1869 ... over 150 years ago, he wrote. READ MORE: Vine Street Expressway, SEPTA Regional Rail shut down because of unsecured barge The worst of this event is yet to come, Adam Thiel, Philadelphias fire commissioner and director of its Office of Emergency Management, said Tuesday afternoon. In the hard-hit Eastwick section of Southwest Philadelphia, the Office of Emergency Management is urging residents to evacuate from their homes if there is more than a foot of flood water or their utilities are not working. The office and the Red Cross set up shop at a nearby Rite Aid store to help residents. Meteorologists say they were mildly surprised by the speed with which Isaias zipped through the region, and to be seeing the sun so quickly on Tuesday afternoon. But before that in some places, the downpours were ferocious almost like dam bursts from the skies. The rainfall totals read like they had walked out of a winter-storm summary. The six to eight inches in some of the northern and western suburbs were too much for some drainage systems and streams. A 5-year-old autistic Montgomery County girl who wandered outside at the height of the storm was reported missing, as was a Delaware County teenager. As the rain poured, stream levels rose astonishingly. For example, Chester Creek, which crested at 17 feet, double its flood stage, normally meanders at about 62 cubic feet per second. On Tuesday, it hit 7,650, well more than 100 times its normal flow. READ MORE: In South Jersey, panic mode as tornado came out of Strathmere and tore up Route 9 The Wissahickon Creek jumped out of its banks and into the headquarters of the nonprofit environmental group Wissahickon Trails. The driveway was just a waterfall, Gail Farmer, the groups director, said after she and others went to assess the damage from the water that rushed into the first floor, which has concrete flooring. Everything is covered in mud, Farmer said. Furniture. File cabinets. Anything that touched the floor. In addition to sloshing over in Philadelphia, the Schuylkill was forecast to reach major flood stage early Wednesday near Norristown. The storm knocked out service to SEPTAs Regional Rail and Norristown High-Speed lines for several hours. Philadelphias official total of 4.16 inches set a record for an Aug. 4, and incredibly, almost 30% of the citys precipitation since Jan. 1 has fallen on July 10, the day of storm Fay, and Tuesday. READ MORE: Philly received 25% of its total 2020 precipitation in just one very rainy week Only about a third of an inch was measured in Atlantic City, but the Shore more than compensated for any lack of rain with drama. Children at a day-care center near Ocean City had to take shelter against what almost certainly was a tornado. Winds near the Shore gusted to 75 mph, or hurricane force, and toppled the steeple of Central Ocean City Union Chapel. West of the Delaware River, the winds werent quite as extreme, but they werent gentle breezes either. Wilmington measured a gust of 59 mph, and the Philadelphia airport had one of 47. And strong winds, or perhaps a tornado, blew off the roof of Childrens Village, a day-care center for children of Doylestown Hospital workers. In the driving rain and wind, Jim Brexler, the hospitals chief executive officer, and some of his staff helped police officers and firefighters to herd 135 children and their teachers out of the area, escorting them into a nearby radiology building, where they rode out the storm in a basement. Likely working in tandem with the root-saturating rains, the winds took down trees, branches, and power lines. READ MORE: Most warnings are false alarms, but tornado watches get attention with good reason This is going to be a tough one, said Lauren Ugorji, a spokeswoman for Public Service Electric & Gas Co., which reported that more than 133,000 of its customers in South Jersey lost power. Customers should expect delays. While the Shore didnt have the saturating rain, it had the winds, and that bumped up the outage total for Atlantic City Electric, which reported that 190,000 of its 545,000 customers had lost power. We have pretty extensive damage to our local electrical distribution system, said Frank Tedesco, an Atlantic City Electric spokesperson. Peco Energy, which has more than 1.6 million customers in Philadelphia and Southeastern Pennsylvania, had more than 300,000 customers lose service at the storms peak, said Steven Singh, vice president of technical services. The outages were heaviest in Chester and Bucks Counties. Those also happened to be areas where the heaviest rainfall was reported, with totals up to eight inches, or more than two normal months worth of rain, and, yes, that would be one heck of a snowstorm. Thats the water equivalent of about seven feet of snow. To the west of the Shore, Isaias was interacting with a leftover weak front that was enhancing the rainfall, said Dave Dombek, a meteorologist with AccuWeather. That rain got an additional lift from the so-called fall line, a subtly elevated area where the land rises toward the mountains from Philadelphia on the west. Wind coming off the ocean tends to rise and wring out more rain when it is forced upward. I think that definitely played a role, said Dombek. As the storm cut through New Jersey, areas to the east of the center were on the drier but more-volatile side. Patrick OHara, a meteorologist at the National Weather Service office in Mount Holly, said the storm moved so quickly because it was riding upper-air steering winds that were unusually strong for this time of year. But despite its urgency to leave the area, Isaias was disruptive no matter what side of it you were on. At least one tornado was confirmed in Delaware. Delaware County officials responded to 250 emergency calls, most for water rescues. Montgomery County dispatched crews for 114 of them, and was still at it Tuesday night. The forecast does promise benign cleanup weather for Wednesday, with sunny skies and highs in the upper 80s. Then, shower chances return by Thursday and continue into Saturday. On the positive front, for now the heat has been routed. Not a single 90 is in the forecast from here to Tuesday. Staff writers Laura McCrystal, Ellie Rushing, Robert Moran, Andrew Maykuth, and Amy S. Rosenberg contributed to this article. Nearly 600 kg of red and pink roses, 240 kg gerbera and 300 kg carnations are also being brought in to adorn the venue of the bhumi pujan and also the adjoining temples. (Image: News18) SAGINAW, MI The aunt of a man killed by police earlier this year has filed a federal wrongful death lawsuit against the City of Saginaw and several of its police officers. Through attorney Jennifer G. Damico of Southfield-based Buckfire Law Firm, Mia Blaisdell on Monday, Aug. 3, filed her suit in U.S. District Court in Bay City. The suit names the City of Saginaw, Saginaw Police Chief Robert M. Ruth, Sgt. Nathanial Voelker, and officers Jordan Engelhart, Robert Adams, Kathryn Jeffers-Mercer, and Vincent Jackson as defendants. Mia Blaisdell is the aunt of Zane G. Blaisdell and the representative of his estate. Zane Blaisdell, 48, was shot and killed by Saginaw police officers who responded to a domestic violence call at Blaisdells East Side home on Feb. 9. Blaisdell stabbed K9 unit Deebo in his head and was fatally shot by officers Engelhart and Adams. Prosecutors ruled the shooting justified and declined to issue any criminal charges against the officers involved. In the suit, Mia Blaisdell alleges the officers acted in concert with each other to cause the wrongful death of (Zane Blaisdell) and then conspired to distort and conceal the actual facts and circumstances regarding his death. The suit goes on to state Zane Blaisdell was in the midst of a known mental health crisis when officers threatened he would get bit by K9 Deebo, only for Deebo to then bite Blaisdell on both of his hands and his right thigh. Zane Blaisdell tried defending himself from an agonizingly painful and terrifying police dog assault and battery inside of his own home after the imminent threat to any person, the Defendants, or the public in general, had been extinguished, the suit states. Zane Blaisdell suffered 12 gunshot wounds to his head, chest, neck, and shoulders, with the wounds indicating he was on the ground and on his back when he was shot, the suit alleges. Through the suit, the estate is seeking compensation for funeral, medical, and hospital expenses, and for the pain and suffering Blaisdell experienced between suffering his injuries and death. The estate is also seeking damages for the loss of continued love, society, companionship, comfort, affection, fellowship, aid and other assistance which Zane Blaisdells heirs-at-law and next-of-kin are respectfully entitled to and any other damages as may be fair and just. Case background The morning of Feb. 9, Zane Blaisdells neighbor called 911 to report a domestic disturbance at 626 Sheridan Ave., the home Blaisdell and his male partner had jointly owned since 1997. The neighbor told police Blaisdell and his partner identified as RK in the suit have had a history of domestic abuse and that the partner flicked their lights on and off as a distress code. The neighbor said he called 911 after seeing Blaisdell throwing objects out of a second-story window onto (his) trailer and driveway, heard yelling, and saw lights flicking on and off in the home, prosecutors have said. Blaisdell had been diagnosed with bipolar disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, and schizophrenia, the suit alleges. Officers knew of his diagnoses, having been called to his house on previous occasions, the suit states. Court records and the lawsuit concur that Blaisdell in 2010 was charged with a five-year felony of carrying a concealed weapon related to him impersonating a police officer, but his case was resolved when Blaisdell was declared not guilty by reason of insanity. Blaisdell had not seen his physician due to winter weather conditions and was either out of his prescribed medications or not taking them, the suit states. RK said Blaisdell had been acting strangely, was building a shrine on the dining room table, kept all of the lights on and was yelling at the neighbors, the suit states. His behavior continued to be manic through the night of Feb. 8 and early into the next morning, the suit continues. Blaisdell began flickering his Zippo lighters around 7:30 a.m. on Feb. 9, which the suit states the neighbor mistook for RK flicking the lights on-and-off as a distress signal. Officer Engelhart arrived first, spoke with the neighbor who had called 911, then went to Blaisdells house and knocked on his front door for several minutes. As he was doing so, a dispatched radioed him to let him know someone else had called 911 from within Blaisdells house requesting help and saying someone was banging at his door. The dispatcher tried telling the caller the person at the door was a police officer, but the caller hung up, the suit states. Engelhart, Blaisdell, and RK conversed through the door, with RK stating Blaisdell wouldnt let him leave or open the door. After about 10 minutes, RK spoke with Engelhart through a closed window and said he was being held against his will, the suit states. Engelhart radioed for backup, though no calls were placed for mental health professionals, the suit states. Sgt. Voelker and Officer Jeffers-Mercer arrived on the scene. RK eventually opened the front door and Engelhart entered, striking Blaisdell in his shoulder with a Taser just before pulling RK out of the house to safety, the suit states. Blaisdell retreated into the house as officers instructed RK to go to a neighbors house. At that moment, the emergency and/or imminent threat of harm to RK, the Defendants, and the public in general was over, the suit states. At that moment, there was no longer a hostage situation, or anyone being held against his will. About 2 minutes later, Engelhart told dispatchers he saw Blaisdell with a large kitchen knife in his hand and requested Officer Adams, a K9 handler, come to the scene with Deebo. Officer Jackson also arrived with a bean-bag shotgun. Adams announced his presence to Blaisdell from the front porch and said he would be bitten by Deebo and that he was under arrest, the suit states. Adams made the statements as though Blaisdell would be bitten whether or not he surrendered, the suit alleges. Adams eventually unleashed Deebo and sent him into the house, giving commands for him to bite. Deebo proceeded to knock Blaisdell onto his back and bite him, the suit states. Blaisdell stabbed Deebo in the head with a filet knife in self-defense, the knife remaining in the dogs head, the suit states. Adams entered the house and pulled Blaisdell away from the dog. Engelhart then entered and repeatedly shot Blaisdell, with Adams drawing his gun and firing as well, the suit states. Engelhart shot Blaisdell 10 times, with Adams shooting him twice, the suit alleges. Instead of rendering medical assistance to Blaisdell, the only ambulance at the scene was used to transport Deebo to the veterinarian, the suit states. Blaisdell was pronounced deceased at the scene; Deebo made a full recovery. Both Defendant Engelhart and Adams used deadly force against a mentally ill man inside of his own home, where he posed no threat to himself, the officers or the general public, because he stabbed their police dog in self-defense, the suit states. The suit further alleges the officers named in the suit conspired to obstruct the investigation and lie about what had happened. By killing Blaisdell, the officers violated his Fourth and Fourteenth Amendment rights, the suit alleges. The five-count suit also alleged violations of the Americans With Disabilities Act of 1990, assault and battery causing wrongful death, and gross negligence, willful, and wanton misconduct causing wrongful death. The suit goes on to mention the July 2012 death of Milton Hall, a mentally ill Black homeless man shot 11 times and killed by six Saginaw police officers. Defendant City vowed to change its customs, policies and procedures with respect to use of force, police K9s and use of force vis-a-vis mental disturbed citizens, the suit states. However, little change after Halls death, the suit alleges. It was only due to pressure after the death of George Floyd, renewed interest in the killing of Milton Hall, the termination of an officer for using excessive force against a female detainee, officer sick outs, and a recent vote of no confidence in Defendant Ruth by the Saginaw Police Officers Association, did the Defendant City change its use of force policy including prohibiting the use of K9s to apprehend suspects, the suit states. Engelhart and Adams were placed on administrative leave as the Michigan State Police investigated the shooting. On Feb. 27, the Saginaw County Prosecutors Office stated the officers were justified in killing Blaisdell. Considering all of the circumstances, we conclude that the officers actions were justified and consistent with preservation of self and others, prosecutors said in the statement. This office has thoroughly reviewed the witness statements, video and audio recordings of the incident, as well as other available evidence. We find that the officers use of deadly force in these circumstances was justified. Heres how prosecutors described what happened: The room was very small and cluttered, prosecutors said. Officer Engelhart reported that Officer Adams yelled, Hes got a knife, as Blaisdell fell behind a table. Officer Adams observed that the canine had taken ahold of Blaisdell and brought him to the ground under the table. Officer Adams holstered his service firearm as Officer Engelhart pushed the table over. Officer Adams then put his hands on Blaisdell to get him off of the canine. When Blaisdell turned over, Officer Adams saw an unknown object in Blaisdells left hand. In his right hand, Blaisdell was still holding the handle of a knife, which he had stabbed into the head of the canine. Prosecutors said the investigation showed Engelhart reported that, at the time he fired the shots, he feared for Officer Adams safety because he was in close proximity to Blaisdell, Blaisdell remained armed with the knife, and Blaisdell actively was resisting arrest. Adams also reported that he feared for his safety given his close proximity to Blaisdell and the fact that Blaisdell had just used the knife on the police canine, remained armed with the knife, and was attempting to get up from the ground. Police Chief Ruth declined to comment on the lawsuit when contacted by MLive-The Saginaw News on Wednesday, Aug. 5. City Manager Tim Morales said the city does not comment on pending litigation. The suits next court date is pending. Related: Prosecutors rule police justified in fatal shooting of Saginaw man Saginaw police officer fired for excessive force against woman, 57, hed arrested Saginaw police chief says department changed its policies and culture after Milton Hall shooting When the temperatures surge, so does the violence, police say of recent trend in Saginaw When Saginaw police killed a homeless black man, the protests led to change Saginaw police release new use-of-force policy Maharashtra chief minister Uddhav Thackeray has asked the Mumbai municipal corporation to stay on high alert in the view of weather forecast for the current spell of rains to continue on Thursday leading to further water logging and other disruptions to routine life in the city. Mumbai has been battered by heavy rains disrupting rail and road traffic and power supply apart from uprooting of trees and water-logging in the city for the past two days. South Mumbai was badly hit due to water-logging on roads and in low-lying areas. Several trees had also fallen due to gusty winds, damaging vehicles. Maharashtra chief minister has also asked people to stay home and venture out only in unavoidable circumstances, according to an official statement from his office. Also Read: South Mumbai gets seasons heaviest rain in 9 hours A statement issued by the chief ministers office (CMO) also said that Thackeray directed the authorities to monitor the situation arising out of disruption of power supply, uprooting of trees and water-logging as a result of heavy rains. Earlier today, Thackeray took stock of the situation and asked the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation to ensure coordination with the police and railway authorities, health apparatus and the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) to ensure that any situation arising out of the rain onslaught is resolved without causing inconvenience to residents. The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) has also been put on alert and asked to ensure there is no accident at the ongoing work at Metro Rail sites in the city. Parts of Mumbai and neighbouring districts of Thane and Palghar were lashed by rains on Wednesday, also affecting local train and bus services due to water-logging on rail tracks and roads. Also Read: Local train services, BEST buses hit hard as heavy rain lashes Mumbai, Thane Water-logging was reported in low-lying areas of Chembur, Parel, Hindmata, Wadala and other areas of Mumbai. Suburban train operations between CSMT-Vashi stations on the Harbour line, CSMT-Kurla and between Churchgate and Kurla on the main line have been suspended due to water-logged tracks. All local train services between Churchgate and Mumbai Central stations have also been temporarily suspended, according to an official announcement by the Western Railways. However, the Western Railways suburban services were running normally between Churchgate and Dahanu Road. Both the Central Railway and Western Railway have been operating nearly 350 special train services each daily for those working in essential and emergency services. Bus services of the Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST), the city civic bodys transport wing, were also affected due to water-logging on some roads. Hospitality unicorn Oyo Rooms has announced it will redeem salaries of employees in a phased manner. CEO Rohit Kapoor and Chief Human Resources Officer Dinesh Ramamurthi reportedly told the company' staff that salaries with fixed compensation up to Rs 8 lakh will be first reinstated from August 1. Around 60 per cent of Oyo staff in India and South Asia earn within this bracket. "We are grateful to all our OYOpreneurs for giving Oyo a fighting chance to survive these tough times. The organisation respects your unwavering support for it in good as well as tough times," Kapoor said in a townhall meeting with the employees. Kapoor also urged everyone to continue working together to bring the business back to pre-COVID levels. 12.5 per cent of the total 25 per cent cut will be restored from October 2020 and the remaining 12.5 per cent from December 2020, PTI reported. This year, in April, Oyo had asked some of its staff to go on leave with limited benefits from May 4 for four months. It also asked all employees in the country to accept a cut in their fixed salaries by 25 per cent. The SoftBank Group-backed firm also planned to offload properties around the world. Between January and March, Oyo cut 5,000 jobs mainly in China and India, leaving it with about 25,000 employees, and amended contracts with hotels to remove revenue guarantees. The six-year-old hotel startup terminated the lease contracts for two Gurugram-based corporate offices in June. The hospitality startup also suspended contracts with over 250 hotel owners for its 'Townhouse' properties across India after its revenues took a hit. However, in July, it decided to make every employee a shareholder in the company. Oyo offered deeply discounted ESOPs (employee stock ownership plan) comparable to RSUs (restricted stock unit) to its employees. Today, YPO Africa, a global leadership community of chief executives, and Invest Africa, the leading trade and investment platform for Africa, announced that they have entered into a unique bilateral alliance. The key aim of this groundbreaking agreement is for YPO Africa and Invest Africa to support each other in their African impact efforts, with an initial focus on YPOs Lead COVID-19 Response to begin making the right connections between organisations to start conversations and drive investment. Launched in April, the Lead COVID-19 Response is a centralized platform that unites YPOs 900 chief executives located across 22 African countries by indexing the efforts of the vast number of incredible member and spouse/partner led impact initiatives taking place across the entire region. Organized around 11 key focal pillars, the goal of the initiative is to create tangible, concrete, and replicable solutions to community, healthcare, and business challenges by providing access to best practices, toolkits, and resources. Both YPO Africa and Invest Africa are rooted in the belief that the role of business leaders has never been more crucial as we try to wrestle our lives and economies back from the COVID-19 crisis, said Riel Malan, YPO Africa COVID-19 Response Committee Chair and Invest Africa Board Member, This first-of-its-kind alliance unites two powerful organizations that, by working together in collaboration, can make a significant difference in Africa. With over 60 years of experience in Africa, Invest Africa has a noted history of providing our members with unique information and exposure to business opportunities, shared Karen Taylor, CEO of Invest Africa. We are thrilled to be partnering with YPO Africa on their Lead COVID-19 Response and are keen to leverage the support of our members in this great cause. Together, we can pull on the resources of two great networks and make an even more meaningful impact." Invest Africa has a global footprint of more than 400 member companies, comprising of multinationals, private equity firms, institutional investors, development finance institutions, professional service organisations, government bodies, and entrepreneurs. With chapter cities in London, Dubai, New York, Johannesburg, and Cape Town, as well as an extensive network of country representatives across Africa, the organisation provides a platform to amplify the voice of the continents business and investment community and enables essential collaboration and support amongst public and private stakeholders alike. Added Dhruv Pandit, YPO Africa Regional Chair, In just a few short months, YPO Africas Lead COVID-19 Response has fostered incredible pan-African collaboration among our members, resulting in an immediate difference to peoples lives. Joining forces with the extraordinary Invest Africa team and utilizing their deep experience and connections enables us to increase the momentum around our vital efforts to beat this crisis and the virus. Some of the many inspirational projects that were spearheaded as a result of YPO Africas Lead COVID-19 Response include supporting over 1.5 million vulnerable people with more than 50 million nutritious meals in South Africa. In Lagos, Nigeria, fully funding and operationalizing a $5 million, 70-bed hospital and, in Kenya, mobilising and organising SAFEHANDS, which has raised $1.2 million for masks, washing stations, and a media campaign that has reached 90% of the countrys population. About YPO: YPO is the global leadership community of more than 29,000 chief executives in 130 countries who are driven by the belief that the world needs better leaders. Each of our members have achieved significant leadership success at a young age. Combined, they lead businesses and organizations contributing USD9 trillion in annual revenue. YPO members inspire and support each other through peer learning and exceptional experiences in an inclusive community of open sharing and trust. For more information, visit ypo.org. About Invest Africa: Invest Africa is a leading pan-African business platform that promotes trade and investment in Africa. Invest Africa supports its members through a range of services and a programme of 100+ events annually. It connects members by leveraging its extensive global reach, offering unrivalled networking, market intelligence and exposure to business opportunities. A study led by the Seaver Autism Center for Research and Treatment at Mount Sinai found that two different blood epigenetic signatures associated with ADNP syndrome (also known as Helsmoortel-Van Der Aa syndrome) have only a modest correlation with clinical manifestations of the syndrome. The study results were published online August 5 in the American Journal of Human Genetics. ADNP syndrome, one of the most common single-gene causes of autism spectrum disorder, is a neurodevelopmental condition that is also associated with intellectual disability, developmental delay, and multiple medical comorbidities. Researchers at the Seaver Center first replicated previously published findings demonstrating that individuals with ADNP syndrome have profound DNA methylation changes in their blood, and these changes are contingent on the type of activity dependent neuroprotective protein (ADNP) mutation that they carry. Individuals with the disorder segregate into two groups based on the location of their mutations. "DNA methylation is a chemical modification of the DNA molecule, and is one of the epigenetic mechanisms that control the activity of our genes, defining where and when they are expressed. In the past few years, several neurodevelopmental disorders have been associated with specific changes in DNA methylation," said Silvia De Rubeis, PhD, Assistant Professor of Psychiatry, at the Seaver Autism Center and co-senior author of the paper. The team then used behavioral and neurobiological data from two cohorts of individuals with a genetic diagnosis of ADNP syndrome to examine the relationship between these epigenetic signatures and clinical presentation. Results showed limited differences between the two ADNP groups, and no evidence that individuals with more widespread methylation changes were more profoundly affected. The lack of correspondence between blood molecular signatures and clinical manifestations cautions against making phenotypic inferences based on the blood-based methylation profiles. This is important to consider when evaluating the use of these episignatures as biomarkers for patient stratification and response to pharmacological agents in clinical trials. The Seaver researchers concluded that while the two unique blood epigenetic signatures may be valuable for complementing clinical genetics and enhancing accuracy of diagnosis, they need to be carefully evaluated before being considered as a tool to predict behavioral outcomes or to stratify patients with ADNP syndrome into clinically meaningful subgroups. "As clinical trials in ADNP syndrome begin, understanding the utility of biomarkers and their relationship to clinical symptoms becomes critical. Our results caution against using episignatures as a biomarker for clinical trials," said Paige Siper, PhD, Chief Psychologist at the Seaver Autism Center and senior co-leading author on the study. To date, ADNP syndrome has no FDA-approved treatment options, but the Seaver Center recently began recruitment for the first-ever clinical trial for ADNP syndrome. The trial will evaluate the safety, tolerability, and efficacy of a low dose of ketamine in children with the disorder. "The Seaver Autism Center is making huge strides forward every day in ADNP research, unlike anywhere else in the world," said Sandra Bedrosian Sermone, Founder and President of the ADNP Kids Research Foundation. "Our Foundation's open collaboration with the Center has helped us rally patient participation and financial support for their research to help improve the lives of children around the world with this rare disorder." ### This work was supported by grants from the Beatrice and Samuel A. Seaver Foundation and the ADNP Kids Research Foundation. About the Seaver Autism Center for Research and Treatment The Seaver Autism Center is one of the most recognized institutions of its kind in the world because of its ability to translate breakthroughs in the lab to clinical trials that bring cutting-edge treatment to individuals affected by autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and associated neurodevelopmental disorders. We offer compassionate care, including assessment and behavioral health services, to children and families, as well as educational and community outreach programs. Founded in 1993 and located at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, families come from around the world to seek our services and the expert counsel of our team of scientists, researchers and clinicians. For more information, visit: http://www.seaverautismcenter.org, or find the Seaver Autism Center on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. About the Mount Sinai Health System The Mount Sinai Health System is New York City's largest integrated delivery system, encompassing eight hospitals, a leading medical school, and a vast network of ambulatory practices throughout the greater New York region. Mount Sinai's vision is to produce the safest care, the highest quality, the highest satisfaction, the best access and the best value of any health system in the nation. The Health System includes approximately 7,480 primary and specialty care physicians; 11 joint-venture ambulatory surgery centers; more than 410 ambulatory practices throughout the five boroughs of New York City, Westchester, Long Island, and Florida; and 31 affiliated community health centers. The Icahn School of Medicine is one of three medical schools that have earned distinction by multiple indicators: ranked in the top 20 by U.S. News & World Report's "Best Medical Schools", aligned with a U.S. News & World Report's "Honor Roll" Hospital, No. 12 in the nation for National Institutes of Health funding, and among the top 10 most innovative research institutions as ranked by the journal Nature in its Nature Innovation Index. This reflects a special level of excellence in education, clinical practice, and research. The Mount Sinai Hospital is ranked No. 14 on U.S. News & World Report's "Honor Roll" of top U.S. hospitals; it is one of the nation's top 20 hospitals in Cardiology/Heart Surgery, Diabetes/Endocrinology, Gastroenterology/GI Surgery, Geriatrics, Gynecology, Nephrology, Neurology/Neurosurgery, and Orthopedics in the 2019-2020 "Best Hospitals" issue. Mount Sinai's Kravis Children's Hospital also is ranked nationally in five out of ten pediatric specialties by U.S. News & World Report. The New York Eye and Ear Infirmary of Mount Sinai is ranked 12th nationally for Ophthalmology, Mount Sinai St. Luke's and Mount Sinai West are ranked 23rd nationally for Nephrology and 25th for Diabetes/Endocrinology, and Mount Sinai South Nassau is ranked 35th nationally for Urology. Mount Sinai Beth Israel, Mount Sinai St. Luke's, Mount Sinai West, and Mount Sinai South Nassau are ranked regionally. For more information, visit http://www.mountsinai.org/, or find Mount Sinai on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. The relatives of Jamshid Sharmahd, an Iranian opposition figure say that he was abducted by agents of the Ministry of Intelligence of the Islamic Republic while visiting Dubai. Mr. Sharmahd's family told the Associated Press on Tuesday, August 3, that his cell phone location data showed that he had been taken to Oman before being transferred to Iran. "We're seeking support from any democratic country, any free country," his son Shayan Sharmahd told the Associated Press. "It is a violation of human rights. You can't just pick someone up in a third country and drag them into your country." He added that his father had planned to travel to India from Dubai for a business deal and hoped to get a connecting flight despite the coronavirus pandemic that has disrupted global travel. Jamshid Sharmahd is said to be the leader of Tondar, a little-known, shadowy monarchist group based abroad that the Iranian government accuses of some terror acts inside the country. According to AP, Sharmahd's family received its last message from him on July 28. After that, he no longer responded to their calls and messages, his son said. Telephone location data showed his cellphone that day at the Premier Inn Dubai International Airport Hotel, where he had been staying. It is not clear how he was abducted. A hotel manager said that Mr. Sharmahd had settled his account on July 29. Tracking data showed that Sharmahd's cellphone traveled south from Dubai to Al Ain on July 29, crossing the border into Oman and staying overnight near an Islamic school in the border city of al-Buraimi. Two days later, the Islamic Republic's Ministry of Intelligence announced in an official statement that it had arrested Mr. Sharmahd "following a complex operation." The head of the fearsome Islamic Revolution Guards Corps' (IRGC) Intelligence Organization, Hossein Ta'ib,, called Mr. Sharmahd's detention, "a sign of the authority and strength of the Iranian intelligence community." Meanwhile, Iran's Ministry of Intelligence insisted on claiming the full credit for the abduction, announcing that the man responsible for the Tondar group was under its custody in Iran. Furthermore, when the IRGC-affiliated Javan newspaper reported that Jamshid Sharmahd had been arrested in Tajikistan, the Iranian Ministry of Intelligence immediately denied it. Tajikistan's Minister of Internal Affairs. Lt. General Ramazon Rahimzadeh also denied reports of Mr. Sharmahd's detention in Tajikistan on August 3. In recent years, Jamshid Sharmahd has been introduced as the head of the Tondar group, which covered the media sections of the Association for Monarchy in Iran (Anjoman-e Padeshahi-e Iran, in Persian). In its statement, the Iranian Ministry of Intelligence accused the Tondar group of being involved in a deadly "explosion in a mosque in Shiraz." The family of Jamshid Sharmahd denied the allegation. On April 12, 2008, a bomb exploded in a packed mosque in Shiraz, south Iran, that killed fourteen people and wounded 215. Later in 2009, the Islamic Republic hanged three men convicted of the bombing in Shiraz, maintaining they had ties to the Association for Monarchy in Iran. Sharmahd's family says that the person in charge of the Tondar group had nothing to do with the explosion. The Association for Monarchy in Iran was founded by Fathollah Manouchehri under the pseudonym of Foroud Fouladvand in London. He had started his political and media activities in 2001. In a mysterious situation, Fouladvand and two of his companions also disappeared while reportedly visiting Turkey in early 2007. Amnesty International said in a statement on June 13, 2008 that Fouladvand might also be in the custody of Iran intelligence. However, fourteen years later, the whereabouts of Fouladvand and his companions are still shrouded in mystery. "Western officials believe Iran runs intelligence operations in Dubai and keeps tabs on the hundreds of thousands of Iranians living in the city-state. Iran is suspected of kidnapping and later killing British Iranian national Abbas Yazdi in Dubai in 2013, though Tehran has denied involvement," AP reported. General Secretary for the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP), John Boadu says the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) should expect stringent measures to mitigate the confusion they want to create in the country. According to him, the Akufo-Addo government will not fail in its management of chaos in the country as it is the ultimate responsibility of President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to ensure peace in the country. Speaking on Okay FMs Ade Akye Abia Morning Show, the NPP Chief Scribe said that the President is aware that he will be held responsible if there is an abuse of human rights and confusion in the country and so he is ever ready to address any issue which may arise. He was of the view that the opposition NDC cannot foment trouble in the country as promised by their National Chairman, Samuel Ofosu Ampofo in his leaked tape with the anticipation to hang it around the Presidents neck and then expect him not to meet the trouble squarely. The President knows that if there is chaos or abuse of human rights in the country he has the ultimate responsibility and so if he sees that there is chaotic incidence happening in some parts of the country and he deploys security agencies over there, the NDC members should not cry because just as their party Chairman said they will deliberately create problems and kidnap people because they know that if they kidnap people, the blame will be laid at the doorstep of the President, he assured. He reaffirmed that every intentional confusion perpetrated by the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) will equally be matched with proper measures as the President reserves the responsibility to maintain peace in this country. ". . they should not complain at all because the ultimate responsibility of maintaining peace in this country is the responsibility of the President, he insisted. He, therefore, cautioned the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) not to cry foul when the Military deployed to address chaos and confusion orchestrated by them are doing their work. Source: Daniel Adu Darko/Peacefmonline.com/[email protected] Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video has brought everyone together, said BJP leader on Wednesday, as she arrived at the Ram Janmabhoomi site in on the occasion of 'bhoomi pujan' of the While speaking to ANI, the BJP vice president said, " has brought everyone together. Henceforth, India, with its head held high, would proudly be able to say to the world that there is no discrimination here." In a tweet earlier today, Bharti said (in Hindi) she is bound by her faith in Lord Ram and since she was invited by the top officials of the Ram Janmabhoomi Nyas for the grand event, she would oblige. Besides her, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and Governor Anandiben Patel have also arrived at the Ram Janmabhoomi site. Before taking briefing from officials on the minutest details about the preparations, Adityanath went straight for Ram Lalla's darshan. Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi left for Ayodhya from the capital to take part in the 'bhoomi pujan'. In Ayodhya, PM Modi's first halt will be at Hanumangarhi temple, marking the first-ever visit by any Prime Minister to this temple. He will also be the first Prime Minister to visit the Ram Janmabhoomi site. The much-awaited foundation stone-laying ceremony of the in Ayodhya will take place amid much fanfare on Wednesday. (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.) TipRanks Lets talk about quality stocks. Of course, this is the direction that every investor wants to go; but the question is, how to recognize them? Do we go all-in on the big-value, big-name giants? Or do we dig a little deeper, and find the high-end nuggets that are hiding in the sandheap? Weighing in from investment bank Morgan Stanley, chief investment officer Lisa Shalett recommends the latter. She recommends investors to look for beaten-down stocks, equities that have lost value recently but t A Melbourne man is accused of breaching coronavirus restrictions multiple times and threatening officers who approached him for not wearing a mask. The 36-year-old West Melbourne man was seen behaving erratically inside a department store in Geelong on Tuesday morning. He was spoken to by police over his failure to wear a mask and warned several times. Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews has brought in rules forcing people in Victoria to wear masks While being arrested, he allegedly threatened to injure the officers. He was charged with seven offences and remanded to face Geelong Magistrates' Court on Thursday. Police allege he had received three penalty notices for breaching the chief health officer's directions in the past two weeks. It follows an incident at a Frankston shopping centre on Monday in which an officer had her head bashed into concrete by a 38-year-old woman refusing to wear a mask. Another police officer was assaulted at a Maroondah highway vehicle checkpoint on Tuesday by a 41-year-old Chum Creek woman who failed to complete an oral fluid test. Victoria Police issued 155 fines on Tuesday to people flouting coronavirus restrictions, including 36 caught not wearing masks. There were nine fines issued at vehicle checkpoints, with 17,339 vehicles checked. Another 25 fines were related to breaches of the 8pm-5am Melbourne curfew, with one man caught walking to a Maribyrnong petrol station at 4am to buy food. Others fined on Tuesday include a Mernda man clothes shopping in Airport West, a group drinking alcohol at a shopping centre car park without masks, and a man who boarded a 9.46pm train to Flinders Street with no exemption. Army Chief Gen. Aziz Ahmed (left) and Inspector General of Police Benazir Ahmed visit the police checkpoint where retired Army Maj. Sinha Md. Rashed Khan was gunned down, Aug. 5, 2020. Updated at 4:05 p.m. ET on 2020-08-06 At an unprecedented joint news conference Wednesday, the chiefs of Bangladeshs army and police sought to allay concerns about a rift between their organizations after policemen last week shot dead a retired army officer who was a former member of the prime ministers security detail. Army Chief Gen. Aziz Ahmed and Inspector General of Police (IGP) Benazir Ahmed told reporters that both sides would work to determine if charges should be brought in the July 31 killing of Maj. Sinha Md. Rashed Khan at a police checkpoint in southeastern Coxs Bazar district a case that has grabbed headlines in Bangladesh. The trust between the army and the police forces built over the years will remain undamaged, Aziz Ahmed told reporters gathered at an Army bungalow in Coxs Bazar. The army and police chiefs spoke together after Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina telephoned Khans mother a day earlier and assured her that justice would be served. The Bangladesh Army is shocked at the death of retired Maj. Khan and police are also shocked, the army chief said, describing the killing as an isolated incident. Those identified as the perpetrators must pay the price. Aziz Ahmed said the army and police had followed Hasinas instructions and established a joint investigation committee. It began its work on Tuesday and was given seven days to present its findings. Officials from the police and military often work together on task forces, and the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), an elite security force, is made up of police and army personnel. But Wednesday's press conference marked the first time that the chiefs of the army and national police had addressed reporters together. The ex-leader of a Bangladeshi human rights organization noted that the event was unusual. Holding a joint press conference involving the army and police chiefs is a rare incident in Bangladesh. They attended because there was confusion and unrest among the army, police and citizens, Nur Khan, a former executive director of the rights body Ain-O-Shalish Kendra, told BenarNews. This press conference is an apparent end to that. "So far as I can remember, there is no previous example of a joint press conference by the army and police chiefs," he added. Last Saturday, the Inter-Services Public Relations Directorate (ISPR), a news agency of the armed forces, issued a statement on the killing. It said Khan, who was wearing combat fatigues, went to Coxs Bazar to film scenes for a YouTube video. Around 9 p.m., police stopped his car at a checkpoint and he identified himself. ISPR said a police sub-inspector identified as Mohammad Liaqat Ali stopped Khans car a second time and pointed a pistol at him. As soon as Maj. Sinha (Khan) got out from the car with his hands up, SI Liaqat shot three rounds, the statement said, adding that the police officer had not asked Khan to identify himself. Shooting instead of arresting a person with his hands up is unlawful, the statement said. Masud Hossain, the superintendent of police in Coxs Bazar, told reporters on Aug. 1 that police shot Khan because he had pointed his own gun at the officers. The police shot at him in self-defense, he said, adding that officers were on high alert because of threats of militant attacks. He also said police recovered drugs and alcohol from Khans car. Refugee camps in an around Coxs Bazar are home to about 1 million Rohingya who fled from Rakhine state, located just across the border in neighboring Myanmar. Bangladeshi government officials have justified security measures in the border region, claiming they were implemented to guard against militant attacks. Visit to killing scene In addition to holding the press conference, the two chiefs traveled on Wednesday to the police checkpoint where Khan was killed. We also see the incident as an isolated one, said Benazir Ahmed, the nations police chief. Our aim is to ensure that the probe committee works without any undue influence. He said he was concerned about comments circulating on social media and elsewhere that the police and the army were not working together on this case. Meanwhile, Nur Khan of Ain-O-Salish Kendra questioned the pairs efforts to pass blame on individuals. Simply put, the army chief and the police chief shrugged off the institutional liability involved in the shooting to death of Maj. Khan and attributed it to SI Liaqat, Teknaf police station officer-in-charge Pradeep Kumar Das and other police personnel, he said. But I think police as an institution cannot shrug off the liability. Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal told BenarNews that Das had been removed from his duties at Teknaf. Elsewhere in Coxs Bazar on Wednesday, Maj. Kahns sister, Sharmin Shahriar Ferdous, filed a murder complaint at a judicial magistrates court. Her lawyer Md. Mostofa told BenarNews that Liaqat Ali, Das and seven other police personnel were accused in the case. We appealed to the court to accept our petition to authorize RAB to investigate, and the court has granted our petition, Ferdous told BenarNews. CLARIFICATION: This report was updated to add a comment and information about the unprecedented news conference. Victoria's failure to stop the spread of coronavirus has left NSW effectively isolated from the rest of the country and business leaders concerned the COVID-19 shutdown could jeopardise national food supplies. Premier Gladys Berejiklian has been forced to introduce strict new controls to stop COVID-19 cases from crossing the border and has ordered that anyone returning to NSW from Victoria will now be forced into hotel quarantine for 14 days. NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian. Credit:Nick Moir At the same time, Queensland announced it will close its borders to all of NSW and the ACT from Saturday. The border restrictions came as it emerged that Victoria had suffered its worst day of the pandemic with 725 new cases and 15 deaths. A man in his 30s was among those who died, the youngest victim of coronavirus in Australia, while the number of active cases in Victoria has risen to 7227, including 1435 linked to aged care. Priyanka Chopra, Farhan Akhtar lead Bollywood in praying for Beirut after massive explosion: This is absolutely devastating Multiple Bollywood stars took to Twitter on Tuesday and early Wednesday to express shock at the explosion in Beirut that killed 78 and injured thousands. Priyanka Chopra, Farhan Akhtar and others prayed for the safety of the Lebanese people. Read full story here. Sushant Singh Rajputs family lawyer says during stay with Rhea Rs 15 cr removed from account, but Rs 50 cr withdrawn in 3 years Vikas Singh, the lawyer appointed by Sushant Singh Rajputs father in his case against the actors girlfriend Rhea Chakraborty, has addressed the case of the missing money from Sushants bank account. It has been alleged that Rs 15 crore were siphoned off his account, but the Mumbai police in a recent press conference said that while money had been withdrawn, no money had been directly transferred to Rheas account. Read full story here. Paatal Lok actor Abhishek Banerjee: I stopped giving auditions in my late 20s because I was rejected so many times In an interview with Hindustan Times, Abhishek opened up about his days of struggle, his confidence that kept him going and his views on the insider-outsider debate. He also shares why his mother is not interested in seeing any of his latest work. Excerpts: Read full story here. RIP Ebrahim Alkazi: Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Randeep Hooda mourn the guru of our gurus Several theatre and film personalities are mourning the death of theatre doyen Ebrahim Alkazi. Bollywood stars such as Nawazuddin Siddiqui and television actor Annup Sonii tweeted their condolences. Nawaz wrote, The true architect of the Modern Indian Theatre. The Doyen who possessed the extreme knowledge in all the aspects of ART. The magician who nurtured many greats of theatre. May your brightest spark from the heaven keeps us enlightening #EbrahimAlkazi #RIP. He was the guru of our gurus End Of An Era...Rest In Peace SirFolded handsRed heartFolded hands #EbrahimAlkazi @nsd_india #NSD, wrote Annup. Read full story here. Happy birthday Kajol: Did you know her father did not talk to her for days when she decided to marry Ajay Devgn? Kajols love story with Ajay Devgn is the stuff Bollywood films are made of. They are polar opposites and did not get along at all when they first met but gradually, these things faded into the background and love triumphed. As Kajol turns 46, let us revisit her love story with Ajay, which culminated in a marriage that is rock-solid even after 21 years. In an earlier interaction with Humans of Bombay, she had said that she bitched about him when she met him for the first time in 1995. Read full story here. Follow @htshowbiz for more SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON MUMBAI: Maharashtra's ruling party Shiv Sena on Wednesday said that those who have forgotten the sacrifices of 'kar sevaks' at the time of 'bhoomi pujan' of the Ram temple construction in Ayodhya are "Ram drohi". The 'bhoomi pujan' event is of the entire country and Hindus. But what is this adamant stand that nobody should get credit, the party wrote in an editorial in its mouthpiece 'Saamana'. It claimed the ceremony is "personality centric and political party-centric". "The soil where the Ram temple will be constructed has the smell of sacrifices of 'kar sevaks'. Those who forget that will be Ram drohi," the Uddhav Thackeray-led party said. The mosque in Ayodhya was demolished in December 1992 by 'kar sevaks' who claimed an ancient Ram temple had stood on the same site. In November last year, the Supreme Court paved the way for the construction of Ram temple at the disputed site in Ayodhya, and directed the Centre to allot an alternative five-acre plot to the Sunni Waqf Board for building a new mosque at a "prominent" place in the holy town. The Shiv Sena lamented that former Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi, who delivered the historic verdict in the Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri mosque case, was not invited for the ground-breaking ceremony in Ayodhya. Even the Shiv Sena, which played a role in the demolition of the Babri mosque, was not invited, it said. "It has to be accepted that the legal issue was resolved during PM Modi's tenure. Otherwise, Gogoi wouldn't have been made the Rajya Sabha member after his retirement," the Shiv Sena said. It said Iqbal Ansari of the Babri Action Committee got an invite for the function. Ansari stretched the legal battle for 30 years and "Gogoi took Lord Ram out of the legal tangle", the Marathi daily said. Workers of the VHP, Bajrang Dal, Shiv Sena, RSS "faced lathis and bullets and many laid down their lives in the movement for the Ram temple construction," it said. With the 'bhoomi pujan' on Wednesday, politics over the issue of Ram temple should end once and for all, the Shiv Sena said. It said sentiments of the Congress, the Samajwadi Party and the Left parties should have been considered. BJP leader Subramanian Swamy has credited (late Congress leaders) P V Narasimha Rao and Rajiv Gandhi for the Ram temple, it added. Gaborone Botswana pork industry is said to be producing less than half of the national demand of 1500 tonnes per year. In an interview with BOPA recently, the Ministry of Agriculture Development and Food Security, Senior Scientific Officer, Mr Othusitse Sebolaakhudu, said in 2019, the country produced 477 tonnes and imported 518.99 tonnes of processed pork products. This, he said, was attributed to a number of challenges such as high feed prices, inadequate slaughtering facilities, inadequate extension services due to shortage of resources, breeding stock of inferior quality, disorganised marketing, limited pig production and business management skills, as well as transboundary diseases. Mr Sebolaakhudu however highlighted that in an effort to address the challenges, government was working tirelessly to assist farmers improve production. "Department of Animal Production's extension officers in various districts train and equip farmers with the necessary skills on pig management," he said, adding that the officers also visited farms on a monthly basis to give necessary advice. He explained that the department also facilitated formation of associations to advocate for farmers, both to government and to buyers as well as regulating the amount of pork imported as a way of promoting local production. Regarding financial assistance, he said some institutions, such as Citizen Entrepreneurial Development Agency (CEDA) and Ministry of Youth Empowerment, Sport and Culture Development, funded establishment of piggery projects. He said the Department of Animal Production then assisted farmers with guidances on developing sound business proposals in collaboration with the Department of Agribusiness Promotions (DABP) and assessing suitability of plots. He revealed that a good number of farmers had so far benefited from the dispensation. He also pointed out that the department facilitated farmers to form clusters and buy pig feed at cheaper prices, from neighbouring countries. Mr Sebolaakhudu said Sebele pig multiplication unit also breeded quality pigs to sell to emerging farmers and those in production at subsidised prices. He revealed that there were many opportunities in the pig value chain and therefore urged farmers to take up piggery as a viable business, adding that it also had the ability to create employment. "The demand for pork and its by-products in the hospitality and tourism sub-sector presents opportunities for investment in the value chain," he said, adding that there were about 199 projects, which employed a total of 211 people. According to the Secretary of Botswana Pork Producers Association, Dr Keoneeng Magocha, before the COVID-19 pandemic, the pork industry was doing well in terms of prices. He indicated that pig prices had since drastically dropped by more than P10 per kilogramme, which meant farmers did not make profit from sales, even though pork prices had remained the same. He said this would eventually discourage farmers and those who wished to venture into the industry. Dr Magocha explained that it was now very expensive to keep pigs, considering high feed price, since government stopped feed subsidy. He pointed out that government could assist the industry to develop by encouraging different organisations such as Botswana Defence Force, prisons, police as well as schools, to buy pork. He further said there was lack of knowledge about pork, hence the need to educate the nation about its benefits. In an interview, Ditlhakane-based pig farmers, Seabo and Lesedi Keatswitswe highlighted that under normal circumstances, pork production could be a lucrative business. Lesedi revealed that they ventured into pig production in 2014, to significantly contribute to the industry and make a profit. She said they started their self-financed farming with five sows and one boar, after acquiring land and constructing a borehole. Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Botswana Agribusiness By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later. Seabo indicated that like any other business, they encountered challenges, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, as most of the establishments that they used to supply closed. He also said with few buyers still open, pork prices dropped, adding that they had no option but not to sell, resulting in them struggling to buy feed. He lamented government's decision to stop animal feed subsidy, as it worsened their plight. He urged government to reconsider the decision or come up with other ways to ease the burden on them. He also urged Botswana Pork Producers Association to revise pork prices and consult with the government on the best way forward in terms of feed prices. Seabo encouraged those who want to venture into the industry, to have passion, as it entailed a lot of work and resources. Source : BOPA NEWTOWN TOWNSHIP >> In the wake of several pedestrian fatalities, the Newtown Township Board of Supervisors is moving forward with a multi-pronged plan to improve safety along Sycamore Street, the townships downtown commercial corridor. At its Jan. 13 meeting, the board voted unanimously to follow the short term and long term recommendations of its traffic engineer, Derek Kennedy, who was... Photo: (Photo : Screenshot from YouTube) LEGOs are the types of building blocks that every home probably has. These toys are one of the most favorite toys of kids. Parents also like building blocks because of the benefits that it gives, which studies have shown. Just recently, the makers of LEGO gave us more reasons to love them. Recently, they have announced their plan to release sets of bricks for the visually impaired. LEGO Braille bricks will be the new thing of the kids who are visually impaired. These LEGO Brailles aims to share the joy of playing with building blocks with kids and keeping the use of Brailles. READ ALSO: The Inessentials: What Parents Should Not Put In the Newborn Baby Gift Registry [Item No. 7 Might Come as A Shock] The decline in Braille users In the 1960s, fifty percent of kids who are visually impaired use and read Braille. However, in a recent study by the American Printing House for the Blind, only 8.4 percent of the visually impaired children are reading Braille. That is because of the dependence on technology of children. Nowadays, there are audiobooks and voice-to-text technology. Reading and writing Braille have become a thing of the past for these kids. In a report from the National Federation for the Blind, European Blind Union acknowledges the decline of Braille users. The treasurer of the group, Philippe Chazal, said, "With thousands of audiobooks and computer programs now available, fewer kids are learning to read Braille." READ ALSO: Fun games indoor and outdoor: benefits to kid's health, learning, and development The LEGO Braille bricks It is also certain the Braille education can be quite costly. This way of learning needs a slate and stylus. That also makes it difficult for students to erase and edit their works. That is why LEGO Braille bricks sounds like a better option as a learning tool. The proposed LEGO Braille bricks will be LEGO bricks that are 3 inches by 2 inches big. These bricks will have raised dots that are imprinted with the letter, numbers, and symbols in the Braille alphabet. According to reports, the LEGO Braille bricks are already available in Danish, English, Norwegian, and Portuguese. Before the end of 2020, the LEGO Brailles are also expected to have French, German, and Spanish versions. READ ALSO: Age-appropriate activities for kids to avoid too much screen time [Lovevery: a free all-in-one activity hub] The organizations working with LEGO To put the project together, LEGO is working with different organizations from all over the world. The Danish Association and the Dorina Nowill Foundation for the Blind in Brazil are just two organizations. They have reportedly been calling for LEGO to make something like this. The Royal Institute of Blind People is working hand in hand with LEGO to develop the LEGO Braille bricks. Their director, David Clarke, said, "Thanks to this innovation, children with vision impairment will be able to learn Braille and interact with their friends and classmates in a fun way." READ ALSO: Myth Debunked: Hugging Your Newborn Baby Has No Limit [Sleep Expert Says] An open-air party in Saint-Denis, north of Paris, France. (Getty) Young people going to nightclubs and beaches has led to a rise in new coronavirus cases across the globe, the World Health Organization has said. The proportion of those aged 15 to 24 who are infected has tripled from 4.5% to 15% in about five months, according to the WHO. Apart from the United States, which leads a global tally with 4.8 million total cases, European countries including Spain, Germany and France and Asian countries such as Japan have said many of the newly infected are young people. Figures from England show infections have been primarily in older groups but recent stats showed positive tests in younger people aged 15-44 had risen. The highest infection rate in England at the moment (excluding over 85s) is among the 15-44 age group and the latest Public Health England weekly surveillance report showed this rate was rising slightly. A recent study from Imperial College London involving 120,000 swabs taken in England showed those aged 18-24 had the highest levels of infection. "We've said this before and we'll say it again: young people are not invincible," WHO director general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told a news briefing in Geneva. "Young people can be infected, young people can die, and young people can transmit the virus to others." People enjoy the beach in Barcelona, Spain. (AP) Last week Dr Hans Kluge, Europe regional director for the WHO, warned young people could be spreading coronavirus, which could lead to a second wave in different parts of the world. He told BBC Radio 4s Today programme: An increasing number of countries are experiencing localised outbreaks and a resurge in cases. What we do know, is that its a consequence of change in human behaviour. Were receiving reports from several health authorities of a higher proportion of new infections among young people. So for me, the call is loud enough to rethink how to better involve young people. Coronavirus: what happened today Click here to sign up to the latest news and information with our daily Catch-up newsletter Because you cant see the coronavirus and many infected with it show no symptoms, it can be difficult to grasp how risky a certain situation is. But a new online tool is making that calculation a bit easier for people in the Bay Area and beyond. The interactive map, developed by professors at Georgia Tech, lets people explore the odds that coronavirus will be present at an event anywhere in the U.S., depending on the events size and the county in which its located. The map calculates the likelihood of whether each gathering would include someone who is currently infectious. A quick browse through the map yields some troubling numbers. If youre in San Francisco County and decide to attend a gathering of 25 people, theres a 34% chance that someone whos coronavirus-positive will be in attendance. In Marin County, the risk is 75%. In Alameda County, its 31%. Increase the gathering size to 50, and the risk goes up significantly. In San Francisco County, the likelihood is 56%; in Marin County, its 94%. Santa Clara, San Mateo, Alameda and Sonoma counties all hover around the 52%-56% range. The tool calculates the odds that at least one person at the event is infectious. It does not indicate your own risk of coronavirus exposure or infection at the event. For me, its more of an explanatory thing than a model for behavior, said Robert Siegel, an infectious disease expert at Stanford University. Its not very useful for an individual to decide whether a group is safe or not. The tool can be used to illustrate what we already know: that the fewer people you interact with, the less probability you have of being infected. Its a way of visualizing that as group sizes go up, the probability of having an infected individual goes up. But its not granular at all, Siegel says, which could mislead people into a false sense of security or alarm. I have a concern that it could be misinterpreted as a guide to behavior, Siegel said. More specifically, that people will lower their guard in terms of personal protective behavior. Georgia Tech Georgia Tech/ABiL Georgia Tech/ABiL Joshua Weitz, a professor of biological sciences at Georgia Tech and the lead developer of the COVID-19 Event Risk Assessment Planning Tool, collaborated with fellow professor Clio Andris to develop it. The map was based on data from The Atlantics COVID Tracking Project as well as 2019 census data. The tools origins, Weitz said, began in March when he was considering the implications of rising case counts. Friends and colleagues were asking him about the chances that someone might be infected at an event. 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. In recent months, hes noticed the distressing impacts of the nations patchwork reopening: hundreds of infected campers at a YMCA summer camp in Georgia, at least 77 active cases after a Biogen conference in Massachusetts, and the surge in infections across the U.S. as many counties have begun to relax restrictions. We want people to be informed about the risk that its real, its elevated, and many people may be asymptomatic, Weitz said. It reinforces the need to wear masks. Infection risk concerns go beyond reopening schools and businesses. According to recent data out of Stanford, the greatest risk for health care workers is from their families and co-workers, Siegel said. The question is, can you let your guard down if youre in a smaller group? The answer is no, he said. He also noted that infection clusters can skew the data. For example, half of Marin Countys cases are from the San Quentin outbreak, and parts of Oakland and San Francisco have been hit harder than most. It looks like the infection is distributed throughout the population, but we know that its clustered in certain environments, like chronic care facilities and nursing homes, Siegel said. So by not being granular, its misleading. Annie Vainshtein is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: avainshtein@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @annievain Michigan Democrat Rashida Tlaib has secured a victory in the states congressional primaries after establishing herself as a prominent Washington newcomer and member of "the squad" - a group of progressive freshmen lawmakers elected during the 2018 midterms. The first-term incumbent bested Detroit City Council President Brenda Jones in the 13th district Democratic primaries, receiving a reported 66 percent of the vote. Celebrating her win on Wednesday, the congresswoman wrote in a statement posted to Twitter: Headlines said I was the most vulnerable member of the Squad. My community responded last night and said our Squad is big, she added. It includes all who believe we must show up for each other and [prioritise] people over profits. Its here to stay, and its only getting bigger. Ms Tlaib defeated Ms Jones in 2018 for the congressional seat previously held by the late John Conyers, a Democrat who represented the 13th district in the US House of Representatives from 1965 to 2017. She joined a record number of 117 women many of them Democrats elected across the country under President Donald Trump during the midterms. The vote followed the historic 2017 Womens March, which included calls for women to run for elected office. Like Ms Tlaib, several of the members of the squad won seats that were previously held by longtime incumbents. Ms Ocasio-Cortez unseated 10-term Democratic incumbent Joe Crowley by expanding the electorate in her district, while Democrat Ayanna Pressley defeated 10-term Democratic incumbent Mike Capuano in Massachusetts. In a statement released by her campaign, Ms Tlaib said: Voters sent a clear message that theyre done waiting for transformative change, that they want an unapologetic fighter who will take on the status quo and win. The statement continued: If I was considered the most vulnerable member of the Squad, I think its safe to say the Squad is here to stay, and its only getting bigger." The 13th district became one of the most closely watched primaries in the state, as analysts debated how Ms Tlaibs outspokenness towards the Trump administration would impact her re-election after assuming office. The congresswoman has previously called the president an expletive that was seen on a viral video, and has remained largely unapologetic in her opposition to Mr Trump and his agenda. In a video shared with voters shortly after the polls closed this week, Ms Tlaib said she was confident about the movement her campaign and supporters started in Michigan. I'm confident that as we experience this tonight, we are going to see that our country is ready, she said, ready for someone like me and others that are saying, 'Enough. Enough with corporate greed. Enough with the assault on our families. New York, August 4, 2020 Benin's media regulator should lift its ban on unauthorized online media and refrain from censoring news websites, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. On July 7, Remi Prosper Moretti, the president of Benin's High Authority for Broadcasting and Communication (HAAC), the country's media regulator, issued an order demanding that all online media outlets without authorization cease publication immediately or face sanctions, according to a copy of the order reviewed by CPJ. The order did not specify the type of sanction that could be applied to outlets, and CPJ could not determine if the regulator had ordered any specific outlets offline as of today. The regulator previously threatened similar action against online outlets in 2017, as CPJ documented at the time. There is absolutely no reason for Benin authorities to order online media to stop publishing, said Angela Quintal, CPJ's Africa program coordinator. The public in Benin deserves to have access to information in whatever format it is being reported without undue interference or creatively applied regulation and bureaucracy. The order alleged that unauthorized online media outlets violated Article 252 of Benin's 2015 information and communication code. That article states the operation of a website providing audiovisual communication and print media services intended for the public is subject to the authorization of the regulator, but says the order does not apply to blogs. In a July 10 statement reviewed by CPJ, Seth Evariste Hodonou, president of the National Press and Audiovisual Patronage Council of Benin, a local media association, said he was surprised because online media had begun the authorization process in May. The process had been left unfinished by the HAAC, he said. The statement called for the regulator to stop the attempt at muzzling that hinders promotion of use of the Internet. The order has left journalists uncertain about how to proceed with their work ahead of the presidential elections scheduled for early 2021, according to reports. CPJ's calls and text messages to the regulator went unanswered. An email sent to the regulator's email address was unable to be delivered because the inbox was full. On July 24, Alain Orounla, Benin's minister of communication and post, met with the regulator to explore the ways and means in order to achieve a rapid lifting of the ban made by the HAAC on online media, according to a statement published on the government of Benin's website. Journalists in Benin, who spoke to CPJ in early August on the condition of anonymity for fear of reprisal, said the ban had yet to be lifted, despite Orounla's meeting with the regulator. CPJ's calls to Orounla did not connect. In late 2019, Beninese authorities arrested Ignace Sossou, a reporter with the privately owned Benin Web TV news website, and sentenced him to 18 months in prison over his social media posts, as CPJ documented at the time. In May, a court reduced his sentence to six months in prison. Dozens remain missing after huge explosion sent shock waves through Lebanese capital, as death toll rises to 135. The Lebanese government has declared a two-week state of emergency in Beirut, effectively giving the military full powers, after a massive explosion devastated Lebanons capital and killed at least 135 people. About 5,000 people were wounded in the blast and rescue workers continued the search for survivors on Wednesday, combing through the wreckage of buildings. Dozens of people remained missing and the death toll was expected to rise. The cause of the explosion was not immediately clear but officials have linked it to a large stockpile of ammonium nitrate that was stored at the port for years. After an emergency Cabinet meeting on Wednesday, the government said it would place an unspecified number of Beirut port officials under house arrest pending an investigation into how the highly explosive material came to be stored at the port. The government said the military would oversee the house arrest of those responsible for storage and guarding at the Beirut port from June 2014 until the explosion. The responsible officials would be put under house arrest as soon as possible after their identities were determined by an investigative committee headed by the justice minister and including the prime minister and the heads of major security agencies, Information Minister Manal Abdelsamad said. The house arrest would be done within the next five days, the period given for the investigative committee to conclude its findings and hand them over to the judiciary, the minister said. State prosecutor Ghassan Oueidat ordered security agencies to start an immediate investigation and collect all reports and letters related to the materials stored at the port as well as lists of people in charge of maintenance, storage and protection of the hangar. President Michel Aoun said 2,750 tonnes of ammonium nitrate, used in fertilisers and bombs, had been stored for six years at the port without safety measures. He said in a national address that the government was determined to investigate and expose what happened as soon as possible, to hold the responsible and the negligent accountable. Dozens missing The explosion on Tuesday destroyed much of the port, damaging buildings across the capital and sending a giant mushroom cloud into the sky. Al Jazeeras Zeina Khodr, reporting from Beirut, said dozens of people remained unaccounted for. Families are searching for answers dozens of families do not know the fate of their loved ones, she said on Tuesday. The explosion, hitting with the force of a 3.5-magnitude earthquake, was the biggest ever seen in Beirut, a city rocked by a 1975-1990 civil war and bombarded in conflicts with Israel. Lebanon, an eastern Mediterranean nation of six million people, is in the throes of an economic meltdown that has crushed businesses, thrown tens of thousands of people out of work and led the currency to dramatically depreciate. Those hardships have only intensified in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic. Former Home And Away star Pia Miller has moved into a $7.8million luxurious home in Sydney's eastern suburbs. With five bedrooms and three bathrooms, the contemporary coastal home makes for a stunning family residence for Pia, 36, and her two teenage sons. The property was bought in March, and it's believed Pia is renting it for $5,000-per-week. Making moves: Australian actress Pia Miller has just moved into a lavish five-bedroom $7.8million home Before moving into the lavish pad, Pia was leasing a Randwick property for $950-a-week following her split with her ex-husband, Brad Miller, in 2015. Her new home features high ceilings, luxury fittings and a natural palette used throughout. Having undergone a major rebuild in 2016, the modern coastal masterpiece is architecturally designed to maximise light and airflow. The residence also has a luxury marble kitchen, under-heated oak flooring and a large backyard with a tiled pool and cabana. Like brand new: Having undergone a major rebuild in 2016, the modern coastal masterpiece is architecturally designed to maximise light and airflow Helping hands: Multiple workers were seen coming and going from the property in recent days, including tradesmen, removalists and a landscaper Multiple workers were seen coming and going from the property in recent days, including tradesmen, removalists and a landscaper. Pia also appeared to have two large flat-screen televisions delivered, estimated to be worth $15,000. The actress will reside in the new home with her two sons Isaiah, 18, and Lennox, 14. Stylish: The residence also has a luxury marble kitchen, under-heated oak flooring, and a large backyard with a tiled pool and cabana Fit for a family: With five bedrooms and three bathrooms, the contemporary coastal home makes for a stunning residence for Pia and her two teenage sons She is now dating the CEO of Hollywood talent agency WME, Patrick Whitesell, who represents the likes of Ben Affleck, Matt Damon and Hugh Jackman. The 55-year-old is worth an estimated $440million, according to Forbes. The couple went 'Instagram official' in December 2019 one month after stepping out publicly for the first time. Page Six previously reported that they had been quietly dating since May. Despite being on other sides of the world during the coronavirus pandemic, Patrick proved his heart has only grown fonder of Pia, as he sent her a bouquet of white roses last month after four months of physical separation. We cannot entirely blame young people for spikes in Covid-19 cases, an expert says. Majority of the young are unbothered and unafraid of the pandemic so they bend rules by moving social events to their houses, inside cars, parks, malls and other open spaces. Dr Jeanette Dawa, a medical epidemiologist, says the spread of the virus by this group may go beyond recklessness to lack of awareness and/or respect for the disease. "Maybe they just do not understand the severity of the disease and the significance of their actions," she argues. Dr Dawa opines that there could be communication gaps on prevention measures especially when it comes to how the message is channelled to young people who make up the large group of asymptomatic cases. "Even with HIV, people know they should wear a condom but they don't because they do not perceive themselves as being at risk," she says. If the ministry's situation reports on surveillance is anything to go by, Dr Dawa may be right. The Health Ministry has identified risk communication as one of the key challenges the government is facing in containing the virus. According to the daily situation reports, other challenges are laboratory testing and inadequate financial support to sub-national levels for operations. These three issues continue to drag Kenya behind as the world fights a disease that has infected more that 18 million and killed at least 698,000. WORRY In tracking Covid-19, the disease caused by the new coronavirus (Sars-CoV-2), early reports from China indicated that young people were more likely to have milder cases of the disease. But that view may be changing. As cases continue to rise aggressively in the country, there are more recognised infections and even deaths among younger people, challenging the initial belief that they stood a better chance of beating Covid-19. While young people may feel invincible because they are not getting severe symptoms, they are driving the surge of infections, which experts say is putting the vulnerable population at risk. In June, the country recorded its first death of a young person, although the 33-year-old patient had an underlying condition (kidney problems) which likely worsened his outcome. Since then, three more deaths in the younger age group have occurred, the major difference being that none of the patients had a pre-existing condition, causing jitters among health experts and scientists. Acting Health Services Director-General Patrick Amoth warned that the number of deaths will significantly increase alongside the increase of positive cases recorded in the country. "That is usually a cause for worry because it means they could be getting a more serious form of infection, which means we need to warn the young people that not everybody who gets Covid-19 survives. You could be that unlucky person who gets a more serious form and succumbs," Dr Amoth warned. PERSISTENT APPEALS Four months into the war against the pandemic, health officials are consistently imploring young people to wear masks and practice social distancing. Local transmission continues to drive record daily outbreaks across the counties, with 38 out of the cumulative 369 deaths recorded among young people between 20 and 39 years old. One of the 23 deaths recorded Saturday was of a 16-year-old patient, which prompted Health Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe to reiterate the warning to the youth about their reckless behaviour. Coronavirus infections requiring hospitalisation are not only possible in younger adults but the rate of these cases is higher now that the virus is spreading across other countries. Early data from China focused on older people, especially those living with major health problems, as those most likely to be seriously affected by Covid-19. As information reached the US, it seemed the coronavirus was mostly a threat to the elderly and those with underlying health issues. Data in a daily situation report from the Ministry of Health shows that younger adults are also getting Covid-19, with some requiring hospitalisation and even intensive care. For example, the situation report shows, majority of the cases 9,865 (56 per cent) are in the age group of 20 and 39 years, with 4,010 (47 per cent) in the 20-29 group and 5,855 (65 per cent) in the 30-39 group. TRANSMISSION Research now indicates that seemingly healthy people can spread the virus. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), a recent systematic review estimated that the proportion of truly asymptomatic cases ranges from six to 41 per cent, with a pooled estimate of 16 per cent. Though estimates vary, the WHO says models using data from Hong Kong, Singapore, and China suggest that 30 to 60 per cent of spreading occurs when people have no symptoms. Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Kenya Coronavirus Children By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later. "You get infected and have no symptoms. Chances are you're going to infect someone else, who will then infect someone else. Eventually, the virus could reach someone who's vulnerable either because of their age or because they have a compromised immune system," Dr Anthony Fauci, US' top infectious disease expert, said in an interview with WebMD, an American online publisher. By "allowing" yourself to get infected or not caring if you do get infected, you are propagating a pandemic, Fauci, the head of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, said. Because it doesn't end with you," he said. RESERVOIRS In Europe, Italy, and the US, young people have been found to not only be asymptomatic but also agile. By moving around, they act as reservoirs of the virus. Based on anecdotal data evidence within Kenya, Dr Dawa, who works at Washington State University's Global Health Program, says the idea that young people could be the ones spreading the virus could be true and if the trend continues, data will support this. "From our data, most of the cases are between 30 to 39 years. I do not know if the assumptions being made regarding young people are based on our own data or the trend witnessed internationally," Dr Dawa said. The State Department's acting inspector general, Stephen Akard, who was named to the position after the department's previous longtime watchdog was fired three months ago, has resigned, a department spokesperson confirmed Wednesday. The removal of the former inspector general, Steve Linick, which came at the recommendation of Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, remains under congressional investigation. Akard "announced he is returning to the private sector after years of public service," a State Department spokesperson said. "We appreciate his dedication to the department and to our country." Deputy Inspector General Diana R. Shaw will become the new acting IG, the spokesperson said. Akard announced his resignation in a letter to the staff, a State Department official told NBC News. The Washington Post was first to report the story. Pompeo declined to comment Wednesday on how Akards departure after such a short tenure might affect the work of the inspector generals office. "He left to go back home," Pompeo told reporters at a news conference. "This happens. I don't have anything more to add to that." Akard was also director of the Office of Foreign Missions and reported directly to the undersecretary of state for management, Brian Bulatao, in that role. Linick told Congress that Bulatao had tried to "bully" him into dropping an investigation into an $8 billion emergency arms sale to Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates. After Akard was named acting IG, lawmakers pointed to a possible conflict of interest and requested he resign as head of the Office of Foreign Missions and recuse himself from all matters involving that office and the Office of the Secretary. Akard committed to stepping down from Office of Foreign Missions operations but stayed on as its director. Stephen J. Akard (Department of State) "It should've never been an appointment in that set of circumstances, and evidently he couldnt live with what exactly the challenges he may have faced," Sen. Bob Menendez, D-N.J., the ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, told NBC News. "This only goes to show that you have a secretary of state who wants to be immune from an independent inspector general at any and all cost." Story continues House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Eliot Engel and House Oversight Committee Chair Carolyn Maloney said Wednesday that Akard's selection as acting inspector general "created serious conflicts of interest" because he was reporting to Balatao and Pompeo while also responsible for investigating problems at the department. "His resignation today adds to Congresss questions about the independence of the IGs office following the firing of former IG Steve Linick in an apparent act of retaliation by Secretary Pompeo," the New York Democrats said in a joint statement. Akard, a former career foreign service officer, previously served as foreign policy adviser to Vice President Mike Pence during his time as Indiana's governor. Akard was tapped to be the director general of the Foreign Service in 2017, but his nomination was met sharp criticism from senior diplomats and was eventually withdrawn. In a letter to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, the Academy of American Diplomacy voiced its opposition, saying, "While Mr. Akard is technically eligible for the position, to confirm someone who had less than a decade in the Foreign Service would be like making a former Army Captain the Chief of Staff of the Army, the equivalent of a four-star general." Akard was later confirmed to lead the Office of Foreign Missions in September of 2019. As part of their investigation into the firing of Linick, House Democrats subpoenaed four State Department officials Monday, including Bulatao, and accused the Trump administration of stonewalling their probe. The State Department did not immediately say whether it would comply with the subpoenas but called the Democrats accusation of stonewalling egregiously inaccurate and "outrageous," arguing the Department has made "good faith proposals" to satisfy the inquiry since late May. Australian prime minister Scott Morrison has warned that war between the US and China is possible as tensions grow in the run-up to the US election. Mr Morrison was responding to an article by former leader Kevin Rudd who wrote on Tuesday that a 'hot war' between the superpowers could break out for the first time since the end of the Korean War in 1953. In an interview with US think tank the Aspen Institute, the prime minister said he would not use the phrase 'hot war' but admitted that armed conflict is possible. Chinese soldiers march with the national flag at Tiananmen Square in Beijing on October 1, 2019 'Our defence update expresses it differently and certainly not as dramatically, as Kevin has,' he said. 'But we have acknowledged that what was previously inconceivable and not considered even possible or likely in terms of those types of outcomes, is not considered in those contexts anymore. 'So there has been a change, there has obviously been a change and I don't think that's terribly remarkable.' Mr Rudd warned that 'a dangerous political and strategic cocktail' threatened peace as Donald Trump and Joe Biden criticise China to to win votes ahead of this year's election and Beijing asserts itself in the Indo-Pacific. The region faces growing instability after a brutal border dispute between India and China in the Himalayan mountains that killed at least 20 soldiers and with ongoing Chinese territorial claims in the South China Sea. Military vehicles carrying DF-5B intercontinental ballistic missiles participate in a military parade at Tiananmen Square in Beijing on October 1, 2019 Prime Minister Scott Morrison on the flight deck as a EA-18G Growler lands on the USS Ronald Reagan, off the coast of Queensland on 12 July, 2019 Mr Morrison also criticised China's use of 'economic coercion' after Beijing banned Australian barley and some beef exports following Canberra's call for an investigation into the origins of coronavirus. 'Economic coercion is increasingly employed as a tool of statecraft,' he said. The prime minister called for China to 'enhance regional and global stability' rather than focus on a 'narrow, national, or aspirational interest. 'China and the United States have a special responsibility to uphold a common set of rules that build an international society,' he said. 'That means respecting international law and the peaceful resolution of disputes including trade disputes. 'It means a commitment to rules-based economic interaction. Neither coercion of abdication from the international system is the way forward.' The government has said it will challenge China's ban on Australian barley via the World Trade Organisation. Australia in June launched six warships into the Indo-Pacific for training operations ahead of huge show of force in the region with the US Navy. Pictured: HMA Ships Stuart (foreground), Hobart and Canberra (background) depart Fleet Base East in Sydney Beijing and Canberra have been at loggerheads in recent weeks after Australia led global calls for an inquiry into the origins of Covid-19, which first surfaced in Wuhan late last year. China retaliated by slapping an 80 per cent tariff on Australian barley, suspending beef imports and telling students and tourists not to travel Down Under in an apparent attempt to damage the Australian economy. Last month the federal government announced it will spend $270billion over the next ten years on beefing up the Australian Defence Force with state-of-the-art equipment including long-range missiles and new artillery systems amid the strategic and political tensions. On 19 June China was blamed for a massive cyber-attack on Australia amid an escalating feud between the two nations. Later that month Australia launched six warships into the Indo-Pacific for training operations ahead of huge show of force in the region with the US Navy. When Bethlehem City Council members travel to other cities, many of them turn to Airbnb and other home rental sites to find somewhere to stay. They agree an investor should not be buying properties in Bethlehems Historic District to turn around and list them on home sharing sites like VRBO and Airbnb. The renters often end up disrupting neighbors with parties and noise. But council was hesitant to punish all city residents for -- what several of them called -- one bad actor. Council on Tuesday night was considering three new ordinances to more tightly regulate short-term rentals in the city and more clearly define what is considered a bed-and-breakfast operator. But the first zoning amendment deadlocked in a 3-3 vote with Councilwoman Dr. Paige Van Wirt absent. Ordinances require four votes to pass. Council then opted to table the next two ordinances since they are linked to the initial one. Council President Adam Waldron said after the meeting he would need to see what Mayor Bob Donchezs administration wants to do next since the measure failed. The governing body Tuesday found its members divided on protecting a storied city neighborhood while remaining a progressive, tourist city. As a father of four who turns to Airbnb first when traveling, Waldron said he felt it was hypocritical to ban whole house rentals when thats what he does on vacation in other cities. The proposed ordinance wouldve restricted short-term rentals to only single-family, owner-occupied homes or to accessory structures-- think a carriage or guest house -- on properties an acre or larger. So, if someone wanted to rent their home out during Musikfest and leave the city, that would be prohibited. A Lehigh University professor on sabbatical in Europe? Thats not allowed either. Councilwoman Grace Crampsie Smith floated the idea of putting in a requirement that homes be owner-occupied for rentals 90% of the time to give residents the ability to leave when they rent. But she then pulled the proposed amendment. Councilman Bryan Callahan echoed support for such an idea. I see both sides of this, Crampsie Smith said. City Planning and Zoning Director Darlene Heller said she did not know how the city could ever enforce such a rule. But Waldron indicated he thinks the city should allow Airbnbs and regulate violations via the citys noise laws, which are enforced by city police. Councilwoman Olga Negron said she too has used Airbnb on beach vacations in commercial areas and it was wonderful. But this is a residential area and council should deliver on the tougher regulations residents want for their neighborhood, she said. The reason we have zoning is so we can precisely control what is a neighborhood, what is not, she said. What is mixed, what is commercial. Waldron believes it is overreach to create an ordinance that applies to an entire city for problems in one neighborhood, he said. I think it goes too far and punishes people who do a good job of renting out their homes, Waldron said of the ordinance. Under the rejected ordinance, a homeowner must be living in their property, present for all rentals and renting no more than two rooms. A home could not be rented for more than 30 consecutive nights under the proposal and the city requires annual licensing and inspections. The proposed zoning change also requires two off-street parking spaces per home and a third space if two rooms are rented. This does not apply to homes in the central business district, per the proposal. The city currently has 20 short-term lodging facilities that are properly licensed and inspected. But a few online searches turn up plenty operating outside the bounds of the regulation. Bethlehem first sought to regulate short-term rentals in 2017 and passed an ordinance requiring them to be owner-occupied, licensed and inspected and set limits on the length of rentals. But the citys efforts to enforce the new law failed in court when a Northampton County judge indicated it didnt pass legal muster. A recent state Supreme Court decision reopened the door to short-term rental regulations, so the city is floating zoning amendments and updates to the original ordinance to more clearly spell out where the city allows home-sharing and define whats permitted. The city is also laying out what makes a property a hotel -- a building with one or more rental units renting to transient visitors -- thats not a short-term rental or bed-and-breakfast. Earlier this year, Bethlehem City Council unanimously passed a resolution declaring the two changes pending ordinances, which means any new uses from Jan. 21 on would be subject to the new zoning. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to lehighvalleylive.com. Sara K. Satullo may be reached at ssatullo@lehighvalleylive.com. RTHK: Apocalyptic scenes in blast-ravaged Beirut An entire port engulfed in fire, ships ablaze at sea and crumbling buildings: the site of the massive blast in Beirut's harbour area resembled a post-nuclear landscape. Soldiers cordoned off the area, littered with glass and debris from the explosion which officials said was the result of fire catching in a warehouse where hundreds of tonnes of ammonium nitrate were stored. A woman in her twenties stood screaming at security forces, asking about the fate of her brother, a port employee. "His name is Jad, his eyes are green," she pleaded, to no avail as security forces would not let her enter. Nearby another woman almost fainted while also asking about her brother who worked at the port. Ambulance sirens rang throughout the area as vehicles ferried the dead out for at least three hours and fire trucks rushed in and out of the blast zone. Inside the port itself, the hangars looked like charred cans, everything destroyed beyond recognition as fire-fighting helicopters flew overhead, dumping water. Abandoned luggage was strewn across the area. Next to one untouched bag lay an unattended corpse. Every parked vehicle within a radius of several hundred metres sustained damage from blast, so big that it was felt in Cyprus, 240 kilometres away. The cars closest to the site of the explosion were reduced to scrapyard metal, their wailing alarms and flashing lights adding to the chaos. Exhausted firemen were rushing to the scene, some searching for colleagues sent in earlier to put out the initial fire that was raging before the bigger explosion shook the city. With the help of the security forces, civil defence teams scoured the area for corpses, as officers screamed at reporters who were trying to document the disaster. "What are you taking pictures of? There are corpses everywhere," said one of them. The confirmed death toll stood at 73 at 2:00 am but with more than 3,000 wounded and hospitals struggling to cope, a much higher final count seemed inevitable. President Michel Aoun said that 2,750 tonnes of ammonium nitrate, used in fertilisers and bombs, had been stored for six years at the port without safety measures, and he said that was "unacceptable". He called for an emergency cabinet meeting on Wednesday. Officials did not say what caused the blaze that set off the blast. A security source and local media said it was started by welding work being carried out on a hole in the warehouse. (AFP, Reuters) This story has been published on: 2020-08-05. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 5) A lawmaker is proposing to get rid of the embattled Philippine Health Insurance Corporation's case rate system, a program which allegedly started the culture of corruption in the agency. Anakalusugan Partylist Rep. Mike Defensor, who heads the Committee on Public Accounts, bared in a hearing on PhilHealth at the House of Representatives Wednesday that since 2013, the state insurance company had accumulated almost 154 billion due to its case rate system, mostly due to overpayment to private hospitals. "'Nagtuluy-tuloy po iyan at nagugulat na lang tayo, dito na lang nagsimula problema sa PhilHealth na ang lalaki na ng pondong nawawala," he said. [Translation: The issue persisted and eventually we're surprised. This is where PhilHealth's problems started, when funds started to go missing.] Defensor added: "Sa ilalim ng administrasyon ng Pangulong Duterte ay itigil na ang all case rates policy na nagiging ugat ng korapsyon sa PhilHealth." [Translation: Let us abolish all case rates policy under the Duterte administration as this is the root of corruption in PhilHealth.] The case rate system started in 2011, with a separate circular released in 2013, allowing the agency to implement a uniform rate for the provision of health care to certain diseases whether admitted to public or private hospitals. "Kapag ikaw nagkasakit, gumastos ka ng 5,000, ipagpalagay natin na pneumonia, ang ginastos mo ay 5,000 lamang," Defensor said. "Pero dahil ang case rate ay 15,000, babayaran pa rin ang hospital ng 15,000." PhilHealth President and CEO Ricardo Morales reasoned that hospitals should be made equally accountable, as some health care institutions potentially colluding with their patients are not properly monitored, especially in other regions. Morales added that they are potentially losing some 4.5 billion to that scheme alone. "Kung sa ubo, gagawing pneumonia para mataas yung matatangagap (For usual coughs, it's possible that they call it pneumonia in order to get bigger money)," he added. For Marikina Rep. Stella Quimbo, the problem lies not in the case rate program, but the way it was implemented. "If your case rate is properly computed, wala po tayong problema ng overpayment nor underpayment (we will not have a problem with overpayment nor underpayment)," Quimbo said. Morales then insisted that upgrading the agency's IT system would be key to reducing tendencies of fraud. "Next year, kung hindi aayusin ang sistema, aabot ho sa 18 billion ang mawawala," he said. "Maaari lang hong maiwasan ito kung mag-iinvest sa information technology." [Translation: Next year, if we don't improve the system, up to 18 billion will be lost. We can only prevent this by investing on information technology.] On Tuesday's Senate hearing, PhilHealth board member Alejandro Cabading claimed that it was Morales who repeatedly endorsed a "bloated" budget for the company's IT equipment and software, but the latter dismissed this to mere "inconsistencies" in the figures. The Senate hearing also uncovered that almost 15 billion was allegedly stolen by PhilHealth's executives due to fraud. Former anti-fraud officer Thorrsson Keith, who also testified in the House hearing, said that the unconstitutional provision requiring OFWs to pay their missed premiums would mean that even those who were displaced will still be forced to pay, violating President Rodrigo Dutertes order. Duterte earlier ordered PhilHealth to make OFW premium payments voluntary due to the pandemic. Portland, Oregon August 3, 2020 Confident Voice Studio will host a guided learning experience called the Confident Learning Lab from 8am to 1pm starting September 2nd, 2020 at 2240 SE Hawthorne Blvd. Portland, OR 97214. The lab gives children a safe in-person experience away from home, where they can participate in online school with the support of a teacher, have fun with friends safely, and get music and growth Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-05 21:07:06|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close BEIJING, Aug. 5 (Xinhua) -- China has lodged solemn representations to the United States regarding the scheduled visit of U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar to Taiwan, a Foreign Ministry spokesperson said Wednesday. Spokesperson Wang Wenbin told a daily news briefing that China firmly opposes official ties between the United States and Taiwan, and the stance is "consistent and clear." "The Taiwan question is the most important and sensitive issue in China-U.S. relations, and the one-China principle is the political foundation of the bilateral relationship," Wang said, urging the U.S. side to abide by the one-China principle and the provisions of three China-U.S. joint communiques, stop all forms of official exchanges with Taiwan, and handle Taiwan-related issues prudently and properly. The U.S. side should refrain from sending any wrong signals to "Taiwan independence" forces so as not to seriously damage China-U.S. relations as well as peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait, said the spokesperson. Wang emphasized that the one-China principle is recognized by the international community, adding any attempt to ignore, deny or challenge it will end in failure. Enditem Silhouettes of mobile users are seen next to a screen projection of Instagram logo in this picture illustration By Katie Paul SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - Facebook rolled out its own version of social media rival TikTok in the United States and more than 50 other countries on Wednesday, embedding a new short-form video service called Reels as a feature within its popular Instagram app. The product immediately got uptake with several celebrities, following a push by Facebook to attract creative talent before launch: actress Jessica Alba posted a video with her family promoting her Honest Company's masks, while comedian Mindy Kaling showed off an intentionally underwhelming quarantine "workout" routine. Reels' debut comes days after Microsoft said it was in talks to acquire TikTok's U.S. operations from China's ByteDance. ByteDance has agreed to divest parts of TikTok, sources have said, under pressure from the White House, which has threatened to ban it and other Chinese-owned apps over data security concerns. The launch escalates a bruising fight between Facebook and TikTok, with each casting the other as a threat. Both have been eager to attract American teenagers, many of whom have flocked to TikTok in the last two years. Reels was first tested in Brazil in 2018 and then later in France, Germany and India, which was TikTok's biggest market until the Indian government banned it last month following a border clash with China. Facebook also tried out a standalone app called Lasso which did not gain much traction. Similar to TikTok, Reels users can record short mobile-friendly vertical videos, then add special effects and soundtracks pulled from a music library. Those similarities led TikTok Chief Executive Kevin Mayer to call Reels a "copycat product" that could coast on Instagram's enormous existing user base after "their other copycat Lasso failed quickly." Facebook faced similar charges at a congressional hearing on U.S. tech companies' alleged abuse of market power last week, with lawmakers suggesting the company has copied rivals like Snapchat for anti-competitive reasons. Story continues Vishal Shah, Instagram's vice president of product, acknowledged the similarities in a Tuesday video conference call with reporters and said that "inspiration for products comes from everywhere," including Facebook's teams and "the ecosystem more broadly." Instagram is not yet planning to offer advertising or other ways for users to make money through Reels, although it did recruit young online stars like dancer Merrick Hanna and musician Tiagz - who was recently signed by Sony/ATV after rising to fame via TikTok memes - to test the product ahead of launch. The company paid the creators for production costs, Shah said. Joe Gagliese, chief executive of influencer marketing agency Viral Nation, said Reels was poised to mimic Instagram's success with Stories, a product modeled on Snapchat's core offering. "They're a huge monstrous threat (to TikTok)," he said. "The current turmoil couldn't be playing more into (Instagram's) court to launch this thing." (Reporting by Katie Paul; Additional reporting by Sheila Dang; Editing by Greg Mitchell, Edwina Gibbs and Jonathan Oatis) Tousled-like kinases (TLKs) are a potential therapeutic target for cancer treatment due to their central role in DNA repair and replication. The latest work by IRB Barcelona's Genomic Instability and Cancer Laboratory, led by Travis H. Stracker, concludes that TLK inhibition activates the innate immune system, a very important factor in the response to cancer. "We believe the TLKs are promising targets for cancer therapy and want to understand more about how they work and how cells respond to their reduction or loss," says Stracker. Having headed the Genomic Instability and Cancer Laboratory at IRB Barcelona since 2009, in July this year Stracker took up a new position as group leader at the National Cancer Institute (NIH) in Bethesda, in the US. Alternative lengthening of telomeres The group of researchers had previously observed that reduced TLK activity made cancer cells more sensitive to some therapeutic agents. Now, they have found that blocking TLKs triggers an alternative telomere lengthening system (ALT), a pathway used by many cancers, including some of the most aggressive ones like glioblastoma, to maintain telomeres and allow cells to continue dividing. The group of researchers has discovered that activation of the ALT pathway triggers the innate immune system, potentially attracting immune cells, such as macrophages and T lymphocytes. "The activation of innate immunity in cancer has recently become an active area of research as it has become clear that the innate immune response influences chemotherapy and immunotherapy," comments Stracker. Genome decondensation and accessibility In DNA, not all regions have the same function. Some regions contain genes with the information necessary to make proteins, but there are other regions, called heterochromatin, that have a regulatory and structural function, but do not contain genes that give rise to proteins. Another effect of TLK inhibition, observed in this study, is that this heterochromatin, which is usually compacted, ceases to be so, thereby becoming more accessible to the RNA production machinery and leading to an altered composition in the cell. "This could help us understand our previous observation that TLK depletion caused replication stress and help us exploit the effects of TLK depletion for cancer therapy," says Sandra Segura-Bayona, first author of the study. Segura Bayona is currently a postdoctoral fellow in the laboratory headed by Simon Boulton at The Francis Crick Institute in London. ### The project was a collaboration with Camille Stephan-Otto Attolini, head of the IRB Barcelona Bioinformatics Core Facility; Lars Koenig, at the University of Munich, and Simon Boulton, at The Francis Crick Institute. Sandra Segura-Bayona was a PhD student funded by a "La Caixa" International PhD fellowship. Marina Villamor-Paya is funded by an FPI fellowship (by the Spanish Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities) and the project supported by a grant from the Spanish Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities. Incessant heavy rains and strong winds battered Mumbai and its adjoining areas on Wednesday, with public transport operating, already at limited capacity due to the coronavirus-induced lockdown, disrupted further due to water-logging on rail tracks and roads. The deluge on Wednesday evening brought up fears of the 2005 floods that had submerged large parts of the city. Extremely heavy rains will continue to batter Mumbai and its neighbouring areas until Thursday morning, said the India Meteorological Department (IMD) in a special bulletin. "Strong winds with speed reaching 70 kmph along and off the Mumbai and adjoining Konkan coast likely to continue till 6th morning and gradually reduce thereafter. Extremely heavy rainfall is also likely to continue over Mumbai tonight and reduce from tomorrow 6th August," it said. In another bulletin, the IMD said widespread rainfall with isolated, scattered heavy to very heavy falls are most likely to continue over Gujarat, central Maharashtra, the ghat areas till August 6 and reduce after it. As the city was lashed by incessant rain, the Mumbai police on Wednesday evening issued an alert asking people not to venture outside unnecessarily. Mumbai is expected to receive heavy rain at isolated places tomorrow as well. We urge all to not step out unless necessary and stay away from water bodies & water logged areas. Citizens are requested to take all precautions & #Dial100 in case of an emergency. Mumbai Police (@MumbaiPolice) August 5, 2020 Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke with Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray about the prevailing situation and assured all possible support, the Prime Minister's Office said in a statement. "Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to Maharashtra CM Shri Uddhav Thackeray regarding the situation prevailing in Mumbai and surrounding areas due to heavy rainfall," said the PMO in a tweet. Thackeray urged people to stay indoors and venture out only for essential work. He took stock of the situation and asked the BMC to coordinate with the police and railway authorities, health machinery and NDRF to ensure that citizens do not face any hardships. Damage to infrastructure The heavy rain and high-velocity winds, in one instance gusting to 107 km/hr in Colaba, damaged the signage atop the iconic Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) building. Gusty winds led to claddings flying off at the Jaslok Hospital in south Mumbai, while heavy rains prompted water- logging at the state government-run JJ Hospital where doctors were seen wading through ankle-deep water. In Navi Mumbai, the canopy of the roofing of DY Patil Stadium was uprooted by heavy winds, while three high-capacity cranes at the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT) in adjoining Raigad district collapsed in the afternoon. "Due to high-speed winds, three key cranes fell at one of our terminals, but no one was injured in the incident," said JNPT Chairperson Sanjay Sethi. The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) rescued around 290 passengers from two local trains stranded amid heavy rains between Masjid Bunder and Byculla stations in the evening. Railway sources said overhead wire and equipment were damaged near Charni Road station in Mumbai due to a tree collapse and a fire caused by sparks. Rains also lashed Pune, Satara and Kolhapur districts in western Maharashtra, the officials said. Dahanu in Palghar recorded over 350 mm rainfall in the 12-hour period ending at 5.30am on Wednesday, while some areas in Thane received over 150 mm during the period, said the IMD. Water-logging was reported in low-lying areas of Chembur, Parel, Hindmata, Wadala and other areas of Mumbai. The railway authorities suspended the suburban train operations between CSMT-Vashi stations on the Harbour line, CSMT-Kurla on the Main line and also between Churchgate and Kurla due to water-logging on tracks around Masjid Bunder, Kurla, Sion, Marine Line and other stations. The Western Railway also announced on Twitter that due to heavy rainfall, all local train services between Churchgate and Mumbai Central stations have been temporarily suspended till further orders. Both the Central Railway and Western Railway have been operating nearly 350 special train services each daily for those working in essential and emergency services. Bus services of the Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST), the city civic body's transport wing, were also affected due to water-logging on some roads. A BEST spokesperson said their services were diverted on more than 30 routes, including two locations in Thane district, till 9 am. NDRF teams have been stationed at both Thane and Palghar to deal with any eventualities, NDRF commandant Rajendra Patil said. (With inputs from PTI) A massive explosion rocked the capital of Lebanon, Beirut, which took the lives of more than 70 people while injuring at least 4,000 others, says the country's health minister. Massive Lebanese explosion Footage shows a large plume of smoke from the massive fire, and then later, a mushroom cloud formed after the blast at the city's port. According to BBC, the country's officials suspect highly explosive materials that have been in storage for nearly six years were to blame for the incident. Lebanese President Michel Aoun posted a tweet saying that 2,750 tons of ammonium nitrate is stored in dangerous conditions was unacceptable. Authorities have started an investigation to discover exactly what caused the massive explosion. The country's Supreme Defense Council said the individuals that were responsible would face the maximum punishment possible by law. Hospitals are being flooded with victims, and several buildings have been destroyed due to the strength of the blast. Some establishments have also started turning wounded individuals away to the overwhelming number of patients. Other patients had to be transported to hospitals outside of Beirut due to the capacity limit in the city being reached. After the explosion, President Aoun declared a three-day mourning period for those who have lost loved ones due to the incident. He also said the government would provide 100 billion lira ($66 million) to be used as emergency funds for the country's citizens. Reporters at the scene noted that the area was filled with dead bodies and showed catastrophic damage to infrastructure, which was severe enough to shut down the port of Beirut temporarily. Prime Minister Hassan Diab said the incident was a catastrophe and urged the government to punish those who are responsible for the explosion. The official said the dangerous warehouse that stored the hazardous materials was there since 2014 but noted he would not preempt the investigation. Also Read: Prison Break: ISIS Bombs Afghan Prison Entrance Freeing Hundreds, Killing 29, 300 Still At Large Catastrophic aftermath Posts in social media showed people trapped beneath building rubble. One witness revealed that the initial explosion was deafening. Other video footage shows destroyed vehicles and knocked down buildings. Another witness told reporters that all the buildings in the area have collapsed, and the region was filled with glass and debris. The Lebanese Red Cross announced it would dispatch every available ambulance from North Lebanon, Bekaa, and South Lebanon to assist in treating and rescuing patients in Beirut, as reported by The New York Times. The country's public health minister, Hamad Hassan, said his ministry would cover all expenses required to treat those affected at hospitals. He said the decision would include hospitals that had contracts with the department as well as those who do not. At least ten firefighters have gone missing during the rescue operations, said Marwan, the city's governor, who also noted the scene felt eerily similar to Hiroshima and Nagasaki after the nuclear bombings. Abboud said he had never seen that level of destruction before and called it a catastrophic national event. Related Article: US Navy Developing New Attack Weapons Against China in Indo-Pacific @ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. -- A proposed project to help scientists use the laws of physics to view multiscale physical events with a clarity never before achieved has won an Early Career Research Program award from the Department of Energy for Sandia National Laboratories researcher Nathaniel Trask. Such work may require observations over a millionfold change in scale, with features ranging from the meter- to microscale. Among areas that would benefit from increased accuracy, he says, are the design of microelectronic devices, resilient energy storage systems and the study of discrete fracture networks in subsurface flows, important in harvesting oil from sparse underground locations. To achieve this, Trask expects to pre-insert basic laws of physics into machine-learning calculations to eliminate errors that otherwise would have to be found and remediated. Machine learning, a form of artificial intelligence, is the application of tools from statistics that enable limited amounts of data to improve working models created by neural networks. Neural networks, a concept inspired by the firing of neurons in the human brain, create the overall architecture of the model through algorithms designed to recognize patterns.By bringing together traditional physics simulations with neural-network architectures, a machine-learning framework will be created that preserves unvarying physical laws, such as the conservation of mass, momentum and energy, he says. "The presence of these known laws of physics are crucial to accurately handling problems in mechanics and electromagnetics. In this manner, physics is engineered directly into the neural network, guaranteeing accurate properties even in small data limits," he says. His project, titled "Physics-informed Graph Neural Networks for Data-driven Multiscale Modeling," will be supported by grants of at least $500,000 a year for five years to cover salary and equipment. Paul Dabbar, DOE undersecretary for science, said, "The Department of Energy is proud to support funding that will sustain America's scientific workforce and create opportunities for our researchers to remain competitive on the world stage. By bolstering our commitment to the scientific community, we invest in our nation's next generation of innovators." "Nat's novel approach to scientific machine learning should [make an] impact [on] many applications of DOE interest," said his Sandia manager Michael Parks. "This is a very important area of research for the DOE, and the Early Career Research Program is highly competitive," said Sandia senior manager Jim Stewart. "Nat's work stands out through his high level of creativity and mathematical depth." Seventy-six scientists from across the nation this year were selected to receive Early Career program funding. The 11-year-old program, according to the organization, "is designed to bolster the nation's scientific workforce by providing support to exceptional researchers during crucial early career years, when many scientists do their most formative work." Trask has organized workshops and symposiums at a variety of computing meetings. He has published 30 papers and given 57 conference talks, many on mesh-free simulations that produce more interesting results than the formerly standard method of breaking surfaces into small pieces and summing them. He earned his doctorate and master's degrees in applied mathematics from Brown University in 2016 and 2012 respectively, a master's degree from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst in mechanical engineering in 2010 and double major bachelor's degrees in math and mechanical engineering from that university in 2008. Trask joined Sandia as a research staff member in 2018, after employment as a National Science Foundation postdoctoral fellow at Sandia for the preceding two years. ### Sandia National Laboratories is a multimission laboratory operated by National Technology and Engineering Solutions of Sandia LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Honeywell International Inc., for the U.S. Department of Energy's National Nuclear Security Administration. Sandia Labs has major research and development responsibilities in nuclear deterrence, global security, defense, energy technologies and economic competitiveness, with main facilities in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and Livermore, California. Highly anticipated: After months of anticipation, Samsung is finally unveiling the Galaxy Note 20 series today. The company says it will be revealing five new devices at the Unpacked event, which takes place at 10 a.m. ET / 7 a.m. PT / 3 p.m. BST. As is currently standard with major events, this year's Unpacked will be an online-only affair. Samsung is broadcasting proceedings on the company's Newsroom, website, and YouTube channel (above). We're expecting the five products on show to be the Galaxy Note 20, Galaxy Z Fold 2, Galaxy Watch 3, Galaxy Buds Live (aka Beans), and Galaxy Tab S7. What can I say, I'm a perfectionist. pic.twitter.com/A6btpkyZGa Evan Blass (@evleaks) August 5, 2020 Galaxy Note 20 We've heard plenty about the Note 20 series, and a recently leaked AT&T promo video gave us our best look at the two handsets. It appears the standard version (6.7 inches) will lack the 120Hz screen that appears on the 6.9-inch Ultra. The larger phone boasts a 108MP primary camera and 50x Space Zoom, while its smaller sibling has a 64MP shooter and 30x zoom. It appears that both can capture 8K video, and battery sizes are 4,300mAh for the Note 20 and 4,500mAh for the Ultra. We've also heard that the devices will be optimized for streaming games via Microsoft's Project xCloud. Galazy Z Fold 2 The original Galaxy Fold had plenty of problems and wasn't well-received, but Samsung will be hoping its successor finds more love. The rebranded Z Fold 2 features the same Snapdragon 855 Plus SoC found in the Note 20, while the screen has been increased to 7.7 inches. Best of all, that massive notch has been replaced with a hole punch. There's also a higher resolution, smaller bezels, and a triple camera setup. Galaxy Buds Live Images of Samsung's bean-shaped Galaxy Buds Live leaked last month. They're rumored to come with active noise canceling, a four-hour battery life, and cost $169. Galaxy Watch 3 Another leaked AT&T promo video gave us a good look at the Galaxy Watch 3. It seems Samsung has reverted back to the rotating bezel from the first generation of devices, and the Tizen operating system offers new gesture controls for answering calls and controlling your smartphone's camera. Galaxy Tab S7 Tablets saw a resurgence in popularity during the lockdown as sales jumped 26 percent in Q2, so what better time than now for a new slate to arrive. It's said to come with an 11-inch OLED display, while a Plus model will reach 12.4 inches. We've also heard it will be another of Samsung's devices to feature the Snapdragon 865 Plus, along with a 120Hz refresh rate, the new S Pen, and 5G support. Could this be the tablet that finally threatens the iPad's dominance? Technavio has been monitoring the contact lenses market and it is poised to grow by USD 4.55 billion during 2020-2024, progressing at a CAGR of over 6% during the forecast period. The report offers an up-to-date analysis regarding the current market scenario, latest trends and drivers, and the overall market environment. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200805005491/en/ Technavio has announced its latest market research report titled Global Contact Lenses Market 2020-2024 (Graphic: Business Wire) Technavio suggests three forecast scenarios (optimistic, probable, and pessimistic) considering the impact of COVID-19. Please Request Free Sample Report on COVID-19 Impact Frequently Asked Questions- At what rate is the market projected to grow during the forecast period 2020-2024? Growing at a CAGR of over 6%, the market growth will accelerate during the forecast period. What is the key factor driving the market? Demand for disposable contact lenses and the increasing adoption of advanced technologies are the key factors driving the market growth. Who are the top players in the market? Bausch Health Companies Inc., BenQ Materials Corp., Contamac Ltd., HOYA Corp., Johnson Johnson Services Inc., Menicon Co. Ltd., Novartis AG, SEED Co. Ltd., The Cooper Companies Inc., and ZEISS Group are some of the major market participants. Which region is expected to hold the highest market share? North America What is the year-over-year growth rate of the global market? The year-over-year growth rate for 2020 is estimated at 5.44%. The market is fragmented, and the degree of fragmentation will accelerate during the forecast period. Bausch Health Companies Inc., BenQ Materials Corp., Contamac Ltd., HOYA Corp., Johnson Johnson Services Inc., Menicon Co. Ltd., Novartis AG, SEED Co. Ltd., The Cooper Companies Inc., and ZEISS Group are some of the major market participants. To make the most of the opportunities, market vendors should focus more on the growth prospects in the fast-growing segments, while maintaining their positions in the slow-growing segments. Demand for disposable contact lenses has been instrumental in driving the growth of the market. Contact Lenses Market 2020-2024: Segmentation Contact Lenses Market is segmented as below: Product Soft Lenses Rigid Gas Permeable Lenses Hybrid Lenses 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=IRTNTR40679 Contact Lenses 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 contact lenses market report covers the following areas: Contact Lenses Market size Contact Lenses Market trends Contact Lenses Market analysis This study identifies the increasing adoption of advanced technologies as one of the prime reasons driving the contact lenses market growth during the next few years. Contact Lenses Market 2020-2024: Vendor Analysis We provide a detailed analysis of vendors operating in the contact lenses market, including some of the vendors such as Bausch Health Companies Inc., BenQ Materials Corp., Contamac Ltd., HOYA Corp., Johnson Johnson Services Inc., Menicon Co. Ltd., Novartis AG, SEED Co. Ltd., The Cooper Companies Inc., and ZEISS Group. Backed with competitive intelligence and benchmarking, our research reports on the contact lenses 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 Contact Lenses Market 2020-2024: Key Highlights CAGR of the market during the forecast period 2020-2024 Detailed information on factors that will assist contact lenses market growth during the next five years Estimation of the contact lenses market size and its contribution to the parent market Predictions on upcoming trends and changes in consumer behavior The growth of the contact lenses market Analysis of the market's competitive landscape and detailed information on vendors Comprehensive details of factors that will challenge the growth of contact lenses market vendors Table of Contents: PART 01: EXECUTIVE SUMMARY PART 02: SCOPE OF THE REPORT 2.1 Preface 2.2 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 Soft lenses Market size and forecast 2019-2024 Rigid gas permeable lenses Market size and forecast 2019-2024 Hybrid lenses Market size and forecast 2019-2024 Market opportunity by product PART 07: CUSTOMER LANDSCAPE PART 08: GEOGRAPHIC LANDSCAPE Geographic segmentation Geographic comparison North America Market size and forecast 2019-2024 Europe Market size and forecast 2019-2024 APAC Market size and forecast 2019-2024 MEA Market size and forecast 2019-2024 South America Market size and forecast 2019-2024 Key leading countries Market opportunity PART 09: DECISION FRAMEWORK PART 10: DRIVERS AND CHALLENGES Market drivers Market challenges PART 11: MARKET TRENDS Increasing adoption of advanced technologies in contact lenses Launch of new products Prevalence of acquisitions and partnerships PART 12: VENDOR LANDSCAPE Overview Landscape disruption Competitive scenario PART 13: VENDOR ANALYSIS Vendors covered Vendor classification Market positioning of vendors Bausch Health Companies, Inc. BenQ Materials Corp. Contamac Ltd. HOYA Corp. Johnson Johnson Services Inc. Menicon Co. Ltd. Novartis AG SEED Co. Ltd. The Cooper Companies Inc. ZEISS Group 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 focuses 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/20200805005491/en/ Contacts: Technavio Research Jesse Maida Media Marketing Executive US: +1 844 364 1100 UK: +44 203 893 3200 Email: media@technavio.com Website: www.technavio.com/ A transformation is underway in Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said on Wednesday on the first anniversary of the Centre's decision to revoke the special status of the region. Taking to Twitter, Jaishankar highlighted application of progressive laws, delivery of social justice, empowerment and support for vulnerable sections and rolling out of development projects as part of the transformation. The external affairs minister listed expansion of education and employment opportunities and advancement of women's rights as other takeaways. "A transformation underway in Jammu & Kashmir and in Ladakh," he said. On August 5 last year, the Centre announced its decision to withdraw special powers of Jammu and Kashmir and bifurcate the state into two union territories. Since, then Pakistan has been unsuccessfully trying to rally international support against India on the issue. The relations between the two countries nosedived following India's decision on Jammu and Kashmir. Pakistan downgraded diplomatic ties with India and expelled the Indian High Commissioner. The Centre has rolled out a number of development projects and welfare schemes for Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh in the last one year. Oregon Sen. Ron Wyden will introduce a new national bill this week that would emphasize a health care response, instead of law enforcement, to mental health calls. The mental health care and public safety proposal the Crisis Assistance Helping Out On The Streets (CAHOOTS) Act is modeled and named after Eugene's decades-long program. The CAHOOTS Act "takes best practices from Oregon and encourages other states to adopt them through increased Medicaid funding," the Democrat's news release stated. CAHOOTS, a program through White Bird Clinic, has been around in the Eugene area for 30 years. It is designed to dispatch crisis response teams to mental health calls instead of police. CAHOOTS gained national attention the past few months as calls for police reforms and reallocation of funds from law enforcement to other community services has increased in the wake of the George Floyd's death. Floyd, a 46-year-old Black man, died after white Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin kneeled on his neck in the arrest for allegedly passing a fake $20 bill at a grocery store in May. Wyden visited CAHOOTS mid-July and hinted then that he was looking to model national policing reform. The July meeting discussed how Congress can best support CAHOOTS' work. The program already has been a part of the drafting process of the Justice in Policing Act of 2020 introduced by Sen. Kamala Harris (D-Calif.), Congressional Black Caucus Chair Karen Bass (D-Calif.), Sen. Cory Booker (D-N.J.) and House Judiciary Committee Chair Jerrold Nadler (D-N.Y.). Wyden co-sponsored the act on June 8. "We're really excited to be working directly with the senator and his staff, and they're providing tremendous opportunity for our viewpoint as we weigh in while they deliberate on various components of the legislation," said Chris Hecht, executive coordinator of White Bird Clinic, in July. "It's really a great opportunity for us. Partially, we're learning how the sausage is made." -- by Jordyn Brown 2020 The Register-Guard (Eugene, Ore.) Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. OTTAWA - Cannabis companies are being given six extra months to pay off annual fees they owe the federal government, which says it's changing the deadline because of COVID-19. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 5/8/2020 (531 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Cannabis plants are seen in Sainte-Eustache, Que., Wednesday, February 20, 2019. Cannabis companies struggling amid COVID-19 are being given more time to pay off annual fees they owe the federal government.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ryan Remiorz OTTAWA - Cannabis companies are being given six extra months to pay off annual fees they owe the federal government, which says it's changing the deadline because of COVID-19. 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 government says companies now have until March 31, 2021, to pay the annual fee meant to recover aggregate costs associated with regulating cannabis. The fee is based on a percentage of each licence holders cannabis revenues and was initially due Sept. 30, 2020, for many companies. The government says it moved the deadline because the cannabis industry has raised concerns about economic difficulties caused by COVID-19. The annual fee is separate from money collected for application screenings, security clearances and the import or export permits, but represents about 80 per cent of the fees paid by licence holders every year. The government says the deferral will cost it about $3.5 million because it will lose a chance to make use of that money during the extended deadline period and faces the risk of cannabis companies defaulting on the cash if they become insolvent or file for creditor protection. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 5, 2020. NEW YORK, Aug. 5, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- As the United States surpasses four million confirmed COVID-19 cases, data show that Black and Latinx communities are much harder hit, with higher rates of infection and Black and Latinx people are more than twice as likely to die from the virus as white people. This inequity and the ongoing racial justice crisis may leave these same communities with significant trust gaps that lead to lower participation in government-led mitigation strategies such as contact tracing. Today, Vital Strategies released research findings from dozens of interviews with Black and Latinx people and community leaders on what types of messages are most likely to engage communities of color, meet their needs and address their concerns. "Contact tracing is one of the key components to reduce the spread of COVID-19 but Black and Latinx people, who are among the hardest hit communities may be least likely to participate if efforts to engage them aren't grounded in their experiences," said Sandra Mullin, Senior Vice President, Policy, Advocacy and Communication with Vital Strategies. "It won't matter how many contact tracers we have if no one answers the phone, disregards their message, or responds with skepticism. Our research suggests that people are more likely to answer the call if the effort has been promoted, endorsed and reinforced by trusted community leaders and if the messages are empowering and engender a sense of agency and self-determination." Seeking to understand which media messages and messengers would promote participation in contact tracing, Vital Strategies conducted focus groups with African Americans, other people of African descent, and Latinx people in New York and Philadelphia. Key findings suggested that to successfully engage these audiences in contact tracing: Contact tracers must be local, culturally competent, and empathetic. Contact tracing needs to be better explained. Local organizations can engender community buy-in. People need to be reassured about their confidentiality. 'BE THE ONE' was the concept that resonated most with the focus groups as it centers on the individual's participation in contact tracing as the key to helping their communities. By taking specific actions, such as answering the call from a contact tracing, people can help stop the spread of the virus. "The Black and Latinx people we interviewed were all too familiar with COVID-19," said Denene Rodney, President and CEO of Zebra Strategies, a private research company that conducted the focus groups. "We heard stories of lost loved ones, distrust in the government and marginalization in the COVID-19 response. But we also saw that messages that highlight how contact tracing is rooted in neighborhoods generated a lot of enthusiasm for participating. We hope this data encourages governments to mount community engagement efforts grounded in these messages." Twelve focus groups with a total of 88 people participated. The groups consisted of African American, English and Spanish-speaking Latinx, and Black immigrant communities in New York City and Philadelphia. To learn more about Vital Strategies' Resolve to Save Lives Contact Tracing work and to read the complete findings of these focus groups, click here. About Resolve to Save Lives Resolve to Save Lives, an initiative of Vital Strategies, aims to prevent at least 100 million deaths from cardiovascular disease and epidemics. Through its Prevent Epidemics program, Resolve to Save Lives has rapidly leveraged existing networks to partner with countries throughout Africa and beyond to combat COVID-19. Resolve is led by Dr. Tom Frieden, former director of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and is part of the global health organization Vital Strategies. To find out more visit: www.resolvetosavelives.org or Twitter @ResolveTSL. Resolve to Save Lives created a website called PreventEpidemics.org that shows how prepared each country is for an epidemic, including COVID-19, and how many flights are coming and going from infected countries. This site is also a resource for current coronavirus statistics and resources. Resolve to Save Lives' US COVID-19 Response Program works with public health officials and health department staff to strengthen their efforts on prevention strategies, testing, isolation and quarantine, contact tracing and community engagement in order to meet the goals of protecting public health and safely reopening communities and economies. About Vital Strategies: Vital Strategies is a global health organization that believes every person should be protected by a strong public health system. We work with governments and civil society in 73 countries to design and implement evidence-based strategies that tackle their most pressing public health problems. Our goal is to see governments adopt promising interventions at scale as rapidly as possible. To find out more, please visit www.vitalstrategies.org or Twitter @VitalStrat. Stay in the know: Follow #KnowCOVID or subscribe to Vital Strategies' Twitter, Facebook or Instagram accounts. SOURCE Vital Strategies Related Links http://vitalstrategies.org Bakers are raving about a photographer's 'Basque burnt cheesecake' made from flour, eggs, sugar, cream and a $3.30 'secret' ingredient: Philadelphia cheese. Arwen Genge, 43, from Hobart, used a simple recipe developed by Melbourne restaurant critic Dani Valent, who fell in love with the decadent dessert on a trip to San Sebastian in the Basque region of northern Spain in 2015. Ms Genge shared Instagram photos of the cheesecake, which Bon Appetit food writers describe as 'the alter ego to the classic New York-style', with a cookie crust base and crisp, caramelised top. And in good news for first-time chefs, the semi-burnt finish means it's virtually impossible to mess up, even for beginners. Scroll down for video Hobart photographer Arwen Genge's 'Basque burnt cheesecake', made with a five-ingredient recipe developed by Melbourne restaurant critic Dani Valent Such is the popularity of Basque cheesecake that former MasterChef Australia judge Matt Preston once said 'San Sebastian is one of the few places in the world where you have to eat dessert first' before it sells out. In the recipe posted to Ms Valent's namesake website, she says it's normal for the cake to darken on top as it caramelises, but should be covered with a sheet of baking paper halfway through the one hour cooking time if it appears to be burning. She says the ingredients can be tweaked for coeliac or lactose intolerant dessert lovers by replacing plain flour with gluten-free and using dairy-free cream cheese instead of traditional Philadelphia. Bakers will know when the cake is cooked by jiggling the tin, Ms Valent says, which should result in a 'little bit of wobble in the centre and not too much around the edge'. Such is the popularity of Basque cheesecake (pictured) in the autonomous region of northern Spain, that MasterChef Australia judge Matt Preston said dessert is typically eaten there first The baked cheesecake has a cookie crust base and a crisp, caramelised top On Instagram, home cooks who have tried the recipe called it 'divinely addictive' and said they had shared it widely with friends and family. One said: 'Love how easy this is to make and yet so incredibly satisfying!' 'That looks amazing, my favourite cheesecake,' said another. A third added: 'Always a winner this one, I love making it because everyone loves it!' Dani Valent's Basque cheesecake recipe can be viewed here. Chennai, Aug 5 : Eminent people from the world of cinema expressed grief and paid tribute to theatre doyen Ebrahim Alkazi, who passed away on Tuesday. Alkazi, considered the father of modern Indian theatre, was 94. He was the first Director of National School of Drama (NSD). "A beacon of Indian theatre art and mentor of many great actors, Mr. Ebrahim Alkazi will be remembered for many generations. His love for theatre and the art is unmatched. My deepest condolences to the family and the NSD family," actor-filmmaker Kamal Haasan tweeted on Wednesday. Actor Nawazuddin Siddiqui tweeted: "The true architect of the Modern Indian Theatre. The Doyen who possessed the extreme knowledge in all the aspects of ART. The magician who nurtured many greats of theatre. May your brightest spark from the heaven keeps us enlightening #EbrahimAlkazi #RIP." Actor Kabir Bedi also honoured Alkazi by tweeting: "Mournng the passing of Ebrahim Alkazi, iconic giant of modern Indian theatre. I knew him from when he was Director of the National School of Drama in Delhi in the1960s. He gave India great theatre and created a new generation of actors and directors." Actor Anupam Kher hailed Alkazi as his "acting guru", and wrote: "My acting Guru #EbrahimAlkazi Saab passed away. The tallest man ever in our lives. He taught us not only about theatre, acting or dramas but also about life. He made us discover ourselves. He was our reference point for great acting. He will be MISSED. Om Shanti!!" Alkazi, an avid art connoisseur and collector, founded Art Heritage Gallery in New Delhi. He had staged more than 50 plays during his distinguished career and won the BBC Broadcasting Award in 1950. Some of the major plays directed by him include "Tuglaq" (Girish Karnad), "Ashadh Ka Ek Din" (Mohan Rakesh), Dharamvir Bharti's "Andha Yug", besides several Greek tragedies and Shakespeare's works. Alkazi was a recipient of the Padma Vibhushan (2010), Padma Bhushan (1991) and Padma Shri (1966) honours. He had also trained some of the best known Indian talents, including Naseeruddin Shah and Om Puri. By Online Desk Jammu and Kashmir Lt Governor G C Murmu abruptly resigned on Wednesday, officials said. His resignation came on the day the Union Territory marked the first anniversary of the abrogation of Article 370 of the Constitution, which scrapped Jammu and Kashmir's special status. The 60-year-old former IAS officer of the Gujarat cadre had on October 29 last year taken over as the first LG of the union territory after the state of Jammu and Kashmir was downgraded and sliced into two UTs, the other one being Ladakh. There was no official word on the reasons for the resignation of Murmu, a 1985-batch IAS officer, who has served as Principal Secretary to Narendra Modi during his tenure as Gujarat Chief Minister. ALSO READ | 'Tantamount to interfering': EC reprimands Kashmir Lt Guv Murmu for poll remarks He was a secretary in the ministry of finance at the time of his appointment as Lt Governor. Highly-placed sources said that Murmu was likely to be given a new assignment at the Centre. There was no immediate information as to who would succeed Murmu as the Lt governor of J&K. (With PTI Inputs) Lebanon: The explosion may be Lebanons Chernobyl Update: The Lebanese government has said that the devastating port explosion that, according to the latest figures, killed at least 135 and injured nearly 5,000, with damages preliminarily estimated at between $3 and $5 billion, was caused by the ignition of 2,700 tons of ammonium nitrate stored in a warehouse at the Beirut port that arrived in 2014. There were numerous and even public warnings about the danger caused by the storage of these chemicals, but no action was taken. That is likely to exacerbate long-simmering popular dissatisfaction with the elites who rule the country. The catastrophe occurred as Lebanon already faces an economy in almost complete collapse, protesters demanding political change, a spike in COVID-19 cases, and increased tensions between Israel and Hezbollah. Chernobyl moment: While many have quickly reached for comparisons to the United States' dropping of atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945, the Beirut blasts are more aptly compared to the meltdown of the Chernobyl nuclear reactor, as Ali Hashem explains: a disregard for safety and egregious mismanagement by authorities in a broken political system resulting in an apocalyptic and probably avoidable disaster. Mikhail Gorbachev, who was general secretary of the Communist Party at the time, said that the Chernobyl catastrophe in 1986, even more than my launch of perestroika, was perhaps the real cause of the collapse of the Soviet Union five years later. New social contract: The explosions impact might have the weight of a civil war that wasnt fought, concludes Hashem. It could be either Lebanons Chernobyl with all that means to the system that has been ruling the country for the past 30 years or Lebanons new chance to attempt a new socio-political contract. Syria: Syrian Kurdish leaders political brinkmanship in US oil deal Mazlum Kobane, the Kurdish commander in chief of the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), is the mastermind behind the Syrian Kurdish administrations deal with a US oil company, writes Amberin Zaman in a major scoop this week. Kobane triangulates: By signing a 25-year contract with Delta Crescent Energy, a US company formed in the past year specifically to develop Syrian Kurdish oil, Kobane is seeking to achieve three interconnected and complex objectives, which seem aligned with the interests of the Trump administration in Syria, according to Zaman: -Keep the US military in northeast Syria. US President Donald Trump has said before that US forces will remain in Syria for the oil. -Restrict oil supplies and revenues to the Syrian government, increasing the pressure on Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad to cut his ties with Iran. -Make the Syrian Kurds financially solvent, reducing the need for US assistance. The KRG model: Kobane may be guided in this process by Iraqi Kurdistan President Nechirvan Barzani, who brokered the Kurdistan Regional Governments (KRG) political rapprochement and oil deal with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Amberin suggests. Our take: Kobanes oil deal gives him a huge boost in leverage and scrambles the intricate politicking among the key players in Syria. It is difficult, however, to envision Erdogan walking back his concerns about Kobanes ties to the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), which he considers a terrorist group on par with, or worse than, Islamic State and al-Qaeda. The Barzani-led Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) has had its own fractious relations with the PKK, so the KRG model is not a perfect fit for Kobane. Another potential disrupter is Russian President Vladimir Putin, who is close to both Erdogan and Assad. Read more: Amberin Zaman has the scoop and analysis here. Egypt: Sisi takes Libya rivalry to Turkeys borders Meanwhile, Erdogan is engaged in another volatile standoff in the region, challenging Egyptian President Abdel Fatah al-Sisis moves in Libya, where a civil war has pitted the two regional strongmen against each other. The danger for Turkey is that Sisi will open up new fronts much closer to home, in Syria and Iraq. Syria: Although Egypt is so far denying media reports that it has sent troops to Syria to support Assads government, Cairo is testing the idea of Syrias return to the Arab League; expanding contacts with Syrian Kurds, including allowing the SDF to open an office in Cairo; and seeking to facilitate talks between the Kurds and Damascus. Iraq: Egypt has condemned Turkeys ongoing military operations in northern Iraq against the PKK, while broadening political and economic ties with Iraq. Our take: The contest between Egypt, the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia on one side and Turkey and Qatar on the other has become a key regional faultline, as we described here last week. On all fronts Libya, Syria and Iraq the two are on opposite sides, with no sign so far of letting up. Read more: Read Fehim Tastekins piece here on the expansion of Egyptian-Turkish tensions from Libya to Syria and Iraq, and read Hagar Hosnys piece here on how this conflict is also playing out over gas exploration rights in the eastern Mediterranean. Israel: Lapid tops shortlist to take on Bibi; Gantz is last It looks like Israel could be facing its fourth election in 18 months later this year. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is sinking in the polls, his Likud party has lost 10 seats in the Knesset and there are riots in the streets over the alarming spike in COVID-19 cases. And while the possible contenders to take on the prime minister include many familiar faces, Netanyahus rival and coalition partner Benny Gantz is out of the running, at least for now. Lapid leads: Former Minister of Finance and Yesh Atid opposition party leader Yair Lapid has emerged as the most likely contender to take on Netanyahu. He and his party have joined the street protests that have rocked Israel. Lapid is a centrist and former journalist, and while Yesh Atid had seemed to lose ground to Blue and White over the past year, he now believes he can ride the protests to pick up the support that Netanyahu and Likud are losing. Other contenders: Yamina party leader Naftali Bennett, Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi and Yisrael Beitenu leader Avigdor Liberman are also in the mix. "Tel Aviv Mayor Ron Huldai (Labor Party) is a new and surprising addition to the list, writes Ben Caspit. Gantz is last: Dont expect Blue and White party Leader and alternate Prime Minister Gantz to step up. "Gantz is last," writes Caspit. The "shoes filled by Gantz, the somewhat limping Netanyahu challenger who led his party through three inconclusive elections, are now empty. With the party splitting over the unity deal with Netanyahu and with the disappointment of followers, his party has few Knesset seats left both in reality and in the polls." Dark horse: Some eyes are on former military chief Gadi Eizenkot, writes Caspit. He is being courted on all sides as a highly respected, low key, dark horse contender. Budget is key: If Netanyahu agrees to a two-year budget as per the coalition agreement with his rival-partner, Gantz, the election option will be set aside. If he refuses, November elections could well be in the cards, Caspit concludes. More: Listen here to Ben Caspits interview with Lapid on the latest "On Israel" podcast, and read Mazal Mualem on Gantzs bad choices and the controversy around tweeting by Yair Netanyahu, the prime ministers son. In case you missed it: Dont shortchange Iraqs resilience Mina Al-Oraibi, editor-in-chief of "The National" in the UAE, says she is optimistic about Iraqs future because of the civic activism of the younger generation demanding change. She says resilience is part of Iraqs character, adding that Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi and President Barham Salih are the best two we have had in power to try to reform the political system, while acknowledging the challenges they face in confronting the "Mafia state" that has evolved. In a brand-new "On the Middle East" podcast, Al-Oraibi, who is of Iraqi origin, also discussed the UAEs management of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Mars Mission, advice for young journalists and more. Real Respect for women: On her experience as a female journalist covering events around the world, she said the UAE is the place Ive been most comfortable as a woman. There is a real respect here for women. Its been incredible to feel very confident as a woman and actually supported. More: Listen to my podcast interview with Mina here. Fairchild Media, a division of Penske Media Inc., today announced changes in the editorial operations of WWD and Sourcing Journal. Tara Donaldson, currently editorial director of Sourcing Journal, has been named an executive editor, WWD, and head of diversity, equity and inclusion, Fairchild Media. In her new role, she will help guide diversity, equity and inclusion efforts across Fairchild Media. With this transition, Peter Sadera has been appointed editor in chief of Sourcing Journal. Donaldson joined Sourcing Journal in September 2013, prior to which she was a community editor at Tripfilms, as well as a freelance writer and merchandiser at two leading apparel companies. She has a bachelor of arts degree from California State University and a masters degree from Syracuse Universitys Newhouse School of Public Communications. She also is the founder of The Diversity List, which highlights ethnic and gender diversity at 100 leading fashion companies. In her new roles, Donaldson will help guide a global digital-first WWD newsroom with a focus on collaboration for breaking news, high-quality editorial contributions to Fairchild Media Live events, and an innovative and sustainable DEI strategy. Taras focus on diversity within the fashion industry will bring valuable insights to WWDs coverage of that issue as we continue to hold the industry to a higher standard, said James Fallon, editorial director of WWD and Fairchild Media. Her digital expertise also will help us to develop features and breaking news stories with even greater depth and engagement. We are very excited she is joining us. Im excited to be joining a publication with WWDs history and prestige, and I look forward to both honoring its legacy and adding something new to help carry the publication into its future, Donaldson said. Ive watched Taras career progress at Sourcing Journal, where she has consistently led smart and effective content strategy focused on digital, said PMC chief executive officer Jay Penske. Im eager to watch her contributions unfold in her new roles, leading the WWD newsroom through its final stages of digital transformation while also driving vital diversity, equity and inclusion priorities. Story continues Sadera is a 20-year veteran of Fairchild, serving in various editorial roles at WWD prior to becoming managing editor in 2010. As editor in chief of Sourcing Journal, he will use his expertise to help the publications founder and president Edward Hertzman to further develop its ever-expanding coverage of sourcing, trade and related financial issues, as well as its live events offerings. Its with great excitement that I join the wonderful team at Sourcing Journal and Rivet, Sadera said. I look forward to continuing to build on the success the brand has enjoyed under Eddies deft stewardship and am anticipating strong growth in the years ahead. It is virtually impossible to find someone with the media and fashion industry experience that Pete has, Hertzman said. His extreme devotion to the trade and his extensive knowledge of the industry will be critical as Sourcing Journal looks to continue its accelerated growth. I look forward to working with Pete as we continue to extend this brand, making it an essential resource across the soft goods supply chain and beyond. As one of the first employees of Sourcing Journal, Tara was instrumental in developing the brand and helping shepherd the business from its earliest days, continued Hertzman. While she will be missed, I know she will bring the same level of enthusiasm to WWD, and I look forward to seeing how she will help shape that content for the next generation of fashion executives. With more than 75,000 subscribers, Sourcing Journal Online is the largest business-to-business publication devoted to the sourcing apparel and textile supply chain. Sign up for WWD's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. Actor Raveena Tandon has said that because she refused to play by the rules of 90s Bollywood, a lot of people thought that she was arrogant. Raveena, in an interview, has said that at the peak of her career, nasty articles were written about her because she did not adhere to the whims of her male co-stars. She told Pinkvilla in an interview, I didnt have godfathers, wasnt part of camps and didnt have heroes promoting me. I was not sleeping around with heroes for roles or having affairs. In a lot of cases, I was considered arrogant because I wasnt pandering to what the heroes wanted me to do - laughing when they wanted me to laugh, sitting when they asked me to sit. Also read: Karan Johar makes social media comeback after trolling over Sushant Singh Rajputs death, comments on Ranveer Singhs post She said that she was disappointed by female journalists who didnt stand by her, and were essentially the stooges of popular male actors. Raveena said that mean articles were often written about her because somebodys ego was bruised. There used to be these cabals which used to have the heroes, their girlfriends and their journalist chamchas. What used to shock me was that a lot of these female journalists would do something like this to another woman. When they now stand up and say, were feminists and writing ulta-feminist columns, she said, adding that she never lashed out. Raveena has spoken extensively about her experiences in Bollywood at a time when the industry wasnt as professional as it might be now. Previously, in an interview to Hindustan Times, shed spoken about the social media backlash against filmmaker Karan Johar post Sushant Singh Rajputs death. Why would a producer pay an actor crores of rupees, sign him in his movie and then risk the rest of the crores in making a sh**ty film? Why would anyone invest so much money, time and mechanism to intentionally sabotage his own film? How absurd are these allegations! shed said. Also read: Raveena Tandon: Yes, there are people in the film industry, who do plan your failure She didnt, however, deny the existence of camps and mean girl gang in Bollywood, which shed tweeted about after Sushants death. Follow @htshowbiz for more SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Manitoba has reported 27 new cases of COVID-19 since Saturday, but officials are playing down the risk to the general public. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 4/8/2020 (532 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Manitoba has reported 27 new cases of COVID-19 since Saturday, but officials are playing down the risk to the general public. Of the recent cases, 25 are related to travel or known virus clusters and their contacts, while two cases continue to be investigated. Manitoba has reported 117 cases of COVID-19 in the last 30 days including several outbreaks in Hutterite colonies. click to read more Manitoba has reported 117 cases of COVID-19 in the last 30 days including several outbreaks in Hutterite colonies. The most recent data for this period includes 26 cases acquired from travel, 10 cases from unknown community acquisition and 67 from close contact with a travel or community transmission case. There are 14 cases that remain under investigation. Close "What that should demonstrate to Manitobans is that this continues to be a risk, at this point in time, more due to the fact that there might be people coming here from other places," Health Minister Cameron Friesen told a media briefing Tuesday. "Part of that is just the acceptable risk we must have knowing that our supply chains remain open." Most of the recent cases occurred outside of Winnipeg. They include, 10 new cases in Prairie Mountain Health region, two in Interlake-Eastern Health region, 12 new cases in Southern Health and three in the Winnipeg health region. There could soon be stricter or looser pandemic restrictions on Manitobans depending on where they live. Friesen said the government is planning regional responses to COVID-19 based on the severity of the virus in each area. Ontario already has such a system in place. "If we have something happen in (the) southwest part of Manitoba, it should not necessitate...that we close the northeast part of Manitoba," Friesen told reporters. He said details on how to implement such as system are now being hammered out, and he's hoping to announce something "soon." Current infection rates vary considerably from one region to another in Manitoba. There are currently no active COVID-19 cases in the Northern Health region. In the Interlake-Eastern region there are 42. In Winnipeg, there are 15. The guiding principle behind any new system would be public safety, Friesen promised. The total number of cases in Manitoba now stands at 442. On Monday, one was removed as it was a duplicate and from another jurisdiction, the province said. Nine Manitobans are currently in hospital with COVID-19, while four are in intensive care. Officials said all current ICU patients with the virus are linked to a close contact of a known case. Manitoba now has 94 active coronavirus cases compared to just one on July 13. The Winnipeg health region is one of the least affected for the size of its population. With the weekend cases factored in, there are 1.91 active cases per 100,000 population in Winnipeg, compared with 31.79 in Interlake-Eastern, 11.66 in Prairie Mountain, and 7.70 in Southern Health. There are no active cases in the Northern Health region. Several cases reported over the weekend in Steinbach can be traced to a single household, Friesen said. "Its still appropriate to move around the community and conduct your business and go places," he said of the city southeast of Winnipeg. "If it were otherwise, we would be clearly saying so today." Friesen was questioned about the absence of government information surrounding the relatively large number of new cases over the weekend. While the province is reducing the number of media briefings to once per week, Friesen said they could increase in frequency if the need arises. "We want to be accountable to Manitobans the best way we can, and having good information on a prompt basis is one way to do that," he said. NDP Leader Wab Kinew said Tuesday it's important that the government be more open and transparent in disclosing information about new cases. While there was a significant jump in cases over the weekend, Manitobans heard more details from private businesses such as Smitty's, Boston Pizza and Facebook than from its own government, he said. Kinew said the government should provide as much detail as it can about the location of new cases, including more precise information within health regions, which are often enormous in size. Prairie Mountain Health, for example, stretches from Swan River in western Manitoba all the way to the American border. "So, there's a huge difference whether there's a case in Dauphin or Brandon, Boissevain or Swan River," Kinew said. Want to get a head start on your day? Get the days breaking stories, weather forecast, and more sent straight to your inbox every weekday morning. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. The province identified two new COVID-19 cases on Saturday, 18 on Sunday, five on Monday and two as of 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday. The current five-day test positivity rate is 0.46 per cent. A large number of laboratory tests continue to be conducted each day, with 1,803 performed on Friday, 1,354 on Saturday, 1,090 on Sunday and 1,034 on Monday. Meanwhile, health officials revealed for the first time on Tuesday that the man in his 70s from Southern Health who last week became the eighth Manitoban to die of the coronavirus, had underlying health conditions. larry.kusch@freepress.mb.ca There is, of course, room for plausible deniability here because Musk was responding to another tweet calling the U.S. government, not Musk directly, to account for organizing a coup against Evo Morales in Bolivia so you could obtain the lithium there. Musks we response could theoretically be interpreted as not a personal confession of responsibility for the dastardly deed but, rather, a good citizens loyal expression of support for his countrys foreign policy. Charitably speaking such a reading is possible. But speaking more realistically Musk, although associated in the public mind with a pioneering electric car design, did in fact have a very vital interest in the Bolivian regime change operation. Electric cars, to put it very simply, run on lithium batteries, and Bolivia just happens to be a major supplier of that ore. No lithium, no Tesla or any other electric vehicles. To fill in some more blanks, it also happens that just weeks before the coup in November of 2019, President Morales issued a decree essentially nationalizing Bolivias mineral wealth, including lithium deposits. Bolivia watchers, of course, could see it coming for some time. The politically artless President disclosed his audacious game-plan to empower the Bolivian people to enjoy the benefits of their countrys wealth two years before. Just read and weep at his naivete: Bolivian President Evo Morales sees a prosperous future for his currently impoverished South American nation, pinning his hopes on the rapid rise in the global price of this valuable resource. We will develop a huge lithium industry, over $800 million have already been made available, Morales told the German DPA news agency. So the jackals were put on notice as early as 2017. Morales sins were numerous enough and he would have been targeted for removal anyway even if he had not antagonized the lithium cartel by announcing the ambitious project to extract a fair price from it. But now we have at least established that Elon Musk and his local agents highly likely were not neutral observers while preparations for the coup were being conducted. Musk may have made his we can coup whoever we want remark as a loyal citizen who supports his countrys hemispheric interests, but clearly he also had significant financial interests of his own in this controversy. Indeed, the contest between the individual by the name of Elon Musk and the country of Bolivia was anything but the level playing field that noble U.S. diplomacy insisted on in Bosnia while their local team was losing. Musks personal worth of $68 billion contrasts rather conspicuously with Bolivias GNP of $40.58 billion in 2019. Quite simply, the American oligarch could buy Bolivia and have plenty of change left over. But why buy it if you can far more cheaply organize a coup, put your people in charge, and then own it, including the lithium? That is a much more sensible business plan. President Morales cheeky pipe-dream of Bolivias enormous reserves provid[ing] a major windfall for the country, allowing it to generate wealth and spread prosperity among its destitute population was clearly a non-starter in some influential circles and last years fascist coup at least temporarily put an end to it. The genuine possibility that a very rich man with a huge pecuniary interest had concentrated his resources to overthrow the legitimate government of a member-state of the United Nations and got away with it, even boasting retrospectively of his accomplishment, should be shocking. The levity with which Musks revealing remark was met fully reflects the decay of the international legal system. Or, to be more precise, it shows the seemingly complete evaporation of what Ivan Ilyin called legal consciousness, embodying the fundamental norms that limit sociopathic and predatory behaviour at all levels, between states and between individuals, as well as between enormously powerful individuals and comparatively weak states, as in the Bolivian example that we are citing. The Bolivian example, however, is far from isolated. The purposeful substitution in the conduct of foreign policy of private individuals for government personnel goes back at least to the Croatian Operation Storm in August of 1995. That was managed from the shadows by MPRI (Military Professional Resources Inc.), ostensibly a Washington-based private association of retired military officers renting their experience and expertise (including doctrinal advice, scenario planning and U.S. government satellite intelligence) to NATO strategic allies in distress. The 1995 MPRI arranged Croatian military assault, orchestrated with full Pentagon and White House plausible deniability, resulted in thousands of Serb civilian casualties and the expulsion of 250,000 Serb inhabitants from the UN protected Krajina region. For a more recent illustration of the same principle at work, look no further than the May 2020 privately subcontracted invasion of Venezuela, with the goal of physically seizing its leadership and replacing it with pliant puppets clustered around the self-proclaimed President Juan Guaido. Are we looking at a trend, or a new normal, to borrow a phrase from the current pandemic vocabulary, in the domain of international relations? It would appear so. The trailblazers of this new dispensation are wealthy oligarchs with lethal political agendas that go far beyond activities arguably excusable for members of their class, such as amassing more wealth. Coming immediately to mind are Soros (color revolution) and Gates (global imposition of unsafe vaccines and population reduction). Has admitted participation in the Bolivian coup now outed another philanthropist, Elon Musk, whose benefactions we must in future also suffer and dread? Islamic and Christian leaders have expressed sadness over killings in the country. They also raised the alarm over proliferation of arms and... Islamic and Christian leaders have expressed sadness over killings in the country. They also raised the alarm over proliferation of arms and ammunitions. Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) President Rev. Samson Ayokunle and the Sultan of Sokoto Saad Abubakar spoke on Tuesday through the platform of the Nigerian Inter-Religious Council (NIREC). They are co-chairmen of the organisation, which made the following demands on the Federal Government. Fishing out of perpetrators of crime and killings to face justice Mopping up of arms and ammunition in the hands of criminals Complete stop to the proliferation of all forms of weapons that criminals use to destroy lives and property. The Executive Secretary of NIREC, Prof. Cornelius Omonokhua, signed the statement, which said: NIREC is worried that the threats and killings keep spreading. We condemn the carnage on human life especially the recent killings of 76 people in Sabon Birni Local Government of Sokoto State; RuwanTofa Dansadua district in Zamfara State; ZagonKataf Local Government Area in Kaduna State; Bethel Baptist Church Aguda-Dauruwan Kogi State. NIREC also condemned the attack on the convoy of the Borno State governor, Babagana Umara Zulum, at Baga, adding that: We condemn absolutely, the political thuggery that threatens human life and peaceful coexistence. The security agents must fish out the criminals to face justice. They must mop up the arms and ammunitions in the hands of criminals. The government must ensure a complete stop to the proliferation of all forms of weapons that criminals use to destroy lives and property. During his traditional Sallah homage to the Governor of Borno State, the Shehu of Borno, Alhaji Abubakar Ibn Umar Garbai ElKanemi cried out: My people in Borno are no longer safe. Consequently, Maiduguri, in particular should not be allowed to be run over by the insurgents who have been throwing mortals there, killing people. These show how serious the State of insecurity is in the nation. These situations and the likes are of grave concern to NIREC. The unabated carnages leave the citizens in a state of complete despair as economic activities are almost paralyzed. NIREC is therefore constrained once again to call on the Government at all levels to take security as a top priority for every Nigerian. The Government at all levels must double up their efforts of securing the lives and property of the citizens. Italy's national civil aviation authority ENAC threatened on Wednesday to suspend Ryanair's permit to fly in the country over alleged non-compliance with coronavirus safety rules. It accused the Irish low-cost airline of 'repeated violations of the COVID-19 health regulations currently in force and imposed by the Italian government to protect the health of passengers'. 'Not only is the obligation to distance passengers not respected, but the conditions for making an exception to that rule are also being ignored', it said in a statement. Though Italy's civil aviation authority did not mention the specific breaches in their statement, they told reporters at le corriere that the low-cost airline have been failing to enforce mask wearing and social distancing. They added that staff are not ensuring passengers maintain a distance of two metres on the aircraft, during boarding or at check in. If Ryanair continued to break the rules ENAC would 'suspend all air transport activities at national airports, requiring the carrier to re-route all passengers already in possession of tickets'. Italy was the first European Union country to be seriously affected by the pandemic, which has officially killed over 35,000, but its contagion rate is currently far below levels seen in other parts of the bloc. In a statement sent to MailOnline, Ryanair said the claims are 'factually incorrect' and that they 'are doing everything to reduce interaction on both our aircraft and at airports to protect the health of our passengers when flying Ryanair.' Italy's national civil aviation authority ENAC threatened on Wednesday to suspend Ryanair's permit to fly in the country over alleged non-compliance with coronavirus safety rules 'Ryanair is committed to the highest level of safety for our passengers and crew at all times,' the statement reads. 'Ryanairs Healthy Flying procedures are in line with the safety recommendations & measures set out by the Italian Government and also the European Safety Agency (EASA) & European Centre for Disease Control (ECDC). 'These include:All passengers are encouraged to check-in online, and the boarding process is now contactless to avoid unnecessary contact at airports. Ryanair has also implemented specific boarding procedures to avoid unnecessary gathering of passengers both at boarding gates and onboard the aircraft. 'Ryanair strictly limits carry-on baggage to further reduce passengers congregating while putting bags in overhead lockers. The airline operates a reduced in-flight service, accepts only contactless payments to minimise interaction between passengers and crew. On arrival, our crew instruct passengers on procedures to ensure that no unnecessary gathering occurs during disembarkation. 'All Ryanair passengers and crew must wear facemasks at all times throughout the flight. All of our aircraft are fitted with state of the art HEPA filters which remove airborne particles at a rate similar to hospital filtration systems. Italy accused the Irish low-cost airline of 'repeated violations of the COVID-19 health regulations currently in force and imposed by the Italian government to protect the health of passengers' 'The claims made in ENACs press release today are factually incorrect. Ryanair complies fully with the measures set out by the Italian government and our customers can rest assured that we are doing everything to reduce interaction on both our aircraft and at airports to protect the health of our passengers when flying Ryanair.' The potential legal action is not the first coronavirus-related trouble to hit the low-cost airline since the outbreak of the pandemic. At the end of July, Ryanair revealed losses of 168million after being forced to ground its fleet as Covid-19 wreaked havoc on timetables Ryanair said it suffered the 'most challenging' quarter in its 35-year history after carrying 500,000 passengers from April to June compared with 41.9million in the same period last year. Its share price fell 8 per cent in early trading this morning. Meanwhile revenue collapsed from 2.1billion to 113million, with the Dublin-based carrier saying said a second wave of the disease was now its 'biggest fear'. Weekly was taken to Northwestern Memorial Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. His girlfriend, who told police she was waiting in a parked car, was shot twice in the left wrist. She was taken to Amita Health St. Joseph Hospital, where she was stabilized. A 36-year-old man was hit in the back and leg and taken to Northwestern in serious condition. France will send two military planes to Lebanon Wednesday with search and rescue experts, 15 tonnes of sanitary equipment and a mobile clinic equipped to treat 500 people injured in Tuesday's monster blast at Beirut port, the presidency said. The planes will leave from Charles de Gaulle airport outside Paris around midday (1000 GMT) to arrive in Beirut late afternoon with 55 civil security personnel on board, it said. A dozen emergency personnel will also be sent to Beirut shortly "to reinforce hospitals in the Lebanese capital," said the presidency. President Emmanuel Macron called his Lebanese counterpart Michel Aoun Tuesday to express France's support for the Lebanese people and promising a dispatch of French aid. The 55 rescuers being deployed Wednesday are specialists in post-disaster rubble clearing and rescue, said the Elysee, adding France was working to "identify additional needs" on the ground in Beirut. A cataclysmic explosion at Beirut port sowed devastation across entire neighbourhoods, killing more than 100 people and wounding thousands. The blast appeared to have been caused by a fire igniting 2,750 tonnes of ammonium nitrate left unsecured in a warehouse. Search Keywords: Short link: Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip said their 'thoughts and prayers' are with families affected by the devastation Blast the size of a small nuke ripped apart buildings for miles around The Queen has expressed her 'deep sadness' at the scenes of devastation in Beirut following a huge explosion that killed more than 100 people. A blast the size of a small nuclear bomb ripped through the streets of Lebanon's capital yesterday after a fire in a port warehouse ignited 2,750 tons of ammonium nitrate. Thousands of injured residents have been queueing to get into crowded hospitals damaged by the impact of the blast, as hundreds more are feared missing in wreckage. The Queen has expressed her 'deep sadness' at the scenes of devastation in Beirut following a huge explosion that killed more than 100 people In a show of solidarity, the monarch released a statement saying: 'Prince Phillip and I were deeply saddened by news of the explosion at the Port of Beirut yesterday. 'Our thoughts and prayers are with the families and friends of those who have been injured or lost their lives, and all those whose homes and livelihoods have been affected.' The British embassy is just two kilometres away from the scene of incident, in the densely-packed city centre. Yesterday the Foreign Office spokesperson said a small number of staff sustained non-life threatening injuries in the explosion and are receiving medical attention where necessary. Prime Minister Boris Johnson tweeted: 'The pictures and videos from Beirut tonight are shocking. All of my thoughts and prayers are with those caught up in this terrible incident. 'The UK is ready to provide support in any way we can, including to those British nationals affected.' Political expediency cannot be blamed for All India Congress Committee general secretary Priyanka Gandhi-Vadras volunteering to pledge her support to the Ram temple project in Ayodhya and calling it a symbol of national unity. Even political novices are aware of the energy and efforts Hindutva forces have spent for the project, and the blood of innocent people they caused to spill across the nation after Lal Krishna Advani mounted the Ram rath in the 1990s. Even a distant observer of Nehruvian legacy, leave alone his political heirs, will not miss the objection the first Prime Minister of India raised when President Babu Rajendra Prasad chose to attend the consecration of the renovated Somnath temple in Gujarat, for the celebration of a community is rightfully theirs, not of a secular state nor its head. That the temple is coming up on a spot where Babri Masjid once stood, and the apex court had sanctioned its construction there only after calling the vandalism at the Masjid, including damage done to it in 1934, placing of idols under its central dome in 1949 and its destruction in 1992, egregious violations of rule of law, would have been reason enough for the Congress leader to hold back her horses, instead of joining forces with those who are out to display triumphalist bigotry, as another senior Congress leader Shashi Tharoor would put it. Protagonists of the Indian National Congress, save Pandit Nehru, have displayed a congenital tragic flaw when they were told to act on the contentious Ayodhya issue, and Ms Gandhi can be seen as no exception. Rajiv Gandhi, then Prime Minister and Congress president, did it twice: in 1986 when he ordered opening of the locks of the disputed site which his grandfather had shut down and then allowing the shilanyas in 1989. P.V. Narasimha Rao, then Prime Minister and Congress president, watched in silence when karsevaks razed the minarets in 1992. The Congress attempts were clearly to hunt with the hounds and run with the hare, but it failed, miserably and naturally. The party that had placed itself at the secular liberal side of the polity lost pathetically when it chose to run the rightist course, for the people had a better lineup to represent that ideology to opt for. Ms Gandhi and those in the Congress who smart at being not invited for the programme in Ayodhya owe the people an explanation how their interpretation of national unity as seen in the Ayodhya project squares with the the ideals Lord Ram epitomises: justice for all, righteous conduct, fairness and firmness in all dealings, moral rectitude and courage, as Shashi Tharoor would put it. It is time the Congress realised that secularism is not a standalone idea; its very much part of a larger project which seeks to recognise every human being shorn of all the artificial classifications such as caste, religion, sex, region and so on. The party has to make a choice whether it sides with that grand project. Otherwise, the bhajans heard at Ayodhya could be the requiem for the grand old party of Indian politics as well. BEIRUT - As dazed Lebanese picked through the wreckage inflicted by the massive explosion in their capital city on Wednesday, shock turned to anger at the corruption and incompetence that allowed a massive pile of dangerous chemicals to sit unattended in a warehouse at Beirut's port for six years. An estimated 2,750 tons of ammonium nitrate, a fertilizer and bombmaking ingredient, has been identified as the immediate cause of the blast that engulfed the city on Tuesday, killing at least 135 people, injuring more than 3,000 and leaving more than 100 unaccounted for. The material had been stored in a warehouse since being seized by customs authorities in 2014, despite repeated warnings from port officials that it was a risk. Government investigators still have not pinpointed the origin of the fire or explosion that erupted some 15 to 20 minutes before the ammonium nitrate ignited, sending a vast mushroom cloud of toxic gases rippling across the city. The blast was heard 150 miles away on the island of Cyprus. Beirut has witnessed many explosions, including the bombing of the U.S. Marine Barracks in 1983 that killed 241 Marines, the assassination of the former prime minister Rafic Hariri in 2005 and the countless small blasts of the mortars and shells that rained down on the city during the civil war from 1975 to 1990. This was by far the biggest - and the shock waves reverberated beyond the immediate tragedy of lost lives and homes. It seemed to encapsulate everything that is wrong with Lebanon at this juncture in its turbulent history: A weak state, inept government, corrupt officials and, many said, the existence of a parallel state run by the powerful Hezbollah movement, as well as other Lebanese factions that used the port for their own smuggling operations. "People saw firsthand with devastating results what it means to have a failed state," said Paul Abi Nasr of the Lebanese Association of Industrialists. "It's not just that the government is corrupt, that the state is weak, that there are weapons outside the hands of the government. We saw these things come together catastrophically." Nations around the world rushed to offer assistance, with planes bearing humanitarian aid and medical teams landing or due to arrive from Turkey, Qatar, Kuwait, Egypt, France, Iran and Britain, among others. President Donald Trump said Thursday that no one could say what caused the blast, but the United States was "looking into it very strongly." Secretary of State Mike Pompeo offered U.S. help in a telephone call with the country's Hezbollah-backed prime minister Hassan Diab, with whom Washington has had frosty relations. Pompeo conveyed the United States' "steadfast commitment to assist the Lebanese people as they cope with the aftermath of this terrifying event," the State Department said in a statement. But the offers of aid did little to alleviate the bitterness on the streets of Beirut. "Even if foreign countries send help, the government will steal it," said a 23-year-old student who was among hundreds of volunteers who showed up to help clear the streets of debris and broken glass. In any case, she said, "we will not be able to repair all this." Protesters gathered in the central Martyrs Square shortly after midday. Some were in tears. As the day wore on, the enormity of the devastation became clear. People milled around the wrecked streets of some of Beirut's most vibrant, and wealthiest, neighborhoods in stunned disbelief at the scale of the damage. Volunteers swept away debris and broken glass as people who lived in the stricken area retrieved possessions. Windows were blown in and doors blown out across a vast swathe of the mostly Christian eastern sector of the city. Many of the buildings were rendered uninhabitable, cracked or buckled beyond repair. They included some of Beirut's fanciest new high-rise apartment complexes as well as the quaint historic houses for which the area is renowned. The governor of Beirut, Marwan Aboud, said more than 300,000 people in the city of 2.2 million had been left homeless. The Lebanese government said it was putting an unspecified number of Beirut port officials under house arrest as it began an investigation into the blast. The losses were staggering. The Lebanese Red Cross said any additional bodies found in the rubble must be taken to Beirut's morgues directly, because hospitals could no longer cope. Residents of Gemmayzeh, a historic neighborhood once dotted with bars and restaurants, dragged suitcases over piles of broken glass and rubble to seek out housing elsewhere. "We have no home anymore. The ceiling came down," Pierre Feghali said as he tried to start his wrecked car to drive with his wife to his ancestral home in the mountains outside Beirut. Aboud put the cost of the damage at as much as $5 billion. Whatever costs are eventually incurred will be added to the estimated $100 billion in banking sector losses that had already wiped out the savings of ordinary people. The prospect of rebuilding at a time when bank rules prohibit people from withdrawing more than small amounts from their accounts was daunting to many of those surveying wrecked homes and businesses. At the House of Butlers, a hip bar known for its many varieties of whiskey, the stench of alcohol hung over a staff retrieving unbroken bottles. There was no talk of rebuilding, only of salvaging what could be saved, said Ayman Zayour, one of the bartenders loading whiskey into the van. "We really don't know how we will recover from this," he said. "We were already in economic crisis." Many voiced similar sentiments, saying they were more inclined to leave the country rather than try to rebuild their shattered lives, perhaps only to see them knocked down by another crisis. "For me this is the end," said Nabil Allam, the financial manager of the badly damaged Rosary Sisters Hospital, which evacuated patients to other hospitals that were already overwhelmed. "Do you think the politicians can solve this?" he asked. "This is bigger than any of them." Allam was at his home three miles outside the city when explosions lighted up the sky. He turned to his wife. "It's Hiroshima," he told her. Diab appealed for global help to stanch the suffering. French President Emmanuel Macron was scheduled to arrive in Beirut on Thursday. The European Union said it was activating its civil protection system to round up emergency workers and equipment from across the 27-nation bloc. A video shared on social media showed French firefighters at Charles de Gaulle Airport in Paris, preparing to assist. The toll is expected to rise as more bodies are unearthed in the wreckage of the port area. An Instagram account set up to appeal for information on the missing included photographs of more than 100 people, including firefighters and civil defense workers who rushed to the scene of the initial fire only to be caught in the far larger blast that followed. They are unlikely to be found alive, said Freddy, a firefighter at the port who had been on duty for 22 hours. "The whole ground turned inside out," he said as an ambulance bearing sped past. Simon Abegi hunted for his friend, Rwan Misto, a fellow bartender at the Cyrano cocktail bar. She was standing next to him in the bar when the explosion struck. While he picked himself up, she was still lying on the ground, bleeding profusely. Bystanders put her in a car to take her to hospital. She has not been heard of since. - - - Loveluck reported from Baghdad. The Washington Post's Suzan Haidamous and Missy Ryan in Washington contributed to this report. The government is thinking of turning a large multi-purpose transport ship that is already under construction into a light aircraft carrier, an insider said Tuesday. That would make it possible to bring forward the scheduled launch of the carrier from 2033 to 2030. The government may also procure F-35B vertical takeoff/landing aircraft that could be carried by it by that time. The source said the idea reflects President Moon Jae-in's determination not to be left behind by Japan's light aircraft-carrier plans. "The Defense Ministry, the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the Navy, and the Air Force are giving serious thought" to the idea, the source said. Like her friend and ally Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Cori Bush defeated an incumbent machine Democrat for the Democrats' nomination for Congress in a heavily blue district. Come November, a new member of Congress will be elected to join AOC's "Squad," representing the black-majority Missouri First Congressional District. Cori Bush on CNN last night (Twitter video screen grab). CBS News reports: Cori Bush, a onetime homeless woman who led protests following a white police officer's fatal shooting of a Black 18-year-old in Ferguson, ousted longtime Rep. William Lacy Clay Tuesday in Missouri's Democratic primary, ending a political dynasty that has spanned more than a half-century. Bush's victory came in a rematch of 2018, when she failed to capitalize on a national Democratic wave that favored political newcomers such as Bush's friend, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. This time she was able to pull out the victory winning 49%-46%, CBS affiliate KMOV-TV reports. Bush's supporters said protests over the death of George Floyd in police custody in Minneapolis and outrage over racial injustice finally pushed her over the edge. An emotional Bush, speaking to supporters while wearing a mask, said few people expected her to win. The incumbent Bush defeated, William Lacy Clay, inherited his seat from his father. Between the two of them, the family had represented St. Louis for 52 years. Like the incumbent Joe Crowley defeated by AOC, Lacy Clay had been denounced for ignoring his district and spending most of his time in D.C. But unlike Crowley, Clay is black, was endorsed by the Congressional Black Caucus, and in 2018 defeated Bush by 20 points in the primary. So it is clear that Democrat primary voters have moved left and that the insurgent radical left in the Democrat party has gained significant resources in the interim. Fox News reports: Bush's 48.9% to 45.5% victory is yet another win for Justice Democrats, the group that backed the successful primary challenges by Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., and educator Jamaal Bowman over powerful Democrat Reps. Joe Crowley, D-N.Y., in 2018 and Eliot Engel, D-N.Y., in June, respectively. "They counted us out," Bush said after her Tuesday win. "They called me I'm just the protester, I'm just the activist with no name, no title and no real money. That's all they said that I was. But St. Louis showed up today." The 10-term Clay was defending a seat that's been represented by his family for more than half a century. The incumbent succeeded his father the late Rep. William Clay Sr. who held the St. Louis-area seat for more than 30 years and was one of the founders of the Congressional Black Caucus. Bernie Sanders is delighted, of course: Mr. Sanders tweeted congratulations to Ms. Bush. "She is a true progressive who stands with working people and will take on the corporate elite of this country when she gets to Congress," he said. The Democrat party is moving farther to the left. This victory should be a signal to voters in swing districts that voting for the Democrat, no matter how centrist he may claim to be, is handing power to the radical Marxists who would ruin America if able. The government has accepted the request by the Bihar government to order the Central Bureau of Investigation to probe actor Sushant Singh Rajput, the Centres senior second-most law officer Tushar Mehta told the Supreme Court on Wednesday. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta made the submission during the hearing of a plea by actor Rhea Chakraborty seeking transfer of the case registered in Bihars capital of Patna to Maharashtras Mumbai. Union of India has in principle accepted the request by Bihar to have a CBI probe. Notification regarding the same will be issued by end of day today, Mehta said. The top court asked the parties involved to file their response in three days. It also ordered the Maharashtra government to apprise the court of the stage of investigation by Mumbai Police into Rajputs death. The case will now be heard next week. Sushant Singh Rajputs father, KK Singh, had filed a police complaint against Chakraborty in Patna, accusing her of abetting his sons alleged suicide in June. His father has also alleged that Chakraborty illegally transferred Rs 15 crore from his sons bank account and mentally harassed him. Chakraborty has challenged Bihar polices jurisdiction in the matter, saying that the alleged crime took place in Mumbai. Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar had recommended that the CBI take over the case on Tuesday. Kumar said the decision was taken after Rajputs father met the state police chief Gupteshwar Pandey. The DGP spoke to Sushant Singh Rajputs father this morning and he gave consent for CBI inquiry. So now, we are recommending CBI probe in the matter, Kumar said on Tuesday. Uddhav Thackeray, Kumars counterpart in Maharashtra, and the western states home minister Anil Deshmukh had both earlier ruled out a CBI probe. Rajputs father had also met Kumar seeking CBI investigation in the case. The actors father had said on Monday he had filed a complaint with Mumbai Police in February claiming Rajputs life was in danger. The revelation came as Singh filed an FIR with Patna police, alleging Mumbai police of inaction even after 40 days of the actors sudden death. Rajput was found dead in his apartment in Mumbais Bandra on June 14. Mumbai Police, which are investigating the case along with a parallel investigation by Patna Police, said have he died by suicide. (Please reach out to your nearest mental health specialist if you need support or know someone who does. Helplines: Aasra: 022 2754 6669; Sneha India Foundation: +914424640050 and Sanjivini: 011-24311918) The construction of the grand Ram temple at Ayodhya, whose 'bhoomi pujan' was performed on Wednesday, is expected to be completed in the next three years, the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) said. VHP international president Vishnu Sadashiv Kokje said there is enthusiasm among Hindus across the world over the foundation stone laying ceremony for the Ram temple. He blamed the Congress for the delay in the temple's construction. Prime Minister Narendra Modi performed the ground-breaking ceremony in Ayodhya for the temple at the spot where many devout Hindus believe Lord Ram was born, marking the beginning of its construction. Kokje told PTI, "There is enthusiasm among Hindus across the world over the foundation stone laying for the Ram temple in Ayodhya. "The smooth manner in which the work of temple construction has been going on after the formation of Sri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra by the central government is amazing." He said, "We hope that the Ram temple in Ayodhya will be completed in three years." Kokje, a former judge of the Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan high courts, said the temple will be constructed with a slight change in the model prepared by the VHP under which stones were being carved for the last three decades. "Our model has been modified slightly to give the Ram temple a grand appearance. We have already carved stones for two floors which will be used in the construction of the temple," the VHP leader said. The VHP, which spearheaded the Ram temple movement, started carving stones for the structure at its workshop in Ayodhya in 1990. Kokje said post-independence, the plan to build a Ram temple in Ayodhya lagged behind due to 'vote bank' politics of the Congress. He said, "Now Congress leaders are trying to show themselves as friendly towards Hindus in the changed atmosphere in the country." Visa applicants are lined up outside the Chinese Consulate in Seoul, Wednesday. Yonhap By Yi Whan-woo China is further easing entry regulations for citizens from Korea over other countries, in what is seen as a bid to woo Seoul over the intensifying row between Beijing and Washington. China's embassy and consulates in Korea have begun to receive visa applications from Korean students and jobseekers, Wednesday, after Beijing suspended entry of most foreigners in late March in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Those who have a valid residence permit for China will be also allowed to apply for re-entry. Successful visa applicants need to turn in a certificate of negative COVD-19 test results to the Chinese diplomatic missions five days prior to their departure. The move is seen as an extension of China's "fast-track" entry an arrival system with a set of streamlined quarantine regulations that China introduced in May for a select group of Korean businesspeople, such as employees of conglomerates. This makes South Korea the first country for China to normalize visa issuance and other entry procedures with after the COVID-19 crisis. The accelerated entry cooperation is aimed at restoring bilateral economic partnership which has been hard hit by the pandemic. Still, analysts viewed that China is implicitly trying to draw Korea to its side in the long term to counter the U.S. strategy of bringing its allies together in the Asia-Pacific. "It would be too naive to say the eased entry will be solely to restore economic activities," said Park Won-gon, an international relations professor at Handong Global University. "The underlying idea is to capitalize on Korea to make U.S. strategy to contain China trickier." Park referred to Korea's export reliance on China and argued the country is the "weakest link" of the American allies in U.S. initiatives, such as the Indo-Pacific alliance and Economic Prosperity Network (EPN). The Indo-Pacific alliance could be interpreted as a move to curb China's military and economic rise in the region. The EPN could function to isolate China from critical supply chains. Japan, Australia and India are the U.S. main allies in the initiatives. The U.S. has urged Korea to join but Seoul has been cautious about making commitments. "The biggest reason for Seoul being cautious is because of economic ties with China, and Beijing knows all too well how to use trade and business as leverage," Park said. Kim Dong-yeop, a research professor at the Kyungnam University Institute for Far Eastern Studies, said China's latest conflicts with Australia and India have made Beijing focus on Korea over other U.S. allies. Australia-China relations have become tetchy over a couple of months following Australia's calls for an independent inquiry into China's handling of the coronavirus pandemic and China's retaliatory measures. A deadly brawl between Chinese and Indian troops in the disputed Himalayan border region in June led to even greater anti-Chinese sentiment in India. "And this leaves Korea an important country for China not to lose in the region," Kim said. Kim speculated China, to better woo Korea, may push for Chinese President Xi Jinping's visit to Seoul. The two sides initially agreed on Xi's visit "in the first half" of the year but it was postponed indefinitely due to COVID-19. The Spanish Health Ministry reported on Tuesday that 1,178 Covid-19 cases had been detected in the previous 24 hours. The majority of the infections were recorded in the regions of Aragon and Madrid, with 365 and 292 cases respectively more than half of the total. Since Friday, Spains regions have detected 14,292 new infections, although there was missing data from Madrid, Catalonia and Navarre some of the areas hardest hit by the pandemic in Spain which blamed technical problems for their failure to report their figures. There is also a discrepancy between the number of new cases and the total. On Tuesday, the Health Ministry reported a total of 302,814 infections, compared to 297,054 on Monday a difference of 5,760. The daily report indicates that this is due to problems with the data provided by the regions and the transition to the new monitoring strategy, under which new cases are only reported if they have been diagnosed in the past 24 hours. The incidence rate of Covid-19 in Spain has jumped ninefold since mid-June, rising to 71 confirmed cases per 100,000 inhabitants In reality, Spain is detecting a much higher number of new Covid-19 cases than what is reported under the heading Diagnosed in the last 24 hours in the daily report. Last week, more than 2,500 infections were being detected a day. This figure includes all new cases, regardless of whether they were diagnosed the day before or several days ago. The 14-day cumulative incidence of the virus, the indicator used by international agencies to make comparisons between countries, has continued to rise in Spain since the end of the state of alarm on June 21. Indeed, the incidence rate has jumped ninefold since mid-June, rising to 71 confirmed cases per 100,000 inhabitants. After Aragon and Madrid, Catalonia and Andalusia reported the highest number of new cases on Tuesday, with 109 infections detected in each region. Given that these are highly populated areas, it is useful to look at the cumulative incidence in relation to the population. In this case, Andalusia has 20 cases per 100,000 inhabitants, Catalonia has 158 and Madrid 66. The region by far with the highest incidence of Covid-19 is Aragon, with 566 cases per 100,000 inhabitants. Last week, more than 2,500 infections were being detected a day in Spain As the number of cases rises, so too has the number of hospitalizations for coronavirus. According to Tuesdays report, 549 Covid-19 patients were admitted to hospital in the past seven days, compared to 472 on Friday. Aragon has reported nearly half of all recent hospitalizations in Spain, with 237 admissions. The number of patients in intensive care has also risen, with 41 recorded in the past week, nine of whom were admitted in Aragon. The northeastern region is facing several outbreaks and community transmission meaning the chain of transmission cannot be traced in many areas, including its capital Zaragoza. The number of coronavirus victims has also risen. According to Mondays report, 34 people died from Covid-19 in the last seven days, bringing the total to 28,498. This figure does not count suspected coronavirus cases who died before being tested for the disease. If these fatalities were taken into account the total death toll in Spain would be closer to 50,000, according to an EL PAIS estimate based on regional records and data from three different agencies. Fifteen of the recent victims were recorded in Aragon. Catalonia to launch mass testing campaign The Catalan health department is set to launch a mass testing campaign in a bid to curb contagion in the comarca of Valles, where incidence of Covid-19 has doubled in the past week. Residents in the Campoamor neighborhood in Sabadell, which has recorded several cases of Covid-19. CRISTOBAL CASTRO Tents will be set up to carry out PCR tests on around 9,000 people in the municipalities of Terrassa, Ripollet and Sabadell. The initiative is the first of its kind in Spain. While there have been other testing campaigns, they have been targeted at specific groups, such as seasonal workers or guests of a party linked to an outbreak. In this case, the tests will be indiscriminately available to all residents. Andalusia to issue fines of up to 600,000 for safety violators In a bid to curb contagion of Covid-19, the Andalusian regional government has established a penalty system for those who break the coronavirus safety measures. The plan is considering fines of 100 for not wearing a mask, or wearing it improperly, and up to 600,000 for establishments like nightclubs, supermarkets and stores that exceed the set capacity, hold parties with large groups or fail to follow safe distancing rules. According to the Andalusian government, there are 80 coronavirus outbreaks in the region, with 826 associated cases. A total of 70% of new cases are among people between 20 and 51 years of age, Elias Bendodo, the spokesperson for the regional government, said on Tuesday. We are being firm so that the sanctioning scheme is strictly followed. [...] Being young does not make you stronger. As a young person, you will see your father, your mother and your grandfather as the at-risk community. Police in the region recently opened an investigation into a DJ who was caught on camera on Saturday, spitting alcohol over a crowd at a party in a beach club in Torremolinos, in Malaga province. The party-goers were not wearing face masks or respecting social distancing rules. Antibody rate in Madrid senior residence A total of 61% of residents in senior homes in Madrid and 30% of workers at these centers have developed IgC antibodies to the coronavirus. Thats according to the results of 18,500 blood samples taken by the regional health department in different social service centers in the region. A worker helps a resident at the Santa Maria de Montecarmelo senior home in Madrid. Andrea Comas (EL PAIS) These are the first results of a seroprevalence study being carried out in Madrid, where nearly 6,000 official coronavirus fatalities have been recorded in the regions 474 senior residences. A total of 70,000 tests are set to be carried out at 435 centers 50,000 on residents and 20,000 on staff. Joan Ramon Villalbi, a specialist in preventive medicine and public health, says that the fact that 61% of residents have antibodies is an indication of how serious the penetration of the virus was in residences in the Madrid region in the first wave. Amid fears of a second wave of Covid-19, Villalbi argues the impact will be much lower if it re-enters senior centers. In residences where more people have antibodies, we must assume that the virus will circulate less because it is likely that people with immunity will not be infected, he explains. Business closed for allowing infected staff to work The Catalan regional government has shut down a business in Lleida province after a work inspection found that 19 people with Covid-19 were continuing to work there even though it was known they had tested positive for the disease. Given the seriousness of the situation, the public health department has issued a resolution to suspend its activity, the regional health department said in a press release. The regional government has stepped up its efforts to monitor coronavirus safety measures in the workplace, which has been linked to several serious outbreaks, specifically among fruit pickers at horticultural companies in Lleida province. With reporting by Javier Martin-Arroyo, Jessica Mouzo and Ixone Arana. English version by Melissa Kitson. Islamabad: Pakistan's right wing Jamaat-e-Islami has invited former army chief General Raheel Sharif to join the party following his retirement. Jamaat parliamentary in the Punjab assembly, Waseem Akhtar, invited Sharif who retired this week after a three-year tenure to join the party. Akhtar asked the former army chief on Thursday to help the party change the face of politics the same way he "altered the fate of the nation" through the operation Zarb-e-Azb against terrorism, the Express Tribune reported. While speaking on a supplementary question during the question hour, he said after mandatory two years for every government servant before joining politics, Sharif should join the Jamaat-e-Islami. For all the Latest World News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Eminent Nigerians on Tuesday paid tributes to the late Afenifere leader, Pa Ayo Fasanmi, as his remains were interred in his country home in Iye Ekiti, Ilejemeje Local Government Area of Ekiti State. Fasanmi, a Second Republic Senator, died on July 29 at the age of 94. The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the casket conveying Fasanmis corpse was brought to the community in a white jeep for the funeral service held at Saint Johns Anglican Church, Iye Ekiti. Fayemi said Fasanmis contributions to the development of democracy was immeasurable, particularly his role in the formation and operation of the defunct National Democratic Coalition that fought the military. The governor disclosed that his government was already constructing a secondary school to honour the deceased for his contributions to the state before his death. My only regret is that he has left us before the school will be officially inaugurated for academic activities when schools finally reopen, Fayemi said. Fayemi, in his tribute, entitled: Tribute to a Man of Integrity, said attracted him to the deceased was his integrity. He added: His death has, therefore, robbed me of a godfather, counsellor, an advocate and a father. A good man has left us. We will sorely miss him but we are consoled that he was dedicated to selfless service. Fayemi added that Fasanmi belonged in the class of the youths of the 1950s when the nationalist movement was at its feverish peak. He noted that the deceased got indoctrinated into nationalism struggle through the writings of Dr. Nnamdi Azikwe and his contemporaries. He said: He proved his political mettle in 1964 when he was elected as a member of the Federal House of Representatives before 1966 and he got imprisoned in Agodi Prison and was later released. He offered to serve as governor of the old Ondo state in 1978 and slugged it out with Chief Michael Adekunle Ajasin who defeated him in the primary. One legacy for which Baba would be fondly remembered was his credential of incorruptibility. He was a man of tall integrity and honesty. It would be recalled that he was the first to start the Anti-Bribery and Corruption Committee in 1973 under Col. Oluwole Rotimi of the Western Region. Chief Ayo Fasanmi has come, he has seen and conquered. He conquered human cravings, vanity of power, ostentation, greed and malice. RelatedPosts Fasanmi: Tribute to a man of integrity, by Kayode Fayemi Osun bids Fasanmi farewell, hands body over to Ekiti Attack on Gov. Zulum shows fragility of our security architecture Governors Forum Speaking on behalf of the South West Governors, Governor Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State said the news of the passage of the icon was a loss to the Yoruba and Nigeria at large. Akeredolu said: Baba living long for 94 years was not what we are celebrating, but we are celebrating how many lives he had impacted on. He lived an impactful life. He was not petty but he spoke truth, lived a remarkable life and was one politician who became senator and came home to rest. The Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, represented by his Special Adviser on Civic Engagements, Aderemi Adebowale, said Fasanmis influence became more pronounced by his incorruptible nature. The All Progressives Congress National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, represented by former Lagos State Deputy Governor, Abiodun Ogunleye, said Nigerians must learn from the late politician who lived a modest and spartan lifestyle. Tinubu described Fasanmi as a revolutionary and a politician of outstanding mien, civility and character who was worthy of being emulated. In his sermon, the Bishop of Ekiti Oke, Anglican Communion, Peter Olubowale, said Fasanmi was not a noise maker and trouble maker during his time. The cleric urged the people to continually do good to humanity the way Fasanmi did to his family, political associates, friends and companions. Olubowale said: We need to be available to ourselves and committed to God. Nigerians are number one people in the world that are easy to govern with patience, zeal and endurance. Baba has told us that all these monies you are spending and the one you are keeping inside bullion vans and the ones being stashed in banks accounts are all vanity. Use the position you are occupying very well to develop humanity. This is the only way you can gain eternity because materialism will lead you to hell fire. Brampton council unanimously passed a motion Wednesday asking Coun. Gurpreet Dhillon to resign and voted to apply the harshest penalties available to them under the law suspension of pay for 90 days after an ethics probe determined he had sexually harassed a woman in Turkey while the two were on a trade mission. After a lengthy discussion, Brampton council voted to implement all the recommendations made by integrity commissioner Muneeza Sheikh in her report released Friday, which found Dhillon engaged in the unnecessary, unwelcome, and unwanted sexual touching of a Brampton woman in her hotel room while on an official trip with the Canadian Turkish Business Council in November. In addition to docking his pay, council also voted to require Dhillon to formally apologize to the complainant, to remove him from city committees and ban him from travel outside the province on city business. He is also only allowed to communicate with the public using his city email address (and not phone), and is barred from municipal offices, except to retrieve mail or attend council meetings. Sexual harassment is something we have to take very seriously, said Mayor Patrick Brown during the virtual council meeting. I know the recommendations of the integrity commissioner are extensive, but I think by adopting the recommendations, we show very clearly we have zero tolerance for sexual harassment in our city. The commissioners report is not a finding of criminal wrongdoing or guilt, and the complainants allegations, which include sexual assault, have not been tested in court. Dhillon, who is regional councillor for Wards 9 and 10, was not in attendance at the virtual meeting. He said he denies all the allegations and will not be stepping down. I am deeply troubled by city councils politically motivated decisions today in response to the integrity commissioners flawed report, he said in a statement Wednesday. I have and continue to vehemently deny all allegations against me and have commenced legal action. As noted many times in todays council meeting, this investigation began without a formal complaint and has been tainted from the start. The numerous inconsistencies in the complainants story have never been reconciled. Nor was I afforded due process, he said. Amidst their grandstanding, council rushed to judgment today and called for my resignation. I will not do that. Dhillons lawyer, Nader Hassan, said the councillor has launched an application for a judicial review, and had asked for a deferral of city councils decision. However, council decided to proceed after the city solicitor advised them that there was no legal requirement to defer your decision. Hassan called councils decision to push ahead troubling. Our concern with the integrity commissioners investigation was that it lacked fairness and due process. Council has now compounded those errors, he said in an email Wednesday. The penalties prescribed in Brampton have no impact on Dhillons role on Peel regional council, or the pay he receives from Peel, city staff said. Brampton council also passed a motion Wednesday asking the city to forward the report to Peel regions integrity commissioner and Ontarios Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing. In a damning 268-page report released Friday, Sheikh said she was first alerted to the allegations against Dhillon by Mayor Patrick Brown on Nov. 27, after the complainant reached out to him, alleging that Dhillon had sexually assaulted and harassed her. Brown did not file an official complaint with the integrity commissioner, but Sheikh said she started a preliminary investigation while Peel police determined if they could lay charges. A spokesperson for Peel police said the victim reported her assault in November. Peel Regional Police take all allegations of sexual assault seriously and took the necessary steps to assist with the investigation, said Cst. Heather Cannon, with media relations. Our investigators did consult with the Crowns office and confirmed that Peel Regional Police do not have jurisdiction to lay charges. Our investigators made every effort to assist the RCMP and Turkish police by forwarding all the information we had to the Turkish police. The RCMP did not respond for a request for comment by deadline. The complainant, who is not named in the report but is described as a Brampton business owner, didnt file a formal complaint until March 19. Sheikhs report included such evidence as text messages and accounts of what happened in the days following the alleged attack. Sheikh also reviewed a cellphone audio recording the complainant made, in which the woman can be heard saying no to Dhillon 74 times over the course of 2 minutes and 57 seconds. According to Sheikh, Dhillon refused to participate in the integrity commissioners investigation, citing procedural irregularities. The judicial review claim, filed last week, names both the city and Sheikh, and claims that both the investigation process and the final report itself are deeply flawed. Noor Javed is a Toronto-based reporter covering current affairs in the York region for the Star. Follow her on Twitter: @njaved Read more about: DARIEN Given the damage it wreaked in Connecticut as a tropical storm, its tough to imagine what kind of impact Isaias would have had at full force. First Selectman Jayme Stevenson told The Darien Times on Wednesday that her Eversource liaison told her the impact in terms of power outages statewide was worse than Hurricane Sandy. Beginning Tuesday afternoon through Wednesday morning, many trees and wires were reported down all over Darien. As of Wednesday morning, nearly half of the states Eversource customers were without power, or about 618,000. Dariens outages remained also at nearly half, with 3,857 customers, or 46 percent of the town, in the dark. And even then, Darien is in better shape than some of its Fairfield County neighbors. Over 90 percent of New Canaan customers were without power, Ridgefield was at 77 percent, Weston at 94 percent, Redding at 97 percent, Norwalk at 44 percent, and Westport at 96 percent, according to Eversource. Worse than Sandy Stevenson said she expected the number of Dariens outages to go up as more residents make reports. Eversource cited several problems on Tuesday with its automated outage reporting system that caused many to express frustration with the utility company. Eversource crews were spending Wednesday assessing the damages and actual repairs would begin on Thursday, she said. Eversource said that after Tropical Storm Irene in August 2011 and the surprise October snowstorm, also in 2011, Tropical Storm Isaias caused the third biggest storm-related power outage in the states history outnumbering even Hurricane Sandy. At its worst, Darien's outages from Hurricane Sandy in the fall of 2012 were up to 92 percent. They remained in the low 80s for several days as repairs continued. During Tropical Storm Irenes aftermath in August 2011, the highest reported outages hit 71 percent. During the surprise Halloween storm in October, 2011, outages hit their highest at 46 percent. The impact of Isaias was surprising after it decreased in power from a hurricane to a tropical storm upon landfall, Stevenson said. I have to give a shout out to the Darien Police who take all the 911 calls and work with their allies on the damage assessment crew, fire and EMS on all life safety concerns, she said. Though town crews worked overnight to clear some roadways, Stevenson said they cannot clear any debris that includes wires. Eversource crews must attend to those. Restoration and cleanup Stevenson said the town had several priority locations for Wednesdays cleanup. Those areas included eight dead-end streets that were blocked in, which had to be cleared in the case of emergency. Those eight areas included: Casement Street, Peach Hill Road, Point o Woods, Delwood Lane, Cary Lane, Little Brook Road, Gideon Lane/Squab Lane and Highfield Lane. Other priorities include the main sewer pump station on Nearwater Lane, which was without power and running on a generator, as well as Hindley School, which is the location of the Darien YMCAs school age summer camp, Stevenson said. Beyond those priority locations, Stevenson said there are 100 locations with reports of downed trees and wires, and she said she expects that list to grow by the day. Eversource has to do their assessment before they begin restoration activities. We expect that today there will not be restoration other than critical facilities, she sad. She added that she expects that Eversource, as with other storms, will bring in crews from other states to assist. Stevenson urged patience as she said with the amount of damage in Darien and the state, restoration could take until Friday or Saturday in some cases. She also added that she is working with Dariens other utility partners who may be experiencing outages, like Optimum, Altice and Frontier, to restore residents internet and phone service along with their power. Looking at the numbers Stevenson reported some statistics, too, from her update with Darien Police. Over the night of Tuesday into Wednesday, Darien Police had 450 calls for service. More came in on the second shift this morning. Those calls included: 140 to 150 locations with storm damage. 35 road closures. 17 trees on homes and one on a commercial building. 10 trees on vehicles throughout the town. Thank God no one was injured, she said. Taking precautions Residents who have no power and are vulnerable or of ill health who need help should reach out to town resources, Stevenson said. The Department of Human Resources at 203-656-7328, and the non-emergency number at the police department, 203-662-5300, are options. Do not call 911 unless it is a true emergency. Stevenson also added that traffic lights are not working due to power issues so driving should be done with caution. She also emphasized that all downed wires should be assumed live. Do not walk under, through or drive under trees leaning with power lines. Do not attempt to cut down trees and branches with wires, Stevenson said. There will be some inconveniences. Sometimes you will have to find another way to get from point a to point b, she said. To keep up with the towns storm response, sign up for Code Red messages at DarienCT.gov or DarienPd.org. Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-05 14:16:05|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close FAIZABAD, Afghanistan, Aug. 5 (Xinhua) -- Police in the northern Badakhshan province have discovered 50 kg heroin and arrested two drug traffickers over the past five days, provincial government spokesman Nik Mohammad Nazari said Wednesday. According to the official, the crackdown on drug traffickers in Kofab district since the weekend has led to the recovery of the contraband and arrestment of two smugglers. Nazari also noted that police would continue to target the drug smugglers elsewhere in the relatively troubled province with Faizabad as its capital 315 km northeast of Kabul. Enditem A 52-year-old man whose lengthy criminal record includes more than 70 convictions over a 20-year period told a Niagara judge hes ready to turn his life around. I know my record betrays me, Patrick Lewin told Judge Fergus ODonnell in Ontario Court of Justice in St. Catharines on Tuesday. Im getting older every day every year that goes by. When Im dead and gone out of this world, who is going to be there to show (his children) the way. Im not a bad person, I have a good heart and good intentions. Lewin appeared in court via audio conference for sentencing on a charge of robbery stemming from a holdup at a St. Catharines convenience store in August 2019. Court heard the offender brandished what the clerk believed to be a gun and demanded he hand over a quantity of cash. The following day, a St. Catharines resident discovered a hammer wrapped in a handkerchief in a driveway. Lewins DNA was found on the hammer and he was arrested. Court was told the offender, who was on probation stemming from a previous robbery conviction at the time of the offence, has a long-standing substance abuse addiction and, in the past, has promised judges he would go to rehab upon release from jail but never followed up on that promise. He has repeatedly told the courts that he wants a conventional lifestyle but hes done nothing to get that conventional lifestyle, said assistant Crown attorney Greg Smith. Does he say this because of an epiphany, or is he saying it because he wants to get out? Defence counsel David Protomanni told the judge his client is a devoted, loving father when he is sober. He said the man developed a $200-a-day methamphetamine habit as a young adult and turned to crime in order to support his habit. He accepts full responsibility for his actions and is remorseful, Protomanni added. He acknowledges he has poor coping skills, but is dedicated to long-term treatment. The judge noted convenience store employees work long hours, often overnight, for little pay and are especially vulnerable to criminals. Each person (victim of crime) has to get up the next day and go back to work because they dont have another choice, ODonnell said. They cant just stay home. They have bills to pay. He told the offender to look into the future and imagine one of his sons working behind the counter at a convenience store. Imagine if one of your children is working the night shift and somebody walks in and does what you did. I want you to think how scared you would be as a father how angry you would be how you would feel if your child was not safe. The judge imposed a sentence of two years behind bars, followed by probation for 12 months. The sentence takes into account the time the man had spent in pre-sentence custody, which is the equivalent of 14 months. Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-05 20:25:13|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close BEIRUT, Aug. 5 (Xinhua) -- The following is the timeline of the huge explosions in Beirut, Lebanon. - - - - 02:00 p.m. (1100 GMT) International offers of assistance keep coming, including from Germany, Turkey and Gulf countries. - - - - 01:30 p.m. (1030 GMT) President Michel Aoun said an investigation into the explosions would be conducted and the results would be revealed transparently. He also appealed for speedy assistance to Lebanon. - - - - 01:00 p.m. (1000 GMT) Beirut governor said about 300,000 people were displaced after the explosions. Health Minister Hamad Hassan announced that the explosions have caused at least 100 deaths and left over 4,000 injured, with many more missing. - - - - 00:30 p.m. (0930 GMT) Health minister Hassan said hospitals in Beirut and its suburbs were overcrowded after the explosions, qualifying the situation, aggravated by the spreading of the coronavirus, as a catastrophe. International troops serving in the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon are among those injured by the explosions. Lebanon's Kataeb Party's secretary general was wounded in the blast, and his condition is reported as critical. The Dutch Foreign Ministry said the wife of the Dutch ambassador to Lebanon was seriously injured. - - - - 11:00 a.m. (0800 GMT) International aid is heading to Beirut. Russia, France, Poland, Greece, The Czech Republic, Denmark, Jordan, Egypt and other countries are voicing support and aid to Lebanon, including sending rescuers, medical and emergency workers and opening field hospitals. - - - - 09:00 a.m. (0600 GMT) Prime Minister Hassan Diab appealed for help for Lebanon in a short televised speech. "We are witnessing a real catastrophe," he said. - - - - 05:00 a.m. (0200 GMT) Death toll rose to 73, and 3,000 others were injured. - - - - 10:10 p.m. Tuesday (1910 GMT Tuesday) Health minister Hassan said the explosions killed more than 25 and injured more than 2,500. - - - - 09:15 p.m. (1815 GMT) Interior Minister Mohammad Fahmi said the ammonium nitrate stored since 2014 in warehouse No. 12 at the port may have caused the explosions. President Aoun called for an emergency meeting of the Higher Defense Council to discuss the causes and repercussions of the explosions. - - - - 06:10 p.m. (1510 GMT) Huge explosions rocked Beirut, flattening most of Port of Beirut, shaking buildings in the capital, and causing massive casualties and damage. Enditem COHOES City police drove to off-duty Officer Sean T. McKowns home in Cohoes on June 6 after he called 911 to report a supposed gunfight with Black male youths unaware the allegedly intoxicated officer was calling from the Adirondacks. A predawn email sent within the Albany County sheriffs office contained the subject line cop involved shooting city of Cohoes, according to documents the Times Union obtained in a Freedom of Information Law request. The documents showed that police were led to believe that as many as eight to 10 people alleged to be black males were on McKowns property in Cohoes and told him off before gunfire was exchanged. McKown would later admit to State Police that nobody fired at him or displayed a weapon --and that he had provided false information about the incident, according to sources familiar with the matter. It happened on Lincoln Pond Road in Essex County, the summer home for McKown, 46, an officer with the Cohoes Police Department for nearly 20 years, The documents show that a sheriffs dispatcher sent three emails to the offices command updating them about McKowns calls for help. We just received a call, stated the first email to the offices command just before 12:40 a.m. The dispatcher emailed that he learned from the State Police traffic management center that McKown had called and said four black males came to his residence and shot at him and he returned fire back at them. (State Police) and Cohoes units are responding at this time. Thirty minutes later, the dispatcher updated the sheriffs office command again. After Cohoes officers responded to Officer McKowns residence it was found that this incident occurred at Seans camp in the Adirondacks, said in the 1:11 a.m. email. Twelve minutes later, the dispatcher sent another email explaining that a Cohoes police lieutenant informed him that McKown has a house in the woods with a lot of land. A group of eight to 10 black males came around his property and words were exchanged after he questioned why they were on his property, the dispatcher wrote, relaying the information. They told him off. They then returned for round two, more words were exchanged to which at that point gunfire was exchanged between both parties. Sean is uninjured, however is waiting for State Police response as they are on another call. The dispatcher added that troopers would try to determine if, in fact, this group, was or is specifically there for him or another reason. The Times Union first reported last week that McKown, who is white, called 911 and reported to State Police that he had confrontations with Black youths outside his home. He told police a Black male youth displayed a gun and fired at him outside the Lincoln Pond Road residence, prompting him to fire his weapon four times and retreat toward a hill. McKown also claimed he ditched the gun, sources with knowledge of the case said. Troopers arrived to find McKown asleep when they arrived. They said he appeared highly intoxicated, sources said. McKown later called State Police back and, upon their return, said he had fired his department-issued gun into a tree stump. State Police did not not believe McKown's second account and determined he had neatly placed the weapon down. State Police described McKowns statements as extremely inconsistent. Special Investigation 147 NY dams are 'unsound,' potentially dangerous Thousands of dams have not been inspected in over 20 years. McKown, who has not faced any charges or internal discipline, is expected to retire this month. Cohoes Mayor Bill Keeler, a retired State Police official, has said if the allegations were proven to be true, McKown's actions would constitute behavior unbecoming of a police officer. Two years ago, police in Illinois arrested McKown for allegedly driving under the influence; he pleaded guilty to reckless driving and was suspended without pay. McKown was sentenced to a month of court supervision. Keeler has said retirement is a less costly and risky avenue to handle the situation than suspending him and having a long arbitration process. Essex County District Attorney Kristy Sprague, according to sources familiar with the incident, told State Police there was not enough evidence to charge McKown with menacing or for allegedly making a false report. Sprague has acknowledged meeting with State Police to discuss the case. She said in a news release that she "presumed that the investigation was ongoing and a follow-up would be made in the near future." She has said she is "unable to comment on the facts of the investigation as I have not read the final report or final statements secured. The district attorney has refused to say, when asked repeatedly in emails, if she made the decision not to prosecute McKown -- and if, prior to the incident she knew McKown or had any dealings with his family. Sprague has not responded to several emails sent to her this week. On Tuesday, a woman answering the phone at the district attorney's office told the Times Union: "I've let Ms. Sprague know you're on the phone and she said that her discussion with you is concluded and she's going to make no more comments on this matter." Washington: Seventy-five years ago on Thursday, the US became - and remains - the only country in the world to detonate a nuclear weapon against an enemy. On August 6, 1945, an American Boeing B-29 aircraft named Enola Gay dropped a 4400-kilogram uranium bomb nicknamed "Little Boy" over Hiroshima, Japan. About 70,000 people were killed instantly by the explosion, which had a radius of around a mile. Hiroshima survivor Koko Kondo is honoured at the Tribeca Film Festival in New York City in 2018. Credit:Getty Images Three days later a second bomb, named "Fat Man", was unleashed over Nagasaki. This time, 40,000 people died straight away - within five years, the number of deaths approached 140,000, according to archived estimates by the US Department of Energy. The Hiroshima death toll reached an estimated 200,000 by 1950 as those who survived the blast succumbed to fatal burns, radiation sickness and various cancers. On August 14 Japan surrendered unconditionally, effectively bringing an end to World War II. Williamstown Select Board Recommends Social Justice Articles to Town Meeting WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. The Select Board on Monday recommended to town meeting passage of two warrant articles designed to address issues of racial equity and diversity after reconsidering an earlier decision to make no recommendation on one of the measures. The last two items on the 37-article warrant for Aug. 18's outdoor annual town meeting at Weston Field were generated by way of citizen's petition. The first asks town meeting voters to commit to the "Not In Our County Pledge" generated by the Great Barrington-based group Multicultural BRIDGE. The second, titled "Equity," calls on all agencies and committees of town government to re-examine their policies, demands the town train board members and employees about issues of systemic inequities and requires quarterly reports on these issues to the recently formed Diversity, Inclusion and Racial Equity (DIRE) Committee. Board members expressed support for the intent of both articles but raised technical issues about each, though the panel took no action on the warrant's final measure, the Equity article, before Chair Jane Patton realized there were members of the audience who wanted to speak to the articles from the "floor" of the remote meeting. The board members were dressed down by several residents who expressed dismay that the elected representatives would pass on the opportunity to take a stand on the social justice articles. Bilal Ansari, who sits on the DIRE Committee, gave the Select Board credit for forming that panel earlier this summer but said it needs to keep moving forward and not "slip backwards." He called on the board to recommend that town meeting affirm the work of the DIRE Committee and the lives of disenfranchised citizens generally. "Why can't we affirm [the warrant article] and move on," Ansari said. "Set the trail so that the town hears you and hears you loud and clear not that there's some token group that is meeting every week, but that we do the work also. We pledge and we work as hard as they're working this is the type of leadership I know you're capable of doing, and I call you to it. "We've come too far, and we can't step backwards." Ansari said the Select Board should recommend passage of Articles 36 and 37 on the town meeting warrant even if the members of the board thought the articles might be unpopular, because they are the right thing to do. "You may know it would never pass muster with the town, but you, as our leaders, voted this way despite what everyone else is thinking," he said. "I will feel so empowered, so ready to fight with you, stand with you, do the labor every week with DIRE because I'm working to make recommendations to a board of leaders who stand against the grain, against the tide, despite it all. We need leaders like you to keep walking in faith. "I need to know that my leaders are down. I need to know that I'm not serving on this DIRE Committee just to be talking, just to be a token." The Select Board members did not cite the potential that either article would fail at town meeting as a rationale for not making a recommendation. And at least one member, Anne O'Connor, said she likely would vote for Article 36, the Not in Our County Pledge, as a private citizen at the Aug. 18 meeting, even though she joined a unanimous vote Monday that initially made no recommendation on the article. The hesitancy to recommend Article 36 was based on two elements of the warrant article that the petitioners added to the original language developed by Multicultural BRIDGE. The pledge generated by the South County non-profit is in the paragraph labeled No. 1 in the article and talks about working "to acknowledge, address and act in response to all forms of intended or unintended exclusion, hate, bigotry, intolerance and bullying." The article on the town meeting warrant adds introductory text that talks about "the ideals of equity and inclusion, particularly concerning the effort to assure the safety of black-identifying people of color," and a second "action" paragraph that requires the town and its representatives to "report a representative and unbiased picture of any and all hate, exclusion, or intolerance they may witness as being directed towards an individual or group based on any of the above demographics." Both those clauses were marked as problematic by different members of the board. Patton, who works with Ansari on the DIRE Committee, said the focus on a particular portion of the population, "black-identifying people of color," in the article's preamble was inconsistent with a more universal sense of inclusiveness to which the DIRE group aspires. Jeffrey Thomas and others on the board questioned the reporting requirement in the article's second paragraph. "[Paragraph 2] has a reporting burden I'm uncomfortable with that," Thomas said. "That sort of goes to these third-party things that come to us. They're very difficult to vet in this context. If it was just the 'Not in Our County' Pledge, which is something we've already done, I'd say, 'Why not do it again?' "With this extra language, I don't know. I just don't know. I would say that all the ideas in here are important, but the logistics are something we have not had a chance to understand." O'Connor said she thought Monday's DIRE Committee meeting, which she watched live prior to the Select Board meeting, showed that the former body is taking a methodical approach to collecting the kind of data implied in the citizen's petition Article 37. She said she wished the petitioners had stuck to the original language in the Multicultural BRIDGE-authored pledge and not strayed into the area of required reporting. After all five members of the board voted not to make a recommendation on the penultimate warrant article, it moved on to the Equity article, but it did not get too far along in the discussion before Patton realized there were residents queuing up to talk about Articles 36 and 37 as well as heavily-debated land-use articles on the warrant to regulate the production of recreational marijuana. Ansari was joined by three other residents in pushing the board to reconsider its vote not to recommend the Not in Our County Pledge. "I'm pretty unhappy with the feedback here tonight," said Jessica Dils, the first member of the audience to speak on the issue. "I know you all signed on as a board to take this pledge, having made the mistake of not taking the pledge in 2017. This has been worked on countywide. It was carefully put together by Multicultural BRIDGE. "Right now, this petition basically takes it one step further. It is the bare minimum in our town to say to someone standing next to you, who is a person just like you are, that you are willing to make the commitment to protect them in our county against hate, intolerance and exclusion. This is what every single person deserves." Dils said the DIRE Committee cannot conduct its work unless the town takes the commitment embodied in the pledge. "You are elected leaders, who have the potential right now to say, before town meeting, we as leaders are going to make this commitment," Dils said. "I think the quibbling over language and trying to hold two different communities on the same playing field when they clearly are not, it's hard to listen to. I'm sorry to sound frustrated, but I am frustrated. This is a chance for everybody to do the right thing." Dils and, later in the discussion, Thomas asked the town manager directly to comment on the level of burden that the Pledge and Equity articles place on town government. Jason Hoch said he had reviewed the language in each of the articles with the petitioners before the articles were submitted to the town for inclusion on the town meeting warrant and that he did not have concerns about either creating unreasonable burdens for town employees. "Officially, the town and its staff and agencies are not to be standing by when there is hate, exclusion and intolerance," Hoch said. "We have an obligation to stand up, point that out and support appropriate movement away from that. That's the obligation we commit to in the [Multicultural BRIDGE Pledge], and this re-emphasizes it in that second part. "I don't draw nearly the same heavy emphasis on this writing annual reports of hate. I think it simply is our need to call that out and do what we can do officially to move away from that and, going forward, figure out how we can find ways to engage." Later, in the context of the Equity warrant article, Hoch told the Select Board that he thought the staff training required by the article, if passed by town meeting, was "achievable and reasonable." Despite those assurances, Thomas and Andrew Hogeland still struggled with the "report" clause in the Not in Our County Pledge article. "Part of my concern on this reporting paragraph was I think it did set up a town reporting requirement," Hogeland said. "It did sound to me like we'd have to make sure we had to cover all these instances and issue a report of some kind. One of the missing things is, if you saw these [Black Lives Matter] signs torn down, to whom would you report it? There's no recipient. "Words matter. The town needs to understand that when you bring things to this board, they read them. Some of these things are not as well written Jessica Dils stands up and says, 'If you see something, do something.' I say, 'Of course,' but that's not what this [warrant article] says. It says something else. "Having read this a number of times, I think we can make this language work. Even though it's vague and not ideally drafted, clearly the heart is in the right place. I think we can make this work." After the board voted to reconsider its decision not to make a recommendation on the Not in Our County Pledge, it voted unanimously to recommend town meeting pass the article but only after Thomas made one more clarification of his earlier stand against making a recommendation. "I'm going to need a couple of seconds," Thomas said before casting his roll-call vote. "This is very difficult for me because I don't feel this is the right way to do governance. And I feel a strong sense of commitment to this town to do the work on the Select Board the right way, and I don't feel this is it. "But I also understand that if I fail to vote in favor of this, I subject myself to ridicule and shame by people who simply won't take the time to understand, in my opinion, the work of this board and the importance of the integrity of the work of this board. So that's my speech. I'm going to go along to get along and say, 'Thomas, aye.' " Moments later, Thomas abstained in a 4-0-1 vote to recommend that town meeting pass the Equity warrant article, noting that he hoped the article could be amended on the floor of town meeting to clarify the language around quarterly reports to the DIRE Committee that the article requires. The curse that keeps on giving, the weeping woman known as La Llorona, is back. The last time this specter worked her mojo onscreen, in the Conjuring horror franchise, she terrified a Los Angeles family. She goes after a more obviously deserving target in her most recent outing, La Llorona, a thoughtful, low-key Guatemalan movie that deploys its genre shocks inside a sober art-house package. Monsters can be in the eye of the beholder, and so it is with La Llorona. A figure out of folklore in Mexico and other parts of Latin America, she is a malleable emblem of female power, by turns tragic and chilling, sometimes both. Although the particulars of her misfortune and her symbolism can differ from tale to tale, the basic story involves a ghost forced to wander weeping for her dead children, whom she drowned. Like Medea and others of her like, she is the giver of life and its destroyer. The title character in La Llorona takes a while to make her entrance. By the time she does, you are nicely hooked on the movies good looks, sly moves, weird women and disquieting vibe. One of its more obscure pleasures is that its early scenes with their mannered delivery and narrative ellipses are right out of the modern art-film stylebook. Several times during this leisurely, ambiguous first stretch I flashed on the director Lucrecia Martel (The Headless Woman), a specialist of unease. Certainly Martel seems like an obvious reference point for the director, Jayro Bustamante, in how he uses the sins of the bourgeoisie to explore the ghastly history of a country. With his weathered face and proud white mustache, the movies old tyrant (Julio Diaz) certainly looks like a stand-in for Gen. Efrain Rios Montt, the Guatemalan despot who in 2013 was convicted of genocide and crimes against humanity. The dictator here called General by his bodyguard, Enrique by his family also stands trial. In a courtroom that looks like a stage, Bustamante uses bodies in space to express the larger social coordinates, placing one witness, an Ixil woman, in the center of the frame, her face to the camera. Behind her, Enriques wife (a very good Margarita Kenefic) and daughter (Sabrina De La Hoz) bear witness to his patrimonial guilt. Australia will not ban social media platform Tiktok after security agencies found the Chinese company did not pose serious national security concerns. The Australian government is still looking at ways to manage privacy and security risks posed by social media companies such as TikTok and WeChat, but has decided any kind of ban or country-wide restrictions on the applications are not warranted on national security grounds. The Australian government will not ban TikTok. Credit:Bloomberg Prime Minister Scott Morrison said on Wednesday morning the Australian government had had a "good look" at whether to ban apps such as TikTok and concluded there was "no reason for us to restrict those applications at this point". But he warned there were still risks that personal data could be sent back to Beijing. Supporters urge the government to release and drop charges against union leader Rong Chhun at a protest in Phnom Penh, Aug. 3, 2020. A group of police officers showed up at the home of detained Cambodian union leader Rong Chhun on Tuesday demanding to speak with members of his family, according to his nephew, who accused authorities of harassment in retaliation for his uncles criticism of the government. Rong Chhun was officially charged with incitement to commit a felony or cause social unrest under Article 495 of Cambodias Penal Code and jailed at Prey Sar Prison in Phnom Penh Saturday, a day after his arrest for claiming the government has allowed Vietnam to encroach on farmland along their shared border. The arrest and formal charging of the outspoken president of the Cambodian Confederation of Unions (CCU) and former member of the countrys National Election Committee (NEC) prompted protests over the weekend and again on Monday in front of the Phnom Penh Municipal Court, where he faces two years in prison if convicted. On Tuesday, Rong Chhuns nephew, Rong Vichea, told RFAs Khmer Service that a group of some 10 police officers arrived at the family home in the capital and insisted that they question the union leaders relatives. They also asked for the identity of anyone who had come in or out of our house, he said, adding that while police did not verbally threaten them, their appearance made us feel intimidated. Please, NGOs, help facilitate uncle Rong Chhuns release and get him justice. Rong Vichea said he had traveled to Prey Sar Prison to visit Rong Chhun, who asked to convey his gratitude to his supporters. He said, dont be intimidated, stay strong, and continue to fight for social justice, Rong Vichea said. On July 20, Rong Chhuna member of the Cambodia Watchdog Council (CWC) umbrella NGO of unions representing teachers, workers, farmers, and studentshad visited Trapeang Phlong commune, in Tbong Khmum provinces Ponhea Kraek district, where Cambodians claimed recently placed border posts had caused them to lose land to neighboring Vietnam. The following day, he issued a statement on behalf of the CWC in which he cited irregularities with the placement of border posts 114 to 119 that resulted in the loss of hundreds of hectares (one hectare = 2.5 acres) of ancestral land belonging to area farmers. On Friday, Cambodias official Cambodia Border Committee rejected Rong Chhuns claims that any farmers had lost land, saying his organization had disseminated fake news based on groundless accusations. The CWC says that farmers are losing land because Cambodia is demarcating the border based on a 1985 treaty from Vietnams 1979-89 occupation of the country following its ouster of the Khmer Rouge regime. Unresolved border issues between Cambodia and Vietnam, former French colonies from the 1860s to 1954, have sparked incidents in the past, with the construction by Vietnam of military posts in contested areas quickly challenged by Cambodian authorities in Phnom Penh. A joint communique signed by Cambodia and Vietnam in 1995 stipulates that neither side can make any changes to border markers or allow cross-border cultivation or settlement pending the resolution of outstanding border issues. Threat to Hun Sen Rong Chhun has been arrested twice beforeonce in October 2005 over comments he made about a border agreement with Vietnam, which led to a three-month stint in prison, and again in January 2014 while calling for the release of demonstrators detained during protests over the 2013 national election. He last week had joined a group of more than 200 garment workers who gathered to submit a petition outside the home of Prime Minister Hun Sen to ask for his help following their factorys closure due to the coronavirus pandemic. Experts say Rong Chhun posed a threat to Hun Sen because of his recent activities, which included writing to the prime minister last month calling on the government to proactively address issues that the European Union has said prompted it to end a preferential trade scheme with Cambodia. The EU in mid-February announced plans to suspend tariff-free access to its market under the Everything But Arms (EBA) scheme for around one-fifth of Cambodias exports, citing rollbacks on democracy and human rightsa move that would reinstate tariffs on garments and footwear beginning Aug. 12, unless it is overturned by the blocs governments or its parliament. Hun Sen has said that EU demands to maintain the EBA are unreasonable and an encroachment on Cambodias internal affairs. Rong Chhun has also drawn praise for giving up a position of power with the NEC to return to leading the CCU after the opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) was dissolved by the Supreme Court in November 2017 for its role in an alleged plot to overthrow the government. The move to dissolve the CNRP was part of a wider crackdown by Hun Sen on the political opposition, NGOs, and the independent media that paved the way for his ruling Cambodian Peoples Party (CPP) to win all 125 seats in parliament in the countrys July 2018 general election. Fresh calls for release Reports of police intimidation against Rong Chhuns family came as observers continued to excoriate Cambodias government over the union leaders arrest and demand his release. His case also received attention from Washington which, in a statement delivered to RFA by the U.S. Embassy in Phnom Penh on Tuesday, said it is closely following the situation. We have consistently raised concerns with the Cambodian government about taking meaningful steps to reopen the political and civic space, said Chad Roedemeier, the embassys spokesperson. New York-based Human Rights Watch (HRW) issued a strongly worded statement demanding that authorities immediately drop charges and release Rong Chun. Phil Robertson, HRWs deputy Asia director, said the union leaders charges appear to be linked to his recent advocacy for the land rights of villagers living near the border with Vietnam, as well as other activities. The arrest of Rong Chhun is the latest example of unrelenting government repression against activists trying to protect ordinary Cambodians basic rights, he said. The European Union should add this outrage to the long list of rights abuses that need to be resolved in negotiations over Everything But Arms trade preferences. HRW noted that in recent years, Cambodias government has increased its harassment of independent union leaders and labor advocates, including through the 2016 Trade Union Law that the group said has severely curtailed the ability of unions to register, bargain collectively, and represent workers. Prime Minister Hun Sen should stop muzzling labor unionists, human rights defenders, and other critics of government policies, Robertson said. Foreign governments should publicly raise the plight of Rong Chhun and jointly appeal to the Cambodian government to put an end to this onslaught on human rights. A blatant attack The growing chorus of voices calling for Rong Chhuns release was also joined Tuesday by the Global Union Federations, a consortium of global labor organizations which noted in a statement that the former president of the Cambodian Teachers Association has always been at the forefront of struggles for the protection of workers rights. The groups called Rong Chhuns arrest amid his trade union activities and criticisms of Cambodias handling of the coronavirus pandemic a blatant attack by the government on freedoms of expression and association. They urged the government to follow recommendations by the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Situation of Human Rights in Cambodia, Rhona Smith, including ending harassment of civil society organizations, and allowing peaceful demonstrations and stopping excessive use of force by police monitoring such gatherings. They also called for several recently passed laws that restrict political parties, nongovernmental organizations, and trade unions to be brought into line with international standards. Reported by RFAs Khmer Service. Translated by Sok Ry Sum. Written in English by Joshua Lipes. DENVER (AP) The new leader of a suburban Denver police department whose officers put Elijah McClain in a chokehold before the young Black man died last year and handcuffed Black girls over the weekend said Wednesday that she wants to empower police to veer away from strict training protocols and think about whether they are acting on their biases. Vanessa Wilson, who was named chief of the Aurora Police Department this week after serving as its interim leader, told The Associated Press that she is committed to rebuilding the publics trust. She takes the job as the agency reels from encounters with Black people that have drawn widespread attention on social media and triggered a series of investigations. Auroras first female chief, who is white, said the scene captured on video of the girls lying face down on the ground Sunday next to a car that police thought was stolen was inhumane and just unbelievable to watch. Two of the girls were placed in handcuffs and a 6-year-old girl wearing a pink crown cried for her mother. It wouldn't have happened if officers had used their common sense to respond to what they observed, Wilson said. I know that people are angry and disgusted by what they saw. And so am I," Wilson said. I also want to tell you that a lot of our own officers are dismayed and angered about why in the world that call went that way. The car was later determined not to be stolen. The police chief said an internal investigation has begun. Officers are trained to draw guns and put people on the ground when stopping a suspected stolen car because it's considered high risk, but when the mother, Brittney Gilliam, told police the car was not stolen and there were children inside, they should have put their guns away and talked to her from a safe distance, Wilson said. The car had the same license plate number as a motorcycle reported stolen from another state, but officers failed to crosscheck an alert about Gilliam's vehicle with the original stolen motorcycle report, Wilson said. Story continues While interim chief, Wilson decided that because of implicit bias and racism in the world, officers no longer had to contact a person reported to be suspicious, as McClain was as he walked home from a store last August, if they didn't see evidence of a crime. Police stopped McClain, 23, put him in a chokehold and then paramedics gave him 500 milligrams of ketamine to calm him down. McClain suffered cardiac arrest and was later taken off life support. The Colorado attorney general is now investigating after a local prosecutor said last year there wasnt enough evidence to charge the officers. Its one of a handful of investigations into McClains death, including a city review of police policies like use of force. I have changed the directive on suspicious-person calls so that if someone is called in as suspicious just because of the color of their skin, that officers don't have to be robotic in their response, Wilson said. She noted that residents sometimes complain if they don't see a police presence after those calls. She said that the community needs to support the shift in policing and that she would defend her officers for using their best judgment. Wilson said everyone, including police, should be aware of their implicit biases and check themselves to see if they're acting on them. I think the call to action across the nation has been heard loud and clear, not only for me as the chief of Aurora, but other chiefs across the nation," she said. And we need to do better, and we need to listen to the community and give them a voice and police them the way they want to be policed. Activists and leaders in Colorado say they hope Wilson, who's been with the department for 23 years, can create meaningful change. Gov. Jared Polis told reporters Tuesday that he hopes Wilson is ready to work to increase transparency and rebuild trust. McClain family lawyer Mari Newman said shes wary of Wilsons experience within a department riddled with brutality and racism but is also an optimist. My hope is that she will prove that she has not just the moral compass but also the fortitude to do the right thing and to overhaul a broken department, Newman said Tuesday. Shenika Carter, a community activist, wants Wilson to require anti-racist and anti-oppression training for officers. Carter said the department cannot tolerate any bad apples because the actions of those officers can be life or death for people of color. She also wants police to acknowledge that racism exists within the department and the role it played in McClains treatment. Acknowledge the mistake, acknowledge that he is deceased because of the biases that existed, she said. Marc Sears, president of the local Fraternal Order of Police chapter, said Wilson is the right person to lead the department and is free as permanent chief to make the changes she wants without fear of a replacement undoing them. ____ Patty Nieberg, a corps member for the Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative, contributed to this report. monkeybusinessimages/iStockBy DR. SABINA BERA, ABC News (NEW YORK) -- Paula Christodoulides, who is raising her 8-year-old and 10-year-old grandchildren, said being a parent for the second time around hasn't always been easy, but she's determined to do the best she can for them. "I felt it is a decision I have made to take these children, so I told myself I have to make the best of it," she said. Grandparents who act as primary caretakers are now facing the difficult choice of sending grandkids back to school amid a pandemic that is far more deadly for older Americans. "Millions of children who are in the [care] of their grandparents [pose] a greater health risk to their caregivers," said Dr. Andrew Adesman, chief of developmental and behavioral pediatrics at the Cohen Children's Medical Center of New York, and one of the authors of the recent study. And Adesman says the challenges grandparents face proceed our current pandemic. He is the coauthor of a recent study which finds that compared to parents who act as primary caretakers, grandparents are far more likely to be raising children experiencing emotional or medical issues. The study, published in Pediatrics this week, found children living with grandparent caregivers were more likely to be diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, have a history of adverse childhood experiences or developmental problems, and were more likely to suffer from "poor temperament" -- becoming frustrated or easily angered. There are myriad reasons grandparents may be caring for children who are more likely to experience these diagnosed medical issues. Adesman and other experts say it's unclear why children experiencing underlying issues like ADHD and poor temperament are far more likely to be raised by grandparents rather than by parents. But they say the information gleaned by this study can help grandparents and pediatricians alike better arm themselves to take care of children living in grandparent-headed households. And they say their data shows that grandparents are resilient, despite these greater challenges. The recent study explores in great detail some issues grandparents are facing. Researchers used an existing national survey to compare 2,407 grandparent and 78,239 parent-headed households. "We found there's a greater number of adverse childhood experiences or psychosocial adversity for children in the grandparent-headed households. On average, those children were five times as likely to experience one or more adverse childhood experiences," Adesman said. Adverse childhood experiences included "[living] in a home with drugs, a home with individuals with psychiatric illness, [witnessing] domestic violence, or whether the parents were divorced, separated or possibly deceased," he said. Researchers found school-aged children in grandparent-headed households were almost twice as likely to have ADHD, and preschool children were more than five times as likely to have ADHD. Children with ADHD may have trouble paying attention, act without thinking things through, or be overly active. The study suggests ADHD may play an important role in the lives of grandparent caregivers. Although school-aged children were more likely to have poorer temperament, and grandparent caregivers more likely to report greater aggravation, these differences disappeared when children with ADHD were taken out of the picture (roughly 18% of grandparent-headed households). Adesman said this finding is "particularly distinctive," illustrating the "contribution of children with ADHD." Dr. Anju Hurria, a child psychiatrist at the University of California, Irvine, said, "the article advocates for pediatricians screening for [Adverse Childhood Experiences] (ACEs) and ADHD, especially in grandparent-headed households." Hurria also added, "Adverse experiences have previously been connected with having difficulties in school, so it makes sense to involve the school when possible for extra support." There is some positive news, too. Although some grandparents are raising children with poor temperament and ADHD, there was no difference between them and parent-headed households when asked how they saw themselves and the day-to-day demands of parenting. "Grandparent caregivers felt that they were handling their demands equally well as the parents," said Adesman. Christodoulides has a grandchild with ADHD and relaxed rules around the house more so than when she raised her own children. For example, she sometimes allows her grandchildren to eat dinner in front of the TV. She said that she feels this change "is much better, because you don't put too much pressure on children." She also found it helpful to keep the kids busy and to be patient with them. Still, it's clear that grandparents face additional challenges when raising children. Adesman points out 41% of single grandparent caregivers, compared to 31% of single parent caregivers, felt they didn't have somebody they could turn to for day-to-day emotional support. "Pediatricians, child psychiatrists, and therapists should appreciate the lack of social support for grandparent-headed families and refer to support groups, such as the one the article mentioned," Hurria said. "The advice I will give to any grandparent is [to give children] hugs and kisses -- you always have to make sure they know they are perfect," said Christodoulides. Copyright 2020, ABC Audio. All rights reserved. WASHINGTON Every day for over a week, Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer, D-N.Y., has spent hours huddled in the office of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., with Pelosi, Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows trying to reach a bipartisan deal to uplift a country pummeled by an enduring pandemic and deepening economic crisis. The work is crawling ahead. Democrats and Republicans are at loggerheads on a host of issues, from federal unemployment benefits to blue-state tax cuts, while Republicans are further fractured within their caucus. Mnuchin has declared that if there's a deal to be had, it must be found by Friday. But there's a difference of roughly $2 trillion between the parties' visions. Republicans have placed their chips around the $1 trillion mark, while Democrats think more than $3 trillion in new spending is required, although Congress has already approved more than $3 trillion in earlier relief efforts. Schumer said the parties were "slogging through" these differences. "They had some concessions, which we appreciated; we made some concessions, which they appreciated. We're still far away on a lot of the important issues, but were continuing," Schumer said. "The fundamental disagreement is the scope and depth of the problem and its solution." Although members of Congress usually depart for a month of campaigning in their districts in August, some Republican senators up for re-election in November have urged Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., to postpone their departure until a coronavirus bill is passed. Were certainly going to be in next week," McConnell said Wednesday. "Well see what happens after that. If lawmakers can't work it out, the White House may strike with its own executive orders, Meadows confirmed Wednesday. Those could include a delay in collecting federal payroll taxes, reactivating an eviction moratorium and even extending federal unemployment benefits by using unspent Congressional dollars. As the parties slowly bend toward consensus, Republicans are offering a more generous, flat rate for federal unemployment insurance of $400 a week, up from their initial proposal of $200 a week and then 70 percent of a workers' lost wages. But Democrats still hope to press the GOP closer to the $600 weekly benefit that expired on July 31. "Extending the $600 unemployment insurance should be ... priority number one," Gillibrand said. "Arguments that the enhanced benefits keep people from going back to work ignores the fact that many industries and jobs have not even come back yet, and millions can't return to work." Meadows said on CNN Wednesday night that if Democrats were so concerned about federal unemployment benefits, they should not have opposed a Republican proposal to temporarily extend them for one week. "We could have extended the enhanced unemployment with a just simple yes, but not once but twice Chuck Schumer has decided to say no." Republicans have also agreed to extend an eviction moratorium. They are offering billions in state and local aid somewhere in the neighborhood of $200 billion, which is less than half of what Gov. Andrew Cuomo has called for. Both parties have agreed to support another round of $1,200 stimulus checks for all Americans under a certain income threshold. Both sides also agree that schools, universities and child care centers need money to educate their students during the pandemic, but they disagree on how much and what strings should be attached. There are clashes over additional food assistance and a Republican push for broad liability protections for businesses and health care providers. They disagree over allocating more election funding, even as President Donald Trump has suggested the election should be delayed and voiced concerns about voting by mail. Special Investigation 147 NY dams are 'unsound,' potentially dangerous Thousands of dams have not been inspected in over 20 years. Schumer, Pelosi, Mnuchin and Meadows met on Wednesday with U.S. Postmaster General Louis DeJoy to discuss delays in mail delivery and postal operational changes, as Congress considers more aid for the Postal Service in the new package. Schumer said he previously called DeJoy three times with concerns about postal delivery in New York, but never heard back. The meeting Wednesday was "heated," Schumer said. The Democrats objected to the cuts to employment and overtime at the Postal Service and committed to providing all needed funding to help it ensure timely mail deliver, especially in the lead-up to the election. Republicans have also agreed to include Postal Service money in the bill. With the general election looming, both parties are eager to sneak individual wins into the bill. Democrats are continuing to push to repeal the state and local tax deduction cap in the coronavirus relief bill, something that was included in the House's Heroes Act passed in May and that Schumer says he wants in the final package. The cap limits wealthy and middle-income individuals from deducting more than $10,000 in state taxes from their federal tax bill. Democrats from high-tax blue states have railed against the cap since it was imposed in 2017. "It is very important to the states," Schumer said. "It was done unfairly." Schumer also said he would fight to include an increase in Medicare funding for Capital Region hospitals that was included in the House bill. "I feel optimistic that there is a light at the end of the tunnel," Pelosi remarked after negotiations ended Wednesday, "but how long that tunnel is remains to be seen." TORONTO, Aug. 05, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Montero Mining and Exploration Ltd. (TSX-V: MON) (Montero or the Company) has signed a Binding Purchase and Sale Agreement (Agreement) to acquire a 100% interest in a private Chilean company (ChileCo) which holds various mineral rights to exploration claims that make up the Isabella Gold Silver Project (Project) in Chile. Isabellas exploration claims cover an area of 67km2. The Agreement is subject to corporate and legal process in Chile and regulatory approval. Dr. Tony Harwood, President and Chief Executive Officer of Montero commented, Montero has secured the highly prospective Isabella Gold Silver Project in Chile where the Company can utilize its gold silver exploration, discovery and development expertise in a tier one mining jurisdiction. The Company is assessing previous exploration data with a view to carrying out a drill program in the fall of 2020. The Isabella Gold Silver Project is located in the Southern Coastal Range of Chile approximately 200 km south of Santiago and has excellent year-round access. The Coastal Range contains numerous gold and copper occurrences hosted within a package of intermediate intrusives, sediments and volcanics of Mesozoic age. The Isabella Gold Silver Project is located regionally south of Yamanas Minera Florida gold mine and north of an extensive regional gold area being explored by Fresnillo. However, these operations do not confirm the mineral potential of the Isabella properties. The Isabella region has seen little modern exploration and most occurrences remain undrilled. The Isabella Gold Silver Project area hosts numerous structurally controlled quartz veins that have been mapped over an area of approximately 12 km long and 4 km wide. A review of field reports on mapping and sampling prepared by the previous owner indicate high gold - silver concentrations within quartz veins with values of up to 48 g/t gold and 629 g/t silver. The samples collected where grab samples of exposed vein material and are not considered representative of the overall concentration of mineralization in any particular vein. Samples were collected in accordance with industry best practices and analyzed by ALS Chile under the supervision of a qualified person. No independent sampling has been completed by Montero. The veins form part of an extensive regional polymetallic Au-Ag vein and breccia system occurring in dilational fractures in the granite and along contacts with older sediments. Prior exploration at Isabella by the previous operator includes surface mapping, rock sampling, trenching, and airborne magnetics. No drilling in the Isabella district has been carried out to date. Under the terms of the Agreement, Montero has acquired a 100% interest in ChileCo which holds all the mineral interests to the Isabella Gold Silver Project. ChileCo was purchased for a nominal amount and by taking over the earn-in obligations of cash payments totaling US$ 450,000 to be made by August 2022. ChileCo directly holds 100% of the mineral rights to 18 km2 of mineral claims and has two subsidiaries with 49 km2 under option agreements. In Subsidiary 1 Montero has an 85% interest in Isabella West mineral claims while in Subsidiary 2 Montero is earning an 85% interest in Isabella East mineral claims. The mineral claims held by both subsidiaries are subject to joint venture and mining option agreements with local parties. Montero is reviewing several drill target areas that have been identified and permitted for drilling by the previous owners in order to commence a drill program. Qualified Person's Statement This press release was reviewed and approved by Mr. Mike Evans, M.Sc. Pr.Sci.Nat., who is a qualified person for the purpose of National Instrument 43-101 and a Consulting Geologist to Montero. A review was also undertaken by Ing. Marcial Vergara B.Sc. and Mr. Michael Corey P.Geo. both of whom are qualified persons as defined by NI 43-101 and have extensive experience in gold exploration in Chile. About Montero Montero is a junior exploration company focused on finding, exploring and advancing globally significant gold deposits in Latin America. The Company is in the process of relinquishing its portfolio of battery metal projects in Africa to focus on gold opportunities in Latin America. Monteros board of directors and management have an impressive track record of successfully discovering and advancing precious metal projects. Montero trades on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol MON and has 21,880,818 shares outstanding. For more information, contact: Montero Mining and Exploration Ltd. Dr. Tony Harwood, President and Chief Executive Officer E-mail: ir@monteromining.com Tel: +1 416 840 9197 | Fax: +1 866 688 4671 www.monteromining.com Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION: This news release includes certain "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws. Forward looking information includes, but is not limited to, statements, projections and estimates. 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. Such information is based on information currently available to Montero and Montero provides no assurance that actual results will meet management's expectations. Forward-looking information by its very nature involves inherent risks and uncertainties that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance, or achievements of Montero to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. Actual results relating to, among other things, completion of the HOA, results of exploration, project development, reclamation and capital costs of Monteros mineral properties, and financial condition and prospects, could differ materially from those currently anticipated in such statements for many reasons such as: an inability to complete the HOA on the terms as announced or at all; changes in general economic conditions and conditions in the financial markets; changes in demand and prices for minerals; litigation, legislative, environmental and other judicial, regulatory, political and competitive developments; technological and operational difficulties encountered in connection with Monteros activities; and other matters discussed in this news release and in filings made with securities regulators. This list is not exhaustive of the factors that may affect any of Monteros forward-looking statements. These and other factors should be considered carefully and accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. Montero does not undertake to update any forward-looking information, except in accordance with applicable securities laws. Reggae and Dancehall musician, Shatta Wale, has said his ultimate goal in the music industry is to leave a positive legacy in the music industry but not to cause havoc. The multiple award-winning artistes has been showered with praises in recent times by various stakeholders following the "Already" feature with 24-time Grammy winner Beyonce which is making waves across the world. According to Shatta Wale, he was always determined to put Ghana on the world map through music and his recent feature with Beyonce was an attestation of his efforts over the past years to thrive Ghana music. "Everyone knows how this feature has helped push me further. People thought I would have failed in my mission but this is how a warrior fights. "I believe I didn't come into the music industry to cause any mess but to bring changes which people should appreciate. "A collaboration like this is just like what Osibisa Band did sometime ago and there is a need for Ghanaian to support their own and pay attention to us,'' he said in an interview. Shatta Wale is set to embark on a Covid-19 awareness drive together with Stonebwoy through a virtual concert to be staged in the coming ways. 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 brand new species of praying mantis has been discovered in Vietnam and named after Sir David Attenborough. Belgian researchers found the 'very large and robust' sub-species while on a recent expedition to the Annamite mountains. The Royal Belgian Society of Entomology researchers called the species 'Titanodula attenboroughi'. They said they decided to honour the British TV presenter with their nomenclature because Sir David is 'one of the world's most beloved naturalists'. Scroll down for video Belgian researchers found the 'very large and robust' sub-species Titanodula attenboroughi while on a recent expedition to the Annamite mountains. Pictured, the newly discovered species and Sir David Attenborough Attenborough: World finally beginning to tackle the 'vile' scourge of plastic waste The world's population is beginning to change its attitude towards plastic waste and the damage it causes, broadcaster Sir David Attenborough believes. Awareness of the threat caused by plastic pollution is spreading, he said, with the public demonstrating that they care about the issue and want to make changes. Sir David made the comments as he and the BBC were announced as the winners of the 2019 Chatham House Prize for improving international relations. Advertisement The Belgian Journal of Entomology describes the new-found insect as a 'very large and robust praying mantis'. It has a triangular head, antennae filiform, long but robust pronotum and a smooth dorsal surface. Mantises were once assigned to the catch-all Herodula genus - dubbed a 'wastebasket taxon' by the journal. However, species within this group differ significantly in one noticeably fashion, the male genitalia. The genus has all forms of morphology for the male reproductive region and this can be used to categorise and discern between different groups. The research has allowed scientists to assign Sir David's eponymous mantis to a new group, Titanodula. Broadcaster and naturalist Sir David, 94, is best known for presenting his nine series of 'Life' wildlife documentaries, beginning with Life on Earth in 1979. A new five-part One series Perfect Planet is due to be screened later this year. At least 20 species and genera, both living and extinct, have been named in Attenborough's honour. In 2016 the British polar research vessel was named the RRS Sir David Attenborough despite an internet poll suggesting it be called Boaty McBoatface. Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-05 17:01:30|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close ULAN BATOR, Aug. 5 (Xinhua) -- A second passenger plane chartered by the Mongolian government to evacuate its citizens from the United States landed here Wednesday. The special flight from Seattle to Ulan Bator landed at the Buyant-Ukhaa International Airport on Wednesday afternoon, with 256 passengers onboard, Mongolia's State Emergency Commission (SEC) said in a statement. The repatriated people include pregnant women, the elderly, children and disabled and sick people, and those with financial and other problems, the SEC said, adding that they will be isolated at designated facilities for 21 days. Following its suspension of international commercial flights during the COVID-19 pandemic, Mongolia has repatriated more than 15,000 nationals from different parts of the world so far, according to the commission. The Asian country evacuated 254 citizens from the United States on the first chartered flight on June 24. The country is expected to send at least 14 special flights this month to COVID-19-hit countries to repatriate more nationals. As of Wednesday, Mongolia has reported a total of 293 COVID-19 cases, all of which were imported. No local transmissions or deaths have been reported in Mongolia so far. Enditem The ( https://CollegeCentral.com/iaccjobs ) website makes it both FREE and easy for all employerslarge and small, public and privateto register just once and then post an unlimited number of jobs to Iowa's community college students and alumni! This is an extraordinarily useful resource for employers hiring in today's climate, even with temporarily closed or restricted campuses, and students having to return home. Employers posting jobs today can simultaneously reach tens of thousands of job seekers from Des Moines Area Community College, Eastern Iowa Community Colleges, Hawkeye Community College, and Iowa Valley Community College District. Joy Miller, CCN's Career Services Central National Sales Manager explains, "As we enter the fall semester, employers still need to target timely job postings in response to COVID-19." 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The Iowa Community Colleges Jobs Consortium website allows employers to easily recruit the state's home-grown entry-level talent by removing as many barriers as possible, simplifying the hiring process. This is especially critical given the added current complications of closed campuses and remote learning." With more than 23,000 undergraduates*, Des Moines Area Community College is the State's largest community college. According to Sara Clayton, Career Center Coordinator at the college, "Graduates of Iowa community colleges overwhelmingly pursue employment in state, making up a large proportion of Iowa's workforce and contributing directly to the state's economic growth. This new jobs Consortium will allow our employer partners to tap into the talented pool of Iowa community college graduates in an easy, efficient way." Rob Schadt, Academic Advisor & Career Services Coordinator at Eastern Iowa Community Colleges stated: "Recruiters like the ease of posting just once to access the talent at all Iowa Consortium members' community colleges. Our graduates have the skills, and they are eager to move directly into the local workforce now." Schadt added: "Our colleges train our State's students to mesh with Iowa's needs, and our graduates are who today's employers are looking to hire. Employers who post to the Consortium are specifically looking to hire students and alumni who want to work in Iowa. It should be noted that our community college graduates almost exclusively accept job offers in the state, and that makes this a workforce win-win." Rachel Evans, Career Services Center Coordinator at Hawkeye Community College emphasized, "Signing up just once provides an employer with unlimited posting opportunities statewide! The Consortium is able to offer a fast, user-friendly, and streamlined resource to access talent with a single registration." Evans added, "There is a broad range of talent that graduates from the Consortium's colleges bring to the workforce, including automotive technology, business, child development, computer information systems, healthcare, manufacturing, education, construction, and much more." MaryAnne Zanella Nickle, M.ED., Dean at Iowa Valley Community College District, pointed out, "Job postings are free of charge to all Iowa employers. This is a useful and free resource that can connect you with qualified students and alumni across the state. Iowa's emerging two-year graduates, funded by Iowans to specifically meet the needs of the state's workforce, finally have a much-needed path for our state's employers to hire and retain local community college talent!" Nickle added: "Our Consortium's combined undergraduate reach in Iowa is huge and will continue to expand as additional colleges join in. The Consortium will deliver our State's employers a diverse mix of qualified students and alumni who are highly skilled and motivated to jump right into our workforce!" Statistics show that approximately 47,909 students attend Iowa community colleges.* * "Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System," National Center for Education Statistics, accessed July 15, 2020, https://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/use-the-data. About College Central Network Founded in 1997, College Central Network (CCN) has over 23 years of experience connecting employers with qualified emerging talent candidates. More than one million employers have already registered to utilize the Network to post jobs and recruit students and alumni for entry-level jobs. CollegeCentral.com is absolutely free for any student enrolled at a U.S. college; alumnus/a of a U.S. college; community resident taking classes at a U.S. college; or student attending one of our partner high schools. To learn more, visit: CollegeCentral.com. About Career Services Central Career Services Central (CSC) is CCN's intuitive and affordable career office management platform that works on any device and is trusted by hundreds of institutions and organizations across the U.S. Thousands of career professionals use CSC daily to manage the entire career process for students, alumni, and community residents attending CSC-powered institutions, including appointments, career advice and job searching, resumes, career portfolios, experiential learning, on-campus recruiting, career events, and job fairs. To learn more, visit: CareerServicesCentral.com. CONTACT: Barbara Anderson 800-442-3614 [email protected] SOURCE College Central Network Related Links https://www.collegecentral.com RTHK: Scores dead as huge blasts devastate Beirut Two enormous explosions rocked Beirut's port on Tuesday, killing at least 70 people and wounding thousands, shaking distant buildings and leaving the Lebanese capital in fear and chaos. The deafening second blast sent an enormous orange fireball into the sky, flattened the harbourside and sent a tornado-like shockwave ripping through the city, shattering windows kilometres away. Bloodied casualties stumbled among debris and burning buildings across central Beirut as Health Minister Hamad Hassan reported an initial estimate of 2,500 injured. A soldier at the port said: "It's a catastrophe inside. There are corpses on the ground." Relatives of people who worked inside the blast zone gathered at a security cordon as they scrambled for news of their loved ones. "Ambulances are still lifting the dead," the soldier said. The blasts were heard as far away as Nicosia on the eastern Mediterranean island of Cyprus, 240 kilometres away. Makrouhie Yerganian, a retired schoolteacher in her mid-70s who has lived near the port for decades, said it was "like an atomic bomb". "I've experienced everything, but nothing like this before," even during the country's 1975-1990 civil war, she said. "All the buildings around here have collapsed. I'm walking through glass and debris everywhere, in the dark." The country's Red Cross reported "hundreds of wounded" and called for urgent blood donations. Prime Minister Hassan Diab said that 2,750 tonnes of the agricultural fertiliser ammonium nitrate that had been stored for years in a portside warehouse had blown up, sparking "a disaster in every sense of the word". General Security chief Abbas Ibrahim earlier said the "highly explosive material" had been confiscated years earlier and stored in the warehouse, just minutes walk from Beirut's shopping and nightlife districts. An Israeli government who requested anonymity said: "Israel had nothing to do with the incident." Benjamin Strick, who works with investigations website Bellingcat, said on Twitter that the explosions appeared to have been centred on a 130-metre-long grey warehouse alongside a dock inside the port zone. Lebanon's President Michel Aoun called for "urgent" defence council talks, while Prime Minister Hassan Diab declared Wednesday a day of mourning. (AFP) ______________________________ Last updated: 2020-08-05 HKT 08:24 This story has been published on: 2020-08-05. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. A domicile law rolled out in May makes it possible for any Indian national who has lived in the region for at least 15 years or has studied for seven years and taken certain exams to become a permanent resident of Jammu-Kashmir. New residency documents are required for all. Kate Garraway has revealed that doctors caring for her husband Derek Draper have claimed the contraceptive pill could prevent men from contracting coronavirus. Speaking on Wednesday's Good Morning Britain the presenter, 53, noted that medical staff flippantly stated the Pill could help to protect men from the virus by increasing the levels of oestrogen in their body. Kate has been openly documenting her husband's slow recovery after he was rushed to hospital with coronavirus in late March, admitting on Tuesday it's been 'an incredibly tough time' for her family. Surprising: Kate Garraway, 53, has revealed that doctors caring for her husband Derek Draper have claimed the contraceptive pill could prevent men from contracting coronavirus It came following the publication of a study by King's College London which revealed women who take the contraceptive pill are less likely to develop 'serious coronavirus symptoms.' She revealed that two doctors offering their own theories about how they could treat Derek's illness as he remained comatose in hospital. Kate told Ben Shephard: 'Very early on when Derek first got sick, he was still conscious and wasn't in the induced coma. Tragic: The presenter claimed that when Derek (above in 2019) was still in the early stages of his battle with the virus, doctors claimed the Pill could help prevent men contracting COVID-19 'I was talking to anyone I could about what could be done to help. This was pre the trials of some of the thing we've seen used like steroids. 'After I asked ''what would you do right now if you could before the trials'', one doctor said to me at St Thomas's and one elsewhere, they both said, almost flippantly, they'd put the nation - including men - on the contraceptive pill. 'What we're seeing statistically, is that actually women seem to be less affected. 'They both said there must be some connection between oestrogen that's good in tackling this virus and testosterone that's not so good.' Unusual: The revelation came following the publication of a study by King's College London revealing women on the Pill were less likely to develop 'serious coronavirus symptoms' Kate also put the findings to GMB's guest GP Dr Amir Khan, who insisted that doctors wouldn't recommend placing male patients on the Pill until they've seen 'more evidence.' Since her husband was hospitalised with COVID-19 in March, Kate has been incredible open about her husband's slow recovery. On Tuesday she revealed she has been contacted by parents of teenagers across the country, worried about their children's mental health amid the pandemic. Kate said: 'I think for lots of young people, this has been an incredibly tough time.' Family: It comes after Kate admitted she has been contacted by parents, worried about their children's mental health amid the pandemic (pictured with her children Billy, 11, and Darcey, 14 'They are responsible. For some youngsters, you do feel like you want them to relax a little bit more,' she added. 'I've had lots of people contact me saying, 'My teenager is now terrified to go out.' It's a balance, isn't it, that's very hard to strike.' On Monday's GMB, Kate revealed how her two children have gone on their first family visit during the pandemic. Kate explained her children have gone to stay with Derek's parents this week, but admitted she has taken precautions as her in-laws have been shielding since March. Tough: The presenter admitted it has been 'an incredibly tough time' for her own children 'My children have gone for the first time to stay away from home - they've gone to stay with Derek's mum and dad,' she said. 'Derek's mum and dad have been shielding since the beginning of March because they both feel vulnerable.' 'So this was a very big deal for them to have the children to stay, and also very important because they haven't seen their grandchildren in a while. Very important for Billie and Darcey because they haven't seen their grandparents as well.' She added that her children isolated over several days before they went to visit and she washed and sealed Darcey and Billy's clothes before they travelled on Sunday. Kate explained that she didn't want to travel with the children to their grandparents as she wanted to limit the people her in-laws have had contact with, so her friend Jeremy Kyle stepped in. Advice: 'I've had lots of people contact me saying, 'My teenager is now terrified to go out.' It's a balance, isn't it, that's very hard to strike,' Kate told her co-host Ben Shephard 'It was thanks to Jeremy Kyle that they travelled up - big thanks to him. Because he said, 'Listen, my driver has been isolating and has been keeping the car very clean so I'll take the children up.' Very, very kind of him, thank you very much Jeremy.' Last week Kate revealed she paid an 'extra emotional' first visit to Derek, as he continues to slowly recover from COVID-19. The Good Morning Britain presenter, 53, also told Ben Shephard that it was 'lovely' to see her partner as (28 July) was his 53rd birthday, but she continues to be 'frustrated' by his slow progress. Kate told Ben: 'I did go and see Derek, he's had a tough couple of weeks, and it's just frustrating, it would have actually been his birthday today so I was extra emotional so I was thinking about the day he was born. She added: 'What the doctor said to me was, 'Sometimes, Kate, a day when nothing has gone backwards is a positive'.' As Ben agreed that Derek had 'a stable day,' Kate added: 'It's just I'm desperate for a step forward. It's always lovely to see him and so it's wonderful to have the chance to see him.' A timeline of Derek's coronavirus battle MARCH Kate revealed she and Prince Charles had got 'relatively close' at the Prince's Trust Awards on March 11 - Charles was diagnosed with coronavirus in mid-March. She said: 'Around the 29/30 March, I came home came in and said [to Derek] 'god you look ill.' 'He said he had a headache, numbness in his right hand, and was struggling to breathe, 'I rang Dr Hilary (Jones) and tried to get through, he talked to Derek. He said put me back on, I think you need to call an ambulance' Derek, 52, was taken into hospital on March 30 and remained in an unresponsive condition. APRIL Kate and her children isolated at home after she displayed 'mild symptoms'. Kate said: 'Derek remains in intensive care and is still very ill. I'm afraid it remains an excruciatingly worrying time. 'I'm afraid he is still in a deeply critical condition, but he is still here, which means there is hope.' MAY Kate said: 'The journey for me and my family seems to be far from over as every day my heart sinks as I learn new and devastating ways this virus has more battles for Derek to fight. 'But he is still HERE & so there is still hope.' That month, Kate and her family took part in the final clap for carers She said: 'I'll never give up on that because Derek's the love of my life but at the same time I have absolute uncertainty' JUNE On June 5, Kate revealed Derek is now free from coronavirus but continues to fight against the damage inflicted on his body JULY On July 5, Kate revealed Derek has woken from his coma but he remains in a serious yet critical condition. On July 8, she announced she would be returning to GMB, after being urged by doctors to 'get on with life' during Derek's recovery. She added that Derek had 'opened his eyes' after waking from his coma, but has been told his recovery could take years. On July 13, Kate returned to GMB for the first time since Derek was hospitalised. On July 28, Kate revealed she'd paid an 'extra emotional' first visit to Derek, and admitted she's 'frustrated' by his slow progress. Advertisement The presenter has been unable to visit her husband Derek due to strict measures in place in hospitals around the country during the coronavirus crisis, and has instead been 'seeing him' over FaceTime. Last Monday, Kate also spoke about the 'utterly terrifying' moment her tyre blew while she was driving with her family over the weekend. The Good Morning Britain presenter was left shaken following the incident, which occurred as she hurried back to see ailing husband Derek. Speaking to co-host Ben, Kate said: 'We were rushing back because we were conscious of getting back to London to check on Derek, and my mum and dad were coming for their first visit. 'You know people say God and the universe doesn't send you what you can't deal with. I would like to put a message out, I am at my limit, I am at my absolute limit now. If the universe could just give me a calm Monday!' Terrifying: Last Monday, Kate also spoke about the 'utterly terrifying' moment her tyre blew while she was driving with her family Referring to the accident, which happened while children Darcey, 14, and Billy, 11, were in the car, she added: 'It was the first time that I had been out with the kids in the car... 'Leaving London, going to meet some friends in Kent, in a socially distanced way at lovely Port Lympne Safari Park. 'On the way back we suddenly exploded. It's that moment where you think ''I can't control the car.' 'All weird steering, bits of rubber flying everywhere. I don't know if it was smoke but looked like smoke it could be burning rubber. Touching: Derek has credited Kate for saving him from depression which started during his career as a political advisor and led to a nervous breakdown (pictured in 2006) 'I managed to pull over but it just happened to be on the section of the motorway where there wasn't a hard shoulder, there was a feeder road going off so I was nervous about people going on the inside.' Kate later admitted she had chosen to stay close to London for the sake of Derek, who remains in a critical condition at a local hospital. She said: 'We've been talking about travel plans all morning and the problems people are facing going to Spain and having to quarantine, but I made baby steps. 'This was the first time I was taking the kids out of London. Obviously wanting to stay local to Derek and taking it step by step.' BP now says it will reduce its oil and gas production by 40 percent by 2030 as part of its pivot to low-carbon operations. But many will wonder why natural gas--the bridge between our fossil fuel present and renewable energy future--is being included on the chopping block. Despite its much lower emissions footprint, natural gas is also under threat not only by the bare fundamentals, but by the trends shaping energy policies. The EU Green New Deal is perhaps the best example of these trends and their effect on future fossil fuel demand, including natural gas. The deal is pretty ambitious and targets emission reductions of between 50 and 55 percent from 1990 levels by 2030 and 100 percent by 2050. According to Wood Mackenzie analysts led by Massimo Di Odoardo, this will result in the loss of some 45 billion cubic meters of natural gas demand, or 12 percent from current annual demand, by 2040. Currently, Europe consumes about 500 billion cubic meters of natural gas. This is already lower than the peak of gas demand on this continent, which occurred a decade ago, when demand was 10 percent higher, Wood Macs chairman and chief analyst Simon Flowers notes. There is some good news, though: new gas demand will come from maritime transport, thanks to new emissions regulation from the International Maritime Organisation, and from road transport as public transit switches from oil-derived fuel to compressed natural gas. But Europe is building new import terminals for liquefied natural gas, isnt it? Europe plans to ramp up its imports of the fuel to diversify its supply of gas. And Europes biggest economy, Germany, is bent on completing the Nord Stream 2 pipeline that will double Gazproms export capacity specifically to the benefit of Germanys energy needs. So it seems Europe is preparing for more gas demand, not less. Related: Natural Gas Has Replaced Over 100 U.S. Coal Plants In The Last Decade As true as this might be, Europe is also preparing to become a leader in clean hydrogen production as an alternative to fossil fuels. Clean hydrogen is produced through electrolysis using electricity produced by renewable sources such as wind or solar. The plan is ambitious: from 1 GW in clean hydrogen electrolysis capacity currently, the EU plans to go to 6 GW in just four years, increasing this to 40 GW by 2030, which translates into annual production of ten million metric tons. In other words, whatever gas demand growth is in the cards for Europe will be limited. But who cares about Europe when there is Asiathe worlds biggest gas demand growth driver. Asia imports 340 billion cu m of gas equivalent in LNG, according to Wood Mac, and these imports are set to double by 2040. This is certainly good news for gas exporters. Except its not the whole news. The markets of developing Asia hold enormous potential, but gass growth is far from assured, writes Wood Macs Flowers. Many countries lack infrastructure, and affordability is a challenge where imported gas must compete with domestic coal. India is a case in point. Gas has a market share of just 6%, well short of the government target of 15%, and is struggling to compete with coal and the rapid roll-out of renewables. Interestingly enough and likely for the above reasons, Asia was not the biggest growth region for gas demand last year, according to BPs latest Statistical Review of World Energy. That was the United States, where demand grew by 27 billion cubic meters. In Asia, demand grew by 24 billion cubic meters last year. BP noted in its report that total global gas demand growth in 2019 was weaker than the ten-year average and sharply lower than the growth rate recorded just a year earlier. This year, with the Covid-19 pandemic, its anyones guess exactly how badly gas demand will be hurt. Related: Oil Prices Soar After EIA Reports Large Crude Draw But looking forward, can the U.S. continue to support solid growth in gas demand? Not according to Wood Mac analysts. Growth in demand will be weaker and weaker in the coming years as the market gets saturated with competing technologies such as solar. According to the Energy Information Administration, in 2021, gas consumption by both commercial and residential users in the U.S. will inch up by 1.6 percent. This year, however, consumption will slump by 6.8 percent from 2019 because of Covid-19 and the lockdowns. So, there are threats to gas demand growth in all the key markets. These wont blow up in producers facesnot all at once. But these threats are of the insidious kind, and they will gradually increase the pressure on gas demand over years and even decades. There is no immediate danger for global gas demand, except from the resurgence in coronavirus infections that could prompt new lockdowns. But there is a danger, and producers would be wise to keep that in mind. Alternative sources of energy are getting increasingly cheaper, and this is not a trend that is about to get reversed. By Irina Slav for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: Amazon Founder and CEO Jeff Bezos speaks to the media on the company's sustainability efforts in Washington on September 19, 2019. Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos this week has sold more than $3.1 billion worth of shares in his company, according to filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission compiled by OpenInsider. The sales were part of a prearranged 10b5-1 trading plan, according to the filings. Earlier this year, Bezos sold more than $4.1 billion worth of shares in the company. The sales this week bring his total cash out in 2020 to slightly more than $7.2 billion so far. He still owns more than 54 million shares, worth more than $170 billion, making him the richest person in the world. By way of comparison, Bezos sold $2.8 billion worth of shares in 2019. Bezos has previously said he's selling about $1 billion of Amazon stock a year to fund his space exploration company, Blue Origin. Representatives from Amazon weren't immediately available to comment on the latest sale. The sales come one week after Bezos testified before the House Antitrust Subcommittee, which is concerned about the growing power of large tech companies, alongside Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg, Apple CEO Tim Cook and Sundar Pichai, CEO of Google parent Alphabet. Last week, Amazon also reported its second-quarter results, blowing away analyst expectations after the coronavirus pandemic fueled online shopping. Amazon shares are up 73% for the year, including a 2.1% gain on Wednesday. SEE ALSO: How two health tech companies closed one of the year's biggest deals during the coronavirus pandemic President Emmerson Mnangagwa Tuesday gave away his internal insecurity over a sustained scrutiny and criticism on his brutal regime, bellowing out incoherent threats against opposition "terrorists" and their external sympathisers. In his state of the nation address Tuesday, Mnangagwa branded as terrorists, opposition political groupings his administration claims were pushing for his ouster. This followed foiled attempts by the opposition and cooperating civic groups to roll out national protests against alleged high-level corruption under his watch. Mnangagwa insisted the iron-fisted clampdown on the protest and its organisers taken by his administration was best under the current surge in Covid-19 cases in the country. "The protection of the right to life is paramount especially in light of the Covid-19 pandemic and machinations by destructive terrorist opposition groupings," Mnangagwa said. Mnangagwa further labelled those plotting his ouster within Zanu PF as bad apples who must be flushed out. "Those who promote hate and disharmony will never win. The bad apples that have attempted to divide our people and to weaken our systems will be flushed out." In an explosive politburo meeting last week, Mnangagwa brought Central Intelligence chief Isaac Moyo who presented a dossier that implicated vice president Chiwenga in a plot to topple him from power. Zanu PF has since suspended Claveria Chizema and former Mbare MP Tendai Savanhu after revelations the duo was supported the July 31 anti-corruption protests. The two were also accused of bidding for Chiwenga to take over power from the under-fire Zimbabwean incumbent. Gory footage has emerged from Portland, Oregon that shows a female protester bleeding heavily from her chest after being stabbed by another woman. In the clip, which was posted to TikTok, a woman wearing a black face-mask pulls down her top to reveal a bloody knife wound. The shocking video, which was shot in Lownsdale Square Park, begins with the woman shouting 'call the police!' while the alleged knifewoman walks away from her. On Tuesday protesters once again took to the streets for the 69th straight day of violent demonstrations. A Portland protester ended up being stabbed on Monday night by a woman. It happened in Lownsdale Square Park which has housed protesters for months Pickup sped through crowd and rammed through the fence, sparks flying. pic.twitter.com/0zumuvzNKC Hannah Ray Lambert (@TheHannahRay) August 5, 2020 Black-clad demonstrators look down the street as a truck speeds through the streets of Portland last night On Monday night, Portland Police confirmed they were called to reports of a stabbing and that a person was being treated in hospital for non-life-threatening injuries. 'I told you not to f*** with us,' a man can be heard saying as the victim attempts to confront the woman who had attacked her in video of the aftermath. 'You stabbed someone, you b****,' the man says. 'Drop the knife ma'am you are not in danger.' The woman ignores the request and continues to walk away with the knife on display. Police say the incident began after a woman entered the park to take photos and video of the area where protesters have been housed for months. She ended up getting into an argument with another woman who then ended up stabbing her in the chest and fled the scene. She returned a short time later and was questioned however Portland Police have not confirmed whether an arrest has been made. They said they had 'encountered a hostile crowd' at the scene while trying to investigate the stabbing. Although officers originally managed to find the knife believed to have been used, someone else picked it up and ran off with it while police were trying to secure the scene. 'Officers were unable to safely conduct an investigation due to the hostile crowd, and supervisors made the decision to disengage,' Portland Police said in a statement. 'As the knife is evidence, it should be returned to police custody.' Demonstrators appeared to rush towards the truck before the driver allegedly jumped out and brandished a gun as he fled A sedan (seen making a hasty U-turn in the middle of the street) appeared to flee from the scene in terror Police also said that a 15-year-old boy was detained during Monday night's protests after he allegedly pointed a gun at a group of people in a separate incident. On Tuesday night, 100 Black Lives Matter demonstrators met at the Peninsula Park at around 8.30pm before starting their march towards the Police Association building downtown, The Oregonian reported. On their way they listened to speakers, chanted and set a trash bin on fire. Shortly before 10.30pm, police warned them to stop trying to break into the police facility or they would use force and make arrests. Half an hour later the situation unraveled when a pickup truck sped through the street as a crowd member hurled a motorbike in front of the vehicle. Sparks were sent flying through the air as the bike scraped along the asphalt trapped beneath the front fender of the truck. The driver got out of the vehicle and social media footage allegedly showed him brandishing a handgun and shouting at the protesters as he fled the scene. An officer told the Oregonian that police were interviewing the driver. Recent downtown protests have been markedly more peaceful than those from previous weeks, the local paper says. The state police were charged with guarding the federal courthouse last week after President Donald Trump sent in more than 100 federal officers to secure the building earlier in July. Trump's decision increased tensions and was slammed by city, state and congressional officials. A line of protesters blocks the street in front of the Mark O. Hatfield U.S. Courthouse during a Black Lives Matter protest on August 2, 2020 in Portland, Oregon. Portlands nightly protests have remained largely peaceful following last Thursdays announcement that federal officers would begin a phased withdrawal from the city On Tuesday, the US Attorney's office confirmed that federal prosecutors have produced no evidence linking dozens of people arrested in anti-racism protests in Portland to the antifa or anarchist movements. 'We have not alleged defendant affiliation with any specific groups or ideologies in our cases stemming from recent Portland protests,' said Kevin Sonoff, the spokesman. 'Our cases focus purely on the criminal conduct alleged.' Trump and officials in his administration have applied the labels to the Portland protesters, who set fires around, and threw objects at, officers around a federal courthouse during long-running confrontations. 'I think there are anarchists and far-left groups involved in the violence in Portland,' Attorney General William Barr said in testimony before Congress last week. 'I think antifa is involved in Portland.' Antifa, which stands for anti-fascist, is a largely unstructured, far-left movement whose followers broadly aim to confront those they view as authoritarian or racist. The Portland federal prosecutor's office said it arrested more than 40 people on charges ranging from failing to obey lawful orders and operating a drone in restricted airspace to arson and assaulting a deputy U.S. marshal with an explosive device. In a July 26 internal memo first reported by the Lawfare.com blog, Brian Murphy, a former FBI agent who was serving as acting chief of the Department of Homeland Security's Intelligence and Analysis office, suggested calling many Portland protesters 'Violent Antifa Anarchists Inspired.' Murphy was transferred to a different job over the weekend. The Democrat who chairs the U.S. House of Representatives intelligence committee, Representative Adam Schiff, said on Monday that his panel would investigate the actions in Portland of that DHS office and its response to other anti-racism protests across the country. The Senate Intelligence Committee has launched similar inquiries. Ayodhya/New Delhi, Aug 5 : Ram Lalla and 'Vikas' were brought together in a fine interpretation of Lord Ram in the speech by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Wednesday after the 'Bhumi Pujan' ceremony in Ayodhya. "Ram is for everyone, Ram is within everyone," he said, while addressing the seers after the 'Bhumi Pujan' of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya. Beginning his speech with "Jai Siya Ram" chants, Modi went on to link Lord Ram with modern times and said, "Lord Ram has shown us the path of realisation and research." He referred to the epitome of morals & dharma "Maryada Purushottam Ram" to stress on the observation of similar "maryada" (limits) in today's life. The Prime Minister exhorted citizens to follow a similar "maryada" in times of the Covid-19 pandemic by wearing masks and maintaining social distancing. "Ram speaks, thinks, according to time, place and circumstances. Ram teaches us to grow with time. Ram is in favor of change, Ram is in favor of modernity," said the Prime Minister. He said that a grand temple will now be built for the Ram Lalla deity who had been living under a temporary tent for many years. "Every heart is illuminated; it is an emotional moment for the entire country... A long wait ends today," said the Prime Minister. The event sets the ball rolling for the construction of a grand Ram Temple, a key electoral promise of the ruling party. However, the message the Prime Minister tried to drive home was larger. "This day is proof of the truth of the resolve of crores of devotees. This day is a unique gift of a just, fair India to truth, non-violence, faith and sacrifice," he said. He said Ram is present in different cultures, in different areas. "Thousands of years ago, in the Ramayana of Valmiki, Lord Ram was guiding ancient India, in the Middle Ages, Ram was pushing India through Tulsi, Kabir and Nanak, the same Ram was present in Bapu's hymns as a force of non-violence and satyagraha during the freedom struggle," said the Prime Minister, while sending out a powerful message. It was a speech, however, not without a subtle dig. He said, "Ram is carved in our mind, mixed with us. You see the amazing power of Lord Ram -- buildings were destroyed, every attempt was made to eradicate his existence. But he still remains in our mind." But, at the end, the Prime Minister sent a larger message that Lord Ram stands for modernity, development and fairness and those are the aspects all Indians should aspire for, in the name of the deity, he suggested. Latest updates on Ayodhya Ram Temple Bhumi Pujan -- Except for the title, this story has not been edited by Prokerala team and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed Last month, Chapman hosted Bolsonaro at a friendly July 4th barbecue. He also rushed to the defense of Bolsonaros son chair of the lower houses foreign relations committee after the influential lawmaker promoted a Trump re-election video. And he has pressed for Brazil to lift tariffs on ethanol, on at least one occasion mentioning it could influence Iowas vote in the U.S. presidential election, according to a person who spoke with Chapman and told The Associated Press on condition of anonymity. Health bosses have issued a desperate plea for young Australians to get tested for coronavirus, as one state teeters on the edge of a widespread outbreak. People aged between 18 and 35 years old have recorded the biggest surge in COVID-19 infections, with the youngest victim - a man in his 30s - dying in Victoria on Wednesday. More than 4,000 of the nation's 17,000 infections have been within the younger age groups - almost double all other demographics - between January and August, according to the Department of Health. To encourage young people to take regular swabs for the respiratory virus, NSW Health released a targeted video on social media. A NSW Health worker named Bob (pictured) urged Australians under 35 to talk about why they got tested A list of possible reasons to get tested included, 'to keep your nanna safe,' to make sure your favourite cafe stays open,' or 'to get back to listening to live music' In the video, a NSW Health worker named Bob urged Australians under 35 to talk about why they got tested. 'We need your help to increase testing rates for COVID-19 in NSW and help us get back to doing the things we love,' Bob said. He then asked people to upload a video to social media with the hashtag #Itest4NSW explaining why they got tested, or why they planned on getting tested soon. A list of possible reasons to get tested included, 'to keep your nanna safe,' to make sure your favourite cafe stays open,' or 'to get back to listening to live music'. The video also had a range of 'test-imonies' from young Australians who detailed why they got tested for the virus. Lauren (pictured) wanted to take her dog to puppy school Jayden (pictured) said he gets tested because he would like the snow fields to stay open The video also had a range of 'test-imonies' from young Australians who detailed why they got tested for the virus. A woman named Ruby said: 'I get tested so my gym doesn't have to shut down, Aaron revealed that he takes tests to 'keep our elders healthy and safe,' and Jayden would like the snow fields to stay open. Twitter users are yet to upload videos with the hashtag. Young people can have coronavirus with no symptoms, meaning they can pass the virus onto others without even realising they are sick. Overnight, 12 new coronavirus cases were recorded in NSW, with just one infection in hotel quarantine. New South Wales has recorded 12 new coronavirus cases, with just one infection in hotel quarantine. Pictured: Sydneysiders wear face masks as they walk in front of Town Hall NSW Health said one COVID-19 case reported on Wednesday was locally acquired from an unknown source, the fourth in just five days - with many more believed to be 'under investigation'. 'While most cases in the past week have been associated with local clusters and close contact with known cases, some have not been linked to known cases,' NSW Health said in a statement. Of 10 new infections linked to clusters, two cases are connected to the Thai Rock restaurant in Wetherill Park, in Sydney's western suburbs, and six infections are associated with the funeral gatherings cluster. NSW Health said there are 113 active coronavirus cases across the state and nine patients are receiving treatment in intensive care, with six on ventilators. A man who lost his brother on Bloody Sunday has told how John Hume handed over money to help them pay for the funeral. Michael Kelly (17) was among 13 people killed after soldiers opened fire during a civil rights march in Londonderry in January 1972. A 14th died afterwards from his injuries. Expand Close His brother Michael, who was killed on Bloody Sunday / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp His brother Michael, who was killed on Bloody Sunday His brother John said the first time he met John Hume face to face was when the former SDLP leader called to his family home the next day. Mr Kelly recalls Mr Hume giving money to his parents to help them cover the costs of the funeral - a gesture he made to the 12 other families who lost loved ones on Bloody Sunday. Read More Speaking to the Belfast Telegraph, Mr Kelly said: "I was 23 when Bloody Sunday happened so I was well aware of John Hume and would have gone to marches to hear him speak. I was in awe of him. "The first time I met him face to face was in our family home at my brother Michael's wake. "I was in the room with my mother and father when John came in. He gave my parents money to help with the cost of Michael's funeral and I know it was much appreciated and needed. It wasn't just our family he did that for, he did it for all the families. Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Previous Next John Hume 1937 - 2020: A life in pictures Close John Hume playing with his children John Hume is carried aloft through Londonderry city centre after being returned as MP for Foyle in 1987 John Hume on his wedding day with wife Pat John Hume is detained by soldiers during a civil rights protest in Londonderry in August 1971. John Hume John Hume in thoughtful mood at the SDLP party conference in Newcastle in 1979 Bertie Ahern and John Hume as they took part in a press conference on the 10th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement in Belfast. Picture Charles McQuillan/Pacemaker. U2 star Bono is flanked by David Trimble and John Hume on stage during a special concert in Belfast to promote the Yes vote in the referendum on the Good Friday Agreement (Chris Bacon/PA) PA John Hume with his good friend, Senator Ted Kennedy, in the Bogside John Hume with UN Secretary General Kofi Annan John Hume and his wife Pat at the Foyle Arts Centre in Londonderry after hearing that he and David Trimble were to share the Nobel Peace Prize Photopress Belfast John Hume with party colleague Seamus Mallon John Hume and David Trimble with U2 frontman Bono celebrating the Good Friday Agreement The SDLP team led by leader John Hume arrives at Stormont in 1999 to start the process of selecting ministers for the devolved government John Hume waiting for the verdict of the referendum on the Good Friday Agreement, David Trimble, Tony Blair and John Hume at Dunadry in Co Antrim Photopress Belfast John Hume waiting for the verdict of the referendum on the Good Friday Agreement, David Trimble, Tony Blair and John Hume at Dunadry in Co Antrim Photopress Belfast Hometown heroes: John Hume celebrates with Derry City players after their 2010 First Division win SPORTSFILE Former SDLP leader John Hume and Bill Clinton pictured in front of the Guildhall. Photo-Jonathan Porter/Presseye. Photo by Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye. Sinn Fein president Gerry Adams (left) and SDLP leader John Hume (Chris Bacon/PA) PA John Hume worked with Ian Paisley PA SDLP leader John Hume with his wife Pat speak to the media after he and David Trimble won the Nobel Peace Prize (PA) PA John Hume in front of the Stormont Building in 2002 (Paul Faith/PA) John Hume with David Trimble (PA) PA Bill Clinton in front of the Guildhall with former SDLP leader John Hume and his wife Pat. Photo-Jonathan Porter/Presseye. Photo by Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye. SDLP Conference, St Columb's Hall, Derry 12th March 2016. SDLP Leader Colm Eastwood John Hume at the conclusion of the conference Photo:Presseye. Photo by Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye. File photo dated 19/10/2000 of the Dalai Lama (left) meeting with fellow Nobel peace laureate John Hume, the former SDLP leader has died at the age of 83. Photo: Martin McCullough/PA Wire PA File photo dated 24/08/2014 of John Hume and his wife Pat, the former SDLP leader has died at the age of 83. PA Photo.Photo: Niall Carson/PA Wire PA Handout File photo dated 12/04/2000 of Former South African President Nelson Mandela meeting John Hume at the South African Embassy in Dublin Photo: PA Wire PA / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp John Hume playing with his children "John Hume saved hundreds and hundreds and maybe thousands of lives, if it wasn't for him so many other people would have gone to their graves like our Michael, I have no doubt of that. "It wasn't just financial help John gave to the Bloody Sunday families, his door was always open to us during our campaign and he opened doors for us that would otherwise have been closed. "He took the families to London and was with us when I knocked on the door of 10 Downing Street and handed in a petition. He also facilitated meetings between the likes of MPs Kevin McNamara and Jeremy Corbyn. "A politician of John Hume's stature is what is missing today but there is no one like him and, sadly, I don't think there will be again." John Hume won the Nobel Prize for Peace in 1998. He donated most of the 286,000 prize to two charities close to his heart - the St Vincent de Paul Society and the Salvation Army. The remaining 36,000 was divided equally between a fund set up in the aftermath of the Omagh bombing atrocity in August 1998 and a victims' memorial trust. The Omagh bombing on August 15, 1998 came just four months after the signing of the Good Friday Agreement. Twenty-nine people died, including a woman pregnant with twins, in the worst single atrocity after almost 30 years of the Troubles in Northern Ireland. Michael Gallagher, whose 21-year-old son Aidan was among the victims, said it was indicative of John Hume's character. Expand Close Michael Gallagher / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Michael Gallagher Mr Gallagher said: "The donation John Hume made to the Omagh families at the time he won the Nobel Peace Prize was a very noble and honourable thing to do and was a mark of the man he was. "It sent a strong message from John Hume that violence was something he didn't and never would support, and for that reason it is an important thing to do. "That was within the first year of the bombing and in the early days of the Omagh fund, and the message sent out by that gesture should never be underestimated. "That said a lot about the man himself. John Hume never forgot that he was a man of the people and that was something that he stayed true to all his life." Mr Gallagher said the gesture brought comfort to grieving families. "He made life a lot more bearable for so many people because had he not taken the initiative and moved the peace process forward there is no doubt many families would still be suffering," he added. Expand Close His son Aidan, who was killed in the Omagh bombing / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp His son Aidan, who was killed in the Omagh bombing "It is only now that John Hume has gone and we reflect back on what was, and on what could have been, that we can see he shaped Ireland into a better place than it was before he came. "It is a sad day but it is also a day we can all be proud that someone from our country ended up as a world statesman for all the right reasons and not for glory." Less than 24 hours after President Trump said some great generals told him they thought that Tuesdays massive explosion in Beirut was an attack involving a bomb of some kind, Defense Secretary Mark Esper seemed less than convinced by that explanation. Speaking to an online audience Wednesday as part of the Aspen Security Forum, Esper said he was still getting information on the blast in the Lebanese capital, but that most believe that it was an accident, as reported. Defense Secretary Mark Esper. (Michael Reynolds/Pool via AP) By Wednesday afternoon, the death toll from Tuesdays explosion in Beiruts port stood at more than 100 people, with thousands injured and 300,000 rendered at least temporarily homeless by the damage. Lebanese investigators quickly homed in on a warehouse filled with 2,700 tons of ammonium nitrate. They believe that the chemical, which had been removed from a ship abandoned in the port, was the likely cause of the blast. Asked to explain the discrepancy between Trumps comments and Espers explanation, and to identify which generals the president might have been referring to as the source of his information, a Pentagon spokesman replied via email: We have nothing to offer at this time beyond the Secretarys comments. The White House did not respond on the record to questions from Yahoo News. Esper echoed a statement from Secretary of State Mike Pompeo earlier Wednesday offering condolences and assistance to the Lebanese people. We mourn for the dozens, possibly hundreds of people killed and thousands more hurt, Esper said. Were positioning ourselves to provide whatever humanitarian assistance they need. A readout of a Wednesday phone call between Pompeo and Lebanese Prime Minister Hassan Diab also did not mention any potential attacks in relation to the explosion. Secretary Pompeo expressed his condolences to the Lebanese people for the horrible explosion at the Beirut port, which killed and injured so many and caused devastating destruction to the city. Story continues Cover thumbnail photo: Mohamed Azakir/Reuters _____ Read more from Yahoo News: New Delhi, Aug 5 : Online learning platform Springboard on Wednesday announced it has raised $31 million (approximately Rs 232 crore) in Series B funding, bringing its total capital raised to more than $50 million. This round was led by new investor Telstra Ventures, with participation from Vulcan Capital and SJF Ventures, and returning investors Costanoa Ventures, Pearson Ventures, Reach Capital, International Finance Corporation (IFC), 500 Startups, Blue Fog Capital, and Learn Capital. Springboard, which has offices in San Francisco and Bengaluru, launched India as its first geography outside the US in 2019. The latest round of capital will enable Springboard to double down on student employability in response to the current job market in India and globally, by creating new hiring-focused products and strengthening employer partnerships, the company said. "India is witnessing one of its toughest challenges owing to the recent job losses that have impacted a large section of the workforce. It is therefore imperative for displaced workers to make the difficult transition into new, in-demand careers," Parul Gupta, Co-founder, Springboard, said in a statement. "Our remote-first, mentor-guided model is uniquely positioned to serve not only these individuals, but also universities and employers who need help navigating today's new economic reality. "We're delighted to partner with a great group of investors, as we continue on our mission to transform over one million lives by 2030," Gupta said. Springboard was co-founded by Gupta and Gautam Tambay in 2013. In the coming months, the company plans to grow its course offerings outside the high-tech industry to include additional skills gap disciplines. The company said it will also look to deepen its partnerships with universities and employers, enabling them to adapt to evolving reskilling needs in a post-pandemic economy. More than 20,000 students across over 100 countries have used Springboard to advance their careers, the company said. President Donald Trump on Wednesday expressed support for a plan to provide another $25 billion in federal aid to U.S. airlines, which have been devastated by the coronavirus pandemic. Bipartisan support is building for the additional aid for one of the sectors hardest hit by the coronavirus. U.S. airlines have warned more than 70,000 of their workers that their jobs are at risk when the current round of aid expires in the fall. More than a dozen Republican senators earlier Wednesday said they backed the extension of aid for U.S. carriers to support their payrolls while travel demand remains limited because of the virus, causing mounting financial losses. The new proposal, which comes as Congress wrestles with how to put together another national coronavirus relief package, already has support from the majority of the House. "I think it's very important that we keep the airlines going," Trump said in a White House press briefing when asked whether he supported the proposal for the extension of the aid. "We don't want to lose our airlines. If they're looking at that, whether they're Republican or Democrat, I'd be certainly in favor. We can't lose our transportation system." Congress set aside $25 billion to U.S. passenger carriers in the $2.2 trillion CARES Act in March on the condition that they wouldn't cut jobs through Sept. 30. The new proposal would extend those protections through the end of March 2021. Airline shares gained in postmarket trading after Trump's comments with American Airlines up close to 6% while United Airlines and Delta Air Lines each trading more than 3% higher. Never let it be said that Samsung doesn't shake things up. Last year it gave us two Galaxy Notes for the first time since 2014. (Remember the Note 4 and Note Edge? Those were the days.) Just a few months ago, Samsung revealed a trio of new Galaxy S phones, including an oversized model that waltzed into the Galaxy Note's corner of the market. Which has left the top-end of the company's lineup feeling awfully crowded. And the crowd just got bigger. Samsung officially revealed the Galaxy Note 20 ($999) and Note 20 Ultra ($1,299) today, alongside a slew of other new devices at its online-only Unpacked event. The big question now is whether these two Notes can carve out niches for themselves among Samsung's already-huge pack of premium devices. And, honestly, Im not so sure about that. The Ultra experience Over the years, the Galaxy Note line has become more or less synonymous with big screens, powerful processors, and, of course, the S Pen. Both the Galaxy Note 20 and the Note 20 Ultra pack all of the above, but between the two, the Ultra caters more to Samsung's most demanding fans. First things first: With its 6.9-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display, the Note 20 Ultra is a big phone. For those keeping count, that's the same size as the Galaxy S20 Ultra's display, and both of these screens refresh at up to 120Hz. Just like last year's Note, there's a tiny hole punched out of the top of the screen to accommodate a 10-megapixel front-facing camera, and the lack of bezels around the display once again means you'll have plenty of real estate for jotting down notes during your (remote) meetings. The screen's tall aspect ratio also makes the Ultra a little narrower and easier to handle than you might suspect, though folks with big mitts are still Samsungs real audience here. (Even I had trouble one-handing it.) Unlike last year, there is no version of the Note for people with smaller hands, which honestly feels like a mistake. Samsung Galaxy Note 20 and Note 20 Ultra Speaking of big, the Note 20 Ultra's camera array looks (and feels) absolutely enormous. From what I can tell, it's very similar in size to the Galaxy S20 Ultra's hump, but it really stands out thanks to the new, bronze finish Samsung is pushing this year. What's inside, however, should sound pretty familiar. Samsung's 108-megapixel main camera is back and seemingly identical to the one found in the S20 Ultra -- ditto for the 12-megapixel ultra-wide, which still captures a 120-degree field of view. Story continues That's not to say Samsung hasn't tweaked its formula, though. This time it opted for a 12-megapixel telephoto camera, and while that doesn't sound nearly as impressive as the S20 Ultra's 48-megapixel sensor, the Note 20 Ultra's long-range shooter has a slightly wider aperture which should help in low light. Samsung's crazy Space Zoom feature is back too, though it's been neutered a little. The Note 20 Ultra can push in 50x, compared to the 100x on the S20 Ultra. Frankly, this is fine. In addition to being creepy, those 100x photos looked downright terrible most of the time. Based on its name and those oh-so-similar cameras, it would be easy to assume that not much has changed internally from the Galaxy S20 Ultra. That's not exactly the case. Inside is one of Qualcomm's Snapdragon 865+ chipsets, and since its CPU cores are clocked slightly higher than the standard 865's, the Note 20 Ultra should have a slight edge when it comes to horsepower. Of course, considering just how fast the standard Snapdragon 865 was, I suspect most people would be hard-pressed to spot any meaningful differences in performance. (I certainly didnt.) That's especially true because, like the S20 Ultra, all versions of the Note 20 Ultra pack 12GB of RAM -- apart from the color, the only choice you'll have to make is whether you want 128GB ($1,300) or 512GB of storage ($1,449). Samsung Galaxy Note 20 and Note 20 Ultra A few other things to note: The Note 20 Ultra has a 4,500mAh battery, which is notably smaller than the S20 Ultra's. (Samsung swears that the two phones are rated for the same longevity, but we'll be the judge of that.) Long-time Note fans will also have to reset their muscle memory since the Bluetooth-enabled S Pen now slots in on the bottom-left corner. I can already imagine myself thumbing for the stylus where it used to be, and I'm getting frustrated. That said, actually using the S Pen should feel a little more natural than it used to. Thanks to some software improvements and the S20 Ultras fancy new screen, the delay between writing something on this glass and seeing it appear is minimal -- think about nine milliseconds. Seeing Samsung demonstrate this minimal latency in person has made me wonder if it might finally be time to give writing on glass another try. The Note 20 Ultra is also the first Samsung device to pack an ultra-wideband (or UWB) radio for short-range data transmission. UWB has plenty of applications, but its perhaps most widely known in smartphone circles as the technology that allows Apples iPhone 11 series to AirDrop files by pointing one device at another. Samsung told us that the Note 20 Ultra will include a similar feature so you can quickly move files from one Ultra to another, and before long the company plans to use the radio to locate Samsung devices with AR and unlock doors. Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra New year, new tricks If the Note 20 Ultra seems like an S20 Ultra with a stylus and a bit of a makeover, thats not surprising. The overlap here is considerable, and more than a little concerning. Let's run through the software additions that help define the Note 20 experience. And naturally, we need to start with the S Pen. All of the classic features are here -- check out our Note 10+ review for a closer look at them -- but now you can navigate the Note's interface with swishes and flicks of your wrist. Imagine drawing specific kinds of zig-zags in the air will reveal your recent apps, go back one level, bring you back to the home screen, and even grab a screenshot. These gestures are much more angular than the ones that debuted on last year's Note 10, and that should theoretically make them a little easier to pull off. Emphasis on "theoretically -- from what Ive seen, it still takes some practice to get them working just right. Galaxy Note 20 Air Actions Adding new Air Actions like these was inevitable, and the idea of navigating your phone with a magic wand of sorts is ambitious enough to be charming. Still, how often will you actually need to multitask on your phone when you're not holding it? Even for avid stylus fans, I suspect the answer is "rarely." Thankfully, some of Samsung's other S Pen-centric features are a little more practical. You'll finally be able to mark up PDFs in the built-in Notes app, and if you're the sort who likes recording meetings or classes while jotting down bullet points, you can tap specific scribbles on-screen to jump to different parts of the audio file. Honestly, where was this when I was in college? Samsung also seems quite proud of its new wireless DeX feature, which will let you "cast" a desktop-like interface to any Miracast-enabled display. (Naturally, that includes all Samsung Smart TVs from 2019 onward.) But, Samsung hasn't explained the feature in-depth yet, so it's anyone's guess how helpful it'll really be. Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Note 20 Ultra Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Note 20 Ultra The Note series has always had a reputation as being solid workhorses, and that continues with improved Link to Windows support and a feature that immediately syncs your notes or sketches to the cloud. Turns out, Samsung's embrace of the cloud also extends to a new gaming deal with Microsoft -- starting on September 15th, Note 20 owners will be able to stream games through Xbox Game Pass Ultimate. Of course, how well any of this stuff actually works is still up in the air. Samsung has yet to show off a Note 20 Ultra with feature-complete software, so we'll have to hold off on evaluating -- well, any of these new additions. All in all, though, the Note 20 Ultra is just what we expected. It's a giant phone with an S Pen and an aversion to most kinds of compromise. Theres a problem with that approach, though. Even with its many tweaks and clever refinements, the Note 20 Ultra doesn't feel all that distinct now that devices like the Galaxy S20 Ultra are making headlines. That's especially disappointing when you consider the Note series was always meant to represent Samsung at its most ambitious. People have argued that the Galaxy Note is less relevant now that there's a super-premium Galaxy S device in the mix, and I'm starting to agree -- the Ultra probably won't make you a Note believer if you weren't one already. Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Puzzling compromises Then there's the Galaxy Note 20, which feels alarmingly unfocused for a $1,000 smartphone. Consider last year's Galaxy Note 10: It was largely the same phone as the Note 10 Plus, just smaller. Despite what industry trends might suggest, not everyone wants a chonker in their pocket or purse. Because of that, the Note 10 was a fine choice for people who'd been sized out of earlier models. This year's Note 20 is also very similar to the Note 20 Ultra, except its not significantly smaller and its a little worse in most ways. All the software tricks I just mentioned are present here too, but the hardware is considerably less impressive. The Note 20 has a 6.7-inch screen so it's technically smaller, but honestly -- the difference in size is barely noticeable. Unlike the standard Note 10, the Note 20 is not a phone for people with small hands. That screen? It runs at a lower, 2400x1080 resolution and only refreshes at 60Hz. The Note 20s S Pen doesnt have the same, super-low latency that the Ultras does, either. Granted, the S Pen still feels smoother and faster to respond here than it would on the Note 10, but Samsungs choice of screen means Note 20 Ultra users still get the best experience. The Note 20 also only comes with 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage, and there's no expandable memory; that's only available on the Ultra. Granted, it still has a Snapdragon 865+ so sheer horsepower shouldn't be an issue, but the list of little downgrades just continues. Its back is made of what Samsung calls "glasstic," which we've seen before on the company's mid-range A-series phones. It's plastic that looks nearly indistinguishable from the Note 20 Ultra's rear glass, but feels more hollow and on the whole less durable. Not exactly what one likes to see on a phone with a four-figure price tag. Samsung Galaxy Note 20 and Note 20 Ultra Its cameras are considerably tamer too, at least by Samsung standards. Rather than go all-out as it did with the Note 20 Ultra, Samsung appears to have just transferred the Galaxy S20 Plus's three main cameras into the Note 20. That's especially ironic since, as of this writing, recent deals and promos temporarily made the unlocked Galaxy S20 Plus with the same cameras, a better screen, expandable storage, more RAM and a slightly larger battery quite a bit cheaper than the Note 20. Credit where it's due, this thing isnt without its charms. For one, it has a slightly rounder body that I find surprisingly appealing, even as a fan of new Notes squarish aesthetic. The Note 20s display is completely flat too, rather than slightly curved at the edges like the Ultras that may make it less prone to accidental touches. And it still feels like a well-put-together device, even if it lacks the sheer style and reassuring density of its more expensive sibling. I get what Samsung is trying to do here. This is a phone for people who want most of the Note experience but don't need all the premium frills, and thats a valuable argument. The thing is, its still a $1,000 phone. When you consider many people (in the US anyway) buy expensive smartphones like these on installment plans anyway, it can be hard to imagine someone not shelling out a little per month for the Ultra. After all, that $1,300 behemoth is exactly the kind of phone Samsung has long believed or argued, at least its die-hard Note fans really want. Samsung Galaxy Note 20 and Note 20 Ultra Beyond all that, Samsung has insisted for years that the Note series represented the peak of smartphone-making prowess. With the Note 20, the company is muddying that message. Maybe I'm wrong -- maybe the regular Note 20 will become the kind of mass-market hit Samsung really wants. For now, though, it largely comes off like a watered-down version of the Ultra with an asking price that makes it hard to overlook some notable compromises. To find out if thats really the case, I'd suggest you stick around for our continuing coverage (and eventual review) before you decide to drop upwards of $1,000 on either one of these phones, but if you absolutely can't wait, pre-orders for both Notes kick off at midnight on August 6, 2020. Pre-orders You can reserve the Samsung Galaxy Note 20 and Note 20 Ultra today starting at $999 and $1,299, respectively. Pre-orders officially begin August 6, and you can pick up either smartphone at a physical retail location starting August 21. Those who pre-order either device should receive it by August 21 as well. Samsung added a few perks for those who reserve or pre-order the Note 20 or the Note 20 Ultra. First, you can get up to $500 off if you have a device to trade in when you pre-order. Youll also get a $150 Samsung credit that you can use towards accessories or the Xbox Game Pass Ultimate bundle that includes a Bluetooth gaming controller that you can use to stream and play Xbox games from your new phone. To top it off, youll also get four months of YouTube Premium for free and six months of Spotify Premium for free. You also have the option to go to Best Buy for your Note 20 or Note 20 Ultra pre-order. Best Buy is offering up to $700 off if you have a qualifying device to trade in, and youll get a $150 Samsung credit as well. Key specs CHICAGO - The State Department says Russia is using a well-developed online operation that includes a loose collection of proxy websites to stir up confusion around the coronavirus by amplifying conspiracy theories and misinformation. The disclosure on Wednesday was rare for the Trump administration, which has been cautious about blaming the Kremlin for disinformation campaigns, especially around the U.S. election. Despite evidence that Russia launched a divisive disinformation operation on social media during the 2016 U.S. presidential election, the State Departments report did not examine how if at all Russia is waging another online influence campaign in this years election. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo did, however, announce Wednesday that the U.S. would offer a reward of up to $10 million for information that identifies people working with foreign governments to interfere in the U.S. election through illegal cyber activity. The department detailed a Russian-backed misinformation cycle that spreads false information online through state officials and state-funded media reports, by infiltrating U.S. social media conversation, and leveraging a deceptive internet framework of websites. The Kremlins efforts have most recently focused on conspiracy theories around the pandemic, the report found. Russia is playing a significant role in creating and spreading misinformation and propaganda around many topics, said Lea Gabrielle, head of the State Departments Global Engagement Center. The department named more than a half-dozen websites that, serving as proxies for Russia, have peddled a series of conspiracy theories about the pandemic that have been widely spreading and hotly debated across social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. The online news outlets appear independent from the Russian government, but in reality serve as a connective tissue between the Kremlin and state-funded media that often promote the same misinformation from their own channels, Gabrielle said. Thats what makes them effective, Gabrielle said. Its difficult for the average person online to look at these sites and know the Russian affiliation. Russia has regularly denied claims from the U.S. that it is behind online disinformation campaigns, last week calling similar assertions persistent phobia. The websites the State Department identified Wednesday have promoted unsupported conspiracy theories that allege COVID-19 was created in a lab as a bioweapon, billionaire Bill Gates is plotting to use the pandemic as an excuse to microchip people, and that plans for a coronavirus vaccine are simply a ploy for pharmaceutical companies to make money. There is no evidence behind those claims. The origin of the novel coronavirus remains unknown, but the emerging scientific consensus is that humans were first infected in China, at a Wuhan animal market. Around the globe, leaders are investing in a vaccine as the best bet to beat the virus. And Gates has repeatedly rejected that he wants to start tracking people. Russia has a long history of spreading disinformation around health and science issues, Gabrielle said. The Russian disinformation ecosystem exploits fear and confusion. While building up a following on Facebook and Twitter, some of the websites have downplayed their ties to Russian intelligence or concealed funding from the Kremlin, the State Departments report found. One of the sites, Canadian-based Global Research, has amassed an audience of nearly 300,000 followers on Facebook. The website regularly publishes articles from fictitious personas created by Russias military intelligence service, the GRU. The headline of a recent Global Research article suggested the coronavirus originated in the U.S., and it was shared by a Chinese spokesman on Twitter before the website took the unsubstantiated claim down. Chinese, Iran and Russian government leaders have regularly echoed one another on social media and in state media reports. Another website, NewsFront, pitches itself as an alternative news source to Western audiences, despite its reported Kremlin funding and being registered with the Russian government, according to the State Departments report. Facebook removed dozens of accounts and pages associated with NewsFront for inauthentic, co-ordinatedbehaviour in April. Most of the other websites are far more fringe, with only small social media followings and articles pushing coronavirus conspiracy theories that have only been shared by the dozens. Last week, U.S. officials told The Associated Press that Russian intelligence are using another trio of English-language websites to push disinformation about the pandemic. PARIS (AP) As Lebanese rescuers counted the dead and combed rubble for signs of life a day after a huge explosion shattered swaths of Beirut, nations near and far pledged Wednesday that the country, already trapped in a deep economic crisis, would not be left alone. The explosion at the capitals port that killed at least 135 and injured thousands, with shock waves smashing deep into the city, stunned the world. From Australia to Indonesia to Europe and the United States, countries readied to send in aid and search teams. Reflecting both the gravity of the disaster and France's special relationship with its former protectorate, French President Emmanuel Macron was to visit Lebanon Thursday. Paris wasted no time in dispatching two planeloads of specialists, rescue workers and supplies to Beirut on Wednesday. The blast appeared to have been triggered by a fire that touched off a giant quantity of ammonium nitrate fertilizer stored for years in the port, which exploded with the force of a moderately strong earthquake. The disaster comes atop the worst economic crisis in Lebanon's modern history, and hesitancy among some backers, including France, to keep propping up a country in dire need of reform. The European Union was activating its civil protection system to round up emergency workers and equipment from across the 27-nation bloc. The EU commission said the plan was to urgently dispatch over 100 firefighters with vehicles, sniffer dogs and equipment designed to find people trapped in urban areas. The Czech Republic, Germany, Greece, Poland and the Netherlands were taking part in the effort, with other countries expected to join. The EUs satellite mapping system will be used to help Lebanese authorities establish the extent of damage. Cyprus, where Tuesday's blast was felt approximately 120 miles (180 kilometers) from Beirut, was sending in emergency personnel and sniffer dogs. Britain promised a $6.6 million humanitarian support package. Story continues Russia flew in a mobile hospital, along with 50 emergency workers and medical personnel. Another three Russian flights were scheduled to arrive within the next 24 hours, carrying equipment for a coronavirus testing lab and protective gear, among other relief supplies. Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison told reporters Thursday that his country pledged an initial 2 million Australian dollars ($1.4 million) to the relief effort and is considering more. He said the aid will be provided to the World Food Program and to the Red Cross for food, medical care and essential items. Help also was coming from closer to home. Iraq was sending six trucks of medical supplies and an emergency medical team to help bolster Lebanons overstretched health system, and Egypt and Jordan were supplying field hospitals. Tunisia was sending medical teams, and offered to bring 100 patients back for treatment in Tunisia. In a mark of respect for victims, a U.N.-backed tribunal postponed until Aug. 18 the delivery of judgments in the trial of four people charged with involvement in the 2005 assassination of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri. The verdicts were to be read out Friday in a Netherlands courtroom. Even Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said his country, officially in a state of war with Lebanon, stood ready to offer to assist the Lebanese as human beings to human beings. U.N. peacekeepers from Indonesia already stationed in Lebanon were helping in the evacuation effort, and Australia said it was donating 2 million Australian dollars ($1.4 million) in humanitarian support. But the pledges of aid raised new questions for a country whose economic and political crisis, combined with endemic corruption, have made donors wary in recent years. Macrons visit could carry some awkward moments. In a visit to Lebanon less than two weeks ago, French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian made clear that France, Beiruts steadfast economic backer, would withhold support not destined directly to the Lebanese population, until credible and serious reform measures get under way. Whether the French president would skirt his countrys own no-go zone and offer more than emergency aid was unclear. About $11 billion was pledged to Lebanon at a 2018 Paris conference but on condition reforms are undertaken. U.S. Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo reaffirmed our steadfast commitment to assist the Lebanese people in a phone call with Prime Minister Hassan Diab, according to Deputy Spokesperson Cale Brown. It was unclear what support might be forthcoming. The World Health Organization is airlifting medical supplies to Lebanon to cover up to 1,000 trauma interventions and up to 1,000 surgical interventions, following a request from the country's health minister. WHO spokesman Tarik Jasarevic said in an e-mail that supplies were to be airlifted from a humanitarian hub in Dubai in the United Arab Emirates and expected to arrive later Wednesday. U.N. deputy spokesman Farhan Haq said it was too early to say if the U.N. will issue an international appeal to help rebuild Beirut. It would seem given the amount of damage that there will be a need for additional international support for Lebanon, he said, adding that the U.N. is heartened to see support from many governments and hopes all countries will stand beside the Lebanese people at this time. Pope Francis offered prayers for the Lebanese, while in Paris a special vigil was to be held late Wednesday in the Notre Dame Maronite Church. The Eiffel Tower will go dark at midnight in mourning. ___ Sylvie Corbet in Paris, Lorne Cook in Brussels, Jamey Keaten in Geneva and bureaus around the world contributed. SPRINGFIELD The state has identified more than 120,000 instances of fraud in its unemployment system since March, about 114,000 of which targeted the federal Pandemic Unemployment Assistance program that has been ripe for exploitation nationwide, according to the FBI. That program, passed by Congress as part of COVID-19 relief efforts, allows independent contractors and others to apply for unemployment benefits they would otherwise not be entitled to. The program launched in Illinois in May. Gov. J.B. Pritzker said at a COVID-19 update in Chicago on Wednesday the federal program was poorly designed, and fraud calls have exacerbated issues state unemployment systems are already having in processing claims. This is a brand new program that the federal government rushed to develop, and then left each state to create its own separate system, Pritzker said. As a result, there were massive holes for illegal fraudsters to steal federal dollars from taxpayers across the country. He said the state has been asked to cooperate with federal investigators, and noted that anyone that has not applied for unemployment benefits but receives either a debit card or correspondence from the Illinois Department of Employment Security should report it. In addition to working with law enforcement, IDES is also taking every action to track down and cut off fraudulent claims, reviewing flagged files to identify commonalities and patterns, Pritzker said. The highly experienced money launderers who have perpetrated these crimes use the same payment methods that regular filers do. For that reason, the IDES can't simply cut off common dispersal mechanisms that also serve as lifelines for innocent users. Pritzker said IDES has processed more than 2 million total claims in 2020, so the number of fraudulent claims pales in comparison to the number of Illinoisans in genuine need of assistance. Fraud can be reported at IDES.illinois.gov, and those reporting will be called back in the order of submission. Pritzker made the announcement as unemployment remained at an unprecedented high level in Illinois, where the June unemployment rate was 14.6% due to the pandemic and associated economic turmoil. Pritzker once again warned that further restrictions on businesses and public activity may be needed if transmission of the virus remains on the upward trend that it has seen in recent weeks. The state reported another 1,759 new cases of the virus Wednesday among 46,668 test results reported over the previous 24 hours. That made for a one-day positivity rate of 3.8% as the seven-day rolling average positivity rate remained at 3.9%. Unfortunately, the virus rages on, the governor said. Two weeks ago, 10, of our 11 Restore Illinois regions had seven-day rolling positivity rates below 5 percent . By last week that had dropped to only five regions below 5 percent. As of yesterday's data update, we now have just four regions with a positivity rate below 5 percent. The Metro East and southern Illinois lead the 11 regions at 7.2% and 7.1%, respectively, while only Region 6 in eastern Illinois (3%), Region 11 which includes all of Chicago (4.9%), Region 1 in northwest Illinois (4.4%), and Region 8 which include Kane and DuPage Counties (4.4%) remain below 5%. If that number in any region is above 8% for three days, or if it increases for seven of 10 days along with a sustained seven-day increase in hospital admissions, the state will put mitigations in place, Pritzker said. Those can include several of the actions seen in previous phases of the reopening plan. Pritzker took other questions at the news conference and said he does not plan to put in place a state mandate for vaccinations once they are available, although he said they are necessary if the population is ever to achieve herd immunity. Herd immunity is something you only really can get with vaccines, and so we want people to get vaccinated if it's an effective vaccine and, you know, and we'll make it available to everyone, especially to those who are vulnerable, he said. Pritzker was asked about the potential of another widespread shutdown, but said, I dont want to go back there. The current mitigation plan would include more targeted actions against certain sectors of the economy in specific regions where cases spike. But we were successful in the state of Illinois and frankly in a lot of places around the country at bringing down the infection rates, he said of the initial stay-at-home order. Still, he said health experts know more about the virus now than they did in the beginning, including information from several studies showing the effectiveness of face coverings in mitigating the spread of the virus. While Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot announced Wednesday the citys public schools would go to remote learning, Pritzker said his stance was unchanged Illinois State Board of Education and Illinois Department of Public Health guidance should be followed, but districts need flexibility to decide the best course. Meanwhile, another 30 COVID-19-positive individuals were reported to have died over the previous 24 hours, bringing the total casualties since the pandemic began to 7,573 among 186,471 confirmed cases. Hospitalizations for the virus were increasing as well at the end of Tuesday, with 1,552 COVID-19-positive individuals in hospital beds. While those numbers often fluctuate by the hundreds over the course of a week, the number of COVID-19 patients hospitalized is the highest since June 1, when 1,651 beds were in use. The number of beds in use is also 200 more than it was on Friday. Intensive care bed usage is well off pandemic lows as well, with 368 in use by COVID-19 patients at the end of Tuesday, the most since 384 were in use on June 30. That number was as low as 309 on July 22. Ventilator usage increased slightly as well, with 129 in use by COVID-19 patients at the end of Tuesday. Pritzker said the state has kept warm facilities that could serve as overflow capacity should hospitals in any region be filled to capacity, although about 38% of hospital beds and 43% of ICU beds were open statewide at the end of Tuesday. Capitol News Illinois is a nonprofit, nonpartisan news service covering state government and distributed to more than 400 newspapers statewide. It is funded primarily by the Illinois Press Foundation and the Robert R. McCormick Foundation. Coming together while we're apart: Southern Illinoisans show support, love from a distance Islamic State operative from Kerala - Dr Ijas Kallukettiya Purayil, included in the National Investigation Agencys (NIA) most wanted list - was among three Indian-origin members of the terror group killed in a suicide attack in Afghanistan over the weekend. According to information and images released by the media arm of Islamic States Khorasan unit (ISKP) on Tuesday, Purayil alias Ijas, was among 11 terrorists who attempted to storm a prison at Jalalabad in Nangarhar province where IS prisoners were being held. Ijas was the only Indian attacker whose face was visible in photos released by IS, while the other two Indians were masked. People familiar with the developments said on condition of anonymity it was believed all three Indian terrorists were from Kerala, from where a sizeable number of men and women had travelled to Afghanistan to join the Islamic State in 2016. Ijas was part of 22-member Kasargod module led by Abdul Rashid Abdulla. Ijas, seen in a photo standing before the black IS flag and holding an assault rifle, was a physician from Kasargod district in Kerala. According to the NIAs website, his status is listed as absconding. A charge sheet filed by NIA in 2016 states Ijas was wanted in connection with a case registered in 2016 on charges of criminal conspiracy, commission of unlawful activities, and membership and support to the banned IS. Ijas, his wife Reffeala and their minor child left India via Hyderabad airport in June 2016 to join ISKP in Afghanistans Nangarhar province. Reffeala is currently in a jail in Kabuls Badam Bagh prison along with her five year old son who they took with them in 2016 and an infant born in Afghanistan. She was caught along with 24 other Indians among nearly 900 Islamic State fighters in November 2019. Indian intelligence agencies had even questioned her. A NIA team was supposed to go to Kabul to questioned Indians captured there including Reffeala but the trip was delayed in the wake of cancellation of international flights. The agency is now exploring if it can use a special flight to go to Kabul. NIA officials who didnt wish to be named said that they also have received report of Ijass death but a DNA test can only provide a confirmation. The attack on the prison in Jalalabad ended on Monday with the killing of all the attackers by Afghan security forces. Afghan officials said a total of 29 people were killed and 50 others injured. The Afghan defence ministry said in a statement that the attackers and two security personnel were among the dead. It added that five prisoners were killed by the attackers and 1,025 prisoners were rescued. ISKPs media arm released a 20-minute audio message in which the groups spokesman Sultan Aziz Azzam provided details of the attack. This was one of the rare occasions when ISKP has made a detailed claim for an attack. Azzam said the attack was carried out by 11 IS members - four Tajiks, three Indians, three Afghans and a Pakistani, who were divided into four groups. The assault was in keeping with a promise by new ISKP chief Shahab al-Muhajir to release the groups prisoners. A suicide bomber detonated an explosives-laden vehicle at the gate of the prison while others entered the jail and freed hundreds of prisoners, Azzam claimed. Earlier this year, NIA had registered its first case related to an attack on foreign soil following the IS attack on a Gurudwara in Kabul in March. ISKP member Mohammed Sajid Kuthurimmal, who also belongs to Kerala, was allegedly involved in this attack that killed nearly 30 people. 70m windfall: Hastings insurance boss Neil Utley Insurance tycoon Neil Utley is set to rake more than 70million as investors prepare to buy Hastings. Finnish financial conglomerate Sampo and South African investment firm Rand Merchant Investment Holdings have launched a 1.7billion bid for the motor insurer, which has the board's approval. Former DJ Utley, who is worth 194million according to the Sunday Times Rich List, stands to bag 73.3million if he sells his 29.3m shares in Hastings for the offer price of 250p per share. The 58-year-old helped to revive Hastings in 2009, when he took a major stake through a management buyout and became its chairman. He has already made millions, pocketing 135million after 50 per cent was sold to Goldman Sachs in 2013. He put the money to work, buying David and Victoria Beckham's 'Beckingham Palace' mansion in 2014 for 11.5million. And when Hastings listed on the London Stock Exchange in 2015, Utley raked in another 2.8million. Since then he has gradually sold down his shares. Gary Hoffman, the chairman of the Premier League and digital bank Monzo, will land a payday of around 15million from the deal. He became chief executive in 2012 to see it through its stock market float, later becoming chairman, then stepping down this year. His fellow shareholders David Saville, Richard Brewster, Thomas Duggan and Ian Donald who also backed the management buyout, stand to scoop millions. For other investors, the opportunity to sell shares for 250p may come as a relief. The shares were around 182p before the deal was announced barely higher than the 170p they floated at in 2015. Hastings was founded in Bexhill-on-Sea, East Sussex, by David Gundlach and Andrew Bowen. In its half-year results yesterday, profits rose during the pandemic, as lockdown meant cars were parked on driveways leading to fewer accidents. It made a profit before tax of 63.5million in the first six months of 2020, compared to 46.1million over the same time last year. Sampo and Rand's swoop on Hastings is the latest involving big-name private investors snapping up beleaguered British firms. This week, roadside breakdown firm the AA said three sets of US private equity firms were circling it. And Casual Dining Group, the owner of Bella Italia and Cafe Rouge, has been bought by private equity firm Epiris. One investment banker told the Mail that he was seeing a flurry of activity as foreign investors hunt post-lockdown bargains. Security firm appeals in cassation license revocation over boys murder in kindergarten flickr.com/ Toshiyuki IMAI 10:53 05/08/2020 MOSCOW, August 5 (RAPSI) A private security firm Svyatogor whose employee had let a kid murder enter a kindergarten in Naryan-Mar, a town in the Nenets Autonomous Area, filed a cassation appeal against revocation of its license, according to the records of the North-West District Commercial Court. The firm has appealed a ruling of the Arkhangelsk Regional Commercial Court delivered on February 13. An application for the license annulment was filed in April 2018 by the Nenets directorate of the National Guard Service. The court pointed unprofessional behavior in the security field of the agency and stated that it failed to fulfill its guard obligations. In March, a court in the Nenets Autonomous Area released a resident of the city of Naryan-Mar Denis Pozdeyev, who had been found guilty of killing a 6-year boy in a local kindergarten, and ordered him to undergo compulsory mental treatment, the courts press service reported Tuesday. During the trial the court held that the man had committed the murder of a minor. However, a mental examination found him insane. According to the results of a psychiatric examination, the man suffers from a mental illness and was of unsound mind when committing the crime, the statement reads. The court found that on October 31, the resident of Naryan-Mar in a drunken state entered the local kindergarten and stabbed a child of 6 years with a knife. The boy died on the scene. Initially, the man refused to give testimony, but later he pleaded guilty to the murder and told an investigator that he heard voices in his head. In July, the security firms guard, who had let the kid murder enter the kindergarten, was sentenced to 2.5 years in penal colony for providing substandard services that negligently led to the death of a minor. Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-05 12:55:31|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close JAKARTA, Aug. 5 (Xinhua) -- An Indonesian citizen was injured in the huge explosions in Lebanon's capital of Beirut, the Indonesian Foreign Affairs Ministry said in a statement here on Wednesday. According to the ministry, the Indonesian embassy in Beirut has managed to contact the victim who is now in a stable condition and able to communicate. The victim has been rushed to Rafi Hariri hospital not far from the location of the accident, which is about seven kilometers from the Indonesian embassy. The embassy is also making coordination with local authorities to check other Indonesians who likely fall victims in the accident which occurred on Tuesday at Port of Lebanon at around 6:10 p.m. local time (1610 GMT). Indonesian Ambassador to Lebanon Hajriyanto Y Tohari said in a statement on Wednesday following the last checking, all Indonesians in Lebanon are safe. The ambassador said that data in the embassy showed there are 1,447 Indonesians including 1,234 members of the country's military contingent serving the U.N. mission in Lebanon and 213 staff members of the embassy and students. Enditem A month after Cisco Systems Inc was accused of discriminating against an Indian-American employee and allowing him to be harassed by two managers because of his caste, a former employee of HCL US has filed a lawsuit against the IT major for unlawful termination based on his caste by his superior. The case, which was filed on March 25 in a superior court in California, is similar to the much-publicised case against Cisco by the authorities that triggered debates around caste bias in Silicon Valley organisations. According to Moneycontrol, the lawsuit filed by the employee against HCL America is similar in the sense that it alleges that his superior Srinivas Chakravarty, a Kamma Naidu by caste, harboured animosity against him as he is a Kapu Naidu. The two caste groups have a history of animosity that dates back to the riots in 1980s in the Vijayawada region of Andhra Pradesh, the lawsuit said. Substantial motivating factors for termination of employment were, without limitation, his ethnicity (including as it relates to caste), race, national origin, ancestry, religious creed and/or color, and/or any such perceived characteristics, and/or his association with members of such protected classes, as well as his complaints about discrimination within the company, the lawsuit said. The former empployee said that he had come to know that Chakravarty was terminated soon after the lawsuit was filed, but could not independently verify the same. HCL Technologies, the parent company of HCL America, did not respond to queries about Chakravartys termination and the action taken on two senior managers -- Vikas Soni and Prasanna Subramanian-- to whom Vikram complained. The company also did not respond to queries by Moneycontrol on the allegations raised in the lawsuit or steps taken by the company to address unfair treatment meted out to Vikram based on his ethnicity. In July, California regulators sued Cisco Systems Inc, accusing it of discriminating against an Indian-American employee and allowing him to be harassed by two managers because he was from a lower Indian caste than them. US employment law does not specifically bar caste-based discrimination, but California's Department of Fair Employment and Housing contends in the lawsuit that India's lingering caste system is based on protected classes such as religion. That caste hierarchy was enforced in the workplace, according to the lawsuit, which accuses the two former engineering managers of harassment. Cisco said it did not have immediate comment, saying that it planned to issue a statement at a later time. Like other large Silicon Valley employers, Cisco's workforce includes thousands of Indian immigrants, most of whom were brought up as Brahmins or other high castes. Bodycam footage from the two Minneapolis cops who arrested George Floyd was leaked to the Daily Mail this week providing new details in the May 25 murder which sparked weeks of mass multiracial and multiethnic protests against police violence in the US and around the world. The tapes were provided by an anonymous source and show officers brutally arresting Floyd and then killing him. Transcripts of the videos were released last month but a judge ordered the footage not to be released to the public, it could only be viewed at a courthouse by appointment. Now, for the first time, the public can view George Floyds agonizing last moments of life. The footage includes 18 minutes from Officer J. Alexander Kuengs body camera and 10 minutes from Officer Thomas Lanes. They were the first to be called to the Cup Foods convenience store after Floyd allegedly tried to buy cigarettes with a fake $20 bill. Image Credit: Video screen capture / Daily Mail The video begins with Lane and Kueng, their first week as rookie cops, entering the store where an employee approaches them with the counterfeit bill saying, Before they drive off. Hes parked right here. Its a fake bill from the gentleman. The police walked up to Floyds blue Mercedes SUV parked on the other side of the street. Lane goes to the drivers side where Floyd was sitting while Kueng approached the passenger side, where Floyds ex, Shawanda Hill, was in the back seat and Maurice Hall, a friend, in front. Almost immediately upon encountering Floyd in his car, Officer Lane pulled his gun aiming for Floyds head. Floyd, clearly terrified, began sobbing uncontrollably, pleading, Mr. Officer, please dont shoot me. Please man. Floyd told the officers he had been shot before to which Lane responds, Keep your f**king hands on the wheel. Although Floyd was clearly distraught, the officers yelled obscenities at him as they manhandled him out of the vehicle. Officers Derek Chauvin and Tou Thao were called in to assist. Floyd was ordered out of the car with Lane saying, Hands on top of your head. Step out of the vehicle and step away from me. Floyd pleaded with the police not to shoot him. Lane said, Im not going to shoot you. Step out and face away. Ill look at you eye-to-eye. Please dont shoot me man. I just lost my mom, man, Floyd said. After Floyd exited the car, Lane approached Hill and Hall who were standing next to the car. Lane asked, Whys he being all squirrelly and not showing us his hands and just being all weird like that? Hill explained, Because hes been shot before. Lane said, Well I get that. But still, when officers say: Get out of the car Is he drunk or something? No, hes got a thing going on, Hill said as she pointed to her head and made a circular motion, implying Floyd had mental issues, adding, About the police. When the officers tried to get him into the squad car a struggle began to escalate as Floyd refused to get in, saying he had claustrophobia and falling to the ground. Kueng yelled, Stand up. Stop falling down. Stay on your feet and face the car door. Floyd begged them, Please man. Dont leave me by myself man, please. Im just claustrophobic. Lane responded, Well youre still going in the car. Floyd kept protesting, Yall, I am going to die in here. Im going to die, man. I just had COVID, man. I dont want to go back to that. Lane offered to roll the windows down to calm Floyd but he was still agitated, saying, Im scared as f**k. Eventually people began to gather on the sidewalk with one bystander telling Floyd to calm down, saying he could not win. Floyd replied, I dont want to win. Im claustrophobic and Ive got anxiety. I dont want to do nothing to them. While seated in the car Floyd declared for the first time, I cant breathe. Officers Chauvin and Thao then arrived on the scene. All four officers struggled to restrain Floyd in the car but he fell outside of the passenger side door. Within moments, Floyd was pinned on the ground with Chauvins knee pressing down on his neck. For the next several minutes Floyd repeatedly yelled he couldnt breathe and called for his mother as he slowly suffocated to death. He said at one point, Tell my kids I love them. Im dead. Chauvin asked his fellow officer if he was okay to which Lane answered, My knee might be a little scratched but I will survive. As Floyd continued to say he couldnt breathe, Kueng is heard saying, Youre fine. Youre talking fine. Floyd responded, Ill probably just die this way. A crowd had gathered by this point with one man heard shouting, Check his pulse and You call what you are doing okay? The officers did not respond but Lane asked, Should we roll him on his side? Chauvin answered, No, hes staying where weve got him. Floyd was seen motionless and silent on the ground and died before an ambulance arrived. All four were fired the next day after initially being placed on administrative leave. The footage makes clear the reckless and callous manner in which the cops brutalized a non-violent person. A seemingly insignificant event, the alleged use of a counterfeit bill, is apparently enough to warrant a public execution by police officers in America. Liberal advocates of police reform will argue the footage shows the need for better training of the police, as if this would alter the fact that the police primarily exist to defend the rich and their private property and no amount of training would prevent such violent encounters from taking place in a country as socially polarized and unequal as the United States. Hennepin County District Court spokesman Spenser Bickett told the media that the court is working with police to determine who leaked the two videos. Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison, who is prosecuting the four fired Minneapolis police officers, denied being the source of the leaks. Chauvin has been charged with second-degree murder, third-degree murder and manslaughter, while Lane, Kueng and Thao have been charged with aiding and abetting both second-degree murder and manslaughter. Lane and Kueng have been released after posting bond while Chauvin and Thao remain in custody. All four officers have a tentative trial date of March 8, 2021. The Russian government has announced plans to begin a nationwide vaccination campaign in October, despite mounting questions over its Covid-19 vaccine and a lack of crucial data confirming its effectiveness. The minister of health, Mikhail Murashko, told the state news agency RIA on Saturday that early-stage clinical trials for a candidate from the Moscow-based Gamaleya Institute had been completed, with regulatory approval likely to be secured this month. Mr Murashko added that teachers and health care workers in Russia would be the first to be inoculated. Mass production for the Gamaleya vaccine, which will be handled by a developer across three locations in central Russia, is expected to begin in September, according to industry minister Denis Manturov. We are very much counting on starting mass production in September, he told Russian news agency Tass. We will be able to ensure production volumes of several hundred thousand a month, with an eventual increase to several million by the start of next year. Russia will now start large-scale Phase 3 trials of the vaccine to determine its efficacy within the wider population, said Kirill Dmitriev, a senior official with Russia Direct Investment Fund, a government-controlled investor in the countrys vaccination efforts. Addressing the speed at which the country has moved in developing a vaccine, Mr Dmitriev said: Its a Sputnik moment for many people who didnt expect Russia to be the first. Moscow says the Gamaleya vaccine has generated an immune response in all subjects, with no serious complications. But already there are doubts about advertised safety. One group of volunteers selected from the military reported no side effects whatsoever but another, selected from medical students at a Moscow university, reported fevers above 38C. Although the mechanism for the candidate has been described, no data on its safety or effectiveness has been published after volunteers were given the vaccine in June. Russias vaccination efforts have been met with scepticism from the international community, amid concerns over missing data and the countrys testing methods. Soldiers were used as volunteers for the Gamaleya vaccine, raising ethical questions about consent, while the institutes director, Aleksandr Gintsberg, admitted in May that he and other researchers had injected themselves with the early prototype. Dr Anthony Fauci, chief coronavirus advisor to US president Donald Trump, warned last week: I do hope that the Chinese and the Russians are actually testing the vaccine before they are administering the vaccine to anyone. I do not believe that there will be vaccines, so far ahead of us, that we will have to depend on other countries to get us vaccines. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, head of the World Health Organisation, has also called for caution over the efficacy of new vaccines. A number of vaccines are now in phase three clinical trials and we all hope to have a number of effective vaccines that can help prevent people from infection. However, theres no silver bullet at the moment - and there might never be, he said. The WHO maintains a comprehensive list of vaccine trials currently underway across the globe, yet this does not include a Russian Phase 3 trial for the Gamaleya candidate. Russia has the fourth-highest number of Covid-19 infections in the world, according to Johns Hopkins University data, with over 854,000 people having tested positive. More than 14,000 have died from the disease, while around 649,000 have recovered after contracting the disease. The Framework looks to correct inaccessible and inconsistent computer science education across Canada TORONTO, Aug. 5, 2020 /CNW/ - Today, Canada Learning Code (CLC), Canada's leading national organization championing digital literacy education, announced the launch of the highly anticipated K-12 Computer Science Education Framework. The Framework sets out to align computer science education across the country by providing essential guidelines on what every student in Canada should know to navigate today's rapidly changing technology-based world. "After consulting with experts and thought leaders across the industry on the subject of computer science education, it was clear that its delivery throughout the country was not only inconsistent, but there were significant barriers around accessibility," said Melissa Sariffodeen, CEO, Canada Learning Code. "As an organization dedicated to empowering youth with the digital skills needed to thrive both currently and in the future, we knew definitive action was needed to make a positive change in the way computer science is taught today". Students, learners and educators throughout the country now have complete access to the comprehensive computer science Framework that addresses five fundamental learning outcomes including; coding and programming, computer and networks, data, technology and society and design. Developed in partnership with an advisory group consisting of Canada's top industry leaders including Microsoft, Amazon, Google and others, the K-12 Computer Science Education Framework is built on a foundation of knowledge and insights from the brightest minds in computer science. To gain a holistic understanding of high-quality computer science education and to uncover insights into key competencies, CLC consulted curriculum developers, educators, teacher unions, classroom teachers and organizations including Pinnguaq and Kids Code Jeunesse. Additionally, CLC sought out Canadians' opinion, conducting a survey which found that 90% of respondents felt students should be learning computer science starting in kindergarten through to Grade 8, while 99% felt that students should be learning the subject from Grades 9-12.1 By implementing the K-12 Computer Science Education Framework today, 2040's graduating class is expected to be fully integrated in computer science. "This pan-Canadian curricular effort will provide important guidance to Ministries of Education and school districts across our provinces and territories," said Cathy Adams, Professor and Vargo Teaching Chair, University of Alberta. "The Framework is not about raising a generation of coders, it is about ensuring that all Canadian children have the opportunity to learn the computational and digital literacies they need to be successful, well-informed and ethically responsive citizens in today's 21st century." Canada Learning Code is continuing to provide educators with the tools and resources needed to confidently embed computer science into their lesson plans and classrooms. From August 10th to 14th (English) and from September 21st to 24th (French), CLC is hosting its TeacherCon conference, a free multi-day conference for teachers to learn how to introduce computer science into the classroom at any grade level. To find out more and register for TeacherCon, visit teachercon.ca to reserve your spot. To learn about the K-12 Computer Science Education Framework and how you can teach computer science today, visit here for more information. About Canada Learning Code Canada Learning Code is Canada's leading national organization championing digital literacy education. Placing a special emphasis on women, girls, people with disabilities, Indigenous youth and newcomers, Canada Learning Code is proud to work from coast to coast to coast to make sure that all people in Canada have access to the knowledge they need to prosper in our digital world. Originally founded as Ladies Learning Code in 2011, the organization has evolved to run programming for adults, youth and educators through programs Ladies, Girls, Kids, Teens and Teachers Learning Code. Today, Canada Learning Code operates in over 29 communities across the country, driving results through program design and delivery, strategic industry and public partnerships, research and advocacy. To date, the organization has taught over 620,000 learning experiences. _________________________________________ 1 CLC Summary Findings from Winter 2020 Online Survey. 445 Canadian respondents participated from across Canada with over 50% including Kindergarten-Grade 12 educators; https://drive.google.com/file/d/13nbXb5BICL9wSRiLwKCtte4wBh307rTl/view SOURCE Canada Learning Code For further information: Media Contact: Mackenzie Biddie, No Fixed Address on behalf of Canada Learning Code, [email protected] In the second episode of Netflixs eco-travel program Down to Earth with Zac Efron, the 32-year-old actor travels with companion Darin Olien, a self-professed superfood hunter to France to learn about Eau de Paris, the citys publicly owned water distribution arm. They experience every stage of the citys unique water cycle, from touring the organizations treatment plant (where a worker discusses sorting out drugs and refuse chairs, tires, entire bicycles from the first batch of water) to searching for spouts around the city where the water flows in both still and sparkling iterations. Its true: Paris went full Paris, and now has carbonated water fountains. Efron and Olien gawking at a sustainable system running smoothly in another country is more or less the theme of the Down to Earth, which, according to Forbes, was the second most-watched show on Netflix in July. For a series about the slow collapse of the planet, its pretty low stakes throughout. There are a few gripping, even gut-wrenching moments; the crew clears hurricane debris in Puerto Rico and cleans coastal areas in London, and in the final episode, Oliens Malibu ranch burns down in the Woolsey Fire. But most of the show is a buddy comedy about two guys who love Tony Bourdain and hate climate change. The Californian duo whoop sick, dope and wild across three continents, and while its easy to love, complaints about pseudoscience and oversimplification from the internet (Insider) and academia (a professor at McGill) are well-founded. pleased to report that i love zac efron's eco-travel show pic.twitter.com/uYlCSZMiq5 Brian Grubb (@briancgrubb) July 15, 2020 That includes a curious decision at the start of that same Paris episode, when Efron, Olien and actress Anna Kendrick visit a French restaurant in Los Angeles called Petit Ermitage to meet with the worlds first water sommelier, a German named Martin Riese. The show chooses to engage with Risese in much the same way the internet has This job exists?! and to be fair, his six minutes of screentime are a no-brainer for any production head. Riese reverently presents waters from Spain, South Africa and Slovenia, and compares their taste and texture to coins and olive oil. The key to selecting great water, according to Riese, is to prioritize the prevalence of total dissolved solids (TDS) like potassium, calcium, magnesium and phosphorous in the water that youre drinking. But the preference that Riese proclaims for waters high in TDS, in opposition to the regular old water youd pour from your tap or kitchen fridge, is confusing, and given the number of households the show reached, worthy of a closer look. Theres little doubt that glacial, spring and volcanic waters are more likely to contain trace amounts of the minerals present at the glaciers, springs and volcanic waterfalls where theyre collected. Youre familiar with these water brands. They have names like San Pellegrino, Fiji, Acqua Panna, Icelandic, Harrogate and Waiakea. Theyre often served in glass bottles. Restaurants and airlines like to put them on your table or in your in-flight meal box to convey a sense of class. And importantly unlike the overwhelming majority of waters you have purchased in your life their Nutrition Facts table is more than just a row of zeros. In the daily value section, a few of the minerals hang out somewhere in the 1-4% range. That extra oomph of minerals, however, doesnt confer an automatic medicinal boost to the drinker, as Rieses presentation suggests. It will certainly make the water taste thicker and bubblier, which might explain why there are now yearly international water tastings in Stockholm and Berkeley at which H2Bros hobnob about palatability and terroir. But the concept of life-giving source water is just good marketing, one which mineral water brands were using long before Riese, and religions were using long before that. The science just isnt there: its true that tap water wont offer as many minerals toward your daily allowance, and that those minerals and ions help a nervous system achieve homeostasis, but a liter of water with trace amounts of those things is not going to put much of a dent in your daily recommended values. If you want more calcium, potassium and magnesium, you should drink more milk, eat more bananas and take more multivitamins. Plus, wrapped up in this deification of bougie water brands is a demonization of tap water. In the show, Riese lumps filtered water (tap water) in with distilled water (a form of purified water), which is a process by which water is boiled into vapor then condensed back into liquid. That distillation process strips water of, well, essentially everything, and can cause an electrolyte imbalance in the body. Distilled water is often the last-ditch choice of marginalized communities throughout the world, which may not have reliable access to filtration systems or cash for bottled water. As a relative varnish remover, its safer to drink water thats been distilled (and miss out on some nutrients) than to guzzle water with potentially volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which can cause headaches, cancer and everything in between. Tap water, though, is a different story. And one thats come a long way. Its ironic that in the same episode that Efron and Olien meet with Riese, they also travel to Paris, where ordering a free bottle of tap water (carafe deau) is the expectation, and water fountains are as ubiquitous as ATMs. In most developed countries, including the United States, the municipal water, that originates in lakes, reservoirs, rivers and wells is perfectly safe to drink thanks to extensive regulations aimed at eliminating the presence of heavy metals and the spread of insidious microbes. Unlike mineral waters curated from a specific source, the mineral content of tap water varies depending on the region where you live, the treatment facility where its treated, and even the age of your pipes. But fascinatingly, numerous blind taste tests have concluded that consumers cant tell the difference between tap water and its vaulted, bottled counterpart. If youre worried about the quality of your local tap water, there are numerous online resources for information gathering, and at-home contraptions for further filtration, from Brita pitchers ($50), to reverse osmosis tanks ($500). But many of us are truly lucky to live in homes and apartments where potable drinking water is always a room away. It is ultimately a better use of your time, and more healthy, to be taking advantage of that water, and drinking a good amount of it 1/2 oz to 1 oz of water per pound of body weight each day than jumping on the craft water train. Thats mainly because when we talk about water consumption, its impossible to separate the health of human beings from the health of the planet. Remember: only 20% of water bottles consumed in the U.S. actually get recycled. The other 80% end up in landfills, or in a cruel twist, in bodies of water, where it takes a minimum of 1,000 years for them to break down. All the while, theyre releasing toxins into the water supply (which tap water treatment centers then have to root out). Thats how it all ends, but the process actually begins in direct opposition to sustainability, too. It takes 17 million barrels of oil a year to produce enough plastic water bottles to meet Americas fix. Of course, a common choice for most mineral water brands is glass, but even glass has an undefined and at-times damning relationship with the environment. It requires sand to manufacture (which can affect ecosystems) and energy to produce (often sourced from fossil fuels). And while glass is theoretically infinitely recyclable (broken glass can be broken down into new glass), its not really a logistical reality to expect that to happen. For their part, many mineral water brands have home-delivery services that involve in-house reuse, where larger canisters are picked up, cleaned and brought to other homes. Thats one effective way (or more effective, at least, than ordering a six-pack of Voss over Amazon) to glean the benefits of water high in TDS without having to worry about your carbon footprint. But ultimately, a decision needs to be made, and wed urge you to err on the side of the Earth. Drinking water from spa towns that date back to the 16th century is fun, as is sipping Slovenian spring runoff with a sommelier in Downtown L.A. But neither will magically cure your cough or propel you to a faster 5K. A lifelong practice of favoring bottled, pay-per-drink water, though, will hurt the one thing that could really benefit from a health kick: the planet. Subscribe here for our free daily newsletter. The post Is Fancy Mineral Water Actually Any Better for You Than Tap Water? appeared first on InsideHook. Clarity over the removal of greening rules means farmers can plan next year's harvest with confidence, the NFU has said today. Farmers will no longer be required to comply with complex rules around crop diversification, Ecological Focus Areas and greening permanent grassland. It follows the government announcement of the removal of greening rules from the direct payments regime for 2021. The change means 30% of the current overall BPS payment associated with these conditions will be reallocated to the BPS entitlements. In March this year, NFU President Minette Batters welcomed a derogation for farmers in England from the greening three-crop rule after months of relentless heavy rain, waterlogging and flooding of fields leaving them unable to plant and establish crops for 2020. This latest announcement means that the three-crop rule will be removed from BPS rules permanently in 2021. The NFU has been working to clarify the position of greening for 2021. Following the announcement, the union has created a Q&A document, showing the information with regards to greening for the scheme year 2021. BPS experts have also put together a briefing, highlighting the main greening rules for fallow land and ecological focus area (EFA) catch and cover crops. NFU vice president, Tom Bradshaw said changes to greening rules must remove some of the complexities farmers faced in interacting with multiple scheme rules. We have always been concerned that this EU-legacy scheme has never been applied with the flexibility needed to suit varying weather and farming situations in Britain. I am hopeful that the changes to greening rules will remove some of the complexities farmers face in interacting with multiple scheme rules." He added: At the same time, I am confident that farmers will use experiences of greening to develop their existing approaches to land management." Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-05 21:04:41|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close ALGIERS, Aug. 5 (Xinhua) -- Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune sent a message of condolence to his Lebanese counterpart, Michel Aoun, over the huge explosions in the Lebanese capital Beirut, the official APS news agency reported on Wednesday. Tebboune said that "it is with deep sadness and sorrow that I learned the news of the explosions that occurred on Tuesday at the port of Beirut causing deaths, injuries and material damage." He added that "I stand in my personal name and on behalf of of Algeria, people and government, to express to you and through you to the brotherly Lebanese people and to the families of the victims our sincere condolences and all our compassion and solidarity." The explosions in Beirut have caused at least 100 deaths and over 4,000 injured, with many more missing, Lebanese Health Minister Hamad Hassan announced on Wednesday. Enditem Teachers and school leaders are facing intense challenges right now. And if we want success for all students, educators need to be meaningfully, continuously supported; now more than ever," said Erin Osborn co-founder and COO of BetterLesson. To provide expanded access to K-12 schools and districts with virtual professional learning services to improve teaching and learning in remote and hybrid environments and to promote social justice, BetterLesson is sponsoring a matching grant program. Public and private K-12 schools, districts and education service agencies are invited to submit their proposals between today and Friday, September 4, 2020. Teachers and school leaders are facing intense challenges right now. And if we want success for all students, educators need to be meaningfully, continuously supported; now more than ever," said Erin Osborn co-founder and COO of BetterLesson. "We've seen over the past few months how much BetterLesson's virtual Professional Learning can help districts and schools improve the use of powerful distance learning strategies, as well as help educators take real steps toward advancing social justice. The grant program felt like a concrete way to increase access to this support and reach as many educators as possible. The program provides public and private K-12 schools, districts and education service agencies in the United States with virtual professional learning services to improve teaching and learning in remote environments and integrate practices that advance social justice as part of regular classroom instruction. The grant will be funded up to $1 million, with a total of up to 30 grants being awarded. Grants can range from $30,000 to $150,000. For awarded grants, BetterLesson will match the amount the district is investing with an equal amount of in-kind products and services. Grant proposals should be aimed at increasing the capacity of schools and districts to a) create student-centered, flexible teaching and learning in remote or hybrid environments and/or b) support teachers to integrate culturally responsive and sustaining practices and social-emotional learning (SEL) as part of their regular instruction. The most competitive proposals will show attention to PD considerations for both teachers and leaders. BetterLesson provides one-to-one and one-to-many student-centered professional learning experiences for educators across a wide range of domains. Since its inception by educators more than a decade ago, BetterLesson has reimagined in-person, virtual and hybrid professional development for educators. To learn more about the matching grant program, visit https://info.betterlesson.com/matching-grant-program-overview About BetterLesson BetterLesson provides one-to-one and one-to-many student-centered professional learning experiences for educators across a wide range of domains, including best-in-class distance and flexible learning. Regardless of learning modality, BetterLesson uses effective pedagogy that results in highly engaging professional development that follows a proven roadmap for teacher success. They have worked with over 11,000 teachers in hundreds of schools across 40 states. BetterLesson values the pursuit of educational equity and is dedicated to ensuring every studentregardless of race, income, national origin, gender identity, ability, or locationhas access to an excellent education. Learn more at http://www.BetterLesson.com. A protest outside a police union building in North Portland was declared a riot overnight after some in the crowd broke into the building, police say. Portland police said demonstrators caused damage inside the Portland Police Association building. Police declared a riot and eventually cleared the area, using undescribed crowd control munitions that did not include tear gas. Three people were arrested and jailed in connection with the protest, which spanned several hours beginning Tuesday night. The demonstration, which began as a march from North Portlands Peninsula Park, was punctuated by the riot declaration, a pair of shootings in the area and tense moments as a driver in a pickup truck raced through a street where the crowd was assembled, metal sparks flying from the undercarriage where a motorcycle had been lodged. No injuries were reported in the shootings or incident with the pickup truck. A vehicle drives aggressively through the crowd pic.twitter.com/6T1rBykLIx Sergio Olmos (@MrOlmos) August 5, 2020 Tuesdays protests outside the police union building and elsewhere marked the 69th consecutive day of demonstrations in Portland. Protesters have rallied against police brutality and anti-Black racism after the Minnesota police killing of George Floyd in late May. The North Portland demonstration began as about 100 protesters gathered in Peninsula Park about 8 p.m. The group began the 1.3-mile march toward the Portland Police Association building on North Lombard Street shortly before 9 p.m. There, they chanted in the street and listened to speakers. The contents of one trash bin was set on fire. Police just after 10:30 p.m. warned some demonstrators to stop trying to break into the police association building or face arrest or use of force. They issued numerous warnings throughout the night, declaring the assembly unlawful and saying use of force and tear gas could be deployed. A shock was sent through the crowd after 11 p.m., when the driver of a pickup truck raced through the crowded street with a motorcycle lodged underneath the trucks front bumper. The driver abandoned the truck blocks from the scene. No one was struck. A driver in a pickup truck raced through a North Portland street where a crowd of protesters was assembled, metal sparks flying from the undercarriage where a motorcycle had been lodged.Dave Killen/The Oregonian Video on Twitter showed a man who appeared to be the driver carrying a handgun and yelling at protesters as he walked away. The driver was interviewed and released without charges, according to police. Shortly before midnight, officers moved through the crowd to deal with someone trying to break into the back of the police association building. The officers retreated shortly after. Several officers in riot gear climbed on a truck outfitted with running boards to transport police. The officers set off smoke devices as the vehicle drove away. One person in the crowd picked up a smoke device and threw it back toward officers. Immediately after, Oregonian/OregonLive photojournalist Dave Killen was hit in the hip by a rubber bullet shot by an officer. Smoke still filled the air when the green-tipped, 40 millimeter munition struck Killen. Its appalling that our photojournalist was struck by a rubber bullet that appears to be indiscriminately fired, said Therese Bottomly, editor of The Oregonian/OregonLive. Its incidents like this that led us to join with the Reporters Committee for the Freedom of the Press in an ongoing court battle to ensure safety for journalists covering protests. U.S. District Court Judge Michael Simon has ordered police not to use force against journalists who remain at the scene of a demonstration to document what happens after police declare the assembly to be unlawful. Tuesday nights gathering escalated to several other tense moments. Several gunshots were heard in the 7000 block of North Mobile Avenue, which is less than a half-mile from the police union building, about 12:15 a.m. Wednesday. A vehicle was struck, according to police. Then, about 15 minutes later, gunshots were heard near a 7-Eleven convenience store thats close to the union building. The crowd scattered, and officers arrived to investigate and look for any potential victims. No one would speak to officers, police said. Police didnt report any injuries in either shooting. Some demonstrators broke through the doors of the police union building and went inside by about 1:20 a.m., according to police. Officer Daryl Turner, president of the Portland Police Association, said in an email message to members that demonstrators tore a television from a wall, caused other damage and tried to start a fire on a kitchen floor. Protesters didnt get into the main office, Turner wrote. Police declared a riot shortly after protesters entered the building, and officers eventually dispersed the group. They used undescribed crowd control munitions during the dispersal. Several people were arrested in the demonstration. Most of the crowd had left by 3:30 a.m. Other Tuesday protests included a gathering outside the Portland Police Bureaus East Precinct on Southeast 106th Avenue and the nightly demonstration near the downtown Multnomah Justice Center and federal courthouse. Recent downtown protests have been fairly subdued in contrast to those from the previous few weeks, when protesters clashed with federal police who repeatedly released tear gas and munitions on crowds. -- Jim Ryan; jryan@oregonian.com; 503-221-8005; @Jimryan015 Jayati Ramakrishnan, Dave Killen and Fedor Zarkhin of The Oregonian/OregonLive contributed to this report. Subscribe to Oregonian/OregonLive newsletters and podcasts for the latest news and top stories. Western Union broadens its range of services for business clients with Guaranteed loans for Italian SMEs The Western Union Company, a leader in cross-border, cross-currency money movement and payments, through Western Union International Bank GmbH (WUIB), a licensed credit institution in Austria, is expanding its international payments and risk management product solutions portfolio with an ancillary lending offer aimed at Italy-based Small/Medium Enterprises. As a participant of Medio Credito Centrale State-guaranteed lending program, Western Union Business Solutions can accept loan applications to help provide financial assistance to eligible Western Union Business Solutions existing clients in Italy. "The Italian economy has been severely hit by the COVID-19 crisis, with some of the country's key industries still in the early stages of the recovery phase. We are committed to support our SME customers to address the challenges their treasury is currently facing, helping them manage risks of international trade and foreign currency exposure as well as to access the State-guaranteed loan program and inject liquidity in their day-by-day operations," said Christian Traversini, Head of Southern Europe for Western Union Business Solutions. "We are happy to be there for our clients in these difficult times." The recently approved Government Decrees ("Decreto Liquidita e successive modifiche") aim at helping Italian businesses maintain current employment levels as well as to fund their daily operations. The approved lending applications will be guaranteed at 90% or 100% of the notional amount by Medio Credito Centrale, a state-owned financial institution. The loans provide funding for payroll, rent/mortgage interests and utility bills, with no collateral or personal guarantees required to applicants. Applications will close on December 31, 2020, although funds are capped based on available government funding. To learn more about the COVID-19 State guaranteed Loans program, please visit https://www.mcc.it/covid-19/. About Western Union The Western Union Company (NYSE: WU) is a global leader in cross-border, cross-currency money movement and payments. The Company's 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, the Company's 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, the Company's 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/20200805005198/en/ Contacts: Media contacts: Natacha Berthelot Head of Europe Marketing for Western Union Business Solutions natacha.berthelot@weseternunion.com August 04, 2020 News By David Vergun , DOD News Defense.gov Missile Agency Director Describes Threat, Countermeasures In recent years, threats from new missile systems against the homeland, deployed forces and friends and allies have arisen from Russia, China, North Korea and Iran, the director of the Missile Defense Agency said. Navy Vice Adm. Jon A. Hill spoke today at the Space and Missile Defense Symposium in Washington. At one time, the MDA focused on the ballistic missile threat. However, adversaries have designed extremely fast and maneuverable advanced cruise missiles and hypersonic weapons that make for "a very tough environment for defense," Hill said. The Missile Defense Review addressed these new threats, laying out a path to follow in developing new offensive and defensive measures, he added. Though defense is a key part of deterrence, Hill said, "you can't shoot what you don't see." Providing that sight are sensors and radars aboard ships, on the ground and in space. Space-based sensors are the ultimate, Hill said, because they can provide global coverage. Space tracking and surveillance systems collect data, intelligence and real-world missile testing, he said, but that capability is nowhere near where it needs to be. Sensors start the kill chain by sending out a warning, the admiral explained. Then, radars track the missile, and fire control launches a defensive projectile. This projectile can come from a Patriot system or Terminal High Altitude Area Defense system, all operated by the Army, or the Standard Missile 3 Block IIA or the Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense System, both operated by the Navy. Besides those defenses, ground-based interceptors, operated by the Army, are deployed at Fort Greely, Alaska, and at Vandenberg Air Force Base, California. The command and control and battle management system, fully protected with cybersecurity measures, ties these systems together with the operators. Many missile defense components are in the research, science and technology and demonstration phase, Hill said. For example, work is being done on the next-generation interceptor and long-range discrimination radar, as well as space-based sensors. "Where we live today is we don't have everything we want deployed in space, nor do we have the terrestrial or mobile sea-based sensors where we want, where we need them at the right time," the missile agency director said. Besides new, cutting-edge systems, Hill noted that current systems such as Aegis and command and control are receiving important upgrades as they become available. MDA is working with the Army to integrate the THAAD and Patriot systems so operators can communicate with both and shoot with either, depending on the scenario, the admiral said. Allies and partners are developing their own missile defense systems or buying them from the United States through the foreign military sales system, Hill said. These systems used by friends and partners furthers global security, he pointed out, and the Defense Department is working to better integrate those systems so they're even more effective. Though the COVID-19 pandemic has presented challenges, Hill said, that hasn't affected MDA's ability to perform its mission: "If you ask me where we took risk during the global pandemic, we never took any risk in supporting the warfighter," he said. "We continue to deliver capability, we continue to support major movements around the globe." Delivery of systems caused some delay, he acknowledged, because assembly lines require people in confined and enclosed places. Hill termed his MDA team and those in the services as stellar, and he said there's no nobler calling than defending America. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Advertisement Just over a century ago, more than 200,000 wild lions were living in Africa. Today, there are only about 20,000. To help bring this tragic decline into focus and to celebrate World Lion Day on August 10, the 'New Big 5' project - which is asking the public to vote for animals they'd most like to see in the wild and photograph - has given MailOnline Travel a stunning set of lion images by renowned photographers to publish. The New Big 5 points out that lions are already extinct in 26 African countries and have vanished from over 95 per cent of their historic range. They are on the brink of extinction in all but the largest and best-managed national parks, it warns, with the species threatened by the illegal bushmeat trade, habitat loss and fragmentation, and unsustainable trophy hunting. To help shield these magnificent creatures, the New Big 5 is helping to raise vital funds to support big cat charity Panthera, whose Project Leonardo seeks to ensure the long-term survival of lions across the African continent by increasing the total lion population by 50 per cent over the next 15 years, to at least 30,000 lions. 'As we celebrate another World Lion Day, pausing to acknowledge this extraordinary wild animal, we must also recognise the particularly fragile state of this species,' says Panthera Lion Programme Director, Dr Paul Funston. 'Lions are disappearing right before our very eyes. Urgent action from the global community through financial support of lion range states and conservation organisations like Panthera to protect these wild cats is one of the most critical ways in which we can help to grow, rather than lose, Africa's lions by World Lion Day 2021.' Graeme Green, British wildlife photographer and New Big 5 project founder, said: 'Lions are one of my favourite animals to photograph and to spend time with. It's impossible to imagine Africa without lions. As well as being incredible animals, they're also vital to the natural balance and the future of Africa.' Scroll down to see images that highlight the beauty, power and majesty of animals Graeme describes as 'wildlife icons'... Two majestic male lions survey the savanna of Kenya's Masai Mara in a captivating shot by photographer Angela Scott Aww-some: Playful lion cubs and a lioness in the Masai Mara captured by Priyanshi Bachhawat Nahata. Today, there are only about 20,000 wild lions in Africa compared to 200,000 just over a century ago Need a cat nap? This sleepy-looking cub in Tanzania's Serengeti National Park - caught on camera by photographer Elie Wolf - looks like it might Ouch: A cheeky cub mischievously bites an adult tail during playtime with another cub in an adorable scene shot by Yaron Schmid in the Serengeti National Park Dr Paul Funston from big cat charity Panthera says that while marking World Lion Day 'we must also recognise the particularly fragile state of this species'. This heartwarming scene was captured by Anette Mossbacher in Etosha National Park, Namibia Lions, including these in the Masai Mara snapped by Gurcharan Roopra, are threatened by the illegal bushmeat trade, habitat loss and fragmentation, and unsustainable trophy hunting, says the New Big 5 project 'Lions are one of my favourite animals to photograph and to spend time with,' says Graeme Green, the British wildlife photographer behind this incredible shot snapped in the Selous Game Reserve in Tanzania. He is the founder of the New Big 5 project New Big 5 founder Graeme Green says it's 'impossible to imagine Africa without lions'. He snapped this striking image in Kenya's Naboisho Conservancy Charity Panthera is hoping to help increase the total lion population by 50 per cent over the next 15 years, to at least 30,000 lions. If they succeed, hopefully there will be more tender moments like this one, which was captured in the Masai Mara by Shibu Preman This rip-roaring shot was snapped in Serengeti National Park by Antonio Liebana. Dr Paul Funston warns: 'Lions are disappearing right before our very eyes' A fabulous female lion takes a drink under cover of darkness in South Africa's Zimanga Game Reserve. The incredible image was snapped by photographer Seyms Brugger There are a multitude of reasons you might be in the market for an air purifier, but three of the most common are: But is the air purifier the best way to achieve that? The answer is, unfortunately, complicated -- so we also included some deals on high-quality purifiers that we feel confident would be a great purchase for anyone. Like this one, which is our favorite for reasons that, well, were about to explain: PowerPlus True HEPA 530 sq. ft. Allergen Remover/Air Purifier Honeywell homedepot.com $269.00 Shop Now That one, you probably noticed, is pretty pricy. If you're on a tight budget, you can still go with something like this: HEPA-Type Tabletop Air Purifier Honeywell homedepot.com $49.99 Shop Now Though that has serious limitations that, again, were about to explain. The short version is that while air purifiers can make a big difference, they cant solve every problem they claim to, and cant solve all your air quality problems alone. An air purifier will not protect you against COVID-19 It bears repeating: An air purifier will not protect you against COVID-19. Since the CDC currently believes that this disease is mainly spread from person to person, no air filter is going to keep you from contracting it unless youre wearing it as a helmet while talking to people (Disclaimer: please dont wear an air purifier as a helmet). However, when combined with other air cleaning tactics like vacuuming, keeping your air conditioner and heater up to date, and of course, opening windows to regularly air out your home, research has shown that air purifiers do remove harmful particles, including allergens like pollen, smoke particulate and mold. Among young asthmatic children, studies have also shown that air purifiers can reduce symptoms and decrease visits to the doctor. Dr. Elizabeth Matsui, chairwoman of the air pollution and indoor allergen committee for the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, told the New York Times that air purifiers also help, to a lesser degree, with allergies... sort of. Her point was that they cant hurt, (but) may be helpful. So air purifiers can make a difference, but theyre also not a cure-all. How do you maximize your investment by picking a good one? Well, you could buy this one, which we think is pretty good: Medify Air MA-112 V2.0 Super CADR 950 H13 True HEPA Air Purifier | Covers 2,400 sq ft - Allergies, Smog, Odors, Smoke, Pets Dander, Dust | Dual Intake with 2 Filters Medify Air amazon.com $595.00 Shop Now Or you could measure the one youre already considering against something were going to call the three acronyms. The three acronyms that make a good air purifier AHAM Our first acronym, AHAM, stands for Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers. Since the EPA and CDC dont regulate air purifiers, AHAM is an independent standards development that analyzes products for their safety, efficiency and performance. Not all manufacturers submit their products for an AHAM rating, but an AHAM Verified Mark will tell you that the manufacturer has faith in its product. Even better, if the air purifier has an AHAM Verification, then you can also check for other helpful numbers. Most notably, youll want to check the... CADR rating CADR, stands for clean air delivery rate, and was developed by AHAM to measure how well an air purifier removes three different-sized molecules: Dust, pollen and tobacco. That means itll get you three different numbers between 0 and 400 (450 for dust) -- Good Housekeeping recommends not going below 300 for any of them, and staying above 350 if at all possible -- however, since a CADR depends on room size, you have flexibility with smaller spaces. True HEPA HEPA stands for High-Efficiency Particulate Air. If any air purifier is rated as True HEPA, that means it removes 99.97% of particles as small as 0.3 microns in test-conditions, which means it blocks out allergens and odors. The less intense HEPA rating means it captures 99% of particles as small as 2 microns, which means it blocks pet dander and dust. In summary, if youre buying an air filter, you want one thats AHAM verified, with good CADR ratings, and HEPA or True HEPA precision. Our favorite is the PowerPlus listed up top (and again below) but there are more budget models like this LEVOIT purifier -- which has the relatively low CADR rating of 230, but is only $99.99 and can be great for spaces under 219 square feet: LEVOIT Air Purifier for Home Allergies Pets Hair Smokers in Bedroom, H13 True HEPA Air Purifiers Filter, 24db Quiet Air Cleaner, Remove 99.97% Smoke Dust Mold Pollen for Large Room, Core 300, White LEVOIT amazon.com $99.00 Shop Now Or this Blueair Blue Pure 121, which lacks True HEPA but has an astounding 400 CADR. Blueair Blue Pure 121 Air Purifier 3 Stage with Two Washable Pre-Filters, Particle, Carbon Filter, Captures Allergens, Viruses, Odors, Smoke, Mold, Dust, Germs, Pets, Smokers, Large Rooms Blueair amazon.com $439.99 Shop Now But youre not ready to make a purchase, and youre not just seeking out the good stuff -- youre also avoiding the air purifier red flags. Once again, weve identified three of them. Air purifier red flags Air ionizers So-called air ionizers filter air with a negative ion generator, which creates a static charge on floating particles that stick to the next object they come into contact with. The obvious problem is that the offending objects are still in the room and will eventually find their way into the air again. Air ionizing is not an effective form of air filtering -- particularly when it also produces ozone. But more on that in a second. UV light purifiers Some filters use UV light to purify the air, zapping bacteria and germs with a blast of deadly light rays. While UV is an effective form of sterilization, many organisms require a prolonged blast -- more than a UV light air purifier offers. Whats more, pollutants and allergens are completely unaffected by UV light. Worst of all, UV light produces ozone. Which were finally getting to. Ozone generators Ozone generators purify the air by increasing ozone levels in your home, which can trigger asthma attacks, among other illnesses. Theyre so bad that the EPA released a public document warning against their use, going out of its way to clarify that despite some misleading packaging, there is no such thing as an EPA-approved air cleaning device. Do we need to spell it out for you? We do not recommend ozone generators. Instead, we recommend these: PowerPlus Allergent Remover: True HEPA, CADR: Smoke 342, Dust 339, Pollen 335 PowerPlus True HEPA 530 sq. ft. Allergen Remover/Air Purifier Honeywell homedepot.com $269.00 Shop Now LEVOIT Air Purifier for Home: True HEPA, CADR: Smoke 285, Dust 274, Pollen 287 PowerPlus True HEPA 530 sq. ft. Allergen Remover/Air Purifier Honeywell homedepot.com $269.00 Shop Now Medify MA-40W2: True HEPA, CADR: 330 Medify MA-40W2 V2.0 Medical Grade Filtration H13 True HEPA for 840 Sq. Ft. Air Purifier, 99.9% | Modern Design - White (2-Pack) Medify Air amazon.com Shop Now D480 3-Stage: True HEPA, CADR: 310 D480 3-Stage True HEPA Air Purifier Winix homedepot.com $219.00 Shop Now Honeywell Tabletop Air Purifier: HEPA, CADR: 55 HEPA-Type Tabletop Air Purifier Honeywell homedepot.com $49.99 Shop Now We cant recommend that last one for anything bigger than a small office or closet, but if thats where your needs are, and youre just trying to cut down a bit on the sneezing and runny nose, then this is the best one we could find in that price range. Hearst Newspapers participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means we may get paid commissions on editorially chosen products purchased through our links to retailer sites. Joshua Sargent is an editor for Hearst Newspapers. Email him at josh.sargent@hearst.com. Hong Kong: Protests against support team decried The Government today condemned the acts of some non-establishment camp district council members and people who held demonstrations outside the hotel where the Mainland nucleic acid test support team is staying in. These individuals also held demonstrations at sites where the team made inspection visits for consecutive days. The Government said that given the seriousness of the epidemic, the community as a whole should be united in fighting the virus. However, some people disregarded the public interest, health and safety, and behaved in a confrontational way in an attempt to smear and damage the central governments support to Hong Kongs anti-epidemic work. It strongly condemned such behaviour. The Government added that it is grateful to the central government for supporting the anti-epidemic work of Hong Kong. This story has been published on: 2020-08-05. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. America's attitude towards China has changed greatly since the coronavirus pandemic hit the country, US President Donald Trump has said, asserting that the Chinese government should have stopped the deadly contagion in Wuhan. Trump, who has in the past upped the ante against Beijing over its handling of the COVID-19 outbreak, told reporters at the White House on Tuesday that the coronavirus should not have hit the world. I think our attitude on China has changed greatly since the China virus hit us. I think it changed greatly. They should have been able to stop it. So, we feel differently, he said. Last month, Trump said that China must be held fully accountable for its "secrecy, deception and cover-up" that allowed the coronavirus to spread all over the world. China has denied the allegations. According to Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Center, the contagion has infected over 18 million people and killed more than 700,000 across the world. 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 US is the worst affected country with over 4.7 million cases and more than 1,56,000 deaths. The COVID-19, which originated in China's Wuhan city in December last year, has also battered the world economy with the International Monetary Fund saying that the global economy is bound to suffer a "severe recession". Trump told reporters that cases are declining in 70 percent of the jurisdictions, compared to 36 percent last Monday. That's a big, big number. Eleven out of 13 states with the positive rate above 10 percent have seen a decline in daily cases since mid-July. In other states, the data suggests that the need for continuing vigilance always is strong, even though the numbers are getting very good -- states that have a test positivity rate between five and 10 percent. In the states with the lowest positivity rates, we also see slight increases in daily cases in a couple of them, he said. Trump said that fatalities nationwide are at roughly half the level of the April peak. So, the number of deaths or fatalities are at half the level this should have never happened to us. It should have been stopped very easily by China in Wuhan, he said. Trump said that as compared to April, mortality rates are 85 percent lower among individuals aged 18 to 69, and 70 percent lower among individuals over 70 years old. We've also made significant strides in sheltering those at highest risk, especially the elderly. Approximately 85 percent of all the current cases are individuals under the age of 65 -- just getting some very accurate numbers on this. And these are people who are generally at a much lower risk of complications. Since the pandemic began, nearly half of all the fatalities have been at nursing homes or assisted-living centers. That's an incredible statistic This data underscores that the best path forward is an aggressive strategy focused on protecting Americans at highest risk, Trump added. Earlier in the day, White House Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany said that the US encouraged China to fulfill its obligations in the phase one China deal and to fulfill its end of the agreement. But the president remains keenly focused on TikTok and protecting the private data of millions of people in this country. And the People's Republic of China's laws require Chinese companies to cooperate with PRC's security and intelligence services, enabling the CCP (Communist Party of China) to access foreign-user data. These entities ultimately answer to the CCP, which actively undermines the US interests and is hostile to the American values and the rights of individuals. And the president will stand firmly against China on this, McEnany said. Follow our full coverage of the coronavirus pandemic here Post-Stabilisation Announcement 05.08.2020 Not for distribution, directly or indirectly, in or into the United States or any jurisdiction in which such distribution would be unlawful. Kreditanstalt fur Wiederaufbau /ISIN DE000A289RC9 Stabilisation Notice Further to the pre-stabilisation period announcement dated July, 9th 2020, Landesbank Baden-Wurttemberg (contact: Torsten Zittlau; telephone: +49 711 127 74640) hereby gives notice that no stabilisation (within the meaning of Art. 3.2 (d) of the Market Abuse Regulation (EU/596/2014) or the rules of the Financial Conduct Authority) was undertaken by the Stabilising Manager(s) named below in relation to the offer of the following securities. Issuer: Kreditanstalt fur Wiederaufbau (Aaa/AAA/AAA by Moody's, S&P & Scope) Guarantor (if any): Federal Republic of Germany Aggregate nominal amount: 1.000.000.000 (new total: 6.000.000.000) Description: Tap of 0% due 30 June 2023, RegS, Bearer, off the issuer's EMTN programme, Regulated Market of Frankfurt Stock Exchange Stabilising Manager(s) Goldman Sachs International, LBBW, TD Securities Offer price: 101.686% This announcement is for information purposes only and does not constitute an invitation or offer to underwrite, subscribe for or otherwise acquire or dispose of any securities of the Issuer in any jurisdiction. This announcement is not an offer of securities for sale into the United States. The securities referred to above have not been, and will not be, registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933 and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an exemption from registration. There has not been and will not be a public offer of the securities in the United States. TFORM is the culmination of many years of migrating client environments using third party tools that were not optimized for assessing data centers with complex or legacy configurations. TFORM today announced the launch of its new data center and workload assessment solution by the same name, which provides the most comprehensive view of any IT environment, whether on premises or in a public or private cloud. This unrivaled capability creates a new category of data center analytics that will fundamentally change how technology leaders achieve workload optimization and digital transformation and modernization. Stoney Gwitira, COO at TFORM, said, After assessing the data centers of so many companies over the years, weve learned that many leaders feel a lack of control simply because they dont know everything that is in their data centers. They cant see the vulnerabilities that are lying in wait to disrupt business. They cant see how their applications and devices depend on one another. TFORM solves these problems. TFORM is a proprietary engine with an agentless, organic discovery that finds all the needles in the IT environment haystack. The result is unmatched visibility and context that empowers better decision-making. Asked about how TFORM was conceived, CEO Andy Abbas explained, TFORM is the culmination of many years of migrating client environments using third party tools that were not optimized for assessing data centers with complex or legacy configurations. He added, The discovery tools we once used were not organically discovering and omitting data that was crucial to the IT environment, so we decided to build our own. Tech expert and renowned industry analyst Bill Kleyman adds, Ultimately, this is a master toolto sort through the vast array of data flowing through a network. What makes TFORM unique is the visualization and control you have over the data flow. Unlike other platforms, this solution will allow administrators to granularly and contextually understand where data resides and how it interacts with internal systems. The first application to sit on the TFORM platform is the data center and workload assessment module, to be quickly followed by the second module, an end-user computing digital workplace automation solution to be available in Fall 2020. About TFORM TFORM is a Hybrid Digital Infrastructure Management (HDIM) foundation for technology applications that bring visibility, intelligence and automation to everything in an IT environment. See everything you have, its health, where its operating, how its connected and who owns it. Know when to retire, consolidate or migrate workloads and assets based on utilization and inter-dependencies. Quickly address vulnerabilities, enabling you to successfully mitigate business risks. Monitor all of this from one dashboard. Using advanced analytics, TFORM pulls together disparate data sets, transforming them into actionable intelligence. Further, TFORM automates the many tasks needed to act upon the intelligence it delivers. TFORM simplifies modernization and operations by combining compute, storage, network, security, migration and optimization into one solution. Aboard Air Force One on Friday, President Trump told reporters, As far as TikTok is concerned, were banning them from the United States. But as events progressed, the White House seemed to be offering the popular video-sharing apps owners an off-ramp. Theyre now in talks with Microsoft, which wants to acquire the app, and Trump has set a September 15 deadline for the companies to reach an agreement. (He also says any deal should include a payment to the Treasury.) Otherwise, he says, the U.S. government will ban the app. Before last weekends news, there already was bipartisan agreement around doing something about TikTok. Over the weekend, Senator Chuck Schumer forcefully denounced the app, joining a group of skeptics that also includes the Biden campaign, Wells Fargo, and the U.S. Army, which have each told members of their organizations to delete the app. Following border skirmishes with China in June, India banned TikTok, along with dozens of other Chinese apps, and officials in Australia and Japan also have looked into a ban. TikToks opponents seem to have won the policy debate by September 15 the U.S. government will most likely have either forced ByteDance to sell TikTok, or it will have significantly curtailed its use in the United States by other means. However, theres still disagreement on what precisely the national-security threat is, so its worth restating. Opponents of a ban point out that no one has furnished concrete evidence of TikToks transferring user data to the Chinese government. In recent years, ByteDance CEO Zhang Yiming has worked strenuously to provide TikTok the independence required to assuage American concerns, hiring Kevin Mayer, a former Disney executive, as TikToks CEO. The companys spokespeople assure anyone who asks that the U.S. arm has complete independence from Beijing and that its servers are in Singapore and the United States. By all accounts, Zhang seems like an entrepreneur who sincerely wants to offer an interesting product. No matter what he says, though, ByteDance is a Chinese company, and its main operations are susceptible to meddling by the Chinese Communist Party. TikToks software engineers work out of offices in Beijing and Shanghai, and the app shares fundamental algorithms with Douyin, ByteDances TikTok-like product for use in the country. Realizing that a social-media app cannot thrive in both the United States and China, ByteDance operates Douyin by separate rules, honoring Beijings censorship requests and CCP to spread propaganda about its treatment of the Uighur Muslim minority in the Xinjiang region. And in 2018, Zhang penned a public apology letter in which he affirmed his support for key tenets of Xi Jinpings ideology after one of his other apps was deemed to be subversive. Appearing on Foxs Sunday Morning Futures this week, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo raised the possibility that TikTok could be transferring its users facial patterns, residence locations, and other data to Beijing. Since ByteDance has already caved to CCP pressure in the past, its practices with TikTok are a key concern. Story continues For this reason, the talk of a ban made sense, if Trumps comments Monday about making a Treasury payment for an acquisition deal sounded unserious. Thanks to a combination of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act and a May 2019 executive order, the president has the necessary powers to enact such a measure, essentially forcing TikTok off Apples App Store and the Google Play Store. (He could also do this by ordering the Commerce Department to place TikTok on the Entity List, a government blacklist.) A ban could get messy, though, because the app would still remain on the phones of the 100 million Americans who already have downloaded it. Short of a U.S. government move to block Americans from connecting to the app a drastic measure that appears not to be under consideration here it would be at an impasse. However, Robert Chesney suggests in an analysis for Lawfare that a ban might convince creators to leave the platform, taking their audiences with them. But such a move could still come with the potential political cost of antagonizing TikToks Gen Z users, many of whom are conservative. This was not lost on the Trump administration, which eventually allowed Microsoft to proceed with its negotiations to acquire TikToks operations in the U.S., Australia, New Zealand, and Canada. TikToks acquisition by an American company would be a victory for the Trump administration, but not just any deal will suffice. To eliminate the security risk, an agreement would need to result in all of TikToks operations being brought to the United States. As of now, the companys software engineers are based in China, and ByteDance is responsible for all software decisions. Disrupting the CCPs ability to influence the platform requires rebuilding these operations in the United States, where the app can be carefully audited. This would be a tall order but a company with Microsofts resources might be up to the task. Even though the proximate reason for taking action on TikTok was data privacy, all of this amounts to an opening salvo against Chinese tech platforms in the United States. According to Peter Navarro and Mike Pompeo, WeChat, the Chinese messaging app, might be the next focus of the Trump administrations scrutiny. Officials are concerned that the CCP uses it to keep tabs on members of the Chinese diaspora in the West and to spread disinformation among those communities. By going after TikTok and WeChat, the administration seeks reciprocity after all, most major U.S.-based tech companies are prohibited from use in China. Meanwhile, products that the CCP uses to influence Western democracies and harass their citizens dont face any restrictions. The recent move against TikTok demonstrates that these instruments of CCP influence will no longer go unaddressed. Is this, as some critics suggest, a move toward embracing Chinas model of Internet censorship? Not in the slightest. The problem is TikToks vulnerability to CCP pressure, not the app itself, and curtailing this interference remains a far cry from blocking inconvenient ideas, as Beijing does. Instead, the administrations stance on Chinese tech amounts to a repudiation of Beijings assaults on Internet freedom and a refusal to allow the export of its censorship, disinformation, and data-collection practices. TikTok is just the start. More from National Review The national flag is seen in Pyongyang, the capital of Democratic People's Republic of Korea, on Sept 9, 2018. [Photo/Xinhua] UNITED NATIONS, Aug. 4 (Xinhua) -- China on Tuesday expressed indignation and concern over the leak of a confidential UN draft report on the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK). "China notes that the 2020 Midterm Report drafted by the Panel of Experts of the Security Council 1718 Committee has been leaked to the media and caused unfounded media hypes. China expresses indignation and concern on this issue," the spokesperson for the Permanent Mission of China to the United Nations said. "The previous reports of the panel were also leaked, and some member states including China expressed concerns. China requests the Secretariat to take this issue seriously and avoid leakage in the future," the spokesperson said. "China has been completely and strictly implementing DPRK-related resolutions of the Security Council, and faithfully fulfilling its international obligations. To that end, China has sustained huge losses and made tremendous sacrifice," the spokesperson said. "China will continue to work towards dialogue and detente, advance political settlement process, and play a positive and constructive role on working towards denuclearization of the peninsula and lasting peace and stability in the region," the spokesperson stressed. The Security Council's sanctions committee on the DPRK, called the 1718 Sanctions Committee, was established in 2006 by Resolution 1718 in response to the DPRK's first nuclear test and other nuclear proliferation activities. COLORADO SPRINGS, CO, Aug. 04, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- via NEWMEDIAWIRE -- Gold Resource Corporation (NYSE American: GORO) (the Company or GRC) reported consolidated production results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2020 of 7,649 ounces of gold and 191,232 ounces of silver. In addition to precious metals, the Company produced base metals resulting in consolidated net revenue of $21.1 million for the quarter. At the beginning of the second quarter, the Companys Oaxaca Mining Unit was placed on care and maintenance as the Mexican government declared a country-wide health emergency and mandatory non-essential business suspension due to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) global pandemic. The Company was granted approval to restart operations on May 27, 2020 after nearly eight weeks of being shut down during the second quarter. Operations were reinstated, along with a stringent employee illness protocol and screening process, and have gradually ramped up during the months of June and July. Gold Resource Corporation is a gold and silver producer, developer and explorer with operations in Oaxaca, Mexico and Nevada, USA. The Company has returned $114 million to its shareholders in consecutive monthly dividends since July 2010 and offers its shareholders the option to convert their cash dividends into physical gold and silver and take delivery. Q2 2020 HIGHLIGHTS $21.1 million net sales; $13.3 million cash balance at June 30, 2020, an increase from the December 31, 2019 balance of $11.1 million; Working capital of $33.6 million, an increase of 48% from December 31, 2019; Maintained a strong balance sheet during Mexico operations suspension; Consolidated production of 7,649 gold ounces and 191,232 silver ounces; Successful restart of Mexican operations following nearly two-month suspension; Acquisition of the Golden Mile project in Nevada, an advanced exploration property in the highly prospective Walker Lane Trend; Isabella Pearl gold production increase of 41% over Q1 2020; $4.7 million gold and silver bullion inventory; and $0.01 per share dividend distribution for quarter. Story continues Overview of Q2 2020 Results Second quarter production from the Companys Nevada Mining Unit (NMU) totaled 5,208 ounces of gold, an increase of 41% over Q1 2020. The Isabella Pearl project continues to be in its ramp up phase for the remainder of 2020 targeting 40,000 gold ounces in 2021. Production from the Companys Oaxaca Mining Unit (OMU) was negatively impacted during the quarter by a nearly eight week government mandated shutdown in Mexico due to the COVID-19 global pandemic. OMU second quarter production totaled 2,441 ounces of gold, 185,330 ounces of silver, 246 tonnes ofcopper, 1,140 tonnes of lead and 3,004 tonnes of zinc. The Company withdrew its 2020 annual production outlook during the quarter due to the pandemic. During the three months ended June 30, 2020, the Company sold 5,054 gold ounces from its Isabella Pearl mine at a total cash cost of $1,402 per ounce (after by-product credits) at an average realized price of $1,708 per gold ounce*. With limited production during the second quarter, the Company sold 4,333 precious metal gold equivalent ounces at a total cash cost of $1,379 per ounce (after by-product credits) at its OMU. OMU average realized metal prices during the quarter included $1,784 per ounce gold and $16.83 per ounce silver*. The Company recorded a net loss of $1.8 million, or $0.03 per share mainly due to the mandatory shutdown of operations in Mexico resulting in lower revenues. The Company paid $0.7 million to its shareholders in dividends, or $0.01 per share during the quarter. Cash and cash equivalents at quarter end totaled $13.3 million. *Average realized metal prices include final settlement adjustments for previously unsettled provisional sales. Some provisional sales may remain unsettled from one period into the next. Realized prices will therefore vary from average spot metal market prices upon final settlement. COVID-19 With both the NMU and OMU projects in current operation, the Company strives to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 and protect the health and safety of our employees, contractors, and communities in which we operate. The Company has taken precautionary measures including specialized training, social distancing, a work-from-home mandate where possible, and close monitoring of national and regional COVID-19 impacts and governmental guidelines. With the ever changing and fluid nature of the pandemic impact, Company management continues to analyze and prepare for various scenarios whereby a forced or prolonged suspension of one or both mining units may be sustained. While it is never positive to see a mandated business suspension at any point in time, I am optimistic the shutdown was positive for Mexico in its fight to combat the COVID-19 virus, stated Mr. Jason Reid, President and CEO of Gold Resource Corporation. The Company was granted approval to restart operations on May 27, 2020 after nearly eight weeks of being shut down during the second quarter and have gradually ramped up operations during the months of June and July. Company management both in Mexico and Nevada have implemented strong protocols and procedures to help mitigate any potential impact from the coronavirus. These continue to be challenging times for all business across the globe, including mining, and we will continue to focus on mitigating the spread of the virus within our Company, our contractors and the communities in which we operate. Mr. Reid continued, We are pleased with the 41% increase in gold production over the previous quarter at Isabella Pearl. We were also pleased to have reached the first bench levels in the Pearl zone during the quarter. As we continue through the ramp up phase and expose more Pearl benches, we expect an increase in mineralized tonnes at higher grade coupled with less waste removal for this phase one of the Pearl mine plan sequence. Eighty percent of the of the ore in the Isabella Pearl deposit is located in the Pearl zone and it is great to have reached the top as we mine down. Both precious metal production and total cash costs are expected to improve the second half of 2020 as higher grade ore is accessed at the Pearl deposit. Subsequent to quarter-end, we announced reaching Company milestones of a decade of production, over $1 billion generated in revenue and over $114 million in dividends distributed to shareholders. We are very proud to have reached these milestones, commented Mr. Reid. The following Production Statistics tables summarize certain information about our Oaxaca and Nevada Mining Unit operations for the three and six months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019: Oaxaca Mining Unit Three months ended June 30, Six months ended June 30, 2020 2019 2020 2019 Arista Mine Milled Tonnes Milled 78,741 155,847 236,776 305,908 Grade Average Gold Grade (g/t) 1.73 1.87 1.41 1.70 Average Silver Grade (g/t) 71 92 78 83 Average Copper Grade (%) 0.39 0.40 0.39 0.38 Average Lead Grade (%) 1.92 1.96 1.96 1.97 Average Zinc Grade (%) 4.92 4.77 4.75 4.72 Aguila Open Pit Mine Milled Tonnes Milled 3,579 8,872 17,827 20,336 Grade Average Gold Grade (g/t) 1.46 1.39 1.29 1.80 Average Silver Grade (g/t) 50 43 41 43 Mirador Mine Milled Tonnes Milled 5,246 6,737 7,450 10,850 Grade Average Gold Grade (g/t) 0.79 1.10 0.91 1.16 Average Silver Grade (g/t) 126 201 130 211 Combined Tonnes milled 87,566 171,456 262,053 337,094 Tonnes Milled per Day (1) 1,943 1,967 1,976 1,947 Metal production (before payable metal deductions) (2) Gold (ozs.) 2,441 7,881 8,891 14,419 Silver (ozs.) 185,330 466,512 587,872 831,165 Copper (tonnes) 246 482 734 915 Lead (tonnes) 1,140 2,304 3,654 4,457 Zinc (tonnes) 3,004 6,054 8,848 11,892 Based on actual days the mill operated during the period. The difference between what we report as "ounces/tonnes produced" and "payable ounces/tonnes sold" is attributable to the difference between the quantities of metals contained in the concentrates we produce versus the portion of those metals actually paid for according to the terms of our sales contracts. Differences can also arise from inventory changes incidental to shipping schedules, or variances in ore grades and recoveries which impact the amount of metals contained in concentrates produced and sold. Nevada Mining Unit Three months ended June 30, Six months ended June 30, 2020 2019 2020 2019 Ore mined Ore (tonnes) (1) 143,818 273,223 302,572 688,277 Gold grade (g/t) 1.54 0.61 1.33 0.69 Low-grade stockpile (tonnes) Ore (tonnes) - 244,650 18,490 388,726 Gold grade (g/t) - 0.52 0.57 0.52 Waste (tonnes) (2) 1,026,922 1,101,858 2,817,970 1,698,448 Metal production (before payable metal deductions) (3) Gold (ozs.) 5,208 1,678 8,900 1,678 Silver (ozs.) 5,902 972 10,985 972 2019 amounts include run-of-mine ore and initial over liner of the heap leach pad. 2020 amounts are primarily stripping tonnes for the Pearl deposit. The difference between what we report as "ounces produced" and "payable ounces sold" is attributable to the difference between the quantities of metals contained in the dore we produce versus the portion of those metals actually paid for according to the terms of our sales contracts. Differences can also arise from inventory changes incidental to shipping schedules, or variances in ore grades and recoveries which impact the amount of metals contained in dore produced and sold. The following Sales Statistics tables summarize certain information about our Oaxaca and Nevada Mining Unit operations for the three and six months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019: Oaxaca Mining Unit Three months ended June 30, Six months ended June 30, 2020 2019 2020 2019 Metal sold Gold (ozs.) 2,542 6,268 7,534 11,026 Silver (ozs.) 189,866 416,855 545,094 685,044 Copper (tonnes) 215 431 643 769 Lead (tonnes) 1,014 2,120 2,978 3,773 Zinc (tonnes) 2,592 3,867 6,948 8,373 Average metal prices realized (1) Gold ($ per oz.) 1,784 1,333 1,709 1,338 Silver ($ per oz.) 16.83 14.94 16.96 15.26 Copper ($ per tonne) 5,229 6,205 5,424 6,245 Lead ($ per tonne) 1,723 1,871 1,702 1,955 Zinc ($ per tonne) 2,001 2,987 1,930 2,917 Precious metal gold equivalent ounces sold Gold Ounces 2,542 6,268 7,534 11,026 Gold Equivalent Ounces from Silver 1,791 4,672 5,409 7,813 Total Precious Metal Gold Equivalent Ounces 4,333 10,940 12,943 18,839 Total cash cost before by-product credits per precious metal gold equivalent ounce sold $ 3,238 $ 1,991 $ 2,770 $ 2,287 Total cash cost after by-product credits per precious metal gold equivalent ounce sold (2) $ 1,379 $ 328 $ 1,072 $ 345 Total all-in sustaining cost per precious metal gold equivalent ounce sold $ 1,603 $ 726 $ 1,354 $ 783 Average metal prices realized vary from the market metal prices due to final settlement adjustments from our provisional invoices when they are settled. Our average metal prices realized will therefore differ from the market average metal prices in most cases. Total cash cost after by-product credits are significantly affected by base metals sales during the periods presented. Nevada Mining Unit Three months ended June 30, Six months ended June 30, 2020 2019 2020 2019 Metal sold Gold (ozs.) 5,054 1,131 8,809 1,131 Silver (ozs.) 5,851 612 11,430 612 Average metal prices realized (1) Gold ($ per oz.) 1,708 1,363 1,651 1,363 Silver ($ per oz.) 16.10 15.07 16.36 15.07 Total cash cost before by-product credits per gold ounce sold (2) $ 1,420 $ - $ 1,391 $ - Total cash cost after by-product credits per gold ounce sold (2) $ 1,402 $ - $ 1,370 $ - Total all-in sustaining cost per gold ounce sold (2) $ 1,456 $ - $ 1,402 $ - Average metal prices realized vary from the market metal prices due to final settlement adjustments from our provisional invoices when they are settled. Our average metal prices realized will therefore differ from the market average metal prices in most cases. 2019 amounts not applicable as 2019 was a partial period due to mine commencing production in May 2019. See Accompanying Tables The following information summarizes the results of operations for Gold Resource Corporation for the three and six months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019, its financial condition at June 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, and its cash flows for the six months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019. The summary data as of June 30, 2020 and for the six months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019 is unaudited; the summary data as of December 31, 2019 is derived from our audited financial statements contained in our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019, but do not include the footnotes and other information that is included in the complete financial statements. Readers are urged to review the Companys Form 10-K in its entirety, which can be found on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov. The calculation of our cash cost per precious metal gold equivalent per ounce, total all-in sustaining cost per precious metal gold equivalent per ounce and total all-in cost per precious metal gold equivalent per ounce contained in this press release are non-GAAP financial measures. Please see "Management's Discussion and Analysis and Results of Operations" contained in the Companys most recent Form 10-K for a complete discussion and reconciliation of the non-GAAP measures. GOLD RESOURCE CORPORATION CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (U.S. dollars in thousands, except share and per share amounts) June 30, December 31, 2020 2019 (unaudited) ASSETS Current assets: Cash and cash equivalents $ 13,328 $ 11,076 Gold and silver rounds/bullion 4,717 4,265 Accounts receivable, net 3,363 8,362 Inventories, net 27,034 24,131 Prepaid taxes - 786 Prepaid expenses and other current assets 2,514 2,032 Total current assets 50,956 50,652 Property, plant and mine development, net 121,758 125,259 Operating lease assets, net 3,227 7,436 Deferred tax assets, net 8,491 4,635 Other non-current assets 4,344 5,030 Total assets $ 188,776 $ 193,012 LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY Current liabilities: Accounts payable $ 8,513 $ 14,456 Loans payable, current 886 879 Finance lease liabilities, current 459 446 Operating lease liabilities, current 3,150 7,287 Mining royalty taxes payable, net 832 1,538 Accrued expenses and other current liabilities 3,507 3,366 Total current liabilities 17,347 27,972 Reclamation and remediation liabilities 6,276 5,605 Loans payable, long-term 340 782 Finance lease liabilities, long-term 203 435 Operating lease liabilities, long-term 88 160 Total liabilities 24,254 34,954 Shareholders' equity: Common stock - $0.001 par value, 100,000,000 shares authorized: 70,061,099 and 65,691,527 shares outstanding at June 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively 70 66 Additional paid-in capital 160,937 148,171 Retained earnings 10,570 16,876 Treasury stock at cost, 336,398 shares (5,884) (5,884) Accumulated other comprehensive loss (1,171) (1,171) Total shareholders' equity 164,522 158,058 Total liabilities and shareholders' equity $ 188,776 $ 193,012 GOLD RESOURCE CORPORATION CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (U.S. dollars in thousands, except share and per share amounts) Unaudited Three months ended June 30, Six months ended June 30, 2020 2019 2020 2019 Sales, net $ 21,098 $ 29,374 $ 49,103 $ 55,952 Mine cost of sales: Production costs 17,642 18,677 38,527 36,558 Depreciation and amortization 5,007 4,165 12,405 7,407 Reclamation and remediation 30 41 68 57 Total mine cost of sales 22,679 22,883 51,000 44,022 Mine gross (loss) profit (1,581) 6,491 (1,897) 11,930 Costs and expenses: General and administrative expenses 2,197 2,708 4,471 4,719 Exploration expenses 551 631 1,706 2,081 Other income, net (1,847) (107) (334) (82) Total costs and expenses 901 3,232 5,843 6,718 (Loss) income before income taxes (2,482) 3,259 (7,740) 5,212 (Benefit) provision for income taxes (670) 1,461 (2,807) 2,532 Net (loss) income $ (1,812) $ 1,798 $ (4,933) $ 2,680 Net (loss) income per common share: Basic and diluted $ (0.03) $ 0.03 $ (0.07) $ 0.04 Weighted average shares outstanding: Basic 69,985,499 62,778,445 68,011,860 61,729,871 Diluted 69,985,499 63,066,616 68,011,860 62,079,859 GOLD RESOURCE CORPORATION CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (U.S. dollars in thousands, except share and per share amounts) Unaudited Six Months Ended June 30, 2020 2019 Cash flows from operating activities: Net (loss) income $ (4,933) $ 2,680 Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) income to net cash from operating activities: Deferred income taxes (4,598) 1,275 Depreciation and amortization 12,598 7,641 Stock-based compensation 870 1,214 Other operating adjustments (368) (293) Changes in operating assets and liabilities: Accounts receivable 4,999 (3,886) Inventories (2,274) (8,464) Prepaid expenses and other current assets (437) 97 Other non-current assets (256) (2,012) Accounts payable and other accrued liabilities (2,644) 6,183 Mining royalty and income taxes payable, net 159 (3,328) Net cash provided by operating activities 3,116 1,107 Cash flows from investing activities: Capital expenditures (10,600) (21,438) Other investing activities 4 1 Net cash used in investing activities (10,596) (21,437) Cash flows from financing activities: Proceeds from the exercise of stock options - 98 Proceeds from issuance of stock 11,900 21,807 Dividends paid (1,357) (617) Repayment of loans payable (435) (385) Repayment of finance leases (219) (204) Net cash provided by financing activities 9,889 20,699 Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents (157) (192) Net increase in cash and cash equivalents 2,252 177 Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period 11,076 7,762 Cash and cash equivalents at end of period $ 13,328 $ 7,939 Supplemental Cash Flow Information Interest expense paid $ 56 $ 79 Income and mining taxes paid $ 1,066 $ 2,897 Non-cash investing activities: Change in capital expenditures in accounts payable $ (3,120) $ (1,214) Change in estimate for asset retirement costs $ 1,097 $ 638 Equipment purchased through loan payable $ - $ 330 Equipment purchased under finance leases $ - $ 56 About GRC: Gold Resource Corporation is a gold and silver producer, developer and explorer with operations in Oaxaca, Mexico and Nevada, USA. The Company targets low capital expenditure projects with potential for generating high returns on capital. The Company has reached milestones of a decade of production, generated over $1 billion in revenue and has returned $114 million back to its shareholders in consecutive monthly dividends since July 2010. In addition, the Company also offers its shareholders the option to convert their cash dividends into physical gold and silver and take delivery. For more information, please visit GRCs website, located at www.goldresourcecorp.com and read the Companys 10-K for an understanding of the risk factors involved. Cautionary Statements: This press release contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. The statements contained in this press release that are not purely historical are forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the Exchange Act. When used in this press release, the words plan, target, "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "intend" and "expect" and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements include, without limitation, the statements regarding Gold Resource Corporations strategy, future plans for production, future expenses and costs, future liquidity and capital resources, and estimates of mineralized material. All forward-looking statements in this press release are based upon information available to Gold Resource Corporation on the date of this press release, and the company assumes no obligation to update any such forward-looking statements. Forward looking statements involve a number of risks and uncertainties, and there can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate. The Company's actual results could differ materially from those discussed in this press release. In particular, the scope, duration, and impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on mining operations, Company employees, and supply chains as well as the scope, duration and impact of government action aimed at mitigating the pandemic may cause the actual results and future events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. Also, there can be no assurance that production will continue at any specific rate. Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include, but are not limited to, those discussed in the Companys 10-K filed with the SEC. Contacts: Corporate Development Greg Patterson 303-320-7708 www.Goldresourcecorp.com The website for people to apply for an exemption permit during Melbourne's Stage Four lockdown has crashed. From Thursday, all essential workers in metropolitan Melbourne will be required to show the two-page permit proving they're allowed to go to work, including during curfew hours, from 8pm to 5am, and outside of a 5km radius from their homes. The Department of Justice website with the relevant paperwork and information crashed on Wednesday morning due to heavy traffic. Some workers, like nurses and police officers, can use their official identification, while others have to apply for the permit online, which must be signed by themselves and their employer. Melbourne residents requiring a permit during the city's Stage Four lockdown have flooded the government website needed to apply, causing it to crash on Wednesday morning (pictured) From Thursday, all essential workers in metropolitan Melbourne will be required to show the two-page permit if asked to do so by police (businessman pictured in Melbourne) A spokeswoman for the Department of Justice said the permit can also be accessed through the Victorian government and Business Victoria websites. The Justice website was up and running again by 10am. Businesses caught issuing permits to workers who do not meet the requirements face fines of up to $99,123, while individuals can be fined up to $19,826. Mr Andrews described the scheme as 'old fashioned common sense' and said the process would not be too 'onerous'. 'You carry it with you and then youre able to demonstrate so theres not a sense of anxiety or a sense of having to tell your story 17 times,' he said. 'If youre pulled up by police, you can simply provide that piece of paper and then you would be waved on to go about your business.' From midnight on Wednesday night a range of non-essential businesses will be forced to cease operating. Anyone individual caught breaching any of the Stage Four lockdown restrictions faces a $5,000 fine. Victoria recorded 439 new COVID-19 cases and 11 more deaths on Tuesday - all of the deaths were connected to aged care. A toddler was killed in Oregon after police say a family member accidentally ran her over with a vehicle near their home in Portland. According to a press release from the Portland Police Department, officers with the agencys Major Crash Team responded at 8.15pm last Thursday to the 17200 block of Southeast Mill Court for a report of a pedestrian struck by a vehicle. Police said 18-month-old Sarah Bulbuk had been struck by a relative who was driving near the familys residence. Sarah Bulbuk, 18 months old, was outside her family's home in the 17200 block of Southeast Mill Court in Portland, Oregon, home when she was struck and killed by a relative's vehicle It is unclear what the young girl was doing outside after hours. Investigators have not said whether she had adult supervision at the time. Despite emergency life-saving efforts, Sarah was pronounced dead from her injuries. Volunteers with the Trauma Intervention Program and a police chaplain responded to the scene to provide emotional support to the family, who were said to be understandably distraught. Police stated that there were no indications of alcohol or drug impairment on the part of the driver, who is cooperating with the investigation. The agency described the crash in the press release as a tragic incident. So far, no charges have been filed in the toddlers death, which was the city's 27th crash-related fatality of 2020. WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind., Aug. 5, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Wabash Heartland Innovation Network is planning the launch of an RTO Wireless AeroSite, home base of the first telecommunications aerostat to be deployed in the United States for rural broadband. The AeroSite will support WHIN's research broadband network, covering ten counties in north-central Indiana. Wabash Heartland Innovation Network is planning the launch of an RTO Wireless AeroSite?, home base of the first telecommunications aerostat to be deployed in the United States for rural broadband. The AeroSite? will support WHIN's research broadband network, covering ten counties in north central Indiana. Aerostats allow telecommunications equipment to be located at 1,500-2,500 feet, which provides line-of-sight that is better than terrestrial towers. With the AeroSite and its Citizens Broadband Radio Service (CBRS) radios, WHIN's research network will be one of the most advanced rural broadband testbeds in the country. In partnership with its tech partners, WHIN will test innovative solutions to make broadband available in areas of its region that are unserved or underserved. WHIN will publish the technical details of the deployment and its regional impact to policymakers, industry, and researchers. In addition, a LoRaWAN gateway will be installed on the aerostat that will enhance and extend coverage to the entire WHIN region. It's the next step toward fulfilling our promise for full LoRaWAN coverage and helps fulfill WHIN's mission of accelerating the adoption of IoT technology throughout the region. The gateways will allow for millions of messages per day to flow through from sensors in agricultural fields and manufacturing facilities, informing decisions that affect the bottom line by reducing costs, increasing speed of operations and making operations more efficient. "WHIN is committed to ensuring that the Wabash Heartland is a leader in technology innovations for the agricultural and manufacturing industries," stated Steve Hubbard CEO of RTO Wireless. "The RTO AeroSite is perfectly suited for rapidly providing thousands of square miles of wireless coverage, enabling many emerging technologies and applications for these industries as well as rural broadband, remote learning, and telehealth solutions. WHIN's dedication to the advancement of the region was pivotal in RTO's decision to establish an AeroSite Technologies team and lease a hangar in West Lafayette." Aerostats have been used to maintain communications after natural disasters, and by the military, but this will be the first commercial broadband service provided by an aerostat in the country. Right here in Indiana. SOURCES: Alivia Roberts, Marketing and Communications Manager, WHIN: [email protected] and Jason Tennenhouse, VP Strategy and Design, WHIN: [email protected]. ABOUT WHIN: WHIN is an innovative nonprofit organization devoted to making the 10-county region of north-central Indiana the global epicenter of digital agriculture and next-generation manufacturing. ABOUT RTO WIRELESS: RTO is a pioneer in aerostat industry and operates the first commercial deployment of an aerostat for wireless coverage. RTO supports AT&T's FirstNet One Aerostat deployments and is a Microsoft Airband partner. RTO offers mobile voice/data; broadband; backhaul; and pervasive IoT connectivity. www.rtowireless.com Related Images whin-to-launch-indianas-first.png WHIN to Launch Indiana's First Aerostat Providing the Region With Broadband Wabash Heartland Innovation Network is planning the launch of an RTO Wireless AeroSite, home base of the first telecommunications aerostat to be deployed in the United States for rural broadband. The AeroSite will support WHIN's research broadband network, covering ten counties in north central Indiana. Related Links Wabash Heartland Innovation Network (WHIN) WHIN to Launch Indiana's First Aerostat Providing the Region With Broadband SOURCE Wabash Heartland Innovation Network (WHIN) The Canada-wide COVID-19 contact tracing app, which launched Aug. 3, has been downloaded 1.3 million times so far, or by about 3.42 per cent of the countrys population. Experts have previously said at least 60 per cent of a given population needs to be running the app for it to be effective against the spread of the pandemic. But Teresa Scassa, the Canada research chair in information law and policy at the University of Ottawa, said governments are moving away from specific targets and are treating contact tracing apps as just one tool in a suite of tools to combat COVID-19, catching any number of COVID-19 transmissions that might not otherwise be caught. I think theyre placing fewer expectations on the app as being in and of itself a free standing solution, she said. The COVID Alert app is only active in Ontario right now, but the app is available for download across the country. While the downloads cant be divided by geographic location, a spokesperson for the president of the treasury board said it expects that the overwhelming majority of the downloads would be in Ontario. If, for example, one million of the downloads are in Ontario, that would mean 6.78 of the provinces population have the app. Albertas contact tracing app, ABTraceTogether, launched in May. As of June 22, it had been downloaded 207,000 times, which means 4.75 per cent of the provinces population had the app. Now, it has 234,000 registered users, a spokesperson for Alberta Health said, which is closer to 5.3 per cent. The COVID Alert app, like Albertas app, uses Bluetooth rather than GPS, which means it doesnt track users locations. Phones with the app exchange anonymized codes using Bluetooth when they come within a certain distance of each other. These codes are used to notify users if someone they came in contact with over the previous two weeks has reported getting COVID-19. COVID Alert does not collect personal information. It uses the new Google-Apple system, which launched May 20. It is considered fully decentralized because all data is stored locally, on the users phones, Scassa said. There are a few barriers to widespread access of the app, however. It doesnt work on iPhones running IOS versions below 13.5 or Android phones running versions older than 6, and not everyone has a smartphone. In an emailed statement, a spokesperson for the president of the treasury board said an estimated 90 per cent of Ontarians have access to a smartphone, and the vast majority of Ontarians are able to download the app, though they did not have a specific number available. Scassa said if the COVID Alert app was being treated as the be-all, end-all of COVID-19 spread prevention tactics, this would be more of an issue, but the app is just one of many tools being used to prevent the pandemics spread. But that doesnt mean its not a problem. Scassa said overall, the pandemic has illustrated the digital divide faced by Canadians who dont have access to the same technologies as others. I think that this is a really important public policy issue for Canada and the provinces. Scassa said the app is much more important for situations when the user will be in contact with strangers as opposed to friends or family, since regular contact tracing usually catches the latter. But in situations such as taking public transit or going to a bar, it could be the only way youll find out you were exposed to COVID-19. Scassa added its important people dont treat the app as a protection that will allow them to do high-risk activities without other precautions. Toronto resident Jose Vera has been following contact tracing apps in other countries to see how they work. The fact that people with COVID-19 can be asymptomatic at first prompted him to download the app. In theory, it works, he said. But he knows it may take some time and tweaks for it to be as effective as possible. Scassa said the COVID Alert app is quite privacy-protective compared to many smartphone apps many Canadians use every day, such as Facebook, Twitter or Uber. It doesnt track location with GPS, like many of these apps can do, or access your contact list, for example, she said. Some of these apps just have vast, vast quantities of data, she said. COVID Alert is not even remotely on the same scale. So why are so many people quick to download the Facebook app, but nervous about contact tracing apps? Theres one key reason: contact tracing apps like COVID Alert are from the government, said Scassa. People seem to be far more willing to trust their data to the private sector than to government. Scassa said the federal government has chosen the most privacy-protective model available, where all data is stored on each individuals phones. Pierre and Patricia Ferland of Mississauga both downloaded the app. Pierre Ferland said he felt it was a no-brainer. He considers himself fairly privacy aware, to the extent that he doesnt have apps like Facebook on his phone because of the data it collects. We want to make sure that we do our part, he said. Ontario resident Ayesha Minhas agreed as someone who regularly uses social media, the app didnt worry her. She hopes some good comes out of it. The app needs buy-in from provincial health authorities in order to fully function, which is why its currently only fully active in Ontario. The health authority provides the code users must input to report a positive test. But Scassa said while users in other provinces cant currently upload COVID-19 test results to the app, they can exchange those anonymized codes, which could still result in contact notifications. For example, if someone in Gatineau, Que., crossed the bridge to Ottawa, Ont., and had the app running, they would still be notified if someone they encountered in Ontario tested positive for COVID-19. Steven Megannety of Niagara said after doing some research, he felt comfortable downloading the app, though hes not confident that 60 per cent of Canadians will do the same. But Scassa said even if just a few people are notified of COVID-19 contact who wouldnt have been before, thats a success. As well, she expects the app will be studied and tweaked as the months go by. Right now, the app considers another user a contact if they are within two metres of each other for at least 15 minutes. These parameters could change based on the apps effectiveness and as knowledge of the virus improves, she said. It may become progressively more important, she said. Republican Brandon Martin will face off against Democrat Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick in Arizona's historically competitive second congressional district. Martin, a veteran and executive director of Keepers for Liberty, had 44% of the roughly 58,000 votes, as of Wednesday morning. He was ahead of small-business owner Noran Eric Ruden (33%) and Joseph Morgan, a support technician for Pima Community College (24%). The Associated Press called the race early Wednesday morning. Kirkpatrick, a four-term Democratic incumbent who returned to congress in 2016 after a failed Senate run, had 77% of the roughly 75,000 votes, as of Wednesday morning. She held a commanding 41,000-vote lead over attorney Peter Quilter. The Associated Press called the race around 8:30 p.m. Tuesday. In her victory statement, Kirkpatrick said her campaign will focus on making the country's healthcare system more accessible and humane border policies, saying "American values are under attack." South Africa's diamond industry is famed all over the world. But even before people were locked down at home, prices were already weakening - as was demand. Anglo American's De Beers unit last week reported a plunge in earnings. But some of the smaller South African players who polish the rough diamonds that De Beers and other miners unearth say they've been pleasantly surprised by the extent of local lockdown jewellery-buying. Enforced proximity is apparently kindling romance and feel-good spending. Kealeboga Pule's cutting and polishing firm, Nungu Diamonds, said its custom-made jewellery sales have grown 60%, since South Africa imposed a strict lockdown in March. "Where I'm specifically passionate is in seeing South Africans and Africans consuming these diamonds. It's one thing to go all over the world and telling people what they know, they know our diamonds are amazing, it's another altogether to educate our local South Africans and Africans to say, 'begin to enjoy them and also learn they're value' because they are a store of wealth." Customers have been using their time at home for online consultations - and lining up their purchases for when stores reopened in June. That turned out to be the Nungu's best month for a year. Jewellery prices also held steady, allowing the company to employ a new in-house jewellery designer. There's still scope for improvement for others. Lower global demand has depressed the prices of uncut, unpolished rough stones bought from mines. That's bad news for suppliers like Thoko Diamonds. In a typical year the family firm would ordinarily supply more than 500 carats. So far this year, it has sold fewer than 20 - and profits have fallen 65% as exports dried up. It's now turned to jewellery-making to boost its profits hoping its new line in finished earrings will appeal to the local market. BMW AG (OTC:BMWYY) (OTC:BAMXF) reported an operating loss of 666 million euros ($790 million) for the second quarter, its worst quarterly result since 2008 and a steep drop from its 2.2 billion-euro profit a year ago, as its sales fell 25% amid the global coronavirus pandemic. But the Munich-based maker of BMW, Mini, and Rolls-Royce vehicles said that its sales have begun to recover. Assuming that recovery continues, BMW still expects to report a profit for the full year. Why BMW's loss was worse than expected BMW's loss was wider than investors and analysts had expected, and its shares fell in early trading after the results were released. The reason for the surprise: While General Motors and Ford Motor Company, both of which reported second-quarter results last week, cut spending quickly once it became clear that factories would have to be idled amid the pandemic, BMW's costs remained stubbornly high. Put another way: BMW's negative operating leverage, meaning the amount of profit that it lost for every lost euro of revenue, was 49.9% in the second quarter, versus just 18.5% for both GM and Ford. Chief Financial Officer Nicolas Peter said that, aside from the sales the company lost while its dealers were closed, BMW's result was affected by the heavy spending needed to prepare to produce its upcoming line of electric vehicles. That's not a new issue. Heavy spending on electric vehicles and related technologies has weighed on BMW's results for the last several quarters. Key details from BMW's second-quarter report The company's global auto sales fell 25.3% versus the second quarter of 2019, to about 485,000. Sales at all three of BMW's auto brands fell, but the BMW brand fared better (down 23%) than Mini and Rolls-Royce (down 38% and 47%, respectively). Its automotive segment revenue fell 34% to about 14.9 billion euros; its earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) swung to a loss of 1.55 billion euros from a profit of about 1.5 billion euros a year ago. Its automotive EBIT margin, a widely watched indicator of profitability, was negative 10.4% in the second quarter and negative 4% for the first half of 2020. BMW Motorrad, the company's motorcycle unit, posted an EBIT loss of 7 million euros as revenue fell 28% from a year ago to 522 million. Deliveries of BMW motorcycles fell 23% from the second quarter of 2019, to about 42,000. BMW Financial Services, the company's captive-financing subsidiary, saw its pre-tax profit decline 83% to just 97 million. Total new lending and leasing contracts fell 29% from a year ago, and revenue declined almost 10% to 6.7 billion euros. What BMW's CEO had to say CEO Oliver Zipse encouraged auto investors to focus on BMW's execution under the circumstances. The company was quick to idle factories, he said, which helped to preserve a positive EBIT for the first half of the year and keep the company on track for a full-year operating profit. And while the company's spending was high, Zipse emphasized that all of its future-product programs remain on schedule and will come to market as planned. Now the markets are recovering, Zipse said, but at varying speeds. He noted that BMW's sales grew year over year by about 17% in China but were significantly lower in Europe and North America. "In July, sales were moving in the right direction," Zipse said. "What matters now is how robust this upward trend is and when individual markets will follow suit." Looking ahead: BMW is "cautiously optimistic" about the second half of 2020 BMW didn't give detailed guidance, citing the ongoing uncertainties amid the pandemic. But it reaffirmed the cautiously optimistic outlook it gave in May. Assuming that the ongoing recovery trends continue: Automotive deliveries will be "significantly lower" than in 2019, and the segment's EBIT margin will be between 0% and 3% for the year. The overall company's pre-tax profit will also be "significantly lower" than in 2019, but it will be a profit, not a loss. The raw numbers Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-05 19:21:05|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close KABUL, Aug. 5 (Xinhua) -- Afghan police have arrested 20 criminals involved in various crimes including theft, robbery, carrying illegal arms and drug trafficking from the western Herat province over the past 24 hours, Ministry of Interior said in a statement released here Wednesday. An amount of drugs, stolen vehicles, arms and ammunitions have been discovered from the possessions of the arrested criminals, the statement added. The statement also noted that police in cooperation with people would continue to crackdown on criminals elsewhere in Herat and throughout the country to guarantee law and order for the citizens. Enditem An unknown parent has dumped a two-month-old baby in a bush in Umueshi Village, Nnokwa, Idemili South LGA of Anambra State. The Anam... An unknown parent has dumped a two-month-old baby in a bush in Umueshi Village, Nnokwa, Idemili South LGA of Anambra State. The Anambra State Police Commands Public Relations Officer, SP Haruna Mohammed disclosed this to journalists in a press statement. Haruna said, On the 4/8/2020, the Commander Nnokwa Vigilante group in Umueshi Village, Nnokwa, Idemili South LGA of Anambra State reported at Nnobi Police Station that a baby girl of about 2 months old was abandoned by unknown person inside Nnokwa bush and left crying. Following the report, police operatives visited the scene, rescued the baby alive but very sick and rushed her to Chukwu Nonso Hospital for medical attention. The state police command called on members of the public to help identify the parent of the child. Haruna added that the baby was gradually responding to treatment and will be handed over to the Social Welfare for proper care while effort is ongoing to trace the parent. We are making efforts to find the parent of the baby in order to unravel the circumstances surrounding the action. NSW is still on high alert as health authorities guard against the threat of multiple COVID-19 clusters and cases with no known source breaking through containment defences. Four major Sydney clusters account for 85 per cent of all locally acquired cases in NSW since the beginning of July (240 of 280 transmissions). The unique trajectories of these clusters could shape the state's battle with the virus in coming weeks, epidemiologists say. The biggest cluster, which is believed to have originated at a Thai Rock restaurant in Wetherill Park on July 9, encompasses more than 100 cases and new cases are still being identified nearly four weeks after that first infection. NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian said a failure to contain known clusters could have tragic consequences. by Melani Manel Perera Amid anti-coronavirus measures, 16.3 million voters are called to choose 225 MPs. Card Ranjith urges voters to cast their ballot in a peaceful and conscientious manner. By and large, Christians support the political alliance that opposes the Rajapaksa brothers. Colombo (AsiaNews) Sri Lankans go to the polls today to elect a new parliament. Voting will take place from 7 am to 5 pm (local time), in 12,985 polling stations, under tight security, particularly in view of COVID-19. In this regard, the Election Commission stressed that all polling booths are coronavirus-free. At least 16.3 million voters are called to elect 225 Members of Parliament, 196 in multi-seat constituencies and 29 by proportional representation from party lists. About 7,452 candidates are running for 20 parties and independent groups. Archbishop Card Malcolm Ranjith of Colombo urged his compatriots to cast their ballot peacefully and conscientiously, choosing suitable candidates. Every vote counts for the future of Sri Lanka. Over the next five years, Parliament will have to make very important decisions, he said. The country is polarised. About half the population supports President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and his brother Mahinda, who was president from 2005 to 2015 and is now prime minister. The other half opposes them. Most Catholics do not want the Rajapaksas to get two thirds of seats, which would allow them to change the constitution. The National Christian Council of Sri Lanka noted that in 2015 a large majority of lawmakers across the political divide approved the 19th Amendment to the constitution, curtailing the powers of the executive branch. Many Christians back National Peoples Power (NPP) candidates. The NPP is an alliance that includes the Marxist-Leninist Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna, intellectuals and scholars. It could become the main opposition force in Parliament. For Wijith Rohan Fernando, a senior lecturer in the Department of Western Classical Culture and Christian Culture at the University of Kelaniya, this is a decisive moment for the country. As Christians, we have no alternative, he told AsiaNews. We must vote for the NPP; otherwise, there will be no real change. In the past 72 years, our rulers have never served the people; they have only established a kingdom of violence. Northern Ireland's jobs market may take over a decade to recover from the damage inflicted by Covid-19 and lockdown, economists have claimed. The Ulster University Economic Policy Centre today (UUEPC) said it would take Northern Ireland up to five years to recover to pre-pandemic levels of economic activity. Its Pathways to Recovery report also predicted that unemployment would take a decade or more to return to recent lows of around 2% and forecast a joblessness rate of 13%. Read More The number of people claiming unemployment benefits more than doubled in the months of lockdown, going from 29,700 in March to 63,100 in June. According to the latest labour market statistics, local companies proposed 2,500 redundancies in June, the highest monthly figure on record. It brought to 4,900 the total number proposed since the start of March - more than for the whole of last year. HMRC said that 241,000 people in Northern Ireland had been placed on furlough, with 80% of their monthly wage packet covered by the government, up to a maximum of 2,500 per month. However, the scheme is being tapered off and will close entirely at the end of October. Ulster University estimated that around half of people have returned to work. UUEPC director Gareth Hetherington said: "Although this current economic contraction is much more severe than the recession following the financial crisis, the period of recovery is likely to be shorter. "The economy took seven years to recover its lost economic output last time but will probably take four to five years this time around. "This is primarily explained by the much shorter contraction period in the current recession and the economy entering the recovery phase much more quickly." Mr Hetherington said the government would face a challenge in minimising job losses in the hospitality, leisure and non-food sectors, where staff and customers normally operate in close proximity. "Those sectors were the slowest to reopen after lockdown and had increased pressure on employment," he added. "Furthermore, these sectors tend to employ a lower age demographic and people with lower levels of qualifications. "Consequently, this group could find it more challenging to move into more high-skilled employment." Dr Eoin Magennis, also an economist at the centre, added: "We are likely to be looking at unprecedented numbers of people becoming unemployed, with all the challenges that this causes for personal lives and household incomes. "The decisions taken over the length of time that the furlough scheme continues are likely to be a critical factor in the number coming into job centres. "The full resourcing of job centres and adopting methods to assess the future risk of long-term unemployment will be just as important to ensure that the labour market recovery is as fast as possible and that the level of scarring is minimised." Mr Hetherington said that while the furlough scheme had been discussed a great deal, there was little known about how many workers were now emerging from the scheme and back into employment. However, on the basis of the UK model, he estimated that around half of Northern Ireland's workforce was likely to have returned. Other employers are continuing to use the scheme on a part-time basis. Unemployment rate forecast by the Economic Policy Centre's Pathways to Recovery report STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- TikTok, a popular social media video app, could be banned from the United States entirely, President Donald Trump announced last week -- unless an American company purchases it by mid-September, according to recent published reports. Trump told reporters on July 31 that he was looking at alternatives when it comes to Chinese firm ByteDances TikTok video app -- which has become widely popular among young smartphone users -- including the possibility of a ban, citing national security risks, according to Reuters. Were looking at TikTok. We may be banning TikTok. We may be doing some other things, Trump said. According to the New York Times, the video app is under scrutiny for potentially providing the Chinese government with access to American user data. But Trump reversed course on Monday after he said he would allow TikTok to operate in the United States if it is sold to an American company, the Times reported -- and Microsoft is pursuing an acquisition of the app. The president said TikTok would shut down in the United States on Sept. 15 unless Microsoft or another American company purchases it, and he told Microsofts chief executive to go ahead with the acquisition, the Times reported. He also said that the United States should receive money in return for letting the deal happen, but didnt explain how that would work. A very substantial portion of that price is going to have to come into the Treasury of the United States, because were making it possible for this deal to happen, the president said, according to the New York Times. Microsoft announced in a blog post that it is prepared to continue discussions to explore a purchase of TikTok in the United States, and is committed to acquiring TikTok subject to a complete security review and providing proper economic benefits to the United States. Microsoft will move quickly to pursue discussions with TikToks parent company, ByteDance, in a matter of weeks, and in any event completing these discussions no later than September 15, 2020, Microsoft wrote in the blog post. During this process, Microsoft looks forward to continuing dialogue with the United States Government, including with the President. Microsoft said it would ensure all private data of TikToks American users is transferred to and remains in the United States. The company said in the blog post that discussions are preliminary, and there can be no assurance a transaction that involves Microsoft will proceed. TikTok said in a statement that it was committed to continuing to bring joy to families and meaningful careers to those who create on our platform as we build TikTok for the long term, and that TikTok will be here for many years to come, according to the New York Times. FOLLOW ANNALISE KNUDSON ON FACEBOOK AND TWITTER. Five states held their primaries on Tuesday. Click or tap to view full live results by state: Kansas Republicans solidify general election prospects: Rep. Roger Marshall defeated former Secretary of State Kris Kobach to win the GOP Senate nomination, while in District 2, state Treasurer Jake LaTurner ousted incumbent Rep. Steve Watkins. In both cases, voters chose the candidate favored by party leaders and who likely had the best general election prospects. Kansas hasn't elected a Democratic Senator since 1932. While the race isn't completely off the competitive radar - Democratic nominee State Sen. Barbara Bollier is a credible nominee - the controversial Kobach would have been a tougher sell to the full electorate. The same could be said of Watkins, who was recently charged with multiple felonies. Cook Political moved this Topeka-area district from Leans to Likely Republican. Dynastic Congressman ousted in Missouri: The Clay family has held Missouri's first congressional district since 1969. That will end this year, as Rep. Lacy Clay was defeated by progressive challenger Cori Bush. This is a safely Democratic seat, so Bush will almost certainly be the next representative of this St. Louis district. With Tuesday's results, seven U.S. House incumbents have been defeated in party primaries this year. That is the most in a non-redistricting cycle since 1974. Our Retirement Map shows these, as well as candidates who voluntarily chose not to run for reelection this year. Arizona: As expected, Sen. Martha McSally easily won the GOP nomination. She starts as the underdog in a general election battle against Democrat Mark Kelly. Kansas: Former Lt. Gov. Tracey Mann won the District 1 GOP nomination. This is the seat being vacated by Marshall, now the Senate nominee. This is a safe Republican seat, making Mann the heavy favorite in November. Michigan: In District 3, grocery scion Peter Meijer won the GOP nomination for the seat being vacated by former Republican Justin Amash. In District 6, political newcomer Jen Richardson is leading State Rep. Jon Hoadley in the Democratic primary to take on Rep. Fred Upton. This would be an upset. Lisa McClain won the GOP nomination in the open District 10. This is safe Republican territory. In District 13, 'Squad' member Rep. Rashida Tlaib has a substantial lead over Brenda Jones. The race hasn't been called as of this writing due to a large number of uncounted absentee ballots. Missouri: As expected, GOP Gov. Mike Parson and Democratic State Auditor Nicole Galloway easily won their respective nominations. Parson starts as the favorite in the general election. Washington: Gov. Jay Inslee was renominated for a third term. He is a prohibitive favorite in November against Republican Loren Culp, who finished second in the top two primary. The primary in District 10 remains uncalled as of this morning. A large field is vying to replace Democratic Rep. Denny Heck. It looks like both of the top two finishers will be Democrats. Heck is running for Lt. Governor, and appears to have secured a spot in the general election. Ahead of the foundation laying ceremony of Ram Temple in Ayodhya, Shiv Sena mouthpiece Saamana newspaper on Wednesday carried out an advertisement depicting the demolition of Babri Masjid. The advertisement, given by Shiv Sena party secretary, Milind Narvekar, says, "I am proud of the man who did this," below the picture of the Babri Masjid demolition. The ad also has a picture of Bal Thackeray, the founder of Shiv Sena party. The party has also carried out articles praising Balasaheb Thackeray for paving the way for Ram Mandir construction. The Shiv Sena has contributed Rs 1 crore for the Ram Temple construction. However, the Shiv Sena Chief has not been invited for today's Bhoomi Poojan. Chandrakant Khaire, a four-time ex-MP from Aurangabad and top Sena leader, recently said he was in Ayodhya when the masjid dome was brought down and recalled he had touched the Ram idol installed inside soon after. Another Sena leader SuryaKant Mahadik said he took part in the kar seva after the dome was demolished. The Ram Mandir movement is a decade-old issue and took the centre stage when veteran BJP leader LK Advani took out a rath yatra at Ramjanmabhoomi where Babri mosque stood in the 1990s. On December 6, 1992, the mosque was demolished by activists who believed it was built on the ruins of a temple that marked the spot where Lord Ram was born. The Supreme Court last year gave the site to Hindus, ending a decades-old legal battle. The court gave Muslim parties an alternative 5-acre plot. Also read: Ayodhya Ram Mandir Bhoomi Pujan Live Updates: PM Modi leaves for Ayodhya, to reach at 11:30 am Also read: Ayodhya Ram Mandir Bhumi Pujan time, guests, estimated cost, how to donate and other FAQs A San Antonio kindergarten teacher has died as a result of COVID-19, officials said. Melissa Martinez, who taught at Rogers Academy in the San Antonio Independent School District, died Wednesday morning. "Ms. Martinez was an amazing teacher and genuine person," said Zada Fowler, principal of Rogers Academy, in a statement. READ ALSO: San Antonio officials holding town hall to address concerns, confusion over school reopenings "She was passionate about her students, creative beyond measure, and always willing to help anyone in need. She loved being a teacher and it showed in her smile and beautiful laughter. She is loved immensely and will be greatly missed by the Will Rogers Academy Family." Martinez completed her sixth year with SAISD last school year, according to the district. She was last on campus the first week of June. Counseling support has been offered to her colleagues. "We hold her family and friends in our hearts during this difficult time," SAISD said in a statement. Martinez's death follows the loss of Carmen Canales, a teacher at Ogden Academy, who died in late July. Canales, who had taught at the school for three years, was the first SAISD employee to die of COVID-19, officials said. Michelle Villarreal, a cafeteria manager at Leon Valley Elementary School, also died in late July. A family member wrote on GoFundMe that COVID-19 claimed her life. The school said in a statement that "her love and legacy will remain in many hearts forever." On Wednesday, Flour Bluff ISD, a school district in Corpus Christi, announced the death of its superintendent. David Freeman's sister had said on social media that he was in intensive care with COVID-19. "We are heartbroken and grief stricken over the sudden loss of our fearless leader," the district wrote on Facebook. "Dr. Freeman had been battling health issues over the past few months." Sri Lankans, wearing face masks and taking precautions amidst the COVID-19 fear, voted on Wednesday in the twice-postponed parliamentary election which is expected to be won by the powerful Rajapaksa family-run Sri Lanka People's Party (SLPP). According to the officials, 55 percent polling was recorded until 4 pm local time. The highest voter turnout of 70 percent is recorded from Nuwara-Eliya city, Mahinda Deshapriya, the Chairman of the National Elections Commission, was quoted as saying by News 1st Channel. Long queues of voters were seen at polling centres in some districts from the time polling began. Among the top leaders who exercised their franchise early in the day include former prime minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, Samagi Jana Balavegaya (SJB) General Secretary Ranjith Maddumabandara, former minister Johnston Fernando. 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 Deshapriya said that the first election result could be expected to be out around 2.30 PM on Thursday. He said that the announcement of the results could be completed by August 7. The country's election monitoring body -- the People's Action for a Free and Fair Election (PAFFREL) -- has deployed 5,000 observers across the nation to monitor the election process. The election is expected to be a victory for President Gotabaya Rajapaksa's SLPP led by his brother -- Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa. The president is not a candidate while Mahinda is running from the north western capital district of Kurunegala. The election, which was postponed twice due to the coronavirus, is to elect a 225-member Parliament for a 5-year term. Over 16 million people are eligible to vote to elect 196 out of a total of 225 lawmakers for the next five years. Twenty-nine others will be named from a national list according to the number of votes received by each party. Deshapriya was one of the early voters as polling got underway. I voted at an election for the first time since 2011. My aim is to show that everyone will be safe while voting, especially elderly, Deshapriya, 65, who is due to retire in November, told reporters outside his Colombo city polling station. The election, originally scheduled for April 25, was put off until June 20 as the COVID-19 outbreak hampered the preparations. The August 5 date was later fixed as the health authorities issued guidelines on holding the poll. No one can bring corona to the polling station, there is no corona at the polling station so no one could carry corona outside. I can guarantee that voting will be 100 per cent corona free, Deshapriya said. Under the guidelines, every voter's hands will be cleaned before and after voting as special arrangements have been made to transfer the indelible ink to the index finger, with no physical contact with any surface at the polling station, election officials said. The 12,985 polling stations throughout the country are being manned by over 8,000 health officials, Director General of Health Services Anil Jasinghe said. Some 20 political parties and 34 independent groups are in the fray with over 7,200 candidates from 22 electoral districts. The western province cities of Colombo and Gampaha have the largest number of voters, 1.7 million each, while the lowest number 287,024 is registered from the Tamil-dominated north's Wanni district. Former president Maithripala Sirisena is running from the north central region of Polonnaruwa under the SLPP banner while former prime minister Wickremesinghe and former leader of the Opposition Sajith Premadasa are running from the Colombo district. The counting would take place only on the following morning - a departure from the practice of counting the ballots from 8 PM on the election night. President Gotabaya hopes for a two-thirds majority for the SLPP in the general election so that he can amend the Constitution to restore presidential powers curbed by a 2015 constitutional change. A former DJ on The Ellen DeGeneres Show has said he 'did feel the toxicity of the environment' in an Instagram post addressing allegations leveled at the program. Tony Okungbowa, known to millions of viewers as DJ Tony, told his 29,000 followers he 'stands with his former colleagues' after a number of them said producers perpetuated a toxic work environment that included bullying and racism. Okungbowa was the DJ on the show for two stints between 2003 and 2006 and later from 2007 until 2013. He did not offer any examples of toxic behavior but addressed the need for 'a healthier and more inclusive workplace' on the show. Last week, DeGeneres told staffers she was sorry about what was going on, in a memo addressing the ongoing controversy. But the apology does not seem to have worked with the show's ratings down 29 percent from last year's period, and nine percent down from the prior week. The Wrap reported that the daytime talk show garnered only a 1.0 Live + Same Day rating though the week spanning July 26, a new series low. Former DJ on The Ellen DeGeneres Show Tony Okungbowa said he 'did feel the toxicity of the environment' in an Instagram post addressing allegations leveled at the program Ellen DeGeneres has had her worst ratings ever amid ongoing scandal that her show has made for a toxic work culture rife with bullying, racism and sexual harassment Okungbowa was the DJ on the show for two stints between 2003 and 2006 and later from 2007 until 2013. He did not offer any examples of toxic behavior but addressed the need for 'a healthier and more inclusive workplace' on the show Former employee Okungbowa shared a picture of his time on the show Tuesday, writing: 'I have been getting calls asking me about the Ellen Degeneres Show and I would like to address the time I spent there. 'I was on air talent from 2003-2006 and from 2007 -2013. While I am grateful for the opportunity it afforded me, I did experience and feel the toxicity of the environment and I stand with my former colleagues in their quest to create a healthier and more inclusive workplace as the show moves forward.' In July, staffers on the syndicated daytime talk show had cited a number of the show's executive producers in their complaints, including Kevin Leman and Ed Glavin. Ellen was reportedly joined by executive producers Andy Lassner, Mary Connelly and Derek Westervelt and senior staff members to 'address' the issues Monday. In July, staffers on the syndicated daytime talk show had cited a number of the show's executive producers in their complaints, including Kevin Leman and Ed Glavin. Ellen was reportedly joined by executive producers Andy Lassner, Mary Connelly and Derek Westervelt and senior staff members to 'address' the issues Monday Katy Perry took to Twitter on Tuesday to praise the 62-year-old broadcaster's 'continual fight for equality' and insisted she had 'only ever had positive takeaways from my time with Ellen and on the show'. WHAT ARE SOME OF THE ALLEGATIONS PUT FORWARD BY FORMER ELLEN DEGENERES SHOW STAFFERS? The Ellen DeGeneres Show, which has been airing since 2003, has built a brand around the compassionate slogan 'Be Kind', which ranges from dishing out cash to people who appear on the show and instituting wider charity initiatives. However, many of the former staffers claim it's 'all for show'. 'That "be kind" bulls**t only happens when the cameras are on. It's all for show,' one ex-staffer told BuzzFeed. 'I know they give money to people and help them out, but it's for show.' One black woman claimed she was the subject of racist micro-aggressions and abuse over an 18-month period. Soon after she was hired she recalled being told by senior producer that 'I hope we don't get confused', by the fact two black employees have box braids. She was also allegedly told by one of the show's writers: 'I'm sorry, I only know the names of the white people who work here.' The employees pinned the blame on executive producers rather than Ellen herself but accused Degeneres of not being involved enough to see what was happening on her show. 'If she wants to have her own show and have her name on the show title, she needs to be more involved to see what's going on,' one ex-employee said. They added that it seemed like the executive producers told the host 'things are going great, everybody's happy', and that she 'just believes that'. They say Ellen should be checking the wellbeing of her staff herself. The same African-American employee said she asked producers not to use terms like 'spirit animal' and was referred to as the 'PC police' by colleagues. She brought up the issue to her white boss, who would use the fact he had a black friend to say, 'I understand your struggle', she said. 'But it was all performative bulls**t', she added. She said that she asked for a raise owing to a new hire being paid more, and that she asked senior producers to roll out diversity training. Eventually she walked out of the show one day and never returned. 'I feel angry about the way I was treated, and I am always going to stand up for Black, Indigenous, Latino, and Asian people, regardless if they're around,' she told BuzzFeed. 'I can't not say anything. I'm not going to stop talking.' One former employee added to the allegations, saying: 'I think it is a lot of smoke and mirrors when it comes to the show's brand. 'They pull on people's heartstrings; they do know that's going to get likes and what people are going to go for, which is a positive message. But that's not always reality.' Another, who had been working on the show for a year, returned after being checked into a mental health facility following a suicide attempt to find that her position was terminated. 'You'd think that if someone just tried to kill themselves, you don't want to add any more stress to their lives,' the employee said. They said that the producers talk 'openly' about mental health but that 'they're the reason there is a stigma'. Advertisement Celebs who have gone public against Ellen include Brad Garrett and Lea Thompson. Scooter Braun, DJ/musician Samantha Ronson and Ellen's wife of 12 years Portia de Rossi have all come out in defense of the embattled talk show host. Portia who posted a graphic on Instagram saying, 'I stand by Ellen.' 'To all our fans....we see you. Thank you for your support,' Portia wrote Monday, adding the hashtags, #stopbotattacks, #IStandWithEllenDeGeneres and #IStandByEllen. Katy Perry took to Twitter on Tuesday to praise the 62-year-old broadcaster's 'continual fight for equality' and insisted she had 'only ever had positive takeaways from my time with Ellen and on the show'. On Tuesday it was reported Ellen will come back to host her show's 18th season despite claims celebrities including Sean Hayes, Kristen Bell, Melissa McCarthy and Jennifer Aniston were being considered to replace her. A source close to The Ellen DeGeneres Show said 'no one is stepping in or taking over' as the investigation into the claims continue, NBC News reports. A BuzzFeed News' July 16 expose revealing claims made by one current and 10 former employees of Ellen's talk show accused Lassner, Connelly and executive producer Ed Glavin of bullying. The current and former staffers said that they experienced racism, fear and intimidation while working on the long-running series and said that Ellen should have stepped in on their behalf. The show then faced additional accusations about sexual misconduct, lobbed on July 30 in another BuzzFeed News article, in which dozens of men and women named show producers Kevin Leman, Glavin and Jonathan Norman with alleged incidents of sexual harassment, misconduct or assault. Leman and Norman have denied the claims, while Glavin has not made a statement about them. He is reported to be expected to step down from his executive producer role, however. Last week, Ellen sent a memo to staff apologizing to them and acknowledging that the workplace culture didn't reflect the values that she set out to display when she started the talk show 17 years ago. 'On day one of our show, I told everyone in our first meeting that "The Ellen DeGeneres Show" would be a place of happiness no one would ever raise their voice, and everyone would be treated with respect. Obviously, something changed, and I am disappointed to learn that this has not been the case,' DeGeneres wrote in the memo obtained by Variety. She went on to say that following the initial accusations made in the first BuzzFeed article, Warner Bros. and the producers 'immediately began an internal investigation and we are taking steps, together, to correct the issues. 'As weve grown exponentially, Ive not been able to stay on top of everything and relied on others to do their jobs as they knew Id want them done. Clearly some didnt. That will now change and Im committed to ensuring this does not happen again,' Ellen wrote. An Us Weekly source told the magazine that Ellen 'has never been afraid to fire anyone who is bad' and that if she chose to leave the talk show, she 'has enough money to never work again.' The show's executive producers issued a joint statement to BuzzFeed when the allegations were first put forward. 'Over the course of nearly two decades, 3,000 episodes, and employing over 1,000 staff members, we have strived to create an open, safe and inclusive work environment,' read the announcement written by Glavin, Connelly and Lassner. 'We are truly heartbroken and sorry to learn that even one person in our production family has had a negative experience, it's not who we are and not who we strive to be, and not the mission Ellen has set for us.' 'For the record, the day to day responsibility of the Ellen show is completely on us. We take all of this very seriously and we realize, as many in the world are learning, that we need to do better, are committed to do better, and we will do better,' the statement added. Photo Reuters YEREVAN, AUGUST 5, ARMENPRESS. Armenia is considering various scenarios on supplying Lebanon with humanitarian aid after the massive Beirut explosion which left more than 100 people dead and over 4000 injured, the Armenian foreign ministry said. Foreign ministry spokesperson Anna Naghdalyan said on Facebook that massive destruction happened as a result of the explosion in Armenian-populated areas and elsewhere in the Lebanese capital. She said that the Haigazian University building was also damaged. As of this moment, together with our partners we are considering and assessing various scenarios of providing the brotherly people of Lebanon with targeted and first-necessity aid, Naghdalyan said. She said that according to latest information 3 Lebanese-Armenians have been killed in the blast. 100 Lebanese-Armenians were injured. Naghdalyan didnt rule out that the death toll may climb further. The blast erupted at a port warehouse in the Lebanese capital on Tuesday. More than 100 people are dead and 4000 are injured. The enormous blast was reportedly heard as far away as Cyprus, some 150 miles away from the port. Beirut authorities have traced the blast to a massive stash of explosive ammonium nitrate in a warehouse at the port. The cause of the explosion is under investigation. Editing and Translating by Stepan Kocharyan US Secretary of State Michael Pompeo (R) and Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi (Source: US Department of State) Hanoi - US Secretary of State Michael Pompeo and Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi discussed bilateral defence ties and regional tensions over Chinas claim that it owns most of the South China Sea (called the East Sea in Vietnam), the US Department of State said in a readout of the conversation on August 3. According to the readout, the officials highlighted the US-Indonesia strategic partnership and their shared goal of respect for international law in the East Sea.Pompeo and Marsudi also stressed the importance of increased public health and economic cooperation to rebuild the two countries economies as well as keep the region safe.Earlier, Indonesia expressed concern over escalated tensions in the waters and called on China to adhere to international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), to settle disputes.During a virtual meeting with her Chinese counterpart Wang Yi on July 30, Marsudi said there is a need for China, as a signatory to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation (TAC), to abide by the code of conduct while trying to resolve disputes related to thewith Southeast Asian countries. "Call Rhea to police station and pressurise her. Put Miranda behind the bars for a day, so he will start spilling the beans," these are the excerpts of some of the WhatsApp messages that Sushant Singh Rajput's brother-in-law and senior IPS officer OP Singh sent to a top cop in Mumbai. As per some damning revelations by Mumbai DCP Paramjit Singh Dahiya, who was approached by OP Singh, the family did not pursue the matter, nor did they file any written complaint. In an exclusive conversation with CNN-News18, DCP Dahiya revealed all the aspects of the conversation between him and OP Singh in the month of February this year. In a particularly unusual request, OP Singh asked Mr Dahiya to send police personnel to Sushant's office in the first week of February, to inform him of his arrival in Mumbai. OP Singh and his wife (Sushant's elder sister) were on a visit to Mumbai, and the officer wanted Sushant to visit them. When asked if it wasn't weird that a brother-in-law would send police to an actor's house to intimate him about his arrival, Dahiya said, "It was unusual. But he is a senior officer. How could I counter question him? So we acceded to the request." In the month of February this year, OP Singh messaged Paramjit Dahiya twice regarding Sushant. Once was on February 19, and the other time was on February 25. "He spoke to me over the phone as well. He told me that the lady (Rhea Chakraborty) should be handled informally. He told me that we should call her to the police station and should pressurise her. I politely told him, 'Sir, without a written complaint, it isn't possible. Please submit a written complaint, else we can't call the lady.' After that, he did not pursue it," Dahiya told CNN-News18. In the same conversation, OP Singh also asked Paramjit Dahiya to get hold of Samuel Miranda and put him behind bars for a day, so that he would spill the beans. In a WhatsApp forward to Dahiya, OP Singh's message was, "Jijaji, in furtherance of our talk on 22nd February, on your suggestion, I found out from various concrete sources that we are running out of time to save Sushant. Miranda and Shruti are the main stooges of that girl Rhea and are part of the common conspiracy to destroy Sushant monetarily, mentally and physically. As per my understanding and legal expertise, we need to take immediate and concrete action as a family to save Sushant, to provide him with timely medical intervention. This is possible through your direct involvement and intervention by getting hold of Miranda through the concerned DCP (Dahiya) about whom you told me the day we talked. If we somehow keep Miranda in police custody for a day, he will spell all the beans and his statement would be sufficient for us to take immediate technical and legal action. Thanks Jijaji. Call me asap so that all of us can come together under same roof and as a united front take necessary action immediately. Because as per the facts and information collected from various sources, this requires a collective effort of the family. It is now or never... otherwise we will lose our brother. After this message, Mr Dahiya said the faily will have to file a written complaint or send an email for the police to act. But he claimed that neither did the family write to the police, nor did they follow up on the matter. "The family had 3.5 months. Sir is a senior IPS officer. His wife is a lawyer. They could have walked into any police station and registered a complaint. Sir could have picked up the phone and talked to any senior officer," he said. Mumbai Police have claimed that OP Singh refused to get his statement recorded, when the family was approached after Sushant's death. "The statements of five family members were recorded the father, three sisters and one brother-in-law. They signed on their statements in the presence of OP Singh. None of them raised any apprehensions or doubts then," a senior Mumbai Police officer told CNN-News18. The Institut National de la Recherche Scientifique (INRS) is proud to announce that PhD candidate Piotr Roztocki was selected as a 2020 Paul Baran Young Scholar by the Marconi Society, which honors the world's most innovative young engineers in Information and Communications Technology (ICT). Piotr Roztocki is the first Canadian to receive the award, acknowledging his innovative work in developing scalable quantum resources that can be used within existing telecommunications networks. Under the supervision of INRS Professor Roberto Morandotti, Roztocki's work is now being commercialized as part of the Montreal start-up Ki3 Photonics Technologies, where he is a co-founder. The company offers a unique and compact photonic system that could be particularly interesting for defense applications and ultra-secure information transfer. Piotr's contributions take quantum photonics, which can offer major advances in next-generation information security, from the lab to global telecommunications networks. These innovations may be key in ensuring critical security infrastructures will be safe, even while current cryptographic methods may become vulnerable to attacks from increasingly mature quantum computing capabilities. "A unique feature of our work is in the use of integrated photonic chips and optical fiber, rather than fragile and expensive setups, meaning that our quantum tools are scalable and compatible with existing communications infrastructures," says Roztocki. His work in the on-chip generation of quantum light, exhibiting phenomena like photon entanglement, is a significant step in reducing the footprint and costs associated with quantum photonic technologies. "While Piotr's focus includes high-impact fundamental research targeting long-term payoffs, a majority of his work centers on applications critical to emerging industrial sectors and telecom markets," said INRS Professor Roberto Morandotti. "Piotr's interdisciplinary perspective bridges physics and telecommunications for truly creative results." To listen to Piotr Roztocki's interview with the American cryptographer Paul Kocher: https://vimeo.com/443232479 ### About Institut national de la recherche scientifique (INRS) - inrs.ca INRS is a university dedicated exclusively to graduate level research and training. Since its creation in 1969, INRS has played an active role in Quebec's economic, social, and cultural development and is ranked first for research intensity in Quebec and second in Canada. INRS is made up of four interdisciplinary research and training centres in Quebec City, Montreal, Laval, and Varennes, with expertise in strategic sectors: Eau Terre Environnement, Energie Materiaux Telecommunications, Urbanisation Culture Societe, and Armand-Frappier Sante Biotechnologie. The INRS community includes more than 1,500 students, postdoctoral fellows, faculty, and staff. About the Marconi Society Paul Baran Young Scholar Award The Marconi Society Paul Baran Young Scholar Award honours the world's most innovative young engineers in Information and Communications Technology (ICT). Presented to researchers who are 27 years old or younger to commemorate Guglielmo Marconi's age when he made his first successful wireless transmission, this award recognizes researchers who have shown extraordinary technical acumen, creativity and promise for using ICT in service of digital inclusion. Contact : Audrey-Maude Vezina Service des communications de l'INRS 418-254-2156 audrey-maude.vezina@inrs.ca The Supreme Court today will hear Rhea Chakraborty's petition seeking transfer of probe from Patna to Mumbai as she faces charges levelled by late actor Sushant Singh Rajput's father for abetting his son's alleged suicide. Meanwhile, the tussle on CBI involvement in the case is also being intensified, now between Bihar government and Chakraborty's lawyer. The Supreme Court will hear actor Rhea Chakrabortys petition seeking direction for the transfer of investigation from Patna to Mumbai in the Sushant Singh Rajput death case, on Wednesday. Meanwhile, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Tuesday said that the state government was recommending a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) inquiry in the case. He said that the late actors father spoke to Bihar Director General of Police (DGP) and gave his consent for the same. Earlier, Chakrabortys lawyer had said that the Bihar government cannot transfer the case related to the death of the actor to the CBI as it does not have jurisdiction in the matter. There cannot be a transfer of the case as there is no legal basis for Bihar to get involved. At most, Bihar Police can register a Zero FIR and transfer it to the Mumbai Police. The transfer of a case on which they had no jurisdiction to the CBI has no legal sanctity, advocate Satish Maneshinde, lawyer of Rhea, told media persons. Also read: Ayodhya Ram Mandir LIVE Updates: PM Modi leaves for Ayodhya Also read: Pak opens new front with India, claims Junagarh in Gujarat as its territory He had said that the petition filed by Chakraborty in the Supreme Court claiming that the Bihar Police had no jurisdiction to investigate the case will continue. Having realised that Bihar has no jurisdiction, this illegal method has been adopted. Otherwise, you are interfering in the federal structure of our nation in a backdoor manner. It touches the very root of the federal structure, Maneshinde had said. An FIR was filed by the Patna Police against Chakraborty on a complaint filed by K K Singh, under several sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) including abetment of suicide. A team of Bihar Police is in Mumbai to probe the case. Rajput was found dead in his Mumbai residence on June 14. According to Mumbai Police, the statements of 56 more than 50 persons have been recorded till now in connection with the case, including the family of the actor, his domestic help and several industry persons. Also read: SSR death probe: Rhea Chakrabortys lawyer objects Bihar govts involvement Rouhani: Enemy running psywar to portray Iran govt. as inefficient Iran Press TV Tuesday, 04 August 2020 10:19 AM President Hassan Rouhani says the enemies, having failed in their economic pressure campaign against Iran, have now resorted to a psychological war aimed at portraying the Iranian government as inefficient and distorting the realities about domestic capabilities. Speaking at a meeting of the government's economic coordination board in Tehran on Tuesday, Rouhani highlighted remarks by Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, who recently outlined the enemies' short-term and long-term agendas to hamper Iran's economic progress. Rouhani said, "The two currents of sanctions and distortion are at work simultaneously to fulfill this objective through grinding the country's economy to a halt, painting a black picture of its accomplishments and creating frustration." As signs emerge of the enemies' failure in realizing the fundamental goals of their economic warfare, they have now shifted the focus of their psychological warfare to attempts at portraying the Iranian government as ineffective, distorting the reality about the Islamic Republic's capabilities and denying or playing down its achievements, he added. Rouhani further warned that spreading rumors and misinformation in addition to attempts at creating a rift between government branches and especially between people and authorities would be in line with the enemies' conspiracy against the Islamic establishment. "In the course of more than two and a half years of unprecedented pressure and full-scale economic warfare [against Iran], the government has managed to run the country's affairs by significantly reducing reliance on oil revenues," he said. In addition to supplying basic goods needed by the people, the government continued non-oil exports and prevented the shutdown of the manufacturing sector and an increase in unemployment, he added. The Iranian chief executive also described the inauguration of large-scale projects in various sectors as "a thorn in the eyes of our enemies," saying, economic warmongers "are angry with the nation's capabilities and success." Developed countries have all admitted to the Iranian government's "undeniable success" in the fight against sanctions and economic pressure as well as the coronavirus pandemic. In a televised speech on Friday, Ayatollah Khamenei warned against a disinformation campaign, which works hand in hand with the sanctions and includes distortion of truth and misrepresentation of realities. The main purpose of the disinformation campaign is to undermine the people's morale, and to offer wrong solutions to people's problems, Ayatollah Khamenei added. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address An F1 pundit claims that Pirelli "has not kept pace" in 2020 as Formula 1 speeds race ahead. After a spate of tyre failures at Silverstone, including on both Mercedes cars, the sport's official supplier said the long safety car period and the "notably increased pace" of the 2020 grid caused the problems. Reports had indicated that debris may also have been a problem, but Pirelli argues that "the biggest forces ever seen on tyres generated by the fastest F1 cars in history" was actually the culprit. Ahead of the second race this weekend, Silverstone is also modifying a kerb. Pirelli is pushing ahead with F1's plan to race even softer compounds this weekend, with one Mercedes engineer saying that will be "really interesting". Some have suggested the teams themselves are to blame, having earlier voted against using Pirelli's proposed 2020 tyres. The result is that the faster cars of 2020 are now fitted with the 2019-spec Pirellis. But Pirelli boss Mario Isola does not agree with that, telling Auto Motor und Sport that the 2020 tyres "were designed for more stability, not less wear". However, Finnish commentator Niki Juusela told C More: "The development of the tyres has not kept pace with Formula 1. Even if the surface of the tyre breaks down, the sidewall should hold. "On the other hand, this is motorsport and tyre problems are part of it." In reaction, Pirelli is increasing minimum tyre pressures for the weekend, but Isola said he does not support the imposition of a mandatory two-stop race. "What do we do if there is an early safety car again? All we can do is set a maximum time for each type of tyre," he said. Another reaction is that scheduled development of the 2021 tyres has been scrapped for Friday practice. "The teams will concentrate fully on the Silverstone problem," said F1 journalist Michael Schmidt. (GMM) A Deputy Campaign Manager in charge of Communications for the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Mustapha Hamid has rejected claims that the ruling party is suppressing votes in the Volta Region ahead of the December polls. Mustapha Hamid said the National Democratic Congress (NDC) is peddling this falsehood in order to incite persons from the Volta Region against the NPP. What the NDC is doing is just to pitch us, the NPP against the good people of the Volta Region, all that we are asking for is for Ghanaians to register, Ghanaians not foreigners. Before coming here, I checked the figures from the EC website and over 800,000 people have registered in the Volta Region. 0ver 800,000 is just a 100,000 short by the 2016 figures. Now if people are being suppressed in the Region will we have such figures coming from there? Im very sure by the time EC finishes this registration, they will hit the 900,000 mark the Region had in 2016 where is the suppression? The NPP has come under fire over the deployment of military personnel to border towns across the country since the voter registration exercise started. The NDC led by its flagbearer John Mahama had accused the government of using military personnel to intimidate people seeking to have their names on the voters register. However, Dr. Hamid who doubles as Zongo and Inner City Development Minister said the claim by John Mahama should be disregarded John is desperate, we all see how desperate he is, so he will say anything to court support from Ghanaians but its a lie, we know what he did when given the opportunity to serve as leader of this country. He added that John Mahama performed abysmally and I am not sure Ghanaians want to give him another chance ---citinewsroom Since the outbreak of the global pandemic, Journalist from different media outlets have picked up the responsibility of updating their followers on the day by day situation report of the virus in the country and beyond, as people need more accurate and reliable information now more than ever. As the world fights the global pandemic, people rely on journalists to provide them with such unsullied life-saving informative and educative stories. It is for this reason that the Gambia Press Union (GPU) noted that while journalists have an obligation to keep people informed and educated in these extraordinary times, it is equally very important for them to observe all safety measures in order to stay alive to tell their stories. The country has registered a significant number of Journalists confirmed to have the novel virus and Media Chiefs have started laying plans for their Journalist to start working from home, in order the save their lives and that of others. Saikou Jammeh, Secretary-General of The GPU in a statement recently issued by his Union, said since the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic and its emergence in The Gambia, Media Houses and reporters have been working under extremely difficult and dangerous circumstances to save lives, by keeping the people informed and educated of the pandemic and by holding Government to account. "As frontliners, reporters have also been reporting from treatment centres, the airport and land borders and many other potential hotspots without adequate protective equipment and disinfectants," he said; that the Union is proud of these enormous sacrifices and calls on the public and Government to support journalists whose work is crucial in curbing the spread of the pandemic and saving lives. "We equally call on Media Houses and journalists to utilize the Media Advisory prepared by the GPU, as key guidance on safety of journalists during the pandemic," The GPU Secretary-General said. Continuing, Jammeh said Extraordinary times require extraordinary measures; that Newsrooms all over the world are adopting strict policies that have seen major adjustments on news gathering and reporting, including working from home policies and the use of online tools like Skype, to report the news; that Journalists and media workers in The Gambia are advised to consider safety and reporting tips on the coronavirus outbreak; that if any Journalist is using a microphone, they should use the directional microphone from a safe distance; that if they use recorders, they should maintain a safe distance and disinfect their recorders and microphone sponge after every use. "Consider covering your microphone or voice recorder with a plastic which should be safely disposed of after every use and use protective gear if working in and around a hospital or a quarantine facility," he said; that if one develops coronavirus-like symptoms, they can call the Toll-free Number: 1025, to notify emergency health services and as well inform their editors and colleagues. "Newsrooms should consider introducing work-from-home policies. If there is need for staff to work from the office, only a few essential staff should be allowed, and they should enforce social distancing. Newsrooms should endeavour to provide health insurance policies for reporters sent on assignments in high-risk places like quarantine facilities, or to places known to have recorded a high number of cases," the GPU Guideline states. Care For Face Masks "Newsrooms should provide face masks for use when necessary. "If you wear masks, please dispose of them after use. If they are cloth or reusable masks, please wash after every use," the GPU Guideline states. Online Safety "Be aware of phishing emails. Do not open suspicious emails and do not download attachments from such emails. Journalists are advised not just click on any COVID-19 related links; some might take you to sites that infect devices with malware. Avoid clicking on social media links to strange websites. You might face online trolling, bullying or even threats relating to your coverage of COVID-19. Discuss with your editors on how to handle such when they arise," the GPU Guideline states. "Journalists are advised when visiting Gambian borders, to do a risk assessment by checking what possible harm you might face including risks of contracting the coronavirus, car accidents, and possible hostile persons. Take along all the supplies you will need including a travel-size hand sanitizer, liquid soap, a bottle of water and tissue papers. Avoid street foods. Take along a soft drink(s) and high energy packaged foods like chocolate bars/digestive biscuits. Always wash hands before eating," GPU advised Journalists. Your family might be concerned about your work during this time, consider setting up a conversation between your concerned family member and your editor. Assignment editors should avoid sending reporters to a quarantine facility/zone without protective gears. Freelance journalists too should take note of this. Disinfect gadgets like microphones, recorders, cameras etc. Disinfectant sprays may be available in pharmacies and supermarkets. Journalists are advised to avoid street foods. Take along a soft drink(s) and high energy packaged foods like chocolate bars/digestive biscuits. Always wash hands before eating," the GPU Guideline further states. Writing Stories The GPU Guideline further advised Journalist to be aware of misinformation and avoid reporting on rumours and suspected cases; that they add to spreading fear and anxiety. "Journalists should only report on rumours to achieve one of two objectives: To prove that it is true, to dismiss it as a lie. If any Journalist cannot confirm a rumour as true or dismiss it as a lie, do not report on it and to report on all confirmed cases. For official information on the coronavirus, use data from the Ministry of Health and the World Health Organization. Cite official information only on verified social media accounts of the Ministry of Health and the WHO. Use health experts to analyze figures and patterns and explain these in the context and language that people will understand. Avoid identifying patients or suspects in photos, by name and addresses and those of their relatives or colleagues. If the patient(s) announced their status, or are involved in awareness advocacy on the coronavirus, you can quote them. While reporting on new cases, GPU advised Journalist not to forget to keep the public reminded on how to avoid contracting the virus - use advise from the Ministry of Health, the WHO and recognised health experts and institutions like the Medical Research Council Unit The Gambia. Maintain media's watchdog role and find out and report on what is happening to people who contracted the virus and those in quarantine? How are their cases (suspected and confirmed) being managed? What sort of medication are they receiving? Where are they being held and under what conditions? How many isolation centres there are? What are the conditions in these centres? How many beds are available? How are COVID-19 funds being handled and distributed? Look for lapses and inadequacies in government preparedness, and also reckless behaviour that exposes people to possible infections," the GPU Guideline states. Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Gambia Media By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later. In The Field "When Journalists are in the field GPU advised them to avoid press conferences and other events, ask to be sent press statements or request phone interviews or emailed responses to questions and take into account that the government has banned public gatherings. If you must be at a press conference physically, do observe all requisite prevention measures to and from the press conference, and during the press conference. Journalists should discuss with their editor what plans they have if you fall ill on assignment. Avoid using public transport, arrange to travel in an office car or hire a taxi. Journalists are urged to avoid travelling to affected countries or regions. If you must travel, adhere to the Ministry of Health and WHO instructions on prevention and to check on existing travel bans and purchase refundable tickets. Have a contingency plan in place. Do not travel if you feel ill. Check on the visa situation for your destination. Call up the embassy or consulate to enquire about the issuing of visas. Some countries are not allowing visitors," the GPU Guideline stated. A week before Connecticuts first widespread mail-in ballot primary, town clerks said Tuesday that 20,000 absentee ballots have yet to be mailed and are blaming a mix-up between Secretary of the State Denise Merrills office and the mail vendor contracted to help with the process. Merrills office counters that there has been no mix-up. Mailing of the last ballots close to the Aug. 11 primary election was always slated to return to the duty of the town clerks this week, a Merrill spokesman said. At issue is who was, or is, supposed to mail the 20,000 ballots roughly 7 percent of all absentee ballots requested for next weeks primary. The chaos and confusion comes as town clerks were already overwhelmed by the mass mailings and by preparations for an election that is expected to see as much as 60 percent of the vote by mail because of the coronavirus crisis. Its unsettling that our town clerks are now being left with a nearly impossible task to complete in a week when the Secretary of the State knew there were going to be problems. This is incompetence at its worst, said Senate Minority Leader Len Fasano, R-North Haven, who sent a letter about the issue to Merrill on Monday. It was unclear Tuesday whether any voters would not have a chance to cast ballots as a result of the confusion. Ballots must be received by town clerks by the end of the day on Aug. 11 next Tuesday to count. A list of the 20,000 names was shared by some members of the state House Republican caucus. Secretary Merrills test run has failed, Fasano said in a written statement. Republicans have warned about the potential for issues, Secretary Merrill ignored those concerns and now we are facing problems and some people may not be able to have their vote counted. That's inexcusable. Some Democrats, including the Middletown mayor, have also criticized the process developed by Merrill, a Democrat. But Merrills office contends some chaos was expected. The state, after all, has never done this before. Spokesman Gabe Rosenberg said Tuesday that 267,000 ballots had already been mailed by Cathedral, the Rhode Island-based fulfillment business and longtime state contractor enlisted to help with this years massive mail-out. Returning the mailing responsibilities to town control as is traditionally done for absentee ballots in every election was expected once the mail batches become so small that it no longer made economic sense for a large mail house to handle the mailing, Rosenberg said. The switch was made late last week because the mail house had already processed and mailed more than a quarter of a million absentee ballots and the remaining numbers ... were too small to be done by them efficiently, Rosenberg said. Thats because there are about 40 different ballot designs required for next weeks primary, reflecting local races. House Republicans called for an investigation into the procedures, which were outlined in a document and sent to town clerks in early June. Anna Posniak, president of the Connecticut Town Clerks Association, claimed in an email to fellow town clerks that the Secretary of the States office has been negligent in its communication with her, an assertion Merrills office vehemently denies. The confusion comes as many Republicans charge that Connecticut and other states are not equipped to handle mass-mailing elections and police them for fraud. The Aug. 11 primary is considered a preview of the Nov. 3 general election, in which Connecticut voters will be allowed to cite fear of COVID-19 as a reason for requesting an absentee ballot. The switch in mailing responsibilities was originally scheduled to happen Monday, Rosenberg said, according to guidance given to town clerks in June. He said it was moved up two business days to Thursday with approval from Posniak in a Thursday phone conversation with Ted Bromley, the elections director in Merrills office. Bromley followed up with Posniak in an email to confirm what had been discussed over the phone, according to a copy of the email provided by Rosenberg. But Posniak in her email to town clerks said she was not told the clerks would need to process an additional 20,000 ballots. Had this information been given to us on Friday, I know that 169 Town Clerks would have worked over the weekend to get those ballots to their voters, Posniak said. I am extremely concerned for the voters in our large cities as this neglect by SOTS may disenfranchise their vote next Tuesday. If you unable to reprocess all of last weeks volume of applications in addition to this weeks requests, please reach out to me and we will try to get you some assistance from others towns with lower volumes to ensure that voters are not disenfranchised. Rosenberg contended Tuesday that Posniak was told about the 20,000 ballots by Bromley on Thursday. For most towns, Rosenberg said, the mailing is less than 100, and clerks should already have the ballots and other supplies on hand if they followed the instructions sent in June. In the 12 towns with more than 400 ballots to process, Rosenberg said a staffer from the Secretary of the States office was sent to help with the mailing. In Middletown, 1,600 people have yet to receive their ballots. A week out from the primary is absolutely insane, the towns Democratic mayor Ben Florsheim said Tuesday. The way elections are run in the state is destined for chaos, he said. When it comes to the resources we need to run elections at the local level, were not getting them, said Florsheim, who believes the Secretary of the States office lacks the funding and resources it needs to make sure elections run smoothly in Connecticut. The system was developed over the last three months, after an order by Gov. Ned Lamont loosening Connecticuts tight restrictions on who is eligible to vote by absentee ballot. House Republicans placed some of the blame on Cathedral, the contractor, which, the Republicans said, did not keep up with the heavy flow of approved ballot requests. It has become obvious that the entire absentee ballot mail-in voter process has been mismanaged, based on all the contacts that we have had with the elected officials who know this system best, our local registrars and towns clerks, both Republican and Democrats, House Republican Leader Themis Klarides and Deputy Leader Vincent Candelora said in a written release Tuesday. Rosenberg contends there is no breakdown. All of this was planned and clearly communicated to the town clerks, he said. Our Election Director and the head of the TCA speak daily, and today we completed our tenth call with all of the clerks and registrars since March. This process has been open and transparent from beginning to end. Cassandra Day contributed to this story. kkrasselt@hearstmediact.com; 203-842-2563; @kaitlynkrasselt Five Armenian hospitals have stopped treating people infected with the coronavirus because of a significant decrease in new cases in the country, the Ministry of Health said on Wednesday. The ministry reported in the morning that 288 more people have tested positive for COVID-19 in the past day, down from an average of 550-600 cases a day registered in the first half of July. It also reported only two more deaths caused by COVID-19. They raised the official death toll to 770. The figure does not include the deaths of 228 other Armenians infected with the virus. The health authorities say that they were primarily caused by other, pre-existing diseases. The daily number of officially registered fatalities averaged approximately 15 from July 6 through July 24. The latest government data also shows that the daily number of people recovering from COVID-19 continued to surpass that of new infections on Tuesday, cutting the number of active coronavirus cases to 7,738. The vast majority of the infected citizens remain self-isolated at home. According to a Ministry of Health spokeswoman, Lilit Babakhanian, the nationwide number of hospitalized patients in a critical or serious condition fell from around 650 in mid-July to 368 on Wednesday morning. There are already five hospitals that no longer treat COVID-19 patients, Babakhanian told RFE/RLs Armenian service. Two of them are located in Yerevan while the three others in the towns of Vanadzor, Dilijan and Vedi, she said. Health Minister Arsen Torosian announced later on Wednesday two more hospitals will discharge their last COVID-19 patients in the coming days. Thirteen other medical centers will continue to deal with the coronavirus, Torosian told a news briefing. Like Torosian, Nune Bakunts, the deputy director of the ministrys National Center for Disease Control and Prevention, insisted that the coronavirus crisis in Armenia has been on a downward trend in recent weeks. Bakunts attributed that to peoples and businesses increased compliance with anti-epidemic rules set by the government. We can say that measures taken by us are bearing fruit, she said. Wearing a mask or a cloth covering mouth and nose not only in enclosed spaces but also in the streets and all other public areas has been mandatory in Armenia since the beginning of June. Thousands of people have been fined for defying this requirement. The government also claims to have stepped up since then the enforcement of its social distancing and hygiene rules set for various businesses. It reopened virtually all sectors of the Armenian economy in early May. Echoing statements by Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian, Bakunts stressed that continued compliance with the government rules will be essential for further reducing the countrys coronavirus infection rates, which have been one of the highest in the world. Pashinian expressed hope last week that Armenia will largely overcome its coronavirus crisis already in September. Deputy Prime Minister Tigran Avinian announced, for his part, that the government is now considering reopening soon schools, universities, libraries, museums and theaters shut down in March. Bakunts was confident that their possible reopening would be regulated by strict safety protocols. She said this should neutralize or minimize the risk of a virus resurgence. With thousands of front-line COVID-19 workers still waiting for $4 hourly pandemic pay first promised in late April, Premier Doug Ford urged hospitals and other employers to start dishing it out now that the province has transferred the funding to them. Hospitals, get your act together, Ford said Tuesday, acknowledging the process has been a little complicated since he announced that heroes such as nurses and personal support workers dealing with the risk of the highly contagious virus every day should get a premium for 16 weeks until mid-August. But the goodwill gesture backfired somewhat as the province had to figure out ways to get the money to some many of the 2,000 employers with staff eligible for pandemic pay and with which it did not previously have direct funding relationships, delaying payouts. And there were tensions and morale problems on the job as some hospital workers were included on the pay list while others such as medical radiation technologists were not even though they did X-rays and scans of COVID-19 patients but were excluded from the bonuses being paid to about 375,000 workers. The Ontario Hospital Association went to bat for excluded workers, asking the government to expand the list, and about 25,000 were added including respiratory therapists and paramedics, with Fords office explaining it could not include more because funds are limited. Ford reassured workers on the pandemic pay list that the money is coming, likely in one big chunk. No ones going to lose any pay, its going to be retroactive right from day one. Itll be nice to get a nice cheque, the premier said during a stop in Beamsville. Theres no reason this has taken way, way too long. Lets get the money into the peoples pockets. Some nurses and other workers have complained about the delayed payments saying they incurred extra expenses by staying away from family members at the peak of the pandemic to avoid the risk of infecting spouses and children. loved ones. More than 6,000 health-care workers caught COVID-19, almost half of them employed in nursing homes. The Ontario Nurses Association said it has members at 37 hospitals and other workplaces that have still not issued the payouts, but most have told staff the money is coming this month or in September as their payroll departments comb through employee lists to determine which occupations are eligible and how much employees are due. One hospital nurse who contacted the Star said the delay is just BS because she has heard of paramedics and nursing-home workers already getting cheques. In most cases the money has flowed, said a hospital industry source. However, due to the extreme delay in both deciding who will receive pandemic pay and then getting the money to employers, hospitals are now working as fast as they can do get the money through the process. The pay delay comes as unions representing health-care workers sound off about the Ford governments recently passed Bill 195, which they say unfairly takes away rights bargained in their collective agreements. This bill enables their employers to deny or cancel vacation time, redeploy them to another unit, said Ontario Nurses Association president Vicki McKenna, who described the power as far too much authority that is unchecked by the collective agreement. The Ontario Council of Hospital Unions is planning protest rallies in 22 Ontario cities on Aug. 17. The government is using the pandemic to gut the basic rights of this predominantly female workforce, said union spokesman Michael Hurley. The legislation has been called necessary to make sure tools are in place to deal with flare-ups of COVID-19. Read more about: New York: An Indian security researcher has discovered a bug that could allow someone to bypass Apple's activation lock in its iOS 10.1 version, according to a media report on Friday. Hemanth Joseph, who works out of Kerala exploited a weakness in the iOS device setup process. He then tested it on a locked iPad he purchased online. When asked to choose a WiFi network, he simply chose 'other network' and then proceeded to fill its name and a WPA2-enterprise key in with thousands of characters. His thought was that enough data in those fields would cause the device to freeze, and he was right, the Forbes reported. After figuring out how to freeze the iPad, he began to work on a way to make the setup process fail and drop him on the home screen. Pressing the sleep/wake button merely restarted the wizard, but with a little help from the magnetic catch in Apple's Smart Cover and some practice to perfect the timing, Joseph succeeded. He demonstrated the bypass in a video uploaded to Google Drive, the report said. Researchers at US-based Vulnerability Lab had earlier discovered another bug, the iOS 10.1.1. Like Joseph, the team began by overloading the WiFi setup fields and employed a smart cover. There's one minor difference: they rotate the device in their video demo to display the home screen. After figuring out how to freeze the iPad, he began to work on a way to make the setup process fail and drop him on the home screen. The bug discovered by Joseph was reportedly fixed in an iOS update last month. In March this year, the FBI too had managed to unlock the iPhone used by one of the San Bernardino terrorists without Apple's help. For all the Latest Business News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. A 7-year-old Texas boy is on the mend after spending more than three weeks in the hospital battling COVID-19. Nykiera Petry-Shelton A 7-year-old in Port Arthur, Texas, spent 12 days on a ventilator in a medically induced coma as a result of complications from COVID-19. His mom, Nykiera Petry-Shelton, told Insider she didn't know how her son contracted the virus but said she was "so scared" when doctors had to intubate him due to heart and lung failure. Petry-Shelton said she disagrees with the push to send kids back for in-person classes, arguing measures to keep kids safe aren't practical. "I know it's going to be hard to keep kids inside, but I mean you have to oh goodness, you have to sacrifice things," she said. "I could've lost my child just that quickly." Visit Insider's homepage for more stories. Video: How Hasidic Jews in Brooklyn became experts in distance learning Nykiera Petry-Shelton has no idea how her 7-year-old son contracted the coronavirus. Her otherwise healthy child, Zabraylin, had never previously been hospitalized. But in early July, when he started to shake uncontrollably and lost movement in his legs, a terrified Petry-Shelton would soon find out Zabraylin was infected with COVID-19. "I was so scared," Petry-Shelton told Insider. "All I could do was sit there with tears running down my face ... I would have never thought that it would've happened to us, and especially him." Petry-Shelton still hasn't figured out how her son contracted the novel coronavirus, which according to a Tuesday tally from the Johns Hopkins University has infected at least 4,742,277 Americans and killed 156,133. No one else in their household has experienced symptoms of COVID-19, she said. "He doesn't have any problems and he for sure didn't go anywhere in public," she said, speculating that he might have been passed the virus from another kid he was playing with outside. Days before his hospitalization, however, Petry-Shelton noticed Zabraylin appeared flushed and had a 103-degree fever, she said. She carted him between local urgent care facilities and a nearby hospital in an attempt to diagnose his days-long fever, even getting him tested for the coronavirus by urgent care doctors and at a local hospital. But the results were negative. Story continues Petry-Shelton said she treated her son's fever with Tylenol and Motrin. Doctors prescribed antibiotics, believing it was caused by some sort of infection. Nothing worked. "They never specified what it was," Petry-Shelton said. "They didn't find anything." Things took a turn for the worse on July 9. When she and Zabraylin drove up to their home, he was unable to get out of the car on his own. He told his mom he couldn't feel his legs. "He was just shaking as if he was about to have a seizure or something," she said. Petry-Shelton called an ambulance and paramedics took his vitals his blood pressure was low and his heart rate was elevated, she said. In the emergency room, Zabraylin had a 105-degree fever. Doctors decided Zabraylin would be best treated at Texas Children's Hospital in Houston, about 90 miles west of Port Arthur, so he was transferred there. At that hospital, Zabraylin was moved to the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit (ICU), put on a ventilator, and given yet another test for COVID-19. This time the results came back positive, and he remained on a ventilator in a medically induced coma for 12 days. Doctors diagnosed Zabraylin with multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C), an immune system response which the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warned in May occurred in some children who contracted COVID-19. MIS-C "is a condition where different body parts can become inflamed, including the heart, lungs, kidneys, brain, skin, eyes, or gastrointestinal organs," the CDC warned. "Children with MIS-C may have a fever and various symptoms, including abdominal (gut) pain, vomiting, diarrhea, neck pain, rash, bloodshot eyes, or feeling extra tired." After 12 days on a ventilator and success in reducing his inflammation and other symptoms by using remedsivir, medication to control his blood pressure as well as steroids, and blood-thinners to prevent clotting, doctors woke Zabraylin. He tested negative for the coronavirus and was moved out of the COVID-19 ICU. Zabraylin's doctors, who continue to monitor his heart, haven't said they're worried about any long term effects, but he's still having trouble walking, a side effect of spending nearly two weeks in a hospital bed on a ventilator. Doctors are confident it will improve with time, Petry-Shelton said. Amid debates over schools reopening for in-person classes, Petry-Shelton says her children will be staying home Petry-Shelton warned parents against assuming their children are immune to coronavirus, even though they statistically have a lower risk of serious symptoms and side effects of the disease. "Kids can get it," she said, encouraging parents to take all possible precautions to keep their kids safe and healthy. "The scariest thing is not knowing exactly who it came from who he was in contact with and how he could have gotten it." The debate over whether to send children in the US back to in-person classes continues as the start of the upcoming school year draws near. In July, the Texas Education Agency relaxed its previous guidance that required schools to open for in-person classes and permitted schools to limit in-person instruction for at least the first four weeks of the school year, according to the Forth Worth Star-Telegram. President Donald Trump and his administration have insisted that schools nationwide should open for in-person instruction. "OPEN THE SCHOOLS!!!" the president tweeted late Monday. "I don't agree with it," Petry-Shelton, who is a nursing student and works at a local pharmacy, said. While having her kids home for school would present challenges in navigating her work and school schedule, she said her two boys will not attend classes in person. "They will be online," she told Insider. "Kids are already anxious and fidgety, and it's going to be really hard to have them keep their hands clean at all times, keep their mask on the whole time they're in school. That's going to be hard." She added: "I know it's going to be hard to keep kids inside, but I mean you have to oh goodness, you have to sacrifice things. I could've lost my child just that quickly. As a parent, I know any parent will understand that." Read the original article on Insider Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 4) Metro Manila and the provinces of Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, and Rizal are now under the stricter modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) starting today until August 18. President Rodrigo Duterte ordered on Sunday to implement the MECQ in these four areas as the medical community appealed for tighter quarantine restrictions due to the state of the countrys healthcare system being overwhelmed by the increasing COVID-19 cases over the past few weeks. Under MECQ, any person below 21 years old and those who are 60 and above are required to stay home, except when obtaining essential goods and services or reporting to work in permitted industries. Those who will travel to work should prepare their company identification cards. Also prohibited to leave their residences during MECQ are those with immunodeficiency, comorbidity, or other health risks, and pregnant women. Department of Interior and Local Government Usec. Jonathan Malaya confirmed on Monday that quarantine passes will be required once again to limit the people allowed to go out. Philippine National Police spokesperson BGen. Bernard Banac added previously issued quarantine passes are still valid. Quarantine checkpoints will also be in place not just in all borders of Metro Manila and the four provinces but also between cities and towns under MECQ, Joint Task Force COVID-19 Shield Commander Police Lt. Gen. Guillermo Eleazar stressed. Public transportation will also remain limited in MECQ areas as only public shuttles dedicated for frontliners and other workers in permitted industries are allowed to ply the roads. Common public transport services like bus, jeepney, taxi, trains (PNR, LRT-1, LRT-2, and MRT-3), and Transport Network Vehicle Service (TNVS) are prohibited to operate during MECQ. Tricycles will also not be allowed, but with exceptions subject to guidelines of the DILG and local government units. For private transport, company shuttle will be allowed to operate as long as it follows the 50 percent passenger capacity rule and has a special permit from the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board. Personal vehicles owned by persons or workers in permitted sectors will also be allowed, given only two persons per row are seated. Individual use of bicycle, motorcycle, and e-scooter (subject to existing traffic regulations) will also be allowed, with back riding now prohibited. Domestic flights are not permitted during MECQ, but international flights will remain limited, Transportation Asec. Goddes Libiran said. All forms of mass gatherings are also prohibited in MECQ areas according to the guidelines issued by the Inter-Agency Task Force on the Management of Infectious Diseases. But the same rules allow religious gatherings limited to five people, provision of critical government services, and authorized humanitarian activities. Face-to-face classes are also not allowed under MECQ. Also permitted under MECQ are individual outdoor exercises such as outdoor walks, jogging, running, and biking, provided persons are observing minimum health standards in doing these activities. Some Metro Manila LGUs also announced the re-imposition of curfew and liquor ban in their localities. To date, the country now has 106,330 confirmed COVID-19 cases and 38,405 active infections. Some 2,104 persons died and 65,821 patients recovered from the virus. YouGov said the survey is evidence of how much the UK has 'alienated' itself during the bitter Brexit fallout, including under Boris Johnson's administration. (Getty Images) People from EU countries would have no intention of helping the UK in a major crisis, a vast new study has revealed. YouGov provided people from 13 EU member states with a list of 35 countries and asked which ones they would be willing to offer financial help in a major crisis. Of that 35, only Colombia ranked lower than the UK. Matthew Smith, from YouGov, said it was evidence of how much the UK has alienated itself from its EU neighbours. It follows the bitter Brexit fallout since the 2016 referendum something that continues to this day as the UK and EU struggle to negotiate its future relationship terms. It was part of a YouGov study which surveyed more than 21,000 people from 14 European countries: Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Lithuania, Netherlands, Poland, Romania, Spain, Sweden and the UK. On average, people from the 13 EU countries gave the UK a -8% net score in terms of their willingness to help in a crisis. Colombia, at the bottom, had -12%. By contrast, people from the UK were willing to help all 13 EU nations, the survey found. Smith said of the findings: These results also demonstrate quite how far the UK has alienated its European neighbours. Only in Greece, Denmark, Poland and Romania do more people than not say they would be willing to give the UK financial aid in the event of a major crisis. Watch the latest videos from Yahoo UK News This is not simply the case that the UK is a rich country and so people wont donate on the basis that the UK can afford to look after itself: people are far more willing to provide financial assistance to the other top wealthy European countries Germany and France. France had a net score of +21% from its EU neighbours, while Germany had +14%. It comes as a separate study found Brexit sparked a wave of migration out of the UK to Europe similar to those caused by a serious economic or political crisis. Migrations to EU countries have risen 30% since the 2016 referendum, according to a joint research project between the Oxford-in-Berlin partnership and the WZB Social Science Centre. Story continues The data showed that migration from the UK to EU states averaged 56,832 people per year from 2008 to 2015, but climbed to 73,642 a year from 2016 to 2018. The number of UK citizens attaining an EU member state passport also leapt by more than 500% across the continent and more than 2,000% in Germany. The studys authors said: The UK is facing a potential brain drain of highly-educated British citizens, who have decided to invest their futures in continental Europe. Armenias police officers are conducting an inspection at M Group, and which, according to the company lawyers, is being carried out with a number of violations. Speaking to reporters, company's lawyer Amram Makinyan said that the police officers were going beyond their respective powers and carrying out a search under the guise of "inspection of the scene of the incident." "When people realized that the protection of rights is already being carried out in full, the second stage of illegalitythe use of forcealready begun. I submitted a crime report, I was not allowed to enter and defend the interests of the company," the lawyer added, in particular. Asked whether there is any basis for conducting a search or inspection of the scene, Makinyan said that they have not been officially presented with any circumstances related to the preparation of respective reports. "Enter, see that they are stealing documents, or are openly grabbing hold of documents," he said. The lawyer also said that they were not presented a court order to inspect the premises. "The employees of the human rights office are also here," Amram Makinyan added. That meeting was not about an investigation at all, she said. That is something that would have crossed the line. If Obama or Biden, who is now the Democrats presumptive nominee to challenge Trump in November, had talked about the investigation of Flynn, that would have set off alarms for me, she said. The main point of the meeting, she said, was to figure out what the Russians were up to. Ukraine has offered the Lebanese Republic assistance in dealing with the consequences of massive explosions in Beirut. Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said this during a government meeting on Wednesday, August 5, an Ukrinform correspondent reports. We are ready to provide all the necessary assistance. Ukraine has already offered its assistance to the Lebanese Republic. An appropriate rescue squad is ready to go at any time if necessary. As far as I know, a government meeting is taking place in Lebanon and they will decide what kind of assistance they need. Ukraine is ready to help," Shmyhal stressed. At least 100 people were killed and 4,000 wounded in a massive explosion that shook Lebanons capital Beirut on Tuesday, August 4. It's still unclear what exactly caused the explosion. Lebanon's Prime Minister said an investigation would focus on an estimated 2,750 metric tons of the explosive ammonium nitrate, stored at a warehouse. ish Former Minister's Son-In-Law On Trial For Corruption Flees Iran Maryam Sinaiee August 03, 2020 The son-in-law of former industries minister who was on trial in a 6.6 billion euro corruption case has used a "different passport" to flee the country, a judge announced in court on Monday. Judge Assadollah Masoudi-Moqaddam had announced in the previous session of the trial that the court was in possession of evidence against Ali-Ashraf Riahi and that he was in Iran but was "at large". According to judicial authorities, four other defendants in the case have also escaped to unknown locations. It is common in major corruption cases in Iran for defendants to flee the country. The reason can be the that people in position of power who engage in corrupt acts are well-connected and probably use their high-level ties to leave the country and often find safe haven in the West. Judge Masoudi-Moqaddam also said Riahi and another defendant, Marjan Sheikholeslami, were going to testify against each other and the court asked them to stop "threatening and harassing judicial authorities" and "reimburse the funds stolen from the national coffers". Riahi who was charged with large scale disruption in the economic system and acquiring unlawful wealth denied all the charges in the ninth session of the trial in April 2019. The sensational corruption case with several defendants involves the Petrochemical Commercial Company (PCC) established in July 1990 as the international trade arm of the Iranian petrochemical industry. In 2015 PCC was awarded as one of the five top exporters in the country and the sole top exporter of petrochemical products. The top defendant in the case, Reza Hamzelou, allegedly benefited from the existence of international sanctions and difficulty of making foreign payments and made massive sums in the process of making transactions on behalf of the PCC. Based on prosecution accusations and statements by other judicial officials, the accused failed to reimburse government companies in hard currency. Instead, they kept the currencies, paid the government the equivalent in the local rial, and made a profit from exchanging the currencies when exchange rates were higher. In the Monday session, Judge Masoudi-Moqaddam also said Hamzelou, had purchased real estate in Canada on behalf of Marjan Sheikholeslami, another defendant, and made currency payments to two companies owned by his own son and brother. It is not possible for Radio Farda to independently verify claims made by Iran's judicial officials. In one instance he made a 36-million-euro personal gain from transactions worth 380 million euro through two companies registered and based in Turkey that were established to circumvent U.S. sanctions. The two companies were headed by Marjan Sheikholeslami who allegedly made more than 7 million euros for herself in the process of the transfers. Nematzadeh's daughter Zeynaab who is married to Riahi was also involved in another corruption case Rasa Pharmaceutical Development Company -- along with her sister Shabnam. Both sisters were members of the board of directors of the company. Shabnam Nematzadeh was sentenced to 20 years in prison and 74 lashes for "causing disruption in the economic system" and hoarding pharmaceutical products. A report prepared and published by former anti-corruption lawmaker Ahmaad Tavakoli in 2016 said the former Industries Minister's wife and his two daughters held positions such as managing director, chairperson, deputy chairperson, and board member in 10 different petrochemical companies. Nematzadeh who is an influential figure in Iran's petrochemical industries is currently an advisor to the Oil Minister Bijan Namdar-Zanganeh. The former minister appeared on a state-run television program on July 30 and denied the allegations against himself and his family. He claimed that he had not been aware of his daughter's activities that led to her conviction. Source: https://en.radiofarda.com/a/former-minister-s -son-in-law-on-trial-for-corruption -flees-iran/30764142.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 A baby has reportedly been born safe and sound in China after getting his umbilical cord wrapped around his neck six times while in his mother's womb. The healthy boy, billed by doctors as a 'miracle baby', was delivered naturally last week and weighed just over three kilograms (6.6 pounds) at birth, according to a hospital in the province of Hubei. One obstetrician told reporters: 'I have worked for 23 years, and this is the first time I have seen [a baby born like this].' Scroll down for video A picture released by a Chinese TV station shows the newborn's neck encircled by his navel string from top to bottom. He was born safe and sound through a natural delivery in China Obstetricians in the province of Hubei said the child, billed as a 'miracle baby', was doing well The boy's mother, known by her surname Dai, said she was surprised to be told of her child's situation after giving birth to him at the Yichang Central Hospital last Thursday. She told Yichang Three Gorges Station: 'All the doctors gathered to look at [my baby] and counted how many times [the cord had wrapped him].' A picture released by the local TV station shows the newborn's neck encircled by his navel string from top to bottom. 'I feel lucky that the child did not have problems,' the baby's mother, Ms Dai, told reporters Obstetricians said that the baby's umbilical cord, known as the nuchal cord among medical professionals, measured 90 centimetres (35.4 inches) in length, about 40 centimetres (11.8 inches) longer than the average. The umbilical cord is considered a lifeline for babies in the womb, supplying them with blood, oxygen and nutrients needed to grow. Around a third of babies are born with their umbilical cord wrapped around their neck, according to an expert. Obstetricians said Ms Dai and the baby were in stable condition and getting ready to go home Dr Li Hua, the supervisor of the Department of Obstetrics in the hospital, said that it was fortunate that the boy's birth cord was long. Otherwise, he could have faced the risk of being strangled during the delivery. Dr Li added that the squeezing of the cord could have caused pressure on the baby, leading to various complications. Medics initially discovered the baby's condition during an antenatal check two weeks before his birth, the report said. But the cord had only wrapped him once. A week later, staff found out that the cord had formed another circle around the boy's neck. Dr Li Hua, the supervisor of the Department of Obstetrics in the hospital, said that it was fortunate that the boy's birth cord was long. Otherwise, he could have faced complications Dr Li said medics did not take actions at the time because Ms Dai and her baby were doing well. But when Ms Dai went into labour in the wee hours of July 30, they saw in medical scans that the cord had already covered the baby's neck one round after another. However, they decided to let Ms Dai proceed with a vaginal delivery because all vital signs of the mother and the child were within normal ranges. Dr Li said Ms Dai and the baby were in stable condition and getting ready to go home. 'I feel lucky that the child did not have problems,' said Ms Dai before joking that her son was 'so naughty' while in her womb. Japan's tally of virus infections is shooting up faster than ever, and support for Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is sinking to new lows. While Japan's total death toll remains close to the number the U.S. sees in a day, the public fears Japan may be sitting on a ticking time bomb. Abe's approval slid to a record low of 35.4% in a poll published by JNN Monday. More than 60% of respondents said Abe should declare a second state of emergency to bring infections under control -- something his ministers have rejected. Abe has come under fire for failing to hold a press briefing since June, although his main spokesman said he was in good health. After years of consolidating power, Abe may be starting to let go: Speculation over an early election has all but ended, and it looks like he's letting potential successors vie for attention before his term as party leader ends in Sept. 2021. Asked Tuesday if he should address the media, Abe deferred to others in his cabinet. "He no longer appears to be indispensable, the only one who can keep Japan safe," said Tobias Harris, an analyst at advisory firm Teneo. "Instead, he has appeared indecisive, several steps behind events, and unable to communicate directly with the public." That has left the country in a political limbo. No one in Abe's ruling Liberal Democratic Party has stood out as a likely successor, while opposition parties are mired in single-digit support rates. Local leaders who have gained support for their virus management, such as Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike, don't have the political machine to win a national election. Abe's government has looked out of sync with public fears, seen by a push to encourage domestic travel with subsidies despite criticism it will spread the virus. Next week, Japan enters one of its busiest travel periods -- the "Obon" holidays -- and the national government hasn't issued a blanket request for people to stay home even though some regional states are asking people not to visit. In the latest of a series of flip-flops, Abe has ditched his ill-fitting trademark cloth mask for a larger face covering. What became known as the Abe mask, sent at great expense to all households, was derided for being too small. After dwindling in late May, coronavirus cases have ballooned in the wake of what many saw as a hasty re-opening of the economy, as the government sought to save struggling businesses. The seven-day average of daily new infections is now more than 1,000, almost twice a previous peak seen in April, while Tokyo alone confirmed 263 new cases Wednesday. Although Abe has bounced back from blows to his approval ratings since taking office in 2012, his average support has now been drifting down for about a year, hurt by a series of scandals. "If he got the virus under control, he would have a chance of recovering," said Harukata Takenaka, a professor of political science at the National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies. "But, taking effective measures to control the virus is awkward for the cabinet, because of fears about damaging the economy." Economy Minister Yasutoshi Nishimura, who heads the virus response, has said there's no need for a clampdown on economic activity. While gross domestic product fell just 2.2% in the first quarter of the year, data for second quarter due in mid-August is expected to show a slump of more than 20%, the worst on record. Abe doesn't need to call an election for more than a year, but speculation had emerged about an autumn poll. That prospect looks unattractive for the ruling coalition if it risks losing seats thanks to an unpopular premier. Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga has twice brushed aside talk of an early election in recent days, insisting that dealing with the pandemic is the top priority. Suga told reporters Wednesday he didn't see Abe's recent avoidance of press conferences as a problem and declined to comment on when a new session of parliament would be opened. Abe is set to visit Hiroshima and Nagasaki this week to mark the anniversary of the atomic bombings, according to media reports. The lack of clear explanation from the top is probably deliberate given that Abe's term is coming to a close, according to Tsuneo Watanabe, a senior fellow at the Sasakawa Peace Foundation think tank. The prime minister's absence leaves the limelight to potential successors such as Nishimura and Health Minister Katsunobu Kato. Polls show the public's favorite for the job is former Defense Minister Shigeru Ishiba, while Abe has mentioned former Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida as a future leader. "If Abe was planning to stay on for another term, he would need to show more visible leadership," Watanabe said. "But if that's not the case, he can allow prospective successors to compete." The EU antitrust regulators have launched a full-scale investigation into Googles Fitbit deal. Back in November 2019, Google announced a $2.1 billion deal to acquire Fitbit. The prolonged investigation will take place even after Google saying the Fitbit acquisition is all about devices and not data. Obviously, this outcome is expected from the intense talks that happened between the regulators and Google over the last few weeks. According to the regulators, the investigation of the Google-Fitbit deal will complete by December 9. Google also said to cooperate with the regulators during this process. The prolonged Google Fitbit investigation will complete by December 9 In its report, the commission voiced its concern that the proposed deal can solidify Googles market position in online advertising. Google is already collecting a vast amount of data to personalize the ads for displaying on its platforms. More importantly, Google itself serves these ads. Advertisement Over the last decade, the EU has launched several antitrust investigations into Google for violating its laws and has been fined over 8 billion in total. Also, the deal is under scrutiny by the authorities from the US and Australia. While the US regulators are yet to give the nod to the deal, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has raised concerns over Googles access to sensitive health data. During the initial announcement of the proposed acquisition, Google has mentioned that Fitbit health and wellness data will not be used for Google ads. However, there is a lot of backlash from privacy activists and lawmakers. While the deal was initially expected to be completed by the end of this year, it could get delayed until next year. According to the previous reports, the EU antitrust regulators are also discussing with the competitors of Google and Fitbit. Advertisement Fitbit currently has 30 million active users The key outcome will be how this deal could affect the wearable market and other fitness tracking apps listed on the Google Play Store. Google doesnt sell any hardware products related to fitness or health. Furthermore, the Wear OS by Google powers most of the smartwatches available in the market. Speaking of Fitbit, it has sold over 100 million wearable devices and has about 30 million active users. It is one of the top 5 brands in the wearable category, in terms of global shipments. Fitbit also had formal partnerships with several insurers across the world. In August 2019, the Singapore government also partnered with Fitbit for its nation-wide public health program. The Newport School District will be starting school in person, five days a week this fall. The district school board voted to approve its Health and Safety Plan to reopen school at its virtual meeting Aug. 4. Our mission statement for this year, is were going to our best to provide a safe environment for our students and staff, and to provide an education to all students the best way possible, Superintendent Ryan Neuhard said. District administrators plan to bring back full time, in-person instruction for all grade levels with added social distancing efforts and enhanced sanitation in place. The district is prepared to move to a hybrid approach if the state of the virus worsens throughout the school year or if there is a confirmed case on campus. The hybrid approach would divide students into two groups: A and B. Group A would come to school on Mondays and Wednesdays while group B would come to school Tuesdays and Thursdays. Students would learn remotely on the days not physically in class. Neuhard said that because of the districts smaller size, they are able to achieve social distancing in classrooms much easier than other districts. Plexiglas partitions were installed and students will be spaced out in the classrooms as well. The district will supply all students with technology: iPads for elementary students and Chromebooks or laptops for secondary students. Masks will be required when students are walking in hallways and are not able to socially distance. Teacher Carson Glusco spoke up at the beginning of the meeting and voiced his concerns for reopening school at full capacity. I would encourage the school board to vote in accordance with public safety guidelines and not approve a plan that doesnt guarantee three basic measures, he said. He cited murky social distancing enforcement, a lack of a universal mask-wearing policy and no language against large gatherings indoors as his three main concerns with the plan. Administrators also announced lockers and water fountains will not be used this fall. There will be water bottle fill-up stations placed in hallways instead. The district is offering cyber school which is completely online for families that do not feel comfortable sending their kids to school. The full Health and Safety Plan will be posted to the district website and sent out to families this week. Fashion and beauty guru Trinny Woodall couldnt resist making a sartorial statement when she helped to boost our faltering economy. The 56-year-old former co-presenter of the BBCs What Not To Wear was a vision of pink when she went out for dinner at her favourite restaurant, Scotts in Mayfair her second visit in as many days with her partner, millionaire art dealer Charles Saatchi, 77. The A-list haunt is one of the many restaurants across the country taking part in Chancellor Rishi Sunaks Eat Out To Help Out campaign, which sees food bills slashed. Of course, Scotts is where Saatchi made his own infamous statement when he was pictured with his hands round his then wife Nigella Lawsons throat. Fashion and beauty guru Trinny Woodall stuns in bright pink for dinner at Scott's in Mayfair with her partner, 77-year-old millionaire art dealer Charles Saatchi Play it again, Sherlock Benedict Cumberbatch could be returning to the altar sooner than expected. His Old Harrovian friend, pianist James Rhodes, is marrying again and friends say the Sherlock star would make the perfect best man after performing the role so well at his previous wedding in 2014 despite the union lasting less than two years. Rhodes, 45, has got engaged to Argentinian actress Micaela Breque, 31, whom he started dating in 2017. We are both super happy about our future together, Rhodes tells me. We connected via Instagram after she read my book, Instrumental, and things progressed from there in a lovely way. The London-born musician, who lives in Madrid with Micaela, attended Cumberbatchs wedding to theatre director Sophie Hunter in 2015. Lolas a jazzy fan Lady Lola Crichton-Stuart and Jazzy, whose father was Jamaican-born grandee Robert de Lisser, show off their tans in a picture Lady Lola posted The Marquess of Butes daughter Lady Lola Crichton-Stuart is feeling the love in Ibiza. The 21-year-old paid tribute to Game Of Thrones actress Jazzy de Lisser, with whom she shares a mother, Serena Bute, to mark her 29th birthday. She and Jazzy, whose father was Jamaican-born grandee Robert de Lisser, show off their tans in a picture Lady Lola posted. I am so lucky to have you as my sister, best friend, soulmate, life partner in crime and role model, she writes. You inspire me every day. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Norman Harsono (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Wed, August 5, 2020 14:22 531 6657ac82168da9fa101c8a4066bbae50 1 Business aneka-tambang,antam,gold-prices,profit,nickel-export-ban,financial-report Free Publicly listed state-owned metal miner PT Aneka Tambang (Antam) has seen its net profit sink 80 percent year-on-year (yoy) to Rp 84.8 billion (US$5.82 million) in the first half of the year, dragged down by poor nickel and ferronickel sales but anchored by gold sales, according to its half-year financial report. Antams revenue fell 36 percent to Rp 9.2 trillion, while its costs fell by nearly the same percentage at 35.6 percent to Rp 7.9 trillion over the same period. Antams reported financial performance has been in decline throughout the PSBB, especially its net profit. [...] Antam has been more reliant on its gold bar volumes," analyst Nafan Aji of Binaartha Parama Sekuritas told The Jakarta Post on Tuesday. He was referring to the large-scale social restrictions policy that was introduced in four months ago in response to the COVID-19 health crisis. Read also: Gold price surge blessing in disguise for Indonesia Technically a partial lockdown, several regions across the country implemented the PSBB in early April in an effort to curb the spread of the coronavirus. The restrictions included self-quarantine, work from home and study at home policies, as well as enforced the temporary closure of offices, retail outlets and factories. In early June, despite record numbers of COVID-19 cases per day, the government started easing the PSBB to gradually reopen the economy to cushion the economic impacts of the epidemic. On Tuesday, official data showed 1,922 new cases of the disease, bringing the cumulative total to 115,056 cases with more than 5,300 COVID-19 deaths. The country surpassed 100,000 cases on July 27 amid the government's transition to the "new normal" phase of its disease management policy in reopening the economy. The drop in Antams first-half revenue was led by poor sales of nickel ore, which plunged 94 percent yoy to Rp 89.3 billion following the governments landmark ban on nickel ore exports in January. Nickel ore had fallen in the first half from being the miner's third best-selling product in 2019 to become its fifth best-selling product because of the ban. Antam said in a statement that it hoped to recoup its nickel ore sales margin in the domestic market, referring to the governments plans to expand Indonesias downstream nickel industry and to regulate the domestic selling price of nickel ore. Read also: Gold prices hit $2,000 an ounce for first time [The regulation] will create a competitive pricing structure for domestic minerals amid a positive outlook on domestic absorption, especially for nickel ore commodities, said Antam corporate secretary Kunto Hendrapawoko. In contrast, gold played a bigger role in Antams half-year sales revenue, its contribution increasing from 68 percent in 2019 to 69.4 percent this year. Antam also reported that its half-year gold sales volume fell 50 percent yoy to 7,915 kilograms, but that gold sales revenue fell softer by 33 percent yoy to Rp 6.4 trillion, propped up by higher prices as consumers hoarded the precious metal as a safe haven asset amid a volatile market. Gold prices hit $2,000 an ounce on Tuesday for the first time since the coronavirus outbreak weakened the economy and clouded the global financial outlook, reported AFP. Gold bullion prices had increased more than 30 percent this year. In 2020, Antam has been focusing on developing domestic customers in line with the publics growing awareness of gold investment, added Kunto. Kunto previously told the Post on July 3 that the miner had allocated Rp 80 billion in capital expenditure this year to expand its dwindling bauxite, nickel and gold reserves, with a particular focus on the precious metal as the bestseller. Meanwhile, first-half sale revenue of ferronickel fell 12.5 percent yoy to Rp 2 trillion, but the metal remains Antams second best-selling product, contributing 21.9 percent of total sales revenue. Antam is continuing development on two metal smelters as part of its long-term plan. The smelters will enable the company to produce and export higher-value refined metals in line with the governments vision to transform Indonesia into an industrial economy. Read also: Metal miner Antam allocates $5.5m for exploration amid dwindling gold reserves One of the smelters under development is a ferronickel smelter in East Halmahera, North Maluku, which was 98 percent complete as of June. The $289 million smelter will enable Antam to absorb more of its nickel ore and export higher-value ferronickel. The other is an aluminum smelter in Mempawah, West Kalimantan. The $841 million smelter is being developed in cooperation with state-owned PT Indonesia Asahan Aluminium (Inalum), which specializes in aluminum smelting. Antam did not release the smelter's completion rate. Antam shares, traded on the Indonesia Stock Exchange (IDX) using the code ANTM, soared 2.84 percent on Wednesday at 10:10 a.m. Jakarta time, even as the Jakarta Composite Index (JCI), the main gauge of the IDX, slipped 0.2 percent. Antam shares have lost 14.29 percent of their value this year, compared to the JCIs losses of 19.62 percent. Postmasters today are urging for a full return to weekly collection of all social protection payments at Post Offices. The Irish Postmasters Union (IPU) said that these transactions must return urgently to help people manage their finances and to keep struggling Post Offices open in communities. The call was also supported by the Society of St. Vincent de Paul (SVP). Collection of all social protection payments at Post Offices were reduced from weekly to every two weeks during the Covid-19 pandemic as part of the lockdown measures. The IPU welcomed a move by the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection to reintroduce some payments on a weekly basis from August 17th. However, the IPU called for all payments to be restored to weekly during August and also for social protection customers to return to using their Post Office on a weekly basis. IPU General Secretary Ned OHara said there is ongoing confusion amongst customers in relation to their date of payment and customers are having difficulty in managing their finances over the extended two week period. Postmasters and An Post worked together during the pandemic to ensure public safety while maintaining a core service. However, this has caused difficulty for some people in managing their finances and there has been a significant reduction in people coming into their Post Office. Welfare payments account for 30% of all transactions in Post Offices and bring a further estimated 20% in spin off business which people carry out when onsite, such as paying utility bills or managing cash. The IPU is appealing to the Department to make all payments weekly for citizens who benefit from this facility and to drive a return of business at Post Offices. SVP National President Kieran Stafford said volunteers have found that many families are finding it extremely difficult to adjust to the fortnightly payments from the Department of Social Protection. For those on social welfare payments careful budgeting is essential and the change in payment dates has been extremely disrupting. While SVP welcomes the reintroduction of some payments on a weekly basis, we urge the Department to extend this to all social welfare payments. All of those in receipt of such payments in local communities should have the widest choice possible on where their payments are credited or collected. IPU President Sean Martin said Post Offices face a very difficult future and the COVID-19 pandemic has made this even more difficult. Business at Post Offices is reducing by approximately 6-7% per annum. Two thirds of Post Offices are currently receiving transformation payments, following a new contract in 2018. However, these payments end in 2021, which will tip many already struggling Offices to the brink of viability. However, the pandemic has accelerated these challenges into this year. The new Government urgently needs to recognise the social and economic role of Post Offices and place a commercial value on this that can sustain and keep the Network open. Communities also need to come back into the Post Office and use their service in order to keep it viable, he said. Mr. Martin thanked the public for its support during the pandemic in observing social distancing and asked people to continue with recommended public health advice when visiting Post Offices. Independent research carried out by RED C in February (before the pandemic) found that: - 91% said their Post Office provided a valuable service to the local community; - 86% support the Government providing financial support to keep their Post Office open; - 86% want more State services available at their Post Office. There are 897 postmasters and 45 An Post operated Post Offices in the country. Voters in Michigans 1st Congressional district chose Democrat Dana Alan Ferguson to square off against Republican incumbent Rep. Jack Bergman in the November election. The Associated Press named Ferguson the winner after he earned 62% of the vote with 71% of precincts reporting. His opponent Linda ODell had garnered 35% of the vote in Tuesdays Democratic primary race. Bergman, R-Watersmeet, ran unopposed in the Republican primary. Northern Michigan is one of the stronger Republican strongholds in the state, but Ferguson is vying for a chance to turn it blue for the first time since Rep. Bart Stupak won in 2008. Read more: Two Democrats challenging Rep Jack Bergman, GOP stronghold in Northern Michigans 1st Congressional District I think the 1st District has a history of trending conservative, but I think there are many people with a different vision for the future, Ferguson said. Im giving them a pragmatic approach to address issues from the environment to health care to education. According to the Cook Political Report Partisan Voting Index, the 1st Congressional District is strongly Republican, trending +9 points red. Bergman has positioned himself as one of President Donald Trumps loyal allies. The retired Marine lieutenant general serves on the House Armed Services and Veteran Affairs committees. He said Fergusons support of the Green New Deal is a radical progressive policy. This upcoming election is by far the most consequential in the history of the First District, Bergman said in a statement. Conservative-minded voters no longer have a home in the new Democrat party of Northern Michigan. Proposed socialistic policies disguised as pragmatic progressivism stifle the flames of freedom and innovation that generations of Americans have long fought to protect. Ferguson, a former production manager at wood manufacturer Bell Forest, is running full-time for Bergmans seat. He has received endorsements from organizations such as the Traverse City Womens March, local unions and environmental caucuses. Bergman topped write-in candidate Matt Morgan by more than 42,000 votes in 2018, winning the seat by more than 12 percentage points. The Republican initially won the seat in 2016 by 53,000 votes over Lon Johnson, former Michigan Democratic Party chair. After Tuesday night, Ferguson will have a lot of fundraising ground to make up against Bergman, whose campaign has raised $1.2 million, with more than $770,000 on hand, according to filings with the Federal Election Commission. Ferguson has raised $125,674, with about $30,000 on hand, according to the most recent filings. I definitely have a different view of money on politics, Ferguson said. I dont see me matching him, but I think my message will carry through. I want to show people I dont need the money. Read more from MLive on Election Day: State-level election results 7 things to know about voting Tuesday in Michigans primary elections Your guide to local elections in Michigan on Tuesday, Aug. 4 Absentee ballot lost in the mail? You can still vote in Michigan primary Tuesday Dino Morea Denies Hosting Sushant At House Party The actor tweeted, "There was never any such gathering at my residence , pls get your facts right before making these allegations. DO NOT drag my name into this as I have no connection whatsoever with this," along with a TV news clipping of former Maharashtra chief minister Narayan Rane's media briefing. Narayan Rane Had Claimed Sushant Was Murdered He had said, "Sushant did not die by suicide but was murdered." He had also alleged that the state government is trying to save somebody in the matter. Rane Had Also Targeted Actor Dino Morea "Who is Dino Morea? His house is some distance away from Sushant Singh Rajput's house. Many ministers visit Dino's house. That day, after the party, everyone left Dino's place and headed to Sushant's house," he said. Earlier, the Mumbai Police Commissioner Parambir Singh had said that no party was hosted at Sushant's home on June 13. Meanwhile, The Bihar Government Has Recommended A CBI Inquiry In Sushant's Death Case Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has sought a CBI investigation in Sushant Singh Rajput's death case after the late actor's family requested for the same. Reacting to this, Rhea Chakraborty's lawyer, advocate Satish Maneshinde said that the Bihar government has no jurisdiction to make such a recommendation. He further claimed that the Bihar government, realising that it does not have the jurisdiction to probe the case, is now adopting this "illegal method" of recommending the case to be handed over to CBI. The volatile chemical suspected of causing the deadly explosion that flattened Lebanons main port had been lying in storage there for six years despite warnings from customs officials about its hazards, documents show. The ammonium nitrate -- equivalent to 1,800 tons of TNT -- was unloaded from the cargo ship Rhosus in 2014, according to two letters issued by the director general of Lebanese Customs. For reasons that are unclear, dockworkers unloaded the chemical, which can be used to make fertilizers and explosives, and put it into storage. Workers welding a door on Tuesday started a fire that ignited the chemicals, Lebanese broadcaster LBCI said, citing people who attended a Supreme Council of Defense briefing after the blast. Authorities havent said what triggered the explosion that roared through Beirut, killing at least 100 people and wounding 4,000. Customs officials asked judicial authorities at least twice to issue orders for the highly inflammable substance to be confiscated or re-exported, according to the letters from the customs authority. In one of the letters, dated May 3, 2016, the director general at that time, Shafik Merhe, warned of the extreme danger from storing the chemical in a warehouse in these unsuitable weather conditions, saying it posed a risk to the staff and port. LBCI reported on Wednesday that the Rhosus had been scheduled to sail with its cargo from Beirut six years ago but stayed at the port due to a mechanical failure. Prime Minister Hassan Diab on Tuesday described the storage of 2,750 tons of ammonium nitrate at the port as unacceptable and vowed those responsible would be held accountable. The widely used commercial chemical explosive is almost as powerful as dynamite. In 1995, Timothy McVeigh used about 2 tons of it to blow up the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma, killing 168 people. As Lebanese army personnel and rescue workers sifted through the rubble, looking for dozens of missing people, the government placed all port officials under house arrest, Information Minister Manal Abdel-Samad told reporters after an emergency cabinet meeting. A two-week state of emergency has been imposed in the city, and a coronavirus-related lockdown was extended for the next two months. Outrage over the governments role in the calamity ran high in a country already groaning under the weight of its worst financial crisis and a resurgent coronavirus outbreak. Dozens of people gathered in downtown Beirut as former Prime Minister Saad Hariri inspected the damage, beating cars in his convoy and shouting They killed Beirut. The explosion was so powerful that it was heard in Cyprus, and severely damaged buildings miles away. Massive shipping containers were flipped upside down as if they were toys, and cranes melted under the intense fire that still burned on Wednesday, and was being doused by helicopters whirring above. Its like an apocalypse, lawmaker Yassine Jaber told Bloomberg. Pure negligence and thats the ultimate manifestation of how bad governance has been in Lebanon, with no accountability whatsoever, a manifestation of failure that should jolt us to wake up. Hospitals, already stretched to capacity by the virus emergency, were overwhelmed. The government appealed to other countries for emergency aid as concerns mounted over food supply in the import-dependent nation. Wheat silos at the port were damaged, and their contents -- equal to about six weeks of the countrys needs -- were rendered unfit for consumption, Economy Minister Raoul Nehme said. He assured Lebanese there would be no flour or bread crisis. France and various Arab states pledged medical aid, while Germany offered members of its armed forces to aid search operations. French President Emmanuel Macron plans to visit Lebanon on Thursday, Agence France Presse reported. The damage is massive at the port and it will take a very long time to fix and build, Public Works Minister Michel Najjar told a local television station. The port at Lebanons second-largest city, Tripoli, will serve as the alternative, possibly backed up by facilities in Sidon and Tyre, Najjar said. The Beirut port handles 6 million tons of shipments a year. Before the blast, talks with the International Monetary Fund for a $10 billion loan had stalled over the governments failure to agree on a reform plan, and Gulf states deflected Lebanons request for a bailout, afraid money would fall into the hands of Iran-backed Hezbollah militants. Officials had been discussing ways to partially privatize the port. Retired teacher Subhash Salkar, who was glued to the TV since Wednesday morning to watch the Bhoomi Pujan ceremony for Ram temple in Ayodhya, says he would like to visit the city at least once before he dies. Salkar, a BJP leader, was part of a group of 750-odd `karsevaks' (volunteers) from Goa who were present in Ayodhya when Babri Masjid was demolished on December 6, 1992. Union AYUSH minister Shripad Naik as well as former Defence Minister late Manohar Parrikar were also in that group, Salkar, 71, reminisced. "If there were no restrictions due to COVID-19, I would have certainly traveled to Ayodhya to witness the ceremony," he said. One robber was arrested and another managed to escape on Wednesday early morning after Praful Ghodke, inspector (law & order), Sakinaka police station, missed the targets shot at from his service revolver. Earlier, the duo had robbed an auto driver, Mohammed Sharif Shamsul Huda Khan (46), of Rs 5,200 and also stabbed him on Andheri-Ghatkopar Road at around 1 am in the intervening night of Tuesday and Wednesday. Ghodke, who was on patrolling duty, reached the spot and found that the robbers had gone to a nearby Metro Rail construction site to rob of the construction workers. When Ghodke accosted them, the duo attacked him with knives and bamboo poles, said Kishor Sawant, senior inspector, Sakinaka police station. Ghodke in a flash pulled out his service revolver and fired at the two robbers. But the bullets missed them and none of them were injured. In the melee, one of the accused escaped, but Ghodke arrested the other one with the help of a beat marshal and local residents, said Sawant. The arrested accused had been identified as Mohammed Azhar Yusuf Shaikh (27), while the accused, who escaped, has been identified as Azaj alias Daku (30). Shaikh has eight cases of robbery, theft, housebreaking, and pickpocketing registered against him at Trombay police station, Sawant said. The police have booked both the accused under Sections 394 (voluntarily causing hurt in committing robbery), 307 (attempt to murder), 397 (robbery, or dacoity, with an attempt to cause death or grievous hurt), 34 (common intention) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and the relevant sections of the Arms Act, 1959. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Last week, a new misinformation video went viral, cycling us back to the now easily disprovable ideas that hydroxychloroquine is the miracle cure for COVID-19 and that masks are not effective as protection. Within hours, the doctor prominently featured in the video, Stella Immanuel, was exposed for having Illuminati conspiracy theory beliefs, among which included that DNA from aliens can be found in our medicine and demons in our dreams cause myriad medical conditions. The video went viral because it was pushed by our President. However, in Montana, the video or false ideas within the video were pushed by prominent members of our legislature like Theresa Manzella and Brad Tschida. In watching the news about the video, one of the organizations helping to produce and promote this misinformation was shown on a banner. This group was Turning Point USA. For those unaware, this group held an event known as the Campus Clash at Montana State University in May of 2019. Greg Gianforte provided funds to start this group and both Gianforte and Steve Daines introduced the event with effusive praise for its main speaker, Charlie Kirk. Turning Point USA is an organization created to increase engagement by Republican youth. Charlie Kirk thrives on portraying himself as the victim of the left wing, who he claims tries to silence conservatives. Before the MSU event, Kirk claimed that he received threats from Antifa and would have bricks thrown at him when he arrived. Of course, none of this materialized. Campus Democrats chose not to engage, leaving Kirk attempting to fill his time by denigrating Democratic women like Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez instead. Since the event, campus chapters have opened at both Montana State and the University of Montana. Turning Point seeks to influence campus elections and maintains a Professor Watchlist of so-called radical educators. In Montana, one professor has made that watchlist the highly respected chair of African American studies at the University of Montana. This becomes especially worrisome as the Montana Human Rights Network has highlighted the support of this organization by white supremacists, and multiple staff members in the organization have been fired for racist and anti-Semitic comments. When the pandemic shut down his campus tours, Kirk turned to spreading misinformation about Democrats and the COVID response. He has consistently pushed hydroxychloroquine as 100% effective. He coined the term China virus, which was then tweeted and used regularly by President Trump. He has pushed to reopen despite the dangers for the sake of the economy. He has been virulently anti-mask. Last week, those views culminated in the viral video featuring Dr. Immanuel. Turning Point is not a scientific organization. Charlie Kirk is simply a social influencer who has made a name sowing dissension. His pushes right now are simply dangerous as we see rising cases across Montana just as school is set to begin. The fact that key players in our Montana GOP amplified this dangerous nonsense, and someone who wants to be our future governor funds such a group, should not be ignored. The co-founder of Turning Point, Bill Montgomery, died from coronavirus within days of the video being debunked, a strong reminder that science is real, whether or not you choose to believe in it. Shannon Kinsella Thomas is a University of Montana graduate who has taught in Missoula and currently teaches eighth grade science in Helena. She counts 35 years in education, teaching in both private and public schools. You must be logged in to react. Click any reaction to login. Love 13 Funny 4 Wow 1 Sad 0 Angry 2 The United States is coming close to have five million coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases, the highest number of cases in the world. It may be because some people haven't been taking the health precautions seriously. The U.S. has also set a record high of 155,000 COVID-19 deaths, the most of any country. Public health experts have seen the problem is from confusing and inconsistent guidance from politicians and the different COVID-19 approaches per state in containing the virus. It led to people refusing to wear face masks and maintaining social distancing. According to the Associated Press, most people in the U.S. think the health precautions are simply overreactions and move to block their freedom. With the running 60,000 cases per day the U.S. is having per day, it is only a matter of time that the now 4.7 million cases reach five million. The new daily record may be lower than one in July at over 70,000, and surges are happening in about 26 states, many in the South and West. The COVID-19 deaths are also climbing in 35 states. Social Gatherings Fuel COVID-19 Spread in the U.S. Dr. Cindy Prins, an epidemiologist at the University of Florida, said the U.S. is at a point where there's enough spread of the virus that people have a higher chance of encountering it and getting exposed. Prins knows that people are facing a "behavioral disease." She said people struggle in changing behavior in light of the pandemic. "We're social creatures," she noted. Dr. Demetria Lindsay from the Virginia Department of Health said there had been a spike among people in their 20s. Just like what other health experts said, she also pointed to gatherings where people do not wear masks or keep a safe distance with others. One of the people who do not take the health precautions seriously is 21-year-old Veronica Fritz. She said that if she does get COVID-19 and die from it, it's not her decision, citing religious beliefs. Choosing to leave one's health to the hands of fate may be okay for some, but it also puts at risk other people who do not share this belief. They may infect more people before they feel sick. COVID-19 Affected Generations of Children The NBC News said putting others at risk and spreading the virus to more people could lead to a "generational catastrophe" because many schools have been closed, as United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. On Tuesday, the U.N. chief said the pandemic had caused a large disruption of education, and many children will miss out on education in their critical first years of learning. Gutteres said this could lead to a "waste [of] untold human potential." He said the top priority right now should be putting children back to a safe school environment where they can learn the most. Trump Backs COVID-19 Approaches On Tuesday, President Donald Trump said the administration is seeing good progress in response to the pandemic. He reiterated that there had been an increase in telehealth access in rural areas, and there are many critical trials for COVID-19 treatments that is a good sign for the country. The WUSA9 said that while the coronavirus relief bill is still stalled after days of negotiation, there is an urgency surrounding it. It is most especially true for Senate Republicans, some of whom face tough election races. Many of them are eager to have the bill done before heading to their home states to campaign this month. Want to read more? Take a look at these! Deaf Association Demands ASL Interpreters at COVID-19 Briefings FDA: Keep Your Hands Clean, but Beware of These Harmful Sanitizers COVID-19 Pandemic to Cause More Conflict and Disorder, UN Diplomats Say LIMA, Peru Peru was left with no government ministers Tuesday after Congress refused to approve President Martin Vizcarras recently appointed Cabinet. The no confidence vote led to the resignation of all 19 Cabinet ministers and could hamper the governments efforts to contain the coronavirus pandemic. The Andean nation has the third highest death toll from COVID-19 in Latin America, with more than 19,000 dead. The World Bank has forecast a 12% drop this year in Perus economy, which has seen a plunge in tourism earnings during the pandemic and damage to thousands of businesses during a three-month national lockdown. Under Peruvian law, Vizcarra has 72 hours following the vote to present a new Cabinet to Congress, which is made up of 130 legislators who represent 10 political parties. The president, who is starting the final year of his term in office, said in nationally televised address that he failed to get congressional approval for the new Cabinet because some lawmakers put their own interests above national interests. Its the first time in more than 20 years that Congress has rejected" a new Cabinet, he said. Despite the health and economic crisis we are going through, Congress has decided to add another political crisis to this country. Perus legislature and executive branch have been at loggerheads since 2018, when a congressional majority led by opposition leader Keiko Fujimori forced then President Pedro Pablo Kuczynski to resign over corruption allegations. Kuczynski was replaced by Vizcarra, who was the vice president, Vizcarra dissolved Congress the following year, as both sides bickered over court appointments and measures aimed at tackling corruption. Three former Peruvians presidents are currently under investigation for alleged corruption schemes involving the giant Brazilian construction company Odebrecht, which has admitted handing out $800 million in bribes to win public works contracts across Latin America. Fujimori is also under investigation for allegedly taking money from Odebrecht for her political campaigns. A new Congress was elected in special elections in January and will serve until next year. But none of the parties represent Vizcarra, who has continued to pursue an anti-corruption agenda. Vizcarra cited several factors in the rejection of the Cabinet, including opposition to an education minister who tried to reform Perus higher education system. The families of several legislators own or manage private universities that would be affected by the proposed reforms. Analysts speculated that some lawmakers from leftist parties voted against the Cabinet over Prime Minister Pedro Caterianos plans to promote large mining projects that have met fierce resistance from peasants worried about the contamination of water resources. Disclaimer: This post has been auto-published from an agency feed without any modifications to the text and has not been reviewed by an editor TODAY, our news is flooded by stories of politicians making bad decisions, but their explanations and justifications often leave us dissatisfied and wanting more. In her 1993 book Democracy on Trial, Jean Bethke Elshtain proposed that our notions of democracy were at risk because of particular attitudes we take to the political process and the judgments that follow from them. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 5/8/2020 (531 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Opinion TODAY, our news is flooded by stories of politicians making bad decisions, but their explanations and justifications often leave us dissatisfied and wanting more. In her 1993 book Democracy on Trial, Jean Bethke Elshtain proposed that our notions of democracy were at risk because of particular attitudes we take to the political process and the judgments that follow from them. In particular she identified the hardening of partisan and cultural differences, diminishing the possibilities and probabilities of reasonable debate, rational decisions and informed dissent. Her words provided a foreshadowing of todays dysfunctional politics, and a plea to wake up and smarten up. How might we, as citizens in a democracy, who are charged with participating in the governance of our country, assist our political leaders in becoming more thoughtful, discreet and wise? Its obvious to me that this does not just happen through constant criticism, blame, procedural wrangling or stricter enforcement. Equally obvious is that the ever-increasing demands for ethics probes, public inquiries, third-party investigations and legal challenges are generally unfulfilling and tediously lengthy, and apologies not credible. However, we cant just leave it to our leaders to continue on their current paths, which seem to put important human issues on hold as they respond to personal and partisan crises. As an educator, "educating ourselves and others" is always one of my answers, so I propose a four-step series of questions and strategies. How are we to understand, on a human level, what is happening and why? What is good for us that is also good for me? What can we demand of our elected politicians in terms of thoughtfulness? First, we could ask them, and ourselves, to think "two-in-one" or by ourselves, against ourselves questions like, "What if I extended what I want for myself to everyone else, inclusive of everyone or all the various groups of which I am aware?" "Do I really need to take a partisan side in rigid liberal or conservative clashes?" Using our imaginations, "What would this look like from anothers point of view?" Hopefully, we would quickly reach the point on our own where we realize that one point of view is never enough and that moral disagreement is the essence of and not the bane of democracy, whereas conflict without civility is self-defeating and destructive of relationships. Second, relationships are important in addition to our "two-in one," we need safe, trusted people on whom to test our ideas before putting them out for public consideration. I think of these people as the ones who will thoughtfully and kindly question my opinions and biases again for their inclusion and equality two of the great touchstones of democracy (the third being some aspect of self-determination). 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. We can invite our safe friends to challenge our assumptions and solutions. In politics, that is one of the roles of cabinets, or caucuses when their leaders look bad, they share the blame. Third, where our moral imaginations come into play, we can invoke what is sometimes called an enlarged mentality, or the abstract public. Independent media such as the Winnipeg Free Press are essential to opening our minds to what is happening beyond our immediate experiences. If we were to imagine ourselves in conversation with all the known diversity in our communities, be they work settings, towns and cities, provinces or country, how would they accept and judge our understandings, judgments and the impact of our solutions? Would they feel that theyd had a say, that what they thought, and who they were, were also taken into consideration, and that they were also part of the solution which included a reasonable benefit for them, in terms of both meaningful participation and acceptable consequence? Finally, on an even more abstract level, where a global media becomes indispensable, we might ask how proceeding with the political action we are contemplating would affect our shared humanity and its future who gets to be part of the action and who is left out, and how does being left out or included affect our sense of ourselves and our obligations to others? This is common sense in its largest conception, being both logical and inclusive. In my view, every one of these four "thinking" steps should precede political action and should be referenced when responding in terms of rationale, justification and perceived consequences. As citizens in a democracy, we help our politicians by holding them to account for protecting our humanity for the sake of democracy. 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. As the 'ghost races' roll on in Formula 1, the question of when spectators will be able to return to the circuits is now being posed. Last weekend, Sergio Perez missed the first spectator-less Silverstone race after testing positive for coronavirus. And two infections have now struck the Formula E paddock in Berlin. "Of course there's an element of worry," one Formula E boss, Susie Wolff, told CNN. "Most of the team is here and I would hate for someone to come into problems and have real health issues, but I think the reality is that we're all committed to going back to racing." The Nurburgring, backed by Germany's motorsport federation, is hoping to have 5000 spectators at its October race, and Russia is also keen to welcome fans. "I want to ask all the fans for patience," Sochi promoter Alexey Titov told Championat. "The organisation of our race takes place in unprecedented conditions, so before we announce anything, we must weigh and analyse everything." The Indy 500, to be contested by Fernando Alonso, has confirmed that the grandstands will be empty for its delayed August race date. And the embattled DTM series has kicked off without spectators. "We are starting with ghost races at Spa and the Lausitzring," series boss Gerhard Berger told Speed Week. "But I hope to have at least a limited number of fans with social distance rules in the stands from September." (GMM) LONDON, Aug. 5, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- IOWArocks, the connect once, use anywhere, global data marketplace, today announces ICE Data Services (IDS) has joined their fast growing data owner community. ICE Data Services is part of Intercontinental Exchange (NYSE: ICE), and provides a comprehensive set of market insights and information, including pricing and analytics, indices and exchange data. IOWArocks is powered by MDX Technology. Anthony Belcher, Head of ICE Data Services (EMEA) said, "The ability to deliver our consolidated data feed via the IOWArocks product suite provides an additional flexible, complementary service to our existing high-performance data distribution capability. We believe the combination of ICE data and IOWArocks applications will be particularly appealing for many market participants. This approach is aligned with our philosophy of delivering reliable streaming data at the highest possible throughput." Paul Watmough, Founder and CEO of IOWArocks commented, "We are delighted to welcome such a prestigious organisation into the IOWArocks community. The availability of ICE data is very compelling as it can be easily adapted to suit the needs of a growing number of financial institutions and niche players, keen to access content in new and inventive ways. We believe this represents a significant turning point in an industry desperate to embrace much needed change through the adoption of innovative technology and modern ways of working." "As IOWArocks is a connected software vendor, end customers will no longer need to establish physical networking to use our services," Belcher added. "By providing simple, streamlined access to our wide variety of data, via a suite of 'ready made' internet facing APIs and interfaces, many more users will have greater choice. This, together with the unique ability to create tailored data packages designed to suit specific needs and budgets, represents a new and positively disruptive relationship. We are very excited about the new business development opportunities this relationship represents for everyone involved." About IOWArocks Started in 2018, IOWArocks is the global data marketplace providing a unique 'connect once, use anywhere' venue for market, reference, and alternative data. It enables a growing and diverse range of data owners to seamlessly connect with a global audience of data consumers. Underpinned by proven technology from MDX Technology, the new marketplace is open for business 24/7. The firm is headquartered in London. For more information please contact: IOWArocks | Paul Watmough | [email protected] | +44 (0) 77 7835 6657 Media relations: Clare Walsh | [email protected] | +44 (0) 7768 770757 SOURCE IOWArocks Related Links https://iowarocks.com/ With TikTok, Microsoft will be making its first foray into social media, a sphere that has grown as people seek to connect amid the restrictions imposed by the pandemic on physical interactions. (Photo | AP) Washington: Microsoft announced Sunday it would continue talks to acquire the US operations of popular video-sharing app TikTok, after meeting with President Donald Trump who seemingly backed off his earlier threats to ban the Chinese-owned platform. Following a conversation between Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella and President Donald J Trump, Microsoft is prepared to continue discussions to explore a purchase of TikTok in the United States, the company said in a statement, acknowledging the importance of addressing the Presidents concerns over national security. Microsoft added that it would continue negotiations with ByteDance, TikToks Chinese parent company, with the intention of completing these discussions no later than September 15. The statement came after Trump on Friday said he would ban the app, which is especially popular with young audiences who create and watch its short-form videos and has an estimated one billion users worldwide. TikTok should be sold or blocked in the US, Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin told ABC earlier Sunday, while Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on Fox News the president would take action in the coming days with respect to a broad array of national security risks that are presented by software connected to the Chinese Communist Party. TikTok denies it could be a tool for Chinese intelligence, with its US general manager Vanessa Pappas declaring Saturday: Were not planning on going anywhere. Biggest loser The United States would be the biggest loser if it banned TikTok, Daniel Castro, vice president of the think tank Information Technology & Innovation Foundation, said Saturday. All of its data centers are outside of China, and there is no evidence that it presents a national security threat. Trump said he would use an executive order to ban TikTok, or the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, a law granting the president powers to regulate international trade in the face of an unusual and extraordinary threat from abroad to US foreign policy, national security or the economy. His threat has caused great concern for US TikTok users, particularly content creators who make money on the platform. Many of them have posted links to their Instagram or YouTube accounts so as not to lose followers if the platform is ultimately blocked. In its statement, Microsoft said it plans to build on the experience TikTok users currently love, while adding world-class security, privacy, and digital safety protections. Buying TikTok would give Microsoft a chance to break into the social networking market. The IT group currently owns the professional networking platform LinkedIn, and Teams, an internal messaging service for companies. Bizarre Pappas promised Saturday to create 10,000 US jobs at TikTok over the next three years, in addition to the 1,500 current employees. Dont fall for this, responded senior Trump aide Peter Navarro, a fierce China critic and a main architect of the trade war with Beijing. China has hired a whole bunch of American lobbyists. They put a puppet CEO in charge of that company, he told Fox News, referring to former Disney executive Kevin Mayer, who became the CEO of TikTok in May. On Friday evening Trump indicated he opposed a takeover of TikTok by an American company, a solution nevertheless agreed to by most of the involved parties, including ByteDance, according to The New York Times. This is getting bizarre. A 100 percent sale to an American company... mitigates any reasonable data protection concerns, tweeted Alex Stamos, a former Facebook head of security and a researcher at Stanford University. If the White House kills this (sale) we know this isnt about national security, he added. Click on Deccan Chronicle Technology and Science for the latest news and reviews. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter. In his eulogy, Barack Obama also mentioned mail-in ballots, the latest effort by Democrats (early voting and no required identification are other efforts) that many believe could open the door to voter fraud. One pastor at the Lewis funeral even reached back to the Reagan administration and erroneously blamed the 40th president for the poor housing conditions endured by some African Americans. Democrats and their media allies consistently ignore the fact that Jim Crow Laws, the Ku Klux Klan and other immoralities were all led by Southern Democrats. John Lewis legacy and his brave fight for civil rights will always remain untarnished. But Lewis was also a partisan Democrat, who refused to attend President Trumps inauguration in 2017 and believed to the end that the Russians helped Trump beat Hillary Clinton, though that would likely have required the infiltration of every precinct and voting machine in America, something not even Lewis claims was possible. What was even sadder than the politicized funeral service was the applause from attendees, who apparently believe every word that comes from President Obamas mouth, though none of this kind of talk improves a single life. It makes one wonder why so many African Americans continue to be loyal to the Democratic Party. Worldwide Facilities, LLC, a national wholesale insurance broker, managing general agent and program underwriter, has acquired Clearwater Underwriters, Inc., a surplus lines MGA based in Clearwater, Fla. Clearwater Underwriters was established in 1991 to provide a market for retail agents in the placement of excess flood coverage in the state of Florida. Since that time, the company has expanded its product line to include flood, professional liability, personal and commercial lines. Davis Moore, CEO of Worldwide Facilities, said the acquisition increases Worldwide Facilities offering of specialty programs. Don Waters Jr., president of Clearwater Underwriters said the move expands its capabilities while it continues to offer a range of services and benefits to its affiliates. Marsh, Berry & Company, Inc. served as a financial advisor to Worldwide Facilities in this transaction. PhiloSmith & Company served as an advisor to Clearwater Underwriters, Inc. Worldwide Facilities is a national wholesale insurance broker, managing general agent and program underwriter that has been in business since 1970. Topics Mergers Agencies Florida Underwriting Insurance Wholesale File The site of the Ram Temple had been disputed for decades until last year, when the Supreme Court in November awarded a Hindu group the ownership of the site. Read more Here's more top news of the day: 1) 2,750 Tonnes Of Ammonium Nitrate Exploded In Beirut Killing 100, Thousands Injured Reuters Details that have emerged after the massive explosion that rocked Beirut suggest that almost 2,750 tonnes of ammonium nitrate were stored in the Beirut port warehouse that exploded. The explosion has devastated large parts of the Lebanese capital. Read more 2) 2 Worst COVID-Hit Cities, Delhi & Chennai Are On Their Path To Recovery As Infections Slow Down BCCL But there is some good news for the national capital. In the past 24 hours, Delhi recorded 674 fresh coronavirus cases which is one of the lowest figures in months. Read more 3) Here Is Why Pakistan Claimed Junagadh In Gujarat As Its In New Political Map STAR OF MYSORE While Pakistan's claim over Jammu and Kashmir is well documented, the story of Junagadh is not. The history goes back to 1947 and the partition of British India into India and Pakistan. Read more 4) Family Sold House For Son To Study In Delhi, He Secured 26th Rank In UPSC NBT His family faced limited financial means but that could not stop him realising his dream. Indore's Pradeep Singh was not deterred by his father's meagre income as a petrol pump attendant. Read more 5) Rapid Antigen Kits Helped India Test More People For COVID, But Their Reliability Is A Concern bccl On Tuesday also more than 6.19 lakh COVID-19 tests were conducted in India taking the overall tests in India so far over 20 million. Read more VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / August 5, 2020 / NV Gold Corporation (TSXV:NVX)(OTC PINK:NVGLF) ("NV Gold" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that the Company intends to apply to upgrade from the OTC Pink to the OTCQB Venture Market. The Company believes that the OTCQB Venture Market can provide efficient market access to U.S. investors, helping Canadian companies such as NV Gold, with U.S. investors with a goal to build shareholder value through greater access to enhanced liquidity and data. Peter A. Ball, President & CEO of NV Gold commented, "We believe that an upgrade from the Pinks to the OTCQB is the logical next step in our ongoing effort to increase NV Gold's visibility with U.S. investors, and will help broaden our retail and institutional shareholder base by facilitating easier access and platforms for the investors to acquire shares. Our shares are already DTC eligible, so the upgrade should benefit our constantly expanding U.S. shareholder base." The OTCQB is an attractive marketplace for early stage and developing U.S. and international companies. Participating companies must be current in their reporting and undergo a verification and management certification process, which should assist investors in vetting opportunities. The law firm Clark Wilson LLP has agreed to act as the Company's OTC Markets Sponsor. About NV Gold Corporation NV Gold (TSXV:NVX)(OTC PINK:NVGLF) is a junior exploration company based in Vancouver, British Columbia that is focused on delivering value through mineral discoveries in North America, leveraging its highly experienced in-house technical knowledge, and identifying and drilling 2-3 priority projects per year. NV Gold controls multiple drill-ready projects in Nevada, and has entered into an Option Agreement on the high-grade Exodus Gold Project in British Columbia, Canada. On behalf of the Board of Directors, Peter A. Ball President & CEO For further information, visit the Company's website at www.nvgoldcorp.com or contact: Peter A. Ball, President & CEO Phone: 1-888-363-9883 Email: peter@nvgoldcorp.com Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Service Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Forward Looking Statements This news release includes certain forward-looking statements or information. All statements other than statements of historical fact included in this release, including, without limitation, statements regarding the proposed upgrade to the OTCQB and the benefits it might provide, 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 plans or expectations include regulatory issues, market prices, availability of capital and financing, general economic, market or business conditions, timeliness of government or regulatory approvals and other risks detailed herein and from time to time in the filings made by the Company with securities regulators. The 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 otherwise required by applicable securities legislation. SOURCE: NV Gold Corporation View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/600348/NV-Gold-Applies-to-Upgrade-to-the-OTCQB Snorkelers have recalled their run-in with a protective mother whale which left one in a serious condition after being hit by a fin. Tahnee Ptiman and Sharnee Pannell were swimming at Ningaloo Reef in Western Australia on Saturday when their group encountered an adult female whale and her calf. The 15-metre whale swam toward the group of swimmers and struck a 29-year-old woman, leaving her with broken ribs and internal bleeding. The injured woman, reportedly from the UK, remained in a serious but stable condition at Royal Perth Hospital. Tahnee Ptiman (left) and Sharnee Pannell (right) were swimming at Ningaloo Reef in Western Australia on Saturday when a woman was attacked 'They circled the group multiple times and became quite aggressive in their behaviour, swimming through the group with force and flicking their tails out of the water and swiping at swimmers,' Ms Pitman told The West. A male swimmer was flung out of the water by a fin, while another female suffered a torn hamstring. The Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions said people are required to remain at least 100m away from whales at all times. However, licensed whale swimming tours are granted exemptions from the rules. 'No one was in the wrong, everyone followed the instructions 100 per cent. It was purely a freak accident and puts it in perspective that as humans we are entering the whales' home and they will be protective when they need to be,' Ms Pitman said. The company involved, Ningaloo Whaleshark Swim, said footage was being examined as part of a WorkSafe investigation. 'As far as we can tell it's a freak accident,' owner Matt Winter told Perth Now. 'It's just one of those things that happens with wild animals in the ocean. It could have been freaked out by other whales in the area ... orcas ... we just don't know.' The 15m long humpback whale attacked a group of swimmers in Western Australia The Department of Agriculture, Water and Environment said it is strictly prohibited to feed or touch whales. 'If a person is in the vicinity of a whale they must not enter the water closer than 100m and must not approach closer than 30m to any whale,' their website reads. 'If you are approached by a whale or dolphin, avoid touching or sudden movements that might startle it and move away to a safe distance.' Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the first brick of the Ram Mandir at a grand bhoomi pujan ceremony in Ayodhya on Wednesday, and said that August 5 will stand as a symbol of the commitment of several generations that devoted their lives to the construction of the temple, just as August 15 symbolises the sacrifices of countless Indians for Independence. Modi spoke of Ram as a thread of Indias unity in diversity, referring to the multiplicity of Ramayanas across the country, highlighting Rams appeal across the world, and distilling Rams messages of social harmony, non-discrimination, care for the poor, protecting those who seek refuge, and commitment to the motherland. He also said that the more power a nation has, the greater is its capacity for friendship. These were all messages widely read in sync with Indias contemporary governance and security priorities. Also read: For once, saffron cuts across political divide with Ram temple event celebrations in MP In the backdrop of the protracted political, social and legal dispute that has marked the issue of the Ram temple, Modi added that the temple should be constructed on the foundation of mutual love and brotherhood, and it was only through everyones participation (sabka saath) and with everyones trust (sabka vishwas) that India can achieve development for everyone (sabka vikas). He also pointed to the economic benefits of the temple for the wider Ayodhya region, where pilgrims from across the world would come to pray. The beginning of the construction comes after a 135-year-old legal dispute culminated when the Supreme Court, last November, awarded the disputed land to Hindu parties. It also comes in the wake of a three-decade-long mobilisation by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and its ideological affiliates, and the demolition of the Babri Masjid in 1992 -- an act declared illegal by the same SC verdict -- that led to communal violence and deaths in various parts of the country. The event was preceded by days of preparation and festivities in Ayodhya. Modi landed in the town on Wednesday morning, visited the Hanuman Garhi temple, planted a tree, participated in the rituals associated with bhoomi pujan, and then released a special postal stamp on the occasion. He then addressed a select audience, carefully curated due to pandemic-related restrictions, but his speech was beamed across the country. The event also saw the participation of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat as a special guest a rare occasion when the PM and the RSS chief shared the stage and spoke on the same platform. Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath and the head of the Ram Temple trust, Nritya Gopal Das also spoke at the function following the bhoomi pujan ceremony. Also read: Golden chapter, says PM Modi after laying foundation stone for Ram temple Adityanath welcomed the guests, highlighted how this day had arrived after waiting for five centuries, and emphasised that it had come through peaceful, constitutional and democratic methods. The wishes of Indias 135 crore [1.35 billion] people and the Sanatan Dharma followers have been fulfilled, he said. Bhagwat spoke of a sense of satisfaction and joy at seeing the temple being constructed. Today is a new beginning of a new India, he said. There is a wave of joy in the country now... Modi used a 40kg silver brick, donated by Das, for the ceremony and presented a kalash (holy pitcher) made of five metals for the ceremony. The event happened under a canopy decorated in shades of red, yellow and gold. In the audience sat 175 guests, drawn from 135 spiritual traditions and eminent citizens from Ayodhya. Of the three Muslim invitees, only Iqbal Ansari -- the son of the oldest litigant in the Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid title suit, Hashim Ansari -- attended the event. Lord Ram belongs to everyone. Ram temple will also bring overall development to Ayodhya, said Ansari. In his address, Modi spoke of how it was an emotional day for all Indians, many of whom could not believe that they could see this moment in their own lifetime. He said that Ram Lalla (the child deity), living in a tent, will finally find a home in a grand temple, and Ram Jamnabhoomi would finally be free of the cycle of breaking and rebuilding. The PM spoke of the power of Ram, and in what appeared to be a reference to the belief that a temple was demolished to construct the Babri mosque, he said, See the power of Ram. Structures got demolished; every effort was made to erase his existence; but Ram is still etched in our minds. He is the basis of our culture. The Ram temple, Modi said, was a modern symbol, a symbol of faith, a symbol of national sentiment, a symbol of the collective power of the people, and the process of temple construction was a process of bringing together and uniting the people of the nation, and connecting the past with the present. Alluding to the diverse appeal of Ram, he referred to the different Ramayanas read and recited across the country, and the intersection of Ram with Sikhism, Buddhism and Jainism. Modi spoke of Rams following globally, spanning from the Muslim-majority Indonesia to neighbours such as Nepal and Sri Lanka and even Iran and China. He said, Ram belongs to everyone; Ram is present in everyone. The PM highlighted Rams qualities of truthfulness and bravery, and claimed social harmony constituted the basis of his rule, and there hadnt been an ideal ruler such as Ram in the world. He said Ram had espoused the values of mutual love and brotherhood and this should be the basis of the construction of the temple. He praised the dignity with which everyone had followed and abided by the SC verdict last year, and the need to respect everyones sentiments. Chronicling the messages of Rams rule, Modi spoke of how this was Gandhis ideal of Ram Rajya and it was what India was following. These included how no one should be left poor or unhappy; how men and women should be equally happy, without discrimination; how farmers and those engaged in livestock farming should be happy; that elders, children and medical personnel should be protected (a message he said was reinforced by the coronavirus pandemic); that those who seek refuge must be protected a possible reference to CAA; and that through power and fear, the capacity for peace increases. That is why the stronger our nation becomes, the more secure it will be and there will be peace and friendship. The Congress said it was a day for people to come together. Congress consistently believed in resolving the Ayodhya issue either through dialogue or through acceptance of the verdict of the court. Thats the only way in which mature democracies and multicultural societies resolve conflict...today is a historic day when India is witnessing a closure to the issue, said Congresss Pawan Khera. Also read| Bhoomi poojan in Ayodhya will establish self-confidence for making India self-reliant: Mohan Bhagwat While Congress president Sonia Gandhi did not comment on bhoomi pujan, she asked party leaders to speak on it on all media platforms so that the partys message reaches out to the people, people familiar with the development said. Moreover, the CWC resolution is already there and that is the official stand of the party, a party leader said on the condition of anonymity. Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav said he hoped future generations would tread the path shown by maryada purushottam (an adjective for Ram referring to his commitment to justice and dignity for all). Bahujan Samaj Party president Mayawati said it was unfortunate that Ayodhya, a city of many religions, was in the news for the dispute for years.However, it is nice that the Supreme Court ended the dispute and this also, to some extent, stopped politics that some parties were indulging in, she tweeted. All India Muslim Personal Law Board secretary Zafaryab Jilani said the ceremony wont change the reality and that, for the board, the site would continue to be treated as mosque land. We are quiet because we had said that we would respect the law of the land and go by the courts verdict, Jilani said. New Delhi: One BSF jawan was injured on Friday in cross border firing by Pakistan troops in Rajouri district of Jammu and Kashmir.A According to reports, the condition of the jawan is stable now. He is out of danger.A More details are awaited.A UPDATE: Condition of the BSF Jawan injured in Rajouri district of J&K in cross border firing by Pakistan is stable and out of danger a ANI (@ANI_news) December 2, 2016 One jawan injured in Rajouri district of J&K in cross border firing by Pakistan a ANI (@ANI_news) December 2, 2016 For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. NEW DELHI: Elaborate security arrangements have been put in place ahead of the much-awaited Ram Temple Bhoomi Pujan or ground-breaking ceremony in Ayodhya on Wednesday (August 5, 2020). According to reports, the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) and the Uttar Pradesh Police have intensified patrolling along the 551 km-long India-Nepal border, ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's scheduled visit to Ayodhya for Ram Temple Bhumi Pujan on Wednesday. According to senior police officers, a tight vigil is being maintained on movement along the border and people living in villages adjoining the border have been asked to alert security officials if they come across any suspicious activity or element in their area. A tight security cover is in place in and around Ayodhya in view of the event. The distinguished guests who have been invited by the Ram Temple Trust for the ground-breaking ceremony have been given a one-time unique security code, which can be used only once for entering the ceremony site. Ayodhya residents have also been asked to carry their ID cards wherever they go. Tap here for exclusive and live coverage of Ram Temple Bhoomi Pujan on Zee News Meanwhile, the UP government has sought 13 companies of paramilitary forces from the MHA for security. Out of 13, 6 companies are of the Rapid Action Force trained for anti-riot duties. 1300 men of the would-be guarding Ayodhya today and in the coming days. PM Narendra Modi will lay the foundation stone for the construction of a grand Ram Temple in Ayodhya amid chants of vedic mantras by priests from across the country. After offering prayers at Hanuman Garhi temple, Prime Minister Modi will unveil a plaque to mark the laying of the foundation stone and also release a commemorative postage stamp on `Shree Ram Janmabhoomi Mandir`. He will then offer prayers to Ram Lalla at Ram Janmabhoomi today. Sanitisation work was carried out at the Hanuman Garhi temple on Wednesday morning ahead of the PM`s visit. The Saryu Ghat was also decorated. The grand celebrations for the Bhoomi Pujan started at 8 AM and PM Modi will perform the ground-breaking ceremony at the auspicious time of 12:40 PM. Huge CCTV screens have been set up across the holy city in order to allow the people to watch the ceremony live once it begins. Every street in Ayodhya has been illuminated with earthen lamps ahead of the foundation stone laying ceremony of the Ram Temple on Wednesday. People also lit diyas on the banks of Saryu river as part of the 'deepotsava' celebrations in the temple town which will see Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other dignitaries arrive today for the `bhoomi pujan` ceremony of the Ram Temple. The entire Ayodhya has been decked up and massive preparations have been made for this occasion with a festive air. Meanwhile, Centres coronavirus COVID-19 protocols have been put in place and the social distancing norms are being strictly followed ahead of the much-awaited Ram Temple Bhomi Pujan in Ayodhya, which is slated to begin with great fervor around 12.40 PM. In wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, sanitisation work was also done at the Hanuman Garhi temple in the morning ahead of the Prime Minister`s visit. Strict security and COVID-19 protocols will be followed at the temple when Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrives there along with other dignitaries. Over 11,000 diyas are set to be lit across the city of Ayodhya, illuminating every street and all houses will be celebrating with a 'deepotsava', a festival of lights. Invitations have been sent to 175 people, including 135 saints of 35 religious organisations to attend the foundation stone-laying ceremony of Ram temple. Apart from PM Modi, the ceremony will be attended by Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh (RSS) Chief Mohan Bhagwat, Uttarakhand Tourism Minister Satpal Maharaj, Senior BJP leaders LK Advani and Murli Manohar Joshi, Iqbal Ansari (former litigant in Ayodhya land dispute case) and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. Angmor Teye, a 38-year old man has been arrested by the Bepoase Police near Begoro for the murder of 27-year old Kwame Albert at Dadatsunya, a village near Ahiamankyene in the Fanteakwa North District of the Eastern Region. The Deputy Eastern Regional Police Public Relations Officer, Mr Francis Gomado told the Ghana News Agency (GNA), that the Bepoase Police had an information that, Kwame Albert, the deceased, was found in a pool of blood with multiple cutlass wounds on his body near the village's riverside. Mr Tetteh Lawer and William Kwao who informed the police about the incident, said that the deceased disclosed to them that, the said wounds were inflicted on him by suspect, Angmor Teye of the same village. He said a medical form was prepared for the victim to be sent to the Begoro District Hospital for treatment but he died shortly on arrival. The body was deposited at the same hospital morgue for preservation and autopsy. Mr Gomado said the youth of the village arrested and brought to the Bepoase Police station the suspect Angmor with a blood stained cutlass. 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 Angels right-hander Shohei Ohtani went down Monday with a Grade 1-2 flexor pronator mass strain. It looked then as if Ohtani wouldnt make a return to the mound this year because of his four- to six-week timeline to begin throwing again. Manager Joe Maddon confirmed Tuesday that Ohtani is likely done as a pitcher for 2020, Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports (Twitter links). The team will reevaluate his forearm Wednesday, according to Maddon (via Maria Torres of the Los Angeles Times). Fortunately, as an ultra-rare two-way talent, Ohtanis not finished contributing for the year. Even though he probably wont pitch again in 2020, Ohtanis healthy enough that hell continue factoring in as a designated hitter. He has been quite successful in that role (not so much in the early going this year), though its nevertheless a loss for the Angels and the sport itself that the 26-year-old hasnt been able to complete a season as a pitcher. The former Tommy John surgery patient has just 53 1/3 innings under his belt since he emigrated from Japan before the 2017 campaign. Elsewhere on the roster, Maddon revealed that just-promoted outfield prospect Jo Adell will play every day. The elite farmhand, 21, will make his much-anticipated debut against the Mariners on Tuesday. The hope is that Adell and the return of all-world center fielder Mike Trout, who has been on paternity leave, will give the 3-7 Halos a desperately needed shot in the arm. With Adell now in the mix, the Angels will platoon fellow corner outfielders Justin Upton (a right-handed hitter) and Brian Goodwin (a lefty) through years end. That isnt the outcome the Angels envisioned when they signed Upton to a five-year, $106MM contract before 2018, but his production has been lacking since last season. Goodwin has been a bright spot dating back to 2019, on the other hand, and hes off to a dazzling .333/.412/.667 start over 34 plate appearances this year. New Delhi: Slain Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Muzaffar Wani's successor Zakir Rashid Bhat has released video issuing warning Jammu and Kashmir police not to harass their families else they would face severe consequences. Why bring in our families if it a fight between Mujahideens and police, Moosa said in the video released on Wednesday. Moosa said that they are well aware about families of the policemen countering them and they will be forced to act if the police don't leave their families alone. You should not harass the families of mujahideen because if you do, we also reserve the right to do a similar act. If you think your families are safe in Jammu and outside Kashmir, let me tell you we have the capacity to hit them even in Kanyakumari, he said. Moosa, who was an engineering student in Chandigarh, joined Wani three years back and has been seen many times in videos and pictures alongside him.Since Wani's death on July 8, 2016, this is the first message from the militant group Hizbul Mujahideen. Sources say the threat video has its basis to a recent incident in which his father and family members were called by security forces to a camp for questioning.The Hizbul Mujahideen had previously warned the local police of reprisal attacks if militant families are called to police stations or security camps for questioning. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. OP Jindal Global University (JGU) and International Institute for Higher Education Research and Capacity Building (IIHEd) present to the world a truly global conference on August 6th and 7th, 2020 on 'Reimagining and Transforming the University: Confluence of Ideas during and beyond the COVID-19 Disruption' in partnership with six global education networks - Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU), Association of Indian Universities (AIU), Coimbra Group of Brazilian Universities, Laspau (A Harvard University affiliated network), the STAR Scholars Network, Qatar Foundation. This conference comes right after the launch of the National Education Policy 2020 which aims to reimagine and transform the future of education and universities of India. Union Cabinet Minister for Education, Government of India, Dr Ramesh Pokhriyal 'Nishank' would be inaugurating this conference in the esteemed presence of Professor (Dr) DP Singh, Chairman, University Grants Commission (UGC), and Professor (Dr) Pankaj Mittal, Secretary-General, Association of Indian Universities (AIU). This event will also be graced by the presence of eminent leaders of the Indian Higher Education Landscape - Professor (Dr) Virander S Chauhan, Chairman, National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC), Professor (Dr) Anil D Sahasrabudhe, Chairman, All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) and Professor (Dr) Bhushan Patwardhan, Vice Chairman, University Grants Commission (UGC). The conference will bring together 80 plus thought leaders from six continents and 15 countries across 15 thematic panel discussions, four keynote addresses, and two special dialogues including a special panel led by women leaders from universities. "We are extremely excited to bring together 80 plus thought leaders from 15 countries across two days to create some very thought-provoking dialogues to re-imagine and transform the idea of a university. With the current COVID-19 pandemic, it is very important for leaders of higher education from across the globe, come together to re-define the future of universities, which will impact the lives of students, academics and nations. This global conference is hosted right after the launch of India's National Education Policy 2020, which has outlined a vision statement, Therefore, at JGU we wanted to play an instrumental role in creating such a platform. We are truly humbled by the support of our education network partners in India and around the world who helped us accomplish the creation of this forum in such little time," said Professor (Dr) C Raj Kumar, Founding Vice-Chancellor of OP Jindal Global University (JGU). Academics from over 55 Universities and Colleges across the world with nearly 40 Present and Former Vice Chancellors, Provosts, Rectors, Presidents, Founding Deans, and Directors will be present to discuss the future of global higher education. This conference will also see senior leadership from multiple national, regional and international organizations including Dr Joanna Newman, Chief Executive & Secretary General, ACU, Dr Francisco J Marmolejo, Education Advisor, Office of the Chairperson, Qatar Foundation, Professor (Dr) Uttam Gaulee, President, Society for Transnational Academic Research (STAR) Network, Phil Baty, Chief Knowledge Officer, Times Higher Education (THE), Ben Sowter, Senior Vice President, Quacquarelli Symonds (QS). The themes of discussions have been very thoughtfully designed to understand the transformation of universities required in times of the COVID-19 pandemic and after. Over 20 themes will be discussed across the sessions to cover a wide range of topics including 'The Future of Universities in Asia', 'Women's Leadership at the University', 'The Future of Internationalization: Implications for India', 'Digital Transformation of Higher Education, Diversity, Inclusion' and 'Social Justice as the University Mission' and 'Educational Leadership, Institutional Resilience, and Innovative Initiatives'. This virtual event is expected to be two days of intellectual deliberations with global leaders of higher education reimagining the idea of a university and future transformation in higher education during and beyond the COVID-19 pandemic. This story is provided by NewsVoir. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content DISCLAIMER (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Despite the Supreme Court's decision in June blocking the immediate end of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) initiative, tens of thousands of undocumented immigrants who qualify for the protection from deportation, including 66,000 teenagers, have been indefinitely locked out due to the Trump administration's decision last week to reject new applications. They're teens in high school and students at U.S colleges and universities. They're young adults earning their GEDs after years of supporting their families. They're members of the "Dreamer" generation of unauthorized immigrants brought to the U.S. as minors. But unlike more than 640,000 of their immigrant peers enrolled in the DACA program, they're not protected from having their lives upended through deportations to countries they left as children. Like those with DACA protections, these immigrant teens and young adults have attended U.S. schools, come of age in American communities and established strong social, cultural and economic ties here. Yet for different reasons, most will likely remain in immigration limbo until at least inauguration day in January 2021. Joe Biden, the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee, has vowed to keep and expand DACA, and to work with Congress to offer Dreamers a pathway to U.S. citizenship. Though he has expressed some sympathy for its beneficiaries, Mr. Trump could make a second attempt to end the program before or after January, if reelected. In a memo last week that also limited the protections for current DACA recipients, Acting Homeland Security Secretary Chad Wolf said his decision to permanently close the Obama-era initiative to new applicants was justified because they lacked the "reliance interests" of those who have been enrolled in the program for years. Wolf acknowledged letters from organizations, schools and local governments that described how young immigrants have "structured their lives" around DACA, contributed to the U.S. economy, assisted efforts to fight the coronavirus and used their protections from deportation to help their families, communities and employers. But Wolf said that was not the case for immigrants without DACA. Story continues "Whatever the merits of these asserted reliance interests on the maintenance of the DACA policy, they are significantly lessened, if not entirely lacking, with regard to aliens who have never before received deferred action pursuant to the policy," Wolf wrote. In interviews with CBS News, however, DACA-eligible immigrants argued they also share the ties to America that are at the center of the program. Arlette Morales, 17 York, Pennsylvania Arlette Morales. / Credit: Courtesy When the Supreme Court said in June that the Trump administration had violated federal administrative law in its attempted termination of DACA, legal experts expected it would be bound to fully restore the program, including by accepting new applications. Arlette Morales, 17, a high school student who met the 15-year-old age requirement for DACA after it had already been closed, was jubilant when she learned there could be an opportunity to apply. "I was shocked. It was unreal. It's been a large and really crazy rollercoaster that I've had to go through," Morales told CBS News. "I was so hopeful and excited." Morales submitted a DACA application in early July. But unbeknownst to the rising high school senior, her petition like other new ones was placed in a holding "bucket" and not adjudicated, as revealed by a Justice Department lawyer to a federal judge last month. Last week, she learned her application would not be processed because DACA would remain closed to new applicants. "It was devastating. It was hard," Morales said, adding that she felt "heartbroken." Morales, who came to the U.S. from Mexico when she was 2, said the administration should reconsider its position on DACA. She said being shielded from deportation would not only help her chart a plan for college and her career, but also allow her to feel "secure." "We just want to succeed. I just want to get an education and have the American Dream," she added. Johana Larios, 26 Staten Island, New York Johana Larios applied for DACA protections for the first time last month after the Supreme Court's decision. She said she has tried to explain the Trump administration's decision to indefinitely close the DACA program to new potential recipients to her 6-year-old son. Johana Larios and her family. / Credit: Courtesy "He said, 'Mommy, I don't want you to leave, I don't want you to leave me. My little sister and I need you,'" Larios told CBS News. "I thought of just my family in general. It's not something that is a permanent protection but it is something," Larios said. "I could've had a little bit of safety on my side. I did feel fear." Like her son, Larios' 2-year-old daughter was born in the U.S. Larios, however, does not have legal status. She came to the U.S. in the late 1990s when she was 2 from Jalisco, Mexico. Her sister is a DACA recipient, but Larios said the president moved to end the program two days before she was going to apply in 2017. Allowing new immigrants to obtain DACA protections would not only help them, but the U.S. as a whole, Larios said. "They should really give people the chance to be able to have something legal and the work permits so we can provide for this country," she added. "We have been providing for this country since so long ago." Armando Salazar, 19 Orange County, California Shortly after Armando Salazar met the age requirement for DACA in 2016, Mr. Trump was elected on an immigration platform that included immediately canceling the program. Fearful that the new administration could use his application information against him, Salazar's mixed-status family urged him not to apply. Armando Salazar. / Credit: Courtesy "The fear was that something could happen that I could get deported essentially, that those documents, everything I would send, would end up coming back to haunt me," Salazar told CBS News. Salazar, who currently lives in Orange County, California, came to the U.S. from Mexico as a 5-year-old. Not having DACA, he said, has affected every aspect of his life from not being able to work, to feeling pressured to be selective about partners. "Whenever I want to look for somebody that I can spend the rest of my life with, DACA comes up and all these legal things come up. And I feel very overwhelmed by this," Salazar added. "What if I find the right person, and I think this is a really nice person. And I really want to spend the rest of my life with them. But unfortunately, they don't have legal residency in the U.S. I say, 'Well, I guess that's not an option anymore, realistically.' And that really hurts me." If DACA is opened to new applicants, Salazar said he would work towards buying his family a house. Marilu Saldana, 29 Harrisburg, Pennsylvania Marilu Saldana, a native of Mexico, heard last week that no new DACA applications would be accepted. Marilu Saldana. / Credit: Courtesy "I was crying, because I feel like I will never be able to complete any of my dreams, any of my goals," Saldana, who was brought to the U.S. as a 13-year-old, told CBS News. "There's no chances for people like me that know no other country but can't do anything because of our immigration status. I was counting on DACA." Saldana, who has two U.S.-born children, is slated to earn her GED this month. Because she's enrolled in a program to obtain the certificate, she would qualify for DACA if it were open. She wants to attend a nursing school to better support her family, but said it will be difficult to do so without the work authorization and deportation protection offered by DACA. "I just want a little normal life," she said. "I want to be out of the shadows." Susan Rice on what she could bring to a Biden 2020 ticket Tropical Storm Isaias gains strength as it heads for the Carolinas Massive explosions rock Beirut; many feared dead Oneglobal Broking, the London-based broker, announced the establishment of Oneglobal Group Asia and that its first operating company, Oneglobal Broking Hong Kong Ltd., has received regulatory approval from the insurance authority. Asian broking leader Anthony Langridge has been appointed chairman of Oneglobal Hong Kong, reporting to Jonathan Palmer Brown, chairman of Oneglobal and chairman of Oneglobal Group Asia. Oneglobals strategy is to build out its operations in Asia, which will see the announcement of additional locations in the coming months, the company said in a statement. Langridge has outstanding relationships with senior business leaders throughout Asia and will be instrumental in driving the growth of Oneglobal across the continent, said Oneglobal. He was latterly chairman of JLT Asia, having previously been deputy chairman of Aon Asia. He will be joined by Sara Garland, an experienced broker, as executive director of Oneglobal Hong Kong. This is an exciting moment for Oneglobal as we extend our reach into Asia. Im proud that we are one of the first broking businesses in Hong Kong to be authorized by the insurance authority, which is testament to our strong business plan and outstanding leadership, commented Palmer-Brown. Anthony Langridge is known to many Asian business leaders and his appointment is a vital building block in our campaign to grow across Asia, which will see new colleague and location announcements in the coming months, he added. Source: Oneglobal Broking DENVER, Aug. 5, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Mercer Global Advisors Inc. ("Mercer Advisors"), a national Registered Investment Adviser (RIA), today announced the acquisition of Summit Wealth Advisors, Inc. ("Summit"), a respected wealth management firm located in Frisco, Colorado with assets under management (AUM) of approximately $130 million. Robert Fred Lau ("Bob") founded Summit in 1993 to deliver full service financial planning and investment management services to their mass affluent and high net worth (HNW) clientele. Emily Ann Messegee ("Emily"), CFP, also a shareholder and Client Advisor, will also be joining Mercer Advisors along with the Summit team. Summit's mission is to proactively manage their clients' wealth with honesty and integrity and has been serving the wealth management needs of clients for the past 27 years. Summit specializes in holistic financial planning including asset management, portfolio construction and maintenance, retirement planning for individuals and small businesses. According to Founding Principal, Bob Lau, "We are active community leaders and truly believe in selfless acts of kindness. We hold ourselves to the highest degree of fiduciary standards and professionalism and strive to fulfill the long-term financial objectives of our clients. In talking with David Barton, Mercer Advisors' Vice Chairman, who leads Mergers and Acquisitions and other members of the Mercer Advisors team, Emily and I knew we found the right partner for us, our staff, and our clients." David Barton who led this transaction stated: "Bob and Emily are great people, truly care about their clients who they consider family. Bob and Emily were looking to partner with a firm that could take over costly and time-consuming back-office responsibilities time they could not spend with their clients or spend winning new ones. Also, they found a winning combination with the ability to provide additional services to their clients through Mercer Advisors' in-house estate planning attorneys and tax return preparation services. In joining the Mercer Advisors team, they solved all of that. This is a win-win for both parties." Chief Executive Officer of Mercer Advisors, Dave Welling said, "We look forward to Bob and Emily joining the team, adding their years of experience and community involvement to our growing presence in Colorado. From the very first conversations with Bob, Emily and the Summit team, it was clear we had a unified vision on how to serve clients and our communities." The addition of Summit expands Mercer Advisors' presence in the state of Colorado where Mercer Advisors is entrusted with over $2 billion of client assets. The firm relocated its corporate headquarters from California to Denver in 2018 and now services clients across the entire state. Summit Wealth Advisors, Inc. was represented by James Fisher of FP Transitions, a leading investment banking and advisory firm specializing in the RIA space. About Mercer Advisors Established in 1985, Mercer Global Advisors Inc. ("Mercer Advisors") is a full-service wealth management firm that specializes in providing investment advice, financial and estate planning, and taxes, and corporate trustee and trust administration services. Mercer Advisors, Inc. is a parent company of Mercer Global Advisors Inc. (RIA), majority owned by both Oak Hill Capital and Genstar Capital. It is one of the largest independent Registered Investment Advisers and financial planning firms in the U.S. with over $20 billion in client assets. Headquartered in Denver, Mercer Advisors is privately held, has over 440 employees, and operates nationally across the country with 40+ locations. For more information, visit www.merceradvisors.com. Data as of August 5, 2020. AUM includes affiliates and wholly owned subsidiaries. Contact: Chris Tofalli Chris Tofalli Public Relations, LLC 914-834-4334 SOURCE Mercer Global Advisors Inc. Related Links https://www.merceradvisors.com The empty Miguel Contreras Learning Complex in Los Angeles in March. Photo: David McNew/Getty Images As August crawls forward, the nations school districts are weighing in on the unprecedented dilemma facing teachers, parents, and administrators this summer: To return to campus for the academic and social benefit of students (and the economic relief of working parents), or begin the school year with remote learning, protecting teachers and students lives and slowing the spread of the unmanaged pandemic. Though the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has endorsed a return to in-person learning, several of the countys largest school districts have decided to begin the school year with remote-learning only. Others, like New York City, have opted for blended learning a combination of online classes and live instruction while others still, like Miami-Dade County and Houston are delaying the return to campus until October, with remote-learning in the coming weeks. With the coronavirus still raging in most states in the country, below are the major school districts that will remain remote-only for the next few months. Chicago The nations third-largest school district will announce on Wednesday that students will remain at home this semester, according to a report from the Chicago Sun-Times. Prior to this week, the district planned a to follow a hybrid model, with students in classes two days per week. Following pressure from the Chicago Teachers Union, Mayor Lori Lightfoots office rescinded the plan to return kids to classrooms. A source who spoke with the Sun-Times said that it would be unlikely that classes would return at least for the first quarter, which ends in early November. Los Angeles The nations second-largest school district with around 700,000 students announced on July 13 that its schools would remain online-only in the fall. Theres a public-health imperative to keep schools from becoming a petri dish, said Los Angeles school superintendent Austin Beutner. Though California is providing waivers for school reopenings for counties that have less than 200 cases per 100,000 residents, Los Angeles is above that threshold. San Diego On the same day as the Los Angeles County announcement, San Diego County announced that its 100,000-plus students would also be online-only in the fall. Those countries that have managed to safely reopen schools have done so with declining infection rates and on-demand testing available, the statement from July 13 said. California has neither. The skyrocketing infection rates of the past few weeks make it clear the pandemic is not under control. Though the daily number of new cases is down since the announcement last month, there have been no changes to the protocol. San Francisco Two days after Los Angeles and San Diego Counties announced their decisions, the superintendent of Californias fourth largest city stated that the fall semester will begin with distance learning. Though San Francisco intends to transition to a hybrid learning model at some point in the coming months, the city did not provide a timeline for doing so, unlike other major school districts. 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. - Lebanon's capital city of Beirut was hit by terrifying explosions on Tuesday, August 4, evening - Several people were killed, others injured and buildings brought down - The blast is said to have been caused by 2,750 tonnes of ammonium nitrate stored unsafely in a warehouse - Uhuru encouraged his counterpart, President Michel Aoun, and the people of Lebanon as they strive to come to terms with the devastating news President Uhuru Kenyatta has joined other world leaders in sending messages of comfort to the president and people of Lebanon following a tragic explosion that hit the country's capital of Beirut. The scary explosions occurred on the evening of Tuesday, July 4, and claimed several lives, brought down storey buildings and left many other people with serious injuries. READ ALSO: COVID-19: 671 test positive as 603 others recover President Uhuru Kenyatta has sent a message of condoles to the people of Lebanon following the tragic Tuesday, July 4, explosion. Photo: State House. Source: Facebook READ ALSO: Nairobi woman says magic gave her powers to sleep with rich men, eat their money In his message of condolence shared by State House on Wednesday, August 4, Uhuru encouraged his counterpart, President Michel Aoun, and the people of Lebanon as they strive to come to terms with the devastating news. "President Uhuru Kenyatta has sent a message of solidarity and encouragement to President Michel Aoun and the People of the Lebanese Republic following yesterday's devastating blast in Beirut. President Kenyatta expressed Kenya's sympathy for the Lebanese people and wished them God's comfort as they come to terms with the regrettable destruction of their iconic capital city," read the message by State House. READ ALSO: Willis Raburu afichua alipata alama ya D+ katika mtihani wa KCSE According to reports, the fire broke out in a warehouse used for storing firecrackers, near Beirut's port, and strong explosions were followed shortly. President Aoun said the blast was caused by 2,750 tonnes of ammonium nitrate stored unsafely in a warehouse. About 100 people have died and more than 4,000 others injured, according to a report by BBC. Rescue operations and other humanitarian services are ongoing. Smoke billowing from one of the buildings in Beirut city moments before exploding. Photo: Lebanese Red Cross. Source: Getty Images Leaders and netizens from across the globe have expressed their sympathies with the Asian country. Social media pages have been awash with consolation messages and prayers for those affected in the deadly blast. Do you have a groundbreaking story you would like us to publish? Please reach us through news@tuko.co.ke or WhatsApp: 0732482690. Contact Tuko.co.ke instantly. Corona has totally ruined our lives - Walter Waweru | Tuko TV Source: TUKO.co.ke OKLAHOMA CITY, Aug. 5, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- SandRidge Energy, Inc. (the "Company" or "SandRidge") (NYSE:SD) today announced financial and operational results for the quarter ended June 30, 2020. Results and highlights during the quarter: Produced 23.6 MBoepd for the quarter Incurred a net loss of $215.8 million , or $6.06 per share, driven largely by significantly challenged commodity prices, a non-cash ceiling test write down and an impairment charge to the value of the Company's office headquarters, and adjusted net loss of $7.4 million , or $0.21 per share Generated Adjusted EBITDA of $8.8 million for the quarter Decreased G&A and Adjusted G&A year-over-year by 57% and 58%, respectively, to $4.3 million , or $2.01 per boe, and $3.7 million , or $1.74 per boe Decreased LOE year-over-year by 65% to $8.7 million , or $4.04 per boe Entered into agreement to sell company headquarters for $35.5 million , which is expected to close in the third quarter of 2020 Continued streak without a recordable Health, Safety and Environmental ("HS&E") incident for 22 months as of the end of the second quarter Financial Results For the quarter, the Company reported a net loss of $215.8 million, or $6.06 per share, and net cash provided by operating activities of $13.5 million. After adjusting for certain items, the Company's adjusted net loss amounted to $7.4 million, or $0.21 per share, operating cash flow totaled $6.1 million and adjusted EBITDA was $8.8 million for the quarter. The Company defines and reconciles adjusted net income, adjusted EBITDA and other non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable GAAP measure in supporting tables at the conclusion of this press release. Operational Results and Activity Production totaled 2,151 MBoe (24% oil, 32% NGLs and 44% natural gas) for the quarter. Mid-Continent Assets in Oklahoma and Kansas Production in the Mississippian totaled 1,786 MBoe (19.6 MBoepd, 14% oil) and 143 MBoe (1.6 MBoepd, 32% oil) in the Northwest STACK during the quarter. North Park Basin Assets in Colorado Net production for North Park Basin totaled 222 MBoe (2.4 MBoepd, 100% oil) during the quarter. Management and Board Update The Company appointed Carl F. Giesler, Jr. to the position of President and CEO in April 2020 and to the Board of Directors (the "Board") as of July 29, 2020. Further, the Company appointed Salah I. Gamoudi to the position of Chief Financial Officer and Chief Accounting Officer in July 2020. It also announced in April 2020 the separation of employment of Michael A. Johnson from his position as Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer and John P. Suter from his position as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, effective July 2020. Building Sale On May 15, 2020, the Company signed an agreement to sell its corporate headquarters in Oklahoma City for $35.5 million. The sale is expected to close in the third quarter of 2020. 2020 Capital Expenditures and Operational Guidance The Company reaffirms its 2020 capital expenditures and operational guidance previously published on May 18, 2020. Liquidity and Capital Structure The Company completed its semi-annual borrowing base redetermination at $75.0 million under its revolving credit facility in April 2020. As of June 30, 2020, the Company's total liquidity was $25.2 million, based on $13.5 million of cash and $11.7 million available under its credit facility. The Company currently has $59.0 million drawn on the facility and $4.3 million in outstanding letters of credit. Given the anticipated third quarter proceeds from the May 2020 agreement to sell our corporate headquarters for $35.5 million as well as several initiatives expected to optimize free cash flow, including personnel and non-personnel cost reductions and entering into commodity derivative contracts for natural gas, and while we cannot give absolute assurance that our plans will succeed, we have concluded that management's plans are probable of being achieved to alleviate substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern. Conference Call Information The Company will host a conference call to discuss these results on Thursday, August 6, 2020 at 9:00 am CT. The conference call can be accessed by registering online at http://www.directeventreg.com/registration/event/8584959 at which time registrants will receive dial-in information as well as a passcode and registrant ID. At the time of the call, participants will dial in using the numbers in the confirmation email and enter their passcode and ID, upon which they will enter the conference call. A live audio webcast of the conference call will also be available via SandRidge's website, www.sandridgeenergy.com, under Investor Relations/Presentation & Events. The webcast will be archived for replay on the Company's website for 30 days. Operational and Financial Statistics Information regarding the Company's production, pricing, costs and earnings is presented below: Three Months Ended June 30, Six Months Ended June 30, 2020 2019 2020 2019 Production - Total Oil (MBbl) 520 984 1,202 1,833 NGL (MBbl) 681 830 1,451 1,706 Natural Gas (MMcf) 5,697 8,476 12,391 17,096 Oil equivalent (MBoe) 2,151 3,227 4,718 6,388 Daily production (MBoed) 23.6 35.5 25.9 35.3 Average price per unit Realized oil price per barrel - as reported $ 22.22 $ 56.52 $ 33.45 $ 53.89 Realized impact of derivatives per barrel 11.25 8.27 Net realized price per barrel $ 33.47 $ 56.52 $ 41.72 $ 53.89 Realized NGL price per barrel - as reported $ 2.34 $ 11.34 $ 5.19 $ 13.20 Realized impact of derivatives per barrel Net realized price per barrel $ 2.34 $ 11.34 $ 5.19 $ 13.20 Realized natural gas price per Mcf - as reported $ 0.58 $ 1.20 $ 0.71 $ 1.58 Realized impact of derivatives per Mcf 0.11 0.06 0.29 Net realized price per Mcf $ 0.69 $ 1.20 $ 0.77 $ 1.87 Realized price per Boe - as reported $ 7.65 $ 23.30 $ 11.99 $ 23.21 Net realized price per Boe - including impact of derivatives $ 10.67 $ 23.30 $ 14.24 $ 24.00 Average cost per Boe Lease operating $ 4.04 $ 7.77 $ 5.16 $ 7.49 Production, ad valorem, and other taxes $ 0.86 $ 1.82 $ 1.07 $ 1.72 Depletion (1) $ 6.21 $ 12.22 $ 8.10 $ 11.88 Loss per share Loss per share applicable to common stockholders Basic $ (6.06) $ (0.38) $ (6.42) $ (0.53) Diluted $ (6.06) $ (0.38) $ (6.42) $ (0.53) Adjusted net loss per share available to common stockholders Basic $ (0.21) $ (0.25) $ (0.42) $ (0.25) Diluted $ (0.21) $ (0.25) $ (0.42) $ (0.25) Weighted average number of shares outstanding (in thousands) Basic 35,611 35,356 35,581 35,339 Diluted 35,611 35,356 35,581 35,339 (1) Includes accretion of asset retirement obligation. Capital Expenditures The table below presents actual results of the Company's capital expenditures for the three and six months ended June 30, 2020. Three Months Ended Six Months Ended June 30, 2020 June 30, 2020 (In thousands) (In thousands) Drilling, completion and capital workovers 1,005 2,430 Other capital expenditures (6) 497 Total Capital Expenditures $ 999 $ 2,927 (excluding acquisitions and plugging and abandonment) Derivative Contracts The table below sets forth the Company's open derivative contracts as of June 30, 2020 in addition to derivative contracts entered into subsequent to June 30, 2020, under which we will receive a fixed price for the contract and pay a floating market price to the counterparty over a specified period for a contractual volume. Notional (MMBtu) Weighted Average Fixed Price per Unit Natural Gas Price Swaps: July 2020 - October 2020 4,920,000 $ 2.14 Natural Gas Price Swaps: November 2020 - December 2020 2,135,000 $ 2.54 Natural Gas Price Swaps: January 2021 - December 2021 10,950,000 $ 2.61 Capitalization The Company's capital structure as of June 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019 is presented below: June 30, 2020 December 31, 2019 (In thousands) Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash $ 14,927 $ 5,968 Credit facility $ 59,000 $ 57,500 Total debt 59,000 57,500 Stockholders' equity Common stock 36 36 Warrants 88,520 88,520 Additional paid-in capital 1,060,019 1,059,253 Accumulated deficit (973,806) (745,357) Total SandRidge Energy, Inc. stockholders' equity 174,769 402,452 Total capitalization $ 233,769 $ 459,952 SandRidge Energy, Inc. and Subsidiaries Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited) (In thousands, except per share amounts) Three Months Ended June 30, Six Months Ended June 30, 2020 2019 2020 2019 Revenues Oil, natural gas and NGL $ 16,448 $ 75,196 $ 56,587 $ 148,244 Other 207 192 397 380 Total revenues 16,655 75,388 56,984 148,624 Expenses Lease operating expenses 8,698 25,076 24,340 47,855 Production, ad valorem, and other taxes 1,854 5,877 5,053 10,957 Depreciation and depletionoil and natural gas 13,348 39,419 38,203 75,884 Depreciation and amortizationother 1,739 2,986 4,373 5,929 Impairment 201,784 209,754 General and administrative 4,314 10,084 9,797 20,023 Restructuring expenses 444 444 Employee termination benefits 1,993 4,465 5,247 4,465 (Gain) loss on derivative contracts (2,241) (12,467) 209 Other operating expense 108 37 385 119 Total expenses 232,041 87,944 285,129 165,441 (Loss) income from operations (215,386) (12,556) (228,145) (16,817) Other income (expense) Interest expense, net (447) (702) (1,084) (1,287) Other income (expense), net 58 (26) 134 (457) Total other expense (389) (728) (950) (1,744) Loss before income taxes (215,775) (13,284) (229,095) (18,561) Income tax expense (benefit) 4 (646) Net loss $ (215,779) $ (13,284) $ (228,449) $ (18,561) Loss per share Basic $ (6.06) $ (0.38) $ (6.42) $ (0.53) Diluted $ (6.06) $ (0.38) $ (6.42) $ (0.53) Weighted average number of common shares outstanding Basic 35,611 35,356 35,581 35,339 Diluted 35,611 35,356 35,581 35,339 SandRidge Energy, Inc. and Subsidiaries Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited) (In thousands) June 30, 2020 December 31, 2019 ASSETS Current assets Cash and cash equivalents $ 13,473 $ 4,275 Restricted cash - other 1,454 1,693 Accounts receivable, net 16,608 28,644 Derivative contracts 2,004 114 Prepaid expenses 2,218 3,342 Assets held for sale 35,447 Other current assets 80 538 Total current assets 71,284 38,606 Oil and natural gas properties, using full cost method of accounting Proved 1,489,793 1,484,359 Unproved 22,753 24,603 Less: accumulated depreciation, depletion and impairment (1,335,830) (1,129,622) 176,716 379,340 Other property, plant and equipment, net 106,665 188,603 Other assets 766 1,140 Total assets $ 355,431 $ 607,689 LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY Current liabilities Accounts payable and accrued expenses $ 41,996 $ 64,937 Current maturities of long-term debt 59,000 Asset retirement obligation 22,055 22,119 Liabilities held for sale 403 Other current liabilities 1,120 1,367 Total current liabilities 124,574 88,423 Long-term debt 57,500 Asset retirement obligation 52,879 52,897 Other long-term obligations 3,209 6,417 Total liabilities 180,662 205,237 Stockholders' Equity Common stock, $0.001 par value; 250,000 shares authorized; 35,865 issued and outstanding at June 30, 2020 and 35,772 issued and outstanding at December 31, 2019 36 36 Warrants 88,520 88,520 Additional paid-in capital 1,060,019 1,059,253 Accumulated deficit (973,806) (745,357) Total stockholders' equity 174,769 402,452 Total liabilities and stockholders' equity $ 355,431 $ 607,689 SandRidge Energy, Inc. and Subsidiaries Condensed Consolidated Cash Flows (Unaudited) (In thousands) Six Months Ended June 30, 2020 2019 CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES Net loss $ (228,449) $ (18,561) Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by operating activities Provision for doubtful accounts 283 (91) Depreciation, depletion, and amortization 42,576 81,813 Impairment 209,754 Debt issuance costs amortization 318 238 Write off of debt issuance costs 142 (Gain) loss on derivative contracts (12,467) 209 Cash received on settlement of derivative contracts 10,577 5,078 Loss (gain) on sale of assets 78 Stock-based compensation 749 3,104 Other 68 (57) Changes in operating assets and liabilities (10,025) (9,402) Net cash provided by operating activities 13,462 62,473 CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES Capital expenditures for property, plant and equipment (6,814) (123,676) Acquisition of assets 236 Proceeds from sale of assets 1,506 852 Net cash used in investing activities (5,308) (122,588) CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES Proceeds from borrowings 39,000 112,596 Repayments of borrowings (37,500) (60,596) Reduction of financing lease liability (694) (635) Debt issuance costs (901) Cash paid for tax withholdings on vested stock awards (1) (205) Net cash provided by financing activities 805 50,259 NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS and RESTRICTED CASH 8,959 (9,856) CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS and RESTRICTED CASH, beginning of year 5,968 19,645 CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS and RESTRICTED CASH, end of period $ 14,927 $ 9,789 Supplemental Disclosure of Cash Flow Information Cash paid for interest, net of amounts capitalized $ (812) $ (949) Cash received for income taxes $ 616 $ Supplemental Disclosure of Noncash Investing and Financing Activities Purchase of PP&E in accounts payable $ 704 $ 17,224 Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for financing lease obligations $ 67 $ 2,655 Non-GAAP Financial Measures This press release includes non-GAAP financial measures. These non-GAAP measures are not alternatives to GAAP measures, and you should not consider these non-GAAP measures in isolation or as a substitute for analysis of our results as reported under GAAP. Below is additional disclosure regarding each of the non-GAAP measures used in this press release, including reconciliations to their most directly comparable GAAP measure. Reconciliation of Cash Provided by Operating Activities to Operating Cash Flow The Company defines operating cash flow as net cash provided by operating activities before changes in operating assets and liabilities as shown in the following table. Operating cash flow is a supplemental financial measure used by the Company's management and by securities analysts, investors, lenders, rating agencies and others who follow the industry as an indicator of the Company's ability to internally fund exploration and development activities and to service or incur additional debt. The Company also uses this measure because operating cash flow relates to the timing of cash receipts and disbursements that the Company may not control and may not relate to the period in which the operating activities occurred. Further, operating cash flow allows the Company to compare its operating performance and return on capital with those of other companies without regard to financing methods and capital structure. This measure should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for net cash provided by operating activities prepared in accordance with GAAP. Three Months Ended June 30, Six Months Ended June 30, 2020 2019 2020 2019 (In thousands) Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities $ (4,641) $ 30,903 $ 13,462 $ 62,473 Changes in operating assets and liabilities 10,711 404 10,025 9,402 Operating cash flow $ 6,070 $ 31,307 $ 23,487 $ 71,875 Reconciliation of Net Loss to EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA The Company defines EBITDA as net loss before income tax (benefit) expense, interest expense, depreciation and amortization - other and depreciation and depletion - oil and natural gas. Adjusted EBITDA, as presented herein, is EBITDA excluding items that the Company believes affect the comparability of operating results such as items whose timing and/or amount cannot be reasonably estimated or are non-recurring, as shown in the following tables. Adjusted EBITDA is presented because management believes it provides useful additional information used by the Company's management and by securities analysts, investors, lenders, ratings agencies and others who follow the industry for analysis of the Company's financial and operating performance on a recurring basis and the Company's ability to internally fund exploration and development and to service or incur additional debt. In addition, management believes that adjusted EBITDA is widely used by professional research analysts and others in the valuation, comparison and investment recommendations of companies in the oil and gas industry. The Company's adjusted EBITDA may not be comparable to similarly titled measures used by other companies. Three Months Ended June 30, Six Months Ended June 30, 2020 2019 2020 2019 (In thousands) Net loss $ (215,779) $ (13,284) $ (228,449) $ (18,561) Adjusted for Income tax (benefit) expense 4 (646) Interest expense 449 737 1,093 1,349 Depreciation and amortization - other 1,739 2,986 4,373 5,929 Depreciation and depletion - oil and natural gas 13,348 39,419 38,203 75,884 EBITDA (200,239) 29,858 (185,426) 64,601 Asset impairment 201,784 209,754 Stock-based compensation (1) 581 1,149 710 2,145 (Gain) loss on derivative contracts (2,241) (12,467) 209 Cash received upon settlement of derivative contracts 6,490 10,577 5,078 Employee termination benefits 1,993 4,465 5,247 4,465 Restructuring expenses 444 444 Other (44) (26) 62 (117) Adjusted EBITDA $ 8,768 $ 35,446 $ 28,901 $ 76,381 1. Excludes non-cash stock-based compensation included in employee termination benefits. Reconciliation of Cash Provided by Operating Activities to Adjusted EBITDA Three Months Ended June 30, Six Months Ended June 30, 2020 2019 2020 2019 (In thousands) Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities $ (4,641) $ 30,903 $ 13,462 $ 62,473 Changes in operating assets and liabilities 10,711 404 10,025 9,402 Interest expense 449 737 1,093 1,349 Employee termination benefits (1) 1,993 3,486 5,247 3,486 Income tax (benefit) expense 4 (646) Other 252 (84) (280) (329) Adjusted EBITDA $ 8,768 $ 35,446 $ 28,901 $ 76,381 1. Excludes associated stock-based compensation. Reconciliation of Net Loss Available to Common Stockholders to Adjusted Net Loss Available to Common Stockholders The Company defines adjusted net loss as net loss excluding items that the Company believes affect the comparability of operating results and are typically excluded from published estimates by the investment community, including items whose timing and/or amount cannot be reasonably estimated or are non-recurring, as shown in the following tables. Management uses the supplemental measure of adjusted net loss as an indicator of the Company's operational trends and performance relative to other oil and natural gas companies and believes it is more comparable to earnings estimates provided by securities analysts. Adjusted net loss is not a measure of financial performance under GAAP and should not be considered a substitute for net loss available to common stockholders. Three Months Ended June 30, 2020 Three Months Ended June 30, 2019 $ $/Diluted Share $ $/Diluted Share (In thousands, except per share amounts) Net loss available to common stockholders $ (215,779) $ (6.06) $ (13,284) $ (0.38) Asset impairment 201,784 5.67 (Gain) loss on derivative contracts (2,241) (0.06) Cash received upon settlement of derivative contracts 6,490 0.18 Employee termination benefits 1,993 0.06 4,465 0.13 Restructuring expenses 444 0.01 Other (42) 10 Adjusted net loss available to common stockholders $ (7,351) $ (0.21) $ (8,809) $ (0.25) Basic Diluted Basic Diluted Weighted average number of common shares outstanding 35,611 35,611 35,356 35,356 Total adjusted net loss per share $ (0.21) $ (0.21) $ (0.25) $ (0.25) Six Months Ended June 30, 2020 Six Months Ended June 30, 2019 $ $/Diluted Share $ $/Diluted Share (In thousands, except per share amounts) Net loss available to common stockholders $ (228,449) $ (6.42) $ (18,561) $ (0.53) Asset impairment 209,754 5.90 (Gain) loss on derivative contracts (12,467) (0.35) 209 0.01 Cash received upon settlement of derivative contracts 10,577 0.30 5,078 0.14 Employee termination benefits 5,247 0.15 4,465 0.13 Restructuring expenses 444 0.01 Other 71 (54) Adjusted net loss available to common stockholders $ (14,823) $ (0.42) $ (8,863) $ (0.25) Basic Diluted Basic Diluted Weighted average number of common shares outstanding 35,581 35,581 35,339 35,339 Total adjusted net loss per share $ (0.42) $ (0.42) $ (0.25) $ (0.25) Reconciliation of G&A to Adjusted G&A The Company reports and provides guidance on Adjusted G&A per Boe because it believes this measure is commonly used by management, analysts and investors as an indicator of cost management and operating efficiency on a comparable basis from period to period and to compare and make investment recommendations of companies in the oil and gas industry. This non-GAAP measure allows for the analysis of general and administrative spend without regard to stock-based compensation programs and other non-recurring cash items, if any, which can vary significantly between companies. Adjusted G&A per Boe is not a measure of financial performance under GAAP and should not be considered a substitute for general and administrative expense per Boe. Therefore, the Company's Adjusted G&A per Boe may not be comparable to other companies' similarly titled measures. The Company defines adjusted G&A as general and administrative expense adjusted for certain non-cash stock-based compensation and other non-recurring items, if any, as shown in the following tables: Three Months Ended June 30, 2020 Three Months Ended June 30, 2019 $ $/Boe $ $/Boe (In thousands, except per Boe amounts) General and administrative $ 4,314 $ 2.01 $ 10,084 $ 3.13 Stock-based compensation (1) (581) (0.27) (1,149) (0.36) Adjusted G&A $ 3,733 $ 1.74 $ 8,935 $ 2.77 Six Months Ended June 30, 2020 Six Months Ended June 30, 2019 $ $/Boe $ $/Boe (In thousands, except per Boe amounts) General and administrative $ 9,797 $ 2.08 $ 20,023 $ 3.13 Stock-based compensation (1) (709) (0.15) (2,145) (0.33) Adjusted G&A $ 9,088 $ 1.93 $ 17,878 $ 2.80 1. Excludes non-cash stock-based compensation included in employee termination benefits. For further information, please contact: Investor Relations SandRidge Energy, Inc. 123 Robert S. Kerr Avenue Oklahoma City, OK 73102-6406 [email protected] Cautionary Note to Investors - This press release includes "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, including, but not limited to, the information appearing under the heading "Revised 2020 Operational and Capital Expenditure Guidance." These forward-looking statements are neither historical facts nor assurances of future performance and reflect SandRidge's current beliefs and expectations regarding future events and operating performance. The forward-looking statements include projections and estimates of the Company's corporate strategies, future operations, development plans and appraisal programs, drilling inventory and locations, estimated oil, natural gas and natural gas liquids production, price realizations and differentials, hedging program, projected operating, general and administrative and other costs, projected capital expenditures, tax rates, efficiency and cost reduction initiative outcomes, liquidity and capital structure. We have based these forward-looking statements on our current expectations and assumptions and analyses made by us in light of our experience and our perception of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments, as well as other factors we believe are appropriate under the circumstances. However, whether actual results and developments will conform with our expectations and predictions is subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, including the volatility of oil and natural gas prices, our success in discovering, estimating, developing and replacing oil and natural gas reserves, actual decline curves and the actual effect of adding compression to natural gas wells, the availability and terms of capital, the ability of counterparties to transactions with us to meet their obligations, our timely execution of hedge transactions, credit conditions of global capital markets, changes in economic conditions, the amount and timing of future development costs, the availability and demand for alternative energy sources, regulatory changes, including those related to carbon dioxide and greenhouse gas emissions, and other factors, many of which are beyond our control. We refer you to the discussion of risk factors in Part I, Item 1A - "Risk Factors" of our Annual Report on Form 10-K and in comparable "Risk Factor" sections of our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q filed after such form 10-K. All of the forward-looking statements made in this press release are qualified by these cautionary statements. The actual results or developments anticipated may not be realized or, even if substantially realized, they may not have the expected consequences to or effects on our Company or our business or operations. Such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. We undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements. SandRidge Energy, Inc. (NYSE: SD) is an independent oil and gas company engaged in the development and acquisition of oil and gas properties. Its primary areas of operation are the Mid-Continent in Oklahoma and Kansas and the North Park Basin in Colorado. Further information can be found at www.sandridgeenergy.com. SOURCE SandRidge Energy, Inc. Related Links http://www.sandridgeenergy.com The EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA), which came into force on August 1, is hoped to create a driving force to help Vietnam reap further achievements in poverty reduction and economic growth. A World Bank study said the EVFTA will help an additional 0.1 0.8 million people escape poverty by 2030, equivalent to a reduction of 0.7 percent in poverty rate compared to a no-EVFTA scenario. The gender-based income gap will be narrowed by an additional 0.15 percent, with the group of 40 percent of families with lowest income benefiting the most. The EVFTA would bring this through creating more jobs, reducing redundant labourers and unemployment, and raise workers income. With the deal, the door to a 508-million strong market worth 18 trillion USD has opened wider than ever for Vietnamese goods. According to the Ministry of Planning and Investment, in the short term the EVFTA will help Vietnams GDP increase by 2.18 3.25 percent. In the context of the COVID-19 pandemic affecting the global economy, Vietnam would be among the few countries with positive growth rate in all scenarios of development thanks to the deal, the WB said. Vietnams exports to the EU are forecast to rise by 42.7 percent in the first five years after the deal took effect, with big increases expected for industries of Vietnams strength such as farm produce (particularly rice), manufacturing-processing (textile-garment, leather-footwear) and services (maritime and aviation transport). As a result, more jobs will become available in Vietnam. It is noteworthy that intensive commitments in the field of investment under the EVFTA will drive the perfection of institutions and improvement of investment and business environment in Vietnam, thus attract more EU investors to the country who will create more jobs for domestic workers. It is estimated that the deal will help create 146,000 more jobs a year. In the medium and long-term, the EVFTA will contribute to raising domestic revenues thanks to economic growth, at an estimated 7 trillion VND 10 years after the deal took effect, which compensates for the drop in import-export duties, projected at 2.53 trillion VND after 10 years implementing the deal. As the result, the State will have more resources for poverty reduction policies. Besides the number of jobs, the EVFTA is also expected to help improve incomes of labourers through more effective operation of the market and the effects from salary paid by FDI enterprises. Research has proved that income inequality and the rich-poor gap is inversely proportional to average per capita income, Sate budget collection and the ratio of exports to GDP. The Ministry of Industry and Trade said what makes the EVFTA different from other FTAs is Vietnams commitments to sustainable development, comprising not only economic commitments but also those related to gender equality, the environment and social development, which are important conditions for the country to reduce poverty in a more sustainable manner./.VNA VN businesses slow in preparing to enjoy preferential tariffs in EVFTA Experts have raised concerns that Vietnamese businesses are slow in preparing conditions to enjoy preferential tariffs in the Viet Nam-EU Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA). Indications are that China has shown reluctance to move out of the finger areas in the Pangong Tso The fifth Corps Commanders level talks between India and China on Sunday seems to have been unable to achieve any major breakthrough on further disengagement in Pangong Tso and other friction areas. Though government is yet to come out with any formal statement on the meeting, indications are that China has shown reluctance to move out of the finger areas in the Pangong Tso. China is reported to have claimed that it had always been present in the finger area. There have been series of meetings of India's top security brass at various levels in national capital to discuss the outcome of the fifth Corps Commanders level talks and the further way out. There are chances that India may now try high level of diplomatic contacts to try to resolve the military stand-off which has now entered the fourth month. Chinese are occupying finger 5 area in the Pangong Tso and are still continuing to hold the ridges in the finger 4 area. During the initial phase of disengagement, Chinese troops had vacated the banks of Pangong Tso lake in finger 4 area on July 9 and gone back to finger 5. But Chinese troops still have to vacate area between finger 5 and finger 8, which India claims is its territory. Satellite images have shown huge build-up by Chinese at Pangong Tso including the building of permanent bunkers, huts, installation of artillery guns and stationing of boats. These indicate the Chinese are preparing themselves for a long haul in the area. In May 2020, Chinese troops in an aggressive move occupied the area between Finger 4 to Finger 8 and prevented Indian troops from patrolling. In the Hot Springs general area, Chinese troops have reportedly not moved back to that extent in the first phase as was agreed in the agreement of June 6 and has still some presence. Galwan Valley is the only friction point where Chines have completely disengaged as per the agreement as there is around 4 kilometer distance between the two armies. The Army is now preparing for the stand-off with China to continue for a long period and has started to outline stocks and materials needed for winter deployment of the troops at such a high altitude. It is in the process of placing orders for additional tents and shelters from indigenous as well as foreign vendors for winters. China has brought a large number of troops estimated to be around 40,000 soldiers in the front and depth areas at the LAC in the Ladakh sector where they have also amassed tanks, artillery, aircraft and radars, jammers. India has also done mirror deployment of its troops in Ladakh to counter the Chinese. India has also deployed tanks, heavy artillery and air defence system in the Ladakh sector to counter any Chinese challenge. Trump Says He Will Ban TikTok on Sept. 15 Unless US Firm Buys It COVID-19 has brought the future of the U.S. Health System's into sharper focus. In a very real sense, these adaptations will be essential to ensuring the survival of traditional healthcare providers in the face of powerful new industry entrants leveraging disruptive new ideas and technologies - Kevin Fleming, CEO, Loyale Healthcare In its often-heroic ongoing response to the global pandemic, Americas healthcare system has repeatedly risen to unprecedented challenges. Regardless of the obstacle - shortages of tests, ventilators and ICU beds; strained lab capacity; scarce supples such as personal protective equipment (PPE) and the cancellation or postponement of all nonessential services - providers across the country have found new and better ways to treat patients affected by COVID-19 while maintaining care delivery to non-COVID patients. Importantly, however, existing systems for patient payment have not kept pace. Across the healthcare industry, COVID-19 has led to the accelerated adoption of new operating models that promise better, more accessible and more sustainable healthcare. These adaptations are really just the beginning of a longer-term industry transformation that had begun, and was slowly progressing, before the pandemic ever reached our shores. The more-rapid-than-usual adoption of these models has several industry experts looking ahead to a very different kind of healthcare system in the years ahead. One that promises better outcomes for every stakeholder thats prepared to change along with the industry. In a McKinsey & Company Article titled, Virtual, equitable, and precise: The dean of Stanfords medical school talks about what healthcare could be, Stanfords Lloyd Minor shares a vision for the future of healthcare that bears many similarities to those of other experts - in and outside healthcare. Its an optimistic vision that foresees a focus on wellness across all segments of the population, a more intelligent and affordable choice of care delivery channels, and actions to address the social determinants that have such a profound effect on health across the country. Its an approach that relies far more on the virtual, digital delivery of care and an emphasis on data-driven research and development that focuses on prediction and prevention. Its important to note that the future envisioned by Mr. Minor and others is not unrealistically optimistic or merely aspirational. The changes anticipated address longstanding deficiencies in American healthcare and the measures that must be taken to cure them. In a very real sense, these adaptations will be essential to ensuring the survival of traditional healthcare providers in the face of powerful new industry entrants leveraging disruptive new ideas and technologies in a market environment where the balance of power has shifted to the consumer. Healthcares transformational adaptations fall into several broad categories, each addressing inefficiencies created or sustained by the fragmentation of information, treatment and payment that affects so much of healthcare today both for healthcare providers and consumers. They include: Consumer-centered: According to one expert cited below, Acute healthcare hospitals will no longer be the center of gravity, consumers will. In this healthcare system, providers must win the trust and business of patients (consumers) who have been empowered with open access to their personal health data and a growing array of options for where to seek care. Accessible and Affordable: As empowered healthcare consumers assert their authority, the traditional payer-provider dynamic will also shift toward patients. Patients, who have until now been at the mercy of their health plan and its negotiated rates with preferred providers, will decide who gets their money - both out-of-pocket (now more than a third of healthcare revenue) and insurer-paid. A technology platform like Loyale Patient Financial Manager, allows some of Americas largest providers to present prospective patients with virtual financial engagement including price and payment options that bring care within reach, reduce billing and collection friction and improve the probability of payment. All at a fraction of the traditional cost of patient collections. Virtual: Healthcare providers dabbled in the digital delivery of care and other patient experiences prior to COVID-19, but telehealth usage exploded immediately following the announcement of the national emergency. Providers moved quickly to expand existing technologies for much higher volumes, supported by temporarily adjusted Medicare/Medicaid policies for full care reimbursement. For providers, virtual care delivery benefits extend well beyond their contact-free attributes. Theyre also scalable, highly efficient (allowing for much higher physician and staff productivity) and flexible. Most experts agree that virtual will continue to be a much larger part of the healthcare delivery system from now on. Data-driven and interoperable: In healthcare, interoperable refers to the ability for disparate systems to share information. True, full interoperability has been a goal for years, leading to the creation of a federal agency, the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC) under the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. In reality, industry-wide adoption of true, full-scale interoperability is yet to be achieved though incremental improvement has been occurring. All of the adaptations predicted here are predicated on the fulfillment of broad-scale interoperability. Well care, not just sick care: Open access to data (above) and powerful technology tools like artificial intelligence (AI) will enable more predictive models for populations - both geographic and demographic - who are more at risk for poor health. Healthcare will evolve from a focus on treating disease to predicting and preventing it. Initiatives that fall under this category will focus on the social determinants affecting health and wellness of all patients and care delivery models that bring care closer to where its needed. Susceptible to market share loss to disruptive competitors: As noted above, these adaptations are not wishful thinking. According to the experts and affirmed by market research healthcares transformation is not expected to be optional. Traditional providers may be tempted to dig in and protect their existing share, but powerful new industry entrants and the partnerships they forge will certainly not allow that strategy to prevail. Echoing some of the adaptations envisioned by Mr. Minor, Harvard Business Reviews What Will U.S. Health Care Look Like After the Pandemic?, author Robert S. Huckman reminds industry observers that, Amidst the immediacy of this crisis, it is important to begin to consider the less-urgent-but-still-critical question of what the American health care system might look like once the current rush has passed. In particular, what can the system learn from the existential challenges it faces due to the spread of COVID-19?, noting that, A few broad lessons are emerging. Mr. Huckmans analysis also envisions virtual care delivery, pointing out federal and state regulatory changes expanding the ability to deliver telemedicine services and easing the requirement that physicians have a separate license in each state in which they practice. And, in light of the fact that for now the governments support is temporary, whether (telemedicine) becomes lasting may largely depend on how existing providers embrace this new model during this period of increased use due to necessity. At Loyale, we contend that this genie is out of the bottle. Consumer demand and competitive pressure will ensure its survival. As mentioned above, many of these adaptations were already underway well before the COVID-19 crisis began. In analysis published by Deloitte in the spring of 2019 titled, "Forces of change - The future of health", the authors summed up their findings by concluding that, The future of healthcare will likely be driven by digital transformation enabled by radically interoperable data and open, secure platforms. Health is likely to revolve around sustaining well-being rather than responding to illness. In their 20-year outlook, the Deloitte analysts predict that, care will be organized around the consumer, rather than around the institutions that drive our existing healthcare system. And that, exponential changes (in technology) will accelerate the pace of disruption. They go on to warn industry stakeholders that, Technology-focused companies such as Google, Amazon and Apple are beginning to disrupt the existing market and reshape the model. Legacy stakeholders should consider whether to disrupt themselves or isolate and protect their offerings to retain some of their existing market share. Incumbent players that are able to reinvent themselves could help usher in the future of health, while some could succumb to competition coming from outside the traditional industry boundaries. Weve cited only a few of the many expert and industry voices whose vision for the future fall into alignment. Although COVID-19 has acted as a catalyst to accelerate the industrys transformation, its comforting to remember that many of the transformational achievements that have emerged from the crisis were already on the industrys drawing board. COVID has confirmed that were on the right track. 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. It feels like a note we play from time to time. When were writing and developing our films, it becomes a modulation: How deep into this are we getting and how much are we pulling back and letting the comedy prevail? With this one, weirdly, the thing that I was referencing in my head the most was Pixar films. Because they take premises that often are not based in reality, in any way, shape or form, and they dive so deep into their saddest elements. Up is completely insane as a plot for a film. But it makes you cry hysterically several times. Why did we think a movie about a guy falling in a pickle vat for 100 years might be able to pack a real, emotional punch? It was because of Pixar films. They do it. Does it feel like a risk to release An American Pickle on HBO Max and not a more established streaming service like Netflix? My deepest fear with Netflix is that I am one of 800,000 squares on your screen. When youre a movie on Netflix, what youre mostly competing with is other Netflix movies. There are no other HBO Max movies. [Laughs] HBO Max has just launched and we are the first [original] film they are releasing. Were not competing for their attention. Were not competing for their resources. They seem very intent on people being aware of our film. Beyond that, no one knows how many people watched anything anyway. How do you gauge whether An American Pickle is a success? Honestly, all I care about is our movies being liked and viewed as generally good. Because thats the only thing Ive seen over the years that has led to us working consistently. Weve made successful movies. Weve made giant failures. I think the reason we keep being allowed to make films is we make more good ones than bad ones. There are things you can blame on the studio, and thats something Im always more than happy to do. But whats harder to blame on the studio is when we just made a bad movie. Sometimes we make movies and its like, yeesh, no one liked this. And then five years later, youre like, oh, no, people liked that movie. Time is a good test. Press Release August 5, 2020 Hontiveros: Form anti-overpricing body to end PhilHealth corruption Senator Risa Hontiveros today urged the Department of Health (DOH) and the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) to convene an anti-overpricing body required by law to ensure greater transparency and cut down corruption and fraud in the state insurer's operations. Hontiveros said PhilHealth's internal mechanisms for transparency and accountability must be drastically updated and fully enforced so that every peso in the agency is actually used to help Filipinos, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. "PhilHealth's failure to fully enforce anti-corruption measures has potentially led to the loss of billions. We must ensure reformations within PhilHealth that will make them worthy of the taxes of the people, especially because of their crucial role in universal healthcare," she said. To help curb overspending by PhilHealth, Hontiveros said that DOH, PhilHealth and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) should immediately convene the Independent Price Negotiation Board, an oversight body mandated by the Universal Health Care Law (RA 11223). Noting the claims of PhilHealth that they "potentially lost" P10.2 B in 2019 and are projected to lose double in 2020 to fraud and false claims, Hontiveros, an author of the said law, explained that the Independent Price Negotiation Board is empowered to negotiate with suppliers over prices of medical supplies and new technology needed by healthcare providers accredited under the DOH. She said the treatment of COVID-19 can be standardized and better monitored through the board. "Masisigurado ng anti-overpricing body na standardized ang mga presyo ng mga bibilin nating mga gamot, personal protective equipment o PPE, testing kit, at iba pang mga pangaganilangan laban sa COVID-19. Maiiwasan natin ang over-spending, over-reimbursing, over-funding para pumunta ang pondo diretso sa mga nangangailangan," she said. "Isa ito sa mga probisyon ng batas na pinabayaan ng DOH, PhilHealth at DTI. PhilHealth must ensure full enforcement of anti-corruption measures so that resources are prepared for those who need it the most, especially in this public health crisis. An oversight of PhilHealth's future spending can prevent the misuse of funds and ensure that records of spending are made transparent to everyone," she said. "Mahalaga ang papel ng PhilHealth sa paglaban sa pandemya at sa pag-roll out ng Universal Health Care sa bansa. Maraming buhay ang nakataya sa maayos na serbisyo ng PhilHealth, kaya dapat ay gampanan nito ang kanyang responsibilidad at protektahan ang pondo para sa kalusugang pangkalahatan," Hontiveros concluded. TRUMBULL, Conn., Aug. 5, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Sustained acoustic medicine (sam) from ZetrOZ heals a wide range of injuries and relieves the pain caused by them - and the wearable device is covered by personal injury and workers' compensation insurance. The safe and effective treatment eliminates the need for expensive and time-consuming surgery, painful injections and costly prescription pain medication that can cause dependence. Many Americans suffer from a degree of neck or back pain, especially those who have had a traumatic experience such as a car accident. This pain can prove debilitating and can significantly affect their quality of life. Then there are employees who are injured on the job and must recover quickly. All of these people need a cost-effective, low-maintenance, user-friendly solution. Fortunately, sam meets all of these criteria. Medical issues the ultrasound device treats include the following: Knee pain Lower back injuries Neck pain Whiplash Tendinitis and overuse injuries When surgery is necessary, sam aids in the post-operative recovery process, accelerating it and providing pain relief. The device can also delay the need for surgical procedures until a more convenient time. While an ultrasound treatment with this degree of efficacy may sound like it would be expensive, fortunately, most health insurance plans and automotive insurance carriers in the United States cover sam. Patient navigators at ZetrOZ, the company that produces sam, are happy to walk patients through the process of obtaining the device and getting it covered by their insurance carrier. Those who use sam experience results that are notable and fast, as illustrated by Corinne Poling, who broke her leg in multiple locations and suffered from a significant amount of pain and almost complete lack of mobility. Poling, who was not able to bend the affected leg or place enough weight on it to complete simple activities, had tried a walker, a wheelchair and several forms of therapy without success before her doctor suggested sam Sport. The wearable device produced results for her that none of the other treatments could. "The device has taken me from a 10-plus level of pain to a livable three to five level on a daily basis. The swelling has ceased and the leg barely ever bothers me now. If I were to rate the improvement in mobility, it would be 75 percent in just this short period of not quite 30 days, using it four hours once daily with two contacts. Application of sam was easy to learn and I quickly got used to wearing it," Poling said. While sam is technologically sophisticated, it is also easy to use and apply, making it the perfect choice for home application by patients. Users can engage in most activities while wearing the device and it only requires four hours per day of use to deliver results. Additionally, sam ships directly to patients' homes, preventing the need to pick it up at a doctor's office or hospital. "People suffering from neck or back injuries due to a traumatic event, or injuries they sustained at the workplace, should not have to endure expensive, risky and time-consuming surgery, injections or pain medications. With sam, patients have a budget-friendly, safe and non-invasive way to relieve their pain and heal their injuries. This is one of the reasons I created sam and I am very pleased the ultrasound treatment can help them," said Dr. George Lewis, chief executive officer of ZetrOZ Systems. About ZetrOZ Systems ZetrOZ Systems is an FDA cGMP and ISO 13585 medical technology company headquartered in the southern coastal region of Connecticut. The organization also has manufacturing facilities across the United States. ZetrOZ Systems produced UltrOZ, samSport and samPro 2.0 to provide safe and effective treatment options for prevalent conditions such as arthritis. Learn more at zetroz.com and samrecover.com. SOURCE ZetrOZ Systems Related Links http://zetroz.com Actor Rhea Chakraborty's lawyer Tuesday said the Bihar government cannot recommend a CBI probe in actor Sushant Singh Rajput's death when police from that state do not have any jurisdiction to even investigate the case. The Bihar government has recommended a CBI inquiry in the case of Sushant Rajput's death after his father made a request for it, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar said on Tuesday. "There cannot be a transfer of a case which had no legal basis, to begin with for the Bihar police to get involved. At the most, it would be a Zero FIR which would then be transferred to Mumbai Police," Rhea Chakraborty's lawyer Satish Maneshinde said in a statement. The transfer of a case, in which they (Bihar police) had no jurisdiction, to CBI has no legal sanctity, he said. He said the Bihar government, realising that it does not have the jurisdiction to probe the case, is now adopting this "illegal method" of recommending the case to be handed over to CBI. Rhea Chakraborty earlier filed a petition in the Supreme Court, stating that the Bihar Police have no jurisdiction to probe the case as the Mumbai Police have already registered an Accidental Death Report (ADR). Sushant Singh Rajput, 34, was found dead inside his apartment in suburban Bandra on June 14. Mumbai Police had registered an Accidental Death Report (ADR) and an investigation is underway in the case. Till now, the Mumbai Police have recorded statements of 56 people, including Sushant Rajput's sisters, Rhea Chakraborty and some other film personalities. Sushant Singh Rajput's father KK Singh last week lodged a complaint with Patna police against Rhea Chakraborty and her family members, accusing them of "abetment of suicide" in the Sushant Rajput case. The Patna police registered an FIR against Rhea Chakraborty and six members of her family under various Indian Penal Code Sections, including 341 (wrongful restraint), 342 (wrongful confinement), 380 (theft in dwelling house), 406 (criminal breach of trust), 420 (cheating) and 306 (abetment of suicide). A team of the Bihar Police is in Mumbai for probing the case and recording statements of witnesses. Mr Maneshinde on Monday refuted the Bihar Police's contention that Rhea Chakraborty was "missing", and said till date she has not received any summons or notice from them. PENSACOLA, Fla. Asaih Williams didn't stop to think when his dad dove into the Santa Rosa Sound and failed to emerge for several seconds. The Pensacola 9-year-old just acted. "All I remember was that he said he broke his neck and he said he was scared," Asaih recalled Wednesday, several days after the accident. "I had a little time limit in my head. If I jump in and the person I'm jumping with in that certain amount of time (doesn't come up), I go after them." Asaih never took any true technical swim training he just knew something went terribly wrong at that moment and he was the only person in a position to help. The crucial moment came at the end of a relaxing day at Quietwater Beach for the Pensacola family of five on Saturday. The Williams family had just spent all day swimming and relaxing when, shortly after sunset, Asaih convinced his dad, Josh, to take one last dip before calling it a night. Audrey Williams holds her daughter Abigail, 1, as she listens to her son Asaih Williams, 9, talk about saving his fathers life during a recent visit to Quietwater Beach. Asaih kept his father, Joshua Williams, afloat and pulled him back to shore after he dove from the dock into the shallow water and fractured his neck. "I was up on the shore with these two younger ones," said Audrey Williams, the mother of Asaih and the couple's two other young children. "They were kind of playing around where the ferry docks in, so it's about 15 feet deep right there. Then they went down a little bit further, to the right, at the end, where it was a lot more shallow. They couldn't see that well." As Audrey stayed 50 feet away on the beach, occupied with her two little ones, Asaih jumped legs first into the water followed by Josh, who dove in head first. But the water was much shallower than the family who only recently moved to Pensacola from Georgia had expected. Audrey and Josh Williams pose for a photograph together. The couple's son recently rescued Josh from the water at Quietwater Beach after a diving accident. "Asaih saw that daddy wasn't coming up as quickly as he should have and he knew something was wrong," Audrey said. "He flipped him over, because Josh was on his stomach. Asaih flipped him over because he couldn't move." Despite a 100-pound weight difference between the father and son, Asaih channeled a bit of superhuman strength to turn his dad over and ensure he wasn't at risk of drowning, since he had very obviously just suffered a debilitating neck injury. Story continues Watch: Rescuer saves kangaroo from death...twice Video: 3 men rescued after making giant 'SOS' sign in sand on tiny island "Josh told me from the hospital, 'I knew when I impacted, my neck was gone,'" Audrey recalled. Asaih kept his dad flipped around on his back and slowly tugged him to shore for what seemed like an eternity until bystanders were able to take some of the burden from the boy. A man helped Asaih set his dad on land, while a woman called for an ambulance. Asaih Williams, 9, talks about saving his fathers life during a recent visit to Quietwater Beach. Asaih kept his father, Joshua Williams, afloat and pulled him back to shore after he dove from the dock into the shallow water and fractured his neck. Josh Williams was transported Saturday night to Baptist Hospital as a trauma alert. Soon after that he was transported to Sacred Heart for C1-C3 fusion surgery Monday. "He's working on trying to get his feeling back in his arms and legs. His left side is worse than his right," said Audrey, who added that the early prognosis is that Josh's injury won't be life-altering, and he won't require a wheelchair long term. "Doctors are saying he should have a full recovery. He's progressing pretty fast. He lifted his head and sat up in a chair (Tuesday)." Asaih visited with a doctor this week after the boy had experienced some pain in his right leg stemming from the jump. His mom said Asaih is just dealing with a little bit of inflammation and should be back to 100% by the weekend, if not sooner. "I'm so grateful that (Asaih) was there for him because if he wasn't there, my husband probably wouldn't be here today," Asaih said. "The fact that a 9-year-old thought so fast in thinking, 'Oh, I gotta help, I'm the only one here to help him.' He brought him all the way back to shore all by himself. He's daddy's hero, that's for sure." This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: Florida boy saves dad from drowning after diving accident Each day for the past week, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi have met with Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin and White House chief of staff Mark Meadows. After a couple of hours in which each of the meetings principals may as well have been playing Candy Crush in silence, the respective parties inform the press that no progress has been made on a new coronavirus relief package. Each morning for the past week, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnellwhos not sitting in on the negotiating sessions but is kept abreast of themcomes to the Senate floor to excoriate Democrats for playing politics. Shortly thereafter, Schumer explains that Republicans either dont understand, or dont care about, the severity of the problems facing the country. Pelosi states, to whichever camera shes addressing, that Republicans and Democrats, alas, dont have shared values. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The one thing they do share is the prediction that these negotiations would be far more grueling than past coronavirus relief negotiations, given the proximity to the election. They were right. And the message from Meadows and Mnuchin during Senate Republicans weekly policy lunch on Tuesday was, effectively, that they had gotten nowhere. No movement, Indiana Sen. Mike Braun told reporters after the lunch. The secretarys comment was, he didnt think they were any closer to a deal now than this time last week, Missouri Sen. Josh Hawley said. If anything, according to North Dakota Sen. Kevin Cramer, at least the tone of the discussions had changed. But more friendly tones alone cannot bridge the gap between Democrats, who want to spend $3.4 trillion, and Republicans, about half of whom already consider $1 trillion too much. Dialing down the temperature will not get Republicans to budge from their position of offering zero additional dollars to aid state and local governments, and a slightly different vibe wont convince Democrats to move either. Democrats still want to extend the (now-lapsed) $600 enhanced unemployment benefits at least through the end of the year; meanwhile, there are 53 Republican senators with about 53 different opinions on the proper way to proceed on unemployment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Despite reports over the weekend that sounded positive, I think the positiveness you heard was about body language, Florida Sen. Marco Rubio, with a touch of derisiveness, told reporters. But at some point, [Democrats] have to move, as we as well have to move, toward one another. Republicans describe the problem as Democrats refusing to budge from their starting negotiating positions, most of which they outlined in the $3.4 trillion HEROES Act that passed the House in May. Schumer didnt exactly deny that in his Tuesday press conference, arguing that the scope and price tag they sought was a straightforward reflection of existing needs. Advertisement Advertisement There are real dramatic needs, Schumer said, while arguing that they were negotiating in good faith. Were not going to do one-fifth of the needs, or a quarter of the needs, or a third of the needs. Advertisement He reiterated, for good measure, how the distribution of available votes for a package of this magnitude skew. Leader McConnell just said hes not going to get a whole lot of Republican votes for whatever is going to pass, Schumer said. So Id remind the Republican leader, and the negotiators, that if this bill is going to pass with all Democrats in the House and a majority of Democrats in the Senate, its got to be something that Democrats like and support. That Democrats will be providing the lions share of the votes is one of the key sources of their perceived leveragealong with their belief that Republicans need a package to prevent the economy from (further) collapsing ahead of the incumbent Republican presidents reelection. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some Republicans, though, are beginning to see Democrats aggressive posture as an indication that theyd rather have the issue than a deal. I predict that as long as the Democrats believe they can win a PR war on inaction, and have it blamed on Republicans, theyre not going to be willing to cut a deal, Rubio told reporters. They basically feel like they can win. Democrats do feel like they have that upper hand, and thats why theyre holding firm. But they also really do want to replace devastated state and local budgets, and to save the Postal Service ahead of a mostly mail-in election theyre currently favored to win. Theyre not just stringing Republican along for kicks. Advertisement The question of whether to continue pursuing a deal, and to delay the start of next weeks August recess, splits Republicans roughly according to the amount of impending electoral danger they feel. Texas Sen. John Cornyn, whos in a reelection race that he cant take for granted, said there was no way they could go home without a deal. How do you think it looks for us to be back home when this is unresolved? he said. This is the most important thing we need to be doing. Other senators who either are up for reelection in safe states or not up at all suggested they should just be on call to return to the Capitol in case a deal gets struck. Advertisement Advertisement So what needs to change to make that happen? None of the cutesy tactics being tossed around to get discussions going will make a difference. Meadows and Mnuchin on Tuesday floated the possibility of executive action in lieu of a deal. If this is a threat, its not one Democrats take seriously; no executive action tinkering around the edges can counteract the pain that would be felt in this country without congressional action. Some senators have suggested that McConnell should get involved by being in the room for the negotiating sessions. McConnell hasnt been presentin part because he knows that whatever deal is struck wont be popular with much of his conference, and so hes kept his hands clean by leaving the task to Democrats and the White Housebut that doesnt mean hes unaware of whats being offered and counteroffered. In the room or out, it doesnt really matter. Advertisement The breakthrough, if there is one, will be determined less by tactical choices than by barometric changes in the political atmosphere. The effects of enhanced unemployment benefits ending and the federal eviction moratorium lifting are being felt now and will be felt more with each passing day. This Fridays jobs report is not expected to be good. Democrats hope that both the administration and vulnerable Senate Republicans will continue feeling the heat until they move to a place where Democrats are willing to meet them. The impasse is breakable. Conditions just havent fully ripened. Late Tuesday afternoon, the negotiators emerged from the days negotiating session feeling a little more upbeat. Marginal movement had been achieved. Were not at the point of being close to a deal, Mnuchin told reporters. But we did try to agree to set a timeline. For more of Slates political coverage, subscribe to the Political Gabfest on Apple Podcasts or listen below. NSW Police have seized nearly $1million of cocaine from a storage facility in Queanbeyan and believe there are people with crucial information about the stash. As part of joint investigations into large-scale drug supply in the Queanbeyan and Canberra region, the Southern Region Enforcement Squad and ACT Policing searched the storage complex in April. Officers found and seized more than two kilograms of cocaine with an estimated street value of $900,000, along with a large amount of a drug cutting agent, later identified as caffeine and inositol, and drug paraphernalia. NSW Police have seized nearly $1million of cocaine from a storage facility in Queanbeyan and believe there are people with crucial information about the stash A 22-year-old man from Kambah, ACT, was arrested and released pending further inquiries. Strike Force Rogal was established to investigate the seizure, including the involvement of a Canberra-based concreting company. Southern Region Enforcement Squad Commander, Detective Chief Inspector Joe Thone, said on Wednesday police believed there were people in the community who were withholding crucial information. 'We have spoken to a number of people during our investigations so far and our officers are currently following several lines of inquiry, including forensic evidence and the involvement of local contractors in the supply of drugs between the ACT and NSW,' he said. ORLANDO, Fla. - Noting the late timing of President Donald Trumps order seeking to exclude people in the U.S. illegally from the process of redrawing congressional districts, a federal judge on Wednesday set a compressed schedule for legal arguments challenging the order as unconstitutional and a deterrent for immigrants participating in the 2020 census. U.S. District Judge Jesse Furman ordered arguments from plaintiff and government attorneys in two combined lawsuits challenging Trumps order to be filed by the end of August. The combined lawsuits were brought by several states, cities, civil rights groups and immigrant rights groups after Trump issued the memorandum on the apportionment process late last month. The plaintiffs, led by New York state, are seeking a quick ruling from the New York judge and asked for the speedy schedule since the ongoing 2020 head count of all U.S. residents is set to stop at the end of September. Final population figures gathered from the census and used for redrawing congressional districts need to be handed over to the president by the end of the year. Furman presided over another lawsuit two years ago that challenged an effort by the Trump administration to put a citizenship question on the 2020 census questionnaire. That lawsuit brought by many of the same plaintiffs in the current lawsuit eventually made its way to the U.S. Supreme Court, which last year blocked a citizenship question from being on the census form. I was going to say something about bringing the band back together, Furman joked at the start of the hearing held by telephone. Matthew Colangelo, an attorney in the New York state attorney generals office, argued that a ruling had to be made quickly because Trumps order was scaring off immigrants and people in the country illegally from participating in the 2020 census since they believed there was no point in answering the questionnaire if they werent going to be counted when it came time to redraw congressional districts. States also needed a prompt ruling because many of them would be starting the process of redrawing legislative districts early next year and candidates needed to know where their districts were located to run in political races, he said. We believe this decision is causing irreparable harm right now, Colangelo said. When an attorney for the U.S. government arguing for a longer schedule said the focus should only be on how apportionment is affected by Trumps recent memorandum since the census is almost over, Furman noted that Trump had waited until July to issue his apportionment order instead of after the Supreme Courts decision last year. Isnt that a problem of the presidents own making? the judge asked lawyer Allison Rovner. That seems a bit rich. He waited. Furman acknowledged the New York case may require a three-judge panel because it involves a challenge to the constitutionality of the redrawing of congressional districts. About a half-dozen other lawsuits challenging Trumps order have been filed around the U.S., and Furman said he would consult with the others judges in those cases to co-ordinate efforts on gathering evidence, if needed. The Census Bureau had been planning to wrap up field operations for the head count at the end of October, but it was forced this week to cut it short a month to the end of September as legislation that would have granted the agency extensions on deadlines for handing over the data stalled in Congress. The request passed the Democratic-controlled House, but its not going anywhere in the Republican-controlled Senate. The inaction coincides with Trumps order on apportionment. On Wednesday, a coalition of civil rights groups said they were launching a $250,000 print and digital ad buy urging people to contact lawmakers about extending the Census Bureaus deadlines. Without the deadline extension, the Census Bureau will miss minority communities, the civil rights groups said. ___ Follow Mike Schneider on Twitter at https://twitter.com/MikeSchneiderAP. Pizzeria Mozza in Los Angeles was the scene of a fire May 30. (Christine Cotter / Los Angeles Times) A 42-year-old Sylmar man was indicted on federal arson charges Tuesday in connection with setting fire to the building that houses Pizzeria Mozza in late May, as unrest gripped Los Angeles and some protests were marred by vandalism and thefts. Mario Ernesto Alvarado faces up to 20 years in prison if convicted on the charge that he set a fire inside the popular Hancock Park restaurant on May 30, according to a media release from the U.S. attorney's office in Los Angeles. The incident occurred during the second of several nights of widespread protests against police brutality across the city that followed the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis. On May 30, protests in the Fairfax district devolved into altercations between officers, peaceful demonstrators and others who vandalized businesses and set fire to police cars. Federal prosecutors said Alvarado walked into the building on Melrose and Highland avenues known as the Mozzaplex, which houses Pizzeria Mozza, poured flammable liquid onto the ground and set a fire. The blaze caused more than $500,000 in structural damage to the building, prosecutors allege. Alvarado was arrested July 16 and remains free on $25,000 bond. His public defender declined to comment. Michael Krikorian a former Times reporter and partner to Nancy Silverton, chef and owner of the four Mozzaplex restaurants said earlier this year that the fire inside Mozza2Go left a table and some books charred. Television footage from that night showed smoke billowing out of the building, however, and a row of firetrucks on Melrose Avenue. The investigation was carried out by the SAFE LA Task Force, a joint effort between the FBI, the Los Angeles Fire Department and police in Los Angeles, Long Beach, Santa Monica and Beverly Hills to identify and arrest those who caused property damage and set fires during the demonstrations. In late July, former Democratic presidential candidate, Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders, along with 14 other Democratic congresspeople introduced legislation calling for the US to increase the production of masks and distribute them to all Americans at no cost. The legislation is called Masks-for-All, a playoff of Sanders former proposal of Medicare-for-All. Yesterday, Sanders penned an op-ed in USA Today advertising his bill: Coronavirus pandemic is raging out of control. Our solution: Masks for All. In it, he declares that it is a tragedy, and embarrassing, that the United States is practically the only major country where the COVID-19 pandemic is worsening by the day. He goes on to state, If we are to have any hope of turning this economy around, opening schools safely, and preventing countless more deaths, we must first get this virus under control. His plan to combat the pandemic is to provide masks for everyone. A number of points should be made in relation to Sanders proposal. First, there is no doubt that under conditions of a raging global pandemic, every worker in the US and internationally should have access to high-quality masks, at no cost. The productive forces that are needed to carry out such a minor endeavor certainly exist within capitalist society. Providing masks to the population is only the most basic measure that is required to combat the COVID-19 pandemic and save the lives of hundreds of thousands of workers and youth. As scientists and health experts have been declaring for months, combatting the pandemic requires the implementation of a whole series of measures: extensive contact tracing, the production of PPE for hospitals, and universal access to quick-response testing to name just a few. Furthermore, essential workers must be provided with the necessary equipment and training needed in order to carry out their work safely. In any rational society (i.e., a socialist society) non-essential workers would not be permitted back to work until the pandemic was well under control, and even then, only with the most advanced and extensive protective and preventive measures in place. Workers would have the assurance that they would have access to free high-quality care if they or a loved one did end up falling ill with the virus. Nothing of the sort is on the agenda. In fact, the completely decrepit character of the capitalist system is perhaps most sharply expressed in the fact that even Sanders most pathetic appeal for masks for all will more than likely not even make it into the next relief bill. Secondly, it is notable that Sanders makes only one reference to the homicidal back-to-work campaign being carried out by Democrats and Republicans alike. He explains briefly that by one estimate, widespread use of masks could be worth up to $1 trillion to our economy by preventing shutdowns and getting people back to work earlier. This statement is revealing. It exposes the real aim of Sanders masks for all initiative: to provide a thinly veiled cover for progressive politicians like himself to openly support the campaign to force workers back to plants and factories, and students back to school while the pandemic rages unabated. As he says himself, getting people back to work earlier will save trillions. He leaves out, of course, that the trillions will go to further lining the pockets of the ultra-rich. Third, Sanders makes no mention of the criminal role he himself has played in the creation of the current crisis. Sanders was an enthusiastic supporter of the bipartisan CARES Act signed by President Trump in late March, which funneled trillions of dollars to Wall Street and Corporate America. In fact, prior to voting yes on the $2.2 trillion package, Sanders took to the Senate floor to hail the bill as a boon to workers. Once the legislation passed, the focus in the media and the political establishment more broadly began to shift toward an aggressive campaign for a return to work. The massive increase in fictitious capital that has been added to the Federal Reserves balance sheet as a result of the CARES Act is, in the final analysis, a claim on real value that must be satisfied through the massive exploitation of the working class. The US Congress is now deliberately blackmailing workers with the specter of poverty, homelessness, and starvation to force workers back into dangerous factories and workplaces. As Sanders himself notes in his op-ed, this campaign is taking place under conditions in which the pandemic is raging out of control in the US. Sanders writes: Coronavirus has killed 150,000 Americans. States like California, Texas and Florida are registering their highest daily death tolls ever. The economic horrors of this pandemic are also escalating, as our gross domestic product plunges by an annual rate of nearly 33% and $600 weekly unemployment benefits expired for 30 million workers. What Sanders describes is only the tip of the iceberg. Last week, food insecurity reached its highest reported level since May, with 30 million Americans reporting they had not had enough to eat at some point in the prior seven days. More than a third of the 44 million total US renter households are at risk of eviction. And the number of workers claiming continuing unemployment benefits rose from 16.1 million to a staggering 17 million for the week ending July 18. The United States is in the midst of a health, economic, political, and social crisis on a scale never seen before, and it is escalating daily. Under such conditions, Sanders proposal amounts to less than a Band-Aid for a bullet wound. Sanders proposal could be described in many ways: inept, callous, patheticall would be fitting and appropriate. However, the most accurate and instructive description might instead be predictable. As the WSWS wrote in February 2016: Sanders aims not to create a revolution, as he asserts in his campaign speeches, but to prevent one. Sanders calls for a political revolution have given way to ever further shifts to the right, abandoning even the pretense of fighting for mild liberal reforms. After announcing that he was dropping out of the presidential race just as coronavirus cases in the US were reaching their first peak and hospitals were being overwhelmed, he endorsed Joe Biden, telling all of his supporters to give it their all for his good friend Joe. His capitulation to Biden was followed by an interview with the Associated Press in which he slandered as irresponsible any of his supporters who failed to campaign for Biden. In response to massive multi-racial and multi-ethnic protests against police brutality across the US and around the world, Sanders was silent. When he did finally address the situation, he called for police officers to receive a pay raise. He mustered only a few mildly worded tweets regarding Trumps attempt to carry out a coup that would involve the mobilization of active-duty troops to put down the protests and establish a presidential dictatorship. Now, as class antagonisms are reaching a fever pitch, Sanders is doing everything in his power to obscure the class character of society. In the final lines of his USA Today op-ed Sanders repeats his own version of the worn-out slogan of the ruling classthat we are all in this together: In this unprecedented moment in American history we need to come togethergovernment and private sector, manufacturers and workers, scientists, and ordinary citizensto combat this horrific pandemic. Nothing could be further from the truth. While tens of millions face hunger, homelessness, and destitution, the upper echelons of society have never had it so good. US billionaires, whose wealth increased by 80.6 percent between 2010 and 2020, are seeing another windfall, with another 20 percent increasea rise of at least $565 billionsince the pandemic began. The worlds richest man, Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos, has seen his net worth rise $74 billion since the beginning of 2020 to an estimated $189.3 billion. Workers and young people have to draw the necessary lessons from the Sanders experience. It is not, at its root, a question of proving the bankruptcy of Sanders as an individual, but more fundamentally the bankruptcy of the political perspective he representsthat of reformism. The capitalist system cannot be reformed. The current political situation within the United States and around the world is dire. The lives and livelihoods of millions of workers are at stake. The only way forward for the working class is on the basis of a genuinely revolutionary policynot a political revolution to promote the Democratic Party, but a socialist revolution to overthrow capitalism. It is the first time since President Trump took office that a majority of Democrats have had a favorable opinion of the court. Perhaps that is because the administration suffered a number of setbacks at the court this term, including findings that Trump is not immune from answering subpoenas from congressional investigators and a state prosecutor regarding his personal financial records. OAKLAND, Calif., Aug. 5, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- The following impact statement is from Kayla Mason, Los Angeles Site Director and Brandon Nicholson, Executive Director: Twenty years ago, five Black male technologists discovered their genius in high school as Ron Brown Scholars . After college, they joined forces to launch The Hidden Genius Project in Oakland and Richmond, California which since 2012 has supported nearly 7,000 young leaders worldwide . Like Ron Brown Scholars, our Geniuses are building a lifelong network to leverage their collective power to transform their lives and communities. It is with great excitement that we announce The Hidden Genius Project's commitment to the ongoing struggle for Black liberation is now operating in Los Angeles. Despite the uncertain terrain of navigating a global pandemic and civil unrest over state violence, The Hidden Genius Project is equipping young people with technology, business, and leadership skills they can leverage to make that liberation a reality. We recently expanded our workincluding our Intensive Immersion Program from the Bay Area to Los Angeles and virtually launched our inaugural cohort last month. We are committed to building partnerships with a broad array of community stakeholders in LA (including families, community leaders, educators, etc.), meet local creatives and entrepreneurs grounded in local ownership, and work with storytellers to elevate the voices of our Los Angeles Geniuses. Before we arrived at The Hidden Genius Project, our Los Angeles team worked in education reform targeted at improving the quality of life for young people of color. We recognized that systemic inequities and false narratives perpetuated the perception of Black communities and young Black men. Through our work today, we are excited to be a part of LA's caring and effective network of organizations and people who believe we all stand to benefit from the empowerment of those of us who have most acutely suffered from opportunity inaccessibility. Our LA team's backgrounds in school education reform, program evaluation, grassroots organizing, and holistic youth development has prepared us to lead this work to empower our young people. More significantly, our entire team at The Hidden Genius Project is driven by an unflinching belief in our young people, their potential, and their ability not only to achieve their dreams, but to lead us to achieve ours. Finally, we fully believe in our work as a strategy rooted in targeted universalism: that the energy we pour into our Black male youth continually radiates to have a positive impact on our society more broadly. We are excited to join a dynamic Los Angeles ecosystem of community leaders, and we invite you to be a part of our story to build this work together. Visit hiddengeniusproject.org/LosAngeles to find out how. In Partnership, Kayla Mason Los Angeles Site Director Brandon Nicholson Executive Director SOURCE The Hidden Genius Project Wednesday, August 5th, 2020 (9:15 am) - Score 2,798 The UK governments new 900m Getting Building Fund (GBF), which seeks to help create new jobs, skills and infrastructure across England in order to aid the recovery from COVID-19, has announced its allocations to various regions. A few of the projects also include funding for new gigabit broadband and full fibre networks. This investment is being targeted in areas facing the biggest economic challenges as a result of the pandemic. It is supporting the delivery of shovel-ready infrastructure projects, agreed with mayors and Local Enterprise Partnerships to boost economic growth, and fuel local recovery and jobs, said the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government yesterday. The good news is that some of the newly announced projects today will also be putting further investment toward better broadband, although this varies from location to location (table of regional funding allocations). Luckily for our readers, weve taken the time to go through every single project in order to identify those that contain a broadband element. Broadband Projects in the 900m Fund For example, Worcestershire in the West Midlands has secured 12m and around 500,000 of that will be used to help bring a full fibre network to Worcester city centre (i.e. building a new datacentre site to support Cityfibres planned 25m-35m investment in the roll-out of 1Gbps FTTP broadband to local premises here). Similarly the New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) secured 32.1m, which will see some of that go toward helping to extend full fibre infrastructure to [the] remaining premises in Suffolk and another bit (2m) being used to extend ultra-fast broadband into 80 additional public buildings through the Local Full Fibre Network (LFFN) programme in Norfolk. Lowestoft and Felixstowe may also see an expansion of free WiFi. The South East LEP will also use some of the money to extend superfast broadband (most likely using FTTP) into rural south Essex, which could create 18,333 extra premises. Some of this will also go toward boosting full fibre in parts of Kent and Medway to support businesses, while another bit will help 130 additional sites in the care sector to gain similar connectivity. The Buckinghamshire LEP scheme also secured 7.7m and a little bit of that will help the rural superfast broadband programme to reach another 270 premises. Similarly, the Enterprise M3 LEP won 13.3m and some of that will help Hampshire and Surrey to deploy gigabit-capable fibre along an initial route between Guildford and Basingstok. Meanwhile the Oxfordshire LEP scooped 8.4m and a little bit of that will help to create an additional 400 superfast broadband connections via a Gigabit Voucher Scheme for building gigabit capable residential broadband infrastructure in predominantly rural areas. Likewise, the Solent LEP (won 15.9m) talks about creating 23,050 new superfast broadband connections but gives no detail. The same can be said of the Thames Valley Berkshire LEP (won 7.5m), which only mentions creating 1,620 new superfast broadband connections. The Heart of the South West project was allocated 35.4m, but again only a little of that will go toward creating 65 new superfast broadband connections, while the Swindon and Wiltshire LEP (9.7m) merely mentions 3 new superfast broadband connections. Its a similar story for the West of England Combined Authority (13.7m), which mentions creating 27 superfast connections, albeit as part of a research and testing project. The Hertfordshire LEP (16.8m) project also makes a small mention of broadband, but nothing too specific, while the Greater Manchester (54.2m) scheme talks about creating 1,024 extra superfast broadband connections, but adds no detail. The Coventry and Warwickshire LEP (8.1m) also mentions 136 new superfast broadband connections and this drops to just 8 for the 66m West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) project. Finally, the West Yorkshire Combined Authority secured one of the biggest blocks of funding (52.6m), but only mentions creating 145 new superfast broadband connections, although on top of that the related Wakefield Business Gigabit Voucher Scheme will also be getting a boost (around 20 business locations and communities may benefit from that). As you can see above, broadband connectivity will play a much bigger role in some of the projects than others. In many areas it doesnt even get a mention and only a few seem to be putting a larger chunk of their funding toward something more substantial. Still its always worth mentioning when theres another funding boost for broadband connectivity. UPDATE 14th August 2020 Weve noticed that the Coast to Capital Local Enterprise Partnership will put 3.2m of its award toward faster fibre broadband and 5G mobile in the Mid Sussex area via the Digital Sussex Rural Connectivity Programme (RCP). Details of allocations by area East Midlands East of England London London Economic Action Partnership ( PDF , 120KB , 2 pages ) North East North East LEP ( PDF , 232KB , 3 pages ) Tees Valley Combined Authority ( PDF , 174KB , 1 page ) North West South East South West West Midlands Yorkshire Humber Region Cannabinoid-containing products may alter the effects of some prescription drugs, according to Penn State College of Medicine researchers. They published information that could help medical professionals make safe prescribing choices for their patients who use prescription, over-the-counter or illicit cannabinoid products. Kent Vrana, professor and chair of pharmacology at the College of Medicine, and Paul Kocis, a pharmacist at Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, compiled a list of 57 medications that may not function as intended when used with medical cannabinoids, CBD oil (hemp oil) and medical or recreational marijuana. The list was published in the journal Medical Cannabis and Cannabinoids. The medications on the list have a narrow therapeutic index, meaning they are prescribed at specific doses -- enough to be effective, but not enough to cause harm. Vrana says it's important for medical professionals to consider the list when prescribing medical cannabinoids and how it may affect other medications a patient is taking. To develop the list, the researchers looked at the prescribing information for four prescription cannabinoid medications. This information included a list of enzymes in the body that process the active ingredients in those medications, which can include delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD). They compared this information against prescribing information from common medications using information available from regulatory agencies like the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to identify where there may be overlap, called a drug-drug interaction. The list contains a variety of drugs from heart medications to antibiotics and antifungals. As one example, researchers identified warfarin, a common anticoagulant that prevents harmful blood clots from forming, as having a potential drug-drug interaction with cannabinoid products. Often prescribed for patients with atrial fibrillation or following cardiac valve replacement, the drug has a narrow therapeutic index, and Vrana cautions that medical professionals consider this potential drug-drug interaction both when prescribing warfarin to patients on prescription cannabinoids or prescribing cannabinoids to a patient taking warfarin. The researchers say that medical professionals should also consider patient use of CBD oil products and medical and recreational marijuana when using or prescribing drugs on the identified list. Most of those products lack government regulation and there is little to no prescribing or drug-drug interaction information for those products. "Unregulated products often contain the same active ingredients as medical cannabinoids, though they may be present in different concentrations," Vrana said. "The drug-drug interaction information from medical cannabinoids may be useful as medical professionals consider the potential impact of over-the-counter or illicit cannabinoid products." Vrana advises that patients be honest with their health care providers about their use of cannabinoid products -- from over-the-counter products to recreational marijuana. He says that doing so can help ensure the safe and effective use of prescribed medications. In addition to the identified list of 57 prescription medications with a narrow therapeutic index that is potentially impacted by concomitant cannabinoid use, a comprehensive list of 139 medications that could have a potential drug-drug interaction with a cannabinoid is available online. Vrana and Kocis plan to routinely update this drug-drug interaction list as newer medications are approved and real-world evidence accumulates. Kent Vrana received a sponsored research agreement from PA Options for Wellness, a medical cannabis provider and clinical registrant in Pennsylvania, and this research was supported in part by the agreement. The College of Medicine and PA Options for Wellness have a 10-year research agreement designed to help physicians and patients make better informed clinical decisions related to cannabinoids. Deputy First Minister Michelle O'Neill said there is an onus on the "post-Good Friday Agreement generation" of politicians to carry on the good work started by John Hume. The First and Deputy First Ministers were among political leaders who joined members of the SDLP as they laid to rest the man who helped to found the party. Mrs Foster said that while it was a very sad day, it was also a proud day for Mr Hume's family and friends and the city. Expand Close Alliance leader Naomi Long Photopress / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Alliance leader Naomi Long She said: "I was just reflecting coming up the road from Fermanagh that this has been a very difficult year for the SDLP with the loss of Seamus Mallon and John Dallat and now of course with the loss of John Hume. "Obviously we are here to support colleagues and of course the family at this very difficult time. "I am glad I have been able to attend today and pay my respects on behalf of the people of Northern Ireland and on my own behalf as well - to recognise what a huge figure in political life John Hume was." Expand Close Irish Foreign Affairs Minister Simon Coveney PA / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Irish Foreign Affairs Minister Simon Coveney Mrs O'Neill said her thoughts were first and foremost with Mr Hume's family but said it was important to carry on with the work he started. She said: "Today is about John Hume's family and about their time to bury their loved one but it is the end of an era. "Over the last few years we have lost such huge stalwarts of our peace process and for me the onus is now on us as political leaders of the post-Good Friday Agreement generation to carry on the good work people like John Hume started when it wasn't popular to be talking. Expand Close Former Fine Gael politician Austin Currie PA / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Former Fine Gael politician Austin Currie "I think John Hume led the way in telling us all that dialogue was the only way to move things forward. I think the contribution John Hume made to all of our lives, not just those in the SDLP but everybody across society would have taken something from John Hume's words at different times." The theme of building on the Hume legacy was also touched upon by SDLP leader Colum Eastwood. He said: "We are remembering everything that John did for us and this whole country and we are very, very grateful for that. Expand Close PSNI chief Simon Byrne PA / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp PSNI chief Simon Byrne "But there is work to be done, and John was always forward-thinking. "He gave us the platform, he gave us the pathway, he gave us the opportunity to do this, free from violence and intimidation. "We have to keep going to build the shared island that we want to see." Expand Close Former SDLP members Alban Maginnis and Joe Hendron Photopress / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Former SDLP members Alban Maginnis and Joe Hendron On Wednesday it was reported that plans are well advanced for the creation of a John and Pat Hume Foundation. Its aim will be to protect the legacy of the former Nobel Peace Prize winner. It will also assist those working for reconciliation and peaceful political change in Ireland and around the world. Expand Close Irish President Michael D Higgins Getty Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Irish President Michael D Higgins The BBC reported that the Hume Foundation had been due to launch in May, but the plan had to be abandoned as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic. In Derry there have been calls to rename the city's peace bridge in honour of Mr Hume. The Bombay high court (HC) has directed the Maharashtra government to file an affidavit within a week on the number of trains arranged and migrant workers, who boarded them to return to their native places, and the cost and loss incurred by the state for the exercise since July 11. The cut-off date of July 11 refers to the easing of nationwide lockdown restrictions, which were enforced from Match 25 in a bid to contain the spread of the raging coronavirus disease (Covid-19) outbreak. The directions were issued after the state government informed HC that workers were returning to Mumbai and, as a result, the demand of the petitioner to arrange trains was an exercise in futility. The court said that since several recipient states were not willing to allow the workers to return because of the viral outbreak, Maharashtra should first take the opinion of their counterparts and only if they agree then it should arrange for trains or other modes of transport such as buses to take back those migrant workers. A two-member HC division bench, comprising Chief Justice Dipankar Datta and Justice AS Gadkari, while hearing the public interest litigation (PIL) filed by the Centre for Indian Trade Unions (CITU), a labour union, was informed by advocate Ronita Bhattacharya-Bector that there were over 13,000 migrant workers, who wanted to return to their native places in Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal, and other states, and consequently, the Maharashtra government should arrange transportation facilities for them. Maharashtra advocate-general (A-G) Ashutosh Kumbhakoni opposed the contention and submitted that workers were returning to Mumbai, and the petitioners claim was unfounded. He further submitted that after the last hearing, they had received a list of around 8,000 migrant workers from the petitioner and other non-governmental organisations (NGOs) wanting to leave for their native places following which eight trains were arranged and the railways was paid Rs 69 lakh for their journey back home. Kumbhakoni submitted that, however, less than half the number of workers actually boarded the trains because of which the state government incurred a loss of Rs 42 lakh. He further cited an instance from Pune, where the petitioner had sought arrangement of transport for 383 migrant workers, but only 49 had turned up. He pleaded that the petitioner should be asked to deposit the amount accruing for the transportation of its workers and whose list also needs to be furnished. The A-G said that the state would then refund the amount for workers, who availed of the facility, as it should not be made to incur further losses. The bench heard the submissions and observed that the Maharashtra government needed to collate precise information of the number of migrants would be willing to return and also reach out to the states concerned to get a sense of their willingness prior to organising their transportation. The bench directed additional solicitor general (ASG) Anil Singh to publicise the collated information and also file an affidavit within seven days. The bench ordered the petitioner to file a rejoinder within a week and posted the matter for next hearing after two weeks. Kanye West is a famous rapper who is well-known for his relationship with Kim Kardashian West. The famous reality television stars posts and social media accounts make her relationship and family seem somewhat perfect. However, as the world already knows, that is far from the case. It seems like West has entered a spiral, and he has not been holding anything back when it comes to his Twitter account. Take a closer look at what has been going on with West and find out why so many people believe that the tension between Kris Jenner and West actually started years ago. Kanye West and Kris Jenner | Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images Kanye Wests complicated relationship with his medication Kanye West came off his bipolar medication to finish his album, says friendhttps://t.co/JS6dOUzLLi pic.twitter.com/6de0orWjHV The Scottish Sun (@ScottishSun) July 30, 2020 In 2017 West announced to the public that he has a bipolar disorder diagnosis. Since then, West has been opening up more about his journey and experiences with living with bipolar disorder. Recently, he seemed to take his medical matters into his own hands. One individual reached out to The Sun to share some inside insight. The source explained, Kanye came off his bipolar meds to finish the album shortly before his outburst at the rally and on Twitterhe believes they stifle his creativity. This isnt the first time West has taken things in this direction. In 2018, he revealed in an interview with The New York Times how he truly believes his bipolar medication can be a hindrance to his life and creative process. As a result, West had admitted to previously going off his medication for upwards of six months. The famous rapper claimed that he did it for the sake of his music, but many professionals spoke up about why Wests actions and beliefs actually perpetuated myths and lies surrounding mental health and medication. Kanye Wests recent troubling tweets I would like to apologize to my wife Kim for going public with something that was a private matter. I did not cover her like she has covered https://t.co/A2FwdMu0YU Kim I want to say I know I hurt you. Please forgive me. Thank you for always being there for me. ye (@kanyewest) July 25, 2020 RELATED: Kim Kardashian Doesnt Owe Anyone an Explanation About Kanye West West has been active on Twitter, to say the least. Though the tweet has since been deleted, West has recently revealed that divorce has been a topic of discussion between him and Kardashian. After sharing some very personal information about the couples history, West publicly apologized to Kardashian. In the Tweet, the musician wrote, I would like to apologize to my wife Kim for going public with something that was a private matter. I did not cover her like she has covered me. To Kim I want to say I know I hurt you. Please forgive me. Thank you for always being there for me. Things seemed like they were potentially getting better, but that did not last. Wests tweets were also directed at his mother-in-law, Kris Jenner. West shared that he became very upset when it seemed like Kim Kardashian West was attempting to fly out to Wyoming with a doctor to try to help him. On July 20th West tweeted, Kim was trying to fly to Wyoming with a doctor to lock me up like on the movie Get Out because I cried about saving my daughters life yesterday. Shortly after the rapper decided to shift his attention and tweets to his mother-in-law, Kris Jenner. He sent another tweet out reading, Kriss [sic] dont play with me you and that calmye are not allowed around my children Yall tried to lock me up. West also posted a screenshot of a text message that he sent to Jenner indicating that she was avoiding his phone calls. What footage was recently released that indicated the tension between Kanye West and Kris Jenner may have started years ago? He Aint Lyin, Blac Chyna Says Kanye West Is Telling The Truth About Kris Jenner, Says Kris Called Her Ghetto https://t.co/Gx8IGBuZPc pic.twitter.com/Ua0ls23CbG BallerAlert (@balleralert) July 23, 2020 Some of Wests fans may have been surprised to hear about the ongoing tension or drama that may be taking place between West and Jenner. However, recently there was footage released that indicated there may have been some ongoing negativity between the two of them for a while now. When old footage of West having a mental breakdown on Keeping Up With the Kardashians resurfaced many people probably began to wonder and speculate about Jenners role and relationship with West. One source seemed to perfectly capture what everyones probably thinking and shared with People, Hes had huge blow-ups with Kris. She sees how erratic hes acting and is most concerned about her daughters brand. Shes also trying to be a good mother-in-law, so hes having explosive issues with her too. Though things seem less than perfect fans and viewers are curious to see how things unfold. WASHINGTON - The State Departments acting inspector general resigned abruptly on Wednesday following the firing of his predecessor in circumstances now being investigated by Congress. Stephen Akard announced his resignation just two days after Democrats issued subpoenas for several of Secretary of State Mike Pompeos top aides to answer questions about the shakeup in the watchdogs office. The department said Akard would return to the private sector but offered no other reason for his departure. We appreciate his dedication to the department and to our country, the department said in a statement. Akards deputy, Diana Shaw, will serve as the new acting inspector general once Akard leaves on Friday. Although Akard, a close ally of Vice-President Mike Pence, had not been expected to become the permanent inspector general, his departure underscores the tumult and uncertainty in the office, which has been wracked by Republican charges of leaks and politically biased investigations. Democrats have alleged that Pompeo sought the ouster of Akards predecessor, Stephen Linick, because Linick was investigating allegations of impropriety by Pompeo. Pompeo has denied the allegations but acknowledged he asked President Donald Trump to fire Linick for poor performance. Akard, who had also served as the director of the Office of Foreign Missions at the State Department, had withdrawn from those investigations after Democrats complained his holding both jobs was a significant conflict of interest. Asked about Akards resignation, Pompeo had little to say to reporters at a news conference. He left to go back home, Pompeo said. This happens. I dont have anything more to add. Inspectors general are independent watchdogs empowered by Congress to evaluate the performance of executive branch agencies and investigate allegations of wrongdoing by government officials. President Donald Trump has taken exception to the work of several of the inspectors general and removed them despite congressional objections. On Monday, congressional Democrats subpoenaed four senior Pompeo aides for interviews, saying the Trump administration was stonewalling their investigation into Linicks firing in May. Akard was not among those subpoenaed. Linick had appeared before investigators in June and said top department officials tried to bully him and dissuade his office from conducting a review of a multibillion dollar arms sale to Saudi Arabia before he was fired. He also said his office was looking into allegations that Pompeo and his wife may have misused government staff to run personal errands and several other matters. The top Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Sen. Bob Menendez of New Jersey, said the investigation will not end and he expressed concern about Akards departure. I do not believe he was the right choice to lead the office, but I am concerned that his sudden resignation leaves another opportunity for the Trump qdministration to try to weaken oversight and accountability, Menendez said. The ongoing bicameral investigation into the abrupt and unexplained dismissal of IG Linick will continue full speed ahead. The House Foreign Affairs and House Oversight committee chairs, Democratic Reps. Eliot Engel and Carolyn Maloney, both of New York, said Akards resignation must not further disrupt the Office of Inspector Generals important investigations and warned against appointing a political loyalist to succeed him. Any effort by the Trump administration to install another political loyalist would further undercut the ability of the office to properly carry out its critical mission, they said. The subpoenas for closed-door depositions are for Undersecretary of State for Management Brian Bulatao, acting State Department legal adviser Marik String, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Political-Military Affairs Michael Miller and senior adviser Toni A. Porter. The department flatly rejected the Democrats allegations as egregiously inaccurate but did not say whether the officials would comply with the subpoenas. Pompeo has rejected allegations that Linick was fired for investigating alleged impropriety and Pompeo has denied he was aware of any such probe into his or his wifes matters. He has said Linick was removed for not doing his job. Linick, who had been inspector general since 2013, said he was in a state of shock when he was fired. He told congressional investigators that he had opened a review of last years $8 billion arms sale to Saudi Arabia at the request of lawmakers who claimed Pompeo had inappropriately circumvented Congress to approve the deal. He said Bulatao and String then tried to stop him. SilverBow Resources (SBOW) came out with a quarterly loss of $3.66 per share versus the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $0.28. This compares to earnings of $5.49 per share a year ago. These figures are adjusted for non-recurring items. This quarterly report represents an earnings surprise of -1,407.14%. A quarter ago, it was expected that this energy company would post earnings of $0.74 per share when it actually produced earnings of $0.12, delivering a surprise of -83.78%. Over the last four quarters, the company has surpassed consensus EPS estimates just once. SilverBow, which belongs to the Zacks Oil and Gas - Exploration and Production - United States industry, posted revenues of $24.85 million for the quarter ended June 2020, missing the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 20.75%. This compares to year-ago revenues of $74.70 million. The company has not been able to beat consensus revenue estimates over the last four quarters. The sustainability of the stock's immediate price movement based on the recently-released numbers and future earnings expectations will mostly depend on management's commentary on the earnings call. SilverBow shares have lost about 61.7% since the beginning of the year versus the S&P 500's gain of 2%. What's Next for SilverBow? While SilverBow has underperformed the market so far this year, the question that comes to investors' minds is: what's next for the stock? There are no easy answers to this key question, but one reliable measure that can help investors address this is the company's earnings outlook. Not only does this include current consensus earnings expectations for the coming quarter(s), but also how these expectations have changed lately. Empirical research shows a strong correlation between near-term stock movements and trends in earnings estimate revisions. Investors can track such revisions by themselves or rely on a tried-and-tested rating tool like the Zacks Rank, which has an impressive track record of harnessing the power of earnings estimate revisions. Story continues Ahead of this earnings release, the estimate revisions trend for SilverBow was mixed. While the magnitude and direction of estimate revisions could change following the company's just-released earnings report, the current status translates into a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) for the stock. So, the shares are expected to perform in line with the market in the near future. You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here. It will be interesting to see how estimates for the coming quarters and current fiscal year change in the days ahead. The current consensus EPS estimate is $0.29 on $40.70 million in revenues for the coming quarter and $2.48 on $178.10 million in revenues for the current fiscal year. Investors should be mindful of the fact that the outlook for the industry can have a material impact on the performance of the stock as well. In terms of the Zacks Industry Rank, Oil and Gas - Exploration and Production - United States is currently in the top 49% of the 250 plus Zacks industries. Our research shows that the top 50% of the Zacks-ranked industries outperform the bottom 50% by a factor of more than 2 to 1. Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report SilverBow Resources Inc. (SBOW) : Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. Zacks Investment Research Im excited theres something going on now and were making progress, he said. The street really needs it. Its dangerous. Former Councilwoman Rita Hernandez, who represented the ward from 2002 to 2006, called fresh attention to the deep drainage ditches along that part of West Ninth. Hernandez, Rieker and Woods all live on or near the stretch that would be improved. She said she recently had to help rescue a neighbor from the ditch who fell in with her wheelchair while she was walking her dog. Wed appreciate it if youd vote for this, she said. Its been 30 years weve been waiting for it. Support Local Journalism Your subscription makes our reporting possible. {{featured_button_text}} Also Tuesday, the council agreed to the North Platte Airport Authoritys annual request to have its proposed $1.11 million in 2020-21 property tax needs folded into the citys to-be-determined tax request for next year. Though the airport board operates separately from the city, state law requires the authoritys general-fund tax rate to fit under the state lid of 50 cents per $100 of taxable value. Taxes to repay bonds arent covered by the lid. Two Pradeep Singhs, hailing from the northern and eastern parts of the country and belonging to humble backgrounds, cracked India's prestigious Civil Services examination on Tuesday. The first Pradeep Singh, son of a farmer and former village head of Tewri village in Sonipat district of Haryana, secured the first position in the examination. He is currently posted with the National Academy of Customs, Indirect Taxes and Narcotics in Faridabad. The 29-year-old cleared the examination in the fourth attempt. He grew up in Sonipat and completed his computer science engineering from Deen Bandhu Chhotu Ram University in Murthal. Meanwhile, another Pradeep Singh, hailing from Gopalganj in Bihar, secured the 26th position in the examination. He is a son of a petrol pump worker and had, in 2018, bagged the 93rd position in the exam. Presently, he is working as an Indian Revenue Service officer. Also Read: UPSC Civil Services Results are Out and Rahul Modi at Number 420 is the Highlight. No Kidding The Union Public Service Commission has recommended 829 candidates for the appointment to Indian Administrative Service, Indian Foreign Service, Indian Police Service and Central Services. Besides them, Jatin Kishore from Delhi and Pratibha Verma from Uttar Pradesh ranked second and third in the UPSC's list. Out of the total 829 candidates, over 150 are women. In the top ten list, Verma ranked third, followed by Vishakha Yadav and Sanjita Mohapatra who secured the sixth and tenth positions, respectively. The appointment has been done on the basis of the result of the written Civil Service Examination conducted in September 2019 and interviews conducted from February to August this year. There are 304 candidates from the general category, 78 from the economically weaker section, 251 from other backward classes, 129 from the scheduled class and 67 from the scheduled tribes. Appointment to the various Services will be made according to the number of vacancies available with due consideration to the provisions contained in the Rules for the Examination. For this year, the Civil Services exam was scheduled to be held on May 31, but it has now been rescheduled to October 4 in view of the coronavirus pandemic. Earlier on Tuesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted: "Congratulations to all the bright youngsters who have successfully cleared the Civil Services Examination, 2019! An exciting and satisfying career of public service awaits you. My best wishes!" Re: It is more complex than that Great letter. Not entirely accurate but well written nonetheless. I will concede that William Thompson may not have created the flag in question. Because of your response, I looked a bit deeper and I did find some potentially contradictory information. It has been stated however that there is no 100% proof of who did but his name is mentioned in this vein of possibly being the one. That is the problem with not having been there at the time. In fairness, so is William Porcher Miles. But in the end, they were both pro-seccession and pro slavery. The Stainless Banner is the flag in question having been roundly supported by Mr. Thompson and no matter where you go on the old internet, the quotes I attributed to him were his words and are undisputed which is why today, that flag, the iron cross and the simple white field upon which it is emblazoned, is and was a symbol for racism and hatred. While Summerland may be "far removed from the complicated South," you don't have to live in Germany to understand the symbolism behind a Swastika either. It's sort of insulting that you seem to suggest that those of us from the sticks may not be capable of understanding the "true intent" when one waves a re-creation of this particular flag during a supportive parade for a family of colour. You seem to see the South as this romantic, idealistic place where everyone spoke in that slow Southern drawl and sipped Mint Juleps and walked along the promenade and life was just dandy, which I guess it was, if you were white. I have a large family contingent in the US including the South so I am not entirely ignorant as to the nature of Southerners. I make no claim that the vast majority or even the majority of these folk are racist but the region in which they live is recognized widely, rightly or wrongly, as the birthplace of both slavery and the attendant prejudicial attitude that lives on today. I would agree with you that if one were to examine all of the flags of all of the countries of the world that today, there are more than enough Karens to go around to make a case to take them all down and replace them with flags whose designs offer no opportunity for criticism nor controversy. Bottom line here is that the Stainless Banner and most notably, the canton situated in the top left corner was born of the belief that white men were superior to people of colour and today, if one chooses to fly that particular flag or selected portion of that flag, they are supporting that ideal. Peter Haslock, West Kelowna " " A cutaway dual overhead cam engine Generally, engines with dual overhead camshafts (DOHC) are higher performance engines, they produce more power, and can run at higher speeds. The camshafts have the job of opening the valves that let air into and exhaust out of the engine. The camshaft uses rotating lobes, called cams, that push against the valves to open them. Springs on the valves return them to their closed position. This is a critical job, and can have a great impact on an engine's performance at different speeds. Advertisement The main benefit of dual overhead cams is that they allow an engine to have four valves per cylinder. Each camshaft operates two of the valves, one camshaft handles the intake valves, and one handles the exhaust valves. Having four valves per cylinder gives an engine several advantages. By having four valves in a cylinder instead of two, a larger portion of the area can be used to let air in and exhaust out. The engine can make more power if more air enters the cylinder, and it wastes less power if it is easier to pump the exhaust out of the cylinder. At higher engine speeds, the engine pumps a lot of air though the cylinders. Having four valves per cylinder allows the engine to pump enough air to run and make useful power at these higher speeds. Another interesting thing that some car makers do is have a separate intake runner for each of the two intake cylinders. One of the intake runners is wide and short for maximum airflow, the other is a tuned intake runner . When the intake valve is open on the engine, air is being sucked into the engine, so the air in the intake runner is moving rapidly toward the cylinder. When the intake valve closes suddenly, this air slams to a stop and stacks up on itself, forming an area of high pressure. This high-pressure wave makes its way up the intake runner away from the cylinder. When it reaches the end of the intake runner, where the runner connects to the intake manifold, the pressure wave bounces back down the intake runner. If the intake runner is just the right length, that pressure wave will arrive back at the intake valve just as it opens for the next cycle. This extra pressure helps cram more air-fuel mix into the cylinder -- effectively acting like a turbocharger For more articles about car engines and related topics, check out the links below. Advertisement Originally Published: Jan 31, 2001 Southern Pines, NC (28387) Today Partly cloudy early with increasing clouds overnight. Low around 25F. Winds light and variable.. Tonight Partly cloudy early with increasing clouds overnight. Low around 25F. Winds light and variable. American appliance brand White-Westinghouse has entered India through a partnership with Super Plastronics (SPPL). It has invested Rs 300 crore and will launch its semi-automatic washing machines in India through e-commerce platform Amazon. The brand will launch its range of 7 kg, 8 kg and 9 kg category semi-automatic washing machines, with a starting price of Rs 7,499. SPPL is a manufacturing firm that was established in 1990. It is the exclusive licensee for brands like Thomson, Kodak TV and White-Westinghouse in India. Pallavi Singh, Senior Vice President, SPPL, (India Brand Licensee White-Westinghouse) told Moneycontrol that the brand will look to launch one product every year. This year we will launch washing machines. We have started with semi-automatic and will launch fully automatic washing machines later this year. Next year we may look at either refrigerators or air conditioners, she added. Brands like LG, Whirlpool, Bosch, IFB, Godrej, Samsung, Voltas Beko and Haier are some of the players in the washing machine segment in India. The market size of washing machine segment in India is estimated to be around Rs 9,000 crore. About 6 million washing machines are sold every year in India. Singh added that the product has been positioned in the mass premium segment and that White-Westinghouse is looking over 5 percent market share in washing machine segment in two years. The products are Made in India and sourced from the Noida facility of Dixon Technologies. White-Westinghouse is a 100-year old American consumer appliance brand. The brand sells appliances in more than 45 countries across the world. The company had entered the appliances manufacturing business by acquiring Copeman Electric Stove Company in 1917. Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-05 20:00:46|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close ULAN BATOR, Aug. 5 (Xinhua) -- Mongolian police have arrested a man under suspicion of illegally hunting an endangered red deer, the country's Ecological Police Department said Wednesday. The man was arrested on Tuesday evening while transporting the meat, skin and horns of a red deer in Tarialan soum of Khuvsgul province in northern Mongolia, the department said in a statement. The case is under further investigation, it said. Red deer, one of the largest deer species, has been registered in the Mongolian Red Book of Endangered Animals. Under Mongolian law, a person convicted of killing endangered wild animals will be fined at least 10 million Mongolian tugriks (3,500 U.S. dollars) or jailed for at least two years. The Mongolian government established the Ecological Police Department in January to strengthen the enforcement of environmental laws and regulations, as well as the detection and investigation of suspected violations. Enditem Ugandan soldiers, operating under the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM), advanced towards Buurhkaba from their former position in the town of Leego alongside members of the Somali National Army (SNA). The purpose of such an advance is to eventually open up the road from Mogadishu to Baidoa and connect the two citys currently under AMISOM's control. AU UN IST PHOTO / TOBIN JONES. The African Union Mission in Somalia said troops will continue to intensify fight against al-Shabab despite reducing troop numbers early this year and the disruptions brought by the COVID-19 pandemic. Richard Otto, contingent commander of Sector 1 troops, said the reduction of troop numbers by 1,000 spread across all the five troop-contributing countries had not affected operations in his area of responsibility. "I have troops who were supposed to rotate out but have not because of this situation. Most of the countries have restricted their airspaces and border posts, but this is aimed at protecting and controlling the spread of the (COVID-19) disease from other countries. My troops have been informed and they are aware. It has not affected their morale," Otto said in a statement issued on Saturday evening. Since December 2017, The AU mission has been reducing its troop numbers in line with relevant UN Security Council decisions. Ugandan troops are in charge of Sector 1, which includes the Lower Shabelle region and Mogadishu. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Sector 1 has had to put on hold the rotation of its troops both in and out of the mission but Otto noted that this has not affected operations or dampened the morale of the troops. Otto said that al-Shabab has been weakened and has now resorted to using improvised explosive devices and shelling mortars, which have often landed in population centers and caused harm to innocent civilians following a string of defeats. Otto said that a key factor in the fight against al-Shabab has been the increasing capabilities of the Somali National Army as seen by the SNA's capacity to fight and hold ground. Otto said counter-offensive operations that resulted in the capture of major bridge towns, especially of Janaale, in the Lower Shabelle region of Somalia early this year had dealt a huge blow to al-Shabab, denying the militants freedom of movement and operation, and seriously curtailing their ability to wage war. Katherine OBrien, a member of LaSalle Language Academys Local School Council and wife of a CPS teacher, said the hybrid proposal made her feel anxious and uneasy all week. Now that CPS has moved to remote learning, I wouldnt say Im fully relieved or anything, but its definitely been an emotional roller coaster. I would say that a lot of the stress and anxiety feels like maybe it couldve been avoided if we had just made this decision sooner, she said. Sonipat, Aug 4 (IANS) Union Education Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank will inaugurate a global two-day conference starting Thursday on transforming universities impacted by Covid-19, organisers of the conference O.P. Jindal Global University (JGU) and International Institute for Higher Education Research and Capacity Building (IIHEd) said on Tuesday. The virtual conference which will bring together over 80 thought leaders from 15 countries comes soon after the launch of the National Education Policy 2020 which aims to reimagine and transform the future of education and universities of India. There will be 15 thematic panel discussions, four keynote addresses, and two special dialogues including a special panel led by women leaders from universities during the conference on "Reimagining and Transforming the University: Confluence of Ideas during and beyond the COVID-19 Disruption". It will bring together on a single platform the Union Education Minister and Professor D.P. Singh, Chairman, University Grants Commission (UGC); and Professor Pankaj Mittal, Secretary General, Association of Indian Universities (AIU). Eminent leaders of the Indian higher education landscape including Professor Virander Chauhan, Chairman, National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC); Professor Anil D. Sahasrabudhe, Chairman, All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE); and Professor Bhushan Patwardhan, Vice Chairman, University Grants Commission (UGC) will also attend the event, JGU said. "We are extremely excited to bring together 80+ thought leaders from 15 countries across two days to create some very thought-provoking dialogues to re-imagine and transform the idea of a university," C. Raj Kumar, Vice Chancellor of O.P. Jindal Global University, said in a statement. "With the current Covid-19 pandemic, it is very important for leaders of higher education from across the globe, come together to re-define the future of universities, which will impact the life of students, academics and nations," he said. JGU has partnered with six global education networks -- Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU), Association of Indian Universities (AIU), Coimbra Group of Brazilian Universities, Laspau (A Harvard University affiliated network), the STAR Scholars Network and Qatar Foundation for the conference on August 6-7. The conference will bring representation from over 55 universities and colleges across Australia, Bangladesh, Brazil, Canada, Hong Kong, India, Japan, Kuwait, Malaysia, Mauritius, Singapore, Sri Lanka, the United Kingdom, the US, and Qatar. --IANS ds/na Facebooks new short-video feature debuts as TikTok comes under threat of a ban by the Trump White House. Facebooks Instagram is officially launching its answer to the hit short video app, TikTok Instagram Reels. The new Instagram feature which aims squarely at TikToks market will let users record and edit 15-second videos with audio, and will let users add visual effects. Users will be able to share Reels with followers in Instagram in a dedicated section called Reels in Explore, or in the Story feature where posts disappear after 24 hours. The Reels option will be available in the Instagram app. The company has been testing the new product in Brazil since November and in France, Germany and India since earlier this summer. The debut arrived at a fraught moment for TikTok, which has come under threat of a ban by the White House, prompting Chinas ByteDance to weigh a sale of the apps United States operations to Microsoft. Facebook has a long tradition of cloning competitive services. The Instagram Story feature, which lets people share photos and videos that expire in 24 hours, is similar to Snapchat. Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg faced tough questioning about the companys habit of copying rivals before a congressional hearing on July 29. Instagrams Reels debut arrives at a fraught moment for TikTok, which has come under threat of a ban by the White House, prompting Chinas ByteDance to weigh a sale of the apps United States operations to Microsoft [File: Bloomberg] Facebook earlier launched a TikTok knockoff called Lasso in 2018, but closed that down in July. It also tried services similar to Snapchat called Slingshot and Poke before Instagram Stories caught on. Copying Snapchats features was successful for Instagram in part because Snapchat was difficult to figure out for new users. They were already comfortable with Instagram. But TikTok is very easy to use and part of its appeal is that users are able to sit back and scroll endlessly with just swipes, without the need to follow anyone or post anything. For Reels to succeed, Facebook will have to lure video creators away from TikTok. This might be easier to do with Reels since many creators are already on Instagram. In response to published reports that Instagram is paying TikTok influencers to join Reels, Instagram said in a statement that the company have a long history of reaching out to emerging creators and working to break new stars on Instagram. As with previous products, we remain committed to investing in both our creators and their overall experience, and in certain cases, we may help cover production costs for their creative ideas, the company said. TikTok, in turn, launched a $200m creator fund in July that it says will increase to more than $1bn in the US in the next three years and more than double that globally, to pay video creators for their material. TikTok, however, is under fire, possibly opening an opportunity for Facebook. Microsoft is in talks to buy part of TikTok in what would essentially be a forced sale, following threats from President Donald Trump to ban the Chinese-owned video app. Since early July, TikTok users have been posting videos urging viewers to follow them to other platforms like Instagram, reflecting the threat of a TikTok ban. Mary Keane-Dawson, Group CEO at influencer marketing agency Takumi, said the influencers she works with have been sad, angry and upset about the threat of a ban. Still, theyre pragmatic, she said, and the smart ones were already active on TikTok, Instagram and YouTube. Reels is debuting in more than 50 countries, including the US, the United Kingdom, Japan, Australia and others, as well as officially launching in the test countries Brazil, France, Germany and India. Instagram has more than a billion users worldwide. TikTok says it has 100 million users in the US and hundreds of millions globally. Uttar Pradeshs Ayodhya is all ready for the foundation-laying ceremony for the Ram temple on Wednesday with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the 175 people, including religious leaders and eminent local citizens, in attendance. Prime Minister Modi, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat, Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath and Governor Anandiben Patel will be the main guests during the bhoomi pujan. Champat Rai, general secretary of the Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Teerth Kshetra, has said the small ceremony was being organised in Ayodhya view of the coronavirus pandemic. Follow Ram temple ceremony live updates here If it were normal circumstances, then we would have had all those who have been associated with the movement from the beginning. However, the circumstances are such that very few can come, Rai has said. Here are the highlights of the guest list: * The trust has confirmed that 135 of the 175 guests will be seers from different spiritual traditions. * Apart from Hindu religious leaders, the chairperson of the Sunni Waqf board from Lucknow, Jathedars or Sikh priests, and other religious heads have also been invited to the bhoomi pujan in Ayodhya. * The son of the oldest litigant in the Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid title suit, a Padma Shri awardee and the chairperson of the Uttar Pradesh Sunni Central Waqf Board (UPSCWB) are three Muslim invitees among the 175 guests attending the foundation-laying ceremony of the Ram temple on Wednesday. * Iqbal Ansari, 69, son of Hashim Ansari who died at of 95 in 2016, is the first invitee. * The second Mohammad Sharif, the 80-year-old who is known across the state for his work in holding final rites for at least 5,000 unclaimed Hindu and Muslim people. * Zufar Ahmed Faruqi, the chairperson of the UPSCWB that was the main Muslim party in the title suit and the head of the 15-member trust that is helming the construction of a mosque at a five-acre site in Ayodhya district, is the third. * The trust has also invited Purnima Kothari, the sister of two brothers from Kolkata who were kar sevaks, or Hindu religious volunteers, and died in police firing in Ayodhya on October 30, 1990, while on a procession to the 2.77-acre site. * The trust also invited family members of local kar sevaks in Ayodhya who died in the firing. * Former deputy prime minister LK Advani, the BJP leader considered by many as the face of the Ram Temple movement in the 90s, and K Parasaran, the lead counsel for the Hindu side in the title suit hearing in the Supreme Court are among those not invited to the bhoomi poojan because of their advanced age, which put them at greater risk of coronavirus infection. * Senior BJP leader and former education minister MM Joshi, others stalwarts from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) such as Kalraj Mishra and Kalyan Singh are also unlikely to attend. * BJP leader Uma Bharti has decided to stay away from the bhoomi poojan event and will visit the site after everyone will leave citing the safety of PM Modi and other guests. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Sonali Paul (Reuters) Melbourne, Australia Wed, August 5, 2020 15:45 531 6657ac82168da9fa101c8a4066bc2750 2 World Australia,coronavirus,COVID-19,COVID-19-death-toll,coronavirus-restrictions,COVID-19-infection,pandemic,SARS-CoV-2,virus-corona Free Australia reported a record 15 deaths from COVID-19 on Wednesday, all in Victoria state, which was preparing to close much of its economy to control a second wave of infection that threatens to spread across the country. The second-most populous state in Australia reported a record rise of 725 new COVID-19 cases despite having reimposed a lockdown on Melbourne, the state capital with a population of 5 million people, four weeks ago. New South Wales and Queensland states introduced new measures to limit the spread of the new coronavirus, which has claimed 247 lives across the country. In Victoria, the state government imposed a night curfew and tightened restrictions on people's movements across greater Melbourne on Sunday, and ordered most businesses to stop trading from Wednesday night in a massive blow to the national economy. Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews said on Wednesday further restrictions would include shutting most child-care centers and expanding a ban on elective surgery to the whole state to free up medical resources for coronavirus cases. "The notion of more than 700 cases is not sustainable. We need to drive the numbers down and this strategy is designed to do just that," Andrews told reporters in Melbourne. Australian Deputy Chief Medical Officer Michael Kidd urged Victorians to comply with the state's tight restrictions. "I hope it won't be the case, but it may be, that the numbers will go even higher over the coming days before they start to come down as a result of the impact of the restrictions," Kidd told reporters in Canberra. The tighter lockdown will delay an independent inquiry into Victoria's hotel quarantine program. Hearings which were due to begin on Thursday will start on Aug. 17, with the final report now due on Nov. 6. State health officials believe the mingling of security guards with infected travelers in hotel quarantine was the main source of the resurgence of the virus in Melbourne over the past two months. Victoria accounts for about a quarter of the nation's economy and has nearly two-thirds of Australia's almost 19,500 COVID-19 cases. Contagion fear In northeastern Queensland state, Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said travelers from New South Wales and the capital Canberra would be barred from Saturday. The state is already closed to Victorians. "We have seen that Victoria is not getting better, and we're not going to wait for New South Wales to get worse. We need to act," Palaszczuk told reporters in Brisbane. After two months of no community transmission in the state, Queensland now has at least three such cases. Queensland reported one new infection on Wednesday, while New South Wales (NSW), the most-populous state, reported 12. Travelers returning from Victoria to NSW through Sydney airport will be required to self-quarantine in hotels for 14 days from midnight on Friday, the NSW government said. NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian said that while case numbers in the state were "pleasingly stable, we continue to be at high risk". The closure of businesses in Victoria and curbs on construction activity, meatworks and warehouses are set to cost 250,000 jobs, doubling the number of jobs already lost in the state due to the pandemic. In another blow to the economy, Australia's number two airline, Virgin Australia Holdings, said it would axe 3,000 jobs under its prospective new owner Bain Capital. Australia's central bank expects the nation's jobless rate to spike to 10% later this year. S&P Global Ratings said it may lower Victoria's AAA long-term rating as the current lockdown and border closures would hit the economy "substantially more than we previously expected". A survey conducted immediately before and after the 2016 US presidential election reveals that the election of Donald Trump had a negative effect on Europeans' image of the United States, but it did not seem to affect the willingness of Europeans to sign a trade and investment agreement with the country. The authors of the analysis, which is published in Economic Inquiry, noted that the election mainly caused undecided people to adjust their image of the United States in a negative way, rather than cause people with a positive image to take on a negative one. "We found that the election outcome led to an immediate and sizable negative effect on Europeans' image of the United States," said Tom Coupe, PhD, of the University of Canterbury, New Zealand. "But because people with a positive image are most likely to support a trade agreement, little changed overall," added Oleksandr Shepotylo, PhD, of Aston University, in the UK. ### The bone and bone marrow are exposed to metals from implants, scientists led by the Charite Medical University in Berlin (Germany) have found. Their results could ultimately lead to safer prosthesis. They are published today in Advanced Science. Metallic implants are frequently used in medicine to support and replace degenerated tissues. When an artificial joint is implanted in a patient, a foreign body reaction occurs, resulting in the formation of fibrous tissue around the implant. Until now, it was assumed that this fibrotic membrane is prone to chemically isolate the implant from the surrounding tissue. This is one of the reasons why the scientific community has not yet examined whether the release of metallic implant material affects the surrounding bone marrow and bone tissue in humans. Now researchers from the Charite Hospital in Berlin have assessed the exposure of metals released from artificial joints , like cobalt, titanium and chromium, in the adjacent bone and in the bone marrow. In our previous study we found that cells from the bone where the implant was placed had lost capacity to form bone, and we were intrigued to find out why, explains Janosch Schoon, first author of the paper and scientist at the Charite Medical University and now at the Medical University of Greifswald. The comprehensive exploration of the topic required the combined expertise of different fields. The study is the result of a close collaboration between physicists, biologists, physicians, chemists and toxicologists. The team hypothesized that metals like chromium and cobalt could accumulate in the body, and since it is well known that they can become toxic at certain levels, this could trigger bone loss. So they came to beamlines ID21 and ID16B at the ESRF to carry out X-ray fluorescence (XRF) with the aim to qualitatively and quantitatively analyse the metals and to identify their specific spatial distribution in bone and bone marrow on a micron- and nanoscale. "The technical challenges for such experiments are many due to the complexity of the samples. Synchrotron techniques allow us to image at the bone scale (millimeter) but also to locate nanometric metal particles, to detect the concentration of different metals and identify them, as well as their chemical state, which dictates their toxicity", explains Marine Cotte, scientist in charge of beamline ID21 and co-author of the study. She adds: "EBS and new instruments will allow us to be even more efficient in terms of speed, resolution and sensitivity". Schoon complements: We were very lucky to be able to study the location, size and shape of these metals with the unique resolution that we get at the ESRF. It provided us with a broad picture of metal distribution in the bone and the bone marrow. Results were unexpected: We were extremely surprised when we saw the extent of the metal exposure, especially titanium, says Schoon. The implications of these results are even more relevant given the organs studied: It is important to note that the bone marrow is essential for hematopoiesis and the origin of all immune cells. The release of metallic implant materials can not only lead to the premature failure of the artificial joint, but also possibly have systemic consequences. Our results provide new insights into the toxicokinetics of metallic implant materials and help to better understand the development of implant-related pathologies., explains Sven Geissler, researcher at the Charite Medical University and senior author of the article. This study impressively proves the impact and importance of large scale research infrastructures such as the ESRF on society and on individual patients health. Now, there is not only translation from bench to bedside but also from beamline to bedside", explains Bernhard Hesse, CEO of Exployration and visiting scientist at the ESRF, and also co-author of the paper. Paradigm shift The study opens doors to new pre-clinical tests for endoprosthesis: Our findings request a paradigm shift, and bone and bone marrow should be considered as relevant organs for pre-clinical testing and post-clinical risk-benefit evaluation of orthopedic biomaterials. Advanced models that mimic the organ function of human bone and bone marrow are needed for extending pre-clinical assessments. Ultimately, we hope to keep implant safety at the highest possible level, concludes Schoon. The scientists will now continue their research in implants that have been placed for different lengths of time in different patients. We know that in some patients the implants fail very early, while in others problems occur much later and yet others never have an issue. We would like to be able to predict which implant material is the most reasonable choice for which patient, concludes Geissler. REFERENCE: Schoon, J., et al, Advanced Science, 3 August 2020. DOI: 10.1002/advs.202000412. Text by Montserrat Capellas Espuny TDT | Manama The Supreme Council for Women (SCW) and the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Tourism have announced their new collaboration through Export Bahrain in developing and intensifying Bahraini exports and facilitating entry into global markets. The aim is to support Bahraini women-owned projects by providing them with facilities and consultations to develop their products and services, in order to enhance their participation in regional and international trade. Industry, Commerce and Tourism Minister and SME Development Board chairman Zayed bin Rashid Al Zayani commended the new collaboration inked between the ministry and SCW. Bahraini women enjoy a global outlook, and this collaboration will provide confidence and create new outlets of export opportunities for Bahraini women, he said. By utilising Export Bahrain, women-owned businesses can scale and expand into new markets, and tap into global opportunities. Supporting women has always been at the heart of all our endeavours and this collaboration will seek to reinforce these efforts and accelerate growth opportunities for women business owners. Export Bahrain is a critical national initiative that will push the role of women exporters in the Kingdom by joining their efforts and resources in cooperation with the SCW. The Industry Minister expressed his gratitude for the efforts taken by SCW, led by Her Royal Highness Princess Sabeeka bint Ibrahim Al Khalifa, wife of His Majesty the King and SCW president. The SCW has led notable nation-wide programmes and initiatives to develop the participation of women and their contribution to the national economy, especially amidst this challenging time, he said. SCW secretary-general Hala Al Ansari said that the cooperation with the Industry Ministry and Export Bahrain was established in accordance with the mandate of the SCW to support the participation of women in public life, as well as integrate their efforts in national developmental plans. The objective of the programme follows the implementation of one of the initiatives of the National Plan for the Advancement of Bahraini Women dedicated to raising the competitiveness of Bahraini women, in addition to diversifying their contribution to the national economy. This collaboration is in line with the SCWs partnerships with the various institutions concerned with economic development through services, facilities and support, such as the Riyadat Financial Fund, business incubators with their administrative, consultancy, training and technical services such as the Riyadat Center, she added. This newly developed programme, comes at a very important time, in light of the impact of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic on the business sector as a whole, including women-owned projects. She added that the SCW will, through its remote consultant platform and its multiple services, direct the beneficiaries to the Export Bahrain programme. International standards Al Ansari expressed confidence that both the SCW team and the Export Bahrain team will work together to provide Bahraini women entrepreneurs and business owners with the support and guidance necessary to develop their products and services, according to international standards of competitiveness and quality, in a way that enhances their access to opportunities in global markets. She noted that the collaboration will lead to creating more economic opportunities for business owners, while working with a wider network of local and international partners to raise the balance of foreign trade through their exports. The SCW secretary-general said Bahraini women have a major stake in the free market, owning 42 per cent of active individual Commercial Registrations (CRs) in the first quarter of 2020, in addition to owning 48 per cent of Virtual Commercial Registrations (VCRs), that can be implemented easily and conveniently on virtual business platforms across the globe. Export Bahrain Chief Executive Dr Nasser Qaedi said that Export Bahrain has facilitated more than $32 million in exports over the 18 months since its inception, targetting 32 markets around the world. We have supported current and new exporters, including women-owned companies, which accounted for 20 per cent of all exporters, and our support has spanned multiple economic sectors to export various products and services, he said. Export Bahrain has had an important role in taking Bahraini products and services to new markets and placing them on the global map as future competitors with other international brands. More than 25 per cent of our exporters have access to new markets, more than 30 per cent of exporters have exported for the first time, while more than 15 per cent have exported services. He added: Our diversified practical solutions have been designed to create a successful export framework for all Bahraini exporting companies. In order to create an ideal market without borders, Export Bahrain has provided customised solutions, including providing e-commerce solutions and export credit solutions, to provide competitive credit terms, international links via the export facilitation platform, support for the shipping and logistics process, and support for smart market information for quick access to information related to other markets. Moreover, Export Bahrain provides solutions and tools for existing export projects and supports projects in Bahrain, to start the export journey as well as its international growth in larger markets, because we want Bahraini companies to make their mark globally and to have their export potential recognised. This graphic shows the gap in attainment of a bachelors degree or further education between African American and White residents. The percentage of Black adults over 25 with a bachelor's degree or higher is significantly smaller. Today, China's Communist Party maintains the "reunification" of China by military force, if necessary as one of its highest and most sensitive overarching priorities. The leadership objects vehemently to diplomatic gestures, including visits by foreign dignitaries, that appear to give credence to Taiwan's status as a sovereign state. Since Tsai entered office in 2016 on a platform that does not explicitly acknowledge the "one China" principle, Beijing has sought to punish her political party by peeling away Taiwan's diplomatic partners, who now number just 15, and boycotting any multinational corporation that recognizes Taiwan as a separate entity. 2020 Ongoing Guidance Affirmed FOLSOM, Aug. 05, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Investor Contact: Daniel Fidell 609-561-9000 x7027 dfidell@sjindustries.com Media Contact: Marissa Travaline 609-561-9000 x4227 mtravaline@sjindustries.com SJI Reports Second Quarter 2020 Results 2020 Ongoing Guidance Affirmed FOLSOM, NJ (August 5, 2020) - SJI (NYSE: SJI) today reported operating results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2020. Highlights include: Q2 2020 GAAP earnings of $(0.03) per diluted share compared to $(0.14) per diluted share in 2019 Q2 2020 Economic Earnings* of $(0.01) per diluted share compared to $(0.13) per diluted share in 2019 Second quarter results reflect increased profitability from Utility and Non-Utility operations partially offset by impact of financing activities COVID-19: Operations continue to function effectively; delivery of natural gas to customers has not been materially impacted; NJ regulators authorized deferral of incremental expenses including bad debt Continuing execution of key initiatives - completed ELK sale in July, executed infrastructure modernization programs, advanced clean energy investment, and furthered regulatory initiatives including SJG base rate case 2020 ongoing economic earnings affirmed $1.50-$1.60 per diluted share; SJI continues to monitor operations, market conditions and business development initiatives for future impacts to financial projections "Our continuing priority during this challenging time remains the safety of our employees and assuring critical gas delivery to the more than 700,000 customers who depend on us each day, said Mike Renna, SJI President and Chief Executive Officer. "I am pleased to report that our business operations continue to function effectively during the pandemic with a minimal financial impact, thanks in large part to the dedication and commitment of our exceptional 1,100 employees. As a company, we remain committed to supporting economic recovery efforts in New Jersey, addressing critical infrastructure investments to modernize our system and ensure adequate supply and system redundancy, and new clean energy investments that will lower consumption and the carbon content of natural gas in support of New Jersey's Energy Master Plan," added Renna. Story continues Three Months Ended June 30, 2020 Three Months Ended June 30, 2019 GAAP GAAP Economic Economic GAAP GAAP Economic Economic Earnings EPS Earnings EPS Earnings EPS Earnings EPS Utility $ 3.0 $ 0.03 $ 3.0 $ 0.03 $ (1.9 ) $ (0.02 ) $ (1.9 ) $ (0.02 ) Non-Utility $ 3.9 $ 0.04 $ 5.0 $ 0.05 $ (1.3 ) $ (0.01 ) $ (2.3 ) $ (0.02 ) Other $ (9.5 ) $ (0.10 ) $ (8.8 ) $ (0.09 ) $ (10.0 ) $ (0.11 ) $ (8.0 ) $ (0.09 ) Total - Continuing Ops $ (2.6 ) $ (0.03 ) $ (0.9 ) $ (0.01 ) $ (13.3 ) $ (0.14 ) $ (12.2 ) $ (0.13 ) Average Diluted Shares 93.7 93.7 92.4 92.4 *Non-GAAP, see "Explanation and Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures." Note: Earnings and average shares outstanding are in millions. Amounts and/or EPS may not add due to rounding. COVID-19 - Business Update Our business operations continue to function effectively during the pandemic. Given the fluid nature of the crisis, we are continually monitoring our business operations and will adjust as necessary to continue to provide safe and reliable service to our customers and communities while keeping employees safe. Workforce. Through proper planning and the innovative use of technology, all 1,100 employees continue to work, either in the field or from home to assist in reducing the spread of the virus. Operations. Operations and delivery of natural gas to our customers has not been materially impacted. To date, SJI has not experienced significant reductions in sales volumes across our businesses and is closely monitoring potential impacts due to COVID-19 pandemic responses at the state and Federal level. Expenses. In July, the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (NJBPU) unanimously approved an Order authorizing gas, electric and investor-owned water and wastewater utilities to establish a regulatory asset allowing the deferral of prudently incurred incremental COVID-19 related expenses. The Order also permits utilities to file future, separate proceedings for the recovery of such costs. For the six months ended June 30, 2020, SJG and ETG deferred incremental expenses (including uncollectible expense) of $9.7 million as a result of the Order. In addition, SJI incurred costs for emergency supplies, cleaning services, enabling technology and other needs of $1.4 million, with $0.8 million recorded as property, plant & equipment on our consolidated balance sheet. Capital Expenditures. Our investment programs to replace and upgrade critical utility infrastructure continue to move forward. Construction activity that ceased in March in accordance with directives from the Governor of New Jersey resumed in June, and we remain on track to achieve our capital spending projections in 2020. Regulatory Initiatives. The NJBPU continues to hold regular commission agenda meetings via internet teleconference. Our South Jersey Gas (SJG) base rate case filing, and our engineering and route proposal for an SJG supply redundancy project, remain on track for resolution later this year. Liquidity. We have total borrowing facilities of $1.25 billion, with approximately $560 million available in revolving credit, uncommitted lines and cash as of July 30. We recently completed steps to strengthen liquidity, eliminate near-term debt maturities and ensure the ongoing funding of our 2020 capital program. With the successful execution of these transactions, we feel confident in our ability to manage through the impacts of COVID-19. Second Quarter 2020 Results For the three-month period ended June 30, 2020, SJI reported consolidated GAAP earnings of $(2.6) million compared to $(13.3) million in the prior year period. SJI uses the non-GAAP measure of economic earnings when discussing results. We believe this presentation provides clarity into the continuing earnings of our business. A full explanation and reconciliation of economic earnings is provided under Explanation and Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures later in this report and in our 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019. For the three-month period ended June 30, 2020, economic earnings were $(0.9) million compared to $(12.2) million in the prior year period. UTILITY Utility entities include South Jersey Gas (SJG), Elizabethtown Gas (ETG) and Elkton Gas (ELK). Second quarter 2020 GAAP and economic earnings were $3.0 million compared with $(1.9) million in 2019. South Jersey Gas Performance. Second quarter 2020 GAAP and economic earnings were $3.7 million compared with $2.0 million in 2019. Utility margin increased $1.1 million reflecting customer growth and the roll-in of investments from infrastructure replacement programs. We define utility margin, a non-GAAP measure, as natural gas revenues plus depreciation and amortization expenses, less natural gas costs, regulatory rider expenses and volumetric and revenue-based energy taxes. Total expenses decreased $0.6 million, reflecting higher investment income and lower pension costs partially offset by increased depreciation and operation and maintenance expenses. Customer Growth. SJG added approximately 8,000 new customers over the last 12 months and now serves more than 401,000 customers. SJGs customer growth rate compares favorably to our peers and remains driven by gas conversions (~70%+ of new customer additions) from alternate fuels such as oil and propane. Infrastructure Modernization. Through infrastructure replacement programs, SJG enhances the safety and reliability of our system while earning our authorized utility return on approved investments in a timely manner. Accelerated Infrastructure Replacement Program (AIRP), as approved by the NJBPU, authorizes investment of $302.5 million from 2016-2021 for important infrastructure replacement upgrades. Our most recent annual investment of $64.5 million for the period July 2018 to June 2019 was rolled into SJG rates effective October 1, 2019. Our investment of approximately $60.0 million for the period July 2019 to June 2020 is expected to be rolled into SJG rates effective October 1, 2020. Storm Hardening and Reliability Program (SHARP), as approved by the NJBPU, authorizes investment of $100 million from 2018-2021 for four projects to enhance the safety, redundancy and resiliency of the distribution system along our coastal communities. Our most recent annual investment of $27.4 million for the period July 2018 to June 2019 was rolled into SJG rates effective October 1, 2019. Our investment of approximately $34 million for the period July 2019 to June 2020 is expected to be rolled into SJG rates effective October 1, 2020. Base Rate Case. In March, SJG filed a petition with the NJBPU requesting a revenue increase of approximately $75 million to recognize infrastructure investments made to maintain the safety and reliability of its natural gas delivery system. The request represents approximately $340 million in system improvements that are not currently reflected in base rates. SJG's request assumes an overall rate of return of 7.3%, return on equity of 10.4% and 54.2% equity ratio. The case is proceeding on track with our expected timeline. Consistent with prior rate case timing, a resolution of the case is expected later this year. Redundancy Projects. In response to the NJBPU's call for utilities to evaluate preparedness for gas supply interruptions, we have evaluated potential redundancy solutions. These solutions are critically important to ensure service is not interrupted to our customers in the event of a significant outage, either behind our city gate, or on one of the two interstate pipelines that serve the SJG system. In December 2019, SJG submitted an engineering and route proposal to the NJBPU for approval to construct needed system upgrades in support of a planned 2.0+ Bcf liquefied natural gas (LNG) facility, with a resolution anticipated later this year. We also continue to explore system alternatives that will allow for a secondary supply of gas needed to create reliability and resiliency for approximately 140,000 customers in Atlantic and Cape May counties. Elizabethtown Gas Performance. Second quarter 2020 GAAP and economic earnings were $(0.8) million compared with $(3.9) million in 2019. Utility margin, as previously defined, increased $5.6 million primarily due to rate relief effective November 15, 2019 and customer growth. ETG's rate case settlement authorized a $34 million rate increase based on a 9.6% return on equity and 51.5% equity component. Total expenses increased $2.5 million, reflecting higher operations, depreciation and interest costs partially offset by lower maintenance expenses. Customer Growth. ETG added approximately 4,000 new customers over the last 12 months and now serves more than 298,000 customers. ETGs customer growth rate has increased from its historic rate, driven by increases in new construction and gas conversions from alternate fuels such as oil and propane. Infrastructure Modernization. ETG's Infrastructure Investment Plan (IIP), as approved by the NJBPU, authorizes investment of $300 million from 2019-2024 for important infrastructure upgrades including the replacement of up to 250 miles of cast iron and bare steel mains. Our investment of approximately $60.0 million for the period July 2019 to June 2020 is expected to be rolled into ETG rates effective October 1, 2020. Elkton Gas Performance. Second quarter 2020 GAAP and economic earnings were $0.1 million compared with $0.0 million in 2019. In December 2019, SJI announced the sale of ELK to Chesapeake Utilities for $15 million in cash. The transaction was completed on July 31 following receipt of Maryland Public Service Commission approval. NON-UTILITY Non-Utility entities include Energy Group, Energy Services and Midstream. Second quarter 2020 GAAP earnings were $3.9 million compared with $(1.3) million in 2019. Second quarter 2020 economic earnings were $5.0 million compared with $(2.3) million in 2019. Energy Group Performance. Energy Group primarily includes wholesale gas operations engaged in fuel supply management and commodity marketing. Second quarter 2020 GAAP earnings were $4.7 million compared with $(2.9) million in 2019. Second quarter 2020 economic earnings were $5.7 million compared with $(2.0) million in 2019. Fuel Supply Management second quarter 2020 GAAP and economic earnings were $2.6 million compared with $2.0 million in 2019, reflecting new contracts that became operational over the last 12 months. As of June 30, 2020, SJI had ten fuel supply management transactions under contract and operational. Wholesale Marketing/Other second quarter 2020 GAAP earnings were $2.1 million compared with $(4.9) million in 2019. Second quarter 2020 economic earnings were $3.1 million compared with $(4.0) million in 2019. Improved results primarily reflect a $2.9 million after-tax refund received as a result of a third-party supplier rate case along with improved wholesale optimization opportunities. Energy Services Performance. Energy Services includes legacy energy production assets (CHP, Solar, Landfills) and account services. Second quarter 2020 GAAP earnings were $(1.7) million compared with $0.5 million in 2019. Second quarter 2020 economic earnings were $(1.6) million compared with $(1.3) million in 2019, reflecting the recent sale of CHP assets and the performance of legacy landfill assets offset by reduced costs from asset sales in prior periods. Effective June 1, we ceased operations at three of our four landfill sites, consistent with our ongoing business transformation and prior guidance. Midstream Performance. Midstream includes our 20% equity investment in the PennEast Pipeline (PennEast), a planned 1-Bcf interstate pipeline running from the Marcellus region of Pennsylvania into New Jersey. Second quarter 2020 GAAP and economic earnings were $0.9 million compared with $1.0 million in 2019 reflecting Allowance for Funds Used During Construction (AFUDC) related to the project. Project Update. The PennEast Pipeline partners remain committed to the development of the pipeline project in its entirety. PennEast is happy to announce that the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) recently issued a positive Environmental Assessment (EA) for Phase 1 of the Project. The issuance of the EA and continued good progress working with the various regulatory agencies will allow us to maintain the scheduled in-service date of November 2021 for Phase 1. OTHER Performance. Other entity includes interest on debt, including the debt associated with our acquisitions of ETG and ELK in 2018. Second quarter 2020 GAAP earnings were $(9.5) million compared with $(10.0) million in 2019. Second quarter 2020 economic earnings were $(8.8) million compared with $(8.0) million in 2019, reflecting an increase in outstanding debt partially offset by debt repayments and refinancing. YTD 2020 Results Six Months Ended June 30, 2020 Six Months Ended June 30, 2019 GAAP GAAP Economic Economic GAAP GAAP Economic Economic Earnings EPS Earnings EPS Earnings EPS Earnings EPS Utility $ 110.7 $ 1.19 $ 111.9 $ 1.20 $ 98.1 $ 1.07 $ 98.1 $ 1.07 Non-Utility $ 9.7 $ 0.10 $ 11.3 $ 0.12 $ (3.0 ) $ (0.03 ) $ 5.6 $ 0.06 Other $ (21.9 ) $ (0.23 ) $ (17.3 ) $ (0.19 ) $ (22.7 ) $ (0.25 ) $ (16.5 ) $ (0.18 ) Total - Continuing Ops $ 98.5 $ 1.06 $ 106.0 $ 1.14 $ 72.4 $ 0.79 $ 87.2 $ 0.95 Average Diluted Shares 93.2 93.2 92.0 92.0 *Non-GAAP, see "Explanation and Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures." Note: Earnings and average shares outstanding are in millions. Amounts and/or EPS may not add due to rounding. For the six-month year-to-date (YTD) period ended June 30, 2020, SJI reported consolidated GAAP earnings of $98.5 million compared to $72.4 million in the prior year period. For the six-month YTD period ended June 30, 2020, economic earnings were $106.0 million compared to $87.2 million in the prior year period. UTILITY YTD GAAP earnings were $110.7 million compared with $98.1 million in 2019. YTD economic earnings were $111.9 million compared with $98.1 million in 2019. SJG YTD GAAP earnings were $74.2 million compared with $70.7 million in 2019. YTD economic earnings were $75.4 million compared with $70.7 million in 2019 reflecting a one-time tax adjustment related to SJG's pending rate case. Utility margin increased $8.2 million reflecting customer growth and the roll-in of investments from infrastructure replacement programs. Total expenses increased $3.6 million, driven by increased depreciation and maintenance expenses. ETG YTD GAAP and economic earnings were $35.9 million compared with $27.0 million in 2019. Utility margin increased $21.4 million reflecting rate relief effective November 15, 2019 and customer growth. Total expenses increased $12.5 million reflecting depreciation, interest and operating and maintenance expenses. ELK YTD GAAP and economic earnings were $0.6 million compared with $0.4 million in 2019, driven by customer growth and infrastructure investment partially offset by operating costs. NON-UTILITY YTD GAAP earnings were $9.7 million compared with $(3.0) million in 2019. YTD economic earnings were $11.3 million compared with $5.6 million in 2019. Energy Group YTD GAAP earnings were $9.7 million compared with $(4.8) million in 2019. YTD Economic earnings were $10.9 million compared with $5.5 million in 2019. Fuel Supply Management YTD GAAP and economic earnings were $5.8 million compared with $4.8 million in 2019 reflecting new contracts that became operational over the last 12 months. Wholesale/Other YTD GAAP earnings were $3.9 million compared with $(9.6) million in 2019. Wholesale/Other YTD economic earnings were $5.1 million compared with $0.7 million in 2019 reflecting the third-party supplier refund and improved optimization opportunities. Energy Services YTD GAAP earnings were $(2.1) million compared with $(0.2) million in 2019. YTD economic earnings were $(1.6) million compared with $(2.0) million in 2019, reflecting reduced costs from asset sales partially offset by the impact of legacy solar and landfill assets. Midstream YTD GAAP and economic earnings were $2.1 million compared with $2.0 million in 2019 reflecting AFUDC related to the project. OTHER YTD GAAP earnings were $(21.9) million compared with $(22.7) million in 2019. YTD economic earnings were $(17.3) million compared with $(16.5) million in 2019 reflecting increased debt outstanding partially offset by debt repayment and refinancing. Clean Energy and Utility Decarbonization Investments As previously communicated, we are targeting infrastructure investments in support of the clean energy goals of our region, and remain on track to achieve our planned $100 million capital spending plan in 2020. Update. We remain committed to investments that lower consumption and the carbon content of natural gas and are actively pursuing renewable natural gas opportunities in our region, as well as investigating the potential future application of power-to-gas technology at our utilities. In furtherance of SJIs clean energy initiatives, during the second quarter, we advanced solar installations at SJI corporate facilities, with three facilities expected to be completed in 2020 and the remainder in 2021. In addition, on June 30, we closed on three solar projects in New Jersey reflecting a $2.8 million total investment and 1.1 MW of installed capacity. These projects qualify under the NJ Transition Renewable Energy Certificates (TREC) program and are expected to generate approximately $0.7 million of investment tax credits (ITC's) in 2020. Project Queue. We continue to evaluate a sizable queue of utility and non-utility investment opportunities that are expected to benefit our financial results in 2020 and 2021. These opportunities may include solar, renewable natural gas (RNG), power-to-gas, smart meters and other clean energy generation projects to advance the regions energy goals and reduce the effects of greenhouse gasses. We anticipate providing additional clarity on specific projects during the third quarter 2020. Capital Expenditures and Cash Flow For the six months ended June 30, 2020: Net cash provided by operating activities was $206.3 million compared to $216.1 million in the prior year period. Net cash used in investing activities was $135.1 million compared with $222.2 million in the prior year period, primarily reflecting capital expenditures of $234.6 million in support of customer growth and utility infrastructure upgrades offset by $104.3 million in proceeds from asset sales. Net cash provided by financing activities was $(80.9) million compared to $5.7 million in the prior year period, reflecting debt and equity financing and repayment of debt using proceeds from non-core asset sales. Balance Sheet SJI remains committed to a capital structure that supports our regulated-driven capital spending plan while maintaining a balanced equity-to-total capitalization, ample liquidity and a solid investment grade credit rating. Equity-to-total capitalization was 34.7% at June 30, 2020 compared with 29.6% at December 31, 2019, reflecting debt and equity financing and repayment of debt using proceeds from asset sales. Our growth plan embeds conversion of mandatory convertible equity units due 2021 ($287.5 million). Including conversion, as well as equity credit from rating agencies for long-duration debt, our adjusted equity-to-total capitalization ratio, a non-GAAP measure, was 42.8% at June 30, 2020 compared with 37.5% at December 31, 2019. We have completed multiple steps in 2020 to strengthen liquidity, eliminate near-term debt maturities and ensure the ongoing funding of our capital program. Most recently, in June, we completed a $200 million At-The-Market program which resolves our planned equity funding need for 2020. In July, we refinanced a $200 million 18-month term loan in two tranches, extending maturities by 7 and 10 years, respectively. With the successful execution of these and other transactions earlier this year, and approximately $560 million of available borrowing capacity, we feel confident in our ability to manage through the impacts of COVID-19. Financial Guidance SJI affirms it expects 2020 ongoing economic earnings of $1.50 to $1.60 per diluted share. We are continually monitoring our operations, market conditions and business development initiatives and will communicate any future impacts to our financial projections. Economic earnings guidance continues to primarily reflect: Utility operations ~75% of earnings, excluding interest costs ~$500 million capital spending on growth, safety and reliability for SJG/ETG customers 10,000+ new gas utility customers, reflecting 1.5% customer growth, driven by accelerated pace at ETG Lower operating costs, driven by business transformation activities Infrastructure modernization at SJG/ETG under existing programs Execution of regulatory initiatives, including recovery of utility investment Non-Utility operations ~25% of earnings, excluding interest costs Energy Services: $100+ million in clean energy investment in support of EMP, and landfill exit Energy Group: Fuel management contracts, reshaped wholesale portfolio and contract expiration Midstream: AFUDC associated with PennEast Pipeline project Balance sheet strengthening, driven by asset sales and refinancing activities Conference Call and Webcast SJI will host a conference call and webcast on Thursday, August 6 to discuss our second quarter 2020 financial results. To access the call, please dial the applicable number approximately 5-10 minutes prior to the start time. The call will also be webcast in a listen-only format for the media and general public. The webcast can be accessed at www.sjindustries.com under Events & Presentations. Date/Time: Thursday, August 6, 11:00 a.m. ET Dial-In: Toll Free: 877-376-9937; Toll: 629-228-0738 Passcode: 9693527 About SJI SJI (NYSE: SJI), an energy services holding company based in Folsom, NJ, delivers energy services to its customers through three primary subsidiaries. SJI Utilities, SJIs regulated natural gas utility business, delivers safe, reliable, affordable natural gas to approximately 700,000 South Jersey Gas and Elizabethtown Gas customers in New Jersey. SJIs non-utility businesses within South Jersey Energy Solutions promote efficiency, clean technology and renewable energy by providing customized wholesale commodity marketing and fuel management services; and developing, owning and operating on-site energy production facilities. SJI Midstream houses the companys interest in the PennEast Pipeline Project. Visit sjindustries.com for more information about SJI and its subsidiaries. Forward-Looking Statements and Risk Factors This news release, including information incorporated by reference, contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements other than statements of historical fact, including statements regarding guidance, industry prospects or future results of operations or financial position, expected sources of incremental margin, strategy, financing needs, future capital expenditures and the outcome or effect of ongoing litigation, are forward-looking. This Quarterly Report uses words such as "anticipate," "believe," "expect," "estimate," "forecast," "goal," "intend," "objective," "plan," "project," "seek," "strategy," "target," "will" and similar expressions to identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs and assumptions of management at the time that these statements were prepared and are inherently uncertain. Forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, general economic conditions on an international, national, state and local level; weather conditions in SJIs marketing areas; changes in commodity costs; changes in the availability of natural gas; non-routine or extraordinary disruptions in SJIs distribution system; regulatory, legislative and court decisions; competition; the availability and cost of capital; costs and effects of legal proceedings and environmental liabilities; the failure of customers, suppliers or business partners to fulfill their contractual obligations; changes in business strategies; and public health crises and epidemics or pandemics, such as a novel coronavirus (COVID-19). These risks and uncertainties, as well as other risks and uncertainties that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements, are described in greater detail under the heading Item 1A. Risk Factors in this Quarterly Report, SJIs and SJG's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019 and in any other SEC filings made by SJI or SJG during 2019 and 2020 and prior to the filing of this earnings release. Also refer to the additional risk factor described below: Our business could be materially and adversely affected by a public health crisis or the widespread outbreak of contagious disease, such as the recent outbreak of respiratory illness caused by a novel coronavirus (COVID-19), which has been declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization in March 2020. In recent weeks, the continued spread of COVID-19 across the world has led to disruption and volatility in the global capital markets, which increases the cost of capital and adversely impacts access to capital. Additionally, our reliance on third-party suppliers, contractors, service providers, and commodity markets exposes us to possibility of delay or interruption of our operations. For the duration of the outbreak of COVID-19, legislative and government action limits our ability to collect on overdue accounts, and prohibits us from shutting off services, which may cause a decrease in our cash flows or net income. We have been executing our business continuity plans since the outbreak of COVID-19 and are closely monitoring potential impacts due to COVID-19 pandemic responses at the state and federal level. As expected, we have incurred operating costs for emergency supplies, cleaning services, enabling technology and other specific needs during this crisis which have traditionally been recognized as prudent expenditures by our regulators. The effects of the pandemic also may have a material adverse impact on our ability to collect accounts receivable as customers face higher liquidity and solvency risks. Currently, the impact of the pandemic to the collectability of our accounts receivable is an unknown and continues to be monitored, but such receivables have traditionally been included in rate recovery. Our infrastructure investment programs continue to move forward, and construction activity that was delayed in accordance with directives from the Governor of New Jersey have since continued; however, to the extent the pandemic worsens or a similar directive is put in place in the future for a long period of time, our capital projects could be significantly impacted. It is impossible to predict the effect of the continued spread of the coronavirus in the communities we service. Should the coronavirus continue to spread or not be contained, our business, financial condition and results of operations could be materially impacted, including impairment of goodwill or access to capital markets, which in turn may have a negative effect on the market price of our common stock. No assurance can be given that any goal or plan set forth in any forward-looking statement can or will be achieved, and readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such statements, which speak only as of the date they are made. SJI and SJG undertake no obligation to revise or update any forward-looking statements, whether as result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. Explanation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures Management uses the non-GAAP financial measures of Economic Earnings and Economic Earnings per share when evaluating its results of operations. These non-GAAP financial measures should not be considered as an alternative to GAAP measures, such as net income, operating income, earnings per share from continuing operations or any other GAAP measure of financial performance. We define Economic Earnings as: Income from continuing operations, (i) less the change in unrealized gains and plus the change in unrealized losses on non-utility derivative transactions; and (ii) less the impact of transactions, contractual arrangements or other events where management believes period to period comparisons of SJI's operations could be difficult or potentially confusing. With respect to part (ii) of the definition of Economic Earnings, several items are excluded from Economic Earnings for the three and six months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019, consisting of the impact of pricing disputes with third parties, costs to acquire ETG and ELK, costs to prepare to exit the TSA, costs incurred and gains recognized on sales of solar, MTF/ACB, and ELK, costs incurred to cease operations at three landfill gas-to-energy-production facilities, severance and other employee separation costs, and a one-time tax adjustment resulting from SJG's Stipulation of Settlement with the BPU. See (A)-(E) in the table below. Economic Earnings is a significant financial measure used by our management to indicate the amount and timing of income from continuing operations that we expect to earn after taking into account the impact of derivative instruments on the related transactions, as well as the impact of contractual arrangements and other events that management believes make period to period comparisons of SJI's operations difficult or potentially confusing. Management uses Economic Earnings to manage its business and to determine such items as incentive/compensation arrangements and allocation of resources. Specifically regarding derivatives, we believe that this financial measure indicates to investors the profitability of the entire derivative-related transaction and not just the portion that is subject to mark-to-market valuation under GAAP. We believe that considering only the change in market value on the derivative side of the transaction can produce a false sense as to the ultimate profitability of the total transaction as no change in value is reflected for the non-derivative portion of the transaction. Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures The following table presents a reconciliation of our income from continuing operations and earnings per share from continuing operations to Economic Earnings and Economic Earnings per share (in thousands, except per share data): Three Months Ended June 30, Six Months Ended June 30, 2020 2019 2020 2019 (Loss) Income from Continuing Operations $ (2,578 ) $ (13,304 ) $ 98,522 $ 72,395 Minus/Plus: Unrealized Mark-to-Market Losses on Derivatives 1,621 1,888 5,943 15,038 Net Losses from a Legal Proceeding in a Pricing Dispute (A) 986 1,977 Acquisition/Sale Net Costs (Gains) (B) 92 (1,822 ) 1,453 163 Other Costs (C) 617 422 764 2,995 Income Taxes (D) (615 ) (391 ) (1,920 ) (5,352 ) Additional Tax Adjustments (E) 1,214 Economic Earnings $ (863 ) $ (12,221 ) $ 105,976 $ 87,216 (Loss) Earnings per Share from Continuing Operations $ (0.03 ) $ (0.14 ) $ 1.06 $ 0.79 Minus/Plus: Unrealized Mark-to-Market Losses on Derivatives 0.02 0.02 0.06 0.16 Net Losses from a Legal Proceeding in a Pricing Dispute (A) 0.01 0.02 Acquisition/Sale Net Costs (Gains) (B) (0.02 ) 0.02 0.01 Other Costs (C) 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.03 Income Taxes (D) (0.01 ) (0.01 ) (0.02 ) (0.06 ) Additional Tax Adjustments (E) 0.01 Economic Earnings per Share $ (0.01 ) $ (0.13 ) $ 1.14 $ 0.95 (A) Represents net losses, including interest, legal fees, and the realized difference in the market value of the commodity (including financial hedges), resulting from a ruling in a legal proceeding related to a pricing dispute between SJI and a gas supplier that began in October 2014. (B) Represents costs incurred to prepare to exit the TSA. Also included here are gains/losses recognized and costs incurred on the sale of certain solar assets included in Assets Held for Sale in previous periods as well as MTF/ACB and ELK, and costs incurred to cease operations at three landfill gas-to-energy production facilities. (C) Represents severance and other employee separation costs. (D) The income taxes on (A) through (C) above were determined using a combined average statutory tax rate for the three and six months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019. (E) Represents a one-time tax adjustment resulting from SJG's Stipulation of Settlement with the BPU, as part of its recent rate case filing. Summary of Utility Margin The following tables summarize Utility Margin for the three and six months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019 for SJG and ETG (in thousands): SJG: Three Months Ended June 30, Six Months Ended June 30, 2020 2019 2020 2019 Utility Margin: Residential $ 36,770 $ 27,945 $ 119,867 $ 126,812 Commercial and Industrial 15,645 15,574 47,076 51,822 Cogeneration and Electric Generation 1,071 1,064 2,351 2,268 Interruptible 7 19 33 43 Off-System Sales & Capacity Release 172 515 957 2,186 Other Revenues 458 538 661 787 Margin Before Weather Normalization & Decoupling 54,123 45,655 170,945 183,918 CIP Mechanism (3,548 ) 4,382 25,363 5,256 EET Mechanism 1,462 944 3,047 1,936 Utility Margin** $ 52,037 $ 50,981 $ 199,355 $ 191,110 ETG: Three Months Ended June 30, Six Months Ended June 30, 2020 2019 2020 2019 Utility Margin: Residential $ 22,135 $ 15,980 $ 79,568 $ 62,501 Commercial & Industrial 15,637 12,135 43,549 34,108 Regulatory Rider Expenses* (3,604 ) 456 (4,208 ) 898 Utility Margin** $ 34,168 $ 28,571 $ 118,909 $ 97,507 *Represents pass-through expenses for which there is a corresponding credit in operating revenues. Therefore, such recoveries have no impact on financial results. **Utility Margin is a non-GAAP financial measure and is further defined above. The definition of Utility Margin is the same for SJG and ETG gas utility operations. SOUTH JERSEY INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME/(LOSS) (UNAUDITED) (In Thousands Except for Per Share Data) Three Months Ended June 30, 2020 2019 Operating Revenues: Utility $ 145,846 $ 106,832 Nonutility 114,118 160,102 Total Operating Revenues 259,964 266,934 Operating Expenses: Cost of Sales - (Excluding depreciation and amortization) - Utility 45,564 16,721 - Nonutility 102,089 148,620 Operations 52,656 56,608 Maintenance 9,397 9,273 Depreciation 27,431 24,129 Energy and Other Taxes 2,636 2,717 Total Operating Expenses 239,773 258,068 Operating Income 20,191 8,866 Other Income 3,625 29 Interest Charges (28,589 ) (28,434 ) Loss Before Income Taxes (4,773 ) (19,539 ) Income Taxes 178 4,646 Equity in Earnings of Affiliated Companies 2,017 1,589 Loss from Continuing Operations (2,578 ) (13,304 ) Loss from Discontinued Operations - (Net of tax benefit) (61 ) (95 ) Net Loss $ (2,639 ) $ (13,399 ) Basic Loss Per Common Share: Continuing Operations $ (0.03 ) $ (0.14 ) Discontinued Operations Basic Loss Per Common Share $ (0.03 ) $ (0.14 ) Average Shares of Common Stock Outstanding - Basic 93,712 92,389 Diluted Loss Per Common Share: Continuing Operations $ (0.03 ) $ (0.14 ) Discontinued Operations Diluted Loss Per Common Share $ (0.03 ) $ (0.14 ) Average Shares of Common Stock Outstanding - Diluted 93,712 92,389 Six Months Ended June 30, 2020 2019 Operating Revenues: Utility $ 532,727 $ 521,178 Nonutility 261,349 383,054 Total Operating Revenues 794,076 904,232 Operating Expenses: Cost of Sales - (Excluding depreciation and amortization) - Utility 180,890 205,170 - Nonutility 232,831 362,558 Operations 115,012 119,434 Maintenance 18,992 18,903 Depreciation 53,900 47,814 Energy and Other Taxes 6,498 6,934 Total Operating Expenses 608,123 760,813 Operating Income 185,953 143,419 Other Income 2,478 2,604 Interest Charges (61,125 ) (57,087 ) Income Before Income Taxes 127,306 88,936 Income Taxes (33,192 ) (20,303 ) Equity in Earnings of Affiliated Companies 4,408 3,762 Income from Continuing Operations 98,522 72,395 Loss from Discontinued Operations - (Net of tax benefit) (120 ) (157 ) Net Income $ 98,402 $ 72,238 Basic Earnings Per Common Share: Continuing Operations $ 1.06 $ 0.79 Discontinued Operations Basic Earnings Per Common Share $ 1.06 $ 0.79 Average Shares of Common Stock Outstanding - Basic 93,078 91,863 Diluted Earnings Per Common Share: Continuing Operations $ 1.06 $ 0.79 Discontinued Operations Diluted Earnings Per Common Share $ 1.06 $ 0.79 Average Shares of Common Stock Outstanding - Diluted 93,195 91,979 SOUTH JERSEY INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (UNAUDITED) (In Thousands) Six Months Ended June 30, 2020 2019 Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities $ 206,310 $ 216,079 Cash Flows from Investing Activities: Capital Expenditures (234,635 ) (256,587 ) Acquisition-related Working Capital Settlement 15,600 Cash Paid for Acquisition, Net of Cash Acquired (2,806 ) Proceeds from Sale of Property, Plant & Equipment 104,311 24,292 Investment in Long-Term Receivables (11,506 ) (6,585 ) Proceeds from Long-Term Receivables 7,524 4,983 Investment in Affiliates (727 ) (3,088 ) Advances to Affiliates (858 ) Net Repayment of Notes Receivable - Affiliates 2,730 Net Cash Used in Investing Activities (135,109 ) (222,243 ) Cash Flows from Financing Activities: Net (Repayments of) Borrowings from Short-Term Credit Facilities (395,900 ) 409,502 Proceeds from Issuance of Long-Term Debt 600,000 10,000 Principal Repayments of Long-Term Debt (450,000 ) (575,000 ) Payments for Issuance of Long-Term Debt (5,874 ) (1,275 ) Dividends on Common Stock (27,276 ) (26,562 ) Proceeds from Sale of Common Stock 200,000 189,032 Payments for the Issuance of Common Stock (1,863 ) Net Cash (Used in) Provided by Financing Activities (80,913 ) 5,697 Net Decrease in Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash (9,712 ) (467 ) Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash at Beginning of Period 28,381 31,679 Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash at End of Period $ 18,669 $ 31,212 SOUTH JERSEY INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (UNAUDITED) (In Thousands) June 30, 2020 December 31, 2019 Assets Property, Plant and Equipment: Utility Plant, at original cost $ 5,040,204 $ 4,905,350 Accumulated Depreciation (881,797 ) (843,998 ) Nonutility Property and Equipment, at cost 29,086 25,991 Accumulated Depreciation (13,709 ) (13,807 ) Property, Plant and Equipment - Net 4,173,784 4,073,536 Investments: Available-for-Sale Securities 40 40 Restricted 11,402 21,964 Investment in Affiliates 91,323 87,087 Total Investments 102,765 109,091 Current Assets: Cash and Cash Equivalents 7,267 6,417 Accounts Receivable 231,434 253,661 Unbilled Revenues 16,148 84,821 Provision for Uncollectibles (30,410 ) (19,829 ) Notes Receivable - Affiliate 2,649 5,379 Natural Gas in Storage, average cost 40,483 54,153 Materials and Supplies, average cost 1,139 1,164 Prepaid Taxes 40,709 26,918 Derivatives - Energy Related Assets 31,925 52,892 Assets Held for Sale 40,044 143,440 Other Prepayments and Current Assets 41,382 43,492 Total Current Assets 422,770 652,508 Regulatory and Other Noncurrent Assets: Regulatory Assets 648,769 665,932 Derivatives - Energy Related Assets 11,486 7,243 Notes Receivable - Affiliate 12,720 12,720 Contract Receivables 34,647 30,958 Goodwill 702,070 702,070 Other 107,943 111,282 Total Regulatory and Other Noncurrent Assets 1,517,635 1,530,205 Total Assets $ 6,216,954 $ 6,365,340 June 30, 2020 December 31, 2019 Capitalization and Liabilities Equity: Common Stock $ 125,733 $ 115,493 Premium on Common Stock 1,216,363 1,027,902 Treasury Stock (at par) (311 ) (289 ) Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (32,542 ) (32,558 ) Retained Earnings 357,086 313,237 Total Equity 1,666,329 1,423,785 Long-Term Debt 2,566,378 2,070,086 Total Capitalization 4,232,707 3,493,871 Current Liabilities: Notes Payable 452,800 848,700 Current Portion of Long-Term Debt 117,909 467,909 Accounts Payable 160,392 232,242 Customer Deposits and Credit Balances 29,049 35,004 Environmental Remediation Costs 54,731 43,849 Taxes Accrued 3,028 2,235 Derivatives - Energy Related Liabilities 25,963 41,965 Deferred Contract Revenues 347 Derivatives - Other Current 2,101 1,155 Liabilities Held for Sale 5,862 6,043 Dividends Payable 27,277 Interest Accrued 16,455 13,580 Pension Benefits 3,727 3,727 Other Current Liabilities 26,563 35,486 Total Current Liabilities 926,204 1,731,895 Deferred Credits and Other Noncurrent Liabilities: Deferred Income Taxes - Net 134,611 92,166 Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits 114,422 114,055 Environmental Remediation Costs 145,339 189,036 Asset Retirement Obligations 194,307 263,950 Derivatives - Energy Related Liabilities 5,305 8,206 Derivatives - Other Noncurrent 18,491 11,505 Regulatory Liabilities 434,148 442,918 Other 11,420 17,738 Total Deferred Credits and Other Noncurrent Liabilities 1,058,043 1,139,574 Commitments and Contingencies (Note 11) Total Capitalization and Liabilities $ 6,216,954 $ 6,365,340 KANSAS CITY, Kan., Aug. 5, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- A Wichita, Kansas, woman has filed a proposed federal class action lawsuit against the company that serves as the Vrbo travel website's exclusive travel insurance provider. The lawsuit alleges that CSA Travel Protection, the American affiliate of Italy-based Generali Group, has refused to honor its policy and refund more than $3,500 for a properly cancelled booking of a beach house in Rockport, on the Texas Gulf Coast. Audra Sanchez made a reservation through Vrbo in May 2020 for the accommodations for her husband and four children for a weeklong vacation, planned for July 24-31. When booking the property, Ms. Sanchez paid more than $250 for a travel insurance coverage plan from CSA. At that time there were no reports of widespread transmission of COVID-19 in the Wichita or Rockport communities, and both state's governors had lifted stay-at-home orders. However, on July 13, Ms. Sanchez's 12-year-old daughter was directly exposed to COVID-19 while playing at a friend's house. Ms. Sanchez, who has an autoimmune disorder, was immediately concerned and contacted her doctor, who directed the family to conduct a two-week quarantine. The doctor also wrote a letter, which was submitted to CSA along with her trip cancellation claim, requesting that the insurer "release [Ms. Sanchez] from her obligations to her vacation package at this time" because the doctor directed them to quarantine until at least August 1. CSA responded by email five days later that the claim was being denied, and only offered a refund of her insurance premium. "Ms. Sanchez did all the right things, took all the right precautions, and fully expected this company to honor its commitment," said Tim Sifers of the Kansas City office of the Potts Law Firm, who represents Ms. Sanchez. "These denials by Vrbo's insurance provider are widespread, and a class action is the most efficient and effective means to gain compensation for those who purchased these policies in good faith, only to be wrongfully denied." The case is Audra Sanchez et. al. v. Generali Group et.al., Case 2:20-cv-02380-SAC-TJJ, filed in U.S. District Court for the District of Kansas in Kansas City. Media Contact: Barry Pound 800-559-4534 [email protected] SOURCE Potts Law Firm No. 1. At all costs, avoid debates with President Donald Trump, so Joe wont reveal to the entire nation what many Americans with eyes can already see. The old Joe was a fabulist, a teller of wild stories in which he was always the hero. But hes not even the old Joe Biden anymore, is he? And putting him in a debate would be disastrous for the Democrats. New Delhi: The CBI will take up the probe into the alleged suicide of actor Sushant Singh Rajput on a reference of the Bihar government, officials said Wednesday. Bihar police had registered a case of abetment to suicide, criminal conspiracy, cheating among other charges on a complaint from the family of the deceased actor. The state government had sought a CBI probe into the matter, they said. The centre has forwarded the reference to the CBI which has decided to start the probe on its basis, officials said. According to the procedure, the CBI has the freedom to return the reference in case there are legal issues involved and may seek further clarification but sources in the know said the case will be taken up for investigation. Sushant Singh Rajput, aged 34, was found hanging from the ceiling of his apartment in suburban Bandra in Mumbai on June 14 and since then Mumbai police has been probing the case keeping in mind various angles. On July 25, Rajput's father had lodged an FIR at Rajiv Nagar police station in Patna against the actor's rumoured girlfriend Rhea Chakraborty and six others, including her family members, accusing them of abetting his suicide. Monrovia The United Nations through its Resident Coordinator in Liberia, ECOWAS Ambassador and the Charges D'Affaires of the European Union and United States of America in Monrovia have called on all political parties and the Liberian populace to refrain from actions that could dampen Liberia's democracy and development. In a Joint statement release in Monrovia on August 4, the heads of the diplomatic missions say they "fully support the concern expressed by the Inter-Religious Council, the Catholic Diocese of Cape Palmas, the Providence Baptist Church, the Legislative Caucus of Grand Gedeh, other religious leaders and political stakeholders, including President George Manneh Weah and his Government, over the use of hate speech and mob violence, and particularly, the recent attack against opposition politicians in Zwedru, Grand Gedeh County." The statement from the top diplomatic missions accredited to Liberia came in the wake of heightened tensions between the opposition and supporters of the ruling party in the wake of an attack against the Chairman of the Collaborating Political Party (CPP), Alexander Cummings and Representative Yekeh Korlubah of Montserrado County District #10 by pro-government supporters in Zwedru, Grand Gedeh County. The missions said while they support President Weah's statement condemning the attack, the Liberian government should swiftly investigate the incident "in an objective and non-partisan manner." "We welcome President Weah's statement denouncing and repudiating the attack and urge Liberian authorities to swiftly investigate the incident -- in an objective and non-partisan manner -- and bring to justice all those found culpable. Such action will send a clear signal that threats and violence have no place in the democratic dispensation which the people of Liberia have established for their country," they wrote in the statement." Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines West Africa Legal Affairs Liberia By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later. Writing further, they "call on all parties to refrain from undue provocation and incendiary language, promotion of misinformation, falsehood and mistrust that has the propensity to fuel political tensions, divisiveness, and violence." As Liberia works towards the preparation of inclusive, free, fair, transparent, credible, and peaceful senatorial elections as well as a referendum in December 2020, the missions pledged their support to increased opportunities for genuine dialogue and constructive engagement on issues that will advance Liberia's democracy and development. According to them, most Liberians from all walks of life have demonstrated their commitment to peace and are resolved to learn lessons from their past to embrace a culture of peaceful competition for political leadership and responsibility. As Liberia heads towards a crucial special senatorial elections and referendum on December 8, there have been brewing tensions between the major opposition blog comprising of the CPP and the ruling coalition as they strategize to gain more senatorial seats. The special elections are being considered as a litmus test to the 2023 Presidential and legislative elections. These tensions have been exacerbated by the attack against Mr. Cummings and Rep. Korlubah in Zwedru while on their way back from Maryland County on Thursday, July 30, 2020. On the 5th of August 2020, ContextVision held an Extraordinary General Meeting in Stockholm. The Board's proposal for adoption of new articles of association was approved The Board's proposal for decision on the share split of the company's share was approved No other matters were processed at the meeting. For further information, please contact: Ann-Charlotte Linderoth (CFO) tel +46 (0)8 7503550, e-mail ann-charlotte.linderoth@contextvision.se ### About ContextVision ContextVision is a medical technology software company specialized in image analysis and artificial intelligence. As the global market leader within image enhancement, we are a trusted partner to leading manufacturers of ultrasound, X-ray and MRI equipment around the world. Our expertise is to develop powerful software products, based on proprietary technology and artificial intelligence for image-based applications. Our cutting-edge technology helps clinicians accurately interpret medical images, a crucial foundation for better diagnosis and treatment. ContextVision is now entering the fast-growing digital pathology market. We are re-investing significantly in our product portfolio of decision support tools and we are dedicated to becoming a leading resource for pathologists to radically develop cancer diagnosis and improve patient care. The company, established in 1983, is based in Sweden with local representation in the U.S., Japan, China and Korea. ContextVision is listed on the Oslo Stock Exchange under the ticker COV. This information is subject to the disclosure requirements pursuant to Section 5-12 the Norwegian Securities Trading Act Attachment Kate Mara is currently filming a limited series remake of Hannah Fidell's 2013 feature film A Teacher, about a young high school teacher having an affair with a student. As she resumed shooting with new safety precautions in Los Angeles, the 37-year-old House Of Cards alum looked back to business in a very casual ensemble on Monday. The Bedford-born actress could be seen sporting a light-wash denim jacket with a white T-shirt, light grey sweatpants and a pair of checkered cream slides. Her hair was wet and she had on a blue mask. Ready to film: As she began shooting with new safety precautions in Los Angeles, Kate Mara looked back to business in a very casual ensemble on Monday Her brunette hair was partially wet, while her black sunglasses and blue face mask covered the majority of her famous famous. As she navigated around set, the Emmy nominee could be seen closely following production's guidelines to wear a face coverings in high-risk areas. California Governor Gavin Newsom gave the film industry the go-ahead to resume production on June 12, as part of the states initial steps to reopen non-essential businesses after the three-month coronavirus lockdown. New project: She is currently filming a limited series remake of Hannah Fidell's 2013 feature film A Teacher, about a high school teacher who is caught in an affair with a male student The wife of actor Jamie Bell wed her husband in 2017, and welcomed their daughter last May. While the pair did announce their little girl's birth on Instagram, they have not yet publicly revealed her name and have only shared an adorable snap of her tiny little feet on social media. The Brokeback Mountain star and her British-born husband, 34, met on the set of 2015's Fantastic Four, and eventually they got married in 2017, following his divorce from Rachel Evan Wood. Celebrity couple: The House Of Cards star shares her daughter with British-actor Jamie Bell; they are pictured in Hollywood in April 2019, about a month before the arrival of their baby Kate's sister Rooney, 35, has been spotted out and about in recent weeks, at times covering up her obvious baby bump. Her pregnancy, which was first reported in May, has not been confirmed by herself or Phoenix. A source told Page Six that she could have been as far as six months along at the time, although it's tough to tell because she often wears baggy clothes and does her best to hide her pending bundle of joy. The heights of La Soufriere de Guadeloupe volcano can be hellish, sweltering at more than 48 degrees Celsius (120 degrees Fahrenheit) and swathed in billows of acidic gas. Researchers would like to monitor gas and steam eruptions at its summit, to learn more about the volcano's explosive potential, but conventional seismometers are destroyed quickly in the hostile environment. An instrument called an optical seismometer appears to be up to the challenge, however. In the journal Seismological Research Letters, a team of scientists describes how they developed and installed an optical seismometer just ten meters away from a spewing fumarole (a gas and steam vent) at the Caribbean volcano's summit. The motion of the optical seismometer (and therefore of the ground) is estimated using an interference phenomenon, which occurs when an infrared laser beam is reflected by the mirrored surface of the seismometer mobile mass. This laser beam is carried between the seismometer at the summit and a remote and safe optoelectronic station through a long fiber optic cable, climbing the volcano's slope. The station calculates the ground displacement and sends the records in real-time to the French Volcanological and Seismological Observatory of Guadeloupe. The seismometer operates purely mechanically, and requires no electronics or power supply that would be vulnerable to the summit conditions, said Romain Feron, the paper's lead author from the ESEO Group and the LAUM laboratory at the Universite du Mans. The instrument is encased in Teflon to protect it from the sulfuric gases released by the fumarole. "It is, to our knowledge, the first high-resolution optical seismometer ever installed on an active volcano or other hazardous zone," Feron and colleagues write in SRL. The success of the seismometer, after ten years of development, suggests that it could be a good seismic solution in other challenging environments, they noted, including oil and gas production fields, nuclear power plants and high-temperature geothermal reservoirs. Now in operation on the volcano for nine months, the instrument is collecting data that will be combined with other observations from the Guadeloupe observatory to better monitor La Soufriere. The volcano's last significant eruption of gas and steam in 1976 caused evacuations in Basse Terre, Guadeloupe's capital city. Since 2018, the volcano's dome and summit fumaroles have become increasingly active. Seismic monitoring at volcanoes can help researchers understand the movement and pressurization of underground fluids. The new optical seismometer could provide better locations for microseismic events under the dome, and offers a more detailed glimpse of "the fumarole signature, which helps to constrain the geometry and activity of the plumbing system of the dome," Feron said. The instrument has recorded seismic waves from a regional earthquake, an earthquake in Chile, and small seismic events within the volcano less than 2.5 kilometers (1.6 miles) below the summit, the researchers reported. Feron and colleagues made an arduous climb to La Soufriere's 1,467-meter (4,813-foot) summit in September 2019 to install the seismometer, using gas masks to protect themselves from the toxic gases spewing from active fumaroles. In addition to the gases and high temperatures, the team needed to keep a close eye on the weather during the installation, Feron said. "It could be beautiful at the bottom of the volcano, but hellish at the top at the same time," he recalled. "It becomes very risky to climb the steep and slippery slopes of the volcano with heavy equipment on the back, not to mention lightning." ### Researchers from Flinders University and the University of Adelaide studied a group of women in South Australia who have experienced anorexia nervosa for over 10 years but have not responded well to traditional treatments, are reluctant to change their practices or seek help for their disordered eating practices. The research explores, from an anthropological perspective, how the women experienced SE-AN as profoundly embodied, representing a core part of their identity and how they got on in the world. Lead researcher Dr Connie Musolino, from Flinders University's Southgate Institute for Health, Society and Equity, says that trying to separate the mental health aspects of a person's anorexia from their day-to-day eating and body practices was described by participants as more than the loss of an identity. "It would dismantle their sense of being-in-the world," explains Dr Musolino. "It structures every aspect of daily life. One participant described her anorexia nervosa as "the glue" that holds everything together." Dr Musolino says these findings highlight why severe and enduring anorexia nervosa becomes more difficult to treat and problematic for people to recover from. "There have been growing calls for SE-AN treatment approaches that emphasise improving a person's quality of life over focusing only on a full recovery in medical terms," she says. "We argue that experiences of SE-AN are culturally informed. Over time, everyday rituals and routines became part of that person's structured life, and that becomes very difficult to address only in medical terms." The study is the subject of an article - "Embodiment as a Paradigm for Understanding and Treating SE-AN: Locating the Self in Culture", by Dr Connie Musolino, Professor Megan Warin and Dr Peter Gilchrist - published in Frontiers Psychiatry, Vol. 11, Article 543. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2020.00534 (published 12 June 2020). The article was published as part of the Special edition of Frontiers Psychiatry: Towards an Improved Understanding of Severe and Enduring Anorexia Nervosa. This study was funded by an Australian Research Council Linkage grant (LP 110200179). In recognising the need for improved SE-AN treatment, Dr Musolino applauds the push by Butterfly Foundation (a national charity for people impacted by eating disorders and body image issues) for more holistic approaches to care in the field of eating disorders. She believes this approach can be improved by acknowledging how eating disorders are experienced as embodied and cannot be separated from the socio-cultural structures which inform them. Dr Musolino says broadening a quality-of-life approach that works with people's strengths and identities will help to develop greater understanding of how to best improve the wellbeing of people with SE-AN. "A change in methods will help us to understand these people's fear of living differently, and the safety that embodied routines bring," she says. ### Police are searching for a couple who have been missing in WA's North West for two weeks. German nationals Benjamin Kress, 29, and Nathalie Eich, 26, were travelling through the Kimberley and had told family they planned to drive from 80 Mile Beach to Gibb River Road. Benjamin and Nathalie had been travelling through the Kimberley. Credit:WA Police They were last seen near Broome on July 21. A police spokeswoman said the couple were travelling in a silver 2002 Nissan Patrol, with Victorian registration 1MF9YK. Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-05 15:48:37|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close LAGOS, Aug. 5 (Xinhua) -- The United Nation's migration agency has opened a new facility in Edo in southern Nigeria to provide unhindered access to legal services to victims of trafficking in the West African nation. The legal hub will provide free, prompt, timely, and confidential legal aid to victims regardless of sex, age and gender, said the International Organization for Migration (IOM) in a statement issued late on Tuesday. The IOM said it also conducted awareness-raising sessions in Delta and Lagos states in Nigeria. It also said two additional hubs will be established in Delta and Lagos states at the end of the year. "Currently, prosecution of traffickers in Nigeria is focused primarily on criminal cases," said Bertha Nguvulu, IOM Nigeria Counter-Trafficking Project Officer. "The legal hubs will bring together all actors involved in criminal, as well as civil proceedings for victims of sexual and labor exploitation seeking legal redress in the country," Nguvulu said. Nigeria remains a source, transit and destination of human trafficking, said Tony Ojukwu, executive secretary of Nigeria's National Human Rights Commission, while addressing media on July 29 in an event marking International Day Against Human Trafficking. He called for speedy trials for human trafficking cases. According to the 2018 Global Slavery Index, Nigeria ranks 32 out of 167 countries with a high number of trafficked slaves with 7.7 victims per 1,000 people. Enditem To the Editor: Re Trumps Attacks on Mail Service Sow Voting Fears (front page, Aug. 1): President Trumps systematic assault on the U.S. Postal Service and unfounded warnings that mail-in ballots will lead to widespread fraud are the latest example of his desperate, illegal efforts to undercut the Constitution and the rule of law. Rather than sitting idly by while Mr. Trump works to suppress the vote in November through delays, reduced service and other practices intended to slow mail delivery and spur fear and distrust, the private sector should step in and offer free ballot delivery for any voter wishing to vote by mail. U.P.S., FedEx and other private carriers have reliable networks that Americans trust. They have drop-off locations, and they provide pickups. By offering their services, they will earn important public kudos while helping to ensure fair elections as critical for any business to thrive as it is for the survival of our democracy. Rona Cohen Montclair, N.J. To the Editor: As a California transplant to Oregon, for the last five years I have happily participated in the latters 100 percent mail-in voting system. It works like a charm. There is automatic voter registration at the states motor vehicles department; results are reported expeditiously, without a whiff of irregularities. Of course, the system depends on a well-functioning Postal Service, a vital cog that Congress really needs to do more about protecting. Members of #RevolutionNow movement are currently in the streets of some states demanding better governance from the government. In A... Members of #RevolutionNow movement are currently in the streets of some states demanding better governance from the government. In Abuja and Lagos, security operatives arrested over 50 protesters. Omoyele Sowore, an activist and convener of the #RevolutionNow protest, had called for the demonstration against bad governance and corruption in the Buhari administration. Below are photos of the protests from different parts of the country. LAGOS ABUJA ONDO CALABAR IBADAN NIGER ANSAmed - Today's events in the Mediterranean (ANSAmed). (ANSAmed) - ROME, AUGUST 5 - Following are the main events scheduled today in the Euro-Mediterranean area: ZAGREB (Croatia) - Croatia marks 25th anniversary of operation that crushed Serb rebellion and ended war. AMMAN - Air travel from 22 countries resumes. TOULOUSE (France) - Mask-wearing becomes mandatory in high-density areas. (ANSAmed). Philadelphia police walk the Benjamin Franklin Parkway in advance of Pope Francis' visit. Security efforts included the FBI and other federal investigative and law-enforcement agencies, one example of local police collaborating with federal agents in the past. Read more Philadelphia, like many American cities, suffers excessively from violent crime, rooted in the citys deep poverty, limited economic opportunities, and easy access to firearms. The pandemic and accompanying economic fallout have worsened these underlying causes. Little can be done in the short term to address those factors, but a surge of law enforcement resources could provide some marginal help if they were deployed in the right ways. During my years as a federal prosecutor, I witnessed how skilled federal agents and prosecutors assisted local law enforcement in tackling local crime. The FBI and DEA worked successfully with the Philadelphia Police Department to investigate and prosecute sophisticated and violent drug organizations. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) worked with Philadelphia police to investigate the use and distribution of illegal guns. Many of the cases I prosecutedincluding that of notorious North Philadelphia drug dealer Alexander Riverawould not have been successes without the collaborative effort of FBI agents and Philadelphia police officers. Federal law enforcement can be a boon for local law enforcement for several reasons. First, the federal investigative agencies have significant technological and analytical resources that allow for identifying and targeting the worst offenders and geographical hotspots. Second, federal agencies employ skilled agents who have the ability and time to undertake important longer-term investigations. And third, in appropriate circumstances, federal mandatory sentences can be used to keep the most violent criminals off the street and as leverage to encourage cooperation during prosecution. During the Obama administration, local-federal cooperation helped drive Philadelphia murders to a low for recent decades. In 2013, homicides in Philadelphia fell to 246, compared to 391 in 2007. In recent years, homicides have spiked. There were 356 homicides in 2019, and to date there are more than 25% more homicides in 2020 than there were on the same date last year. A surge of federal law enforcement resources could help our suffering city. The Trump administration ostensibly offered to do just that. Last month, it announced that it would send federal agents to cities around the country, including Philadelphia. But the President and the Department of Justice seem to be more intent on creating an election year political issue than truly working to help solve the problem of violent crime. As they often do, the Presidents tweets revealed his true intentions when he shared that he planned to send federal agents to Democratic-led cities, unnecessarily highlighting politics of the local mayors. Attorney General Bill Barr further highlighted the performative nature of this political stunt when he claimed that federal agents had arrested 200 people in two weeks in Kansas City, only to be corrected by the Kansas City mayor who confirmed only a single federal arrest. READ MORE: Philadelphias racist past and bad policy made Kensingtons Puerto Rican community extra vulnerable to violence | Brain Trust While criticizing Democratic mayors like Jim Kenney may appeal to the Presidents political base, politicizing violent crime will not help solve the problem and could make things worse by jeopardizing nonpartisan local-federal relationships that have long served to protect cities. The President is so unpopular and divisive in cities like ours that his threat to surge federal law enforcement resources will likely be viewed by elected leaders and residents alike with distrust and fear at a time when additional federal resources deployed correctly should in fact be welcomed. The potential for distrust has been exacerbated by the federal show-of-force in Portland, which looks more like an attempt to instigate a conflict for political purposes than it does a legitimate law enforcement strategy. Investigating, prosecuting, and deterring violent crime works best when all the relevant agencies are working together in the same direction. From a practical standpoint Trumps threat to send federal forces to Philadelphia has likely served to chill local-federal cooperation and exacerbate the conflict between local and federal law enforcement. If the Trump administration truly cared about a rise in violent crime in American cities it would quietly send additional, targeted resources and agents to these cities and then step out of the way to let these skilled women and men do what they do best: investigate. David L. Axelrod is a former federal prosecutor and current partner at the Ballard Spahr law firm. LANSINGBURGH, N.Y. Lansingburgh Central School District revealed its reopen plan for the 2020-21 school year. Lansingburgh Central School District Superintendent Dr. Antonio Abitabile, provided parents, students, faculty, and staff with what he anticipates their plans to be for the fall. Our goal is to be fully staffed and with as many students as possible returning safely to schools. As you can imagine, with bus transportation at roughly 50% capacity and social distance requirements strictly adhered to while in schools, it certainly presents some challenges, Abitabile explained. Currently, the plan allows for all students in grades EPK-8th grade, English as New Language (ENL), and self-contained Special Education students to return to school in-person daily. High school students will most likely follow a hybrid model, with classes being held in person some days and remotely on others, Abitabile continued. At this time, we do not anticipate having greater than 50% of the high school students physically present on any given day. For days that students are not physically in class, remote instruction will be occurring daily. This allows for more contact time with teachers than we had during our closure in the Spring. Students will be following more of a formal daily schedule than the weekly schedule format that we used previously, Abitabile added. Along with all other schools across New York, Lansingburgh sent its comprehensive proposal to the state on Friday, July 31. Communication: Immediately notify parents through the School Messenger automated messaging system of any confirmed positive cases of COVID-19 within the school community. Immediately notify the local health department about potential COVID cases and work closely with local health department guidelines for contact tracing and coordination as needed. Post and maintain all school reopening plans on the District website and have hard copies available at each school. The reopening plan will be posted on the website as both a downloadable PDF and a direct embed. Reopening plans will be available in languages spoken by district families as needed. Provide regular updates and communications with students, parents/guardians, staff, and visitors via the districts website, School Messenger automated messaging, and posting on district social media. Updates and communications will be available in languages spoken by district families as needed. Have school reopening information and updates centralized on the district websites School Reopening The dedicated email address COVID19@lansingburgh.org has been created for any stakeholder with COVID19-related questions, concerns or feedback. Will have a designated COVID-19 Resource Person for COVID-19-related questions. This coordinator will be Dr. Abitabile and can be reached at the email address above or by phone at (518) 233-6850 during normal business hours. Building signage: Proper use of PPE Acceptable face coverings and requirements related to their wear Hand washing Adherence to social distancing instructions Symptoms/prevention of COVID-19 The school district detailed the number of students and staff allowed to return in person in various school buildings. Turnpike Elementary School Staff: 125. Students: 716 Rensselaer Park Elementary School Staff: 85. Students: 517 Knickerbacker Middle School Staff: 82. Students: 510 Lansingburgh High School Staff: 95. Students: 658 Health screening measures: Requirement for any student or staff member with a fever of 100 degrees F or greater and/or symptoms of possible COVID-19 virus infection to not come to school. In school, ill students and staff will be assessed by the school nurse. If a school nurse is not available, students and staff will be sent home for follow up with a healthcare provider Protocols for in-school temperature screening protocols include: Staff will supervise of students who are waiting their turn Students will maintain social distancing requirements Staff members who perform temperature screenings will be trained Sufficient supplies for taking temperatures will be available The district will use PPE or barriers for staff members conducting the screening. The district will notify the state and local health department immediately upon being informed of any positive COVID-19 diagnostic test result by an individual within school facilities or on school grounds, including students, faculty, staff, and visitors of the district. To assist the local health department with tracing the transmission of COVID-19, the district has developed and maintained a plan to trace all contacts of exposed individuals in accordance with protocols, training, and tools provided through the New York State Contact Tracing Program. Meal distribution: In-person: Daily menu selections by class will be sent to the Food Service Director one day prior to the serving date. Meals will be delivered to classrooms by aides or other available employees and staff members will supervise students during lunch. Custodial cleanup of garbage after meals. Remote: Breakfast and lunch to be available daily for remote students to pick up Transportation: All parents and guardians will be required to screen their children prior to boarding the school bus. Students must wear a mask while riding the bus Students should social distance Students who do not have a mask cannot be denied transportation and will be provided one by the district Students with a disability, including students where a covering would impair their physical or mental health, are not subject to the required use of a face covering Technology: Students -Each student in grades 3-12 will have a Chromebook assigned to them (All three learning model scenarios) Students in EPK-2 will share 1 Chromebook per family (Remote Learning) Students in EPK-2 will have access to Chromebooks at school (Hybrid or In-Person Learning) Students in need of Internet access will be provided with Hotspots Wireless Internet will be available in school parking lots The district will work with City of Troy to increase access to Wireless Internet in areas with deficits work with City of Troy to increase access to Wireless Internet in areas with deficits Each teacher will be assigned a Chromebook for Remote Learning and Planning. Teachers in need of Internet access will be provided with a Hotspot Special education: Pupil Personnel Office will be responsible for ensuring that all students with IEPs or 504 Plans have equal access to educational services whether in-person, remote and/or through a hybrid model. Each model will provide equal access to high-quality educational programs and will protect the health and safety of students with disabilities. ELL students: LCSD will complete the ELL identification process within 30 school days of the start of the school year for all students who enrolled during COVID-19 school closures in 2019-20, as well as all students who enroll during summer of 2020 and during the first 20 school days of the 2020-21 school year. After this 20-day flexibility period, identification of ELLs must resume for all students within required 10 school days of initial enrollment. The aforementioned protocols and procedures will be in place in all district schools for the 2020-2021 school year. For more information about how health and safety protocols and trainings will be communicated to students, families and staff members, visit the Communication/Family and Community Engagement section of the reopening plan. Hyderabad, Aug 5 : AIMIM President Asaduddin Owaisi on Wednesday reiterated his demand that the two mosques demolished at the old state Secretariat of Telangana be rebuilt. The Hyderabad MP said that he, along with other Muslim leaders, would call on Chief Minister K. Chandrashekhar Rao to demand reconstruction of mosques. The two mosques were demolished last month while razing the old buildings at the Secretariat to build a new complex. Owaisi, who was addressing a news conference to react to the foundation stone-laying ceremony of the Ram temple in Ayodhya, was asked about the mosques at the secretariat, and recalled that he, and other Muslim leaders, have already demanded that the government rebuild the mosques at their original sites. He pointed out that the Chief Minister made a statement expressing regret over the demolition. "It (the statement) was timely and right but we have said that it's the duty of your government to immediately start reconstruction of mosques and give us a time-frame for the same," he said. "We will meet the Chief Minister to reiterate our demand," he added. Owaisi rubbished the allegations made by his opponents on the issue and said while they continued to criticise him, it was the AIMIM which worked on the ground. He recalled that similar allegations were made on the issue of the Citizenship Amendment Act, the National Population Register and the National Register of Citizens but it was his party which met the Chief Minister and a resolution against the three was passed in the Assembly. On revocation of the Constitution's Article 370, on special status for Jammu and Kashmir, a year ago, Owaisi said it was a constitutional breach. "It was an unconstitutional step. The government had no right to do it but they had done it on the basis of their brute majority," he said. SPRINGFIELD A judge denied suspended Police Officer Gregg Bigdas motion to dismiss a federal indictment against him over brutality allegations involving three youths who stole an unmarked, undercover police SUV from outside a pizza shop in 2016. U.S. District Judge Mark G. Mastroianni also set a new trial date for Dec. 7 after Bigdas previous trial date, set for May, was temporarily scuttled by the pandemic, as were most in-person court matters across the state. Bigda, a white officer, is accused of violating the civil rights of three Hispanic boys by setting a police dog on one and kicking two others in the face with his boot when the teens were already handcuffed and on the ground. According to the charges, Bigda spat on one and yelled Welcome to White town! after a police chase that ended in Palmer on Feb. 27, 2016. Additionally, Bigda is charged with abusive interrogation of the boys while they sat in the lock-up at the Palmer police station, grilling them over some loose change in the vehicle with no interested adult present a violation of state law. The interviews, captured on video at the police station, showed Bigda shouting at the boys, threatening to beat one in the parking lot, threatening to plant a kilo of cocaine on another and making other menacing remarks. Some of the commentary was laced with racial undertones. You probably dont even know who your father is, he sneered at one. Bigda also is charged with filing a false police report in connection with the incident. After his arrest in 2018, Bigda pleaded not guilty to all the charges. His attorneys attempted to argue in a motion to dismiss the case that the accusations were too vague, and that Bigda could not be criminally liable for being mean to the boys. Mastroianni rejected those arguments. Six alleged threats are quoted verbatim, including threats to set a dog on D.R. and to kick D.R. in the face. The court finds this level of detail gave Defendant adequate notice of the charges, Mastroianni wrote in his ruling. The boys are identified only by their initials in court filings because they were juveniles at the time. During a motion hearing on Wednesday, the judge also dinged one of the governments proposed expert witnesses, slated to testify about proper police procedure. However, another will be allowed to testify about psychological torture connected to certain interrogation tactics particularly relating to juvenile suspects. Bigda was once a member of a narcotics unit that recently took a beating in a report issued in early July by the U.S. Department of Justice Civil Rights Division, finding the unit routinely defaulted to using excessive force during arrests. The report prompted pledges from city officials to continue reforms within the police department. Jury selection in Bigdas trial will start Dec. 1, according to the court docket. Samsung Galaxy A51 5G lands in the US on August 7 for $499.99 Samsung is making 5G more accessible for people in the US starting this week, with the launch of the Galaxy A51 5G. The phone will land at T-Mobile and Samsung.com on August 7, and will be priced at $499.99. It follows the Galaxy A71 5G, which Samsung released in the US back in June for $599.99. The Galaxy A51 5G UW will be available at Verizon on August 13. Metro will sell it too at some undisclosed point, with additional carrier and retail partners to follow. The A51 5G has a 6.5" 1080x2400 Super AMOLED touchscreen with a centered hole-punch for the 32 MP selfie camera, 128GB of storage, 6 or 8GB of RAM, and a quad rear camera setup (48 MP main, 12 MP ultrawide, 5 MP macro, 5 MP depth sensor). If the US version turns out to be identical to the international model, then expect to see the Exynos 980 chipset at the helm, and a 4,500 mAh battery with 15W charging. The A51 5G runs Android 10 with One UI 2 on top. Source (Bloomberg Opinion) -- As if the Lebanese havent suffered enough. For months, they have been caught between an economic meltdown, crumbling public services and a surging pandemic. Now they must count the dead and survey the extensive damage to their capital after two giant explosions on Tuesday. The blasts, especially the second, were so huge they were reportedly heard and felt in Cyprus. At least 100 people are reported to have been killed that number will almost certainly rise and thousands injured. A large expanse of the port and its immediate neighborhood lies in smoking ruin; miles away, streets are full of shattered glass. Prime Minister Hassan Diabs government says the explosions were caused when careless welding ignited about 2,750 tons of ammonium nitrate, a highly combustible material used as fertilizer and for bomb-making. By comparison, Timothy McVeigh used about 2.4 tons of the same chemical in the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing. The 2015 disaster in the Chinese city of Tianjin was caused by the explosion of 800 tons of ammonium nitrate. The equivalent of 1,100 Oklahoma City-size bombs could indeed account for the devastation and the reddish mushroom cloud that plumed gaudily over the Beirut port. But it doesnt mean Lebanese will simply accept that the explosion was an unavoidable, force majeure event. Assuming the official account holds up, the disaster again exposes the rot that is destroying the country an especially corrosive mix of corruption, ineptitude and malign intentions. The ammonium nitrate was apparently seized in 2013 from a Moldovan-flagged ship traveling from Georgia to Mozambique. But someone who, we dont yet know brought it into Beirut; instead of returning, auctioning or disposing of it, the port management inexcusably allowed it to be stored there for years. There are no prizes for guessing who in Lebanon might be interested in keeping such vast quantities of explosive material close at hand. The U.S. Treasury and Israel both believe Hezbollah controls many of Beiruts port facilities. Story continues Diab, whose government is entirely dependent on political support from Hezbollah and its Maronite Christian allies, has vowed to hold those responsible to account. More than likely, some minor officials will be fingered for permitting improper storage of highly dangerous material. Iran-backed Hezbollah, with its large and well-armed militia as well as its political hold on the prime minister, has nothing to fear from the state. But it will not escape public opprobrium: Most Lebanese will assume the ammonium nitrate belonged to the militia, for use in Syria and against Israel. Why the chemicals exploded is another matter, rich with possibilities of conjecture. In the court of public opinion, the usual suspects will be rounded up from the ongoing shadow war between Iran and Hezbollah on one side and Israel on the other. President Donald Trump, who can be relied upon to make everything worse, speculated it was a deliberate attack. This will be picked up and amplified by conspiracy theorists in the Middle East. But suspicions of Hezbollahs culpability will intensify on Friday when a United Nations special tribunal for Lebanon that has been looking into the 2005 assassination of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri is expected to issue verdicts in cases against four Hezbollah cadres being tried in absentia. The men are in hiding, and have not been seen in years; even if they are found guilty, no one expects them to be handed over. Hariri, remember, was killed in a massive blast. A guilty verdict would increase domestic pressure on Hezbollah, its allies and the government. When Lebanese have finished mourning their dead, anger will return the kind that fueled the massive street demonstrations that brought down Diabs predecessor last October. Even without the Beirut blasts, the timing of the verdict would have been awkward for Diab, who is struggling to negotiate an economic bailout with the International Monetary Fund: Among the hurdles is Hezbollahs resistance to the necessary reforms. Hezbollah finds itself uncomfortably positioned as the principal backer of the government presiding over a thoroughgoing collapse of the Lebanese state and society. It will not easily shake off blame for the Beirut blast, or for the Hariri assassination. Even in this country that has suffered so much and for so long, the latest of Lebanons tragedies will not soon be forgotten, nor its perpetrators forgiven. (Corrects the number of Oklahoma City-size bombs that would equal the size of the Beirut explosion in the fourth paragraph.) This column does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the editorial board or Bloomberg LP and its owners. Hussein Ibish is a senior resident scholar at the Arab Gulf States Institute in Washington. 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. Tesco Ireland has announced it will distribute over 20 million in vouchers to over 750,000 Irish households in its latest Clubcard mailouts. This works out at an average of around 25 per shopper - due to increased shopping levels during the Covid-19 lockdown. The retailer said this represents the most generous rewards-based return to its customers to date. The latest Clubcard statement is being issued this week just in time for households readying themselves for the back to school season. The vouchers being delivered to households throughout Ireland as part of the latest Clubcard statement, will range in value from 1.50 to a whopping 300. Cathal Deavy, Customer Director, Tesco Ireland said With this Clubcard mailout distributing over 20million in vouchers, as well as the latest round of savings for our customers in stores and online, we believe we have created true value with our customers in mind. "We believe that the price reductions we are implementing on a range of family favourites like cooking sauces and lunchbox essentials, will be a welcome saving for anyone balancing a household budget. "By following the red bubbles in stores our customers will discover real and tangible value throughout their shopping experience with us. Clubcard customers throughout Ireland who qualify, have shopped in a Tesco store within the first half of this year and hold a valid Clubcard, will receive great money-off vouchers as part of Tescos value-led campaign. As part of its recently launched Value with You in Mind campaign, Tesco said it is also implementing a range of price drops across hundreds of products in stores and online this Autumn, to help families manage their household budget. These price reductions will enable customers to get more for their money where, for example, a family of four can buy the ingredients for their favourite Spaghetti Bolognese for just 5. A spokesperson said: "As families throughout Ireland prepare for back to school that is set to be a little different to previous years, these rewards couldnt come at a better time. "The back to school period can be an especially challenging and expensive time for families, with Tesco Clubcard vouchers and price reductions on hundreds of products, customers will hopefully have one less thing to worry about." Haryana Chief Minister on Wednesday described the laying of foundation stone of the Ram Temple in as a happy and historic moment for every Indian. He also said that with the laying of the foundation stone, the dreams of crores of Lord Ram's devotees have come true. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday performed the 'bhoomi pujan' of a Supreme Court-mandated Ram temple in Ayodhya, bringing to fruition the BJP's 'mandir' movement that defined its politics for three decades and took it to the heights of power. In a series of tweets on the occasion, Khattar said, "This happy moment is historic for every Indian." ALSO READ: Global pilots body urges govt to intervene in pay cuts at Air India Moments before the prime minister was to perform the 'bhoomi pujan' of the Ram temple in Ayodhya, Khattar urged people to light a lamp in the courtyard of their homes and give a message of brotherhood. "Siyavar Ramchandra ki jay" and "Jai Shri Ram", he said in other tweets expressing his happiness on the occasion. Haryana's Home Minister Anil Vij said people struggled for 500 years for a Ram temple in "The wait of 500 years has ended," Vij tweeted, adding "hundreds of years of hard work has borne fruit. Congratulations to every Indian on this occasion". Meanwhile, Kuldeep Bishnoi,a senior leader of the Congress, which is the main opposition party in Haryana, in a tweet said the occasion was a "historic one". "Congratulations to all countrymen," Bishnoi said. Haryana Congress president Kumari Selja in a tweet said Lord Ram's character which was full of virtues was a model for humanity. Senior Indian Lok Dal (INLD) leader Abhay Singh Chautala extended hearty greetings to all Indians and devotees living around the world on the laying of the foundation stone of Ram temple. A long-time magistrate gasped and looked away in disgust after seeing photographs of the injuries a man suffered when he was allegedly stabbed and bashed by a group of nine teenagers. A 15-year-old - who cannot be identified - is the latest teenager to so far be charged over the 'sadistic' attack on a 36-year-old cyclist at Pyrmont last Friday. Students at some of Sydney's most exclusive schools are among those arrested. The boy faced Surry Hills Children's Court on Wednesday where he was refused bail, even after his mother pledged to quit her job to ensure he remain in home detention. Magistrate Jeffrey Hogg turned away after photos of the injuries suffered by the man were tendered in court by the prosecution. The court heard the youngster had been involved in a social media group chat which some of the youths allegedly used to gloat about their attack hours after the crime. A drug-addicted 15-year-old (above) who was allegedly part of a gang that stabbed and kicked a man leaving him blinded and in a coma, has had his actions slammed as 'vile' by a magistrate The father of the 15-year-old leaves Surry Hills Children's Court after his son was refused bail. The boy's mother offered to quit her job to ensure the boy remained in home detention, but a magistrate said the allegations were so severe he could not release him So far nine teenagers have been arrested over the disturbing attack in which a man was allegedly knocked off his bike and set upon by a gang, before being stomped on and stabbed in the eye Magistrate Hogg said it was concerning that someone so young needed to undergo drug and alcohol counselling, but was more worried about the lack of remorse that the group allegedly displayed in the hours after. 'What occurred on the social media platform after the event is distinctly counter indicative of remorse,' Magistrate Hogg said. 'It's a vile and horrific crime. The injuries are extraordinarily severe and life changing. 'There is a strong prosecution case and it is a matter, should the offenses be proved, that a custodial sentence is in my estimation inevitable.' In submissions to the court, police prosecutor Kai Jiang described the alleged attack as 'sadistic'. The teenager's lawyer Veronica Love had earlier told the court that he had strong ties to the community and had suffered mental health issues. Ms Love added that with the likelihood the matters will be heard in adult courts due to the serious nature of the allegations, it was likely the teenager would remained in juvenile detention until at least next year if refused bail. 'I ask Your Honour to consider the length of time this young person is likely to spend in custody considering the seriousness and the likelihood that will not be resolved in this court,' she said. 'The young person is Year 10 at High School and he has in the past had some mental health issues. 'This young person has never come before a court before and has never had any court alternatives. He has no history of violence.' Eight teenagers have been arrested over a shocking stabbing attack on a 36-year-old man at Pyrmont, in Sydney, about 11pm on Friday night. The alleged assault by a group of youths (Pictured is a youth charged over the stabbing who cannot be identified) left the man in a coma and blind in one eye The shocking allegations were revealed as two teenagers faced Surry Hills Children's Court on Tuesday over the assault, with police prosecutor Peter Mort calling it a 'sickening' attack and 'violence of the highest order', and flagging that they would likely be dealt with in an adult court The youths are due to reappear before Surry Hills Children's Court (pictured) on September 29 Ms Love also told the court it could not yet be known whether the teenager knew a member of his group was carrying a knife when they allegedly attacked the man. But the youngster was remanded in custody to reappear in court on September 29. A day earlier the same court heard allegations that the attack had potentially come in response to one girl, who was among the group, claiming the man had raped her. The group, who ranged in age from 15 to 18, had hired an Airbnb in the city for Friday night. It is understood that at one point a man rode his bike past the apartment leading to a girl allegedly being asked: 'Is that the one who raped you?' . She allegedly replied 'yeah that's the one' and a group rushed downstairs to confront him. The man was knocked off his hire bike and bashed, before a teenager allegedly ran in and 'sliced' his face seven times - before deliberately plunging the knife into his eye. It is believed the attack may have been a case of mistaken identity, with the police calling him an 'innocent victim'. The court also heard details about the series of messages sent in the moments after the alleged crime. In the texts, one of the 15-year-old boys allegedly brags to his friend in horrific detail about how the man was left blinded after being stabbed in the eye. The young man allegedly claimed seeing it unfold in front of him made him laugh. It is understood the alleged attack may have been sparked by two girls who were among the group claiming they had been 'raped' or 'groped' by the victim, but NSW Police have said the man was an 'innocent victim' Police will rely on witness accounts, CCTV and mobile phone footage, and text messages sent by the alleged offenders as part of their case A 15-year-old allegedly sent these shocking text messages to a mate in the hours after he and his gang of mates allegedly bashed and stabbed their victim, leaving him blind in one eye and in a coma. He allegedly detailed the incident in depth and claimed that seeing the incident unfold in front of him was 'so funny' 'I stomped on him and gutted his head he got knocked out after I bottled him on the head,' the youngster allegedly wrote in one text message. 'I put the shattered bottle in his stomach and then jetted (a co-accused) slit his face like 15 times and stabbed him in the eye.' It is believed the alleged attacker was then asked by his friend if he knew the man. 'Nah mate. Ahahahaha he was in the wrong place at the wrong time,' he allegedly replied. 'He (a co-accused) stuck it in his eye. Put it in deeper and swivelled the knife around. So funny.' Some other texts allegedly sent by a teenager are so graphic Daily Mail Australia has chosen not to publish them. A magistrate called them the worst thing she has read in all her time working in law. NSW Police have so far arrested and charged nine youths over the horrific attack. So far only two have been granted bail, with the rest remanded in custody until later this year. In refusing to grant one of them bail on Tuesday, Magistrate Mary Ryan described the allegations as among the worst things she had overseen. 'Bail must be refused and with good reason, that I will detail so the community know why I am refusing bail for a 15-year-old with no previous criminal history,' she said. Magistrate Mary Ryan told Surry Hills Children's Court that in all her years working in the legal system she 'has never read anything so abhorrent' as the details of the alleged attack (Police are pictured at the scene of the attack) The alleged attackers and some friends had rented an Airbnb in the city for the night and CCTV footage from the apartment will be used in evidence. 'The facts before me and the actions taken by these young persons are abhorrent. It is reading that offends the normal notions of what a civil society is. 'There is an indication of his thoughts in the form of text messages (he allegedly sent) that are so concerning, that it is just something I've not read as facts from an adult who has carried out an offence - let alone a young 15-year-old. 'As an adult, as a mother, as a grandmother, it is very upsetting that this young person has allegedly behaved in this manner and reported back to his friends about his behaviour.' The alleged messages, combined with CCTV and mobile phone footage, and the accounts of eyewitnesses, are set to form a major part of the prosecution case. Some of the youngsters were arrested at their school this week. Police prosecutor Peter Mort detailed allegations that as other youths fled, a 15-year-old remained behind stomping on the victim's head while next to him a 16-year-old allegedly plunged the knife into him. 'We have evidence from a mobile phone, from a witness from a balcony nearby that we allege captures the incident,' Mr Mort said. The 15-year-old boy was refused bail over the alleged attack, while his 16-year-old co-accused was allowed to go home under strict conditions 'We have direct evidence from a witness, being what they saw and heard. They were in the proximity and they heard the words: '"They're going to stab him". 'We allege this young person is seen stomping on the head of the victim while he is on the ground. The victim was unable to protect himself. 'We will allege a number of people from that group fled while he continued to stomp on the victim, and another co-accused joined. 'A co-offender (allegedly) slashed the face of this male whilst he was on the ground.' The victim remains in a coma in a Sydney hospital and is expected to lose his eye as a result of the attack. Minnesotas Governor Tim Walz is utterly incompetent. For the details, read the just-released issue of Thinking Minnesota, which drives political debate in my state. During the days of rioting, looting and arson in Minneapolis that followed the death of George Floyd, it became obvious that the situation was a disaster. Walz tried to distance himself from the debacle by saying in a press conference that fellow Democrat Jacob Frey, the Boy Mayor of Minneapolis, had been an abject failure, but Walz was now taking over and things would get better. Rarely has a politician been so definitively thrown under the bus. Walzs denunciation came as a shock to Mayor Frey, whose political career is presumed to be over. But Frey has finally counter-attacked, and in a man-bites-dog moment, the Star Tribune is willing to criticize a Democratic Governor of Minnesota. I am not sure this has ever happened before. Frey has nothing to lose and knows where some of the bodies are buried. So we get this from the Star Tribune: Mayor Frey: Gov. Walz hesitated to deploy National Guard during Minneapolis riots. The Stribs story is based largely on texts and emails obtained from the City of Minneapolis via a public records request. The fact that the Strib was able to obtain them only two months after the events in question means that Frey was eager to get them out. Jacob Frey has been cast as the mayor who lost control of his city, enduring criticism from the states governor that the Minneapolis response to rioting in May over the police killing of George Floyd was an abject failure. Now Frey is speaking out, saying Gov. Tim Walz failed to take his requests for help seriously until it was too late. In an interview Monday, Frey said that Walz hesitated to send in the National Guard to quell the growing violence and then blamed him for allowing the city to burn. Through an extremely difficult situation, I told the truth, Frey said Monday. Unlike Walz, evidently. I relayed information as best I could to state partners. And we did what was demanded for the sake of our city. Frey told the truth, and Walz lied. That is the gist of the Strib story, which includes copious references to the paper trail that shows the governors incompetence. Rarely has ineptitude at all levels combined to produce a disaster equal to what has happened in Minneapolis. The whole story is told here. It is hard not to be sympathetic to Mayor Frey, who obviously is unqualified for the office he holds, but nevertheless tried, at least, to protect his city, and was sold down the river by his states governor and fellow Democrat, the even more incompetent Tim Walz. The good news is that Walz is up for re-election in 2022, and given his deepening unpopularity, it is hard to see how he can win a second term. UPDATE: The battle between Walz and Frey has intensified, with Walz now mocking the Minnesota National Guardin which he once servedin order to save his own political skin: Walz today: "I dont think the mayor knew what he was asking forI think the mayor said, 'I request the National Guard, whew, this is great. Were going to have massively trained troops.' No. Youre going to have 19 year olds who are cooks." Theo Keith (@TheoKeith) August 4, 2020 Far from being cooks, many of the Guardsmen that were deployed to quell the riots were specially trained for the task, as the Guards commander, Maj. Gen. Jon Jensen, testified: And, Jensen said, not all Guard members have the same skills. We train about 700 soldiers in a given year to respond for this particular mission. We can use them for other things, but they receive specific civil disturbance training. It became very apparent late Thursday night that we were going to need all 700 of those, he said. The Minnesota National Guard deployed repeatedly to Iraq, as Wikipedia recites: More than 8,000 Minnesota National Guard Citizen-Soldiers and -Airmen deployed to Iraq from 2003 to 2011. Sixteen Minnesota National Guard Soldiers died in Iraq,[15] and 79 earned Purple Heart Medals due to injuries received in combat. *** The Minnesota National Guards 1st Brigade Combat Team, 34th Infantry Division was an important part of the 2007 surge. As a result of the extension of their tour to 16 months in Iraq, and 22 months overall, the Red Bulls are recognized as having served the second longest tour of duty in Iraq of any military unit, active or reserve. Soldiers from the 1st Brigade Combat Team, 34th Red Bull Infantry Division stand at attention with the brigade colors as 1/34th BCT Caiman vehicles cross the Iraqi border into Kuwait for the last time The Duluth-based 148th Fighter Wing expertly provided real-time surveillance for ground commanders using their Theater Aerial Reconnaissance System. St. Pauls 34th Combat Aviation Brigade was responsible for corps-level helicopter support from 2008 to 2009. In 2009-2010, the 34th Red Bull Infantry Division Headquarters provided command and control for 16,000 U.S. military Service members operating in nine of Iraqs 18 provinces. With the prevalence of improvised explosive devices on the roadways in Iraq, the St. Paul-based 133rd Airlift Wing provided critical aerial transportation of people, equipment and materiel throughout the region. In 2011, the 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 34th Infantry Division mission in Kuwait was the largest deployment of Minnesota Guardsmen since World War II. The brigades mission included base management, convoy security, reaction forces, and management of specialized units from the Army, Navy and Coast Guard. The brigade drove 1.35 million miles and escorted 25,970 trucks during 480 missions prior to the last U.S. military convoy departing Iraq. Pretty impressive service for a bunch of 19 year old cooks. While Walz likes to tout his service in the National Guard, he did not participate in those deployments. He resigned from the Guard (the 1-125th Field Artillery Battalion) in 2005 rather than go to Iraq. Walz was then the units senior Non-Commissioned Officer, and fellow officers later criticized his dodging deployment to Iraq: For Tim Walz to abandon his fellow soldiers and quit when they needed experienced leadership most is disheartening, retired Command Sergeant Majors Thomas Behrends and Paul Herr wrote in a West Central Tribune op-ed. Governor Walzs failure of leadership in connection with the Minneapolis riots is stark. The fact that Jacob Frey also was inept cannot obscure that fact. After six weeks of delays and fights over disputed ballots, Rep. Carolyn Maloney and New York City Council member Ritchie Torres have been certified as the winners of Democratic congressional primaries in New York City. Vote tabulation in the June 23 primary stretched out over half the summer because of a record number of people who cast ballots by mail because of the coronavirus pandemic. President Donald Trump called the delayed results a 'disaster' and suggested New York rerun Maloney's race. Maloney is the chairwoman of the powerful House Oversight and Reform Committee, which has investigated the Trump administration. And Trump has railed against mail-in voting as more states look to that option for November's election because of the coronavirus pandemic. Rep. Carolyn Maloney has been certified winners in a New York congressional primary held six weeks ago but had its result delayed by an influx of mail-in ballots and legal challenges President Trump, who has been criticizing mail-in voting, called for the race to be rerun 'If you look at the New York congressional race which is a disaster, it's been a total disaster. They are six weeks into it now and they have no clue what's going on, and I think I can say right here and now, you have to rerun that race because it's a mess,' Trump said Monday at the White House. 'Nobody knows what's happening with the ballots or the lost ballots and the fraudulent ballots I guess. I think you probably have to take the Carolyn Maloney race and run it over again. This is a small race with literally thousands of people, small thousands and it's all messed up,' he noted. Meanwhile, if he wins in the general election in November, Torres, who is Black and Latino, is likely to join Mondaire Jones, a lawyer who won the Democratic primary for a congressional seat in the suburbs north of New York City, as the first openly gay Black or Latino men in Congress. Torres, 32, defeated 11 other candidates, beating his closest rival for the nomination by more than 8,000 votes, but vote tabulation in the race took weeks because of a record number of people who voted by mail because of the coronavirus pandemic. Torres victory, and Maloney's in New Yorks 12th Congressional District, were certified by New York Citys Board of Elections on Tuesday, and even then the board did not immediately release vote totals that would have allowed The Associated Press to call the winner of either race. The tallies in those contests were made available Wednesday. Maloney successfully defended her seat against challengers including Suraj Patel. In that race, a federal judge has ordered city elections officials to count more than 1,000 additional mail-in ballots that had initially been discarded because they lacked a postmark indicating what day they were sent. Nevertheless, the elections board certified the race as complete Tuesday. 'Im thrilled the voters of NY-12 have decided to return me to Congress for another term, with a decisive winning margin that clearly reflects the will of the voters,' she said in a statement. 'This has been a historic election, with historic turnout and participation - and a historic wait time for results. Weve learned many lessons for November, and must take a number of actions to protect the safety of our vote in the general election.' New York City Council member Ritchie Torres also was declared the winner in his congressional primary and, if he wins, in November, will become one of the first black and openly gay lawmakers Representative Carolyn Maloney held off challenger Suraj Patel New York state decided to allow anyone to vote by mail in the June primary because of the coronavirus pandemic. More than 400,000 people voted by absentee ballot in New York City, a figure that was 10 times the number of absentee ballots cast in the 2016 primary. Opening and counting those ballots took weeks and candidates observing the count say that thousands of ballots were disqualified because of technical errors voters wouldnt have encountered if they had voted in person, like missing postmarks or problems with their signature. Torres won in a congressional district now represented by Rep. Jose Serrano, who is retiring. The district is overwhelmingly Democratic, so Torres primary win means he is virtually assured a seat in Congress. 'As a young man who has lived most of his life in poverty, raised by a single mom and growing up in public housing, I never thought, in my wildest dreams, that I would have a fighting chance of becoming a United States Congressman in the only home I have ever known--the Bronx,' Torres said in a statement. 'I dedicate this moment to my mother who has struggled and suffered and sacrificed so that I could have a better life than she did.' One of the candidates he defeated was City Council member Ruben Diaz Sr., a Pentecostal minister who has voted against LGBTQ rights as well as abortion rights. Serrano, 76, is retiring after serving in Congress since 1990. Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-05 10:58:34|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close WASHINGTON, Aug. 4 (Xinhua) -- China's external position in 2019 was broadly in line with the level "implied by medium-term fundamentals and desirable policies," the International Monetary Fund (IMF) said in its new External Sector Report released Tuesday. "Policy reactions have appropriately prioritized support to the most affected households, workers, and firms, with increased focus on further supporting the demand recovery," the IMF said. The multilateral lender said China has room to provide more policy support if needed, including on green investment and strengthening the public health system and social safety net. "If imbalances that existed prior to the COVID-19 outbreak persist in the medium term, policies to achieve a lasting balance in the external position should include a gradual fiscal consolidation and successful implementation of the authorities' reform agenda, which addresses distortions and supports rebalancing," the report said. Enditem Reversing a previously announced plan to bring back the student population at half the traditional size, Smith College in Northampton will hold classes entirely by remote this fall. The decision to keep dormitories empty is not in itself a shocker. Even colleges planning to reopen campuses are approaching the fall with trepidation. But Smith is the first college in the region to radically alter a previously announced strategy, something many colleges have warned could occur if theyre forced to pivot back to remote learning at some point. Those references have normally referred to potential decisions once school was underway. Smith College isnt waiting. Last weekend, our nations leading infectious disease specialists warned that the COVID-19 pandemic has entered a troubling new phase in which the virus is extraordinarily widespread, " Smith president Kathleen McCartney said in a message to the college community that explained the decision. As I write this, the United States has reached nearly 5 million confirmed COVID-19 cases, and just last week, 18 states set new daily case records. Massachusetts, which had successfully reduced coronavirus transmission to one of the lowest rates in the country, is now seeing an increase in community spread,' McCartney said. She also cited studies showing that 40% of infected individuals never manifest symptoms but can still spread the virus, thus undermining the rigorous, frequent COVID-19 screening the college had planned. McCartney also said reopening efforts elsewhere have failed. A secondary school opening in Israel led to the largest school outbreak in the country and possibly the world, and is being used as a prime example of the risk. Most directly affected by Smith Colleges reversal are first-year and sophomore students, and those scheduled to graduate in January. They were allowed back on campus under the initial plan, which was announced July 6. Student government leaders and students with what were termed extraordinary circumstances were also in line for campus living in the fall. Juniors and seniors were to get their chance in the spring, if they so chose. In remarks about reopening colleges in general, and not meant specifically for Smith, Baystate Health president and CEO Mark Keroack spoke to the problem of monitoring student behavior. Keroack stopped short of recommending how schools should handle campus openings or closings. But he said an asymptomatic carrier, mixing with a crowd at a college party, could be enough to trigger a surge of the virus. I think we need to be watching this like a hawk. You have a half-dozen students at a kegger, and then the cats out of the bag, Keroack said. For Smiths international students, travel to the United States might have posed a difficulty, anyway. Whether any students had made airplane reservations or secured off-campus housing for the fall, based on the initial plan, is unclear. The first sentence of McCartneys message Wednesday, though, was a reminder that shed said from the outset that change was always possible. In my communications to you about the COVID-19 pandemic, I shared that if public health circumstances changed, Smiths plans could change as well,' she wrote. In her July 6 message, McCartneys next-to-last sentence read, Rest assured that if circumstances change, we are committed to being flexible, responsive and willing to adjust our course of action to further support the health and safety of all. Until the all-remote decision was made, the college was allowing professors to individually determine if they felt comfortable returning to the classroom, or preferred a remote form of course delivery. McCartney said on Wednesday that, regardless of personal choices, staff and faculty had been working all summer to ensure a high-quality, remote learning contingency if that became necessary. Related: CHARLOTTE, N.C., Aug. 5, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Calyptix Security Corporation, maker of the AccessEnforcer UTM Firewall, today announced the release of AccessEnforcer 5.0 Beta at CompTIA ChannelCon Online which adds GatekeeperTM and Geo Fence, innovative new features for small business to secure remote access to potentially vulnerable systems and provide a work from home solution that is secure, easy, affordable and reliable. Gatekeeper Gatekeeper, a patent pending solution, provides 2 factor authenticated access control (2FA) before remote users can access systems via Microsoft Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) or SSH. This tool ensures organizations don't expose vulnerable systems to the public Internet. Gatekeeper shields systems from unauthorized users, stolen Active Directory credentials, probes, scans, botnets, brute force and targeted attacks. Gatekeeper provides security controls to safeguard against cyberthreats that increasingly threaten remote access as confirmed by the FBI, NSA, and DHS. Advantages of Gatekeeper include: Implements two-factor network authentication for user access. Eliminates publicly exposed network ports for RDP or SSH access. Leverages widely available RDP clients for Windows, iOS, Android and other devices. Avoids installation, maintenance or overhead of VPN client software. Provides simple user management via Active Directory integration. Generates detailed access control logs for monitoring and compliance. Includes automatic updates with Calyptix subscription service. Geo Fence Geo Fence, the second major enhancement, shields networks in only a few clicks from inbound malicious foreign actors engaged in hostile reconnaissance and attacks on network and information systems. Geo Fence can be customized to fit any organization, and provides a highly intuitive, interactive heat map for optimizing configuration. Geo Fence generates detailed alerts for monitoring, troubleshooting and tightening the configuration. "Our mission remains hardening small business networks to make it harder for malicious cyber actors to attack. Gatekeeper and Geo Fence keep cyber criminals out and let our customers get the remote access they need. If it's not secure, easy and affordable, it won't work for small business," said Ben Yarbrough, CEO, Calyptix Security. Remote Access Faces Increasing Cyberthreats Attacks on Microsoft's Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) continue to surge while vulnerabilities and poor configuration practices persist. Ongoing series of alerts from the FBI, NSA, and U.S. Homeland Security (DHS) continue to warn that malicious cyber actors are exploiting teleworking infrastructure. Attacks on remote access tools are rising rapidly as teleworking surges with the Covid-19 pandemic. The DHS alert shares recent analysis that exposed RDP endpoints have increased 127%. Experts at Shodan estimate millions of RDP systems are publicly exposed and many of them are vulnerable. The DHS alert confirms, "The increase in RDP use could potentially make IT systemswithout the right security measures in placemore vulnerable to attack." Visit CompTIA ChannelCon Online and join Calyptix at the Solutions Showcase to see a demo and learn more about Gatekeeper and Geo Fence. For a full list of new features and improvements in AccessEnforcer Version 5.0 Beta, or to see a live demo of the interface, contact Calyptix at [email protected]. About Calyptix Security Calyptix Security Corporation is dedicated to helping small businesses secure their networks so they can raise profits, protect investments, and control technology. The company's flagship product, AccessEnforcer UTM Firewall, makes it easy to protect SMB networks so companies can forget about security and focus on winning. Developed, built, and serviced in the United States, AccessEnforcer is a flexible network security device that allows MSPs and VARs to provide security services that fits their needs and business models. SOURCE Calyptix Security Related Links https://calyptix.com A 17-year research project has generated a detailed atlas of the genome that reveals the location of hundreds of thousands of potential regulatory regions - a resource that will help all human biology research moving forward. Of the three billion base pairs in the human genome, only 2% code for the proteins that build and maintain our bodies. The other 98% harbors, among other things, potential regulatory regions - sequences that give cells the instructions and tools needed to turn protein recipes into an astonishingly complex organism. Yet despite their importance and prevalence, non-coding regions have been studied much less than gene-coding sequences, in part because it is more difficult to do so. The Encyclopedia of DNA Elements (ENCODE) collaboration was launched by the National Human Genome Research Institute with the goal of developing the tools and expertise needed to shed light on our genome's mysterious majority. Now in its final year, ENCODE has made huge advances thanks to the combined scientific and technological prowess of several hundred researchers at dozens of institutions. "We've sequenced the human genome and we largely know where genes are. But when you get outside genes, mapping the function of genomic 'dark matter' is much more daunting. It's a big step forward for us to know how to find the areas within the 98% that are functionally important," said Len Pennacchio, a senior scientist at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (Berkeley Lab) and co-author on 4 of the 15 new ENCODE papers published this week as part of a special collection in Nature. In addition to their original research, Pennacchio and his Berkeley Lab colleagues also provided technical expertise and materials to other ENCODE consortium teams. Pennacchio said that the project's recent advances will be particularly useful for scientists studying diseases. When trying to determine the underlying causes of a condition, researchers search for genetic variants carried by affected individuals. Sometimes, he said, they find associations with sequences within genes, but often the analyses will pinpoint an area that's far away from any protein-coding sequence, and it isn't readily apparent what that DNA does. Is it important in the heart, or the stomach? Is it important all the time or just at certain phases of development? "Our datasets give scientists clues as to when and where that sequence functions, and which gene or genes it affects. It gives you an immediate path to follow to learn more, where previously we'd have few hints," he said. From theory to reality In the past phases of ENCODE, researchers were focused on identifying all DNA sequences that regulate gene expression, such as promoters and enhancers, and establishing how different regions of our chromosomes are modified and stored (i.e., wrapped around proteins called histones or bound with small tagging molecules). This information reveals a great deal about how cells can express or silence genes differently depending on timing and where they are located in the body. The earlier work was mostly performed on DNA extracted from human cell lines. "Thanks to ENCODE 2, we had a pretty good map of how DNA is modified along the genome, but what was missing really was the legend for that map," explained Axel Visel, also a Berkeley Lab senior scientist. Visel and Diane Dickel, a research scientist, are co-authors with Pennacchio on the new papers, and all three run the Mammalian Functional Genomics Laboratory within Berkeley Lab's Biosciences Area. "ENCODE phase 3 has been all about understanding what these different modifying marks we found in cell lines really mean in terms of a real organism," Visel added. For the phase 3 experiments, the Berkeley Lab group, along with numerous other ENCODE consortium teams began applying their analyses to mouse tissues, as the mouse genome is very similar to ours and many of the DNA modifications and on-off switches for gene expression are known to be the same. The Berkeley Lab team, which has been involved in the project for 12 years, played an especially significant role in ENCODE 3. They are renowned leaders in the use of ChIP-seq, a technique that allows scientists to locate transcription factors and modified proteins on chromatin (the densely packed state that DNA exists in when not activated for transcription or replication), and then to analyze how these molecules are interacting with the sequences. They are also known for their expertise in transgenic assays, a technique used to test if potential gene switches actually function as predicted. Working closely with Bing Ren at the Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, the team used ChIP-seq to study the changing landscape of chromatin in embryonic mice and then carried out hundreds of transgenic assays to validate these findings. After thousands of experiments, they generated a dataset covering diverse body tissues at eight developmental stages, significantly expanding the scientific community's knowledge of DNA dynamics during mouse development and creating a resource for biomedical researchers seeking to learn more about human development. Their atlas, along with nearly 6,000 other datasets on mouse and human DNA regulating elements generated by collaborating research teams, is freely accessible on ENCODE's new online portal. "Over the years, we've worked extensively with the other groups that were involved in ENCODE and built great complementary relationships," said Dickel. "This is the kind of progress that comes from good collaborations, rather than competition." For the last leg of the project (ENCODE 4), which is in its final year, participating scientists are using genetically engineered mice to verify and expand upon the discoveries made from studying isolated tissues. ### The ENCODE project is funded by grants from the National Institutes of Health. The other Berkeley Lab scientists who contributed to this work were: Iros Barozzi, Veena Afzal, Jennifer Akiyama, Ingrid Plajzer-Frick, Catherine Novak, Momoe Kato, Tyler Garvin, Quan Pham, Anne Harrington, Brandon Mannion, Elizabeth Lee, and Yoko Fukuda-Yuzawa. Founded in 1931 on the belief that the biggest scientific challenges are best addressed by teams, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory and its scientists have been recognized with 13 Nobel Prizes. Today, Berkeley Lab researchers develop sustainable energy and environmental solutions, create useful new materials, advance the frontiers of computing, and probe the mysteries of life, matter, and the universe. Scientists from around the world rely on the Lab's facilities for their own discovery science. Berkeley Lab is a multiprogram national laboratory, managed by the University of California for the U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Science. DOE's Office of Science is the single largest supporter of basic research in the physical sciences in the United States, and is working to address some of the most pressing challenges of our time. For more information, please visit energy.gov/science. In late January, Tina Lee was on her way to a gala in downtown Toronto when she heard the news on the car radio that would change everything. The first case of the novel coronavirus had been reported in Canada at Sunnybrook Hospital in a man who had travelled from Wuhan, China. Lee, CEO of T&T Supermarket, skipped the event that night, already suspecting that being in a crowded space shaking hands with strangers was quickly becoming dangerous. This is it, she remembers thinking. Its here. The chain of 26 grocery stores that sell mostly Asian products in B.C., Alberta and Ontario, would by mid-March put a mandatory mask policy in place for employees and institute quarantines for staff coming back from impacted countries. By early May, amid shifting evidence from public health officials and stigma, they were among the first retailers to require face coverings for customers. We really jumped into action very quickly, said Lee. We felt we were swimming against the tide. New research led by York Universitys Aaida Mamuji, a professor in the disaster and emergency management program, found that this story, the story of the GTAs Chinese diasporas swift and proactive response to the emerging threat of COVID-19, has been lost amid stigma and racism. A lot of credit needs to be given to the Chinese community for where we are right now in terms of the spread, it could have been far worse, Mamuji said. What were trying to highlight is that theres so much more to the story that gets buried and that doesnt help us move forward. The team hopes the project, which draws on interviews with 83 people across the GTA and was funded by Canadian Institutes of Health Research, can help prevent unfair targeting of groups during future pandemics. Phase 2 will centre on a public education campaign. Well before protective measures were rolled out across the GTA, some restaurants in Chinatown were requiring temperature checks for staff and masks, and the Chinatown Business Improvement Area bought hundreds of hand-sanitizing stations for restaurants, the report found. There were a lot of actions that the Chinese community took ahead of everyone, actually, our own public health officials, our own government officials, said Mamuji. Many were hearing from connections in China about just how serious COVID-19 was. But the study also found that many media reports painted the community with a broad brush, not only as victims but as a homogenous group. Many, for example, have relatives in Hong Kong, not mainland China. There was also stigma and stereotyping within the community. A lot of the backlash centred on masks and Asian people wearing them were accused of being sick and spreading the virus. Thats something that employees experienced at T&Ts Mississauga store after a customer went on a racist tirade in July. The man, caught on a video that went viral, refused to put on a face covering and yelled at an employee to go back to China. I would say that ranter, that is not the norm, said Lee, adding they received an outpouring of support, after that incident made headlines. I feel very regretful, very regretful she said, that theres a stigma attached to it and unfortunately the good things that the Chinese Canadian community have done have been overshadowed by this stigma. At T&T, which is owned by Loblaw but operated independently, the response was really based on feedback they were hearing from both customers and staff, said Lee. All of our T&T staff was on high alert and high anxiety and very deep memories came back from SARS, she said. They were also more accustomed to wearing masks, which before COVID were already more accepted in many Asian countries. Lee hopes that others can learn from the communitys proactive response and that it can give Canada a leg up in fighting the pandemic, which well be doing for many months to come. For example, theyve stopped doing temperature checks for now, which they started in April, because people standing in the hot weather in line were showing elevated temperatures. They did however turn away both staff and customers for having high temperatures and its something theyd consider bringing back if cases spike again. She said that they went from having their worst month ever in February, after false rumours that there were positive cases there, to having their best month ever in July. The York University report found some of the dip in Chinese-Canadian business reported in January and February was due to the Chinese community already social distancing. Theres some truth to that, said Avvy Go, clinic director of the Chinese and Southeast Asian Legal Clinic. A lot of people decided not to go to crowded places, just in case, because we were not sure at the time of the extent and the nature of the spread, she said. Its quite ironic that while the community was being targeted for bringing the disease to Canada, clearly we were the ones who have been sounding alarms and doing our part to keep ourselves safe. In fact, although the first reported case of the virus in Canada was from a man whod travelled from China, data released by Toronto Public Health point to another nation as a bigger threat. The top country linked to the earliest travel infections was the United States. Travellers from the country made up 37 per cent of travel cases in Toronto between January and March, or 106 people. The United Kingdom was linked to 14 per cent of travel cases. Five per cent were from Iran. Travel to China and Italy was connected to fewer than five cases each in these first three months. The notion that we are the ones who brought the disease to Canada was not supported by the actual scientific evidence, said Go. Because of our precaution and the approach we have taken, you can almost say that we went out of our way, making sure that we did not help spread the virus, because of the racial stereotypes. And despite the stigma, they were still wearing masks when no one else was. People were being targeted because they were wearing masks, they were being attacked, but in retrospect this was the right thing to do, she said. Now people are realizing it. Correction Aug. 5, 2020: This story was edited to note that T&T Supermarket had its worst month in February, not March. Several major firms across Europe have reported positive financial results this week. Photo; Michael Probst/AP European stocks rose on Wednesday as investors across the continent examined a batch of broadly positive earnings releases from firms weathering the coronavirus crisis. Shares in Dutch international retailer Ahold Delhaize (AD.AS), which operates supermarkets in both the US and Europe, surged after it raised its sales outlook for the year. Bank of Ireland (BIRG.IR) was the biggest gainer on the the pan-European STOXX 600 index (^STOXX), which climbed by 0.6% on Wednesday, after it said that its outlook was cautiously more optimistic than it had previously indicated. Shares on Londons FTSE 100 (^FTSE) rose by 1%. Germanys DAX (^GDAXI) climbed by around 0.9% after residential real estate firm Vonovia (VNA.DE) reported a jump in core profits during the first half of its financial year. Frances CAC 40 (^FCHI) climbed by around 0.8%. READ MORE: Coronavirus sales slump drives BMW to a second quarter loss The strong open in Europe followed a mixed trading session in Asia. The US and China are set to hold high-level discussions on 15 August to determine whether Beijing is complying with the phase one trade deal signed earlier this year, according to a report in the Wall Street Journal. Shanghais SSE Composite Index (^SSEC) rose by almost 0.2% on Wednesday, while the Hang Seng (^HSI) closed around 0.4% in the green in Hong Kong. Japans Nikkei (^N225) fell by 0.26%, while the KOSPI Composite Index (^KOSPI) in South Korea climbed by around 1.4%. Australias ASX 200 (^AXJO) fell by 0.6%. READ MORE: Highest-paid UK CEO earned nearly 2,000 times average worker Futures were pointing to a higher open for stocks in the US, even after lawmakers there warned that they were not close to reaching a deal on a batch of new stimulus measures. We are still far away on a lot of the important issues, but we are continuing to go at it, Chuck Schumer, the Democratic Senate minority leader, said on Tuesday (4 August). Futures on the S&P 500 (ES=F) rose by around 0.5%. Dow Jones Industrial Average futures (YM=F) climbed by 0.65%. Nasdaq futures (NQ=F), meanwhile, were up by around 0.4%. ZANU-PF has warned prominent South African opposition leader Julius Malema to keep his distance from Zimbabwe's internal affairs. Addressing journalists at the party headquarters on Tuesday, acting spokesperson Patrick Chinamasa also accused the Economic Freedom Front (EFF) leader of working to undermine the cause of black South Africans with the help of his funders. In the recent past, Malema has voiced disapproval over the Zanu PF led government's decision to compensate white former commercial farmers and has criticised the Harare administration for rampant rights abuses on the opposition and ordinary citizens. The firebrand politician has also threatened to mobilise nearly 50 000 South Africans to march and force the closure of the Zimbabwean embassy in Pretoria in protest. Chinamasa, in his comments, found everything unrevolutionary about the former ANC youth leader's conduct. "... By breaking ranks from the ANC, (Malema) has helped to undermine the cause of the revolution of the black South African people," Chinamasa told journalists Tuesday. "And I want to say this to Mr Julius Malema, making inflammatory speeches and donning red work suits and barrettes do not make a revolutionary. "A true revolutionary, which by the way you are not, first and foremost would acquaint himself with the concrete situation he is facing and to plot steps by steps the tactics and on how he can his revolutionary goals. Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Zimbabwe Business Governance By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later. "By breaking ranks from the ANC and we do not know who is funding you temporarily destabilise the black South African's march towards total economic emancipation and independence. "I use the word temporarily; you will never succeed to weaken completely the cause of the black South Africans in their march towards total economic emancipation and independence." Chinamasa added, "In a revolution, unity of all progressive forces is imperative Mr. Malema. You chose the path of disunity and what have you achieved beside making noises, nothing." Chinamasa also accused Malema of working with former Zanu PF G40 members. "So Zanu PF says to Mr Julius Malema and his EFF, for God's sake, stop poking your G40 nose in Zimbabwe's domestic affairs. "The G40 and Julius Malema's EFF are sleeping in the same bag. Malema has now made G40's cause his cause and he is forgetting that he is an opposition in the South African parliament. "Because they are sleeping together day in day out, he now thinks that he is an official opposition in Zimbabwe he is not and that's the message I am delivering to him." EFF said it will be organising about 50 000 South Africans to shut down Zimbabwe Embassy if Zimbabwe does not recall its ambassador to Pretoria David Hamadziripi. This comes after Hamadziripi issued a statement warning EFF to stop poking its nose on Zimbabwe internal affairs. I was deeply saddened by the loss of human lives, deaths of three of our compatriots, the dozens of injured, and the widespread devastation as a result of the explosion that occurred in Beirut. Melkumyan, an MP of the opposition Prosperous Armenia Party, wrote about this on his Facebook page "We and our state must take care of our compatriots who have found themselves in a hopeless situation. The [Armenian] halls of power must launch operative solutions, both to provide assistance on the spot and to transfer our compatriots to the homeland as much as possible. Every one of our compatriots living in Beirut should feel the presence and support of the motherland. Let us all stand united in support of our compatriots. Right now it is necessary to carry out extraordinary and special measures. We, the MPs of the Prosperous Armenia Party, talked about this topic in the morning with the leader of the Prosperous Armenia Party, Gagik Tsarukyan, who is going to organize appropriate assistance to our compatriots [in Beirut]," Melkumyan added. If you watch the credits of Beyonces visual album Black Is King and dont let Disney+ shunt you over to watching CGI big cats, youll notice something interesting. Dotted among the songwriting credits for Beyonce and her contemporary superstar collaborators from last summers album are several tracks with names like Little Girls Sung Games and Lullaby Nzakara, archival recordings of African folk music that date back to the mid-20th century, capturing traditions that go back much longer. Theyre drawn from the UNESCO Collection of Traditional Music, a massive 127-album collection of recordings drawn from all over the world and released by Smithsonian Folkways. In a project explicitly dedicated to Beyonces son, Sir Carter, the recordings, many of which are lullabies, underline the way in which tradition is passed down through music (and, in one case, how that transmission can be exploited by outside parties for profit). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For insight into how those recordings came to be, and what Beyonce is up to with them, we turned to ethnomusicologist Atesh Sonneborn, the retired associated director of Smithsonian Folkways, who oversaw the massive digital release of the UNESCO collection beginning in 2014. Sign up for the Slate Culture newsletter The best of movies, TV, books, music, and more, delivered to your inbox three times a week. 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. Sam Adams: Looking over the recordings of African folk music included in Black Is King, theyre all drawn from a period between the late 1950s and the early 1970s. Is there something special about that period of time? Atesh Sonneborn: There were a couple of things going on. One is an intense period of recording, but also an intense period of publication. People recorded and deposited those recordings in archives for years, and nothing was ever heard, but then there came a few record labels like Folkways and Ocora that put out stuff from all over the world. And they didnt find a huge audience, but they found an audience of people who really were fascinated by itin some cases by the exoticism, and in some cases by the recognition. Advertisement Advertisement Whats your own connection to this collection of music? In the late 60s, early 70s, I used some of the music in a radio show I did for KPFK in Los Angeles about the history of Vietnam, and then I studied ethnomusicology at UCLA, where this becomes a really significant reference work, because theres so many music traditions at the village level that were recorded from the 1950s through the 1990s, when they were still whatever it means to be authentic. Advertisement Looking at the tracks Beyonce chose for Black Is King, do you see a connection between them? When I tried to reverse engineer how the search would occur to get these materials, I think I get itthe basics of italthough I cant figure out how they got to the Pete Seeger. I thought she was trying to do a couple of things. One was to reach back to her own sense of African heritage, which is, just because of the nature of being descended from slaves, you dont really know where your African heritage starts. So she reached into Central Africa and Western Africa, and I think she or somebody who was working for her went in for sounds, and they searched for lullabies, they searched for childrens songs, and they searched for, again, a concept of authenticity. Who am I? The thing thats ethnomusicologically interesting is people finding themselves, finding their own identity in music. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Do any of them stand out to you from an ethnomusicological perspective? I really personally like the way the Baka material goes, the Cameroonian lullaby, because they use a method of singing where each person has a note or two that comes at a certain point in the melodic line, and they only do it then. So its both polyrhythmic and polyphonic. You know how English hand bells are, where theyre doing Jingle Bells, and one person has jingle? Thats the same concept, except in a very different kind of interlocking pattern. But for me, that was the coolest. Advertisement Advertisement Maybe the most substantial piece of music thats not Beyonces is the use of Solomon Lindas Mbube, which eventually formed the basis for The Lion Sleeps Tonight, although Linda originally got no credit and his family had to sue Disney to get paid for its use in The Lion King. That feels like a pointed reference to the historic exploitation of African and Black culture by the music industry, which is also something the largely white ethnographers who made these kinds of recordings were accused of. So has there been a reconsideration about the way this material was collected and used? Advertisement Advertisement Oh, gosh, theres been reconsideration. Its ongoing. Its ongoing. And yeah, how to do that in a paragraph? Obviously, as we learned, I think, in seventh grade, the anthropologists went out and treated them as exotic other, didnt quite treat them as people, came back with their artifacts, their music. And no names were used, and maybe no money was exchanged. Do you mind if I record you? Well, no. We give our music. Its a gift from the gods. We give it to you. And OK, we take it back, and we publish it, and we make money, and we dont give you a dime. That, by the 1970s, was very much being challenged. And the idea of an ethnomusicological work being a collaboration. You know, not I know. You, the subject of what Im trying to understand, you as a knower. I am not the knower. I cant do anything but faithfully trace what you know and share it. Theres much, much more of that. And I think at this point theres been, over the past 30, 40 years, a number of significant moments where somebody in some place that is not a big urban center in Western culture said, Hey, thats my grandfather, and we never saw a dime. Thats still going on. A SpaceX prototype built in south Texas took a 150-meter hop on Tuesday, the latest advancement for a company that recently launched NASA astronauts and is aggressively pushing toward the moon and Mars. Billionaire Elon Musks SpaceX is developing prototypes of its Starship spacecraft in Boca Chica, which is located just outside of Brownsville. This vehicle, paired with the Super Heavy rocket, is designed to carry people to the moon, Mars and beyond. On HoustonChronicle.com: SpaceX is building a floating, superheavy-class spaceport in the Gulf of Mexico Mars is looking real, Musk said in a Tweet after the launch. Tuesdays test occurred just before 7 p.m. with the Starship prototype lifting itself about 150 meters, 492 feet, and then lowering back to the ground. It came after two previous attempts that were aborted Monday evening and Tuesday morning. It was the first flight of a full-scale Starship prototype, according to Eric Berger with Ars Technica. The prototype did not include all of the Starships features, such as the nose cone, but it did have a Raptor engine and large liquid oxygen and methane fuel tanks. The test was to validate these systems, as well as software and avionics used to steer the vehicle. On Twitter, Musk said the company would conduct additional short hops to smooth out the launch process, and then it would fly at higher altitudes once adding body flaps. The prototype isnt the first vehicle to hover in south Texas. SpaceX previously built a 65-foot Starhopper prototype to test its Raptor engine and other spacecraft systems. One of Starhoppers hover tests also went nearly 500 feet into the air. But not all of the companys Boca Chica tests have gone this smoothly. Musk likes to test, fail, fix and then test again. All done very quickly. Some of his south Texas prototypes have seen spectacular explosions during various tests (these werent hop tests). NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine has praised SpaceXs ability to learn from failures. Testing uncrewed vehicles to their limits contributed to the companys recent success in launching NASA astronauts Bob Behnken and Doug Hurley to the International Space Station. The astronauts returned home on Sunday. This day heralds a new age of space exploration, Musk said during a news conference after their splashdown. andrea.leinfelder@chron.com Twitter.com/a_leinfelder Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-06 01:51:25|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi gives an exclusive interview to Xinhua on China-U.S. ties in Beijing, capital of China, Aug. 5, 2020. (Xinhua/Zhai Jianlan) -- China-U.S. cooperation has never been a case of one party giving favor to the other, or one party taking advantage of the other. -- China rejects any attempt to create a so-called "new Cold War". -- China is ready to enter into candid, effective consultation with the U.S. side. BEIJING, Aug. 5 (Xinhua) -- Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi said Wednesday the Chinese side is ready to enter into candid, effective consultation with the U.S. side and make cool-headed and sensible response to the impulsive moves and anxiety of the U.S. side. Wang made the remarks in an exclusive interview with Xinhua on China-U.S. ties. A visitor walks past the booth of Exxon Mobil Corp. during the second China International Import Expo (CIIE) in Shanghai, east China, Nov. 7, 2019. (Xinhua/Fan Peishen) COOPERATION RATHER THAN DECOUPLING "The development of China and of the United States is not a zero sum game, and we should not reject each other. What we should do is to draw on each other's strength to achieve common development," he said. "China-U.S. cooperation has never been a case of one party giving favor to the other, or one party taking advantage of the other. Both countries have benefited much from this cooperation," he stressed China and the United States now account for over one-third of global economic output and over 50 percent of global growth. Bilateral trade volume has increased by over 250 times since the early days of diplomatic ties and takes up one-fifth of the global total. Two-way investment has jumped from almost zero to nearly 240 billion U.S. dollars, and annual two-way visits by the two peoples have reached 5 million. While the two countries are quite different in social system and many other aspects, such differences have not affected bilateral peaceful coexistence and cooperation, said Wang. Containers of China COSCO Shipping Corporation Limited are seen at the Port of Long Beach in Los Angeles County, the United States, Feb. 27, 2019. (Xinhua/Li Ying) "It is neither necessary nor possible for the two sides to change each other. Instead, we should respect the choice independently made by the people of the other side," he said. As COVID-19 takes its toll on the global economy, China and the United States should stop attempts at decoupling and advance the relationship through cooperation, and live up to their responsibility for the world, said Wang. CHINA REJECTS "NEW COLD WAR" In the interview, Wang refuted a series of recent U.S. moves hurting bilateral ties, including U.S. closing the Chinese Consulate-General in Houston, launching global campaign against Chinese companies, making fierce attacks on the Communist Party of China and interfering into China's internal affairs. Wang said that China-U.S. relations are facing the gravest challenge since the establishment of diplomatic ties, and their exchanges and cooperation in many areas are being seriously disrupted. "The root cause is that some American politicians who are biased against and hostile to China are using their power to smear China with fabrications and impede normal ties with China under various pretexts," said Wang, pointing out that such American politicians ultimately want to drag China and the United States into renewed conflict and confrontation and plunge the world into chaos and division again. "China will not allow these people to get their way," said Wang. A media worker reads the open letter by Chinese Consul General in Houston Cai Wei in New York, the United States, July 24, 2020. (Xinhua/Wang Ying) He said the Chinese side rejects any attempt to create a so-called "new Cold War", because it contravenes the fundamental interests of the Chinese and American peoples and the global trend toward development and progress. China will not dance to the U.S. tune, and will not sit idly by if the United States harms China's interests, Teng Jianqun, director of the Department for American Studies at the China Institute of International Studies, told Xinhua in an interview. CHINA READY FOR CANDID, EFFECTIVE CONSULTATION "All issues can be put on the table for discussion," Wang said. He said the Chinese side is ready to enter into candid, effective consultation with the U.S. side and make cool-headed and sensible response to the impulsive moves and anxiety of the U.S. side. Visitors try interactive devices at the booth of Boeing Company during the second China International Import Expo (CIIE) in Shanghai, east China, Nov. 8, 2019. (Xinhua/Zhang Yuwei) "Our message is quite clear: We urge the United States to stop acting with arrogance and prejudice, but enter into constructive dialogue with us on an equal footing. We hope that it will work with us to ease current tensions and put the relations back onto the right track of no conflict, no confrontation, mutual respect and win-win cooperation," he said. To conduct dialogues does not mean to make the two sides fully aligned, but to increase mutual trust and seek common grounds while reserving differences, said Ruan Zongze, executive vice president of the China Institute of International Studies. China has no intention to fight a "diplomatic war" with the U.S. side as it will only hurt the interests of the two peoples even more, Wang said. "China's door to dialogue remains open. We are willing, in the spirit of equality and open-mindedness, to talk and interact with the United States, and resume dialogue mechanisms at all levels and in all fields," said Wang. The United Kingdom is famed for its innovative spirit and characters through history. If you were to wake up in the morning, brush your teeth, put the kettle on to make yourself a coffee or tea, then head outside to mow your lawn, take a selfie while mowing, and then crack a can of your favorite soda as a reward for a job well done, you would have the Brits to thank for each one of those activities! Commonly used items like the toothbrush, lawnmower, electric kettle, photography, soda, and tin can are all British innovations. How Is Innovation Tracked? The list goes on, and to this day the UK is still known for its culture of innovation. A common way to track innovation is the number of patent requests originating in any one city or region. For the most part, this is a reliable method because if an inventor has something unique, that person is going to want to make sure no one else can legally claim their work. What Is A Patent? The British Library explains a patent as protection granted by the government for a given time period in which no one else can make, use, or sell your invention without your permission. Patent law differs from one country to the next, but the basic principle is the same. Essentially, youre registering an idea that was unique to you and receiving acknowledgment from the government that no one can steal your work. Filing a patent is often cause for celebration, a milestone that as an inventor, your work is recognized and protected. Here are the most innovative cities in the UK, by number of patents filed per 100,000 people: 1. Cambridge Aerial panorama of Cambridge, UK. Image credit: Pajor Pawel/Shutterstock.com The city of Cambridge, home to the famed Cambridge University, has a proud history of important inventions. Cambridge is in the interior of England, approximately an hour and twenty minutes driving time. With archaeological evidence that there has been some form of settlement in the area since the Bronze Age, there has definitely been time for Cambridge to cultivate that inventive spirit! Alan Turing studied at Cambridge University, an institution that also boasts the largest number of Nobel Prizes of any university. Recently published numbers cite 341 patents registered per 100,000 people. This number is more than double that of the second most innovative city in the UK. The birthplace of the reflecting telescope, IVF, and iris recognition (among many other significant inventions), Cambridge has a legacy of impactful innovations. Part of the reason behind that history is to be explained by the city being home to Cambridge University, an academic institution famous for its high standards, keen minds, and roster of celebrity alumnus. This culture of invention has permeated the city of Cambridge itself, not only the university. Cambridge is home to a high concentration of engineering and innovation companies, helping boost its patent numbers significantly. 2. Coventry University of Coventry in UK, Engineering Building. Image credit: Nrqemi/Shutterstock.com Youll find Coventry in central England, about two hours drive from London. Coventry holds a lot of UK history, and more recent innovations include: the first tank, the first traffic signals for cars, and the first dump trucks. Additionally, the first motorized funeral was held in Coventry - perhaps not the most glamorous of firsts, but certainly, one that carries wide societal impacts. Cambridge might be the leader of innovation in the UK, but Coventry is no slouch. Academia in Coventry is heavily focused on engineering, manufacturing, and digital studies. Coventry University and Warwick University dominate the academic scene in Coventry, The result of this is 118 patents per 100,000 people filed yearly. Local government in Coventry strives to support an environment of innovation with projects like the Coventry and Warwickshire Innovation Programme. 3. Oxford Oxford skyline, Oxford, UK. Image credit: Aeypix/Shutterstock.com Oxford is located a short hour and twenty-minute drive northwest of London in the English countryside. 80 patents are filed yearly per 100,000 residents in Oxford. Third in the UK for most Innovative cities, Oxford is home to the famous Oxford University, although, like Cambridge, is also a city unto itself. The town of Oxford was named circa 900 CE, and the university was established in the 11th century. In addition to being one of the UKs most innovative cities, Oxford also boasts the highest amount of published authors per square mile in the world! Some of the most notable innovations to come from Oxford are infrared remote sensing, the structure of penicillin, and the beginnings of Lewis Carrolls Alice In Wonderland. Innovations in Oxford are of a slightly different bent than the other centers of UK innovation and invention. The type of patents that are primarily discussed in this article are for physical objects; Oxford is more famed for its writers, politicians, poets, and actors. These are people whose work produces results that cannot generally be patented, thus, Oxford falls lower on this list. Advantages Of Being An Innovative City Image credit: Olivier Le Moal/Shutterstock.com Being an innovative city carries great benefits for several reasons. With great new inventions comes attention on the national or global stage. From this flows tourism, interest from academic institutions, grant funding, and increased interest in living in these areas, among other factors. Cities benefit from innovation by capitalizing on these advantages to increase the overall quality of living for residents, possibly attracting more inventive people, and the cycle continues. InnovateUK is a government-funded organization that strives to foster innovation in the UK by investing in local initiatives. The UK prides itself on fostering a creative and innovative spirit in its people, and the results are evident! But, Wheres London? You might have noticed that London is conspicuous by its absence on this list. London is a large, respected, cosmopolitan center, and the main reason that the number of patents in London is not higher goes back a long time. Historically in Britain, academic institutions have distanced themselves from the cities. Before the Industrial Revolution, Britain was much less centralized around urban areas and remains more so today than many other nations. The Industrial Revolution made British cities like London busy, dirty, and polluted - far from the kind of idyllic setting that seems fitting for high academia. Universities remained in their pastoral settings, and while urban campuses are more popular now, tradition sees many UK centers of innovation still located in rural areas. Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-05 10:33:16|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close CANBERRA, Aug. 5 (Xinhua) -- Australia's Prime Minister (PM) has called for Australians refusing to comply with mandatory face mask orders to "get real." Scott Morrison said on Wednesday morning that he was "disgusted" by an alleged assault of a police officer in Victoria by a woman who refused to wear a mask. "I think the report that I saw of a Victorian police officer being assaulted by someone pretending to do this in the name of liberty was just disgusting," Morrison told Today, an Australian breakfast television program. "I mean, people have got to get real, too." Face masks have been made mandatory outside of the house in Victoria in an attempt to contain the spread of COVID-19. They have also been strongly recommended in New South Wales (NSW). A 38-year-old Victorian woman who refused to wear a mask has been charged with nine offences including two counts of assaulting an emergency worker after she allegedly smashed the head of a 26-year-old female police officer into the ground, causing significant injuries. "I know it's hard to understand and it's confusing. I understand all that. But we've got to make this work and we've got to push through that and I know there's going to be things that really test people's patience," Morrison said. As of Tuesday noon there had been 18,729 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Australia, and the number of new cases in the last 24 hours was 452, according to Department of Health. The death toll has climbed from 221 to 232. Of the new cases, 439 were confirmed in Victoria and the 11 new deaths were also in the state. Enditem A civil engineer impersonated himself as an India Army officer cheated a doctor of Rs 1.75 lakh on OLX. According to the doctor, who works at the Institute of Human Behaviour and Allied Sciences (IHBAS) in Delhi, he got duped on OLX for Rs 1.75 lakh (approximately) when someone sold him the latest model of iPhone on the web portal. The doctor said the seller claimed to be an army officer. Later, the police team looked at all technical aspects and gathered information at the ground-level to catch the culprit. It was found the main accused was Parvej Ahmad, a Haryana-based civil engineer. The police probed the bank account of Ahmad and found that a transaction of more than Rs 10 lakh was made from his account. The 29-year-old disclosed that he was a civil engineer by profession. He revealed that locals in his village (Falandi Shah Chokha, Mewat) have duped several people by impersonating themselves as army officers on the pretext of selling vehicles and mobile phones on OLX. Therefore, "I also adopted the same method to do the scam", Ahmad added. According to a report in Indian Express, advertisements are made of a low-priced vehicle/gadgets on OLX. The vehicles are advertised as "army-owned", and the fraudster shares fake documents of authentication. Besides, the conman puts a display picture of an army officer. The profile photos are taken from Army fan pages or Google search results. The seller then proposes two options: Get the vehicle home delivered or come and meet at the airport. Either way, he asks for an advance amount upfront for delivery or gate pass fee, and vanishes once the transaction is complete. Georgia has reported 15 new cases of the coronavirus earlier today. Six of the 15 new cases were reported in the Adjara region of western Georgia. Four of the six new patients in Adjara had contact with infected individuals, while the remaining two are Turkish citizens who will undergo treatment in Turkey. Four of the 15 new patients are from Gachiani settlement of Gardabani municipality, three cases are imported, one is a medical personnel, four patients have had contact with infected individuals, while the remaining three individuals do not know how they contacted the virus. Georgia negotiating with pharmaceutical giant AstraZeneca, Gavi Alliance to receive coronavirus vaccine when approved Since February 26, 2020 Georgia has had 1,197 cases of the coronavirus, Agenda.ge reported. As of today 206 people remain infected with COVID-19 in the country. 974 of the 1,197 patients have recovered, while 17 others have died. More than 125,000 people have been tested for the coronavirus in Georgia. 7,066 people are under quarantine in Georgia. Many of them are the inhabitants of Karajalari village of Marneuli municipality which is in lockdown. Photograph: Juan Zarama/EPA Colombias supreme court has ordered the detention of the hardline former president Alvaro Uribe amid an investigation into allegations of witness tampering and fraud in relation to crimes committed during the countrys 52-year civil war. Tuesdays decision shocked Colombians, who remained deeply divided over the Uribes 2002-10 administration, which was defined by his military campaign against the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), a leftist rebel group that later demobilized in 2016. No Colombian president has been formally detained before. This is huge, not least because Uribe is considered the most powerful man in the country, said Sergio Guzman, the director of Colombia Risk Analysis, a consultancy. It shows that nobody is above the law in Colombia, not even Uribe. Uribe remains an influential and deeply polarizing figure: his supporters say he neutered a violent Marxist group that had terrorized the country since the 1960s. His critics say he did so at an inexcusable cost to human rights. Related: Uribe's Colombia: The dark side of a country transformed During his presidency, rightwing paramilitary groups flourished, terrorizing civilians suspected of collaborating with the rebels. In what would later be known as the false positives scandal, soldiers from the army abducted and murdered thousands of civilians, declaring them rebel combatants in order to boost statistics and justify US aid. Uribe has also been dogged by persistent allegations of involvement in the drug trade, a charge he has strongly denied. The loss of my liberty causes me profound sadness for my wife, for my family, and for Colombians who still believe that I have done something good for the country, Uribe tweeted immediately after the courts ruling. The case against Uribe stems from a feud with leftist senator Ivan Cepeda, who the former president in 2012 accused of plotting to falsely link him to paramilitary groups. The court in 2018 found that Cepedas investigation was legal, and that Uribes allies had attempted to tamper with witnesses. The court has yet to rule whether there is enough evidence to bring Uribe to trial. Uribe has denied any allegations against him. Story continues International rights groups celebrated a show of independence from the countrys courts. I congratulate the supreme court for acting responsibly in ordering president Uribes house arrest, tweeted Jose Miguel Vivanco, Americas director at Human Rights Watch. The court shows no one not even the most powerful is above the law. Judicial independence must be respected. Reaction to the news followed Colombias deep political fault lines. Uribes supporters or uribistas called for marches in his defense, while in a liberal neighbourhood in Bogota, the capital, people played the national anthem and danced on their balconies in celebration. My heart breaks with sadness at the injustice done towards Alvaro Uribe, and the country hurts, tweeted Natalia Bedoya, a social media influencer and prominent Uribe supporter. Millions of Colombians are here to support and back him up. In contrast, some victims of the violence during Uribes government expressed joy and relief. Luz Elena Galeano, whose husband was forcibly disappeared in 2008 when rightwing paramilitaries invaded their neighbourhood in Medellin, said: Its a historic and unforgettable day. We can only hope that this criminal admits to all the crimes that he committed and that he accepts that it was him that made us all live among paramilitaries. Uribes looming presence in Colombian politics is hard to overstate. He was a key figure in efforts to undermine the 2016 peace deal with the Farc, successfully leading the no campaign in a referendum on the deal. A modified deal was later ratified in congress, but Uribe re-emerged as a kingmaker in the 2018 presidential election which was won by his protege, Ivan Duque. Jaqueline Castillos brother, a victim of the false positives scandal, was murdered by soldiers in 2008 after they lured him into the countryside with the offer of a job. Theres only relief in my heart as we get closer to justice, Castillo said. Justice will always get its man. In a televised address on Tuesday, Duque defended his mentor, saying: I am and always will be a believer in the innocence and honor of someone who by example has earned a place in Colombias history. Your tax-deductible gift today powers our reporters and keeps us independent. We rely on you, our reader, not paywalls to stay funded because we believe important news and information should be freely accessible to all. Start your day with LAist Sign up for the Morning Brief, delivered weekdays. Subscribe Our news is free on LAist. To make sure you get our coverage: Sign up for our daily newsletters. To support our non-profit public service journalism: Donate Now. The U.S. Census Bureau has announced it will complete the 2020 census count a month earlier than planned, with the new deadline to end door-knocking and self-response set for September 30, instead of Oct. 31. The bureau also intends to have data compiled for political apportionment finished by the legal deadline of December 31st. Doug Johnson, a research affiliate with Claremont Mckenna, thinks given delays in response caused by the pandemic, that timeline is impossibly scrunched. "They're going to try to get everything done on the regular timeframe, but it's going to be a Herculean task," Johnson said. In-person canvassing doesn't even start in L.A. County until August 11. And so far, only 59% of households in the county have responded. It means census workers will have less than two months to count the other 41%, which is an unlikely goal. So, Johnson said, it's very likely historically undercounted communities like renters, immigrants, and people without internet access could be missed by a rushed census. That's because those communities are typically best reached in person. "They need that door-to-door knock to get the full count," he said. A BIG PROBLEM FOR LA COUNTY In L.A. County, considered one of the hardest-to-count regions in the country, these changes are a particularly big problem, especially considering California's political representation was already to take a hit due to population losses. The decision to end the counting a month early has been criticized by many as politically motivated. "It is difficult to come up with any explanation but Republican and white advantage," said Keshia Morris Desir, the census project manager for government watchdog organization Common Cause. In a letter to the Census Bureau on Monday, Los Angeles City Attorney Mike Feuer asked that the government explain the basis for its decision. Ending the census earlier has another implication. Johnson said if the count continued through October, as was planned, the data might not be crunched until next year, at which time President Trump may no longer be in office -- and wouldn't be presiding over the final census tallies that determine political representation for the states. In addition, with the process shortened, Johnson expects the Census Bureau will need to do extra work to estimate the county's population, like using survey and post office data to determine information about households left uncounted. Typically, this estimating process is kept to about 2% of the nation's households, he said, but this year it could end up being much higher. "Obviously it adds a degree of randomness and inaccuracy to the count," Johnson explained. And while the bureau can approximate general numbers, courts have ruled that they can't approximate race data. That means undercounted racial and ethnic groups wouldn't be accurately represented. Laura Daly, a data analyst with racial justice organization Advancement Project California, said identity information is critical for protecting communities from redistricting, for example, or identifying which demographics are particularly hard hit by COVID-19. "If you don't exist in the data, then people take advantage of that and decide not to represent you," Daly said. Daly said her group is working to resolve confusion over the timeline change, and to encourage people to self-respond through food drives and car caravans. READ MORE: WE ARE HERE TO HELP: HOW TO (NEW) LA Egypt gives legal status to 70 more churches, but threats to Christian houses of worship remain Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment As a government committee headed by Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly gave legal status to 70 churches this week, the number of Christian houses of worship that have been legalized in the country came to 1,638. However, the threat to churches in this Muslim-majority country remains. Formed in January 2017, the Committee for the Legalization of Unlicensed Churches comprises the ministers of justice, parliamentary affairs, and local development and housing, as well as representatives of local authorities and Christian communities, according to Egypt Independent. Since 2017, the committee has legalized 1,638 churches. However, as recently as Wednesday, local authorities in the Koum Al-Farag area of Al-Behera governorate demolished a church building after sectarian protests, the U.K.-based Christian Solidarity Worldwide reported. The church had been holding worship services in its one-story building for 15 years until local Muslims constructed a mosque next to it a few years ago. As per the countrys common law, churches cannot be formally recognized or allowed to display Christian symbols if a mosque is built next to them. Since the church grew, it went on to add two more floors to the building, which led to sectarian tension in the area. As a result, local authorities demolished both the church building and the mosque next to it, CSW said, adding that 14 Christians, including the priest and four female members, were arrested for trying to stop the authorities from demolishing the building. CSW welcomes the legalization of more churches in Egypt, and we encourage the administration to continue on the path of reforming legislation and addressing societal attitudes and practices that restrict the right to freedom of religion or belief, CSWs Chief Executive Mervyn Thomas said. (But) we remain concerned by the destruction of both the church and mosque in Koum Al-Farag, which is not an effective way of addressing sectarian tensions. The government must work with local authorities to formulate civic interventions that address and transform the societal attitudes underpinning sectarian tensions. Last year, the U.S.-based persecution watchdog group International Christian Concern reported the legalization of 127 congregations. However, critics of the committee, including ICC, have argued that it's moving too slowly in its granting of approval for the church buildings still on the list awaiting legalization. The 2016 law (based on which the committee was created) was supposed to make it easier for new churches to go through the legalization process, said ICC at the time. However, President [Abdel Fattah] Sisis government has a worse record than his predecessors when it comes to approving new church buildings. According to the Christian persecution watchdog group Open Doors USA, Egypt holds the rank of the 16th worst persecutor of Christians in the world. Many Egyptian Christians encounter substantial roadblocks to living out their faith, it notes. There are violent attacks that make news headlines around the world, but there are also quieter, more subtle forms of duress that burden Egyptian believers. Particularly in rural areas in northern Egypt, Christians have been chased from villages, and subject to mob violence and intense familial and community pressure. This is even more pronounced for Christians who are converts from Islam. A lawyer who worked for the Commonwealth Secretariat has been charged with fraud. Joshua Brien, 47, from Notting Hill, London, appeared at Westminster Magistrates' Court accused of a string of charges between December 2014 and October 2019. He was charged with three counts of fraud by abuse of position, two counts of fraud by false representation, and possession of an article for use in the course of or in connection with fraud. Brien also faces four charges linked to alleged money laundering - one claiming he concealed, disguised, converted, transferred or removed criminal property; and three that he acquired, used or had possession of criminal property. Joshua Brien (left) and his wife Melissa Khemani (right), both from Notting Hill, west London, worked at the secretariat at Marlborough House in Westminster The Metropolitan Police said the offences are alleged to have taken place between December 23, 2014, and October 29, 2019, when he was employed as a legal adviser or special counsel. Brien worked for the Commonwealth Secretariat until 2016, and later for law firm Cooley's LLP. He was released on bail to appear at Southwark Crown Court on September 1. Police also charged his bank worker wife Melissa Kehmani, 40, via postal requisition with two counts of acquiring, using or possessing criminal property. She is due to appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court on October 22. Brien (left) yesterday appeared at Westminster Magistrates' Court accused of a string of charges between December 2014 and October 2019. Khemani (right), 40, an anti-corruption expert, was charged via postal requisition with two counts of acquiring, using or possessing criminal property According to its website, the Commonwealth Secretariat is 'the intergovernmental organisation that supports member countries to achieve the Commonwealth's aims of development, democracy and peace'. On the active case, a spokesman said: 'It would be inappropriate to comment on ongoing legal proceedings.' On allegations of fraud within the spokesman added: 'The Commonwealth Secretariat has a very robust set of policies and procedures to guard against fraudulent behaviour and activity within the organisation. 'And any suspicious activity has, and always will be, reported to the relevant authorities without delay and dealt with robustly. 'The Commonwealth Secretariat has cooperated fully with the Metropolitan police in their investigation into this matter.' PHILADELPHIA, Aug. 5, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Berger Montague is investigating potential securities fraud claims on behalf of investors who purchased the common stock of Velocity Financial, Inc. ("Velocity" or the "Company") (NYSE: VEL) issued in connection with Velocity's January 2020 IPO (the "Offering Materials"). If you purchased Velocity shares, have questions concerning your rights or interests, or would like to discuss Berger Montague's investigation, please contact attorneys Michael Dell'Angelo at (215) 875-3080 or Andrew Abramowitz at (215) 875-3015, or contact us at www.bergermontague.com/velocity-financial. According to the lawsuit, the IPO Offering Materials contained false and/or misleading information and failed to disclose that a significantly higher proportion of its loan portfolio had become non-performing loans (90 days past due). The Offering Materials are also alleged to have failed to include any information regarding the anticipated adverse impact of the coronavirus on the Company's business, operations, or financial performance conditions which were already known to defendants at the time. On May 13, 2020, in connection with Velocity's Q1 2020 results, the Company stated that its net income decreased 50% during the quarter to just $2.6 million, and that it had suspended all loan origination, thus effectively halting any potential growth in the Company's loan portfolio. The Company further disclosed that its proportion of non-performing loans had accelerated to $174 million nearly double the unpaid principal amount year-over-year and now constituted more than 8% of the Company's total portfolio. Defendants' belated disclosures have severely harmed investors. As of July 29, 2020, shares had fallen from the IPO price of $13 per share to $3.90 per share in only six months. If you purchased Velocity shares in connection with the IPO, you may seek Court appointment as lead plaintiff to represent other injured investors in a class action. The lead plaintiff appointment deadline is September 28, 2020. You do not need to be a lead plaintiff to share in any potential Class recovery. Whistleblowers: Persons with non-public information regarding Velocity Financial, Inc. are encouraged to confidentially assist Berger Montague's investigation or take advantage of the SEC Whistleblower program. Under this program, whistleblowers who provide original information may receive rewards totaling up to thirty percent (30%) of recoveries obtained by the SEC. For more information, contact us. Berger Montague, with offices in Philadelphia, Minneapolis, Washington, D.C., and San Diego, has been a pioneer in securities class action litigation since its founding in 1970. Berger Montague has represented individual and institutional investors for five decades and serves as lead counsel in courts throughout the United States. Contacts Michael Dell'Angelo, Managing Shareholder Berger Montague (215) 875-3080 [email protected] Andrew Abramowitz, Senior Counsel Berger Montague (215) 875-3015 [email protected] SOURCE Berger Montague Dr K R Antony By Do you give an option to a Covid- 19 patient to be treated by Allopathy, Ayurveda, Homeopathy, Sidha or Unani doctors? But it is a perfect strategy for the National Health Mission, which seems to have a cafeteria- like approach in giving choices to patients. Already, the Ayush Ministry has clarified that there is no antiviral drug it can offer, but only immuneboosters. Under modern medicine too, there are no antiviral drugs with proven impact yet. The sheet anchor of treatment is preventing micro-clot formation and minimising the effect of immune reaction of the body to coronavirus called cytokine storm. Patients will have oxygen starvation and breathlessness in spite of supply of oxygen and use of ventilators. Salvaging from death is possible only by an efficient management of such serious complications. Imagine that role being entrusted to doctors who are not trained in modern medicine or gadgets. All 94 doctors under the BBMP list, released on July 10, are non-allopathic, like ayurveda, unani, homoeopathy, yoga and naturopathy and dental graduates, except one MBBS doctor. The second day, there were 12 more MBBS doctors among the 200 selected. They are all paid a monthly salary of Rs 45,000 and will be posted at the BIEC Covid Care Centre. The reality is that except these 13 MBBS doctors, no one else is supposedly trained in giving an injection or a drip. They are less skilled than a qualified nurse, leave alone managing ventilators and understanding ICU monitors. The blanket authorisation given by the BBMP to Ayush doctors to treat serious Covid cases should be condemned. Operation theatre technicians in Nepal are trained in anaesthesia skills. India also rolled out life-saving anaesthesia skills and emergency obstetrics care training to MBBS doctors to reduce maternal mortality. These are skill upgradation of lower qualified staff to perform specific duties under supervision. But is it justified to get Ayush doctors to do clinical work and treat serious illnesses? A predecided treatment plan is entirely different from diagnosing complex medical conditions. Co-location and providing Ayush services is part of the NHM strategy. I am all for pluralism of therapies, but without crossing borders. Ayush doctors in many states under NHM funding are not practising what they are taught because of lack of drugs and other supplies. In many states, Ayush doctors are deputed to mobile clinics and screening for congenital diseases, which they dont know. Many Ayush doctors are on the payrolls of corporate hospitals, but they are mostly utilised in the night or off-duty hours. The unsuspecting public pay the same charges, which is exploitation. In many nursing homes, allopathic doctors submit affidavits saying they work there but dont, and these facilities are totally run by Ayush doctors. Someone needs to bell the cat. Health officials dont give the approval to single doctor nursing homes for want of additional doctors during off dutyhours, but ironically, the government runs institutions without qualified hands. Health can be a state subject, but not a states political decision. Why are IMA and Karnataka Association of Community Health silent? Do they approve of Ayush graduates managing serious Covid cases? Do Karnataka Technical Advisory Committee members support this move? They should convince the BBMP and state government to revise this decision. What is the way out if MBBS doctors are reluctant to accept these posts? Raise the temporary emoluments to Rs 1 lakh and negotiate with doctors from private nursing homes that are closed. To offset the extra budget required, reduce the number of Ayush supportive doctors. If at all they are posted, they should be under the close supervision of MBBS doctors with a ratio of 1:3. DR K R ANTONY Former Health & Nutrition Specialist,UNICEF,India and Life Member of Indian Academy of Paediatrics, Indian Public Health Association, Public Health Resource Network KUTA, Indonesia (Reuters) - Indonesian authorities released 25 green turtles into the sea on the island of Bali on Wednesday, returning them to freedom after they were rescued last month during a raid on illegal traffickers. The population of the endangered turtle, a protected species in Indonesia, has declined significantly in recent years due to hunting, loss of beach nesting sites, over-harvesting of their eggs and being caught in fishing gear. Officials stroked and gently patted the heads of the turtles as they were lined up on the beach, some digging their flippers into the sand before slowly pulling themselves into the sea as waves crashed over them. There were 36 turtles in total rescued and the remaining 11 will be released next week. Agus Budi Santoso, head of the Bali Natural Resources Conservation Center, said the turtles needed to be assessed fully to ensure they were healthy and able to cope in the natural environment. "If they cannot adapt to the environment, we cannot release them," Santoso said. Indonesia has become a hub of international trafficking of marine turtles, feeding demand in countries like Malaysia, Vietnam and China. Anyone convicted of involvement in the trade can be jailed for up to five years. Santoso said improvements in law enforcement had helped to reduce the trade in sea turtles. The green turtle, one the largest sea turtles, is also a victim of the world's growing ocean plastics crisis and is known for eating plastic bags, mistaking them for jellyfish, according to World Wildlife Fund, which said many turtles had plastic in their stomachs. (Reporting by Sultan Anshori; Writing by Martin Petty; Editing by Ed Davies) Angels Camp, CA Moves to make Angels Camp City government services a one-stop-shop has resulted in a physical move of its City Hall. On Tuesday afternoon, Angels Camp city officials sent out a public announcement, notifying residents that City Hall services have relocated from its long-time location on Main Street-highway 49 to 200 Monte Verda Street, Suite B where it is now co-located with the Community Development Department next to the Police Department. They explain that the move will allow staff to work more efficiently and provide a single go-to location for residents and businesses. They add that due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, City Hall and Community Development are still closed for in-person services but most City services are available online. In an effort to limit exposure to employees and community members, the public is encouraged to visit the citys website by clicking here. Those with questions, concerns, or needing assistance may call City Hall at 209 736-2181 or email COA@angelscamp.gov. Educators can Win Brand-New, Hands-On Student Kits for the Upcoming Year! BOISE, Idaho, Aug. 04, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- PCS Edventures!.com, Inc., (PCSV) a leading provider of K-12 Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics (STEAM) programs, last week announced the start of the BrickLAB STEAMventures Giveaway. Open to K-3rd Grade educators in the United States, this giveaway will pick three lucky winners to walk away with sets of cutting-edge individual STEAM student kits. The giveaway ends Sunday, August 23, 2020, at 11:59pm MST, with the three Grand Prize Winners to be announced in the following weeks. These educators will receive an entire BrickLAB STEAMventures Flight collection, a brand-new K-3rd grade student learning kit developed by PCS Edventures. The Flight Collection includes: 4 magazines for each student for up to 32 hours of activities! Build Hot Air Balloons Build Airplanes Build Helicopters Build Rockets 1 kit of washable building bricks per student, with mesh storage bag and brick separator. An Instructor Guide. A Parent Guide for each family. Two additional winners will be drawn to receive 20% off the complete Flight collection. BrickLAB STEAMventures enriches K-1 or 2-3 grade learning no matter the environment its introduced in! As a student-driven kit containing manipulatives, grade-appropriate curriculum and optional extensions, this program hinges around family engagement and a STEAM-themed magazine brimming with multi-subject integration. Whether it be at home, in the classroom, after school or through a hybrid setting, this brand-new program is innovating education and helping to strengthen the partnership between educators and parents. Michelle Victor, Director of STEM Development at PCS Edventures, said, This product is individually kitted to keep students safe and provide flexibility to educators. With hands-on builds, problem-solving challenges, critical and creative thinking activities, arts connections and so much more, BrickLAB STEAMventures is your surefire way to give your youngest students a positive STEAM experience in any learning environment. Story continues For more information about the contest, visit our site . About PCS Edventures! PCS Edventures!.com, Inc. (OTCPK: PCSV) is a Boise, Idaho company that designs and delivers technology-rich products and services for the K-12 market that develop 21st-century skills. PCS programs emphasize experiential learning in Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math (STEAM) and have been deployed at over 7,000 sites in all 50 United States and 17 foreign countries. Its Thrust-UAV division develops and sells drone-related products and products that use drone technologies. https://www.edventures.com . This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Act of 1934; actual results could differ materially from such statements. Contact Investor Contact: Mike Bledsoe 1.800.429.3110, mikeb@edventures.com Investor Relations Web Site: pcsv.global Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-05 01:05:29|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close Smoke rises from an explosion site at the port of Beirut, Lebanon, Aug. 4, 2020. The two huge explosions that rocked Lebanon's capital Beirut on Tuesday left dozens dead and injured, al-Jadeed TV channel reported. (Xinhua/Bilal Jawich) BEIRUT, Aug. 4 (Xinhua) -- The two huge explosions that rocked Lebanon's capital Beirut on Tuesday left dozens dead and injured, al-Jadeed TV channel reported. The explosions shook buildings all over Beirut and left shattered glass in most areas, according to the local TV channel. A businessman named Merhi Abou Merhi has called on the authorities to send teams and save people in his boat that was damaged in the explosions. It is still not clear whether it was an attack or a regular explosion caused by the chemicals stored at the Port of Beirut. The Lebanese Red Cross and Civil Defense teams rushed to the area to transfer the injured to hospitals while dozens are believed to be still under the rubble. Hospitals urged people to donate blood in an attempt to save the injured in explosions. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 5) The claim of a former anti-fraud official that PhilHealth lost some 15 billion to corruption may be true, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said as he found it worrying that the head of the state insurance firm could not stop illegal acts under his watch. Roque told CNN Philippines' The Source on Wednesday that the figure cited by PhilHealth's former anti-fraud legal officer Thorrsson Montes Keith as the haul taken by PhilHealth officials may be an "accurate estimate," saying it was aligned to the 174 billion stolen during a longer period cited by his own unnamed source of information. It's unclear what period is covered by the loss of 15 billion supposedly to corruption. Keith did not elaborate during his testimony at the Senate. RELATED: Anti-corruption body finds systemic insurance fraud in PhilHealth Roque said Keith's credibility was built up as anti-fraud investigator, especially when Morales initially denied that he was hired by PhilHealth as such. PhilHealth has been under fire in recent weeks after Keith tendered his resignation after learning about alleged illegal schemes in the agency tasked to shoulder healthcare costs for Filipinos. Keith said a "mafia" operates various fraudulent schemes within PhilHealth, such as overpriced IT deals revealed during a Senate probe Tuesday. For his part, PhilHealth President and CEO Ricardo Morales said Keith was only vengeful after failing to get a promotion. But Morales also later admitted to senators that there are still irregularities within the agency. For Roque, this was unacceptable. "My beef against Gen. Morales is I have no evidence hes corrupt himself, but when he was placed there by the President to replace a previous board and president because of the WellMed scam, our expectation is he will take concrete steps to rid the agency of corruption," the Malacanang official said. He pointed out that the 15 billion was well beyond a global 2 percent threshold for fraud, as accepted by accountants. "Yesterday, what worried me was he admitted that corruption was still rampant and I did not hear steps he has taken to remove corruption in the agency. That, to me, is the most worrisome," the official added. READ: PhilHealth chief endorsed 'overpriced' IT projects, says official Prior to returning as Presidential spokesman, Roque served as lawyer for whistleblowers who exposed a scheme where private dialysis centers supposedly file PhilHealth claims for patients who were already dead. Duterte has been vocal about firing corrupt officials during his term. Roque and long-time Presidential aide Senator Bong Go have said the President had no plans to fire Morales unless there is evidence that he was involved in the anomalies. "Hinahayaan na magkaroon ng extensive hearing at recommendations and committee at maapprove ng plenary, then saka na lang siguro aaksyon if ever [He's letting the Senate committee have an extensive hearing and recommendations to be approved by the plenary, then that's the time he will take action, if ever]," Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles said in a separate media briefing. However, he clarified that the President always has the option to respond to the issue anytime. Morales is a retired military official, similar to Duterte's appointees in key posts. Separate probes are being done by the Senate, the Office of the President, and the Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission on these issues, which Roque said would help Duterte "do the right thing" once the truth is revealed. He added that corruption within PhilHealth will eat into the billions of pesos of funding for universal healthcare, which will provide free medicines and free healthcare to all Filipinos. The Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr Isa Pantami has advocated the preference of skills over qualifications, stressing tha... The Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr Isa Pantami has advocated the preference of skills over qualifications, stressing that that individuals with proven skills remained more valuable than those with mere qualifications. Dr Pantami stated this while delivering an address as the guest lecturer at the Course 82 graduation ceremony of National Defence College on Tuesday in Abuja. While revealing that the Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy had developed a draft policy document on virtual meetings and engagements in the Federal Civil Service of the country, Pantami said global business and tech giants had since adopted the strategy of the preference of skills over qualifications. Speaking further on the draft policy document on virtual meetings and engagements in the Federal Civil Service of the country, Pantami said the document was developed by the ministry in collaboration with the Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation. The Minister informed the guests that the draft document, in line with the ministrys mandate to promote a Digital Economy was ready to be presented at the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting in the coming weeks. He explained that the COVID-19 pandemic had forced the nation to adopt the use of technology in governance and this had necessitated the urgency to promote e-governance in an orderly manner. As enshrined in the National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy Document the new policy will promote the pillars of service infrastructure as well as digital services development and promotion represented as pillars four and five. Pillar four says service infrastructure, while pillar five says digital services development and promotion, he said. On the issue of security, Pantami said that the real warfare was fought in the cyberspace as cyber criminals operate at a speed far ahead of the speed of law and called for measures to ensure the space was secured. We must take very deliberate steps to ensure that our cyberspace is significantly secured, he said. Senior U.S. and Chinese officials will review the implementation of their Phase 1 trade deal and likely air mutual grievances in an increasingly tense relationship during an August 15 videoconference, two people familiar with the plans said. U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer and Chinese Vice Premier Liu He, the principal negotiators for the two countries, will participate in the meeting, an initial six-month review of the pact activated on Feb. 15. The meeting plans were first reported by the Wall Street Journal. The U.S. Trade Representative's office and the U.S. Treasury did not respond to requests for comment. Under the Phase 1 trade deal signed in January, China had pledged to boost purchases of U.S. goods by some $200 billion over 2017 levels, including agricultural and manufactured products, energy and services. But China, battered by the global coronavirus recession, is far behind the pace needed to meet its first-year goal of a $77 billion increase. Imports of farm goods have been lower than the 2017 level, far behind the 50% increase needed to meet the 2020 target of $36.5 billion. Beijing has bought only 5% of the energy products needed to meet the Phase 1 first year goal of $25.3 billion One of the people familiar with the plans said Chinese officials hoped to discuss other issues beyond the Phase 1 trade deal implementation. "It's both the normal semi-annual review and also comes at a time when the relationship continues to deteriorate. Naturally there is much to discuss," the person said. China's ambassador to the United States, Cui Tiankai, said on Tuesday that there was always a plan for high-level consultations six months into the pact, but the two sides have remained in regular contact over the trade deal. "If they do have such a meeting I guess it will be very positive," Cui told a virtual event sponsored by the Aspen Security Forum. Trump has threatened to end the trade pact over China's handling of the coronavirus, which originated in the city of Wuhan, and tensions have risen over U.S. sanctions related to China's security crackdown on Hong Kong. The latest irritant between the world's two largest economies is Trump's threat to ban U.S. use of the Chinese-owned video app TikTok unless it is sold to a non-Chinese buyer. White House officials on Tuesday could not say how Trump's suggestion that the U.S. Treasury get a significant portion of the proceeds of the sale - potentially to U.S. software giant Microsoft - could be implemented. The presidential committee probing Ibrahim Magu, suspended chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), says it will... The presidential committee probing Ibrahim Magu, suspended chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), says it will ensure fair hearing. The committee, headed by Ayo Salami, retired president of the appeal court, is probing the activities of the agency under Magu. TheCable reports that during the proceeding earlier in the day, a source close to the committee revealed that Magus request for video recording was rejected but he was assured of getting fair hearing. The members are not conducting a trial or inquiry on Mr Ibrahim Magu nor the EFCC, the source quoted Salami to have said. This is not a panel but a committee saddled only with investigation. The request of Mr Ibrahim Magu for the video recording of the proceedings cannot be granted because the previous recordings of the proceedings at the beginning was unauthorised by the investigation committee and the committee does not know the purpose such recordings will serve. The venue of the sitting of the committee is temporary and therefore it is impossible to install video recording equipment as requested by Magu. Even the superior courts of records do not have video recording facilities and lack of such facilities does not infringe on fair hearing. The committee undertakes to guarantee fair hearing to Magu and all appearing before it in its fact finding exercise. Magu was arrested and detained on Monday, July 6, 2020, following summons by the presidential panel. His travails followed a memo by Abubakar Malami, attorney-general of the federation, who accused him of grave malfeasance. FSU geologists publish new findings on carbonate melts in Earth's mantle Geologists from Florida State University's Department of Earth, Ocean and Atmospheric Science have discovered how carbon-rich molten rock in the Earth's upper mantle might affect the movement of seismic waves. The new research was coauthored by EOAS Associate Professor of Geology Mainak Mookherjee and postdoctoral researcher Suraj Bajgain. Findings from the study were published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences . "This research is quite important since carbon is a crucial constituent for the habitability of the planet, and we are making strides to understand how solid earth may have played a role in storing and influencing the availability of carbon in the Earth's surface," Mookherjee said. "Our research gives us a better understanding of the elasticity, density and compressibility of these rocks and their role in Earth's carbon cycle." Carbon, one of the primary building blocks for life, is widely distributed throughout the Earth's upper mantle and is mostly stored in forms of carbonate minerals as accessory minerals in mantle rocks. When carbonate-rich magma erupts on the surface, it is notable for its unique, mud-like appearance. These types of eruptions occur at specific locations around the world, such as at the Ol Doinyo Lengai volcano in Tanzania. Experts believe that the presence of carbonates in rocks significantly lowers the temperature at which they melt. Carbonates that sink to the Earth's interior, via a process known as subduction, likely cause this low-degree melting of the Earth's upper mantle rocks, which plays an important role in the planet's deep carbon cycle. "Earth's mantle has less free oxygen available at increasing depths," Mookherjee said. "As the mantle upwells through a process of mantle convection, the slowly moving rocks that were reduced, or had less oxygen, at a greater depth become progressively more oxidized at shallower depth. The carbon in the mantle is likely to be reduced deeper in the Earth and get oxidized as the mantle upwells." This change in depth-dependent oxidation state is likely to cause melting of mantle rocks, a process called redox melting, which could produce carbon-rich molten rock, also known as melts. These melts are likely to affect the physical property of a rock, which can be detected using geophysical probes such as seismic waves, he said. Prior to this study, geologists had poor knowledge of the elastic properties of these carbonate-induced partial melts, which made them difficult to directly detect. One set of clues that geologists use to better understand their science are measurements of seismic waves as they move through the layers of the Earth. A type of seismic wave known as a compressional wave is faster than another type known as a shear wave, but at depths of around 180 to 330 kilometers into the Earth, the ratio of their speeds is even higher than is typical. "This elevated ratio of compressional waves to the shear waves has been a puzzle, and using the findings from our study, we are able to explain this perplexing observation," Mookherjee said. Minor quantities of carbon-rich melts, approximately 0.05 percent, might be dispersed pervasively through the Earth's deep upper mantle, and that may lead to the elevated ratio of compressional to shear sound velocity, researchers explained. To conduct the study, researchers took high-pressure ultrasonic measurements and density measurements on cores of the carbonate mineral dolomite. These experiments were complemented by theoretical simulations to provide a new understanding of the fundamental physical properties of carbonate melts. "We have been trying to understand the elastic and transport properties of aqueous fluids, silicate melt and metallic melt properties, to gain better insight into the mass of volatiles stored in the deep solid earth," Bajgain said. These findings mean the partially molten rocks in the mantle could hold as much as 80 to 140 parts per million of carbon, which would be 20 to 36 million gigatons of carbon in the deep upper mantle region, making it a substantial carbon reservoir. In comparison, Earth's atmosphere contains just over 410 ppm of carbon, or around 870 gigatons. ### Researchers from Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Southern University of Science and Technology in Shenzhen, China, and the University of Chicago contributed to this study. They performed calculations at the High Performance Computing Cluster at Florida State and at supercomputing facilities provided by the National Science Foundation's Extreme Science and Engineering Discovery Environment. The work was partly supported by the National Science Foundation and the National Natural Science Foundation of China. This story has been published on: 2020-08-05. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. Anytime I listen to communicators of both the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) on radio and television programmes, I ask one rhetorical question: Who is telling Ghanaians the truth? Whilst NPP communicators make it seem as though the Akufo-Addo government has performed excellently so far, NDC communicators, on the other hand, paint a gloomy picture as though the ruling government has done virtually nothing since it assumed the reins of power in January 2017. Undoubtedly, their partisan politics on almost every national issue could potentially throw many a Ghanaian into a state of confusion. In principle, politics is not bad. However, when politics assumes partisan dimensions, it becomes dirty, stinky and unattractive, as it is fraught with hypocrisy, lies, slander, greed, propaganda, populism, envy, mischief, sabotage, destructive criticisms, equalisation, empty rhetoric, double standard, unfulfilled promises, among other repulsive tendencies that are inimical to nation building and the growth of democracy. Placing Partisanship Above Nationalism Partisan politics or partisanship drives me up the wall, in that sincerity, objectivity, rationality and credibility have been hurled to the dogs in the country. Indeed, the disposition of many Ghanaian politicians leaves a bitter taste in the mouth and it vividly betrays their real intentions of entering politics. Judging by their unenviable actions and inaction, one can easily conclude that they are unmitigated self-seekers who don't have the interests of Ghana at heart. They place personal interests and partisanship above nationalism. Obviously, partisan politics has a greater influence on politicians than nationalism. As a result, they allow partisanship to blind their sincerity, objectivity, credibility and rationality. They view almost every national issue with a 'political lens'. Some even resort to tribal politics to win votes by inciting their political opponents against certain tribes. Lack of Sincerity They see eye to eye with every decision or policy of the ruling government of the day when their party is in power. However, when their party is in opposition, they criticise and kick against every policy of government, whether good or bad. Thus, in opposition, they become pessimists by default. Their pessimism becomes evident when they mischievously spew out discouraging statements such as 'it can't be done', 'it is not possible', 'it will surely fail', 'Ghana is not ready for it now', etc. against every policy of the ruling government. And they hardly give credit to their political opponents where it is due. For instance, since Ghana transitioned to multi-party democracy in 1992, when has a member of an opposition party lauded a ruling party's annual budget statement? On the other hand, when has a member of a ruling government criticised the annual budget statement of his or her government? Food for thought! Sabotage, Destructive Criticisms and Slander When their party is in opposition, they have one major agenda to discredit the ruling government in order to make it unpopular so that their party can gain electoral advantage. As a result, their actions clearly show that they do not wish the country well at all in terms of development. Every success story of the ruling government is bad news and a big blow to them in that it impedes their selfish desires to come back to power. They, therefore, resort to sabotage and destructive criticisms with the aim of gaining electoral advantage. When their party assumes the reins of power, politicians justify policies, decisions and programmes they criticised when in opposition. They invariably take a keen interest in politics of convenience and equalisation. They hardly take the flak when things go wrong, and they disseminate propaganda as a political strategy. Due to partisan politics, important uncompleted projects initiated by previous governments are often abandoned by ruling governments who think their political opponents would take the credit after the completion of the projects. But continuity in governance is crucial to development. More seriously, some politicians resort to slanderous allegations due to partisan politics. They allow envy and propaganda to influence them to deliberately concoct stories to run down and tarnish the reputation of their political opponents. Deception Besides, they pull the wool over the eyes of the ordinary Ghanaian electorate with phantom promises they can't fulfil. They pretend to be loving, caring and empathetic only during election years when they badly need votes to win power. Interestingly, when they are in opposition, they pretend to be patriotic. They pretend to have all the knowledge and prudent ideas that can potentially push this country forward in terms of development. However, when they win power, their so-called knowledge and prudent ideas seem to vanish into thin air. As a result, they employ politics of equalisation and convenience to justify their incompetence and failure. Machiavellian Tactics Instead of focusing on national development to improve the living standards of the ordinary Ghanaian, all that a typical Ghanaian politician thinks about is how his party can win Election 2020. Of course, winning the next elections is the major priority of majority of Ghanaian politicians. To them, it is a do-or-die affair. Some of them are power-conscious to the extent that they don't even care if they can ascend to power through Machiavellian tactics. Sadly, politics without principle has become the order of the day! I strongly concur with John Calvin Thomas, an American syndicated columnist, when he once said, One of the reasons people hate politics is that truth is rarely a politician's objective. Election and power are. The Reality The reality is that partisanship cannot profit the poor in rural Ghana who lack potable water, electricity, good shelter and yet continue to exercise their franchise in the name of democracy. Partisanship cannot change the destiny of Ghana when politicians have refused to be patriotic and nationalistic in the discharge of their responsibilities. And partisanship cannot benefit Ghana when politicians have become corrupt, egocentric, greedy, mendacious and insincere. The Way Forward Albeit democracy has offered the country some relative peace, it is noteworthy that partisan politics could potentially derail national development. Therefore, it is about time Ghanaian politicians went against party lines and ideological underpinnings in the interest of national development. As Ghanaians, we must be discerning enough in order not to identify with insincere, greedy, self-centred and corrupt politicians, for they don't have anything good to offer Mother Ghana. Ghana needs sincere politicians who are not blinded by partisan politics. By Anthony Kwadwo Kyei The writer is a proofreader Writer's email address: [email protected] Motorola One Fusion+ makes its way to the US, priced at $399 Motorola is ready to release another mid-ranger in the US, this time it's the One Fusion+. The phone was initially unveiled in early June, and now it's ready to make the jump to North America. It will be available tomorrow, for $399. It comes with a 6.5" 1080x2340 notch-less LCD touchscreen, the Snapdragon 730 chipset, 6GB of RAM, 128GB of storage, a quad rear camera setup (64 MP main, 8 MP ultrawide, 5 MP macro, 2 MP depth sensor), and a motorized pop-up selfie camera with 16 MP resolution. The lights are kept on by a beefy 5,000 mAh battery, which has support for 15W charging. The handset runs Android 10. Given the fact that it's using the same SoC, this could be viewed as Motorola's answer to Google's Pixel 4a, which was just unveiled yesterday. The One Fusion+ costs $50 more (like the new iPhone SE), but it has a bigger, hole-punch-free display, a much larger battery, and more cameras on the back. Source Jonathan Rodriguez TCSO Booking Photo View Photo Fresno, CA A Tuolumne County man is facing charges in federal court involving the sexual exploitation of minors. On Wednesday, the U.S. Attorney McGregor Scott of the Eastern District of California Office reported that 37-year-old Jonathan James Rodriguez of Sonora was arraigned Tuesday on charges of receiving and distributing child pornography materials. As reported here back in January, Rodriguez was taken into custody by Tuolumne County deputies following a month-long investigation although few details were available at the time. The FBI partnered with the sheriffs office on the continuing investigation. According to court documents, between January 2014 and January 2020, the suspect used a laptop computer to receive and distribute a visual depiction of a minor engaged in sexually explicit conduct. Scott adds that anyone with information related to this investigation or who believes they may be a victim can contact the FBI at JonRVictims@fbi.gov. Assistant U.S. Attorney Laura D. Withers is prosecuting the case against Rodriguez who, if convicted, faces a maximum statutory penalty of 20 years in prison. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat what its officials described as a growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys Offices and the Criminal Divisions Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute those who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more details about Project Safe Childhood, click here. Under the Resources tab the organization provides information about internet safety education. (TNS) A group of voters backed by Republican legislators sued Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and other state and local officials Tuesday in federal court, aiming to block a face mask requirement at polling places.Members of the Minnesota Voters Alliance and GOP lawmakers contend Walz's mask mandate, intended to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, conflicts with a longstanding state law making it a misdemeanor for someone to conceal their identity with a mask. The 1963 law grants exceptions, including masks that are part of medical treatment."That's a conflict and I don't know what to do on primary day," said Kim Crockett, one of the Minnesotans challenging the mask requirement. She and other members of the Voters Alliance are seeking a temporary restraining order to block the rule that people must wear masks when they vote in-person during next Tuesday's primary election.The statewide indoor mask mandate that Walz issued last two weeks ago was one of the latest emergency orders from the DFL governor in response to the pandemic. Crockett said Tuesday she wants such decisions to be made through a back-and-forth between legislators, "not an edict by our governor."Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison issued a statement Tuesday saying he stands behind "the legality and constitutionality of this executive order." His office noted that the suit is the 11th legal challenge so far against Walz or the state over COVID-19 restrictions.Meanwhile, Minnesota Secretary of State Steve Simon told thelast week that voters won't be required to wear masks. Election workers will ask people to wear masks and offer them for free. Curbside voting could be an alternative if someone refuses. Counties and cities can determine whether to cite people who violate the mask rule, Simon said. "No one should stand in their way of voting. It's a constitutional right," he said. "You can't tie a constitutional right to the wearing of a mask."The suit is the latest GOP challenge to Walz's use of emergency powers in the pandemic. Democrats who control the state House have blocked Republicans' efforts to end those powers. DFL leaders say its important for Walz like other governors across the nation to be able to act quickly in response to the pandemic.Voters Alliance attorney Erick Kaardal said Walz is trying to have it "both ways" with the mask laws."With the specter of threatened prosecution hanging over those who show up barefaced at polls on primary Election Day, upstanding voters are faced only with the option of breaking another, well-established state law," Kaardal said.The lawsuit was filed as Walz prepared for an event with the Central Minnesota Council on Aging in Sartell to promote an effort to give out nearly 400,000 cloth masks to people who have a hard time getting them.Business owners and the same group of Republicans who support the Minnesota Voters Alliance case filed an earlier suit in Ramsey County to prevent more executive orders. A ruling by Judge Thomas Gilligan is pending in that case.The Minnesota Voters Alliance has a history of trying to change elections practices through the courts. The group won a 2018 U.S. Supreme Court case overturning a state law preventing people from wearing political items or clothes to the polls. They also sued Simon to force the public release of more state voter data, but the state Supreme Court upheld the privacy restrictions. James Afful & Edmund Obeng Amaning 05.08.2020 LISTEN Lending is one of the main activities of banks in Ghana. This is evidenced by the volume of loans that constitute bank assets and the annual volume of credit granted to borrowers in the private and public sectors of the economy. However, the banking industry has undergone a challenging period in recent years, surviving an economic depression and a rising tide of non-performing loans which are highly disturbing. Non-Performing Loan is a simple factor used to assess the credit risk of a bank as it directly has a significant impact on the financial sector of an economy. In a financial sector where there is high Non-Performing Loans relative to the total assets of a financial institution, a serious threat is posed to performance indicators such as return on assets and return on equity which could eventually lead to corporate failure. This article delves into NPLs and Credit as well as the sectoral distribution by Credit & NPLs Loan is a form of credit vehicle in which a sum of money is borrowed by another party in exchange for future repayment of the value with financial charges. As a business grows, it requires more capital to fund its operational activities. Therefore, loan serves as both short and long term capital for such purposes. Loans can be secured, unsecured, commercial, and personal loans. A non-performing loan is a loan in which the borrower is in default and has not paid the monthly principal and interest repayments for a specified period. In a situation where loans are classified as an NPL, it means that the likelihood of receiving repayments is significantly lower. The Banking Sector Report January (2020) revealed that the stock of the financial sectors Non-Performing Loans declined further by 5.2 percent to GH6.30 billion in December 2019, following a contraction of 18.9 percent a year earlier. The decline in the stock of NPLs was attributed to a combination of loan recoveries and further write-offs. Data from the Bank of Ghana shows that the total loan granted by commercial banks in Ghana amounted to GH 36.5 billion in 2018. With this, an amount of GH 7.84billion representing 21.5 % was granted to the service sector. Total loans granted to the Commerce & Finance, Manufacturing, Agricultural as well as the Mining & Quarry sectors were GH 8.97 billion (24.6%), GH 3.98 billion (10.9%), GH 1.71 billion (4.7%) and GH 1.17 (3.2%) respectively. Also, total loans granted to the construction, utility providers (water, electricity & gas) and transport sectors were GH 2.85 billion (7.8%), GH 3.14 billion (8.6%) and GH 3.18 (8.7%) respectively. Again, data from the Bank of Ghana revealed that non-performing loans (NPL) of 18.2% was recorded in 2018. With this, the service sector contributed 15.1% whereas the Commerce & Finance as well as the Manufacturing sectors contributed 25.4% and 14.6% respectively to the total NPL recorded in 2018. Construction, transport, utility providers, mining & quarry and agricultural sectors also contributed 8.0%, 4.5%, 17.8%, 1.2% and 9.1% respectively to the total NPL in 2018. In 2019, a total of GH 52.3 billion was granted as loan by commercial banks in Ghana. In terms of sectorial distribution , an amount of GH11.04 billion representing 24.1% was granted to the service sector. Commerce & Finance, Manufacturing, Agricultural as well as the Mining & Quarry sectors were granted GH10.93 billion (20.9%), GH 5.70 billion(10.9%), GH 3.033 billion (5.8%) and GH1.52 (2.9%) respectively. Also, construction, utility providers (water, electricity & gas) and transport sectors were granted GH 4.28 billion (8.2%), GH 3.29 billion (6.3%) and GH 4.184 (8.0%) respectively. Non- performing loan (NPL) recorded in 2019 was 14.3%. In terms of sectorial contribution, service, commerce & finance, manufacturing and Construction sectors contributed 16.9%, 26.2%, 13.4% and 10.2% respectively to the total NPL recorded in 2019. Also, transport, utility providers, agricultural and mining & quarry sectors contributed 5.5%, 12.9%, 9.4% and 2.0% respectively to the total NPL recorded in 2019. A breakdown of the industry NPLs into the various economic sectors showed that the Commerce &Finance sector, the largest recipient of industry credit also accounted for the biggest share of industry NPLs of 25.4 percent in 2018. The Mining and Quarrying sector, being the least recipient of credit, accounted for the least share of 1.2 percent. Credit distribution in 2019 also revealed that, the service sector had the highest share of credit (24.1%) followed by the commerce and finance sector (20.9%).The third largest recipient of credit was the manufacturing sector with 10.9 percent. These three sectors accounted for 55.9 percent share of the banking sectors credit in 2019,while the remaining 44.1 percent went to the other economic sectors in various proportions as shown in Figure 1. For NPL, it can be deduced that the top three sector credit recipients constituted the top three contributors to the total NPL in 2019. The services sector with the largest credit allocation, held a lower share of total NPLs of 16.9 percent compared with the proportion of NPLs attributed to the commerce and finance sector of 26.2 percent. The mining & quarrying sector, with the least share in total credit also accounted for the least share in total industry NPLs of 2.0 percent. The incidence of Non-Performing Loans arise as a result of the following High Lending rate In Ghana, when the monetary policy rate rises, banks respond to it and also increase its lending rate. Banks release huge volumes of loanable funds in anticipation of higher earnings through interest on loans. Businesses will quickly yield to the call by the financial house, sometimes without considering the cost of the loan just because businesses are always in search of funds to fuel their projects. Due to the high lending rates, it becomes difficult for businesses to honor debt obligations. Unsuitable Credit Risk Management Framework by Banks A risk management framework allows the central bank to identify, mitigate, report, and monitor the risks the banking industry faces. With this, all banks have credit and risk management manuals that spell out the modalities to be followed in credit assessments/appraisal by officers as well as reporting lines and decision-making structures in credit administration. However, the modalities spelled out in credit risk manuals are most often not followed by bank officials in credit administration. For instance, most credit officers are often concerned about their loan targets and therefore ignore some red flags during the credit assessments stage. Again, factors such as over financing, underfinancing, lack of credit referencing, granting of loans based on collateral instead of cash flows of businesses, and lack of monitoring of disbursed loans by banks all contribute to loan defaults. Diversion of Funds by Borrowers: Most borrowers divert loans obtained from banks into other ventures instead of the purpose for which the loan was granted or intended for and these developments usually affect loan repayment capacity of borrowers negatively. Additionally, factors such as the character of borrowers, change in government policies, funding mismatch, high operating cost, and exchange rate fluctuations also contribute to loan default. The Way Forward Banks must intensify loan recoveries in order to reduce NPLs because high NPLs are not good for any bank, the banking industry, and shareholders even if the loans are legacy debts. High NPLs affect the profitability of banks and the banking industry in general negatively. Proper due diligence, with improved credit risk assessments, must be done before loans are approved and disbursed by banks. Also, there should be proper monitoring of loans by credit officers and recovery departments so that early signs of default can be detected and dealt with accordingly. The regulator (Bank of Ghana) must intensify its on-site examination of banks to ensure that policies and guidelines outlined by the Bank of Ghana and the banks themselves in credit administration are dully followed by banks. Companies must also learn to choose the right sources of funds for all projects and must also desist from diverting of funds into other projects. The banking sector would be very solid and well equipped to perform their financial intermediation role if all the stakeholders play their respective roles. A healthy financial services sector would help boost economic development because of its ability to support other sectors of the economy and provide good jobs for the citizenry. AUTHORS; Edmund Obeng Amaning is a researcher/consultant. Contact: [email protected] , Cell: +233 54 347 5499 James Afful holds a Masters degree in Economics, MBA Finance, and Professional Certificate in Risk Management. He is experienced in credit risk management, financial modeling and data analysis, investment banking, and project finance. Contact: [email protected], Cell: +233 24 296 9042. Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-05 23:07:27|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close BEIJING, Aug. 5 (Xinhua) -- Instigation for confrontation and division was not rare in history, but was all rebuked by the people, Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi said in an exclusive interview with Xinhua on Wednesday. In the 21st century, it is inconceivable that some people intend to draw an iron curtain and stoke new division, Wang said, adding that this is a blatant contempt for the progress and wisdom of humanity and goes against the trend of the times and the will of most nations. Such moves naturally gain little support, said Wang. Noting that China achieved freedom from imperialism and colonialism, Wang said freedom, democracy and rule of law are codified in China's Constitution and form a key part of core socialist values. "We also know that freedom has boundaries," he said. "Respect for science, reason, law and order as well as international rules are the basis of freedom." China has valued peace and cooperation since ancient times, and always opposes dangerous acts to divide the world along ideological lines, said Wang. President Xi Jinping had called for building a community with a shared future for mankind. Wang said the aim of this major initiative is to rise above differences in system, abandon the zero-sum mentality, and find a common goal for all countries, nationalities and civilizations. China will work tirelessly for this lofty vision for mankind, he said. Enditem GUANGZHOU, China, Aug. 5, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Tungee, a leading sales intelligence SaaS company, announced the completion of an RMB 120 million(~$17 million) Series B financing led by Sequoia Capital China, and also with participation of Qiming Venture Partners. Similar to Zoominfo, the B2B intelligence database from the U.S., Tungee commits deeply in providing sales intelligence SaaS services, providing the Chinese sales intelligence SaaS service market with a complete product offerings and enterprise service ecology. Founded in 2016 and headquartered in Guangzhou, Tungee previously raised Series A financing co-invested by Alibaba and Qiming Venture Partners. Tungee has built the most comprehensive and accurate enterprise database in China, covering more than 100 million entities, with over 10,000 data dimensions and more than 100 million web pages crawled and updated daily. Building upon its database, Tungee has created a complete closed-loop sales intelligence SaaS platform that covers from leads generation to customer management, with specific products including Tungee Outbound SaaS, Tungee Inbound SaaS, Tungee Engage SaaS, Tungee CRM, etc. "The B2B market plays an increasingly important role in the development of the Chinese market. Since the traditional B2B marketing model has been difficult to achieve breakthroughs, companies will pay more attention to the new opportunities brought by sales intelligence. Especially with the continuous increase of unclassified Chinese enterprise data and the rapid development of AI technology, the scenario-specific application of data intelligence in the B2B market will become more and more popular. Tungee is currently a leader of this field in China, and we are very optimistic about its future prospects," said Jia Zhai, Managing Director of Sequoia Capital China. Li Zhan, the founder and CEO of Tungee, is a young entrepreneur who was elected to Forbes "30 Under 30 Asia"list in 2019. Li Zhan said, "This fund will be used to strengthen infrastructure, attract talents, and consolidate competitive advantage." In addition, Tungee will build a further complete SaaS platform ecosystem based on corporate database and AI capabilities, continue to empower B2B enterprises, and open a new era of sales intelligence SaaS. About TUNGEE: Tungee is a professional intelligent sales solution provider, devoted to helping enterprises to fully improve sales efficiency with big data and AI technology. By continuously exploring and analyzing the entire web network, Tungee has constructed a unique corporate database that covers 100 million enterprises on the internet. It provides a comprehensive sales intelligence solution for B2B enterprises and the services range from leads mining, business opportunity engagement, customer relationship management to order analysis by combining AI technologies, such as NLP, and machine learning algorithm. It also helps B2B enterprises solve the sales problems they face in identifying, contacting and managing customers, so that enterprises may efficiently gain accurate sales leads, reduce the customer acquisition cost and further improve the sales efficiency and performance. SOURCE Tungee Florence Nwando Onwusi Digidu Nigerian woman , Florence Nwando Onwusi Digidu has earned a Ph.D. at the age of 73, from the prestigious Howard University. The elderly woman defended her dissertation to earn her Ph.D. in Communication, Culture, and Media Studies on Sunday, April 26. Florences dissertation titled, Igbo Collective Memory of the Nigeria Biafra War (1967-1970): Reclaiming Forgotten Womens Voices and Building Peace through a Gendered Lens, is a reflection of the Igbo women who, like herself, survived the war. The 73-year-old woman went through many challenges to finish her program and even defend her final paper. In the second year of school, Florence lost both parents and had to travel down to Nigeria to perform their burial rites. She revealed that she was completely deflated, both physically and emotionally, but she endured because her father always wanted him to be a doctor. The woman also battled shingles, which disabled the right side of her face and she lost her voice. According to her, losing her voice was symbolic as her work is about elevating Igbo womens voices too. Recalling the memories of surviving the Nigerian-Biafra War, a civil war between the Igbo people and the Nigerian government, which she overcame 50 years ago, Florence said she will never forget it. The day the Nigeria-Biafra War ended, I, like everyone was wallowing in anxiety and fear about what would happen to us as the vanquished. A very optimistic gentleman came over to me and asked: Why are you so sad; cant you see you have survived this terrible war? I stood up, even though the Nigerian Airforce was on its last bombing raid, and leaped up in the air in mad glee, repeating to myself and others: Yes, I have survived, I am a survivor!, she partly said. New Delhi, Aug 5 : The Congress has cautiously welcomed the 'Bhumi Pujan' for the Ram temple performed in Ayodhya by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday. Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra also praised Lord Ram while Congress MP Shashi Tharoor tweeted "Lord Shri Ram epitomises justice for all, righteous conduct, fairness and firmness in all dealings, moral rectitude and courage." "These values are much needed in such dark times. If they spread throughout the land, Ram Rajya would not be an occasion for triumphalist bigotry". #JaiShriRam!," Tharoor added. Senior party leader Kapil Sibal indirectly referred to the Bhumi Pujan as he tweeted about "matters of faith". Sibal said some events are destined to take place. "Matters of faith, some moments in history are destined to seed the future course of our nation's creed," he tweeted. "Best wishes for Ram Mandir's Bhumi Pujan. We hope that today's event will pave the way towards brotherhood and national unity. Jai Siya Ram," said party spokesperson Randeep Surjewala. Priyanka Gandhi Vadra has expressed hope that the Ayodhya ceremony will be an occasion for "national unity, fraternity and cultural congregation". "In the Indian subcontinent and across the globe, Ramayan has a stamp on every mind and the story of Lord Ram is a catalyst for connecting humanity," she said. The 'Bhumi Pujan' ceremony was performed by Prime Minister Modi at the auspicious time or 'muhurat' in Ayodhya in the presence of saints, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat. Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19) -- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text The Sicilian Mafia and similar criminal groups could be dismantled by using social network analysis to map members' connections, a study has claimed. Criminal networks like those underpinning the Sicilian Mafia have unusual features that make them both difficult to analyse but also resilient to outside disruption. Experts from the UK and Italy used data gathered by law enforcement on a real-life Mafia syndicate to test different ways of identifying the most crucial members. They identified a technique that can pick out the individual members whose arrests would most disrupt the wider operation of the criminal organisation. The method could be applied to help best target other criminal groups, including terrorist organisations. The Mafia and similar criminal groups could be dismantled by using social network analysis to map member's connections, a study has claimed. Pictured, Marlon Brando playing Mafia don Vito Corleone in the 1972 American crime film 'The Godfather' In their study, Lucia Cavallaro of the University of Derby, Annamaria Ficara of the University of Palermo and colleagues compiled data from wiretaps and stakeouts involving the activities of two Mafia clans active in southern Italy in the early 2000s. 'Our datasets relate to a Mafia syndicate acting as a link between prominent criminal families operating in the two main cities of southern Italy Palermo and Catania,' Dr Cavallero said. 'Phone calls were derived from eavesdropping and the meetings from police surveillance.' From this data, the team created simulations of the criminal network and tested out ways to measure each member's individual level of influence within such. This allowed the researchers to determine the best analytical method for law enforcement to use to select effective targets for individual arrests or police raids. The researchers found that a network-measuring approach called 'betweenness centrality' was the most effective at selecting the targets whose arrest would most disrupt the simulated criminal network. This approach works well, the experts explained, because it was good at identifying those individuals that play important roles in maintaining different paths of communication within the criminal network. 'By neutralising fewer than five percent of the affiliate either through sequential arrests or police raids the efficiency of the network dropped by 70 per cent,' Dr Cavallero explained. In their study, the researchers compiled data from wiretaps and stakeouts involving the activities of two Mafia clans active in southern Italy in the early 2000s. From this data, the team created simulations of the criminal network (pictured, maps made from meeting surveillance, left, and phone calls, right) and tested out ways to measure each member's individual level of influence within such 'Compared to other types of social networks, criminal networks present particularly hard challenges,' said Dr Cavallero. 'Our work has significant practical applications for perturbing the operations of criminal and terrorist networks.' The researchers have made their datasets and analytical source code publicly available online for other experts and law enforcement agencies to work with. With this study complete, the team said that potential avenues for future researcher might include analysing how criminal networks reorganise after disruption. The full findings of the study were published in the journal PLOS ONE. Investment firm Raymond James has released its July performance recap, summing up the fourth month of the economic recovery. The firm notes that the early weeks of this recovery cycle showed a V-shaped turnaround for the economy, which has since slowed, taking a treading water patter. Raymond James sees defensive stock plays in a strong position, as they have somewhat outperformed since the second week of June. Raymond James strategist Tavis McCourt sees the slowing pattern as predictable, and linked to the pace of Congressional action on recovery stimulus packages. McCourt writes, With D.C. negotiating another package, it is likely that high frequency economic data will decelerate in early August before another round of stimulus is signed, but the market clearly believes the likelihood is that more direct support at similar scale is likely through the election. This makes defensive stocks part of a consistent strategy, to keep returns coming in for reinvestment. With this in mind, we used TipRanks database to pull up the stats on three stocks that Raymond James analysts have tapped as buying propositions. These are stocks with a specific set of clear attributes, that frequently indicate a strong defensive profile: a high dividend yield -- over 8%; and a considerable upside potential. Phillips 66 Partners (PSXP) The first stock on our list is the midstream affiliate of Phillips 66. PSXP spun off the oil giant to operate the natural gas and crude oil pipelines, along with terminals and processing plants, that move product from the producer to the distributors. The companys network of transport assets extends from the central US to the Gulf coast of Texas and Louisiana. PSXP has shown a combination of poor share performance in the economic downturn plus relatively strong quarterly earnings. The stock is still down 53% from Februarys pre-crash levels, while EPS beat expectations in both Q1 and Q2. The second quarter results also showed a sharp upward turn sequentially from Q1, coming in at $1.05. Story continues The company has used its earnings to keep up the dividend payment. The quarterly payment has been stable at 87.5 cents per common share for the past three quarters, and at $3.50 annualized give a yield of 12.7%. This is more than 6x higher than the average dividend yield found on the S&P 500. PSXP has a 7-year history of dividend reliability. The dividend is only part of the positive picture here. Raymond James analyst Justin Jenkins writes, Despite the near-term volatility in PSXP from pandemic/demand and regulatory risks, we remain positive on the long term outlook. Longer-term, PSXP benefits from a solid backstop from Phillips 66 (PSX) relative to peers. The interplay between the Phillips franchise provides growth optionality, especially as demand normalizes Jenkins gives this stock a Buy rating, and his $36 price target suggests an upside of 30% for the coming year. (To watch Jenkins track record, click here) Overall, Phillips 66 Partners has a Moderate Buy from Wall Streets analysts, based on 6 Buy and 3 Hold ratings given in recent weeks. The stock is currently trading for $28.15, and the average price target, at $37.11, is slightly more bullish than Jenkins, suggesting a 32% one-year upside to the shares. (See PSXP stock analysis on TipRanks) Black Stone Minerals LP (BSM) Next on our list, Black Stone Minerals, is another player in the hydrocarbon industry. Black Stone is an exploration and development company, with land use rights on 20 million acres in 40 states, with two main focuses: the South, with holdings from Texas across to Alabama, and the Northern Plains, where it operates in Montana and the Dakotas. Appalachian gas plays in West Virginia and Pennsylvania round out Black Stones operations. Depressed demand and economic lockdown policies kept impacted profits, and Black Stones earnings dropped sharply in Q2. The company has maintained its dividend payment, however, adjusting the payout to keep it in-line with debt reduction efforts and improved free cash flow during 1H20. The success of those efforts can be seen by the 88% increase in the dividend from Q1 to Q2, despite the fall in earnings. The current dividend is 15 cents per share, or 60 cents annualized, and gives a strong dividend yield of 8.2%. Covering the stock for Raymond James, analyst John Freeman gives BSM shares a Buy rating. His $9 price target suggests it has room for a 22.5% upside potential in the next 12 months. (To watch Freemans track record, click here) Supporting his stance, Freeman points out the companys improving balance sheet. He writes, As a result of their announced asset sale, BSM's borrowing base was reduced to $430M (down 7%) in 2Q. The company had $153M drawn at the end of July putting their utilization at a little over 35% currently. BSM ended the quarter with leverage at a low 1x. "We applaud the reduced leverage profile and increasing distribution (nearly doubled q/q), while continuing to like BSM's diverse asset base and steps towards Shelby Trough development," the analyst added. Overall, the analyst consensus rating on Black Stone, a Moderate Buy, is based on an even split 2 Buys and 2 Holds. The stocks $9.25 average price target suggests an upside of 26% from the $7.38 trading price. (See BSM stock analysis on TipRanks) Oneok, Inc. (OKE) Last on the list today is Oneok (pronounced One-Oak), another midstream company in the natural gas industry. Oneok operates in the Permian Basin, the Mid-Continent region, and the Rocky Mountain states, with a network of assets including pipelines, processing plants, and storage facilities. Oneok has underperformed in 1H20, despite a strong Q1 performance. The companys earnings fell from 83 cents per share in first quarter to 32 cents in the second. Shares fell sharply in early March, and have yet to recover value; OKE is down 54% from pre-crash levels, and is simply not gaining traction. At the same time, the company does have those valuable midstream assets, and has held its dividend stable at 93.5 cents per common share, giving a yield of 12.8%. Those strengths make the low share price an attractive point of entry, a factor noted by Raymond James. Writing for the firm, James Weston says, At ONEOK (OKE), we still see a solid management team, generalist-friendly structure, and intense Bakken operating leverage in a more constructive environment (which may begin to show itself somewhat in 3Q financials). True, Bakken regulatory headwinds would drive tack-on impacts through the value-chain and could push leverage sustainably above ~5x in our model. However, the painful ~60% YTD sell-off took OKE from a peer premium to a slight peer discount, largely pricing in this risk. Further, OKE remains an attractive total return story as our base case avoids a cut to its ~13% dividend yield." To this end, Weston puts a $33 price target behind his Buy rating, implying a about 10% upside to the stock from current levels. (To watch Westons track record, click here) Overall, with 2 Buy ratings, 13 Holds, and 1 Sell, the analyst consensus rating on OKE is a Hold. Meanwhile, the stock is selling for $29.73, and the average price target, $34.07, suggests it has ~15% upside for the year ahead. (See Oneoks stock-price forecast on TipRanks) To find good ideas for dividend stocks trading at attractive valuations, visit TipRanks Best Stocks to Buy, a newly launched tool that unites all of TipRanks equity insights. Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the featured analysts. The content is intended to be used for informational purposes only. It is very important to do your own analysis and to consider your own personal circumstances before making any investment. With a regime attack anticipated in Idleb, residents are having to choose between bombardment and risking coronavirus in the camps reports Enab Baladi. In the past few days, there have been a series of indications of a looming military escalation, including the utmost military preparedness of both parties. The Syrian regime has mobilized more of its forces on the outskirts of Idleb, while the Syrian opposition factions announced extensive military preparations, training, and graduation of military courses for the opposition fighters on a daily basis. Airstrike and military escalation One of these indications is that the Syrian regime forces resumed the bombing of Syrian opposition-held areas, including the towns and cities of Jabal al-Zawiya and the southern countryside of Idleb, especially the towns of Sufuhon, Kafr Oweid, al-Maouzrah, Kansafra, and Ayn La Rose in Jabal al-Zawiya, south of Idleb. Explosive missiles also targeted the Watad Petroleum Company in the city of Sarmada, Idleb, for the second time in two weeks, which led to the outbreak of fires, the Director of the Media Office in Watad, Safwan al-Ahmad told Enab Baladi. He confirmed that the Grad missiles, believed to be three, bombed the market consecutively. In retaliation, the al-Fateh al-Mubeen operations room, which includes Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, the National Front for Liberation (NFL), and the Army of Victory, bombed the locations of the Syrian regime forces in rural Idleb. Local media outlets circulated news that the Turkish forces in Idleb are increasing their combat readiness. However, a military source in the NFL, who spoke on condition of anonymity, affirmed that the Turkish troops asked the regions factions to prepare for any military action by the Syrian regime forces soon. The source pointed out that the Turkish government did not raise its army readiness, but warned of the regimes military build-up on the outskirts of Idleb and its countryside, noting that the Turkish forces were not on a tactical alert in the region. Distracting Syrias Civil Defence Violations by the Syrian regime forces in Jabal al-Zawiya, which amounted to 1,600 since the announcement of the ceasefire, according to the Syrian Response Coordination Group (SRCG), gave rise to internal displacement in the past few days. Muhammad Hallaj, the Director of the SRCG, warned of a new wave of displacement in the event of a military operation being launched in the region. Hallaj told Enab Baladi that the start of any military operation will lead to a massive wave of displacement, and the residents resorting to the camps, amid fears of the spread of the coronavirus in the region. People cannot follow prevention guidelines and rules on social distancing, in addition to that, the region suffers from poor health services inside the camps. Firas Khalifa, a member of the media office in the Directorate of Civil Defense in Idleb, explained to Enab Baladi that there are currently only a few displaced people, despite the bombing, due to the congestion in the camps, the high prices, and the weak material ability of civilians to rent homes, along with the spread of COVID-19. In northern Syria, civilians are forced to prefer living under bombardment to displacement. 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. When Danish eye surgeon Peter Brincker enrolled in medical school back in 1968 he had no inkling of the long and successful career ahead of him. Peter Brincker has dedicated more than 5 decades of his life to the field of eye laser surgery and recently celebrated his 31th year anniversary as owner of the private practice jenkirurgisk Klinik in Charlottenlund, Denmark. In the early years of his career Peter Mumbai Police on Wednesday appealed to the public to share information about late actor Sushant Singh Rajputs former manager Disha Salians death after she reportedly died by suicide on June 8. She had fallen off the 14th floor of a building located in Malad, which falls under the jurisdiction of Malwani police station. We cant say how she fell down to her death. A probe is on. Many people have been sharing information related to Salians death on social media. Wed like to appeal to the public to share any information that they may have related to her death that can help the investigation, said Vishal Thakur, deputy commissioner of police (DCP), (Zone 11), Mumbai Police. The public has been urged to share information by calling at the office of Dilip Sawant, additional commissioner of police, (ACP), north region; Vishal Thakur, DCP (Zone 11); Dilip Yadav, ACP, Malwani division; and Jagdeo Kalapad, a senior inspector with Malwani police station. We have recorded the statements of nine people so far in connection with Salians death case. We havent found anything suspicious yet, said an official of Malwani police station. The police have recorded the statements of Salians fiance Rohan Roy; father Satish; mother Vasanthi; security guards; and four friends, including three males and a female, to date. Roy had purchased a flat on the 14th floor of Galaxy building, Jankalyan Nagar, Malad, where he and Salian had planned to stay after their marriage. Salian and Roy were staying at her parents apartment in Dadar during the coronavirus disease (Covid-19)-induced lockdown restrictions. On June 4, they had shifted to the flat in Galaxy Building, the official added. Police have registered an accidental death record (ADR) and are investigating the matter. "Senate Bill S-4144, introduced on Tuesday, August 4, 2020, now known as the American Dream Down Payment Savings Act of 2020 serves as a beacon of hope to vastly increase the opportunity for Black Americans to purchase a first-time home and begin a wealth building journey. Homeownership continues to be the best avenue to build legacy wealth and to begin closing the wide wealth gap between Black Americans and non-Hispanic White Americans," said Donnell Williams, president of the National Association of Real Estate Brokers, the country's oldest, professional, minority real estate trade group. The current homeownership rate for Black Americans stands at 47% compared to the 76% homeownership rate of non-Hispanic whites. "That nearly 30% span represents an economic chasm that NAREB is determined to close. Passage of the American Dream Down Payment Act will serve as a long-awaited lifeline, especially for young Black Americans and their parents who want to help their children get a head start on building financial security," Williams added. NAREB has long envisioned such a savings plan and recommended that such a legislative action was critical to increasing the Black homeownership rate. The congressional ask was embedded in NAREB's 2018 State of Housing in Black America report as one of the solutions to increase Black wealth through homeownership. And most recently, the savings plan was included in President Williams' testimony before the House Financial Services Committee and at NAREB's Spring Policy Conference. "NAREB's vigilance is paying off. The economic health of Black Americans strengthens the entire national economy and that of the states where Black Americans reside. We are gratified that Senators Brown, Jones, and Gardner understand the significance and importance of expanding opportunity for Black Americans to achieve the American Dream of homeownership," Williams stated. The bill is supported by: Asian American Association of America (AREAA); FHLBank of San Francisco; Mainstreet Alliance; National Association of Affordable Housing Lenders (NAAHL); National Association of Realtors (NAR); National Association of Real Estate Brokers (NAREB); National Business League; National Community Reinvestment Coalition (NCRC); National Fair Housing Alliance (NFHA), and National Housing Conference (NHC). For more information visit: www.nareb.com Media Contacts: Joanne Williams [email protected] 202-364-0024 Jill Forte-Jackson [email protected] 770-896-8723 SOURCE National Association of Real Estate Brokers (NAREB) Related Links http://www.nareb.com Black Lives Matter activist Cori Bush lost by 20 points two years ago in her primary challenge against Rep. William Lacy Clay, D-Mo. With higher turnout, despite the novel coronavirus, Bush beat Clay in a rematch on Tuesday by three points. "Y'all, we about to change the world," Bush said at the end of her victory speech, raising a clenched fist to show the symbol of Black power. Clay, the 64-year-old chairman of the House Financial Services housing subcommittee, has represented the St. Louis district for 20 years. His father, Bill Clay, held the seat for 32 years before him. He touted endorsements from high-profile establishment figures, especially Sen. Kamala Harris, D-Calif. Bush, 44, talked on the stump about her experiences getting evicted as a single mother of two and tear-gassed in the streets as a protester. She did not get involved in politics until 2014, after a Black teenager had been fatally shot by a White police officer in Ferguson. Bush has been a frequent presence at demonstrations that grew after George Floyd was killed in Minneapolis police custody on Memorial Day, and she pledged to keep taking to the streets if elected. During the campaign, she contracted covid-19 and spoke of that experience, as well. Bush also secured the backing of Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., who held virtual events for her. "We've been called radicals [and] terrorists. We've been dismissed as an impossible fringe movement. That's what they called us," she told supporters Tuesday night. "It is historic that this year, of all years, we're sending a Black, working-class single mother who has been fighting for Black lives from Ferguson all the way to the halls of Congress." Joe Biden, first elected to the Senate in 1972, is in many ways a throwback to a bygone era. He has described himself as a transitional figure who can help build the next generation of Democrats. Biden may be the party's presumptive presidential nominee, but Clay's defeat underscores the deeper sea change underway in the party's activist ranks and foreshadows some of the potential governing challenges facing the former vice president should he win in November. The vibe inside the House Democratic Caucus has changed dramatically since Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez toppled Joe Crowley, then the No. 4 in party leadership, two summers ago in a primary. AOC, as everyone calls her, is a member of the self-described "Squad" of four far-left liberals who won their seats in 2018. Another member of that quartet, Rep. Rashida Tlaib, easily fended off a primary challenge on Tuesday in Michigan from the president of the Detroit city council, who is more aligned with the Democratic establishment and only lost by 900 votes last time. Clay is the third Democratic incumbent to lose a primary this year. Rep. Eliot Engel, the chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee, lost to former middle school principal Jamaal Bowman last month in New York. Rep. Dan Lipinski of Illinois, who chairs a railroads and pipelines subcommittee, lost in March to activist Marie Newman in Chicago largely because of his opposition to abortion rights. Speaking to supporters in a purple mask, Bush thanked a list of far-left groups for supporting her bid, including the Democratic Socialists of America. "I will never take for granted the movement that got me here," she said. "An incremental approach isn't going to work any longer. We've decided that we're not going to wait any longer for change." A House Republican also lost a primary on Tuesday night in Kansas, but it was not because of his ideology.Freshman Rep. Steve Watkins, who was charged a few weeks ago with voting illegally in 2019 and then obstructing the inquiry to conceal that he was living with his parents, lost to state Treasurer Jake LaTurner. Watkins, who denies any wrongdoing and promises to fight the three felony charges, is the fourth incumbent Republican to lose a primary this year, along with Reps. Scott Tipton of Colorado, Steve King of Iowa and Denver Riggleman of Virginia. The bigger story out of the Sunflower State is the Senate GOP primary, in which Rep. Roger Marshall defeated former Kansas secretary of state Kris Kobach in the race to replace retiring Sen. Pat Roberts, R. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., and his allies feared that Kobach, who blew a winnable governor's race in 2018, would lose in the general election. The GOP establishment spent seven figures to stop Kobach, and President Trump stayed neutral. Much is being made in the coverage this morning about this being a triumph for the GOP establishment, which it is, but make no mistake: Marshall transformed himself to become a more Trumpian figure in order to win the primary. Marshall had supported former Ohio governor John Kasich's presidential bid in 2016. "He questioned the cost of the president's border wall proposal in 2017 but flipped that position after Roberts announced his plan to retire, creating an open Senate seat. In a final debate last month, Marshall said he 'will always support the president's policy on immigration,'" Paul Kane and Colby Itkowitz note. "In an interview, Marshall gave Trump an 'A-plus' for his handling of the coronavirus pandemic." Marshall will face state Sen. Barbara Bollier, a former Republican who left that party in 2018, but he's now heavily favored to win. A Senate primary on Thursday in Tennessee to replace the retiring Sen. Lamar Alexander, R, offers another window into the extent to which Trump dominates today's GOP. Front-runner Bill Hagerty, a former private equity executive and ambassador to Japan, finds himself in a tight contest with surgeon Manny Sethi. Haggerty was the national finance chair for Mitt Romney's presidential campaign in 2008. "He and Mr. Romney had been friends since the 1980s, when Mr. Hagerty worked for the Boston Consulting Group and Mr. Romney for Bain Capital," The New York Times notes in a revealing anecdote. The day after Hagerty got in the race, in September, Romney's Believe in America PAC contributed $5,600, the maximum allowed amount to Hagerty's campaign. "Bank records indicate that Mr. Hagerty's campaign deposited the check," the Times notes. "But in October, Mr. Hagerty surprised Mr. Romney by quietly returning the donation in full. (Neither the PAC's contribution nor Mr. Hagerty's disbursement of the refund appears in the Hagerty campaign's filings, a potential violation of campaign finance law. A spokesman for the Hagerty campaign said, 'Once we realized it was deposited, we alerted the bank and we reversed the transaction, because we do not share Senator Romney's liberal, anti-Trump political positions.') And when Mr. Sethi, trying to position himself as the more authentic ally of the president, called Mr. Hagerty 'Mitt Romney's guy' and erroneously claimed Mr. Romney had endorsed him, Mr. Hagerty attacked his former friend, calling him 'indistinguishable from Obama' and one of the 'most despised names in Tennessee.'" In another win for the national GOP establishment in Tuesday's primaries, Peter Meijer, whose family owns the retail chain of the same name, won the GOP primary to replace retiring Rep. Justin Amash, an independent who left the GOP last year because of his disgust with Trump. Meijer was the candidate preferred by House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif. Also on Tuesday, Missouri voters narrowly approved a ballot measure to expand Medicaid coverage to about 230,000 low income residents - over the strong opposition of the GOP governor. The Show-Me State is the 38th to take advantage of federal funds that have been available under the Affordable Care Act. Oklahoma, another red state, voted earlier this summer to expand Medicaid. Meanwhile, Trump continues his efforts in court to invalidate the law in its entirely. The president has not released his often-promised plan to replace Obamacare. The meltdown at Oregons Employment Department that left tens of thousands of jobless Oregonians stranded for weeks or even months during the pandemic was, at its heart, a failure by state leaders and a dysfunctional agency to correct a computer problem they knew of for a decade, an analysis by The Oregonian/OregonLive shows. They had federal funding and the time to fix their antiquated system but failed to heed repeated warnings to act. The consequences for many Oregonians have been wrenching. Megan Wilber-Fuchs has been out of work since April, when her old employer laid her off and a new job she had lined up evaporated as businesses pared back in the early days of the pandemic. The 38-year-old account manager promptly filed for jobless benefits and found herself in the same predicament as tens of thousands of newly out-of-work Oregonians. Wilber-Fuchs checks didnt show up, the employment departments phone lines were jammed so she couldnt find out why, and her savings were running out. The Northeast Portland resident and her husband, who have a toddler and are expecting another child in November, had to ask for extra time to pay their rent and are otherwise struggling to get by. The fundamental cause was the departments decade-long failure to upgrade its obsolete computer system, built on technology from the 1990s. Agency leaders and top state officials have known since at least 2012 that the computers were in desperate need of replacement, and since 2009 has been sitting on more than $80 million in federal money to pay for one. State auditors warned for years that the computers were a disaster waiting to happen rigid and inflexible, the system was ill-prepared to handle an uptick in claims let alone the deluge that came with the coronavirus pandemic. In 2013, the agencys director told lawmakers Oregon was just one of just two states that had not even started the planning process to replace their legacy systems. Yet Oregon squandered years of opportunities to make a fix as the agency struggled with dysfunction, infighting and a lack of urgency from top state leaders. After governors replaced the department director in 2013 and again in 2016, the agency still proceeded at a glacial pace setting an eight-year timetable to upgrade the computers starting in 2017. But even that may prove too ambitious. Internal department documents and a new report by legislative fiscal analysts show the modernization project veered dangerously off track in the months before the pandemic. With the department now overwhelmed, its ability to carry off the computer upgrade is in doubt. The computer system failures expose a decade of ineffective leadership under three successive governors. The employment departments last three directors all were fired or forced from their jobs after major setbacks at the agency. The lapses suggest a tendency for one of the states largest and most important safety net programs to fall off Oregon leaders radar until its too late. It also illustrates how difficult it is for Oregon agencies to adopt new technologies, even when the consequences of not acting will be severe. In Oregons Silicon Forest, We have these tech megastars and yet our government system is using antiquated software or infrastructure from the 90s? Thats the part that really makes me very frustrated, Wilber-Fuchs said. UNIQUELY BAD Oregon leaders and lawmakers have the agencys failures top-of-mind now that they are feeling the heat. Thousands of Oregonians in dire circumstances have called lawmakers to complain and ask for help sorting out their claims. We have had everything from people needing liver transplants, to they need a new transmission to the vehicle, theyre bankrupt and had their cars repossessed because they cant make payments, and on and on and on, said Rep. Brad Witt, a Democrat from Clatskanie. It is unbelievable. Witt, who served on a budget committee overseeing the employment department from 2009 to 2012, is lining up bipartisan support to ask Secretary of State Bev Clarno to launch an audit. Rep. Brad Witt, D-Clatskanie, pictured at the Oregon State Capitol in Salem in January 2019, is asking Secretary of State Bev Clarno to audit the Employment Department. Beth Nakamura/Staff Oregons failures were entirely predictable. In fact, the state said so repeatedly, with audits in 2012 and 2015 warning the employment departments obsolete system could not handle a surge of claims, nor make the quick adjustments necessary to implement new federal programs. Both problems became clear during the Great Recession. Oregon, like nearly every other state, was utterly overwhelmed by the flood of jobless claims that poured in during March as the pandemic set in. Gov. Kate Brown shut down much of the economy to contain the outbreak and new jobless claims soared from just a few thousand a week to as many as 89,000. The state has fielded more than 600,000 claims since the middle of March. Even now, with the pandemic well into its fifth month, the number frequently tops 8,000 a week nearly twice the average before the pandemic. Nearly every state has a large backlog of claims. Oregons problems, though, are among the very worst. Thats because its computer systems are woefully outdated, built on technology from 1993 using the antiquated programming language COBOL. Some components date to the Reagan administration. That left Oregon struggling in the midst of a pandemic to adapt its system to major changes in the unemployment claims process, including the huge expansion of benefits Congress approved in March to pay self-employed people who are out of work. Even ordinary claims present a big challenge because the system routinely issues erroneous rejections. In times of low unemployment, its relatively simple for the department to manually override those mistakes. During the pandemic, though, the whole process went off the rails. Computers can rapidly scale up to handle additional tasks, but people cannot. So Oregon quickly fell weeks, then months behind leaving tens of thousands of the newly jobless without income while they waited. Other states are stumbling technologically, too. But Oregons crisis may be unique in one key way. In March, Congress allocated money for states to waive the usual one-week delay before newly unemployed workers are eligible for benefits. Most states moved quickly to make the change. Four months later, though, Oregon still hasnt. As simple as the change sounds, the states computers cant handle it. As a result, Oregon cant deliver several hundred million dollars in federal funds to the states unemployed workers. The state estimates fixing the blockade would require 4,000 hours of computer programming and perhaps a great deal more. Its a task so huge that Oregon postponed even trying to pull it off until August, waiting until it had regular jobless claims under control. If the state cant qualify its unemployed workers for immediate benefits by the end of the year it risks forfeiting the federal money altogether. Its not clear how much that is, but it could easily top $300 million. Oregon says its not aware of any other state that has failed to get that first-week money for its workers. NO URGENCY AND NO LEADERSHIP As The Oregonian documented in 2013, 2016 and again in April, the employment department was beset for years by infighting, accusations of nepotism, internal dysfunction and what one state report characterized as bullying behavior by employees. The department also suffered a succession of technological failures, including a 2014 hack that exposed the personal information of more than 850,000 Oregonians. Legislative documents and hearings reviewed by The Oregonian/OregonLive show that leaders in the department which reports directly to the governor did not tell lawmakers Oregon needed to replace its core technology until 2013. The agency originally planned to use the more than $80 million in federal money instead to pay unemployment benefits. We are the only two states right now that are running legacy systems and havent developed a plan for this modernization, then-director Laurie Warner told lawmakers in April 2013. Still, despite what Warner described as a drive by the U.S. Department of Labor for states to adopt new systems to cut down on errors and reduce administration costs, she didnt ask lawmakers for approval to start down that road. Instead, then-Gov. John Kitzhabers budget proposal called for smaller IT projects, including a program to help job seekers find work. In 2013, Oregon Employment Department director Laurie Warner informed lawmakers the state was one of just two in the nation that had not begun planning to replace its jobless benefits computer system. The computer modernization project began in earnest in 2017, according to state records, with the department ultimately targeting 2025 to have it complete. Recent reports, though, show that even with the federal funds in hand, it isnt going well. The state still hasnt picked a new software vendor and four key personnel left in recent months, including a project manager and the modernization program director, who quit in July. It is an unprecedented time for the agency, with incredible attention being brought to bear on every division, modernization director Ethan Benatan wrote in an email to his team notifying them of his exit. Modernization is second only to (unemployment insurance) in the amount of scrutiny we are under. New leadership will provide an opportunity to reset and restart in a way that nothing else can do. A February project update attributed earlier turnover with the project to burnout or stressful conditions. That report found several other problems with choosing a vendor and managing the projects budget. It shifted the projects health rating from yellow to red, indicating Unacceptable variances or issues or high rated risks that are not being appropriately managed. A subsequent July report from the Legislative Fiscal Office documented a litany of department failures over the past decade and concluded the computer upgrade remains in woeful shape. The Employment Department has not yet had the necessary combination of organizational stability and sustained professional and technical capacity needed to ensure project success, that report concluded. None of that was evident in a rosy update the agencys then-Director Kay Erickson delivered to the Legislature in January, in which she claimed the project was progressing within expected parameters. Preparing the system for the next economic bust never seemed to be a priority for Oregons governors and lawmakers, as they focused on high-profile initiatives such as green energy, expanding Medicaid and passing a new business tax to boost public education spending. Sen. Betsy Johnson, D-Scappoose, pictured on Jan. 14, 2019, spent years on budget committees overseeing the Employment Department's budget.Dave Killen Oregon Sen. Betsy Johnson, D-Scappoose, sits on the powerful Ways and Means committee and another committee that oversees information technology in state agencies. Johnson also served on the transportation and economic development budget subcommittee overseeing the employment department from 2009 through 2019. Like other lawmakers, she has been inundated by calls from constituents who have waited months for benefits. She said the departments failures stem from a lack of direction and accountability. For me, all trails lead to the same place: no urgency and no leadership, Johnson said. State Treasurer Tobias Read, who as a state representative served on the transportation and economic development budget subcommittee from 2013 to 2015, said lawmakers were reluctant to authorize big-ticket projects due to their distrust of leaders at the troubled agency. Ultimately, I think its managements troubles at the employment department that really got in the way of securing the trust that was necessary to make those upgrades, Read said in an interview Tuesday. Oregonians are all paying the price for that now. Read said one of his takeaways is that Oregon needs to prioritize important infrastructure replacement projects, even when the systems problems arent getting public attention. A DECADE OF FAILURES The succession of problems at the employment department date to the administrations of former governors Ted Kulongoski and Kitzhaber. Brown was secretary of state when her office produced scathing audits of the departments culture and technology. As governor, Brown installed Erickson as director in 2016 and Erickson appeared to corral the interpersonal drama and misconduct that plagued the agency. When the pandemic hit, though, Erickson hid. As the department suffered catastrophic failures in its phone system and technology and stumbled to communicate with laid-off workers, she refused for weeks to speak to reporters or address the departments setbacks publicly. The disinterest in telling Oregonians what was going on extended to the governors office, where Brown was silent on the crisis through most of May. She fired Erickson at the end of the month after lawmakers compelled the director to come before them and she gave a disastrous performance. The governor and her staff declined interview requests for this article, but Browns official calendar paints a picture of a hands-off executive who had no meetings with Erickson in the more than two months leading up to her firing and no written or electronic communication during that time, when the departments crisis was at its worst. The governors calendar doesnt show any with the director who replaced her either. During the same period, Brown made time for three interviews with cable television host Chris Hayes, calls with members of Oregons congressional delegation who were outraged over the unemployment fiasco and ceremonial events such as Women in Wine: Fermenting Change in Oregon. Oregon Gov. Kate Brown had little direct contact with Employment Department leaders since pandemic job losses caused a flood of unemployment claims that highlighted longstanding computer problems.Mark Graves/File The departments new director said he communicates mostly with Browns workforce and labor policy adviser Christian Gaston, who also declined to be interviewed. Liz Merah, a press secretary for the governor, wrote in an email that after years of inaction by the previous administration, Gov. Brown has made sure that the Oregon Employment Department prioritizes modernization of its unemployment insurance system. She said the governor expects new leadership at the department is prioritizing modernization and ensuring Oregonians get the benefits theyve earned. COVER OREGONS LEGACY To some degree, the agencys failures reflect the states chronic problems implementing large technological upgrades. The employment department launched its computer upgrade project in the dark shadow of the notorious Cover Oregon debacle. The state spent $300 million to develop its own online health care marketplace but ultimately jettisoned the bug-ridden project that couldnt perform basic functions. Desperate to prevent a similar catastrophe, Oregon adopted a painstaking process to monitor each step. That may make an outright failure less likely, but it also means big projects move so methodically that they take years. We cant fail. Or at least were very averse to that, said Mike Jordan, formerly the states chief operating officer and now director of Portlands Bureau of Environmental Services. Tech companies typically build software rapidly, fail quickly, learn from their mistakes and adapt. The process may be messy but the end result can be faster, more flexible technology. In government agencies, Jordan said, failure creates a public spectacle. The result is systems that take years to develop. The political and risk-aversion kind of drivers in the culture caused that process to be the way it is, Jordan said. When the governor fired Erickson in May, she appointed David Gerstenfeld as interim director. He has worked at the department since 2011 and acknowledges an overall lack of cohesiveness delayed the computer upgrade, leaving the agency without the foundation for a successful project. Kay Erickson served as director of Oregon's Employment Department from 2016 until Gov. Kate Brown fired her at the end of May as the agency struggled to handle the influx of jobless claims due to the pandemic. While the departments current computers have hamstrung its efforts to cope with this years flood of jobless claims, Gerstenfeld maintains better technology wouldnt have prevented all the problems caused by the deluge of jobless claims. Wed still be struggling, Oregonians would still be struggling, if we had modernized, he told The Oregonian/OregonLive. At times this spring, the department had more than 100,000 unprocessed claims for regular jobless benefits. It took a month for Oregon to launch a program to pay benefits for self-employed workers after Congress funded the payments in March, and even then the state had no idea how many workers had filed for those benefits. The state ultimately determined the number was more than 70,000, and very few of those people received payments until July. Still, most of their money didnt arrive until Oregon installed a new, $240,000 portal based on Google technology that automated weekly claims processing. The most distinctive feature of Gerstenfelds two months running the agency is how communicative he has been. Gerstenfeld reversed several of Ericksons communications policies. He holds a weekly media call, waived thousands of dollars in public records fees Erickson sought to charge for routine email searches, and personally called a number of unemployed Oregonians and department staffers for their view on the crisis. The plight of unemployed Oregonians has improved considerably over the past month, as the state processed nearly all outstanding jobless benefits claims. It has now worked through the majority of unprocessed claims from self-employed workers and expects to address the remaining backlog by the end of this week. However, processing claims isnt the same as paying them. While Oregon has paid $3.4 billion in jobless benefits since the pandemic began, Gerstenfeld said tens of thousands of claims remain unpaid because they must go through an additional step known as adjudication. From left, David Gerstenfeld, then assistant director for unemployment insurance in Oregon Employment Department, talks to Laurie Warner, director of the agency, during a 2013 budget hearing at the state capital building. Warner told lawmakers Oregon was one of only two states with "legacy" unemployment computer systems.LC- The department still doesnt have a handle on just how many claims are in that pipeline, and the unemployed still face waits of up to 16 weeks. The state launched a program last week to speed the process for some of them. The department now appears able to keep up with new claims. Thats largely because it has increased staff tenfold since March to work claims by hand instead of turning them over to the dysfunctional computers. Its not efficient but it is, increasingly, effective. The department has continued to shed managers, imperiling the computer system upgrade. Gerstenfeld attributes the exits to normal attrition, accelerated somewhat by working conditions during the pandemic. Theres always some amount of turnover, he said. Working right now, at the employment department, it is stressful I will say. Everyone here feels the pressure of helping people. The department has paused its selection process for a vendor to build the new computer system while it recalibrates its needs based on the experience during the pandemic. But Gerstenfeld expects it will be completed on schedule in 2025. Much of the departments internal dysfunction is behind it, he said. We didnt have that strong foundation and the congruence of all those needed ingredients, Gerstenfeld said. I think that we are in a good place now. -- Mike Rogoway | mrogoway@oregonian.com | twitter: @rogoway | -- Hillary Borrud; hborrud@oregonian.com; @hborrud Subscribe to Oregonian/OregonLive newsletters and podcasts for the latest news and top stories. The Fauquier Times is honored to serve as your community companion. To say thank you, we are excited to offer 4 weeks FREE Digital & Print access to all subscribers new and returning alike. We are dedicated to continuing providing reliable, high quality journalism. This is possible with the trust and support of our subscribers in the community we are proud to serve. 'He was a nobody then.' 'And whatever little his contribution was there, it was restricted to Gujarat.' IMAGE: A hoarding of Prime Minister Narendra Damodardas Modi and other leaders in Ayodhya. Photograph: PTI Photo Wednesday bhoomi puja for the Ram temple at Ayodhya marks the culmination of a three decades-long struggle. The Bharatiya Janata Party officially co-opted the Ram Janambhoomi issue at its Palampur national convention in 1989, following which its then president Lal Kishenchand Advani rolled out his rath yatra to mobilise sentiment in favour of the temple at Ayodhya. Wednesday's bhoomi puja ceremony will see guests from various spiritual paths in attendance while the dais is reserved for four men and a woman. Prime Minister Narendra Damodardas Modi, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh sarsangchalak Mohan Bhagwat, Uttar Pradesh Governor Anandiben Patel, UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and Nritya Gopal Das, chairman of the Shri Ram Janambhoomi Teerth Kshetra trust. Syed Firdaus Ashraf/Rediff.com speaks to Suman Gupta, a senior journalist who has covered the Ayodhya movement for over 30 years, about the contribution of these five individuals who will be present on the dais to the temple movement. Gupta, a well known Hindi journalist based in Lucknow, covered the Babri Masjid demolition on December 6, 1992, as a reporter for the Jan Morcha newspaper. She had taken a camera along with her to report on the event, and was among the many journalists who were beaten up by kar sevaks that day in Ayodhya. Gupta submitted a statement on what happened to the Liberhan Commission of Inquiry set up to inquire into the demolition. She also gave her account of the demolition to various courts. Narendra Modi No one at that time (1985 to 1992) counted Modi's contribution in the struggle for the Ram Janambhoomi movement. He was a nobody then. And whatever little his contribution was there, it was restricted to Gujarat state. It was from Gujarat that L K Advani started his rath yatra, from the Somnath temple, in the late '80s. Nobody knew Modi then in Ayodhya or even Uttar Pradesh for that matter from 1984 to 1992. Modi had no contribution for the Ram temple in Ayodhya till 1992. The first time his name came into the picture was when kar sevaks, after doing shilanyas in Ayodhya, went back to Gujarat in that ill-fated train and were burnt to death in Godhra in 2002. Modi became a Hindutva icon due to Godhra, and not Ayodhya.] Yogi Adityanath He too had no contribution to make in the Ram Janambhoomi movement which started in the mid-'80s. It is Yogi's guru Mahant Avaidyanath and the latter's father Dada Digvijaynath. It was during Digvijaynath's time that Ram idols was placed under the Babri Masjid dome. Yogi's guru Mahant Avaidyanath was associated with the Vishwa Hindu Parishad when he formed a samiti for the Ram temple and he was president of that samiti in 1984. Yogi Adityanath was very young then and therefore could not have been present. His first role for Ram Janambhoomi at best could be for the kar seva in the late 1980s, and from Ayodhya he went to Gorakhnath. Therefore, I feel Yogi's contribution in the struggle for the Ram Janambhoomi is not worth mentioning. It is not clear whether he was present on December 6, 1992 as a kar sevak when the Babri Masjid was demolished. Some people say he was there and some people say he was not there. There is no authentic information as to where he was on December 6, 1992. Mohan Bhagwat He too was not in the forefront of the Ram Janambhoomi movement. If you go back in history you will find out that the RSS was behind the curtain and supporting the Ram Janambhoomi movement. They never came out in front, but always worked in the background. They pushed their other organisations, notably the Vishwa Hindu Parishad, in the forefront to lead the Ram temple movement. They only came out in the open after December 6, 1992. Mohan Bhagwat too was in the background as an RSS member. They work methodically and systematically in a process which is very secretive so no one knows who was playing what role then. Decisions were being taken by RSS in the background as to how to lead the movement, but in the forefront they were pushing the sadhus of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad. They were only doing campaigns and organising people to watch movies on the Ram temple. Yogi Adityanath for the first time said openly last week that the RSS has a big role in the Ram temple movement. Interestingly, the RSS has never come out with such a statement. In fact, the BJP too came into the picture only in 1989 after it passed a resolution at their Palampur convention supporting the construction of a Ram temple at Ayodhya.= Nritya Gopal Das Maharaj He is a sadhu and mahant and one of the accused in the demolition of the Babri Masjid. A vice-president of the VHP, Das was chief of the Ram Janambhoomi Nyas, a trust formed by the VHP for the construction of the temple. And going by records he has made the greatest contribution to the Ram Janambhoomi movement compared to that of Narendra Modi, Yogi Adityanath or even Mohan Bhagwat. Now he is the president of the Shri Ram Janambhoomi Teertha Kshetra Trust. He is always open to invitation from political parties to attend their functions. Kar sevaks who used to come at that time used to stay at his home, but then that is always the case. Many sadhus stay at his place even now.= He is very low profile and has never involved himself in any controversy. He has always participated in the Shaurya Diwas (victory day) celebrations, which is how they commemorate December 6, 1992. Anandiben Patel She has nothing to do with the Ram Janambhoomi movement. She has zero contribution in the Ram Janambhoomi struggle. She is present on the occasion only because she is the governor of Uttar Pradesh. Champak Rai, who is general secretary of the Ram Janambhoomi trust, says even Yogi Adityanath is present on the occasion because he is the host of the event. Rishi Sunak is considering bringing in a hike in business rates, it was reported last night. Looking to raise revenues with the economy beleaguered by the coronavrius pandemic, the Chancellor has limited options. Now according to the Daily Telegraph he is looking at the increase for the 'most valuable properties'. However, there are concerns the increase could hurt retail firms already struggling, with job losses and shop closures increasing. The Chancellor is said to have requested feedback from industry experts on whether luxury shops, offices and other large buildings should be subject to a higher business rate. The replies are expected before the autumn budget. Rishi Sunak is said to have requested feedback from industry experts on whether luxury shops, offices and other large buildings should be subject to a higher business rate The Treasury fears that failure to raise enough money from business rates could mount pressure on 'other parts of the tax system'. The rates are usually based on the rental value of shops which is calculated every five years and is paid by the tenants. Some have claimed the system is unfair as it gives online businesses an unfair advantage over high-street traders. Currently, there is a 'standard multiplier' which is applied to properties with a rateable value over 51,000. Around 1.8 million small firms under that value, pay a lower rate. The consultation is looking at ways to create 'additional higher multipliers for the most valuable properties'. Business rate experts have criticised the proposals and labelled them 'abhorrent' Jerry Schurder, the head of business rates at consultancy Gerald Eve, told the Daily Telegraph: 'It beggars belief, considering the primary complaint about business rates is that the tax is just too high.' Business rate experts have criticised the proposals and labelled them 'abhorrent' There are concerns the increase could hurt retail firms already struggling, with job losses and shop closures increasing He added that the 'most valuable properties' include supermarkets, offices, hotels and cinemas. Distribution warehouses, which have been some of the hardest hit during lockdown, would likely be affected by the new business rates according to Mr Schurder. Treasury minister Jesse Norman, in the foreword to the review, said coronavirus has had a 'significant impact on how business is done'. He added that the Government has to make sure the tax system 'raises sufficient revenue to fund the services that have been essential parts of the pandemic response'. They have also asked for responses on proposals for a new system which would mean different rates for different types of businesses. This would separate warehouses from offices and shops. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (Agence France-Presse) Beirut, Lebanon Wed, August 5, 2020 12:00 531 6657ac82168da9fa101c8a4066bb2047 2 World Lebanon,Middle-East,tragedy,civil-war,Syria,Israel Free Lebanon, a small multi-confessional country which endured a devastating 15-year civil war, has often been caught in the crossfire of regional conflicts. The tragic explosions at Beirut port on Tuesday struck with the country mired in its worst economic crisis for decades, marked by the collapse of its currency and angry popular protests. Lebanon has had more than 5,000 cases of coronavirus, with 65 dead. Between Israel and Syria The civil war raged between 1975 and 1990, with Lebanon under Syrian domination for two decades until its troops withdrew in 2005. Lebanese political institutions have long been paralyzed by discord between pro- and anti-Syrian camps. In 2013, the powerful Shiite movement Hezbollah announced it was fighting alongside the regime of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, further dividing the Lebanese political scene. Iran-backed Hezbollah is the sworn enemy of Israel, against which it fought a month-long war in 2006. The Syria conflict has sporadically spilled over into Lebanon, with several attacks rocking the capital Beirut and other regions. The most visible impact of the Syrian war in Lebanon, a country of around 4.5 million people, has been the influx of an estimated 1.5 million refugees. Lebanon and international organizations have on several occasions sounded the alarm over the economic and social burden posed by the massive inrush. Multi-confessional The country with the cedar tree stamped on its flag is one of the Middle East's smallest, covering an area of about 10,000 square kilometers. Flanked to the west by the Mediterranean, it shares borders with Syria and Israel. Lebanon is considered relatively liberal in a generally conservative region, but religion remains all-important. A crucible for 18 religious communities, its governance has been dictated by a power-sharing deal between the main sects. Lebanon is a parliamentary republic, with a 128-member house evenly split between Muslims and Christians. In line with the "national pact" dating from independence from France in 1943, the president must be a Maronite Christian, the prime minister a Sunni Muslim and the parliament speaker a Shiite Muslim. Colossal debt For the first time in its history, Lebanon announced in March it was defaulting on its debts. According to ratings agency Standard and Poor's (S&P), it is sagging under a debt of $92 billion, equal to nearly 170 percent of its gross domestic product, one of the highest debt ratios in the world. In May, Lebanon launched negotiations with the International Monetary Fund aimed at securing crucial aid, under a plan to rescue the economy adopted by the government. Talks have since stalled. Since October 2019, Lebanon has been rocked by mass protests against what is seen as a corrupt and incompetent political system. The country lags in development in areas such as water supply, electricity production and waste treatment. A welcome lifeline for Lebanon came in 2018, when aid pledges worth more than $11 billion were made at a Paris conference. But the pledged money has been blocked due to a lack of promised reforms. Nearly half of Lebanon's population now lives below the poverty line and 35 percent are out of work, according to official statistics. As the Governors Grizzly Bear Advisory Council (GBAC) works to finalize its recommendations regarding the future of grizzly bear management in Montana, it would be well-advised to follow its own guiding principle: the best available science should inform decisions in all aspects of grizzly bear management and conservation. A close look at what that science actually shows about coexistence with native carnivores reveals insufficient support for the notion that hunting seasons and lethal removal will reduce grizzly bear-livestock conflict or improve tolerance of grizzlies presence on the landscape. To the contrary, the science suggests that killing carnivores can make these problems worse. As a professor of environmental studies at University of Wisconsin-Madison (where Treves directs the Carnivore Coexistence Lab) and an assistant professor at Western Oregon University (where Laundre studies large predator-prey relationships), we are well-acquainted with the scientific literature on predator management. We have been studying predator-prey ecology for a combined 80-plus years, and have published more than 80 peer-reviewed scientific journal articles on ecology, conservation and predator management. Our research and that of other scientists shows that lethal management and hunting seasons can hamper coexistence efforts by reducing residents tolerance of native carnivores. Independent colleagues and both of us have examined public attitudes toward gray wolves in Wisconsin over a 13-year period that included the federal delisting of wolves in January 2012, which was immediately followed by government trapping and soon after by public hunting, trapping, and hounding seasons. We found that public tolerance of wolves declined each time policy changes made it easier for state managers or the general public to kill wolves. Wisconsins decision to open a hunt on the newly delisted population in 2011 was no exception. Even as hunters and trappers were allowed to kill hundreds of wolves in a single season, the men living in Wisconsin wolf range became more hostile toward them and, especially disturbingly, more inclined to poach them. More recent work coming out this year is showing that radio-collared wolves were more likely to be killed, and the evidence hidden from authorities, during six independent periods in which wolf-killing was legalized. The reason why is elusive, but we suspect that lifting restrictions on killing essentially signals that it is socially acceptable to kill these animals; moreover, reduction or removal of disincentives, such as penalties associated with "take" of endangered species, could be to blame. The claim that killing carnivores is necessary to address livestock conflict is also dubious. A large and growing body of high-quality research from a dozen nations and two dozen independent scientists shows that nonlethal conflict prevention methods such as livestock guardian dogs and electric fencing are the most effective way to prevent predation on livestock by bears, wolves, coyotes, mountain lions, and other native carnivores. By contrast, there is relatively little evidence supporting the effectiveness of lethal removal, and many of the studies that seemingly support such a claim are plagued by biases that render their findings weak and unreliable. In extreme cases, lethal control of carnivores might be necessary when coexistence proves impossible. However, this generally happens when and where we fail to use nonlethal interventions. Some suggest that public hunts of carnivores are the solution. Yet public hunting has never been shown to reduce livestock conflicts, probably because the timing and location of hunts generally do not coincide with the timing and locations of domestic animal injuries. Indeed, recent research on cougars in Washington state has instead found that sport hunting led to more losses of livestock, probably by disrupting cougars social and territorial hierarchy. Similar results for wolves in Michigan suggest government trapping may have exacerbated cattle losses for the neighboring farms. Thats how word of mouth between farmers can spread a counter-productive intervention. These results have been further supported in a large regional comparison of livestock loss to cougars between 10 western states with a sport hunt and California where sport hunting of cougars has been banned since the early 1970s. Sport killing of carnivores just does not produce the management goal of lower livestock losses. All it does is to reward a killing opportunity to the small segment of society, hunters, who as a group are the least supportive of protection of carnivores, as we have shown in multiple surveys. Simply put, the alleged benefits of carnivore-killing policies both hunting seasons and lethal management by state officials are overstated and unsupported by robust scientific evidence. Research shows that these policies are likely to undermine coexistence efforts by stoking social intolerance and failing to address conflicts. Continuing to promote these ineffective wildlife management policies wastes limited resources and harms nature, animals and people. The GBAC should heed the lessons learned through decades of rigorous research on carnivore populations in the U.S. and around the world by supporting nonlethal conflict prevention and recommending against hunting as a conservation strategy. Dr. Adrian Treves is a professor of environmental studies and director of the Carnivore Coexistence Lab at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Dr. John Laundre is a wildlife ecologist and an assistant professor at Western Oregon University. You must be logged in to react. Click any reaction to login. Love 5 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 5 Yves here. On the one hand, it is useful to have an economist amplify the World Bank analysis that documented the magnitude of US job losses after China entered the World Trade Organization. It is also useful to have an economist debunk the Let them eat training recommendation to workers who suffered and offer an alternative. On the other, the critique of training as a remedy is timid. Professor Batabyal merely notes that people in communities that have lost out due to more open trade dont want to move even if theyve gotten training that allows them to seek work elsewhere. He doesnt point out that not wanting to move is rational. First, most people have informal social safety nets where they live as well as emotional support. Second, how is someone who lives in the boonies supposed to find work elsewhere? Most jobs are never advertised but are filled through contacts. Of the jobs listed, most employers greatly prefer someone who has done the same or similar work at a similar company. Someone with training and no experience will be way down the list. Third, traveling to try to find work somewhere else costs money and per above, is likely not to work out. Better to hunker down in place. By Amitrajeet A. Batabyal, Arthur J. Gosnell Professor of Economics, Rochester Institute of Technology. Originally published at The Conversation Some economists support policies that invest in communities and towns as the best way to offset job losses. Photo by Andrea Leopardi for Unsplash Arguing against globalization is like arguing against the laws of gravity, said former United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan. Globalization, the international trade in goods and services with minimal barriers between countries, may seem inevitable as the worlds economies become more interdependent. Properly regulated, globalization can be a powerful force for social good. For wealthy nations, globalization can mean less expensive goods, additional spending and a higher standard of living. For those who live and work in poorer nations, globalization can lead to greater prosperity with the power toreduce child labor, increase literacy and enhance the economic and social standing of women. But not everyone gains from globalization. An analysis of 120 countries between 1988 and 2018 and published by the World Bank illustrates who has lost. The U.S. trade deficit with China, for instance, has had an adverse effect on American workers, effectively eliminating 3.7 million jobs between 2001 and 2018. More than 75% of those job losses were in manufacturing, accounting for more than half of all U.S. manufacturing jobs lost or displaced during this period. If globalization is inevitable, then what are the best strategies to help American workers get back into the workforce when their jobs have been eliminated? Job Loss and the Working Class The economist Branko Milanovic, using data from the World Bank, argues that the losers from globalization are working people in rich nations. Milanovics research demonstrates that a large portion of the lower middle class in the U.S. and Western Europe have seen little to no gain in income since 1988. At the same time, 200 million Chinese, 90 million Indians and nearly 30 million people in Indonesia, Brazil, Egypt and Mexico have profited from globalization. Many American workers have been negatively impacted by liberalized trade with China, the so-called China trade shock, because goods that China exports to the U.S. have substituted for comparable American-made products. From an economic perspective, China successfully increased its share of world manufacturing exports from a little more than 2% in 1991 to 28% in 2018. By contrast, in 2001, U.S. trade began to increase with China when the latter joined the World Trade Organization, the international organization that determines the global rules of trade. Even though U.S. exports to China have increased over time, since the U.S. buys more from China than we sell to them, a large trade deficit has opened up. The growth of this deficit means that the U.S. is losing jobs in manufacturing and foregoing opportunities to add jobs in this sector because imports from China have skyrocketed, while exports have not increased as much. The trade deficit has had different impacts on regions within the U.S. Some regions are devastated by layoffs and factory closings, while others are surviving but not growing the way they might if new factories were opening and existing plants were hiring more workers. This slowdown in manufacturing job generation is also contributing to stagnating wages and incomes of typical workers and widening economic inequality. Retraining and Moving for Work What are the solutions for the millions of American workers who have lost their jobs? Economists generally support people-based over place-based policies and investments. The rationale is that its more important to invest in workers rather than bolster a place where workers live. Economists would argue that directing public funds into regions doing poorly is akin to wasting money. The logical outcome of such policies is that towns that have lost their economic base are allowed to shrink while other economies take their place. The Department of Labors Trade Adjustment Assistance for Workers program helps workers displaced by international trade with job training and relocation assistance, subsidized health insurance and extended unemployment benefits. Trade Adjustment Assistance is a people-based policy because it invests in workers. I believe that, relative to the magnitude of the job losses, Trade Adjustment Assistance provides too little relief. While there is little support among economists for place-based policies, recent evidence demonstrates that such policies may deserve another look. Examples of place-based policies include enterprise zones where economic incentives are offered to firms to create jobs in economically challenged areas and policies that seek to promote economic development by investing in infrastructure, such as the Tennessee Valley Authority, which, since 1933, provided electrification to the rural South, promoting industrialization and enhancing the quality of life in that region. Adapting to Joblessness People-based policies are predicated on the assumption that if given the right incentives, people will leave economically strapped areas and move to flourishing regions. Yet researchshows that even in regions of the U.S. where deep manufacturing job losses have occurred, workers frequently did not move to new jobs. Those who lost their jobs adjusted, spent less money and stayed put, resulting in a further reduction of economic activity in regions that, in turn, became poorer. Workers who can move to more promising locales, but choose not to, is a phenomenon not only in the U.S. but in Germany, Norway and Spain, even if economically depressed regions have a negative impact on those who live there. Men particularly young, white men in the U.S. are less likely to graduate from college, more likely to bear children out of wedlock and more likely to suffer from what the economists Anne Case and Angus Deaton have called deaths of despair. These deaths arise because of a deep sense of hopelessness stemming from unemployment, lack of resources and alcohol and drug dependency. Strengthening a Place Called Home If relatively low-skilled workers are unwilling to move, then should policies that favor people-based programs continue? Or is it better to make place-based investments, as the 2019 Nobel laureates Abhijit Banerjee and Esther Duflo suggest? I believe that the U.S. should back policies that support people where they live and invest in those places when global trade, specifically liberalized trade, has taken a toll on American workers. Regional policymaking might ask what is needed so that those who are unemployed do not feel, as Nobel Prize-winning poet Gabriela Mistral writes, that everyone left and we have remained on a path that goes on without us. Disinfecting wipes stand at the ready at the Lancaster County Election Committee offices in Lincoln, Neb., on April 14, 2020. (Nati Harnik/AP Photo) Trump Campaign Sues Nevada Over Mail-in Ballot Law The Trump campaign filed a lawsuit Tuesday against Nevada over a law that expands mail-in voting, saying it contributes to voter fraud. Ronna McDaniel, Chairwoman of the Republican National Committee (RNC) confirmed in a tweet Wednesday that the Trump campaign, the RNC, and the Nevada Republican Party have filed a suit to stop implementation of Democrats radical election abuses in Nevada. McDaniel said the law, known as A.B.4, will destroy the confidence every voter deserves to have in our elections! The lawsuit, obtained by The Nevada Independent, was filed against Republican Secretary of State Barbara Cegavske and follows calls by President Donald Trump for Republicans to take legal action before Nevadas Democratic-controlled Legislature rushed through sweeping changes that allow vote-by-mail in the November general election. Major or hasty changes confuse voters, undermine confidence in the electoral process, and create incentive to remain away from the polls, the lawsuit states. The suit also claims that the new bill upends Nevadas election laws and requires massive changes in election procedures and processes, makes voter fraud and other ineligible voting inevitable. Nevada Gov. Steve Sisolak, a Democrat, signed the bill into law on Monday, citing the benefit of protecting voters amid the CCP virus pandemic. Today, I signed AB 4, which ensures protections for Nevadans to vote safely at the November election during the pandemic, Sisolak wrote in a tweet. During this global pandemic, I made a commitment that wed do all we can to allow Nevadans to safely cast a ballot in the upcoming November election. The legislation lets election officials send all active registered voters a mail-in ballot for the Nov. 3 election and extends the possibility of vote-by-mail in future elections that may be impacted by things like natural disasters. The law also will ease some restrictions for who is permitted to handle and submit ballots, which Republicans contend can facilitate voter fraud. Republican Adam Paul Laxalt, former Nevada attorney general and co-chairman of the Trump campaign in the state, criticized the legislative process around the passage of the bill. Gov. Sisolak and the NV Dems called a special session with no public present and inside 24 hours are ramming through mail-in balloting and ballot harvesting, he wrote on Twitter on Aug. 1. They are massively altering our election 97 days out entirely without the SecState. They are working to steal our election. Trump reposted Laxalts tweet on Aug. 2, adding, This is outrageous. Must be met with immediate litigation! The suit also claims the law violates the Constitution by effectively extending the deadline for Election Day by way of provisions that let ballots be accepted up to three days after Election Day. Nevada lawmakers were split on their support for bill along partisan lines. No person should ever have to choose between their health and safety and their participation in democracy, said Assemblywoman Shannon Bilbray-Axelrod, a Democrat, as reported by the Nevada Independent. I am proud to support and vote for AB4, as it will go a long way to ensure that citizens of Nevada can participate in a safe manner. Republicans said theres no reason to rush the legislation and that its inappropriate to make significant changes to election law during a special sitting of the legislature. I cannot even begin to try and predict what effect this will have on our state, and on our election process, said Assemblywoman Melissa Hardy, a Republican. This bill swings the pendulum to an extreme without having time to research its unintended consequences. The Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank, has long raised the alarm about the dangers of mail-in ballot fraud. Absentee ballots are the tools of choice of election fraudsters because they are voted outside the supervision of election officials, making it easier to steal, forge, or alter them, as well as to intimidate voters, wrote Heritage Foundation Senior Legal Fellow Hans A. von Spakovsky, in an op-ed. The Heritage Foundations own database of all reported instances of election fraud, dating back to 1979, lists only 1,277 proven instances of voter fraud, though the organizations Communications Manager told The Epoch Times in an emailed statement that the database is only intended to represent a small sampling of the types of voter fraud that can occurit is by no means a comprehensive report of all the voter fraud that happens around the country. Matthew Vadum contributed to this report. Carlos Alvarez/Getty King Juan Carlos of Spain Spain's former King Juan Carlos I has announced he is leaving the country as he faces continuing financial scandal. In a letter sent to his son King Felipe and posted on the Zarzuela Palace website on Monday, the 82-year-old announced his intention to move to another country outside the nation's borders "in the face of the public repercussion that certain past events in my private life are generating," he writes. "A year ago I expressed my will and desire to stop developing institutional activities," the ex-King continues. "Now, guided by the conviction of providing the best service to the Spaniards, their institutions and you as King, I communicate to you my thoughtful decision to move, at this time, outside of Spain. He adds that it is a decision he makes "with deep feeling, but with great serenity. I have been King of Spain for almost forty years and for all of them I have always wanted the best for Spain and for the Crown." In the same royal household posting, his son King Felipe VI accepted his father's decision "with heartfelt gratitude." King Felipe VI of Spain and former King Juan Carlos Juan Carlos served as King from 1975 until he abdicated in his son's favor in 2014. His unparalleled decision to leave the country comes as a series of financial scandals and criminal investigations in several countries encircle the ex-King. RELATED: Spains King Felipe and Queen Letizia Tested for Coronavirus After Meeting with Diagnosed Official In June, Spain's Supreme Court announced it was formally investigating the ex-monarch concerning an alleged $ 100 million in kickbacks related to his role in the award of an $8.5 billion Saudi high-speed rail contract awarded a consortium of Spanish firms in 2011. That investigation mirrors one begun by Swiss authorities based on news reports that Saudi rulers allegedly made payment to the former monarch through a Panama-based foundation called Lucum. These funds were reportedly later transferred to Swiss accounts. In addition, as much as $75 million allegedly went to his former mistress Corrina zu Sayn-Wittgenstein in 2012. Story continues Daniel Perez/Getty King Juan Carlos of Spain Can't get enough of PEOPLE's Royals coverage? Sign up for our free Royals newsletter to get the latest updates on Kate Middleton, Meghan Markle and more! Sayn-Wittgenstein has placed a separate suit in British courts claiming she was harassed by Spain's intelligence services for her extensive knowledge of Juan Carlos' financial dealings. In March of this year, the royal household took the unprecedented step of publicly separating Juan Carlos from his son by announcing the end of the ex-King's pension, as well as Felipe VI's renouncing future inheritance. United States President Donald Trump plans on giving $35M grant to be spent on housing human trafficking survivors. The state aims to prioritize giving support and assistance to the victims of human trafficking. According to Fox News, the Trump administration wanted to reach out to the other sectors in society that needs federal help. However, they are often overlooked because there aren't parades or marchers on the streets fighting for their cause. $35M grant to be allocated for housing On Tuesday, the Trump administration announced that it will be handing over the grants that will assure safe and stable housing to victims of human trafficking. This was announced during the start of a White House roundtable event, hosted by the adviser to President Trump, Ivanka Trump. Attorney General William Barr and other officials in the Justice Department officials for domestic policy on human trafficking were also present. Other individuals from institutions are that are concerned about human trafficking were invited as well. The Office for Victims of Crime, which is part of the Justice Department's programs, are given the authority to dispense $35M grant in supportive housing and services for all these survivors. Those receiving the grants will be funneled to 73 organizations in the U.S., providing six to twenty-four months of either transitional or short-term housing assistance to trafficking victims. These funds are for rental utilities and expenses, as well as security deposits with relocating costs according to the Justice Government. Another purpose of these grants is to get more chances for the trafficked victims to establish homesteads. It also allows them to get work other than what enslaved them in the first place. With these support, the government is hoping that the human trafficking victims will get more secure employment, get occupational training, and get counseling to help women especially who are mentally-scarred to cope better in the real world. Also read: U.S. Retaliates 'Defensive Strike' Against Talibans After Attack on Afghan Checkpoint Ivanka says working with Barr a 'privilege' Ivanka Trump also had an important message in press brief that preceded the White House event. According to the first daughter, defeating the COVID-19 pandemic is crucial, but as well as fighting human trafficking in America and abroad. The DOJ's recipients are at the forefront of this challenge, which will give trafficking survivors the chance to have better lives. Support for housing and support within reasonable resources to give them the power to realign their lives after their ordeal. She added that having AG Barr as a highlight to the organization is truly a privilege. Organizations and executives included are Camillus House Inc., Alternatives for Girls, Jordan Community Resource Center, and the U.S. Advisory Council on Human Trafficking. Among the major participants in the event are some women trafficking survivors to grace the occasion. President Trump had a surprise when he chose a special adviser for this year. The appointed presidential adviser Ivanka Trump went to Atlanta last January to see non-profit groups that assist those lead astray to reform their lives. She called the trafficking as nefarious like slavery, and said that the White House wants to stamp out these issues. Last January, Ivanka Trump said that President Trump will propose a $42M budget upgrade for 2021 for supporting trafficked victims. Another purpose is to send criminals guilty of enslaving women and children to jail. Despite the other issues, President Trump has made it a point to sign bills that will stop human trafficking in hopes to creating a better America. Related article: Taliban Takes Advantage of Pentagon Peace Deal by Attacking Afghan Allies, Killing Civilians @ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. New York: Neil Young is suing US President Donald Trump's re-election campaign, accusing it of copyright infringement for playing the rocker's songs without permission. In a complaint filed in US District Court in Manhattan on Tuesday, Young objected to the playing of Rockin' in the Free World and Devil's Sidewalk numerous times at rallies and political events, including a rally in Tulsa, Oklahoma, on June 20 . Neil Young is suing US President Donald Trump's campaign apparatus. Credit:Invision/AP Young said he has complained about Trump's use of his songs since 2015, and that the campaign had "wilfully" ignored him despite lacking a licence. He had also objected when Trump played his music while visiting Mount Rushmore on July 3. "This complaint is not intended to disrespect the rights and opinions of American citizens, who are free to support the candidate of their choosing," Young's lawyers said in the complaint. "However, Plaintiff in good conscience cannot allow his music to be used as a 'theme song' for a divisive, un-American campaign of ignorance and hate." PLA fighter jet breaks flight duration record in first 10-hour patrol mission to South China Sea Global Times By Liu Xuanzun Source: Global Times Published: 2020/8/4 18:43:40 By having a Su-30 fighter jet complete a 10-hour armed patrol mission to the most remote islands and reefs of the South China Sea, the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Air Force recently broke its record on flight duration in a single sortie by a fighter jet. Both technically and mentally challenging, this kind of mission is of significant strategic value to the PLA's complete patrol coverage of the entire South China Sea, experts said Tuesday. An aviation force brigade attached to the PLA Southern Theater Command Air Force completed the patrol mission in the South China Sea, mgtv.com, a news website under Hunan Television, reported on Monday. Dubbed "Thunderbolt Eagle," the brigade's main mission objectives concern the South China Sea, and since a round trip patrol mission from its base to the most remote islands and reefs would need 10 hours, this kind of long endurance mission has become necessary, the report said. The previous PLA Air Force flight duration record for a single sortie by a fighter jet was 8.5 hours, it said. According to the report, the Su-30 fighter jet refueled mid-flight with an aerial tanker, and the pilots consumed rations to keep their energy up. "During a flight, the body reaches a limit at four to five hours, so pilots will relieve stress and fatigue by chatting and eating flight rations, which includes mineral water and chocolate," mgtv.com quoted pilot Lu Geng as saying. Wang Ying, another pilot on the mission, said in the report that the mission is not about breaking the limit or the record, but about real combat. Chinese military aviation expert Fu Qianshao told the Global Times that a 10-hour patrol mission is challenging because the fighter jet's fuel capacity cannot support such a long flight, so aerial refueling is needed, which is technically challenging. A long-duration flight is also very stressful to the pilots, as they also need to stay on high alert during their mission. The mission demonstrated that the PLA Air Force's long-range flight capability and the scope of its patrol operations have greatly expanded, Fu said, noting that large warplanes like H-6 bombers have previously conducted similar missions, but they were not fighter jets. Fighter jets can escort bombers or conduct surveillance missions on aerial and surface targets on their own. This is of significant value in safeguarding China's national interests and aerial security, Fu said. The PLA has deployed fighter jets directly to islands in the South China Sea in the past, reports said. Forbes reported in July that the PLA deployed at least four J-11B fighter jets to Yongxing Island of the Xisha Islands. Previous reports also suggested the presence of J-10 fighter jets and JH-7 fighter bombers on the islands. Fu said that fighter jets deployed on the islands can react faster, but that maintenance on the islands is more difficult due to high salinity and humidity, and the number of fighter jets would be limited since island bases are relatively small. This is why the long-endurance patrol missions from Chinese mainland bases are still important, and both deployment methods can complement each other, Fu said. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-05 18:24:26|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close Local people prepare coffins for victims of a roadside bomb in Pul-e-Khumri, capital of Baghlan province, northern Afghanistan, on Aug. 5, 2020. At least three persons were killed and two others wounded as a roadside bomb struck a car in Pul-e-Khumri on Wednesday, provincial government spokesman Nazir Najam said. (Photo by Sahel/Xinhua) PUL-E-KHUMRI, Afghanistan, Aug. 5 (Xinhua) -- At least three persons were killed and two others wounded as a roadside bomb struck a car in Pul-e-Khumri, the capital of Afghanistan's northern Baghlan province, on Wednesday, provincial government spokesman Nazir Najam said. According to the official, a mine planted by the Taliban militants struck the car of Mahboubullah Ghafari, a former member of provincial council, at around 1:00 p.m. local time in Chashma-e-Shir area of Pul-e-Khumri city, killing three of his bodyguards and wounding two others. However, Ghafari has escaped unhurt, the official added. Meantime, Zabihullah Rustami, a member of Ghafari's family has confirmed that 12 people were killed and injured due to the blast. Taliban militants who are in control of parts of Chashma-e-Shir area have yet to claim responsibility. This is the second life attempts on pro-government elements in Afghanistan since early Wednesday morning. In the previous attack, unknown armed men opened fire on the car of the eastern Nuristan governor Abdul Ghafor Malekzai but he escaped unhurt, according to the state-run Bakhter News Agency (BNA). Also Tuesday, the University of Virginia announced that it is delaying in-person instruction and residence hall move-ins in response to an uptick in coronavirus cases. The two-week delay means undergraduate classes will still start Aug. 25, but all classes will begin online before moving in-person Sept. 8. The university said students will be able to move into residence halls several days before then. Graduate and professional programs will start as previously planned, UVA said. President Jim Ryan; Provost Liz Magill; Chief Operating Officer J.J. Davis; and Dr. K. Craig Kent, executive vice president for health affairs, said in an email to the UVA community that they made the decision, which is a change from the initial reopening plans announced June 17, in response to an increase in cases in Virginia and across the country. The university is also experiencing disruptions in its supply chain that is affecting the availability of materials needed for COVID-19 tests, according to a news release. The Supreme Court on Wednesday suggested there should be cheaper treatment for Covid-19 patients in smaller towns and asked the Centre to consider the aspect of prompt release of claims by insurance companies which cannot keep their hands off at the time of pandemic. The apex court was told by the Centre that health is a state subject and primary responsibility in terms of management of Covid-19 rests with the states. In a report filed in the top court, the Centre proposed that states "may on a priority basis arrive at fair rates for private hospitals to ensure that there is ... Tammy Hembrow rushed her son Wolf, five, to hospital on Wednesday following a small accident. The 26-year-old social media sensation shared videos of her cuddling her boy on a hospital bed as they waited for a doctor. Tammy revealed that Wolf, who she shares with ex-fiance Reece Hawkins, was doing OK, but cut his foot. Hospital dash: Tammy Hembrow rushed her son Wolf, five, to hospital on Wednesday following a small accident. The 26-year-old social media sensation shared videos of her cuddling her boy on a hospital bed as they waited for a doctor In a series of clips, Tammy cuddled and doted on Wolf in the ward. She said that the jumper she was wearing, a grey pullover, was 'bad luck,' as it was the second time she's worn it and both times she's been in hospital with it on. 'Guys, I've only worn this jumper twice ever, and the first time was a week ago and I ended up in the exact same place, getting stitches in Star's hand and now I'm here again,' she said, referring to her little sister Starlette Thynne. Lucky! Tammy revealed that Wolf, who she shares with ex-fiance Reece Hawkins, was doing OK, but cut his foot Family: Tammy shares two young children with her ex Reece Hawkins, Wolf, and daughter Saskia, four 'So this jumper is bad luck,' she said. Tammy shares two young children with her ex Reece Hawkins, Wolf, and daughter Saskia, four. Earlier this week, Tammy threw her little girl a lavish high tea-themed party at her Gold Coast home. How sweet: Earlier this week, Tammy threw her little girl a lavish high tea-themed party at her Gold Coast home Case of the ex: Reece is pictured with new fiancee London Goheen Stunning in a form-fitting blue floral dress, Tammy cuddled up to little Saskia and Wolf for several sweet snaps surrounded by pink balloons. 'Such a beautiful afternoon for my princess,' Tammy captioned the images, before thanking the long list of people who had made the birthday bash possible. The extravagant set-up included two rows of child-sized pink teepees, each propped up in front of a table laden with petit fours and tea sets. Fluffy pink cushions, small pink balloons and adorable flamingo dolls were also placed in front of the tents. Saskia's guests were also treated to personalised cakes with their names written in pink icing. A dramatic wall of pink balloons and striped cut-out shapes served as the perfect backdrop for an undercover dance floor. The extravagant set-up included two rows of child-sized pink teepees, each propped up in front of a table laden with petit fours and tea sets. Controversial plans: After years of peat harvesting, the bog at Derryadd, near Lanesborough, Co Longford, has been returning to nature and is populated by swans Midlands residents and wildlife groups are pleading with Bord na Mona to abandon "illogical" plans for a windfarm on a bog that has been returning to nature after years of peat harvesting. An Bord Pleanala approved the windfarm at Derryadd near Lanesborough, Co Longford, despite the planning inspector it assigned to the case recommending refusal. The site falls within lands designated by Longford County Council for development as the Mid-Shannon Wilderness Park to allow for conservation projects to be developed hand-in-hand with eco-tourism. A Mid-Shannon Wilderness Park Awareness Group, comprising of local residents, landowners and conservationists, has backed the park project, as have surrounding counties. Niall Dennigan, group spokesman, said the windfarm was not compatible with the park. He said it also contradicted national policy which was now opposed to commercial peat harvesting and focused on re-wetting and restoring bogs, both for wildlife protection and as natural carbon sinks which trap harmful greenhouse gas emissions. "There's all this talk about re-wetting bogs and putting money into rehabilitating them when this bog has been rehabilitating itself naturally. "All Bord na Mona had to do was switch off the pumps and it came back to life. Now they want to put the pumps on again and drain it. It's completely illogical," he said. Bord na Mona argued in its planning submissions that the 24-turbine windfarm and surrounding buffer zone would only take up 200 hectares of the 1,900 hectares identified for the wilderness park. It said the windfarm would reduce dependence on fossil fuel power and cut carbon emissions to a far greater extent than the bog it would be built on. The Irish Wildlife Trust, Birdwatch Ireland, Inland Fisheries Ireland and the Irish Peatland Conservation Council all expressed concern about the impact on wildlife. Whooper swans, Greenland white-front geese, merlins, peregrine falcons, barn owls, lapwings, buzzards, hen harriers, white-tailed eagles, woodcock, golden plovers and curlews have all been recorded in the area. Sinn Fein climate action spokesperson Lynn Boylan, who raised the issue in the Seanad, said the windfarm made no sense in this location. "Having a just transition for the peatworkers is so important and developing the wilderness park would give them jobs right now. They know this land and it would be a perfect role for them," she said. She said she was disappointed that Bord na Mona would not consider a compromise proposal for a solar farm which would not require the construction of permanent infrastructure and would be far less disruptive in operation. Bord na Mona said in a statement it welcomed the decision to grant planning permission but it had to carefully study the details and would not be making any further comment at this time. Mr Dennigan called on Climate Action Minister Eamon Ryan to intervene given his recent announcement of 15m in public funding to rehabilitate 33,000 hectares of Bord na Mona peatlands. However, his department said planning was a matter for the Department of Housing, which said it was precluded by law from interfering in a planning case. Every name on the BrandBucket marketplace is exclusively listed with BrandBucket. That means that all of our sellers are very responsive, making for quick domain transfers. A dedicated BrandBucket agent will manage your domain transfer from beginning to end, ensuring a secure and easy transaction. They will manage the receipt of the domain into one of BrandBuckets secure registrar accounts and then complete the transfer to you. 1. Verification and registrar choice After we receive the payment and verify it, we will reach out via email to confirm which registrar you want the domain transferred to. We also provide a link to our tracking system, where you can communicate with us, check on the status of your transfer, view your invoice, and download your logo files. In most cases, if a domain is moved between accounts at a single registrar, the transfer is quick and usually completes within 48 hours. If a domain changes registrars (in other words, you would like to move it away from where it is currently registered), the transfer is slower. The total transfer time can then be anywhere from 48 hours to 7 days. BrandBucket has vetted and supports the following registrars: GoDaddy Namesilo Uniregistry NameCheap Google Domains Network Solutions Name.com Dynadot Amazon Route 53 123 Reg Gandi 2. We request the name from the seller. Once we know where you would like the domain transferred, BrandBucket will request the domain from the seller. All of our sellers are very responsive, making for a quick process. 3. Transfer the name into your account As soon as we receive the name from the seller, we start the transfer into your account and guide you through the whole process. 4. Verify with the buyer that the transfer is complete Once we confirm that you have received the name, we consider the escrow process to be complete. Only then do we release payment to the domain seller. Australian Killed in Hiroshima-Like Beirut Blast, Death Toll Unknown At least one Australian has died in a huge explosion that ripped through the Lebanese capital of Beirut on Aug. 4, which the local city governor has said was akin to Hiroshima. Confirming the news, Prime Minister Scott Morrison told the Nine News Network that it was his deep regret to inform that one Australian has been killed in this horrific blast. Our hearts go out to all of those in Lebanon and Beirut in particular at the moment. You can see from the image of the blast; it is just absolutely devastating, Morrison said. Asking for patience, the prime minister explained the government would be providing consulate assistance to the families of an estimated 20,000 Australians and for those hundreds of thousands of Australians who have Lebanese descent and have family members in the capital. Morrison then noted that the Australian embassy had been significantly impacted, but that all staff were now safe after suffering only minor injuries. Lebanese authorities announced the morning after the blast that at least 100 people had been confirmed dead, with approximately another 100 reported missing and 4,000 injured. They are warning the injury and death toll may rise sharply though as emergency workers dig through the blast zone to rescue people and remove the dead. Civilians carry a victim at the explosion scene that hit the seaport, in Beirut Lebanon, on Aug. 4, 2020. (Hussein Malla/AP Photo) Authorities in Lebanon have linked the possible origins of the blast to the storage of 2,700 tonnes of seized concentrated ammonium nitrate that was said to have been held at the port for six years, although the exact cause of the blast is still unknown and under investigation. Ammonium nitrate, best known as a fertilizer, is an incredibly volatile compound and is often use in homemade bombs. Lebanese President Michel Aoun, whose party formed government in an alliance with the Iranian-backed Islamist group Hezbollah and its allies, has declared three days of mourning and declared Beirut a disaster-stricken city following the massive explosion that produced a mushroom-like plume. There have also been calls from the military for a two-week state of emergency and a request that all security responsibilities be handed over to military. Israel, Hezbollah Deny Involvement A senior Hezbollah official told local media OTV Lebanon shortly after the explosion that social media rumours claiming the blast was an Israeli attack were false. The official also denied reports that the explosion was related to a Hezbollah weapons facility. The explosion, which was reported to be like a 3.5 magnitude earthquake that could be felt 200 kilometres away in Cypress, originated at the port of Beirut and sent shockwaves across the city, causing widespread damage even on the outskirts of Beirut. Hospitals in Beirut were overwhelmed by victims after the blast destroyed three Beirut hospitals and damaged two. We are going through a disaster that could only be overcome with determination and tenacity to face this serious challenge and its destructive consequences, Aoun said. Smoke rises from a massive explosion in Beirut, Lebanon, on Aug. 4, 2020. (Hassan Ammar/AP Photo) Promising that the catastrophe would not go unpunished, Lebanons Prime Minister Hassan Diab said those responsible would be held accountable and called on friendly nations to help Lebanon recover from the disaster. International Response to the Disaster On Aug. 4, U.S. President Donald Trump expressed Americas deepest sympathies to the people of Lebanon. The United States stands ready to assist Lebanon. I have a very good relationship with the people of Lebanon, and we will be there to help, he said. He added that U.S. generals had told him that the explosion could have been a bomb of some kind. It looks like a terrible attack, he told reporters at the White House shortly after the blast. This was not some kind of a manufacturing explosion type of event, he said. It seems to be, according to themthey would know better than I wouldbut they seem to think it was an attack. Israel announced on Aug. 4 that it will offer humanitarian aid to the poverty-stricken nation although it is still technically at war with Lebanons Hezbollah factions. British Prime Minister Boris Johnston offered his condolences in a post on Twitter on Aug. 4 and said that the UK was ready to provide support in any way possible. The pictures and videos from Beirut tonight are shocking. All of my thoughts and prayers are with those caught up in this terrible incident. The UK is ready to provide support in any way we can, including to those British nationals affected. Boris Johnson (@BorisJohnson) August 4, 2020 Lebanon national news agency NNA reported on Aug. 5 that France, Iraq, and Qatar had also sent their condolences and offered aid to the struggling country. Foreign Minister Marise Payne told ABC Radio on Aug. 5 that the Morrison government would be working closely with Lebanese authorities to provide assistance to Australian citizens in Lebanon. But she noted that the challenge for many international supporters will be the context of COVID. And how we work through that is something that Ill be discussing with officials today. BAKU, Azerbaijan, Aug.5 Trend: No information was received on casualties among Azerbaijani citizens from explosion in Lebanon's capital Beirut, Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry's Spokesperson Leyla Abdullayeva said, Trend reports on August 5. The death toll from a heavy explosion in the port of Beirut on Aug. 4 has exceeded 100 people. UP assembly polls will be about '80 per cent vs 20 per cent'; BJP will win: Yogi Adityanath UP Election 2022: BJP announces first list of candidates, Yogi Adityanath to contest from Gorakhpur PM Modi fulfilled dreams of generations: Adityanath on Ram Mandir Bhumi Pujan India oi-Deepika S Lucknow, Aug 05: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for fulfiling the dreams of generations of Indians who could not see the realisation of their dreams in their lifetime in the form of the Ram Mandir. Ram Mandir: PM Modi returns to Ayodhya after 29 years, lays foundation stone | Oneindia News The first brick of the grand Ram Temple by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at 12:44 pm, as per the 'muhurat' for 'bhoomi pujan'. Modi is among the 175 people present at the ceremony. He shared the dais with just four other people - RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat, trust chief Nritya Gopaldas Maharaj, Uttar Pradesh Governor Anandiben Patel, and CM Yogi Adityanath. Keeping in mind the pandemic, seating arrangements are made in accordance with social distancing principles. Ram Mandir Bhumi Pujan: Full text of PM Narendra Modis speech The ceremony started at around 8 am and end at about 2 pm. The main "bhumi pujan" took place at 12.30 pm and the foundation stone was laid at 12.40 pm. PM Modi also unveiled a plaque to mark the laying of the foundation stone of the temple, followed by the release of a commemorative postage stamp on 'Shree Ram Janmabhoomi Mandir'. After the event, Modi would address the gathering before leaving for the helipad. The bhoomi and shila pujan includes chanting of mantras, and after shovelling the earth, a worship of the ground and shila. Officials in Ayodhya said 40-kg brick made of pure silver will be used for the bhoomi pujan. Soil has been brought in from more than 1500 places, while holy water has been collected from 2,000 places. Roads leading to Ayodhya displayed hoardings with the picture of the proposed Ram temple and of Ram Lalla, the infant Ram, the deity now housed in a makeshift temple. For the BJP, the beginning of construction of a grand temple in Ayodhya is an ideological victory over its rivals with even many Opposition leaders now welcoming the development. Incidentally, the ground-breaking ceremony by Modi, in the presence of leading lights of Hindutva movement including RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat, is being conducted on August 5, which coincides with the first anniversary of the annulment of Article 370, another key ideological plank for the saffron party. Husband of DA charged with pulling gun on protesters in LA The husband of Los Angeles District Attorney Jackie Lacey has been charged with pointing a gun at Black Lives Matter members who demonstrated outside the couples home the day before she faced a primary election in March. The state attorney general filed three misdemeanor charges Monday in Los Angeles Superior Court against David Lacey for assault with a firearm for the March 2 incident. Lacey, 66, pointed a gun at demonstrators who protested outside the couples home before dawn on March 2 and said I will shoot you, according to video of the incident. ADVERTISEMENT Jackie Lacey offered an emotional apology at the time, saying her husband told her he pulled the gun and told protesters to leave. Laceys campaign issued a statement Tuesday saying her husband thought they were in danger and was trying to protect them. The events that took place earlier this year have caused my family immense pain, Lacey said in the statement. My husband acted in fear for my safety after we were subjected to months of harassment that included a death threat no less than a week earlier. Lacey, the first Black person and first woman to run what is the nations largest local prosecutors office, has been targeted for nearly three years by Black Lives Matter protesters, who have held weekly demonstrations outside her office calling for her ouster. The protests were once small, but have numbered in the hundreds and thousands after the Minneapolis police killing of George Floyd. Protesters claim she has failed to hold law enforcement accountable in fatal shootings. She has charged one officer in a fatal on-duty killing, but has declined to file charges in more than 340 other fatal shootings. Melina Abdullah, who is the victim named in count one of the criminal complaint, declined to comment but said she would hold a news conference Wednesday afternoon before Black Lives Matters weekly Jackie Lacey Must Go protest outside the Hall of Justice. ADVERTISEMENT Lacey faces a runoff in November for her third term. She is being challenged by former San Francisco District Attorney George Gascon, a longtime police officer and former chief who vows to reform the office. David Lacey, who is also Black, was an investigative auditor with the DAs office until his 2016 retirement. He was seen in video shot by protesters telling them: I will shoot you. Get off of my porch. His attorney issued a statement saying they were disappointed that he was charged with a crime, but they wouldnt discuss the facts at this time. We disagree entirely with their assessment, but we have the utmost faith in the justice system, and we are confident that the correct result will be reached, attorney Samuel Tyre said. My clients human instinct is forever and always to protect his wife and his family and to keep them safe from physical harm. The charges were first reported by Politico. Donald Trump is suing Nevada over its decision to conduct November's election via mail, claiming Wednesday that the state does not have any signature verification to confirm the ballot isn't fraudulent even as the law outlines such a process. 'Don't forget, if you look at what they're doing in Nevada. No signature, if you take a look at the signature, and there's no verification of signature allowed,' the president said while speaking to reporters in the Oval Office following a meeting with Republican Arizona Governor Doug Ducey. 'So they don't even know who's going to sign this,' Trump continued. 'They have, literally, a clause that you don't have to verify the signature that they don't have to do it.' The Nevada legislation eased the signature verification process but did not completely eliminate it, revising the existing procedures and establishing 'standards for determining when there is a reasonable question of fact as to whether the signature used for an absent ballot, mailing ballot or mail ballot matches the signature of the voter.' Later, during a press conference, a reporter pointed out to the president that the Nevada secretary of state's office, held by a Republican who oversees the state's election, said there would be a signature verification process and it would be done on the county level. Trump shrugged that off. 'That's not what they said when they approved it,' he said of the law that was passed this weekend. 'They said they aren't going to check signatures, they aren't going to be able to end their machinery which is old doesn't allow them to. It's going to be physically impossible for them to do that especially in a short period of time.' During an interview with Fox & Friends earlier in the day, Trump also shrugged off concerns in assuring that voting in-person on Election Day will be 'very safe.' 'We have people that really want to get out and vote. It's going to be very safe. But by November 3rd, time wise, that's eternity, frankly, as far as I'm concerned. For Trump, that's eternity. And, November 3rd is a long ways off, a lot of things are going to happen,' he said Wednesday morning during an interview on 'Fox & Friends.' President Donald Trump claimed the Nevada law doesn't have a signature verification process for its mail-in ballots but - while the law eased the process, it did not eliminate it President Donald Trump has sued Nevada over its decision to conduct November's election via mail-in voting and argued things are going to be 'very safe' by Election Day for people to vote in-person A voter drops off his absentee ballot in Michigan's primary election on Tuesday - more states are expanding their mail-in voting options because of the coronavirus pandemic Trump also argued the coronavirus was going away even as the United States has averaged more than 1,000 deaths for nine consecutive days. 'This thing's going away. It will go away like things go away,' the president said of the virus, which has killed more than 159,000 Americans and infected more than 4.85 million. Trump has railed against Nevada after the state decided to automatically mail ballots to all its registered voters. His campaign, the Republican National Committee and the Nevada Republican Party filed a lawsuit on Tuesday night to stop the move. The president has falsely claimed mail-in voting leads to voter fraud, which studies show is not the case. But Republicans are concerned mail-in ballots benefit voting blocs that tend to support Democrats. He told reporters at the White House that the country is 'never going to know who won the election' if mail-in ballots are widely used. 'You'll never know who the winner is,' Trump said, adding: 'But the winner's going to be me.' The Republican Party has launched lawsuits in several states - including California - that are expanding their mail-in voting options in response to the pandemic. Nevada, California and Vermont have opted for universal mail-in voting because of the virus. Five states already conduct elections by mail-in ballots. And many other states have allowed fear of the coronavirus to be used as a reason for requesting an absentee ballot. The president has also argued mail-in ballots would take longer to count, meaning there would be no result on election night. 'It's going to be months or years,' he claimed on 'Fox & Friends' of knowing who will be the next president. He's argued some states - like Nevada - don't have the infrastructure to count mail-in ballots but it's unclear what he means by that. 'They will never be able to tabulate their votes because they are not set up for it,' he said Wednesday morning. During remarks later in the day he said, 'We'll see what the court has to say about it.' 'Even if Nevada wanted to do it well, they wouldn't have enough time,' he insisted. 'I'm sure the Post Office doesn't have enough time.' 'Millions of ballots all of the sudden coming out of nowhere,' the president continued. 'You know, voting starts in a very short period of time.' Trump, who votes absentee in Florida, argues that is different and said that state has the infrastructure to handle mail-in ballots. 'You can't do a mail-in vote. Florida is different in a sense that they have been doing it and they have had two very good governors, frankly and infrastructure that's taken years to build. Nevada, they start voting very soon,' he said. He made the same argument on Twitter before his early morning interview on Fox. 'Nevada has ZERO infrastructure for Mail-In Voting. It will be a corrupt disaster if not ended by the Courts. It will take months, or years, to figure out. Florida has built a great infrastructure, over years, with two great Republican Governors. Florida, send in your Ballots!,' he wrote. On Tuesday, Trump came out for vote-by-mail efforts in Florida a state he made his home after leaving higher-tax New York. His surprise turnaround came after a series of polls showed him trailing Democrat Joe Biden in the state and amid concerns from some Republicans his criticism of mail-in voting would backfire and keep their supporters from voting in November. 'Florida's got a great Republican governor,' President Trump said on Tueday, asked why he supported mail-in voting there Trump defended his new position in a Tuesday evening news conference where his first justification was that the state has a 'great Republican governor.' Trump was referring to Gov. Ron DeSantis, a close ally and friend. 'Florida's got a great Republican governor,' Trump said, singling out DeSantis and predecessor Gov. Rick Scott. 'Over a long period of time, they've been able to get the absentee ballots done extremely professionally,' he said. 'Florida's different from other states.' He added: 'Florida has been working on this for years and they have a very good system of mail-in.' Trump lauded Florida's despite its problem continuing ballots in the disputed 2000 presidential election that led to the landmark Bush v. Gore Supreme Court decision, which handed the White House to George W. Bush. Trump also has vilified the U.S. Postal Service in his argument against mail-in voting, charging it is not prepared to handle the millions of absentee ballots that will come through its system. 'The postal service for 40 years has had big problems. And they are not equipped to handle a governor where they say millions of ballots, by the way, will be posted in a couple of weeks. Gear up. You can't do that. It doesn't work that way. It's a very complex process,' he said on Fox News Wednesday morning. Some state election officials have expressed similar concerns about the post office but postal workers charge that changes made by the new post master general - a large Republican contributor to Trump who was appointed by the president - have led to delays in the mail system. Postmaster general Louis DeJoy, a large contributor to Trump who the president appointed to the position, is meeting with Democratic leaders on Capitol Hill Wednesday amid concerns about the postal system. The Postal Service is experiencing days-long backlogs of mail, sparking fears the problem could continue into November and affect the election. Additionally, an internal report from the postal service warned almost half the states are not providing adequate time for workers to deliver ballots ahead of the election. Several states affected are battleground ones that could decide if Trump or Biden is the next president and it's big cities - which are hot beds of Democratic voters - that will likely be most affected. A worker wearing a protective mask places enveloped ballots into a postal service bin at the Runbeck Election Services facility in Phoenix, Arizona, during that state's primary on Tuesday An internal report from the Postal Service warned there are 24 states with deadlines close enough to the election that do provide or at high risk for not giving the post office time to deliver ballots before the election Postal workers told The Washington Post the delays are a result of changes DeJoy put into place, leading to allegations of that the election is being undermined by politics. President Trump and his Republican allies have attacked the U.S. Post Office, saying the postal system cannot be trusted to deliver mail-in ballots to the various state boards of elections to be counted. The number of mail-in ballots is expected to be unusually high this year because of the coronavirus. Louis DeJoy is an American businessman and Republican Party fundraiser who was appointed in May 2020 by unanimous selection of the Board of Governors of the United States Postal Service to serve as the 75th United States Postmaster General The changes DeJoy implemented include prohibiting overtime pay, shutting down sorting machines early and requiring letter carriers to leave mail to avoid extra trips or late delivery on routes. His supporters say the moves are to cut costs and help the debt-ridden service make its way to the black. But postal workers told the newspaper that the changes have resulted in at least a two-day delay in parts of the country along with bins and bins of unsorted, undelivered mail piling up in post offices. Additionally, many states use a postmark to determine whether or not a ballot meets the deadline to be counted and the delays in processing could affect them, meaning a ballot that was mailed in time still may not have the election day post mark that many states require in order for it to be counted. An internal report from the Postal Service warned there are 24 states with deadlines close enough to the election that do not provide or at high risk for not giving the post office time to deliver ballots before the election. The states include the battleground states of New Hampshire, Maine, Michigan, Wisconsin, Georgia, and Ohio. 'Ballots requested less than seven days before an election are at a high risk of not being delivered, completed by voters, and returned to the election offices in time,' the report stated. BEIJING, Aug. 5 -- In a recent live-fire exercise, the logistic support department of a brigade under the PLA 79th Group Army greatly reduced the fuel supplement time for troops in maneuver, through coordinated multi-dimensional supply. With the help of real-time data flow, the brigades logistic support department only dispatched part of its personnel to respond to the troops demands in the exercise for materials, fuels and equipment and achieved a high efficiency. According to Zhang Guo, a quartermaster of the brigade, the logistics and armament supply data of the whole brigade is updated in real time during the exercise, providing the quartermasters with various information on hydrological situation, weather conditions, transportation and terrain conditions in battlefield, as well as the updates on equipment performance, material consumption and battle damage. Its said that to ensure precise deployment of resources and efficient supply delivery in the battlefield, the brigade in recent years conducted in-depth research on its various battlefield support demands, established data link allowing information exchange among all logistics and armament support commanding platforms, combat units and support units, and realized multilayer integration of various links and elements. When it is recognised that the breaking of the mosque in Ayodhya was wrong, just restoration as ordered must be made before a temple may be built there; meaning that at the hour of inauguration, the only god there will be the one projecting himself as one In the Ramayana, we learn that after victory in Lanka, Ram didn't conquer and annex Lanka. There was no violent retribution on the peoples of Lanka. No pillage. No plunder. He restored the kingdom to Ravan's lawful heir and went back to Ayodhya. The Ramayana and the Mahabharata are a discussion on what in western philosophy is known as the theory of "just war". Both of them examine not just when it is ethical to go to war but also how war ought to be conducted. In fact, the entire Bhagavad Gita is a discussion between Arjun and Krishna (in his full avatar as Isvara) on the justness of the conflict playing out in front of them. Not just whether the conflict was just, but whether participating in this conflict was just as well. The Ram of the Ramayana was not one who pounced and danced on the heads of his enemies. The Ram of the Ramayana was one who saw the humanity in his opponent and only used violence to correct an incorrectness. When in the Ramayana, we celebrate the victory good over evil, it is the victory of this "good" that we celebrate. A "good" that represented there being a just lawful order. The cause of action for the war in both these major epics was a breach of dharma (the law) and that was the justification for war. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate a temple at a site that has been believed to be the birthplace of the Lord Rama. A mosque stood there till it was demolished illegally in the 1990s. The Supreme Court last year, ruled that the mosque had been illegally demolished, but awarded the site to the Hindu parties. It also directed that the government find an alternate plot of land to relocate the mosque. I am not commenting on the legalities of the order or its merits. But when seen from purely the view of Indian philosophy, the Supreme Court (a) recognised a wrong (the destruction of the mosque), (b) ordered restorative justice (by giving a plot to the Muslim community) and (c) respected sentiments and allowed the Hindus the plot. In an ideal world, Hindus across the country would have pooled in funds and purchased the mosque from the Waqf Board. The mosque was old and hardly in use anyway and I do not think anyone would want to prevent Hindus from praying there. Personally, this is how it should have ideally played out right from the start. A social movement to purchase the site and build a temple. Rather, control of the site became an assertion of Hindu identity and consequently, the mosque was unlawfully destroyed. If Hindus had to finally provide an alternate plot, what was all the need for this bloodshed anyway? Could this not have been mediated before it was pushed beyond mediation thanks to riots and political careers? Instead, what happened was that for decades this country's political leaders played with public sentiments. Leaders of both communities decided to use this issue to political advantage and moved the communities to war. There was bloodshed. Scars of those riots post that demolition are still visible in Mumbai. People still talk in hushed tones about their experiences in the riots. The riots resulted in people taking up arms against the country and saw the effective institutionalisation of the underworld. All of this because someone wanted to play with people's sentiments to get to power. This "struggle" to build the temple, was never about the temple. This was a lie that was sold to people to drive them to fight each other. This was about polarising vote banks and capturing them. Our politicians made this an issue about correcting "historical wrongs". We were fed the idea that the mosque standing there was an affront to Hindus and it had to go. But, the broader dharmic question remains. If Hinduism is truly a religion that encompasses all other faiths, can any other religion actually defile a Hindu holy site? Only if that site was being used for adharmic activities activities that would violate the laws of dharma would there have been a cause. Yes, many will argue that breaking the temple that stood there initially was adharmic and therefore dharma required that this wrong be corrected. Let us take that case at their word. That there was a temple there that was demolished and a mosque was built there. But clearly, this "wrong" was being agitated via the proper process, was it not? There were court cases. Further, the issue could have been sorted out by the government by acquiring the land legally and then allocating a fresh plot. There is nothing that could have justified demolishing that mosque and plunging not just this country, but the region, into riots. Hindus who are minorities in our neighbourhood had reprisals against them because of the destruction. They suffered, so those who wanted to win votes in the name of Ram could do so. The breaking of the mosque illegally violated dharma. The mosque was not evil. Nor was it doing any evil. There was no just cause to attack it. When clearly the legal process was on, there was a remedy. This was not "just war". Ram would not have sanctioned it. At least the Ram of the Ramayana I have read would not have. In my reading of the Bhagavad Gita, this "struggle" would constitute an "unjust war" that was waged. Which is why restorative justice is fundamental to ensuring the mosque has dharmic sanctity. When we know the breaking was "wrong", we cannot take advantage of it until we have made the reparations as ordered and morally required. That's the essence of dharma. When it is recognised that the breaking of the mosque was wrong, just restoration as ordered must be made before a temple may be built there; meaning that at the hour of inauguration, the only god there will be the one projecting himself as one. The alternate mosque need not merely be built, but it must be working and functioning. Further, those who were responsible for the riots and the illegal destruction need to be brought to book. It is a fundamental requirement to ensure that this temple is built in accordance with Hinduism. The women, who are African American, say that for the next hour, they were detained, handcuffed and kept from their crying babies. The officers, at least at first, did not wear masks while handling them and their children, Winston said. The women said they were told the vehicle had been reported stolen, but Johnson provided proof she was the owner and said she had never reported it stolen. The women said they received no further explanation from police about why they were targeted. Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews has hit back at the millionaire founder of Jim's Mowing after he told his workers to ignore Melbourne's lockdown laws. Mr Andrews said on Tuesday that lawn-mowing businesses are among the list of businesses banned from operating during the strict six-week lockdown. 'There'll be no cleaners going to your house there'll be no-one mowing your lawns. There'll be no-one providing anything, other than emergency support,' he said. The premier's cutting remarks come after self-made millionaire David Penman, who founded Jim's Mowing, said he would continue mowing lawns and even offered to pay the fines of any of his contractors who get caught out flouting the laws. Mr Andrews shot the business owner down during his press conference on Wednesday. 'They are not permitted workers unless, of course, they were providing emergency urgent work. For instance, if a tree fell, then they might be able to go and do that work,' Mr Andrews said. 'But I'm afraid lawns are not getting mowed, people are not getting haircuts.' Scroll down for video Jim's Mowing founder David Penman (pictured left) has vowed to keep his business operating in Melbourne despite shutdown orders from Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews Penman (pictured) said he would continue mowing lawns and has even offered to pay the fines of any his contractors who get caught flouting the strict lockdown laws Premier Andrews said he 'took no pleasure' in shutting down businesses to curb the spread of coronavirus. '(If I said yes to) everyone who had an emotional, powerful, well-argued case, then we would have more people at work in August than we had last month, even under stage three,' the premier said. 'If I don't make these decisions... we won't drive down the number of cases and, indeed, the number of people who are dying.' Mr Penman argued that there was 'nothing more safe than going out and mowing lawns'. 'If you throw tens of thousands of Australians out of work and they all go home, what are they going to do? They're going to go down the bottle shop,' he told ABC News Breakfast. 'You don't have contact with the public, we have electronic payments, you're not seeing people, you're not with people, you're not near people. 'Our people travel by car from one job to another. There's no reason for them to come within 10 metres of any member of the public in what they're doing. So there's no lack of safety.' Premier Daniel Andrews (pictured) hit back against Mr Penman on Wednesday and said 'no-one will be mowing your lawns' Mr Penman, who calls himself an 'accidental millionaire', argued that there was 'nothing more safe than going out and mowing lawns' Mr Penman - who calls himself an 'accidental millionaire' - said the premier was making the rules confusing. He claimed Mr Andrews' advice goes against department of health guidelines, and suggested the government 'change the guidelines' to avoid giving two conflicting messages. The Stage Four guidelines allow for grounds maintenance businesses to keep operating if there's a COVID Safe plan in place. But that only applies as long as the businesses are 'providing support to an essential industry or where required to maintain the health and safety of Victorians at home or at work'. Victoria Police Commissioner Shane Patton said it was 'disappointing' to hear that someone planned to deliberately flaunt the directions. 'We'll deal with every incident on a case-by-case basis when we become alerted to it through the police assistance line,' he said. Jim's Mowing is a thriving business with 55 different divisions in both Australia and New Zealand, 4,000 franchisees and 35,000 customers per day. Mr Penman founded the company in 1982 after giving up his dream of becoming an academic. Concertium, a next generation information technology Managed Services Provider (MSP), today announced that Carren Rieger has been promoted to President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), replacing Pratik Roychoudhury, who is stepping down to pursue other interests. Ms. Rieger is being promoted from her existing positions as both Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and Chief Operating Officer (COO). It has been a tremendous privilege to serve as the CEO of Concertium. I am incredibly proud of the market and technology leadership that we have created and what our teams and partners have accomplished together, said Pratik Roychoudhury. Concertium has navigated a series of exciting changes, including a re-branding of the company from its prior name, and the spinoff into a new corporation of our proprietary management dashboard, Captains Chair IT. I know the company will continue to build a strong team to ensure that Concertium customers can rely on its premier solutions to gain visibility into their information technology systems. Concertium, formerly Shield Watch, was purchased by private equity company, Skyway Group, in 2018. The investment has provided growth capital to accelerate the companys product development efforts and make infrastructure enhancements to support its rapid growth. Bryan Crino, Managing Partner of Skyway Group remarked, We are excited about Concertiums differentiated strategy and believe the company will continue to be a strong market leader. Carren Rieger is the right executive to lead the team at Concertium moving forward. Her experience running operations and finance for the company will suit her well in making a smooth transition to the CEO role. Ms. Rieger has extensive CEO experience, having run the daily operations of BambinOz, a B2C infant care CPG company for over 12 years. She has jointly been both CFO & COO for emerging technology companies in the past, including the last 9 months at Concertium. As a former Strategy & Operations consultant with Deloitte based in New York City, Carren has successfully led engagement teams serving a diversified client base across the financial and technology industries. Carren holds an MBA from Columbia University and BBA from University of Notre Dame. Through innovation and execution, we will deliver on the significant opportunity provided by our unique technology and favorable market position, Rieger said. Technology is no longer an infrastructure cost for mid-market companies, but an asset that can be leveraged to create a true competitive advantage. We are taking action to focus and execute on a strategy that will propel this exciting and innovative company into the next phase of its evolution, while providing long-term value to our employees, and customers. About Concertium Concertium provides IT infrastructure, multi-cloud, and business intelligence solutions. The company offers a unique blend of experience, domain, and technical expertise and understands each of the industries served for its clients across the globe who look for end-to-end business technology solutions. Bush is the fifth left-wing Democrat to oust an incumbent member of Congress from her party since the start of Trumps presidency including three this year and her victory came as a welcome jolt for liberal activists working to challenge entrenched Democrats. A constellation of liberal organizations that helped push Bush to victory are now turning their focus on defeating other establishment figures, such as Rep. Richard E. Neal (D-Mass.), the powerful chair of the House Ways and Means Committee. NEW DELHI : China on Tuesday expressed the hope that India will treat its Confucius Institutes in a fair and objective manner" and avoid politicizing them since they have played an important role in promoting Chinese language teaching and people-to-people and cultural contacts. We hope Indian relevant parties can treat Confucius Institutes and China-India higher education cooperation in an objective and fair manner, avoid politicizing normal cooperation, and maintain healthy and stable development of China-India people-to-people and cultural exchanges," the Chinese embassy said in a statement. The comment comes after reports that the education ministry could review the status of Confucius Institutes and Confucius classrooms" established by China and seven Indian universities and colleges, as well as many agreements on inter-school cooperation. The reported review comes amid tensions between India and China along their border and apparent Chinese reluctance to vacate Indian territory that it has intruded into. With increasingly close economic, trade and cultural exchanges between China and India, the demand for Chinese language teaching in India is growing," said Chinese embassy spokesperson Ji Rong. All Confucius Institutes were established by the Chinese and Indian universities after signing legally binding cooperation agreement in accordance with the principles of mutual respect, friendly consultation, equality and mutual benefit, and on the premise that the Indian side applied voluntarily and met the conditions for running the Institute," Ji said. The school-running mode of Confucius Institutes has always been foreign side mainly managing, Chinese side assisting and both sides raising funds jointly," Ji said. Over the years, Confucius Institutes have played an important role in promoting Chinese language teaching in India and China-India people-to-people and cultural exchanges. This has been generally recognized by the Indian education community," she added. In recent weeks, New Delhi has banned almost 100 Chinese mobile phone apps like ByteDances popular video recording and sharing platform TikTok besides restricting Chinese imports of colour television sets and embargoing Chinese investments in key areas like roads and telecom. Subscribe to Mint Newsletters * Enter a valid email * Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. Kaia Gerber is mourning the loss of Frank Ocean's brother Ryan Breaux, 18, and his friend Ezekiel (Zeek) Bishop, 20. The model took to Instagram with a tribute Tuesday, following a fatal car accident Sunday morning in Thousand Oaks, California. She wrote: 'ryan and zeek, my heart is so heavy right now. I cant put into words how grateful I am for every second I was lucky enough to spend with you. the two people who made me smile the biggest. I will never forget that. RIP: Kaia Gerber is mourning the loss of Frank Ocean's brother Ryan Breaux, 18, and his friend Ezekiel (Zeek) Bishop, 20 'I can still feel you here. I can still hear your laughs. I promise to keep trying to smile for you, I love you both forever. rest peacefully always by each others side.' The 18-year-old included some sweet memories, posting some photos of happy times with Breaux and Bishop. She lounged around with Bishop on a couch in one photo, as they shared a laugh at a formal event in another. Gerber also posted one of the photos to her story, including a link to a GoFundMe for Bishop's family. Touching tribute: The model took to Instagram with a tribute Tuesday, following a fatal car accident Sunday morning in Thousand Oaks, California Paying respects: Gerber also posted one of the photos to her story, including a link to a GoFundMe for Bishop's family Proud brother: Breaux appeared on brother Frank Ocean's 2016 album Blond, in the track Futura Free, which featured an interview with him as a child Thousand Oaks Police Department arrived Sunday, August 2 at around 1:33a.m., to the scene of a single-vehicle crash on Westlake Blvd, above Skelton Canyon Circle. According to E! News, law enforcement said: 'Upon arrival, deputies discovered the vehicle engulfed in flames. The two occupants of the vehicle were pronounced deceased at the scene by the Ventura County Fire Department.' Breaux appeared on brother Frank Ocean's 2016 album Blond, in the track Futura Free, which featured an interview with him as a child. When asked what he'd do with his last day on earth, he responded: 'Everything that was on my bucket list, like I dont know, there would just be a lot of things Ill do, probably spend a lot of time with my family and tell them Im going away and probably... I dont know. Theres a lot of things you could do.' Ocean has yet to release a statement, but their mother Katonya called him 'brave, beautiful and kind, loving and genuine' during his 18th birthday in September on Instagram. He was left stranded in Los Angeles due to the coronavirus lockdown after flying out to visit his mother. And Georgia Kousoulou looked radiant as she joined her TOWIE co-stars to film a welcome home party for Liam 'Gatsby' Blackwell on Tuesday. The reality star, 29, put on a very leggy display in a pair of tiny denim hotpants with ripped, frayed hems. Work it: Georgia Kousoulou looked radiant as she joined her TOWIE co-stars to film a welcome home party for Liam 'Gatsby' Blackwell on Tuesday Georgia teased a glimpse of her toned torso in a plunging floral crop top with flattering wrap detailing. She kept her footwear low-key with a pair of Nike tube socks and boxfresh white trainers. Adding some glamorous accessories, Georgia opted for a Prada perspex handbag and matching purse, gold hooped earrings and a pendant necklace. Fun! The reality star, 29, put on a very leggy display in a pair of tiny denim hotpants with ripped, frayed hems Sensational: Georgia teased a glimpse of her toned torso in a plunging floral crop top with flattering wrap detailing The reality star styled her blonde locks into a curly blow-dried hairdo which she styled into a halfback look fastened with a pink scrunchie. Georgia added a slick of glamorous make-up, which included copper eye shadow, bronzer and a dark nude lipstick. The blonde beauty joined her TOWIE co-stars to throw Gatsby a quintessential British welcome home party after he was left stranded in Los Angeles. Lavish! Adding some glamorous accessories, Georgia opted for a Prada perspex handbag and matching purse, gold hooped earrings and a pendant necklace Gatsby's mother moved out to LA in 2017 and he went to visit her over the Christmas period but was left stranded due to the COVID-19 crisis. Explaining his 'crazy' seven months, he wrote on Instagram: 'After 7 crazy months I'm FINALLY home. So Happy! '2020 has definitely been one for the history books especially in LA with the longer Lockdown, the incredible protests, the curfews, the earthquakes, the bush fires and now one step away from going back into Lockdown in LA just a few days ago. Lovely: The blonde beauty joined her TOWIE co-stars to throw Gatsby a quintessential British welcome home party after he was left stranded in Los Angeles 'Now one last hurdle - 14 day Quarantine then the fun begins - FREEEEEEEDDDDOOMMM!! P.s. I've completed Netflix so if anyone has got any other ideas for my 14 day quarantine I beg u let me know.' He also added: 'Was only meant to be here for Christmas, can't wait to see everyone.' TOWIE resumed filming last week after production was halted in March due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The past few months have seen biotech firms and drugmakers going all out to develop a vaccine to wipe out the deadly coronavirus. The race started sometime in February and a number of drugmakers have reported partial success to overwhelming results in their initial phases of trial. Hopes of a vaccine have once again started rising with a number of companies now entering the final phase of their trials. Also, governments across the world are pumping in millions of dollars to secure the first doses of vaccines. Late-Stage Trials Raise Vaccine Hopes On Aug 3, Eli Lilly and Company LLY said that it will be beginning a late-stage trial on one of its experimental COVID-19 antibody treatments. The phase 3 study will ensure if LY-CoV555, a treatment developed by Eli Lilly in partnership with Canadian biotech AbCellera, can prevent the spread of the virus in residents and staff in U.S. nursing homes. The company is expected to enroll up to 2,400 participants who live or work at a facility that have had a recently diagnosed case of coronavirus. Eli Lilly is already testing the drug in hospitals to study if it can work as a treatment in patients who have the disease. This trial will test whether it works prophylactically. Eli Lilly is among the many companies that have made substantial progress in developing a vaccine candidate for coronavirus. However, the COVID-19 crisis is far from over given that no treatment has yet been found. Vaccine Race Heats Up Following remarkable progress in developing a vaccine over the past couple of months, some drugmakers and biotech companies have started ramping up production of their vaccine candidates, anticipating huge demand if they prove successful. Last week, Moderna, Inc. MRNA and Pfizer, Inc PFE launched two 30,000-subject trials of COVID-19 vaccines that could clear the way for regulatory approval and widespread use by the end of this year, the companies said. The trials, both announced on the same day, are the first late-stage studies supported by the Trump administration to ramp up development of a coronavirus vaccine. Also, the Trump administration is shelling out billions of dollars to secure the first doses of a successful vaccine. Story continues Pharma giants Sanofi SNY and GlaxoSmithKline plc (GSK) last week said that they will receive up to $2.1 billion from the U.S. government for the development of a COVID-19 vaccine. Sanofi and GSK will start clinical trials of their vaccine candidate in September and the Phase 3 study will be underway by the end of the year. Also, Dr. Anthony Fauci, United States leading infectious diseases doctor, said on Jul 6 that the nation will get to know by the end of this year whether a coronavirus vaccine is safe and effective. He had also assured that a vaccine will be available as soon as the clinical trials are complete, giving a boost to the confidence of millions. Stocks in Focus Moderna has been one of the frontrunners in the COVID-19 vaccine race. The companys vaccine candidate mRNA-1273 is a molecule that genetically encodes a set of instructions based on which cells make proteins and send them to various parts of the body. Modernas vaccine for COVID-19 showed it was safe and triggered immune responses in all 45 healthy volunteers in the early-stage study. Its shares have gained 28.5% in the past 30 days. Moderna has a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). You can see the complete list of todays Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here. Pfizer joined forces with German biotech giant BioNTech (NTX) to develop a vaccine for coronavirus. The 360 patients in the United States trial started to receive the first doses of the four vaccine candidates included in the study as of May 5. Dosing in 200 participants in the German trial began on Apr 23. The company has now entered its phase 2/3 safety and efficacy clinical study on 30,000 subjects. The candidate has so far shown promise and the U.S. government last month announced a $1.95 billion contract with the company for up to 600 million doses of a coronavirus vaccine. Pfizers shares have advanced 10.9% in the past month. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for current-year earnings has improved 1.4% over the past 60 days. Pfizer carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). Gilead Sciences, Inc. GILD in May received an emergency-use authorization from the FDA based on preliminary results from two clinical trials: one conducted by the NIAID and the other by itself. The companys expected earnings growth rate for next year is 4.1%. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for current-year earnings has improved 3.8% over the past 30 days. Shares of the company have gained 9.7% year to date. Gilead has a Zacks Rank #3. Amgen, Inc. AMGN, one of the biggest biotech companies in the world, collaborated with Adaptive, Inc. ADPT in April to work on antibodies that can be used to prevent or treat COVID-19. Amgen also plans to test Otezla as a COVID-19 therapy treating respiratory distress in late-stage patients in the coming days. Amgens expected earnings growth rate for the current year is 6%. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for current-year earnings has improved 1% over the past 60 days. Amgen carries a Zacks Rank #3. Dynavax Technologies Corporation DVAX is developing a vaccine candidate SCB-2019 with GlaxoSmithKline plc (GSK) which is in its phase 1 clinical trials. The vaccine is made up of the S-Trimer protein that resembles the coronavirus spike protein and hence triggers the immune system to produce antibodies. Last week, Dynavax partnered with Taiwan-based Medigen Vaccine Biologics to develop an adjuvanted COVID-19 vaccine candidate. The partners will leverage Medigens stable prefusion form of the SARS-CoV2 recombinant spike protein in combination with Dynavaxs advanced adjuvant CpG 1018.Zacks Rank #3 Dynavaxsshares have rallied 100% in the past three months. Biggest Tech Breakthrough in a Generation Be among the early investors in the new type of device that experts say could impact society as much as the discovery of electricity. Current technology will soon be outdated and replaced by these new devices. In the process, its expected to create 22 million jobs and generate $12.3 trillion in activity. A select few stocks could skyrocket the most as rollout accelerates for this new tech. Early investors could see gains similar to buying Microsoft in the 1990s. Zacks just-released special report reveals 8 stocks to watch. The report is only available for a limited time. See 8 breakthrough stocks now>> Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report Sanofi (SNY) : Free Stock Analysis Report Dynavax Technologies Corporation (DVAX) : Free Stock Analysis Report Pfizer Inc. (PFE) : Free Stock Analysis Report Gilead Sciences, Inc. (GILD) : Free Stock Analysis Report Moderna, Inc. (MRNA) : Free Stock Analysis Report Eli Lilly and Company (LLY) : Free Stock Analysis Report Amgen Inc. (AMGN) : Free Stock Analysis Report Adaptive Biotechnologies Corporation (ADPT) : Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. Zacks Investment Research Xinhua/Liu Jie via Getty ImagesBy MIKE LEVINE, ABC News (WASHINGTON) -- The president's response to COVID-19 has been criticized since the first cases began appearing in the United States in late January. Heres a look at how his response has evolved since then. Warning that tensions with China have reached "unprecedented" levels, Chinas ambassador to the United States on Tuesday chastised President Donald Trumps use of the phrase "China virus" and fiercely disputed accusations that the Chinese government withheld potentially life-saving information about COVID-19 in the earliest days of the pandemic. "We have to base ourselves on real facts, and the timeline is very clear," Ambassador Cui Tiankai said. "Everybody knew [early on] this is very dangerous." In late December 2019, Chinese authorities identified "a few cases" of "pneumonia of unknown cause" in the Wuhan province, and within days -- on Jan. 3 -- the World Health Organization was notified, according to Tiankai. The next day, Chinese authorities "had their first communication" with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention about the new virus, but at that time "nobody in the world knew anything about" it, he said. A week later, when there were still only "single-digit number of cases here in the United States," the Chinese government publicly released the genetic makeup of the virus, according to Tiankai, speaking during an online session of the annual Aspen Security Forum. "As soon as we discovered something, we shared it with the international community. This is a fact," he insisted. "Everything was done very quickly." But Trump and some of the nations top disease experts have blamed the Chinese government for initially hiding the most significant component of COVID-19: that its easily spread among humans. Even as late as mid-January, "We were still hearing from the Chinese that it wasn't efficiently spread from human to human," Dr. Anthony Fauci, the head of the National Institute of Allergy and Infection Disease, recently told ABC News. "[But] then as the weeks went by, it became very clear that there really would be trouble." Trump has repeatedly called COVID-19 the "China virus" or "Chinese flu," insisting the Chinese government is "fully responsible for concealing the virus and unleashing it upon the world," as he put it last month. During Tuesdays online forum, however, Tiankai denounced such rhetoric. "It's certainly wrong to have such stigma," he said. "The virus, as defined by the World Health Organization, is COVID-19. And the WHO has ruled that the name of any such virus should not be linked with any particular place, people, or ethnic group. This is an international rule I think all of us should follow." Tiankai also disputed that Chinese authorities failed to acknowledge the human-to-human transmission quickly enough. Understanding the mode of transmission was "extremely important for our response to the virus, so thats why we sent our national experts to Wuhan to determine whether this is transmitted among human beings," he said. "And once they determined that this is transmitted among human beings, we had the Wuhan lockdown," sealing off about 12 million people from the rest of China and the world. "So everybody knew this is very dangerous," he insisted. The Wuhan lockdown was announced on Jan. 23. Since then, nearly 19 million people have been infected around the world and hundreds of thousands have died, including more than 150,000 inside the United States alone. Speaking more broadly about U.S.-China relations, Tiankai criticized America for what he called its "obsession with global dominance," warning that current tensions are "unprecedented," at least since diplomatic relations between the two countries were restored in the early 1970s. "China certainly has no intention to seek global dominance," he claimed. "But people here in this country talk about this so often, it seems to be there is such an obsession with it." Tiankai offered this warning: "We are at a very critical moment for our relations. So the choices we are making today will really shape not only relations between our two great countries but also the future of the world." Copyright 2020, ABC Audio. All rights reserved. A Korean diplomat accused of sexually assaulting an embassy staffer in New Zealand in 2017 may be extradited after he was recalled home from his post in the Philippines, New Zealand media speculated Tuesday. Newshub said that the diplomat, identified as Kim, is "a step closer to facing justice" and "could be extradited to New Zealand." But when asked by reporters about the prospects of the Kim facing additional disciplinary measures, a Foreign Ministry official here only said the ministry would "look into the matter." When Kim was originally accused of repeatedly groping the male New Zealander, who worked for the Korean Embassy in Wellington, the ministry let him off with a slap on the wrist by docking him a months pay and swiftly posted him somewhere else. The resurgent media furor seems to be forcing both governments into uncomfortable positions. A senior Foreign Ministry official here said Monday, "It is not advisable for New Zealand to raise the issue through the media without requesting formal judicial procedures." The official also voiced regret that New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern raised the issue in a telephone call with President Moon Jae-in last month. New Zealand's Foreign Minister Winston Peters in a TV interview last Saturday seemed to try and calm the clamor for extradition by claiming that sexual harassment "isn't a crime" in Korea, but then suggested that Kim should go to face justice in the island country of his own accord. On Tuesday, in a blog post published by YouTube, Google solidifies its efforts to migrate Google Play Music users over to YouTube Music, which will eventually replace the former. Over the past few months, Google has been updating YouTube Music with new features and has added the ability to migrate music, tastes, and playlists from Google Play Music. YouTube Music will completely succeed Play Music by December 2020. Starting in September, South Africa and New Zealand wont be able to stream music through the Google Play Music app, and the same change will apply to all other global markets in October. Subscriptions will automatically be cancelled as well. Playlists, libraries, and content wont be erased just yet. This will be everyones last change to migrate content and preferences to YouTube Music until December. In 2021, Google Play Music is going away. Starting later this month, users wont be able to purchase more tunes on the old app. YouTube Music is adding new features, including a new Player page redesign, a new Explore tab, and some new integrations with existing Google services. Google Maps integration with Google Play Music is coming, as well as an update to the Android TV app, and Google Assistant will be able to recommend new music for you. Source The Equator Principles (EPs) is a risk management framework adopted by financial institutions for determining, assessing and managing environmental and social risk in projects. Its primarily intended to provide a minimum standard for due diligence and monitoring to support responsible risk decision-making. The EPs apply globally to all industry sectors and to five financial products: 1) project finance advisory services, 2) project finance, 3) project-related corporate loans, 4) bridge loans and 5) project-related refinance and project-related acquisition finance. The relevant thresholds and criteria for application is described in detail in the scope section of the EPs. The EPs are adopted and applied voluntarily by whats known as Equator Principles Financial Institutions, or EPFIs. Currently 116 EPFIs in 37 countries have officially adopted the EPs, covering the majority of international project finance debt within developed and emerging markets. The last review update of the EPs came into full effect as of 1 October 2020. Amendments and new commitments were made related to human rights, climate change, indigenous peoples and biodiversity. The scope of the EPs has also been extended to capture more project-related transactions. The final EP4 document and a summary of stakeholder input received during the consultation period, plus EPAs response to those recommendations, can be found at www.equator-principles.com/ep4. ING was one of the 10 first adopters of the EPs in 2003 and was one of the process coordinators for the review that resulted in EP4. We served as chair of the Steering Committee from 20122014, where we played an important role in finalising EP III. We actively advocate and promote the EPs, as we recognise their ability to positively contribute to society. ING has a well-established Environmental and Social Risk Framework (ESR Framework) that lists the standards we expect of clients and ourselves, including application of the EPs. Applying the Equator Principles As an Equator Principles Financial Institution (EPFI) we dont provide project finance or project-related corporate loans to clients that are unable to or choose not to comply with the principles. We also implement the EPs in our internal environmental and social policies, procedures and standards. These are embedded in our ESR framework, and require involvement of the following three banking areas: Front office: The departments that originate transactions and have direct contact with clients or sponsors. Risk managers: The departments that provide control over Front Office activities and generally can sign off on the environmental and social impacts for low-risk EP deals. Environmental and social risk: The dedicated department within risk management that assesses the environmental and social impacts associated with high-risk transactions. An example of how the EPs form part of our transaction assessment: Sarulla geothermal power plant: ING was one of the financiers of the worlds largest geothermal facilities [at the time], under construction on the Indonesian island of Sumatra since 2014. The project develops the steam resources, constructs and operates the geothermal power plants with a total net deliverable capacity of 330 MW for 30 years. Three power plants will be built, including a 20 km transmission line as interface point with the national electricity grid. The transaction was assessed in accordance with the Equator Principles and our Environmental and Social Risk Policy for the energy sector. An independent technical, environmental and social due diligence was also applied to the project to ensure that appropriate environmental and social management plans were in place. We initially identified some safety, biodiversity and social impacts that had to be addressed prior to any approval for finance, in order for the project to comply with our Environmental and Social Risk policies and the applicable Environmental & Social standards . Regarding safety, the project area may be affected by earthquakes. We therefore requested the project to comply with the international seismic design codes and monitoring of micro tremoring and slope stability assessments. The project is currently under construction and the latest monitoring reports confirm good progress in this respect. The majority of the projects environmental footprint is located within a modified habitat with an unlikely, although possible impact on endangered species. The project therefore conducted field surveys, developed a biodiversity action plan and a biodiversity offset management plan in line with applicable international standards. As a consequence, the project is committed to successfully apply a biodiversity mitigation hierarchy. Social impacts involved the right of way affecting part of the land used by some households. We requested the project to manage this issue in compliance with the requirements of the related IFC Performance Standards. As a consequence, consultation and participation activities are organised for the affected households and are effective to date. The project in fact delivers public consultations and disclosure activities in various forms and has established an effective grievance mechanism. We are pleased to see the positive developments brought by the efforts of the Sarulla management team. In addition to adequately mitigating environmental and social risks, this project will reduce Indonesias reliance on diesel and provide long-term reliable electricity to an area subject to power shortages through renewable energy production. The full text of the Equator Principles can be on the Equator Principles website. Please find INGs most recent Equator Principles reporting on the Members & Reporting page of EP. I had a very insightful conversation with fellow tech women in the afternoon at Indiana State Museum. They asked me to share with them what fuels my passion for inspiring and mentoring women and girls in the STEM career and how you define success? I told them that success is a very relative term. If I can inspire a young girl to dream of being a doctor, scientist, or engineer, I have achieved my goal. With my role as a columnist at Indianapolis Recorder, I can use this medium to inspire, encourage, and educate thousands of people to follow their dreams to pursue a career in STEM and tech. It fuels my passion. We are not leveraging our young girls and womens potential, and we are missing out on a huge opportunity. We also discussed the importance of role models, mentors, and resources to generate interest and keep them thriving in achieving their goals. I drove a few blocks and stopped by Indiana Avenue to visit the Black Lives Matter mural. I saw some of the images of artists painting it, but the final image taken by a drone was outstanding. Every letter has a different artist conveying a story. However, seeing it in person with one of the artists and her daughters explained the true meaning of the mural. It has a tale of two young girls dreams and future. Haley Rose was taking pictures of artist Ashley Robinson of Ashley Nora Art and her daughters Jurnee, 5 and Ariah, 3, who painted R in the word Matter with portraits of her two daughters and their dreams. The girls were very excited to see their faces painted on the street with their handprints and dreams. They posed like divas for the pictures but could not wait to get ice cream to beat the heat. Ashley said, I dedicated this to them. I asked them what they wanted to be when they grow up. Jurnee said a dentist and Ariah said a painter. If these change tomorrow, I want them to know that their dreams matter and their futures matter! I want them to be whatever they want to be and not be judged by the color of their skin! All of us deserve to live and to bloom to our full potential. Onus is on us. It is our responsibility to make sure that Jurnee and Ariah get the resources and opportunities they deserve to make their dreams a reality. They should feel confident that their dreams and future matter to us as much as it matters to them. What story will you reveal from the mural? Rupal Thanawala is managing director at Trident Systems leading business and technology consulting practice, and tech editor for Indianapolis Recorder. Contact her at rupalt@indyrecorder.com. Even as scheduled commercial airlines are struggling to put extra capacity in the air, there's some glimmer of hope in the private charter space. Private charter operators say that the demand for leisure travel within the country has shot up by over 50 per cent compared to pre-COVID period. For instance, if a private charter operator was getting two-three queries per day for leisure travel, the number has gone up to 9-10 now. Interestingly, most of these queries are coming from first-time travellers. "People who never travelled in private charters are booking seats as they have become wary of travelling in scheduled flights. A lot of people are trying to travel to places which are safe and where they can take a quick holiday that they have been missing out on for the past few months," says an operator. The travel industry experts have been talking about the concept of "revenge tourism" for quite some time which is essentially the urge of tourists to make short visits to nearby destinations - places where one can reach in three-five hours. But the fresh demand for private charter services highlights that the tourists are willing to travel longer distances if they find those to be safe. Operators say that most queries are coming for travel to Goa, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh. Even though there are international travel requests to Dubai, Maldives, Sri Lanka, and Thailand as well but those are restricted since it requires permission from MHA (ministry of home affairs) and immigration authorities. These agencies are largely allowing essential travel on international routes. Despite the rise in leisure travel demand, the charter operators are still nowhere near the number of flights that they were booking prior to the COVID period. For instance, 70 per cent of the demand which used to come from business travel has shrunk by over 50 per cent. Take Delhi-based operator JetSetGo. If it was operating 12 business-related flights prior to COVID, it can manage just about four-five flights now. "Business is down by 40-50 per cent. That's because everyone is doing meetings over video calls like Zoom etc," says Kanika Tekriwal, CEO and founder, JetSetGo Aviation. For private charter operator, there's a double whammy of COVID and rise in competition from commercial airlines like IndiGo, SpiceJet and Vistara, which have also started private charter operations in order to capture the demand from HNIs (high net-worth individuals) and group corporate travel. "Since a large part of their (commercial airlines) fleet is lying idle, they don't want to turn down any opportunity in this challenging phase," says an aviation consultant. Most airlines in India are flying at 30-35 per cent capacity due to weak demand for air travel, primarily from the corporate segment. This is despite government asking airlines to deploy 45 per cent of the approved capacity in the Summer schedule. "Customers prefer smaller charters because of the better experience that they offer as compared to IndiGo and others who are flying narrow-body aircraft (A320s etc) for private fights," says JetSetGo's Tekriwal. The business aviation segment has a fleet of over 350 aircraft, and most of which are still grounded due to low demand and flying restrictions across different states. Also Read: Coronavirus treatment: Lupin launches Favipiravir for Rs 49 per tablet; names drug Covihalt Also Read: Coronavirus update: India's COVID-19 cases cross 19 lakh; death toll nears 40,000 The United States government will pay Johnson & Johnson over $1 billion for 100 million doses of its potential coronavirus vaccine, its latest such arrangement as the race to tame the pandemic intensifies, the drugmaker said on Wednesday. It said it would deliver the vaccine to the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) on a not-for-profit basis to be used after approval or emergency use authorization by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). J&J has already received $1 billion in funding from the US government - BARDA agreed in March to ... Jammu: Playing down the detection of tunnel in Chamliyal-Ramgarh sector in Samba district after the gunning down of three heavily armed terrorist, BSF on Friday said it was mere a rat hole tunnel used only one time by the terrorists. Militants had come out to this side via a tunnel on the night on the intervening night of 28 and 29 November in Chamliyal area. Operation was conducted there. Details have been shared with you (media), Inspector General of BSF, Jammu Frontier D K Upadhayaya told reporters here tonight. Ahead of the press conference, BSF played a video to showcase a tunnel to the media apart from the route of the terrorist, who came from Pakistan while crawling through the tunnel and place of hiding, where the three militants were killed by BSF during the gun-battle. We have given you the full details of the tunnel. There were various reports coming in the media about the tunnel and old profile pictures of some tunnels were shown which was total different in shape and size, he said. Upadhayaya further said as per the pictures shown to you it is a rat hole tunnel and it is generally used one time, which opens up in a plain area. The area was ploughed two to three days ago. BSF and farmers were keeping a watch over the area. The mouth of tunnel was opened a few days ago and militants came through it. There were no tell-tale signs of the tunnel before this. To make you understand, so that no wrong news get published or aired, this is what I want to bring it to your notice, he said. The tunnel is roughly 65- to 70-feet long, he said, adding that on this side of the fencing it is 35-feet long and other side of the fence towards Pakistan it is over 30-feet. The aim of the militants was to negotiate the fencing. Otherwise they would have been facing the hurdle of the fencing which was not possible to negotiate. That is why they dugged tunnel under the fence to avoid it, he said. Replying to a question whether the group of militants that attacked army artillery unit in Nagrota on the same day, killing seven army personnel including two Majors came from this side, the IG said I cannot reply to any query based on speculation. As I said such tunnels are used tactically one time. Once it used it gets identified immediately. He said digging a tunnel without help of Pak rangers was not possible. We were prepared which is reflected from the conduct of the our operation. We always remain alert as entire IB is sensitive for us. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Boris Johnson's government would not get the blame for a second wave, according to a new poll (Picture: Getty) The majority of people living in the UK would not blame the Conservative government for a second wave of coronavirus, according to a new YouGov poll. The public would bear the brunt of the responsibility rather than Boris Johnsons administration, the new survey suggests. In total 52% of the respondents said the public would be at fault, 31% said the Tories would take responsibility, 11% said neither and 7% said they did not know. The survey polled 2,447 adults. On Tuesday, a study warned Britain risked a second wave of COVID-19 this winter twice as large as the initial outbreak if it reopens schools full-time without improving its test-and-trace system. In total 52% of the respondents said the public would be at fault (Picture: YouGov) Schools in the UK closed in March during a national lockdown, except for the children of key workers, and reopened in June for a small number of pupils. All children are now on their summer breaks. The government wants all pupils to return to school by early September, with the prime minister calling this a national priority. Researchers from University College London and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine modelled the impact of reopening schools, combined with continuing to gradually ease social-distancing measures, under a range of scenarios. If schools reopened full-time, 75% of people with COVID-19 symptoms would need to be diagnosed and isolated and 68% of their contacts would need to be traced, according to their study published in the Lancet Child and Adolescent Health journal. The test-and-trace system in England is currently reaching about 50% of contacts of those testing positive, according to the studys lead author Jasmina Panovska-Griffiths. Junior local government minister Simon Clarke said the system was constantly being tweaked to make it more effective, adding that officials were looking at whether there should be a physical follow-up if some people could not be reached by phone. The latest official data, for the period July 16-22, showed that the test-and-trace system reached 81% of people who tested positive, and that 81% of those it reached provided details for contacts. Story continues The system reached 75% of those contacts. Coronavirus: what happened today Click here to sign up to the latest news and information with our daily Catch-up newsletter After picking bluegrass, a person notices a tick on their clothes, in the mountains of Wenchuan County Radish village, Ngawa Tibetan and Qiang Autonomous Prefecture, Sichuan Province, China, on March 27, 2018. (Wang He/Getty Images) Tick-Borne Virus Kills 7, Infects Dozens in Eastern China A contagious, tick-borne virus that first emerged in China has recently killed seven while infecting dozens in the country. The virus usually spreads between May and October in mountainous regions, and has a death rate of 5 to 17 percent, said Chuang Jen-Hsiang, deputy director-general of Taiwan Centers for Disease Control (CDC), at an Aug. 5 press conference. The virus has sickened at least 62 over the first half of the year, including 37 in the coastal Chinese province of Jiangsu and 23 in neighboring Anhui Province, five of whom have died, according to local media. Two more died in central Zhejiang Province, which borders Jiangsu. The latest patient hospitalized was a 65-year-old tea grower surnamed Wang from Jiangsus Nanjing city. According to local media, she began feeling unwell about two months ago, after gathering tea leaves from her plantation. In a few days, she began having symptoms of shivers, high fever, physical fatigue, and wet coughs. Her body temperature went up to 104 F at times. She was diagnosed with severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS), also known as Huaiyangshan banyangvirus, characterized by low platelet and white cell counts. Farm workers pick tea leaves at a tea plantation in the outskirts of Chongqing Municipality, China, on March 9, 2007. (China Photos/Getty Images) Currently, there is no vaccine available to prevent the disease. Jin Ke, a surgeon at Jiangsu Peoples Hospital, told local media that Wangs organs were failing by the time she was transferred to the infectious diseases department. She recovered after about a month of hospital treatment. Mr. Fang, another patient from Yiwu city of Zhejiang Province, had symptoms of high fever, diarrhea, and loss of appetite in late June, which didnt go away after he took anti-inflammatory pills. His white cell and platelet count had dropped to about a fourth and half of normal levels, respectively, by the time he went to the local hospital. The citys CDC has advised people to use insect repellent, wear long pants when going outdoors, tighten pant cuffs around the ankles, and avoid lying on the grass. While tick bites remain the primary transmission route for the disease, Sheng Jifang, an expert in Zhejiang-based bunyavirus (a family of anthropod-borne viruses), warned that it can also be transmitted among humans, citing previous instances of infections through mucus contact or contact with a patients blood. Ticks often live in forests, bushes, open pasture fields, grasslands, and hills, Sheng said. A Chinese doctor checks a bacteria sample at a hospital in Beijing on Sept. 14, 2010. (AFP/AFP via Getty Images) The virus first appeared in Chinas Henan Province in 2009. Since then, cases have been discovered in South Korea, Japan, and Vietnam. Taiwan detected its first SFTS case in November 2019, a man around 70 years old in northern Taiwan who had no recent travel history. He was hospitalized following nine days of fever and vomiting. Taiwan authorities have listed SFTS as a notifiable infectious disease since April, and are requiring doctors to report to the government any relevant cases within 24 hours after its emergence. In the event of a tick bite, doctors have advised people to use tweezers or seek medical help rather than pulling the tick out by hand, which could cause the bugs hooks to break off and remain in the body. Swelling, blisters, rashes, and bruises often form around the area of the bites. The incubation period for the virus is 7 to 14 days, according to the Taiwan CDC. If you are building a properly diversified stock portfolio, the chances are some of your picks will perform badly. But long term Mohawk Industries, Inc. (NYSE:MHK) shareholders have had a particularly rough ride in the last three year. Regrettably, they have had to cope with a 67% drop in the share price over that period. And over the last year the share price fell 31%, so we doubt many shareholders are delighted. More recently, the share price has dropped a further 18% in a month. View our latest analysis for Mohawk Industries To paraphrase Benjamin Graham: Over the short term the market is a voting machine, but over the long term it's a weighing machine. One imperfect but simple way to consider how the market perception of a company has shifted is to compare the change in the earnings per share (EPS) with the share price movement. Mohawk Industries saw its EPS decline at a compound rate of 7.6% per year, over the last three years. This reduction in EPS is slower than the 31% annual reduction in the share price. So it seems the market was too confident about the business, in the past. The less favorable sentiment is reflected in its current P/E ratio of 7.96. The graphic below depicts how EPS has changed over time (unveil the exact values by clicking on the image). We like that insiders have been buying shares in the last twelve months. Even so, future earnings will be far more important to whether current shareholders make money. Dive deeper into the earnings by checking this interactive graph of Mohawk Industries' earnings, revenue and cash flow. A Different Perspective Investors in Mohawk Industries had a tough year, with a total loss of 31%, against a market gain of about 19%. However, keep in mind that even the best stocks will sometimes underperform the market over a twelve month period. Regrettably, last year's performance caps off a bad run, with the shareholders facing a total loss of 9.9% per year over five years. Generally speaking long term share price weakness can be a bad sign, though contrarian investors might want to research the stock in hope of a turnaround. While it is well worth considering the different impacts that market conditions can have on the share price, there are other factors that are even more important. Take risks, for example - Mohawk Industries has 2 warning signs we think you should be aware of. Story continues Mohawk Industries is not the only stock insiders are buying. So take a peek at this free list of growing companies with insider buying. Please note, the market returns quoted in this article reflect the market weighted average returns of stocks that currently trade on 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. OTTAWAA new study suggests Canadians, especially women, will face a potentially explosive increase in mental illness for years after the COVID-19 pandemic is finally over. Over the long term, the Deloitte study estimates that visits to emergency rooms for stress and anxiety-related disorders will increase one to three per cent from pre-pandemic rates. Moreover, the study estimates that 6.3 million to 10.7 million Canadians will visit a doctor for mental health issues a whopping 54 to 163 per cent increase over pre-pandemic levels. The consulting firm says governments should be funding mental health services, providers should be getting ready for the demand and insurance companies should look at revising coverage options. The estimates are based on an analysis of what transpired in the years following the Fort McMurray wildfire in 2016, which forced the evacuation of 88,000 people and destroyed more than 2,400 homes in Alberta. Its also based on an analysis of the long-term impact on Canadians of the great recession of 2008-09, a global economic crash that was nowhere near as deep or as long-lasting as the expected impact of the COVID-19 crisis. The country is still gripped by the pandemic-induced health crisis and the resulting economic crisis but the study warns that a third-order crisis is simmering. This is a human crisis. Our previous research on the impact of natural disasters on humans shows that once the public health and economic crises have subsided, the human crisis will endure for months, if not years, Deloitte says. The human crisis includes poorer educational outcomes, increased substance abuse and crime, as well as a hike in the incidence of mental illness. The study focuses strictly on mental health because there was not enough data available to analyze the other social impacts, said co-author Matt Laberge, Deloittes senior economic advisory manager. We did expect obviously some human impacts from COVID-19, especially around mental health, Laberge said in an interview. But the sheer magnitude of them were pretty surprising to us. Laberge said the statistics from Fort McMurray suggest that the mental health impact will linger for years. Visits to mental health professionals and prescriptions for antidepressants shot up in the months following the May 2016 wildfire and as of the most recent data of late 2018, theres no sign of coming back to the predisaster normal. The message, Laberge said, is that once the pandemic-induced health and economic crises subside, the third crisis of human impacts will still be with us for quite some time and people will need help. He noted that factors the study did not analyze such as the disruption in education opportunities and potential increase in substance abuse could have a lifelong impact on some Canadians. Particularly heartbreaking is the impact on women, he said. Whereas the 2008-09 recession hit the goods-producing sector hardest, resulting in mostly men being thrown out of work, the COVID-19 pandemic has hit the retail and services sectors hardest, with women bearing the brunt of job losses. The study says women who were already disproportionately represented among low-income Canadians, especially single mothers account for 68 per cent of the jobs lost due to the pandemic. It notes that a Statistics Canada survey conducted in April and May found that women were more likely than men to report that their mental health was somewhat or much worse since the pandemic began in March (57 per cent versus 47 per cent). And they were more likely to report that their mental-health needs were not being met. Women are the epicentre of the human impact of COVID-19, the study concludes. The study urges governments to mobilize school and daycare networks to identify people who need mental-health support and to direct them to available resources. It also urges mental health professionals to prepare their facilities to handle an influx of patients. The Inspector-General of Police, Muhammed Adamu, has ordered a fresh round of redeployments involving senior police officers initially deployed to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), PREMIUM TIMES can confirm. The 16 affected senior officers include eight Assistant Commissioners of Police (ACPs) and eight Chief Superintendents of Police (CSPs). Those affected include zonal heads of the EFCC in Lagos, Abuja and Benin. All the eight CSPs were redeployed from the EFCC to various police commands while the eight ACPs were also deployed to various commands with sources saying they are all being deployed from the EFCC. READ ALSO: The redeployments, contained in two different memos from the police headquarters, are to take immediate effect. The Inspector-General of Police has ordered the de-secondment of the following officers from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to Zonal Command/ Formation indicated in their names below, read the first memo dated August 4 and addressed to the Assistant Inspectors-General of the various police zones. The CSPs, according to the document are Abudulliahi Lawal from EFCC transferred to Maiduguri Borno State, Hamisu Dan-Usman, transferred to Yenegoa Bayelsa state. Malafiya Yakubu, transferred to Akwa Ibom state; Muhammed Akali, transferred to Akure, Ondo state; Dennis Nwanolue, to Katisina state; Umar Babaginda, transferred to Bayelsa; Abudulliahi Muhammed transferred to Interpol; Ibrahim Aliyu transferred to Maiduguri, Borno state; Usman imam to Bayelsa State; Akaniyenin Ezima, Ondo State; Mohammed Rabo, to Ondo; Durba Dugun to Katsina; Ibrahim Bappa, Katsina State, Lawrence Iwodi, Ondo, Ibrahim Maringa, Akwa Ibom; and Aminu Aliyu, Borno State. The eight ACPs redeployed, according to the second memo, include Usman Imam, Akaninyene Ezima, Mohammed Rabo, Garba Dungun, Ibrahim Bappa, Lawrence Iwodi, Ibrahim Miringa and Aminu Aliyu. Senior police officers usually occupy senior positions at the EFCC while others serve as investigators. Junior police officers serve as security officials at EFCC buildings and facilities and also as a security cover for EFCC operatives when they go for arrests of suspects. In recent weeks, many officials of the EFCC who are considered close to suspended EFCC boss, Ibrahim Magu, have been suspended from office. PREMIUM TIMES also reported last month how the IGP ordered the withdrawal of mobile police personnel attached to the commission, replacing them with new officers. The presidential panel currently probing Mr Magu, for alleged corruption, had also ordered the withdrawal of several police officers working at the commission. Mr Magu is being investigated by a panel headed by Ayo Salami, a former president of the Court of Appeal, over allegations of graft and insubordination levelled against him by the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami. Mr Magu was detained for 10 days upon his arraignment before the panel. After his arrest, allegations that he diverted billions of naira of recovered funds as well as the interests accruing from the funds circulated in the media. Mr Magu has repeatedly denied the allegations and described them as baseless. Frank Mba, the police spokesperson, could not be reached by our reporter at the time of this report as his line was switched off. DOCUMENT DOCUMENT A digital billboard lit up with images of the Indian National Flag, proposed Ram Temple and Lord Ram on Wednesday in iconic Times Square of New York, in a move that highlights the strong India-US ties. This comes on the historic day of August 5 when Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone for Ram Temple in the holy city Ayodhya. The ceremony for the construction of the temple took place with PM Modi performing the 'bhoomi pujan' of the temple. The New York City saw the largest high-definition digital display of Lord Ram on Broadway said news agency ANI after it posted a video of the bright display. The digital display of Lord Ram is one of the most expensive digital billboards of the Hindu deity at Times Square, added ANI. The display lit up at 10 am will continue till 10 pm to celebrate the laying of the temple`s foundation. #WATCH USA: A digital billboard of #RamMandir comes up in New Yorks Times Square. Prime Minister Narendra Modi performed 'Bhoomi Pujan' of #RamMandir in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh earlier today. pic.twitter.com/Gq4Gi2kfvR ANI (@ANI) August 5, 2020 Speaking to ANI, the American India Public Affairs Committee President Jagdish Sewhani said, "It shows how successful Indians are in America that our Ram Temple and tricolour are on the most iconic screen in the world. It is a proud moment for India and Indians." Indian-Americans across the US celebrated the occasion marking the construction of the historic Ram Temple by lighting diyas and taking around a tableau truck displaying digital images of the Ram Temple around the US Capitol Hill. In the US, various Hindu community groups would be organising virtual events to mark the importance of the occasion. In Washington, members from the Vishwa Hindu Parishad, America took out a tableau truck with the digital image of Ram Temple, and went around the Capitol Hill with chanting of slogans 'Jai Shree Ram'. In other parts of the US, people lit diyas at home. While the public celebrations were limited due to the pandemic, a number of virtual events kicked off in various parts of the country. Temples across the country have announced special prayers to mark the occasion Laying the foundation stone for the Ram temple, the Prime Minister asserted that people's wait for centuries has ended as Lord Ram's birthplace has been liberated from numerous attempts to eradicate his existence, and India is now writing a "glorious chapter" in Ayodhya. Dressed in a golden-coloured traditional kurta and dhoti with a saffron gamcha, he also described Lord Ram as the common thread in India's unity in diversity and drew a parallel between the country's independence movement and "centuries" of people's struggle to build the temple at the site. He further said that the grand temple will be a modern symbol of our culture, eternal faith, national spirit and inspire humanity forever as "Ram belongs to all and is in everyone". "We have to bring development to everyone with everyone's trust and help. It should be kept in mind that progress has taken place when humanity believed in Ram but destruction has happened when we strayed from his path," he added. Drawing a parallel between India's independence movement and "centuries" of people's struggle to build the temple, Modi said this day signifies those sacrifices and resolve as August 15 does for India's freedom. Noting that different versions of Ramayana have been written in various regions and languages and that Ram is revered in different countries, including Indonesia which has the largest Muslim population in the world, he asserted that Ram is the thread of India's unity in diversity. In his speech, he extensively cited the values associated with Lord Ram and Ram Rajya, while underlining the need for India to become stronger. India will be loved more and be more in peace as it grows stronger, he said. The day marked a triumphant moment in decades-long Ram Janmabhoomi movement to build the temple at a site where the Babri mosque once existed before it was brought down by frenzied 'kar sevaks' in 1992. Many 'kar sevaks' were killed in police firing in 1990. In November 2019, the Supreme Court ruled the land dispute between Hindu and Muslims parties in the former's favour, paving the way for the temple's construction at the site where believers hold Lord Ram was born. EAST HANOVER, N.J., Aug. 5, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Novartis today announced that The New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM) published the positive results from the ASCLEPIOS I and II studies evaluating the safety and efficacy of ofatumumab (OMB157) 20 mg monthly subcutaneous injections versus teriflunomide 14 mg oral tablets taken once daily in adults with relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (RMS). Both studies met the primary endpoints where ofatumumab showed a significant reduction in the number of confirmed relapses, evaluated as the annualized relapse rate (ARR).1 "ASCLEPIOS I and II demonstrate the efficacy and safety of ofatumumab and its potential to become a first-choice treatment option that offers RMS patients the flexibility as they continue to live their lives," said Krishnan Ramanathan, Neuroscience Global Program Head at Novartis. "Ofatumumab is a testament to our commitment to advance science and investigate potential treatments that reimagine care and address significant unmet needs at all parts of the RMS journey." Results from the ASCLEPIOS I and II studies showed that compared with teriflunomide, ofatumumab: Significantly reduced the ARR by 51% (0.11 vs 0.22) and 58% (0.10 vs 0.25) in ASCLEPIOS I and II, respectively ( P <.001 in both studies) (primary endpoints) 1 <.001 in both studies) (primary endpoints) Showed a relative risk reduction of 34% ( P =.002) in 3-month confirmed disability worsening (CDW) and 32% ( P =.01) in 6-month CDW in a pre-specified meta-analysis, as defined in ASCLEPIOS (disability-related secondary endpoints) 1 =.002) in 3-month confirmed disability worsening (CDW) and 32% ( =.01) in 6-month CDW in a pre-specified meta-analysis, as defined in ASCLEPIOS (disability-related secondary endpoints) Showed significant reduction of both gadolinium enhancing (Gd+) T1 lesions with a 97% and 94% relative reduction in ASCLEPIOS I and II, respectively, (both P <.001), and an 82% and 85% relative reduction in new or enlarging T2 lesions in ASCLEPIOS I and II, respectively (both P <.001) (MRI-related secondary endpoints) 1 <.001), and an 82% and 85% relative reduction in new or enlarging T2 lesions in ASCLEPIOS I and II, respectively (both <.001) (MRI-related secondary endpoints) Showed superiority in reducing neuroaxonal damage in both studies, as measured by neurofilament light chain (NfL) serum concentrations (biomarker secondary endpoint) 1 ; axonal loss, which begins at disease onset, is a detrimental consequence of central nervous system (CNS) inflammation and is a major determinant of irreversible neurological disability in MS patients 2 ; axonal loss, which begins at disease onset, is a detrimental consequence of central nervous system (CNS) inflammation and is a major determinant of irreversible neurological disability in MS patients Demonstrated a favorable trend in rate of 6-month confirmed disability improvement (CDI) events but did not reach significance (disability-related secondary endpoint) 1 Showed the annual rate of brain volume loss was not significantly different (MRI-related secondary endpoint) 1 Demonstrated an overall safety profile similar to teriflunomide, the frequency of serious infections and neoplasms was similar across both treatment groups. Injection-related reactions, nasopharyngitis, headache, injection-site reaction, upper respiratory tract infection and urinary tract infection were the most commonly observed adverse events with ofatumumab, occurring in 10% of patients1 "The ASCLEPIOS studies found that ofatumumab produced a significant reduction in new inflammation, as well as fewer clinical relapses and progression events," said Professor Stephen L. Hauser, Director of the UCSF Weill Institute for Neurosciences and co-chair of the steering committee for the ASCLEPIOS I and II studies. "Ofatumumab represents a potential new option for RMS patients with greater efficacy compared to teriflunomide, a comparable safety profile, and the convenience of once monthly self-administration without the need for infusions." These data will be published in the August 6, 2020 issue of The New England Journal of Medicine. In February, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and European Medicines Agency (EMA) accepted the company's Supplemental Biologics License Application (sBLA) and Marketing Authorization Application (MAA), respectively, for ofatumumab for the treatment of relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis in adults. If approved, ofatumumab will be the first B-cell therapy that can be self-administered at home and has the potential to become a first-choice treatment for use in RMS patients. Regulatory approval for ofatumumab in the US is expected in September 2020 and in Europe by Q2 2021. Novartis is committed to bringing ofatumumab to patients worldwide and additional regulatory filings are currently underway. About ofatumumab Ofatumumab (OMB157) is a fully human anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody (mAb) in development for RMS that is self-administered by a once-monthly injection, delivered subcutaneously.1,3 As shown in preclinical studies, ofatumumab is thought to work by binding to a distinct epitope on the CD20 molecule inducing potent B-cell lysis and depletion.4 The selective mechanism of action and subcutaneous administration of ofatumumab allows precise delivery to the lymph nodes, where B-cell depletion in MS is needed, and preclinical studies have shown that it may preserve the B-cells in the spleen.5 Once-monthly dosing of ofatumumab also allows faster repletion of B-cells and offers flexibility.6 Ofatumumab was originally developed by Genmab and licensed to GlaxoSmithKline. Novartis obtained rights for ofatumumab from GlaxoSmithKline in all indications, including RMS, in December 2015.7 About ASCLEPIOS I and II studies The ASCLEPIOS I and II studies are twin, identical design, flexible duration (up to 30 months), double-blind, randomized, multi-center Phase III studies evaluating the safety and efficacy of ofatumumab 20 mg monthly subcutaneous injections versus teriflunomide 14 mg oral tablets taken once daily in adults with RMS. The ASCLEPIOS I and II studies enrolled 1882 patients with MS, between the ages of 18 and 55 years, with an Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) score between 0 and 5.5.1 The studies were conducted in over 350 sites in 37 countries.8 Ofatumumab demonstrated a significant reduction in ARR by 51% (0.11 vs 0.22) and 58% (0.10 vs 0.25) compared with teriflunomide (P<.001 in both studies) in ASCLEPIOS I and II, respectively (primary endpoint). Ofatumumab also showed a relative risk reduction of 34% (P=.002) in 3-month CDW and 32% (P=.01) in 6-month CDW compared with teriflunomide in a pre-specified meta-analysis, as defined in ASCLEPIOS.1 Ofatumumab showed significant reduction of both Gd+ T1 lesions and new or enlarging T2 lesions. It significantly reduced the mean number of both Gd+ T1 lesions (97% and 94% relative reduction in ASCLEPIOS I and II, respectively, both P<.001) and new or enlarging T2 lesions (82% and 85% relative reduction in ASCLEPIOS I and II, respectively, both P<.001) vs teriflunomide.1 Ofatumumab demonstrated that it lowered neurofilament light chain (NfL) levels in serum at the first assessment at Month 3 compared with teriflunomide. There was no difference in slope of brain volume change from baseline between treatments. In a measure of 6-month confirmed disability improvement (CDI) events, a favorable trend for ofatumumab was seen but this did not reach significance vs teriflunomide.1 Ofatumumab had a similar safety profile to teriflunomide, with the frequency of serious infections and neoplasms also being similar across both treatment groups.1 Injection-related reactions, nasopharyngitis, headache, injection-site reaction, upper respiratory tract infection and urinary tract infection were the most commonly observed adverse events with ofatumumab, occurring in 10% of patients.1 Overall, ofatumumab, a fully-human antibody targeting CD20 positive B-cells, delivered superior efficacy and demonstrated a safety profile with infection rates similar to teriflunomide.1 About Multiple Sclerosis Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic inflammatory disease of the central nervous system characterized by myelin destruction and axonal damage of the brain, optic nerves and spinal cord.9 MS, which affects approximately 2.3 million people worldwide,10 can be characterized into four main types of MS: clinically isolated syndrome (CIS), relapsing remitting (RRMS), secondary progressive (SPMS) and primary progressive (PPMS).11 The various forms of MS can be distinguished based on whether a patient experiences relapses (clearly defined acute inflammatory attacks of worsening neurological function), and/or whether they experience progression of neurologic damage and disability from the onset of the disease.9 Novartis in Neuroscience Novartis has a strong ongoing commitment to neuroscience and to bringing innovative treatments to patients suffering from neurological conditions where there is a high unmet need. We are committed to supporting patients and physicians in multiple disease areas, including MS, migraine, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, epilepsy and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, and have a promising pipeline in MS, Alzheimer's disease, spinal muscular atrophy and specialty neurology. Disclaimer This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements can generally be identified by words such as "potential," "can," "will," "plan," "may," "could," "would," "expect," "anticipate," "look forward," "believe," "committed," "investigational," "pipeline," "launch," or similar terms, or by express or implied discussions regarding potential marketing approvals, new indications or labeling for the investigational or approved products described in this press release, or regarding potential future revenues from such products. You should not place undue reliance on these statements. Such forward-looking statements are based on our current beliefs and expectations regarding future events, and are subject to significant known and unknown risks and uncertainties. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those set forth in the forward-looking statements. There can be no guarantee that the investigational or approved products described in this press release will be submitted or approved for sale or for any additional indications or labeling in any market, or at any particular time. Nor can there be any guarantee that such products will be commercially successful in the future. In particular, our expectations regarding such products could be affected by, among other things, the uncertainties inherent in research and development, including clinical trial results and additional analysis of existing clinical data; regulatory actions or delays or government regulation generally; global trends toward health care cost containment, including government, payor and general public pricing and reimbursement pressures and requirements for increased pricing transparency; our ability to obtain or maintain proprietary intellectual property protection; the particular prescribing preferences of physicians and patients; general political, economic and business conditions, including the effects of and efforts to mitigate pandemic diseases such as COVID-19; safety, quality, data integrity or manufacturing issues; potential or actual data security and data privacy breaches, or disruptions of our information technology systems, and other risks and factors referred to in Novartis AG's current Form 20-F on file with the US Securities and Exchange Commission. Novartis is providing the information in this press release as of this date and does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statements contained in this press release as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Dr. Hauser's statements reflect his professional opinion and not necessarily the views of The Regents of the University of California. Nothing in his statements shall be construed to imply any support or endorsement of Novartis, or any of its products, by The Regents of the University of California. About Novartis Located in East Hanover, NJ Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation an affiliate of Novartis is reimagining medicine to improve and extend people's lives. As a leading global medicines company, we use innovative science and digital technologies to create transformative treatments in areas of great medical need. In our quest to find new medicines, we consistently rank among the world's top companies investing in research and development. Novartis employs about 15,000 people in the United States. For more information, please visit https://www.novartis.us. Novartis and Novartis US is on Twitter. Sign up to follow @Novartis at https://twitter.com/novartisnews and @NovartisUS at https://twitter.com/NovartisUS. For Novartis multimedia content, please visit https://www.novartis.com/news/media-library For questions about the site or required registration, please contact [email protected]. References 1. Hauser S, Bar-Or A, Cohen J, et al. Ofatumumab versus teriflunomide in relapsing multiple sclerosis. N Engl J Med. 2020;383(6):546-557. https://www.nejm.org 2. Bjartmar C, Wujek JR, Trapp BD. Axonal loss in the pathology of MS: consequences for understanding the progressive phase of the disease. J Neurol Sci. 2003;206(2):165171. 3. Bar-Or A, Fox E, Goodyear A, et al. Onset of B-cell depletion with subcutaneous administration of ofatumumab in relapsing multiple sclerosis: results from the APLIOS bioequivalence study. Poster presentation at: ACTRIMS; February 2020; West Palm Beach, FL. 4. Smith P, Kakarieka A, Wallstroem E. Ofatumumab is a fully human anti-CD20 antibody achieving potent B-cell depletion through binding a distinct epitope. Poster presentation at: ECTRIMS; September 2016; London, UK. 5. Smith P, Huck C, Wegert V, et al. Low-dose, subcutaneous anti-CD20 therapy effectively depletes B-cells and ameliorates CNS autoimmunity. Poster presentation at: ECTRIMS; September 2016; London, UK. 6. Savelieva M, Kahn J, Bagger M, et al. Comparison of the B-cell recovery time following discontinuation of anti-CD20 therapies. ePoster presentation at: ECTRIMS; October 2017; Paris, FR. 7. Genmab Press Release: Genmab announces completion of agreement to transfer remaining ofatumumab rights. December 21, 2015. Accessed June 17, 2020. https://ir.genmab.com/static-files/9d491b72-bb0b-4e46-a792-dee6c29aaf7d 8. Kappos L, Bar-Or A, Comi G, et al. Ofatumumab versus teriflunomide in relapsing multiple sclerosis: baseline characteristics of two pivotal phase 3 trials (ASCLEPIOS I and ASCLEPIOS II). Poster presentation at: ECTRIMS; October 2018; Berlin, Germany. 9. Guthrie E. Multiple sclerosis: a primer and update. Adv Studies Pharm. 2007;4(11):313-317. 10. Multiple Sclerosis International Federation. Atlas of MS 2013-Mapping Multiple Sclerosis Around the World. Accessed July 10, 2020. http://www.msif.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/Atlas-of-MS.pdf 11. National MS Society. Types of MS. Accessed May 20, 2020. https://www.nationalmssociety.org/What-is-MS/Types-of-MS Novartis Media Relations E-mail: [email protected] Eric Althoff Jamie Bennett Head, US Corp & Country External Comms, Director, US Media Relations Global Media & Corp Communications +1 862 217 3976 +1 646 438 4335 [email protected] [email protected] Novartis Investor Relations E-mail: [email protected] Sloan Simpson +1 862 778 5052 SOURCE Novartis Related Links https://www.novartis.us Trolls targeted a grieving daughter, 24, for speaking about her father, 55, who died from Covid-19 by telling her the disease is a 'hoax' and she should 'hang herself for questioning our Government'. Hannah Brady told MPs during a hearing via video link that she received the online abuse after speaking out about her father, Shaun, who passed away from the virus after contracting it before lockdown and spending 42 nights in intensive care. She blamed the government's 'sluggish response' for his death in May, saying he had no underlying health conditions and went to the gym three times a week. Hannah Brady, 25, pictured with her father Shaun, 55, at her graduation. He passed away from Covid-19 in May after contracting it before lockdown and spending 42 nights in intensive care Ms Brady today told the All Party Parliamentary Group on Coronavirus: 'I am using my grief - grief that has come to me and my sister more than 30 years too soon - and I am subjecting myself to online abuse and trolling - that Covid's a hoax, that Covid's a lie, that I should be hanged for questioning our Government - so that bereaved families are no longer ignored. 'We have a wealth of insight into the nightmare of contracting, suffering with, dying from and grieving because of Covid.' She said the virus destroyed her father's lungs, leading to kidney failure, heart failure, pancreatitis and brain damage. Ms Brady, from Wigan, said: 'The only help we, as his daughters, could give him as a thank you for 24 and 22 years of love and dedication to us was to consent to and be present when his ventilator was switched off, to give him peace after it became clear he could never recover.' She added: 'Dad was a key worker and he was so proud to be considered one. He worked in food production at H.J Heinz. In his spare time he went to the gym three times a week. Dad had no underlying health conditions. 'He didn't drink, he didn't smoke and he was not obese. His last day off sick was over 20 years ago. Dad had a lot of reasons to live - his daughters, his family, his community, his charity work. 'But he only needed one reason to die - the government's sluggish response to the threat of Covid-19 to our country.' Following the hearing, which was chaired by Liberal Democrat MP Layla Moran, Ms Brady told the Mirror: 'Every piece we put out there, every post we put on our own social media pages, every time someone speaks out we get abuse. '"We are lying. It is a hoax. How can we believe this? It's just the flu."' Referring to mourning during the pandemic, she added: 'We have to do our grieving online but unfortunately that opens us up to all of this.' Ellis Tustin and supporters from the Names Not Numbers campaign outside Downing Street, to remember those who died from Covid-19 Tustin holding a #NamesNotNumbers sign. During today's virtual hearing, Ms Brady blamed the government's 'sluggish response' for her father's death in May It follows a group of family members of coronavirus victims calling for an immediate public inquiry into the crisis. The Covid-19 Bereaved Families for Justice UK group, which consists of 450 relatives of people who have died during the pandemic, previously told the BBC an urgent review was necessary to limit the ongoing effects of the coronavirus crisis and prevent more deaths. The group's lawyer Elkan Abrahamson told the broadcaster an early inquiry should be held prior to any complete formal proceeding, which is expected to take place once the pandemic is over. 'What we need to look at straightaway are the issues which are life-and-death decisions,' he said. Prof Glover, who is now president of the Royal Society of Edinburgh, said earlier in June: 'Given that second wave is likely to come at a time that is likely to coincide with seasonal influenza, and that would give us serious problems, we really need to understand what the failings have been in our apparent inability to be able to deal with this pandemic appropriately. 'Where failures have happened, (we need to understand) why have the failures happened and how can we avoid those failures in the future. 'This inquiry needs to be delivering in a matter of months, not a matter of years, because the purpose of it is to ensure we do not make the same mistakes should we get a second wave of the virus.' For confidential support in the UK call the Samaritans on 116123 or visit a local Samaritans branch. See www.samaritans.org for details The U.S. Embassy in Beirut says at least one American citizen was killed and several more were injured in Tuesday's massive explosion in Beirut's port. ``We offer our sincerest condolences to their loved ones and are working to provide the affected U.S. citizens and their families all possible consular assistance. We are working closely with local authorities to determine if any additional U.S. citizens were affected,`` the embassy said in a statement Wednesday. The embassy says all of its employees are safe and accounted for. Search Keywords: Short link: After starting classes online on Aug. 24 like other Clear Creek ISD students, the districts tiniest learners prekindergarten students will report to campus for in-person instruction beginning Aug. 31. Elaina Polsen, the districts chief communications officer, said the in-person classes will be important for the pre-K students. We know that the best environment for (that age group) is in person, she said. Like other districts in the area, Clear Creek will welcome students back to in-person learning via a phased-in approach, starting the school year with one week of online learning for all students on Aug. 24, followed by an easing in of some on-campus students beginning Aug. 31, specifically prekindergartners, kindergartners, special-education students, sixth-graders and ninth-graders. NEED TO KNOW: CDC updates school safety guidelines, strongly advocates for reopening campuses in the fall Polsen said this schedule was chosen not only to give students in those grade levels time to adjust to new safety protocols put in place to prevent the spread of the coronavirus but also to get used to and familiarize themselves with their new campuses. All other students choosing in-person instruction will report to class Sept. 8. The remaining students will continue remotely. It helps us go through that transition time with a smaller group of students, she said. To be in the districts prekindergarten program, students must be age 4 by Sept. 1 and live in district boundaries. To qualify for free pre-K, children must meet one criterion out of a list that includes requirements such as having limited English proficiency, being economically disadvantaged or having a parent in the military. ON HOUSTONCHRONICLE.COM: Paxton, TEA put out new guidance on Texas school closures. What does it mean? For more information about Clear Creeks reopening plan, go to ccisd.net. Rethinking classrooms Rosemary Lagrone, a district kindergarten teacher who was part of the districts safe reopening committee, said pre-K classes will not look the same as they have in the past and that parents, teachers and students will need to be flexible and patient. She said pre-K students some of which will attend full day classes while others attend half a day depending on their campus' offerings will eat meals in their classrooms, wont share supplies and will be required to wear masks as much as possible when they are indoors and unable to be socially distant from each other. None of that is normal in early childhood classrooms, but we have to rethink lots of things this year, including how to minimize community touch and how to minimize travel within the classroom, said Lagrone, who teaches at North Pointe Elementary and has been an educator for nearly a decade. Im hard-pressed to think of any procedure thats not going to change this year. MORNING REPORT: Get the top stories on HoustonChronicle.com sent directly to your inbox As for mask wearing, young children wont be required to wear them while playing outdoors or while eating, but Lagrone said district leaders are discussing additional times they might be able to remove their face coverings, perhaps for a few minutes in the classroom if sufficient distance can be maintained. However, she said that while the kids are indoors, I dont think well be leaving them off for a long time. High school robotics club making face shields Polsen said the district is working to equip its elementary campuses with face shields for students and teachers, which Lagrone said is important for pre-K and kindergarten kids who need to see a teachers expressions and mouth movements while teaching phonics or for deaf children who often read lips in order to communicate. Polsen said Clear Creek ISD has received several shipments of personal protective equipment from the Texas Education Agency and is also working with one of its own high school robotics clubs to fill an order of approximately 2,500 face shields for teachers and their young students. Lagrone said teachers have received much support from district administrators as they prepare for a school year filled with uncertainty and, in some cases, fear. THE BIG DEBATE: Should you send your kid back to school? New study shows the risk on a county-wide basis Id be lying if I said I wasnt nervous, but I do feel like our district has been working very hard to try everything they can to get us ready, she said. Weve had tech training, and theyve even offered us training on trauma and what a trauma-sensitive school should look like. I feel like theyre going above and beyond, and I feel supported. She said parents have come through, as well. Her schools parent teacher association purchased lanyards for children to hook to their masks to keep them on their bodies when they take them off to play or eat. Tips for dressing young kids for school And for those parents who are wondering how they can best prepare their little ones for school, Lagrone had a few tips. She said they should try to avoid dressing their kids in anything the youngsters cant put on themselves, namely clothing with zippers or buttons or shoes with ties. We all want to go back and have that school experience, but if they send them in something they cant (put on themselves), that creates more touch contact with teachers, she said. So, if your kid cant do the belt, then dont put them in the belt. ON HOUSTONCHRONICLE.COM: With schools starting online only, Houston districts work to convince skeptical families to log on Lagrone also advised sending paper plates or paper towels for kids to place their food on rather than on their desks, which may have germs. Additionally, she suggested parents send their kids with an extra face mask, food containers they can open themselves and one or two water bottles with button-controlled pop-up straws. These simple things can make a world of difference, she said. As for her fellow teachers, Lagrone said they are unsure what to expect, but shes been heartened by all the creative ideas many have to tackle potential challenges. They are sharing those ideas with their colleagues and collaborating when a new challenge arises. Now, as they get ready to go back to the classroom, she said its important for everyone to be flexible, be ready to quickly transition to online if need be and be armed with a good attitude. These are unprecedented times. So, we can fight it, complain about it or we can make the best of it, move forward and give the kids the best that we can to make it a fun, happy experience, Lagrone said. Will it be weird? Yes. But weve got to keep it positive, because if we bring that stress into the classroom, it will be a disaster. Your browser does not support the audio element. Police in Vietnam have arrested a woman for allegedly poisoning her grandson with rodenticide, causing the victim to be hospitalized in a critical condition in the belief that would free him and his family from his medical problems forever. Chu Thi My L., 51, who is a doctor at a general hospital in Vu Thu District, northern Thai Binh Province, was apprehended on suspicion of murder on Sunday, local police officers confirmed on Tuesday. According to preliminary information, L.s one-year-old grandson, Le Tran Duong M., was admitted to Thai Binh Pediatrics Hospital in a severe state on July 15. The infant has congenital cerebral palsy, a condition linked to a number of neurological disorders that appear in infancy or early childhood and permanently affect body movement and muscle coordination, according to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Strokes. As the childs health continued to worsen after days of treatment at the infirmary, the young patient was transferred to the Vietnam National Childrens Hospital in Hanoi. He is in a stable condition there. Doctors at the Hanoi hospital detected a high level of a poisonous substance often found in rodenticide in the boys test samples. They believed that the young boy had been poisoned and reported the case to police officers. Following an investigation, officers were able to identify his grandmother L. as the prime suspect. At the police station, the woman claimed she had mixed milk with rodenticide and fed it to the young boy twice, a source close to Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper stated. The poisoned milk was given to the boy once when he was at home, and on another occasion while he was being treated at Thai Binh Pediatrics Hospital, according to L. She claimed to have wanted to "relieve the grandson of the medical problems that pain him [and his parents] every day" once and for all. Further investigation is ongoing. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Emergency medical aid and pop-up field hospitals were dispatched to Lebanon Wednesday along with rescue experts and tracking dogs, as the world reached out to the victims of the explosion that devastated Beirut. The blast centred on the city's port caused massive destruction and killed at least 113 people, heaping misery on a country already in crisis. Gulf states were among the first to respond, with Qatar sending mobile hospitals to ease pressure on Lebanon's medical system, already strained by the coronavirus pandemic. A Qatari air force plane with a cargo of hundreds of collapsible beds, generators and burn sheets touched down in Beirut in the first of a convoy of flights to the Mediterranean country. Medical supplies from Kuwait also arrived, as the Lebanese Red Cross said more than 4,000 people were being treated for injuries after the explosion, which sent glass shards and debris flying. A Greek C-130 army transport plane bearing a dozen rescuers landed at Beirut's airport, itself damaged in the catastrophic explosion. Lebanon's Prime Minister Hassan Diab has called on "friendly countries" to support a nation already reeling from its worst economic crisis in decades as well as the impact of the coronavirus. As emergency crews hauled survivors from the rubble of demolished buildings, France said it was sending search and rescue experts aboard three military planes loaded with a mobile clinic and tonnes of medical and sanitary supplies. President Emmanuel Macron is to travel to Lebanon on Thursday, becoming the first world leader to visit Beirut after the disaster, as France seeks to swiftly push reconstruction in its former colony. "France is at the side of Lebanon. Always," Macron tweeted in Arabic. Cyprus -- which lies just 150 miles (240 kilometres) to the northwest and where Tuesday's blast were both heard and sighted -- said it was sending eight police tracking dogs and their handlers aboard two helicopters, to help in the search for victims trapped under rubble. Tunisia offered to send medical teams to collect 100 wounded people and evacuate them for treatment, as well as sending in two military transporters carrying food and medical aid. From Europe, authorities in the Netherlands, Czech Republic and Poland offered an array of assistance including doctors, police and firefighters, together with rescue experts and sniffer dogs. Iran's President Hassan Rouhani said Tehran stood "ready to offer medical and medicinal aid and help treat the injured", and Jordan's King Abdullah II also promised to dispatch a field hospital. The United Arab Emirates sent 30 tonnes of medicines, medical supplies and surgical equipment. - 'Stay strong, Lebanon' - The World Health Organization said it was dispatching trauma and surgical kits from its base in Dubai after what it called a "shocking event" that comes at a "particularly difficult time in Lebanon". "As you've seen, many hospitals are overwhelmed with casualties and people are still looking for the injured and the dead, so it's a very sad day," the UN agency's emergencies director Michael Ryan told an online session. Close allies and traditional adversaries of Lebanon alike sent their condolences, with Iran and Saudi Arabia -- long rivals for influence over the country -- both sending messages of support. "Our thoughts and prayers are with the great and resilient people of Lebanon," Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif tweeted. "Stay strong, Lebanon." Saudi Arabia said it was following the situation with "great concern". Unusually, neighbouring Israel offered humanitarian aid -- to a country with which it is still technically at war -- via international intermediaries. Lebanon's flag was to be projected onto Tel Aviv's city hall later Wednesday, in Israel's latest gesture. United Nations chief Antonio Guterres expressed his "deepest condolences... following the horrific explosions in Beirut," which also injured some UN personnel. US President Donald Trump, who said it looked like "a terrible attack", without giving any evidence, said: "Our prayers go out to all the victims and their families... The United States stands ready to assist Lebanon." British Prime Minister Boris Johnson called the pictures and videos from Beirut "shocking". And Pope Francis offered prayers for the victims and their families so that they might "face this extremely tragic and painful moment and, with the help of the international community, overcome the grave crisis they are experiencing". burs-dm/sls/hc Workers in Qatar load a field hospital onto a flight for Beirut to help Lebanon's already stretched health services treat the more than 4,000 people injured in Tuesday's monster blast French Securite Civile (Civil Security) officers at Roissy airport, near Paris, stand ready as France sends three planes with search and rescue personnel and medical equipment to Beirut A member of Qatar's security forces organises boxes to be loaded into a plane as the Gulf country sends field hospitals and medical aid to Lebanon from an airbase near Doha Vestal unveils its first flavoured vodkas Halewood-owned vodka maker Vestal has dipped its first toes in the flavoured spirits market with two new expressions. The brand's Black Cherry and Raspberry & Blackcurrant vodkas are based on traditional Polish fruit-based vodkas known as 'nalewka'. Macerated in Vestal's 2015 vintage, the expressions are free from additives and are described by the brand as not overly sweet and easy to drink, offering up a fruity alternative for vodka drinkers. The new releases follow growth in vodka sales in the UK and, while unflavoured vodka continues to dominate the category, the flavoured sector is growing significantly faster - according to Nielsen data, it is predicted to double in size in multiple major supermarkets within the next 12 months. Halewood says that while Vestal has gained popularity in prestige on-trade venues in London, the flavoured releases mark the brand's move towards being a more serious mainstream player. With Vestal, the conglomerate hopes it can replicate its success in flavoured gins through brands such as Whitley Neill and JJ Whitley. Vestal Black Cherry and Vestal Raspberry & Blackcurrant, both 40% ABV, have a recommended sale price of 22 for a 70cl bottle. 5 August 2020 - Bethany Whymark Monsignor Charles Pope speaking about his coronavirus diagnosis in a video on 2 August: (Msgr. Charles Pope - YouTube) A priest who criticised coronavirus restrictions was diagnosed with Covid-19 hours after he called congregants lukewarm catholics for not coming to church during the pandemic. Monsignor Charles Pope, of Holy Comforter St Cyprian Catholic Church in Washington D.C. was diagnosed and hospitalised with Covid-19 on 27 July, according to Huffpost. The Roman Catholic priest was later released and has been self-isolating at his rectory since Saturday 1 August. Pope released a video on the day he was released where he said he is very sorry for the inconvenience his absence caused and confirmed that he had been taking precautions during services throughout the pandemic. However, he added that somewhere along the lines, we have to accept the fact that we live in a world that is risky. We can take necessary and prudent precautions, but well never completely be able to prevent ourselves from catching a disease, even one that will eventually kill us. Were all headed eventually for the tomb. Dr LaQuandra S Nesbitt, the District of Columbias health department director, published a letter on Friday that said anyone who received communion between 25 to 27 July should self-isolate for 14 days. DC Health is continuing to work with church leadership to ensure that the guidance and best practices are followed to minimise the risk of Covid-19 among attendees, she added. Mr Pope previously criticised coronavirus restrictions that have been imposed in states all across the US in recent months to help tackle the crisis, that included church services being banned or the amount of attendees restricted. He argued that the church capitulated to concerns about the crisis and wrote in the National Catholic Register on 18 July that too many of us were content to hunker down and forego public Mass. Mr Pope added: We must reflect on all that has happened and resolve to never again allow a governor or mayor [to] dictate whether, when or how we may give the sacraments. Story continues On 27 July, hours before he was diagnosed and hospitalised with coronavirus, Mr Pope criticised catholics who have not attended church services over the last few months, during Morning Glory, the radio show that he co-hosts. I think a good number or at least half of that number who havent come were the lukewarm, he said. We may have lost them forever because, in effect, we said, Look, your physical health is more important than your spiritual health. His comments were challenged by his co-host Gloria Purvis, who said: Id like to think that perhaps the limited availability [of seats at Mass], as well as underlying conditions, pregnancy, cancer, high blood pressure, all these things might be playing a role in people not being able to return. Mr Pope replied: I dont want to lose the lukewarm; I still dont want to lose them, before moving onto a different topic, according to Huffpost. Catholics in Washington, DC have been given permission by the Archdiocese of Washington to not attend Mass, with the US struggling to contain the outbreak. According to a tracking project hosted by Johns Hopkins University, in the US as a whole, some 4.7 million people have tested positive for coronavirus. The death toll has reached at least 156,906. Read more Couple who insisted on 100 wedding guests are diagnosed with Covid-19 New Delhi: After Mumbai Police Commissioner Param Bir Singh made a statement regarding Sushant Singh Rajput's death, Mumbai DCP Paramjit S Dahiya has also talked about the mysterious case of actor's death which has put the Maharashtra government and police under the scanner. DCP Dahiya said: "Sushant Singh Rajput's family wanted Rhea Chakraborty to be called to the police station without any written complaint filed against her. This is legally wrong. Therefore, I refused and asked them to first lodge a written complaint." Meanwhile, the Supreme Court Wednesday said the truth behind the death of 'gifted and talented artist' Sushant Singh Rajput should come out, even as the Centre informed that it has accepted the recommendation of Bihar government for a CBI probe in the matter. As soon as the hearing was complete, social media was abuzz with reactions on the same. The Solicitor General Tushar Mehta told the Supreme Court on Wednesday that Centre has accepted Bihar government's recommendation to hand over the case to the CBI. Sushant Singh Rajput was found dead at his Bandra residence on June 14, 2020. Fans and many celebrities had been pressing for a CBI probe suspecting foul play in his death. For the uninitiated, late actor's former manager Disha Salian was found dead on June 8, 2020, a few days before Sushant died. She allegedly fell from a Mumbai high-rise. MTN Group Ltd. is planning to sell part or all of its $243 million interest in Jumia Technologies AG as Africas biggest wireless carrier looks to pay down debt and enter new markets, according to people familiar with the matter. MTN, which had previously marked the online retailer as a non-core business, is reviving plans for a sale after Jumias shares surged 142% this year, recovering from a dip in 2019, one of the people said. No final decisions about the sale have been made, the people said, asking not to be identified because the plans are private. Called Africas Amazon, Jumia operates in 14 African countries including Nigeria and Ivory Coast where the U.S. giant still lacks distribution infrastructure. The company headquartered in Germany and run by its two French founders, Sacha Poignonnec and Jeremy Hodara had dropped below its initial public offering price in 2019 after improper transactions in its Nigeria business were uncovered. Johannesburg-based MTN has been disposing of non-core assets as part of the companys strategy to reduce debt and drive future growth. The company also has a 29% stake in IHS Towers, which it may sell in the future, one of the people said. Africas largest wireless carrier by footprint has generated 14 billion rand ($812 million) in asset sales that included selling its towers holdings in Ghana and Uganda to American Towers Inc. The company plans include bidding for a license to enter Ethiopia, one of the largest markets that have not yet privatized its telecommunications industry. A spokeswoman for MTN declined to comment because the company is in a closed period ahead of financial results. A representative for Jumia declined to comment. IHS didnt immediately respond to a request for comment. BEIRUT The Latest on the explosion in Beirut (all times local): 6 a.m. Thursday The Australian government has pledged an initial 2 million Australian dollars ($1.4 million) to the relief effort in Lebanon following the deadly blast that ripped across the capital Beirut. Prime Minister Scott Morrison told reporters Thursday that the aid will be provided to the World Food Program and to the Red Cross for food, medical care and essential items. He says his country is considering another round of support. Morrison says some Australian Embassy personnel were injured but they are safe and accounted for and we wish them a speedy recovery. He also thanked the U.S. Embassy officials in Beirut for their support. Tuesdays blast killed 135 people and injured about 5,000 others. Investigators focused on possible negligence in the storage of tons of a highly explosive fertilizer in a waterfront warehouse, while the government ordered the house arrest of several port officials. ___ 11:30 p.m Germany has dispatched dozens of search and rescue specialists to Lebanon to help in the race to find survivors trapped beneath rubble following Tuesdays explosion in Beirut. About 50 staff of Germanys THW civil protection organization flew out of Frankfurt late Wednesday with search dogs and 15 tons of equipment to locate people below collapsed buildings. Timo Eilhardt, THWs chief of operations, said there is normally a good chance of finding survivors more than 72 hours after a disaster, which means we can expect to find people for another two to three days. ___ 9:25 p.m. Russias Ministry for Emergencies says that its first plane carrying relief teams, doctors and medical equipment has landed in Beirut. The ministry said Wednesday the aircraft has delivered a mobile hospital along with 50 emergency workers and medical personnel. Another three Russian flights are scheduled to arrive within the next 24 hours. They will carry equipment for a coronavirus testing lab and protective gear, among other relief supplies. The airlift follows a request for help from the Lebanese authorities faced with the aftermath of the massive explosion that devastated Beirut. ___ 9:20 p.m. The United Nations says it is stepping up emergency assistance to Lebanon following the explosion that devastated Beirut and is urging the international community to stand beside the Lebanese people who have generously hosted thousands of Palestinian and Syrian refugees for years. U.N. deputy spokesman Farhan Haq said Wednesday that among the thousands injured from the blast at Beiruts port are over 100 U.N. staff members and dependents, and among the more than 100 dead are two family members of U.N. staffers. He said 22 members of the U.N. peacekeeping force in Lebanon were among the injured. One of the U.N. Maritime Task Force ships docked in the port was damaged, leaving naval peacekeepers injured, some of them seriously, he said. We expect that the damage at the port will significantly exacerbate the economic and food security situation in Lebanon, which imports about 80-85 percent of its food, Haq said. The U.N. humanitarian office also expects that it will affect the U.N.s ability to provide aid to Syria because the port in Beirut is one of the ways we are shipping aid, he said. U.N. peacekeepers and staff in Lebanon are assisting in the emergency response and specialists are en route to support urban search and rescue operations and to conduct rapid assessments about the situation on the ground and help coordinate emergency response activities, Haq said. A top U.N. priority is to support the existing hospitals and trauma response capacity, and the U.N. World Health Organization is working closely with the Lebanese Ministry of Health to conduct an assessment of hospital facilities in Beirut, their functionality and needs for additional support, particularly amid the COVID-19 pandemic, he said. Assessments of humanitarian needs and shelter needs following the explosion are also underway, Haq said. The United Nations is looking at all options to find ways to provide financial assistance to support ongoing response efforts, he said. Haq said it was too early to say if the U.N. will issue an international appeal to help rebuild Beirut. It would seem given the amount of damage that there will be a need for additional international support for Lebanon, he said, adding that the U.N. is heartened to see support from many governments and hopes all countries will stand beside the Lebanese people at this time. ___ 9 p.m. The U.S. Embassy in Beirut says at least one American citizen was killed and several more were injured in Tuesdays massive explosion in Beiruts port. We offer our sincerest condolences to their loved ones and are working to provide the affected U.S. citizens and their families all possible consular assistance. We are working closely with local authorities to determine if any additional U.S. citizens were affected, the embassy said in a statement Wednesday. The embassy says all of its employees are safe and accounted for. ___ 8:55 p.m. The World Food Program says it is quickly assessing the situation in Lebanon to be ready to provide emergency support for those who were left homeless overnight, lost loved ones, were injured or anyone who needs assistance in these difficult times. The U.N. humanitarian organization said in a statement Wednesday from its Rome headquarters that the explosion and port damage will exacerbate the grim economic and food security situation in Lebanon, noting that the countrys economic crisis was already being compounded by the COVID-19 pandemic. It also expressed concern that the damage to Beiruts port would push food prices beyond the reach of many. The organization cited a recent World Food Program survey that found that 50% of Lebanese saying over the past month they felt worried they would not have enough food to eat. ___ 8:40 p.m. Brazils President Jair Bolsonaro extended his condolences to Lebanon at an event on Wednesday and highlighted that the South American nation is home to millions of Lebanese people. He added his administration intended to provide aid, without specifying how. Brazil will do more than a gesture. Something concrete to attend, in part, to those tens of thousands of people who are in a rather complicated situation because, in addition to injuries, many homes were hit, Bolsonaro said. On Tuesday, he said on Twitter that because Brazil is home to the worlds largest Lebanese population, the tragedy feels as though it happened on Brazilian soil. Brazil already has a ship on a peace mission in Lebanon. The defense ministry previously said it would remove the vessel by the end of this year, citing budgetary restrictions. The Lebanese consulate in Sao Paulo, Brazils largest city, said in a statement it is in the process of asking local authorities to provide assistance. All fundraising must be swift and transparent, it said. ___ 8:25 p.m. The Tel Aviv municipality has lit up City Hall with the Lebanese flag in solidarity with the people of Beirut after Tuesdays devastating explosion, drawing an outcry from some in Israel. Tel Aviv Mayor Ron Huldai wrote on Twitter earlier on Wednesday that humanity takes precedence over every conflict, and our hearts are with the Lebanese people following the horrible disaster that befell it. Israel and Lebanon are officially in a state of war and do not have diplomatic relations. Israel fought a monthlong war in 2006 against the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah, and the sides remain bitter enemies. Current and former lawmakers criticized the decision to project the Lebanese flag. Yair Netanyahu, the prime ministers son, also lashed out against the decision on Twitter, calling it simply insane. Lebanon is officially an enemy state. By law, it is a criminal offense to fly an enemy flag. No such law exists in the Israeli legal code. ___ 8 p.m. Britain is promising a 5-million-pound ($6.6 million) humanitarian support package for Lebanon following Tuesdays devastating explosion in Beirut. Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said Wednesday that search and rescue teams and expert medical support are ready to be sent. He added that a Royal Navy ship already in the area can also be deployed to help assess the damage to Beiruts port. Raab said he spoke Wednesday to Lebanese Prime Minister Hassan Diab, who he said promised a full, thorough and rigorous investigation into the blast, and accountability for those responsible. ___ 7:30 p.m. A U.N.-backed tribunal has postponed the delivery of judgments in the trial of four members of the militant group Hezbollah charged with involvement in the 2005 assassination of former Lebanese prime minister Rafik Hariri. The move was a mark of respect to victims of the devastating explosion that rocked Beirut late Tuesday. The verdicts were to have been read out in the Special Tribunal for Lebanons courtroom in the Netherlands on Friday, but will now be delivered on Aug. 18. In a statement, the tribunal says the decision to delay Fridays court hearing was made out of respect for the countless victims of the devastating explosion that shook Beirut on Aug. 4 and the three days of public mourning announced in Lebanon. The court has expressed its solidarity with the Lebanese people in these difficult times. ___ 7:10 p.m. Palestinians in the Gaza Strip are participating in a blood donation drive to try and help victims of the explosion in Beirut that has wounded thousands. Dozens took part in a blood drive in the city of Khan Younis on Wednesday, which was sponsored by the Palestinian Red Crescent Society. Organizers said they will coordinate with the International Committee of the Red Cross to try to get the blood donations delivered to Lebanon. I donated my blood in a moment of loyalty to the Lebanese people, said Khan Younis resident Abu Diab Ouida. The Gaza Strip has been under a joint Israeli-Egyptian blockade since 2007, after the Islamist militant group Hamas took power from Palestinian rivals in an armed coup. It remains unclear whether the donated blood will be able to reach Lebanon. ___ 6:50 p.m. The Hungarian government says it is donating 1 million euros ($1.2 million) for rescue, salvage and reconstruction efforts in Lebanon. The donation to be made through the Hungary Helps program, which provides assistance mainly to charities of Christian churches and other religious organizations around the world, will be given to Lebanons Maronite Church. State Secretary Tristan Azbej said Wednesday that the good friend is known in trouble and the Hungarians are good friends of the Lebanese people. ___ 6:25 p.m. Two U.S. officials say there are no indications that the massive explosion Tuesday evening in Lebanons capital was the result of an attack by either a nation state or proxy forces. A senior Defense Department official and a member of the U.S. intelligence community told The Associated Press that, at the moment, the explosion appears to have been caused by improper storage of explosives. Both individuals spoke Wednesday to the AP on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss intelligence briefings publicly. The senior Defense Department official told the AP that they had no idea what President Donald Trump was referring to when he said during a press briefing at the White House on Tuesday that the explosion looks like a terrible attack. Trump later said that his great generals told him that they felt like it was an attack. Inquiries to the Pentagon on Tuesday about President Trumps attack remarks were referred to the White House. By James LaPorta in Delray Beach, Florida ___ 6:20 p.m. The Paris prosecutors office says a first assessment has established that 21 French nationals were among those injured in the Beirut port explosion. In a statement Wednesday, the office said it is opening an unintentional injuries investigation into the blast and its causes. The investigation will be carried out by the French National Gendarmerie, one of the countrys two national police forces. The prosecutors statement said the group France Victimes is working to bring help and assistance to the French who were wounded, as well as their loved ones. ___ 6:15 p.m. Tunisian President Kais Saied has ordered the dispatch of two military planes loaded with medical equipment, medicine and food to Lebanon following the deadly Beirut port explosion. A statement from the presidency Wednesday said that the Tunisian head of state gave instructions to ministers of defense Imad Hazgui and interim Social Affairs and Health Minister Mohamed Habib Kchaou, to deliver this aid urgently. According to the statement, a team of Tunisian doctors and nurses will also be sent to Lebanon to help treat the wounded, 100 of whom will be flown back to Tunisia aboard the two planes to be treated in Tunisian hospitals. The Tunisian president sent a note of condolence to his Lebanese counterpart Michel Aoun on Tuesday, in which he assured him of Tunisias support and solidarity in this ordeal. ___ 5:35 p.m. The Lebanese government has declared a two-week state of emergency, effectively giving the military full powers during this time after a massive explosion devastated the capital, Beirut. The government announced the measure during a Cabinet meeting Wednesday. It said it was putting an unspecified number of Beirut port officials under house arrest pending an investigation into how 2,750 tons of ammonium nitrate came to be stored at the port for years. The move comes amid speculation that negligence was to blame for the explosion that killed more than 100 people. ___ 5:20 p.m. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has extended his condolences to the Lebanese people and repeated an offer to send humanitarian aid to the country in the aftermath of the devastating explosion in Beirut that killed at least 100 people and injured 4,000. Netanyahu addressed lawmakers in the Knesset, Israels parliament, on Wednesday and said the Israeli government stood ready to assist the Lebanese as human beings to human beings. Netanyahu on Tuesday reached out to the UN to offer aid through indirect channels. Opposition lawmakers heckled the prime minister during his remarks, and several were ejected from the Knesset hall. Israel and Lebanon remain officially in a state of war and do not have formal diplomatic relations. ___ 5 p.m. The World Health Organization says it is airlifting medical supplies to Lebanon to cover up to 1,000 trauma interventions and up to 1,000 surgical interventions following the explosion in Beirut. WHO spokesman Tarik Jasarevic said supplies airlifted from a humanitarian hub in Dubai in the United Arab Emirates would be used to treat burns and wounds caused by broken glass and other debris from the explosion. The airlift follows a request from the Lebanese health minister, and the supplies were expected to arrive in Lebanon later Wednesday. Jasarevic said in an email that the WHO will stand ready to also provide other urgent support. Meanwhile, Russian emergency officials said the first plane with medical workers and equipment for a make-shift hospital had left the country and was en route to Beirut. Four more flights were due to follow in the next 24 hours with more rescuers and medical workers, as well as equipment for a coronavirus testing lab and protective gear. Some 150 Russian personnel will be deployed to Lebanon to help deal with consequences of the explosion that devastated Beirut. ___ 4:40 p.m. Norway is offering 25 million kroner ($2.74 million) and 40 tons of medical equipment to Lebanon after the huge explosion in the harbor of the Lebanese capital. The situation is pretty confusing right now. In the coming days we will know more about what is needed in the long-term, Norwegian Foreign Minister Ine Eriksen Soereide told reporters on Wednesday. She said the Norwegian embassy in Beirut suffered damage in the explosion but all staff members were safe. She said there is no indication of Norwegian citizens being injured in Tuesdays blast, which killed at least 100 people. ___ 4:30 p.m. Turkey is sending search and rescue teams along with emergency medical personnel to aid Lebanon in the aftermath of a devastating explosion. Foreign Ministry spokesman Hami Aksoy said Wednesday that Turkey also is preparing a field hospital, humanitarian aid, medical equipment and medicine for use in Beirut. We will continue giving Lebanon all support with the hope that these difficult days will be overcome as soon as possible through solidarity and cooperation, the spokesman said. ___ 4 p.m. A government minister says the Netherlands is sending a search and rescue team made up of police, firefighters, trauma doctors and nurses to help find survivors and victims of the huge blast in Beirut. Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation Minister Sigrid Kaag told Dutch public broadcaster NPO Radio 1 the 67-strong team is leaving Wednesday evening and will start work immediately. Kaag said one or two people were seriously wounded at the Netherlands Embassy and others suffered minor injuries as the diplomatic office suffered damage from the devastating explosion. Kaag previously served as a United Nations under-secretary general in Lebanon and says she has friends there who are injured or have lost a home. ___ 3:55 p.m. Gulf Arab states have offered various forms of support for Lebanon, though any sustained financial assistance is complicated by the Iranian-backed Hezbollah groups presence in government and on the ground. Saudi-funded medical teams were dispatched from north Lebanon to Beirut to care for and to help transport the wounded on Tuesday, while a specialized team from a Saudi-funded medical center provided emergency health care services in the Lebanese capital, according to the state-run Saudi Press Agency. Kuwait and Qatar dispatched airplanes full of medical cargo. Qatari officials told The Associated Press that cargo from Doha included two large air-conditioned tents, kits for 1,000 beds, generators and diesel tanks, 50 ventilators, emergency medical supplies like first aid kits, gauze and needles, and medicine. A search and rescue team was also being sent to support. Meanwhile, urgent medical and humanitarian supplies were being sent from the International Humanitarian City in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. ___ 3:50 p.m. Turkish authorities say six Turkish citizens are among thousands of people injured in the massive explosion in Beirut that killed at least 100 people. Turkeys Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu tweeted that one Turkish national was in surgery and the others were lightly injured. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan spoke on the phone with Lebanese President Michel Auon late Tuesday and tweeted his condolences. Erdogans communications director, Fahrettin Altun, tweeted: All our government agencies are ready to help the Lebanese people. There were no immediate details. Separately, Greek diplomatic officials say one Greek woman appears to be among the dead and two other Greek women are injured. Authorities say Greece has sent a search and rescue team to Beirut and will send more aid if needed. ___ 3:20 p.m. Cyprus foreign minister says two police helicopters are on their way to the Lebanese capital with 10 emergency response personnel and eight sniffer dogs to help locate survivors in the rubble of buildings destroyed in Tuesdays massive blast. Cyprus is approximately 120 miles (180 kilometers) away from Beirut, but the explosion was heard and felt by many on the east Mediterranean island nation. Minister Nikos Christodoulides told The Associated Press that Cyprus will also dispatch additional rescue crews, paramedics, non-perishable food items, aluminum and glass that Lebanese authorities have requested. Cyprus will also send chartered flights to Lebanon to repatriate Cypriot citizens wishing to return home. ___ 2:55 p.m. Indonesian peacekeepers have been contributing in the evacuation of victims of the explosion in Beirut. The Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs says in a statement that the Garuda Contingent, as a member of United Nations Interim Forces in Lebanon, is helping in the aftermath. Of the 1,447 Indonesian citizens registered as living in Lebanon, 1,234 are part of the UNIFIL mission, while 213 others are civilians. One Indonesian national was injured in the explosion. 2:45 p.m. French President Emmanuel Macron will travel to Lebanon on Thursday to offer support after a massive explosion in Beirut killed at least 100 people and injured more than 4,000. Macrons office tells The Associated Press that the French leader will meet with Lebanese political leaders. Lebanon is a former French protectorate and the countries retain close political and economic ties. France is also sending several tons of aid and emergency workers. ___ 2:20 p.m. Australia says it will donate 2 million Australian dollars ($1.4 million) in humanitarian support to Lebanon to help Beirut recover from Tuesdays massive explosion. Australian Foreign Minister Marise Payne says in a statement the money will go to the World Food Program and the Red Cross to help ensure food, medical care and essential items are provided to those affected. She says Australia and Lebanon have a strong relationship built on extensive community ties, and more than 230,000 Australians have Lebanese heritage. An Australian was killed and the Australian Embassy in Lebanon was damaged in the explosion. ___ 2:10 p.m. The European Union is activating its civil protection system to round up emergency workers and equipment from across the 27-nation bloc to help Beirut after Tuesdays devastating explosion. The EU commission says the plan is to urgently dispatch over 100 firefighters with vehicles, sniffer dogs and equipment designed to find people trapped in urban areas. The Czech Republic, France, Germany, Greece, Poland and the Netherlands are taking part and others are expected to join. The EUs satellite mapping system will help Lebanese authorities to establish the extent of the damage. Crisis Management Commissioner Janez Lenarcic says the EU shares the shock and sadness of Beirut residents and stands ready to provide extra help. Separately, Iraqs Health Ministry spokesman says Baghdad will send six trucks of urgent medical supplies and an emergency medical team. Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi has offered condolences to Lebanons Prime Minister Hassan Diab, according to a statement from his office. ___ 1:25 p.m. Germany says it is ready to send a team of 47 search-and-rescue experts to Beirut after the enormous explosion in the citys port on Tuesday killed at least 100 people and injured thousands. Germany also says its embassy was damaged in the blast but diplomats have reactivated an old building and are able to work. Interior Ministry spokesman Bjoern Gruenewaelder says Germanys THW technical assistance agency will send a team on Wednesday to assist the embassy. Gruenewaelder says Berlin is waiting for confirmation from Lebanon on the separate search-and-rescue team. France is sending two planes with aid. French emergency workers include members of a special unit with chemical and other technological expertise trained to intervene in damaged industrial sites. Among their tasks will be to identify specific risks for products stored in the area and other risks resulting from the explosion, national civil security spokesman Michael Bernier says. The 55 French workers also include disaster response experts, emergency nurses, doctors and firefighters. ___ 1:15 p.m. The flag is flying at half-staff outside a United Nations-backed tribunal in the Netherlands that is set to announce verdicts this week in the trial of four Hezbollah members charged with involvement in the 2005 assassination of former Lebanese prime minister Rafik Hariri. Special Tribunal for Lebanon spokeswoman Wajed Ramadam says the flag is at half-staff to honor those who lost their lives, who were wounded and who are still missing as a result of the explosion in Beirut yesterday. The tribunal will announce verdicts Friday in the long-running trial in absentia of four defendants charged in the Feb. 14, 2005, truck bombing that killed Hariri and 21 others and injured 226 more people. ___ 1:05 p.m. International troops serving in the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon are among those injured by the massive explosion that hit Beiruts port on Tuesday. Bangladeshs military says at least 21 Bangladesh Navy members of the multinational force in Beirut were injured. The militarys Inter-Service Public Relations Office says one of the injured is in critical condition and had been admitted to the American University of Beirut Medical Center. Bangladesh Navy members have been working in Lebanon with the U.N. force since 2010 to prevent entry of illegal arms and ammunition. Separately, Italys defense minister, Lorenzo Guerini, says one soldier assigned to Italys contingent in Lebanon is injured. Guerini also offers the help of Italian forces serving in the U.N. mission. Italy is the second largest contributor to the U.N. peacekeeping force in Lebanon after Indonesia, with 1,021 troops deployed. ___ 12:05 p.m. Pope Francis has offered prayers for the victims, their families, and for Lebanon after the enormous explosion in Beiruts port on Tuesday. At least 100 people were killed and thousands injured. The pontiff appealed that through the dedication of all the social, political and religious elements, Lebanon might face this extremely tragic and painful moment and, with the help of the international community, overcome the grave crisis they are experiencing. International aid is heading to Beirut, with Poland sending a team of about 50 firefighters, including 39 rescuers with 4 dogs and a chemical rescue module. A Greek military transport plane is heading to Lebanon with a search and rescue team with specialized equipment and a sniffer dog, while Cyprus says it will be sending help. ___ 11:05 a.m. Russias emergency officials say the country will send five planeloads of aid to Beirut after an explosion in the Lebanese capitals port killed at least 100 people and injured thousands on Tuesday. Russias Ministry for Emergency Situations will send rescuers, medical workers, a makeshift hospital and a lab for coronavirus testing to Lebanon. France, Jordan and other countries also say aid is on the way. ___ 10:35 a.m. International aid in the form of emergency workers and medical personnel is heading to Lebanon a day after a massive explosion devastated Beiruts port, killing at least 100 people and wounding thousands. France says it is sending two planes with dozens of emergency workers, a mobile medical unit and 15 tons of aid. French President Emmanuel Macrons office says the aid should allow for the treatment of some 500 victims. French peacekeepers stationed in Lebanon, a former French protectorate, have been helping since the explosions, Macrons office said. Jordan says a military field hospital including all necessary personnel will be dispatched, according to the Royal Court. Egypt has opened a field hospital in Beirut to receive the wounded. Czech Interior Minister Jan Hamacek says Lebanon has accepted an offer to send a team of 37 rescuers with sniffer dogs to Beirut. Denmark says it is ready to provide humanitarian assistance to Lebanon, and Greece says it is ready to help Lebanese authorities with all means at its disposal. ___ 09:45 a.m. Prime Minister Hassan Diab, in a short televised speech, has appealed to all countries and friends of Lebanon to extend help to the small nation, saying: We are witnessing a real catastrophe. He reiterated his pledge that those responsible for the massive explosion at Beiruts port will pay the price, without commenting on the cause. Diabs speech came the morning after the blast killed at least 100 people and wounded thousands. Smoke was still rising from the port Wednesday morning. Major downtown streets were littered with debris and damaged vehicles, and building facades were blown out. Lebanese Red Cross official George Kettaneh said at least 100 people were killed and more than 4,000 were wounded, and said the toll could rise further. A fatuous record it certainly is. And yet, it could be out of a satirical version of Franz Kafkas incomplete and allegorical novel, The Castle. In eight days, between January 18 and January 25, 2020, as many as 36 Union ministers visited 60 locations in 12 districts of Jammu and Kashmir and addressed 100 public meetings while inaugurating 210 public projects, probably delivering lengthy monologues to rigged audiences. And yes, grievance boxes have been placed in each and every panchayat in Jammu and Kashmir. Taken together, they represent the core of New Delhis new relationship with the erstwhile Jammu and Kashmir in the year since Article 370 was abrogated. These are also probably going to be among the talking points of future choreographed visits of foreign diplomats to mark the colossal development strides taken in Jammu and Kashmir. The real story, however, is quite the opposite. The only politicians who have a free but security-enveloped run of Jammu and Kashmir are the Central ministers, politicians from New Delhi, some of whose official portfolios are much longer than their names but mean little in the new Jammu and Kashmir. Not the local politicians, even the more mildly offensive in the eyes of New Delhi like Saifuddin Soz, who just the other day impotently peered through concertina wiring to wiggle his finger to demonstrate the complete freedom of his movement. And yes, New Delhi, hereinafter to be referred to as The Castle, now controls Jammu and Kashmir in exactly the same way as Pakistan controls Occupied Kashmir, from Islamabad, through nameless bureaucrats, seemingly eliminating the need for elected representatives. Kafkas novel is set in unending winter and most scenes are dark, The Castle bureaucracy unreachable and the protagonist, eerily, is a mysterious character identified simply as K, an outsider seeking acceptance. With Kafkaesque efficiency, our bureaucrats in The Castle have managed not to hold elections, even to panchayats. This of course underscores the absurd importance of having grievance boxes in every panchayat in Jammu and Kashmir. To prompt a wink-wink reaction from Washington, the Chinese might be well advised take a few pages of this silver-lined playbooks refinement of democracy and upholding of human rights, to apply to the Uighurs, for instance. Needless to say, the achievements of the year gone by are unparalleled. In terms of counter-terrorism operations, The Castle appears on top of that beast; in the seven months they have culled as many terrorist recruits as they did in almost all of the previous year. And yet, despite this everyday demonstration of efficiency, The Castle has been unable to address the alienation and disaffection of the village that lies below, buried deep in the icy drifts in the aftermath of the crude and surgical killing of Article 370. To the nearly 700 companies of paramilitary forces, comprising CRPF, SSB, ITBP and over a hundred companies of the better-primed Rashtriya Rifles, the supply of cannon fodder seems limitless, visible in the new recruits to militancy, some of vintages as recent as three or four days. Internally, in terms of political space, there is a vacuum and nothing else, and the tentative voices of erstwhile mainstream politicians from Kashmir, who stand discredited and acknowledge as much, are heavy with humiliation and distress, indicating an aversion to take up any meaningful political activity in this setting, like characters in search of an absurd author who can squeeze electoral sympathy out of their plight. The separatist voices have shrunk to less than disarrayed whispers. In this scenario, government-ordained politicians can posit no role, not even as comic relief. In this terrible space lurks the risk of radical ideologies, and possibly worse. On August 5 there will be plenty of evidence of continued motivation from across the border when the Nishan-e-Pakistan is conferred on Syed Ali Shah Geelani to the drumbeat of Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khans visit to PoK, in the form of webinars, Twitterstorms, social media events. And, yes, at least one university named after the separatist, why not? Kafka died leaving his last novel hanging midsentence, unfinished. Several endings thus become plausible. The parallels are uncanny elsewhere as well outside the artificial microcosm of Kashmir, where the larger plots have begun writing themselves, somewhat to our chagrin. From the East to the West our recent neighbourhood initiative, which began with Prime Minister Narendra Modis impromptu inviting of all the leaders to his swearing-in in May 2014, seems to have arrived at a critical and enigmatic phase. The drawbridge is going up, a moat of self-imposed absurdity completes the separation. In Bangladesh, which we helped liberate, our envoy continues to find difficulty getting an audience with Sheikh Hasina amid protests against our Prime Minister for pushing both the NRC and the CAA, both inimical to Bangladesh, and capable of driving Bangladesh firmly into the Chinese embrace. It is a squabble a day scene with Nepal now. As we get turfed out of Afghanistan and diplomatically booted out of Iran, there is more likely than not a congruence of both tactical and strategic intent involving a range of countries, especially in the Muslim world, more aligned with the Chinese and Pakistanis, than with New Delhi. Just because most of the Gulf and Arab nations have not spoken up about the depredations around these contentious issues does not mean they do not have a clear view or are not watching with concern the goings-on. Any reprieve that we may have got through Covid-19 on the CAA, and even on Kashmir, is temporary and illusory. The EU remains phlegmatic and focused on its key goals where the lack of various freedoms in Kashmir are concerned. It is not going to change its mind or vote. Joe Biden, should he come up trumps, has already been conferred the Hilal-e-Pakistan for his yeoman service for promoting friendship with Pakistan. One year after August 5, 2019, the intransigent military arrival of the Chinese in our part of Ladakh, however helplessly the folks in The Castle spin it with Rafales and so on, is the clearest indication that the world as we wished to know it is no longer the same. At the centre of the faultlines of that new world is a word beginning with K. Which ending do you think waits to write itself for our K? ARCHIVED - Unemployment falls in Spain during July to 3.77 million 1.18 million workers remain in ERTE temporary redundancy situations Unemployment in Spain fell by 89,849 in July (-2.33%), the first decline since the start of the pandemic, to a total of 3.77 million unemployed. The beginning of summer has given a welcome boost to economic activity in Spain after the economic paralysis of lockdown, although the data reveals regional imbalances and the caution of employers in taking on new staff for the summer season. Employment increased nationally in all sectors, except for Education, which lost 82,789 affiliates, as it does every year in July, coinciding with the end of the school year. The most seasonal areas of activity, such as hospitality (+66,924 +), health (+43,133) and commerce (+40,816), have increased employment during July as many companies were unwilling to sign work contracts during de-escalation and waited until the state of emergency ended. The figures are somewhat distorted by the crisis as unemployment increased significantly during lockdown, so claims that unemployment decreased by the largest percentage during July since 1997 must be taken tongue in cheek as there are actually 761,000 more unemployed during July than a year ago. During the month of July, 1.53 million contracts were signed, double that of April, a figure that reflects - in the opinion of the Ministry of Employment - a return to economic activity, although 9 out of 10 contracts were temporary and only 9. 2% were indefinite contracts Unemployment reduced "notably" in the service sector, which has suffered the most from the hibernation of the economy, with 84,563 (-3.09%) fewer people; in industry, with 9,444 (-2.96%) fewer unemployed, in construction with 6,556 (-2.15%) fewer people and in the group without previous employment with 394 (-0.13%) fewer unemployed. Unemployment fell everywhere except Madrid, Murcia, La Rioja and Ceuta. There are still 747,656 less affiliates paying into the social security system than a year ago and 761,000 more unemployed. 1.18 million workers remain in ERTE temporary redundancy situations These data, as was the case in the figures published in March, April, May, and June, do not include workers subject to a temporary employment regulation file (erte) who reached 3.4 million at the highest point of the pandemic in April. At the end of July, two out of every three people included in the erte scheme during the covid lockdown had returned to work, leaving 1.18 million workers in an erte situation (712,000 fewer than in June). Of the 950,000 jobs lost since mid-March due to the crisis, 40% (380,000) have been recovered. However, the average number of Social Security affiliates is still at 18.78 million people, far from the 19.25 million affiliates registered in the month of February, before the pandemic began, and the 19.5 million in July of last year. In the last 12 months the system has lost 747,656 affiliates. Spanish economy shrunk by 18.5% between April and June as recession begins The employment figures are no surprise given the decline in economic activity in Spain due to the effects of the Covid crisis. Activity has declined by more than a fifth so far this year, with service industries relating to tourism,transport, restaurants and accommodation the hardest hit, the lack of economic activity effectively wiping out the growth of the past six years. Spains economy shrank by 18.5% in the second quarter between April-to-June, having already fallen by 5.2% in the first three months of the year. The country was the worst performer in the eurozone, which saw its overall GDP decline by a record 12.1%. article_detail --> One doesnt usually reach for a lawn mower to fix a river problem, but sometimes thats the tool that works. Along the downtown reach of the Clark Fork River, dozens of little footpaths tumble 15 feet or more from the riverside pedestrian trail to the waters edge between Madison Avenue and Higgins Avenue bridges. They mark where parties of inner-tube floaters, paddle-boarders, and dog-exercising waders have scrambled in and out of the Clark Fork on hot afternoons. And like varicose veins on an athletes leg, they indicate a public health and safety issue as water lovers erode the banks, spread weeds and leave trash and other, uh, waste along the shoreline. So Missoula Conservation Lands Manager Morgan Valliant got together with the city lawn-mowing crews and lightened their workload a bit. Specifically, he asked them to mow about three feet of grass along the riverside trail instead of the full six feet. Its helped tremendously with natural regeneration of woody species, Valliant said. We also had several benches between the trail and the river, and we just moved them to the other side of the trail. Between that and the mowing, over a dozen of these rogue, highly erosive user trails have disappeared. The trick doesnt always work. Lines of fencing have discouraged use of several well-rutted trails on the south bank. But even a posted sign warning Steep Paths Erode Banks and Muddy Waters couldnt prevent people from bending the wire mesh nearly to the ground at one spot near a public restroom at the east end of Fourth Avenue. Yet this bit of social engineering is just one of several efforts underway to help people have fun on the river without loving it to death, according to Linda McCarthy of the Downtown Missoula Partnership. Weve been seeing an overwhelming number of people using the river corridor, McCarthy said. Thats been the case for the last four to six years. The whole Blackfoot River corridor is also heavily used, and were seeing emerging use around Buckhouse Bridge on the Bitterroot River. This summers publication of a Downtown River Map helps floaters find the best entries and exits to the popular stretch between Milltown State Park east of Missoula and Silver Park, which has the last easily accessible boat ramp for leaving the water in the downtown area. Printed waterproof editions of the map are available at numerous locations downtown and at the Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife & Parks office on Spurgin Road. McCarthy said future editions will expand the scope to include access points on the Blackfoot and eventually the Bitterroot rivers as funds become available. That was a relief to Joylynn Glidewell, who was leaving a shuttle car under the Higgins Avenue Bridge in preparation for a Tuesday afternoon float in the 90-degree heat. She and four friends were headed upriver to put in at Milltown State Parks Confluence Area. We usually see people getting out by the big hotel (DoubleTree Hotel), but theyve got signs up saying you cant do that anymore, Glidewell said. Its hard to know where to go. McCarthy said discussions are also building around expanding bus service from convenient parking areas like the University of Montana campus and other downtown sites. People like to go where there are restrooms and garbage services you need when floating the river, McCarthy said. You have to have a little savviness to float the river. You need to know where to put in, where to take out and where its dangerous. You must be logged in to react. Click any reaction to login. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 1 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. These are the best offers from our affiliate partners. We may get a commission from qualifying sales. A key focus is on the development of parts of Donetsk and Luhansk regions currently under Ukrainian control, Reznikov says. Deputy Prime Minister for Reintegration of Temporarily Occupied Territories Oleksiy Reznikov has said Ukraine is currently developing an ambitious new economic strategy for the east of the country. "A key focus is the development of parts of Donetsk and Luhansk regions currently under Ukrainian control. This approach is perhaps best described as a Ukrainian take on the notion of 'special status' for the region, with the goal of transforming the investment climate and implementing a new economic model at the regional level," he wrote in an op-ed for the Atlantic Council. "There is every reason to believe that it is possible to attract large-scale investment to eastern Ukraine. After all, investors work in hot spots all over the globe. I have had dozens of conversations with foreign diplomats, representatives of international businesses, and Ukrainian investors. The state of the Ukrainian justice system is typically of far more concern than proximity to the front lines," Reznikov said. Read alsoRussia continues to supply weapons, military equipment, ammo, to occupied Donbas intelligence He added the Ukrainian state should assume at least some of the insurance burden against the kind of political and military risks that are hard for investors to predict. To help make this approach sustainable, we envisage a special-purpose fund to encourage and assist investments rather than relying on donor aid, the official said. Background The late Sushant Singh Rajput's former manager, Disha Salian's death has come to the fore again, with many feeling that the circumstances of her death are rather mysterious. Some have even claimed that Disha and Sushant's are interlinked. However, Disha's family has maintained that they don't suspect any foul play, and that they don't believe Disha and Sushant's deaths are connected. Disha's father Satish Salian has written to Dilip Yadav, Additional Commissioner of Police, Malwani District, Malad, complaining of harassment of his family by the media, over the matter of his daughter's death. "I would like to bring to your attention the atrocities of journalists and media people on my family. The media people come unannounced at my house hiding their original brand in the name of interviews regarding the death of my daughter. They are providing the media with misleading news which are not only creating hindrance to the actual inquiry being conducted but it's also taking a toll on my family," Salian wrote to Yadav. He continued, "We are being harassed by these people by repeatedly questioning our faith in Mumbai police and their way of inquiries are conducted. We have already given our statement to the police that we do no suspect anyone with foul play." "News about her involvement with any politician or attending parties with big names of film fraternity, rape, murder are all the stories cooked by these media people just to sell it to channels. These stories hold no truth. These are misleading the people and tarnishing my daughter's reputation and my family's reputation. These fake news are taking a huge toll on my family's health and we are being victimized by the media. We are completely satisfied with the investigations being conducted by Mumbai Police and have faith in them," he added. Disha allegedly died by suicide, by jumping off the 14th floor of a residential building in Mumbai. Meanwhile, Disha's mother Vasanti said in an interview with Times Now that her daughter's death could have been an accident and not a suicide. Former Maharashtra Chief Minister Narayan Rane made a shocking allegation recently when he claimed that Disha was raped and murdered. He also called out the Maharashtra government for allegedly holding back proper investigation of hers and Sushant's deaths. ALSO READ: PIL Filed In Supreme Court Seeking CBI Probe Into Disha Salian's Death: 'Sushant's Death Is Linked' ALSO READ: Disha Salian's Mother Says Her Daughter's Death Could Have Been An Accident Worried about your mental well-being or of someone you know? Help is just a call away. Reach out to the nearest mental health specialist at COOJ Mental Health Foundation (COOJ)- 0832-2252525, Parivarthan- +91 7676 602 602, Connecting Trust- +91 992 200 1122/+91-992 200 4305 or Sahai- 080-25497777/ SAHAIHELPLINE@GMAIL.COM By Express News Service HYDERABAD: The design for the new Secretariat building is likely to be finalised during the Cabinet meeting on Wednesday. Besides, the Cabinet will also discuss agriculture and irrigation related issues. As a prelude to Cabinet meeting, Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao held meetings with officials of irrigation sector and Secretariat buildings. The Chief Minister held series of meetings with Chennai-based architects and officials on the new Secretariat building. He also examined the Vastu aspects. Once, the design is finalised, the construction of Secretariat may start shortly. There was also a talk that the government take a decision on Pay Revision Commission (PRC) and increasing retirement age of the State government employees from the present 58 years to 59 or 60. However, the PRC report has not been submitted yet to the State government. So, the Cabinet is unlikely to take any decision on announcing PRC to staff. According to sources, the Cabinet may discuss a new scheme for farmers, which the Chief Minister assuring in a meeting in Siddipet some time ago. ANN ARBOR, MI U.S. Rep. Debbie Dingell is advancing to the November general election as she looks to keep her seat in Michigans 12th Congressional District. The Dearborn Democrat defeated 28-year-old University of Michigan medical student Solomon Rajput in the Democratic primary on Tuesday, Aug. 4. With 69% of precincts reporting, Dingell had over 80% of the vote in the district, 86,212-21,002, The Associated Press reported, declaring Dingell the winner. Dingell netted 77% of the vote in Washtenaw County, 51,614-15,275, according to county results with all precincts counted. Thank you to every member of Team Dingell. Whether you made a contribution, volunteered with us, or supported us in the community, you made this happen! Dingell wrote in a Facebook post, sharing the results. Live results for Aug. 4 primary in Ann Arbor, Washtenaw County Dingell faces Republican Jeff Jones in November. On the campaign trail, Rajput called Dingell progressive in name only and said shes part of a political dynasty that has held this seat for 87 years and its time for change. Rajput criticized Dingell for not doing enough to address climate change, not endorsing the Green New Deal and accepting campaign donations from fossil fuel companies. Dingell responded to the criticisms by defending her record and values. She said its been an honor to represent the 12th District, which includes the Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti areas, Dearborn and Downriver communities. I care deeply about the 12th District, from the people Downriver to the working men and women, the people in the auto plants of Dearborn, the Arab Americans that I represent in Dearborn to the students at the University of Michigan, the innovators, she said during a virtual forum last month. While she isnt among the 100-plus Democrats in Congress whove signed on to sponsor the Green New Deal, she said she agrees with ideas in it. Which is why I am the leader of the 100% clean economy to have a carbon-less society by 2050, she said, adding labor unions have to be at the table and shes working with the United Autoworkers Union on the issue. Dingell was first elected in 2014, taking over the seat held by her husband, John Dingell, who served in Congress nearly 60 years after taking over for his father who served 22 years. MORE FROM THE ANN ARBOR NEWS: Live results for Aug. 4 primary in Ann Arbor, Washtenaw County Mayors allies leading in all 5 Ann Arbor council races Savit takes lead in closely watched Washtenaw County prosecutor race Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - August 5, 2020) - Soma Gold Corp. (TSXV: SOMA) (WKN: A2P4DU) (OTC: PRSRF) (formerly Para Resources Inc.) (the "Company" or "Soma") announces that the Company produced and sold a total of 1,204.33 equivalent ounces of gold in dore during the month of July 2020, slightly ahead of budgeted sales of 1,156 AuEq ounces. The Company sold the dore bars for a total of US $2,225,765.42 or US $1,869.67 per equivalent ounce of gold, ahead of budgeted revenue of US $1,849,600.00. All cash costs, including Soma's corporate overhead, run at approximately US $1,700,000 per month. Note: Gold equivalent ounces are calculated based on actual realized prices Le Ye Production data for the last two months is as follows: To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/3819/61084_8bcfc15e94233866_001full.jpg Note: Revenue does not include insurance proceeds of approximately US $600,000 which are expected to be received in September 2020 Soma also announces that, subject to TSXV approval, it has entered into an agreement with Conex Services Inc., ("Conex") Soma's largest shareholder, whereby Conex will, effective July 31, 2020, consolidate all existing advances, loans and accrued interest into one new Subordinated Loan. Certain of the advances include convertible debt instruments issued August 3, 2018. The loan is for a total of C $18,295,140.35 and has a ten-year term with interest of 12% per annum, compounded quarterly. Interest accrues for the first four years with monthly payments of principal and interest, amortized over the remaining six years. The loan is not convertible into shares of Soma and there is no pre-payment penalty. In connection with the loan, the Company will issue 5,500,000 Share Purchase Warrants to Conex. Each Share Purchase Warrant allows Conex to purchase one full Common Share at an exercise price of $0.66 per share, for 3 years. Story continues ABOUT SOMA GOLD: Soma is a junior gold mining and exploration company. The Company owns two adjacent mining properties in Antioquia, Colombia with a combined milling capacity of 675 tpd. The La Ye mine is currently operating and producing and the El Limon mine and mill are scheduled to begin operating in Q1 2021. Internally generated funds will be used to finance a regional exploration program. The Company also owns an exploration and development property near Tucuma, Para State, Brazil. On behalf of the Board of Directors "Javier Cordova Unda" Chief Executive Officer and President For further information, please contact Andrea Laird, telephone: +1-604-259-0302 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. All statements, analysis and other information contained in this press release about anticipated future events or results constitute forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are often, but not always, identified by the use of words such as "seek", "anticipate", "believe", "plan", "estimate", "expect" and "intend" and statements that an event or result "may", "will", "should", "could" or "might" occur or be achieved and other similar expressions. Forward-looking statements are subject to business and economic risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results of operations to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on estimates and opinions of management at the date the statements are made. The company does not undertake any obligation to update forward-looking statements even if circumstances or management's estimates or opinions should change except as required by applicable laws. Investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/61084 Evening Standard Boris Johnson may have to resign if he is found to have lied to Parliament over the partygate scandal, a minister has suggested. Deputy Prime Minister Dominic Raab refused to be drawn into a hypothetical situation of the Prime Minister finding himself in such a position. Mr Raabs comments came after the bombshell accusation by Mr Johnsons former top adviser, Dominic Cummings, that the Prime Minister lied to the Commons over the bring-your-own-booze gathering on May 20, 2020, in the garden of No10 when the UK was in lockdown. The wait of centuries has ended, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said after performing the groundbreaking ceremony for the Ram Mandir at the spot where many devout Hindus believe Lord Ram was born. Across the country, people remained glued to their television sets as Modi performed rituals at the Ram Janmabhoomi, the site of a bitter Hindu-Muslim conflict that lasted decades before being settled by the Supreme Court last year. Beginning his speech with 'Jai Siya Ram', the prime minister told the gathering that a grand temple will now be built for 'Ram Lalla', the infant Ram, who had been living in a temporary tent for years. "Many people made sacrifices for the Ram temple. I pay my respects to all of them," the prime minister said in the speech that followed the laying of the foundation for the Ram temple. He also released a postage stamp to mark the event, an occasion which is also being seen as an ideological victory of the Bharatiya Janata Party over its rivals. WATCH: A long wait ends today... A grand temple will now be built for our Ram, says Modi Some of the leaders of the Ram Janmabhoomi movement, including former deputy prime minister L K Advani were not at among the 175 people invited to the venue, with the organizers keeping the guest list short because of the threat of COVID-19. Uttar Pradesh Governor Anandiben Patel, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh chief Mohan Bhagwat and Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra trust head Nritya Gopal Das were on the dais along with the PM, consecrating the very first bricks that will go into building the temple. Sending out the message that "Ram is everywhere, Ram belongs to all", Modi said the temple symbolises India's rich heritage and will be an inspiration to all of humanity. Despite efforts to eradicate Lord Ram's existence, he lives in our hearts and is the basis of our culture, Modi said. Citing Lord Ram's message, Modi said the more powerful India gets, the more it will be loved and remain peaceful. WATCH: Today entire country is immersed in Lord Ram: Modi "Social harmony was the core principle of Lord Ram's governance," the prime minister said. The construction of the Ram temple is an instrument to unite the country, he said, adding that it will lift the economy of the entire region. "We have to join stones for the construction of Ram temple with mutual love, brotherhood," he said, asserting that everyone's sentiments have to be taken care of. The groundbreaking in Ayodhya was marked by smaller events elsewhere -- from the blowing of a conch at a jewellery shop beyond the barricades in Ayodhya itself to more elaborate rituals in Delhi's Chhatarpur temple complex. Devotees started arriving there around 6 am, just after the morning puja ended, temple's administrator Kishor Chawla said. "A puja has been going on non-stop for three days. The 'Ram darbar' has been decorated. A replica of the 'shila' (foundation stone) has been prepared and it will be sent to Ayodhya along with other material," he said. THE LATEST: This could be a number of days, Murphy warns about power outages from Tropical Storm Isaias New Jersey utility companies are still assessing the power outage damage from Tropic Storm Isaias on Tuesday, with nearly 1.4 million customers remaining in the dark as of late afternoon and the states largest power provider calling it among the strongest storms to hit our service territory in recent years. In some areas, gusty winds remain too mighty for bucket trucks used to repair lines. Meanwhile, downed trees throughout the state are blocking roads and making some damage inaccessible. The three major utility providers in the state are already expecting the recovery in some areas to be a multi-day effort in the wake of a storm that brought heavy rain, wind gusts of up to 75 mph, flooding, and even isolated tornados. Two of the companies, JCP&L and Atlantic City Electric, are not yet providing estimated times for restoring power. PSE&G, the states largest utility provider, lists restoration times on its website as being between Thursday and Friday. Gov. Phil Murphy said the hope is most customers will have their service back within three days, though some areas could take longer. I would say most importantly to folks, theyre gonna need some patience if youve lost your power, Murphy said during a television interview on WABC-7 in New York City. This could be a multi-day period here till you get it back. As of 5 p.m., the three power companies reported a little more than one-third of the New Jersey homes and businesses they service were without power: With tornado, flood, and other weather warnings across the state, PSE&G anticipates that Isaias may be among the strongest storms to hit our service territory in recent years, and that some outages could last for an extended period, company spokeswoman Lauren Ugorji said in an update at 4:45 p.m. JCP&L, which has the most outages, says on its website that estimated restoration time will be provided when available. Lingering wind was cited as an ongoing concern for repair crews. Heavy rain and high winds have been hitting our service territory for the last several hours, resulting in a significant number of broken poles, downed wires and other equipment damage, JCP&L said in the statement. Additionally, crews are unable to work in buckets when the wind is in excess of 35 mph. As the weather calms down, crews will continue to assess damage in order to provide estimated restoration times. Atlantic City Electric, which serves parts of South Jersey, said estimated ties are currently suspended. Due to the extensive impact of this storm, estimated times of restoration are currently suspended and will be updated as crews assess damage, spokesman Frank Tedesco said. Atlantic City Electric crews and support personnel will work around the clock until all damage has been repaired and all service has been restored. Samantha Levine, a spokeswoman for the state Board of Public Utilities, said the outages are changing rapidly due to the strength of the moving system. Once the storm clears we will be able to better gauge the extent of damage and estimate restoration times, Levine added. At the moment, winds remain dangerously high and the utilities will deploy teams as soon as they can safely do so. The current outages are about half of the more than 2.7 million customers who lost power at the height of Hurricane Sandy in 2012 the largest outage in state history. But officials cautioned these numbers could grow Tuesday as Isaias continues to move northwest. The storm is still making its way through our service area, causing additional damage, Ugori of PSE&G said. The storm expected to leave the area by the end of the evening, officials said. State officials said thousands of out-of-state crews are coming to New Jersey to help with outages. Murphy told News 12 New Jersey that a big concern is people going without power as the weather gets hotter after the storm. He said residents should call 211 to find cooling centers. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. Brent Johnson may be reached at bjohnson@njadvancemedia.com. Matt Arco may be reached at marco@njadvancemedia.com. HOUMA, La., Aug. 05, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- In his 2019 dissertation, Slavery, Religion & Regime (published by Xlibris), Phillip J. Linden Jr., examined the role of slavery and slave trading in the founding of America and challenged readers to be critical and question societys elitism. This year, Linden launches a new press campaign for the book to reopen a discourse on the systems of slavery in the United States and around the world. Slavery, Religion & Regime challenges readers to question the basis of a society founded on freedom for the elite and the subjugation and enslavement of natives and imported victims of slavery and slave trading. The purpose of the book is to establish a critical theological interpretation of the interplay among the significant political, economic and religious expressions of modernity in the founding of industrial societies, then and today. Drawing from 50 years of studying the topic, Linden sheds light on the violence and dehumanization process in colonial America, along with the killing of natives, which extends up to the present day. Those who would like to know more and purchase a copy of Slavery, Religion & Regime may visit https://www.xlibris.com/en/bookstore/bookdetails/797306-slavery-religion-and-regime. Slavery, Religion & Regime By Phillip J. Linden Jr., S.S,J. Hardcover | 6 x 9in | 336 pages | ISBN 9781796054897 Softcover | 6 x 9in | 336 pages | ISBN 9781796054880 E-Book | 336 pages | ISBN 9781796054873 Available at Amazon and Barnes & Noble About the Author Phillip J. Linden Jr., S.S,J. entered the seminary in upstate New York. For the five years, he engaged in summer internships, ministering among the victims of inner-city violence in Chicago. After that, for four years before ordination to priesthood, Linden committed his life to live in inner-city parishes in service the poor. After ordination, his first parish assignment was in an inner-city church in Baltimore. He left this initial parish assignment and went to work in a home health center where he served the sick and dying. He spent the next years living and studying for the doctorate in theology. He has been teaching theology for 28 years at the Xavier University of Louisiana. Xlibris Publishing, an Author Solutions, LLC imprint, is a self-publishing services provider created in 1997 by authors, for authors. By focusing on the needs of creative writers and artists and adopting the latest print-on-demand publishing technology and strategies, we provide expert publishing services with direct and personal access to quality publication in hardcover, trade paperback, custom leather-bound and full-color formats. To date, Xlibris has helped to publish more than 60,000 titles. For more information, visit xlibris.com or call 844-714-8691 to receive a free publishing guide. Attachment PICKERING, ON / ACCESSWIRE / August 5, 2020 / Renforth Resources Inc. (CSE:RFR)(OTC PINK:RFHRF)(WKN:A2H9TN) ("Renforth" or the "Company") is pleased to let shareholders know that visible gold was observed in several instances within the areas of the blasting work recently completed on the Discovery Veins. Location details are presented below. 1815 lbs. of representative material, in 100lb rice bag samples, comprised of randomly selected blast rubble and fine material taken from the bottom of each pit, has been sent to SGS Lakefield for test work which will include grindability tests, gravity concentration tests and gold recovery tests for each pit. Discovery Vein Blasting Renforth blasted in four areas of the ~275m stripped portion of the Discovery Vein gold system, located approximately 250m south of the Cadillac Break, on Renforth's wholly owned New Alger Gold Project, which hosts an open pit constrained NI 43-101 Mineral Estimate, presented below. Four areas were chosen, as depicted in the map below, based upon results obtained in each area via comprehensive surface channel and grab sampling carried out by Renforth between 2014 and 2019, and location within the stripped area. "A" Pit: previous surface results include 2.56 g/t Au over 0.45m, western end of stripped area, several instances of Visible Gold seen in blast pit and rubble "B" Pit: previous surface results include 7.59 g/t Au over 0.9m, location of main historic Discovery Blasting (1920's), Visible Gold seen in blast pit "C" Pit: previous surface results include 11.60 g/t Au over 0.45m, Visible Gold seen in blast rubble "D" Pit: previous surface results include 1.92 g/t Au over 0.7m, eastern end of stripped area The visible gold in the picture above is from the A pit (westernmost) and is hosted by a pegmatitic quartz-albite-biotite vein. The outcrop that was blasted at this location returned several channel assays in the 1-3g/t Au range from a combination of blue quartz veins, and pegmatitic veins with arsenopyrite disseminations. The four blast pits have been mapped and sampled in detail with particular focus on styles and orientations of veining, alteration and sulphide mineralization. Samples have been taken to test for any correlations between these features and gold grades, and to test for variation in gold grade along the strike of major veins and structures. Assay results from the samples taken will be released once available. "Visible Gold is a novel thing to find, and was not expected to come out of this blasting, so it is very exciting. We look forward to the receipt of the assay and test results for the Discovery Vein area, so we can advance our goal of processing the material for recovery" states Nicole Brewster, President and CEO of Renforth. Drilling at New Alger is nearing completion for this program, with 3 infill holes completed on the Discovery Veins and 5 step out holes to the west, for a total step out of 300m west outside of the stripped area of the Discovery Veins. Due to observations made in "B" blast pit the drill was re-oriented to drill north, in order to intersect observed flat lying veins, which could be missed when drilling south, the orientation used previously. Each of the 8 completed drillholes intersected mineralization characteristic of previous drilling, a significant number of samples have been taken for assaying, results will be reported once received. The final hole in the program, in the Mine Area of the property, targeting the completion of REN-20-40 which had to be stopped due to caving within the Cadillac Break earlier this year, is being drilled. This hole is targeting mine veins #1 and #2 at depth of ~400m vertical, drilled from the south and the competent Pontiac Sediments. About New Alger Renforth's wholly owned New Alger Gold Project is located in the Cadillac Mining Camp, on the Cadillac Break, outside of the village of Cadillac, west of Malartic Quebec. The Cadillac Mining Camp is historically one of Quebec's most prolific, and deep seated gold camps. New Alger's neighbor to the north, with a shared property boundary, is the LaRonde Mining Complex of Agnico-Eagle. The neighbor to the east, with a shared border and geological structure, is the former O'Brien Mine, which ceased operations in the 1950's, at an operating depth of 1500m. This mine, on the same Cadillac Break vein structure as New Alger, contrasts in terms of its' 1500m operating depth with New Alger's deepest pierce point, in the vicinity of the former Thompson-Cadillac Mine on the property, of 415m vertical depth. The Thompson-Cadillac Mine, located on the southern margin of the Cadillac Break, operated erratically from the late 1920's to the early 1940's, with a handful of production years which ended in the mid 1930's, with several ownership groups and size increases to the processing plant, resulting in the production of 21,000 ounces of gold. The history of several operators and the mix of barren country rock and mineralized rock within the waste and tailings piles remaining on surface causes Renforth to consider that the historic mine was not an optimized operation. Today New Alger hosts a NI43-101 Open Pit Constrained Mineral Resource Estimate as follows; New Alger Mineral Resource Estimate (1-6) Area Classification Cut-off Au (g/t) Tonnes (k) Au (g/t) Au (koz) Pit Constrained Indicated 0.32 1,016 1.88 61.5 Inferred 0.32 2,322 1.65 123.3 Out-of-Pit Indicated 1.44 19 1.81 1.1 Inferred 1.44 904 2.23 64.7 Total Indicated 0.32 + 1.44 1,035 1.88 62.6 Inferred 0.32 + 1.44 3,226 1.81 188.0 1) Mineral Resources which are not Mineral Reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability. The estimate of Mineral Resources may be materially affected by environmental, permitting, legal, title, taxation, socio-political, marketing, or other relevant issues. 2) The Inferred Mineral Resource in this estimate has a lower level of confidence than that applied to an Indicated Mineral Resource and must not be converted to a Mineral Reserve. It is reasonably expected that the majority of the Inferred Mineral Resource could be upgraded to an Indicated Mineral Resource with continued exploration. 3) The Mineral Resources in this report were estimated using the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum (CIM), CIM Standards on Mineral Resources and Reserves, Definitions and Guidelines prepared by the CIM Standing Committee on Reserve Definitions and adopted by the CIM Council. 4) Historically mined areas were depleted from the Mineral Resource model. 5.) The pit constrained Au cut-off grade of 0.32 g/t Au was derived from US$1,450/oz Au price, 0.75 US$/C$ exchange rate, 95% process recovery, C$17/t process cost and C$2/t G&A cost. The constraining pit optimization parameters were C$2.50/t mineralized mining cost, $2/t waste mining cost, $1.50/t overburden mining cost and 50 degree pit slopes. 6.) The out of pit Au cut-off grade of 1.44 g/t Au was derived from US$1,450/oz Au price, 0.75 US$/C$ exchange rate, 95% process recovery, C$66/t mining cost, C$17/t process cost and C$2/t G&A cost. The out of pit Mineral Resource grade blocks were quantified above the 1.44 g/t Au cut-off, below the constraining pit shell and within the constraining mineralized wireframes. Additionally, only groups of blocks that exhibited continuity and reasonable potential stope geometry were included. All orphaned blocks and narrow strings of blocks were excluded. The longhole stoping with backfill method was assumed for the out of pit Mineral Resource Estimate calculation. New Alger Underground Looking North-East Brian H. Newton P.Geo is a "qualified person" pursuant to the requirements of National Instrument 43-101. He has reviewed and approved the technical information in this press release. For further information please contact: Renforth Resources Inc. Nicole Brewster President and Chief Executive Officer T:416-818-1393 E: nicole@renforthresources.com #269 - 1099 Kingston Road, Pickering ON L1V 1B5 ABOUT RENFORTH Renforth Resources Inc. is a Toronto-based gold exploration company with six wholly owned surface gold bearing properties located in the Provinces of Quebec and Ontario, Canada. In Quebec Renforth holds the New Alger and Parbec Properties, in the Cadillac and Malartic gold camps respectively, with gold present at surface and to some depth, located on the Cadillac Break. Each of these properties carries an open-pit constrained 43-101 resource. In both instances' additional gold bearing structures, other than the Cadillac Break, have been found on each property and require additional exploration. Renforth also holds Malartic West, contiguous to the western boundary of the Canadian Malartic Mine Property, located in the Pontiac Sediments, this property is gold bearing and was the recent site of a copper discovery. Renforth has acquired the Surimeau property, also contiguous to Canadian Malartic and the southern border of the Malartic West property. Surimeau hosts polymetallic mineralization and represents the consolidation of four historic properties into one for the first time. In addition to this Renforth has optioned the wholly owned Denain-Pershing gold bearing property, located near Louvicourt, Quebec, to O3 Mining Inc. In Ontario, Renforth holds the Nixon-Bartleman surface gold occurrence west of Timmins, Ontario, drilled, channeled and sampled over 500m - this historic property also requires additional exploration to define the extent of the mineralization. No securities regulatory authority has approved or disapproved of the contents of this news release. Forward Looking Statements This news release contains forward-looking statements and information under applicable securities laws. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, are forward looking. Forward-looking statements are frequently identified by such words as 'may', 'will', 'plan', 'expect', 'believe', 'anticipate', 'estimate', 'intend' and similar words referring to future events and results. Such statements and information are based on the current opinions and expectations of management. All forward-looking information is inherently uncertain and subject to a variety of assumptions, risks and uncertainties, including the speculative nature of mineral exploration and development, fluctuating commodity prices, the risks of obtaining necessary approvals, licenses and permits and the availability of financing, as described in more detail in the Company's securities filings available at www.sedar.com. Actual events or results may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements and the reader is cautioned against placing undue reliance thereon. Forward-looking information speaks only as of the date on which it is provided and the Company assumes no obligation to revise or update these forward-looking statements except as required by applicable law. SOURCE: Renforth Resources Inc. View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/600334/Renforth-Finds-Visible-Gold-Within-Discovery-Vein-Blast-Area-at-New-Alger Construction on the west leg of the Gilcrease Expressway is already 20% complete, a spokesman for the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority said. Construction is full steam ahead, OTA spokesman Jack Damrill said. You can actually see the corridor. Theyre building the bridges and moving utilities. Theyre moving pretty quick. Construction began in January, he said. The OTA in July 2019 awarded a nearly $261 million contract for construction and financing for the west leg of the expressway. The project consists of 5 miles of new, four-lane toll road beginning where the existing Gilcrease Expressway connects to Interstate 44 just south of West 51st Street and ends just north of U.S. 412 at Edison Street. The project will include an adjacent multiuse trail and 22 bridges, including a bridge over the Arkansas River. Pillars are going up near the Arkansas River as part of that bridge, he said. You can see the whole alignment. The estimated completion date is mid-summer 2022, Damrill said. A nurse has revealed how she escapes her 'mundane' marriage to her childhood sweetheart by having 'exciting' sexual affairs with married men. Chloe, a 32-year-old hospital nurse from Nottingham, says she began cheating on her husband to inject some passion into her life, after they got stuck in a 'boring' routine where the sex was unadventurous. The mother-of-two, who has been with her husband since she was 16, posed for pictures in her hospital scrubs wearing a face mask to protect her identity and showing her wedding ring, and revealed how the lift of lockdown has let her resume her double life. Chloe, a 32-year-old hospital nurse from Nottingham, escapes her 'mundane' marriage to her childhood sweetheart by having 'exciting' sexual affairs with married men. on IllicitEncounters.com Speaking to FEMAIL, she said: 'I had just got a bit bored and thought there must be more to life than this. 'I had been with my husband since we were at school. We had grown apart and were very different people in many ways. 'He just wants to do the same things all the time and has become very settled in his way, whereas I am still looking for new experiences and more physical attention. 'We have got two children together so I am not necessarily looking to leave my husband. That would be a step too far. I just want a bit of excitement.' Best sex positions for burning calories For him Butter churner: 211 calories Standing: 198 calories Doggy Style: 182 calories Kneeling wheelbarrow: 167 calories Lotus: 148 calories The Eagle: 145 calories Legs up: 127 calories Spooning: 101 calories 69 position: 78 calories The squat: 50 calories Cowgirl: 48 calories Reverse Cowgirl: 48 calories For her The squat: 188 calories Butter churner: 179 calories Kneeling wheelbarrow: 149 calories Standing: 145 calories Cowgirl: 139 calories Lotus: 139 calories Reverse Cowgirl: 137 calories Legs up: 116 calories 69 position: 111 calories Doggy Style: 103 calories Spooning: 84 calories The Eagle 69 calories Advertisement Key worker Chloe told how she had her first affair with Sean, a married insurance executive in his mid-thirties, who lives in London with his wife. She recalled how they met on UK affairs site IllicitEncounters.com, and even dated for 18 months. Chloe said: 'He was in a similar position to me and was looking for a discreet affair. I had been unfaithful to my husband a few times before then - largely one-night-stands after meeting guys in nightclubs or bars. 'But this was the first time I'd had a full-on affair. He would travel up from London and we would meet for a drink and then go to a hotel for sex.' Describing the passion she felt, she said: 'It was nice to once again experience the rush you get when you are dating someone for the very first time. 'I remember in those early dates how we would kiss each other all the time, like we were teenagers. I hadn't kissed my husband like that for years. 'Whereas I have just been going through the motions when it comes to sex with my husband, I would make a special effort with Sean and the sex so much more fulfilling and exciting than at home. 'I would really prepare for our dates - buying new clothes and getting my hair done. 'We would meet every two weeks and it was something for me to look forward to.' And working nightshifts at a hospital meant she had the perfect cover for her husband. She said: 'My job was very useful in providing a cover for our meetings. I would explain to my husband that I was working a night shift and then spend the night with Sean in a hotel. 'I often work nights anyway so he was not that suspicious.' Their relationship deepened and Sean began talking about them both leaving their partners and beginning a new life together. Best sex positions to orgasm (for women) Doggy Style 79% The squat 72% Reverse Cowgirl 71% Cowgirl 68% The eagle 66% Legs Up 64% Missionary 63% Spooning 55% Lotus 31% Kneeling wheelbarrow 29% Butter Churner 21% Standing 17% 69 position 7% Advertisement But Chloe admits that she was not yet ready to make that commitment. She said: 'I think he was a little keener than me, though I did fantasise about what life would be like if we had got together full-time.' Chloe then began a second affair with another married man she had met on the website at the start of this year. She said: 'I got together with him for the same reason I did with Sean - it was exciting to be dating someone new. 'We had sex a few times and it was fun. He lives nearer me and I would juggle seeing him and Sean at different times. The second affair fizzled out after a few months and I stayed with Sean. 'My problem was that I settled down too young. I had never played the field when I was younger and I realised I had missed out on so much. 'Finally I was playing the field in my thirties and having a great time.' But Chloe was forced to end things with Sean in March this year when she discovered that his wife was pregnant. The Covid crisis was also engulfing the UK and Chloe was reluctant to break social distancing rules by continuing to see Sean, putting her patients in hospital at risk. She said: 'I knew I could not continue when he told me his wife was expecting. The whole point of dating people on these websites is you don't want to screw up anyone's life by having an affair. You are both on the same page and just want a bit on the side without upsetting the apple cart at home. 'The pregnancy changed all that and I told Sean it was over. 'I stopped dating for a few months because everything was so hectic at work and we needed to follow the rules. 'But I carried on browsing on and interacting with married men. It was fun flirting with new men and seeing if I had any new matches.' And she says things are now back to normal, continuing: 'Now that the Covid crisis has eased I am ready to start dating again. We have hardly any cases at all in the hospital and work is returning to normal. 'I am looking forward to seeing someone new and have met a nice new man called James. 'We have been flirting a lot and will meet up in the next few weeks.' But Chloe admits that she does not know what will happen in her marriage. She said: 'My husband doesn't know about any of my affairs. He has asked a few questions but things have never come to a head. 'I have tried to get him to change but he is very stuck in his ways and just seems happy to plod along as normal. I am different from him and want more from life.' IllicitEncounters.com sex and relationship expert Jessica Leoni said: 'Chloe is very typical of our female members. 'They settle down with their first serious boyfriend and bitterly regret not enjoying their youth more and playing the field. They end up sleeping around in their thirties and forties rather than their twenties. 'Women in particular join the site because they want sex and excitement but they don't want a divorce. They need to be sure that the men they are meeting have the same intentions as them. It is the safe way to get out of a rut.' More than one million people have registered with controversial website since it was launched 17 years ago. A spokesperson revealed there has been a 25 per cent rise in dating activity in the last six months and subscriptions have gone up during the Covid-crisis. HAMMOND A federal judge has sentenced a Hammond man to prison for his role in a nationwide identity theft scheme. U.S. District Court Judge James T. Moody imposed a 134-month sentence Tuesday on 45-year-old Gemico T. Childress for his 2018 guilty plea to wire fraud and aggravated identity theft. The judge also is requiring Childress to pay $181,835.77 in restitution to various financial institutions and retailers. The case is one of a growing number of identity theft schemes that have impacted more than 16 million victims and reaped stolen goods worth more than $16 billion, the government stated in court papers. Childress and his co-defendants allegedly stole the identities of 652 persons in Canada and at least 15 states, including Indiana. A federal grand jury, in 2017, indicted Childress, his 41-year-old sister, Temika L. Coleman, and her 36-year-old boyfriend, Vincent E. Prunty, on dozens of felony fraud and theft counts. The government alleged the trio obtained Social Security numbers and other personal identifiers, many of which were stolen in data breaches, to create fraudulent credit accounts and steal more than $180,000. The Ekiti State Governor, Kayode Fayemi, on Wednesday, announced that schools would resume on August 10 in the state for final year studen... The Ekiti State Governor, Kayode Fayemi, on Wednesday, announced that schools would resume on August 10 in the state for final year students in Senior Secondary School 3 private and public schools. Fayemi also said religious centres would be reopened on August 14. The Governor announced this in a statewide broadcast, according to a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Olayinka Oyebode. In the statement titled, Lessons from my COVID-19 Infection, Fayemi expressed concern over an increase in the rate of infection in the last one month in the state with 109 fresh cases. The governor said COVID-19 protocols would be strictly adhered to as schools open with only SSS 3 students on August 10 and religious centres from August 14, while resumption date for JSS 3 students and Primary 6 pupils would be communicated later. Fayemi said, The Task Force leadership have told me that many religious worship centres are now ready and should be able to reopen for service according to the established protocols from August 14, 2020. I want to appeal to religious centres as moral agents and institutions reputed for discipline. They must ensure the jointly agreed protocols are adhered to, to protect lives of worshipers as they go about their activities from August 14, 2020. Key aspects of the protocols include but are not limited to the following: fumigation of the worship centres and their surroundings, maintenance of social distancing of six-feet apart during worship, provision of infrared thermometer, provision of hand sanitizers and ensuring the windows and doors are wide open. The protocols also implicate that there should be no multiple services, and services must be concluded within two hours while children below 12 years of age and elderly people above 65 are not allowed to attend services or Salat until further notice. An attendance register must be provided by each worship centre to record attendance. For the avoidance of doubt, only Friday Jumat for Muslims, Saturday Sabbath for Adventists and Sunday Services for other Christians denominations are allowed. Weekly and vigil services are not to hold in the meanwhile. Similarly, all traditional worships of festivals that demand large gathering of devotees are suspended until further notice. The quality of audit services suffers when an audit firm has clients from many different industries, according to new research from the University of Notre Dame. If an audit office has a diversified client portfolio, it is more difficult to audit a particular type of client, according to "Audit Office Industry Diversity and Audit Quality," forthcoming in the Journal of Accounting, Auditing and Finance from Erik Beardsley, assistant professor of accountancy at Notre Dame's Mendoza College of Business, along with Nathan Goldman at North Carolina State University and Tom Omer at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. The study examined financial statement restatement rates for clients of audit offices from 2002 to 2015. Each firm they examined had data from a varying number of years, for a total of 35,265 observations in the dataset. "When the financial statements must be restated because of a material error, this means the audit team missed the error before statements were issued, indicating lower audit quality," Beardsley explained. "Prior studies have examined different characteristics of audit firms or offices, but they have not considered the industry diversity of the client portfolio as a whole," he said. "For example, even if an audit office has a lot of clients in one industry, the overall industry diversity of the portfolio can harm the audit quality of all clients in the portfolio. This is likely because auditing a lot of different industries forces the auditor to spread their resources to a variety of different engagements rather than focus on particular types." The study found that having an industry-diverse client base can harm audit quality for both small and large audit offices. Though a small office may not have many clients, if each is in a different industry, audit quality suffers. Likewise, even a large office with more resources is less effective at allocating those resources when the clients are more industry-diverse. The study also determined that having a diverse client base can harm audit quality for industry specialists and non-industry specialists, where specialization is based on market share. "An office could have a large market share in one industry, often due to one or two high-profile clients," Beardsley explained, "but still be considered industry-diverse if it also audits clients in a variety of other industries. We observed the adverse effect of industry diversity even among offices with large market share, meaning that having a large market share is not enough to counter balance the negative effects of industry diversity. "However, we did not find the negative effect when there were clusters of three or more clients in the same industry," he continued, "suggesting that sufficient industry knowledge can occur from clusters of three or more clients in an industry." The study could prove helpful for audit firms in making resource allocation and client retention decisions, as well as for audit committees to assess which auditor is their best fit. ### Italian Carabinieri military police released CCTV footage on Tuesday (August 4) of a tourist damaging a 19th-century sculpture by Antonio Canova by sitting on it while posing for a photograph. The tourist, whose face is blurred in the CCTV footage, leans on the plaster model of the "Paolina Borghese Bonaparte as Venus Victrix" as he posed for a picture during a visit to the Gypsotheca Antonio Canova museum in the northern village of Possagno on Friday (July 31). As he got up, he accidentally snapped off part of the sculpture's foot, examined the damage and then casually left the room. Three toes were damaged, police said. Surveillance footage from a museum in Italy shows a tourist sitting on a 200-year-old statue and breaking three of its toes off https://t.co/Pu5wi2SXhV pic.twitter.com/1zuCpjpvmq CNN (@CNN) August 5, 2020 The museum and police said he was an Austrian man who was part of a group of tourists visiting the museum. Carabinieri's northern Treviso division said they had since identified the man, and that he was the husband of the woman who organised the tour. The Gypsotheca Antonio Canova museum is where the great Italian's sculptor's original plaster cast models are on display in his hometown, where he was born in 1757. Canova's majestic early 1800s marble statue version of 'Paolina Borghese Bonaparte as Venus Victrix' is on display in Rome's Galleria Borghese. The 'Venus Victrix', whose naked model was Paolina Borghese, wife of Napoleon Bonaparte, is his most famous work. Face masks are offered to people in Amsterdam, Wednesday Aug. 5, 2020. The Netherlands' two most populous cities began ordering people to wear face masks in busy streets Wednesday amid rising coronavirus infection rates. Amsterdam ordered masks to be worn in the red-light district and busy shopping streets and markets. (AP Photo/Mike Corder) The Netherlands' two most populous cities began ordering people to wear face masks in busy streets Wednesday amid rising coronavirus infection rates, but many people in the Dutch capital's famous red-light district still did not wear them. Police in Rotterdam said a number of people opposed to the mask order staged a protest in the downtown area where masks became obligatory. Amsterdam ordered masks to be worn in the red-light district and busy shopping streets and markets. Many visitors to the narrow lanes and canal-side roads of the historic neighborhood ignored the instructions, despite signs informing people of the new measure. Municipality workers stood at the entrance to one downtown Amsterdam shopping street wearing signs saying in Dutch and English that masks were required and handing them out to people who didn't have one. The Dutch capital's local health authority said around 5% of people who got a test over the last week were positive, more than double the 2% from the previous week. Among clusters being tracked in the city was one at a strip club in the red-light district where at least one customer and 10 staff have tested positive, according to a statement from the health authority. The owner voluntarily closed the club. Amsterdam Mayor Femke Halsema said she understood people's wish to socialize again at home, at weddings or in bars after weeks of tough restrictions aimed at reining in the spread of the coronavirus. People wearig facemasks to prevent the spread of the coronavirus walk through Amsterdam, Wednesday Aug. 5, 2020. The Netherlands' two most populous cities began ordering people to wear face masks in busy streets Wednesday amid rising coronavirus infection rates. Amsterdam ordered masks to be worn in the red-light district and busy shopping streets and markets. (AP Photo/Mike Corder) "But the numbers show that the coronavirus is spreading at these kinds of locations," she said. "It is striking that young people in particular are now becoming infected and therefore pose a risk to the entire city and region." The mask orders came into force a day after the Dutch public health institute reported a near-doubling in confirmed infections in a week to 2,588, with a quarter of the people who tested positive aged in their 20s. Coronavirus infections in the Netherlands have been on the rise since many restrictions that had successfully reined in the disease were lifted July 1. The Dutch COVID-19 death toll stands at 6,150 confirmed deaths. The true toll is likely higher because not all who were suspected to have died of the coronavirus were tested. Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte scheduled a press conference for Thursday to discuss the rising infections. Explore further Follow the latest news on the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak 2020 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin (Agence France-Presse) Berlin, Germany Wed, August 5, 2020 17:06 531 6657ac82168da9fa101c8a4066bc8acb 2 News Germany,Turkey,travel,travel-warning,coronavirus,COVID-19,tourism Free Germany lifted its travel warning for several coastal regions of Turkey on Tuesday, ceding partially to weeks of campaigning by Ankara, whose tourism industry relies heavily on German visitors. The warning will be lifted with immediate effect for the four coastal provinces of Antalya, Izmir, Aydin and Mugla, government spokeswoman Ulrike Demmer said in Berlin. "Turkey has developed a special tourism and hygiene concept for these four regions in order to realize safe tourism under the conditions of the pandemic," Demmer said. Turkey will require anyone travelling back to Germany to present a negative coronavirus test within 48 hours before departure. Turkey had been one of 160 countries outside the European Union and the Schengen area for which a travel warning was in place until August 31. Read also: Most Brits, French, Germans would skip holiday if tests, masks involved: Survey In July, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu had demanded a review of the travel warning while visiting his German counterpart Heiko Maas in Berlin. Anyone currently arriving in Germany from areas considered to be at high risk must produce a negative coronavirus test or go into quarantine for 14 days. Germany, which is home to a large Turkish community, makes up the biggest group of tourists by nationality in Turkey. In a blow to tourism in Spain, Germany last week added three northern Spanish regions to its list of high-risk destinations. Ukrainian authorities last week asked Belarus to extradite 28 people, including nine Ukrainian citizens. Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko said on Wednesday Minsk would cooperate with Ukraine in the case of a group of suspected Russian mercenaries who were detained by security forces in Belarus last week, the Belta news agency reported. Ukraine is seeking the extradition of the men for their alleged role in fighting in eastern Ukraine, Reuters said. Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Wednesday he hoped Belarus would hand over suspected Russian mercenaries to Ukraine for future prosecution. Read alsoUkraine to request extradition of 28 Wagner PMC troops from Belarus "I hope that the suspects in terrorist activities on the territory of #Ukraine will be handed over to us for criminal prosecution in accordance with current international legal documents," Zelensky said on Twitter. As was reported, Belarusian security forces last week detained a group of suspected Russian mercenaries from private military company (PMC) Wagner near Minsk. Ukrainian authorities last week asked Belarus to extradite 28 people, including nine Ukrainian citizens, whom Kyiv suspects of participating in the hostilities in eastern Ukraine. Russia denies the men are mercenaries and says they work for a private security firm. Protestors demonstrated against police brutality in Montreal, on June 7, 2020. Credit: (Steve Daniel/Unsplash), CC BY-SA Two contrasting perspectives have emerged in response to recent calls to "defund" police. One perspectiveespoused by some activists on the political leftholds that policing is fatally broken, cannot be fixed through any reforms and ought to be cancelled outright through financial asphyxiation. The second perspective argues that policing takes an outsized and unnecessary share of government budgets, and organizes around reassigning cuts in police budget to social welfare services. This latter perspective recognizes that in many police jurisdictionsparticularly in the United States and Canadaa growing number of calls for emergency services relate to psychotic episodes, suicides, alcoholism, homelessness and other welfare-related checks. Police responses to these issues tend to produce devastating consequences: an earlier CBC investigation found that "70 percent of the people who died in police encounters struggled with mental health issues, substance abuse or both." Limited public support for defunding police Public support for defunding police has been minimal despite the fact that police officers often spend a large part of their time on issues they are not suited to and that occasionally result in troubled citizens carted away in body bags. This is fascinating, given the swift decision to defund and reimagine policing in some jurisdictions, like Minneapolis, where George Floyd died at the hands of police. A Pew Research Center survey conducted during global protests against police brutality finds that "73 percent majority say that spending on their local police should stay about the same as it is now (42 percent) or be increased from its current level (31 percent)." There were racial disparities among the 4,708 adults surveyed: only 42 percent of Black adults and 21 percent of whites support reducing spending on police in their areas. People aged 50 and above were less likely to support reducing police funding. Why is there limited public support for defunding police despite widespread activism? The answer partly lies in the failure to demystify police. Protect and serve Demystification is a deliberate attempt to make policingan enigmatic and esoteric institutioninto something more mundane. Through demystification, policing becomes ordinary and open to objective critique, which may assist in efforts to reimagine and defund police. The non-response or negative institutional reactions to calls for defunding the police will continue until police and policing are demystified. The image of police as the defender of social order, assuming tremendous existential risks on behalf of society, has not been challenged. And in Canada, police powers have increased in at least two provincesAlberta and Saskatchewanwhile some cities have adopted merely symbolic budget cuts. The nature of the task Police do not control crime. The myth that they do is an established fact, and yet, police organizations soldier on. What can be reasonably expected of police is to keep crime to a level where social life can proceed with minimal unpredictability. Appearance of order is therefore the real task of policing, which has led to an accumulation of tremendous power over time. As the expression of state force and priorities, police officers maintain a level of power not accorded to elected officials. For instance, a mayor in a liberal democratic state caught slapping a constituent on cell phone video is unlikely to keep their seat. Yet two or more fully armed police officers may beat a handcuffed citizen and go unpunished. The police have become a quintessential "permanently failing organization," focusing on survival rather than performance. As such, defunding the police threatens their livelihood and erodes policing's accumulated legitimacy. Protests against police brutality began in Minneapolis and spread globally. Credit: (munshots/Unsplash), CC BY Exaggeration of risk American sociologist Peter K. Manning observed over 40 years ago that "policing was a masterful costume drama, a presentation of ordering and mannered civility that was also dirty work." Police occupational culture is full of ritualism and symbolism to enhance the social status of an institution, which largely requires Grade 12 level education and provides six-month training for new recruits in Canada and the U.S. My collaborative research on the use of conducted energy weaponsTasersby police demonstrates that such accoutrements largely perform a symbolic function. The use of these weapons are more to bolster a police organization's claim to being modern or progressive. Besides, despite years of much-trumpeted "community policing," most police departments have remained largely unchanged in their mode of operation. Community policing was adopted as a trend and to access additional funding. The dramatization extends to the level of risk encountered by police officers. Policing is presented as an uber-risky occupation. It is. However, policing does not come near the top of the most dangerous occupations in Canada and the U.S. Research shows that taxi drivers face far more risks than police officers. So do coal miners, long-haul truck drivers and timber cutters. The exaggeration of policing risk portrays police officers as self-sacrificing, communitarian and selfless occupational specialists. The exaggeration of risk fosters occupational credibility, camaraderie and serves as a recruitment tool. It de-emphasizes the fact that policing in Canada and most parts of the U.S. is an incredibly well-paying occupation relative to qualification and length of training. Rookie officers in Vancouver and Edmonton earn over $65,000 per year. Adversarial relationship Maintaining an adversarial relationship with the public is an "occupational tenet" of policing, as Manning pointed out decades ago. This concerns relatively powerless segments of societyyoung people and minorities, particularly males. The adversarial relationship is crucial as it presents incontrovertible evidence of breakdown of order. Evidence of looting, arson or other forms of violence during protests only advance the course of granting police more powers and funding. This is directly linked to government's aversion to any sign of disorder in psychologically fragile societies. Defunding police is unlikely to occur without public awareness of the issues discussed above. Defunding police cannot happen without curtailing the activities of police unions, which have become a powerful "institutional sovereigns" concerned with maintaining legitimacy. Policing needs to be treated like any other job to monitor performance and end human rights abuses. Entry requirements should be more stringent, with extremely patriotic and action-oriented prospective recruits encouraged to join the military. Policing allows for class mobility and should be reserved for professionally inclined individuals who will treat citizens as clients rather than moral failures. Demystification of police is necessary before any major reforms can occur, and requires understanding the realities of how the occupation legitimizes itself. There is no contradiction in recognizing the significance of policing and holding police officers to standards routinely expected of other professionals in society. Explore further Support for increased police powers depends on public trust This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. Iran: Oil deal between US firm, SDF militias lacks legal validity Iran Press TV Tuesday, 04 August 2020 5:41 PM Iran has condemned an oil agreement signed between the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) militant group and an American company as "a violation of Syrian sovereignty," saying such a deal has "no legal validity." Foreign Ministry Spokesman Abbas Mousavi said on Tuesday the deal struck between the SDF and the US, as an illegal and occupying force in the Syrian territory, has "no legal validity." He added the deal violates international law as well as Syria's sovereignty and territorial integrity. "This is yet another step by this country [the US] to plunder Syria's natural resources," he added. The SDF is a US-backed alliance of militias that have seized swaths of Syria's northern and eastern regions from the Daesh terror group and are refusing to return control of those areas to the Damascus government. Last week, US Senator Lindsey Graham and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo referred to an oilfields deal between the SDF and a US firm during a Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing. During the hearing, Graham said the SDF informed him that a deal had been signed with an unnamed US company to "modernize the oil fields in northeastern Syria," and asked Pompeo whether the administration was supportive of it. "We are," Pompeo responded. "The deal took a little longer ... than we had hoped, and now we're in implementation." In a statement on Sunday, Syrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates strongly condemned the agreement, which it said is aimed at stealing the country's oil, stressing that Damascus considers the contract null and void with no legal effect. The US has long been providing the SDF with arms and militant training, calling them a key partner in the purported fight against the Daesh terrorist group. Many observers, however, see the support in the context of Washington's plans to carve out a foothold in the Arab country in the post-Daesh era. That support has also angered Washington's NATO ally, Turkey, which views militants from the Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG) the backbone of the SDF as a terrorist organization tied to the homegrown Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) that has been engaged in a destructive war inside Turkey for decades. Ankara also denounced the US-SDF deal, saying the move breaches Syrian sovereignty and amounts to "financing terrorism." US President Donald Trump has openly expressed an interest in the oilfields of northeast Syria. Washington announced a military withdrawal from Syria in December 2018, but Trump later pledged a number of US forces would remain in areas "where they have oil." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Representative image That the terrible Covid-19 pandemic offers a profound learning curve, is undeniable. The number of new cases in India are increasing by more than 50,000 every day. Some metro cities are emerging as the new epicentres of the virus. In the coming four to six weeks, the countrys health infrastructure will be tested to the optimum, as the coronavirus will hit a peak by then. An analysis of medical infrastructure and other data of the top 10 affected countries shows that India lags far behind on the resources required to deal with a crisis of this magnitude. With the countrys less-than-adequate health framework putting up a brave if somewhat one-sided fight, the significance of emergency preparedness & response (EP&R) in the health sector could not be more relevant than today. During the pandemic, pharmacy professionals (PPs) in India have continued to provide EP&R - medication, supplies and services. PPs roles in India are wide-ranging from incorporating dispensing, stocking, manufacturing, quality assurance, clinical trial management, academia and research. Raft of healthcare challenges 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 India's public-private healthcare system is complex and of variable quality. Lacunae in pharmacy education, training and lack of resolution around pharmacist roles have, however, presented challenges in offering health services to patients. According to a research study published in the journal, Social and Administrative Pharmacy, by a team of scholars from USAs Pittsburgh University titled Emergency preparedness and response (EP&R) by pharmacy professionals in India: Lessons from the Covid-19 pandemic and the way forward, PPs are actively involved in offering essential pharmacy services during the pandemic, despite minimal EP&R training. Based on lessons learned in the last few months, regulations are identified, and recommendations provided to broaden PP roles and enable them to be better prepared and actively engaged in EP&R for future emergencies. According to the journal, PPs responded, saying they would like to be trained for COVID-19 and other emergencies. Engaging PPs in policy making and developing a cadre of EP&R professionals to serve and respond is the first step to address this gap to Covid-19 and beyond, say experts. In April this year, the Indian Pharmacists Association (IPA) wrote a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi with a request to empower them with a more defined role and extend their services to patients during the pandemic. It called upon the Prime Minister to authorise registered pharmacists to conduct Covid-19 tests along with other services and suggested the concept of 20-days prescription drugs supply. Emphasising their concern about the shortage of healthcare providers in six lakh villages, the letter written by Abhay Kumar, National President, IPA, recommended a few additional measures in the existing policy to empower pharmacists to extend their services during the virus outbreak. It also pleaded that they be allowed to interpret, counsel patients on test results and available treatments, initiate treatment and ensure that appropriate legal and regulatory authorities support their call. A welcome initial step was taken by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, when it requested the Pharmacy Council of India, the accrediting body for PharmD education, to prepare a state-wise national list of pharmacists who could be enrolled as part of the COVID Warriors Health Force and by turning State Pharmacy Councils into nodal offices. Worldwide, pharmacists are actively providing services amidst the pandemic, including Triage services the word is derived from the French verb trier, meaning shift or select; mainly used in medical emergencies seeing patients and reducing the burden on healthcare facilities like hospitals and general practitioners. They are also working to provide home deliveries, as well as attending to dispensing medicines to patients coming to pharmacies with the other ailments. Pharmacy associations across countries have issued guidelines to pharmacists in dealing with the pandemic. Dr Mahaveer Golecha, Associate Director, Indian Institute of Public Health, (IIPHG) Gandhinagar, told this writer that Emergency medical and critical care services can play a significant role in designing and implementing an effective approach against Covid-19. Maximising these services during a pandemic by carrying out phone triage, home testing and telemedicine OPDs, significantly decreases visits to hospitals and allows early identification of those with virus tendencies. These activities contribute to the efforts to contain the spread of disease. Rising to the challenge According to him, India must move speedily, marshal its financial and human resources, build temporary COVID-19 treatment facilities and procure necessary respiratory care equipment, including PPEs, hospital beds, oxygen-flow masks and ventilators. Governments and policymakers must do all they can to prevent the scarcity of necessary resources. India will need to address the decades of underinvestment in public health system and social health, which may leave it struggling at this time of crisis, points out Golecha. The journal, Social and Administrative Pharmacy, points out that policymakers developed a response strategy that they refer to as the Pune Plan, which relied on powers sanctioned by the Epidemic Act of 1897 and resources made available by the Union health ministry, state health department and a government diagnostic laboratory in Pune. On the ground, however, much needs to be done. Dr SK Kulkarni, Emeritus Professor, in the special issue of the Association of Pharmaceutical Teachers of India (APTI) Bulletin dedicated to Covid-19, raises some uncomfortable points: ``Back here in our country, community practice of pharmacy is in dire straits. The so-called PharmD graduates are hesitant or not willing to take-up community pharmacists work for which this course was originally envisaged. PharmD graduates are not even considered as part of healthcare delivery. Will they be able to advise/guide the frontline doctors on specific medications for Covid-19? While the World Health Organization's (WHO's) global strategy for pandemic control focuses on national planning, state-level and local experience in a country as vast and diverse as India indicates the importance of local adaptability as an essential feature of the planning process. The Public Health Foundation of India (PHFI) has reached certain important conclusions: ***A cultural shift is needed to recognize pharmacists as healthcare providers with accompanying authority and legislation. *** Pharmacy curricula need to include EP&R, public health topics and training. *** Pharmacy groups and professionals need to cooperate and collaborate to advocate for the professions growth. *** During emergencies, additional authority, or expansion of powers to empower the profession should be included in the legislation. In response to emergencies, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) was enacted in 2005 to address disaster preparedness and response, including a National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), which has 12 battalions trained and equipped to respond to natural and man-made disasters. Currently, there is no mention of PPs in the Act or among the NDRF battalions. Clearly, there is need for PPs to be included in the NDRF battalions and on task force planning and responses to chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear emergencies. India will, hopefully, be better equipped to handle calamities in the future, if that happens. Californias efforts to track coronavirus cases have been seriously hampered by a technical issue affecting the electronic data system used by state and local health departments, a leading official said at a news briefing Tuesday. There is a specific component that feeds information from labs to both the state system and the local public health system that may actually be the place where data is getting stuck, said Mark Ghaly, Health and Human Services secretary for California, confirming the issue with the state electronic case reporting system, known as CalREDIE, short for the California Reportable Disease Information Exchange. The glitch could temper some of the optimism Gov. Gavin Newsom expressed for the states receding case numbers on Monday. The seven-day average number of new coronavirus cases in California dropped to 7,764 per day as of Monday, state officials said about 21% lower than the seven-day average from the week prior, which was 9,859. If that number was accurate, it would represent the lowest single-day case count since July 5. The seven-day positivity rate is absolutely affected by this, Ghaly said. The California Department of Public Health updated its data dashboard to account for the snag in numbers, with a message that said, Due to issues with the states electronic laboratory reporting system, these data represent an underreporting of actual positive cases in one single-day. Santiago Mejia / The Chronicle 2020 Ghaly did not specify how long the issue has affected the states positivity rate, but said state officials are working around the clock to remedy it. We are not sure we will have a definite fix to the problem, he said. But in the meantime, we are working on parallel processes manual processes to get the same information through the CalREDIE system to local public health departments. The electronic system is used by local public health departments in California to track disease data and relay that information to laboratories, health providers and the state, according to the CDPH website. The biggest issue with the glitch is the potential impact it has on the states contact tracing efforts to contain the spread of the virus. It is absolutely hampered without the data, Ghaly said. He added that the states seven-day positivity rate is also affected by the bad data, and that officials would aim to update the rate on a daily basis as they work toward a solution for the reporting glitch. Ghaly said that was part of the reason the state uses a 14-day metric of cases to see overall trends instead of one-day snapshots that may be susceptible to reporting errors. Drought Map Track water shortages and restrictions across Bay Area Check the water shortage status of your area, plus see reservoir levels and a list of restrictions for the Bay Areas largest water districts. "We often experience some lower-than-expected reporting, he said, adding that the virus doesn't take the weekend off. We often don't see high numbers on Mondays because Sunday becomes a slower reporting day for a lot of operational issues. Jeff Chiu / Associated Press Hospitalizations in the state in the past seven days have fallen 10%, according to the same data, with about 6,400 people currently in the hospital, including 1,940 in intensive care. On Tuesday, the state reported 526,744 overall cases, including 9,705 deaths since the pandemic struck. During the wide-reaching briefing, Ghaly also touched on the states evolving school reopening plans, re-emphasized basic coronavirus safety protocols, and commented on a large party at a rented Los Angeles mansion that drew hundreds of people and ended in a shooting that wounded two and killed one. There are guidelines about what we should do and how we should behave in our communities, Ghaly said. Attending a large gathering really doesn't follow that sector of personal responsibility rulebook. Aidin Vaziri is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: avaziri@sfchronicle.com After almost five months in lockdown due to the coronavirus pandemic, all universities reopened in Afghanistan on August 5. A spokesman for the higher education ministry confirmed that students and professors are physically attending classes today. Everyone will be required to wear masks while adhering to social distancing and the campus will be disinfected every day, the spokesman added. If we find a positive case among our students or professors, the individual will be sent to home quarantine with a two-week vacation, the official told dpa. With 450,000 students, there are a total of 167 state-owned and private universities and higher education institutions around the country, which has an estimated population of 37 million. All educational institutions were closed in mid-March to curb the spread of the virus but university lectures were held online. Only about 90,000 people have been tested throughout the war-torn country due to limited capacity. Of those, more than 40 percent were positive one of the highest infection rates in the world. Schools will remain closed for the time being based on a cabinet decision on August 4. The United Nations Childrens Fund (UNICEF) has said millions of Afghan children have no opportunity to learn due to the coronavirus crisis. Girls in particular have suffered from the restrictions because they were subject to additional violence at home. BEFORE SUNRISE (1995) Stream on HBO Max. What do you do if you think youve met your soul mate a French student named Celine (Julie Delpy) on a train passing through Europe? If youre Jesse (Ethan Hawke), an American traveler, you ask her to get off the train with you in Vienna and spend the day together, fully knowing youll have to part ways the next morning. In Before Sunrise, directed by Richard Linklater, theres more than romantic love in the air, Janet Maslin wrote in her review for The Times: Theres also the exhilaration of making contact with a kindred spirit, of instant conversational intimacy between two strangers whose paths could lead them anywhere. Jesse and Celine do meet again, nine years later, in BEFORE SUNSET (2004) also available on HBO Max before they make a final appearance in BEFORE MIDNIGHT (2013). Whats on TV BIG BROTHER 9 p.m. on CBS. Big Brother returns for its 20th year and its 22nd season on TV. An All-Star cast, which includes winners and fan favorites from previous seasons, will live together in a house filled with video cameras and microphones. A different contestant will be voted out of the house every day, and the last contestant left will win $500,000. This season, the show will forgo its usual studio audience to reduce the spread of Covid-19. Police in the northern border province of Lao Cai said on August 3 that they have broken down a drug trafficking ring, seizing three suspects and 84,800 tablets of meth. Police in the northern border province of Lao Cai said on August 3 that they have broken down a drug trafficking ring, seizing three suspects and 84,800 tablets of meth. Cu A Vang, born in 1972, residing in Nam Tin commune, Nam Po district of Dien Bien province; Tran Thi Din, born in 1979 and Vang Thi Pang, born in 1986, both from Muong Khuong district of Lao Cai province, were arrested on July 31 in O Quy Ho ward, Sa Pa district while transporting the drugs. The suspectsare part of a trans-national drug trafficking ring which avoided police by changing the delivery method and addresses regularly. At the police station, they said that they took the drugs from a Lao national called "Minhwho hired them to transport the drugs from an area on the Vietnam-Laos border in Nam Po district of Dien Bien to Lao Cai city, and then deliver to a Chinese called "Thao for 150 million VND. Pang and Din took the role as guides for Vang to the delivery address where they were arrested. The case is under further investigation. Donald Trump lamented Wednesday that his debates with Joe Biden won't hold any weight since thousands of Americans would have already cast their ballots due to early and mail-in voting measures. 'We should have the debates. The one problem I have, the debate's very late. It's at the end of September and a lot of ballots will already be cast by that time,' Trump told Fox & Friends during a call-in interview Wednesday morning. 'They want to make the debates as late as possible.' Trump also suggested that Biden has not said he wants to participate in the three scheduled debates. 'I'm ready to debate, I don't care,' the president told the Fox News morning show panel. 'I hear he wants to get out. But he has in all fairness to him, he has not said that.' But the presumed Democratic nominee has directly, and through his surrogates and campaign aides, said he will debate Trump. 'I'm so forward looking [sic] to have an opportunity to sit with the president, or stand with the president and debates,' Biden said in an interview with the National Association of Black Journalists and National Association of Hispanic Journalists. Donald Trump told Fox & Friends during a call-in interview Wednesday that there should be a presidential debate before early voting mail-in ballots are cast claiming the debates won't hold as much weigh considering the coronavirus-era mailing measures Trump also suggested that Biden does not want to face off in the three debates, the first of which is scheduled for September 29 in Cleveland, Ohio with two more in October in Miami, Florida and Nashville, Tennessee Biden, however, has said he is looking forward to debating Trump and his campaign has committed that he will participate in all three debates Portions of the interview were released Wednesday, and the full conversation is set to air on Thursday. The president feels the debates won't hold has much gravitas as in previous election years since they won't take place until thousands of Americans have already sent in their early mail-in forms. Trump is pushing for the commission that schedules, moderates and holds the debates to schedule at least one for earlier so he can face off with Biden before early voters send in their ballots. 'Why are they putting the first debate so late? The first debate should be before the first at least before the first ballots go out,' Trump argued. 'And they have it a month later, almost a month later. It's ridiculous.' The first presidential debate is scheduled for September 29, a Tuesday in Cleveland, Ohio. The second is scheduled for October 15 in Miami, Florida and the third and final debate is expected to take place October 22 in Nashville, Tennessee. T.J. Ducklo, a spokesman for Biden, said, 'the Trump campaign and their allies have constructed an entirely fictional storyline' in pushing for an early debate and claiming Biden will not engage in the debates, which is a cornerstone of presidential election seasons. He said the narrative is 'to distract from Donald Trump's failure to protect American lives during a once-in-a-generation pandemic, and now they're evidently confused about which lie they're supposed to be telling.' 'Unlike Donald Trump, Joe Biden has accepted the commission's invitation for three debates, and looks forward to holding Donald Trump accountable for the worst failure of presidential leadership in modern history,' Ducklo said. During his interview with Fox & Friends, Trump also railed against the Commission on Presidential Debates, which has been running the debates since 1987. The independent commission is jointly sponsored by the Democratic and Republican parties. 'This is a commission that's a very left-leaning commission,' Trump asserted. 'I frankly wouldn't have even used it. And I could have done that, except it's been used for years.' 'But this is a Clinton, Obama type commission,' he continued. And, you know, they call it a beautiful name, but I'm not happy with it.' K S Eshwarappa, a senior minister in Karnataka declared shortly after the ground breaking ceremony for the Ram temple in Ayodhya that the focus would be next on liberating Kashi and Mathura. Eshwarappa who is the panchayat raj and rural development minister in chief minister B S Yediyurappas cabinet was speaking at an event in Shivamogga district where puja and havans were organized to mark the bhoomi pujan in Ayodhya. A mark of slavery has been erased. Two more remain at Kashi and Mathura, which need to be (erased) and where the mosques should give way to mandirs. The minister who is also a former president of the Karnataka unit of the BJP said that all efforts should be carried out to ensure that other marks of slavery (ghulamgiri) are erased to build a strong India. Congress spokesperson B L Shankar refused to comment on the remarks of Eshwarappa saying We dont know whether this is the official stance of BJP as a party or Eshwarappas personal stance. If the BJP takes a stand on this, then only we will comment on the matter. Incidentally, the Congress has also welcomed the bhoomi pujan in Ayodhya but has said the issue should be used to unite and not divide people. KPCC President D K Shivakumar had declared on Tuesday that Lord Ram is in the hearts of all Congressmen. Earlier Wednesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi offered prayers and laid the foundation stone for a grand temple at the site believed to be Lord Rams birthplace in Ayodhya. By Express News Service NEW DELHI: The police on Monday questioned renowned Delhi University professor Apoorvanand in connection with the communal violence that broke out in north-east Delhi in February. At least 53 people had died in the violence. Apoorvanand, a faculty at the department of Hindi, said his phone was seized for investigation and he spent five hours with the police. On Monday, August 3, 2020, I was asked by the Special Cell, Delhi Police, to appear before it in the investigation into the case related to the violence that happened in NE Delhi in February 2020. I spent five hours there. The Delhi Police also considered it necessary to seize my phone for investigation, said the professor in a statement on Tuesday. Apoorvanand added that the police should not harass and victimise protestors and their supporters, who through constitutional means, opposed the Citizenship Amendment Act, National Register of Citizens and the process to create a National Population Register. While cooperating and respecting the right of police authorities to conduct a full, fair and thorough investigation, one can only hope that the probe would focus on the real instigators and perpetrators of the violence against a peaceful citizens protest and the people of North East Delhi, the statement added. It is disturbing to see a theory emerging which treats the supporters of the protestors as the source of violence. I would urge the police and expect their probe to be thorough, just and fair so that truth prevails, he said. A senior Delhi Police official, on condition of anonymity, said the professors mobile phone was still with the Special Cell. He was issued a notice to join the investigation and his mobile phone was seized for investigation, he said. Apoorvanand has written articles for various publications, explaining his opposition to the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and the government crackdown on universities, including JNU and Jamia Millia Islamia. The British government has announced it will make available up to 5 million for people left homeless by the deadly explosion in Beirut that killed at least 135 people and injured thousands. The money is part of an emergency relief package announced on Wednesday that includes specialist medical teams and NHS experts, search and rescue crews and additional support for the Lebanese armed forces. It is unclear exactly when the relief package would be delivered, but according to Sky News an advance team of British military personnel will depart for Beirut within 24 hours to assess the situation. France, the former colonial power in Lebanon, has already sent planes filled with rescuers, medical equipment and a mobile clinic. Two planes departed Wednesday, and President Emmanuel Macron will follow them to Lebanon on Thursday to meet with his Lebanese counterpart Michel Aoun. The French presidency said in a statement that the aid would include 15 tonnes of sanitary equipment and a mobile clinic equipped to treat 500 people. Some 55 rescue specialists were due to arrive on Wednesday to help rubble clearing and rescue. Recommended Beirut in mourning as families desperately search for loved ones One day after the blast, which was caused by the ignition of some 2,700 tonnes of ammonium nitrate that was being stored at the port, rescue workers and residents picked through the rubble to find survivors. In one moment, as many as 300,000 people in Lebanons capital of Beirut were made homeless, according to Beirut's governor Marwan Aboud. An as yet unknown number of lives and livelihoods were extinguished in that same blast. Lebanon was already suffering from multiple crises when the explosions hit, including a crippling economic downturn, food insecurity, a worsening coronavirus outbreak and almost non-existent public services. In a statement announcing the UK aid, foreign secretary Dominic Raab said the UK had offered immediate direct support. This was a devastating explosion which has caused enormous suffering and damage. The UK is a long-standing friend of Lebanon and the Lebanese people, and will stand with them in their hour of need." The UK is perhaps better placed than most to help Lebanon in its time of need. Britain maintains two large military bases on the island of Cyprus, just across the Mediterranean the closest of which is around 150 miles away. There is currently no indication that forces at either have been mobilised to help with the disaster in Beirut. The United States, which has imposed sanctions on some Lebanese banks in an effort to squeeze the Lebanese Hezbollah movement, said it "reaffirmed its steadfast commitment to assist the Lebanese people as they cope with the aftermath of this terrifying event" in a statement from the State Department. Other countries also stepped up to support and have already sent supplies. Kuwait and Qatar dispatched were quick to dispatch aeroplanes full of medical cargo. Qatari officials told the Associated Press that cargo from Doha included two large air-conditioned tents, kits for 1,000 beds, generators and diesel tanks, 50 ventilators, emergency medical supplies like first aid kits, gauze and needles, and medicine. A search and rescue team was also being sent to support. Meanwhile, urgent medical and humanitarian supplies were being sent from the International Humanitarian City in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Additional reporting by the Associated Press A joint investigation byspecial agents with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation and detectives with the Bledsoe County Sheriffs Department has resulted in the indictment and arrest of a Pikeville man on multiple sexual offense charges. In September 2019, at the request of 12th District Attorney General J. Michael Taylor, TBI special agents joined the Bledsoe County Sheriffs Department in investigating allegations of sexual misconduct against female employees of the Bledsoe County Emergency Medical Service. During the course of the investigation, agents developed information that indicated then-EMS Director William Angel was responsible for the sexual assault of female employees, from April 2017 through September 2019. On July 27, the Bledsoe County Grand Jury returned indictments charging William Allen Angel, 29, with five counts of rape, one count of attempted rape, and 11 counts of sexual battery. Angel was arrested on Friday, and booked into the Bledsoe County Jail. He was released after posting a $300,000 bond. Churches see greater family involvement with drive-thru VBS summer programs Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment Churches across the United States are holding a drive-thru version of Vacation Bible School this summer in response to social distancing safety guidelines meant to curb the spread of COVID-19 and are reporting more family involvement in response. One of these congregations is Owosso First Church of the Nazarene, located in Owosso, Michigan, which began its drive thru VBS program on Monday. Brett Meyer, head of Discipleship Ministries at Owosso, told The Christian Post about how they adjusted VBS programming in light of canceling indoor mass gatherings. During a normal VBS inside the church, children would travel around to different stations where they would get a Bible story, learn a verse, do a craft, eat a snack, and then worship together, explained Meyer. We created stations in our parking lot for worship with our songs being transmitted to the car using an FM transmitter, Bible story using actors at several stops, prepackaged snacks to go, a take home craft and Bible verse. Meyer also noted that they added an extra station at the end where they had volunteers present to pray with the family in the car if they had any requests. One of the benefits of the drive-thru model is we now have greater family involvement, he said. Instead of dropping the kids off and picking them up, parents now get to experience the story themselves and hopefully interact with their children after they leave the parking lot. The first day of VBS had 67 kids take part, which was less than half of the normal attendance for them. However, Meyer said that it was still an overall positive experience for all involved. I believe our volunteers had just as good a time if not more so than our families that came through, he said. Our teens also came out to help so it was a great multigenerational gathering reaching out to the community we are called to serve. While we were limited in what we could physically offer, there was certainly no limit to the blessings that came through our gathering. Another congregation that opted to do a drive-thru VBS this summer was Huguenot Road Baptist Church of North Chesterfield, Virginia, which held its summer kids event last month. Amanda Lott, associate pastor for Children and Family Ministries at HRBC, reported that they had 83 participate this year, which was a little over half of their average of 160. We contemplated in-person in various forms, but none of those was deemed a safe option for students and leaders, recalled Lott. Drive-thru gave us the flexibility to see the families in person at pick up and get Bible materials and fun activities in their hands. The church had what Lott described as VBS in a bag, with a large bag that had all lesson materials and a snack divided up into each given day. There was no worship gathering, no rotation to classrooms, no decorations in rooms. But there was a lot of energy from leaders who adapted materials, packed bags, decorated the drive-thru route, and welcomed families for pick up, she explained. When asked by CP what she hoped participating families took away from the experience, Lott replied that she was hopeful for a greater impact in the long run on those involved. We are excited for the long-term impact the learning time can have on the whole family, not just the child who was in the classroom. We are pretty certain that there are families who have never opened the Bible with their children and will now have done so at least once during their learning time, said Lott. I am also hopeful that our leaders take away a new appreciation for the value of being nimble and flexible this could have long-term impact on our ability to act quickly and creatively in the future. A 69-year-old man shot and killed by Hillsboro police earlier this year experienced hallucinations in the days leading up to the fatal encounter and was under the influence of methamphetamine and ketamine at the time he was shot, according to newly released police reports. Stanley Hayes fired nine rounds from a rifle and two from a handgun out of his condo in the 300 block of Northeast Edgeway Drive in the early hours of Jan. 2. 'This is about reviving this country as a centre of Hindutva at Ayodhya.' IMAGE: A statue of Lord Ram in Ayodhya. Photograph: Danish Siddiqui/Reuters "They (the Bharatiya Janata Party) have finished their two agendas in just one year and they themselves don't know what should be their next agenda," Hemant Sharma, who has witnessed the tumultuous events for the past 35 years and chronicled them in his book Ayodhya Ka Chashmadeed (An eyewitness to Ayodhya), tells Syed Firdaus Ashraf/Rediff.com in the concluding segment of his interview. The Ramayan is not a historical account, is it? Who is India's identity: Ram or Babur? Dr Ram Manohar Lohia, one of the greatest secularists of our times, had once said, 'Ram ki poornata maryadit vyaktitva mein hai, Krishna ki unmukt ya sampooran vyaktitva mein hai aur Shiva ki aseemit vyaktitva mein hai. Lekin har ek poorn hai (the completeness of Lord Ram is in a dignified personality, of Krishna in open or complete personality and of Shiva in unlimited personality. But each of them is complete).' This is the belief of the people of our country and they believe, so they believe. There is deep anguish in the Muslim community that those who demolished the Babri Masjid have gone scot-free even while the community was made to part with the masjid land. We all know our judicial system. Just look at the Jaya Jaitley case. It was going on since 2002 and now she was sentenced. In the Babri Masjid demolition case, thousands of witnesses went to the Lucknow court. I was also among them. All the accused are being cross-examined and this is happening for the last 28 years, without any inordinate delay. Ever since the evidence is being recorded, Judge Surendra Kumar Yadav is getting extension after extension to ensure speedy justice. Many times, (BJP patriarch) L K Advani did not turn up so there was some delay, but I can say that there has been no postponement of hearing in this case. Do you accept that there is deep anguish in the Muslim community? Zaroor hoga (certainly). But after fighting for so long, they must have got tired. And therefore, in this case they are not as active as they were in the 1990s. They also feel (now) that the Hindus should construct a Ram Mandir at that place and they were wrong somewhere. India Today's cover on the Babri Masjid demolition called it 'nation's shame'. Now August 5 is being touted as 'nation's pride'. How did this change come about? I believe that whatever happened on December 6, 1992 is not part of Hindu culture. It is not part of Hindu culture to demolish any structure in this way. But then, the question is why did this happen? One must find out the reasons why this anger was vented out. As I told you, Marxist historians started saying Lord Ram did not exist. And the anger just came out on December 6, 1992. How did the BJP, which was considered untouchable after December 6, 1992, by secular India, make such deep inroads in Hindu society? This is not a question of Ram Mandir, but about India being a country of Hindu dharma and reviving this country as a centre of Hindutva at Ayodhya. They are not making a mandir at Ayodhya, but they are making Ayodhya like the Vatican or Mecca. This is the plan of the Uttar Pradesh government and they are getting foreign experts. It will be like a renaissance of Hindu religion. Will the Ram Mandir be a site of humiliation for Indian Muslims just as the Babri Masjid was a site of humiliation for Hindus? They demolished the Babri Masjid using force and that was a humiliation for sure. But when the Supreme Court gave a judgment on this case, there should be no further discussion on this issue. They said the land belongs to Hindus and that is the end of the story. Then district judge Pandey saw a black monkey and ordered the reopening of the locks of the Babri Masjid. Can you tell us anything about that episode? He was the district judge of Faizabad, Krishna Mohan Pandey. There was a routine petition filed every year by some lawyers in the Faizabad court, asking the judge to give them permission to unlock the premises to offer puja there. The government, on the other hand, used to plead that opening of the locks will create law and order problems. This always resulted in dismissal of the applications. On February 1, 1986, Judge Pandey asked then Faizabad senior superintendent of police Karamveer Singh and then district magistrate Indu Bhushan Pandey if it was okay to open the locks of the Babri Masjid for a shilanyas, to which both of them said they had no objection and there won't be any law and order problem. The locks of the Babri Masjid were then opened. Later, Judge Pandey wrote in his autobiography that when this hearing was going on, one black monkey came and sat in his portico. 'I tried to shoo him away, but he did not go and then I went inside my home. The next day, when I went to court, the monkey was waiting outside my home. The monkey came to the courtroom too,' he has written. This black monkey, according to Judge Pandey's book, refused to move and was also not eating anything. At that time, the judge 'realised' that there was some 'unseen divine force' who was showing him the way. And he ordered the locks to be opened. Believe me, he gave the order at 4 pm and by 5.20 pm, the locks were open. I have never seen a court order implemented so quickly in my life. Doordarshan didn't have a team in Faizabad, but they had one in Lucknow. But when the locks were opened, a Doordarshan team was already stationed at Faizabad. It means the government somewhere knew in advance what the court order would be. The Supreme Court in its judgment says it does not know who demolished the Babri Masjid. The Supreme Court said it had no evidence (that) Babur demolished the temple. It also said it was not proper to place the idols in the mosque. And that the demolition (of the Babri Masjid) on December 6, 1992, was wrong. But more importantly, they said there was evidence of a pre-Islamic structure beneath the Babri Masjid and, therefore, the verdict went in favour of the Ram Janambhoomi. The preparations for the bhoomi puja underway in Ayodhya, does it reek of triumphalism? The BJP had this as a core agenda in its manifesto. Two times they formed their governments in alliance, but they kept the Ram Janambhoomi and Article 370 issues separate. When they got a majority, they felt they must fulfil their promises because they were fighting for these causes since the Palampur resolution of 1989. Now, when the Supreme Court has given a decision in their favour, it is obvious that any political party will take advantage of it. What would be your message to Indian Muslims? The Wounds of History are visible in Ayodhya. Whoever is in power demolishes the structures, and this Indian Muslims must understand. They must also understand that India's identity is with Ram and not with Babur. And when people belonging to the majority religion wanted that site, the Muslims should have given that place away willingly. They should have said that they were okay with the masjid shifted nearby in Faizabad. But they did not do it then. In Mathura and Varanasi, temples and mosques do exist next to each other. Wouldn't that be like being treated as second class citizens? If the Supreme Court had not given this verdict, then this might have been true. Though this controversy dates back 500 years, in courts, this matter was pending for the last 160 years. Opportunities of a settlement were given 3, 4 times, but that did not happen. Therefore, when the Supreme Court gave its decision, everybody must accept it. Of its three core issues -- the Ram Janambhoomi, Article 370 and a Uniform Civil Code -- the BJP has fulfilled two. Now it looks like UCC is definitely the next one. So what will be the party's agenda next? They have finished their two agendas in just one year and they themselves don't know what should be their next agenda. I, however, feel governance should be the agenda for anyone. Reservations, Mandal, kamandal, all these things should be that of the past as the world is changing very fast. 1. The comment section is for discussion. Opinions are welcome. Personal attacks, trolling, name-calling and/ or bigotry will not be tolerated. 2. Posts containing links may be moderated. This blog does not accept paid advertisements and will not entertain free ones either. 3. Kindly stay on topic. Say what you think and refrain from telling others what they think. 4. Violators will be warned, deleted, and/ or banned at sole discretion of the moderator. Photos of Gods Beauty: a stunning and awe-inspiring collection of nature photography. Photos of Gods Beauty is the creation of published author, Susan Selby-Palechek, a mother of two and owner of a commercial embroidery business in Bel Air, Maryland. Selby-Palechek writes: I created this book by the grace of God. He supplied me with the money to make it happen and He had one of my best friends push me to publish my photos. When God wants you to do something, He doesnt let up until you listen. I hope this book allows you to see Gods Beauty not only in this book but all around you each day that youre going to work, driving the kids to school, or just running errands. You can find peace in what you see. Published by Christian Faith Publishing, Susan Selby-Palecheks new book is a sumptuous collection of nature photography that celebrates the majesty and miracle of Gods creations and triumphs, above all, as an inspiring invitation to wonder and rejoice at the blessing of the natural world. View a synopsis of Photos of Gods Beauty on YouTube. Consumers can purchase Photos of Gods Beauty at traditional brick & mortar bookstores, or online at Amazon.com, Apple iTunes store, or Barnes and Noble. For additional information or inquiries about Photos of Gods Beauty, contact the Christian Faith Publishing media department at 866-554-0919. The Ellen DeGeneres Show has seen some of the worst ratings in its 17-year history, as the presenter, 62, continues to be plagued by claims of a toxic work environment. According to The Wrap, the daytime talk show only garnered a 1.0 Live + Same Day rating through the week ending July 26, which was 29 per cent down on the same time last year, and nine per cent down on the previous week. Viewership for Ellen appears to have been hit hard amid shocking claims that the work culture behind-the-scenes has been rife with bullying, racism and sexual harassment. Shocking: The Ellen DeGeneres Show has seen some of the worst ratings ever, as the presenter, 62, continues to be hit by claims of a toxic work environment (pictured in June) Ellen's show has seen more significant declines than other talk shows, which are all seeing lower ratings as they air reruns during the summer break. Dr. Oz was also down 22 percent, and The Real and The Doctors have seen 20 percent declines, according to the online publication. In July, staff on the syndicated daytime talk show cited a number of the show's executive producers in their complaints, including Kevin Leman and Ed Glavin. The show is now in the midst of an internal probe from parent company WarnerMedia. Drama: The daytime talk show only garnered a 1.0 Live + Same Day rating through the week ending July 26, which was 29 per cent down on the same time last year Ellen DeGeneres' memo to her staff addressing mistreatment allegations Hey everybody its Ellen. On day one of our show, I told everyone in our first meeting that The Ellen Degeneres Show would be a place of happiness no one would ever raise their voice, and everyone would be treated with respect. Obviously, something changed, and I am disappointed to learn that this has not been the case. And for that, I am sorry. Anyone who knows me knows its the opposite of what I believe and what I hoped for our show. I could not have the success Ive had without all of your contributions. My name is on the show and everything we do and I take responsibility for that. Alongside Warner Bros, we immediately began an internal investigation and we are taking steps, together, to correct the issues. As weve grown exponentially, Ive not been able to stay on top of everything and relied on others to do their jobs as they knew Id want them done. Clearly some didnt. That will now change and Im committed to ensuring this does not happen again. Im also learning that people who work with me and for me are speaking on my behalf and misrepresenting who I am and that has to stop. As someone who was judged and nearly lost everything for just being who I am, I truly understand and have deep compassion for those being looked at differently, or treated unfairly, not equal, or worse disregarded. To think that any one of you felt that way is awful to me. Its been way too long, but were finally having conversations about fairness and justice. We all have to be more mindful about the way our words and actions affect others, and Im glad the issues at our show were brought to my attention. I promise to do my part in continuing to push myself and everyone around me to learn and grow. Its important to me and to Warner Bros. that everyone who has something to say can speak up and feels safe doing so. I am so proud of the work we do and the fun and joy we all help put out in the world. I want everyone at home to love our show and I want everyone who makes it to love working on it. Again, Im so sorry to anyone who didnt have that experience. If not for COVID, Id have done this in person, and I cant wait to be back on our stage and see you all then. Stay safe and healthy. Love, Ellen Advertisement On Tuesday it was reported Ellen will come back to host her show's 18th season despite claims celebrities including Sean Hayes, Kristen Bell, Melissa McCarthy and Jennifer Aniston were being considered to replace her. A source close to The Ellen DeGeneres Show said 'no one is stepping in or taking over' as the investigation into the claims continue, NBC News reports. Ellen was reportedly joined by executive producers Andy Lassner, Mary Connelly and Derek Westervelt and senior staff members to 'address' the issues on Monday. Last week, Ellen issued a memo to her staff apologising for the alleged behaviour of senior crew behind-the-scenes. 'On day one of our show, I told everyone in our first meeting that The Ellen DeGeneres Show would be a place of happiness - no one would ever raise their voice, and everyone would be treated with respect,' she wrote. 'Obviously, something changed, and I am disappointed to learn that this has not been the case. And for that, I am sorry. Anyone who knows me knows it's the opposite of what I believe and what I hoped for our show.' Upsetting: Last week, Ellen issued a memo to her staff apologising for the alleged behaviour taking place behind-the-scenes DeGeneres said she was unable to 'stay on top of everything' with her hosting duties and delegated to 'others to do their jobs as they knew I'd want them done. 'Clearly some didn't. That will now change and I'm committed to ensuring this does not happen again... I'm also learning that people who work with me and for me are speaking on my behalf and misrepresenting who I am and that has to stop.' She added: 'As someone who was judged and nearly lost everything for just being who I am, I truly understand and have deep compassion for those being looked at differently, or treated unfairly, not equal, or - worse - disregarded. To think that any one of you felt that way is awful to me.' Following the claims many celebrities have come out to publicly defend Ellen, including Scooter Braun, DJ/musician Samantha Ronson and her wife of 12 years Portia de Rossi. Portia who posted a graphic on Instagram saying, 'I stand by Ellen' in what appeared to be an attempt to push public sentiment back in the corner of the talk show host. However some stars have also cryptically come out against Ellen, including Everybody Loves Raymond star Brad Garrett and Back To The Future's Lea Thompson. One of the show's former resident DJs Tony Okungbowa, known to viewers as DJ Tony, also spoke out about his experience working on the show. He wrote on Instagram: 'I have been getting calls asking me about the Ellen Degeneres Show and I would like to address the time I spent there. 'I was on air talent from 2003-2006 and from 2007 -2013. While I am grateful for the opportunity it afforded me, I did experience and feel the toxicity of the environment and I stand with my former colleagues in their quest to create a healthier and more inclusive workplace as the show moves forward.' Claims: The show's executive producers Ed Glavin (left), Mary Connelly (center) and Andy Lassner (right) have been accused of fostering a hostile work environment A source told the New York Post that the talk show host has been 'crushed,' 'devastated' and 'hysterical' following calls for her to leave the show ahead of its 18th season premiere this September. 'She felt like everything she worked so hard for was falling apart,' the insider said. BULLYING, RACISM AND A 'TOXIC WORK ENVIRONMENT': THE ALLEGATIONS AGAINST ELLEN Ten former and one current member of Ellen's staff alleged they were bullied, fired for attending family funerals or taking sick leave, while one woman claimed to have walked off the job after facing comments about her race. 'That 'be kind' bulls*** only happens when the cameras are on. It's all for show,' one anonymous staff member said. Staff said they were told not to talk to DeGeneres herself while she was on set, and that the day-to-day running of the show was left to producers. The employees said they did not have first-hand experience of DeGeneres being unpleasant, but said she needs to take more responsibility for how her employees are treated. However, allegations have mounted from other sources against the host herself - sparked by a Twitter thread from comedian Kevin T. Porter Calling DeGeneres 'notoriously one of the meanest people alive', he asked people for 'the most insane stories you've heard about Ellen being mean'. The tweet received 2,600 replies and saw Porter give $600 to an LA foodbank, after promising to donate $2 for every legitimate mean story. Claims included that staff are required to chew gum before speaking to her because of her 'sensitive nose', and that she polices staff lunch orders and bans anyone from eating fish or meat. Separately, security worker Tom Majercak - who was assigned to be Ellen's bodyguard at the 2014 Oscars - said she was 'sly' and 'demeaning' to him. 'Ellen is the one person that I've been assigned to - and I've been assigned to quite a few celebrities - that has never taken the time to say hi to me,' he said. 'She's not the person she portrays to be that she's playing off of society.' Advertisement Sources told the publication that Ellen's career problems might step from an incident last fall in which she was seen seen with former president George W. Bush watching a Dallas Cowboys home game against the Green Bay Packers. Her character also came under fire in late March after a series of tweets from comic Kevin T. Porter (linked to a charity drive for the Los Angeles Food Bank), who requested his followers post 'insane' tales of 'Ellen being mean,' which blew up on social media with much feedback. One current and ten former employees of the daytime chat show accused its three executive producers, Ed Glavin, Mary Connelly and Andy Lassner, of 'bullying.' The executive producers issued a statement saying: 'We are truly heartbroken and sorry to learn that even one person in our production family has had a negative experience.' Lassner also tweeted: 'Nobody is going off the air.' Jonathan Norman, a co-executive producer, is alleged to have 'groomed' a former employee by taking him to concerts and showering him with other gifts and perks before attempting to perform oral sex on him. Kevin Leman, the show's head writer and executive producer, is alleged to have solicited oral sex from an employee. Others say they witnessed Leman grope another colleague. And Ed, an executive producer, allegedly 'had a reputation for being handsy with women,' according to former employees. Leman and Norman have denied all allegations. Glavin has not addressed the claim publicly yet but is stepping down from his position, according to Variety. Warner Bros., the studio that runs the show, has declined to comment on the sexual harassment allegations, citing an ongoing internal investigation. Multiple staff members at the show have also told DailyMail.com they are not buying Ellen's apology and are calling on her to call it quits. One staffer said, 'She's only addressing this now because the publicity is so bad for her and her BS brand of happiness and kindness. Ellen can throw everyone else under the bus, but the buck stops with her. 'Whenever she'd tell viewers to choose kindness, I'd throw up a little in my mouth because she always chose the opposite,' they added. A BuzzFeed News' July 16 expose revealed claims made by one current and 10 former employees of Ellen's talk show accused Lassner, Connelly and executive producer Ed Glavin of bullying. The current and former staff said that they experienced racism, fear and intimidation while working on the long-running series and said that Ellen should have stepped in on their behalf. The show then faced additional accusations about sexual misconduct, lobbed on July 30 in another BuzzFeed News article, in which dozens of men and women named show producers Kevin Leman, Glavin and Jonathan Norman with alleged incidents of sexual harassment, misconduct or assault. Among the allegations was one made by a black woman who claimed she suffered a number of 'microaggressions,' her request for a raise was ignored and she was accused of 'walking around looking resentful and angry' after asking for staff members to undergo diversity and inclusion training. On the call, Ellen, Lassner, Connelly and executive producer Derek Westervelt supposedly said they wanted the talk show staff to 'have fun at work.' A scene from an old Ellen episode Another former employee alleged they were fired after taking medical leave for one month following a suicide attempt. Our source said: 'She was happy to put her name on the show, yet she let those three executive producers do whatever they wanted. The fish rots from the head and Ellen and the three of them are now rotting.' They also claimed Ellen and her executive producers will be on a 'witch hunt' now to find who spoke out against them. 'Don't think for a second that there won't be a witch hunt to find out who went public with the worst kept secret in television,' they said. 'Ellen is mean. She'll want vengeance for all of this coming out.' Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-05 13:52:51|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close FUZHOU, Aug. 5 (Xinhua) -- China's BeiDou Navigation Satellite System (BDS) has played an indispensable part in helping fishermen cut losses and evade the strong winds and waves during typhoon season. When typhoon Hagupit, the fourth typhoon this year, approached the coastal areas in eastern China's Fujian Province in early August, all the boats in Sansha Township, Xiapu County were already moored in the bay. "All of our boats have returned to the harbor thanks to the BeiDou position indicators installed, which allow us to locate the exact position of the boats in real-time and give prompt notification," said Lin Peng with the local marine and fishery enforcement brigade. In 2019, 12,000 fishing vessels in Fujian began installing the BeiDou position indicators, and a BDS-supported system to assist with emergency response was established. "The BeiDou position indicator is non-detachable, and the built-in battery can supply power autonomously for five years and realize the real-time location of the boats even when they are in the open waters," said Ma Jianhua, director of the disaster response center of the Fujian provincial department of ocean and fisheries. Ma added that the BDS-supported system can also help with disaster alarms, automatic identification, information release and sea state early warning, which have significantly improved the safety of fishermen at sea. "This is the first time the BeiDou position indicators were used in a typhoon," said Ma. "A boat lost power at sea late at night. It would usually take at least five hours for a rescue vessel to reach the ship, but we found some boats nearby through the system. It was pulled back before the typhoon landed." In addition, the BDS system has also helped the country fight against floods, assist in deformation monitoring, early warning and resident transfer. Heavy rainfall brought by typhoons can easily lead to secondary disasters such as landslides and mudslides. Using the BDS system to monitor the geological environment is also an important means to reduce typhoon disasters. At the construction site of a substation in Xiamen, a steep slope about 100 meters long and nine meters high has been posing a threat to the safety of workers. The issue was solved by two sets of BeiDou geological disaster monitoring devices put into use in June, which provide centimeter-level displacement monitoring accuracy. "The devices can monitor geological hazards in real-time and report the exact position of any minor situation identified to best ensure the safety of on-site operators," said a staff member with the State Grid Fujian Electric Power Co., Ltd. Such devices have been installed in some substations near the mountains in Xiamen, Longyan and other cities to guarantee stable power supply in typhoons. Enditem The Most Reverend Dr Paul Kwabena Boafo, Presiding Bishop of the Methodist Church, Ghana, has advised Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, the running mate of the flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) to act with integrity and truthfulness in the political landscape. You are coming in at a time when our politics is bedeviled with all sorts of negative things but as a Christian, dont go that way, he admonished. The Presiding Bishop gave the advice at a Thanksgiving Service held in honour of Prof. Opoku-Agyemang after she was successfully outdoored as a running mate. Most Rev. Boafo said it was prudent that Christians got into politics to operate with truth and integrity as against the politics of insults and violence. A statement signed by signed by Madam Mawuena Trebarh, the Head of Communications, Office of Vice Presidential Candidate 2020, NDC, and copied to the Ghana News Agency in Accra, said the Presiding Bishop, who is also the Chairman of the Christian Council, condemned the lynching of 90-year-old Madam Akua Denteh, who was branded a witch by a traditional priestess at Kafaba in the Savannah Region. He, therefore, urged Prof. Opoku-Agyemang to seek a mandate to lead and be a servant who cared for the poor, helpless, marginalized, vulnerable and thus champion the cause of those who did not count in society. Rev Dr Boafo advised her to constantly carry the value of peace along in her political journey, saying: Carry peace, walk with peace, talk about the need for peace and let people know you stand with the God of peace. Prof. Opoku- Agyemang expressed gratitude to God for how far He had brought her and said she considered her new position as an important step God had placed in her path. I do not intend to take this step all by myself; I am trusting God as I take this step and asking everyone to come on this journey with me, she said. The statement said prayers were said for Prof. Opoku- Agyemang and a Holy Bible was presented to her to symbolize her acceptance to follow Gods guiding principles in her new position. She was accompanied by family members, friends, members, and sympathizers of the NDC. 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 Mumbai: Mumbai Police on Wednesday appealed to people to submit to them any information or evidence pertaining to the alleged suicide of actor Sushant Singh Rajput's former manager Disha Salian for a thorough investigation in the case. According to police, Salian, 28, allegedly killed herself by jumping off a high-rise in Mumbai's Malad area on June 8. Rajput, 34, was found hanging at his apartment on suburban Bandra on June 14. Malvani Police had registered an Accidental Death Report (ADR) in Salian's case, an official said, adding that they have initiated an investigation into her death. There are various reports appearing on social media, newspapers and TV channels about Salian's death. The police are trying to get more information in the case and want to verify those reports, he said. Hence, the police have appealed to people to come forward with information or evidence, which is in any form related to the case, for an in-depth probe, the official said. People having any relevant information can approach additional commissioner of police, Mumbai-North region, deputy commissioner of police (zone-11), assistant commissioner of police, Malvani division, or senior inspector of Malvani police station at their respective offices, or through phone or e-mail, he said. On Sunday, a senior Bihar Police official said their team, which is in Mumbai to investigate the death Rajput, will now also probe the case of Salian's alleged suicide. BJP MP Narayan Rane on Tuesday claimed Salian was killed and indicated the murder may have been preceded by her rape. He claimed the post mortem report mentioned injuries to her private parts. The former Maharashtra chief minister also claimed that Rajput was murdered, but did not offer any evidence to support it. He claimed the state government is trying to save somebody in the matter. In Toronto and cities nearby, average rental costs have been dropping for months. Not so in Niagara, where rates continue to increase. And dont expect them to drop any time soon, said Maria Rekrut, president of the Niagara Landlords Association. If prices go up on properties, the rent has to go up on properties, too, because there are higher carrying costs, she said. She said the rising rental rates in Niagara are like a market correction, because landlords here have really lagged in maintaining rents at market value. Our taxes have gone up, our utilities have gone up, and now with COVID-19 where do you think the tax dollars are going to come from? From our property taxes. She also believes investors and speculators are looking toward Niagara because Toronto has become too expensive. Paul Danison, content director for Rentals.ca, which tracks and posts rental properties across Canada, said average rents in the pre-amalgamation city of Toronto have been dropping for the past three months. Municipalities in the GTA, including other pre-amalgamation communities such as North York and Etobicoke, have seen average rents decline for seven months. But in outlying areas, including Hamilton, Kitchener and London, the rents are up a little bit. The rents in St. Catharines have gone up a little bit more on average than the rents in Ontario, he said. In St. Catharines, he said, a one-bedroom that went for $1,156 in June 2019 rented for $1,323 in June this year, a 14 per cent increase. A two-bedroom, meanwhile, rose on average about seven per cent to $1,578. Toronto is still the fastest-growing city in North America, Danison said, but many people have learned they can work from home while making occasional business trips into the big city. He believes that was accelerated by COVID-19, which forced office closures and required people to work remotely. A recent Toronto Star article noted GTA realtors have noticed that trend. From February to June we had an uptick of 73 per cent of unique visitors to our site looking for a place to rent in Niagara Falls, and 71 per cent for St. Catharines, he said. People work from home so why not live in St. Catharines, Niagara-on-the-Lake, and be in wine country where youre right on the lake and theres a lot of trees, while you work elsewhere. Demand for rental space drives up rates, as does demand to purchase property. And Niagara is a sellers market, said Rekrut. Data from the Niagara Association of Realtors indicates even with the hit the real estate market took from the COVID-19 pandemic, the benchmark price for a home sale in Niagara rose 11.4 per cent to $463,600 between June 2019 and June 2020. Between May and June this year, even while Niagara was still in partial lockdown, the benchmark price rose 1.5 per cent in a month. Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp. reported St. Catharines and Niagaras overall vacancy rate at 2.3 per cent, unchanged from 2019. A vacancy rate of three per cent is considered healthy. According to CMHC, the overall average rent for the St. Catharines-Niagara Falls area is $1,028, up four per cent from last year. Rekrut, who is also an author and radio host, said absolutely the best incentive to make more rental properties available would be to change the Landlord and Tenant Act to make it easier to evict bad tenants. Most people are good tenants, absolutely. Ive been doing this for 20 years, she said. In some cases though, she said, it can take up to a year to evict a tenant who does not pay their rent. We work for our money, our homes are expensive and we anticipate whoever will move into our homes will care for our homes, she said. Rekrut said, If you allow a person to stay in your home without paying and youre paying all the bills, the mortgage, everything youre bankrupting these poor landlords. Defender in Chief lays out Yoos conservative case for an extraordinarily strong president, virtually unchecked by Congress. Readers familiar with Yoo (he served in the George W. Bush administration and has written extensively about presidential power) wont be surprised by the arguments found in this book, except for the fact that here he depicts President Donald Trump as an ardent defender of his originalist vision of the Constitution. Yoo, who didnt support Trump for president in 2016, now concludes that Trump campaigns like a populist but governs like a constitutional conservative. This dense treatise makes clear how many actions can be justified by proponents of unitary executive power a theory of constitutional law that claims presidents control the entire executive branch and have virtually unchecked powers in the realm of national security. With this analytical framework, Yoo can legitimize almost everything Trump has done. The presidents brazen use of foreign policy for his own self-interest with regard to Ukraine makes constitutional sense, as does the paper-thin firewall separating his global real estate company from his political authority. Somehow, Trump fits neatly into the original vision of founders who feared corrupt and centralized power. Often, Yoos academic veneer falls away. At the same time that he lambastes Democratic opposition to the nomination of Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court, he breezes over Senator Mitch McConnells refusal to consider President Obamas Supreme Court nominee Merrick Garland. (CNN) Disney's "Mulan" has been delayed multiple times this year because of the coronavirus outbreak, but audiences will finally be able to see the blockbuster soon. It just may not be in the theaters. Disney announced on Tuesday that the remake of the 1998 animated classic will be heading to Disney+, the company's new streaming service, for an additional fee of $29.99. The film will be available on September 4. Bob Chapek, Disney's CEO, said the pandemic has forced the company to think of "different approaches" to better serve consumers. "We thought it was important to find alternative ways to bring this exceptional family friendly film to them in a timely manner," he said on the company's third quarter earnings call. Chapek added that "Mulan" will be released simultaneously in theaters in markets where Disney+ is not available and, of course, where theaters are open. The news of the release came as Disney released brutal quarterly results that showed the extent to which the company's media empire was ravaged by the pandemic. The company reported that it had a net loss of nearly $5 billion in the third quarter this year. In addition to its whopping quarterly loss, Disney's parks business was hit especially hard by COVID-19. Its parks and resort unit lost $3.5 billion in the quarter and the unit's revenue was down a whopping 85% from the quarter a year prior. Overall sales for the company fell 42% to $11.8 billion. One bright spot was Disney+, Disney's new streaming service, which the company said now has more 60 million subscribers. Disney's stock was mostly flat in after hours trading. While "Mulan" going to Disney+ is big news for Hollywood, it's yet to be seen if the announcement will have huge ramifications for theaters since Chapek called the film's release "a one off." However, Chapek also said it would interesting to see how sales of the film on Disney's platform turn out. So consider "Mulan" an experiment for now. The film, which was set to be released in March, was pushed back several times over the last few months. It was recently set to premiere on August 21, but was taken off the calendar at the end of July. Disney's release of "Mulan" on its streaming service for an additional cost is yet another disruption to the movie theater industry. Universal and AMC, the world's largest theater chain, made a deal last week that allows new films from the studio to play in homes sooner. Universal's new films will now have just three weekends or 17 days of exclusivity in theaters, rather than the customary 70. After that, Universal and its sister studio, Focus Features, has the option of releasing films to video on demand platforms. This story was first published on CNN.com 'Mulan' is finally heading to Disney+... for $30 : The on Wednesday asked the central and the state governments to reply within a month to a plea seeking a censor board for regulating adult content in the and A bench of Justice MM Sundresh and Justice R Hemalatha, admitting a public interest litigation (PIL) petition filed by advocate K Suthan, issued notices to the governments. The petitioner sought the court to also temporarily stop sites such as YouTube, Facebook Instagram and like Netflix, MX Player, Voot and Zee5 from uploading or telecasting any videos. A registered account alone was enough to start a channel, which provides a platform to upload videos in such as YouTube, Facebook and Instagram without any restriction or censor, he said. Further, the petitioner said there were several adult content videos in the social media which could have an adverse effect on the minds of school and college students. Hence the PIL, he said, adding the contents released in over-the-top (OTT) platforms, that are digitally streamed, need to be censored. (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.) TikTok, the app beloved by Generation Z, might get booted out of the US. Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images The Trump administration is forcing TikTok to sell off its US business by September 15 or else face a ban, accusing it of posing a privacy and national security threat because it is owned by a Chinese company. The administration has explicitly claimed TikTok spies on people but has never offered public evidence. Experts diving through TikTok's code and policies say the app collects user data in a similar way to Facebook and other popular social apps. Google and Facebook by comparison almost certainly hoover up more user data than TikTok through their sprawling number of apps and services but get less US political scrutiny on privacy. Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories. TikTok, the video-sharing app whose meteoric rise amongst teenage users has made it a challenger to the likes of Facebook, is under siege in the US thanks to its Chinese roots. On Friday the US Commerce Department announced it is banning all new downloads of the app starting from September 20. This followed the news on Monday that TikTok's parent firm ByteDance is set to sign a deal with US tech giant Oracle. Stopping short of an outright sale, the deal would make Oracle TikTok's "trusted technology provider" in the US, and give it a majority stake in the company. The Trump administration maintains because TikTok is owned by a Chinese company it poses a security risk, and in July it ran ads claiming TikTok spies on people. Trump cited this in two August executive orders, in which he ordered the company sell off its US operations or else face a ban. The spying claims hit home for some high-profile users, including online gaming megastar Tyler "Ninja" Blevins who announced he was deleting the app in July over privacy concerns. But is TikTok actually any worse for snooping in your personal data than social media platforms like Facebook and Google? According to the experts, evidence suggests the answer is no. Story continues In terms of the data TikTok says it sucks up, it doesn't appear to be any worse than Facebook Zoe Vilain, chief privacy and strategy officer at privacy app Jumbo told Business Insider that looking at TikTok's privacy policy, it was no more intrusive than Facebook's. "From what I see from the privacy policy, and in comparison with the privacy policies of Facebook and Instagram, I don't really see much difference. "Basically they are saying that they are using your usage data, behavior data, preferences, friends, contacts, to provide you with their service, to customize the service, and of course to do targeted advertising [...] this is exactly what Facebook is doing and Instagram is doing too," said Vilain. President Donald Trump signed two August executive orders targeting TikTok's parent company ByteDance. REUTERS/Yuri Gripas Vilain pointed out that the main difference between TikTok and Facebook or Instagram is in the kind of data users are routinely plugging into the app, as TikTok relies on video. "I think the main difference is that people are recording themselves and this is being recorded," she said. There's also the fact TikTok is popular with younger folks. "Also it's mainly used by teenagers, who are maybe less aware and less concerned about what they are sharing," Vilain said. The FTC fined TikTok $5.7 million in February 2019 for inadequately protecting the privacy of its underage users, and on July 7 the agency announced it was looking into allegations that the company continues to violate children's privacy on the app. In terms of how TikTok handles your data, it doesn't look any more suspicious than other social media As the reports about the US forcing TikTok to hive off its American business began to swirl in early August, security researcher Baptiste Robert decided to do a deep-dive into what data TikTok sends back to its servers in an attempt to cut through the geopolitical rhetoric. Reverse-engineering an app like TikTok's is not an easy task, and Robert is publishing a series of posts about his findings. In his first post, Robert noted that a single report can't be expected to definitively prove whether or not TikTok poses a national security threat given it uses millions of lines of code. But he also didn't find anything suspicious. "As far as we can see, in its current state, TikTok doesn't have a suspicious behavior and is not exfiltrating unusual data. Getting data about the user device is quite common in the mobile world and we would obtain similar results with Facebook, Snapchat, Instagram and others," Robert's report concluded. There are still 'legitimate concerns' around TikTok's lackluster security but they're not unique Business Insider spoke to iOS developer Talal Haj Bakry, who in March along with developer Tommy Mysk discovered a security flaw in TikTok which meant it was able to access iPhone users' clipboards without their permission, essentially meaning TikTok could read any text the user has copied. The researchers noted that this could be as mundane as a shopping list or more serious data like passwords or financial information. Subsequently, LinkedIn and Reddit's apps were also discovered to be reading iOS users' clipboards, and all three companies have now altered their code after Apple started cracking down on the practice with its iOS 14 update. A TikTok spokesperson said the reason the app was reading clipboards was to identify "repetitive, spammy behavior," and the company has submitted an update to the App Store getting rid of this feature. In April Bakry and Mysk also discovered a vulnerability in TikTok which meant users' uploaded videos could be intercepted and even replaced. This vulnerability was the result of TikTok using insecure HTTP connections to download videos from its servers. "All other social media apps have long made the switch to secure HTTPS for all network connections, in effort to protect user privacy and data integrity. "Such a basic security failing does not inspire confidence in TikTok's ability in protecting their users' data, and exposes a lax attitude towards security," Bakry said. A TikTok spokesperson told Business Insider: "TikTok prioritizes user data security and already uses HTTPS across several regions, as we work to phase it in across all of the markets where we operate." Bakry thinks TikTok's Chinese roots could be part of the reason it's playing catch-up on security. "What makes TikTok stand out are the differing data privacy laws and security standards between China and other parts of the world. In the US and Europe, there are various laws and regulations in place to protect end-user privacy," Bakry said. "China is only recently catching up in creating data privacy laws, but it remains to be seen how effective these new laws will be when put in practice." Bakry said there are "definitely legitimate concerns" around TikTok's security. "Whether it's intentional or merely the result of move-fast-and-break-things, the inadequate security of social media apps can pose a serious threat. These apps collect massive amounts of data from their users, and they become prime targets for bad actors seeking to steal information," he said. Vilain agreed that regardless of whether the vulnerability was left open as a backdoor or the result of shoddy security. "Whatever the reason for this, if you're not securing the collection of data of course it's a threat and it's a violation of the GDPR for example in the European Union, and they should do something about this," she said. TikTok has tried to distance itself from its Chinese roots Regardless of whether TikTok's app is technically more invasive or insecure than any other social media app, the Trump administration's argument hinges on the idea that private companies in China can be turned into proxies for the Chinese government. As scrutiny around the app built up earlier this year, TikTok desperately tried to shake off the idea that it's a Chinese company. In May 2020 the company hired an American CEO called Kevin Mayer, formerly a Disney streaming executive. Mayer left the role in August, citing a changing "political environment." TikTok itself isn't present in China, but is the international twin of its sister app Douyin, which does operate in China. TikTok has always maintained it doesn't store any user data on Chinese servers, although this was contested in a December 2019 lawsuit filed by a user. ByteDance's head of security said in an interview this means it would be impossible for China to compel the company to hand over user data because it falls under US jurisdiction. In July, TikTok announced it was withdrawing operations from Hong Kong alongside a slew of US tech companies following the implementation of China's sweeping new national security laws in the region. Some critics said the withdrawal smacked of a PR move, given that sister app Douyin is more popular in Hong Kong than TikTok. ByteDance has found itself caught between Washington and Beijing during its negotiations. China has decried the Trump administration's attempt to force a sale of TikTok's US operations, and in late August threw a spanner into negotiations by placing strict new export restrictions which affected TikTok's highly sought-after recommendation algorithm. Read the original article on Business Insider A victim of Jeffery Epstein says the Duke of York being stripped of royal duties is not enough, because he's still living a 'privileged and wealthy life' following his friendship with the disgraced paedophile. The former model who uses the name 'KiKi' and claims she was sexually assaulted by Epstein in 2004 at the age of 19, and in February penned an open letter to Prince Andrew urging him to cooperate with the FBI's probe into the late financier. Speaking to FEMAIL ahead of Crime + Investigation's Surviving Jeffrey Epstein, she insisted Andrew should be 'held accountable' for his friendship with the paedophile, and that it's 'ridiculous' to think being stripped of royal duties is a worthy 'punishment'. In November last year, Andrew took early retirement from royal duties in the wake of his disastrous Newsnight interview in which he failed to express sympathy for Epstein's victims, amid allegations from Virginia Roberts Giuffre that he had sex with her when she was 17. The Duke has strenuously denied allegations of any sexual misconduct, or witnessing any wrong doing, while claiming he would be happy to cooperate with US investigators. A victim of Jeffery Epstein says the Duke of York , pictured last year, being stripped of royal duties is not enough following his friendship with the disgraced paedophile, because he's still living a 'privileged and wealthy life' A former model who uses the name 'KiKi' was sexually assaulted by Epstein in 2004 at the age of 19, and in February penned an open letter to Prince Andrew. she is pictured with lawyer Lisa Bloom (left) 'He should be held accountable,' said Kiki, 'It doesn't matter who he is or what family he was born into.' She went on to say that if the Duke is guilty of turning a blind eye to Epstein's abuse, or taking part in illegal activity, as his accuser Roberts has alleged, that the 'punishment does not fit the crime'. 'If he witnessed illegal activity, if he was complicit and complacent, or if he participated in illegal activity as Virginia Giuffre has stated multiple times, then being stripped of your royal duties, but still having the privilege of being wealthy and powerful, the punishment does not fit the crime here and it's ridiculous to think that it does.' Earlier this year Kiki penned a powerful letter asking Prince Andrew to help the US authorities following his friendship with Epstein, for the sake of his 'daughters and their children'. Kiki was a model in New York City whose agency had dropped her at 19 when she was assaulted by the late financier She told of her 'anger' at the Duke for failing to respond to the plea, which was countersigned by three unnamed 'Jane Doe' victims. 'We need answers', said Kiki. 'We need to get to the bottom of it and find out who any other co-conspirator was, even someone who just looked the other way and not report it. 'All of those things are still important and people need to be held accountable. We did not receive an answer, of course and now he's refusing to co-operate at all which is not surprising to me.' She went on to claim the Duke's apparent lack of cooperation suggests to her he's 'hiding something' and says it's a 'shame' his position in the monarchy has made it 'much more complicated' for him to assist the FBI. Kiki claimed Epstein 'saw three to four girls a day' in New York City, and it would be difficult for the Duke to turn a blind eye to Epstein's crimes. She is pictured during a press conference in February 'He is protected by the royal family and that stature and life', said Kiki, 'It's a shame that because we're in two different countries it makes it so much more complicated for the FBI to interview him. 'It's disappointing and it's also like, what do you have to hide? It makes you really angry, because obviously he's hiding something and he can't help. You just hope any effort you can make to keep public pressure on will make a difference. ' Kiki was a model in New York City whose agency had dropped her at 19. A young woman approached Kiki at her hostessing job and told her about a client who was rich and connected. She told that after being manipulated into agreeing to give Epstein a massage at his mansion in Palm Beach, Florida, she was sexually assaulted by the millionaire paedophile. The Duke, pictured in 2018, has strenuously denied allegations of any sexual misconduct, or witnessing any wrong doing, while claiming he would be happy to cooperate with US investigators 'I was recruited by a woman that worked for him when I was a hostess in a restaurant in New York city, said Kiki, 'We became friends and that's when I met him and that's when he assaulted me.' Kiki went on to claim that while the 'court of public opinion can be really harsh', his friendship with Epstein, who 'saw three to four girls a day' in New York City, means it would be difficult for the Duke to turn a blind eye to Epstein's crimes. 'I don't know him, I don't know how he's living his life, I don't know if he's still enjoying the privileges his life has offered him, he probably is. 'The court of public opinion can be really harsh and it can be guilty until proven innocent, in some cases. 'But there's so much substantiating evidence to show he was very good friends with him and in my experience, he [Epstein] saw three to four girls a day in New York, he definitely knows something and doesn't want to talk.' Surviving Jeffrey Epstein premieres on CRIME+INVESTIGATION with a double episode airing on Tuesday 25th August at 9pm. Parts three and four will be broadcast the following evening on Wednesday 26th August at 9pm. Tehran turns off the lights of its highest monument, the Milad Tower, Wednesday night August 5 in solidarity with Lebanon, as analysts and politicians in Tehran have reacted to the Tuesday's massive blast in Beirut. At the same, Iran Air is to send two airplanes to Beirut to repatriate visiting Iranians. Reports from Beirut say that the international airport in Beirut has already issued the permits for the airplanes to land. In an interview published on the website of IRGC-linked Tasnim news agency, hardliner analyst Saadollah Zarei, close to Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei's office, said that the blast in Beirut will have political repercussions. He said the explosion took place in the Sunni dominated economic hub of Beirut, adding that there could be two explanations for the blast: First, it could be the outcome of a conspiracy to further weaken the Lebanese government. Second, it can be the result of negligence that turned an ordinary fire to an extraordinary explosion. He said the development, which is unprecedented during the past 80 years, will certainly have political repercussions, but did not say what will its implications be. On the other hand, reformist analyst Ahmad Zeidabadi wrote in a commentary on Fararu news website that: "The blast in Beirut will intensify sectarian conflicts particularly in the aftermath of the announcement of the verdict of the court that investigated the murder of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafiq Hariri." Zeidabadi said that although Lebanon has left behind several wars in the past half-century, still such a catastrophe is quite unprecedented in that country. He likened the blast to the nuclear attack on Hiroshima and opined that many Lebanese people will not accept what happened as an accident. Some politicians have even demanded an international investigation, he said. Calling Lebanon a victim of some sort of a regional system of relations in the Middle East, Zeidabadi said that the resulting disorder has prevented Lebanon from having a powerful government. Zeidabadi noted that the blast took place while the government is facing a major economic crisis. He also blamed the sectarian nature of the society and politics in Lebanon for various ethnic groups' dependency on foreign countries, adding that this has turned Lebanon into the scene of score-settling between various groups. He said the impact of the blast at the Beirut harbor area on the fate of the Diab administration in Beirut is too obvious. To be on the optimistic side, Zeidabadi said perhaps an opportunity could arise from the ruins of Beirut and that is the understanding that sectarian conflicts will lead to nowhere and various groups need to come to an agreement over a national development plan. Major General Hossein Salami, the commander of the Revolutionary Guard, IRGC, sent a condolence message to Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, and promised that the IRGC is prepared to extend relief aid to Lebanon. The country's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif tweeted in English and Arabic on Tuesday, saying in English that "Our thoughts and prayers are with the great and resilient people of Lebanon. As always, Iran is fully prepared to render assistance in any way necessary." In his tweet in Arabic he quoted part of a song in praise of Beirut: "Hello Beirut from the bottom of my heart," before repeating what he had said in English. On Wednesday, Zarif had a phone conversation with his Lebanese counterpart Charbel Wehbe and later said in a tweet that he has "reiterated Iran's strong support and steadfast solidarity with the people of Lebanon". He added that Iran is sending medicine and a field hospital to assist with disaster relief." Meanwhile, President Hassan Rouhani sent a message to Lebanon's President Michel Aoun on Wednesday and said at the cabinet meeting that he has ordered the Iranian Red Crescent Society to take quick measures to send aid to Lebanon. In the meantime, the official Iranian news agency IRNA wrote in a commentary on Wednesday that the blast in Beirut has led to a rise in the price of oil in the international market. But the connection between the two events is more of a speculation. Simply, markets in Asia and in The U.S. were higher on Wednesday as governments pump money into industrial economies. Beijing, Aug 5 : Facing threats of a US ban and smears by rival Facebook, popular video-sharing app TikTok has been compelled to respond to what observers describe as an effort to rip up the Chinese-owned firm and reap their own commercial, political benefits and monopolize the tech economy. ByteDance, owner of the video platform, said in the course of becoming a global firm, it has "faced all kinds of complex and unimaginable difficulties, including the tense international political environment, collision and conflict of different cultures and plagiarism and smears from competitor Facebook." The company vows to strive for its vision of globalization, strictly abide by local laws, and actively safeguard its legitimate interests and rights, reports Xinhua. Bytedance's allegations of plagiarism against Facebook have two aspects, according to Zhang Xiaorong, an internet market analyst in Beijing. Facebook launched a knockoff app named Lasso in 2018, but it soon failed. In November last year, Facebook launched Instagram Reels, which also bears highly identical features as TikTok, and is spending hugely to promote the app in several countries. Facebook has promoted the new app in Brazil, France, Germany and more recently in India. TikTok CEO Kevin Mayer mentioned the two copycat products in an article on the company website last week. "At TikTok we welcome competition. We think fair competition makes all of us better. To those who wish to launch competitive products, we say bring it on. Facebook is even launching another copycat product, Reels (tied to Instagram), after their other copycat Lasso failed quickly," Mayer wrote. Mayer slammed Facebook's "maligning attacks" disguised as patriotism to drive TikTok out of the United States. He added the company is willing to take all necessary steps to ensure its long-term availability and success. "Facebook has fared rather poorly in the field of short videos, and it then launched the two apps which resemble TikTok. The logic and facts speak volumes of copying. Even Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg did not deny it himself," said Huang Yuanpu, founder of EqualOcean, a leading tech-media and investment research company in China. The US government has threatened to ban TikTok video app under the pretext of maintaining a free and fair market as well as national security concerns, a pretense widely used to discriminate against Chinese companies and investment. US President Donald Trump confirmed that he is open to a deal in which Microsoft or other US companies buy one of the most popular video-sharing apps. He has set September 15 as the deadline for TikTok to find a US buyer or face shutdown in the country. Beneath the excuse of national security lies the true intent for political and commercial gains, analysts say. "The tricks used by the U.S. against firms like TikTok reflect a deep-rooted prejudice against China," said Luo Yihang, founder of Pingwest, a tech consulting firm. "Flagrant suppression of rivals and containment will eventually undermine commercial innovation in the United States in the long run and it will surely block technological exchanges between the two countries," he said. TikTok has nearly 80 million monthly active users in the US. Many users have grown to rely on the platform for building a career in social media and earn a living. The firm's US job growth has already nearly tripled this year, surging from almost 500 employees on January 1 to just under 1,400. In a statement on Wednesday, CEO Kevin Mayer said, "we are not political, we do not accept political advertising and have no agenda -- our only objective is to remain a vibrant, dynamic platform for everyone to enjoy." "Without TikTok, American advertisers would again be left with few choices. Competition would dry up and so too will an outlet for America's creative energy," Mayer said. -- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text New Delhi: Amidst reports that video-sharing platform TikTok is selling business in the US facing a ban from the administration after September 15, Chinese state-run media has said that the company should resort to legal means to defend its legitimate rights. US President Donald Trump has set September 15 as the deadline for buying the operations of video-sharing platform TikTok in the US, after which the app will be banned in the country. Trumps remarks came during a meeting with US tech workers and signing of an executive order on hiring American. China Daily, in a strongly-worded editorial has said that US has failed to find "a reasonable legal excuse to deal with TikTok" and the move of buyover by a US company is "akin to a forced technology transfer." The publication further said that ByteDance --the holding company of TikTok -- facing an 'existential crisis' in US has reasons "to take up legal means to defend its legitimate rights." Notably, Microsoft on August 2 officially confirmed that it is in talks to acquire the operations of video-sharing platform TikTok in the US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand markets following a conversation between Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella and President Donald Trump. The official confirmation came after reports surfaced that Microsoft has halted its bid to buy the US operations of China-based TikTok after President Donald Trump vowed to ban the short-video making app that has over 80 million monthly users in the country. US President Donald Trump had in the end of July said that he would ban the popular Chinese-owned video app TikTok from operating in the country through an executive order. Bengaluru, Aug 6 : Karnataka Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa has released Rs 50 crore for rescue and relief works in heavy rain-cum-flood-hit districts across the state, an official said on Wednesday. "The Chief Minister ordered immediate release of Rs 50 crore for emergency rescue and relief works in the districts lashed by heavy rains and floods," a secretariat official told IANS here. Though Yediyurappa is under treatment at a private Bengaluru hospital after testing Covid positive on August 2, he has been active and working from his suite. "The Chief Minister also directed Chief Secretary T.M. Vijay Bhaskar to review the situation and instructed Deputy Commissioners of the affected districts to ensure safety of the people and their property," the official said. With the southwest monsoon intensifying and advancing across the state, the Meteorological Department issued a red alert for most of the state, as heavy to widespread rains have been forecast till Friday. "Heavy rains with gusty winds lashed coastal and Malnad regions, resulting in low-lying areas flooding, streams, ponds and lakes overflowing and disrupting normal life," a state disaster management authority official told IANS here. Steady inflow of rain water in catchment areas has led to major reservoirs across Krishna, Tunga, Bhadra and Cauvery rivers filling up to their brims. "Flood warning has been issued to the downstream villages in Mysuru district after 40,000 cusecs of water was released from Kabini dam at Beechanahali in H.D. Kote taluk into the Cauvery river," said the official. Though the dam's maximum capacity is 2,284 feet, heavy rains led to its water level reaching 2,280 feet. Heavy rainfall in Kodagu district caused a flood threat in the area. Bhagamandala and Talacauvery, which is the source of Cauvery, have filled up to the brim with heavy inflows. "Due to heavy rain in the region, the inflow of water to Harangi reservoir has increased, forcing the authorities to release 5,500 cusecs into the river," the official added. According to the weather bulletin, Kottigehara in Chikkamagaluru district received a whopping 310 mm rainfall in the last 24 hours, followed by 230 mm at Madikeri in Kodagu, 220 mm at Hosanaga and 210 mm at Agumbe in Shivamogga, 200 mm at Londa in Belgavi and at Manchikere in Uttara Kannada district. The Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA) on Wednesday announced the indefinite suspension on its student who tried to hack PREMIUM TIMES website in February. The university said by attacking PREMIUM TIMES, Afolabi Emmanuel, a final year student of Food Science and Technology, committed an act that constitutes misconduct and misuse of University IT infrastructure. Adegbenro Adebanjo, FUTAs head of corporate communications, said in a statement emailed to PREMIUM TIMES said Mr Emmanuels suspension took effect from March 18 and that he had been instructed to keep away from the campus. Mr Adebanjo said, In the letter of suspension dated August 5, 2020, the University noted that it received a complaint from PREMIUM TIMES about a Denial of Service, DOS attack on its website between 28th and 29th February 2020 through a concerted vulnerability scanning by a person using IT infrastructure of the University. Following the complaint, the University management initiated an investigation and it was discovered that Emmanuel carried out the alleged act of misconduct using the login credentials of two members of staff, without authorization, to perpetrate the act. The notification of indefinite suspension letter addressed to Emmanuel and his sponsors reads in part, In the extant Students Handbook of Information, your action is a misconduct to abuse the use of University IT Infrastructure. While still putting in place an arrangement to give you an opportunity to explain yourself, you are hereby placed on an indefinite suspension retroactively from 18th March 2020. In effect, Emmanuel should not be found anywhere in or near the precincts of the Federal University throughout the period of his indefinite suspension. The University deplores such behaviour and reiterates that it will continue to visit such aberrant act with the full weight of the rules and regulations governing students behaviour and conduct off and on the campus. For the avoidance of doubt, only students who are worthy in learning and character can lay claim to and be addressed as FUTA students. Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA) PREMIUM TIMES had on July 27 reported that a hacker operating from FUTA in late February and early March launched a massive cyberattack on its website. The attacker failed in bringing down the website as his repeated attempts were blocked by the papers security experts. After the report, FUTA sent in a rejoinder saying there was no institutional backing for the attack and that the attacker was being investigated. We State categorically that FUTA as an institution was not involved in any way or form with the cyberattack and did not encourage or support such an illegal act, the university said. Its therefore preposterous to insinuate that the Institution could have acted on behalf of external forces to undermine the operations of PREMIUM TIMES. Like we stated clearly in our earlier communication with Premium Times, the attack was an aberrational practice by a misguided individual who hacked into the internet connectivity of the University to perpetrate the aberrant act. Steps have since been taken and structures put in place to prevent a reoccurrence. The University is ready and will make available its final findings when this is requested and hand over the student involved whenever this is required by legal entities empowered to do so by the laws of the land. Finally, there are laid down processes enshrined in the Universitys laws and practices for the investigations, interrogations and punishment of students who run afoul of regulations of the University and the laws of the country. ALSO READ: How Nigerian university launched massive cyberattacks against PREMIUM TIMES By Sonali Paul MELBOURNE, Aug 5 (Reuters) - Australia's Queensland state on Wednesday said it would close its border with New South Wales state to hold back a second wave of COVID-19, while the country's second-largest city Melbourne was set to shut most businesses from midnight. A surge in coronavirus cases in Melbourne has forced the state of Victoria to impose a night curfew, tighten restrictions on people's movements and order most businesses to stop trading from Wednesday night. Other states are imposing new restrictions of their own to prevent any spillover form Victoria and an even bigger hit to the national economy, which has plunged into its first recession in nearly three decades. Australia has withstood the pandemic much better than most other countries, with 18,729 cases and 232 deaths in a population of 25 million. But Victoria, which accounts for about a quarter of the nation's economy, has nearly two-thirds of Australia's coronavirus cases and is expected to report more than 700 new infections on Wednesday, according to media reports. Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk, who has already shut her northeastern state's border to Victorians, said travelers from New South Wales and the capital Canberra also would be barred from Saturday. "We have seen that Victoria is not getting better, and we're not going to wait for New South Wales to get worse. We need to act," Palaszczuk said at a media conference in Brisbane. After two months of no community transmission in the state, two travelers who returned to Queensland from Melbourne last month tested positive to the virus and there have been at least three cases of local transmission, the state's deputy premier said. "It is clear now that Australia is experiencing a second wave of COVID-19 and we cannot afford to have that second wave here in Queensland," Deputy Premier Steven Miles said. Queensland, a popular holiday destination for people from the colder southern states, reported one new and 11 active cases on Wednesday. Victorians are bracing for the shutdown of a range of businesses from hair salons to furniture stores, and curbs on construction activity, meatworks and warehouses, hitting 250,000 jobs. In another blow to the economy, Australia's number two airline, Virgin Australia Holdings, said on Wednesday it would axe 3,000 jobs under its prospective new owner Bain Capital. (Reporting by Sonali Paul; Additional reporting by Renju Jose in Sydney; Editing by Stephen Coates) With cases of COVID-19 on the rise, many Australians are asking: what happens if I test positive? With no known cure and no vaccine, what are my treatment options? Finding trusted answers amid the widespread coverage of questionable claims and dubious data on unproven treatments is not easy. The good news is there are clear guidelines and growing evidence on treatments that can have a dramatic effect on COVID-19. Heres a snapshot of how this knowledge and guidance is likely to apply to you, if you have mild, moderate or severe COVID-19. Testing positive and isolating at ... Rhode Island's governor says they use different metrics that puts its COVID-19 positive infection rate at least three percent lower than other public health data after the state was added to New York's mandatory quarantine order. Gov Gina Raimondo said on Wednesday during her daily COVID-19 briefing that Rhode Island's positive rate was below 3 percent. Public health data compiled by John Hopkins, which is relied on by other states amid the pandemic, showed Rhode Island's rate was at 6 percent. Raimondo did not elaborate on what metrics the state's health department uses to determine the positivity rate. Rhode Island Gov Gina Raimondo said on Wednesday during her daily COVID-19 briefing that Rhode Island's positive rate was below 3 percent and not 6 percent like other public health data suggests The state, however, relies on the same positive rate put out by John Hopkins to determine its own quarantine order for out-of-state visitors. John Hopkins is listed as the source on a list of states with travel restrictions upon entry to Rhode Island. The World Health Organization considers a positive rate about five percent to be concerning because it suggests there are more cases in the community that have not yet been uncovered. It comes as Rhode Island was added to the list of 35 states required to quarantine for 14 days after arriving in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut. Rhode Island was added to the quarantine order after reporting record single day spikes in cases last week. Despite the surges, Raimondo said there was no cause for alarm. She did say, however, that the spikes, along with the addition to the quarantine list, was a wake up call for residents to take COVID-19 more seriously. Rhode Island was added to New York's quarantine order this week after reporting record single day spikes in cases. Despite the surges, Raimondo said there was no cause for alarm but served as a wake up call to residents Public health data compiled by John Hopkins, which is relied on by other states amid the pandemic, showed Rhode Island's rate was at 6 percent 'This is not an emergency at all, our positive test rate is less than 3 percent. This is a turning point,' she said, adding the state was in a 'good place with hospitalizations'. 'We're teetering right now. We're at a very fragile place. We need to clamp down on ourselves and get more serious. 'We have to go back to where we were in April, May and get really serious about this.' 'If we don't follow the rules, things like this will happen,' she said about being added to the tri-state quarantine list. In response to the recent surge in cases, Raimondo on Wednesday enhanced the state's own quarantine orders, saying visitors from the 33 states with a positive test rate over five percent would need to self-isolate for two weeks or provide a negative COVID-19 test taken within the last 72 hours. People checking into hotels or rental homes need to also commit to quarantining. Raimondo also put in place more restrictions across the state, including that bars will now have to close no later than 11pm. She vowed to shut down bars which did not comply and allowed people to congregate. The state currently has more than 19,400 positive cases and over 1,000 fatalities. A kind little Laois girl went big on her first haircut to help two children's charities. Anna Nicholls is aged five and from Railway Mews in Portarlington. She had never had her beautiful long red hair cut before, and she wanted to do something good with it. With the help of her family, Anna chose to raise money for LauraLynn, Ireland's Children's hospice charity. She is also donating her hair to the Rapunzel Foundation, an Irish charity who supply hair to be used as wigs for children and adults who have suffered hair loss. Anna is going into senior infants in Killenard school this year, and is a sister of Oisin and Ella. She has a really cute reason for why she wanted to do such a good deed. "Red heads have super powers and I want to give them powers to the sick kids," she told the Leinster Express proudly. So far she has raised a huge 865, with the fundraiser still open (see link at bottom of story). "Everyone that donated is very nice and kind," the little girl added. Her proud parents Mark and Carrie have thanked everyone for their donations. "We are so proud and overwhelmed with what our little 5 year old has achieved. We want to thank everyone who kindly donated," Carrie said. Carrie describes her little girl beautifully. "She is a crazy, full of energy, confident young girl, who wants to be a princess ghost buster when she grows up," she said. See the Facebook fundraiser here. Below: a delighted Anna after her big haircut. Black Lives Matter may be the largest movement in US history, yet as the Justice for George Floyd protests enter their third month, there is a sense that the national news cycle, outside unprecedented events like the federal occupation of downtown Portland, has largely moved on. Likewise, many protesters have also moved onto social media, where they can stream videos of police brutality on Instagram and TikTok, form neighborhood watches on Facebook, and exchange encrypted information over Signal. I asked protesters, organizers, and citizen-journalists how theyve been staying informed and informing others, and whether this moment has changed their views on traditional media. To be honest with you, Im not even watching the news. Theyre going to give you their story. Im out hereI am the news for our people. Joseph Blake, forty-eight, club promoter and barber. A Portland native, Blake has livestreamed the citys protests on Facebook for fifty-six nights in a row, since June 1. His videos are viewed by thousands. When the protests first started, you would hear about them just on social media. They call Portland a city, but I call Portland a big town. Word gets out super fast. Right now, its Facebook. People are going live. Twitter, you can put a video on and talk about it. Twitter is popular with celebrities and bigwigs that have the blue check. Regular people like us, we dont usually get too many Twitter followers. I would say Instagram a little bit, but its mostly Facebook, because you can add groups. Just like with the Wall of Momsthey started a Facebook group that Im a part of. I started a Facebook group called We Gone Be Alright. My kids are into that TikTok stuffI cant get into it. But thats what got me started in this. I used to be the type who sat on the couch and watch TV and be like, Them fools is crazy, I aint going out there with them crazy-ass fools. Until I saw my son and daughters pages. My son, twenty-three, is a professional photographer. Hes capturing so much stuff, its crazy and amazing. And my daughter, twenty-six, is out there protesting, too. So I was like, Well, let me see whats going on. I went and I got the bug, and Ive been out there every night since then. To be honest with you, Im not even watching the news. Theyre going to give you their story. Im out hereI am the news for our people. Im doing a lot of livestreaming for people who cant get down there to see. I give it to em rough and raw. Im right in the thick of things. Im getting shot. Ive been shot four times by rubber bullets just this week. I come home and I have to take my clothes off outside because theres pepper-spray dust. Anything youve seen on the national news coverage, man, Ive seen it with my own eyes. I never thought in my wildest thoughts I would be down there doing nothing like this. I didnt know nothing about protesting, only what I seen on TV. But now its like Im an expert. JahI Bazin, seventeen, rising freshman at Seton Hall and a volunteer with Street Riders NYC, which leads thousands of bike protesters on weekly justice rides. Since the killing of George Floyd, Bazin estimates, hes been to sixteen protests, where, among other things, he has been struck by a van and called a racial slur. I went to the Million Man March with my dad in DC in 2015. As a twelve-year-old boy, I didnt see the importance of it until this summer, when I started protesting on my own. When you see that its not just people that look exactly just like you, you get a sense of hope because your people arent the only ones that hear the struggle or see the struggle. They might not feel the struggle, but at least we have other people trying to help us out in our time of need. I stay informedobviously you have the internet, you have Instagram, Twitter. Most of the protests Ive partaken in have been through Street Riders, through their Instagram. Or else it will be a friend texting me, or their Instagram account. Its pretty simple. Ive seen people say, Oh, I dont know where to go. I dont know when things start. I dont know who to talk to. When, really, its not like the protest organizers are celebrities or godstheyre regular people just like you. You can talk to them and ask. Isabella Moles, twenty-one, a founder of Central Pennsylvania Advocates for Justice. I met Moles at a Pride event in Mifflinburg, Pennsylvania, population 3,540. She was wearing several rainbow pins and a yellow shirt that read sounds gay im in. Its young folks who are coming together. I think we have the gift of technology and social media, even when we are apart, to unify and make sure that we get progress. We see that with TikTok too. I find most of my shit from TikTok, even videos of police brutality. When I talk to my ninety-two-year-old grandpa, whose father was a member of the KKK, when Im having conversations with him, I use TikTok. These are actual things that my generation was able to record and document as proof of violence and police brutality. And when I show him that, the evidence is right there and he cant dispute what hes seen with his own eyes. One of my main sources has been through grassroots journalism like Unicorn Riot. I know for a fact that they are reporting the closest thing to the truth. Maiingan Sherritt-Stone, twenty-one. During the curfew, Sherritt-Stone volunteered with a Minneapolis-area nonprofit working to provide protesters with assistance and information in real time. Working sixteen- to eighteen-hour days, he followed police scanners, helped to encrypt organizers information, and created Facebook groups that became neighborhood watch groups. He also assembled a lengthy, encrypted Google document on known white supremacist activity in the area. The list included known plate numbers, people, and how to recognize when there might be an imminent attack. He described a bunch of school alarms and domestic violence calls before things really hit the fan. One of my main sources has been through grassroots journalism like Unicorn Riot, which has done a really good job reporting things from not only Minneapolis, but across the US. I know for a fact that they are reporting the closest thing to the truth. ICYMI: How Unicorn Riot covers the alt-right without giving them a platform A big problem that I had, especially with my own family membersI have some relatives in Floridawas with people believing that we were destroying our own businesses. When I was covering police scanners, I was reporting on white supremacist activity and the tactics they used. It was very clear, hearing on police scanners, who was doing the damage. There was a lot of bait-and-switch. Somebody would set the alarm off at a school. And because its a school, the police have to respond to that, and then thered be nobody there. And then while they were doing that, other buildings that were known Black- and Brown-owned businesses were being targeted. Things like that werent being reported on whatsoever. So it was almost a battle having to explain what was happening to people outside of Minneapolis. A big part of that was the lack of media coverage and what the media painted from just hearing reports and then spinning their own stories. So I have a lot of mistrust with media. I dont follow many bigger outlets because I and other nonprofits reported to some journalists at the New York Times and I dont think they really did anything with that information. I definitely sit down and watch some Fox. I like to see how the same story is played out in very different ways. Khadija Ahmed, thirty-two, restaurant manager. Two days after George Floyds killing, Ahmed pivoted from batching cocktails to providing food, water, and supplies to protesters through Inbound NYC, a mutual aid group she cofounded. Theres three forums that you go through. One is the people youre messaging, that you already have the numbers of, that youre close to. Then theres Signal chat, the different groups that are talking together. And theres Instagram, the groups that post schedules for protests every day. Protect Protesters and Justice for George NYC are the main ones that Ive seen. Everything is Instagram. Instagram is the one where you can catch the most age range, from eighteen to sixty. I grew up in DC. I had a political job, and I left because I hated it. I need all sources of news. I watch CNN and MSNBC, but I definitely sit down and watch some Fox. I like to see how the same story is played out in very different ways. I still read articles. I read the Washington Post and the New York Times. I read The Guardian and The Independent. Im definitely a three-sources girl. Watching non-American news is really interesting lately. When youre watching Al Jazeera or the BBC, it literally looks like America is a war zone. The way we used to judge all these other countries, were being judged in that way now with video footage. Christine Rossi, twenty-nine, server and volunteer with Street Riders NYC. When my roommate and I came home every night from the protests, we would watch Fox News and CNN. Not because we believed their narrative, but because we needed to see what it would become. We know were in our own bubble, and we just needed to see what the other bubbles are like out there. Theyre not covering protests. The people in our inner circles are out there, taking photos, taking videos, and Im seeing all of that raw shit on Instagram. But its nowhere on the news. So Ronald Weaver II, Mel D. Cole, Nate Brown, Budithats who were getting the news from now. Theyre not news anchors, theyre photographers, videographers. Its almost like going home and watching a fantastical movie thats been falsely made about everything thats going on. It feels like another world. Ive felt like this for probably the past decade, but right now its being exposed to its fullest, seeing what a sham the media has become, along with everything else: the cops, the media, our government. We will still watch Democracy Now! I do think its a good general way of getting news. But I think whatever news you watch, you should be in contact with all different kinds of people. Jack Duren, eighty, a retired art teacher, makes signs for weekly protests at Rose Villa, a retirement community just outside of Portland. There are two retirement communities side by side here. Were putting maybe a hundred people out on the street in front of both. We only do it for about an hour, because were old farts. But these are very active retirement communities. People are not sitting on their porches in rocking chairs waiting to die. I have three primary news sources: one is The Oregonian. Theres also Willamette Week, which is much more independent and subscriber-supported, and a third one called Bridgeliner. We watch the local news as well as PBS NewsHour. Im skeptical of a lot of stuff online. I had to bail out of Facebook because it got too awful. I dont like going to bed mad at this age. A lot of people here use NextDoor. A couple posts on there were like, Doggone it, cant they move their protests down the street, so I dont have to listen to cars honk? The thing is, its one hour a week. Gimme a break. The person said, Why do they have to encourage the car-honking? Then there was one employee of Rose Villa that posted, We think they should be honking more. I liked that one. Theres a sense of narrative structure and narrative construction that doesnt seem to reflect what you are watching happening in real time, where there isnt one narrative. C.J. Holmes, thirty-three, a sales director who was laid off at the beginning of April. When he got in touch, Holmes described himself as a medium protester, attending about a dozen actions in Chicago. When I read mainstream coverage, it feels very delayed. I have a friend from college who lives in Portland, and she was posting and reporting about it, being a citizen, about a week before it broke more broadly. Sometimes Ill read to get that official view, that language, to see how it was articulated, but itll be more about fact-checking and understanding what people who are not in my headspace are saying. Ill occasionally learn a nugget, but its deeply unsatisfying. Its not a place I go to feel informed, because its so slow. Also theres a sense of narrative structure and narrative construction that doesnt seem to reflect what you are watching happening in real time, where there isnt one narrative. As we know, theres never one narrativeits intersectional, its constantly changing. I check every box of privilege. Every single one. Ive been recognized as a leader probably since I was ten. So entering these spaces and trying to do the quote-unquote right thing, its very difficult until you decenter yourself. Because when you are centered, you cant listen or learn. Even if youre allowed in the room, the way that you experience that room is going to be untrue, or filtered, or affected, or prevented. Mahadi Lawal, twenty-six, graphic designer, event planner, and an organizer of Occupy DC, which has occupied Black Lives Matter Plaza and is currently hosting yoga sessions in the space. May 29 was the first day that the protests got violenttear gas and everything in front of the White House. I went home after that day realizing how serious things were, and I formed a Signal group chat with friends and acquaintances that I knew were interested. For the next few weeks we used that chat; I called it America. Instagram has been the key tool. When I got arrested on the morning of June 24, there was a huge campaign all over Instagram and Twitter. There were videos of my arrest, and all my friends were like, Free him. So I gained a lot of followers like that. I started to use my account more to be informative. After the sit-in, we made the Occupy DC Instagram. We gained one thousand followers in a week. Thats been our main way of getting the information out, that and Signal. I probably spend 80 percent of my time scrolling through Twitter. I get most of my news through Twitter, just because of how fast it is. When I need information on protests, Ill go on the Instagram pages of accounts like DC Teens Action. I feel like the city leadership has come to a consensus that theyre just not going to respond or acknowledge the protests and the violence committed by the police, that its just going to go away. The only DC media thats been consistently covering these things has been the Washington Post. I went from throwing parties to now having protests. This is way more fulfilling. Etienne Maurice, twenty-eight, actor, filmmaker, activist, and organizer of Walk Good LA. Each week the group hosts a 5k run for justice and yoga for restorative justice. I started out by making my own flyer on Adobe Spark. I made the flyer, I posted it on social media, and I also texted a lot of friends that live in my neighborhood. I made it grassroots. Then I started finding out about other Instagram profiles that had a huge following that became an online bulletin for protests in the neighborhood. One Instagram called In This Together LA have been a major helpthey have over 100K followersand they have short blurbs about what each protest is focused on. I cant tell you how many new people have come to my protests because I submit to that account. Also, a big help is to continue to post the photos and video recaps of what took place that day. That next day I hit the ground running, I get on my computer making those one-minute recaps of what took place that day, so that people stay engaged, they see it happened and will continue to happen. Its important to be of service in our fight for justice. Thats been the biggest lesson for me. I went from throwing parties to now having protests. This is way more fulfilling. Im using the same organizational skills getting people together in one place that believe theyre going to have a transformative experience. Corky Lee, seventy-two, activist and photo documentarian. Lee, a Queens native whose business card describes him as the undisputed, unofficial Asian American photographer laureate, told me hes gone to more than a thousand protests over forty-nine years. Before they had the internet, there was something called a phone treeyou ever hear that term? This was the sixties. If you wanted to organize a protest, at the end of a public meeting, or teach-in, everyone would get a list of phone numbers, and you would call, lets say, twenty people, and hopefully each person would call twenty people. This to find out whats going on and where its going to happen. With Occupy Wall Street, in 2011, it all happened in one location. That was great for the NYPDthey knew if anything was going to happen, it would be in Zuccotti Park. Now the NYPD has to monitor social media more than ever before. Its not going to be in mainstream news or people putting up flyers. A lot of stuff will happen spontaneously. Another thing about Occupy Wall Street, there werent many leaders, so the news media couldnt figure out who was representing the people. Pretty much the same thing is happening here. Mainstream media doesnt know who to go to speak to, so theyre grabbing anyone whos willing to speak to them. But those people may not necessarily be the organizers or the leaders. This was something that wasnt learned from the civil rights movement of Martin Luther King, Malcolm X, and so forththose guys were well organized. Without some identifiable leaders in the current George Floyd situation, I think that the general public is in a bit of a quandary and they dont know whats happening. Hammad Ahmad, twenty-five, business analyst, Atlanta. In early June, Ahmad and his sisters raised over $2,400 for local bail bonds and to deliver a van full of water and snacks to protesters. Im not on Twitter. Just seeing the things people tweet makes me angry. But if you were to talk to any other person who would be going to these, I think they would say that Twitter is what they would rely on. There was one Twitter account called Where Is the Protest in Atlanta? Literally every day they would post and then pin where they would have protests in the metro Atlanta area, even in the suburbs. There were a few Instagram accounts that I followed that posted regular updates. In terms of finding out where we could drop things off, whenever we would find out about a protest over the weekendit was kind of hard to go during the weekdays, just because of workwe would reach out to the organizers and go from there. Honestly, I dont really look at the news, because it just angers me. It doesnt really make sense to me to go somewhere that isnt covering it well enough. I dont share these types of news sources. I dont share CNN. Tiana Rawls-White, twenty-three, hospitality industry. Rawls-White went to her first protest on June 28 and spoke at the recent Rally for Justice, organized by the group If Not Us, Then Who?, in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. On Facebook, you have the opportunity to see what other people are saying and how theyre reacting to these things, and it really shows peoples true colors. It also gives you the opportunity to have conversations. I try my best to watch Fox, even if its something I wont agree with. Its like going to war with somebody and wanting to know what the other side is thinking. The best way to do that is to listen to what theyre saying. Because youre not going to be able to inspire people to do better and to change if you dont know where their head is at to begin with. There was a woman that I had reached out to. She had said, If you support BLM, then youre a racist, or something like that. And I was like, Hey, do you think Im a racist? I dont think youre a racistyoure one of the nicest people I know. But sometimes the things that you post really upset me and it scares me to think that you would think this way. And I get very disappointed in you, and honestly if you were anyone else I probably would have unfriended you by now. Why dont we talk, lets get lunch, you hear me, I hear you, and lets go from there. Because nothings going to get resolved if people dont talk. Shes my exs stepmother. After he and I separated, she and I kept in contact. She never responded about getting lunchshe saw it, but she didnt say anything. Im like, Okay, Ill just let it go. If she wants to talk, she wants to talk. But I at least put it out there that Im willing to hear her out. THE MEDIA TODAY: A mammoth explosion, tears, and resilient journalism in Beirut Has America ever needed a media watchdog more than now? Help us by joining CJR today James Yeh is a writer, journalist, and features editor at The Believer. His work has appeared in the New York Times, The Guardian, Dissent, and elsewhere. Despite the coronavirus restricting a large crowd, Hindus rejoiced as Prime Minister Narendra Modi broke ground on Wednesday on a long-awaited temple of their most revered god Ram at the site of a demolished 16th century mosque in northern India. Mr Modi offered prayers to nine stone blocks with "Shri Ram" (Llord Ram) inscribed on them amid chanting of Hindu religious hymns to symbolise the start of construction of the temple, which is expected to take three and a half years. Mr Modi wore a traditional outfit of a gold Kurta, a long shirt, and white Dhoti, a loose cloth wrapped around his waist, along with his face mask. It's an emotional and historic moment. Wait has been worthwhile, said Lal Krishna Advani, a 92-year-old leader of the governing Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) who was in the forefront of the party's temple campaign in 1990s. Organisers said the ceremony was set on an astrologically auspicious date for Hindus, but Wednesday also marked a year since the Indian Parliament revoked the semi-autonomous status of its only Muslim-majority state, Jammu and Kashmir. The symbolism was impossible to miss since Mr Modi's Hindu nationalist BJP had long pledged in its manifesto to strip disputed Kashmir's autonomy and to build a temple to the Hindu god Ram where the Mughal-era mosque once stood. Mr Modi arrived in the late morning in Ayodhya city, where the main roads were barricaded and about 3,000 paramilitary soldiers stood guard. All shops and businesses were closed. Muslims comprise 6 per cent of the city's more than half a million people. Last week, a priest and 15 police officers at the temple site tested positive for the virus. More than 1.8 million people in India have been infected with the coronavirus, and over 39,000 have died. Had this function been held on normal days all these roads would have been chock-a-block with people. Millions of people would have come to Ayodhya to witness this historic event, temple priest Hari Mohan said. Only 175 religious saints, priests and Hindu and Muslim community representatives were invited to the ceremony. Amid the blowing of conch shells and chanting of Hindu religious hymns, water from Indian rivers in 2,000 earthen pots sent by various Hindu temples and Sikh shrines was poured at the site. The groundbreaking followed a ruling by India's Supreme Court last November favouring the building of a Hindu temple on the disputed site in Uttar Pradesh state. Hindus believe their god Ram was born at the site and claim Muslim Emperor Babur built a mosque on top of a temple there. The Babri Masjid mosque was destroyed by Hindu radicals with pickaxes and crowbars in December 1992, sparking massive Hindu-Muslim violence that left some 2,000 people, mostly Muslims, dead. The Supreme Court's verdict paved the way for a temple to be built in place of the demolished mosque. Those invited to the groundbreaking ceremony included Iqbal Ansari, the main Muslim litigant in the Supreme Court case, who now supports building the temple in Ayodhya. The court also ordered that Muslims be given 5 acres (2 hectares) of land to build a new mosque at a nearby site. The temple will be around 235 feet (72 metres) wide, 300 feet (91.5 metres) long and 161 feet (49 metres) high with five domes with a total area around 84,000 square feet (7,804 square metres). The complex will also have a prayer hall, lecture hall, visitors' hostel and museum. Houses and other buildings close to the temple site in the city of Ayodhya have been painted yellow to recreate the look when the Hindu god Ram ruled there for thousands of years, according to the Hindu epic Ramayana. Yellow is an auspicious colour. As per Hindu tradition, yellow symbolises purity and light, temple priest Mahant Kamal Narain Das said. Muslims comprise around 14 per cent of Hindu-majority India's 1.3 billion people. The temple-mosque dispute badly divided Hindus and Muslims, often triggering communal clashes. Prominent Muslims have said the community was resigned to the new reality but fear the new temple could embolden Hindu nationalists to target two other mosques in Uttar Pradesh. The Modi government should assure Muslims that Hindu outfits will not ask for the construction of temples in Varanasi and Mathura after demolishing existing mosques there, said Ansari, the main litigant in the Supreme Court case. The Gyanvapi mosque in the city of Varanasi is in a temple complex dedicated to Lord Shiva. In the city of Mathura, the Shahi Idgah mosque stands adjacent to the temple complex that marks the birthplace of the Hindu god Krishna. Hindu organisations say both were built over razed temples. AP New Delhi: The Delhi High Court on Wednesday dismissed a petition challenging the order directing a senior Indian Army personnel to delete his Facebook and Instagram accounts. Lieutenant Colonel P K Choudhary had challenged the Indian Army's recent policy banning armed forces personnel from using social networking platforms like Facebook and Instagram, saying he has to either abide by the mandate of the organisation or put in his papers. The order was pronounced by Division Bench of Justices Rajiv Sahai Endlaw and Asha Menon. According to the new June 6 policy, all Indian Army personnel have been ordered to delete their accounts from Facebook and Instagram and 87 other applications. During pervious hearings, the officer's lawyer repeatedly urged the bench to allow him to retain the account in deactivated form, saying forcing him to delete it and the data therein amounts to violation of his right to privacy. The petitioner's grievance was that he needs FB to communicate with his family in the US, when there were other modes of communication like WhatsApp, Twitter and Skype which were available to him. The petition had sought a direction to the Director General of Military Intelligence to withdraw its June 6 policy to the extent that it orders all the members of the Indian Army to delete their accounts from Facebook and Instagram and 87 other applications. Lt Col P K Choudhary, who is currently posted in Jammu and Kashmir, said in the plea that he is an active user of Facebook and uses the platform to connect with his friends and family as most of them are settled abroad, including his elder daughter. In the petition, the officer has sought a direction to the Ministry of Defence to withdraw the June 6 policy to ensure that the fundamental rights of armed forces personnel are not abrogated amended or modified by arbitrary executive action which is not backed by the mandate of law, offends the provisions of the Army Act and Rules made thereunder and is unconstitutional. The petition had alleged that the policy which bans social media platforms is illegal, arbitrary, disproportionate, violates the fundamental rights of soldiers including but not limited to the freedom of speech and expression, the right to life and the right to privacy. Besides, the Centre and Director General of Military Intelligence, the petition has also made Chief of the Army Staff, who is the professional head, commander and the highest-ranking military officer of the Indian Army, party to the petition. With PTI Inputs The father of a teenager who died this week from injuries he suffered in a crash in Co Down last October has told how the family has been going through "perpetual grief" for the last nine months. Richard Weir (17) from Warrenpoint was one of five teenagers involved in the accident. The car they were in crashed on the Hilltown Road in Kilcoo in the early hours of October 26. Richard's friend Dawid Blenski (18), also from Warrenpoint, was driving and died. After spending a period in the Royal Victoria Hospital's intensive care unit, Richard had remained in a vegetative state since November and was in Musgrave Park Hospital for the last five months. He passed away on Monday. Richard is survived by his father Brian, mother Yvonne, siblings Ethan, Finlay and Avabelle, and the wider family circle. Speaking to the Belfast Telegraph, Brian explained that his son had just turned 17 on the night of the crash. He said his family had been "grieving every day for the boy that he was". The Weir family thanked the medical staff at the Royal Victoria and Musgrave Park Hospitals for the care they provided. Reflecting on the incredibly difficult period since the accident, Mr Weir said: "It's been a mixture of everything. Me and his mum have suffered from depression and anxiety. "It was perpetual grief - that's the best way to explain it. "We have been grieving every day for the boy that he was. "We were grieving for him without an end in sight. "There were two possible outcomes: either Richard gets better, which would have been brilliant. Or Richard dies and we can grieve for him. "Although we hoped against hope that he was going to recover, even to a point where we could get him home, I think the doctors were right with their predictions. "They couldn't give us a time or a date. He was expected to live for a few months up to a couple of years after the accident. "The damage was done after his stroke three weeks after the accident." Despite the catastrophic injuries that Richard suffered, the Southern Regional College student initially showed significant improvement after he came out of his coma. He was able to respond to commands and squeeze his mother's and father's hands. Every day brought improvement, but following the brain bleed Richard remained unresponsive after emergency surgery. "The doctors were still hopeful that he would come round again but we realised very quickly what we were going to be faced with," Mr Weir added. "The doctors couldn't have been more apologetic and the treatment went on and on. The goal was for Richard to recover and to get him home." As part of the efforts to have his mother's home ready for his arrival the Weir family set up a GoFundMe page in May to help cover costs. The 18,606 raised since then will now be split between Musgrave Park Hospital's rehabilitation acute brain injury unit and the intensive care unit at the Royal Victoria Hospital. "It was definitely encouraging to see that amount of money being raised," Mr Weir said. Looking back at Richard's short life, his father said he was "just my wee buddy". "Richard was the life and soul," he said. "You wouldn't believe how much craic you got out of him. "He was my first child so I made a point of making sure that we created memories. "From even when they were young, we went everywhere together. "We went fishing, we went to watch the motorbike racing, and in his later years we actually had a wee carryout together. He was just my wee buddy." Requiem Mass for Richard will take place tomorrow at 10.30am in St Peter's Church, Warrenpoint, and will be streamed live. Interment afterwards will take place in Warrenpoint Municipal Cemetery. Due to the Covid-19 crisis both the house and funeral are strictly private. Those wishing to pay their respects can do so outside the church and messages of sympathy can be sent to the family. Donations in lieu can be made to the brain injury unit at Musgrave Park Hospital via McAnulty Funeral Directors in Warrenpoint. Chip Somodevilla/Getty Donald Trump has relished making mail-in voting a boogeyman during the coronavirus pandemic, denouncing the method routinely as part of his longstanding and evidence-free crusade over alleged voter fraud. But that was before he realized how much Republican voters had started to listen to him. Now, with his re-election chances on line, the president is embracing the practice in the crucial swing state of Florida. Within the senior ranks of Team Trumps political and field operations, there have been significant concerns for weeks that the president and GOPs crusade against voting by mail could actually backfire and result in a depression of absentee ballots cast for Trump come Election Day, according to three people familiar with the matter. However, all of these sources said that this growing concern has not convinced top advisers in the presidents vast re-election machine to actually stop this elections legal, rhetorical, and advertising warbacked by tens of millions of dollars on the righton mail-in voting during the pandemic. Instead, it has merely intensified their internal urgency to find new, broader ways to create a distinction between absentee and mail-in voting, even though functionally they are the same thing. Key to their argument, they say, is the increase in volume would lead to delays creating a national version of the bungled New York City election. Two of the sources said they have discussed the issue about potential blowback from an anti-mail-in-voting push with President Trump over the past couple weeks, and have talked to him about how the Republican Partys victories in critical states in the 2020 election could even come down to robust absentee-ballot operations. They encouraged Trump to speak clearly about what they see as the differences between Democratic efforts to expand mail-in voting during the coronavirus crisis, and longstanding systems of absentee voting. But on Tuesday the message started to change slightly. Story continues Following an interview with Axios on HBO aired Monday, during which the president warned that lots of things can happen regarding mail-in voting, if the winner isnt determined by the end of Election Day, Trump tweeted, Whether you call it Vote by Mail or Absentee Voting, in Florida the election system is Safe and Secure, Tried and True, insisting that Floridas Voting system has been cleaned up (we defeated Democrats attempts at change), so in Florida I encourage all to request a Ballot & Vote by Mail! That Twitter missive was widely seen by election experts, political operatives, and high-ranking officials in Trumpworld as an all-but transparent, if sloppy, attempt to assuage worries that his own messaging could help cost him must-win electoral territory. There are fewer than 100 days left in his general-election battle against his presumptive 2020 Democratic opponent, former Vice President Joe Biden. The sentiment among election watchers was that someone in the Trump orbit had tried to get the president to see common sense: that attacking mail-in voting could be his undoing in a state that he needs to win to return to the White House. Presumably the Republican party got to him and explained to him that lots of Republicans vote by mail, particularly older Republicans, said Richard Briffault, a professor at Columbia Law School specializing in election law. Michael McDonald, an elections expert at the University of Florida, noted that vote-by-mail figures from the states division of elections showed Democrats with a nearly 600,000 lead in ballot requests on their GOP counterparts as of Tuesday. I think that the Trump campaign realizes that the president's rhetoric may be costing them the election, McDonald said. Even when he was elected president in 2016, winning wasnt enough for Trump. Less than a month after soundly defeating Democrat Hillary Clinton when it came to the electoral college, the incoming president was unable to contain his resentment about losing the popular vote to the former secretary of state, tweeting that he won the popular vote if you deduct the millions of people who voted illegally. North Carolina Deluge of Absentee-Ballot Requests Shows Why Trumps Terrified of Mail-In Voting The statement was clearly a lie. But it set the standard for an administration that has made chasing false allegations of mass voter fraud a focus, despite no results almost four years later to show there is anywhere near the kind of mass fraud Trump believes. Mail-in voting isnt a new election tool, but has grown more important during the coronavirus pandemic. Thats especially true for older voters who could be more severely impacted by the coronavirus. While the president has specifically condemned the idea of universal mail-in voting, his words during the pandemic have also been more broad. In April, as Wisconsins primary provided a chaotic picture of a pandemic primary, Trumpwithout providing proof leveled the charge that mail-in voting is horrible. Its corrupt. The ferocity of the attacks didnt waver before Tuesdays tweet, from threatening federal funding to Michigan over sending mail ballot requests to publicly raising the idea of delaying the election because of Universal Mail-In Voting a move that even Republican allies in Congress werent willing to stomach. The Florida tweet missive may help Trump in the key swing state, but came after Trump this week attacked an expansion of mail-in voting in Nevada, and championed challenging the measure in court. The states Democratic governor signed legislation Monday that, according to the bill, means the states registered voters will be sent a mail ballot in a time of emergency, like the coronavirus pandemic. The campaign along with the Republican National Committee and the state party followed through on the president's threat before Tuesday was over, according to The Nevada Independent, claiming in a lawsuit that the the new Nevada law is illegal. It is good to see that the president is finally backing off this false rhetoric when it comes to Florida, said Sean Morales-Doyle, deputy director of the voting rights and elections program at the Brennan Center for Justice. It is frustrating that he is, for no reason at all that I can see, suggesting that it is a Florida specific position that he's taking by saying that it is safe to vote by mail in Florida the president is implying that its unsafe elsewhere and thats not true. During a press conference Tuesday, Trump maintained that Florida was an exception because the state has had great Republican governors in recent years. In the case of Florida, theyve done a great job, Trump said. Theyve had tremendous success with it but theyve been doing this over many years and theyve made it really terrific. Yet Trumps shift in Florida didnt come before warning signals were clear. On Saturday, Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL) avoided backing the presidents attacks on mail ballots on a Trump campaign press call. When one reporter asked about Trumps concerns over mail-in voting, pointing to the fact that Florida allows voting absentee without an excuse, and whether Rubio was concerned about the method in his own state, the senator gave a short answer: No Im not concerned about mail in voting in Florida. Trumps softened rhetoric on mail-in voting, at least in Florida, could mean that Republicans change their behavior and help the party gain ground before the election, McDonald said. It may happen, he said just hours after Trumps Tuesday tweet. But at the same time, tomorrow is another day and thats another opportunity for Trump to say something different. 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. New Delhi, Aug 5 : After facing a mega crypto hack last month, Twitter acknowledged on Wednesday that it has discovered and fixed a security vulnerability in its app for Android that would have exposed private data such as Direct Messages (DMs) of some of its users. The bug affected Android versions 8 and 9 and according to the company, 96 per cent of people using Twitter for Android already have an Android security patch installed that protects them from this vulnerability. "For the other 4 per cent, this vulnerability could allow an attacker, through a malicious app installed on your device, to access private Twitter data on your device (like Direct Messages) by working around Android system permissions that protect against this," said Twitter. The company said it does not have evidence that this vulnerability was exploited by attackers. Twitter, however, said it can't be completely sure so it has updated Twitter for Android to "make sure external apps can't access Twitter in-app data by adding extra safety precautions beyond standard OS protections". It asked users to update Twitter for Android as it was sending in-app notices to everyone who could have been vulnerable to let them know if they need to do anything. "To keep your Twitter data safe, please update to the latest version of Twitter for Android on all Android devices that you use to access Twitter," said the company. The bug did not impact Twitter for iOS or Twitter.com. Twitter was hit by a massive cryptocurrency scam last month. The company said the massive hack that spread a cryptocurrency scam by hijacking accounts of high-profile celebrities, politicians and businesses was a result of a phone spear phishing attack. The US Department of Justice has charged three young individuals (including one juvenile) with hacking Twitter that compromised the accounts of 130 high-profile celebrities, politicians and businesses like Barack Obama, Joe Biden, Bill Gates, Jeff Bezos, Elon Musk, Apple and Uber. 30/07/2020 Dr Ronan Glynn, Acting Chief Medical Officer, Department of Health, and Professor Philip Nolan, Chair of NPHET Irish Epidemiological Modelling Advisory Group pictured at an Nphet meeting .Picture Colin Keegan, Collins Dublin Significant clusters of new Covid-19 cases have been identified in direct provision centres, among the Traveller community and in meat factories, according to advice given to Government by public health officials. The National Public Health Emergency Team (Nphet) highlighted the number of clusters in all three settings and among people in the Roma community and in homelessness services when warning against entering into Phase Four of the Governments Roadmap for Reopening Society and Business. Read More The Government agreed with the advice and decided to postpone the reopening of pubs and increasing the limits on the number of people who can attend indoor and outdoor gathering. Independent.ie has seen Nphets advice which identifies significant and growing concerns about the number of outbreaks among vulnerable groups and those living in direct provision settings. They also said there have been significant outbreaks identified in the construction and food production sectors. Health officials said there have 37 new outbreaks in the past week bringing the total to 2,319 overall with 188 remaining active. This included 21 outbreaks in Direct Provision Centres involving 235 individual cases and 47 new cases centre in four clusters were identified in the last week. Separately, there have been 10 coronavirus outbreaks among the Traveller Community which involved 89 people testing positive for Covid-19. In the past week, 21 new cases relating to two clusters have been linked to the Traveller community. Health officials identified 51 workplace clusters of the virus with almost half (24) linked to meat processing plants around the country. There have been two outbreaks in meat factories in the last week involving 47 new cases. There have been four outbreaks in the Roma community since the start of the pandemic involving 42 people testing positive for the virus. There have been four outbreaks involving 15 people in homelessness services. Nphet said the half (49pc) of all cases identified in the last two weeks have been from a person being in contact with a confirmed case, which allows for better contact tracing. They said the number of cases linked to community transmission, which is harder to trace, appears to be stable. They also noted that 7.8pc of new cases were related to travel and resulted in further clusters in household or extend family settings. Nphet raised specific concerns about new cases among young people, particularly those aged between 25-34. They said there has been a shift from the majority of new cases being in Dublin to parts of the country. The World Health Organization says it is airlifting medical supplies to Lebanon to cover up to 1,000 trauma interventions and up to 1,000 surgical interventions following the explosion in Beirut. WHO spokesman Tarik Jasarevic said supplies airlifted from a humanitarian hub in Dubai in the United Arab Emirates would be used to treat burns and wounds caused by broken glass and other debris from the explosion. The airlift follows a request from the Lebanese health minister, and the supplies were expected to arrive in Lebanon later Wednesday. Jasarevic said in an email that the WHO will stand ready to also provide other urgent support. Meanwhile, Russian emergency officials said the first plane with medical workers and equipment for a make-shift hospital had left the country and was en route to Beirut. Four more flights were due to follow in the next 24 hours with more rescuers and medical workers, as well as equipment for a coronavirus testing lab and protective gear. Some 150 Russian personnel will be deployed to Lebanon to help deal with consequences of the explosion that devastated Beirut. Norway is offering 25 million kroner ($2.74 million) and 40 tons of medical equipment to Lebanon after the huge explosion in the harbor of the Lebanese capital. The situation is pretty confusing right now. In the coming days we will know more about what is needed in the long-term, Norwegian Foreign Minister Ine Eriksen Soereide told reporters on Wednesday. She said the Norwegian embassy in Beirut suffered damage in the explosion but all staff members were safe. She said there is no indication of Norwegian citizens being injured in Tuesday's blast, which killed at least 100 people. Turkey is sending search and rescue teams along with emergency medical personnel to aid Lebanon in the aftermath of a devastating explosion. Foreign Ministry spokesman Hami Aksoy said Wednesday that Turkey also is preparing a field hospital, humanitarian aid, medical equipment and medicine for use in Beirut. We will continue giving Lebanon all support with the hope that these difficult days will be overcome as soon as possible through solidarity and cooperation, the spokesman said. A government minister says the Netherlands is sending a search and rescue team made up of police, firefighters, trauma doctors and nurses to help find survivors and victims of the huge blast in Beirut. Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation Minister Sigrid Kaag told Dutch public broadcaster NPO Radio 1 the 67-strong team is leaving Wednesday evening and will start work immediately. Kaag said one or two people were seriously wounded at the Netherlands' Embassy and others suffered minor injuries as the diplomatic office suffered damage from the devastating explosion. Kaag previously served as a United Nations under-secretary general in Lebanon and says she has friends there who are injured or have lost a home. Gulf Arab states have offered various forms of support for Lebanon, though any sustained financial assistance is complicated by the Iranian-backed Hezbollah group's presence in government and on the ground. Saudi-funded medical teams were dispatched from north Lebanon to Beirut to care for and to help transport the wounded on Tuesday, while a specialized team from a Saudi-funded medical center provided emergency health care services in the Lebanese capital, according to the state-run Saudi Press Agency. Kuwait and Qatar dispatched airplanes full of medical cargo. Qatari officials told The Associated Press that cargo from Doha included two large air-conditioned tents, kits for 1,000 beds, generators and diesel tanks, 50 ventilators, emergency medical supplies like first aid kits, gauze and needles, and medicine. A search and rescue team was also being sent to support. Meanwhile, urgent medical and humanitarian supplies were being sent from the International Humanitarian City in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Turkish authorities say six Turkish citizens are among thousands of people injured in the massive explosion in Beirut that killed at least 100 people. Turkey's Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu tweeted that one Turkish national was in surgery and the others were lightly injured. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan spoke on the phone with Lebanese President Michel Auon late Tuesday and tweeted his condolences. Erdogan's communications director, Fahrettin Altun, tweeted: All our government agencies are ready to help the Lebanese people. There were no immediate details. Separately, Greek diplomatic officials say one Greek woman appears to be among the dead and two other Greek women are injured. Authorities say Greece has sent a search and rescue team to Beirut and will send more aid if needed. Cyprus' foreign minister says two police helicopters are on their way to the Lebanese capital with 10 emergency response personnel and eight sniffer dogs to help locate survivors in the rubble of buildings destroyed in Tuesday's massive blast. Cyprus is approximately 120 miles (180 kilometers) away from Beirut, but the explosion was heard and felt by many on the east Mediterranean island nation. Minister Nikos Christodoulides told The Associated Press that Cyprus will also dispatch additional rescue crews, paramedics, non-perishable food items, aluminum and glass that Lebanese authorities have requested. Cyprus will also send chartered flights to Lebanon to repatriate Cypriot citizens wishing to return home. The Dimensions of Covid-19: The Hong Kong Flu Redux Is the Covid-19 global breakout a deadly pandemic calling for the most extreme measures to avoid a far greater catastrophe? Or is the dimension of Covid-19 far, far less than stated by the Western media and officialdom? Unique and Deadly? The population wide death-rate from contracting Covid-19 is 0.1%. The numbers are consistent with a bad flu season in places like the United States where the exposure level is higher and a moderate flu season through most of Europe, for instance. The World Health Organization estimates that flu kills between 290,000 and 650,000 people in a season. About 600,00 people have died globally after testing positive for Covid-19, acting as a co-morbidity in almost all cases. Generally, 80% of human exposures to Covid-19 are asymptomatic or have only mild symptoms. This surprising natural resilience to Covid-19 illness by the human immune system is not all that surprising, it turns out. That is because Covid-19 is not a novel, unique virus strain, as advertised. Covid-19 is the seventh coronavirus identified since 2002. With its easy human transmission, the general virus strain has circulated across the globe for almost 20 years. The first major episode of the Covid-19 outbreak demonstrated the roughly 4 to 1 ratio in those capable of becoming sick. The Diamond Princess was stranded at sea for two months with the virus amok and limited medical capacity. Yet only 17% of the crew and passengers aboard the Diamond Princess tested positive for the virus at any point, though four people died. Further proof is the nation of Vietnam which is praised as the most effective country in suppressing the virus. Southern China, Taiwan and South Korea are also praised as effective in containing the virus. Yet, the reason why is not lockdowns or contact tracing. The reason is that the SAARS coronavirus originated in that region spreading very widely. It is this immunity from prior virus waves that is making this region of the world different for the dimension of Covid-19. As noted by the BBC, research scientists have discovered a high level of natural immunity to Covid-19 infection. For every person that tested for Covid-19 specific immunity due to past exposure, two more people tested for having the very same T-cell reactors that repel the virus. The Covid-19 Flu is mild compared to many in the past. The Spanish Flu of 1918, for instance, killed 50m people globally in a world of 1.5 billion people. That truly deadly pandemic killed indiscriminately, including the young and healthy. The Asian Flu of the 1950s killed as many as 4m people globally. An estimated 70,000 Americans died in the outbreak. The Hong Kong Flu also killed up to 4m people globally with little fanfare in the United States which was also seriously affected. Over 100,000 Americans died from the virus at a time when the national population was only 200m. The Woodstock rock concert was held in the midst of the Hong Kong Flu outbreak in 1968, along with mass protests against the Vietnam War far larger than the protests of today. The idea of business closures, social distancing and mandatory masks was nowhere on the radar. The saving grace for the Hong Kong Flu was the widespread immunity resistance to the virus built up globally due to the Asian Flu ten years before, another similarity with Covid-19. No one in 1957 or in 1968 was being paid $1700 per flu death recorded nor designating gunshot and accident deaths as flu-related due to a positive virus test. The Hong Kong flu had nothing to do with politics, including the momentous Presidential election of 1968. Covid-19, by comparison, has killed around 650,000 in 7-months worldwide, 150,000 in the US, with a narrow category for its major mortality, the old and seriously infirm. The Virus Cycle is Progressing to its End Following the typical virus life cycle, as the number of those exposed to the virus increases, the virus runs out of hosts. This is always what ends virus outbreaks, including when a vaccine is found, called herd immunity. The steady decline in Covid-19 danger is proven by the choppy but falling death-rate globally, including in the United States down 75% since April. Fortunately for the citizens of Sweden, their leadership recognized that Covid-19 in their country was already spread well beyond the stage where lockdown measures may eradicate the virus completely. This virus, especially given its easy transmission, was going to take the full course. Policies like lockdowns and contract tracing might only be helpful when virus eradication is reasonably possible. That has never been the case with Covid-19, except for some remote areas of the world. But, on the more positive side of it, Covid-19 is virtually non-lethal in healthy people. In the case of people under 18, the virus typically is blocked by natural immunity, in whole or part. In the few cases where children do contract the virus, they are non-spreaders of the virus given their low viral load. However, the old and sick members of society are at risk and therefore in need of extreme precautions, especially those in nursing homes. So Sweden decided not to lockdown beyond banning gatherings of over 50 people and protecting the vulnerable. No business or school or church in Sweden was ordered closed which remains true today. Few Swedes wear a facemask. Sweden largely failed in eradicating the virus in nursing homes, like almost all other nations failed in this respect. Swedens Covid-19 death-rate per citizen ranks 9th in the world presently with the average age of victims being 75. It is a rate lower than eight lockdown nations. The number of deaths daily in Sweden has now slowed to a trickle. Swedens mortality chart could not look more like a natural virus cycle. The United States, massive lockdowns and all, presently ranks 11th in the world in its Covid-19 death-rate. This so demonstrates the utter futility of all US lockdown measures once compared to Sweden. These world rankings for both Sweden and the US will fall as the areas of the world where the virus has not thoroughly spread yet also undergo the virus cycle. Though the advent for an effective vaccine is often hyped as coming soon, typically vaccines take years to develop with frequent misfires. Dr. Fauci has been the US head at finding a vaccine for AIDS and herpes for thirty years now with no success yet. The Swine Flu vaccine rushed out did more harm than benefit. But the advances in therapeutics for Covid-19 is impressive, including the sudden but unlikely hero in epidemiology, Hydroxychloroquine, malarias cure. Like gold, it seems HCQ cannot be suppressed for long. These discoveries in successful treatments could crash the Covid-19 death rate quickly. With the massive ramp-up of testing in the US, perfectly healthy people are for the first time being tested for the virus. Even though the positive tests in this group are of people who have successfully repelled the virus, they are counted as new infections and presumed to be at risk of death in a few weeks time. This media campaign of surging new cases is statistical nonsense and irresponsible journalism. The reporting should say the US is successfully approaching herd immunity to the virus in many parts of the country. As the additional supporting basis for these observations, here is a List of Covid-19 Facts developed by independent global researchers for consideration by the Swiss government. That page has a chronology of Covid-19 events that is the best reporting on the virus one can find. In summation, the Covid-19 outbreak is steadily coming to its end without earth-shattering consequence, vaccine or not, lockdowns never needed. The US medias massive exaggeration of the dimension of the virus outbreak would be comical, if not so harmful to so many people with the lockdown and isolation policies imposed. STEPHEN MERRILL Mr. Merrill, a practicing Alaska attorney, served in the Navy Judge Advocate Generals Corps and as a Navy Reserve Intelligence Officer. Mr. Merrill is the editor of the Alaska Freedom News, formerly the Hampton Roads Freedom News. Copyright 2020 STEPHEN MERRILL - All Rights Reserved Disclaimer: The above is a matter of opinion provided for general information purposes only and is not intended as investment advice. Information and analysis above are derived from sources and utilising methods believed to be reliable, but we cannot accept responsibility for any losses you may incur as a result of this analysis. Individuals should consult with their personal financial advisors. 2005-2019 http://www.MarketOracle.co.uk - The Market Oracle is a FREE Daily Financial Markets Analysis & Forecasting online publication. From House Beautiful The Queen and Prince Philips's former Maltese idyll Villa Guardamangia will be reconstructed from its crumbling state and opened to the public as a museum. The beautiful 1900s property holds special significance for the monarch and Philip, as it was where they lived as newlyweds between 1949 and 1951, before her father Prince George VI's death and her appointment as Queen. The royal couple enjoyed relative anonymity at the time and are said to have led an idyllic existence in Malta, an archipelago in the central Mediterranean between Sicily and the North African coast, swimming, dancing and enjoying beach picnics (via The Times). The Queen is also believed to have enjoyed shopping trips, visited the hairdresser and drove around in a Morris Minor. Photo credit: Matt Cardy Philip was leased the house by his uncle Lord Mountbatten while he was stationed in Malta serving as a naval officer on the HMS Chequers within the Royal Navy's Mediterranean fleet. It was previously owned and run by a veteran heiress of the Schembri family. Though the Queen and Prince Philip have visited the property a few times since leaving in 1951, the home has deteriorated after decades of neglect. When Her Majesty visited Malta five years ago as part of the Commonwealth Summit, she was denied entry due to its decrepit state. Photo credit: Matt Cardy Local conservationist, Astrid Vella, was reported to have said at the time: 'If the Queen asks to visit this property again, it shouldn't be in this state. We must save it.' It went up for sale in 2019 and was said to boast six bedrooms, a lounge, dining room, living room, kitchen, three bathrooms, grand 'sala nobile' and two garages. Photo credit: Hulton Archive - Getty Images Following appeals from heritage sites, the government has finally stepped in and purchased it for 4.5million, with plans to turn it into a tourist attraction. Malta's state Heritage Agency told The Times that they would work with Buckingham Palace to 'reconstruct' the villa before it is opened to the public. Story continues Like this article? Sign up to our newsletter to get more articles like this delivered straight to your inbox. SIGN UP You Might Also Like NEW YORK, Aug. 5, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Global Industrial Media Converters Market 2020-2024 The analyst has been monitoring the industrial media converters market and it is poised to grow by $ 73.24 mn during 2020-2024 progressing at a CAGR of 5% during the forecast period. Our reports on industrial media converters market provides a holistic analysis, market size and forecast, trends, growth drivers, and challenges, as well as vendor analysis covering around 25 vendors. Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p05377567/?utm_source=PRN The report offers an up-to-date analysis regarding the current global market scenario, latest trends and drivers, and the overall market environment. The market is driven by the ease of installation in existing cabling infrastructure, ability to resist electromagnetic interference, and increasing adoption of fiber optics in industrial communication systems. The industrial media converters market analysis includes end-user segment and geographic landscape. The industrial media converters market is segmented as below: By End-user Process industry Discrete industry By Geographic Landscapess North America Europe APAC MEA South America This study identifies an increasing need for monitoring media converters as one of the prime reasons driving the industrial media converters market growth during the next few years. Also, the usage of hardened media converters and the emergence of power over ethernet in media converters will lead to sizable demand in the market. The analyst presents a detailed picture of the market by the way of study, synthesis, and summation of data from multiple sources by an analysis of key parameters. Our industrial media converters market covers the following areas: Industrial media converters market sizing Industrial media converters market forecast Industrial media converters market industry analysis Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p05377567/?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 HOUSTON, TX / ACCESSWIRE / August 5, 2020 / Stabilis Energy, Inc., ("Stabilis" or the "Company") (OTCQX:SLNG) today reported its financial results for its second quarter ended June 30, 2020. Sequential Quarter Results For the second quarter ("current quarter") Stabilis reported revenues of $5.0 million, a 64% decrease from the quarter ended March 31, 2020 ("preceding quarter") primarily due to the impact of the COVID-19 crisis, the related shutdown of many businesses, and the resulting decrease in industrial activity. Revenues from Stabilis' LNG segment decreased by $8.5 million (68%) in the current quarter on a 62% decrease in gallons delivered. The Company delivered 4.6 million LNG gallons to customers in the quarter. Utilization of the George West liquefier declined to 31% in the current quarter versus 74% in the preceding quarter. Power Delivery segment revenues fell by 25% to $1.0 million. Adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization ("Adjusted EBITDA") was a loss of $0.8 million in the current quarter, a $2.3 million decrease from the preceding quarter. The net loss for the current quarter increased to $3.5 million compared to a net loss of $1.1 million in the preceding quarter. Calendar Quarter Results Revenues in the current quarter decreased $6.1 million (55%) compared to the quarter ended June 30, 2019 ("prior year quarter") as a result of the COVID-19 crisis, partially offset by revenues resulting from the closing of the Company's business combination with American Electric Technologies ("AETI") subsequent to the prior year quarter. LNG segment revenues decreased by $7.1 million (64%). Utilization of the George West liquefier was 31% in the current quarter versus 76% in the prior year quarter. Adjusted EBITDA in the current quarter decreased by $2.5 million and the net loss for the current quarter increased by $2.4 million compared to the prior year quarter. Impact of COVID-19 The COVID-19 pandemic had a significant impact on activity levels during the second quarter in both the LNG and Power Delivery segments. The LNG segment, which is focused on North America, experienced activity declines and project delays across most of our customer sectors, particularly with upstream oil and gas and industrial customers. The Company's Power Delivery segment has its primary operational presence in Brazil, which currently has the second highest number of reported COVID-19 cases behind the United States. Our Brazilian activities were impacted in the second quarter by shutdowns, work restrictions and quarantines at customer sites. BOMAY, the Company's joint venture in China, returned to profitability in the second quarter as normal operations resumed. Outlook and Liquidity The Company experienced a low point in LNG gallons delivered in May and volumes have increased in each subsequent month since then. Sales activity is improving in multiple sectors, including aerospace, infrastructure, and marine. We have booked several new contracts with U.S. based customers during the quarter, including a contract to provide LNG to a large aerospace customer and a contract to support a major marine bunkering project. We have signed contracts with several new customers in Mexico, including a greenhouse operator and a provider of remote power generation services. Additionally, we have contracts with several Mexican mining customers in the final stages of negotiation. We believe that these new customers in the U.S. and Mexico will significantly diversify our end market exposure and, thereby, reduce our reliance on the upstream oil and gas sector and provide a meaningful improvement in current utilization for our George West liquefier. While we are encouraged by the recent activity increases, contract awards and resurgence in bidding activity in our LNG business, at this time it remains uncertain how quickly we will be able to return to pre-pandemic revenue and EBITDA levels. In Brazil, our backlog is currently at record levels. The timing of converting the backlog to revenue is dependent on a variety of factors including the Brazilian government's response to the pandemic and our customers' pace and timing of activity. During the second quarter, we received a cash dividend of $1.8 million from our Chinese joint venture and ended the quarter with a cash balance of $7.1 million. Conference Call Management will conduct a conference call on Thursday, August 6, 2020 at 11:00 a.m. eastern time (10:00 a.m. central). Individuals in the United States and Canada who wish to participate in the conference call can access the live webcast at https://www.webcaster4.com/Webcast/Page/2256/36089 or dial +1 877-407-8133. International callers should dial +1 201-689-8040. A replay of the call will be available until August 13, 2020. Individuals in the United States and Canada who wish to listen to the replay should dial +1 877-481-4010; passcode 36089. International callers should dial +1 919-882-2331; passcode 36089. A replay of the call also will be available on the Stabilis website (www.stabilisenergy.com). About Stabilis Stabilis Energy, Inc. is a vertically integrated provider of small-scale liquefied natural gas ("LNG") production, distribution and fueling services to multiple end markets in North America. Stabilis has safely delivered over 200 million gallons of LNG through more than 20,000 truck deliveries during its 15-year operating history in the LNG industry, which we believe makes us one of the largest and most experienced small-scale LNG providers in North America. Stabilis' customers use LNG as a fuel source in a variety of applications in the industrial, energy, mining, utilities and pipelines, commercial, and high horsepower transportation markets. Stabilis' customers use LNG as an alternative to traditional fuel sources, such as distillate fuel oil and propane, to lower fuel costs and reduce harmful environmental emissions. Stabilis' customers also use LNG as a "virtual pipeline" solution when natural gas pipelines are not available or volumes are curtailed. To learn more, visit www.stabilisenergy.com . Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements This press release includes "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and within the meaning of Section 27a of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21e of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Any actual results may differ from expectations, estimates and projections presented or implied and, consequently, you should not rely on these forward-looking statements as predictions of future events. Words such as "can", "believes," "anticipates," "expects," "could," "will," "plan," "may," "should," "predicts," "potential" and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements relate to future events or future performance, but reflect the parties' current beliefs, based on information currently available. Most of these factors are outside the parties' control and are difficult to predict. A number of factors could cause actual events, performance or results to differ materially from the events, performance and results discussed in the forward-looking statements. Factors that may cause such differences include, among other things: the future performance of Stabilis, future demand for and price of LNG, availability and price of natural gas, unexpected costs, and general economic conditions. The foregoing list of factors is not exclusive. Additional information concerning these and other risk factors is contained in the Risk Factors in Item 1A of our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 16, 2020 which is available on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov or on the Investors section of our website at www.stabilisenergy.com. All subsequent written and oral forward-looking statements concerning Stabilis, or other matters attributable to Stabilis, or any person acting on its behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements above. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance upon any forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made. Stabilis does not undertake or accept any obligation or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statement to reflect any change in their expectations or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is based, except as required by law. Stabilis Energy, Inc. and Subsidiaries Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited) (in thousands, except share and per share data) Three Months Ended June 30, Six Months Ended June 30, 2020 2019 2020 2019 Revenue LNG product $ 2,884 $ 8,699 $ 12,015 $ 18,953 Rental, service and other 2,119 2,396 6,826 5,117 Total revenues 5,003 11,095 18,841 24,070 Operating expenses: Cost of LNG product 2,551 5,616 8,648 13,098 Cost of rental, service and other 1,790 1,696 4,708 3,110 Selling, general and administrative expenses 2,368 2,211 5,554 4,203 Depreciation expense 2,266 2,295 4,536 4,585 Total operating expenses 8,975 11,818 23,446 24,996 Loss from operations before equity income (3,972 ) (723 ) (4,605 ) (926 ) Net equity income from foreign joint ventures' operations: Income from equity investments in foreign joint ventures 1,001 - 887 - Foreign joint ventures' operations related expenses (53 ) - (113 ) - Net equity income from foreign joint ventures' operations 948 - 774 - Loss from operations (3,024 ) (723 ) (3,831 ) (926 ) Other income (expense): Interest expense, net (15 ) (1 ) (26 ) (4 ) Interest expense, net - related parties (242 ) (295 ) (482 ) (604 ) Other income (13 ) (19 ) 25 (63 ) Gain from disposal of fixed assets - - 11 - Total other income (expense) (270 ) (315 ) (472 ) (671 ) Loss before income tax expense (3,294 ) (1,038 ) (4,303 ) (1,597 ) Income (benefit) tax expense 169 - 210 - Net loss (3,463 ) (1,038 ) (4,513 ) (1,597 ) Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests - 28 - 207 Net loss attributable to Stabilis Energy, Inc. $ (3,463 ) $ (1,066 ) $ (4,513 ) $ (1,804 ) Common Stock Data: Net loss per common share: Basic and diluted $ (0.21 ) $ (0.08 ) $ (0.27 ) $ (0.14 ) Weighted average number of common shares outstanding: Basic and diluted 16,887,194 13,178,750 16,853,438 13,178,750 EBITDA $ (771 ) $ 1,553 $ 741 $ 3,596 Adjusted EBITDA (771 ) 1,721 741 4,023 Revenues by Segment (unaudited in thousands) Three Months Ended June 30, Six Months Ended June 30, 2020 2019 2020 2019 Revenue LNG $ 4,027 $ 11,095 $ 16,555 $ 24,070 Power Delivery 976 - 2,286 - Total Revenue $ 5,003 $ 11,095 $ 18,841 $ 24,070 Gallons Delivered (unaudited in thousands) Three Months Ended June 30, Six Months Ended June 30, 2020 2019 2020 2019 Gallons Delivered George West 2,726 6,885 9,415 12,122 3rd Party 1,871 4,072 7,128 10,253 Total Gallons Delivered 4,597 10,957 16,543 22,375 Stabilis Energy, Inc. and Subsidiaries Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited) (in thousands, except share and per share data) June 30, 2020 December 31, 2019 Assets Current assets: Cash and cash equivalents $ 7,056 $ 3,979 Accounts receivable, net 1,499 5,945 Inventories, net 187 209 Prepaid expenses and other current assets 2,114 3,583 Due from related parties - - Total current assets 10,856 13,716 Property, plant and equipment, net 55,983 60,363 Right-of-use assets 841 965 Goodwill 4,453 4,453 Investments in foreign joint ventures 9,174 10,521 Other noncurrent assets 303 308 Total assets $ 81,610 $ 90,326 Liabilities and Equity Current liabilities: Current portion of long-term notes payable - related parties $ 2,140 $ 1,000 Current portion of finance lease obligation - related parties 2,394 3,440 Current portion of operating lease obligations 315 364 Short-term notes payable 307 558 Accrued liabilities 3,796 5,018 Accounts payable 2,979 4,728 Total current liabilities 12,244 15,108 Long-term notes payable, net of current portion - related parties 4,937 6,077 Finance lease obligations, net of current portion - related parties - 648 Long-term portion of operating lease obligations 594 650 Deferred compensation 87 - Deferred income taxes 28 - Total liabilities 18,657 22,483 Commitments and contingencies Equity: Preferred Stock; $0.001 par value, 1,000,000 shares authorized, 0 shares issued and outstanding at June 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively - - Stockholders' equity: Common stock; $0.001 par value, 37,500,000 shares authorized, 16,896,626 and 16,800,612 shares issued and outstanding at June 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively 17 17 Additional paid-in capital 90,906 90,748 Accumulated other comprehensive loss (826 ) (291 ) Accumulated deficit (27,144 ) (22,631 ) Total stockholders' equity 62,953 67,843 Total liabilities and equity $ 81,610 $ 90,326 Non-GAAP Measures Our management uses EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA to assess the performance and operating results of our business. EBITDA is defined as Earnings before Interest (includes interest income and interest expense), Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization. Adjusted EBITDA is defined as EBITDA further adjusted for certain special items that occur during the reporting period, as noted below. We include EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA to provide investors with a supplemental measure of our operating performance. Neither EBITDA nor Adjusted EBITDA is a recognized term under generally accepted accounting principles in the U.S. ("GAAP"). Accordingly, they should not be used as an indicator of, or an alternative to, net income as a measure of operating performance. In addition, EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are not intended to be measures of free cash flow available for management's discretionary use, as they do not consider certain cash requirements, such as debt service requirements. Because the definition of EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA may vary among companies and industries, it may not be comparable to other similarly titled measures used by other companies. The following table provides a reconciliation of net loss, the most directly comparable GAAP measure, to EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA (in thousands). Three Months Ended June 30, Six Months Ended June 30, 2020 2019 2020 2019 Net Loss $ (3,463 ) $ (1,038 ) $ (4,513 ) $ (1,597 ) Depreciation 2,266 2,295 4,536 4,585 Net Interest Expense 257 296 508 608 Income Tax Expense 169 - 210 - EBITDA (771 ) 1,553 741 3,596 Special Items(1) - 168 - 427 Adjusted EBITDA $ (771 ) $ 1,721 $ 741 $ 4,023 (1) Special Items include the following: Transaction and share registration costs related to AETI, Chart, and Diverse transactions of $0.2 million and $0.4 million in the three and six months ended June 30, 2019, respectively. Investor Contact: Andrew Puhala Chief Financial Officer 832-456-6500 ir@stabilisenergy.com SOURCE: Stabilis Energy View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/600485/STABILIS-ENERGY-ANNOUNCES-SECOND-QUARTER-2020-RESULTS-Company-Sees-US-Activity-Recovering-and-Mexico-Acceleration-Beginning-in-Q3 Antibiotic resistance is a growing threat to the treatment and control of bacterial infections. Ever since the introduction of antibiotics into clinical use resistance to these antibiotics has emerged sooner or later. These antibiotic-resistant bacteria have been detected in sewage, and thus there is concern that sewage could be the source of an outbreak of infections caused by these antibiotic-resistant bacteria. There is an opportunity, on the other hand, to use sewage to monitor the prevalence and spread of antibiotic-resistant bacteria within communities or even across the world. Image Credit: Kateryna Kon/Shutterstock.com The problem of antibiotic resistance Starting with penicillin in the 1940s, humanity gained the ability to successfully treat and control bacterial infections. However, the problem of antibiotic resistance has existed as early as the 1950s and now resistance to all available classes of antibiotics has been seen. This is the case even for antibiotics where resistance was not readily induced in laboratory testing; for example, vancomycin resistance was difficult to induce in laboratory settings, however 7 years after introduction into clinical use vancomycin resistance was reported in coagulate negative staphylococci. Antibiotic resistance is frequently mediated by genes, which can be transferred between bacteria. The situation is such that the World Health Organization issued a warning that this crisis could become dire. This is not limited to one bacterial species, although there are some which are of more concern than others. An example of Gram-positive pathogen, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections killed more people in the US than HIV/AIDS, Parkinsons, emphysema, and homicide combined. Other Gram-positive pathogens of concern include vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE), Streptococcus pneumoniae, and multi-drug resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Gram-negative pathogens are seen as a higher threat than Gram-positive pathogens, as they are developing resistance to virtually all available antibiotics. These notable Gram-negative pathogens include the Enterobacteriaceae family (which include E. coli, Salmonella and Klebsiella species), Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Acinetobacter species. Of particular concern is those that produce extended-spectrum beta-lactamases, which renders all beta-lactam antibiotics ineffective. Can antibiotic-resistant bacteria be spread by sewage? Antibiotic-resistant bacteria are found in many different environments, including the human gut. Therefore, is there a possibility that antibiotic-resistant bacteria are passed into the sewage system? A study by He and co. looked for the presence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria in airplane sewage. The authors obtained eight sewage samples from five airports, as well as samples from nearby wastewater treatment plants, where it was estimated that 20% of incoming wastewater originated from the airports. For comparison, the authors also collected samples from six wastewater treatment plants that were not near airports. The authors used metagenomic sequencing, where the whole extracted DNA is sequenced and then matched to a database of antibiotic resistance genes, as well as quantitative PCR (qPCR) of 14 selected antibiotic resistance genes. The authors also selectively cultured the samples for E. coli as an indicator organism, as it is much known about antibiotic resistance levels associated with E. coli in different regions. The authors calculated the diversity of antibiotic resistance genes as the number of antibiotic resistance genes found per 1,000 copies of 16S rRNA genes. They found that the diversity of antibiotic resistance genes was significantly higher in airplane sewage compared to untreated sewage from wastewater treatment plants. Using qPCR data, the authors were able to obtain a relative abundance of 14 antibiotic resistance genes. They found that genes which confer resistance to tetracyclines, aminoglycosides and macrolides were significantly more abundant in airplane sewage compared to wastewater. When looking at the resistance profile of E. coli isolated from the samples, the authors again found that antibiotic resistance was higher in airplane sewage compared to wastewater; combined resistance to third-generation cephalosporins, fluoroquinolones and aminoglycosides were more frequently seen in E. coli isolated from airplane sewage. This is concerning, as it demonstrates that antibiotic-resistant bacteria are found more frequently in airplane sewage, and thus can be a source of transmission in multiple parts of the world. Image Credit: Phatranist Kerddaeng/Shutterstock.com Can sewage be used to monitor the spread of antibiotic resistance? As sewage has been shown to contain antibiotic-resistant bacteria, a study by Hendriksen and co. investigated the possibility of using sewage to investigate the presence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria in urban environments. The authors collected untreated sewage from 79 sites based in 60 countries. Once DNA was extracted from the sewage, it was sequenced and then matched to a database of antibiotic resistance genes. When analyzed, they found that the abundance and diversity of antibiotic resistance genes show geographical differences, which was strongly associated with factors such as socioeconomic status, as well as their healthcare systems, and other environmental factors. This indicates that improving sanitation and strengthening healthcare systems where needed could play an important role in combating the spread of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. This is an example of how sewage was used to determine the burden of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, and the authors propose that this is an ethical way to monitor the spread of these antibiotic-resistant bacteria and predict how the prevalence of these bacteria could change. Researchers at the Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry of the Chinese Academy of Sciences have developed a catalytic system that directly installs the trifluoromethyl group onto arenes. The new reaction uses simple and abundant trifluoroacetic acid as the trifluoromethylating agent, and offers a milder alternative to the existing strategies. Published on August 5 in the journal Cell Reports Physical Science, the reported transformation is the first to successfully use trifluoroacetic and related acids as trifluoromethyl, chlorodifluoromethyl, and perfluoroalkyl radical sources with visible light irradiation. Fluorinated drugs have better membrane permeability and increased bioavailability compared with their non-fluorinated analogues because of the changes in the physical and chemical properties. Trifluoromethyl group is one of the privileged moieties in modern drug discovery. Among the top 200 small molecule pharmaceuticals by retail sales in 2018, there were 15 drugs containing at least one trifluoromethyl group, mostly (80%) on their aryl or heteroaryl scaffolds. Therefore, simple methodologies for the incorporation of trifluoromethyl group into arenes and heteroarenes are highly desirable. Trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) is among the most attractive trifluoromethylation reagents with respect of its low prices, ease of handling, and availability in large quantities. However, because of its exceedingly high oxidation potential, harsh conditions are required for the direct oxidation of TFA to the trifluoroacetate radical, which after prompt CO 2 extrusion affords the desired CF 3 radical. The combination of photoredox catalysis and a diaryl sulfoxide provides a platform for the facile generation of CF 3 radical from trifluoroacetic acid under mild conditions. The resultant CF 3 radical would then add to the (hetero) arene substrate, followed by an oxidative re-aromatization process to afford the trifluoromethylated (hetero) arene product. This protocol is applicable for chlorodifluoromethylation and perfluoroalkylation as well. And a diverse array of arenes and heteroarenes were successfully transformed into valued fluoroalkylated compounds. "We anticipate this visible light-promoted C-H fluoroalkylation method will find broad application," said Professor JIN Jian who led the project. This work was supported by the Natural Science Foundation of Shanghai, the Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry of the Chinese Academy of Sciences. ### On Tuesday, the Constitutional Court ruled that the Department of Transport's Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) should insource former employees of Tasima Pty Ltd (a company contracted to build a traffic information system). Photo: Zoe Postman The Constitutional Court has ordered the Department of Transport's Road Traffic Management Corporation to insource about 66 employees of Tasima Pty (Ltd). The Department hired Tasima in 2001 to build the electronic National Traffic Information System (eNaTIS). In 2016, the Constitutional Court ordered Tasima to hand over eNaTIS and related services to RTMC. Tasima then asked the labour court to get RTMC to absorb its employees, using section 197 of the Labour Relations Act. The workers have not been paid salaries since December 2018. The Constitutional Court on Tuesday ruled that the Department of Transport's Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) should insource about 66 employees of Tasima Pty (Ltd). The workers have not been paid salaries since December 2018. Tasima is a private company hired by RTMC in 2001 to build a traffic information system. The electronic National Traffic Information System (eNaTIS) built by Tasima is the department's official register for vehicles, driving licenses, contravention and accident data. Tasima's contract with RTMC was initially for five-years, but according to RTMC, Tasima "clung onto the contract" and made about R2.5 billion. The contract was meant to cost R335 million, according to court papers. In 2016, the Constitutional Court ordered Tasima to hand over eNaTIS and related services to RTMC. Tasima subsequently approached the labour court to get RTMC to absorb its employees, using section 197 of the Labour Relations Act. Tasima said eNaTIS was its only business and the transfer of eNaTIS left Tasima employees without work and salaries. Section 197 states that an automatic transfer of employment contracts from one employer to another takes place when the whole or part of any business, trade, undertaking or service is transferred as a going concern. A going concern is tested by comparing the business before and after the transfer. Tasima and RTMC agreed that eNaTIS services stayed the same after the transfer. RTMC argued that according to the initial agreement with Tasima, an end product, which was eNaTIS, was to be handed over to RTMC at the end of the contract and no employees would be transferred. It argued that the delivery of a product does not constitute the transfer of a business as stated in section 197. Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines South Africa Legal Affairs By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later. On Tuesday, Justice Leona Theron upheld the previous Labour Court and Labour Appeal Court judgments which stated that section 197 of the Labour Relations Act was applicable in this case. "What the employees were doing the day before the transfer continued to be done the day after, subject only now to RTMC's management and oversight. It follows that for the purposes of section 197, Tasima's business was transferred to the RTMC," read the judgment. Theron said that the Constitutional Court in 2016 had ordered the transfer of eNaTIS and its related services as it stood and not as it was imagined in the initial contract. "There is no dispute in this matter that, when the RTMC took over Tasima's business, it assumed full control of the premises from which Tasima had operated the eNaTIS, as well as the operational system and the extensive infrastructure installed," read the judgment. Theron said there was an understanding that the whole system would be handed over to RTCM, including its operation, management, support and maintenance of the system. "What was transferred from Tasima to RTMC was not merely a product but a running business." GroundUp is being sued after we exposed dodgy Lottery deals involving millions of rands. Please help fund our defence. You can support us via Givengain, Snapscan, EFT, PayPal or PayFast. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during the foundation laying ceremony of Ram Temple in Ayodhya on Wednesday, said a grand temple will now be built for Ram Lalla who, he said, had been staying in a tent for years. He also said that today, Ram Janmbhoomi breaks free of the cycle of breaking and getting built again, which had been going on for centuries. The PM said Ram Temple will become the modern symbol of India's rich traditions, devotion and national sentiment. He said with the construction of this temple, not only history is being made, but is being repeated. "We'll have to remember that whenever mankind believed in Lord Ram, progress took place. Whenever we deviated from path, doors to destruction opened. We'll have to keep everyone's sentiments in mind. We've to ensure everyone's development with support & trust of all," he said. Also Read: Ayodhya Ram Mandir Bhoomi Pujan: Here are first visuals of Ram Lalla Check out all the latest updates on Ayodhya Ram Mandir Bhumi Pujan on BusinessToday.In live blog 2.15 PM: Ram showed us how to perform our duties, he showed us the path of self-relialisation, says PM Modi 2.10 PM: We have to ensure everyone's progress by taking all everyone along, says PM Modi 2.05 PM: Ram Temple to reflect rich Indian heritage I believe this grand Ram Temple built in Ayodhya, like the name of Shri Ram, will reflect the rich heritage of Indian culture, says PM. , , ! , , : PM @narendramodi narendramodi_in (@narendramodi_in) August 5, 2020 1.59 PM: PM Modi: There is no aspect of life where our Ram does not inspire. There is no such feeling in which Ram is not experienced. Ram is in the faith of India, he is in the ideals of India! Ram is in the divinity of India, Ram is in the philosophy of India. 1.58 PM: Due to the conditions created by the coronavirus, this programme of Bhoomi Pujan is taking place amidst many limitations, says the PM. 1.57 PM: Today is the proof of the truth and resolve of crores of devotees, says the PM 1.56 PM: This process of construction of Ram temple is an attempt to connect the nation, says PM Modi 1.55 PM: Ayodhya will be modern symbol of India's rich traditions: PM The PM has said the Ram Temple in Ayodhya will become the modern symbol of India's rich traditions. "It'll become a symbol of our devotion, our national sentiment. This temple will also symbolise the power of collective resolution of crores of people," he said. 1.54 PM: Today entire country is immersed in Lord Ram: PM It's my fortune that I have been invited to take part in this historic event. I thank the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Trust for this. Today, the entire country is immersed in Lord Ram, says PM Modi 1.51 PM: India is creating a golden chapter in Ayodhya, wait of centuries ends today: PM Modi after Ram temple groundbreaking ceremony. 1.45 PM: PM congratulates nation "A grand temple will now be built for our Ram Lalla who had been staying in a tent. Today Ram janmbhoomi breaks free of the cycle of breaking and getting built again - that had been going on for centuries," says PM Narendra Modi. - ANI 1.35 PM: 'Jai Siyaram', says PM Modi Prime Minister Narendra Modi says the 'Jai Siyaram' call is resonating not only in the city of Lord Ram but throughout the world today. "I express gratitude to all citizens of this nation, Indian diaspora across the world and all the devotees of Lord Ram on today's pious occasion." 1.28 PM: Advani ji must be at his home watching this: Bhagwat So many people had sacrificed, they couldn't be here physically. There are some who couldn't come here, Advani ji must be at his home watching this. There are some who should've come but couldn't be invited because of the situation (COVID-19), says Mohan Bhagwat, RSS Chief. 1.26 PM: India has shown how matters be resolved peacefully: Yogi Under the leadership of PM Narendra Modi, the power of India's democratic values and its judiciary has shown the world that how can matters be resolved peacefully, democratically and constitutionally, says UP CM Yogi Adityanath. 1.21 PM: Hindu Muslim Sikh Isaai, Aapas mein hain Bhai Bhai: Mamata West Bengal Chief Minister and TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee said, "Hindu Muslim Sikh Isaai, Aapas mein hain Bhai Bhai! Mera Bharat Mahaan, Mahaan Hamara Hindustan. Our country has always upheld the age-old legacy of unity in diversity, and we must preserve this to our last breath," she tweeted. 1.18 PM: Ram manifestation of best human qualities: Rahul Maryada Purushottam Lord Ram is the manifestation of the best human qualities. They are the core of humanity in the depths of our mind, says Rahul Gandhi. A grand temple will now be built for our Ram Lalla who had been staying in a tent. Today Ram janmbhoomi breaks free of the cycle of breaking and getting built again - that had been going on for centuries: PM Narendra Modi. #RamMandirpic.twitter.com/xohyQreFs6 ANI (@ANI) August 5, 2020 1.14 PM: It defines our spirit of social harmony: President Felicitations to all for the foundation laying of Ram Temple in Ayodhya. Being built in tune with law, it defines India's spirit of social harmony and people's zeal, says President Ram Nath Kovind. Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) August 5, 2020 1.10 PM: Soil from 2,000 pilgrim sites brought to Ayodhya Soil from more than 2000 pilgrimage sites and water from more than 100 rivers was brought for the ground-breaking rituals. - ANI 12.59 PM: Ram Temple 'Bhoomi Pujan' ends PM Modi, RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat, UP CM Yogi Adityanath, Governor Anandiben Patel & President of Ram Mandir Trust Nitya Gopal Das will be on stage for the event. 12.50 PM: Those forgetting sacrifices of 'kar sevaks' Ram drohi: Sena The Shiv Sena on Wednesday said those who forget the sacrifices of 'kar sevaks' at the time of 'bhoomi pujan' of the Ram temple construction in Ayodhyawill be "Ram drohi". The 'bhoomi pujan' event is of the entire country and Hindus. But what is this adamant stand that nobody should get credit, the Sena wondered in an editorial in party mouthpiece 'Saamana'. - PTI 12.49 PM: Prayers in different parts of India From Sri Rama Temple Rajajinagar, Bengaluru, to prayers in BJP office at Kamalalayam, Tamil Nadu, prayers are being offered in different parts of the country to mark the ground-breaking ceremony at the Ram Temple in Ayohya. 12.30 PM: 9 bricks used during Bhoomi Pujan "Nine bricks are kept here. These were sent by devotees of Lord Ram from around the world in 1989. There are 2 lakh 75 thousand such bricks out, of which 100 bricks with 'Jai Shri Ram' engraving have been taken," says Priest at Ram Temple 'Bhoomi Pujan'. (ANI) 12.21 PM: PM takes part in 'Bhoomi Poojan' Prime Minister Narendra Modi takes part in Ram Temple 'Bhoomi Pujan' at Ayodhya. Felicitations to all for the foundation laying of Ram Temple in Ayodhya. Being built in tune with law, it defines Indias spirit of social harmony and peoples zeal. It will be a testimony to ideals of RamRajya and a symbol of modern India. President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) August 5, 2020 12.20 PM: Modi plants a Parijat sapling Prime Minister Narendra Modi plants a Parijat sapling before foundation stone-laying ceremony. 12.15 PM: PM performs 'sashtang pranam' Prime Minister Narendra Modi performs 'sashtang pranam' (prostration) at Ram Janmabhoomi site in Ayodhya. #WATCH: #RamTemple 'Bhoomi Pujan' concludes at #Ayodhya. Soil from more than 2000 pilgrimage sites and water from more than 100 rivers was brought for the rituals. pic.twitter.com/DRpoZEKYWw ANI (@ANI) August 5, 2020 Also read: No Lord Ram in Times Square; ad firm refuses to post billboards after Muslim groups' petition 12.08 PM: Modi offers prayers to Ram Lalla PM Narendra Modi offers prayers to Ram Lalla deity, groundbreaking ceremony for temple to begin shortly 12.04 PM: PM proceeds to Ram Janmabhoomi site As per the tradition, Prime Minister Narendra Modi offers prayers at Hanuman Garhi Temple before proceeding to Ram Janmabhoomi site. UP CM Yogi Adityanath will also accompanying him. Before 'Bhoomi Pujan', the PM will plant a Parijat (night-flowering jasmine) sapling. 11.50 am: PM Modi offers prayers at Hanuman Garhi Prime Minister Narendra Modi takes part in Ram Temple 'Bhoomi Pujan' at Ayodhya pic.twitter.com/Qal0jH3Edy ANI (@ANI) August 5, 2020 11.45 am: PM presented with headgear Prime Minister Narendra Modi presented with a headgear, silver 'mukut' and stole by Sri Gaddinsheen Premdas Maharaj, head priest of 10th-century Hanuman Garhi Temple. 11.25 am: RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat reaches Ram Janmabhoomi pujan site RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat has reached the Ram Janmabhoomi pujan site in Ayodhya. He will also take part in the ceremony along with PM Modi and others. 11.17 am: PM Modi to reach Hanumangarhi temple soon PM Modi after reaching Ayodhya will first visit the 10th century Hanumangarhi Temple, to offer prayers to Hanuman as per tradition. The premises of the temple were sanitised earlier today. After praying at the temple, PM Modi will proceed to Ram Janmabhoomi site to offer prayers to Ram Lalla and lay the foundation stone for Ram Mandir. 11.09 am: Patanjali to make gurukul at Ayodhya, says Baba Ramdev Baba Ramdev says that it is "India's biggest fortune that we are witnessing the Ram Mandir event" adding that to establish Ram Rajya in India, "Patanjali Yogpeeth will construct a grand gurukul in Ayodhya" and people from all over the world "will be able to study Ved, Ayurved here." 11.02 am: PM Modi tallest leader of India in last 500 years, says Shivraj Chouhan Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said on Wednesday that "PM will lay the foundation stone of Ram Mandir today in Ayodhya. The 'mahayagya' which started 500 years ago, is culminating today. The willpower and resolve shown by PM Narendra Modi has today made him the tallest leader of India in the last 500 years." 10.56 am: Uma Bharti tweets ahead of Ram Mandir Bhoomi pujan BJP leader Uma Bharti has reached the Ram Janmabhoomi site in Ayodhya for the foundation laying ceremony. She had earlier said she would skip the event and visit the site sometime later. In a tweet she said, "I am devoted to Lord Ram. I am here on the orders of Ram Janmabhoomi Nyas." Uttar Pradesh: Prime Minister Narendra Modi plants a Parijat sapling, considered a divine plant, ahead of foundation stone-laying of #RamTemple in #Ayodhya. pic.twitter.com/fWVihWMYYE ANI (@ANI) August 5, 2020 10.48 am: Ayodhya all decked up ahead of Ram Mandir Bhoomi pujan; see visuals here 10.41 am: PM Modi reaches Lucknow PM Modi has reached the Lucknow airport from where he will fly to Ayodhya in a chopper. 10.38 am: Ayodhya case litigant Iqbal Ansari reaches Ayodhya for Ram Mandir bhoomi pujan event Iqbal Ansari, one of the key litigants in the Ayodhya land dispute case, has reached Ayodhya for the Ram Mandir Bhoomo Pujan ceremony. Ansari was one of the first persons to be invited by the Ram Janmabhoomi Trust for the event. 10.31 am: Yogi Adityanath reaches Ayodhya, PM Modi to land in Lucknow soon UP CM Yogi Adityanath has reached Ayodhya to take part in Ram Janmabhoomi Pujan ceremony. PM Modi who is enroute to Lucknow, will land at Lucknow airport soon from where he will take a chopper to Ayodhya. 10.25 am: PM Modi in Ayodhya: Lucknow police commissioners reaches Lucknow airport Lucknow Police Commissioner Sujeet Pandey has reached the Lucknow airport to take stock of security arrangements and preparedness. PM Modi is scheduled to land at the Lucknow airport shortly from where he will take a chopper to reach Ayodhya to lay the foundation stone of Ram Temple. 10.17 am: Shashi tweets Jai Shri Ram Congress MP Shashi Tharoor tweets: Lord Shri Ram epitomises justice for all, righteous conduct, fairness&firmness in all dealings, moral rectitude &courage. These values are much needed in such dark times. If they spread throughout the land, Ram Rajya would not be an occasion for triumphalist bigotry. #JaiShriRam! #WATCH Prime Minister Narendra Modi offers prayers to Ram Lalla, performs 'sashtang pranam' (prostration) at Ram Janmabhoomi site in Ayodhya pic.twitter.com/G6aNfMTsLC ANI (@ANI) August 5, 2020 10.12 am: Locals in Ghaziabad sing bhajans Locals in Ghaziabad sing bhajans ahead of the bhoomi pujan ceremony in Ayodhya #WATCH Prime Minister Narendra Modi offers prayers at Hanuman Garhi Temple in #Ayodhya ahead of Bhoomi Pujan of #RamTemplepic.twitter.com/yq2XsUlGKo ANI (@ANI) August 5, 2020 10.06 am: PM Modi in Ayodhya PM Modi will plant 'Parijaat' sapling using traditional drip irrigation method ahead of 'bhoomi pujan' today.(ANI) 9.58 am: Ram Janmabhoomi Pujan Members of Indian community in USA assembled outside the Capitol Hill in Washington DC to celebrate the foundation laying ceremony of Ram Temple in Ayodhya. #Ayodhya: Prime Minister Narendra Modi presented with a headgear, silver 'mukut' and stole by Sri Gaddinsheen Premdas Maharaj, head priest of 10th-century Hanuman Garhi Temple. https://t.co/3kYihPoJOgpic.twitter.com/ZqamphD0LY ANI (@ANI) August 5, 2020 9.49 am: Ayodhya Ram Mandir Boomi Pujan The ground breaking ceremony for laying the foundation of Ram Lalla Mandir at Ram Janmabhoomi in Ayodhya is set to begin shortly. PM Modi has already left for Lucknow from where he will fly to Ayodhya in a chopper. UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and Governor Anandiben Patel along with several other dignitaries are also slated to take part in the ceremony. Check the pooja time, guest list, estimated cost, and other details in the link below. Read more here 9.43 am: PM Modi leaves for Ayodhya Prime Minister Narendra Modi has left for Ayodhya in a special jet. He will land in Lucknow at 11.30 am from where he will take a chopper to fly to Ayodhya. PM Modi's Convoy starts off for Ayodhya from his residence 9.29 am: First visuals of Ram lalla idol 9.22 am: Ram mandir bhoomi pujan: Who all will share stage with PM Modi PM Modi who is set to reach Ayodhya today will share the stage with RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat, Ram Mandir Trust Chief Nritya Gopaldas, UP Governor Anandiben Patel and CM Yogi Adityanath. 9.14 am: UP CM Yogi Adityanath leaves for Ayodhya Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath leaves has left for Ayodhya to be a part of the ceremonial rituals of Ram Mandir Bhoomi Pujan. Adityanath will attend the event along with PM Modi and RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat. 9.06 am: Ram Janmabhoomi: 'Babri Masjid was and will always be a Masjid,' tweetsAll India Muslim Personal Law Board Babri Masjid was and will always be a Masjid. #HagiaSophia is a great example for us. Usurpation of the land by an unjust, oppressive, shameful and majority appeasing judgment can't change its status. No need to be heartbroken. Situations don't last forever. Lord ShriRam epitomises justice for all, righteous conduct, fairness&firmness in all dealings, moral rectitude &courage. These values are much needed in such dark times. If they spread throughout the land, Ram Rajya would not be an occasion for triumphalist bigotry. #JaiShriRam! Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) August 5, 2020 9.00 AM: Digvijaya Singh on Ram Temple event #WATCH Ghaziabad: People in Kaushambi sing 'bhajans' to celebrate the foundation stone laying ceremony of #RamMandir in #Ayodhya today. pic.twitter.com/mAQelFZBUa ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) August 5, 2020 8.57 AM: Akhilesh Yadav on Ram Temple ceremony USA: Members of the Indian community gathered outside the Capitol Hill in Washington DC to celebrate the foundation laying ceremony of #RamTemple in #Ayodhyapic.twitter.com/NofEWuM3E5 ANI (@ANI) August 5, 2020 8.56 AM: Sachin Pilot on Groundbreaking Day 8.50 AM: #BabriMasjid was and will always be a Masjid. #HagiaSophia is a great example for us. Usurpation of the land by an unjust, oppressive, shameful and majority appeasing judgment can't change it's status. No need to be heartbroken. Situations don't last forever.#ItsPoliticspic.twitter.com/nTOig7Mjx6 All India Muslim Personal Law Board (@AIMPLB_Official) August 4, 2020 8.45 AM: It's an auspicious day. May the entire world prospers: Shivraj Singh Chouhan , #___ digvijaya singh (@digvijaya_28) August 5, 2020 8.40 AM: Ravi Shankar Prasad on Groundbreaking Day "Original document of the Constitution of India has a beautiful sketch of Lord Ram, Mata Sita and Laxman returning to Ayodhya after defeating Ravan. This is available at the beginning of the chapter related to Fundamental Rights," says the minister. - - , ! . Akhilesh Yadav (@yadavakhilesh) August 5, 2020 8.35 AM: When and where to watch live telecast One can watch the live telecast of the much-awaited ceremony at the Doordarshan TV channel. India Today TV and Aaj Tak will provide detailed coverage of the event. One can also watch on India Today Live TV or AajTak Live TV on YouTube. Moreover, BusinessToday.in will provide you with all the latest updates. Also read: Ayodhya Ram Mandir Bhumi Pujan today: When and where to watch live telecast channel 8.25 AM: At what time will Bhumi Pujan begin? The entire ceremony will be six-hour-long, starting at 8 AM and continuing till 2 PM. The actual Bhumi Pujan will begin at 12:30 PM and Prime Minister Narendra Modi will lay the foundation stone at 12:40 PM. Also read: Ayodhya Ram Mandir Bhumi Pujan time, guests, estimated cost, how to donate and other FAQs 8.20 AM: Who will attend the Bhumi Pujan? Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be the main guest for the Bhumi Pujan ceremony, accompanied by Uttar Pradesh Governor Anandben Patel and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. Several other leaders and political dignitaries, sages and seers will also attend the event in Ayodhya. 8.12 AM: Security and COVID-19 protocol to be followed at Ayodhya's Hanuman Garhi temple, say authorities ! Sachin Pilot (@SachinPilot) August 4, 2020 8.00 AM: Full schedule of PM Modi on Ram Mandir Groundbreaking day: (Newser) At least four people were killed as Tropical Storm Isaias spawned tornadoes and dumped rain Tuesday along the US East Coast after making landfall as a hurricane in North Carolina, where it caused floods and fires that displaced dozens of people. Two people died when Isaias spun off a tornado that struck a North Carolina mobile home park. Authorities said two others were killed by falling trees toppled by the storm in Maryland and New York City. More than 18 hours after coming ashore, Isaias still had sustained top winds of 65 mph as of 5pm Tuesday, the AP reports. The storm's center was about 20 miles west of Albany, New York story continues below As Isaias sped northward at 40 mph, the National Hurricane Center warned of flash flood threats in the New York's Hudson River Valley and potential for minor to moderate river flooding elsewhere in the mid-Atlantic region. Tornadoes were confirmed by the National Weather Service in Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, and New Jersey. Power outages also spread as trees fell, with more than 3.3 million customers losing electricity across multiple states as of 6:30pm EDT Tuesday, according to PowerOutage.US, which tracks utility reports. In Doylestown, Pennsylvania, officials said four children were treated for minor injuries after high winds partially tore the roof off a day care center. (Read more Hurricane Isaias stories.) As Hillary Clinton put it last year in a speech: I do think there is a reaction to a lot of the success of women and the roles of women right now. And I think social media has lit that up, in a very destructive and toxic way. People may have thought a lot of things in the past, but now it is amplified and it is viral. ALPENA COUNTY, MI Two Saginaw men were arrested after a drug deal gone wrong in Northern Michigan. John Harvey Gaddy, 22, has been charged with felony assault with a dangerous weapon and larceny from a person and Duran Louis Lowe, 17, has been charged with felony accessory after the fact after the Aug. 1 incident in Alpena County. According to the Michigan State Police Alpena Post, the two men devised a plan to travel to Alpena to sell imitation methamphetamine, later identified as salt, to two females in Alpena. The men were driven to Alpena from Saginaw by Gaddys girlfriend who was accompanied by her 16-year-old cousin. Upon their arrival in Alpena they sold the salt for $400, according to police. The women quickly realized they were sold salt instead of the methamphetamine after the suspects left. They later located suspects in a local business parking lot and confronted them. Police say an argument took place and Lowe took the phone of one of the females and the suspects fled the scene. The victims followed the suspect vehicle and intentionally bumped into the rear of the vehicle near Werth Road and US-23, causing both vehicles to stop. During a second altercation, Gaddy pulled a handgun from his pocket and pointed it at one of the women. The suspects then fled the scene again, but they were stopped on Werth Road west of Hubbard Lake Road by the Alpena County Sheriffs Office. Troopers searched the area near the location of the traffic stop and found a handgun in the ditch matching the description provided by the victims, according to police. Gaddy, whose bond was set at $75,000, and Lowe, whose bond was set at $25,000, were both lodged in the Alpena County Jail. Capt Amarinder Singh and Narendra Modi Chandigarh: Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeking his personal intervention to not allow Geographical Indication (GI) tagging of Basmati to Madhya Pradesh, in the larger interest of Punjab and other states which are already Basmati GI tagged. Amarinder writes to PMApart from Punjab, other states which already have GI tagging for Basmati are Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Delhi, Western UP and selected districts of Jammu and Kashmir. Advertisement Noting that All India Rice Exporters Association is also vigorously opposed to consider any claim of MP for GI tag for Basmati, raising concerns about its serious negative impact on Indian export potential, the Chief Minister noted that India exported Basmati to the tune of Rs 33,000 crore every year, but any dilution in registration of Indian Basmati may give advantage to Pakistan (which also produces Basmati as per GI tagging) in international market in terms of Basmati characteristics, quality parameters. In his letter to the Prime Minister, the Chief Minister has drawn his attention to the economically and socially important issue of Geographical Tagging, saying GI tagging of MP Basmati would negatively impact the states agriculture and also Indias Basmati exports. Madhya Pradesh has sought inclusion of its 13 districts for GI tagging for Basmati. Capt Amarinder Singh Advertisement Urging Modi to direct the concerned authorities not to disturb the status quo in this matter, the Chief Minister said this was essential for safeguarding the interests of farmers and Basmati exporters of India. As per the geographical indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act 1999 a geographical indication tag can be issued for agricultural goods that are originating in the territory of a country, or a region or locality in that territory, where a given quality, reputation or other characteristics of such goods is essentially attributable to its geographical origin. GI tag for Basmati has been given on the basis of the traditionally grown areas of Basmati due to special aroma, quality and taste of the grain, which is indigenous to the region below the foothills of Himalayas in the Indo-Gangetic Plains and Basmati of this area has distinct recognition across the world, the Chief Minister has pointed out. Advertisement Madhya Pradesh, said Captain Amarinder, does not fall under the specialised zone for Basmati cultivation. Capt Amarinder SinghIt was for this reason that MP was not included in indigenous area of Basmati cultivation in the history of India, he said, adding that MPs move to get its area included for Basmati tagging is a direct violation of the GI tagging procedure and laws, and any attempt to breach the GI tagging areas will not only hit the status of aromatic Basmati cultivation in Indias specialised area in but will also negate the purpose of GI tagging regulation in the Indian context. The Chief Minister further pointed out that MP had earlier attempted to get the GI tag for Basmati cultivation in 2017-18. However, Registrar of Geographical Indications (RGI), constituted under the geographical indications of goods (Registrations and Protection) Act 1999, rejected the demand of MP after investigating the matter. Advertisement The Intellectual Property Appellate Board, Government of India, had also discarded the claim of MP in this regard. Later, MP challenged these decisions in Madras High Court, but did not get any relief. Further, to look into the claim of MP to get GI tag for its Basmati, the Government of India had also constituted a committee of eminent agricultural scientists, which after thorough deliberations, had also rejected the states claim, Captain Amarinder pointed out. By Miya Tanaka, KYODO NEWS - Aug 6, 2020 - 09:00 | All, World, Japan U.S. Ambassador to Japan nominee Kenneth Weinstein on Wednesday called on Japan to take a greater role in the alliance amid China's growing assertiveness, while vowing to pursue a "comprehensive trade agreement" between Washington and Tokyo to deepen the bilateral economic ties. "As we engage in this strategic competition (with China) in the Indo-Pacific, all of us need to do more...Japan needs to do more," the 58-year-old head of the Hudson Institute, a Washington-based conservative think tank, told a Senate committee. With President Donald Trump pushing for Japan to pay more of the costs associated with hosting U.S. troops, Weinstein noted that Japan has significantly increased its purchases of U.S. military equipment, and said he is "optimistic" that the upcoming talks on host-nation support will come to "some sort of a fruitful conclusion." The hearing at the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations took place after Trump announced in March his intention to nominate Weinstein as the U.S. envoy to Japan, a post which has been vacant since William Hagerty stepped down in July last year to run for the Senate. The nomination requires Senate approval. In written testimony submitted to the committee, Weinstein reaffirmed the U.S. government's position that the U.S.-Japan alliance has served as the "cornerstone" of peace and security in the Indo-Pacific region and recognized that the 50,000 U.S. military personnel and other defense assets based in Japan enable "both countries to ensure peace and stability in the region and beyond." While welcoming the increases in security cooperation and Japan's defense spending over the past years, he added, "If confirmed, however, I will encourage Japan to strengthen its capabilities even further and shoulder greater responsibility within the alliance." Among the security challenges the two countries face, he pointed to China's "destabilizing actions" both in the Indo-Pacific region and globally, including what he called Beijing's "increased aggressiveness" around the Japanese-controlled Senkaku Islands in the East China Sea. Chinese ships have been spotted near the uninhabited islets, which Beijing claims under the name Diaoyu, for more than 100 consecutive days through Sunday, until an approaching typhoon made it difficult for them to continue sailing in the waters. Weinstein also said he is eager to work with Japan "in its continued efforts to ensure the steady implementation of the realignment of U.S. forces in Japan," especially over the planned relocation of a U.S. air base within the southern island prefecture of Okinawa. Construction work has been under way for transferring the U.S. Marine Corps Air Station Futenma from a crowded residential area in Ginowan to the Henoko coastal area of Nago, in accordance with an agreement reached between Washington and Tokyo in 1996. But the plan continues to face opposition from the people of Okinawa who are upset about the heavy burden they bear in hosting the bulk of U.S. military facilities in Japan. Locals want the Futenma base to be moved outside the prefecture. Weinstein recognized that the base burden falls "disproportionately on Okinawa" which accounts for less than 1 percent of Japan's land mass. On the trade front, Weinstein said pursuing the "phase two" negotiations with Japan, following a bilateral tariff-cutting deal that entered into force on Jan. 1, provides the "United States the opportunity to further deepen our critical economic relationship." "We've had the phase one agreement...but we really do need to go further, particularly in the auto sector," Weinstein said, without elaborating further. He appears to have been referring to addressing nontariff barriers. The phase one deal granted greater market access to U.S. agricultural products while giving Japanese automakers respite from the threat of additional tariffs. Weinstein, an expert on East Asia, is believed to have close ties with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, as the two have met multiple times in Japan. Close Aerial footage shows devastating impact of Beirut explosion Lebanons cabinet has declared a two-week state of emergency in Beirut following a huge explosion at the citys port which sent shock waves across the capital on Tuesday, killing at least 135 people and injuring thousands. Marwan Abboud, Beiruts governor, said more than 300,000 citizens had been left unable to sleep in their own homes due to the explosion, which is thought to have been caused by 2,750 tonnes of ammonium nitrate that was stored unsafely at the port for six years. It came as ministers agreed to place Beiruts port officials under house arrest until responsibility for the disaster has been determined and documents revealed custom officials had warned of the serious danger posed by the chemical stockpile years before the explosion yesterday. Please allow the live blog a moment to load... Mr. Torres, who identifies as Afro-Latino, would most likely be one of the first two openly gay Black or Latino members of Congress; the other is Mondaire Jones, a 33-year old lawyer who defeated another crowded field seeking to fill the seat in the Hudson Valley being vacated by Nita Lowey, the first woman to chair the House Appropriations Committee. Both Ms. Maloneys seat in the 12th Congressional District, which includes parts of Manhattan, Queens and Brooklyn, and the 15th Congressional District in the Bronx, where Mr. Torres won his primary, are solidly Democratic, making both candidates overwhelming favorites to win in November. The incumbent in the 15th, Representative Jose E. Serrano, has served in Congress for three decades, and some Democrats were already threatening to run against him in the primary before he announced his retirement ahead of 2020, citing the effects of Parkinsons disease. Among the candidates Mr. Torres finished ahead of were Michael Blake, a state assemblyman and vice chair of the Democratic National Committee; Samelys Lopez, a community organizer who had the backing of some key progressives, including Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez; Ydanis Rodriguez, a city councilman; and Melissa Mark-Viverito, a former City Council speaker. But it was the chance to topple the Rev. Ruben Diaz Sr., Mr. Torres had said in an interview before the election, that would be especially sweet, representing poetic justice that is long overdue. Looking back to his first City Council race seven years ago, he said, I ran in a state of fear because of the homophobic political culture that Ruben Diaz Sr. has spent his life cultivating in the Bronx. Mr. Diaz, a 77-year-old Pentecostal minister who has served for two decades in the State Senate and the City Council, was under pressure last year from Council colleagues demanding that he resign for saying that legislative body was controlled by the homosexual community. The European Commission does have the legal authority to try to break companies up, but no one thinks it would ever try this on a U.S. company. The political blowback would be too severe. The Americans could themselves seek breakups, and would have the power to do so, but their antitrust regime has different priorities. While the problems and the levels of exasperation at the cavalier behavior of the companies might be the same, the types of punishment that lawmakers have in mind are different, according to Nicolas Petit, the joint chair in competition law at the European University Institute. On Tuesday, the number of cases in Delhi, Maharashtra, and Tamil Nadu, which drove up the number of Indias coronavirus disease infections for much of April, May, and June, accounted for just 26.5% of the total 50,777 cases in the country, according to the HT dashboard. On Monday, the corresponding proportion was 31% of 49,401 cases. On Sunday, it was 30.7% of 53,112 cases. And on Saturday, it was 30% of 55,617 cases. This writer has been saying it for some time, but the epicentre of the pandemic in India is moving further into the hinterland and to parts of the peninsula where it did not previously seem to be very prevalent. To be sure, while Delhi has seen a sharp fall in cases, Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu have not so the new wave is being driven largely by states such as Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal. On Saturday, these five states accounted for 43.4% of all cases in India; on Sunday, this proportion was 44.17%; on Monday, it was 44.6%; and on Tuesday, 47.6%. Also read: Zydus to start second phase of Covid-19 vaccine candidate trials today Some final numbers to close the argument: while these five states account for 29.7% of all cases, they account for 40.7% of active ones currently; and while they account for just about a fifth of all deaths, over the past four days, they have accounted for a third of the deaths (which are continuing to rise). There are other states whose numbers are also a cause for concern (Telangana, for instance, where the testing is also low), but these five are the states where immediate intervention is required. New Delhi, we have a problem and it is not in New Delhi. The trajectories of the two states and the Capital ravaged by the virus through April, May, and much of June, and of the five states that are now seeing a spike in cases are telling. Of the five states, three have already crossed the 100,000 mark in terms of number of cases. The others will, especially as they increase testing (indeed, the efforts to fight the pandemic, of at least three of these five states, have been hobbled by inadequate testing). Some of these states are looking at antigen testing as a quick fix. Uttar Pradesh, for instance, has conducted large-scale testing camps using these testing kits that give results within the hour. Many of them are simply following the Delhi model, one element of which was a sharp increase in testing using rapid antigen tests. These tests respond to the protein on the surface of viruses (unlike molecular tests, which respond to viral RNA, or antibody tests, which respond to antibodies generated by the body to fight the virus), and their biggest advantage is that they are quick. As this column has suggested previously, it makes sense to use them when a large number of people have to be tested in a very short time for instance, in a containment zone where cases are peaking, but it definitely does not make sense to use them as a substitute for gold-standard molecular tests such as the Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) one. Indeed, given that other parameters (such as the occupancy of hospital beds) clearly establishes that the Capital is on the mend, Delhi should probably stop using antigen tests altogether and use only RT-PCR ones. Neither time nor capacity is a constraint (the first is reason enough to use antigen tests; the second, not so the only way to deal with inadequate testing capacity is to rapidly acquire it). If antigen tests have to be used they have to be used the way they were meant to be. Scientists recommend that negative antigen tests be followed up by molecular tests. The Indian Council of Medical Research also suggests that this be done. Thats because these tests are very accurate in identifying positive cases, but some of the cases they identify as negative are positive. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON JERSEYVILLE A Saint Clair, Missouri, woman is facing multiple battery and other charges after an altercation involving police and correctional officers. Cheryl C. Fawe, 61, of Saint Clair was charged July 27 with three counts of aggravated battery, unlawful use of weapons and resisting a peace officer. Researchers in China identified four key population categories useful in guiding COVID-19 public health policies aimed at minimizing the spread of the disease and reducing fatalities. The team, led by Dr. Baoguo Jiang of the Department of Orthopedics & Traumatology at Peking University People's Hospital, published their findings in the journal Precision Clinical Medicine on May 28. Our research develops a decision-making support model to describe SARS-COV-2 infection, and can be adjusted to reflect local transmission characteristics and public health capabilities. This model will be instrumental for local authorities to determine the optimal disease suppression strategy in a data-driven and science-driven manner." Dr. Baoguo Jiang, Department of Orthopedics & Traumatology at Peking University People's Hospital The study divided subjects into four main categories: "Isolated" (via quarantine or hospitalization), "not infected," "infected and not isolated," and "removed" (recovered or deceased). Within those broad categories, they analyzed the effectiveness of the three main things public health policy can control - whether face masks and other heightened hygiene measures are required in public, mandatory lockdowns, and mandatory social distancing. Data collected were from Wuhan, China, where the COVID-19 outbreak began last year. In designing the study, the researchers calibrated the model based on 32,583 confirmed COVID-19 cases in Wuhan between December 2019 and March 2020. The "infected and not isolated" category presented an extra challenge, because not all infected persons displayed symptoms, yet had the potential to infect many others. To control for this, their model allows for a predetermined number of subjects presumed infected but not showing symptoms to progress to the "removed" (and recovered) category. Public health officials in Wuhan estimated the probability of having close contact with someone infected with COVID-19 was reduced by about 75 percent amid stringent quarantine conditions. Implementing mandatory face masks and hygiene practices in public was estimated to reduce the likelihood of transmitting the infection by 50 percent. "Our research demonstrates that implementation of case isolation and mass quarantine is the most effective measure to the complete suppression of COVID-19 outbreak," Dr. Jiang said. The research team found that their study model could be applied in the U.S., U.K., and Italy, with only minor adjustments in likelihood of person-to-person transmission within each of the four main population categories. Population density accounted for most of those differences, explaining why cities like Wuhan and New York saw the disease spread more rapidly. One of the study's key findings was that face masks and social distancing were not enough to reverse upward trend of the disease. Wuhan only saw reversal in COVID-19 infection rates after adding contact tracing and strict quarantines to their containment policy. Further, they found that if no quarantine was implemented and the disease was allowed to spread unchecked, over 10 million people in Wuhan alone - or about 91 percent of the population - would become infected before the population would achieve herd immunity. "Starting mass quarantine and case isolation earlier greatly improves the effectiveness of disease suppression and also demands fewer health care resources," Dr. Baoguo said. Another important finding was that quarantine must be implemented at a rate of at least 50 percent, and a maximum of 10 weeks after the start of a COVID-19 outbreak to have a chance at reversing the infection rate. If less that 40 percent of the population remains quarantined or the quarantine begins more than 11 weeks after onset of the outbreak, it is too late, the study says. Dr. Jiang said his team plans to further investigate how to optimally allocate prevention and control measures. "On the one hand, through arduous efforts, our fight against COVID-19 has achieved major results with strategic significance," Dr. Jiang said. "The prevention and control measures have been normalized. On the other hand, an increasing number of asymptomatic COVID-19 carriers have been reported recently. More study on transmission characteristics of the disease among asymptomatic persons is necessary to better control the epidemic." She has been littering her Instagram with a slew of swimwear snaps after losing a staggering three stone. And Gemma Collins looked the picture of confidence as she danced around on the beach after getting up at 5am to film her ITVBe show Diva Forever on Wednesday. The reality star, 39, who is in Mykonos, showed off her curvaceous figure in a strapless black swimming costume which showed off her ample cleavage. Beach babe: Gemma Collins looked the picture of confidence as she danced around on the beach after getting up at 5am to film her ITVBe show Diva Forever on Wednesday Despite the early start, the make-up free star was simply brimming with energy as she shimmied for the camera. Gemma captioned the post: 'When you wake up at 5am because your excited to film DIVA is back and will be on your screens very very soon'. The TOWIE star had flown out to Mykonos with her personal trainer pal Charlie King to help heal her broken heart following her split from Arg, 32, in July. Party girl: The reality star, 39, who is in Mykonos, showed off her curvaceous figure in a strapless black swimming costume which showed off her ample cleavage Having a blast: Despite the early start, the make-up free star was simply brimming with energy as she shimmied for the camera. The GC is back: Gemma captioned the post: 'When you wake up at 5am because your excited to film DIVA is back and will be on your screens very very soon' Gemma ended her relationship with Arg after she revealed a string of abusive messages, purportedly sent to her by the TV personality prior to their split. Elsewhere, her ex James seemed to be moving on from their split by partying with close friends in Marbella. Meanwhile Gemma, who has been vocal about her use of controversial 250 SkinnyJabs, has shared a number of bikini snaps from her Greek holiday amid her weight loss. Having fun: Gemma giggled for the camera as she danced next to a sun lounger The Diva Forever star has reportedly booked a boob job because her 'body is getting smaller'. She told The Sun: 'I can't wait to get rid of these boobs, they're massive and look ridiculous. I have never looked better than I do now and I've never felt so good.' While admitting it tends to be the 'norm' to opt for larger breasts when booking cosmetic procedures, Gemma insisted that she wants a her natural boobs reduced. She added: 'I never have wanted surgery. But as my body is getting smaller, I feel like I am falling over on top and I just want them gone.' The threefold increase is result of deterioration in human rights situation in eastern provinces. More than 1,300 people were killed in the first six months of the year by armed groups in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), three times more than in the same period in 2019, according to the United Nations. A report by the UN Joint Human Rights Office (UNJHRO) on Wednesday said fighters of all armed groups were responsible for the summary executions or arbitrary killings of at least 1,315 people, including 165 children, between January and June 2020. That was more than three times the 416 such deaths recorded in the first half of last year. The UNJHRO attributed the jump to the deterioration in the human rights situation in provinces where conflict is rife, particularly Ituri, South Kivu, Tanganyika and North Kivu. Deterioration of the human rights situation in conflict-affected provinces, in particular Ituri, South Kivu, Tanganyika and North Kivu, according to the analysis by @unjhro of the main #humanrights trends in the #DRC in the first half of 2020 https://t.co/k1d5TpqwW6 pic.twitter.com/pBRLU7G6DP UN Human Rights DRC (@unjhro) August 5, 2020 Eastern DRC has been unstable for nearly 30 years, its population terrorised by dozens of militia groups that are chiefly the legacy of two major wars. Violence in the gold mining region of Ituri has raged since December 2017. The flare-up has pitched the Hema ethnic group, who are predominantly herders, against the Lendu community, who are mostly sedentary farmers. The UN has warned that some of the latest attacks could amount to crimes against humanity. As in Ituri, civilians are caught up in escalating conflicts in the eastern provinces of North and South Kivu and the southeastern province of Tanganyika. At the end of October 2019, the army launched operations against all armed groups in the eastern part of the country. Despite those offensives, however, the killings of civilians have not ceased. The UNJHRO report also noted that the number of violations committed by state agents decreased slightly during the first half of the year. State agents were responsible for 43 percent of documented human rights violations, including the extrajudicial executions of at least 225 people, including 18 children, throughout the DRC, according to the report. ServiceMaster DSI, the nation's largest owner and operator of ServiceMaster Franchises has announced the opening of a new corporate office in Blue Springs, MO. The Blue Springs office will provide disaster restoration services to Jackson County and surrounding areas such as Lees Summit, Independence, Grain Valley, and Oak Grove along with home and business owners across the Kansas City, Missouri area. This is the third location ServiceMaster DSI operates in the Greater Kansas City area. "The addition of our Blue Springs location gives us complete coverage of the Greater Kansas City area and allows us to best serve clients no matter where they are located," said President and CEO of ServiceMaster DSI, Jim Boccher. "We look forward to providing commercial clients, insurance agents and homeowners with the unparalleled, industry leading service our other locations not only in Kansas City, but across the country have become recognized for. ServiceMaster DSI operates under the ServiceMaster Restore and ServiceMaster Recovery Management (SRM) brands to provide disaster restoration services throughout the United States and abroad. Boccher says the location in Blue Springs will provide full restoration capabilities, including reconstruction. "Both our residential and commercial customers have increasingly come to expect turn-key solutions. Whether that means restoring property, contents, documents, electronics or rebuilding when necessary, our clients want to deal with a single source provider. By being that one touch resource, we are able to minimize business and life interruption, reduce claim severity and mitigate future liability." Boccher says this new location will have a positive impact on the surrounding community as well. "Our company ethos is based on improving people's lives through the business services we offer, our philanthropic efforts and our involvement in the community. We are excited to have the opportunity to become a valued member of the Blue Springs community." DSI Holdings is an ownership/management group headquartered in Downers Grove, IL specializing in providing residential and commercial disaster restoration services through the ServiceMaster DSI and ServiceMaster Recovery Management (SRM) brands. Starting with its first ServiceMaster license in 1981, DSI Holdings has grown to be the premier ownership group within the ServiceMaster network, amassing 88 licenses within the United States and serving as the flagship SRM operator. Through these brands, DSI services clients in all 50 states and its large loss team has provided commercial disaster restoration services in more than 20 countries around the world. The Yen Bai Peoples Committee has issued Announcement No 94/TB-UBND to inform relevant departments, sectors, organisations, and localities in the province on the organisation of the 10th Yen Bai Patriotic Emulation Congress. Individuals, organisations receive second and third-class Labour Orders at a conference reviewing emulation and awarding work in 2019. Accordingly, the congress will be named the "10th Yen Bai Patriotic Emulation Congress - 2020. A preparatory session is scheduled for August 19 and the congress will officially take place on August 20. The event will take place at the Yen Bai conventional centre with the participation of 375 delegates. JACKSON, Miss. - A federal judge in Mississippi has issued a sharply worded ruling that calls on the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn the principle of qualified immunity, which protects law enforcement officers from being sued for some of their actions. U.S. District Judge Carlton Reeves on Tuesday dismissed a lawsuit that Clarence Jamison, a Black resident of Neeses, South Carolina, filed against a white Mississippi police officer, Nick McClendon. The lawsuit said McClendon used Jamisons race as a motivating factor for pulling McClendon over in traffic and searching his car. In dismissing the case, Reeves cited court precedents on qualified immunity, but he wrote that the principle has shielded officers who violate peoples constitutional rights. The Constitution says everyone is entitled to equal protection of the law even at the hands of law enforcement, Reeves wrote. Over the decades, however, judges have invented a legal doctrine to protect law enforcement o?cers from having to face any consequences for wrongdoing. The doctrine is called quali?ed immunity. In real life it operates like absolute immunity. Reeves, who is African American, was nominated to the federal bench by President Barack Obama for a district that covers the southern half of Mississippi. Reeves started his Tuesday ruling with a recitation of police harm to African Americans, including the killings of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Rayshard Brooks and Sandra Bland. Just as the Supreme Court swept away the mistaken doctrine of separate but equal, so too should it eliminate the doctrine of qualified immunity. ... Let us waste no time in righting this wrong, Reeves wrote. Jamisons lawsuit, filed in 2016, said he was driving his Mercedes on July 29, 2013, when McClendon pulled him over on Interstate 20 in Pelahatchie, which is about 25 miles (40 kilometres) east of Mississippis capital city of Jackson. McClendon was an officer for the nearby town of Richland and was working near Pelahatchie under a local agreement. Jamison was returning to South Carolina from a vacation in the western U.S. Jamison was pulled over and subjected to one hundred and ten minutes of an armed police officer badgering him, pressuring him, lying to him, and then searching his car top-to-bottom for drugs, Reeves wrote. Nothing was found. Jamison isnt a drug courier. Hes a welder. The lawsuit said Jamisons car was damaged during the searches and he was left by the side of the interstate after dark. Thankfully, Jamison left the stop with his life, Reeves wrote. Too many others have not. Reeves wrote that the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals which hears cases from Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia and West Virginia recently wrote in a qualified immunity case: Although we recognize that our police o?cers are often asked to make split-second decisions, we expect them to do so with respect for the dignity and worth of black lives. This Court agrees, Reeves wrote. Tragically, thousands have died at the hands of law enforcement over the years, and the death toll continues to rise. Microsoft has emerged as the leading candidate to take over TikTok. The only reason I hate this is bc 1) Everything MS makes works by accident, not design., 2) MS owns LinkedIn. Need I say more? 3) see #2, the same clowns on that site are going to go to TikTok to spew shit about 'value add' and 'relationship building'. I don't even use TikTok in any capacity, but let the damn kids have fun without trying to mine their data (as much......) or sell to them. Reply Thread Link RIP Zune Reply Parent Thread Link microsoft owns linkedin? i always wondered how linkedin managed to decline so quickly Reply Parent Thread Expand Link Whats your beef with Linkedin? Reply Parent Thread Expand Link god linkedin is legit the worst Reply Parent Thread Link I did not know about the Microsoft connection. That explains a lot. Reply Parent Thread Link I'm always here to complain about how awful linkedin is. Reply Parent Thread Link i havent looked at this and probably wont, but idt anything can truly emulate tiktok. its interface is so addictive, every time i open the app i do so with the knowledge that ill be losing at least an hour of my day Reply Thread Link I use it until one of the videos play that tell me I should take a break and then I'm like "oh shit you're right" That being said yesterday I quit quickly because it got too spyish. So the other day a friend posted a titanic meme about karens on the titanic not wearing life vests and I said "that literally happened" and then yesterday my tiktok was showing me titanic videos and like wtf? Too far tiktok. Reply Parent Thread Link I always make the same mistake and check it right before going to sleep and suddenly it's 3 am and I have to force myself to close it, I need help. Reply Parent Thread Link Their algorithm is too damn good Reply Parent Thread Link I had a video come up with my sport and my premier. My sport is not very popular in my country. I am freaked the fuck out Despite not being Jewish Ive somehow ended up on Jewish TikTok and I love it Reply Parent Thread Link yeah and there's a lot of people who like to keep their IG world and TikTok world purposefully separated. TikTok is also currently the fastest growing social media platform, I feel like FB/IG waited too late. Reply Parent Thread Link oh lol its connected to ig? then everyone will be using it, even the tiktok haters Reply Thread Link Im on Instagram now, I dont see it endless it just updates on its own Reply Thread Link Enough! Jfc Reply Thread Link it was released here in november??????????? people I follow barely used it Reply Thread Link Se vc clica na lupinha do insta a primeira coisa q aparece e sempre um reel. Eu ODEIO isso Reply Parent Thread Link cara e eu que achava que aquilo era igtv? ahahahahahhaahha Reply Parent Thread Link I deleted my FB and Instagram years ago and never looked back Reply Thread Link Youtube needs to release a second platform called "Youtube Quick" where people can make these kinds of tiktok videos but they're still part of the google family and can be accessed from youtube. Reply Thread Link Funny enough Ive been seeing a lot of short reaction vids that you usually see on twitter popping on YouTube. Theyre even labeled stan twitter. Reply Parent Thread Link Thanks, I hate it. Reply Thread Link idk if this will work. obviously instagram has a built in base but ig tv never rly took off the way they probably expected it to either Reply Thread Link But stories did which was a rip of snapchat wasnt it? Reply Parent Thread Link yup + that new Snapchat layout killed them (I know it changed back but the damage had been done) Reply Parent Thread Link i know facebook owns instagram, but does anyone do "stories" on their facebook? i never watch them and think it's cringey there Reply Thread Link wait you said FB stories, oop Edited at 2020-08-05 06:50 pm (UTC) That's the bubble thinig at the top or the app, right? That's what I mostly use tbh I'm just sharing other people's posts.wait you said FB stories, oop #Ontddoesntread Reply Parent Thread Link idk if anyone deliberately does it, I mean I see some on my fb all the time but I just asssume these people have insta and fb linked (Thats a thing isnt it? Reply Parent Thread Link I rarely use my Facebook (too many family members and older-aged coworkers for me. It's not like a got a lot of shit going on, I just don't want these folks up in my business 24/7 lol). But if something interesting in my life happens, I sometimes have whatever I'm posting on my Insta stories sync to my Facebook. But I've never straight posted a Facebook story tho. Reply Parent Thread Link No, its social suicide Reply Parent Thread Link no, I find only the people who update FB daily use them Reply Parent Thread Link I use it all the time to share posts I think are interesting. I get complimented on my story shares a lot. Reply Parent Thread Link I post memes lol Reply Parent Thread Link I find TikTok content strangely very niche. Like its only for people who are comfortable enough to dance on camera or do very performancey things. I get its for Gen Z but what about Gen Z who dont like to dance etc or create prank/funny videos? What do they post? Or do they just follow people. Whereas Twitter and Instagram you can just post or write whatever you want, it doesnt have to be you specifically on camera. /get off my lawn youths Reply Thread Link i see a lot of tiktok videos posted via twitter where it's the person "talking to themselves" while making a point, idk i'm making my point across with that but that's something i've observed lol Reply Parent Thread Link It started as a dancing app but now lots of niche communities have emerged. To me, it's now like Twitter (without the heavy political presence) but instead of 280-character tweets, people post 30-seconds videos. Reply Parent Thread Link There's a very heavy political presence on tiktok too fyi. Maybe not as much as twitter but it's definitely there...based on my own fyp anyway. Reply Parent Thread Expand Link there's a lot of political stuff on tiktok. I've made sure my algorithm blocks republican/trump tiktok unless its someone dueting the video to make fun of it/counter argument it Reply Parent Thread Link i feel like since you arent a gen z on tik tok it will be hard to understand but tik tok has wayyyy more content than just dancing videos. me personally, my home page (not even people i follow, just what the algorithm thinks ill like) is a lot of people doing comedy videos but not like traditional comedy, more vine like comedy, makeup videos, or people just talking or ranting or whatever. I think you are looking too surface level that all the content is specifically to perform, when in fact most of the content is just normal people making random ass videos about whatever they like. lmao its hard to explain but yeah!! tik tok is way more than just the most popular creators you might have heard of Reply Parent Thread Link I am following some science guy that shows cool knowledge stuff and some interior design tips people Reply Parent Thread Link Honestly I feel like it's for people who just want to have fun and don't take the internet/social media seriously. Reply Parent Thread Link i thought the same! and then in the past few posts on tiktok, i checked it out and you can honestly find any topic your heart desires. someone in the previous post mentioned foraging tik toks so i started looking for those and found so many delightful people! i still haven't downloaded the app bcos i'm lazy, but i believe there's something for everyone there. Reply Parent Thread Link Ahh instagram ending the world's self esteem one fake post at a time. Reply Thread Link LMAO it's going to flop like Facebook stories... I dislike this Chinese spy app but I have to admit it's not an app that's easy to emulate like Snapchat was with IG stories. There are actual niche communities on it (Gay Tiktok, Witch Tiktok, etc) a la Twitter and I doubt IG can replicate that. Reply Thread Link In the kitchen of the dorm-room-size apartment my parents rented for a large part of my childhood, they used a refrigerator with the doors removed as a way to store extra pots and pans. Most of what they owned wouldnt fit into the apartments tiny oven below the sink, or onto the stove top with its four tiny electric burners. We lived in low-income housing, yet that isnt what my parents called it, at least not in front of me or my brothers. Home was just home. My parents knew just how damaging the act of othering can be when applied to people of color, young or old. They wanted to keep us from feeling as though we were less than the people we lived around. Our nation has a history of othering minorities, especially when it comes to real estate. The relics of these past discriminatory practices are still around today in no-longer-enforceable racial covenants. The documents, decades ago, kept people not entirely that of the Caucasian race from owning property. Removing the racist language from current property deeds is a cumbersome process for local homeowners, as I wrote about last month, and now state officials are stepping in to help. This year, California Assembly members Kevin McCarty, D-Sacramento; Autumn Burke, D-Los Angeles; David Chiu, D-San Francisco; and state Sen. Scott Wiener, D-San Francisco will introduce legislation that removes racial covenants from deeds whenever the property is transferred or sold. Eliminating these housing covenants is a moral right and an important step in bringing racial justice to Californians, McCarty said in a statement on Monday, Aug. 3. What state officials are doing is similar to what Black and brown parents like mine spent lifetimes trying to accomplish: keeping their families from feeling like outsiders in a place where theyre supposed to feel at home. But what happens when the othering comes from the White House? I am happy to inform all of the people living their Suburban Lifestyle Dream that you will no longer be bothered or financially hurt by having low income housing built in your neighborhood, President Trump wrote July 29 on Twitter. Trumps tweet was in reference to the Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing Rule, which was how the Obama administration updated the 1968 civil rights legislation, the Fair Housing Act. Through it, local governments receiving federal funds for housing and development had to account for biased practices and also create a plan to fix them. The Trump administration announced in June that it was replacing the Obama-era rule with its own called Preserving Community and Neighborhood Choice. The Suburban Lifestyle Dream Trump mentioned focuses on communities across the country predominantly occupied by white people. Low-income housing benefits marginalized communities, which are often people of color. To elevate the former over the latter represents a modern racial covenant: Black and brown people arent welcome in white neighborhoods. What makes the administrations stance more problematic is the rapid rate of gentrification in regions like the Bay Area. Racial covenants are illegal, but within gentrification they have become implied. Carlos Avila Gonzalez / The Chronicle Neighborhoods with four-letter acronyms, and sky-high rents think San Franciscos NoPa area, or even Oaklands relatively newly minted NOBE, which stands for North Oakland-Berkeley-Emeryville are considered destinations. And if it isnt acronyms used for up and coming areas, then its language reflecting direction. Uptown Oakland is still technically a new name for a section of Oaklands downtown, and as new developments rise along the skyline, so do the rents. Were seeing this marketing in a region where, according to a recent study by San Francisco nonprofit Tipping Point Community and UC Berkeley, 1 in 4 Black people and 1 in 5 Latinos were living in poverty before the pandemic. Couple that with a 2018 study by Zillow that showed Black people could afford only 5% of listings in San Francisco and Oakland, while white people could afford 53%. Its clear these new neighborhood names arent meant to entice people of color. In some ways, theyre a flag for high costs, meaning little population diversity, and thus people of color should look somewhere else for a place to live. A dangerous game is being played in the regions housing markets, and its happening in lockstep with the countrys current rush to address systemic racism. Even after parents like mine spent decades working so their families could feel as though they belong in this country, and with California officials looking to further those efforts with forthcoming racial covenant legislation, we still have a long way to go. The erasure of racial covenants from the past is important, but we also have to be aware if theyre taking new forms in the present. Justin Phillips is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: jphillips@sfchronicle.com The Amman International Film Festival will take place between 23 and 31 August, after it was moved from April The Amman International Film Festival will take place between 23 and 31 August, after it was postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic. The inaugural event was originally scheduled for April this year. The festival's organisers revealed that they are adding a drive-in cinema at Amman's New Abdali (the land in front of The Boulevard,) and outdoor venues for screenings located at the premises of the Royal Film Commission in Jabal (Amman). The organisers have revealed that the festival is taking place under a new format that imposes social distancing rules, while offering the audience great new films, all premiering in Jordan. Each film will only screen once at each venue. The programme includes feature-length narratives, feature-length documentaries, and short films. The detailed programme is yet to be revealed. The competition is for Arab movies, but also includes an international non-competitive section. An international jury is made up of professionals who will select the winners of the Black Iris Award in each category. In parallel to the screenings, the first edition of Amman Film Industry Days (AFID) will host seminars, workshops and talks with industry professionals. 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: It may be recalled that seven Indian nationals were kidnapped in Afghanistan in May 2018 Two Indian nationals have been released from captivity in Afghanistan and returned home to India on Tuesday, the Indian Government has said. The two Indian nationals released on July 31 were among a group of seven Indian engineers of a company working in Afghanistan's northern Baghlan province who were abducted in May, 2018, reportedly by the Taliban who apparently mistook them for government employees. Of those seven Indian nationals, six are now free, New Delhi said, while thanking the Afghan Government for its constant and unwavering support in securing the release of the Indians. One Indian national had been freed in March last year while according to media reports, three others had been freed in October last year. In a statement on Tuesday, the MEA said, Two Indian nationals, who were released from captivity in Afghanistan on 31 July 2020, returned to India today. It would be recalled that seven Indian nationals were kidnapped in Afghanistan in May 2018, including the two who returned today. Six Indian nationals have now been released so far from captivity. We thank the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan for their constant and unwavering support in securing the release of the Indians. It may also be recalled that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had spoken to Afghan President Ashraf Ghani on Monday and had conveyed his Eid greetings. India has extremely close ties with Afghanistan under President Ghani. In a statement earlier on Monday, the MEA had stated, President Ghani thanked Prime Minister Modi for timely supply of food and medical assistance to meet Afghan requirement. The Prime Minister reiterated India's commitment to the people of Afghanistan in their quest for a peaceful, prosperous and inclusive Afghanistan. The two leaders also exchanged views on the evolving security situation in the region and other areas of mutual bilateral interest. COLUMBUS, OhioGov. Mike DeWine is postponing his Thursday coronavirus briefing so he can meet with President Donald Trump when the president lands in Cleveland, according to a DeWine spokesman. DeWine is scheduled to meet Trump on the airport tarmac on Thursday afternoon, according to gubernatorial spokesman Dan Tierney. The governor, however, will not be accompanying the president on a tour of a Whirlpool plant in Sandusky County, nor a presidential fundraiser in Bratenahl. Its Trumps first visit to Ohio since he held a Toledo rally in January, before the coronavirus crisis and civil-rights protests broke out. DeWine has rescheduled his briefing to Friday at 2 p.m., according to a release. At that time, the governor will likely provide an update to the states color-coded county-level coronavirus warning system something that, up until now, hes done every Thursday for the past few weeks. DeWine, a Greene County Republican, is an honorary state chair for Trumps re-election campaign in Ohio. The president won the Buckeye State by nearly 9 percentage points in 2016, though recent polls show he and Democratic candidate Joe Biden are neck-and-neck this year. Cleveland.com chief politics reporter Seth A. Richardson contributed to this story. Read more Ohio politics and government stories: Joe Biden campaign plans $280 million fall ad spending in 15 states, including Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine doesnt update public on coronavirus contact tracing data Tuesday as promised Ohio Green Partys lawsuit to regain state recognition shot down by federal appeals court panel Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine unveils e-warrant system, implores lawmakers to pass gun reforms on anniversary of Dayton shooting More than 40 concealed-handgun permit holders in Ohio are mentally unfit, AG Dave Yosts office finds Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-05 01:05:49|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close SKOPJE, Aug. 4 (Xinhua) -- The first constitutive session of the new Parliament of North Macedonia was held here on Tuesday following the July 15 early parliamentary elections. The session took place in line with safety health protocols against the spread of COVID-19. Speaking at the session, former Parliament Speaker Talat Xhaferi, who will chair assembly sessions until a new speaker is elected, declared that the posts of the head of the government and its members end as of Tuesday according to the Electoral Code. "In order to ensure the continuity of the work of the government and in line with the Constitution, the government remains in office until new government ministers are elected," Xhaferi said. According to the Constitution of North Macedonia, the president of the country has ten days after the constitution of a new parliament to hand over the mandate for government formation to the party or parties that have a majority in the parliament. The candidate for prime minister, on the other hand, must submit to the assembly a plan and proposal for the composition of the government within 20 days from the day of the assignment of the mandate. In the July 15 early parliamentary elections, the coalition "We Can" between the ruling Social Democratic Union of Macedonia and the Besa Movement won 46 seats, the coalition led by the opposition party VMRO-DPMNE 44, Democratic Union for Integration 15, the Alliance for Albanians and Alternativa 12, whereas Levica party and the Albanian Democratic Party won respectively two seats and one seat. Official talks for the formation of the new government are set to begin on Tuesday. Enditem BOULDER, Colo. Lafayette, Colorado, officials announced Tuesday the citys computer systems were hacked and they were forced to pay a ransom to regain access. Lafayette officials said hackers disabled the citys network services and blocked its access until the city paid a $45,000 fee, the Daily Camera reported. The attack caused city emails, phones, online payments and reservation systems to temporarily shut down. The citys system servers and computers are still in the process of being cleaned and rebuilt. Once finished, the relevant data will be restored into the system and operations will resume. In the meantime, the city is using temporary phone numbers and emails. In a cost/benefit scenario of rebuilding the citys data versus paying the ransom, the ransom option far outweighed attempting to build, the city said in a statement. The inconvenience of a lengthy service outage for residents was also taken into consideration. A preliminary investigation shows the ransomware entered the citys network through a phishing scam or by guessing passwords. Mayor Jamie Harkins said using taxpayer dollars to pay a ransom was not ideal. We attempted to pursue any possible avenue to avoid paying the ransom, Harkins said. Staff worked to determine the severity of the attack while analyzing data and backups to find alternative solutions. The city said personal credit card information was not compromised. There was no evidence that showed personal data was stolen, but the city asked its residents to monitor their accounts for suspicious activity. City officials said they would be sending security-breach notifications to those who have personal information on the citys network. In response to the attack, City Administrator Fritz Sprague enacted a declaration of local disaster emergency that allows for outside assistance from the state, neighboring jurisdictions and private contractors. The declaration will be in effect for seven days unless it is extended by the City Council. The council is set to consider the extension on Tuesday. To combat future attacks, the city said it is installing crypto-safe backups, deploying additional cybersecurity systems and implementing regular vulnerability assessments. BEIJING, Aug. 5 (Xinhua) -- The South China Sea is the shared home for the countries in the region and should not be a wrestling ground for international politics, Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi said Wednesday in an exclusive interview with Xinhua. The United States has recently taken a number of provocative actions in the South China Sea, breaching its longstanding commitment of not taking sides, and blatantly interfering in the territorial disputes, Wang said. Moreover, the United States keeps increasing and showing off its military presence in the South China Sea, he said. In the first half of this year alone, it sent military aircraft there more than 2,000 times. The United States is also seeking to drive a wedge between China and countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), and disrupt the consultation process of the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea, Wang added. The U.S. purpose is to destabilize the South China Sea, and hijack regional countries onto its chariot to serve U.S. domestic politics and geopolitical agenda, Wang noted, urging all regional countries to be vigilant, and prevent this region's hard-won peace and development from being sabotaged by the United States. Facts have proved that settling disputes through dialogue is the right way that best serves the interests of regional countries, and countries in the region have a shared responsibility to keep the South China Sea peaceful and stable, he said. Under the current situation, China proposes removing all disturbances to restart as soon as possible the Code of Conduct consultation, and agreeing as early as possible on a set of rules for maintaining long-term peace and stability in the region, Wang said. In the meantime, China is prepared to strengthen maritime cooperation with other littoral countries, deepen mutual security confidence, and advance joint development, so as to make the South China Sea a sea of peace, friendship and cooperation, he added. Unemployment has soared in some census tracts, spreading pain unevenly The economic damage from the coronavirus is most visible in areas like Midtown Manhattan, where lunch spots have closed, businesses have gone dark and once-crowded sidewalks have emptied. But some of the worst economic pain lies in other neighborhoods, in the places where workers whove endured the broadest job losses live. In corners of the Bronx, South Los Angeles or the South Side of Chicago, unemployment is concentrated to a breathtaking degree. And that means that other problems still to come a wave of evictions, deepening poverty, more childhood hunger will be geographically concentrated, too. Data estimating neighborhood-level unemployment rates suggests that as many as one in three workers in these areas are jobless, deeply widening economic disparities within cities. In New York City, its as if parts of the Bronx were experiencing the Great Depression while the Upper East Side faced only modest drops in employment, according to Yair Ghitza and Mark Steitz, analysts who have estimated unemployment at the census tract level based on national economic statistics over the last six months. Unemployment in New York City 2% 4% 6% 8% 10% 12% 14% 16% 18% 20% 22% 24% 26% 28% 30% February 2020 June 2020 The federal government doesnt report unemployment data down to the neighborhood level, so the two researchers modeled these fine-grained statistics in a way that makes them consistent with state and national surveys. Through June, they found most neighborhoods in the Bronx had unemployment rates in excess of 20 percent, while most neighborhoods south of 95th Street in Manhattan had rates less than half that. Whats salient and visible right now is the businesses that are shuttered, and the office buildings that are empty, said Ingrid Gould Ellen, a professor of urban policy and planning at N.Y.U. What were not quite seeing at least the physical manifestations of yet is the really just stark decline in incomes in so many neighborhoods around the city, and in a lot of working-class neighborhoods. We will see them, she predicted, warning that concentrated distress in these neighborhoods could also have long-term consequences for the children growing up there. Mr. Ghitza, the chief scientist at Catalist, a Democratic data firm, and Mr. Steitz, a principal at TSD Communications, have tried to solve a large multiplication problem in modeling neighborhood-level unemployment. Official government statistics estimate, for example, the share of residents in a given census tract who are women, the share who are African-American, and the share who work in food service. Using such data, Mr. Ghitza and Mr. Steitz created an educated guess of the number of Black female food-service workers in each tract, then matched those demographics to national monthly unemployment statistics on the occupations and demographic groups most severely affected in this downturn. The approach makes it possible to gauge employment differences at a finer level of geography than what the government reports. But these estimates also come with much wider room for error than official statistics, and the researchers warn that the results should be viewed alongside other data as policymakers try to understand an economy in free fall. The resulting maps capture the flip side of recent analyses of private-sector data showing where restaurants have cut hours or where stores have closed their doors. Those business closings have been clustered, too, often in downtown districts where office workers no longer come in, or in wealthy neighborhoods where residents have sharply reduced their spending (or where they have left town altogether). These maps reflect, instead, where the workers who once staffed those restaurants, bars, hotels and offices commuted home at night: Unemployment in Chicago 2% 4% 6% 8% 10% 12% 14% 16% 18% 20% 22% 24% 26% 28% 30% February 2020 June 2020 The maps also highlight how the distinct nature of the coronavirus economic shock has divided cities into neighborhoods where most people can work from home and neighborhoods where most cant. And because the latter group is disproportionately made up of Black and Hispanic workers, those lines also largely follow patterns of racial segregation, as in Chicago. As of June, the Chicago metro area had an unemployment rate of 15.6 percent, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. But Mr. Ghitza and Mr. Steitz estimate that in some neighborhoods on the predominantly African-American South Side, the unemployment rate was more than double that. Wealthier neighborhoods on the North Side had unemployment rates of less than 10 percent. In a recent analysis, Peter Ganong, an economics professor at the University of Chicago, found that workers in the lowest quintile of income have experienced three times as many job losses as workers in the highest quintile. But thats just looking through the lens of income alone. He says layering race, age and gender could push the differences even further at the census tract level. Jesse Rothstein, an economist who is part of a team that has been tracking the effects of the pandemic on the labor market, agrees that it's possible for unemployment rates in some neighborhoods to barely budge while others soar across town. There arent that many food-service workers that live in Beverly Hills, he said. In Los Angeles, job losses appear to be most severe in South Los Angeles, in predominantly Hispanic parts of the city. Unemployment in Los Angeles 2% 4% 6% 8% 10% 12% 14% 16% 18% 20% 22% 24% 26% 28% 30% February 2020 June 2020 Until now, some of the worst pain of the recession has been eased in these neighborhoods by a major federal expansion of unemployment benefits, including weekly $600 supplemental payments to millions of workers. Research shows that this aid significantly lifted the spending of unemployed workers; the money from the government might well have circulated through businesses in their own neighborhoods, too. But those jobless benefits expired a few days ago. Now, as Congress and the White House wrangle over whether and how to extend the aid, these maps offer one more insight: These are the neighborhoods where workers and the businesses that depend on their spending would most acutely suffer without more federal help. Unemployment in the place where you live 2% 4% 6% 8% 10% 12% 14% 16% 18% 20% 22% 24% 26% 28% 30% L ebanon is in mourning following a huge explosion in the capital Beirut killed 100 people and injured more than 4,000. The blast sent seismic shockwaves through the Lebanese capital, destroying dozens of buildings and shattering windows across the city on Tuesday evening. President Michel Aoun said there had been 2,750 tonnes of ammonium nitrate that was unsafely stored in a warehouse at the port where the blast took place. An investigation is under way to find the exact trigger for the explosion and Lebanon's Supreme Defence Council said those responsible would face the "maximum punishment. Lebanon: Beirut explosion aftermath - In pictures 1 /90 Lebanon: Beirut explosion aftermath - In pictures The scene of an explosion in Beirut AFP via Getty Images A man reacts at the scene of an explosion at the port in Lebanon's capital Beirut AFP via Getty Images Firefighters spray water at a fire following an explosion in Beirut's port area, Lebanon REUTERS A helicopter puts out a fire at the scene of an explosion at the port of Lebanon's capital Beirut AFP via Getty Images An aerial view of ruined structures at the port Getty Images A Lebanese couple drive past the debris of a building in the damaged neighbourhood of Mar Mikhael AFP via Getty Images An aerial view of ruined structures at the port Getty Images Lebanese activists take part in a campaign to clean the damaged neighbourhood of Mar Mikhael AFP via Getty Images An aerial view of ruined structures at the port, Getty Images A statue representing the Lebanese expatriate is seen in front of a building that was damaged by an explosion that hit the seaport of Beirut, Lebanon AP A fireball exploding while smoke is billowing at the port of the Lebanese capital Beirut MOUAFAC HARB/AFP via Getty Image Lebanese firefighters work at the scene of an explosion in the Lebanese capital Beirut AFP via Getty Images The scene of an explosion at the port in the Lebanese capital Beiru AFP via Getty Images A helicopter puts out a fire at the scene of an explosion at the port of Lebanon's capital Beirut AFP via Getty Images TALAL TRABOULSI via REUTERS A view shows the aftermath of yesterday's blast at the port of Lebanon's capital Beiru AFP via Getty Images Lebanese soldiers search for survivors after a massive explosion in Beirut, Lebanon AP A man walks by an overturned car and destroyed buildings on August 4, 2020 in Beirut, Lebano Getty Images Lebanese soldiers search for survivors after a massive explosion in Beirut, Lebanon AP A view shows the aftermath of yesterday's blast at the port of Lebanon's capital Beiru AFP via Getty Images Smoke rises after an explosion in Beirut, Lebanon via REUTERS A drone picture shows the scene of an explosion that hit the seaport of Beirut, Lebanon AP People gather outside American University of Beirut (AUB) medical centre following an explosion in Beirut, Lebanon REUTERS People ride past a car destroyed after a building wall collapsed after a large explosion in Beirut Getty Images Damaged church and vehicles are seen following yesterday's blast that shook the Lebanese capital Beirut AFP via Getty Images A drone picture shows the scene of an explosion at the seaport of Beirut, Lebanon AP The scene of an explosion at the port of Lebanon's capital Beirut AFP via Getty Images Buildings and cars are partially destroyed in the neighbourhood of Mar Mikhael following an explosion at the port of Beiru AFP via Getty Images A rescue worker tends to an injured man following an explosion at the port of Beirut AFP via Getty Images Smoke rises from a port facility after large explosions Getty Images The destroyed silo sits in rubble and debris after an explosion at the seaport of Beirut, Lebanon AP Smoke is seen after an explosion in Beirut, Lebanon GABY MAAMARY via REUTERS Civilians help an injured man at the explosion scene that hit the seaport of Beirut, Lebanon AP Smoke rises as people walk near the site of an explosion in Beirut, Lebanon REUTERS Lebanese soldiers stand outside American University of Beirut (AUB) medical centre following an explosion in Beirut, Lebanon REUTERS Smoke rises from a port facility after large explosions Getty Images Damaged vehicle and buildings are pictured near the site of Tuesday's blast in Beirut's port area, Lebanon REUTERS A general view shows the damage near the site of Tuesday's blast in Beirut's port area, Lebanon REUTERS People stand near damaged cars following an explosion in Beirut, Lebanon REUTERS Smoke rises from a port facility after large explosions Getty Images People inspect the damage near the site of Tuesday's blast in Beirut's port area, Lebanon REUTERS A view shows the damaged facade of a building following Tuesday's blast in Beirut's port area, Lebano REUTERS A wounded man walks next to a damaged car on a street, following an explosion in Beirut, Lebanon via REUTERS Damaged buildings are seen after an explosion in Beirut, Lebanon via REUTERS Smoke rises over destroyed structures following large explosion Getty Images A view shows the aftermath at the site of Tuesday's blast in Beirut's port area, Lebanon REUTERS Smoke rises from a port facility after large explosion Getty Images AFP via Getty Images AFP via Getty Images AFP via Getty Images AFP via Getty Images AFP via Getty Images AFP via Getty Images REUTERS AFP via Getty Images AFP via Getty Images AFP via Getty Images AFP via Getty Images AFP via Getty Images AFP via Getty Images REUTERS REUTERS AFP via Getty Images Getty Images Getty Images REUTERS REUTERS Getty Images President Aoun called for an emergency cabinet meeting on Wednesday and said a two-week state of emergency should be declared. "What we are witnessing is a huge catastrophe," the head of Lebanon's Red Cross George Kettani told broadcaster Mayadeen. "There are victims and casualties everywhere. Dramatic footage of an explosion shared on social media showed a column of smoke rising from the port, followed by an enormous blast, sending up a white cloud and a fireball into the sky. People sought their missing loved ones in the overflowing hospitals. AFP via Getty Images One medic said 200 to 300 people had been admitted to a single emergency department. "I've never seen this. It was horrible," the medic, who gave her name as Rouba, said. Prime Minister Hassan Diab told the nation there would be accountability for the deadly blast at the "dangerous warehouse", adding "those responsible will pay the price." Donald Trump said US military generals had told him that they "seem to feel" the massive explosion was a "terrible attack, likely caused by a bomb. The US leader was asked why he called it an attack and not an accident, especially since Lebanese officials say they have not determined the cause of the explosion. He told reporters at the White House: "It would seem like it based on the explosion. I met with some of our great generals and they just seem to feel that it was. This was not a some kind of a manufacturing explosion type of a event. ... They seem to think it was an attack. It was a bomb of some kind, yes." Health minister Hamad Hasan earlier confirmed that at least 78 people were killed and nearly 4,000 injured. The death toll has now reached 100 and more victims are still under the rubble, the head of the Lebanese Red Cross told local broadcasters. Dozens of people were killed and thousands were injured in the blast / via REUTERS George Kettaneh told LBCI TV that the Red Cross was coordinating with the health ministry for morgues to take victims because hospitals were overwhelmed. The explosion occurred three days before a UN-backed court is due to deliver a verdict in the trial of four suspects from Hezbollah over a 2005 bombing which killed former Prime Minister Rafik al-Hariri and 21 others. Hariri was killed by a huge truck bomb on the same waterfront, about 2 km (about one mile) from the port. Israeli officials said Israel, which has fought several wars with Lebanon, had nothing to do with Tuesday's blast and said their country was ready to give humanitarian and medical assistance. Shi'ite Iran, the main backer of Hezbollah, also offered support, as did Tehran's regional rival Saudi Arabia, a leading Sunni power. Qatar and Iraq said they were sending makeshift hospitals to assist the high numbers of casualties. The US, Britain, France and Germany expressed shock and sympathy and said they were read to help. UK prime minister Boris Johnson confirmed that British nationals were among those caught up in the aftermath of the blast. Mr Johnson said the Government is "ready to provide support in any way we can", and Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said the UK stands in solidarity with Lebanon. The blast threatens a new humanitarian crisis in a nation that hosts hundreds of thousands of Syrian refugees and which is already grappling with economic meltdown under one of the world's biggest debt burdens. Images showed port buildings reduced to tangled masonry, devastating the main entry point to a country that relies on food imports to feed its population of more than six million. Residents said glass was broken in neighbourhoods on Beirut's Mediterranean coast and inland suburbs several miles away. Loading.... In Cyprus, a Mediterranean island 110 miles across the sea from Beirut, residents heard the blast. Credit: CC0 Public Domain The 3-D structure of the ELMO / DOCK2 complex, an important molecular machine that plays a crucial role in cell migration in the body, is now better understood thanks to new research by scientists in Montreal and the United Kingdom. Working with David Barford of the University of Cambridge, scientists at the Montreal Clinical Research Institute and the Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer of Universite de Montreal, published their results last month in Nature Communications. Cell migration is fundamental in many ways, including organ formation in the embryo, wound healing, or simply for the delivery of immune system cells to infection sites, the study notes. However, when deregulated, the ELMO / DOCK complex allows aberrant cell migration and contributes to the formation of metastases, the leading cause of death in people suffering with cancer. Now, thanks to the collaboration between IRCM researcher Jean-Francois Cote, IRIC researcher Matthew Smith, and Barford in the U.K, thenew study helps unveil the molecular detail underlying the fine-tuning of this "cell movement" machine. Like a Transformers robot The research team found that the ELMO / DOCK complex is capable of adopting an inactive form in which different regions of proteins fold and fit into each other, much like a Transformers robot. In this "closed" form, regions of ELMO and DOCK2 known to interact with other proteins are masked and therefore inaccessible. In its "open" form especially when the RAC1 protein, the mediator of cell migration, is engaged the complex becomes accessible. It then promotes numerous interactions with its target proteins to ensure cell migration. "This work has generated a large amount of new information about the ELMO / DOCK complex that will stimulate many future studies around the world," said Cote, a medical professor at UdeM and vice-president for research and academic affairs at the IRCM. "This information will also provide a better understanding of the way the entire DOCK family operates." Demystifying the mechanisms "There are 14 ELMO and DOCK proteins, and several are implicated in human diseases," added Smith, principal investigator at IRIC and assistant professor of medicine in UdeM's department of pathology and cell biology. "This discovery demystifies some of the fundamental mechanisms responsible for the disease. This is therefore a first step that will certainly lead to a better understanding of metastases and cancer cells." Explore further Gone fishin'for proteins More information: Leifu Chang et al. Structure of the DOCK2ELMO1 complex provides insights into regulation of the auto-inhibited state, Nature Communications (2020). Journal information: Nature Communications Leifu Chang et al. Structure of the DOCK2ELMO1 complex provides insights into regulation of the auto-inhibited state,(2020). DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-17271-9 Critics say the space for free speech is shrinking in Pakistan, where officials are accused of expanding restrictions on the free flow of information to social-media sites. Pakistans independent media has been gagged in recent years by bans, shutdowns, and the sacking of prominent reporters. And human rights advocates and political activists who have been overly critical of authorities have been threatened, attacked, or arrested on what international watchdogs say are trumped-up charges. Now the crackdown has spread to cyberspace. Social media, where many people have turned to get the word out, is coming under growing pressure in Pakistan. Pakistani rights activists say the clampdown on social media is a potential precursor to even greater censorship. Some elements in the state institutions want to impose the official narrative on people, Adnan Rehmat, a Pakistani journalist and media activist, told RFE/RL. Those elements have already succeeded in imposing certain bans on television channels and newspapers. Their next target is social media. Many have pointed the finger at the powerful Pakistani military, accusing the institution of being behind the attempt to crush dissent. The country's military has an oversized role in the domestic and foreign affairs of the South Asian nation of 220 million people. 'Serious Setback' Pakistan's telecommunications regulator last month issued a "final warning" to the Chinese-owned TikTok video app over explicit content posted on the platform, while the Singapore-based Bigo Live, a live-streaming platform, was blocked for the same reason. The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) said on July 21 that it has received widespread complaints about immoral, obscene, and vulgar content on the apps. It said the apps failed to moderate content. The PTA denied in a statement to RFE/RL that it was restricting "the free flow of information" to users of social media, calling such assertions "baseless." It added that decisions to "ban and warn" social-media platforms are based on "a number of complaints received from the public regarding immoral, obscene, and vulgar content."* TikToks popularity has grown among Pakistani youth, who account for around 70 percent of the population. The app has been downloaded almost 39 million times, while Bigo Live has been downloaded over 17 million times in Pakistan. Iqbal Khattak, the Reporters Without Borders representative in Pakistan, told RFE/RL that the government threatening to ban TikTok and blocking Bigo Live instead of engaging both platforms may prove a serious setback to the free flow of information. "Pakistani authorities appear increasingly frustrated at the increasing numbers of people seeking information and the digital world is catering to their demands, he said. The authorities can counter disinformation and 'immoral content' by sharing real information and moral content instead of banning these platforms," he added. 'Different Excuses' In February, authorities passed new laws it said would target "terrorism and fake news" on social-media platforms. The Citizens Protection (Against Online Harm) Rules, 2020 require social-media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and Google to block or remove posts that are considered offensive by the government. Authorities can also acquire data and information from those companies. Authorities said the new regulations would help them monitor and mitigate online content that has to do with "terrorism, extremism, hate speech, fake news, incitement to violence and national security." But the measures were passed in secret, with critics saying the rules paved the way for mass censorship. That came after authorities passed a controversial cybercrime law in 2016 that granted sweeping powers to the government to block online content considered to be against "the glory of Islam or the integrity, security, or defense of Pakistan or...public order, decency or morality." Offenders can face up to 14 years in prison if found guilty. Critics say the moves are intended to curtail free speech and have led to unfair prosecutions. The state is trying to curb people's right to freedom of expression using different excuses, Usama Khilji, director of the Pakistani digital rights group Bolo Bhi, told RFE/RL. He added that the recent blocking of social-media platforms has illustrated how new momentum is building to restrict freedom of expression on social media. Maria Umar, the head of the Women's Digital League, an online platform that provides digital training and work to Pakistani women, told RFE/RL that social media has given a voice to the voiceless in Pakistan, a deeply religious and conservative Muslim country. Women who used to stay silent regarding their rights or problems, are now openly mentioning their problems through social-media platforms, she said. Similarly, transgender rights activists and civil society activists are boldly raising their voice via social media. Where will these people go if the government bans social-media platforms? Removing Posts Facebook restricted some 2,149 posts in Pakistan in the second half of 2019, one of the highest totals in any country, according to its figures. Meanwhile, Twitter received requests from the Pakistani authorities to remove content from 1,798 accounts in the first half of 2019, according to its figures. Scores of Pakistani journalists and activists have received legal notices from Twitter on behalf of the government, which warned users that their tweets were in violation of the law. U.S.-based democracy monitor Freedom House said Pakistani authorities blocked more than 800,000 websites and platforms from being accessed within the country, including political, religious, and social content, from June 2018 to May 2019. In 2012, authorities banned YouTube for four years because of a video depicting the Prophet Muhammad that hard-line clerics said was blasphemous. * This article has been amended to include a statement to RFE/RL from the PTA. People lit earthen lamps in different parts of the country to celebrate the laying of the foundation stone of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, as government functionaries, irrespective of political affiliations, termed the event as a historic moment for every Indian. There was an air of accomplishment as workers of the Bharatiya Janata Party, the Rashtryia Swayamseval Sangh, and other affiliates of the latter blew conches when Prime Minister Narendra Modi performed ceremonial rituals at the sanctum sanctorum of the makeshift temple and placed a silver brick as the foundation for the new one. BJP offices in various states were decorated and large screens were installed outside the offices to show the telecast of the ceremony -- carried live by almost every news channel in the country. Party workers raised Jai Shri Ram and Jai Siya Ram slogansand after the ceremony, ladoos were distributed among people in several states Ram temples across India were done up for the occasion too, with even the streets leading to some in the countrys Hindi heartland decorated; special prayers were held in most. Rains in several parts of the country including Ayodhya on Wednesday dampened the celebrations but not the sentiments. In Raj Bhavans (the residence of the governors) in l states such as Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh, earthen lamps were lit and special prayers were held. Rajasthan governor Kalraj Mishra, a former BJP leader from Uttar Pradesh, hosted a recitation of the Sundara Kandam, one of the books of the Ramayan, and Sundarkand with his family members and lit 101 earthen lamps at the Raj Bhawan in Jaipur. He said the commitment to build the Ram Temple has been fulfilled. The temple will be established as a symbol of cultural and national unity and with the spirit of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam (the world is one family). Governors of Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand Anandiben Patel and Baby Rani Maurya congratulated the Prime Minister. The dream of all Hindu believers has moved towards reality today, Maurya said. Rajasthan chief minister and Congress leader Ashok Gehlot expressed hope that the temple would become a symbol of unity in the country. His (Rams) life teaches us the importance of truth, justice, equality of all, compassion and brotherhood. We need to focus on establishing an egalitarian society based on the values espoused by Lord Ram, Gehlot tweeted. Punjab chief minister Amarinder Singh also tweeted a congratulatory message and said the temple would bring unit and prosperity in the country. West Bengal chief minister, Mamata Banerjee, who ordered complete lockdown in the state on Wednesday, citin the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic said, Our country has always upheld the age-old legacy of unity in diversity, and we must preserve this to our last breath! West Bengal BJP president Dilip Ghosh claimed that several of its workers were arrested when they violated the lockdown restrictions to visit local temples in Bengal. At Kharagpur in West Midnapore district police resorted to lathi charge after minor clashes with BJP workers. Mamata Banerjee is anti-Hindu, Ghosh added. Haryana chief minister Manohar Lal Khatter and Madhya Pradesh CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan termed the day , historic. This happy moment is historic for every Indian, Khatter said; Chouhan added that the dream of 500 years has come true. The Ram temple will strengthen peace and humanity in the country, said Assam chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal. There was a long and hard struggle for 500 years. But the power of Indian democratic values, judiciary and executive, under the leadership of PM Modi, has shown the world how solutions to problems can be found peacefully through democratic and constitutional means, said UP chief minister Yodi Adityanath. (With state bureau and agency inputs) President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday congratulated Innocent Ujah who was elected as the new President of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) in an unprecedented virtual election, which held on May 30. The president also congratulated all the new executive members of the NMA for the zeal and diligence brought into the organisation within a short period. Mr Ujah, a former director-general of the Nigerian Institute for Medical Research (NIMR), polled 347 votes to beat his closest rival, Oguzie Jerry-the-First, who got 19 votes in the associations first-ever Zoom election necessitated by restrictions and social distancing measures against the coronavirus pandemic. A Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist, Ekpe Philips Uche, emerged Secretary-General of NMA, scoring 264 votes, while his closest rival, Galadinma Usman, got 113 votes. Lagos immediate past NMA Chairman, Saliu Oseni, emerged Deputy Secretary-General of the association scoring 98 per cent to beat his closest rival. Mr Ujah and his executives were inaugurated shortly after the election, Emeka Akpa, the NMA spokesperson, told PREMIUM TIMES Wednesday morning. They resumed immediately and effectively, he said. In Tuesdays congratulatory message, President Buhari said the elected officers have admirable profiles that will take the organisation to greater heights. He particularly acknowledged that Mr Ujah, a professor, has worked extensively with national and international institutions, and progressively contributed to the shaping of national policies on health in the country in different capacities. Ujahs Profile Currently the Vice-Chancellor of the newly created Federal University of Medical Science, Otukpo, Benue State, Mr Ujahs emergence has raised concerns on how the new president will balance working for a government institution and furthering the agenda of the NMA. As a VC of a federal government institution, the role of the association as a pressure group may weaken overtime under Mr Ujah, critics say. The NMA is a major pressure group in the health sector and some even argued it is a quasi-trade Union. But having a VC of a government institution as President will weaken the body, as he has a bigger job with the government to protect a Lagos NMA member and columnist, Goke Akinrogunde, told ThisDay Newspaper. But President Buhari believes he is the right man for the job, assuring him and his executive members of the governments full cooperation to help them succeed in their leadership positions, and improve health services in the country. A Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Consultant Obstetrician and Gynecological Surgeon, Mr Ujah, who will turn 66 in November 6, is said to have the right qualification and knowledge to captain the NMA ship. As a detailed medical researcher at the NIMR, his first move as a president elected during a pandemic era is to call for a review of the countrys response to the COVID-19 outbreak by a team of researchers. He said the evaluation was necessary to ascertain if measures taken so far are appropriate and correct. Earlier in his acceptance speech, the professor said the welfare of doctors will be his priority for the next two years as president of the association. A Benue indigene, Mr Ujah is married with four kids. He attended Ahmadu Bello University in Zaria. He is coming in with 31 years of experience in National Maternal Health policy development in Nigeria Including national integrated planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation activities in 36 states of the Federation and the FCT. Once a chairman of Safe Motherhood Committee in Nigeria and a member, Society of Gynecology and Obstetrics of Nigeria (SOGON), the professor has participated actively in the development, policy formulation, field-testing of certification criteria and implementation of Women and Children friendly health services. READ ALSO: He acquired high-level Senior Executive Course in policy formulation and strategy at the National Institute for policy and strategic studies (NIPSS), Kuru-Jos. Mr Ujah took over from Francis Faduyile, who has been the president of the association since May 2018. NMA, a professional association for registered Nigerian doctors and dentists, elects its leaders biennially. The association has thousands of members across Nigerias 36 states and capital, including those registered in the diaspora. Advertisements The NMA was established in 1951. She fell pregnant with her son, Elijah, when she was just 19. And on Wednesday, former Bachelor star Alex Nation revealed that her child was conceived after a one-night stand with her boss at the time. '[Elijah was] a big whoopsie, but the best whoopsie ever,' the 28-year-old said on Mamamia's Me After You podcast. 'A big whoopsy': On Wednesday, former Bachelor star Alex Nation (pictured) revealed that her son, Elijah, was conceived after a one-night stand with her boss at the time 'We had an office fling and it was just one night of flirting, passion and excitement - and then six weeks later I found out I was pregnant,' she added. Elijah's father, Joel Porter, was just 23 at the time. Despite his young age, he stepped up to the plate and embraced the idea of being a father. 'I take my hat off to him because he was so amazing and so supportive from day one and he just owned the whole dad life,' Alex said. Candid: 'We had an office fling and it was just one night of flirting, passion and excitement - and then six weeks later I found out I was pregnant,' she said on Mamamia's Me After You podcast. Alex is pictured with Elijah (centre) and her ex-husband, Joel Porter (right) Alex and Joel married shortly after she gave birth to Elijah in 2011, before splitting later that year. After a few tumultuous years, they are now on good terms and remain committed to co-parenting their son. The exes even surprised Elijah by taking a family trip to Bali in December for his ninth birthday. Support: Alex and Joel married after she gave birth to Elijah in 2011, before splitting later that year. They are now on good terms, and even went on a family holiday to Bali together last year In June 2019, Alex revealed how far the pair's relationship had come since their split. She shared a photo to Instagram of herself and Joel having lunch together, which she captioned: 'There was a time when this fella and I couldn't sit across from each other without having a heated discussion. 'We both had a lot of growing to do and we needed to work on a few things. I am so thankful for Joel and the relationship we have now.' Alex explained that the former couple had found a way to co-parent amicably, despite still having their disagreements from time to time. Putting their son first: In June 2019, Alex revealed that she and Joel had found a way to co-parent amicably, despite still having their disagreements from time to time 'It's special that Elijah has two parents that love him so much and are willing to work hard to co-parent and have a great, healthy friendship with each other,' she wrote. 'To be real, it can be really f**king hard and it does take work and we are continually working at this. You're an awesome ex-husband and an better dad, Joel.' Alex rose to fame on season four of The Bachelor in 2016. She won the heart of rope-access technician Richie Strahan, but their relationship fizzled out a year later. More than 750 additional policemen posted across Thane commissionerate for Covid duty, will now be released from duty and sent to their original postings as patrolling in the city has been eased following the lifting of lockdown restrictions. The State Reserve Police Force (SRPF) and other special teams too, will leave the city after August 7. The commissionerate has five zones, and apart from its 9,000 police personnel, the department had deputed 750 additional personnel to control the movement of people during the pandemic. Several platoons of SRPF and other special forces were deployed in different parts of the commissionerate, especially in the containment zones. The notice to release them was sent by the police commissioner to the deputy municipal commissioners of all the zones in Thane on August 5. Containment zones have been reduced and the government has now opened the state borders. Apart from at Covid centres, not much police force is needed on the ground. Moreover, with the festive season soon to begin, the teams also need to prepare for the same, said a police officer, on condition of anonymity. In the Thane commissionerate, 926 police personnel tested positive, of which 856 were discharged. Deputy commissioner of police, special branch, B Patil said, We had 9,000 police personnel from our own force, while 750 additional officers were called in. We will now release these personnel while the special forces will be released on August 7. This, however, does not mean that there will be no patrolling in the city. We have enough teams to manage the situation. If there is a staff crunch at a particular police station, we will deploy additional staff there accordingly. Jaguar Land Rover has lost its legal battle to own the trademark rights for the shape of its original Defender 4x4 SUV. A London court dismissed Jaguar Land Rover's appeal on August 3, 2020, Bloomberg reported. According to the U.K. Intellectual Property Office, the shapes that Tata Motors' JLR wanted to have trademark rights were not distinctive enough. Read also: John Boyne Inadvertently Included Legend of Zelda Fictional Items into His Book The judge upheld the IP Office findings. While some specialists may find the design differences significant, they "may be unimportant or may not even register with average consumers." Hence, Jim Ratcliffe's Ineos Group is free to build the similarly shaped Grenadier off-roader. Ineos will push through with its launch plans for The Grenadier JLR expressed its disappointment regarding the court decision. The company said the Defender's shape has trademark rights in several other markets. The Defender's unique shape, JLR said, is instantly recognizable and signifies the brand around the world. Ineos said they would continue with the launch plans, The ruling, they said, confirms that Defender's shape does not serve as a "badge of origin" for the JLR's goods. The company said they are excited to bring The Grenadier to market in 2021. Ineos is already in talks to acquire the Daimler's factory in Hambach, France. Initially, the plan was to locate the plant next to the Ford engine plant at Bridgend, Wales. Work on the Portugal site was also suspended, BBC reported. Check this out: Are You Losing Focus? Margaret Chamblee Shares Seven Ways to Stay Connected as You Continue Working from Home Car Magazine described the Granadier as a mix of Defender, G-class, Jimny, and Wrangler. It has a slightly wider and shorter built than the old long-wheeled Jaguar Land Rover Defender. The bodywork is a mix of aluminum, high-strength steel, and composites. There will be two engine options, six-cylinder petrol, and diesel BMW. Its transmissions will be from ZF while the axles are from Carraro. There won't be a lot of trim levels. However, the Grenadier will offer a lot of options as well as accessories. Commercial Director Mark Tennant said that the Grenadier would have a range of accessories from the off. However, they also want to be quite open-source. That means they will allow people to affix their existing accessories. The off-roader will launch in a crew-cab pickup and long-wheel-based wagon body styles. Short-wheeled base variants are also under development. Pandemic delays production of Defender 90 The production of Defender 90 has been delayed due to the pandemic. That means that the Defender 90 could be available as a 2021 model. JLR's quarterly results showed significant losses and plummeting sales. Total loss before tax is 413 million, while revenues totaled 2.9 billion. Combined retail sales fell 42.4 percent. On a positive note, the company noted a building demand for the new Defender. Based on registrations, it outsold the majority of the brand's range throughout June. Read next: It Looks Like the 2021 Mercedes-AMG GT Black Series Will Be the Most Powerful AMG V8 So Far According to a Back-to-School survey done by the Junior Achievement organization, about 49% of the respondents said that they are concerned over the quality of education due to the COVID-19 pandemic. As the organization is divided by 106 local chapters across the nation, chapters like the one in Laredo have worked to adapt to the growing need of students for more learning opportunities while online. Oralia Bernal, Junior Achievement Laredo District Director, said that to continue to provide the normal curriculum, the organization will now present their information online. The Junior Achievements goal has always been to inspire and impact the lives of young people through our volunteers sharing their knowledge and expertise, Bernal said. If we can inspire a student, and we can introduce them to have an interest and develop interest in their future; we want to inspire them. We also want to prepare them and offer the skills they can take for life. As the local chapter started in 1986, its purpose is to send business volunteers to classrooms and teach JA curriculums to students. The curriculum focuses on financial literacy, entrepreneurship, and work readiness. In South Texas alone, over 60,000 students have been reached and helped, but the COVID-19 pandemic presents the challenge of transitioning to online. To address the situation, Bernal said that while the local JA will not be able to send volunteers to classroom, it will continue by three new options. The first would be to allow volunteers to record their lectures and/or livestreaming. Then there is teacher led, and teacher led with a volunteer present. Each method allows students to ask questions through the used meeting software and Bernal said that a YouTube channel is currently being developed. The information could also be found through the South Texas Junior Achievement website. From the survey responses, which sampled 1,000 children from the age of 13 through 17, over a quarter of them felt that their dreams would not come true due to the pandemic. According to the National Financial Educators Council, the core of financial literacy involves knowledge to make astute and sustainable financial decision. With the uncertainty that COVID-19 blankets over the U.S. population, the JA hopes to inspire and educate students to address their concerns and have an additional tool when in school and after graduation. "These results show that our young people are just as overwhelmed and conflicted by current events as many adults are," said Janie Cook, President, Junior Achievement of South Texas. "They also show that teens are struggling to remain hopeful in the face of the pandemic, economic upheaval, and inequity. That's why at Junior Achievement, we are committed to providing young people with the tools, resources, and support they need to navigate these uncertain times and strive toward a better future." Three pathways will still be a part of the JA curriculum that a student can expect to learn this upcoming year. As the JA teaches students from ages 5-17, students can get an early start to learning about the pathways to financial literacy, entrepreneurship, and work readiness. Despite the moving to an online platform, the quality of the program will remain the same. Bernal also said that she believes that students need to have the available tools to prepare and understand the effect of the pandemic in order to help them work through it and remain successful. We want to provide all that through our curriculum, through our programs because it is one step at a time. We want to inspire them, we want to prepare them and then we want to see them succeed, she added. Currently students can find education resource links through the South Texas website that spans from Kinder to High school. For example, in the high school financial literacy section, students and parents can learn how to apply for financial aid through FAFSA or learn more about different career decisions and plan based on ones interests. With each of the different pathways, students receive plenty of modules in either financial literacy, work readiness and entrepreneurship. Each section is tailored for the students age group and grade. Potential volunteers will also be able to participate and a guide to start is also available through the website. According to the website, in the 2018-19 school year alone, over 8,000 students were helped by 366 volunteers in 66 schools. Ultimately, the Laredo Junior Achievement is still in operation and wants the students, parents and volunteers to know it. Bernal said that the main goal is to help as many students as possible get a head start and have additional tools at their disposal before and after their graduation. Through our programs, through our virtual volunteers, through our teacher.net programs; we want to let the community know, especially students, we are not going away and we are still going to be here to support and give them all the options possible to succeed, Bernal said. Christian Ocampo may be reached at cocampo@lmtonline.com US State Secretary Mike Pompeo held a video conferencing with the Taliban's chief negotiator Mullah Baradar Akhund to discuss the Afghanistan peace deal, the armed group's spokesman is reported to have stated on Tuesday, August 4. The high-level talk included the subject of 400 Taliban prisoners that are still being held by the Afghanistan government in spite of being on the list of 5,000 prisoners demanded by the rebel group, Taliban spokesman Suhail Shaheen said on Twitter. READ: US Sends Special Rep. Zalmay Khalilzad for Peace Talks Ahead Of Intra-Afghan Negotiations 1/2 Today evening, Mullah Bradar Akhund, Deputy-Amir and Head of the Political Office and his delegation had a virtual meeting with Mike Pompeo, US Secretary of State via video-conference. Both sides talked about the inception of intra-Afghan negotiations and the status qu, Suhail Shaheen (@suhailshaheen1) August 3, 2020 2/2 emphasizing that release of the remaining prisoners are essential for commencement of intra-Afghan negotiations. The Secretary of State also welcomed announcement of ceasefire by the Islamic Emirate on the eve of the current Eid. Suhail Shaheen (@suhailshaheen1) August 3, 2020 Afghan peace talks stalled As per the international media reports, the Afghan government had agreed to freed around 5000 prisoners in a round of talks held in February between the US and the Taliban. In addition, the delayed release of the rest of 400 has halted the peace talks that was mentioned in the agreement to start by March 10. Afghan President Ashraf Ghani reportedly said last week that he had "no authority" to release the remaining prisoners as they were involved in serious crimes. Shaheen wrote on Twitter, "Both sides talked about the inception of intra-Afghan negotiations" and they "emphasised that the release of the remaining prisoners are essential for commencement of intra-Afghan negotiations". READ: Man City Hold Peace Talks With UEFA After Bitter FFP Battle To Clear European Ban: Report Meanwhile, Ashraf Ghani ordered the release of 317 Taliban prisoners, a ceasefire between the two parties appears to be holding for the third and final day. According to international media reports, the Afghanistan government has released nearly 317 militant prisoners since July 31, which also happened to be the beginning of Eid al-Adha. The officials have not reported any major clashes between the two sides since the truce began to mark the Muslim festival. As calm prevailed across much of Afghanistan, Ghani and Taliban have both reportedly indicated that long-delayed negotiations could begin post Eid. The release of the prisoners was ordered back in July under a deal signed by the Taliban and the United States. However, because of political infighting in Kabul and a prisoner swap issue, the intra-Afghan talks were delayed. READ: Afghan President Ashraf Ghani Seeks Global Consensus On Peace Talks With Taliban READ: Afghan's Reluctance To Release Taliban's Gruesome Fighters Delaying Peace Talks: Report Image Credit: AP A former Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Professor Kwamena Ahwoi, has admitted that he 'groomed' Felix Kwakye Ofosu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, Kwadwo Twum Boafo and others to 'attack' the founder of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), ex-President Jerry John Rawlings, whenever he criticized President Mills publicly. According to him, this was part of a strategy to 'tame' Mr. Rawlings, who had become a thorn in the flesh of the late President John Evans Atta Mills, who was going to announce his resignation as a result of constant public criticisms he received from the NDC founder. Mr. Rawlings coined the term 'Babies with Sharp Teeth' in reference to young NDC office holders who were ready to 'devour' anyone who dared to criticize the NDC administration. It worked and the strategy proved effective. Rawlings toned down on his public criticism of President Mills. Instead, he turned his anger on the young 'boys and girls' who were talking back at him whenever he criticized President Mills publicly, Prof. Ahwoi revealed. The revelation, which is contained on page 211 of his book entitled: Working with Rawlings, has since stoked fire in the main opposition party, with ex-President Rawlings serving notice that he would soon deal with the callous agenda of bile by the likes of Kwamena Ahwoi. Prof. Ahwoi revealed that he, Captain Kojo Tsikata (rtd) and Kofi Totobi-Quakyi, who were trusted advisors of President Mills, sat and planned the so-called taming strategy, explaining that the strategy we adopted to achieve this objective was simple enough. From our knowledge of President Rawlings, we knew that he could not stand being talked back to by people he considered his subordinates, he indicated in the book. The former minister added this must have been due to his military background because in the military, the subordinate never talks back to his superior officer. So what we decided was that any time President Rawlings attacked or insulted President Mills publicly, one of the young members of the party would take him on publicly, not with insults but with logic. It worked and the strategy proved effective. Rawlings toned down on his public criticism of President Mills. Instead, he turned his anger on the young 'boys and girls' who were talking back at him whenever he criticized President Mills publicly, the Professor recounted. He said this shifted the attention of the NDC founder from the late President to the likes of Felix Kwakye Ofosu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, Kojo Twum Boafo and others, whom he described at a public rally later as 'Babies with Sharp Teeth'. The name stuck, but the Presidency of Professor Mills was saved, he added. JJ Worry On August 30, 2012, the NDC founder, after becoming inundated with verbal onslaughts on his character and person, stated it is said that we should not throw out the baby with the bath water, but what do we do when some of the babies in the tub are babies with hard teeth, biting and spewing some very horrible invective? Should they not be lowered out with the dirty water? After all, one bad nut is all it takes to spoil the taste in your mouth, Mr. Rawlings, who is popularly known as Papa Jee, asserted at the party's special delegates' congress in Kumasi, not knowing the actions of the 'young boys and girls' were sanctioned and commissioned by some power brokers of the then NDC administration. Prof. Ahwoi said he and Totobi-Quakye commissioned the acid tongues like Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, then Deputy Minister of Information; Kojo Twum Boafo, Executive Director of Ghana Free Zones Board, who hopped from one radio station to another; Castle boy Nii Lantey Vanderpuye; Peter Boamah Otukunor; and the late Iddrisu Bature of NDC Al-Hajj rag tag. ---Daily Guide Sydney's coronavirus hotspots have been revealed as health authorities urge residents to get tested as soon as possible, even for mild symptoms. New South Wales recorded 12 new coronavirus cases on Wednesday, with just one infection in hotel quarantine. Chief Health Officer Dr Kerry Chant said people living in Sydney's west and south-west need to come forward for testing due to the proliferation of cases in those districts. 'The areas I am particularly urging the community to come forward is in south-western Sydney and western Sydney, the local government areas of Cumberland, Parramatta, Fairfield, Bankstown, Liverpool and Campbelltown,' Ms Chant told reporters. Chief Health Officer Kerry Chant says people in Sydney's west and south-west need to come forward for coronavirus testing as soon as possible Chief Health Officer Dr Kerry Chant say the local government areas of Cumberland, Parramatta, Fairfield, Bankstown, Liverpool and Campbelltown need to be tested 'I would urge the community with the most mild of symptoms to come forward for testing.' Of the 12 new cases lodged on Wednesday, just one was locally acquired from an unknown source, one from overseas quarantine and ten were linked to known clusters. 'We are very concerned about the unlinked cases,' Ms Chant said. 'We are concerned there may be chains of transmission we are yet to detect.' Ms Chant told NSW residents to avoid or reduce social gatherings over the next few weeks, to reduce the chances of coming near infected people. 'Just some small changes to their life which really means the number of interactions people are having is decreased,' she said. 'It means their likelihood of transmitting it to someone else is reduced.' Of the ten new infections linked to known clusters, two were from the Thai Rock restaurant in Wetherill Park in Sydney's west, and six infections are associated with the funeral gatherings cluster. A Sydneysider wears a face mask while walking through Darling Harbour on Tuesday The other two positive tests are linked to the Apollo restaurant in Potts Point, causing fears the inner-city outbreak will continue to grow. There are now 105 cases associated with Thai Rock Wetherill Park cluster and 30 connected to the Potts Point outbreak, including 24 cases linked the Apollo restaurant and six linked to Thai Rock restaurant at Potts Point. NSW Health said there are 113 active coronavirus cases across the state and nine patients are receiving treatment in intensive care, with six on ventilators. There were 22,087 tests conducted over 24 hours to 8pm on Tuesday, compared to 12,876 the previous day. Two new coronavirus infections reported on Wednesday are linked to the Apollo restaurant in Potts Point (pictured) An alert has been issued for Kids Learning Academy in Busby, in Sydney's south-west, after a confirmed coronavirus case visited the venue on July 29 while infectious. The case is a child of a previously reported infection, linked to Mounties in Mount Pritchard. Kids Learning Academy has been closed for deep cleaning and contact tracing is underway. Two students from Greenway Park Public School and one pupil from Bonnyrigg High School, which were reported as cases on Tuesday, were confirmed in Wednesday's case numbers. The three students are linked to the growing Mounties Club cluster in Mount Pritchard. Kids Learning Academy in Busby (pictured) has been closed for deep cleaning after a confirmed COVID-19 case visited the centre on July 29 while infectious New South Wales has recorded 12 new coronavirus cases, with just one infection in hotel quarantine. Pictured: Sydneysiders wear face masks as they walk in front of Town Hall Both schools in Sydney's south-west reopened on Wednesday after closing on Tuesday for deep cleaning. The 12 new cases in NSW came as Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk declared the whole state and the ACT to be a COVID-19 hotspot and closed the border to NSW residents from 1am on Saturday. 'In NSW we are continuing to see cases hatch each day and this is of great concern to Queensland,' she told reporters. 'We have seen that Victoria is not getting better and we're not going to wait for NSW to get worse. We need to act.' The Yobe State government has received a gift of a fully equipped ambulance to aid the states COVID-19 response strategy. The ambulance, which is expected to aid the pickup and protection of patients who have tested positive to the virus, was donated to the state by the Open Society Initiative of West Africa (OSIWA). At the presentation ceremony in Abuja, OSIWA Country Director, Udo Jude Ilo, who was represented by Catherine Angai, said the organisation know the burden the pandemic brought on states hence the need for assistance from donors and non-governmental organizations. For us, we have been emphasizing on inclusiveness in response to COVID -19 which has taken everybody by surprise and we realize that nobody can do it alone, the government cannot do it alone, citizens cannot do it alone, Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) cannot do it alone. We need each other at this very critical time, she explained. We developed partnership(s) with CSOs, we developed partnership(s) with government institutions and we also developed partnership with (the) government itself. So, for us, it is significant, in terms of how we are reaching out, in terms of how we are showing that we are all in this together, in terms of solidarity and in terms of togetherness as it stands. So, we will continue this support and like I said, we cant do it alone, we need each other. Mrs Angai said the initiative will also donate an ambulance to Plateau State in the coming days as well other essential commodities in the fight against COVID-19 to other states. She urged other donor organizations, funding, and development partners to assist state responses to the contagion. In his response, the governor of Yobe State, Mai Mala Buni, who was represented by the deputy governor, Idi Gubana, while receiving the keys to the ambulance, thanked OSIWA for the kind gesture, noting that the gift will greatly assist the state in collecting of samples through the 17 local government areas across the state. He said the ambulance came at the right time when Nigerias infectious disease outfit, NCDC, is urging for more testing capacity in the country. He said an additional ambulance will make the movement of samples faster. We assure you that we use this ambulance judiciously in the prevention and control of COVID -19 in Yobe state he noted. Yobe, one of the Boko-haram ravaged Northern states is among the states in the country that is yet to see an uptick in the number of coronavirus infections. Of the 44, 433 cases recorded so far in Nigeria, only 67 came from Yobe in which 54 have recovered and discharged after treatment. Eight people have succumbed to the contagion in the state with only five patients remaining in isolation centres receiving treatment. France risks becoming a fugitive haven by halting extradition treaty with HK: experts Global Times By Wang Qi Source: Global Times Published: 2020/8/4 20:42:43 France risked becoming a fugitive haven for desperados after it announced on Monday a halt to the 2017 extradition treaty with the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), experts said. The French foreign ministry said the decision was made in the wake of China's national security law for the HKSAR, which they believe violates "one country, two systems" and "fundamental freedoms" and affects French people and firms. China is firmly opposed to France's false remarks and measures on Hong Kong that interfere in China's internal affairs, Wang Wenbin, spokesperson of China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said on Tuesday. The national security law for the HKSAR is in line with the principle of "one country, two systems" and also ensures the stable and long-term development of the principle. The allegation that Hong Kong's high degree of autonomy and fundamental freedoms are undermined is untenable, Wang said. As of April 22, HKSAR had signed extradition treaties with 19 countries. Analysts believe there is no evidence for France to blame the national security legislation for Hong Kong, and its move was more out of political purposes. Cui Hongjian, director of EU studies at the China Institute of International Studies in Beijing, told the Global Times on Tuesday that the suspension of the extradition agreement with Hong Kong panders to the US, which could affect the political mutual trust between China and France. Signed in 2017, the treaty between France and HKSAR had yet to be implemented before its suspension. Nevertheless, analysts pointed out that the suspension of the extradition treaty will inevitably affect the judicial cooperation between China and the European countries. France's move came after Canada, Australia, the UK, New Zeeland and Germany suspended their extradition agreements with Hong Kong. Cui added that the coronavirus epidemic has reduced European confidence in their political system, and different domestic voices are growing, so they have become more vigilant toward countries with a different political system that performed well against the virus. However, unlike the Five Eyes intelligence alliance countries, France and Germany will not blindly follow the US against China in terms of economy, trade and personnel exchanges, except for diplomatic statements and the termination of judicial cooperation with HK politically, some observers said. "Considering their relations with China, European countries try to limit their response to Hong Kong affairs, and keep a distance from the US and the UK," said Cui, noting that Germany's decision came after the postponement of legislative elections due to a spike in the virus, while France said the national security law for HKSAR "affects our citizens and our businesses." China is France's largest trading partner in Asia, and has been Germany's largest trading partner since 2016. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Taking an August vacation to a rental house in the Outer Banks, to lay on the beach in Ocean City, Maryland, or to visit the grandparents in Ohio? That late-summer getaway could mean your kids have to miss the first few weeks of in-person classes at school, New Jersey school officials are warning families as districts prepare to reopen schools. Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds signed an executive order Wednesday that automatically reinstates the voting rights of some convicted felons. The order will permit some Iowans who have completed their felony sentences excluding those convicted for homicide to automatically be able to vote in elections without having to petition the governors office individually. When someone serves their sentence and pays the price our justice system has set for their crimes, they should have their right to vote restored automatically, plain and simple, the Republican governor said, adding that the current requirements create the potential for uneven justice. It means people who have served their sentence and are seeking to get their lives back on track permanently are prohibited from one of the most basic rights of citizenship, she said. The order requires Iowans to complete any prison probation, or parole, or special sentence before they can register to vote, and will require felons to pay victim restitution before voting, the governor said. Those who committed felony homicide offenses, including murder and manslaughter, will still have to individually apply for restoration. Iowa was the only state with a lifetime ban on voting for convicted felons unless they appealed to the governor and were granted restoration. The ban affected more than 60,000 residents and almost 10% of the states black population, The Hill reported. While the governor had urged state lawmakers to amend the Iowa Constitution to change the felon voting requirements over the past two years, she said in June that she would sign an executive order changing the requirements after facing pressure from state advocates and Des Moines Black Lives Matter activists who pressed her to take action ahead of the November election. A joint resolution that would have allowed for a constitutional amendment that would restore voting rights to some people with convictions failed to pass the state legislature this session. Story continues Reynolds warned that the executive order would only be a temporary fix and continued to press for a constitutional amendment. Let me be clear: an executive order is, at best, a temporary solution. It can be changed with a stroke of a pen by the next governor, which is not good enough, Reynolds said. Something that is fundamentally right should not be based on benevolence of a single elected official. In 2011, Republican Governor Terry Branstad reversed a 2005 executive order by his predecessor, Democrat Tom Vilsack, that restored voting rights for Iowans who completed their sentences. More from National Review TTCU Federal Credit Union donated $1,000 to the Wagoner Public School District this August through the School Pride program, it was announced recently. Other Wagoner-area schools benefitted as well: Coweta received $2,500, Inola got $1,000 and Fort Gibson added $750. At a time when Oklahoma schools and teachers are facing unprecedented challenges, we want to reaffirm our support, President and CEO Tim Lyons said. Were in awe of the way teachers and school districts have stepped up to educate our children. TTCU has been here for teachers since the Great Depression, and its an honor to continue that tradition. Over the past 13 years, TTCUs School Pride program has distributed over $1 million to Oklahoma schools and over $11,000 has been donated to Wagoner Public Schools thus far. The School Pride program began in 2007 as a way for TTCU to give back to area schools. TTCU members select from among over 60 School Pride designs honoring area schools, and every time they use their debit card, TTCU makes a financial donation to the school. A TTCU checking account with a School Pride Visa debit card can be opened online or at any branch. Visit ttcu.com for more information. Mayank Singh By Express News Service NEW DELHI: Fulfilling a long withstanding, the Army deployed women soldiers along the Line of Control (LoC) in Kashmir for the very first time. An Army officer confirming the news said, Army moved in two sections of female soldiers of the Assam Rifles in the month of May. The deployment is at two different locations with a section each at one place. A section in the Army is of 10 soldiers. These are under the charge of a female officer of the Army.Army had a long standing demand of the female soldiers for security duties where gender sensitivities are involved. added the officer. The locations are in the areas like Tangdhar, Uri, Keran where women can be frisked whenever necessitated. These women soldiers in north Kashmir near the LoC will be assigned duties like security duties, sentry, manning check posts, frisking and guard duty. Although Army has recruited the first batch of 99 women trainees in the rank in January 2020 but they are to undergo 61 weeks of training which will include the basic military training and advanced provost training. Meanwhile, the Army has kickstarted the process to grant Permanent Commission to eligible women officers, nearly two weeks after the defence ministry approved the proposal. Officials said the Army headquarters has invited applications by August 31 for grant of Permanent Commission (PC) to women officers recruited under Women Special Entry Scheme (WSES) and Short Service Commission (SSC). The officials said women officers who have joined the Army through the WSES and SSC are being considered for grant of the PC. An end to the ongoing strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) might be in the offing as the federal government is repo... An end to the ongoing strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) might be in the offing as the federal government is reportedly set to resume talks with the leadership of the union. ASUU had in March declared an indefinite strike, citing the federal governments failure to meet its demands. disagreement with the government over issues on revitalization of universities and earned academic allowance. The industrial action was on the back ofdisagreement with the government over issues on revitalization of universities and earned academic allowance. Other issues raised by the union had included the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS) as well as funding of universities. But according to THISDAY, the federal government has resolved to write a letter to the unions leadership to continue negotiations before the end of the week. The media outlet quoted a source as saying that the government has also accepted ASUUs earlier request for a physical meeting which it earlier opposed following lockdown relaxation. The source, however, said the meeting would only hold if ASUU agrees to suspend its four-month-old strike. The move is meant to solicit the cooperation of the university lecturers in the efforts to put necessary mechanism in place for the reopening of tertiary institutions after months of closure due to COVID-19 pandemic, the source said. The federal government will write to request that ASUU should suspend its industrial action to enable talks to commence on their grievances. The suspension of the strike is also important to get the university teachers involved in the preparations for the reopening of the institutions. The source added that the ministry of labour and employment has commenced consultation with other ministries and stakeholders to agree on a fixed date to resume talks between the two parties. When contacted, Moyosore Ajao, chairman of UNILORINs ASUU, said the union has not been briefed about the development. He added that they are ready for negotiations if invited by the federal government. Apart from being a member of the famous Kardashian-Jenner clan, Kendall Jenner has cemented her name in the fashion and modeling industry. Since she first walked on the runway in 2014 for Marc Jacobs fashion show, the brunette bombshell has never looked back and even graced the covers of Harper's Bazaar and Vogue. She was also selected as one of Victoria's Secret angels, aside from landing campaigns for luxury brands like Calvin Klein, Fendi and Chanel. It appears that all of the hard work of the 24-year-old reality star paid off after she was hailed as the highest-paid model in 2020. In fact, she was steps ahead of runway royalties such as Adrianna Lima and Candice Swanepoel. As of this year, Kendall Jenner's net worth is estimated to be $45 million, according to Celebrity Net Worth -- all thanks to her lucrative deals and the salary she received on the longtime running reality show "Keeping Up with the Kardashians." Moreover, like the rest of her family, the supermodel also enjoys splurging on luxury cars and multi-million properties. Recently, the Victoria's Secret model showed off her glamorous Los Angeles mansion for Architectural Digest. The awesome Kendall Jenner house is a luxurious 6,625-square-foot property that was bought in October 2017 for a whopping $8.5million. In her Instagram, the self-confessed interior design junkie mentioned that it has always been her dream to be featured in the magazine. Situated in the exclusive Mulholland Estates neighborhood, the beautiful Kendall Jenner house was described as "bohemian and funky" while offering a tranquil and warm vibe. According to her design team -- Kathleen and Tommy Clements alongside LA-based interior designer Waldo Fernandez -- they are "thrilled to discover that she has taste beyond her years." The interior of her house is filled with warm, earthy colors that boast an art studio, a massive walk-in closet, a pool, and a master bathroom. Aside from this, Kendall Jenner's house also has interesting and expensive pieces. The Golden Bathtub When the supermodel gave a tour of her new home, she also flaunted her master bathroom and revealed one of the key features of the room -- which is her large golden bathtub. The brass tub was made by British brand Catchpole & Rye and reportedly cost $7,500. "I get a lot of love for my gold tub," she said. "I say at least three times a week I'm in this tub. It's my favorite ever." A Tracey Emin Sculpture Kendall Jenner's house also features a neon sculpture that says "Glad to hear you're a happy girl" alongside a measurement (which was reportedly the artist's ex-boyfriends penis). "I'm pretty sure the measurements are an ex-boyfriend of Tracey Emin's penis size, and then the message at the bottom is to his new girlfriend, 'Glad to hear you're a happy girl,'" Jenner mentioned in the clip. "Because he has a really big penis, I believe." The interesting wall art cost around $64,000 and was made by English designer Tracey Emin. James Turrell Wall Sculpture In her living area, the 24-year-old supermodel also has a computer-programmed LED lights. It greets her guests with a dreamy chromatic display. Designed by world-famous artist James Turrell, the wall art glass series are valued at a staggering $500,000 to $750,000, according to Artsy. READ MORE: Ellen DeGeneres Net Worth: How Did Ellen Make Her Fortune? The seventh season of Married At First Sight is currently airing in the U.S. on the Lifetime network. And while the show has been a hit in the States, Stacey Hampton has received backlash from American viewers for her icy demeanour during her wedding to Michael Goonan. Now, in a new interview with Reality TV & Me, the 26-year-old bride has revealed that a grim bout of gastro was behind her bad behaviour. Struggles: Married At First Sight's Stacey Hampton has lifted the lid on the bad bout of gastro she suffered through during her TV wedding to Michael Goonan 'We got married in Melbourne and I was staying in one of the hotels there,' she explained. 'I remember I was just so sick, I was lying on the ground. My hair was all gross and I was just vomiting and trying to eat.' Stacey said that she was forced to call production, who sent some minders to her with medicine so she could make it through her wedding ceremony. 'I remember I was just so sick, I was lying on the ground': The 26-year-old was sprawled out on the floor of her hotel the night before her wedding Married At First Sight has been a lightning rod for controversy in the U.S., where fans of the MAFS franchise have taken to social media to share their brutal thoughts on the Aussie cast. 'Michael and Stacey seem like they want to win this like it's a competition! Couple of weeks ago she said they were a power couple. She sees dollar bills and hes just sleazy big mouth!' wrote one viewer. 'Stacey is outta her mind being in love with Michael...' wrote another. 'My hair was all gross and I was just vomiting and trying to eat': Stacey's chilly behaviour on her wedding day may have been down to her illness Later in her interview with Reality TV & Me, Stacey opened up about her turbulent TV marriage to Michael. 'The way he was talking to me, I have never seen that side to a person...' she said of sitting alongside Michael, 28, during the show's final commitment ceremony. 'Just like, "If you bring this up, I'm bringing this up, but don't you dare say a word on the lounge, just sit there," and that's why you'll see me very quiet.' She added: 'I was like, "Just get me the hell out of here, away from this psycho."' Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-05 23:50:22|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close OTTAWA, Aug. 5 (Xinhua) -- Canada's international trade deficit jumped to 3.2 billion Canadian dollars in June from May's 1.3 billion Canadian dollars, according to Statistics Canada on Wednesday. The country's imports and exports rebounded in June due to the recovery of the automobile industry. Imports surged 21.8 percent to 42.9 billion Canadian dollars while exports jumped 17.1 percent 39.7 billion Canadian dollars in June. The slower recovery of exports led the trade deficit up to 3.2 billion Canadian dollars. However, in comparison with February, the month before the COVID-19 outbreak in the country, imports plummeted 14.3 percent and exports nosedived 17.1 percent. In real terms, imports shot up 28.3 percent in June, while real exports rose 10.6 percent. Import prices were down 5.1 percent while export prices rose 5.9 percent. One Canadian is about 0.75 U.S. dollar. Enditem The Indian benchmark equity indices - Sensex and Nifty - ended flat on Wednesday as investors remained cautious ahead of the RBI monetary policy meet outcome. The BSE Sensex ended 24 points lower at 37,663, while Nifty gained 6 points to 11,101. On Tuesday, Sensex ended 748 points higher at 37,687 and Nifty gained 211 points to settle at 11,102. Among the index heavyweights, Axis Bank was the top gainer, followed by Reliance Industries, IndusInd Bank, UltraTech Cement, Tata Steel, Bajaj Finance, SBI, Bajaj Finserv and ICICI Bank. On the other hand, PowerGrid and Nestle India were among the laggards. On the sectoral front, all the indices, barring financial, pharma, FMCG and PSU banks, ended in green, with metal index rising over 4 per cent, followed by nearly 2 per cent gain across auto space. Also Read: Sensex, Nifty close flat ahead of RBI policy outcome Here's what you need to know before share market opens on August 6. RBI policy announcement The Reserve Bank of India's monetary policy committee (MPC), chaired by Governor Shaktikanta Das, is set to announce its policy statement tomorrow, where the central bank is widely expected to cut repo rates. Experts are, however, divided over the possibility of another rate cut by the RBI arguing that one-time loan restructuring is more essential at this juncture to combat the coronavirus-led economic disruption. While loan restructuring could postpone the recognition of stress in the lender book in the near-term, high share of such assets would be credit negative. Rate sensitive stocks Shares of financial, auto and realty stocks will remain in focus on Thursday as the Reserve Bank India's monetary policy committee will release its policy statement tomorrow. The central bank is widely expected to cut the repo rate by 25 bps. Earnings announcement As many as 75 companies, including the likes of Adani Power, Whirlpool and Lupin are scheduled to announce their June quarter earnings report on Thursday. Also Read: Axis Securities assigns 'buy' to State Bank of India, target price Rs 240 Coronavirus cases Coronavirus cases are constantly rising in the country. India witnessed a spike of 52,509 new cases and 857 deaths in the last 24 hours, the health ministry said on Wednesday. With this, the country has 5,86,244 active cases, 12,82,216 discharged patients and 39,795 deaths. The recovery rate continues to improve and has reached 67.19 per cent, while fatality rate dropped to 2.09 per cent. Corornavirus vaccine update According to the latest update on the coronavirus vaccine, Zydus Cadila's ZyCoV-D Covid vaccine has successfully cleared the first phase of clinical trials. Second phase of human clinical trials, involving 1,000 volunteers, will begin on August 6. Meanwhile, human clinical trial of indigenously developed Covaxin has started at Jeevan Rekha Hospital in Karnataka's Belgavi. Covaxin is India's first vaccine candidate for COVID-19, developed by Bharat Biotech in collaboration with the Indian Council of Medical Research-National Institute of Virology. The Phase I clinical trials for the potential vaccine started on July 15. Among others, Serum Institute is researching a BCG vaccine, besides a collaborative programme with an US partner. Companies like Biological E and Hester Biosciences are also trying to develop COVID-19 vaccines. Drug major Wockhardt has announced an agreement with the UK Government to manufacture vaccines, mainly being developed by Oxford-AstraZeneca and GSK-Sanofi research programmes. Global cues Globally, markets in the Unites States and Europe were trading higher on Wednesday. European stocks were up after falling in six of the last eight sessions as investors digested some of major corporate earnings reports, but weak euro zone economic data restricted gain. Wall Street shares were also trading higher amid reports that White House negotiators may reach a deal on a new coronavirus stimulus package by the end of the week. Stock specific movement Shares of DLF will be in focus after the real estate major announced earnings numbers post market hours on Wednesday. The company reported Rs 179.5 crore pre-tax loss for the quarter ended June 30, compared to Rs 158.9 crore during the same quarter last year. Its operating revenue fell 59 per cent to Rs 543.6 crore from Rs 1,331.2 crore. Diagnostic company SRL will also see some movement after it announced the appointment of Anand K as its new chief executive officer. This is pursuant to the resignation of Arindam Haldar, the former CEO, who has decided to pursue opportunities outside the company after leading it over the last four years. Apollo Tyres reported a consolidated net loss of Rs 135 crore for the first quarter ended June 30, hit by lower sales due to coronavirus pandemic. Net sales during the quarter under review declined to Rs 2,828 crore, from Rs 4,272 crore in the year-ago period. In May, the D.C. Council adopted emergency changes to rules governing petitions proposed by council member Charles Allen (D-Ward 6), allowing them to be returned electronically and by mail, and letting supporters verify their own signatures. The size of the petition sheets was even changed from legal to letter so they could be more easily printed at home. The board of icare will be forced to appear before a NSW parliamentary inquiry after it was extended to hear evidence from the besieged public insurer's chairman. The inquiry will hold an extra third day of hearings on August 24 to question icare chairman Michael Carapiet, a former Macquarie Group investment banker and long-time Liberal Party donor, and State Insurance Regulatory Authority (SIRA) chairman Trevor Matthews. Icare chairman Michael Carapiet will be called to give evidence at a parliamentary inquiry. Credit:Peter Braig Witnesses can be subpoenaed to appear before the inquiry if they refuse to attend voluntarily. Chief executive of icare John Nagle resigned from the agency late on Monday, just hours after appearing before the inquiry where it emerged he had failed to properly declare that his wife had been given a contract with the agency. opinion Ethiopians have varieties of occasional costume. The traditional clothes are colorful and magnificent. Blue, white, red, yellow, black, red and combination of these colors provide beauty to the clothing of the nation. The traditional dressings are common during holidays and occasional festivities. Some clothes are unique to specific celebration. For instance, the clothing meant for Timket, Ethiopian Epiphany, would be slightly different from that would be worn to other holidays provided that shawls, netela have been shared among Ethiopian women. Ethiopia is a home to multi-ethnic groups each having unique culture and tradition with commonalities among them. Likewise, the costume varies from tribe to tribe with likeness in some kind. Thus, one can comprehend not only biodiversity, but also the cultural diversity which is the underlying cause of the beauty of the nation. Some central and northern areas, women's traditional clothes are often made from cloth called shemma. It is basically cotton cloth, about 90 cm wide, woven in long strips which are then sewn together. Sometimes shiny threads are woven into the fabric for an elegant effect. It takes about two to three weeks to make enough cloth for one dress. The bottom of the garment or shirt may be ornamented with patterns. Men wear shorts and a knee-length shirt with a white collar, and perhaps a sweater. They also frequently wear knee-high socks, while women might not wear socks at all. Men as well as women wear shawls, the netela specifically on the occasion of religious celebration and funerals. The shawls are worn in a different style for different occasions. When going to church, women cover their hair with them and pull the upper ends of the shawl about their shoulders reproducing a cross, meskelya, with the shiny threads appearing at the edge. During funerals, the shawl is worn so the shiny threads appear at the bottom, madegdeg. Women's dresses are called habesha kemis, and are often made from the shemma cloth. The dresses are usually white with some color above the lower hem. Bracelets and necklaces of silver or gold are worn on arms and feet to complete the look. A variety of designer dinner dresses combining traditional fabric with modern style are now worn by some ladies in the cities Samuel Argaw, Production and Plan Manager of traditional garment, told The Ethiopian Herald that the consumption of local products has been increasing over time with the improvement of the quality of their products. Some of the products are of fine quality. They are of export quality and are being dispatched to foreign countries, he said. Samuel added that the price of the items is calculated based on the total cost incurred during production. About 70 to 80 percent of the raw materials are imported from abroad. This is one of the major factors that contribute to price increment. In an exclusive interview with The Ethiopian Herald, Sileshi Amba, a consumer of traditional cloth, said that buying domestic products can have double significance. One is, it can cultivate the habit of using domestic products and boost the confidence of using them. Again, it can contribute to the economy of the country. Sileshi is proud of wearing domestic products including cultural clothes. Wearing cultural cloth would help display the beauty of the country to the rest of the world. The country has multitudes of natural and manmade wonders. And the cultural cloth is one of the beauties, as to him. The consumer figured out the first problem with wearing cultural cloth to be the comfort of the cloth. The clothes are not suitable for casual dressing. Most of the clothes are not to be dressed at work place. Thus, he usually wears them for special occasions. The clothes are colorful and are easily vulnerable to dirt besides their high cost. Ayda Alemayehu, Salesperson at Tobel Cultural Cloth, said that the cultural clothes sold at her shop are worn occasionally. This is because the products are not comfortable to be worn daily. Buyers come to her shop during holidays and special events. The demand for the cloth is also seasonal. People visit their shop only if they have to attend special occasions such as public and religious holidays, as well as weddings. Foreigners and Ethiopians living abroad may need the clothes as well. Otherwise, buyers rarely come to the shop, she added. Ayda further explained that the production process of the clothes is difficult, time consuming and labor intensive. Due to this reason, the price of the clothes is high compared to casual clothes. Amanuel Luba, salesperson of Sena Cultural Garment, told The Ethiopian Herald that selling domestic products is interesting. He earned much confidence in wearing and selling domestic products since he started the business. It gives a sense of national pride, as to him. For Amanuel, some cultural clothes are colorful and loose. They are not fit and slim, thus, are not favorable for casual clothing. Rather, they are preferred during special holidays and cultural festivities. As a result, the demand for the clothes is situational. Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Ethiopia Entertainment By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later. The traditional clothes need to be designed in such a way that they could be comfortable and fit to every event. They should be made with fashionable design. Fashion is replacing the traditional clothes. Thus, making traditional clothes in a fashionable way could help increase the demand for the clothes. The sellers agreed upon the fact that production and consumption of domestic goods and services would help enhance domestic business. It would help create job opportunity, maximize tax income, and increase Gross Domestic Product, they pointed out. Some people of the country wear clothes of their own culture casually. They put on a piece of garment woven by local weavers. The Omo people are typical example of such people. They are known for their unique costume. Almost all of them put on their inland clothes regularly. Ethiopians are also known for the cultural jewelries which are worn around the neck, the ankle, wrist, and head. Beads and other jewelries made of shiny metals are common among the people. 14 Baptist church members killed during suspected Fulani massacre in Nigeria Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment Fourteen members of a Baptist church in the Kogi state of Nigeria were reportedly killed during a raid by suspected Fulani radicals last week. Residents have since fled the area as farming communities in Nigerias Middle Belt continue to be targeted. As alleged genocide has reportedly claimed the lives of more than 1,400 Christians in Nigeria this year, the attack last Wednesday is the latest reported massacre of Christians in Nigeria. Kogi State Command Commissioner of Police Ede Ayuba told the nonprofit persecution news outlet Morning Star News that an attack was carried out in the Agbadu-Daruwana area of the Kogi state around 2 a.m. on July 29. Ayuba explained that killed in the incident were 13 members of one family, leaving only one surviving member. The survivor lost his wife, mother, all of his children and the rest of his extended family, including an aunt, uncle and sister-in-law. According to Morning Star News, leaders of the All Africa Baptist Fellowship posted on the groups Facebook page that the victims in the Agbadu-Daruwana attack are all congregants of Bethel Baptist Church, a member of the Lokoja Baptist Association. They have since been buried, the All Africa Baptist Fellowships Facebook post is quoted as explaining. All the community members, mainly Christians, have all fled. Please pray for Gods intervention against antichrist in the land. According to a resident of the area, a Fulani language was spoken during the attack. The Fulani people group, which consists of millions across Africa, are predominantly Muslim cattle herders. Some have been radicalized to carry out heinous attacks on farming villages across Nigeria's fertile Middle Belt states in recent years as land resources have become increasingly scarce. The attack took place in a predominantly-Christian village, near other villages that have been victims of attacks. They invaded the village armed with guns and riding motorcycles, the resident named Rachael Nuhu claimed. They were speaking in the Fulani language as they attacked our people. This is not the first time theyre attacking our communities, as other villages around us had been attacked in a similar way by these herdsmen. The attack comes as human rights groups have sounded the alarm that the atrocities committed against Christians in Nigeria both by Fulani herdsmen and Islamic extremist groups in Nigeria's northeast are reaching the standard for genocide. On Jan. 30, Christian Solidarity International issued a genocide warning for Nigeria after the Jubilee Campaign issued a similar warning last year in a report to the International Criminal Court. The U.S. State Department placed Nigeria on its special watch list of countries that engage in or tolerate severe violations of religious freedom last December. Last week, the International Society for Civil Liberties and Rule of Law estimated that no less than 1,421 Christians have been killed in the first seven months of 2020, with Fulani radicals reportedly responsible for 1,027 deaths. Meanwhile, extremist groups like Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province in the northeast Lake Chad region are responsible for 310 deaths. The Intersociety report provides a state-by-state breakdown showing that 54 have been killed in Kogi state this year. Violence has hit harder in other states as 363 Christian lives were taken in the Kaduna state, 158 in Pleatue state and 152 in Benue state. Thousands of defenseless Christians who survived being hacked to death have also been injured and left in mutilated conditions with several of them crippled for life, Intersociety stated in a July report. Hundreds of Christian worship and learning centers have been destroyed or burnt; likewise thousands of dwelling houses, farmlands and other properties belonging to Christians. Intersociety, which is headed by Christian criminologist Emeka Umeagbalasi and based in Anambra state, also reported a rapid increase in young women being abducted in Nigeria. Sometimes, women are forced into sex slavery and rarely returned to their communities. Intersociety estimated in July that 1,000 Christian citizens have been abducted in Nigeria this year. Nigeria ranks as the 12th-worst country in the world when it comes to Christian persecution, according to Open Doors USAs 2020 World Watch List. According to Christian Solidarity Worldwide, 10 women, an infant and an elderly man were reported to have burned to death inside a home during a suspected Fulani attack in settlements close to Chibwob in early July. All the areas under Jihadist Herdsmen attacks are Christian communities, as to date," Intersociety explained in its July report. "There are no pieces of evidence anywhere showing killing of Muslims and taking over of their lands, farmlands and houses or destruction or burning of Mosques by the Jihadist Herdsmen." The frequency and severity of attacks towards Christians reached the level of genocide in Nigeria more than a year ago, according to the Jubilee Campaign, which advocates on behalf of religious minorities across the globe. The revision of the electoral registers will end this August 31, 2020 in accordance with the provision of the Electoral Code. After the twin election of Members of the National Assembly and municipal councilors on February 9, 2020, the elections organizing institution in Cameroon, Elections Cameroon (ELECAM), re-launched the revision of the electoral registers on April 9, 2020. Political parties that are the main beneficiaries in the electoral process as elections constitute the gate way to get to power are not really perceptible on the field with the hitherto mobilization for the registration operation. Council branches of Elections Cameroon in charge of registering potential voters are on their part, mobilized for the registration operation despite the current coronavirus pandemic health crisis. The Yaounde III Council branch of ELECAM is one of those in which all measures have been taken to register potential voters while respecting the restrictive measures put in place to fight against the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic. The ELECAM Council branch head, Helene Onana Ngono who was effectively at work on Monday, August 3, 2020 told Cameroon Tribune that they work every day with limited staff considering that the Director General of Elections at ELECAM, Erik Essousse instructed rotation between workers to limit the chances of the spread of the coronavirus pandemic. As for voters registration proper, she said, there is no affluence partly because of the COVID-19 pandemic and also because the twin legislative and municipal elections just took place. Helene Onana Ngono disclosed that there are some weeks in which they would register two or three potential voters and others in which no potential voter would come. The upcoming election in Cameroon is the regional council election whose voting is through indirect suffrage considering that the electoral college are municipal councilors and traditional rulers. Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Cameroon Governance By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later. In the Yaounde II and Yaounde VI Council branches of ELECAM, the staff were also present ready to register potential voters. The official in charge of Administration and Finance in the Yaounde VI Council, Mohamadou Moussa, in the absence of the branch head, told Cameroon Tribune that they work every day. He said one potential voter was enrolled in the electoral register on August 3, 2020 morning and further disclosed that averagely 15 to 20 potential voters register in a week. Political party leaders are expected to create awareness and mobilize their members, supporters and sympathizers to enroll in the electoral registers to increase their chances of winning all elections conducted through universal suffrage. They are also expected to send their representatives to the Commissions charged with the Revision of Electoral Registers set up in all council branches of ELECAM. The real absence of affluence and interest in the revision of the electoral registers is largely due to the silence of political parties. The few party officials seen on the field now mostly do mobilise their supporters against the COVID Got a question or tip? Contact us at bizmojoidaho@gmail.com. The unemployment rate fell to 16.7pc last month as thousands of employees returned to work. New official figures show that the rate fell by over 6pc in July from 23.1pc in June. However, unemployment is still over 10pc higher than it was before the crisis when the economy was close to full employment. Read More Central Statistics Office data released this morning also reveals that the pandemic has hit younger people hard. Unemployment stands at 41.2pc for 15 to 24 years olds compared with 13.7pc for over-25s. The standard unemployment rate, which does not include pandemic payment claimants, rose to 5pc last month, up from 4.6pc in June. However, it was down from 5.1pc 12 months ago. Economist Dan OBrien tweeted that Irelands official unemployment estimate had fallen sharply after peaking at almost 29pc in April. Much better than I would have expected, so good news, he said. But plenty of caveats, including how many wage subsidised jobs will ultimately be lost. Chief Economist at Grant Thornton Ireland, Andrew Webb, said the latest labour market information continues to show the severity of the pandemic on economic performance. He said this included a particularly severe impact on younger people. The new COVID-19 adjusted measure of unemployment indicates a rate of 41.2pc for those aged 15 to 24 years and 13.7pc for those aged 25 to 74 years, reflecting the typically higher proportion of younger employees in the sectors that are last to re-open and hardest hit by the lockdown, he said. It is crucial that these temporary unemployed dont become permanently so. The various measures in the July stimulus aimed at getting us back into the consumption patterns aim to ensure there are jobs to return to for those currently unemployed. He said there are nervous times ahead as we wait and see how the economy performs over the coming months." Economist at job website Indeed, Jack Kennedy, said todays figures bring some positive news. The success of the July Jobs Stimulus plan will be important for retaining existing jobs and creating new ones, he said. Extension of PUP and the Employment Wage Support Scheme will help those most affected stay afloat, while recruitment subsidies under the JobsPlus scheme should help the 41.2pc of those under 25 who are receiving PUP. He said this will be very important, as the option of emigration for young people we usually see during times of economic distress is currently unavailable. Although we can see that things are slowly getting better, the partial delay of phase four plans is a stark reminder of just how reliant the economy is on the public health situation, he said. Although much of the economy has reopened successfully, the threat of reclosure looms for many who are just now getting back on their feet. Hopefully we will continue to see the steady momentum in the economy weve seen over the past weeks." Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 5) As if the Anti-Terrorism Act was not controversial enough, the newly-appointed chief of the Armed Forces said the measure should regulate the use of social media, drawing flak from netizens. Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana in a statement on Wednesday said he too was surprised when he heard Lt. Gen. Gilbert Gapay raise the issue of social media regulation in a news briefing early this week. Lorenzana, who was seated beside Gapay during the press conference, later asked for clarification. He (Gapay) said his explanation was incomplete, Lorenzana said. According to him he meant the darknet, that clandestine network that peddles drugs, traffic people, sells guns and explosives, hire assassins and other illegal activities, the defense chief added, with a note that these underground operations are also difficult to curb. Lorenzana stressed that the Anti-Terrorism Act does not and should never regulate social media, since that would violate freedom of speech and discourse. READ: Online personalities to SC: Anti-terrorism law dangerous in hands of hypersensitive govt officials However, in a separate statement released by Armed Forces spokesperson Maj. Gen. Edgard Arevalo, he said Gapay wanted to "[put] the use of SocMed to order" to ensure that terrorists will not be able to use any social networking site for terrorist activities and recruitment. Arevalo said Gapay was taking into account the 2017 Marawi siege which left over 1,100 people dead. During the war that lasted for five months, the military reportedly asked Facebook to take down dozens of fake accounts suspected to be used by the Maute terror group and its sympathizers. Tracking the terrorists online activities is therefore among Gapays proposals to the Anti-Terrorism Council, which is crafting the implementing rules and regulations of the contested measure. "But if he is to give this as an input to the IRR being crafted, he does so while aware that the AFP is just one among other agencies to be consulted and his view is subject to constitutional limitations, existing laws, and regulations," Arevalo said. The AFP assures the public that it will not curtail and instead protect the peoples right to free speech, assembly, and redress of grievances as enshrined in the Constitution, he added. Republic Act 11479 or the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020, signed into law on July 3, has yet to be fully implemented since law enforcers are waiting for the IRR. But it is now the most challenged law at the Supreme Court, with at least 22 petitions seeking to declare it unconstitutional. Among its contentious provisions is extending the time suspected terrorists can be arrested and detained without warrant, from three days under the previous law, to up to 24 days. Critics said the new measure relaxes safeguards on human rights and is open to abuse, but lawmakers who authored and sponsored the measure maintained that law-abiding citizens should not fear it. TC Energy Corp. has reached agreements with four labour unions to build the controversial Keystone XL oil pipeline a move that could amplify political pressure on Joe Biden, who has threatened to rip up permits for the project even as he courts blue-collar workers. The labour agreements being announced Tuesday help pave the way for 2,000 unionized workers to begin building some of the projects 28 planned pump stations in the U.S. this fall even while TC Energy continues to seek other permits to begin constructing the pipeline itself according to Senior Vice President Richard Prior. TC Energy is already building the Canadian portion of Keystone XL, aiming to start shipping crude in 2023. U.S. politics have whipsawed the project for more than a decade, with former President Barack Obama rejecting an essential border-crossing permit in 2015, only to have President Donald Trump issue one two years later. The Supreme Court dealt Keystone XL another setback last month, when it left in force part of a lower court order blocking an Army Corps of Engineers authorization for all of Keystone XLs planned U.S. water crossings, forcing the TC Energy to seek individual permits instead. In May, a Biden campaign released a statement saying the Democratic nominee would rescind Keystone XLs presidential permit and stop it for good. A campaign spokesman confirmed Bidens position on Tuesday. Prior stressed that the agreements would ensure higher wages for specialized union workers at a time when COVID-19 is walloping the U.S. and Canadian job markets. TC Energy reached the labour agreements with four major pipeline unions:Laborers International Union of North AmericaInternational Brotherhood of TeamstersInternational Union of Operating EngineersUnited Association of Union Plumbers and Pipefitters.TC Energy will spend approximately $10 million underwriting renewable energy jobs training and is committing to employ Native American, veteran and local and diverse businesses, Prior said. The Keystone XL pipeline project will put thousands of Americans, including Teamsters, to work in good union jobs that will support working families, said Teamsters General President Jim Hoffa in a news release. A Mumbai cop who was contacted by a relative of Sushant Singh Rajputs has said that he was told to slap the actors girlfriend, Rhea Chakraborty, after his family alleged that she was alienating him from his family and misappropriating his funds. The cop told Mid-Day that Sushants family has been trying to mislead the public by releasing WhatsApp conversations. He [the relative] wanted us to slap actor Rhea Chakraborty and keep her in custody without a formal complaint, Zone 9 Deputy Commissioner of Police Paramjit Singh Dahiya said. In the messages, released by Sushants family, the actors brother-in-law OP Singh expressed concerns about the his well-being. The family is saying that they had informed the police about these concerns in February, but the police had not taken action. The police has said that the family wanted the matter to be resolved informally, without an official complaint. Also read: Sushant Singh Rajputs family lawyer says during stay with Rhea Rs 15 cr removed from account, but Rs 50 cr withdrawn in 3 years In February, he sent me WhatsApp messages, asking me to call Rhea to the police station and slap her. Rhea and Sushant were in a live-in relationship then. They wanted us to take her and someone named Miranda in custody. I told him we need a written complaint to take any action, but he didnt file one. Dahiya continued. I cant call the actor and slap her. This is against the law and O P Singh should know this... I had asked O P Singh several times to file a formal complaint, but he never did. Why is the senior IPS officer bringing up the matter after 45 days and spreading the wrong message that we didnt act? In the messages, OP Singh had expressed concerns that Sushant might be in danger because Rhea had taken him to a farmhouse, away from his family. When the matter went out of hand, Sushant called up my wife to be rescued. He stayed with us 2-3 days. went back fine citing his shooting commitments. He is downhill again with reports of Rhea firing all Sushants loyal team members and putting her own stooges. His third sister, a Delhi-based lawyer, who used to be with him and visit him frequently is panicky that he has surrendered to a manipulative group of people and his life is at risk, one of the messages read. In a video message shared on Monday, Sushants father KK Singh said, On February 25, I informed Bandra Police that the life of my son Sushant is in danger. He died on June 14 and I asked them to act against people named in my Feb 25 complaint. No action has been taken even 40 days after his death. So, I filed FIR in Patna. Patna Police swung into action. But the accused is running away(on the loose). Patna Police should be given help. I thank Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and his colleague Sanjay Jha who gave support to the truth in this hour of grief. Also read: Sushant Singh Rajputs family shares WhatsApp chats with Mumbai Police, had informed that Rhea Chakrabortys family kept him at a resort for 3 months The Mumbai Police said in a statement in this regard, Today KK Singh, father of late Sushant Singh Rajput has released a statement saying that the family had made a written complaint to Bandra Police on 25th February It must be clarified that no such written complaint has been addressed to Bandra Police Station on that date. However, one OP Singh IPS, the brother in law of late Sushant Singh Rajput, had sent some WhatsApp messages to the then DCP Zone 9 regarding this matter. The then DCP Zone 9 had called OP Singh and requested him that a written complaint is mandatory for any enquiry or action. However, Singh wanted this to be resolved informally to which the then DCP Zone 9 clearly told him that it was not possible. Follow @htshowbiz for more SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Muslims in Cheongju, North Chungcheong Province, wait to get tested for COVID-19, Wednesday, after six Uzbeks who attended a religious ceremony with them later tested positive for COVID-19./ Yonhap By Kim Se-jeong The latest COVID-19 cases involved six Uzbek nationals living in Cheongju, North Chungcheong Province, 137 kilometers south of Seoul, according to the quarantine authorities who added that they were tracing the patients' movements from the last couple weeks. Five of the six live together in one flat, according to the authorities, and all except one attended an Islamic religious ceremony on July 31. The authorities conducted virus tests on 336 who also attended the event, Wednesday, and as of Wednesday afternoon found 128 negative. Besides the religious service, the six separately visited a Mongolian restaurant, a public sauna, a cafe and a branch of Nonghyup Bank. The virus testing done on 40 people who had been to those outlets at the same time found four positive. The authorities are looking closely into one among the six who returned to Korea recently from Uzbekistan. He arrived at Incheon International Airport from Uzbekistan on July 7, tested negative for the virus and spent two weeks in a designated facility for self-quarantine. He left for home without taking the final test, a point which the quarantine authorities view with suspicion. Now, all under self-quarantine must take the virus test before they are released, but it wasn't mandatory for him. "He could be an asymptomatic patient," an official from North Chungcheong Province said. According to the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Korea reported 33 additional COVID-19 cases on Monday, pushing the total number of cases up to 14,456. The death toll was reported at 302, up one from the previous day. Among the 33, 18 were imported cases, including six additional Uzbek nationals. One among the 15 domestic cases was a man in his 40s linked to a Russian fishing vessel in Busan that reported 32 cases among its sailors. The sailors spent more than two weeks freely after they arrived in Busan and are believed to have spread the virus to locals with whom they came in contact. By Trend Over the past 24 hours, Armenian armed forces have violated the ceasefire along the line of contact between Azerbaijani and Armenian troops 36 times, Trend reports referring to Azerbaijani Defense Ministry. Armenian armed forces were using large-caliber machine guns. The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988 when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. As a result of the ensuing war, Armenian armed forces occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan, including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and seven surrounding districts. The 1994 ceasefire agreement was followed by peace negotiations. Armenia has not yet implemented four UN Security Council resolutions on the withdrawal of its armed forces from Nagorno Karabakh and the surrounding districts. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz PARIS and CAMBRIDGE, Mass., Aug. 5, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- ENTEROME SA, a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company leveraging its unique knowledge of the microbiome-immunoinflammation axis to develop next-generation therapeutics, announces that Pierre Belichard, CEO, and Christophe Bonny, CSO, will participate in the BTIG Virtual Biotechnology Conference 2020 which will take place August 10-11th 2020. In addition to meeting with individual investors, Pierre Belichard will participate in a fireside chat on Monday, August 10, 2020 from 09:00 to 09: 25 EDT. Contacts Enterome Pierre Belichard, CEO [email protected] Media Relations Mark Swallow / Sylvie Berrebi / David Dible Citigate Dewe Rogerson Tel. +44 207 638 9571 [email protected] Investor Relations Melody Carey Rx Communications Group Tel. +1 917 322 2571/ [email protected] About Enterome Enterome is a world leader in the discovery and development of novel pharmaceuticals based on its unrivalled understanding of the interaction between the gut microbiome and the immune system (the 'microbiome-immunoinflammation axis'). Enterome is leveraging this expertise to develop a pipeline of clinical and pre-clinical candidates (small molecules, proteins and peptides) with a focus on cancer, autoimmune, inflammatory and metabolic diseases. Enterome has two unique platforms that are generating highly promising drug candidates: OncoMimics : highly effective, off-the-shelf immunotherapies against cancers (EO2401, EO2463). EO2401 is in Phase 1/2 clinical trials in patients with glioblastoma and expected to enter first clinical studies in patients with adrenal malignancies during mid-2020. EO2463, is being prepared as a clinical candidate for B-cell malignancies (lymphomas and leukemias). : highly effective, off-the-shelf immunotherapies against cancers (EO2401, EO2463). EO2401 is in Phase 1/2 clinical trials in patients with glioblastoma and expected to enter first clinical studies in patients with adrenal malignancies during mid-2020. EO2463, is being prepared as a clinical candidate for B-cell malignancies (lymphomas and leukemias). EndoMimics: a new generation of biologics for inflammatory diseases (EM101), Type 2 diabetes and inflammatory bowel disease. These highly productive platforms have been created using Enterome's world-leading Metasecretome technology, which gives it an unrivalled ability to generate precision drugs by using the natural reservoir of thousands of safe and tolerized effector proteins that are produced by the gut bacteria. Enterome's most advanced drug candidate is EB8018 (also referred to as sibofimloc/TAK-018), which selectively blocks the virulence factor FimH, is advancing through clinical trials in Crohn's disease. EB8018 has been partnered with Takeda globally, with Enterome retaining a significant profit share in the US. Enterome is headquartered in Paris (France) with operations in Boston (US) and is backed by leading venture capital investors. For more information please visit: www.enterome.com SOURCE Enterome Dressed to impress, the LC Convertible Regatta Editions theme has roots to the origin story of the LCs design, which Lexus described as being inspired by ocean-going yachts. Its a saucy piece, for sure, but sadly, access to the LC Regatta Edition is going to be very difficult. Lexus didnt say how many units of the LC Regatta Edition it plans to build, but allocations in the U.K. and Europe have completely dried up. No word yet on how many units are headed to America, or if theyre still available, to begin with. Lexus is turning to the open seas as the inspiration behind its latest special edition model. Evoking the ambiance of a luxury marina Lexus words, not mine the Toyota-owned luxury brand is commemorating the opening of orders for the new LC Convertible by rolling out a special edition LC droptop called the Regatta Edition. Whats so special about the Lexus LC Convertible Regatta Edition? Lexus is the author of a list of impressive special edition models, so its no surprise that the Lexus LC Convertible Regatta Edition hits us in all the right spots. Its not a particularly flamboyant special edition, but the exclusive touches mesh with the roadsters identity, making the Regatta Edition look all the more natural. Lets start with the color scheme. Lexus calls the exclusive paint Structural Blue, which a lot of you may have already heard of. Lexus first showcased the unique paint finish at the 2016 Geneva Motor Show before using it on, ironically, a special edition LC Coupe called the Structural Blue Edition a year later. The Structural Blue paint is unique because of its composition. According to Lexus, it features a special kind of pigment that has no less than 40 separate layers, including a 15-micrometer layer between the primer and clear coats. It also comes with nano structures in the paint that help generate iridescence, a unique characteristic that creates the impression of the blue paint finish changing shades depending on the amount of light its subjected to. Lexus took 15 years to perfect that specific shade of paint before showing it off in Geneva four years ago. That tells you how important the paint is, and that Lexus doesnt just use it on every special edition model it creates. In many ways, the LC Convertible Regatta Edition is special because of its paint alone. But theres also more to it than that. The hood, for example, is finished in a different Marine Blue shade thats in place to mirror the LC Coupes roofline. The interior looks as clean as it can be in white leather. The material covers a majority of the LC Convertible Regatta Editions interior surface, including the seats, steering wheel, headlining, and even the interior facings of the front pillars. Adding some much-needed contrast is the deep blue paint that you can see on the instrument panel and door cards. More blue accents can be found on the headrests, upper shoulder area, and grab handles of the LC Convertible. Lexus LC Convertible specifications Type V8, aluminum block and cylinder heads Displacement 5.0 liters Bore x Stroke 94.0 X 89.5 mm / 3.7 X 3.5 in Compression Ratio 12.3 : 1 Horsepower 471 HP @ 7,100 RPM Torque 398 LB-FT @ 4,800 RPM 0-60 mph 4.4 seconds Top Track Speed 168 mph Final Thoughts I dont need any convincing when it comes to Lexus special edition models. Ive long been a fan of what Toyotas premium brand rolls out. If it can spend almost two decades perfecting a specific kind of paint to use on a special edition model, then Im all for what other things Lexus can pull off in the name of exclusivity. The LC Convertible Regatta Edition is themed accordingly, but, in essence, this model is just the convertible version of the Lexus LC Coupe Structural Blue Edition that we saw in 2017. Not that theres anything wrong with it; if Lexus wants to tout its Structural Blue paint finish under the guise of a differently themed special edition name, then by all means, do it. The important thing, after all, is the content of the book, not the title. Niagara Regional Police have arrested a Port Colborne man in relation to a theft from a vehicle. On July 28, officers responded to the area of Minto and Elm streets following reported thefts that had occurred overnight. An investigation was launched, and a suspect was identified, said a news release issued Tuesday. On Saturday a suspected was located. Kyle Cooper, 28, is charged with theft under $5,000 and fail to comply with a release order. The Imran Khan government has issued a map that shows the entirety of Jammu and Kashmir and the former Gujarati princely state of Junagadh as Pakistani territory. Such maps were common in the 1950s. Over time, Junagadh was largely dropped, but Survey of Pakistan maps have shown the border running south of Jammu. The map has kept the self-determination flag flying by printing across Kashmir that its future will be decided under the relevant United Nations resolutions. Curiously, the border between this fictional Greater Pakistan and China is a frontier undefined something not reflected in Beijings maps. Ancient maps have some use in territorial disputes, overnight ones produced by a weak government have none. Mr Khan issued the map one year after the amendment of Article 370. One of the policy shifts explicit in Indias decision was that the future of this part of Kashmir would no longer be negotiated with Islamabad. Pakistan has spent the past year trying to argue it is essential to the issue. Initially, it turned to the international community to get some support. When that failed, it resumed shelling across the Line of Control and supporting terrorism. That Mr Khans government has now been reduced to printing pieces of coloured paper should be seen as further evidence that Pakistan has been reduced to a cipher as far as Kashmir is concerned. Nepal, Pakistan and others have recently turned to cartography to provoke the Indian government. But drawn ink lines are not even credible statements. They show shallowness of thought and, most crucially, weakness at home. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Jonathan Stempel (Reuters) New York, United States Wed, August 5, 2020 13:06 531 6657ac82168da9fa101c8a4066bb5fd9 2 Entertainment Neil-Young,Donald-Trump,campaign,united-states,lawsuit,music Free Neil Young sued US President Donald Trump's re-election campaign on Tuesday, accusing it of copyright infringement for playing the rocker's songs without permission. In a complaint filed in US District Court in Manhattan, Young objected to the playing of "Rockin' in the Free World" and "Devil's Sidewalk" numerous times at rallies and political events, including a June 20 rally in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Young said he has complained about Trump's use of his songs since 2015, and that the campaign has "willfully" ignored him despite lacking a license. He had also objected when Trump played his music while visiting Mount Rushmore on July 3. "This complaint is not intended to disrespect the rights and opinions of American citizens, who are free to support the candidate of their choosing," Young's lawyers said in the complaint. "However, Plaintiff in good conscience cannot allow his music to be used as a 'theme song' for a divisive, un-American campaign of ignorance and hate." The Trump campaign did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Read also: Rocker Neil Young calls Trump 'a disgrace', backs Sanders Young is seeking damages of up to $150,000 per infringement. Born in Canada and now also a US citizen, Young, 74, was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a solo artist in 1995, and as part of Buffalo Springfield in 1997. It is common for musicians to oppose politicians' alleged unauthorized use or invocation of their music. In a prominent early case, Bruce Springsteen objected in 1984, soon after the release of his blockbuster album Born in the U.S.A., when then-U.S. President Ronald Reagan invoked his name during his re-election campaign. Last month, dozens of artists including Aerosmith, Rosanne Cash, Green Day, Mick Jagger and Keith Richards, Elton John, Linkin Park, Lorde, Pearl Jam and Sia joined an open letter calling on politicians to obtain permission before playing their music at campaign and political events. A UN-backed tribunal has postponed the delivery of judgments in the trial of four members of the militant group Hezbollah charged with involvement in the 2005 assassination of former Lebanese prime minister Rafik Hariri. The move was a mark of respect to victims of the devastating explosion that rocked Beirut late Tuesday. The verdicts were to have been read out in the Special Tribunal for Lebanon's courtroom in the Netherlands on Friday, but will now be delivered on Aug. 18. In a statement, the tribunal says the decision to delay Friday's court hearing was made out of respect for the countless victims of the devastating explosion that shook Beirut on Aug. 4 and the three days of public mourning announced in Lebanon. The court has expressed its solidarity with the Lebanese people in these difficult times. Palestinians in the Gaza Strip are participating in a blood donation drive to try and help victims of the explosion in Beirut that has wounded thousands. Dozens took part in a blood drive in the city of Khan Younis on Wednesday, which was sponsored by the Palestinian Red Crescent Society. Organizers said they will coordinate with the International Committee of the Red Cross to try to get the blood donations delivered to Lebanon. I donated my blood in a moment of loyalty to the Lebanese people, said Khan Younis resident Abu Diab Ouida. The Gaza Strip has been under a joint Israeli-Egyptian blockade since 2007, after the Islamist militant group Hamas took power from Palestinian rivals in an armed coup. It remains unclear whether the donated blood will be able to reach Lebanon. The Hungarian government says it is donating 1 million euros ($1.2 million) for rescue, salvage and reconstruction efforts in Lebanon. The donation to be made through the Hungary Helps program, which provides assistance mainly to charities of Christian churches and other religious organizations around the world, will be given to Lebanon's Maronite Church. State Secretary Tristan Azbej said Wednesday that the good friend is known in trouble and the Hungarians are good friends of the Lebanese people. (AP) RS RS The expired third round of the Community-Led Accelerated Water, Sanitation & Hygiene Project (COWASH) has been extended for an additional six months to improve Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) emergency preparedness in five regional states. The governments of Finland and Ethiopia have contributed 182 million Br for resilience building in Amhara, Benishangul Gumuz, Oromia, Tigray and Southern Nations, Nationalities, & Peoples' Region. The project is aimed at supporting the preparedness and response of the beneficiary regional states toward the pandemic. Ethiopia contributed 81.4 million Br, while the remaining will be covered by Finnish government. The four-year project expired in June, and the fourth version was supposed to follow but was delayed due to the pandemic. The project will coincide with improving the WASH service in selected weredasthrough a community-managed project approach, where the community has power for planning, implementation, operation and maintenance of water supply facilities as well. The support is primarily focused on advancing the accessibility of safe water and sanitation in areas with no access to clean water. Through this extension, 1,000 community and 400 school and health facility water points are expected to be built along with maintaining 1,000 school and health facility latrines. The project is set to create 1,500 hand washing facilities and involves the participation of 175,000 people in the project areas. It is expected to benefit 600,000 users. Eight million Birr has been allocated as a response for an emergency procurement in COVID-19 treatment, isolation and quarantine centres and other COVID-19 hot spots in the project areas, which will go toward WASH-related items and services. The project will focus on introducing intensive hand washing at all levels by building accessible hand washing facilities for homes, institutions and water points. It will also work on launching local soap production and the promotion of sustained behaviour change on hygienic practices. Under this scheme, 1,500 hand washing facilities will be built. For the execution of the project, the community-led project will involve training 25,000 people over two days. The people will be trained to educate the local community on how to use the built facilities without physical contact, how to protect themselves from the pandemic and what to do or follow if they show symptoms, according to Melaku Tekola, communications and knowledge management advisor for the project. Beginning a quarter century ago, the project has been using a community development funding approach and was already implemented in the Amhara Regional State. Then nine years ago COWASH transitioned to a community-led approach where the community is involved in the construction, management and maintenance of the water points in 76 weredasacross five regional states. "The community-led project gives a sense of ownership to the community," said Melaku, adding that it has helped COWASH achieve a 93pc success rate. Before switching the approach, various research studies were conducted, according to Arto Suominen, COWASH's chief technical advisor. "The research was detailed and well-grounded," he said. "It has helped us make evidence-based decisions for the project based on the assessments on the impacts and challenges." The projects are in areas of political instability, and damage caused to the sites are becoming the primary challenge, according to Arto. "The station in Welkayet is one example," he said. Over the last nine years, after the new approach was implemented, the two countries have contributed 2.7 billion Br. Over half of the funds came from Finland. From the project, 4.2 million people benefited from water supply, while 4.1 million people were beneficiaries of health facilities. A total of 16,961 and 814,448 water and health facilities with latrines, respectively, were built. Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Coronavirus Ethiopia Europe and Africa By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later. While access to pure water is mandatory for survival, it is less accessible to rural areas that are far from getting clean water, according to Abebe Dinku (PhD), civil engineer and expert in water sanitation. "A project like COWASH is even more important for a COVID-19 vulnerable population," Abebe said. The fourth phase of COWASH, which will be launched in January 2021, targets 800,000 people as beneficiaries of upgraded safe water supply. Increasing latrine access to households from 42pc to 62pc is also the target of the fourth phase. Finland's government has already set aside 18.4 million euros for the third round. Her ex-boyfriend Michael Goonan has been making the most of his single life after being spotted kissing an array of women since their split last month. But KC Osborne, 31, appeared to be enjoying her own company as she headed to her dance class at Launch Pac on the Gold Coast on Wednesday evening. The Married At First Sight star cut a stylish figure in a pair of loose joggers and a cropped grey hoodie which put focus on her toned midriff. Single lady! KC Osborne, 31, appeared to be enjoying her own company as she headed to her dance class at Launch Pac on the Gold Coast on Wednesday evening KC completed the look with trendy white and pink Nike trainers while toting her essentials in a Louis Vuitton handbag. The brunette beauty looked in high spirits as she headed into her studio where she had her temperature checked as a necessary precautionary to limit the spread of coronavirus. Meanwhile, her ex Michael is certainly single and ready to mingle, passionately kissing not one, but two women, over the course of four days. On Friday, he was out and about with a mystery blonde and on Tuesday, the 28-year-old millionaire businessman had a new woman on his arm - Mahala Lincoln. The Married At First Sight star cut a stylish figure in a pair of loose joggers and a cropped grey hoodie which put focus on her toned midriff Complying: The brunette beauty headed into her studio where she had her temperature checked as a necessary precautionary to limit the spread of coronavirus The bikini designer, who is CEO and Founder of Mahalo Bikini, and a former correctional Officer, threw her arms around Michael as they enjoyed dinner and drinks at a Brisbane restaurant. In video clips posted to Mahala's Instagram Stories, the father-of-one looked at the brunette lovingly and cried out, 'What a gorgeous little character!' Mahala then placed her arms around him, and said to the camera, 'Lucky boy!' before the pair shared a passionate kiss. Busy boy! Meanwhile, KC's ex Michael Goonan (right) was seen passionately kissed not one, but two women, over the course of four days, including Mahala Lincoln (left) on Tuesday Fun times: In video clips posted to Mahala's Instagram Stories, the father-of-one looked at the brunette lovingly and cried out: 'What a gorgeous little character!' She captioned her video: 'He's a lucky boy... sorry ladies, he's now smitten' while Michael referred to her as his 'bestie' in his own posts from the same night. With her cascading, wavy dark hair and petite figure, Mahala certainly passes for a KC Osborne lookalike. Michael's outing comes just four days after he was spotted passionately kissing a mystery blonde woman at Press* Food and Wine in Adelaide. Smooch! Mahala then placed her arms around him, and said to the camera, 'Lucky boy!' before the pair shared a passionate kiss She captioned her video: 'He's a lucky boy... sorry ladies, he's now smitten!' Looking good! Mahala is a bikini designer, CEO and Founder of Mahalo Bikini, and a former correctional Officer After they entered the venue, the pair moved outside of the bar with their drinks, where his date had Michael in stitches. The couple then got very cosy with each other, before Micheal pulled the bombshell in for a big smooch, running his fingers through her luscious long tresses. Michael, who lives in Melbourne, flew to Adelaide on July 16 and was required to spend two weeks in mandatory quarantine before his big night out. Lookalike: With her cascading dark hair and petite figure, Mahala certainly passes for a KC Osborne lookalike. Mahala is pictured left and KC is pictured right Busy boy! Michael's outing comes just four days after he was spotted passionately kissed a mystery blonde woman at Press* Food and Wine in Adelaide (pictured) His former girlfriend KC, 31, announced their split on July 4 on Instagram. Last week, the professional dancer told WHO magazine that his failed promises of changing his 'playboy' ways was a factor in their breakup. 'He sold me that dream of, "I would stop my playboy ways to have a girl like you, you're such a good girl,"' she said. New Delhi: West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee got involved in another political tussle with the Centre on Thursday objecting to the presence of Indian Army soldiers at toll booths on national highways that run through the state. The chief minister is camping at her office in the secretariat in Kolkata and has refused to go home till the soldiers leave. aUntil and unless the ArmyA stationed in front of Nabanno, the Bengal state govt secretariat, is withdrawn I will be staying at my Secretariat to guard our democracy,a Mamata said in a tweet. aVery unfortunate. Army stationed in front of Nabanno, the Bengal State Secretariat in a high security zone, inspite of police objection,a she said. Very unfortunate. Army stationed in front of Nabanno, the Bengal State Secretariat in a high security zone, inspite of Police objection 1/2 a Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) December 1, 2016 ... I am waiting here at the Secretariat and watching, to guard our democracy 2/2 a Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) December 1, 2016 ... I will be staying at my Secretariat to guard our democracy 2/2 a Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) December 1, 2016 Denying the allegations, the army termed it a routine exercise to gather statistical data about load carriers that could be made available to the Army in case of a contingency. aThe army conducts annual exercise throughout the country with the aim of getting statistical data about the load carriers that could be made available to the army in case of a contingency. For this purpose vehicles are spotted to get basic parameters like make load capacity etc. The vehicle is then marked so that the next checkpoint knows that the vehicle had already been checked for the parameters. There is nothing alarming about this and it is carried out as per government orders. This gives an estimate about the number of vehicles that are passing a certain area that could be tapped during operations,a an official statement released by the PRO of armyas northern command said. The statement said that the three-day exercise will continue till Friday. Army conducting routine exercise with full knowledge & coord with WB Police. Speculation of army taking over toll plaza incorrect @adgpi However, Mamata refused to buy that argument in another tweet. Absolutely wrong and misleading facts by @easterncomd We have great respect for you, but please please don't mislead the people a Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) December 1, 2016 TMC MP Derek O'Brien too termed armyas clarification as incorrect asking it to stop spreading misinformation.A Absolutely incorrect. Do not spread misinformation. Please https://t.co/guiFZ8YnG1 a Derek O'Brien (@quizderek) December 1, 2016 Here you go... In writing . In writing https://t.co/G9VJN3uopz a Derek O'Brien (@quizderek) December 1, 2016 (With inputs from agencies) For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Julie Ryan South Australian Film Corporation this week made four appointments: Julie Ryan Executive, Production, Kath McIntrye Executive, Development and Industry Development Nara Wilson Executive, First Nations Industry Development Kath McIntrye Executive, Development and Industry Development SAFC CEO Kate Croser said, We are thrilled to welcome Julie Ryan and Kath McIntyre to the SAFC as new executives in our Production and Development team. Both Julie and Kath bring great depth of experience, a wealth of knowledge and extensive networks across the screen industry in South Australia and globally. Likewise, we are delighted to appoint current SAFC staff members Nara Wilson and Petra Starke to the new roles of First Nations Industry Development Executive, and Head of Communications and Marketing respectively. Nara and Petras professionalism and commitment to their roles during their time at the SAFC have been an invaluable asset to the agency, and we look forward to their continued success within the organisation. Nara Wilson and Petra Starke commence their new roles immediately. Julie Ryan begins her role on 24 August and Kath McIntyre begins her role on 14 September. The SAFC this week also bids farewell to long-serving staff member Kirsty Cornford, who has been with the agency for more than nine years as Executive Assistant to the CEO. With her depth of knowledge of the SA screen sector, SAFC operations and Government protocols, not to mention her professionalism and commitment, Kirsty has been an invaluable asset to the SAFC for the best part of a decade, Ms Croser said. On behalf of the organisation Id like to thank Kirsty for her hard work and dedication, and wish her all the best for her new role. Her last day is tomorrow, Friday 7 August. Recruitment for her replacement will begin shortly; in the interim she will be replaced by SAFC Program Coordinator Kata Fodor. Julie Ryan Executive, Production Julie Ryan is one of Australias most prolific and accomplished independent film producers. Her credits include AFI/AACTA Best Film winners Red Dogand Ten Canoes, Hotel Mumbai, the most successful Australian film to release internationally in 2019, and H is for Happiness, which received a Special Mention by the Childrens Jury, Generation Kplus at the 2020 Berlin International Film Festival, and won the prestigious 2019 Cinefest Oz Film Prize. After a decade of collaboration with Director Rolf de Heer, Julie formed her own company Cyan Films. Julies films have premiered at Cannes, Berlin, Toronto, Venice and Sundance and she brings a wealth of industry expertise to the SAFC. Kath McIntrye Executive, Development and Industry Development Kath McIntyre is a factual director, field producer and screen industry executive with deep connections across all aspects of the South Australian screen industry. She has been a Business Development Executive at KOJO and a tutor for the Matchbox Pictures Post Graduate Certificate at Uni SA. For the past six years, Kath has been the Program Director of the nationally acclaimed Screenmakers Conference and is at the forefront of new opportunities for project and industry development. Nara Wilson Executive, First Nations Industry Development Nara Wilson is a proud Wirangu, Kokatha and Larrakia woman with screen industry experience as an independent producer across Australia. As an Associate Executive at the SAFC, Nara was instrumental in setting up the Centralised Partnership with Screen Territory and other founding partners and oversaw project and industry development outcomes including the Deadly Family Portraitsseries for ABC iView. Nara takes up the SAFCs new First Nations position with a strong commitment to advancing the SAFC First Nations Screen Strategy. Petra Starke Head of Communications and Marketing Petra Starke is a highly skilled communications executive with deep experience in media, marketing, publicity and the arts. Her career includes more than 10 years as a journalist, working in high level editorial positions at The Advertiser and Sunday Mail as well as freelance, and senior publicity and marketing roles leading the strategic promotion of many of South Australias iconic festivals, arts companies and major events. Petra comes to this newly created role after 13 months acting as the SAFCs PR & Marketing Manager. KEY FACTS 2 p.m. Toronto reports 18 new confirmed, 1 probable case of COVID-19. 10:30 a.m. For the third consecutive day and fifth time in the last week, Ontario is reporting fewer than 100 cases of COVID-19 10 a.m. Canada is signing deals with pharmaceutical giant Pfizer and U.S.-based biotech firm Moderna to procure millions of doses of their experimental COVID-19 vaccines. The latest coronavirus news from Canada and around the world Wednesday. This file will be updated throughout the day. Web links to longer stories if available. 8:15 p.m.: As COVID-19 remains in the community, B.C. health officials say so does the anxiety and stress that comes with the uncertainly and increased isolation. A joint statement from Health Minister Adrian Dix and provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry says younger people may not understand why activities they enjoyed have been restricted, and they urged family members and friends to offer mental health support. The government announced 47 new positive tests of COVID-19 on Wednesday, bringing the total number of cases to 3,834. There are 351 active cases of COVID-19, with nine people hospitalized and six of those are in intensive care. There have been no new deaths since the province's last update and the toll stands at 195. Dix and Henry asked B.C. residents to treat the summer of 2020 as a time of consideration and care for others. 7:15 p.m.: The Saskatchewan Teachers Federation, Opposition NDP and some parents are calling on the province to rethink its plan to have schools reopen in September under as close to normal conditions as possible. Federation president Patrick Maze said a new plan with tighter restrictions, including mandatory masks as well as extra hand washing stations and custodial staff, would alleviate worries from teachers who are immunocompromised and concerned about the health of their families. Time is ticking, he said Wednesday. Weve got about three weeks before teachers are back in schools and teachers really want to know answers. NDP Leader Ryan Meili has panned Saskatchewans back-to-school plan as the worst in Canada. He said it is missing clear direction to families and educators on safety precautions and doesnt provide additional resources to school divisions during the COVID-19 pandemic. School is coming. The deadline is quick. We want them to take this homework back and fix it, said Meili. 6:45 p.m.: Patrons at bars, lounges and nightclubs in Yukon will be allowed to sing karaoke and play certain instruments after the territory updated its COVID-19 guidelines on Wednesday. Customers at pubs, lounges and nightclubs will be able to sing and play wind instruments but must follow social distancing protocols. Dancing is still not permitted. Other changes affect parents, who are no longer required to fill in a daily assessment tool for their children at daycares. The territory has recorded 14 cases of COVID-19 and all 11 of those who contracted the illness within Yukon have recovered. Yukon has not seen any active cases of COVID-19 since April 20. 6:05 p.m.: As of 5 p.m. Wednesday, Ontarios regional health units are reporting a total of 41,760 confirmed or probable cases of COVID-19, including 2,821 deaths, up 78 new infections in 24 hours. The province continues to be at its lowest rate of new infections since well before the pandemic first peaked in Ontario in the spring. Ontario has averaged 96 cases per day over the last seven days, down from a peak of nearly 600 daily, seen in mid-April. On Wednesday, 20 of Ontario 34 health units reported no new cases; none reported more than 20 cases. Meanwhile, one fatal case was reported Wednesday in the province, in Chatham-Kent. The southwestern Ontario health unit is the only area of the province thats currently experiencing its worst rate of infection since the beginning of the pandemic a still-relatively low 8.3 cases per day over the last week. Earlier Wednesday, the province reported that 66 Ontarians are currently hospitalized with COVID-19, including 30 in intensive care, of whom 15 are on a ventilator. 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. The province cautions its separate data, published daily at 10:30 a.m., 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. 6 p.m.: The Alberta government has announced $48 million for shelters and community organizations that have been helping homeless people during the COVID-19 pandemic, but it is still working out how the money will be divvied up. This critical financial support will help ensure the important work of our partners can continue, Community and Social Services Minister Rajan Sawhney said Wednesday. The money is on top of $25 million announced in March. 4:20 p.m.: Ottawa has unveiled details of a $469-million program aimed at helping Canadas fish harvesters deal with the economic fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic. Fisheries Minister Bernadette Jordan said Wednesday the Fish Harvester Benefit and Grant Program, which was first announced in May, will be open for applications from Aug. 24 to Sept. 21. In all, more than 28,000 workers across the country are expected to be eligible for the program, which also covers inland fishing enterprises licensed by provincial governments. 3:50 p.m.: About 125,000 people in Quebec aged 18-69 are estimated to have contracted COVID-19, according to a new study published Wednesday by Quebecs blood collection agency more than three times the official number reported by health authorities. But the Hema-Quebec study indicates the majority of Quebecers remain vulnerable to being infected by the novel coronavirus, agency vice-president Dr. Marc Germain said. The conclusion is obvious, Germain said in an interview Wednesday. Its a very small proportion of the population who have been exposed to the virus during the first wave. And that means there are many people in the population who are susceptible to being infected. It also means Quebec is far from developing whats known as a natural or herd immunity against the virus, said Dr. Gaston De Serres with Quebecs institute for national health, which collaborated on the study. So-called herd immunity occurs when enough of a population has contracted a virus and developed an immune response to it, helping to prevent them from getting reinfected and transmitting it. With this data, it shows that herd immunity in Quebec is not present, said De Serres. Forget it. Hema-Quebecs antibody study involved a sample of 7,691 people aged 18-69 who donated blood between May 25 and July 9. It revealed 2.23 per cent of donors had been infected with COVID-19. The study indicated the highest rates of infection were found in Montreal and Laval, with just over three per cent, while in most of the rest of the province the rate was much lower at 1.29 per cent. 3:45 p.m.: Quebec reported 155 new COVID-19 cases Wednesday, bringing the total number of people with confirmed infections to 60,000. The province also reported two additional deaths attributed to the novel coronavirus, for a total of 5,687. 2:53 p.m. U.S. testing for the coronavirus is dropping even as infections remain high and the death toll rises by more than 1,000 a day, a worrisome trend that officials attribute largely to Americans getting discouraged over having to wait hours to get a test and days or weeks to find out the results. An Associated Press analysis found that the number of tests per day slid 3.6% over the past two weeks to 750,000, with the count falling in 22 states. That includes places like Alabama, Mississippi, Missouri and Iowa where the percentage of positive tests is high and continuing to climb, an indicator that the virus is still spreading uncontrolled. Amid the crisis, some health officials are calling for the introduction of a different type of test that would yield results in a matter of minutes and would be cheap and simple enough for millions of Americans to test themselves but would also be less accurate. Theres a sense of desperation that we need to do something else, said Dr. Ashish Jha, director of Harvards Global Health Institute. Widespread testing is considered essential to containing the outbreak as the U.S. approaches a mammoth 5 million confirmed infections and more than 157,000 deaths out of over 700,000 worldwide. 2:17 p.m. For Esther Adhiambo, this year was supposed to be a year of endings and new beginnings. She was expecting to complete high school, enroll in a university and get a job to help her single mother, who runs a small tailoring business in Nairobis Mathare slum. Instead, for Adhiambo and other Kenyan students, 2020 is turning out to be the year that disappeared. Education officials announced in July that they were canceling the academic year and making students repeat it. They are not expected to begin classes again until January, the usual start of Kenyas school year. Education experts believe Kenya is the only nation to have gone so far as to declare the entire school year a total washout and order students to start over. 2 p.m. There are 18 new confirmed, 1 probable case in Toronto today, Dr. Eileen de Villa says. She says low-double digits is good news. Its too early to know what, if any, uptick in cases can be linked to Stage 3 re-opening that started Friday but she says more activity is expected. Expected not because things are necessarily going wrong, but that the re-opening brings us closer together and some increase in cases is likely, health experts say. 2 p.m. As Ottawa and airlines talk about contact tracing, federal officials are trying to sort out how much information companies should provide, and how the data should flow. Concerns about the level of detail airlines provide have been greatest in British Columbia, where the provincial health officer has lamented a lack of movement from federal officials. Canadas chief public health officer Dr. Theresa Tam said Tuesday there could be improvements to the data that airlines provide as part of efforts to trace the potential spread of COVID-19. A federal government official tells The Canadian Press the issue revolves around information collected for domestic flights, with one of the hurdles being finding an agreement that satisfies all parties involved. The official wasnt authorized to speak on the record because efforts are being headed by the Public Health Agency of Canada, which didnt immediately respond to a request for comment. The federal health agency already requires airlines to provide information on travellers arriving on international flights who are subject to strict quarantine rules and Tam says there hasnt been a confirmed case of in-flight transmission. 1:52 p.m. Florida reported another 5,409 COVID-19 cases Wednesday, pushing the state over half a million confirmed infections. That makes Florida second only to California among states with people diagnosed with the disease. Florida now has 502,739 cases, while California health officials on Tuesday listed almost 520,000 cases. The number of reported test results in Florida was under 61,000 for the third straight day, likely a result of numerous test sites closed due to Tropical Storm Isaias. A total of 57,272 results were recorded on Tuesday, compared to 88,244 a week earlier on July 28. 1:49 p.m. The number of new daily coronavirus infections in Spain continues increased to 1,772 cases on Wednesday. That was up from 1,178 the previous day. More than 60% of the new cases were detected in the regions of Madrid and Aragon, in the northeast. Two of the countrys 19 autonomous regions didnt report their numbers. New cases have risen steadily in Spain since a three-month lockdown ended on June 21. By the end of July, the daily increase surpassed 1,000. Thats prompted some other European countries to demand travellers from Spain go into quarantine upon arrival. Several regions of the country have imposed new restrictions on movement and mandates the wearing of masks. Meanwhile, the government of the Canary Islands will become the first region of Spain to cover the expenses of tourists, both local and foreign, who test positive for the coronavirus while on vacation in the archipelago. Local authorities say an agreement was reached with an insurance company to cover medical expenses, repatriation or extended stays if tourists have to self-quarantine. Spain has confirmed more than 305,000 cases and nearly 28,500 deaths since the start of the pandemic. 1:49 p.m. The French government is raising another glass to the wine industry. French Prime Minister Jean Castex announced an additional 80-million-euro ($95 million) in financial help during a visit to the winemaking town of Sancerre in central France on Wednesday. Hes adding to the aid already given to the industry in May. He says the aid will improve storage of surplus product and help unsold grapes be distilled into other materials. Winegrowers estimate that the coronavirus crisis has generated a shortfall of at least 1.5 billion euros due to the shutdown of bars, restaurants, festive gatherings and tourism. 1:30 p.m. B.C. health officials reported no new COVID-19 related deaths but 146 new test-positive cases over the B.C. Day long weekend. Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry broke down the new case count, which took place over a four day period. From Friday to Saturday, 43 cases were recorded, while Saturday to Sunday saw 29, Sunday to Monday reported 46, and Monday to Tuesday had 28 new COVID-19 cases. This weekends case numbers bring the total number of cases in the province to 3,787. Dr. Henry said the case numbers over the long weekend are not unexpected, as we are now seeing cases from those exposed at events up to two weeks ago. This is a concern, because the majority are related to what happened prior to this long weekend, she said. The source of these cases is varied, and as weve talked about many times, this is something that we take very seriously in public health. To track down and trace how everybody, every single case, became infected is important to us. Case counts continue to rise across the province, with multiple exposure events continuing to cause an impact. Interior Health is now reporting 377 cases total, 137 of which are linked to the Kelowna exposure events. In a press release sent out last week, Interior Health noted they have changed the way they are reporting cases linked to the Kelowna cluster. Currently we are seeing more broad community transmission so we are expanding our reporting to focus on any cases that are linked to Kelowna during their exposure or infectious period, read the press release. The new reporting format does not change the total number of cases in Interior Health, but reclassifies many as associated with the Kelowna cluster. 1:37 p.m. With new coronavirus clusters sprouting aboard ships overseas, the U.S. cruise industry is extending its suspension of operations through October. The Cruise Lines International Association, which represents more than 50 companies and 95% of ocean-going cruise capacity, said Wednesday that if conditions in the U.S. change, it would consider allowing short, modified sailings. A no-sail order for U.S. waters initially issued by the Centers for Disease Control in March has been extended through Sept. 30. The CLIA has extended its travel suspension twice. A Norwegian cruise line halted all trips and apologized Monday after a coronavirus outbreak aboard one vessel infected at least 5 passengers and 36 crew. Health authorities fear the ship may have spread the virus to dozens of towns and villages along the west coast of Norway. The Hurtigruten cruise line was one of the first to resume sailing in June, offering cruises from Germany to Norway. Positive coronavirus tests have also been reported this week on cruise ships in Italy and Tahiti. The risk of infection aboard a cruise ship is elevated because of the close quarters. Between March and July, there were 2,973 reported cases of COVID-19 or COVID-like illnesses about ships in U.S. waters, according to the CDC. As of July 10, there were still 14,702 crew members aboard 67 ships. 12:54 p.m. New Brunswick is reporting four new cases of COVID-19 today. Premier Blaine Higgs told reporters the cases involve temporary foreign workers who arrived from Mexico. Higgs says they were identified during screening when they arrived in Moncton and they are now in isolation. He says the workers were destined for Miramichi, N.B. The new cases of the virus are the first reported in the province in over two weeks. New Brunswick has had a total of 174 confirmed cases with 168 people recovered from the virus and two deaths. 12:13 p.m. Nova Scotias Opposition Progressive Conservatives have released an estimated $634-million plan aimed at improving the provinces long-term care sector. Leader Tim Houston says his party would immediately add 2,500 single-bed rooms to the system, hire 2,000 nurses and continuing care assistants and establish a new option of incremental supportive living funding if it eventually forms government. Houston says the COVID-19 pandemic has shone a light on the importance of single rooms for long-term care residents when it comes to infection control and to slowing the spread of illness within a facility. Of Nova Scotias 64 deaths so far in the pandemic, 53 occurred at the Northwood long-term care facility in Halifax an older facility lacking in single-occupancy rooms. Houston says hes also submitted a proposal to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau seeking federal support for a further 1,000 single-bed rooms. 11:50 a.m. Time and food supplies are running out for two giant pandas at the Calgary Zoo. Er Shun and Da Mao arrived in Calgary in 2018 after spending five years at the Toronto Zoo and were to remain in the Alberta city until 2023. Calgary Zoo president Clement Lanthier says the facility spent months trying to overcome transportation barriers in acquiring fresh bamboo and decided in May that it was best for the animals to be in China, where their main food source is abundant. But he says the Zoo hasnt been able to approve international permits, as the COVID-19 pandemic created changes to import laws and animal quarantine facilities. Lanthier says the continued travel delay is putting the health and welfare of the animals in jeopardy. He says the zoo is only able to source fresh bamboo reliably from British Columbia, and that supply is expected to run out in September. 11:43 a.m. Virginia has rolled out a smartphone app to automatically notify people if they might have been exposed to the coronavirus, becoming the first U.S. state to use new pandemic technology created by Apple and Google. The Covidwise app was available on the tech giants app stores Wednesday ahead of an expected announcement from Democratic Gov. Ralph Northam. Were using every possible approach to fight this virus and keep Virginians healthy, Northam said in a statement provided to AP that encouraged all Virginians to download the app. The COVIDWISE app is completely anonymous, protects personal privacy, and gives you an additional tool to protect yourself and your community. It comes nearly four months after Apple and Google said they were partnering on creating app-building software for public health agencies trying to contain the spread of the pandemic. Canada and a number of European countries have already rolled out apps using the tech companies framework. 11:25 a.m. Turkeys interior ministry announced new measures to curb the spread of the coronavirus after daily confirmed cases peaked back above 1,000. The interior ministry says its units will conduct one-on-one monitoring for people who have been required to self-quarantine, especially in the first seven days of isolation. Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu tweeted a widespread inspection will take place across Turkey Thursday. The ministry also says contact tracers will be assisted by law enforcement or teachers and imams in smaller settlements. It says it wont accept any violations of mask wearing and social distancing at events such as weddings or circumcision ceremonies. Gatherings after funerals will be restricted. Businesses and transportation meeting safety requirements will be awarded a safe space logo after three inspections. Latest statistics show nearly 235,000 confirmed infections and 5,765 deaths in Turkey. 11:37 a.m. Chicagos mayor on Wednesday announced that the U.S.s third-largest school district will not welcome students back to the classroom, after all, and will instead rely only on remote instruction to start the school year. The citys decision to abandon its plan to have students attend in-person classes for two days a week once the fall semester starts Sept. 8 came amid strong pushback from the powerful teachers union and as school districts around the country struggle with how to teach their children during the coronavirus pandemic. When Chicago officials announced their hybrid-learning plan last month, they said it was subject to change depending on families feedback and how the coronavirus was faring in the area. On Wednesday, Mayor Lori Lightfoot attributed the change in plans to a recent uptick in confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the city. 11:28 a.m. Quebec added 155 new COVID-19 cases today, bringing the total number of people infected to 60,000. The province also added two deaths, for a total of 5,687 since the beginning of the pandemic. The Health Department reports two fewer patients in hospital for 167, with 19 of those in intensive care, also a reduction of two. 11:25 a.m. In South Carolina, hospitals and the state health department say demand for coronavirus testing remains high even as testing numbers have dipped in the last two weeks. In some cases, people may be deterred by the long wait times at certain testing sites. Others forego the tests when their health insurance wont cover them, says Dr. Patrick Cawley, CEO of the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston. Cawley told a state legislative committee Tuesday insurance companies typically dont pay for tests for asymptomatic patients. Its one of the biggest barriers to people getting tested in the state, Cawley says. Health officials announced 1,168 new confirmed cases and 52 confirmed deaths Tuesday. The state has reported 93,604 confirmed cases and 1,774 deaths since the start of the pandemic. 11:25 a.m. Arizona officials say 517 inmates at the state prison in Tucson tested positive Tuesday for the coronavirus. The Arizona Department of Corrections, Rehabilitation and Reentry says nearly half of the prisoners housed at the Whetstone unit have tested positive for the virus. The cases among inmates in the prisons Whetstone unit were discovered in a push to test all 39,000 state prisoners. Officials say 564 corrections employees have tested positive for the virus Before corrections officials discovered the cases at the Whetstone unit, the agency reported 890 other inmates had tested positive and 21 inmates had died statewide. Arizona has 180,500 confirmed cases and more than 3,800 deaths since the start of the pandemic. 11:23 a.m. The federal government is moving ahead with plans to make it easier for provinces and territories to spend billions of dollars on infrastructure projects to address the challenges posed by COVID-19. Infrastructure Minister Catherine McKenna says $3.3 billion out of the $33 billion that Ottawa has previously promised in matching funds for provincial and territorial projects will be available for projects related to the pandemic. Those projects include retrofits to public buildings such as schools and long-term care facilities, measures related to physical distancing such as new bike and walking paths and those designed to protect against floods and wildfires. McKenna says the federal government plans to introduce a faster application process for provinces and territories to apply for federal funds, with Ottawa footing up to 80 per cent of the bills for approved projects. The new approach comes as most provinces are looking at re-opening schools in the next month and trying to guard against new outbreaks of COVID-19 at nursing homes. While the measure is expected to be welcomed by provinces and territories, each must sign an agreement with the federal government before it can apply for funding. 10:30 a.m. For the third consecutive day and fifth time in the last week, Ontario is reporting fewer than 100 cases of COVID-19, with 86 new cases today, a 0.2% increase, Health Minister Christine Elliott reported on Twitter. With 146 more resolved, we also continue to see a persistent decline in the number of active cases in the province. Hospitalizations continue to decline. Locally, 29 of the provinces 34 public health units are reporting five or fewer cases, with fully 22 of them reporting no new cases at all. 10:28 a.m. An antibody study by Quebecs blood collection agency has concluded that about 2.23 per cent of the provinces adult blood donors had contracted COVID-19. The seroprevalence study by Hema-Quebec and the provinces public health institute tested the blood of 7,691 people between the ages of 18 and 69 who donated blood between May 25 and July 9. When extrapolated to the rest of the population, the study estimated that some 124,800 adults contracted the virus since the pandemic began. The Quebec government reported some 37,000 cases for the 20 to 69 age group in the same period. The study revealed that the highest rates of infection were found in Montreal and Laval, with just over three per cent, while in most of the rest of the province the rate was much lower at 1.29 per cent. Authorities will contact the donors who had COVID-19 antibodies to document their symptoms in order to estimate how many of them were asymptomatic. 10:11 a.m. A provincial supreme court judge says a civil rights group can participate in a court challenge of Newfoundland and Labradors COVID-19 travel ban, but not make arguments about enforcement measures. Justice Donald Burrage rendered his decision today in St. Johns on the second day of proceedings. The Canadian Civil Liberties Association filed a claim along with Halifax resident Kim Taylor in May that alleges the restrictions violate the charter and fall outside the provinces jurisdiction. Burrage granted the association public interest standing to make legal arguments about the ban itself. The special measures order from the provinces chief medical officer of health in May banned anyone but permanent residents and asymptomatic essential workers from entering the province. But Burrage denied the group standing to challenge changes to the provinces Public Health Protection and Promotion Act, also adopted in May, that allows peace officers to detain and transport people to exit points in the province and expands their search powers. A lawyer for the province argued Tuesday that there is no evidence related to the enforcement powers because they have not been applied to anyone, including Taylor. The associations lawyer, however, said the measures are unconstitutional on their face. The province has defended the ban as being necessary to minimize the spread of COVID-19. 10 a.m. Canada is signing deals with pharmaceutical giant Pfizer and U.S.-based biotech firm Moderna to procure millions of doses of their experimental COVID-19 vaccines. Procurement Minister Anita Anand is announcing the deals this morning in Toronto, which will see Canada get access to the vaccines if they prove to be both safe and effective. Both companies began Phase 3 clinical trials of their vaccine candidates in the last week, large-scale tests to determine how well the vaccines work. Earlier in July both Pfizer and Moderna reported positive results from smaller trials. The Phase 3 trials will both test the vaccines on 30,000 people, and results are expected in the fall. Canadas chief public health officer Dr. Theresa Tam warned Tuesday about expecting a vaccine to provide a quick end to the pandemic, saying they provide hope but likely no silver bullet for the novel coronavirus. 9:47 a.m. Pfizer Canada and BioNTech SE have announced an agreement with the government of Canada to supply their BNT162 mRNA-based vaccine candidate against SARS-CoV2, subject to clinical success and Health Canada approval. Financial details of the agreement were not disclosed, but the terms were based on the timing of delivery and the volume of doses. As requested by the Government of Canada, deliveries of the vaccine candidate are planned for over the course of 2021. We continue to be committed to partnering with the Canadian government to help fight this pandemic and are pleased with their collaborative approach to addressing a national COVID-19 immunization strategy with public health officials, said Cole C. Pinnow, President, Pfizer Canada. With our combined efforts, we know there is no health challenge that we cannot address. As the development of effective COVID-19 vaccines continues around the world, we commend the work of Pfizer and BioNTech, which will provide Canadians access to a vaccine candidate for the virus. This agreement is another critical step in our governments efforts to keep Canadians safe and healthy as the pandemic continues to evolve, said Anita Anand, Minister of Public Services and Procurement. 9 a.m. The Star has found that Transport Canada is relying on scant peer-reviewed scientific evidence regarding the spread of COVID-19 on airplanes in its decision not to mandate social distancing on commercial flights. When asked for the scientific evidence guiding its recommendations to airlines, Transport Canada initially provided none, saying only that safety measures are based on the best available science and evidence. When pressed by the Star for that evidence, the agency provided just one peer-reviewed study looking at an outbreak of COVID-19 that affected 16 passengers on a flight from Singapore to Hangzhou, China, in late January. The study concluded that one passenger may have become infected on the flight. Read the full story from the Stars Kenyon Wallace: Is flying safe during COVID-19? Heres the scant bit of scientific evidence Transport Canada is relying on 9 a.m. Even though Public Safety Minister Bill Blair asked prison and parole officials this spring to consider releasing low-risk inmates early due to the threat posed by COVID-19, there was no increase in the number of prisoners released during the first three months of the pandemic compared to a year earlier. In fact, there were slightly fewer inmates released, according to new information obtained by the Star. The federal inmate population nationwide did fall by about 600 from 13,958 on March 1 to 13,357 on May 24, show records from the Correctional Service of Canada. But the decline is attributed not to a rise in inmate releases but to releases from federal custody continuing to outnumber admissions, according to the records. In other words, the drop appears to have been driven more by court shutdowns and fewer offenders being sentenced. Read the full story from the Stars Douglas Quan: Remember the chatter about releasing inmates early to ease spread of COVID-19? It didnt happen 8:52 a.m. The Netherlands two most populous cities began ordering people to wear face masks in busy streets Wednesday amid rising coronavirus infection rates, but many people in the Dutch capitals famous red-light district still did not wear them. Police in Rotterdam said a number of people opposed to the mask order staged a protest in the downtown area where masks became obligatory. Amsterdam ordered masks to be worn in the red-light district and busy shopping streets and markets. Many visitors to the narrow lanes and canal-side roads of the historic neighbourhood ignored the instructions, despite signs informing people of the new measure. Municipality workers stood at the entrance to one downtown Amsterdam shopping street wearing signs saying in Dutch and English that masks were required and handing them out to people who didnt have one. The Dutch capitals local health authority said around 5% of people who got a test over the last week were positive, more than double the 2% from the previous week. Among clusters being tracked in the city was one at a strip club in the red-light district where at least one customer and 10 staff have tested positive, according to a statement from the health authority. The owner voluntarily closed the club. 8:46 a.m. Lockdown restrictions have been reimposed in the Scottish city of Aberdeen after a coronavirus cluster was reported. First Minister Nicola Sturgeon says all hospitality venues in the city need to be closed by end of business Wednesday. Those living in the area should not travel more than five miles unless for work or essential trips. People are asked not to go into other houses. Sturgeon says the cluster of 54 cases have been traced to a bar but more than 20 other pubs and restaurants are involved. The rise in cases has contributed to a greater concern there was a significant outbreak in the city. The restrictions will be reviewed next Wednesday and may be extended, if necessary. 8:46 a.m. New Zealands unemployment rate showed a surprising improvement to 4% during the midst of the nations virus lockdown, although the headline number doesnt tell the full story and joblessness is likely to increase in the months ahead. Still, the figure was far better than most people expected and came as welcome news to the government led by Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern ahead of a general election next month. The figures from Statistics New Zealand showed the unemployment rate in the quarter ending June fell from 4.2% in the previous quarter. But the number of hours worked also fell a record 10% and the number of people not in the labour force rose. Because people who arent actively seeking work are not counted as unemployed, the figures didnt reflect many job losses because most people couldnt search for jobs during the lockdown. And many workers have been protected by a government-funded wage subsidy scheme during the pandemic which is due to expire next month. 8:46 a.m. A governor in Japan is drawing skeptical criticism after he touted a gargling product as effective against the coronavirus, an assertion that, despite its dubiousness, emptied some store shelves of the medicine. Shares of Shionogi & Co. and Meiji Holdings Co., which make Isojin, soared in Tokyo Tuesday trading after Osaka Gov. Hirofumi Yoshimura made the comments. Yoshimura referred to a study carried out by the Osaka regional government on a sample of just 41 people. Experts said such a study is inconclusive. Shionogi and Meiji shares were already coming down Wednesday, as subsequent Japanese media reports debunked Yoshimuras claim. Daily confirmed cases of the coronavirus have been shooting up in Japan, to more than 1,000 people. 8:46 a.m. Mexico posted a near-record one-day total of 857 newly confirmed COVID-19 deaths Tuesday, bringing the countrys confirmed death toll to 48,869, the third-highest number in the world. The Health Department reported that just over 1 million coronavirus tests have been performed, with almost 450,000 people testing positive to date. Mexicos has had a positive rate of about 45% to 50% since the early weeks of the pandemic, largely because most people were tested only after exhibiting considerable symptoms. 8:46 a.m. Hong Hong has reported 80 new cases of COVID-19 and four additional deaths, while new cases in mainland China fell to just 27. Hong Kong saw cases spike in a new wave of infections, but new daily cases have now fallen back into the double digits. Authorities in the semi-autonomous Chinese city have ordered masks be worn in all public places, slapped restrictions on indoor dining, banned many activities and increased testing for coronavirus. Hong Kong has recorded a total of 3,669 cases and 42 deaths from COVID-19. Of mainland Chinas cases, 22 were in the northwestern region of Xinjiang, whose capital and largest city Urumqi has been the centre of Chinas latest outbreak. China has reported 4,634 deaths among 84,491 cases since the virus was first detected in the central Chinese city of Wuhan late last year. China said Tuesday it was working with the World Health Organization on an investigation into the origins of the novel coronavirus, but gave no word on when that would get underway. 8:46 a.m. Nevada health officials say 95% of the 980 new coronavirus cases reported statewide during the last day were in the Las Vegas area. State coronavirus response officials said Tuesday that Clark County residents accounted for 931 of the positive COVID-19 tests reported. Confirmed cases statewide topped 52,000, and 15 more deaths brought Nevadas total to at least 862. Separately, the governors office issued a report tallying $16.7 billion in federal coronavirus funding to Nevada since Congress approved a $2.2 trillion emergency aid bill in March. The report says nearly $2.2 billion went toward $600-per-week payments to idled workers statewide. 8:46 a.m. President Donald Trump says more Americans will be lost to COVID-19. Trump was interviewed on a Fox Business Network on Tuesday. Trump said the relationship has been very badly hurt by the spread of the coronavirus and he repeated his belief China should have contained it. The president noted the American death toll, saying somewhat prematurely that 160,000 had died from the disease caused by the virus. He told host Lou Dobbs: Were going to lose more. Trump added that millions would have been lost had he not intervened and just let it ride. The U.S. death told from COVID-19 stood at more than 156,000 on Tuesday evening. 8:46 a.m. A technical problem has caused a lag in Californias tally of coronavirus test results, casting doubt on the accuracy of recent data showing improvements in the infection rate and hindering efforts to track the spread. State Health and Human Services Secretary Dr. Mark Ghaly said Tuesday that in recent days California has not been receiving a full count through electronic lab reports because of the unresolved issue. The states data page now carries a disclaimer saying the numbers represent an underreporting of actual positive cases per day. The latest daily tally posted Tuesday showed 4,526 new confirmed positives, the lowest in more than six weeks. 7:18 a.m. A cruise ship carrying more than 200 people docked in a Norwegian harbour Wednesday and ordered to keep everyone on board after a passenger from a previous trip tested positive for the coronavirus upon returning home to Denmark. Bodoe Mayor Ida Pinneroed told Norwegian broadcaster NRK that the SeaDream 1s 85 crew members would all be tested for the virus and that authorities were in contact with the Norwegian Institute of Public Health on whether the 123 passengers should be as well. We take the situation very seriously, the mayor said. The Norway-based company that owns the ship, SeaDream Yacht Club, said the former passenger had no symptoms of COVID-19 during the earlier voyage and had travelled home from Tromsoe on Aug. 2. The person underwent a routine virus test upon arrival in Denmark and it came back positive on Tuesday. All the other passengers from the infected individuals trip must self-isolate for 10 days, the Norwegian Institute of Public Health said. 7:13 a.m. The World Health Organization is sending dozens of senior experts to South Africa to help the nation deal with the worlds fifth-highest number of coronavirus infections. South Africa has more than half-a-million confirmed COVID-19 cases and expects the first wave of infections to peak around the end of August, Health Minister Zweli Mkhize told reporters. The WHO is responding to a request for help by sending 43 specialists, with several arriving Wednesday, he said. While South Africa has had reduced hospital admissions in recent weeks and its official virus death toll of 8,884 people is relatively low, medical researchers have found a discrepancy between the countrys confirmed COVID-19 fatalities and the number of excess natural deaths. 6:57 a.m. Australias hot spot Victoria state announced a record 725 COVID-19 cases and 15 deaths on Wednesday, while businesses in Melbourne city prepared to draw down their shutters as new pandemic restrictions are enforced. The 24-hour record was marginally higher than the 723 cases and 13 deaths reported last Thursday. From late Wednesday, many non-essential businesses including most detail retailers, hair-dressers and gyms in Australias second-largest city will be closed for six weeks. People employed in essential jobs will have to carry passes under Australias toughest-ever lockdown restrictions. Like Melbourne hospitals, Victoria Premier Daniel Andrews announced that non-emergency surgeries will be restricted in hospitals in regional Victoria, where infections rates are lower. It will be very challenging, but it is necessary to drive these numbers down, Andrews said of the new restrictions. He added that the notion of more than 700 cases is not sustainable. A Victoria state government website crashed on Wednesday when it was overwhelmed by employees in essential services applying for permits that would allow them to leave home for work from Thursday. 6:57 a.m. India has reported more than 50,000 new coronavirus cases for an eighth straight day, taking the countrys number of confirmed cases since the pandemic began past 1.9 million. The Health Ministry on Wednesday reported a spike of 52,509 new cases and 857 new deaths in the past 24 hours. The ministry said Indias recovery rate among COVID-19 patients has touched 66.31%. It also said a record 661,892 samples were tested in the last 24 hours, taking the cumulative testing to more than 2 million. It also said that 50% of deaths have happened in the age group of 60 years and above, 37% deaths in 45-60 age group while 11% in 26-44 years age group. In the gender distribution, 68% of people who died were men and 32% women. 6:47 a.m. Novavax Inc. shares saw huge swings in extended trading as investors took a critical eye to early data on its experimental vaccine for COVID-19 following a 3,800-percent rally in the stock this year. The shares briefly fell as much as 34 per cent postmarket on Tuesday, before paring the decline. In trading before regular hours Wednesday, they were up 21 per cent. The two-injection regimen when administered concurrently with Novavaxs immune-boosting technology generated antibody responses that were four times higher than those seen in people who had recovered from the disease. Some of the healthy adults in the study experienced side effects including fever, headache and fatigue. Confusion over the vaccines safety data arose after a media report incorrectly said trial participants were hospitalized with severe reactions. The vaccine appeared safe in the more than 100 patients who received it, according to the company. Reactions to the shots were generally mild, lasting two days or less. One patient getting the vaccine had a mild skin infection that was determined not to be related to the shot. 6:03 a.m. Poland reported 18 new coronavirus-related deaths in the past 24 hours, the most in a day since June 30, taking the total to 1,756 as an outbreak in the countrys industrial heartland worsens. The pace of new cases slowed from Tuesdays record 680, rising by 640 to 48,789, mostly in the southern coal mining region of Silesia and at a poultry processing company in the western district of Wielkopolska. The government expects about 600 new cases per day in the next period, Wojciech Andrusiewicz, a spokesman for the health ministry told reporters on Wednesday. Authorities will soon announce new restrictions, including on restaurants and weddings, to fight the epidemic in 20 particularly affected counties, he said. 4:10 a.m. Nearly half of Canadians would support an election being called if the federal watchdog finds Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to have violated the Conflict of Interest Act again over the WE charity affair, a new poll suggests. The survey by Leger and the Association for Canadian Studies also suggests the WE controversy has taken a bite out of Trudeaus popularity, as well as that of the federal Liberal party, putting the Conservatives within striking distance of victory. To me these are numbers that will certainly worry or concern the Liberals at this moment because even though its in the summer, this is raising a lot of eyebrows, said Leger executive vice-president Christian Bourque. The online poll of 1,531 adult Canadians took place July 31 to Aug. 2, in the days following Trudeaus appearance before a parliamentary committee to answer questions about the deal with WE. It cannot be assigned a margin of error because internet-based polls are not considered truly random. The survey results come as federal ethics commissioner Mario Dion is investigating both Trudeau and Finance Minister Bill Morneau over whether they broke conflict-of-interest rules in relation to the governments decision to give the WE organization a sole-sourced contract to run a $912-million student-volunteer program. 4 a.m. A Canadian company is telling the government Wednesday that its trials of a potential COVID-19 vaccine on animals completely blocked the virus, but it must conduct human trials to know whether it has found a possible cure for the pandemic. And a leading health-care expert says the findings are promising even though they havent been peer-reviewed. Providence Therapeutics says it needs federal funding to move forward, but it has not heard back from the Trudeau government since May, the month after submitting a $35-million proposal to conduct first-stage human trials. Providence has told the government it could deliver five million doses of its new vaccine by mid-2021 for use in Canada if it were able to successfully complete human testing, but it has heard nothing. Eric Marcusson, the San Francisco-based co-founder of Providence and its chief science officer, says the company has concluded testing on mice that showed its vaccine was able to block the entry of the novel coronavirus into their cells. 4 a.m. Wednesday A new study suggests Canadians, especially women, will face a potentially explosive increase in mental illness for years after the COVID-19 pandemic is finally over. Over the long term, the Deloitte study estimates that visits to emergency rooms for stress and anxiety-related disorders will increase one to three per cent from pre-pandemic rates. Moreover, the study estimates that 6.3 million to 10.7 million Canadians will visit a doctor for mental health issues a whopping 54 to 163 per cent increase over pre-pandemic levels. The consulting firm says governments should be funding mental health services, providers should be getting ready for the demand and insurance companies should look at revising coverage options. The estimates are based on an analysis of what transpired in the years following the Fort McMurray wildfire in 2016, which forced the evacuation of 88,000 people and destroyed more than 2,400 homes in Alberta. Its also based on an analysis of the long-term impact on Canadians of the great recession of 2008-09, a global economic crash that was nowhere near as deep or as long-lasting as the expected impact of the COVID-19 crisis. Wednesday 12:05 a.m. The Walt Disney Company lost nearly $5 billion (U.S.) in April, May and June, while its theme parks were shut down due to the coronavirus pandemic, according to a presentation Disney executives made Tuesday. It cost the company $3.5 billion (U.S.) just to close the parks during the third quarter, on top of the $1 billion (U.S.) it cost to shut them down the second half of March. In all, the company posted a loss of nearly $5 billion (U.S.) for the third quarter, including a $2 billion (U.S.) loss in its parks, experiences and products segment. Disneys domestic parks Disney World and Disneyland, as well as Disneyland Paris, resorts and cruise operations were closed for the entirety of the quarter and the final two weeks of the previous quarter. This is obviously a very uncertain time, CEO Bob Chapek said during an earnings webcast Tuesday. We should be in good shape once consumer confidence returns. 7:30 p.m.: British Columbia health minister is urging residents not to attend private parties and gatherings after recent increases in the number of COVID-19 cases across the province. Health Minister Adrian Dix says many of the latest cases stem from such events and the numbers serve as a reminder that people must adhere to public health rules this summer. B.C.s top doctor Bonnie Henry says transmission remains low and residents must ensure it stays that way. She says common factors in many of the latest cases include talking, laughing and sharing drinks and food, especially in indoor settings, as well as spending time in crowded areas. During a briefing on Tuesday, Henry reported that 146 new cases of COVID-19 have been detected since Friday and there have been no additional deaths. Active cases have climbed to 319, while 3,273 people have recovered from the illness. 5:45 p.m.: As of 5 p.m. Tuesday, Ontarios regional health units are reporting a total of 41,682 confirmed or probable cases of COVID-19, including 2,820 deaths, up 125 new infections in 24 hours. The provincewide case growth included a spike in Chatham-Kent, which on Tuesday reported 40 new cases for the three days of the Civic Holiday long weekend. Along with neighbouring Southwestern Public Health, Chatham-Kent is one of two Ontario health units that is currently seeing its highest rate of case growth since the start of the pandemic. Elsewhere, cases continue to fall, and the province is overall at its lowest rate of new infections since well before the pandemic first peaked in Ontario in the spring. Ontario has averaged 98 cases per day over the last seven days, down from a peak of nearly 600 daily, seen in mid-April. Meanwhile, three more fatal cases were reported, two in Toronto and one in Simcoe-Muskoka. 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. The province cautions its separate data, published daily at 10:30 a.m., 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. Read Tuesdays rolling file Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (Agence France-Presse) Bangkok, Thailand Wed, August 5, 2020 07:30 532 6657ac82168da9fa101c8a4066b9b0a9 2 SE Asia Thailand,Hit-and-Run,Red-Bull Free Thailand's attorney general ordered a new investigation Tuesday into the heir to the Red Bull billions accused of a fatal hit-and-run, following public outrage after his charges were dropped last month. Vorayuth "Boss" Yoovidhya was accused of killing a police officer in 2012 when he crashed his Ferrari in Bangkok's most exclusive neighbourhood. The case has dragged on for years, and Vorayuth -- the grandson of Red Bull co-founder Chaleo Yoovidhya and one of the heirs to the family fortune -- fled the kingdom in 2017. Last month, police and prosecutors said all charges against the 38-year-old had been dropped, including reckless driving causing death, citing new evidence. The move spurred widespread anger amplified by trending hashtags on Twitter such as #BoycottRedBull, as his case was perceived as an example of the impunity apparently enjoyed by the kingdom's powerful billionaire class. It also led to a rare statement by eight members of the sprawling Yoovidhya clan -- considered Thailand's second-richest family according to Forbes -- who broke ranks to decry it. Under growing pressure, the attorney general's office, police and the prime minister's office have now each opened probes into why the charges were dropped. Following a review of the case, the Attorney General's Office (AGO) announced Tuesday they will order police to conduct new investigations into the accident and Vorayuth's alleged drug use. Traces of cocaine were detected in Vorayuth's system after the accident, according to a police report. Police told a parliamentary committee last week that they had not pressed drug charges because Vorayuth's dentist said the cocaine was administered for dental treatment. The AGO said it "agrees to firstly inform police investigators to press charges against him on the use of... cocaine", said Prayut Bejaguna, deputy spokesman. "They must also open the new investigation on the charge of reckless driving cause death, which has seven years left on the statute of limitations." He cited new evidence showing discrepancies between the original police report of Vorayuth's speed. "The case is not over yet." Last week, a defence witness key to clearing Vorayut's name was killed in a motorbike accident in the northern city of Chiang Mai. Charuchart Martthong had told investigators that Vorayut was not speeding, an account apparently delivered years after the 2012 accident. The probes launched by multiple Thai agencies would likely have seen the truck driver questioned again. His sudden death on Thursday prompted premier Prayut Chan-O-Cha to order a new autopsy. The former army general on Tuesday urged for calm from the public, calling for them to be patient for the results of all probes. The Red Bull case has served as a fresh conduit for anger against Prayut's administration -- which enjoys close alliances with Thailand's billionaire clans -- as it struggles with a flatlining economy due to the epidemic. The Lebanese Embassy is maintaining continuous contact with the Netherlands, whose mission in Beirut had five staffers injured in the deadly explosion that rocked the Lebanese capital, Ambassador Abdel Sattar Issa told Sputnik on Wednesday AMSTERDAM (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 05th August, 2020) The Lebanese Embassy is maintaining continuous contact with the Netherlands, whose mission in Beirut had five staffers injured in the deadly explosion that rocked the Lebanese capital, Ambassador Abdel Sattar Issa told Sputnik on Wednesday. "Our embassy [in the Netherlands], the Dutch government and the Dutch embassy in Lebanon are in the permanent coordination. We work as one team, especially in regard with five employees of the Dutch embassy who were injured in the explosion. We also express our solidarity and wish them a speedy recovery," the ambassador said. The Dutch authorities have expressed their readiness to provide medical and humanitarian assistance, as well as support to the Red Cross if needed, the official added. A fund-raising campaign will be organized in the coming days in solidarity with the Lebanese nation for those who want to make donations to help the victims of the blast, the ambassador told Sputnik. The official has also thanked the Netherlands for its support and swift response to the tragedy. The explosion has left over 4,000 people injured, and at least 113 killed. A large number of states have already offered their assistance to Beirut and extended their condolences over the tragedy, which also left around 300,000 people homeless. According to the Lebanese authorities, the blast was likely to have been caused by the detonation of 2,750 tonnes of ammonium nitrate that was stored improperly in a warehouse for six years. The Lebanese government has declared a three-day mourning period for the victims of the tragedy starting on Wednesday. A state of emergency is in place for two weeks. A person familiar with the thinking of the presidents son said he had spent time in Bristol Bay and believed that digging the mine near the sensitive fisheries could result in serious damage if there were an accident involving potentially toxic tailings at the mine. It was unclear whether he had mentioned his concerns to the president recently, but the person said Donald Trump Jr. had raised it several times since the 2016 election. President Trump, asked Wednesday evening about his sons tweet, was noncommittal but said, I will look at both sides of it. Nanci Morris Lyon, a fishing guide and the co-owner of Bear Trail Lodge on the Naknek River near Bristol Bay, hosted Donald Trump Jr., his son Donald III and his brother Eric Trump in July 2014 for Eric Trumps bachelor party. Ms. Lyon, who said she had been an outspoken opponent of the mine for more than a decade, spent a lot of time with the Trumps over 10 days. Ill guarantee you he heard about Pebble Mine, she said, referring to Donald Trump Jr. Because if you go fishing with me, youre going to hear about it. Ms. Lyon said that Donald Trump Jr. and his brother were very grateful to have had the experience of fishing in such an untouched, wild place. They truly got it, she said. They understood how ludicrous this expansive mine was. Mr. Ayers did not respond to questions about why he opposed the mine. But in his tweet, he claimed common cause with millions of conservationists and sportsmen and said that allowing the Pebble Mine project to go forward would unnecessarily mine the USAs greatest fishery at a severe cost. The White House declined to comment, referring questions to the Corps of Engineers, which said in a statement that it is inappropriate for us to comment on opinions, to speculate on potential outcomes of our deliberations in response to media inquiries or to answer technical questions. MBABANE - Thrown into disarray! Senate hopeful Sifiso Nkhundleni Mabuza has filed an urgent application at the High Court for the stay of the elections for the vacant seat in Senate. What prompted Mabuza to move the application, was the decision by the Eswatini Revenue Authority (SRA) Commissioner General, Dumisani Masilela, to revoke his (Mabuza) Tax Clearance Certificate. According to the commissioner general, Mabuza failed to, among other things; disclose his certain assets, business activities and income. Mabuza also wants the court to direct SRA or clerk to Parliament to give him the form of Declaration of Assets, which he was assisted to fill in when standing for the Senate elections within two hours. He is also praying for an order setting aside the letter revoking his Tax Clearance Certificate. Qualified The applicant (Mabuza) further wants the court to declare that he qualified to stand for the Senate elections slated for today at 2:30pm. Other respondents in the matter are the Elections and Boundaries Commission (EBC), clerk to Parliament, Speaker, national commissioner of police and the attorney general. In his application, Mabuza narrated that he has been nominated to stand for elections for the vacant seat in Senate. He told the court that in line with the provisions of the Constitution, he applied to SRA for a Tax Clearance Certificate certifying that he had paid all taxes due to the authoritys satisfaction. I have been subjected to harassment by officers from the Royal Eswatini Police Service, who went around my properties, took pictures and interviewed some of my tenants, employees and family members, contended Mabuza. According to the Senate hopeful, this was allegedly done without his consent. He claimed that he had not been notified about the alleged intrusion into his private life. Mabuza brought it to the attention of the court that this had been widely reported in the countrys newspapers as well as on social media. He contended that in all these alleged invasions, the police officers had not sought his permission nor had they called him for an interview or maybe his explanation on any of the information they had obtained against him. It appears that the police have not found anything and/or have found certain information which has now led the first respondent (SRA) to revoke my Tax Clearance Certificate to stand for the elections through a letter dated August 3, 2020, he argued. The applicant alleged that he received the letter through his employees yesterday. Investigations He highlighted that in the letter, SRA commissioner general stated that: Through further investigations it has been brought to my attention that there was no full compliance on your part with various tax obligations, including but not limited to, disclosure of certain assets and business activities and income therefrom. In the letter, the commissioner general said this therefore led him to the conclusion that Mabuza was not up to date with his tax matters and was not tax compliant. Mabuza said the commissioner general then revoked the Tax Clearance Certificate. I submit, based on legal advice, SRA has no power to revoke my Tax Clearance Certificate without affording me my constitutional and/or Common Law right to be heard before any adverse decision is taken, averred Mabuza. He submitted that the letter that was written by the SRA commissioner general, showed that there was an investigation, however, he was not involved nor made to comment on the information that they had received through their investigations. The matter will be argued today around noon before Judge Cyril Maphanga. SRA is represented by senior lawyer Sidumo Mdladla while appearing for Mabuza is Derrick Jele of Robinson Bertram. Appearing for the respondents is Assistant Attorney General Mndeni Vilakati. Luanda National Police (PN) are implementing strategies and stepping up local patrolling to reduce crime in the country by 5 percent until December, whose the rate of crimes tend to increase. This information was released Tuesday by National Director of Operations and Public Security of the National Police, the commissioner Orlando Bernardo. Analysing the public security situation of the latest 30 days, the high ranking police officer said the corporation will increase the patrolling actions. Among the measures, he mentioned police car and foot patrols, as well as the increasing of the fixed police stations. Orlando Bernardo said that the operation will be jointly conducted with the Criminal Investigation Service (SIC). He said the corporation recorded 5,090 crimes, less than the 1,350 cases compared to previous period, representing a reduction of 27%. On the other hand, 190 firearms have been seized and 41 criminal groups dismantled. Also, 5,106 citizens suspected of committing crimes were detained, 427 vehicles seized for violating the road code, and clarified 3,173 crimes. Kenya announced Tuesday that 587 people had recovered from Covid-19, the highest number of recoveries in the country since it recorded its first positive case on March 13. Previously, the highest number of Covid-19 recoveries recorded was 570. The total recoveries now stands at 9,327. Of the 587 new recoveries 500 patients were on home-based care and 87 were in various hospitals across the country. During the coronavirus update Tuesday, the Health ministry said 605 additional positive cases were recorded bringing the tally to 23,202. Of the 605 new patients, 528 were Kenyans and 27 foreigners, the youngest a two-months-old infant and the oldest 99. As of August 4, the country had tested a total of 322,923 samples for the new coronavirus. Sandoval Economic Alliance is on the same page as Central New Mexico Community College in expanding three target industries in the county. On Wednesday, SEA had its first virtual quarterly luncheon. In 2017, SEA released the Target Industry Study, setting an initiative to expand and attract businesses in life sciences; professional service and support; and advanced technology and manufacturing. CNM President Tracy Hartzler said the college contributes to Sandoval Countys workforce in these areas. CNM serves about 30,000 students in New Mexico each year. About 3,000 live in the Rio Rancho area and about 700 are Rio Rancho high school students in dual-credit programs, she said. Our commitment with Rio Rancho and Sandoval County continues, and has certainly grown over time, she said. Every year, CNM has about 290 nursing students. The Rio Rancho facility has a nursing cohort of about 130 students, Hartzler said. Many then serve Presbyterian Rust Medical Center and UNM Sandoval Regional Medical Center, she said. CNM also offers education in technical services like electrical programs. What this also shows is CNM alignment with Sandoval Economic Alliances Targeted Industries Study, she said. In addition, CNM has a law enforcement academy that Rio Rancho and Sandoval County first responders enroll in. I want to say how important it is to not only partner with our local businesses, but also partner with our local agencies, she said. When CNM addresses its strategic plan, it looks at student success, community success and organizational excellence. When we talk about student success, you may not know that CNM ranks highly across the country nationally for many years in a row, she said. Hartzler said CNM is ranked nationally in: Number of students who earn certificates and degrees; Number of Native American students who earn certificates and degrees; and Number of Latino students who earn certificates and degrees, And so we are incredibly proud of these rankings; at the same time, we know we serve all of our students and all of our community, Hartzler said. In guiding community success, its CNMs goal to connect students and staff to technology, she said. CNM offers them work stations equipped with laptops that have a camera, headphones and microphones. We know how important it is for households to have technology that is used not only by our CNM students but by members of their family, Hartzler said. She said the past six months show how crucial it is to students and families success to have this technology. CNM strives for organizational excellence by using its resources wisely and adhering to it values, Hartzler said. The college partners with two to five other institutions to combine business practices, data sources and infrastructure investments to better respond to local and state needs, she said. We frankly use our workforce and develop our workforce so we can help each other out, Hartzler said. The Department of Telecommunications has agreed to give 5 MHz from the premium 700 MHz band to Indian Railways for signaling purposes. The department wants the Railways to use these airwaves for non-commercial purposes and meet its remaining requirement through the delicensed spectrum. In its response to the Cabinet note by the Ministry of Railways, DOT said 5MHz spectrum of the 700 MHz spectrum band can be given to the Railways at a price decided by the Ministry of Finance. We have said that we have no objection in the finance ministry fixing the price for railways as the ... While some investors are already well versed in financial metrics (hat tip), this article is for those who would like to learn about Return On Equity (ROE) and why it is important. By way of learning-by-doing, we'll look at ROE to gain a better understanding of New Jersey Resources Corporation (NYSE:NJR). ROE or return on equity is a useful tool to assess how effectively a company can generate returns on the investment it received from its shareholders. In simpler terms, it measures the profitability of a company in relation to shareholder's equity. View our latest analysis for New Jersey Resources How Do You Calculate Return On Equity? ROE can be calculated by using the formula: Return on Equity = Net Profit (from continuing operations) Shareholders' Equity So, based on the above formula, the ROE for New Jersey Resources is: 9.9% = US$188m US$1.9b (Based on the trailing twelve months to March 2020). The 'return' is the yearly profit. So, this means that for every $1 of its shareholder's investments, the company generates a profit of $0.10. Does New Jersey Resources Have A Good ROE? Arguably the easiest way to assess company's ROE is to compare it with the average in its industry. The limitation of this approach is that some companies are quite different from others, even within the same industry classification. As you can see in the graphic below, New Jersey Resources has a higher ROE than the average (8.1%) in the Gas Utilities industry. roe That is a good sign. However, bear in mind that a high ROE doesnt necessarily indicate efficient profit generation. Aside from changes in net income, a high ROE can also be the outcome of high debt relative to equity, which indicates risk. To know the 3 risks we have identified for New Jersey Resources visit our risks dashboard for free. How Does Debt Impact ROE? Most companies need money -- from somewhere -- to grow their profits. The cash for investment can come from prior year profits (retained earnings), issuing new shares, or borrowing. In the first two cases, the ROE will capture this use of capital to grow. In the latter case, the debt required for growth will boost returns, but will not impact the shareholders' equity. In this manner the use of debt will boost ROE, even though the core economics of the business stay the same. Story continues Combining New Jersey Resources' Debt And Its 9.9% Return On Equity It's worth noting the high use of debt by New Jersey Resources, leading to its debt to equity ratio of 1.05. Its ROE is quite low, even with the use of significant debt; that's not a good result, in our opinion. Debt does bring extra risk, so it's only really worthwhile when a company generates some decent returns from it. Conclusion Return on equity is useful for comparing the quality of different businesses. In our books, the highest quality companies have high return on equity, despite low debt. If two companies have around the same level of debt to equity, and one has a higher ROE, I'd generally prefer the one with higher ROE. But ROE is just one piece of a bigger puzzle, since high quality businesses often trade on high multiples of earnings. 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 check this FREE visualization of analyst 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. President Donald Trump said US military generals have told him that they seem to feel the massive explosion that rocked Beirut on Tuesday, killing at least 70 people, was a terrible attack likely caused by a bomb. Trump was asked why he called it an attack and not an accident, especially since Lebanese officials say they have not determined the cause of the explosion. He told reporters at the White House: It would seem like it based on the explosion. I met with some of our great generals and they just seem to feel that it was. This was not a some kind of a manufacturing explosion type of a event. ... They seem to think it was a attack. It was a bomb of some kind, yes. Trump offered condolences to the victims and said the United States stood ready to assist Lebanon. It looks like a terrible attack, he said. The explosion flattened much of a port and damaged buildings across the capital, sending a giant mushroom cloud into the sky. In addition to those who died, more than 3,000 other people were injured, with bodies buried in the rubble, officials said. The cause of the blast was not immediately known, but initial reports suggested a fire had detonated a warehouse at the port. Abbas Ibrahim, chief of Lebanese General Security, said it might have been caused by highly explosive material that was confiscateWasd from a ship some time ago and stored at the port. Local television channel LBC said the material was ammonium nitrate. Witnesses reported seeing a strange, orange cloud like that which appears when toxic nitrogen dioxide gas is released after an explosion involving nitrates. Donald Trump has taken a swipe at Barack Obamas recently delivered eulogy for civil rights hero John Lewis, calling it a ridiculous speech intended to attack him rather than commemorate its supposed subject. Calling in to Fox and Friends on Wednesday morning, Mr Trump was invited to comment on Mr Obamas address, which the programmes hosts themselves complained was more political than respectful. Who is having a harder time getting over the 2016 election, asked host Brian Kilmeade, Hillary Clinton, or president Obama? And do you agree that seemed like a campaign speech, and less of a eulogy? Mr Trump replied: I thought it was a terrible speech, it was an angry speech, it showed this anger there that people dont see, he lost control. And hes really been hit very hard by both sides for that speech, that speech was ridiculous. I think the answer is they both are, just in a state where its just one of those things. Recommended Donald Trump dismisses John Lewis for not attending his inauguration The eulogy Mr Obama gave contained references to the state of the US under Mr Trump. At one point, the former president pointed out that while formal bans prohibiting black people from voting may be a thing of the past, some of the conduct of the Trump administration raises the spectre of the ugly past that John Lewis fought against. Bull Connor may be gone, he said, but today we witness with our own eyes police officers kneeling on the necks of Black Americans. George Wallace may be gone. But we can witness our federal government sending agents to use tear gas and batons against peaceful demonstrators. While some Republicans did indeed take exception to Mr Obamas address, many Democrats celebrated it as an expression of commitment to the things to which Mr Lewis dedicated his life. As Mr Obama said: There are some who might say we shouldnt dwell on such things. But thats why Im talking about it. John Lewis devoted his time on this Earth fighting the very attacks on democracy and whats best in America that we are seeing circulate right now. Meanwhile, Mr Trump who did not attend Mr Lewiss funeral, and recently complained that the congressman had not come to his 2017 inauguration detoured from his complaints about the eulogy to a more general ramble against Obama and his administration. Weve redone 82 per cent or something of the Obama things. Whether you look at the environment, our air and water is cleaner than its ever been, but were producing just go back prior to the plague coming in, and by the way, were going to have those numbers plus next year, youll watch. But you look at the numbers we were doing and despite that, our air and water numbers were better than they ever were But no, I thought that speech was totally inappropriate, very bad. He fought very hard, a lot of people dont realise, and I think I said it the other day, he fought just as hard or harder than Hillary so that Hillary won. He was somebody I didnt know him, but he was somebody that wanted me not to win. LOS ANGELES, CA / ACCESSWIRE / August 5, 2020 / Compare-autoinsurance.org (http://compare-autoinsurance.org) is a top auto insurance brokerage website, providing car insurance quotes online from trustworthy agencies all over the United States. 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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. "Good drivers can quickly save insurance money with the help of UBI programs", said Russell Rabichev, Marketing Director of Internet Marketing Company. CONTACT: Company Name: Internet Marketing Company Person for contact Name: Gurgu C Phone Number: (818) 359-3898 Email: cgurgu@internetmarketingcompany.biz Website: http://compare-autoinsurance.org SOURCE: Internet Marketing Company View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/600377/How-To-Get-Cheaper-Car-Insurance-With-The-Help-Of-Usage-Based-Insurance Pune, Aug. 05, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The global medical plastics market size is projected to reach USD 54.29 billion by 2027, exhibiting a CAGR of 7.1% during the forecast period. The meteoric rise in the demand for personal protective equipment (PPE) across countries will inevitably fuel the uptake of these plastics, finds Fortune Business Insights in its report, titled Medical Plastics Market Size, Share & COVID-19 Impact Analysis, By Application (Medical Disposables, Medical Instruments, Prosthetics & Implants, Drugs Packaging, and Others), and Regional Forecast, 2020-2027. PPE is made from plastics and other polymers and the on-going COVID-19 pandemic has escalated the demand for such equipment among frontline health workers worldwide. Gain More Insights into the Medical Plastics Market Research Report:: https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/medical-plastics-market-102136 In Texas, for instance, the request for PPE from healthcare facilities surged from less than 2,000 in the third week of June to more than 22,000 in the last week of the same month. In India, the Apparel Export Promotion Council (AEPC) estimates that the domestic demand for PPE will be worth INR 10,000crore in the upcoming year and worldwide, the business will stand at an estimated value of USD 60 billion. Thus, the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic is expected to prove beneficial for this market in the immediate future. The report states that the global market value stood at USD 29.93 billion in 2019 and answers the following questions: What are the primary growth drivers for this market? What challenges does the market face? Which are the top market trends and upcoming opportunities? Who are the major players and what are their key strategies? Which are the most promising regions for the market? Get Sample PDF Brochure with Short-Term and Long-Term Impact of COVID-19 on Medical Plastics Industry, Please Visit: https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/enquiry/request-sample-pdf/medical-plastics-market-102136 Market Driver Deferment of EU MDR to Support Medical Plastics Market Growth The European Medical Device Regulation (EU MDR) is an updated batch of regulations framed to monitor and govern the production and distribution of medical devices sold in Europe. The new regulations are focused on adopting a life-cycle approach to medical devices owing to the rapidly aging population in the continent. The regulations are based on the rationale that the probability of malfunctions and accidents associated with medical devices used to treat aging people is higher than normal. The EU MDR was expected to create a major turmoil in the medical plastics industry in Europe. However, with the coronavirus raging across the globe, the European Parliament has decided to postpone the enactment and implement of this regulation to May 2021 so that companies can focus on prioritizing the production of medical devices to battle the pandemic. This decision, therefore, augurs well for this market. Regional Insights Changing Dynamics of Health Industry in Asia Pacific to Fuel Market Growth Asia Pacific is expected to lead the medical plastics market share in the coming years owing to evolving dynamics and preferences in the healthcare industry in the region. For example, there is growing awareness about sanitation and hygiene in healthcare facilities in India and China, which is spiking the adoption of advanced medical plastics in the region. In North America, where the market size was at USD 5.36 billion in 2019, the market is anticipated to be characterized by high healthcare spending and excellent R&D infrastructure for medical research. The market in Europe is also expected to register considerable growth owing to favorable government policies promoting the adoption of these plastics, especially during the current coronavirus pandemic. Competitive Landscape Prioritization of Response to COVID-19 to be Central Focus for Key Players As the coronavirus continues to wreak havoc around the world, key players in the market for medical plastics are focused on prioritizing their response of this unprecedented health crisis. Many companies have boosted their production to produce essential equipment for frontline health workers, while some others are ramping up their R&D spending to launch innovative solutions for the health industry. Speak to Analyst: https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/enquiry/speak-to-analyst/medical-plastics-market-102136 Industry Developments: April 2020: US-based Celanese Corporation is supporting healthcare workers by enhancing its production of specialty materials for applications such as PPE, ventilators, and other medical devices. February 2020: Pirouette Medical designed and developed a novel auto-injector, featuring improved portability and affordability, along with lower costs, for the delivery of epinephrine and other medications in patients. The unique device has been injection-molded with Covestros Makrolon 2458 polycarbonate. List of the Leading Companies Profiled in the Medical Plastics Market Research Report are: Eastman Chemical Company (United States) GW Plastics (United States) Solvay (Belgium) Evonik (Germany) Celanese Corporation (United States) Nolato AB (Sweden) Rochling (Germany) Covestro AG (Germany) BASF SE (Germany) SABIC (Saudi Arabia) Order a Complete Research Report on Medical Plastics Market with Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic: https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/checkout-page/102136 Detailed Table of Content: Introduction Research Scope Market Segmentation Research Methodology Definitions and Assumptions Executive Summary Market Dynamics Market Drivers Market Restraints Market Opportunities Emerging Trends Key Insights Overview of the Parent/Related Markets Industry SWOT Analysis Regulatory Analysis Recent Industry Developments - Policies, Partnerships, New Product Launches, and Mergers & Acquisitions Global Medical Plastics Market Analysis, Insights and Forecast, 2016-2027 Key Findings / Summary Market Size Estimates and Forecast By Application (Volume/Value) Medical Disposables Medical Instruments Prosthetics & Implants Drugs Packaging Others By Region (Volume/Value) North America Europe Asia Pacific Latin America Middle East & Africa TOC Continued!!! Get your Customized Research Report: https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/enquiry/customization/medical-plastics-market-102136 Have a Look at Related Research Insight: Antimicrobial Packaging Market Size, Share & Industry Analysis, By Material (Plastics, Biopolymers, Paper & Paperboard, and Others), By Antimicrobial Agents (Organic Acid, Bacteriocins, and Others), By Type (Bags, Pouches, Trays, and Others), By Application (Food & Beverages, Healthcare & Pharmaceutical, Personal Care, and Others) and Regional Forecast, 2019-2026 Personal Protective Equipment Market Size, Share & PPE Industry Analysis, By Product (Head Protection, Eye & Face Protection, Hearing Protection, Protective Clothing, Respiratory Protection, Fall Protection Protective Footwear, Hand Protection, and Others), By Application (Construction, Manufacturing, Oil & Gas, Chemical, Food, Pharmaceutical, Transportation, and Others) and Regional Forecast, 2020-2027 Medical Adhesives Market Size, Share & Industry Analysis, By Type (Pressure sensitive adhesives, Dissolvable adhesives, Electrical conductive adhesives), By Resin (Natural adhesives, Synthetic adhesives), By Application (Needles & syringes, Catheters, Tubes & connectors, Reservoirs & enclosures, Blood filtration)Others and Regional Forecast, 2019-2026 Medical Clothing Market Size, Share & Industry Analysis, By Product (Surgical Drapes, Scrubs and Gowns, Gloves, Facial Protection, Sterilization Wraps, Protective Apparels and Others), By Application (Hospitals & Physicians Offices, Outpatient Facilities, and Others), and Regional Forecast, 2020-2027 Medical Hydrophilic Coatings Market Size, Share & Industry Analysis, By Substrate Type (Metals, Ceramics, Polymers, Others), By Application (Medical Equipment & Tools, Medical Devices, Implants, Others)and Regional Forecast, 2020-2027 Plastics Market Size, Share & Industry Analysis, By Type (Polyethylene, Polypropylene, Polyethylene Terephthalate, Polyvinyl Chloride, Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene, Polyamide, Polycarbonate, Polyurethane, Polystyrene), By End-Use Industry (Packaging, Automotive & Transportation, Infrastructure & Construction, Consumer Goods/Lifestyle, Healthcare & Pharmaceutical, Electrical & Electronics, Textile), and Regional Forecast, 2019-2026 About Us: Fortune Business Insights offers expert corporate analysis and accurate data, helping organizations of all sizes make timely decisions. We tailor innovative solutions for our clients, assisting them to address challenges distinct to their businesses. Our goal is to empower our clients with holistic market intelligence, giving a granular overview of the market they are operating in. Our reports contain a unique mix of tangible insights and qualitative analysis to help companies achieve sustainable growth. Our team of experienced analysts and consultants use industry-leading research tools and techniques to compile comprehensive market studies, interspersed with relevant data. At Fortune Business Insights, we aim at highlighting the most lucrative growth opportunities for our clients. We, therefore, offer recommendations, making it easier for them to navigate through technological and market-related changes. Our consulting services are designed to help organizations identify hidden opportunities and understand prevailing competitive challenges. Contact Us: Fortune Business Insights Pvt. Ltd. 308, Supreme Headquarters, Survey No. 36, Baner, Pune-Bangalore Highway, Pune - 411045, Maharashtra, India. Phone: US: +1-424-253-0390 UK: +44-2071-939123 APAC: +91-744-740-1245 Email: sales@fortunebusinessinsights.com Fortune Business Insights LinkedIn | Twitter | Blogs Read Press Release: https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/press-release/global-medical-plastics-market-10139 Third acquisition in Xebecs strategy to develop a North American service footprint for renewable natural gas and hydrogen installations MONTREAL, Aug. 04, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Xebec Adsorption Inc. (TSXV: XBC) (Xebec), a global provider of clean energy solutions is pleased to announce that Xebec Holding USA Inc, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Xebec Adsorption Inc., has entered into an agreement effective July 31st, 2020, to acquire all of the outstanding securities of Enerphase Industrial Solutions, Inc. (doing business as Air Flow). Air Flows principals will remain with Air Flow after the acquisition to optimize their integration into Xebecs industrial service and support business and to grow the operation over the coming years. Total consideration payable by Xebec is approximately $6.0M, subject to certain holdbacks, adjustments and time-based payments. Air Flow had revenues of approximately $10.1M for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019 and revenues are estimated to grow organically to $11.5M in 2020 with an EBITDA margin of approximately 10%. Xebec expects that Air Flows growth and profitability could be improved with additional supply chain and cost optimizations, product synergies and the back-office expertise Xebec has built from prior acquisitions. When Xebec approached us, we saw a unique opportunity to be part of a mission that was larger than us. Climate change is a growing concern and I saw how our team and experience in compressed air service could translate into being a strong value add to help service and support Xebecs upcoming renewable natural gas and hydrogen systems. North Carolina is one of the top 10 agriculture producing states which represents significant potential for RNG projects. Air Flow is well positioned with three points of presence to offer truly local support to future dairy and hog farmers, municipalities, and industry, states B. Stanton Shelton, III, President and CEO, Air Flow. Story continues Air Flow is a leading distributor and service provider of compressed air equipment in North Carolina. Incorporated in 1981, the company brings decades of industry experience and has built long standing relationships with major manufacturers and has developed a significant service footprint through numerous equipment installations. Air Flows focus is on preventative maintenance solutions, air energy system audits and analysis, and timely machine rentals, and parts and service. As renewable natural gas and hydrogen adoption continues, the need to support customers over the lifetime of their installations grows. Air Flow is yet another example of an acquisition that is immediately accretive to Xebecs earnings and the service team at Air Flow can be trained to also work with renewable gases. Growing our service footprint is key to the Xebecs strategy to sell more Cleantech systems, better support our customers and capture more aftermarket business. Im happy to see the continued execution by our team and we expect several more acquisitions throughout the rest of the year, says Dr. Prabhu Rao, Chief Operating Officer, Xebec Adsorption Inc. Related links: https://www.xebecinc.com https://airflowinc.com/ For more information: Xebec Adsorption Inc. Brandon Chow, Investor Relations Manager bchow@xebecinc.com +1 450.979.8700 ext 5762 About Xebec Adsorption Inc. Xebec is a global provider of gas generation, purification and filtration solutions for the industrial, energy and renewables marketplace. Well-positioned in the energy transition space with proprietary technologies that transform raw gases into clean sources of renewable energy, Xebecs 1500+ customers range from small to multi-national corporations, governments and municipalities looking to reduce their carbon footprints. Headquartered in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, Xebec has several Sales and Support offices in North America and Europe, as well as two manufacturing facilities in Montreal and Shanghai. Xebec trades on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol XBC. For more information, www.xebecinc.com . Cautionary Statement 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 contains forward-looking statements and forward-looking information (together, forward-looking statements) within the meaning of applicable securities laws. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, are forward-looking statements, and subject to risks and uncertainties. Generally, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of terminology such as plans, seeks, expects, estimates, intends, anticipates, believes, could, might, likely or variations of such words, or statements that certain actions, events or results may, will, could, would, might, will be taken, occur, be achieved or other similar expressions. Forward-looking statements, including statements concerning future capital expenditures, revenues, expenses, earnings, economic performance, indebtedness, financial condition, losses and future prospects as well as the expectations of management of Xebec with respect to information regarding the business and the expansion and growth of Xebec operations, involve risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results, performance, prospects and opportunities to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are subject to business and economic factors and uncertainties, and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from these forward-looking statements, including the relevant assumptions and risks factors set out in Xebec's public documents, including in the most recent annual management discussion and analysis and annual information form, filed on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. Furthermore, should one or more of the risks, uncertainties or other factors materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described in forward-looking statements or information. These risks, uncertainties and other factors include, among others, the uncertain and unpredictable condition of global economy, notably as a consequence of the Covid-19 pandemic, Xebecs capacity to generate revenue growth, the availability to Xebec of financing and credit alternatives and access to capital, Xebecs capacity to meet all its other commitments and business plans, Xebecs limited number of customers, the potential loss of key employees, changes in the use of proceeds relating to the loan, share price volatility, and other factors. Although Xebec believes that the assumptions and factors used in preparing the forward-looking statements are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on these statements, which only apply as of the date of this news release, and no assurance can be given that such events will occur in the disclosed times frames or at all. Except where required by applicable law, Xebec disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Why has the announcement by the United States of its highest-level visit to Taiwan for four decades sparked such anger from Beijing? Here is a recap of the key issues surrounding the delicate relations between the US, China and Taiwan. - Bitter history - The deep rift between China and Taiwan dates back to China's civil war, which erupted in 1927 and pitted forces aligned with the Communist Party of China against the Nationalist Kuomintang (KMT) army. Eventually defeated by Mao Zedong's Communists, KMT chief Chiang Kai-shek fled to Taiwan, which was still under KMT control. From there, Chiang continued to claim the entirety of China -- just as the mainland claimed Taiwan. Taiwan's official name remains the Republic of China, while the mainland is the People's Republic of China. Both sides still formally claim to represent all of China. Taiwan has transformed into a vibrant and developed democracy whose popular president, Tsai Ing-wen, has stressed the island's separate identity. The KMT, now in opposition, is more supportive of better ties with Beijing, especially on trade. - Why the fuss? - Washington cut formal diplomatic relations with Taiwan in 1979, switching recognition to Beijing as the sole representative of China, with the mainland becoming a major trading partner. But the United States at the same time maintained a decisive, if at times delicate, role in supporting Taiwan. Under a law passed by Congress, the United States is required to sell Taiwan military supplies to ensure its self-defense against Beijing's vastly larger armed forces. In 2019, President Donald Trump's administration approved $8 billion in fighter jets to Taiwan, the largest US sale to the island in years. - 'One China' policy - In 1992, Taiwan and mainland China both pledged there is only "one China" but they agreed to disagree about what that precisely meant. Only 14 nations, all in the developing world, and the Vatican still recognize Taiwan, with Beijing trying hard to stop any international recognition for the island. Story continues The United States, while recognizing Beijing, is careful in its wording. The United States says only that it "acknowledges" Beijing's claim to Taiwan -- and leaves it for the two sides to work out a solution. In practice, Taiwan enjoys many of the trappings of a full diplomatic relationship with the United States. While there is no US embassy in Taipei, Washington runs a center called the American Institute in Taiwan, while the island's diplomats enjoy the status of other nations' personnel while in the United States. Beijing is sensitive to any move that could amount to official recognition of Taiwan, such as when Tsai spoke by telephone to Trump after his election but before his inauguration. The United States has pushed for Taiwan to be included in UN bodies such as the World Health Organization. The topic is sure to come up during the visit of Alex Azar, the secretary of health and human services, who like many around the world has praised Taiwan's effective response to the coronavirus pandemic. burs-eab/sct/sst ORANGE CITY, Iowa -- The sister of an Orange City man ordered to stop selling toilet paper and cleaning supplies for excessive prices has also been accused of price-gouging customers for similar items. Iowa Attorney General Tom Miller announced Wednesday that his office has filed a lawsuit against Brenda Noteboom, who is accused of selling items of need during the COVID-19 pandemic at prices far above market value. She is accused of selling, among dozens of other items, a 12.5-ounce can of Lysol disinfectant spray for $62 and a six-pack of Charmin toilet paper for $49.99 on eBay. The attorney general's office is seeking a temporary and permanent injunction to stop Noteboom from selling household merchandise on any platform. It also seeks restitution and civil penalties. It's the second lawsuit filed against an online seller for violating the price-gouging law during the pandemic. Noteboom's brother, Michael Noteboom, was the first. He was sued in April for charging excessive prices on more than 250 items that were often hard to find in stores because of pandemic-related shortages. District Judge Patrick Tott in May issued a stipulated temporary injunction in which Noteboom agreed not to sell items needed by COVID-19 pandemic victims. Noteboom has since hired a lawyer and denies the allegations. A civil trial-setting conference is scheduled next week in Sioux County District Court. Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds on March 9 issued a disaster declaration, triggering the state's price-gouging rule, which forbids charging excessive prices for goods or services needed by disaster victims. Sellers on online auction sites are not exempt from the state's price-gouging law. According to an affidavit filed Monday, Brenda Noteboom made more than $5,500 by selling more than 320 items, including toilet paper, paper towels, and disinfecting and sanitizing products, on eBay in March. An investigator with the Attorney General's Consumer Protection Division discovered sales by eBay seller "bnoteb2052" while investigating sales by Michael Noteboom. Investigators determined bnoteb2052 was Brenda Noteboom and sent her a written warning on March 26, followed by an April 29 cease and desist letter that demanded information about her sales. Noteboom has not responded to the request, Miller's office said. Since the pandemic began, the Consumer Protection Division has received 620 reports of price gouging, including 427 formal complaints. Businesses or individuals found in violation of Iowa's price-gouging rule are subject to civil penalties of up to $40,000 under the Iowa Consumer Fraud Act. Consumers may learn more about price gouging or file complaints at the attorney general's website at www.iowaattorneygeneral.gov. Consumers can also contact the Consumer Protection Division by phone at 888-777-4590 or via email at consumer@ag.iowa.gov. 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. Moscow University official arrested on charges of premeditated bankruptcy flickr.com/ Phuket@photographer.net 19:01 05/08/2020 MOSCOW, August 5 (RAPSI) Moscow University vice-rector and cofounder of Invest-Alliance company Alexey Grishin has been arrested in a deliberate bankruptcy case, Russias Investigative Committee press service informs on Wednesday. Searches were conducted in the places of residence of the suspect in Moscow and the Moscow Region and at his working place; investigators seized money, jewelry, financial documents, and other items; Grishin was transported to the town of Saransk for interrogation, the statement reads. Investigators intend to petition for the imposition of pretrial restrictions. New Delhi, Aug 5 : Broad measures are needed to prevent the spread of tuberculosis, or TB, in India, as the country accounts for 27 per cent of all global cases of the disease, say researchers. Recently, the World Health Organization (WHO) changed its guidance for preventive treatment in countries with a high TB prevalence, recommending proactive drug therapy for all members of households exposed to TB by someone in the home with the pulmonary form of the disease. This is a departure from the current national guidelines in India that only require preventive TB therapy for children under age six and people living with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). However, the new WHO recommendations for broader preventive measures is conditional and not based on strong evidence, so health officials in countries such as India wanted more proof that a switch in policy was warranted. The research team that conducted the study, published in the journal PLOS One, in India was directed by Amita Gupta from the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. For their study, the researchers in India enrolled 1,051 adults in the cities of Pune and Chennai who had been exposed to someone in their household with pulmonary TB. The 997 participants who completed the study were screened for both TB infection (presence of the bacteria) and TB disease using clinical, microbiologic and radiologic methods at enrollment, at some time between four and six months, and at 12 and 24 months. "We found that 707 of the 997 participants, or 71 per cent, tested positive for TB infection at the start, and 20, or 2%, subsequently developed the disease during the 24-month follow-up period," said researcher Mandar Paradkar from BJ Government Medical College (BJGMC) in Pune. "Based on these numbers, we estimate that that 12 people per 1,000 per year will get TB disease through household contact," Paradkar added. This is a large enough rate to support the new WHO guidelines for stopping the spread of the bacteria, calling for all residents in households with TB present to receive therapy without needing to first be tested for infection. The research team that the development of TB disease through household exposure was not associated with smoking, alcohol consumption, diabetes mellitus or when TB infection was detected during the study period. To increase the effectiveness of TB prevention on a large scale, the new WHO recommendations provide options for shorter-duration treatments in addition to the previous course of the antibiotic isoniazid daily for six months, the authors said. The alternatives include a one-month daily regimen of another antibiotic, rifapentine, plus isoniazid; three months weekly rifapentine plus isoniazid; three months daily rifampicin plus isoniazid; or four months of daily rifampicin alone, they added. Dr Ronan Glynn, Acting Chief Medical Officer for the Department of Health has defended National Public Health Emergency Team's (NPHET) advice to the government not to proceed with Phase 4 of Ireland's lockdown exit. Dr Glynn said Ireland's priority should be controlling the spread of Covid-19 so schools may reopen. Irelands Acting Chief Medical officer said that it is the right decision not to move to the next phase of lockdown easing. We have seen a concerning increase in the disease incidence in Ireland over the last seven days, he said. We must ensure we are in the best position possible to manage any further rise in cases that might occur here in Ireland. We understand the recommendations will be disappointing to many, but it is important that we protect the progress that we have achieved. Our priority over the next three weeks is continuing every effort to slow the spread of the virus so our schools can reopen. No further deaths with coronavirus were reported in Ireland by NPHET, leaving the national total at 1,763. However, 45 new confirmed cases of Covid-19 have been notified, bringing the total number of Irish infections to 26,253. Dr Glynn warned that a significant proportion of new cases are being found in those under the age of 45. 77% of new cases are aged under 45, and 31 cases are associated with outbreaks or are close contacts of a confirmed case. The Acting Chief Medical Officer also urged anyone concerned that they have coronavirus symptoms to contact their GP. This is the only way we will break the chain of transmission, he said. The Chief Medic also urged Ireland to stay the course in the face of Covid-19 so as not to jeopardise progress to date. Manama Masked and socially dis- tanced to fight the coro- navirus, believers around the world held prayers yesterday to mark the festival of Eid al- Adha, with mosques at reduced capacity and some praying in the open air. In Istanbul, worshippers held Eid al-Adha prayers at Hagia Sophia for the first time since the historic building was recon- verted to a mosque this month following a court ruling revok- ing its status as a museum that drew criticism from Western countries. In Lebanon, devastated by economic crisis, many found it hard to afford traditional Eid customs. In Tripoli, the countrys second city, there were no decorations or twinkling lights, and no electricity to power them. Instead, a large billboard read: Were broke. Around the world, the festival had to fit in with the realities of the coronavirus. In Indonesia, the religious ministry asked mosques to shorten ceremonies, while many cancelled the ritual of slaughtering livestock and distributing meat to the community. Lebanons Interior Minister, Mohammed Fahmi, says the Tuesday explosion in Beirut was caused by ammonium nitrate. He said the chem... Lebanons Interior Minister, Mohammed Fahmi, says the Tuesday explosion in Beirut was caused by ammonium nitrate. He said the chemical was stored in a warehouse at the port. More than 50 people were feared dead, with nearly 3,000 injured. Prime Minister, Hassan Diab, disclosed that the warehouse had been the subject of warnings since 2014. Diab assured that he would reveal facts about the facility soon. I promise you this catastrophe will not pass without accountability. The people who are responsible will pay a price, Diab said. The PM declared Wednesday a national day of mourning for the victims of the explosion. Israel, technically at war with Lebanon and being accused of complicity, has also offered humanitarian assistance. Defence Minister, Benny Gantz, said Israel approached the Lebanese government through international security and diplomatic channels. Enabling lean IT organizations to effortlessly secure the new reality without spending millions of dollars. New York, NY August 4th 2020 Coronet, the fastest growing cyber security platform providing enterprise grade all-in-one security as a service to companies of any size, announced today a new version of its flagship platform, SecureCloud. SecureCloud 4.0: Optimized for the Hybrid workspace SecureCloud 4.0 was optimized to address the new security challenges organizations face RAMAT GAN, Israel, Aug. 5, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Merchavia Holdings and Investments Ltd. (TASE: MRHL) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for its first investment in the Aura Smart Air, a company that deals with purification and air quality management using artificial intelligence technology. According to the MoU, Merchavia will invest $250,000 and will receive preference shares, which constitute approximately 1.93% of Aura Air's issued and fully diluted capital for its investment. Merchavia's investment will be made at a $10 Million valuation and is a part of an $3 Million financing round. In experiments on COVID-19 that Aura Air conducted and is conducting with Sheba Medical Center, preliminary results showed that Aura's solution succeeded in eliminating COVID-19 by 99.9% Aura Air is an Israeli company that has developed a platform for managing air quality in enclosed spaces through three phases: monitoring, analysis and air purification. The system monitors in real time the presence of airborne particles and gases inside and outside, and performs purification and disinfection of viruses, molds, bacteria and fungi using four dedicated patented filters. Aura Air recently completed pilots in office towers, hotels, residential buildings, and buses in the United States and other countries around the globe. The company also began a pilot designed to aid return to school routine in Israel by installing the system in classrooms. In addition, the MoU stipulates that the companies will work to sign a marketing and distribution agreement under which Merchavia will be given the right to distribute and market the system in Cyprus and Greece for a period to be determined under the binding agreement. Completion of negotiations and signing of the binding agreement will be made within 30 days of signing the MoU. Contact: Eli Arad [email protected] SOURCE Merchavia Holdings and Investments SPRINGFIELD Nine years after a tornado tore through Springfield, causing millions of dollars in damage, the city is once again offering renovation grants totaling $175,000 in historic districts affected by the disaster. The federal Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery funds are for exterior repairs to private properties in the Maple Hill, Ridgewood and Lower Maple Historic Districts, according to the city. Local officials said that factors including stringent federal regulations, have made for a challenging grant process and very limited interest in the past. We remain hopeful, said Timothy Sheehan, the citys chief development officer. There is certainly a lot of need to address in those neighborhoods. A key change this time is that damage being repaired does not have to be directly connected to the 2011 tornado, if located within the targeted historic districts, Sullivan said. That broadens the pool of potential applicants, Sheehan said. The city has offered the funds on two prior occasions, most recently in 2016, with just one grant award reported. City Councilor Melvin Edwards, president of the Maple High-Six Corners Neighborhood Council said he hopes there is interest now, but agreed that federal regulations have been difficult and complex. There are multiple vacant properties in distress, Edwards said. The requirements are stringent and has discouraged some. Federal regulations sometimes make it so difficult, they give up and say its not worth it. Bids for the grants are due by Aug. 25, at 2 p.m., at the Office of Procurement. Any work will also need to be approved by the Springfield done must gain approval , and grantees need prior Exterior repairs that may be eligible for the funds include exterior painting and removal of lead paint, roof and shingle repairs, chimney/foundation repair and repointing, porch repairs, and window repair and replacement. Any project proposed must be ready to proceed, and must comply with U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development disaster recovery regulations, and Federal Emergency Management Agency regulations, among many other requirements, officials said. Sheehan said he believes one of the key obstacles in grant applications are that property owners must not have received duplicative benefits from another source/s (insurance, FEMA, SBA, etc) for the repairs applied for under this program. according to the request for bids. The disaster recovery grant funds were the result of a memorandum of agreement reached between the city and the Federal Emergency Management Agency. The tornado had caused severe damage and led to the demolition of a rear drill shed of the historic State Armory on Howard Street, and the grant funds were one form of mitigation for that historic loss, officials said. Robert McCarroll, a former member of the city Historical Commission when the renovation grant was funded, said there is a need for the funds and renovations. He agreed that the requirements for the federal funds are strenuous and arduous. Activist Malyshevskys appeal against 2019 summer riots sentence dismissed RAPSI, Vladimir Burnov 12:45 05/08/2020 MOSCOW, August 5 (RAPSI) The Second Cassation Court of General Jurisdiction on Wednesday dismissed an appeal filed by activist Eduard Malyshevsky against his sentence for assault on a police officer at the unauthorized rally held in Moscow on July 27, 2019, RAPSI learnt from the courts press service. In December, Malyshevsky was sentenced to 3 years in a penal colony. He was found guilty of using violence against a representative of authority. In January, the Moscow City Court reduced the sentence to 2 years and 9 months. According to investigators, the accused during the rally attempted to charge through police lines, then after arrest he intentionally broke out a window of a bus where he was placed, and it fell bang on the policemans head. Malyshevsky denies guilt and believes that the police officer did not suffer from his actions as he was dressed in the service clothes. Unauthorized rallies in support of candidates seeking to become lawmakers of the Moscow State Duma but refused registration by the Election Commission were held on July 27 and August 3 in central Moscow. Over 1,000 people were arrested for various violations as a result. Following the 27 July rally, the Investigative Committee criminal cases were opened. Investigators believe that the protest action was held with the use of force against representatives of authority. Several activists have been already convicted and sentenced. Prosecution of five defendants has been dropped. LG and Xerox have now both been the victim of ransomware attacks perpetrated by bad actors at Maze. Thats based on a recent report compiled by ZDNet, detailing the Maze gangs hacking endeavors. Now, the attacks themselves took place back in June. But today, both LG and Xerox appear to have failed to meet the demands of the ransomware. The group has historically breached corporate networks and stolen sensitive files, encrypted the data, and then demanded a ransom. If the first ransom demand fails, it then turns to create a dedicated leak page on its website. That website is used as a threat behind a second demand for ransom. This week, Maze operators published no less than 50.2GB from LGs internal network and no less than 25.8GB from Xerox. Advertisement Why did the ransomware result in published LG and Xerox details? Neither LG nor Xerox appears prepared to discuss the incident but the group behind the attack reportedly informed ZDNet last month that it had skipped the ransom step for LG. That decision, the group says, was made for several reasons. Not least of all, Maze claims, LGs clients are socially significant and it didnt want to create disruption. So, instead, it simply pulled out the LG data. For Xerox, the details are less clear and Maze operatives arent discussing the matter. What was stolen and published and why is this a bigger problem for LG? In terms of what was stolen, at first glance, LG seems to have gotten off lightly. Thats because the data that was obtained by ZDNet appears to mostly be related to source code. Specifically, source code for closed-source firmware associated with LG phones, tablets, and other devices. Advertisement For Xerox, conversely, the Maze gang stole and published data tied to customer support for the company. That included sensitive information tied to Xerox employees and could potentially include data on customers. The full extent has not been entirely explored as of this writing, although no customer data has been found just yet. But LG has also reportedly been the victim of a second hacking attempt. That hacking effort yielded far more damaging results. The unidentified hackers took advantage of an old server vulnerability to gain access to LG Americas R&D center. And thats being sold on a hacking forum for between $10,000 and $13,000. Given LGs current push to innovate and retake market share in the mobile industry, that could prove far more problematic. In state-of-the-art facilities across the state, Clemson researchers are utilizing advanced technology to create a safer, healthier and more sustainable future. The Clemson Innovation Campuses provide specialized facilities where Clemsons faculty, staff and students can work with researchers from private-industry partners. For those interested in partnering with Clemsons Innovation Campuses, please contact us. Learn More About Clemson and GE Our state is a leader in advanced manufacturing, and Clemson will continue to be a valuable resource for our industry partners. This state-of-the-art lab will provide our students with a unique, hands-on learning experience and better prepare them for the workforce. I am grateful to GE for providing our students with this opportunity. - James P. Clements, President, Clemson University From Clemsons main campus to Charleston, GEs long-standing relationship with the University has resulted in a variety of programs and initiatives spanning multiple colleges. One of these programs enables Clemson students, faculty and staff to work with GE engineers at the new Additive Manufacturing Lab at GE Powers Advanced Manufacturing Works (AMW) facility in Greenville, South Carolina. With locations in all 46 counties of South Carolina, Clemson Public Service and Agriculture (PSA) works through research and education centers and Extension sites to improve quality of life for all South Carolinians. Promoting the health and safety of animals, the food supply and public health, ensuring the use of safe agricultural practices and advancing the states agribusiness and forestry industries are among the top priorities for PSA. Video Transcript 0:00-0:03 A white Tiger Paw is centered on the screen with a blurred image behind. As the video begins, the white Tiger Paw increases in size and exits the screen. Clemsons LEED-certified Life Sciences building is shown. 0:03-0:04 A female scientist wearing a white lab coat uses an IN Cell Analyzer in one of Clemsons research labs. 0:05-0:06 A research building with a multi-tiered roof is shown from above, surrounded by green trees and blue skies. 0:06-0:07 A male scientist holds a metal rod up to an illuminated cylinder in a highly technical research setting. The cylinder hangs beneath a large mechanical cylinder connected to multiple tubes. 0:08-0:10 A male scientist uses a Hitachi MB5000 machine with three computer screens to conduct research in a lab on campus. The student examines the computer screen and manipulates elements in the machine during a test. 0:11-0:12 A birds-eye view is given of the Clemson University International Center for Automotive Research (CU-ICAR). The campus spans multiple modern buildings in Greenville, South Carolina. 0:13-0:14 Inside one of the buildings at CU-ICAR, a graduate student wearing a Clemson polo makes a selection on a touch-screen device, and mechanized arms move in the next room, which is visible through a large window in the lab. 0:15-0:16 A female graduate student and male professor open the doors to a closet holding computer elements with blinking green lights. 0:17-0:18 An automotive engineering graduate student moves wires connecting an engine to a testing device. 0:19-0:21 Dominion Energy Innovation Center, part of Clemson Universitys Charleston innovation campus, is shown from the outside as the sun sets behind it. Its a large, white building with a modern design. 0:22-0:23 The Duke Energy eGRID, an electrical grid simulator and the worlds most advanced wind-turbine drivetrain testing facility is shown from ground level. The grid simulator is a large cylindrical device attached to a variety of wires, standing more than 12 feet high. 0:24-0:25 A robot on all-terrain wheels emerges through a row of corn, easily traversing the red clay beneath it. 0:26-0:29 A student at his computer manipulates a large printer at night in the lab. 0:30-0:32 Old Main and the buildings extending from the front of campus to Lake Hartwell and beyond are shown with a high-flying drone shot. A white Tiger Paw comes into focus and the image behind it blurs. The video concludes. Alex Azar, secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS), speaks during a news conference in the briefing room of the White House in Washington, D.C. U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Alex Azar will visit Taiwan in coming days, his office said on Tuesday, making the highest-level visit by a U.S. official in four decades a move that angered China, which claims the island as its own. Azar's visit will worsen already poor Beijing-Washington relations, inflamed over trade, the pandemic and human rights, even as democratic Taiwan has welcomed the show of support in the face of unrelenting Chinese pressure. During his visit, Azar will meet with President Tsai Ing-wen, Taiwan's Foreign Ministry said, which may infuriate China further. "Taiwan has been a model of transparency and cooperation in global health during the COVID-19 pandemic and long before it," Azar said in a statement. "I look forward to conveying President Trump's support for Taiwan's global health leadership and underscoring our shared belief that free and democratic societies are the best model for protecting and promoting health." His department, describing the trip as "historic", said Azar would be accompanied by Mitchell Wolfe, chief medical officer of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and other members of the administration. Taiwan Health Minister Chen Shih-chung, who will also meet Azar, said he was looking forward to the visit. "It also greatly boosts our global status in public health," Chen told reporters. "This is a major step forward." But China denounced the trip, saying it opposed any official interactions between the United States and Taiwan and had lodged "stern representations" with Washington. "Taiwan is the most important and sensitive issue in Sino-U.S. relations," Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said in Beijing. Taiwan has been especially grateful for U.S. support for its requests to get meaningful access to the World Health Organization during the pandemic. Taiwan is not a member because of Chinese objections; Beijing considers the island merely one of China's provinces. Taiwan has denounced Chinese efforts to block its access, though Beijing says the island has been given the help it needs. The United States, like most countries, has no formal diplomatic ties with Taiwan, having ditched Taipei in favor of Beijing in 1979, but is its main arms supplier and strongest backer on the international stage. Gina McCarthy, then-head of the Environmental Protection Agency, was the last U.S. Cabinet-level official to visit Taiwan, in 2014. Her position is technically lower-ranking than Azar's. Taiwan has won praise for its response to the coronavirus pandemic, having kept its case numbers low due to effective and early prevention steps. The United States has more coronavirus cases and deaths than any other country. Like much of the world, Colombia shut down in March as coronavirus cases surged in Europe and began trickling into the South American country. But while restrictions have been lifted in many places elsewhere, a nationwide stay-at-home order remains in effect in Colombia more than four months after being put into place. Isolation orders have been extended repeatedly as cases continue to rise and a limited economic reopening that began in April has inched forward only slightly. Colombia now has the ninth-highest total of Covid-19 infections worldwide, prompting President Ivan Duque to prolong the quarantine again until late August. The effects of the long isolation are beginning to surface: In the capital of Bogota, the mayors office reports that suicide attempts are up 21% since the start of quarantine. Psychologists have seen a dramatic rise in new patients complaining of anxiety and depression. Divorce lawyers say they are getting more inquiries, although clients also discover they cannot afford to separate. From one moment to the next, my life changed, said Myriam Roncancio, 35, who is living with her parents after breaking up with her husband. A 180-degree turn. Health experts say Colombia and a handful of other places in Latin America with especially long lockdowns have been moderately successful in using the time to slow infections, boost testing and expand ICU capacity. But they also worry about quarantine fatigue just as cases reach their peak, and they say more should be done to stress commonsense protections. Im worried about middle- to low-income countries where it seems quarantine is the main strategy, says Andres Vecino, a health economist at John Hopkins University. And that creates a problem because in the medium term, it gets exhausted. The long lockdown is essentially a result of timing: Colombia and much of South America imposed the strict measures when they had far fewer cases than Europe. Quarantines in Europe have steadily been lifted as confirmed cases have dropped, although some countries in Africa are still locked down. But in Latin America - now an epicenter in the pandemic - reports of infections are continuing to climb. We wanted to go at the same velocity as Europe, said Carlos Alvarez, a clinical trial coordinator for the World Health Organization in Colombia. But the moment of the pandemic was different. A map by researchers at the University of Oxford tracking government response measures shows much of the world in an accordion-like dance of opening and closing to various degrees, while a considerable part of South America remains stuck. Its not the only region - but it is more true in Latin America than many other parts of the world, Id say, said Thomas Hale, a professor spearheading the project. Outside the region, a few other parts of the world remain continuously confined. In Africa, where cases are rising, several countries have imposed strict measures. South Africa, with more than 500,000 cases, has banned the sale of alcohol and cigarettes, closed bars and imposed a nighttime curfew. Masks are mandatory in public areas, with fines imposed on those who ignore the regulation. To be sure, even Colombias nationwide preventative obligatory isolation was never as deep and strict as quarantines elsewhere. There are now 46 exceptions that allow people to leave home for various activities. Peru gave up on isolation measures after three months due to the severe economic cost and high number of informal workers flouting the quarantine. Others like Brazil and Mexico never closed entirely. But many Colombians like Nilva Rodriguez, 50, in Barranquilla, have scarcely left their homes. Only twice in four months has she been outside the house she shares with her elderly parents, brother, his pregnant wife and a teenage child. When she talks to relatives in Miami, she says they are stunned to learn that she cannot even go to a nearby beach because it remains closed. Her mother, accustomed to going to church each day, has grown depressed and complains that virtual Mass just isnt the same. Her father sometimes gets irritable. Everyone has staked out a part of the house for themselves. Every month has its drama, its situation, she says. Calls to a Bogota hotline to report domestic violence have more than doubled since before quarantine. The mayors office has set up a mobile brigade operating around the clock to respond to mental health crises. A city phone service offering psychological support has gotten nearly 25,000 calls during the lockdown. Miguel Antonio Duarte, a psychologist in Bogota, said he has twice as many patients. They include men with anger-management issues and women looking to end relationships. This context has allowed women to finally realize they are being mistreated, he said. Conversely, the lockdown has also made it more difficult for many women to report domestic abuse and file for divorce, said lawyer Jimmy Jimenez. In Bogota, residents are allowed out for certain nonessential activities only on odd or even days of the week, depending on the last number of their national identification cards. Because many also work from home, that means little time to escape from an abusive spouse. Those seeking divorces quickly realize they cant afford it, barely able to pay rent, utilities and food bills as a family unit. As a result, many strained couples stay together, sleeping in separate rooms. The escalating mental strain is happening in a country where many already feel anxiety, depression or post-traumatic stress related to Colombias long civil conflict - and where there is considerable stigma around psychological ailments. This is a country with the traumas of war, drug trafficking, violence, said Dr. Omar Cuellar, the director of a private mental health clinic in Bogota. Its a hotbed in which very easily any new circumstance can make things that much worse. Colombia has significantly increased virus testing and expanded ICU capacity by almost 40% since the outbreak began advancements that officials say have allowed it to avoid a total collapse of the health care system. Yet experts like Dr. Luis Jorge Hernandez, a public health professor at the University of the Andes, worry about the harmful side effects of asking people to stay inside so long, like lower vaccination rates and worsening cardiac disease in those already mostly sitting indoors. The quarantine is causing a lot of damage, he said. President Ivan Duque says the country is moving toward more focused quarantines. Bogota is instituting stricter lockdowns in certain neighborhoods for two-week periods. The mayor also is requiring those who are obese or with certain chronic diseases to stay indoors. The Americas branch of the WHO put out a strict call last week for nations not to reopen until their cases are declining. For Roncancio, whose marriage of 10 years ended abruptly, life has been on hold. After she lost her job as a restaurant administrator at the start of the outbreak and her husband lost his as a baggage handler at Bogotas airport, they were unable to pay their rent and their quarreling became more frequent. Thats when he left, she says. Now she shares a room with her two children in her parents apartment and gets out only twice a week to buy groceries. Its like a ghost town, she said. I cant get used to it. Nick J./iStockBy MATT SEYLER, ABC News (NEW YORK) -- Search crews have located a Marine Corps amphibious assault vehicle nearly 400 feet under the ocean's surface after it sunk in a deadly accident off the coast of Southern California last week, according to military officials. "Officials with the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), I Marine Expeditionary Force (MEF), and the Makin Island Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) positively identified on Aug. 3 the location of the amphibious assault vehicle (AAV) that sunk off the coast of San Clemente Island on July 30," a military official said in a statement Tuesday. Of the 16 aboard when the vehicle began taking on water during a shore-to-ship maneuver about a mile off the coast of San Clemente Island Thursday, eight were rescued, one of whom was pronounced dead at the scene. Seven Marines and one Navy corpsman were declared missing and presumed dead on Sunday after an intensive 40-hour search and rescue mission. The AAV was determined to be too deep for divers to reach. The Navys Undersea Rescue Command was able to identify human remains Monday using video from an unmanned sub, according to the statement. Recovery efforts could begin as early as the end of the week. "The Navy has expedited the movement of assets to recover the remains of the Marines and Sailor, as well as raise the AAV. The equipment to properly and safely perform the recovery from the sea floor will be in place at the end of this week, and a dignified transfer of our Marines and Sailor will occur as soon as possible after the conclusion of recovery operations," the statement said. Lt. General Joseph Osterman, commander of I MEF, told reporters Friday that searchers had a good idea of where the AAV went down because Marines on other AAVs close by witnessed it go under. However officials initially estimated it had sunk as deep as 600 feet, as opposed to the 385-foot depth at which it was found. The cause of the accident is still under investigation. Though Osterman said that only two AAVs have sunk in the last 25 years, Marine Commandant David Berger declared Friday that all AAV water operations will be halted until the nature of the accident is better understood. President Donald Trump offered his condolences for the fallen military men on Twitter Tuesday afternoon. "I am deeply saddened by the tragic loss of eight Marines and one Sailor during a training exercise off the coast of California. Our prayers are with their families. I thank them for the brave service their loved ones gave to our Nation. #SemperFidelis," Trump tweeted. This week the Marine Corps released details of the nine service members presumed dead. All eight Marines served as riflemen in 1st Battalion, 4th Marines based in Camp Pendleton. The sailor was a Fleet Marine Force corpsman serving alongside them in the infantry unit. Their names, ages and hometowns are as follows: LCpl. Guillermo S. Perez, 20, of New Braunfels, Texas (pronounced dead at the scene) Cpl Wesley A. Rodd, 23, of Harris, Texas Cpl. Cesar A. Villanueva, 21, of Riverside, California U.S. Navy Hospitalman Christopher Gnem, 22, of Stockton, California LCpl. Marco A. Barranco, 21, of Montebello, California LCpl. Chase D. Sweetwood, 19, of Portland, Oregon Pfc. Bryan J. Baltierra, 18, of Corona, California Pfc. Evan A. Bath, 19, of Oak Creek, Wisconsin Pfc. Jack Ryan Ostrovsky, 21, of Bend, Oregon Copyright 2020, ABC Audio. All rights reserved. Chief minister Uddhav Thackeray took stock of the monsoon situation in Maharashtra, especially in Mumbai and asked civic bodies to stay on high alert as heavy rainfall has been predicted in Mumbai for the second consecutive day on Thursday. He has also appealed to citizens to not venture out of their homes unless in dire need. He has also ordered the authorities for better coordination to handle situation arising out of the heavy downpour. Municipal corporations, police, power supply authorities have been directed to ensure that the citizens do not face any hardship. Authorities have been directed to restore outage of power, clear waterlogging by acting swiftly. The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority has been asked to avoid any type of mishap due to heavy rainfall, the statement issued by the chief ministers office stated. Shaft panel of Jaslok hospital falls off due to rain As Mumbai was battered with heavy rain for the second consecutive day on Tuesday, a shaft panel of Jaslok Hospital and Research Centre, covering three floors, fell off due to strong winds. However, no one was injured in the incident. A statement issued by the hospital stated, Due to incessant rainfall and heavy wind pressure this afternoon, one of the shaft panels of the hospital building got loosened and was blown away. However, no one was hurt due to the incident as our team quickly acted in time. We are committed to the well-being of our staff and patients with all safety measures in place. All-time high August rain for Dahanu Dahanu recorded its all-time highest 24-hour rainfall, beating a 75-year-old record, on Wednesday with 383.1mm rain over 24 hours. The previous record was set on August 14, 1945 with 353.3mm rainfall. This is the first year in over a decade when the weather station at Dahanu recorded more than 300mm rain in 24 hours in August. According to rain readings from Palghar district administration, Palghar recorded 460.6mm rain over 24 hours while Zhar recorded 460.4mm, Boisar 452mm, and Tarapur 447mm. However, since the India Meteorological Department (IMD) does not have weather stations there, rain readings were not taken by them. Independent meteorologists explained why Dahanu, Palghar and areas north of Mumbai received more rain between Tuesday night and Wednesday morning. The offshore trough (strong wind currents over the Arabian Sea coast) formed due to the low pressure system in Bay of Bengal keeps shifting. It had earlier shifted northwards allowing more rain in areas north of Mumbai. The same system moved slightly towards the south, leading to heavy rain for Mumbai, Raigad and Ratnagiri, said professor Sridhar Balasubramanian, department of mechanical engineering and IDP Climate Studies, Indian Institute of Technology-Bombay. Spotted deer rescued from Goregaon drain A male spotted deer was displaced during heavy rains on Tuesday and got stuck in a large drain at Goregaon (East). The forest department, in coordination with wildlife groups Spreading Awareness on Reptiles and Rehabilitation Program (SARRP) and Resqink Association for Wildlife Welfare (RAWW), rescued the deer and took it to the animal rescue centre at Sanjay Gandhi National Park. The animal was examined and will be rehabilitated back to the wild. The rescue operation was conducted in a strategic manner where the rescue teams secured it from both the sides while a team entered through the manhole with the help of a ladder, said Pawan Sharma, president, RAWW. Flight operations disrupted Strong winds led to flight diversions and go-arounds at Mumbais Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport on Wednesday. According to air operator Mumbai International Airport Limited (MIAL), seven flights had to go-around. While MIAL said that no flights were diverted, airport sources said three flights were diverted between 5.30pm and 7pm. According to sources, SpiceJet 7304 had to divert to Surat, IndiGo 6E 969 had to divert to Ahmedabad and IndiGo 755 had to divert to Pune. TORONTO, Aug. 5, 2020 /PRNewswire/ - Converge Technology Solutions Corp. ("Converge" or "the Company") (TSXV: CTS) (FSE: 0ZB) (OTCQX: CTSDF) is pleased to announce that it will release the results for its second quarter for the period ended June 30th, 2020 on Monday, August 10th, 2020 after market close. Subsequently, the Company will hold a conference call on Monday, August 10th, 2020 at 5:00pm EST hosted by Shaun Maine, Chief Executive Officer and Carl Smith, Chief Financial Officer. A question and answer session will follow the corporate update. Conference Call Details: Date: Monday, August 10th, 2020 Time: 5:00 PM Eastern Time Participant Dial-in Numbers: Local Toronto (+1) 416 764 8609 Toll Free North America (+1) 888 390 0605 Germany 08007240293 United Kingdom - 08006522435 Conference ID: 79711522 Recording Playback Numbers: Toronto (+1) 416 764 8677 Toll Free North America (+1) 888 390 0541 Passcode: 711522# Expiry Date: August 17th, 2020 A live audio webcast and archive of the conference call will be available by visiting the Company's website at https://convergetp.com/investor-relations/. Please connect at least 15 minutes prior to the conference call to ensure time for any software download that may be needed to hear the webcast. About Converge Converge Technology Solutions Corp. is a North American Hybrid IT Solution Provider focused on delivering industry leading solutions and services. Converge's regional sales and services organizations deliver advanced analytics, cloud, cybersecurity, and managed services offerings to clients across various industries. The Company supports these solutions with talent expertise and digital infrastructure offerings across all major IT vendors in the marketplace. This multi-faceted approach enables Converge to address the unique business and technology requirements for all clients in the public and private sectors. For more information, visit convergetp.com. SOURCE Converge Technology Solutions Corp. Related Links https://convergetp.com/ A photo of the broken foot of the plaster statue "Paolina Bonaparte as Venus Victorious." An Austrian tourist is accused of breaking multiple toes off of a statue in an Italian museum, according to Italian police. In a translated press release to USA TODAY Wednesday, the Carabinieri police in Treviso, Italy, confirmed the July 31 incident, saying the tourist was responsible for damage to three fingers of the right foot of a plaster model of the statue "Paolina Bonaparte as Venus Victorious," made in the early 1800s by Antonio Canova, the namesake of the museum. The Gipsoteca Antonio Canova museum is located in Possagno, Italy, in the northeastern province of Treviso. According to the release, the police were contacted after security managers at the museum noticed the damage. Officials then carried out an investigation, which included searching video surveillance footage that captured the event. In the footage, officials saw that the tourist had been lying next to the artwork having his photograph taken by another person. After getting up, the man appeared to inadvertently break part of the statue's foot. He appeared to realize the damage caused and left, visibly disturbed, disappearing from the view of the camera. Through museum booking information, police were able to contact the wife of the 50-year-old man they believed was responsible for breaking the statue's toes. Police say she admitted her husband's involvement and said he panicked and left when he realized the damage he had caused. Police added that the woman said her husband would explain the incident, apologize and be ready to face the consequences of his actions. It is unclear whether either will be charged, but police sent a detailed report of the investigation to the judicial authority for assessment. In a post on the the museum's Facebook page, it says the tourist "turned himself in" by writing a letter to the President of the Canova Foundation President Vittorio Sgarbi. The post also noted that the museum staff is already working on planning the various phases that will lead to the restoration of the work. Story continues More: 'Into the Wild' bus is likely headed to a new, safer home at Fairbanks, Alaska, museum More: Spain tourist destinations face new lockdown restrictions after coronavirus spikes This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Italian statue's toes broken after tourist took photo, police say White Island volcano survivor Stephanie Browitt has revealed the full extent of her injuries after suffering horrific third degree burns to 70 per cent of her body. Ms Browitt is still on the long road to recovery after the December 2019 eruption off the east of New Zealand that claimed the lives of her sister and father. On Wednesday the 23-year-old from Craigieburn in Melbourne detailed the size and scale of the burns she endured and how they impact her life daily. She described how much of her fingers had to be amputated after they were severely damaged in the blast. White Island volcano survivor Stephanie Browitt (pictured) has described the full extent of her injuries in a video on her YouTube channel 'The tips are gone up to the second joint but I still have all of my thumbs,' she said in a video on her YouTube channel. 'They were pretty much black. I saw photos and understood why they had to amputate them, there was no coming back from that, they were gone, they were destroyed.' Ms Browitt explained she has better functionality with her left hand, as the burns are worse on the right-side of her body. She can only hold 'small things' with her right hand, after the burns 'left little space between her thumb and index finger'. Ms Browitt's legs were severely burnt, but from the ankle down remained unscathed due to the protective footwear she had on. She said the wounds are worse on her outer thigh, 'because it was harder for the ash to hit me in between my legs while I was running'. Ms Browitt (pictured before the White Island eruption) said most of her burns were inflicted when she sat on the smouldering ground as she waited for rescue teams The Victorian woman shared a picture after her skin graft surgery in July describing the agonising pain she has had to endure during her recovery The scorching volcanic ash scalded the vast majority of her back, with the exception of a few 'small patches'. Surgeons were forced to cut out sections of her skin, leaving her with a 'dent' in her back that makes it difficult to perform some tasks. 'They were so thick, they had to cut away fat and get in deep, so my back is dented and falls in where the burns are,' she said. 'Sometimes it gets hard to do things like pick something up off the ground, or hold stretches, because the skin is very tight.' The young woman said a lot of her burns are from sitting on the smouldering ground after the initial explosion. Our group had to wait for a very long time for rescue, which meant we were waiting on boiling hot ground, rock, and [fallen] ash. I remember it really hurt. I was exhausted and had to try extremely hard not to collapse and put my whole body on the ground because I knew it would make things worse,' she said. Along with her feet, her neck, shoulders, scalp, and arms up to the wrist escaped being burnt, while there are a few small burn patches around her chest. Ms Browitt was reunited with her 'fur baby' Arlo in May (pictured) when she returned home after spending six months in hospital However, some of those areas have injuries from being donor sites for skin grafts used on the other areas of her body. Ms Browitt said skin from her scalp was taken to use on her face, but her hair is still growing back. 'It's not easy seeing my new body,' she said. 'The old one is gone and it was overwhelming at the beginning. I won't ever look the same and I've come to terms with that.' But she remains positive. 'I don't see a point in focusing on the negatives because it's just wasted energy,' she said. 'That doesn't mean that I don't get sad or cry. But I try not to let myself drown in it.' Ms Browitt has begun sharing details of her experience and journey to recovery on her YouTube channel to help educate others about what life is like as a burns survivor. Last week she described the agonising process of undergoing skin grafts and having to learn to walk again. Ms Browitt suffered third degree burns to 70 per cent of her body in the December, 2019 eruption also and had to have her fingers amputated in June (White Island volcano pictured) Ms Browitt's 21-year-old sister Krystal (pictured right) and father Paul were killed along with 19 other tourists when the volcano erupted on December 9, 2019 'My legs needed multiple surgeries before they were fully covered, so I'd be up and walking (sort of) and then I'd need another surgery and I'd be set back all over again. It was really upsetting,' she said. After having more skin taken from her thighs and behind her knee to help heal other areas of her body, Ms Browitt said the pain was almost unbearable. 'Let me tell you, the donor sites are the most painful things I've ever experienced,' she wrote. The young woman also recalled a moment she felt at her lowest when a burns nurse told her she would be walking within two days. 'Me being in such pain angrily saying ''nope'', she goes ''yeah you will'' and walks off,' she wrote. Ms Browitt said the session began with her struggling to stand with the aid of a walker and nurses. In June Mr Browitt revealed her fingers had to be amputated (pictured) but said she wasn't upset about it because of how badly her hands had been injured in the eruption The 23-year-old survivor (pictured) has been supported by her mother, Maria, who chose to stay back on the cruise ship before the eruption After struggling through a few steps her frustration boiled over before the burns nurse returned and saw her walking. 'Honestly when I think of this moment it makes me laugh so much, but it also taught me something,' she wrote. 'You can do anything as long as you don't tell yourself the opposite.' She has been supported by her mother, Maria, who chose to stay back on the cruise ship rather than visit the island with her husband and daughters. Ms Browitt's 21-year-old sister Krystal and father, Paul, were killed along with 19 other people when the volcano erupted on December 9, 2019. When first responders arrived on the scene after the explosion, Mr Browitt urged them to save his girls before coming back for him. Krystal was tragically killed in the initial blast, while Mr Browitt died later in hospital. Ms Browitt has spent the last seven months painstakingly rebuilding her life and recovering in hospital. Ms Browitt has spent the last seven months painstakingly rebuilding her life and recovering in hospital but said the tragedy still feels like it happened 'just yesterday' She said despite the time that has passed, she remembers the eruption like it was 'just yesterday'. 'Honestly, every time it's the ninth of each month I can feel my heart racing and my body tense as the memory of it floods back in my mind,' Ms Browitt wrote on Instagram. 'I get anxious. I hate it so much, it does not get easier. It just hurts more and more when I think about how much time has passed since I was last with my dad and sister.' She said she keeps wishing she could turn back time and at least have looked for her sister and father and sat with them during the aftermath. 'We're just picking up the pieces of our new lives and doing the best that we can do. 'I just want to thank everyone for your kindness, compassion and constant support. You guys manage to put a smile on my face, even if just for a second.' Central Bank estimates Ukrainian migrant workers' remittances home since year's start 22:59, 05.08.20 2343 Most of money transfers arrived from the United States, Italy, Israel, Russia, and Germany. By PTI TOLEDO: A $1 billion bailout for Ohio's two nuclear plants that's now entangled in a state bribery scandal had little support when the idea came up three years ago. It was all but dead until the spring of last year, when the new leader of the Ohio House stepped up with a last-ditch attempt to give the plants a financial lifeline. But that's all on shaky ground again after federal authorities accused the powerful Republican Ohio House speaker and four associates of orchestrating a $60 million bribery scheme involving corporate money secretly funneled to them in exchange for passing the bailout. The question for state lawmakers who are under pressure to repeal the bailout is whether they're willing to face another divisive debate this time under the shadow of scandal in order to find a new way to prop up the financially strapped nuclear plants. Here is a look at how the bailout came about and its prospects going forward. DIM OUTLOOK Nuclear plants nationwide were warning four years ago that their aging reactors were in need of financial help, because they couldn't compete with cheaper natural gas-fired plants and subsidized renewable energy. It was no different in Ohio. FirstEnergy Corp., whose subsidiary operated the Ohio plants at the time, pressed state lawmakers in 2017 to approve surcharges on electricity bills to generate about $300 million annually for its reactors. The utility's CEO, Chuck Jones, said it was needed to protect jobs and the state's largest clean energy source, saying "this is not a bailout for FirstEnergy." Republicans in the Legislature blocked the proposal from moving forward. Then-Gov. John Kasich had no interest either, saying the utility needed to figure out how to keep its nuclear plants operating without the state's aid. With little hope in sight, FirstEnergy announced in early 2018 that it planned to close its nuclear plants within three years, leaving the door open to change its decision if the state Legislature came to the rescue. GLIMMER OF HOPE Just months after taking over the GOP-controlled Ohio House, Speaker Larry Householder in early 2019 unveiled a plan to save the nuclear plants and eliminate incentives promoting wind and solar power. It would steer the state in the right direction, he said. The two small communities where the plants operate said they feared that losing them and the tax money they generate would be devastating for schools, safety services and programs for children and seniors. But the state's business and environmental groups joined in opposition to the bailout. So did some conservatives who were against picking winners and losers in the energy market. The bill, which went through several revisions to drum up more Republican votes, passed the Legislature last summer. GOP Gov. Mike DeWine, Kasich's successor, hurriedly signed it into law the same day. How important was that vote? Ohio House leaders almost sent a state-owned airplane to Chicago to bring back lawmakers from a conference in Chicago so they could vote on the bill after it had fallen short of needed votes days earlier. BEHIND THE SCENES It was no secret that millions were being spent to persuade lawmakers to support the bill and keep a repeal effort off the statewide ballot last year. But it wasn't until just two weeks ago that federal authorities said it involved illegal activity that began in 2017. Householder's strategy, according to a federal complaint, was to pick freshman legislators he'd help elect to sponsor the bill, create a new subcommittee comprised mostly of his supporters who would push the legislation forward, and engage in an expensive media blitz to pressure public officials to back it. Federal prosecutors allege Householder then used "pressure tactics" to get the bill passed, strong-arming his own House members and senators to vote in favor. In exchange, investigators said a dark money group Householder controlled received $60 million from a unidentified company, which the complaint makes clear is FirstEnergy and its affiliates. Householder and his attorney have not commented since his arrest. FirstEnergy's CEO has said he and the company did not do anything wrong. WHAT'S NEXT Ohio's governor is calling on the Legislature to repeal the bailout and replace it, saying he still believes the nuclear plants are an important part of the state's energy future. Fellow Republican Bob Cupp, a veteran lawmaker from Lima who was chosen this past week to become the new House speaker after lawmakers booted Householder from the job, said one of his first priorities will be to do away with the legislation and start anew. But some lawmakers, including those who voted for the bailout last time around, want nothing to do with it again. "We should not get in the habit of rewarding illegal behavior," said Republican Sen. Jay Hottinger, of Newark. He thinks the nuclear plants are worth maintaining because they still produce 15% of the state's energy, provide good jobs and generate millions for their local communities. But he said Friday he can't get past that "the process was so polluted, tainted, illegal, inappropriate however you want to call it." President Donald Trump and his presumptive Democratic challenger for the White House, Joe Biden, will accept their respective party nominations in speeches delivered remotely, in a major break from tradition as 2020 campaigns and candidates seek new ways to get around the Covid-19 epidemic. Ill probably do mine live from the White House, President Trump said Wednesday on Fox News, hours after reports emerged Republicans could be considering the White House.Its easy and I think its a beautiful setting, and we are thinking about that. Its the easiest alternative, he added. The Democratic National Convention said shortly after in a statement that Biden will no longer travel to Milwaukee (venue of a pared down convention) and will instead address the nation and accept the Democratic nomination from his home state of Delaware. Further details will be announced later. Candidates have traditionally accepted the nomination at lavishly mounted conventions that last three to four days. But in view of surging Covid-19 cases, both Trump and Biden have had to overhaul their plans, as have all others running for US House of Representatives, the Senate and state elections. Trump cancelled plans last month to hold the convention with the usual pomp and fanfare in Jacksonville, Florida after the state saw a surge in Covid-19 infections with the potential of continuing through till the convention slated for August 24-27. A limited version will be held in Charlottesville, North Carolina. US president have traditionally avoided the use of the White House and other federal facilities for overtly political purposes, but Trump will cross no legal lines if he did indeed deliver the acceptance speech from the White House as he has indicated, experts and pundits have said. Democrats took the first step in the direction of an unconventional convention when they announced in June that Joe Biden, the presumptive nominee, will accept the nomination at a pared down convention in Wisconsin. He will be physically there, but delegates and all others will attend remotely. Few other details have been made available of the conventions that will be followed by three presidential debates between Trump and Biden on September 29 and October 15 and 22. The Trump camp is pushing for a fourth, insinuating, at the same time, that former vice-president is trying to duck debates. At their conventions, two parties will declare their respective manifestoes, called platforms, which would lay out their agenda. Republican are going with their 2016 platform, as is. Democrats released a draft last month, which was a bridge-building exercise between the campaign and Bernie Sanders-led progressives of the party. Though still be finalized, it has also retained substantial portions from the 2026 platform adopted by Hillary Clinton, the nominee then. On India, for instance, its almost the same one-line construct: And we will continue to invest in our strategic partnership with India the worlds largest democracy, a nation of great diversity, and a growing Asia-Pacific power. In 2016, the platform had this on India: We will continue to invest in a long-term strategic partnership with Indiathe worlds largest democracy, a nation of great diversity, and an important Pacific power. Democrats helping the Biden campaign have said the former vice-president is far more engaged on India than it may seem from the perfunctory one sentence in the draft platform. Biden has spoken more expansively of his views on India and said recently that the US and India are natural partners and the bilateral relationship will be a high priority for his administration if elected. He has also said he will overturn the freeze on H-1B visas, a key issue for India. With 723 new cases of COVID-19 reported in Victoria on Thursday, outbreaks in New South Wales and Queensland, and with the virus all but eradicated west of the Nullarbor, West Australians have a clear message for the eastern states: keep out. Which is why Clive Palmer's challenge to WA's 'hard border' has generated such angst and why the Commonwealth's move to join his action and question the closure's constitutionality has compounded that angst. Many people are afraid. On Thursday alone there were 13 deaths reported in Victoria. That state faces many more in the days and months ahead. There is no question there is intense popular support for WA's hard border. Social media is awash with it. There is an online petition in support of keeping the WA border closed and blasting the "outside bodies" who are taking WA to court: they are "intrusive and offensive". It is inching towards 200,000 signatures. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Rizki Fachriansyah (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Wed, August 5, 2020 10:02 531 6657ac82168da9fa101c8a4066ba9422 1 Science & Tech COVID-19-vaccine,Oxford-University,UK,Indonesian-students-abroad,COVID-19,pandemic Free When Indra Rudiansyah first arrived at the University of Oxford in 2018 to pursue a doctorate in clinical medicine, he never thought he would be working on the worlds most sought-after vaccine. The 28-year-old was supposed to be testing malaria vaccines at the universitys Jenner Institute earlier this year when news suddenly broke out of a highly contagious strain of coronavirus spreading in China. When the situation later escalated into a full-blown pandemic, all research activities related to malaria vaccines were immediately put on hold as the laboratory shifted its focus to the development of a vaccine for the novel coronavirus and the disease it causes, COVID-19. Indra, whose work had ground to a halt as a result of the pandemic, then decided to sign up for COVID-19 vaccine trials conducted by a research group for emerging pathogens at the Jenner Institute. With the skills that I have, I was assigned to the antibody response team to help with the trials, he told The Jakarta Post during a video interview on Monday. Indra who has a bachelors degree in biotechnology and a masters degree in microbiology from the Bandung Institute of Technology in West Java is among more than 200 scientists at Oxford involved in the research and development of a COVID-19 candidate vaccine, touted as one of the most promising potential vaccines in the world. In a relatively brief period of time, Indra has experienced the twists and turns of a scientific endeavor that, under normal circumstances, would unfold over several years, not months. As part of the antibody response team, Indra collects samples from those who have volunteered for the vaccine trial, and measures the immune systems response to the vaccine. Read also: What you need to know about Indonesia's vaccine development The process required a lot time, he said, as the expected immune response against the coronavirus could only be observed three to six months after the vaccines injection. The pressure comes from the virus itself, not from the public, Indra said. We are racing against time here as the [coronavirus] transmission rate in the UK has started to decline, which means we could eventually lose the opportunity to test our vaccine. Working under direct supervision of prominent Irish vaccinologist and Jenner Institute director Adrian Hill, the teams results thus far are encouraging. As reported by the BBC last month, the Oxford candidate vaccine, called AZD1222, seems to have no serious side effects and triggered an immune response among over 1,000 people involved in the trials. However, there is still a long way to go before the vaccine can be declared ready for widespread usage. According to project leader Sarah Gilbert, we can expect an interim report of the trials by the third quarter of this year. But the vaccine itself will not be available at least until early next year, Indra said. AZD1222 is one of several potential COVID-19 vaccines being developed around the world. Indonesias Eijkman Institute for Molecular Biology, for instance, is spearheading a vaccine development program that targets local coronavirus strains. Read also: 'Vaccine nationalism': Is it every country for itself? State-owned pharmaceutical company Bio Farma aims to mass-produce the Eijkman candidate vaccine by 2022. Bandungs Padjadjaran University is also working together with Chinese pharmaceutical company Sinovac to hold clinical trials for a Sinovac candidate vaccine, which is hoped to be ready for production by early next year. Indra, who previously worked at Bio Farma from 2014 to 2018, urged the Indonesian public to volunteer for vaccine trials as more subjects meant more research data. More people should participate in vaccine trials since the process gives them the rare opportunity to contribute to a scientific breakthrough, he said, adding that the vaccine trials in the UK were met with enthusiasm among members of the general public. In the meantime, he called on the public to continue to observe health protocols while waiting for a vaccine to emerge. People need to wait and comply with any measures and regulations to keep the transmission as low as possible by maintaining social distancing and hygiene, he said. According to data from Johns Hopkins University, there are at least 18.3 million confirmed COVID-19 cases worldwide with 694,715 deaths. Indonesia, meanwhile, has reported 115,056 confirmed cases and 5,388 fatalities as of Tuesday. Editor's note: This article has been updated to clarify the attribution of the information on the trials quoted by Indra. MANAGEMENT OF AFCONS Infrastructure Limited has given President Akufo-Addo the strongest of assurances that the coronavirus pandemic will not delay the completion of the Tema-Mpakadan Rail Project. AFCONS Infrastructure Limited is the company working on the Tema-Mpakadan rail project. Vice President of AFCONS Infrastructure Limited, Udai Veer Singh, gave the assurance in a welcome remark at a ceremony held on Wednesday, August 5, 2020, at Old Akrade. President Akufo-Addo was at Old Akrade to inspect the construction of a bridge across the Volta River and Tema-Mpakadan Rail Project. According to Mr Singh, the outbreak of the coronavirus caused a slow down in the project for three months. However, he said, the pandemic was not peculiar to Ghana and as such there cannot be an excuse to delay the project. He noted that 65 kilometres out of the total 97 kilometres making up the project, have been completed. He said in the coming month, 10 more kilometres will be completed. The contract for the Tema-Mpakadan initially Tema-Akosombo rail project was signed on November 18, 2016. The project started in July 2018 with a stipulated three years completion time frame (July 2021 completion date). President Akufo-Addo who was led by Minister of Railways Development, Joe Ghartey, to inspect the project, thanked AFCONS Infrastructure Limited for carrying out significant work on the track. Recounting his tour of the rail project a year ago, Mr Akufo-Addo said significant advances have been made. He noted that the assurance from the AFCONS group about completing the project on schedule was the most comforting statement he had heard in a long time. Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Ghana Railways Development Authority, Richard Diedong Dombo, assured that the project would be completed by March 2021. The construction of the rail project was conceived as a port-to-port project in 2007 under the former President Kufuors administration. As a result, in 2007, a contract was signed for a feasibility study to be conducted for a Tema to Buipe multimodal transport system via Akosombo. In furtherance of this, in November 2016, an agreement was approved by Parliament for a Tema to Akosombo railway line. Minister for Railways Development, Joe Ghartey, giving a brief history of the project, said upon assumption of the Akufo-Addo government in January 2017, the agreement approved by Parliament was reviewed for three reasons. The reasons included a possible effect on the Akosombo Dam, since the project involved drilling a tunnel through the rock to the Akosombo Port. The tunnel, he said, was only going to be 60 meters away from the Akosombo Dam at one point. According to him, another reason was Security concerns. He added that a third reason was the desire to create economic activity at the project completion site. He said the Paga rail project has started, noting that it is only under the Akufo-Addo Government that a standard gauge railway line has been constructed in Ghana. He stated that re-electing President Akufo-Addo will lead to massive development in the railway sector. He stressed that Mr Akufo-Addo remaining in power would result in more works being done in the rail sector than there have ever been since Independence. ---Daily Guide An employee wearing a protective gear disinfects to help curb the spread of the coronavirus at the Ryugyong Health Complex's public bath in Pyongyang, North Korea, Friday, July 31, 2020. North Korean authorities have forced about 20 residents of the city of Kaesong to quarantine in Pyongyang, classifying them as suspected COVID-19 patients amid a national health emergency and the complete lockdown of the border city last month, sources in the country told RFA. The national emergency was declared on July 26, a week after a man who had escaped to South Korea in 2017 swam back across the border in the vicinity of Kaesong, located within a 15-minute drive from the DMZ that divides the Korean peninsula. North Korean authorities said the man had symptoms of COVID-19 and was the countrys first suspected coronavirus case. The city of about 200,000 was put under a complete lockdown with no one allowed in or out. Other cities in North Korea were also blocked off, with travel between provinces halted, and quarantines imposed on anyone who had visited Kaesong. Between July 27 and 31, about 20 Kaesong residents were forcibly isolated by quarantine authorities, as they were classified as people with suspected COVID-19 infection, a Pyongyang city official told RFAs Korean Service on Monday. Even though [they] had already entered Pyongyang before the refugee crossed the Military Demarcation Line and came to Kaesong, the authorities imposed the compulsory quarantine measures on [them] simply because they came to Pyongyang from Kaesong, said the source. South Korean authorities confirmed last week that the escapee, surnamed Kim, had returned to North Korea by swimming across the border, but they could not confirm he had coronavirus symptoms. At that time, they reported that according to the robust South Korean contact tracing system, Kim had not been in contact with anyone confirmed to be infected with the virus, had never undergone testing for it himself, and two people he had frequent contact with had tested negative. Last week, RFA reported that North Korean residents were not accepting the governments explanation that the returning exile was the real reason for the national emergency. The country still has not officially reported a single confirmed case according to World Health Organization statistics. The authorities are focusing all their effort on the coronavirus quarantine project in Pyongyang these days. However, they never let us know how many confirmed COVID-19 cases there are in Pyongyang or if any have recovered, the source said. Another source, a Pyongyang resident who requested anonymity for security reasons, confirmed to RFA that the city was isolating Kaesong residents. It has been reported that they only check the temperature of the Kaesong residents once a day and just keep them locked up without any countermeasures, said the second source. Currently, the people in Kaesong are completely cut off from the outside world, so there are many difficulties, such as buying food and medicine. But the government is not guaranteeing [them] needed supplies, the second source said. They only instruct them to carry out the quarantine in accordance to [government] standards, the second source added. The second source criticized lack of clear information about the coronavirus and accused the government of using the refugees return for political aims. Authorities have never told us that there are confirmed COVID-19 patients or people with symptoms in North Korea. But after the incident of the re-entry of the North Korean refugee, they are exaggerating the situation in Kaesong with the intent to instill antipathy against South Korea, stroking fear among residents here in the North. The Pyongyang city official suggested the forced isolation targeted refugees. The authorities set [them] up for whatever reason, to propagate as if the North Korean refugee had returned to North Korea with coronavirus and caused great damage to our country, the source said. Pegging the blame on the returned refugee falls in line with Pyongyangs recent campaign against exiles, which flared up when several refugees as members of South Korean civic groups airlifted leaflets critical of Kim Jong Un into North Korean territory by hot air balloon. North Korea blew up an inter-Korean liaison office in Kaesong and cut off official communications with South Korea, citing Seouls inability to rein in on the balloon launches. The government also forced residents to attend rallies that denounced the exiles as treasonous defectors. Experts say that the ire over the exiles is an excuse for Pyongyangs provocations, intended to extract concessions from the U.S. and South Korea in negotiations over North Korean denuclearization. More than 30,000 North Korean refugees have settled in South Korea over the years. Reported by Sewon Kim for RFAs Korean Service. Translated by Leejin Jun. Written in English by Eugene Whong. Writing of theory papers in the 2020 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) took off smoothly at various centres in the country Monday. When the Daily Graphic visited some of the examination centres, the candidates were busy writing the first paper, Integrated Science. The COVID-19 preventive protocols were strictly enforced at all centres. Upper East Region Vincent Amenuveve reports from Bolgatanga that students were seated in an orderly manner at examination centres at the Bolgatanga Girls Senior High School (BOGISS), Zamse Senior High/Technical School and the Bolgatanga Technical Institute. The students wore nose masks, had hand sanitisers on their desks and Veronica buckets with liquid soap placed at all the examination halls while the physical distancing rule was also adhered to. The Bolgatanga Municipal Chief Executive, Mr Joseph Amiyuure, the Municipal Director of the Ghana Education Service (GES), Ms Anne Estella Kye-eebo, and the Headmistress of BOGISS, Ms Patricia Agoteba Anaba, all expressed satisfaction with the arrangements put in place. The Upper East Regional Director of the GES, Mr Augustine Ayirezang, said he had not come across any incident of leaked exam questions. Northern Region From Tamale, Mohammed Fugu reports that the atmosphere at the examination centres was peaceful. At the Tamale Girls SHS and Vitting SHS, candidates were seated in line with COVID-19 safety protocols. At the Tamale Girls SHS, it was observed that out of the 387 registered candidates, one candidate was absent. A girl was reported pregnant while a boy was also absent due to ill health at the Vitting SHS where 467 candidates wrote the exam. The Northern Regional Director of the GES, Mr Edward Azure, who toured some of the schools said all the necessary measures had been put in place to protect candidates and invigilators from COVID-19. He advised the candidates to comport themselves and not to engage in examination malpractices. Bono Region From Sunyani, Emmanuel Adu-Gyamerah & Mukusah Ali report that although the examination began smoothly, it was marked with absenteeism. At the Gilberto SHS exam centre, for instance, 15 candidates did not show up for the examination out of a total of 482 registered students. At the Twene Amanfo Senior High/Technical School, one student out of 448 candidates could not write the paper because he reported late. At the Sunyani SHS, the Headmaster, Mr Michael Nsiah-Agyapong, said 869 candidates were participating in the examination. They included 356 females and 513 males. Source: graphiconline.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 Iran, Saudi Arabia, France, US and UK among nations offering assistance and paying tribute to the victims. Emergency medical aid and pop-up field hospitals have been dispatched to Lebanon as the world offers its support and pays tribute to the victims of the huge explosion that devastated Beirut. The explosion on Tuesday at the citys port caused massive destruction and killed more than 100 people, heaping misery on a country already facing political and economic crises. Emergency medical aid from Kuwait arrived in the Lebanese capital on Wednesday morning, as the Lebanese Red Cross said more than 4,000 people were being treated for injuries after the explosion sent glass shards and debris flying. Lebanons Prime Minister Hassan Diab has called on friendly countries to support the nation already reeling from its worst economic crisis in decades as well as the coronavirus pandemic. Gulf states were among the first to respond, with Qatar announcing it would send field hospitals to ease pressure on Lebanons strained medical system. Our thoughts and prayers are with the great and resilient people of Lebanon. As always, Iran is fully prepared to render assistance in any way necessary. Stay strong, Lebanon. Javad Zarif (@JZarif) August 4, 2020 Crews at Dohas Al Udeid airbase loaded hundreds of collapsible beds, generators and burn sheets onto an air force cargo plane, one of four due to fly from the Gulf to the Mediterranean on Wednesday. Irans President Hassan Rouhani said in a message to his Lebanese counterpart that Tehran was ready to offer medical and medicinal aid and help treat the injured. Jordans King Abdullah II also promised to dispatch a field hospital. The field hospital will include specialists and medical staff to contribute in offering medical services and treatment to support our brothers in Lebanon, Jordanian state television said in a report. Dutch authorities announced that 67 aid workers were headed for Beirut, including doctors, police officers and firefighters. Stay strong, Lebanon Close allies and traditional adversaries of Lebanon alike sent their condolences, with Iran and Saudi Arabia long rivals for influence over the country both sending messages of support. Our thoughts and prayers are with the great and resilient people of Lebanon, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif tweeted. Stay strong, Lebanon. Saudi Arabia said it was following the situation with great concern. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan also offered his condolences to the families of the victims via Twitter, saying that Turkey will always stand side by side with the Lebanese people. In an unusual move, neighbouring Israel also offered humanitarian aid to a country with which it is still technically at war. Defence Minister Benny Gantz and Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi, on behalf of the State of Israel, have offered the Lebanese government via international intermediaries medical and humanitarian aid, as well as immediate emergency assistance, a statement said. United Nations chief Antonio Guterres expressed his deepest condolences following the horrific explosions in Beirut which he said had also injured some UN personnel. The pictures and videos from Beirut tonight are shocking. All of my thoughts and prayers are with those caught up in this terrible incident. The UK is ready to provide support in any way we can, including to those British nationals affected. Boris Johnson (@BorisJohnson) August 4, 2020 US President Donald Trump said it looks like a terrible attack and that US generals had told him that the powerful explosions appeared to have been caused by a bomb of some kind, without offering evidence. Qatars emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani wished a speedy recovery for the injured, while the United Arab Emirates vice president and ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, tweeted our condolences to our beloved people in Lebanon. Egypt expressed deep concern at the destruction, and Arab League chief Ahmed Aboul Gheit offered condolences, stressing the importance of finding the truth about the explosions. Syrian President Bashar al-Assad wrote to his Lebanese counterpart Michel Aoun that on behalf of the Syrian Arab people, we extend our sincere condolences to you and the Lebanese people. Outside the region, Russian President Vladimir Putin said Russia shares the grief of the Lebanese people, according to a Kremlin statement. I ask you to convey words of sympathy and support to the families and friends of the victims, as well as wishes for a speedy recovery to all affected. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson called the pictures and videos from Beirut shocking. French President Emmanuel Macron said in a tweet in Arabic that France is at the side of Lebanon. Always. His office said two military planes would take off for Lebanon later on Wednesday with search and rescue experts, 15 tonnes of sanitary equipment, and a mobile clinic. The head of FIFA, world footballs governing body, voiced a message of support to the Lebanese people after Tuesdays deadly explosion in the capital Beirut. The images and news from Beirut have filled us with sadness, Gianni Infantino said on Twitter on Wednesday. Our thoughts are with all the victims and everyone affected by this horrible tragedy. The entire football community stands by the people of Lebanon. New Delhi: At least 73 were killed and 3,700 injured following two enormous explosions that rocked the Lebanese capital of Beirut on Tuesday. Lebanon Prime Minister Hassan Diab said that 2,750 tonnes of ammonium nitrate exploded in the Beirut port warehouse. It is unacceptable that a shipment of 2,750 tonnes of ammonium nitrate has been present for six years in a warehouse, without taking preventive measures, AFP quoting him as saying at a defence council meeting. Online video showed a column of smoke rising from the port area from what appeared to be an initial explosion, followed by a massive blast that sent up a mushroom cloud and a shock wave racing over the city Not just across India but the excitement on the foundation laying ceremony of Ram Temple in Ayodhya reverberated across continents as members of the Indian community in the United States were seen gathering in groups outside Capitol Hill in Washington DC to celebrate the groundbreaking occasion. While some members of the community were seen clad in traditional attire, others donned yellow and saffron-coloured clothes and went out on a march raising saffron flags and chanting Jai Shree Ram. The highlight of the celebration was the Ayodhya Sri Ram Mandir Tableau that ferried between the US Capitol Hill and White House. The organisers told ANI that their celebrations are marking the beginning of the historic temple construction. Also read: Prayers, rituals and security ring to mark big day for Ayodhya Ram temple today USA: Members of the Indian community gathered outside the Capitol Hill in Washington DC to celebrate the foundation laying ceremony of #RamTemple in #Ayodhya pic.twitter.com/NofEWuM3E5 ANI (@ANI) August 5, 2020 Images of Lord Ram and 3D portraits of the Ram temple in Ayodhya is expected to be beamed across the giant billboards at the iconic Times Square on August 5 at 10 am EDT (local time). Temples across the US in states like California, Washington, Texas and Florida have announced special events to mark the historic event. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has left New Delhi for Ayodhya and will reach the temple town for the momentous ceremony today noon. The event is likely to take place at around 12.30 pm today with several chief ministers, Union ministers likely to be in attendance. Before performing the bhoomi pujan, PM Modi will head to the Hanuman Garhi temple and Shree Ramlalla Virajman to perform rituals. Ayodhya has been spruced up for the event while grand arrangements await the commencement of the much-awaited bhoomi pujan ceremony. PM Modi is likely to use a 40-kilogram silver brick during the ceremony for laying the foundation of the temple. The brick shall be removed after the ceremony. The construction work for the grand temple, which will be constructed in Nagara style of architecture, will commence after todays ceremony. Your browser does not support the audio element. A Vietnamese pedestrian could barely remember his name and home address after he was struck by a wheelbarrow that fell from the fifth floor of a semi-refurbished apartment in Hanoi this week. The accident occurred in Alley 2A on Van Cao Street, Thuy Khue Ward, Tay Ho District of the Vietnamese capital city at around 10:30 am on Monday. A construction worker told local media that he heard a loud bang while he was plastering the ceiling on the fourth floor of the apartment and people on the street began shouting that someone had been hit by a wheelbarrow. As the worker rushed to look down at the scene, he saw a male pedestrian conscious and lying in front of the buildings front door. The worker said that the wheelbarrow was left on the fifth floor and that it was empty when it fell out of the building. At the time of the accident, many workers were working inside the semi-refurbished building. After being struck by the empty wheelbarrow, the victim reportedly managed to sit himself up. He was rushed to the hospital but was unable to remember his name, age, and home address. The construction site was not covered properly and there were no safety warning signs, according to many witnesses. The police of Thuy Khue Ward said workers had employed a rod to pull up wheelbarrows and bricks from the bottom of the apartment. They were not using any specialized machines for the job at the time of the accident, so the wheelbarrow was free-falling when it hit the passing pedestrian. The case was the second occupational accident recorded in Hanoi in five days. Earlier, three workers were killed on the spot and another pronounced dead at the hospital after a scaffold they were standing on to install glass panes on a building collapsed at a construction site in Hai Ba Trung District at around 7:45 pm on July 30. The scene of a collapsed scaffold which killed four construction workers in Hanoi, Vietnam, July 30, 2020. Photo: Tuoi Tre Contributor Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! On Tuesday 4 August, Beirut, the capital of Lebanon, was left devastated by massive explosions at the citys port. At least 100 people are currently known to have died and 4,000 people have been left injured from the blasts, which caused damage to streets within a radius of several kilometres. According to George Kettaneh, the head of the Lebanese Red Cross, there are still victims trapped under the rubble. Organisations including the Lebanese Red Cross, Beit el Baraka and Donner Sang Compter have been providing support for victims of the explosions, evacuating people from the area, setting up blood drives and helping to house families whose homes have been wrecked. Here are several organisations and initiatives that you can donate towards to help victims of the Beirut explosions: Lebanese Red Cross The Lebanese Red Cross is the countrys main provider of ambulances, with more than 300 ambulances and 3,000 emergency medical technicians on its staff. Following the explosions at the port in Beirut, the Lebanese Red Cross shared regular updates on its social media channels regarding the dispatch of its emergency medical teams to rescue and evacuate victims in the area. The organisation made an urgent plea for blood donations at the Lebanese Red Cross blood transfusion centres across the country, which are located at Tripoli, Jounieh, Antelias, Spears and Zahle, Saida and Nabatieh, in addition to setting up triage and first aid stations to treat victims with non-critical injuries. The Lebanese Red Cross also warned members of the public not to donate to any third parties fundraising under its name, stating that these fundraisers are not authorised and not legal. On the website you can donate in American dollars or in Lebanese pounds, but donors are being encouraged not to donate in the local currency because of the economic situation in the country weakening its value. To donate, click here. The British Red Cross has also set up an emergency appeal to raise money for aid in Beirut. The organisation says it is working closely with the Lebanese Red Cross to help save lives and assist people in recovery. To donate, click here. Impact Lebanon disaster relief fund Impact Lebanon, a non-profit organisation that describes itself as a social incubator for driven Lebanese around the world has set up a fundraising page on JustGiving to raise money for disaster relief in Beirut. With a target of raising 5m, the organisation states that it is co-ordinating with non-governmental organisations that require aid in the aftermath of the explosions in the capital of Lebanon. Impact Lebanon says it will be diligent with the donations that are sent to NGOs and will provide further information on the organisations that are receiving money from the fundraiser as soon as possible. To donate, click here. Beit el Baraka Beit el Baraka is a non-profit organisation based in Beirut that offers help to families and elderly people in Lebanon who are struggling with the cost of living. Following the explosions at Beirut port, the organisation stated on its Instagram Story that it is going to help fix the homes of families that were severely damaged as a result of the blasts. Beit el Baraka said that it would provide those in need with emergency shelter relief, by offering temporary accommodation and necessities such as food; help to rehabilitate homes that have been damaged and offer assistance to families as they navigate their current circumstances. To donate, click here. Donner Sang Compter Donner Sang Compter, an organisation founded a decade ago, promotes blood donation in Lebanon, setting up blood drives and offering a call centre that is available to contact 24/7. Following the explosions in Beirut, the organisation stated on Twitter that all of its blood banks were overcrowded and pumping hope. Demands are all fulfilled for tonight, Donner Sang Compter said on Tuesday 4 August. Lets stay alert for the coming few days. The website for the organisation provides information on how people can donate blood or offer assistance as a volunteer. To donate, click here. Beirut Blast Victims Relief Fund A fundraiser titled the Beirut Blast Victims Relief Fund has been set up on GoFundMe to help raise money that will be transferred to reputable non-governmental organisations to help victims of the Beirut explosions. Recommended Aerial footage of Beirut explosion reveals extent of devastation The relief fund has been set up by Lucas Labelle, a Gabelli School of Business graduate whose mother, Sana Labelle, is vice president of NGO Fard, and Camila Magnani, a New York University student. Imane Nasreddine, founder of non-profit organisation Ahla Fawda and Ms Labelle have also helped to launch the fundraiser, with the aim of helping the needy and raising money and supplies for those who need it most. We will be documenting all of the handlings of the funds received and also provide evidence of them getting distributed to aid those affected by this catastrophic event, it states on the relief funds page. Donations will help us purchase supplies; food, water, first aid, meal boxes, providing shelter, medical supplies, paying for medical bills of those injured by the explosion, aiding repairs of homes, etc. To donate, click here. Islamic Relief Lebanon Emergency Appeal Islamic Relief, a charity that offers international aid and development, has launched an emergency appeal to help provide food and water supplies to those in need following the explosions in Beirut. Nidal Ali, Islamic Relief Lebanon country director, stated that in the next few days, the organisation will also start helping to clear the streets of the debris caused by the blast, providing people currently out of work with cash to help out. In the long-term, the charity will continue providing food parcels, as the destruction of the citys port means that food imports will be significantly reduced to a country that is already on its knees. All of us in Beirut are still in shock after yesterdays explosion. I was at home and the glass doors of our balcony shattered at first we thought it was an earthquake, Ali said. This is yet another tragedy for a country that is already deep in crisis on multiple fronts. To donate, click here. Embrace Lifeline The Embrace Lifeline is a helpline that provides mental health support for those in need in Lebanon. Launched in collaboration with the National Mental Health Programme at the Ministry of Public Health, and part of the United Nations Global Compact group, the Embrace Lifeline states it is the first national emotional support and suicide prevention helpline in Lebanon. When people call the helpline on 1564, they are put in touch with trained operators who can offer them guidance in terms of mental health support, in addition to offering emotional support and carrying out suicide risk assessment. To donate, click here. Live Love Beirut Live Love Beirut, an organisation committed to creating social impact, is asking for people to donate money to its monthly fund to help support non-profit organisations in the aftermath of the Beirut explosions. Our beloved city is in ruins. Homes of people who cant even access their bank accounts and who are living on half or no salaries are shattered, the organisation stated in a social media post. The non-governmental organisation Live Love Lebanon, who are behind Live Love Beirut, stated that it has already authenticated non-profit organisations that will receive donations from its crisis fund. It adds that members of the public can submit their own suggestions for initiatives that would benefit from aid. To donate, click here. A New Zealand woman killed alongside her two-year-old boy and her mother in a horror landslide in South Korea has been remembered as a 'beautiful person'. Anna Song, 36, her son Taeyang Rikit and her mother Rose Kim, 77, were among 15 people killed in Gapyeong, just north-east of Seoul, on Monday. Their holiday home was flattened when soil in the mountains above them gave way after 42 consecutive days of rain. Anna Song, 36, (right) her son Taeyang Rikit (bottom) and her mother Rose Kim, 77, (top) were among 15 people killed in a mudslide in Gapyeong, just north-east of Seoul Eleven people are still missing after the landslide, according to the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters, The Korea Times reported. Longtime friend Shane Green, who lived with Ms Song in New Zealand, praised the talented mum. 'She was an extraordinary mother, such a beautiful person and she had a lot of respect for her mother as well,' he told Stuff. Taeyang's father and Ms Song's former partner, Luke Rikiti, said it was difficult to process losing three generations in one tragedy. 'Anna was always a woman to work outside her comfort zone pushing the boundaries and was a high achiever,' he said. 'She took pride in everything she did and most of all she is a wonderful mother to our son, Taeyang who was also tragically killed.' Fifteen people, including the family, have died since torrential rains began in South Korea on Saturday. Pictured: Rescuers searching for survivors at a damaged house after a landslide in Gapyeong, South Korea Longtime friend Shane Green (left) said Ms Song was an 'extraordinary mother' and 'such a beautiful person' Mr Green said a funeral will be held for the three on Friday in South Korea and her brother Sean is trying to fly over from New Zealand. A fundraiser has been created by Mr Green and other friends to help fund the trip. It has so far raised almost $7,000. 'Anna was a much loved member of the Kiwi and Korean communities, a vibrant, kind, sweet and loving friend to all those that met her,' the description read. 'Her mother and her son were her life. Anna left New Zealand to reconnect with her heritage and whanau in South Korea, establishing herself as a savvy business woman with drive, intellect and compassion.' Taeyang's father and Ms Song's former partner, Luke Rikiti, said Ms Song was a 'high achiever' who was a 'wonderful mother' to their son Ms Song was the director and treasurer of the New Zealand Chamber of Commerce in Korea, also known as the Kiwi Chamber. The Chamber identified the bodies of the trio on Tuesday, with chairman Tony Garrett a heartfelt tribute. 'We will miss you Anna, dear friend. You are one of the most motivated, enthusiastic people I have ever met,' it read. 'You left a deep impression on all who met you. We are richer for knowing you and poorer from your passing.' News agency Yonhap reported 1,072 people from 648 households were forced to leave their homes due to landslides and flooding. Pictured: Workers beginning to clean up the devastation left behind by torrential rain at Hand River park in Seoul, South Korea News agency Yonhap reported 1,072 people from 648 households were forced to leave their homes due to the recent monsoon rains and flooding. Half of those are in North Chungcheong Province, followed by residents of Gyeonggi, Gangwon and Seoul. Property damage so far includes 2,085 private assets and 1,921 public facilities, it reported. Prepping curriculum during a pandemic doesnt require the logistical gymnastics of organizing socially distanced school buildings or designing hybrid schedules. Still, instruction this fall will have to look different, experts say. And though adjustments to a scope and sequence may feel less dramatic than some of the other changes to school this year, theyre no less urgent. Less time in the classroom means instructional leaders will have to streamline curricula, focusing on just the essential standards. And then theres the big question of unfinished learning. Some researchers have predicted that learning loss from springs school closures will be much greater than what usually occurs after a normal summer. How can districts make sure students stay on track? Even if students had little access to instruction in the spring, experts say schools should fight the impulse to go back and reteach whole units from last year. Theres an opportunity cost to time that is not spent moving students forward, said Emily Freitag, the co-founder and CEO of Instruction Partners, a nonprofit consulting organization that works with districts on teaching and learning. If students who are already struggling start the year in remediation, while students who thrived during the closures are given grade-level work, that widens equity gaps, she said. We dont want people to go back and say, I have to teach quarter four from last year, because then those students are going to be farther behind, said Danielle Neves, the deputy chief of academics for the Tulsa district in Oklahoma. Now more than ever, schools need to give all students access to grade-level work, experts say. At the same time, they need to create a range of entry points into the curriculumscaffolds for students, and places where teachers can refresh or reteach concepts from last spring that students need in order to succeed this fall. How to do this? Education Week distilled advice from curriculum experts, district leaders, and teachers into this five-step process for getting started: 1. Focus on the most important work of the grade. Faced with the possibility of rolling school closures or hybrid schedules, students and teachers may have less time together this year than in the past. Daviess County Schools, in Kentucky, is starting the year later than usual, and will have fewer instructional days as a result, said Jana Beth Francis, the assistant superintendent of teaching and learning for the district. Its going to change the flow of instruction quite a bit, because any curriculum map that we had that says Spend seven days on this unit, 15 days on that unit has to be revisited and really examined. Were going to have to really think about how to be tight with what were teaching, she said. To make the best use of limited time, experts suggest streamlining the curriculum to cover only the essential standards. Some state departments have put out lists of these priority standards, while organizations including Student Achievement Partners , the Council of the Great City Schools , and TNTP have released guides designed to help schools and districts adjust their curricular maps. These guidelines advise focusing on skills and understandings that are going to be most important to students future successand prioritizing depth rather than breadth. For example, the Common Core State Standards say that 1st graders should learn how to tell time to the hour and the half-hour in math lessons. Were probably not going to do that this year, said Bailey Cato Czupryk, a partner for practices and impact at TNTP. Getting rid of lessons on analog clocks frees up time to make sure that students have a deep understanding of foundational conceptslike adding and subtracting within 20, another 1st grade math standard, Czupryk said. In English/language arts, this prioritizing looks slightly different, as the standards spiral more. Students develop many of the same reading, writing, and speaking skills in greater complexity and sophistication as they progress through grade levels. Its important that students get lots of time to work with complex text, practicing these skills in context rather than in isolated activities or worksheets. This might look like choosing fewer texts for close reading and analysis, so that students can spend more time thinking about, writing about, and discussing the ones that are selected. Theres one area where the traditional scope and sequence shouldnt be pared down, though: foundational reading skills in the early grades. Research has shown that explicitly teaching students which sounds match up with which letters, in a systematic sequence, is the most effective way to teach them how to decode words . Skipping sounds or skills in the sequence can lead to gaps in students knowledge that hinder fluent reading. 2. Figure out what students will need to know and be able to do in order to successfully complete grade-level work. Then, identify places where teachers might need guidance on how to revisit these prerequisite skills and content from last spring. The goal is to deliver just-in-time support, equipping students to tackle grade-level content while avoiding re-teaching whole units from the spring. What might this look like? An example from the Student Achievement Partners guidance demonstrates: In 7th grade math, students are supposed to learn how to find the area, volume, and surface area of two- and three-dimensional objects. This work builds on concepts that are in the 6th grade standardsunderstanding how to find the area of polygons and the volume of right rectangular prisms. A 7th grade teacher would first need to assess whether her students know how to find the area of polygons. If they dont, she might have to revisit this 6th grade skill as part of her lesson. But that doesnt mean that she has to review every single 6th grade math skill before she can start with 7th grade contentshes paying attention to the connections between grades as she goes, so she only has to review when necessary. In English/language arts, students may need scaffolds to engage with grade-level text. For example, if a 6th grader is having trouble following the main points in a reading, her teacher may need to pre-teach relevant vocabulary or concepts, so students can build background knowledge about an unfamiliar topic. Its easier to plan where students might need just-in-time support if all teachers within a school or a district are using the same, high-quality materials, said Mike Magee, the CEO of Chiefs for Change, a national network of district leaders and state education chiefs. In the spring, he said, these districts were at an advantage. At a minimum, their teachers, their students, and their parents were speaking one language when it came to content, Magee said. Some curriculum providers, too, have outlined where teachers should check for students understanding of previous content , and embed review if necessary. 3. Have teachers play a major role in curriculum mapping for the fall. Even if schools are using districtwide curricula, teachers are still the people in the school system who are most likely to know what students did or didnt get to this past spring, said Robin McClellan, the supervisor of curriculum and instruction for elementary schools in Sullivan County public schools in Blountville, Tenn. In her district, teachers were paid a stipend to be part of the team streamlining the districtwide curriculum this summer, she said. Teachers in consecutive grade levels should be having conversations about how content builds, said Dale Winkler, the vice president for school improvement at the Southern Regional Education Board. Thats what teachers did in Daviess County, said Francis. At the end of the school year, the district used the remaining teacher contract days to conduct a gap analysis. Sixth grade teachers, for example, could meet with 7th grade teachers and outline what they didnt cover. The 7th grade teachers could then evaluate what of that content would be a necessary building block for the coming year, she said. In Holmen, Wis., 5th grade teacher Cathy Burge participated in a similar session with the 4th and 6th grade teams at her school, going over the multi-grade map her districts instructional leadership created. Last years 4th graders missed their geometry unit, so the teachers talked about setting up a station in the 5th grade classroom this year where students could learn how to use compasses and protractors to measure angles. The skills come up again in middle school, Burge said, so they need to get it. 4. Understand that just-in-time support should be determined by students needs. Even with all this planning ahead, teachers wont know exactly which students will need what support until theyre in the (physical or virtual) classroom. For more on how to determine students prior knowledge, and what this process of formative assessment should look like, see this article in our series . 5. Curriculum and instruction must support students social-emotional health. I dont think were going to be able to accelerate learning if we dont engage kids, said Cato Czupryk of TNTP. Even the most beautiful scope and sequence falls short if students dont feel safe and supported, she said. Creating this kind of environment presents special challenges this year, as teachers may have to build relationships and create classroom culture virtuallyor in a socially distanced classroom that doesnt allow for the same kind of student collaboration as years past. Schools should think about developing these relationships as deeply connected to teaching and learning, not as a separate goal, said Freitag of Instruction Partners. In practice, that might mean starting the first day with an exciting, tricky problem that teachers and students can dive into together, rather than a formal diagnostic test, she said. It also means making space to talk about the realities of students lives right now, shaped both by the pandemic and the movement for racial justice. Theres no way to engage students authentically right now that doesnt include both of those topics, Freitag said. Making time for students to have authentic conversations with each otherwhether thats through synchronous classes, message boards, or even phone calls with classmates and teachersis more important than ever. Learning should be fun, and it should be a challenge, said Francis, of Daviess County. And if we take away all that time for inquiry, and how you think about something, and how youre creating something, and we take away the experiments in science, then we are taking a group of students who have experienced a major trauma, and not reviving their joy of learning. Recently, Foundation Executive Director Gigi Hyland joined the weekly Montana Credit Unions call to discuss member and employee financial well-being in the new normal we are now facing. Below are a few highlights from her presentation, which you can view here. More than half of members (58%) are struggling financially and 39% of households do not have $400 available to afford an emergency expense. Credit unions are in a good position to help their members recover because of how they are built and their operating principles. Credit unions can help both their employees and members move forward by: Leveraging empathy to help them get through the crisis. Politico recently conducted a poll and discovered, much to its delight, that the public is opposed to reopening K-12 schools in the fall by 53 to 38 percent. The public here includes single people, parents, single-parents, grandparents, assorted Never Trumpers and the Resistance. According to the demographic breakdown, approximately half of the respondents were too old or too young to have school-age children, but for the sake of argument well posit the same spread is reflected in the feelings of parents. And thats why the teacher unions drive to keep government schools closed until a cure for the Flu Manchu is discovered on Wednesday, November 4th, is the gift of a lifetime for religious schools. Before the WuFlu arrived, 10 percent of the nations school children attended private school. The 38 percent of the public who thinks schools should open in the fall has the potential to double or triple private school enrollment if the people who run religious schools will get moving and get marketing. Former deputy governor of Reserve Bank of India (RBI), Viral Acharya has suggested that India must study the global best practices on appointments of central bank governors and learn from it. Even appointment of Board members to RBI should not happen overnight, but after a thorough scrutiny by the Parliament like in the US, he says. Speaking to BusinessToday.In, Acharya said that today's Central banker needs a fair deal of understanding of economics, markets, and macroeconomics. Unlike in the nationalised era, he added, government, RBI and public sector banks (PSBs) can no longer function like a 'Hindu Undivided Family' -- the analogy referring to RBI's often-criticised attempts of the past of the government (finances) running even at the cost of a suppressed financial sector. "You don't need a technocratic central bank governor to do that. But we have moved on. We are a market based economy, we are not saying that we will only deliver growth through government investments, we want the private sector to thrive, so I think there is a role for technocratic expertise (in the post of central bank governor)." Acharya acknowledged that at least in the case of governor's appointment, India has a financial sector appointments committee as the global best practice is to carry out the appointment after adequate scrutiny. "Appointment of (RBI) Board members is also a problem. We can't just wake up one day and appoint a person on the Board of Federal Reserve (in the US) without going through Parliamentary scrutiny. There is a testimony that has to be provided and the person is grilled by the Parliament before appointment is made. Unlike that there were times during my term when you wake up in the morning and someone has been let go, wake up the next morning to find someone else appointed, and I have no idea what the process is," Acharya points out. "I am sure many other people in the country are wondering what the process is. I don't want to question any specific appointments, I am always for institutional processes. System needs checks and balances," he adds. Acharya clarifies that he is for the operational autonomy of the central bank not because central bankers should be free to do whatever they want. "In a healthy democracy, you need checks and balances on the decisions that are being taken and the operational autonomy of the central bank is as important as checks and balances on financial and macroeconomic decisions that are taken in the economy. Maybe we should document what the best practices are on the appointments of central bankers and try to learn from it," he opines. Also read: PSU banks need blood transfusion, not IV drip, says ex-RBI deputy governor Viral Acharya Also read: 'RBI must keep public interest before personnel's career growth,' says Viral Acharya in new book Sundays announcement of an official state of disaster in Victoria, Australias second most populous state, is a damning condemnation of Australian governments, Labor and Liberal-National alike, and of the capitalist profit-system they defend. In little over six weeks, they have presided over a major resurgence of the coronavirus pandemic. Cases in Victoria, the epicentre, were in the single-digits in early June. They are now in the hundreds every day and are tracking toward a thousand or more. Hospitalisations are growing dramatically and the death toll is starting to rise sharply. Aged-care homes have become killing fields and the entire healthcare system is on the verge of a meltdown. The state of disaster is not a medical response to the health crisis but a law and order reaction. The imposition of an 8pm-5am curfew throughout Melbourne has nothing to do with the urgently and sorely needed development of testing, contact tracing and health resources, including staff and personal protection equipment (PPE). It is of a piece with the hard lockdown inflicted by the state Labor Party government on nine public housing towers in Melbourne in June, when some of the poorest and most vulnerable sections of the working class were locked in their flats, surrounded by hundreds of police. New South Wales, the countrys largest population centre, is on the edge of a major outbreak, with new clusters emerging constantly. Infections are again being reported in states such as Queensland and South Australia, where community transmission of the virus was previously eliminated. This is part of a global process. July was the deadliest month of the pandemic yet, witnessing some 7.2 million infections and more than 165,000 deaths. The New York Times and other international publications have noted that the resurgence of the coronavirus in Australia coincides with sharp increases in infections elsewhere where cases were previously low, including in Israel and Hong Kong. The escalating health crisis is not a natural disaster or the outcome of the intrinsic characteristics of COVID-19. It is the direct consequence of the subordination of the health and safety of working people to the profit demands of the corporate and financial oligarchy, enforced by governments everywhere. Workers are being brought face to face with the reality that their most fundamental social interests, including to life itself, are incompatible with the capitalist system. In Australia, the surge is the outcome of the premature lifting of the limited lockdown measures introduced by governmentsunder substantial pressure from medical experts and working peoplewhen the pandemic struck in March. Beginning in May, restrictions on social gatherings were eased, closures of restaurants, pubs and other high-risk venues were overturned and face-to-face teaching was resumed in the schools. This was on top of the many industries kept open throughout the pandemic, including meatworks, factories, construction sites and mining projects. The sole purpose of the reckless reopening was to create the conditions for a resumption of corporate profit-making, by herding all workers back to their places of employment. That this would result in an upsurge of the pandemic was entirely predictable and was warned of by epidemiologists and health professionals. The Socialist Equality Party, which has been alone in advancing the independent interests of the working class throughout this crisis, issued a statement on June 3, entitled: Oppose the premature lifting of COVID-19 safety restrictions! It declared: Via decrees agreed by the so-called national cabinet, Liberal-National and Labor governments alike are gambling with the lives of the population. They are announcing accelerated reopening measures almost daily. In their haste, they are sweeping aside previous timetables, long before the impact of the earlier lifting of restrictions has been revealed. The warnings have come to pass in the tragic scenes unfolding in Victoria. The outbreak is refuting all the lying claims, peddled by governments and the corporate media, that Australia had escaped the worst of the health crisis and was somehow exempt from the breakdown of global capitalism that it has accelerated. Australian governments did not explicitly embrace the homicidal doctrine of herd immunity. But the same ruling class calculations have been evident in death calculus published in the Australian financial press, weighing the cost of necessary health measures against the human toll of the virus, and invariably concluding that any serious attempt to tackle COVID-19 would be an unacceptable impost on the bottom-line. The death calculus was incorporated into official policy in April. State, territory and federal governments, acting through the extra-constitutional national cabinet, rejected proposals from epidemiologists to adopt a strategy aimed at eradicating COVID-19 transmission. They insisted that would damage the economy, by which they meant the fortunes of the ultra-wealthy and the largest businesses. Instead, the de facto coalition government opted for a containment policy, under which the virus would be allowed to continue to circulate. The government leaders claimed that coronavirus transmission could be kept at manageable levels through expanded contact tracing, testing and localised restrictions when outbreaks occurred. This strategy has produced disastrous consequences in Victoria. When infections began to rise in the latter half of June, the state Labor government of Premier Daniel Andrews refused to implement any lockdown measures. Only as the spike rapidly intensified did his government begin introducing localised restrictions. Beginning in early July, a succession of limited restrictions, confined initially to Melbourne hotspot suburbs and then being expanded to the entire city, were imposed. At each step the measures failed to contain transmission. Above all, the Victorian government, with the support of the entire political establishment and the trade unions, rejected calls for the closure of schools and workplaces despite dozens of clusters emerging among educators and students. Andrews admitted that 80 percent of infections in the state since May were the result of workplace transmission. Under the limited stage three lockdown of Melbourne, which began on July 10, the daily tally of infections rose from a record 288 to todays new height of 725. The various claims that measures had been taken to cope with increased infections were revealed as lies, with no significant increase in hospital surge capacity or contact-tracing capabilities. This criminal negligence intersected with decades of government cuts to healthcare and the rampant corporatisation of essential services. Aged-care homes have become centres of death as a direct result of the casualisation of their workforce and the refusal of their private operators to implement safety measures that would impinge on their massive profits. In March, the Victorian public health department responsible for tracking communicable diseases had just 14 staff members, only six of whom were fully-qualified physicians. Only after the pandemic had spiralled out of control and amid fears of an Italian or New York-style collapse of the hospital system did the Andrews government invoke some stage four workplace closures in Melbourne on Sunday, while also imposing its state of disaster. Even then, some of the most lucrative industries have been granted exemptions, including construction and mining. There is no pretence that the operations of these sectors, focussed on luxury property development and the extraction of minerals and gases, are essential to addressing the health crisis. Once again, their employees are being subjected to danger to ensure profits. The impact of workplace closures, moreover, will be borne by the working class. Some 250,000 more workers are slated to be stood down or sacked, on top of the highest unemployment levels since the 1930s Great Depression. They will be provided with the meagre government Jobseeker allowance of $550 a week, scheduled to be reduced still further to $400 in September, while the largest corporations have been given tens of billions of dollars in subsidies since the pandemic began. The announcement of the state of disaster has triggered sweeping police powers, including almost limitless search and seizure provisions. The state government is permitted to suspend or override any law, including any act of parliament. Already, 1,500 Australian Defence Force soldiers are patrolling Victorian streets and roadblocks, with 500 more on standby. While restrictions are certainly necessary, the central role of the police and the military in the official response is utterly reactionary. In addition to being the product of the gutting of civilian social and medical services, it is part of a broader law-and-order campaign that has centred on escalating government and media efforts to blame and demonise ordinary people for allegedly being responsible for the surge. The government assertions, which should be rejected with contempt, are aimed at diverting attention from official responsibility for the catastrophe. They also serve to justify the ever-greater use of police-state measures directed against the emerging struggles of the working class. Already, the past weeks have seen the start of an upsurge in the class struggle. Educators have demanded the closure of the schools, while meat workers, cleaners and warehouse staff have engaged in stoppages and protests to demand safe conditions. To take this movement forward definite conclusions must be drawn from the experiences of the past months. All the official parties, including Labor, the Liberal-Nationals and the Greens, have again proven themselves to be the instruments of the corporate and financial elite. The trade unions, having enforced the destruction of wages and conditions for decades, have taken their collaboration with governments and the corporations to a higher level. Throughout the pandemic, they have enforced wage cuts across the board, backed the massive corporate bailouts and enforced unsafe working conditions. New organisations of struggle, including independent rank-and-file committees, have to be built by workers at all workplaces. These would be tasked with ensuring that production does not continue under dangerous conditions, and enforcing the precautions required to prevent further coronavirus transmission. They would serve to break the isolation imposed by the unions, uniting broad sections of the working class in a common industrial and political offensive for safety, full-time permanent jobs, wage increases and a major increase in the payments to those left unemployed. Above all, what is needed is a new political perspective. As the World Socialist Web Site and the Socialist Equality Parties have insisted, the working class confronts a war on two inseparable fronts: against the pandemic and against the capitalist profit-system responsible for its expansion. Developments of the last six months, including in Australia, have proven that public health and the social rights of the population are completely incompatible with a society dominated by the profit interests of a corporate and financial elite. The only alternative is the fight for a workers government and for socialism. The banks and the corporations must be placed under public ownership and democratic workers control. Billions must immediately be poured into the healthcare system, with no expense spared in the struggle to defend the lives and the safety of ordinary people. Vast resources must be allocated to end social inequality and the soaring rates of poverty and social distress that have been intensified by the pandemic. We call on all workers, students and young people seeking a way forward to contact the Socialist Equality Party today. By PTI NEW DELHI: The Delhi High Court Tuesday sought response of the Centre and the police on two separate pleas by 23 foreigners seeking quashing of FIRs against them for attending the Tablighi Jamaat event here and allegedly indulging in missionary activities in violation of visa norms and breaching anti-COVID-19 guidelines. Justice Anup Jairam Bhambhani, conducting the hearing through video conferencing, asked the Centre and Delhi Police to file their status reports on the issue before the next date of hearing, August 10, when similar petitions are also listed. The high court also asked the police to submit a tabulated summary of all the FIRs and charge sheets, filed or to be filed before the trial court, along with their present status. The court was informed that these 23 foreigners, who have filed two separate petitions, have already admitted their guilt in the FIR lodged by the crime branch of Delhi Police in the matter and pleaded for lenient punishments under the provisions of plea bargaining. They were allowed to walk free on payment of varying fines and pleading guilty for minor offences related to the COVID-19 lockdown violations, the counsel for the foreigners said, adding that their deportation orders were also issued. However, they are not able to fly back to their countries due to the pendency of other FIRs lodged at various police stations here, said advocate Ashima Mandla, representing the foreign nationals. When the petitioners wanted to go back to their countries, it transpired that a second FIR is also pending against each of them and the charge sheet has been filed before the trial court, she said. These 23 petitioners are nationals of Australia, South Africa, Indonesia and Sri Lanka and are arrayed as accused in the charge sheets filed by the police. The counsel also informed the high court that two foreign nationals of the United States of America have refused to enter into plea bargaining and have claimed trial. The court asked them to be removed from the list of petitioners as they will have to raise their grievances before the trial court. The counsel contended that the police cannot lodge separate FIRs for the same alleged offence and they are unable to go back due to look out circulars (LOCs) being opened against them. She said while the first FIR was lodged on March 31, this second FIR by the police was filed later on and added that the foreign nationals were not informed of these additional FIRs before the Saket court where they pleaded guilty. In the two petitions filed by advocates Ashima Mandla and Mandakini Singh, the petitioners have sought quashing of two FIRs registered at various police stations under various sections of IPC and the Epidemic Diseases Act. The petitioners said that the FIRs registered at other police stations are untenable in law in light of foreign nationals having entered plea bargaining in the same charges registered by the crime branch. They have also sought directions to the respondents to close the LoC issued qua foreign national petitioners. In the case being probed by the crime branch, the foreign national petitioners have duly entered plea bargaining and consequent deportation orders have been issued by the court. They said that the allegations in the FIRs before this court are similar to the FIR of crime branch, in which 911 of the 955 foreigner jamaatis have entered into plea bargaining "Under the law, second FIR is impermissible and there is an operational bar from prosecution of same offences arising out of the corresponding cause of action under Article 20(2) of the constitution of India( widely known as doctrine of double jeopardy) as well as section 300 of the CrPC," the pleas said. In April, COVID-19 cases across the country spiked after hundreds of many Tablighi Jamaat members, who had attended the religious congregation at Nizamuddin Markaz in the national capital, tested positive. At least 9,000 people, including the foreign nationals participated in the religious congregation in Nizamuddin. Later, many of the attendees travelled to various parts of the country. Lebanons last major war was in 2006, between Israel and Hezbollah, the Iranian-backed militant group and political party that remains committed to the destruction of the Jewish state. In recent years, Israel has launched frequent airstrikes on Hezbollah targets in neighboring Syria, but has mostly avoided bombing it in Lebanon to avoid setting off a cycle of retaliation that could lead to a new war. Tensions between Hezbollah and Israel have flared lately on Lebanons southern border, leading many Lebanese to speculate that Israel had targeted materials connected to Hezbollah and hidden in Beiruts port. An Israeli official said that Israel had nothing to do with the incident on Tuesday. The blasts emanated from Beiruts port but were felt as far away as Cyprus, more than 180 miles to the west. They ravaged Beiruts downtown business district, a nearby waterfront full of restaurants and nightclubs, and a number of crowded residential neighborhoods in the citys eastern and predominantly Christian half. Nearly all the windows along one popular commercial strip had been blown out and the street was littered with glass, rubble and cars that had slammed into each other after the blast. Abbas Saleh, a 28-year-old driver, was in his car when he saw a flash and heard a boom, and his windshield shattered. You would never think it was an explosion, he said. More like missiles coming down on us. He ran out of his car and began helping Red Cross workers carry the dead and wounded. All around, families struggled to get wounded relatives out of their buildings so they could be piled into ambulances or onto the backs of motor scooters. The Lebanese Red Cross said that every available ambulance from North Lebanon, Bekaa and South Lebanon was dispatched to Beirut, but so many roads had been rendered impassible that many of the wounded had to walk to the hospital themselves. Space, medics and supplies were lacking. Hospitals in the hardest-hit areas were heavily damaged, with at least one shutting down altogether and others treating bleeding patients in their parking lots. St. George Hospital in central Beirut, one of the citys biggest, was so severely damaged that it had to send patients elsewhere. My friends, my friends, Dr. Joseph Haddad, the hospitals director of intensive care, said in a phone call. This is Joseph Haddad calling you from St. George Hospital. There is no St. George Hospital anymore. Its fallen, its on the floor, Dr. Haddad says, as broken glass is heard crackling underfoot. Its all destroyed. All of it. Pray to God, pray to God. At Bikhazi Medical Group hospital in the center of Beirut, wounded patients streamed into a damaged hospital. The door to the entrance of the hospital is completely shattered, said Rima Azar, the hospital director and co-owner. The full ceiling fell on some patients in some rooms. The pressure was horrific. We heard a boom, then everything was shaking. There was a second blow that was super loud. Everything was falling from desks, from shelves. The 60-bed hospital treated 500 patients in the hours after the blast, she said. Another hospital farther out received so many patients that medics lined them on the floor and in hallways. Those with non-life-threatening injuries had them cleaned and stapled shut before being sent on their way. Students attend class at Dayuanshe Art and Culture Communication Center for Left-Behind Children in Ningyuan County, Hunan Province. [For China Daily] Deng Yunxiu, 14, a student in Ningyuan County, Hunan Province, was excited about starting another summer vacation in July. She'll learn art and music at a local culture center established for children like her left behind as their parents went to work in big cities. She started learning to draw three years ago at the Dayuanshe Art and Culture Communication Center for Left-Behind Children, which was founded by a couple in 2014. The couple, Zhou Yan, an artist, and Liu Xiu, a maker of Chinese zithers (guqin), quit their jobs with good pay in Beijing in 2014 and founded the center in Ningyuan, a remote rural area in Hunan. The couple invested 2 million yuan ($286,324) or the construction of a new building and equipment such as computers, projectors, telescopes, art tools and materials for painting. Students attend class at Dayuanshe Art and Culture Communication Center for Left-Behind Children in Ningyuan County, Hunan Province. [For China Daily] In recent years, the couple have invited around 50 teachers and students from different colleges to the center to teach music and art to left-behind children. The center has enrolled 100 kids from 15 nearby villages, Zhou said. "It's not our purpose to make them artists in the future. We just hope that they will be connected with the environment and the world in some way through art," she said. A resident of Ningyuan said it was wonderful that kids could learn art for free in such a remote place. He said he is planning to bring his grandson to the center this summer. Students attend class at Dayuanshe Art and Culture Communication Center for Left-Behind Children in Ningyuan County, Hunan Province. [For China Daily] An example of the art produced by the children [For China Daily] Students attend class at Dayuanshe Art and Culture Communication Center for Left-Behind Children in Ningyuan County, Hunan Province. [For China Daily] An example of the art produced by the children [For China Daily] Students attend class at Dayuanshe Art and Culture Communication Center for Left-Behind Children in Ningyuan County, Hunan Province. [For China Daily] Students attend class at Dayuanshe Art and Culture Communication Center for Left-Behind Children in Ningyuan County, Hunan Province. [For China Daily] An example of the art produced by the children [For China Daily] Students attend class at Dayuanshe Art and Culture Communication Center for Left-Behind Children in Ningyuan County, Hunan Province. [For China Daily] (Source: chinadaily.com.cn) Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan said on Wednesday his Indian counterpart Narendra Modis action to scrap the special status of J&K was a strategic blunder based on four miscalculations. Addressing a special session of the legislative assembly of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir in Muzaffarabad on the first anniversary of Indias action, Khan said the first mistaken assumption was to expand his Hindu vote base by revoking Kashmirs status. The second assumption, he said, was that Pakistan would remain quiet because we were trying to become friends with them. The third assumption was the world would stay silent because other countries want to use India to counter China, he added. The fourth miscalculation, he said, was that India thought it would be able to crush the Kashmiris by posting hundreds of thousands of troops in the Kashmir Valley and then change the regions demography. All these assumptions had proved wrong, Khan said. Also read: In a rebuff to Pakistan, UNSC says again Kashmir should be resolved bilaterally There was no immediate reaction from the Indian side to Khans comments, which came a day after Islamabad issued a new political map that depicted the Indian union territories of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh and parts of Gujarat state as Pakistani territories. India had dismissed the map as an exercise in political absurdity with no legal backing. Khan told his audience that his government had reacted strongly to Indias actions last year. The UN discussed the Kashmir issue thrice during the last year for the first time since 1965. It also published two reports on human rights abuses in...Kashmir, he said.He said he personally spoke to world leaders about the issue. I explained to [US President Donald] Trump twice how Kashmir was a flashpoint. I talked to [German Chancellor Angela] Merkel, [UK Prime Minister] Boris Johnson, [French President Emmanuel] Macron, explained to them, made them understand, he said. Today, Modi is exposed in front of the world, the biggest result of which is that people are [now] looking towards [the situation in] Kashmir. India is now in a blind alley and theres no way out from this situation, he said. Explaining the reasoning behind the new map of Pakistan, Khan said he wanted to show to the world Kashmir is a disputed area. We have said at every forum the Kashmir issue should be resolved according to resolutions passed by the UN Security Council and we have written this on the map as well, he said. He announced his government will confer its highest civilian award, the Nishan-e-Pakistan, on Kashmiri separatist leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani. Also read: Imran Khans Pakistan might end up regretting its new political map. Here is why Meanwhile, Pakistans foreign ministry clarified that the new map reaffirmed the countrys commitment to finding a solution to the Kashmir through the realization of the Kashmiris inalienable right to self-determination through a free and impartial plebiscite under the UN. Speaker Madigans entanglements in multiple scandals cast a pall of corruption at a time when we must be focused on protecting working families, seniors and students, the statement reads. He should do what is best for the state and step down from his roles as Speaker of the House and Chairman of the Democratic Party of Illinois. In that iconic scene from Raiders of the Lost Ark, Indiana Jones exclaims, Im making this up as I go. Thats us now were all making it up as we go. But we have an obligation to make it up safely. Unfortunately, instead of making safe plans for reopening schools, Ontario unveiled back-to-school plans that are, essentially, made up. Aside from a little extra cleaning and mask wearing for older kids, not much will change when schools open their doors in just a few weeks. Whats the rush to open schools like this? This virus is new and has largely mystified us. Long-term implications are poorly understood. New and often contradictory knowledge is emerging daily. The best strategy for all of us, kids included, has been, simply, to not contract the virus. Before you yell and scream, hear me out. Lets make sure were all getting mad for the right reasons. As a child psychologist with more than 40 years experience working with families, I will be the first to tell you that kids need school. I will also be the first to tell you that people kids, parents and school staff need to stay alive more than kids need to go to school in the way that they did before COVID. Its a shock, but when you do the math, kids are actually in school only about 13 per cent of the year with approximately110 instructional minutes daily. It is highly unlikely that kids spend more than half of this time on task. Although not ideal, this can be accomplished through well-planned remote learning, including funding to support at-risk and special-needs kids. If catch-up is the worst thing that can happen, this can certainly be built into the curriculum when the dust settles. For me, the choice of worst alternatives is clear. It has been my lifes work to help children and families manage and cope through social/emotional challenges. I understand that children will suffer theyve already been suffering. Parents are suffering. So is everyone. And we will all need to recover together. Social interaction can happen without school, by bubbling, and by socializing more safely outdoors. So why, then, do so many Ontario parents want their kids back in the classroom? Why has our government revealed an anti-climactic back-to-school plan thats not really different from pre-COVID school? There are academic and social/emotional concerns, yes, but mostly, theyre worried about child care. I am not an economist, but I suspect that this is the most powerful factor fuelling the push to open schools this fall. If parents dont have child care, then they cant go back to work. And maybe the answer is yes, thats true. Our government should consider some more creative solutions here: parental leave, like for parents of infants; job security for pandemic leave; support groups for homeschooling. No denying the struggle here, but threatening the safety of so many is not the answer, either. So with the start of school less than six weeks away, it is, perhaps, our expectations that are most problematic we are dangerously trying to cut and paste the pre-pandemic notion of school onto a totally different palette. Over the last five months, we have been conditioned by the medical community to fear what behavioural psychology terms the low frequency event COVID-19. This leads to a high intensity behaviour, a disproportionate response, in this case, avoidance. So, watch: when kids return to school and someone, inevitably, gets sick, parents will wonder if their child is next, teachers if they are next. Watch the classes empty, and were back at square one. We were all blindsided and unexpectedly frozen in place and time by the extraordinary. We are making enormous sacrifices because there is really no choice. Its boring, its demanding, its lonesome and its not fun. But this is not the time to try to force a square peg into a round hole. When the health and safety of kids and families and teachers is at stake there is no need to rush. The initiative is within the framework of Australias Aus4Innovation programme in collaboration with the Vietnamese Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST). It will both offer short-term funding for innovative AI solutions to deal with the consequences of the disease, and support longer-term demands, including technical support for the implementation of Vietnams AI strategy and training courses for stakeholders in the AI ecosystem. The announcement was made at the second Innovation Partnership Meeting between the Australian Embassy in Vietnam and the MOST in Hanoi on August 4. At the event, the two sides reviewed the outstanding achievements from the first 18 months of implementing the Aus4Innovation programme. Accordingly, Aus4Innovation has provided AUD4 million in funding for innovative partnerships between Vietnamese and Australian institutions, capacity building activities in science commercialisation for individual researchers and institutions across Vietnam, and technical assistance to the MOST in important science, technology and innovation policy research. As a continuation of the Aus4Innovation initiatives to support the building of Vietnams future digital economy in the strong correlation between digitisation and economic growth, the funding of the AI initiative is a natural extension of program activities to help Vietnam cope with COVID-19. Addressing the meeting, Australian Ambassador Robyn Mudie hailed innovation as one of the three key pillars in the Vietnam-Australia partnership, stating that in the face of the global pandemic, it has become more important than ever. The new AI initiative is a great example of how modern technology can be adapted quickly to respond to Vietnams emerging needs, she said. It is also a strong demonstration of Australias commitment to working with partners in Vietnam and the Indo-Pacific region to address the impacts of COVID-19 and support long-term recovery, Mudie added. For his part, MOST Minister Chu Ngoc Anh welcomed Australias support to Vietnam in AI application as well as the continued support from the Aus4Innovation programme in enhancing connections between the Australian and Vietnamese innovation ecosystems. Over the past 18 months, we have created a sound basis for a further mutual innovation partnership. We are confident this partnership will continue to bring positive results and impacts to Vietnams sustainable socio-economic development, he stated. The new AI initiative will be implemented from August 2020 to June 2021, including support for the 2020 Vietnam AI Day (AI4VN 2020) under the theme AI in pandemic: Adapting to the new normal. Other funded events include workshops, a technology showcase conference, training courses and a hackathon. The highlight is the AI Hackathon, a 48-hour contest that brings experts and top programmers together to find new ways to utilise AI as Vietnam recovers from COVID-19. The winning ideas will receive funding for implementation. Aus4Innovation is an AUD11 million development assistance programme that aims to strengthen Vietnams innovation system, to prepare for and embrace opportunities associated with Industry 4.0, and to help shape Vietnams innovation agenda in science and technology. Presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden will no longer travel to the Democratic National Convention in Milwaukee to deliver his acceptance speech as planned. The former vice president was expected to deliver his acceptance speech at Milwaukees Wisconsin Center on August 20, but will now give the speech from his home state of Delaware in light of coronavirus concerns, according to a statement from the DNC. After ongoing consultation with public health officials and expertswho underscored the worsening coronavirus pandemicthe Democratic National Convention Committee announced today speakers for the 2020 Democratic National Convention will no longer travel to Milwaukee, Wisconsin in order to prevent risking the health of our host community as well as the conventions production teams, security officials, community partners, media and others necessary to orchestrate the event, the statement said. In accordance with this guidance, Vice President Joe Biden will no longer travel to Milwaukee and will instead address the nation and accept the Democratic nomination from his home state of Delaware, it continued. Further details about the location of Bidens speech will be released at a later time, the DNC said. The convention, which had originally been scheduled to take place in mid-July, had already been delayed to August and dramatically scaled down due to the coronavirus pandemic. The convention would normally draw an expected 50,000 travelers. Todays announcement represents a small adjustment to the overall planning, as the majority of speeches and segments were already taking place in locations across the country, the DNC said. Democrats will offer four nights of programming, which will include a mix of both pre-recorded segments and live broadcasts from locations across the country. The news comes as President Donald Trump said Wednesday that he is considering delivering his Republican National Convention speech from the White House after canceling his plans to deliver the speech in front of a crowd in Charlotte, N.C. due to coronavirus concerns. Story continues Well we are thinking about it. It would be easiest from the standpoint of security, he said during an interview with Fox and Friends. We are thinking about doing it from the White House because theres no movement. Its easy, and I think its a beautiful setting and we are thinking about that. Its certainly one of the alternatives. Its the easiest alternative, I think its a beautiful alternative. More from National Review Birmingham attorney Eric Essahki declared himself the winner of Michigans 11th Congressional District Republican primary. Esshaki released a statement Wednesday afternoon as unfinished election results found him with an 8 percentage point lead over the closest Republican opponent. Esshaki earned 31% of the vote, according to incomplete results, putting him at the top of a five-way Republican primary. However, none of the other four GOP candidates conceded as of 1 p.m. Wednesday. I am very thankful for the outpouring of support, Esshaki said in the statement. People responded to my message that politics are broken and they want government to tackle real problems. They respect that I was a nurse and have a real-world perspective on the challenges America faces. They like that I stand up for the Constitution and for whats right, and they are tired of liberal Democrat Haley Stevens voting with Pelosi 100% of the time." Esshaki took an early lead as precincts began reporting results Tuesday night, closely followed by entrepreneur Carmelita Greco, who collected 23% of the vote as of noon Wednesday. Esshaki led Greco by 6,737 votes as of 1 p.m. Incomplete results show former U.S. Rep. Kerry Bentivolio in third place with 22% of the vote, followed by Northville veteran Frank Acosta (13%) and professional model Whittney Williams (11%). With 86% of precincts reporting results, Esshaki appears to be the Republican Partys choice to challenge U.S. Rep. Haley Stevens, D-Rochester Hills, for Michigans 11th Congressional District in November. Stevens, who did not face a Democratic challenger, is seeking reelection to a two-year term after flipping the traditionally Republican-held district two years ago. Thank you, Michigan for putting your support behind me! pic.twitter.com/A12XAX2oE7 Eric Esshaki for Congress (@EsshakiCongress) August 5, 2020 Michigans 11th Congressional District covers the southeastern region of the Lower Penninsula, including portions of Oakland and Wayne counties. Republicans have maintained control over the district throughout most of its existence. Esshaki decisively won Oakland County by a 9-point margin, according to complete results from all of the countys precincts. He maintained a strong lead in Wayne County, though only 65% of precincts reported results. Stevens is the first Democrat to represent the district since David Curson was elected to serve a partial term in 2012. If she wins reelection, Stevens would be the first Democrat to serve a second term in its modern configuration. Stevens said the stakes could not be higher, in a statement posted to social media Tuesday night. In the months and years to come, we will reflect on this time, where we stood, what our values were, and feel pride in our efforts and results, Stevens wrote. The charge before us is to combat the COVID-19 pandemic, rebuild our economy, provide a safe learning environment for our students and teachers and most importantly ensure every Michigander has access to affordable health care. Esshaki said Stevens agenda destroys jobs and raises taxes in a statement. She takes no positions that are not approved by Nancy Pelosi, Esshaki said. She does not represent Michigan. Stevens is among the top targets for Republicans seeking to take back U.S. House seats that flipped during the 2018 mid-term elections. Voters supported President Donald Trump in 2016 by a 4 point margin. Two years later, the district chose Stevens to fill an open seat previously held by a Republican and voted for Democrats in Michigans U.S. Senate and gubernatorial races. Trump will be on the ticket with Esshaki in November. Esshaki and his Republican opponents touted their support for the president throughout the primary. Esshaki sued Michigans governor and secretary of state earlier this year over stay-at-home orders that he argued made it more difficult for candidates to collect signatures to get on the primary ballot. The lawsuit resulted in a court order allowing candidates to submit 50% of the required signatures. Esshaki and Greco spent the last weeks of the campaign in a feud over a COVID-19 vaccine. Greco placed TV and Facebook ads falsely claiming Esshaki supports forced vaccinations. Esshakis fundraising outpaced the rest of the primary field. Each of the Republican candidates supported their campaigns with several thousands of dollars in personal loans. Esshaki gathered $417,748 in donations during the election cycle, including a $100,000 loan from his own pocket. Esshaki had $213,143 in remaining cash on hand as of June 15. Greco came in a close second, raising $395,597. However, most of the fundraising haul came from a $275,000 personal loan Greco made. She made a major push to purchase Facebook ads in the last week of the election, spending $14,700 from July 27 to Aug. 2. Grecos campaign committee spent $49,200 on Facebook ads during the last three months, not including an additional $10,000 it spent on a Facebook page attacking Esshaki. Bentivolio raised $152,217 for his campaign, including a $52,500 loan. Williams raised $118,636, supplemented with a $30,000 personal loan. Acosta did not file any campaign finance statements, so no information is publicly available regarding his fundraising totals. CAIRO Following a week of local consultations, the technical and legal negotiating committees in Egypt, Sudan and Ethiopia resumed a second round of discussions Aug. 3 to reach a comprehensive and binding agreement governing the filling and operation of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam under the auspices of the African Union. The fresh round of talks comes after Ethiopia unilaterally began to fill the dam's reservoir with about 5 billion cubic meters of water without reaching agreement with downstream countries Egypt and Sudan. The presidents of Egypt, Sudan and Ethiopia agreed during the mini-AU summit held July 21 to return to negotiations. The second round of negotiations kicked off under the auspices of the African Union on July 27, but the delegations of Egypt and Sudan have expressed great reservations toward Ethiopia's move to begin filling the reservoir and Ethiopian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Dina Mufti had said at a July 24 press conference that his country is not seeking a binding agreement but a guiding agreement that can be modified as needed. The Sudanese Ministry of Water said in a July 27 press statement that the Ethiopian move is a harmful and worrying precedent and the Egyptian Ministry of Water said in its own statement the same day, The unilateral filling carried out by Ethiopia raised a panoply of questions about the ability of the negotiation process to reach a fair, balanced and binding agreement to fill and operate the dam. During the July 27 summit, the Egyptian and Sudanese delegations held firm on the need to reach a binding and comprehensive agreement that governs the filling and operation of the Renaissance Dam. Ethiopian Minister of Foreign Affairs Gedu Andargachew celebrated his countrys successful completion of the first stage of filling, tweeting July 22, Congratulations! It was the Nile River, and the river became a lake. Water will no longer flow much into the river but into the lake. The Nile is ours. Meanwhile, the Ethiopian Embassy in Cairo hosted a July 23 celebration of the progress on the dam, coinciding with Revolution Day in Egypt. Commenting on the Ethiopian statements in a televised statement, a spokesperson for the Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation deemed them provocative and inconsistent with international law. President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi told reporters July 28, The Egyptians concern is legitimate and based on a just cause. Addressed his countrymen, he said, You have the right to be concerned, but we are fighting a battle may be prolonged. He criticized some media outlets for suggesting that Egypt might resort to military action against Ethiopia, ruling out the possibility. After the first session of the second round of AU-sponsored discussions under the supervision of the World Bank, the European Union and the United States, an Egyptian delegation official told Al-Monitor on condition of anonymity, There is Egyptian-Sudanese coordination to focus on a specific agenda during this round of talks and the AU coordinators were informed not to allow any party invoke issues that hinder the conduct of negotiations and divert them from the primary goal of reaching a balanced and fair agreement on the filling and operation of the GERD. The official added, Each countrys technical and legal positions and opinions have become clear regarding the contentious points, namely the filling and operation of the dam in years of drought at the technical level, and at the legal level by the binding character of the agreement. He stressed the need for experts and observers to every opportunity to bridge points of view and resolve outstanding issues. Former Egyptian Minister of Water and Irrigation Mohamed Nasr Allam told Al-Monitor that Ethiopia regularly makes provocative statements directed at a domestic audience that play up the two states' differences. Allam said, Sisi's recent statements confirm that the Egyptian state does not want to reciprocate the provocative policies adopted by Ethiopia, adding, If the AU fails to resolve the controversy during the current round of talks, then Egypt and Sudan would have to withdraw from any new round of negotiations with Ethiopia. Tariq Fahmy, a professor of political science at Cairo University, told Al-Monitor, It has become widely known in Egypt that Ethiopia's statements are directed at its own public and come in response to the pressures on the Ethiopian administration. However, he added, Ethiopia's behavior and procrastination [on] signing an agreement calls for intervention by international parties, especially donor institutions that have tools to discourage a country from causing great harm to others. Fahmy went on, The Ethiopian negotiation policies have been condemned by most of those familiar with the Nile water issue at the regional and international levels. Hani Raslan, an analyst at Al-Ahram Center for Political and Strategic Studies, told Al-Monitor, The Egyptian administration bears responsibility for preserving the historical and fateful rights of the Egyptian people. He went on, The efforts by Ethiopia to dominate the Nile River [threaten to effect a historic shift] and if Cairo does not find a way to protect its rights in the Nile waters, this shift could permanently change the balance of power in favor of Ethiopia, he added. Raslan continued, After Ethiopias unilateral filling of the GERD lake passed without any problems, the ongoing negotiations are not expected to lead to any balanced and binding agreement. U.S. political actors will keep weaponizing the impact of widespread foreign disinformation campaigns on American elections, making these operations that much more effective and attractive to Russia, China, Iran or other countries backing them. Why it matters: Hostile powers disinformation campaigns aim to destabilize the U.S., and each time a domestic politician embraces them, it demonstrates that they work. Where it stands: There are several ways this dynamic will play out this fall and, if unchecked, in future elections. 1. U.S. politicians will amplify these false messages for their own electoral ends. The First Amendment bars regulating or censoring the speech of domestic political actors and press outlets, even when it amounts to disinformation and propaganda. Norms are the only thing stopping officials and candidates from becoming loudspeakers for a foreign active measures campaign. And norm-smashing politicians including the president have already shown themselves eager to intentionally or not boost disinformation from hostile states. 2. The call will come from inside the house. U.S. politicians or their proxies will also be the source of falsehoods that foreign actors will then be able to seize on and boost online as part of a disinformation campaign. Domestic political actors can then cite this publishing or social media activity as evidence of the very falsehoods they themselves generated. 3. The threat and basic contours of disinformation campaigns may be obscured as they get sucked into the partisan maelstrom of U.S. politics. President Trump has long dismissed the reality of Russias 2016 meddling. And now Democrats argue the Trump administration is being deliberately vague about disinformation threats posed by China, Iran and Russia in what they contend is an effort to gloss over the pro-Trump campaign pushed by Russia specifically. In response to those complaints, intelligence officials provided classified briefings to the House about the three nations interference campaigns. That only further enraged Democrats, who are demanding greater transparency, particularly about Russias plans. Intelligence officials promised more public disclosures on 2020 interference in a less-contentious Senate briefing, lawmakers present said. These briefings are unprecedented, says an official with the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, marking the first classified election interference briefings given to all of Congress, including lawmakers who arent used to receiving classified information. Between the lines: The American public will benefit from more information about covert foreign electoral interference campaigns. But with intelligence sources and methods to protect and, yes, political sensitivities to consider, there will always be limits to what intelligence officials will say openly. Meanwhile, closed-door briefings allow politicians and other officials to selectively leak information that can then be repackaged for purposes of domestic political warfare. Theres a ratchet effect here. Each time officials disclose more intelligence, that very act of disclosure may power the spread of more disinformation. Think of hypothetical scenarios like Republicans learning that Iran is boosting Democrats in the interest of reviving a nuclear deal, or Democrats being briefed that Russia is pushing nationalist GOP candidates for Congress with the aim of sabotaging NATO. U.S. politicians may soon volley perpetual accusations of malign foreign support against members of the opposing party, citing U.S. intelligence community assessments. Guilt by association is a powerful tool. The bottom line: Disinformation campaigns are low-cost and easy to replicate. The NSA can fizzle a troll farm's servers, but it can't stop Russia from simply purchasing and deploying new ones. And as long as these interference campaigns are successful, foreign states will devote the necessary resources to seeing them through. Dementia rates among men are falling three times quicker than they are in women, according to a major study. Harvard University researchers found the risk of developing the incurable disorder has dropped by 13 per cent every decade since 1988. Rates have plummeted for men by 24 per cent every ten years, while for women it has been a more gradual decline (8 per cent). Men were previously far more at risk than females of suffering from dementia but the risk between sexes has now levelled out, experts said. In 1995, the average European or American person over the age of 75 had a one in four chance of getting dementia. Today, it is now less than one in five. The researchers say healthier lifestyles and fewer smokers could be behind the drop in risk, because poor blood circulation which is hugely influenced by diet, exercise and drinking has a significant impact on the brain. But, despite the risk of developing the memory-robbing disorder being lower, there are still a growing number of people being diagnosed with dementia. This is because more and more people are being born in the developed world and people are living longer than they ever have. In the UK there are an estimated 850,000 people living with dementia, while in the US there are around 5million. These numbers are still projected to treble by 2050. But, if the current decline in rates continue, Harvard researchers say there could be far fewer cases in high-income countries than projected. Harvard University researchers found the risk of developing the incurable disorder has dropped by 13 per cent every decade since 1988. In men, rates have plummeted by a huge 24 per cent, while for women it has been a more gradual decline (8 per cent) Dementia rates across the United States have fallen over the past 25 years, with the risk of developing the disease now 13 per cent lower than 2010, a study has found (stock image) For the latest research, published in the journal Neurology, Harvard researchers reviewed data from seven large studies from around the world with a total of 49,202 people. The studies followed men and women over-65 in Europe and North America for at least 15 years from between 1988 and 2015. Participants' health was monitored with in-person exams, questionnaires and brain scans. Projected yearly incidence of dementia on the basis of current rates (solid lines) and projected incidence of dementia assuming continuation of a decreasing trend (dashed lines) Researchers provided a graph to show how the incidence rates of dementia are much higher for both men and women over the age of 85 Of the near-50,000 volunteers, 4,253 (8.6 per cent) developed dementia, a general term for a decline in mental ability severe enough to interfere with daily life. Academics did not provide any raw numbers to illustrate exactly how the incidence rate changed over time. They only gave data for how many people were diagnosed with dementia overall in each of the different cohorts. But an analysis revealed rates dropped over time in each of the seven studies at around 13 per cent per decade. The papers found dementia incidence declined by 13 per cent per calendar decade and that the drop was 'consistent across studies'. The fall, which experts said was 'consistent across studies', was more pronounced in men (24 per cent) than in women (8 per cent). The data also included a separate assessment of Alzheimers disease, a specific form of dementia that accounts for seven in 10 dementia cases. Rates for Alzheimer's also had a similar drop in incidence, falling by about 16 per cent per decade. But the study found that age was still a huge risk factor for developing dementia. The risk was 16 times greater for those above the age of 85, compared to those under 70. Dr Albert Hofman, chairman of the department of epidemiology at the Harvard School of Public Health and lead author of the research believes improved heart health and education are behind the falling rates. There is now a growing understanding that poor blood circulation - which is hugely influenced by diet, exercise and drinking - has a significant impact on blood vessels in the brain. Education is also now known to have a protective effect, with those who receive a better schooling more likely to continue to carry out complex thinking throughout their lives - which reduces dementia risk by keeping the brain active. Dr John Morris, director of the Center for Aging at Washington University in St. Louis, told The New York Times: 'It is such a strong study and such a powerful message. It suggests that the risk is modifiable.' Dr Alberto Hofman, of Harvard, believes improved heart health and education are behind the falling rates Gill Livingston, from University College London in the UK, said the findings 'show again that some of dementia is already being prevented with the changes which have taken place in these societies'. She added: 'We know that worldwide 40 per cent of dementias are potentially preventable. Sara Imarisio, research head at Alzheimers Research UK, told The Times newspaper there: 'We know recent decades have seen a radical decline in smoking rates for men. While many people may have been persuaded to stop smoking due to an increased risk of cancer or heart disease, it is also a key risk factor for dementia.' Last week a major study said hundreds of thousands of people could ward off dementia by adopting a healthy lifestyle. Some 40 per cent of cases could be avoided or delayed, a comprehensive review of the evidence concludes. Eating less, exercising more, and cutting out alcohol and cigarettes significantly reduce the risk of developing dementia in later life, researchers said. A team of 28 world-leading dementia experts, who conducted the review for the Lancet medical journal, identified 12 different controllable factors which contribute to dementia risk. Eating less, exercising more, and quitting alcohol and cigarettes could slash dementia rates by up to 40%, major study finds Hundreds of thousands of people could ward off dementia by adopting a healthy lifestyle, a major study has found. Some 40 per cent of cases could be avoided or delayed, a comprehensive review of the evidence concludes. Eating less, exercising more, and cutting out alcohol and cigarettes significantly reduce the risk of developing dementia in later life, researchers said. Hundreds of thousands of people could ward off dementia by adopting a healthy lifestyle, a major study has found (stock picture) The 12 major factors EARLY LIFE Education better schooling gets you in the habit of using your brain more throughout your life, which is proven to increase cognitive reserve and reduce dementia risk. Poor education increases an individuals dementia risk by 60 per cent. Responsible for 7 per cent of cases MIDDLE AGE (aged 45-65) Hearing loss now proven to be linked to dementia. Hearing aids reduce this risk, suggesting UK rationing could have a major effect in years to come. Increases individual risk by 90 per cent, responsible for 8 per cent of all cases. Brain injury a major study last year showed footballers were at significantly increased dementia risk due to repeated heading of the ball. Increases individual risk by 80 per cent, responsible for 3 per cent of all cases. High blood pressure a systolic reading of more than 140mgHH increases an individuals risk by 60 per cent. Responsible for 2 per cent of cases. Drinking more than 21 units (about nine pints of beer or 15 small glasses of wine) a week increases individual risk by 20 per cent. Responsible for 1 per cent of cases. Obesity a body mass index of more than 30 increases a persons chance of developing dementia by 60 per cent. Responsible for 1 per cent of cases. OLD AGE (65+) Smoking tobacco use increases individual dementia risk by 60 per cent. Responsible for 5 per cent of cases. Social isolation coronavirus lockdown has shown the devastating impact of isolation. Increases dementia risk by 60 per cent and is responsible for 4 per cent of cases. Depression psychological distress increases the risk of depression by 90 per cent, and antidepressants do not help. Accounts for 4 per cent of all cases. Lack of exercise physical activity increases blood flow, speeds up metabolism and increases the health of blood vessels. Inactive people are 40 per cent more likely to develop dementia. Responsible for 2 per cent of cases. Diabetes Britain has a booming diabetes problem, with 4 million diagnoses with the disease. They are at 50 per cent increased dementia risk. Responsible for 1 per cent of cases. Air pollution increasing evidence shows people living near main roads are vulnerable to neurological decline. Increases dementia risk by 10 per cent. Responsible for 2 per cent of cases. Advertisement These lifestyle habits - together with environmental factors, medical history and education - are responsible for roughly 340,000 out of Britain's 850,000 dementia cases, the study suggests. A team of 28 world-leading dementia experts, who conducted the review for the Lancet medical journal, identified 12 different controllable factors which contribute to dementia risk. For decades experts believed dementia was a matter of fate - a cruel quirk of genetics and ageing. But in recent years scientists have become increasingly aware that dementia is not inevitable, and in fact the way people live their lives increases the risk of developing the condition in old age. There is now a growing understanding that poor blood circulation - which is hugely influenced by diet, exercise and drinking - has a significant impact on the brain. Education is also now known to have a protective effect, with those who receive a better schooling more likely to continue to carry out complex thinking throughout their lives - which reduces dementia risk by keeping the brain active. Air pollution, as well as depression and social in old age, also increases the risk. In 2017 a previous Lancet review identified nine elements which contributed to dementia risk. The new paper updates this and adds three new risk factors - alcohol intake, air pollution and head injuries. The researchers - who include world-leading British scientists from University College London, Cambridge, Exeter, Edinburgh and Manchester - stressed that the majority of dementia risk is down to genetics and other uncontrollable factors. But they said the new findings show people have a huge degree of power to determine their own fate. Politicians, meanwhile, must take responsibility for reducing some of the risk, they said - particularly by addressing the growing problem of air pollution. Researcher Professor Clive Ballard of the University of Exeter, said: 'Our findings present an exciting opportunity to improve millions of lives across the world by preventing or delaying dementia, through healthier lifestyle to include more exercise, being a healthy weight and stopping smoking, and good medical treatment of risk factors like high blood pressure. 'One important less well known risk factor is hearing loss in mid-life, with emerging evidence that wearing hearing aids may be protective. 'This presented an important public health message - if you're having hearing problems, getting tested in mid life and wearing a hearing aid if needed could have multiple benefits. 'This analysis shows there's real potential to improve brain health by taking action.' The researchers said one of the biggest controllable factors is poor education, which is responsible for 7 per cent of dementia cases. Hearing loss in middle age is responsible for 8 per cent of cases and brain injury for 3 per cent. High blood pressure from middle age contributes 2 per cent, obesity 1 per cent and drinking more than 21 units a week 1 per cent. Smoking in old age contributes 5 per cent of cases, physical inactivity 2 per cent, diabetes 1 per cent, depression 4 per cent, isolation 4 per cent and air pollution 2 per cent. Study leader Professor Gill Livingston of UCL, who presented the paper yesterday to the Alzheimer's Association International Conference, said politicians could do much to reduce these risks. 'Our report shows that it is within the power of policy-makers and individuals to prevent and delay a significant proportion of dementia, with opportunities to make an impact at each stage of a person's life. What do the experts recommend? Aim to maintain systolic blood pressure (the top number reading on a blood pressure test) of 130mm Hg or less in midlife from around the age of 40 Use hearing aids for hearing loss and reduce hearing loss by protecting ears from high noise levels Reduce exposure to air pollution and second-hand tobacco smoke Prevent head injury (particularly by targeting high risk occupations and transport) Prevent alcohol misuse and limit drinking to less than 21 units per week Stop smoking Provide all children with primary and secondary education Lead an active life into mid, and possibly later life Reduce obesity and diabetes Advertisement 'We can reduce risks by creating active and healthy environments for communities, where physical activity is the norm, better diet is accessible for all, and exposure to excessive alcohol is minimised.' Fiona Carragher, director of research at the Alzheimer's Society, which part-funded the study, said: 'While we don't have all the answers yet, we can take action now to tackle the risk factors within our control, including excessive drinking, obesity and high blood pressure. 'Meanwhile, we need public health policies to address other factors, such as air pollution and inequalities in childhood education.' Dr Rosa Sancho, head of research at Alzheimer's Research UK, added: 'While there's no sure-fire way of preventing dementia, the best way to keep your brain healthy as you age is to stay physically and mentally active, eat a healthy balanced diet, not smoke, drink only within the recommended limits and keep weight, cholesterol and blood pressure in check. 'With no treatments yet able to slow or stop the onset of dementia, taking action to reduce these risks is an important part of our strategy for tackling the condition. 'This report underlines the importance of acting at a personal and policy level to reduce dementia risk.' Professor Jennifer Rusted of the University of Sussex, added: 'The big picture here is that an individual's dementia risk is a complex of many factors that impact differently through the lifespan, and lifestyle choices and changes can quite significantly reduce risk of dementia in later life'If you can work to mitigate any of these multiple factors then you can at least push back the age at which cognitive impairment emerges to affect your independent living and quality of life.' Dear Annie: I have been with my husband for 23 years now, married for the last eight. A year ago, I found out that my husband had been communicating with an old high school girlfriend without my knowledge. They ran into each other seven years ago and had been talking daily. He used his work phone so I wouldn't be able to suspect anything. She knew he was married, and that we have five kids. He's accepted responsibility and has said he understands it is a form of cheating. He's apologized and says he has no romantic feelings for this woman. They were just friends. I called her one day to ask if she had feelings for my husband. She said she did not. A year later, I still don't trust my husband. I feel insecure and think maybe there's something missing from our marriage that this woman provided for him. I just can't get over the betrayal. The people I have spoken with say it's not worth ending our marriage over. But I can't let it go. I've always believed cheating is a deal breaker, and that's exactly what he's done to me. I love my husband very much, but I don't think I can get past his emotional affair. Am I overreacting by considering ending my marriage for this? -- Hurt and Confused Dear Hurt and Confused: It's time to examine your feelings about yourself and your marriage. It is understandable that you are hurt by what your husband did. However, he has apologized for it and stopped his relationship with her for you. Now, it is up to you to forgive. Forgiveness is a gift you give to yourself. It gives strength to move on. Though you can't change the past or go back to the same marriage you once had, you can decide what you'd like your marriage to look like from this point forward. Seek the help of a professional counselor to support you in working through this hurt and anger, and then consider marriage counseling. Dear Annie: Recently, I read a letter in your column from a single mom who took offense at the term "broken home." My comment isn't about the letter but your reply: "There is nothing broken about a single mom." You should have added "single dad" to your reply. My son is one of many single dads who are raising children with no partner. His wife died suddenly when their son was 13 months old, and he has had to navigate day care and all the other daily struggles of raising a child while working a minimum-wage job and not having family nearby to help him. He is doing a wonderful job, and I am sure those other single dads out there are as well. I don't think they get the sympathy or credit that moms do, and both of them deserve it. Raising a child is difficult work, so here's a letter of gratitude to all moms and dads, whether single or partnered. -- Including Dads Dear Including Dads: Thank you for pointing this out. There are many wonderful single dads doing great jobs in raising their children, and you're right; they very often don't get the credit they deserve. Send your questions for Annie Lane to dearannie@creators.com. COPYRIGHT 2020 CREATORS.COM But none of that mattered, which brings us to the larger context that Reeves explores: the purpose of the federal civil rights law under which Jamison sued McClendon. Its popular name tells the story: the Ku Klux Klan Act of 1871, a Reconstruction era-effort to respond to what a later court described as the reign of terror imposed by the Klan upon black citizens and their white sympathizers in the Southern States. The law, now commonly known as Section 1983, provides for damages against state officials who deprive individuals of their constitutional rights. Mulan, Disneys live-action remake of its animated classic, will finally drop on Disney Plus on September 4 in North America. Mulan, Disneys live-action remake of its animated classic, will finally drop on Disney Plus on September 4 in North America, Disneys CEO Bob Chapek was quoted by several US media outlets as saying on Tuesday. Chapek announced during the companys Q3 earnings call that the film will be available in most Disney Plus markets, including the US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and a number of countries in Western Europe beginning September 4 on a premiere access basis. The price is $29.99 in the US and will vary slightly in other countries, he added. According to Chapek, the film will also premiere in reopened theaters in territories where Disney Plus is not available, including China, where cinemas in low-risk areas already reopened on July 20. Originally scheduled to be released in March, the long-awaited film, with a reported budget of 200 million dollars, has been pushed back several times amid the global spread of the COVID-19 pandemic. According to Chapek, the pandemic has forced the company to think of different approaches to better serve consumers. In order to meet the needs of consumers during this unpredictable period, we thought it was important to find alternative ways to bring this exceptional family-friendly film to them in a timely manner, said Chapek. Photo shows Liu Yifei, who plays the title character in Disneys film Mulan, at the films world premiere ceremony in Los Angeles, California, the United States, March 9, 2020. (Photo credit: Disney) The announcement came as Disney released its quarterly results, showing a net loss of $4.7 billion in the third quarter this year, led by a $3.5 billion loss from the closure of its parks. This means that Disney Plus, Disneys new streaming service, which has more than 60 million subscribers, could be a bright spot that can reduce the financial impact of the virus on its business. Bringing a high-profile release like Mulan to homes will act as a fairly large stimulus to sign up for Disney Plus, Chapek was cited as saying by US media outlet Variety. While the upcoming release of the film online was good news for Mulan fans, many have been complaining about its expensive price, saying $30 for one film is too much for ordinary consumers to afford. However, it remains to be seen if the new approach will prove successful. Never underestimate how insane people are over DisneyHave you been to its parks and see what they charge for merch? It's crazy, yet people pay, one Twitter user commented. Solar panels can be seen from the train platform after a press conference announcing the DRPA and PATCO's clean energy initiative, at the PATCO Ashland Station in Voorhees. Read more By next year, PATCO riders could be shuttling over the Benjamin Franklin Bridge on trains powered at least in part by the sun. The Delaware River Port Authority held a groundbreaking ceremony Wednesday for a 22-megawatt solar project. By 2021, solar panels will provide more than half the electricity consumed by PATCO rail operations, officials said. Many of the 50,000 panels will be set on 133 parking canopies installed at four of PATCOs nine New Jersey stations: Ashland, Lindenwold, Woodcrest, and Ferry Avenue. The agencys four stations in Philadelphia are underground and without parking, so cant be used for solar. Panels will also be installed at the administration buildings and parking lots for the Commodore Barry and Betsy Ross Bridges, as well as DRPA headquarters in Camden. Officials expect to save $12 million over 20 years through an agreement with SunPower Corp., a large solar company that has worked on commercial projects for Toyota, Johnson & Johnson, Walmart, and other corporations. It also specializes in government programs. The DRPA announced the project in 2019. Construction began in winter at the Lindenwold station and is now underway at Ashland. The installation will include a combination of flat roof mounts, ground mounted arrays, and solar canopies over parking, storage, and work areas. John Hanson, CEO of the DRPA, said SunPower is assuming the up-front costs of construction as part of a solar power purchase agreement. SunPower will develop, own, operate, and maintain the system. In return, Hanson said, the DRPA agreed to purchase the electricity generated by the system for 20 years. The arrangement will allow the agency to receive low-cost electricity while not having to put up the initial costs of building and maintaining the array. The DRPA will pay $0.078 per kilowatt hour. The most current auction rate from Public Service Electric & Gas is $0.092 per kilowatt hour. SunPower can pursue tax credits and income generated from selling electricity back to PSE&G, the DRPAs current provider. This monumental solar initiative demonstrates DRPAs commitment to providing world-class transportation services that create significant savings, and added value for the public, Hanson said. Government and transportation agencies embracing utility-scale solar projects is a trend. Philadelphia has entered into a deal with the French company Engie to build a solar farm near Gettysburg that would produce 70 megawatts annually and supply city-owned buildings with 22% of their electricity. That project has not begun construction. And SEPTA signed an agreement in April with the British firm Lightsource BP for a similar power agreement to finance and manage two large solar farms to produce 67 megawatt hours annually in Franklin County, Pa. about 20% of the transportation agencys annual electricity demand. Thats enough to power about 6,100 homes a year. The DRPA said stations wont be shut down for construction, which will occur in phases for each parking lot. Some of the parking lots will eventually be covered with a large number of canopies holding the solar panels. The statistics are: Ferry Avenue: 20 canopies; 8,940 panels. Woodcrest: 27 canopies; 12,280 panels. Ashland: 20 canopies; 7,540 panels. Lindenwold: 56 canopies; 18,040 panels. Clean energy and jobs, they go together, New Jersey Senate President Stephen Sweeney said during Wednesdays event. Everyone is scared of this transformation, but its a good transformation. The Russian Federation has once again made efforts to destroy Ukrainian cultural centers in Crimea, persecuting the Ukrainian congregation. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's permanent envoy for the Autonomous Republic of Crimea Anton Korinevych has said the refusal by the Supreme Court of the Russian Federation to reconsider the judgment to evict the congregation of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine (OCU) from the Cathedral of St Vladimir and Olga in Simferopol is the embodiment of the policy of the occupying state to oust the OCU from Crimea. "The Russian Federation has once again made efforts to destroy Ukrainian cultural centers in Crimea, persecuting the Ukrainian congregation," according to a statement by the Office of the President of Ukraine in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea posted on Facebook. Read alsoUkrainian Orthodox Church in occupied Crimea under imminent threat following top ourt ruling "The representative office condemns the latest violations by the occupying state, the Russian Federation, against the Crimean diocese of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine and its worshipers. The court's ruling aimed at the eviction of the diocese from the Cathedral of St Vladimir and Olga in Simferopol embodies the policy of the occupying state to oust the Ukrainian Church from the temporarily occupied Crimean peninsula. Russia doesn't want in Crimea any Ukrainian church, an important center of unity for Ukrainians," Korinevych said in a statement. He assured the representative office would take all possible measures to protect the Ukrainian church. As UNIAN reported earlier, on August 4, 2020, the Supreme Court refused to reconsider the judgment to evict the congregation of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine from the Cathedral of St Vladimir and Olga in Simferopol, which Russia has been trying to take over since its invasion and annexation in 2014. Archbishop Klyment has long warned of the dangers and implication of Russia allowing to destroy the Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Crimea. Read alsoRussian security agencies using religion as tool to meddle in Ukraine intelligence chief According to lawyers, the Supreme Court's move essentially means the total dissolution of the Ukrainian Orthodox community in Crimea. The petition, filed by the defence secretary, seeks to appoint a legal representative for him in line with the judgment of the International Court of Justice (ICJ). The directions were given on Monday, when a two-member bench of the IHC was hearing the case of the Indian national, who has been given death sentence by the Pakistani military courts. Attorney General of Pakistan (AGP) Khalid Javed Khan informed the court that Jadhav was arrested on March 3, 2016 for illegally entering Pakistan, adding that the Indian "spy", who was working with India's Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) had admitted of being involved in espionage activities in his confessional statement before the magistrate. "The military court had sentenced Jadhav after conducting his trial according to the Army Act and Official Secret Act after which, in 2017, India approached the ICJ," maintained AGP Khan. The two-member bench, comprising of Chief Justice Athar Minallah and Justice Miangul Hasan Aurangzed, called on the government to give India another change and offer to appoint legal representative in the case. "Now the matter is in the high court, so why not give India another change. The Indian government or Kulbashan Jadhav might review the decision," said Chief Justice Minallah. The court also decided to form a larger bench for the hearing and appointed senior lawyers Abid Hassan Manto, Abid Khan and Makhdoom Ali Khan as amicus curiae. The case was adjourned till September 3. During the hearing, the AGP said that India had accused Pakistan of violating the Vienna Convention by denying consular access to Jadhav, adding that the ICJ had issued a stay order on his execution, which is valid till date. "In pursuance of the ICJ orders, an ordinance was issued and Jadhav was given a chance to file a review petition against his sentence," he said. "Jadhav was given full right to file a review appeal against his death sentence. India was now running from the ICJ's decision." The AGP said that India was trying to seek relief by pointing out flaws in the Jadhav case, whose mercy petition is still pending before the Pakistan army chief. --IANS hamza/ksk/ Dhaka, Aug (UNI) Several Bangladeshi Navy members stationed in Lebanon were injured in a massive blast that shocked the country's capital Beirut on Tuesday, killing 78 people and injuring nearly 400. No Bangladeshi workers died or received injuries in the explosion but a few personnel of Bangladesh Navy lightly got hurt. The number would not be more than 10," said Abdullah Al Mamun, head of the chancery of Bangladesh Embassy in Beirut. Bangladesh Navy ship BNS Bijoy anchored in Beirut was damaged somewhat, said Mamun, adding that most of the total 110 personnel were not at the ship during the explosion. Vicky Pattison attends the ITV Palooza 2019 at the Royal Festival Hall on November 12, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Jeff Spicer/Getty Images) Vicky Pattison was pictured out shopping days after returning from a Portugal holiday, seemingly breaking lockdown travel rules. The I'm A Celebrity...Get Me Out Of Here! winner shared a photograph of herself on a plane on 11 July to Instagram, writing: "Next stop... Portugal." Then 10 days later on 21 July, the 32-year-old posted a snap of boyfriend Ercan Ramadan, captioning the photo: "It's good to be home." Read more: Vicky Pattison admits fears no one will ever love her Photos said to be taken the same day captured Pattison shopping with Ramadan in Bicester, Oxfordshire, apparently contradicting government rules. Vicky Pattison pictured with boyfriend Ercan Ramadan. (SWNS) While the UK has established "air bridges" with certain countries meaning travellers do not need to quarantine either end if they do not have symptoms, Portugal is not one of them. Currently, the government states those returning from Portugal and other countries not on the list should self-isolate for 14 days and not leave the place where they are staying. Those who refuse can be fined up to 1,000. Yahoo News UK has contacted representatives of Pattison for comment. Pattison kept fans up to date on her holiday by sharing a few photos on her main Instagram profile and also on her travel page. On 12 July, the former Geordie Shore cast member posted a shot of the scenic view of a pool, lake and hills she had from her chosen resort. She described it as her "first official trip" following the relaxing of lockdown rules for UK holidaymakers. Read more: Celebrity couples who split in lockdown Pattison captioned the post: "I almost feel bad about posting this... "Good Morning from paradise!!! My first official trip away post strict lockdown rules and there was literally only one place I wanted to go: @juicemasterretreats.. And Im sure you can all see why." Additional reporting by SWNS Unborn babies as young as two weeks old possess genes which could put them at risk of contracting Covid-19 from their mother. Early data shows these genes likely make proteins which the virus can use to infect human cells, including ACE2 which has been dubbed the 'gateway to the body'. Researchers from the University of Cambridge created a new way to look at genes in the early human embryo to determine their function. It involved scrutinising chunks of genetic material called RNA and has not been validated at the protein level, in cells or in animal models. The researchers say this discovery could be used to further investigate the risk to unborn babies but critics have slammed the study. Unborn babies as young as two weeks old possess genes which could put them at risk of contracting Covid-19 from their mother. Early data shows these genes likely make proteins which the virus can use to infect human cells, including ACE2 (stock) Writing in the scientific paper, the researchers say: 'The potential of viral infection through transmission of SARS-CoV-2 during early pregnancy via maternal blood can have implications for the success of implantation: future placental and fetal health. 'Our findings greatly extend another study indicating the expression of ACE2 during later stages of placental development as well as in fetal organs such as the heart, liver and lung. 'Importantly, these analyses are based on RNA expression and therefore are not validated at the protein level. 'Nevertheless, our present study offers an indication that the potential effect of SARS-CoV-2 infection on the early embryo should be further investigated using both stem cell models of the embryo and in non-human primates.' Professor Christoph Lees of Imperial College London, who was not involved in the research, stresses it is important to note these findings are strictly hypothetical. At this early stage, it is impossible to know if the presence of the genes manifests itself into increased risk from coronavirus. When a foetus is two weeks old the embryo attaches to the mother's womb and begins rapidly changing in shape and structure. 'It is important to say that this work is at a very hypothetical stage in other words there are more question marks than there are answers,' says Professor Lees. The research reignites an enormously emotional debate as to the risk Covid-19 positive pregnant mothers pose to their unborn child. Professor Lees says the research from the University of Cambridge does not prove the coronavirus can pass from mother to baby, but suggests a route in which it may be able to. When a foetus is two weeks old the embryo attaches to the mother's womb and begins rapidly changing in shape and structure. Coronavirus can 'injure' the placenta The coronavirus may injure the placentas of pregnant women and cut off blood supply to their unborn babies, a small study has found, a May study found. Scientists discovered visible damage to the placentas of all 15 mothers who were involved in the research. Lesions and blood clots were discovered in the vital organ, responsible for providing oxygen and nutrients to the foetus. Issues with placental blood flow can lead to low birth weight, organ damage in the baby or even foetal death. Although none of the children in the study had any health troubles, the researchers who conducted the study said the findings 'worried them'. The results highlight the need to monitor expectant mothers infected with COVID-19 'right now', they added. Advertisement 'What appears possible in a laboratory study is a long way removed from what might actually happen in the human embryo,' he adds. Professor Ian Jones of the University of Reading admits the research is well conducted and 'scientifically accurate', but should be interpreted with caution. 'While there have been occasional reports of intrauterine transmission [of the SARS-CoV-2 virus] the overwhelming evidence is that it is very uncommon and does not represent a significant risk. To suggest otherwise borders on scaremongering,' he says. Very few cases of a foetus being infected with the coronavirus from its mother have been reported, and scientists are increasingly confident the babies are not at risk. Professor Andrew Shennan of King's College London, who was not involved in the study, says evidence is amassing which shows it is extremely rare for the virus to breach the placenta which protects the unborn baby. 'Even if fetal cells are infected, this research does not indicate they would be harmed,' he explains. 'Most cells make a complete recovery after being infected with a virus. This includes with the coronavirus. 'So far there have been many studies showing that babies are not at increased risk if their mother has coronavirus. 'About 1 in 5 babies have to be delivered early as their mother is sick, but are unharmed by the virus.' The findings have been published in the journal Open Biology. Oswego, NY A President Trump campaign flag flown aboard an Oswego County Sheriffs Office boat during a Trump campaign flotilla Sunday violated county policy and at least the spirit of a federal law designed to keep partisan politics out of the public service. Keeping electoral campaigns out of the public workplaces is the goal behind the federal Hatch Act, which forbids using taxpayer time and money to advocate for a politician. The law specifically bans the display of campaign materials or items on taxpayer time or resources. As Brazilian local governments are pushing for a general reopening of schools, following the sociopathic demands of the fascistic President Jair Bolsonaro, widespread opposition to these measures is emerging among parents and educators. A survey by Instituto Datafolha in April revealed that three in every four people in Brazil believed that it is more important to stay home to avoid the coronavirus spread, even if this jeopardizes the economy and provokes unemployment. In June, another survey from the same institution revealed that 76 per cent of Brazilians are against the schools reopening in the next two months, and that only 21 percent are in favor of going back to schools in the short term. Student having her feet cleaned as she enters a reopened private school in Manaus, Amazonas. [Credit: Escola Meu Caminho] The World Socialist Web Site spoke to teachers from different parts of Brazil about the political reasons behind the back-to-school campaign and the dangers it poses to the lives of the school staff, students, and their families. Francisca, a public school kindergarten teacher in Sao Paulo, explained that a series of safety protocols being approved by state and municipal governments are an active part of the back-to-school campaign. The protocols that are being presented seem to me like a listing of general procedures that do not guarantee the safety and well-being of workers, children or families and do not consider the specifics of each age group or the structure conditions of each education unit. Arguing that adequate infrastructure is a pre-requisite for protecting people from contagion, Francisca said, The school where I work has an inadequate infrastructure ... and one which, in this moment, determines the impossibility of implementing the [protocol] measures: reduced spaces, making social distancing difficult; the absence of reserved spaces for isolating symptomatic children; and poor airing and cooling systems, compromising the air healthiness. These are only three basic preventive measures that our school, as many others of the school network, are under no condition to implement. Fabiano, a Portuguese middle school teacher in Sao Paulos public system, made reference to the cuts that were already occurring before the pandemic. These protocols are very subjective, and we know that the municipal government under this administration [of Bruno Covas of the Brazilian Social Democratic Party (PSDB)] has already reduced the cleaning staff. The hygiene aspect is fundamental for these protocols to work and I dont believe, especially due to this administrations record, that there would be personal protective equipment, hand sanitizer, soap, what they call safety protocols. Job cuts in the municipal school system of Sao Paulo have been occurring under successive administrations, including that of Fernando Haddad of the Workers Party (PT), who was the PT candidate in the 2018 presidential elections. Geraldo, a Sociology teacher in a public state school in Amazonas, warned about a potential new upsurge in infections resulting from a return of classes. The Department [of Education] will leave us to fend for ourselves and there will be no following of safety protocols ... One person can transmit to another five or ten. I read that, at the same time as kids have a lower probability of contagion, they are less symptomatic. And how are people going to interact in schools without human contact? And by that I dont mean touching other peoplethey are going to touch things; they are going to walk to different places. Pedro, a primary school History teacher also working in the Amazonian public school system, described the safety protocols being planned for the return to schools. One hundred percent of the students would come back under a hybrid, rotation scheme. They claim that there will be testing for teachers, but only once, when they get back to school. This testing is not being planned for students, who will, at most, have their temperatures measured. Pointing out the herd immunity policies being de facto implemented by governments throughout the world, Geraldo warned: The professionals are being prepared to return as guinea pigs, with all of the existing surveys about chronic diseases among teachers. Kindergarten classroom in a reopened private school in Manaus, Amazonas. [Credit: Escola Meu Caminho] There is an understanding among educators that the back-to-school campaign is based on financial interests. Igor, a private school teacher in Sao Paulo, stated that The immediate return certainly cannot solve even the teaching issues for students. The interests are economic ones. He also exposed the movement in private schools to decrease teachers wages. From one side, there are demands from parents, who want to pay less for not getting the same services. From the other, there is pressure from the companies, which indeed can suffer from decreases in enrollment and default, but which may use the moment to worsen labor relations. A sign of that is that a big company in education where I work reduced wages by 25 percent for three months, but considers that it can be a good moment to make new company acquisitions. Expressing the educators distrust of the ability of a return to school to solve the educational issues existing in distance learning, Francisca denounced the new issues that would arise. She highlighted the utter lack of preparation and indifference towards the education of small children. It will be, at best, an uncertain, if not worrisome outcome, as the return does not completely solve the problems posed and, actually, creates other ones: Which kids and families will earn the right to be part of the first 35 percent [of students allowed in classrooms in the first phase of the plan]? They will be guaranteed meals, safe school-day time and it will relieve the workers responsible for them, but at what cost? Are the protocol measures really sufficient or possible? In the specific case of small children, how to guarantee significant school experiences in the face of physical distancing, restricted spaces and the prohibition of sharing? Pointing to the worsening of the work conditions that came with the widening of digital service platforms, Geraldo made a connection between the inadequate conditions and poor wages of app delivery workers, who have recently engaged in strikes in Brazil, and the attacks faced by education workers over the last years. If you look at people who work in tourism sector, in hotels, or submitted to companies as Airbnb, I think that situation has also arrived in education, in the sense that the teacher will also start to share content without any labor obligations. The pandemic was seen by education government officials, NGOs and companies as an opportunity to accelerate the introduction of distance learning digital platforms in school curricula. Already, hundreds of millions of dollars in digital equipment were promised to supposedly ameliorate working conditions for teachers. However, Pedro denounced the precarious experience that actually is being provided. Not even half of the students own a cell phone many families are poor. We have many Venezuelan students, who have just arrived in Brazil and dont speak Portuguese. Participation is minimal, with three or four students attending classes where there are almost 50 students enrolled. Those that do participate are doing so by overcoming precarious conditions. A colleague of mine told me that a parent works as a night guard. His son finishes the activities, then his father takes pictures on his cell phone and sends it when he arrives at work, where there is wireless internet connection. He went on to explain the inadequate meal distribution to the families. They have created a program called Meals at Home, distributing one food basket to the family of each student during these four months. However, there are many parents complaining that they still havent received it. In the countryside, families are just now receiving their first food basket. Geraldo denounced the criminal response of the trade union in Sao Paulo joining the government in implementing the return to school plans. In some schools, the attacks were so intense that many teachers were fired, and some lost their contracts. And the response of the trade unions is limited to assistance, sending food and aid. The trade union is unable to get close to the rank-and-file. It is already supporting the Plano SP [the return-to-work plan of the state government], limiting their demand to a drastic decrease [in cases before reopening schools], which doesnt mean anything. The trade union doesnt create an official Facebook, or Instagram account and doesnt show their number of followers because they are afraid to be among the rank-and-file, exposing their own contradictions and problems, which teachers would expose. On Wednesday, Sao Paulo state teachers organized a motorcade, planned to finish outside of Governor Joao Dorias house. Doria ordered the police to block the motorcade, preventing it from reaching his house. Then, the Sao Paulo Teachers Union (APEOESP) president, Maria Izabel Azevedo Noronha, known as Bebel, walked towards the police blockade and feigned opposition to the governors plans. In the beginning of July, Noronha met with the states education secretary to supposedly oppose the back-to-school drive, on the grounds that a drastic reduction of the pandemic is needed before that. Such formulation leaves open the possibility that teachers and students are forced into schools as cases and deaths reach an acceptable level. In Rio de Janeiro, where the Mayor Marcelo Crivella of the Republicans party is promoting the reopening of private schools starting this Monday, trade unions are blocking a unified opposition of the educators. The unions officially representing state, municipal, and private school teachers, who are all threatened by the same policies, held separate meetings in different dates. Teachers, school staff and workers in Brazil and internationally must form rank-and-file committees independent of both the trade unions and left parties such as the PT, PSOL and PCdoB. They will allow workers to unify themselves to fight against the murderous back-to-school campaign, and for the modernization of schools and high-quality infrastructure for distance learning, both financed by the expropriation of the capitalist oligarchy. The Director-General of the Ghana Education Service (GES), Prof. Kwasi Opoku-Amankwa, has directed that a Mathematics tutor of the Kade Senior High Technical School (SHTS) in the Eastern Region, Mr Evans Yeboah, be interdicted. Directive Briefing the Daily Graphic yesterday on the directive, he said Mr Yeboah, who was the invigilator of the Integrated Science paper in the ongoing West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE), which was written last Monday, used his position to engage in examination malpractice. The directive, which took immediate effect, automatically bars the teacher from functioning as an invigilator at the WASSCE, pending the outcome of the investigations into the act. Prof. Opoku-Amankwa explained that Mr Yeboah had to step aside for the investigations to be carried out so that he would not interfere in the process. Mr Yeboah has been granted police enquiry bail by the Kade Police. His crime He took a snapshot of the question and sent it outside for someone to solve and send the solution back to him via WhatsApp, the GES boss stated. Explaining further, Prof. Opoku-Amankwa said Mr Yeboah was found dictating solutions on the phone to the candidates. He said the decision to interdict the teacher was to signal to stakeholders and the general public that the GES management would not countenance any misconduct irrespective of the person involved. Flawless exam Prof. Opoku-Amankwa said the GES was determined to ensure that the examination was devoid of any malpractices, indicating that anyone who acts contrary will face the music. The Director-General expressed worry that such activities were still taking place in spite of the strongly worded letters that were sent to district and regional directors of education to relay to all the schools. Warning Prof. Opoku-Amankwa said before the commencement of the examination, the management of the GES reminded all regional and district directors of education, supervisors and invigilators to take extra precautionary measures to ensure that the examinations were free from any malpractice. In that earlier letter, management of GES is particularly concerned with the tendency for some persons to take WhatsApp shots of some question papers and circulate them to create the mischief that the examination questions leaked. All supervisors, invigilators and candidates are to be extra careful and look out for such unacceptable practices, since any such reported case will be thoroughly investigated and all those found culpable will be made to face the full rigours of the law, Prof. Opoku-Amankwa warned. Advice to candidates Advising the candidates, the Director-General urged them to be extra conscious of activities which will have the potential of undermining the integrity of the examination. Candidates must strive for independent work and depend on their individual abilities. Candidates should also be mindful of the implications of misconduct during the examinations, which could lead to suspension and or cancellation of results and the negative impact that development might have on their future prospects. Management stands by all the key players in the administration and conduct of the examination and wish to urge all to work together to protect the integrity of the examinations, Prof. Opoku-Amankwa said. Tweneboa Kodua SHS riots In a related development, the District Security Committee (DISEC) of Sekyere Kumawu in the Ashanti Region has set up a three-member committee to investigate the issues that led to the near boycott of the WASSCE by final-year students of the Tweneboa Kodua Senior High School at Kumawu, reports Kwadwo Baffoe Donkor. The committee, which is headed by the District Director of Education, was tasked to ascertain the veracity of the allegations of ill treatment levelled against the headmaster, Mr Francis Awuah, by the students. The District Chief Executive (DCE), Mr Samuel Addai Agyekum, who disclosed this to the Daily Graphic yesterday said calm had been restored to the school. On Monday, the students went on the rampage, overturned the tables and benches at the dining hall and refused to eat the food prepared for them while they threatened to boycott the examination if the headmaster was not sacked. They accused the headmaster of being too strict and also unjustifiably seizing and destroying the mobile phone of an invigilator. The students claimed the headmaster was too strict on the invigilators and that the seating arrangements in the examination halls were not friendly to them. DISEC intervention According to the DCE, when he heard of the agitations of the students, he quickly stepped in and together with the police, restored calm and order to the school and later had a talk with the students to reassure them that their grievances would be looked into. The DISEC does not have the right to sack or demand that a headmaster be transferred. That is the work of the district directorate of education. Our main concern was to ensure that calm was restored to the school to enable the students to write their exam, he said. Source: Graphic.com.gh Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Gov. John Bel Edwards said the state can "strike the right balance" between economic development and the environment while continuing to encourage new businesses and industries to Louisiana. Nevertheless, one of Edwards' signature economic development wins, the $9.4 billion Formosa Plastics complex proposed in northern St. James Parish, has encountered stiff opposition amid claims pollution from the project will disproportionately burden nearby Black communities. The complex has also drawn legal challenges from community and environmental groups that claim it would have an unsafe impact on air, water and wetlands. In a new interview, the governor defended the state permitting process that set the facility on a path toward construction, possibly next year. He said he understands new industrial facilities can have an impact on infrastructure and the environment but state and federal emissions and other regulatory standards are designed to ensure those impacts aren't unsafe. "I believe we can strike the right balance between public safety, on the one hand, and economic development, on the other, and the job creation and economic impact that comes from all of that," Edwards said. "But if you do it right, everybody benefits from it." Edwards spoke Monday after a news conference about a new state roundabout in Sorrento on highways that connect river industrial complexes to Interstate 10. He was asked about court challenges to the Formosa permits and about the state's pursuit of continued industrial growth along the Mississippi River. +12 New $5.6M roundabout opens in Sorrento; here's why Ascension Parish is investing in several SORRENTO With cars, trucks and 18-wheelers passing behind them, state and local officials on Monday marked the completion of a $5.6 million In an interim settlement in one of the Formosa suits, FG LA LLC, the company affiliate building the facility, agreed not to start construction until Feb. 1 or until a judge rules in the case. Company officials say the time frame was part of their schedule anyway. Other preconstruction activities remain underway, including widening a state highway running past plant's 2,300-acre site. In court, the groups have alleged the state's air permitting process was insufficient on several levels. The complex, which would employ 1,200 people directly and thousands more with spinoff work and temporary construction jobs, would release significant levels of air pollutants and greenhouse gas emissions in an area already burdened with harmful emissions from other plants, the groups claim. A federal judge in Texas found a similar Formosa Plastics plant released of billions of plastic pellets for years into a nearby bay, leading to a $50 million settlement last year with groups that sued over the releases. The St. James plant's stormwater permit is still pending. Top stories in Baton Rouge in your inbox Twice daily we'll send you the day's biggest headlines. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up FG LA officials have said the plant will employ the latest technology to follow all state and federal requirements in managing air and water discharges. Edwards said he has spoken often with Chuck Carr Brown, secretary of the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality, and expects the permits will survive the legal challenges. "You have standards in place, and, if an application is put in that meets the applicable standards, then you permit it," Edwards said. "I mean, that's the way this works, and, if they'd like to change the standards, then that's something that EPA needs to look at." Louisiana's job-heavy chemical corridor is a major producer of plastics. Some of the groups fighting Formosa are waging a national campaign against plastics production. Those groups, like Earthworks and Earthjustice, argue plastics production results in toxic air emissions and furthers continued carbon emissions that affect global climate. The production also creates the single-use plastics they contend wind up in soil and oceans, breaking down into minute particles that kill aquatic life and wind up in food. Formosa's planned facility would be a big new production source, making the building blocks for everything from automotive parts to plastic bags. But a 2017 analysis in "Science Advances" found nearly 45% of all plastics produced between 2002 and 2014 in Europe, the United States, China and India wound up in packaging. Edwards said single-use plastics present both concerns and benefits, such as by creating the packaging that allows food to be shipped to market and remain fresh. Any broad-based effort to reduce single-use plastic production, he said, would have to be gradual. "It's like everything else: You have to strike the right balance and, typically, you never just turn something off and go cold turkey," the governor said. "So even if this becomes a goal of the country or the world in eliminating it one day, you typically transition to a plan." Jane Patton, a New Orleans-based senior campaigner for the Center for International Environmental Law, said plenty of voluntary efforts are happening in restaurants and other businesses in Louisiana to reduce plastics waste. But, she said, she was aware of no community in the state that has adopted laws barring single-use plastics. Patton agreed with Edwards that state can't go "cold turkey" but she said authorizing a large new plastics production complex like Formosa's doesn't help. "If your bathtub is filling up (with water), you're going to turn off the water before you start bailing out the bathtub," she said. Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-05 16:54:22|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close SYDNEY, Aug. 5 (Xinhua) -- The Australian State of Victoria once again broke it's own record for both new COVID-19 cases and deaths on Wednesday, with 725 new infections and 15 fatalities, taking the national tally to 7,227 and the death toll to 162. Among the deaths was Australia's youngest ever victim, a man in his 30s, which Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews described as tragic evidence that the virus affects everyone. After a horror month of cases throughout July -- taking Australia's total number of infections to 18,729 -- on Sunday, Andrews announced a State of Disaster and the strictest lockdown measures yet in an attempt to regain control. Victoria's capital city, Melbourne, entered six weeks of stage 4 lockdowns including a nightly curfew and heavy penalties for those in breach of social isolation orders. Under the restrictions, one person from every household could shop for essential items once a day and residents were allowed to leave their homes only for work, school or one hour of outdoor exercise, and only within 5 kilometres of their home. Face masks were also made mandatory in public, enforceable by a 200 Australian dollar fine (144 U.S. dollars). Health experts were hopeful that the drastic measures would finally bring the Victorian outbreak under control and in line with the rest of the country's minimal occurrences of COVID-19. Biostatistician and epidemiologist at the University of South Australia, Professor Adrian Esterman told Xinhua that the government was now on the right path, but should have taken more decisive steps even earlier. "The Victorian government has basically done the right thing now, and in another week or two, we should start seeing the results of a drastic decline in numbers," Esterman said. However many are asking, how Victoria became the only State in Australia to experience such an outbreak and why authorities have been unable to stop the spread for so long? Esterman believes that throughout July, Victorian officials were simply too slow to act, putting them one step behind the virus at every turn. "Victoria could have got away with slightly less severe restrictions first, but they didn't do it. And now they're still reaping the consequences of not doing that," he said. Instead due to soft messaging, people continued to go to work in non-essential industries far longer than they should have, many of whom would prove to have had the virus and spread it to their colleagues, Esterman explained. Victoria has now cracked down on business operations, likely at a great cost to the state's economy, with hard closures in retail, manufacturing and office administration sectors. Also of significant economic and social impact, is the 8:00 p.m.-5:00 a.m. curfew, enforceable by on-the-spot fines and even arrest. It is the first ever large-scale curfew ever placed on an Australian city, including during the world wars, and is particularly stifling for Melbourne which prides itself on having a world-class bar and restaurant industry. "People have asked about why on earth would they put the curfew on in Melbourne. The answer is that in Victoria, they were seeing younger and younger cases," Esterman explained. "Around half the cases were under thirty. And the reason is it's the youngsters who go out and party and go to bars. And that's where we've seen them put the curfew on to try and clamp down on that." Esterman explained that there was a certain amount of fatigue associated with the pandemic and by the time the second wave struck some Australian's preferred to ignore it -- which he says was partially a failure of government messaging, but also a lack of personal responsibility. The curfews will help police determine who is out in public for a valid reason, such as essential or emergency work, and who is flouting the rules. To assist with Victoria's handling of the virus, roughly 1,400 Australian Defence Force (ADF) personnel were deployed to Victoria, offering expertise in planning and logistics as well as ensuring compliance with health orders. ADF personnel were tasked with visiting the homes of those ordered to self-isolate, in order to ensure compliance and offer assistance or support should it be required. Andrews revealed that prior to this week, out of 3,000 door-knocks conducted, in 800 instances the person who was supposed to be self-isolating was not at home. With the current stage 4 restrictions, Esterman said that if the case numbers didn't decline he would be very surprised, as their effectiveness has been shown both in Australia and overseas. "There's no reason why current restrictions wouldn't work, and we'll see case numbers come down to much lower levels, where we can basically have it firstly under control, so we see a drop in community transmissions of unknown contact," he said. "And secondly, down to much lower levels anyway, where we can basically say that they've reached the same level as other states and territories." Enditem VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Aug. 05, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Atico Mining Corporation (the "Company" or "Atico") (TSX.V: ATY | OTC: ATCMF) is pleased to report additional high grade drill results from its 10,000 meter drilling program on the La Plata property in Ecuador. Today's results are from 3 holes completed in the South Block as the drill program continues to confirm and expand the La Plata mineralized footprint with bonanza grades gold & copper intercepts encountered within larger massive sulfides lenses. La Plata Drilling Highlights Include: Hole From (m) To (m) Interval (m) Au (g/t) Ag (g/t) Cu (%) Zn (%) CMLP-20-107 242.49 248.15 5.66 4.14 137.11 1.07 6.10 Including 242.49 243.53 1.04 6.62 359.00 2.30 14.90 Including 243.53 245.20 1.67 7.32 224.00 1.34 5.64 CMLP-20-110 341.28 348.12 6.84 19.54 223.98 12.19 3.70 Including 341.28 344.00 2.72 45.51 478.86 17.34 3.71 True widths are dependent on uncertainties in the local strike and dip of the mineralization and are estimated to be between 76% and 83% of the drill intercept. Infill Drilling Program The infill and step-out drilling program has been implemented to upgrade and potentially expand resources of the La Plata project. Two drill rigs are currently active on the project with one rig currently starting to drill on the North Block in order to in-fill and potentially grow the La Plata resource. The three diamond drill holes reported today successfully demonstrated the thickness and continuity of the La Plata VMS lenses, as well as potential expansion of the mineralized envelope of the South Block. Hole CMLP-20-107 was collared above the known VMS envelope and reported good values of precious and base metal grades within massive to semi-massive sulfides over a 5.66 meter intercept mineralised mostly by sphalerite. Hole CMLP-20-108, drilled for infill purposes in the South Block, demonstrated continuity of the mineralization with an intercept of 5.22 meters composed of both VMS and stockwork also dominated by sphalerite. Hole CMLP-20-110, in addition to intercepting a high-grade VMS zone within the South Body, cut a second intercept 10 meters below the main zone with 5.48 meters of mineralized stockwork. The Company also reports that it continues to intercept visible massive and semi-massive sulfide mineralization as the ongoing drilling program continues, the core is currently being sent to the lab for analysis and will be released in due course. This current step-out drilling is targeting potential new zones that may lead to further extensions of the South Block mineralized envelope. Additional drill holes are planned to continue testing VMS mineralization outside of the known envelope and along strike of the La Mina area. This includes stepping out towards the north to further test the Guatuza target area which reported high grade values from the earlier trenching program. The 2020 exploration program on the La Plata property, as well as the El Roble drilling program are both fully funded from the highly profitable El Roble mining operation in Colombia. Infill Drill Program Assay Results: Intercept* Hole ID Azimuth () Dip () Total Length (m) From (m) To (m) Interval (m) Au (g/t) Ag (g/t) Cu (%) Pb (%) Zn (%) CMLP-20-107 318 -57 254.97 242.49 248.15 5.66 4.14 137.11 1.07 2.20 6.10 Including 242.49 243.53 1.04 6.62 359.00 2.30 4.33 14.90 Including 243.53 245.20 1.67 7.32 224.00 1.34 1.37 5.64 CMLP-20-108 285 -67 388.00 381.34 386.56 5.22 3.99 77.99 0.22 0.88 2.18 Including 381.34 382.96 1.62 9.15 200.00 0.61 2.24 6.02 CMLP-20-110 308 -74 370.00 341.28 348.12 6.84 19.54 223.98 12.19 0.33 3.70 Including 341.28 344.00 2.72 45.51 478.86 17.34 0.55 3.71 and 357.40 362.88 5.48 0.43 5.35 1.03 0.03 0.65 True widths are dependent on uncertainties in the local strike and dip of the mineralization and are estimated to be between 76% and 83% of the drill intercept. La Plata Project Gold-bearing sulphide mineralization at La Plata occurs as compositional banding composed of chalcopyrite, sphalerite and pyrite laminae with barite occurring as clasts and also as layers. The mineralised lenses have also been dislocated by a few faults and dolerite dikes cutting the body. The La Plata project is amongst the highest-grade gold-copper VMS deposits in which base and precious metal mineralization is interpreted to have formed as part of multiple volcanic episodes that created a stacked volcanic-exhalite hydrothermal sequence considered favorable for hosting additional VMS lenses. The recent drilling results in the southern portion of the deposit have encountered deeper mineralisation, and an extension of mineralisation to the north has been discovered by recent trenching results. The La Plata independent Preliminary Economic Assessment ("PEA") dated March 30th 2019, was prepared pursuant to National Instrument 43-101 ("NI 43-101") and reports the La Plata inferred resources at 1.9 million tons at an average grade of 4.1 g/t Au, 49.4g/t silver, 3.3% Cu, 4.5% Zn, 0.6% Pb as available on SEDAR. The La Plata project consists of two concessions covering a total area of 2,300 hectares along its 9-kilometer length, which contains known mineralization in two VMS lenses and nine priority exploration targets. The Company has a binding option agreement with a private Ecuadorean company to earn up to 75% in the La Plata project, of which the first option to acquire the initial 60% ownership has been exercised. Please refer to the Company's MD&A for the year ended December 31, 2019 for further details. Quality Assurance & Quality Control Before sampling, a centreline, representing bottom of hole (or a reference line when this is not known) is marked on the drill core. The core is cut and sampled, always sampling the right-hand side of the drill core. Samples are selected based on logged geological features, such as rock type, mineralization, alteration, veining etc. Sample length does not exceed 2.5 m nor is smaller than 20 cm. A total of 10% of the samples submitted are certified blanks and standards and field duplicates with, as a minimum, one blank submitted at the beginning of each sample batch. Certified standards are submitted at an average of 6% of the samples submitted. Field duplicates are taken at a rate of 1 in 20 of the samples taken. For all drill holes, analysis was completed by ALS Chemex in North Vancouver with sample preparation completed in Quito. The lab is accredited with International Standards ISO/IEC 17025:2005 and ISO 9001:2015. All major ALS Geochemistry analytical laboratories are accredited to ISO/IEC 17025:2005 for specific analytical procedures. Qualified Person Dr. Michael Druecker, CPG, is a qualified person under NI 43-101 standards and independent of the company, is responsible for ensuring that the information contained in this news release is an accurate summary of the original reports and data provided to or developed by Atico Mining Corporation. Dr. Druecker has approved the scientific and technical content of this news release. About Atico Mining Corporation Atico is a growth-oriented Company, focused on exploring, developing and mining copper and gold projects in Latin America. The Company generates significant cash flow through the operation of the El Roble mine and is developing it's high-grade La Plata VMS project in Ecuador. The Company is also pursuing additional acquisition of advanced stage opportunities. For more information, please visit www.aticomining.com . ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD Fernando E. Ganoza CEO Atico Mining Corporation Trading symbols: TSX.V: ATY | OTC: ATCMF Investor Relations Igor Dutina Tel: +1.604.633.9022 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. No securities regulatory authority has either approved or disapproved of the contents of this news release. The securities being offered 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 in the United States, or to, or for the account or benefit of, a "U.S. person" (as defined in Regulation S of the U.S. Securities Act) unless pursuant to an exemption therefrom. This press release is for information purposes only and does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any securities of the Company in any jurisdiction. Cautionary Note Regarding Forward Looking Statements This announcement includes certain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, included herein, without limitation the use of net proceeds, are forward-looking statements. Forward- looking statements involve various risks and uncertainties and are based on certain factors and assumptions. 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 include uncertainties relating to interpretation of drill results and the geology, continuity and grade of mineral deposits; uncertainty of estimates of capital and operating costs; the need to obtain additional financing to maintain its interest in and/or explore and develop the Company's mineral projects; uncertainty of meeting anticipated program milestones for the Company's mineral projects; the world-wide economic and social impact of COVID-19 is managed and the duration and extent of the coronavirus pandemic is minimized or not long-term; disruptions related to the COVID-19 pandemic or other health and safety issues, or the responses of governments, communities, the Company and others to such pandemic or other issues; and other risks and uncertainties disclosed under the heading "Risk Factors" in the prospectus of the Company dated March 2, 2012 filed with the Canadian securities regulatory authorities on the SEDAR website at www.sedar.com TORONTO, ONTARIO / ACCESSWIRE / August 4 2020 / GlobeX Data Ltd. (OTCQB:SWISF) (CSE:SWIS) ("GlobeX" or the "Company"), the leader in Swiss hosted cyber security and Internet privacy solutions for secure data management and secure communications, is pleased to announce that it has been selected and nominated by The Silicon Review in their 50 Best Companies To Watch in 2020. The article can be read by clicking on this link Silicon Review Article on GlobeX Data. As described on their site https://thesiliconreview.com, The Silicon Review is the world's most trusted online and print community for business & technology professionals. Its community members include thought-provoking CEOs, CIOs, CTOs, IT VPs and managers, along with a large number of diverse IT professionals. It is the pre-eminent platform that shares innovative enterprise solutions developed by established solution providers and upcoming hot enterprises emphasizing as a neutral source for technology decision makers. This is the place where senior level IT buyers and decision-makers come to learn and also share their experiences in regards to products, technologies and technology trends. They get an expert advice to manage their people and advance their careers. The Silicon Review acts as an excellent medium, allowing top level executives to share their contemporary thoughts and ideas. The Silicon Review encompasses nine technology and vertical communities: Software, IT Services, Cloud, Mobile, Big Data, Security, Telecommunications, Hot Start-ups and The Best Companies to work for. Each community leader is a proven subject matter expert who collaborates with industry gurus, technology managers, researchers, top technology journalists, consultants and industry analysts. Alain Ghiai, CEO of GlobeX Data said: "We have been honored with the prestigious distinction of 50 Best Companies To Watch 2020 by The Silicon Review, and this is a testament to our relentless efforts to achieve technological excellence and our dedication to provide the best solutions for security and privacy of data and communications, both for consumers and enterprises worldwide. We will continue to work hard in order to implement our prime directive, which is to protect the data and communications of all our subscribers without prejudice to size of account or geographic region. We are excited to have been given this distinction right before our major launch of Sekur later this month https://sekur.com, our encrypted communications solution covering secure email, secure messaging and secure file share/ We thank the editorial staff of The Silicon Review for their selection and for their appreciation for our global contribution to data security and privacy. Cybersecurity is a global phenomenon and we plan to be present globally in order to help consumers and businesses worldwide fight cyber-crime and protect their data." Story continues GlobeX's Data privacy solutions are all hosted in Switzerland, protecting users' data from any outside data intrusion requests. In Switzerland, the right to privacy is guaranteed in article 13 of the Swiss Federal Constitution. The Federal Act on Data Protection ("FADP") of 19 June 1992 (in force since 1993) has set up a strict protection of privacy by prohibiting virtually any processing of personal data which is not expressly authorized by the data subjects. The protection is subject to the authority of the Federal Data Protection and Information Commissioner. Under Swiss federal law, it is a crime to publish information based on leaked "secret official discussions." In 2010 the Federal Supreme Court of Switzerland found that IP addresses are personal information and that under Swiss privacy laws they may not be used to track Internet usage without the knowledge of the individuals involved. About GlobeX Data Ltd. GlobeX Data Ltd. is a Cybersecurity and Internet privacy provider of Swiss hosted solutions for secure data management and secure communications. The Company distributes a suite of secure cloud-based storage, disaster recovery, document management, encrypted e-mails, and secure communication tools. GlobeX Data Ltd. sells its products through its approved wholesalers and distributors, and telecommunications companies worldwide. GlobeX Data Ltd. serves consumers, businesses and governments worldwide. On behalf of Management GLOBEX DATA LTD. Alain Ghiai President and Chief Executive Officer +1.416.644.8690 corporate@globexdatagroup.com For more information please contact GlobeX Data at corporate@globexdatagroup.com or visit us at https://globexdatagroup.com. For more information on Sekur visit us at: https://www.sekur.com . Forward Looking Information This news release contains certain forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws ("forward-looking statements"). All statements other than statements of present or historical fact are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are often, but not always, identified by the use of words such as "anticipate", "achieve", "could", "believe", "plan", "intend", "objective", "continuous", "ongoing", "estimate", "outlook", "expect", "project" and similar words, including negatives thereof, suggesting future outcomes or that certain events or conditions "may" or "will" occur. These statements are only predictions. These statements reflect management's current estimates, beliefs, intentions and expectations; they are not guaranteeing future performance. GlobeX 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 GlobeX's control. Such factors include, among other things: risks and uncertainties relating to the future of the Company's business; the success of marketing and sales efforts of the Company; the projections prepared in house and projections delivered by channel partners; the Company's ability to complete the necessary software updates; increases in sales as a result of investments software development technology; consumer interest in the Products; future sales plans and strategies; reliance on large channel partners and expectations of renewals to ongoing agreements with these partners; anticipated events and trends; the economy and other future conditions; and other risks and uncertainties, including those described in GlobeX's prospectus dated May 8, 2019 filed with the Canadian Securities Administrators and available on www.sedar.com. 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, GlobeX undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise forward-looking information. SOURCE: GlobeX Data Ltd. View source version on accesswire.com: https://www.accesswire.com/600181/GlobeX-Data-Named-as-50-Best-Companies-to-Watch-in-2020 Robin Watkins had spent a 12-hour overnight shift caring for coronavirus patients at Kaiser Permanente Oakland Medical Center on Wednesday, but the nurse didnt go straight home after work. Instead, he rallied in the morning mist to demand more staffing and protective gear. At least 40 nurses decked in red California Nurses Association shirts and masks marched in front of the hospital, hoisting signs that said Save Lives and chanting, Mighty, mighty nurses, fighting for our patients. The same cries echoed at two dozen Bay Area hospitals, part of a national movement of unionized workers protesting at 200 U.S. locations Wednesday. They tell us, Youre heroes, and then they dont give us what we need to stay as safe as we can to take care of these patients, said Katy Roemer, maternity ward nurse and the unions chief nurse representative for 1,400 nurses at Oakland Medical Center. Theres tremendous stress associated with the risks of going into work. That is compounded by not having what we need. Health workers across the country demanded more personal protective equipment and staffing to keep themselves and their patients safe, the same concerns theyve shared the past five months. They demanded that the government pass the Heroes Act for economic relief, and that President Trump invoke the Defense Production Act to force companies to make more N95 masks. And they called for the dismantling of systemic racism that led to people of color suffering most during the pandemic. In the Bay Area, nurses picketed two dozen hospitals, half run by Kaiser Permanente. At Kaisers Oakland Medical Center, Roemer protested that staff use the same N95 mask for a shift, following federal and state guidance loosened because of supply shortages, or reusing decontaminated ones. A statement from Kaiser Permanente said that during worldwide shortages of personal protective equipment, the system made sure to have the appropriate gear in line with science, public health and workplace safety guidelines. The hospitals prudently manage and extend supplies and are decontaminating a small percentage using government-approved processes. The hospital system encourages staff to raise concerns, the statement said. We are in this fight together, and we remain committed to protecting our valued care teams, including our nurses who are at the front line of care, read the statement. We understand this is a stressful time balancing the extraordinary responsibilities of caring for patients in this pandemic with the equally important responsibilities at home. Now Playing: Jessica Boykin, 32, had stuck plenty of people with needles by the time she graduated from the nursing school at Los Medanos College in 2018, but nothing prepared her for the coronavirus pandemic. Now she's an ER nurse on the front lines, where equipment and staff are short. Many nursing students who are just inches away from graduation are hoping to join her, and begging the state to bend its licensing rules so they can work. Video: SFGATE At Oakland Medical Center, nurses in the emergency and intensive care departments said they have enough gear, but that other units need more and training in how to use it. They also wanted more staff to handle the heavy load of coronavirus patients. During the pandemic, California hospitals can apply for a waiver to change nurse-to-patient ratios required by law through the state public health department. Only one Bay Area facility Petaluma Valley Hospital received a waiver so far. The pandemic has dealt a financial blow to some hospitals to the tune of millions or even billions as they lost income from canceled surgeries and spent money on coronavirus care. Hospitals have furloughed or cut pay for workers making it harder to meet demands for even more staffing. But even when ratios remain the same, such as at Oakland Medical Center, workers said they feel overwhelmed. In the emergency room, patient numbers are still lower than before shelter-in-place, but it takes more time to screen, test and gear up for coronavirus patients, said nurse Stacey Eddie. The current ratio was 4 patients to 1 nurse, but she wanted to see it lowered to 3 to 1 for COVID-19. I know one day, my mom is going to be sick, my fiance is going to be sick I would like for them to get their quality care they deserve because that nurse isnt overextended, said Eddie. Watkins said he doesnt always have time to take a break during a 12-hour shift. We get inundated, he said. Its exhausting. A statement from Kaiser said the hospital recognized the importance of breaks for nurses and staff. 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. In addition to staffing that meets state ratios for the level of care provided, we have augmented staffing levels with the hiring of additional temporary nurses to assist if needed, the statement read. At nearby Alta Bates Summit Medical Center in Oakland seven hours later, up to 50 nurses marched around the block and chanted Not one more nurse has got to go! Two weeks ago, they mourned the COVID-19 death of a nurse who cared for infected and non-infected patients in the same unit. Sutter Health has now created a separate coronavirus unit, staff said. Some still said they need lower staffing ratios and more masks that are not reused or decontaminated. Nurses want to take care of their patients, they just want to do it in a safe manner, said Michael Hill, an ICU nurse and chief nurse representative for the union at the hospital. You want to be protected with all the equipment you need until youve proven scientifically you dont need it. A Sutter spokeswoman said the system is well-prepared to take care of both non-COVID and COVID-19 positive patients. Employees are provided appropriate (personal protective equipment) for the level of patient care they are providing. Protesting nurses said they are exhausted. For nearly half a year, Watkins has worked to keep coronavirus patients alive, getting to know them and their families for months in some cases before they pass away. He said there have been days where he returned to work to find three or four patients had died since his last shift. Subconsciously, it takes a toll, he said. Even when he took vacation, he felt guilty for leaving his colleagues with more work. The father of five set up a quarantine area in his garage in case he gets sick. I always pray, no matter how bad things get, I try to stay as hopeful as I can, he said. Mallory Moench is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: mallory.moench@sfchronicle.com Twitter:@mallorymoench Description GIS 05 August 2020: The Finance (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2020, which amends some 70 pieces of legislation so as to implement the measures set out in Budget 2020-2021, will put the economy of Mauritius back on track for recovery. The Minister of Finance, Economic Planning and Development, Dr Renganaden Padayachy, made this statement, yesterday, in the National Assembly during his summing up speech. According to recent local estimates, the implementation of the 2020-2021 Budget will enable Mauritius to achieve a positive growth rate of at least 7% in 2021, said the Minister. He maintained that this will be made possible only if certain conditions are respected, including the vote of the Bill. Objectives of the Bill The Bill will create the conditions for an economic recovery that will be sovereign, inclusive, sustainable and digital, the Minister pointed out. It will help preserve the jobs and livelihoods of the vulnerable and the social and environmental transition of Mauritius will also be accelerated while restarting the economic machinery, he stated. Another objective is to provide the framework for the implementation of Government's fiscal policies as announced in the 2020-2021 Budget. This will make our tax system fairer and more efficient, he said. To-date, tax revenue from income tax in Mauritius represents 1.98% of the countrys GDP. Taxation for individuals and businesses accounts for less than 5% of GDP in Mauritius, highlighted Dr Padayachy. In terms of recurrent Government expenditure, including social welfare, public service, environmental protection and housing, these account for nearly 30% of Mauritiuss GDP. He pointed out that Government has not increased taxation or reviewed the welfare State. Moreover, the Minister indicated that the third objective of the Finance Bill 2020 is to create the necessary conditions to preserve the social gains of Mauritians acquired over the years. In this regard, the introduction of the Contribution Sociale Generalisee (CSG) is a major step to ensure the sustainability of our social system, he said. The Contribution Sociale Generalisee regime According to Dr Padayachy, the CSG will meet the medium to long-term limits of the National Pensions Fund. The CSG Plan will apply to all employees and employers, and contributions will begin as at 1st September 2020. For people earning less than Rs 50,000 per month, the contribution will be 1.5% for employees and 3% for their employers, he said. For those earning more than Rs 50,000 per month, the contribution will be 3% for employees and 6% for their employers. For all employees earning less than Rs 36,000 per year and for their employers, the contribution will be lower than how it was under the National Pensions Fund system. Referring to Moody's, the Minister pointed out that the agency had just recently maintained Mauritius's positive rating. In his view, this decision reflects the capacity of the Mauritian economy to absorb international economic shocks. It underscores the quality and effectiveness of the countrys institutions, good governance framework and macroeconomic policy as factors that have contributed to the performance of Mauritius, he concluded. B2B Travel Market Research Report by Product (Conferences, Events, Groups, and Meetings), by Application (Hotel Accommodation Booking, Itinerary plan & Activities, and Transportation) - Global Forecast to 2025 - Cumulative Impact of COVID-19 New York, Aug. 03, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Reportlinker.com announces the release of the report "B2B Travel Market Research Report by Product, by Application - Global Forecast to 2025 - Cumulative Impact of COVID-19" - https://www.reportlinker.com/p05939806/?utm_source=GNW The Global B2B Travel Market is expected to grow from USD 19,250.20 Million in 2019 to USD 39,758.57 Million by the end of 2025 at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 12.84%. Market Segmentation & Coverage: This research report categorizes the B2B Travel to forecast the revenues and analyze the trends in each of the following sub-markets: "The Events is projected to witness the highest growth during the forecast period" Based on Product, the B2B Travel Market studied across Conferences, Events, Groups, and Meetings. The Groups commanded the largest size in the B2B Travel Market in 2019. On the other hand, the Events is expected to grow at the fastest CAGR during the forecast period. "The Hotel Accommodation Booking is projected to witness the highest growth during the forecast period" Based on Application, the B2B Travel Market studied across Hotel Accommodation Booking, Itinerary plan & Activities, and Transportation. The Transportation commanded the largest size in the B2B Travel Market in 2019. On the other hand, the Hotel Accommodation Booking is expected to grow at the fastest CAGR during the forecast period. "The Asia-Pacific is projected to witness the highest growth during the forecast period" Based on Geography, the B2B Travel Market studied across Americas, Asia-Pacific, and Europe, Middle East & Africa. The Americas region surveyed across Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Mexico, and United States. The Asia-Pacific region surveyed across Australia, China, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Philippines, South Korea, and Thailand. The Europe, Middle East & Africa region surveyed across France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Qatar, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Spain, United Arab Emirates, and United Kingdom. The Europe, Middle East & Africa commanded the largest size in the B2B Travel Market in 2019. On the other hand, the Asia-Pacific is expected to grow at the fastest CAGR during the forecast period. Company Usability Profiles: The report deeply explores the recent significant developments by the leading vendors and innovation profiles in the Global B2B Travel Market including Alternative Airlines Ltd, B2B Travel Agency India Pvt ltd, Bedsonline, Bookingee.com, BookRes Company, Emerging Travel Group, Expedia Group Inc., GRNconnect, Hotelbeds, Lemax Ltd, Mystifly, Oravel Stays Private Limited, Sabre Corporation, TBO Group, Tour Partner Group, TourConnect, Travala.com, Travelstart Kenya, Trip.com Group Limited, Via.com, Webbeds, and Xinxin Tourism. FPNV Positioning Matrix: The FPNV Positioning Matrix evaluates and categorizes the vendors in the B2B Travel 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 the market 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 B2B Travel Market? 2. What are the inhibiting factors and impact of COVID-19 shaping the Global B2B Travel Market during the forecast period? 3. Which are the products/segments/applications/areas to invest in over the forecast period in the Global B2B Travel Market? 4. What is the competitive strategic window for opportunities in the Global B2B Travel Market? 5. What are the technology trends and regulatory frameworks in the Global B2B Travel Market? 6. What are the modes and strategic moves considered suitable for entering the Global B2B Travel Market? Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p05939806/?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. __________________________ Story continues CONTACT: Clare: clare@reportlinker.com US: (339)-368-6001 Intl: +1 339-368-6001 As the area comes together to pick up the pieces left behind from the historic flood in mid-Michigan this past May during a global pandemic, Moving Forward: Midland gives insight on how affected communities plan to push onward through these tragic events. Midland is in the unenviable position of dealing with the twin crises of COVID-19 and historic flooding, and I think there are lessons in the way the community is recovering, said WCMU Public Radios News Director Amy Robinson, moderator of the Moving Forward: Midland event. RTHK: Pompeo: free nations will protect HK activists US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Tuesday vowed to protect Hong Kong pro-democracy campaigners who have fled the SAR and denounced Beijing amid reports that Hong Kong police had ordered the arrests of overseas activists. "The Chinese Communist Party cannot tolerate the free thinking of its own people, and increasingly is trying to extend its reach outside China's borders," Pompeo said in a statement. "The United States and other free nations will continue to protect our peoples from the long arm of Beijing's authoritarianism." State media said late on Friday that Hong Kong police had ordered the arrest of six pro-democracy activists living in exile on suspicion of violating a the new national security law. One of them, Samuel Chu, head of the Washington-based Hong Kong Democracy Council, wrote on Twitter that he has been a US citizen for 25 years. The most prominent person targeted was 27-year-old campaigner Nathan Law, who recently fled Hong Kong for Britain and called the charges against him "trumped up". Hong Kong police refused to comment on the charges. But China's ambassador to the United States, Cui Tiankai, appeared to confirm and defend the charges. "All these law enforcement actions are taken according to the law," Cui said in response to a question at the Aspen Security Forum. "Anybody, if they violate the law, they should be punished. That's it. It doesn't matter what kind of political views they might have." The United States has denounced the security law and said it would end special treatment for Hong Kong. The Beijing and Hong Kong governments have consistently refuted foreign criticism of the legislation, which they say is needed to end chaos in the SAR. They insist the law is purely an internal matter for China and say other countries have no right to interfere. (AFP/RTHK) ______________________________ Last updated: 2020-08-05 HKT 05:46 This story has been published on: 2020-08-05. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. Chinese ambassador to Somalia, Mr Qin Jian, on Saturday travelled Hargeisa to seek audience with senior Somaliland government officials. Radio Dalsan learnt that the Chinese ambassador met with senior officials of Somaliland's foreign affairs ministry and discussed their recent overtures to Taiwan, which Beijing considers as part of its territory. Mr Qin's visit to Hargeisa came after Taiwan's foreign minister Joseph Wu announced that they will.be opening a representative office in Hargeisa to boost "mutual ties" with the breakaway region. Somalia considers Somaliland part of its territory, just as China demands Taiwan be considered part of One China policy. By Tuesday, the Chinese Ambassador was still holed up in Hargeisa, reportedly waiting to meet Somaliland president Muse Bihi. "The ambassador is stuck here in Hargeisa but hasn't yet met (President) Bihi, " a Radio Dalsan reporter said. Sources indicated that that Mr Bihi was not ready to meet the Chinese diplomat, especially after Qin voiced strong comments in the wake of Hargeisa's overtures to Taiwan. A man has been charged after being caught on camera violently slapping a Burger King employee after a row over chicken nuggets being made 'extra spicy'. The assault was captured on camera in June at a branch of the fast food chain in Pittsburgh. In the short 16-second clip, the customer can be seen threatening one employee while talking to another. A Burger King customer was caught on camera slapping an employee after it was alleged his nuggets were made 'extra spicy' The video starts mid-conversation with the man yelling at a female worker out of shot: 'Can't f****** count but for robbery and stealing stuff. 'She needs to get the f*** out of here before I get her put in jail for the rest of her life!' The worker then let's the customer know that he is being filmed. 'Sir, you are on camera right now,' he said. But the man, who has been identified as 21-year-old Austin Addison ends up suddenly slapping the worker, knocking his glasses clear from his face before quickly walking out of the store. The assault happened in a branch of the fast food chain in Pittsburgh. The customer allegedly threatened another employee before slapping a second worker The employee warned the man that he was being filmed but it didn't make any difference 'I was honestly very shaken up at how he did that, I happened to console the poor guy but I was too shaken up to do anything,' the person who filmed the footage, Garret Reams, said. Reams who filmed the footage on June 26 said that Addison was already enraged when he walked into the restaurant and was seemingly looking for the female employee whom he knew. He first threw down his keys onto the counter while Reams tried to calm him down, but when that failed, he decided to film what happened next. Addison, 21, was charged on July 27 with with harassment, disorderly conduct and criminal mischief which carries a possible punishment of up to two years behind bars and a fine up to $5,000 if convicted. Austin Addison, 21, was charged on July 27th, more than month after the incident occurred Lebanese rescue workers are digging through rubble looking for survivors after a massive warehouse explosion sent a devastating blast wave across Beirut, killing at least 100 people and injuring nearly 4000. A deadly mix of fireworks and ammonium nitrate appear to have been the fuel that ignited the blast that rocked the countrys capital, experts and videos of the blast suggest. The death toll is expected to rise. The scale of the damage - from the epicentre of the explosion to the windows blown out kilometres away - resembles other blasts involving the chemical compound commonly used as an agricultural fertiliser. Online videos of the disaster's initial moments show sparks and lights inside the smoke rising from the blaze, just prior to the massive blast. The scale of the damage resembles other blasts involving the chemical compound commonly used as an agricultural fertiliser. Source: AP That likely indicates that fireworks were involved, said Boaz Hayoun, owner of the Tamar Group, an Israeli firm that works closely with the Israeli government on safety and certification issues involving explosives. "Before the big explosion, you can see in the centre of the fire, you can see sparks, you can hear sounds like popcorn and you can hear whistles," Hayoun told The Associated Press. Looks like an accident Jeffrey Lewis, a missile expert at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies in Monterey, California, offered a similar assessment. "It looks like an accident," Lewis told the AP. "First, there was a fire preceding the explosion, which is not an attack. And some of the videos show munitions what I could call popcorning, exploding like 'pop, pop, pop, pop."' He added that "it's very common to see fires detonate explosives." Video of the explosion began to surface online shortly after. Source: Storyful/ Twitter The white cloud that accompanied the massive blast appeared to be a condensation cloud, often common in massive explosions in humid conditions that can follow the shock waves of an explosion, Lewis said. Orange clouds also followed the blast, likely from toxic nitrogen dioxide gas that's released after an explosion involving nitrates. Experts should be able to determine the power of the blast by measuring the crater left behind, which appeared massive in aerial footage shot on Wednesday morning by AP. Story continues The explosion was the most powerful ever to rip through Beirut, a city still scarred by civil war three decades ago and reeling from an economic meltdown and a surge in coronavirus infections. The explosion was the most powerful ever to rip through Beirut. Source: AP Those responsible will pay President Michel Aoun said 2750 tonnes of ammonium nitrate, used in fertilisers and bombs, had been stored for six years at the port without safety measures. He called it "unacceptable". An official source familiar with preliminary investigations blamed the incident on negligence. Ordinary Lebanese directed anger at politicians who have overseen decades of state corruption and bad governance that plunged the nation into financial crisis. Prime Minister Hassan Diab promised accountability for the blast at the "dangerous warehouse", adding "those responsible will pay the price". The head of Lebanon's Red Cross, George Kettani, said at least 100 people had been killed. The head of Lebanon's Red Cross, George Kettani, said at least 100 people had been killed. Source: AP "We are still sweeping the area. There could still be victims. I hope not," he said. The intensity of the blast threw victims into the sea and rescue teams were still trying to recover bodies. Many of those killed were port and custom employees and people working in the area or driving through during rush hour. Facades of central Beirut buildings were ripped off, furniture was sucked into streets and roads were strewn with glass and debris. Cars near the port were flipped over. "This is the killer blow for Beirut, we are a disaster zone. My building shuddered, I thought it was an earthquake," said Bilal, a man in his 60s, in the downtown area. At least 4000 people have been injured by the explosion with the toll expected to rise. Source: AP It remains unclear what conditions the ammonium nitrate had been stored in - or why tonnes of an explosive chemical compound had been left there for years. It is also unclear what conditions a possible shipment of fireworks at the port had been stored in. Fireworks are very common in Lebanon, used to celebrate religious occasions and weddings. While military explosives are generally safe to transport, common "cheap pyrotechnics" made in China are often of very low quality and can ignite very easily, especially in hot weather, said Hayoun, the Israeli explosives expert. Explosion heard 160km away Officials did not say what caused the blaze that set off the blast. A security source and media said it was started by welding work being carried out on a hole in the warehouse. The blast was heard as far away as Cyprus, a Mediterranean island about 160km away. The port district was left a tangled wreck, disabling the nation's main route for imports needed to feed a nation of more than six million people. Lebanon has already been struggling to house and feed hundreds of thousands of refugees from Syria. The explosion came three days before a UN-backed court is due to deliver a verdict in the trial of four suspects from the Shi'ite Muslim group Hezbollah over a 2005 bombing that killed former Prime Minister Rafik al-Hariri and 21 others. Hariri was killed by a huge truck bomb on the same waterfront. 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. When the KIPP charter school network announced that it was dropping its slogan Work hard. Be nice. critics howled, calling it an example of wokeness gone wild. I cheered. On its face, that now-discarded mantra seems to evoke an ethos of diligence and kindness. In reality, it glosses over the inequalities and injustices faced by Black and Latino students who make up 95 percent of the enrollment at the 240-plus KIPP schools and instead preaches compliance without complaint. Work hard, even though the deck is stacked against you. Work hard and maybe someday youll get ahead. Work hard and your bosses will eventually see your worth. Another opinion on KIPP slogan: Work Hard, Be Nice values that counter not contribute to racism Be nice, as in be docile. Dont make waves. Dont make trouble. White kids typically arent told to know their place. So why do we expect that of kids of color? People of color dont need a school slogan to be taught the value of hard work. That message is drilled into our heads from birth. We are not only expected to work hard, but to work harder than our white counterparts. We learn it in the old saying handed down by Black parents: You have to be twice as good to get half as far. I learned it from immigrant parents who put aside pride and, many times, advanced degrees from other countries, to toil at whatever job they could find here. My parents worked two and three jobs graveyard shifts piled on top of morning shifts on top of side gigs without a grumble. I lived the refrain on summer breaks from college, when my sisters and I worked in a cosmetic factory to earn money for school, our hands rubbed raw and bleeding from packing hundreds of high-priced makeup kits that came hurtling at us down the assembly line. Dont fuss, we were told, just work harder. I carried the creed into the newsrooms of my early journalism career where I hustled so much that a veteran white reporter told me to slow down because I was making my coworkers look bad. But hard work alone, I soon learned, isnt enough to break down the barriers of systemic racism and plain old ignorance. Hard work alone didnt stop fellow reporters from making snide remarks about me because I am Latina calling me an affirmative action hire and questioning my qualifications, even as I amassed a collection of awards. Hard work and a degree from Harvard wasnt enough to prevent a Black birdwatcher from being falsely accused of threatening a white woman in New Yorks Central Park. The racism he confronted in the Ramble is what other people of color confront in boardrooms. Hard work doesnt close the salary gap that leaves women of color at the bottom of the pay scale in most newsrooms and in most workplaces. It doesnt erase the bias of recruiters who often, as a Harvard Study found, toss out resumes of African American or Asian job applicants in favor of white candidates. It doesnt change the dynamics of a college admissions system that still favors children of alumni or a labor pool where Black workers are expected to perform better than white workers and are more likely to be fired for errors. Thats why KIPP leaders were right to jettison the slogan and to examine more deeply the signal it was unintentionally sending. Asking us to be nice puts the onus on kids to be quiet, be compliant, be controlled, said one former student, according to a statement on the KIPP website. It doesnt actively challenge us to disrupt the systems that are trying to control us. As I grew older, I rewired my programming. I understood that pushing the myth of meritocracy doesnt take into account the fact that white folks often start off on third base, while we have to dodge around obstacles just to get to first. As a parent, Ive amended the script I heard from my parents. I still encourage my daughters to dream big and aim high. I want them to go out and hit home runs. But as young Black women, they must also be educated on the hurdles created by the legacy of slavery and institutional racism. I still tell them to treat others with kindness. But that doesnt mean accepting second-class treatment or staying silent in the face of bigotry. Simply telling kids of color to work hard and be nice wont magically make those disappear. The implication of such phrases whether in school slogans or by politicians preaching a pull-yourself-up-by-the-bootstraps credo is that students of color who fail just didnt work hard enough. The truth is that their path to success is often blocked by barricades and inequities. Overcoming a system fortified by racism requires the will to push back, the strength to speak truth to power, the belief that your voice should be heard, not hushed. Like other young people of color, my daughters can learn from role models who were unafraid of raising their voices and raising hell people such as Ida B. Wells, the African American journalist and former slave who, in the 1890s, exposed lynchings in the Deep South. Such as Dolores Huerta, the labor activist who led the farmworkers rights movement and, at 90, is advocating for voting rights. Such as Rep. John Lewis. As the civil rights icon was laid to rest last week with the pomp and dignity deserving of a statesman, I reminded my daughters of the righteous anger that propelled him as a young man to defy unjust laws and face off against white police officers armed with billy clubs and attack dogs. We are tired. We are tired of being beat by policemen. We are tired of seeing our people locked up in jail over and over again, and then you holler Be patient. How long can we be patient? Lewis told the throngs assembled for the 1963 March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom. We want our freedom and we want it now. Those are not the words of a man just content to be nice though by all accounts, he was consummately nice and kind. Those are the words of a freedom fighter who was arrested 45 times in his lifelong fight for civil rights and who refused to accept things as they were. Even to the end of his life. Each of us has a moral obligation to stand up, speak up and speak out, Lewis wrote in an op-ed published on the day of his funeral. When you see something that is not right, you must say something. You must do something. Stand up. Speak up. Speak out. As KIPP schools search for a replacement slogan, thats a damn good place to start. Rhor is an editorial writer and columnist. Email her at monica.rhor@chron.com. The motorcycle taxi navigates the rocky path that leads to Victoria Primary School in Malimbe Mwanza, after some minutes we are there and my fixer and I are welcomed to the school by a security guard who was manning the gate. Inside, children are playing being the third day since schools reopened after a 3-month break, which came as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic. The sudden break came as a surprise to many children and during the long break they faced numerous challenges. While part of Article 11 of the African Charter on rights and Welfare of the Child states that "Every child has the right to an education, to develop his or her personality, talents and mental and physical abilities to their fullest potential," this could not be the case due to Covid-19 pandemic, which basically made access to education for all sections of the community including children impossible as the government worked hard to stop the spread. We meet Mr Nicholas Method and Mr Isaac Kassim who welcomes us and explain some of the challenges disruption of education had on children. "After a child stays at home for a longer time, it becomes hard to get them back to where they were because that connection is lost. You notice that for some even their language mastery has gone down. This means teachers have to start afresh with them," Mr Kassim says. He explains that this disruption has a big mental effects on children as they unlearn a lot of things when they are away from school and in one way or the other not connected to their teachers. Usually they are guided by their teachers on day to day basis. "It is just the first week and we have noted some behavioral change as well," Mr Kassim pointed out. Also Read Get rid of outdated mindsets for learners How do I get him to focus on his studies? Covid-19 immunity: Can you catch it again? "While some parents did a good job in staying and guiding their children, some others did not spend much of the time with their children and left them alone to watch television programmes without parental control. And I cannot lay the blame on the parents because they had to leave home early to go and fend for their families," says Mr Method. "You see in the past, they would spend eight hours in school but this time, they were all alone and would interact with all manner of people hence picking different behaviors. These behavioral change can have negative effect on their education," Mr Method stated. Yacinta Joseph, 30, is a parent of two children and a teacher at Kibungio Secondary School in Mwanza. She says her children have been mentally affected because even with the recent opening of schools, they are still afraid that they might contract coronavirus. "My children are saying they are afraid to go to school because there is coronavirus, they have forgotten some of the things they leant though their school was sending bi-weekly assignments but I noticed a lot of unlearning had taken place. Children are back to school but you see they are disoriented, the work which we sent were not done," she says. According to Ms Joseph, it was even worse for some children who would benefit from feeding programmes in other schools. "Those from low income homes suffered a lot because at home they could not get the meals as they use to at school and this not only affected them mentally but it negatively impacted their health as well." Ms Joseph also pointed out that the added school time will only make children more exhausted mentally and physically. "The announcement was sudden without psychological counselling of the children on why they are going home and for how long they will stay at home." Demetria Mahatane, a teacher at Grace Primary School in Kigamboni Dar es Salaam reiterated that a lot of unlearning has taken place and it is like they have to start teaching children most of the subjects afresh. "The children have forgotten most of the things and even the holiday assignment that we gave out did not help because most of the children were not guided by their parents thus they did not complete the homework," she stated. Assistant director of secondary education in Misungwi District in Mwanza Region, Serema Kowelo says challenges which many pupils and students faced during the Covid-19 pandemic is that some parents would leave their business enterprises like shops for their children to oversee, this led to a situation where some would be abused sexually. "For some parents, long stay at home for children was viewed as cheap labour as they would leave them to operate their small businesses like attending to shops not knowing that they were exposing them to sexual abuse and exploitation." And for children whose parents teach in private schools, the impact of the long break was worse according to the Secretary General of the Tanzania Private School's Teachers Union (TPTU) Julius Mabula. "Some teachers in private school went without pay for three months, others were suspended while some had to take pay cuts. This means some were evicted from their houses by the landlords and some could not provide basic needs to their families. You can imagine what psychological impact this had on their children," he says. "Employers knew that this coronavirus could stay longer ,so instead of incurring debts, they terminated teachers' contracts without following the proper legal process," he says adding that some teachers had to relocate to upcountry with their families. "As a union, we wrote a letter to the government to intervene on the plight of private school teachers," he says. Janeth Ngowi, 28, a petty trader in snacks based in Mwanza city stated that the biggest challenge she faced during the long break occasioned by Covid-19 pandemic was that her two children were disoriented and kept on asking her unending questions on why they are not going to school. "I have two children, one is in standard Six and another one in Standard Two, the youngest one kept on asking when they would return to school and as a parent, I could see an element of desperation in the child." Matata Nfumani, a resident of Ilemela in Mwanza stated that children faced a lot of challenges during the long break and afterwards. During the break, they could not get support to continue with their studies as they could not access their teachers and study guides leading to wastage. "When they returned to school, they realized that there is work overload as teachers are trying to make it for the time lost during the pandemic," he pointed out. Neema Michael,34, a business woman in Kariakoo, Dar es salaam says as a mother, she could not provide for her three children and life became difficult during the Covid-19 pandemic. "After the closure of various activities, we faced the challenge of declining business due to a complete lack of customers. That is, it could have taken a whole day to find one customer, imagine going home to your children empty handed in the evening, "says Neema Michael, a beauty shop owner. Magdalena Soji, 29, a resident of Mbezi Dar es salaam said after the government closed the school because of the coronavirus, it was difficult to prevent children from going to play and they say self-isolation and social distancing as a sort of punishment. "My child would be very dull as she wondered why she could no longer be allowed to play with her peers. It was much later that most children started to understand more about coronavirus and adapt to their realities," he stated. Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Tanzania Coronavirus Education By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later. Halima Juma, a student at Azimio Primary School in Mwanza, said she was very happy with the opening of the school because during the long holidays she was so lonely. "When I heard that we were opening school, I was very happy, because at home, we were not allowed to play with our classmates or visit relatives, "said Halima Mental Health Physician from Sekou-Toure Regional Referral Hospital Dr Lucas Mwangata says children need to be prepared psychologically for any change. "Sudden change can affect children if they are not mentally prepared, parents and the community need to play a role in preparing children for any change. At one point they were going to school then suddenly the schools closed indefinitely." To overcome these challenges, Mr Method suggested that the government should improve the online system of education and ensure that even remote areas have connections. "This way, education will go on undisrupted even in the face of challenges like Covid-19 pandemic." Ms Mahatane on her part proposed that parents should not leave everything to teachers. "They should not leave the parental role to teachers, they should participate in classroom activities to know progress of their children, this way there won't be too much disconnect when children stay longer at home," she concludes. On his parting shot Mr Mabula pointed out the need for basic education emergency response plan. "The Ministry of Education, parents, teachers and all stakeholders have the responsibility of advocating for quality education based on the legal instruments that Tanzania is signatory to and intervention measures in case of emergency." The author is Women in News Alumni. Federal officers assigned to respond to Portland protests havent started to pull out yet and remain inside the downtown federal courthouse to work with Oregon State Police, according to testimony Tuesday before a congressional subcommittee. But the government is making some changes to respond to criticism of tactics used by the extra federal forces here and the paramilitary look of their uniforms. DHS will not back away from our responsibilities to protect federal property, the people using those properties and our law enforcement officers, said Ken Cuccinelli, acting deputy director of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. He didnt say how many of the officers remain, but court documents have said 114 from the Federal Protective Service, the U.S. Marshals Service, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection and U.S. Immigration and Enforcement. At the same time, officers have moved to limit their use of unmarked vans in any arrests. Cuccinelli also told the Senate committee that the government is working to switch out the camouflage-uniforms of U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers with solid green ones. Cuccinelli said the officers came with what they had, noting that Customs and Border Patrol agents typically work at the southern border and they wear camouflage uniforms there. Their regular uniforms still read police on the front and back, with their agency patches on their shoulders, he said. The agency is moving rapidly to replace them, he said. Cuccinelli testified during a hearing on free speech and protests held by the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution. He also talked about injuries to officers during the ongoing Portland protests against police violence and racism in the United States that had often ended late at night with fires on the portico outside the Mark O. Hatfield United States Courthouse, broken windows and damaged security cameras. About 140 federal officers have sustained 277 injuries from objects thrown at them, including fireworks, rocks and frozen water bottles, he said. While holding up a laser like those confiscated from some people arrested in Portland, Cuccinelli said the officers havent seen anything like the prolonged and frequent use of the high-powered green lasers directed at them outside the courthouse. He said theyre used to try to disorient or blind the officers. Some officers suffered days-long blindness but so far their sight has returned, he said. While Oregon Democrats Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley decried the federal presence for ratcheting up tensions in the city and using excessive force against peaceful protesters, Cuccinelli said Portland police have declared riots or unlawful assemblies on recent nights since the federal officers have retreated. Cuccinelli sought to distinguish rioters from protesters. For those several long weeks as state and local officials put politics ahead of public safety, rioters knew that they could attack federal property and the officers defending it and then flee from the federal area of operations without any consequences from state or local law enforcement, his department said in a statement. Now that state and local leaders have finally agreed to step up and do their job, would-be rioters face the kind of coordinated enforcement response they should have been in place all along, the statement said. Last Thursday, about 100 state police troopers were assigned to help guard the courthouse and federal officers have stayed inside following an agreement reached with Gov. Kate Brown. U.S. Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, D-Rhode Island, mentioned that he wrote and passed the law to protect pilots from the danger of lasers, then turned Cuccinellis attention to a violent encounter between a Portland man and a federal officer last month. He said he was concerned by a deputy marshals baton strikes against peaceful Navy veteran Christopher David that were caught on video on July 18. David stood still, didnt react, but yet the strikes keep coming, Whitehouse said. He noted that David was wearing a sweatshirt and holding no weapons, taking a pretty damn hard beating. Its episodes like that that cause legitimate concern, Whitehouse said. Cuccinelli said the Inspector Generals Office of the U.S. Department of Justice is investigating the baton strikes to David and the firing of an impact munition at the head of Portland protester Donavan La Bella, who was hit as his hands were in the air across the street from the courthouse on July 10. We do investigate every single use of force. There are many of them going on related to Portland,' he said. Cuccinelli denied that federal officers have targeted any journalists, who have documented dozens of injuries from federal officers use of impact munitions. Some are suing and won a temporary restraining order from a judge, who has barred federal and local officers from threatening or assaulting journalists or legal observers. The order exempts journalists from having to follow dispersal orders when riots or unlawful assemblies are declared. That judges order, Cuccinelli said, prompted some violent activists dressed all in black to place the words press on their shirts or helmets, which makes it hard to distinguish one from the other. U.S. District Judge Michael H. Simon has set another hearing Thursday to consider modifying his order to require more identifiable clothing worn by both federal officers and the media at protests. -- Maxine Bernstein Email at mbernstein@oregonian.com; 503-221-8212 Follow on Twitter @maxoregonian Subscribe to Facebook page Subscribe to Oregonian/OregonLive newsletters and podcasts for the latest news and top stories. Here are todays top news, analysis and opinion at 5 PM. Know all about the latest news and other news updates from Hindustan Times. Local train services, BEST buses hit hard as heavy rain lashes Mumbai, Thane Incessant heavy rain lashed parts of financial capital Mumbai and Maharashtras Thane and Palghar districts from Tuesday night, throwing local train and bus services out of gear due to water-logging on railway tracks and arterial roads, officials said on Wednesday. Read more Lord Ram living in tents for years, will finally get a temple: PM Modi at Ayodhya event Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday expressed gratitude to all citizens of the country, the Indian diaspora across the world and all the devotees of Lord Ram as he laid the foundation stone for Ram temple in Ayodhya. This is the first time that a Prime Minister has visited Ram Janmabhoomi to offer prayers at the sanctum sanctorum where the deity has been worshipped since 1949. Read more Burj Khalifa lights up in solidarity with Lebanon after Beirut explosion A massive explosion in Lebanons capital city Beirut left a trail of utter devastation sending shockwaves across the city. Now people from all corners of the world have taken to social media to express their grief over the incident and stand in solidarity with Lebanon. The hashtag #PrayForLebanon is also trending on Twitter. Read more Felt like I betrayed my country, called my girlfriend and cried a lot: Ishant Sharma recalls conceding 30 runs to James Faulkner Describing it as the turning point of his career, India pacer Ishant Sharma said he felt he had betrayed the country when Australias James Faulkner hit him for 30 runs in an over in 2013. Read more Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra to debut with these five big upgrades Samsung introduced the Ultra variant with this years Galaxy S20 series. The Galaxy Note 20 series thats launching today will also have an Ultra model. As the name suggests, the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra will be the high-end model and its expected to come with some major upgrades. Read more Nineties curtain haircut a hit among celebrities Remember the middle-parted poker straight hairstyle, called curtain hair, sported by actors Tom Cruise and Leonardo DiCaprio in the 90s? The year 2020 has seen its resurgence, with actors and K-pop stars bringing it back in trend. However, this time, it is not just for those with straight hair but also being flaunted by celebs with wavy locks. Read more Sushant Singh Rajputs death: Centre accepts Bihar govts request for CBI probe The government has accepted Bihar governments request of CBI probe into actor Sushant Singh Rajputs death, Centres senior second-most law officer Tushar Mehta stated it before the Supreme Court on Wednesday. Solicitor General Mehta made the submission during hearing of a plea by actor Rhea Chakraborty. Rhea had sought transfer of the case registered in Patna to Mumbai. Read more Actor Sean Penn has confirmed that he tied the knot with his girlfriend Leila George in an intimate ceremony during the coronavirus pandemic. There were rumours floating on social media that 59-year-old Penn had secretly married George, 28. The two have been in a relationship for the past four years. On Tuesday, the actor broke the news during a virtual appearance on talk show "Late Night with Seth Meyers". Meyers asked Penn about the rumours and he confirmed them by showing his wedding ring. The Oscar winner revealed that he and George got married on 30 July. "We did a COVID wedding. By that I mean it was a county commissioner on Zoom and we were at the house, my two children and her brother, and we did it that way," Penn said. George, who has starred in films such as "Mortal Engines" and "The Kid", is the eldest child of actors Vincent D'Onofrio and Greta Scacchi. Penn was previously married actor Robin Wright with whom he shares two kids daughter Dylan Frances, 29, and son Hopper Jack, 26. He was also married to pop star Madonna for four years from 1985 to 1989. An American Airlines flight took off from La Guardia Airport in New York last Wednesday morning, carrying 100 pouches of blood plasma donated by Covid-19 survivors for delivery to Rio de Janeiro. American scientists are hoping Covid-19 patients in Brazil will help them answer a century-old question: Can this golden serum, loaded with antibodies against a pathogen, actually heal the sick? The truth is that no one knows if it works. Since April, the Trump administration has funneled $48 million into a program with the Mayo Clinic, allowing more than 53,000 Covid-19 patients to get plasma infusions. Doctors and hospitals desperate to save the sickest patients have been eager to try a therapy that is safe and might work. Tens of thousands more people are now enrolled to get the treatment thats been trumpeted by everyone from the president to the actor Dwayne Johnson, better known as The Rock. President Trump on Monday promoted its promise: You had something very special. You had something that knocked it out. So we want to be able to use it, he said, calling on Covid-19 survivors to donate their plasma, which he called a beautiful ingredient. But the unexpected demand for plasma has inadvertently undercut the research that could prove that it works. The only way to get convincing evidence is with a clinical trial that compares outcomes for patients who are randomly assigned to get the treatment with those who are given a placebo. Many patients and their doctors knowing they could get the treatment under the government program have been unwilling to join clinical trials that might provide them with a placebo instead of the plasma. The United States on Wednesday announced its "highest level" visit in decades to Taiwan, a move sure to infuriate China at a time when relations between Washington and Beijing are at historic lows. Washington's trade office in Taipei confirmed that health chief Alex Azar would lead an upcoming delegation to the self-ruled island, which China's communist leaders claim and have vowed to one day seize. "This marks... the first Cabinet member to visit in six years, and the highest level visit by a US Cabinet official since 1979," the American Institute in Taiwan said. Taiwan's foreign ministry confirmed the trip and said Azar would meet the island's foreign and health ministers. "Secretary Azar is a long-time staunch friend of Taiwan," the ministry said, describing his upcoming trip as "ample evidence of the solid foundation of mutual trust" between Washington and Taipei. The United States switched diplomatic recognition from Taiwan to China in 1979. It remains the leading arms supplier to the island but has historically been cautious in holding official contacts with it. That has changed dramatically under US President Donald Trump, who has started to embrace Taiwan more as a way to hit back at Beijing as the two superpowers increasingly clash. The last cabinet-level trip to Taiwan was in 2014 when the then head of the Environmental Protection Agency visited. The most recent before that was a trip in 2000 by a transport secretary under US President Bill Clinton. Tourists caught inside Roman Forum by Parco Colosseo security guards. Four young English tourists were caught in the Roman Forum after they scaled the gates at the Arch of Titus, near the Colosseum, in the early hours of 4 August, reports Italian newspaper La Repubblica. The four tourists, aged between 17 and 19, climbed into the Colosseum Archaeological Park but were apprehended by security guards who alerted the carabinieri. The tourists were charged with trespassing and failure to respect the ban on entering the archaeological area. The four tourists, who were drunk according to local media, were fined a total of 1,600 for their escapade. There was no damage reported as a result of their illegal visit. Oregon Gov. Kate Browns office told lawmakers Tuesday it is in active conversations about possible travel restrictions to slow the spread of coronavirus between states. Details of those conversations, and the extent of any potential restrictions, are not clear. As the Governor has stated previously, our focus is on restrictions related to tourist travel from hotspot states and communities, Charles Boyle, a spokesman for Brown, said in a statement to The Oregonian/OregonLive. Conversations are ongoing about how those restrictions could work. Its unclear what states could be impacted by those potential restrictions; whether they could include quarantine orders following travel; or if the constraints could apply to Oregonians leaving the state, outsiders arriving in or residents returning to Oregon, or some combination of both. State officials are mindful that some Oregonians near the border may work in other states, or vice versa, and any restrictions must take economic and supply chain implications into account, Boyle said. The governors office did not make anyone available Tuesday night for an interview. Boyle did not respond to written questions seeking details about the restrictions under consideration. Travel restrictions issued by state or local leaders are becoming more common across America as local leaders look to prevent coronavirus spread amid a summer wave of infections. Since March, Hawaii has required people who travel to the islands to quarantine for 14 days. Massachusetts this month began requiring travelers to quarantine for two weeks if they cant produce a negative coronavirus test, and Alaska will roll out similar requirements for negative tests next week. In Idahos Ada County, which includes Boise, visitors are encouraged to quarantine for two weeks. While identified infections in Oregon have plateaued near all-time highs, the states case counts are low compared to other states. Oregon has reported nearly 20,000 confirmed or presumed infections and 333 deaths. California, Washington, Idaho and Nevada all have higher coronavirus infections and deaths per capita. Browns legislative director, Elana Pirtle-Guiney, told lawmakers during a private conference call Tuesday that conversations about travel restrictions are under consideration. Browns office has declined repeated requests from The Oregoniain/OregonLive to open the weekly calls with lawmakers to the public. Pirtle-Guiney told lawmakers that she does not expect an outright ban but instead some possible form of travel restrictions, according to two sets of written notes from the meeting obtained by the newsroom. Sen. Sara Gelser, D-Corvallis, said the call lasted about 45 minutes and was light on specifics. I dont understand how it will work, Gelser said. There wasnt even enough information to formulate questions. Gelser said she appreciates that Browns office is keeping lawmakers informed about potential decisions under consideration during the pandemic. But floating big ideas that are still in development can create consternation. I think often on these calls, theyve given a hint that theyre thinking of something but havent made a decision yet, Gelser said. I think thats part of the tension, that the Legislature wants to be informed but if you put it out there too soon, you kind of create confusion. The issue of travel restrictions for Oregon has been raised by members of the governors medical advisory panel, Boyle said, based on coronavirus cases linked to travel in southern Oregon, which is troubling based on the spikes in case counts California is currently experiencing. Boyle said Browns office is asking the advisory panel and the Oregon Health Authority for more data on travel-related spread and recommendations for health and safety measures to address those cases. Lawmakers were told Tuesday to expect more information by next Tuesday, if not sooner. Rob Davis contributed to this report. -- Brad Schmidt; bschmidt@oregonian.com; 503-294-7628; @_brad_schmidt Subscribe to Oregonian/OregonLive newsletters and podcasts for the latest news and top stories. MINSK -- Independent observers who've been monitoring early voting in the Belarusian presidential election have been detained across the country after documenting numerous violations of the election law. An election-monitoring campaign called Honest People said on August 5 that their observers had registered 2,056 violations of the election law in Minsk and other cities on August 4 -- the first day of early voting. It said the violations included blocking independent observers from polling stations and from monitoring whether voting boxes are properly sealed before being taken away for the vote count. The Human Rights Defenders for a Fair Election campaign said on August 5 that police detained independent observers at polling stations across the country. The group said election officials had been calling the police and claiming that the observers "meddled" in the election process. Detained observers include activists Inna Dabratvor and Natallya Mankouskaya in Minsk, as well as Andrey Kyashanyuk, Halina Mahuchaya, and two other unidentified independent observers in the eastern city of Vitsebsk. Election observer Yaralsau Nyadasekin was also detained in the town of Smalyavichy near Minsk. A monitoring group called Right To Vote -- 2020 said its observers were blocked from entering polling stations in Minsk and other cities. Observers in the eastern city of Mahilyou were also briefly detained on August 4 while trying to monitor early voting. The Minsk-based Vyasna (Spring) human rights center said one of the organizers and leaders of the Honest People campaign, Illya Shapatkouski, was detained on August 4 -- with the authorities claiming he was suspected of being involved in an embezzlement case launched against Belgazprombank. The Honest People campaign was initiated by former Belgazprombank chief Viktar Babaryka, who along with his son Eduard was arrested in June after he expressed his intention to run for president. Babaryka was viewed as a potentially strong rival of incumbent President Alyaksandr Lukashenka. Babaryka was charged with money laundering, bribery, and tax evasion. He rejects the charges as politically motivated. Lukashenka's 26 years of authoritarian rule looks increasingly vulnerable ahead of the August 9 vote. But many analysts say he is likely win through a combination of fraud and the repression of an energized opposition. The Central Election Commission said on August 5 that turnout on the first day of early voting was just under 5 percent of the country's 6.8 million eligible voters. In-depth Analysis and Data-driven Insights on the Impact of COVID-19 Included in this Africa Data Center Construction Market Report. The Africa data center construction market by revenue is expected to grow at a CAGR of close to 12% during the period 20192025. New York, Aug. 04, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Reportlinker.com announces the release of the report "Data Center Construction Market in Africa - Industry Outlook and Forecast 2020-2025" - https://www.reportlinker.com/p05915161/?utm_source=GNW The Africa data center construction market is witnessing significant growth, especially in South Africa, Morocco, Kenya, and Nigeria. The growing internet population has been a strong factor for growth. Government agencies across countries are looking to improve their digital economy. They are involved in a variety of smart city projects that fuel the growth of data centers and edge facilities throughout the region. African countries such as South Africa, Kenya, and Morocco have started taking initiatives for smart cities and plan to improve network coverage. Smart cities are urban development projects that integrate information technology and the Internet of things (IoT) using analytics and sensors to manage cities better. Data centers will be the major beneficiaries of smart cities and will require lots of connectivity, data storage, and computing power for analytics. Due to an increase in the use of connected devices by businesses and consumers, the concept of edge computing is gaining traction in the Africa data center construction market. This has led to the rising demand for high-bandwidth internet in many rural areas, thereby driving the need for the facilities. The spread of COVID-19 has affected major countries that have data center operations in Africa. Few facilities are affected due to the slowdown in construction works owing to lockdowns and supply chain-related challenges. In Africa, the projects that are expected to open between Q1 2020 and Q4 2020 will be partially affected through supply chain-related challenges compared with construction halts. Africa Data Center Construction Market Segmentation The Africa data center construction market research report includes a detailed segmentation by electrical infrastructure, mechanical infrastructure, general construction, tier standards, and geography. The UPS and generator markets will continue to grow due to the increasing construction of large and mega data center facilities and inaccurate power grid connectivity. The power market is expected to witness significant growth due to the non-reliability of power grids in Africa. The increased need for data center solutions in the country is expected to fuel the demand for transfer switches and switchgear during the forecast period. UPS systems are experiencing a high adoption across the African continent as several countries are incorporated diverse energy sources to run the power infrastructure. The facilities are developed to support at rack density of up to 15 kW, with their average PUE being around 1.5. Service operators in Africa deploying modular data centers are likely to procure lithium-ion UPS systems with power capacities of less than 100 kVA. Also, the adoption of single-rack prefabricated data center solutions will include single-phase lithium-ion systems with a power capacity of less than 10 kVA. The generators market is expected to grow because of the continuous construction of large and mega facilities in Africa. Data centers built in populated areas are concerned with carbon emission, which is likely to increase the adoption of efficient generator systems. Africa is currently moving to the adoption of free-cooling chillers or evaporative coolers. The market for cooling systems in the country is likely to depend on the construction of mega and hyperscale facilities, primarily of 10 MW capacity. While several smaller facilities in Africa use DX-based CRAC units, medium and large data centers are installing CRAH units. Also, the implementation of air-cooled CRAC systems with cooling units that use refrigerants or glycol-based cooling is expected to grow during the forecast period. The facilities mostly adopt air cooling systems and energy-efficient chiller units. The development of hyperscale data centers is likely to adopt 2N CRAC or CRAH units, whereas other facilities are expected to go for N+N systems. The facilities are built with flexible designs, in which additional or high-power capacity units can be incorporated within days or weeks, depending on the customers requirement. Chillers are used to facilitate water-based cooling, whereas the adoption of a water-based cooling technique is experiencing strong growth, contributing to a sizable share of the Africa data center construction market. Most colocation facilities in Africa have installed physical security solutions ranging from perimeter to rack-guarded through CCTV cameras and biometric systems. Companies have also adopted DCIM/BMS solutions that enable remote monitoring of entire data center operations. Most colocation facilities in Egypt are developed with support and funding by enterprise and government agencies. The market also lacks a skilled workforce for data center construction and operations, where the definite investments in greenfield projects are low. Hence, most service providers are developing modular facilities. In terms of security, facilities are equipped with physical security, biometric protection, CCTV surveillance, and fire detection alarms. The increasing OPEX will boost the implementation of DCIM solutions, and the rapid growth in colocation data centers will increase the investment in physical security systems in the Africa data center construction market. In Morocco, data centers are certified as Tier III facilities in terms of design. The facilities in Egypt are mostly Tier III standard certified in terms of design and are developed to support at rack density of up to 15 kW, with their average PUE being around 1.5. In Nigeria, most facilities are certified Tier III facilities by the Uptime Institute in terms of data center design and construction. In terms of redundancy, most Nigerian data centers have both power and cooling infrastructure equipped with minimum N+1 redundant components. Segmentation by Electrical Infrastructure UPS Systems Generators Transfer Switches & Switchgears PDUs Other Electrical Infrastructure Segmentation by Mechanical Infrastructure Cooling Systems o CRAC & CRAH Units o Chiller Units o Cooling Towers & Dry Coolers o Other Units Racks Other Mechanical Infrastructure Segmentation by General Construction Building Development Installation & Commissioning Services Building Designs Physical Security DCIM Tier Standard Tier I & Tier II Tier III Tier IV INSIGHTS BY GEOGRAPHY South Africa is witnessing major data center development; cities such as Cape Town and Johannesburg are the preferred places for development. The market is witnessing high adoption of cloud-based solutions among enterprises. The country is rapidly emerging as a center for public and private cloud hosting, which is expected to fuel the facility development. Manufacturing, financial services, and healthcare sectors are among the major contributors to data center investment as they are rapidly adopting cloud computing. The market will witness steady growth over the next few years, with internet penetration and adoption of technologies such as big data, IoT, and artificial intelligence fueling the Africa data center construction market growth. Segmentation by Africa South Africa Morocco Kenya Egypt Nigeria Other Countries INSIGHTS BY VENDORS Multiple electrical infrastructure providers operate in the Africa data center construction market. The growing data center construction market is prompting providers to improve the efficiency of solutions that are currently being offered. Many countries in the region suffer from frequent power fluctuations and power outages. This will enable operators to adopt efficient power backup solutions, with UPS systems that offer over 95% efficiency. The market for VRLA UPS systems will continue to dominate the market; however, the share of VRLA UPS systems will start declining by the end of the forecast period as lithium-ion UPS systems become more affordable, thereby improving their adoption among end-users. Prominent Data Center Support Infrastructure Vendors ABB Caterpillar Cummins Eaton Shenzhen Envicool Technology Legrand MTU On Site Energy Schneider Electric STULZ Rittal Vertiv Prominent Construction Contractors Atkins Aveng Grinaker Concor Edarat Group Etix Everywhere Future-tech Huawei ISG Prominent Data Center Investors Africa Data Centres (Liquid Telecom) Amazon Web Services (AWS) Icolo.io Internet Technologies Angola (ITA) Inwi MDXI (MainOne) N+ONE Orange Raxio Data Center Rayan Data Center Teraco Data Environments KEY QUESTIONS ANSWERED: 1. What is the Africa data center construction market size and growth rate during the forecast period? 2. What are the factors impacting the growth of the Africa data center construction market share? 3. How is the growth of the cooling system segment influencing the growth of the Africa data center construction market? 4. Who are the leading vendors in the Africa data center construction market, and what are their market shares? 5. What is the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Africa data center construction market shares? Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p05915161/?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. __________________________ Story continues CONTACT: Clare: clare@reportlinker.com US: (339)-368-6001 Intl: +1 339-368-6001 WARNING: DISTRESSING CONTENT A judge has praised the bravery shown by the victim of a northern-suburbs knifepoint rapist when she wrestled the weapon from her attacker, stabbed him and escaped. Tyler Skerry, 23, pleaded guilty to raping a woman in Thornbury in October 2019. Credit:Nine In the County Court on Wednesday Tyler Skerry, 23, who admitted raping the woman after attacking her as she walked a dog in Thornbury's Mayer Park in October last year, was jailed for 10 years. County Court judge Rosemary Carlin said the victim acted bravely when she fought Skerry for the kitchen knife he used during the attack, stabbed him in the upper thigh, grabbed the dog and fled. (@ChaudhryMAli88) ISLAMABAD, Aug 3 (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 3rd Aug, 2020 ) :Acting High Commissioner to Sri Lanka Tanvir Ahmad on Monday said the August 5, illegal action of the Indian government had defied Kashmiris' aspirations besides planting the seeds for greater resistance in the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK). At an event held to mark one year of Indian military siege in the IIOJK in Colombo, he highlighted that the fascist Modi-led Indian government violated the resolutions of the United Nations Security Council by abrogating Articles 370 and 35A of its constitution. The actig high commissioner said the Indian government had deployed thousands of additional troops in the IIOJK, imposed a crippling siege cutting off access to the essential services, arrested political leaders and shut down all forms of communication that had resulted in one of the greatest humanitarian crises in the world. He reaffirmed the continued moral, political and diplomatic commitment of the government and people of Pakistan for the Kashmir cause and assured that Pakistan would always raise the voice for the rights of its Kashmiri brothers and sisters. He underscored that the world was slowly recognizing the Indian government's atrocities and oppression of the Kashmiri people and expressed the hope that the day was not far when they would attain their right to self-determination. The event was also addressed by Kashmir Study Forum Chairman Mohamed Jamaludeen, who paid homage to the Kashmiri people for their historical struggle for the right to self-determination and decried the human rights violations committed by the Indian armed forces for over seven decades. He underscored that India should honour. The event was attended by members of the Pakistani diaspora in Colombo, journalists and supporters of the Kashmir cause. \932 The Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra Samsung Samsung on Wednesday announced a bunch of new products, including phones, tablets, a watch and new earbuds. This is typical timing for Samsung, which usually likes to get its best new products out in August before the fall when Apple typically launches its new iPhone and Apple Watch. Samsung was the largest phone seller in the world until earlier this month, when Canalys analysis said Huawei overtook it by market share. Samsung and Apple dominate sales in the U.S. But these new devices are high-end phones for people willing to spend $999 to $1,299, not mass-market budget phones that help Samsung achieve its huge market share around the world. Still, Samsung's Note phones are the nicest crop of devices for the year and will compete directly with Apple's upcoming iPhone 12 phones. And it's clear Samsung is going directly after Apple. Apple typically uses its September event to announce its new phones and new Apple Watch, among other things. And Samsung is doing that earlier. Here's what you need to know about what Samsung announced. Galaxy Note 20 and Galaxy Note 20 Ultra The Samsung Galaxy Note Ultra Samsung Samsung's Galaxy Note 20 and Galaxy Note 20 Ultra phones are the highlight announcements. The Note phones come with Samsung's stylus, known as the "S Pen," and typically pack the highest-end hardware Samsung can cram in a device. Like last year, there's a more affordable Galaxy Note 20 that starts at $999 and a higher-end Galaxy Note 20 Ultra with a slightly larger and sharper screen, a bigger battery and smoother performance that starts at $1,299. Both phones include 5G connectivity but, as we've reported in the past, there's still not much of a need to rush out and get a 5G phone right now, since most carriers only offer 5G connections in limited areas. Still, if you're planning to keep your phone for 3 to 4 years, it's good future-proofing so you'll get faster speeds down the line after wireless carriers have built out their 5G networks. Samsung put a big focus on the cameras on both phones, with support for recording in really high 8K resolution, recording from multiple microphones at the same time for clearer audio and improved pictures. But the cameras are slightly different between the models. The Galaxy Note 20 Ultra has an ultra-wide lens for capturing more of a landscape in each shot, a high resolution 108-megapixel camera for increased detail and a zoom lens that provides up to 50x zoom. The Galaxy Note 20 has a 64-megapixel camera in place of the 108-megapixel on the Ultra and supports up to 30x zoom. And, like in year's past, there's improvements to the S Pen stylus, which slips into the corner of the phone. Gestures now let you control the phone from across the room, so you can close apps, open recent apps, capture the screen and take pictures. It also has improved handwriting recognition, new support for syncing notes across your phone, tablets and computers, and easier annotation in PDF documents. The Galaxy Note 20 and Galaxy Note 20 Ultra will be available for pre-order on Aug. 6 at 12:01 a.m. ET and will ship by Aug. 21. Galaxy Z Fold 2 Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2 Samsung Samsung also announced the Galaxy Z Fold 2. It's the successor to the original Galaxy Fold, which has screen issues just before launch and was delayed months before it finally came to market. The Galaxy Z Fold 2 has a large 6.2-inch screen on the front. When open, it has a large 7.6-inch foldable display that looks a bit more like a tablet. Samsung didn't discuss pricing but said it will launch in September. Galaxy Tab 7, Galaxy Watch 3, Galaxy Buds Live The Samsung Galaxy Tab S7, Galaxy Watch 3, and Galaxy Buds Live Samsung Leaders across the political spectrum on Wednesday welcomed the groundbreaking ceremony for the Ram temple in Ayodhya, hoping the development would pave the way for national unity and harmony. IMAGE: Vishva Hindu Parishad and Bajrang Dal members make a replica of Ram temple using gulal and earthen lamp in Jodhpu. Photograph: PTI Photo Various leaders hailed the historic event, and hoped the country progressed further and that people follow the ideals of Lord Ram. Their reactions come on a day when Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the first brick of the Ram temple in Ayodhya. Terming the foundation laying of Ram temple as a "historic and proud day" for India, home minister Amit Shah said it heralds the beginning of a new era. He said by starting the construction of the grand Ram temple in Ayodhya, Modi has written a golden chapter in the history of the great Indian civilisation, and asserted that the government remains committed to the preservation of Indian culture and its values. "Today is a historic and proud day for India. The consecration of the grand Ram temple by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Lord Ram's birthplace has written a golden chapter in the history of great Indian culture and civilisation and heralded the beginning of a new era," Shah, who is recuperating at a private hospital in Gurgaon after contracting COVID-19, said. He said the construction of the temple is the result of centuries long sacrifice, struggle and penance of the innumerable devotees of Lord Ram. "On this day, I salute all those ascetics who fought for this priceless heritage of them who struggled for years to preserve this precious heritage of Sanatan civilization. Jai Shree Ram," he tweeted in Hindi. "The construction of the grand Ram temple demonstrates the strong and decisive leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. "My heartiest congratulations to all Indians on this unforgettable day. The Modi government will always remain committed to the preservation of Indian culture and its values," he also said. Shah said the ideals and thoughts of Lord Ram reside in the soul of India. "His character and philosophy are the foundation of Indian culture." West Bengal chief minister and Trinamool Congress supremo Mamata Banerjee said, "Hindu Muslim Sikh Isaai, Aapas mein hain Bhai Bhai! Mera Bharat Mahaan, Mahaan Hamara Hindustan." "Our country has always upheld the age-old legacy of unity in diversity, and we must preserve this to our last breath," she tweeted. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said Lord Ram is the ultimate embodiment of supreme human values and can never appear in cruelty, hatred or injustice. In a tweet in Hindi, Gandhi said, "Maryada Purshottam Lord Ram is the ultimate embodiment of supreme human values. He is the core of humanism embedded deep in our hearts". "Ram is love, he can never appear in hatred. Ram is compassion, he can never appear in cruelty. Ram is justice, he can never appear in injustice," he said. Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal sent his best wishes to fellow citizens on the bhoomi poojan of the Ram temple. "May we continue to receive Lord Ram's blessings. May his blessings also help the country get rid of poverty, starvation and poverty and India emerges as the world's most powerful country and guide the world in the coming times. Jai Shri Ram. Jai Bajrang Bali," he said in a tweet in Hindi. Union minister and Bharatiya Janata Party leader Ravi Shankar Prasad said today is a historic day and we can all feel the joy of this moment. "The grand Ram temple is also the temple of the country. It is also a celebration of India's pride, self respect and our spiritual inheritance," he said in Hindi. Extending best wishes to people on the bhoomi poojan function, Congress chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said "We hope the ideals of sacrifice, duty, compassion, generosity, unity, fraternity, harmony and courtesy preached by Lord Ram will become the guiding force for the country." Rajasthan chief Minister Ashok Gehlot stressed that there was a need to focus on establishment of an egalitarian society based on values espoused by Lord Ram. "Lord Ram holds a unique place in our culture & civilization. His life teaches us the importance of truth, justice, equality of all, compassion & brotherhood. We need to focus on establishing an egalitarian society based on the values espoused by #LordRam," he said in a tweet. Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav also hoped the present and future generations will sincerely follow the path shown by 'Maryada Purushottam' and will do good to all and bring peace. Another BJP leader Suresh Prabhu termed it as a glorious moment in India's history and said, "We all are lucky to witness this moment". Another Congress leader Shashi Tharoor said Lord Ram epitomises justice for all, righteous conduct, fairness and firmness in all dealings, moral rectitude and courage. "These values are much needed in such dark times. If they spread throughout the land, Ram Rajya would not be an occasion for triumphalist bigotry. JaiShriRam," he tweeted. The consecration of the Ram temple in Ayodhya on Wednesday heralds the end of a three-decade long BJP-led political movement in the country, which saw the saffron party surge from a negligible presence in Lok Sabha to an absolute majority today. It was in 1990 that then BJP president L K Advani embarked on the Ram Rath Yatra from Somnath to Ayodhya to galvanise support for the temple and challenge the hegemony of the Congress in Indian politics. The Rath Yatra started soon after the VHP performed 'Shilanyas' at the temple site on November 9, 1989. Malachi Barrett, who covers politics and the coming presidential election for MLive.com, was the guest on this weeks Behind the Headlines podcast, hosted by John Hiner, MLives vice president of content, and Eric Hultgren, director of content marketing for MLive Media Group. Last time around, our 16 electoral votes played a huge role in the president being able to ascend to the White House, so were still going to be a top target, Barrett said of Michigans role as a swing state. To listen, click the play button on the podcast player below. Barrett weighs in on: A pause in television advertising spending in Michigan by the campaign of President Donald Trump, while noting that tens of millions of dollars are in the pipeline for this fall; How the Biden campaign is taking Michigan less for granted than the campaign of Hillary Clinton; The fallibility of polls, as was demonstrated in 2016; The importance of the minority vote; The chances of complications affecting the November vote due to COVID and mail-in voting. To see how Trump flipped a state that usually votes blue in presidential elections, watch this episode from MLives Emmy-winning video series, How We Got Here. openings Gallery 51, Massachusetts College of Liberal art's Berkshire Cultural Resource Center, "We Are More Than a Moment." http://www.mcla.edu/About_MCLA/area/bcrc/mcla-gallery-51/index. Curated by Genevieve Gaignard, a Los Angeles-based artist whose work focuses on photographic self-portraiture, sculpture, and installation to explore race, femininity, class and their various intersections. This exhibition will go live online Wednesday. in-person exhibitions Albany Center Gallery, 488 Broadway, Albany. "Visions." http://www.albanycentergallery.org. featuring the work of regional artists Virginia Bryant, Jon Gernon, Diane Golden, Andrea Hersh, Robert Morgan, and Christopher Murray. ACG will be following CDC guidelines for visitation to ensure the safety and wellness of all our visitors. Through Aug. 28. Albany Institute of History and Art, 125 Washington Ave., Albany. http://www.albanyinstitute.org. "Telling Her Story: New Acquisitions presented by Bank of America." Through Aug. 30. Also, "A Brilliant Bit of Color: The Work of Walter Launt Palmer." Through Aug. 23. Also, "Recycled & Refashioned: The Art of Ruby Silvious." Through Aug. 30. Also, "The Hudson River School: Landscape Paintings from the Albany Institute Collection." Ongoing. Purchasing tickets in advance is strongly encouraged to ensure social distancing guidelines are met. American Italian Heritage Museum, 1227 Central Ave, Albany. 518-435-1979. "The Good Life of Italy." The Schenectady Art Society shows its art in this judged show about Italian life. Most paintings will be for sale. Open through August. Saratoga Automobile Museum, Saratoga Spa State Park, Saratoga Springs. "Dyson Racing: The Private Collection." saratogaautomuseum.org. Featuring the varied collection of racing legend, Rob Dyson. Ongoing. Also, "Wheels: Woman and Independence 1900-1920." Ongoing. Also, "East of Detroit." Ongoing. Also, "Racing in New York." Ongoing. Universal Preservation Hall, 25 Washington St., Saratoga Springs. Part of the Machine: Rock & Pinball. universalpreservationhall.org. $10-$20. The interactive Rock & Roll Hall of Fame exhibit showcases rock-themed, playable pinball machines and combines them with merchandise and artifacts to explore the artistic portrayal of artists and bands. UPH, a partner in the Proctors Collaborative, will sell tickets for 90-minute blocks throughout the run. Opens Sunday. Through Sept. 26. Virtual exhibitions Albany Center Gallery, Albany. 2020 Mohawk-Hudson Regional Invitational. albanycentergallery.org. Virtually explore the annual juried exhibit featuring works by Capital Region artists as well as past exhibitions. American Italian Heritage Museum, 1227 Central Ave, Albany. 518-435-1979. "The Good Life of Italy." The Schenectady Art Society shows its art in judged show about Italian life. Most paintings will be for sale. Open through August. The Arts Center of the Capital Region, Troy. "Did You See That: Matt Chinian." artscenteronline.org. Chinian documents places and scenes that present fascinating color fields. The Courthouse Gallery, Lake George. Sculpture by Lee Malerich and paintings by Michael Van Winkle. lakegeorgearts.org/. Lee Malerich (sculpture) and Michael Van Winkle (paintings) create works depicting or referencing the human figure. Discover Albany Visitors Center, Albany. albany.org/about/visitors-center/. Take a virtual tour of the "Albany Heritage Exhibit." Frances Young Tang Teaching Museum and Art Gallery at Skidmore College, "Lover Earth: Art and Ecosexuality." tang.skidmore.edu. A student-curated online exhibition that encourages viewers to think critically about their bodies and the planet. Sign up for The Knick Get the latest news and some area history with our afternoon newsletter. The Hyde Collection, Glens Falls. "Dox Thrash, Black Life and the Carborundum Mezzotint." hydecollection.org/. Thrash, a member of the "new Negro" movement and active in the Depression-era WPA, tapped a rich vein of Black heritage in his art. His invention of the carborundum printing method greatly facilitated his portrayal of African-Americans in a readily accessible medium. Easily disseminated, Thrash's imagery reached audiences across the nation's racial divide. Also, Hyde House and the Permanent Collection. The Hyde Collection offers works of American and European art that span almost 6,000 years of art from antiquity to the present. The Museum's founders, Louis and Charlotte Hyde, acquired the majority of objects during a 50-year period of avid and highly informed collecting. Many of these works are displayed in Hyde House, the founders' former home. Lake George Arts Project's Courthouse Gallery, Lake George. "Algal Blooms in Lake George: The Natural Beauty of Algae... and Its Warning." https://www.lakegeorgearts.org/event/algal-blooms-in-lake-george. Kathy Bozony's work documenting and researching the algal blooms in Lake George. Through July 11. New York State Museum, Albany. Online exhibitions. nysm.nysed.gov/exhibitions/online. Explore the museum's various exhibitions online, including "Votes for Women: Celebrating New York's Suffrage Centennial," "A Spirit of Sacrifice: New York State in the First World War" and "1962 Audio Recording: Dr. Martin Luther King Jr." Norman Rockwell Museum, Stockbridge, Mass. "Finding Home: Four Artists' Journeys," "Norman Rockwell in the Age of the Civil Rights Movement" and "Norman Rockwell: Presidential Elections Illustrated." nrm.org/. Curated experiences that collect related images, photography, video, audio and history relating to the museum's renowned collection of Norman Rockwell's original paintings, his Stockbridge Studio, as well as the museum's vast collection of illustration art. Opalka Gallery, Sage College of Albany. 21st High School Regional Exhibition. opalka.sage.edu/. The annual exhibition is a showcase of the best artwork from the Capital Region's high school students. Sage College of Albany, Sage BFA 2020. art.sage.edu/bfa2020. The annual bachelor of fine arts exhibition represents work from all three of the programs: Art + Extended Media, Graphic + Media Design, and Interior + Spatial Design. Saratoga Performing Arts Center, http://www.spacfoya.org. Festival of Young Artists. Works from young photographers, painters, sculptors and illustrators from the Capital Region. Presented by the Adirondack Trust Company. Spencertown Academy Arts Center, Spencertown. "Fifth annual Members' Art Show." spencertownacademy.org, Featuring works made by more than 50 academy community members. University Art Museum, University at Albany. 2020 Master of Fine Arts Thesis Exhibition. albany.edu/museum/mfa2020/mfa2020.html. View online the work of 2020 master of fine arts degree candidates Courtney Bernardo, Sean Corcoran, Maxwell Goodknight, Anthony Jackson (Bugzdale), Erica Kaufman, Ya Li, Arnela Mahmutovi, Meghan Mason, Anna Nina Pellicone and Tzuyun Wei. Demand for regional properties is surging as capital city dwellers head for outer suburbs and the country for a better lifestyle while still working in their city jobs from home. The trend, fuelled by a huge number of employees working from home in the wake of the COVID-19 crisis, appears to be keeping prices buoyant for regional properties and comparatively cheaper houses in outer-city suburbs. Regional rental vacancy rates are also plunging. The pandemic may be accelerating the tree-change trend. Credit:Erin Jonasson While capital city property prices overall lost ground in the three months to the end of July, regional prices held firm. Figures from CoreLogic show Sydney property prices fell 2.1 per cent in the period, while they slumped 3.2 per cent in Melbourne. More cheaply priced houses in our two biggest cities generally those further from the CBD held steady over the period. China plans to launch two more meteorological satellites in 2021, sources with the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation said Wednesday. One of the planned satellites is called Fengyun-3E (FY-3E). It will be the fifth member of the country's Fengyun-3 series of satellites in polar orbit and the world's first meteorological satellite in dawn-dusk orbit. A dawn-dusk orbit is a sun-synchronous orbit in which the satellite tracks but never moves into the Earth's shadow. Since the satellite is close to the shadow, the part of Earth the satellite is directly above is always at sunset or sunrise, giving the orbit its name. As the sun's light is always shining upon the satellite, it can make constant use of its solar panels. Once in orbit, the FY-3E satellite will improve the accuracy and efficiency of global numerical weather prediction, according to the company. The other satellite is Fengyun-4B (FY-4B), which will be the second geostationary meteorological satellite of the Fengyun-4 series. China launched the FY-4A, a scientific experiment satellite, into space in December 2016. The FY-4B will mark an upgrade of China's meteorological satellites in geostationary orbit. As early as 1969, China started receiving, processing and using foreign meteorological satellite data. Meanwhile, the country has been developing its own meteorological satellite system. Over the past 50 years, China's meteorological services have made huge progress. So far, the country has launched a total of 17 Fengyun meteorological satellites. SAN RAMON, Calif. - A former Google engineer has been sentenced to 18 months in prison after pleading to guilty to stealing trade secrets before joining Ubers effort to build robotic vehicles for its ride-hailing service. The sentence handed down Tuesday by U.S. District Judge William Alsup came more than four months after former Google engineer Anthony Levandowski reached a plea agreement with the federal prosecutors who brought a criminal case against him last August. Levandowski, who helped steer Googles self-driving car project before landing at Uber, was also ordered to pay more than $850,000. Alsup had taken the unusual step of recommending the Justice Department open a criminal investigation into Levandowski while presiding over a high-profile civil trial between Uber and Waymo, a spinoff from a self-driving car project that Google began in 2007 after hiring Levandowski to be part of its team. Levandowski eventually became disillusioned with Google and left the company in early 2016 to start his own self-driving truck company, called Otto, which Uber eventually bought for $680 million. Before leaving Google, though, Levandowski downloaded a trove of Googles self-driving car technology, resulting in him being facing 33 counts of intellectual property theft. He wound up pleading guilty to once count, culminating in Tuesdays sentencing. The accusations turned Levandowski, once highly regarded for his early inroads into self-driving cars, into a notorious figure almost synonymous with greed run amok in Silicon Valley, his own lawyers acknowledged in court documents filed last week. The lawyers argued Levandowski deserved some leniency because there was never any evidence that he used Googles trade secrets while overseeing Ubers self-driving car division. He lost that job in 2017 while asserting his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination when Uber was still defending itself against Waymos civil lawsuit. Uber settled its case with Waymo for $245 million a few days into a trial that featured its former CEO, Travis Kalanick, speaking about some of his discussions with Levandowski about the ride-hailing services desire to win the race to build self-driving cars. Levandowski, 40, faced a maximum prison sentence of 10 years and a $250,000 fine. Besides sentencing Levandowski to 18 months in prison, Alsup fined him $95,000 and order him to pay Waymo $756,499 to reimburse the company for the costs it incurred in helping the government with its investigation. It appears uncertain whether Levandowski will be able to afford to make the payments. He filed for bankruptcy earlier this year after another court upheld a arbitration ruling requiring him to pay Google $179 million, most of which consisted of a bonus he received for his work on self-driving cars. In its victim statement, Waymo told Alsup that Levandowskis misconduct was enormously disruptive and harmful to Waymo, constituted a betrayal, and the financial effects would likely have been even more severe had it gone undetected. In documents arguing why Levandowski deserved prison time, U.S. Attorney David Anderson called his theft a brazen and shocking act that seemed driven by ego as much as greed. Levandowskis actions suggest he wanted to be seen as the singular inventor of the self-driving car, the way Alexander Graham Bell is credited with inventing the telephone, Anderson wrote. Are Christian couples biblically mandated to have children? John Piper answers Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment Theologian John Piper believes Christian couples are biblically called to have children unless God makes it crystal clear that the self-denying path of Christ-exalting obedience is childlessness. In an episode of the podcast Ask Pastor John, a listener asked the 74-year-old founder of DesiringGod.org, Is it permissible for an ordinary Christian couple to simply choose to not have children? In response, the chancellor of Bethlehem College & Seminary in Minneapolis, Minnesota first argued that theres no such thing as simply choosing to have children. There are always realities, in our hearts and in our minds and in our experiences, that shape our so-called simply choosing, he explained. We are not simply choosing. We are choosing because of who we are, because of deep realities that have shaped our hearts, our preferences, our desires, our wants, our inclinations. Piper then offered five observations that he said may reveal some of the hidden things of the heart. He stressed, first and foremost, that Scripture defines children as a blessing. [Children ] are a gift; children are a blessing. When they are withheld, it is a heartache sometimes even a judgment, Piper said. What a sadness when many modern women, shortsightedly I think, choose to forgo that blessing, while millions would literally give their right arm to have it. Second, Scripture is starkly realistic about how badly things may go in families, Piper acknowledged, adding: The Bible is not a Pollyanna tale of happy families. Almost all of them in the Bible are broken one way or the other, he continued. But none of this none of it hinders the ongoing reality that conceiving and raising children is normal, beautiful, fitting, natural, normative. Third, Piper pointed out that the Bible does not share the modern mindset that the aim of life is the avoidance of hardship or heartache or suffering. Before having children, parents do not know whether their offspring will have special needs, break their hearts with unbelief, or live six hours and die, he explained. However, they do know that raising a child in the Lord demands spiritual desperation, prayer, focus, and attention. But from the standpoint of Gods word, none of those possible heartaches and none of these guaranteed stresses are reasons not to have children, because the Bible does not share the modern viewpoint that the aim of life is the avoidance of hardship, he said. Fourth, the bestselling author pointed out that parents cant predict their childrens influence, and thus cannot presume to think that they can do more good by not having children. [We] simply do not know whether our child will be a debit or a credit to the human race a curse or a blessing, a taker or a giver, he said. We dont know. Who do we think we are? My goodness, who do we think we are to predict that our children will be a loss rather than a gain for the world, and for the glory of Christ, whom we can believe and pray to? Finally, Piper argued that most couples dont decide to have children after calculating the effect of their child on global warming, or the replacement rate for the population so that 30 years from now the workforce will be big enough to sustain the aged, or whether we will certainly have enough resources to establish the child in a fruitful location. Rather, children are often the culmination of the biblical blessing pronounced upon having children together with the voice of God in nature every month as a woman ovulates and as the man stands ever-ready to deposit his seed as the deep-seated, God-given longings of a man and a woman to be a father and a mother rise up. Piper concluded by saying that the biblical blessing, voice of nature and God-given longing should be followed unless God himself makes it crystal clear that the self-denying path of Christ-exalting obedience is childlessness. Previously, Piper suggested it is permissible for Christian couples to wait to have kids and to limit the number of children they have. God knows your heart. Hes a merciful Father, and he loves children, he said in 2018. But our having children is not his highest priority. His highest priority for his children is Christ-exalting faith and Christ-magnifying joy that overflows in meeting the needs of others. Thats his highest priority. The theologian also said in the past that it is permissible, in some cases, for a missionary couple to forgo children altogether. A recent survey by the Guttmacher Institute found that about a third of women in the United States ages 18 to 49 were planning to postpone pregnancy or forgo adding a child to their family because of the coronavirus pandemic. Similarly, Wellesley College economics professor Dr. Phillip Levine, a one-time White House economic advisor, and a team of researchers from the Brookings Institution are projecting a decline of 300,000 to 500,000 births in the U.S. next year. But birth rates were steadily declining in Western countries before the pandemic. According to a report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the number of births in the U.S. dropped to a three-decade low in 2018. Its estimated that by 2035, the number of Americans over the age of 65 will outnumber those under the age of 18. A county health department in North Carolina has issued an alert after learning that about 10 people infected with the coronavirus were among the mourners at a funeral and a memorial service last month. Health officials in Chatham County, about 35 miles west of Raleigh, said in the public notice that the infected people were found to have attended a memorial service at Bonlee Recreational Park on July 25 and a funeral service at Emmaus Baptist Church in Pittsboro two days later. "The positive test results came after the events, though others who were in attendance may have been exposed to the virus," the notice said. Zachary Horner, a spokesman for the county Public Health Department, said Wednesday, "Our understanding is that between 70 to 100 people were at the memorial service and more than 200 were at the funeral." IMAGE: Emmaus Baptist Church in Pittsboro, N.C. (Google Maps) The church told officials that all who attended was required to wear masks and sit 6 feet apart, the health department notice said. Masks were provided to people who did not have them. "These measures likely helped reduce the risk of spread at the service," the notice said. An associate pastor at the church declined to comment Wednesday about details of the event. Full coverage of the coronavirus outbreak The health department said it has been in communication with the attendees who tested positive and with others who may have been in close contact with them. "If you attended either or both of these events, please monitor for symptoms of COVID-19 and be sure to practice social distancing, especially around those who are at higher risk of serious illness such as older adults and people with underlying health conditions," the notice said. "If you were told that you were in close contact with someone who tested positive, quarantine at home and stay away from others for at least 14 days." The statement noted that large gatherings, especially where social distancing could not be maintained and face coverings were not consistently worn, have led to many coronavirus clusters around the state and the country. Following a stoppage by meat workers at a JBS meat plant in Melbourne last week, Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews on Monday announced limited coronavirus safety measures in abattoirs and the meat industry, as part of wider partial state of disaster lockdown measures. Meat production in the Australian state is meant to be cut by one-third and workers in the meat plants are supposed to be provided with health worker-level personal protective equipment, such as gloves, gowns, masks and shields. Andrews boasted of the most stringent safety protocols that have ever been put in place, in any industrial setting. In reality, the state Labor Party governments long overdue and still inadequate measures amount to a devastating exposure of its pro-business regime. For six months, as the pandemic raged around the world and in Australia, meat workers were endangered while little was done to protect their safety. As throughout the economy, the priority of state, territory and federal governments, Labor and Liberal-National, has been to protect corporate profits ahead of workers lives, safety and public health. The largest Victorian cluster, in the first wave of the virus that began in March, was at a Cedar Meats facility in the Melbourne suburb of Brooklyn. The first case was identified inside the facility on April 24, and another two days later. By late May, 111 cases were linked to Cedar Meats. For weeks after the virus began circulating in the plant management insisted there was no issue. Workers who complained were told they were spreading baseless rumours. Even after confirmed infections were detected, some workers were compelled to remain on the line. Andrews initially refused to publicly name the company or indicate where the cluster was located. This was clearly aimed at preventing any commercial damage to the business, regardless of the public health implications, and ensuring that it could resume full operations as quickly as possible. Only after opposition developed, including from meat workers, was it disclosed publicly that Cedar Meats was the facility. Clusters have since emerged at a host of meatworks. In Melbourne, they include Somerville Retail Services in Tottenham, with 129 cases so far, Bertocchi Smallgoods in Thomastown, where 148 infections have been detected, and Don KR in Castlemaine, where 10 workers have been struck down. Five cases have been confirmed at Inghams Foodservice in Thomastown, with infections also detected at Pacific Meats in the same suburb. Facilities in Victorian regional areas have been hit, with 77 workers affected at an Australian Lamb plant in Colac. The Colac outbreak further exposed the exploitation of a workforce dominated by unskilled non-English-speaking migrants and refugees who are forced to live on insecure subsistence wages. The local government council complained of the difficulty of finding appropriate social isolation housing for meat workers who had been previously forced by their circumstances to have as many as 50 people crammed into one house. JBS is one of the largest global food processing companies. Its abattoir in Brooklyn, Melbourne, is the biggest in Victoria, employing in excess of 1,500 people. There have been at least 86 COVID-19 cases there. Last week, 45 cold storage workers at the plant refused to begin work, holding a stop work meeting to demand safe working conditions. Their demands included intensive site cleaning, screening of employees, the supply of adequate face masks and safe social distancing measures. They also protested JBSs previous deductions of annual leave entitlements without consent, and refusal to pay wages for those without leave entitlements, during temporary plant closures. One worker who reportedly had his leave deducted without authorisation had been saving it to assist with the care of his baby, who his partner was due to deliver through caesarean section. The meat industry is among the most vulnerable of industries internationally. Benjamin Cowie, an infectious disease expert for the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity in Melbourne, told the Guardian that long shifts and workers forced to be in close proximity of one another were risk factors. He added: Certainly, we know that the coronavirus that causes COVID-19 is more stable in cold conditions. At least 20 percent of all American meat workers have already been infected. In Germany, an outbreak at the Toennies Slaughterhouse in Rheda-Wiedenbrueck affected more than 650 employees, with 7,000 others forced into isolation. A study conducted by the Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research concluded that inadequately circulated chilled air, combined with close proximity and strenuous working conditions, meant that infected workers could infect others within an 8-metre range. In Australia, as internationally, the trade unions have functioned as the crucial enforcers of the government-corporate agenda, keeping workers on the job to generate profits. Australasian Meat Industry Employees Union state secretary Paul Conway opposed the strike action of JBS cold storage workers. We seem to be managing working through the issues, but it [the stop work action] will mean it will stop productionour guys wont be able to work either, he said. Conway heaped praise on JBS management: I would say, credit where credit is due. They have done what they canif you are going to have a pocket of workers anywhere, you are going to have problems. Meat workers throughout Australia need to follow the lead provided by the JBS cold storage workers, developing the immediate and necessary industrial action independently of the trade unions. The JBS stoppage is part of the growing opposition in the working class to the unsafe conditions they are being forced to endure. The day after the JBS workers took action, 35 workers at the Spotless commercial laundry in South Dandenong, another Melbourne suburb, refused to turn up for their shifts, following an outbreak of COVID-19 at the facility. This Monday, about 240 warehouse workers at the Woolworths Liquor Distribution Centre in Laverton, western Melbourne, took strike action. A worker had tested positive on Friday, but the grocery corporate giant refused to close the warehouse. Workers need to form rank and file safety and action committees to establish the widest unity of workers throughout the meat and other basic industries, connecting the fight for basic health and safety precautions to the global struggle of the working class. This development will mean a direct conflict with both the state Labor government in Victoria and the federal Liberal-National government of Prime Minister Scott Morrison. Workers should contact the Socialist Equality Party and World Socialist Web Site to discuss the necessary initiatives to take this struggle forward. The author recommends: Victorias COVID-19 catastrophe: An indictment of Australian governments and capitalism [5 August 2020] Amid COVID-19 disaster, Australian state government announces limited workplace closures [4 August 2020] Mass unemployment to worsen in Australia following Victorian lockdown [4 August 2020] When Mayor Ron Nirenberg and Bexar County Judge Nelson Wolff address the media each evening at 6:13 p.m. to update the nations seventh largest city on its daily fight with the coronavirus, sometimes they turn the discussion to health experts and hard statistics. Metro Health reported 10 deaths Tuesday, dating back as far as April. Only 136 new cases of the virus were reported in Bexar County, one of the lowest increases since mid-June. And sometimes, Wolff and Nirenberg just chat like stern loving parents. In the fall you must get your flu shot, Wolff said. And continue to wear your mask. The reason we are (making progress) is because of you, he continued. I think people are doing the very best they can, but we cannot let our guard down. Wolff said of all the statistics trotted out each night, he pays the most attention to hospitalizations. Were making some strong progress, he said Tuesday night, noting that the number of hospitalizations for the disease had dropped to 858, down from a July 12 high of 1,267. Wolff said over the weekend he went to The Shops at La Cantera and was stopped by numerous families reporting on how vigilant they have been during the post-July 4 spikes that have alarmed health officials. Nirenberg chimed in with advice for everyone to stay away from large extended family gatherings the casual events health experts say probably fueled the virus spikes and for workers to consider not having lunch in their company break rooms. Metro Health is dealing with a backlog of death cases making its way through the system, which resulted in the 10 deaths reported Tuesday. The death toll in Bexar County is now at 380, by Metro Healths count. Nirenberg said the deaths occurred between April 26 and Aug. 2. Please remember that each of these isnt just a number, they are a loved one lost, Nirenberg said, in what has now become his trademark phrase. The deceased included: a man in his 40s; two Hispanic women in their 60s; four Hispanic men, one in his 40s, two in their 50s and one in his 90s; three white men, one in his 60s, one in his 70s and one in his 90s. With only 136 new cases of the virus reported Tuesday, the total number of cases now stands at 41,274 since the pandemic began nearly five months ago. It was one of the lowest increases since mid-June the highest was 2,202 on July 19 but Nirenberg cautioned against becoming complacent. Please stay vigilant, Nirenberg said. COVID-19 is still in our community and if we keep up the mask wearing and social distancing, we will avoid another spike of cases. While San Antonios hospital system is still considered to be severely stressed, with just 17 percent of staffed hospital beds available, the general trend toward slow improvement continued Tuesday. There are 858 people with COVID-19 in San Antonio hospitals, down from 886 Monday and 336 in intensive care, down from 350 Monday, and 234 on ventilators, down from 238 Monday. That leaves 50 percent of ventilators, which some victims of the virus need to breathe, available citywide. Nirenberg noted that 23 percent of all admissions to San Antonio hospitals are related to COVID-19. In Comal County, officials reported three more deaths related to the virus and 74 new cases. Nirenberg and Wolff both expressed their hope that area schools would wait until at least Sept. 7 to re-open. We still dont have things under control yet, said Nirenberg, who stressed that if early openings led to infection outbreaks he would feel confident in allowing public health officials to step in and take whatever steps are necessary. With some 17 area schools districts affected, said the mayor, there are a lot of different voices at the tableand they dont have to follow our advice when they start to open, but they will have to live with their decisions. (We hope) it will come down to public health guidance. Thats what weve always wanted. Wolff signed off with the advice that no matter how promising reports are about the progress of various vaccine efforts around the world, they may not bring a miracle. If one arrives by the first of next year, he said, it may only lessen the severity of COVID-19 and not prevent it entirely, and we dont know how long it may last. Even with a vaccine on the horizon, he concluded, we have to adopt a way of life (including) wearing your mask and staying away from large gatherings. Talking to citizens, Wolff continued: The reason we are (making progress) is because of you. I think people are doing the very best they can, but we cannot let our guard down. Bruce Selcraig is a staff writer in the San Antonio and Bexar County area. To read more from Bruce, become a subscriber. BSelcraig@express-news.net Google Play Music shutdown process will start from September onwards and all support will be ended by December. Google Play Music will finally meet its end starting September this year as its replaced by YouTube Music. By December, all support for Google Play Music will be ended. Google had already confirmed it will kill Play Music and replace it with YouTube Music. The process is already in tow with Google Play Music features coming on YouTube Music. It also introduced a process for Google Play Music to transfer their library on YouTube Music. In a blog post, YouTube announced Google Play Music will stop working for users in New Zealand and South Africa this September. In October, Google Play Music will stop working globally. This means that existing users will not be able to stream from or use the app at all. It will also stop allowing users to purchase, pre-order music, upload or download music on Google Play Music from late August. Theres still a buffer time until December 2020 for users to transfer their Google Play Music playlists, uploads, purchases, and likes to YouTube Music. But post that users wont have access to any of their content on Google Play Music. Google Play Music users who havent started transferring their content should start doing so since the platform will meet its inevitable end. Transfer your Google Play Music To YouTube Music. (Google) ALSO READ: How to transfer songs from Google Play Music to YouTube Music Theres YouTube Musics transfer tool that lets users migrate any purchases to the platform. Another way is to use Google Takeout to export data and download purchased and uploaded music on YouTube Music. Google has been adding new features to YouTube Music like assistive playlist creation, collaborative playlists, new explore tab, redesigning the player page on Android and more. WASHINGTON The Trump administration will press ahead with efforts to extend a United Nations arms embargo on Iran despite widespread opposition to such a move at the world body, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Wednesday. The decision sets the stage for a potential crisis at the U.N. Security Council amid rising tensions in Middle East. Pompeo said the United States would call for a Security Council vote next week on a U.S.-drafted resolution to extend the embargo that is due to expire in October. The resolution is widely expected to fail, as the other members of the Security Council have signaled their opposition. The Security Councils mission is to maintain international peace and security," Pompeo told reporters. The council would make an absolute mockery of that mission if it were to allow the worlds leading state sponsor of terrorism to buy and sell weapons openly. If the vote fails, Pompeo suggested the U.S. would invoke the so-called snapback mechanism that would restore all U.N. sanctions on Iran. Snapback was envisioned in the 2015 nuclear deal in the event Iran was proven to be in violation of the accord, under which it received billions of dollars in sanctions relief in exchange for curbs on its nuclear program. One way or another we will ensure that the arms embargo will be extended, he said. Were not going to let the arms embargo expire on October 18. Were deeply aware that snapback is an option that is available to the United States. Trump pulled out of the nuclear deal in 2018 and has steadily reimposed U.S. penalties on Iran, leading Iran to step up uranium enrichment and heavy water production outside the allowed limits. Disputes over those violations remain unresolved. The remaining participants in the 2015 nuclear deal have said the U.S. no longer has standing to invoke snapback. Administration officials and Iran hawks argue that as a permanent member of the Security Council, the U.S. remains party to the separate U.N. resolution that endorsed the deal and still has the legal grounds to call for the reimposition of sanctions. Under the nuclear deal, the U.N. arms embargo against Iran will expire Oct. 18 if Iran is in compliance with the agreement. For several months, Pompeo and other U.S. officials have been lobbying for the indefinite extension of the embargo, saying its expiration would allow Iran to import weapons at will and further destabilize the Middle East. The European participants in the nuclear deal, Britain, France and Germany, have said they have concerns about Irans ability to import and export weapons but have also pointed out that it was envisioned by the agreement. China and Russia have threatened to veto any attempt to extend the embargo. But a snapback of U.N. sanctions would not be subject to veto, due to the unusual way the provision was worded. The other members of the Security Council could, however, simply choose to ignore a U.S. invocation of snapback, which would create a crisis of credibility in the U.N.s most powerful body. Disclaimer: This post has been auto-published from an agency feed without any modifications to the text and has not been reviewed by an editor The fact that new COVID-19 cases dropped below 100 for four straight days over the long weekend appears to show that Albertans are following public health guidelines about wearing masks and physical distancing, says the province's top doctor. Dr. Deena Hinshaw, Alberta's chief medical officer of health, began her Tuesday news conference by thanking Albertans for looking out for each other over the past few days. "We heard many positive reports of mask use and of people following the public health guidance that we've put into place," she said. "There is no silver bullet that will make any setting completely risk free and no region or community that is free from the virus. However, today's data shows our collective power to take on COVID-19 and limit its spread." The downward trend began on Friday, when 97 new cases were reported. That was followed by: 67 new cases on Saturday. 74 new cases on Sunday. 65 cases on Monday. On Saturday, bylaws requiring masks be worn in public places went into effect in both Edmonton and Calgary. "Two weeks ago, I called our numbers a wake-up call," Hinshaw said. "Today, we're starting to see the results of Albertans answering that challenge. "It's our hypothesis that one reason for these lower case numbers is that we have had a response from Albertans in general to follow more of the public health guidance than perhaps they were before." Statistics released Tuesday by the City of Edmonton seem to support that theory. The city said enforcement officers patrolled 160 areas over the long weekend, including transit, recreation centres, places of worship, businesses, restaurants and malls. They found that more than 80 per cent of people were wearing facial coverings. "We're extremely pleased with how Edmontonians have embraced the new bylaw and are committed to helping keep their fellow citizens safe," David Aitken, chair of the City of Edmonton's COVID-19 task team, said in a news release. "Peace officers and city staff will continue to help people understand the new bylaw and the importance of facial coverings in slowing the spread of COVID-19." Story continues No fines were issued in Edmonton over the weekend, the city said. Hinshaw said she and her team will continue to track the numbers closely to see if they can identify what key changes may have driven the numbers down. Five more deaths The most recent data reported another five deaths In Alberta, including three at the Good Samaritan Southgate Care Centre in Edmonton. In total, 201 deaths are now attributed to COVID-19. The outbreak at the Good Samaritan facility is now the deadliest in the province, with the facility reporting 24 deaths on its website on Tuesday. There have been 112 cases at the centre 80 residents and 32 staff since the outbreak began on July 17. Currently, there are 42 active cases among residents and 20 among staff members, while 14 residents and 12 employees have now recovered from the illness, the facility said in its latest update. The centre, at 4225 107th St., has about 180 residents. "This outbreak underlines the importance of our collective efforts to slow the spread of COVID-19 and to protect the most vulnerable members of our community," Hinshaw said. "Part of this protection requires continually evaluating our response efforts and using the best available evidence to update our approach when warranted." The most recent update reported 1,191 active cases in the province, down from the 1,386 cases reported as the province headed into the long weekend. On Tuesday there were 85 people being treated in Alberta hospitals, 23 of them in ICU beds. The province conducted more than 34,000 COVID-19 tests over the past four days. The province announced new guidelines Tuesday that will make it mandatory for students in grades four to 12 to wear masks when schools reopen in the fall. Hinshaw said health officials continue to learn more about the virus each day. "It is important to remember how far our understanding of COVID-19 has come," she said. "In March, we did not know much about this virus. We did not know how it spread among children, whether children were a high-risk group, and what sorts of locations or gatherings were major drivers of spread." That lack of knowledge forced public health officials to make decisions, including shutting down schools, based on their understanding of how other viruses, like influenza, had spread in the past, she said. "We know that the burden of COVID-19 is higher in adults, and that younger children are less likely to transmit to each other, although transmission can still occur," Hinshaw said. "Evidence in jurisdictions around the world suggest that schools do not appear to be a major driver of community spread." The virus has been present in Alberta for at least five months, she said, and will be here for many months to come. Closing schools has significant emotional, physical and mental health impacts on children, particularly those who are most vulnerable. "All of these acts have informed the guidance that I have provided to schools. Returning to school with precautions in place seeks to balance all the needs of our children. There is no one perfect way to respond to COVID-19, each path has advantages and challenges. "I have children in school, I have nieces and nephews in school, I have friends and family members who teach or work in schools. I have a very strong interest not only in the safety and health of all Albertans that's my job, and I take that very seriously but I have many people who I personally love and care about who will be in schools in the fall. "I have provided my best advice and recommendations with respect to school re-entry and the recommendations that I have made based on best evidence, as you heard this morning, have been accepted and supported." 'Now is the time' Hinshaw thanked Albertans for following public health guidelines, which she said may have helped bring down case numbers in recent days. "The choices we all make now will determine caseloads through late August and early September," she said. "It is within our control to get cases as low as possible for the fall, to support students returning to school and businesses that are returning to work. "Now is the time to make changes for your kids who want to be able to go back to school in the fall. Now is also the time to teach your children how to safely put on, wear and take off a mask." Israeli soldiers walk during a drill in the Israeli-controlled Golan Heights near the Israel-Syria frontier Israel has confirmed that it carried out a series of airstrikes on military bases in Syria in retaliation for an attempted bombing of the Golan Heights by a terrorist group. The Israel Defence Forces aircraft launched attacks on Monday night on military outposts near the Syrian capital of Damascus, which caused material damage according to Syrian state media reports. It came after the IDF said it had killed four would-be bombers who were planning an attack in the Golan Heights, at Israel's northeastern border with Syria. Though Israel has launched hundreds of strikes on targets in Syria, notably forces backed by the Iranian regime such as Hizbollah, it is less common for the Jewish state to acknowledge them in public. Hizbollah is a Lebanese militant group that has vowed to destroy Israel. It is proscribed as a terrorist organisation by the UK. After the most recent strike, the Israel Defence Forces confirmed in a statement that it had targeted "observation posts and intelligence collection systems, anti-aircraft artillery facilities and command and control systems" at a Syrian base in Quneitra. The IDF holds the Syrian government responsible for all activities on Syrian soil, and will continue operating with determination against any violation of Israeli sovereignty, it added. Israel previously acknowledged a strike in November 2019 when the IDF struck dozens of targets in Syria that belonged to both the Syrian regime and Iranian-backed forces. In response to an attempted IED attack near the security fence between Syria & Israel last night, we just struck SAF targets in Syria including: observation posts intel collection systems anti-aircraft artillery command & control systems We hold Syria responsible. Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) August 3, 2020 Those strikes were in response to a rocket attack by Iranian forces against Israeli territory. Story continues And in August 2019, the Israel air force struck in Syria to prevent Iranian forces from carrying out a drone attack. Our forces operate in every sector against the Iranian aggression, Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu said at the time. Lt Colonel Jonathan Conricus, a senior spokesman for the IDF, told the Telegraph: It actually isnt very unusual for us to acknowledge or take responsibility for strikes in Syria, especially not when it was in response to an attack against Israel. He added that Israeli forces remained on high alert and were anticipating another attack by Hizbollah fighters in the north. Three BJP activists dissociated themselves from the party on Wednesday, a day after Arif Ahmad Shah, a panch associated with the saffron party, was injured in a suspected militant attack in south Kashmirs Kulgam district. The three BJP workers are Kund constituency president Nisar Ahmad Wani, Devsar constituency vice-president Sabzar Ahmad Paddar, and activist Ashiq Hussain Palla of Warpora-Kund . The resignation comes on the first anniversary of the revocation of Article 370, which is being celebrated by the BJP amid strict restrictions on movement and assembly of people. Shah was fired upon by suspected militants near his home at Akhran village of Devsar in Kulgam on Tuesday night. He sustained injuries on the neck. Wani, a baker, who had joined the BJP a few months ago, said, I am an unlettered person and earn my living as a labourer. I think it is better to focus on feeding my family without any stress. Though he said his resignation had nothing to do with the attack on Shah last night, he said Kund was a very dangerous area. We live on a hill and fear is pervasive, he said. Paddar said they had resigned of their own accord and had not been pressured. I resigned owing to some personal reasons. We belong to poor families and want to focus on our families, Paddar, who had joined the BJP six months ago, said. BJP spokesperson Altaf Thakur said Shah was stable. However he denied that the workers who resigned were part of the BJP. Atleast, I dont know them,he said. Last month BJPs former Bandipora district president Waseem Bari, was killed, along with his father Basheer Ahmad and brother Suhail Basheer, inside his shop. Police had said two Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) members were involved. Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-05 20:12:34|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close Workers exam newly assembled Mercedes-Benz SUVs at a plant in Beijing, captial of China, on June.5, 2020. (Photo provided by Hubertus Troska/Xinhua) BEIJING, Aug. 5 (Xinhua) -- Foreign enterprises in Beijing are regaining confidence as the city's work and production resumption continue to accelerate amid further containment of COVID-19, while its economy has rebounded with strong resilience and vitality. "We highly appreciate the guidance and support we got from the Beijing government and municipal authorities... Thanks to the effective measures taken by China in fighting COVID-19, we are witnessing a strong recovery of its auto market," said Hubertus Troska with Daimler AG. "We are also fortunate to see a positive sales momentum for our Mercedes-Benz brand in China with a year-on-year growth of 21.6 percent in the second quarter," he said. In the first six months of the year, Mercedes-Benz delivered more than 346,000 new cars to its customers in China, basically returning to the level of the same period last year, data from the German automaker showed. According to the Ministry of Commerce, foreign direct investment (FDI) in the Chinese mainland, in actual use, grew by 8.4 percent year on year in the second quarter of this year, a significant rebound from the first quarter (down 10.8 percent), indicating foreign investors' stabilizing expectations and confidence in China's economy. Besides, international enterprises, including Daimler, are seeking a stronger presence in China. "I'm very confident in the long-term development of the Chinese auto industry and believe that the best times are yet to come," Troska said, adding that Beijing is still a highly attractive business location for international companies. Daimler is committed to further invest and strengthen its local footprint in research and development, and production and purchase, Troska added. From January to May, a total of 495 new foreign-funded enterprises were set up in the service sector in Beijing, actually using 5.12 billion U.S. dollars in direct overseas capital, according to the municipal commerce bureau. Photo taken on March 10, 2020 shows the construction of the Universal Beijing Resort was progressing smoothly in Beijing, capital of China. (Photo provided by Tom Mehrmann/Xinhua) Universal Beijing Resort, a key project in Beijing's Tongzhou District, has seen its construction progressing smoothly, and the main structure has been completed. The theme park is expected to open in the first half of next year. "We quickly resumed construction in the ever-changing epidemic circumstances under the ongoing guidance and support from related government authorities," said Tom Mehrmann, president of the resort. Mehrmann said he has full confidence in the Chinese economy and the tourism industry, and the total demand for Chinese tourists is significant. Although the short-term impact seems inevitable, it will eventually lead to a dramatic rebound and growth, Mehrmann added. Data from the Beijing municipal bureau of statistics showed that the city's regional gross domestic product (GDP) edged down 3.2 percent year on year to 1.62 trillion yuan (about 232 billion U.S. dollars) in the first half of this year. The decline narrowed by 3.4 percentage points compared with that of the first quarter, indicating steady economic recovery of the city. Since the outbreak of COVID-19, the enterprises of Swiss tech giant ABB in Beijing have overcome multiple challenges with the help of the municipal government, which sent anti-epidemic materials to the local firms of ABB and helped their supporting enterprises resume production as soon as possible. "We have been committed to the long-term development in China," said Peter Voser, chairman of the board of directors at ABB Ltd. " ABB will work together with our Chinese customers and partners to further develop the industrial and supply chains." In order to promote the resumption of work and production of major foreign firms in Beijing and minimize the impact of the epidemic, the city has launched several commercial activities through the internet since May. The activities provided an online platform for local officials to met leaders of multinational companies. Besides, the overseas side could see real-time videos of production lines of foreign firms in Beijing, thus injecting confidence into their investment plans in China. The municipal government not only solved the problems of foreign companies in the supply of spare parts and international logistics and transportation but also facilitated executives and their families to return to Beijing. Last month, Beijing issued an action plan to implement new opening-up measures as part of efforts to open up at a higher level and optimize its business environment. But right wing politicians in the country accuse the government of 'cozying up' to its enemy The gesture by Israel is surprising because the countries are technically at war Lebanon's flag has been projected onto Tel Aviv's city hall in a rare display of solidarity following the devastating explosion that shocked Beirut. Israel's latest gesture, following an offer of humanitarian aid hours after the blast yesterday afternoon, is surprising given that the countries are technically at war. 'Tonight we will illuminate the city hall with the Lebanese flag,' Tel Aviv's Mayor Ron Huldai said on Twitter. 'Humanity precedes any conflict, and our hearts are with the Lebanese people in the wake of the terrible disaster that befell them,' he added. Lebanon's flag has been projected onto Tel Aviv 's city hall in a rare display of solidarity following the devastating explosion that shocked Beirut The move has faced criticism from some of Israel's right wing politicians. Israel's minister for Jerusalem affairs, a member of the far-right Jewish Home party, condemned the gesture following the explosions at Beirut port that killed more than 100 people and injured thousands of others. 'It is possible and necessary to provide humanitarian aid to civilians who were hurt in Lebanon, but waving an enemy flag in the heart of Tel Aviv is moral confusion,' Raffi Peretz wrote on Twitter. Israel and Lebanon are still technically at war, while tensions with the powerful Lebanese Shiite movement Hezbollah have spiked in recent weeks. Israel's latest gesture, following an offer of humanitarian aid hours after the blast yesterday afternoon, is surprising given that the countries are technically at war Hezbollah and Israel fought a devastating month-long conflict in 2006 in which Lebanon's infrastructure was badly damaged. The war killed more than 1,200 Lebanese, mostly civilians, and 160 Israelis, most of them soldiers. But on Tuesday, hours after the massive explosions at Beirut's port, right-wing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said his National Security Council had offered Lebanon aid, via the UN. Addressing Israel's parliament on Wednesday, Netanyahu extended 'condolences to the people of Lebanon,' and said Israel remained ready to offer 'humanitarian assistance' to those affected. In Gaza, a Palestinian territory where the poverty rate exceeds 50 percent due at least in part to a crippling Israeli blockade, residents of Khan Yunis organised a blood drive for casualties in Beirut. Israel tightly controls everything that enters and exits the Islamist Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip, but local authorities in Khan Younis said they were working with the Red Cross and Red Crescent to deliver the donated blood to Lebanon. Mining giant Rio Tinto has admitted it overlooked significant new information about the cultural significance of the Juukan Gorge rock shelters when it proceeded with destroying the ancient sites in Western Australia's north. Rio sparked international outrage in May when it blew up the 46,000-year-old landmarks on Puutu Kunti Kurrama and Pinikura country in the Pilbara region. The company had secured consent under WA's Aboriginal Heritage Act, but has since apologised to the traditional owners. A Senate inquiry is examining the destruction to the area, which housed ancient artifacts and had 'great cultural significance'. In a submission to the inquiry published on Tuesday, Rio apologised to the PKKP people and said it was determined to ensure the destruction of such exceptionally significant cultural heritage sites was never repeated. Rio Tinto sparked international outrage in May when it blew up the 46,000-year-old landmarks in the Pilbara region (pictured, people protesting outside Rio Tinto office on June 9) 'The destruction of the Juukan rock shelters should not have occurred,' the company said. Rio said it had begun negotiations with the PKKP in 2003 and reached an agreement in 2011 to proceed with mining operations after commissioning ethnographic and archaeological surveys of the area containing the Juukan shelters. A list of 16 areas of high cultural significance identified by the PKKP did not include the Juukan sites, Rio said. But new information came to light when another ethnographic survey was conducted in 2013, the same year Rio was granted approval for the project. Three archaeological excavations of the rock shelters were also conducted in 2014. 'As a result of these surveys, material new information on the significance of the Juukan rock shelters became available to the PKKP and Rio Tinto,' Rio's submission said. 'It is clear that various opportunities were missed to re-evaluate the mine plan in light of this material new information.' A further opportunity was missed in 2018 when a final report on the 2014 excavations was published, revealing the uncovering of 7,000 artefacts including grinding stones, a bone sharpened into a tool and 4000-year-old braided hair. 'From early 2020, there also appears to have been growing awareness within the PKKP, and within Rio Tinto, of the greater cultural heritage significance of the wider Juukan Gorge area,' Rio said. In a submission to the inquiry published on Tuesday, Rio apologised to the PKKP people (pictured, Juukan Gorge rock shelters in 2013) 'Several further opportunities were missed at this stage to pause and reflect on whether the agreed plan of ex-situ preservation of the heritage material discovered within the rock shelters was sufficient or whether the rock shelters themselves should be also preserved.' However Rio Tinto reiterated that the explosive devices were already in place when a formal request to cease their work had been received in May, according to the West Australian. But it was deemed too dangerous to remove the blast holes by that point. The company said they are determined to learn the lessons of what went wrong, and said it was committed to preserving Australian heritage. Rio said it had begun negotiations with the PKKP in 2003 and reached an agreement in 2011 to proceed with mining operations near the shelters (pictured on May 15, 2020) 'We are improving the way we conduct our heritage risk assessments,' the company said. 'The revised processes are designed to reinforce internal transparency on status, timing and impact of disturbance activities on site, as well as the management and escalation of risks relating to heritage management and relationships with Traditional Owners.' PKKP representative John Ashburton said the Juukan destruction had left traditional owners deeply troubled and saddened. Rio chief executive Jean-Sebastien Jacques will front the Senate inquiry on Friday. 'As a first priority our aim is to strengthen our partnership with the PKKP. That remains our focus,' he said on Tuesday. 'We have also taken actions to strengthen governance, controls and approvals on heritage matters.' Daily Mail Australia has contacted the PKKP Aboriginal Corporation for comment. Studies shows that since the coronavirus outbreak, phishing attacks increased by 40%. Now that employees are working remotely, companies should enforce cybersecurity policies to protect their organisations against potential data breaches and fraud. Photo by Dan Nelson from Pexels Understand the broader cyber threats Good cybersecurity measures reduce the risks of company information being accessed by unauthorised personnel when employees are working outside the office.Cybercriminals are taking advantage of the fact that information about the virus is mostly accessed through online portals. When a company enforces cybersecurity policies, they limit the risk of experiencing phising and other cyber attacks. These measures also enable companies to comply with the newly implemented POPI Act regulations to avoid non-compliance penalties should they experience breaches.In an attempt to reduce the spread of Covid-19, some companies gave their employees the leeway to work remotely. But they did so without fully implementing proper controls to help mitigate cybersecurity threats. With the new POPIA regulations in place and the rise in cybersecurity threats, companies need to implement a risk-based approach to manage their cybersecurity, says Brandan Naicker, cybersecurity executive at LAWTrust.Working remotely comes with its own challenges for organisations, such as employees using personal laptops to access work materials. While others might use their work machines to access personal applications, download materials from untrusted sites, or use USBs that have malware, which then creates attack vectors and additional vulnerabilities that could lead to a data breach.Most cybersecurity attacks are the result of technology connectivity and convergence. Companies need to take an outside-in view of the threats: the potential impact facing an organisation and understand that there is a shared responsibility in preventing data breaches. This requires cross-functional disciplines within the organisation to plan, protect and defend against these threats, explained Naicker.Key characteristics and attributes of cybersecurity include organisations understanding that cybersecurity is broader than just information technology and not just limited to the enterprise. Proper cybersecurity measures such as implementing advanced end-user authentication, like multifactor authentication, along with the use of biometrics for employees when logging into a companys portal, helps prevent these threats.These include forcing employee connections to the office network through a Virtual Private Network (VPN) that uses strong encryption or the use of application proxies to balance the load of traffic on the VPN. This would allow organisations to restrict the download of company data by requesting employees to provide their credentials to reduce cybersecurity risks that come with working remotely.Companies can attain cyber resilience by being aware of the organisations threat landscape and the cybersecurity risks it faces. This can be achieved through performing regular assessments of threats that could affect their business the most and building the capability to deal with current and emerging threats quickly and efficiently, by securing and monitoring their most valuable information and assets, explained Naicker.Naicker highlighted that to manage cybersecurity threats effectively, this requires resource flexibility and capability with the potential to challenge the accepted cybersecurity norms and how businesses perceive cybersecurity. This is particularly challenging given the extent of security skills and capacity in most organisations. Businesses should align their cybersecurity goals with business priorities, evaluate the effectiveness of their cybersecurity and Identify and protect the most valuable processes and information assets. By PTI IMPHAL: The Congress in Manipur has issued a whip to its 24 MLAs to attend the one-day Assembly session on August 10 and vote in support of the no-confidence motion against the BJP-led government for which the party legislators have given a notice to the Speaker. Konthoujam Govindas, senior MLA and Whip of Congress Legislature Party (CLP), told PTI on Wednesday that a three- line whip has been issued to party MLAs to be present in the House during discussion and voting on August 10. He said if anyone of the CLP members violates the party whip, he or she would invite disqualification under the anti-defection law. "All the members are to attend the 11th session of the 11th Manipur Legislative Assembly convening on 10th August, from 11 am till the end of the session and remain in the House during discussion and voting. "All the members are directed to vote in line with the decision made by the Congress Legislature Party led by Shri O. Ibobi Singh," said the whip issued on the direction of the Manipur Congress president. Govindas also said that his office will submit a list of party MLAs with their photographs to the Secretary of the Assembly very soon. Two Congress MLAs, K Meghachandra Singh and Th Lokeshwar Singh, have given a notice for moving a no-confidence motion against the N Biren Singh government for not handing over drug kingpin Lhukhosei Zou's case to CBI. The matter relates to submission of an affidavit in the Manipur High Court by Thounaojam Brinda, a former Additional Superintendent of Police, Narcotic and Affairs of Border (NAB), alleging that the chief minister had pressured her to release Zhou, a former Chairman of Autonomous District Council (ADC), Chandel district, an accused in a 2018 drug haul case. In the affidavit, she said after an operation commanded by her, the Manipur police had arrested Zou on June 19 along with seven others and seized 4.5 kg of heroin, 2,80,200 "world is yours" tablets, Rs 57,18,000 cash, Rs 95,000 in scrapped currency notes and several other incriminating articles. In the 2017 Manipur state assembly election, the Congress had won 28 seats in the 60-member House and emerged as the single largest party. Party MLA Thounaojam Shyamkumar was later disqualified under the anti-defection law after he joined the BJP. Later, three Congress MLAs- Kshetrimayum Biren Singh, Yengkhom Surchandra Singh and Sanasam Bira Singh- were disqualified. The state party unit had issued show-cause notices to two of its MLAs in July end for allegedly cross-voting in favour of the BJP candidate in the recent election to the state's lone Rajya Sabha seat. The notices were served to Wangkhei MLA Okram Henry Singh and Sagolband lawmaker Rajkumar Imo Singh. After its failed attempt to dislodge the BJP-led government in the state following the resignation of nine ruling coalition legislators in mid-June, the Congress is trying to corner the government in the drug haul case. The state Congress has already demanded a CBI probe in the case. Pat Hume sighed heavily and put down his pen; "It's so unreal," he said. Brothers of John Hume, Pat and Jim walked slowly through the mayor's private chamber in the Guildhall in Derry to sign the book of condolence. The two men bear a striking resemblance to their late, great brother John. They walk the same, they even talk the same. They are Derry men. But John Hume was the ultimate son of Derry, and his death, though expected, has hit his city hard. Throughout yesterday people came to pay their respects and sign the book of condolence in the Guildhall's main hall. Many left notes thanking him for specific acts of kindness. Others directly thanked and sympathised with Hume's beloved wife, Pat. Among them was Giovanni Doran (64), who remembers helping out at Hume's first election campaign in 1969, when Giovanni himself was just a boy. Expand Expand Expand Previous Next Close Millie McHugh (10) holds a candle on Derrys Walls. Photo: Lorcan Doherty / Press Eye Into St Eugenes Cathedral; family members including his wife Pat look on as the hearse arrives. Photo: Niall Carson/PA Wire Members of the SDLP form a guard of honour as the coffin of John Hume is taken into St Eugene's Cathedral. Photo: Niall Carson/PA Wire / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Millie McHugh (10) holds a candle on Derrys Walls. Photo: Lorcan Doherty / Press Eye "I always, always greatly admired him. As people have said over and over again, he was a true Derry man," Mr Doran said. "You don't get many people like him at any time in history. He was a remarkable man in an extraordinary period, and we were blessed to have him." "And it is a great honour to say I knew John Hume personally," added Giovanni, the son of boxer John 'Red' Doran, a lifelong friend of Hume's. "I was 12 years old when he ran his first election campaign in 1969, and I remember addressing envelopes for him. And I have been a member of the SDLP ever since. "The annual SDLP conferences gave an opportunity to see true political leadership. The leader's address on a Saturday was always packed. "John wasn't about rabble-rousing or rallying troops. When you heard politics from John Hume you were inspired. "I remember listening to other party leaders at conferences locally, and they never exhibited the kind of political leadership that John Hume did. "He was a remarkable man, and his wife Pat was equally remarkable. "There is great sadness he is gone, but he will be remembered." Former BBC journalist Paul McFadden recalls Hume demonstrating his intense loyalty to Derry on the morning he received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1998. "I was working for BBC Radio Foyle, and we travelled to Oslo to cover the ceremony. When we arrived we were told that CNN was calling the shots and we had no chance of getting John on live for our programme on the morning of the ceremony. "People were saying, 'You'll not get anywhere near him.' "But I decided to try Pat (Hume's wife). I said we understood the situation, but was there any way we could even do a quick pre-record with John on the day. "She said: 'You're local. You tell me where you want him, when you want him and I'll make sure he is there'. "And the two of them arrived at our hotel room as promised and we had John live on air for the entire programme. "Pat had no interest in CNN or the likes. It was Radio Foyle, and that was it. "The Fruit of the Loom factory in Donegal, a big employer of Derry people, announced job cuts that morning. He talked passionately about it. And then a couple of hours later he received the Nobel Peace Prize. It was hilarious." Another classic example of Hume's ability to "look after his base" came in the form of the racehorse 'Ballymac Lady'. It was the late 1980s, and against massive odds, she romped home to a stunning victory. "I think she was running down in Dublin or maybe in England, but Ballymac Lady was on huge odds," McFadden said. "John got the tip and said spread the word. Everyone in Derry had it backed. By the time it closed, she was still on 33/1. "The tip went viral across the city and, lo and behold, she won. It was a massive betting coup. "It was a great wee lift for everyone. "That is a good example of his nature, but more important was his belief in giving people a stake in society. He was a thinker, a visionary. "He was able to see through the mire and look ahead decades with hope for peace. "In the 1960s, power sharing was absolutely inconceivable to us. But not to John. "He was the architect of the peace process, and he will be remembered as that. "In 100 years history books will say that." Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-05 11:34:47|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close Smoke rises from an explosion site at the port of Beirut, Lebanon, Aug. 4, 2020. The two huge explosions that rocked Lebanon's capital Beirut on Tuesday left dozens dead and injured, al-Jadeed TV channel reported. (Xinhua/Bilal Jawich) BEIRUT, Aug. 5 (Xinhua) -- Two huge explosions rocked Lebanese capital Beirut on Tuesday, leaving at least 73 people dead and 3,000 others injured. The blasts hit the Port of Beirut at around 6:10 p.m. local time (1610 GMT), shaking buildings all over the city while causing massive casualties and damage. The number of casualties is expected to rise as the counting continues. Local media outlets have been announcing the names of hundreds of people still missing, in the hope of helping their families find them. The causes of the blasts remain unknown, but Lebanese Interior Minister Mohammad Fahmi said the explosive chemicals stored at Port of Beirut may have led to the explosions. "Customs authorities must be asked about the reasons behind storing such chemical materials at Port of Beirut," Fahmi said. Investigations into the explosions are expected to reveal the real causes of the disaster within five days. Following the explosions, Lebanese Prime Minister Hassan Diab immediately declared Wednesday a national mourning day for the victims of the explosions. Meanwhile, Diab urged friendly countries to help Lebanon overcome the repercussions of the disastrous explosions. Lebanese President Michel Aoun also called an emergency meeting of the Higher Defense Council, which later on Tuesday declared Beirut as an afflicted city while urging the Lebanese cabinet to announce a state of emergency in the city for two weeks. The council also urged the cabinet to allocate funds for hospitals to help them treat the injured, and to contact all friendly countries to seek support and set up a fund to provide compensations for those affected by the disaster. It recommended hosting the families whose houses were destroyed in schools, while importing glass and controlling the prices of all materials needed to fix the damaged houses. During the meeting, Diab insisted that those responsible for the disaster be punished, noting that it is unacceptable to store 2,700 tons of ammonium nitrate, the explosive chemicals, which have put people's lives at great risk. The Lebanese cabinet is expected to hold a meeting on Wednesday to look into the proposal by the Higher Defense Council and announce new measures to deal with the current crisis. Many countries have expressed solidarity and sympathy with Lebanon over the explosions that have dealt a further blow to the country already plagued by the COVID-19 pandemic and an economic crisis. The Al-Jadeed TV reported that Iraq and Qatar will send field hospitals to Lebanon on Wednesday, while French President Emmanuel Macron, in a phone call with Aoun, promised to send support for Lebanon on Wednesday. Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said on Tuesday via his official Twitter account that Iran is ready to offer help to Lebanon. "Our thoughts and prayers are with the great and resilient people of Lebanon," Zarif tweeted. "As always, Iran is fully prepared to render assistance in any way necessary." "Stay strong, Lebanon," he added. Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman Abbas Mousavi also expressed sympathy with the Lebanese government and people over the incident, while announcing Iran's readiness for providing help to the Arab country. Iran is following the news on the incident with "deep grief" and "expresses solidarity with the Lebanese nation and government at this difficult time," Mousavi said in a statement. The Turkish Foreign Ministry on Tuesday expressed sorrow over the massive casualties and damages caused by the huge explosions, during which two Turkish citizens were slightly injured. "We wish God's mercy on those who lost their lives in this incident, urgent healing to those who were injured, and condolences to the Lebanese people, friends and brothers," the ministry said in a written statement. Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi extended his condolences to Lebanon over the deadly explosions, and wished speedy recovery for those injured in the blasts. "My sincere condolences and sympathy go to the government and people of Lebanon, over the tragic explosions that happened today in the Lebanese capital Beirut," Sisi wrote on his official Facebook page. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said on Tuesday that his country is ready to provide any support it could to Lebanon to help it recover from the tragedy, while sending his condolences to the families of the victims. Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammed Ishtaye said in a press statement that Palestine is "ready to put all its capabilities" for the service of Lebanon and provide any needed assistance immediately. Member of the Palestine Liberation Organization's Executive Committee Hanan Ashrawi also expressed sorrow over the "devastating tragedy" and her wishes for Beirut to overcome the calamity. In the Gaza Strip, Ismail Haniyeh, head of the Islamic Hamas movement, phoned President Aoun to express his support for Lebanon amidst the grave situation. In a rare move, Israel on Tuesday offered humanitarian aid to Lebanon over the explosions. "Israel addressed Lebanon through international security and political elements and offered the Lebanese government medical humanitarian assistance," Israel's Foreign Ministry and Defense Ministry said in a joint statement. Israel and Lebanon have no official ties and tensions have been rising on the Israel-Lebanon border recently. Enditem New Delhi: After the Supreme Court hearing on Wednesday in actor Sushant Singh Rajput's death case, Rhea's Chakraborty's lawyer Satish Maneshinde said that they are satisfied with the proceedings. Now, her plea seeking transfer of Patna FIR to Mumbai will be heard in the top court next week. "The petition in the SC will be heard in the next week. All concerned have to file their replies in the meantime. State of Maharashtra is directed to place all the investigation steps taken in the case before the SC. We are satisfied with the outcome of the hearing. In view of the pendency of the proceedings in SC Rhea or anyone on her behalf refrain from making any comments in the case," Satish Maneshinde said in a statement. The Supreme Court has, meanwhile, directed the Centre, Bihar and Maharashtra governments, Mumbai Police and the father of Sushant Singh Rajput to file their replies on Rhea Chakraborty's plea seeking transfer of case from Patna to Mumbai within three days. The top court has also directed the Mumbai Police to file a status report on probe conducted so far. During the hearing, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta told the Supreme Court that Centre has accepted Bihar government's recommendation to hand over the case to the CBI. At a government building in a former United Nations compound in Mogadishu, Khadar Sheikh Mohamed stares at a bank of giant screens displaying weather conditions across the country. Mohamed is the director of the new national disaster early warning centre designed to help Somalia predict disasters. This year it has already suffered from flooding and a locust invasion. "Finding the accurate data which may save lives is ... important for us," he told Reuters at the centre. The centre opened in June, and is funded by Saudi Arabia through the United Nations' World Food Programme. It was conceived after cycles of floods and drought caused widespread food shortages, including a famine in 2011 that killed more than a quarter of a million people. Out of Somalia's 15 million people, 5.2 million currently need aid, the United Nations says, and more than 2.6 million are displaced due to fighting and natural disasters. Somalia has been rent by civil war since 1991, and a fragile, federalist government is battling al Qaeda-linked al Shabaab insurgents. The violence has destroyed almost all the country's infrastructure and driven many educated Somalis abroad, but in recent years the internationally backed administration has been trying to rebuild government institutions. At the centre, dozens of Somali analysts use the latest satellite data, from temperatures to wind pressure, to provide early warnings for flooding, drought, and locust movements. Government officials said they had initially struggled to recruit skilled workers locally. "Somalis don't really have the expertise," said Muqtar Sheikh Hassan, the director general at the ministry of humanitarian and disaster management, so they had hired foreign experts to train local analysts. Now the centre is fully staffed by Somalis, said Mohamed. "Sometimes you have only 24 or 72 hours to evacuate people. If the information is in another language, it takes more time to translate and disseminate. Now we are able to release warnings quickly." Tuolumne County Public Health View Photo Sonora, CA Tuolumne County Public Health reports no new Tuolumne County residents have been identified with coronavirus but the California Department of Public Health confirms Tuolumne is not getting all the lab reports they need. As reported here Tuolumne County Health Officer Dr. Liza Ortiz spoke to the Tuolumne County Board of Supervisors about the issues with the states COVID-19 reporting system today. Tuolumne Public Health requests, If you are a Tuolumne County resident and have received a positive COVID-19 test result, and you have not heard from Public Health, please self-isolate and call us right away at (209) 533-7440. They also recommend visiting www.valleycovidhelp.com for more information. Nine COVID-19 positive individuals are reported as not under isolation and are listed as recovered. One individual who was isolating is now hospitalized and one left the hospital and is isolating. Known Tuolumne tests: 8,032, positive 144 (73 females and 71 males), hospitalized 3, active cases 11, total recovered 131. The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) says it has discovered an underreporting of COVID-19 cases due to technology issues with the electronic laboratory reporting system which reports into the states disease registry system (CalREDIE). However, patient care and test results are not affected or delayed by this issue. The State Public Health Department says laboratories continue to report test results directly to providers and hospitals, and hospitalization and death rates are not impacted as they are reported directly to the state through different systems. In addition to CalREDIE having issues, the CDPH says This is also likely leading to underreporting of cases at the local level as well. Noting, While clinicians are still able to report to local health departments, this issue may impact a local public health departments ability to receive all lab reports in order to case investigate and contact trace. To address this issue, CDPH has taken the following actions: Deployed a team from the Department of Technology to assess the underlying code; Engaged our local public health officers to ensure they have necessary information; Instructed all laboratories in California to manually report all positive cases to the local public health departments. Daily COVID-19 Cases County Active Date New Today Hospital/ICU Alpine 0 8/4 0 0 Amador 45 8/4 2 9 Calaveras 28 7/31 17 1 Mariposa 2 8/4 1 1 Madera* 936 8/4 39 37 Merced* 1,770 8/4 161 82 Mono* 60 8/4 1 1 San Joaquin* 906 8/4 73 197/65 Stanislaus* 709 8/4 31 158/61 Tuolumne* 11 8/4 0 3 Totals (Cumulative) COVID-19 Cases County Recovered (increased by) Total Positives Deaths Alpine 2(+0) 2 0 Amador 92(+8) 137 0 Calaveras 96(+16) 125 1 Mariposa 54(+7) 58 2 Madera* 1,146(+34) 2,114 32 Merced* 2,564(-80) 4,385 51 Mono* 84(+0) 145 1 San Joaquin* 10,872(+157) 11,958 180 Stanislaus* 8,464(+90) 9,308 135 Tuolumne* 131(+9) 144 2 Tuolumne County Public Health Updates If you are having COVID-like symptoms, self-isolate and contact your healthcare provider or the Adventist Health Triage Line at 209-536-5166 Mon-Fri, or 209-536-5000 after hours. If you need immediate medical attention, please call ahead and go to Rapid Care or the Emergency Department. You can also visit www.valleycovidhelp.com for more information. The no-cost state testing site is open at the Calaveras County Fairgrounds Tuesday Saturday 7am to 7pm. Appointments can be scheduled ahead of time at: https://lhi.care/covidtesting Appointments are strongly recommended as walk-ins are extremely limited. The site now offers testing for children ages 3 and older (accompanied by a parent or guardian). It is important that people continue to follow prevention guidelines to help prevent the spread of COVID-19, including: Practice physical distancing at all times. Keep 6 feet space between yourself and others who are not part of your household. Stay in your household bubble! Wear a face covering in public. Wash your hands thoroughly and frequently. Avoid gatherings of any size with people who are not part of your household. Stay home if you are sick. Avoid unnecessary travel, and limit your outings to essential tasks. LINKS TO MORE INFORMATION & RESOURCES Community Resources Portal: https://bit.ly/TCcovidPortal Tuolumne County Public Health Website: www.tuolumnecounty.ca.gov/publichealth Public Health COVID-19 Call Center: (209) 533-7440 California COVID-19 website: www.covid19.ca.gov State Testing Site info and Appointments: https://lhi.care/covidtesting Tuolumne County Business: www.tcdisasterassistance.com CDC COVID-19 website: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html Thank you for your support and efforts to protect the safety and health of our community Francis Okiye, the Edo State House of Assembly Speaker, has raised the alarm over alleged plot to forcefully take over the state assembl... Francis Okiye, the Edo State House of Assembly Speaker, has raised the alarm over alleged plot to forcefully take over the state assembly. He spoke on Wednesday during plenary. Okoye alleged that a sitting governor and stakeholders in his party were set to use a fake mace to take over the Assembly. He said the plan is in cahoots with the former deputy speaker, Assemblyman Yekini Idaiye, who recently declared support for the candidate of the APC. Okiye urged President Muhammadu Buhari to urgently call the governor and others working with him to desist and allow laws of state to guide them. The Speaker noted that Edo State is already heated by the high political tension from the electioneering campaigns. Their planned action is akin to lighting a match in an already tensed political environment. We call on Edo people to rise against this planned plot to subvert their will using external forces. BUENOS AIRES (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 06th August, 2020) China has agreed to observe a temporary fishing moratorium off the coast of the Galapagos Islands, the Ecuadorian Foreign Ministry said in a press release on Wednesday. "The Chinese government has assured Ecuador that it understands and respects its concerns which were conveyed through diplomatic channels. For this reason, a fishing moratorium will be in place from September to November in the area of sea to the west of the Galapagos protection zone," the Ecuadorian Foreign Ministry said in a statement following talks between officials in Quito and Beijing. The Chinese authorities have also expressed their willingness for vessels to be subject to checks by Ecuadorian officials, the ministry stated, adding that bilateral consultations will continue over the coming weeks and months. Beijing has said that it stands fully opposed to all illegal fishing, the ministry stated. Foreign Minister Luis Gallegos had warned in late July that Quito was ready to take action to protect the country's marine rights following media reports that several Chinese vessels were spotted off the coast of the Galapagos Islands. According to Ecuador's El Universo newspaper, a fleet of roughly 260 Chinese vessels was identified near the Galapagos Islands, although the ships are believed to have remained in international waters. When the COVID-19 crisis stressed Canadas food supply, one silver lining was a renewed common purpose for everyone involved. Farmers, processors, and grocery retailers joined forces to keep supply chains operating smoothly in a welcome change. Unfortunately, some major retailers are already setting aside that common purpose in favor of a return to some of their most damaging pre-pandemic practices. Walmart Canada announced July 24 that the big box store will require more than 3,000 Canadian suppliers and ultimately consumers to foot the bill for its expansion expenses. Walmarts mandatory fees could exceed typical margins and eat up as much as one-third of suppliers profits, at a time when many are still struggling with the profound impacts of the pandemic. Neither suppliers nor consumers will see tangible benefits from the fees Walmart extracts. As a chorus of farmers, processors, and manufacturers immediately warned, other grocery retail giants are already beginning to follow Walmarts bad example. United Grocers came knocking less than a week after Walmart issued its fiat, signalling the likely avalanche of similar demands to come. If other grocery retailers pass their bills onto suppliers, too, food and consumer goods manufacturers will be in a truly impossible situation. Sadly, this egregious behaviour is only the most recent example in a pattern of aggressive moves by Canadas market-dominating grocery retail giants. Power in Canadas grocery retail sector is extremely consolidated. Just five companies control more than 80 per cent of Canadas grocery stores. With such limited competition, manufacturers and consumers have long been effectively held hostage to abusive behaviour from the big grocery retailers. As a result, costs to get products on Canadian store shelves and keep them there have surged more than 20 per cent in recent years, while remaining flat across our southern border. These high costs have contributed to rising food prices, and have steadily eroded Canadas ability to attract critical investment and create new jobs, since investors find more attractive homes abroad. These long-standing negative trends have been exacerbated by the pandemic, which has dramatically increased costs and slashed productivity by as much as 25 per cent. Early demand spikes are still weighing on inventories of essential products. Food and consumer goods manufacturers rallied for ourselves, our partners, and our customers. We ensured governments recognized and supported our essential workforces, massively increased production, and worked closely with retailers to ensure efficient, equitable distribution, and swallowed massive cost increases to keep products affordable. The consequences are enormous. Companies are undertaking Herculean efforts to prepare for likely future waves of infection, while facing ongoing cash flow issues from their necessary efforts to protect the health and safety of employees, facilities, products, and customers. It is simply unfair to expect them to pay retailers bills on top of their own. More bluntly, it is impossible. While the complicated path from farm to store rarely makes news, Walmarts shocking announcement has put the supply chain center stage. Some have said it is a new front in an old supply chain war, but it would be better described as an ambush. Grocery giants, lined up on one side, have all the weapons aimed squarely at suppliers and consumers, who will ultimately be caught in the crossfire with little recourse. To keep our nations food supply stable, support our agricultural community, and protect jobs, provincial governments must act now to stop retailers unilateral demands from having disastrous consequences in the short term. Very quickly, the federal and provincial governments must work with suppliers and willing retailers to restore balance and fair competition to grocery retail practices. The United Kingdoms code of conduct, instituted in 2010, has proven to be a successful solution in governing fair business practices for retailers, suppliers, and most importantly, consumers. Our pandemic response proved that manufacturers, retailers, and government are capable of great things when we prioritize consumers over zero-sum competition. Casting that positive result aside will jeopardize Canadas COVID-19 recovery, put jobs at risk, and leave Canadians with fewer, less innovative, and more expensive choices at the check-out counter. A new poll released on Wednesday showed Joe Biden with a slim lead over president Donald Trump in the key state of Texas for the 2020 presidential election. The survey was conducted between 24 July and 2 August and asked 2,576 likely voters in Texas who they would vote for if Novembers election was held today. The poll, from Morning Consult, showed that 47 per cent of likely voters in the state would vote for Mr Biden, while 46 per cent for the current US president. Mr Trump won by nine points in Texas in the 2016 presidential election and a Democratic candidate has not beaten a Republican in the state since 1976, when former president Jimmy Carter was elected. However, the presumptive Democratic candidate has targeted the state in recent weeks, as the presidents handling of the coronavirus pandemic has been criticised and Texas has fared badly with the outbreak. The state has recorded its highest daily coronavirus total on multiple occasions over the last six weeks and postponed reopening parts of its economy in order to tackle the pandemic. The poll also showed that Republican Senate incumbent John Cornyn, who has served since 2002, is leading Democratic challenger MJ Hager 44 to 38 per cent. Last week, the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee (DSCC) announced that it would spend at least $1m (761.415) in the state to boost Ms Hagers campaign, and claimed the race was close. DSCC executive director Scott Fairchild told Politico: This race is a dead heat, and our increased investment reflects how MJs campaign and the increasingly competitive climate has put another offensive opportunity on the map. However, on Tuesday, in an interview with Fox Business host Lou Dobbs, the president claimed that recent polls that show Mr Biden leading in Texas and Democrats closing in on Republicans are not accurate. Theyre against oil and gas. Theyre against guns, and I guess theyre against God, he said about the Democratic Party. Theyre against religion, theyre against the bible, certainly. He added: How can you be against oil and gas and guns and lots of other things and youre in play? Mr Trump asked. The polls are fake. Mr Trump has seen a steep decline in support in numerous polls over the last few months, after his responses to the coronavirus pandemic and Black Lives Matter protests were criticised. Meanwhile, Mr Biden has seen his support in surveys rise in the same period and a Reuters/Ipsos opinion poll published late last month showed a lead over the president with registered voters nationally of eight percentage points. Mr Biden had support from 46 per cent of those polled, in comparison to the presidents 38 per cent, while the remaining 16 per cent were undecided, according to the survey carried out between 15 and 21 July. In an attempt to win in Texas, Mr Biden recently hired various staffers to help run his campaign in the state, including Jennifer Longoria, who served as senator Elizabeth Warrens campaign director for her presidential bid. Recommended Trump gets defensive over plummeting polls After it was announced that the Biden campaign had made hires in the state, the Texas Democratic Party executive director Manny Garcia and deputy executive director Cliff Walker released a joint statement. By enlisting a state team of experienced Texans and making hard investment in the Texas Democratic Partys coordinated campaign, the Biden campaign is treating Texas like the biggest battleground state that we are, they said. Poll after poll shows Texas is up for grabs, with Joe Biden leading in most recent polls. Through unprecedented coordination, innovation, and smart investments, we will win. The presidency on Wednesday refuted the claim that some repentant Boko Haram fighters have been allowed to join the Nigerian military. The rumour has circulated on social media with many Nigerians questioning the governments deradicalisation programme. The rumour worsened recently after the Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, said his convoy was attacked by soldiers and not Boko Haram members. Many Nigerians on social media suggested that the attack was carried out by the repentant Boko Haram members who had allegedly joined the army. In a statement, on Wednesday, presidential spokesperson, Garba Shehu, said such rumour was not true. It is important for the public to know that nobody has ever been absorbed into the military from the de-radicalized Boko Haram and there is no such plan for their absorption, he said. Mr Shehu defended the governments deradicalisation programme for former Boko Haram fighters who have laid down their arms. He said the programme is backed by the United Nations, the European Union and the International Organisation of Migration. The deradicalisation programme does not have a place for hard boiled, ideologically hardened terrorists, Mr Shehu said, adding that it only admits, after careful scrutiny, repentant fighters that were captured and forced to bear arms in the first instance Read Mr Shehus full statement below. Now that groups with hitherto proven bona fides, some religious leaders and a few in the legislature have joined the supply chain of fake news, it important that we step in to clear the false reports that the administration is absorbing repentant Boko Haram terrorists into the military. It is important for the public to know that nobody has ever been absorbed into the military from the de-radicalized Boko Haram and there is no such plan for their absorption. None of the 601 former Boko Haram members who voluntarily laid down their arms, and have recently graduated from the Federal Governments de-radicalization and rehabilitation programme, is going into the military. This is the fourth such graduation of repentant Boko Haram fighters and not one of such graduates has been absorbed into the military. The public needs to be reassured that the de-radicalization, rehabilitation and reintegration of violent extremists of the Buhari administration code named Operation Safe Corridor, follows an established example from countries with similar experiences, and is supported academically and materially by the European Union and the United Nations. The lead agency for the implementation of the programme in Gombe is the International Organization for Migration, a leading inter-government organization which is represented in Nigeria. It is also important to note that this programme does not have a place for hard boiled, ideologically hardened terrorists. It only admits, after careful scrutiny, repentant fighters that were captured and forced to bear arms in the first instance, and there are many who have been drafted by force. At the point of their graduation, a determination is made that the former combatants have repented and are better citizens, imbued with genuine nationalism. They must no longer represent a danger to society or to themselves. Where they are certified as such, communities have the duty of accepting them. Unless they want them to take up arms and resume terrorism from which they have repented, community leaders must work with the relevant agencies to end their rejection. The Buhari administration is a responsible one and is conscious of its duty to the state and society, and to the victims of terror as well as to those who inflicted these pains and losses on our people. Suncor Energy (TSX:SU)(NYSE:SU) is having a tough 2020. Year to date, shares are 51% lower. This week, we got more bad news. Suncor Energy Inc. is facing seven environmental charges in connection with its Strathcona County refinery, reports CBC. All of the charges are contraventions of the Environmental Protection and Enhancement Act one charge each of releasing a substance into the environment that may cause an adverse effect and failing to report the release in a timely manner, and five counts of contravening a term or condition of approval, the report continues. Following the news, shares continue to trade near multi-year lows. Is now the time to buy low? Here are the facts Oil companies have been slammed this year for two reasons. First, oil-producing countries staged a pricing war. Earlier this year, Saudi Arabia urged big suppliers to cut production. Many agreed, but there was one notable dissenter: Russia. To flaunt its power, Saudi Arabia increased its own production, slashing prices as well, sending the market into freefall. Oil prices fell precipitously, from US$60 per barrel to under US$20 per barrel. At one point, oil futures were trading at negative prices! Just as this issue was being resolved, the COVID-19 crisis hit. Oil demand fell off a cliff. Planes, trains, and automobiles were halted. Travel plans were cancelled. Suddenly, the world was using significantly less oil. This worked to keep prices around the US$40 per barrel mark, well below its previous highs. Low prices are obviously bad for oil producers, who typically sell their product on the open market. But Suncor isnt a pure oil producer. As well see, it has some advantages that could allow it to thrive in the new normal. Buy Suncor stock? Last year, Warren Buffett took a 10.8 million share stake in Suncor stock. The investment rationale was obvious. Buffett wasnt betting on oil prices, but on which types of companies will succeed. He was hunting for an integrated oil company. Story continues Suncor is what we call an integrated oil company. That means it controls the entire supply chain, including pipelines, I wrote. Suncor also controls its own refineries. These are facilities that turn crude oil into usable products like kerosene and jet fuel. These are some clear advantages. First, pipelines can reach capacity with surging industry supply. Owning its own pipelines means Suncor never has to compete to move its output. Second, refinery margins often run counter-cyclical to oil prices. When commodity prices fall, refinery profitability typically rises. With oil prices continuing to gyrate, and the risk of oversupply hanging over the market, Suncor is the best-positioned oil company in Canada. Just be sure that youre also an oil bull. The company is likely producing a net loss in the current environment. If prices dont surpass US$50 per barrel in 2020, even Suncor stock will struggle. Value investors are circling energy stocks. Suncor is one of the most attractive options, but it doesnt control its own fate. Only higher oil prices will bail out this investment. The post ALERT: Suncor (TSX:SU) Stock Now Faces 7 Environmental Charges appeared first on The Motley Fool Canada. More reading Fool contributor Ryan Vanzo has no position in any stocks mentioned. The Motley Fools purpose is to help the world invest, better. Click here now for your free subscription to Take Stock, The Motley Fool Canadas free investing newsletter. Packed with stock ideas and investing advice, it is essential reading for anyone looking to build and grow their wealth in the years ahead. Motley Fool Canada 2020 I just read in a publication that Manhattan district attorney Cyrus Vance is pursuing a grand jury investigation into President Trump's tax returns and financial records based on reports published by The New York Times and The Washington Post and testimony given by attorney Michael Cohen. Would anyone say that this "evidence" seems biased and not without motive? The first question is, what did Michael Cohen receive from the prosecuting attorney in exchange for this information at his sentencing? He did not reveal any such information before he was found guilty. Cohen did state that Donald Trump had one set of books for accounting purposes and used different numbers when negotiating with possible investment opportunities. Michael Cohen would have known this if he is a real estate attorney. And the fact is, not only is this not illegal, but it is actually required by law and according to proper accounting guidelines enforced by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA). In fact, multiple sets of books are required depending on the industry and the size of corporations or businesses. Most every company has a set of accounting books in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP); a set of federal tax books; and, if they operate in a state where they are required to file a state income tax return, a set of tax records for the state, or multiple states if they operate in various states. If an energy company produces nuclear energy, it is required to keep a set of books for the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NERC). When an individual's wealth is being scrutinized for investment opportunities, what is required by law is a set of personal financial records. These records differ from GAAP. Those records would be stated using the fair market value (FMV) of the individual's assets. Records using GAAP would adhere to the Historical Cost Principle of accounting and would include depreciation on property, plant, and equipment. Without seeing President Trump's financial records, I would, as an accountant, have to believe that his personal financial statements show his net worth to be significantly higher than his financial records made in accordance with GAAP. Mr. Trump is in the business of real estate. He owns many buildings, and these buildings have existed for many decades in some cases. Their worth on the books has been reduced by depreciation, which is an accounting measurement, not a physical description. His personal financial records would be based on the fair market value of his assets. In other words, "how much would the building be worth if it were for sale?" Pointing to articles published by The New York Times and The Washington Post as evidence that a crime was committed is about as objective as asking the Houston Astros if they have ever cheated. The animosity both the publications have toward the president is incredibly obvious. It could be that they just run with whatever floats their boat. Besides, they are journalists by trade and education, and my guess is that those who wrote these articles couldn't tell you the difference between a capital asset and the Capitol dome. On closer inspection, isn't there a pernicious pattern here? Didn't fired FBI director James Comey admit that he had leaked a classified document to a professor friend with the intention of getting a special prosecutor appointed to look into a phony crime that didn't exist? The only crime was his leaking the document. This information was published in The New York Times and, based on this hearsay, led to the appointment of Robert Mueller to look into a connection between the Trump administration and Russia. After more than two years, it was revealed that there was no connection, and the president's accusers knew that from the beginning. It was an obvious hoax. When that failed, what followed was an anonymous whistleblower releasing information that Trump had sought a quid pro quo arrangement with the president of Ukraine to produce dirt on Joe Biden. This information was nothing more than hearsay as admitted to by President Trump's accusers. His accusers changed the regulations for what constituted evidence for whistleblowers to include hearsay evidence. The whistleblower, contrary to the law, remained anonymous. Lieutenant Colonel Vindman testified to what he heard the president say, and he claimed that it was a crime. In fact, the president was doing nothing more than asking the Ukraine president to look into a crime, which is the president's constitutional responsibility. Vindman's testimony was consistent with this as well. Evidence to support all this can be heard from Speaker Pelosi herself. She calls it the wrap-up smear, and she explains how it is done with the help of the press. It can be found on YouTube. In conclusion, perhaps Michael Cohen was practicing what accountants refer to as "cover your assets." As for why prosecuting attorney Cyrus Vance is pursuing a case on such flimsy evidence (read: "hearsay"), perhaps he just doesn't know his assets from a hole in the ground. Image: Gage Skidmore via Flickr. She has a killer body that she is not afraid to show off. And Emily Ratajowski was game to put it on display during a beach day on Wednesday. The actress, 29, shared a slew of bikini snaps on her Instagram account as she enjoyed a day of sunshine and sand. Making a splash! Emily Ratajowski was game to put her bikini body on display on Wednesday In the photos, Emily put her jaw-dropping body on display as she laid out beneath a tent. Clad in a bikini from her Inamorata range, Emily sent temperatures soaring while striking an array of poses upon her beach towel. Even for her laid back beach day, Emily made sure to glam it up a touch. A gold 'Colombo' necklace jazzed up the beach look, while large hoop earrings added a trendy touch. Surf's up: Ratajkowski left very little to the imagination in her skimpy bathing suit Ab fab! Ratajkowski showcased her envy-inducing flat abs Emily also shared some photos from her bike ride, where she wore the same bikini top, retro sunglasses, and jeans. 'Ridin around n gettin it,' she captioned the snap. Since founding Inamorata Woman in 2017, Emily has been heavily promoting the line on her social media accounts, where she models everything from swimsuits to lingerie. Golden girl: She accented her look with a gold 'Colombo' necklace and hoop earrings 'Ridin around n gettin it': Ratajkowski flashed a smile as she enjoyed a bike ride in the sunshine Emily, meanwhile, and her husband Sebastian Bear-McClard are back in New York City after spending a good portion of lockdown in Los Angeles. The Centers For Disease Control And Prevention had issued an advisory on March 28 asking 'residents of New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut to refrain from non-essential domestic travel for 14 days effective immediately.' The couple fled the Big Apple when it was still the American epicenter of COVID-19 in April, but returned once cases spiked in California. (Natural News) As a news junkie, browsing and keeping up with the events of the day or week, I am noting that even as crazy as people have seemed over the past 4 years, there has been more of an uptick is too mild a word, but more examples, and more violent incidents and more crazed individuals in the headlines every single day. (Article by Susan Duclos republished from AllNewsPipeline.com) Politics used to have a small segment of the populations attention, we would see the headlines and move along to something far more interesting. The reason for that was that was how the media treated politics, so they controlled the amount of time, energy or thought went toward the world of politics by the average population. MEDIAS TRUMP DERANGEMENT SYNDROME INFECTS OTHER LIBERALS Unlike the past, the majority of the craziness being seen these days is directly associated with politics. Things have been deteriorating rapidly since the 2016 election, where liberals, including the media, cried, then screamed, then terrorized the rest of the nation with their antics and dire predictions, none of which ever really materialized. My point of reference here for those that are newer to the website, is the actual MSM reporting regarding Trump Derangement Syndrome (TDS), known better in the mental health industry as Trump Anxiety Disorder. When the media first reported on the mental issue, they made it clear that they thought it was Trumps fault that people were losing their minds over a presidential election, but in reality, according to their own reporting, it is the media that is terrorizing America with their obsession with President Trump. Newsweek explained back in July 2018 that the APA also found a connection between stress levels and electronic news consumption. Although Trump Anxiety Disorder is not an official diagnosis, the symptoms include a lack of sleep, a feeling of losing of control and helplessness in an unpredictable sociopolitical climate, along with endless negative headlines, and excessive time spent on social media. This has also been theorized in a 2017 essay written by clinical psychologist Jennifer Panning for a book co-edited by Harvard and Yale psychologists. Politico, October 2018, in an article titled Trump May Not Be Crazy, But the Rest of Us Are Getting There Fast, begins their piece about Trump Anxiety Disorder by stating CNN before lovemaking is not his idea of a turn-on. But she can hardly turn it offengrossed as she is in the latest unnerving gyrations of Washington. CBC around the same time, starts their coverage of Trump Anxiety Disorder, with the words Is he gonna blow us all up? So inquired one of Elisabeth LaMottes patients recently, fretting out loud about the volatility of U.S. President Donald Trumps actions during a therapy session at her Washington practice. It is not Trump that is making people crazy, it is the medias meltdowns and freak-fests over every single thing the president does or says. Each time the president speaks the media screeches OH MY GOD DID YOU HEAR WHAT HE SAID!!!! Each time the president takes action the media howls LOOK WHAT HE IS DOING, WE ARE ALL GOING TO DIE!!!! The CBC piece admitted as much in their piece when they wrote And its maybe not surprising given the relentlessly negative headlines and politically divisive climate. Same story they write Panning said intense consumption of media coverage of this presidency is making some peoples Trump-related anxiety worse. We starting to see a theme here? The media, blaming Trumps characteristics, accidentally admits that they are the reason people are going insane over Trump. As part of the media war against Trump, the media is also deliberately inciting the violence we have been witnessing with increasing frequency leading up the November presidential election. THINGS ARE GETTING WORSE WITH THREE MONTHS LEFT TO GO The final countdown has begun with three months left before the 2020 presidential election. The riots by Antifa and BLM, encouraged by the media who excuses them and attempts to justify their rioting, arson, vandalism and violence, all because liberals believe the more chaotic the country becomes, the more they can lay the blame on President Trump. Make no mistake, it is a political calculation on the part of liberals and Democrats, and yes that includes the majority of the establishment media. It appears to be backfiring as normal Americans are looking at some of this lunacy and seeing who is standing up to it, and who is standing up with the crazed rioters. Day 65 of rioting in Portland, Oregon saw Antifa punks burning bibles and American flags. I used that specific example because it offends. I am betting that most Americans that see those freaky little thugs burning a bible and the American flag, will be offended. That is why the liberal establishment media refuses to show it on their most-watched shows. They dont want people looking at that and asking, Why have you, the media, been supporting these thugs? The next question would be the Why are elected Democrats not speaking up against this, with some, like the mayor of Portland, Ted Wheeler, actually joining the rioters? These are questions normal Americans would naturally ask when watching cities burning, graffiti all over businesses, storefront windows broken and minority owned businesses destroyed by the rioters. Read more at: AllNewsPipeline.com NEW HAVEN The timetable appears to be the same in communities across the New Haven area after Tropical Storm Isaias, officials said Wednesday. The power, for many, is expected to be out for days. New Haven Emergency Management Director Rick Fontana asked for patience from residents Wednesday morning as the city works to recover from the damage wrought by the storm. The downtown came through the storm in the best shape, he said in a text, but the damage was citywide, affecting the Westville, Morris Cove, Fair Haven and Newhallville neighborhoods in particular. In some cases, the power may be out for two to three days, he said. This is MAJOR damage. There will be many inconveniences and we apologize for that, Fontana wrote. We have a lot of work to do and safety is our #1 priority. Mayor Justin Elicker said on Twitter that more residents lost power during the storm than in Superstorm Sandy in 2012. More than 200 trees came down in the city, he said. Hundreds of thousands of Connecticut residents reportedly were without power Wednesday morning, including more than 8,000 in New Haven. As of 2:40 p.m., United Illuminating reported 27.3 percent of its customers across the state were without power approximately 92,242 households. This included 8,202 outages in New Haven; 3,089 outages in West Haven; 2,045 in Woodbridge, which represents 54.94 percent of those subscribed in the community; 3,402 in East Haven; 4,732 in Orange 73.62 percent of customers; and 4,035 in Hamden. Hamden Mayor Curt B. Leng said more than 100 trees or enormous limbs had come down during the storm, with crews working through the night. Many road closures in town also involved downed power lines, delaying the process of clearing them, he said. The storm hit Hamden hard, said Leng in a statement. We still have 28% of the Town without power now, but are hopeful to have restoration of large numbers as United Illuminating crews continue working on major roads. With continued widespread outages in town, East Haven Mayor Joe Carfora said in a release that the town was opening the East Haven Senior Center, 91 Taylor Ave., to serve as a charging station for electronic devices. Carfora said residents were to be allowed to be in the center for a half-hour; those visiting will have their temperature taken, must wear masks, and social distancing will continue according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines. Coffee and baked goods graciously donated by Petonitos Bakery would be available, he said. Soon after noon, Carfora said the charging center was filled to capacity with residents practicing appropriate social distancing. Carfora noted that Public Works crews had been out there all night, to help the towns recovery. We gave them a three-hour break in the wee hours so that they could recharge ... and Im very happy with the jobs theyve done, said Carfora. East Haven Fire Chief and Emergency Management Director Matt Marcarelli said about a dozen streets remained impassable Wednesday morning, but the town was actually in pretty decent shape. The East Haven Town Beach is closed until further notice, Marcarelli said. Milford Mayor Ben Blake advised residents to stay away from power lines, not to run generators indoors, and asked that they report outages to United Illuminating. Approximately 50 percent of the homes and businesses are still without power and UI expects that percentage for the remainder of the day, Blake said Wednesday afternoon. Their focus is to make residents safe and to do so they are taking care of all downed lines before any restoration work to homes. Blake said that to his knowledge there were no serious damages to structures and one person was injured by the storm. A 17-year-old driver had a tree limb fall on his car but he suffered only minor scrape and bruises, Blake said. By midmorning Wednesday, 12,217 customers in the city were without power, or 44.34 percent of those served by UI. Our overall recovery may take days or weeks, and it is important that we work together to help clean up properties and rebuild our community, said Blake. North Haven First Selectman Michael Freda said the entirety of the town was affected by the storm, instead of isolated neighborhoods, as was the case during past weather events. This has been one of the worst power outage experiences in the past 10 years, Freda said during a live announcement Wednesday from the towns emergency operations center. As of noon Wednesday, around 28 percent of the town was still without power, Freda said. This is still a significant problem, Freda said. The power wont be restored in a couple hours. Power restoration will continue throughout the day, but it will be a slow process, he said. In the meantime, the North Haven Middle School cafeteria was opened as a cooling center for residents from 1 to 10 p.m. Wednesday. Freda said residents will be able to charge electronics and remain cool if they still were without power. Masks and social distancing are required in the cafeteria and each person will get a temperature check, he said. We are doing everything we can here, working with UI, with our public works, with our staff at Town Hall, with police and fire to get everything back up and running, Freda said. After the power is restored and North Havens public works crews deal with tree limbs and road hazards, Freda said theyll announce a day when public works will clean up a significant amount of storm debris scattered around town. This has been one of the worst storms and devastating storms from a power standpoint, he said. Please be patient. Woodbridge First Selectman Beth Heller said town emergency responders responded to nearly 200 calls during the storm, including reports of wires down, trees down and trees crashing through homes. Several Make Safe Crews from United Illuminating are working all over town getting roads unblocked and disconnecting power lines. Once that is completed, crews will begin removing wires from the trees, cut up trees and then reconnect the power lines to begin the process of re-energizing the power for restoration, Heller said in an alert. As you might imagine this is not a quick process, and unfortunately this process may take days. Be assured that everyone is working as safely and quickly as possible to get this done. United Illuminating officials said on Twitter Wednesday morning that the process of fully restoring power was expected to take several days. Crews will work day & night until every customer is restored, officials said. In a release, officials asked customers to keep children and pets inside and stay away from downed wires. We appreciate your patience as we follow our process to keep our crews, customers and communities safe. In anticipation of this weather event we brought in significant internal and contract resources, many who are already working to clear roads and restore power, said Tony Marone, UIs president and CEO, in the release. We are aware that this event is particularly challenging for our customers who are working from home, or caring for children or the elderly. As of 2:47 p.m. Wednesday, Eversource reported that 618,970 of its customers still were facing power outages approximately 48.31 percent of those served by the company. That represented an increase from earlier in the day, when the company reported 607,129 customers were without power. In the New Haven area, this included 10,684 households in Cheshire, or 92.86 percent of those served in the town; 8,487 in Guilford, or 76.72 percent of those served; and 3,316 in Seymour, or 43.24 percent of those served. Tony Buccheri, general manager of Wallingfords publicly owned electric utility, said shortly before noon Wednesday that the towns municipal electric division had 2,570 customers still without power, down from a peak of 4,100 Tuesday night. Buccheri said restoring power for the remaining customers will take time because they are spread all over town. Guilfords Emergency Operations Center logged nearly 160 incidents involving the storm, but there were no reports of serious injuries or deaths, according to an alert from First Selectman Matthew Hoey. Around noon, there were 53 roads blocked with wires enmeshed in trees, which require Make Safe Crews from Eversource to turn off the power source to those lines before work begins, Hoey said. The Guilford Fire Department reminded residents with power outages to take certain safety precautions, including making sure all appliances are in the off position. If your cooking range was on during a power outage there could be a chance that the range was left on, a post on the departments Facebook page said. Once power is restored, the range could cause a fire if left in the on position. State Rep. Sean Scanlon said Eversource had not sent crews to that community or Branford until late in the morning. If youre waking up without power and wondering why, its because Eversource has not had a single crew in our community since the storm hit last night. Not one, Scanlon wrote shortly after 6 a.m., calling the situation unacceptable. The company told the representative that crews had been sent to Guilford and Branford, according to an update Scanlon issued at around 10:30 a.m. These crews will be prioritizing the downed wires and road clearing, Scanlon said. The office of Branford First Selectman Jamie Cosgrove said high winds had resulted in significant damage to trees and power lines in town. Curbside collection of trash and recycling will be delayed one day for the reminder of the week, the update from Cosgroves office said. The town beaches and recreational shellfishing areas will be remain closed until water quality testing results are within acceptable levels, the update said. Charging stations are available at the following locations: Branford Fire Headquarters, 45 N. Main St.; Indian Neck Fire Station, 9 Linden Ave.; Stony Creek Fire House, 41 School St.; and Town Hall, 1019 Main St., according to the update. In Madison, around 80 percent of residents did not have power Wednesday morning, First Selectwoman Peggy Lyons said in an emergency alert. Due to the magnitude of the damage, we do not have an estimated timeline for general restoration, but people should expect outages lasting multiple days, she said. Eversource had been addressing only life-threatening calls the night after the storm and would be focusing on critical facilities Wednesday, according to Lyons. The town had opened its Town Campus Emergency Shelter and Town Gym for residents to shower and charge cellphones, Lyons said, adding that masks were required and no more than 40 people could be in the gym at once. Drinking water was also available at Town Hall, she continued. North Branford had 62 spots where trees and/or utility poles were compromised by the storm as of Wednesday morning, said William Seward, chief of the North Branford Fire Department. At the height of the storm, firefighters responded to 42 calls, including downed wires and electrical fires, he said. Presently town public works and utility services continue to clear debris and ensure areas are safe for electrical crews to perform restoration services, Seward said, adding that fallen trees damaged a number of residences. Cheshire police reported Wednesday morning that Waterbury Road, Route 70, was closed between Moss Farm and Mixville Road. Arnett Talbot, Cheshires public information officer, said town officials will be opening a charging station at Highland Elementary School, where residents could go for a limited amount of time to charge cellphones and laptops, and access Wi-Fi. Capacity will be limited, face coverings are required, and temperature checks will be taken at the door when participants sign in, according to Talbot. The site was to be open Wednesday from 4 to 7:30 p.m., and Thursday and Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. if the power outage is still widespread. Town Hall offices are operating, she said although the library, Community Pool, and other smaller facilities and services will be closed until power is restored. Across the state, some communities were completely or almost completely without power, according to Eversource. A portion of Litchfield County was particularly affected. In Cornwall, 99.34 percent of customers were without power; in Harwinton, 96.93 percent; 82.59 percent in Morris; and 98.61 in New Hartford. Winsted had 4,823 customers without power, or 78.56 percent of customers. Torrington had 39.36 percent out, while Litchfield saw 54.58 percent of customers powerless. In a release, Eversource said crews worked through the night and continued to address emergency situations, clear blocked roads, assess damage and restore power to customers impacted by the fierce storm Wednesday. Power had been restored to more than 100,000 customers over the course of the storm, officials said, but restoring the entirety of service would likely take multiple days. The impact from this storm, in terms of power outages, is greater than Superstorm Sandy. The fierce winds with this storm caused widespread power outages and historic damage, affecting customers in all of the 149 communities we serve in Connecticut, said Michael Hayhurst, Eversource vice president of electric operations in Connecticut, in the release. We are taking to the skies to onduct a detailed damage assessment of our 17,000 miles of overhead equipment and using patrollers on the ground, so we can efficiently deploy our resources to get power restored for all of our customers. We recognize how difficult it is to be without electricity especially while many people continue working from home during the pandemic. Our crews will continue working until every customer has power back while also complying with stringent pandemic protocols. Will Healey, a spokesman with the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, announced that all state parks were closed Wednesday as officials clean up and assess the damage from the storm. Gov. Ned Lamont declared a state of emergency in Connecticut Wednesday, authorizing him to mobilize the Connecticut National Guard, among other steps toward recovery. During a noon tour of the damage at Veterans Green in Middletown, Lamont told officials that power restoration is expected to take between three and five days. There are approximately 1,000 Eversource crews deployed across the state, doing tree and rescue work, he said. He said he expects the utility company will be pulling in more contractors to assist in the effort. This is the third worst hit in terms of outages in the history of the state, so were not going to overpromise, he said, estimating it will take between three and four days to fully restore power. Utilities are saying No. 1 is safety. They are doing everything they can to get those loose wire secured, Lamont said. After that, the recovery process begins. I hope theyre ahead of the curve on this. Weve got some work to do, a lot of which is manual labor, Lamont said. He talked about an incident on North Street in Greenwich, where a woman called about a downed tree from her car. A tree falls down, she gets trapped, calls 911, an ambulance comes to get her. She gets in the ambulance. Shes fine. A tree comes down on the ambulance, Lamont said. Staffers Helen Bennett, Meghan Friedmann, Mark Zaretsky, Ed Stannard, Pam McLoughlin, Cassandra Day, Clare Dignan, Luther Turmelle and Bill Bloxsom contributed to this article. william.lambert@hearstmediact.com YEREVAN, AUGUST 5, ARMENPRESS. French President Emmanuel Macron is heading to Lebanon as a sign of solidarity after the deadly Beirut explosion. I will go to Beirut tomorrow to meet the Lebanese people to bring them the message of fraternity and solidarity of the French, he tweeted on Wednesday. Earlier Macron said France is sending emergency response personnel and several tons of medical aid to Lebanon. Emergency doctors will also reach Beirut as soon as possible, the French President tweeted. More than 2700 tons of ammonium nitrate exploded in the port of Beirut at a warehouse on Tuesday, sending massive shockwaves through the Lebanese capital. More than 100 people are dead and 4000 are wounded. Heavy damages occurred across the city. Editing and Translating by Stepan Kocharyan Cross-border drug trafficking ring busted Border officers in Quang Tri Province and Laos announced on August 4 that they had raided a large drug trafficking ring. Five Laotian men detained At 3 pm on August 4, the drug and crime prevention force in Quang Tri worked with the border guards at Lao Bao Border Gate and the anti-drug police in Savannakhet to successfully bust the trafficking ring and detain five Laotian men with 60,000 amphetamine tablets. This is an important link in the trafficking ring spanning from the northern Lao provinces to Savannakhet. The drugs will be brought into Vietnam before they were transferred and sold in the third country. Colonel Le Van Phuong said they had had many difficulties due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. Thanks to close co-operation between the two countries, they had monitored all movements and activities and successfully carried out the raid. Phuong said they had ensured the safety for all personnel as well as legal procedures. On June 28 and 29, the drug and crime prevention force in Quang Tri also worked with the police force in Laos to catch four men while they were transferring and trading 419,000 amphetamine tablets from Laos to Vietnam. OCEANSIDE, Calif., Aug. 5, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Therapeutics Solution International, Inc., (OTC Markets: TSOI), announced today filing of a patent on new data demonstrating memory-protective effects of QuadraMune in an animal model of inflammation associated memory loss. Animals were treated with QuadraMune for 3 days and exposed to lipopolysaccharide, which serves as an inflammatory stimulus. Subsequently, the ability of animals to remember a submerged platform was assessed. In agreement with previously published studies, lipopolysaccharide administration resulted in approximately 57% reduction in memory. Animals which received QuadraMune had restoration of memory activity. Additionally, it was demonstrated that QuadraMune reduced the presence of proteins associated with inflammation in the brain, termed cytokines. "The current data is an extension of our ongoing obsession with identifying mechanisms by which QuadraMune works and expanding its potential for other diseases. It is known that conditions such as Alzheimer's Disease, Multiple Sclerosis and Parkinson's Disease are all associated with brain inflammation [1, 2]," said Dr. James Veltmeyer, Chief Medical Officer of the Company. "The same cytokines, such as interleukin 6, that we are reducing with QuadraMune in the brain, are associated with COVID-19 severity [3]. Studies show that viral infections in general, and especially the SARS-CoV-2 virus, can cause memory impairment. It will be interesting to explore whether QuadraMune may have therapeutic effects in this arena." QuadraMune is comprised of green tea extract, pterostilbene, nigella sativa, and sulforaphane. Studies published in the peer-reviewed literature have shown that these ingredients by themselves possess anti-inflammatory [4-7], neuroprotective [8-13], and immune stimulatory properties [14-17]. "It has not escaped us that mental health issues such as dementia and depression are associated with inflammatory cytokines [18, 19]. We are currently investigating the possibility of utilizing QuadraMune or similar formulations for psychiatric indications," said Famela Ramos, director of business development and co-inventor on the patent. "I am very thankful for our scientific advisory board, and our research collaborators who are working tirelessly to advance QuadraMune into new indications, as well as identifying mechanisms of action," said Timothy Dixon, President and CEO of the Company. "We plan to continue expanding our collaborations and strengthening our science and portfolio, because at the end of the day, the best marketing is when the science speaks for itself." About Therapeutic Solutions International, Inc. Therapeutic Solutions International is focused on immune modulation for the treatment of several specific diseases. The Company's corporate website is www.therapeuticsolutionsint.com , our public forum where all are welcome is https://board.therapeuticsolutionsint.com/ and all referenced lit may be reviewed here: https://therapeuticsolutionsint.com/news-8-5-2020-refrences/ Therapeutic Solutions International, Inc. [email protected] SOURCE Therapeutic Solutions International Related Links http://www.therapeuticsolutionsint.com A 30- year old, Francis Ayivi, a Private Security Officer, has been sentenced to 11 years imprisonment in hard labour by a Cape Coast Circuit Court for defiling an 11-year old girl. The Court presided over by Mrs. Dorinda Smith Arthur, convicted Ayivi on his own plea of guilty to the charge of defilement. Prosecuting, Chief Inspector John Asare Bediako, said the complainant (name withheld) who is an Aunt to the victim, is a Seamstress and lives in the same house as the convict at Twifo Eduabeng in the Central Region. He said in March this year, the girl who lived in Accra came for a vacation and was staying with the complainant. Sometime in June the convict's girlfriend sent the victim to go for some fruits from Ayivi and on reaching there, he forcefully had sex with her in his room. After the act, the Prosecutor said the convict threatened to harm her if she dared disclosed what had transpired to anybody. He took advantage of the situation and on Friday, July 17, the convict went to the girl's room while the complainant was away and again had sex with her. On Monday, July 20, Chief Inspector Bediako said, the complainant noticed some changes in the sitting position of the girl and after some interrogations, she disclosed her sexual ordeal to her Aunt. According to the Prosecutor, the woman made a report to the Domestic Violence and Victim support Unit (DOVVSU) at Twifo Praso where Police report forms were issued for the girl to be sent to the Twifo Praso Government Hospital for medical examination and treatment. The Prosecutor told the Court that the medical report indicated that the girl's hymen was missing and the convict was arrested and arraigned. ---GNA Johnny Depp's son Jack has been pictured enjoying a leisurely stroll with his model girlfriend in his home city of Paris. The actor's rarely seen son, 18, looked in good spirits as he chatted with girlfriend Camille Jansen, 20. While his father remains in the UK following his high-profile libel trial, Jack is living in Paris, where his mother Vanessa Paradis resides. Celebrity offspring: Johnny Depp's son Jack has been pictured enjoying a leisurely stroll with his model girlfriend in his home city of Paris Jack showed off his own quirky sense of style in a denim shirt and brown corduroy trousers. His girlfriend matched the retro vibe in flared trousers and a simple white vest top as the couple strolled side by side. Unlike Johnny, who has enjoyed a wildly successful career as an actor, Jack has remained out of the spotlight, and didn't seem to be too interested in following in his father's footsteps back in 2014. 'My boy, Jack, has always been a very talented draftsman,' Johnny told the Philippine Daily Inquirer at the time. 'He draws really super well. He also plays music very well. Look of love: The actor's rarely seen son, 18, looked in good spirits as he chatted with girlfriend Camille Jansen, 20 Quirky: Jack showed off his own quirky sense of style in a denim shirt and brown corduroy trousers. His girlfriend matched the retro vibe in flared trousers 'He's got a good feel for that. Aside from school plays and things, he hasn't shown any desire to become an actor. Whew.' Johnny shares Jack, born Johnny Christopher Depp III, and daughter Lily with his ex Vanessa, who he was with from 1998 to 2012. Meanwhile Johnny has remained in the UK, pictured arriving at a friend's Surrey home on Sunday, days after the end of his explosive libel trial. The 57-year-old actor was seen rock music photographer Ross Halfin as he arrived at the abode, after checking out of his London hotel. Johnny's visit to his friend's home comes less than a week after his ex-wife Amber Heard, 34, fought back tears as she delivered an emotional closing statement, following what's been dubbed 'The Trial of the Century'. Screen star: Jack's dad Johnny has remained in the UK, pictured arriving at a friend's Surrey home on Sunday, days after the end of his explosive libel trial The end of his sensational libel trial against The Sun newspaper will also have a major impact on another high-profile case the Hollywood star is bringing against ex-wife in the US. Judgement in the High Court trial in London is not expected to be delivered by Mr Justice Nicol until late September, giving Johnny's lawyers enough time to prepare for his US defamation case against Amber, which is expected to get underway next January. In the US proceedings, Depp is suing Heard for $50 million over a 2018 article she wrote in the Washington Post in which she describes herself as being a domestic abuse survivor. The three-week libel trial against The Sun in London, in which Depp hopes to win 350,000 in damages, has widely been seen as a 'dress rehearsal' for the US hearing, which will take place in Virginia. Mawson Resources changes name to Mawson Gold Posted by Publisher Internet Mawson Resources Limited (?Mawson? or ?the Company?) (TSX:MAW; Frankfurt:MXR; PINKSHEETS: MWSNF -? https://www.commodity-tv.com/ondemand/companies/profil/mawson-resources-ltd/ ) announces that it has changed its name to Mawson Gold Limited and that effective August 6, 2020, the Company will commence trading under its new name on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the same stock symbol. The CUSIP number assigned to the Company\-\-s shares following the name change is 577789100 and ISIN CA5777891006.? Michael Hudson, CEO, states, ?After 10 years of focusing on gold exploration in Finland, and more recently Australia, the name change to Mawson Gold better reflects and brands our core business. Shareholders can anticipate results from drill programs from three globally significant precious-metal terrains (Finland and both the Victorian Goldfields and Mt Isa in Australia), plus a resource upgrade in Finland, during the remainder of the 2020 year.? In Finland, the 100% Rajapalot gold-cobalt exploration project is the Company?s flagship property, located just south of the Arctic Circle in Finnish Lapland where the Company has made a significant greenfields discovery: In late 2018, a pit and underground maiden?Constrained Inferred Mineral Resource?of 424,000 ounces of gold at 3.1 g/t AuEq (4.3 million tonnes at 2.3 g/t Au, 430 ppm Co) at 0.37 g/t AuEq cut-off open pit and 2 g/t AuEq underground was calculated. Better drill holes drilled this year after the 2018 resource include drill hole PAL0222 2 metres @ 19.1g/t gold and 1,572ppm cobalt and PAL0228 7.0 metres @ 17.0g/t gold and 2,168ppm cobalt; Metallurgically, gold is free milling which augers well for a conventional and simple flow?sheet; A resource update is planned during Q3 2020 and the project is on a runway towards further resource expansion with only 5% of the mineralized host horizon tested within a 100 square kilometre area; Drill targets for the program are well constrained, given the continuity of the linear high-grade gold mineralization within electromagnetic (?EM?) conductors; Fixed loop EM surveys are ongoing and will aid in defining further blind mineralized bodies. Drilling with one drill rig will recommence in September. A 20 kilometre, five drill rig resource expansion and definition program is planned from December 2020. In the Victorian goldfields of Australia: The Company owns or is joint venturing into three high-grade, Fosterville-style (shallow-orogenic epizonal) exploration projects with numerous untested historic mines. Mawson holds the right of first refusal on largest contiguous land package in the State of Victoria with 3,600?sq km of high priority exploration ground. The Redcastle project, where Mawson is earning 70% interest, is one of the most significant historic epizonal goldfields in the state, with high-grades and common visible gold in a quartz (+/- stibnite association); The first mined of three historic central Victorian goldfields (ca. 1859). Mining at the nearby Costerfield and Fosterville began later in ca. 1860s and 1890s respectively; Extremely high gold grades were mined over a 4.5 x 7 square kilometre area containing over 24 historic mining areas that extend over a combined 17 kilometres of combined high-grade vein strike; The?Welcome Group?of mines, on the western margin of Redcastle, were exploited over 2 kilometres strike length from 1859?1865, down to a maximum depth of 125 metres and extracted?20,583 oz @ 254.6 g/t gold Mawson?s 100% owned Sunday Creek project, hosts historic epizonal gold mines over greater than an 11 kilometre trend. Prior drilling has tested only 800 metres of this trend to an average of 80 metres depth. Selected drill results include: CRC013:?21 metres @ 4.8 g/t gold?from 9 metres including?2 metres @ 28.8 g/t gold?from 15 metres, and; VCRC022:?8 metres @ 11.3 g/t gold?from 66 metres including?2 metres @ 40.3 g/t gold?from 70 metres; Trenching has also revealed broad low-grade halos to higher grade mineralization with one surface trench returning?166 metres @ 0.9 g/t gold; Mawson has commenced a detailed geophysics program at Redcastle, and will undertake 5,000 metres of diamond drilling at both the?Sunday Creek?and Redcastle projects in the Victorian Goldfields, commencing from mid/late August. In the Mt Isa South-East project in Queensland, Australia: While the Company remains focussed in Finland and Victoria for gold, over the last 3 years Mawson?s strategy has been to acquire district-scale areas undercover and along strike from large mines. The Company has built a significant position of 483 square kilometres of granted exploration licences in the Cloncurry district of Mt Isa, over a combined 60 kilometres of strike, and is surrounded by?South32 Ltdand?Sandfire Resources Ltd; Mawson will receive?$200,000 funding under the Queensland Government?s Collaborative Exploration Initiative (CEI)to fund drilling the F11 target, which is strike-parallel to?South32 Ltd?s Cannington silver-lead mine, the?ninth largest silver producer in the world with 12.3 Moz produced in 2019. At its prime in the early 2000s Cannington was the world?s largest single silver producer, and represented about 6% of the world?s primary silver production. Deposit styles sought at F11 include both Cannington silver-zinc (Broken-Hill type) and iron-oxide copper-gold (IOCG); The Mt Isa area is one of the most metal-endowed areas of the world, and contains?5% of the world?s silver resources, 1.7% of the world?s copper resources, 21.2% of the world?s lead resources and 11% of the world?s zinc resources, within numerous world-class mines. Most of these mines were discovered within outcrop or subcrop areas. Technical and Environmental Background Michael Hudson, Chairman and CEO for the Company, is a qualified person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 ? Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects and has prepared or reviewed the preparation of the scientific and technical information in this press release. None of the drill data on the Company?s projects in the Victorian goldfields in Australia have been independently verified at this time. These historical data have not been verified by Mawson and are quoted for information purposes only. Assay techniques for gold and antimony are unknown at this stage. An independent National Instrument 43-101 Technical Report (the ?NI 43-101 Technical Report?) on the Mineral Resource Estimate for the Raja and Palokas Prospects, at the 100% owned Rajapalot Project in Finland, , in support of the Company?s news release dated December 17, 2018 was authorized by Mr. Rod Webster of?AMC Consultants Pty Ltd?(?AMC?) of Melbourne, Australia, and Dr. Kurt Simon Forrester of Arn Perspective of Surrey, England. Each of Mr. Webster and Dr. Forrester are independent ?qualified persons? as defined by National Instrument 43-101. The NI 43-101 Technical Report may be found on the Company?s website at??http://mawsonresources.com/assets/docs/reports/2020-02-20-tra-raja.pdf or under the Company?s profile on SEDAR at?www.sedar.com. For the 2018 resource, the gold equivalent (\AuEq\) value was calculated using averaged prices of the time, resulting in the following formula: AuEq g/t = Au g/t + (Co ppm/608) with assumed prices of Co $30/lb; and Au $1,250/oz. AuEq varies with Au and Co prices. About Mawson Resources Limited (TSX:MAW, FRANKFURT:MXR, PINKSHEETS:MWSNF) Mawson Resources Limited?is a gold exploration and development company. Mawson has distinguished itself as a leading exploration company with a focus on the flagship Rajapalot gold-cobalt project in Finland and its Victorian gold properties in Australia. Forward-Looking Statement This news release contains forward-looking statements or forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws (collectively, \forward-looking statements\). All statements herein, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements. Although Mawson believes that such statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. Forward-looking statements are typically identified by words such as: believe, expect, anticipate, intend, estimate, postulate, and similar expressions, or are those, which, by their nature, refer to future events. Mawson cautions investors that any forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future results or performance, and that actual results may differ materially from those in forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, including, but not limited to, timing of the updated resource on the Company?s Finnish projects, the Company?s expectations and timing of the resource expansion and definition program at Rajapalot, Finland, timing and successful completion of the geophysics and drill programs planned at Redcastle and Sunday Creek, capital and other costs varying significantly from estimates, changes in world metal markets, changes in equity markets, the potential impact of epidemics, pandemics or other public health crises, including the current outbreak of the novel coronavirus known as COVID-19 on the Company?s business, planned drill programs and results varying from expectations, delays in obtaining results, equipment failure, unexpected geological conditions, local community relations, dealings with non-governmental organizations, delays in operations due to permit grants, environmental and safety risks, and other risks and uncertainties disclosed under the heading \Risk Factors\ in Mawson\-\-s most recent Annual Information Form filed on www.sedar.com. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which it is made and, except as may be required by applicable securities laws, Mawson disclaims any intent or obligation to update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or results or otherwise. WILMINGTON, Del., Aug. 5, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Corteva, Inc. (NYSE: CTVA) ("Corteva" or the "Company") today reported financial results for the second quarter and first half ended June 30, 2020. 2Q 2020 Results Overview Net Sales EPS Income from Cont. Ops. (After Tax) GAAP $5.2 B $1.01 $766 M vs. 2Q 2019 (7)% +60% +59% Organic Sales1 Operating EPS1 Operating EBITDA1 NON-GAAP $5.4 B $1.26 $1.2 B vs. 2Q 2019 (3)% (11)% (15)% 1H 2020 Results Overview Net Sales EPS Income from Cont. Ops. (After Tax) GAAP $9.1 B $1.37 $1.0 B vs. 1H 20192 +2% +78% +76% Organic Sales1 Operating EPS1 Operating EBITDA1 NON-GAAP $9.4 B $1.85 $2.0 B vs. 1H 20192 +5% +6% +3% 1. Organic sales, Operating EPS, Pro Forma Operating EPS, Operating EBITDA and Pro Forma Operating EBITDA are non-GAAP measures. See page 3 for further discussion. 2. First half 2019 GAAP information is on a pro forma basis and was determined in accordance with Article 11 of Regulation S-X. Non-GAAP measures for these periods are reconciled to the GAAP pro forma measure. 3. North America is defined as U.S. and Canada. EMEA is defined as Europe, Middle East and Africa. 4. Enlist E3 soybeans are jointly developed by Dow AgroSciences and MS Technologies 5. Represents coverage of total North America market, including branded, competitors and licensees. First Half 2020 Highlights Reported net sales for first half 2020 were $9.1 billion , up 2% versus prior year, driven by volume and price improvement. Organic sales 1 grew 5%, with growth in each region. , up 2% versus prior year, driven by volume and price improvement. Organic sales grew 5%, with growth in each region. Seed sales rose 6% on a reported basis and 8% on an organic 1 basis, with volume and price growth in every region particularly in corn and soybean in North America . basis, with volume and price growth in every region particularly in corn and soybean in . Crop Protection sales declined 4% on a reported basis and were up 1% on an organic 1 basis, as sales gains in EMEA 3 and Asia Pacific were muted by declines in Latin America and North America 3 . basis, as sales gains in EMEA and were muted by declines in and . GAAP income and earnings per share (EPS) from continuing operations were $1.0 billion and $1.37 per share, respectively. and per share, respectively. Operating EBITDA 1 was $2.0 billion , up 3% versus prior year as price and volume gains in Seed, coupled with execution on synergies and productivity, more than offset currency headwinds and unfavorable geographic mix in Crop Protection. was , up 3% versus prior year as price and volume gains in Seed, coupled with execution on synergies and productivity, more than offset currency headwinds and unfavorable geographic mix in Crop Protection. Merger cost synergies and productivity were approximately $130 million for the first half 2020 and remain on track to be $230 million for the full year. Company Updates Taking Focused Steps to Drive Productivity and Cost Competitiveness: The Company continues to deliver progress on its previously communicated productivity program, as well as synergies and the recently announced spending actions intended to deliver additional earnings improvements in 2020. These actions reflect targeted steps by Corteva to navigate near-term market volatility, while further strengthening its cash flow and financial resiliency. The Company continues to deliver progress on its previously communicated productivity program, as well as synergies and the recently announced spending actions intended to deliver additional earnings improvements in 2020. These actions reflect targeted steps by Corteva to navigate near-term market volatility, while further strengthening its cash flow and financial resiliency. Reinforcing Operational Discipline and Effectiveness: In the second quarter, against the backdrop of COVID-19, the Company navigated a historic 500-year flood in Midland, Michigan near one of its Crop Protection manufacturing facilities. Since this time, the local operations teams have worked safely and diligently to restore all operations. Leveraging the strength of its flexible and resilient supply chain, the Company was able to minimize business impact. In the second quarter, against the backdrop of COVID-19, the Company navigated a historic 500-year flood in near one of its Crop Protection manufacturing facilities. Since this time, the local operations teams have worked safely and diligently to restore all operations. Leveraging the strength of its flexible and resilient supply chain, the Company was able to minimize business impact. Strengthening Solid Liquidity Position: During the quarter, Corteva took a strategic step to further diversify its financing tools strengthening its solid liquidity position. The Company launched a long-term debt offering in the form of bonds into the public markets, with $1 billion in notes that have been assigned ratings in line with the Company's long-term, issuer credit ratings of A-/A3/A (S&P/Moody's/Fitch). During the quarter, Corteva took a strategic step to further diversify its financing tools strengthening its solid liquidity position. The Company launched a long-term debt offering in the form of bonds into the public markets, with in notes that have been assigned ratings in line with the Company's long-term, issuer credit ratings of A-/A3/A (S&P/Moody's/Fitch). Implementing Ongoing Portfolio Actions to Drive Competitive Advantages: Corteva continues to take actions to optimize its portfolio to enable the Company to capitalize on growth opportunities and drive margin expansion. During the second quarter, Corteva acquired the stake of its previously consolidated JV partner in PhytoGen Seed Company, giving Corteva 100% ownership and reflecting its growing presence in the cottonseed market. Corteva continues to take actions to optimize its portfolio to enable the Company to capitalize on growth opportunities and drive margin expansion. During the second quarter, Corteva acquired the stake of its previously consolidated JV partner in PhytoGen Seed Company, giving Corteva 100% ownership and reflecting its growing presence in the cottonseed market. Collaborating to Drive Technology Differentiation in Crop Protection: The Company announced a multi-year global agreement for the research, development and global commercialization of pheromone-based insect control solutions and solutions to extend the life of plant-based insect control traits. This action reflects Corteva's continued commitment to growing its biologicals portfolio, while increasing technology differentiation and accelerating its competitive advantages across its Seed and Crop Protection business platforms. The Company announced a multi-year global agreement for the research, development and global commercialization of pheromone-based insect control solutions and solutions to extend the life of plant-based insect control traits. This action reflects Corteva's continued commitment to growing its biologicals portfolio, while increasing technology differentiation and accelerating its competitive advantages across its Seed and Crop Protection business platforms. Delivering Value for Customers in a Competitive Soybean Market: Despite a very competitive soybean market, Corteva continues to deliver solid progress on the accelerated ramp-up of Enlist E3 TM4 soybeans in North America . For 2020, the Company expects Enlist E3 to achieve penetration on up to 20% of U.S. soybean acres 5 in line with prior estimates. Corteva also expects E3 to represent 17% of its own soybean lineup for the year an increase over earlier estimates. In addition to its Enlist E3 technology, Corteva continues to provide superior product solutions, while capturing price for value. Despite a very competitive soybean market, Corteva continues to deliver solid progress on the accelerated ramp-up of Enlist E3 soybeans in . For 2020, the Company expects Enlist E3 to achieve penetration on up to 20% of U.S. soybean acres in line with prior estimates. Corteva also expects E3 to represent 17% of its own soybean lineup for the year an increase over earlier estimates. In addition to its Enlist E3 technology, Corteva continues to provide superior product solutions, while capturing price for value. Executing Strategy to Enhance Market Presence in the Retail Channel: Corteva launched its global Brevant seed brand in the U.S. to be sold exclusively through retail, beginning in 2021. This action is expected to expand retail access to Corteva seed genetics, technology, and traits beyond its existing, comprehensive routes to market providing greater choice and value for customers. "Our results in the first half of 2020 highlight the strength of our global execution engine and our operational resilience in the face of historic market volatility. In the first half, we experienced sharp swings in commodity prices and foreign currency rates due to COVID-19, renewed trade and regulatory uncertainty, and new regulatory challenges. Amidst these external pressures, we delivered sales and earnings growth. We demonstrated strong price execution in Seed, supply chain flexibility, and solid market demand for our balanced and differentiated new product portfolios in both segments. Our results were strengthened by diligent efforts to further drive down costs, mitigate currency headwinds, and preserve cash. Further, our balance sheet and liquidity position remain strong, supported by targeted actions taken in the quarter. I am especially proud of our teams around the world, executing with focus and integrity in a rapidly evolving landscape, to ensure continued support for our customers and communities." "Looking ahead, we will increase value for stakeholders through continued progress on our strategic objectives positioning ourselves well to continue growing our presence in key channels and markets. Our priorities in the second half of 2020 include accelerating productivity actions and supporting the launch of key innovations, such as our Enlist weed control system, that will enable our customers to drive their profitability," said James C. Collins, Jr., Corteva Chief Executive Officer. Outlook The Company continues to monitor near-term operating conditions to ensure business continuity in light of continued market volatility. At the time of this reporting, management expects operating EBITDA1 to be in the range of $1.9 billion to $2 billion for the full year 2020, with anticipated net sales growth of 1-2% for the same period. The Company's operating EPS1 range is expected to be between $1.25 and $1.45 per share. Corteva is not able to reconcile its forward-looking non-GAAP financial measures to its most comparable U.S. GAAP financial measures, as it is unable to predict with reasonable certainty items outside of its control, such as significant items, without unreasonable effort. This outlook does not contemplate any operational disruptions, significant changes in customers' demand or ability to pay, or further acceleration of currency impacts resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. Click here to download the full press release, including CEO commentary, segment detail, and reconciliations of non-GAAP and GAAP measures, or visit the Corteva Investor Relations website. About Corteva Agriscience Corteva, Inc. (NYSE: CTVA) is a publicly traded, global pure-play agriculture company that provides farmers around the world with the most complete portfolio in the industry including a balanced and diverse mix of seed, crop protection and digital solutions focused on maximizing productivity to enhance yield and profitability. With some of the most recognized brands in agriculture and an industry-leading product and technology pipeline well positioned to drive growth, the Company is committed to working with stakeholders throughout the food system as it fulfils its promise to enrich the lives of those who produce and those who consume, ensuring progress for generations to come. Corteva became an independent public company on June 1, 2019, and was previously the Agriculture Division of DowDuPont. More information can be found at www.corteva.com. Follow Corteva on Facebook , Instagram , LinkedIn , Twitter and YouTube . Cautionary Statement About Forward-Looking Statements This communication contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, which are intended to be covered by the safe harbor provisions for forward-looking statements contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, and may be identified by their use of words like "guidance", "plans," "expects," "will," "anticipates," "believes," "intends," "projects," "estimates," "outlook," or other words of similar meaning. All statements that address expectations or projections about the future, including statements about Corteva's strategy for growth, product development, regulatory approval, market position, anticipated benefits of recent acquisitions, timing of anticipated benefits from restructuring actions, outcome of contingencies, such as litigation and environmental matters, expenditures, and financial results, as well as expected benefits from, the separation of Corteva from DowDuPont, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on certain assumptions and expectations of future events which may not be accurate or realized. Forward-looking statements also involve risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond Corteva's control. While the list of factors presented below is considered representative, no such list should be considered to be a complete statement of all potential risks and uncertainties. Unlisted factors may present significant additional obstacles to the realization of forward-looking statements. Consequences of material differences in results as compared with those anticipated in the forward-looking statements could include, among other things, business disruption, operational problems, financial loss, legal liability to third parties and similar risks, any of which could have a material adverse effect on Corteva's business, results of operations and financial condition. Some of the important factors that could cause Corteva's actual results to differ materially from those projected in any such forward-looking statements include: (i) failure to successfully develop and commercialize Corteva's pipeline; (ii) effect of competition and consolidation in Corteva's industry; (iii) failure to obtain or maintain the necessary regulatory approvals for some Corteva's products; (iv) failure to enforce Corteva's intellectual property rights or defend against intellectual property claims asserted by others; (v) effect of competition from manufacturers of generic products; (vi) impact of Corteva's dependence on third parties with respect to certain of its raw materials or licenses and commercialization; (vii) costs of complying with evolving regulatory requirements and the effect of actual or alleged violations of environmental laws or permit requirements; (viii) effect of the degree of public understanding and acceptance or perceived public acceptance of Corteva's biotechnology and other agricultural products; (ix) effect of changes in agricultural and related policies of governments and international organizations; (x) effect of industrial espionage and other disruptions to Corteva's supply chain, information technology or network systems; (xi) competitor's establishment of an intermediary platform for distribution of Corteva's products; (xii) effect of volatility in Corteva's input costs; (xiii) failure to raise capital through the capital markets or short-term borrowings on terms acceptable to Corteva; (xiv) failure of Corteva's customers to pay their debts to Corteva, including customer financing programs; (xv) failure to realize the anticipated benefits of the internal reorganizations taken by DowDuPont in connection with the spin-off of Corteva, including failure to benefit from significant cost synergies; (xvi) risks related to the indemnification obligations of legacy EID liabilities in connection with the separation of Corteva; (xvii) increases in pension and other post-employment benefit plan funding obligations; (xviii) effect of compliance with environmental laws and requirements and adverse judgments on litigation; (xix) risks related to Corteva's global operations; (xx) effect of climate change and unpredictable seasonal and weather factors; (xxi) effect of counterfeit products; (xxii) failure to effectively manage acquisitions, divestitures, alliances and other portfolio actions; (xxiii) risks related to non-cash charges from impairment of goodwill or intangibles assets; (xxiv) risks related to COVID-19; (xxv) risks related to oil and commodity markets; and (xxvi) other risks related to the Separation from DowDuPont. Additionally, there may be other risks and uncertainties that Corteva is unable to currently identify or that Corteva does not currently expect to have a material impact on its business. Where, in any forward-looking statement, an expectation or belief as to future results or events is expressed, such expectation or belief is based on the current plans and expectations of Corteva's management and expressed in good faith and believed to have a reasonable basis, but there can be no assurance that the expectation or belief will result or be achieved or accomplished. Corteva disclaims and does not undertake any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement, except as required by applicable law. A detailed discussion of some of the significant risks and uncertainties which may cause results and events to differ materially from such forward-looking statements or other estimates is included in the "Risk Factors" section of Corteva's Annual Report on Form 10-K, as modified by subsequent Quarterly Reports on Forms 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K. Corteva Unaudited Pro Forma Financial Information In order to provide the most meaningful comparison of results of operations, supplemental unaudited pro forma financial information for the first half of 2019 has been included in this presentation. This presentation presents the pro forma results of Corteva, after giving effect to events that are (1) directly attributable to the merger of DuPont and Dow, debt retirement transactions related to paying off or retiring portions of Historical DuPont's existing debt liabilities, and the separation and distribution to DowDuPont stockholders of all the outstanding shares of Corteva common stock; (2) factually supportable and (3) with respect to the pro forma statements of income, expected to have a continuing impact on the consolidated results. Refer to Corteva's Form 10 registration statement filed on May 6, 2019, which can be found on the investors section of the Corteva website, for further details on the above transactions. The pro forma financial statements were prepared in accordance with Article 11 of Regulation S-X, and are presented for informational purposes only, and do not purport to represent what the results of operations would have been had the above actually occurred on the dates indicated, nor do they purport to project the results of operations for any future period or as of any future date. Regulation G (Non-GAAP Financial Measures) This earnings release includes information that does not conform to U.S. GAAP and are considered non-GAAP measures. These measures may include organic sales, organic growth (including by segment and region), operating EBITDA, pro forma operating EBITDA, operating EBITDA margin, pro forma operating EBITDA margin, operating earnings per share, pro forma operating earnings per share, base tax rate, and pro forma base tax rate. Management uses these measures internally for planning and forecasting, including allocating resources and evaluating incentive compensation. Management believes that these non-GAAP measures best reflect the ongoing performance of the Company during the periods presented and provide more relevant and meaningful information to investors as they provide insight with respect to ongoing operating results of the Company and a more useful comparison of year over year results. These non-GAAP measures supplement the Company's U.S. GAAP disclosures and should not be viewed as an alternative to U.S. GAAP measures of performance. Furthermore, such non-GAAP measures may not be consistent with similar measures provided or used by other companies. Reconciliations for these non-GAAP measures to U.S. GAAP are provided in the Selected Financial Information and Non-GAAP Measures starting on page A-6 of the Financial Statement Schedules. For first quarter and prior year, these non-GAAP measures are being reconciled to a pro forma GAAP financial measure prepared and presented in accordance with Article 11 of Regulation S-X. See Article 11 Pro Forma Combined Statements of Operations starting on page A-13 of the Financial Statement Schedules. Corteva is not able to reconcile its forward-looking non-GAAP financial measures to their most comparable U.S. GAAP financial measures, as it is unable to predict with reasonable certainty items outside of the company's control, such as Significant Items, without unreasonable effort. For Significant items reported in the periods presented, refer to page A-6 of the Financial Statement Schedules. Beginning January 1, 2020, the company presents accelerated prepaid royalty amortization expense as a significant item. Accelerated prepaid royalty amortization represents the noncash charge associated with the recognition of upfront payments made to Monsanto in connection with the Company's non-exclusive license in the United States and Canada for Monsanto's Genuity Roundup Ready 2 Yield Roundup Ready 2 Xtend herbicide tolerance traits. During the five-year ramp-up period of Enlist E3TM, Corteva is expected to significantly reduce the volume of products with the Roundup Ready 2 Yield and Roundup Ready 2 Xtend herbicide tolerance traits beginning in 2021, with expected minimal use of the trait platform after the completion of the ramp-up. Organic sales is defined as price and volume and excludes currency and portfolio impacts. Operating EBITDA is defined as earnings (i.e., income from continuing operations before income taxes) before interest, depreciation, amortization, non-operating benefits , net and foreign exchange gains (losses), excluding the impact of significant items (including goodwill impairment charges). Non-operating benefits, net consists of non-operating pension and other post-employment benefit (OPEB) credits, tax indemnification adjustments, environmental remediation and legal costs associated with legacy businesses and sites of Historical DuPont. Tax indemnification adjustments relate to changes in indemnification balances, as a result of the application of the terms of the Tax Matters Agreement, between Corteva and Dow and/or DuPont that are recorded by the company as pre-tax income or expense. Operating EBITDA margin is defined as Operating EBITDA as a percentage of net sales. Operating earnings per share are defined as "Earnings per common share from continuing operations - diluted" excluding the after-tax impact of significant items (including goodwill impairment charges), the after-tax impact of non-operating benefits, net, and the after-tax impact of amortization expense associated with intangible assets existing as of the Separation from DowDuPont. Although amortization of the Company's intangible assets is excluded from these non-GAAP measures, management believes it is important for investors to understand that such intangible assets contribute to revenue generation. Amortization of intangible assets that relate to past acquisitions will recur in future periods until such intangible assets have been fully amortized. Any future acquisitions may result in amortization of additional intangible assets. Base tax rate is defined as the effective tax rate excluding the impacts of foreign exchange gains (losses), non-operating benefits, net, amortization of intangibles as of the Separation from DowDuPont, and significant items (including goodwill impairment charges). The first half of 2019 is on a pro forma basis as discussed above in the paragraph 'Corteva Unaudited Pro Forma Financial Information'. TM SM Trademarks and service marks of Dow AgroSciences, DuPont or Pioneer, and their affiliated companies or their respective owners. SOURCE Corteva, Inc. China to be compelled to respond if US refuses to renew Chinese media visas: FM Global Times Source: Global Times Published: 2020/8/4 16:21:15 China urged the US to stop the political suppression of Chinese media and journalists and said it will be compelled to make a legitimate response if the US goes its own way as none of the Chinese journalists in the US have received visa extensions after they applied. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin said at Tuesday's media briefing that none of the Chinese journalists in the US who applied for visa extensions after the US limited visas for Chinese journalists in the country to 90 days in May have yet received a clear response. If the US continues on its wrong path, China will surely be forced to make a proper response and resolutely safeguard its own legitimate rights and interests, Wang said. As for questions on whether US reporters in the Hong Kong Administrative Region (SAR) will be targeted as part of China's countermeasures, Wang said that the Hong Kong SAR is part of China, and any necessary and proper response that China is forced to take against the US unreasonable suppression of Chinese media in the US falls under the diplomatic jurisdiction of the central government. Wang made the remarks after the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced on May 8 that Chinese reporters working for non-US media outlets would be restricted to 90-day work visas and will be permitted to apply for extensions of up to 90 days. The new rule took effect on May 11. Wang said that the US has been intensifying its political repression against the Chinese media out of a Cold War mentality and ideological bias. Some 20 Chinese journalists have had their visa applications rejected or delayed indefinitely by the US side since 2018. On the one hand, the US claims to practice freedom of the press, but on the other, it has interfered and obstructed in the normal reporting of Chinese journalists in the US, which exposed the hypocrisy of the US' so-called press freedom and its double standards and hegemony, Wang said. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Cass County health officials confirmed 12 new cases of COVID-19 on Tuesday, while Morgan County saw its total cases increase by four. Cass County said positive tests were returned for a girl in her teens, a woman in her 30s, three men in their 30s, a man in his 40s, two women in their 50s, two women in their 60s, a man in his 60s and a man in his 70s, according to Cass County Health Department. The diagnoses brings the total case count to 218 in Cass County. Of those, 160 people have recovered and 11 have died. Morgan County, which will open a testing site Thursday at the Morgan County Fairgrounds, now stands at 229 cases. There have been six deaths in the county and 151 people have been released from restrictions. The latest Morgan County cases involve three women in their 20s and a man in his 30s, according to a daily briefing by the Morgan County Department of Public Health, Jacksonville/Morgan County Emergency Management, Memorial Health System, Morgan County commissioners and the city of Jacksonville. Testing will be done from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday through Sunday at the fairgrounds. No appointment is necessary and testing is available for people of any age. Those who attend will need photo identification and masks will be required. There is no out-of-pocket expense for testing, but those with health insurance are asked to bring their insurance card. In Greene County, there were four new cases reported Tuesday, bringing its total case count to 26. Twelve of those cases are active and 14 people have recovered. Pike County added one case, involving a man in 20s who is isolated at home. The total case count for Pike County is 14, three of which are active. Schuyler County reported one new diagnosis, involving a man in his 30s. The total case count for the county is 17, of which three are active. Scott County received its 10th positive test Tuesday, involving a man in his 30s, according to Scott County Health Department. Jersey County reported five new cases Tuesday, bringing its total count to 74. Of those, 61 people have recovered and there has been one death. Total cases in other west-central Illinois counties as of Tuesday were: 13 in Brown County; 143 in Macoupin County; and 1,057 in Sangamon County, according to the Illinois Department of Public Health. Statewide, 1,471 new cases of coronavirus disease and 19 deaths were reported Tuesday, according to the state health department. There have been 184,712 cases in Illinois and 7,545 deaths. A report in a leading daily revealed that the actor aims to be back on sets by November in order to shoot the remaining portions of Prabhu Devas Radhe. After completing the film, Salman will move on to his next project which also features his brother - in - law Aayush Sharma. Titled Guns Of North, the film is based on the Marathi hit Mulshi Pattern. After wrapping up the two films mentioned, Salman Khan will focus on the Sajid Nadiadwala production Kabhi Eid Kabhi Diwali, which is directed by Farhad Samji. The actor plans to begin shooting for the third instalment of the Tiger series by the end of next year. Looks like Salman Khan certainly wants to make up for the time lost in quarantine. While the coronavirus pandemic came as a big roadblock for Bollywood stars, it seems that theyre already planning for life after the virus now. Salman Khan, whos been quarantined at his Panvel farmhouse for months now, is now looking to resume work with four big budget projects lined up. Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Hong Nam-ki speaks during a meeting held to monitor irregularities in the real estate market at Seoul Government Complex in Gwanghwamun, Wednesday. Yonhap Real estate policy yet again rapped for lacking market principles, consistency By Lee Kyung-min Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Hong Nam-ki said the government's plan to build new housing in Seoul and the surrounding Gyeonggi Province will be pushed ahead as planned, Wednesday, railroading the opposition raised by the Seoul Metropolitan Government for what the city government considers "excessive government intervention" that distorts market principles. The city government together with the finance and land ministries announced a plan Tuesday to ensure the supply of 132,000 new homes in Seoul and the surrounding Gyeonggi Province. They plan to promote redevelopment by easing construction rules through the increase of floor area ratios -- building area divided by lot area -- by to up to 500 percent. They also plan to raise the current height restriction limit of 35 stories for apartment blocks to 50. This will lead to up to twice as many homes in areas with aging apartments where the government plan takes effect. But the catch is that the government will only allow the plan on the condition that up to 70 percent of the newly increased land be used to build government-rented homes on long-term lease for low-income earners. This is why the city government says the plan will not attract as many private firms, almost all of which balk at the idea of handing over profits to the government. Another major stumbling block is that the redevelopment plan requires the approval via a two-thirds vote of the current occupants of the apartments to be redeveloped. Their collective opposition has a similar basis in that they do not want their property value to be controlled by the government. A few hours after Tuesday's briefing, the city government held a separate presser, saying it "does not agree with the central government's plan." "The city government does not give its full support to the ministry's plan," a city official said during a briefing. "We will seek ways to resume the private construction that due to no fault of their own remains halted for years. The government seeking to lead what should be determined by market principles will only lead to a highly distorted, unbalanced market." A few more hours later, however, the city government issued a statement saying, "the city government does not have any disagreements with the central government," in what was largely seen as caving in to the push jointly organized by the ministries, Cheong Wa Dae and the ruling Democratic Party of Korea. Seoul National University economist Lee In-ho said the discord is a clear indication of government failure, with the public caught in the crossfire. "Government policy should be consistent, which those set up by the current administration have been anything but. The poorly thought-out and even more poorly implemented plan will only hurt nearly half of the Korean people whose stable housing needs are increasingly put under threat." The Union Health Ministry has reported the unabated rise of India's Covid-19 tally which has now crossed the 19 lakh mark. Maharshtra continues to remain the worst-affected state with almost 1,5 lakh active cases, but also a near 3 lakh cases recovered from the disease. With the single-day spike of 52,509 cases Indias COVID-19 tally crossed the 19 lakh mark on Wednesday, according to the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW). According to the Union Health Ministry, this includes 5,86,244 active cases, 12,82,216 cured, discharged and migrated cases. With 857 new deaths being reported from the country on Tuesday, the toll due to the infection stands at 39,795. However, the Ministry said that 51,706 patients were discharged yesterday taking the cure percentage to 67.19 per cent in India. The active cases stand at 30.72 per cent while death 2.09 per cent deaths have been reported out of the total confirmed cases in the country. Also read: Punjab hooch case: Police arrests alleged kingpin Ludhiana paint-store owner Also read: Ayodhya Ram Mandir LIVE Updates: PM Modi arrives in Lucknow Maharashtra continues to be the worst-affected state as it has a total of 1,42,458 active cases and 16,142 deaths. However, 2,99,356 coronavirus patients have also recovered in the state so far, according to the Union Health Ministry. The active COVID-19 count in Tamil Nadu stands at 55,152, apart from 2,08,784 cured and discharged patients and 4,349 deaths being reported due to the infection. The number of active cases in Delhi is currently below the 10-thousand mark. The national capital has 9,897 active cases with over 1,25,226 patients recovering in the region and 4,033 deaths being reported so far. Also read: Covid-19 wont deter Amit Shah from posing a threat to Gehlots govt in Rajasthan: Shiv Sena Four men in their 20s have been arrested and charged following an investigation into a string of robberies across south-west and north-west Sydney. Detectives from the State Crime Command's robbery and serious crime squad established Strike Force Canberry to investigate several robberies, the first of which allegedly occurred on July 1 last year. A man is arrested in Chester Hill, one of four charged following a string of robberies across Sydney over the past year. Credit:Police Media Two men one armed with a knife allegedly threatened three employees at a chemist on Stockton Avenue, Moorebank, before fleeing with cash and prescription medication. Late at night on November 6 last year, four men, armed with knives and machetes, entered a chemist on Old Northern Road, Castle Hill. The men allegedly threatened staff and several customers, before stealing cash and prescription medication. Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-05 19:30:37|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close ISTANBUL, Aug. 5 (Xinhua) -- Turkey has tightened measures against the COVID-19 pandemic across the country as of Wednesday after daily new cases surpassed the threshold of 1,000 for the first time in weeks. The Interior Ministry pointed out at a notice sent to all the governor's offices in 81 provinces across the country that inspections would mostly focus on quarantine conditions, social distancing, wearing masks, and hygiene. It said local authorities would strictly follow those under quarantine at home to see whether the isolation conditions are met. Measures in celebrations such as weddings and engagement parties have also been tightened to curb the fast spreading of the pandemic, the notice said, adding that funerals and other large gatherings would also be rigidly controlled. The Central Anatolian Kirikkale, meanwhile, became a pilot province in adopting a new model in the fight against the coronavirus, according to the notice. A surveillance team of 100 people will control all the COVID-19 related measures across the city, and a new call center will also investigate complaints about citizens violating the rules, it said. The country's confirmed daily cases increased by 1,083 on Tuesday, taking the number of total infections to 234,934, Health Minister Fahrettin Koca announced. The total death toll, meanwhile, reached 5,765, with 18 more died during the last 24 hours, according to the ministry's data. The number of new daily cases in Turkey's biggest city Istanbul, which accounted for 45 percent of all the infected cases, reached 134 on Monday, up from 132 the previous day, the ministry also revealed at a report. Istanbul police teams conducted a series of inspections on Tuesday night on boats rented for parties and celebrations on the Bosphorus Strait, press reports said. Several boat owners and organizers were fined for violating the COVID-19 rules, which include obeying social distancing, wearing masks, and hygiene. Meanwhile, some media outlets said on Wednesday that most of the public transport vehicles in Istanbul are packed with passengers, totally ignoring the social distancing rule. The NTV broadcaster released a photo of a minibus in the Kucukcekmece district of Istanbul, traveling with a door open due to the crowd inside. Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu announced on his twitter account that the most comprehensive inspection of COVID-19 rules would be conducted on Thursday throughout the country. He said markets, workplaces, grocers, public transport vehicles, roads, shopping areas, restaurants, cafeterias, commercial taxis, and all other living spaces would be scrutinized. Turkish people flocking to shores to spend the four-day holiday of Eid al-Adha last week had raised the concerns of health officials over the further surge of the COVID-19 pandemic in the country. Members of the health ministry's Scientific Committee said there might be an "explosion" in the number of the coronavirus cases in the upcoming seven to 10 days as citizens mostly did not comply with the rules of social distancing, wearing masks, and confined social life. Enditem Earthen lamps have been lit in the premises of Badrinath and Gopinath temples in Chamoli Uttarakhand: Earthen lamps have been lit in the premises of Badrinath and Gopinath temples in Chamoli on the occasion of Bhoomi Pujan of Ram Mandir in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh. Uttarakhand: Earthen lamps have been lit in the premises of Badrinath & Gopinath temples in Chamoli on the occasion of 'Bhoomi Pujan' of #RamMandir in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh. pic.twitter.com/HwT8sK4KhV ANI (@ANI) August 5, 2020 Maharashtra Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari performed Aarti of Shri Ram at Raj Bhavan Maharashtra Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari performed Aarti of Shri Ram at Raj Bhavan, Mumbai to celebrate the occasion of the Bhoomi Puja ceremony performed at the Ram Janambhoomi site in Ayodhya earlier today: Governors Office. Maharashtra Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari performed the Aarti of Shri Ram at Raj Bhavan, Mumbai to celebrate the occasion of the Bhoomi Puja ceremony performed at the Ram Janambhoomi site in Ayodhya earlier today: Governor's Office pic.twitter.com/2p8zxPjpJW ANI (@ANI) August 5, 2020 May the blessings of Bhagwan Shree Ram always be upon us: PM Modi A blessed day in Ayodhya. This day will remain etched in the memory of every Indian. May the blessings of Bhagwan Shree Ram always be upon us. May India scale new heights of progress. May every Indian be healthy and prosperous. A blessed day in Ayodhya. This day will remain etched in the memory of every Indian. May the blessings of Bhagwan Shree Ram always be upon us. May India scale new heights of progress. May every Indian be healthy and prosperous. @ShriRamTeerth pic.twitter.com/4JbHYcTv0b Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 5, 2020 Ram temple digital billboard comes up in New Yorks Times Square USA: Ram temple digital billboard comes up in New Yorks Times Square. USA: #RamMandir digital billboard comes up in New Yorks Times Square. pic.twitter.com/MqklVfD2fr ANI (@ANI) August 5, 2020 People light earthen lamps at Ram Ki Paudi on the occasion of Bhoomi Poojan Ayodhya: People light earthen lamps at Ram Ki Paudi on the occasion of Bhoomi Poojan of Ram temple. #WATCH Ayodhya: People light earthen lamps at Ram Ki Paudi on the occasion of 'Bhoomi Poojan' of #RamTemple. pic.twitter.com/hkKe3TBKMb ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) August 5, 2020 Ayodhya district lit up on occasion of Bhoomi Poojan of Ram temple Ayodhya district lit up on the occasion of Bhoomi Poojan of Ram temple. Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone of Ram temple, earlier today. Ayodhya district lit up on the occasion of 'Bhoomi Poojan' of #RamTemple. Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone of #RamTemple, earlier today. pic.twitter.com/Vxrvxpkt7n ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) August 5, 2020 RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat performs Aarti at the banks of Saryu river Ayodhya: RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat performs Aarti at the banks of Saryu river. Connected through Ram-Sita, relationship between the two countries is deep and strong: Nepal envoy to India Indian PM Modi laid Ram Temples foundation stone in Ayodhya. Connected through Ram-Sita, relationship between the two countries is deep and strong. Ram-Janaki continues to inspire the relationship to become more cooperative and strong in modern times: N Acharya, Nepal envoy to India Heeraben, mother of PM Modi watched the live telecast of Bhoomi Poojan of Ram temple earlier today Gujarat: Heeraben, mother of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, watched the live telecast of Bhoomi Poojan of Ram temple earlier today, at her residence in Gandhinagar. Yogi Adityanath presented an idol of Lord Ram to PM Modi Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath presented an idol of Lord Ram to Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the foundation stone laying ceremony of Ram templein Ayodhya, earlier today. Lord Ram is loved by all and he is above any political consideration: Anand Sharma Ram temple has been the demand of people from past many years. Congress welcomed the decision of Supreme Court with an open heart. Lord Ram is loved by all and he is above any political consideration. Politics and faith must be kept apart: Congress leader Anand Sharma Rajasthan Governor congratulates people on Ram temple bhoomi pujan Rajasthan Governor Kalraj Mishra on Wednesday congratulated the people on the foundation laying of Ram temple in Ayodhya while Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot expressed hope that it would become a symbol of unity in the country. It is a historic day, says Ravi Shankar Prasad It is a historic day. The construction of Ram Temple has started in Ayodhya today after sacrifices, wait and patience of generations. Indians and many people from across the world were waiting for this day for centuries: Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad. Nitin Gadkari recited Ram Raksha and worshipped Lord Ram with his family Maharashtra: Union Minister Nitin Gadkari recited Ram Raksha and worshipped Lord Ram with his family at Nagpur during the foundation stone laying ceremony of Ram temple in Ayodhya We are proud of PM Modi who has fulfilled this dream: Assam CM Sarbananda Sonowal Its a very important day for us. People were waiting from many years for a Ram temple on Ram Janmabhoomi. Today that dream has come true. We are proud of PM Modi who has fulfilled this dream. This temple will strengthen peace and humanity in country: Assam CM Sarbananda Sonowal Emotional moment for entire country: PM Modi Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the ram temple bhoomi pujan event was as emotional moment for the entire country as a long wait has ended today. Yediyurappa greets people on bhoomi pujan Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa and his cabinet colleagues greeted people for the ground breaking ceremony for the construction of Ram Temple in Ayodhya. A golden chapter in history of Indian culture: Amit Shah Union home minister Amit Shah took to Twitter to laud the foundation laying ceremony on Ram temple in Ayodhya. Today is a historic and proud day for India. Prime Minister on the birthplace of Lord Shri Ram @NarendraModi Bhumi worshiped and laid the foundation stone of the grand Ram temple, which has written a golden chapter in the history of great Indian culture and civilization and has started a new era, he wrote on Twitter in Hindi. Whenever humanity followed Lord Ram, development took place: PM Modi Whenever humanity followed Lord Ram, development took place; we have to take care of everyones sentiments, said PM Modi PM Modi reiterates social distancing mantra The Prime Minister renewed his pitch for maintaining social distancing and wearing masks amid the Covid-19 pandemic. Ram temple construction in Ayodhya will lift regions economy: PM Modi As the construction of Ram temple will begin in Ayodhya, the entire regions economy will be lifted, the Prime Minister said in his speech at the foundation laying ceremony. No aspect of life where Ram does not inspire us: PM Modi PM Modi asserted that there is no aspect of life where Ram does not inspire us and that he is always present with us in some or the other form. Ram is in everyone and he belongs to everyone, he added. Ram temple will be modern symbol of our culture, eternal faith and national spirit: PM Modi Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the process of Ram temples construction is an attempt to connect the nation. It will be a modern symbol of our culture, eternal faith and national spirit, he added. For years, Ram Lalla lived under makeshift arrangements: PM Modi For years, Ram Lalla lived under makeshift arrangements, work for a grand temple begins now, PM Modi said in his address. A grand temple will now be built for our Ram Lalla . Today, Ram janmbhoomi has broken free from the cycle of being demolished and built again which had been going on for centuries, he said. Entire world is witnessing history being made: PM Modi In his address at the grand ceremony, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the entire world is witnessing history being made with the foundation of Ram temple and called for chants of Jai Shri Ram. History is also is being repeated. The way boatmen to tribals helped Lord Ram, the way children helped Lord Krishna lift Govardhan mountain, similarly, with everyones efforts of temple construction will be completed, he said. Siyaram Ramchandra ki jai: PM Modi opens his address at Ayodhya Prime Minister Narendra Modi opened his address at Ayodhya with chants of Siyaram Ramchandra ki jai. He congratulated devotees of Ram and said that he was honoured to be invited to Ayodhya. Temple will be constructed soon, wishes of devotees will be fulfilled: Nitya Gopal Das President of Ram Mandir Trust Nitya Gopal Das addressed the foundation laying ceremony in Ayodhya. I have been asked many times when will Ram temple be constructed. Now, it will be constructed soon. The wishes of devotees will be fulfilled, he said. A new beginning of a new India: RSS chief RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat said that India believes in Vasudeva Kutumbakam i.e world is our guest and that Indians believe in taking everyone along. Today is a new beginning of a new India,: he added. Advani ji must be watching: Mohan Bhagwat Advani ji must be at his home watching this, said RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat at the Ram temple ceremony in Ayodhya. There are some people who shouldve come but couldnt be invited because of the Covid-19 situation, he said. Some could not be here due to Covid-19: CM Yogi Adityanath Some people could not be here due to Covid-19 pandemic. They will be called for future events in Ayodhya, said Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath during the foundation laying ceremony of Ram temple. West Bengal CM calls for unity in diversity On the day the Prime Minister laid the foundation stone of Ram temple in Ayodhya, West Bengal chief minister appealed for unity in diversity. Countrymen should preserve the age-old legacy till their last breath, she tweeted. . 500 years-long struggle for Ram temple in Ayodhya: Yogi Adityanath While addressing the foundation laying ceremony of Ram temple in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath said people struggled for 500 years for the temple and hailed Prime Minister Narendra Modi for fulfilment of dream to build temple in Ayodhya. Symbol of modern India based on the ideals of Ramrajya: President Kovind Congratulations to all on the inauguration of the construction of Ram-Mandir! The temple of Maryada Purushottam Prabhu Ram is being constructed in accordance with the process of justice and with the enthusiasm of the public and with the support of social harmony. The temple complex, I believe, will become a symbol of modern India based on the ideals of Ramrajya, President Kovind said in a tweet. PM lays foundation for Ram temple in Ayodhya Prime Minister Narendra Modi has laid the foundation of the grand Ram temple in Ayodhya. Ram temple bhoomi poojan concludes The rituals of bhoomi poojan concluded at the Ram temple site. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and UP chief minister Yogi Adityanath participated in the rituals. Bricks sent by devotees in 1989 at Ram temple site: Priest During the bhoomi poojan rituals, one of the priests told the people about nine bricks at the spot that were sent by devotees of Lord Ram from around the world in 1989. There are 2 lakh 75 thousand such bricks out of which 100 bricks with Jai Shri Ram engraving have been taken, the priest was quoted as saying by news agency ANI. PM Modi performs arti of Ram Lalla At Ram Janmabhoomi, Prime Minister Narendra Modi offered dandavat pranam at pre-fabricated makeshift Ram Mandir and performed arti of Ram Lalla. He then planted a sapling of Parijat tree and reached bhumi pujan venue, sanctum- sanctorum of the proposed Ram Mandir. PM Modi takes part in Bhoomi Pujan ceremony PM Modi offers prayers at the Bhoomi Pujan ceremony. Prime Minister Narendra Modi takes part in Ram Temple 'Bhoomi Pujan' at Ayodhya pic.twitter.com/Qal0jH3Edy ANI (@ANI) August 5, 2020 PM Modi on en route to Hanumangarhi PM Modi on his way to Hanumangarhi. PM Narendra Modi on his way to the 10th century Hanuman Garhi Temple, soon after his arrival in #Ayodhya. pic.twitter.com/VgeYkit8j9 ANI (@ANI) August 5, 2020 PM willpower makes him tallest leader of India in last 500 years: Shivraj Singh Chouhan Madhya Pradesh chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Wednesday hailed Prime Minister Narendra Modi as the tallest leader of India in the last 5 years because of his willpower and resolve. PM Modi arrives in Ayodhya PM Narendra Modi has arrived in Ayodhya for the grand foundation laying ceremony of Ram temple. He will first visit the Hanuman Garhi temple and then head to Ram Janmabhoomi site. Token of justice after 400 years of struggle: VHP America Were celebrating Bhoomi Poojan of Ram Mandir. After a struggle of over 400 years and several sacrifices, we finally have a token of justice. We thank PM, Mahendra Sapa, president (Washington DC chapter), Vishwa Hindu Parishad of America, organiser of celebration in Washington DC was quoted as saying by news agency ANI. PM Modis first stop at Hanuman Garhi temple PM Modi will first visit the 10th century Hanuman Garhi temple on arrival in Ayodhya. Premises of the temple were sanitised earlier today. The Prime Minister will then proceed to Ram Janmabhoomi site to offer prayers to Ram Lalla lay the foundation stone for Ram temple. A signature event: Swami Chidananda Saraswati This is a signature event. This event will give a glimpse of Indias unity in diversity. It will bridge gaps and bring people together. We all are one-Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, Swami Chidananda Saraswati was quoted as saying by news agency ANI. UP CM, Anandiben Patel, Uma Bharti arrive at Ram Janambhoomi site Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath, governor Anandiben Patel and BJP national vice president Uma Bharti have arrived at the Ram Janambhoomi site in Ayodhya on the occasion of bhoomi pujan of the Ram temple. PM Modi lands in Lucknow PM Narendra Modi Modi landed has landed in Lucknow. He will now head to Ayodhya to lay the foundation of the Ram temple with a sliver brick. Ayodhya has united everyone: Uma Bharti Ayodhya has united everyone. Now the people of the country keep hold their head high in pride and say that theres no discrimination, BJP leader Uma Bharti, who is present at the Ram Janambhoomi site, was quoted as saying by news agency ANI. A look inside the venue of Ram temple foundation laying ceremony August 5 is historical day, says Ramdev This day (August 5) is historical and generations will remember the day with great pride, yoga guru Ramdev who will be attending the Ram temple foundation laying ceremony today, was quoted as saying by news agency ANI. Ramdev paid a visit to the Hanuman Garhi temple in the morning and said that a new history is being written in India and we should celebrate the day. I am confident that with the construction of Ram Temple, Ram Rajya will be established in the country, according to ANI. Pragya Singh Thakur says heart filled with joy In a tweet in Hindi, BJP MP Pragya Thakur said that she was very happy and her heart was filled with joy as she chanted Jai Shri Ram. - , , , , , ........................... Sadhvi Pragya singh thakur (@SadhviPragya_MP) August 5, 2020 Yogi Adiyanath greets Lord Ram devotees - @narendramodi -! Yogi Adityanath (@myogiadityanath) August 5, 2020 Mayawati lauds Supreme Court verdict on Ayodhya BSP chief Mayawati lauded the Supreme Court for the Ayodhya verdict in September last year. She credited the apex court for paving the way for todays foundation laying ceremony. Supreme Court ended the dispute. Along with it, it also put a stop on the parties which were doing politics on this issue. It is due to the honourable courts verdict that the foundation of the Ram temple is being laid down today, a lot of credit for this goes to the court, Mayawatis tweet, roughly translated to English from Hindi, read. At Hanumangarhi temple in Ayodhya, PM to be gifted headgear, silver crown Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be gifted a headgear, a silver crown and a stole with the name of Lord Ram printed on it, said Sri Gaddinsheen Premdas Ji Maharaj, head priest of Hanumangarhi temple said on Wednesday, according to news agency ANI. Security heightened ahead of PM Modis visit Security in the Ayodhya city has been heightened as Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to visit shortly for the foundation laying ceremony of the much awaited Ram temple. RAF commandos took their position ahead PM Modis participation in the bhoomi poojan of the temple on Wednesday. PM Modi leaves for Ayodhya Prime Minister Narendra Modi has left for Ayodhya where he will lay the foundation stone of the Ram temple. Locals rejoice at Saryu River bank Local celebrate at the bank of river Saryu on the day of bhoomi poojan of Ram Temple in Ayodhya. ( Deepak Gupta/HT Photo ) Indian community in US gathers to celebrate Ram temple ceremony Members of the Indian community gathered outside the Capitol Hill in Washington DC to celebrate the foundation laying ceremony of Ram temple in Ayodhya on Wednesday. Members of the Indian community gathered outside the Capitol Hill in Washington DC ( ANI Photo ) Sadhus worship at Ram ki Pedi Sadhus were seen worshipping at Ram ki Pedi on the day of bhoomi poojan of Ram Temple in Ayodhya on early on Wednesday. Sadhus worshipping at Ram ki Pedi. ( Deepak Gupta/HT Photo ) Who will attend Ayodhya Ram temples bhoomi pujan Apart from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Ram temple trust has confirmed that 135 of the 175 guests will be seers from different spiritual traditions. The Prime Minister, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat, Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath and Governor Anandiben Patel are the main guests during the bhoomi pujan. Ahead of Ram temple event, Ravi Shankar Prasad shares sketch from Constitution Original document of the Constitution of India has a beautiful sketch of Lord Ram, Mata Sita and Laxman returning to Ayodhya after defeating Ravan. This is available at the beginning of the chapter related to Fundamental Rights. Felt like sharing this with you all. #JaiShriRam, Union minister Ravi Shankar Prasad tweeted. Original document of the Constitution of India has a beautiful sketch of Lord Ram, Mata Sita and Laxman returning to Ayodhya after defeating Ravan. This is available at the beginning of the chapter related to Fundamental Rights. Felt like sharing this with you all.#JaiShriRam pic.twitter.com/jCV9d8GWTO Ravi Shankar Prasad (@rsprasad) August 5, 2020 Ram temple will be unique example of Indian architecture: Temple trust The Ram temple to be built in Uttar Pradeshs Ayodhya will a unique example of Indian architecture, the Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Teerth Kshetra said in a tweet on Wednesday. Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Mandir will be a unique example of Indian architecture. Here are some photos of the proposed model. ! Jai Shri Ram! pic.twitter.com/8kJ4qEYah2 Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Teerth Kshetra (@ShriRamTeerth) August 4, 2020 Ayodhya lit with diyas ahead of mega event The entire city of Ayodhya was lit with earthen lamps on Wednesday ahead of the mega event where the Prime Minister lay the foundation stone of the Ram temple. According to news agency ANI, people also lit diyas on the banks of Saryu river as part of the deepotsava celebrations. Ram temple is for everyone: Yogi Adityanath Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath, who is personally monitoring the arrangements for the Ram temple bhoomi pujan, said the ceremony is a dream come true. I am overjoyed, our five-century-long struggle and wait is going to end --all because of the perseverance and reverence of the devotees, he added. PM Modi to lay foundation stone of Ram temple At 12:40pm, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will lay the foundation stone of the Ram temple in Ayodhya. The city is all decked up for the groundbreaking ceremony. A total of 175 guests have been invited for the mega event. U.S. health secretary Alex Azar is to make the first cabinet-level visit of a U.S. official to Taiwan in six years, as Washington vows to take more steps to boost the democratic island, which China has threatened to invade. Alez Azar, secretary of health and human services, said the administration of President Donald Trump wanted to convey its support to Taiwan, which he said had had "remarkable success" in managing the coronavirus pandemic. "Taiwan has been a model of transparency and cooperation in global health during the COVID-19 pandemic and long before it," Azar said in a statement announcing the trip. "I look forward to conveying President Trumps support for Taiwans global health leadership and underscoring our shared belief that free and democratic societies are the best model for protecting and promoting health," he said, adding that the trip would likely strengthen economic and public health cooperation with Taiwan's ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) and president Tsai Ing-wen. Azars historic visit will strengthen the U.S.-Taiwan partnership and enhance U.S-Taiwan cooperation to combat the global COVID-19 pandemic, the statement said, adding that Taiwan had played a "critical" role in the international response to the pandemic. Azar's visit comes after Trump signed into law the Taiwan Travel Act in 2018, as part of a policy of allowing high-level officials to visit the self-governing island. While Taiwan has never been ruled by the Chinese Communist Party, nor formed part of the People's Republic, Beijing has put intense diplomatic pressure on the international community for decades not to recognize its separate status, and has refused to rule out a military invasion in the name of "unification." Azar will meet President Tsai during his trip, which will also seek out fresh sources of medical equipment manufactured in Taiwan. Support for membership in WHO Kolas Yotaka, spokeswoman for Taiwan's administration, the Executive Yuan, said Azar is also a staunch supporter of the island's bid to participate in the WHO, something that has been blocked by diplomatic pressure from Beijing in recent years. "Taiwan ... looks forward to the continued improvement of Taiwan-US global partnership on an already sound foundation, and their joint defense of democracy, freedom, and human rights," she said. Taiwan foreign ministry spokeswoman Joanne Ou said Azar would be visiting Taiwan's Central Epidemic Control Center and talking with health experts. "This visit by Azar will be the first ministerial-level visit from a U.S. official since 2014," Ou said. "He will be the highest-ranking U.S. cabinet official to visit Taiwan since 1979." Taiwan health minister Chen Shih-chung said Azar's delegation would be kept in a "bubble" during their visit, suggesting that they won't be asked to go into a 14-day quarantine like other arrivals. "It takes quite a lot of manpower to achieve this, although the visit will only be short, and they'll be gone again in three days," Chen said. "Our community has been completely isolated [from the rest of the world], and this is so valuable, and not every country has been able to do this," he said. "But we will [manage it] if the visitors are important enough." 'A diplomatic coup' Lee Ta-chung, associate professor of international affairs and strategy at Taiwan's Tamkang University, said Azar's visit is something of a diplomatic coup for Tsai's administration. "No ministerial-level officials came to Taiwan during the first term of Tsai's presidency," Lee said, apparently referring to a shift in policy in Washington, which has announced an end to decades of engagement with China. "I think the Taiwan Travel Act had a very important impact." Professor Tung Li-wen of the Asia-Pacific Elite Interchange Association said the trip could pave the way for higher-level exchanges in future. "Obviously, there may be higher-level and more important positions in the future, who will continue to promote exchanges between Taiwan and the United States. He said a visit by President Tsai to the U.S. wasn't out of the question under a Trump administration. "It depends on the outcome of the U.S. presidential election [in November]," Tung said. "A visit by Tsai to the U.S. would definitely be a substantive possibility, given Trump's support for U.S.-Taiwan relations." Reported by Chung Kuang-cheng for RFA's Cantonese Service, and by Hwang Chun-mei for the Mandarin Service. Translated and edited by Luisetta Mudie. US Health Secretary Alex Azar will visit Taiwan over the coming days - Jacquelyn Martin/AP The United States on Wednesday announced its highest level visit to Taiwan in decades in a sign of a strengthening alliance between Taipei and Washington as both face rising tensions with China. In a move quickly denounced by Beijing, the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) - the de facto US embassy - confirmed the visit of Alex Azar, the health secretary in the coming days to the democratic, self-ruled island, which Chinas communist leaders seek to annex, and have threatened to seize by force. "This marks... the first Cabinet member to visit in six years, and the highest-level visit by a US Cabinet official since 1979," the AIT said. I look forward to conveying President Trumps support for Taiwans global health leadership and underscoring our shared belief that free and democratic societies are the best model for protecting and promoting health, said Mr Azar in a statement. Taiwans foreign ministry welcomed the planned trip, tweeting: Taiwan and the US are like-minded partners cooperating closely in combating the coronavirus and promoting freedom, democracy and human rights worldwide. Taiwan, an island of 23 million just 80 miles from the coast of China, operates like any other nation with its own democratically elected government, military, currency and foreign policy. The majority of its population identify as Taiwanese, and Taipei rejects Chinas claim to the island as its own territory. Taiwan has been praised for its robust response to the pandemic - I-Hwa Cheng/Bloomberg However, it is only officially recognised by 15 nations and has faced increasing efforts by the Chinese government to isolate it on the global stage by squeezing it out of international institutions like the World Heath Organization (WHO) and other UN bodies. The US switched diplomatic recognition from Taiwan to China in 1979 but, like the UK, Japan and many other western nations, it retains strong informal relations. Washington remains the leading arms supplier to the island but has historically been cautious in holding official contacts with it, in an effort to keep smoother ties with Beijing. Story continues This has changed significantly under a Trump administration, which has increasingly embraced Taiwan as it grows more hawkish towards China. China on Wednesday afternoon slammed the proposed trip by Mr Azar and the foreign ministry said it had lodged stern representations with Washington. Taiwan is the most important and sensitive issue in the Sino-US relations, said spokesman Wang Wenbin said. We urge the US to abide by the One China policy and the joint Sino-US communique, stop all state visits between the US and Taiwan. The US should exercise prudence while handling Taiwan-related issues and avoid sending the erroneous Taiwan independence signals," he said. Mr Azar, however, has billed his visit as an opportunity to strengthen our economic and public health cooperation with Taiwan, especially as the United States and other countries work to strengthen and diversify our sources for crucial medical products. Taiwan has been praised globally for its robust strategy in tackling the Covid-19 pandemic despite its proximity to China, keeping cases low at 476 with just seven deaths. The US, meanwhile, is struggling to fight back the disease as cases soar close to five million, with more than 160,000 deaths. Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen wears a face mask - Ritchie B Tongo/EPA-EFE Margaret Lewis, a law professor at Seton Hall University and Taiwan expert who has just arrived on the island, said: I can attest to the seriousness with which Taiwan is combating Covid-19. The United States has much to learn. I hope Secretary Azar takes these lessons home with him. But politically speaking, the visit was also significant, she added. In recent months the US and China have simultaneously clashed over the coronavirus pandemic, trade issues, industrial espionage, territorial claims in the South China Sea, Taiwan, human rights concerns in Xinjiang and Tibet and civil liberties in Hong Kong. Taipei and D.C. are no doubt carefully weighing the pros and cons of increasing in-person official contacts, which of course Beijing watches closely" Prof. Lewis said. "Beijing's possible response is an important consideration, but it should not dictate US-Taiwan relations. Ross Darrell Feingold, a Taipei-based lawyer and political risk analyst, said the move would be welcomed by Taiwan and its supporters but cautioned against calling it a breakthrough, pointing out that Mr Azar had previously met with Chen Shih-chung, the Taiwanese health minister. The key US government agencies for Taiwan are Defense, State, and the United States Trade Representative's office, and a visit by the head of one of these agencies would make a far greater statement than Health and Human Services, he said. China, which is highly sensitive towards any form of recognition of Taiwan as an independent entity, has not yet responded. The US navy during a drill in the South China Sea - Samantha Jetzer/EPA-EFE Ties between Beijing and Washington and Taipei have hit fresh lows this year. Joseph Wu, the Taiwanese foreign minister, cautioned at the end of July that China was stepping up military preparedness to overtake Taiwan, following a recent spike of Chinese drills near the island. On Wednesday, the South China Morning Post reported that Taiwans military had sent a marine company to reinforce a garrison on a small outpost on the Pratas Islands in the South China Sea, amid reports that the Chinese Peoples Liberation Army was planning a simulated attack on the islets. The US has also beefed up its naval presence and joint drills with allies in the South China Sea in recent months, in a show of force it says aims to ensure freedom of navigation in disputed waters that China has laid historical claims to. In a further sign of US-China tensions, Wang Wenbin, the Chinese foreign ministry spokesman indicated on Tuesday that Beijing may retaliate if Chinese journalists were not granted visa extensions in the US. Mr Wang said that no Chinese journalist based in the States had been granted a visa extension since Washington announced new immigration restrictions for those working for non-American outlets in May. Their visas are now limited to 90 days with an option for an extension, but would have to leave the country if this does not materialise. If the US persists, China will take a necessary and legitimate response to safeguard its rights, Mr Wang said, without revealing any details. However, Hu Xijin the editor of state-backed newspaper, The Global Times, tweeted that American journalists based in Hong Kong would be among those targeted should Chinese journalists be forced to leave the United States. State media outlet China Daily also published an editorial criticising Washington for provoking an all-out confrontation with China over Chinese journalists visas. No longer content with their maximum pressure ploys to coerce China into accepting an unfair trade deal, these neo-crusaders are seeking to provoke an all-out confrontation whereby they can finally hold communist China by the throat, it said. The two countries have already engaged in tit-for-tat targeting of journalists this year. China expelled reporters working for three major American newspapers while the US designated nine Chinese state media outlets as foreign missions and reduced the number of Chinese nationals allowed to work at their US offices. The protests in Russias far eastern city of Khabarovsk over the dismissal of the regions governor, Sergei Furgal, have entered their fourth week, with several thousand people regularly showing up for protests every weekend. The protests began on July 11, over the arrest of governor Furgal from the far-right Liberal Democratic Party of Russia (LDPR). He is being charged with involvement in the murder of several businessmen in 20042005. Furgal was replaced with his deputy, Mikhail Degtyarev, who has called for an end to the protests. Furgals arrest occurred just days after a referendum was held on constitutional amendments that will drastically strengthen the powers of the president, enshrine far-right values in the Russian constitution and diminish the powers of regional and municipal authorities. The Khabarovsk region, where Furgal won a sweeping electoral victory over his rival from the ruling United Russia party in 2018, had one of the lowest rates of approval for the referendum. The Russian far east On September 13, regional elections will be held in 18 Russian regions. One political analyst told the Russian Forbes, Now all potential Furgals, everyone who earlier looked at him and thought, thats how I win the elections and become a governor and have the Kremlin tolerate menow they will understand that the Kremlin will not tolerate them, and that this is a direct path not into the governors office, but into the prison cell. The protests over Furgals arrest have drawn from various social layers but have received the support of a substantial portion of the regional elites. According to Russian news reports, businessmen have not only participated in the protests but also supported them by handing out water bottles to demonstrators. While some protesters have indicated anger over social inequality in interviews with the press, the demonstrations have been dominated by slogans expressing support for Furgal and opposition to Moscow such as We hate Moscow and This is our region. Some protesters also held up signs indicating solidarity with the pro-US protests that are now taking place in Belarus against the countrys president Alexander Lukashenko. Social inequality, the extreme poverty suffered by millions and the coronavirus pandemic, which is still ravaging the country, have not featured among the demands and slogans. The pro-US liberal opposition is seeking to exploit these confused sentiments and the absence of an intervention by the working class to aggressively promote regionalism. Alexei Navalny, the best-known leader of the liberal opposition, has publicly supported the protests and members of his staff in Khabarovsk and other cities helped organize demonstrations. Navalny has long demanded greater autonomy for the regions, and supported demonstrations in Yekaterinburg last year which were co-led by politicians who advocate an autonomous Ural Republic. The Yabloko party, which is notorious for its ties to the US State Department, issued a statement for people power and federalism. Declaring its solidarity with the protesters in Khabarovsk, the statement insisted on greater powers for regional authorities, especially governors. The statement called for the reinstatement of federalism and local self-government. The party is demanding that the president not be allowed to remove and replace acting governors, and has called for direct elections of governorswhich were abolished by Putin in the early 2000sand direct elections to the Federal Council. Mikhail Khodorkovsky, one of the most influential oligarchs of the 1990s, who was imprisoned under Putin and then released in an overture to the West in 2014, has also tried to intervene in the protests with his Open Russia Foundation. The foundation, which he created in 2014, is a thinly veiled tool for the preparations of US imperialism for a right-wing movement dominated by privileged layers of the population to oust Putin and replace his regime with one that is directly compliant with the interests and demands of Washington. The foundation is run by various operators with close ties to Washington. In an event at Columbia University in 2018, Vladimir Kara-Murza, a leading figure in Khodorkovskys foundation, openly stated that the role model for their work was the Maidan protests in Ukraine, which were heavily funded by the US and resulted in a far-right coup in February 2014, triggering an ongoing civil war. In videos, Khodorkovsky expressed support for the demonstrations and attacked what he called a violation of federalism by the Kremlin. By contrast, Khabarovsk was defending the constitution against Putin, he said. According to the Nezavisimaya Gazeta, the Open Russia Foundation sent their head, Anastasia Burakova, executive director Andrei Pivovarov, and the head of their Moscow division, Tatiana Usmanova, to Khabarovsk in order to participate, see how the protests are going, gather experience. In an indication of the widespread popular hostility toward the opposition, which is widely associated with austerity and the promotion of the interests of US imperialism, the attempt by Khodorkovsky, Navalny and Yabloko to broaden the protests on August 1 ended in an abysmal failure. Only a few thousand people followed their call for national protests on that day in various Russian cities. In polls, 48 percent of the population have indicated that they support the protests in Khabarovsk. The political intervention of the pro-US liberal opposition is aimed, above all, at turning sections of the upper-middle class and the oligarchy against Putin and winning them for a right-wing palace coup. Under conditions of a profound economic crisis and increasing pressure from imperialism, the oligarchy is torn by growing conflicts over both domestic and foreign policy. Local elites have been trying to exploit social discontent for their own interests in their power struggles with federal elites over the control of regional resources and companies. This includes figures like Furgal in Khabarovsk, who has made demagogic appeals to social discontent, while promoting extreme nationalism. Such conflicts dominated to a significant extent the power struggles within the rising oligarchy after the destruction of the USSR by the Stalinist bureaucracy in 1991. In his first term as president, Vladimir Putin emphasized strengthening the powers of the federal authorities over the regional authorities in order to bring these conflicts under control. However, they have now assumed a renewed intensity, leading historian Anatoly Savchenko to compare conditions today to those prevailing in the 1990s. Russias far east has long been at the center of such power struggles. The region is very rich in raw materials, especially metals, timber, and oil and gas, and accounts for a third of the countrys landmass. However, it is home to only 4.4 percent of the population. The far east is also one of the least economically developed regions in the country, and has high mortality and depopulation rates. By virtue of its geographic location on the Russo-Chinese border and the Pacific Ocean, the region is of key geostrategic significance to Russia. The region also shares maritime borders with the United States and Japan. Vladivostok and Khabarovsk, the two largest cities of the far east, are home to important military bases and are production centers of the military industrial complex. The working class has nothing to gain from the promotion of regionalism, nationalism and separatism, which only serves the interests of the oligarchy and imperialism. Under conditions of a rapid breakdown of the world capitalist system and an ongoing threat of the coronavirus, workers in Russia must orient toward the struggles of their class brothers and sisters around the world and develop their own independent class opposition to the Putin regime and the entire capitalist system. Former Croatian general Zlatan Mijo Jelic is accused of committing war crimes against Bosniaks in Mostar, Bosnia. Despite mounting criticism, Croatian President Zoran Milanovic has presented an award to a Bosnian Croat war crimes suspect, decorating a wartime Croat police unit for their contribution to the liberation of Croatia. Zlatan Mijo Jelic, a retired general of the Croatian Defense Council (HVO), received the award at a ceremony on Tuesday in the Croatian city of Knin marking the 25th anniversary of the countrys victory over rebel Serbs during the war in 1995. HVO was the military of the Croat wartime secessionist Herceg-Bosna territory, which has been declared a joint criminal enterprise by the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY). The goal of this enterprise was to create a Greater Croatia on Bosnia and Herzegovinas territory by ethnically cleansing Bosniaks (Bosnian Muslims) from the region, according to the ICTY. Jelic received the award on behalf of the Croat Special Police Unit of Herceg-Bosna, while HVO Guards Brigades were also awarded at the ceremony. 180904070644844 Bosnias state prosecution indicted Jelic in 2016 over alleged war crimes against Bosniaks in the southern city of Mostar between 1993 and 1994. According to the charges, Jelic ordered the commander of the Croat-run Heliodrom detention camp in Mostar to have Croat forces take Bosniak detainees to the front line in and around Mostar for forced labour work. The prosecution estimates that at least 50 people were killed and 188 were wounded as a result, while some 40 people were tortured and physically abused by Croat forces. Jelic has refused to stand trial and denies the charges. He moved to Croatia in 2012 and renounced his Bosnian citizenship, according to Trial International, an NGO fighting impunity for international crimes. The ICTY has confirmed that Croat forces regularly took Bosniak detainees from Croat-run camps for labour work during the internationally-armed conflict in the early 1990s. The detainees were forced to dig trenches on the front lines, where they were used as human shields. Eric Gordy, professor at University College Londons School of Slavonic and East European Studies, told Al Jazeera that the Croatian governments public displays of support for alleged perpetrators of such acts shows contempt for the public, who they seem to think will excuse demonstrated criminality in the name of ethnic pride. Harsh reality of Croatian history In the days prior to the ceremony, the Bosniak and Croat members of Bosnias presidential administration warned against the humiliating move, saying it would further deteriorate relations between the two countries. Bosnias opposition Social Democratic Party (SDP), of which the Croatian president is also a member, had also condemned the plan to award Jelic. Croatias President Zoran Milanovic said the criticism is an attempt to portray the Croatian liberation war as a criminal enterprise [Stipe Majic/Anadolu Agency] Croatias Youth Initiative for Human Rights, meanwhile, sent an open letter to Milanovic, demanding that the president revoke state decorations previously presented for convicted Croat war criminals and create a regional commission for establishing facts about war crimes. [With this,] you will show that you are aware and confronted with the fact that war crimes committed by members of the Croatian Army and armed formations are not political constructions of prosecutors and ICTY judicial councils, but the harsh reality of Croatian history, the letter stated. Let Croatia be a country which will in the region, Europe and in the world be known for successfully building peace and not for insisting on the relativisation of war crimes and criminals, it said. Despite the appeals to rethink his decision, Milanovic at the ceremony called the criticism an attempt to portray the Croatian liberation war as a criminal enterprise. Luckily it didnt work. The Croatian war was a just war 25 years since the war, its my honour to decorate Croatian troops from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Milanovic said. Croatian leaders key participants in joint criminal enterprise In a 2017 ruling, the ICTY confirmed that then-senior leaders of the Republic of Croatia were key participants in a joint criminal enterprise to ethnically cleanse Bosnian Muslims through the commission of crimes against humanity, grave breaches of the Geneva Conventions and other war crimes. The ICTY affirmed that the aggression against Bosnia was an international armed conflict because Croatia exercised overall control over the HVO, which committed widespread crimes. More senior and mid-level officials and commanders must still be brought to justice for these crimes. Many are within reach of Croatian judicial authorities, the statement read. From 1992 to 1995, Bosnia was attacked by both Serb and Croat forces aiming to carve it up into a Greater Serbia and a Greater Croatia, respectively. Reuf Bajrovic, a former politician in Bosnia and co-chair of the US-Europe Alliance, called Milanovic a war crimes denier whose apparent goal is to redefine the nature of the war in Bosnia by revising Croatias role in the aggression against Bosnia. The most disturbing aspect of Milanovics revisionism is the fact that EU [European Union] officials have not criticised similar behaviour of Croatian officials in the past, Bajrovic told Al Jazeera. No EU official has made any remark on the controversial awarding ceremony. Germanys role is especially important here because it has a historic responsibility to raise its voice against glorification of international aggression, such as Serbias and Croatias against Bosnia, Bajrovic said, referring to Germanys history with the Holocaust. Bosnias Minister of Foreign Affairs Bisera Turkovic said that bringing those accused of war crimes before courts in Bosnia has failed in many instances as a vast number of them have fled to Serbia and Croatia, where they remain in hiding. Dual citizenships with those countries made it impossible for the [Bosnian] Prosecution Office to bring them back to Bosnia, since both countries refused to extradite their citizens for standing trials for crimes committed elsewhere, Turkovic said. Honouring and decorating potential war criminals sheds darkness onto the victims quest and demands for justice, Turkovic added. This insincerity of the Croatian presidents intent to award the medal to someone who actively escapes justice continues to permeate the injustice framework and shows no signs of weakening, which worsens our prospects for regional reconciliation. Plug-and-play digital solution offers quick roll out and addresses health and safety check points set by the Government DUBAI, UAE, Aug. 5, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Gibraltar Technologies (GT), a digital solutions company with offices in the Middle East, today announced the launch of Wai-Eye, an AI powered mobile app designed to equip schools to meet the new COVID-19 health and safety protocols set by KHDA and Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge (ADEK), with other authorities in the region likely to follow suit. This innovation leverages the school's existing CCTV infrastructure to capture, analyze and generate real-time data that will help maintain control over operations including Entry, Pick-up and school visit procedures, Screening and contact tracing, Hygiene, Physical distancing arrangements and School transportation. Commenting on the motivations behind what triggered the development of Wai-Eye, prominent Emirati philanthropist, Head of Board at GT and Chairman of Al Otaiba Group of Companies Ahmed Khalaf Al Otaiba said, "The Founding Father of our country, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, was the first to prioritize education because he strongly believed it was an important catalyst to building a modern nation. Following in his path, His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan has continued to support education development projects. And now, during this crisis, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan stressed the importance of ensuring the continuity of education as a national duty. This technological innovation is our way of supporting the UAE government's education drive and helping schools reopen responsibly." Over and above the basics of accurately monitoring mask usage, physical distancing and space occupancy, GT's R&D Lab, the creators of this plug-and-play App, have also integrated facial recognition to facilitate automated school attendance, contactless door access, secure child pick up and contact tracing. Talking about the technology, Khadeer Peer Shariff, CEO & Executive Director of GT, said, "Getting future ready is at the heart of our vision. Over the last 2 years our R&D Labs have been testing out various technology-enabled solutions. We were already ahead of the curve in AI technology so when this unprecedented situation presented itself, we were able to respond quickly with a comprehensive tailor-made, cost-effective and easy to deploy solution." Customizable to the needs of the school, Wai-Eye can be set up to generate Compliance and Monitoring reports. Although primarily designed for the use of school authorities and support staff, administrators can also choose to offer access to parents to get alerts on authorized child pick up and estimated time of arrival of school bus via GPS tracking. "In a bid to improve the accuracy of operations like contact tracing, mask detection and occupancy management, schools are currently on the look out for automated data driven solutions. This is where Wai-Eye comes in. We have already started working with school leaders and administrators to help implement their Readiness Plans in time to welcome children back to a safer environment in September," enthused Shariff. Notes to Editors About Wai-Eye Wai-Eye, an AI-based mobile app created by Gibraltar Technologies R&D Lab, is a plug-and-play digital solution enabling educational institutions to comply with Government health and safety protocols to combat COVID-19. Leveraging the institutions' existing CCTV infrastructure, Wai-Eye monitors key parameters including body temperature, mask usage, physical distancing and sanitization processes. The App automates Government required compliance reports and provides real time alerts to parents and administrators, addressing the larger objective of keeping the community safe. https://www.gt.technology/Wai-Eye%20School.pdf About Gibraltar Technologies Formerly HCL Infosystems MEA, Gibraltar Technologies (GT) is a technology company offering AI-based digital solutions. With offices in 7 countries across the Middle East, India, Singapore and the US, GT has over 20 years of experience and expertise providing IT solutions for Fortune 500 companies. The company's client base also includes large Government organizations and financial institutions. As an enterprise committed to creating solutions for the future, GT continues to invest in its R&D Labs focused on 3 IT specializations: Digital Mobility, Robotics and AI. www.gt.technology LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/gibraltar-technologies-llc/ Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1219872/Gibraltar_Technologies.jpg For further information contact: PR Shereen Saif +97150 754 3528 shereen.saif@altshiftme.com A merica will go to the polls later this year to vote for the next president of the United States. Most voters are expected to decide between candidates from the Democrats (the liberal, left-of-centre party) and the Republicans (the conservative, right-of-centre party). The first candidate to win enough states to get to 270 electoral votes becomes the president. Now, Democrats are eagerly awaiting the announcement of Joe Biden's potential running mate who will be the vice presidential candidate. However, Biden has delayed the decision amid worries the process has become "messier than it should be", pitting women - and especially black women - against one another. Here's what we know so far about the those in the race for VP. When is the 2020 US Presidential Election? Senator Kamala Harris (left) and Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer (right) are both possible choices for Biden's VP / Getty Images The election is set to take place on November 3, 2020. Presidential elections always take place on the first Tuesday after November 1. Mr Trump and Mr Biden each need 270 electoral votes to win the presidency. While most states have a favourite, in some regions, it is too close to call. The new president will be inaugurated on January 20, 2021. How does the ticket work? In the United States, political parties nominate one candidate each for President of the United States and for Vice President of the United States. These candidates attempt to win presidential elections by taking a majority of the electoral vote. The two candidates together are known as a ticket. Who will Joe Biden choose as his running mate? Senator Elizabeth Warren is considered to be on the left wing of the Democratic Party / Getty Images Joe Biden's top priority in selecting a running mate will be to choose somebody who can help unite and energize the Democratic coalition and bring home an electoral victory in November. However, during the final Democratic primary debate in March, he pledged that if he were to win the party's presidential nomination, he would choose a woman as his running mate. He is expected to announce his choice in early August, and in the meantime, here are the leading contenders. Elizabeth Warren From the ultra-liberal progressive wing of the party, Elizabeth Warren is an outspoken candidate who has allegedly been advising Biden on possible policy moves. She will appeal to the liberal Democratic base and has proven herself able to lead on institutional changes such as the creation of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. Her inclusion would signal Biden's intention to reach out to the party's left wing, and govern as more of a progressive than he alluded to during the campaign. Kamala Harris As the only black woman in the Senate, Kamala Harris has charisma and star quality which would make her a powerful presence in nationally-televised debates and combative congressional hearings. Given the increasing demands for racial justice and inclusion following the wave of black lives matter protests which swept the country, she would appeal to many voters. So far, the California senator is widely considered the frontrunner, and ran for president last year and was considered a top-tier candidate - although, in the first primary debate last June, she suggested Biden's past views against desegregating schools through mandatory busing was hurtful. She boasts access to California money, and won praise from a wide range of Democrats for being an outspoken advocate for police reform during the recent mass demonstrations. Senator Kamala Harris / REUTERS Gretchen Whitmer A few months ago she was relatively unknown, but after the coronavirus pandemic hit, the former state legislator became the face of her state's response, and critiqued the federal government's inadequate handling of the crisis. Her national profile was further boosted when she enacted huge social distancing and business-shutdown measures as Michigan became a top US hotspot of the coronavirus outbreak. In 2016 Hillary Clinton narrowly lost Michigan to Donald Trump, so if Biden aims to avoid a similar occurnce, he may opt to put her on the ticket. Karen Bass Serving as the chair of the Congressional Black Caucus, the selection of Karen Boss would serve the party's legislative power brokers, including Pelosi, House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer of Maryland and Rep, James Clyburn of South Carolina, who are championing her candidacy. She could rely on the help of incumbent lawmakers representing black communities, where turnout needs to be high in November. As a late addition to Biden's vice-presidential contender list, she's seen as a broadly acceptable choice who could help Biden bring diversity to the ticket. Tammy Duckworth Senator Tammy Duckworth / Getty Images The junior senator from Illinois has an astounding CV; after losing both her legs when the Army helicopter she was piloting was shot down by insurgents in Iraq, she continued in the military. She stayed in the military and retired with the rank of lieutenant colonel, before becoming an assistant secretary in President Barack Obama's Department of Veteran Affairs. Tammy Duckworth served in the House of Representatives, and won her Senate seat in 2016; she was the first Thai-American woman elected to Congress, alongside the first double-amputee woman, and in 2018 was the first woman to give birth while serving in the Senate. Tammy Baldwin Four years ago Hillary Clinton was scolded for never campaigning in Wisconsin, and losing the seat to Donald Trump - and Democrats have pledged not to repeeat that mistake. Tammy Baldwin is in her second term as one of Wisconsin's senators, and served in the House of Representatives for 14 years prior to that. Her selection would be historic, as she would become the first openly gay person to serve on a major party's ticket - just as she became the first openly gay member of the Senate. Kyrsten Sinema In 2018, Kyrsten Sinema became the first Democrat to win an Arizona Senate seat in 30 years. She's young and quirky, but perhaps too politically centrist. If Biden picks her as his running mate, she would make history as the first openly bisexual person on a presidential ticket. Val Demings Once a Democractic back-bencher, Val Demings was one of the impeachment managers during Donald Trump's January Senate trial. Even before the mass protests over the death of George Floyd, the black former chief-of-police from Orlando, Florida, was on the Biden team's radar as a possible vice-presidential pick. However, she lacks some political experience but could once again show Biden intends to tackle racism and police reform at the top of his agenda. Michelle Lujan Grisham New Mexico's first-term governor is an obvious choice if Biden decides he needs to shore up his support among the Hispanic population - one of the fastest-growing segments of the US electorate - who previously voted for liberal champion Bernie Sanders. The 60-year-old Lujan previously served in Congress and as her state's health secretary. Congresswoman Stacey Abrams has openly campaigned to be Mr Biden's VP pick / Getty Images for The Hollywood R Stacey Abrams Stacey Abrams is an uncoventional choice as she spent 10 years as a member of the Georgia House of Representatives. However, her activism on voting rights was significant for the party, and she was the first black woman to give the Democratic response to Donald Trump's 2019 State of the Union Address. She also actively campaigned to be Biden's vice-presidential pick. Keisha Lance Bottoms Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms is a first-term mayor but she's won praise from Democrats for for waging political battles with the state's Republican governor over when and how to ease business closures and shelter-in-place orders during the coronavirus pandemic. During the nationwide protests over George Floyd's death, she successfully balanced her official responsibilities, alongside revealing her personal insights as a black mother. Keisha Lance Bottoms / Riccardo Savi/Getty Images for Concordia Summit Susan Rice Susan Rice has no experience holding elected office or campaigning in general, and is a relative unknown for most Americans. However, she served with Biden in the Obama White House as national security adviser after a stint as the US representative to the United Nations. If she's picked, she could play a central role in a Biden foreign policy team, indictaing that international relations will be a focus for his administration. Michelle Obama Former US First Lady Michelle Obama is adored by the American public and would be an obvious continuation of Obama's presidential legacy. A Biden-Obama ticket would electrify the Democratic base - particularly black voters who turned out in record numbers for Obama-Biden in 2008 and 2012. Yet she's uninterested in entering politics, so it's unlikely this pairing would materialise. LONDON (Reuters) - Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, won a court battle on Wednesday to keep the names of five of her friends private for the time being as part of her legal action against a British tabloid which she accuses of invading her privacy. Meghan, wife of Queen Elizabeth's grandson Prince Harry, is suing Associated Newspapers over articles in the Mail on Sunday that included parts of a handwritten letter she had sent to her estranged father, Thomas Markle, in August 2018. As part of its defence, the paper argues that it published the letter in Feb. 2019 after five of Meghan's friends gave anonymous interviews to the U.S. magazine People. The duchess argues that she did not authorise her friends to speak to People and that the Mail on Sunday only wanted to name them to exploit the legal dispute for commercial reasons. She says naming them would pose a threat to their "emotional and mental wellbeing". Judge Mark Warby ruled at London's High Court that their names could not be published for the moment, but that this could change. "I have concluded that for the time being at least the Court should grant the claimant the orders she seeks, the effect of which will be to confer protection on the sources identities," he said. The anonymity issue is one of a number of preliminary matters with the full trial not expected until next year. Warby said the case had already taken 10 months and was still "some way from trial", saying it needed to move forward at a greater pace. "The duchess felt it was necessary to take this step to try and protect her friends - as any of us would - and we're glad this was clear," said a source close to Meghan, speaking on condition of anonymity. "We are happy that the judge has agreed to protect these five individuals." Meghan and Harry are now living in Los Angeles with their baby son Archie having stepped down from their royal roles at the end of March. Increasingly hostile relations between the royal couple and some British newspapers they accused of intrusive, inaccurate and sometimes racist coverage was one of the reasons why the couple left Britain for the United States. (Reporting by Michael Holden; editing by Sarah Young and Alexandra Hudson) NEW HAVEN A large cicada killer wasp has been unusually active in recent days in Connecticut, prompting confusion for some people who mistook it for a murder hornet, according to a team of New Haven scientists. The Sphecius speciosus , a wasp native to Connecticut, and Vespa mandarinia , the murder hornet, are both more than an inch long, scientists with the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station said. But the wasp is not aggressive. The Cicada Killer wasp is a solitary gentle giant and can be seen all over New England, while the giant Asian hornet is native to east Asia. It has been intercepted in Washington State where the Washington State Department of Agriculture is addressing the problem, the scientists said in a release. The giant Asian hornet is not here in Connecticut. Katherine Dugas / Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station The wasps appear between late July into August, timing their appearance to the emergence of cicadas, the scientists said. Males, who have no stingers emerge first, establish territory and joust one another. When the females emerge, males compete for access to the females, the scientists explained in the release. Each female then seeks a sandy dry patch of ground, digs a tunnel, flies up to a tree, paralyzes a cicada, takes it down to her tunnel, and literally stuffs it into the tunnel. She then lays an egg on the cicada, which becomes food for her offspring. Sometimes, several wasps may select the same desirable location for their tunnels, but each has her own tunnel, the scientists said. Cicada killer-wasps are not aggressive. They will fly up and move out of the way if a person approaches. It is not necessary to kill these wasp, but to understand that the soil they are digging in is dry and sandy, the scientists explained in the release. They are an indicator that the soil/ ground area where they are working is in poor condition. Correct the poor soil conditions and next year the wasps will find a new location to dig. More information is available on the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station website. william.lambert@hearstmediact.com Several Victoria's Secret Angels, including Stella Maxwell, stripped down to lingerie and took to social media on Wednesday to celebrate National Underwear Day. The Belgian-born 30-year-old - who earned her 'wings' in 2015 - took a sexy boudoir selfie while reclining on her bed. Lais Ribeiro - who also earned her 'wings' in 2015 - snacked on a slice of watermelon while standing in a doorway. 'Its #NationalUnderwearDay!' Several Victoria's Secret Angels, including Stella Maxwell, stripped down to lingerie on Wednesday to celebrate National Underwear Day The Brazilian 29-year-old wrote that she planned to spend 'all day' in her cleavage-boosting VS bra and panty set. And Hungarian-born Barbara Palvin - who earned her 'wings' last year - reclined on her bed with flowers while clad in a black sheer teddy beneath a preppy cardigan. Last year, the San Francisco bra brand was forced to cancel its annual Victoria's Secret Fashion Show for the first time due to low ratings. Smile! The Belgian-born 30-year-old - who earned her 'wings' in 2015 - took a sexy boudoir selfie while reclining on her bed Josh Brolin liked it! Lais Ribeiro - who also earned her 'wings' in 2015 - snacked on a slice of watermelon while standing in a doorway Ample assets: The Brazilian 29-year-old wrote that she planned to spend 'all day' in her cleavage-boosting VS bra and panty set Hungarian-born beauty: Barbara Palvin - who earned her 'wings' last year - reclined on her bed with flowers while clad in a black sheer teddy beneath a preppy cardigan The 43-year-old lingerie retailer - which only employs tall, thin, long-haired models - has struggled financially since 2016. Last week, L Brands announced it was cutting 15% of its corporate workforce (850 jobs) after shutting 250 (a quarter) VS and Pink stores in North America. Speaking of which, Rihanna's two-year-old lingerie label Savage X Fenty also got in on the National Underwear Day festivities by sharing a snap of a cheeky plus-size model. Struggling: Last year, the San Francisco bra brand was forced to cancel its annual Victoria's Secret Fashion Show for the first time due to low ratings (pictured in 2018) Only employs tall, thin, long-haired models: Last week, L Brands announced it was cutting 15% of its corporate workforce (850 jobs) after shutting 250 (a quarter of) VS and Pink stores in North America (August 29 stock shot) On September 20, the 32-year-old Bajan pop diva debuted her first New York Fashion Week runway presentation of the brand via Amazon Prime Video, which was a big hit. Riri was widely praised for featuring models of all genders, sexualities, sizes, and abilities alongside musical acts like Halsey and Migos. National Underwear Day was originally founded in August, 5 2003 by New Jersey intimate apparel company, Freshpair. Cheeky! Speaking of which, Rihanna's two-year-old lingerie label Savage X Fenty also got in on the National Underwear Day festivities by sharing a snap of a plus-size model Inclusive: On September 20, the 32-year-old Bajan pop diva debuted her first New York Fashion Week runway presentation of the brand via Amazon Prime Video, which was a big hit Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-06 01:20:11|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close A worker prepares to load boxes of food and medical supplies to an airplane at Mehrabad International Airport in Tehran, Iran, on Aug. 5, 2020. Iran has started sending food, medicine and medical equipment to Lebanon, after the huge explosions at Beirut's port, Press TV reported on Wednesday. (Photo by Ahmad Halabisaz/Xinhua) TEHRAN, Aug. 5 (Xinhua) -- Iran has started sending food, medicine and medical equipment to Lebanon, after the huge explosions at Beirut's port, Press TV reported on Wednesday. Iran's Red Crescent Society (IRCS) spokesman Mohammad Nasiri announced the shipment of 2,000 packages of food, weighing 9 tonnes, to Lebanon, together with medicines, medical equipment and professionals. Two cargoes are expected to arrive in Beirut on Wednesday, after a first load of Iranian aid was delivered the day before, shortly after the blast. Along with the supplies, a 22-member medical team, including general practitioners, orthopedists, anesthesiologists, operating room specialists, pediatricians, neurologists, nurses and field hospital experts is traveling to Lebanon on Wednesday, Nasiri added. The team will create a Rapid Deployment Hospital (RHD) in Lebanon's capital. Senior Iranian officials are voicing willingness to supply whatever kind of humanitarian assistance Lebanon needs after the massive explosion at the Port of Beirut. The huge explossion caused the death of at least 100 people and injured thousands, while it also caused massive damage in the port. The causes of the blast remain unknown, but Lebanese Interior Minister Mohammad Fahmi said that explosive chemicals stored at a port facility may have caused the incident. Forensic DNA experts from around the world will gather virtually in 2020 for the 31st International Symposium on Human Identification (ISHI). The largest annual meeting focusing entirely on DNA forensics begins September 14 with a live keynote by genetic detective CeCe Moore along with Paul Fronczak, who was abandoned as a toddler 55 years ago. Moore used genetic genealogy to solve the long-standing mystery of Fronczak's identity. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200805005108/en/ Forensic DNA experts will gather virtually in 2020 for the 31st International Symposium on Human Identification (ISHI). The largest annual global meeting focusing entirely on DNA forensics will begin September 14. (Graphic: Business Wire) Registration is $100 and includes 8+ hours of on-demand General Sessions talks featuring key opinion leaders and insights on emerging technologies. Presentations will be available for on-demand viewing until October 14. For an additional charge, experts in the field will offer in-depth full- and half-day workshops. These workshops will be streamed live to allow for interaction with the presenters and available on-demand for those in differing time zones. ISHI 31 will also feature a virtual exhibit hall with vendors showcasing the latest technologies. A Frequently Asked Questions resource gives more information about what virtual ISHI attendees can expect. ISHI 31 will address topics such as: Implementation of Rapid DNA Technology Arguing the Case for DNA Evidence Based on Probabilistic Genotyping Forensic Genealogy and its Application in Solving Cold Cases Validation Principles, Practices, Parameters, Performance Evaluations and Protocols Grupo Cientifico Latino-Americano de Trabajo Sobre Identificacion Humana (GCLAITH) ISHI draws nearly 1,000 law enforcement professionals and scientists globally each year to discuss emerging technologies, changing policies and significant advances in forensic DNA analysis. Promega Corporation, a leader in providing innovative solutions and technical support to the life sciences industry, including products for DNA-based human identification, has sponsored ISHI for 31 years. Visit www.ishinews.com for agenda, registration and late-breaking updates. About Promega Promega Corporation is a leader in providing innovative solutions and technical support to the life sciences industry and has provided products for DNA-based human identification for more than 25 years. The company's 4,000 products enable scientists worldwide to advance their knowledge in genomics, proteomics, cellular analysis, drug discovery and human identification. Founded in 1978, the company is headquartered in Madison, WI, USA with branches in 16 countries and over 50 global distributors. For more information about Promega, visit www.promega.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200805005108/en/ Contacts: Penny Patterson VP, Communications Promega Corporation Phone: (608) 274-4330 E-mail: penny.patterson@promega.com The recovery of distinctive fluted points from both America and Arabia provides one of the best examples of 'independent invention' across continents A new study led by archaeologists from the CNRS, the Inrap, the Ohio State University and the Max Planck Institute for the Science of Human History, reports on fluted points from the archaeological sites of Manayzah in Yemen and Ad-Dahariz in Oman. Fluted stone tools are a distinctive, technologically advanced form of projectile points, including spearheads and arrowheads. Fluting is a specific technique that involves the extraction of an elongated flake along the length of a projectile point, leaving a distinctive groove or depression at the base of the spearhead or arrowhead. Fluting is a distinct technological tradition invented by early human cultures that spread across the Americas. Fluted point technology is very well known in North America, evidenced by finds across the continent dating from 13,000 to 10,000 years ago. As lead author Dr. Remy Crassard of the CNRS notes, "Until the early 2000s, these fluted points were unknown elsewhere on the planet. When the first isolated examples of these objects were recognized in Yemen, and more recently in Oman, we recognized that there could be huge implications." The sites of Manayzah and Ad-Dahariz yielded dozens of fluted points. The Arabian examples date to the Neolithic period, about 8,000 to 7,000 years ago, at least two thousand years later than the American examples. As Professor Petraglia of the Max Planck explains, "Given their age and the fact that the fluted points from America and Arabia are separated by thousands of kilometers, there is no possible cultural connection between them. This is then a clear and excellent example of cultural convergence, or independent invention in human history." The new PLOS ONE article carefully examines the fluted points found in south Arabia. Detailed technological analysis, backed up by stone tool experiments and replication by an expert modern flintknapper, illustrate the similarities between the American and Arabian fluting procedures. In addition to the similarities, the authors of the new study also investigated the contrasts between the technologies of the two regions. Technological differences were apparent in the nature and location of the flute. The authors emphasize that the 'fluting method' was likely a mental conceptualization of stone tool manufacture, more than just a technical way to produce a projectile and hafting zone. Whereas the apparent function of fluting in the Americas is to facilitate hafting, or attaching the point to a shaft, most of the Arabian fluted points do not have hafting as a functional final aim. The fluting concept and the method itself are the same in both American and Arabia, yet the final aim of fluting appears to be different. Arabian and American fluted point technologies were highly specialized stone tool production methods. The PLOS ONE study of Arabian fluting technology demonstrates that similar innovations and inventions were developed under different circumstances and that such highly-skilled and convergent production methods can have different anthropological implications. As discussed in the article, Professor McCorriston argues that "fluting in Arabia was used as a display of skill, rather than serving a purely functional purpose such as hafting, as is more widely accepted in the Americas." In Arabian prehistory, southern Arabia experienced developments of local origin, with multiple examples of inventions and innovations not culturally transmitted by outside traditions. The fluting method is then a hallmark of this indigenous development in the south Arabian Neolithic. ### Ravindra Rao COMEX gold December contract traded 0.7 percent higher on August 5 near USD 2035/oz after a sharp 1.7 percent gain on August 4. Spot gold hit a record high level of near USD 2031/oz on August 4 and is currently trading near USD 2016/oz. In domestic market, MCX gold August contract hit a high of Rs 54560/10 gram August 4, the highest level on record for a first month contract. Gold has been on an up move for the last few days and has now broken past the key USD 2000/oz opening way for further gains. Gold remains supported by persistent weakness in the US dollar, strong investor interest and safe haven buying amid rising virus cases globally and increased US-China tensions. The US dollar, after a brief rebound, slumped again August 4 amid lower bond yields, diverging economic and virus situation in US and Europe and political wrangling over additional stimulus. Investor buying remains strong despite record-high price. Gold holdings with SPDR ETF rose by 9.35 tonnes to 1257.733 tonnes, the highest since Feb.2013. Virus cases are rising globally forcing countries to re impose restrictive measures hurting economic activity. Gold has been rising for last few days and while there are positive factors, it is largely momentum buying and corrective dips might attract more buying. COMEX Silver trades little changed near USD 26/oz after a sharp 6.6 percent rally yesterday. Silver hit a high of USD 26.545/oz, the highest level since April 2013. Silver rallied sharply yesterday as weakness in US dollar lent support to both gold and industrial metals. Upbeat manufacturing data also improved outlook for industrial demand. ETF inflows also showed some pick up in investor buying, however, the pace was modest. Silver holdings with iShares ETF rose by 8.74 tonnes to 17649.43 tonnes, after three days of outflows. Silver has bounced back after consolidating near $24/oz level and is now near 2013 highs. While the momentum still looks positive, gold is near record high levels and if it struggles to extend the gains, silver may also turn choppy hence aggressive buying in silver should be avoided. NYMEX crude trades marginally lower near USD 41.5/bbl after a 1.7 percent gain yesterday. Crude trades under pressure as market players position for weekly inventory report. API weekly report was largely positive. API noted a bigger than expected 8.587 million barrels decline in US crude oil stocks and a bigger than expected decline in gasoline stocks. Distillate stocks however rose much more than expectations while crude stocks at Cushing, the delivery terminal for NYMEX crude futures, rose further. Further cues may come from EIA report due later today. US crude stocks are still at elevated levels despite the recent draw while market players are worried about rising stocks in Cushing which have already jumped to May highs. Amid other factors, crude along with other commodities remains supported by weakness in US dollar and gains in US equity market. US equity market rose 0.6 percent yesterday amid better than expected factory orders data and some signs of stability in virus spread and hopes of additional stimulus even as policymakers struggled to reach consensus. Crude also rose on increased tensions in Middle-east after a massive blast in Beirut. However, weighing on price is rising virus cases globally which is forcing states to impose restrictions. Expectations of higher supply from OPEC with effect from August has also pressurized crude price. Despite the gains in last two sessions, crude is still struggling to build momentum above USD 42/bbl. We may see sideways to negative trade ahead of inventory report as market players focus on US crude production and rising stocks at Cushing. The author is VP- Head Commodity Research at Kotak Securities : The views and investment tips expressed by investment experts on moneycontrol.com are their own, and not that of the website or its management. Moneycontrol.com advises users to check with certified experts before taking any investment decisions. Of all the decisions he has made in his brief political career, Blue and White Party chair Benny Gantz is facing the most difficult yet. Midnight on Aug. 24, less than three weeks from now, is the deadline for Israel to pass its state budget. According to long-established law, if a budget is not passed by then, the Knesset will be dissolved and new elections will be called. The polls show Gantz winning less than 10 seats, down from the Blue and White's current 15. The general assumption is that in the case of yet another early election, he will retire from politics and vacate his seat for the number-two Knesset member on his partys list, Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi. If such a thing happens, it would be the greatest crash in the history of Israeli politics. Never before has anyone reached such a senior position just months after entering politics, and he was so close to taking the prime ministers office. When he founded his party in December 2018, he had absolutely no political experience. And yet his career soared. He posed the greatest threat to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the past decade and almost brought about Netanyahus downfall. He did so in three consecutive elections in which he was the only real alternative to Netanyahu and the great hope of over two million citizens eager for a change of government. In the April unity deal signed between the Likud and Blue and White, the partners agreed on a two-year budget. This point is crucial, because Israeli law considers approval of the budget as a vote of confidence in the government. But Netanyahu decided a few weeks ago to push for a one-year budget. Now Gantz faces two unappealing choices. By opposing Netanyahu and holding firm on the two-year budget, he will be responsible for a new round of elections in November and the immediate end of his political career. On the other hand, Gantz could also save himself in the short term by succumbing to Netanyahus demands and agreeing to pass a one-year budget that would actually last just a few months, until the end of the year. Netanyahu claims that his reasons are purely economic, given the uncertainty resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. However, leading economists in the Finance Ministry reject this notion. The truth is that what is really motivating Netanyahu is politics. A one-year budget would afford him a way to escape the rotation agreement that would bring Gantz to the prime ministers office. That reason is also why Gantz is insisting on a two-year budget. He argues, correctly, that Netanyahu made a commitment to a two-year budget in the coalition agreement. Gantz also knows that if he gives in to Netanyahus demands, he will definitely lose his chance to enter the prime ministers office in November 2021. Anyone who has spoken to Gantz over the last few days has been left with the impression that he has no plans to give in to Netanyahu. They say that he would prefer to suffer the ignominy of political death because he has nothing to lose. In an interview with Ynet Aug. 4, Gantz said, Im not naive. I know that there must be other considerations for someone who chooses a political move that makes no sense economically and no sense in terms of political stability. But I will leave it to the pundits to identify the reasons and decide whether Netanyahu really wants political stability in the State of Israel. He should do what he agreed to do. But Netanyahu will not flinch and is acting as though he is already deep in an election campaign. He's gone on lots of well-publicized visits away from his office and after a long hiatus has released a new episode of his vlog. Netanyahu skips from one press conference to the next and appears more frequently on social media. In contrast, Gantz looks exhausted, even desperate. In Channel 12's July 25 profile of Gantz, he spoke openly about the difficulties he has experienced and said with a touch of self-deprecating humor, Every day I tell my wife that I dont want to go to school. Revital always answers me, But you are part of the administration. The profile was likely intended to jumpstart Gantz sinking political career, highlighting his activities as defense minister on the front lines in the war against the coronavirus. What will be remembered from it, however, is that miserable statement that revealed what many people had already noticed. Gantz has lost his eagerness to act and his enthusiasm for the fight. If people remember anything from the interview, it will be Gantz comment that he really doesnt want to go to work. On the other hand, Gantz political rivals are not jumping on this chance to ridicule him, perhaps suggesting that Gantz is no longer relevant. This may be the cruelest moment in a politicians career, especially for someone who was until so recently a star. Just a few days after this interview, another former chief of staff, Gadi Eizenkot, began dropping hints that he was eying an entry into politics. He immediately became the hottest new commodity, both in the media and to the center-left parties. Gantz watched as the center-left, which saw him as a savior until just a few months ago, found itself a new hero and abandoned him. On another front, Ashkenazi, the number-two person in his party, still makes a point of backing Gantz, but it is an open secret that there is a longstanding tension between the two men and that Ashkenazi is now waiting for his chance to inherit Gantz mantle. Also, Yesh Atid chair Yair Lapid, who was previously Gantz number-two in the Blue and White, is now ahead of him in the polls by a significant margin. Nevertheless, Gantz surely has no regrets about his decision to enter political life. He made quite a few achievements in a very short period. He was appointed defense minister and could still become prime minister a year and a half from now. Gantz obtained major ministerial portfolios for other members of his party and full partnership in the decision-making process for himself. Blue and White blocked annexation of West Bank territories and stopped efforts to interfere with the legal system. Still, the government has ground to a halt, and it has a lot to do with the inexperience of Gantz and his ministers, who he is unable to rein in. Blue and White is acting like an opposition party within the coalition, its Knesset members breaking coalition discipline on more than one occasion. Amid growing tensions with Hezbollah in the north, Gantz and Netanyahu gave a joint press conference July 27 at the Ministry of Defense in Tel Aviv. It was the first time they appeared together since forming their coalition three months ago. They seemed well coordinated and left the impression that not all was lost. But now that Netanyahu is in survival mode, he has no plans to cede his positions regarding the state budget. If Gantz refuses to blink, Israel could find itself at the start of a fourth election round by the end of the month. While the uncertainties of COVID-19 wax and wane with every day of new information overload, one emerging certainty is the closure of Australias borders to refugees and migrants for the foreseeable future, while interstate and regional closures are also likely to be part of life. Border closures will come at great cost as immigration, traditionally the engine driving Australias remarkable economic growth record, will largely disappear for the medium term. Just how Australia will maintain its growth rate without being able to flog off apartments to migrants, without wealthy international families to maintain high-end property values, students to keep our rental markets buoyant, backpackers to harvest our fruit and other countries university graduates to meet our skills shortages are now questions of great moment. Austal had an all-female apprentice intake in 2019 to supplement its fabrication staff and trades assistants. Credit:Trevor Collens Without tens of thousands of new workers pouring into the country every year, the need for new industrial arrangements to improve productivity and competitiveness has not been so great since the 1980s, which brought the Accord and the advent of enterprise bargaining. The calls to establish domestic industries in sectors we now deem critical, such as pharmaceuticals, also bring industrial complications lest they become modern-day, union-dominated feather beds that will achieve little and cost us enormously, as protected monopolies such as the Postmaster-General's did in the past. Kerry Katona has spoken to her children about her infamous This Morning interview from 2008 where viewers thought she was drunk because she slurred her speech. The media personality, 39, sat down with her three youngest children Heidi, 13, Maxwell, 12, and Dylan-Jorge 'DJ', 5, and her boyfriend Ryan Mahoney and watched the memorable clip back. Speaking in a YouTube video, Kerry watched the interview and then said to her children: 'This is back in 2008. As you know I've got bipolar. I went on the show and this is what happened. Honest: Kerry Katona, 39, has spoken to her children about her infamous This Morning interview from 2008 where viewers thought she was drunk because she slurred her speech 'I understand what they're saying. The medication I was on was when I was pregnant with Max, it was a really strong dose. 'I carried on taking that same drug once he was born but it effected my speech. Because we were all together all the time, everyone was so used to it.' Kerry recalled how her slurred speech effected her past work as a spokeswoman for Iceland, as she would struggle to film the adverts for the brand. She said: 'My speech would be really slow in the morning and it would take a while for it to catch up with me. Past: Speaking in a YouTube video, Kerry watched the interview back and then said to her children: 'I went on the show and this is what happened' 'Actually, the night before that was filmed, I did Celebrity Juice with Paloma Faith, how mad is that? 'Because my speech was slurred, people actually think I was drunk on the show. That was pure medication and that's what winds me up.' Kerry's daughter Heidi then said of the This Morning clip: 'It's on TikTok, people make fun of it.' Kerry, who is also mother to Molly, 18, and Lily-Sue, 17, asked: 'How does that make you feel looking at that?' Family: Kerry sat down with her three youngest children Heidi, 13, Maxwell, 12, and Dylan-Jorge 'DJ', 5, and her boyfriend Ryan Mahoney Heidi shrugged and said: 'I'm fine with it because I know you're not drunk.' Kerry then asked her son Maxwell: 'How do you feel watching it? Does it embarrass you?' He smiled and said: 'No, just a regular day,' to which Kerry laughed. She added: 'This is why I want you kids not to judge someone until you know the ins and outs of everything. 'I've told you everything in regards to me doing drugs and drinking and cocaine. I had no reason to lie whatsoever. Kerry said: 'The medication I was on was when I was pregnant with Max. It was a really strong dose. 'I carried on taking that same drug once he was born but it affected my speech' 'So there you go guys. That's a bit of a trip down memory lane.' Kerry has proudly boasted of her life overhaul since the interview during which she was slurring and appeared out of sorts. During the chat, Phillip Schofield asked: 'If I'm honest you don't seem right to me. You're speech is slurred. How are you feeling?' After Kerry, who was married to Mark Croft at the time, replied: 'I'm on medication at night time. This is going to be made as a huge publicity thing,' and Phillip added: 'I am merely pointing out what people are thinking who are watching.' Fern Britton, who presented the show at the time, asked about a recent magazine photo shoot. She said: 'The interview did say you'd only go in the early hours of the morning, you'd had quite a bit to drink... 'It said you went to get ready with a bottle of champagne. They wanted you to jump in the pool and you were tempted after they said you'd have a shot afterwards.' Kerry added: 'Because my speech was slurred, people actually think I was drunk on the show. That was pure medication and that's what winds me up' In 2010, Kerry reflected on the car-crash interview, saying: 'That wasn't me back then. I was in a very dark dark place, I was on a lot of heavy medication, I was in a very unhappy marriage, and I was taking drugs.' She said that her behaviour was down to her Bipolar medication: 'I was on 350mg of chlorpromazine, which I took at quarter to twelve the night before, and every morning my speech would be very slur, and it'd wear off in the afternoon.' Asked previously if she had looked back on the interview in full, she said: 'No. I'm too embarrassed and ashamed. It's mortifying. I was in the wrong place at the wrong time with the wrong people around me. I've moved away... 'I wasn't a good person then. And it's hard to watch it back, it's hard, oh my God [to think that] my kids are going to have to watch this when they grow up.' While she discussed the interview with Phillip and Holly Willoughby two years later, Holly asked: 'But when you see the clips, can you understand why Phil and Fern would've asked those questions?' A different time: Kerry previously reflected on the interview, saying: 'That wasn't me back then. I was in a very dark dark place, I was on a lot of heavy medication' Kerry responded: 'Yes, completely. I completely understand, you have to remember I was in complete denial of my life at that point. 'I was in a wrong marriage, with the wrong person, [but] I'm not going to blame anybody else for my doings - I hold my hands up and take complete responsibility. Nobody forced me to do anything. 'But when you're in a marriage like that or relationship or surrounded by people... until you find strength to get out of what you're in, there's not a lot you can do.' Kerry continued: 'I shouldn't have done the interview - but I'm glad I have done because it's changed me. That interview, the News of the World video... it's all changed me. It gave me a massive wake up call to go 'come on Kerry, you're a mum'. Kerry was referring to the infamous 2009 News of the World video that she admits did indeed show her snorting cocaine. She said: 'Yes. Yes, I was. I hold my hands up. And if I hadn't of done any of those things, the situation I was in, the people I was surrounded by, I had nobody to help me - these were my friends and family - and I had no one to help me. Happier times: A month later, Katona and Mark Croft split up. A police investigation into how the couple spent 10m in their five years together was launched (pictured in February 2008) 'I was made bankrupt. I'd been dropped by Iceland. It was spiralling out of control and I started taking more and more drugs.' Kerri said the turning point came when she attended a two-week boot camp in January. 'I was asking my husband to help me but he was not helping at all. Until I went to boot camp for two weeks at the beginning of January this year and I was clean for two weeks and I did not want to go home. 'Because the exercise made me really think, it cleared my head. When you're diagnosed with bipolar all the doctors say, go exercise, but you can't be bothered, until you actually do it, and it cleared my mind and I thought I don't want to go home.' A month later, Katona and Mark split up. A police investigation into how the couple spent 10m in their five years together was launched. Kerry said coming off the drugs was like 'coming out of a coma. It was like, "right, what's going on, where's my money gone?" So when I came off the medication, we starting arguing, I wanted to find out where it'd all gone.' Since it formed about 10 years ago, Cypher Environmentals environmentally friendly road stabilization and dust suppression products have been sold all over the world, but some recent contracts in Northern Canada are finally opening up the domestic market for this growing Winnipeg company. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 5/8/2020 (531 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Since it formed about 10 years ago, Cypher Environmentals environmentally friendly road stabilization and dust suppression products have been sold all over the world, but some recent contracts in Northern Canada are finally opening up the domestic market for this growing Winnipeg company. Canadian sales typically only represent 15 to 20 per cent of the Winnipeg-based Cyphers annual revenue, but thats changing. SUPPLIED Cypher Environmental CEO and founder Todd Burns (centre), with Scott Merritt (left) and Eric Bachynski (right), is thrilled to be helping out the northern community of Pond Inlet, Nunavut, by donating two container loads of its patented Dust Stop product. The company recently landed a large contract totalling about $2 million with Baffinland Iron Mines at its Mary River Mine near Pond Inlet, on Baffin Island in Nunavut. In conjunction with that contract Cypher is donating two container loads of its patented Dust Stop product to the hamlet of Pond Inlet. "Weve always wanted to give back but we have been a pretty small company," said CEO and founder Todd Burns. "Were super excited to have the chance to do something like this for Pond Inlet." The Baffinland contract could potentially open the gates for a lot of new work. Last month Burns was in Edmonton meeting with officials from Inuit-owned BBE Expediting after recently winning a tender to provide dust remediation for the airstrip at Sanirajak (formerly Hall Beach) near the tip of the mainland of Nunavut, just south of Baffin Island. Burns hopes the performance of its Dust Stop product on the airstrip in that remote community could lead to the opportunity to supply its dust-control product to dozens of other airstrips in the North. It has been certified safe for contact with aircraft and has plenty of third-party studies showing its efficacy. Currently most of the those facilities use product from an American supplier that costs two-thirds more than Cyphers. "This (the Sanirajak contract) is worth $200,000," Burns said. "That means the community is saving $400,000. Imagine what it could do with that amount of savings." At Baffinlands operations near Pond Inlet, the northernmost community on Baffin Island far above the Arctic Circle, Cypher has already shipped two million litres of Dust Stop. In 2019, the Nunavut Impact Review Board (NIRB) released a report on Baffinlands Mary River mine and determined that there needed to be more work done to contain the dust in this pristine environment so far north. Cyphers Dust Stop is being applied on the 100-kilometre roadway to the mine where the bulk of all materials and people that arrive at the mine travel down and which generates a lot of dust. Shawn Perry, Baffinlands manager of road maintenance and site services, said, "Its provided a drastic reduction in visible dust and its got greater durability to rain events than products weve used in the past." In addition to supplying Baffinland Cypher has also landed contracts with other Canadian mining companies, including Teck Resources, so that now its domestic sales are around 40 per cent. The donation to Pond Inlet, which is being undertaken in conjunction with Baffinland and Nunavut Sealink & Supply Inc., is aimed at significantly reducing dust from town roads in Pond Inlet. In a press release, the mayor of Pond Inlet, Joshua Arreak, said, "It is important that the hamlet takes steps to reduce the amount of dust from our roads. I strongly believe that this new endeavour will greatly benefit our community." Meanwhile during the last year or so Cypher has shipped product all over the world including to Finland, Russia, Romania, Zambia, China and Australia. 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. As successful as Cypher has been in the international and now the national market it has still been stymied in efforts to sell into Manitoba which only represents about one per cent of the 10-year-old companys sales. "We have had some successful case studies in Manitoba and wed really like to change that," he said. Meanwhile, Burns has set his sights further north where he believes his dust-suppression products would be ideal for many communities where airstrips and community roadways are often not paved. He hopes the airstrip contract in Sanirajak will cause a change in the way tenders are written for those types of supplier contracts which have previously favoured the U.S. supplier. "The North is a huge opportunity for us," Burns said. "It has the potential for $5 to $10 million worth of business." martin.cash@freepress.mb.ca The apparent shift in the Congress stand on the Ram temple in Ayodhya is widely attributed to the partys attempt to change the perception of being a pro-Muslim party that was listed by the AK Antony-led panel in 2014 as one of the major reasons for its worst-ever electoral performance in the Lok Sabha polls that year. For the past six years, the grand old party has been trying hard to change that image. Though the Congress had all along maintained that it will abide the Supreme Court verdict on the Ayodhya issue or support any negotiated settlement arrived at by the parties concerned, it had held that the demolition of the Babri Masjid on December 6, 1992 was a shameful and criminal act for which the perpetrators must be brought to justice. It had never been this vocal in its support for the construction of the Ram temple. Barring few exceptions that too privately, majority of Congress leaders had come out in support of the move. Tasked to look into the reasons for the 2014 Lok Sabha poll debacle, a four-member committee, headed by former defence minister AK Antony, in its report concluded that fighting elections on secularism versus communalism plank had hurt the Congress as it was identified a pro-Muslim party which resulted in substantial gains for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Former Congress president Rahul Gandhi also tried to change that opinion with his frequent temple visits during subsequent elections that prompted his political rivals to charge him with playing a soft Hindutva card. He had also visited Ayodhya in September 2016, becoming the first member of the Gandhi family to visit the holy city in 26 years. His father and former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi had visited Ayodhya in 1990. On Wednesday, Rahul Gandhi said Lord Ram is the ultimate embodiment of supreme human values and can never appear in cruelty, hatred or injustice but did not mention the bhoomi pujan ceremony at Ayodhya in his tweet unlike his sister and Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra. Maryada Purshottam Lord Ram is the ultimate embodiment of supreme human values. He is the core of humanism embedded deep in our hearts. Ram is love, he can never appear in hatred. Ram is compassion. He can never appear in cruelty. Ram is justice, he can never appear in injustice, he tweeted in Hindi. Soon after the Supreme Court verdict on Ayodhya came in November last year, the Congress not only welcomed it but also sought to take credit for paving the way for the construction of the Ram temple. The Congress insisted that it was the party-led central government that had acquired the 67 acre land outside the disputed 2.77 acre land in 1993 to maintain the law and order. The opposition party also sought to remind its detractors that it was the Rajiv Gandhi government that allowed the shilanyas or a ground-breaking ceremony at an undisputed site close to Babri Masjid and had also opened the doors of the Ram temple in 1986. The credit-taking exercise by the Congress was in line with a view of a section of its leaders, especially from North India, asking that the party should talk openly about the shilanyas at Ayodhya in 1986 and the acquiring of land during its tenures to counter the BJP. After the demolition of the Babri Masjid on December 6, 1992, the PV Narasimha Rao government had acquired the disputed site and 67 acres of land surrounding it through a law passed in 1993. The land included pockets of government land, a disputed shrine and land belonging to the Ram Janmabhoomi Nyas. But the Nyas opposed the take over and said the land should be handed over to its rightful owner. The Congress Working Committee (CWC), the partys highest decision-making body, met on November 9 last year and unanimously passed a resolution, welcoming the judgment and favouring the construction of the Ram temple. The Indian National Congress respects the verdict of the Supreme Court in the Ayodhya case. We appeal to all the parties concerned and to all communities to abide by the secular values and spirit of fraternity enshrined in our Constitution and to maintain peace and harmony, the resolution said. The issue also resonated at a meeting between Congress president Sonia Gandhi and partys Rajya Sabha members on July 30. Deepender Singh Hooda said the Congress leaders should speak in one voice and stick to the CWC resolution on the issue as it is attached to the sentiments of millions of Indians. On Tuesday, Priyanka Gandhi had expressed the hope that the groundbreaking ceremony in Ayodhya would be a celebration of national unity, brotherhood and cultural harmony. Lord Ram belongs to everybody. Lord Ram wants everybodys welfare. That is why he is called Maryada Purshottam, she said in a statement. Former Madhya Pradesh chief minister Kamal Nath hosted a Hanuman Chalisa recital at his residence in Bhopal on the eve of bhoomi pujan on Tuesday and announced that 11 silver bricks, bought from contributions by Congress members, will be sent for the construction of the temple. In Chhattisgarh, chief minister Bhupesh Baghel has announced construction of a magnificent Mata Kaushalya (mother of Lord Ram) temple in Raipur and developing religious tourist circuits of Valmiki Ashram at Turturiya, where twins of Lord Ram, Luv and Kush, were said to have born. A 1,000 year-old Shiv temple in Rampal area of Jagdalpur district, believed to have been established by Lord Ram during exile, will also be renovated, the Congress government had said in a statement on Monday. Congress partys chief spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala and former union minister Manish Tewari welcomed the bhoomi pujan ceremony, saying this was an occasion to resolve to follow the path of Dharma set by Lord Ram. A Congress leader on the condition of anonymity dismissed suggestion that the grand old party has shunned soft-Hindutva and adopted the hardline Hindutva stand, saying Lord Ram is a unifier, the protector and the voice of the oppressed and the deprived and an assimilation of all cultures, castes, class and religions. The nation and its people must now decide who depicts these values the assimilating, cohabitating, all-inclusive ideology of the Congress party or the inherently divisive, hateful and parochial ideology of the BJP-RSS, he said. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON LONDON, Aug. 5, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- CiiTECH, the leading global cannabis research and cannabis company, is excited to announce that it will be the Diamond Sponsor of the world's first mass cannabis telemedicine event in Brazil - The Medical Cannabis Summit. The event will be hosted by Brazilian healthtech business OnixCann, and sponsoring this unique event will give CiiTECH deeper exposure to South American markets. In December 2019,The Brazilian Health Regulatory Agency (Anvisa) unveiled new guidelines surrounding the prescribing and marketing of medical cannabis. Supported by the National Agency for Health Surveillance of Brazil, it has transformed the medical cannabis industry in the region and allowed businesses, such as leading healthtech company OnixCann, to thrive. This month, from August 10 to August 14, OnixCann is celebrating this progressive new legislation with the world's first mass cannabis telemedicine event. The Medical Cannabis Summit is a unique new event, and CiiTECH, will be sponsoring the event. Joining the CiiTECH delegation to the event will be Professor Mechoulam, a leader and pioneer in cannabis research. Israel-based CiiTECH focuses on providing innovative science-based cannabis products and brands to the world that are specifically designed to meet the massively growing consumer demand while looking into new research to create the most respected and trusted cannabis products. The event is designed to promote the benefits of medical cannabis to doctors and patients across Brazil. A recent survey from The New Frontier found that there are an estimated four million patients in the country who could benefit from these products, yet only 0.2% of doctors are currently prescribing plant-derived products. To try and address this reluctance, The Medical Cannabis Summit will: Educate attendees and reduce prejudice against cannabis-based products Explore critical illnesses, such as autism and epilepsy, and how medical cannabis can be used to treat them Introduce the technical module of Phytotherapy Provide a better understanding of available products. Highlight legal and regulatory issues Sponsoring the event is another highlight of a strong 2020 for CiiTECH, with the company announcing in May that it had developed and patent-pending breakthrough new technology. This technology, developed in conjunction with Yossi Tam and the Hebrew University, has the potential to treat non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), obesity and a number of other metabolic disorders. The CiiTECH - sponsored Medical Cannabis Summit will be fully online and is completely free to attend for medical participants, patients and their families. Clifton Flackat CiiTECH added, "We are incredibly excited to be sponsoring the Medical Cannabis Summit. The use of therapeutic cannabis is on the rise in Brazil, and we are looking forward to being able to share our knowledge and experience in the industry thereby helping doctors and patients understand the use of cannabis and all the benefits it has to offer." https://ciitech.co.il/ | https://ciitechlabs.co.il/ For press enquiries contact: paulg@ciitech.co.uk Bihar DGP Gupteshwar Pandey has said that they have no clarity about the whereabouts of actor Rhea Chakraborty, days after an FIR was filed against her and her family members by Sushant Singh Rajputs father KK Singh. He said on Wednesday that she is yet to contact the Bihar Police and is absconding. ANI reported Pandey as saying, Rhea Chakraborty is not in touch with us. She is absconding, she is not coming forward. We dont have any information about she being in touch with even Mumbai Police. Rhea Chakraborty is not in touch with us. She is absconding, she is not coming forward. We don't have any information about she being in touch with even Mumbai police: Gupteshwar Pandey, DGP Bihar on #RheaChakraborty https://t.co/mm0fiMxaVh ANI (@ANI) August 5, 2020 Requesting exemption of Patna SP Vinay Tiwari from quarantine in Mumbai, he further said, We requested BMC to exempt IPS officer Vinay Tiwari from being quarantined. We told them at least send him back as he is an IPS officer. This is not a professional behaviour. This officer is being kept as if he has been arrested. On Tuesday, KK Singhs lawyer Vikas Singh had said that he knows where Rhea is while reiterating that she has gone in hiding. He had told Pinkvilla in an interview, Firstly, Rhea Chakraborty has gone into hiding. Of course, I know where she is hiding but I cant tell you that right now. Patna Police cannot reach there because the senior officer (IPS officer Vinay Tiwari) who came to investigate the case from Patna, has already been quarantined in Mumbai. The earlier team that was already there, they are also trying to quarantine them. They are in fact on the lookout for the other officers from Bihar Police as well. This is why the urgency for getting the matter referred to CBI today itself. Also read: Sushant Singh Rajputs family wanted us to take Rhea Chakraborty into custody, slap her: Mumbai cop Earlier, Republic TV had reported that the supervisor of the building where Rhea stayed has said that the actor left in the middle of the night, along with her parents and brother, a few days ago. They left together in a blue car and had big suitcases with them, the report quoted the supervisor as saying. Follow @htshowbiz for more SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON The foreign ministry said Wednesday that there have been no reports of South Korean casualties yet in this week's massive explosion in the Lebanese capital of Beirut that left more than 70 people dead and thousands injured. Tuesday's blast at Beirut's port occurred after a warehouse that had unsafely stored large amounts of confiscated ammonium nitrate, an explosive compound, for six years caught fire, reports said. About 140 South Korean citizens are currently in the country. There are also about 280 South Korean troops deployed to conduct U.N. peacekeeping operations there. "Immediately after the accident, the South Korean Embassy in Lebanon started checking an online group chat room of residents in Lebanon to see if there was any damage to citizens. As of now, there were no reports of damage," a ministry official said. The embassy, in cooperation with the Lebanese government, will keep trying to ascertain if residents there suffered any damage or injuries, and it will provide necessary consular assistance if necessary, the official added. Two glass windows were broken on the fourth floor of the South Korean Embassy in Lebanon, 7.3 kilometers away from the scene of the explosion, the ministry said. (Yonhap) Off Duty Officers Continues Security Operations During COVID-19 Off Duty Officers is unique in its ability and willingness to provide security guards on short notice for short term assignments. Off Duty Officers, one of the leading security companies in the nation, continues to build its security operations capabilities during the COVID-19 pandemic in response to increasing need for private security guards. With our additional resources, we have responded to requests for security guards for site security during protests, retail loss prevention, personal protection, traffic and crowd control for social assistance locations, food distribution and COVID-19 testing sites. Off Duty Officers is unique in its ability and willingness to provide security guards on short notice for short term assignments. Off Duty Officers have also implemented extensive internal control and incentive processes to assure guards are on-site as contracted. These protocols include attendance pay incentives, extended sick pay and quarantine pay to assure guards are not carriers and are fully capable and focused on providing professional security service. As part of our adherence to safety guidelines, Off Duty Officers will: Review relevant local/state regulative agency policies and orders. Implement safety and security measures when a company and/or event creates a plan to conduct daily health checks (e.g., temperature screening and/or symptom checking) of staff and attendees. Restrict staff or participants that display symptoms or have a fever. Ensure adherence by security personnel for social distancing before, during, and after shifts and events, including restricting participation to an event, manning physical barriers and restricting access to your preset limits, and staggering exit times. Our Security company continues to deliver professional security services as we operate alongside companies and event organizers, to implement the emergency plans they have in place. Having a uniformed guard takes YOUR employees off the front line of enforcing whatever guidelines you need implemented. Locations with visible, uniformed security guards experience an immediate broader acceptance of Coronavirus safety precautions and an overall less stressful environment. Off Duty Officers provides security guard services in all 50 states with regional office locations in Colorado, California, Florida, and Texas. Our security personnel, regardless of their assignment, are committed to the health and safety of our clients and their customers. ABOUT OFF DUTY OFFICERS Off Duty Officers, Inc., excels in tailoring specific security details for every possible security requirement. You will receive licensed, experienced professional security personnel when and where you need them. Whether you require off duty law enforcement or standard, licensed guards for temporary security or long term security services, Off Duty Officers will tailor the right security detail to meet your safety, security, and budget requirements. The heart of the manufacturing world was the first region to feel the effects of the pandemic. As its effects spread across countries in East and Southeast Asia, manufacturers promptly halted the exports of essential goods. Their priority was to supply domestic hospital networks, authorities, and their own populations before catering to the needs of the rest of the world. This diversion toward internal consumption resulted in a ban on the export of personal protective equipment (PPE) products, including gloves, face masks and shields, goggles, gowns, hair covers, and essential goods such as sanitizers and disinfectant wipes. It goes without saying that this sudden change seismically impacted all of the supply traditionally meant to be funneled to the international market. Such a steep turn left many countries scrambling for essential medical items. However, as the effects of the outbreak started tapering down across the region, the world once again turned toward these countries to renew mass procurement. While we have seen some stabilization, many challenges remain in terms of pricing, reliability, and the supply chain itself. Lets take a closer look at these challenges to better understand how best to navigate sourcing essential products from Asia in the current landscape. Incessant Demand for PPE In 2018, the total value of global exports of PPE products was more than US$47 billion, with gloves, masks, and gowns being the most in-demand products. More than 60 percent of PPE exports were supplied by the top five exporters and China ruled the ranks. With the manufacture of essential goods limited to few countries, and with the sea and air freight suddenly under notable pressure, a supply chain crisis was practically inevitable. In the early days of the pandemic, global logistics were struck with chaos. Ports and airports were shut down, prolonging most delivery schedules. Government regulations were neither stable, nor well-defined in terms of customs, quality, or handling restrictions. Companies were left to haggle deliveries at freight auctions at times over entire aircrafts and some even turned to private aviation to secure the continuation of PPE supply. Over time, sea freight scheduling and supply has more or less stabilized, but air freight still faces uncertainty. The borders of many countries remain closed and so do their air spaces. Not only did the coronavirus outbreak raise transportation costs, but the prices of essential products skyrocketed as well. With the whole world running low on supply, we have seen many companies turn to suppliers in East Asia, accepting inflated prices out of necessity. Manufacturers were facing labor shortages due to mandatory social distancing together with uncertain and increasingly expensive raw material supplies. This has led to products such as N95 masks being sold at prices many times higher than usual market rates. The same goes for the iconic 3-ply blue masks: The manufacturing cost might be around 3-5 cents, yet even companies that offered to buy at 40 to 50 cents per mask were left to wait several weeks. Retailers should know that tier-one medical products are, and will continue to be, priced high. While face masks have seen a slight reduction in pricing in recent weeks, the product remains lucrative. The WHO latest guidance advises the widespread use of masks in public places globally, creating even more demand. The face mask market is poised to expand at a compound annual growth rate of 22.9 percent until 2023, with no major slowdown expected until 2025. COVID-19 has taught us a lesson at the personal, business, and national levels. For the foreseeable future, people will continue to strongly prioritize personal hygiene, meaning that the demand for products like hand sanitizers, medical gloves, and disinfectant wipes will remain steady. Companies will contribute to this trend further. A D V E R T I S E M E N T Amazon is giving masks to employees and has been installing sanitization mechanisms in all warehouses, workspaces, and offices. If these practices become mandated corporate policies or government regulations, there will be a constant demand for the goods needed to ensure compliance. Supplier Relationships and Diversification Developing relationships has traditionally been a vital element when sourcing from Asia. It was a common practice for companies to set up offices in said countries or partner with those that had direct relationships with local manufacturers. Product or factory inspection was a routine procedure one that has now been replaced with digital alternatives. Close communication remains key, with emails, phone calls, or video chats occuring on a regular basis. Investing in long-term partnerships has brought benefits to both sides during the pandemic, because established partners often receive priority treatment. While many of these practices are likely to maintain their importance post-pandemic, theres one aspect all companies should look toward: diversification. Whether in terms of geography, pricing, or supply chains, forging new relationships might be just as important as maintaining the existing ones. According to the United Nations Statistics Division, in 2018 China accounted for 28 percent of global manufacturing output, more than 10 percent higher than the U.S. Despite that, sourcing from China has been associated with notable uncertainty. The prolonged trade war and sanctions on Chinese products have made pricing, compliance, and supply chain management a nightmare. Many companies had already been looking to explore opportunities in other countries and this shift has been further accelerated by the pandemic. As a result, countries such as Singapore, Japan, and South Korea have emerged as significant suppliers of equipment to contain COVID-19. Added to that, Thailand and Vietnam have traditionally held a strong foothold in the export of gloves, goggles, gowns, and hair covers, while Cambodia and Indonesia have been in a great position to produce gloves, gowns, and hair covers. With Malaysia being a net exporter of gloves and goggles, and Myanmar prioritizing gowns and hair covers, retailers can identify a plethora of diversification opportunities across the region. While the focus on PPE may be somewhat temporary, its consequences will have notable impacts. Companies across the globe are already shifting to new regional players who will have a unique chance to present their products in terms of quality, competitive prices, reliable supply chain management and much more once the curve flattens enough. In terms of price, competing with China seems unfavorable, but there are other factors to consider, such as the lower cost of logistics when sourcing supplies from countries such as Mexico. As you look to mix up your portfolio, aim your attention toward countries with developed manufacturing infrastructure, be it in Asia, or even Latin America and Africa. Chinas prime position is unlikely to be dramatically shaken in the immediate future, but the world has certainly learned its lesson. Companies will look to avoid putting all their eggs in one basket, turning to diversification as an essential strategy to mitigate risk whether caused by natural, medical, economic, political, or societal crises. Retailers should know that its no longer enough to have just one layer of options make sure to have the second or even third layer of options readily available. When it comes to sourcing, companies will be more future-oriented and less risk-tolerant. The just-in-time inventory model and ordering only the predictable demand in short time frames could be replaced by safety stock and strategic distribution of partner networks. Such a cautious approach is likely to manifest in contracts as well, with companies looking for more flexible conditions, giving them the much-needed space for adjustments. Stay One Step Ahead Agility has been the defining aspect of success when sourcing from Asia during the pandemic. For example, big players in the B2B e-commerce space have seen disruption, with their processes slowing down and adaptation taking longer than expected. In the meantime, mid-size and small companies have proven nimbler and more apt to find ways to fill the voids. Smaller companies are striking more aggressive pricing agreements with faster contract negotiations, and opt for processes including Net-5 payment and payment on receipt of shipments of product which is unprecedented. A D V E R T I S E M E N T According to a UPS survey published in May, 86 percent of businesses reported some aspect of supply chain disruption, with top reasons being the inability to replenish inventories and supplies, and the closure of manufacturing partners. With vast amounts of data coming both from internal and external sources including the health industry, the government, and the financial markets companies have been forced to reassess their sourcing strategies almost on a daily basis. The PPE sector is particularly susceptible to change and having insights into how to best adapt is key. To maintain a sense of business continuity in volatile scenarios, turn toward planning and forecasting. Now more than ever you should constantly assess your performance to swiftly pinpoint any disruptions and pivot when necessary. Sourcing is science, which is why your entire process from pricing to inventory management should be completely data-driven. By seeing how price fluctuations could affect your business, or how to best coordinate your sourcing strategy with real-time supply chain scenarios, you can navigate potential disruptions with greater constancy. Strategic insights can also strengthen your collaboration both within partner ecosystems and your company structures, including sales and marketing, to ensure that your sourcing plans are best designed to meet the most urgent needs. Sourcing essential products from Asia will undergo further changes in the months to come. However, merely following the trends will not be enough to ensure success. The key to harnessing opportunities lies in stepping out of existing structures toward more diversified frameworks, while constantly leveraging data to maintain a sharp eye on your sourcing strategy. The Democratic party will end freeze on green cards and take steps to end its backlog, if voted to power in the November presidential elections, the party's proposed 2020 platform said. Green Card, known officially as a Permanent Resident Card, is a document issued to immigrants to the US as evidence that the bearer has been granted the privilege of residing permanently The proposed platform among other things has expressed opposition to the decision of President Donald Trump to temporarily suspend issuing of H-1B visas. The H-1B visa is a non-immigrant visa that allows US companies to employ foreign workers in speciality occupations that require theoretical or technical expertise. Technology companies depend on it to hire tens of thousands of employees each year from countries like India and China. The 2020 Democratic Party Platform, which is similar to an election manifesto in India, would be adopted by the party's delegates during its national convention in Wisconsin. The four-day convention from August 17 to 20 would formally nominate former Vice President Joe Biden as its candidate for the November 3 presidential elections. We support awarding visas for permanent, employment-based immigration in a way that is responsive to labour market needs. We want to attract and keep talent in this country, which is why Democrats will end the Trump administration's freeze on green cards for new immigrants and instead pursue a meaningful reform agenda, said the proposed platform. Running into 90 pages, the platform was considered by the 2020 Platform Committee at its meeting on July 27. A 21st century immigration system that honours American values is an essential prerequisite not just to recovering from the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression, but to strengthening its democracy and guaranteeing America's long-term economic competitiveness, it said. That's why Democrats believe in improving and increasing opportunities for legal, permanent immigration. Our family, humanitarian, and diversity pathways have contributed immeasurably to the vibrancy and productivity of American society and should continue to be the centerpiece of our immigration system, the proposed platform said. Democrats oppose President Trump's illegal chaotic, and reckless changes to the legal immigration system, including decisions to slash family-based immigration as well as H-1B and other visa programmes that can help our economy, it said. A Biden administration, the platform said will eliminate unfair barriers to naturalization, reduce application backlogs, and make US immigration processes faster, more efficient, and less costly. These reforms will strengthen our communities, our families, our economy, and our country, it said. According to the platform, the Democrats believe family unity should be a guiding principle for its immigration policy. As such it will prioritise family reunification for children still separated from their families, and will restore family reunification programmes ended by the Trump administration, it stated. We support legislation to treat the spouses and children of green card holders as immediate relatives and end their unfair separation. We will eliminate family-based green card backlogs and reform the system to speed up family-based visas, the platform said. And we will work with Congress to eliminate immigration barriers, such as the three- and 10-year bars, and remove the 10-year waiting period for waivers to the permanent bars that keep loved ones apart, it said. Asserting that the Democrats will rescind President Donald Trump's the 'Emergency, the platform said. It said that they will immediately terminate the discriminatory travel and immigration bans that disproportionately impact Muslim, Arab, and African people, and invite those whose visas have been denied under these "xenophobic and un-American policies to re-apply to come to the United States". We will support legislation to ensure that no president can enact discriminatory bans ever again, it said. ANN ARBOR, MI The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says that anyone exposed to someone with COVID-19 should quarantine for 14 days and monitor their health, but it has also become a requirement for students to return to campus at the University of Michigan. While some UM students felt the requirement, announced Monday, was a step in the right direction, others arent sure if their peers will follow it before returning for the fall semester. South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem will be the keynote speaker at the Pottawattamie County Republican Party's annual Lincoln-Reagan Dinner. The event will begin with social time at 6 p.m., with dinner and programming at 6:45 p.m., on Sept. 4 at the Treynor Community Center, 11 W. Main Street. Noem was elected to the South Dakota House of Representatives in 2006, before winning a seat in the U.S. House in 2010. Noem was elected the 33rd governor of the state in 2018. We are very excited to have Gov. Noem in Pottawattamie County, said Charlie Johnson, Chairman of the Pottawattamie County Republican Party. "It'll be a good time." Jeff Kaufmann, chairman of the Republican Party of Iowa, will serve as Master of Ceremonies. Former Rep. David Young, and Iowa Republican National Committee members Steve Scheffler and Tamara Scott will attend, as well. We care about the safety of our attendees and COVID-19 guidelines will be followed," Johnson said. "Masks are optional, but encouraged." Tickets for the dinner are $45 each, and will be held at the door. Membership in the Pottawattamie County GOP Century Club is $100, which entitles members to two tickets to the Lincoln-Reagan Dinner and recognition in the program. Payment may be made to the Pottawattamie County Republican Party, Post Office Box 852, Council Bluffs, Iowa, 51502. For additional information, contact Johnson at cajohnson816@gmail.com or phone 712-309-6208. 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. Solving the alleged murder case of three Panipat boys seems a hard nut to crack for police as the officials associated with the investigation are still groping in the dark. Following pressure mounted by the members of Kashyap community after lathicharge on the kin of the deceased, Haryana home minister Anil Vij had handed over the investigation to Karnal superintendent of police (SP) Surender Singh Bhoria. The minister had sought a report within two days in connection with the recovery of bodies of three children from a canal in Panipat. The cop was also told to submit an interim report about the use of force on the family members and villagers in Panipat, who were protesting against the police failure in arresting the murder accused. SP Bhoria, though, has submitted an interim report to the home ministers office, he has sought more time to complete the investigation. I have submitted the interim report and sought time for the investigation, he said. But, we are waiting for the viscera report, which is very crucial for the investigation, he added. We have also sought permission for a lie-detection test of people who have been accused by the victims family members, he said. The SP has constituted a special investigation team (SIT) under DSP Jagdeep Duhan, which has started the probe. The family members of the victims alleged that six boys had gone to a bleach house near their village to bring thread for flying kites. While three returned home, the other three went missing, only to be found dead later. The kin had alleged that someone caught the boys in the bleach house and thrashed them. On their complaint, an FIR under the section of murder was also registered, which was followed by the constitution of an SIT to be headed by DSP Sandeep Kumar. The special probing team, however, failed to crack the case. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Maharashtra: State department to investigate illegal fishing practices by Badri Chatterjee August 05,2020 | Source: Hindustan Times The state fisheries department on Tuesday initiated an investigation and called for action regarding unauthorised fishing practices affecting rare and endangered marine species along the Maharashtra coastline. The fisheries commissioner ordered the inquiry based on a report by marine biologists from the Mangrove Foundation (under the state mangrove cell), which documented how unsustainable fishing practices, excessive juvenile by-catch, and illegal shark fin trade were leading to a rapid decline of threatened, vulnerable, and critically-endangered sharks and allied species. HT had reported the details on Monday, elucidating how such practices along seven commercially important landing sites, including three in Mumbai, with high-density of elasmobranch (sharks, skates, rays, and sawfish) population, were leading to overall habitat degradation at fishing grounds. In view of the seriousness of the matter highlighted by national and regional media, I have called for a detailed investigation across all 173 marine fish landing centres across seven Konkan districts as well as inspections to be undertaken at markets, said Atul Patne, state fisheries commissioner, adding, Strict action needs to be taken against fishing boats, sellers, buyers, and boat owners under the Maharashtra Marine Fisheries Regulation Act, 1981, and the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, for unauthorised capture and sale of rare and endangered elasmobranch species. Reports on action taken have been called for at the earliest. The fisheries department plans to set up an enforcement cell and increase manpower to address the issue. Under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, the assistant commissioner of fisheries (ACF) is empowered to take action for the protection of rare and endangered marine species. We have reiterated this in an order issued on Tuesday, said Patne. Presently, the department is facing a staff crunch with more than 60% vacancy, with 23 licensing officers managing 173 landing centres. Even if the ACF manages to track down cases, he is unable to prepare the required documents, present submissions in court, and track investigations. Patne said that along with additional manpower, he plans to rope in non-government bodies or marine respondent groups involved in curbing such violations (sagar rakshaks) to assist his staff. If shark fin trade is operational in the domestic circuit, it will be tracked to the source, and we will identify how it is operating, he said. The Mangrove Foundation report also identified a fish landing centre at Satpati in Palghar, where the capture of eight shark species, including some part of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List, saw their fins removed and kept out to dry. Shark fishing is not illegal in India. However, catching 10 species protected under the Wildlife Act is prohibited and considered illegal. Shark fin import and export was banned by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry in 2015. The mangrove cell study identified 34 elasmobranch species 14 sharks, 15 rays, and five species of wedges, sawfish and guitarfish being caught across Satpati, Sassoon Dock, New Ferry Wharf, and Versova in Mumbai; Alibag in Raigad, Harnai in Ratnagiri, and Malvan in Sindhudurg. Of these, 24 species each fell under the vulnerable, endangered, and near-threatened categories of the IUCN Regional Red List, while one species of guitarfish (schedule I under WPA) was critically endangered. Eighteen of the 34 species caught were juvenile elasmobranchs. We appreciate that the fisheries department has taken cognisance of the report. If such a study has made any contribution towards marine conservation, it has achieved its purpose, said Virendra Tiwari, additional principal chief conservator of forest (Mangrove cell). Supporting the growing demand for improved and secure access to high-quality real-time trading data in the cloud Vela, a leading independent provider of data and execution technology for global multi-asset electronic trading, today announced the deployment of its SuperFeed normalised market data feed within the Amazon Web Services (AWS) public cloud environment. This deployment allows clients to access SuperFeed directly from their own AWS deployments without the need for any additional physical infrastructure or cross connects. Vela's latest cloud expansion comes at a time when the financial industry's adoption of virtual environments has significantly accelerated under pressure to improve agility, increase scalability and deliver cost efficiencies. The availability of SuperFeed directly within AWS adds to Vela's growing ecosystem of cloud service options. Vela is committed to supporting all of the major cloud providers, as required by clients, and works closely across providers to ensure a platform-agnostic solution. Cloud deployments of SuperFeed are a natural evolution of Vela's cloud offering, which already provides connectivity to client cloud environments from existing SuperFeed on-premise data centres via methods such as AWS Direct Connect. Through AWS PrivateLink, global clients have scalable access to Vela's award-winning market data feed via flexible logical connections, delivering high-quality trading data instantly and reliably. AWS PrivateLink enables customer networks, via private IP addressing, to securely access the AWS-deployed SuperFeed market data, ensuring all network traffic remains private, within AWS and not over the internet. Vela's SuperFeed is a fully-managed, low-latency market data feed that delivers high-quality, normalised real-time data via a single source with industry-leading levels of performance, availability, and reliability. Offering a unique blend of fast delivery and a scalable solution, SuperFeed is designed to simplify and speed up clients' access to data to power their front-office trading applications. The feed provides coverage to over 150 markets and data sources including all major North American and European exchanges and a growing number of Asia-Pacific venues. Vela continues to make significant strategic investment in SuperFeed coverage to expand the range of data types available, beyond real time and delayed, to include end-of-day and historical data solutions offering more flexibility to clients. Ollie Cadman, Chief Product Officer at Vela, commented, "As we continue to roll out our market data strategic roadmap with new content and access points, our collaboration with AWS further expands our cloud connectivity options for SuperFeed. Connecting SuperFeed with AWS PrivateLink provides our clients with secure and flexible access to market data within their existing AWS deployments and addresses some of the challenges clients may face in accessing third-party services securely from the cloud. This comes at a time when the adoption of cloud environments, particularly for the front office, is gaining significant pace." He continued, "We're excited to offer our clients a solution that simplifies their network architecture, meets all their security requirements, and maximises operational and cost efficiencies by eliminating the need to invest in and deploy any physical infrastructure." About Vela Vela is a leading independent provider of trading and market access technology for global multi-asset electronic trading. Our software enables clients to rapidly access global liquidity, markets, and data sources for superior execution. We help firms successfully differentiate and innovate in an ever-changing, increasingly regulated and fiercely-competitive landscape, while also reducing total cost of ownership. Vela's ticker plant, execution gateways, trading platform, and risk and analytics software deliver a unique, ultra-low latency technology stack to simplify and streamline electronic trading. We leverage the latest innovations in technology to deliver cutting-edge performance, features and reliability. Our modular stack provides access to a comprehensive set of trading data and risk APIs and can be delivered "as-a-Service" from multiple co-location data centers globally. With access to more than 250 venues, Vela provides global coverage across all major asset classes. Clients are supported by an award-winning team of technical and business experts available 24x7 from our multiple offices in the US, Europe, and Asia. Vela's clients include traders, market makers, brokers, banks, investment firms, exchanges, and other market participants. Visit us at www.tradevela.com. Follow us on Twitter @TradeVela. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200805005208/en/ Contacts: For media inquiries: Melanie Budden The Realization Group for Vela Email: melanie.budden@therealizationgroup.com Tel: +44 7974 937970 It will take "a year or two" before Ferrari can start thinking about beating Mercedes on merit, according to former team driver Gerhard Berger. The F1 legend's prediction, mirroring the stated timeline of Ferrari chairman John Elkann, comes as Mattia Binotto admits he has relinquished the role of technical director. "It has taken us a while to get organised, to restructure the technical department. It is not something you can do in a day," Binotto, who remains team boss, is quoted by AS newspaper. "Now with the right people in the right position, they are able to assume the responsibilities of my position as technical director," he confirmed. "For my part, there are also many things to do to supervise and keep them in the right direction in accordance with the plans," said Binotto. While Charles Leclerc managed to finish on the podium at Silverstone last Sunday, Sebastian Vettel's problems highlighted the depth of the Ferrari trough. "The car is very, very difficult - undriveable in a certain condition," former driver Christian Danner told RTL. "You could see that when Vettel was one second on average behind Leclerc." Berger thinks Ferrari came unstuck last year amid the ruckus about the legality of its power unit. Following a secret agreement with the FIA, the engine "automatically fell behind", the Austrian said. "They have to catch up on lost development now," Berger told Sportbuzzer. "Ferrari has dropped over a second a lap, which is 50, 60 horsepower. But even before that they weren't ahead of Mercedes in overall performance, so you're looking at 70, 80hp. "At this level, that's an incredibly hard job. It will take a year or two to do that." (GMM) By Doug Steinhardt Its time for Republicans in New Jersey to put on our hard hats and get to work. New Jersey may not be a traditional battleground presidential state, but we are going to be in the national spotlight, and we need to be ready for our moment. To win a majority in the House of Representatives, Republicans would need a net gain of 20 seats around the country. With four Democrat incumbents occupying swing districts right in our backyard, the NJGOP is ready to play a make or break role in delivering up to 20% of the gains necessary to take the gavel from Nancy Pelosi. Pick up opportunities around the country are few and far between, so let me tell you why the four in New Jersey are so encouraging: First, and what any good political operative will tell you is most important, we have great candidates. Despite coming off a blue wave midterm, we have blue-chip level challengers in all four of New Jerseys most competitive swing districts. In the 3rd Congressional District, David Richter is an accomplished businessman with a great story to tell that demonstrates his understanding of how to create jobs in a tough economy. In the 5th Congressional District, Frank Pallotta is a self-made success story with tremendous private sector experience. In the 7th Congressional District, Tom Kean is one of the best recruits in the country with a long record in the state senate of finding solutions and a strong brand of leadership. And in the 11th Congressional District, Rosemary Becchi is a business policy expert and a tax specialist who can actually do something about making New Jersey more affordable. Second, since Nov. 7, 2018, the NJGOP has been working behind the scenes to set the stage for our moment. We took our lessons learned from the mid-term elections and we made ourselves stronger. Then we attacked the 2019 Murphy mid-terms and earned the largest Republican state legislative gains in 28 years, which included flipping the first legislative district and electing Senator Mike Testa and Assemblymen Antwan L. McClellan and Erik K. Simonsen. We are smarter and stronger in our party building, our use of data and digital and were building a coalition of partners to help us put all of this to use this year. Early last year, it was reported that the GOP nationally was working to plot a blue-state invasion in November. The NJGOP, in partnership with our national allies at the Republican National Committee, is ready to deploy the biggest field effort these congressional districts have ever seen. The strengthening of our party infrastructure is most evident in the confidence we gave Congressman Jeff Van Drew to walk away from Nancy Pelosi and join the GOP. With Senator Testas campaign in his backyard, he saw the strength of our organization and knew he could count on the NJGOP to have his back in 2020. Third, the environment today is completely different from 2018 and all of our freshman Congress members now have records they must defend. In April, a Monmouth University Poll found that Democrats are facing a tough road in the five most competitive seats that helped contribute to 2018s blue wave in New Jersey. According to Monmouth, voters give Republican candidates (46%) a slight edge over Democrat candidates (45%) in the five most competitive districts (i.e., Congressional Districts 2, 3, 5, 7, 11). This time two years ago, Democrats held an aggregate +7 point edge in these same districts (49% to 42%). So, what defines these fresh new Democrats in our delegation? For one, they took a dangerous turn to the left, pursuing a socialist agenda and an erroneous impeachment crusade. More specifically, Andy Kims weak leadership put the mission of the Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst in jeopardy when he failed to secure a new U.S. Army headquarters at the base. Josh Gottheimer is a liberal wearing a moderates mask. He had a chance to be a difference-maker in Washington, as he has voted with House Speaker Pelosi 96% of the time. Tom Malinowski campaigned as a moderate but votes with his Washington party bosses and against his constituents with measures like the Lower Drug Costs Now Act (HR-3), which could kill thousands of jobs in New Jersey. And Mikie Sherrill promised to be an independent voice for her district but has a nearly identical voting record with Pelosi. This election, the NJGOP has set the foundation for Republicans in New Jersey to seize the moment. Now its time for our supporters to join us and get to work. Doug Steinhardt is chairman of the New Jersey GOP. 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. BERLIN, Aug 4 (Reuters) - Germany has agreed to lift its warning against travelling Turkey to four provinces with low rates of coronavirus infection as part of a deal to help larger-scale travel between the two countries resume, the German government said. The German foreign ministry said it was dropping warnings against travel to Antalya, Izmir, Aydin and Mugla provinces, where the coronavirus's prevalence stood at only five new infections per 100,000 inhabitants over the course of a week. Turkey would also require of all travellers leaving for Germany that they show a negative coronavirus test result less than 48 hours old before leaving, the ministry's Tuesday statement added. Some 3 million of Germany's 80 million inhabitants have a Turkish ethnic background, while Turkey's sea coasts have historically been among the most popular tourist destination for Germans of all ethnicities. (Reporting by Thomas Escritt; Editing by Tom Sims) Already there have been significant setbacks in districts that have attempted to bring students back. A day after teachers returned to work in Georgias Gwinnett County last week, some 260 employees tested positive or had possibly been exposed to the novel coronavirus and were told to stay home. At Corinth High School in Mississippi, in-person classes started last week, and within days five students tested positive for the coronavirus and others went into quarantine as a result of contact tracing, according to a statement by the school district. A photo of a packed Paulding County, Ga., high school hallway with few students wearing masks went viral Tuesday as many people expressed concern about how schools could safely reopen. Lockdown restrictions have been reimposed in Aberdeen after a cluster of coronavirus cases linked to pubs and bars caused fears of a significant outbreak in the Scottish city. Pubs, restaurants and cafes closed at 5pm on Wednesday and a five-mile travel rule has been put in place. Residents are also being told not to go into each others houses. Scotlands first minister Nicola Sturgeon said 54 new cases have emerged in the outbreak that may include some community transmission. Speaking at a Covid-19 briefing in Edinburgh, she said 191 contacts have been traced in relation to the cluster and more than 20 pubs and restaurants are involved. Recommended Scotland advises against travel to northern England Ms Sturgeon said the decision to reimpose some measures was taken to prevent further spread and to give the test and protect teams the best possible chance of successfully breaking these chains of transmission. She added: The last thing we want to do is to reimpose these restrictions but this outbreak is reminding us just how highly infectious Covid is. Our precautionary and careful judgement is that we need to take decisive action now, difficult as that undoubtedly is, in order to try to contain this outbreak and prevent further harm later on. The measures, which apply to the Aberdeen City area, will be backed by government regulations, the first minister said, and will be enforced if the rules are not followed. The Scottish government later announced that visits to hospital and care homes from a named family member or friend will be stopped, with only essential visits being allowed. The decision was taken following a meeting of the Scottish Government Resilience Committee (SCOR), which also included leaders of Aberdeen City Council, NHS Grampian and Police Scotland. Ms Sturgeon added the decision to reimpose some measures was taken to prevent further spread and to give the Test and Protect teams the best possible chance of successfully breaking these chains of transmission. The first minister said people should not travel to Aberdeen, but those who are already there can remain. Ms Sturgeon said the restrictions will be reviewed next Wednesday, when she hopes they could be removed, either in entirety or in part. However, the first minister said they could be extended beyond that seven-day period if necessary. And she hinted measures could be enforced to stop people going on pub crawls amid fears they spread infections. Ms Sturgeon said: It could be that what we see here is a pattern which involves people going from one pub to another in the same night. Now it may be that we have to look at some of those lessons to think about whether we need to tighten up some of the restrictions about how hospitality is operating across the wider country. NHS Grampian has named 28 bars and restaurants, three golf clubs and a football club as venues visited by people linked to the cluster. Jenny Laing, co-leader of Aberdeen City Council said: It is unfortunate that just as we were returning to normality that this has happened, but the safety of our citizens is our first priority. We must adhere to the Scottish Governments guidance to ensure the safety of everyone. Across Scotland, 18,781 people have tested positive for the virus, up by 64 from the day before. On August 4, the United Nations (UN) released the secretary-generals policy brief on the impact of Covid-19 on the worlds education system. The policy brief points to the fact that the closure of schools and other learning spaces have impacted 94% of the worlds student population (up to 99% in low and lower-middle income countries). It suggests that despite the delivery of lessons by radio, TV and online, and efforts of teachers and parents, many students still do not have access to education. It highlights how learners with disabilities, those from marginalised communities, displaced and refugee students, and those in remote areas are at highest risk of being left behind. And it warns that the knock-on effects on child nutrition, child marriage and gender equality could be enormous. The cumulative impact of all these on children may lead to a generational catastrophe that could waste human potential, undermine decades of progress, and exacerbate entrenched inequalities. This is not good news for any nation, more so for those in the low and lower-middle income segments such as India. According to Unesco, nearly 321 million Indian children have been at home since March-end. There is no clarity on when schools will reopen. In the last few decades, especially since the enactment of the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009, India has seen a surge in school enrolments and infrastructure development in the primary and secondary segments. But the learning outcomes have not kept pace. The pandemic has now exacerbated this existing challenge. In addition, the extended period of closure means students dont have access to midday meals; and with parental incomes under strain, there could be a spike in drop-out rates, especially among girls. While the focus must be now be ensuring the safety of students, teachers and staff, and putting in place protocols for school reopening, there has to be an extensive assessment of the learning loss and well-thought-out plans to bridge the learning gap, and schemes to retain students. This entails tweaking the syllabus and changing pedagogy. This forced break must also be used to align the sector to the National Education Policy (NEP), which was released last week, especially to its foundational learning goals. Last but not least, governments will have to arrange for funds required for the sector. This will be a challenge post-Covid-19, but starving the education sector of finances will be irresponsible, for it is crucial to meeting Indias development goals and creating an inclusive society. Colorized scanning electron micrograph of a cell (blue) heavily infected with SARS-CoV-2 virus particles (red), isolated from a patient sample. Image captured at the NIAID Integrated Research Facility (IRF) in Fort Detrick, Maryland. Credit: NIAID Researchers at Uppsala University have described the presence, throughout the human body, of the enzyme ACE2. This is thought to be the key protein used by the SARS-CoV-2 virus for host cell entry and development of the disease COVID-19. In contrast to previous studies, the study shows that no or very little ACE2 protein is present in the normal respiratory system. The results are presented in Molecular Systems Biology. The article presents a large-scale, systematic evaluation of angiotensin I converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) expression in more than 150 cell types, at both messenger RNA (mRNA) and protein levels, and reports that ACE2 is expressed only at very low levels, if at all, in respiratory epithelial cells. "Considering the clinical manifestations of COVID-19, with acute respiratory distress syndrome and extensive damage to the lung parenchyma, the results highlight the need for further study of the biological mechanisms responsible for COVID-19 infection and disease progression," says Dr. Cecilia Lindskog, senior author of the paper and Head Director of the Human Protein Atlas tissue team at Uppsala University. A full understanding of susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 infection and its progression to a severe and sometimes deadly disease calls for study of the SARS-CoV-2 entry receptors and their cell-type-specific expression in human tissues, at both mRNA and protein levels. It has been suggested that SARS-CoV-2 employs the enzyme ACE2 for host cell entry, and that penetration of SARS-CoV-2 via this receptor would explain the severe clinical manifestations observed in various tissues and organs, including the respiratory system. The study by Hikmet et al. presents a comprehensive update on ACE2 expression throughout the human body, at both mRNA and protein levels. Consistently high expression was found in the intestines, kidney, gallbladder, heart, male reproductive organs, placenta, eye and vascular system. In the respiratory system, however, expression was limited, and in a subset of cells in a few individuals there was no or only low expression. "Previous studies have indicated that ACE2 protein is highly expressed in the human lung. But these expression profiles have not been reliably presented along with tissues and organs from the entire human body, or based on several different datasets at mRNA and protein levels," Lindskog says. "Here, in contrast to previous studies, we were able to confidently show that no ACE2 protein is present, or that it occurs at only very low levels, in the normal respiratory system." Immunohistochemical analysis of 360 normal lung samples from an extended patient cohort was based on the Human Protein Atlas (HPA) resource. Two different antibodies, which were stringently validated, were used. "The HPA program has devoted considerable efforts to introducing and implementing a new concept for enhanced validation of antibodies, using strategies recommended by the International Working Group for Antibody Validation (IWGAV). Such strategies are crucial for determining whether the antibody staining corresponds to true protein expression," says Professor Mathias Uhlen, Director of the HPA consortium and co-author of the paper. In a News & Views article published along with the ACE2 paper, Nawijn et al. acknowledge the importance of the study and discuss potential explanations for the low expression in the respiratory system. Recent studies suggest that ACE2 could be an interferon-induced gene, leading to upregulation during SARS-CoV-2 infection. It is proposed that ACE2 may first enter and infect eye conjunctiva and cells in the upper airways, and that this is followed by ACE2 upregulation due to the antiviral response, enabling the SARS-CoV-2 to spread and infect the lung parenchyma. It has also been suggested that smoking may increase ACE2 expression in the respiratory system. "Further studies addressing the dynamic regulation of ACE2, and to confirm whether the low ACE2 expression in the human respiratory system is sufficient for SARS-CoV-2 infection or whether other factors are needed for host cell entry, are urgently needed," Lindskog says. Explore further Follow the latest news on the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak More information: Martijn C Nawijn et al. Can ACE 2 expression explain SARS CoV2 infection of the respiratory epithelia in COVID 19?, Molecular Systems Biology (2020). Journal information: Molecular Systems Biology Martijn C Nawijn et al. Can ACE 2 expression explain SARS CoV2 infection of the respiratory epithelia in COVID 19?,(2020). DOI: 10.15252/msb.20209841 Blamed on inadequate BIA Law Enforcement LAME DEER, Montana - Within the past few months, four unsolved murders, several home invasions, the rise of bold drug operations in broad daylight on Cheyenne Avenue (Main Street in Lame Deer); the increased presence of intoxicated persons also hanging out in that area and finally the rise of various groups or gangs of young people who often have public altercations, underscore the point that the Northern Cheyenne Reservation, especially the major community, Lame Deer is dealing with a major increase in crime and lawlessness. Jason Small, Northern Cheyenne Tribal member, state Senator and vice-chair of the Montana Legislative Tribal Relations Committee represents both the Crow and Northern Cheyenne Reservations. He has been researching the problem of inadequate law enforcement, affecting both reservations, and contacted this reporter to share some of his findings. In tandem, on July 24, President Rynalea Pena with the concurrence of the Tribal Council wrote to the three members of the Montana Congressional delegation (Sen. Jon Tester, Sen. Steve Daines and Rep. Gregg Gianforte) requesting a formal inquiry with federal law enforcement regarding deaths of tribal members, including three in 2020 and one in 2018. Today the Northern Cheyenne Tribe submitted this official letter to Senator Steve Daines , Senator Jon Tester and... Posted by Lane Spotted Elk- Northern Cheyenne Tribal Council on Thursday, July 30, 2020 The tribal members who died under suspicious circumstances include: 1) Lonnie Flatness, an elder and retired Marine, violently murdered in his own home; 2) Christy Woodenthigh, a mother of three children who was run over and killed by a vehicle; 3) Kamani Littlebird, allegedly found hanging under suspicious circumstances and 4) in 2018, Henny Scott, age 18 found frozen to death under suspicious circumstances. To date, there have been no investigative results, charges or prosecutions. The suspects remain at-large and these deaths have had a unsettling effect upon the small close-knit reservation community. In its letter the Tribe complains about the lack of information provided to them or to the victims families. Small also expressed frustration about getting information from the Bureau of Indian Affairs. They wont answer me, he said, wanting everything in a Freedom of Information Act request forwarded to the Central Office. Apparently, this applies to the Tribal Government as well. Small was, however, able to ferret out some startling information. Normally with a B.I.A. force of about 12 officers, the Northern Cheyenne Agency is now down to a handful (five or less, including the Area Office which has two officers who can be dispatched daily to areas that are short-handed). The Northern Cheyenne Agency has not been fully staffed since 2013 and Small wants to know where that savings went and if there is a contingency plan. Clara Caufield can be reached at acheyennevoice@gmail.com Copyright permission Native Sun News Today Join the Conversation She is one of the fashion industry's most successful models. And Bella Hadid showed her social media followers some of the ways she passed the time in lockdown as she shared several snaps of herself in dramatic eye makeup. The model, 23, posed for a series of sultry selfies with black, cat-like makeup which she said she took on a day she felt 'completely useless'. Wow: Bella Hadid, 23, showed her social media followers some of the ways she passed the time in lockdown as she shared several snaps of herself in dramatic eye makeup Alongside the snaps, Bella wrote: '500 days of Quarantine. May 19th # made my face a canvas on one of the many days I felt completely useless... will prob delete later, using @diormakeup.' The star showcased her modelling chops as she fixed the camera with a smoldering stare as she posed sitting up in bed. Bella donned a white wrap top with a floral print while she styled her brunette locks into an updo. It comes after Bella recently called for more diversity backstage at fashion shows in an interview with Elle.com. Glamour: The model posed for a series of sultry selfies with black, cat-like makeup which she said she took on a day she felt 'completely useless' She said: 'Going into the next season, my fear is having to see another one of my Black girlfriends get her hair burned by a hair straightener, or do her own makeup because the make-up artist hasn't been trained to work with all different skin types, Bella admitted a number of her black friends still feel unaccepted in the fashion industry despite being hired for their 'individuality'. She continued: 'I hate that some of my Black friends feel the way they do. Even if they're sitting front row, they're not feeling accepted. Bella wrote: '500 days of Quarantine. May 19th # made my face a canvas on one of the many days I felt completely useless... will prob delete later, using @diormakeup' Stunning: The star showcased her modelling chops as she fixed the camera with a smoldering stare as she posed sitting up in bed 'Our industry is supposed to be about expression and individuality, but the reality is that [many people] still discriminate because of exactly [those differences].' Now the brunette beauty is calling for younger generations to stand up for inequality by using her platform to connect to people around the world. She added: 'I have so much responsibility to use my platform for good, especially as I get older. I want young girls and boys to know that it is okay to use your voice and demand justice for what is important to you. Bella joined Ashley Graham and Yara Shahidi to give a look at their lives in quarantine as part of ELLE's first-ever digital issue. In the August issue, Bella poses at her mother Yolanda Hadid's quaint Pennsylvania farm in photos shot by her sister Gigi Hadid. When the Trump administration waived most federal hospital inspections and suspended hospital infection reporting in March during the coronavirus pandemic, patient safety advocates warned it could lead to big increases in hospital-acquired infections. Jumps in infections at two hospitals in New York and St. Louis up to five times higher suggest they may have been right. "Many facilities will take advantage of those waivers" because their infection prevention staff haven't been able to properly monitor patients for serious infections, Kathleen McMullen and her co-authors wrote in a commentary in the American Journal of Infection Control. Controlling the spread of COVID-19 within hospitals, the authors wrote, took up most of infection prevention staffers' time. Marian Hollingsworth, a San Diego-based patient safety advocate, said it's dangerous to relax regulatory oversight, especially during a pandemic. "I think they will know to get away with all kinds of things," Hollingsworth said. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services put a long list of hospital safety requirements, including nonemergency inspections, on hold during the public health emergency declared in March. The state of emergency was extended July 25, but hospitals had to start reporting infections as of June 30 unless they got waivers. A nurse cleans a COVID-19 patient on a ventilator at a Stamford Hospital intensive care unit on April 24 in Stamford, Conn. The hospital opened additional ICUs to deal with the people suffering from the coronavirus pandemic. Some of the tactics used to control the spread of COVID-19, and staffing shortages exacerbated by the disease, may have played a role in the spread of infections, nurses and researchers said. About 99,000 people die each year of infections they contract while hospitalized. Infection is one of the leading causes of preventable hospital deaths. COVID-19 patients who already had weakened immune systems or developed them because of the virus can be more susceptible to bacterial infections, including deadly superbug infections that can't be treated with antibiotics, said infection control expert Lawrence Muscarella. "Continuing to exercise proper infection control practices that prevent superbug infections in todays health care settings is essential to public health," said Muscarella, who runs the blog Discussions in Infection Control and owns a Pennsylvania consulting company focused on health care safety. Story continues Spikes in two types of infections at hospitals in New York, St. Louis Hollingsworth has personal experience with patient safety. In 2018, her husband developed sepsis after surgery. Hollingsworth had seen a nurse put her unwashed hand on an incision after taking off her glove. This week, her husband is having cancer surgery. She won't be allowed to be with him before surgery. "I am told I can have 10 minutes with him after he gets out of surgery, so I hope it's in the room, so I can clean it," she said. "The first thing I'll do is put on gloves and get those super-duper industrial wipes and wipe the bed railings, the call buttons, anything he would touch in there." The authors of the journal article compared infection rates of two hospitals during the COVID-19 pandemic with the previous 15 months. Both facilities had increases in what are known as central line-associated bloodstream infections and catheter-associated urinary tract infections. Central lines are placed in veins to deliver medications; they're known to be paths for organisms that cause infections. The hospitals Mount Sinai Morningside in Manhattan and Christian Hospital and Northwest Healthcare in St. Louis were identified in the article but not connected by name to the infection numbers. Bloodstream infections increased by 420% at the facility identified as "Hospital A" and 327% at "Hospital B." Urinary tract infections rose by 179% at Hospital A and 57% at Hospital B. Surgical site infections were expected to drop because of the cutback in elective surgeries, the article said. Both hospitals had decreases in infections of drug-resistant organisms such as C. difficile, which attacks the intestinal system. The increases could be due to the fact that only the sickest patients went to hospitals when most of the country was ordered to stay home, the authors wrote. They could also be tied to the difficulty of keeping catheters in place when flipping intubated COVID-19 patients onto their stomachs, which is done to get more oxygen to the lungs. Or, they wrote, the blame may lie with infection control personnel being diverted to prevent the spread of the coronavirus within hospitals. The lack of regulatory oversight could play a role, Muscarella said. The suspension of "certain nonemergency state survey inspections to focus more on COVID caused me to ask whether other safety issues, particularly the spread of superbugs, might not receive the needed attention, which could possibly contribute to an increased risk of infections," he said. Patient says she wasn't bathed In Asheville, North Carolina, Karen Ball was rushed to Mission Hospital on May 2 after a heart attack. She wound up having four surgeries and two heart catheterizations. After she came home the second time, Ball developed a 103.8-degree fever and a swollen leg that the hospital said was probably gout. When milky white fluid was removed from her knee and tested, the diagnosis was "systemic infection post-catheterization." Ball said that wasn't a surprise because she was never bathed or wiped down during her last stay from May 28 to June 4 until she finally asked for soap and water and got wipes. Karen Ball's friend took her on a rare trip outside her house to a river. She had a heart attack May 2 that led to two surgeries and a blood infection from a catheter, according to hospital records. "I believe my infection was caused by the unsanitary conditions," Ball said. "I was not offered a bath nor did I see anyone come in to mop the floors during any of my admissions. "It really upsets me," she said, "to think a hospital doesn't take the precautions to keep their patients from getting infections after surgery." Mission Health spokeswoman Nancy Tindell said bathing with antiseptic wipes is "typically done daily," but she couldn't comment on specific patients. She noted the hospital has a five-star rating from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. The Leapfrog Group, which is more specific about infections, gave the hospital a B grade but ranked it below average for bloodstream, clostridium difficile (or c. diff.) and surgical site infections. It was ranked above average for urinary tract infections and antibiotic-resistant staph. Were relaxed rules a 'godsend'? In March, when Seema Verma, administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, announced "regulatory flexibilities" during COVID-19, she said they "will be a godsend for those on the front lines of the fight against this new virus. Infections have to be reported every quarter. Hospitals that accept Medicare patients have to be inspected every three years. Almost 157,000 people in the USA have died of COVID-19, many at hospitals. Sorting out which may have had infections, including sepsis or other antibiotic-resistant superbugs, is difficult because COVID-19 is considered the cause of death for many people who die after testing positive for the disease, Muscarella said. Medical bias: From pain pills to COVID-19, racial discrimination in health care festers Researchers at the hospital infection program at Virginia Commonwealth University Health System did an informal Twitter poll of people in the infection prevention and epidemiology communities in April and published the results in the journal Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology. Of 220 respondents, 79% said they spent more than three-quarters of their time on COVID-19. The impact on traditional infection surveillance and prevention is "concerning," the authors wrote. Experts said stepped-up safety precautions for COVID-19, such as face shields, multiple masks, gowns and other protective clothing, may have reduced the spread of other infections. There are downsides, too. Given the amount of protective equipment staff must wear to go into patients' rooms, nurses may enter less frequently to monitor patients, said Cindy Barnard, vice president of quality for Northwestern Memorial HealthCare, which has 10 hospitals in and around Chicago. The authors of the Infection Control article raised that issue as well, saying nurses are asked to do several tasks on each visit to patients' rooms, so they can conserve protective equipment. That could cause nurses to rush through important tasks, they wrote. A floral arrangement outside Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami expresses the determination to weather a rapid rise in coronavirus cases in Florida. "If an infection is not found early enough, it can lead to sepsis and even death," said Barbara Murray, a former nurse at St. Petersburg General Hospital in Florida. "Thats why you want to be around them, in case they are becoming lethargic, you can find what are sometimes subtle signs earlier." Murray said she was fired in July after she raised concerns about what she thought was an unsafe nurse-to-patient ratio on her shift seven patients to one nurse and because of her support for a nurses union. Tammy Robiconti, a spokeswoman for parent company HCA Healthcare, said St. Petersburg General Hospital brought in additional staff from outside the area, including nurses from the state and the Federal Emergency Management Agency. She did not comment on Murray's departure. "We are grateful for our caregivers and the outstanding job they are doing as we continue to keep our hospitals open and safe," Robiconti said. At the Northwestern hospital system, Barnard said all identified infections are investigated. Controlling infections for COVID-19 patients is harder, she said, because they're hospitalized for much longer than other patients. They are often too sick to be mobile, so catheters and other lines are in place longer. "There is certainly a possibility people are being inattentive to basic infection control, but it's also possible we're seeing a lot of unknowns at once. Just like with COVID-19, we are still learning," Barnard said. "It's possible we may need to integrate the basics with treatment in new ways." How to prevent hospital infections Will Overfelt's father died of cancer at Mission Hospital in February, before the coronavirus was a known threat in the USA. He said his father wasn't bathed at all during a two-week stay. Overfelt started a Facebook group called Mission Maladies in March to see if others had similar experiences. He said he expected about 10 people to join; he's attracted 9,300. Patients need to be repositioned every two hours to prevent ulcers on the skin, said physician Kevin Kavanagh, founder of patient advocacy group Health Watch USA. Doing so will show staff when patients have soiled their beds, he said. Daily bathing is necessary to prevent hospital infections, given "the dangerous pathogens and compromised patients," Kavanagh said, but bathing takes so many workers that short-staffed facilities too often don't do it. At Northside Hospital, another HCA hospital in St. Petersburg, nurse Tania Lamb said only one nurse was scheduled to work the entire 28-bed emergency department the night of July 27. Lamb, the National Nurses United representative for the hospital, worked Sunday night and said she saw the staffing sheets. Debra Armstrong, the nurse on duty the night of July 27, said she had about six COVID-19 patients and three alerts of likely sepsis within an hour. 'I'm smiling under here': Masks, plexiglass and questions the norm as hospitals lure patients back in COVID-19 era "A lot of these patients are very susceptible to becoming septic," Armstrong said. "You're trying to keep these patients from becoming more ill and going into septic shock. With resources as thin as they are, how do you prioritize?" Robiconti said Northside brought in additional staff. Overfelt said his father's treatment would have been worse if he had been hospitalized a few weeks later, at the height of the first wave of COVID-19 cases. His family was at the hospital nearly around the clock trying to make sure his father was bathed and got pain medication. Overfelt said he doesn't blame the nurses: "They can't do what they're being asked to do." O'Donnell can be found on Twitter and Facebook @JayneODonnell. She can be reached at jodonnell@usatoday.com This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Some hospital infections up as feds waived safety oversight, reporting Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-05 12:45:28|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close MANILA, Aug. 5 (Xinhua) -- The Chinese mainland contributed the biggest share in the Philippines' total external trade in goods in June 2020, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) said on Wednesday. In a report, the PSA said the country's total external trade in goods in June 2020 shrank at an annual rate of 19.9 percent at 11.97 billion U.S. dollars. "This was lower than its previous month's annual drop of 35.3 percent but faster than its rate of decrease in June 2019 of 2.9 percent," the PSA said. Of the total external trade, the PSA said 55.4 percent were imported goods and the rest were exported goods. The PSA said the balance of trade in goods (BoT-G), or the difference between the value of export and import for June 2020 declined 1.30 billion U.S. dollars, representing a trade deficit with an annual decline of 50.6 percent. In the previous month, the PSA said trade deficit fell at a faster rate of 63.8 percent and was slower at 25.8 percent in June a year ago. "The annual drop in June 2020 was the fourth month that total exports had consecutive negative growth," the PSA report read. In the previous month, the export value fell at an annual rate of 26.9 percent while gained at a rate of 3.9 percent in June 2019. According to the PSA, the Chinese mainland contributed the highest export value. By major trading partner, the PSA said exports to the Chinese mainland comprised the highest value amounting to 891.58 million U.S. dollars or 16.7 percent during the month. Exports increased by 2.8 percent, from 867.28 million U.S. dollars in June 2019. Completing the top five major export trading partners were Japan with an export value of 807.05 million U.S. dollars or 15.1 percent; the United States, 768.66 million U.S. dollars or 14.4 percent; China's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, 761.72 million U.S. dollars or 14.3 percent; and Singapore, 319.89 million U.S. dollars or 6.0 percent. The PSA said the total imported goods in June 2020, which amounted to 6.63 billion U.S. dollars, plunged at an annual rate of 24.5 percent. In the previous month, the decline was faster at 40.6 percent while in June 2019, imports decreased by 7.2 percent annually. The the decline of imported goods in June 2020 was due to the decrease in seven out of the top 10 major import commodities. Enditem Market soundings, as defined in the EU Market Abuse Regulation (MAR), were taken in respect of the Fundraise with the result that certain persons became aware of inside information, as permitted by MAR. That inside information is set out in this announcement and has been disclosed as soon as possible in accordance with paragraph 7 of article 17 of MAR. Therefore, those persons that received inside information in a market sounding are no longer in possession of inside information relating to the Company and its securities. 5 August 2020 MediaZest Plc ("MediaZest", the "Company" or the "Group"; AIM: MDZ) Fundraising of 150,000 via Convertible Loan Notes MediaZest (AIM: MDZ), the creative audio-visual company, announces that it has raised 150,000 (before expenses) via the issue of unsecured convertible loan notes (the "CLNs") to new and existing investors (the "Fundraise"). The CLNs have a maturity date of 5 August 2023 (the "Maturity Date") and can be converted into ordinary shares of 0.01p in MediaZest ("Ordinary Shares"). The net proceeds of the Fundraise will provide the Group with additional working capital. CLN Terms The terms of the CLNs are as follows: 3-year CLN (the "Term"), with interest of 7% per annum, payable quarterly in arrears; MediaZest will make a bullet repayment to each investor at the end of the Term if the CLN (in whole or in part) remains unconverted; The Company may repay in full the CLN at any time, including accumulated interest on a pro-rata basis; Each investor can convert the CLNs (in whole or in part) into new Ordinary Shares in MediaZest by serving written notice 14 days after each annual anniversary during the Term; The CLN conversion rate will be calculated by dividing the principal amount of the CLN by the mid-market price of the Ordinary Shares, on the last business day before the relevant anniversary date of the CLN, less a discount of 10%; and If the CLN is repaid at the end of the Term then warrants over new Ordinary Shares will be granted to each investor (the "Warrants"). The number of Warrants granted will be calculated by dividing a sum equal to 10% of the principal amount of the CLN by the mid-market price of the shares in MDZ at on the last business day before the closing of the CLN. The Warrants' exercise price will be the mid-market price of the shares in MDZ on the last business day before the closing of the CLN and the Warrants will expire 12 months from the date of grant. Geoff Robertson, MediaZest's CEO said: "We are delighted to announce the Fundraise at a difficult time for all businesses and we're grateful for the continuing support of shareholders as we move out of the UK lockdown period and seek to build on the Group's encouraging performance in the run up to the Covid-19 outbreak." Further Information and Related Party Transaction Certain existing shareholders have subscribed for CLNs as part of the Fundraise. City and Claremont Capital Assets Ltd ("CCCAL") is a substantial shareholder in the Company and has subscribed for 100,000 of CLNs pursuant to the Fundraise (the "CCCAL Subscription"). The CCCAL Subscription therefore constitutes a related party transaction in accordance with AIM Rule 13 of the AIM Rules for Companies. The Directors who are all considered to be independent Directors for these purposes, having consulted with the Company's nominated adviser, SP Angel Corporate Finance LLP, consider the terms of the CCCAL Subscription to be fair and reasonable insofar as the Company's shareholders are concerned. Enquiries: Geoff Robertson Chief Executive Officer MediaZest Plc 0845 207 9378 David Hignell/Soltan Tagiev Nominated Adviser SP Angel Corporate Finance LLP 020 3470 0470 Claire Noyce Broker Hybridan LLP 020 3764 2341 Notes to Editors: About MediaZest MediaZest is a creative audio-visual systems integrator that specialises in providing innovative marketing solutions to leading retailers, brand owners and corporations, but also works in the public sector in both the NHS and Education markets. The Group supplies an integrated service from content creation and system design to installation, technical support, and maintenance. MediaZest was admitted to the London Stock Exchange's AIM market in February 2005. For more information, please visit www.mediazest.com Outsourcers integrate advanced analytics, artificial intelligence, and machine learning to improve the customer journey and agent experience, finds Frost & Sullivan SANTA CLARA, California, Aug. 5, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Frost & Sullivan's recent analysis, European Customer Experience Outsourcing Services Market, 2020, reveals that outsourcers are increasingly relying on advanced technologies to meet client requirements in the customer experience (CX) outsourcing services industry. The European market is mature and characterized by demands for specific languages, cultural affinity, and nearshoring. COVID-19 has adversely affected the industry in 2020 and Frost & Sullivan expects total market revenue to reach 16.23 billion, a 7.5% decline. Outsourcers, however, display exceptional agility and flexibility when meeting the business continuity challenge. Assuming a reversal of fortune in the next 3 to 4 months, Frost & Sullivan expectsthe market to recover to 20.03 billion by 2024. To stay relevant in the rapidly evolving market, outsourcers must develop new tools to address digitally native customers, cybersecurity challenges, and business continuity as a service. For further information on this analysis, please visit: http://frost.ly/49w "By integrating advanced analytics, artificial intelligence, and machine learning, outsourcers transform the customer journey. Offering customized, automated, and self-service solutions, outsourcers have moved beyond cost and labor arbitrage to instead focus on seamless, omni-channel, value-added experiences," said Deepali Sathe, Information & Communication Technologies Senior Industry Analyst at Frost & Sullivan. "Customers have evolved and expect intelligent interactions and immediate responses. True partnerships developing between clients and outsourcers will enhance the agent experience, mitigate complexity, and encourage empathy." Leonardo Sampieri, Information & Communication Technologies Industry Analyst at Frost & Sullivan, added, "Sectors such as telecom, banking, financial services, and insurance (BFSI), and travel and hospitality will see the most changes and will need service providers to help them drive a digital transformation in CX. Healthcare is an area of fast growth, and with COVID-19, the vertical is expected to see rapid growth across Europe that significantly affects outsourcers." Some of the other areas of focus that can help outsourcers gain competitive advantage are: Cybersecurity and customer trust: European customers in particular are more concerned about data privacy. To enhance CX, companies need to strike a balance between user friendliness and effectiveness. European customers in particular are more concerned about data privacy. To enhance CX, companies need to strike a balance between user friendliness and effectiveness. Personalization : Utilize technology and expertise to enhance CX outcomes with customization. CX reflects the effectiveness of operational excellence and outsourcers must integrate technologies that enable better management of customer sentiments . : Utilize technology and expertise to enhance CX outcomes with customization. CX reflects the effectiveness of operational excellence and outsourcers must integrate technologies that enable better management of . Partnerships : Focus heavily on partnering and expanding the ecosystem. Thinking beyond products and services to identify other important parameters to differentiate in a rapidly commoditizing market will require a flexible and innovative strategy. : Focus heavily on and expanding the ecosystem. Thinking beyond products and services to identify other important parameters to differentiate in a rapidly commoditizing market will require a flexible and innovative strategy. Portfolio diversification: Outsourcers that cater to the diverse requirements of specific verticals will enjoy immense growth prospects, as it adds another dimension to the overall value proposition and extends ease of deployment. European Customer Experience Outsourcing Services Market, 2020 is the latest addition to Frost & Sullivan's Information & Communication Technologies research and analysis available through the Frost & Sullivan Leadership Council, which helps organizations identify a continuous flow of growth opportunities to succeed in an unpredictable future. About Frost & Sullivan For over five decades, Frost & Sullivan has become world-renowned for its role in helping investors, corporate leaders, and governments navigate economic changes and identify disruptive technologies, Mega Trends, new business models, and companies to action. This results in a continuous flow of growth opportunities to drive future success. Contact us: Start the discussion. European Customer Experience Outsourcing Services Market, 2020 K473-65 Media Contact: Srihari Daivanayagam Corporate Communications M: +91 9742676194; P: +91 44 6681 4412 E: srihari.daivanayagam@frost.com A woman has been fined $1,652 after travelling more than 5km from her Melbourne home to buy makeup. The woman was one of 155 people fined for breaching lockdown restrictions in Victoria in the past 24 hours. Three people were fined on Tuesday after drinking together in Docklands between 5.30pm and 8.50pm. They were breaking the newly imposed 8pm curfew and leaving their homes for something other than the four mandated reasons. Victorians continue to break strict stage 4 lockdown rules after 155 people were handed $1,652 fines in the last 24 hours. Pictured: Empty street in Melbourne during curfew Melbourne has been in stage-four lockdown since Sunday with schools shut, weddings banned, and citizens restricted to within a 5km radius of their homes. Pictured: Police ensuring compliance in Victoria These include leaving home for work or study, shopping for food, exercise and seeking medical help. Another man was shopping for clothes more than 30km away from his home in Mernda. While a group of youngsters were arrested for drinking in a shopping centre carpark while not wearing masks. One man was fined after he walked to a petrol station in Maribyrnong to buy food at 4am. Police arrested a man for breaching directions at a shopping centre in Geelong on Tuesday after he was allegedly found behaving erratically at 10.30am. Officers allegedly spoke to the 36-year-old man, who was not wearing a mask, before he was arrested. The man appeared in Geelong Magistrates' Court on Wednesday. Victoria reported 15 deaths and 725 new cases of coronavirus on Wednesday its highest total ever. Melbourne has been in stage-four lockdown since Sunday with schools shut, weddings banned, and citizens restricted to within a 5km radius of their homes. Between 8pm and 5am, residents are only allowed to leave their house for work and essential health, care or safety reasons. Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews introduced a new fine on Tuesday of $4,957 for people who break quarantine orders. One man was shopping for clothes more than 30km away in Airport West despite living in Mernda Wearing a face mask is also mandatory in Victoria and failure to comply is punishable with a $200 on-the-spot fine. Pictured: People following rules in Victoria Mr Andrews said the infringement is the 'largest on-the-spot fine on the statute books in Victoria'. He was forced to bring in the extreme penalty because a number of Victorians were failing to self-isolate when required. 'Ultimately a $5,000 on-the-spot fine and that will be particularly for those who breach their isolation orders,' Mr Andrews said. 'If you are supposed to be at home and you are not, then you face the prospect of a fine of up to $5,000.' Mr Andrews said Victorians who continue to break the rules could be taken to court and fined up to $20,000. Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews (pictured) introduced a new fine on Tuesday of $4,957 for people who break quarantine orders 'If there were repeat breaches, if there were particularly selfish behaviour like, for instance, going to work when you had the virus, then there is the alternative pathway and that is, of course, taking you to the Magistrates Court,' he said. 'The maximum penalty that can be applied to you is $20,000. 'We don't want it to come to that. We want people to be where they are supposed to be.' Victorians already face $1,652 fines for refusing or failing to comply with the public health order. Wearing a face mask is also mandatory in Victoria and failure to comply is punishable with a $200 on-the-spot fine. The Hamilton County Health Department continues to limit all regular services in order to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic, yet wants to make the public aware of the services they can still receive.This limitation is temporary and we apologize for any inconvenience this may cause, said Health Department Administrator Becky Barnes, We hope our residents understand that slowing the spread of COVID-19 in our county remains our top priority.Below is a list of Health Department programs that continue to operate amid the pandemic.Call the telephone number first to make an appointment. Vital records (includes Birth/Death Certificates and Cremation Permits): Walk-in service suspended, call 423-209-8025. WIC: WIC services continue to be provided by phone, 423-209-8050. WIC Breastfeeding Support: 423-209-8220. Immunizations limited basis, by appointment only at 3rd Street: 423-209-8050. Sexually Transmitted Infection Testing and Treatment: 423-209-8250. Tuberculosis Control Activities: 423-209-8030. Family Planning Services: Some services are still being provided, but please call first 423-209-8350. Dental: Emergencies only 423-209-8100. Environmental Health Services: Regular Restaurant Inspections, Foodborne Outbreak Response, and Rabies Testing 423-209-8110. Medical Records (includes Immunization Records): 423-209-8209. Homeless Healthcare Center: Primary Care, Sick Care, and Dental Emergencies 423-209-5800. Primary Care Patients at Birchwood and Sequoyah Clinics: By appointment only, call 423-209-5490. Community Health Access and Navigation in Tennessee (CHANT): taking referrals, no outreach services, delivery of essential items as needed. Call 423-209-8080. Parents As First Teachers (PAFT) - Home visiting for prenatal and postpartum families focusing on parenting, child development, family health and wellness, school readiness, screenings and referrals for additional needed services: taking referrals, no outreach services, yard visits for delivery items only, no group connection meetings. Call 423-209-8298. Ryan White (HIV) - Provides eligibility, social support, and resources to those living with HIV/AIDS in Hamilton County: open with scheduled office visits. Call 423-209-8272. Community Assistance program - Emergency Assistance Program aims to prevent homeless by providing temporary assistance to Hamilton County residents experiencing a financial crisis: open with scheduled office visits. Call 423-209-8375. Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention: open, no home visits at this time, pediatric testing of Suspected Elevated Blood Lead Levels (EBLLs) is through the Health Department clinic, no outreach. Call 423-209-8080. Infant Mortality Reduction program: open, pack-and-plays are scheduled for Wednesday pick-ups. Call 423-209-8080. Baby and Me Tobacco Free - a smoking cessation program created to reduce the use of tobacco products among women during the prenatal and postpartum period: virtual appointments only. Call 423-209-8141.The following programs remain temporarily closed: Health Department Satellite Clinics: Ooltewah clinic. Preventive Dental Services Well Child Physical Exams Car Seat ProgramThe Health Department appreciates the communitys patience and understanding during the COVID-19 pandemic response.Current services will be updated regularly on the Health Departments essential services webpage.A calendar of COVID-19 testing sites is available on the Health Departments testing webpage.Visit these additional Health Department COVID-19 resources: COVID-19 hotline: (423) 209-8383 English Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/HamiltonTNHealthDept/ Spanish Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/SaludHamiltonTN/ YouTube English: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCkF8VUBQFLiJoxh8Sk10mA YouTube Spanish: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwHuLpBFuLOf6hDTOCFbfyQ Website: http://health.hamiltontn.org/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/HamiltonHealth "Dealers have told us that they want a tighter connection between vAuto and Manheim, and these two integrations are great examples of how we're acting on that feedback and helping dealers better manage their inventory," said Zach Hallowell, vice president of Manheim Digital. "vAuto and Manheim offer powerful inventory management tools and bringing them closer together delivers on the promise of Cox Automotive for our clients." More details on these integrations follow: Request a Manheim Express Concierge Specialist from Provision Since March 1st, over 120,000 used car trade-ins from vAuto's Provision have been listed in the Manheim marketplace. Now, with the ability to request a Manheim Express Concierge specialist right from the Provision platform, dealers can more quickly have their inventory listed by a Manheim specialist while staying focused on other critical aspects of their businesses. On the Provision Gauge Page, clients can now click to request a Manheim Express Concierge specialist. The Concierge team will promptly follow up and schedule a time for a trained specialist to visit the dealership, conduct thorough vehicle inspections and list vehicles using the advanced listing tools in Manheim Express. In addition to the typical Manheim Express capture features, including exterior 360s of the vehicle, engine audio/video clips and detailed condition information, listings conducted by a Concierge specialist offer the bonuses of having an inspection grade, OBD2 readings, undercarriage video and interior 360 imaging. Plus, Concierge specialists serve as advisors, consulting on a dealer's overall remarketing strategy and recommending vehicle values. This integration comes on the heels of the first touchpoint between Manheim Express and Provision, announced in 2019, which enabled dealers to more quickly send a vehicle to Manheim Express from the Provision app. vAuto Data Integrated into Manheim.com Recommendations No doubt, stocking the right inventory is key to used vehicle profitability, and vAuto Stockwave and Provision clients rely on those tools' insights to make critical inventory acquisition decisions. Now, clients who use those platforms will see their business plans incorporated into the existing vehicle recommendations on Manheim.com, with the overlay of the vAuto Stocking Grade and Strategy Action appearing in the recommendations carousel. Vehicle recommendations, launched in 2020 with the new Manheim.com, are based on dealer's one-of-a-kind search and purchase history. These personalized suggestions are driven by M LOGIC technology, a suite of advanced decisioning products from Manheim that bring the power of Cox Automotive data to the remarketing industry. Having vAuto data available on Manheim.com recommended vehicles helps dealers make faster, more informed decisions. The data is refreshed twice per day, so clients always have the latest information at their fingertips. "vAuto has long been focused on giving our clients the live market insights they need to make more profitable decisions when buying and selling inventory," added Randy Kobat, vice president, Inventory Management Solutions at Cox Automotive. "With these two new touchpoints between vAuto and Manheim, we are making it easier for clients to turn insights into actions that will keep their businesses moving forward." Clients interested in learning more can visit vAuto.com, Manheim.com, or reach out to their respective reps or performance managers. About Manheim Manheim, the nation's leading provider of end-to-end wholesale vehicle solutions, is celebrating 75 years as an industry innovator, driving success for clients, the company, its employees and the industry. The dream of five men who auctioned off a handful of cars in 1945 from a single-lane location in Manheim, Pennsylvania launched a company that today offers 7 million used vehicles annually and facilitates transactions representing nearly $67 billion in value with the grit and determination of our team members. Through its physical, mobile and digital sales network, Manheim offers services for decisioning, buying and selling, floor planning, logistics, assurance and reconditioning. Operating the largest vehicle wholesale marketplace, Manheim enables clients more efficient ways to connect and transact business how and when they want. Headquartered in Atlanta, Manheim is a Cox Automotive brand. For more information, visit http://press.manheim.com About vAuto vAuto provides innovative technology, tools and business intelligence to thousands of dealerships across the United States and Canada, helping them compete more effectively and increase new/used vehicle sales volumes and profits. Founded in 2005, vAuto revolutionized dealers' used vehicle operations with the groundbreaking Provision suite of tools. Leveraging The Velocity Method of Management, pioneered by vAuto founder, Dale Pollak, Provision helped dealers adopt a more transparent and turn-focused approach to used vehicle acquisition, appraising, pricing and merchandising based on real-time, local market supply-and-demand data. In 2018, vAuto released the Provision ProfitTime metric and methodology to help dealers maximize inventory turn and gross profit based on the investment value or profit potential of each vehicle. The same year, the company expanded its integrations with Cox Automotive's HomeNet unit and acquired iRecon, an online reconditioning workflow platform. The moves extend vAuto's efficiency-focused used vehicle management solutions into vehicle merchandising and reconditioning. vAuto's solutions also include Conquest, a new vehicle inventory management and pricing system, and Stockwave, which enables dealers to efficiently find and purchase vehicles from leading wholesale sources via a single platform. Headquartered near Chicago, Illinois, vAuto is a Cox Automotive brand. SOURCE vAuto; Manheim Related Links http://www.Manheim.com President Donald Trump signed legislation Tuesday that will devote nearly $3 billion a year to conservation projects, outdoor recreation and maintenance of national parks and other public lands following its overwhelming approval by both parties in Congress. There hasnt been anything like this since Teddy Roosevelt, I suspect, Trump said, citing the 26th president, an environmentalist who created many national parks, forests and monuments that millions of Americans flock to each year. Supporters say the Great American Outdoors Act is the most significant conservation legislation enacted in nearly half a century. Opponents countered that the money isn't enough to cover the estimated $20 billion maintenance backlog on federally owned lands. The Great American Outdoors Act requires full, permanent funding of the popular Land and Water Conservation Fund and addresses the maintenance backlog facing national parks and public lands. The law would spend about $900 million a year double current spending on the conservation fund and another $1.9 billion per year on improvements at national parks, forests, wildlife refuges and range lands. Washington: Donald Trump is unlikely to insert himself in resolving Kashmir issue between India and Pakistan as the US President-elect has signaled his interest in deepening ties with India, a top American expert has said. It is highly doubtful that Trump administration will consider inserting itself into the volatile Indo-Pakistani dispute, especially when Trump has signaled his interest in prioritising deepening ties with India, Lisa Curtis of The Heritage Foundation said in an op-ed in The Daily Signal. Indeed, if there is any useful role the US can play in tamping down tensions between the two nuclear-armed rivals, it is to press Pakistan to crackdown on anti-India militants that operate freely in Pakistani territory, Curtis said. In her op-ed, Curtis said concerns are being raised about the US President-elect Donald Trumps phone conversation with Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and what it might mean for his policies toward the subcontinent. Pakistan in a statement said that Trump during a telephonic conversation with Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif offered to play any role in helping Pakistan address its outstanding issues, which it claimed was a reference to Kashmir issue. These comments, however, should merely be seen as friendly banter that could have been made to almost any foreign leader, Curtis said. It is not surprising that Pakistani leaders would take advantage of a polite and warm exchange to push their agenda of bringing international attention to the Indo-Pak conflict in Kashmir, Curtis wrote. Observing that the US handling of India-Pakistan relations is a delicate matter, she said it is important for US officials to avoid the mediation trap and any illusion that the US itself can resolve this nearly 70-year-old dispute. Referring to the series of attacks against Indian Army bases, Curtis said the Uri attack demonstrates Pakistan?s willingness to up the ante in order to draw international attention to Kashmir at a time when civil protests had been wracking the region. The US must demonstrate that such Pakistani behaviour is unacceptable and will have consequences, Curtis said. For all the Latest World News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Asmara Nationals inside the country and abroad contributed over 700 thousand Nakfa to bolster the National Fund to combat the COVID-19 pandemic. According to the report from the Ministry of Health, employees of Trans Horn Transportation Company contributed 668 thousand and 977 Nakfa, employees of Strategic Research Center 7 thousand and 39 Nakfa, St. Mary cooperative association in Keren 5 thousand Nakfa and other small businesses and individuals in the Central region 25 thousand and 400 Nakfa. In related news, according to the Eritrean Embassy in Kuwait, the National Union of Eritrean Women branch contributed additional 600 Dinar. A man who raped a dog walker at night in a suburban Melbourne park will spend at least six years behind bars. Tradie Tyler Skerry, 23, on Wednesday faced Judge Rosemary Carlin via video link at the Victorian County Court, where he was sentenced to 10 years and one month in prison, with a non-parole period of six years. He made an early guilty plea to digitally raping a woman, then aged 32, and stealing her phone at Mayer Park in Thornbury last October. Tyler Skerry, 23, on Wednesday faced Judge Rosemary Carlin via video link at the Victorian County Court, where he was sentenced to 10 years and one month in prison, with a non-parole period of six years Judge Carlin said his actions would strike fear 'in the hearts of women everywhere'. 'Women should be able to walk at night without fear of being randomly attacked by a stranger,' she said. 'Rape is a serious offence. It is a deeply personal crime which at the very least involves the violation of a person's body and autonomy.' Skerry, then 22, pretended to have lost his wallet and asked the woman for help before turning a four-inch kitchen knife on her and pulling her to the ground where he digitally raped her. The woman, the court heard, told Skerry 'it's going to f***ing hurt when I stab you,' before she managed to take the weapon off him. She then stabbed the Kensington man in the thigh, grabbed her dog and hailed a car from the road while still carrying the knife. Skerry made an early guilty plea to digitally raping a woman, then aged 32, and stealing her phone at Mayer Park in Thornbury last October But she left her phone, bank card and driver's licence behind. Skerry sold the woman's phone the following day before handing himself in at a police station. Judge Carlin said while the woman was not exposed to the risk of being impregnated or exposed to an STI, the incident was only ended through her own 'courage and tenacity'. She said the rape had a 'profound and long-lasting effect' on the woman. Skerry has already served 289 days behind bars, which Judge Carlin said would be deducted from his sentence. Billy Graham statue closer to replacing segregationist NC gov. in US Capitol Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment A statue of the famed evangelist the Rev. Billy Graham is one step closer to being installed at the U.S. Capitol to replacing that of a former North Carolina governor who was a racial segregationist. North Carolinas Statuary Hall Selection Committee unanimously approved a model of the late evangelist last week, with its official approval pending a vote from a congressional committee. The approved statue design was by Chas Fagan, who has created multiple notable sculptures including former President Ronald Reagan in the Capitol, The Charlotte Observer reported. If approved, Graham will replace a statue of Charles Aycock, a former governor of North Carolina whose statue has been represented at the Capitol since 1932. A lawyer by profession, Aycock was elected governor of North Carolina in 1900 and served until 1905. He died in 1912 while campaigning to become a U.S. senator. Although Aycock was known for his support of education reform, he also advanced white supremacist agenda items such as racial segregation and black voter disenfranchisement. The National Statuary Hall Collection in the U.S. Capitol Building has 100 statues, two from each state meant to honor notable figures. Last month, the U.S. House Appropriations Committee announced the draft fiscal year 2021 funding bill, which called for removing the statue of Aycock and others from the Capitol. The bill includes language directing the Architect of the Capitol to remove statues or busts in the U.S. Capitol that represent figures who participated in the Confederate Army or government, as well as the statues of individuals with unambiguous records of racial intolerance, stated the committee in July. The Architect is instructed to work with the States who contributed Confederate statues to return them to the donor State. Efforts to add a statue of Graham to the Capitol to replace Aycock go at least as far back as 2015, when North Carolina lawmakers first passed a bill calling for the replacement. We are talking about someone who has affected positively millions and millions of Americans and people around the world, said state Rep. John Blust, who supported the legislation, in 2015. What more could you want out of someone to represent our state in the United States Capitol? The effort in support of the Graham statue gained more traction in 2018, following the death of the famed evangelist several months before his 100th birthday. If approved, Graham would not be the only clergyman honored in the Capitol. One of Hawaiis two statues is that of Father Damien, a 19th century Catholic missionary who ministered to lepers. Primary elections on Tuesday in fives states see crowded fields of both Republicans and Democrats hoping to make the ballot in 2020. What to watch: Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.) is "fighting for her political life" in a tight primary race against Detroit City Council President Brenda Jones, who Tlaib beat by 900 votes in 2018, The New York Times writes. Senate Republicans are also watching the primary race in Kansas to see who could replace retiring Republican Sen. Pat Roberts. Races to watch In Michigan, both the Democratic and GOP primaries are worth watching as Tlaib finds herself in a rematch against Jones and Rep. Justin Amash's retirement leaves his seat up for grabs. Tlaib, one of the first Muslim women elected to Congress, has built a national profile as a part of "The Squad." She has also drawn attention for being vocal against President Trump and called for his impeachment. However, her critics say it takes away from her ability to serve her district one of the poorest in the U.S. Five Republicans are vying for Amash's seat while former Democratic Department of Justice attorney Hillary Scholten is running unopposed. Amash's district typically leans right, but Democrats have their eyes on the suburban area and hope to claim it in November, per NPR. In Kansas, nearly a dozen Republicans are competing to take longtime Sen. Pat Roberts' spot in November's general election. Kansas hasn't seen a Democratic senator since 1932, NPR reports. Roberts' retirement comes at a sensitive time for the GOP, as the party hopes to keep his seat red. Out of several candidates, the most notable are Rep. Roger Marshall, former Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach and businessman Bob Hamilton. Worth noting: Republicans worry that if Kobach, a polarizing conservative, wins Tuesday's primary, it could put the GOP's hold on the Kansas seat in jeopardy come November, NBC notes. In Missouri, Democratic incumbent Rep. William Lacy Clay, who has been in office for nearly 20 years, will face off against progressive nurse and activist Cori Bush. This rematch comes after Clay beat Bush in 2018. However, Bush's profile has since risen, after she was featured in the Netflix documentary "Knock the House Down," NPR writes. Bush has been endorsed by Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.). In Arizona, a primary in a Republican-leaning district has become competitive after the House passed an ethics resolution against Republican incumbent Rep. David Schweikert for violating congressional and campaign finance rules, per the Tucson Sentinel. Four Democrats are competing for the chance to face off against Schweikert: Karl Gentles, Anita Malik, Stephanie Rimmer and Hiral Tipirneni. Malik previously lost to Schweikert in 2018. In Washington state, Democratic Rep. Denny Heck's retirement incited a 19-candidate primary race, according to The Seattle Times. Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Wang Wenbin's Regular Press Conference on August 4, 2020 Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the People's Republic of China The Chinese government has decided to send a medical expert team to Azerbaijan to help it fight COVID-19. This medical expert team, organized by the National Health Commission and selected by the Sichuan Provincial Health commission, has left for Azerbaijan on August 4. AFP: France yesterday said that it is halting ratification of an extradition treaty with Hong Kong because the new national security law has undermined Hong Kong's high degree of autonomy and fundamental freedoms. So does China have any response to that? Wang Wenbin: France's erroneous remarks and action concerning Hong Kong constitutes interference in China's internal affairs, which China is firmly opposed to. The Law on Safeguarding National Security in the Hong Kong SAR is not only fully in line with the principle of "one country, two systems", but also will ensure its stable and long-term implementation. It is simply not tenable to say that it violates the "one country, two systems" and undermines Hong Kong's high degree of autonomy and fundamental freedoms. CCTV: India's External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar said in an interview on August 2 that India-China relations have important implications not only for the two countries but also for the world. Both sides must have an accurate understanding of each other's concerns and interests. The basis for the China policies adopted by successive Indian governments is that India and China have gradually normalized bilateral relations while maintaining peace and tranquility in the border areas. The situation on the border and bilateral relations with China cannot be viewed separately. Reaching an equilibrium with China is not going to be easy and India must stand its ground and the key is to make China value India more. What is China's comment? Wang Wenbin: China has noted relevant reports. We also believe that stronger solidarity and cooperation between China and India, the two largest developing countries and emerging economies, will not only inject strong impetus into our respective development, but also add stability and positive energy to world peace and prosperity. The two sides should always place the boundary issue in an appropriate position in bilateral relations and avoid differences escalating into disputes. It is hoped that India will work with China in the same direction and jointly safeguard the overall interests of bilateral relations with concrete actions. China Daily: The Russian Foreign Ministry issued a statement on August 3 as it marks the one year anniversary of US walking away from the INF Treaty. They said that "we still believe Washington made a grave mistake. After abandoning the treaty Washington immediately embarked on completing the development of missiles previously banned under the treaty. The US publicly announced its intention to deploy advanced missiles as soon as possible, primarily in the Asia-Pacific Region. The deployment of US ground-based short- and intermediate- range missiles in various parts of the world will seriously undermine regional and global security and provoke a new and dangerous round in the arms race. Do you have any comment? Wang Wenbin: This revealing statement by the Russian side has unveiled the real intention of the US withdrawal from the INF Treaty. Since its pullout of the INF Treaty one year ago, the US has kept quitting more international treaties and organizations. It has announced decisions to unsign the Arms Trade Treaty (ATT), withdraw from the Open Skies Treaty, unilaterally loosen its standards on Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) export control as a Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) member state, and has not agreed to extend the New START Treaty yet. The above-mentioned negative measures of the US have seriously undermined regional and global peace and security, impacted the international arms control and disarmament process, weakened mutual trust between major countries, damaged global strategic stability, and exposed its true intention of pursuing unilateralism and seeking military hegemony. China firmly opposes the US deployment of land-based medium-range missiles in the Asia-Pacific and Europe. We urge the US side to earnestly respond to the concerns of the international community and do more to contribute to regional and world peace and stability. South China Morning Post: The Global Times Editor-in-Chief Hu Xijin twittered that the US side hasn't renewed visa of Chinese journalists and the Chinese side will retaliate, suggesting that US journalists in Hong Kong may be targeted. Do you have any comment? Wang Wenbin: We noted relevant reports. On May 8, the US limited visas for Chinese journalists to 90 days, requiring them to apply for visa renewal every 90 days. As we understand, relevant Chinese journalists already applied for visa extension but none of them has received reply from the US side. For a while, the US, entrenched in the Cold War mentality and ideological bias, launched one round of political suppression after another against Chinese media. In December 2018, it demanded relevant Chinese media organization's US office to register as "foreign agent". Since 2018, the US has indefinitely delayed approval and even denied application of visa for 20 US-based Chinese journalists. In February 2020, the US designated five Chinese media organizations in the US as "foreign missions" and then placed a cap on the number of their staff, in effect expelling 60 Chinese journalists. In May, the US limited visas for Chinese journalists to 90 days. In June, the US again added an additional four Chinese media organizations in the US to the list of "foreign agent". I want to stress that Chinese journalists have followed journalism ethics and the principle of objectiveness, fairness, truthfulness and accurateness when conducting reporting activities across the world, including in the US. The relevant US actions have severely disrupted Chinese journalists' normal reporting activities, gravely damaged the reputation of the Chinese media and affected the normal people-to-people exchanges between the two sides. While priding itself on freedom of the press, the US now willingly obstructs the Chinese media from doing their job. Such a two-faced behavior exposed its hypocrisy in so-called freedom of the press, nothing short of double standards and hegemonic bullying. We said many times that the US caused the current situation and is responsible for it. The US should immediately correct its mistakes and stop its political oppression on the Chinese media and journalists. If the US is bent on going down the wrong path and doubles down on its mistakes, China is compelled to make necessary and legitimate reactions to firmly safeguard its legitimate rights and interests. You also asked whether US journalists in Hong Kong will be affected. I want to tell you that the HKSAR is part of China's territory. The Central Government has the diplomatic authority to make reactions in response to US oppression of Chinese media organizations in the US. AFP: The head of the WHO Tedros said yesterday that international experts including Chinese experts will travel to Wuhan to identify the potential source of infection for the new coronavirus. Can you tell us maybe when these experts are supposed to come to China? Wang Wenbin: You may have noted the information released by China's National Health Commission. After consultation between the two sides, the WHO sent two experts to China to conduct preparatory consultations on scientific cooperation in tracing the origin of the novel coronavirus from July 11 to August 2. During their stay in China, the experts held multiple talks with Chinese experts and held in-depth exchange on scientific progress in crowd, environment, molecular and zoonotic tracing of the origin as well as plans for the next stage. Following the spirit of the resolution on COVID-19 response adopted at the 73rd WHA, experts of the two sides formulated the China part of a global scientific cooperation plan on origin-tracing to further research the zoonotic source, intermediate host and transmission route of the novel coronavirus so as to better prevent and control the pandemic. As to the specifics you are interested in, the two sides will remain in communication regarding the next-step scientific research plans. China Review News: A handful of politicians have been drumming up so-called desinicization of industrial chains, claiming that they will pay companies to leave China. What's your take on this? Wang Wenbin: Since COVID-19 broke out, China has acted fast to bring the epidemic under control and resume work and production. According to the data from the National Bureau of Statistics of China, the Chinese economy registered a 3.2 percent growth in the second quarter, making it the first major economy to report positive growth following the coronavirus pandemic. China's manufacturing PMI stands at 51.1 in July, above the 50-point mark for the fifth consecutive month. There isn't and will not be mass evacuation of foreign investment and withdrawal of industrial and supply chains from China. On the contrary, thanks to the stable expectation of recovering Chinese economy, improving business environment, enormous market advantages and potential domestic demand, many foreign companies have been setting up operations in China at faster pace and proactively expanding market in China. According to a recent questionnaire survey conducted by the Ministry of Commerce, 99.1% of foreign-funded enterprises indicated that they would continue to invest and operate in China. The US-China Business Council's recent survey of over 150 businesses also shows that China's steps to expand opening-up and optimize business environment have provided convenience to foreign companies in China and US companies remain optimistic about the Chinese market. The third China International Import Expo (CIIE) being prepared has seen more registrations from renowned companies compared to last year, and the average exhibition area of Fortune 500 and leading companies have grown by 14%, fully demonstrating global businesses' confidence in China's economy and future growth. I want to stress that China stays committed to greater opening-up with the door of cooperation wide open. We believe China and other countries will together make the pie of win-win cooperation bigger and bigger. Reuters: India is considering measures to prevent trade partners mainly in Southeast Asia from re-routing Chinese goods to India with little added value. How do you comment about this? Wang Wenbin: China has noted relevant reports. Chinese products exported to India meet the demand of India's domestic market and the needs of production and life for the Indian people. Practical cooperation between the two countries is mutually beneficial and win-win. It is not in India's own interest to sabotage this pattern of cooperation. AFP: European Union Foreign Policy chief Josep Borrell yesterday criticized the decision to postpone the Hong Kong Legislative Council elections. He said that would undermine democracy in Hong Kong. Do you have any comment on that? Wang Wenbin: Like I said yesterday, the Hong Kong SAR Government's decision to postpone the election in the face of the raging pandemic is a justified and necessary step to ensure people's safety and health and a safe, fair and just election. Many countries and regions have put off elections due to epidemics and other disasters and the Hong Kong SAR government followed this common practice in making this legitimate, reasonable and lawful decision. I want to stress that Hong Kong is China's special administrative region and the HKSAR's legislative council election is China's local election, thus purely Hong Kong's internal affairs. No foreign government, organization or individual has any right or reason to interfere. Beijing Youth Daily: For some time, the US biological militarization activities overseas have caused great concern and raised many questions and objections. For example, recently, the ROK media have repeatedly reported that the US military stationed in the ROK have conducted activities violating the Biological Weapons Convention (BWC), and a large number of social groups there have demanded the closure of relevant US military laboratories and the expulsion of relevant US troops stationed in the ROK. What is China's comment? Wang Wenbin: I have noted relevant situation. The US has conducted activities of biological militarization in many countries which have indeed caused widespread skepticism and opposition. The reasons are as follows: first, those US biological militarization activities are not transparent. Many of the countries involved have no idea what the US military labs are doing. The US is the one that has conducted the largest number of biological militarization activities overseas, yet none of which is mentioned in the CBMs submitted by the United States to the BWC. Second, they are not safe. Many of their activities are closely related to high-risk pathogens. If any accident occurs, it will have disastrous consequences for the country concerned, its neighbors and the whole world. Third, they are unjustified. Looking around, only the US, spearheaded by its military, is building biological labs around the world and collecting without restraint biological resources abroad, and only the US is opposed to negotiating a BWC verification protocol. No matter how the US explains it, it cannot justify itself. We urge the US side to be a responsible party, take the concerns of the international community seriously, clarify its overseas biological militarization activities, earnestly fulfill its BWC obligations, and stop being the only one that stands in the way of the negotiations on a BWC verification protocol. AFP: Donald Trump said yesterday that TikTok will be out of business in the US if it is not sold to a US company before September 15. Does China have any comment on this new move? Wang Wenbin: For a while, without providing any evidence, the US has stretched the concept of national security and abused its state power to bring down certain non-US enterprises. Such practice goes against market economy rules and the WTO principles of openness, transparency and non-discrimination. It is a blatant act of bullying, to which China firmly opposes. We have noticed that it has also drawn a flurry of criticisms and doubts in the US and from the international community. The US cited national security as the grounds for its oppression of relevant businesses, but this turns out to be a flimsy excuse they made. Relevant companies do business in the US in accordance with market principles and international rules, and abide by US laws and regulations. However, the US side imposes restrictions and oppresses them on the pretext of trumped-up charges, which is nothing but political manipulation. In fact, it is nothing new for the US to use its state machine to suppress foreign companies, which Toshiba and Alstom both fell prey to. The hypocrisy of the so-called fair competition touted by the US has been laid bare, seriously damaging its national credibility and image. If the US goes like this way, then any country can take similar measures against any US company on the grounds of national security. The US must not open Pandora's box, or it will suffer the consequences. We call on the US side to heed the rational voice from at home and the international community, refrain from politicizing economic issues, provide an open, fair, just and non-discriminatory business environment for market players from other countries to invest and operate in the US, and do more that is conducive to global economic development. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Police initially said Lara was considered the getaway driver in the shooting, but prosecutors on Thursday said he was in fact the gunman. (He) sprayed bullets at a number of individuals and had no concern for any safety of anybody out there, Assistant States Attorney James Murphy said in court. Vikas Singh, the lawyer appointed by Sushant Singh Rajputs father in his case against the actors girlfriend Rhea Chakraborty, has addressed the case of the missing money from Sushants bank account. It has been alleged that Rs 15 crore were siphoned off his account, but the Mumbai police in a recent press conference said that while money had been withdrawn, no money had been directly transferred to Rheas account. Vikas told Pinkvilla, During his stay with Rhea, Rs 17 crore came into the account and Rs 15 crore went out. Now you must appreciate that not a single property was bought, nor was a big car purchased, so where did this money go? He accused the Mumbai police of trying to derail the investigation by summoning Bollywood personalities and focusing on the nepotism narrative. As far as the Rs 50 crore is concerned, that is for a three-year period, the lawyer clarified and said that this should also be investigated. Rhea was with Sushant for about a year. Vikas has also said that the process to alienate Sushant from his family didnt happen overnight. He listed the steps Rhea took to systematically separate him from his inner circle. He said, In the offence of abetment of suicide, it is not an offence that happens over a day. It involves a bundle of facts. The bundle of facts in this case started when Rhea stopped the access of the father to the son. He said that the frequency of their conversations decreased, and the family had difficulty in getting in touch with Sushant, even when they tried reaching him through his bodyguard. The lawyer continued, That was the first step. The second step was to remove the bodyguard, the servants, the cook from the house. The third step was taking over the bank accounts, the credit cards, the pin numbers. The fourth step was, for the first time, Sushant started taking some medicines. The family doesnt know what medicines he was taking. Also read: Sushant Singh Rajputs father releases video appeal: Alerted Mumbai Police in February my sons life in danger He said, She conjured up a situation where she could make him feel there is something wrong with him. She also used to sit in every production meeting with Sushant, and insist that she also be cast in his projects, the lawyer said. She took over his mind and his affairs. Sushants father has filed an FIR against Rhea under multiple sections of the Indian Penal Code. Sushant died by suicide on June 14. Follow @htshowbiz for more SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Hiroshima is marking the 75th anniversary of the world's first atomic bombing. A ceremony will be held Thursday morning at Peace Memorial Park in the western Japanese city. Prime Minister Abe Shinzo is scheduled to attend what will be a more muted event this year due to the coronavirus. The number of people attending the event is limited to less than one-tenth of the usual. There will be fewer foreign visitors than normal, too, with representatives from about 80 countries taking part. A list of 324,129 victims will be placed inside a cenotaph. It includes the names of people who died during the past 12 months. Participants will offer a silent prayer at 8:15 a.m. That's the exact time the atomic bomb was dropped on August 6, 1945, killing 140,000 people by year's end and exposing many more to harmful radiation. The coronavirus has been hampering efforts to keep the memories of the tragedy alive as the survivors, known as hibakusha, get older. Under social-distancing measures, there are few in-person chances for them to directly share their experiences with younger generations. The pandemic has also stalled nuclear disarmament talks, including the review conference for the Non-Proliferation Treaty. Thursday's memorial event comes amid growing uncertainty over prospects for achieving a nuclear-free world. The United States and Russia continue to rely on nuclear deterrence, while China has been bolstering its nuclear capability. Recently, a UN report said North Korea may have developed miniaturized nuclear devices to fit into ballistic missile warheads. Hiroshima Mayor Matsui Kazumi will deliver a peace declaration at the ceremony. He is expected to call on the Japanese government to heed the voices of the hibakusha and join a UN treaty that bans nuclear weapons. MENTOR, Ohio -- Items including medals belonging to U.S. Air Force Captain Fielding Wesley Featherston III were returned to his family Wednesday, more than 50 years after his plane went down in Laos, during a ceremony in Veterans Park in Mentor. The items were returned to Featherstons son, Fielding Wesley Wes Featherston IV, after they were found in a warehouse in Cleveland and ultimately ended up in Congressman Dave Joyces office. Devin Wilgus, Joyces Wounded Warrior Fellow, was instrumental in finding the Featherston family and making arrangements to get the items to them. Joyce spoke to the family before two members of the Wright-Patterson Air Force Base Honor Guard presented to Featherston IV, who then came up to speak. We were glancing through some of the stuff, it was not stuff we had seen before as a family, Featherston said as he addressed the small gathering of people. Its going to be really great to go through it and look at some of the other stuff that we have not seen before, he added. The senior Featherston was aboard one of five F4D aircraft on a mission into the Plaine des Jarres region of Laos on December 30, 1969. Their ship was hit by enemy fire and exploded in a fireball. There were no parachutes seen, nor were emergency radio beeper signals heard that day by other aircraft. Also lost in the incident was Douglas D. Ferguson, and the two are part of the more than 600 Americans considered lost in Laos during the Vietnam War according to a press release. In 2014, forensic technology identified Fergusons remains at the crash site. The release also stated that voluminous evidence exists Americans still survive, captive, in Indochina. Until serious steps are taken to resolve the fate of Featherston, his family must wonder if he is alive, abandoned by his country. BAKU, Azerbaijan, Aug. 3 By Ilhama Isabalayeva Trend: The issue of opening small outdoor cafes in Azerbaijan will be discussed, Head of the Disease Control and Prevention Department of the Azerbaijani Management Union of Medical Territorial Units (TABIB) Yagut Garayeva said. Garayeva made the remark at the briefing of the Operational Headquarters under the Azerbaijani Cabinet of Ministers, Trend reports on Aug. 3. "It is impossible to mitigate all rules of the quarantine regime at once," head of the department added. "Severe consequences may occur. Therefore, the results of each mitigation step are being analyzed and afterwards, a decision is made whether to mitigate the rules of the quarantine regime further." Dollar General today opened its 450,000-square-foot DG Fresh cold storage facility in Montgomery. Located at 6080 Mobile Highway, the facility will support about 1,500 stores as the company shifts to its own distribution of frozen and refrigerated dairy, deli and other products. The project is creating about 65 jobs. Dollar General opened its first store in Alabama in 1965, and now has approximately 800 stores in the state, employing about 8,100 Alabamians. It also has a traditional distribution center in Bessemer, which opened in 2012. We are excited to celebrate the grand opening of our newest DG Fresh facility as we grow career opportunities and our distribution center presence in Alabama, Rod West, Dollar Generals vice president of perishables growth and development, said in a statement. We are incredibly grateful for the tremendous support from both state and local officials who helped make this project happen. Those interested in applying for jobs can click here. Montgomery Mayor Steven Reed praised the company for a $15,000 donation made at the opening, supporting literacy and education to be split three ways between Southlawn Elementary, Southlawn Middle School and George Washington Carver High School. Our vision for a better Montgomery means bringing new, diverse and valuable opportunities to all of our residents, Montgomery Mayor Steven Reed said. Dollar General shares this commitment. Bored PandaUrban artist Falko One brings life and color to the streets of South African towns. After thirty-two years as a graffiti artist, Falko has played a significant role in the development of South Africas graffiti scene by leaving his marks on lonely walls. The artists awe-inspiring murals often resemble local wildlife which also cleverly interacts with various elements of the buildings, such as windows, pipes, or air conditioners. In 2010, Falko started a project called Once Upon A Town, where he painted his way across South Africa, turning poor neighborhoods into open-air galleries that attract tourists. Vivid elephants in all shapes and forms are his most common and recognizable artworks. Clemsons tuition structure for graduate programs encompasses four variables: the program, full-time or part-time status, residency, and when the student enrolled in the program. Graduate Tuition and Fees Click here to calculate tuition & fees. Be sure to click on the "Graduate" or "Online" tab at the top of the calculator Appointment 5 August 2020 Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc. (NYSE: HLT) today announced the appointment of Chris Carr, Chief Operations Officer of sweetgreen, to its board of directors, effective immediately. Mr. Carr will serve on the Nominating and ESG committee of the board. Mr. Carr joined sweetgreen in May 2020. Previously, he served in a variety of roles at Starbucks for 13 years. Most recently he spent three years as Executive Vice President, Chief Procurement Officer, where he was responsible for enhancing the enterprise-wide, global strategic sourcing and supplier relationship capabilities. From 2014 to 2016, Mr. Carr was Starbucks' EVP, Americas Licensed Stores, where he was responsible for the strategic planning, operations, market planning and sales for 6,500 licensed retail stores. As EVP, U.S. Retail Stores from 2012 to 2014, he was accountable for the brand and customer experience at 13,000 U.S. company-operated and licensed retail stores. Prior to Starbucks, Mr. Carr spent eighteen years with ExxonMobil developing, leading and implementing retail operational strategies for its Global Fuels Marketing downstream businesses. Mr. Carr also serves as a director on the board of REI, a Trustee of Howard University, and a Trustee of the University of San Diego. An Allentown woman has been identified as the driver who died after her vehicle was swept away Tuesday during Tropical Storm Isaias. Yesenia Then, 44, drove into high water in the 6300 block of North Main Street in Upper Saucon Township and the vehicle was swept downstream, authorities said. Then was pronounced dead at 4:25 p.m. Tuesday in the township. Authorities did not say where her vehicle was found. An autopsy is scheduled for Thursday to determine the cause of death. The coroners office and the Upper Saucon Township Police Department are investigating the death. The storm pummeled the region with rain and high winds, leading to severe flooding along area rivers and creeks. Police and fire departments report being inundated with water rescues on Tuesday, including rescuing people from vehicles that drove into flooding on streets and roads. Some roads remained closed Wednesday as some flooding persisted and crews continued to cleanup fallen branches and wires. Please subscribe now and support the local journalism YOU rely on and trust. Sarah Cassi may be reached at scassi@lehighvalleylive.com. A recently published study reveals a new side effect of COVID-19 that troubles medical experts because they do not know why this side effect happened. There have been many types of research published about the new Coronavirus Disease 2019 in the past few days. These kinds of research are crucial because they will shed light on how the virus negatively impacted a person's health. It has been recently published in Latin Post that recovered COVID-19 patients continue to experience symptoms like fever, loss of sense of smell and taste, cough, and more months after they are diagnosed with the virus. While the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is still studying the recovery phase of recovered COVID-19 patients. Another study was published where it was reported that COVID-19 patients were reporting another lingering sense loss, the sense of hearing. This is another discovery that recovered COVID-19 patients reported in the past few days. The audiologists conducted a small study from the University of Manchester. Their study was published in the International Journal of Audiology. It was written in the study that COVID-19 survivors experienced hearing complications. Like the previously published articles, many also said that the complication or loss of sense of hearing lasted long after being released from the hospital. This means that there are complications throughout the virus even after the recovery. The audiologists or members of the research team surveyed 120 adults who were hospitalized due to the virus. The data was gathered eight weeks after they were released from the hospital. Around 16 people reported that their hearing was worse. Moreover, another eight persons reported that their hearing started to deteriorate while another eight persons have said that they suffer from tinnitus or hearing noises that are not caused by an outside source. This study from the University of Manchester troubles the doctors. "We already know that viruses such as measles, mumps, and meningitis can cause hearing loss, and coronaviruses can damage the nerves that carry information to and from the brain." Kevin Munro, a professor of audiology at the University of Manchester, explained. Professor Munro emphasized that it is possible that the COVID-19 virus could also affect the auditory or sense of hearing. Moreover, this is one of the reasons why there is a call to the World Health Organization to have some time studying the effect of COVID-19 to other body organs. Meanwhile, the researcher emphasizes that there is still a need for further studies about the virus. This will help pinpoint how the virus affects the sense of hearing. Munro continued, "While we are reasonably confident in the differentiation of preexisting and recent changes in hearing and tinnitus, we urge caution." There could be more studies about how the virus affects a person's organs and the complications it may bring. It is also important to note that these complications linger for weeks, even for months after they survived the infectious and deadly COVID-19. Check these out! Kashmir: On the first anniversary of abrogation of Article 370 and 35A in Jammu and Kashmir, BJP celebrated the occassion at many places across Srinagar with functions held by party leaders. BJP Party office in Srinagar celebrated the first anniversary of Article 370 which was revoked on August 5, 2019. BJP workers hoisted the Indian flag at the office while chanting slogans. BJP spokesperson said, After the revocation of Article 370, the development was seen on ground in Kashmir. For a long time now the stone pelting has come down to zero. BDC members get Rs 25 lakhs for development in their own respective areas. All elections in the Kashmir valley have been held peacefully. Besides Srinagar, there was celebrations by BJP members at Anantnag, Ganderbal and Kupwara. At all these places tricolour was unfurled and the slogan Bharat mata ji hai" was chanted. On August 5 in 2019, the government of India took the historic decision of abrogating Article of 370 from Jammu and Kashmir and divided the state to two union territories. International funds have topped the charts in terms of returns delivered by equity schemes of all hues. These funds gave one-year returns of 16.29 per cent on an average, compared to a mere 0.51 per cent managed by large-cap equity schemes, according to Value Research. Clearly, good returns are attracting investors to the virtues of global investing. The best- performing international fund gave a return of 65 percent in the past one year. Twenty-four funds gave a one-year return in excess of 10 percent. But seven funds actually made losses. Whats the lesson? Not all international funds are the same. Not just FAANG If you are under the impression that investing in an international equity fund means indirectly owning a portion of Facebook, Amazon, Apple, Netflix and Alphabet (erstwhile Google) or popularly referred to as the FAANG stocks then you are mistaken. All international funds do not invest in the US. You get many options that invest in various countries, regions and sectors or themes. These schemes are focused on stocks listed in the US, Japan, Brazil and China. You can also invest in European, emerging market or Asia-pacific stocks. You can pick schemes that invest in shares of agriculture, energy or gold mining. Each of these has a different risk-reward associated with it. Schemes investing in shares of gold miners did well whereas schemes investing in emerging markets especially in commodity focused economies faltered. For example DSP World Gold Fund gained 65.31 per cent in the last one year. Over the same time frame, HSBC Brazil Fund lost 23.41 per cent. Brazil has the second highest number of Coronavirus cases in the world. International funds have Rs 7,100 crore worth of assets under management. Among the top five in terms of assets, four are invested in US stocks and manage a Rs 4284 crore portfolio. Prateek Pant, co-founder and head of products and solutions, Sanctum Wealth Management recommends diversifying overseas fund investments across US, Europe, as well as emerging markets. Sankaran Naren, executive director and chief investment officer of ICICI Prudential AMC told Moneycontrol that the upmove in US stock prices is nearing a peak. Investors should look at overseas investing as a means of diversification. Diversification over returns Overseas investments let investors tap businesses that are not available in Indian stock markets internet search engines, e-commerce, social media, electric vehicles, semiconductors etc. Not all economies grow or shrink simultaneously. Investors should consider investing in international funds for diversification, says Vishal Dhawan, Founder and Chief Financial Planner, Plan Ahead Wealth Advisors. Instead of getting carried away by short term past performance, investors should have a time frame of more than five years. If you build a portfolio of un-correlated investments, then there is a high possibility that you will pocket healthy risk-adjusted returns over the long term. Diversified vs sectoral schemes Diversified offerings are perceived to be less risky. Sectoral offerings such as DSP World Gold Fund can be highly rewarding for the investors if they can time the entry and exit right. But these are not for naive investors. PGIM India Global Equity Opportunities Fund feeds into PGIM Jennison Global Equity Opportunities Fund. The underlying fund invests in a concentrated portfolio of around 35-45 stocks or American Depository Receipts (ADR) of companies around the world including names such as Amazon, Apple, Adyen, Shopify, Tesla and Netflix. The fund has given 50.77 per cent returns in the last one year. As with domestic funds, diversified international schemes, particularly those focused on the US are better. Active or Passive Investors can look at passive options such as index funds tracking stock indices in overseas markets. You have index funds tracking S&P 500, Nasdaq and Hangseng. In developed markets, given the information efficiency, it is relatively difficult to outperform the benchmark indices consistently over the long term. Hence, for equity investment in developed markets such as the US, it is preferable to invest through Index funds, says Nitin Shanbhag, head- investment products, Motilal Oswal Private Wealth Management. In April 2020, Motilal Oswal had launched an index fund that tracks the S&P500 index. Active funds can work better for investors looking to invest in emerging markets. Investors should consider deploying up to 10 per cent of their surplus to international equity schemes through a systematic investment plan or systematic transfer plan, says Dhawan. Make sure you stick around for at least five years. Global funds are treated like debt funds when it comes to taxation. Gains on units held for more than three years are taxed at 20 per cent after indexation. AP A couple facing charges related to the alleged concealment of the remains of two children in Idaho spoke on the by telephone to each other on the day authorities discovered the bodies, prosecutors have revealed. The recording of the phone call was played at a preliminary hearing which began on Monday, to determine if there is enough evidence to hold Lori Vallow Daybell's husband Chad Daybell for trial. The bodies of her children, Tylee Ryan and Joshua 'JJ' Vallow, were discovered at his home months after they had gone missing. I love you so much, Mr Daybell said in the recording after telling Ms Vallow Daybell police were searching the field behind the house. I love you, Ms Vallow Daybell responds. Should I try to call you later? I dont know, Mr Daybell said. You can try. There was no indication that either was aware of the discovery. The New York Post reported that Ms Vallow Daybell asked: Are they seizing stuff?, during the call. Theyre searching, Mr Daybell reportedly replied in muffled audio. Nearly 30 pieces of evidence have been submitted by prosecutors for a judge to evaluate in the hearing. Both Mr Daybell and Ms Vallow Daybell face charges related to hiding the children's remains. They have pleaded not guilty. The remains were found on Mr Daybells property in rural Idaho in June and were identified as being the bodies of JJ and Tylee not long after. Rexburg Police Detective Ray Hermosillo gave chilling details about how the childrens bodies were discovered at the hearing on Monday, describing how JJ had been found wrapped in plastic bags and duct tape and that Tylee's body had been burned. The discovery is the latest grim turn in a long case that began with the disappearance of the two children in late 2019. Police began searching for Tylee and JJ in November after relatives raised concerns. Investigators said they found the bodies by tracking the movements of Ms Vallow Daybell's brother, Alex Cox, using cellphone data. Story continues The doomsday beliefs of Mr Daybell and Ms Vallow Daybell and the suspicious deaths of their former spouses have drawn global attention to the tragic case. Court documents in Ms Vallow Daybells criminal case showed that Melanie Gibb a friend of Ms Vallow Daybell, claimed they had become acquainted through a "doomsday" belief system and told her at different times last year that both children had become "zombies". Mr Daybell ran a small publishing company and wrote fiction books about apocalyptic scenarios loosely based on the theology of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Police say the couple lied to investigators about the childrens whereabouts before quietly leaving Idaho. They were found in Hawaii months later. Additional reporting by the Associated Press Read more Court hears details of how 'Doomsday Mom' children were discovered Police bodycam footage shows initial moments of George Floyd arrest Seven arrested in case of mistaken identity murder FBI seek Yellowstone photos in hunt for children of doomsday cultist Lori Vallow: Husband cornered and quizzed about missing children Irans judiciary said Mostafa Salehi, a protester detained during anti-government demonstrations in December 2017, has been put to the gallows. The execution by hanging was carried out in the early hours of Wednesday at Dastgerd Prison, in the central city of Isfahan. One day before the execution, HRANA News Agency run by a group of Iranian human rights advocates, whose activities are banned by the Islamic Republic renewed calls for a halt to the order. In a detailed report, the group voiced concern that prison authorities were pressing ahead with the death penalty procedures as the convict was sent to solitary confinement and was barred from contacting his family, two common alarms in the run-up to most executions in Iran. Judges found Salehi guilty of premeditated murder of an officer with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps during the protests. In the proceedings, however, Salehi had denied the murder charges. IRGC-affiliated media outlets reported that Salehi had also acted as riot leader in his hometown of Kahriz-Sang, Isfahan province. The protests that spread across some 100 Iranian cities and towns in late 2017 and early 2018 were triggered by economic grievances and became Irans largest post-revolution demonstration led by members of its lower classes. At least 25 protesters died in clashes with police and plainclothes forces and 5,000 others were put behind bars. Five other men arrested during the same demonstrations in the same province are now on death row. Iranian authorities say arrangements for those penalties have yet to be completed. Human rights activists, however, fear that the noose could be around the inmates necks any moment as Iranian prison officials typically refuse to disclose execution dates in advance. Earlier in July, an imminent execution of three other Iranian protesters Amir-Hossein Moradi, Mohammad Rajabi and Saeed Tamjidi grabbed world headlines. The three were detained during the November unrest in which a state crackdown killed at least 200 Iranians who were speaking out against a controversial fuel price hike. Irans Supreme Court initially upheld the three death penalties. However, a retrial was ordered and the executions remain halted for now. The decision was preceded by a wide-reaching social media campaign supported by millions of Iranians who shared stop the execution calls under a trending Persian hashtag. The spokesman for Irans judiciary, nevertheless, said the decision had nothing to do with the social media uproar. In 2019, according to an Amnesty International report, Iran carried out 251 death sentences to become the worlds second leading executioner after China. (Natural News) The Asteroid Mining Corporation in Britan bared plans to mine a nearby asteroid in 2027. CEO Mitch Hunter-Scullion, who founded the company in March 2016, aims to advance the Third Industrial Revolution with asteroid mining. He considers the project as the single greatest economic opportunity in human history. In particular, Hunter-Scullions team will target Asteroid 1986 DA. Previous research found that the asteroid created echoes that were significantly more reflective than other radar-detected asteroids, proving that it is rich in iron-nickel metal that was derived from the melting of a larger object after a catastrophic collision. Boundless economic potential in space mining According to Hunter-Scullion, his team was scouting for the most valuable asteroid, as well as the most viable one. What particularly came up in their investigation is Asteroid 1986 DA, which experts believe came from a parent iron meteor. The smooth-looking asteroid is extremely irregular at scales between 10 and 100 meters and is about two kilometers in diameter. Hunter-Scullion estimated that for something of its size, Asteroid 1986 DA is worth around 12 to 13 trillion dollars. An asteroid with a one km diameter and in the upper 90th percentile for platinum composition would essentially be something like nine or 10 trillion pounds, he explained. At an earlier lecture at the University of Oxford, Hunter-Scullion said Earths resources are limited but societys demand is limitless. He added that extraterrestrial resources will allow for centuries of sustainable growth. Asteroids, for one, are described as flying gold mines because of the great amounts of valuable metals that can be found in them. And there are countless similar asteroids in space which can be mined, continued Hunter-Scullion. In fact, the National Aeronautical and Space Administration (NASA) estimated that the space mining industry could generate up to 700 quintillion dollars in revenue. Countries gear up for the upcoming space industry boom The space industry is bound to get even bigger, with more and more countries announcing plans to explore the commercial potential of space. A 2019 study from the Allied Market Research found that the asteroid mining market could reach as much as $4 trillion by 2025 after various private and government bodies announced space missions in the future. Meanwhile, a report from the research company MarketsandMarkets predicted that companies will target Type-C asteroids first. These coal-black asteroids contain large amounts of metal and water, which can be used by a spacecraft upon landing. The first mission to a Type-C asteroid is already set to launch in 2022, with the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agencys Destiny venturing for the asteroid Phaethon. Still, the United States is expected to be the industry leader. In 2015, the US government passed a new law that will allow private companies to participate in space mining. Called the Spurring Private Aerospace Competitiveness and Entrepreneurship (SPACE) Act of 2015, the law explicitly allows US citizens to engage in the commercial exploration and exploitation of space resources, such as water and minerals, according to the report by MarketsandMarkets. Currently, however, Luxembourg is leading the race for space mining. It previously granted $223 million of its space budget to companies that are involved in space mining projects. Reports also said that the European country funded American company Deep Space Industries and invested $28 million in Planetary Resources, another private company in the US involved in space mining. (Related: The great outer space LAND GRAB of the near future: Conflicts over space rock mining rights.) In 2017, it passed its own space law, the Law of 20 July 2017 on the Exploration and Use of Space Resources. Luuxembourgs Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Economy Etienne Schneider said, Our goal is to put into place an overall framework for the exploration and commercial use of resources from celestial bodies such as asteroids, or from the moon. Sources include: TechTimes.com DailyStar.co.UK TheWeek.in Kerala: Fishing boats to be allowed in to sea from Aug.7 August 05,2020 | Source: The Hindu Fishing boats will be allowed out to sea from Kerala shores only from Friday, August 7, Fisheries director M. G. Rajamanickam has said. The Fisheries Department has modified an earlier decision to allow the boats to go out from Wednesday, August 5, with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) warning that strong winds with speeds of 50-60 kmph are likely along Kerala, Karnataka coasts, and the Lakshadweep region. The Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS) has warned that high waves with heights ranging between 3.5 to 5.5 metres are likely along Kerala coasts till Thursday. Although the 52-day trawling ban ended on the midnight of July 31, the State government had initially decided to allow marine fisheries operations from August 5 subject to stringent COVID-19 protocols, given the spike in cases along the coast. As per the guidelines, fishing and marketing-related activities in harbours will be managed by the harbour management societies. Peoples committees, with the Matsya Bhavan officer as convener, have been formed for the fish-landing centres and other jetties where the catch will be offloaded. Boats will be allowed to go out on alternate days. Those with registration numbers ending in odd numbers could operate on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Those with registration numbers ending in even numbers could engage in fishing operations on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. Boats from other States and crew have been banned from entering the harbours and fishing-landing centres in Kerala. Boats leaving Kerala shores are banned from visiting harbours/landing centres elsewhere. Fishing crew from other States currently in Kerala should be quarantined and tested, and they should be allowed on board on production of a COVID-19-negative certificate. A maximum of five men will be allowed in each of the two 32-foot boats that use boat seine nets. In the case of shore-seine fishing, a maximum of 12 people will be allowed on either end of the net. The crew should maintain physical distancing norms and use sanitiser and face masks. Between three and seven boats will be allowed inside the harbour at a time to avoid crowding. Fisheries auctions stand banned. The price will be fixed by the harbour management societies and peoples committees. Matsyafed will be responsible for the marketing aspects. Entry of trucks to the harbours for the transportation of catch will be regulated with passes. As per reports by our sister website Times Of India, the Indian Government has banned Xiaomis internet browsing app called Mi Browser Pro Video Download, Free Fast & Secure" that comes installed by default on every phone sold by the Chinese company in the country. Xiaomi Banning the browser app will not impact the ability to access the internet on Xiaomi phones as users can simply download an alternative to use. Earlier this year, Internet Browers by Xiaomi was found sending data to remote servers which prompted the company to issue a hotfix to fix the problem. The browser was found tracking data even in an incognito mode which kind of defeated the purpose of using the secure mode in the first place. Reuters The Government of India also banned the Mi Community app along with 58 other apps last month citing national security reasons. Speaking to TOI, Xiaomi representatives said, Xiaomi continues to comply and adhere to all data privacy and security requirements under the Indian law. We are working towards understanding the development and will take appropriate measures as required, a company spokesperson said. As part of the process, we will work with key stakeholders for an opportunity to make our submissions, the spokesperson added. MensXP/Akshay Bhalla Xiaomi has been known for tracking its users' data to serve ads on their smartphones including the popular Redmi series that have sold more than 10 crore units in the country. It would be interesting to see if the ban has any direct impact on Xiaomi and their sub-brands. Last month, the Indian Government posed 70 important questions to the makers of the banned apps that covered topics such as privacy policies, business structures, taxation practices and other queries related to advertisers. KEY HIGHLIGHTS ZyCoV-D vaccine second phase trials to begin on August 6 The DNA plasmid platform vaccine is more safe and easy to make, if successful First phase trial data from July 15 has been cleared by Data Safety Monitoring Board (DSMB) This is the third vaccine trial in India to move to second phase after Bharat Biotech and Serum Institute Ahmedabad-based Zydus Cadila's ZyCoV-D Covid vaccine, targeted to hit markets by early next year, has successfully cleared the first phase of clinical trials. Second phase of human clinical trials, involving 1,000 volunteers, will begin on August 6. The vaccine, using the platform of plasmid DNA, was found to be safe and well tolerated in the Phase I, which began on 15 July, said Zydus Cadila. "All the subjects in Phase I clinical trial were closely monitored in a clinical pharmacological unit for 24 hours post dosing for safety and for 7 days thereafter and vaccine was found to be very safe. We now begin the Phase II clinical trials and look forward to evaluating the safety and immunogenicity of the vaccine in a larger population," said Pankaj Patel, chairman, Zydus Cadila. The seven-day safety of the vaccine in all the subjects enrolled in the Phase I clinical trial has been endorsed by the independent Data Safety Monitoring Board (DSMB), constituted to oversee the safety aspects of the clinical trial, said Zydus. ALSO READ: Zydus Cadila's coronavirus vaccine clears Phase I; Phase II trials to start tomorrow Experts say if successful, Zydus's vaccine will be easy to make as it uses the plasmid DNA platform. A plasmid is a small DNA molecule within a cell that is physically separated from chromosomal DNA and can be replicated independently. When the plasmid DNA is introduced into the host cells, it translates into viral protein and elicits a strong immune response. It is safer since it is a non-replicating and non-integrating plasmid carrying the gene of interest. Also, no vector response or infectious agents are used in the development technology. It is easy to make with minimal biosafety requirements (BSL-1) and has lower cold chain requirements, making it easy for transportation to remote regions. Further, the platform can be rapidly used to modify the vaccine within couple of weeks in case the virus mutates. Zydus had developed India's first swine flu vaccine in 2010, and later a tetravalent seasonal influenza vaccine and a Varicella vaccine. ALSO READ: Brazil likely to struggle in producing own COVID-19 vaccine Among half-a-dozen promising COVID-19 vaccine projects are underway in India, and at least three have reached clinical trial stage. Hyderabad-based Bharat Biotech and Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR)'s Covaxin has completed its phase I study in 11 sites and is starting the second phase study. Serum Institute of India has also been given a go ahead by the Indian drug regulator to start the final phase II/III trials of the Oxford-Astra Zeneca vaccine in India. Zydus Cadila is also developing a vector platform based vaccine. Serum Institute is researching a BCG vaccine, besides a collaborative programme with a US partner. Companies like Biological E and Hester Biosciences are also trying to develop COVID-19 vaccine. Drug major Wockhardt has announced an agreement with the UK Government to manufacture vaccines, mainly being developed by Oxford-Astra Zeneca and GSK-Sanofi research programmes. ALSO READ: Coronavirus treatment: Lupin launches Favipiravir for Rs 49 per tablet; names drug Covihalt Messages bombard us on a daily basis: Buy this. Do that. And when it comes to messages about matters of faith, we can often get confused about what is and is not true. In the days of the Old Testament, God often spoke through prophets, special people He chose to use as instruments for delivering His messages. People like Isaiah, Daniel, and Jeremiah were plucked from their normal lives and tasked with the great responsibility of being a spokesperson of God. Many of these prophets were highly respected and treated with deep reverence, while others were ridiculed, despised, and even martyred. But what is the difference between a prophet and a false prophet, and how can we tell the difference? What Is the Meaning of the Word Prophet? The word prophet comes from the Hebrew word nabi or nabiy, to bubble forth, like a fountain, or to utter, speak, or pour forth an announcement. Other words hozeh and roeh, meaning seer are also used for prophets. The term is meant to imply the person is receiving an announcement directly from God, and that word or vision then bubbles forth for others to receive, too. What Is the Purpose of a Prophet in the Bible? A prophet is meant to receive a message from God whether a verbal directive or other word, or as a vision or dream and then communicate that message to the people. God often sent prophets to warn or guide people. Often, they served as Gods representative, ambassador, or spokesperson. Israels kings would seek the counsel of prophets before making major decisions, such as waging war, to be sure their actions were in line with the Lords wishes. Other times, a prophet would receive a vision from God for the king, then seek out the king to convey that message. For example, in 2 Samuel 7, God revealed to the prophet Nathan in a dream that David would not build the Lords Temple but, rather, Davids offspring would do so. Nathan then reported this to David, who heeded Gods command. Many of Gods prophets penned Old Testament books, such as Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Daniel, and Habakkuk. In the New Testament, the Apostle Peter called a true prophetic message something completely reliable. As he said, You will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts (2 Peter 1:19). A prophecys origin is not in the human will, Peter elaborated, but rather, Prophets, though human, spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit (2 Peter 1:21). What Is the Difference Between a Prophet and a False Prophet? While a prophet is one who receives and then offers the Word of God, a false prophet is one who receives a word by other means, such as divination, fortune-telling, or sorcery, whether a word from their own minds or from other, false gods. These corrupt, dishonest messages are not of God and therefore cannot be trusted. Sometimes, people posed as true prophets to mislead, such as in Nehemiah 6:10-15, when a false prophet attempted to convince Nehemiah to hide in the temple, but Nehemiah realized it was a trap. Other times, false prophets offered signs and wonders as a way to entice people to follow other gods instead of the Lord (Deuteronomy 13:1-3). What Does It Mean to Be a False Prophet? God speaks harshly against false prophets, occult practices, and other means of sorcery. God describes a false prophet as one who presumes to speak in My name anything I have not commanded, or a prophet who speaks in the name of other gods (Deuteronomy 18:20). In Jeremiah 14:14, God says these evildoers prophesy lies, offering false visions, divinations, idolatries, and the delusions of their own minds. What Does the Bible Say about Them? In Deuteronomy 18:9-20, God warns His people not to engage in divination, cast spells, or consult mediums, nor listen to anyone who speaks in the name of other gods. These false prophets should be put to death, He says. God expresses His displeasure even more fiercely in Jeremiah both about the false prophets and those who listen to them. Therefore this is what the Lord says about the prophets who are prophesying in My name: I did not send them, yet they are saying, No sword or famine will touch this land. Those same prophets will perish by sword and famine. And the people they are prophesying to will be thrown out into the streets of Jerusalem because of the famine and sword. There will be no one to bury them, their wives, their sons and their daughters. I will pour out on them the calamity they deserve (Jeremiah 14:15-16). God notes in Jeremiah 23:30-32 that He is against false prophets, and in Zechariah 13:3 says they must be stabbed to death by their own parents. Are There Any of These in the New Testament? False prophets were not only a problem in the Old Testament; they also plagued the apostles in the New Testament. For example, the Book of Acts describes an occasion when Barnabas and Paul encountered a Jewish sorcerer and false prophet when the apostles were offering the word of God to the proconsul of Paphos. When the sorcerer tried to oppose their teaching, a Holy Spirit-filled Paul verbally lashed out at the man, causing him to go blind. Amazed, the proconsul believed. The Apostle Peter warned about false teachers, much like false prophets, who will secretly introduce destructive heresies (2 Peter 2:1). These evildoers will be paid back with harm for the harm they have done (2 Peter 2:13). Do They Exist Today? Jesus, speaking to His disciples about the end times, warned that false prophets would indeed appear in an attempt to deceive even Gods chosen ones that the Son of God had returned (Matthew 24:24). Dont listen or heed their guidance, we are told. Rather, stay vigilant and be ready, Jesus said, for about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father (Matthew 24:36). In 2 Timothy 4:3-4, the Apostle Paul warns that a time will come when people will turn from the truth and instead entertain teachers who say what they want to hear, offering myths rather than Gods Word. But Jesus tells us we have one path to God: Through Him. As He said in John 14:6, I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. And, in His Sermon on the Mount, He said His path is rooted entirely in the Lord, insisting, Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them (Matthew 5:17). How Can We Tell If Someone Is a False Prophet? God offers instruction on how His people can determine true from false prophets. In Deuteronomy 18:22, He explains, If what a prophet proclaims in the name of the Lord does not take place or come true, that is a message the Lord has not spoken. That prophet has spoken presumptuously, so do not be alarmed. In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus tells us to beware false prophets, who appear gentle but are not. They come to you in sheeps clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them (Matthew 7:15-20). The bottom line is that false prophets bring a message that is not from God. Their message contradicts what God instructs, often appealing to our earthly cravings or passions. And ultimately, they produce bad fruit. Trust instead in Jesus and the Word of God as given to us all in the Bible. Photo Credit: iStock/Getty Images Plus/elijah_sad Jessica Brodie is an award-winning Christian novelist, journalist, editor, blogger, and writing coach and the recipient of the 2018 American Christian Fiction Writers Genesis Award for her novel, The Memory Garden. She is also the editor of the South Carolina United Methodist Advocate, the oldest newspaper in Methodism. Learn more about her fiction and read her faith blog at jessicabrodie.com. She has a weekly YouTube devotional, too. You can also connect with her on Facebook, Twitter, and more. Shes also produced a free eBook, A God-Centered Life: 10 Faith-Based Practices When Youre Feeling Anxious, Grumpy, or Stressed. President Donald Trump has doubled down on his statement promoting mail-in voting exclusively in the swing state of Florida, saying its recent Republican governors have helped build a strong infrastructure secure from fraud. "Florida has got a great Republican governor, and it had a great Republican governor. It's got Ron DeSantis, Rick Scott two great governors," the president said. "And over a long period of time, they've been able to get the absentee ballots done extremely professionally. Florida is different from other states," After months of casting doubt on the integrity of mail-in ballots which most governors and state parties have promoted as an alternative to in-person voting to mitigate health risks during the coronavirus pandemic Mr Trump announced his support for Florida's mail-in system in an abrupt reversal on Tuesday via Twitter. "Whether you call it Vote by Mail or Absentee Voting, in Florida the election system is Safe and Secure, Tried and True. Floridas Voting system has been cleaned up (we defeated Democrats attempts at change), so in Florida I encourage all to request a Ballot & Vote by Mail! #MAGA," the president tweeted. The president's press secretary, Kayleigh McEnany, later clarified that when Mr Trump said the mail-in voting system had been "cleaned up" in Florida, he was referring to a settlement between a consortium of voting rights groups and state officials to expand early voting and voting education initiatives while also taking steps to secure the results of the election. Both progressive voting rights groups and Republican politicians in the state claimed victory after the settlement. Despite the settlement, the vote-by-mail process in Florida does not appear to substantially differ from the systems in other states that Mr Trump and his press team have antagonised, such as Nevada and New York. One distinguishing feature separating Florida from other states is that "the [US Postal Services] are built up there", Mr Trump claimed on Tuesday. "Florida has been working on this for years, and they have a very good system of mail-in," he said. Mr Trump has called for New York to re-do several close congressional primary races as the state continues to struggle counting mail-in and absentee ballots more than a month after Election Day. "Nobody's ever seen anything like it. It's a disgrace," Mr Trump said on Monday of the state's ongoing struggles to count every voter's ballot in contests like the Democratic primary race for New York's 12th District, between House Oversight chairwoman Carolyn Maloney and challenger Suraj Patel. Mr Patel trails Ms Maloney by roughly 3,700 votes at the moment, though officials disqualified more than 12,000 ballots for missing postmarks and other small errors, the New York Times has reported. While the ballot-counting process has rankled state officials and prompted lawsuits from candidates like Mr Patel, the president made unsubstantiated claims that some people had submitted "fraudulent ballots". While the Trump administration has continued to challenge the integrity of mail-in voting systems across the country, it has so far rejected Democrats' proposals to bolster election security. The coronavirus response package House Democrats passed in May includes $3.6bn to send to states to help them secure their election processes and expand mail-in voting. Senate Republicans' bill negotiated with the White House does not include any such money. "Perhaps now that Donald Trump has endorsed mail-in voting, Senate Republicans will actually fund it, along with early voting and safe polling locations," said Sean Eldridge, president of Stand Up America, a progressive voting rights group that has been advocating for billions of dollars in federal funding for election security. President Donald Trump holds an article as he speaks during a news conference at the White House, Thursday, July 30, 2020, in Washington. Evan Vucci | AP The White House threatened to act on its own to provide coronavirus relief Wednesday after another day of talks with Democrats yielded no agreement. Though the Trump administration apparently yielded ground in bargaining over extended unemployment insurance, a range of issues remained unresolved Wednesday after officials' latest meeting with Democratic leaders. Leaving a roughly two-hour huddle with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, White House chief of staff Mark Meadows told reporters the sides had "no agreement." Congress and the Trump administration have struggled to strike an aid agreement after the enhanced unemployment benefits and a moratorium on evictions from federally-backed housing expired in late July. Millions of Americans still unable to find work will now see a staggering drop in income until lawmakers can pass legislation. In a CNN interview after Wednesday's meeting, Meadows said President Donald Trump would take executive action to extend both extra jobless benefits and the eviction moratorium if Democrats and the White House fail to strike a deal. The threat may be a negotiating tactic because it is unclear if Trump has the power to take those steps. Congress controls federal funding. "If Congress can't get it done, the president of the United States will," Meadows told CNN. After the talks, Schumer told reporters that Democrats "are not walking away" from discussions. The New York Democrat said the sides have "wide differences" as they struggle toward an agreement. Pelosi would not give any assurances about how long it would take negotiators to strike a deal. "I feel optimistic that there is a light at the end of the tunnel. But how long the tunnel is remains to be seen," the California Democrat told reporters. On Tuesday, the Trump administration team offered to extend extra federal unemployment insurance into December at $400 per week, NBC News and Politico reported. The White House had floated keeping the previous $600 a week benefit for a week while negotiators hashed out a broader deal. Senate Republicans have proposed a plan that would set the insurance at $200 per week through September, then change the benefit to 70% wage replacement. Mnuchin and Meadows also offered to extend the eviction moratorium into December, the news outlets said. Democrats cut their request for U.S. Postal Service funding to $10 billion from $25 billion, according to the reports. The four negotiators also met with Postmaster General Louis DeJoy on Wednesday. Schumer said they had a "heated discussion" about ensuring efficient mail delivery when millions of Americans cast their ballots by mail in November during the coronavirus pandemic. Spokespeople for the Democratic leaders and Trump administration officials did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the reported proposals. The concessions would mark some of the first progress on seemingly intractable issues since the GOP last week released its counteroffer to a House Democratic plan. Despite the signs of movement toward a deal, Democrats and Republicans remain far apart on aid for state and local governments, funding for schools, and assistance for food, rent and mortgage payments, among other topics. Schumer also suggested Wednesday that he would not accept an agreement without an extension of the $600 per week jobless benefit. "At the moment, however, the White House is not [supporting $600 a week], and we are not going to strike a deal unless we extend the unemployment benefits which have kept nearly 12 million Americans out of poverty," he said on the Senate floor. It appears likely Congress will have to approve a bill with largely Democratic votes in both the GOP-controlled Senate and Democratic-held House. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., acknowledged Tuesday that his caucus has "divisions about what to do" to extend unemployment insurance. The top Senate Republican also said he is "prepared to support" the deal Democrats and the White House strike, even if he has "problems with certain parts of it." Residents of Makengi village in Embu County Tuesday took to the streets to protest at the slow construction of Mirundi-Kevote road. The protesters barricaded the road, causing a major traffic jam. They accused the contractor of taking too long to upgrade the road. "The contractor has only done one kilometre despite having been paid some money. He has even left the site and we're concerned that the project may stall," said Mrathuri Njeru, a resident. They decried the poor state of the road, saying, it becomes impassable during rainy seasons, making it difficult for them to ferry their farm produce to the markets. Residents said it was a shame that local leaders have remained silent on the project's progress. They said their pleas to have the road completed have fallen on deaf ears and vowed to continue protesting. They demanded that the contract be cancelled and the tender be awarded to another contractor. With wildfire season in full swing, a COVID-19 outbreak at a traditional large fire camp is a potential disaster. A transient, high-density workforce of firefighters and volunteers responds to blazes while staying in close quarters with limited hygiene - conditions that could facilitate the spread of a contagious respiratory disease. To support fire agencies as they continue their mission-critical work, a team that includes Colorado State University experts has developed an epidemiological modeling exercise for the USDA Forest Service and other fire managers that demonstrates potential risks and various scenarios COVID-19 could pose for the fire management community. Their model is published in the journal Fire. The report is co-authored by Jude Bayham, assistant professor in the CSU Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics; and Erin Belval, research scientist in the CSU Department of Forest and Rangeland Stewardship; with first author Matthew P. Thompson, Research Forester at the USDA Forest Service Rocky Mountain Research Station. Bayham and Belval worked with Thompson on the study under a longstanding joint venture agreement with the Forest Service on wildfire-related research, which primarily operates through a partnership with the Warner College of Natural Resources. Thompson serves as the team's liaison to the fire management community. The researchers developed a simulation model of COVID-19 in the context of a wildfire incident in which the population of firefighters changes over time. The team then analyzed a range of scenarios with different infection transmission rates, percentages of arriving workers who are infected, and fatality rates. They applied their model to real firefighter population data from three recent wildfires - Highline, Lolo Peak and Tank Hollow - to illustrate potential outbreak dynamics. During the Highline fire in Idaho, for example, which at its peak had over 1,000 firefighters on site (See Figure 1.), a worst-case scenario would have seen close to 500 infections, and a best-case scenario of eight infections. (See Figure 7.) The researchers used a variety of infection fatality rates to estimate possible deaths due to COVID-19 on the fires, ranging from a low of 0.1% to an "extreme" of 2%, with a medium, or best-guess, of 0.3%. (See Table 1.) Model is not a prediction Like most modeling exercises, the report is not intended to predict real numbers; rather, it is a tool for comparing different scenarios and analyzing how various interventions could have small or large effects. "There is a need in the modeling community to better communicate what we can and cannot learn from models," Bayham said. "The model itself is not meant to be predictive in the sense of number of cases or deaths, because there are so many things moving." Bayham said the model does provide insight into the relative benefits of two risk-mitigation strategies: screening; and implementing social distancing measures at camps. They found that aggressive screening as soon as firefighters arrive at camp could reduce the spread of infection, but those benefits diminish as a wildfire incident goes on longer. For longer campaigns lasting several months, aggressive social distancing measures, including increased use of remote briefings, dispersed sleeping camps, and operating under the "module as one" concept, would be more effective at reducing infections than screening. "Module as one" is a social distancing adaptation in which a crew operates mostly as normal but isolates from other, similarly isolating crews. "It all comes down to exposure, which is a basic risk management concept," Thompson said. "Reducing the exposure of susceptible individuals to those who may be infectious is the idea behind screening and social distancing. Our results underscore the importance of deploying these risk mitigation measures and provide insights into how characteristics of a wildfire incident factor into the effectiveness of these mitigations." Bayham added, "Both interventions are useful, and they both have an effect, but they each have times and places where they are even more effective," Such findings could help inform the wildland fire management community as it develops guidance for fire response strategies during the pandemic. Thompson added, "I'm fortunate to have worked with Jude and Erin for several years now, and in my opinion their collective depth and breadth of expertise is uniquely well suited to address this complex issue. We're grateful for the support from the Joint Fire Science Program and more broadly the fire management community to continue this important work." Extending the work The team will continue their work with a $74,200 award from the Joint Fire Science Program by way of the USDA Forest Service Rocky Mountain Research Station joint venture agreement. They plan to extend their model and create an interactive dashboard for agencies to provide real-time modeling and risk assessment support as fire season continues. They are also working on a model that would be better suited to analyze season-long implications of COVID-19 outbreaks, spread across multiple fires and geographic distances. ### Vivos likely exit from the Indian Premier League (IPL), because of the prevailing anti-China sentiment in India, will hurt many of the leagues stakeholders. In particular, broadcast partner Star India, which generated a considerable amount of ad revenue from the Chinese company, may see an erosion in its ad revenue. Vivo, the title sponsor of the event, advertised heavily on television. According to BARC data, it was last year among the top 10 advertisers on television. While the Chinese handset makers exit from the IPL has not yet been confirmed, the strong anti-China sentiment in the country is likely to force an exit by the company, at least for this year. Impact on broadcasters Speaking to Moneycontrol, Sandeep Goyal, Chairman, Mogae Media, a Mumbai-based marketing and communication agency, said: Star could be hit by Rs 200-250 crore if Vivo, which last year was big on on-air sponsorship, decides not to advertise or reduces visibility this year. 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 In the case of a replacement, it could be 5-10 percent lower than Vivos payout given the market conditions, said Karan Taurani, VP, Elara Capital. Other Chinese brands may lie low Vivos exit may also lead to other Chinese brands lying low or not advertising at all during IPL 2020. Amid the Chinese companies, Oppo, Real Me, One Plus, Redmi/Xiaomi, Huawei, ZTE, Lenovo, Meizu, Coolpad, Zopo, Tecno, spend at least Rs 600-700 crore on the IPL (across TV and digital), said Goyal. He also believes that companies such as Paytm, Dream 11, Swiggy and Zomato, all having Chinese relationships (investments), could decide to play it low-key. This is why Goyal estimates a Rs 500 crore loss for Star TV and Hotstar, the IPLs digital partner, in case these brands abstain from spending on advertising during the 13th edition of the IPL. Big spenders Taurani added: On TV, Chinese brands account for almost 40 percent of the telecom/e-commerce vertical spends and this vertical aggressively pushes towards the target group of IPL. Hence, the league will see a severe impact. He added that Chinese brands contribute almost 5 percent of the overall adex (advertising expenditure) across mediums on an annual basis based on their large presence in telecom/e-commerce. This number could possibly become half or even lower if they decide to lie low or not advertise during the IPL this year, he said. As much as 40-50 percent of Stars potential revenue of Rs 3,000 crore is now in trouble because of China, estimates Goyal. Last year, in the 12th edition of the IPL, Star India had recorded a 20 percent jump in ad revenue to Rs 2,200 crore across the television and digital platforms from Rs 1,750 crore in 2018. This year, it looks like the broadcaster will struggle to come close to that number. Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-05 23:44:37|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close ULAN BATOR, Aug. 5 (Xinhua) -- Police in northern Mongolia have seized 12 dead marmots from a vehicle, which could have spread the deadly bubonic plague, the country's Ecological Police Department said Wednesday. The dead animals were found on Tuesday in a vehicle in Tarialan soum of Khuvsgul province, the police department said, urging citizens not to hunt marmots or eat marmot meat to prevent the spread of bubonic plague. Since the beginning of this year, 11 suspected cases of bubonic plague have been reported across the Asian country, three of which were confirmed by laboratory tests, according to the country's National Center for Zoonotic Diseases (NCZD). The NCZD said that 17 out of Mongolia's 21 provinces are now at risk of bubonic plague. Although hunting marmots is illegal in Mongolia, many Mongolians regard the rodent as a delicacy and ignore the law. The bubonic plague is a bacterial disease that can be spread by fleas living on wild rodents such as marmots. The disease can kill an adult in less than 24 hours if not treated in time, according to the World Health Organization. Enditem Australian shares sagged as Victorias virus numbers surged and Chinese services sector data underwhelmed, but economists say Wednesdays 0.6 per cent decline likely had more to do with the lingering hesitancy of investors to chase the market. The benchmark ASX 200 lost 36.3 points to close at 6001.3 in a day where there was no shortage of dour news. The overnight lead was mixed on dragging US fiscal talks and news of the deadly Beirut explosion sent investors scurrying for safe-havens, pushing spot gold prices to a new record high of $US2,030. Caixin Services PMI data for July was significantly short of market expectations. The local bourse sagged by as much as 1.2 per cent in early trade as word filtered through that Victorian coronavirus cases - and deaths - would be at their highest yet. The state reported 740 new cases and 15 deaths. However, BETAshares chief economist David Bassanese said Wednesday's movements had the hallmark of an index desperately seeking direction. We had a bit of euphoria (on Tuesday), so theres probably a bit of profit-taking the reality is were facing a hard slog here in terms of domestic growth and the earnings season, which is not likely to throw up a lot of positives, Mr Bassanese said. The market here is struggling for direction - really its been in a range since early June. The rally that we enjoyed since March has petered out and is now range-bound and waiting for direction. Wednesdays decline means the ASX 200 has now not had back-to-back sessions of gains for more than a month. Financials weighed heavily in early trade but improved in the afternoon to finish a collective 0.8 per cent lower. Commonwealth Bank managed to close in the black - gaining 0.3 per cent to $71.70 after an earlier fall of 2.6 per cent. However, Westpac fell 1 per cent to $16.63, and NAB 1.3 per cent to $16.91, while ANZ dropped 0.3 per cent to $17.46. Macquarie Group closed 0.6 per cent lower at $124.44 and Suncorp lost 3.7 per cent to close at $8.52. Materials was the only sector to close higher, adding 0.7 per cent as gold prices surged and iron ore continued its push towards $US120 a tonne. Goldminers shone brightest, with Newcrest up 2.9 per cent to $36.63, Northern Star 4.3 per cent higher at $16.43, and St Barbara rising 5.2 per cent at $3.62. BHP managed to add 0.1 per cent to finish at $37.95 while Fortescue Metals registered another record high close of $18.33 when it rose 0.8 per cent. Rio Tinto sagged 1.1 per cent to $103.99. Elsewhere, blood giant CSL dropped 1.8 per cent to $278.15 to weigh the health sector down. Supermarkets Woolworths and Coles lost 1.7 per cent and 0.5 per cent respectively, while telco giant Telstra shed 2.3 per cent to $3.40. Toll road operator Transurban closed 1.4 per cent lower at $13.81. Queensland will effectively close its southern road border, with NSW and the ACT declared hotspots amid growing concern about the spread of COVID-19 and people attempting to bypass restrictions already in place. Travellers who have been in either newly declared hotspot region, along with Victoria, will be denied entry, with returning Queenslanders forced to fly in or drive through the Northern Territory or South Australian border before paying for 14 days in hotel quarantine. Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has announced all of NSW and the ACT will be declared a hotspot from 1am Saturday. Credit:Dominic Lorrimer, Paul Harris, Kate Geraghty The decision will mean only some exempt essential workers such as freight drivers, along with border residents, will be able to cross into the state at the NSW border from 1am on Saturday. Announcing the move on Wednesday morning, Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk told reporters it was about reducing the risk of a "second wave" hitting the state. KALAMAZOO, MI -- Voters in Kalamazoo County and across the state of Michigan weighed in on a number of primary contests and tax proposals in the Tuesday, Aug. 4, primary election. Whether you voted absentee or waited in line at the polls, here is where you can watch for live-updated unofficial results Tuesday night and Wednesday morning. Related: A guide to Kalamazoo-area candidates, tax proposals on Aug. 4 primary ballots For updated results of those local, contested races, look below. Refresh this page for the most recent unofficial results as reported by Kalamazoo County election officials. Once all ballots are tallied and the race has been called, the winning position will be shown in bold. With increases in absentee voting amid the coronavirus pandemic, election officials across the state warned that final unofficial results were likely to be delayed on election night. Results will be updated below as they become available: Kalamazoo County Sheriff - Republican primary 107 of 107 precincts reporting Shannon Bagley: 11,396 Thomas Swafford: 9,426 County Clerk / Register of Deeds - Democratic primary 107 of 107 precincts reporting Meredith Place: 12,750 Doreen Gardner: 10,616 Sarah Joshi: 8,935 County Commissioner District 1 - Democratic primary 10 of 10 precincts reporting Tami Rey: 1,009 Andrew Sellin: 196 County Commissioner District 2- Democratic primary 10 of 10 precincts reporting Zac Bauer: 1,861 Monteze Morales: 1,836 County Commissioner District 4 - Democratic primary 9 of 9 precincts reporting Jen Strebs: 2,230 Mike Seals (I): 1,195 County Commissioner District 5 - Democratic primary 10 of 10 precincts reporting Veronica McKissack: 2,523 Chris Pomeroy: 1,213 County Commissioner District 6 - Republican primary 10 of 10 precincts reporting Jeff Heppler: 1,813 Vince Carahaly: 1,434 County Commissioner District 9 - Republican primary 10 of 10 precincts reporting Dale Shugars: 1,912 Brian Kovacik: 660 Kalamazoo County 911 tax proposal 107 of 107 precincts reporting Yes: 35,131 No: 21,717 Kalamazoo Township operating tax 10 of 10 precincts reporting Yes: 3,115 No: 1,711 Texas Township fire department tax 6 of 6 precincts reporting Yes: 3,206 No: 1,415 Parchment School District sinking fund tax 9 of 9 precincts reporting Yes: 1,374 No: 963 Cooper Township Supervisor - Republican primary 5 of 5 precincts reporting Jeffrey R. Sorensen: 852 Ron Bickings: 310 Diane Bushouse: 184 John Beebe: 134 Oshtemo Township Supervisor - Democratic primary 10 of 10 precincts reporting Libby Heiny-Cogswell: 2,419 Rob Viland: 1,327 Brady Township Clerk - Republican primary 2 of 2 precincts reporting Michelle Crawford: 375 Christian Wines: 316 Comstock Township Clerk - Democratic primary 7 of 7 precincts reporting Nicole Beauchamp: 1,255 Dave Camburn: 449 Comstock Township Clerk - Republican primary 7 of 7 precincts reporting Stephen M. French: 703 Tom Wagner: 657 Cooper Township Clerk - Republican primary 5 of 5 precincts reporting DeAnna Janssen: 1,020 David Gamache: 352 Oshtemo Township Clerk - Democratic primary 10 of 10 precincts reporting Dusty Farmer: 2,142 Claudia Stirton: 1,622 Ross Township Clerk - Republican primary 2 of 2 precincts reporting Linda Walters: 510 Alex Harris: 443 Kalamazoo Township Treasurer - Democratic primary 10 of 10 precincts reporting Sherine Marie Miller: 1,550 Nicolette Leigh: 1,487 Oshtemo Township Treasurer - Democratic primary 10 of 10 precincts reporting Clare Buszka: 1,910 Grant Taylor: 1,737 Alamo Township Trustee - Republican primary (two seats) 2 of 2 precincts reporting Jason Scheffers: 491 Russell Scott: 478 Patrick Studabaker: 210 Comstock Township Trustee - Republican primary (four seats) 7 of 7 precincts reporting Jerry Amos: 909 Clyde Sherwood: 909 Terry McGiver: 807 George Sidney: 672 Marla Schwartz: 668 Dorthy Steffey-Wagner: 652 Cooper Township Trustee - Republican primary (four seats) 5 of 5 precincts reporting Fred Vlietstra: 967 Jim Frederick: 831 Adam Tuinstra: 743 Dan Williams: 657 Rob Bricker: 650 Marc Rowlson: 534 Oshtemo Township Trustee - Democratic primary (four seats) 10 of 10 precincts reporting Cheri Bell: 2,303 Kristin Cole: 2,110 Kizzy Bradford: 1,878 Zak Ford: 1,562 Louis Andrae Williams: 1,415 Brian Paxson: 1,291 Brad Solarek: 1,158 Jon French: 1,122 James Sebree: 516 Kalamazoo Township Trustee - Democratic primary (four seats) 10 of 10 precincts reporting Ashley Glass: 2,285 Clara Robinson: 2,284 Lisa Moaiery: 2,091 Steven Leuty: 1,596 George Cochran: 1,577 Ross Township Trustee - Republican primary (four seats) 2 of 2 precincts reporting Lynn Harmon: 700 David Senkewitz: 596 Mike Sulka: 572 Michael Bekes: 564 Diana Langshaw: 563 Schoolcraft Township Trustee - Republican primary (two seats) 2 of 2 precincts reporting Steven Fryling: 790 Tamra Stafford: 723 Greg Feldmeier: 450 Comstock Township Park Commissioner - Democratic primary 7 of 7 precincts reporting Teresa L. Young: 1,450 Marc Rizzolo: 1,179 The results above will be updated throughout the evening on Election Day and, if necessary, into Wednesday morning. Click here for more of MLives Election Day coverage from across the state, or here for full coverage of Kalamazoo-area elections. See more results for state House and U.S. congressional races here Also on MLive: Election officials say 66% of absentee ballots returned so far in Kalamazoo County 7 races to watch on Election Day in Kalamazoo County New 911 millage would fund Kalamazoo County consolidated dispatch through 2029 Dont expect complete results on election night, state says after nearly 1M absentee ballots cast Replacement ballots sent out to fix 750 misprints, Kalamazoo County clerk says Absentee ballot lost in the mail? You can still vote in Michigan primary Tuesday Olusegun Bamgbose, Esq., National Coordinator, Concerned Advocates for Good Governance, CAGG, has revealed how the Governor of Kaduna St... Olusegun Bamgbose, Esq., National Coordinator, Concerned Advocates for Good Governance, CAGG, has revealed how the Governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, dragged him (Bamgbose) into the 2033 presidential race. Recall that Bamgbose had recently declared his interest to battle it out with the political bigwigs in the country come 2023. Explaining how the Kaduna Governor made him join the race, the senior lawyer said early this year, he wrote a letter to El-Rufai to the effect that he has his (Bamgbose) support if he wanted to contest the 2023 presidential elections. According to him, El-Rufai never thought it wise, to acknowledge my letter in anyway. Along the line it just suddenly occurred to me, enough of this support, you are also qualified to contest, go ahead and indicate your interest. The truth of the matter is that Ive been nursing the ambition since 1986. That was how I started and so far so good. Im therefore indebted to Governor El-Rufai for refusing to acknowledge my letter. Im equally happy that in the course of time, Governor EL-RUFAI made it clear that power must shift to the south. Im with all modesty, a detribilised Nigerian. In 2003, I visibly supported Chief Olusegun Obasanjo for his second term bid. In 2007, I supported Senator Orji Uzor Kalu. In 2011, I supported Goodluck Jonathan, in 2015, I supported Mohammadu Buhari, in 2019, I supported Atiku Abubakar. Im with all modesty, a detribilised Nigerian. In 2003, I visibly supported Chief Olusegun Obasanjo for his second term bid. In 2007, I supported Senator Orji Uzor Kalu. In 2011, I supported Goodluck Jonathan, in 2015, I supported Mohammadu Buhari, in 2019, I supported Atiku Abubakar. The fact remains that Im very passionate about one Nigeria. Nigerians should look forward to a passionate, patriotic and pragmatic leader come 2023. It was a sad day for Gramercy Park, Mr. Flores said. Later, around 10 p.m., Rosie Iannottas windows offered rare bursts of light on 204th Street in Auburndale, Queens, thanks to a generator she had bought after enduring Sandy and other, earlier storms. Ms. Iannotta, a retired teacher, said a power surge had melted the electrical lines on her block at 1:44 p.m., a terrifying event that she filmed with her phone. I was freaking out, she said. Luckily, she added, no one was hurt. Im just glad that everyone was safe. As expected, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority also felt the storms impact, with some aboveground subway service, the Metro-North Railroad and the Long Island Rail Road suspended temporarily. Service on the Staten Island Ferry was also suspended. At least 55 flights were canceled at Kennedy International Airport, and at least 78 were canceled at La Guardia Airport. Sarah Feinberg, the transit authoritys interim president, said at an afternoon briefing that she was not sure when full subway service would resume. As soon as the trees and debris are removed, well obviously be back to full service, she said. By late afternoon, the rains brought by the storm had mostly passed through the city, but the stiff winds continued, creating an odd juxtaposition with the suddenly sunny skies. To the south, Patrick OHara, a National Weather Service meteorologist, said the agency was tracking reports of at least two tornadoes: one in Strathmere, in South Jersey, and another near Dover, Del. For our free coronavirus pandemic coverage, learn more here. Save Log in , register or subscribe to save articles for later. Normal text size Larger text size Very large text size The big business lobby that represents Australia's mining, banking and technology giants and the Australian Council of Trade Unions make an unusual partnership. But both have backed nationwide, government-funded paid pandemic leave to keep workers with coronavirus symptoms at home. "Paid pandemic leave is now an essential public health measure," the Business Council of Australia's chief executive, Jennifer Westacott, and ACTU secretary Sally McManus wrote in an open letter to the federal government urging it to adopt the measure. Shortly afterwards, Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced one-off $1500 "disaster payments" to help Victorians isolate in place of a similar payment from the state government but the federal government has not called it paid pandemic leave. So is the government's $1500 payment the same as paid pandemic leave? And what problem is it supposed to fix? Aged care has been one sector where workplace transmission has occurred. Credit:Nic Walker What is paid pandemic leave? It's extra paid time off that workers can take if they need to get tested and isolate because they have coronavirus symptoms or if they have come into contact with someone who may have the virus. The goal is to encourage people to stay home from work if they have COVID-19 symptoms, by removing the financial disincentive of losing income. Advertisement Basically, the government's $1500 payment is a form of paid pandemic leave but it doesn't go as far as some groups would like. Different groups have different proposals for how paid pandemic leave should work. For example, it could be paid for by employers, as with sick leave, or be reimbursed by the government as with JobKeeper; it could require an application over the phone or a call to your boss; it could be available once or multiple times; it could be a flat sum for everyone or equal an employee's normal wage. What's the case for pandemic leave? About a quarter of Australian employees, and even more independent contractors, are casual workers and do not have paid sick leave. About half a million are in Melbourne, where the most coronavirus cases are, and nearly 550,000 are in Sydney. Other workers may have used up all their sick leave for other medical conditions before developing COVID-19 symptoms. Paid pandemic leave advocates, which include Labor and the Greens as well as the ACTU and the Business Council, argue workers without leave have contributed to the spread of coronavirus in Victoria. The preferred model of the Business Council and the ACTU is government-funded pandemic leave, rolled out nationally, that workers could claim just as easily as sick leave. They argue it would avoid the hassle of workers phoning a 1800 number because they would go through their boss; and it would avoid any financial loss for workers who usually earn more than $1500 a fortnight. Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews said in July that about 80 per cent of coronavirus cases had been caused by workplace transmissions, including in industries such as aged care, security and meat processing, which employ significant numbers of casual workers. Health experts have argued that paid pandemic leave will mean those workers are less likely to go to work while sick for two reasons: it will let some workers on the breadline afford to stay home and it will encourage others who might be wavering on whether their symptoms do really indicate coronavirus to make the right choice and stay home. Advertisement What's the case against it? That depends on how the paid pandemic leave would work. While some large employers such as Coles and Woolworths have said they will pay casual staff who have to isolate, business groups say most employers cannot afford do the same when many are already struggling because of the pandemic. In response to the growing outbreak in Victorian aged care facilities, in July the Fair Work Commission, which is the national industrial tribunal, gave all aged care workers access to paid pandemic leave for a minimum of three months. Employers have to pay for that, which prompted complaints from industry groups at the time that nursing homes and labour providers would struggle to afford it and find enough staff to replace those on leave. Loading If pandemic leave is paid by employers and reimbursed by the government, as with JobKeeper, it would be another strain on the public purse. Even then, the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, which describes itself as the country's largest business group, has argued the cost of handing over money in advance, while waiting for it to be reimbursed, would hurt small businesses. "[They] cant afford to keep writing cheques, chamber chief executive James Pearson says. The federal government also argues workers in states outside Victoria do not need paid pandemic leave. A spokesman for the Prime Minister's office said in early August that the other states "are successfully addressing community transmission through testing, tracing, local health response and hygiene". Advertisement There is no timeline for a decision on paid pandemic leave. The Greens have a bill to introduce full paid pandemic leave nationally that they will bring to Parliament when it sits in late August, which could bring the issue to a head. What support can people get right now? The Victorian government gives workers who have been tested a $300 one-off payment if they do not have any sick leave they can use. To apply, call 1800 675 398. Loading The federal government is providing $1500 grants to those who test positive or are close contacts of a confirmed case and also lack sick leave. The hotline number is 180 22 66. That will take the place of an existing $1500 Victorian Worker Support Payment for people in the same position. People can also keep receiving JobKeeper and JobSeeker, if they are on those programs, while in isolation. Queensland has a similar $1500 grant program and some big employers have made similar grants available. There arent many Airbus A340s left in the world. The four-engine jet saw its heydey in the 90s and 2000s and is now on its way out as airlines switch to cheaper-to-run twin-engines. While some carriers still have a couple of A340s in their fleet (think: Air Madagascar, Edelweiss Air) the jet is now being seen more in reconstructed form than airborne. Enter: one of Turkeys largest restaurants, which also happens to be inside a retired Airbus A340. China Global Television Network (CGTN) recently reported that the converted Balikesir restaurant is currently on sale for US $1.4 million. Turkeys largest restaurant, transformed from an old Airbus, has been put on sale for 10 million Turkish liras or 1.4 million U.S. dollars, a real estate agent told Xinhua on Tuesday. pic.twitter.com/tOAirSEJRv CGTN (@CGTNOfficial) August 4, 2020 The aircraft, a wide body iteration of the A340, had belonged to Turkish Airlines, and had been broken into eight pieces after being retired four years ago. Simple Flying reports, The segments were then transported to Burhaniye district, the northwestern province of Balikesir, Turkey [where] the old Airbus reincarnated into a lush restaurant. Initial reports suggest the Turkish businessman that had put in US $1.5 million to convert the aircraft into the restaurant is now facing health problems and, as such, has put it up for sale. As Simple Flying reports, the Airbus restaurant, named Burhaniye Ucak Restorant, is located in a relatively spacious area lined with shrubs forming pathways [and features] a conveniently located parking lot in the adjacent region, allowing visitors easy access. An Airbus A340 has a seating capacity of 270-354 depending on the model, but for this restaurant, it seats a decent 280. The restaurant has hosted various ceremonies (from weddings to special occasion dinners) and, in many ways, has become a symbol of the Balikesir region. Read Next --Based on recent discovery of MR1-restricted T cells and their potential applications in cancer-- --Foundational know-how establishes leadership in the field-- --Launched out of Versant's Ridgeline Discovery Engine-- Versant Ventures today announced the debut of Matterhorn Biosciences AG, a biotechnology company developing T cell receptor therapies based on the recent discovery of MR1T cells that recognize and kill a wide range of tumors of various tissue origins. Versant has made a $30 million commitment to the new company, which was founded by pioneers in the MR1 field at the University of Basel. It is the most recent company to be launched out of Versant's Ridgeline Discovery Engine based in Basel, Switzerland. While existing T cell receptor (TCR) therapies only recognize peptides in certain cancer patients, MR1T cells universally recognize and target cancer-specific metabolites presented by the MR1 molecule expressed on malignant cells. This is due to broad expression of MR1 over a range of tumor types and its conservation across all patients. The foundational know-how in Matterhorn includes a 2017 patent that describes the role of these MR1-restricted T cells in cancer immunotherapy. "Targeting MR1 is a fundamentally new approach to cancer cell therapy. By recognizing the distorted metabolism within cancer cells, these T cell therapies can attack a wide range of liquid and solid tumors without affecting healthy tissue," said Alex Mayweg, Ph.D., managing director at Versant and Matterhorn board member. Pan-cancer-targeting universal T cell therapies T cell therapies have transformed the cancer landscape due to their effective killing of cancer cells and their continued persistence within the patient's body. Current cell therapies such as CAR-Ts have shown dramatic survival improvements in liquid cancers but have been limited in solid tumors due to the lack of cancer-specific targets against which to direct the T cells. TCR therapies overcome some of these limitations by targeting cancer-specific peptides presented on the cell surface by human leukocyte antigen (HLA) molecules. However, HLAs are highly polymorphic and current TCR therapies need to be matched to the patient's HLA, significantly limiting the eligible patient population. MR1 (MHC class I-related molecule 1) is monomorphic and is therefore the same in all patients. Since MR1 binds small metabolite antigens that are highly specific to cancer cells and are shared across liquid and solid tumors, it creates the opportunity for pan-cancer-targeting, off-the-shelf T cell therapies. Matterhorn leadership and operating plans The company's scientific founders include: Gennaro De Libero, M.D., Professor of Immunology at the Department of Biomedicine at the University of Basel, Switzerland. His group focuses on adaptive and innate T cells specific for non-peptidic antigens. He is a worldwide leader in the field of MR1T cells. During his career he held appointments at the Basel Institute for Immunology and at the Singapore Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR). Lucia Mori, Ph.D., Chief Scientific Officer of Matterhorn and a faculty member in the Department of Biomedicine and University Hospital of Basel since 1994. Over the past 34 years her work has focused on antigen recognition of TCRs and non-classical T cell immunity, with appointments at A*STAR in Singapore and F. Hoffmann-La Roche in Basel, Switzerland. The Matterhorn founders pioneered work in the MR1 field over the past decade. They first proposed the role of MR1 in cancer immunosurveillance in 2016 and subsequently described the utility of MR1T cells as cancer therapies. The mechanism and specific metabolite antigens that give MR1T cells their broad anti-tumor activity spectrum have now been elucidated. These insights provided a practical starting point for drug discovery in the field. "It is gratifying to see the work that started 15years ago now being translated into new therapies," said Dr. De Libero. "I look forward to working closely with the Matterhorn team to bring these treatments to patients." During Matterhorn's formative phase, the team at the University of Basel will continue to work alongside scientists at Versant's Ridgeline Discovery Engine to build a platform of MR1-binding metabolites and develop a broad portfolio of TCR therapies. Based on progress to date, Matterhorn expects to start IND-enabling work on its first development candidates during 2020. Phase 1 studies should commence by late 2021. About Matterhorn Biosciences Matterhorn is a biotechnology company focusing on the discovery of cellular therapies targeting the MR1 molecule. MR1 presents cancer-specific metabolites on the surface of cancer cells that are recognized and killed by T cells bearing a MR1-specific T cell receptor. Matterhorn was launched by Versant Ventures and emerged from a collaboration between founding scientists at the University of Basel and the firm's Ridgeline Discovery Engine in Basel Switzerland. About Versant Ventures Versant Ventures is a leading healthcare venture capital firm committed to helping exceptional entrepreneurs build the next generation of great companies. The firm's emphasis is on biotechnology companies that are discovering and developing novel therapeutics. With $3.2 billion under management and offices in the U.S., Canada and Europe, Versant has built a team with deep investment, operating and R&D expertise that enables a hands-on approach to company building. Since the firm's founding in 1999, more than 75 Versant companies have achieved successful acquisitions or IPOs. Versant is currently investing out of its seventh fund, Versant Venture Capital VII, a $600 million global biotech fund closed in December 2018. In parallel the firm co-invests out of its Canadian strategic fund Versant Voyageurs I and its later-stage biotech opportunity fund Versant Vantage I. For more information, please visit www.versantventures.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200805005042/en/ Contacts: Steve Edelson sedelson@versantventures.com 415-801-8088 She has been documenting all the fun times with her sweet daughter Molly, seven months, on social media. But on Wednesday, Edwina Bartholomew, 37, also reminded her Instagram followers about the stark realities of motherhood, as she shared a snap of her covered in the youngster's pee. The image saw the Sunrise presenter's denim shirt covered in a large wet urine stain after things went awry when she was changing the little one's nappy. Oh no! On Wednesday, Edwina Bartholomew, 37, reminded her Instagram followers about the stark realities of motherhood, as she shared a snap of her covered in the youngster's pee Luckily, Edwina saw the funny side of the situation, as she captioned the snap: 'I paired this fantastic @cereslife tencil shirt with leggings, white sneakers and pee.' Edwina and her husband Neil Varcoe welcomed baby Molly on December 19. Meanwhile, two weeks ago, as her little girl reached seven months, Edwina gushed over her tiny tot on Instagram. The TV personality shared a series of gorgeous images of herself and Molly laughing on her bed and said how much she misses her girl in the mornings, after having recently returned to work. Good sport: Luckily, Edwina saw the funny side of the situation, as she captioned the snap: 'I paired this fantastic @cereslife tencil shirt with leggings, white sneakers and pee' 'Seven months old today': Meanwhile, two weeks ago, as her little girl reached seven months, the Sunrise presenter gushed over her tiny tot on Instagram In the beautiful photos, Edwina beamed next to her daughter in a bright blue jumper which had the word 'love' emblazoned across the front. Sweet Molly giggled next to her in a beige onesie. 'Seven months old today. Proud owner of two front teeth and a vice-like grip,' Edwina captioned the post. Her girl! 'Seven months old today. Proud owner of two front teeth and a vice-like grip,' Edwina captioned the post 'Always laughing and now squealing, a sound somewhere between a galah and a tiny orange strangled cat,' she said. Edwina returned to her role as a presenter with Channel Seven morning show Sunrise at the start of June - which is notorious for its gruelling early morning starts. 'Going back to work has been a challenge. I have loved having something "other" in the day but miss our mornings,' she admitted. Look how much she's grown! Edwina welcomed Molly in December (left). She reached seven months on Saturday (right) She concluded by gushing: 'Thankfully we have years of adventures ahead.' Edwina said in June that she was excited to be back on television screens, so that she can 'contribute to telling breaking news stories' to Australians every day. 'It's been a weird time being an observer and sitting on the couch,' the journalist and television presenter told News Corp Australia. Adjusting: Edwina returned to her role as a presenter with Channel Seven morning show Sunrise at the start of June Edwina continued: 'It was particularly hard during the bushfires, to think I couldn't contribute to telling those stories.' However, she said that she's thankful to have been self-isolating at home with baby Molly on maternity leave throughout the coronavirus pandemic. 'The timing in that respect has been great,' added Edwina. The Australian Federal Police will be given powerful new cyber tools to break into the networks of online paedophiles and terrorists using computer servers on the "dark web". The new capability will allow the AFP to penetrate the computer networks of criminals operating domestically for the first time. The agency will be given $88 million to bolster its cyber capabilities under a $1.66 billion cyber security package to be unveiled on Thursday. Australian Federal Police will be given powerful new tools to go after online criminals. Credit:Jason South Releasing the nation's new four-year cyber security strategy, Prime Minister Scott Morrison will say the new powers are needed to "track criminals in the darkest corners of the internet to protect our families and children". Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton said families and businesses were spending more time online and the country needed to make it safer. Mumbai University First Merit List 2020: , , , MU Admission First Merit List 2020 - Mumbai University Admissions 2020: 700 - - , , . . , , , . . , ( , ), , , , , (), , , , - - :- , . . , . . | , - - , - .., , , , , , , , .. , , , 6 - - - , https://mu.ac.in/ Mumbai University Admissions 2020: - 27 5 - 6 2020 , - 6 11 - 11 - 12 17 - 17 - 18 21 , -19 August 05 : After Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar demanded CBI probe into Sushant Singh Rajputs death on Tuesday, the latest development is that the forensic team may have failed to collect the finger swabs and nail clippings during the late actors autopsy. Revealing this to Mid-Day, a forensic surgeon from a city medical college said that the finger swabs and nail clippings of the late actor was crucial evidences, which the forensic team may not have collected during the autopsy at Cooper hospital on June 14. He said that these evidences could have helped to give clarity about foul play in his death. The forensic surgeon said that the swab and nail clippings could have indicated if dust particles from the ceiling fan were present on Sushant's fingers. This would have cleared the allegation of foul play. The team that conducted the autopsy on Sushant included a surgeon from the post-mortem department, who was working under police surgeon Dr SM Patil and four surgeons from the Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, HBT Medical College and Dr R N Cooper Municipal Hospital. Meanwhile, Sushant Singh Rajputs family lawyer Vikas Singh reportedly showed concern that neither any big property was bought nor any car was purchased, then where Rs 50 crore go from Sushants bank. He said this Rs 50 crore transaction needs to be investigated. On Tuesday, after Sushants father gave his consent, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar recommended Sushant's case for CBI probe. Latest updates on Sushant Singh Rajput Death Mystery Keir Starmer ramped up pressure on Boris Johnson today warning he has just a month to bolster the test and trace system - or the UK will face a 'long bleak winter' of coronavirus. The Labour leader lashed the PM for being 'too slow to act' throughout the crisis, saying he needed to accept the crucial tracking arrangements are not working properly. Sir Keir said the nation was at a 'crucial point' in the fight against the disease and failure to address the problems in the coming weeks would fuel a deadly second peak. The grim warning, in an article for the Guardian, came after a major study predicted a resurgence of the disease unless the system gets better - and said it could be twice as bad as in the Spring. Keir Starmer (pictured right on a visit to Peterborough last week) has ramped up pressure on Boris Johnson (pictured left) warning he has just a month to bolster the test and trace system - or the UK will face a 'long bleak winter' of coronavirus Scientists said the only way of bringing back schools and avoiding another crisis around Christmas was dramatically to improve the NHS test and trace operation. Sir Keir pointed to the Government's lack of clear communication throughout the crisis and said contact tracing was one of the biggest issues. He wrote: 'On the occasions that the government has acted at pace, it has too often done so without a clear plan. Trying to get answers and clarity from the prime minister is a frustrating experience. 'His repeated refusal to accept that test and trace isn't functioning properly is a roadblock to fixing the issues and restoring public confidence.' Sir Keir also stressed that reopening schools for the new term must be a priority and further steps needed to be taken to ensure the NHS was ready to cope with another potential spike in infections. 'Any steps the government makes to regain the trust of the British people will have Labour's full support,' he wrote. 'But the reality is that if the government doesn't use this summer wisely, focusing on driving down the rate of infection, Britain faces a long and bleak winter.' In a report yesterday, researchers at UCL working with a team at LSHTM revealed that, if schools do re-open and lockdown is gradually lifted with more people slowly returning to work, a second wave will occur. The secondary wave would result in the R rate the number of people each Covid-19 patient infects rising above the dreaded number of one. Researchers warned yesterday that second wave could only be avoided if the contact tracing system improves (file photo of a doctor testing for virus with swab) This could yield a secondary wave of infections 2-2.3 times the size of the first, which has so far killed around 46,201 people. The peak would come in December, or in February 2021 if schools re-open on just a part-time basis. Dr Jasmina Panovska-Griffiths, study author, said: 'Our results are reflective of a broader loosening of lockdown, rather than the effects of transmission within schools exclusively.' The study, published today in The Lancet Child and Adolescent Health, assumed children were as infectious as adults. But the results remained true even when the team re-ran the model with the assumption that children and young people were 50 per cent as infectious as adults. The authors said without improvements in testing it will be 'absolutely essential' to introduce other measures in September to 'mitigate' the effects of schools opening. This could mean pubs are forced to shut or greater restrictions are placed on people meeting indoors. The presidential candidate of the Young Peoples Party in the 2019 general elections, Kingsley Moghalu, has denied reports that he had joined the ruling All Progressives Congress. Mr Moghalu, in a statement to PREMIUM TIMES on Wednesday, described the report as false, mischievous, and tendentious. In late 2019 I resigned my membership of the Young Progressives Party, the party platform on which I was a presidential candidate in the 2019 elections, but I did not subsequently join, and have not joined, any other political party, said Mr Moghalu, a former deputy governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria. I am therefore not a member of any political party in Nigeria today. An online news medium, Elombah News, on Tuesday quoted the APC publicity secretary in Anambra State, Okefo Madukaife, as stating that Mr Moghalu has decamped to the APC. The article by Elombah News is doubly mischievous because, despite my denying this false claim when the online news outlet contacted me, Elombah News nevertheless went ahead to publish the story with this mischievous and misleading headline with no evidence to back it up, while burying my comment debunking the false claim deep inside its story. This is irresponsible journalism, Mr Moghalu said. READ ALSO: I ask the public to disregard this fake news report, and to be guided by this clarification. In his earlier response to Elombah News, Mr Moghalu had said the APC spokesperson might be referring to George Moghalu (no relation of his), former governorship candidate and a prominent member of the APC in Anambra State. George Moghalu, however, has been a member of the APC since 2013 after his party, the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP), merged with others to form the APC. Democratic presidential candidate and former Vice President Joe Biden speaks about his plans to combat racial inequality at a campaign event in Wilmington, Delaware, U.S., July 28, 2020. Latinos are one of the largest growing demographics in the country, and their support is essential to ensuring a win that cannot be challenged or litigated especially in key battleground states like Arizona, Florida, Nevada, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Texas. However, according to a new survey conducted by the Voter Participation Center in partnership with Voto Latino and Latino Decisions, less than 60 percent of eligible Latino voters say they definitely plan to cast a ballot in 2020 and demonstrate a low enthusiasm about the candidacy of Vice President Joe Biden. Even though Donald Trump has no viable path to gain majority Latino support as he makes anti-immigration a foundation of his re-election, Biden's approval among young Latinos is waning. Today, Biden's support is down seven points from 67 percent back in February. By comparison, during this time in 2016, Hillary Clinton enjoyed 73 percent support among Latinos. A big issue is outreach. Most Latinos say they haven't even heard from Joe Biden's campaign nor the Democratic party. Just 32 percent of low-propensity Latino voters say the Democrats are doing a good job of outreach while only 27 percent of Latinos ages 18-29 agree. On the contrary, Latino Republicans report higher levels of connectivity with their party than Democrats, with 53 percent of self-identified Republican respondents saying they were contacted by someone, compared to 43 percent of Democrats. The split widens among those expressing a specific candidate preference, with 59 percent of Trump supporters and just 41 percent of Biden backers reporting being contacted by a political party, campaign or organization so far this year. In the context of a president who targets Latinos and other communities of color, these numbers are alarming. Foreigners who are staying in Cairo but do not hold residency permits will not be allowed to travel from the capital to three of Egypts major coastal provinces, which is part of measures to limit the spread of the coronavirus, the country's flagship carrier EgyptAir said in a statement on Wednesday. Last month, Egypt reopened its main seaside resort provinces to international flights and foreign tourists. As part of the first stage of the reopening, foreign tourists are now allowed to fly into three areas: South Sinai, where the popular seaside resort of Sharm El-Sheikh is located, the Red Sea governorate, home to the city of Hurghada, and Marsa Matrouh on the Mediterranean EgyptAir said that passengers flying from any city worldwide to these cities will be allowed entry only if they go through a transit period at Cairo airport that does not exceed six hours. Egypt resumed regular international flights to and from the country on 1 July after a three-month closure due to the pandemic. Foreign tourists are only allowed to visit the three coastal governorates which have recorded the lowest numbers of coronavirus cases in the country. More cities are planned to reopen for foreign visitors in later stages. Travelers must sign at departure airports that they are free of the virus prior to boarding their planes, while those coming from countries with high rates of coronavirus are required to submit test results to prove they are virus-free before travelling. Egypt's daily tally of new coronavirus infections and daily death toll have both continued to decline in recent weeks despite the recent lifting of lockdown measures in the country. The country recorded 112 new coronavirus cases and 24 deaths on Tuesday, bringing the total infection tally to 94,752 and the death toll to 4,912. The figure is in stark contrast to an average of 1,400 daily cases recorded in early July and through June. Search Keywords: Short link: WeedMD enters exclusive partnership to produce Mary's Medicinals in Canada Mary's Medicinals innovative product portfolio to be produced and distributed exclusively in Canada by WeedMD Mary's Medicinals innovative product portfolio to be produced and distributed exclusively in Canada by WeedMD Award-winning products to be manufactured by CX Industries in Canada starting Q4 2020, for sale across all WeedMDs medical and adult-use channels The addition of topicals, transdermal patches, and gel pens expands WeedMDs line of Cannabis 2.0 products for exclusive distribution to consumers across all Canadian markets TORONTO, Aug. 05, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- WeedMD Inc. (TSX-V:WMD) (OTCQX:WDDMF) (FSE:4WE) (WeedMD or the Company), a federally-licensed producer and distributor of medical-grade cannabis, is pleased to announce it has entered into an exclusive licensing, manufacturing and distribution agreement (the Agreement) with premium, U.S.-based cannabis wellness house, MM Technology Holdings, LLC, owner of Marys Brands, and the acclaimed product line, Marys Medicinals (Marys Brands or Marys). Under the terms of the Agreement, as Marys sole Canadian partner, WeedMD will manufacture a suite of Marys Medicinals products in-house with its own input biomass at its state-of-the-art extraction hub CX Industries later this year. WeedMD will also market, sell and distribute Marys Medicinals products across Canadas provincial adult-use and direct-to-consumer medical channels as it looks to expand new cannabis offerings to address an underserved wellness and medical market segment. Widely recognized for its innovative portfolio of delivery methods, Marys suite of cannabis products includes transdermal gels and patches and topicals. As we move into the next level of product development, its imperative that we strategically partner with established brands that share our core values and Mary's Brands offers a superior product line that is backed by a team truly dedicated to ensuring the quality, integrity and efficacy of its product offerings, said Angelo Tsebelis, CEO of WeedMD. Were proud to be selected as Marys exclusive Canadian producer and distributor. With our cultivation platform and CX extraction operations fully ramped-up, there's the added pride of developing these renowned products in-house as we expand with new cannabis formats into a lucrative, yet underserved consumer segment. Story continues Were thrilled to be partnering with WeedMD and its CX extraction team as we execute on our long-term growth strategy to expand the Marys Medicinals brand into Canada, said Jacques Panis, CEO of Marys Brands. Our continued desire to innovate on additional product offerings makes this partnership fitting as we look to collaborate with a strong, experienced team that brings unparalleled expertise in cultivation and extraction along with a proven ability to capture unique, next-level distribution channels. Check here for upcoming corporate events and to access WeedMDs latest Investor Presentation and latest Corporate Update Video . About Marys Brands Mary's Brands, founded in 2013 and known for its award-winning transdermal technology found in its cannabis patch and transdermal dispensing gel pen, is dedicated to pioneering and delivering natural, THC, CBD and other cannabinoid-infused products to positively impact the lives of both people and pets. To learn more about Mary's Brands, visit Marys Medicinals here . About WeedMD Inc. WeedMD Inc. is the publicly-traded parent company of WeedMD RX Inc. and Starseed Medicinal Inc., federally-licensed producers of cannabis products for both the medical and adult-use markets. The Company owns and operates a 158-acre state-of-the-art greenhouse, outdoor and processing facility located in Strathroy, Ontario as well as CX Industries Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary which specializes in cannabis extraction from the Companys fully-licensed 26,000 sq. ft. Aylmer, Ontario processing facility. With the addition of Starseed, a medical-centric operator based in Bowmanville, Ontario, WeedMD has expanded its multi-channeled distribution strategy. Starseeds industry-first, exclusive partnership with LiUNA, the largest construction union in Canada, along with other employers and union groups complements WeedMDs direct sales to medical patients. The Company maintains strategic relationships in the seniors market and supply agreements with Shoppers Drug Mart as well as six provincial distribution agencies where adult-use brands Color Cannabis and Saturday are sold. Follow WeedMD, Color Cannabis & Starseed: LinkedIn: https://ca.linkedin.com/company/weedmd Twitter: https://twitter.com/WeedMD Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/weedmd/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/callitcolor/ & Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/starseedca/ For further information, please contact: For Investor Enquiries: Valter Pinto Managing Director KCSA Strategic Communications 1-212-896-1254 weedmd@kcsa.com For Media Enquiries: Marianella delaBarrera VP, Communications & Corporate Affairs 416-897-6644 marianella@weedmd.com To learn more, visit us at www.weedmd.com Forward Looking Information This press release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation which are based upon WeedMD's current internal expectations, estimates, projections, assumptions and beliefs and views of future events. Forward-looking information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "expect", "likely", "may", "will", "should", "intend", "anticipate", "potential", "proposed", "estimate" and other similar words, including negative and grammatical variations thereof, or statements that certain events or conditions "may", "would" or "will" happen, or by discussions of strategy. The forward-looking information in this news release is based upon the expectations, estimates, projections, assumptions and views of future events which management believes to be reasonable in the circumstances. Forward-looking information includes estimates, plans, expectations, opinions, forecasts, projections, targets, guidance or other statements that are not statements of fact. Forward-looking information in this news release include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to internal expectations, expectations with respect to actual production volumes, expectations for future growing capacity and the completion of any capital project or expansions. Forward-looking information necessarily involve known and unknown risks, including, without limitation, risks associated with general economic conditions; adverse industry events; loss of markets; future legislative and regulatory developments; inability to access sufficient capital from internal and external sources, and/or inability to access sufficient capital on favourable terms; the cannabis industry in Canada generally; the ability of WeedMD to implement its business strategies; the COVID-19 pandemic; competition; crop failure; and other risks. Any forward-looking information speaks only as of the date on which it is made, and, except as required by law, WeedMD does not undertake any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. New factors emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for WeedMD to predict all such factors. When considering this forward-looking information, readers should keep in mind the risk factors and other cautionary statements in WeedMD's Annual Information Form dated June 21, 2019 (the "AIF") and other disclosure documents of WeedMD filed with the applicable Canadian securities regulatory authorities on SEDAR at www.sedar.com . The risk factors and other factors noted in the AIF and other disclosure documents could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those described in any forward-looking information. 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 A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/c3552686-e5c6-443c-b5ca-7f373b1442b6 The Yilo Krobo Constituency branch of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) has reminded President Akufo-Addo not to re-visit his usual habit of taking credit for what he has no hand in achieving, as the main campus of the University of Environment and Sustainable Development (UESD) at Somanya, Eastern Region, is about to be commissioned by him. The construction of UESD started under the presidency of Mr. John Dramani Mahama in 2016. Mr. Mahama noted during the sod-cutting ceremony that the university will be a multi-campus institution, whose main campus would be on this site and the second campus will be constructed in Donkorkrom on the Afram plains also in the Eastern Region. A statement issued by the Yilo Krobo arm of the NDC on Wednesday, 5 August 2020, and signed by the partys Constituency Communication Officer, Emmanuel Akumatey Okrah, said: We are happy today because one of the dreams of the NDC has come to fruition. A dream given birth to by the late Prof. J.E.A Mills carried through and made possible by His Excellency John Dramani Mahama as President, and Prof. Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang as Minister of Education. A vision by the NDC in making sure that all 10 regions at the time, had public universities. The party further commended former President Mahama and his running mate, Prof Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, who was instrumental in the project when she served as Minister of Education for the project. It continued that it is however, saddened by the fact that the project, which should have seen a satellite campus established at Donkorkrom did not materialise because the NPP government decided to take that project to Kyebi, the hometown of Nana Akufo-Addo. The statement saluted the NDC Minority Caucus in Parliament, for spotting the plot by the NPP government to move the main campus from Somanya. We cannot end without giving praise to the chiefs and youth of Krobo land, who stood their ground with a series of demonstrations, which eventually compelled the government to stick to the original plan. However, we take note that there is a seeming shortfall with regard to the number of building facilities before this commissioning. The Yilo Krobo NDC further reminded President Akufo-Addo not to re-visit his usual habit of taking credit for what he has no hand in, and to appreciate the efforts of his predecessor John Dramani Mahama, who we celebrate today. It added: To the people of Donkorkrom and environs whose hopes have been dashed, we say a future NDC government will construct the satellite campus of the same university at Donkorkrom since it is our vision to do so. ---ClassfmOnline By Kim Jae-heun POSCO International said Wedneday it signed a memorandum of understanding with the Rural Development Administration (RDA) in an effort to improve the value chain of Myanmar's rice industry. RDA Administrator Kim Kyeong-kyu and POSCO International CEO Joo Si-bo met at POSCO Group's office in central Seoul to participate in the signing ceremony. Through this deal, the two entities plan to establish a public-private cooperative relationship where the RDA will share its skills in rice production technology with Myanmar farms to produce quality raw materials while POSCO International will be in charge of processing and distributing raw local rice. They also promised to train local farmers on cultivation techniques and post-harvest management. Post-evaluation will also be given to help them improve their rice quality. The two expect this cooperation between public and private firms to set a good example for Myanmarese farmers. After acquiring a local rice processing plant with an annual capacity of 1.5 million tons in 2017, POSCO International established a new one capable of processing 8.6 million tons annually last year. It operates a rice processing and exporting business there. Through the recent MOU deal, the company hopes to expand sales and improve profitability in China, Africa and Europe with quality raw materials processed in Myanmar. The RDA also owns locale-customized rice production management technology through the KOPIA project, through which it has carried out cooperation tasks for rice variety development, improvement of cultivation technology and post-harvest management since 2014. "Our partnership will serve as a meaningful opportunity to actively practice POSCO Group's corporate citizenship management ideology and enhance the national prestige of Korea by contributing to the increase of income for Myanmar farmers and development of Myanmar's rice industry," Joo said. A year later: With Article 370 gone, security forces have stabilised situation India oi-Vicky Nanjappa New Delhi, Aug 05: It has been a year since the Indian Parliament took a historic decision to abrogate Article 370, which gave special status to Jammu and Kashmir. Kashmir: a year after special status was revoked | August 5 anniversary | Oneindia News The abrogation was met with criticism and praise, but more importantly the security forces have largely managed to stabilise the situation. The protests, stone pelting and more importantly recruitments into terror groups are all down, a top official in the security establishment tells OneIndia. The Hizbul Mujahideen which held the most sway among the youth suffered the most losses. It lost over 55 terrorists, which included its commander, Riyaz Naikoo. The death of Naikoo was without a doubt the biggest loss for the outfit in the past one year. The Hizbul Mujahideen has found it hard to find a replacement since then. A year gone, abrogation of Article 370 has been the best boon for security forces The number of youth joining terror groups dropped by 40 per cent. The year only witnessed 67 youth taking to terror. The security forces also managed to eliminate a group known as the Ansar Ghazwat-ul-Hind. The members of this outfit had broken away from the Hizbul Mujahideen. The ideology of this outfit was catching on, but the elimination of its top leadership has ensured that the group became irrelevant. A report prepared by the Union Ministry shows that the number of terror incidents have decreased by 36 per cent since the abrogation of the Article. Between January to July 15 2019, there were 188 incidents that had been reported and for the same period this year, the number stood at 120. Between January to July 2019, the number of terrorists killed stood at 126, whereas this year for the same period it was 136. In terms of grenade attacks last year the number was at 51 in comparison to 21 this year. Last year between January and July 75 security personnel were martyred when compared to the 35 this year. In terms of civilian deaths the number stood at 23 last year when compared to 22 this year between January and July 15. Abrogation of Article 370: Pak government issues guidelines for kinds of words to use In terms of IED attacks, there were six last year and just one between January and July 15 2020. In terms of terrorist deaths, 110 have been killed. The Hizbul Mujahideen lost 50 of its men, while the Lashkar-e-Tayiba and Jaish-e-Mohammad lost 20 each. 14 terrorists of the Ansar and ISJK were also killed. While the Hizbul Mujahideen lost Naikoo, the JeM lost its commander Qari Yasir. The Lashkar-e-Tayiba's top commander Haider was killed, while the Ansar lost Burhan Koka. Following the abrogation of Article 370, the security forces have busted 22 hideouts while seizing 190 weapons. 22 terrorists and 300 of their associates have been arrested. Leading daily Kyoto Shimbunhas praised Doctor Pham Nguyen Quy for rendering yeoman service to the Vietnamese community facing language barriers in Japan. In the chemotherapy ward of the Kyoto Min-iren Chuo Hospital's outpatient department, Doctor Quy checks on the health of a woman with cancer. He patiently and kindly explains things to her, helping her undergo the treatment with less stress and greater peace of mind. This is a key facet of Quys work providing accurate diagnostic information up to date for the Vietnamese community living in Japan, the Kyoto Shimbun noted in a feature published last month. Kyoto Shimbun is one of the largest daily newspapers in Kyoto, the former capital of Japan. It runs a "Good people, good deeds" column that introduces acts of kindness displayed by locals in Kyoto. It is rare that foreigners are featured in the column. Doctor Pham Nguyen Quy is the subject of the "Good people, good deeds" column carried by Japanese daily Kyoto Shimbun in its July 19 issue. Photo courtesy of Quy. Born into a family of traditional medicine practitioners in Hue, Quy went to Japan in 2002 with a scholarship from the Japanese government. The 37-year-old doctor said that at first his dream was to simply study abroad to bring advanced Japanese techniques and treatments to Vietnam. However, Japan's medical principle of "Omotenashi" (meaning hospitality) and the value his work provides to public health as well as the local Vietnamese community have kept him there. The Vietnamese doctor said he realized that the physician's task is not only to heal physically but also provide the mental support that aids healing. In 2008, Quy was one of eight students sent to the United States' Harvard Medical School for an internship. When he was there, he saw promotion flyers for patients at clinics and hospitals. On reading them, he learned that patients can communicate more effectively with their doctors with such information, including discussing their illnesses in greater detail. "At that time, Vietnam did not have bookshelves stacked with easy-to-understand information beautifully presented. Vietnamese people also did not have the habit of reading books and seeking official medical information, so I immediately thought of translating the information into Vietnamese and making similar products," Quy said. After leaving the U.S., he returned to Japan with "half a suitcase full of medical information leaflets." At the end of his doctoral degree in 2012, he started a community medicine project. Together with friends in the medical industry, he translated, compiled and edited over 3,000 articles from reputable foreign websites, divided into many specialties such as internal, external, obstetrics, pediatrics, and recently with cancer, diabetes and high blood pressure. "Everything was aimed at raising public awareness about health," Quy said. He said he believes that helping people have basic medical knowledge and a proper understanding of the disease will help them better understand and go through their treatment process. Not stopping at knowledge-sharing projects, Quy also organizes other activities to support Vietnamese community in Japan. From March 2018, he has prevailed on the Kyoto Min-iren Chuo Hospital to organize priority visits for Vietnamese people every Friday afternoon, ensuring "no language barriers with serious consequences." Each Friday afternoon, Quy receives about three to four patients. Vietnamese patients go directly to the hospital or visit Quy's personal page to make an appointment. The lack of Vietnamese-speaking staff means that he has to handle everything from reception to taking care and providing medicines to the patients. Avoiding mishaps Thanks to this priority arrangement, many Vietnamese in Japan have avoided unwanted mishaps. "A health certificate is required when applying for a job, but some Vietnamese still don't know how to do it." Doctor Pham Nguyen Quy. Photo courtesy of Quy. Quy recalled the instance of a Vietnamese intern whod just arrived in Japan with symptoms of anorexia and went to more than 10 hospitals and had a series of tests (endoscopy, CT, ultrasound, blood test) done, but a correct diagnosis escaped her. After asking for a detailed medical history and reviewing the tests, he determined the patient's problem as caused by the stress of working in a new environment. "There are diseases where a detailed history can help pinpoint the cause by as much as 80 percent. Mental counseling and socio-emotional interventions can also help. If the doctor does not do this carefully, the patient can potentially be pushed into an endless circle of testing." In order to help alleviate concerns among the Vietnamese community in Japan about the Covid-19 pandemic, Quy and the Vietnamese Association in Japan and nearly 50 Vietnamese nurses across the country established last May a consultation channel to answer questions on the virus and where to get an infection treated. "Most of the cases are far away, so the nursing team and I support them with translation and online communication, helping them find the right hospital," Quy said. Thanks to this initiative, nearly 500 cases have been screened. Five tested positive and received timely support. Doctor Nguyen Quoc Thuc Phuong from the University of Rochester Medical Center, New York, said: " Quy's work shows how much love he has for Vietnamese community abroad. Although we have not had the opportunity to meet, his works provide a great example for me on how to contribute to the remote community." Doctor Nguyen Huu Chau Duc, co-founder of the community medicine project, said that since his early days in Japan, Quy has been involved in many academic pursuits including sharing his medical knowledge with the Vietnamese community. He has also propagated Vietnamese culture through cooking and other social activities with Japanese people. Quy said that amid his hectic life, working in the hospital and on community projects, "there are times when I am tired" but "the joy and the results of the patients keep me motivated." The Vietnamese doctor said that in the near future, he wished to build a system of remote examination support for the Vietnamese community in Japan so that people with language limitations can still see a doctor at the right time. "My dream is to provide medical support to Vietnamese people living and working in Japan" Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-05 03:00:27|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close Chinese medical team members pose for a photo upon their arrival at the airport in Baku, Azerbaijan, Aug. 4, 2020. (photo by Tofik Babayev/Xinhua) During their 15-day stay in Azerbaijan, the Chinese medics will conduct training for local specialists focusing on the prevention, diagnostics and treatment of the coronavirus. BAKU, Aug. 4 (Xinhua) -- A team of Chinese medical experts arrived here on Tuesday to share their knowledge of and experience in COVID-19 treatment with their Azerbaijani counterparts. The 10-man team also delivered the last batch of protective equipment donated to Azerbaijan by the Chinese government. During their 15-day stay in Azerbaijan, the Chinese medics will conduct training for local specialists focusing on the prevention, diagnostics and treatment of the coronavirus. Given Azerbaijan's needs, the Chinese government offered assistance in a number of areas, including the construction and running of modular hospitals, development of basic technologies for intensive care, treatment with plasma therapy, and development of a diagnostics and treatment plan based on Chinese medicine. Speaking at a ceremony to welcome the medics, Chinese Ambassador to Azerbaijan Guo Min said the two countries have been helping each other in fighting the pandemic since its outbreak. She described the mutual provision of strong moral support and timely financial assistance as a manifestation of high mutual political trust and deep traditional friendship between the two countries. "In order to help Azerbaijan fight COVID-19, the Chinese government has sent a team of medical experts from West China Hospital in Sichuan Province to build relations with relevant Azerbaijani medical institutions and share experience," the ambassador said. Guo expressed her confidence that this move would contribute to the deepening of Sino-Azerbaijani cooperation in the field of medicine and health, and elevate the bilateral relations to a new level. China has dispatched medical teams to help a number of countries curb the spread of COVID-19 since the outbreak of the pandemic. Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-05 15:53:07|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close by Naim-Ul-Karim DHAKA, Aug. 5 (Xinhua) -- Bangladesh's exports in the first month of the current 2020-21 fiscal year (July 2020-June 2021) reached about 4 billion U.S. dollars, registering a meager 0.59-percent growth, the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) data posted on its website showed Wednesday. The EPB data showed export performance for July this year was 3,910.92 million U.S. dollars. July export income was over 44 percent higher than that in June, meaning the country's export sector is limping back to normalcy after suffering serious blows owing to COVID-19 impacts. Of the total earnings, the EPB data showed the country's income from ready-made garment items, including knitwear and woven, stood at 3.24 billion U.S. dollars. Knitwear garment export grew 4.30 percent to 1.75 billion U.S. dollars in July but woven garments decreased 8.43 percent to 1.49 billion U.S. dollars, comparing with the same period of last fiscal year. Bangladesh last month set its export target in 2020-21 fiscal year at 41 billion U.S. dollars, including 33.79 billion U.S. dollars from ready-made garment products. Due to the economic impacts of COVID-19 in Bangladesh and elsewhere in the world, Bangladesh export earnings in the past financial year 2019-20 sank about 17 percent to 33.67 billion U.S. dollars, the lowest since the 2014-15 fiscal year. The EPB data showed export performance for June, the final month of the last fiscal, was 2.71 billion U.S. dollars, 2.5 percent lower than the same month of the previous financial year. An EPB official said export income plunged as earnings from garment mainly experienced severe slowdown after buyers from the United States and the European Union which are by far the largest destinations for Bangladesh's garment exports, have cancelled their orders in the wake of COVID-19. The EPB official who declined to be named said Bangladesh businesses are now keenly interested in bolstering market in China for garment products following Beijing's recent decision to provide tariff exemption for 97 percent of exports from Bangladesh. The garment sector accounts for around 80 percent of Bangladesh's annual exports and generates employment for some 4 million workers, while women make up around 80 percent of the garment workforce. Enditem Tamil Nadus DMK MLA Ku Ka Selvam visited BJPs office in Chennai soon after he was suspended by party chief MK Stalin for alleged violation of party discipline after he praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi and met BJP president JP Nadda in Delhi on Tuesday and claimed the DMK had become a familys party. Ku Ka Selvam, was temporarily suspended by party chief Stalin and also served a show cause notice asking him why he should not be expelled from the primary membership of the party. While Selvan has in the past rejected speculations that he was inclined to join the BJP, his attack on Stalin on Wednesday at BJPs office doesnt indicate a reconciliatory posture. The DMK now functions as a familys party, Selvam was quoted as saying by news agency ANI. Selvam, who represents the prestigious Thousand Lights constituency in Chennai which houses DMK partys headquarters and Stalins Chittaranjan avenue residence, is reported to be miffed with party for not picking him for DMKs Chennai West district secretary post. On Tuesday, he travelled all the way to Delhi to meet railway minister Piyush Goyal with a request to install two lifts at a railway station under his constituency and also ended up meeting BJP president JP Nadda. Reports say he was accompanied by former DMK leader V.P. Duraiswamy who later joined the BJP. In Delhi, Selvam praised PM Modi for good governance and wished him well for the beginning of the construction of the Ram temple at Ayodhya. Also Read: PM Modis wisdom paved way for peaceful resolution of Ram temple issue: Yogi Adityanath After the meeting, he denied he was joining the BJP and said he requested Nadda to develop Rameswaram and other places associated with Lord Ram further. An upset DMK on Wednesday issued an official statement announcing Selvams suspension. DMK headquarters office secretary and executive committee member Ku Ka Selvam is relieved from the posts effective today. He has also been asked to reply to a show cause notice for bringing disrepute to the party. Selvam has demanded that the DMK snaps ties with the Congress and condemn Karuppar Kootam channel, for allegedly denigrating Kanda Sashti Kavacham hymn in praise of Lord Muruga. Beijing has sent a clear message to the filmmaking world, that filmmakers who criticize China will be punished, but that those who play ball with its censorship strictures will be rewarded, proclaims the hard hitting Made in Hollywood, Censored by Beijing report. Deadline Over 3,200 fine spirits bottles of businessman Mikhalchenko to be destroyed - court RAPSI, Vladimir Burnov 17:00 05/08/2020 MOSCOW, August 5 (RAPSI) The Moscow City Court has upheld a lower courts order to destroy over 3,200 bottles of fine spirits which are evidentiary items in a new case against Forum Holding CEO Dmitry Mikhalchenko convicted of alcohol trafficking, according to court records. The court has therefore dismissed an appeal against the ruling of Moscows Basmanny District Court. The alcohol destruction is to be executed by the Federal Service for the Regulation of the Alcohol Market. In January 2019, the businessman was detained on new charges of embezzlement and organizing a criminal group. Earlier, in December 2018, the Basmanny District Court of Moscow found Mikhalchenko guilty of alcohol smuggling and sentenced him to 4 years and 7 months in prison. However, the term is to expire on April 19. Two other defendants in the alcohol smuggling case, Boris Korevsky and Alexey Mishchenko, were also convicted. Korevsky was given 5 years behind bars, Mishchenko received a 3-year suspended sentence. Mikhalchenko was arrested and detained in late March 2016. Investigators claimed that he had organized trafficking of alcoholic products from countries of the European Union. According to the prosecution, in 2015, the products were bought in European shops, collected in the port of Hamburg and then smuggled into Russia. The caused damage was estimated at more than 61 million rubles (about $1 million). Forum Holding Company established in 2011 is one of the largest multibusiness companies in Saint-Petersburg. The company has united several dozens of the citys enterprises and organizations. Forum Holding consists of industrial enterprises, such as "Spinning Mill named after S.M. Kirov", the oldest textile industry enterprise in Russia, "Izmeron" factory, one of technological leaders of Russias downhole equipment market, according to the companys website. The Ukrainian and Belarusian officials prepare the visit of the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky to Belarus. Ambassador of Belarus to Ukraine Igor Sokol has met with Oleksiy Reznikov, the Vice Prime Minister of Ukraine - Chairman of the Ukrainian delegation to the Intergovernmental Belarus-Ukraine Commission on Trade and Economic Cooperation. The parties discussed the preparations for the state visit of the President of Ukraine to Belarus, the preparations for the 3d Forum of Regions of Belarus and Ukraine, as well as the development of trade and economic cooperation between the two countries, BelTA news agency informs with reference to the press service of the Embassy of Belarus in Ukraine. Igor Sokol informed Oleksiy Reznikov about the results of the second meeting of the Belarusian organizing committee for the preparation and holding of the 3d Forum of Regions of Belarus and Ukraine. The meeting participants underscored their commitment to the implementation of agreements previously reached. Priority was given to joint activities to facilitate the speedy recovery of mutual trade affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. The interlocutors agreed that the second half of 2020 will be full of bilateral events. As such, the parties outlined a schedule of upcoming Belarus-Ukraine contacts. Earlier, Head of the President's Office Andriy Yermak discussed with his Belarusian counterpart Igor Sergienko the upcoming visit of President Zelensky to Belarus scheduled for October this year. ol Sukhdeep Singh, or Sukh-E as he is popularly called is legit one of the best Punjabi Hip Hop artists we have today. But if there is one thing more than his songs that draws our attention, is the zany and outright bonkers hairstyles that we have seen him don over the years. Facebook/SukheOfficial To put it simply, Sukh-E doesnt do normal, neither is he aware of the concept of a normal hairstyle. That is not to say that the styles he picks and sometimes creates are cringy - they are not. Rather they are as snazzy as anything can be. Facebook/SukheOfficial Consider this - for Manmarziyaan, Vicky Kaushal & Anurag Kashyap modelled Vickys hairstyle after Sukh-E. Trust us when we say this, this is the highest compliment a style icon can ever get. Twitter/vickykaushal09 Here are a few instances when Sukh-Es hairstyle was a statement unto itself. 1. The High Faded Curls Facebook/SukheOfficial For a guy whos always had a spiked pompadour of some sort, we never thought we will see Sukh-E with curls. But hey, thats experimenting, right? 2. The Deep Running Mohawk Facebook/SukheOfficial Theres your regular mohawks, and then there are the mohawks that we see Sukh-E sport. Hands down, without an iota of doubt, we will say, his versions are better. Punjabi artists just have a way with style, dont they? 3. The Scalp Tattoo Facebook/SukheOfficial Now, this isnt the scalp tattoo that men go for to cover up balding. Getting a tattoo to style your hair is pretty much unheard of. Still, thats one heck of a way to go about things, and adding your personal flair. 4. The Tribal Patterns Facebook/SukheOfficial This is Sukh-Es trademark if were honest, going for tribal and geometric patterns. Shaving such patterns into the faded portion of your hairstyle seems easy at first, but given the intricacy that Sukh-E normally goes for, it surely is a hard thing to do. Hats off to his hairstylist, that guy is really skilled. 5. The Rethought Stepped-Fade Facebook/SukheOfficial Now this is a style that we can actually dare to go for, well, apart from the spiked pompadour part of it. Seriously, this is one of the more 'dope' hairstyles that men can go for, especially if they have strong facial features. 6. The High Fade Pompadour With Aggressive Highlights Facebook/SukheOfficial Highlights arent everyones cup of tea. However, Sukh-E manages to pull them off with style, no matter what the colour. Obviously, a more traditional highlight colour like this metallic silver is classic Sukh-E. 7. The Starfish Fade Facebook/SukheOfficial Finally, the hairstyle that inspired Vickys look from Manmarziyaan. If Anurag Kashyap & Vicky Kaushal approve of the aesthetic, then we dont know who would have a problem with this. Western Piedmont Community College recently announced a $130,442 investment from Duke Energy and Piedmont Natural Gas. The funds will be used to connect students with hands-on training and career development opportunities for the colleges Apprenticeship Burke program. The investment will be used to support registered apprenticeship students in curriculum associate in applied science degrees including supporting tuition, registration fees for qualified students along with purchasing necessary mechatronics training equipment. This generous grant will allow our college to expand the equipment in our growing mechatronics engineering technology program, provide financial support to many deserving students and grow advanced manufacturing in Burke County, said Michael Daniels, dean of applied technologies for Western Piedmont Support Local Journalism Your subscription makes our reporting possible. {{featured_button_text}} Apprenticeships are critical to growing our skilled workforce and this generous support from Duke Energy and Piedmont Natural Gas will allow us to continue to grow the pipeline of skilled workers for our community, said Western Piedmonts new president, Joel Welch, also sharing the value of the grant award for the college, Maybe Home Prices Aren't in Trouble After All? Home prices increased in June at the fastest pace in more than seven years. CoreLogic said its Home Price Index (HPI) rose 1.0 percent from May, the largest month-over-month gain since January 2013. The appreciation from April to May was 0.7 percent. Prices rose year-over-year by 4.9 percent compared to 4.1 percent in May. "Home price appreciation continues at a torrid pace reflecting fundamental strength in demand drivers and affordability," said Frank Martell, president and CEO of CoreLogic. "As we move forward, we expect these price increases to moderate over the next twelve months. Given the economic outlook, housing remains a bright spot for the foreseeable future." CoreLogic is still anticipating a COVID-19 induced downturn in prices over the next year, but it has substantially moderated its forecast since last month. In July it predicted that June's HPI would decline 0.1 percent and that prices would drop 6.6 percent by next May. Now, with the June HPI posting a very strong increase the company is anticipating only a 1.0 percent decline in prices over the next year and calls this "A sign of a strong foundation and resiliency in the housing market in the face of the pandemic." The continued strong home prices, the company says, reflect improved affordability, demographic demands, supply constraints and continued strong interest in purchasing a home. These factors combined to keep home prices steady despite the continued pressure of the pandemic and its related economic fall-out. There is a lot of local variability both in current home price growth and that which is predicted for the future. Philadelphia saw prices surge by 8.4 percent year-over-over in June, driven by an uptick in New York City residents purchasing homes, likely in an effort to migrate from the coronavirus hotspot. Meanwhile, affordability constraints in San Francisco led to an annual decline in home prices of 0.2 percent. In markets like Las Vegas, where the local tourism economy and job market continue to suffer due to the pandemic, home prices are expected to decline 11.3 percent over the next year. San Diego, on the other hand, is predicted to have 4.2 percent growth due to a lack of inventory. The CoreLogic Market Risk Indicator (MRI), a monthly update of the overall health of housing markets across the country, predicts that metro areas with an elevated resurgence of COVID-19 cases-like Prescott and Lake Havasu, Arizona-are at the greatest risk (above 60 percent) of a decline in home prices over the next 12 months. Other metro areas at high risk include Las Vegas, Nevada; Peoria, Illinois; and Worchester, Massachusetts. Keepers of the flame: Monica Wilson lights a candle in her home in Derry yesterday in memory of John Hume. Photo: Pacemaker Press The remains of John Hume were received at the great door of St Eugene's Cathedral in Derry as darkness fell on the town he loved so well. His grieving family accompanied the casket - all but his son Aidan, who will be forced to watch his father's funeral online from Boston today. Bishop Donal McKeown blessed the simple coffin of Ireland's greatest peacemaker before it was brought down the nave for the saying of the ordinary prayers for all Catholics on the eve of their Requiem Mass. The bishop earlier said that he had last seen John 18 months ago at the cathedral for the kissing of the cross, an Easter ceremony. "John shuffled up with Pat and kissed the cross like anyone else. He was a frail old man at that stage, but he was there with his fellow Derry people. I was holding the cross at the time, and it's the kind of thing that sticks in your mind." John Hume died almost four years to the day after the passing of Bishop Edward Daly of Derry, with both men in attendance at the civil rights march in January 1972 that turned into the infamous murder spree of the Parachute Regiment known to history as Bloody Sunday. Read More And John's last appearance as a public figure was at the erection of a stone honouring Bishop Daly, organised by the SDLP, the party Hume helped to found. They gave him St Paul's letter to the Corinthians to read aloud, Bishop McKeown said. "Love is patient, love is kind - do you know, he read it like Micheal Mac Liammoir. "He was not able to frame his own words or thoughts at that stage, but he could read from a text, and he did so beautifully." The family asked for people to stay away from the church in this time of Covid, but to recite Pope Francis's Prayer for Peace in their own homes, and perhaps to light a candle. Last night in Derry, after a day of incessant rain, the little nightlights, candles and tea lights began winking in windows across the city, even beyond the Peace Bridge, glistening too in many homes along the Waterside, fragile flickerings of a newfound solidarity. The people respected the family's request for a small attendance and for social distancing, as if to create distancing from the Belfast funeral of republican activist Bobby Storey last month. Even the holy water fonts were empty in St Eugene's, a laminated notice asking the faithful to bless themselves without. The vacuum cleaner had been working in the cathedral from late afternoon, Olive Quigley, a voluntary church worker, doing her best for this son of Derry. "Oh he was a lovely man, bless him. I met him plenty of times," she said, nodding firmly, satisfied with her own contribution. Her friend, Mary Molloy, who had been in John Hume's family home in Glenview in the past, was helping out with dustpan and brush. "He was a lovely man," she chimed. His mother Annie also a saint. He would be missed, no doubt about it. Read More There will be a message from Pope Francis at today's funeral Mass, understood to be conveyed by the Vatican Secretary of State, along with commendations from Bill Clinton, George Mitchell and others. But the emphasis will be on keeping it a low-key and prayerful affair in keeping with the wishes of his widow, Pat, and the wider family. Stewards are to be drawn from the ranks of Derry City FC, the club of which he was chairman and patron, and Brandywell personnel will also provide a guard of honour. President Michael D Higgins, Taoiseach Micheal Martin, and a range of politicians from the Republic are expected to attend, along with Arlene Foster and Michelle O'Neill, the First and Deputy First Ministers, and representatives of all the North's main parties, including his own SDLP. Phil Coulter, a boyhood friend, now aged 78, will also attend. But the family have asked people outside Ireland not to fly in to attend, hoping for it to be primarily a family and city affair. Last night there was dismay and disappointment among members of the congregation at the hijacking and burning out of two vans by dissident Republicans in the Creggan area of Derry. "We'll have to pray for them. It's all we can do," said one man entering the cathedral, on being asked about the violence. "They're taking advantage of people being focused on this city, aren't they? But it's a low thing to do." Read More The Hume family, by contrast, made a late decision to change the time of the removal when they learned it could cause the cancellation of scheduled prayer events. Instead a Mass and Rosary, normal for a Tuesday night, went ahead before the reception of the remains. Once more the Hume name stood not for "them and us", but only for an "us", the cathedral staying open to honour him at the end of a routine day. By contrast, St Columb's cathedral on the height of the city was closed yesterday, yet people in its vicinity were open-hearted towards Hume. "A peacemaker, aye. A good man," said a woman from the other community, who still thought better of giving her name to a newspaper. Youths sheltering from the rain beneath a bridge - within 50 yards of a gable announcing 'Londonderry West Bank Loyalists, Still Under Siege, No Surrender' - were also generous. "A good fella, right enough. Did a lot," said one, without embarrassment. His smoking mates cocked their heads in assent. Our schools are shortly to return after a long break away. But it wont be long before, as has happened thousands of times in the past few years, a headmaster will take a seat across the desk from a nervous-looking pupil and their parents. At first they will have no idea why they have been summoned. They will simply have been told theres a safeguarding concern. But the reason will dawn on them as the head takes a deep breath and starts a well-worn speech to explain that certain explicit pictures selfies taken by their child have come to their attention because a concerned parent informed the school after seeing them on their own childs phone. One or both children involved will be spoken to, warned that asking for or sharing nude photos is a police matter and that an officer will need to question them and look through their phone before deciding whether a criminal offence was committed. Andy Phippen who is a Professor of Digital Rights at Bournemouth University, explored how explicit texts sent by teens and reported to police could impact their future careers (file image) As we restart life post-lockdown, there may be many such meetings as images surface from sexting when kids were stuck at home. A report in June claimed there has been a sharp rise in sexual messages sent by young people since March. British tech company SafeToNet used software to analyse 70 million texts sent by children under 16 in the UK and found that sexual and cyberbullying texts and images rose by 182 per cent. It also found that a child as young as six had been sending sexualised messages. Of course, the idea of a child of six sending such a message is of very serious concern. But the majority are likely to have been teens, seeking validation that they are desirable and attractive to their peers at a time when they felt particularly forgotten. As professor of digital rights, I have spent ten years visiting schools around the country. When I ask what young people know about sharing explicit photos, I often hear they have simply been told by teachers and police officers (both very unlikely to have been specially trained in this area) that its illegal. I believe this attitude means our children are too scared to tell us if they need help. We come down on them hard, turning a blind eye to the fact they are still children. During a conversation I had with one 14-year-old boy, I asked him why his peers send intimate pictures. He answered: To get nudes back from girls. Does that ever work? I continued. No, never, he replied. Professor Andy explained an Outcome 21 is not a Get out of Jail Free card, as the incident can still be disclosed when that child applies for certain jobs (file image) It may also explain a case in which two teenage girls sent nude pictures of themselves to a group of popular boys because they were told everyone does it. Nor should we assume all victims are girls. One boy was initially caught shoplifting. It turned out he was being blackmailed by a girl into getting her make-up in return for not sharing an intimate picture he had sent. Teenagers have always explored their sexuality. But now that they spend so much of their lives online, technology has made that discovery more public. Most messages will stay private. But research shows that 10 per cent will be shared or forwarded. However this happens maybe an ill-judged decision to share a picture with friends, or to retaliate after a break-up its not difficult to imagine the trauma those involved feel. After all, who can say they didnt do something reckless when they were at school and desperate to be noticed or admired by the opposite sex? The difference now is that our teens have powerful camera-phones in their pockets. Girls were told everyone sends boys nude selfies Over the past three years nude images of minors have been circulated nearly 2,700 times with children under the age of 14, according to a recent Freedom of Information Act request. In more than 2,500 cases, these children were given Outcome 21s. This is a police label introduced three years ago to try to cope with the sheer number of children who were being arrested for self-generated sexual imagery. Anyone under 18 who makes, sends or shares such an image can be arrested. It also allows the police to record an incident without the need to take further action, such as making an arrest or leaving the child with a criminal record. Yet an Outcome 21 is not a Get out of Jail Free card. When that child applies for any job, such as teaching which would require a more in-depth criminal record check, the incident can still be disclosed if the Chief Constable feels its appropriate. Like a ticking time bomb, we dont know yet what effect Outcome 21s will have on the future careers of children. Internet Watch Foundation charity estimate that one-third of images on the internet classed as child abuse were taken or posted by the children in the pictures themselves (file image) What we do know is that the use of the criminal justice system to prevent young people from swapping images doesnt work. A recent report from the Internet Watch Foundation charity estimated that one-third of images on the internet classed as child abuse were taken or posted by the children in the pictures themselves and later shared more widely. Girls are seen in around 80 per cent of the images, many of which will be the result of coercion and grooming. They may not yet have been taught how to spot the signs of an abusive relationship, or how to say no. These images may also have been shared by boys who havent been taught that, no matter how bad they feel after a break-up, sharing such pictures is never acceptable. Our young people desperately need guidance to think through privacy issues and risk in depth. But relying on Outcome 21s and police intervention can make it more difficult to stay safe. The applicable laws are not fit for purpose. They are still based on the Protection of Children Act, 1978, lobbied for by the famous morality campaigner Mary Whitehouse. It was aimed squarely at adults exploiting children and made it an offence to take, distribute or possess an indecent photo of a minor. When a roll of film had to be developed at a chemist shop, no one could have foreseen a time when it would be the children taking the explicit images. Professor Andy Phippen, said parents and teachers need to help young people learn how to navigate risk, instead of making children feel like criminals (file image) The Outcome 21 is an attempt to tweak the laws and prevent so many children being arrested. But it simply isnt enough. In some areas, they are thrown around like sweeties. Since December 2016, while Staffordshire Police have arrested five under-18s, they have issued a huge number of Outcome 21s 659. Meanwhile in Hampshire, they have arrested 16 but issued just two Outcome 21s. The way forward is not to make children feel like criminals. Parents and teachers need to help young people learn how to navigate risk and trust through better sex education. If we are going to develop young people who are digitally resilient, we need to help them explore esteem, respect, boundaries and empathy, regardless of the technologies they are using. And we need to talk to our children about this. So when they do get a message that says something like I really like you, send me a nude and I might go out with you, they will see it for what it is a try-on rather than an invitation for a relationship. As a society, this would give us a far better chance of tackling these issues than simply saying: Dont do it, its illegal. Its not simply a case of decriminalising sexting or asking police to ignore it. There is no easy single answer because some sexts are sent between teens consensually and others are a result of coercion. What I would like to see is a proper debate, and a more flexible approach so we can deal with sexting on a case-by-case basis where victims are protected in law, rather than being scared to disclose through the threat of arrest. We need legislation fit for the digital world in which young people live. Interview by Tanith Carey For help for children, young people and parents to deal with issues around sexting, go to: swgfl.org.uk/resources/so-you-got-naked-online/ China to retaliate potential US expulsion of journalists Iran Press TV Tuesday, 04 August 2020 3:35 PM China says it will retaliate the United States' potential expulsion of Chinese journalists, following a move by Washington to decline to renew their visas. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin told reporters at a daily briefing in Beijing on Tuesday that the Chinese government would retaliate if the US persisted with "hostile action" against the Chinese journalists, who may be forced to leave in the coming days if their visas are not extended. Wang stressed that no Chinese journalist in the US had been granted a visa extension since May 11, when the country limited the journalists' stay to 90 days, with an option to extend the period. "The US has been escalating its actions against Chinese journalists. The US should immediately correct its mistake and stop its actions," the Chinese official said. "If the US persists, China will take a necessary and legitimate response to safeguard its rights," he added, without providing details on the number of Chinese journalists affected by Washington's actions. China's official Global Times newspaper had earlier said American journalists based in the semi-autonomous Chinese city of Hong Kong would be among those targeted should the Chinese journalists' visas not be renewed. "Chinese side has prepared for the worst scenario that all Chinese journalists have to leave," Hu Xijin, a Global Times' editor, said on Twitter. "If that's the case, Chinese side will retaliate, including targeting US journalists based in HK." Relations between the United States and China have hit the lowest level in decades under US President Donald Trump. The two are at loggerheads over a range of issues, including trade, Hong Kong, Taiwan, the South China Sea, and the coronavirus pandemic. The two sides have exchanged several tit-for-tat actions, with recent ones involving journalists and media staffers. The United States in March reduced the number of Chinese nationals working at the US offices of major Chinese state-owned media to 100 from 160. China, in response, expelled American journalists employed at three US newspapers and may consider further retaliation. China accuses US of 'outright bullying' over TikTok In another development on Tuesday, China accused the US of "outright bullying" after Washington warned to shut down the popular video sharing application TikTok if the Chinese social networking platform declined to sell its US operations to an American company. Accusing the app of posing a national security risk, Trump gave TikTok six weeks to arrange a sale of its US operations and said his administration wanted a financial benefit from the deal. "This goes against the principles of the market economy and the World Trade Organization's principles of openness, transparency and non-discrimination," the Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman said. "It's outright bullying." Wang also rejected the national security risk accusation leveled by the US president against Chinese companies, saying they were based on "trumped-up charges." "The US, without providing any evidence, has been using an abused concept of national security unjustifiably suppressing certain non-US companies," he said. The Chinese official also said the national security grounds for the US's clampdown on Chinese firms "does not hold water" and that the companies performed business transactions in accordance with international rules and US laws. "But the US is cracking down on them on trumped-up charges," Wang said, also warning Washington not to "open Pandora's box." TikTok has as many as one billion worldwide users. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Rescue workers and security officers work at the site of an explosion that hit the seaport of Beirut, Lebanon, Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2020. Residents of Beirut stunned, sleepless and stoic emerged Wednesday from the aftermath of a catastrophic explosion searching for missing relatives, bandaging their wounds and retrieving what's left of their homes. (AP Photo/Hussein Malla) Air Was Sucked out of the City: Beirut Resident Describes Moments After Blast A Canadian artist from Montreal heard nothing but thought his apartment in Beirut had been hit by an earthquake as a massive explosion tore through the citys port district Tuesday. The whole building shook, paintings fell, things broke, chairs moved. Like two seconds later, I heard the blast, said Sami Basbous in a WhatsApp interview. Basbous, who is visiting Lebanon said he lives about five kilometres from the site of the blast in an apartment with an unobstructed view of the port. It was like the air was sucked out of the city and was sucked out of people. It was sucked out of me, he said. Basbous had been watching a plume of smoke billowing from the port when the blast hit. He described a strange, red, ochre colour mushroom cloud coming from the area of the fire within seconds of the explosion. The whole city was engulfed by the smoke. It was terrifying. It almost took your breath away. And it threw me off. It was absolutely devastating. Rawane Al Zahed also lives about five kilometres from the blast site and said she ran through her home to check on her family after she heard explosions and felt the ground shake. Al Zahed, 24, said she felt two explosions a few seconds apart. The first felt like an earthquake, while the second sent shock waves through her familys fifth-floor apartment. I was super afraid, Al Zahed said. I didnt want to die. I was screaming, I dont want to die now. Al Zahed, who has filed paperwork to join her Canadian husband in Vancouver, said the second explosion left a wood and iron door cracked, and shattered the television screen in her house. The explosion has killed at least 135 people, among them a long-time Montreal resident identified by a Montreal city councillor. Thousands more are injured, and the federal government said a member of the Canadian Armed Forces is among those hurt, although the injuries are not considered life threatening. The Lebanese government said it had put an unspecified number of port officials under house arrest pending an explanation about how 2,750 tonnes of ammonium nitrate came to be stored at the port for years. Citizens ride their scooters and motorcycles pass in front of a house that was destroyed in Tuesdays massive explosion in the seaport of Beirut, Lebanon, Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2020. Residents of Beirut awoke to a scene of utter devastation on Wednesday, a day after a massive explosion at the port sent shock waves across the Lebanese capital, killing at least 100 people and wounding thousands. (AP Photo/Hussein Malla) The scale of the damage, from the epicentre of the explosion to the windows blown out kilometres away, resembles other blasts involving the chemical compound commonly used as an agricultural fertilizer, experts said. Basbous, who came to Canada from Beirut in 1981 and returned for a visit, only to be stranded there by the COVID-19 pandemic, said the blast was so powerful it took his breath away. Never have I ever experienced something like this, and I hope I will never experience it again, he said. The blast has compounded the various problems already facing the people of Lebanon, said Basbous. And I have love for this beautiful country that sadly is terribly complicated. Since the blast on Tuesday, he said he has been in constant contact with friends and family. He has been calling various non-profit organizations, food banks and shelters to offer his services and mobilize resources for them, he added. Al Zahed said she called her husband. He tried to lighten the mood with a couple jokes, but she said she was far too panicked to sleep. I wake up, I tweet. I wake up, I open Facebook. I want to see whats happening, she said. All I can think of (is) how I ran. All I can remember (is) when I ran. The blast has been described as the most powerful explosion ever seen in the city, which was divided by the 1975-1990 civil war and has endured conflicts with neighbouring Israel and periodic bombings and terror attacks. Lebanon was experiencing a severe economic crisis that has ignited mass protests in recent months. Its health system is confronting a surge of COVID-19, and there are concerns the virus could spread further as people flood into hospitals. Al Zahed said shes still trying to come to terms with what happened, noting that because of her age, she was spared from much of Lebanons recent tragedy. Im 24 years old. I didnt live through any other big Lebanese wars, Al Zahed said. I was too young for the one in 2006, and I didnt pass through any trauma before like this one. It was really scary. By Hina Alam With files from The Associated Press. The coronavirus infection has spread to new areas in the country but 82 percent of the total cases are still limited to 10 states and Union Territories, the government said on Tuesday, amid a surge in the virus caseload. The COVID-19 case fatality rate has progressively declined to 2.10 per cent, the lowest since the first lockdown was imposed on March 25, while the total number of recovered cases at 12.30 lakh at present is two times the number of active cases, Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan said at a media briefing. Giving a break-up of the mortality rate according to gender, Bhushan said about 68 per cent of COVID-19 deaths were reported among male patients and 32 per cent among female patients in India. In terms of age, he said 50 per cent of COVID-19 deaths in the country took place in the age group of 60 years and above. "About 37 per cent of COVID-19 deaths in India took place in the age group of 45 to 60 years, 11 per cent of deaths were recorded in the age group of 26 to 44 years, one per cent were recorded in the age group of 25 to 18 years and one per cent in the age bracket of less than 17 years," he told reporters. 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 Health Secretary reiterated the need to take special care of senior citizens, noting that the data shows 45-60 years age group is also vulnerable and urged people in that age bracket to follow COVID appropriate behaviour if they have comorbidities. "Coronavirus infection has spread to new areas, but 82 per cent of the total cases are still limited to 10 states and UTs in the country, whereas 50 districts today account for 66 per cent of the COVID-19 caseload in the country," he said. With the country witnessing a sharp daily spike in cases, Bhushan said there was no need to be "overawed" as given India's huge population base, the absolute numbers would be high. "But what is important is that they are detected, isolated and treated on time as that would limit the number of fatalities. That is why testing has to be increased to ensure timely detection of cases," Bhushan said. India's COVID-19 tally increased to 18,55,745 with 52,050 people testing positive for coronavirus infection in a day, while the recoveries crossed the 12-lakh mark on Tuesday, according to the Union Health Ministry data. The death toll due to COVID-19 climbed to 38,938. On testing being ramped up in India, Dr Balram Bhargava, ICMR Director General, said a policy of intelligent and calibrated testing is being followed, depending on which areas need more testing. "The states have also been cooperating immensely in testing and we are requesting them to reach up to 10 lakh tests per day," Bhargava said. There is a need for the states to analyse the data and mount locally specific data driven response at the state-level and district-level, "what we call as 'knowing the epidemic'", Bhargava said. "Enough data is now available for every state, district and testing laboratory and it will go a long way in tackling the epidemic," he added. Giving updates on vaccines, Bhargava said the phase-1 human clinical trials of the two COVID-19 vaccine candidates developed indigenously by Bharat Biotech in collaboration with ICMR and Zydus Cadila Healthcare Limited have been completed and phase 2 trials of both the vaccine candidates have started. "At the present moment, there are three vaccines which are in different phases of clinical testing in India," Bhargava said. Recombinant Oxford vaccine to be manufactured by Serum Institute of India, Pune was given approval Monday for Phase 2 and 3 clinical trials which would start within a week at 17 sites, Bhargava said at the briefing. He, however, emphasised that till a safe and effective vaccine becomes available, sustained behavioural change, physical distancing, wearing a mask and proper hand hygiene is probably the "best vaccine available". In reply to a query on the virus' mutation, the DG-ICMR stated that no major mutation has occurred in the strain of SARS-COV2 virus. A mutation which results in total change of the virus takes 10 -15 years, he added. India's COVID-19 case fatality rate has seen a progressive decline from 3.36 pc in the second week of June and then 2.69 pc in the second week of July to its lowest at 2.10 pc as on date, Bhushan said. "This decline is continuing which is a good sign," he said. Asked if some countries were witnessing a second wave of coronavirus infection. Bhushan said, "Certain countries in the world are witnessing a fresh spate of cases, but I would not call it a second wave as yet." As for India, he said, the country has been very graded in its response. "We have not gone in for a sudden opening of the various activities. It has been a graded opening, that is accompanied by strong messaging by the Union and state governments about COVID appropriate behaviour," Bhushan said. He, however, said reopening does lead to spike in numbers in certain areas and stressed that though the the state and UT governments are doing their duties, citizens must realise they have an important duty to perform and it was important to maintain COVID-19 appropriate behaviour. The health ministry also informed that about 96 per cent of the 60,000 ventilators being procured are indigenous with most of them being funded by PM-CARES fund. He said 28 states and UTs have a COVID-19 positivity rate of less than 10 per cent, while India's positivity rate as on date is 8.89 per cent. The UAE Government and the United Nations Initiative to commemorate its 75th anniversary launched the "Future Possibilities Report 2020", presenting six transformational trends that can add up to $30 trillion to the global economy by 2025. The report, commissioned by the UAE, was launched during a global dialogue on "Opportunities for the Future We Want", co-hosted by UAE Government and the"UN75: 2020 and Beyond" Initiative, reported Emirates News Agency Wam. Led by Ohood bint Khalfan Al Roumi, the UAE Minister of State for Government Development and The Future and Fabrizio Hochschild, United Nations Under-Secretary-General and Special Adviser on UN75, and moderated by Ambassador Lana Zaki Nusseibeh, UAE's Permanent Representative to the United Nations in New York, the dialogue focused on global approaches to strengthening future-readiness. This event is part of the UN75 Initiative ahead of the UN General Assemblys annual meeting in September, which will commemorate the 75th Anniversary of the United Nations. The meeting also hosted ministers, ambassadors, and officials from over 100 governments worldwide, in addition to more than 130 international experts. Al Roumi said: "The UAE is committed to enhancing global partnerships to shape future development and promote governments readiness in cooperation with the United Nations. This embodies the vision of the UAEs leadership to be proactive and innovate business models across various sectors to better anticipate future risks and secure a more resilient and prosperous future for coming generations." "The report marks a major step towards fostering global dialogue as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to push the international community to accelerate adaptable policies and programmes in various sectors," she added. Hochschild said: "The UAE is a country that thinks more of the future than many others. We are pleased to partner with the UAE in launching this report which identifies key opportunities for the global community to enhance solidarity and collaboration to accelerate Sustainable Development Goals, SDGs, as we shape our future." Permanent Representatives of Egypt and China to the UN also participated in the interactive segment. The six future transformational trends that define the features of a pioneering development in "Future Possibilities Report 2020", is available now on the UN website. Exabyte Economy The first trend focuses on development possibilities, namely "Exabyte Economy (Big Data): Hyperconnected Devices, Data and People", with an estimated total economic value of up to $8 trillion by 2025. The second trend focuses on "Circular Economy: Waste not, want not", as increasing public awareness to reduce the impact on the environment will continue to open new possibilities across value chains based on optimising usage of resources and reducing waste. This will open new market possibilities totalling up to $4.5 trillion. The third trend "Wellbeing Economy: More than Health" presents future possibilities emerging from increasing interest in physical and mental wellbeing by adopting new approaches at all levels. The combined value could reach $7 trillion within a few years. The fourth trend examines societies interest in providing personalised experience services tailored to the needs of customers within "Experience Economy: From Ownership to Usership". New trends could build an experience-driven economy worth up to $6.5 trillion by 2025. The fifth trend "Net Zero Economy: Scalable Low-carbon Solutions", explores the general increase in energy demand and global efforts to reduce carbon emissions. According to the report, it is expected that the growing demand for renewable energy could yield over $2.3 trillion of possibilities by 2025. The sixth trend "BioGrowth Economy: New Agriculture and BIOmaterials", promotes new possibilities for various sectors worldwide relating to agriculture and emerging biological materials that could be worth over $1 trillion by 2025. Jailed RJD chief Lalu Prasad was on Wednesday shifted from the paying ward of the RIMS to the residence of its director to protect him from exposure to coronavirus, a senior official said. The former chief minister was shifted as some security guards posted at the paying ward tested positive for COVID-19, said Dr Manju Gari, the acting director of the Rajendra Institute of Medical Science (RIMS). The residence was vacant, officials said. Prasad, who also served as the railway minister in the UPA-1 government, has been behind bars since December, 2017 in cases related to the fodder scam in the 1990s in Bihar, when money was fraudulently withdrawn from treasuries in the name of supplying fodder to animals. He was undergoing treatment at RIMS for multiple ailments. (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 serial burglar with almost 70 previous convictions is to appear at Dublin's Courts of Criminal Justice this afternoon in connection to an attempted burglary in Longford town yesterday. The 38-year-old, who is well known to gardai, was arrested last night following an alleged attempted break-in at a private residence on St Mel's Road in Longford town. It's understood the man allegedly tried to gain access to a rear shed but was unsuccessful and made off on foot as the alarm was raised. He was arrested and brought to Longford Garda Station later that evening where he was charged in connection to the incident. The man was due to appear at a sitting of the Courts of Criminal Justice (CCJ) this afternoon. The Leader understands the man, who resides in Longford town, is a recovering drug addict and had only been released from prison in recent days in connection to another but unrelated series of alleged burglaries in Longford town. They all occurred in the Cloncoose area of the county town in April when the chief suspect was accompanied by a female accomplice. A number of items, including a raft of suspected stolen property, together with a car, were later seized by gardai as a result of the investigation. The Leader understands the same suspect believed to be responsible for yesterday's attempted break in has almost 40 of his previous near 70 past convictions linked to theft related incidents. MONTREAL, Aug. 05, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Bombardier (TSX: BBD.B) will publish its financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2020 on August 6, 2020. On August 6, 2020 at 8:00 a.m., EDT, Eric Martel, President and Chief Executive Officer; John Di Bert, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer; and Patrick Ghoche, Vice President, Corporate Strategy and Investor Relations, will hold a webcast/conference call intended for investors and financial analysts to review the company's financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2020. A live webcast of the call and relevant financial charts will be available at http://ir.bombardier.com . Stakeholders wishing to listen to the presentation and question and answer period by telephone may dial one of the following conference call numbers: In English: 514-392-1587, passcode: 8293886# or 1-877-395-0279, passcode: 8293886# (toll-free in North America) +800 4222 8835, passcode: 8293886# (overseas calls) In French: (with translation) 514-861-1381, passcode:9876028# or 1-877-695-6175, passcode: 9876028# (toll-free in North America) +800 4222 8835, passcode: 9876028# (overseas calls) The replay of this call will be available on Bombardier's website shortly after the end of the webcast. About Bombardier With nearly 60,000 employees across two business segments, Bombardier is a global leader in the transportation industry, creating innovative and game-changing planes and trains. Our products and services provide world-class transportation experiences that set new standards in passenger comfort, energy efficiency, reliability and safety. Headquartered in Montreal, Canada, Bombardier has production and engineering sites in over 25 countries across the segments of Aviation and Transportation. Bombardier shares are traded on the Toronto Stock Exchangeor follow us on Twitter @Bombardier . Bombardier is a trademark of Bombardier Inc. For Information ~ Dutch will ramp up its external borders.~ PHILIPSBURG:--- Prime Minister Silveria Jacobs is looking to hold discussions with the Prefete of St. Martin Sylvie Feucher on the border controls currently taking place that is limiting the circulation of Dutch citizens and residents on the French side of the island. Jacobs said since her last telephone conversation on Wednesday last week she is unable to reach the Prefete even though she attempted several times and will continue to reach out. Jacobs said there is no need to point fingers as to who is doing what to combat the spread of COVID-19. Asked about what her government is doing the Prime Minister said the Minister of VSA is expected to make some announcements regarding fines and measures that are to be implemented to combat the spread of the COVID-19 virus. Jacobs said that while there is an increased number of active cases on the Dutch side of the island and some clusters have been located it is quite difficult for them to really pinpoint the source of the spread. St. Maartens Prime Minister said when the shutdown was lifted there were people coming in from the United States through St. Barths while there were also travelers from Guadeloupe and Martinique that came to St. Martin. Those persons from places that have the virus also came over to the Dutch side so there is no way knowing who started the spread and the second wave of COVID-19. Jacobs said that the most both sides governments can do are sit and discuss and to also pool their resources. She admitted that while it is one island, decisions regarding health and border controls are taken by the State Government. Jacobs said she is blamed for starting the border closers and controls because she asked for it the first time around but said there was an agreement back then. As for Air France landing on the Dutch side the Prime Minister said St. Maarten needs that money and stopping the airline from landing on St. Maarten has ripple effects since the handling company is a Dutch-registered company and this would put a lot of people out of work. The Prime Minister said St. Maarten will beef up its external borders with stricter controls to better manage the spread of the virus. In the meantime, Territorial Councilor Louis Mussington has organized a peaceful protest against the closing of the borders. This protest is planned for Saturday morning at the Bellevue Border. It should be noted that the border controls is in effect until July 15th where the situation will be analyzed before a decision is taken on if the borders will reopen or if the controls will be extended. The mega-blast that tore through Lebanon's capital Tuesday with the force of an earthquake, killing at least 113 people and injuring over 4,000, resulted from the ignition of a huge depot of ammonium nitrate at Beirut's port, officials say, but many questions remain. Here is what we know so far: - What happened? - An initial large explosion shook Beirut's port area at around 6:00 pm (1500 GMT) on Tuesday, resulting in a fire, several small blasts and then a colossal explosion that flattened the harbour front and surrounding buildings. Seismologists measured the event, which blew out windows at the city's international airport nine kilometres (more than five miles) away, as the equivalent of a 3.3-magnitude earthquake. Video stills show an intense blazing fireball rising above a line of massive storage silos, then a billowing cloud towering into the sky as a powerful shockwave rips through Lebanon's largest city. - Why such a big blast? - Lebanon's Prime Minister Hassan Diab said 2,750 tonnes of fertiliser ammonium nitrate stored in a portside warehouse had blown up, sparking "a disaster in every sense of the word". Ammonium nitrate is an odourless crystalline salt that has been the cause of numerous industrial explosions over the decades. When combined with fuel oils, it creates a potent explosive widely used in the construction industry, but also in homemade bombs such as those used in the 1995 Oklahoma City attacks. Many European Union nations require ammonium nitrate to be mixed with calcium carbonate to make a safer compound. Regulations in the United States were tightened significantly after the Oklahoma City bombing, which used two tonnes of ammonium nitrate and killed 168 people. US facilities that store more than 2,000 pounds (0.9 metric tonnes) of ammonium nitrate are subject to inspections. - Why was the fertiliser stored at the port? - A security official said on condition of anonymity the ammonium nitrate had arrived in Lebanon in 2013 on board a Moldovan-flagged ship sailing from Georgia and bound for Mozambique. According to Lebanese law firm Baroudi & Associates, which represents the crew of the "Rhosus", it had faced "technical problems". Several security officials told AFP that it temporarily docked at the port but was later seized by authorities after a Lebanese company filed a lawsuit against its owner. Port authorities unloaded the ammonium nitrate and stored it in a rundown port warehouse with cracks in its walls, the officials said. Security forces launched an investigation in 2019 after the warehouse started to exude a strange odour, concluding the "dangerous" chemicals needed to be removed from the premises, but action was not taken. This week workers began repairs on the decrepit warehouse, causing speculation that might have triggered the blast. - Who is to blame? - Lebanese port authorities and customs officials knew the chemical was being stored in the port, but despite warnings, action was not taken to remove it. Diab's government described the circumstances at the port that led to the explosion as "unacceptable" and vowed to investigate. It said later Wednesday it would seek house arrest for all officials involved in storing the substance. Fuelling the confusion, US President Donald Trump said late Tuesday that US generals had told him the explosions appeared to have been caused by a "bomb of some kind", without offering evidence. But a Pentagon spokesman, when asked about the president's remarks, told AFP that "we don't have anything for you" and "you will have to reach out to the White House for clarification." - How many casualties? - The blasts killed at least 113 people and injured over 4,000, Health Minister Hamad Hassan said Wednesday afternoon, the latest update of the toll. Dozens of people are missing. Search and rescue teams are still sifting through areas surrounding the port, with rubble from flattened buildings spread across a wide area. People were injured across the city, with glass blown out of buildings, cars destroyed and according to the city governor, up to 300,000 left homeless. - What happens next? - Lebanon's national defence council has declared Beirut a disaster zone. President Michel Aoun has announced he will release 100 billion lira ($66 million, 55 million euros) of emergency funds. But the country is in the middle of an enormous economic crisis and its hospitals are already overwhelmed by the coronavirus pandemic. Several nations including the US, France, Jordan, Iran and even Lebanon's arch foe Israel have offered to send aid. Some, including mobile hospital from Qatar, rescuers from Greece and medical supplies from Kuwait, have begun to arrive. Search Keywords: Short link: But while the charges against ComEd will likely sink into the background after the arraignment, the case is far from over. In announcing the case on July 17, U.S. Attorney John Lausch said the investigation is vibrant, and it will continue. (Bloomberg) -- Tencent Holdings Ltd. is driving discussions to merge Chinas biggest game-streaming platforms Huya Inc. and DouYu International Holdings Ltd., people familiar with the matter said, in a deal that would allow it to dominate the $3.4 billion arena. The Chinese social media titan -- which owns a 37% stake in Huya and 38% of DouYu -- has been discussing such a merger with the duo over the past few months, although details have yet to be finalized, said the people, who asked not to be identified because discussions are private. Tencent is seeking to become the largest shareholder in the combined entity, one person said. A deal would create an online giant with more than 300 million users and a combined market value of $10 billion, cementing Tencents lead in Chinese games and social media. Faced with rising competition for advertisers from ByteDance Ltd. and its rapidly growing stable of apps, the WeChat operator would then run a highly profitable service akin to Amazon.com Inc.s Twitch. Huya and DouYu would keep their respective platforms and branding while working more closely with Tencents own esports site eGame, said the people. Douyus shares surged 18% in pre-market trade in New York, while Huya soared 15%. Tencent climbed 2% to a two-week high in Hong Kong. As the major shareholder of both platforms, Tencent would benefit because a merger would remove unnecessary competition between them, Bloomberg Intelligence analyst Vey-Sern Ling said. The enlarged scale can also help to drive cost synergies and fend off emerging competitors. Tencent and DouYu representatives declined to comment, while Huya spokespeople didnt respond to requests for comment. Tencents shoring up its home-market position against the backdrop of a Trump administration increasingly hostile toward Chinese tech companies. WeChat has a limited U.S. presence and Trovo Live, a mobile-focused game-streaming service for American consumers, is only in its initial stages. Story continues Chinas game-streaming market is estimated to generate 23.6 billion yuan ($3.4 billion) in revenue this year, according to iResearch. The countrys streaming networks live and die by the popularity of star players and the virtual tips and gifts that fans buy for them, leading to intense bidding wars for the most-recognized names. Companies like Google-backed Chushou TV shuttered their services after failing to secure new money, while NetEase Inc.s CC Live has found a small niche in broadcasting its in-house titles. Already featuring Tencents marquee games like PUBG Mobile and Honor of Kings, Huya and DouYu have established a clear lead as the top two platforms. Nevertheless, revenue growth slowed down for both in recent quarters as users shifted their attention to ByteDances Douyin, the Chinese twin to the globally popular TikTok short-video service. A merger would help them lower broadcast and content costs at a time when rival video services like Kuaishou and Bilibili Inc -- both also backed by Tencent -- intensify their efforts to compete for more gaming content. In April, Tencent bought an additional stake in Huya for about $260 million from Joyy Inc., boosting its voting power in the platform to more than 50%. When asked about the possibility of a merger with Huya, DouYu founder and Chief Executive Officer Chen Shaojie told analysts on a March earnings call: We believe its Tencents vision. (Updates with share action from the fourth 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. Mannedorf, Switzerland, August 5, 2020 - The Tecan Group AG (SIX Swiss Exchange: TECN) will hold a conference call to discuss the financial results for the first half year 2020 on Wednesday, August 12th, 2020 at 10:00 CEST. The results will be published on August 12th, 2020 at 7:00 CEST. The conference call will be audio-webcast with synchronized presentation slides. The webcast and a replay of the webcast will be made available in the "Investor Relations" section of Tecan's website www.tecan.com. Interested parties can also listen to the conference call by phone. The dial-in numbers for the call are as follows: Participants from Europe: +41 (0) 58 310 50 00 or +44 (0) 207 107 0613 (UK) Participants from the U.S.: +1 (1) 631 570 56 13 Participants should if possible dial in 15 minutes before the start of the event. On August 12th, the full 2020 Interim Report will be available on the company website www.tecan.comunder Investor Relations. An iPad app for Financial Reports of the Tecan Group is also available from the App Store. About Tecan Tecan (www.tecan.com) is a leading global provider of laboratory instruments and solutions in biopharmaceuticals, forensics and clinical diagnostics. The company specializes in the development, production and distribution of automation solutions for laboratories in the life sciences sector. Its clients include pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, university research departments, forensic and diagnostic laboratories. As an original equipment manufacturer (OEM), Tecan is also a leader in developing and manufacturing OEM instruments and components that are then distributed by partner companies. Founded in Switzerland in 1980, the company has manufacturing, research and development sites in both Europe and North America and maintains a sales and service network in 52 countries. In 2019, Tecan generated sales of CHF 637 million (USD 643 million; EUR 574 million). Registered shares of Tecan Group are traded on the SIX Swiss Exchange (TECN; ISIN CH0012100191). For further information: Tecan Group Martin Brandle Senior Vice President, Corporate Communications & Investor Relations Tel. +41 (0) 44 922 84 30 Fax +41 (0) 44 922 88 89 investor@tecan.com www.tecan.com Attachment K Jayakumar By After the serial declaration of the Rs 21 lakh crore stimulus package two months ago and the subsequent announcement of free ration, complacency seems to have seized the Centre based on the assumption that economic revival is now on autopilot. It is getting on with its business as usual with major announcements like the National Education Policy, new guidelines for Environment Impact Assessment, massive revision of labour laws, disinvestment proposals and several trade-related decisions. Of course, the government cannot close shop and wait till the novel coronavirus is tamed. However, as the government is back to business, there will naturally be criticism and divergent political responses over decisions. The national atmosphere has gone back to the usual slinging match between the ruling party and opposition. The tone of social media messages and public statements are as acerbic as usual. Except for large gatherings prevented by physical distancing and Covid-induced restrictions, politics is back on the national scene in its usual we versus they format. The government conveys the unmistakable impression that it really doesnt care about alternative views on major issues affecting the nations destiny. The dilution of the provisions of the EIA and the far-reaching NEP, which have been approved without adequate parliamentary debates, speak of an inexplicable urgency as well as a casualness about discussions in the House. What is being attempted here is not a critique of the several decisions that the government has pushed through without Parliaments scrutiny but the inadequate appreciation of the ground realities of a Covid-battered society and economy. With no clear end in sight as to how the pandemic will play out, we, like several countries, are still in the tunnel, confronting the unstoppable spread of the virus. The governments role in containing this virulence may be limited. But the government can and should act over the socio-economic devastation due to the pandemic. It would be naive to assume that the packages announced are already stimulating the economy. Nothing can be farther from reality. The economic well-being of the vulnerable sections has only declined further in the last two months. Jobs are being lost perhaps faster than the spread of the virus. Cash reserves and social capital among the urban poor are completely depleted with economic activity yet to normalise. Though large regions of the country have been unlocked, consumer behaviour has not regained the earlier buoyancy owing to uncertainties that have embraced all spheres of life. The reverse migration of the workforce to rural areas has worsened the distress of the farm sector. There is not even one sector of the economy that has not been ravaged by the pandemic. Economic revival is not yet in sight (The economy doesnt oblige statements made to the contrary). The economic health of society is set to further deteriorate in the coming months. Even if a vaccine hits the market early next year, it will take at least one year for a sizeable number of the 1.4 billion population to be vaccinated. Do our people have the economic resilience to survive that far? It needs to be realised that unless the novel coronavirus is checkmated and the incidence of infection trickles down to almost zero, life will not return to its original and familiar pace and confidence. Unless all the sectors of the economy taste this freedom, life will continue to be circumscribed, debilitated and minimal. A society that believes in minimal spending and borders on subsistence cannot vitalise an economy. However, the unwholesome national rhetoric refuses to recognise the self-evident fact that Covid-19 is the single major calamity we have faced after the trauma of Partition. The consequences are all-pervasive, overwhelming, deeper, inter-related and unprecedented. Any amount of make-believe grandstanding and statistical jugglery cannot invalidate this hard truth. The real dimensions of human misery are yet to fully unfold. And the tragic fact is that we as a nation are ill-prepared to meet this situation, offer succour to the most vulnerable sections and harness national energy to respond with compassion, concern and confidence. A divided polity as we witness today is not the answer. Our national leadership should show statesmanship and rise to shoulder the responsibility history has entrusted upon it. Leadership has to look beyond petty politics, bury the differences and make all responsible political players participants in a formalised national consensus to steer the economy and protect the vulnerable. Political differences can wait but not the crisis of subsistence. It will be a negligence of lethal consequences if we fail to recognise the crying need for continued handholding of society. The crisis calls for innovative thinking, fearless and uncompromising execution of government schemes. These unusually demanding timeswe are still in uncharted watersmake adversarial politics as usual a great luxury. The government should have the patience to keep aside controversial and contentious ideas and policies for normal times. It is a historical imperative that a national consensus is worked out to navigate our way out of this most unnatural and unprecedented national crisis of multiple dimensions. K JAYAKUMAR Ex-Kerala Chief Secretary & Former VC, Thunchath Ezhuthachan Malayalam Varsity (k.jayakumar123@gmail.com) Hrithik Roshans mother Pinkie Roshan and sister Sunaina Roshan seem to be happy with the decision to transfer the investigation into Sushant Singh Rajputs death to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). Pinkie and Sunaina, in posts and comments on social media, supported the movement seeking justice for Sushant. Pinkie wrote justice in the comments section of a paparazzos Instagram post. The post shared the results of a poll which showed that the majority of his followers support a CBI probe into Sushants death. Sunaina, meanwhile, shared a picture of Sushant on her Instagram page and captioned it, Justice for SSR. In another post, she shared the quote, The moment weve waited for has finally arrived. Her caption read, Let the truth prevail. Incidentally, the quote shared by Sunaina was the same as the one shared by Sushants ex-girlfriend Ankita Lokhande on Instagram. Soon after the news broke that the Centre had accepted the Bihar governments request for a CBI probe, Ankita expressed gratitude on social media. Also read: Shweta Nanda tells brother Abhishek Bachchan to hang in there as he remains hospitalised for Covid-19 Sushant was found dead at his Mumbai home on June 14. His father KK Singh has filed an FIR against Rhea Chakraborty and her family members for abetment to suicide and accused her of siphoning off money from his bank account and harassing him. Earlier this week, Sushants father broke his silence with a video message, in which he alleged that he had informed the Mumbai Police of the threat to the actors life in February itself, but no action was taken. Rhea, meanwhile, has not commented on the allegations made against her. In a self-made video, she had said, I have immense faith in God and the judiciary. I believe that I will get justice. Even though a lot of horrible things are being said about me on the electronic media, I refrain from commenting on the advice of my lawyers as the matter is sub-judice. Satyameva jayate, the truth shall prevail, she said. If you need support or know someone who does, please reach out to your nearest mental health specialist. Helplines: Aasra: 022 2754 6669; Sneha India Foundation: +914424640050 and Sanjivini: 011-24311918 Follow @htshowbiz for more Actor Tara Sutaria has shared a sweet wish for rumoured boyfriend Aadar Jain, son of Ranbir Kapoors aunt Reema Jain. The two have been rumoured to be dating for over a year. While Tara fuelled the fire further with the romantic post, Aadars reaction to the post confirmed the two are indeed, in love. Sharing a picture of the two of them twinning in white party wear, she wrote, Ever thine, ever mine, ever ours! Happy Birthday to my favourite person @aadarjain. Aadar reacted to the post, I love you with a heart emoji. Tara also replied to his comment with, I love you with a heart emoji. Aadars cousin Riddhima Kapoor Sahni also dropped a heart emoji in reaction to Taras post. Taras sister Pia Sutaria is also friends with Aadar and shared an adorable birthday wish for him along with a candid picture. Sharing the picture which shows Aadar sandwiched between Tara and Pia, she wrote, Its a Sutaria Sandwich!!! Happy birthday to this absolute star. Tara and Aadar are often spotted together at parties and events. On being asked about the same, the Marjaavaan actor had told Mumbai Mirror during the promotions of the film in November last year, Well, we really enjoy each others company. She added, Its important to say this, we enjoy going out and spending time together. Aadar is special to me and both of us are foodies, so we are going to be spotted at restaurants. We met for the first time last Diwali and have a lot of mutual friends. Paatal Lok actor Abhishek Banerjee: I stopped giving auditions in my late 20s because I was rejected so many times Tara made her Bollywood debut opposite Tiger Shroff in Student of the Year 2 last year. it was followed by Marjaavaan opposite Sidharth Malhotra in the same year. She also featured with Sidarth in a music video titled Masakali 2.0. The actor is currently working on her the remake of Telugu film RX 100, opposite Ahan Shetty, son of Suniel Shetty. Follow @htshowbiz for more SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Two men were sentenced to federal prison on Monday for their involvement in a New Haven-based drug trafficking organization, according to a press release from the U.S. Attorney for Connecticut. John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced on Monday that Jamaine Jack Jackson, 46, of Bridgeport, was sentenced to 77 months in prison, while Theodore Ted Smith, 38, of New Haven, was sentenced to 42 months. Each will serve three years of supervised release following their stays in prison. Jackson and Smith were arrested in 2019 for their connections to a drug trafficking ring run out of Fitchburg, Massachusetts and a second drug trafficking network involved in large-scale heroin distribution, Durham said. Durham said the ring was uncovered during an investigation headed by the FBIs New Haven Safe Streets/Gang Task Force and New Haven Police Department that targeted drug trafficking and related acts of violence by members, former members and associates of the Island Brothers street gang in New Haven. Twenty-seven individuals were charged as a result of this investigation. During the investigation, Brian Backman of New Haven and Anderson Atkinson of Hamden were identified as suppliers of heroin to members of the drug trafficking organization, according to Durham. He said Jackson conspired with Backman, Anderson and others to acquire heroin a sell it to his own customers. Backman and Atkinson have since both pleaded guilty to related drug charges Smith, who resided in Fitchburg for a time, distributed crack cocaine and heroin, and also wire-transferred proceeds of his drug sales to his Connecticut associates, Durham said. On November 22, 2019, Jackson pleaded guilty one count of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute 100 grams or more of heroin, and Smith pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute cocaine base (crack) and heroin. Jacksons criminal history includes 13 convictions for drug offenses, and convictions for assault, strangulation and burglary. Smith also has a lengthy criminal history, which includes multiple convictions for narcotics and assault offenses. Friends of former Love Island star Caroline Flack called for an ambulance the night before she killed herself after she swallowed tablets and warned she was suicidal, her inquest has heard. The 40-year-old was found barely conscious on the sofa of her new home in Stoke Newington, north-east London, on the evening of Valentines Day 2020. Long-term friends Louise Teasdale and Mollie Grosberg, who had previously been staying with Flack following concerns about a deterioration in her mental health after being charged with assaulting her boyfriend Lewis Burton, raced to the presenters flat after she sent a message to Ms Grosberg saying she was going to kill herself. The friends got into Flacks flat and called the non-emergency 111 number, but then phoned for an ambulance an hour later when help did not arrive. We were always nervous to call the police because she didnt trust the police, and she didnt want anything to come out to the public which looked like she was having a breakdown Louise Teasdale Ms Grosberg told the inquest at Poplar Coroners Court that paramedics arriving on the scene asked Flack if she attempted suicide, but she said: No, I had a headache. Ms Grosberg said: We were obviously very scared about getting the police involved. It was agreed she wasnt going (to hospital) and I got very angry and shouted, I said this was ridiculous. They (paramedics) said: She doesnt want to go you are going to have to do some baby sitting. Flack was said to be upset about the medics attendance, and denied trying to kill herself. Paramedic Tony Rumore told the inquest: We asked Caroline if her intention was to harm or kill herself, she said it was merely an attempt to sleep and escape from the stresses she was under. At that point, Caroline said she adamantly would not be going to hospital and wanted to stay at home. Our recommendation was always to be going to hospital but Caroline chose that she did not want to go. The inquest heard Flack had attempted suicide previously. The inquest is taking place at Poplar Coroners Court in London (PA) Flacks friends stayed the night at the flat and left the following morning, at around 10.30am. It was apparent, Ms Teasdale said, that Flack was upset with them for contacting emergency services because she was worried about details being made public. Ms Teasdale said: Caroline spoke to her family about coming the next day because she wanted us to leave, she was quite angry with us. She didnt want us there. We were always nervous to call the police because she didnt trust the police, and she didnt want anything to come out to the public which looked like she was having a breakdown. Flack was found dead on the afternoon of February 15. If you or someone you know has been affected by mental health issues you can contact: Samaritans - 116 123, text 087 2609090 or email jo@samaritans.ie Pieta House (Suicide & Self-harm) - 1800 247 247 or 01 623 5606 Aware (Depression, Bi-Polar Disorder & Anxiety) - 1800 80 48 48 Grow (Mental Health support & Recovery) - 1890 474 474 Bodywhys (Eating Disorders Associations of Ireland) - 1890 200 444 Childline (for under 18s) - 1800 66 66 66 For more coverage, visit our complete coronavirus section here. A cafe in San Franciscos Castro district known for its German pastries and vibrant mural is calling it quits after two years. Maurerpark at 500 Church St. and just a block from Dolores Park, will permanently close Aug. 14. Owner Salome Buelow made the announcement to customers in an email where she shared that the ongoing pandemic had only exacerbated things. I wish I was able to continue, but this industry has always been a difficult one, especially in large expensive cities such as San Francisco, Buelow wrote. Covid-19 has only made it more so. ALSO: Popular SF bakery and sister brewery close due to COVID exposure Maurerparks food offerings included a selection of baked goods that like apfelkuchen, a housemade German apple cake prepared with white wine, cinnamon, and hazelnut crumble. There were also Musli bars a treat made with oats, dried fruit, and caramel in addition to German beers and charcuterie boards. As the German cafe nears its final service day customers can expect to find a limited menu. Furniture and decor inside the business will also be available for purchase. When the cafe opened in 2018, Buelow told Hoodline that the inspiration behind the business came after the visits she took to Germany to visit family. ALSO: Mayor Breed grants San Francisco businesses fee deferrals to 2021 I love the cafe and social culture in Germany, and you just dont find that anywhere here," Buelow told Hoodline in the 2018 interview. "My hope with my cafe is to create that. Buelow wrote that she might obtain a cottage food operations license that, under California law, can allow individuals to prepare foods in private-home-kitchens for sale. If obtained, Buelow indicated that she could continue to offer some of Mauerparks beloved baked goods for takeout or pick-up only. More information is expected to come by email. Mauerpark is located at 500 Church St. in San Francisco Susana Guerrero is an SFGATE digital reporter. Email: Susana.Guerrero@sfgate.com | Twitter: @SusyGuerrero3 MORE CORONAVIRUS COVERAGE: Sign up for 'The Daily' newsletter for the latest on coronavirus here. UCSF doctor calls Dolores Park as scary as 'American Horror Story' Only one Bay Area county may be able to get off the state COVID-19 watch list soon 'Heartbroken': Four Bay Area food pantry delivery trucks vandalized Technical issue has California under-reporting virus cases What Lockdown 2.0 Looks Like: Harsher Rules, Deeper Confusion The Cabinet of Ministers has supported a resolution on Ukraine's withdrawal from the agreement on cooperation between the border troops of the CIS participating states in research activities. A respective decision was made at a government meeting on Wednesday, August 5, according to an Ukrinform correspondent. The explanatory note to the document states that the agreement was concluded for the purpose of cooperation between border troops in research activities on the principles of equality, direct relations and mutual benefit. It notes that this goal was not achieved because Ukraine did not accede to a number of constituent documents in the field of border cooperation in the CIS and participated in the work of the CIS Council of Border Troops' Commanders only as an observer. Ukraine was also not involved in developing, adopting and implementing the decisions adopted by the Council. "Given the armed aggression of the Russian Federation, which is a party to the agreement, it is expedient for Ukraine to withdraw from the agreement," the document reads. It specifies that Ukraine's withdrawal from the agreement must be done in the form of a resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers. The resolution instructs the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry to inform the CIS Executive Committee, as the depository of this agreement, about Ukraine's withdrawal from the agreement on cooperation of border troops in research activities. According to the explanatory note, the implementation of this document is to have a positive impact on the interests of the state, as it will terminate Ukraine's commitment to possible cooperation in research and the implementation of technical means to protect the border with Russia, which is a party to the agreement. It will also help develop cooperation in this area within bilateral agreements with other states, which will further contribute to ensuring Ukraine's key interests in the field of national security. op Michelle Obama has revealed she is suffering from low-grade depression as a result of the coronavirus-induced quarantine, ongoing racial tensions in the country and the Trump administrations hypocrisy. The former first lady discussed the impact US and global current events are having on her mental health during the second episode of her new podcast, The Michelle Obama Podcast, released on Wednesday. During the episode, which featured Michele Norris as a guest, Ms Obama said: I'm waking up in the middle of the night because I'm worrying about something or there's a heaviness. According to the 56-year-old, she has tried to stick as closely to her routine as possible during this period of upheaval, including making time for a daily workout. However, she acknowledged that there are times where she has felt too low. "I try to make sure I get a workout in, although there have been periods throughout this quarantine, where I just have felt too low," she said. Ive gone through those emotional highs and lows that I think everybody feels, where you just dont feel yourself. Acknowledging that the change is a direct result of being out of body, out of mind, Ms Obama continued: These are not fulfilling times spiritually. I know that I am dealing with some form of low-grade depression, not just because of the quarantine but because of the racial strife and just seeing this administration, watching the hypocrisy of it day in and day out, is dispiriting." The former first lady also opened up about how the protests prompted by the killing of George Floyd and President Trumps handling of the racial injustice in the country have impacted her well-being. I'd be remiss to say that part of this depression is also a result of what we're seeing in terms of the protests, the continued racial unrest that has plagued this country since its birth, she said, adding that it is exhausting waking up to the news, waking up to how this administration has or has not responded, waking up to yet another story of a black man or a black person somehow being dehumanised or hurt or killed or falsely accused of something. It has led to a weight that I haven't felt in my life, in a while," she said. As for how she is navigating these unprecedented times, Ms Obama said surrendering to her feelings and not being so hard on herself has helped, as has spending time with her family each night. And while she acknowledged that we are living through something that no one in our lifetimes has lived through, she said it is important to remember the nation has been through tough times before. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Rizki Fachriansyah (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Thu, August 6 2020 State-Owned Enterprises Minister Erick Thohir, who also chairs the national economic and COVID-19 recovery committee, has claimed that state pharmaceutical holding company PT Bio Farma is ready to produce 250 million doses of the Sinovac candidate vaccine per year by the end of 2020. I have ensured that Bio Farma is ready to produce 100 million doses of a COVID-19 vaccine per year, and by the end of the year will be able to produce 250 million doses per year, Erick said during an inspection of Bio Farmas laboratories and production facilities in Bandung, West Java, on Tuesday, as quoted in a statement. He said the committee had focused on doubling the availability of vaccines and therapies as they were crucial in accelerating the national recovery process. to Read Full Story SUBSCRIBE NOW Starting from IDR 55,000/month Unlimited access to our web and app content e-Post daily digital newspaper No advertisements, no interruptions Privileged access to our events and programs Subscription to our newsletters We accept Register to read 3 premium articles for free Already subscribed? login The New Patriotic Party (NPP) says the National Democratic Congress (NDC) is desperately undermining the Voters Registration with allegations of ethnocentrism. The party said the NDC was doing this through outright fabrications, needless exaggerations and old-fashioned fear mongering and propaganda tactics. Mr Freddie Blay, National Chairman, NPP, speaking at a press conference in Accra, said following the ECs argument that the equipment holding the existing register was obsolete and the data unreliable, the NDC mounted an incredibly virulent year-long campaign of demonstrations, press conferences, and boycotts of IPAC adding, They threatened brimstone and fire. He said the EC was in the final phase of the registration exercise and we shall leave the Commission to make public its final report for all Ghanaians to draw their own judgment in due time. The Chairman said the NDC, having failed at every turn, had decided to introduce and pursue an agenda of preaching ethnic disenfranchisement as their last card. He called on the people of the Volta Region and all Ghanaians to stand up against being used as political pawns in this dangerous political game. President Mahama and the NDC, he said, were spreading falsehood that the Government was pushing an anti-Ewe agenda to disfranchise people from the Region. Mr Blay said President Akufo-Addo had been instrumental in maintaining peace and tranquility throughout the country, including in Dagbon since he came into office. He will be the last to want to disturb the peace. We must completely and totally reject Mahamas hate-for-votes campaign and look at the real facts, he said. On the allegation of using the military to intimidate some applicants for the Voters card, he said the military were deployed months ago to patrol all borders for a variety of security-related reasons. He said the numbers were even greater along the northern borders than the south east and there were no complaints. He, therefore, called on Ghanaians not to confuse the genuine efforts to police the borders throughout the country to mean that the NPP was against anyone. Elections in Ghana are for Ghanaians, yet, as we speak, a number of Togolese and Nigerians have either been convicted or have their cases pending at the Keta Circuit Court charged with registering for a voter ID card, he said. The Party Chairman said, We love all our brothers and sisters of West Africa, but they cannot vote in our elections as we cannot vote in theirs. He, therefore, urged other West Africa Nationals to respect Ghanas hard-won sovereignty as Ghanaians respected theirs. The NDC, he said, was trying to misuse social media to distort reality and stir up confusion where there should be none. We call on you the media to shine your eyes and be extremely careful in picking up videos from social media and so-called news from dubious news websites deliberately set up to manipulate you and the people, he added. He urged the media to stop picking up one-sided stories and narratives and magnifying them, indicating that as professionals, the journalists ought to know that one-sided videos from sources of dubious or purely partisan origin could leave them with eggs on their faces. 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 Several peaceful protesters under the umbrella of #RevolutionNow were molested and arrested Wednesday by security agents from the State Security Service (SSS), the Nigerian Army, and the Nigeria Police. The protesters were demanding good governance, proper infrastructural development, end to extrajudicial killings, the sack of service chiefs over the poor security situation in the country, and low employment opportunities, among other agitations. The protests were in states such as Lagos, Ogun, Osun, Ondo, Niger, and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to mark the first anniversary of the #RevolutionNow Movement. Arrests Activists said over 100 protesters have been arrested. According to Deji Adeyanju, a right activist, about 60 protesters were arrested in Abuja around the Unity Fountain and whisked away in police trucks. Mr Adeyanju, who also took part in the protest, shared on Twitter pictures of protesters who were ordered to lie face down by armed security agents. Security agents harassing peaceful protesters but they run or cry when they see Boko Haram or bandits, he said. We are currently witnessing a joint madness by the military, police and other security agencies as over 60 of our comrades have been arrested over peaceful #RevolutionNow protest. The Abacha days are here once again.. In Lagos, at least, 10 persons, including Agba Jalingo, a journalist, were arrested by the police, witnesses said. FILE PHOTO: Mr Agba Jalingo inside the courtroom The protesters were arrested at Ikeja Along during their second convergence for the protest on Wednesday. Mr Jalingo and the others arrested were sensitising traders and passersby on the need to rise and fight bad governance in Nigeria. PREMIUM TIMES earlier reported how the police used tear gas to disperse the protesters on Wednesday morning. Minutes after they were dispersed, the protesters re-converged at another venue where they continued the call on the public to reject bad governance. While expressing dissatisfaction over bad governance, looting, corruption among other vices perpetrated by the two prominent political parties in Nigeria, the protesters called for a change. While Mr Jalingo and a few others were rounded up by the police, other protesters fled the scene. All those arrested were taken to the Area F Police Command in Lagos. Last year, Mr Jalingo, the publisher of Cross River Watch, was arrested and charged for treason after he published a report accusing the Cross River State government of diverting N500 million. He was detained for six months and released on bail, amidst pressure by local and international civil society groups. PREMIUM TIMES also reported how Olawale Bakare, a co-defendant of Omoyele Sowore, and six others were earlier today arrested in Osogbo, during the #RevolutionNow protest in Osun State. Mr Bakare, alongside others, converged at the Olaiya junction in Osogbo. The police also reportedly arrested at least five protesters in Ogun State. Five of our comrades have been arrested and that sounds very silly that Buhari protects Boko Haram repentant but attacks protesters, one of the protesters, Festus Ogun, told PREMIUM TIMES. As of the time of this report, no arrest has been confirmed in other states. Illegality This newspaper recalled that Mr Sowore was arrested on August 3 last year for planning the #RevolutionNow protest. The federal government accused him of attempting to overthrow President Muhammadu Buharis government. He was detained for over 100 days until December 24, 2019 hen he was released after widespread local and international condemnations. He is not part of todays protest because of the conditions of his bail restraining him from joining mass gatherings. Advertisements A court had earlier ruled that the disruption of last years protest by police was against the right of the protesters to freedom of expression and association. The Buhari Media Organization (BMO) in a statement said the #RevolutionNow protest aimed to cause chaos and destabilisation of the nation. Security agents, including the Directorate of State Services (DSS) must understand that what is being touted as a protest against corruption, is not what it is. It is that notorious group making an attempt to push its agenda of revolution under a seemingly innocuous umbrella, the group said in a statement by its Chairman, Niyi Akinsiju. Rights groups kick Reacting to Wednesdays incident, the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) in a statement by its deputy director, Kolawole Oluwadare, condemned the violent attacks on protesters. By failing to adequately protect protesters from violent attacks, Nigerian authorities have blatantly violated their obligations under the Nigerian Constitution of 1999 (as amended), the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights to which Nigeria is a state party. Nobody should be arrested or subjected to torture and ill-treatment simply for taking part in peaceful protests. The authorities should stop criminalising peaceful protesters. The group called for the release of all those arrested. SERAP urges the international community including the UN Human Rights Council, the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, the African Union and the African Commission on Human and Peoples Rights to publicly condemn attacks on peaceful protests and to put pressure on the Nigerian authorities to effectively investigate attacks on protesters, prosecute perpetrators and to respect and protect the human rights of everyone. Speaking in the same vein, @HEDAgenda condemned the shrinking of civic space & arrest of peaceful protesters by state securities. It added: Similar rallies sponsored by politicians enjoyed protection of same securities before now. Until 2am on 5 March, many UK travellers relied on Flybe, whose route network could be summed up as: anywhere to anywhere, possibly changing planes in Birmingham, Southampton or Manchester. Europes biggest regional airline slogan, "Faster than road or rail" was the choice of passengers in a hurry from Belfast to Cardiff or Manchester to Edinburgh. Flybe had more flights than any other airline to and from George Best Belfast City and many other UK airports, including Aberdeen and Manchester. But while the network was appealing, it proved hopelessly unprofitably for the Exeter-based airline. And that could explain why, five months after the collapse, many of the routes are still unfilled. Sean Moulton, a UK aviation connectivity analyser, has identified the busiest UK domestic routes in 2019 which remain unserved. At the top of the ex-Flybe list is Edinburgh to Manchester, which had an average of 318 passengers per day last year. Edinburgh to Cardiff is just behind, at 304 passengers per day. Manchester to Newquay, Belfast City to Cardiff and Glasgow to Manchester complete the top five. While rail is not a practical alternative for travellers in a hurry for most of those routes, the links from Scotlands two biggest cities to Manchester are perfectly practical. Transpennine Express has trains every two hours from Manchester Airport to the heart of Edinburgh, and there are easy connections to Glasgow Central. The main replacement for Flybe flights is Loganair, which became Britain's biggest regional airline overnight after its rivals collapse. It has snapped up routes that look profitable, such as Edinburgh and Glasgow to Southampton and Newcastle to Exeter. The chief executive, Jonathan Hinkles, said "Loganair has stepped in to assure UK connectivity across 17 routes formerly flown by Flybe, and we're pleased to be doing so. "However, we're also taking a cautious approach - we can't and won't replace every route that Flybe served; if we did, we'd simply replicate the same issues that led to its failure. "Some of the routes were not viable, and for our business to be successful in the long term, we have to remain focused on the core heartlands for Loganair." The Scottish carrier is also teaming up to offer connections with Blue Islands, which is filling some of the gaps from Jersey and Guernsey to the UK as well as launching routes from Manchester to Exeter and Southampton the latter in competition with Eastern Airways. Aviation posters: Selling the skies Show all 6 1 /6 Aviation posters: Selling the skies Aviation posters: Selling the skies 80-skies1.jpg British Airways Heritage Centre/Tom Purvis Aviation posters: Selling the skies 80-skies2.jpg Estate of Abram Games. Aviation posters: Selling the skies 80-skies3.jpg British Airways Heritage Centre/Theyre Lee-Elliott Aviation posters: Selling the skies 80-skies4.jpg British Airways Heritage Centre/ Aviation posters: Selling the skies 80-skies5.jpg British Airways Heritage Centre/Frank Wootton Aviation posters: Selling the skies 80-skies6.jpg British Airways Heritage Centre Aurigny is connecting its home island of Guernsey with Birmingham and Exeter. Northern Ireland depends more on domestic flights than any other part of the UK, and Stobart Air flying as Aer Lingus Regional is launching services from George Best Belfast City to Birmingham, East Midlands, Edinburgh, Exeter, Leeds Bradford and Manchester. Eastern Airways is launching services on old Flybe routes such as Manchester to Southampton, and trying new links such as Teesside to Newquay turning an all-day journey by road or rail into a 90-minute hop. It has proved so popular that the frequency is being increased. Flybe tried, not always successfully, to stay under the radar of easyJet, Britain's biggest budget airline, which is taking over from Birmingham to Edinburgh and Glasgow. The number of daily flights has halved, but there are twice as many seats on easyJets bigger planes. The carrier is also stepping up frequency on several routes to and from Belfast International. Lonely Planet's UK Travelist Show all 20 1 /20 Lonely Planet's UK Travelist Lonely Planet's UK Travelist Edinburgh Festival Fringe Edinburgh Festival Fringe David Monteith Hodge Lonely Planet's UK Travelist Giant's Causeway Giant's Causeway Stuart Stevenson photography/Ge Lonely Planet's UK Travelist Stonehenge Stonehenge William Toti/500px Lonely Planet's UK Travelist British Museum British Museum Chaokai Shen/500px Lonely Planet's UK Travelist St Paul's Cathedral St Paul's Cathedral Mark Chilvers/Lonely Planet Lonely Planet's UK Travelist Borough Market Borough Market Circle Creative Studio/Shutters Lonely Planet's UK Travelist Hadrian's Wall Hadrian's Wall Dave Head/Shutterstock Lonely Planet's UK Travelist Lake Windermere Lake Windermere Daniel_Kay/Shutterstock Lonely Planet's UK Travelist Yorkshire Dales Yorkshire Dales ravellight/Shutterstock Lonely Planet's UK Travelist Glencoe Glencoe Helen Hotson/Shutterstock Lonely Planet's UK Travelist Punting in Cambridge Punting in Cambridge Premier Photo/Shutterstock Lonely Planet's UK Travelist Bath Bath alice-photo/Shutterstock Lonely Planet's UK Travelist Tate Modern Tate Modern chrisdorney/Shutterstock Lonely Planet's UK Travelist Stratford-upon-Avon Stratford-upon-Avon Royal Shakespeare Theatre River Festival Lonely Planet's UK Travelist The Scilly Isles The Scilly Isles Julian Love/Lonely Planet Lonely Planet's UK Travelist Glastonbury Glastonbury Jason Bryant Lonely Planet's UK Travelist South Bank South Bank Tony C French/Getty Images Lonely Planet's UK Travelist Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Michael Roberts/Getty Images Lonely Planet's UK Travelist Pub roast Pub roast Diana Miller/Getty Images Lonely Planet's UK Travelist Arthur's Seat Arthur's Seat Martin McCarthy/Getty Images One Flybe route that started only in March 2019 proved a big success: Heathrow to Newquay. British Airways has now taken it over, but the frequency is far lower than the previous four flights per day. In 2005, BA paid Flybe to take over its routes not beginning or ending in London. During the coronavirus pandemic it became clear that BA has abandoned another prime domestic route from Heathrow, to Leeds Bradford. In 2019 it averaged 274 passengers per day. A former British Midland route, from Teeside to Heathrow, has been resurrected by Eastern Airways, which will fly from 14 September. Mr Moulton said: I cant say I saw that one coming. Prentice Michael Boone, owner of Haute Barber at 2213 N. Uber St., Philadelphia, cuts the hair of his son Ryder, 6. Boone's business was helped by a loan from the PA 30 Day Fund. Read more Prentice Michael Boone, 41, wanted his own barbershop for so long, he wrote the business plan before he even graduated from high school. Then three years ago, he did it. He opened Haute Barber near Temple University. I dreamed this thing, and God made it possible, Boone said. But along came COVID-19. It shut down Boones shop and many businesses like his. The North Philly barber applied for private and government aid to no avail. Even his own bank turned him down. Enter the Pennsylvania 30 Day Fund a nonprofit, volunteer-run effort to get forgivable loans up to $3,000 to small businesses like his during these trying times. Not only did Boone get the funding fast, he got a personal thank-you from one of the funds directors for the work he did as part of the community. Somebodys finally seeing the pain of the micro-business, he said. Theyre seeing it and theyre responding. Since the Pennsylvania 30 Day Fund kicked off on May 6, it has raised about $1.8 million and helped nearly 500 small businesses around the state that employ between three and 30 employees. And its still going strong. Our small business owners are in many ways the heart and soul of our communities, said Jeff Bartos, a Montgomery County real estate developer (and a former candidate for Pennsylvania lieutenant governor) who is one of the funds founders. He got the idea from his old friend and fellow businessman Peter Snyder, who started a similar fund in Virginia. Were all committed to helping and thats such a unifying mission. I think hope is very much alive. The fund is led by volunteers, including notable business leaders (like Shop Rite CEO Jeff Brown) as well as Penn law and business students who donate their time to review the thousands of applications. The money given is called loans, but the small-business recipients arent required to pay them back. If they can, however, the repaid funds go toward helping other business people in need. The 30 Day Fund has attracted some corporate funding, and philanthropists Ira Lubert and Pam Estadt have pledged a $1 million grant to match others contributions. But most of the donors have been regular folks, Bartos said someone who made a $3 donation online, people who contributed their stimulus checks, a Philadelphia police officer who gave $1,000 to help rebuild businesses that were damaged during recent protests. So far, over 200 Philadelphia area businesses have been aided, about 40% of them minority-owned and 40% female-run. For some, the 30 Day Fund loan is a part of a patchwork of aid thats helping them get by. For others its a bridge loan while they wait for other funding to come through. At the heart of it, all of us are struggling for that same goal, Bartos said. We love our communities. We love the businesses in our communities. We want them all to survive. Thane Wright opened his Bower Cafe in the Washington Square West section of Philadelphia two years ago in June after a career managing and directing other peoples higher-end cafes. Its a dream of mine that Ive envisioned, and now its living, Wright said. Its my baby. He was still implementing his vision for the restaurant and gallery when the coronavirus struck. Wright had gotten some aid, but was turned down for other sources of help. The 30 Day Fund process was quick and easy, he said. The $3,000 loan helped with back rent. Were not [yet] open for full service, Wright, 44, said in late July. Im still a month behind. Tanti Lina, owner of Papertini, a Lansdowne florist and event design business, also put her 30 Day Fund loan toward rent arrears. Her business depends a lot on events like weddings, and she estimates her revenues for this year are down 90 percent. She had to lay off six of her seven employees. Since then, Lina has been seeking whatever business aid is available. Her plan is to rehire her workers when their unemployment benefits run out. Im saving up for when that happens. Im going to bring them back whether or not we have gigs, said Lina, 41, an Indonesian immigrant who is now a U.S. citizen. Theyre my family. Lina, who started Papertini 14 years ago, said she was struck by how well she was treated in the 30 Day Fund application process. The turnaround time was very quick, and they personally call you, Lina said. What I will always remember is they said, We believe in you and so were going to grant you this. Which I really appreciated. At times like this, its kind of nice to get an assurance that what Im doing is not crazy, you know? In fact, though cash is still tight, Lina said she has already paid $100 back to the fund even though it was not required. Plus, she has contributed to two Go Fund Me drives for businesses damaged during the recent protests. The concept of the 30 Day Fund is what inspired me, Lina said. If I can do at least a little bit, I should help. Lokal Artisan Foods tasty French toast bites were earning an avid following at outdoor festivals all over Philly last year, but then COVID-19 hit, canceling the gatherings. But Lokals owner Charisse McGill was no quitter. A business friend, Tamekah Bost, owner of the Better Box restaurants and food truck, offered the use of her commercial kitchen, and McGill pivoted to a delivery-based business model. We were operating at 50% less revenue than we would have during normal times, but it kept me above water, McGill said. When she got a vendors spot in Spruce Street Harbor Park on the Delaware River, she applied for and received a loan from the 30 Day Fund that allowed her to buy commercial kitchen equipment, personal protection equipment, contactless thermometers, and cleaning supplies she needed to open her new eating establishment on July 17. Lokals French toast bites regular and vegan, French toast milkshakes, and bacon on a stick are finding a warm welcome among riverfront revelers. Were already operating as if it was normal time in terms of sales, and thats just the first two weeks, said McGill, 38, of Alden. Were back on track. We have to keep pushing until the park closes September 27. The businesswoman is already thinking about the future. In 2021, well start to look for a brick-and-mortar storefront, she said. With 30% of the restaurants not reopening amid COVID, Im planning to find a good lease deal. In the meantime, McGill is enjoying what feels like a sweet summer at last. Everyones enjoying food and the outdoors and fun just like before, she said. Everybodys just six feet apart, and we have a mask on now. But the excitement is still there. The defeat of longtime Missouri Rep. William Lacy Clay by Black Lives Matter activist Cori Bush took some Democrats by surprise, confounding their ideas of who was and wasn't vulnerable to a left-wing primary challenge. It did not surprise the movements and organizations that pushed Bush over the finish line. The win by the 44-year-old nurse and pastor, one of several liberal victories in Tuesday's primaries, came after her own dogged campaigning was boosted by relatively new liberal PACs and by robust fundraising that caught the incumbent a member of a dynasty that represented St. Louis for 51 years by surprise. "They counted us out," Bush told supporters Tuesday night at her St. Louis campaign office. "They called me just a protester. I'm just an activist, with no name, no title and no money. That's all they said I was. But St. Louis showed up." Bush is the fifth left-wing Democrat to oust an incumbent member of Congress from her party since the start of Donald Trump's presidency. In April 2017, she became the first recruit announced by Justice Democrats, an organization built by veterans of Sen. Bernie Sanders's 2016 presidential campaign. Each candidate embraced the key planks of Sanders's platform Medicare-for-all, criminal justice and immigration reform, as well as opposition to corporate PAC money. Each was also a serious underdog. Bush's win was a breakthrough for a movement that had fallen short in other races against members of the Congressional Black Caucus. In April, after Justice Democrat Morgan Harper lost a race against Columbus, Ohio, Rep. Joyce Beatty, the CBC touted its success and said it had stepped up its political organizing to protect Black incumbents from challengers. "Cori Bush took down a political dynasty on her second try," tweeted Kayla Reed, the executive director of Action St. Louis, a group that grew out of the Ferguson protests. "She ended a 50-year stronghold. Do you understand what that means? The entire Black political establishment came after [her] and she put them in the ground." On paper, Bush was the sort of candidate whom party committees politely ignore. After becoming deeply involved in the 2014 protests that followed the police killing of Michael Brown in the St. Louis suburb of Ferguson, Bush made a quixotic 2016 run for U.S. Senate, raising less than $7,000 and winning just 13% of the vote in that year's Democratic primary. Justice Democrats gave her some campaign infrastructure and access to a national donor network. She was followed on the trail by the makers of "Knock Down the House," a documentary about female, liberal, working-class congressional challengers. When now-Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez won her June 2018 primary, she cited Bush in her victory speech and soon traveled to St. Louis to campaign for her. (Ocasio-Cortez did not weigh in on the race this year.) "I'm a single parent, so I understand taking care of children by yourself," Bush said in a 2017 video introducing her House campaign. "I know what it's like to live paycheck to paycheck." Clay, whose father had held the seat for decades before him, did not engage as fully in the race as some other challenged incumbents. According to FEC reports, he had spent less than $550,000 on the race by mid-July, holding on to hundreds of thousands of dollars despite the lack of real Republican competition in November. Bush tripled her fundraising and spending from the last cycle, beating Clay to the airwaves with ad that asked why she was in the streets fighting for racial justice, and he wasn't. Bush was also boosted by Justice Democrats' own PAC and by Fight Corporate Monopolies, a new PAC formed after the end of the Sanders campaign this year, whose TV ad accused Clay of siding with the financial industry and against Barack Obama to hurt low-wage workers. Sanders himself endorsed Bush, who traveled the country as a surrogate for his 2020 campaign, and used his own social media platform to host a rally for her. Sanders also tapped his donor list, raising $107,000 for Bush. "It's really a story of starting all the way from the bottom and coming out on top," said Waleed Shahid, a spokesman for Justice Democrats. "First, Black Lives Matter is just way more popular than it started. Secondly, we've been working to create an ecosystem of support for all of our candidates, including paid media to get the message out about the race." By early July, the race began to look winnable for Bush. A poll conducted by Data for Progress found Clay ahead of Bush, but with only 39% support and with more than a third of voters undecided. The same poll found Obama's favorability among the district's voters at 90%, which informed an 11th-hour attack ad against Clay's financial reform vote. Weeks later, the same poll found that the race was tied. Clay never effectively rallied to save his job. In a Wednesday morning statement, the congressman's father said that the family's "years of elected public service [has] ended" and blamed "outside money from sources associated with Bernie Sanders." But Clay never pulled outside groups into the district to combat the late ad spending for Bush. That wasn't the case in other primaries this cycle, including those that the left has won. In New York, Justice Democrats-backed Jamaal Bowman was buffeted by ads from a PAC funded by allies of Rep. Eliot Engel; Bowman won that primary. In Texas, Rep. Henry Cuellar survived a close call with a Justice Democrat after the Chamber of Commerce swooped in to help. In Minnesota, which votes next week, Rep. Ilhan Omar has been outspent by Antone Melton-Meaux, an attorney who's backed by the same PAC as Engel was and has raised millions of dollars off the congresswoman's notoriety and criticism of Israel. A defeat for Omar, who is backed by the state's Democratic Farmer-Labor Party, would cut against the trend of liberal wins this year. Criminal justice reform advocates won county prosecutor races across the map on Tuesday, including in St. Louis, where Kim Gardner won a second term. In Detroit, Rep. Rashida Tlaib declared victory over challenger Brenda Jones after she led by a 2-1 margin with 90 of precincts reporting, doubling her vote total from a crowded 2018 primary that convinced some Democrats that she was vulnerable. Jones, who had nearly defeated Tlaib that year, raised little money and only rarely campaigned in person after surviving COVID-19. Bush, who also contracted the disease, quickly returned to the trail after recovering. In both Detroit and St. Louis, turnout was also markedly up from 2018, despite pandemic conditions that had suppressed traditional campaigning. That was a setback for a theory some Democratic moderates had about the left that it might win in low-turnout primaries but would run out of votes when a larger electorate showed up. Sanofi stands accused of involuntary manslaughter over the devastating effects of its epilepsy drug Depakine, suspected of causing birth defects in thousands of children whose mothers took the medicine while pregnant. The French group has said it will appeal. Already charged with aggravated fraud and unintentionally causing injury, Sanofi's legal woes looked set to worsen on Monday after it was put under investigation for manslaughter. The charges relate to the Sanofi drug valproate, marketed in France under the trade name Depakine and other generic versions since 1967. It is commonly prescribed to people suffering from epilepsy, migraines and bipolar disorder. However, when taken by mothers-to-be it can increase the chances of their children having birth defects, autism and learning difficulties. Health authorities say the French company failed to warn pregnant mothers about the risks. Sanofi insists it fulfilled its obligation of providing information on the drug and its side-effects, and said it contests the validity of these proceedings. Undeniable link The investigation will determine whether the pharmaceutical company can be held responsible for the deaths of four babies in the late 90s and early 2000s, whose mothers took Depakine during their pregnancies. "It is undeniable that the link between the dose (of Depakine) and the damage observed among the young victims is scientifically proven," investigating judges told Le Monde newspaper. The investigation comes on the heels of legal action launched in 2016 by victims and their families. Marine Martin, president of an association which helps the families of children damaged by the drug, said today's announcement was "a great victory for the families of victims of Depakine. "For years, I've been receiving calls from mothers who lost their babies shortly after giving birth because their child died from the defects. "We forget very often that Depakine kills," Martin told RFI. The French drugs agency (ANSM) estimates that Depakine may have caused disabilities in as many as 30,000 children whose mothers took the medicine while pregnant. Millions in compensation Victims are seeking millions in damages. "We're hoping for a major trial like this year's Mediator trial," Martin said, in reference to the diabetes drug scandal that was irresponsibly prescribed as a weight loss pill with deadly consequences. "We must move quickly, children desperately need treatment." Last month, a French court ordered the government to pay thousands of euros in compensation, saying officials should have ensured the drug was not taken by pregnant women. In the criminal proceedings against Sanofi, judges are calling on the company to provide substantial financial guarantees, including depositing 8 million euros in bail money immediately and an 80 million euro bank guarantee if the case goes to trial. No responsibility The money will go towards a compensation package for Depakine victims. For now, Sanofi has refused to pay any compensation. Under the French legal system, charges do not automatically result in a trial and the group insists that its indictment "does not in any way prejudge the responsibility of the laboratory". It has filed a legal challenge appealing the charges. Valproate remains the primary drug for the treatment of many forms of epilepsy and continues to be sold. 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. Queensland authorities have "no concerns" with the authenticity of documents that allowed a security contractor returning from Afghanistan to access diplomatic quarantine exemptions, putting the case down to a system failure. The case sparked contact-tracing efforts for fellow passengers on a domestic flight from Sydney to the Sunshine Coast, when the man tested positive for COVID-19 after travelling to Toowoomba to isolate at home. Chief Health Officer Dr Jeannette Young referred the documents to police on Tuesday, including a letter from Australia's embassy in Kabul from where the man had returned, after it emerged he was not a consular employee. The embassy note is understood to have been issued to aid his travel to and from Afghanistan and not for the exemption, with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade stating it did not support the application. WASHINGTON Democrats are examining legislative options to force the U.S. Census Bureau to reverse its decision to end all counting efforts in September, a month earlier than planned, Rep. Rosa DeLauro, D-3, said Wednesday. What we need to do is to have a full count because the census is too important to rush or to sabotage, DeLauro said. In a pandemic like this it would likely require every available moment to do the job fully and correctly to give up early is unacceptable. The Census Bureau will stop door-knocking and collecting responses online and by phone on Sept. 30 to give the agency time to process the data before its statutory deadline of Dec. 31, the agency announced Monday. The Bureau had already delayed the start of field operations this spring due to the pandemic. In April, the Census asked for a four-month extension to complete the work of counting the nations residents amid the coronavirus. But the announcement Monday shows the agency plans to charge ahead and meet the December deadline. U.S. Census Bureau Director Steven Dillingham said the change did not alter the agencys commitment to an accurate count. Building on our successful and innovative internet response option, the dedicated women and men of the Census Bureau, including our temporary workforce deploying in communities across the country in upcoming weeks, will work diligently to achieve an accurate count, he said. The change to Census operations follows a July 21 directive from President Donald Trump that instructs the Commerce Department to exclude undocumented immigrants from being counted next year when Congress reapportions seats for the U.S. House of Representatives. The memo is already being challenged by several lawsuits. Democrats fear that these changes would result in less political representation and federal funding for programs and infrastructure in areas where immigrants and people of color live, often cities in blue states. Gathering in New Haven with DeLauro, Mayor Justin Elicker, state Rep. Robyn Porter, D-New Haven and others, Lt. Gov. Susan Bysiewicz on Wednesday called the new timeline a malicious and reckless attempt to hurt communities of color. There is no doubt that this is the intent, Bysiewicz said. Weve seen a pattern of this type of behavior since the start of the census process. About four in 10 households across the country have not participated in the once-a-decade count yet. In addition to allocating Congressional seats, the census is used to distribute federal funding and direct state redistricting. In Connecticut, 66 percent of households have responded to the census on their own, online or through other options. In some Connecticut suburbs, the response rate is as high as 80 percent, while in Bridgeport, New Haven and Hartford and Connecticuts quiet corner, the response rate hovers between 40 to 50 percent, the U.S. Census Bureau reports. College students, undocumented immigrants, children and the homeless are considered hard to count populations because of their transience, language barriers or reluctance to respond may result in low participation rates. The Department of Homeland Security agreed in December 2019 to share certain immigration data with the Census Bureau to help the administration produce data about the citizenship status of every person in the country. In July 2019, the U.S. Supreme Court blocked the Trump administration from putting a citizenship question directly on the census. emilie.munson@hearstdc.com; Twitter: @emiliemunson Sao Paulo (AFP) - Brazilian aircraft manufacturer Embraer reported second quarter losses of $315 million Wednesday, as sales plunged due to the coronavirus pandemic and a proposed joint venture with Boeing collapsed. The new red ink came on top of $292 million in losses in the first quarter when the COVID-19 crisis began to hit the South American economic powerhouse. In the second three-month stretch of last year, by comparison, Embraer posted profits of $7.2 million. This time the company's hardest hit branch was commercial aviation, which fell 82.8 percent compared with the same period of last year -- it delivered only four commercial airliners compared to 26 back then. The company said that due to uncertainty caused by the pandemic it will not be releasing estimates of future finances or plane deliveries. It also said was "affected negatively" by the collapse of a deal under which Boeing was to have acquired 80 percent of Embraer's commercial division for $4.2 billion. Boeing said Embraer had not lived up to terms of the deal but the Brazilian company denied this and said Boeing had acted improperly. With that deal Boeing had hoped to compete with Airbus and joint venture partner Bombardier of Canada in the market for medium-haul airliners. BinSina Pharmacy, Dubais first-ever licensed pharmacy, is celebrating 55 years of its foundation and success in the UAE. An Al Khayyat Investments (AKI) brand, BinSina Pharmacy is one of the UAEs leading pharmacy chains with ambitious plans to further expand its operations across the GCC region. Established in 1965, the chain prides itself in its deeply rooted heritage in the UAE and its commitment to provide quality healthcare to all people in the country, successfully growing from a single humble pharmacy in Naser Square, Dubai, to a network of 120+ stores that extends across the emirates. We are very proud of the many contributions that BinSina has made to the healthcare environment in the UAE and greatly value the importance of healthcare access for all, stated Zaid Al Khayyat, Managing Director at Al Khayyat Investments. BinSina Pharmacy was the first of our establishments and lies at the core of our family company to this day. As we prepare for our dynamic period of expansion on our 55th anniversary, we dedicate ourselves to striving to meet the communitys evolving and growing needs and to promoting a healthy lifestyle across the region, he added. Since the start of the Covid-19 outbreak, BinSina Pharmacy has launched numerous initiatives to help keep residents safe, further proving its commitment to supporting the community. These include the distribution of health and safety items such as gloves, face masks, hand sanitisers and vitamin C supplements to various government institutions. The healthcare retailer also joined forces with the Department of Health of Abu Dhabi (DOH) and the Ministry of Health (MOHAP) to launch a medicine home-delivery service in the emirate and made the conscious decision to ensure that there are no prices rises during this time, despite the shortages of supply. Other initiatives undertaken by the pharmacy chain include partnering with UAE-based health provider TruDoc 24/7 to offer residents round-the-clock access to medical consultation and services through its e-commerce website during the Covid-19 outbreak. This offered residents instant access to licenced healthcare professionals and the opportunity to receive medical advice for non-emergency conditions from the safety of their own homes. BinSina Pharmacy has also embraced corporate social responsibility and giving back to the community through other initiatives over the years, such as blood donations, fundraisers, providing food for the less fortunate during Ramadan and supporting various causes in the UAE, including breast cancer, diabetes, and autism. Ian Hunter, Chief Operating Officer at BinSina added: We take pride in our homegrown brand that has dedicated itself to supporting the health of the community. When it comes to health, we believe in taking a customer-centric approach to ensure wide access to healthcare, medicines, and beauty products, which is why we wish to expand our portfolio of omnichannel services in the UAE and across the wider GCC, later this year. It brings us great joy to know that we have been able to serve our community for 55 strong years we intend to continue doing so for many years to come. The UAEs oldest healthcare retailer, BinSina Pharmacy is also known for its streamlined look and feel to ensure an optimal shopping experience for its customers. The company guarantees its customers a best in class product range and premium health and wellness advice, provided through their experts in beauty and pharmaceutical products. Furthermore, BinSina Pharmacy has introduced the latest IT systems into the stores to enhance connections and trust between healthcare professionals, drug manufacturers, pharmacies, and the companys main focus; its customers.-- Tradearabia News Service Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (Agence France-Presse) Colombo, Sri Lanka Wed, August 5, 2020 08:30 532 6657ac82168da9fa101c8a4066ba0b89 2 World Sri-Lanka,political-dynasty,Rajapaksa-dynasty,politics Free Sri Lanka's Rajapaksa family will likely consolidate power after Wednesday's parliamentary elections. The powerful clan has held sway over the country's politics for decades, as well as having a major influence in key state institutions such as the national airline and state corporations. Close relatives have also been appointed to top diplomatic posts abroad. Here are the key members of the dynasty: 'The Patriarch' Mahinda Rajapaksa, 74, is the patriarch of the family and served as prime minister in 2004 and then president from 2005 until January 2015. He was appointed prime minister a second time by his brother Gotabaya in November. Mahinda is adored by the Sinhala-Buddhist majority for crushing separatist Tamil rebels in May 2009 following a highly controversial military offensive that ended a decades-long civil war. During his rule Sri Lanka also moved closer to China, borrowing almost $7 billion for infrastructure projects -- many of which turned into white elephants mired in corruption. The Terminator' Gotabaya Rajapaksa, 71, was the main lieutenant of Mahinda during his reign, holding the influential post of secretary to the ministry of defence with responsibility for day-to-day control of the armed forces and police. Dubbed "The Terminator" by his own family, he is feared by foes for his short temper. He has faced several corruption allegations, but his court cases have been frozen or withdrawn as he enjoys immunity after winning the presidency in 2019. 'Mr. Ten Percent' Basil Rajapaksa, 69, is a political strategist who managed the economy under Mahinda. He was called "Mr. Ten Percent" in a BBC interview in reference to commissions he allegedly took from government contracts. Subsequent administrations failed to prove any charges he syphoned off millions of dollars from state coffers, but he still faces several prosecutions for corruption and unexplained wealth. As a dual US-Sri Lankan citizen he was prohibited from standing for elected office but is currently a senior adviser to the government. 'The Bodyguard' Chamal Rajapaksa, 77, was speaker of the Sri Lankan parliament when brother Mahinda was president and is also a former minister of shipping and aviation. Formerly a police officer, he once served as a personal bodyguard to Sirimavo Bandaranaike, the world's first woman prime minister. He is expected to continue to serve in the prime minister's cabinet in the new government to be formed after the polls. The Scion Namal Rajapaksa, 34, a lawyer, is the scion of the family dynasty and the eldest son of Mahinda. He entered parliament in 2010 aged just 24. During his father's decade in power, Namal was highly influential although he did not hold any portfolio. The former regime accused him of money laundering and other corruption charges, for which he still faces trial. He is expected to play a key role in the new administration, and observers say Mahinda is grooming him to become a future president. San Antonio is in the hunt to be the new home of U.S. Space Command. Mayor Ron Nirenberg said Wednesday the city has survived the initial cut as the Air Force seeks a permanent headquarters for the command, now based in Colorado Springs, Colo. He said San Antonio was a natural fit because of its quality of life, a skilled work force that includes military personnel transitioning to civilian life, a large veterans community, and specialists who work in space-related fields. We have the largest presence of cyber and intelligence capabilities outside of the national capital region, Nirenberg said. And we have a public-private military and civilian infrastructure thats required, including medical and military support networks, housing, transportation and veteran services, as well as electric, water, gas and telecommunications that are all critically important. Space Command was established as the 11th combat command in August 2019. It operates just like the Central Command, a unified command that has overseen wars in Iraq and Afghanistan with forces from the various military branches. Space Command acts as a warfighting command in space, with its leader reporting directly to the defense secretary. It is separate from U.S. Space Force, established as a new branch of the military last year, and the first since the Air Force was created in 1947. Space Force will organize, train and equip troops the Pentagon calls space professionals. It is headquartered at the Pentagon with the other major military branches. Gen. John William Jay Raymond commands both organizations at the moment. The Air Force didnt say how many cities were eliminated in the original competition, but Richard Perez, president and CEO of the San Antonio Chamber of Commerce, said 100 originally joined the contest. The quest for the command has gone on largely below the radar, with the mayor saying nothing publicly about it and Bexar County Judge Nelson Wolff not even being aware there was a push for it. I just dont know the particulars of this deal, of who makes the decision and I dont know what the chambers been doing on it. But anything that enhances our military presence Im very much for, Wolff said. Governors from 26 states nominated cities to host the command. Nirenberg said he learned of the development last weekend. Houston and Fort Worth also had been nominated by Gov. Greg Abbott earlier this summer. On ExpressNews.com: DNC hack part of a cyber war thats just begun Air Force spokeswoman Ann Stefanek said Wednesday that a release announcing criteria for cities seeking to host Space Command was sent out May 15. She said the Air Force had entered the evaluation phase of the selection process and it would select candidates in mid-to late-November. A decision is expected in January, and the new headquarters will take about six years to put in place. Nirenberg and others see Space Command as a good fit for the citys growing cyber footprint that includes National Security Agency Texas, where thousands work in a sprawling complex off Potranco Road and West Military Drive. More Information What's space command? WHAT: U.S. Space Command was established as the eleventh unified combat command in August 2019. It will draw forces from all military branches to oversee operations in space. Its leader reports directly to the defense secretary. WHERE: Space Command is temporarily headquartered in Colorado Springs, Colo., with personnel and functions at Peterson AFB and Schriever AFB, Colo., Offutt AFB, Neb, and Vandenberg AFB, Calif. San Antonio is in the running for the permanent headquarters. WHATS DIFFERENT: Space Command is distinct from and complementary to U.S. Space Force. U.S. Space Force will organize, train, and equip space forces. SOURCE: U.S. Space Command See More Collapse How Space Command might interact with those organizations and others isnt yet clear. San Antonio has 75,000 uniformed and civilian personnel, 235,000 military dependents and 270,000 military retirees and veterans. The Air Force last year created the 16th Air Force at Lackland, bringing together what one general called the exquisite capabilities America already has harnessed in air, space, cyberspace, electronic warfare and information operations. The 16th replaced the San Antonio-based 24th and 25th Air Forces and aimed to integrate intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance along with cyber and electronic warfare and information operations in ways that have marked joint operations for decades but do it faster. San Antonio already is home to several large commands. They include the Air Education and Training Command at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph, and Army North, Army South, and the Armys Installation Management Command, all at JBSA-Fort Sam Houston. The city is home to three major installations and the largest joint base in the United States. Instructor pilots and some fledgling fliers learn their craft at Randolph, while JBSA-Lackland is the longtime home of basic military training, graduating around 39,000 recruits a year. Fort Sam Houston is the citys oldest installation, dating to 1845 when it was called the Post at San Antonio. Its present-day museum is housed in a National Historic Landmark structure built in the Quadrangle that year. The U.S. Army Medical Center of Excellence at Fort Sam instructs 2,000 to 2,500 combat medics a day and 37,000 trainees a year in varying specialties. The post also is home to Brooke Army Medical Center, which has a Level 1 trauma center, and the U.S. Institute of Surgical Research Burn Center. Its Center for the Intrepid helps troops and civilians recover from debilitating burn and trauma injuries. On ExpressNews.com: Air Force merges pair of San Antonio commands with one goal: Make them even deadlier Perez, a former city councilman, cited Joint Base San Antonio and its big Army, Navy and Air Force contingents as pluses in the citys quest to win either Space Command outright or some component of it. Nirenberg said hes always viewed the Port San Antonio area as a possible home for the new command, but conceded he didnt know where it might land if the Pentagon picks the Alamo City as the winner. Still, he said that while conventional wisdom puts Colorado Springs in the pole position, San Antonio not only has assets that give it a good shot but also a rich history one tied deeply to manned space exploration. The history goes back at least to Airman 1st Class Donald Farrell entering a 3-by-5-foot metal cabin, then at Randolph, on Feb. 9, 1958, and acting as a pilot on a seven-day mock mission to the moon. When it ended, the New York Times described Farrell, 23, of the Bronx as a genuine pioneer. Years before, Brooks researchers experimented with various types of atmospheres that might be used in a capsule environment. They also conducted psychological studies, putting volunteer airmen from Lackland AFB into low-pressure altitude chambers. The studies continued into the mid-1960s and once saw a two-man crew spend 17 days in isolation. Early research into sealed chambers used for long-duration mock missions were used for both the Gemini program and futuristic space stations and missions to Mars. I can go into what the specific assets we have to bring forth, but I think theres some poetry in the way history works. San Antonio was a quiet birthplace for space exploration for the United States generally. Farrell being the threshold we needed to make sure that humans could be safely launched into space, the fact that President Kennedy threw his Cap Over the Wall, figuratively, at Brooks, unfortunately, on the day before he died, Nirenberg said. But it signified that the modern era of our country conquering space and this is the next step, he added. Weve been there from the start, at every phase, and I think we should be there at the start of this new modern era. Sig Christenson covers the military and its impact in the San Antonio and Bexar County area. To read more from Sig, become a subscriber. sigc@express-news.net | Twitter: @saddamscribe MUSKEGON, MI A man whose long prison sentence on marijuana charges gained widespread attention after Michigan legalized the drug is hospitalized with COVID-19, one of more than 150 at the Muskegon Correctional Facility to have contracted the illness in the last week. Flint native Michael Alonzo Thompson, now 69, was sentenced to 40 to 60 years on charges related to the sale of 3 pounds of marijuana to an undercover officer in 1996. He was brought to Duane L. Waters Hospital, inside the Michigan State Prison, in Jackson, last week, his daughter, and a legal advocacy organization each confirmed to MLive. I knew something was wrong the last time I talked to him. His voice didnt sound right, said his daughter, Rashawnda Littles. Thompson contracted the virus months after advocates filed a clemency petition on his behalf, arguing that his punishment outweighed his crime, especially after Michigan legalized the substance that he was convicted of dealing. They also argued that Thompson has maintained a near-perfect record throughout his 25 years of incarceration, indicating that he would not be a threat to society if released. In an interview with MLive, Littles described a Navy veteran and family man who once received the key to the city of Flint for his efforts to disrupt gang violence. I dont want my father to be a story, she said. I want him to be a man that we can remember as a success (that) he did his time with dignity, and got out to be with his family. Thats the story I want to hear. The case has received national attention, as supporters, including some celebrities, calling for his release, including through the social media campaign, #FreeMichaelThompson. And on Wednesday, Attorney General Dana Nessel sent a letter to Gov. Gretchen Whitmer in support of commuting Thompsons sentence. While technically legal, the sentence imposed on Mr. Thompson is the product of a different time in Michigan legal history. And it is a time that has passed, reads the letter, in part. That letter joins one submitted in April by David Leyon, the Genesee County prosecutor, who argued that the mounting threat posed by COVID-19 rendered a reconsideration of Thompsons case more urgent. RELATED: Coronavirus outbreak at Muskegon prison increases to more than 150 inmates But his advanced age and illness are not likely to speed up his release, said Chris Gautz, a spokesperson for the Michigan Department of Corrections (MDOC), because Thompsons conviction included weapons charges. Thompsons case has received national attention in the last several months after he lost several prior attempts at clemency. Deedee Kirkwood, a Los Angeles-based cannabis activist who has been in daily contact with Thompson for about five years, helped to file one such petition before then-Governor Rick Snyder in 2018. When that petition failed, Thompson had to wait two years to try again. The request was filed again in January, this time by his attorney, Kimberly Corral, with support from the Last Prisoner Project, a prison reform organization that works specifically with people serving long sentences for marijuana-related crimes. The advocates filed a motion to expedite the petition in March, citing the health risk to Thompson, who has Type 2 diabetes and is classified as an older adult more at risk of experiencing the most adverse effects of COVID-19, said Sarah Gersten, Last Prisoner Projects executive director. Now, unfortunately, our worst fears have been realized, Gersten said, after Thompson informed his supporters on Friday, July 31, that he had been hospitalized with the illness. Tens of thousands of people have written letters to Michigan lawmakers in support of that petition, Gersten said, and the social media campaign on Thompsons behalf has garnered some high-profile supporters, including comedian Sarah Silverman and television personality Montel Williams. Thompson has also received support from Michigan officials, including Leyton, and Attorney General Nessel, who first expressed her support for Thompson via Twitter before submitting a letter to Gov. Whitmer, requesting that her office reconsider Mr. Thompsons application as expeditiously as possible and that he be released as soon as possible if your office will be granting his application. A decades-long sentence like that imposed on Mr. Thompson is usually reserved for second-degree murder convictions or for particularly heinous rape cases involving multiple aggravated factors, Nessel wrote in her letter. Sentences of this length for selling marijuana are simply unheard of, even when accompanied by firearms offenses. Given that recreational and medicinal marijuana is now legal in Michigan, allowing Mr. Thompson to continue to serve this very draconian sentence is even more offensive and unreasonable. Our hopes are that the Governors office and parole board hears these pleas from lawmakers and officials in their state that believe Michael should be free, Gersten said. Many of Thompsons supporters argue that, because Michigan made recreational marijuana use and distribution legal in 2018, Thompson and other people incarcerated on marijuana-related charges should have their cases reconsidered. This man is sitting here behind bars for the same thing you can go into a recreational store and buy, said Littles, Thompsons daughter. But Gautz, the MDOC spokesperson, said that Thompsons earliest possible release date is 2038, and that only a commutation by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer could supersede that. Even with that possibility, he added, Thompson would have to go through several months of hearings before his case reached Whitmers desk, and the governor could not override that process. Thompson was convicted on five felony counts related to selling marijuana to an undercover law enforcement officer, according to news reports of the time. The charges included three drug charges possession with intent to sell; conspiracy to possess with intent to sell; and selling marijuana and two weapons charges. Thompsons advocates say the weapons charges were unrelated to the drug dealing that guns were found in his home after he had been detained for dealing, that one was registered to his wife, and the others were antiques. But because Thompson had a prior record three other felony drug charges he was not allowed to own a gun. That record also made Thompson subject to Michigans habitual offender statute, which lengthened his sentencing considerably. In short, the extended sentence on the gun charges are what put Thompson behind bars for decades. The judge in that case rejected a plea agreement negotiated with the prosecutors office, which would have seen Thompson plead guilty to just the two weapons counts, with the three drug counts dismissed and a sentence of probation. In light of recent attempts at prison reform in the state, however, some in law enforcement such as Leyton, the prosecutor in the same county where Thompson was convicted have argued that Thompsons punishment no longer fits the crime. I was not the elected prosecutor at the time but, what I can say based on my review of the case file almost 25 years later is that the sentence handed down by the judge certainly appears to be disproportionate to the crime committed, Leyton said in an April statement issued when he supported Thompsons petition for release. Of about 39,000 people incarcerated throughout Michigan at the start of the pandemic, Gautz said that Michigan identified about 5,000 cases that could be reconsidered for parole, because those people had already served their minimum sentences. About 3,500 people have been paroled since the start of the pandemic, Gautz said, but added that the move was not to open up space in crowded facilities. Of those, Gautz said, the priority for parole included older inmates, and those with underlying health issues that could put them at greater risk for COVID-19. While Thompson meets those two criteria, Gautz said, he would not have been included in that group of 5,000 because he has not served his minimum possible sentence. Consequently, Gautz said, Thompsons case cannot be considered for a standard parole, but would have to receive a commutation from Gov. Gretchen Whitmer directly. Thompson would first have to go through several hearings before his case even reaches her desk, he added. That timeline and the law are still in place, Gautz said. It would be months before the Governor would be able to act, because of the confines of state law. That process is affirmed in a press release corresponding with Nessels letter, which describes a hearing process involving the parole board and assistant attorney general, before a recommendation can be brought to the Governors desk. But, Nessels letter also states, sentencing guidelines today would not have seen such a harsh punishment imposed on Thompson. The weapons charges may have been different because he was not carrying them at the time of the drug sale, and Thompsons offense would be sentenced to a maximum of four years imprisonment, or a maximum of eight years if charged as a second drug offense, reads the release. Gersten, the Last Prison Project director, also described the limits of the state parole process, saying that the Michigan prison system unlike federal prisons does not have a strong compassionate release statute for people like Thompson to attempt to leverage. Thompson has so far served 25 of his minimum 40-year sentence. Gersten called this a de facto life sentence, made all the more serious now that he has been exposed to a deadly virus. For months, the Muskegon Correctional Facility, where Thompson has been housed for several years, avoided an outbreak of COVID-19. But when news of the first confirmed coronavirus cases within those walls emerged last week, Thompsons supporters say they feared for his health. Now 155 cases have been confirmed inside the prison, which houses just over 1200 people. Inmates confirmed to have contracted the virus have been sent to the Jackson hospital where Thompson is, or to the Carson City Correctional Facility, according to Gautz. Thompsons supporters were concerned when they learned that his close friend inside the prison had contracted the virus. That man had recently helped Thompson to organize an event in honor of George Floyd, the Minnesota man whose death at the hands of police sparked an international movement against police brutality. On Friday, July 31, Gerstens team received news from Thompson that he, too, was sick, and had been transferred to the Jackson hospital. Thompson is now extremely weak, said Kirkwood, Thompsons friend and advocate. She said he lacks the nutrition he needs to address his Type II diabetes, which she said he developed while in prison, and that the man she once knew to do 500 pushups a day while incarcerated now has no energy. Gersten argued that, even if Thompson recovers, this outbreak indicates a lack of safety inside the Muskegon prison. The response from (MDOC) has been, Were doing everything in our power to ensure the safety and health of people in our care, but we know that has not, to date, been the case, Gersten said. If that were truly the case, Michael would have never contracted the virus. Gautz previously told MLive that inmates have been given access to cleaning supplies, including bleach, a previously-banned substance, and PPE including masks. He also said that all Michigan facilities were tasked with developing plans for dealing with outbreaks, and that the Muskegon prison is currently implementing theirs, including creating isolation units for people who had close contact with infected inmates. Mass testing took place last week of the two units where cases were first identified, and another 762 people were tested on Tuesday, Aug. 5, Gautz said. According to MDOC numbers, 68 people incarcerated across the state and two prison guards have died of COVID-19. As Thompsons case makes its way through legal channels, his advocates say they want people to know about who the man is, beyond the crime he committed. He is an amazing human being, He is full of virtues, said Kirkwood. He does not lie. He is a maximum, honorable human being. In her letter to the governor, Nessel touched upon Thompsons record in prison, calling him a model prisoner, and citing numerous positive reports from corrections officers for his work assignments The fact of Thompsons COVID-19 diagnosis also played a role in exposing how Thompsons sentence has grown obsolete, Nessel goes on to argue. If the trial court had sentenced him proportionately, Mr. Thompson would not have been anywhere near a prison as COVID-19 spread through our States prisons despite the best efforts of the MDOC to contain it, she wrote. Read more on MLive: Coronavirus outbreak at Muskegon prison increases to more than 150 inmates Replacement for Muskegon-area Habitat for Humanity launches after embezzlement scandal Some Michigan residents among first to receive trial coronavirus vaccine MBABANE After four months of closure for alleged non-payment of taxes, Plaza Tandoori Restaurant has reopened, but now has to deal with E500 000 worth of damages. The opening of the popular eatery comes after the High Court issued a judgment to open shop in the interim pending findings of a Tax Tribunal. This is in the protracted legal battle with the Eswatini Revenue Authority (SRA) over alleged tax liability. The judgment is, however, being met with resistance from SRA, which has since filed an appeal in the Supreme Court. In his judgment, Judge Cyril Maphanga ordered and directed SRA to procure the establishment and appointment of an independent Tax Tribunal to receive and adjudicate the applicants appeal in terms of section 36 of the VAT Act of 2012. The matter is remitted to the Tax Tribunal to hear and determine the matter of tax proceedings in terms of the provisions of the VAT Act, reads part of the judgment. While waiting for the Tax Tribunal to deliberate on the matter, they could open shop. SRA closed Plaza Tandoori, situated at Swazi Plaza in Mbabane on March 13, 2020 demanding a sum of E3 466 355.85. Sales According to the authority, the eatery allegedly under-declared its sales by the sum of E2 396 076 .07 for the period from April to December 2012. The restaurant was opened following the court order, which was issued on July 16, 2020. Management of Tandoori yesterday waited patiently for the SRA officials who arrived shortly after 9am to open the eatery. About three SRA officials arrived to open the restaurant accompanied by a police officer. They immediately opened the sealed locks and entered the business area to observe it together with the management. There was, however, tension as they approached the storeroom following that most of the perishable goods were found to be spoilt, something that angered the restaurant owners. The officers, however, left immediately after opening all areas of the business and did not entertain any complaints. In an interview with Tandoori Director Mohammed Asraful Chowdhury, he said they were devastated by SRAs behaviour, adding that before they closed shop, they had pleaded with them to at least take out the perishable items but they refused. Dispose Chowdhury said they had to dispose all of the foodstuffs, which included among other things chicken portions, onions, potatoes, tomato sauce, juice and soft drinks. He noted that the closure of the business happened at a very critical period, when there was the COVID-19 pandemic, resulting in a double loss for them. According to Chowdhury, close to 30 employees lost their earnings following the closure of the business. He stated that the company offered the employees about two months payment of their salaries and food parcels during the time when they had no source of income. Some of the employees have been with the company for over 30 years, said Chowdhury. Reinstate He said they were hoping to reinstate all their employees but if some had found employment, they would be replaced. Chowdhury said the business has been hit hard and recovering from the current situation would be difficult. He expressed disappointment in SRA, stating that their plea to remove the food before locking fell on deaf ears as the authority officials refused to entertain them. A source close to the matter said SRA claimed that they had been frustrated by the latest incident. He said SRA should consider being more diligent and empathetic. He said they were happy that an independent tax tribunal would be opened soon in the country to look into the interest of the business community. The respondent (SRA) was interdicted from proceeding with the administrative action for the enforcement of the VAT liability collection in respect of the April 2012 to December 2012 period and directed to lift the seal on and open the applicants business operations at shop No.2 Swazi Plaza premises and also to lift the suspension of and unseal the applicants business bank account no. 0200 00661709 held at Nedbank (Swd) Ltd within 30 days. Director Communications at SRA Vusi Dlamini said it was important to set the record straight in that the revenue administration was empowered by law to invoke distress procedures in cases of delinquent taxpayers. In this particular case, Dlamini said the taxpayers, after realising what SRA had done, took the matter to court and the court pronounced itself, which is why they opened the taxpayers facility today. However, he stated that they were in the process of appealing the court decision and hence cannot discuss the matter any further in the public domain. New Delhi, Aug 6 : Jammu and Kashmir Lt Governor Girish Chandra Murmu has been appointed as the new Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India. The decision came exactly a year after the Central government reorganised Jammu and Kashmir, bifurcating it into two Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh. Official sources told IANS that Murmu has resigned as the Lt Governor even though there was no confirmation about who his replacement will be in the highly sensitive Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir. Murmu will be replacing Rajiv Mehrishi, a 1978 batch IAS officer of the Rajasthan cadre, as the CAG. A 1985 batch IAS officer of the Gujarat cadre, Murmu was Principal Secretary to Narendra Modi when he was Chief Minister of Gujarat. He became the first Lt Governor of the Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir. Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-06 05:26:03|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close NEW YORK, Aug. 5 (Xinhua) -- The spokesperson of China's Permanent Mission to the United Nations said Wednesday that the Chinese ambassador has called on parties concerned to exercise restraint in Kashmir. Zhang Jun, China's permanent representative to the United Nations, expounded on China's principled position on Kashmir during the Security Council's closed-door discussions on Wednesday, said the spokesperson. Zhang said that India unilaterally changed the status quo of Kashmir through constitutional amendments in August 2019, stoking tensions in the region. A year later, there is no fundamental improvement but a risk of further escalation in the situation of Kashmir, according to the spokesperson. Zhang said China is seriously concerned about the current situation in Kashmir and the relevant military actions. China opposes unilateral actions that will complicate the situation, and calls on relevant parties to exercise restraint and act prudently. In particular, they should refrain from taking actions that will escalate tensions, according to the spokesperson. Zhang underlined that the Kashmir issue is a dispute left over from the past and should be peacefully and properly addressed in accordance with the UN Charter, Security Council resolutions and bilateral agreement. It is the responsibility of the Security Council to help ease the tensions and properly resolve relevant issues. The international community remains highly concerned about the Kashmir situation, with the expectation that the Security Council should perform its own duties, according to the spokesperson. Zhang said that both India and Pakistan are friendly neighbors of China and big developing countries at a critical stage of development. China is committed to growing friendly relations with both countries and calls on the two countries to focus on national development, set store by safeguarding peace and stability in South Asia, properly handle historical grievances, abandon zero-sum thinking, avoid unilateral actions, resolve disputes peacefully through dialogue and consultation, and jointly uphold peace and stability of the region, according to the spokesperson. The Security Council on Wednesday heard briefings from the UN Secretariat on the current situation in Kashmir and the work of the UN Military Observer Group in India and Pakistan, said the spokesperson. Security Council members expressed concern over the current situation in Kashmir and expressed the hope that relevant parties would exercise restraint and properly resolve relevant issues through dialogue to jointly maintain regional peace and stability, said the spokesperson. Enditem REGINA - Saskatchewan is the latest province to cut ties with WE Charity, as the organization deals with fallout from a controversial contract with the federal government. The Saskatchewan Party government had planned to partner with the organization on a $260,000 deal to promote mental well-being in schools. The Opposition NDP raised concerns about that decision, pointing out that Premier Scott Moe and his wife had travelled to Kenya last year as guests of one of the charitys founders. Education Minister Gord Wyant says the contract was paused and wont move ahead. He cited conflict-of-interest concerns around Ottawas $900-million student grant program with WE Charity, as the charity had paid members of Prime Minister Justin Trudeaus family for speaking engagements. Wyant says his government will try to find other organizations that can deliver mental supports to students. In a statement Wednesday, WE Charity said it hit pause on all school board partnerships last month because of the controversy surrounding the grant program. It said it respects Wyants decision. This report was first published by The Canadian Press on Aug. 5, 2020 In separate messages to Secretary-General of Lebanese Resistance Movement Seyyed Hassan Nasrallah and the Commander of the Lebanese Army, Bagheri expressed his condolence over the loss of dozens of lives in the Beirut port blast to the Lebanese nation, Trend reports via Mehr. He went on to say that this tragic incident requires the armed forces of the Islamic countries to provide humanitarian aid to the people of Lebanon. Iranian Army Commander Major General Abdolrahim Mousavi also offered his commiseration over the deadly explosion in Beirut and voiced Irans readiness to provide any assistance to the Lebanese people and government. A massive explosion rocked Beirut, Lebanon, with the force of an earthquake followed by a shock wave that devastated much of the city. The blast appeared to have followed a fire that had broken out in the city's port area, based on a video from the scene. The cause of the blast was immediately unknown. The force of the blast shook buildings, which were then hit again by the shock wave that blew out windows, sending shards of glass flying. At least 135 people have been killed in the blast while more than 5,000 have been injured. Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat said on Wednesday the foundation laying ceremony for the construction of the Ram temple in Ayodhya has come after decades-old struggle and has been a moment of great satisfaction. The RSS chief said the organisation worked nearly 30 years for the fulfilment of the resolve to construct the temple in Ayodhya. We had taken a resolution. I remember the then RSS chief Balasaheb Deoras telling us that we will have to struggle for 20 to 30 years, only then will this be fulfilled. We struggled and at the beginning of the 30th year, we have attained the joy of fulfilling our resolution, Bhagwat said. His comments came after Prime Minister Narendra Modi performed the bhoomi pujan of a Supreme Court-mandated Ram temple in Ayodhya, bringing to fruition the BJPs movement that defined its politics for three decades. There is a wave of joy in the entire country today. There is a pleasure about the fulfilment of centuries of hope. The greatest joy is because of the establishment of the self-confidence, which was lacking, today to make India self-reliant, he said. Catch all the LIVE updates from the Ram temple groundbreaking ceremony So many people had sacrificed but they couldnt be here physically. There are some who couldnt come here, Advani ji must be watching this at his home. There are some who shouldve come but couldnt be invited because of the situation (coronavirus pandemic, he added. Bhagwat and Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath and Governor Anadiben Patel were among those who attended the event at the site where some Hindus believe Lord Ram was born. The guest list, including religious leaders who formed part of the movement that started in the 1980s, was restricted to 175 in view of the Covid-19 crisis. Also Read: Some moments are destined: Kapil Sibal, Tharoor tweet ahead of historic Ram temple ceremony Priests chanted Sanskrit shlokas and the ground-breaking ceremony got underway under a giant marquee decorated in shades of reds and yellows and Modi and the other dignitaries, all in masks, maintained social distancing. As the Prime Minister laid the foundation of the temple, slogans of Bharat Mata ki Jai and Har Har Mahadev went up as the ritual ended. The temple town was decorated with marigold flowers and yellow and saffron flags as residents celebrated the beginning of the construction of a grand Ram temple. Roads leading to Ayodhya were adorned with hoardings of the proposed temple and of Ram Lalla, the infant Ram, the deity now housed in a makeshift temple. The Prime Minister had arrived in Ayodhya in a helicopter from the state capital of Lucknow and was received by Adityanath among others. Before the ceremony to lay the foundation stone of the Ram temple, the Prime Minister took part in prayers at the Hanuman Garhi temple. From there, he travelled to the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi site where he performed prayers to the Bhagwan Shree Ramlala Virajman. He also planted a sapling of Parijat or Indian night jasmine. A Canadian artist from Montreal heard nothing but thought his apartment in Beirut had been hit by an earthquake as a massive explosion tore through the city's port district Tuesday. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 5/8/2020 (531 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. A Canadian artist from Montreal heard nothing but thought his apartment in Beirut had been hit by an earthquake as a massive explosion tore through the city's port district Tuesday. "The whole building shook, paintings fell, things broke, chairs moved. Like two seconds later, I heard the blast," said Sami Basbous in a WhatsApp interview. Rawane Al Zahed and her husband Mazen Alaouie are shown in a handout photo. Al Zahed remembers running through her home to check on her family after she heard blasts rip through Beirut and felt the ground shake beneath her feet. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-Rawane Al Zahed MANDATORY CREDIT Basbous, who is visiting Lebanon said he lives about five kilometres from the site of the blast in an apartment with an unobstructed view of the port. "It was like the air was sucked out of the city and was sucked out of people. It was sucked out of me," he said. Basbous had been watching a plume of smoke billowing from the port when the blast hit. He described a "strange, red, ochre colour mushroom cloud" coming from the area of the fire within seconds of the explosion. "The whole city was engulfed by the smoke. It was terrifying. It almost took your breath away. And it threw me off. It was absolutely devastating." Rawane Al Zahed also lives about five kilometres from the blast site and said she ran through her home to check on her family after she heard explosions and felt the ground shake. Al Zahed, 24, said she felt two explosions a few seconds apart. The first felt like an earthquake, while the second sent shock waves through her family's fifth-floor apartment. Sami Basbous is shown in this undated handout photo. Sami Basbous was sitting at his computer when smoke billowing from the Beirut port caught his eye. The next thing he remembers is feeling an earthquake, said the Canadian artist from Montreal who is visiting Lebanon in a WhatsApp interview. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO - Sami Basbous "I was super afraid," Al Zahed said. "I didn't want to die. I was screaming, 'I don't want to die now.' " Al Zahed, who has filed paperwork to join her Canadian husband in Vancouver, said the second explosion left a wood and iron door cracked, and shattered the television screen in her house. The explosion has killed at least 135 people, among them a long-time Montreal resident identified by a Montreal city councillor. Thousands more are injured, and the federal government said a member of the Canadian Armed Forces is among those hurt, although the injuries are not considered life threatening. The Lebanese government said it had put an unspecified number of port officials under house arrest pending an explanation about how 2,750 tonnes of ammonium nitrate came to be stored at the port for years. The scale of the damage, from the epicentre of the explosion to the windows blown out kilometres away, resembles other blasts involving the chemical compound commonly used as an agricultural fertilizer, experts said. Basbous, who came to Canada from Beirut in 1981 and returned for a visit, only to be stranded there by the COVID-19 pandemic, said the blast was so powerful it took his breath away. "Never have I ever experienced something like this, and I hope I will never experience it again," he said. The blast has compounded the various problems already facing the people of Lebanon, said Basbous. "And I have love for this beautiful country that sadly is terribly complicated." Since the blast on Tuesday, he said he has been in constant contact with friends and family. He has been calling various non-profit organizations, food banks and shelters to offer his services and mobilize resources for them, he added. Al Zahed said she called her husband. He tried to lighten the mood with a couple jokes, but she said she was far too panicked to sleep. "I wake up, I tweet. I wake up, I open Facebook. I want to see what's happening," she said. "All I can think of (is) how I ran. All I can remember (is) when I ran." 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 blast has been described as the most powerful explosion ever seen in the city, which was divided by the 1975-1990 civil war and has endured conflicts with neighbouring Israel and periodic bombings and terror attacks. Lebanon was experiencing a severe economic crisis that has ignited mass protests in recent months. Its health system is confronting a surge of COVID-19, and there are concerns the virus could spread further as people flood into hospitals. Al Zahed said she's still trying to come to terms with what happened, noting that because of her age, she was spared from much of Lebanon's recent tragedy. "I'm 24 years old. I didn't live through any other big Lebanese wars," Al Zahed said. "I was too young for the one in 2006, and I didn't pass through any trauma before like this one. It was really scary." With files from The Associated Press. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 5, 2020. When Lauren Cortez was born 25 years ago, her mothers OB-GYN sang Happy birthday. Cortezs son, Logan, who came into the world on July 26, got the same treatment. Thats because he too was delivered by Dr. Bryan Cox in San Antonio, Texas. But it wasnt a coincidence. Cortez, a speech pathologist, reached out to Cox as soon as she learned she was expecting her first child. Woman's post showing adorable snaps of son being delivered by same doctor who delivered her over two decades ago goes viral (Jam Press) Woman's post showing adorable snaps of son being delivered by same doctor who delivered her over two decades ago goes viral (Jam Press) My mom always spoke to me about how caring he was, Cortez told TODAY Parents. He builds a really strong connection with you where you feel like youre just hanging out with a friend. After Cortez shared side-by-side photos on Twitter of Cox holding her when she was born, and then holding Logan at his birth, the post went viral with more than 767,000 likes. I came to find out later that hes done this before. Hes delivered generations of families, Cortez revealed. I think that says a lot about him and how passionate he is about his job. Woman's post showing adorable snaps of son being delivered by same doctor who delivered her over two decades ago goes viral (Jam Press) Cox admitted to TODAY Parents that he "chronically runs behind" because he loves chatting with patients. "We start talking and sharing videos and pictures," Cox, 63, explained. The dad to 16-year-old Avery tries to make all his patients feel special. Instead of paper gowns, they are given robes that were sewn by Cox's mother and grandmother. At a woman's postpartum checkup, she is gifted a special bunny onesie for her child that reads "A Dr. Cox Collectible." (Cortez still has hers!) Cox, who has been practicing for more than 33 years, says he will never get tired of going to work. "It's one of the few fields where you get to just soak up happiness," he gushed. "Delivering Lauren's baby is just one example." A Newbridge estate is to be closed from Monday, August 17, until February 28, next. Pairc Mhuire, Newbridge, will have a road closed, over 80 days. Kildare County Council, on behalf of Irish Water, has given notice in accordance with Section 75 of the Roads Act, 1993 and the Roads Regulations, 1994 that it will close the following roads during the period commencing Monday, 17 August 2020 to Sunday, 28 February 2021 to facilitate installation of pipework. A statement from Kildare County Council said: "Planned works are programmed for 80 calendar days. Roads will be opened early if works are completed early.Closures will be managed so as not to interfere with school openings or exam schedules." Alternative Routes: Southbound vehicles travelling on Sarsfield Drive towards Newbridge Main Street will divert straight onto Pairc Mhuire (circa 0.19km). They will divert right at Pairc Mhuire / Pairc Mhuire and continue onto Henry Road (circa 0.3km). They will divert right at Henry Road / Henry Street (circa 0.1km) and continue on R445. Vehicles travelling eastbound on Dara Park towards Newbridge Main Street will be diverted right onto Highfield Estate (circa 0.3km). They will be diverted left at Highfield Estate / Morristown Road (circa 0.16km) and then diverted right at Morristown Road / Standhouse Road (circa 0.4km). They will divert left onto Moorefield Road (circa 0.15km) and then right onto R445. Vehicles travelling westbound on Henry Street towards the Curragh will be diverted left at Henry Street / Henry Street. They will divert right at Henry Street / R445 (circa 0.4km). They will then divert right at R445 / Moorefield Road onto Moorefield Road. Diversionary routes will be clearly signposted, as agreed with the Council and An Garda Siochana. Emergency access and restricted local access will be maintained. Facing popular outrage over the reckless rush to reopen schools, several large districts, including Los Angeles, Philadelphia, Houston and Miami-Dade, Florida, have been forced to start the school year with online learning only. As of July 29, Education Week reported, 20 of the 29 school districts with more than 100,000 students will reopen with remote learning only. Four of the largest districts, however, including New York City (1.1 million students), Chicago (360,000 students), Hawaii (181,000 students) and Duval County, Florida (130,000 students), will require teachers and students to attend school for at least part of the week under a so-called hybrid/partial model, which also includes some remote learning. 600 Utah teachers and supporters protested Tuesday (Source: Granite Education Association) Five large districts, Education Week reported, will hold a full in-person reopening available for all students. These include three in FloridaHillsborough County (220,000), Polk County (101,000), Pinellas County (101,000)and two in TexasDallas (155,000) and Cypress-Fairbanks (116,500). Millions of students are being sent back to school in medium and smaller districts across the US, even though the numbers of COVID-19 cases are higher in many states across the country than they were when schools were forced to close in mid-March. While politicians from both parties profess concern about the academic and psychological impact of keeping schools closed, their chief concern is getting children out of their homes so their parents can be forced back into factories, warehouses and other workplaces to resume making profits. Over the next week, several districts in Tennessee, Arizona, California, Florida, Nebraska, Mississippi and Utah will open with full in-person learning. At least nine cases have already been confirmed in Indianas schools, which opened last week, and in Gwinnett County Public Schools, the largest district in Georgia, 260 school workers have been quarantined after testing positive or being exposed to someone who had. Protests against the unsafe openings continue to spread across the country. On Tuesday, teachers in Granite School District in Salt Lake City, Utah protested. Around 67,000 students are scheduled to return on August 24 for full in-school learning. About 100 teachers and parents in Columbia, Missouri also protested outside of the school board meeting Tuesday night in an event promoted on Facebook called Not until its safe. Summing up the opposition by teachers, Mike, a high school teacher in central Michigan told WSWS, The reason why they are giving each district their individual choice when and how to reopen is that if they mandated that all schools across country go back, it would ignite a huge general strike. They are trying to preempt a strike by placing onus on districts. This whole thing is from [Education Secretary] Betsy DeVos playbook. She is the personification of all thats wrong with education. DeVos and her husband are looking at this as a crisis to be exploited, to advance their campaign for school privatization. As opposition continues to grow, the Trump administration, congressional Republicans and various Republican-controlled state legislatures are threatening to reduce or cut funding to schools that do not reopen for in-person instruction. The Senate version of the new stimulus package, dubbed the HEALS Act (Health, Economic Assistance, Liability Protection and Schools Act), commits two-thirds of the proposed $70 billion in federal school funding only to those schools that reopen for in-person instruction for at least half of their students for half of the week. Schools, along with universities, hospitals and other corporations, would also be granted a five-year waiver that prevents them from being sued for any illness or death related to COVID-19. In Florida, Education Commissioner Richard Corcoran issued an order that says by August 24 all 67 districts must open brick and mortar schools at least five days a week for all students. Schools that do not receive state approval for their reopening plans will not be fully funded, the order threatens. In Texas, another hotspot for the virus, local health departments can close schools if there is an outbreak. However, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton ruled that closing schools as a preventive measureas they were in Marchwould be against the law. Texas Education Commissioner Mike Morath warned that district superintendents must offer a semester of in-person learning for high school students after no more than eight weeks of online learning, otherwise districts would forfeit their state funding. At the same time, the superintendents were mandated to implement in-person learning for elementary and middle school students, not hybrid options, or face funding cuts. Several other states, including Arizona, Indiana, South Carolina and Michigan, are threatening to use the financial stick to force cash-strapped schools to reopen. In Michigan, the Republican-controlled state legislature is trying to blackmail teachers to return to the classrooms otherwise their jobs will be given to private interests, including pods, where parents who can afford them hire teachers to provide private education to small groups of children, along with online charters, private and parochial schools. Michigan House Bills 5910 and 5913called the Return to Learn billswould outsource the jobs of teachers and other instructional staff to non-certified instructors and for-profit companies to replace experienced educators. They would also create a voucher-style system that funnels public school money to parents who send their children to several e-learning providers during the day. The bills would also require benchmark testing three times over the next school year, which will be used to further punish public school districts grappling with already inadequate funding and the public health crisis. In Detroit, the states largest school district, Superintendent Nikolai Vitti threatened in a town hall meeting last month that if the district does not offer face-to-face instruction in the fall, it risks losing students to charter schools or suburban districts that do. Vitti also boasted that the school district had received a sharp increase in applications for new teaching positions, an explicit threat to older, higher-paid teachers, many of whom fear returning to the classroom out of health concerns. The Democrats have postured as opponents of Republican efforts to use the pandemic and the resulting economic crisis to accelerate school privatization. But the congressional Democrats federal legislation, dubbed the Heroes Act, would also leave school districts underfunded, forcing them to slash jobs and programs. Under the eight years of the Obama-Biden administration, the economic fallout of the 2008-09 financial crisis was used by the White House to vastly expand charter schools and slash teachers jobs and pay. The back-to-school campaign is being enthusiastically supported by Democratic governors like New Yorks Andrew Cuomo, Californias Gavin Newsom and Michigans Gretchen Whitmer. As opposed to the Republicans, however, the Democrats have more closely coordinated the campaign to reopen the schools with the teacher unions, the National Education Association (NEA) and the American Federation of Teachers (AFT). The NEA and AFT have spent the last two years desperately trying to prevent the wave of teacher strikes demanding improved school funding, wages and working conditions, from coalescing into a nation-wide strike against both corporate-controlled parties. Once again, the unions are seeking to divide educators by state and district and prevent a general strike against the homicidal plan to open the schools. That is why teachers, school employees, parents and students must take the initiative in their own hands, through the formation of rank-and-file committees, independent of the unions, in every school and neighborhood. These committees should prepare for a nationwide strike of educators and fight for the broadest support from every section of the working class. I support a nationwide strike if there is a massive endangering of students and teachers lives, said Mike, the Michigan teacher, who said there was no safe way to reopen schools during the pandemic. Say we go from 30 to 15 students and social distance? What about air circulation? No ones talking about air flow and filtration in schools. But science says this is best for keeping spread of COVID down. Filtration systems are going to cost billions of dollars. I am in the middle of a high school that sits on cinder blocks. The structure of most school buildings is not conducive to having good air flow. I know my high school students and they are social creatures by nature. Social distancing will not be happening all of the time. Also, who is enforcing it? Not me, how will I teach? Then what is going to happen when they say, Hey! Weve run out of money! Its about money, as long as its coming, things will be fine. When money runs out that is when people will stop playing nice. SPRINGFIELD Power outages Wednesday in the wake of Tropical Storm Isaias and a shortage of some supplies are slowing Baystate Healths coronavirus testing. Crews are working to restore power, but Baystate Health President and CEO Dr. Mark Keroack said the lack of testing supplies is part of a persistent supply chain problem for health care providers across the country. Keroack spoke Wednesday via video Wednesday with editors and reporters from The Republican and MassLive. It was a reprise of a March interview that came just one day before Baystates first positive test result. Back then, Baystate was doing 30 to 40 coronavirus tests each day. That number ramped up to 300 and then to 1,000 a day before falling in the face of a supply shortages, including reagent chemicals and plastic trays used for test kits. We could do 2,000 a day if we had the stuff, Keroack said. The more the better. Guidelines for reopening everything from travel to high schools to college dorms rely on more testing, he said. Its testing frequent, cheap and accurate that would allow public health officials to identify asymptomatic carriers quickly and get them and the virus they carry out of circulation. "We are nowhere near where we need to be in terms of testing capacity," he said. The ideal would be that anyone could go to one of many locations and get tested quickly. Baystates High Street testing location was closed Wednesday and patients with appointments there were sent to a testing center at Carew Street instead. The High Street site will reopen Thursday. Last week, Massachusetts authorities announced the expansion of the Stop The Spread testing campaign into Springfield, but Keroack said some testing sites are hampered by limited hours. Also, Gov. Charlie Baker announced plans earlier this week to partner with six other states and buy up to half a million antigen tests. The antigen tests as opposed to the nasal swab test that looks for DNA, and the antibody tests that can find evidence of a past infection in a recovered person are quick, but give too many false negatives, Keroack said. That makes them good for broad screening of a population like testing everyone at a school, for instance, to gauge how prevalent the virus is but makes the tests less useful in a clinical setting because they miss too many infected people. He said the process of the nasal swab test is less invasive then it once was. Medical professionals no longer have to put a swab as far back in the patients nose. Thats good for patient comfort, he said, and good because patients are less likely to spit up and gag, so less protective equipment is needed to protect the person collecting the sample. Related content: To the Editor, President Trump is attempting to turn our country into a Banana Republic with his recent decisions to use unnamed paramilitary forces in unmarked vehicles on peaceful protesters in Portland, Oregon, and other cities. These are tactics used by third world countries under dictatorships. This is simply an election ploy because hes sliding in the polls and taking the GOP with him. The action is straight out of Richard Nixons playbook who used the same tactics in 1968 after protests accelerated from the assassinations of Martin Luther King and Democratic Presidential candidate Robert Kennedy. Our European allies are presently laughing at us. In a recent Covid-19 briefing July 21st, a question was asked by a reporter about Ghislane Maxwell, accused of sex trafficking for Jeffery Epstein (noted friend of Trump), and President Trumps response was I wish her well. He said it twice. Who says that about a sex trafficker? Seriously, that is way out of line for any President of the United States. George Will, a long time and well-respected conservative news columnist, recently stated that he will vote for Joe Biden. He has never before voted for a Democrat for President. He said, and I quote, the nations floundering government is now run by a gangster regime. Enough said. Many in the GOP have descended into a pathetic group of political pretenders that have no regard for decency and our constitution. President Trump and his cowardly enablers need a wake-up call on November 3rd. Send them home for good. Buddy Wolke Edwardsville Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 5) Three South Korean nationals with Red Notices from the Interpol for fraud were arrested by authorities in Taguig City, police said on Wednesday. A report from the National Capital Region Police Office said police and immigration operatives on Tuesday served the warrants of arrest issued to the foreigners on July 10 by the Seoul Central District Court. An investigation revealed all the three are members of a group engaged in voice phishing and online fraud in the Philippines and South Korea, NCRPO added. The three foreigners, all residents of Barangay San Isidro, Paranaque City, were identified by NCRPO as Kwon Hyeoksoo, Sim Dong Woo, and Lim Yeongjun. According to the Interpol, a Red Notice is sent out to law enforcement to find and provisionally arrest a person pending extradition, surrender, or similar legal action. The suspects were brought to the Southern District Field Unit for documentation. Small business ombudsman Kate Carnell has called on the federal government to reinstate the Australian content quotas on commercial television broadcasters to save thousands of struggling screen production businesses. In a boost to a campaign by Screen Producers Australia, Ms Carnell said the COVID-19 crisis had taken a heavy toll on the production industry, where 86 per cent of companies were small businesses. The Ten Network's Five Bedrooms. Credit:Ten The industry needs a clear commitment that the quota suspension period will not be extended beyond 2020," Ms Carnell said. "The government should also ensure mandatory Australian-made quotas apply to all other streaming services." With production halted by the pandemic, the government suspended this year's quota requirements for Australian drama, childrens and documentary content on free-to-air and subscription television as an emergency measure in April. Unveiling of activities and achievements to enhance the value for key stakeholders. Increased R&D investments as well as the reduction of energy costs and greenhouse gas emissions. "We will become a beloved company by practicing social responsibility." CEO, Cheol-Dong Jeong SEOUL,South Korea, Aug. 5, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- LG Innotek (CEO, Cheol-Dong Jeong) announced on July 29th that it has published a "2019-20 Sustainability Report" containing corporate social responsibility (CSR) performance. LG Innotek has published a sustainability report every year to share sustainable management performances and plans. LG Innotek also actively communicates with stakeholders to realize a better future. This Sustainability Report is the eleventh edition since its first publication in 2010. In particular, LG Innotek is strengthening its social responsibility on its 50th anniversary to continue to be a sustainable company. To this end, a CSR team was established at the end of last year and promoted CSR activities to increase the value of stakeholders. In the report, LG Innotek summarized and unveiled sustainable management activities and achievements for five key stakeholders, customers, employees, shareholders, suppliers, and local communities. First of all, the company invested about 447 million dollars in R&D last year to continuously provide value to customers through innovative technologies. LG Innotek's R&D investment continues to increase every year. According to the Korea Institute for Advancement of Technology (2019), LG Innotek ranked 12th in R&D investments among the top 100 Korean companies. Through this, the company has continuously introduced innovative products such as 3D sensing modules for smartphones, the world's first flexible 3D lighting modules for vehicles, 5G communication modules for vehicles, ultra-slim RF-SiP (System in Package) substrates for 5G devices, and ultra-small low-power Bluetooth for IoTs. The company is also focusing on building environmentally friendly business worksites to respond to global climate change, as well as reducing energy costs and greenhouse gas emissions. Last year, LG Innotek saved a total of about 4.5 million dollars in energy costs, up about 70 percent from 2.7 million dollars in the 2018 savings. The greenhouse gas intensity, which measures greenhouse gas emissions compared to sales, also fell 20 percent in a year from 0.41tCO 2 eq/million dollars of 2018 to 0.33tCO 2 eq/million dollars in 2019. In recognition of these environmentally friendly management achievements, the company was selected as the best company (Leadership A) in the 2019 Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) Climate Change Response Assessment and one of the best companies in the 2019 Korea-EU Carbon Emission Trading System Cooperation Project. For employees, the company is establishing a "first-class culture" to achieve its vision of being the Global No.1 materials and components company. The term first-class culture means an organizational culture in which executives and employees create the best performances with a sense of unity in a dynamic workplace where they can feel proud of their accomplishments. LG Innotek is creating a dynamic workplace by promoting a non-authoritative atmosphere, such as the introduction of RPA/AI, the improvement of culture for reporting and meetings, the expansion of smart work systems such as a flexible working hour system, and the omission of titles when addressing each other (using the equivalent of "Mr." or "Ms." instead). Executives levels are also trying to form a sense of unity among employees, for example, through "reverse mentoring", in which they learn new viewpoints, ideas, and trends from younger employees. To maximize shareholder value, the company has been generating sound profits through transparent management. The company has been continuing its financial growth while strengthening Jeong-Do management, fair trade, and information security. The company recorded annual sales of almost 7 billion dollars and an operating profit of 337 million dollars in 2019, which is a 4% increase in sales and a 53% increase in operating profit over 2018. The company is also building a stronger structure of shared growth with its suppliers. The company has made various win-win efforts in the fields of finance, technology, management, and education, including a 53 million dollar-win-win growth fund, CSR consulting, and online and offline education support. LG Innotek has been awarded the highest grade for three consecutive years from 2017 - 2019 in the evaluation of the shared growth index announced by the National Commission for Corporate Partnership (NCCP). LG Innotek has continued to conduct social contribution activities to contribute to the local communities. Last year, its employees supported about 140 volunteer organizations by voluntarily participating in various programs such as "Junior Pine Tree Class" to support youth education and welfare, and "Neighborhood Plus" to help the vulnerable stand on their own feet. Overseas subsidiaries in China, Indonesia, and Poland have also received positive responses with programs tailored to each country's characteristics, such as donating home appliances and school facilities, building road and infrastructure, as well as providing scholarships. Also, 93% of its employees are contributing to the "Hope Sharing Fund," and the company is operating a matching grant system where the company donates 200% of the annual fundraising amount donated by the employees. Cheol-Dong Jeong, LG Innotek's CEO, said, "For LG Innotek to be sustainable, we must continuously create business results and fulfill social responsibilities that befit the size of our business. We will actively communicate with our stakeholders to become a beloved company." LG Innotek's Sustainability Report was verified by the Korea Productivity Center, a third-party verification agency, to increase its credibility. It also complies with the "Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) standards", the international reporting standards for sustainability management. The report can be found on LG Innotek's website. (http://www.lginnotek.com/en/company/management/management_info/management_info_5/) About LG Innotek Co., Ltd. LG Innotek is a cutting-edge materials and components manufacturer and an affiliate of the LG group. The company's business units include core components for mobiles, automotive, display, semiconductors, and IoT. Furthermore, the company has cooperated closely with the mobile devices, home appliances, and automotive companies, producing camera modules, automotive electronic components, wireless communication modules, and substrate materials. LG Innotek is headquartered in Seoul, Korea and its sales subsidiaries are located in USA, Germany, China, Japan, and Taiwan with production subsidiaries in China, Vietnam, Indonesia, Mexico, and Poland. For more information, please refer to the website: http://www.lginnotek.com/ SOURCE LG Innotek Related Links http://www.lginnotek.com/ The switch to an all-remote learning plan could come as the CTU plans to convene its House of Delegates next week to consider a process that eventually could lead to a strike if CPS doesnt agree to start the school year with full remote learning, sources said Tuesday. The unions governing body includes members representing schools from across the city. Australia's Prime Minister (PM) has called for Australians refusing to comply with mandatory face mask orders to "get real." Scott Morrison said on Wednesday morning that he was "disgusted" by an alleged assault of a police officer in Victoria by a woman who refused to wear a mask. "I think the report that I saw of a Victorian police officer being assaulted by someone pretending to do this in the name of liberty was just disgusting," Morrison told Today, an Australian breakfast television program. "I mean, people have got to get real, too." Face masks have been made mandatory outside of the house in Victoria in an attempt to contain the spread of COVID-19. They have also been strongly recommended in New South Wales (NSW). A 38-year-old Victorian woman who refused to wear a mask has been charged with nine offences including two counts of assaulting an emergency worker after she allegedly smashed the head of a 26-year-old female police officer into the ground, causing significant injuries. "I know it's hard to understand and it's confusing. I understand all that. But we've got to make this work and we've got to push through that and I know there's going to be things that really test people's patience," Morrison said. As of Tuesday noon there had been 18,729 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Australia, and the number of new cases in the last 24 hours was 452, according to Department of Health. The death toll has climbed from 221 to 232. Of the new cases, 439 were confirmed in Victoria and the 11 new deaths were also in the state. The 'crabsuit' from Avatar 2 (Credit: Twitter) Filming of Avatar 2 is now back up and running, and thanks to producer Jon Landau, we've got a glimpse of some of the hi-tech kit we'll be seeing. Dropping from the official Avatar 2 Twitter account, we present 'the crabsuit'. Read more: Disney delays Avatar sequels by a year Like Ripley's 'power loader' suit from the Alien movies crossed with, erm, a crab, the 'human driven multifunction submersible' looks like an impressive piece of hardware, able to retract its claws and head off into the deep. Rightly so, Jermaine Clement, the Flight of the Conchords star who is set to play marine biologist Dr. Ian Garvin, enquired: Do I get one? Do I get one? Jemaine Clement (@AJemaineClement) August 5, 2020 Fingers crossed, Jermaine. The 'RDA' mentioned in the tweet refers to the Resources Development Administration from the upcoming movies, which, it would seem, has much of this type of machinery to show off. Read more: Avatar 2 will examine Quaritch in detail Filming recommenced in June, with director James Cameron returning to New Zealand following a three month hiatus due to the coronavirus lockdown. He posted pics to Instagram of himself and Landau heading into a two-week quarantine period after landing in the capital of Wellington. However, the break has now cost the movie some further delays release-wise, with the long-awaited sequel now shunted back from December 2021 to December 2022. Cameron is shooting the second and third Avatar movies back to back, with Avatar 3 currently on course for a release in December 2024. The proposed Avatar 4 and Avatar 5 will follow in December 2026 and December 2028 respectively. Back on board will be Sam Worthington as Jake Sully, the former marine and part of the Avatar program, who joined with the alien Na'vi race to fight the human occupiers. Story continues Zoe Saldana is also back as Na'vi warrior Neytiri, with Kate Winslet joining the cast as Ronal, a 'free-diver of the Metkayina' clan. Stephen Lang and Sigourney Weaver are also back on board, with Game of Thrones star Oona Chaplin also in a key role. Tom DeMotts letter to the editor is a study in white fragility. It also constitutes a weak, insufficient defense of his outmoded viewpoint that its acceptable to use Native Americans as mascots. By centering his own reaction to a possible mascot change, DeMott pulls readers attention from the truly important issue at hand the blatant racism of a majority group using the image of a member of a minority group as a mascot and puts it on something far less consequential: his hurt feelings. By posing unsuccessfully as an authority, DeMott displays breathtaking self-righteousness. He not only adduces a blog post (as evidence of what, its hard to say), but also mischaracterizes it. Its an opinion piece, not a scholarly article it actually cites Wikipedia as a source so its unable to plug holes in DeMotts leaky argument. Its difficult to be sure of DeMotts meaning; perhaps he is contending that because some Natives peacefully greeted Europeans arriving in North America centuries ago, its perfectly fine to use Native likenesses as mascots today. With such faulty logic, DeMott fails to address issues of cultural appropriation, representation, and racism fundamental to this debate. By trotting out the All Lives Matter canard (which he does, only in many more words, culminating in a bogus reductio ad absurdum), DeMott demonstrates his racism by mocking simultaneously the Black Lives Matter movement and the nationwide push to abolish Native American mascots. By insinuating that the drive to change Unionvilles mascot is merely a way for those advocating change to expiate guilt, DeMott shirks his moral responsibility to engage honorably in the discussion hes joining. Instead, he lazily ascribes fictional motives to the campaigners without a shred of evidence to support his imputation. All of this the self-centering, the posturing and self-righteousness, the racism, the shirking of responsibility constitutes white fragility, a mechanism by which whites protect their power and avoid doing the morally necessary work of reckoning with institutional racism. Many like DeMott have exhibited it as their historical position atop the societal hierarchy and as their racist ideas like justifying Native American mascots are, rightly, challenged. Native Americans, Unionville, and your readers deserve better than DeMotts rabid response to the issue perhaps an in-depth feature highlighting Native voices and exploring the real harm caused by racist stereotypes. Until that appears, readers can visit http://www.ncai.org/ProudToBe to start informing themselves. Joseph Gregorio West Chester While friends Jeanne and Bull Kahler joined my husband and me for an outdoor meal on a picnic table, we recalled memories of a three-day backpacking trip wed taken many years ago in the Wyoming wilderness. We have fond memories of climbing to a summit and seeing a vast herd of elk, wading through pristine streams, and a special morning when my husband caught fresh trout and prepared them for our breakfast. But also vivid in my memory are the many handfuls of trail mix we munched on to sustain us, and the first meal we ate after returning to civilization. The afternoon we left the woods, we decided to treat ourselves. We showered (such a glorious feeling) then drove to an elegant-looking restaurant where wed be sure to have plenty to fill our deprived stomachs. We ravenously waited for our menus. The young waiter in his impeccable white chinos and crisp, pressed shirt presented us with an appetizer. The regal artichoke, he announced. It is perfection. To my companions and me, it looked more like the weeds wed been treading on, and I would have much preferred a basket of warm, crusty rolls. Determined to get nourishment, though, I asked, How do you eat it? I readied my knife. A group of Chinese and foreign filmmakers shared their stories and what they had witnessed during time on the frontline when China was first fighting the COVID-19 pandemic. This took place at a forum held during the 23rd Shanghai International Film Festival (SIFF). As Wuhan was locked down on Jan. 23, it was the most extraordinary Spring Festival for those involved to confront a sudden outbreak of COVID-19. On the evening of Chinese New Year's Eve, a group of documentary filmmakers were carrying cameras with the medical teams to aid Hubei province in tackling COVID-19. Takeuchi Ryo, a Japanese documentary director, was one of these. He made two documentaries "Fight Against COVID-19 Pandemic in Nanjing" and" Long Time No See, Wuhan." Different from other documentary makers focusing on the theme of the virus, he predefined his audience including not only Chinese and Japanese people, but also viewers all over the world. The director himself also took the leading role as narrator and interviewer, speaking either Chinese or Japanese. "My Japanese friends have a lot of prejudice against Wuhan. As a foreigner living in China, and as a documentary director, I especially wanted to film Wuhan and introduce the real Wuhan to the world," he said at the forum entitled "Documentary Filmmakers at the Pandemic Frontline." Takeuchi Ryo selected 10 out of 100 netizens recruited through Weibo for shooting the "Long Time No See, Wuhan." He made friends with them while telling stories as a Japanese man in China, and presented the most objective record in telling the world what truly happened in the city. "Long Time No See, Wuhan" later was well received online with more than 30 million views, helping to change the impression of many foreigners about Wuhan. He generously expressed his love for Wuhan and China as a whole. "I hope that through our works, we can get rid of foreigners' prejudice against Wuhan, and our recording will go on and on, because this is the most important moment," he said. For filmmakers who went to the frontline wearing the protective clothing and experiencing a grim struggle in the first line of treatment together with medical workers, they sometimes found themselves knocking on the doors of ordinary citizens in Wuhan and recording their daily life in the midst of the unusual time. Alternatively, they hung about on the streets of Wuhan with mobile phones and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), recording while walking; even some foreigners with a special affection towards Chinese culture decided to tell the world a real Wuhan behind the lens. Fan Jian, a veteran documentary director and winner at the Amsterdam International Documentary Film Festival, has had abundant experience in making documentaries on major events, including "The Next Life" and "Ten Years: Forget Me Not" which placed stories about the 2008 Wenchuan Earthquake under the camera. In March this year, Fan and a group of journalists headed for Wuhan, and chose the residential community of Baibuting, epicenter of the COVID-19 epidemic as their base. They shot stories reflecting neighborhood relationships to create a montage of images that made up a complete product, "The Lost Spring." Fan intentionally "stepped back" a little in Wuhan this time. "It never occurred to me that I should shoot the video in hospitals, and I insisted I had to incorporate daily life into my work, because little attention had been paid to the life of ordinary Wuhan citizens at the onset of the virus, or the impact on interpersonal relations. "It is not what a documentary would normally look like, nor does it constitute the perspective of news reporting. However, I made up my mind to go into the community, which in return gave me wider space of production." However, his idea confronted incredible barriers. "Many people refused to be filmed, because our shooting was going to take place in their home, and the long time involved would invade their privacy. The character appearing in the documentary needs to be a confirmed patient, or a family member of one. Of course, when he appears in front of the camera, it means he has to expose himself to the public. He must be courageous enough to permit filming. After receiving countless rejections, we finally got a nod." Fan Shiguang, another filmmaker who used to be a reporter at the beginning of his career, established an attitude that, "I must go to the frontline of news reporting, where I'm going to tell you what happened." Before that, the documentary "Life Matters" in which he was chief director had attracted extensive social attention. This time, he decided to focus again on the medical staff fighting against the virus on the frontline, except that he intentionally abandoned the broader ups and downs, but paid more attention to the individual feelings. "I believe, in the face of particularly serious disasters, personalized narratives and experience must be the backbone of the stories, which bring the audience to understand the days through which these individuals passed. When we look back some years later, they become more valuable as the proof of history. Therefore, we made a plan of interviewing 100 people, and we did the work till the last day of our stay in Wuhan." In his opinion, documentaries are powerful, since they present the complexity of the world and human beings while naturally showing "the reality and our era," he said at the forum. There are also amateur filmmakers to document the unprecedented pandemic. Lin Chen, a Wuhan native, is a typical example as a Vlogger, and he is also famous on the Bilibili video site. In regard to the physical lockdown of the city, he produced a series of short videos for "Wuhan Diary" with his mobile phone and UAV, which offered footage of Wuhan during the earliest days of the outbreak. These videos were extensively shared on the internet, igniting hot discussions. Lin did not define himself as a documentary director in view of his "non-professional" background. However, Lin Chen's use of UAV presents a very interesting narrative perspective, separate from traditional documentaries. The objective perspective of UAV in traditional documentaries has turned into a personal subjective perspective in "Wuhan Diary." Lin explained, "I wanted to explore this matter from my perspective, so I first produced my narration, recorded the take-off of the UAV, and established a connection turning what the UAV recorded into what I see." Also, the initiative "One More Day" by Qin Xiaoyu, a director, poet, literary critic and founder of MeDoc, is casting the light on all aspects of life and trying to gather different perspectives altogether. At the forum, he said his attempt had been of enlightening significance, adding "the recorders will suddenly come to realize that the life they have recorded is so meaningful, the recorded film is history itself, and they are the compiler of history." She criticised Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews for making face masks mandatory in a bid to stop the spread of COVID-19, last month. And on Friday, Married At First Sight's Hayley Vernon was spotted wearing a mask incorrectly as she took her dog for a walk, days after the new rule was implemented. The Melbourne-based labourer, 33, placed the protective face covering on her chin instead of her mouth, as she roamed the streets and spoke on the phone. Out and about: Married At First Sight's Hayley Vernon wore a mask incorrectly as she took her dog for a walk in Melbourne on Friday Hayley was dressed in a black jumper, green sport tights and wore a pair of white sneakers during the outing. She also had on a black cap to protect herself from the sun as she held her dog's leash. Her outing came just one week after she criticised Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews for making masks mandatory, and told others to 'stand up for their rights'. 'Why are we wearing masks? Us people who are healthy,' she wrote on Instagram. 'This as you said "is about curbing behaviour". I'll be dammed if you are going to curb anything about me.' Enjoying a walk: The MAFS star placed the protective face covering on her chin instead of over her mouth, as she roamed the streets She continued: 'You are a walking talking oxymoron. I am woke. I will not be wearing a mask. MELBOURNE AND AUSTRALIANS STAND UP FOR YOUR RIGHTS. This is not the time to comply.' Fans quickly hit back, describing Hayley as 'ignorant' and 'selfish' as face masks can be effective in preventing the spread of coronavirus. 'Wow, this is the definition of ignorance. Shame on you for using your platform to act like a spoilt brat and spread such absurdity,' one critic wrote. Protection: Hayley eventually placed the face mask over her mouth during her walk. A mask can help with preventing the spread of coronavirus as it limits infections spread by airborne transmission 'It's not all about you. Stop trying to make something that isn't about you, about you. If it's mandatory then f**king do it, stop your complaining and suck it up. The masks are there to prevent it spreading,' another commented. 'Get over it. Shut up and just do what's needed in order for us to move on and not go into stage four. Grow up,' a third follower wrote. A face mask, which is meant to cover the mouth and nose, can help with preventing the spread of coronavirus as it limits infections spread by airborne transmission. Conspiracy theorist: Her outing came just one week after she criticised Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews for making masks mandatory, and told others to 'stand up for their rights' Each time an individual coughs or sneezes, they release germs into the air and this can infect others around them. Last Wednesday, Premier Daniel Andrews announced face masks were mandatory across Melbourne and Mitchell Shire in a bid to stop the spread of COVID-19. Those who disobey the new government directive to wear masks outside the home - effective will face a $200 fine. Chad Daybell listens during his pre-trial hearing on four felony charges related to the deaths of JJ Vallow and Tylee Ryan. The children's grandparents, Kay and Larry Woodcock, can be seen in the background. Erika Celeste On Tuesday a pre-trial hearing concluded with the news that Chad Daybell, the doomsday cult author who has been linked to the deaths of two missing siblings, JJ Vallow and Tylee Ryan, would remain in jail until his arraignment on August 21. Daybell is charged with two felony counts of conspiracy to commit destruction, alteration, or concealment of evidence and two felony counts of destruction, alteration, or concealment of evidence, along with the children's mother, Lori Vallow. The bodies of Tylee and JJ were discovered buried on Daybell's property on June 9, after both children had been missing for more than eight months. Testimony and evidence introduced during the hearing revealed disturbing details of the case. Visit Insider's homepage for more stories. The doomsday cult author accused of conspiring to conceal evidence and concealing evidence in the deaths of his new wife's two children is headed to trial. Chad Daybell is suspected of aiding Lori Vallow and her brother Alex Cox in misleading police and hiding the bodies of Lori's children, Tylee Ryan and JJ Vallow, in his backyard. Daybell is charged with two felony counts of conspiracy to commit destruction, alteration, or concealment of evidence, and two felony counts of destruction, alteration, or concealment of evidence. A number of witnesses provided evidence that there was probable cause to remand Daybell who's been in custody at the Fremont County Jail since June 9 over for trial. JJ, age 7, and Tylee, 16, were first reported missing in September 2019, after their grandmother Kay Woodcock contacted police. Detective Ray Hermosillo, of the Rexburg Police Department, who conducted the initial welfare check on JJ Vallow, took the stand first. He testified when he questioned Chad Daybell the first time on November 26, 2019, Daybell told him he had met Lori Vallow only "a couple of times" through her brother Alex Cox and didn't have her phone number. Story continues "I thought that was suspicious because I knew they were married two weeks prior," Hermosillo testified. Hermosillo was also present when the bodies of JJ and Tylee were discovered on Daybell's property and attended their autopsies. JJ and Tylee's bodies were found buried on the property of their mother's husband, Chad Daybell. Daybell was taken into custody on June 9, and charged with conspiracy to conceal evidence and destruction, alteration, or concealment of evidence. Associated Press JJ, Hermosillo said, was wrapped in black plastic, with an additional white waffle garbage bag over his head and excessive layers of duct tape binding his face, arms, hands, and feet. He described what he saw when the medical examiner cut open the black plastic. "I observed a small child in red pajamas, red pajama shirt, red pajama pants, black socks that had the words Sketchers in orange across the toes," Hermosillo said. "I also observed a white and blue blanket that had been placed across the top." Because Tylee's body was dismembered and burned, there was little left to find. Portions of her skull, jawbone, and pelvis were recovered. Results of the children's autopsies have yet to be released. Prosecutor Rob Wood later played new police body-cam video from the initial welfare check in which a bubbly Lori Vallow greets the officers with "Wow, this is a big mess." She told the officers that she didn't want people to know where she was because "one of my brothers is trying to kill me." In the same conversation, she mentioned Tylee went to BYU Idaho, and that because JJ wasn't doing well in school, they'd be moving back to Arizona. Vallow then said she was moving in with Melanie Gibb and putting everything in Melanie's name so that no one could find her. Lori's former best friend, Melanie Gibb whom Lori first told police JJ was with during the welfare check testified Chad Daybell called her the same day and told her not to pick up when the Rexburg police called. Gibb testified that Vallow told her Kay Woodcock was trying to kidnap JJ and that Lori was just trying to protect him and other family members. Gibb further testified she lied to Gilbert police officer Ryan Pillar for Vallow: "I told him I had been with JJ, but he was back with Lori." About a week later, Gibb came clean to Pillar and offered him a recording of a 21-minute phone conversation with Lori Vallow and Chad Daybell. During the conversation, played in court, Gibb asked the couple where they were and Daybell told her Idaho. (They were in Hawaii.) Throughout the call, Gibb repeatedly asked Vallow and Daybell where JJ was, if he was safe, and if they'd share his location with her, she testified. According to Gibb, Daybell at one point responded, "If you knew, that would put you in danger." In this March 6, 2020, file photo, Lori Vallow Daybell glances at the camera during her hearing in Rexburg, Idaho. At her right is defense attorney Edwina Elcox. The Idaho attorney general has agreed to investigate the mother of two missing children and her husband in connection with the death of his first wife. Daybell is being held in an Idaho jail awaiting trial on charges that she abandoned her two kids, 17-year-old Tylee Ryan and 7-year-old Joshua "JJ" Vallow. The kids disappeared in September. (John Roark/The Idaho Post-Register via AP, Pool, File) Associated Press Vallow quickly corrected him, "Well, in a bad position, and everybody, if they don't know anything, then they don't have to say they know." Vallow insisted that JJ was "safe and happy" and that she couldn't tell anyone where he was to "keep him as safe as possible." When Gibb pressed her, Vallow accused Gibb of being like King Noah, the wicked monarch from the Book of Mormon, and the two launched into a scripture-quote battle, in which Vallow said, "I have done nothing wrong in this case but sometimes you have to hide in the cavity of rock for your own life's safety." Daybell added: "Know, Melanie, that you just have to have faith and this is not some sort of master plan. There's no way Lori and I could ever come up with this." Back in the courtroom on the second day, with JJ's grandparents sitting directly behind him, Daybell appeared to scowl as he listened to a second recording of a phone call he made to Vallow in jail, the day authorities found Tylee and JJs remains. A downtrodden Daybell told Vallow "they're at the house," to which she asked, "Do they know?" Daybell then responded "not properly." The pair talked for a few more minutes. Daybell told Vallow, "I'm feeling pretty calm. I would call Mark [Lori's attorney], though, and talk to him." A short while later the couple hung up. That same day Daybell was arrested and booked into the county jail. Special agent Steve Daniels, who cut open the black plastic containing JJ's remains, described the moment that confirmed they found one of the missing children. "When I made the cut, that's when possible human hair fell into my hands," Daniels said on the stand. He described what the agents found at the second burial site not far from Daybell's pet cemetery. "To the side of the skull, the team found a jawbone with teeth," then referred to a mass of charred bone and flesh. "The team tried to lift the remains out of the grave but the mass fell apart." The hearing came to an abrupt end after state testimony when defense attorney John Prior declined to call any witnesses. In closing arguments, prosecutor Rod Wood laid out a simplified but precise timeline of events surrounding the deaths of JJ Vallow and Tylee Ryan and the steps Daybell took to help mislead law enforcement and cover up the deaths. Prior argued "the testimony provided by this prosecuting attorney is that Mr. Daybell is married to Ms. Vallow, that doesn't provide anything. Marriage is not an overt act towards a conspiracy and marriage isn't an agreement to conceal or conspire." After a brief recess, Judge Eddins found probable cause that Chad Daybell committed the offenses and bound him over to district court for trial. An arraignment hearing is scheduled for August 21. Lori Vallow Daybell's preliminary probable cause hearing on two felony counts of conspiracy to conceal the deaths of her children is set for August 10. A list of suspicious deaths surrounds the couple including two of Vallow's former husbands, Daybell's former wife, Vallow's brother Alex Cox, and her two children, Tylee and JJ. Murder charges have not been filed against the couple in any of the deaths. Read the original article on Insider In normal times the streets of Derry would have been thronged with heavyweight world leaders, superstars from the entertainment industry and thousands of "ordinary" people wanting to pay homage to the extraordinary John Hume. However, they were anything but normal times on Wednesday around St Eugene's Cathedral as the coronavirus robbed the city of the opportunity to give its global statesman, who died in a care home on Monday, the state-like funeral that he deserved. And in stark contrast to the send-off that hundreds of republicans accorded former IRA man Bobby Storey in Belfast in June, the SDLP and Mr Hume's family tried to observe the pandemic rules to the letter. That meant only 120 mourners gathered, albeit socially distanced with many wearing face coverings, for Mr Hume's Requiem Mass at the 147-year-old cathedral. The congregation were mostly family and friends, but Irish President Michael D Higgins, Taoiseach Micheal Martin, and the First and Deputy First Ministers Arlene Foster and Michelle O'Neill were among the dignitaries, along with prominent members of the SDLP, who just seven months ago buried their former deputy leader Seamus Mallon in pre-coronavirus January. They may not have arrived together as they did for Mr Mallon's service, but Mrs Foster and Mrs O'Neill both spoke of the importance of recognising the former MP and MEP for his "huge" contributions to political life and peace in Northern Ireland. There were similar sentiments from other international figures, but instead of attending the service in person, they sent messages for Bishop of Derry Donal McKeown to read out. A communique from the Vatican praised Mr Hume's "untiring efforts to promote dialogue reconciliation, and peace" and added: "His Holiness Pope Francis was saddened to learn of the death of John Hume, and sends the assurance of his prayers to his family and to all who mourn his loss." Expand Close The Mass takes place inside St Eugenes Cathedral Getty Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp The Mass takes place inside St Eugenes Cathedral The Dalai Lama said of Mr Hume: "It was his leadership and his faith in the power of negotiations that enabled the 1998 Good Friday Agreement to be reached. His steady persistence set an example for all of us to follow. "Although my fellow Nobel laureate is no longer with us, his message about peace and non-violence in the resolution of conflict, no matter how protracted or difficult it may seem to be, will long survive him. He lived a truly meaningful life." Bill Clinton and U2's Bono also lauded the late politician. But away from the rock stars and the presidents, Wednesday was first and foremost a time for Mr Hume's family to grieve for a father, grandfather and great-grandfather. Sounding remarkably like his father, John Hume's son John junior also echoed a lot of his dad's beliefs about justice in Derry and across the world. But he injected humour into his address, highlighting his father's insatiable love of chocolate, which he joked had kept the chocolate industry in "healthy profits for years". He listed a number of confectionery bars that his father devoured, but added: "We often found it odd that a man with the intelligence to win a Nobel Peace Prize could seriously believe that Crunchies were less fattening because they were full of air." More seriously, speaker after speaker talked of the importance of John Hume's role in ending violence and spoke of the significance of the role that his wife Pat played in cementing peace. Father Paul Farren said Mr Hume had never lost faith in peace and added: "There are people alive today who would not be alive had it not been for John's vision and his work." Despite the pleas from the family for mourners to stay away from the cathedral, small knots of people did stand outside the gates in the pouring rain. One Derry exile travelled nearly 270 miles from his home in Listowel, Co Kerry, just to be there. Creggan man John Wade, who was with the Irish Defence Forces for 22 years and did six tours of duty with the United Nations in Lebanon, cut a distinguished figure in his blue UN beret, veterans' green jacket, white gloves and medals. Expand Close John Wade, a former United Nations peacekeeper / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp John Wade, a former United Nations peacekeeper He said: "I made the journey for Mr Hume because we were peacekeepers and he was a peacemaker." No fewer than seven of Mr Hume's second cousins, who weren't able to get into the cathedral because of the Covid-19 restrictions, donned masks to assemble outside. Their grandmothers and Mr Hume's mother were sisters. One of the group, Michael Doherty, is a grandson of Mr Hume's legendary aunt Bella, whom he took with him to Oslo when he received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1998. He said: "John Hume really was a fighter for peace. He will be sorely missed by the whole city, by the entire island, and indeed by the world." Expand Close Cousins of John Hume outside the church / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Cousins of John Hume outside the church Another second cousin, John McFadden, said: "This city would have been a backwater if it hadn't been for John, who was a man who backed up his words with actions and kept his promises. On a personal level, he was always very, very close to his family, who meant a lot to him. "Every time John brought a VIP to Derry like Teddy Kennedy and John Bruton he took them down to see my mother Rosaleen. In fact Bill Clinton was scheduled for a visit but they ran out of time." His wife Stephanie said: "John was a towering figure across the globe and I know we, and indeed the city of Derry, are all very proud of him. It's just a pity that he's not getting the funeral that he merited." Expand Close John Humes daughter Aine acknowledges the support of people as they applaud the passing funeral cortege Lorcan Doherty / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp John Humes daughter Aine acknowledges the support of people as they applaud the passing funeral cortege Harry Nelis was there to thank the former SDLP leader for his work for peace, and on his own behalf. He said: "John Hume was the man who helped to get me a house 35 years ago when I needed to move to a quieter area of Derry. "He went to school with my brother and he never changed a bit even though he started to move in very influential circles. As for the coronavirus, we're all keeping a distance from one another but we had to be here." Manus Morrison said: "John was a one-off and we'll never see his like again. And as a Derry City supporter I can't thank him enough for what he did to save the club." The PSNI maintained a low profile around the cathedral and the stewards were all volunteers who are more usually seen at Derry City games in The Brandywell. Patsy Bradley said: "We are all very honoured to be here for John. He was as big a fan of the Candystripes as the rest of us. And people seem to forget that as well as coaxing Barcelona to come to Derry, he also used his magic to bring Real Madrid to The Brandywell too." Expand Close Patsy Bradley, a Derry City steward / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Patsy Bradley, a Derry City steward During the Mass the centre of Derry was even more eerily quiet than usual in lockdown. One shopkeeper said it was because most people had decided to remain at home to watch the live streaming of the funeral service. At the Guildhall, however, there were long queues of people waiting for it to open so they could sign the books of condolence. Nearby Paul Doherty, the son of Bloody Sunday victim Paddy Doherty, was conducting a tour for a group of visitors. But he started off his commentary by saying what Mr Hume had achieved in Derry. Expand Close People applaud the passing funeral cortege Getty Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp People applaud the passing funeral cortege Back at St Eugene's, the people who were outside applauded as Mr Hume's simple wicker coffin was carried from the cathedral before its short journey to the nearby City Cemetery. The emotional response was too much for Pat Hume, who wept in a funeral car behind the hearse as her daughters rolled down a window to mouth the words "thank-you" to the mourners. Gold X signs agreement with CM Engineering of Suriname for design of Northern Access Route connecting Toroparu to tidewater at Buckhall LIDAR based engineered design expected to be completed in September 2020 Remaining US$250,000 of debt has been converted into equity at C$3.20 per share leaving Gold X debt free and 100% owner of Toroparu VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Aug. 05, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Gold X Mining Corp. (TSX.V: GLDX, OTCQX: SSPXF) (Gold X or the Company) is pleased to announce commencement of engineering and design for a new road link that will replace use of the historical road route between the Toroparu Gold Project and Tidewater, decreasing both capital and operating costs of access for the project. The new road link will connect Toroparu to the Barama Buckhall Landing Road (the Barama Road) which also serves as the Aurora Mines access to Tidewater (see Figure 1: Toroparu Project Map showing Northern and Southern Access Road Network). As shown on the map, the new 58 km (36 mi) link will connect to the Barama Road approximately 14 km east of the Aurora mine, creating the Northern Access Route between Toroparu and Tidewater. When the new link is completed, the Northern Access Route will replace the Southern Access Route as the primary access road for construction and operation. The engineering and design team is being led by CM Engineering located in Paramaribo, Suriname. CM-Engineering, in partnership with Haukes Construction NV, are experts in the design, engineering, and construction of roads, ports and other facilities in the tropical rainforest environments specific to the Guiana Shield. Experience with similar projects in Suriname including construction of 23 km ore haul road construction for IAMGOLDs Gros Rosebel Mine, as well as contracts with Newmont, Surgold, Suralco, Staatsolie, and Ministry of Public Works uniquely qualify the team to provide site specific designs for the Northern Route project in an efficient manner. The initial engineered designs based on Gold X recently completed LIDAR and Photogrammetry survey completed earlier this year are expected in 60-days allowing for initial road construction works to commence in Q4 2020. Figure 1 is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/48a75235-77c9-4537-a1e9-98f7582060be Paul Matysek, CEO commented, The participation of regional engineering and construction companies will allow us to efficiently design and build out our northern route access infrastructure while early stage construction activities can begin in parallel at Toroparu via our southern access route, 120-person man-camp, airstrip, heavy equipment maintenance and administration facilities. It also provides a direct and rapid link between the Guyana Goldfields/Zijin gold operation and processing facility which will clearly enhance potential collaboration and synergies between our companies. The historical link to Tidewater has been via the Southern Access Route over the Itaballi-Puruni-Papishou Landing Road (the Puruni - Papishou Road). Gold X subsidiary, ETK Inc., extended a road between Itaballi Landing and Puruni Landing in the early 2000s to service mining communities from Puruni Landing to Papishou Landing west of Toroparu. To support the local mining community, ETK has continued to operate the barge crossing at Puruni Landing without charging any tolls to the Guyanese small miners community. The final section of the Puruni Papishou Road links Toroparu to the Kurupung River Hydroelectric Project over a 58 km distance. Existing infrastructure at Toroparu includes administration building, camp with 120-person capacity, heavy equipment maintenance shed/warehouse and night certified gravel airstrip (see Figure 2: Photograph of Toroparu Project Infrastructure). Figure 2 is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/1cbb25aa-6556-4437-b93b-43a12954f87a Convertible Debentures Update Further to the Companys announcement on July 16, 2020, the outstanding balance of US$250,000 convertible debentures have been converted into Gold X common shares at C$3.20 per share. This leaves the Company debt free and the 100% owner of the 7.35 million ounces Measured and Indicated and 3.15 million ounces Inferred gold resources1 at Toroparu Project and over 538 Km2 of highly prospective and underexplored permits. On behalf of the Board of Directors of Gold X Mining Corp. Paul Matysek Director and Chief Executive Officer ____________________________ 1 Preliminary Economic Assessment Report of the Toroparu Gold Project, Upper Puruni River Area, Guyana, Effective Date: June 11,2019 (SRK Consulting (USA) Inc.) filed on www.sedar.com on July 18, 2019 and is available on SEDAR (www.sedar.com). About Gold X Mining Corp. Gold X Mining Corp. is a Canadian junior mining company developing the Toroparu Gold Project in Guyana, South America. Gold X has spent more than US$150 million on the Project to date to both classify 7.35 million ounces of Measured and Indicated and 3.15 M-oz of Inferred Gold Resources1, develop engineering studies for use in a feasibility study, and define a number of exploration targets around Toroparu on its 53,844 hectare (538 km2) 100% owned Upper Puruni Concession. A Preliminary Economic Assessment study (Preliminary Economic Assessment Report, Toroparu Gold Project, Upper Puruni River Area, Guyana, dated July 18, 2019 completed by SRK Consulting (U.S.), Inc.) (the Technical Report) Gold defined a 5.02 M-oz Potentially Mineable Gold Resource producing 188 thousand ounces of gold per year over a 24-year mine-life. The Technical Report is available on SEDAR (www.sedar.com) and on the Companys website (www.goldxmining.com). Contact Gold X Mining Corp. Telephone: +1 (604) 609-6132 Email: investors@goldxmining.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. Forward-looking Statements This press release includes certain forward-looking statements concerning future performance and operations of the Company, including the expected positive results from the Toroparu Project based on the estimates and findings contained in the PEA, as summarized herein, as well as management's objectives, strategies, beliefs and intentions. Forward-looking statements are frequently identified by such words as "may", "will", "plan", "expect", "anticipate", "estimate", "intend" and similar words referring to future events and results. Forward-looking statements are based on the current opinions and expectations of management at the time such statements are made. All forward-looking statements and information are inherently uncertain and subject to a variety of assumptions, risks and uncertainties, including the speculative nature of mineral exploration and development, fluctuating commodity prices, changes in project parameters as plans continue to be refined, uncertainties of project cost overruns or unanticipated costs and expenses, uncertainties inherent in conducting operations in a foreign country, uncertainties related to the availability and costs of financing needed in the future, the risk that the conclusion of pre-production studies may not be accurate, the Company's successful advancement of the Toroparu Project toward feasibility and obtaining positive results from ongoing evaluation and testing of multiple gold targets located in the Company's landholdings in Guyana and Colombia, among other risks as described in our public filings available at www.sedar.com. Actual events or results may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements and we caution against placing undue reliance thereon. Gold X Mining Resources Ltd. has an ongoing obligation to disclose material information, as it becomes available. Forced conversions of Hindu girls and women to Islam through kidnapping and coerced marriages occur throughout Pakistan. But Hindu rights groups are also troubled by seemingly voluntary conversions, saying they take place under economic duress The Hindus performed the prayer rituals awkwardly in supplication to their new, single god, as they prepared to leave their many deities behind them. Their lips stumbled over Arabic phrases that, once recited, would seal their conversion to Islam. The last words uttered, the men and boys were then circumcised. Dozens of Hindu families converted in June in the Badin district of Sindh province in southern Pakistan. Video clips of the ceremony went viral across the country, delighting hardline Muslims and weighing on Pakistans dwindling Hindu minority. The mass ceremony was the latest in what is a growing number of such conversions to Pakistans majority Muslim faith in recent years although precise data is scarce. Some of these conversions are voluntary, some not. News outlets in India were quick to denounce the conversions as forced. But what is happening is more subtle. Desperation, religious and political leaders on both sides of the debate say, has often been the driving force behind their change of religion. Treated as second-class citizens, the Hindus of Pakistan are often systemically discriminated against in every walk of life housing, jobs, access to government welfare. While minorities have long been drawn to convert in order to join the majority and escape discrimination and sectarian violence, Hindu community leaders say that the recent uptick in conversions has also been motivated by newfound economic pressures. What we are seeking is social status, nothing else, said Muhammad Aslam Sheikh, whose name was Sawan Bheel until June, when he converted in Badin with his family. The ceremony in Badin was notable for its size, involving just over 100 people. These conversions, he added, are becoming very common in poor Hindu communities. Proselytising Muslim clerics and charity groups add to the faiths allure, offering incentives of jobs or land to impoverished minority members only if they convert. With Pakistans economy on the brink of collapse in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, the pressures on the countrys minorities, often its poorest people, have increased. The economy will contract by 1.3 percent in the 2020 fiscal year because of the pandemic, the World Bank predicts. Up to 18 million of Pakistans 74 million jobs may be lost. Sheikh and his family hope to find financial support from wealthy Muslims or from Islamic charities that have cropped up in recent years, which focus on drawing more people to Islam. There is nothing wrong with that, Sheikh said. Everyone helps the people of their faith. As Sheikh sees it, there is nothing left for Pakistans more affluent Hindus to give to help the people of their own faith. That is because there are so few Hindus left. At independence in 1947, Hindus composed 20.5 percent of the population of the areas that now form Pakistan. In the following decades, the percentage shrank rapidly, and by 1998 the last government census to classify people by religion Hindus were just 1.6 percent of Pakistans population. Most estimates say it has further dwindled in the past two decades. Once a melting pot of religions, Sindh province, where the conversion ceremony took place, has seen minority members flee to other countries in droves in recent decades. Many face harsh discrimination, as well as the spectre of violence and the risk of being accused of blasphemy, a capital crime if they speak out against it. The dehumanisation of minorities coupled with these very scary times we are living in a weak economy and now the pandemic we may see a raft of people converting to Islam to stave off violence or hunger or just to live to see another day, said Farahnaz Ispahani, a former Pakistani lawmaker who is now a senior fellow at the Religious Freedom Institute, a research group in Washington. Ispahani recalled the devastating floods of 2010 in Sindh province, which left thousands homeless and with little to eat. Hindus were not allowed to sit with Muslims at soup kitchens, she said. And when government aid was handed out, Hindus received less of it than their Muslim peers did, she said. Will they be converting with their hearts and souls? Ispahani said. I dont think so. The further economic devastation caused by the pandemic may spur more sectarian violence, and that may intensify the pressure on minorities to convert, Ispahani and others worry. Murtaza Wahab, an adviser to the chief minister of Sindh, was among several government officials who said they could not address Ispahanis accusation that Hindus received less aid after the floods, as it happened before they took office. The Hindu community is an important part of our society and we believe that people from all faiths should live together without issue, Wahab said. Forced conversions of Hindu girls and women to Islam through kidnapping and coerced marriages occur throughout Pakistan. But Hindu rights groups are also troubled by the seemingly voluntary conversions, saying they take place under such economic duress that they are tantamount to a forced conversion anyway. Overall, religious minorities do not feel safe in Pakistan, said Lal Chand Mahli, a Pakistani Hindu lawmaker with the ruling party, who is a member of a parliamentary committee to protect minorities from forced conversions. But poor Hindus are the most vulnerable among them. They are extremely poor and illiterate, and Muslim mosques, charities and traders exploit them easily and lure them to convert to Islam. A lot of money is involved in it. Clerics like Muhammad Naeem were at the forefront of an effort to convert more Hindus. (Naeem, who was 62, died of cardiac arrest two weeks after he was interviewed in June). Naeem said he had overseen more than 450 conversions over the past two years at Jamia Binoria, his seminary in Karachi. Most of the converts were low-caste Hindus from Sindh, he said. We have not been forcing them to convert, Naeem said. In fact, people come to us because they want to escape discrimination attached with their caste and change their socioeconomic status. Demand was so great, he added, that his seminary had set up a separate department to guide the new converts and provide counsel in legal or financial matters. On a recent afternoon, the call to prayer echoed through a cluster of newly erected tents in Matli, a barren patch of Sindh. A group of Karachis wealthy Muslim merchants bought the land last year for dozens of families who had converted from Hinduism. At a new mosque adjacent to the tents, Muhammad Ali who was known by his Hindu name, Rajesh, before converting last year alongside 205 others performed ablutions before praying. Last year, his entire family had decided to convert to Islam when Naeem, the cleric, offered to free them from the bonded labour in which they were trapped, living and working as indentured servants because of unpaid debt. Ali is originally from the Bheel caste, one of the lowest in Hinduism. We have found a sense of equality and brotherhood in Islam, and therefore we converted to it, Ali said. Lower-caste Pakistani Hindus are often the victims of bonded labour. It was outlawed in 1992, but the practice is still prevalent. The Global Slavery Index estimates that some 3 million Pakistanis live in debt servitude. Landlords trap poor Hindus into such bondage by providing loans that they know can never be repaid. They and their families are then forced to work off the debt. Women are often sexually abused, rights groups say. Naeems seminary had rescued several Hindus including Ali and his family from bonded labour by paying off their debts in exchange for their conversions to Islam. When Ali and his family converted, Naeem and a group of rich Muslim traders had given them a piece of land and helped them find work, considering it an Islamic responsibility to help them. Those who make efforts to spread the message and bring the non-Muslims into the fold of Islam will be blessed in the hereafter, Naeem said. Maria Abi-Habib and Zia ur-Rehman c.2020 The New York Times Company BOSTON, Aug. 5, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts ("Blue Cross") announced today that it will return $101 million in premium refunds and anticipated rebates to its customers and members as a result of lower than anticipated health care costs during the COVID-19 public health emergency. The refunds are in addition to the $116 million Blue Cross has invested to support its members, customers, clinical partners, and the community throughout the pandemic, bringing the company's COVID-related financial commitments to more than $217 million. "Since many elective procedures and routine visits have been deferred during the pandemic, our medical costs during the second quarter were lower than we originally anticipated," said Andrew Dreyfus, president and CEO of Blue Cross. "We're giving money back to our customers and members to help provide financial relief during what we know is an incredibly challenging and uncertain time." Credits will be applied in September and reflected on the next invoice for fully insured employer groups and members (including under-65 direct pay and Medex members) and will total 15% of their May 2020 medical premium. Before the end of the year, Medicare Advantage members will receive a one month "premium holiday" during which they will not be charged their monthly premium. Blue Cross has taken significant steps to expand access to care throughout the duration of the COVID-19 public health emergency, including: Covering all medically necessary covered services with in-network providers, via phone (telephonic) or virtually (telehealth), at no cost to members. Waiving member cost share (co-pays, co-insurance and deductibles) for medically necessary COVID-19 testing, counseling and treatment at doctor's offices, urgent care centers and emergency departments, in accordance with the Centers for Disease Control and Massachusetts Department of Public Health guidelines. Removing administrative barriers, such as prior authorizations and referrals, for medically appropriate treatment for COVID-19. Announcing a set of bold new initiatives to ensure our members have timely access to high-quality, affordable mental health care, including a 50% increase in payments to child psychiatrists, permanently paying for telehealth visits at in-person rates, and offering psychiatry visits via our national telehealth platform, WellConnection Increasing access to prescription medications. Members have access to early refills of their prescription maintenance medications. Staffing and promoting a dedicated member help line ( 888-372-1970 ) for all COVID-19 related inquiries, as well as a 24/7 nurse hotline ( 888-247-2583 ), which is available free to all members and offers a safe and convenient clinical resource for minor ailments or questions. ) for all COVID-19 related inquiries, as well as a 24/7 nurse hotline ( ), which is available free to all members and offers a safe and convenient clinical resource for minor ailments or questions. The company has also taken steps to ensure that its clinical partners can focus on the care of Blue Cross members during the COVID-19 emergency, including: Accelerating $40 million in payments to provider groups participating in the Alternative Quality Contract (AQC) to assist with the financial pressures associated with the COVID-19 public health emergency in payments to provider groups participating in the Alternative Quality Contract (AQC) to assist with the financial pressures associated with the COVID-19 public health emergency Offering a new, value-based payment program for independent primary care practices, designed to improve quality, lower costs, and provide immediate financial support Contributing $1 million to the Massachusetts Dental Society's COVID-19 Recovery Fund, to assist financially struggling dental practices and help offset the additional costs for personal protective equipment to the Massachusetts Dental Society's COVID-19 Recovery Fund, to assist financially struggling dental practices and help offset the additional costs for personal protective equipment Developing an expedited credentialing and enrollment process for practitioners, designed to help meet the growing demand for care during the pandemic Removing administrative requirements so caregivers can focus on patients, not paperwork Keeping operations running at full capacity to process claims quickly/respond to inquiries Additionally, Blue Cross and its Foundation have committed significant financial support to COVID-19 relief efforts, along with pro bono and in-kind support for a total community investment of nearly $10 million. These efforts included: Redeploying more than 100 Blue Cross employees as contact tracers for Massachusetts' first in the nation COVID-19 Community Tracing Collaborative first in the nation COVID-19 Community Tracing Collaborative Supporting the state's largest COVID-19 field hospital, Boston Hope, by deploying more than 20 Blue Cross clinicians to support patient care Partnering with Blue Cross' food service vendor to prepare and distribute more than 50,000 premade nutritious meals to support food insecurity across greater Boston Partnering with the American Red Cross to host public blood drives at Blue Cross' Quincy office to help address the dramatic need for blood donations Launching an online giving platform that enables employees to donate directly to any Massachusetts -based not-for-profit affected by COVID-19, matched dollar-for-dollar by the company For more information on how Blue Cross is responding to the COVID-19 public health emergency, please click here. About Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts (www.bluecrossma.com) is a community-focused, tax-paying, not-for-profit health plan headquartered in Boston. We are committed to the relentless pursuit of quality, affordable health care with an unparalleled consumer experience. Consistent with our promise to always put our members first, we are rated among the nation's best health plans for member satisfaction and quality. Connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and LinkedIn. SOURCE Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts Related Links http://www.bluecrossma.com Twin earthquakes jolted Turkey's eastern province of Malatya on Tuesday, according to the country's disaster agency. The first quake measured 5.2, followed by a magnitude 4.2 quake, said the Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD). Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu said on Twitter that no casualties have been reported so far. Rescue services are assessing damage to buildings, the provincial governor's office said in a statement. The governor's office warned citizens against returning to the quake site and their residence until the assessment is completed as there was a possibility of aftershocks. Selahattin Gurkan, mayor of Malatya, reiterated that there was no loss of lives or property. However, structures that were weakened by a previous earthquake in the region, suffered further damages, he added. The mayor said tremors were felt across Malatya and in neighboring provinces such as Diyarbakir, Batman, Elazig, Siirt, Kahramanmaras, Adiyaman, Sanliurfa, and Gaziantep, Anadolu Agency reported. Facebook and Twitter on Wednesday took extraordinary action against President Donald Trump for spreading coronavirus misinformation after his official and campaign accounts broke their rules, respectively. Facebook removed from Trump's official account the post of a video clip from a Fox News interview in which he said that children are "almost immune" from covid-19. Twitter required his Team Trump campaign account to delete a tweet with the same video, blocking it from tweeting in the interim. In the removed video, president Trump can be heard in a phone interview saying schools should open. He goes on to say, "If you look at children, children are almost - and I would almost say definitely - but almost immune from this disease," and that they have stronger immune systems. The twin actions came three months before the elections in which Trump's performance on coronavirus is a key issue, and the social media companies have made it clear in recent months that they will not tolerate misinformation on the global pandemic. The decision represents something of an about face for Facebook, whose chief executive Mark Zuckerberg has long been a proponent of free speech on his site. Zuckerberg under pressure in late June said the company will remove posts that incite violence or attempt to suppress voting - even from political leaders - and that the company will affix labels on posts that violate hate speech or other policies. Twitter, meanwhile, has taken a more aggressive stance, flagging several of Trump's tweets for misinformation and even blocking his son, Donald Trump Jr., from tweeting for 12 hours for breaking its coronavirus misinformation rules. Twitter said it hid the campaign's post and said the account wouldn't be able to tweet again until it's deleted, although it can appeal the decision. The Trump campaign account was active again late Wednesday night. Trump's personal account also reshared the video originally posted by Team Trump, but it was removed after the original tweet was blocked. Twitter spokeswoman Liz Kelley said the tweet "is in violation of the Twitter Rules on covid-19 misinformation. The account owner will be required to remove the Tweet before they can Tweet again." Facebook spokesman Andy Stone said, "This video includes false claims that a group of people is immune from covid-19 which is a violation of our policies around harmful COVID misinformation." A Trump campaign spokesman did not immediately respond to a request for comment. While many children have had milder symptoms from the virus, researchers have found they are still able to catch and spread it to other people, including adults at home and in school settings, such as teachers. "They get it and can transmit it, but they get it less and transmit it less than adults," said Dr. Theodore Ruel, chief of the Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases and Global Health at UCSF. He says the word "immunity" is incorrect in this context but that children, especially younger ones, are less of a risk than adults. More than 240,000 children in the U.S. have been documented to have Covid-19, according to the CDC. Around 300 children have contracted a rare inflammatory diseases due to Covid called multi-system inflammatory syndrome, and six have died. Ruel says that with proper protocols, including masking and social distancing, and a working testing and contact tracing program, schools for younger children could be safe enough to reopen. "A well run school is going to be just as safe if not safer than a grocery store," said Ruel. "But we have to make it safe for both [teachers and kids], and we have to recognize it is a risk for both if we want to reopen schools." As the start of the school year rolls around, school districts across the country have been torn on how to proceed. With rising covid-19 case numbers across the country, many large districts have decided to start the year virtually, with online classes. Other's have opted to go ahead with in-person classes, like in Georgia. Gwinnett County Public Schools, the state's largest school district, reported 260 district employees had tested positive for the virus or been exposed to someone who had. Facebook previously deactivated dozens of ads placed by President Trump's reelection campaign that included a symbol once used by the Nazis to designate political prisoners in concentration camps. Facebook has faced increasing pressure to better moderate its site. More than 1,000 advertisers have joined a boycott regarding its civil rights record, including Disney and Verizon. And nearly two dozen state attorneys general sent a letter criticizing the company earlier Wednesday. The shifts are at least a partial retreat from the company's traditional deference to speech it deems "newsworthy." That includes Facebook's decision to not label or remove a post by Trump that said, "when the looting starts, the shooting starts." Twitter, which affixed a warning label on a similar post, has been more forceful at responding to what they deemed to be policy violations, including from politicians. Twitter has labeled several tweets from the president for being misleading, including on fraudulent mail-in ballots. Twitter late last month ordered the president's son to delete a misleading tweet with hydroxychloroquine misinformation and limited the account for 12 hours. Zuckerberg faced tough questions from lawmakers a week ago while testifying on Capitol Hill along with other big tech CEOs on antitrust issues. Several Republicans asked him pointed questions regarding whether the company censors conservative voices. Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., asked Zuckerberg about specific incidents in which the lawmaker alleged that Facebook executives may have used the service to downplay disadvantage conservative viewpoints. Zuckerberg said that the company aims "to be a platform for all ideas" and that he does not want Facebook to be ideologically biased. - - - The Washington Post's Faiz Siddiqui contributed to this report. Next summer, eight immigration judges will start work in Laredo, facilitating cases at local immigrant detention centers and the tent courts downtown that serve asylum-seekers forced to wait in Mexico for their day in court. Currently there are no immigration judges stationed in Laredo. Migrants appear via video chat with judges seated in San Antonio or even further away, making attorneys have to choose between appearing in person before the judge or being physically with their client. Both options have drawbacks. Laredos Rep. Henry Cuellar announced Wednesday that these new judges would be coming to Laredo, and that several attorneys and judges stationed elsewhere have already expressed interest in the position. These eight positions are already funded and a done deal, Cuellar said. There is also money for the General Services Administration to find a space for immigration court rooms. Cuellar said this has been a goal of his for years, and that it will help fight the backlog of 1.2 million immigration cases in the country, 189,000 of which are in Texas. On average immigration cases in Texas take 793 days to be heard. Migrant Protection Protocols, the U.S. program that forces asylum-seekers to wait in Mexico for their court hearing in the U.S., began in Laredo in July 2019. In that time, nearly 13,000 people have been sent to wait in Nuevo Laredo, Monterrey or elsewhere in Mexico. Only one person has been granted relief, and 7,839 people have been deported. And these hearings have been on pause during the pandemic, and will not resume until both Texas and Mexico have the virus better under control, and the Department of Homeland Security and Department of Justice develop safety protocols. Julia Wallace may be reached at 956-728-2543 or jwallace@lmtonline.com As a young boy, Sean Mac an tSithigh would explore the cliffs and beaches of his home in Baile an Fheirtearaigh (Ballyferriter) in the Dingle Peninsula, where he first discovered the rich stories behind the idyllic landscape. The RTE and TG4 video journalist grew up "living in the world of the old people's folk tales", surrounded by the legends passed down through generations in his tight-knit Gaeltacht community. "That's what engaged me as a child, growing up listening to these stories...the mountains became people and the rocks came alive, and it gave meaning to where you lived, and it gave you roots and it gave you grounding," he says. Sean has reported on rural areas in Kerry - and further afield - for over 12 years. His reports, produced in both English and Irish, celebrate the lifeblood of small communities, much like the one where he first developed a love for the art of the story. "When you hear about a story, or something you identify as a story, there's something that it just triggers in you," he says. "It might be curiosity, it might be amazement, it might be surprise, it might be pride. There are various emotions it can trigger, and you're automatically drawn to it. It's hard to explain, but you just want to capture it, and present it, and provide it with the platform." Yet despite his seemingly natural knack for the job, a career on national television was one plot twist the storyteller never saw coming. "I kind of fell into it by accident, you know," he chuckles. "I'm a fraud in some ways in that I don't have any qualifications or anything like that, I had no training in terms of camera or editing software. I had to learn it on the fly." His stroke of luck came in 2006. Sean had completed an MPhil in Place-names with University College Cork, through which he studied his beloved lore of the landscape near his home parish. His next post was as a Heritage Officer in the Iveragh Peninsula, where he had spent five years overseeing cultural events and research. Out of the blue, Michael Lally and his team from Nuacht RTE/TG4 descended on the peninsula, with the goal of training locals to create their own broadcast news packages. While helping to facilitate contacts, Sean caught Mr Lally's eye. A few weeks after the project's conclusion, Sean received a call. It was Mr Lally, offering him a job as a video journalist. "I'd no background in journalism, no training in media or anything like that, I didn't know how to use a camera. So I was a bit reluctant. But then he told me that I would be based in my home peninsula, and that put me thinking," he recalls. After a month's training, Sean's quest for stories in the landscape became a more complex search for stories among his people. He encountered more difficulty, however, in the method of delivery than with the story-hunt itself. He said that in the early days he was "absolutely mortified" to pull out a camera in public. "It looked quite unnatural...nowadays we're so familiar with people talking into their phones and filming themselves. Back then it was a completely different world. Anyone standing in front of a camera with no one behind it might've been seen as a bit of a madman," he recalls. Despite a stressful beginning, the West Kerry native has since established himself as something of an anomaly in the broadcast journalism world. His packages break the mould of traditional news stories, which typically follow a specific style and format. The topics of his stories are unconventional in themselves, as colourful characters and hyper-local traditions don't usually have the chance to surface on national news. Matt Kelly was on the Nuacht RTE team who discovered Sean in the Iveragh Peninsula. After training, travelling and working on projects with him throughout the years, Matt has gained a special insight into what makes his friend's work so unique. "I often said about Sean's stories that you could turn down the sound and still understand the narrative...just by looking at the pictures," he said. "His attention to detail, the precision and power of his scripting, the variety of shots and angles he used, and his creative use of natural sound transformed his news packages into mini-documentaries- all delivered within just two minutes." Sean's work has drawn him overseas as well. His Irish-language documentaries for TG4 have taken viewers to both the United States and Africa, and in 2019 he travelled to Lebanon with President Michael D Higgins to report on the Syrian refugee crisis. Through his travels, he has found that the strength of community is relevant and necessary everywhere, from the fields of northern Ethiopia to the local pubs of his home peninsula. This has proven to be especially true during the current pandemic. "People have reverted to the age-old and tested ways of living, the reliance on what we call the Meitheal," he says. "That would've been the way the community gathered together to save a farmer's crops...and that farmer would've reciprocated in turn when it was the neighbours' time to save the hay. "That old way of rural living is really to the fore during the current pandemic. I've enjoyed doing stories on that element as well...that sense of community solidarity and of an almost ancestral bond," he said. Sean has enjoyed raising his three children in the same familial environment that he and his wife, Caroline, both knew growing up, and sharing with them the myths and legends that shaped his own childhood: "I try to instil that in my own children as well, I suppose...that sense of grounding in their own place, and amongst their own people, with that hope that it will provide them as much enjoyment in life as it provides me," he says. From his current platform, Sean sees that the true narrative of rural Irish communities lies in the very people who carry those rich tales - from farmers, to artists, to ordinary families. "Internationally, we portray ourselves a certain way," he says. "We're the land of poets, and writers, and story, and raconteurs and so on. We sometimes forget to celebrate the grassroots of that sense of identity. So, I think it's really important to kind of return to the well, and to celebrate it, and to present it to the wider public." LATEST Aug. 5, 3:50 p.m. Both locations of San Francisco's Devil's Teeth Baking Company as well as sister restaurant Sunset Reservoir Brewing Company have closed temporarily after an employee at the brewery tested positive for COVID-19. "There are no employees at either Devil's Teeth who have tested positive, but since there are a couple of employees who work in both Sunset Reservoir and Devil's Teeth, we wanted to be extra safe," explained Hilary Passman, who owns all three restaurants. "We have such terrific staff and supportive and awesome guests and it was just not worth the risk to stay open." Read more from SFGATE. Aug. 5, 3:40 p.m. California officials say as many as 17,600 inmates may be released early due to the coronavirus pandemic. That is 70% more than previously estimated and a total that victims and police say includes dangerous criminals who should stay locked up. However, prison officials say Corrections Secretary Ralph Diaz is likely to block the release of about 5,500, in part because many are serving life sentences. Early releases also are causing consternation as probation officers and community groups scramble to provide housing, transportation and other services for inmates who may pose a public health risk. Nearly 300 have been paroled while still contagious. Read more from the Associated Press. Aug. 5, 1:30 p.m. California Sen. Dianne Feinstein called for California's schools to remain closed this fall and did not specify when she believes they should reopen. In a statement released Wednesday, the senator wrote, "Coronavirus continues to surge across California. The state has now surpassed 527,000 cases the most in the country and is approaching 10,000 deaths.... In the face of these dire numbers, President Trump continues to insist that schools reopen. Thats a dangerous message while the virus is surging and will result in more infections and more deaths. "The plain truth is that opening schools in this environment will lead to more deaths of teachers and school staff, parents and possibly students themselves... Im pleased to see the largest school districts in California Los Angeles, San Diego and San Francisco have announced they wont reopen for in-person learning this fall. This is the right decision and I hope all schools follow suit. Schools in SF, LA and San Diego have announced that they will begin the school year online, but left the door open to resuming in-person instruction later in the fall depending on local conditions. Aug. 5, 1:00 p.m. A major reporting issue with California's coronavirus data means state and county health officials no longer have a clear idea of how the state's cases are trending. For days, California hasn't received full counts on the number of tests conducted nor the number that came back positive for COVID-19, Health and Human Services Secretary Dr. Mark Ghaly said Tuesday. "Just as we had back in February and March when we didn't have enough testing, we felt blind. I would say right now were back to feeling blind. We dont know how the epidemic is trending," Santa Clara County Health Officer Sara Cody said Wednesday. "Its not just inconvenient. This lack of data doesnt allow us to know where this epidemic is heading, if its growing." Read more from SFGATE. Aug. 5, 12:50 p.m. A new map tool created by researchers at Georgia Tech lets users see how likely it is that someone around them in a given space or at an event carries the coronavirus, based on publicly-available county case data numbers. The map tracks the percent likelihood of the presence of COVID-19 among groups of 10, 25, 50, 100, 500, 1,000, 5,000 and 10,000 in every county in America. In other words, if you throw a backyard barbecue in Alameda County and invite 25 people, this map tool will tell you what the odds are that someone in attendance currently has the coronavirus. (It's 31% likely someone has it.) Read more from SFGATE. Aug. 5, 12:40 p.m. As an impending September deadline loomed ahead for San Francisco business owners required to pay business dues, the city has granted fee deferrals that will allow them to pay next year. On Tuesday, Mayor London Breed and Treasurer Jose Cisneros announced that payments for business registration and unified license fees would get pushed from Sept. 30 to March 1, 2021, in a move the city hopes will financially support businesses amid the coronavirus pandemic. Read more from SFGATE. Aug. 5, 11:15 a.m. COVID-19 hospitalizations in the Bay Area finally appear to be leveling off. Four Bay Area counties are currently seeing week-over-week decreases in the most recent seven-day averages for hospitalizations. Last week, just two counties were experiencing a reduction in hospitalization numbers. In counties where hospitalizations are still increasing week-over-week, most (with the exception of Alameda County) are seeing a noticeable slowdown in the rate of increase. Read more from SFGATE. Aug. 5, 10:30 a.m. Solano County issued new guidance to residents Tuesday, stating that employees in the county who test positive for COVID-19 may return to work after isolating for 10 days, whether or not they continue to exhibit symptoms of the disease caused by the virus. Typical symptoms may include coughing, fever, or respiratory issues. Solano County's guidance is not completely in line with assessments of the virus by the Centers for Disease Control. A survey of available data found that people with "mild to moderate" COVID-19 symptoms are infectious for no longer than 10 days, however, the CDC also recommends that a person should only end isolation after 10 days if their fever has returned to normal for at least 24 hours and other symptoms have improved. Read more from SFGATE. Aug. 5, 8:20 a.m. Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., is calling for emergency funding to help the U.S. Postal Service prepare for a mail-in ballot election in November. "The Postal Service is essential to millions of Americans and we must do all we can to ensure the agency maintains reliable service," Feinstein posted on Twitter. "Congress needs to allocate emergency funding for @USPS to ensure it can continue its operations." She added, "As the November election approaches, @USPS must be able to handle a large influx of vote-by-mail ballots." Aug. 5, 7:15 a.m. California's Great America announced Tuesday the Santa Clara amusement park will remain closed through 2020 "due to the ongoing challenges related to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic." "2020 Season Passes and Pre-K Passes have been extended through the 2021 season," the park said on its website. Aug. 5, 6:50 a.m. Thirteen residents and 15 healthcare workers at a skilled nursing home in Novato have tested positive for COVID-19, according to data from the California Department of Public Health. The 181-bed Novato Healthcare Center is the largest nursing facility in Marin County, according to the Marin IJ. Novato Healthcare posted information on its website about the response to the outbreak, stating, "We have implemented an aggressive response to care and protect residents and staff from COVID-19. Our leadership is in close, frequent contact with state and local public health departments and resources from the CDC to stay up to date on how to prevent and manage the spread of this illness." Aug. 5, 6:30 a.m. San Mateo County supervisors on Tuesday approved allocating up to $5 million in federal funds to provide support to renters and property owners adversely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. The allocations include $2 million in rental assistance, up to $2 million to support small residential property owners and $1 million for assistance programs such as incentives for landlords and tenants to compromise on back rent, legal services, and educational programs. The funds come from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act funds provided by the federal government. Aug. 5, 6:25 a.m. As thousands of San Francisco businesses remain closed due to COVID-19 and with future reopening dates still in limbo, city officials on Tuesday announced extended deadlines and fee deferrals for business owners. Under the new measures, Unified License Fees and Business Registration Fees for businesses will be deferred to March 1, 2021. Read the full story on SFGATE. Aug. 5, 6:20 a.m. San Mateo County supervisors approved an urgency ordinance on Tuesday imposing fines for individuals and businesses that violate the emergency health orders. Individuals can be fined $100 for a first violation, $200 for a second and $500 for additional violations. Businesses can be fined between $250 and $3,000 per violation depending on the gravity of the violation, prior warnings, efforts to comply or intent to profit. Read the full story on SFGATE. 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 Lasting heart damage could be COVID-19's legacy for some non-hospitalized survivors Bay Area had avoided spikes until shutdown fatigue, early reopening and prison outbreak WHEN WILL THE BAY AREA REOPEN? Is it less dangerous to reopen elementary schools than high schools? Solano County health chief: It may be impossible to get off state watch list San Mateo County added to state COVID-19 watch list, faces business closures Senate Majority Leader Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) speaks to media at the Capitol in Washington on Feb. 5, 2020. (Charlotte Cuthbertson/The Epoch Times) McConnell Says He May Support $600 Unemployment Benefits Program Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) stated on Tuesday that he could support an extension of the $600-per-week unemployment boost if President Donald Trump supports the measure. The federal unemployment benefits program, which was passed in the CARES Act in March, ran out at the end of last month. The Senate leader was asked about House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) saying that she would only drop the unemployment benefit program if the jobless rate declines. Wherever this thing settles between the president of the United States and his team, who has to sign it into law, and the Democrat, not insignificant minority in the Senate and majority in the House, is something Im prepared to support, he told reporters. Even if I have some problems with certain parts of it. Republicans and some White House officials have said the program is problematic because it creates a disincentive for some people to go back to work. McConnell said the final stimulus legislation may not receive support from some Republicans in Congress. The previous CARES Act was passed largely along bipartisan lines. We know this is going to be a negotiated settlement, McConnell said. Its not going to produce a kumbaya moment like we had back in March and April where everybody voted aye. But the American people in the end need help. President Donald Trump speaks during a briefing with reporters at the White House in Washington, on Aug. 3, 2020. (Alex Brandon/AP Photo) The CARES Act, Democrat-passed HEROES Act, and Republican-proposed HEALS Act are all designed to curb economic losses incurred during the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus pandemic. More than 150,000 people have reportedly died from the virus, a coronavirus that originated in mainland China, in the United States. President Donald Trump, meanwhile, said that he now supports extending the unemployment benefits. Yeah. I want to get them. I want to get them a lot, he said during an interview when he was asked if he wants the unemployed to continue to get the extra $600 weekly payment. Its not their fault. Its Chinas fault that this whole thing happened, the president said. Trump, however, doesnt support sending $1 trillion to state and local governments, as Democrats have proposed in their HEROES Act. The problem we have is that theyre looking to Democrats to take care of states that have been poorly run. Its bailout money. Theyre looking for a trillion dollars in bailout money to bail out many states, Trump said in Tuesdays interview. It has nothing to do with corona[virus]. It has to do with something much different, thats years of neglect and not good management. A 60-year-old man has been identified as the driver of a van who was killed in New York City on Tuesday when a tree crushed his vehicle during Tropical Storm Isaias, which left seven others dead in its path of destruction along the East Coast. Mario Siles was killed in Queens Tuesday afternoon as strong winds from the storm entered the city. He was found inside a 2014 Dodge van 'with trauma about the head and body', New York police said. Siles was pronounced dead at the scene. Horrifying video and photos show the crushed van under a massive tree outside of a home. Scroll down for video Mario Siles (left and right), 60, was killed in Queens Tuesday afternoon as strong winds entered the city He was found inside a 2014 Dodge van 'with trauma about the head and body', New York police said. Siles was pronounced dead at the scene. Horrifying video and photos show the crushed van under a massive tree outside of a home Crews later managed to cut the tree into large pieces in order to get the tree off the van. Elsewhere in the city, a man was injured when a building collapsed onto a car in Brooklyn. Another man was injured in lower Manhattan while trying to secure a barrier. Strong gusts picked up the barrier, which then slammed into the man during the storm. Tropical Storm Isaias knocked out power to more than 3 million homes and businesses from New York to North Carolina, according to electric companies. Con Edison said the number of power outages from Isaias was the second-largest in the company's history only behind Superstorm Sandy in 2012. New York City, much of New Jersey, all of Massachusetts and other parts of New England went under a tornado watch. New York state and Maryland officials temporarily shut down coronavirus testing centers as a precaution. Governor Andrew Cuomo declared a State of Emergency for New York City on Wednesday in order for the state to provide additional support for the clean-up and recovery process. Firefighters responded to the scene in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, Tuesday afternoon after receiving reports of a collapsed building Horrifying footage from New York City showed a man (pictured after the incident) being injured while trying to secure a barrier in lower Manhattan Isaias, which was briefly a Category 1 hurricane when it made landfall in North Carolina late on Monday, reduced a mobile home park to rubble hours later, leaving two people dead. 'It doesn't look real. It looks like something on TV. There's nothing there,' Bertie County Sheriff John Holley told local reporters. 'Vehicles are turned over. Vehicles are piled on top of each other. It's just very sad.' The tornado destroyed about 10 homes and sent a dozen people to the hospital. A mother and her two children who were missing for hours after the storm ripped through the area were found safe later on Tuesday. North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper said he had spoken with President Donald Trump, who had pledged aid. In Mechanicsville, Maryland, a large tree fell on a car, killing the driver, the St Mary's County Sheriff's Office said. The sheriff's department did not immediately identify the motorist. Elsewhere, strong winds from the storm knocked down trees and power lines across Massachusetts, leaving more than 220,000 customers without power. Social media images showed tornadoes in Cape May, Marmora and Long Beach Island along New Jersey's southern shore, and tornado damage in Dover, Delaware. Isaias, which was briefly a Category 1 hurricane when it made landfall in North Carolina late on Monday, reduced a mobile home park (pictured) to rubble hours later, leaving two people dead The tornado destroyed about 10 homes and sent a dozen people to the hospital In Delaware, an 83-year-old woman was found under a large branch in a pond near her home, according to Delaware State Police. Authorities said in eastern Pennsylvania, a 44-year-old woman was killed after encountering high waters on a street in Upper Saucon Township. Officials said the waters swept her vehicle downstream Tuesday afternoon. Police in Pennsylvania are also desperately searching for a five-year-old autistic girl who wandered from her home during the storm. Eliza Talal, who is nonverbal, was last seen around noon on Tuesday on Spring Valley Road in Lansdale, Pennsylvania. 'Police believe she is at special risk of harm or injury. Anyone with information on Tala is asked to contact police immediately by calling 911 or the Towamencin Township PD at 215-368-7606,' authorities said in a statement. In Connecticut, a 66-year-old Naugatuck resident was killed by a tree during the storm on Tuesday. The man was killed when he got out of his vehicle to try to move branches off the road and a tree fell on him, authorities said. Philadelphia firefighters walk through a flooded neighborhood after Tropical Storm Isaias moved through the city on Tuesday A person crosses Main Street, in Brattleboro, Vermont, as the wind and rain pick up as a storm cell from Tropical Storm Isaias passed through the area on Tuesday On Wednesday authorities reported that a 60-year-old New Jersey man died after a possible electrocution. Authorities said the man may have been doing yard work when he came in contact with downed wires caused by Isaias. The incident occurred around 10.30am in River Vale, police said. Isaias was blamed for two deaths in the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico, where it uprooted trees, destroyed crops and homes and caused widespread flooding and small landslides over the weekend. The storm snapped trees and knocked out power Saturday in the Bahamas. The storm, which is now a post-tropical cyclone, continued up the coast into Canada overnight, bringing heavy rain and powerful winds over Quebec. Isaias has maximum sustained winds of about 40mph. The storm is expected to weaken and likely dissipate Wednesday night or Thursday, forecasters said. GRAND RAPIDS, MI -- A Forest Hills Central Middle School teacher accused in two sex assaults of students was described by one student as a touchy person, court documents show. John Patrick Moglia, 55, of Lowell, was arraigned Wednesday, Aug. 5 on two counts of fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct involving inappropriate touching. The charge is a high-court misdemeanor carrying a maximum penalty of two years in prison. A Kent County judge issued a bond of $10,000 (10 percent), meaning Moglia can be released from custody after paying $1,000. School administrators say he is on a leave of absence pending the outcome of the criminal case and an internal investigation. Moglia teachers art and yearbook at Forest Hills Central Middle School. According to court documents, Kent County sheriffs detectives began investigating Moglia when a parent of a 14-year-old girl called them June 10. During an interview at an advocacy center with experts skilled in child interviews, the teen said Moglia rubbed the small of her back and inner thigh at the school. He also asked her to take photos at a sporting event and, while placing the camera around her neck, allegedly groped her breasts. Detectives then checked with school administrators and learned that another 14-year-old student had made a prior complaint against Moglia that initiated a Title IX investigation by the district. The investigation was in fall 2019, according to the affidavit. In another interview at the advocacy center, the second teen described Moglia as a touchy person. One day, she was sitting in a tall chair in his classroom when he walked up and squeezed her thigh with his hand, according to the affidavit. He allegedly asked if she was ticklish and squeezed her thigh again, the girl told investigators. Christine Annese, assistant superintendent for human resources at Forest Hills Schools, said the earlier Title IX investigation was resolved with the teens parent. It wasnt clear if Moglia was reprimanded. Annese said school officials are working with the police and she encouraged anyone else with information about Moglia to contact police. From our perspective, students physical and emotional safety is our highest priority, she said. More from MLive Sick with COVID-19, inmate cant get out of prison even with AG, prosecutor backing him Some Michigan residents among first to receive trial coronavirus vaccine During an interview with Axios on HBO that aired Monday night, President Donald Trump mischaracterized the U.S. COVID-19 death rate and underplayed the high rate of deaths in proportion to the U.S. population. During the interview, which was filmed on July 28, Axios reporter Jonathan Swan brought up the recent surge in COVID-19 related deaths in the U.S., pointing out that, at the time the interview was recorded, the U.S. was reporting over 1,000 deaths per day. The President pushed back against Swans statement, referring to charts he had brought with him and saying, Right here, the United States is lowest in numerous categories, were lower than the world, were lower than Europe. Make sense of what matters in Washington. Sign up for the daily D.C. Brief newsletter. When asked what he meant by lower than the world, the President handed Swan his chart, revealing that he was referring to the U.S. death rate in proportion to the number of its confirmed COVID-19 cases, rather than the death rate in proportion to the U.S.s overall population. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Population (CDC) defines mortality rate as a measure of the frequency of occurrence of death in a defined population over a specific period of time. According to the non-profit fact checking project PolitiFact, the mortality rate shows how common it is for someone to die from COVID-19 in a given populationsuch as the U.S.while the number of deaths in proportion to the number of cases shows how likely it is for someone to die from COVID-19 once theyve already been infected. As of Tuesday morning, among the 20 countries most affected by COVID-19 in the world, the U.S. has the fourth-highest number of COVID-19 deaths per 100,000 people, ranking behind only the United Kingdom, Peru and Chile, according to Johns Hopkins University. Meanwhile, the U.S.s number of deaths per 100 confirmed cases (its observed case-fatality ratio) is 14th among the 20 countries most affected by COVID-19, per JHU, but still higher than Chile, India, Argentina, Russia, South Africa and Bangladesh. Story continues U.S. COVID-19 numbers sharply rose throughout July amid widespread reopening measures that experts have criticized as having been premature. The high numbers of cases cannot be attributed to a higher amount of testing because the number of positive tests are also rising. According to an analysis from TIME, COVID-19 related deaths in the U.S. have risen 19.8% over the past 14 days as of Tuesday morning. During the Axios on HBO interview, Swan pushed back against Trumps characterization of the U.S.s death rate: undefined Trump then showed Swan another chart that appeared to show the U.S.s COVID-19 death rate in proportion to the number of cases, and continued: undefined (Experts says the increase in testing does not account for the increase of cases.) During the same interview with Swan, President Trump also spoke about the late civil rights icon and Democratic Rep. John Lewis, who died on July 17 at the age of 80 from pancreatic cancer. When asked how he thinks history will remember the Congressman, Trump responded, I dont know. I dont know John Lewis, he chose not to come to my inauguration. I never met John Lewis, actually, I dont believe. Swan then asked if Trump found the civil rights leader impressive. Trump responded, I cant say one way or the other. I find a lot of people impressive. I find many people not impressive. He didnt come to my inauguration. He didnt come to my state of the union speeches. And thats okay, thats his right, Trump continued, adding, Nobody has done more for Black Americans than I have. Lewis was chairman of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee, one of the organizers of the 1963 March on Washington and lead the 1965 Selma to Montgomery March across the Edmund Pettus Bridge, where he was attacked and beaten by police. Trump tells #AxiosOnHBO that he cant say one way or the other whether John Lewis was impressive. He didnt come to my inauguration. pic.twitter.com/L0uevhjrG4 Axios (@axios) August 4, 2020 When asked by Swan if he found the civil rights leaders story impressive, Trump said, He was person that devoted a lot of energy and a lot of heart to civil rights, but there were many others also. Trump also said he would have no objection to renaming the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma after Lewis. You can watch the full Axios interview here. The construction of the Ayodhya Ram Temple is a symbol of the return of Hindu power in the direction of restoring a Bharat of yore a Bharat that never actually existed. Joining the Dots is a weekly column by author and journalist Samrat in which he connects events to ideas, often through analysis, but occasionally through satire *** In a few days, India will complete 73 years of its existence since Independence and Partition in August 1947. It has been a year of momentous events. On 5 August last year, Home Minister Amit Shah introduced the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act in the Rajya Sabha. It was passed by Parliament, and the map of Jammu and Kashmir changed. On 31 August, Assam published the final list of its National Register of Citizens that excluded 19 lakh residents of the state, mainly Hindu and Muslim Bengalis. On 9 December, Shah introduced the Citizenship Amendment Act in the Lok Sabha. It was passed the following day. The ensuing protests had descended into rioting in the streets of Delhi when the coronavirus pandemic struck. It is safe to say that alls not well with India. The months since the start of the pandemic have seen a clueless government substituting performative drama for considered policy at every step, with the result that the country now has over 1.7 million cases of the disease, and numbers are mounting at a rate exceeding 50,000 new cases a day. The GDP is expected to contract this financial year; ratings agencies differ only in whether the contraction will be closer to five percent or 10. The job losses across sectors run into crores. Meanwhile China has successfully occupied, and is refusing to vacate, a slice of Indian territory in Ladakh, which our government and most of our nationalist media tried right from the beginning to hide from us their primary concern being not the nation, but the image of a couple of politicians from a particular party. The false bravado, loud bluster and bullying in TV studios has now found other, softer targets, such as recently deceased actors and their girlfriends. By the time this column is published, those vultures will no doubt have pivoted to singing paeans of praise for the present government for its role in fulfilling their dream. The BJP and RSS leaders, minus those afflicted by the coronavirus and those not invited, are scheduled to be in Ayodhya to inaugurate the process of building a grand Ram temple at the site of the demolished Babri Masjid. The 73rd year in the life of free India will thus conclude in the same vein as it began, with a contentious act. When the project to build a Ram Mandir in Ayodhya started under the leadership of LK Advani in 1990, it was pitched as a movement for restoration of Hindu pride after centuries of subjugation and neglect. It came as a counter to the politics of caste unleashed by Prime Minister VP Singhs August 1990 decision to implement the hitherto neglected recommendations of the Mandal Commission on reservations in jobs. That itself may have had something to do with an earlier attempt at mobilising Hindu communal politics from Ayodhya. VP Singhs National Front coalition government was propped up with support from both the BJP and the CPI(M), while Rajiv Gandhi had launched the Congress partys 1989 election campaign from Ayodhya with a promise to restore Ram Rajya. The vision of a Hindu India, or rather, a Hindi-Hindu Bharat Hindu nationalists would like the countrys name changed too is based on notions of restoration of an imagined past. Such imaginations of ancient Hindu glory contrast with the fallen state of many of todays Hindus, and of India in general. For this fall, they blame the Muslim invaders of a thousand years ago, the Muslim rulers since, the colonial British, and indeed, everyone but themselves. The construction of the Ayodhya Ram Temple is a symbol of the return of Hindu power in the direction of restoring that imagined Bharat of yore. It is a Bharat that never actually existed. From the time of the Ramayana until the advent of Islamic rule, there was never a political unity throughout the lands that today comprise India. Nor was there any unity among the many Hindu kings. Indeed, even the tale of the Ramayana itself is a tale of war between Lord Rama and the asura Ravana, a Brahmin Hindu king who was a devotee of Shiva. The creation of India as a politically unified territory is an achievement of the British colonial rulers. So, to a significant degree, is the imagination of Hindus as a single, unified community. The internal diversity within any great world religion is immense. This is especially so in the case of Hinduism. The term Hinduism itself is of fairly recent provenance, dating back only to the early 1800s. The much older term Hindu was the Persian name for the many peoples who lived east of the river Sindhu or Indus it is not a word that exists in the Vedas, Bhagwad Gita, or Ramayan. The equivalent name derived from Greek roots for the residents of these lands would be Indian. Within these lands, a very great diversity of social, cultural, spiritual and religious traditions existed. There was a vast multiplicity of communities. The consolidation of many of these diverse groups under umbrella terms owes much to the colonial censuses that tried to impose order upon what the orderly western mind viewed as chaos. When the first censuses of India were put together, the people were enumerated on the basis of caste and religion. The boundaries of the Hindu identity, though, were far from clear. Census enumerators had to grapple with questions such as whether tribal animists were Hindus, and if outcastes from the Hindu fold should still be considered Hindus. Follow LIVE updates on Ayodhya Ram Mandir here. The Hindu nationalist project is an ongoing task of assimilation and consolidation that attempts to complete the work started, perhaps inadvertently, by the British Raj. Ideas of Hindus and Muslims as distinct nations subsuming a variety of other identities culminated in Partition in 1947. The resentments and injuries of Partition on the minds of Hindu refugees and their descendants have contributed in the rise of the BJP in the 30 years since a Sindhi refugee from Karachi, LK Advani, began touring India on his Toyota rath. The temple at Ayodhya marks the end of that journey. It also marks a symbolic end of the road for secular India. The separation between the Hindu and Muslim nations of the subcontinent that began with the movement for Pakistan is now complete. Only territorial disputes remain. Featured image via PTI It has been 10 days since 2-year-old Kamdyn was found wandering in a Miramar, Florida, parking lot located over 12 hours away from his family. Police in South Florida, including Miramar and Hollywood departments, have been on the hunt for the toddler's mother, Leila Cavett, since July 26. The white Chevy pickup truck the 21-year-old was last seen driving was found abandoned in Hollywood, police said. PHOTO: Police are searching for Leila Cavett, who may be the mother of the child in the photograph, that was found alone in a parking lot in Miramar, Florida. (Miramar Police Department via Twitter) "Police have stated she was possibly in the Fort Lauderdale beach area before her disappearance in the company of a Black male," according to the family's attorney. The law firm has posted daily updates on Cavett's case to its Facebook page since Monday. Request for comment from the attorneys was not returned. MORE: Missing mom's vehicle recovered after her toddler found abandoned "The FBI is providing assistance to local law enforcement," public affairs specialist Jim Marshall confirmed to ABC News on Wednesday. The little boy has been placed in the state's foster care system. PHOTO: A child seen with Leila Cavett, pictured, was found alone in a parking lot in Miramar, Florida. (Miramar Police Department via Twitter) Cavett's family, who drove from Alabama and Tennessee to assist with regaining custody of Kamdyn, were granted visitation by a family court judge on Monday, according to the family's attorney. MORE: Florida police search for missing mom after son found alone in parking lot They saw and spoke with the child through a Zoom video conference call due to the coronavirus pandemic. Cavett is described as 5 feet 4 inches tall, 110 pounds with tattoos "Kamdyn" and a Jesus fish on her right arm and right wrist, respectively. PHOTO: Police are looking for Leila Cavett who was last seen driving this white Chevy 3500. (Miramar Police Department via Twitter) PHOTO: Police are searching for Leila Cavett, who may be the mother of the child in the photograph, that was found alone in a parking lot in Miramar, Florida. (Miramar Police Department via Twitter) Anyone with information about her whereabouts is asked to call the Hollywood Police Department at 954-764-4357. Request for comment from the Hollywood Police Department was not returned. FBI assists with investigation of missing mom whose son was found abandoned originally appeared on abcnews.go.com Kurdish Twitter was aflutter Aug. 2 with claims that a US military delegation had met with members of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), a State Department-designated terrorist organization, at their headquarters in the Qandil mountains separating Iraq from Iran. According to one version of the story, a convoy carrying the US forces made its way under US air cover to the mountain range. The Americans told the PKK that it would need to remove itself from northeastern Syria and stop meddling in its affairs. In return, the United States would help its Syrian Kurdish allies consolidate their autonomy project. US officials swiftly denied any assignation with the PKK had taken place. A State Department spokesperson said no such meeting with PKK representatives occurred, telling Al-Monitor via email, There is absolutely no truth to this claim. A representative for US Special Operations Command referred Al-Monitor to US Central Command, a spokesperson for which said CENTCOM was not involved in nor is aware of any such meetings involving the Kurdish guerillas. A senior US official told Al-Monitor that it was very unlikely that a delegation met with PKK representatives, but did not rule out the possibility that a military team could have visited the area. Well-informed sources speaking on condition of anonymity because of the sensitive nature of the topic said that a team of US special operations forces had gone not to hold talks with the PKK but to inspect sites damaged in Turkish airstrikes in the village of Zergele in the Qandil mountains. Eight civilians, including women and children, were killed in Zergele in a Turkish airstrike on Aug. 1, 2015. The sources said the Americans went there at the request of the Kurdistan Regional Government, which is increasingly fed up with Turkish bombing sorties against PKK targets in their region. The attacks are killing civilians and livestock and burning vast swathes of agricultural land, sharpening anger among the Kurdistan regions population, already seething at deepening economic hardship and allegations of corruption among the KRG elites. A senior KRG official contacted by Al-Monitor denied knowledge of the affair but asserted "no meeting" had occurred between US officials and the PKK. The KRG wanted the US officials to survey the damage wreaked by Turkey and hear from locals about their suffering, the sources said. Sources said the US team had also traveled earlier to Kuna Masi, a riverside tourist village in Sulaimaniyah province that was hit in a June 25 Turkish drone strike. The Turks were targeting a Toyota pickup truck that was carrying fighters for the PKKs Iranian arm, known as the Party for Free Life (PJAK). The missile struck a grocery store close to where the truck was parked instead. The shop owner was injured and his wife lost her leg in the attack. Their two children, a 7-year old girl and a 5-year old boy, were also hurt. A PJAK fighter was killed. On June 15, Turkish forces launched a massive air operation against the PKK called Claw Eagle across Iraqi Kurdistan that was followed by a ground offensive called Tiger Claw. KRG officials worry that Turkeys purported plans disrupt the PKKs access from Qandil to neighboring Syria could result in Turkish troops occupying parts of the Iraqi border connecting the two countries that are under the KRGs control. This would allow Turkey to bypass the Kurdish-controlled territory and win direct access to Iraqs Sunni Arab heartland. Thats the other reason the KRG wants Washington to rein in Turkey. Turkey has thousands of troops deployed in Iraqi Kurdistan as well as in central government-controlled Bashiqa, near Mosul. Iraqi Kurdish officials complain in private conversations that they are powerless to do so themselves. They blame the PKK for providing Turkey with justification for its continued attacks and say they must leave Iraqi Kurdistan. The central government in Baghdad is equally impotent. It routinely puts out statements condemning Turkish incursions and has taken its case to the Arab League, but to no effect. Its unlikely that any US finger-wagging will deter the Turks, as their repeated offensives against US-backed Syrian Kurdish forces have shown. The KRG is struggling financially. The price of oil, its principle source of income, has dropped to record lows. The oil is exported through a pipeline to Turkish terminals on the southern Mediterranean. The KRG cannot afford to wreck its relationship with Ankara. Kurdistan24, an online news site that supports KRG Prime Minister Masrour Barzani, disputed the reports that US forces had traveled to Qandil. It claimed that the foreigners who went to Qandil were not Americans but Canadians. They were reportedly looking for four Canadian children who had been kidnapped by their father, an ethnic Kurdish Canadian medical doctor who allegedly spirited them to Qandil. Seyit Evran, a veteran Kurdish journalist based in Sulaimaniyah, told Al-Monitor that he had spoken to several locals in Zergele. He said all had confirmed that a group of foreigners in civilian clothes had inspected the areas struck by Turkish jets including a house where five civilians had died. Evran was unable to confirm whether they were accompanied by KRG officials. Turkish attacks have sharply escalated across the Iraqi Kurdish region ever since July 2015, when peace talks between Turkey and the PKK collapsed and a two-and-a-half-year cease-fire broke down along with them. The attacks are growing ever deadlier as Turkey refines its drone technology used to hunt down high-value PKK targets across Iraqi Kurdistan. NEW YORK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / August 5, 2020 / One of the latest trends in many companies is the sharing of office space. Realizing that renting out an entire office or building can be costly, coworking spaces were created to provide business owners with a cost-effective alternative. Entrepreneur Cloe Luv is among those people who have been providing spaces for the people of Brooklyn. Cloe was born and raised in Brooklyn, New New York, surrounded mostly by females. As a female minority, life was filled with plenty of obstacles. Ever since childhood, she felt that the darkness of her skin defined her. Cloe graduated with an Associate's degree in Paralegal Studies from Berkeley College and an MPA and MBA from John Jay College and Full Sail University. Cloe earned her Bachelor's degree at St. John's University. As a music lover, Cloe's first venture was the founding of Brook Brovaz Studio in Brooklyn, where she manages a team of music producers and composers whose works are used in popular television shows and films. Her company has already worked with some of the hottest up and coming multi-platinum, Grammy Award-winning artists and even provided compositions to major companies in TV, Film, Ads, Video Games, and Mnemonics. Cloe would later work in a field of social services where she helped communities. One day she met with a gentleman in his mid-seventies as she was working to determine his benefits. They were able to build a good rapport when he told her that she was pretty for a dark-skinned girl. Cloe's boss happened to walk by her workspace and shamed the man who apologized. The old man, a person of color himself and was even darker than Cloe, explained that he meant no harm. He said that during his time, it was rare to see her kind of beauty paired with dark skin. Cloe realized that he, among others, was also a victim of colorism. Afterward, her boss called her into his office to apologize for the ignorance of people. That was the moment that Cloe began her journey to self-love. Since then, Cloe has not only been working to help communities but empowering other women of color to become self-confident themselves. She is the founder of Women With Voices, a 501c3 non-profit organization that focuses on areas like mental health, sexual liberation, entrepreneurship, financial literacy, and family. She has also created an online community in conjunction with Women With Voices called We Uplift Women. It was created by LMSM Technologies, another company that Cloe owns, that acts as a social networking rostrum for women by women where they can come together to share ideas, business, blog, or interact with each other in the community. This platform is available on mobile and is equipped with audio and video chatting. Cloe hopes to play a role in rewriting the history of women's empowerment and to teach men what it means to support women. Her organization's motto is 'pro us' does not mean 'anti him.' Women with Voices also has both men and women teaching courses and speaking at Cloe coworking and event space, Cloe's Corner. She created Cloe's Corner in the heart of Brooklyn, only half a block from Barclay's Center. The coworking space functions as a community that serves women of all backgrounds and ethnicity, focusing mostly on women who are ethnically and financially disadvantaged. Although Cloe's Corner may sound like a females-only workspace, she emphasizes the importance of people coming from all backgrounds to work together and welcomes men as well. To know more about Cloe, visit her website, or follow her on Instagram. You may also connect with her on LinkedIn. Company: Cloe's Corner Email: cloeluvbb@gmail.com Number:929 276 3121 Website: http://www.cloeluv.com/ SOURCE: Cloe's Corner View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/600355/Clo-Luvs-Workspace-Is-More-Than-Just-Sharing-Space-Its-Building-a-Community First-Year Applicants High School Performance (Class Standing and GPA) The most important factor considered in making an admission decision for first-year applicants is high school performance. We use GPA, class rank and the rigor of the classes you took based on the curriculum provided at your high school. Most applicants have competitive GPAs and present transcripts with college preparatory, honors and AP/IB coursework based on what is offered by their high school. Standardized Test Scores (SAT or ACT) For the 2022 admissions cycle, Clemson has adopted a test-optional policy. Applicants are not required to submit a standardized test score to be considered for admission to Clemson for the 2022-2023 academic year. If a student chooses that test scores should be used, the scores must be submitted electronically by the respective testing agency. We will automatically update your application file with any new test scores we receive by our application deadlines. Clemson does not require the SAT or ACT essay. Clemson University super-scores both the SAT and the ACT. For the SAT, this means that the overall total SAT score will then be derived by taking the highest of the evidence-based reading and writing/math scores. According to The ACT, superscoring at Clemson means that we consider a students highest ACT section (or subtest) scores regardless of test date. The super composite ACT score is calculated as the average of the best ACT English, Reading, Math, and Science subject scores and is used as one of multiple factors in admission and financial aid. Beginning in September 2020, students who want test scores used are encouraged to send Clemson their ACT test scores utilizing the Superscore reporting option. You can view our First-Year Student Profile to learn more about test score ranges for our admitted students. Software upgrades for Beidou to continue People's Daily Online (China Daily) 08:55, August 04, 2020 Designers of China's Beidou Navigation Satellite System will keep upgrading software on Beidou satellites to improve their capabilities and maintain technological advantages, according to a key figure in this program. Lin Baojun, a chief designer of Beidou's third-generation satellite, said at a news conference in Beijing on Monday that once a satellite is launched, it is virtually impossible for its hardware to be modified, so designers and engineers need to optimize its operating system and inject new functions into the spacecraft on a regular basis. "This is like what we do with our mobile phoneswe download a new app to give the phone more functions," said Lin, a designer from the Chinese Academy of Sciences' Innovation Academy for Microsatellites. "With this method, our satellites will be able to receive regular improvements in orbit." Beidou is China's largest space-based system and one of four global navigation networks, along with the United States' GPS, Russia's GLONASS and the European Union's Galileo. On Friday, President Xi Jinping announced that Beidou had been completed and had started providing full-scale global services. Designers developed and gave the most advanced technologies possible to Beidou satellites at the research and development stage in hopes that they would be capable of handling new tasks as long as possible, according to Lin. Usually, a satellite will employ no more than 30 percent of such new technologies to guarantee low technical risks, but in some Beidou satellites, as much as 70 percent of their technologies were new to such spacecraft. Innovation has also been widely applied to Beidou, Lin said, adding that the phased array inter-satellite link is a good example of researchers' creativity as they invented the technology to solve major difficulties in tracking and controlling Beidou satellites. Xie Jun, another chief designer from the China Academy of SpaceTechnology, said that to ensure the nonstop, smooth operation of Beidou, engineers devised a number of emergency plans and put major parts through rigorous tests before mounting them on satellites. They also established a technical support team to help ground controllers monitor and analyze Beidou satellites' operational conditions, he added. Pang Zhihao, a renowned writer about space technology, said that in-orbit upgrades and maintenance are important to satellites as they can extensively boost the capabilities of spacecraft and prolong their life span. In late June, the final satellite to complete Beidou's third-generation network was launched by a Long March 3B carrier rocket at the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in Sichuan province and was placed into a geostationary orbit about 36,000 kilometers above Earth. After in-orbit tests over the past month, the satellite, the 30th in the third-generation series, has recently started its formal operations. Since 2000, a total of 59 Beidou satellites, including the first four experimental models, have been launched from Xichang on 44 Long March 3-series rockets, with some of them having retired. Most of currently operational Beidou satellites are of the third-generation series. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Heavy rainfall in Mumbai on Wednesday resulted in water-logging in low lying areas of Chembur, Parel, Hindmata, Wadala as well as other areas of the city. Rains lashed Mumbai and neighbouring Thane and Palghar districts of Maharashtra affecting local train and bus services due to water-logging on rail tracks and roads. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) Mumbai has predicted heavy to very heavy rainfall in Mumbai, Palghar, Thane, Raigad, and Nasik with the possibility of extremely heavy rainfall at isolated places for the next 24 hours. Heavy waterlogging and traffic congestion near Wilson College in Girgaon. The water level of Rajaram Dam is likely to cross the warning level of 39 feet by Wednesday night due to the rain Kolhapur District Collector Daulat Desai told news agency ANI. Desai advised the people residing on the bank of Panchganga River to shift to safe places immediately in Kolhapur. Sangli district administration said that the people residing on the bank of rivers in Sangli should stay on alert as the water level is increasing due to continuous rain in the area. For any emergency, people have been advised to call--0233-2301820/2302925 for further information. Dahanu in Palghar recorded over 350 mm rainfall in the 12-hour period ending at 5.30 am on Wednesday while some areas in Thane received over 150 mm during the period, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said, and predicted more intense showers during the day. Train movement on the Western Railway route in Palghar was affected due to heavy rain in the morning. There was "minor disruption" at Palghar from 5.40 am to 7.10 am due to 266 mm rain in two hours and hence, a few trains were regulated enroute, Western Railway's news agency PTI quoted chief spokesperson Sumit Thakur. According to PTI sources, suburban services were stopped due to water-logging on tracks at Palghar station. Thakur, however, said despite heavy rains in various suburbs, the Western Railways suburban services were running normally between Churchgate and Dahanu Road. On the central line, there was water-logging on tracks in Sion and Kurla areas and trains were running with some delays, PTI sources said. Central Railway's chief spokesperson Shivaji Sutar said their suburban services, from the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus to Kasara (Thane), Khopoli (Raigad), Panvel (Navi Mumbai) and Goregaon, were running despite the heavy showers. Both the Central Railway and Western Railway are operating nearly 350 special train services each daily for those working in essential and emergency services. Bus services of the Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST), the city civic body's transport wing, were also affected due to water-logging on some roads. Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said 54 cases have now been reported in the outbreak. A five-mile travel rule has been put in place and residents are being told not to enter each others houses. All indoor and outdoor hospitality venues have been told to close by 5pm on Wednesday. Using #TestAndProtect is how we will stop #coronavirus from spreading and protect ourselves, our loved ones, and the progress we have made so far in Scotland. Find out more about how Test and Protect will save lives #WeAreScotland Scottish Government (@scotgov) August 5, 2020 The measures, which apply to the Aberdeen City area, will be backed by government regulations, Ms Sturgeon said, and will be enforced if the rules are not followed. She said people should not travel to Aberdeen, but those who are already there can remain. Advertisement Ms Sturgeon added the changes will be reviewed next Wednesday, when she hopes they could be removed, either in entirety or in part. She said they could be extended beyond that seven-day period if necessary. Speaking at the coronavirus briefing in Edinburgh on Wednesday, she said the rise in cases has contributed to a greater fear there has been a significant outbreak in the city. According to Ms Sturgeon, more than 20 other pubs and restaurants are involved in the cluster. Across Scotland, she said 18,781 people have tested positive for the virus, up by 64 from 18,717 the day before. The last thing we want to do is to reimpose these restrictions but this outbreak is reminding us just how highly infectious Covid is, Ms Sturgeon said. Our precautionary and careful judgment is that we need to take decisive action now, difficult as that undoubtedly is, in order to try to contain this outbreak and prevent further harm later on. As I said earlier, this is about doing all we can to ensure our children can return to schools next week. She added: Acting now, we judge, gives us the time and the space to protect the ability of our young people to return to education. On April 10, Gov. Murphy gave his Department of Corrections commissioner the authority to release up to 3,000 non-violent inmates who were within 3 months of completing their sentences, in order to protect them from the coronavirus explosion inside our correctional facilities. The rationale of this executive order was sound, and received broad support: These people are there to serve prison sentences, not death sentences. In the three months since, commissioner Marcus Hicks has released only 301 of those 3,000, according to the DOC website. Hundreds more were released under expedited parole, as determined by the State Parole Board, and not in Hicks bailiwick. Its unclear whether Hicks is constrained by appalling indifference or startling incompetence, but were grateful that the Legislature was exasperated enough to seize control of this process last week, and its critical that Gov. Murphy signs a bill that eliminates Hicks from the discussion. Lawmakers already knew of Hicks performance throughout the pandemic, which included poor protection of employees (781 cases), terrible management of inmates (2,841 cases across 15 facilities), and repeated slaps at the snooze button on testing protocol that managed only 609 screenings (for 18,000 inmates) through mid-May. Put another way: When the DOC classifies hand sanitizer as contraband more than a month into a deadly emergency, its a sign the commissioner doesnt have a keen grasp of the urgency. As state Public Defender Joe Krakora put it, Hicks made a mockery of the governors executive order. So Senator Nellie Pou (D-Passaic) and Assemblyman Raj Mukherji (D-Hudson) crafted a smart bill that passed the committee phase Thursday and will get a vote in both chambers at the end of August. This measure, which sponsors say Gov. Murphy has vowed to sign quickly, upholds the intent of the governors original executive order and takes at-risk people out of harms way. The EO granted temporary home confinement to inmates over age 60 or with medical issues, along with those who had been denied parole in the past year. Hicks explained in an interview with Northjersey.com that its slow execution was a result of balancing public safety and public health, and that the process required him to consult the prosecutors office, victims, reviewing medical files, (and) institutional records. Coronavirus has killed dozens in state prisons. How N.J. failed to stop it. https://t.co/fpnl4mn8mu pic.twitter.com/Z0LahuCDrW njdotcom (@njdotcom) May 13, 2020 One appreciates his meticulous method, but the fact that it did not cost more lives is dumb luck. He did not release a single inmate in the first 17 days Murphy signed the order. By then, 24 inmates were already dead, and today New Jerseys 48 fatalities represents the highest prison death rate from COVID in the U.S. By then, the state of Oklahoma not exactly the compassionate release capital of the world had already commuted 452 sentences and reduced 404 others to time served. Ive heard different explanations for that none of which are satisfactory, Mukherji said. Thats why were doing this legislation. The ACLU applauds the bill because it applies to both juveniles and adults, it applies to mandatory minimums the sentence for 76 percent of those incarcerated in New Jersey and it has no carveouts other than the repeat sex offenders. It will save lives, Alexander Shalom of the ACLU-New Jersey says. And it is fitting that it (passed committees) on the day of John Lewis funeral, because the social justice aspects are obvious: Our prisons are the most racially disparate in the nation, and COVID predominantly affects people of color. Anyone can say Black lives matter, but our lawmakers put their votes where their mouths are. We think this is a national model for how we can safely decarcerate and protect lives during pandemics. The implementation of the EO was a failure. And the tough-on-crime rubric doesnt cut it during a declared health emergency. The Legislature has provided a good solution to a pointless farce. Lawmakers amended a bill yesterday to curb COVID-19 in prisons. A full vote is expected in August. The bill is aimed at making sure folks approaching the finish line of their sentences, who are coming home, are not handed a death sentence. -@sfajardohttps://t.co/rQR1BkgM0L ACLU of New Jersey (@ACLUNJ) July 31, 2020 This editorial has been updated to clarify that expedited parole releases were part of Executive Order 124. 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. Bill Pugliano/Getty ImagesBy LAKEIA BROWN and KENDALL KARSON, ABC News (WASHINGTON) -- John James, the Republican Senate candidate in Michigan pursuing a challenge against Democratic Sen. Gary Peters, is navigating a delicate balancing act between being Black at a deeply introspective moment for the country on race and being a Republican on the same ballot as a president who repeatedly aggravates racial anguish. Publicly, James is a loyalist to the Republican playbook, refusing to contrast himself with President Donald Trump or criticize him in any significant way -- in the hopes of shoring up support from Trump's base to capture a long-held Democratic seat. Privately, James has challenged the president, according to Politico, on issues ranging from funding for Michigan's Great Lakes to his "s---hole countries" remark, a comment Trump made in 2018 about countries in Africa. James, 39, is not the only Republican straddling such a line. "You cannot afford to be too Trumpy, but then again he can't afford to get too far away from Trump either," Jeff Timmer, a veteran GOP strategist and former executive director of the Michigan Republican Party, said in an interview. "It's this Kabuki dance that candidates have to do." But in his second endeavor for political office, he is the lone Black Republican running for the Senate in the fall. As Trump contends with growing unpopularity, which has been exacerbated by his response to the public health crisis and his handling of racial unrest in the country, James, a former Apache combat helicopter pilot in Iraq, is pushing to make the race only about him and Peters, instead of in the context of Trump. "I think all I can do is be myself ... I'm in this position because someone fought for me, someone marched for me," he said in an interview. "I know what it feels like to be pulled over and fear for my life and wonder if this is the day that my son is going to see his daddy bleed out in the street. I know what it feels like to be in a car with my wife when somebody calls the cops because they perceive me as a threat." His pitch is rooted in his "lived experience," which he says his opponent, who is white, can't replicate, and the idea of "helping others win" to unify the country. For Peters, 61, a first-term senator, his re-election efforts have taken a backseat in the era of COVID-19 as he focuses on his job on Capitol Hill. "Given the fact that we're in the middle of this public health crisis and economic crisis," Peters told ABC News in an interview on Friday, "there's the campaign in the backdrop but right now I'm focused on doing the best job I can as the United States senator." James is attempting a second run for the Senate against Peters after a failed bid in 2018, when he lost to Sen. Debbie Stabenow by about seven points -- a more competitive showing than expected. For James, though, seeking to oust a Democrat in a state that has only elected one Republican to the Senate since 1972 -- when Spencer Abraham won the open seat in 1994 -- is no easy task. Before Trump carried the state by the thinnest of margins -- about 10,000 votes -- the state was firmly in the Democrats' grip for two decades. Peters first won the seat in 2014 when he defeated Terri Lynn Land, a popular, well-funded Republican and former secretary of state, by 14 points. His triumph came during a wave year for the GOP, particularly in Michigan -- a feat in the battleground. He is one of only two Democratic senators up for reelection this cycle in a state that Trump won in 2016, which put Michigan's Senate seat in the GOP's crosshairs in the hopes of retaining their majority. And James was a top recruit for Republicans, as a more seasoned candidate who could campaign on familiar terrain to flip the seat. But the race itself has been upended by the coronavirus pandemic and the reckoning on race, as both candidates now look to elevate their respective records and pitch their campaigns as the one primed to lead Michigan through the unprecedented upheaval. The proverbial elephant in the room: Race Amid the debate on racial inequality, a pressing question comes to the fore: can Peters count on Black voters this time around when his opponent is Black? The race of a candidate doesn't inexorably infer support, and James isn't just black -- he's also a Republican. Roughly 80% of African Americans self-identify as Democrat and there's a clear reason for that according to Dr. Leah Wright-Rigueur, associate professor of public policy at Harvard Kennedy School and author of "The Loneliness of the Black Republican: Pragmatic Politics and the Pursuit of Power." "Black people associate the Republican Party with race and racism. As long as they believe the Republican Party to be racist, racially antagonistic or not working in the best interest of Black people, they will not support the Republican Party," she said. "It doesn't matter how much they like a Republican candidate." And while the relationship between Black voters and the Democratic Party has been adversarial at times, some of the most important civil rights legislation and advances were a result of the Democratic Party. While James' approach has largely been to broadly focus on collective issues -- those that unite Michiganders -- he is aware of the unique challenges faced by Black voters in his state. "There are specific nuances that being an African American raised in Detroit, I am aware of and in a better position to fix," he said. Holistic issues like essential life skills, criminal justice reform, education, transportation and child care are concerns that he says he's committed to addressing. "Sen. Peters has been in politics for 30 years, then in Washington for 10, and then the Senate for six and has not taken the opportunity to do so," James said. Peters maintains that he's committed to change also. The list of reforms he's working on include voter suppression, police reform and health care modifications, which includes a plan to create a unit within the Federal Emergency Management Agency to specifically address underserved communities that are being disproportionately impacted by natural disasters, such as the coronavirus pandemic. He said one thing is clear, that we will see that the coronavirus has impacted communities of color disproportionately. "We saw here in Michigan, where an African American population that represents roughly 14% of the population ... yet over 40% of the deaths have been African American." James is not known for bold or overly-charged conversations around race relations on the trail, but is this a strategy for success? "For a Black Republican right now, particularly one that needs to win over Black voters, there has to be some acknowledgment of the significance of race," said Wright-Rigueur. "But it's also doubly hard because the standard-bearer of the party right now is saying the complete opposite." It's a tightrope, and undoubtedly a challenge for Black Republicans like James, who says he wants "African Americans to have friends on both sides of the aisle." Is it possible for him to acknowledge and honor his personal identity and experiences without alienating his own party and white voters, who make up the majority of voters in the state? "What Black Republicans find is that they are political minorities in their racial communities and racial minorities in their political communities," said Wright-Rigueur. "They are constantly trying to reconcile that, and often with little success." While figures like Colin Powell and Michel Steele were successful, those triumphs don't happen easily or often -- and both are anti-Trump Republicans, underscoring the heightened difficulty of attaining such an achievement in the era of Trump. Trump's divisiveness on race lingers over James' campaign, particularly after he vigorously embraced the president last cycle. In 2017, in his initial response to the violent, white surpemacist rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, the president said, there are "very fine people on both sides." In July 2019, Trump told the members of the "squad" -- four American congresswomen of color -- to "go back" to where they came from. And more recently, after the death of George Floyd at the hands of a white Minneapolis police officer, which sparked nationwide demonstrations, Trump smeared protesters as "thugs," and said "when the looting starts, the shooting starts," echoing a phrase first used by a Miami police chief that civil rights groups have widely condemned. "My opponent supports Donald Trump, he has said, '2,000%,'" Peters said. "That's a pretty big percentage to support somebody and certainly on a variety of issues, there is a clear difference between where I am ... and where my opponent is." The Trump factor is hard to ignore in an election that appears to be entirely about Trump -- and it's one that makes it "impossible" for James to be "truly competitive," Timmer, a vocal Trump critic who is also a senior adviser to the Lincoln Project, said. If he were advising James, he said, the West Point graduate should be "bold" to set himself apart from Trump as an independent voice on issues where it's clear where the public stands, such as on postponing of the election, deploying federal troops in the streets or on the Russia bounties. So far, he's been too careful, Timmer said. A look to November Both James and Peters are running unopposed on Tuesday. "Gary Peters is an underestimated, very good politician. He doesn't necessarily stand out. He's not a charismatic politician, but he's an inoffensive kind of politician," Timmer asserted. James currently trails Peters by double digits, according to recent polling. But he still believes it's a "challenger's year" -- although he would have to outperform Trump -- who is also behind against former Vice President Joe Biden in the same poll. Political experts in the state see Peters as someone difficult to paint with the progressive, socialist brush since he has military experience and a pragmatic demeanor and reputation. Before entering the Senate, Peters served in the U.S. Navy Reserve, and later in the state legislature before narrowly losing a statewide election for attorney general by less than 5,000 votes. He's also represented Michigan in the U.S. House, winning election in two different congressional districts, the 9th and 14th. Still, the James campaign is looking to do just that, writing about him in a campaign news release that he has a "30-year ineffective record as a liberal political hack." Democrats are seeking to focus on James' vacillating support for Trump, while tethering him tightly to a sinking president. "The truth is James is 'all for' Trump's agenda," a recent memo from the Peters campaign marking 100 days until Election Day read. "He's just a typical politician who will talk out of both sides of his mouth and won't be an independent voice for Michigan." But at the end of the day, the national forces interfering in the race might ultimately tip the scales, rather than the candidates themselves. "John James is a very good candidate running in a very bad year, same as 2018," Timmer said. "James ran further ahead of the top of the ticket and defied gravity more so than (Beto) O'Rourke in Texas ... (he) has an extraordinary profile but he has an exceptionally bad sense of timing." For the GOP, 2018 was "a generationally bad climate" and "2020 is looking worse," he added. Copyright 2020, ABC Audio. All rights reserved. Russian ex-PM Dmitry Medvedev said that the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict should not create reasons for violence and clashes in Russia, RIA Novosti reported. Medvedev noted that diasporas should also feel their responsibility. "Otherwise, those who violate Russian laws, regardless of their nationality, must bear tough responsibility under Russian laws. And if these violators are foreign citizens, even of friendly countries, we need to apply reasonable measures to them - they just need to be expelled from the country, if there are no other principles for the application of responsibility," he noted. The final manuscript for Breakfast At Tiffany's in which Truman Capote changed his heroine's name to Holly Golightly sold for 378,000 yesterday. Capote had previously considered the much duller Connie Gustafson, among 100 other names. Instead, when the 1958 novella was turned into a film in 1961, both Holly and Audrey Hepburn, who played the role of the flighty New York cafe society girl, became cultural icons. The 93-page typescript, with Holly's first appearance and Capote's annotations, revisions, and deletions, had been expected to fetch 180,000 at Sotheby's in London. Hepburn, who played the role of the flighty New York cafe society girl, became a cultural icons Capote sold Breakfast At Tiffany's to Harper's Bazaar for 1,600 for publication in the magazine but bosses decided not to run it for fear of offending Tiffany and Co. He resold the novella to Random House and its audacious protagonist Holiday 'Holly' Golightly quickly caught the public imagination even more so when Miss Hepburn appeared in the film's opening scene in a cool black dress, black sandals, and a pearl choker. Sotheby's literature specialist Gabriel Heaton questioned whether Connie Gustafson would have had the same enduring impact as Golightly. Mr Heaton said: 'The answer must be no, for as well as 'Connie Gustafson' might work for a child bride escaping her obligations in the backwater town of Tulip, Texas, it flounders as a chic girl-about-town in New York City. 'The name doesn't evoke freedom or a wild nature, but visions of a sullen midwestern housewife trudging through life.' He added: 'Instead, Holly Golightly was 'born' - a bouncy, comedic name in tune with the flighty nature of the character, as someone who would not be caged, with a suggestion of promiscuity mixed in.' Capote (pictured) sold Breakfast At Tiffany's to Harper's Bazaar for 1,600 for publication in the magazine but bosses decided not to run it for fear of offending Tiffany and Co. In trying to capture the nature of New York's cafe society, Holly became, in Capote's own words: 'a symbol of all these girls who come to New York and spin in the sun for a moment... I wanted to rescue one girl from that anonymity and preserve her for prosperity.' In addition to the name change, the rare item uncovers copious autograph revisions throughout, providing evidence of the author's notorious obsession with detail. Many of the revisions tweak the vocabulary - 'mad' to 'vexed', 'touch' to stroke' - and chop unnecessary words. Capote reflected that Breakfast at Tiffany's marked a turning point in his style towards a pruned and clearer prose. In a 1957 The Paris Review interview, the author said: 'Essentially I think of myself as a stylist and stylists can become notoriously obsessed with the placing of a comma, the weight of a semi-colon. 'Obsessions of this sort, and the time I take over them, irritate me beyond endurance.' Mr Heaton added: 'These revisions show exactly the obsession over detail that both frustrated Capote but were also key to his success as a writer. ' All 93 pages of the copy are marked off with a tick and contain annotations, revisions, meticulously erased deletions, as well as spelling corrections. Samsung is one of the most reputable mobile phone manufacturers in the world, and the company keeps developing new devices every time. One moment you have what you believe is the latest Samsung phone and next minute the company is unveiling another phone with better specs. Samsung A70 is one of the latest devices by the giant manufacturer in its unending quest to be an industry leader. Image: samsung.com Source: UGC Buying a mobile phone has never been more difficult than it is in current times. There are too many brands and types to choose from, and as exciting as it may seem, it should never be considered a walk in the park. When buying a phone, you must make sure it can satisfy your needs and is within your budget capability. Samsung Galaxy A70 price in Ghana is around GHS 1,850.00 and may vary depending on the outlet. Overview of Samsung A70 A good phone is not just about the appearance but also its capabilities. However, good things also have flaws, and Samsung A70 is no exception. Here are the pros and cons of the phone. The good Powered by a Qualcomm'sQualcomm's Snapdragon 675 chipset backed by 6GB or 8GB of RAM and 128GB of onboard storage. Runs on Samsung'sSamsung's proprietary One UI on top Android 9 Pie Subtle interface layout with new fonts and a convenient single-hand usage mode, night mode, Knox integration, Samsung health and much more Wide wine L1 certified thus allowing HD playback from streaming services like Netflix and Amazon Prime Video 6.7-inch brilliant Infinity-U display on a Super AMOLED panel Colossal 4500mAh battery that can last for almost two days when used moderately Supports Super-fast charging at 25W A full version of the Samsung Pay support for cashless payments READ ALSO: Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge price in Ghana and review The bad The real glossy panel makes the phone look untidy due to fingerprint marks and smudges Not water-resistant Loudspeaker is weak Does not have wireless charging Low light camera performance Does not have OIS or EIS Inconsistent and slow fingerprint sensor Full specifications Samsung A70 is the latest in the A-series, and it is expected to have better specifications. Samsung Galaxy A70 specs and price in Ghana must be in sync to justify its purchase by customers. Here are the phone's specifications. Image: samsung.com Source: UGC Hardware When looking into the hardware of the Samsung A70, take into consideration its design, processor and storage, display, battery and speaker. Here are the phone's hardware features: Design The measurements of the phone are 164.3 x 76.7 x 7.9mm, thus making it easy to hold the phone on the one hand. The power and volume keys are on the right side, where they can be easily reached. The headphone jack is at the base of the phone along with the speaker and a USB-C port for charging. The SIM tray is located at the top left side. The design specifications are: Height: 164.3 mm 164.3 mm Width: 76.7 mm 76.7 mm Weight: 183 grams 183 grams Thickness: 7.9 mm 7.9 mm Colours: Black, blue, white, pink Image: samsung.com Source: UGC READ ALSO: Infinix note 4 price in Ghana, specs and review Display Samsung A70 is a big phone but what is even more impressive is that the phone can be used with just one hand. The display type is Super AMOLED which is a bright and colourful panel that offers Full HD+ (1080 x 2400) resolution with a beautiful viewing experience. The display aspect ratio is 20:9, and it is Bezelless with a waterdrop notch. The phone's pixel density is 393 PPI and also includes a Corning Gorilla Glass v3 screen protection. The Samsung A70 has an incredible screen to body ratio of 86%. Processor, storage and performance Galaxy A70 has an octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 675 chipset with a maximum clock speed of 2GHz. Its RAM is 6 GB, and the internal storage is 128 GB which can be supplemented by a further 256 GB using a microSD. Battery The 4500 mAh battery is quite massive and can last up to two days when used moderately. Its 25W fast-charger is the fastest charger Samsung has made for a Galaxy A-series phone. Speaker and quality Samsung A70 has Dolby Atmos in audio support which provides an immersive experience when playing via earphones, but the experience is different when using the mono speaker. The loudspeaker sits at the bottom and is pretty weak. It can only be properly audible at full volume and is not very dependable. The phone is accompanied with mid-range earphones that have been consistent in the Galaxy A series. The call quality is as decent as can be expected from a modern smartphone. Its network reception on both slots is excellent even in low-signal areas, and the voice of another caller can be heard clearly. Software Software is one of the most significant features of a phone as it supports the hardware components. When buying A70, check the following aspects relevant to its software: OS and features The phone runs on the Android v9.0 (Pie) Operating System which has been updated to Android 10. It supports version 1.1 of Samsung'sSamsung's One UI with essential features such as Digital Wellbeing, Bixby Routines, Bixby Voice and Night Mode. The traditional features that have been retained include One-handed mode, Multi Window, Themes Support, and Always On Display. READ ALSO: Samsung A10 price in Ghana, specs and review Samsung Galaxy A70 camera, video and quality Samsung A70 comes with a 32MP F2.0 selfie camera and a three-in-one rear camera (32MP F1.7 primary rear camera, 8MP F2.2 ultra-wide and 5MP depth sensors). A70 does not shoot photos at full resolution for both cameras (12MP for rear camera). Since the Auto HDR feature does not work at the highest resolution, the camera's outdoor performance against light sources is not the best. The phone lacks a dedicated night mode for taking pictures in the dark. Image: samsung.com Source: UGC Samsung A70 review As much as customers would have wanted Samsung A70 waterproof, that is not the case, and this has prompted some negative reviews about the product. Online reviews of the phone have been positive and negative. Here is what a few people had to say about Samsung A70: Phone OK. Battery finishes fast before I'm back home. Hi, I have no issues. Battery backup is as super as was on android 9/pie. My handset heats up only during charging, but only a little bit warmer than cold-or normal. Samsung Galaxy A70 heats up with normal operations after July 2020 security update. It becomes like a hot brick with regular operations like phone calls, Camera YouTube (using Wi-Fi) and other general operations. Notifications were turned off. Location, NFC was turned off. No background apps also. I have been using this phone for one more year. The phone is suitable for picture and sound clarity, and we can upgrade to Android 10. When I upgraded to 10, the vibration of this phone cannot works. The battery drained very fast, signal strength decreased. My friend is using Galaxy M21, and he faces the same problem of "low signal strength". READ ALSO: Samsung A30 price in Ghana, features, review, where to buy Verdict Although the phone has some minor flaws, Samsung A70 is still a decent phone and a good value for money. It has a perfect display, better than average performance, amazing cameras and not forgetting the best UI from Samsung as of today. The phone has the right mix of affordability and high-end features. As a result, Samsung A70 price in Ghana can be seen as a bargain to Ghanaian customers. Samsung Galaxy A series was revamped in Ghana with the introduction of the Samsung A70 in the country. Expect to see the latest mobile technology being in use in this phone which has impressive specifications. The mid-range smartphone is a good fit for the young generation who love to create, share and consume live video content, but it can also come in handy for clients of other ages. Yen.com.gh highlighted on Friday the various features of Samsung A10 phone in Ghana as well as its price. The smartphone is an excellent release for the Galaxy A series with impressive features for Samsung phone lovers. Not only does the smartphone run on Android 9, but it also has super incredible battery life. It is ideal to know everything about the phone before making a buy as the features are the most integral. READ ALSO: iPhone 11 Pro Max price in Ghana, specs, review, availability Source: YEN.com.gh A podium with the logo for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention at the Tom Harkin Global Communications Center in Atlanta, Ga., in a file photo. (Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) CDC Expects 2020 Outbreak of Rare, Polio-Like Condition Mostly Affecting Children The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said on Aug. 4 that it expects another outbreak this year of a rare, polio-like condition that mostly affects children. The CDC has said it does not know what causes acute flaccid myelitis (AFM), which affects the nervous system and triggers weakness and even paralysis in one or more limbs. Cases of the condition have spiked every 2 years in the United States since 2014, affecting more Americans with each outbreak. In 2018, 238 cases of AFM were reported to the CDC, up from 149 cases in 2016, and the largest outbreak since the CDC began surveillance in 2014. Most cases were in children at 94 percent. CDC Director Dr. Robert Redfield warned last month that doctors and parents must be vigilant in recognizing symptoms, as the serious paralytic condition can progress quickly. [AFM] patients can become paralyzed over the course of hours or days and require ventilator to help them breathe. Some patients will be permanently disabled, he said, noting the most patients develop sudden arm or leg weakness. Timing is critical for AFM, he added. Delays in AFM recognition and care can put patients at risk. The CDC has, since the 2018 outbreak, been able to better recognize the signs and symptoms of the condition and respond faster, Redfield said. Two years ago, the median age of AFM patients was 5 years and 58 percent were male. As we head into these critical next months, CDC is taking necessary steps to help clinicians better recognize signs and symptoms of AFM in children, he said. Other AFM symptoms include recent or current respiratory illness, fever, pain or numbness in the limb(s), gait difficulty, headache, back or neck pain, difficulty talking or swallowing, and neck or facial weakness, according to the agency. Both Redfield and Thomas Clark, deputy director of the CDCs Division of Viral Diseases, stressed the importance of seeking medical attention amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic if children display potential AFM symptoms. AFM is a priority for CDC as we prepare for a possible outbreak this year, Clark said. We are concerned that, in the midst of a COVID pandemic, that cases might not be recognized as AFM, or we are concerned that parents might be worried about taking their child to the doctor if they develop something as serious as limb weakness. One phenomenon researchers have observed is the illness is particularly prevalent between August and October, a period when many viruses commonly circulate, according to the CDC. Responding to a question concerning school reopenings and a potential AFM outbreak this year, Redfield said that he wanted to stress that the condition is a very rare occurrence. I want to stress its a very rare event. Its a very serious event when it occurs in a family. But at the same time, extremely rare event, he said. We encourage parents to follow the recommendations set forward by their schools and their local public health jurisdictions and especially to emphasize now more than ever the careful handwashing, cough etiquette, sanitizing high-touch surfaces to help reduce the risk of all respiratory illnesses, Clark added. Reuters contributed to this report. The clock is ticking for Bonnie Morales and the acclaimed restaurant she opened a few years ago in Portland, Ore.: She's among thousands of U.S. small-business owners who are considering layoffs in coming months as they plow through government aid. One-fifth of small companies are planning to dismiss workers or have already done so after using up their federal Paycheck Protection Program loans, and nearly half of firms said they will need additional aid over the next year, according to a National Federation of Independent Business survey. Another poll led by Cornell University showed about one in four workers hired back thanks to PPP were told by their employer they may be fired again. "Come October, if everything stays the same, there's really no chance we'll be able to operate," said Morales, co-owner of Kachka, a Russian restaurant that's won national recognition. The loan "is like a Band-Aid on top of a Band-Aid -- it's barely holding on. It's going to fall right off in October." The funds allowed her to hire back most of the 48 people on staff and reopen with outdoor seating in a nearby parking lot. Once her $500,000 loan runs out, she'll have to lay off as many as half of her current employees. The White House and lawmakers have so far been unable to agree on terms for a successor stimulus program that also includes supplemental benefits for the unemployed. Small businesses with fewer than 500 workers employ about 58 million people, almost half the private workforce, ADP Research Institute data show. PPP at some point supported businesses representing most of them, according to the Small Business Administration, which runs the program. But "hundreds of thousands" more jobs remain on the edge in the next few months without a deal from Congress, said Mark Zandi, chief economist at Moody's Analytics. Morales's predicament is just one of several reasons why the July employment report on Friday, projected to show a 1.5 million gain in payrolls, could be followed by losses in coming months. Half of U.S. states have put reopening on hold, slowing foot traffic anew. ADP Research Institute data Wednesday cast a shadow over expectations, showing just 167,000 jobs were added in July, below all economists' forecasts. Businesses with fewer than 500 workers added 38,000 people, compared with almost 2.5 million in June. "What we're getting now is evidence that the recovery is leveling off," Mohamed El-Erian, chief economic adviser at Allianz and a Bloomberg columnist, said on Bloomberg Television last week. "If we don't get fiscal action, then we will go backwards." More for you Small businesses got emergency loans, but not what they expected Under the current program, Morales and others aren't able to request more funds. The next stimulus plan may potentially allow them to do so -- if and when it gets approved. The PPP loan is already gone for Christel Slaughter, chief executive officer of SSA Consultants in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The management consultant said the funds helped ensure her 15 workers remained paid -- even as some of her clients, ranging from colleges to natural resource companies, scaled back or canceled projects. Many of these firms ran out of PPP funds themselves, or never applied because they feared being on the hook for repayment, or didn't have the banking relationships to secure funding. The problem is that the coronavirus continues to play havoc with the economy and revenue streams as states dial back reopenings. "If our business isn't back to a consistent level that it was at before, or we can't reduce any more of our expenses, then you're left with people," Slaughter said. "If there isn't another round of stimulus, we'll start cutting past the fat and to the bone. And that's our people. And our people are hard to replace." Some of the job jitters are already showing up in high-frequency or other weekly data, such as two straight weeks of rising filings for state unemployment benefits. Figures from Homebase, a scheduling tool used by about 100,000 businesses, show the share of people working at the end of July actually declined from the start of the month, the first time that's happened since March. Google workplace mobility data, an alternative proxy for economic activity, show a decline in data cited by Deutsche Bank economists. And the Census Bureau's Household Pulse report highlighted a steep dip in employment mid-July. Back in Portland, Morales is getting creative to keep her business open, selling dumplings online and considering making another Russian item that's likely in high demand these days. "We're going to start producing our own vodka," she said. By Trend The national air carrier of Azerbaijan, the Azerbaijan Airlines (AZAL), organized an important flight on August 4, bringing a group of doctors from China to help battling the COVID-19 pandemic in the country, AZALs press service told Trend. Humanitarian assistance consisting of medical equipment was also delivered through this flight to Azerbaijan. A group of leading Chinese experts consisting of 10 people arrived in Baku on a special flight of AZAL. Highly qualified medical experts will work together with Azerbaijani colleagues to prevent the spread of coronavirus infection. The organized plane also delivered medical equipment and medicines from China to the capital of Azerbaijan. The direct flight, carried out from Chengdu city (the capital of Sichuan province in southwestern China) to Baku lasted more than seven hours. The flight was organized on behalf of the Operational Headquarters under the Cabinet of Ministers of Azerbaijan. A significant ammo dump in Idleb that was used by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham was destroyed by the Syrian Air Force writes Al-Masdar. The Syrian Air Force destroyed one of the largest ammunition depots belonging to Hayat Tahrir al-Sham in Idleb Governorate. According to a field report from Aleppo Governorate, the Syrian Air Force launched several strikes on Tahrir al-Shams positions on Sunday, causing significant destruction to the latters defenses and installations in northeast Idleb. The report said the Syrian and Russian reconnaissance planes provided the Syrian warplanes with the locations of these Tahrir al-Sham sites, which was evident after the latter blew up Hayat Tahrir al-Shams largest ammunition depot. Furthermore, some reports from northwestern Syria on Sunday said that as many as 20 fighters were killed as a result of this powerful attack. A video was released on Sunday showing the Syrian Air Force carrying out their big attack over the northeastern part of Idleb Governorate. Elsewhere, the northern Lattakia countryside witnessed a heavy battle on Monday after the foreigner-led Turkistan Islamic Party attacked the Syrian armys positions in the Jabal Turkmen region. According to a field report from Lattakia Governorate, the Turkistan Islamic Party began their attack on Monday by attempting to infiltrate the Syrian Arab Armys positions near the mountaintop of Jabal Hassan al-Rai The jihadist rebels attempted to utilize the dense forest and mountain terrain to overwhelm the Syrian Arab Army troops in the area. However, according to a source in Lattakia, the Syrian army was able to repulse the jihadist attack after a fierce battle with the foreigner-led group. 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 Navy launches first locally-built rapid mine-laying vessel ROC Central News Agency 08/04/2020 11:14 PM Taipei, Aug. 4 (CNA) The Navy on Tuesday held a launch ceremony for Taiwan's first domestically-built rapid mine-laying ship as well as a keel-laying ceremony for the second of four minelayers that are part of the government's indigenous ship-building project. The event indicates the expansion of the military's swift underwater mine-laying and joint defense capabilities, the Navy said in a statement. The minelayer project was developed based on enemy threat and combat needs after integrating the military's mine-laying combat plans, the Navy said. It will make it easier to prevent enemy vessels from sailing near Taiwan, the statement said. Navy Admiral Liu Chih-pin () and Lung Teh Shipbuilding Co. Chairman Huang Shou-chen () jointly hosted the event at Lung Teh shipyard in Yilan County. In terms of rapid mine-laying ships, the Navy said last year, when construction began, that the vessels will be equipped with T-75 20-millimeter automatic cannons and T-74 machine guns. The minelayers will also have a newly developed automatic mine-laying system and propulsion equipment that allows them to lay mines speedily and precisely, the Navy said. Delivery of the third and fourth mine-laying ships is scheduled to be made by the end of 2021, according to the Navy. (By Chen Yun-yu and Elizabeth Hsu) Enditem/AW NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address What just happened? Google has shared a four-month timeline for shutting down its Play Music platform. The streaming service was bound to be axed sooner or later in favor of YouTube Music, and will now gradually lose access to features, starting with end of support for purchases and pre-orders later this month. Music streaming will be turned off in September and October, while users would have until December to transfer their content (purchases, playlists, uploads) and shift to YouTube Music. Google's replacement for Play Music had been on the cards for a while now, but it wasn't known when the company would be officially retiring its long-running music streaming service. In a recent blog post, the tech giant shared a detailed timeline on the platform's closure and informed users of the necessary steps they need to take for transitioning to YouTube Music. Later this month, Google will drop support for music upload/download on Play Music through its Music Manager desktop app and will also disable purchases and pre-orders. Streaming will be turned off for users in New Zealand and South Africa in September, followed by a global shutdown in October. Users looking forward to YouTube Music can use Google's recently released transfer tool for migrating their data from Play Music or use Google Takeout for exporting relevant content. While the Play Music app and website will be taken offline in October, the company notes that users' playlists, uploads, purchases, likes, and other data will be preserved through December for transferring to YouTube Music, after which it will no longer be available. Users who decide not to migrate their content to YouTube Music will have their subscriptions canceled. Google also says that it will notify such users in advance and also inform them before they lose access to their Play Music content. While such transitions aren't always comfortable, Google's intentions with Play Music had been pretty clear for some time now. Last year, the company began pushing Android phone makers to preload YouTube Music on all new Android 10 devices and now looks forward to competing against the likes of Apple Music and Spotify with a single, focused offering. Donald Trump dodged a question on whether he was intentionally sabotaging the US postal service in order to make mail-in voting more difficult and help him win re-election. The accusation, made by Mr Trumps 2016 opponent Hillary Clinton, was put to the president during an interview on Fox and Friends. The president responded by questioning whether the postal service was equipped to deal with mail-in votes. Well, as you know the postal service for 40 years has had big problems, and theyre not equipped to handle a governor where they say millions of ballots by the way will be posted in a couple of weeks. Gear up.' You cant do that. It doesnt work that way, its a very complex process, he said. So Nevada, were in court, well see how it works out. But if it doesnt work out, youre not gonna know the November 3 election results Im talking for the country it could be for months and months, actually it could be for years. If they sent, and they plan to send these ballots, to everyone who has ever walked in the state of Nevada, it will be a disaster. Democrats have raised concerns that the White House is actively weakening the US postal service which processes mail-in ballots in order to help Mr Trump secure re-election in November. Republicans have been reluctant to include funds for the struggling service in the next coronavirus relief package. At the same time, the new head of the USPS, a GOP donor named Louis DeJoy, has reportedly introduced operational changes, which have led to delays in deliveries. Ms Clinton, who lost the 2016 presidential race to Mr Trump, said on Tuesday: I fear Republican sabotage of the USPS, including slowing mail delivery, is a Trump strategy to make voting by mail more difficult this fall. Request your ballots and return them as early as you can. Advocates of mail-in voting have promoted its use as a means of protecting against the spread of the coronavirus during Novembers vote. The system varies state-by-state. Mr Trump, who is trailing his Democratic opponent Joe Biden in the polls, has railed against the use of mail-in ballots for weeks. But in recent days urged voters in one republican state Florida to vote by any means. fter weeks of railing against what he has claimed are the potential risks of voting by mail, President Donald Trump on Tuesday urged voters in at least one Republican state - Florida - to vote by any means. "Whether you call it Vote by Mail or Absentee Voting, in Florida the election system is Safe and Secure, Tried and True. Florida's Voting system has been cleaned up (we defeated Democrats attempts at change), so in Florida I encourage all to request a Ballot & Vote by Mail! #MAGA," Trump wrote. He told reporters at a briefing later on Tuesday that Florida has had two "great" Republican governors and "they've been able to get the absentee ballots done extremely professionally." Virgin Atlantic Airway has filed for bankruptcy, as the aviation industry continues to be ravaged by the coronavirus pandemic. The Virgin Group airline filed for Chapter 15 bankruptcy in New York on Tuesday, marking the latest business casualty for the airline industry. It is the second of billionaire Richard Bransons aviation business to file for bankruptcy, months after Virgin Australia took a similar step. Airlines have been one of the hardest hit by the global health crisis as borders were shut, flights were banned and passenger traffic shrank. The London-based Virgin Atlantic, is owned 49% by Delta Air Lines. According to Business Insider, Chapter 15 is a form of bankruptcy designed for cases involving multiple countries, providing a mechanism for foreign-based companies undergoing bankruptcy proceedings in their own country to access the US court system. It effectively protects Virgins US assets from creditors as a UK court oversees claims. Virgin Atlantic announced a 1.2billion ($1.57 billion) private rescue package in July but had not finalized the agreement. The airline had also appealed unsuccessfully for a bailout from the British government. Richard Branson, the Virgin Group founder offered his private island as collateral for a bailout or loan. The airline said during a court hearing in London on Tuesday that it would effectively run out of cash in September, Bloomberg reported . Tuesdays US filing appeared to be linked to the London hearing, at which a judge gave the go-ahead for a meeting allowing creditors to vote on the restructuring plan. Virgin has not entered administration, a form of bankruptcy in the UK, Business Insider reported. Delta CEO Ed Bastian has said that Delta would not offer a cash injection to save Virgin from a bankruptcy restructuring. UK foreign-ownership laws would prevent Delta or any other foreign investor from increasing its stake. Related Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-06 02:05:47|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close BERLIN, Aug. 5 (Xinhua) -- Following the devastating explosions in the Port of Beirut, Chancellor Angela Merkel on Wednesday promised Germany's help to Lebanon. "With great dismay, I learned of the severe explosion in Beirut, which has claimed many victims," Merkel wrote on Wednesday in a letter of condolence to Lebanese Prime Minister Hassan Diab. "In this difficult time, you can count on the help and support of the German government," said Merkel. German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas was also "moved by the shocking pictures from Beirut." Employees of the German embassy were among the many injured. "My thoughts are with the relatives of the victims," Maas wrote on Twitter. "Germany stands by Lebanon in this difficult hour." Maas told the German newspaper Bild that he had been in contact with his Lebanese counterpart to discuss how Germany could offer quick help. A rescue team from the German Federal Agency for Technical Relief would aim to leave for Beirut on Wednesday. "Together with the German Armed Forces and our humanitarian workers, we are looking at how we can provide further help for clearing up and supplying the civilian population," said Maas. Two huge explosions hit the Port of Beirut on Tuesday, shaking buildings all over the city. Health Minister Hamad Hassan announced on Wednesday that the explosions have left 135 people dead and 5,000 others injured. The causes of the blasts remain unknown, but local officials said highly explosive material stored at the port might have led to the explosions. Enditem At this point, the only thing left to do was to make them official. Samsungs latest true wireless earbuds, the Galaxy Buds Live, have leaked several times over the last few weeks. And that includes making an early appearance in a listing for Samsungs own app. We knew what they looked like, and we knew most of the features, so really all we were waiting on was for the company to make its announcement. Today Samsung is doing just that, alongside the Galaxy Note 20, Galaxy Tab S7 and Galaxy Watch 3. Gallery: Samsung Galaxy Buds Live | 19 Photos /19 Gallery: Samsung Galaxy Buds Live | 19 Photos /19 When the Galaxy Buds Live first broke cover, the jokes about their bean-like design were a dime a dozen. Indeed, these true wireless earbuds do resemble legumes a curved shape meant to mimic the crevices of your ear. They sit flat on the outside of your ear canal without a tip that goes inside. Instead, a pair of speakers on the underside of the Buds Live beam sound in on each side. That design choice allows for open active noise cancellation (ANC). Rather than piping outside noise in with an ambient sound mode, the Buds Live has vents that let you hear whats going on around you. When ANC is active, the earbuds focus on low-frequency noise (cars, transit and voices). Open ANC sounds odd, and as you might expect, it doesnt work as well as true wireless models with ear tips that create a seal. Based on my early tests, I can tell when ANC is active in the Galaxy Buds app, but the feature doesnt do a lot to block out whats going on around me. More often than not, I just take matters into my own hands with more volume. Not so good for your hearing though. Gripes about noise cancellation aside, Samsungs claims about these being its most ergonomic earbuds yet are mostly true. The lack of a tip on the buds makes them more comfortable. Theres not something crammed into your ear canal. And while I was skeptical about sound quality given the open design, the audio is respectable. However, the Galaxy Buds Live have way too much treble at high volumes. But overall, these do a decent job as an everyday audio accessory. Samsung says the new earbuds have larger 12mm speakers compared to the Galaxy Buds+ along with bass ducts to beam AKG sound into your ears. Samsung Touch controls are available on the outside and give you access to play/pause, skipping tacks and answering calls. Those core controls are mirrored on both sides. You also have the ability to turn the ANC on/off with a long press, or you can reassign that action for volume controls, Spotify (Samsung devices) or access to your voice assistant. Speaking of voice controls, the Galaxy Buds Live gives you always-on Bixby for the first time. Much like Apple does for AirPods, you dont have to press a button to summon Samsungs assistant. Simply speak your commands and Bixby will do its thing. And dont worry, you can disable the no-touch access if you want to conserve some battery life. For calls, Samsung says the Galaxy Buds Lives three beam-forming microphones focus on your voice and reduce background clutter. The company explains that its technology automatically adjusts to keep the emphasis on your words rather than whats going on around you. Of course, the actual results can vary greatly on true wireless earbuds, but well be sure to put these claims to the test during our review. Like the Galaxy Buds+, the Galaxy Buds Live will work with Samsung audio apps on both Android and iOS. This means that iPhone users will have access to most of the earbuds key features besides always-on Bixby, of course. With the app, you can choose from a collection of audio presets, activate ANC, disable or customize touch controls, locate lost earbuds and more. Samsung also offers a Buds Together feature that lets you connect two sets of earbuds to one device so you can listen to music or what a movie... together (devices running One UI 2.5 or later). Samsung In terms of battery life, Samsung promises eight hours with both ANC and always-on Bixby disabled (21 additional hours in the case). With just noise canceling mode on, that number is cut to six and a half hours. Add hands-free Bixby and youre looking at six hours. A quick-charge feature will give you an hour of listening time in five minutes, and the Galaxy Buds Live case supports wireless charging with Qi-certified accessories. Yes, you can even charge it on the back of the new Note 20. Well put all of those figures to the test and offer our detailed impressions in a full review soon. Lastly, the Galaxy Buds Live are IPX2 rated. Thats not very much protection from moisture only certified to resist water droplets. Its likely enough if you briefly get caught outside during a light drizzle and to protect the earbuds from semi-sweaty workouts. Anything else and you might be in trouble. But given the way these just sit on the outside of your ear, theyre probably not the best option for physical activity. The Galaxy Buds Live will be available tomorrow, August 6th, for $170. Youll be able to choose from bronze, white and black color options whichever one matches your Samsung phone or smartwatch the best. Dr Dave A Chokshi, a 39-year-old Indian-origin physician with expertise in public health, has been appointed as New York City's new health commissioner by Mayor Bill de Blasio who praised him for playing a crucial role in addressing the unprecedented coronavirus challenges faced by the city. Chokshi was named Commissioner of the City's Department of Health and Mental Hygiene on Tuesday after serving health commissioner Dr Oxiris Barbot resigned from her post. Blasio said Chokshi has spent his career fighting for those too often left behind. Never has that been more true than during the COVID-19 pandemic, where he has helped lead our City's public health system under unprecedented challenges. I know he's ready to lead the charge forward in our fight for a fairer and healthier city for all." The Mayor said at a news conference that Chokshi has an extraordinary history and as a child of immigrants, grew up with tremendous potential, and worked hard every step of the way to realise that potential. Chokshi recalled that opportunity propelled his grandfathers to move from small villages in Gujarat to Mumbai two generations ago. His father was the first in his family to immigrate to the United States, settling in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, where he was born and raised. A Rhodes Scholar, he has served as a White House Fellow in the Obama Administration and was the principal health advisor to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs. In 2016, President Barack Obama appointed him to the Advisory Group on Prevention, Health Promotion, and Integrative and Public Health. "I couldn't be prouder of our City's response in the face of a once-in-a-lifetime public health crisis, Chokshi said, adding that he was honoured to serve the people of New York City. "Together, we will emerge from this pandemic as a stronger, fairer, and healthier city." New York currently has 28,710 confirmed cases of coronavirus and 2,507 deaths due to the infection, according to Johns Hopkins University. He said that the COVID-19 pandemic has unmasked how disease, racism, and economic dislocation intersect with devastating health consequences. He added that the epidemic is only the most recent example of the vicious cycles of illness and inequity that he has seen over his career. "Each of those experiences further forged my conviction that we must build toward better health systems with prevention at the center and a more proactive approach to avoidable human suffering. We are in a better place with COVID-19 than we were this spring thanks to the efforts of New Yorkers, the administration, the Health Department, and Health + Hospitals .The role of public health is central and clear. Just as with my patients in the clinic, our public health approach must begin with listening to patients. He said for the city to succeed, we must use science to diagnose problems and bring together everyone who can stop health threats before they start, whether COVID or otherwise. For us to succeed, I will need to embody my core values of truth, justice, and kindness every day. The Mayor's office said in a statement that Chokshi has served at the highest level of local, state, and federal health agencies, including NYC Health + Hospitals, where he was in senior leadership roles over the past six years. As Chief Population Health Officer, Chokshi's team transformed healthcare delivery for over one million New Yorkers. Chokshi comes to the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene with experience in public health, clinical medicine, and health policy. He has served at the Louisiana Department of Health before and after Hurricane Katrina, with a focus on reshaping the State's healthcare system in the wake of the storm. As a Rhodes Scholar, he earned an MSc in global public health from the University of Oxford. Chokshi will continue his clinical practice at Bellevue Hospital, where he has taken care of patients as a primary care physician since 2014. He trained at the University of Pennsylvania Medical School and Brigham & Women's Hospital/Harvard Medical School. During his training, Chokshi did clinical work in Guatemala, Peru, Botswana, Ghana, and India. Chokshi also served on the Federal Emergency Management Agency delegation to New York City after Hurricane Sandy in 2012, coordinating with the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene on a door knocking initiative to bring food and medication to stranded seniors in high rises across hard-hit areas of the city. As Special Advisor to New York City Health Commissioner Tom Farley, Chokshi contributed to the City's response to opioid addiction, obesity, and disease prevention in 2011. Former Surgeon General of the United States Dr Vivek Murthy said for the last 15 years, he has seen Chokshi touch the lives of patients and communities in profound ways as a physician and public health leader. He is of a rare breed of leaders who combine brilliance and strong judgement with humility and compassion. These qualities and his unfailing moral compass will serve New York City well as it faces the COVID19 pandemic and longstanding public health challenges. In Dr Chokshi, New York has found a leader worthy of its trust and support, he said. Meanwhile, a report in The New York Times said Barbot resigned to protest her deep disappointment with de Blasio's handling of the pandemic. I leave my post today with deep disappointment that during the most critical public health crisis in our lifetime, that the health department's incomparable disease control expertise was not used to the degree it could have been, Barbot said in her resignation email to de Blasio, according to The New York Times. Japan's services sector contracted for a sixth straight month in July, suggesting economic activity remained under pressure from the coronavirus crisis as the third quarter got under way. The final Jibun Bank Japan Services Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) edged up to a seasonally adjusted 45.4 in July, hardly an encouraging change from 45.0 in June and a preliminary 45.2 reading. The survey highlights the continued struggle facing the world's third-largest economy as the pandemic cripples activity and hurts customer demand, though firms' business expectations turned positive for the first time in five months. "While there were some positive signs in terms of domestic sales, large parts of the service sector remained impacted by fragile customer demand and the cancellation of projects due to the pandemic," said Tim Moore, director at IHS Markit, which compiles the survey. "As a result, service providers commented on the need to reduce fixed overheads and an aversion to replacing departing staff." 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 headline index stayed below the 50.0 threshold that separates contraction from expansion for the sixth month, the longest such run since an eight-month stretch through September 2011. The survey also showed firms shed more jobs and new export business contracted further. Japan fell into recession for the first time in 4-1/2 years in the first quarter. Preliminary gross domestic product data due later this month is expected to show the country suffered its deepest postwar slump in April-June. More than a fourth of surveyed businesses saw a drop in activity since June, IHS Markit said, with firms also grappling with lower tourism and cancelled events. The composite PMI, which includes both manufacturing and services, remained in decline as well, rising to a five-month high of 44.9 from June's final 40.8. Romelu Lukaku matched a long-standing Alan Shearer record on Wednesday as he opened the scoring for Inter against Getafe. Lukaku put Inter 1... Romelu Lukaku matched a long-standing Alan Shearer record on Wednesday as he opened the scoring for Inter against Getafe. Lukaku put Inter 1-0 up in their last-16 tie against the Spanish side in Germany with an exceptional finish in the 33rd minute. The Belgians strike made it eight successive Europa League appearances in which he had scored, with the 27-year-old having also netted in each leg of Inters round-of-32 tie against Ludogorets. He had previously appeared in the competition with Everton in 2014-15, scoring in matches against Dynamo Kiev, Young Boys and Wolfsburg. Previously, only Premier League icon Shearer back in 2004-05 with Newcastle United had scored in his eight consecutive appearances in either the UEFA Cup or Europa League. Lukaku has enjoyed a brilliant first season for Inter, scoring 23 Serie A goals as Antonio Contes side finished second behind Juventus. On 19th Street, one of Houstons most enduring strips of shops and restaurants, there is a vacant lot tucked between two stores, about a block from the landmark Heights sign. When developers recently expressed interest in putting a new building there, however, they suffered a setback. Houstons planning codes, written in the 1990s with automobiles in mind, meant the developers would have to put the new building 25 feet back from the road, set awkwardly behind the street-side strip of storefronts. The city planning commission granted them a reprieve from the rule, but the episode illustrated how Houstons code served as an impediment, not a spark, for so-called walkable development, said Bill Baldwin, a real estate agent and member of the planning commission. City council on Wednesday took a first step toward changing that, unanimously approving ordinances aimed at making pockets of Houston more friendly to pedestrians and moving the city away from its car-centric planning code. The new regulations only apply to new buildings and redevelopment in certain parts of the city. In those areas, the ordinances will bring buildings not parking lots closer to the street, widen sidewalks, and reduce or altogether eliminate the number of parking spots developers are required to offer. This has been in many ways a paradigm shift, because we are literally changing how people move about in the city of Houston, Mayor Sylvester Turner said. Turner also lauded the citys late planning director Pat Walsh, who was a staunch advocate of this kind of development. Walsh, 45, died of brain cancer in 2018. I just want Pat to know, from on high, that his vision is still being realized, Turner said. The ordinances create two distinct programs: areas with a Walkable Places designation, where the city seeks to foster pedestrian-friendly development; and areas in the Transit-Oriented Development program, where the city hopes to bring the same principles to most streets that fall within a half-mile of a bus or train station. While the underlying regulations are similar, the Walkable Places program initially takes shape in three pilot projects along Emancipation Avenue, Midtown, and Hogan and Lorraine Streets in the Near Northside. Other areas can pursue a Walkable Places designation if a majority of property owners support it. City council will have final say over all such designations. The Transit-Oriented Development program will apply to city-designated areas across Houston that are close to transit stops. For the streets covered by either program, the ordinances undo many of the automobile-centered rules adopted in the 1990s. For example, under those rules, all development on major streets must be set back 25 feet from the road, businesses must offer a prescribed number of parking spaces for customers, and sidewalks must be 5 feet wide. The new rules waive the set-back requirement, bringing buildings closer to the street and pushing parking lots to the side or behind new buildings. The transit-oriented development ordinance cuts or eliminates parking space requirements. The new framework also requires developers to widen sidewalks to between 6 and 10 feet, and include a 4-foot buffer zone between the road and sidewalks to further protect pedestrians and cyclists. The ordinances also limit the height of fencing in these areas to 4 feet, and require that a certain percentage of commercial buildings ground floors be visible through doors or windows. Air Alliance Houston, which advocates for cleaner air in the city, issued a statement applauding the ordinances as a way to divert people from automobiles. Shifting Houston away from its historic car-centric paradigm is an essential step in improving our air quality, addressing climate change, and creating a more equitable transportation system for all, the group said. Randy Wile, a real estate developer in Houston, said the updated rules will allow businesses to offer people experiences beyond the shopping centers and strip malls for which the city is known. The city, he said, can foster urban spaces with more energy and excitement. The reality, though, is that, until recently, those attributes have not defined Houston development, he said. Councilmembers were similarly laudatory during Wednesdays meeting. Sallie Alcorn, an at-large councilwoman, said her children graduated college and then fled to walkable cities, where they did not need cars. The new ordinances, she said, would help create a tangible sense of community here. This is indeed a big day for everybody who has really been striving to make Houston a more walkable city, but just couldnt figure out how, Alcorn said. The Walkable Places committee spent more than three years doing just that, she said. City planning director Margaret Wallace Brown said that a few neighborhoods already have inquired about seeking a Walkable Places designation. Planning department staff, she said, are working to finalize the application process, which will open in October. If you were to tell me 20 to 30 years ago that something like this would be in Houston, with all of us so attached to our cars, I wouldve been shocked, At-Large Councilman Michael Kubosh said. But we have millennial and younger generations that want to walk from place to place. Councilwoman Carolyn Evans-Shabazz, who fielded concerns from civic leaders in Museum Park about the plan, said she believed more people in her District D support the plan than oppose it. I believe, after many conversations, questions of inquiry and suggestions, that the TOD ordinance will enhance what is already an amazing community, Evans-Shabazz said. In a tweet Tuesday night, District A Councilwoman Amy Peck said she would want to see flooding addressed before any such redevelopment projects come to her district. You know what makes a neighborhood very walkable? One that isnt under water every time it rains, Peck wrote. I will support the ordinance because I think the people in the pilot areas generally want this, but any redevelopment ordinance in District A needs to also address flooding! dylan.mcguinness @chron.com twitter.com/dylmcguinness WASHINGTON, Aug. 5, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Minority and socioeconomically disadvantaged children have significantly higher rates of COVID-19 infection, a new study led by Children's National Hospital researchers shows. These findings, reported online August 5 in Pediatrics, parallel similar health disparities for the novel coronavirus that have been found in adults, the authors state. COVID-19, an infection caused by the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 that emerged in late 2019, has infected more than 4.5 million Americans, including tens of thousands of children. Early in the pandemic, studies highlighted significant disparities in the rates of infection in the U.S., with minorities and socioeconomically disadvantaged adults bearing much higher burdens of infection. However, says Monika Goyal, M.D., M.S.C.E, a pediatric emergency medicine specialist and associate division chief in the Division of Emergency Medicine at Children's National whose research focuses on health disparities, it's been unclear whether these disproportionate rates of infection also extend to youth. To investigate this question, she and her colleagues looked to data collected between March 21, 2020, and April 28, 2020, from a drive-through/walk-up COVID-19 testing site affiliated with Children's National one of the first exclusively pediatric testing sites for the virus in the U.S. To access this free testing site, funded by philanthropic support, patients between the ages of 0 and 22 years needed to meet specific criteria: mild symptoms and either known exposure, high-risk status, family member with high-risk status or required testing for work. Physicians referred patients through an online portal that collected basic demographic information, reported symptoms and the reason for referral. When Dr. Goyal and her colleagues analyzed the data from the first 1,000 patients tested at this site, they found that infection rates differed dramatically among different racial and ethnic groups. While about 7% of non-Hispanic white children were positive for COVID-19, about 30% of non-Hispanic Black and 46% of Hispanic children were positive. "You're going from about one in 10 non-Hispanic white children to one in three non- Hispanic Black children and one in two Hispanic children. It's striking," says Dr. Goyal. Using data from the American Families Survey, which uses five-year census estimates derived from home address to estimate median family income, the researchers separated the group of 1,000 patients into estimated family income quartiles. They found marked disparities in COVID-19 positivity rates by income levels: while those in the highest quartile had infection rates of about 9%, about 38% of those in the lowest quartile were infected. There were additional disparities in exposure status, Dr. Goyal adds. Of the 10% of patients who reported known exposure to COVID-19, about 11% of these were non- Hispanic white. However, non-Hispanic Black children were triple this number. Although these numbers show clear disparities in COVID-19 infection rates, the authors are now trying to understand why these disparities occur and how they can be mitigated. "Some possible reasons may be socioeconomic factors that increase exposure, differences in access to health care and resources, as well as structural racism," says Dr. Goyal. She adds that Children's National is working to address those factors that might increase risk for COVID-19 infection and poor outcomes by helping to identify unmet needs such as food and/or housing insecurity and steer patients toward resources when patients receive their test results. "As clinicians and researchers at Children's National, we pride ourselves on not only being a top-tier research institution that provides cutting-edge care to children, but by being a hospital that cares about the community we serve," says Denice Cora-Bramble, M.D., M.B.A., chief medical officer of Ambulatory and Community Health Services at Children's National and the research study's senior author. "There's still so much work to be done to achieve health equity for children." Other Children's National researchers who contributed to this study include Joelle N. Simpson, M.D.; Meleah D. Boyle, M.P.H, Gia M. Badolato, M.P.H; Meghan Delaney, D.O,. M.P.H.; and Robert McCarter Jr., Sc.D. About Children's National Hospital Children's National Hospital, based in Washington, D.C., celebrates 150 years of pediatric care, research and commitment to community. Volunteers opened the hospital in 1870 with 12 beds for children displaced after the Civil War. Today, 150 years stronger, it is among the nation's top 10 children's hospitals. It is ranked No. 1 for newborn care for the fourth straight year and ranked in all specialties evaluated by U.S. News & World Report. Children's National is transforming pediatric medicine for all children. In 2020, construction will be complete on the Children's National Research & Innovation Campus, the first in the nation dedicated to pediatric research. Children's National has been designated twice as a Magnet hospital, demonstrating the highest standards of nursing and patient care delivery. This pediatric academic health system offers expert care through a convenient, community-based primary care network and specialty outpatient centers in the D.C., metropolitan area, including the Maryland and Northern Virginia suburbs. Children's National is home to the Children's National Research Institute and Sheikh Zayed Institute for Pediatric Surgical Innovation and is the nation's seventh-highest NIH-funded children's hospital. It is recognized for its expertise and innovation in pediatric care and as a strong voice for children through advocacy at the local, regional and national levels. For more information, follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. SOURCE Childrens National Hospital Analysis | 12 January 2022 | News Why or why not: The dilemma for startup investors There have been tremors within the startup community worldwide with the latest Theranos scandal. Though startu...Read more Building the post-pandemic church: Developing the healthy church (pt 4) Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment Will the COVID-19 virus infect, sicken, and kill the body of Christ? Will masked congregations scattered in auditoriums missing three quarters of their capacities become the new normal? These are vital questions, not just for churches, but for whole societies. The health of a nation and its culture is proportionate to the health of the church within the nation. The prophet Ezekiel sees shockingly that what is happening inside the House of God influences what is happening outside the House of God. (Ezekiel 8) Russell Kirk, the 20th century political theorist, wrote: Fundamentally, our societys affliction is the decay of religious belief. If a culture is to survive and flourish, it must not be severed from the religious vision out of which it arose. The high necessity of religious men and women, then, is to labor for the restoration of religious teachings as a credible body of doctrine. Pastor Steve Riggle is one of those leaders laboring hard for church restoration midst the COVID pandemic. Riggles experiences as a church planter, pastor, and global leader qualify him uniquely to make such an assessment. He arrived in Houston some forty years ago after a successful church planting ministry in his native Californiaespecially in the challenging San Francisco Bay area. Riggle moved to south Houston and planted a church that grew to 17,000. Then he relocated to the Woodlands community north of Houston and planted again. He is still serving Grace Church Woodlands as senior pastor. On top of that, Riggle is president of Grace International, a global community of some 3,800 churches and 400,000 members in 107 countries. Riggle believes there will be four types of post-pandemic churches: Those that have bought into the contemporary socio-cultural narrative, incorporating wokeness (or joining the Cult of Woke, as Federalist writer John Daniel Davidson puts it) in their language and practice.[1] Churches oblivious to the changes happening all around them, especially unaware of the spiritual dynamics Churches that understand the times, but are intimidated, fearing man more than God The remnant church whose founding is recorded in Matthew 16 when Simon Peter acknowledges Jesus as the Christ, the Son of the living God, and Jesus responds that upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades will not overpower it. I have described this remnant church as Jesus-Centered, Spirit-Energized, Word-anchored, and Kingdom-focused. Riggle adds more detail. The remnant church, he says, will be courageous, not intimidated, or silent. It will embrace Jesus as its absolute Head and be governed by the values of the Kingdom of Heaven. The remnant body, Riggle thinks, will be a gathering church, highly relational. It will be a house of prayer, ministering the incarnational work of Jesus as revealed in the New Testament, giving special focus to the poor and disenfranchised, while strengthening other leaders. The remnant church Riggle envisions will engage in penetrative evangelism, sowing salt into the culture. It will not be hampered by institutionalization but have dynamic structural coherence. Back in 1973 as I sought to understand Jesuss earthly ministry, I saw that its structural order was based on a matrix of relationships. Structure in the church has coherence through relationships. The first is the relationship between the congregation and Christ. This foundational strength is then imparted via relationships throughout the local and trans-local church. This relational arrangement is illustrated by an old-fashioned wagon wheel, consisting of Hub Jesus was in a special hub relationship with Peter, James, and John. The hub is the center of vision and governance in a church, represented by a New Testament eldership. Axle Jesus also directed His disciples not to reject those doing His work who were not part of His band of direct disciples. Thus, the axle represents the linkage between the local church and others across its city, region, and world even those of other denominations or fellowships all for the purpose of carrying out Christs Great Commission. (Matthew 28:18-20) Spokes In addition to those closest to Jesus in His hub relationships, He also developed and sent out many others: 70, 120, and eventually the whole of His community of followers. The spokes therefore symbolize the means of functional ministry within a local church, and key leaders in those ministries. Rim A churchs success and health are measured by what happens at the rim of impact. The rim is where the wheel hits the road, and proves its strength and effectiveness, or lack of it. In studying the Jesus model, I noted specific actions by which the Lord impacted the rim. From that emerged what I call The Reach-Keep Strategy: Attract people by understanding and addressing their perceived needs. Attach those you reach to specific ministries and relationships that will address their perceived needs in practical ways. Assimilate people through bringing them into healthy relationships. Advance those to whom you minister as disciples of Jesus with an awareness of their spiritual gifts Activate them through ministry participation Assess their growth and effectiveness as demonstrated in their own ministry engagement Affirm the people individually by recognition of their dedication, service, and ministry fruit The general season of chaos through which we are passing is an opportune time a kairos moment for re-envisioning and taking practical actions to develop the church that truly functions in the world as the body of Christ the Jesus church. Rather than being sickened, churches can gain new health as they focus on growing in the ministry style of Jesus. [1]https://thefederalist.com/2020/08/03/americans-are-turning-away-from-religion-toward-dangerous-secular-cults/ Brett Halcro, 36, was allegedly knocked off his hire bike and bashed, before a teenager ran in and 'sliced' his face seven times and plunged a knife into his eye The family of a cyclist who was left blinded and in a coma after allegedly being attacked by a gang of private school boys say they can't 'fathom how humanity is capable of that'. Nine teenagers from some of Sydney's most elite private schools have been arrested over the alleged 'sadistic' assault of Brett Halcro, 36, in Pyrmont on Friday night. Mr Halcro, who was visiting Sydney from Melbourne, was allegedly knocked off his hire bike and bashed before a teenager ran in and 'sliced' his face seven times and plunged a knife into his eye. A family member, who wished to remain unnamed, described Mr Halcro as 'completely shy' and 'meek'. The relative said he was struggling to come to terms with the boys allegedly gloating and laughing about the attack via text messages. In the texts, one of the 15-year-old boys allegedly bragged to his friend in horrific detail about how the man was left blinded after being stabbed in the eye. 'It's incredibly difficult to fathom how humanity is capable of that in the first place,' he told The Daily Telegraph. 'Our family is just trying to focus on the recovery.' In Surry Hills Children's Court on Wednesday, a long-time magistrate gasped and looked away in disgust after seeing photographs of Mr Halcro's horrific injuries. A 15-year-old (above) who was allegedly part of a gang that stabbed and kicked Brett Halcro, 36, leaving him blinded and in a coma, has had his actions slammed as 'vile' by a magistrate The father of the 15-year-old leaves Surry Hills Children's Court after his son was refused bail. The boy's mother offered to quit her job to ensure the boy remained in home detention, but a magistrate said the allegations were so severe he could not release him So far nine teenagers have been arrested over the disturbing attack in which Brett Halcro was allegedly knocked off his bike and set upon by a gang, before being stomped on and stabbed in the eye A 15-year-old - who cannot be identified - is the latest teenager to so far be charged over the brutal attack. He was refused bail, even after his mother pledged to quit her job to ensure he remain in home detention. Magistrate Jeffrey Hogg turned away after photos of the injuries suffered by Mr Halcro were tendered in court by the prosecution. Magistrate Hogg said it was concerning that someone so young needed to undergo drug and alcohol counselling, but was more worried about the lack of remorse that the group allegedly displayed in the hours afterwards. 'What occurred on the social media platform after the event is distinctly counter-indicative of remorse,' Magistrate Hogg said. 'It's a vile and horrific crime. The injuries are extraordinarily severe and life changing. 'There is a strong prosecution case and it is a matter, should the offenses be proved, that a custodial sentence is in my estimation inevitable.' In submissions to the court, police prosecutor Kai Jiang described the alleged attack as 'sadistic'. The teenager's lawyer Veronica Love had earlier told the court that he had strong ties to the community and had suffered mental health issues. Ms Love added that with the likelihood the matters will be heard in adult courts due to the serious nature of the allegations, it was likely the teenager would remain in juvenile detention until at least next year if refused bail. 'I ask Your Honour to consider the length of time this young person is likely to spend in custody considering the seriousness and the likelihood that will not be resolved in this court,' she said. 'The young person is Year 10 at High School and he has in the past had some mental health issues. 'This young person has never come before a court before and has never had any court alternatives. He has no history of violence.' Eight teenagers have been arrested over a shocking stabbing attack on a 36-year-old man at Pyrmont, in Sydney, about 11pm on Friday night. The alleged assault by a group of youths The shocking allegations were revealed as two teenagers faced Surry Hills Children's Court on Tuesday over the assault, with police prosecutor Peter Mort calling it a 'sickening' attack and 'violence of the highest order', and flagging that they would likely be dealt with in an adult court The youths are due to reappear before Surry Hills Children's Court (pictured) on September 29 Ms Love also told the court it could not yet be known whether the teenager knew a member of his group was carrying a knife when they allegedly attacked the 36-year-old. But the youngster was remanded in custody to reappear in court on September 29. A day earlier the same court heard allegations that the attack had potentially come in response to one girl, who was among the group, claiming the man had raped her. The group, who ranged in age from 15 to 18, had hired an Airbnb in the city for Friday night. It is understood that at one point Mr Halcro rode his bike past the apartment, leading to a girl allegedly being asked: 'Is that the one who raped you?' She allegedly replied 'yeah, that's the one' and a group rushed downstairs to confront him. It is believed the attack may have been a case of mistaken identity, with the police calling him an 'innocent victim'. The court also heard details about the series of messages sent in the moments after the alleged crime. The young man allegedly claimed seeing the attack unfold made him laugh. It is understood the alleged attack may have been sparked by two girls who were among the group claiming they had been 'raped' or 'groped' by the victim, but NSW Police have said the man was an 'innocent victim' (police at crime scene, pictured) Police will rely on witness accounts, CCTV and mobile phone footage, and text messages sent by the alleged offenders as part of their case A 15-year-old allegedly sent these shocking text messages to a mate in the hours after he and his gang of friends allegedly bashed and stabbed their victim, leaving him blind in one eye and in a coma. He allegedly detailed the incident in depth and claimed that seeing the attack was 'so funny' 'I stomped on him and gutted his head he got knocked out after I bottled him on the head,' the youngster allegedly wrote in one text message. 'I put the shattered bottle in his stomach and then jetted (a co-accused) slit his face like 15 times and stabbed him in the eye.' It is believed the alleged attacker was then asked by his friend if he knew the man. 'Nah mate. Ahahahaha he was in the wrong place at the wrong time,' he allegedly replied. 'He (a co-accused) stuck it in his eye. Put it in deeper and swivelled the knife around. So funny.' Some other texts allegedly sent by a teenager are so graphic Daily Mail Australia has chosen not to publish them. A magistrate called them the worst thing she has read in all her time working in law. So far only two of those charged have been granted bail, with the rest remanded in custody until later this year. In refusing to grant one of them bail on Tuesday, Magistrate Mary Ryan described the allegations as among the worst she had overseen. 'Bail must be refused and with good reason, that I will detail so the community know why I am refusing bail for a 15-year-old with no previous criminal history,' she said. Magistrate Mary Ryan told Surry Hills Children's Court that in all her years working in the legal system she 'has never read anything so abhorrent' as the details of the alleged attack (police are pictured at the scene of the attack) The alleged attackers and some friends had rented an Airbnb in the city for the night and CCTV footage from the apartment will be used in evidence 'The facts before me and the actions taken by these young persons are abhorrent. It is reading that offends the normal notions of what a civil society is. 'There is an indication of his thoughts in the form of text messages (he allegedly sent) that are so concerning, that it is just something I've not read as facts from an adult who has carried out an offence - let alone a young 15-year-old. 'As an adult, as a mother, as a grandmother, it is very upsetting that this young person has allegedly behaved in this manner and reported back to his friends about his behaviour.' The alleged messages, combined with CCTV and mobile phone footage, and the accounts of eyewitnesses, are set to form a major part of the prosecution case. Some of the youngsters were arrested at their school this week. Police prosecutor Peter Mort detailed allegations that as other youths fled, a 15-year-old remained behind stomping on the victim's head while a 16-year-old allegedly plunged s knife into him. 'We have evidence from a mobile phone, from a witness from a balcony nearby that we allege captures the incident,' Mr Mort said. The 15-year-old boy was refused bail over the alleged attack, while his 16-year-old co-accused was allowed to go home under strict conditions (police pictured at crime scene) 'We have direct evidence from a witness, being what they saw and heard. They were in the proximity and they heard the words: ''They're going to stab him'. 'We allege this young person is seen stomping on the head of the victim while he is on the ground. The victim was unable to protect himself. 'We will allege a number of people from that group fled while he continued to stomp on the victim, and another co-accused joined. 'A co-offender (allegedly) slashed the face of this male whilst he was on the ground.' There was no resumption of schools in Enugu State yesterday, as some students who had gone to their schools in anticipation of the reopening, were sent back home on the orders of the state government. It was learnt that they were told to go home and await further directives on the date of resumption. Commissioner for Education, Professor Uche Eze, who spoke on the development, insisted that no school in the state would reopen until Friday, adding however, that only SSS3 and JSS3 students would be allowed to resume. He stated that those expected to be in school as from Tuesday, August 4, 2020 were teachers in exit classes, adding that government would use between Tuesday and Thursday to train them on how to handle the returning students amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Follow Us on Facebook @LadunLiadi; Instagram @LadunLiadi; Twitter @LadunLiadi; Youtube @LadunLiadiTV for updates The Nigerian Army says that purported soldiers allegedly arrested for bullion van robbery in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, are not its personnel. The Deputy Director, Army Public Relations in 82 Division of the Nigerian Army, Aliyu Yusuf, said this in a statement made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Enugu. Mr Yusuf, in the statement titled: Re: Police Nab Soldiers, Others For Bullion Van Robbery, noted that the two alleged soldiers are not serving in any of Nigerian Armys units, commands, formations or divisions. The attention of Headquarters 82 Division Nigerian Army has been drawn to on-line publication on the unfortunate Bullion Van Robbery incident at Abakaliki, Ebonyi State on July 29 which led to the arrest of two suspected dismissed soldiers and other gangsters involved in the act. It is necessary to inform the public that the so-called soldiers in the report are not personnel of the Nigerian Army since 2015 and 2018; when both Corporal Ayeni Samuel and Corporal Emeka Harrison were dismissed. Available record shows that Dismissed 03NA/53/088 Corporal Ayeni Samuel was dismissed in 2018 for desertion and pipeline vandalism at 174 Battalion. READ ALSO: The dismissed soldier was attached to 174 Battalion from Command Day Secondary School, Ikeja for United Nations mission in the year 2013. Dismissed Corporal Ayeni deserted the Unit and was later arrested for pipeline vandalism at Ikorodu in Lagos State in 2018. In line with Nigerian Army extant rules and regulations, Ayeni was officially tried and awarded dismissed regiment as a Corporal and not Sergeant; as claimed in the online story. Also, dismissed Corporal Emeka Harrison was tried and dismissed regiment from 7 Division Garrison, Maiduguri since 2015, Mr Yusuf said. (NAN) New Delhi: The first anniversary of the revocation of the special status of Jammu and Kashmir is being celebrated on Wednesday (August 5). On the first anniversary of the abrogation of Article 370, the Jammu and Kashmir administration has outlined a plan to empower people through the newly constituted panchayats. Other major initiatives that have taken place in the Jammu and Kashmir are: Major changes: Out of 354 State laws in the erstwhile Jammu and Kashmir, 164 laws have been repealed, 138 laws modified while 170 central laws have been made applicable. There has been a 262% increase in minority scholarships. Also, five corporations have been set up to unbundle power department corporations, and government funds worth Rs 1000 crores parked outside have been located and channelled into the consolidated fund. Terrorist Elimination: Incidents of violence have reduced significantly in Kashmir valley after August 5 and security forces have achieved major success against terrorists, according to Union Ministry of Home Affairs report, which also noted that terror-related activities have reduced by around 36% in the valley after the abrogation of Article 370. 188 terror-related incidences were recorded in Kashmir valley from January 1 till July 15, 2019, and this number has reduced to 120 in 2020, said the MHA report, adding that 126 terrorists were killed in Kashmir during the same period in 2019 while 136 terrorists were eliminated during the same time period in 2020. 51 grenade attacks took place in Kashmir from January 1 till July 15, 2019, while in 2020 the number has reduced to just 21. In 2019, 75 security personnel and 23 civilians were killed from January 1 till July 15 in Kashmir valley, while 35 jawans and 22 civilians were killed in the same time period in 2020. The number of IED attacks has also reduced significantly as only one IED attack took place in Kashmir from January 1 till July 15, 2020. The number of IED attacks during the same period in 2019 was six. A total of 110 local terrorists have been killed in Kashmir in 2020 so far, including over 50 from Hizbul Mujahideen and around 20 each from Laskhar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammad. At least 14 terrorists from ISJK and Ansar Ghazwat-ul-Hind were also eliminated by security forces during the same period. Overall, 148 terrorists have been killed since January 2020 in the Valley as of July 30. Of these, 48 terrorists were killed in the month of June alone. Some wanted terrorists like Hizbul commander Riyaz Naikoo, Lashkar commander Haider, Jaish commander Kari Yasir and Ansar Ghazwat-ul-Hind Burhan Koka have been killed by security forces in 2020. The security forces have also busted 22 terror hideouts till July 15 besides recovering 190 weapons, including several AK 47 rifle. Less youth joining militancy: There has been a 40% decrease of involvement of local youth in terrorist organizations as only 67 youths of Kashmir valley were brainwashed and made to pick up guns against India. Domicile certificate issued: Over 4 lakh people in Jammu and Kashmir have been issued domicile certificates--official document to prove that a person is a resident of a particular state/Union Territory. A total of 3,68,500 domicile certificates were issued in Jammu and 79,300 in Kashmir Valley. Interestingly, nearly 3.7 lakh persons granted domicile certificates are already permanent residents of the Union Territory. A significant proportion has been given out to those who despite living or serving in the state for years were not considered the residents of the state due to the provisions of Artice 35A, which now stands repealed. Job vacancies: Jammu and Kashmir Principal Secretary Rohit Kansal said that over 10,000 vacancies at all the levels have been identified for recruitment in various departments in the first phase. Notably, the administrative council has approved a simple and efficient procedure for filling up of class IV vacancies. Reservation: The Union Territory administration has decided to provide reservation to Pahari-speaking people (four percent) and economically weaker sections (10 percent). So far, reservation was available only to people living in villages on the Line of Control, but it has been extended to those living on the international border, benefiting nearly 70,000 families. 7th pay commission salary: More than three lakh Jammu and Kashmir government employees are now getting benefits under the 7th Central Pay Commission. Big projects: The worlds highest railway bridge over river Chenab in Jammu and Kashmir will be ready by next year, and is expected to connect the Valley with the rest of India by train for the first time by 2022. The bridge, which has a central span of 467 metres, is being built at a height of 359 metres from the bed level. July 2020: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh inaugurated six bridges in border areas of Jammu and Kashmir, and asserted that development of remote areas in the region will continue to be a "key priority" for the NDA government. Work on Shahpur-Kandi, an electricity and irrigation project hanging for five decades, has started. The Ujh project has been fast-tracked. And the metro rail is on its way to Srinagar and Jammu. Jammu and Kashmir has recouped Rs 100 crore from stamp duty and registration fee after reform in the land registration process. Urban local bodies are also changing. Municipal committees can now approve projects of up to Rs five crore. Transparent e-tendering has also been made mandatory. Other schemes: The government introduced an array of insurances schemes including the Atal Pension Yojana has also been introduced in the newly carved Union Territory. The Centre launched 85 people-oriented development schemes, like PM-KISAN, PM-KISAN-Pension, Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana and Stand-Up India in Jammu and Kashmir. Power projects: Union Power Minister RK Singh and Jammu and Kashmir Governor Satya Pal Malik jointly inaugurated 15 power projects and laid the foundation stone for 20 others worth Rs 10,000 crore on September 2019. Kashmiri Pandits: 3,000 government jobs created for the Kashmiri migrants at an outlay of Rs 1,080 crores. As per the information provided by the Government of Jammu & Kashmir, the selection process has been concluded in respect of 1781 posts and 604 candidates have joined in different departments as on 22nd February 2020. These jobs are in addition to the 3000 state government jobs approved under the Prime Minister's package-2008, against which 2,905 jobs have been filled, according to MoS for Home Affairs G Kishan Reddy. Construction of 6,000 transit accommodations at an outlay of Rs 920 crores for accommodating 3000 Kashmiri migrants employed under PMRP- 2008 and for 3000 additional migrants under PMDP-2015. 849 flats have already been constructed. The Centre also reimburses monthly cash relief to the eligible Kashmiri migrants settled in Jammu. Since the year 2014, the monthly cash relief has been enhanced twice i.e. from Rs 6600/- per family to Rs 10,000/- per family in 2015 and to Rs 13,000/- per family in 2018. In addition, the dry ration is also provided to these Kashmiri migrants. Farmers: The central government has approved a nearly Rs 6,000 crore multi-purpose project in Feb 2020 to provide uninterrupted water for irrigation to farmers in Jammu and Kashmir's Kathua district and to produce power, Union Minister Jitendra Singh said. Package: In January 2020, the Modi government granted a package of Rs 80,000 crore for development works in Jammu and Kashmir Union Territory. It will include the revival of the schemes pending for decades. The package would help establish the educational institutions like IIT, IIM and AIIMS. New release of funds will also help in the development of road transport, energy and irrigation schemes. BJP gained members in Kashmir: The BJP has consolidated its organisational structure, especially in Kashmir, where it has never won a parliamentary or assembly seat, and managed to double its membership to 2.5 lakh. J&K BJP spokesperson and head of panchayat affairs Altaf Thakur said if there is any party that remained active after August 5, it was the BJP. As a result of this, we have managed to increase our membership in the Valley from 4.5 lakh to seven lakh. We have 14 municipal councils in the Valley and 63 block development chairpersons. We are now the biggest mainstream political party in J&K. Until 2019, in Kashmir, we did not have even one elected representative Now, we have 1,266 panches and sarpanches. Kashmir economy and job loss: According to the Preliminary Economic Assessment Loss Report released by Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industries( KCCI) in December last year, Kashmirs economy suffered a loss of Rs 17,800 crore and 4.9 lakh jobs were lost between August and October 2019. The loss to business in Kashmir now stands Rs 40,000 till August 2020," said Sheikh Ashiq, president KCCI, adding that the job losses vary from season to season. Last year, most jobs were lost in the hospitality sector after the government ordered tourists to leave Kashmir three days after [Article] 370 was taken down, said Sheikh Ashiq. Till December 2019, at least 2.5 lakh youth, including 1.5 lakh postgraduates and PhD scholars, got them registered with the government. Horticulture, floriculture, agriculture, and sericulture have seen for 12,000 job losses. In the manufacturing sector, 70,000 job losses were reported, followed by 60,000 and 20,000 in the transport and construction sectors respectively. Horticulture and Handicrafts: Horticulture provides livelihood to 30 lakh people directly and indirectly in Kashmir. Handicrafts industry employs more than 2.5 lakh artisans. Most of these artisans lost their jobs as the lockdown disrupted access to raw material and exports. In the carpet belt of Pattan and Sumbal in Baramulla, thousands of carpet weavers closed their looms and took to menial labour to earn a living. The condition of artisans dealing with shawls, Papier-m'che and wood carving is no better. According to Syed Kounsar Shah, an award-winning Papier-m'che artist, most artisans couldnt sell their stocks due to the lockdown and communication blockade last year. Tourism: The two factors have resulted in the loss of lakhs of jobs and the borrowers of financial institutions have lost the capacity to fulfil their commitments, according to the Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI). "The tourism sector is in a shambles. Artisans and weavers are jobless. The losses are more than Rs 1,056 crore. It was multiplied further by the pandemic, KCCI stated. There have been 144,500 job losses in Kashmirs tourism and handicrafts sector mostly dependent on earnings from travellers since August 5, 2019, as per an estimate of the Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Number of Tourists in Kashmir also came down by 86% in August-December 2019, according to an RTI. Political leaders: The state administration invoked the Public Safety Act (PSA) against 444 persons out of which nearly 300 have been released so far. While 51 of them were set free on the orders of J&K High Court, others were also freed after administrative reviews, with the conditions that they will not issue any (political) statements. The absence of any political outreach by New Delhi post-August 5 has created more confusion and anxiety. AURORA, Colo., Aug. 5, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- In preparation for the return to school this fall Children's Hospital Colorado (Children's Colorado) has released a guide for how schools, parents and caregivers, and local public health officials can effectively manage students and staff with COVID-19 or who have been exposed to people with symptoms. Recommendations were informed by Children's Colorado infectious diseases experts who have helped lead the response to COVID-19. The Guidelines for Managing COVID-19 with Schools Reopening is available on the Children's Colorado website, along with the previously released guide and Charting Pediatrics podcast designed to help school administrators and board members determine how they can most safely re-open their schools for in-person learning. These materials provide considerations and recommendations based on the most current COVID-19 medical guidelines. "As we continue to move through these challenging times where increasing cases of COVID-19 impact our ability to plan for a safe return to school, it remains critical to build a thoughtful approach to supporting student, staff and family safety, while recognizing the long list of rich benefits associated with in-person learning," said Heidi Baskfield, vice president of Population Health and Advocacy at Children's Colorado. "Our goal is that schools, parents and local public health partners can use this document to develop successful plans to support appropriate levels of in-person learning, while preserving the flexibility of all of our partners to address their own localized needs." The Children's Colorado protocols clarify definitions for exposure, symptoms, testing, isolation and quarantine and also urge schools to have a clearly agreed upon screening process in place to help ensure that sick students and staff don't come to school. The guide then addresses what happens when someone has symptoms or has been exposed to someone with COVID-19 symptoms with scenarios for when to stay home and/or contact the school, when to get a test, how to monitor and identify symptoms, when to isolate, and how to plan for a safe return to school. Scenarios include: Scenario 1: What happens when a student, staff or family member experiences COVID-19 symptoms? What happens when a student, staff or family member experiences COVID-19 symptoms? Scenario 2: What happens when someone doesn't experience symptoms until they are at school? What happens when someone doesn't experience symptoms until they are at school? Scenario 3: What happens when a person is exposed to someone who has tested positive for COVID-19? What happens when a person is exposed to someone who has tested positive for COVID-19? Scenario 4: What happens if someone tests positive for COVID-19 but doesn't experience symptoms? What happens if someone tests positive for COVID-19 but doesn't experience symptoms? Scenario 5: What happens when a student or staff person is asymptomatic but has been exposed to someone who has symptoms and who hasn't gotten test results? What happens when a student or staff person is asymptomatic but has been exposed to someone who has symptoms and who hasn't gotten test results? Scenario 6: What happens when someone is exposed to someone who is exposed to someone who tested positive with COVID-19 (two layers removed)? "It is important to remember that schools' ability to safely engage in re-opening for in-person learning is directly tied to the circulation of COVID-19 within a community. When a community is consistently engaged in safe practices like social distancing and wearing face coverings, it is more likely that community can support a safe return to school," said Sam Dominguez, MD, infectious disease specialist at Children's Hospital Colorado. In addition, Children's Colorado medical experts continue to lead regular School Town Halls that provide real-time data, support, and evidence-based, pediatric-focused guidance on managing kids during the COVID-19 pandemic. Children's Colorado has a robust School Health team that provides school nurses and health services in seven Colorado school districts, 34 charter schools, 16 private schools and 100 preschools and camps. About Children's Hospital Colorado Children's Hospital Colorado is one of the nation's leading and most expansive pediatric healthcare systems with a mission to improve the health of children through patient care, education, research and advocacy. Founded in 1908 and recognized as a top 10 children's hospital by U.S. News & World Report, Children's Colorado has established itself as a pioneer in the discovery of innovative and groundbreaking treatments that are shaping the future of pediatric healthcare worldwide. Children's Colorado offers a full spectrum of family-centered care at its urgent, emergency and specialty care locations throughout Colorado, including its location on the Anschutz Medical Campus, and across the region. In 2019, Children's Hospital Colorado, Colorado Springs, opened as the first pediatric-only hospital in southern Colorado. For more information, visit www.childrenscolorado.org, or connect with us on Facebook and Twitter. Children's Hospital Colorado complies with applicable Federal civil rights laws and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, or sex. ATENCION: si habla espanol, tiene a su disposicion servicios gratuitos de asistencia linguistica. Llame al 1-720-777-9800. CHU Y: Neu ban noi Tieng Viet, co cac dich vu ho tro ngon ngu mien phi danh cho ban. Goi so 1-720-777-9800. http://www.hhs.gov/civil-rights/for-individuals/section-1557 Media Contact : Jaime Berg, 720-777-8713 [email protected] SOURCE Children's Hospital Colorado Related Links http://www.childrenscolorado.org I keep seeing critics on social media and elsewhere asking, Where is the outrage? Where is Black Lives Matter? I shouldnt have to say this, but I will: Even if we dont take to the streets in protest, dont think for a second that we are not furious over what happened to 7-year-old Zamar Jones, who was fatally wounded by a stray bullet while playing on his front porch Saturday night. As a city, we grieve for his family and for his fellow second graders at KIPP Philadelphia Elementary Academy who have lost a classmate. READ MORE: Philly Police searching for suspects wanted in shooting of 7-year-old Zamar Jones We mourn for that little boy just as we do for all of the innocent children struck by gunfire three children were shot in separate incidents in Philadelphia on July 5 alone. We weep for them and for the way that the proliferation of illegal guns has scarred this city. There are way too many guns, and they are too easy to get. As Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner said, As long as our communities are flooded with firearms and as long as the conditions exist that spur people to pick them up with little care for their futures, these tragedies will occur. So, dont put it out there that Black people dont care about Black on Black crime and only galvanize when a white cop is involved. Thats not true. Also, dont assume that we are all caught up in the no-snitching thing and refuse to cooperate with the police. I know plenty of folks who wouldnt hesitate to turn in Zamars killers. My Facebook timeline is littered with the mug shots of two alleged accomplices Damar Bashier Jones, 27, of Southwest Philadelphia, and Michael Banks, 30, of Darby Borough, who police say were involved in the gunfight on the 200 block of North Simpson Street where Zamar was shot. (A third suspect, Christopher Linder, 27, already is in custody.) READ MORE: 7-year-old Zamar Jones, shot in the head in front of his West Philadelphia home this weekend, has died, police say Philadelphia Cure Violence (formerly CeaseFire Philadelphia) has organized an emergency community meeting for 6 p.m. Thursday, near where Zamar was shot. Coronavirus pandemic or not, I predict the street will be packed that evening with people who are fed up with what happened to Zamar and other recent homicides. We are living in some real dangerous times, Colwin Williams, a street supervisor with Philadelphia Cure Violence, told me. Whenever our children are victimized, they cant come sit on their porch, its heartbreaking. Now, for the people on social media and elsewhere who push back by asking, Wheres Black Lives Matter? Thats a common refrain and one that I see a lot not just in Zamars case but in others. Its an easy dig to make, but one that ignores the fact that the BLM movement, which was founded in 2013 in response to the killing of Trayvon Martin, is a national one that largely focuses on issues of racial injustice and police brutality as opposed to street crime. No matter how many times activists try to explain, some folks just dont get the distinction. Maybe if the name, which evolved from a hashtag, were something like End Racial Injustice, critics and others wouldnt be so confused about the groups focus, which is to eradicate white supremacy and protest police violence against Blacks. But all of that deflection takes away from whats most important here the loss of a childs life. Theres a precious photo of Zamar floating around social media that reportedly was taken during career day at his school earlier this year. In it, hes smiling while holding up a piece of white paper with the words of what he aspired to be when he grew up. It said: #FuturePoliceOfficer. He probably would have made a good cop. But well never find out all because some reckless individual had a gun and decided to use it and wound up hitting an innocent child. "We know nothing about Zia's issue, only the Secretary-General of the party is aware of the fact. He doesn't like an intervention," the former Prime Minister's lawyer Mahbub Hossain told IANS on Tuesday. The Sheikh Hasina-led Bangladesh government has released Zia from prison for six months in March this year. Since then, she has been staying at her home, and receiving treatment. "Actually, I don't know anything about this... And also not aware of any political decision about this," Zahid Hossain said. "Madam's (Khaleda's) health condition is good, but without some sort of support, she cannot move," he added. BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has said in his Eid speech that permission will be sought to take the party chief abroad for medical treatment. On March 25, the government freed Khaleda Zia for six months on an executive order. She has been in jail since February 8, 2018, on charges of corruption. The 74-year-old BNP chief landed in jail after she was sentenced to 5 years in prison in the Zia Orphanage Trust corruption case. Later, the High Court raised her punishment to 10 years, of which she has served 25 months. During her release, there were conditions that Zia will stay home and receive treatment there. Alamgir has asked the Bangladesh government to consider positively the extension of the release of Zia and allow her to go abroad for treatment. --IANS sumi/sdr/pgh Wearing a mask, New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy speaks with Jim Fakult, president of Jersey Central Power & Light, in Jackson, Ocean County, on Wednesday in the aftermath of Tropical Storm Isaias. Read more While Pennsylvania and Philadelphia both saw decreases in coronavirus case numbers on Wednesday, the spread of the virus in New Jersey was continuing too quickly and too widely, Gov. Phil Murphy said. The number of cases in New Jersey reported each day and the moving seven-day average number of new cases have fluctuated over the two weeks, more than doubling and then falling slightly since Friday. The transmission rate remains above 1.0, meaning for every person who contracts the coronavirus, at least another person is infected. We all need to be in this fight together, Murphy said. This is no time for complacency, for selfishness, or for thinking that someone else can wear a face mask but not you. Please do your part. Pennsylvania and Philadelphia saw another day of new downward trends. Pennsylvania reported 705 new coronavirus cases on Wednesday, bringing the seven-day average below 800 for the first time since July 18, according to an Inquirer analysis. Philadelphia added the same number of new cases 106 on Wednesday as on Tuesday, when officials announced cases had begun decreasing in the city. READ MORE: Good news on coronavirus case totals in Philly, though officials don't know if it will last As millions across the country worry about taking public transit because of the potential spread of the virus in enclosed spaces, SEPTA said its subway and elevated train cars have excellent ventilation systems, with air flowing through filters every two to three minutes. Thats more often than the New York subways circulation rate of 18 times an hour, according to the New York Times, and the even lower air-exchange rates in restaurants or offices. SEPTA is seeing about a third of its usual ridership, though spokesperson John Golden said it is projected to steadily increase. We want riders to know that were doing everything we can to stop the spread and that their safety is paramount, said assistant general manager Kim Scott Heinle. READ MORE: Face masks are required on SEPTA. Are riders complying? As Philadelphia did with a public campaign promoting mask-wearing, New Jersey this week launched a summer ad blitz encouraging people to get tested and to respond to calls from contact tracers, said Health Commissioner Judith Persichilli. The ads will run in several languages and will be targeted toward at-risk populations like seniors, farmworkers, and frontline workers. The messages will also target people under 30, due to a growing number of cases among younger individuals and reports of crowded house parties that could lead to clusters of infections. We must continue to emphasize the message that when young people gather in crowded spaces without the proper precautions, they are putting their loved ones at risk. They may affect their parents, grandparents, aunts, and uncles, Persichilli said. Murphy acknowledged that its hard to enforce his new ban on gatherings of more than 25 people when a party is held in a private home, but he urged local officials and parents to discourage the behavior. He also said county and local governments were watching for advance notice of parties. Violating the indoor-gathering limit is a disorderly persons offense carrying a sentence of up to six months in jail and a maximum fine of $1,000. Peter Aseltine, a spokesperson for the state Attorney Generals Office, said that additional charges involving more serious penalties could be filed, depending on the circumstances. Last week, two lawmakers proposed a bill that would make it a crime for someone to refuse to wear a face mask in stores during the pandemic. Penalties would range up to a $500 fine and 30 days in jail. Murphy said Wednesday that he agreed with the spirit of the legislation but noted that groups like the American Civil Liberties Union of New Jersey have expressed concern about criminalization and indicated that the details of fairly crafting such a policy could be complex. Edward Lifschitz, the Department of Healths medical director, said the growing number of cases among young people may be a factor in the states low hospitalizations. Though its good in the short term to have less serious cases, he said they could eventually lead to higher numbers of serious cases or deaths. For the state as a whole its very concerning because those younger people can infect other people, they themselves can sometimes become sick, and while were not seeing it yet, he said, were always trying to figure out what we might be seeing two, four, six, eight weeks down the road if this continues. Staff writers Hadriana Lowenkron, Rob Tornoe. and Laura McCrystal contributed to this article. Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - August 4, 2020) - BB1 Acquisition Corp. (TSXV: BBA.P) ("BB1" or the "Company"), a capital pool company, and Cerrado Gold Inc. ("Cerrado") are pleased to announce that they have entered into a binding Letter of Intent, dated August 4, 2020 (the "LOI"), which sets forth the general terms and conditions of a proposed transaction (the "Transaction") pursuant to which BB1 will acquire all of the issued and outstanding shares of Cerrado. The Transaction will constitute a "Qualifying Transaction" of BB1, as such term is defined in Policy 2.4 of the Corporate Finance Manual (the "Policy") of the TSX Venture Exchange (the "TSXV"). The LOI is to be superseded by a definitive agreement (the "Definitive Agreement") between BB1 and Cerrado with such agreement to include representations, warranties, conditions and covenants typical for a transaction of this nature. The Transaction is subject to, among other details, final approval of the TSXV and standard closing conditions, including the conditions described below. Cerrado Gold Inc. Cerrado is a gold mining and exploration company with assets in Argentina and Brazil. Cerrado was continued under the laws of the Province of Ontario on October 3, 2017. In Argentina, the Company owns Minera Don Nicolas, a well-established in-production gold mine. The mine commenced operations in 2017 and is targeting to produce in excess of 50,000 oz per year via a 1,000 tpd CIL plant and related facilities. In Brazil the company is exploring at its Monte do Carmo gold project in Tocantins state. The project currently has a mineral resource prepared in accordance with NI 43-101 containing 813,000 oz with significant upside expected via further exploration. The Board and management of Cerrado have a long history of success having developed numerous projects from early stage exploration through development and production. Story continues Cerrado acquired Minera Don Nicolas ("MDN") in March of 2020 for a purchase price of US$45MM, payable in staged payments. Cerrado paid an upfront payment of US$15MM on closing (March 16, 2020) with the remaining US$30MM payable over a 5-year period as follows: US$10 million payable 24 months following closing (March 16, 2022); US$10 million payable 48 months following closing (March 16, 2024); and US$10 million payable 60 months following closing (March 16, 2025). The operation is located in the mineral rich and prolific Deseado Massif in the province of Santa Cruz, Argentina. MDN consists of an open pit gold mine with an associated 1,000 tpd carbon in leach (CIL) gold recovery plant, targeting to produce 50-60koz/yr gold dore per annum. Current operations are focused on two mining areas, La Paloma and Martinetas, with material processed at a central plant facility. The project has significant exploration potential with a land package in excess of 273,000 ha's. Construction of mine and related facilities was completed in 2017 and the operations have been ramping up to full capacity during 2018 and 2019. The project currently supports 325 employees and contractors on a fly-in fly-out basis. Don Nicolas has strong local and regional backing having signed agreements with the two neighboring communities and has received strong support from the government of Santa Cruz. The gold deposits at MDN are classified as an epithermal gold vein style of deposit typical of the region which is host to numerous large-scale gold operations. Cerrado has commenced a new exploration program to confirm the current resource base and to focus on expanding the mine life through further exploration on surface and at depth. The Monte do Carmo ("MDC") Gold Project is located in the state if Tocantins, Brazil, immediately east of the town of Monte do Carmo. Currently work has focused on the Serra Alta deposit, however, numerous analogs remain to be fully defined. The Monte do Carmo property consists of 11 exploration permits totaling 52,213 ha's. The property has access to excellent local infrastructural with limited garimpeiro activity on site and strong local support from the community. Regional investment in mineral exploration in the area, by others, is reported to have amounted to US$4.7 million from 1985 through 1995, and over US$20.0 million from 1996 to 2018 by various operators. Cerrado acquired the MDC project from Monte Sinai Mineracao Ltda ("Monte Sinai') in 2017 and since then has undertaken various drilling and other exploration activities on site over the past couple of years. To date a mineral resource report prepared in accordance with NI 43-101 dated December 5, 2018 has outlined an initial mineral resource of 13.7 million tonnes grading 1.85 g/t, for contained gold of 813,000 oz. Continued exploration is planned at Serra Alta and the surrounding area with the objective to rapidly expand this mineral resource base to support a significant open pit mining operation. The technical information contained in this news release was reviewed and approved by Robert Campbell (M.Sc., P.Geo) who is a Qualified Person ("QP") under National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects ("NI 43-101"). BB1 Capital Corp. BB1 is a capital pool company within the meanings of the policies of the TSXV and does not have any operations and has no assets other than cash. BB1's business is to identify and evaluate businesses and assets with a view to completing a Qualifying Transaction under the policies of the TSXV. The Proposed Transaction Pre-Closing Capitalization of Cerrado As of the date hereof, Cerrado has (a) 46,608,030 common shares issued and outstanding (the "Cerrado Shares"), (b) 4,000,000 stock options exercisable to acquire 4,000,000 Cerrado Shares the "Cerrado Options"), (c) 6,820,003 restricted stock units ("RSUs") exercisable to acquire 6,820,003 Cerrado Shares the "Cerrado RSUs") and (d) 2,000,000 warrants to acquire 2,000,000 Cerrado Shares (the "Cerrado Warrants") that total 59,428,033 fully diluted shares (the Cerrado Shares, Cerrado Options and Cerrado Warrants are collectively referred to herein as the "Cerrado Securities"). Pre-Closing Capitalization of BB1 As of the date hereof, BB1 has 15,000,000 issued and outstanding common shares (each a "BB1 Share") and securities exercisable or exchangeable for, or convertible into, or other rights to acquire, an aggregate of 1,100,000 BB1 Shares at an exercise price of $0.10 per BB1 Share (collectively with the BB1 Shares, the "BB1 Securities"). The BB1 Shares are currently listed on the TSXV under the symbol "BBA.P". The BB1 Shares are currently halted from trading and are expected to remain halted pending the completion of the Transaction. BB1 is expected to have a minimum cash balance of $800,000 upon closing of the transaction. Terms of the Transaction Under the terms of the LOI, it is anticipated that Cerrado and BB1 will enter into a business combination agreement (the "Definitive Agreement") pursuant to which the Transaction will be completed by way of a merger, amalgamation, or other similar form of transaction, the final structure of which will be subject to receipt by the parties of relevant tax, corporate and securities law advice. The corporation resulting from the Transaction (the "Resulting Issuer") will continue under the name 'Cerrado Gold Inc.', or such other name as Cerrado and BB1 may determine. The LOI serves as an agreement in principle concerning a "Arm's Length Qualifying Transaction" between BB1 and Cerrado that will result in a reverse takeover of BB1 by the shareholders of Cerrado. Prior to the completion of the Transaction, the BB1 Shares shall be consolidated at a ratio (the "Consolidation Ratio') of 8.31 pre-consolidation BB1 Shares for every 1 post-consolidation BB1 Share (each a "Post-Consolidation BB1 Share"), or such other consolidation ratio as to account for a basic market capitalization of an aggregate of $1,920,652 for the 1,805,054 post-consolidation BB1 Shares. The Transaction will take the form of a three-cornered amalgamation whereby BB1 will acquire all of the issued and outstanding securities of Cerrado (other than Cerrado Shares held by Cerrado Shareholders who exercise their dissent rights, if applicable) in consideration for the issuance of 46,608,030 Post-Consolidation BB1 Shares, the issuance by BB1 of common share purchase warrants exercisable for up to 2,000,000 Post-Consolidation BB1 Shares, the issuance of options to acquire up to 4,000,000 Post-Consolidation BB1 Shares and the issuance of 6,820,003 RSUs on a post-consolidation basis. Post-Consolidation BB1 Shares, following completion of the Transaction, shall also be hereinafter referred to as "Resulting Issuer Shares". The Company will hold a special meeting (timing to be announced at a later date) of its shareholders (the "Meeting") to approve, among other things: (i) the board of directors of the Resulting Issuer following the completion of the Transaction, (ii) the appointment of auditors of the Resulting Issuer, and (iii) the change of its name to 'Cerrado Gold Inc.' Further details regarding the Meeting will be contained in a management information circular which will be sent to shareholders of BB1. Closing of the Transaction is expected to occur on or before November 30, 2020. The LOI may be terminated by either party if a definitive agreement is not entered into by October 15, 2020. The Transaction is not a "Non-Arm's Length Qualifying Transaction" within the meaning of Policy 2.4 of the TSXV. Conditions of the Transaction Completion of the proposed transaction is subject to a number of conditions including, but not limited to: (i) completion of mutually satisfactory due diligence reviews; (ii) execution of the Definitive Agreement; (iii) requisite shareholder approvals; and (iv) receipt of all requisite regulatory approvals relating to the Transaction, including, without limitation, the TSXV. Financing In connection with the Transaction, Cerrado will complete a "best efforts" private placement of up to 6,250,000 special warrants (the "Special Warrants") at a price of US$0.80 per Special Warrant, for aggregate gross proceeds of up to US$5,000,000 (the "Concurrent Financing"). Haywood Securities Inc. (the "Agent") has been engaged to act as lead agent in connection with the Concurrent Financing. Cerrado has granted the Agent an option, exercisable in whole or in part by the Agent, to sell up to an additional US$2,000,000 of Special Warrants at US$0.80 per Special Warrant. Each Special Warrant will be exercisable by the holder thereof at any time after the date of closing of the Concurrent Financing, without payment of any additional consideration therefor, for one Cerrado Share, subject to customary adjustments. Each unexercised Special Warrant shall be deemed to be exercised for one Cerrado Share in connection with the completion of the Transaction. In the event that the Transaction has not occurred prior to 4:00 p.m. (Toronto time on the date which is 180 days following the date of closing of the Concurrent Financing (the "Qualification Deadline"), each unexercised Special Warrant will be deemed exercised and will automatically be exchanged for 1.1 Cerrado Shares without further payment or action by the holder thereof. Cerrado will pay the Agent a cash commission (the "Agent's Commission") equal to 7% of the aggregate gross proceeds of the Concurrent Financing. Cerrado will also issue compensation special warrants to the Agent (the "Compensation Warrants") equal to 7% of the aggregate number of Special Warrants issued by the Company under the Concurrent Financing. Each Compensation Warrant may be exercised by the Agent, without payment of any additional consideration therefor and subject to adjustment, at any time after the closing of the Concurrent Financing and the earlier of (i) the completion of the Transaction; and (ii) the Qualification Deadline for one compensation option (a "Compensation Option") entitling the Agent to purchase one Cerrado Share or Resulting Issuer Share, as the case may be, with an exercise price of $0.80 per share. The Compensation Options shall have a term of 24 months from the date of the closing of the Concurrent Financing. Each unexercised Compensation Warrant shall be automatically exchanged for one Compensation Option upon the occurrence of the Transaction, entitling the Agent to purchase that number of Resulting Issuer Shares equal to 7.0% of the aggregate number of Special Warrants issued by Cerrado. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event that the Transaction has not occurred prior to the Qualification Deadline, each Compensation Option will be deemed exercised, without payment of any additional consideration therefor and subject to adjustment, and will automatically be exchanged for 1.1 Compensation Options on the date which is three business days following the Qualification Deadline. The net proceeds from the Concurrent Financing will be used to complete an Initial Preliminary Economic Assessment prepared in accordance with NI 43-101 based upon the current defined resources at MDC, complete an updated NI 43-101 mineral resource report for MDN, to undertake a new exploration drill program and associated metallurgical test work aimed at expanding the current resource and for general working capital purposes. Sponsorship The Transaction is subject to the sponsorship requirements of the TSXV, unless an exemption from the sponsorship requirement is available or a waiver is granted. The Company intends to apply for an exemption to the sponsorship requirement. There is no assurance that an exemption from this requirement will be obtained. Management and Insiders of the Resulting Issuer Upon completion of the Transaction, the current directors and officers of the Company will resign (other than Mark Brennan and Stephen Shefsky) and the proposed board of directors of the Resulting Issuer will include Mark Brennan, Stephen Shefsky, Cliff Hale-Sanders, Kurt Menchen, Robert Campbell, Jad Salomao, Oscar Neto de Gouveia and Elmer Prata Salomao. It is proposed to appoint Mark Brennan as Chief Executive Officer and Co-Chairman, Cliff Hale-Sanders as President, Rohan Hazelton as Chief Financial Officer, Maria Virginia Anzola as General Counsel and Corporate Secretary, Kurt Menchen as Chief Operating Officer and Robert Campbell as Vice-President of Exploration of the Resulting Issuer. Additional details with respect to the directors and officers of the Resulting Issuer, if any, will be announced once available. As of the date hereof, no shareholders hold a controlling interest in Cerrado other than Monte Sinai which owns 13,500,000 Cerrado Shares representing approximately 29% of the issued and outstanding Cerrado Shares, and which were issued as consideration for the acquisition by Cerrado of the MDC project. Other than Monte Sinai, the parties do not expect any persons will hold more than 10% or more of the issued and outstanding Resulting Issuer Shares upon completion of the Transaction. Jad Salomao, Oscar Neto de Gouveia and Elmer Prata Salomao are directors of both Cerrado and Monte Sinai. The officers and directors of Cerrado are Mark Brennan, Stephen Shefsky, Kurt Menchen, Robert Campbell, Jad Salomao, Oscar Neto de Gouveia, Elmer Prata Salomao, Cliff Hale-Sanders, Rohan Hazelton and Maria Virginia Anzola who together directly or indirectly own or control an aggregate of 23,018,887 Cerrado Shares, representing approximately 49% of the issued and outstanding Cerrado Shares as at the date hereof. The current ownership of the remaining interest in Cerrado consists of approximately 60 shareholders holding 23,589,143 Cerrado Shares, representing approximately 51% of the total issued and outstanding Cerrado Shares as of the date hereof. Messrs. Brennan, Shefsky, Campbell, Hale-Sanders, Hazelton and Anzola are each Canadian residents. Messrs. Menchen, Salomao, Neto de Gouveia and Salomao are each Brazilian residents. Monte Sinai is a limited liability company existing under the laws of Brazil and the shareholders of Monte Sinai are Jad Salomao, Oscar Neto de Gouveia and Oseias de Gouveia Carvalho, who is also a Brazilian resident. Mark Brennan, a director of BB1, is also Co-Chairman and a director of Cerrado and currently owns an aggregate of 3,372,222 Cerrado Shares representing 7.24% of the issued and outstanding Cerrado Shares. Stephen Shefsky, a director of BB1, is Co-Chairman and a director of Cerrado and owns 2,708,333 Cerrado Shares representing 5.81% of the outstanding Cerrado Shares. Each of Messrs. Brennan and Shefsky is a "Non-Arm's Length Party to the CPC" (as defined in Policy 2.4). There are no finder's fees payable in connection with the Transaction. All the above is as of the date hereof. The relevant professional experience of the proposed directors and officers of the Resulting Issuer is set out below: Management Mark Brennan Chief Executive Officer & Co Chairman Mr. Brennan is currently Executive Chairman of Ascendant Resources Inc. Prior to co-founding Ascendant, he was the President and Chief Executive Officer of Sierra Metals Inc., a multi-mine polymetallic producer, from April 2015 to March 2017. He was the President and Chief Executive Officer of Largo Resources Ltd., a greenfield to production mining company, from March 2005 to March 2015. He was the co-founder of Brasoil do Brasil Exploracao Petrolifera S.A., a private oil and gas producing exploration Corporation in Brazil. In addition, he has been President of Linear Capital Corporation, a private merchant bank, since February 1998. He is a Founder and a director of James Bay Resources Limited since November 2007. Cliff Hale-Sanders, MBA, CFA President Mr. Hale-Sanders is one of the founding partners in the formation of Ascendant Resources Inc. Prior to this Mr. Hale-Sanders had a career that spanned over 20 years in the capital markets industry working as a leading base metals and bulk commodities research analyst in Canada working at RBC Capital Markets, TD Securities, CIBC World Markets and Cormark Securities. During this period, Mr. Hale-Sanders visited and reviewed numerous mining operations and corporate entities around the world. Mr. Hale-Sanders holds a B.Sc. in Geology and Chemistry, an MBA from McMaster University and is a CFA Charterholder. Rohan Hazelton, CPA, CA Chief Financial Officer Mr. Hazelton is a Chartered Professional Accountant with 25 years of international finance experience including 20 years in the mining sector. He was formerly Vice President, Strategy at Goldcorp Inc. where he held a variety of roles including Vice President Finance, Chief Financial Officer of Mexican Operations and Corporate Controller. He holds a B.A. in Applied Mathematics and Economics from Harvard University. Kurt Menchen Chief Operating Officer & Director Mr. Menchen was formerly the President of Operations, Brazil, of Largo Resources Ltd, and has over 42 years of experience operating and managing mining projects, including over 20 years as General Manager at the Jacobina Gold project in Bahia State, Brazil. His prior experience also includes Anglo American's Vaal Reefs underground gold mine in South Africa and De Beers Diamonds in Angola. Mr. Menchen holds a degree in mining engineering from the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. Robert Campbell Vice President of Exploration & Director Mr. Campbell is an exploration geologist with over 42 years experience in the mining and exploration industry through Canada, United States and Latin America. He has worked for a number of major mining companies, most notably Noranda and Lac Minerals and is currently the Vice President of Exploration for Ascendant Resources. Mr. Campbell most recently worked with Largo Resources from its inception in November 2003 to November 2018 as Vice President of Exploration. He has also held other senior management positions such as Vice President of Exploration for Apogee Minerals Ltd. Maria Virginia Anzola General Counsel & Corporate Secretary Ms. Anzola has over 20 years of experience advising companies in the extraction industry. In her role as General Counsel, Ms. Anzola provides leadership and direction on all legal matters involving Cerrado and its operations. As Corporate Secretary, she is responsible for all matters relating to the Board of Directors, its committees, and the overall implementation of corporate governance best practices. Prior to joining Ascendant in 2017, Ms. Anzola served as Assistant General Counsel for Primero Mining Corp, and prior to that she served as Senior Counsel for Hudbay Minerals Inc. In addition, Ms. Anzola served as Consultant to the Tax Group of Borden Ladner Gervais LLP for over two years. Prior to moving to Canada, Ms. Anzola spent 11 years in private practice in her home country of Venezuela, mostly advising international companies engaged in the oil and gas business. Ms. Anzola has been called to the BAR in Ontario and Venezuela and has an LL.M from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor and from Osgoode Hall Law School. Board of Directors Mark Brennan Chief Executive Officer & Co-Chairman See above under the heading, "Management". Stephen Shefsky Co-Chairman Mr. Shefsky is the Chief Executive Officer, President and a Director of James Bay Resources Limited (CSE:JBR) and Crestar Integrated Natural Resources Limited (CINL) since incorporation. Mr. Shefsky is currently Co-Chairman and Founder of Cerrado Gold, a precious metals exploration and production company in Brazil and Argentina. Mr. Shefsky is a founder and executive chairman of tilr Corporation, a leading patent pending on demand recruitment technology platform that connects companies with immediately qualified employees. Mr. Shefsky was the co-founder of Brasoil do Brasil Exploracao Petrolifera S.A., a private oil and gas producing and exploration company operating in Brazil from 2006-2017. From 1996 to August 2007, Mr. Shefsky held the positions of the President and Chief Executive Officer of Verena Minerals Corporation (TSXV:VML), a minerals exploration company with a focus on precious metal properties in Brazil (currently Belo Sun Mining Corp., (TSXV:BSX)). Mr. became the Chairman and Director of Ascendant Resources Inc. in December 2009, and is currently a Director. Mr. Shefsky has been a Director and Officer of BB1 Acquisition Corp. (TSXV:BB1.P), a capital pool company, since March, 2018. Mr. Shefsky holds a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Toronto, a Master of Science Degree in Urban Planning from Columbia University, and a Juris Doctor Degree from Pepperdine University School of law. Cliff Hale-Sanders, MBA, CFA President See above under the heading, "Management". Elmer Prata Salomao Director From 1990-1995, Mr. Salomao served as General Director of Brazil's National Department of Mineral Production, DNPM, the federal agency in charge of administration of mineral concessions and the implementation of Brazilian mining policy. Mr. Salomao is founder and now managing director of well recognized GEOS-Mining Services Ltda., originally incorporated in 1974, and is now managing director of EPS Consulting Ltda., a solely owned mining consulting company. Kurt Menchen Chief Operating Officer & Director See above under the heading, "Management". Robert Campbell Vice President of Exploration & Director See above under the heading, "Management". Jad Salomao Director Mr. Salomao has 42 years of experience in mineral exploration & mining and project evaluation with both major and Junior company in Brazil and Canada. He has managed several base metals projects (in special massive sulphides and sedimentary copper), precious metals (gold, PGM), diamonds, Industrial minerals (Ilmenite) and gem (Emerald, Alexandrite) projects. He is presently a major shareholder of the company Monte Sinai Mineracao Ltda., which holds the Serra Alta project. Together with his partner, Oscar Neto, Mr. Salomao founded Verena Mineracao Ltda - which became a junior mining company listed in the Toronto Stock Market in Canada from 1996 through 2010 - Verena Minerals Corporation (VMC) - which is now known as Belo Sun Mining Corp. Mr. Salomao and Mr. Oscar Neto are credited with the discovery and definition of the Belo Sun Volta Grande deposit; a deposit with over 7 million ounces of gold. Oscar Neto de Gouveia Director Mr. Neto worked as a field and project geologist for Billiton between 1980 to 1985 exploring for base metals in volcano-sedimentary environments in the states of Goias and Para. He also worked for BP Minerals in the state of Rondonia as a mine geologist at the Potosi Mine, 14 de Abril and Serra da Onca Mines, directly in charge of the mining operations. He also worked as Chief Project geologist for Master Incosa Engenharia S/A in gold exploration in the state of Para. In late 1985, working with Brazilian geologist, Jad Salomao, Neto started exploration for gold in the state of Tocantins, Brazil. In mid-1986, founded the company Verena Mineracao Ltda. and started accumulating an extensive portfolio of gold in the municipalities of Porto Nacional, Natividade and Conceicao, state of Tocantins, Brazil. Between 1988 and 1994, participated of several negotiations with major companies - RTZ (1989), Paranapanema (1991), Bank of Bahia (1993) and TVX (1994) - which spent close to US$5 million on these properties. In 1996, together with his partner, Jad Salomao, Mr. Neto founded Verena Mineracao Ltda - which became a junior mining company listed in the Toronto Stock Market in Canada from 1996 through 2010 - Verena Minerals Corporation (VMC) - which is now known as Belo Sun Mining Corp. Mr. Neto and Mr. Salomao are credited with the discovery and definition of the Belo Sun Volta Grande deposit; a deposit with over 7 million ounces of gold. Selected Financial Information of Cerrado Relevant unaudited financial information for Cerrado is summarized below: As at fiscal year-end December 31, 2019 and 2018 (Expressed in thousands of US dollars) March 31, 2020 December 31, 2019 December 31, 2018 Cash $7,404 $38 $81 Total Assets $83,783 $17,180 $16,000 Total Liabilities $64,903 $4,976 $3,670 Shareholders' Equity $18,880 $12,204 $12,330 The unaudited interim financial information as at March 31, 2020 includes the consolidation of the MDN project. Trading of the Resulting Issuer Shares Trading in the BB1 Shares has been halted as a result of the announcement of the Transaction. The Company expects that trading will remain halted pending closing of the Transaction, subject to the earlier resumption upon TSXV acceptance of the Transaction and the filing of required materials in accordance with TSXV policies. Upon successful completion of the Transaction, it is anticipated that the Resulting Issuer will be listed as a Tier 1 Mining issuer. Filing Statement In connection with the Transaction and pursuant to TSXV requirements, BB1 will file a filing statement on SEDAR, which will contain details regarding the Transaction, the Concurrent Financing, the Definitive Agreement, BB1, Cerrado and the Resulting Issuer. Forward Looking Information, Disclaimer and Reader Advisory Not for distribution to United States newswire services or for dissemination in the United States. This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any of the securities in the United States. The securities have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act") or any state securities laws and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to U.S. Persons unless registered under the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws or an exemption from such registration is available. All information provided in this press release relating to Cerrado has been provided by management of Cerrado and has not been independently verified by management of the Company. As the date of this press release, the Company has not entered into a Definitive Agreement with Cerrado, and readers are cautioned that there can be no assurances that a Definitive Agreement will be executed. Completion of the Transaction is subject to a number of conditions, including but not limited to, TSXV acceptance and if applicable pursuant to TSXV 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. 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. This press release contains statements that constitute "forward-looking information" (collectively, "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of the applicable Canadian securities legislation, All statements, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements and are based on expectations, estimates and projections as at the date of this news release. Any statement that discusses predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions, future events or performance (often but not always using phrases such as "expects", or "does not expect", "is expected", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", "plans", "budget", "scheduled", "forecasts", "estimates", "believes" or "intends" or variations of such words and phrases or stating that certain actions, events or results "may" or "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken to occur or be achieved) are not statements of historical fact and may be forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements contained in this press release include, without limitation, statements regarding: the terms, conditions, and completion of the Transaction; use of funds; and the business and operations of the Resulting Issuer. In making the forward- looking statements contained in this press release, the Company has made certain assumptions, including that: due diligence will be satisfactory; all applicable shareholder, and regulatory approvals for the Transaction will be received. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in forward-looking statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that the expectations of any forward-looking statements will prove to be correct. 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: results of due diligence; availability of financing; delay or failure to receive board, shareholder or regulatory approvals; and general business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements and information contained in this press release. Except as required by law, the Company disclaims any intention and assumes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect actual results, whether as a result of new information, future events, changes in assumptions, changes in factors affecting such forward-looking statements or otherwise. For more information please contact BB1's Chief Executive Officer, Stephen Shefsky at +1-416-366-4200 or Cerrado's Co-Chairman and CEO, Mark Brennan at +1-647-796-0023. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/61069 A research team at the Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics in Berlin has explored the role of factors in embryonic development that do not alter the sequence of DNA, but only epigenetically modify its "packaging". In the scientific journal Nature, they describe how regulatory mechanisms contribute to the formation of different tissues and organs in early mouse embryos. A fertilized egg cell develops into a complete organism with a multitude of different tissues and organs, although the genetic information is exactly the same in every cell. A complex clockwork of molecules regulates which cell in the body fulfills each task and determines the proper time and place to activate each gene. Epigenetic regulator factors are part of this molecular mechanism and act to modify the "packaging" of the DNA molecule without altering the underlying genetic information. Specifically, they act to bookmark the DNA and control what parts can be accessed in each cell. Most of these regulators are essential, and embryos lacking them tend to die during the time of development when organs begin to emerge. However, these regulators may have specific functions that differ in every cell, making them difficult to study. This has also been a major hindrance for studying these proteins, which are not only relevant for the development of embryos but also involved in the formation of cancer. Detailed examination of embryos "The same regulator is present in all cells, but can have very different tasks, depending on cell type and time of development," says Stefanie Grosswendt, one of the first authors of a new study in the scientific journal Nature. Grosswendt and her colleague Helene Kretzmer from Alexander Meissner's lab at the Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics (MPIMG) in Berlin together with Zachary Smith from Harvard University, MA, have now succeeded in elucidating the significance of epigenetic regulators for embryonic development with unprecedented precision. The researchers analyzed ten of the most important epigenetic regulators. Using the CRISPR-Cas9 system, they first specifically removed the genes coding for the regulatory factors in fertilized oocytes and then observed the effects on embryo development days later. After the embryos had developed for about six to nine days, the team examined the anatomical and molecular changes that resulted from the absence of the respective regulator. They found that the cellular composition of many of the embryos was substantially altered. Cells of certain types existed in excessive numbers, while others were not produced at all. Analyzing thousands of individual cells In order to make sense of these changes on a molecular level, researchers examined hundreds to thousands of individual cells from embryos, from which single epigenetic regulators had been systematically removed. They sequenced the RNA molecules of almost 280,000 individual cells to investigate the consequences of the loss of function. RNA relays information encoded on the DNA, allowing researchers to understand the identity and behavior of cells using sequencing technologies. In their analysis, the scientists focused on a phase of development, in which epigenetic regulators are particularly important. When they compared the data of altered and unaltered embryos, they identified genes that were dysregulated, and cell types that are abnormally over- or underproduced. From this overall picture, they deduced previously unknown functions of many epigenetic regulators. Complex effects during development An eight-day-old mouse embryo looks a bit like a seahorse and does not have any organs yet. "From the outer appearance of an early embryo, one can often only guess which structures and organs will form and which will not," say bioinformatician Helene Kretzmer and biologist Zachary Smith, who are also both first authors of the publication. "Our sequencing allows for a much more precise and high resolution view." The single-cell analysis gave them a highly detailed view over the first nine days of mouse development. Often, switching off a single regulator led to ripple effects throughout the network of interacting genes, with many differentially activated or inactivated genes over the course of development. Removing the epigenetic regulator Polycomb (PRC2) had a particularly striking impact. Without PRC2, the embryo looks egg-shaped and very small after eight and a half days, which is very unusual. We see vast changes to how DNA is packaged that happens much earlier, long before the embryo develops morphological abnormalities." Helene Kretzmer, Bioinformatician, Department of Genome Regulation, Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics The researchers found that PRC2 is responsible for limiting the amount of germline progenitor cells - the cells that later become sperm and eggs. Without PRC2, the embryo develops an excessive number of these cells, loses its shape, and dies after a short time. Starting point for further analyses "With the combination of new technologies we addressed issues that have been up in the air for 25 years," says Alexander Meissner, who headed the study. "We now understand better how epigenetic regulators arrange for the many different types of cells in the body." The work is only the first step for even more detailed investigations, says Meissner. "Our method lets us investigate other factors such as transcription or growth factors or even a combination of these. We are now able to observe very early developmental stages in a level of detail that was previously unthinkable." Good Samaritan is one phrase that describes how a live donor transplant chain can start. For example, this story, one of individual initiative(s) where Pauric Dolan, resident of Enniskillen, Fermanagh in Northern Ireland, happened to play music on a hill and become a feature story in the Impartial Reporter. This led to finding out about Joshua Dolan, an 8 year old renal patient looking for a live donor match due to health problems that primarily will be remedied by finding the right kidney donor as soon as possible due to organ failure. Another way the Kidney Transplant world can get the right transplant match is from an advanced voucher kidney donation, in this case because this youngster only has one kidney many small papers and social media are putting out the call to find a chain that can support this child and his family withstand the search and the needs caused by waiting to be on the list in the middle of a worldwide pandemic, but happily where a new regional transplant surgical unit hopes to find the right donor and pursue the second life changing paediatric transplant perhaps with all of our help. Clan Logan has just published its quarterly newsletter, July 2020, Our Valour , with a challenge to the clan to see if members, friends and families might be able to connect the patient with a donor and a donor with saving his young life. Actually the story is much bigger than the coincidence that brought Pauric to tell me about Joshua and lead to this medical literacy story. There is a reason to look at Northern Ireland in the UK and make this need literally our own. First we hope to have two functioning kidneys that last a lifetime, but being human that may or may not be the case. Secondly most of us are ignorant that we can both take an action to secure this child and his future and the process starts with a blood draw to find out about blood type, HLA and leukocytes and new software and cybermatching that means an offer from a donor does not go to waste. It makes sense to rely on the huge body of immigrants that are perhaps distantly related, but actually this psa aims at creating at least 2 donor chains one for the U.S. and one for Northern Ireland. It allows me to recognize that although we may not all be regionally accessible to donate, we could create excitement with the Joshua donation challenge and accelerate the chances that the young Mr. Dolan can find the gift of life offered by receiving a live donor kidney. The challenge is also important because Mrs. Dobson and many MPs, community members, the Western Trust and specialists across the world and specifically in the six counties have worked long and hard to make this kind of donation possible. This is an opportunity to pay it forward here and there (worldwide) that children can live. The data registrys exist to service communities so that others can be listed for future causes when there is a need. Through valour and generosity despite hardship.... humanity can plan, register and give thus joining the medical history and innovation just launching at the paediatric unit at the Royal Hospital in Belfast. Help make Renal Kidney Live Donor Transplant Ambassador Joan-Anne Dobson s dream true...add your legacy gift to this thriving new resource for the UK and Ireland where there is a great ongoing need. Like John Hume, communicate and make a new kind of peace of mind and heart possible by helping others. Cead Mile Failte to all who read this and pass this idea on. For more information about Joshua and how you can help... https://www.organdonation.nhs.uk/tell-your-family-and-friends/the-organ-donor-card/ https://clanlogansociety.org/ You can make all the difference in the world to this boy and his mum if you would fill out the form at: donatelife.co.uk. https://clanlogansociety.org/our-valour-the-blog Fill out the form whether through the National Kidney Register for the U.S. or for the UK at the donate life link.....now. If not now, when and if not us, who. https://www.kidneyregistry.org/?cookie=1 https://clanlogansociety.org/about-us Find out about Joshua in the Impartial Reporter, in the Derry Journal, BBC NI True North program (documentary), in the Banbridge Leader...... on his mothers (Joshua Dolan go fund me) site, or find out about the extraordinary medical transplant initiative for the North and the UK or about transplants and registries instead of dialysis when possible online. Join the heroes that have become organ donors and the transplant patients that will receive a whole new life from the valour and heart of those who are using new technology to help many patients find the wish of a lifetime that starts with joining a donor chain. US Registry and Donor Support: https://www.kidneyregistry.org/living_donors.php#advanced Donate UK: https://www.donatelife.net/types-of-donation/kidney-donation/ Donor Chains: https://stanfordhealthcare.org/medical-treatments/k/kidney-transplant-surgery/types/chain-donation.html Thanks to Gemma Murray, Derry Journal, Jo-anne Dobson, UCLA International Transplant Unit, National Kidney Registry, JPIMedia Limited Papers, UNOS, Gannett.....who helped support the elements behind this release. Go Fund Me: https://uk.gofundme.com/f/48azd-mary-needs-your-help?utm_medium=referral&utm_source=unknown&utm_campaign=comms_l3xv+48azd-mary-needs-your-help Renal Function and Failure Map:https://i.pinimg.com/736x/c9/67/7c/c9677c0851f61f3452790d4b58f554b0.jpg Standards and Education- http://www.songinitiative.org Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-05 21:58:21|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close TEHRAN, Aug. 5 (Xinhua) -- Iran's confirmed total COVID-19 cases rose to 317,483 on Wednesday after an overnight registration of 2,697 new infections, according to official IRNA news agency. During her daily briefing, Sima Sadat Lari, the spokeswoman for Iran's Ministry of Health and Medical Education, said out of the new cases in the past 24 hours, 1,331 were hospitalized. The novel coronavirus pandemic has so far claimed the lives of 17,802 in Iran, up by 185 in the past 24 hours, she said. So far, 274,932 have recovered and been discharged from hospitals and 4,129 remain in critical condition. According to Lari, 2,587,083 lab tests for COVID-19 have been carried out in Iran as of Wednesday. About 14 provinces are still in high-risk condition, while 12 other provinces are in alert situation, Iran's health official said. 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 Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-05 14:56:27|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close MAIMANA, Afghanistan, Aug. 5 (Xinhua) -- Four militants have been confirmed dead as fighting planes stormed Taliban gathering in Dawlat Abad district of Afghanistan's northern Faryab province on Tuesday, army spokesman in the northern region Mohammad Hanif Rezai said Wednesday. A group of Taliban insurgents were gathered in Shashpar area of the restive Dawlat Abad district on Tuesday to attack security checkpoints but the security forces' fighting aircrafts in preemptive offensive struck the militants' gathering Tuesday afternoon killing four and wounding seven others, Rezai asserted. Rezai also added that a Taliban local commander Mawlawi Shafi, who served as the in charge of collecting taxes from agricultural products in the province is also among those killed in the air raids. Taliban militants haven't commented. Enditem MUSKEGON, MI -- Barely a week after the first person incarcerated at a Muskegon prison began showing symptoms of COVID-19, mass testing at the facility has so far revealed 155 positive cases. Its a significant outbreak in a prison that houses just over 1,200 men. On Friday, the Muskegon Correctional Facility, at 2400 Sheridan Drive, conducted 447 tests in two units of the prison where coronavirus cases had previously been confirmed, according to Chris Gautz, a spokesperson for the Michigan Department of Corrections (MDOC). Throughout the day on Tuesday, 136 of those tests came back positive. Those inmates have been transferred to the Duane Waters Health Center, part of the state prison in Jackson, or to the Carson City Correctional Facility, Gautz said. Of the remaining tests, 309 were negative and two were inconclusive and will be retested, he said. RELATED: Muskegon prison isolates some inmates after coronavirus outbreak Prior to those test results coming back, MDOC had reported 19 positive cases in the prison, bringing the total official outbreak in the prison to 155 cases. Prison officials first told the incarcerated population, through an internal messaging system, that the facility was under effective quarantine, following the identification of the first, symptomatic cases, on July 28. People are now being moved through the prison within their units, with no interaction in the dining hall or yard with inmates from different units, and all programming, including classes and substance use treatment, has been suspended. The majority of sick inmates are asymptomatic, Gautz said. Another 762 people from the remaining units were tested on Tuesday, according to Gautz. MDOC expects to see those results by the end of the week. Two prison employees have also tested positive for the virus, and they are quarantining at home, he added. Those who have been sent out will be monitored and remain in hospital facilities until they test negative and wait 30 days from the onset of their infection, Gautz said. Inmates whose test results have not yet come back will be isolated if they have had close contact, such as sharing a cell, with a known COVID-19 patient, he said. He could not identify where in the Muskegon facility those inmates are being isolated, but said that it would have been according to an action plan that every prison in the state was told to develop in April, as the virus rapidly spread through the state. The Muskegon facility had so far avoided seeing coronavirus enter its walls, with a mass testing event in May turning up no cases. With these numbers, the Muskegon facility now has one of the worst outbreaks in the state, according to MDOC numbers, and the proportion of sick inmates is likely to grow as more testing takes place. Other significant outbreaks, infecting at least 200 inmates, have taken place at Charles Egeler Reception and Guidance Center, the G. Robert Cotton Correctional Facility, and Parnall Correctional Facility, all in Jackson, Gus Harrison Correctional Facility in Adrian, Lakeland Correctional Facility, Macomb Correctional Facility northeast of Warren, Thumb Correctional Facility in Lapeer, and Womens Huron Valley Correctional Facility in Ypsilanti. Prisons are particularly susceptible to the virus because of the tight and shared nature of the space, with residents sharing small cells, yard space, showers, and dining and recreational spaces. Muskegon Correction Facility officials say that prisoners have been given access to cleaning supplies, including allowing bleach, a previously banned substance, back inside the prison to disinfect common surfaces. According to MDOC numbers, 68 people incarcerated across the state and two prison staffers have died of COVID-19. Read all of MLives coverage on the coronavirus at mlive.com/coronavirus. Read more on MLive: Muskegon prison isolates some inmates after coronavirus outbreak Michigan reports 664 new coronavirus cases, 8 new deaths Solar panels to save West Michigan city $354K in energy costs New Delhi, Aug 5 : A 12-year-old was sexually assaulted and brutally attacked in Outer Delhi's Paschim Vihar West area on Tuesday evening. The girl has also sustained brutal injuries and is battling for her life at AIIMS. The Delhi police have formed several teams to arrest the accused. "An FIR has been registered under relevant sections including attempt to murder and the POCSO Act, and further investigation is underway," said a senior police officer. According to the police, the incident took place at the girl's house on Tuesday evening when she was alone. Later, she was found critically injured and bleeding profusely. The minor was rushed to the Sanjay Gandhi Hospital where doctors referred her to AIIMS after providing first aid. Police said that she was found in a blood-soaked condition and the injury marks that she sustained on the back of her head and body seem to have been inflicted by a sharp weapon. The minor girl is undergoing treatment at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) and her condition is said to be critical. A case has been filed against unidentified accused under POCSO Act and on charges of attempt to murder. An investigation is underway and cops are scanning footage from CCTV cameras in and around the crime scene in their hunt for the accused. From Romania, Poland, Morocco and Thailand, thousands of people flock to Western Europe each year to help farmers harvest precious crops, often paid low wages for long, backbreaking days of work. The migrant labourers' often poor work conditions are a point of recurring controversy, but the coronavirus outbreak has thrown their plight into stark relief with the added risk of contagion in overcrowded, unsanitary living quarters. Several outbreak clusters were reported among workers -- with 174 infections on a farm in Bavaria in Germany, 250 on another in Aragon, Spain, and 170 in Provence, France, since the European harvesting season began. Italy had to send riot police to a council estate in Mondragone, north of Naples, after a cluster of more than 100 coronavirus cases among Bulgarian workers living there sparked tensions with locals. With harvests set to continue until October, "it is very likely that we will see new outbreaks associated with seasonal workers," warned Fernando Simon, chief epidemiologist at the Spanish Ministry of Health. Yet many of the workers are illegal, with no recourse to medical care and who move under the radar to avoid visa controls. Few have access to coronavirus testing, and any infections among them run the risk of spreading the virus, even after their return home. - Impossible without them - But Europe's economy, devastated by the pandemic, cannot afford to lose these workers, many from the east of the continent and from Africa. Police in Mondragone cordoned off a block of flats where 43 positive cases of coronavirus have been identified among Bulgarian farm workers / AFP/File France's agriculture minister Julien Denormandie said last week the government would not be "dogmatic" at this stage about its plans to regularise migrant labour, much reduced by virus-busting limits imposed by Europe on population movement. If farmhands cannot be found locally, "we are not going to let the fruit and vegetables rot or leave the grapes unpicked, so we turn to other countries where men and women agree to come and harvest" in France, the minister told the Europe 1 broadcaster. As continent-wide lockdowns persisted in May, farmers from several regions of Italy chartered planes to bring workers from Romania and Morocco. For worker Maria Codrea, whose annual income depends largely on her salary from picking grapes in Italy, the alternative of playing it safe and staying in Romania "would have been hard". On the other side of the coin, Spanish farmer Ignacio Gramunt affirmed: "without them, we would not be able to do it." - Sleeping on cardboard - But while farm labourers were hailed along with other essential workers for keeping locked-down citizens fed during the epidemic, this has not always translated into better treatment. In the Andalusian village of Lepe in Spain, dozens of African migrant workers have been camped outside the town hall since the shacks they were living in, without water or electricity, burnt down two weeks ago. Seasonal workers in Lepe are camping outside the city hall after their makeshift shanty town was burned down / AFP/File "We sleep on these mattresses and cardboard boxes because we have no alternative," lamented Lamine Diakite, a 32-year-old Malian farm labourer interviewed by AFP. In Italy, the government promised in May to regularise temporarily undocumented seasonal workers. But few employers have agreed to pay the 500-euro ($586) fee required for this administrative procedure, according to local media. Sweden relaxed travel restrictions in June to enable foreign farm hands and berry pickers, many from Thailand, to enter, with employers obliged to take steps to ensure they can keep an safe distance from one another on the trip and during their stay. Germany, too, requires farmers to ensure workers can work and live "strictly separate" from one another for the first 14 days, and to not leave their host farm for the period. - 'Pick for Britain' - In Denmark, the authorities urged agricultural employers to ensure workers are tested on arrival, then isolated for 48 hours or until they test negative. Portugal has gone further, granting free access to public services to paperless migrants during the epidemic. In spite of government efforts, uncoordinated as they are, many farmers have battled to find the hands they need. In Germany, only 40,000 of the required 300,000 foreign workers could be recruited this season, meaning part of the fresh produce harvest will remain on trees or in the ground. In Italy, the epidemic caused a shortfall of between 250,000 and 270,000 workers, the agriculture ministry said. One option: going local. The British government launched a campaign dubbed "Pick for Britain" encouraging locals to replace some of the 70,000 foreign farm hands needed for the summer harvest. burx-pid/mlr/sjw/bsp On the Labor side of politics, premiers Brian Burke and Carmen Lawrence were both touted as future prime ministers. Lawrence secured the federal seat of Fremantle before serving as a minister in the Keating government, but never made it anywhere near the Lodge. Kim Beazley is famously considered the greatest prime minister we never had. Across the country, there has been no shortage of state politicians with federal ambitions, but only two premiers have become prime ministers (George Reid in 1904 and Joe Lyons in 1932). And who could forget a former infamous Queensland Premier's ill-fated 'Joh for PM' putsch? There are always significant roadblocks to even the most popular premier planning a career in Canberra, and McGowan would be no exception. To begin with, he doesn't belong to one of Labor's factions. The party's right wing believes he is tainted by the left-wing United Workers Union once known as 'the Miscos' who have provided him with political cover inside the party. They see Burt MP Matt Keogh as a future prime minister and wouldn't give up Madeleine King in Brand to accommodate a shift to federal politics for Mr McGowan; the faction has already surrendered a senate spot for Pat Dodson and handed federal Perth to the left in order to secure the state secretary's position. On the other hand, the left wouldn't give up Fremantle, which aside from Brand would be the other natural geographic fit for McGowan. Even more of a challenge for the Premier would be the skewed perceptions of him held by Labor's factional heavyweights, who do not agree McGowan is the best shot at reversing the Liberal dominance of the west. Some say privately McGowan is a politician who doesn't change his fortunes, but reacts competently as they change around him. One senior Victorian Labor source noted the Premier had been facing serious political difficulties before the pandemic hit and is at best a prisoner of his circumstances. They dismiss, perhaps unfairly, both his landslide election win against Colin Barnett in 2017 and his management of the pandemic as two political challenges any barely competent politician could've pulled off. They say he is an ordinary politician blessed with extraordinary circumstances and a few good strokes of luck. For instance, it was revealed in the Federal Court last week that three security guards who were meant to be guarding hotel quarantine patients had contracted COVID-19. It's good luck as much as good management that McGowan isn't in the same position as Dan Andrews right now. "If you picked him up and dropped him in a different set of circumstances, for example the leader of the opposition's office in Canberra, he'd still be the same old McGowan," the Victorian source said. "Twice he's been smacked on the arse by a rainbow, twice he hasn't f---ed it up. "Gillespie made 200 against Bangladesh, but that didn't make him Don Bradman." And then there is the question of who would replace him as leader of WA Labor and Premier? A WA Labor source said there would be factional warfare if McGowan went, with no clear successor. The three politicians most recently named as potential successors are Health Minister and Deputy Premier Roger Cook, Treasurer Ben Wyatt, and Housing Minister Peter Tinley. The source said there were problems with all three. Loading "Ben's already tried to retire, so there's questions over his ticker, Tinley is asleep at the wheel and Roger is all Teflon," they said. There are also personal reasons McGowan would eschew a federal political career. He has a young family that already doesn't see enough of him. And he is one of the last politicians on the old superannuation scheme, which means if he does a term and a half as Premier, he could be earning more in retirement than he would as a federal politician. More than this, the Premier's authority in the Labor party is now without question. He was once an outsider, shoehorned into his seat at the insistence of then-federal leader Kim Beazley. Now he dominates the state. "He owes nothing to anyone," the WA Labor source said. "Not to a faction, not to his caucus; in fact people will end up owing him. "He's demonstrated strong leadership and the political capital he's built is incredible." August 05, 2020 Keeping track of your companys sales tax obligations can be a full-time job in itself. Having a sales tax consultant can greatly reduce the hassle of keeping up with monthly returns and frequent payments. When your company has a sales tax consultant, it is far more likely that your financial obligations will be met in each state where you do business. This can save you from procedural and in some cases legal trouble. Sales tax filing is a continuous business. Returns must be filed each month in each state where your company is obligated to pay taxes. Simply keeping up with the volume of returns and the amount of data you will need to complete these tasks is daunting. Here are five reasons why it is important to have a sales tax consultant on your side. Sales Taxes are Complicated Each state has vastly different sales tax laws. For example, in some states like Massachusetts, food and clothing are exempt, while in other states like Illinois and Alabama, they are taxed. Having complex provisions built into your POS system will help you collect the proper amount of taxes. It is necessary for your sales tax consultant to keep a close eye on your POS and payment processing systems and make sure that they are kept up-to-date. Monthly Returns Businesses may start out optimistic that they can handle sales tax filing on their own, but the reality of the situation will soon become clear. Companies need to monitor the sales tax systems of every state in which they do business. They need to file monthly returns with each state and make sure that they are properly accepted. Some businesses try to use stand-alone software solutions to meet their filing requirements, but they may find that these solutions are not all-encompassing and can be subject to errors. Sales Tax Nexus Sales tax nexus further complicates the process of filing returns. In the past, most states did not require online or interstate businesses to pay sales taxes. As the years went by and internet sales became more popular, states realized that they were missing out on a huge amount of revenue. A recent Supreme Court decision (South Dakota v. Wayfair, 2018) found that states were legally allowed to collect sales tax from companies doing business within their jurisdiction as long as certain requirements were met. Sellers delivering goods or services in at least 200 separate transactions, as well as sellers that deliver more than $100,000 to the locality, would be considered to have sales tax nexus. Each state has its own sales tax nexus laws, and these laws must be taken into consideration along with the other principles of sales tax filing. States scrutinize monthly returns to make sure that businesses are not skirting the requirements. Changing Rates and Exemptions Commonly, many states such as Massachusetts hold sales tax holidays, a period usually happening in August or September and intended for back-to-school purchases. Sales tax filers need to be aware of these holidays to make sure that they do not overpay their sales taxes. Exemptions from sales taxes are also subject to frequent change. Filers need to make sure that they understand the time limitations of exemptions so that they can start paying when the exemptions expire. Save Time for Other Tasks If a single employee of a corporation is tasked with sales tax compliance, it is likely that this employee will quickly become overwhelmed. Sales tax compliance cannot easily be absorbed by an accounting department that is already busy with other activities. If an employee or a manager is constantly dealing with sales tax issues, they may miss out on important core tax and accounting functions. Sales Tax Consultants Make Sense Having a qualified consultant can take much of the time, trouble, and worry out of paying state and local sales taxes. A consulting firm will be able to devote more time to sales taxes than a single member of an accounting department. Sales taxes are complex, and it is vital to understand how they work. Hiring a sales tax consultant can help your company stay on the right side of the law and avoid costly citations and fees. When your company is fully compliant, your business will be safer and your revenues will be protected. Virginia's coronavirus notification app, called Covidwise, launched on Wednesday, just under four months after the Apple-Google partnership was first announced. Virginia is the first state in the United States to use the Apple-Google technology built into iPhones and Android phones. The exposure notification technology and contact-tracing apps were once heralded as a critical part of some countries' strategies to lift their lockdowns, but low adoption and unclear effectiveness in some countries have dampened enthusiasm for the apps. Virginia's app, like all apps using the Apple-Google framework, uses Bluetooth signals on a smartphone to determine how closely and for how long two phones were nearby, without collecting the location of the contact or the identity of the users. Then, if one of the phone's users were to test positive for Covid-19, the system is able to notify any other phones with the app that they might have been exposed to the virus through a push notification and tell them to get tested or quarantine. "For the purpose of this app, there wasn't an absolute need to be able to track where you are or who you are," Jeff Stover, director of the Virginia Department of Health, said on a video call with reporters. "The most important thing was that you know whether or not you've potentially been exposed, and that we can all take actions to do whatever prevention is necessary." When users test positive for Covid-19, they get a six-digit pin number provided by the Virginia Department of Health that they can input into their app. Once that six-digit pin is entered, the Virginia system tells other phones with the app that they that had been close to a person who tested positive, and that they have likely been exposed. That information is delivered in a push notification from the Covidwise app. The Apple-Google system does this by unscrambling random keys that correspond to when phones were in close range with each other. U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Alex Azar speaks after a White House Coronavirus Task Force briefing at the Department of Health and Human Services in Washington on June 26, 2020. (Joshua Roberts/Getty Images) Health Secretary Azar to Visit Taiwan, Highest-Level US Official to Visit in 4 Decades TAIPEI, TaiwanU.S. Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Alex Azar announced that he will lead a delegation to visit Taiwan in the coming days. The trip is politically significant given that it will be the highest-level visit by a U.S. Cabinet member since 1979the year the United States severed official diplomatic ties with the island in recognition of Beijing. This trip represents an opportunity to strengthen our economic and public health cooperation with Taiwan, especially as the United States and other countries work to strengthen and diversify our sources for crucial medical products, Azar said in an Aug. 4 press release. I look forward to conveying President Trumps support for Taiwans global health leadership and underscoring our shared belief that free and democratic societies are the best model for protecting and promoting health. In response to Azars announced visit, Taiwans Presidential Office spokesperson Kolas Yotaka issued a statement, saying that the visit was a testament to the friendship between the two nations. She expressed hope that the United States and Taiwan can continue to expand our global cooperative partnership, working together to safeguard our shared values of democracy, freedom, and human rights. Yotaka added that Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen will meet with Azar and his delegation during their visit. We look forward to welcoming @SecAzar & the @HHSGov delegation. This is the highest level visit by a U.S. Cabinet official since 1979! #Taiwan & the #US are like-minded partners cooperating closely in combating #Coronavirus & promoting freedom, democracy & human rights worldwide. https://t.co/v3K19n1znE Ministry of Foreign Affairs, ROC (Taiwan) (@MOFA_Taiwan) August 5, 2020 The United States has maintained a robust, nondiplomatic relationship with Taiwan based on the Taiwan Relations Act, under which the former has continually sold military weapons and equipment to Taiwan for its self-defense against the Chinese regime. Beijing views Taiwan as a renegade province that must be united with the mainland and has threatened the use of military force to bring the island under its fold. The communist regime has also coerced governments and organizations into accepting its one-China principle, despite the fact that the self-governing island has its own democratically-elected officials, constitution, and currency. Aside from being Taiwans chief arms supplier, the United States also sees Taiwan as one of its key allies in the Indo-Pacific region. Azars visit marks the first U.S. Cabinet official to visit the island, though Gina McCarthy, a cabinet-ranking official and then-administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency under the Obama administration, visited Taiwan in April 2014, which drew anger from China. According to the press release, Azars visit will also enhance U.S.Taiwan cooperation to combat the global COVID-19 pandemic. COVID-19 is the disease caused by the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus, commonly known as the novel coronavirus. Taiwan has been a model of transparency and cooperation in global health during the COVID-19 pandemic and long before it, Azar said. This morning I spoke with Minister Chen of Taiwan regarding the #COVID19 outbreak. I thanked him for Taiwans efforts to share their best practices and resources with the U.S. Now, more than ever, global health partnership is crucial and I appreciate Taiwans contributions. pic.twitter.com/SZQ3u8Jgrr Secretary Alex Azar (@SecAzar) April 27, 2020 Taiwan has garnered international accolades for its success in containing the virus, while donating personal protective equipment to governments around the world during the pandemic. As of Aug. 4, Taiwan has 476 confirmed COVID-19 cases and seven deaths, out of a population of about 23 million. The HHS emphasized the contrast between how authoritarian systems and free societies such as the United States and Taiwan deal with the pandemic, stating that the latter were uniquely equipped to drive global progress in areas such as medicine and science to help the world tackle emerging threats, according to the press release. Beijing has gone to great lengths to conceal the outbreak in China, and didnt openly acknowledge the virus was capable of transmission between people until Jan. 20. According to Taiwan officials, the island warned the World Health Organization that the virus could be contagious in an email on Dec. 31, 2019. Joining Azar on the trip are James F. Moriarty, chairman of the Board of the American Institute in Taiwan, the de facto U.S. Embassy on the island; Mitchell Wolfe, chief medical officer of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; Brian Harrison, HHS chief of staff; Garrett Grigsby, director of the HHS Office of Global Affairs; and other members of the Trump administration. On Aug. 5, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin, at a daily briefing, said Beijing opposed any interactions between U.S. and Taiwanese officials. Wang also called on Washington to adhere to the one-China principle. U.S. Rep. John Curtis (R-Utah) took to his Twitter account to applaud the Trump administration for sending Azar to Taiwan. Especially fitting to send the Health & Human Services Secretary, given Taiwans incredibly strong handling of the #COVID19 pandemic. I know his visit to Taiwan will be beneficial, Curtis wrote. Hsiao Bi-khim, Taiwans de facto ambassador to the United States, also took to her Twitter account to welcome Azar to the island, saying it was a timely trip to advance the joint fight against the pandemic. CLEVELAND, Ohio FBI and IRS agents Tuesday seized boxloads of evidence that could determine whether the Ukrainian oligarch, Igor Kolomoisky, laundered millions of dollars through Cleveland real estate. A long-running investigation into Kolomoisky went public for the first time when agents searched the offices of Optima Management Group in One Cleveland Center at East 9th Street and St. Clair Avenue. Agents in Miami also searched a business there involving the company. Authorities in Cleveland told The Plain Dealer and Cleveland.com last year that authorities have been involved in a wide-ranging investigation involving Kolomoisky, whom one analyst called one of Ukraines most controversial figures. Kolomoisky is a principal of the Privat Group, a large Ukrainian business company. Principals of the business also part of Optima. In a lawsuit filed last year in Delaware, Kolomoisky was accused of laundering hundreds of millions of dollars through real estate holdings in the United States. FBI agent Vicki Anderson and IRS agent Craig Casserly declined to discuss the case. Joel Samuels, a law professor at the University of South Carolina who has focused on international law, said the investigation underscores the aggressive approach that federal authorities have taken involving examinations into possible money laundering. The government has been far more vigilant in going after funds than it was 20 years ago, from the former Soviet Union and other countries around the world, Samuels said. The investigation in Cleveland centers on Optima Management Group, a company that had a much larger presence in Cleveland about a few years ago, according to the lawsuit and interviews. Today, the company has One Cleveland Center, where the raid took place, and 55 Public Square, an office building. It also has interests in the Westin Cleveland. Optima had Warren Steel Holdings, a mill near Youngstown, which closed in 2016. The lawsuit in Delaware alleges that Kolomoisky and others formed PrivatBank in the early 1990s. The government took control of it in 2016 after authorities suspected large-scale fraud, according to the lawsuit and published reports. From 2006 through 2016, Kolomoisky and others used PrivatBank as their own personal piggy bank ultimately stealing billions of dollars from PrivatBank and using United States entities to launder hundreds of millions of dollars worth of PrivatBanks misappropriated loan proceeds, according to the lawsuit. The bank filed the lawsuit in an attempt to reclaim the lost funds. The money laundered into the United States was ultimately used to acquire and support various United States businesses and commercial real estate in Cleveland, Ohio, Dallas, Texas, and elsewhere, the suit said. The Atlantic Council, an independent research analysis firm, said it is difficult to find a more controversial figure in Ukraine than Kolomoisky. It called him a ruthless businessman during the 1990s who is often blamed for raider attacks and hijacking companies. The Atlantic Council said he underwent a radical and patriotic remake in 2014. He became the governor of Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, a province in central Ukraine. Two years later, the PrivatBank became nationalized, and Kolomoisky fled. The lawsuit and the Atlantic Council said he spent time in Switzerland and Israel. The lawsuit speculated that he has returned to Ukraine. He has remained in the spotlight, according to published reports. Kolomoiskys attorney Michael Sullivan declined to discuss the raids. The typical objects of post-Soviet money launderers are real estate in New York and southern Florida, but the investment profile of this group is different, the Atlantic Council wrote last year. They invested in real estate in Cleveland, Ohio; Harvard, Illinois; and Dallas, Texas; and in ferroalloy companies. (TNS) Families in Tacoma found suspicious emails in their inboxes on Monday after an email platform used by Tacoma Public Schools, was hacked.The hack sent out 37,600 phishing emails to families, parents and other people in the community Monday afternoon.The emails appeared to be sent by Tacoma Public Schools and included file links. One email headline read, Pete Andrews sent you a file statement, and other asked users to please fill empty lines in your account statement.School district staff were quick to alert people through social media that the emails were fake and not to click on them.They urged people who already clicked on them to change their passwords and report the spam emails.Spokesperson Dan Voelpel told The News Tribune that Constant Contact is a vendor the district contracts with to send e-newsletters. Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-05 09:17:04|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close TEGUCIGALPA, Aug. 4 (Xinhua) -- Honduras announced Tuesday that its airports will resume domestic and international flights from Aug. 10 and Aug. 17, respectively. Four Honduran international airports are now preparing for the first phase of the gradual reopening, said Director of the Honduran Civil Aeronautics Agency (AHAC) Wilfredo Lobo. The AHAC has unveiled reopening guidelines, which focused on ensuring passengers' safety and health when the airports are resuming operations. Honduras closed its airports on March 16 and moved into Phase One of its reopening plan last week. As of Tuesday, Honduras has reported more than 43,700 coronavirus cases. Enditem Children should be put "at the heart" of future lockdown plans and schools prioritised over pubs and shops, the children's commissioner for England has said. As schools in England and Wales prepare to reopen next month, Anne Longfield warned youngsters were too often "an afterthought" during the first - and current - coronavirus lockdown. But keeping schools open should really be the "absolute priority", and they ought to be "first to open, last to close," she wrote in a briefing paper. Reopening schools in September must be combined with a high-coverage test-trace-isolate strategy to avoid a second wave of COVID-19 later this year, a new modelling study has suggested. Rapid testing of pupils and teachers should allow any confirmed coronavirus cases and their close contacts to be isolated without necessarily having to send entire classes or year groups home. Ms Longfield said: "When only a limited amount of social interaction is feasible, the amount accounted for by education must be protected - at the expense of other sectors/activities." Reducing the transmission of coronavirus in the community is very important, she wrote, "but it should not be automatically assumed that this requires closing schools - except as a last resort". Though schools were kept open for the children of key workers and vulnerable students, she added, too few children went. "Those schools that did bring back more children before the summer holidays often found classes were only half-full. That must change in September," she warned. :: Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker Ms Longfield said vulnerable children should be renamed "priority children" and a concerted effort must be made to work with these families to increase the child's attendance. In addition, ministers should make more laptops available for a possible surge in online learning, she said. Story continues The commissioner also called for more care to be given in helping students with mental health issues and those who find it hard to transition back to school after a period away. With that in mind, consideration should be given to the impact on children expected to take exams next summer so that they are not disadvantaged, especially in the case of extended local lockdowns. Under current plans, all pupils in all year groups in England will return to school full-time from the beginning of the autumn term. Scotland's schools have been given the go-ahead to reopen from 11 August, while in Northern Ireland there is a staggered return, starting 24 August. Schools in Wales have already partly reopened and will do so fully when the new term starts. Education Secretary Gavin Williamson said: "Getting all children back into the classroom full-time at the start of next month is a national priority, as this is the best place for them to be. "We have always been and will continue to be guided by the best scientific and medical advice, and our detailed guidance sets out protective measures for schools to implement ahead of a full return in September." Schools minister Nick Gibb told Sky News there "isn't necessarily a trade-off" between opening schools or pubs and shops. "What we're doing now is having a much more localised approach to tackling this virus, so where there are spikes in the infection rate, we do act very swiftly to impose local restrictions," he said. "That's what we've seen in Manchester, that's what we saw in Leicester. "So it isn't necessarily a trade-off between one or another, it's about localised action, swift action, to ensure that we tackle the virus. "And we need to ensure that everybody is adhering to the rules about social distancing and so on, to prevent there being a spike of the infection in particular areas." New Delhi, Aug 5 : The Delhi High Court on Wednesday asked the trial court to decide, "in accordance with the law", on a petition by CPI-M leader Brinda Karat seeking lodging of FIRs against BJP leaders Anurag Thakur, Parvesh Verma and others for their alleged hate speeches in relation to the anti-CAA protest at Shaheen Bagh. A division bench of Chief Justice D.N. Patel and Justice Prateek Jalan, while disposing of Karat's application, asked the magistrate concerned at the Rouse Avenue court to decide on the matter. The direction came after Karat's counsel Tara Narula requested the court to dispose of the matter with directions to the trial court to consider it. Narula further apprised the bench that the magistrate's court had earlier reserved its judgment on the application after hearing the arguments of all sides but did not pronounce its order as similar issues were pending in the High Court. The submission came while the court was hearing a batch of matters relating to the violence and riots that erupted in northeast Delhi in February. After hearing the matter briefly, over video conferencing, the court posted the matters for further hearing on August 24. Recently, the Delhi Police, in its affidavit filed before the court, had stated that the statements of various political leaders are being examined and necessary action will be taken if evidence is found against them. "Speeches of political leaders including Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi, Anurag Thakur, Kapil Mishra, Parvesh Verma, Waris Pathan, and others are being examined by the Delhi Police and necessary action in this regard will be taken in due course of time if it is found that their speech had any nexus with the riots," the affidavit said. Meanwhile, after a brief hearing, the division bench, headed by Chief Justice Patel, also adjourned, till August 24, the batch of matters relating to the violence in and around the campus of the Jamia Milia Islamia in December last year. On Tuesday, senior advocate Colin Gonsalves told the bench that the alleged police brutality unleashed on the Jamia students then "was to tell the students to drop the idea of going to the Parliament". "The beating was really serious and severe like the police was going against their enemies. Students are not certainly enemies, I suppose.... This was to tell the students that they should forget the idea of marching to the Parliament," he said. During the course of hearing, senior counsel Salman Khurshid, appearing for another petitioner, supported Gonsalves's argument that the police action was intended to stop the students from carrying out a march to the Parliament, saying that while the police can regulate such a march, but here, they decided to not to allow it at all. Khurshid further said that the gathering of students was intended to be peaceful. "Such march is an ethos of our democracy even if it's dissent towards the government," he argued. Public health expert Dr Gabriel Scally has warned that alcohol is the virus' best friend and that the only safe thing to do was to keep the wet pubs closed. Last night, the Taoiseach confirmed pubs will not reopen as planned next Monday, as Phase Four of the reopening plan is delayed. Nightclubs and casinos will also remain closed. Dr Scally said there was a distinction between pubs that just serve alcohol and those that serve food and drink. They are like chalk and cheese. Ive never had to shoulder my way to the counter to get a drink in a restaurant. Speaking on RTE radio's Today with Sarah McInerney show, Dr Scally pointed out that in Scotland where pubs had just reopened, 32 people had been infected with Covid-19 having all been in the one pub. A zero Covid strategy would require cooperation North and South, no domestic cases, and putting controls in place to ensure no cases were imported, he said. Keeping the virus under control wasnt good enough, the aim should be to have zero cases, he added. Keeping the pubs closed was the way to do that. When asked about Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeons proposed Four Nations Elimination Strategy, Dr Scally said he greatly admired her and the plan, but he was pessimistic about the response from Whitehall. On the same programme Independent TD Michael Healy-Rae said that the Government was treating publicans and their customers with contempt. The reopening pubs would protect the publics health, he claimed. What was the difference between going to a pub for a pint and a toasted sandwich and getting a drink in a 'wet' pub, he asked. The dangers that might arise in bigger pubs could not be compared with smaller rural pubs where there might be just six or seven customers, he said. Yesterday, Mr Martin ruled out reopening pubs on a regional basis, saying there were spikes in clusters and community transmission cases in many counties. He also could not guarantee that pubs would reopen this year, adding that it depends on the prevalence of the virus. Marching forward together, the previous decade saw equities and bonds rally right alongside each other. At the same time, there was a negative correlation of daily returns, limiting portfolio volatility. This was a good thing for multi-asset portfolios like pension funds which benefited from the high-low frequency correlation, with declining yields also giving a bump to specific equity market sectors. Today, things have changed, with bond yields landing at almost zero. According to J.P. Morgan strategist Marko Kolanovic, this implies that the trend might be fading away, which poses a major threat to multi-asset portfolios. Should yields (or inflation expectations) start rising, these portfolios could experience a triple-whammy: bond values would go lower, valuations of the above-described equity market segments would be under pressure, and bond-equity correlation would deteriorate as it is itself correlated with yields, Kolanovic explained. The strategist added that even if yields dont rise, in the long run, its unlikely that such portfolios will see mid-to-high single-digit returns. So, what does Kolanovic think investors should do? He suggests buying stocks with a more negative correlation to bonds, pointing to value and cyclical names in particular. Offering up concrete recommendations based on Kolanovics strategy, the analysts at J.P. Morgan are pounding the table on two stocks, noting that each could climb at least 60% higher in the year ahead. Using TipRanks database, we found out that each ticker has also received Buy ratings from the rest of the Street. Autolus Therapeutics (AUTL) Primarily focused on the development of precisely targeted, controlled and highly active T cell therapies, Autolus Therapeutics wants to offer cancer patients treatment options that are superior to the existing standard of care. Given its innovative technology, its clear why J.P. Morgan has been impressed by this healthcare name. Writing for the firm, four-star analyst Eric Joseph calls its lead programs, AUTO1 and AUTO3, potentially best-in-class autologous CAR-T candidate therapies for the treatment of ALL and DLBCL. When it comes to AUTO1, the available Phase 1/2 data provides a meaningful de-risking, with it having the potential to be the first auto-CAR-T therapy approved for both adult and pediatric ALL. Story continues Expounding on this, Joseph stated, Combined, we forecast a worldwide peak sales opportunity of ~$275 million and anticipate U.S. approval for AUTO1 in 2023. Further, as the company is also exploring adoption potential in the outpatient/community oncology setting, we see the safety profile demonstrated to date. As for AUTO3, its dual CD19/CD22-targeting CAR design makes it a stand-out, in Josephs opinion, as it could yield more durable remissions relative to the currently approved CAR-T class. In addition, the fact that the asset is more easily tolerated means it could be adopted in an outpatient setting, potentially expanding the addressable DLBCL commercial opportunity. Pivotal development is slated to kick off in 1H21, with regulatory approval potentially coming in 2024. The analyst estimates a worldwide peak sales opportunity of $1.5 billion. To this end, Joseph tells clients to watch out for several possible catalysts in 2H20 including full Phase 1 data for the ALEXANDER study of AUTO3 in DLBCL, long-term follow-up data from the Phase 1 ALLCAR19 study of AUTO1 in adult ALL as well as the initiation of Phase 1 development for AUTO1NG (pediatric ALL), AUTO3NG (DLBCL) and AUTO8 (multiple myeloma). Based on these key catalysts, Joseph commented, ...we believe current AUTL levels undervalue the risk-adjusted commercial potential of these two lead programs in addition to the broader pipeline of CAR-T candidates for heme onc and solid tumor indications. All of the above convinced Joseph to step over to the bulls side. In addition to initiating coverage with an Overweight rating, the analyst set a $25 price target. This target suggests shares could rise 67.5% in the year ahead. (To watch Josephs track record, click here) The bulls represent the majority on this one. Out of 8 total reviews published in the last three months, 7 analysts rated the stock a Buy, while only 1 said Hold. So, the word on the Street is that AUTL is a Strong Buy. The $25.29 average price target lands just above Josephs and puts the upside potential at 73%. (See AUTL stock analysis on TipRanks) Alexion Pharmaceuticals (ALXN) Targeting rare and devastating diseases, Alexion Pharmaceuticals hopes its therapies will be able to address the unmet medical needs of patients from all over the world. On the heels of its strong Q2 showing, J.P. Morgan thinks that now is the time to pull the trigger. Thanks to continued solid commercial execution across its key franchises, five-star analyst Cory Kasimov tells investors that ALXN was able to deliver double-digit top and bottom-line beats. As a result, management boosted its 2020 guidance for the top and bottom-lines. This is set to be driven by the lower than expected impact to new patient starts in 1H, strong compliance rates across indications, continued conversion to Ultomiris (aHUS in particular) and payer impact that hasnt been observed yet. Although the new patient queue is slowing and COVID-19 poses a risk to compliance rates, which could have a negative impact on the top-line and operating margins, management announced a commitment to $500-$550 million of repurchases in 2020, increasing to at least one third of free cash flow, on average, from 2021-2023. Looking at its pipeline, it should be noted that ALXN discontinued ALXN-2040 (danicopan) in C3G, much to the dismay of some investors. That being said, plans for the Phase 3 study in PNH are on track. As a reminder, its Soliris therapy got the stamp of approval in 2007 and up until the approval of ALXNs follow-on product, Ultomiris, in December 2018, it was the only available therapy for the treatment of PNH. Even though Ultomiris wasnt able to generate superior results over Soliris in Phase 3 studies, its less frequent dosing schedule has enabled the rapid conversion, in Kasimovs opinion. We see the rapid conversion of Ultomiris in PNH translating to the aHUS indication, as well continued uptake of Soliris in neurology, which sets up the C5 franchise for a sustainable growth trajectory further supporting the attractive risk/reward profile at the current valuation, Kasimov said. Based on everything ALXN has going for it, Kasimov reiterated an Overweight rating. He also bumped up the price target from $158 to $167, suggesting 59% upside potential. (To watch Kasimovs track record, click here) Turning now to the rest of the Street, 10 Buys and 5 Holds have been assigned in the last three months, which add up to a Moderate Buy consensus rating. In addition, the $146.67 average price target brings the upside potential to 41%. (See ALXN stock analysis on TipRanks) To find good ideas for healthcare stocks trading at attractive valuations, visit TipRanks Best Stocks to Buy, a newly launched tool that unites all of TipRanks equity insights. Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the featured analysts. The content is intended to be used for informational purposes only. It is very important to do your own analysis and to consider your own personal circumstances before making any investment. The incoming President of the Vintner's Federation of Ireland Paul Moynihan said the decision to delay 'wet-pubs' reopening is devastating and "ludicrous". Last night An Taoiseach Michael Martin confirmed he was pausing the country moving to phase 4 of the reopening roadmap amid concerns over the rise in cases of the virus. Read More The move will effect some 3,500 so-called wet-pubs who had expected to open their doors on August 10 after nearly months of closure. We are absolutely devastated as in industry to hear this news, said Mr Moynihan. Everything thats been asked of us in the reopening of the pubs in a safe and sanitised way was being done and had been done. All pubs are more or less set up to open next Monday. I think its very late in the day and to turn around and give us a kick in the teeth and tell us that were not capable of running our pubs in a safe way, that we can keep the virus at bay. He said those pubs serving food have been open now for five weeks and no cases have been associated with them and queried where was the justification for the Government continuing to keep the rest closed. You're talking about peoples livelihoods here. Youre talking about 30,000 jobs involved in this industry. This is devastating for everybody involved. He runs a small pub in a village in Donard, Co Wicklow and told RTEs Morning Ireland that it was completely ludicrous for An Taoiseach to put pubs in the same sentence as nightclubs when it comes to keeping them both closed. I cant see where the problem is in small villages and small towns around the country...Its devastating going forward, he told Morning Ireland. He said that he had spent 10,000 making modifications to his pub to allow for social distancing and prepare for reopening. We are not in the same place that we were in March, we knew everything had to move forward. We have accepted changes would have to be made, outdoor spaces are very important, he said. He said that the summer trade usually pays the bills for the Winter season but thats not going to happen now with many publicans facing into huge financial difficulties. Supports are badly needed but its needed now, theres no point turning around to us in October, he said. Even if your premises is closed, theres still bills that have to be paid. Gov. Phil Murphy called additional federal aid a game-changer to help states respond to the coronavirus-induced recession, disputing President Donald Trumps description of the assistance as a bailout for Democratic-run cities. Whether to provide aid to state and local governments is one of the major areas of disagreement between U.S. House Democrats, who included $875 billion in their $3 trillion stimulus bill, and the White House. They seem to be much more interested in solving the problems of some of the Democrat-run states and cities that have suffered greatly through bad management, Trump said at a press briefing Tuesday. Theyre looking for a trillion dollars to help out with cities that are run by Democrats in some cases, radical-left Democrats that have not done a good job. Responded Murphy: Respecting the office of the presidency, I just disagree. State and local aid is a huge game-changer, Murphy said Wednesday at his latest coronavirus briefing in Trenton. It has nothing whatsoever to do with blue or red or legacy. He insisted the issue was not a partisan one. It was one thing when the pandemic was firing in greater New York and you could look at, OK, well those are blue states, and they have been around longer and they have some issues, Murphy said. CORONAVIRUS RESOURCES: Live map tracker | Newsletter | Homepage Murphy cited Florida, a GOP-led state, which relies on sales tax revenue from its massive tourism industry. The tourists are staying home and tax collections are dropping, he said. Thats an example of a state run by a Republican governor that will be in desperate need for state and local assistance, Murphy said. Federal aid to state governments was a key component of President Barack Obamas $787 billion stimulus law passed in response to the Great Recession. It accounted for 42% of the package, or $330 billion, according to the California State Legislatures fiscal and policy analysis office. They put money into state and local entities who, in turn, were able to put money on the street immediately, Murphy said. Money on the street, in my definition, includes keeping firefighters, police, health care, educators, EMS, in their jobs. The National Governors Association, headed until Wednesday by Republican Gov. Larry Hogan of Maryland, called for $500 billion in federal aid for states, and both Democratic and Republican senators, led by New Jersey Democrat Robert Menendez, are co-sponsoring legislation to provide that money. Meanwhile, Republican-led Texas shed 112,100 state and municipal government jobs from February to June, more than any state but California, according to the Economic Policy Institute, a progressive research group. Kentucky, home state of U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, who included no state and local aid in the Senate Republicans proposed $1 trillion legislation, lost 10.2% of its public workforce, ninth highest in the country. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. Jonathan D. Salant may be reached at jsalant@njadvancemedia.com. Matt Arco may be reached at marco@njadvancemedia.com. After refraining from commenting politically on the groundbreaking ceremony of the Ram temple, the Congress is attempting a course correction on Ayodhya. The party has fielded none other general secretary Priyanka Gandhi to signal this clear shift as she heralded the ceremony as a symbol of national unity, fraternity and cultural congregation. Simplicity, courage, restraint, sacrifice, commitment, are the essence of the name Deenbandhu Lord Rama. Ram is in everyone, Ram is with everyone. With the message and blessings of Lord Ram and Mother Sita, the Bhoomipujan of Ramlalla's temple became an occasion for national unity, fraternity and cultural congregation, she tweeted. For someone, who posited herself as opposed to BJPs majoritarian politics and criticised the ruling establishment for the perceived communal agenda, the tweet was certainly unexpected. Call it a reset, call it the exigencies of realpolitik or call it whatever you want, but Priyanka Gandhis statement is a throwback to her father Rajiv Gandhis attempt to play the Hindu card in the mid and late 80s that ultimately paved the way for the meteoric rise of the BJP. The tweet may have left many, including some Congress workers, who had put their faith on Congress to maintain its ideology against the onslaught of the Hindu right, but the Gandhi scion and the person in charge of the Congress in Uttar Pradesh has hardly charted a new political course. She looks to be sticking to the path Rajiv Gandhi had taken to balance out his pandering to the fundamental sections within the Muslim community post the Shah Bano verdict. The Supreme Court had delivered a landmark judgment where it granted a maintenance allowance to Shah Bano, a divorced Muslim woman, under the CrPC. The case became a political hot potato as the court regretted that uniform civil code had remained a dead letter. As the prime minister, Rajiv Gandhi hurriedly brought in Muslim Womens (Protection of Rights on Divorce) Act, 1986 to override the apex courts judgment. This was done as he felt losing support of the minorities. But what he didnt expect was a counter-mobilisation from the Hindu right. The BJP saw its biggest opportunity of branding the Congress as a pseudo-secular party, with pseudo-secularism becoming the buzzword word as it would dominate the political discourse for the next several years. During this same period, the BJP decided to throw its hat into the VHP-led Ramjanmabhoomi movement. Meanwhile, Arun Nehru, Rajiv Gandhis trusted advisor also saw it as an opportunity to pacify the aggrieved Hindus and nip in the bud BJPs political machinations to become a major force. Uttar Pradesh, at that time, was under Congress rule. In 1986, Rajiv Gandhi along with Arun Nehru persuaded the then chief minister, Bir Bahadur Singh, to open the locks of the structure and even allowed religious ceremonies to take place inside the premises. But contrary to their expectations, the Congress and particularly Rajiv Gandhi started losing the plot as the issue and agenda was hijacked by VHP-BJP. This had as much to do with Rajiv Gandhis political naivety and inability to read the situation as it had to do with VHP-BJP viewing it as a stepping stone to their ultimate goal of constructing the Ram temple. For the prime minister things got worse as in course of time VP Singh raised the banner of rebellion over Bofors which hurtled the Congress towards becoming a disarrayed force. But the opening of gates was not the only decision that Rajiv Gandhi had taken in relation to the Ram Janmabhoomi movement. In 1989, Rajivs government did accede to VHPs demand of Shilanyas. The Shilanyas took place just days before the 1989 Lok Sabha polls. In fact, N D Tiwari, the chief minister of the state at that time, later recalled that Rajiv Gandhis home minister, Buta Singh, had taken the prime minister to visit Devraha Baba, a Hindu seer with considerable following. The seer had indirectly requested the PM to allow Shilanyas to take place to which he acquiesced. The decision suited a politically cornered Rajiv Gandhi who was facing an uphill challenge through multiple fronts. While the corruption charges of Bofors had been his political undoing, the Mandal-Kamandal politics of BJP and the Janata Dal was eating into Congress tradition caste coalition in UP and Bihar. To make matters worse, the continuous tirade of VP Singh was slowly chipping away at Rajiv Gandhis personal political capital. He was left with no agenda to fall back upon except for Hindu votes to save the situation. Leaving no stone unturned, Rajiv Gandhi even launched his 1989 political campaign from Faizabad, the district headquarters of Ayodhya, promising a Ram Rajya. However, all this while he kept on assuring the Muslim minorities that Babri Masjid will be protected. The results of the election proved to be ominous for Rajiv Gandhi as BJP trumped Congress in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh & Gujarat whereas UP and Bihar voted for the Janata Dal. The Congress only managed to get three seats in UP and four seats in Bihar. In the other Hindi heartland states, it got eight seats in Madhya Pradesh, while in Rajasthan it failed to open its account. Rahul Gandhi also belatedly decided to jump into the occasion as he tweeted invoking the qualities of love, justice and fellow feeling to be an essential ingredient of Lord Ram the deity. While Priyanka Gandhis statement was made with an eye on the assembly polls in UP, slated to be held in 2022, Rahul Gandhis soft pedalling of Hindutva is a sign of political necessities. But he hasnt extolled the Bhumi Pujan, not yet. That leaves the door open for him to be a Shiv Bhakt as he did before the assembly polls in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh in 2019 or he can choose to position himself against Hindutva terrorism if the situation dictates. When it comes to what Kamal Nath and Digvijaya Singh are doing, it is no different to what certain Congress leaders like Arun Nehru and Buta Singh did at in the 80s with their public support to the temple movement. But, the Congress has comfortably forgotten a big lesson from the late 80s and 90s the partys downfall began when it tried to balance catering to both the Hindu and Muslim political forces. The survey also found disparities across racial groups, an indication that people who are hit hardest by the pandemic are also having to wait longer for test results. Black people surveyed reported an average wait time for results of five days, and Hispanic respondents reported an average wait time of 4.6 days, compared with 3.9 days for white people. Testing is just not quick enough, said Matthew A. Baum, a professor of public policy at Harvard University and one of the researchers in the group, which found that wait times were strikingly similar across the country. This is an enormously widespread problem. The challenge, experts say, is a basic issue of supply and demand. About half of all coronavirus tests are conducted by large-scale commercial laboratory companies like LabCorp and Quest Diagnostics, which are racing to turn around swabs while competing with a global market. There is also a critical shortage of certain equipment and supplies, including reagents, the chemical ingredients needed to detect whether the coronavirus is present in a sample. Federal officials argue that long wait times are unusual, citing figures that more than 80 percent of tests are completed within three days. With plans to reduce the share of tests done by commercial labs, shifting more responsibility to hospitals and other facilities where tests can be done in as little as 15 minutes, officials say that turnaround times are expected to improve soon. Still, labs around the country have been feeling the pressure for weeks. In Brunswick, Ga., lab technicians are working around the clock. Machines churn out results in 50 minutes to four and a half hours, but there are so many orders that the labs cannot keep up. Regular shipments of chemicals needed to test for the virus do not last even a week, so pathologists have begun to carefully dole out their supplies. We literally ration tests, said Dr. Patrick Godbey, the president of the College of American Pathologists and the director of two labs in the Brunswick area. He estimated that for every test his labs are able to perform, they have to send three to national commercial laboratory companies. Why keep a backlog? he said. Tomorrow is going to be just as busy. In California, Dr. Amir Jamali, an orthopedic surgeon, had to order swabs from eBay in order to test surgery patients at his practice in the Bay Area. He paid about $50 for a bundle of five, which he said was far above the normal price. But now, Dr. Jamali said, the effort has been largely for naught because turnaround times at local labs are inching longer by the day. A disagreement over the county budget escalated Wednesday when Midland County District Attorney Laura Nodolf filed a civil suit against County Judge Terry Johnson. Nodolf alleges in the suit that Johnson failed to fulfill his duties to prepare and file the county budget. She is requesting that the budget be filed immediately with the county clerk and that Johnson be ordered to file the budget by July 31 in future years. The county judge is required to prepare a budget annually in July, the 10th month of the fiscal year, Nodolf states in the suit. That budget is then filed with the county clerk, where it can be inspected by any party and is posted on Midland Countys website. Johnson told the Reporter-Telegram he will be filing the budget Thursday (Aug. 6). Nodolf states in the lawsuit she is concerned that [Johnson] may attempt to make budgetary adjustments that are contrary to the laws of the state of Texas as her reason for wanting to inspect the budget and filing the suit. In a phone interview, Commissioner Scott Ramsey said there was less transparency with the writing of the county budget than in previous years, when commissioners and department heads could view the proposal through a document-sharing program as it was being written. This year, commissioners and department heads were not able to see the budget, Ramsey said. I dont know what hes doing, he said. Its a mystery to me. Johnson said he chose to not make the budget available before it was filed because he didnt want the commissioners or department heads to comment on the budget as he was writing it. He said the budget will be discussed and revised in future Commissioners Court sessions. The first budget-related items will be discussed Monday, when the Commissioners Court proposes the countys property tax rate and votes on salaries for elected officials. Ramsey said he felt the commissioners should have been given more time to review the budget before deciding on the tax rate. Johnson, however, said, Theyre claiming it doesnt give them time to come up with a tax rate it gives them all the time they had last year. Records show last years budget was filed on Aug. 8 and the commissioners discussed the proposed tax rate on Aug. 12, following the same timeline as this year, although the commissioners last year were able to view the budget before it was filed. In a statement to the Reporter-Telegram, Nodolf declined to comment on the lawsuit, citing the ongoing litigation. As the district attorney, I have certain statutory duties and ethical obligations per the Texas Disciplinary Rules of Professional Conduct, she said. I take those obligations very seriously. As such, I will not comment on the pending litigation so as to maintain the integrity of the judicial process. County Attorney Russell Malm said Johnson is not out of compliance with the local government code by not submitting the budget in July. Although the law requires the county judge to prepare the budget in July, it doesnt say when he has to finish it or when he has to file it, Malm said. Further, he said previous county judges have usually filed the budget in early August. Malm said it logically doesnt make sense for the budget to be finished in July because the county judge meets with each department head to review the budget before filing it. Under the current process, the county judge meets individually with everyone who has a budget, he said. That lengthens the process. Nodolf requested an expedited hearing on the suit but no time was set for the hearing as of Wednesday evening. The hearing was delayed after the judge first assigned to the case recused himself. It has now been assigned to Ector County 385th District Court Judge Stacy Trotter. By Theresa Harrington EdSource Oakland parents worried that their children may not get enough live instruction this fall may find help from a community group that provided summer instruction and is mapping out plans to offer a similar enrichment program this fall. Oakland REACH hopes to replicate its "city-wide virtual hub" summer program that included live online instruction in core academic subjects such as math and English language arts for Oakland children in K-8 in mostly low-income Black and Latino families. "We are fundraising and building at the same time," said Lakisha Young, CEO of the nonprofit Oakland REACH organization, referring to the fall program. Oakland REACH aims to help families who don't have the resources to hire teachers for so-called "learning pods" to help their children reclaim what they missed last spring during distance learning and keep up with their classes this fall. The group calls its program a "hub" because it is a central community resource that offers academic, as well as other resources in a "one-stop" virtual environment tailored to families' needs, Young said. She is surveying families to assess their needs, she says, while also fundraising and talking to other organizations that may be able to partner with them, as well as to people who are willing to volunteer. Young says she could use funds from their operating budget to launch the program in early September for interested families, including the approximately 180 students who participated in the summer program. The scale of the fall program has not yet taken shape because it depends on how many families want to participate and the services they want, as well as partnerships with other groups and funding. "All of those things will come together," Young said Monday. The group is building on the positive feedback the program got this summer from the families who participated in the five-week online sessions taught by 14 credentialed teachers from Oakland Unified and city charter schools, Young said. One feature of the program is to pay parents a stipend to help ensure that they are monitoring their children's work. The program paid parents of students in the K-2 program $500 for the five-week summer program, and $250 to parents of students in grades 3-8. Young said she wants to continue providing stipends to parents in the 2020-21 school year as an incentive for them to participate in the program, as well as to help struggling families pay their bills during the Covid-19 pandemic. The hub includes a family sustainability center, which distributed devices and internet access to families before the summer program began, as well as "family liaisons" who work with families to help set up email accounts, explain how to use Google Classroom and offer other support as needed. Young said the group plans to expand its family center to include workshops on topics families have said they would like more information about, such as student learning, healthy living, financial literacy and how to access resources to help pay for rent, utilities and food. Many parents told program organizers that their children did not receive the same level of instruction or tech support from their district or charter schools after they closed in March and converted to distance learning. The K-2 students in the summer program that ended Friday focused on literacy in the mornings and a martial arts program in the afternoon, while students in grades 3-8 worked on reading, writing and math in the mornings, followed by martial arts, cooking, science or creative writing. Phase 2 would likely supplement the instruction students receive from their district or charter schools, Young said, adding that the group will be mindful of how much screen time students are involved with each day. "We want to be able to build a hybrid situation where families are feeling like they're going to get quality," Young said, adding that she's hoping to partner with other groups locally, statewide or even nationally to offer one-on-one tutoring for students who are falling behind, as the program expands. Although distance learning classes in Oakland Unified are scheduled to start Monday, the district is still negotiating how it will deliver instruction with its teachers' union and is still coordinating the distribution of computers and hotspots to families that need them, leaving parents worried about how children will be taught, Young said. "We're trying to make sure our families get access to instruction no matter what happens," she said, explaining that the hub could offer an after-school type of program to families whose children will attend district or charter schools. If some parents don't believe Oakland schools are meeting their children's needs, Young said the hub could also consider taking on the role of a "community school" similar to one operated by the Black Panthers decades ago to serve Oakland families. In a pandemic setting, the school would provide "wrap-around supports," but in a distance learning environment. Other cities, she said, are also looking at the hub model with an interest in replicating it, although she acknowledges that the community school model is still in development. Parents and grandparents whose children and grandchildren have benefited from the hub's summer program say they look forward to continuing to participate in the fall, especially since they are not sure how much live instruction they will receive from their district or charter schools. "I loved it," said Carolyn Bims-Payne, whose sons Jaylen and Michael Lee -- who are going into fourth and seventh grade -- participated in the program. Bims-Payne said she was pleased by how engaged they were in the live virtual instruction, compared to the lack of live interaction they had with their district teachers after schools closed last spring. "It's a close community with the teachers, which is extremely important, and the smaller class sizes is vital as well," Bims-Payne said, noting that her sons' district classes included at least 28 students, while they had about 15 classmates in the hub. Even before the COVID-19 crisis, a stark achievement gap existed in Oakland, with students of color lagging white and Asian students. Fewer than one-quarter of Black and Latino students in Oakland Unified met grade level standards in English language arts and math on 2018-19 state Smarter Balanced tests compared with half of Asian students and nearly three-fourths of white students. Math scores were even lower, with just 12 percent of Black students and 17 percent of Latino students meeting the standards, compared with 49 percent of Asian students and 65 percent of white students. Add to that the fact that a similar percentage missed out on distance learning last spring, leaving many students with no instruction due to a variety of reasons, including lack of access to computers and the internet, or lack of communication from their schools. Young said the hub provided devices and hotspots to families that needed them as part of its budget for the summer program, which was about $300,000. More than $140,000 paid for teachers' salaries, Young said, and the budget also covered 10 family liaisons. Funding for the hub and the organization's "REACH Relief Fund" to help families with other needs during the summer came from an array of major area foundations and donors, including many who contribute to the group's annual budget of about $1.5 million, Young said. She hopes to build on this support and to explore new funding possibilities to expand the hub, including partnering with the district or tapping into state funding for educational resources, she added. District school grandparent Guy Robinson said he wants his grandchildren to participate in the hub in the fall, based on the help they received during the summer. He said they had difficulties trying to navigate the online learning offered by their schools in the spring, in part due to lack of communication from the school. In contrast, the family liaison in the hub kept him connected and was ready to assist if he needed help. He said the hub has helped his grandchildren "become more responsible and more self-motivated," and "to work independently." In a recent virtual hubclass, students in Dave Philhower's fourth-grade English language arts class read and discussed an article about the life of the late civil rights icon, Rep. John Lewis and then worked on "quick writes" highlighting some main points. Philhower gently nudged students to add more details, such as mentioning Lewis' role in the march from Selma to Montgomery or asking them for a "specific" example of a time when Lewis demonstrated that he was a hero. Meanwhile, second-graders in Camille Gasoscos' class learned to read, spell and write words such as saw, old, gold, cold, put and tan. Gasoscos held up the words written in large letters on strips of paper and asked each of her students to read and spell them, following her finger as she pointed to the letters. Antoinette Howard, whose two grandchildren participated in the hub, said she felt involved because she sat with them and listened to the online lessons and watched their face-to-face interactions with teachers and other students. "It's a great program," she said. Young said the key to the program's success is that it was designed for Oakland families based on their needs. She said established educational systems, such as local and state agencies, should also focus more on what parents and students need. "This pandemic has pushed really critical conversations in this educational system," she said. "It really is sparking dialogue and innovation that I think is just long overdue." Editor's Note: As a special project, EdSource is tracking developments in the Oakland Unified and West Contra Costa Unified School Districts as a way to illustrate some of the challenges facing other urban districts in California. West Contra Costa Unified includes Richmond, El Cerrito and several other East Bay communities. Copyright 2020 by Bay City News, Inc. Republication, Rebroadcast or any other Reuse without the express written consent of Bay City News, Inc. is prohibited. A recent study from Latino Decisions revealed that 83% of Latino parents are worried their children will fall behind due to remote learning. "For many Latino parents, their unfamiliarity with the subject matter and assignments being taught plays a significant barrier in providing their children with the academic support they need," said the survey. U.S. HOUSE VOTES TO CREATE LATINO MUSEUM: Latino history is American history, and new Smithsonian museum proves it While we all gained some experience with home-schooling during the pandemic shut down that began in March, many parents across the country share the same concerns. Yolanda Rodriguez, interim chief academic officer discussed Houston ISD's technology plans in a Houston Chronicle article: "Houston ISD officials aimed to provide a laptop for every student, but Rodriguez said that likely will not happen by the time schools start virtually on Sept. 8. She said students who lack internet or technology access would be given paper work packets, contradicting TEA mandates that schools open to students who lack the technology to learn virtually." According to the survey, subjects most Latino parents were concerned their children were falling behind on included: Math (59% overall, 68% for rural respondents) Writing (49% overall, 53% for rural respondents) Science (47% overall, 53% for rural respondents) The survey showed internet access is a main concern. "If you're getting choppy video, if you're getting choppy reception, if your teacher is kind of cutting in and out due to the quality of your computer or internet speed, those are little things that can hinder their ability to grasp new concepts," said Robert Fernandez, who has three children in school, to NBC News. Another Houston Chronicle article reports: "In the Houston areas 10 largest school districts, about 9 percent of households nearly 142,650 do not have a computer, according to the most recent U.S. Census estimates. Nearly twice that number about 267,250 households lack broadband internet access. Three of the regions largest and most impoverished districts Alief, Aldine, and Houston ISDs face the greatest shortages, according to Census data and estimates from district leaders." In addition to helping families gain access to better technology or high-speed internet, Latino Decisions said 46% of the respondents to the survey also listed finding quality child care in the fall as a challenge, with roughly half of Latino parents or grandparents working outside the home. As schools make plans for the fall session "developing strategies for implementing suggestions could greatly improve the educational experience for Latino and immigrant families," said Latino Decisions. STAY INFORMED: Sign up to receive breaking news alerts delivered to your email here. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 4) -- Philippine Health Insurance Corporation President and CEO Ricardo Morales admitted he has not done enough to rid the agency of corruption as senators raise irregularities under his watch. "Inaamin ko kulang ako sa paghanap ng mga gumagawa ng katiwalian," he said in a Senate Committee of the Whole hearing on Tuesday. [Translation: I admit that I am lacking in my efforts to look for those who are committing irregularities.] Morales said he admitted this given that some irregularities are still present in the agency. Among the issues raised in the hearing was the release of the Interim Reimbursement Mechanism funds, a cash aid program, to healthcare institutions reeling from the COVID-19 crisis. Senator Ping Lacson said the IRM is meant for hospitals and healthcare providers hit by a fortuitous event with clear and apparent intent to continuously operate and or rebuild the HCI to provide continuous care services to adversely affected Filipinos. PhilHealth President and CEO Ricardo Morales told Lacson in response that COVID-19 pandemic is a fortuitous event to which the latter agreed. But the lawmaker questioned the quick release of funds to healthcare providers which he said do not cater to COVID-19 patients. He cited as example the provision of P45,176,518 to five dialysis centers of Braun Avitum Philippines, Inc. Meanwhile, he claimed that Ospital ng Maynila, which accepts COVID-19 patients, has not received any cash advance yet. He also cast doubt on the release of P226 million to maternity care providers. Other senators also raised the same issue. Morales later defended that they released the funds to areas with high COVID-19 incidence rates such as Metro Manila, Calabarzon and Central Luzon. He later added that they also distributed to other areas such as Bicol Region and Eastern Visayas which initially had yet to record high number of infections, to allow them to prepare for the outbreak. He assured that COVID-19 referral hospitals were prioritized. However, he also conceded that the system was "not perfect." "There are some areas that are more administratively efficient than others so 'yun ang reason kung bakit may nakakatanggap at may hindi nakakatanggap," he lamented. [Translation: There are some areas that are more administratively efficient than others so that is the reason why some have received the funds while others have not.] Morales maintained that the irregularities will be resolved once they get their proposed new information technology systems, though these have also been contested by lawmakers. READ: PhilHealth chief endorsed 'overpriced' IT projects, says official Running out of funds Morales said initially, the IRM funds were meant for Level 1 to 3 hospitals, but later on, they also provided financial assistance to dialysis centers and maternity care providers, noting without the relief, they will be forced to turn away patients. They appealed to us as their patients need to be taken care of, Morales said. Morales also said that as of June 23, P19.3 million was released to Ospital ng Maynila, but Lacson told him Philhealth should better check their record again. Lacson said according to the Office of the Mayor of Manila, no IRM releases were made as of Monday. For his part, PhilHealth Executive Vice President Arnel de Jesus said the purpose of IRM is to provide aid to all healthcare providers hit by the pandemic, not just hospitals which cater to COVID-19-related concerns. PhilHealth said over P14 billion IRM funds were already released to hospitals and other healthcare institutions, most or P7.15 billion of which were provided to Level 3 hospitals. Earlier in the hearing, the state-run agency's former anti-fraud legal officer Thorrsson Montes Keith, who earlier resigned due to "widespread corruption" within the office also accused PhilHealth chief of instructing him to talk to Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission Commissioner Greco Belgica to amend a pending case involving the agency's overpriced COVID-19 testing kits. "Inutusan ako para hilutin ang kaso sa overpriced test kits," Keith bared. [Translation: He asked me to negotiate on the case involving overpriced test kits.] But Keith said he did not agree to Morales' directive. In May, Senator Franklin Drilon questioned the supposed overpriced COVID-19 testing package of the agency. In June, PhilHealth reduced their rates, citing an increase in number of testing kits and accredited coronavirus testing centers. Holly Willoughby has shared a rare wedding photo after celebrating her 13th anniversary with husband Dan Baldwin. The This Morning presenter, 39, took to Instagram on Wednesday to share a throwback snap from the ceremony, documenting the couple's first kiss as husband and wife. Holly wrote: 'Yesterday marked 13 years since this photo was taken...I love you so much Daniel... totally blessed... my absolute world.' Happy anniversary! Holly Willoughby celebrated her 13th wedding anniversary with husband Dan Baldwin on Tuesday and posted this throwback snap on her Instagram A host of Holly's pals congratulated the milestone in the comments. Davina McCall wrote: 'Awwwwwwww congrats guys ', while her stylist Angie Smith posted a slew of pink love hearts. Willoughby first met Dan, 49, when she rejoined CITV in 2004 and presented Ministry of Mayhem, with Dan being one of the show's producers. Sweet: Holly wrote: 'Yesterday marked 13 years since this photo was taken...I love you so much Daniel... totally blessed... my absolute world' Love at first sight: Willoughby first met Dan, 49, when she rejoined CITV in 2004 and presented Ministry of Mayhem, with Dan being one of the show's producers (pictured 2016) Stunning: Holly designer her own wedding dress- an ivory gown which was overlaid with French lace- and asked a friend to make it for her The couple, who have three children; Harry, 11, Belle, nine, and Chester, five, married in 2007 in front of a famous crowd at St Michael's Church, before hosting their wedding reception at Amberley Castle in West Sussex. The 900-year-old castle held a special place in their heart, with the couple visiting the historic site every time there was a special occasion. Holly designer her own wedding dress- an ivory gown which was overlaid with French lace- and asked a friend to make it for her. She wore the bridal gown with a vintage veil and earrings. Family: Holly is proud mum to Harry, 11, Belle, nine, and Chester, five, (pictured on Mother's Day) The This Morning presenter confessed her dress was 'filthy' and even a bit ripped after her wedding day, before she wore it again to celebrate Prince Harry and Meghan's royal wedding in May 2018. For the ceremony, best pal Ferne Cotton acted as bridesmaid, along with MTV's Sarah Cawood and Holly's sister Kelly. Dermot O'Leary was one of Dan's ushers. Previously reflecting on her big day on This Morning, Holly said: 'I wanted the massive dress and the towering heels. 'But I regretted it and I ended up walking around barefoot for the whole day. It was fun, but the hem of my dress is ruined now.' From top left: Shannon Walker, Soichi Noguchi, Victor Glover., and Michael Hopkins pose with SpaceX founder Elon Musk and NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine. The crew's fingers form the number one for Crew-1. Jim Bridenstine/NASA The success of SpaceX's Demo-2 mission tees the company and NASA up for their next crewed launch. That mission, called Crew-1, will ferry four astronauts to the space station and back: Victor Glover, Shannon Walker, Mike Hopkins, and Soichi Noguchi. The team is expected to launch in late September. Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories. When NASA astronauts Bob Behnken and Doug Hurley landed in the Gulf of Mexico after a fiery fall through Earth's atmosphere, people around the world breathed sighs of relief including a group of four fellow astronauts in Houston. The success of the mission, a high-stakes test of SpaceX's Crew Dragon spaceship, showed that NASA could successfully partner with the company to fly astronauts to and from the International Space Station. The four astronauts who'd been watching in Houston are the crew of SpaceX's Crew-1 mission, the next round trip to the ISS. NASA astronauts Shannon Walker, Mike Hopkins, and Victor Glover, as well as JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency) astronaut Soichi Noguchi, are expected to launch in September. "It was all a very emotional event for all of us to be able to watch our colleagues, our friends, come home safely," Walker said in a press conference following the landing. He added, "we're very excited that it went as smoothly as it did, because that really points to the success of how our mission will be when we get a chance to launch." NASA and SpaceX plan to launch at least six missions to the ISS (not including this recent demo) using SpaceX rockets and the Crew Dragon capsule. The partnership frees NASA from its reliance on Russian Soyuz spacecraft, which have recently cost up to $90 million per seat. NASA hasn't been able to launch astronauts in American systems since 2011, when it ended the space shuttle program. A seat on a SpaceX shuttle is projected to cost $55 million (not counting the funding NASA gave the company to develop the Crew Dragon in the first place). Story continues The success of the recent mission kicked off "a new era in spaceflight," SpaceX founder Elon Musk said on Sunday. Meet the Crew-1 astronauts The Crew-1 astronauts plan to stay on the ISS for the standard six months, during which they'll conduct space walks, d0 science experiments, and work on regular station maintenance. Like other crews, they'll bring a diverse array of expertise and backgrounds to their work. Hopkins, the mission commander, grew up on a farm in Missouri and was a special assistant to the Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff before becoming an astronaut in 2009. A colonel in the Air Force, he served as a flight test engineer. He spent 166 days on the space station in 2013. NASA astronaut Michael Hopkins, Expedition 37 flight engineer, stows items in a locker in the Destiny laboratory of the International Space Station on September 27, 2013. NASA Walker, a mission specialist, was born in Houston, Texas, and was hired by NASA in 1995. She worked on robotics hardware and other initiatives before being selected as an astronaut in 2004. She spent 161 days on the ISS in 2010. NASA astronaut Shannon Walker, Expedition 25 flight engineer, is pictured near the windows in the Cupola of the International Space Station on November 7, 2010. NASA Glover, the crew's pilot, was selected as part of NASA's 21st astronaut class in 2013, while serving as a Legislative Fellow in the US Senate. He's a former Navy commander, aviator, and test pilot, with over 3,000 hours flying experience but this will be his first spaceflight. Astronaut Victor Glover raises his hands after being selected to fly on the second crewed mission of SpaceX's Crew Dragon spaceship, August 3, 2018. David J. Phillip/AP Noguchi, who will also serve as a mission specialist, is an aeronautical engineer from Japan. A former Boy Scout, he was selected as an astronaut in 1996 and has spent 177 days in space. If the Crew-1 mission goes as planned, Noguchi will have flown on three different spacecraft: He has also flown on Russia's Soyuz and the US Space Shuttle. A JAXA astronaut, Noguchi the only non-NASA member of Crew-1. Part of the motivation for the NASA-SpaceX partnership was to enable other countries' space agencies to purchase seats as well, further loosening Russia's monopoly on spaceflight. JAXA astronaut Soichi Noguchi. JAXA "We have a great variety or diversity in this crew. And my small contribution to this great team is experience," Noguchi told reporters during a post-splashdown conference on Sunday. After Crew-1, SpaceX's subsequent Crew-2 mission is scheduled to depart in the spring. That crew is slated to fly the same Crew Dragon capsule that Behnken and Hurley used. Crew-2 will also involve four astronauts: NASA astronauts Megan McArthur and Shane Kimbrough, JAXA astronaut Akihiko Hoshide, and European Space Agency astronaut Thomas Pesquet. McArthur, who will pilot the ship, is also Behnken's wife. Read the original article on Business Insider A Micro-enterprise Partner in Haiti We shifted our messaging to one of hope in the future. Wayne Elsey, Founder & CEO, said, During the last four months we refocused our company as we got dealt the hand that everyone else did. In April, we shifted our messaging to one of hope in the future. Moreover, we expressed our commitment to our long-term partners and new prospects to help them raise much-needed funds. We also focused on sharing creative fundraising solutions, including virtual, which have nothing to do with asking people for money and selling merchandise no one needs or wants. Candidly, we are humbled and thrilled by the response." Funds2Orgs sought to keep its fingers on the pulse of the philanthropy sector. In one survey they found, more than 75% of nonprofits canceled their existing fundraisers. Also, more than 73% noted they would miss their fundraising goals by more than 20% at a time when there are significant needs in communities. Elsey continued, "As we realized the challenge, we decided on a three-pronged approach. 1) Remove COVID-19 language since everyone knows what we face. 2) Remind people we are all in this together. 3) Create compelling virtual marketing and fundraising ideas to help as many groups and people as possible raise money. Further, we redoubled efforts digitally, through webinars and social media." Elsey also expressed that a 9-year-old inspired the idea for a unique direct response strategy. The child drew a shoe on a card with the words #YOUMatter, which is his brand message. Moved by this gesture, Elsey immediately contacted the parents to acquire the rights to the image. He then used the picture on social media and in print as a point of inspiration for all who saw it. Within a week, the direct mail house mailed out 35,000 cards with the image, and it was enthusiastically received. In addition, during this regroup period, it was a perfect time for us to move into the new global offices that we acquired last year. Our tenants were struggling, and we released them from their leases and made them whole even though they ended their leases early, Elsey said, We believe as a company that we always have to do right by others, and it was the right thing to do. I have always said, treat others like you want to get treated. Today, we opened our global headquarters, consolidating our logistics, warehousing, and our expanded fundraising team. We are all now in one location with double the space. Because of the commitment to growth and partners, Funds2Orgs increased growth, which was enhanced by sharpening the marketing strategy to help the public learn how to fundraise differentlyin-person or virtually. By the end of 2021, the company plans to double in size due to the demand for a sustainable fundraiser. For more information about Funds2Orgs, please visit Funds2Orgs.com. About Wayne Elsey & Funds2Orgs Wayne Elsey founded Funds2Orgs, making it the leading shoe drive fundraising social enterprise in North America, along with other shoe repurposing brands, such as Sneakers4Funds. As an innovator and business disruptor, Elsey is a member of the Forbes Business Development Council. Elsey has been featured on NBC Nightly News, Good Morning America, Today Show, & Fox News, and is the author of several books. Funds2Orgs works with nonprofits, schools, community groups, churches, and others, helping them fundraise in an easy, innovative way by collecting shoes. Further, Funds2Orgs works globally in partnership with micro-entrepreneurs in developing nations around the globe. It also offers organizations and local communities a socially responsible way to repurpose unwanted shoes in support of a good cause and the environment. ST. LOUIS, Aug. 5, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Peabody (NYSE: BTU) today announced its second quarter 2020 operating results, including revenues of $626.7 million; loss from continuing operations, net of income taxes of $1.55 billion; net loss attributable to common stockholders of $1.54 billion; diluted loss per share from continuing operations of $15.76; and Adjusted EBITDA1 of $23.4 million. "Over the past quarter, we have remained committed to the health and safety of our employees and communities in which we operate, while also taking further action to improve our cost structure," said President and Chief Executive Officer Glenn Kellow. "Our U.S. thermal operations have done a tremendous job of adapting to significantly lower demand, while our seaborne operations have remained pressured by the economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. Continued uncertainty in global markets requires us to further improve our operating performance and ensure we have a scalable structure that can respond to market conditions in the months ahead." Second Quarter 2020 Results Second quarter 2020 revenues of $626.7 million reflect the impact of substantially lower shipments and weak pricing. Seaborne revenues declined $257.5 million on 48 percent lower metallurgical volumes and depressed metallurgical and thermal coal prices, largely driven by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. U.S. thermal revenues declined $234.4 million due to the closure of Kayenta in the third quarter of 2019 as well as continued weakness in natural gas prices impacting coal demand. Twenty-eight percent lower volumes, combined with the impacts of the Kayenta Mine closure in late 2019, contributed to a 47 percent decline in depreciation, depletion, and amortization (DD&A) from the prior year to $88.3 million. Compared to the prior year, selling and administrative (SG&A) expenses improved 35 percent, reflecting prior restructuring efforts, including headcount reductions made earlier this year. Year-to-date SG&A marks the lowest levels reported since 2003. Peabody impaired the value of its North Antelope Rochelle Mine by $1.42 billion driven by changes in multiple assumptions, including lower long-term natural gas prices, timing of coal plant retirements and continued growth from renewable generation. These factors have contributed to the company projecting that coal's share of the U.S. generation mix will continue to be lower than prior year levels. During the quarter, Peabody incurred $16.5 million in restructuring charges associated with headcount reductions and $12.9 million in transaction costs related to the pending PRB/Colorado joint venture. These costs have been excluded from Adjusted EBITDA. Segment Performance The seaborne thermal segment exported 2.5 million tons in the second quarter at an average realized price of $49.87 per short ton. The remaining 2.1 million tons were delivered under a long-term domestic supply contract. Year-to-date export thermal sales have totaled 5.1 million short tons. Seaborne thermal segment costs per ton of $29.19 improved 5 percent compared to the prior year and 9 percent compared to the prior quarter. Second quarter costs reflect planned increases associated with the United/Wambo joint venture transition and a longwall move at Wambo Underground. These increases were offset by lower foreign exchange rates and fuel costs as well as favorable royalties and product mix. Seaborne metallurgical shipments were significantly impacted by both demand and production constraints. Compared to the prior year, second quarter 2020 shipments of 1.1 million tons declined 48 percent, primarily at Shoal Creek and the Coppabella and Moorvale mines. Significantly lower volumes across the segment, the ongoing main line conveyor system upgrade project at Shoal Creek, pit sequencing at Moorvale, a planned dragline outage at Coppabella and the unfavorable impact of accounting for the lower net realizable value of inventory at some mines contributed to seaborne metallurgical costs rising to $120.72 per ton. While PRB shipments declined 28 percent compared to the prior year, costs per ton improved 5 percent to $9.26 per ton as the segment continues to respond to weak industry conditions. As expected, costs per ton improved from the first quarter by $1.02 per ton, driven primarily by realizing the benefit of set room regained in the prior quarter, reducing repair and maintenance expense, increasing productivity, and optimizing blending of in-pit inventory. The segment earned 19 percent Adjusted EBITDA margins, or $2.19 per ton, in the quarter. During the second quarter, the other U.S. thermal segment shipped 3.8 million tons and delivered 22 percent Adjusted EBITDA margins. Compared to the prior year, total segment Adjusted EBITDA declined in part due to Kayenta's prior year contribution of $35 million. Balance Sheet and Liquidity Peabody ended the second quarter with $848.5 million of cash and cash equivalents on hand and $926.1 million of available liquidity. Available liquidity decreased $261.6 million from March 31, 2020 to June 30, 2020 in part due to operational needs as well as increased collateralization of long-term obligations. The company is undertaking a process to explore and evaluate various strategic financing alternatives. In connection with considering various options to enhance the company's financial flexibility, Peabody has made changes to its corporate structure and designated certain of its subsidiaries as unrestricted subsidiaries under the senior notes indenture and the credit agreement. The designated subsidiaries consist primarily of the entities through which the company conducts the operations of its Wilpinjong mine. Year-to-date, Wilpinjong generated 74 percent of total seaborne thermal segment Adjusted EBITDA. Market Update While the global economy continues to navigate through the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the timing, scope and scale of the recovery remains uncertain. Ongoing demand uncertainty driven by idled steel capacity in Europe and the Asia-Pacific, weak overall electricity generation and the implementation of Chinese import restrictions have contributed to low seaborne coal prices. Year-to-date through June, global steel production declined 6 percent compared to the prior year. Excluding China, global steel production for that same period fell 14 percent. As a result, demand from major metallurgical coal importing countries excluding China has been down year-to-date. While China had strong year-to-date thermal coal imports through June (up 18 million tonnes), recently imposed import restrictions have begun to hamper demand. In addition, economic activity in India remains weak, driving year-to-date June imports down 20 million tonnes compared to the prior year. Other major importing countries also continue to be impacted by slower economic activity. Supply responses began to emerge in the second quarter, with Indonesia thermal coal exports down 17 million tonnes year-to-date through June. While Australian thermal coal exports have remained in line with the prior year, exports from the other major supply regions have all declined year-to-date. U.S. thermal coal conditions remain especially challenging given weak overall electricity demand, high customer inventory levels and continued low natural gas prices. These factors have accelerated the secular decline already underway in the industry. Total U.S. electricity generation year-to-date through June was down approximately 4 percent, with coal generation falling 31 percent to 17 percent of the generation mix as natural gas and wind took market share, rising to 39 percent and 9 percent, respectively, of the generation mix. While Peabody's mine operations were not materially impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic during the quarter, the company has responded to weaker demand by lowering production across its operations to meet demand. Operational Update The company is continuing to advance its program to reposition the cost structure of the corporate functions and mines to counter the impacts of reduced demand and low pricing. These initiatives include temporarily idling production at some mines; adjusting shift schedules to match demand; reducing the number of units in operation; offloading take-or-pay commitments; and eliminating additional positions, among other items. Major activities include the following: Since April, the company reduced an additional 450 positions, including contractors, across several mines, bringing total reductions across the operations and corporate and support functions to approximately 1,020 positions. Over the past 18 months, Peabody has reduced its workforce by approximately 24 percent. At Metropolitan, Peabody reduced approximately 34 percent of its workforce, including contractors, and scaled back production in response to weak seaborne demand. The company restructured the Coppabella and Moorvale mines to operate as a single mining complex, which is anticipated to result in increased efficiencies and lower costs. In addition, the mine reduced three excavators/truck and shovel units in response to challenging PCI demand. In addition, Peabody furloughed approximately 280 positions, including contractors, at its Wambo Underground Mine beginning in mid-June (at the conclusion of its recent longwall move) for 59 days. The company also furloughed employees during at an extended longwall move at Twentymile and shortened work schedules at several other U.S. thermal coal mines. Peabody reduced holding costs at North Goonyella to approximately $5 million per quarter, beginning in the third quarter of 2020. per quarter, beginning in the third quarter of 2020. While work is still underway, since initiation of the program, 10 out of 17 currently owned and operated mines have demonstrated improvements in cost per ton when comparing second quarter 2020 results to full-year 2019 results, despite significant volume declines. In addition, the company continues to weigh its strategic development alternatives while the North Goonyella commercial process is advancing. The pending PRB/Colorado joint venture with Arch also continues to progress through the court system, with an expected ruling by the end of the third quarter of 2020. Outlook Given continued uncertainties with respect to COVID-19, including the duration, severity, scope, and necessary government actions to limit the spread, Peabody is continuing its suspension of full-year 2020 guidance targets. Based on current customer nominations, Peabody has the following sales priced for delivery in 2020: 87 million tons of PRB coal priced at an average price of $11.36 per ton, implying 46 million tons to be delivered in the second half of 2020. per ton, implying 46 million tons to be delivered in the second half of 2020. 18 million tons of other U.S. thermal coal priced at an average price of $36 per ton, implying 9 million tons to be delivered in the second half of 2020. per ton, implying 9 million tons to be delivered in the second half of 2020. 7.2 million tons of seaborne thermal coal priced at an average price of $58 per short ton, implying 2.1 million of already priced tons to be delivered in the second half of 2020. Ultimately, deliveries will be dependent on general economic conditions, weather, natural gas prices and other factors. Peabody continues to closely monitor volumes and is aggressively protecting its contractual rights. The company remains focused on preserving cash and operational liquidity during these challenging times. Full-year SG&A expense is now expected to be approximately $110 million, while 2020 capital expenditures have been reduced to $200 million. The company is maintaining full compliance with all regulatory reclamation requirements, but given operational sequencing is lowering its 2020 ARO cash spend to $50 million. While Peabody now expects lower SG&A, capital and ARO expenditures, further action is required. The company remains committed to repositioning its cost structure in light of reduced demand and lower pricing. Today's earnings call is scheduled for 10 a.m. CDT and can be accessed via the company's website at PeabodyEnergy.com. Peabody (NYSE: BTU) is a leading coal producer, serving customers in more than 25 countries on six continents. We provide essential products to fuel baseload electricity for emerging and developed countries and create the steel needed to build foundational infrastructure. Our commitment to sustainability underpins our activities today and helps to shape our strategy for the future. For further information, visit PeabodyEnergy.com. Contact: Julie Gates 314.342.4336 1 Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP financial measure. Revenues per ton, costs per ton, Adjusted EBITDA margin per ton and percent are non-GAAP operating/statistical measures. Adjusted EBITDA margin is equal to segment Adjusted EBITDA divided by segment revenues. Please refer to the tables and related notes in this press release for a reconciliation and definition of non-GAAP financial measures. Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited) For the Quarters and Six Months Ended Jun. 30, 2020 and 2019 (In Millions, Except Per Share Data) Quarter Ended Six Months Ended Jun. Jun. Jun. Jun. 2020 2019 2020 2019 Tons Sold 28.3 39.4 63.9 79.9 Revenues $ 626.7 $ 1,149.0 $ 1,472.9 $ 2,399.6 Operating Costs and Expenses (1) 556.3 857.8 1,335.8 1,806.0 Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization 88.3 165.4 194.3 337.9 Asset Retirement Obligation Expenses 14.1 15.3 31.7 29.1 Selling and Administrative Expenses 25.2 38.9 50.1 75.6 Restructuring Charges 16.5 0.4 23.0 0.6 Transaction Costs Related to Joint Ventures 12.9 1.6 17.1 1.6 Other Operating Loss (Income): Net Loss (Gain) on Disposals 0.2 (0.2) (7.9) (1.7) Asset Impairment 1,418.1 1,418.1 Provision for North Goonyella Equipment Loss 24.7 North Goonyella Insurance Recovery (125.0) Loss (Income) from Equity Affiliates 6.0 (9.7) 15.1 (13.2) Operating (Loss) Profit (1,510.9) 79.5 (1,604.4) 264.0 Interest Expense 34.3 36.0 67.4 71.8 Interest Income (2.4) (7.2) (5.5) (15.5) Net Periodic Benefit Costs, Excluding Service Cost 2.7 4.8 5.5 9.7 (Loss) Income from Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes (1,545.5) 45.9 (1,671.8) 198.0 Income Tax (Benefit) Provision (0.2) 3.0 2.8 21.8 (Loss) Income from Continuing Operations, Net of Income Taxes (1,545.3) 42.9 (1,674.6) 176.2 Loss from Discontinued Operations, Net of Income Taxes (2.3) (3.4) (4.5) (6.8) Net (Loss) Income (1,547.6) 39.5 (1,679.1) 169.4 Less: Net (Loss) Income Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests (3.4) 2.4 (5.2) 8.1 Net (Loss) Income Attributable to Common Stockholders $ (1,544.2) $ 37.1 $ (1,673.9) $ 161.3 Adjusted EBITDA (2) $ 23.4 $ 230.0 $ 60.2 $ 484.1 Diluted EPS - (Loss) Income from Continuing Operations (3)(4) $ (15.76) $ 0.37 $ (17.12) $ 1.54 Diluted EPS - Net (Loss) Income Attributable to Common Stockholders (3) $ (15.78) $ 0.34 $ (17.16) $ 1.48 (1) Excludes items shown separately. (2) Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP financial measure. Refer to the "Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures" section in this document for definitions and reconciliations to the most comparable measures under U.S. GAAP. (3) During the quarters ended June 30, 2020 and 2019, weighted average diluted shares outstanding were 97.9 million and 108.1 million, respectively. During the six months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019, weighted average diluted shares outstanding were 97.5 million and 109.3 million, respectively. (4) Reflects (loss) income from continuing operations, net of income taxes less net (loss) income attributable to noncontrolling interests. This information is intended to be reviewed in conjunction with the company's filings with the SEC. Supplemental Financial Data (Unaudited) For the Quarters and Six Months Ended Jun. 30, 2020 and 2019 Quarter Ended Six Months Ended Jun. Jun. Jun. Jun. 2020 2019 2020 2019 Tons Sold (In Millions) Seaborne Thermal Mining Operations 4.6 4.7 9.2 9.2 Seaborne Metallurgical Mining Operations 1.1 2.1 3.1 4.4 Powder River Basin Mining Operations 17.9 25.0 41.4 50.3 Other U.S. Thermal Mining Operations (1) 3.8 7.2 8.7 15.1 Total U.S. Thermal Mining Operations 21.7 32.2 50.1 65.4 Corporate and Other 0.9 0.4 1.5 0.9 Total 28.3 39.4 63.9 79.9 Revenue Summary (In Millions) Seaborne Thermal Mining Operations $ 162.0 $ 220.2 $ 363.1 $ 471.2 Seaborne Metallurgical Mining Operations 91.6 290.9 284.8 615.4 Powder River Basin Mining Operations 205.8 282.6 472.4 569.9 Other U.S. Thermal Mining Operations (1) 152.0 309.6 344.3 644.4 Total U.S. Thermal Mining Operations 357.8 592.2 816.7 1,214.3 Corporate and Other 15.3 45.7 8.3 98.7 Total $ 626.7 $ 1,149.0 $ 1,472.9 $ 2,399.6 Total Reporting Segment Costs Summary (In Millions) (2) Seaborne Thermal Mining Operations $ 134.3 $ 145.8 $ 280.3 $ 302.1 Seaborne Metallurgical Mining Operations 127.7 233.5 353.6 472.2 North Goonyella Equipment & Development Costs (3) 28.4 31.4 Seaborne Metallurgical Mining Operations, Excluding North Goonyella Equipment & Development Costs 127.7 205.1 353.6 440.8 Powder River Basin Mining Operations 166.5 242.4 407.7 493.3 Other U.S. Thermal Mining Operations (1) 119.1 226.5 272.9 485.4 Total U.S. Thermal Mining Operations 285.6 468.9 680.6 978.7 Corporate and Other 16.9 19.7 35.0 39.9 Total $ 564.5 $ 867.9 $ 1,349.5 $ 1,792.9 Other Supplemental Financial Data (In Millions) Adjusted EBITDA - Seaborne Thermal Mining Operations $ 27.7 $ 74.4 $ 82.8 $ 169.1 Adjusted EBITDA - Seaborne Metallurgical Mining Operations (36.1) 57.4 (68.8) 143.2 North Goonyella Equipment & Development Costs (3) 28.4 31.4 Adjusted EBITDA - Seaborne Metallurgical Mining Operations, Excluding North Goonyella Equipment & Development Costs (36.1) 85.8 (68.8) 174.6 Adjusted EBITDA - Powder River Basin Mining Operations 39.3 40.2 64.7 76.6 Adjusted EBITDA - Other U.S. Thermal Mining Operations (1) 32.9 83.1 71.4 159.0 Adjusted EBITDA - Total U.S. Thermal Mining Operations 72.2 123.3 136.1 235.6 Middlemount (4) (6.4) 10.0 (16.1) 13.9 Resource Management Results (5) 0.8 1.7 8.8 3.7 Selling and Administrative Expenses (25.2) (38.9) (50.1) (75.6) Other Operating Costs, Net (6) (9.6) 2.1 (32.5) (5.8) Adjusted EBITDA (2) $ 23.4 $ 230.0 $ 60.2 $ 484.1 Note: See footnote explanations on following page Supplemental Financial Data (Unaudited) For the Quarters and Six Months Ended Jun. 30, 2020 and 2019 Quarter Ended Six Months Ended Jun. Jun. Jun. Jun. 2020 2019 2020 2019 Revenues per Ton - Mining Operations (7) Seaborne Thermal $ 35.10 $ 46.41 $ 39.58 $ 51.18 Seaborne Metallurgical 86.80 138.42 92.61 140.45 Powder River Basin 11.45 11.33 11.40 11.34 Other U.S. Thermal (1) 39.81 43.04 39.49 42.60 Total U.S. Thermal 16.42 18.43 16.28 18.57 Costs per Ton - Mining Operations (7)(8) Seaborne Thermal $ 29.19 $ 30.73 $ 30.56 $ 32.82 Seaborne Metallurgical 120.72 111.12 115.00 107.77 North Goonyella Equipment & Development Costs (3) 13.51 7.17 Seaborne Metallurgical, Excluding North Goonyella Equipment & Development Costs 120.72 97.61 115.00 100.60 Powder River Basin 9.26 9.72 9.84 9.82 Other U.S. Thermal (1) 31.22 31.47 31.31 32.08 Total U.S. Thermal 13.11 14.59 13.57 14.97 Adjusted EBITDA Margin per Ton - Mining Operations (7)(8) Seaborne Thermal $ 5.91 $ 15.68 $ 9.02 $ 18.36 Seaborne Metallurgical (33.92) 27.30 (22.39) 32.68 North Goonyella Equipment & Development Costs (3) 13.51 7.17 Seaborne Metallurgical, Excluding North Goonyella Equipment & Development Costs (33.92) 40.81 (22.39) 39.85 Powder River Basin 2.19 1.61 1.56 1.52 Other U.S. Thermal (1) 8.59 11.57 8.18 10.52 Total U.S. Thermal 3.31 3.84 2.71 3.60 (1) Beginning Q1 2020, we have combined the Midwestern U.S. Mining segment with the Western U.S. Mining segment to reflect the manner in which our chief operating decision maker now views our businesses for purposes of reviewing performance, allocating resources and assessing future prospects and strategic execution. All periods presented have been recast for comparability. (2) Total Reporting Segment Costs and Adjusted EBITDA are non-GAAP financial measures. Refer to the "Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures" section in this document for definitions and reconciliations to the most comparable measures under U.S. GAAP. (3) Costs incurred from January 1, 2020 forward are included within Other Operating Costs, Net. Costs incurred prior to January 1, 2020 remain within the Seaborne Metallurgical segment. (4) We account for our 50% equity interest in Middlemount Coal Pty Ltd. (Middlemount), which owns the Middlemount Mine, under the equity method. Middlemount's standalone results exclude the impact of related changes in deferred tax asset valuation allowance and reserves and amortization of basis difference recorded by the company in applying the equity method. Middlemount's standalone results include (on a 50% attributable basis): Quarter Ended Six Months Ended Jun. Jun. Jun. Jun. 2020 2019 2020 2019 (In Millions) Tons sold 0.3 0.6 0.8 1.0 Depreciation, depletion and amortization and asset retirement obligation expenses $ 8.4 $ 3.5 $ 14.3 $ 7.1 Net interest expense 3.2 1.8 5.9 4.0 Income tax (benefit) provision (2.8) 4.2 (7.0) 5.9 (5) Includes gains (losses) on certain surplus coal reserve and surface land sales and property management costs and revenues. (6) Includes trading and brokerage activities, costs associated with post-mining activities, minimum charges on certain transportation-related contracts and costs associated with suspended operations including the North Goonyella Mine. (7) Revenues per Ton, Costs per Ton and Adjusted EBITDA Margin per Ton are metrics used by management to measure each of our mining segment's operating performance. Revenues per Ton and Adjusted EBITDA Margin per Ton are equal to revenues by segment and Adjusted EBITDA by segment, respectively, divided by segment tons sold. Costs per Ton is equal to Revenues per Ton less Adjusted EBITDA Margin per Ton. Management believes Costs per Ton and Adjusted EBITDA Margin per Ton best reflect controllable costs and operating results at the mining segment level. We consider all measures reported on a per ton basis to be operating/statistical measures; however, we include reconciliations of the related non-GAAP financial measures (Adjusted EBITDA and Total Reporting Segment Costs) in the "Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures" section in this document. (8) Includes revenue-based production taxes and royalties; excludes depreciation, depletion and amortization; asset retirement obligation expenses; selling and administrative expenses; restructuring charges; asset impairment; provision for North Goonyella equipment loss and related insurance recovery; amortization of take-or-pay contract-based intangibles; and certain other costs related to post-mining activities. This information is intended to be reviewed in conjunction with the company's filings with the SEC. Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets As of Jun. 30, 2020 and Dec. 31, 2019 (Dollars In Millions) (Unaudited) Jun. 30, 2020 Dec. 31, 2019 Cash and Cash Equivalents $ 848.5 $ 732.2 Accounts Receivable, Net 191.4 329.5 Inventories 301.6 331.5 Other Current Assets 241.2 220.7 Total Current Assets 1,582.7 1,613.9 Property, Plant, Equipment and Mine Development, Net 3,178.4 4,679.1 Operating Lease Right-of-Use Assets 50.7 82.4 Investments and Other Assets 132.1 139.1 Deferred Income Taxes 4.9 28.3 Total Assets $ 4,948.8 $ 6,542.8 Current Portion of Long-Term Debt $ 10.9 $ 18.3 Accounts Payable and Accrued Expenses 788.9 957.0 Total Current Liabilities 799.8 975.3 Long-Term Debt, Less Current Portion 1,597.0 1,292.5 Deferred Income Taxes 28.3 28.8 Asset Retirement Obligations 665.8 654.1 Accrued Postretirement Benefit Costs 583.0 593.4 Operating Lease Liabilities, Less Current Portion 42.0 52.8 Other Noncurrent Liabilities 243.6 273.4 Total Liabilities 3,959.5 3,870.3 Common Stock 1.4 1.4 Additional Paid-in Capital 3,357.2 3,351.1 Treasury Stock (1,368.9) (1,367.3) (Accumulated Deficit) Retained Earnings (1,076.9) 597.0 Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income 26.5 31.6 Peabody Energy Corporation Stockholders' Equity 939.3 2,613.8 Noncontrolling Interests 50.0 58.7 Total Stockholders' Equity 989.3 2,672.5 Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity $ 4,948.8 $ 6,542.8 This information is intended to be reviewed in conjunction with the company's filings with the SEC. Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) For the Quarters and Six Months Ended Jun. 30, 2020 and 2019 (Dollars In Millions) Quarter Ended Six Months Ended Jun. Jun. Jun. Jun. 2020 2019 2020 2019 Cash Flows From Operating Activities Net Cash (Used In) Provided By Continuing Operations $ (31.1) $ 197.8 $ (32.7) $ 398.6 Net Cash Used in Discontinued Operations (17.3) (18.4) (20.4) (21.6) Net Cash (Used In) Provided By Operating Activities (48.4) 179.4 (53.1) 377.0 Cash Flows From Investing Activities Additions to Property, Plant, Equipment and Mine Development (54.5) (61.0) (85.8) (96.8) Changes in Accrued Expenses Related to Capital Expenditures (2.9) 4.0 (14.3) 0.2 Insurance Proceeds Attributable to North Goonyella Equipment Losses 23.2 23.2 Proceeds from Disposal of Assets, Net of Receivables 1.5 4.8 12.0 15.8 Amount Attributable to Acquisition of Shoal Creek Mine (2.4) Contributions to Joint Ventures (95.7) (101.2) (192.0) (219.6) Distributions from Joint Ventures 89.8 94.6 188.2 205.5 Advances to Related Parties (16.2) (3.0) (23.1) (4.5) Cash Receipts from Middlemount Coal Pty Ltd 13.6 14.7 Other, Net (0.5) (0.9) (0.6) (0.1) Net Cash Used In Investing Activities (78.5) (25.9) (115.6) (64.0) Cash Flows From Financing Activities Proceeds from Long-Term Debt 300.0 300.0 Repayments of Long-Term Debt (2.7) (9.2) (9.9) (17.5) Payment of Debt Issuance and Other Deferred Financing Costs (0.8) (0.8) Common Stock Repurchases (57.2) (156.0) Repurchase of Employee Common Stock Relinquished for Tax Withholding (0.8) (10.9) (1.6) (12.3) Dividends Paid (14.9) (229.3) Distributions to Noncontrolling Interests (3.4) (0.1) (3.5) (14.4) Other, Net (0.2) 0.1 Net Cash Provided By (Used In) Financing Activities 292.9 (93.0) 285.0 (430.3) Net Change in Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash 166.0 60.5 116.3 (117.3) Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash at Beginning of Period 682.5 839.6 732.2 1,017.4 Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash at End of Period $ 848.5 $ 900.1 $ 848.5 $ 900.1 This information is intended to be reviewed in conjunction with the company's filings with the SEC. Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures (Unaudited) For the Quarters and Six Months Ended Jun. 30, 2020 and 2019 (Dollars In Millions) Note: Management believes that non-GAAP performance measures are used by investors to measure our operating performance and lenders to measure our ability to incur and service debt. These measures are not intended to serve as alternatives to U.S. GAAP measures of performance and may not be comparable to similarly-titled measures presented by other companies. Quarter Ended Six Months Ended Jun. Jun. Jun. Jun. 2020 2019 2020 2019 (Loss) Income from Continuing Operations, Net of Income Taxes $ (1,545.3) $ 42.9 $ (1,674.6) $ 176.2 Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization 88.3 165.4 194.3 337.9 Asset Retirement Obligation Expenses 14.1 15.3 31.7 29.1 Restructuring Charges 16.5 0.4 23.0 0.6 Transaction Costs Related to Joint Ventures 12.9 1.6 17.1 1.6 Asset Impairment 1,418.1 1,418.1 Provision for North Goonyella Equipment Loss 24.7 North Goonyella Insurance Recovery - Equipment (1) (91.1) Changes in Deferred Tax Asset Valuation Allowance and Reserves and Amortization of Basis Difference Related to Equity Affiliates (0.4) 0.3 (1.1) 0.3 Interest Expense 34.3 36.0 67.4 71.8 Interest Income (2.4) (7.2) (5.5) (15.5) Unrealized Gains on Economic Hedges (7.0) (22.4) (4.8) (62.2) Unrealized (Gains) Losses on Non-Coal Trading Derivative Contracts (2.8) 0.3 (2.9) 0.1 Take-or-Pay Contract-Based Intangible Recognition (2.7) (5.6) (5.3) (11.2) Income Tax (Benefit) Provision (0.2) 3.0 2.8 21.8 Adjusted EBITDA (2) $ 23.4 $ 230.0 $ 60.2 $ 484.1 Operating Costs and Expenses $ 556.3 $ 857.8 $ 1,335.8 $ 1,806.0 Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Non-Coal Trading Derivative Contracts 2.8 (0.3) 2.9 (0.1) Take-or-Pay Contract-Based Intangible Recognition 2.7 5.6 5.3 11.2 North Goonyella Insurance Recovery - Cost Recovery and Business Interruption (1) (33.9) Net Periodic Benefit Costs, Excluding Service Cost 2.7 4.8 5.5 9.7 Total Reporting Segment Costs (3) $ 564.5 $ 867.9 $ 1,349.5 $ 1,792.9 Net Cash (Used In) Provided By Operating Activities $ (48.4) $ 179.4 $ (53.1) $ 377.0 Net Cash Used In Investing Activities (78.5) (25.9) (115.6) (64.0) Add Back: Amount Attributable to Acquisition of Shoal Creek Mine 2.4 Free Cash Flow (4) $ (126.9) $ 153.5 $ (168.7) $ 315.4 (1) We recorded a $125.0 million insurance recovery during the six months ended June 30, 2019 related to losses incurred at our North Goonyella Mine. Of this amount, Adjusted EBITDA excludes an allocated amount applicable to total equipment losses recognized at the time of the insurance recovery settlement, which consisted of $24.7 million and $66.4 million recognized during the six months ended June 30, 2019 and the year ended December 31, 2018, respectively. The remaining $33.9 million, applicable to incremental costs and business interruption losses, is included in Adjusted EBITDA for the six months ended June 30, 2019. (2) Adjusted EBITDA is defined as (loss) income from continuing operations before deducting net interest expense, income taxes, asset retirement obligation expenses and depreciation, depletion and amortization. Adjusted EBITDA is also adjusted for the discrete items that management excluded in analyzing each of our segment's operating performance as displayed in the reconciliation above. Adjusted EBITDA is used by management as the primary metric to measure each of our segment's operating performance. We have retrospectively modified our calculation of Adjusted EBITDA to exclude restructuring charges and transaction costs related to joint ventures as management does not view these items as part of our normal operations. (3) Total Reporting Segment Costs is defined as operating costs and expenses adjusted for the discrete items that management excluded in analyzing each of our segment's operating performance as displayed in the reconciliation above. Total Reporting Segment Costs is used by management as a metric to measure each of our segment's operating performance. We have retrospectively modified our calculation of Total Reporting Segment Costs to exclude restructuring charges as management does not view this item as part of our normal operations. (4) Free Cash Flow is defined as net cash (used in) provided by operating activities less net cash used in investing activities and excludes cash outflows related to business combinations. Free Cash Flow is used by management as a measure of our financial performance and our ability to generate excess cash flow from our business operations. This information is intended to be reviewed in conjunction with the company's filings with the SEC. Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures (Unaudited) As of Jun. 30, 2020 and Dec. 31, 2019 (Dollars In Millions) Note: Management believes that non-GAAP performance measures are used by investors to measure our operating performance and lenders to measure our ability to incur and service debt. These measures are not intended to serve as alternatives to U.S. GAAP measures of performance and may not be comparable to similarly-titled measures presented by other companies. (Unaudited) Jun. 30, 2020 Dec. 31, 2019 Current Portion of Long-Term Debt $ 10.9 $ 18.3 Long-Term Debt, Less Current Portion 1,597.0 1,292.5 Less: Cash and Cash Equivalents (848.5) (732.2) Net Debt (1) $ 759.4 $ 578.6 (1) Net Debt is defined as current portion of long-term debt plus long-term debt, less current portion less cash and cash equivalents. Net Debt is reviewed by management as an indicator of our overall financial flexibility, capital structure and leverage. This information is intended to be reviewed in conjunction with the company's filings with the SEC. Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the securities laws. Forward-looking statements can be identified by the fact that they do not relate strictly to historical or current facts. They often include words or variation of words such as "expects," "anticipates," "intends," "plans," "believes," "seeks," "estimates," "projects," "forecasts," "targets," "would," "will," "should," "goal," "could" or "may" or other similar expressions. Forward-looking statements provide management's current expectations or predictions of future conditions, events or results. All statements that address operating performance, events, or developments that Peabody expects will occur in the future are forward-looking statements. They may include estimates of sales targets, cost savings, capital expenditures, other expense items, actions relating to strategic initiatives, demand for the company's products, liquidity, capital structure, market share, industry volume, other financial items, descriptions of management's plans or objectives for future operations and descriptions of assumptions underlying any of the above. All forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made and reflect Peabody's good faith beliefs, assumptions and expectations, but they are not guarantees of future performance or events. Furthermore, Peabody disclaims any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, except as required by law. By their nature, forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those suggested by the forward-looking statements. Factors that might cause such differences include, but are not limited to, a variety of economic, competitive and regulatory factors, many of which are beyond Peabody's control, including the ongoing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and factors that are described in Peabody's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended Dec. 31, 2019, and other factors that Peabody may describe from time to time in other filings with the SEC. You may get such filings for free at Peabody's website at www.peabodyenergy.com. You should understand that it is not possible to predict or identify all such factors and, consequently, you should not consider any such list to be a complete set of all potential risks or uncertainties. SOURCE Peabody - Total cash of $756 million as of June 30, 2020, a decrease of $8 million from March 31, 2020 - Signed financing commitment for $500 million of new senior secured first lien notes subject to certain closing conditions - Cash flows from operations of $31 million and unlevered free cash flow of $108 million - Operating loss of $497 million and adjusted EBITDA of $79 million - Cost savings plan expanded to deliver an expected $650 million of savings in 2020, of which approximately 85% has been implemented HOUSTON, Aug. 5, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Weatherford International plc ("Weatherford" or the "Company") announced today its results for the second quarter of 2020. On a GAAP basis, revenues for the second quarter of 2020 were $821 million, a decline of 32% sequentially and 37% year-on-year. Reported operating loss was $497 million in the second quarter of 2020, compared to an operating loss of $822 million in the first quarter of 2020 and $118 million in the second quarter of 2019. The Company's second-quarter 2020 net loss was $581 million, compared to a net loss of $966 million in the first quarter of 2020 and $316 million in the second quarter of 2019. Second-quarter 2020 cash flows from operations were $31 million and capital expenditures were $35 million. Available liquidity of $771 million as of June 30, 2020 was comprised of $680 million of cash and cash equivalents and $91 million of availability under the Company's senior secured asset-based lending agreement (the "ABL Credit Agreement"). On a non-GAAP basis: Adjusted EBITDA [1][2] of $79 million declined 56% sequentially and 39% year-on-year and associated margins of 10% decreased 503 basis points sequentially and were flat year-on-year of declined 56% sequentially and 39% year-on-year and associated margins of 10% decreased 503 basis points sequentially and were flat year-on-year Unlevered free cash flow of $108 million [1] during the quarter improved $108 million sequentially and $306 million year-on-year Karl Blanchard, Interim Chief Executive Officer and Chief Operating Officer, commented, "Disruptions to the global supply and demand of commodities and the resulting decline in prices, combined with COVID-related restrictions, led to unprecedented reductions in customer spending in the quarter. This had a material impact on the industry, with significant declines in activity in North America and internationally. As such, we aggressively expanded our cost reduction actions, and bolstered our financial strength, preserving our margins and enhancing our liquidity position. "We are pleased to announce a new $500 million financing commitment which, subject to closing conditions, will strengthen the Company's liquidity as it continues to support customers during this challenging environment. "Global oil demand is in the early stages of what will likely be an uneven path to recovery, and we expect the market environment to remain challenging over the near-term. Over the medium- to long-term, the backlog of crude inventory, continued uncertainty associated with COVID-19 outbreaks and the resulting changes to global oil consumption patterns are expected to serve as headwinds for commodity prices, yielding a protracted timeline for a rebound in activity. "We continue to focus on delivering operational excellence to our valued customers, making structural improvements to minimize the impact of activity reductions and further improve the Company's operating efficiency. We began taking action early in the year, expanded our efforts in the quarter, and will take additional actions as needed going forward. We will maintain disciplined controls on costs and spending to maximize liquidity and preserve our margins as we progress through the cycle. We are proud of how our employees managed in this difficult environment, in both supporting our customers and executing on our plans." Note: Upon completing its financial restructuring in late 2019, the Company adopted fresh-start accounting resulting in Weatherford becoming a new entity for accounting and financial reporting purposes. As required by GAAP, results up to and including December 13, 2019 are presented separately as the predecessor period (the "Predecessor" period) and results from December 14, 2019 and onwards are presented as the successor period (the "Successor" period). The results from these Predecessor and Successor periods are not comparable. Nevertheless, for discussion purposes herein, the Company has presented the results of the Predecessor and Successor periods as we believe this provides the most meaningful basis to analyze our results. Notes: [1] Adjusted EBITDA excludes, among other items, impairments on long-lived assets, including goodwill, property plant and equipment, right-of-use assets, and inventory. Unlevered free cash flow is calculated as cash flows provided by (used in) operating activities, less capital expenditures plus proceeds from the disposition of assets, plus cash paid for interest. Adjusted EBITDA and unlevered free cash flow are non-GAAP measures. Each measure is defined and reconciled to the most directly comparable GAAP measure in the tables below. [2] In the first quarter of 2020 the Company began reporting adjusted EBITDA excluding stock-based compensation expense. Additional detail for the current and historical periods is provided in the tables below. Enhancing Liquidity In conjunction with its emergence from bankruptcy, the Company obtained the $450 million ABL Credit Agreement and the $200 million senior secured letter of credit agreement (the "LC Credit Agreement"). Borrowing capacity under the ABL Credit Agreement is primarily driven by certain of the Company's assets in North America, including working capital items such as accounts receivable and inventory. As activity in North America deteriorated during the first half of the year and working capital balances decreased, the Company's availability under the ABL Credit Agreement reduced meaningfully below the $450 million facility size. This deterioration, combined with the fact that a meaningful portion of the Company's operations are derived outside of North America, created a mismatch between the Company's available liquidity and letter of credit capacity and its operational needs. As such, during the Company's first quarter 2020 earnings release, the Company highlighted concerns around the uncertainty associated with its declining borrowing base. On August 4, 2020 Weatherford signed a commitment letter for a senior secured first lien notes issuance that, assuming the conditions thereto are satisfied or waived and the notes issued, would substantially increase the Company's liquidity and enhance its financial strength. Consistent with this financing commitment, and subject to the satisfaction of the conditions thereto, Weatherford expects to issue $500 million of new senior secured first lien notes maturing in September 2024. The proceeds of this note issuance are intended to be used to repay the ABL Credit Agreement, cash collateralize any letters of credit outstanding thereunder, and increase the Company's liquidity position. This financing is subject to documentation and certain closing conditions that are more fully disclosed in the current report on Form 8-K filed by the Company on August 5, 2020. There can be no assurance that the closing conditions, many of which are beyond the control of the Company, will be satisfied or waived before the financing commitment expires on August 14, 2020. In addition, the Company has reduced capital expenditures and is monetizing net working capital, with second-quarter 2020 unlevered free cash flow of $108 million having improved $108 million sequentially and $306 million year-on-year. Preserving Margin In light of current market conditions and the outlook for the coming quarters, Weatherford has significantly expanded its cost savings plan and the Company expects to generate $650 million of savings in 2020. Approximately 85% of these actions have already been implemented, with the remainder to be completed during the second half of 2020. On an annualized basis, these actions are expected to yield over $800 million of cost savings. The Company took aggressive actions to reduce costs during the quarter, and the impact materialized in the Company's second-quarter results. Second-quarter 2020 adjusted EBITDA margins were flat year-on-year, despite a 37% reduction in revenue over the same period, yielding year-on-year adjusted EBITDA decrementals of 10%. Leveraging Our Portfolio Weatherford was awarded a five-year deepwater tubular-running service contract for work in the Gulf of Mexico. As part of this award, Weatherford will design and manufacture equipment to run high-spec tubulars and will provide mechanized equipment for an efficient, hands-free operation. This award highlights the strength of Weatherford's leading tubular-running services portfolio and leverages the Company's technology, service quality and its unique solution-based approach. The Company installed a customer's first annulus gas-lift system ("AGLS") in two wells as part of an offshore operation in Norway. The AGLS includes non-standard sizes of completion equipment in an all-new well design. To deliver the installations, the Weatherford team partnered with the customer's engineering team during the planning, design and testing phases to provide several high-value solutions to its operations achieving a successful outcome. Additionally, certain services were performed remotely from onshore. The operation highlights how Weatherford is quickly adapting operational procedures and is closely collaborating with customers to address their challenges. Weatherford deployed pressure pumping services in a high-pressure, high-temperature well for the first time in Southern Mexico. The Company used its AcidSure acidizing system to optimize formulations and applied nodal analysis from its Interpretation and Evaluation Services group to deliver hydrocarbon production that was 30% higher than initial estimates. This operation is one of many highlights of how Weatherford is leveraging its broad portfolio of products and services to increase production at the wellsite. Weatherford was awarded a large integrated project with a major drilling company in Iraq. The contract includes drilling and completing 20 wells in Southern Iraq, with the customer providing rigs, civil works and drilling services and Weatherford providing project management and all other services. This contract is a testament to the strength of Weatherford's capabilities across the Middle East. Weatherford was named "Contractor of the Year" by Santos for the operational performance the Company delivered on an offshore campaign in Australia. Weatherford replaced a competitor who had served on previous campaigns and the Company was expressly recognized for its enhancements to operational efficiency and safety. Results by Operating Segment Western Hemisphere Successor Predecessor Quarter Quarter Ended Ended Variance ($ in Millions) 6/30/20 3/31/20 6/30/19 Seq. YoY Revenues: North America $ 172 $ 341 $ 420 (50) % (59) % Latin America 138 247 299 (44) % (54) % Total Revenues $ 310 $ 588 $ 719 (47) % (57) % Adjusted Segment EBITDA $ 6 $ 76 $ 57 (92) % (89) % % Margin 2 % 13 % 8 % (1,100) bps (600) bps Second-quarter 2020 Western Hemisphere revenues of $310 million decreased 47% sequentially and 57% year-on-year. In North America, second-quarter 2020 revenues of $172 million declined by 50% sequentially due to activity reductions and production shut-ins in the United States and activity decreases in Canada associated with spring break-up and the COVID-19 pandemic. The 50% sequential revenue decline compares favorably to the market, as the average rig count in North America declined by 57% during the second quarter. Second-quarter 2020 revenues of $138 million in Latin America declined 44% sequentially, driven primarily by activity reductions due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The activity reductions were the most significant in Argentina and Colombia, where average rig counts declined approximately 90% during the quarter and, for reference, Argentina and Colombia comprised approximately 50% of Weatherford's revenues in Latin America in 2019. Second-quarter 2020 adjusted segment EBITDA of $6 million decreased $70 million sequentially and associated margins of 2% decreased by 1,100 basis points versus the first quarter of 2020. The decline in adjusted segment EBITDA was driven by activity reductions in North and Latin America which were offset by meaningful reductions in fixed and variable costs, as evidenced by year-on-year adjusted segment EBITDA decrementals of 12%. Eastern Hemisphere Successor Predecessor Quarter Quarter Ended Ended Variance ($ in Millions) 6/30/20 3/31/20 6/30/19 Seq. YoY Revenues: Middle East, North Africa & Asia $ 341 $ 403 $ 362 (15) % (6) % Europe, SSA & Russia 170 224 228 (24) % (25) % Total Revenues $ 511 $ 627 $ 590 (19) % (13) % Adjusted Segment EBITDA $ 100 $ 127 $ 99 (21) % 1 % % Margin 20 % 20 % 17 % (70) bps 280 bps Second-quarter 2020 Eastern Hemisphere revenues of $511 million declined 19% sequentially and 13% year-on-year. In the Middle East, North Africa, and Asia, second-quarter 2020 revenues of $341 million declined 15% sequentially, due to activity reductions associated with the COVID-19 pandemic and OPEC+ production cuts, which were partially offset by growth in Saudi Arabia driven by increased product sales. Second-quarter 2020 revenues in Europe, Sub Saharan Africa and Russia of $170 million declined 24% sequentially, driven by activity reductions associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly in Central and Eastern Europe as well as Sub Saharan Africa. Second-quarter 2020 adjusted segment EBITDA of $100 million decreased $27 million sequentially and associated margins of 20% declined 70 basis points versus the first quarter of 2020. The decrease in adjusted segment EBITDA was primarily driven by the aforementioned reductions in activity and was partially offset by fixed and variable cost reductions, as evidenced by the 280 basis point year-on-year improvement in adjusted segment EBITDA margins. Impairment and Restructuring Charges In accordance with accounting guidelines, the Company is required to assess its goodwill, tangible and other intangible assets for impairment if events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying value of the assets may not be recovered. Due to the challenging industry environment, management determined that impairment indicators existed and conducted an assessment resulting in impairment charges of $384 million during the second quarter of 2020. The charges are broken down as follows: Goodwill: $72 million Other intangible assets: $22 million Right of use assets: $15 million Property, plant, and equipment: $141 million Inventory: $134 million Additionally, Weatherford recorded pre-tax restructuring and other charges of $79 million related to the Company's headcount reductions, facility consolidation, and other activities. About Weatherford Weatherford is the leading wellbore and production solutions company. Operating in more than 80 countries, the Company answers the challenges of the energy industry with its global talent network of approximately 19,000 team members and 600 locations, which include service, research and development, training, and manufacturing facilities. Visit https://www.weatherford.com/ for more information or connect on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or YouTube. Conference Call Details Weatherford will host a conference call on Wednesday, August 5, 2020, to discuss the results for the second quarter ending June 30, 2020. The conference call is scheduled to begin at 8:30 a.m. Eastern Time (7:30 a.m. Central Time). Listeners can access the conference call online at https://www.weatherford.com/en/investor-relations/investor-news-and-events/events/ or by dialing +1 877-328-5344 (within the U.S.) or +1 412-902-6762 (outside of the U.S.) and asking for the Weatherford conference call. Listeners should log in or dial in approximately 10 minutes prior to the start of the call. A telephonic replay of the conference call will be available until August 15, 2020, at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time. To access the replay, please dial +1 877-344-7529 (within the U.S.) or +1 412-317-0088 (outside of the U.S.) and reference conference number 10146042. Contacts For Investors: Sebastian Pellizzer Senior Director, Investor Relations +1 713-836-7777 investor.relations@weatherford.com For Media: Christopher Wailes Director, Global Media Engagement +1 832-851-8308 christopher.wailes@weatherford.com Forward-Looking Statements This news release contains forward-looking statements concerning, among other things, the Company's quarterly and full-year non-GAAP earnings (loss) per share, effective tax rate, net debt, forecasts or expectations regarding business outlook, cost savings plans, and capital expenditures, and are also generally identified by the words "believe," "project," "expect," "anticipate," "estimate," "outlook," "budget," "intend," "strategy," "plan," "guidance," "may," "should," "could," "will," "would," "will be," "will continue," "will likely result," and similar expressions, although not all forward-looking statements contain these identifying words. Such statements are based upon the current beliefs of Weatherford's management and are subject to significant risks, assumptions, and uncertainties. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those indicated in our forward-looking statements. Readers are also cautioned that forward-looking statements are only predictions and may differ materially from actual future events or results, including the price and price volatility of oil and natural gas; the extent or duration of business interruptions associated with COVID-19 pandemic; general global economic repercussions related to COVID-19 pandemic; the macroeconomic outlook for the oil and gas industry; the duration and severity of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on oil and gas demand and commodity prices; operational challenges relating to the COVID-19 pandemic and efforts to mitigate the spread of the virus, including logistical challenges, protecting the health and well-being of our employees, remote work arrangements, performance of contracts and supply chain disruptions; our ability to generate cash flow from operations to fund our operations; the outcome of any discussions with our lenders and bondholders regarding the new senior secured notes contemplated to be issued or the terms of a potential financing or refinancing transaction and any resulting dilution to our shareholders; the outcome of any discussions with the lenders party to our LC Credit Agreement regarding an amendment thereto; realization of additional cost savings and operational efficiencies; and potential logistical issues and potential non-cash asset impairment charges for long-lived assets, intangible assets or other assets. Forward-looking statements are also affected by the risk factors described in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019, the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2020 and the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2020, and those set forth from time-to-time in the Company's other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. We undertake no obligation to correct or update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, except to the extent required under federal securities laws. Weatherford International plc Quarterly Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited) ($ in Millions, Except Per Share Amounts) Successor Predecessor Successor Quarter Quarter Quarter Ended Ended Ended 06/30/20 06/30/19 03/31/20 Revenues: Western Hemisphere $ 310 $ 719 $ 588 Eastern Hemisphere 511 590 627 Total Revenues 821 1,309 1,215 Operating Income (Loss): Western Hemisphere (23) 11 29 Eastern Hemisphere 15 28 18 Segment Operating Income (Loss) (8) 39 47 Corporate Expenses (26) (32) (26) Impairments and Other Charges [1] (463) (239) (843) Gain on Sale of Business - 114 - Total Operating Loss (497) (118) (822) Other Income (Expense): Interest Expense, Net (59) (160) (58) Reorganization Items - - (9) Other Non-Operating Expenses, Net (11) (1) (25) Net Loss Before Income Taxes (567) (279) (914) Income Tax Provision (12) (33) (44) Net Loss (579) (312) (958) Net Income Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests 2 4 8 Net Loss Attributable to Weatherford $ (581) $ (316) $ (966) Loss Per Share Attributable to Weatherford: Basic and Diluted $ (8.30) $ (0.31) $ (13.80) Weighted Average Shares Outstanding: Basic and Diluted 70 1,004 70 [1] See Quarterly Selected Statements of Operations Information Table for details of the impairments and other charges by quarter. Weatherford International plc Full Year Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited) ($ in Millions, Except Per Share Amounts) Successor Predecessor Six Months Six Months Ended Ended 06/30/20 06/30/19 Revenues: Western Hemisphere $ 898 $ 1,445 Eastern Hemisphere 1,138 1,210 Total Revenues 2,036 2,655 Operating Income (Loss): Western Hemisphere 6 20 Eastern Hemisphere 33 48 Segment Operating Income 39 68 Corporate Expenses (52) (64) Impairments and Other Charges [1] (1,306) (535) Gain on Sale of Business - 112 Total Operating Loss (1,319) (419) Other Income (Expense): Interest Expense, Net (117) (315) Reorganization Items (9) - Other Non-Operating Expenses, Net (36) (10) Net Loss Before Income Taxes (1,481) (744) Income Tax Provision (56) (45) Net Loss (1,537) (789) Net Income Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests 10 8 Net Loss Attributable to Weatherford $ (1,547) $ (797) Loss Per Share Attributable to Weatherford: Basic and Diluted $ (22.10) $ (0.79) Weighted Average Shares Outstanding: Basic and Diluted 70 1,003 [1] See Quarterly Selected Statements of Operations Information Table for details of the impairments and other charges by quarter. Weatherford International plc Selected Balance Sheet Data (Unaudited) ($ in Millions) 6/30/2020 12/31/2019 Assets: Cash and Cash Equivalents $ 680 $ 618 Restricted Cash 76 182 Accounts Receivable, Net 927 1,241 Inventories, Net 862 972 Property, Plant and Equipment, Net 1,367 2,122 Goodwill - 239 Intangibles, Net 875 1,114 Liabilities: Accounts Payable 384 585 Short-term Borrowings and Current Portion of Long-term Debt 32 13 Long-term Debt 2,148 2,151 Shareholders' Equity: Total Shareholders' Equity 1,305 2,916 Components of Net Debt [1]: Short-term Borrowings and Current Portion of Long-term Debt 32 13 Long-term Debt 2,148 2,151 Less: Cash and Cash Equivalents 680 618 Less: Restricted Cash 76 182 Net Debt [1] $ 1,424 $ 1,364 [1] Net debt is a non-GAAP measure calculated as total short- and long-term debt less cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash. Weatherford International plc Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows (Unaudited) ($ in Millions) Successor Predecessor Successor Six Months Six Months Three Months Ended Ended Ended 6/30/2020 6/30/19 6/30/2020 Cash Flows From Operating Activities: Net Loss $ (1,537) $ (789) $ (579) Adjustments to Reconcile Net Income (Loss) to Net Cash Used in Operating Activities: Depreciation and Amortization 270 239 113 Goodwill Impairment 239 331 72 Long-Lived Asset Impairments and Other 967 78 319 Gain on Sale of Business - (112) - Working Capital [1] 47 (174) 130 Other Operating Activities 75 (51) (24) Total Cash Flows Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities 61 (478) 31 Cash Flows From Investing Activities: Capital Expenditures for Property, Plant and Equipment (73) (114) (35) Proceeds from Disposition of Assets 8 45 2 Proceeds from Disposition of Businesses, Net - 301 - Other Investing Activities (21) (9) (6) Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities (86) 223 (39) Cash Flows From Financing Activities: Repayments of Long-term Debt (5) (17) (3) Borrowings (Repayments) of Short-term Debt, Net 7 298 10 Other Financing Activities, Net (14) (12) (11) Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities (12) 269 (4) Free Cash Flow [2]: Cash Flows Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities $ 61 $ (478) $ 31 Capital Expenditures for Property, Plant and Equipment (73) (114) (35) Proceeds from Disposition of Assets 8 45 2 Free Cash Flow [2] [3] $ (4) $ (547) $ (2) [1] Working capital is defined as the cash changes in accounts receivable plus inventory less accounts payable. [2] Free cash flow is a non-GAAP measure calculated as cash flows provided by (used in) operating activities, less capital expenditures for property, plant and equipment plus proceeds from the disposition of assets. Management believes free cash flow is useful to understand liquidity and should be considered in addition to but not substitute cash flows provided by (used in) operating activities. [3] Predecessor Free Cash Flow for the second quarter of 2019 was negative $265 million and was comprised of cash used in operating activities of $229 million less capital expenditures of $55 million plus proceeds from the disposition of assets of $19 million. Weatherford International plc Quarterly Selected Statements of Operations Information (Unaudited) ($ in Millions) Successor Predecessor Successor Predecessor Quarter Six Months Six Months Quarter Ended Ended Ended Ended 6/30/20 3/31/20 6/30/19 06/30/20 06/30/19 Revenues Western Hemisphere $ 310 $ 588 $ 719 898 $ 1,445 Eastern Hemisphere 511 627 590 1,138 1,210 Total Revenues $ 821 $ 1,215 $ 1,309 $ 2,036 $ 2,655 Adjusted EBITDA[1] Western Hemisphere $ 6 $ 76 $ 57 $ 82 $ 115 Eastern Hemisphere 100 127 99 227 192 Adjusted Segment EBITDA 106 203 156 309 307 Corporate and Other (27) (25) (27) (52) (50) Total Adjusted EBITDA $ 79 $ 178 $ 129 257 257 Operating Income (Loss) Western Hemisphere $ (23) $ 29 $ 11 6 20 Eastern Hemisphere 15 18 28 33 48 Segment Operating Income (8) 47 39 39 68 Corporate Expenses (26) (26) (32) (52) (64) Long-lived Assets Impairment [2] (178) (640) (13) (818) (20) Inventory Charges [3] (134) - - (134) - Goodwill Impairment [2] (72) (167) (102) (239) (331) Restructuring and Other Charges [4] (79) (36) (48) (115) (98) Prepetition Charges - - (76) - (86) Gain on Sale of Business - - 114 - 112 Total Operating Loss $ (497) $ (822) $ (118) $ (1,319) $ (419) Depreciation and Amortization Western Hemisphere $ 29 47 $ 45 $ 76 $ 93 Eastern Hemisphere 85 109 70 194 142 Corporate (1) 1 1 - 4 Total Depreciation and Amortization $ 113 157 $ 116 $ 270 $ 239 [1] In the first quarter of 2020 the Company began reporting adjusted EBITDA excluding the burden of stock-based compensation. Historical periods have been restated to reflect this methodology. [2] Represents an impairment after a fair value assessment of our business and assets for the periods presented. [3] Represents inventory charges for the second quarter of 2020 related to the decline in demand domestically and internationally. [4] Represents primarily restructuring, facility consolidation and severance costs and includes certain other charges for the periods presented. Weatherford International plc Quarterly Selected Statements of Operations Information (Unaudited) - Product Line Revenues ($ in Millions) Successor Predecessor Predecessor Period From Period From Non-GAAP Quarter Ended 12/14/19 to 10/01/19 to Combined Quarter Ended 6/30/20 3/31/20 12/31/19 12/13/19 Results 9/30/19 6/30/19 3/31/19 Product Line [1] Revenues Production and Completions $ 405 $ 599 $ 136 $ 469 $ 605 $ 613 $ 636 $ 641 Drilling, Evaluation and Intervention 416 616 125 516 641 701 673 705 Total Product Line Revenues $ 821 $ 1,215 $ 261 $ 985 $ 1,246 $ 1,314 $ 1,309 $ 1,346 [1] During the second quarter of 2020 to support the streamlining and realignment of the businesses, we combined our prior reported four product lines into two product lines. Our two primary product lines are as follows: (1) Production and Completions and (2) Drilling, Evaluation and Intervention. Production and Completions includes Artificial Lift Systems, Stimulation and Testing and Production Services, Completion Systems, Liner Systems and Cementing Products. Drilling, Evaluation and Intervention includes Drilling Services, Managed Pressure Drilling, Wireline Services, Tubular Running Services, Intervention Services, and Drilling Tools and Rental Equipment. We report our financial results in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). However, Weatherford's management believes that certain non-GAAP financial measures and ratios (as defined under the SEC's Regulation G and Item 10(e) of Regulation S-K) may provide users of this financial information additional meaningful comparisons between current results and results of prior periods and comparisons with peer companies. The non-GAAP amounts shown in the following tables should not be considered as substitutes for operating income, provision for income taxes, net income or other data prepared and reported in accordance with GAAP, but should be viewed in addition to the Company's reported results prepared in accordance with GAAP. Weatherford International plc Quarterly Reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP Financial Measures (Unaudited) ($ in Millions, Except Per Share Amounts) Successor Predecessor Successor Predecessor Quarter Six Months Six Months Quarter Ended Ended Ended Ended 6/30/20 3/31/20 6/30/19 6/30/20 6/30/19 Operating Income (Loss): GAAP Operating Loss $ (497) $ (822) $ (118) $ (1,319) $ (419) Impairments and Other Charges 463 843 239 1,306 535 Gain on Sale of Business - - (114) - (112) Operating Non-GAAP Adjustments 463 843 125 1,306 423 Non-GAAP Adjusted Operating Income (Loss) $ (34) $ 21 $ 7 $ (13) $ 4 Loss Before Income Taxes: GAAP Loss Before Income Taxes $ (567) $ (914) $ (279) $ (1,481) $ (744) Operating Non-GAAP Adjustments 463 843 125 1,306 423 Reorganization Items - 9 - 9 - Non-GAAP Adjustments Before Taxes 463 852 125 1,315 423 Non-GAAP Loss Before Income Taxes $ (104) $ (62) $ (154) $ (166) $ (321) Provision for Income Taxes: GAAP Provision for Income Taxes $ (12) $ (44) $ (33) $ (56) $ (45) Tax Effect on Non-GAAP Adjustments (2) (7) 2 (9) (6) Non-GAAP Provision for Income Taxes $ (14) $ (51) $ (31) $ (65) $ (51) Net Loss Attributable to Weatherford: GAAP Net Loss $ (581) $ (966) $ (316) $ (1,547) $ (797) Non-GAAP Adjustments, net of tax 461 845 127 1,306 417 Non-GAAP Net Loss $ (120) $ (121) $ (189) $ (241) $ (380) Diluted Loss Per Share Attributable to Weatherford: GAAP Diluted Loss per Share $ (8.30) $ (13.80) $ (0.31) $ (22.10) $ (0.79) Non-GAAP Adjustments, net of tax 6.59 12.07 0.12 18.66 0.41 Non-GAAP Diluted Loss per Share $ (1.71) $ (1.73) $ (0.19) $ (3.44) $ (0.38) Weatherford International plc Quarterly Reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP Financial Measures - EBITDA (Unaudited) ($ in Millions) Successor Predecessor Quarter Quarter Ended Ended 6/30/20 03/31/20 6/30/19 Net Loss Attributable to Weatherford $ (581) $ (966) $ (316) Net Income Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests 2 8 4 Net Loss (579) (958) (312) Interest Expense, Net 59 58 160 Income Tax Provision 12 44 33 Depreciation and Amortization 113 157 116 EBITDA (395) (699) (3) Other (Income) Expense Adjustments: Reorganization Items - 9 - Impairments and Other Charges 463 843 239 Gain on Sale of Business - - (114) Stock-Based Compensation - - 6 Other Non-Operating Expense, Net 11 25 1 Adjusted EBITDA [1] $ 79 $ 178 $ 129 [1] In the first quarter of 2020 the Company began reporting adjusted EBITDA excluding the burden of stock-based compensation. Historical periods have been restated to reflect this methodology. See continuation of Adjusted EBITDA to Unlevered Free Cash Flow and Free Cash Flow in the last table. Weatherford International plc Full Year Reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP Financial Measures - EBITDA (Unaudited) ($ in Millions) Successor Predecessor Six Months Six Months Ended Ended 06/30/20 6/30/19 Net Loss Attributable to Weatherford $ (1,547) $ (797) Net Income Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests 10 8 Net Loss (1,537) (789) Interest Expense, Net 117 315 Income Tax Provision 56 45 Depreciation and Amortization 270 239 EBITDA (1,094) (190) Other (Income) Expense Adjustments: Reorganization Items 9 - Impairments and Other Charges 1,306 535 Gain on Sale of Business - (112) Stock-Based Compensation - 14 Other Non-Operating Expense, Net 36 10 Adjusted EBITDA [1] $ 257 $ 257 [1] In the first quarter of 2020 the Company began reporting adjusted EBITDA excluding the burden of stock-based compensation. Historical periods have been restated to reflect this methodology. See continuation of Adjusted EBITDA to Unlevered Free Cash Flow and Free Cash Flow in the last table. Weatherford International plc Quarterly and Full Year GAAP to Non-GAAP Financial Measures (Continued from EBITDA Tables) Adjusted EBITDA to Unlevered Free Cash Flow and Free Cash Flow (Unaudited) ($ in Millions) Successor Predecessor Successor Predecessor Quarter Six Months Six Months Quarter Ended Ended Ended Ended 6/30/20 3/31/20 6/30/19 6/30/20 6/30/19 Adjusted EBITDA[1] $ 79 $ 178 $ 129 $ 257 $ 257 Cash From (Used) for Working Capital 130 (83) (127) 47 (174) Capital Expenditures for Property, Plant and Equipment (35) (38) (55) (73) (114) Cash Paid for Taxes (19) (21) (16) (40) (51) Cash Paid for Severance and Restructuring (58) (17) (18) (75) (52) Other 11 (19) (111) (8) (189) Unlevered Free Cash Flow $ 108 $ - $ (198) $ 108 $ (323) Cash Paid for Interest (110) (2) (67) (112) (224) Free Cash Flow[2] $ (2) $ (2) $ (265) $ (4) $ (547) [1] In the first quarter of 2020 the Company began reporting adjusted EBITDA excluding the burden of stock-based compensation. Historical periods have been restated to reflect this methodology. [2] Free cash flow is a non-GAAP measure calculated as cash flows provided by (used in) operating activities, less capital expenditures for property, plant and equipment plus proceeds from the disposition of assets. Management believes free cash flow is useful to understand liquidity and should be considered in addition to but not substitute cash flows provided by (used in) operating activities. Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/73933/weatherford_international_logo.jpg Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-06 00:01:05|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close MAPUTO, Aug. 5 (Xinhua) -- The government of Mozambique has started a procedure in providing funds for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) affected by COVID-19 in the country to alleviate the impact and save jobs, Radio Mozambique reported on Wednesday. More than 200 companies have submitted proposals for access to the available credit line provided by the National Investment Bank (BNI) valued at more than 22 million U.S. dollars, according to the report. BNI's chairperson Tomas Matola told the radio that a credit committee has already been set up to evaluate the funding requests. "The analysis process has already started, the projects were registered and after approval, there is a contracting phase for the disbursement to take place," said Matola. Many companies in Mozambique are said to have been forced to suspend operations, reduce their workforce or even struggle for survival due to the pandemic. Most of the companies requesting a financial rescue are operating in sectors of hotel, restaurants, general trade and agro-business. Enditem Compressed Natural Gas Market Research Report by Source (Associated Gas, Non-associated Gas, and Unconventional Methods), by Application (Heavy-duty Vehicles, Light-duty Vehicles, and Medium-duty Vehicles) - Global Forecast to 2025 - Cumulative Impact of COVID-19 New York, Aug. 05, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Reportlinker.com announces the release of the report "Compressed Natural Gas Market Research Report by Source, by Application - Global Forecast to 2025 - Cumulative Impact of COVID-19" - https://www.reportlinker.com/p05913916/?utm_source=GNW The Global Compressed Natural Gas Market is expected to grow from USD 24,343.74 Million in 2019 to USD 46,583.00 Million by the end of 2025 at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 11.42%. Market Segmentation & Coverage: This research report categorizes the Compressed Natural Gas to forecast the revenues and analyze the trends in each of the following sub-markets: Based on Source, the Compressed Natural Gas Market studied across Associated Gas, Non-associated Gas, and Unconventional Methods. Based on Application, the Compressed Natural Gas Market studied across Heavy-duty Vehicles, Light-duty Vehicles, and Medium-duty Vehicles. Based on Geography, the Compressed Natural Gas Market studied across Americas, Asia-Pacific, and Europe, Middle East & Africa. The Americas region surveyed across Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Mexico, and United States. The Asia-Pacific region surveyed across Australia, China, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Philippines, South Korea, and Thailand. The Europe, Middle East & Africa region surveyed 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 Compressed Natural Gas Market including ANGI Energy Systems Inc., GNVert, Hexagon Composites ASA, Indraprastha Gas Limited, J-W Power Company, Luxfer Group, National Iranian Gas Company, Quantum Fuel Systems Technologies Worldwide Inc., and Trillium CNG. FPNV Positioning Matrix: The FPNV Positioning Matrix evaluates and categorizes the vendors in the Compressed Natural Gas 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 the market 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 Compressed Natural Gas Market? 2. What are the inhibiting factors and impact of COVID-19 shaping the Global Compressed Natural Gas Market during the forecast period? 3. Which are the products/segments/applications/areas to invest in over the forecast period in the Global Compressed Natural Gas Market? 4. What is the competitive strategic window for opportunities in the Global Compressed Natural Gas Market? 5. What are the technology trends and regulatory frameworks in the Global Compressed Natural Gas Market? 6. What are the modes and strategic moves considered suitable for entering the Global Compressed Natural Gas Market? Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p05913916/?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. __________________________ Story continues CONTACT: Clare: clare@reportlinker.com US: (339)-368-6001 Intl: +1 339-368-6001 China urges U.S. to withdraw Xinjiang-related sanctions People's Daily Online (Xinhua) 08:41, August 04, 2020 China on Monday urged the United States to immediately withdraw its wrong decision of imposing sanctions on the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps and two relevant officials, vowing to "resolutely fight back" if the U.S. side is bent on behaving like this. Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin made the remarks in response to relevant U.S. move, and a recent statement by U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo criticizing China's Xinjiang policy. "The U.S. action is a gross interference in China's internal affairs and a grave violation of basic norms governing international relations. China firmly opposes and strongly condemns it," Wang told a daily press briefing. He said Xinjiang-related issues are never about human rights, ethnicity or religion, but about counter-terrorism and anti-separatism. "Xinjiang affairs are purely China's internal affairs. The United States has no right and no ground to interfere." Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps has made important contributions to promoting Xinjiang's development, ethnic unity, social stability and border security, living in harmony with all ethnic groups as a friendly and supportive companion, said Wang. "The U.S. allegation is nothing but rumor-mongering and mud-slinging." The Chinese government is resolute in upholding its sovereignty, security and development interests, in fighting violent terrorist, separatist and religious extremist forces, and in opposing any foreign interference in Xinjiang affairs and China's other internal affairs, Wang said. While commenting on Pompeo's recent accusation about so-called "surveillance" against ethnic minorities in Xinjiang, Wang said the allegation has no factual basis at all. "It is a common international practice to use modern scientific and technological products and big data to improve social governance, and the United States is no exception. The installation of cameras in public places in accordance with law in Xinjiang does not target any specific ethnicity and it aims to improve social governance and prevent and fight crimes. This measure has been widely supported by people of all ethnic groups as it makes the society safer, he said. "Speaking of surveillance, the United States has long been criticized for its massive surveillance using high-techs," Wang said. According to a report released by Georgetown University, half of American adults, or more than 117 million people, are enrolled in a law enforcement face recognition network, and African Americans are most likely to be singled out, he said. Moreover, relevant U.S. agencies have long been conducting massive, organized and indiscriminate cyber theft, surveillance and attacks against foreign governments, companies and individuals in breach of international law and basic norms of international relations, Wang said. "This has been a well-known fact to all." Pompeo and his likes' remarks are "nothing better than malicious slanders," Wang said. "Such attempt to sabotage prosperity and stability in Xinjiang and seek pretext to have a hand in China's internal affairs is doomed to fail." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Army personnel and rescue workers sifted through mountains of rubble from a massive explosion that flattened Lebanons main port, looking for survivors from a blast that roared through the capital, Beirut, killing dozens and wounding thousands more. Lebanese authorities appealed to other countries for emergency aid as concerns over food supply in the import-dependent nation mounted. Officials blamed highly explosive materials equal to 1,800 tons of TNT that had been stored at the port for years, but havent said whether the explosion on Tuesday evening was an accident or an attack. Outrage over the governments role in the calamity ran high in a country already groaning under the weight of the worst financial crisis in its history, and a resurgent coronavirus outbreak. The explosion was so powerful that it was heard in Cyprus, and severely damaged buildings miles away. Massive shipping containers were flipped upside down as if they were toys, and cranes melted under the intense fire that still burned on Wednesday, and was being doused by helicopters whirring above. Its like an apocalypse, lawmaker Yassine Jaber told Bloomberg. Pure negligence and thats the ultimate manifestation of how bad governance has been in Lebanon, with no accountability whatsoever, a manifestation of failure that should jolt us to wake up. Hospitals, already stretched to capacity by the virus emergency, were overwhelmed by a casualty toll that climbed throughout the night. At least 100 people were killed, 4,000 were injured, and dozens were missing. The army cordoned off the port, through which much of Lebanons food and other supplies enter. The nation imports nearly all of its needs from abroad, including wheat and fuel, which the central bank has been subsidizing from its dwindling reserves. Wheat silos at the port were damaged, and their contents -- equal to about six weeks of the countrys needs -- were rendered unfit for consumption, Economy Minister Raoul Nehme said. Nehme will be meeting with wheat importers and formulating a response plan, his office said. The damage is massive at the port and it will take a very long time to fix and build, Public Works Minister Michel Najjar told a local television station. The port at Lebanons second-largest city, Tripoli, will serve as the alternative, possibly backed up by facilities in Sidon and Tyre, Najjar said. The Beirut port handles 6 million tons of shipments a year. A two-week state of emergency was declared, and cabinet is expected to meet later in the day to discuss this latest crisis to beset the country. The government issued a global appeal for help, its own coffers emptied by corruption and mismanagement. Before the blast, talks with the International Monetary Fund for a $10 billion loan had stalled over the governments failure to agree on a reform plan, and Gulf states deflected Lebanons request for a bailout, afraid money would fall into the hands of Iran-backed Hezbollah militants. The calamity was Lebanons worst in decades. Video footage showed what appeared to be a fire, followed by crackling lights and then a much larger explosion as an enormous cloud of smoke rapidly engulfed the area around the Port of Beirut. The aftermath of the explosion left people rushing for help on foot and motorbikes, some with blood streaming over their faces, outside a Beirut hospital. One hospital said it had taken in 400 people and others appealed for blood donations, saying theyd reached their capacity. On Wednesday, people were on the streets inspecting their damaged shops and homes. Destroyed City Beirut has never seen anything like this before, the citys governor, Marwan Abboud, told reporters near the scene, comparing it to the aftermath of a nuclear bomb. It is a destroyed city, people lying on the streets, damage everywhere. Prime Minister Hassan Diab described the blast as a major national disaster, and said the material that caused the explosion had been there since 2014. I will not rest until we hold whoever is responsible accountable and punish them with the most severe punishment, he said. Its unacceptable that 2,750 tons of ammonium nitrate have been stored in a container in a depot for the past six years, he said during a meeting of the Higher Defense Council. In Washington, President Donald Trump added to confusion over the chain of events in Beirut, saying U.S. military officials seem to think it was an attack. It was a bomb of some kind. He said he met with some of our great generals and they just seem to feel that it was. This was not some kind of a manufacturing explosion type of event. He provided no evidence to back up that assertion and the White House National Security Council had no comment. The explosion took place during the first of a two-day grace period that the government had given citizens before it reinforces a full lockdown with a curfew to contain the coronavirus epidemic after the country saw a major spike in cases in recent weeks. Traffic was heavy throughout the day as people flooded the capital and other areas. Myriam Sawma, 31, was among the many who left their homes to buy essentials before the lockdown resumed. I was at the mall and we heard the first blast and then another and complete white smoke covered the area. People were screaming and running everywhere, said Sawma, who was at a popular shopping center in the neighborhood of Ashrafieh. The port explosion came as Lebanon braces for a verdict from a United Nations-backed court on Friday in the case of the 2005 assassination of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri. The Special Tribunal for Lebanon has accused four members of Hezbollah of having a role in the killing, which was a turning point in the countrys modern history. The assassination sparked nationwide protests and forced the collapse of a government as well as the withdrawal of Syrian troops that had stationed in Lebanon after the civil war from 1975-1990, ending its tutelage over its neighbor. Hezbollah, which also plays an influential role in Lebanons political and economic life, has denied the allegations and said it would not hand over the suspects. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON The Bhumi Pujan or foundation stone laying ceremony for much-anticipated Ram Mandir will be held in Ayodhya shortly. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will lay the first stone of the Ram Temple. A 40-kg silver brick will symbolise the beginning of the construction of today's ceremony. PM Narendra Modi will leave from Delhi at 9:30 AM and reach Lucknow airport by 10:30 AM. PM Modi will take a chopper to Ayodhya and will reach there by 11:40 AM. The Bhumi Pujan will begin at 12:30 PM. As many as 175 guests, including 135 seers have been invited for the ceremony. When and where to watch Ram Mandir Bhumi Pujan: The actual event has started at 8 am today. PM Modi will lay the foundation stone of the Ram Temple at 12:40 PM. One can watch the live telecast of the much-awaited ceremony at the Doordarshan TV channel. India Today TV and Aaj Tak will provide detailed coverage of the event. One can also watch on India Today Live TV or AajTak Live TV on YouTube. Moreover, BusinessToday.in will provide you with all the latest updates. Ram Mandir Bhumi Pujan guest list: Apart from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the ceremony will be attended by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat, Sri Ram Janambhoomi Teerath Kshetra Trust Chairman Nritya Gopal Das, and UP Governor Anandiben Patel. Leaders of the Ram Mandir movement, such as LK Advani, Uma Bharti, Kalyan Singh, MM Joshi will attend the ceremony via video conferencing. Also read: Ayodhya Ram Mandir Bhumi Pujan time, guests, estimated cost, how to donate and other FAQs Maharashtra reported 10,309 fresh cases of COVID-19 in the last 24 hours, taking its tally to 4,68,265 on Wednesday, while 334 patients succumbed to the infection, 63 of them in Pune, the state health department said. The state also reported the death of 334 more patients, taking the toll to 16,476, said a health official. The tally of 10,309 coronavirus cases was one of the highest single-day detections so far in the state, he said. Also, 6,165 patients were discharged from hospitals in the state, taking the number of recovered cases to 3,05,521, he said. With this, there are now 1,45,961 active cases in the state. The BMC reported 1,125 cases in Mumbai, taking the cumulative figure to 1,19,240, while the Pune Municipal Corporation reported 1,282 cases, taking the total to 65,136. The state has carried out 24,13,510 tests of which 4,68,265 people have tested positive for coronavirus so far, he said. The Pune Municipal Corporation reported the highest number of deaths - 63 - in the state. Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad cities reported deaths of 63 and 14 patients, respectively, taking their toll to 1,639 and 445, he said. The MMR region, including Mumbai city, reported 3,228 cases of COVID-19, taking the cumulative figure to 2,54,365, while the death toll went up to 10,243 with 155 new fatalities. There are 1,16,364 COVID-19 cases in the Pune division, where the death toll stood at 3,130. The case tally in the Nashik division reached 40,659 with 1,306 deaths, while the Kolhapur division has so far recorded 13,058 cases and 353 fatalities. The case count and fatalities in the Aurangabad division stood at 18,428 and 642, respectively, while the Latur division has 7,944 cases and 297 deaths. High Seas or Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (ABNJ) - outside of states jurisdictions, cover more than 50% of the Earths surface and provide critical ecosystem services to humanity. These areas are increasingly under threat from human activities including land-based activities, fishing, and emerging deep-sea mining leading to pollution and disturbance to species and habitats. There exists strong ecological connectivity between Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction and national waters. Simply put, the ocean knows no political boundaries and ecological impacts are felt across borders. High Seas cover more than 50% of the Earths surface. Photo by Brianna Fairhurst via Unsplash The United Nations Convention for the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) governs the rights and duties of states in maritime zones. Additionally, ocean governance takes the form of sectoral initiatives in various sectors including fisheries and shipping. There are also a number of regional initiatives concerned with ocean governance. However, the governance of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction is fragmented and complex. In 2015, the United Nations (UN) passed Resolution 69/292, which began negotiations on a treaty on the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity. In 2018, the negotiations were formally launched, focussing on four main elements namely: Marine Genetic Resources, including questions on benefit-sharing, Environment Impact Assessments, Area-based Management Tools, including Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) and Capacity building and marine technology transfer. The Abidjan Convention , ratified in 1984, is one of Africas established organisations active in ocean governance on the continent. The Convention covers a geographical area of 22 countries on the Atlantic seaboard and provides a framework for the protection of marine and coastal environment in the region. The STRONG High Seas initiative which the Abidjan Convention is a partner, provides a platform and facilitates dialogue among Member States on issues around Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) and the treaty currently being negotiated. African States face a number of challenges, including limited mandates to address BBNJ issues, limited cross-sectoral co-operation, uneven participation in negotiations around international agreements and diverse cultures and languages. Consequently, a Working Group, with representation from the Abidjan Conventions member States, was constituted to explore areas of mutual interest, for co-operation and opportunities for joint programmes and a coordinated approach to ocean protection and governance in the region. This Working Group has had a number of meetings with the latest one in July 2020, as preparations gather pace for the Abidjan Convention 13th Conference of Parties (COP) to be held in April 2021. STRONG High Seas is working with the Abidjan Convention Working Group to produce research and to hold workshops to build awareness of the importance of BBNJ in the region and support decision-making processes in this topic. The project also seeks to improve the participation of African States in the negotiations taking place around a binding treaty for BBNJ. Ocean governance should be informed by robust scientific information. To this end, the STRONG High Seas has developed an ecological baseline study highlighting the status of marine biodiversity in the South East Atlantic, which is critical for key decision-makers in the region. Additionally, STRONG High Seas has started a study looking at the socio-economic connections between Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction, and national waters and the relation of these socio-economic activities with marine biodiversity. Linking these efforts in the West, Central, and Southern Africa, with other initiatives around the world, will provide the momentum needed to achieve effective and meaningful ocean governance for Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction. Ultimately, as the conversation on conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity continue, African states will be instrumental in the realization of an inclusive ocean governance framework. Residents of Beirut awoke to a scene of utter devastation on Wednesday, a day after a massive explosion at the port sent shock waves across the Lebanese capital, killing at least 100 people and wounding thousands. Smoke was still rising from the port, where huge mounds of grain gushed from hollowed-out silos. Major downtown streets were littered with debris and damaged vehicles, and building facades were blown out. An official with the Lebanese Red Cross said at least 100 people were killed and more than 4,000 were wounded. The official, George Kettaneh, said the toll could rise further. Scores of people were missing, with relatives pleading on social media for help locating loved ones. An Instagram page called Locating Victims Beirut sprang up with photos of missing people, and radio presenters read the names of missing or wounded people throughout the night. Many residents moved in with friends or relatives after their apartments were damaged and treated their own injuries because hospitals were overwhelmed. It was unclear what caused the blast, which appeared to have been triggered by a fire and struck with the force of an earthquake. It was the most powerful explosion ever seen in the city, which was on the front lines of the 1975-1990 civil war and has endured conflicts with neighboring Israel and periodic bombings and terror attacks. LApocalypse, read the front page of Lebanons French LOrient Le Jour newspaper. Another paper, al-Akhbar, had a photo of a destroyed port with the words: The Great Collapse. Lebanon was already on the brink of collapse amid a severe economic crisis that has ignited mass protests in recent months. Its hospitals are confronting a surge in coronavirus cases, and there were concerns the virus could spread further as people flooded into hospitals. Interior Minister Mohammed Fahmi told a local TV station that it appeared the blast was caused by the detonation of more than 2,700 tons of ammonium nitrate that had been stored in a warehouse at the dock ever since it was confiscated from a cargo ship in 2014. Witnesses reported seeing an orange cloud like that which appears when toxic nitrogen dioxide gas is released after an explosion involving nitrates. Ammonium nitrate is a common ingredient in fertilizer but can also be highly explosive. Ammonium nitrate was used in the Oklahoma City bombing in 1995, when a truck bomb containing 2,180 kilograms (4,800 pounds) of fertilizer and fuel oil ripped through a federal building, killing 168 people and wounding hundreds more. There is no evidence the Beirut explosion was an attack. Videos showed what looked like a fire erupting nearby just before, and local TV stations reported that a fireworks warehouse was involved. The fire appeared to spread to a nearby building, triggering the explosion, sending up a mushroom cloud and generating a shock wave. Security forces cordoned off the port area on Wednesday as a bulldozer entered to help clear away debris. A young man begged troops to allow him to enter and search for his father, who has been missing since the blast occurred. He was directed to a port official who wrote down his details. In Beiruts hard-hit Achrafieh district, civil defense workers and soldiers were working on locating missing people and clearing the rubble. At least one man was still pinned under stones from an old building that had collapsed. Volunteers hooked him up to an oxygen tank to help him breathe while others tried to free his leg. The blast destroyed numerous apartment buildings, potentially leaving large numbers of people homeless at a time when many Lebanese have lost their jobs and seen their savings evaporate because of a currency crisis. The explosion also raises concerns about how Lebanon will continue to import nearly all of its vital goods with its main port devastated. Prime Minister Hassan Diab, in a short televised speech, appealed to all countries and friends of Lebanon to extend help to the small nation, saying: We are witnessing a real catastrophe. He reiterated his pledge that those responsible for the disaster will pay the price, without commenting on the cause. There is also the issue of food security in Lebanon, a tiny country already hosting over 1 million Syrians amid that countrys yearslong war. The ports major grain silo is run by the Lebanese Ministry of Economy and Trade. Drone footage shot Wednesday by The Associated Press showed that the blast tore open those grain silos, dumping their contents into the debris and earth thrown up by the blast. Some 80% of Lebanons wheat supply is imported, according to the U.S. Agriculture Department. Estimates suggest some 85% of the countrys grain was stored at the now-destroyed silos. Lebanons state-run National News Agency quoted the Raoul Nehme, the minister of economy and trade, as saying that all the wheat stored at the facility had been contaminated and couldnt be used. However, he insisted Lebanon had enough wheat for its immediate needs. Nehme said Lebanon also would import more wheat. The tiny Mediterranean nations economic crisis is rooted in decades of systemic corruption and poor governance by the political class that has been in power since the end of the civil war. Lebanese have held mass protests calling for sweeping political change since last autumn but few of their demands have been met as the economic situation has steadily worsened. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-05 14:13:08|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close NANNING, Aug. 5 (Xinhua) -- Three people were killed and three others injured after a fire broke out at a self-built house in Baise City, south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region early Wednesday, local public security bureau said. The accident occurred at around 5:30 a.m. in Youjiang District. All the wounded have been sent to the hospital for treatment. Local police, firefighters and emergency response team have rushed to the scene and the fire was put out at about 5:50 a.m. Investigation into the cause of the fire is under way. Enditem Fact checkers were unanimous in their assessments when President Donald Trump began claiming in June that Democrat Joe Biden wanted to "defund" police forces. Politifact called the allegations "false," as did CheckYourFact. The Associated Press detailed "distortions" in Trump's claims. FactCheck.org called an ad airing them "deceptive." Another site, The Dispatch, said there is "nothing currently to support" Trump's claims. But these judgments, made by five fact-checking organizations that are part of Facebook's independent network for policing falsehoods on the platform, were not shared with Facebook's users. That's because the company specifically exempts politicians from its rules against deception. Ads containing the falsehoods continue to run freely on the platform, without any kind of warning or label. Enabled by Facebook's rules, Trump's reelection campaign has shown versions of the false claim on Facebook at least 22.5 million times, in more than 1,400 ads costing between $350,000 and $553,000, a Washington Post analysis found based on data from Facebook's Ad Library. The ads, bought by the campaign directly or in a partnership with the Republican National Committee, were targeted at Facebook users mainly in swing states such as Ohio, Georgia, North Carolina, Florida, and Pennsylvania. They weren't the only times Trump's campaign has taken advantage of Facebook's policy allowing politicians to lie with impunity, something the company does not tolerate from non-political advertisers. Fact-checking organizations that partner with Facebook also have ruled that Trump ads have made untrue claims about Biden's positions on school choice and health care for immigrants, as well as on the effectiveness of Trump's response to the coronavirus, yet ads including these claims have been allowed to stay on the platform and carry no warning label, The Post's review found. Biden's campaign has not taken similar advantage of Facebook's leniency about political claims. Fact checkers working with Facebook have found far fewer misleading statements from him or his campaign, a review of their work since May found. Most concerned misstatements made in the candidate's public remarks, typically in interviews or campaign events, such as when he said in June that covid-19 had killed 120 million Americans when the correct number was 120,000. No fact checker from Facebook's network has recently taken issue with a Biden campaign ad that appeared on Facebook. When Facebook's fact checkers deem non-political ads false, the company removes them from its platform, though they remain in the publicly available Ad Library for research purposes. In the case of the Trump ads, the only public presentation of the factcheckers' conclusions has been on their own websites - where the organizations routinely run all their assessments. "It's crazy," said Claire Wardle, U.S. director of First Draft, an organization dedicated to fighting misinformation that has a partnership with Facebook. "Because Facebook has decided not to actively fact-check political ads, you have this perverse situation where these fact-checks of problematic ads sit on the fact-checking websites, but there is no mechanism for their work to impact Facebook or their users." Facebook created its fact-checking program in December 2016 as a key part of its response to the rampant misinformation spread on its platform during the presidential campaign that concluded with Trump's victory. The company signed up some of the biggest names in fact-checking, such as Politifact and FactCheck.org, which long considered curbing deception by politicians as central to their institutional missions. But Facebook excluded from its fact-checking program statements by politicians, a policy formalized last year in an announcement denounced by many Democrats, civil rights groups and independent disinformation researchers. They complained that Facebook was removing one of the few checks on deceptions by Trump as the 2020 vote loomed. Critics particularly warned that the ability of political advertisers to narrowly target demographic slices undermined transparency and created the opportunity to rapidly and strategically push falsehoods far more easily than in broadcast ads, which typically are seen by everyone in a particular area - allowing obviously misleading statements to be challenged. Facebook has defended its position by saying that political speech should be as unfettered as possible and noting that traditional forms of political advertising - on radio, television and in mass mailings - are not required to be free of falsehoods. Some of the ads in The Post's analysis also appeared on television outlets, which are not required to police untruths in the ads they show but do sometimes refuse to run ones they deem objectionable. "Political speech is some of the most scrutinized content on our platform, which ensures that people are held accountable for their words," said Facebook spokesman Andy Stone. "We've built ads transparency mechanisms that simply don't exist for political ads on TV and radio or for paid political mail, enabling anyone to see and judge the claims politicians make." Trump campaign spokesman Tim Murtaugh said, "We stand by our ads and note that most fact checks are arbitrary and usually an extension of the liberal-leaning editorial bias of the organization doing the checking." Three of the organizations that found fault with Trump's claims that Biden wanted to "defund" police forces are nonpartisan. A fourth, CheckYourFacts, is part of a conservative site, the Daily Caller, co-founded in 2010 by a former Bush administration official and Tucker Carlson, now a Fox News commentator. A fifth, The Dispatch, says on its website that it's "informed by conservative principles." In writing about a Trump tweet - dated June 7 and saying, "Sleepy Joe Biden and the Radical Left Democrats want to "DEFUND THE POLICE" - the Daily Caller's CheckYourFact wrote, "Verdict: False." "Biden and his campaign have refuted the claim several times. His campaign website does not list defunding the police as part of Biden's platform," read the article, which was published on June 15. The Dispatch, which was founded last year and joined the Facebook fact-checking network in June, wrote in a headline on June 9, "Does Joe Biden Want to 'Defund the Police'? No. His campaign website has long called for further funding to increase diversity and add oversight." Politifact reached the same judgment on such claims on June 9, showing its "PolitifFact Truth-O-Meter" lit up red with the judgement "false." FactCheck.org reached a similar conclusion on June 12, as did the Associated Press on July 9. Politifact reiterated its judgment on Wednesday after one of the ads began running on television in Wisconsin, again rating it "false." That didn't stop the campaign from continuing to make the false claim, which played a central role in its social media advertising strategy throughout July and into August. Ads on television also made the false claims, including one that showed images of seemingly rampant crime and street violence and, separately, people seeking help from police that could only be reached through voice mail due to funding cuts. An offscreen voice in one says that Biden wants to "defund" police. The ad then cuts to a clip of Biden saying in an interview, "Yes, absolutely," but did not include context in which Biden talks about excessive militarization of police forces and agreed only with the idea that some funding could be redirected to social services. The claims in another of Trump's ads were refuted by FactCheck.org on July 21 under the headline, "Trump's False, Recurring Claim About Biden's Stance on Police." It noted that Biden has repeatedly and directly said in interviews that he does not favor "defunding" the police. Biden campaign spokesman Matt Hill said, "Facebook has chosen to sell the Trump campaign the tools to target specific voters with false advertisements. . . A company that values American democracy would reconsider this indefensible practice." Concern about falsehoods in Facebook advertising stems from the rampant lies, distortions and disinformation that flooded the platform in 2016, including by Russia's Internet Research Agency, which used rubles to buy ads in which the operatives pretended to be American political activists. U.S. intelligence officials later determined that Russia's goal was to divide Americans along racial, social, religious and other political fault lines, and to help elect Trump. But Trump's routine use of false and misleading claims during his presidency, along with his heavy and sophisticated use of social media, has fueled concern that unchecked disinformation on would be a problem during the 2020 election season. The Post's fact-checking team - which does not work with Facebook but on July 14 ruled Trump's claims about Biden wanting to "defund" police forces merited "Four Pinocchios," the worst possible rating of veracity - has detailed more than 20,000 lies, falsehoods and misleading comments by Trump since he took office, for an average of 12 each day. Facebook's network of independent fact checkers has catalogued a similarly robust stream of untruths by Trump, his campaign, cabinet members, Vice President Mike Pence and numerous campaign surrogates on a wide range of subjects. The rate of falsehoods far outpaces those documented from Biden or his campaign. The Center for American Progress, a left-leaning think tank, said it had found nine different Trump ads on Facebook whose central claims against Biden or Democrats generally had been ruled false by fact checkers that were part of the company's network. Those ads have appeared at least 140 million times on the platform, at a cost of between $2.2 million and $3.7 million. (Facebook's Ad Library, which is the source of such data, gives ranges, not precise amounts). "This is something that is not hypothetical. It is real, and it's going to get a lot worse," said Adam Conner, vice president for technology at the Center for American Progress. He previously worked on elections and policy issues for Facebook before leaving the company in 2014. "I did not imagine that these would be tools that harm democracy rather than strengthen it," Conner said. Several key members of Facebook's network began their work before social media was a major vehicle for delivering political falsehoods, but the emergence of Facebook's operation has provided them with resources to more effectively monitor deception on the platform. FactCheck.org, a project of the Annenberg Public Policy Center of the University of Pennsylvania, started in 2003. It received $324,000 from Facebook in the most recent fiscal year to check facts on the platform, allowing it to add staff to conduct more fact checks. Project director Eugene Kiely said he would like to see its work at least linked below advertisements it has evaluated. "The policy should be that you provide Facebook users with as much information as you can to make good decisions. That's why we're here," said Kiely. "I don't see how you can argue against giving Facebook users more information." Politifact, part of the Poynter Institute for Media Studies, also has had combating political lies at the core of institutional mission since its founding in 2007. Editor-in-Chief Angie Drobnic Holan said that the claims of politicians should get more scrutiny, not less, though she praised Facebook for having a fact-checking system that goes beyond what other platforms do. (She declined to disclose how much Facebook pays Politifact to participate in its fact-checking program.) "I feel like they're giving politicians a privilege they don't give to ordinary people, and why would they do that?" said Holan. "The politician's exemption, from a fact-checking point of view, doesn't make a lot of sense. They're giving a break to power." Niota has again been a recipient of honor by the United States Postal Service to commemorate a Pictorial Stamp Cancellation and Unveiling Ceremony on Aug. 29 at 11 a.m. at the Historic Niota Depot. The Niota Depot Preservation Committee will host the ceremony to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the ratification of the 19th Amendment to the United States Constitution. This is made possible because of Niota's history of Harry T. Burn. A century ago, on Aug. 18, 1920, Niota native Harry T. Burn cast the deciding vote to make Tennessee the 36th and final state required to ratify the amendment, recognizing the right to vote for millions of women across the United States. This moment has been described as the largest single democratizing event in American history. Mr. Burn broke a deadlock after receiving a letter from his mother, Miss Febb, who asked him to "be a good boy" and "vote for suffrage." After casting the tie-breaking vote, Mr. Burn defended his decision, saying, "A mother's advice is always safest for her boy to follow and my mother wanted me to vote for ratification." Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the unveiling ceremony will be by invitation only at 11 a.m. At 12:30 p.m., the public is invited to view the stamp. A mask will be required and social distancing of six feet moving through the Depot. Pictorial envelopes cancelled with the special cancellation will be available only in Niota, pictorial envelopes from the 75th anniversary will also be available for purchase. Some will have the new stamp added. Other memorabilia will be for sale by the 19th Amendment Committee. The Niota Post Office will also be selling and cancelling the stamp. Personal artwork may be mailed to be cancelled to the Niota Post Office P.O. Box 9998 Niota, TN 37826-9998. This is for a limited time only. Miss Febb's great-great grandson Tyler L. Boyd will also be selling signed copies of his biography of his great-granduncle Harry T. Burn at the event. The 100th anniversary envelopes are $3 or two for $5. Envelopes that contain the 75th and 100th anniversary are $5 each. If unable to attend, these may be purchased by mail by sending a self-addressed envelope to NDPC P.O. Box 515 Niota, TN 37826-0515. You may them by emailing Tyler L. Boyd at tboyd5150@gmail.com or Frances Powers, event coordinator, at powja@comcast.net 887-3631. The Niota Depot is at 201 Main St., Niota, TN 37826. (Natural News) Getting a phone call from a hospital informing you that someone you love dearly is dead is easily one of the most traumatic events you will experience in your lifetime, and if your loved one was relatively young and healthy, theres a mix of shock and devastation to deal with. But for the family of 39-year-old Jacob Chapman, the true shock came seven hours after the dreaded phone call, when a Florida hospital informed his family that he was not actually dead after all and the hospitals eagerness to discuss his organ donor status has raised a lot of questions about his treatment. Chapman, who was a worship leader in Panama City Beach, was found unresponsive one night last week in his cabinet shop with a weak pulse. His wife, who has worked in the medical field for many years, gave him chest compressions until emergency medical services arrived, who were able to get this heart beating on its own with an automatic compression device while en route to the hospital. He was transferred from the Bay at the Beach Emergency Room to Ascension Sacred Heart Bay hospital at 4:30 a.m. At 11:30 a.m., his wife, Kristen, got a call from a doctor declaring him dead. Needless to say, the news left her and the couples five children absolutely devastated. Seven hours later, however, a nurse called to say that the hospital was running more tests on him because when the mortuary went to pick up his body, they discovered that his heart was still beating on its own. The hospital claimed they misspoke on the phone earlier and meant to say that he was brain dead and not completely dead, but Mrs. Chapman said she was told very clearly in the presence of witnesses that her husband was deceased and that she needed to call the mortuary to pick up his body. She struggled to get more information about his status, but the hospital was all too happy to talk about harvesting his organs with her. She was given a 15-minute visit with him the following day, and when she went to his room, she discovered they had disconnected him from life-saving measures such as IVs. He was still on a ventilator, but he was not being given any fluids or medications, and his kidneys were starting to fail from dehydration. Although the doctors claimed they could not treat him anymore because he was brain dead, she saw no visible signs of death. His skin looked and felt normal and healthy, his heart was beating independently, and his body was not starting to decay. After pleading with the hospitals Chief Medical Officer, she got them to agree to reconnect everything and give him the same treatment any ICU patient would get; his creatinine dropped, and he started having urine output again. Family expresses outrage over Chapmans treatment His family believes that his organ donor status played a big role in the treatment he received. His wife talked about the pressure the organ procurement team placed on her and the hospital. Mike Chapman, Jakes father, said: Jake intended for his organs to be donated once he had a natural death. A death where God called him home, not when man decided to put an end to his life. This is mind blowing. It feels like the vultures have been swarming from day one Jakes well-being not their priority, his organs being their priority. Protests were held outside of the hospital as friends and family shared their frustration over his treatment. His family succeeded in having him transferred to a VA Hospital in Gainesville a few days later at the request of Congressman Neal Dunn; Chapman was a medic in the Army. They are confident he will get better treatment there as he recovers from a suspected stroke and that they will focus on saving him rather than just his organs. Sources for this article include: HarbingersDaily.com WJHG.com V irgin Atlantic has filed for bankruptcy in the US in yet another body blow for the airline industry. The airline is seeking protection under chapter 15 of the US bankruptcy code, which allows a foreign debtor to shield assets in the country. Non US companies use chapter 15 to block creditors who want to file lawsuits or tie up assets in the United States. It is the second Virgin-branded airline to struggle this year. Virgin Australia went into administration in April. The company is still looking to complete a rescue deal worth 1.2 billion ($1.6 billion) to secure its future beyond the coronavirus crisis. Yesterday Virgin also filed action in a British court, where Virgin Atlantic obtained approval to convene meetings of affected creditors to vote on the plan on August 25. An airline spokeswoman said the restructuring plan was before a British court to secure approval from all relevant creditors before implementation. She added the process is proceeding with the support of the majority of our creditors. According to reports Virgin Atlantic told a London court it could run of money in September if a restructuring deal is not approved. Early on in the coronavirus crisis Sir Richard Branson had asked the government for help. A priest today said that even in the darkest moments, when people would have been forgiven for having no hope, John Hume made peace visible for others. Father Paul Farren was speaking at the funeral of the former SDLP leader who died on Monday at the age of 83. Due to the coronavirus pandemic restrictions, only a small number of people were allowed in to St Eugene's Cathedral in Derry for the service. Along with Mr Hume's family, there were a number of dignatories, including Taoiseach Michael Martin and President Michael D Higgins. A crowd of people gathered outside the church in honour of Mr Hume. Messages of sympathy were read at the beginning of the service by Bishop of Derry, Donal McKeown, on behalf of Pope Francis, the Dalai Lama and former US President Bill Clinton. In his homily during today's service, Father Farren priased the work of Mr Hume, regarded as the key architect of the Northern Ireland peace process. He never lost faith in peace and he never lost faith in his ability to convince others that peace was the only way, said Father Farren. If ever you want to see a man who gave his life for his country, and his health, that man is John Hume. The world knows it. He is the only person in the world to have received the Noble Peace Prize, The Gandhi Peace Prize and the Martin Luther King Peace Prize. Pope Benedict XVI made him a Knight Commander of the Papal Order of Saint Gregory the Great. Father Farren said that in the midst of all his international acclaim, Mr Hume was a proud Derry man first and foremost. His commitment to Derry was second to none, he said. His aim was to bring life and prosperity to this city to lift people out of poverty and he did everything possible to make that a reality. He always said his proudest achievement was the establishment of the Credit Union. But my fondest memories of John werent directly around his incredible achievements there were here in this Cathedral. In his retirement and as his health declined every day possible John came to Mass and every evening, and this is my fondest memory, he came over here and sat at the back and prayed quietly. In all the houses he was in White houses and houses of parliaments and many others it was in this house, the house of God, that he found greatest peace. It was in this house that John recognised the presence of God and his need for God for his mercy for his love. Here before his God the humility of John was plain to be seen. At the end of the service, Mr Hume's remains were taken from St Eugene's as Phil Coulter played The Town I Loved So Well, the former SDLP leader's favourite song. Community Care is hoping to provide a little bit of normal for students in whats an extraordinary back-to-school year. The non-profit agency is presenting its Snacks n Sneakers program again which gives school supplies and gear to kids but with a different delivery model in the age of COVID-19. Every year weve been doing this, people have been lining up in the wee small hours of the morning, said Betty-Lou Souter, chief executive officer of Community Care of St. Catharines and Thorold, which saw 1,400 kids participate in the program last year. We were really concerned about that, the social distancing is huge. This summer, the agency is providing supplies by appointment only and is requiring clients to pre-register for the program in an effort to maintain safe distances. The program is the same, with backpacks being handed out filled with school supplies, new shoes and gift certificates for healthy snacks. Its just being done a different way. Souter said getting new school gear is one normal back-to-school thing that kids can look forward to this year. The announcement came out last week about school and whats happening so theres all kinds of anxiety thats happening within that, Souter said. This program is a little bit of stability that we can give people that is normal. A new pair of sneakers in September going back to school is almost a rite of passage. Souter said creating as much normalcy for kids as possible is important now because theyre feeling the anxiety, too. I think its really important that were supporting kids, keeping it as normal as possible for everybody so theres not too many differences. Every kid needs to be supported in their ongoing learning. Their parents and guardians are also stressed learning about different back-to-school models and whats happening. Souter said at least with the program theyll have some of the tools and supplies they need to create the next phase for their families. The program is available to children registered with Community Care who were born between 2003 and 2016. Parents and guardians can apply for the Snacks n Sneakers program by calling Community Care in St. Catharines at 905-685-1349 or in Thorold at 905-227-9240. Appointments will be booked on a first-come, first-serve basis. Callers are asked to provide their childs shoe size. Pick up dates will be Aug. 20 and 21 and Aug. 24 to 28. The agency is also welcoming donations but has also had to change the way people can give due to COVID-19 so it doesnt have to clean and quarantine hundreds of items. Danielle Cook, project manager for Snacks n Sneakers, said only money and backpacks are being accepted this year. The monetary donations will help the agency purchase supplies. Many businesses that normally collect for the program through employee drives are unable to do so this year because people are working from home and offices are closed. It costs $25 to help one child return to school with the gear they need. Donations to the program can be made by calling the offices in St. Cathairnes and Thorold or going to communitycarestca.ca. Credit: CC0 Public Domain The chemicals in cannabis have been linked to an increased risk of heart attacks, heart failure and atrial fibrillation in observational studies; however, a full understanding of how use of cannabis affects the heart and blood vessels is limited by a lack of adequate research, according to a new Scientific Statement from the American Heart Association (AHA) published today in its flagship journal Circulation. According to the statement, although cannabis, also known as marijuana, may be helpful for conditions such as spasticity associated with multiple sclerosis, among others, cannabis does not appear to have any well-documented benefits for the prevention or treatment of cardiovascular diseases. Preliminary studies have found that cannabis use could negatively impact the heart and blood vessels. "Attitudes towards recreational and medicinal use of cannabis have changed rapidly, and many states have legalized it for medical and/or recreational use. Health care professionals need a greater understanding of the health implications of cannabis, which has the potential to interfere with prescribed medications and/or trigger cardiovascular conditions or events, such as heart attacks and strokes," said Robert L. Page II, Pharm.D., M.S.P.H., FAHA, chair of the writing group for the statement and professor in the department of clinical pharmacy and the department of physical medicine/rehabilitation at the University of Colorado Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences in Aurora, Colorado. A recent study cited in the statement suggests that cannabis use is present in 6% of heart attack patients under 50 years of age. Another study found that cannabis users ages 18 to 44 had a significantly higher risk of having a stroke compared to nonusers. "Unfortunately, most of the available data are short-term, observational and retrospective studies, which identify trends but do not prove cause and effect," said Page. The most common chemicals in cannabis include THC (tetrahydrocannabinolic acid), the component of the plant that induces a "high," and CBD (cannabidiol), which can be purchased over the counter, but to date, the FDA has only approved one CBD-derived product. Importantly, the FDA has not approved any other cannabis, cannabis-derived, or cannabidiol (CBD) products currently available on the market. Some studies have found that within an hour after cannabis is smoked, THC may induce heart rhythm abnormalities, such as tachycardia, premature ventricular contractions, atrial fibrillation and ventricular arrythmias. Acutely, THC also appears to stimulate the sympathetic nervous system, which is responsible for the "fight or flight" response, resulting in a higher heart rate, a greater demand for oxygen by the heart, higher blood pressure while laying down and dysfunction within the walls of the arteries. In contrast, studies on CBD, which does not produce a "high" or intoxication, have found associations with reduced heart rate, lower blood pressure, increased vasodilation (ability of the arteries to open), lower blood pressure and potentially reduced inflammation. Inflammation is linked to atherosclerosis, the slow narrowing of the arteries that underlies most heart attacks and, possibly strokes. Smoking and inhaling cannabis, regardless of THC content, has been associated with cardiomyopathy (heart muscle dysfunction), angina (chest pain), heart attacks, heart rhythm disturbances, sudden cardiac death and other serious cardiovascular conditions. In states where cannabis has been legalized, an increase in hospitalizations and emergency department visits for heart attacks has been observed. The way cannabis is consumed may influence how it affects the heart and blood vessels. "Many consumers and health care professionals don't realize that cannabis smoke contains components similar to tobacco smoke," said Page. Smoking and inhaling cannabis, regardless of THC content, has been shown to increase the concentrations of blood carboxyhemoglobin (carbon monoxide, a poisonous gas) five-fold, and a three-fold increase in tar (partly burnt combustible matter), similar to the effects of inhaling a tobacco cigarette. Carbon monoxide intoxication from inhaled tobacco or cannabis has been associated with several heart problems, such as heart muscle disease, chest pain, heart attacks, heart rhythm disturbances and other serious conditions. Cannabis use should be discussed in detail with a health care professional so that an individual's potential health risks can be reviewed. "If people choose to use cannabis for its medicinal or recreational effects, the oral and topical forms, for which doses can be measured, may reduce some of the potential harms. It is also vitally important that people only use legal cannabis products because there are no controls on the quality or the contents of cannabis products sold on the street," said Page. In addition to the poisonous compounds in cannabis smoke, vaping cannabis may also result in serious health outcomes, especially when it is mixed with vitamin E acetate oils, which are linked to EVALI (e-cigarette or vaping product use-associated lung injury), the potentially fatal illness that emerged among e-cigarette users last year. "People who use cannabis need to know there are potentially serious health risks in smoking or vaping it, just like tobacco smoke. The American Heart Association recommends that people not smoke or vape any substance, including cannabis products, because of the potential harm to the heart, lungs and blood vessels," said Rose Marie Robertson, M.D., FAHA, the deputy chief science and medical officer for the American Heart Association and co-director of the AHA Tobacco Center for Regulatory Science. The statement also discusses cannabis use among older adults, people diagnosed with cardiovascular diseases and other populations including youth. Some studies have suggested that cannabis useboth CBD and THCmay be safe and effective for older populations. Though they are the least likely to use cannabis, older adults often use it to reduce neuropathic pain (common among people with type 2 diabetes), improve quality of life and decrease prescription drug use (including opioids). Additionally, benefits for patients with age-related diseases, including Parkinson's and Alzheimer's, have also been reported in some studies; however, there is very little research on the long-term effects of cannabis use among this group of people. Another concern about older adults using cannabis is the potential of interactions with other medications, including blood thinners (anti- coagulants), anti-depressants, antipsychotics, antiarrhythmics for heart rhythm abnormalities, and statin drugs, which reduce cholesterol levels. For people diagnosed with heart disease, cannabis should be used with extreme caution because cannabis increases the heart's need for oxygen at the same time as it decreases available oxygen supply, which could cause angina (chest pain). In addition, in some studies, cannabis triggered a heart attack in people with underlying heart disease. Other studies have linked cannabis use to a higher risk of strokes and heart failure. Research into the effects of cannabis on the heart and blood vessels has been limited because cannabis is categorized as a Schedule I controlled substance by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA). Schedule I controlled substances are defined as having no accepted medical use, a high potential for abuse and an unacceptable safety profile. The AHA's Scientific Statement suggests that the DEA remove cannabis from the Schedule I of the U.S. Controlled Substances Act so that it can be widely studied by scientists. Forty-seven U.S. states, the District of Columbia, and 4 of 5 U.S. territories allow some form of cannabis use, and its use has risen considerably over the past decade, particularly among people 18-25 years of age. Although many states have legalized medical and/or recreational cannabis use, cannabis growing, sales and use are illegal at the federal level, further complicating scientific research. "We urgently need carefully designed, prospective short- and long-term studies regarding cannabis use and cardiovascular safety as it becomes increasingly available and more widely used," Page said. "The public needs fact-based, valid scientific information about cannabis's effect on the heart and blood vessels. Research funding at federal and state levels must be increased to match the expansion of cannabis useto clarify the potential therapeutic properties and to help us better understand the cardiovascular and public health implications of frequent cannabis use." Legalization of cannabis for medical purposes should align with patient safety and efficacy. Legalization for recreational use will remain a significant concern until more research can be conducted on the safety and long-term population health effects across the life course and the equity and social justice impact of these laws. In those states where cannabis is legal for recreational or medical purposes, there should be a robust public health infrastructure that is adequately funded and implemented to minimize its impact on CVD mortality especially among young people those who have heart disease. The statement calls for the federal government to create standardized labelling about the amount of THC and CBD and require it on all legal cannabis products. The Association believes cannabis should be tightly integrated into comprehensive tobacco control and prevention efforts that include age restrictions for purchasing, retailer compliance, excise taxes, comprehensive smoke-free air laws, professional education, screening within the clinical environmentfor example, when a patient is admitted to the hospital and routinely screened to avoid medication interactions or potential toxicityand coverage of cessation treatment programs by insurers, Medicare and Medicaid. These efforts should be adequately funded, and at least some portion of the revenue from cannabis taxation should be directed toward programs and services that improve public health. Explore further Young Australians would use cannabis if it were legal to do so Ayodhya Railway Station design Image: Twitter/ Piyush Goyal) Indian Railways is planning to revamp the Ayodhya railway station in Uttar Pradesh. As per the traffic projections of the Railways, Ram Mandir is likely to transform Ayodhya into a pilgrimage centre as big as Varanasi or Prayagraj. The Railways also increased the budget of the redevelopment of Ayodhya station from Rs 80 crore to over Rs 104 crore. The construction work of a well-equipped building with the latest and modern passenger facilities of Ayodhya station is in progress. For this building approval of Rs 80 crore was sanctioned in FY18, which has been increased to Rs 104 crore at present, the statement said. Ram Mandir Bhoomi Poojan: Here's PM Modi's itinerary for August 5 Officials in the Lucknow Division of Railways told The Indian Express that footfall at Ayodhya station is estimated to jump at least 12 times from the present 5,000 per day once the Ram Mandir is opened to the public. Track this LIVE blog for the latest updates Ayodhya Ram Mandir Bhoomi Pujan The station, which falls under the Northern Railway zone, is being modelled on the Ram temple and several passenger-friendly features are being introduced. The station is being redeveloped by RITES Ltd, an enterprise of Indian Railways. Facilities like modern art galleries, male and female dormitories, increased number of ticket counters, food plaza, additional foot over bridges, tourist centres, taxi booth, a VIP lounge, a guest house and even an auditorium will be constructed. The Railways has sought land from the Uttar Pradesh government for development of around 1 lakh sq m of additional space to create the new station. Recently, the Railways also released pictures of the redeveloped stations design. The station is expected to be complete by June 2021. Slideshow | This is how the Ram Temple in Ayodhya will look like on completion "We expect passenger traffic to grow significantly in Ayodhya in the coming years. Along with the redevelopment of the station, we have undertaken massive infrastructure augmentation there that will result in more trains to and from Ayodhya," Rajiv Chaudhry, General Manager, Northern Railway said. The ground breaking ceremony of the Ram temple is scheduled to be held on August 5 in Ayodhya and is expected to be attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The United States on Wednesday announced its "highest level" visit in decades to Taiwan, a move sure to infuriate China at a time when relations between Washington and Beijing are at historic lows. Washington's trade office in Taipei confirmed that health chief Alex Azar would lead an upcoming delegation to the self-ruled island, which China's communist leaders claim and have vowed to one day seize. "This marks... the first Cabinet member to visit in six years, and the highest level visit by a US Cabinet official since 1979," the American Institute in Taiwan said. Taiwan's foreign ministry confirmed the trip and said Azar would meet the island's foreign and health ministers. "Secretary Azar is a long-time staunch friend of Taiwan," the ministry said, describing his upcoming trip as "ample evidence of the solid foundation of mutual trust" between Washington and Taipei. The United States switched diplomatic recognition from Taiwan to China in 1979. It remains the leading arms supplier to the island but has historically been cautious in holding official contacts with it. That has changed dramatically under US President Donald Trump, who has started to embrace Taiwan more as a way to hit back at Beijing as the two superpowers increasingly clash. The last cabinet-level trip to Taiwan was in 2014 when the then head of the Environmental Protection Agency visited. The most recent before that was a trip in 2000 by a transport secretary under US President Bill Clinton. US Secretary of Health and Human Services Alex Azar will lead the upcoming delegation to Taiwan, which Beijing claims and had vowed to one day seize Enforcement Directorate on Wednesday issued summons to Sushant Singh Rajputs former live-in partner Rhea Chakraborty asking her to appear before the agency on Friday at 11 am, said officials privy to the development. Rhea Chakarborty is said to have gone out of public view ever since she posted a video appeal claiming innocence and wishing that the truth behind Sushant Singh Rajputs death comes out one day clearing her name. Bihar police has been claiming that it has been unable to trace Chakraborty, who has been accused of diverting huge sums from Sushants account apart from keeping him in confinement and harassing him mentally. Also Read: Rhea Chakraborty is absconding, she is not coming forward says DGP Bihar The Enforcement Directorate is probing the financial misconduct aspect of the investigation. Earlier today, Central government notified a CBI probe into the abetment of suicide case registered against Rhea Chakraborty by Sushant Singh Rajputs father in Patna. The case was filed several days after Rajput, aged 34, was found dead in his apartment in suburban Bandra in Mumbai on June 14. Rhea has filed a petition in Supreme Court seeking transfer of the case registered in Bihar to Mumbai. During the hearing of the case, the apex court today directed the Mumbai Police to place before it the status report of the probe conducted so far. Also Read: IPS officer asked me to pressurise Rhea Chakraborty: DCP Dahiya Among the several questions swirling over Sushants death, one pertains to alleged financial fleecing of the rising star at the hands of his former girlfriend and actor Rhea Chakraborty. Bihar Police DGP Gupteshwar Pandey in a sensational claim made on Tuesday said that Rs 50 crore was withdrawn from the late actors account in the last four years and Rs 15 crore was withdrawn in the last year alone. He also accused the Mumbai Police of deliberately not probing the financial angle in the case. Sushants parents and Bihar police have earlier blamed Rhea Chakraborty of manipulating Sushant including diverting his money. Makeup guru Bobbi Brown has shed some light on the very subtle and casual way that Meghan Markle discussed her relationship with Prince Harry at the start of their romance, revealing the Duchess referred to him as 'a fellow she was dating from the UK'. The 63-year-old beauty guru took to Instagram on Tuesday to share a post in honor of Meghan's 39th birthday - and in the process, she shared a sweet anecdote about the first time she heard the then-actress talking about her relationship with Prince Harry. Alongside a photo of herself with Meghan, which was taken at a photoshoot for The Coveteur in 2018, Bobbi wrote: 'Happy Birthday to Meghan Markle who was such a joy to work with. At the time of the shoot she was telling me about a fellow she had just started to date from the UK.' Memories! Makeup artist Bobbi Brown has revealed the first time she heard Meghan Markle talk about Prince Harry during a shoot in 2016 - while sharing a sweet behind-the-scenes snap Under wraps: At the time of the shoot, Meghan (pictured with Harry in September 2017), 39, kept coy about Harry's identity, with Bobbi saying she talked about 'a fellow from the UK' Bobbi goes on to admit that she had no idea the man in question was Prince Harry, revealing that she 'didn't ask' who Meghan was referring to. However, not long after the shoot took place, Bobbi got the chance to meet Meghan and Harry as a couple, when she attended the launch party for Soho House's new location in Amsterdam, a three-day event, which the Duke and Duchess of Sussex attended together. 'Saw them again at a very special @sohohouseamsterdam birthday day. Sweet as always,' she concluded the post. The September 2016 Coveteur shoot with Meghan and Bobbi saw the Duchess demonstrating how to apply makeup in the back of a moving Uber, and was filmed while she was on a filming hiatus from Suits. In a video from the shoot, Meghan could be seen telling Bobbi all about an upcoming movie project that she was hoping to land, a role that she never actually took because, not long after the feature was published, the Duchess quit her acting career to move to the UK and marry Harry. However, at the time, news of Meghan and Harry's relationship was still limited to rumors and speculation - and was not confirmed until the royal issued a public statement about the romance in November of that same year. Flashback: When the September 2016 shoot took place, Meghan was on a hiatus from filming Suits, and spoke to Bobbi about an exciting movie project she was hoping to land How times change! Meghan and Harry (pictured in September 2019) have since tied the knot and welcomed their first child, baby Archie In fact, the shoot actually took place just two months after the Suits star met Prince Harry for the first time after being set up by a mutual friend, believed to be designer Misha Nonoo. Not long after that first meeting, the couple went on a second date at Soho House in London, where they enjoyed a long dinner together at a 'discreet table' that was reportedly arranged by their mutual friend Markus Anderson, who is a consultant for the private members' club. Markus was likely the same person who invited Meghan and Harry to the Soho House Amsterdam launch where Bobbi bumped into the happy couple, who attended the A-list event alongside the likes of actors Eddie Redmayne, Jenna Coleman and Douglas Booth. While Meghan played it coy while telling Bobbi about her then-new relationship with Harry, a new biography about the couple - Finding Freedom - reveals that the pair were 'immediately obsessed' with one another. The book, written by Omid Scobie and Carolyn Durand, details how the couple felt a 'palpable attraction' after their first date at Dean Street Townhouse in Soho, London, with Harry reportedly left in a 'trance' and Meghan telling friends 'this could have legs'. On that first date, which lasted three hours, Harry talked about his charity work and many trips to Africa, finding a joint passion for wanting to 'make change for good' with Meghan, helping to form a bond between them. It came after Meghan's divorce and the break-up of her first serious relationship after that. She told a friend before her trip to London she'd be happy for 'a nice English gentleman to flirt with'. Reunion: Bobbi (right) bumped into Harry and Meghan as a couple two years later, when they all attended the launch party for Soho House Amsterdam, where she is pictured Special: The shoot with Bobbi took place just weeks after Meghan returned from a romantic trip to Botswana with Harry. The couple then returned to the location in 2017 (pictured) Meghan and Harry didn't kiss on that first night, though sources said they were 'in their own little world' and made plans to meet again soon. That second meeting actually ended up taking place the very next night at the very same venue, where Harry and Meghan enjoyed a romantic dinner, with staff taking great pains to ensure their privacy, whisking them in through a staff entrance usually used to bring in fish discreetly. They chatted throughout the night, and though Harry returned to Kensington Palace alone, he admitted to friends afterwards that Meghan was 'ticking every box'. Just one night after date number two, Meghan was taken to Kensington Palace in a shroud of secrecy, where Harry tried to impress her with tales about his work and life, which he admitted was a 'little mad'. Six weeks later, Harry flew Meghan out to Botswana, where they enjoyed a very special, and very lengthy third date, camping out under the stars together in a luxury tent. A friend told Finding Freedom's authors that Meghan returned from the trip 'smiling and just completely spellbound', while revealing that the couple enjoyed the trip so much that they would have 'happily spent the entire summer there together', if not for their obligations back home. One such obligation for Meghan was the Bobbi shoot, which took place just weeks after she returned from her romantic getaway in Botswana. The Ministry of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology has yesterday ordered for the closure of the University of The Gambia (UTG), The Gambia College, Management Development Institute (MDI) and the Gambia Technical Training Institute (GTTI) until further notice. "Given the dramatic surge in COVID-19 infection, the Ministry of Higher Education Research, Science and Technology has ordered for the closure of the University of The Gambia (UTG), The Gambia College, Management Development Institute and the Gambia Technical Training Institute (GTTI) effective immediately." Musa Baldeh the Communication Officer at The University of The Gambia said they received information from the Ministry of Higher Education that the staff of the University of The Gambia are ordered to closed with immediate effect till further notice. "Our students at the University have completed their examination for the semester and they are no more coming to school but our employees were still at work up to the time we received the order for us to close work with immediate effect," he said. The deathly coronavirus pandemic has taken a dramatic turn in the Gambia as the country started registering a high number of confirmed cases of the virus and a significant number of deaths few weeks ago. The Gambia as of Saturday 1st August 2020 registered four hundred and ninety-eight (498) confirmed cases of COVID-19, of these, there are four hundred and fourteen (414) active cases, nine (9) deaths, forty-three (43) probable cases, one crud case fatality rate of 1.8% and five hundred and twenty-nine (529) persons in quarantine. The Gambia Government has also announced Compulsory Wearing of Face Masks, Temporary Closure of Non-Essential Public Places & Prohibition of Public Gatherings for 90 days. The Confederate monument outside the Madison County Courthouse was defaced overnight with what appeared to be blood-colored paint. Brent Patterson, a spokesman for the Madison County sheriffs office, said deputies were investigating and looking for evidence at the scene. Patterson said he couldnt speculate about what the substance on the statue is. Its the first time the statue has been defaced during local protests calling for the monument to be removed, Patterson told AL.com by phone. Local citizens have been protesting and calling for the statue to be removed since late May when demonstrations were sparked around the country by the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis. Just saw a deputy checking trash cans on the Madison County Courthouse square near the paint-soaked Confederate statue. Looking for paint cans? Heading into the County Commission meeting now for relax. lee roop (@leeroop) August 5, 2020 Both the Madison County Commission, which has jurisdiction over the statue, and the Huntsville City Council have passed resolutions calling for the statue to be moved to the city-owned Maple Hill Cemetery. But the monument remains outside the main entrance to the courthouse in downtown Huntsville. Alabamas Memorial Preservation Act forbids local governments from moving some statues and other monuments. The county commission asked for a waiver to allow removal of the statue, but the Committee on Alabama Monument Protection rejected that request, saying the law doesnt allow for removal of statues that are more than 40 years old. If the county commission moved the statue anyway, like some cities in Alabama have done with their Confederate monuments, if could be fined $25,000. The Tennessee Valley Progressive Alliance, a grassroots organization, said it has raised the money to cover the fine and would be willing to pay it for the county to move the statue. A symbolic check for $25,000 from the Tennessee Valley Progressive Alliance to pay the fine to remove the monument of a displayed outside Madison County Courthouse in Huntsville. The monument was defaced overnight last night. pic.twitter.com/6XgGNJkRpf Paul Gattis (@paul_gattis) August 5, 2020 The statue of a Confederate soldier was initially placed outside the courthouse in 1905. But the statue that stands there today is a replica that was placed after the original was destroyed in a construction accident in June of 1966. The county commission is having a regularly-scheduled meeting this morning. Citizens have been attending those meetings for weeks to demand the commissioners remove the statue, while other locals have told the commission they want the monument to stay outside the courthouse. The first county commissioner arriving for todays meeting, Phil Vandiver, declined comment on statue paint attack. Not enough information to make a statement, he said. lee roop (@leeroop) August 5, 2020 This story will be updated. AL.com reporters Paul Gattis and Lee Roop contributed to this story. Read more: Removal of Confederate monument in Huntsville is going to happen, councilman says Madison County Commission votes to remove Confederate statue in Huntsville Global Niche Top Companies Selection 100 certificate Fuel cell catalysts TOKYO, Aug 5, 2020 - (ACN Newswire) - TANAKA Holdings Co., Ltd. (Head office: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director & CEO: Koichiro Tanaka) announced today that TANAKA Kikinzoku Kogyo K.K. (Head office: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director & CEO: Koichiro Tanaka), which operates the TANAKA Precious Metals manufacturing business, has been selected and awarded by Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry (METI) as one of its "Global Niche Top Companies Selection 100" (GNT Companies Selection 100) and has just received the certification.Companies selected in the GNT Companies Selection 100 are being recognized by METI for excelling in niche sectors of global markets or for being outstanding companies with businesses focused on parts or materials with increasing importance for supply chain in a changing international landscape. On June 30, 2020, METI announced the selection of 113 companies for its 2020 GNT Companies Selection 100. TANAKA Kikinzoku Kogyo was recognized and awarded a certificate in the materials and chemistry category for its catalyst products for fuel cells.Development and Manufacture of Fuel Cell Catalysts by TANAKA Kikinzoku KogyoElectrode catalysts for fuel cells are materials that promote chemical reactions within fuel cells to turn hydrogen into water and electricity. Vehicles equipped with fuel cells (FCVs) are much more energy-efficient than vehicles that use energy from the combustion of gasoline or other fuels. Because there are no greenhouse gases (GHGs), such as carbon dioxide, emitted during use, FCVs are expected to provide benefits from the perspective of environmental conservation in particular. As a comprehensive manufacturer of precious metals, TANAKA Kikinzoku Kogyo was an early developer of electrode catalysts that use platinum, with the belief that they can make a significant contribution to the fuel cell industry.TANAKA Kikinzoku Kogyo specializes in customization to meet the needs of its customers. In collaboration with industry and academia, it has also maintained, for about 15 years, the leading share of the global market for electrode catalysts for polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (PEFCs). In 2019, it expanded capacity at its FC Catalyst Development Center and enhanced production capabilities. As a result, it has built a system that will rapidly respond with stable supplies to increases in demand for electrode catalysts as the fuel cell market grows.With the use of fuel cells becoming more widespread, demand for cost reductions and improved quality are also increasing, so TANAKA Kikinzoku Kogyo is continuing to develop related technologies, including the development of manufacturing processes and analysis technologies. Going forward, the company will continue to develop catalysts that improve the performance of fuel cells and reduce the use of precious metals in order to deliver products that contribute to a hydrogen society and help conserve the environment.Reference: METI press release for the 2020 Global Niche Top Companies Selection 100https://www.meti.go.jp/press/2020/06/20200630002/20200630002.htmlTANAKA Holdings Co., Ltd. (Holding company of TANAKA Precious Metals)Headquarters: 22F, Tokyo Building, 2-7-3 Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku, TokyoRepresentative: Koichiro Tanaka, Representative Director & CEOFounded: 1885Incorporated: 1918*Capital: 500 million yenEmployees in consolidated group: 5,138 (FY2019)Employees: 221 (March 31, 2020)Net sales of consolidated group: JPY 1,149,604 million (FY2019)Main businesses of the group: The holding company at the center of TANAKA Precious Metals responsible for strategic and efficient group management and management guidance to group companies.URL: https://www.tanaka.co.jp/english/* TANAKA Holdings adopted a holding company structure on April 1, 2010.TANAKA Kikinzoku Kogyo K.K.Headquarters: 22F, Tokyo Building, 2-7-3 Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku, TokyoRepresentative: Koichiro Tanaka, Representative Director & CEOFounded: 1885Incorporated: 1918Capital: 500 million yenEmployees: 2,393 (including overseas subsidiaries) (as of March 31, 2020)Sales: JPY 992,679,879,000 (FY2019)Main businesses: Manufacture, sales, import and export of precious metals (platinum, gold, silver, and others) and various types of industrial precious metals products.URL: https://tanaka-preciousmetals.comAbout TANAKA Precious MetalsSince its foundation in 1885, TANAKA Precious Metals has built a diversified range of business activities focused on precious metals. TANAKA is a leader in Japan regarding the volumes of precious metals handled. Over the course of many years, TANAKA has not only manufactured and sold precious metal products for industry but also provided precious metals in such forms as jewelry and resources. As precious metals specialists, all Group companies within and outside Japan work together with unified cooperation between manufacturing, sales, and technological aspects to offer products and services. Additionally, to make further progress in globalization, TANAKA Kikinzoku Kogyo welcomed Metalor Technologies International SA as a member of the Group in 2016.As precious metal professionals, TANAKA Precious Metals will continue to contribute to the development of an enriching and prosperous society.The five core companies that make up TANAKA Precious Metals are as follows.-- TANAKA Holdings Co., Ltd. (pure holding company)-- TANAKA Kikinzoku Kogyo K.K.-- TANAKA Denshi Kogyo K.K.-- Electroplating Engineers Of Japan, Limited-- TANAKA Kikinzoku Jewerly K.K.Press release in PDF: http://www.acnnewswire.com/clientreports/598/200805_EN.pdfPress InquiriesTANAKA Holdings Co., Ltd.https://tanaka-preciousmetals.com/en/inquiries-for-media/Source: Tanaka Holdings Co., Ltd.Copyright 2020 ACN Newswire . All rights reserved. New Delhi, Aug 6 : Writer, columnist, filmmaker and activist Sadia Dehlvi, a prominent critic of radical interpretations of Islam who urged a holistic understanding of the religion and was also a vocal critic of the Citizenship (Amendment) Act on the ground that it discriminated against Muslims, died here late Wednesday after a prolonged battle with cancer. She had turned 63 on July 16. Hailing from a family of writers and publishers -- her grandfather Hafiz Yusuf founded the iconic Urdu film and literary monthly Shamaa in 1938 -- Dehlvi was a columnist with The Hindustan Times and regularly contributed to several prominent Urdu, Hindi and English newspapers and magazines. A follower of Nizamuddin Auliya and Khwaja Gharib Nawaz, she was the author of two seminal works "Sufism: The Heart of Islam" and "The Sufi Courtyard: Dargahs of Delhi", besides innumerable articles on women, minorities, Islamic spirituality and Delhi's heritage and culture. She also scripted and co-produced the TV series "Amma and Family" that starred veteran actress Zohra Sehgal and also played one of the main roles in it. Dehlvi was also the associate producer of the TV series "Not a Nice Man to Know" (1998) with late writer Khushwant Singh (who had penned a similarly titled anthology) interviewing women from various fields. She also acted in the TV series "Zindagi Kitni Khoobsoorat Hai" (2001). Khushwant Singh, in fact, was a great admirer of Dehlvi's work, and wrote in his anthology that he dedicated to her: "To Sadia Dehlvi, who gave me more affection and notoriety than I deserve." His book, "Men and Women in my Life" features Dehlvi on the cover and includes an entire chapter on her. Advertisement By West Kentucky Star Staff Aug. 04, 2020 | MARSHALL COUNTY By West Kentucky Star Staff Aug. 04, 2020 | 07:14 PM | MARSHALL COUNTY One juvenile was injured after a vehicle pursuit in Marshall County. The Marshall County Sheriff's Office says deputies were dispatched to I-69 Purchase Parkway on Friday in reference to a reckless driver complaint. While responding, information was received that the vehicle in question was reported stolen in another state. Deputies located the vehicle on Purchase Parkway and attempted to conduct a traffic stop. The vehicle sped up and attempted to flee on US 68 W. The driver lost control of the vehicle causing it to leave the roadway and strike a utility pole, before colliding with a residence. The collision left one of the passengers injured; the driver and a second passenger then attempted to flee on foot. Both individuals were apprehended shortly after by deputies. The injured passenger was later transported to an out-of-state hospital for treatment. All three occupants were juveniles and no names are being released at this time. The Marshall County Sheriff's Office says the investigation is ongoing with charges pending on the driver. President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has stressed the need for the country to work and free itself from the economic arrangements designed by the former colonial power. Such past arrangement, he noted, was to serve their particular purpose at the time and it continued to blind the country from achieving its development. We must make a concerted effort to break away from the neo-colonial structure of the raw material producing and exporting economy, which has, largely, been our loss, President Akufo-Addo stated in the press release to wish the country a happy Founders Day. Founders Day A new Public Holidays Amendment Bill, 2018 was laid in Parliament by the Minister for the Interior, Mr Ambrose Dery, and passed to amend the Public Holiday Act, 2001 in 2018. The amendment bill quashed three public holidays and introduced two new ones. This followed a proposal by President Akufo-Addo that August 4 should be observed as Founders Day in memory of the successive generations of Ghanaians who contributed to the liberation of the country from colonial rule. The President also proposed that September 21 should be set aside as a memorial day for Dr Kwame Nkrumah, Ghanas first President, who was instrumental in the fight for the March 6 independence. Transformation As President, he said, he was determined to make his leadership period witness the laying of the foundation for the transformation of the countrys economy from an exporter of raw materials and retailer of cheap imported goods to a modern, value-adding industrialised one. Additionally, he stated that he would continue to work assiduously to provide each Ghanaian with a decent education, a decent job, a decent home, an adequate safety net for the vulnerable and marginalised, and a decent retirement in order to live in an atmosphere of freedom, security, law and order. That, he said, was what the founders of the nation envisioned for the country as its goal, adding that Let us all put our shoulders to the wheel and drive our nation to its destination, a united, developed, prosperous, free, democratic and independent Ghanaian nation. As the country acknowledged the role played by successive generations of Ghanaians towards the liberation of the country from colonialism and imperialism, President Akufo-Addo said the importance and significance of the day in the life and history of the nation could not be repeated enough. Source: Graphic.com.gh Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video A t least 250 London families whose loved ones died with coronavirus today demanded an urgent probe into the handling of the epidemic. They want an initial rapid phase of a public inquiry to identify shortcomings and any changes that are needed now. Four members of the Covid-19 Bereaved Families for Justice were today giving evidence to the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Coronavirus. One of them, Jo Goodman of Tottenham, is the groups joint founder. Her father Stuart, who had a heart condition, asthma and was receiving a diagnosis for cancer, died with coronavirus on April 2 at the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital. Mr Goodman, a former night picture editor for the Evening Standard, was sent a letter advising him to shield which arrived nine days after he died. His daughter, 31, said: The Government did far too little, far too late for him. Ministers say an independent inquiry will be held but the focus currently needs to be on fighting the disease, that they took the right decisions at the right time and followed scientific advice. A New Jersey woman has been arrested for allegedly knocking down a liver transplant recipient and breaking her leg during a dispute over a face mask at a store. The Hackensack Police Department on Tuesday announced the arrest of Terri Thomas, 25, on an aggravated assault charge in connection to the violent attack on 54-year-old Margot Kagan, which took place inside a Staples store on July 29. According to investigators, Kagan was using a fax machine at the office supply store in Hackensack when a woman, later identified as Thomas, approached a machine next to her. Police in Hackensack, New Jersey, have arrested the woman seen in this surveillance video approaching an older woman using a fax machine at a local Staples Police say Margot Kagan, 54, seen raising her cane, asked Terri Thomas, 25, to put on her mask, which allegedly made the younger woman angry Video from the Hackensack Staples store shows Thomas knock Kagan down Thomas had a face mask on that was pulled down below her mouth, as seen in viral surveillance video. Thomas was arrested on Tuesday and charged with aggravated assault stemming from the Staples fracas Police said Kagan, who underwent a liver transplant four months ago and was walking with the aid of a cane, asked Thomas to put her mask over her mouth, reported ABC 7 NY. Kagan's request allegedly sent Thomas into a rage and she yelled profanities at her before hurling the older woman to the ground. Video of the clash has been viewed on Hackensack Police Department's Facebook page more than 313,000 times as of Wednesday afternoon. It begins with Thomas marching up to Kagan with her finger pointed at the woman and having some words with her. Kagan, who is seen wearing a black mask and a plastic visor over her face to protect herself from the spread of COVID-19, backs away and tries to create distance between herself and Thomas by raising her cane in front of her. Kagan was left laying on the floor in the middle of the store after breaking her leg As Thomas was walking by a second time, Kagan unsuccessfully tried to trip her Thomas then grabs the woman's cane, yanks it out of her hands and throws Kagan to the floor before walking away. Several people, including Staples employees, are seen standing around looking at the injured woman laying on the floor, but no one immediately comes to her aid. Thomas then returns and walks past Kagan, who unsuccessfully tries to trip her with her foot. Capt. Darrin DeWitt, of Hackensack police, stressed that Staples staffers did call 911 and tended to the victims moments later, but their efforts were not captured on video. Kagan underwent a liver transplant four months ago. She landed in the hospital again last week to be treated for a broken left tibia (right) Kagan was later taken to Hackensack University Medical Center, where she was diagnosed with a fractured left tibia that required surgery to put a steel plate inside her knee. Speaking to News 12 New Jersey from her hospital bed, Kagan said Thomas lunged at her after she told her that she was endangering everyone by refusing to wear her mask properly. The victim said she was told by her doctors that she will not be able to put weight on her left leg for up to 10 weeks. Following her arrest, Thomas was released with a summons. She is due back in court on August 24. Wear a mask. Save lives. Wear a face cover. Wash your hands. Keep a safe distance read the messages supporting todays Google Doodle to spread awareness about the ongoing coronavirus outbreak. Through an animated doodle where the characters G-O-O-G-L-E are shown to develop legs, wear masks of different colours and patterns and also practice safe social distancing to keep themselves and everyone else safe. The variations of masks might also hint at the idea that masks are the new fashion accessory and can easily be paired with the different outfits you choose to wear whenever you are (and need to) step out of home. The World Health Organization urges people around the world to wear a mask mandatorily. They say, Masks can help prevent the spread of the virus from the person wearing the mask to others. Masks alone do not protect against COVID-19, and should be combined with physical distancing and hand hygiene. via GIPHY Masks have become mandatory in several countries too, both indoors and outdoors. Even though most of us are in lockdown and/or operating out of the safety of our homes, here are some precautions shared by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare to help us continue to stay safe and also to prevent the outbreak of a second wave of the virus. Read on: Regularly and thoroughly clean your hands with an alcohol-based hand rub or wash them with soap and water. Why? Washing your hands with soap and water or using alcohol-based hand rub kills viruses that may be on your hands. Maintain at least 1 metre (3 feet) distance between yourself and anyone who is coughing or sneezing. Why? When someone coughs or sneezes they spray small liquid droplets from their nose or mouth which may contain virus. If you are too close, you can breathe in the droplets, including the Covid-19 virus if the person coughing has the disease. Avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth. Why? Hands touch many surfaces and can pick up viruses. Once contaminated, hands can transfer the virus to your eyes, nose or mouth. From there, the virus can enter your body and can make you sick. Make sure you, and the people around you, follow good respiratory hygiene. This means covering your mouth and nose with your bent elbow or tissue when you cough or sneeze. Then dispose of the used tissue immediately. Why? Droplets spread virus. By following good respiratory hygiene you protect the people around you from viruses such as cold, flu and COVID-19. Stay home if you feel unwell. If you have a fever, cough and difficulty breathing, seek medical attention and call in advance. Follow the directions of your local health authority. Why? National and local authorities will have the most up to date information on the situation in your area. Calling in advance will allow your health care provider to quickly direct you to the right health facility. This will also protect you and help prevent spread of viruses and other infections. Keep up to date on the latest COVID-19 hotspots (cities or local areas where COVID-19 is spreading widely). If possible, avoid traveling to places especially if you are an older person or have diabetes, heart or lung disease. Why? You have a higher chance of catching COVID-19 in one of these areas. Follow more stories on Facebook and Twitter New body-camera footage that has "leaked" shows more details of George Floyd's fatal arrest in Minneapolis. The Daily Mail obtained and published footage from two Minneapolis police officer body cameras on Monday. Floyd died in Minneapolis police custody on May 25 after former Officer Derek Chauvin kneeled on his neck for nearly eight minutes while Floyd said, "I can't breathe." The footage shows about 10 minutes from former Officer Thomas Lanes bodycam and about 18 minutes from former Officer J. Kuengs bodycam. In the video, Lane points a gun at Floyd while attempting to get him out of his car. Floyd can be heard saying, "Please dont shoot me, Mr. Officer." REMEMBERING GEORGE FLOYD: George Floyd will tour the South in hologram form, replacing 'racist Confederate memories' It also shows Floyd struggling with officers, pleading and saying Im not a bad guy! Im not that kind of guy, Floyd is heard saying in the video. I just had COVID, man, I dont want to go back to that. All four officers involved were fired. Chauvin has been charged with second-degree murder. Lane, Kueng and Tou Thao have been charged with aiding and abetting. The videos were filed in court last month. A Hennepin County judge has allowed journalists and members of the public to view the footage in-person by appointment but has not granted public access to the videos. Journalists from the Associated Press were allowed to view the footage in July. A coalition of journalists previously filed a motion calling for the release of the videos. CNN reports that Floyd family attorney Ben Crump says that the video supports that Floyd was not a threat when he was arrested. "The police officers approached him with guns drawn, simply because he was a Black man," Crump said. "As this video shows, he never posed any threat. The officers' contradictions continue to build. If not for the videos, the world might never have known about the wrongs committed against George Floyd." GEORGE FLOYD: Before dying in Minneapolis police custody, George Floyd grew up in Houston's Third Ward It is unclear how the Daily Mail obtained the footage. Floyd grew up in Houston's Third Ward, graduated from Yates High School and moved to Minneapolis to find work. His death sparked protests and calls for police reform across the country. Uttarakhand Chief Minister on Wednesday said the 'bhoomi pujan' for the in is a "golden occasion" that has come after years of struggle, fulfilling dreams of thousands who sacrificed their lives for the construction of the temple. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday performed the 'bhoomi pujan' of a Supreme Court-mandated in Ayodhya, bringing to fruition the BJP's 'mandir' movement that defined its politics for three decades and took it to the heights of power. After watching live telecast of the event, Rawat said, "The golden occasion has arrived after years of struggle. Thousands of people sacrificed their lives for the construction of a in Their dream is being fulfilled with the ground breaking ceremony of the temple." It will bring peace to the soul of thousands of people who sacrificed their lives for it, he said. Reminiscing about the movement in the 1980s, he said Rs 1.25 was collected as donation from every person and that people in Uttarakhand did not mind walking for miles uphill to bring stones to be used in the construction of the temple. "It was indeed a big moment for them," Rawat said. Rawat said he was in Meerut when the BJP's 'mandir' movement was at its peak in 1989 and he had taken part in it in disguise along with thousands of people. He especially remembered the contributions of RSS Pracharak Moropant Ji Pingle, Ashok Singhal, Mahant Avaidyanath and the Kothari brothers. Rawat said he has spoken to Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and will soon visit for a darshan of Lord Ram. Uttarakhand Governor Baby Rani Maurya also watched the live telecast of the programme and congratulated the prime minister describing it as the fulfilment of a big commitment. "All believers of the Hindu religion had dreamt of this day when the Ram temple in Ayodhya will be on its the way to becoming a reality," she 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.) For its first 130 years as a state, Alabamas geographic center was located in Shelby County. On that, everyone agreed. So how did three different places in two counties come to compete for the title? The Montevallo markers Montevallo, a picturesque town of about 6,300 residents, is known as the home of the University of Montevallo, which was founded in 1896. At some point in history, a plaque was attached to the top step of Main Hall, the universitys main dormitory. Writing on the plaque says, The small star located at the bottom step marks a point defined as follows The plaque then gives latitudinal and longitudinal coordinates. Many people dont notice, but the wording on the plaque says the star is near the geographical center of the state. This marker saying the geographic center of Alabama is nearby is located on the steps of Main Hall, a historic dormitory at the University of Montevallo. (Photo by Jon Moore) Numerous students and visitors have stood on the star etched on the steps of Main Hall dormitory at the University of Montevallo, which is said to be "near" the geographic center of the state. (Photo by Jon Moore) But in 1955, someone decided to erect a marker at the exact center of the state, which was thought to be 3 miles from Main Hall in Reynolds Cemetery. A granite marker in the cemetery says, Center of Alabama Erected by Montevallo Chamber of Commerce 1955 An article in the Shelby County Reporter suggests the plaque was added to the Main Hall steps at a later date because the location at UM was easier to access for novices than the old cemetery. The timing of that marker is interesting because, less than two years before, the U.S. government had passed legislation that officially moved the center of the state so that Montevallo no longer had the claim in 1955. The center moved, the markers didnt According to a previous column on AL.com, it seems that in 1953 Shelby County lost the designation when Congress passed the Submerged Lands Act. This extended the boundary lines into the Gulf of Mexico for all five states bordering it. For Alabama, that meant a three-mile extension. That resulted in a southward shift in the states center, which puts it in Chilton County, or more precisely at 32505N 86380W. Oddly, the true center is not marked at all, Chilton County officials said. So if you go looking for the center of the state of Alabama, you will find: A plaque and star on the steps of Main Hall dormitory at the University of Montevallo. A granite historical marker in Reynolds Cemetery in Montevallo, 3 miles from the Main Hall marker. An unmarked spot at these coordinates in Chilton County, 3 miles from the Reynolds Cemetery marker: 8638W 3250.5N The Mumbai Police on Wednesday reiterated that actor Sushant Singh Rajputs father should have made a written complaint earlier this year, if he feared for his sons safety. The actors father had earlier in a video statement said that he had warned the Mumbai Police in February that he was worried about his sons life. I told Sushants father clearly that he should give a written complaint. He wanted a person named Miranda to be kept in police custody. We never received any written complaint from him, DCP Paramjit S Dahiya (Mumbai Police) said on Sushant Singh Rajputs father sending him Whatsapp messages on February 25. A month and a half after the 34-year-old actor was found dead in his Bandra apartment in Mumbai on June 14, the Centre on Wednesday told the Supreme Court that it had accepted the Bihar governments recommendation for a CBI probe into the sudden death of the actor. ALSO READ | Sushant Singh Rajputs father releases video appeal: Alerted Mumbai Police in February my sons life in danger A bench of Justice Hrishikesh Roy observed that the truth behind the actors death should be revealed. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, who was appearing for the Centre, told the apex court that the Bihar governments recommendation for a CBI probe in the case had been accepted. The Supreme Court was hearing a plea by actress Rhea Chakraborty, who is seeking transfer of an FIR, accusing her of abetting the suicide of the actor, from Patna to Mumbai. ALSO READ | Sushant Singh Rajputs family wanted us to take Rhea Chakraborty into custody, slap her: Mumbai cop Earlier on Wednesday, the Bihar Police said that Rhea Chakraborty, against whom Sushant Singh Rajputs father has filed an FIR in Patna, is absconding and has not been in touch with the police. Rhea Chakraborty is not in touch with us. She is absconding, she is not coming forward. We dont have any information about her being in touch with the Mumbai Police either, Director General of Police Gupteshwar Pandey said. His statement came on a day when the Supreme Court heard a petition filed by Chakraborty seeking to transfer the case from Patna to Mumbai. More than 100 people were killed in the blast in Beirut, Sky News Arabia TV channel reported on Wednesday citing the Lebanese Red Cross. According to the report, more than 4,000 people were injured. At least 10 firefighters went missing in an effort to extinguish the fire triggered by the blast, Beirut Governor Marwan Abboud told OTV channel. The firefighters were sent in two vehicles to the seaport district, where the blast occurred. They were accompanied by three ambulance vehicles. The Lebanese Civil Defense personnel continue putting out the fire in Beirut. Lebanons civil defense forces continue to fight the fire ignited by the explosion. The units of the Lebanese army are guarding the port area where the explosion occurred. All roads leading to the harbor are blocked. The rescuers continue to clear the debris since people might be trapped underneath. A powerful blast rocked the Beirut seaport district on August 4, sending a shockwave that ripped through residential areas of the Lebanese capital. The shockwave destroyed and damaged dozens of buildings and cars. According to local authorities, the blast was caused by the detonation of 2,700 tonnes of ammonium nitrate, stored in the port after being confiscated by the customs services in 2015. Since Wednesday, a two-week state of emergency has been in place in the Lebanese capital, which was declared a disaster-stricken city. The authorities announced that Wednesday would be a national day of mourning. Lebanon's Prime Minister Hassan Diab declared the explosion at the port a "great national disaster" and promised that "all those responsible for this catastrophe will pay the price". Lebanese President Michel Aoun called the failure to deal with the ammonium nitrate "unacceptable" and vowed the "harshest punishment" for those responsible. An investigation has now been launched, and the committee is to refer its findings to the judiciary within five days. Russian President Vladimir Putin has offered his condolences to Lebanese President Michel Aoun over numerous human casualties and large-scale damages done by a powerful blast in Beiruts port. "Russia shares the grief of the Lebanese people. Please convey the words of sympathy and support to the families of those killed and wishes of the soonest recovery to those injured," the presidents telegram reads. Many European leaders also expressed solidarity with Lebanon after massive blast. Turkey, Canada, the U.S. and other countries sai that they stand by Lebanon and ready to provide all humanitarian assistance, mainly healthcare, to the Lebanese people. Israel has offered to send humanitarian and medical assistance to Lebanon via security and international channels. Planes of the Russian Emergency Situations Ministry will deliver humanitarian aid to Beirut where a powerful explosion claimed dozens of lives on Tuesday, the ministry's press service said. "A total of five planes of the Russian Emergency Situations Ministry will be sent to Beirut, Lebanon, in the course of the humanitarian action to render assistance and to clean up the aftermath of the heavy explosion that occurred yesterday," Interfax cited the statement as saying. The planes of the Russian Emergency Situations Ministry will airlift a mobile hospital, doctors, Tsentrospas state central airmobile rescue team, and Rospotrebnadzor specialists with a coronavirus testing laboratory. All specialists would be provided with special suits and protective equipment in the light of the Covid-19 pandemic, the ministry said. Flowers are brought to St Eugene's Cathedral in Londonderry for the funeral of John Hume. PA Photo. Picture date: Wednesday August 5, 2020. Hume was a key architect of Northern Ireland's Good Friday Agreement and was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for the pivotal role he played in ending the region's sectarian conflict. He died on Monday aged 83, having endured a long battle with dementia. See PA story FUNERAL Hume. Photo credit should read: Niall Carson/PA Wire Patricia Hume arrives at St Eugene's Cathedral in Londonderry for the funeral of her husband John Hume. PA Photo. Picture date: Wednesday August 5, 2020. Hume was a key architect of Northern Ireland's Good Friday Agreement and was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for the pivotal role he played in ending the region's sectarian conflict. He died on Monday aged 83, having endured a long battle with dementia. See PA story FUNERAL Hume. Photo credit should read: Niall Carson/PA Wire Patricia Hume (second left), the widow of John Hume, speaks to mourners outside St Eugene's Cathedral in Londonderry ahead of the funeral of John Hume. PA Photo. Picture date: Wednesday August 5, 2020. Hume was a key architect of Northern Ireland's Good Friday Agreement and was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for the pivotal role he played in ending the region's sectarian conflict. He died on Monday aged 83, having endured a long battle with dementia. See PA story FUNERAL Hume. Photo credit should read: Niall Carson/PA Wire Patricia Hume (centre) arrives at St Eugene's Cathedral in Londonderry for the funeral of her husband John Hume. PA Photo. Picture date: Wednesday August 5, 2020. Hume was a key architect of Northern Ireland's Good Friday Agreement and was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for the pivotal role he played in ending the region's sectarian conflict. He died on Monday aged 83, having endured a long battle with dementia. See PA story FUNERAL Hume. Photo credit should read: Niall Carson/PA Wire PSNI Chief Constable Simon Byrne arrives at St Eugene's Cathedral in Londonderry for the funeral of John Hume. PA Photo. Picture date: Wednesday August 5, 2020. Hume was a key architect of Northern Ireland's Good Friday Agreement and was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for the pivotal role he played in ending the region's sectarian conflict. He died on Monday aged 83, having endured a long battle with dementia. See PA story FUNERAL Hume. Photo credit should read: Niall Carson/PA Wire Patricia Hume arrives at St Eugene's Cathedral in Londonderry for the funeral of her husband John Hume. PA Photo. Picture date: Wednesday August 5, 2020. Hume was a key architect of Northern Ireland's Good Friday Agreement and was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for the pivotal role he played in ending the region's sectarian conflict. He died on Monday aged 83, having endured a long battle with dementia. Patricia Hume speaks to mourners outside St Eugene's Cathedral in Londonderry ahead of the funeral of her husband John Hume. PA Photo. Deputy First Minister Michelle O'Neill speaking to Tommy Gallagher ahead of the funeral of John Hume at St Eugene's Cathedral in Londonderry. PA Photo. Picture date: Wednesday August 5, 2020. Hume was a key architect of Northern Ireland's Good Friday Agreement and was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for the pivotal role he played in ending the region's sectarian conflict. He died on Monday aged 83, having endured a long battle with dementia. See PA story FUNERAL Hume. Photo credit should read: Niall Carson/PA Wire Deputy First Minister Michelle O'Neill outside St Eugene's Cathedral in Londonderry ahead of the funeral of John Hume. PA Photo. Picture date: Wednesday August 5, 2020. Hume was a key architect of Northern Ireland's Good Friday Agreement and was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for the pivotal role he played in ending the region's sectarian conflict. He died on Monday aged 83, having endured a long battle with dementia. See PA story FUNERAL Hume. Photo credit should read: Niall Carson/PA Wire Deputy First Minister Michelle O'Neill outside St Eugene's Cathedral in Londonderry ahead of the funeral of John Hume. PA Photo. Picture date: Wednesday August 5, 2020. Hume was a key architect of Northern Ireland's Good Friday Agreement and was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for the pivotal role he played in ending the region's sectarian conflict. He died on Monday aged 83, having endured a long battle with dementia. See PA story FUNERAL Hume. Photo credit should read: Niall Carson/PA Wire (left to right) The Bishop of Derry, Donal McKeown, First Minister Arlene Foster and former DUP MLA Tommy Gallagher outside St Eugene's Cathedral in Londonderry ahead of the funeral of John Hume. PA Photo. Picture date: Wednesday August 5, 2020. Hume was a key architect of Northern Ireland's Good Friday Agreement and was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for the pivotal role he played in ending the region's sectarian conflict. He died on Monday aged 83, having endured a long battle with dementia. See PA story FUNERAL Hume. Photo credit should read: Niall Carson/PA Wire First Minister Arlene Foster arrives at St Eugene's Cathedral in Londonderry for the funeral of John Hume. PA Photo. Picture date: Wednesday August 5, 2020. Hume was a key architect of Northern Ireland's Good Friday Agreement and was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for the pivotal role he played in ending the region's sectarian conflict. He died on Monday aged 83, having endured a long battle with dementia. See PA story FUNERAL Hume. Photo credit should read: Niall Carson/PA Wire The President of Ireland Michael D. Higgins arrives at St Eugene's Cathedral in Londonderry for the funeral of John Hume. PA Photo. Picture date: Wednesday August 5, 2020. Hume was a key architect of Northern Ireland's Good Friday Agreement and was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for the pivotal role he played in ending the region's sectarian conflict. He died on Monday aged 83, having endured a long battle with dementia. See PA story FUNERAL Hume. Photo credit should read: Niall Carson/PA Wire Taoiseach Micheal Martin (second left) arrives at St Eugene's Cathedral in Londonderry for the funeral of John Hume. PA Photo. Picture date: Wednesday August 5, 2020. Hume was a key architect of Northern Ireland's Good Friday Agreement and was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for the pivotal role he played in ending the region's sectarian conflict. He died on Monday aged 83, having endured a long battle with dementia. See PA story FUNERAL Hume. Photo credit should read: Niall Carson/PA Wire Taoiseach Micheal Martin arrives at St Eugene's Cathedral in Londonderry for the funeral of John Hume. PA Photo. Picture date: Wednesday August 5, 2020. Hume was a key architect of Northern Ireland's Good Friday Agreement and was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for the pivotal role he played in ending the region's sectarian conflict. He died on Monday aged 83, having endured a long battle with dementia. See PA story FUNERAL Hume. Photo credit should read: Niall Carson/PA Wire Northern Ireland Secretary of State Brandon Lewis arrives at St Eugene's Cathedral in Londonderry for the funeral of John Hume. PA Photo. Picture date: Wednesday August 5, 2020. Hume was a key architect of Northern Ireland's Good Friday Agreement and was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for the pivotal role he played in ending the region's sectarian conflict. He died on Monday aged 83, having endured a long battle with dementia. See PA story FUNERAL Hume. Photo credit should read: Niall Carson/PA Wire Taoiseach Micheal Martin (left) is greeted by the Bishop of Derry, Donal McKeown as he arrives at St Eugene's Cathedral in Londonderry for the funeral of John Hume. PA Photo. Picture date: Wednesday August 5, 2020. Hume was a key architect of Northern Ireland's Good Friday Agreement and was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for the pivotal role he played in ending the region's sectarian conflict. He died on Monday aged 83, having endured a long battle with dementia. See PA story FUNERAL Hume. Photo credit should read: Niall Carson/PA Wire The President of Ireland Michael D. Higgins arrives at St Eugene's Cathedral in Londonderry for the funeral of John Hume. PA Photo. Picture date: Wednesday August 5, 2020. Hume was a key architect of Northern Ireland's Good Friday Agreement and was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for the pivotal role he played in ending the region's sectarian conflict. He died on Monday aged 83, having endured a long battle with dementia. See PA story FUNERAL Hume. Photo credit should read: Niall Carson/PA Wire Taoiseach Micheal Martin arrives at St Eugene's Cathedral in Londonderry for the funeral of John Hume. PA Photo. Picture date: Wednesday August 5, 2020. Hume was a key architect of Northern Ireland's Good Friday Agreement and was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for the pivotal role he played in ending the region's sectarian conflict. He died on Monday aged 83, having endured a long battle with dementia. See PA story FUNERAL Hume. Photo credit should read: Niall Carson/PA Wire Taoiseach Micheal Martin (right) alongside leader of the SDLP Colum Eastwood as they arrive at St Eugene's Cathedral in Londonderry for the funeral of John Hume. PA Photo. Picture date: Wednesday August 5, 2020. Hume was a key architect of Northern Ireland's Good Friday Agreement and was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for the pivotal role he played in ending the region's sectarian conflict. He died on Monday aged 83, having endured a long battle with dementia. See PA story FUNERAL Hume. Photo credit should read: Niall Carson/PA Wire Patricia Hume (second right) arrives at St Eugene's Cathedral in Londonderry for the funeral of her husband John Hume. PA Photo. Picture date: Wednesday August 5, 2020. Hume was a key architect of Northern Ireland's Good Friday Agreement and was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for the pivotal role he played in ending the region's sectarian conflict. He died on Monday aged 83, having endured a long battle with dementia. See PA story FUNERAL Hume. Photo credit should read: Niall Carson/PA Wire First Minister of Northern Ireland Arlene Foster arrives at St Eugene's Cathedral in Londonderry, ahead of the funeral of John Hume. PA Photo. Picture date: Wednesday August 5, 2020. Hume was a key architect of Northern Ireland's Good Friday Agreement and was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for the pivotal role he played in ending the region's sectarian conflict. He died on Monday aged 83, having endured a long battle with dementia. See PA story FUNERAL Hume. Photo credit should read: Brian Lawless/PA Wire People stand outside St Eugene's Cathedral in Londonderry during the funeral of John Hume. PA Photo. Picture date: Wednesday August 5, 2020. Hume was a key architect of Northern Ireland's Good Friday Agreement and was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for the pivotal role he played in ending the region's sectarian conflict. He died on Monday aged 83, having endured a long battle with dementia. See PA story FUNERAL Hume. Photo credit should read: Niall Carson/PA Wire Patricia Hume (second right) arrives at St Eugene's Cathedral in Londonderry for the funeral of her husband John Hume. PA Photo. Picture date: Wednesday August 5, 2020. Hume was a key architect of Northern Ireland's Good Friday Agreement and was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for the pivotal role he played in ending the region's sectarian conflict. He died on Monday aged 83, having endured a long battle with dementia. See PA story FUNERAL Hume. Photo credit should read: Niall Carson/PA Wire Widow Patricia Hume (left) arrives for the funeral of her husband John Hume at St Eugene's Cathedral in Londonderry. PA Photo. Picture date: Wednesday August 5, 2020. Hume was a key architect of Northern Ireland's Good Friday Agreement and was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for the pivotal role he played in ending the region's sectarian conflict. He died on Monday aged 83, having endured a long battle with dementia. See PA story FUNERAL Hume. Photo credit should read: Stephen Latimer/PA Wire St Eugene's Cathedral in Londonderry ahead of the funeral of John Hume. PA Photo. Picture date: Wednesday August 5, 2020. Hume was a key architect of Northern Ireland's Good Friday Agreement and was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for the pivotal role he played in ending the region's sectarian conflict. He died on Monday aged 83, having endured a long battle with dementia. See PA story FUNERAL Hume. Photo credit should read: Stephen Latimer/PA Wire Taoiseach Micheal Martin arrives for the funeral of John Hume at St Eugene's Cathedral in Londonderry. PA Photo. Picture date: Wednesday August 5, 2020. Hume was a key architect of Northern Ireland's Good Friday Agreement and was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for the pivotal role he played in ending the region's sectarian conflict. He died on Monday aged 83, having endured a long battle with dementia. See PA story FUNERAL Hume. Photo credit should read: Stephen Latimer/PA Wire Richard Moore (centre), the founder of Children in Crossfire, arrives for the funeral of John Hume at St Eugene's Cathedral in Londonderry. PA Photo. Picture date: Wednesday August 5, 2020. Hume was a key architect of Northern Ireland's Good Friday Agreement and was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for the pivotal role he played in ending the region's sectarian conflict. He died on Monday aged 83, having endured a long battle with dementia. See PA story FUNERAL Hume. Photo credit should read: Stephen Latimer/PA Wire PACEMAKER BELFAST 05/08/20 Chief Constable Simon Byrne during the Funeral for John Hume at St EugeneOs Cathedral in Derry on Wednesday. John Hume will be remembered as one of the highest-profile and most influential politicians in Northern Ireland. He was a founding member of the SDLP and went on to lead the party from 1979 until 2001. Mr Hume played a significant role in driving forward the peace process and following the 1998 Good Friday agreement, he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. Mr Hume also served as a member of the European Parliament (MEP) for more than 25 years and held a seat in Westminster as an MP for nearly 22 years. Photo Colm Lenaghan/Pacemaker Press PACEMAKER BELFAST 05/08/20 The Funeral for John Hume at St EugeneOs Cathedral in Derry on Wednesday. John Hume will be remembered as one of the highest-profile and most influential politicians in Northern Ireland. He was a founding member of the SDLP and went on to lead the party from 1979 until 2001. Mr Hume played a significant role in driving forward the peace process and following the 1998 Good Friday agreement, he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. Mr Hume also served as a member of the European Parliament (MEP) for more than 25 years and held a seat in Westminster as an MP for nearly 22 years. Photo Colm Lenaghan/Pacemaker Press PACEMAKER BELFAST 05/08/20 Dr Joe Hendron, a former SDLP politician and Alban Maginness during the Funeral for John Hume at St EugeneOs Cathedral in Derry on Wednesday. John Hume will be remembered as one of the highest-profile and most influential politicians in Northern Ireland. He was a founding member of the SDLP and went on to lead the party from 1979 until 2001. Mr Hume played a significant role in driving forward the peace process and following the 1998 Good Friday agreement, he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. Mr Hume also served as a member of the European Parliament (MEP) for more than 25 years and held a seat in Westminster as an MP for nearly 22 years. Photo Colm Lenaghan/Pacemaker Press PACEMAKER BELFAST 05/08/20 Margaret Richie during the Funeral for John Hume at St EugeneOs Cathedral in Derry on Wednesday. John Hume will be remembered as one of the highest-profile and most influential politicians in Northern Ireland. He was a founding member of the SDLP and went on to lead the party from 1979 until 2001. Mr Hume played a significant role in driving forward the peace process and following the 1998 Good Friday agreement, he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. Mr Hume also served as a member of the European Parliament (MEP) for more than 25 years and held a seat in Westminster as an MP for nearly 22 years. Photo Colm Lenaghan/Pacemaker Press Press Eye - Belfast - Northern Ireland - 5th August 2020 - Photo by Lorcan Doherty / Press Eye The Funeral of the late John Hume at St. EugeneOs Cathedral, Derry. Dr. Aine Abbott (Hume) and husband Kevin Abbott. The President of Ireland Michael D. Higgins (second left) arrives at St Eugene's Cathedral in Londonderry for the funeral of John Hume. PA Photo. Picture date: Wednesday August 5, 2020. Hume was a key architect of Northern Ireland's Good Friday Agreement and was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for the pivotal role he played in ending the region's sectarian conflict. He died on Monday aged 83, having endured a long battle with dementia. See PA story FUNERAL Hume. Photo credit should read: Niall Carson/PA Wire Deputy First Minister Michelle O'Neill (right) puts on a face covering as she arrives at St Eugene's Cathedral in Londonderry ahead of the funeral of John Hume. PA Photo. Picture date: Wednesday August 5, 2020. Hume was a key architect of Northern Ireland's Good Friday Agreement and was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for the pivotal role he played in ending the region's sectarian conflict. He died on Monday aged 83, having endured a long battle with dementia. See PA story FUNERAL Hume. Photo credit should read: Brian Lawless/PA Wire PACEMAKER BELFAST 05/08/20 Bishop Donal McKeown and First Minister Arlene Foster during the Funeral for John Hume at St EugeneOs Cathedral in Derry on Wednesday. John Hume will be remembered as one of the highest-profile and most influential politicians in Northern Ireland. He was a founding member of the SDLP and went on to lead the party from 1979 until 2001. Mr Hume played a significant role in driving forward the peace process and following the 1998 Good Friday agreement, he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. Mr Hume also served as a member of the European Parliament (MEP) for more than 25 years and held a seat in Westminster as an MP for nearly 22 years. Photo Colm Lenaghan/Pacemaker Press The President of Ireland Michael D. Higgins (second left) arrives at St Eugene's Cathedral in Londonderry for the funeral of John Hume. Pic: Niall Carson/PA Wire The hearse carrying the body of John Hume arrives at St Eugene's Cathedral in Londonderry for his funeral. Pic: Niall Carson/PA Wire President of Ireland Michael D. Higgins (left) and Social Democratic and Labour Party Colum Eastwood attend the funeral of John Hume at St Eugene's Cathedral in Londonderry. PA Photo. Picture date: Wednesday August 5, 2020. Hume was a key architect of Northern Ireland's Good Friday Agreement and was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for the pivotal role he played in ending the region's sectarian conflict. He died on Monday aged 83, having endured a long battle with dementia. See PA story FUNERAL Hume. Photo credit should read: Stephen Latimer/PA Wire The funeral of John Hume at St Eugene's Cathedral in Londonderry. PA Photo. Picture date: Wednesday August 5, 2020. Hume was a key architect of Northern Ireland's Good Friday Agreement and was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for the pivotal role he played in ending the region's sectarian conflict. He died on Monday aged 83, having endured a long battle with dementia. See PA story FUNERAL Hume. Photo credit should read: Stephen Latimer/PA Wire The funeral of John Hume at St Eugene's Cathedral in Londonderry. PA Photo. Picture date: Wednesday August 5, 2020. Hume was a key architect of Northern Ireland's Good Friday Agreement and was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for the pivotal role he played in ending the region's sectarian conflict. He died on Monday aged 83, having endured a long battle with dementia. See PA story FUNERAL Hume. Photo credit should read: Stephen Latimer/PA Wire The funeral of John Hume at St Eugene's Cathedral in Londonderry. PA Photo. Picture date: Wednesday August 5, 2020. Hume was a key architect of Northern Ireland's Good Friday Agreement and was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for the pivotal role he played in ending the region's sectarian conflict. He died on Monday aged 83, having endured a long battle with dementia. See PA story FUNERAL Hume. Photo credit should read: Stephen Latimer/PA Wire John Hume Junior speaks at the funeral of his father John Hume at St Eugene's Cathedral in Londonderry. PA Photo. First of all I would like to say a word to my brother Aidan who unfortunately cannot be with us today due to Coronavirus restrictions. Aidan, Gail and their five kids are watching us from Marshfield. Massachusetts. I would also like to mention Aine and Kevins daughter, Roisin, Johns granddaughter, in Vancouver where she is watching in the middle of the night. You may not be with us in person, but we know you are here, as does dad. Summing up our dads life in a few minutes is not an easy task. For a man who supposedly had only one single transferable speech, dad did a lot of different things in his life. He also made us laugh, dream, think, and sometimes look at him and scratch our heads in amazement (and on rare occasions, bewilderment). He also kept the Irish chocolate industry in healthy profits for many years. Yorkies, Crunchies, creme eggs, Double Deckers, Wispas, you name it, he loved them all. We often found it odd, how a man with the intelligence to win a Nobel Prize could seriously believe that Crunchies were less fattening because they are full of air. On Fathers day, a few weeks ago, as we couldnt be with him, all his grandchildren posted him his favourite chocolate bars. I hear they had a feast in Owen Mor. If dad were here today in the fullness of his health, witnessing the current tensions in the world, he wouldnt waste the opportunity to say a few words. Hed talk about our common humanity, the need to respect diversity and difference, to protect and deepen democracy, to value education, and to place nonviolence at the absolute centre. He might also stress the right to a living wage and a roof over your head, to decent healthcare and education. If he were here now, he might quote his friend, Congressman John Lewis, who sadly passed away a few weeks ago, appealing to the goodness of every human being and never giving up. Dad was a Derryman to his core, and those deep roots of neighbourhood and community served to nourish him through the difficult years. From the beginning, the European Union was like a homecoming to him, bringing together diverse cultures in an interdependent relationship, allowing for unique identities while also holding a bigger picture of unified kinship. At this time of planetary fragility, more than ever, he would be urging that we move beyond our flag-based identities, and recognise the need to protect our common home. Central to dads work was his deep appreciation of human interdependency. We all need one another, we all have a role to play, and all our roles are of equal importance. In the last years of dads life, his physical and mental health became more visibly vulnerable. And yet in those recent years, more than ever, we as a family witnessed the absolute importance of dads core ethos, of building community based on respect and love. The kindness shown to him by the people of Derry and Donegal, who stopped to talk to him in the street every day, guided him to protect his independence, and received him with gentleness if he was agitated, was a profound gift to all of us. We are eternally grateful to all those that helped over the years. In these last two years, when hed lost his mobility and eyesight, he moved to Owen Mor nursing home. In this, his last home, and it was a home, all of us as a family were made welcome, and became part of a new community of families and carers. The deep attention and love shown to dad and to the many friends he made among carers, residents and their families, will remain a lesson to us for the rest of our lives. During the long weeks of lockdown when we as a family were unable to be with him, we knew that, despite the major difficulties of infection management and bereavement, the Care and Nursing staff in Unit One were doing their absolute best, to care deeply for him, and for all his fellow residents. We know that he continued to sing songs every day, to teach them all a wee bit of French, to tell his jokes, to demand more buns, and to question everyone daily about where they came from, their origins and their families. He remained deeply interested in every individual, even if he remembered little of it, until the end of his days. Dad was also a father, a husband and a man who loved and cared for his family at all times. Marrying Pat, our mother, was without a doubt dads greatest achievement and she enabled him to reach his full potential. Mum and dad met at a dance in Borderland in Donegal, the starting point for many a Derry family. Romance was followed by a wedding, and a December honeymoon in a freezing B&B in Gardiner Street in Dublin. Thankfully for mum, the quality of the accommodation got better as the marriage went on. Our mum, who loved, supported and guided him throughout his tireless work for peace, and later in his frailty, was his greatest blessing. None of us remember him changing nappies, or indeed putting many (any?) dinners on the table. What we do remember are endless coffee cups and overflowing ashtrays, newspapers everywhere, and constant stream of callers night and day to our home in West End Park. But he was there for all of us throughout his life. There were times when we felt that he was absent, but he wasnt, he was just with us from somewhere else. Along with mum, he taught us all our values and gave us all our moral compass. And for that we will be forever in their debt. As a family we will remember the man who was rooted in his community, a man who was most comfortable sittng in front of the TV, with half a dozen Crunchie bars to keep him company, and his family around him. Or the odd time holding court around the corner in the Park Bar. A man who ordered the same dinner in the same restaurants in Strasbourg and Greencastle for 25 years. Im sure hes up there now ordering his creme brulee and that awful sweet wine he loved. A man who loved Derry at its best, be that promoting the Candystripes across the world or the many choirs that he brought from here to Europe to sing in Brussels and Strasbourg. A man who didnt need to be invited twice to lift a mic himself, and give us a blast of the Town I love so well or Matt Hyland, and many, many, many, more besides. A man who truly believed in Derry and the talents of our people, and became our greatest Ambassador to the world. A man who loved Donegal and spent much of his downtime in Bunbeg and Greencastle/Moville where he was able to switch off and relax & finally get that peace and quiet he deserved. The care dad received in the last years of his life allowed him to retain his dignity, individuality and his magnificent strength of character, despite his overwhelming disabilities. It allowed him to overcome. If he were here, he would urge us to look at those young carers and the incredible and heroic daily work they do as a model for future leadership - their ethos of deep respect, a respect for everyone regardless of where they come from or stage of life. These are the foundation stones that are critical to all communities. The Reverend ML King might describe it as the politics of love. Dad would urge us to listen, so that in spite of it all; we shall overcome. Thank you dad for a life well lived. The fact that the media is biased against guns isn't really a surprising fact. Anyone who watches the news in the aftermath of a mass shooting should be able to see it for themselves. Anti-gun voices are interviewed frequently and without any pushback. Pro-gun voices are interviewed either with an anti-gunner or the host themself pushes back. There's very little effort to appear unbiased. Yet there are far more ways in which the media lies about guns. In particular, they push a number of myths about guns that people take at face value. Over at Real Clear Politics, John Lott takes aim at several of these. New Delhi, Aug 5 : The opposition Congress party had maintained a safe distance on the Ayodhya issue and had taken a guarded position until the Supreme Court pronounced its decision last year. On "Bhumi Pujan" day for the Ram Temple on Wednesday the party welcomed it and extended its wishes on the occasion. Almost all the Congress leaders have mentioned "Jai Siya Ram" in their statements and tweets. Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi in her statement on Monday said that Ram is for everybody and Bhagwan Ram will become a marker of national unity, brotherhood and cultural harmony. Her brother and former Congress President Rahul Gandhi said, "Ram is love,,compassion and justice and he cannot appear in hatred". At the end of the statement Rahul Gandhi also used "Jai Siya Ram." Congress spokesperson Randeep Surjewala too said Jai Siya Ram in his statement which could be seen as a counter to the BJP's "Jai Shri Ram" slogan which was coined during the Ram Temple movement spearheaded by the VHP, said a Congress leader. Congress leaders from Uttar Pradesh are on an overdrive including Jitin Prasada and RPN Singh who are happy about the party's stand. While party leaders are trying to underscore the party's contribution, former Madhya Pradesh Chief Ministers Kamal Nath and Digvijaya Singh said that the late Rajiv Gandhi was instrumental in opening the locks of the temple in Ayodhya and then faclitating the ground breaking ceremony in 1989. The party thinks that it has to respect the majority sentiment, especially after the Supreme Court has given a final decision and all the parties have maintained that they will respect the Supreme Court decision. The Congress Working Committee has also welcomed the decision by the apex court. The Congress in Uttar Pradesh is gearing up to take on the BJP but now the party may find it tough to corner the BJP except on economic and governance issues, said a leader from Uttar Pradesh. Congress leader Jitin Prasada welcomed the "Bhumi Pujan" saying "The Congress party has already welcomed the construction of the Ram Temple. It is a matter of faith for every Hindu and personally for me. I am happy that Ram Mandir is being constructed." Former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath organised a recitation of the Hanuman Chalisa at his residence on Tuesday and even gifted silver bricks for the "Bhumi Pujan" ceremony in Ayodhya. Latest updates on Ayodhya Ram Temple Bhumi Pujan Cops apprehended 12 others, including two businessmen, in connection with the distribution of spurious liquor that resulted in 111 deaths in the state Chandigarh: The Punjab government said that the state police have arrested a Ludhiana-based paint store owner, allegedly responsible for triggering the chain of events that ultimately resulted in the hooch tragedy. "In a major breakthrough in the hooch tragedy case, Punjab Police has arrested Ludhiana-based paint store owner, allegedly responsible for triggering the chain of events that ultimately resulted in the death of 111 persons across three districts," Punjab government said. Earlier on Monday, the Punjab Police apprehended 12 more people, including two businessmen, in connection with the spurious liquor case. The police had launched a manhunt for a Ludhiana-based paint business owner who had initially supplied three drums of spurious liquor that had caused several deaths in the state. Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh had directed Director General of Police (DGP) Dinkar Gupta to put the full might of the police force in tracking and apprehending every single person involved in the case and move swiftly to ensure stringent action against each of them. The magisterial inquiry ordered by the Chief Minister is also probing the involvement of all suspects, as well as the six police and seven excise and taxation officers whose suspension was ordered by the chief minister on Saturday. The Chief Minister had on Saturday announced Rs 2 lakh compensation each to the families of the deceased. Members of Parliament (MPs) have stated that the high attrition rate plaguing Parliament is undermining the effective role of the Legislature in Ghanas democracy. They said the situation where MPs had to subject themselves to primaries every four years in accordance with political parties constitution had caused Parliament to lose some of the most experienced members who played critical roles on its committees. In their view, Parliament could only be strong with the presence of key members whose contribution on committees helped the Legislature to effectively put the Executive on its toes. They were speaking at a dialogue with the expanded leadership of Parliament which was held on the theme The committee system in Ghanas Parliament: An assessment. It was organised by the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs. Among those who spoke at the dialogue were the First Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Mr Joseph Osei-Owusu; the Majority Leader, Mr Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, and the Ranking Member on the Constitutional, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Committee, Mr Inusah Fuseini. Protect good legislators Mr Osei-Owusu said resourcing and ensuring that the calibre of persons who were elected to Parliament to support its functions were beyond the legislature. So no matter how good the material is, no party takes steps to protect that material to be in the House, he said. Guarded democracy Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu said in his view, established democracy everywhere in the world was guided and guarded, saying that it is not unfettered anywhere. He said for one to be effective lawmaker, you need to be tutored in governance and come up through the ranks of political governance. He said although election was the way of choosing MPs but selecting and acclaiming people is also a way of choosing people. So I do not think that necessarily at the end of every four years we should have elections to open the slews gate to allow anybody to come in to contest, he said. Qualification and criteria For his part, Mr Fuseini said the work of parliamentary committees were indispensable to the legislature in every democracy. He, however, said the committees of Ghanas Parliament had been badly affected by the way we have chosen to implement our democracy. He argued that legislators who stayed longer in Parliament were better at appreciating the intricacies of law-making, mentioning the high attrition rate in the House as one major obstacle affecting the effective performances of committees. #GhanaVotes2020 Source: Graphiconline.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 NEW YORK, Aug. 5, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Breakthru Beverage Group, a leading North American beverage distributor with operations across the United States and Canada, today announced an evolution of the company's executive leadership structure reporting to CEO Greg Baird, reinforcing its dedication to continued innovation and growth. Effective immediately, former EVP of Corporate Strategy and Communications, Maggie Lapcewich, will assume the new role of Chief Growth Officer (CGO), working in close partnership with E. Lloyd Sobel who will transition from Chief Operating Officer to the role of Chief Commercial Officer (CCO). As evolving consumer demands and market dynamics continue to change the industry at a rapid pace, Breakthru's corporate strategy underscores the company's commitment to bold strategic initiatives and driving long-term growth and performance for its business and that of its supplier and customer partners. Across its footprint, Breakthru is taking innovative steps to evolve its route-to-market approach and advanced capabilities in channel and strategic account excellence, operations and supply chain, analytics and insights, and digital and e-Commerce, to better serve its partners and today's end consumer. In their new roles, Lapcewich and Sobel will serve as key advisors to Breakthru CEO Greg Baird and will work together to drive effectiveness and standardize market commercial capabilities to support future growth and business expansion. In partnership with other executive leaders, they will develop and drive the company-wide strategic agenda to achieve Breakthru's long-term vision, define and implement critical initiatives and focus resources on new pathways to growth including its digital roadmap, which continues to be a critical area of focus for Breakthru's business. As CGO, Lapcewich will lead Breakthru's digital and e-Commerce vision and strategy, in close collaboration with CIO Joe Bruhin, as the company continues to accelerate enhancements to its commercial technology platform to better serve its supplier and customer partners. In addition to Digital and e-Commerce, she will have oversight for all Corporate Strategy, Communications and Commercial Capabilities Centers of Excellence. "Maggie has been a force in the industry throughout her career and a valued member of Breakthru's leadership team who brings extraordinary insights and experience to this new role," explained Baird. "She has been integral to every major strategic endeavor we've undertaken since Breakthru was formed from integrating our multi-billion-dollar businesses to advancing our cross-functional corporate initiatives." As CCO, Sobel will play a key role in harnessing the full commercial power across the company's footprint and work across functions to maximize Breakthru's long-term growth and profitability. He will advance Breakthru's commercial agenda and have oversight for the bulk of North American Sales and Supplier Development activities as well as responsibility for National Accounts, Government and Regulatory Affairs and Customer Care functions. Brian Albenze, EVP United Division, also reporting to Baird, will continue to lead Breakthru's Diageo and Moet Hennessy USA business across the organization. "Commercial excellence is foundational in our rapidly evolving industry and under Lloyd's leadership, we will continue to advance our go-to-market capabilities, execution and performance," Baird noted. "We have always operated as a nimble, future-focused company and we understand that by not just responding to change, but driving it, we can strengthen results for our business and our partners." About Breakthru Beverage Group Breakthru Beverage Group is one of the leading alcohol wholesalers in the United States and the largest broker in Canada representing a full total beverage alcohol portfolio of spirits, wine and beer. Breakthru is committed to diversity, equity and inclusion and supports a wide range of notable organizations as well as local charitable initiatives across its North American footprint. Across all markets, Breakthru aligns a nimble and insightful approach to sales, marketing and operations. Family ownership is active in the business and committed to being stewards of heritage and champions of innovation. For more information, visit www.BreakthruBev.com . SOURCE Breakthru Beverage Group Related Links http://www.BreakthruBev.com. BRUSSELS (dpa-AFX) - U.S. ADP private payrolls data for July is scheduled for release at 8:15 am ET Wednesday. Ahead of the data, the greenback traded mixed against its major counterparts. While the currency fell against the franc and the pound, it rose against the yen. Against the euro, it held steady. The greenback was worth 105.77 against the yen, 0.9088 against the franc, 1.3138 against the pound and 1.1848 against the euro at 8:10 am ET. 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 AI robots to enforce mandatory face mask rules, now Singapore is ready to roll-out COVID-19 electronic tags for tracking behavioral activity to enforce quarantine. If you attempt to leave home, it will alert the authorities, following which there maybe a fine of S$10,000 or six months of prison or both. Singapore will make it mandatory for all travellers to wear an electronic monitoring device. The move will ensure that they accept and abide by the general norms which includes coronavirus quarantines. The plan being implemented from August 11, is said to be using devices for tracking behavioural activity. These devices will be provided to incoming travellers, including citizens and residents, from a select group of countries who will be allowed to isolate at home rather than at a state-appointed facility. Honk Kong and South Korea are using similar measures like electronic wristbands to track peoples movements during quarantine. And now, Singapore also seems to be on the way to introduce such a technology. Those who wish to travel to Singapore are required to activate the device. The device uses GPS and Bluetooth signals to track behavioural activity. As the travellers reach their home they will receive notifications on the device which they are required to acknowledge. EXCLUSIVE The UK government is preparing to rollout #COVIPASS Biometric RFID enabled Coronavirus Digital Health Passports to monitor nearly every aspect of citizens lives in the name of strengthening public health management via military grade tech.https://t.co/7mh378o4XR GreatGameIndia (@GreatGameIndia) May 27, 2020 If the travellers make any attempt to leave home or hamper the device, an alert will be triggered that will be directly conveyed to the authorities. In March, Hong Kong introduced a similar scheme for incoming travellers. They were required to wear a slim electronic wristband, which is similar to the tag generally worn by hospital patients, as a measure to enforce quarantines for arriving passengers. Since then, South Korea is also enthusiastically promoting the use of such wristbands. These will be connected to smartphone apps for those who violate quarantine. Singapore has still not disclosed details of the devices design and look. However, in a statement, they outlined that it will not store any personal data and in addition it will not have any voice or video recording function. For children, aged 12 and below this device-monitoring will not be implemented. Now AI driven face-detection robots will enforce mandatory face mask rules. The AI robot can also keep a record of violators and repeat offenders of those who fail to wear masks. What will be the consequences for mask offenders has not been revealed yet.https://t.co/qViXORkegz GreatGameIndia (@GreatGameIndia) July 28, 2020 The city-state, is currently planning to furnish all residents with a wearable virus-tracing dongle. It is also devising and enforcing tough punishments for those who attempt to breach its quarantine and social distancing rules. The analysis done says that Under the Infectious Diseases Act, punishments can be fines of up to S$10,000 ($7,272) or imprisonment of up to six months, or in worse cases both. It could also lead to invalidation of the work passes of foreigners who try to disobey the rules. The UK government has also implemented a similar scheme where COVI PASS Biometric RFID enabled Coronavirus Digital Health Passports will monitor nearly every aspect of citizens lives using military-grade encryption software in the name of strengthening public health management. Earlier, a major Hollywood studio introduced AI driven face-detection robots to enforce mandatory face mask rules. The AI robot can also keep a record of violators and repeat offenders of those who fail to wear masks. Although, what will be the consequences for mask offenders has not been revealed yet. Meanwhile, there are also plans underway to enforce mandatory vaccination. Trust Stamp, a vaccination based digital identity program funded by Bill Gates and implemented by Mastercard and GAVI, will soon link your biometric digital identity to your vaccination records. #TrustStamp funded by #BillGates & implemented by Mastercard & GAVI will soon link your biometric digital identity to your vaccination records for predictive policing. Those who dont wish to be vaccinated maybe locked out of system based on trust score.https://t.co/Gnzz870DfS GreatGameIndia (@GreatGameIndia) July 19, 2020 The program said to evolve as you evolve is part of the Global War on Cash and has the potential dual use for the purposes of surveillance and predictive policing based on your vaccination history. Those who may not wish to be vaccinated may be locked out of the system based on their trust score. Bill Gates was recently caught offering a $10 million dollar bribe for forced vaccination in Nigeria. Based on an intercepted human intelligence report, a controversy erupted in Nigeria whereby it was revealed that Bill Gates offered $10 million bribe for a forced vaccination program for Coronavirus to the Nigerian House of Representatives. For latest updates on the outbreak check out our Coronavirus Coverage. Send in your tips and submissions by filling out this form or write to us directly at the email provided. Join us on WhatsApp for more intel and updates. GreatGameIndia is a journal on Geopolitics and International Relations. Get to know the Geopolitical threats India is facing in our exclusive book India in Cognitive Dissonance. Past magazine issues can be accessed from the Archives section. We need your support to carry on our independent and investigative research based journalism on the external and internal threats facing India. Your contribution however small helps us keep afloat. Kindly consider donating to GreatGameIndia. CHICAGO -- In 2016, working-class voters in Ohio from Akron and Canton to Lordstown, Dayton, and Toledo cried out with one voice against decades of abuse and betrayal as a result of globalist trade policies that gutted American manufacturing and shipped high-paying American jobs overseas. For too long, unfair and one-sided trade deals have decimated middle-class communities, but now American workers finally have a leader in President Donald Trump who will put their interests first. Meanwhile, Joe Biden was a chief proponent of those disastrous trade deals that killed American jobs and hollowed out manufacturing. In 1993, he voted for the nightmare North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). On the floor of the U.S. Senate, Biden in falsely predicted that NAFTA essentially is going to be a wash on jobs. Instead, 850,000 American jobs, including nearly 35,000 in Ohio, were lost because of higher trade deficits with Canada and Mexico. Bidens devastation of American workers didnt stop there. He pushed hard to normalize trade relations between the United States and communist China, eventually voting for and leading the effort to give China most favored nation trade status. Once again, Joe Biden made a prediction, saying in September 2000 that, nor do I see the collapse of the American manufacturing economy, as China, a nation with the impact on the world economy about the size of the Netherlands', suddenly becomes our major economic competitor. Biden was wrong again, with 3.2 million American jobs lost or displaced due to higher trade deficits with China between 2001 and 2013. As a result of these two horrific trade decisions alone, both of which Joe Biden played a leading role in, 60,000 American factories closed and one in four manufacturing jobs were lost. This poses an obvious question why would hardworking Ohioans ever give Joe Biden the opportunity to betray them again? Steve Cortes is senior advisor for strategy for the Trump 2020 campaign. On the other hand, President Trump promised that the forgotten men and women of our country would be forgotten no more. As we approach the end of his first term in office, President Trump has unequivocally delivered on that promise. Since his first day in office, President Trump has put America first and renegotiated the horrific trade deals supported by the Joe Biden and his cronies. President Trump signed the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) into law, making good on his promise to terminate NAFTA and replace it with a comprehensive deal that is good for workers, good for Ohio, and good for America. The USMCA is the largest, most significant, modern, and balanced trade agreement in decades. The USMCA has the potential to create nearly 176,000 good-paying American jobs and generate up to $235 billion in economic activity. The National Association of Manufacturers has called the USMCA critical for manufacturers in every state. American manufacturers will receive the largest percentage gains in higher wages, new jobs, and greater exports of any industry under the USMCA. President Trump also forcefully confronted communist China on their decades-long record of unfair trade practices that politicians like Joe Biden greenlighted. The president called China out for stealing technology, manipulating their currency, and illegally dumping products like steel to affect world markets. As he always does, President Trump backed up his strong words with even stronger actions, imposing billions in tariffs to bring China to the negotiating table. President Trumps approach worked and now the United States and China have entered Phase One of a trade deal, and China will no longer rip America off like they once did. The fully enforceable Phase One trade agreement rebalances the critical trade partnership between the two largest economies in the world and helps level the playing field for American workers and businesses. As our nation faces unprecedented challenges, we need the dynamic leadership of President Trump. Joe Biden simply cant get it done. President Trump will deliver for all Ohioans and all Americans, protecting our workers, our economic prosperity, and our American way of life. Steve Cortes is a former CNN contributor and current senior advisor for strategy for the Trump 2020 campaign. Have something to say about this topic? * Send a letter to the editor, which will be considered for print publication. * Email general questions about our opinion content or comments on this opinion column to Elizabeth Sullivan, director of opinion, at esullivan@cleveland.com. On July 30, the U.S. Senate introduced bipartisan legislation to provide Ukraine with $300 million annually for military aid and training. Since the conflict between Ukraine and Russia started in the spring of 2014, the U.S. has given Ukraine an estimated $1.5 billion in security assistance, including both funding and military equipment like night-vision goggles and radar systems. In response to the new proposal, Leonid Kalashnikov, a member of the State Duma (the lower house of Russias parliament) and chairman of its committee on Commonwealth of Independent States Affairs, Eurasian Integration, and Relations with Compatriots, said Russia should start officially providing arms to the separatist Donetsk and Luhansk Peoples Republics (DNR and LNR), Russias proxies in Ukraines embattled Donbas region. I believe that the allocation of $300 million in the United States for military assistance to Ukraine, on the contrary, opens the door for us to help the people at whom they want to shoot with these weapons the DNR and LNR, Kalashnikov said, according to Russias Interfax news agency. In such conditions, we also have the right to supply arms to these republics officially. This statement is misleading. Russia not only has been supplying the peoples republics with arms and manpower since 2014, it started the war. Investigations by international media outlets and volunteer organizations have found evidence of Russian involvement in Donbas. The evidence includes social media posts by Russian soldiers and mercenaries or their families, as well as weapons, either photographed or captured, including types that were designed in Russia and never exported to Ukraine. Russia has not adequately explained how the rebels in Donbas acquired so many sophisticated weapons systems, including tanks and heavy artillery. Russian officials have said the weapons were captured from Ukrainian army stockpiles, or, as Russia bizarrely argued at the International Court of Justice in The Hague, found in abandoned mines. At his annual news conference in December 2019, Russian President Vladimir Putin claimed that the weapons, including tanks and artillery, came from countries that sympathize with the self-proclaimed republics. He did not identify those donor governments. In any case, the DNR and LNR have no functional airfields or seaports and share a land border with only one foreign country Russia. Ukraines ambassador to the United States, Volodymyr Yelchenko, commented on the flow of Russian weapons to the Donbas in an Aug. 3 tweet. And given that, (Russia) is so concerned with US military supplies to Ukraine that it threatens to do the same to the militants, as if they don't have enough of (Russias) weapons already, Yelchenko tweeted. Russias insistence that the conflict in Donbas is a civil war, and its repeated denials about sending military supplies and manpower to sustain the now six-year-long conflict, have become an object of ridicule by Russia and Ukraine watchers. Darth Putin (@DarthPutinKGB), a parody Twitter account with more than 120,000 followers, has long made the seemingly endless supply of ammunition, fuel, and other crucial war materials to the rebels a running gag. War broke out in Ukraines eastern Donbas region months after Russia annexed the Crimean peninsula in March 2014. So-called pro-Russian forces in Donbas were initially commanded by Igor Girkin, a former colonel in the Russian intelligence service who then went by the alias Strelkov. In November 2014, Girkin told the Russian newspaper Zavtra that there would not have been a war in the Donbas without his intervention. Russia intervened directly in the conflict in August 2014, both with regular troops and artillery fire from across the border, after Russian proxy forces lost much of the territory theyd captured that spring. The intervention would lead to a Ukrainian military defeat that came to be known as the battle of Ilovaisk. The last major intervention of regular Russian forces came in early 2015, during the battle of Debaltseve. One of the clearest instances of Russian weapons being used in the Donbas happened on July 17, 2014, when a Malaysian Airlines Boeing 777 was shot down by a surface-to-air missile (SAM) over eastern Ukraine while flying from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur, killing all 298 aboard. The international Joint Investigative Team charged with investigating the incident determined that the airliner was shot down by a Russian-made Buk M1 SAM system provided by Russias 53rd Anti-Aircraft Missile Brigade. In March 2020, a Dutch court charged three Russian nationals (including Igor Girkin) and a Ukrainian national in absentia with causing the deaths of MH17s 298 passengers and crew. The trial is ongoing. In July 2015, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) Parliamentary Assembly voted to condemn what it called Russias unilateral and unjustified assault on Ukraines sovereignty and territorial integrity. The United Nations estimates that more than 13,000 people have been killed in the Donbas conflict. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Nelson Bocanegra (Reuters) Bogota, Colombia Wed, August 5, 2020 14:45 531 6657ac82168da9fa101c8a4066bbc19a 2 World cannabis,Colombia,coronavirus,cannabis-legalization,marijuana-laws,COVID-19,pandemic Free Nelly Rodriguez found the answer to her chronic back pain just when she least expected it, in the middle of a coronavirus quarantine that had made her condition worse. The 70-year-old pensioner's salvation came in the form of Bogota's first medical cannabis clinic, which opened in March and says it has since treated nearly 1,000 patients. "The situation was awful. I thought it would never end but at some point I decided I had to do something about it," said Rodriguez, whose 30-milliliter bottle of cannabis oil costs about $48 and lasts one month. "This is the only thing I've found that can treat the pain," she added. Clinic Zerenia only sells oils containing cannabidiol (CBD) or tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), or a mix of the two. It is the only clinic selling marijuana products in the country as complex regulations have put the brakes on the industry in Colombia, one of the world's biggest suppliers of illegal substances. "We get asked if products should be smoked or smeared a lot," Juan Manuel Orjuela, mental health manager for Khiron, the company behind the clinic, told Reuters. The clinic had to pass 28 regulatory hurdles before opening, including health authorities permissions and implementing a system tracing the products' origins. "It's not easy because it's innovative," Orjuela said, adding stigmas had to be overcome. "It needs not just legal approval but also cultural validation." The clinic treats neurological illnesses including epilepsy in children and adults, Parkinson's, multiple sclerosis, chronic pain and conditions like anxiety and depression. Though cannabis treatment does not cure illnesses, it can relieve symptoms with an effectiveness of 60% to 70%, Orjuela said. Many symptoms have surged due to months of quarantine measures taken to curb coronavirus, he said. "Rates of anxiety and depression have increased greatly," he said. "We have chronic confinement...we are starting to feel caged in." Long the vanguard of liberal change, the American university now leads the appeasement of a hardened authoritarian China. The interest in promoting a broader community of scholars has given way to a toxic combination of business interests, the inability of college leaders to recognize their failure in influencing Chinese education, and their unwillingness to see the reality of a new China.Both China and the United States need universities to engage in solutions based upon the values of universities rather than catering to authoritarianism.American universities and professors jealously guard their independence, seeing themselves as defenders of liberal values and social change. A tenure system built upon the defense of free speech and controversy promotes the exploration of radical ideas and critical thinking skills seen as vital for everything from an informed electorate to higher-order job skills.Historically, the academy writ large has been at the forefront of human rights and social change. Universities provide a fertile environment to push for social change, from racial integration to campaigns for human rights. With a reasonable record of pushing change, universities like to consider themselves defenders of liberal values.Early after the opening of China, American universities worked to build bridges between a Cold War-focused country and a reforming communist stalwart. Major elite universities trained early reformers that helped China join the World Trade Organization yet, now, they have educated the daughter of authoritarian Party chairman Xi Jinping. Universities began with the noblest of intentions but, as China changed, evolved into institutions that defend educating the children of elite rulers who direct concentration camps.The shift of universities from defenders of human rights to protectors of authoritarian Party elites stems from a noxious cocktail of self-righteousness, hubris, and money.Universities believing in their mission to spread liberalism fail to grasp the fundamental problems they face when dealing with China. Defensive at any critique of their many degrees, university leaders and professors lack the same interest in holding the powerful to account. To professors and universities, activism is a virtue in America, but a vice in China.Attempts to hold China accountable are met with immediate charges of racism rather than any careful consideration of how to meet the challenges of academic freedom and activity in the face of an emboldened authoritarian China.At the peak of hubris, professors refuse to acknowledge the historical failure of their principled ideals to cause change in China or the need to adopt policies of engagement. Ezra Vogel, the longtime China studies professor at Harvard, illustrated the willful blindness of academia when he decried the shift in tone of US-China relations and called for engagement to improve relations. He failed to even mention Hong Kong or Xinjiang, his Harvard colleague arrested for illegal dealings with China, or the failure of previous engagement with China.The refusal throughout higher education to acknowledge the evolution of China into a racial, oppressive authoritarian state shows that it is divorced from reality. China monitors students in the classroom (in China and abroad ). The preferred policies of high-ranking professors and college presidents have not worked.Complicating the picture of hubris and self-righteousness, money from China dominates any discussion of university policies and behavior. Chinese students in the United States comprise roughly 30 percent of all foreign students 370,000 in 2019, up from 98,000 in 2009. Notably, Chinese students pay full tuition, making them much more attractive compared to domestic students who get financial aid or in-state tuition for public universities.American universities bent over backward to serve this growing lucrative market. Universities adopted mass student admission from China-helped by education consultants who housed students in Chinese-speaking dorms, fed them Chinese food with a Chinese cook, and delivered the China Daily to their room. In the process, however, they willfully ignored the risks of dealing with an expansionist authoritarian state and the tradeoffs it required.United States professors accepted unreported positions at Chinese universities and shared advanced federally funded data with an adversarial government. Universities also accepted constraints on academic freedom, allowing the Chinese Ministry of Education to appoint Chinese Communist Party-approved employees at language programs to ensure sensitive topics were not discussed. Even policies to block graduate students connected to the People's Liberation Army became a point of contention for universities despite posing a clear, undeniable security risk.Universities rescinded invitations to speakers that might anger the Chinese government or student body to keep high-margin customers happy.College leaders and professors engaged in significant behavior to challenge the U.S. government on policies like international student visas and other policies that favored China. Conversely, they also chose to remain silent when China cracked down on speech in their universities, the Hong Kong National Security Law, and ethnic genocide in Xinjiang.Universities engage in a self-righteous lack of reflection, believing that the surge in donations and contract work from China and Hong Kong which grew from $140 million in 2014 to $495 million in 2019 plays no role in their decision to remain silent.The willingness to plead ignorance is staggering. A recent report highlights when the University of Pennsylvania reported a $3 million donation from a Hong Kong shell company with no visible business that was owned by a Chinese national linked to high-level corruption scandals. When asked about the donation, Penn at first claimed it was linked to another donor even though no link could be found. When asked for documentation or evidence of this claim, they refused to answer additional questions from reporters.If Penn were a financial firm accepting a significant new client while knowingly accepting potential corrupt proceeds or using a front company as the official client, it would result in significant legal penalties. This behavior by elite universities, tasked with educating the business and political leaders of tomorrow, is highly disturbing.Other top universities like Duke and New York University understand they are trading their silence for a growing market. The supposedly principled nature of the work on critical inquiry and free thinking makes this an untenable tradeoff for universities.One cannot stand on virtue as the foundation of your business while trading it for market access and remain virtuous. Universities reduce liberal education to a valueless transaction when they collaborate with the Chinese Communist Party.China has changed. Chairman Xi Jinping has led the harshest crackdown on speech in China and universities since Chairman Mao. Student monitors report on professors and China arrests foreign academics after inviting them for lectures. American universities cannot remain silent in the face of this assault yet, to date, only Cornell University has modified exchange and university relationships with Chinese universities.Universities are entirely right to stand on principle against racial profiling or injustice. They are entirely wrong to remain silent on China with its accompanying risks and threats.Unfortunately, staunch opposition to any restrictive policy removes their voice and input from reasoned debate and policy formation. I have been a staunch advocate of engagement with China and other emerging market communist countries, but that does not mean ignoring the risks and challenges. By denying valid threats like Chinese military infiltration in science labs, universities seem out of touch and welcome more extreme voices to design important policies.China in 2020 presents a variety of challenges. We cannot turn our back on Chinese students, many of whom seek freedom, but neither should universities be blind to the risks. Universities should not pursue engagement at all costs. Instead, they should pursue principled engagement that predicates any cooperation with China on values like the discussion of democracy, Chinese history, and the ability to criticize the Great Leader.Engagement without principles is not worthy of the great mission before American universities.Again, China has changed. Universities have a mission and must change the rules of engagement. The current strategy of appeasement will only make college leaders complicit in providing cover for an authoritarian state. For extra revenue, they'll offer prestige and a valueless education. A co-author of the Rudd government's carbon reduction scheme has warned Australia is still not doing enough to reduce greenhouse emissions or prepare for a warmer climate, while arguing Scott Morrison's focus on technology could end badly. Former Prime Minister's Department secretary Martin Parkinson has also used a podcast to say the Greens were much to blame for Australia's failure to put a price on carbon and that social media and "Sky After Dark" were undermining facts vital to political decisions. Former head of the Treasury and Climate Change departments, Martin Parkinson, says Australia is still not doing enough to reduce carbon emissions or to adapt to climate change. Credit:Louie Douvis Dr Parkinson, a former head of Treasury, was in charge of the then Climate Change Department when Labor released its Carbon Price Reduction Scheme that was narrowly defeated in the Senate in 2009. It was a key issue in the downfall of Liberal leader Malcolm Turnbull, who was replaced by Tony Abbott, an opponent of the scheme. According to Dr Parkinson, who left the public service last year, the CPRS was "world's best policy" that would have given business certainty over the price of carbon and delivered a pathway for Australia to reduce its emissions. The National Treasury has yielded to pressure from governors and agreed to release Sh29.7 billion to counties. The money is the balance of equitable share due to the devolved units in the last financial year and which the National Treasury is yet to disburse as required by law. However, the counties will have to wait longer to access their share of this year's revenue after the Treasury refused to release another Sh158 billion, which translates to 50 per cent of this year's allocation to the 47 regions. The governors pegged their proposal on last year's Supreme Court advisory that in the absence of Division of Revenue Act (Dora), the National Assembly can authorise withdrawal on vote on account of up to 50 per cent of the previous allocation. Instead, the National Treasury demanded that the Senate passes the County Allocation of Revenue Bill 2020 to facilitate the release of this year's share to counties. ENACTMENT OF BILL The technical committee meeting convened by National Treasury CS Ukur Yatani agreed that the money should be disbursed but insisted that the Senate should expedite the enactment of the Bill. Council of Governors chairman Wycliffe Oparanya and Senate Speaker Kenneth Lusaka confirmed they agreed that all disbursement due to the last financial year be released. "We agreed that the money be released to the counties immediately so that they are able to pay salaries for June and July," Mr Oparanya said yesterday after the meeting. Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Kenya Business Governance By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later. The Treasury had withheld the funds, arguing the disbursement had expired with the lapse of the financial year and that there was no legal regime to guide the release. Apart from Mr Oparanya and Mr Lusaka, other leaders who attended yesterday's meeting were Senate Majority and Minority leaders, Attorney-General Kihara Kariuki and Controller of Budget Margaret Nyakang'o. For a record 7th time, the Senate will today try to enact the elusive third basis formula as attention shifts to President Kenyatta and ODM leader Raila Odinga to guide the way out of the impasse. On Sunday, Mr Odinga held a meeting with Senate Minority Leader James Orengo, Jubilee Vice-Chairman David Murathe and former Gatanga MP Peter Kenneth at Cotu Secretary-General Francis Atwoli's home in Kajiado. LOBBYING COUNTIES Mr Atwoli did not reveal what transpired during the meeting, but Nation has established that Mr Odinga was briefed on the contentious formula and the BBI report that is expected to be released soon. Senators are divided down the middle over the report of the Finance and Budget Committee on the recommendation of the CRA and a proposal by Makueni Senator Mutula Kilonzo Junior as lobbying continues. If the committee's report is adopted, 18 of the 47 counties will lose out on the new formula. Mr Kilonzo proposes that the status quo be maintained and counties with high populations be given more resources in the event there is additional funding. On Monday, Vihiga Senator George Khaniri said a majority of the senators favour Mr Kilonzo's proposal as the only way out of the standoff that has grounded service delivery in counties. LoveLifts Village, which was launched in 2019 , is designed to provide co-working and dedicated office space with flexible, affordable lease terms for local non-profit organizations. In this environment, they can advance their missions of serving others in a space that fosters collaboration and community with like-minded organizations. Non-profits based in LoveLifts Village are part of Jackson Healthcare's secure campus and have access to its state-of-the art amenities. "As we continue to expand our community in LoveLifts Village, we are excited for what the future holds," said Shane Jackson, president of Jackson Healthcare. "We're delighted to welcome Mission: Hope, SLIMS AFRICA and Lighthouse Family Retreat, and look forward to growing as a hub where non-profit organizations can collaborate with and work alongside each other in their shared commitment to serving others, which is especially important during these challenging times." Mission: Hope, founded by Ben Mathes and led by President and CEO Elisa Goodwin, works with local leaders and churches to bring sustainable change to poor communities in remote, unreached areas in parts of the world like Indonesia, Dominican Republic and Nicaragua. It spends time evaluating the most urgent needs of the communities it serves; creates a comprehensive strategy for sustainable change based on those needs; and implements and monitors the strategy to ensure long-term success. "There are so many positives to working in LoveLifts Village," explained Goodwin. "We love the campus and amenities. They are beyond anything we had hoped for. The location is ideal and secure. Everything about the environment is wonderful, but the biggest blessing are the people. We have been showered with love and support by everyone at Jackson Healthcare. It goes above and beyond to support us and our mission, and really cares about the people it works with. It inspires me to be a more beautiful reflection of Christ's love." SLIMS AFRICA, led by Richard Wernick, is an organization committed to ending the cycle of poverty in Sierra Leone, which is among the poorest countries in the world. Short for Sierra Leone International Mission School, SLIMS AFRICA has worked in Sierra Leone for 27 years, building and operating five educational campuses, four churches and a healthcare clinic. The educational campuses provide schooling for more than 6,000 children, while the clinic safely delivers one baby per day. "LoveLifts Village is a convenient, enjoyable environment that allows for productive camaraderie with other non-profit groups," noted Wernick. "The environment is affordable and offers amenities that are not typical at most offices access to conference rooms, and workout and dining facilities. I would highly recommend LoveLifts Village to other organizations looking for office space." Lighthouse Family Retreat, led by Executive Director Chris Woodruff, is a faith-based non-profit that strengthens families living through childhood cancer by providing restorative retreats and helpful resources. For more than 20 years, the organization has offered week-long respites for families living through childhood cancer. These families experience a week of rest, relational connection, laughter and kindness on a retreat that is staffed by a team of volunteers, called family partners. "The campus at Jackson Healthcare provides such a unique opportunity for us," said Woodruff. "We're a small non-profit and on our own, we would never have the ability to find space in such a great location, on a gated campus, with so many great amenities. We truly feel blessed to be at LoveLifts Village." LoveLifts Village is an extension of Jackson Healthcare's LoveLifts community impact platform, which is built on four pillars: people, programming, partnership and philanthropy. This unique environment serves as a multiplier to support the efforts and good works of the not-for-profit world. To learn more and inquire about LoveLifts Village, click here. About Jackson Healthcare Jackson Healthcare is a family of highly specialized healthcare staffing, search and technology companies. With a mission to improve the delivery of patient care and the lives of everyone it touches, it helps healthcare facilities across the country serve more than 10 million patients each year. Backed by more than 1,500 associates and with over $1 billion in annual revenue, Jackson Healthcare is a top three U.S. healthcare staffing firm. In addition to being Great Place to Work certified, it is consistently recognized as an employer of choice, having appeared in consecutive years on Fortune's Best Workplaces in Health Care and Biopharma, in 2019 on the Best Workplaces for Women and in 2018 on the Best Workplaces for Millennials lists, as well as being named a best place to work by the Atlanta Business Chronicle. Learn more at www.jacksonhealthcare.com. SOURCE Jackson Healthcare Related Links http://www.jacksonhealthcare.com Most Black Americans Want Police Presence in Their Area to Remain the Same: Poll Most African Americans say they prefer police to spend the same amount of time in their area, according to a new Gallup poll. New polling data released on Aug. 5 found that 61 percent of African Americans surveyed want the police presence in their area to remain the same. Meanwhile, 20 percent of African Americans say they prefer police to spend more time in their area, while 19 percent say they prefer less time. The results come at a time when tensions between the African American community and law enforcement have been highlighted following the death of George Floyd, an African American who died while in Minneapolis police custody in late May. Floyds death sparked national protests and riots calling for police reform and a change in criminal justice policy. The defund the police movement emerged as part of the protests, calling for the reallocation of funds away from police departments to other social programs. The movement claims that police departments are systemically racist and that police funding can be better used elsewhere to help African American communities. The poll, which was conducted between June 23 and July 6, found that the results for other racial groups were similar, with 71 percent of white Americans, 59 percent Hispanic Americans, and 63 percent of Asian Americans saying theyd prefer police presence to remain the same. Of all the racial groups, Asian Americans are the most likely to prefer less police presence in their area, at 28 percent, compared to 12 percent for white Americans and 17 percent for Hispanic Americans. African Americans are also more likely to see police in their neighborhood at 32 percent, compared to the average U.S. adult at 24 percent, the poll found. However, the pollster said this result has limited impact on the groups preference for local police presence. They say only a third of African Americans who say they often see police think officers should spend less time in their area, at 34 percent. Most of the respondents in that group say police should spend the same amount of time in their neighborhood, at 56 percent. Protesters clash with police during a rally against the death of George Floyd at the hands of police, in Union Square, New York City, on May 28, 2020. (Stephanie Keith/Getty Images) However, the polling data also show that African Americans are less likely to feel confident about receiving positive treatment from police, with only 18 percent saying they feel very confident. This is in contrast to 56 percent for white Americans, 40 percent for Hispanic Americans, and 24 percent for Asian Americans. Most black Americans want the police to spend at least as much time in their area as they currently do, indicating that they value the need for the service that police provide, Gallup stated. However, that exposure comes with more trepidation for black than white or Hispanic Americans about what they might experience in a police encounter. And those harboring the least confidence that they will be treated well, or who have had negative encounters in the past, are much more likely to want the police presence curtailed. Gallup stated that the data in this poll are consistent with previously released findings conducted in the same time period, which showed that a majority of African Americans think major reforms are needed in policing, at 88 percent, but only 22 percent support abolishing police departments. Similar trends in results were observed for all U.S. adults, with 58 percent saying major changes are needed, and only 15 percent saying they support abolishing police departments. The push to defund the police has been described as extremely dangerous by U.S. Attorney General William Barr. He said that instead of reallocating money away from police departments, more money should be allocated to departments to help address issues in policing practices and training. Im more concerned that the police be adequately funded today and get more resources. A lot of the things we need to do to address some of the concerns people have about what they saw in Minneapolis are going to take some resources. Some of the training that we have to do, Barr said during a congressional hearing in late July. The poll was conducted as part of the Gallup Center on Black Voices, which it said is committed to reporting on the experiences of African Americans. It said the survey consists of large samples of African, Hispanic, and Asian Americans, weighted to match the U.S. population according to gender, age, race, ethnicity, education, and region. Yusef Salaam of the Central Park Five with The Star Editorial Board Dr. Yusef Salaam unjustly spent more than six years in jail as one of the Central Park Five. He reflects on the presidency of Donald Trump, who took out newspaper ads calling for the death penalty after the rape and assault of Trisha Meili. Actually,was pretty great . . . Zoom chats might not be as captivating. Your mileage may vary but this story makes me feel a bit better about waiting to update today: By PTI NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Wednesday directed Bishop Franco Mulakkal to face trial as it dismissed his plea seeking discharge in the rape case lodged against him by a nun, saying that there is no merit in his petition. A bench of Chief Justice S A Bobde, A S Bopanna and V Ramasubramanian told the counsel for Bishop that the court is not saying anything on merit but is dismissing the plea on the issue of discharge from the case. Mulakkal, in his plea has challenged the Kerala High Court order of July 7, dismissing his discharge plea in the rape case filed by the nun. The Kerala High Court on July 7 rejected his petition seeking discharge in the case. The High Court had asked the deposed Bishop of Jalandhar diocese to stand for trial in the rape case, which was registered on the basis of a complaint filed by a nun of same diocese in Kerala. The high court had dismissed the plea by the bishop, admitting the prosecution argument that there was prima facie evidence against Mulakkal in the rape case, which was registered on the basis of a complaint filed by a nun of Jalandhar diocese. ALSO READ: Day after arrest warrant, Franco Mulackal tests Covid-19 positive The senior priest of the Roman Catholic Church had filed the revision petition following the dismissal of his discharge plea by a trial court in March this year. The rape case against the Bishop was registered by police in Kottayam district. In his plea filed before the High Court, the accused priest argued that he was implicated after he questioned the financial dealings of the victim nun. The bishop had filed the discharge plea in the trial court just ahead of commencement of the preliminary hearing on charges against him. In her complaint to the police in June, 2018, the nun had alleged that she was subjected to sexual abuse by the bishop during the period between 2014 and 2016. The bishop, who was arrested by the Special Investigation team, which probed the case, charged him with wrongful confinement, rape, unnatural sex and criminal intimidation. Machine Gun Kelly got a striking tattoo of bleeding bullet holes applied to the side of his neck in Puerto Rico this week. The blond 30-year-old rapper was joined at the tattoo parlor by his girlfriend Megan Fox and their Midnight In The Switchgrass co-star Lala Kent. All three of them are currently in Puerto Rico to resume shooting on the upcoming film, which had its production suspended by the coronavirus lockdowns. He revealed in a new Instagram album that he has also had more body art applied to his left side though the exact image is still unclear. The slender rapper, whose Christian name is Colson Baker, captioned his album: 'take me away from all this death.' Tattoo artist Zuhemy 'Zuh' Cordero, who is based in the Puerto Rican capital San Juan, posted her own Instagram video. Megan and Lala were both tagged in the post, which showed Zuh leaning over Machine Gun Kelly and apparently applying some ink to his leg. The process: Tattoo artist Zuhemy 'Zuh' Cordero posted a video of Megan watching Machine Gun Kelly get his ink applied; Lala Kent is also tagged On May 18 amid rumors of her fling with Machine Gun Kelly, Brian emotionally revealed on an his podcast ...With Brian Austin Green that Megan had left him. Megan has rebounded with the slim blonde and was seen last month lapping up the luxury with him at a resort in Puerto Rico. The cast were quarantining at the resort before filming resumed, Megan and Machine Gun Kelly's co-star Emile Hirsch revealed on Instagram. She previously filed for divorce from Brian in 2015 citing irreconcilable differences, but she was back with him and pregnant with their youngest son the following year. What a group: Megan and Machine Gun Kelly are pictured quarantining in Puerto Rico with their co-stars Randall Emmett, Madison Bigos, Emile Hirsch and Lukas Haas Three years after they got back together, Megan took the legal step of filing to dismiss the divorce petition last April. As Megan ran around with Machine Gun Kelly, Brian was glimpsed out on dates with Maxim model Tina Louise and former 'child bride' Courtney Stodden. He recently appeared on Hollywood Raw with Dax Holt and Adam Glyn and said 'I found out in my own way' about Megan and Machine Gun Kelly. And that's as much detail as I'll give you on that one. I didn't read about it or anything like that,' said the Beverly Hills 90210 hunk. Lumu Empowers Customers to Unleash the Value of Spambox Threat Intelligence to Continuously Improve their Compromise Detection MIAMI, Aug. 04, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Lumu , creators of the Continuous Compromise Assessment cybersecurity model, today announced enhanced spambox analytics for its Lumu Insights solution. Under the premise that blocking spam is good but analyzing it is better, Lumus Spambox provides security teams with intelligence on how they are being attacked via malicious email campaigns, and the adversarys success rate at compromising their businesses. The real-time correlation of spambox data with other key pieces of network metadata sources results in insightful evidence on exactly how and which users are falling victim to targeted campaigns. According to the Verizon Data Breach Investigation Report (DBIR), nearly one-third of all confirmed data breaches involved phishing in one way or another. However, while enterprises have collectively invested billions of dollars in tools that detect and block spam messages, organizations currently neglect the valuable attack intelligence spambox holds. There is a widely held assumption that if your spam email is quarantined or blocked by your spam filter, your users are safe. Unfortunately, this is not the case as attackers will relentlessly tweak and refine their email lures until they succeed in finding their target, said Ricardo Villadiego, founder and CEO of Lumu. To adequately defend against todays constantly- evolving threat landscape, security teams must leverage every scrap of usable threat intelligence. Analyzing the spambox can provide practical insights into who in your organization is being targeted and show how adversaries are trying and succeeding in their quest to compromise your network. Lumu Insights collects and standardizes network metadata from a wide-range of network metadata, including DNS queries, network flows, firewall logs and proxy logs, and spambox and puts it through a patent-pending Illumination Process to measure compromise with speed and precision. With these enhanced new spambox analysis capabilities, Lumu customers will be able to: Story continues Correlate Email Threat Insights: Drill down into detailed, factual data about the attacks targeting your organization, including the type of attack and the volume with which a particular attack is occurring. Users can track when a malicious campaign is initiated, gauge its success rate, and report on the most common attack vectors. Uncover Hidden Attack Patterns: Equips security teams with a macro perspective of the email threats targeting their organization, allowing them to identify the telltale attack patterns that can both inform their defensive strategies and help prioritize future cybersecurity investments. Model Malicious Campaign Behavior: Adversaries continuously fine-tune their email campaigns to improve deliverability and open rates. Analyzing spam metadata provides actionable insights into shifting campaign patterns to help security teams better anticipate future threats. Map & Isolate Compromised Assets: By applying advanced network correlation with other network metadata sources, users can quickly detect compromised assets, determine their location, and visualize compromises according to customized filters and labels (e.g., PCI, Swift, Finance, Central Office). This new and improved capability is available to all Lumu Insights customers and available as an add-on feature to Lumu Free customers. To learn more about this new feature and view screenshots of Lumus Spambox Intelligence capabilities, visit: https://lumu.io/analyzing-spam-is-better/ About Lumu Headquartered in Miami, Florida, Lumu is a cybersecurity company focused on helping enterprise organizations illuminate threats and isolate confirmed instances of compromise. Applying principles of Continuous Compromise Assessment, Lumu has built a powerful closed-loop, self-learning solution that helps security teams accelerate compromise detection, gain real-time visibility across their infrastructure, and close the breach detection gap from months to minutes. Learn more about how Lumu illuminates network blindspots at www.lumu.io. Press Contact: Robert Nachbar Kismet Communications 206-427-0389 rob@kismetcommunications.net Joe Biden will not travel to Milwaukee to accept the Democratic presidential nomination because of concerns over the coronavirus, party officials said Wednesday, signaling a move to a convention that essentially has become entirely virtual. It is the latest example of the pandemics sweeping effects on the 2020 presidential election and the latest blow to traditional party nominating conventions that historically have marked the start of fall general election campaigns. From the very beginning of this pandemic, we put the health and safety of the American people first, said Democratic National Committee Chair Tom Perez. We followed the science, listened to doctors and public health experts, and we continued making adjustments to our plans in order to protect lives. Thats the kind of steady and responsible leadership America deserves. And thats the leadership Joe Biden will bring to the White House. Neither the Biden campaign nor DNC officials offered details about how Biden might accept the nomination, which even in the pandemic could be a made-for-screen event that reaches tens of millions of voters via television and online. A DNC official said all speakers and presenters for the Aug. 17-24 convention are now expected to speak from remote locations. Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers, a Democrat, said Biden made the right decision. A lot has changed since we set out on this journey more than a year ago now, but the one thing that hasnt is Democrats commitment to putting health and safety first, Evers said in a statement. It has never been more important for elected officials to lead by example thats the kind of leader Joe is, and thats the kind of president we need. I know he will continue to have a presence in Wisconsin, virtually or otherwise, and I look forward to doing everything we can to win Wisconsin. Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett told reporters he learned of the decision early Wednesday in a phone call with the leadership team of the Democratic National Convention. I would be lying if I didnt tell you that Im very, very disappointed in this, professionally and personally, because I think we all have had so much pride in having Milwaukee chosen to host the 2020 Democratic National Convention, Barrett said. But Barrett, a Democrat, added that the higher priorities are public health, economic recovery and nations reckoning on systemic racism. I think all of us have to keep this in perspective, he said. President Donald Trump has abandoned his own plans to accept the Republican nomination in person. On Wednesday, he mused about potentially making his acceptance speech from the White House. Biden and Democrats for months have moved toward a virtual convention, first by delaying the convention from its original mid-July date to the week before Republicans' scheduled convention in Charlotte, North Carolina. DNC officials later authorized organizers to plan for virtual proceedings, then added an explicit call for delegates not to travel to Milwaukee. More than 4,000 delegates already were casting mail ballots for Biden's nomination and a platform that had been written and approved in meetings conducted online. But until Wednesday, it was expected that Biden and his running mate would speak from Milwaukee. Biden is in the final days of deciding on a vice president, who he has said will be a woman. -- The Associated Press A search was underway Tuesday night for a shooting suspect in an east Birmingham neighborhood. Birmingham police received multiple calls about 8:15 p.m. of shots fired in the area of Exeter Avenue and the 400 block of Valley Road. East Precinct Sgt. Carlos Williams said officers arrived and found a man wounded by the gunfire. Birmingham police officers and tracking dogs were searching Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2020, for a suspect in a shooting. Birmingham Fire and Rescue Service transported to him to UAB Hospitals Trauma Center. His injury is not believed to be life-threatening. Police have set up a large perimeter that is blocks wide. Tracking dogs are on the ground, and Williams said they believe the gunman is still in the area. This story will be updated if more information becomes available. New images from Sentinel 2 have shown that about 20% more emperor penguin population as 11 new colonies are found in Antarctica. The British Antarctic Survey (BAS) researchers used images from the European Commission's Copernicus Sentinel-2 satellite mapping to achieve "an important benchmark for monitoring the impact of environmental change" on the penguin population. With 11 new colonies found, there are now a total of 61 colonies across the continent. According to CNN, experts said that the undiscovered animals will act as "canaries in the coalmine" while studying the impacts of global warming. BAS head of conservation biology Phil Trathan who studied penguins for three decades, said the new colonies are found in breeding locations where recent model forecasts show a decline in emperors' populations. "We need to watch these sites carefully as climate change will affect this region," Trathan said. According to the ZSL report published on Tuesday, August 4, the new colonies are located at the edges of their breeding range, making the birds vulnerable as climate change may lead to the loss of sea ice. BAS geographer Dr. Peter Fretwell, who is the lead author of the study, said the Antarctica coastline's new satellite images helped in achieving the new findings. "This is an exciting discovery," Fretwell said. The satellite is part of a program to observe the Earth and environment changes. They have been using Remote Sensing in Ecology and Conservation in the past 10 years. Studying penguin colonies is extremely difficult as emperor penguins live in Antarctica, which is remote and inaccessible as well as temperature can drop to -50C. They also need sea ice to breed. Several colonies were found on sea ice formed around icebergs in shallow water, up to 180 kilometers offshore, while three of the new breeding sites had previously been identified, although they had just been confirmed now. Emperor penguin is largest species of the flightless bird Growing up to around four feet and weigh from 49 to 99 pounds, emperor penguins are the largest species of flightless birds. They live together in the Antarctic to keep their warm amid the icy climate where temperatures can be as low as -90C. Emperor penguins can be easily recognized with their distinctive black back and head, yellow patches on their necks, and white breast. Females lay their eggs before hunting for food while males to incubate the eggs. The newly discovered colonies give hope to the scientists because it only means the overall population of the emperor penguins had increased by 5% to 10% to just over 500,000 penguins by about 265,500 to 278,500 breeding pairs. The penguin colonies are expected to decline by more than 75% over the past half-century because of climate change. Besides, it is expected to decline by 80% by the end of this century. "The only real threat to emperor penguins is climate change," Fretwell said adding that the sea ice melts cannot be put back. "It is a global problem." Read also: Underwater Robots Reveal Mediterranean Sperm Whales' 'Highly Distinguishable' Click Sound and Peculiar Habits This article is owned by Tech Times Written by:CJ Robles 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Cordelia Cruise: 139 more passengers test positive for COVID-19 in Mumbai Night Curfew in Maharashtra: Check guidelines, rules; what is allowed, what is not allowed Mistakes of 2021 being repeated; unnecessary medication, tests should be avoided: Doctors tells Centre Mumbai rains: PM Modi assures all possible help to Uddhav Thackeray India pti-PTI New Delhi, Aug 05: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday spoke with Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray about the prevailing situation in Mumbai and surrounding areas due to heavy rains and assured all possible support, the Prime Minister's Office said. Incessant heavy rains and strong winds battered Mumbai and adjoining areas on Wednesday. India bans more Chinese apps | Ram mandir foundation laid & more news | Oneindia News Mumbai rain: Man saves kitten, takes home; Video viral "Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to Maharashtra CM Shri Uddhav Thackeray regarding the situation prevailing in Mumbai and surrounding areas due to heavy rainfall," the PMO tweeted. PM Modi assured Thackeray all possible support, it said. Donald Trumps threat to ban TikTok, a video sharing app owned by Beijing-based ByteDance, on August 1 is only the latest in a series of clashes between the US and China. With each of these events from the US ban on telecoms company Huawei to the US response to events in Hong Kong and the continuing escalation of the trade war which stretches back formally to 2018 one has to remember that there are several different conflicts taking place between the worlds largest and second-largest economies. It is important to work out which of these the TikTok issue belongs to. Ostensibly, the main reason for a ban is national security concerns. Trump administration officials say TikTok could pose a security threat by giving the Chinese government access to vast amounts of US citizens data. Yet there is little evidence for these claims, nor how Trumps proposed solution of selling TikToks US operations to Microsoft would solve the problem. Similar issues were raised by the ban on Huawei, and the operations of other major Chinese corporates in the US. They even predate the Trump presidency, reaching back to the mid-2000s when Congress vetoed Chinese involvement in energy company Unocal, and raised questions about tech company Lenovos purchase of the US IBM ThinkPad brand. A strange security risk TikTok seems to pose a strange kind of security challenge, given that most of its content is silly viral video memes. With Huawei there were more complex matters to verify, such as how to check the reliability of its hardware. TikTok doesnt involve these to such an extent. So why the focus on this company? Reaching beyond the realm of security, therefore, we must venture into that of trade and technology. TikToks greatest problem is that it manifestly demonstrates Chinese success beyond the borders of China. This is not as common as it might seem. Chinese companies which are genuinely internationally successful are few and far between. Story continues In 2020, the app has enjoyed remarkable success, with a staggering 2 billion downloads globally. The US recorded 165 million downloads the third highest country after India and China and the app is rapidly rising up the ranks of the most-downloaded app league tables. It may well be that an achievement like this, at a time like this, is the companys biggest crime. So moving against TikTok on security grounds may well be an excuse to distract from the reason it is most problematic for the White House, the fact that a Chinese company can succeed so well in the US. The optics of that are very negative for the Trump administration. Optics That brings us to the third area of conflict the many calculations and machinations around the imminent presidential election in November. For Trump criticised for his response to the COVID-19 pandemic domestically and facing very poor economic figures one area where he can, and is, trying to appeal to voters is by taking a tough line on China. TikTok offers a relatively easy target by which to show his prowess. With the trade talks between Washington and Beijing largely halted, this area is one he can demonstrate activism and make a show of strength. Here he can try and build a narrative of the man people can trust to be tough on China while highlighting the perceived faults of his opponent, Joe Biden, who he will paint as being tarred by the Obama administrations policy of engagement with China. Ultimately, the boundary between legitimate security concerns, political calculations that only have domestic issues at their heart, and good old-fashioned protectionism is a very faint one. With TikTok, the sense of deliberately distorting and manipulating facts to suit an agenda, rather than devising an agenda to respond to facts, is palpable as it is in so many other areas of the Trump presidency. But we must be clear. The evidence strongly suggests that TikTok is an issue because the US particularly at the moment, and particularly under Trump cannot countenance Chinese commercial and technological success without searching for security or competition grounds to combat it. The great pity about this approach is that it means the genuine issues and concerns get diluted to the point that they are missed. China presents many problems in the area of security nobody denies that. People watching brief, often mindless videos, though, isnt one of them. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. The Conversation Kerry Brown does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment. Council of Europe calls for Turkey to halt detainee abuse Alarmingly high level of reports, urges president to intervene (ANSAmed) - STRASBOURG, AUGUST 5 - The Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CPT) of the Council of Europe has warned that it continues to receive an alarmingly high number of reports of detainee abuse in Turkish detention facilities. It noted in a report on a visit conducted in 2019 that the abuse had allegedly been inflicted also on women and children and urged the president to intervene, making it clear that such behaviour would no longer be tolerated. The CPT pointed out, however, that the seriousness of the abuse had decreased since its previous visit in 2017. The CPT stressed that the reports collected in 2019, corroborated by medical evidence, included cases of detainees being subjected to kicks, punches, and blows from sticks after the person arrested had already been handcuffed or under control. The Council of Europe also noted that it continued to receive, as it had in 2019, numerous reports of excessive use of force and abuse by motorised squads operating in Istanbul called 'Yunus'. The CPT thus called on the authorities to exercise greater control over these units. (ANSAmed). Social media is full of stories about people struggling to access their stimulus checks from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act passed in March. There is even a Reddit sub dedicated to complaints. The facts bear this out. New America, the think tank where I work, estimated that as of mid-June, up to 5 to 10 million Americans were still awaiting their full stimulus payments. (New America is a partner with Slate and Arizona State University in Future Tense.) However, theres another problem with the stimulus program that has received far less attention: Up to 6 million households unwittingly blocked their access to the Earned Income Tax Credit simply by requesting their stimulus checks. Advertisement The federal EITC is something that low- and moderate-income working Americans can qualify for. It happens to be the nations largest means-tested anti-poverty program, providing an average of $3,191 to millions of eligible families with children. This year, because of a technical glitch with the IRS platform some used to claim the stimulus check, many of these families now have no way to file taxes. This means theres also no immediate way to claim their EITC payments. The IRS has outlined ways that they can claim their payments. But straightening this out may take several months, and many of the recipients dont have those months to spare. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lisa Charles falls into this group. Charles, the divorced mother of two boys, ages 12 and 5, typically qualifies for the EITC, and the 2019 tax year was no different. She is currently waiting for thousands of dollars from the IRS. This is a serious problem for her family: Charles works when she can, but spends the bulk of her time tending to her older son Seths severe medical problems. A few years ago, he was diagnosed with hypoglycemic encephalopathy. Now hes 100 percent dependentwheelchair dependent, feeding tube dependent, she told me over the phone. Because of the severe brain injury its like hes a paraplegic without a spinal cord injury. The bills for his care continue piling up. Its overwhelming enough to deal with without worrying about how to pay for it all, too. Advertisement Advertisement Seth spends a lot of time in and out of the hospital, battling seizures, pneumonia, and other issues. In March, he was rushed to the hospital, where he was diagnosed with septic shock and put on a ventilator. He stayed there for more than a month. I wasnt thinking about filing taxes or about the stimulus check or anything other than my two boys, she said. But I got a text from the legal aid attorney from the [Philadelphia Equal] Justice Center telling me that I needed to file so I could make the deadline for the stimulus payments for my boys. Advertisement Thats where the problem started. Because Charles was below the filing threshold and therefore had not filed 2018 or 2019 taxes, she was one of an estimated 12 million Americans who had to proactively claim her stimulus check using the IRSs new non-filer portal. Sitting beside her son at the hospital, she filled out the form to claim a $2,200 payment: $1,200 for herself and $500 for each of her sons. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I really needed itand still need itbecause I am really behind on my rent and am facing eviction. I figured by filling out the form I would get that money as well as my refund including the earned income credit, she said. However, the money never came. For still-unexplained reasons, the IRS only issued Charles $1,200 of the $2,200 she should have received from the CARES Act. In other words, Charlesthrough no fault of her ownput in jeopardy the $2,148 of EITC she was entitled to in her haste to expedite $1,200 of stimulus funds. What Charles didnt understand at the time is that the non-filer portal does not provide access to the EITC. In fact, it makes it more challenging for households to claim it at all. The portal is designed to file simple tax returns for those who, like Charles, earn little enough that they are not actually required to file taxes. However, since the IRS does not permit a single person to e-file two tax returns in the same year, Charles was left without a way to claim the EITC in the near future. In June, when her money still hadnt arrived, Charles sought assistance at a local low-income taxpayer clinic to file taxes and claim her credit. Like millions of others, she was denied. The IRS said she had already filed taxes via the portal and couldnt do so again electronically. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Whats happening to Charles is happening all over the country, according to Nicole Rappin, user research manager at Code for America. If a tax filer tries to file the Form 1040 when they have already submitted the non-filer tool to claim the [CARES payment], it is rejected for duplicate filingreject code R0000-932-02, she said. While theres no way to tell how many people this is affecting, it could number in the millions, says Gabriel Zucker, a fellow at New America. The IRS hasnt told us exactly how many have tried to file and gotten blocked, but it could be up to 6 million. When the IRS finally acknowledged the filing trap issue in June, it advised that families would have to submit a corrected Form 1040 by mail, with the words Amended EIP Return written at the top. (EIP stands for economic impact paymenthow the IRS refers to the CARES money.) But even this solution is insufficient, since paper form processing by the IRS was on hold from March 30 to mid- June because of the pandemic. The IRS is still catching up. Advertisement Advertisement As Rappin put it: There is no process or status tracking on the paper forms, so tax filers essentially send their paper into a black hole. Once the IRS processes the paper return they can distribute the tax filers refund including the EITC. For Charles, that could be in a month, two months, or six. The IRS is only now beginning to clear out its backlog of more than 10 million paper forms, and has yet to clarify when it will be done. Some experts say the IRS may push refunds off until the fall or early spring of 2021. Unfortunately, Charles billsincluding her rentwont wait. The IRS wont comment on individual tax payers and their issues, and points to an FAQ on its site laid out the mail-in process. Advertisement In July, New America, in association with the Center for Taxpayer Rights, laid out simple technical solutions for all of the major outstanding issues. These include asking the IRS to simply automate outstanding EIPs using data already available from information returns; allow Social Security and Veterans Administration beneficiaries to claim dependents and receive additional supplementary EIP throughout 2020; and expedite or waive pending reviews or examinations on tax returns for households who have yet to receive EIPsespecially returns filed via the non-filer portal, among other options. For Charles and her sons, these fixes cant happen soon enough. A legal aid attorney went to court for her recently to stop eviction proceedings against her. Still, with no savings and no way to work, the missing $3,148the EITC and the missing $1,000 of her CARES fundsmeans the difference between a home for herself and her children and being put out on the streets. Future Tense is a partnership of Slate, New America, and Arizona State University that examines emerging technologies, public policy, and society. The number of novel coronavirus in Laredo has now passed the 7,000 mark, with city and county officials confirming on Wednesday 198 new positives and four new deaths. The added positives bring the city's total number of cases to 7,119. Of those, 4,997 are considered active infections. The city now has 144 fatalities due to the virus. Of the four deaths confirmed Wednesday, two occurred on Monday. A female in her late 70s and a male in his late 50s died of coronavirus-related complications on Monday. On Tuesday, a female in her early 30s and a male in his mid 70s died. Also on Tuesday, Laredo hospitals reported reaching their max capacity of COVID patients, forcing city leaders to reach out to the state for additional assistance. Interim fire chief and emergency management coordinator Ramiro Elizondo talked with state leaders to receive help, ending with lateral transfers of 14 intensive care patients, including two which had to be airlifted, to hospitals in San Antonio. The lateral transfers are expected to continue should Laredo hospitals continue to face capacity issues. As of noon Wednesday, 202 patients were hospitalized in Laredo, including 75 people under intensive care. The transfers initiated Tuesday are part of the city's ongoing strategy to alleviate capacity issues at Laredo hospitals. Laredo Health Authority Dr. Victor Trevino stated in Wednesday's meeting that state officials has approved additional ICU bed capacity for high-acuity patients. However, the details of the plan have yet to be discussed publicly. Laredo hospitals continue to work to expand capacity nonetheless. Elizondo said the COVID ICU capacity could soon be expanded at Laredo Speciality Hospital. Currently, the hospital has beds for seven COVID patients, but that could soon be expanded up to 20. Additionally, the city continues to work with the state to expand the criteria necessary to transfer patients to the low-acuity clinic opened at the Red Roof Inn. Previously, Laredo leaders had spoken out on the criteria necessary for patients at the clinic, saying that the requirements necessary to transfer patients was too stringent, preventing the full use of the location. Of the 106 beds available at the clinic, only 7 are currently in use as of Wednesday afternoon. According to Elizondo, the criteria has been changed, but still needs to be evaluated by local health officials to determine how exactly patients can now be transferred underneath the new guildelines. In total, 19,854 tests for the virus have been conducted in Laredo. 11,730 of those have returned negative, with 1,005 still pending results. An estimated 1,998 people have recovered from a COVID-19 infection, having been cleared by city officials to return to the general public. 97 Shares Share A recent report by Merritt Hawkins, the physician recruiting firm, includes two key revelations about the impact of the COVID-19 crisis on physicians: Merritt Hawkins searches on behalf of prospective employers have dropped by 30 percent since March 31, and up to 35 percent of practices in some markets might soon close because of their unsustainable financial losses. As of late May, visits to physiciansboth in-person and virtualhad declined by 30 percent since the pandemic began, after dropping 60 percent during March and April and then rebounding. Many patients continue to avoid medical offices, and the expansion of telehealth has failed to recoup physician revenue losses. So Merritt Hawkins forecast is very believable. The firms report predicts that hospitals and health systems will scoop up many of the doctors who flee failing private practices. Judging by the past, this is also credible. However, the American Hospital Association estimates that hospitals will lose $323 billion in 2020 because of the decreased volume of elective procedures and other services. So its unsurprising that physician recruitment is down by 30 percent, and its unclear when hospital demand will revive. When hospitals do start hiring again, their job offers may be very different from former bids. Physicians may discover that hospital employment is no longer either secure or predictable. Travis Singleton, executive vice president of Merritt Hawkins, told Medscape Medical News that some hospitals are now moving to a contingent labor/flex staffing model. Under this type of arrangement, he said, physicians will no longer work full time in a single setting. They may do telehealth sessions at night and work 20 hours a week in the clinic, or have shifts in multiple hospitals or clinics. Because of the pandemic, most independent physician groups are not recruiting doctors right now. But at least they treat their employed doctors better than Uber treats its driversor than hospitals will manage doctors under their new flex staffing model. Moreover, as part of accountable care organizations (ACOs), private practices have a much better shot at making the transition to value-based reimbursement than do hospital-owned groups and their related ACOs. Studies show, for example, that physician-led ACOs generate more shared savings than do hospital-led ACOs participating in the Medicare Shared Savings Program (MSSP). ACOs that take financial riskmany of them physician-runhave also done better than those that share in savings without assuming any risk for losses. So, physicians on the verge of closing their practices should think carefully about whether they want to work for a hospital, form new groups with colleagues in a similar situation, or merge with existing practices that have figured out how to survive in a COVID world. There are alternatives to hospital employment that can lead to better working conditions, higher pay, and a more stable future. They dont come with guarantees, but physicians who work hard and pull together can be successful and help build a better health care system. Skeptics might point out that physicians dont have the capital to build the infrastructure and the reserves needed to take significant financial risk. That is certainly true of most doctors in small practices, especially primary care groups. But groups of, say, 50 or more doctors have some capital and some ability to manage risk. Moreover, there is a growing crop of what I call infrastructure vendorsAledade, Evolent, Caravan, and the likethat will front the capital and even cover losses in return for a share of the profits without owning practices. To paraphrase Karl Marx, Physicians of America, unite! You have nothing to lose and everything to gain by leading the health care reform movement that will grow out of this pandemic. Ken Terry is a journalist and author of Physician-Led Health Care Reform: A New Approach to Medicare for All. Image credit: Shutterstock.com The novel Coronavirus cannot be passed on to babies through breast milk, says Health Minister, Dr Zweli Mkhize. "I can assure you that COVID-19 has not been found in breast milk and research evidence has shown that the virus is not transmitted through breast milk or by giving breast milk that has been expressed from a mother who is confirmed or suspected to have COVID-19," he said. Speaking during the World Breastfeeding Week virtual commemoration on Tuesday, the Minister said breast milk remains the best nutrition for babies even during the COVID-19 pandemic. He said government remains committed to improving the health of babies during the global pandemic under the theme "Support breastfeeding for a healthier South Africa". "We are mindful that families, mothers, caregivers and even some healthcare workers, in particular, are worried and asking many questions whether the Coronavirus can be passed on through breast milk and how can they protect themselves and their babies." According to Mkhize, great progress has been made in studying mothers and babies who have been affected by COVID-19 and breastfeeding in the context of COVID-19 came under the spotlight. "Based on these studies, mothers who have been suspected as or confirmed COVID-19 positive are encouraged to continue breastfeeding while practising good respiratory hygiene," he added. These include wearing a mask, washing hands with soap and water, or using hand sanitiser and routinely cleaning and disinfecting surfaces. "A baby's immune system is not yet fully developed and requires immune protection from breast milk. This life-saving protection is more important than ever right now during the COVID-19 pandemic," he stressed. Benefits of breastfeeding Nursing can protect children from many other illnesses and conditions such as diarrhoea, chest infections, diabetes and heart disease. "Nearly half of diarrhoea episodes and one-third of respiratory infections are due to lack of breastfeeding," he said. Meanwhile, breastfeeding also offers children long-lasting protection against conditions such as diabetes, cancer, asthma and malnutrition. It is not only good for the infants but has benefits for mothers too. It can also reduce the chances of women getting breast, ovarian and endometrial cancers. "In addition, breastfeeding facilitates bonding between baby and mom by triggering the release of large amounts of oxytocin. This is the same hormone that causes the uterus to contract thus reducing the chances of postpartum haemorrhage. "It's nature's way of protecting the physical and mental wellbeing of mothers and babies in the first critical years of life." Weaning Weaning children too early can lead to malnutrition especially in children under five, Mkhize pointed out. The 2016 Demographic Health Survey South Africa has an estimated 27.4% (1 in 4 children) under the age of five being stunted, or low height for age and 3% wasted or low weight for height. "Stunting is a result of chronic undernutrition. Stunting during the first two years of life is particularly damaging and may be irreversible," he said. Prolonged undernutrition can also compromise a child's physical and mental development and expose them to a higher risk of getting diseases like heart disease and diabetes in adulthood. "Furthermore, our current levels of exclusive breastfeeding [of] 1 in 4 children (32%) is not good enough," he said, adding that babies should be exclusively breastfed for the first six months of life. Meanwhile, breastfeeding should begin within the first hour after birth - regardless of the mother's HIV status, he said. "Women must be able to feed their babies anywhere, anytime, without feeling any shame in doing so. We call on all men and women to support natural breastfeeding in any environment whether it be work, in public places, in gatherings, churches or even at home when other people enter into that space." Donated breast milk The Minister said donated breast milk remains critical in managing children who cannot breastfeed for various reasons. Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Coronavirus South Africa Women By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later. "The vast majority of these patients are premature babies who benefit enormously from the properties contained in breast milk." The Minister urged all healthcare workers to contact the nearest Breast Bank if they require breast milk for patients while also assuring them that there is adequate stock at this stage. Immunisation Meanwhile, he said the department has noted with concern of children missing their vaccination schedules for fear of visiting a facility and contracting COVID-19. "Many of the illnesses we vaccinate against - such as measles, polio and meningitis are much more dangerous for children than COVID-19." He has assured parents and caregivers that health facilities have a triage mechanism whereby patients with flu-like illnesses are separated. "This is to ensure that access to quality health care is not compromised during the COVID-19 surge." To uncover the states with the most small businesses, The Simple Dollar consulted the SBAs 2020 Small Business Profiles report. States were ranked by the total number of businesses with less than 500 employees in their state. Kilkenny is counterbalancing the EU-wide focus on Smart Cities with a ground-breaking Smart Villages initiative which kicks off this month and will help small businesses, community activists and groups to Think Smart about the future options for rural communities. Kilkenny LEADER Partnership (KLP) wants to help towns and villages think in new and dynamic ways about their future. It wants community groups, activists and small businesses to work together, be innovative and think laterally to future proof by looking at transport, community facilities, their local food supply and chain, environment, sustainability and so much more. It has funding available for planning, training, capital, marketing and more to make rural communities smarter and more sustainable for generations to come. While the capacity of the digital revolution remains a key instrument in the Smart Village tool-kit, KLP CEO, Declan Rice said, as much attention now needs to be paid to all types of connectivity, linkage and networking in improving services and products to help communities make rural areas in Kilkenny attractive to their current inhabitants, potential residents and visitors. The first of six free Smart Villages - Look to the Future information and training workshop explaining the initiative gets underway in the open air at Ballykeeffe Amphitheatre in Kilmanagh on Thursday, August 13, from 4pm. The venue, once a disused quarry, was specifically chosen as an example of a smart and visionary community which turned an abandoned quarry into a renowned venue for music, rock climbing, theatre and more, Mr Rice explained. All community groups, small businesses and anyone interested in the future of their community is urged to register and attend the free event. A series of information and training workshops on future options for rural communities will follow in the coming months. It is intended these will cover areas such as environment, mobility and connectivity, community services and more. Guest of honour on August 13 will be Minister of State for Heritage and Electoral Reform, Malcolm Noonan, TD, and the MC is renowned broadcaster and journalist, Helen Carroll. To comply with strict COVID restrictions, intending participants must register their interest by emailing info@cklp.ie or phoning the LEADER office on 056 7775211. Places are strictly limited and will be filled on a first come, first served basis. KLP has been involved in the development of the Smart Village concept from the start and has attended numerous meetings in Brussels, elsewhere and online as the concept has been forged, Declan Rice explained. Very early in the development process, KLP and other Irish LEADER participants were struck by the key and lock or train and track analogies of LEADER as an efficient engine of Smart Villages. We can provide funding for planning, training, capital, marketing and coordination of broad-based initiatives to make rural communities smarter and more sustainable. LEADER as a whole is the perfect complement to the Smart Village approach. Its made for it- hand in glove. KLP wants to embrace the opportunity that Smart Villages presents. We have engaged Workhouse Union from Callan to provide six information and training events for communities and small businesses in the concept over 2020 21. KLP hopes the Smart Villages- Look to the Future series will kick-start interest and engagement as KLP starts to consult and plan on its next LEADER programme application, Mr Rice said. KLP holds its election every three years and it is also reaching out to new members ahead of that election in September/October. Anyone interested is urged to register and attend the session in Ballykeeffe or get in touch with LEADER or any existing members. Separately, KLP also has a 2.5 million fund that it wants to invest in community projects before the end of the year. It is still seeking expressions of interest and applications from groups and individuals for qualifying projects. Scrapbooking design teams for the big crafting companies are often made up of a handful of high-profile customers who, for a period of a few months or a year, receive products before the general public. In exchange, they are typically encouraged to post layouts on social media or on their blogs, if they still have those. In early July, American Crafts, a Utah company that oversees about a dozen scrapbooking brands, announced its newest design team about a dozen women, all seemingly white. Lydia Diaz, a crafter and lifestyle vlogger, called the exclusion a huge letdown. When it comes to how ignored and how invisible we can feel as Black people in America, and the crafting community is one small slice of the pie, and even there, were not represented, she said on Instagram. There are so many amazingly talented and creative Black people thinking outside the box, doing big things in this community, and you wouldnt know it if you were looking at some of these large crafting brands. You wouldnt see our work, you wouldnt see our hands on the table holding a craft we just made, you wouldnt see our faces smiling in one of their online courses, you wouldnt see us on the ambassador team. American Crafts apologized and removed the post, adding that it would soon add more Black women to its team. In late July, Ms. Gordon and a longtime scrapbooker named Victoria Calvin were added, as well as several other women of color and a man. The company did not respond to a request for comment. Exclusion Is Bad for Business Throughout generations, all types of people have kept photo albums, commonplace books and scrapbooks, including free Black people and former slaves who documented the Civil War and their postwar lives. The history of mankind is, for the most part, that of ignorant pagans dutifully agreeing with whatever a group of priests told them was true. The priests would attribute divine wisdom and power to a force of nature and claim to speak for it. "The rain god is angry," the priests would admonish the people, "so give us the crops you grew." The people would nod their heads knowingly and obey. When plague strikes, the people were particularly attentive to their priests to hear how to please the gods and avoid death. The 21st century is not different. Today, however, they call their priests "scientists" and one of their gods "government." The priests/scientists have stated that we have been greedy and created too much carbon dioxide. To save ourselves from the plague, the gods/government command that we wear a mask. The common man claims to believe in science. In reality, he believes in scientists. There is a very big difference. If he believed in science, then he would critically weigh the theories and conclusions presented to him against a body of producible facts and repeatable experiments. The common man does not do this. He simply takes the words of the priest/scientists as truth, especially when the words are blessed by the gods/government. Science is not ignorant superstition, but the common man's belief in science is. Believe I am wrong? Ask someone to explain the scientific principle. The majority will not be able. For those who do know the scientific principle, ask them if and how they applied it to the matter at hand. You will get a great deal of sputtering and righteous indignation. They heard it on the news or read it on the internet. "Everyone knows it's true," they will declare to you with religious certainty. "The scientists all agree." Believing in science does not mean accepting anything a scientist says. Quite the opposite. The scientific principle means being skeptical. A scientist has to prove that he is correct. By the way, and this is important, computer models are not proof. There is no scientific proof that the general population wearing cloth masks in public, with no training in how to properly clean and handle such masks, has in any way decreased, let alone prevented, the spread of the Wuhan virus. I defy anyone to prove me wrong. More importantly, I defy anyone who is so adamant that people wear masks for safety to tell me he reviewed any such proof before they became so adamant. I have seen articles quoting scientists and doctors. I have heard anecdotal evidence. I have heard logical arguments for a policy of public masks and against it. I have read scientific papers that show correlation by country between public mask policies and lower infection rates. I have read papers that show no such correlation. I also know that correlation is not the same as causation. What I have not seen is proof. The common man's zealotry for masks does not come from rigorous scientific analysis. Instead, it comes from baser forces. For the most part, it seems to come from a sincere desire to do what is right. For a subset, it comes from a desire to feel better about himself by doing something he believes is right or important. For an even smaller subset, it is about being perceived by others as a better person. The English word for the latter is "sanctimonious," or in the vernacular, "Karen." The common man's belief that masks are effective is based in magical thinking. More specifically, it is cargo cult thinking. "Cargo cult" is a term used to describe the behavior anthropologists observed in Polynesia after the Second World War. The natives called all the manufactured goods the Americans brought "cargo." The cargo came on planes. When the Americans abruptly left the islands, the natives mimicked the behavior of the ground crews on the runway in the belief that their actions would magically make the airplanes come back with more cargo. The common man has seen doctors and nurses. He has seen that doctors and nurses wear masks when working with patients. What he has not seen is the training and discipline that doctors and nurses apply to those masks to assure that they are sterile and thereby effective. The common man is wearing the same dirty mask in public for days, touching it and adjusting it with his unsterilized hands and laying it on the counter or shoving it in his pocket when he is done. He might as well climb into a tree and wave palm leaves to have planes bring him cola and chocolate. Everyone is entitled to his own personal beliefs. I only ask that people be self-aware enough to distinguish between a personal belief and scientific fact. If I am about to fall off a ledge, by all means, lecture me on the law of gravity. On the other hand, if I am about to walk down the sidewalk without a mask, please keep your personal beliefs to yourself. Image credit: Pixabay public domain Khartoum Minister of Irrigation and Water Resources, Prof. Yasser Abbas, has sent a letter to the Minister of Foreign Relations and International Cooperation in South Africa regarding developments in the Ethiopian position on the negotiation process in the past few hours. The minister considered that the message he received from his Ethiopian counterpart on August 4, raises serious concerns regarding the course of the current negotiations. The Ethiopian Minister suggests that the agreement be only for the first filling of the Renaissance Dam; while linking the dam's long-term operation agreement to the conclusion of a comprehensive agreement on the Blue Nile waters. The minister underlined that; this represents a major development and a change in the Ethiopian position that threatens the continuity of the negotiations process led by the African Union. He stressed the seriousness of the risks posed by the dam to Sudan and its people, including environmental and social risks, and the safety of millions of residents of the banks of the Blue Nile. Prof. Yasser stressed that Sudan would not accept linking the lives of 20 million of its citizens who live on the banks of the Blue Nile to reaching an agreement on the waters of the Blue Nile. Having to fire an employee remotely adds complexity to the process. Before conducting the actual termination, you should have a termination letter prepared, designating who will do the actual speaking, when the firing occurs, and what you should say to others on your team after it is over. When firing a remote employee, simulate how the process would be done in person. This article is for small business owners and HR professional who want information on how to properly terminate a remote employee. Terminating employees remotely is becoming more common as the number of remote workers increases. Like any termination, the process isn't easy. To protect your business from any legal backlash, it is critical that as a business owner you fully think through the process and understand the best practices for terminating a remote employee. The process of terminating a remote employee involves three parts: preparation, the actual termination, and the post-firing follow-up. How to prepare for a remote employee termination Once you have decided to terminate a remote worker, it is critical to line things up before you conduct the actual firing. One of the first steps is to work with your IT department to schedule a day and time to shut down the employee's online access to any online programs they have access to, such as their email account and Office 365 or G Suite. You also want to arrange to have their profile removed from the website and any other official ties between your company and the employee cut as soon as the termination occurs. Then there are major decisions for you. The challenge is that there are no right answers. Those issues include the following. Who will be present for the actual firing? Appointing who will be the spokesperson in the remote meeting and who else will be present is another issue you need to resolve before moving forward. Usually, the most appropriate spokesperson is the employee's direct supervisor. There should also be a representative from human resources and perhaps a lawyer. Having more than one person present at the termination meeting sends the message that the decision was a collective one. It also ensures other witnesses were present, who can attest to how the actual termination occurred. How to create the official termination letter The termination letter is an important document for three reasons. One, its tone and content reinforce the message that the employment relationship is over. Two, it can become evidence in litigation. And, three, the terminated employee can post excerpts, out of context, on social networks, damaging your company's reputation. Your letter should explicitly state that the employee is being terminated, and it should outline any compensation or benefits they may receive. We've created examples of termination letters you can use as a template. How the termination letter should be worded Stating a specific cause, such as absenteeism, can lead to defensiveness by the employee and public statements about unfairness. One strategy that is authentic yet diplomatic is to state something to the effect of "Terminating employment is in the best interest of the business." It is succinct, and it spares both you and the employee from engaging in a drawn-out and what can be, in some cases, exasperating conversation, which may spread to your other employees or social media. For legal and logistical reasons, there must be a set script, along with stock responses to what the employee might say. The script must state explicitly that the decision is irreversible. The easiest way to handle the presentation is to rehearse the content of the termination letter, but present it in a conversational way to the employee. What to say internally and, if needed, externally Depending on who the individual is and their role in your company, you may need to issue an internal statement to your team. Avoid getting into specifics about why the employee was let go. Simply let your staff know they are no longer working for you and that you are appreciative of the contributions they made to the company. For those who worked closely with the departed employee, you may want to schedule follow-up virtual meetings between the direct manager and the subordinates. Key takeaway: Taking the proper steps to prepare for a remote termination is critical. You should have all of your paperwork in order, clearly assign whom the spokesperson will be, and prepare a script that details what will be said word for word. How to conduct the remote termination Terminating employment with an individual calls for empathy, even if your company has "good cause" for doing so. Unfortunately, breaking the news via video conference presents additional hurdles. In person, thanks to what neuroscientists call mirror neurons, humans communicate emotion. As the saying goes, you can feel the sadness/tension/surprise in the room. Because the news is being delivered remotely, those facilitating the termination have to simulate what would happen in person. Those conducting the termination should put in place all of the "signaling systems" to create a serious, yet caring and respectful tone for the conversation. These signaling systems include proper lighting for each speaker, professional attire, neutral body language, the use of hand gestures, appropriate facial expressions, and a slow pace of conversation. The latter is a must, since for many, being fired comes as a great shock. The meeting should begin with the spokesperson thanking the employee for being at the meeting. Then the spokesperson indicates the company has found it necessary to terminate the employment of the individual. That decision, the spokesperson emphasizes through tone, has already been made and is irreversible. The script should cover all of the items included in the termination letter. The spokesperson then informs the employee that a letter is also being mailed following the meeting. If the employee asks questions or raises objections, only preapproved responses should be read to the employee. Do not stray from the termination letter that was drafted. Once the employee accepts the decision, then the matter of severance can be introduced. Examples of scripts There are several instances that can lead to termination, and the circumstances will impact the script. Termination for cause A termination for cause script should outline the specific cause leading to termination. This will be tied to the employee's original contract, which specifies what must or must not be done within the scope of the job. In this instance, the script should identify how the contract was violated by the employee. Termination at will A termination-at-will script does not require that you cite a specific cause. It may be prudent to explain the reasoning for termination, but this is fundamentally different from highlighting a breach of contract. It is also important to note that termination at will is only legal in specific states. States that do not have at-will employment can create legal barriers to such a termination, and those barriers must be addressed in the script. Materials you will need To carry out a successful remote termination that grants due respect to all parties, some materials will be necessary, including: COBRA packets. Employees who have insurance are entitled to continue it after termination, and COBRA manages that insurance. Employees who have insurance are entitled to continue it after termination, and COBRA manages that insurance. Company property checklist. It is important to note what belongs to the company and what belongs to the individual. The checklist will prevent confusion and resolve disputes. It is important to note what belongs to the company and what belongs to the individual. The checklist will prevent confusion and resolve disputes. Severance pay. Not all terminations merit severance pay, but when it is merited, it should be ready to process immediately, or following the terms of the employment contract. Not all terminations merit severance pay, but when it is merited, it should be ready to process immediately, or following the terms of the employment contract. Formal acknowledgement of termination. Typically, an employee will sign a form acknowledging the end of employment and the fulfillment of all related contracts. When termination occurs remotely, a digital form of this acknowledgment is necessary. Key takeaway: A remote firing doesn't allow for the emotion that can be expressed during an in-person firing. As much as possible, use hand gestures and facial expressions that convey compassion when firing an employee remotely. How to follow up after the remote termination Once the termination meeting has concluded, use the following checklist to verify the equipment has been returned, access to company resources has been revoked, and that your company is in a secure position in the event a disgruntled employee chooses to retaliate against your business: Funds due the former employer have been paid, and the termination letter has been mailed. All electronic connections have been disabled. All company equipment on loan to the employee has been returned. The employee's profile has been removed from the website and any company documents. You've distributed an internal statement and/or conducted any virtual meetings to notify other employees of the termination. You've provided contact info for human resources representatives so they can respond to any questions and concerns your remaining employees have. You've revoked access to your business premises (keys, security system access codes, etc.) as well as all software (including social media accounts, if the employee had login access to your company's social media accounts) the employee had access to. You continue to monitor any public comments made by the former employee, and you've crafted a response for release to the media and to post on social networks in the event you receive negative publicity related to the termination of the employee. Key takeaway: You should have a checklist of items you complete before, during and after the termination of an employee. Your list should include making sure all equipment is returned, online access to programs and services has been cut off, and any severance or other compensation is appropriately paid out. Is the firing necessary? Termination, especially in a small business, can unravel an organization. Naturally, many of your employee will wonder, are we next? Additionally, termination involves the law, which is open to interpretation. If the employee pursues action to object to the termination, your documentation, even if it's comprehensive, may not be adequate to prevent a verdict for unjust termination. There is also the matter of your unemployment insurance costs. Unemployment authorities may determine, even if there is documentation, that there was no cause for firing. That will increase what you pay for unemployment insurance. Also, you might have to hire a replacement. The Society for Human Resource Management calculates it takes 42 days to fill a position, at the cost of $4,129, with an additional $1,286 for training. However, all that may be irrelevant. You might have already unsuccessfully used informal conversations, write-ups, including the progressive discipline process, and performance appraisals to attempt to change the employee's conduct. Further, some activities, such as sexual harassment, embezzlement and selling drugs in the workplace demand firing. Key takeaway: Firing can be costly in many ways. Before jumping straight to termination, make sure you have thought through the ramifications. What human resources systems should your business have in place? Labor can be your biggest expense, accounting for 70% of your costs. Therefore, you must have human resources systems in place for managing your workforce. After the systems come the policies and procedures. The key ones associated with discipline and termination include: The hiring letter specifies the job is at will. Employees, with the exception of those in Montana, are aware that "at will" means they can be terminated for no cause at any time with no warning. Onboarding requires signing agreements that outline how disputes will be handled. Mandatory confidential arbitration could be required, and the internal grievance process should be spelled out. Have an employee handbook that states all company policies and procedures. That handbook could be a major piece of evidence for the company should litigation occur after the firing. The handbook should state that the business has the right to change company policy and procedures at any time. Establish channels for communication among immediate supervisors, human resources, public relations and in-house/outside legal. They should all be in the loop about a developing employee problem. Key takeaway: Having the appropriate human resources systems and documents in place, such as hiring letters and employee handbooks, at the start of employment, can help your business avoid potential legal situations resulting from terminating an employee. What legal research is necessary? Theoretically, with at-will employees, a firing can occur at any time. As usual, the employee didn't submit the report within the specified deadline. The whole team is put on hold. The supervisor is frustrated. Why not just pull the plug immediately? That is not recommended. Firing is a process with many moving parts. For it to be done right, all those parts must work together smoothly. It is important to work with your human resources and legal team to ensure you are following the proper steps and considering all of the potential ramifications. If not, you could be sued for wrongful termination. Here is a checklist of legalities: Are there state laws about how the termination must be conducted? For example, your state's law might require prior warning or severance pay. Are there questions about whether the employee has any special protections that must be factored in? One could be a disability that is later claimed in litigation not to have been accommodated. Do you have all of the conduct and attempts at remediation documented? What compensation must be paid to the employee? Will they be eligible for unemployment benefits? Is there a written, oral or implied job-security employment contract? Beware of the last two. Suppose a supervisor tells employees, without the approval of the company, that they have a job as long as they arrive on time. Or, the wording about job security is wide open to interpretation in the employee manual. It may surprise you, but the courts can interpret both those in favor of the terminated. Is there membership in a union? What is your state's particular public policy protections? Those can include prohibiting firing based on discrimination, whistleblowing, filing workers' compensation claim or refusing to engage in the company's request to perform an illegal activity. Is your state one of the 11 requiring a Covenant of Good Faith? That is, the firing decision must demonstrate just cause, not malice. Can the fired prove the supervisor "had it out for them?" The National Labor Relations Act of 1935 bans firings because employees participated in concerted (more than one) activities to improve working conditions. As the verdict for the fired worker in NLRB v. Chipotle Services showed, that applies to use of social networks such as Twitter. New York, California, Colorado, North Dakota and Louisiana passed laws barring firing for what employees do off duty, if legal. Some situations are clear-cut; others can be tricky. Making sure you have factored all of this in is critical to ensuring you on strong legal footing when terminating an employee, whether it is being conducted remotely or in-person. Key takeaway: Firing an employee should never be done in haste. There are myriad legal issues to consider. Make sure you have accounted for them before moving forward with any termination. Auditing firm, PriceWaterhouseCoopers (PWC) has asked Parliament to give the Tax Exemptions Bill the attention it deserves in such difficult times when the government is struggling to mobilise revenue. The firm believes the passage of the Tax Exemptions Bill which was laid before Parliament in the 2019 will boost revenue mobilisation in the medium term. This was contained in its highlights of the mid-year review and supplementary estimate. Tax exemptions are growing at levels that many analysts are worried about, with the President in his state of the nation address, in 2018, describing it as a bane to the countrys development. Data from the Ministry of Finance also indicate that in 2016, the country lost GH4 billion to tax exemptions. In 2011, tax exemptions cost Ghana US$2.4 billion, representing 6.13 per cent of its gross domestic product (GDP). In 2013, tax exemptions jumped to US$ 2.5 billion, constituting 5.2 per cent of GDP. It is estimated that for every one Ghana cedi of tax collected, the corresponding amount given away as exemptions has increased from six pesewas to 12.5 pesewas between 2010 and 2018. Subsequently the Ministry of Finance, in the first quarter of 2019, laid before a Tax Exemptions Bill to consolidate and streamline the applicable exemptions in different laws and improve the transparency and certainty in dealing with tax exemptions. However, after over a year now, the bill has still not been passed. PwC therefore believes this is the best time for the bill to be given the needed attention and be passed into law. Revised projected growth Commenting on the revised growth targets, the Senior Country Partner of PwC Ghana, Mr Vish Ashiagbor, said the revised projected growth rate of 0.9 per cent for 2020 was a positive indication, given that most economies had slipped into recession under the weight of the COVID-19 pandemic. Ghanas economy was previously forecasted to grow at 6.8 per cent but the emergence of the virus and its attendant impact on businesses, among others, saw that growth rate readjusted to reflect the difficulties. While the reduction in growth is significant, it is at least a positive indication that the economy is not expected to contract in 2020, as is the expectation in many other economies across the world, he stated. Deficit situation Commenting on the revised deficit target of 11.4 per cent, Mr Ashiagbor said before the pandemic set in, the PWC was hopeful that the government would commit to its fiscal discipline path, despite 2020 being an election year. He said while the revision to the fiscal deficit announced by the minister was inevitable, it posed significant long-term risks to the economy. More significant levels of growth are expected to return over the next four years and the fiscal deficit is expected to narrow over the same period, reaching 3.8 per cent in 2024. Clearly, barring any unforeseen windfalls in the short to medium term, it will be a long, hard road to recapture the gains made over the last few years that have been wiped by the impact of the pandemic, he said. Concerted effort He noted that the next few years would require a concerted effort by both public and private sector operators to rebuild what had been lost in the short term. He advised businesses and individuals to continue to tighten their belts, re-strategise and adjust in order to survive and hopefully thrive, notwithstanding the pandemic. It is not all bad news, in that the rebuilding efforts offer another opportunity for economic policymakers, the managers of the economy, businesses and individuals to introduce new thinking and innovation into the rebuilding process such that our economy and businesses emerge from this pandemic in a more resilient and more diversified manner, he stated. He said it was encouraging to see some manufacturing companies quickly repurpose their operations to produce personal protective equipment (PPE), hand sanitiser and other items useful in the pandemic era. This a clear and encouraging demonstration of the innovation and capacity that exist locally and what is perhaps one positive outcome of the pandemic, he pointed out. Source: Graphic.com.gh Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Roongrote Rangsiyopash, president and CEO of SCG, at the press conference to announce the group's latest operating results The group will continue to focus on maintaining long-term business stability with developments of total solutions and innovations to fulfill needs in the new normal, leveraging digital channels to push online purchases to shine in the ASEAN market. SCGs profit in the second quarter of 2020 reached VND6.860 trillion ($297.83 million), up 33 per cent on-year, due to the improved performance at all three of SCGs key business units cement-building materials, chemicals, and packaging driven by cost optimisation efforts and business continuity. Additionally, it reported an increase of 35 per cent on-quarter mainly attributed to improved chemicals business performance. The groups sales revenue for the first half of 2020, however, dropped 9 per cent on-year to VND148.6 trillion ($6.46 billion), due to lower chemicals prices. Profit for the period declined by 13 per cent on-year to VND12.052 trillion ($524 Million), which is mainly attributed to decreased chemicals margins during the first quarter. SCGs revenue from sales of high-value-added products and services (HVA) for the first half of 2020 reached VND67.062 trillion ($2.9 billion) or 45 per cent of its total sales revenue. SCG in the ASEAN (ex-Thailand) As of June 30, 2020, the total assets of SCG amounted to VND530.5 trillion ($23 billion), while the total assets of SCG in the ASEAN (ex-Thailand) amounted to VND192 trillion ($ 8.35 billion), which is 36 per cent of SCGs total consolidated assets. Based on its recently-released second-quarter report, SCG in Vietnam owned VND88.8 trillion ($3.86 billion) worth of total asset, an increase of 59 per cent on-year mainly from its chemicals business. During the period, the group reported sales revenue of VND6.976 trillion ($303.3 million) which includes sales from both operation in the country and imports from the Thai operations. This represents a decrease of 6 per cent on-year. For the first half of this year, SCGs Vietnamese market reported revenue from sales of VND13.086 trillion ($568.96 million), down 5 per cent on-year mainly from all businesses. Regarding to the current COVID-19 pandemic in Vietnam, SCG have been continuing on implementing full-blown business continuity management. Regarding to the current COVID-19 pandemic in Vietnam, SCG have been continuing on implementing full-blown business continuity management. To keep employees and their family safe from COVID-19, SCG has applied a new way of work called Hybrid Workplace that allows much greater flexibility for employees. They can work on site, work from home, or work from anywhere the company considers safe and apply physical distancing guidelines. Furthermore, SCG and its subsidiaries realise that the health and safety of stakeholders are the most important aspect of having a good quality of life in times of COVID-19 pandemic, and so they continuously support communities across the nation by donating 400 tonnes of cement to build 45 playgrounds in the central province of Quang Binh and provided mobile clinics for health checks and safe transportation education programmes for communities in Long Son commune and Ba Ria-Vung Tau province in southern Vietnam. Notably, SCGs subsidiary Binh Minh Plastic was ranked amongst the Top 50 Best-Performing Companies on the Vietnamese stock exchange in 2019 by by Nhip Cau Dau Tu Magazine for in financial results for three fiscal years in a row, based on three indicators: revenue, return on equity (ROE), and earnings per share (EPS). Roongrote Rangsiyopash, president and CEO of SCG, said, "Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, while SCG isnt in industries severely affected like tourism or airlines, the group has constantly monitored and assessed the situations to stay atop in an environment of high uncertainties. SCG has put in place more-focused business strategies ranging from Prepare for the Worst by setting up sales plans and transport arrangements for possible lockdown and Plan for the Best by optimising production capacity to meet the growing demand to Digital Transformation to implement the group's Optimisation Model. Furthermore, the group has taken a dynamic approach by offering solutions, products, and services that better fulfill the needs and capture the untapped market in the wake of growing trends of e-commerce, on-demand food delivery service, and health and wellness. As a result, the operating results for the second quarter and the first half of this year were relatively less affected by the global economic slowdown. The packaging business focuses on optimising manufacturing process and introducing new standards to ensure safety The Packaging Business remains strong with upside potential due to the merger and partnership with Fajar Surya Wisesa Tbk, a leading Indonesian packaging paper company, Visy Packaging (Thailand) Ltd., and the planned acquisition of Bien Hoa Packaging JSC or SOVI in Vietnam. The moves have contributed to a strengthening of the company's portfolio in the ASEAN market as well as better satisfying customer needs. For business continuity management, Packaging Business focuses on optimising manufacturing process in Thailand and ASEAN countries, namely, Vietnam, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Malaysia to streamline processes as well as introduce new standards in countries where the company operates to ensure the safety of staff, customers, and partners. Packaging business also works closely with clients throughout the supply chain to ensure reliable raw material sourcing and logistics management as well as enforce strict hygiene practices in delivering packaging solutions. The Chemicals Business has executed its business continuity management to ensure maximum production capacity and seize business opportunities in a challenging market environment brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic. The group has made efforts to ensure the safety of staffs such as providing accommodation, facilitating transportation, arranging working groups and area divisions at the plant, and maintaining high standards in quality control and cleanliness. Meanwhile, with production flexibility, the business could cater to rapid change in demand and secured increased sales volume amid market volatility. SCG will continue to expand the proportion of high value added products and services to improve competitiveness, ride a market upturn, and meet customers needs. Furthermore, Long Son Petrochemicals (LSP) in Vietnam has progressed as planned. The project remains under construction and has reached 45 per cent completion. The Cement-Building Materials Business has also faced challenging market conditions. The business has taken adaptive approach by focusing on offering product and services with total solutions and developing Active Omni-Channel to increase retail sales and construction innovation that help improve the convenience, precision and efficiency of construction. SCG began its business operations in Vietnam since 1992 with trading business and gradually expanded investment in diversifying business in the cement-building materials, chemicals, and packaging sectors. Would you like to receive breaking news notifications from The Post and Courier? Sign up to receive news and updates from this site directly to your desktop. Breaking News Columbia Breaking News Greenville Breaking News Myrtle Beach Breaking News Aiken Breaking News N Augusta Breaking News Click on the bell icon to manage your notifications at any time. Success! Please click the 'Allow' button in the 'Show Notifcations' alert in your browser if one is available. Thank you for signing up! Please enable notifications in your browser and reload the page. Police investigating a drive-by shooting that killed Chicago rapper FBG Duck are trying to determine whether he was targeted for mocking deceased rival gang members in a recently released music video. The 26-year-old artist, born Carlton Weekly, was shot dead in broad daylight in the high-end Gold Coast section of Chicago while shopping in boutiques with two friends, who were also injured in the attack. Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot said that the assailants were able to track down Weekly because he had been livestreaming his travels through the city. WARNING GRAPHIC CONTENT Police are investigating whether rapper FBG Duck was killed in Chicago on Tuesday after mocking dead gang rivals in a music video, believed to be his latest release, 'Dead B***hes' The expletive-laden video, which was released three weeks ago, makes derogatory references to several deceased members of the Black Disciples gang Chicago Tribune reported, citing unnamed sources, that Weekly was a member of a Gangster Disciples faction. As evidenced by the initials 'FBG' in his stage name, Weekly was also part of the Fly Boy Gang, also known as Clout Boyz, which is a rap group from the South Side of Chicago affiliated with the Gangster Disciples. Three weeks ago, Weekly released a music video for his song 'Dead B***hes,' in which he made what police have characterized as 'derogatory statements' about members of the rival Black Disciples gang who have died. Specifically, one section of the expletive-laden video includes the lyrics: 'Said I wasn't gon' diss the dead and okay, I did it. But n****, f*** T-Roy and Odee, them dead b***hes.' The name 'Odee' in the song refers to Odee Perry, a 20-year-old member of the Black Disciples who was shot dead in 2011, just months after the killing of Gangster Disciples member Shondale 'Tooka' Gregory, 15. Gregory was close friends with Gakirah Barnes, then aged 13, who later became known as one of the most notorious female gang members in US history. A woman looks on with horror at two men who were struck in the shooting. One of them, the rapper FBG Duck, did not survive his injuries and was pronounced dead on arrival Barnes, who was believed to have murdered as many as 20 people before being shot dead at age 17 in 2014, was linked to Perry's killing but was never charged with the crime. The Black Disciples gang later named one of its factions O-Block after Odee Perry, and their rivals dubbed a faction of Gangster Disciples 'Tookvaille' in Gregory's honor. Weekly, who was in his teens when Perry and Gregory were killed nearly a decade ago, would later join the Tookaville faction. The other name invoked in his rap, 'T-Roy,' purportedly refers to James 'T-Roy' Johnson, an alleged member of the O-Block faction of the Black Disciples who was fatally shot in the chest on his way to a store on the South Side of Chicago in February 2017. Mayor Lightfoot confirmed that Weekly's gang has long been locked in a feud with a rival gang. FBG Duck's song invokes 20-year-old Black Disciples member Odee Perry, left. He was killed several months after the death of rival Shondale 'Tooka' Gregory, right, in 2011 In her remarks, she described Weekly, who had 372,000 followers on Instagram and whose music videos have drawn millions of views, as 'an individual who fancies himself a rapper but is also a member of a gang.' As of Wednesday afternoon, his latest music video for 'Dead B***hes' has been viewed more than 3million times. FBG Duck, born Carlton D. Weekly, was a member of the Tookaville faction of the Gangster Disciples, named after Gregroy The Tribune reported that police officers in at least four Chicago precincts have received an advisory warning them to use 'extreme caution' because of the 'high probability of further violence' in the wake of Weekly's death. 'Intelligence suggests that both these gangs are in possession of large caliber and high capacity firearms,' the notice stated. Police said Weekly and two friends were shopping on East Oak Street, near Chicago's storied Magnificent Mile, at 4.37pm when two cars pulled up, four people got out and opened fire on the group, before fleeing the scene. Weekly was transported to Northwestern Memorial Hospital where he was pronounced dead. He was identified as the deceased victim by police radio traffic and family members on social media. A 36-year-old man and a 28-year-old woman were also taken to area hospitals, and both were in a serious condition, police said. Shocking video from the scene appears to show Weekly and the other members of his entourage following the shooting, with two men seen sprawled in the street with injuries. CPD officers are seen arriving at the scene after the shooting that left Weekly dead and two members of his entourage injured in the Gold Coast neighborhood of Chicago Two victims are seen crumpled on the ground outside the boutique shops on East Oak Street Weekly, 26, was a popular figure in the underground Chicago rap scene and was best known for his single Slide Who was FBG Duck? FBG Duck was a member of the rap group 'Fly Boys Gang,' often abbreviated FBG. Most FBG members are reportedly affiliated with the Gangster Disciples faction known as Tooka Gang. Duck, whose real name was Carlton Weekly, was a popular figure in the underground Chicago rap scene and was best known for his single Slide. His other songs include Face, Do it Like Me, Look at Me, and Feeling Myself. Weekly previously traded public insults with other high-profile rappers including Cheef Keef, Edai and Tekashi 6ix9ine. Advertisement Police say the four gunmen fled the scene in two vehicles, a black Ford Taurus and a silver Chrysler 300M. Both vehicles fled westbound on Oak Street, and no suspects are in custody. It is just the latest incident of violence to rock Chicago, which has seen murders soar by 152 percent and shootings rise 62 percent in the past four weeks, compared with the same time period last year, according to Chicago Police Department data. Still, the shooting came as a shock on the upscale Gold Coast block lined with boutique shops, just off Michigan Avenue, where violence is usually rare. The epicenters of recent violence in Chicago have been mainly away from the downtown core on the city's South and West Sides, where gang rivalries are more common. Weekly was reportedly affiliated with the Tooka Gang, a reputed faction of the Gangster Disciples. He had ongoing feuds with numerous other Chicago rappers affiliated with rival gangs, and had released 'dis tracks' insulting several of them. Weekly also had prior brushes with violence. He was reportedly once stabbed in the stomach by an ex-girlfriend, and in 2018, he was shot in the shoulder. In 2017, the rappers brother FBG Brick, born Jermaine Robinson, was shot and killed on Chicago's South Side. As in other major cities, violence in Chicago has soared since late May, with shooting incidents and murders up dramatically. From January 1 through the end of July, there were 440 homicides in Chicago and 2,240 people were shot, a number that includes those killed, according to the Chicago Police Department. That compares to 290 homicides and 1,480 shootings in Chicago in the same period last year, and is nearly as many homicides as the entire year of 2019. July was especially violent; the city recorded 105 homicides and 584 shootings. Shocking images from the scene show Weekly clinging to life following the shooting. He died before reaching a hospital Paramedics are seen rushing victims of the shooting to an area hospital The shooting left the glass doors of one nearby shop shattered after the shocking broad-daylight attack Chicago police investigate the scene where three people were shot, one of them fatally, in the Gold Coast neighborhood Investigators search the scene for evidence after rapper FBG Duck was fatally shot in a drive-by on Saturday Last weekend, eight people were killed in Chicago, including a nine-year-old boy, and at least 19 other people were wounded. President Donald Trump recently announced he was sending federal agents to some cities, including Chicago, as part of what he calls Operation Legend to help local authorities fight such crime. Mayor Lightfoot reacted with bitter opposition after Trump announced his plan to send federal agents to the Windy City. 'Under no circumstances will I allow Donald Trump's troops to come to Chicago and terrorize our residents,' Lightfoot said in reaction to the plan. At midnight on Tuesday, Lightfoot had not yet publicly commented on Weekly's shooting death. The mayor's most recent tweet was a solicitation for online signatures on her birthday card. She turned 58 on Tuesday. Weekly (left and right) was reportedly affiliated with the Tooka Gang, previously known as the Gangster Disciples Chicago police investigate the scene where three people were shot, one of them fatally, on Saturday Investigators mark potential evidence after the hail of bullets left one rapper dead and two others in serious condition The shooting occurred in the Gold Coast district, an upscale area popular with tourists near the Magnificent Mile Weekly (above) had ongoing feuds with numerous other Chicago rappers affiliated with rival gangs, and had released 'dis tracks' insulting several of them Weekly is seen in undated Cook County Jail booking photos from previous brushes with the law Despite Lightfoot's threats, federal agents have been dispatched to Chicago, including an ATF ballistics team to assist with shooting investigations. Although federal agents in Chicago are primarily assisting police in investigating violent crime, an ATF agent intervened when he saw an attempted carjacking on Friday, firing on the suspect. An ATF spokeswoman said the agent, a regular full-time Chicago Field Division staffer who is not part of Operation Legend, did not wound anyone and the suspect or suspects got away. ATF's Office of Professional Responsibility is conducting a use-of-force investigation, and Chicago police are handling the carjacking probe, the spokeswoman said. Anyone with information about the shooting is urged to call Cook County Crime Stoppers anonymously for a potential cash reward at 1-800-535-7867. (Natural News) Over the weekend, rioters in Portland took their protests to a whole new level by burning Bibles in the street, just like the Nazis did prior to World War II. In addition to burning American flags, protesters who gathered in front of the Justice Center and the federal courthouse in downtown Portland set ablaze many copies of the Word of God, which they proudly filmed in front of Portland police officers who were present but did not engage with any of the demonstrators. In one video that quickly went viral, Portland protesters were seen feeding an already-burning fire with more and more Bible, which quickly engulfed in flames. I dont know what burning the Bible has to do with protesting against police brutality, tweeted Ian Miles Cheong, the managing editor of Human Events, in response to the demonstration of anti-Christian hate. Do not be under the illusion that these protests and riots are anything but an attempt to dismantle all of Western Civilization and upend centuries of tradition and freedom of religion. In multiple separate videos, Portland demonstrators were seen disrespecting the American flag, setting it ablaze while shouting things like, F*** Trump! The demonstrators were also seen burning crosses and other large props, which is eerily similar to the actions of the Ku Klux Klan (KKK). Antifa protestors in downtown Portland have started burning American flags in the street, tweeted Andy Ngo, who roughly a year ago was violently assaulted by Antifa protesters with concrete milkshakes. The streets of Portland have become a dangerous warzone, with no end in sight All around Portland for nearly 70 straight days in a row, chaos has engulfed the city. Protesters have been seen creating random effigies in street intersections, ripping down historical statues, destroying businesses, and creating as much damage and destruction as possible. And all the while the Portland Police are just letting it happen, except for one incident they responded to that involved a shooting with more than 150 rounds of bullets that were discharged. During this particular shooting melee, a woman was reportedly struck in the arm by one of the rounds, resulting in her having to have a tourniquet applied. She was then transported to a nearby hospital via ambulance. But other than that, Portland Police have taken a mostly hands-off approach to everything that is going on, which has led to the rapid breakdown of a once-beautiful city in one of Americas most beautiful regions. No other injuries have been reported to police, however bullets struck at least 8 occupied apartments and 7 vehicles (unknown if occupied), the Portland Police Bureau reported about the 150 bullets incident. According to Ngo, this is all par for the course for the new Portland, which he says is seeing a large uptick in shootings and homicides ever since Mayor Ted Wheeler abolished the Gun Violence Reduction Team. In essence, Portlands leadership has handed over the city to Antifa and Black Lives Matter (BLM) terrorists who are having their way with it, including with yet another recent bizarre incident involving a severed pigs head that was speared into the top of an American flag and donned with a police hat, before being set on fire. There is a method to the lefts madness, wrote one Breitbart News commenter. The anti-white / anti-Christian stance is in the founding writings of communism. Moses Hess implied that whites / Christians were not a part of mankind. Communists view whites as subhumans. This explains why communists have been historically and are nowadays extremely hostile to whites / Christians and want us dead, literally. For more related news about the situation taking place in Portland, be sure to check out Chaos.news. Sources for this article include: Breitbart.com NaturalNews.com The financing brought the total capital raised by the firm to more than $7.5M which will be invested in Gero's proprietary AI/ML platforms for new drugs development for aging and other complicated disorders Singapore based Biotech Gero has raised $2.2M in Series A round led by Belarus-based Bulba Ventures. Yury Melnichek, the co-founder of Bulba Ventures, has joined Gero's board of directors following the investment. The financing brought the total capital raised by the firm to more than $7.5M with participation from previous investors and serial entrepreneurs in the fields of pharmaceuticals, IT, and AI. Gero will invest the fund raised to further develop its proprietary AI analytical platform dealing with Clinical and Genetic Data analysis. Gero team aims to find treatment for critical diseases based on age-related genetic analysis. The company plan to invest the fund also in its other ventures such as AI/ML technology necessary for the drug discovery process. Gero implements massive medical and genetic data from 15-year biobanks of a large population to create a proprietary database of blood samples as part of rejuvenation therapy. Using this data, the platform identifies the adverse proteins that circulate in a populations' blood whose removal or blockage can lead to recovery from a particular disease. These efforts are aimed at healthspan extension and improved quality of life by addressing chronic aging-related diseases, mental disorders, and other health ailments. Gero's AI platform is currently also being utilized to develop COVID-19 drugs to reduce mortality from complications related to ageing. Additionally, The National University of Singapore has also demonstrated delayed mortality (life-extension) and functional improvements in aged animals after a single experimental treatment. In the future, these new drugs could enable patients to recover after a stroke and could help cancer patients in their fight against accelerated ageing resulting from chemotherapy. New Delhi, Aug 5 : The Delhi Police on Wednesday conducted the videography, photography and physical measurement checks of Shahrukh Pathan, who was caught on camera brandishing a gun at a policeman during the riots in North-East Delhi in February. This was done at the Forensic Science Laboratory in Rohini to confirm his identity. The photograph of the 23-year-old Shahrukh, which showed him pointing a gun at Head Constable Deepak Dahiya, had gone viral. He was arrested on March 3 and was charged by the police on May 1, along with two other alleged accomplices. He is presently lodged in Tihar Jail. The procedure was conducted by the Crime Branch a day after Metropolitan Magistrate Fahad Uddin dismissed an application moved by Shahrukh against a July 29 order passed by the court granting permission to the police to conduct the forensic checks. The police's application referred to Section 5 of the Identification of the Prisoners Act, which alludes to the "power to Magistrate to order a person to be measured or photographed". The court allowed it stating that the procedure is essential for the confirmation of the identity of the accused as well as for the purpose of the investigation. Shahrukh, through an application filed by his advocates Asghar Khan, Abdul Tahir Khan and Tariq Nasir, stated that the prosecution has failed to provide any reasonable requirement for conducting physical measurement, videography and photography. "751 FIRs have been registered in the Delhi riots case and many accused persons were captured on the CCTV footage. However, the said application for conducting physical measurement, videography and photography was moved only in the present case," Pathan's counsel stated in the application. The court, however, noted that, "The present application is without merit and hence dismissed." It nonetheless allowed Shahrukh's counsel Asghar Khan to be present at the FSL and have an interview with him for ten minutes at 10 a.m. on August 5 in the "interest of justice". According to one of Pathan's lawyers, Asghar Khan met Pathan at the FSL on Wednesday after the court's order. Communal violence broke out in North-East Delhi on February 24 after clashes between the citizenship law supporters and protesters spiralled out of control leaving at least 53 people dead and around 200 injured. The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) has released the list of additional exam centres for the CA November 2020 session. The list is available on the website www.icai.org and ICAI has also shared it on its official Twitter page. The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) has released the list of additional exam centres for the CA November 2020 session. The list is available on the website www.icai.org and ICAI has also shared it on its official Twitter page. Important Announcement regarding Additional Examination Centres For more details please click herehttps://t.co/sL46TBwoM0@atulguptagst @JambusariaNihar pic.twitter.com/hccOD5YFuD Institute of Chartered Accountants of India - ICAI (@theicai) August 4, 2020 According to Careers 360, the ICAI has decided to add new examination centres in view of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and in the interest of the wellbeing of students. Ambikapur, Balotra, Kalaburgi (Gulbarga), Raigarh (Chhattisgarh) and Port Blair which were the examination centres for CA Foundation Examination only will now be centres for November 2020 exam too. Times Now reported that CA May 2020 examination has been merged with the November 2020 test. The examination will commence on 1 November and would continue till 18 November. The CA examination will be conducted in 207 cities across the country and in 5 cities abroad. Last month, ICAI has released the schedule for the CA November 2020 examination. The chartered accountants body had said that will be no change in the examination schedule in case of a public holiday declared by the central or state governments. As far as the duration of exams are concerned, papers 3 and 4 of Foundation Examination are of 2 hours while Elective Paper 6 of Final Examination under the new scheme is of 4 hours. All other exams are of 3 hours each. The online application process is open from 5 to 25 August. Candidates can apply after 25 August till 4 September, but they will have to pay a late fee. West End Bake Off will return this summer with a virtual competition for theatre fans. Arts lovers are being encouraged to submit their own home baking endeavours via Twitter and Instagram, using #WEBO2020. The winning entrants will then be decided by Beverley Knight (Sylvia), Alexia McIntosh (Six) and Steven Carter-Bailey, who recently won the Great New Year Bake Off competition. Knight said today: "I am chuffed to be doing my bit to raise money for the Theatre Artists Fund by being a judge on this years Virtual West End Bake off! Seeing as I can't actually taste any of the goodies, I guess I am reluctantly doing my bit for my waistline too, argh! It is brilliant to see that time and time again, our community comes together in times of need and always with an open heart. Good luck to everyone taking part!" The event is supporting the Theatre Support Fund, with entrants encouraged to donate 2 for taking part. Entries are open now and will close at midnight on Sunday 23 August. While the world struggled to fight the novel coronavirus outbreak which evolved into a pandemic, some countries stood out from the rest with their response to the virus that led to low infections and the number of deaths. Countries such as Australia, Vietnam, and the Philippines have been praised due to their clear messaging, effective contact tracing methods, quick response, and effective testing strategies. The said practices have helped said countries prevent a massive outbreak of the disease, CNN reported. However, the same countries who have been celebrated for their response are now witnessing a resurgence in cases of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19). The sudden surge in the wave of cases in these countries which were initially considered as model countries has served as a warning that COVID-19 is a much tougher foe to defeat. Australia It was only a few months ago when Australia has been lauded internationally for its approach to the COVID-19 response. In the early stages of the pandemic, Australia quickly shit of its borders for travelers and foreign visitors from China, the country where the disease first emerged. When the virus was able to penetrate its borders, Australia imposed strict protocols in order to curb the spread of the virus. Early in May, the country's Prime Minister Scott Morrison has already announced their plans to re-open their borders and their economy as the cases started to subside. However, just recently Australia saw a sudden spike in the number of cases in Victoria. The Australian state recorded a single-day count of 671 cases just this Saturday, which prompted the declaration of a "state of emergency" by state premier Daniel Andrews. Read also: Fact Check: Farts Can Spread Coronavirus, Negate Effectiveness of Face Masks Vietnam After only three weeks of lockdown, Vietnam has already decided to lift the social distancing measures imposed on its 97 million residents back in April. Vietnam is one of the countries in the world that was able to control the spread of the virus through its aggressive strategies such as screening passengers in airports and imposing strict monitoring and quarantine measure. The country also began its preparations for the outbreak weeks before it has recorded its first COVID-19 case. Vietnam was also one of the first few countries outside China to implement a large-scale lockdown, back in February. However, after almost three months of not recording any COVID-19 case, last week, the cases in the country began to surge and it has reported its first death. At the moment there are already six deaths and a total of 642 confirmed cases in Vietnam based on the data from Johns Hopkins University. Philippines Earlier this year, the Philippines was praised by the World Health Organization for being able to control the spread of the virus, MSN reported. Several parts of the archipelago were placed under community quarantines in order to mitigate the spread of the virus. Economic activity was halted save for some essential needs. Provinces in the country also imposed travel restrictions. However, as the months passed and restrictions have been lifted, the number of cases in the country started to shoot up. Most of the reported cases in the country were imported into the provinces by Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW), and Locally Stranded Individuals who returned home. At the moment, the countries capital has already re-imposed a "Modified Enhanced Community Quarantine," after healthcare workers pleaded the government to do so in order to regroup and plan effective ways to stop the continued spread of the virus. The coronavirus pandemic has taught the world several things. With the surge of cases in countries that initially handled the outbreak well, it has opened the eyes of the world that as we begin to lower our defenses, the virus may find another opportunity to attack. Related article: Coronavirus Vaccines: Countries Enter Heated Debates on Who Gets It First After Development @ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Korean Reinsurance Company CEO Won Jong-gyu, left, and JC Partners CEO Lee Jong-chul Carlyle Group CEO Kewsong Lee Advertisement Temperatures are set to soar by the end of the week as the mercury reaches a balmy 96F (36C) on Friday - ahead of a week-long roast and a risk of heavy thunderstorms next week. Brits are expected to enjoy highs of 82F (28C) tomorrow before temperatures rise dramatically closer to the weekend. Marco Petagna, a Met Office forecaster, told MailOnline: 'Most areas will be seeing sunny spells and then starting to see temperatures climbing as the warmer air is imported from the continent.' Temperatures are expected to reach the high 90s in parts of the UK when hot weather moves over from Europe on Friday, but Mr Petagna warned it would not be 'wall to wall good weather'. 'Northern Ireland and western Scotland could see heavy rain and thunder,' he added. 'England and Wales will be generally dry. The best of the weather will be across central and south eastern England while Wales will be widely high 70s. 'In the southeast it could be 96F (36C). Last Friday we got to 100F (37.8C) but this week 96F (36C) is the most likely. There is a chance it could be higher but it depends on whether there is patchy cloud.' A boy jumps from a wall into the sea on August 5 in Hastings. Warm weather has returned to parts of the UK with temperatures forecast to rise towards the weekend Children play in the sea as a fishing boat returns from an overnight catch today in Hastings. Brits are expected to enjoy highs of 82F (28C) tomorrow before temperatures rise dramatically closer to the weekend Youngsters jump into the sea from a break wall today in Hastings as they enjoy blue skies and sunshine. Temperatures are expected to reach the high 90s in parts of the UK on Friday The highest temperature reached so far this year was 100F (37.8C), recorded at Heathrow on Friday, July 31. The warm weather will continue into the weekend with Kent seeing highs of 95F (35C) and London enjoying the low 80s on Saturday. Casablanca, in Morocco, is due to see highs of 81F (27C) on Friday, by comparison. While Lisbon has seen recent hot weather, it is expected to have peaked by the weekend with temperatures around 86F (30C). 'Most areas into the weekend look fine, a bit fresher but even then the southeast holds onto high temperatures,' Mr Petagna added. 'Maximum temperatures for Sunday is 86F (30C) in the southeast. The weekend does look mostly dry with lots of sunshine around and heat lingering across the southeast.' But the hot weather is set to abruptly end with a high risk of thunderstorms into next week, according to deputy chief meteorologist, David Oliver. He said the high temperatures would trigger thunderstorms across the UK, but details over exactly where these were likely to form was still unknown. Boaters in the River Thames enjoy the warm afternoon air in Lower Basildon, Berkshire today. Marco Petagna, a Met Office forecaster, told MailOnline Friday could see highs of 96F (36C) Families sit between fishing boats in Hastings. The warm weather will continue into the weekend with Kent seeing highs of 95F (35C) and London enjoying the low 80s on Saturday A man relaxes on the beach in Hastings as others enjoy a dip in the sea. Casablanca, in Morocco, is due to see highs of 81F (27C) on Friday, by comparison A farmer kicks up the dust whilst mowing the long grass in the meadows in Lower Basildon, Berkshire. The hot weather is set to abruptly end with a high risk of thunderstorms into next week, according to deputy chief meteorologist, David Oliver 'Through the weekend there will be plenty of dry and sunny weather for most,' he added. 'The high temperatures could trigger some thunderstorms across parts of the UK by the beginning of next week.' Chief met office meteorologist Dan Suri confirmed a heatwave was set to hit Britain on Friday and Saturday. He said: 'Saturday will likely be another hot day for southern and central parts of the UK, with heatwave conditions possibly being met in parts of southeast England and East Anglia.' It comes after a YouGov poll found 28 per cent of Britons plan to take a holiday in the UK this year - the equivalent of about 19million people - while only nine per cent will go abroad and a further 49 per cent do not intend on holidaying at all. A MetDesk graphic shows the heat coming over from the continent to cause a heatwave in south east England this week Families relaxed as children played on the beach amid high temperatures in Hastings today. High temperatures are expected to trigger thunderstorms across the UK next week, but details over exactly where these are likely to form are still unknown A woman sits next to a pipe on an empty beach in Hastings. Beleaguered Cornish residents reported over the weekend how the popular county had turned into 'Benidorm on steroids' as floods of visitors left them too scared to leave their homes A man dredges a lake clearing it of reeds on a warm day in the countryside in Lower Basildon, Berkshire. The warm weather is set to continue over this week It comes after a drunken fight broke out on the seafront in Brighton on Saturday night as two women went toe-to-toe and others cheered and ignored social distancing And the warm weather will concern local authorities in areas such as Cornwall, Devon, Dorset and Sussex which can expect another huge influx of holidaymakers as people in the UK shun foreign trips to go on staycations. Beleaguered Cornish residents reported over the weekend how the popular county had turned into 'Benidorm on steroids' as floods of visitors left them too scared to leave their homes. Meanwhile Thanet District Council in Kent begged people to avoid four of the area's beaches - including the popular Margate's Main Sands - due to the number of visitors. And a drunken fight broke out on the seafront in Brighton on Saturday night as two women went toe-to-toe and others cheered and ignored social distancing. Over the weekend, street marshals were deployed in Cornwall as tourists poured down narrow streets and flouted social-distancing rules - despite clear warning signs in place. Cornwall Council slammed the 'ignorant' visitors who descended on beauty spots without their face masks, as Britons elsewhere appeared to ignore social distancing rules while gathering at bars. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin testifies during the Senate Small Business and Entrepreneurship Hearings to examine implementation of Title I of the CARES Act, on Capitol Hill in Washington on June 10, 2020. (Kevin Dietsch/Pool/Getty Images) Republicans, Democrats Look to Make Deal on Stimulus Legislation by End of Week Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said that Democrat and Republican lawmakers are attempting to create a deal for a COVID-19 package by the end of the week, coming just days after expanded unemployment benefits expired, while a congressional recess for August is looming. We did try to agree to set a timeline, he said on Aug. 4, according to Fox News. Were going to try to reach an overall agreement, if we can get one, by the end of this week. It came after Mnuchin, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), and White House chief of staff Mark Meadows spent several days attempting to hash out the details and come to a consensus on several key issues, including unemployment insurance benefits, aid to state and local governments, stimulus payments, liability protections, and more. They made some concessions, which we appreciated, Schumer said after the meeting. We made some concessions, which they appreciated. It isnt clear what those concessions might be. This week, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) suggested that the $600 unemployment benefits may be continued if President Donald Trump is on board. Wherever this thing settles between the president of the United States and his team, who has to sign it into law, and the Democrat, not insignificant minority in the Senate and majority in the House, is something Im prepared to support, McConnell told reporters on Aug. 4. Even if I have some problems with certain parts of it. A week before that, McConnell and some other Republican lawmakers proposed $200-per-week unemployment payments before implementing a program that would pay 70 percent of unemployment beneficiaries wages. Hundreds of unemployed Kentucky residents wait in long lines outside the Kentucky Career Center for help with their unemployment claims in Frankfort, Ky., on June 19, 2020. (John Sommers II/Getty Images) We know this is going to be a negotiated settlement, McConnell said, noting that some Republicans will not support this stimulus legislation. Its not going to produce a kumbaya moment like we had back in March and April, where everybody voted aye. But the American people, in the end, need help. Pelosi told reporters in a separate interview that $600-per-week is their requirement, saying that the number could drop if unemployment numbers drop. Were not saying to the American people, more people are infected, more people are dying, more people are uninsured, more children are hunger-insecure, or food-insecure, and guess what? Were going to cut your benefit, Pelosi told PBS. Trump, meanwhile, has said that he might have to issue an executive order if Republicans and Democrats cant come to an agreement in the near future. I have a lot of powers with respect to executive orders, and were looking at that very seriously right now, he told reporters at a White House briefing this week. Ill do it myself if I have to. MEXICO CITY (AP) Unidentified assailants opened fire on the offices of a newspaper in the Mexican city of Iguala Tuesday, two days after a journalist from another outlet was killed there along with a policeman protecting him. The prosecutors' office in the southern state of Guerrero said nobody was injured in the attack, which affected the facade of the newspapers offices. The newspaper Diario de Iguala said nobody was working at the offices because of the coronavirus lockdown. The paper said in a statement that it does not publish stories on crime and violence, topics that sometimes anger gangs. But it did say it had been forced by economic circumstances to handle printing jobs for other papers, and stressed it wasnt responsible for their editorial content. We energetically condemn the attack on the Diario de Iguala. Guaranteeing freedom of expression and social peace is the Mexican government's priority, Interior Secretary Olga Sanchez Cordero wrote in her Twitter account. Iguala has long been the scene of drug gang violence. In 2014, corrupt police officers kidnapped 43 students from a local teachers' college and handed them over to a gang, which allegedly killed them and burned their bodies. On Sunday, journalist Pablo Morrugares and a state police officer guarding him were at a restaurant in Iguala when they were killed in a hail of bullets. Authorities found 55 shell casings from assault rifles at the scene. The killers apparently opened fire from a passing vehicle. Morrugares was director of the P.M Noticias Guerrero web site, which does frequently report on the gang violence. Local media reported that threats against Morrugares had been displayed in the past on banners hung by roadsides, a tactic frequently used by drug gangs in Mexico. Morrugares and his wife had survived a previous attack in 2016, and he was subsequently give a police escort. Morrugares was the fifth journalist to be killed in Mexico this year, in attacks which are increasingly killing police guards assigned to the victims. More than 140 journalists have been killed over the past 20 years. Michael Flynn, President Donald Trump's former national security adviser, leaves the federal court with his lawyer Sidney Powell following a status conference with Judge Emmet Sullivan in Washington on Sept. 10, 2019. (Manuel Balce Ceneta/AP Photo) Appeals Court Asks Whether Flynn Judge Should Recuse Himself, Order Indicates The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit has ordered former Trump adviser Lt. Gen. Michael Flynn as well as the judge presiding over his case to prepare arguments on whether the judge should recuse himself for partiality or for becoming a party to the case. The order highlights the anomalous state of the case. Both Flynn and the prosecutors nearly three months ago agreed that the criminal information against himallegedly lying to the FBIshould be dismissed. But District Judge Emmet Sullivan refuses to do so. The appeals courts three-judge panel ordered Sullivan to accept the case dismissal in June, but he appealed for a rehearing before the full court of 11 judges. The appeals court vacated the three-judge order on July 30 and set a hearing for Aug. 11. In its subsequent order on Aug. 5, the court told Flynn and Sullivan to be prepared to address at oral argument the effect, if any, of 28 U.S.C. Sections 455(a) and 455(b)(5)(i) on Sullivans petition for rehearing. The parts of the statute listed by the court stated that a judge shall disqualify himself in any proceeding in which his impartiality might reasonably be questioned and also when he is a party to the proceeding. The order underlines Sullivans catch-22 situation, both Flynn and the Department of Justice (DOJ) noted in their written responses to his petition. Only people with a personal stake in the proceedings can seek appellate review, the DOJ wrote in its July 20 response. A judge does not haveand under the [Constitutions] Due Process Clause, cannot havesuch a stake, the department stated. Flynns lawyers noted in his response that if Sullivan indeed has a personal stake in the case, it would disqualify him as its judge. Flynn was head of the Defense Intelligence Agency during the Obama administration and former national security adviser to President Donald Trump. In 2017, he pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI. In January, he moved to withdraw the plea. In May, the DOJ moved to dismiss the case after a review uncovered documents suggesting the FBI questioned Flynn solely to elicit false statements from him, rather than for a legitimate investigative purpose. A motion to dismiss usually marks the end of a case, but instead of granting it, Sullivan suggested he would allow third parties to weigh in on the dismissal. Flynns lawyer moved to oppose third-party involvement, but Sullivan dismissed the motion. Flynn responded by asking the appeals court for an extraordinary intervention (writ of mandamus). Sullivan doubled down and appointed former federal Judge John Gleeson as an amicus curiae (friend of the court), tasking him to develop arguments against the case dismissal. He then ordered a hearing on the matter. Just days before his appointment, Gleeson had co-authored an op-ed arguing for Sullivans launching a full, adversarial inquiry into the dismissal and possibly denying it and sentencing Flynn. The appeals courts three-judge panel, in a split 21 decision, granted Flynns mandamus, saying Sullivans planned hearing would have been damaging to the executive branch as it would likely require the Executive to reveal the internal deliberative process behind its exercise of prosecutorial discretion. Because the Constitution leaves charging decisions to the executive, a hearing on dismissal motion is only appropriate in some rare cases, which Flynns is plainly not and cannot be used as an occasion to superintend the prosecutions charging decisions, stated the opinion, authored by Judge Neomi Rao, a Trump appointee. In vacating the decision, the appeals court signaled that the majority of the judges werent convinced. It ordered that the parties should be prepared to address whether there are no other adequate means to attain the relief desired. Seven of the 11 active judges were appointed by Democrat presidents. In addition, one Trump appointee, Judge Gregory Katsas, recused himself from the case. Judicial decisions dont always break along party lines. The Flynn case, however, has drawn political controversy, particularly since the emergence of evidence indicating that both then-President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden were personally involved in the case. Documents show that Obama discussed the case with the director of the FBI and a top Justice Department official in January 2017, a day after investigators at the FBI intended to dismiss the case but were held off by the higher-ups. Ivan Pentchoukov contributed to this report. Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-05 18:27:13|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close ISLAMABAD, Aug. 5 (Xinhua) -- Pakistan's army said on Wednesday that a civilian was killed while six others were injured in Indian forces' firing along the Line of Control (LoC) in the disputed Kashmir region. "Indian Army troops initiated unprovoked ceasefire violation along LoC targeting civil population in Hot Spring sector," a statement from the army's media wing, the Inter-Services Public Relations said. An 18-year-old girl, resident of Fatehpur village was killed while six others including two women and two girls got injured in Fatehpur and Tahi villages, according to the statement. "Pakistan Army troops responded effectively and targeted those posts which initiated fire," the statement further said. Pakistan and India had declared a ceasefire along the LoC, the de facto border between both countries in the disputed Kashmir region and the working boundary in 2003. However, both sides routinely exchange fire and accuse each other of ceasefire violations. Tension has been heightened after India lifted special status for the Indian-controlled Kashmir in August last year. In its reaction, Pakistan downgraded its diplomatic relations, suspended trade relations and train service with India. Enditem Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 5) Farm production inched up in the second quarter of the year backed by higher crops and fisheries output, the Philippine Statistics Authority said on Wednesday. The agriculture industry eked out a 0.5 percent growth in output for the second quarter of the year compared to the downward-revised 1.4 percent decrease in the same period last year, and a revised 1.7 percent contraction in the first quarter of 2020. Value of production in the sector was higher by 4.6 percent to 439.8 billion from the previous year. The latest data brought first-half farm output to a slight contraction of 0.6 percent, from a contraction of 0.5 percent in the first semester of 2019. Agriculture Secretary William Dar said they are happy with the current data as they were expecting a significant contraction for the industry. It is an uphill target because of the pandemic. We hope to achieve around1.5 percent [for the whole year 2020], he said. RCBC chief economist Michael Ricafort told CNN Philippines that the slight gain may be due to lower base from last year, and some areas of the industry being allowed to operate despite quarantine restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Per subsector, crops, which accounted for 53.7 percent of total output, grew by 5 percent driven by a 7.1 percent increase in palay (paddy rice) production, while corn production grew 15.4 percent. From January to June, the subsector recorded a 1.1 percent growth. Higher production levels were also recorded in sugarcane (100.3 percent); cacao (5.6 percent); sweet potato (4.9 percent); tobacco (3.3 percent); and tomato (3.2 percent.) Philippine Institute for Development Studies Research Fellow Roehlano Briones told CNN Philippines that the latest data was contrary to what he was expecting, which was a slight decline. He said this could imply that the industry is more resilient to the effects of the health crisis compared to other sectors, noting good performance of crops and fisheries. However, specifically for corn, he noted that the growth may be a recovery from the effect of the fall army worm outbreak in 2019. On the other hand, declines were reported in major crops like calamansi (19.5 percent), onion (6.8 percent), potato (5.3 percent), cassava (3.8 percent), abaca (3.3 percent), and coffee (3.1 percent.) Its value of production was at 237.8 billion, up 13.6 percent for the second quarter 2019. Another subsector that reported growth was fisheries, which inched up 0.9 percent and accounted for 16 percent of total output. For the first semester, it logged a 0.7 percent decline. Bali sardinella, skipjack, roundscad, and cavalla recorded increased production, while others like fimbriated sardines, Indian mackerel, squid, big-eyed scad, frigate tuna, blue crab, and tilapia reported lower production during the period. Value of fisheries production dropped 2.6 percent to 73.1 billion versus the previous year. Meanwhile, livestock, which contributed 17.3 percent to total production, reported an 8.5 decline, with an overall contraction of 4.5 percent in the first half of the year. Production of hog, cattle, carabao, and goat reported high decreases. In contrast, dairy production saw an improvement. In nominal terms, its value of production declined 7.4 percent to 73.8 billion. Poultry also recorded a decline of 4.7 percent, with a contribution of 13 percent to total output. In the first half, the subsector dropped 2.3 percent. Production of chicken, duck, and duck eggs declined, while increased production was reported for chicken eggs. Total value of poultry production dropped 2.6 percent to 55.1 billion. Both Briones and Ricafort associated the contractions to the quarantine restrictions the the government implemented starting in mid-March. Ricafort noted lower demand from main markets of these subsectors like restaurants and fast foods, which led to the lower growth. Briones said it could have been worse for these two sectors. Specifically for livestock, he said its quarantine restrictions might have helped in controlling the spread of African Swine Fever since movement is restricted. For poultry, excess inventory caused by softer demand and limited mobility led to reduction in production, Briones said. For the coming months, Briones said he is projecting modest growth for all subsectors and the industry as a whole. Very modest. Another mildly positive performance for the third quarter even for the year, he said. As for Ricafort, further opening of the economy would lead some recovery in demand for agricultural products in the coming months as people stock pile and eat more at home. Gov. Andrew Cuomo has defended the decision to keep New Yorks four commercial casinos closed for more than four months. Last week, he said casinos arent needed to maintain survival. But that sentiment hasnt extended to a relatively small group of state employees who are assigned to Native American-run casinos. The state Gaming Commission confirmed Tuesday that these workers, who are employed as gaming inspectors, are back on the job. A source with knowledge of the inspectors work told The Citizen that they returned when the Oneida and Seneca nations began reopening their casinos in June. Because the casinos are on sovereign land, they arent subject to the states directive. The inspectors, the source added, have concerns. While the Native American casinos included health and safety guidelines in reopening plans, the inspectors worry about the number of people allowed in the casinos and the lack of mask compliance. The state employees, the source confirmed, are provided masks and other personal protective equipment. The Civil Service Employees Association, a union representing the state gaming inspectors, has provided masks and face coverings for the members, according to a spokesperson. We hope that the public continues to comply with mask and social distancing requirements as well as the temperature checks to ensure patrons and staff remain healthy during this pandemic, said Nicholas Newcomb, a CSEA communications specialist. Our safety and health department has worked hand-in-hand with members to make sure any return to work questions and concerns are properly addressed. When asked by The Citizen what protections are in place for the inspectors, a state Gaming Commission responded by email, Each of the assigned state employees are following the guidance and guidelines issued by the N.Y. State Department of Health. Even though the establishments are on tribal land, the state Gaming Commission explains on its website that it maintains a constant 24-hour presence at the Class III Native American casinos. Class III gaming, according to the Indian Gaming Regulation Act, includes facilities with slot machines, table games and other forms of wagering. The role of the inspectors is to ensure the fair and honest operation of such gaming activities. The state also performs background checks on casino employees and entities that do business with the casino to ensure their suitability, the commissions website states. But the inspectors returning to work at Native American casinos highlights the disconnect between their status and the states policy regarding its commercial casinos. The four casinos del Lago, Resorts World Catskills, Rivers Casino in Schenectady and Tioga Downs Casino Resort have been closed since March 16. At the time of the shutdown, which was done in partnership with other states, Cuomo said the goal was to prevent the spread of COVID-19. When the state implemented its phased reopening plan in May, the casinos were uncertain where they would be included in the process. Despite speculation they would be included in the later phases, the casinos werent one of the eligible businesses that could reopen in any phase. In early July, Cuomo said the state was continuing to study when and how casinos could reopen. Last week, he offered no timetable for the reopening of casinos. Its an issue of density, the likelihood of compliance and the essential nature of the business, he said. Politics reporter Robert Harding can be reached at (315) 282-2220 or robert.harding@lee.net. Follow him on Twitter @robertharding. Love 0 Funny 1 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 2 Jeffrey Blackwell, step-grandson of Councilwoman Jannie Blackwell, talks on the phone inside the lobby before he leaves the federal courthouse in Center City in September 2019. He pleaded guilty Wednesday to soliciting bribes while working as a city employee. Read more A former city employee with a name prominent in Philadelphia politics admitted in federal court Wednesday that he solicited bribes from those seeking assistance in obtaining municipal permits. Jeffrey Blackwell, step-grandson of former City Councilmember Jannie L. Blackwell, sought payoffs from customers of a contracting business he ran on the side while he was employed as a deputy director in the City Controllers Office. He told U.S. District Judge Chad F. Kenney on Wednesday that he used his position to wring more than $22,000 in bribes from homeowners and business people seeking an inside track with the Department of Licenses and Inspections. In exchange for Blackwells guilty plea to bribery and tax fraud charges, prosecutors agreed to recommend a prison term of roughly two years at his Dec. 3 sentencing hearing. Blackwell, 47, of Roxborough, will also have to pay more than $28,000 in restitution. Blackwells attorney, Rossman D. Thompson, did not immediately return requests for comment after Wednesdays hearing. Philadelphians deserve public employees who do their jobs honestly and faithfully, U.S. Attorney William M. McSwain said in a statement. Blackwell did not meet this standard instead choosing to use his public position to extort money for himself. Now he will face the consequences. The former councilmember who lost the seat she held representing West Philadelphia for nearly three decades to Jamie Gauthier last year has referred to the younger Blackwell as like a son, but said she did not recommend him for his job in the Controllers Office. Their relationship stems from her 1972 marriage to the late Democratic U.S. Rep. Lucien Blackwell. Jeffrey Blackwells nine-year tenure under then-City Controller Alan Butkovitz ended in 2015, when he resigned following a Fox29 report that raised questions about his side contracting work. Several customers said Blackwell had cheated them out of money while using his position in city government to earn their trust. Prosecutors say Blackwell leaned on his government ties not only to extort customers but also to draw in new business, promising at least one of his victims that he could get anything needed at a price. Vowing he could smooth the regulatory process for a furniture seller who needed permits for temporary storage while renovating his business, or a pair of body-shop owners seeking a city contract to install decals on police vehicles, he encouraged prospective clients to choose his contracting business over less well-connected companies. Most of the five victims whose stories were highlighted in filings accompanying Blackwells plea Wednesday said Blackwell never delivered on anything including permits for home renovations and plumbing work, and a license to sell used cars. And yet, IRS investigators believe he managed to take in roughly $15,000 in bribes in 2014 alone. Blackwells plea came after a years-long investigation by the FBI, the IRS and the City Controllers Office, now led by Rebecca Rhynhart. He was first charged June 2019 with tax violations that included falsely claiming the 70-year-old father-in-law of his tax preparer as a dependent on his 2013 tax forms, and failing to file tax returns in the following two years. The bribery counts came in a superseding indictment a month later. Rhynhart has said she has overhauled the investigative staff of the citys primary auditing arm since taking the helm in 2017 to ensure a higher standard of professionalism. This case is one of a bad actor who abused his position and took advantage of the system for his own personal gain, she said Wednesday. When offenders, like this one, are held accountable, were taking an important step toward restoring the publics trust in government, and committing to the idea that Philadelphia works for everyone, not just the connected. TOWN OF NORWAY Malchine Farms has experienced its share of challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic, such as the fluctuating prices of crops. Those issues the owners discussed Monday with U.S. Rep. Bryan Steil, who represents Racine County in Congress. Malchine Farms was also supposed to host a breakfast on the farm this summer, but that was canceled due to COVID. They are hoping to host it next year. Kevin Malchine, co-owner and operator, told Steil that Wisconsin dairy farmers, who have been struggling through the pandemic, have seen a positive impact from the United States-Mexico-Canada Trade Agreement (USMCA), which went into effect July 1. This, Steil said, is thanks to cheese and Mexico, as a majority of milk produced in Wisconsin is used to make cheese, which is a large export to Mexico. The dairy industry has struggled recently, with the trade war with China creating fluctuating prices as well as the pandemic, which left some farmers dumping their milk. The Malchines, who harvest soy beans and corn, work together during harvest time, which they say generally involves 14-18 hours a day for about five weeks. Mike operates the combine harvesting the grains while Kevin drives the trucks transporting the grains where they need to go for storage or transport. They have experienced fluctuation in corn prices due to ethanol prices, which they say have fallen back to the prices that were being seen in the 80s. We can probably get around three bucks and we got three bucks in the 80s when that (equipment) didnt cost half a million dollars a piece, Kevin said. Malchine Farms, which has been in operation since 1854, is a cash-crop operation which is owned and operated by Kevin along with Mike Malchine, though they were in the dairy business until 1995. It was either go big or go home, Mike said, referencing the change. Thanks to new equipment, Kevin said farmers are able to be much more efficient and environmentally conscious. During the tour, Kevin pulled out an iPad and an app connected to some of the farm equipment. The app showed GPS renderings of a field of a yield map that shows just how much of the field the combine had worked on. In the case of fertilizers or pesticides, Kevin said the map allows them to know what has been done and what still needs attending to, so they arent covering the same spot twice or spray an area that doesnt need treatment. Kevin also said that technology is evolving to the point where farmers will be able to selectively spray a weed in their fields, even if it is in close proximity to crop plants. Rep. Steil pointed out that farming supports many other areas of life, including local manufacturers. In the case of Malchine Farms, they enable Case International Harvester equipment, New Holland equipment and a Leeson motor. Some of the Case and New Holland equipment has been produced by the CNH Industrial manufacturing plant in Racine while the Leeson motor is produced at Regal Beloit. This motor is a Leeson motor, Steil said. So, I worked at Regal Beloit and Regal Beloit makes Leeson motors. Due to the support farming lends the community, Steil stressed the importance of supporting farmers. For Steil that has meant the USMCA as well as creating more options for Wisconsin farmers to export their products. In particular, Steil said he has been working on a project to revitalize the port in Milwaukee and pushing for a break in the European Union. Then that opportunity to take that product from here in Racine County, get it to the port in Milwaukee, which is a reasonably short distance, get it on a container through St. Lawrence Seaway and all the way to Europe, and it would be really beneficial, I think, to farmers in Racine and farmers across Wisconsin, Steil said. And ultimately everybody helps, right, so it comes all the way back to if you get a better product youre going to buy a new Case, youre going to buy a Regal Beloit motor and its going to go all the way down the line and all of these people are going to benefit if we get trade deals with these countries. Love 1 Funny 1 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. With the goal of connecting students to Harvard University student instructors, experienced faculty, and well-known thought leaders around the world, Harvard Student Agencies (HSA) has collaborated with Learn with Leaders to launch three exclusive programs for Indian high-school students (grades 9- 12). "We are so excited to partner with Learn with Leaders to bring our courses to India," said Austin Kwoun, Managing Director of The Academies, the academic enrichment programs organized by HSA. "We're proud to offer curricula that allow students to explore various pre-professional fields, and we hope that the students in attendance can leave the programs feeling enriched and invigorated about their professional futures," added Austin. "This partnership will provide high school students in India an opportunity to learn from and get mentored by students at Harvard University. What is unique about these programs is that they are highly interactive and have small class sizes, which ensures students get individual attention. We started to Learn with Leaders with the aim to help students gain international networks that get enabled through these unique programs. Many students in India may not get the opportunity to study abroad, and our vision is to bring them the best right here in the country," said Gunjan Aggarwal, Co-founder, Learn with Leaders. "I love working with students, and the HSA programs provide students great learning experience. There was no one to guide me when I turned entrepreneur; so what drives me is that I can be helpful to students in high school. At Learn with Leaders, we focus on curating exclusive learning programs spanning diverse subject areas and skills that students need in order to succeed in a dynamic environment. By exposing students to different ideas in high school we hope to foster interest in multiple domains that could lead to more informed choices in the future," shared Shubham Gupta, Co-founder, Learn with Leaders. The three programs that are being launched: * Young Leaders in Innovation and Entrepreneurship Program 2020 Learn the fundamentals of launching a new business: from idea generation, market research, and business plans and pitches to competitive analysis and fund generation. * Young Tech Leaders 2020 - Introduction to Python Learn the fundamentals of Python. Get the knowledge, guidance, and resources to understand the basic functions of code, and create their own video game in Python. * Young Future Global Leaders 2020 A program in international relations and global affairs. Spark an interest in international careers through basic learning in world affairs and diplomacy. Helping students understand and acquire knowledge of world politics and international affairs. For more information on the programs, visit: http://learnwithleaders.com/harvardstudentagenciesprograms https://www.academies.hsa.net/learn-with-leaders This story is provided by BusinessWire India. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of this article. DISCLAIMER (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Walt Disney Co on Tuesday avoided the unmitigated disaster some investors feared as it eked out an adjusted profit amid the coronavirus pandemic that shut down parks, movie theaters and sporting events across the globe. Disney's quarterly profit of 8 cents per share on an adjusted basis beat expectations for a loss of 64 cents, sending the stock up 5 per cent in after-market trade. The company took a nearly $5 billion charge due to the pandemic and shifting media habits. Covid-19 wiped out $3.5 billion in operating profit in the parks division. "The ... An external investigation of the Canadian Museum for Human Rights concluded the federal institution suffers from a culture burdened by "pervasive and systemic" racism that has gone unaddressed by senior management for years. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 5/8/2020 (531 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. An external investigation of the Canadian Museum for Human Rights concluded the federal institution suffers from a culture burdened by "pervasive and systemic" racism that has gone unaddressed by senior management for years. Review of racism within museum unsurprising Click to Expand John Woods / Winnipeg Free Press Files The Canadian Museum for Human Rights tops the list of tourism highlights in Manitoba. Posted: 7:00 PM Aug. 5, 2020 There are many reasons to be concerned about Winnipeg lawyer Laurelle Harris' damning external review of the Canadian Museum for Human Rights. But hardly anyone, and that includes the museum's leadership, should be shocked. Pauline Rafferty, the CMHR board chair who is serving as interim president and CEO, called the findings of the Harris report "troubling," "concerning" and "disturbing." She did not use the word shocked, but she certainly intimated that as a long-time member of the senior management of the museum, she was somewhat taken aback. Read Full Story Interim president and chief executive officer Pauline Rafferty, who also serves as board chairwoman, apologized Wednesday, saying CMHR and its board have accepted the findings of the report authored by Winnipeg lawyer Laurelle Harris. "(The Harris report) is troubling. It's very concerning. It's very disturbing," Rafferty said in an interview. "I could go on, but we have accepted that. "What I see is a huge opportunity for this organization to actually clearly recognize our shortcomings and implement good, anti-racist policies and procedures covering everything to do with the museum." The 72-page document, titled "Rebuilding the Foundation," dives into the internal culture of the CMHR from 2014 when the national museum first opened until now. Harris interviewed more than 25 current and former staff, including former CEO and president John Young, who resigned shortly after allegations of racist and discriminatory behaviour and attitudes among employees came to light in June. The report found many staff were traumatized by instances of systemic racism, and suffered from eroded physical and emotional health. Winnipeg artist Gabriella Aguero worked at the museum from 2017-19 as a tour guide and program developer. She left after months of what she called "bullying and abuse" by a manager. Aguero said the report does a good job at confirming many of the concerns previously publicized by former employees, largely on social media, and by the group CMHR Stop Lying. A request for comment from CMHR Stop Lying was not returned Wednesday. Download CMHR Phase One Report Still, Aguero said, more needs to be said about how mostly white curatorial and exhibit staff ignored and disparaged racialized people, many of whom have experience with human rights abuses. "Most of the curatorial staff have no idea what human rights are really about," said Aguero, who came to Canada from Argentina in the mid-1980s after experiencing a military coup. "They mostly do not have any lived experiences in the issues that are being examined in the museum." Harris found evidence front-facing staff, in particular, were victims of sexism, heterosexism, transphobia and homophobia. There were also incidents of sexual harassment that "may not have been investigated or addressed adequately." The report also noted employees who identified as Black, Indigenous and people of colour said they were paid less than white employees and passed over for promotions and new positions in favour of white candidates. MIKAELA MACKENZIE / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS "What I see is a huge opportunity for this organization to actually clearly recognize our shortcomings and implement good, anti-racist policies and procedures covering everything to do with the museum," said Pauline Rafferty, acting president and CEO of the Canadian Museum of Human Rights. Marianne Hladun, Prairie region executive vice-president with the Public Service Alliance of Canada, said the Harris report only provides a small snapshot of organizational culture at the national museum. "One of the things that we have said from the very beginning, is that while the CEO may be gone, a lot of the managers are still there," Hladun said. "Right now, the feeling from many employees is that with those managers still there they do not feel that it is safe to bring issues forward. "If they truly want an open culture and they want to make change, they need to take a look and make sure people in management positions are the right people to be there." Hladun noted the 44 recommendations made in the report look good on paper, but many staff remain skeptical such actions will be taken, and trust between staff and management has been broken. "(The Harris report) is troubling. It's very concerning. It's very disturbing." Interim president and chief executive officer Pauline Rafferty "If there is a desire to move down that path, employees need to be involved, the union needs to be involved," she said, adding labour has been calling for anti-oppression training for all employees as part of ongoing collective bargaining. The Harris report confirmed allegations LGBTTQ+ content was deliberately concealed or omitted from one group tour in 2015, and on six occasions in 2017. Among the 44 recommendations, the report calls on the federal government to ensure diversity on the museum's board of directors, including at least one Black person, one Indigenous person, and one person from the LGBTTQ+ community. Branded According to an external review made public Wednesday, staff at the Canadian Museum for Human Rights who persisted in efforts to address racism in the workplace were penalized, some being branded by management as troublemakers," difficult or angry." BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, people of colour) employees reported being passed over repeatedly for promotion in favour of equally or less qualified white candidates. For example, one man of colour, who holds a masters degree in law, teaches at two universities and speaks four languages, had never been promoted. One Black employee who started as a host (an entry-level position) prior to the opening of the museum reported she was paid $2/hr less than all but one other host for more than two years. When she discovered this and advised her manager, she was told she could have negotiated for more. With the help of a white colleague, she pursued the matter through human resources, and eventually received back pay. click to read more According to an external review made public Wednesday, staff at the Canadian Museum for Human Rights who persisted in efforts to address racism in the workplace were penalized, some being branded by management as troublemakers," difficult or angry." BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, people of colour) employees reported being passed over repeatedly for promotion in favour of equally or less qualified white candidates. For example, one man of colour, who holds a masters degree in law, teaches at two universities and speaks four languages, had never been promoted. One Black employee who started as a host (an entry-level position) prior to the opening of the museum reported she was paid $2/hr less than all but one other host for more than two years. When she discovered this and advised her manager, she was told she could have negotiated for more. With the help of a white colleague, she pursued the matter through human resources, and eventually received back pay. More than one BIPOC employee reported differential enforcement of the dress code at the museum. In one instance, several Indigenous employees had each been given lanyards specially beaded for them and carried traditional knowledge in the pattern. One woman was singled out for breaching the dress code and was not permitted to wear her beaded lanyard (the museum issues a standard blue lanyard). When she lent the beaded lanyard to a white colleague to wear, the white colleague was permitted to do so. Another example: a Black employee was repeatedly and progressively disciplined for wearing the same dress pants as a number of white women she worked with. BIPOC program interpreters reported near-daily microaggressions and explicitly racist comments from the public on a regular basis, including while they were leading VIP, stakeholder and donor tours, without intervention from management when present. Concerns expressed with respect to hiring practices included: some racialized staff had applied for promotions repeatedly and in every instance a white person was hired for the position; there was a culture of favouritism within management; non-racialized staff engaged in social networking with persons in different levels of management and leveraged those connections to obtain promotions; official language requirements for certain positions were set unnecessarily high, resulting in otherwise qualified racialized candidates being screened out; an employee was advised there would be trouble if they gave a BIPOC former colleague a good reference. source: Canadian Museum for Human Rights external review Close Harris also recommended Ottawa ensure that the next CEO be someone from the BIPOC community. The CMHR is a Canadian Crown Corporation. In a written statement to the Free Press, Minister of Canadian Heritage Steven Guilbeault said concrete actions have to be taken to address discriminatory practices and rebuild trust with employees and the public. "It starts with targeting problematic behaviours, and requires a continuous questioning of individual and institutional biases," Guilbeault said. "Organizations, including governmental agencies, must now turn words into action. To that end, we are also looking into the reports recommendations to the government and will have more to say once we have appointed a new CEO." According to the report, staff who tried to confront and change racist attitudes were discouraged, ignored or disparaged by senior management which, "does not appear to have sufficient knowledge of foundational concepts about racism." Harris wrote that in her interview with the former CEO, Young failed to "express any appreciation of the gravity of the concerns raised with respect to racism," and didnt acknowledge the validity of any claims and accepted no personal responsibility for the environment at the museum. "The efforts of staff racialized and nonracialized to change the institution from within in the face of what was, and remains, pervasive institutional racism were generally unsuccessful." Mena Gainpaulsingh, CEO of the fundraising arm Friends of Canadian Museum for Human Rights, sent a letter to financial supporters Wednesday acknowledging, "This has been a difficult period for everyone and that the process of rebuilding trust with all those who have been hurt will be long and challenging." A request for an interview with Gainpaulsingh was not returned Wednesday. Calls to major financial supporters and sponsors of the museum were also not returned. 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. Manitoba Metis Federation president David Chartrand said the MMF will continue to support the mission of the CMHR; the MMF is listed as a "champion" of the organization on the Friends of CMHR website. Chartrand added the relationship between the MMF and CMHR was only recently mended, after the federation threatened to boycott the organization six years ago. "Theres still that belief in my heart that its going to work thats what this museum is about, to continue to educate and educate until everybody gets a grip on it," he said. "Were patient and we have to work together on this. "We should never give up on the human rights museum." with files from Dan Lett danielle.dasilva@freepress Belarus Begins Early Voting In Contentious Presidential Election August 04, 2020 Early voting has begun in Belarus in a contentious presidential election set for August 9 that pits authoritarian leader Alyaksandr Lukashenka against an opposition united around a political novice. The Central Election Commission said on August 4 that the country's almost 7 million eligible voters could cast ballots at 5,767 polling stations set up in public spaces including medical facilities and army barracks and at 44 polling stations abroad. Lukashenka, who has been in power since 1994, is seeking to extend his rule for another five-year term. His main challenger is 37-year-old Svyatlana Tsikhanouskaya, an English translator who is running in place of her jailed husband. The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), which carries out international election and conflict monitoring, has not recognized any elections in Belarus as free and fair since 1995. Tsikhanouskaya said she expected Lukashenka's supporters to seek to falsify the election results and called on citizens to vote on August 9 -- when more observers are present -- to reduce election fraud. The election commission has said that no more than three observers can be present at each polling station during early voting due to the coronavirus pandemic and only five will be permitted to oversee ballot boxes on August 9. The OSCE said it will not send observers to the vote this year after Belarus failed to issue an invitation in time. Based on reporting by AFP and TASS Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/belarus- begins-early-voting-in-contentious- presidential-election/30765974.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 Some of Australia's most elite universities are being forced to dumb down their lectures for foreign students who cannot understand English out of fear they will complain in large and 'highly organised' groups, lecturers have claimed. The University of Sydney alone has received 135 complaints about academic assessment last year, and said a significant number of them involved allegations of unfair marking. One anonymous professor at a leading Sydney university said even the slightest issue with exams could lead to joint complaints signed by 100 aggrieved students. 'International students didn't used to be organised but in the past two years that has all changed,' the professor told The Australian. Some of Australia's most elite universities are being forced to dumb down their curriculum, academics have claimed. UNSW (pictured) denied receiving any of the large-scale complaints He added international students tend to study in a very narrow manner using exams from previous years, and complain when the next year's assessment is not the same. 'The trade-off is clear. It is actually easier for us to adapt to these students' expectations,' he said. 'We know they'll give us very good evaluations, and then we're not going to get into trouble and we are even going to be praised.' He said lecturers often then find it easier to give students positive evaluations than have meetings with superiors about exams being perceived as too difficult. A spokeswoman for the Camperdown-based university told Daily Mail Australia staff encourage students to prepare for their exams more effectively in cases where a complaint has been made only because the assessment was unusually difficult. Pictured: University of Sydney professor Salvatore Babones. He said controversial college courses allow students who previously only had a loose understanding of English to attend university in just a year University of Sydney professor Salvatore Babones claimed foreign students could enroll at the institution by first being accepted by the city's Taylors College with only a modest and partial ability to speak English. He said students have to understand English at an IELTS [International English Language Testing System] level of five to get a place at Taylors College, which then uses its own assessment criteria to determine if their language skills have improved enough to meet the university's standards. Sydney University's standard accepted IELTS is 6.5, although some courses advertised on its website require a score of 7.0 - defined as 'good'. 'You dont have to get up to a 7.0 at Taylors College. You have to get up to a level they deem to be a 7.0,' he said. 'They reassure students that in the past almost everybody has gone on to study their desired course we know the success rate is about 95 per cent. 'The real issue is that the university does not say whether international students have been to Taylors College so we don't know if they have been there.' A parliamentary inquiry led by the NSW government is scheduled to raise issues surrounding the courses, known as pathway programs. Students at the University of New South Wales. The University of Sydney said they had received a significant number of them involved allegations of unfair marking Other universities including the University of New South Wales have denied being subject to large-scale letter-writing campaigns. International students contribute $40billion annually to Australia's economy and support up to 250,000 jobs. Modelling released by the Australian sector's peak body estimates revenues will drop by $16billion over the next three years because of the reduction in global travel due to the coronavirus pandemic. Daily Mail Australia has contacted the University of Sydney, UNSW and Taylors College for further comment. At present, foreign students are not allowed to fly into Australia because of the international travel ban, which began on March 18. New Delhi: India on Wednesday (August 5) strongly rejected Chinese comments on Jammu and Kashmir, advising China not to comment on "internal matters". In response to a media query on Chinese MFA spokespersons comment on Indian Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, official spokesperson, Ministry of External Affairs, Anurag Srivastava said. "We have noted the comments of the Chinese MFA spokesperson on the Indian Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir." "The Chinese side has no locus standi whatsoever on this matter and is advised not to comment on the internal affairs of other nations," Srivastava added. India's reaction came hours after a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson in Beijing said that any unilateral change to status quo of Jammu and Kashmir is illegal and invalid. The Chinese spokesperson made the comments following a question by a Pakistani correspondent on the completion of one year of the revocation of special status to Jammu and Kashmir and its bifurcation into two union territories--Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh. On Tuesday, the MEA also hit out at Pakistan's new political map. The MEA said, "We have seen a so-called "political map of Pakistan that has been released by Prime Minister Imran Khan. This is an exercise in political absurdity, laying untenable claims to territories in the Indian State of Gujarat and our Union Territories of Jammu & Kashmir and of Ladakh. These ridiculous assertions have neither legal validity nor international credibility." "In fact, this new effort only confirms reality of Pakistans obsession with territorial aggrandisement supported by cross-border terrorism," it added. A Seattle police officer photographs graffiti that says "kill SPD" at the King County Juvenile Detention Center in Seattle, Wash., on July 25, 2020. (Jason Redmond/AFP via Getty Images) Seattle Proposals Aim to Abolish Police, Jail, and Youth Detention Seattle, Washington, has been laying out plans to abolish its police department as the wider county lays out a path to getting rid of the regions largest jail and abolish juvenile detention. The city plans to replace the police department with a civilian led Department of Community Safety & Violence Prevention, according to a resolution published last week. A majority of the City Council has endorsed defunding the department, though latest developments suggest at least a slowdown of the plan. In a series of budgetary proposals, the council plans to cut police staff by about 8 percent this year. The proposals appear to have enough support to pass, according to The Seattle Times, and the council has promised to go further next year with around a 40 percent cut to the police budget. Eight of the nine-member council are Democrats, while one is a member of the Socialist Alternative, a self-described Marxist revolutionary party. Meanwhile, Seattle has had a growing violence problem. Violent crime is up more than 40 percent between 2008 and 2019, particularly aggravated assaults, which have nearly doubled, police department data shows. Despite the economic shutdown this year, violent crime numbers keep pace with last year, according to data from July 8 (pdf). Burglaries are up by 23 percent, arson by 85 percent, likely due to regular protests and riots that have often included vandalizing property. While the council pushes for the nixing of police, abolishing the jails is spearheaded by the government of King County, Washington, which includes the city, the surrounding suburbs, and some more sparsely populated areas to the east. The county plans to abolish youth detention by 2025, according to a July 21 internal memo from John Diaz, the countys director of the Department of Adult and Juvenile Detention. That includes converting for community programs the Patricia H. Clark Children and Family Justice Center, the youth detention facility the county just finished at the cost of more than $240 million. The Seattle jail, King County Correctional Facility, should be phased out, Diaz said, with the help of programs for prevention, diversion, rehabilitation, and harm reduction. The facility, finished in 1986, is considered obsolete and is expensive to operate and doesnt serve our security, healthcare, or efficiency needs, he said. We hope to have more details later this year. Marxist Class Analysis With Sonic X-rays The Seattle draft resolution speaks of white supremacy culture in the United States and calls policing a racist institution that perpetuates racism and violence. A working group established by King County used similar wording as part of an initiative to abolish youth detention. It claims White Supremacy Culture justifies and binds together the U.S. white supremacy system, according to documents obtained by Christopher Rufo, director of Discovery Institutes Center on Wealth and Poverty. It is the glue that binds together white-controlled institutions into systems and white-controlled systems into the global white supremacy system, one of the documents says. The group bases its approach on intersectional theory, which advocates for the elimination of traditional institutions of Western civilization and replacing them with socialist ones. The theory divides all people into oppressors and the oppressed based on characteristics such as race, sex, sexual proclivities, immigration status, and others. It objectifies the individual as a function of power structures, while devaluing, if not denying, individual agency and self-determination, said Michael Rectenwald, former liberal studies professor at the New York University, in an email. As such, it is a highly granular means of classification, something like Marxist class analysis with sonic x-rays. When police arrest a black youth for a crime, for instance, its the result of a structure formed, among other things, by white supremacist culture, one of the documents says. This structure is in turn formed by mental models of racism, white resistance (fragility), and blame the victim (youth, families, communities). By victim, the document refers to the criminal, not the victim of the crime. Racism, one of the documents says, means a combination of racial prejudices with social and institutional power. Rather than just an individuals view of others, racism is a system of advantage and oppression based on race and built to maintain white supremacy, the document says, adding that any act that even unwittingly tolerates, accepts or reinforces racially unequal opportunities or outcomes for youth to thrive is racist. Racism is used in this blanket sense so that any negative experiences or outcomes of persons-of-color can be attributed to it, and nothing else, Rectenwald said. Thus, the consequences of robbing a bank as a person-of-color must, in the end, be attributable to systemic racism. Seattle youth are sent to the juvenile jail mostly for more serious crimesfelonies. Of more than 350 juveniles sent to secure detention for the first time in 2019, less than 23 percent were sent for a misdemeanor crime. The rest were for felonies. For black youth, the ones with misdemeanors comprised less than 20 percent, according to data provided by King County. The documents, Rectenwald said, provide evidence that the victim ideology of intersectionality has migrated well beyond universities to become the official doctrine of the state, not only in Seattle, but in the U.S. more generally. The intent of intersectionality is to drain public discourse and policy of the belief in individual self-determination and responsibility as it explains everything with reference to social identity classification and the power relations between social identity groups, he said. The office of County Executive Dow Constantine didnt respond to a request for comment. August 05 : The movie Dil Bechara since its release has won the hearts of millions. The makers have now released a new song Maskhari. Laced with emotions and packed with full fun the song is out to create its magic on his fans. Its not been a day the nation is not missing his favorite star Sushant Singh Rajput. Sanjana remembering her co-star and sharing her happiness posted a short clip of the song on her Instagram. In the song, both are seen doing funny and rib-tickling actions. While Vivaan Shah is seen taking their videos. Sanjana captioned her post, #Maskhari a blend of Manny & Kizies happiness and togetherness and how Mannysimply sparked Kizies little world with glee and joy. Song out NOW. Sushant Singh Rajputs last release, Dil Bechara, is available on Disney + Hotstar from July 24. The film marks the Bollywood debut of Sanjana Sanghi. Casting director Mukesh Chhabra turns a feature film director with Dil Bechara. Saif Ali Khan and Swastika Mukherjee also play key roles in the film. Dil Bechara is the official Hindi remake of 2014 Hollywood romantic drama The Fault in our Stars, based on John Greens book with the same name. 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. The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) plans to regulate social media use as part of the controversialanti-terror law. The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) together with its affiliate the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) rejects the proposal and urges the authorities to reject the introduction of the law. On Monday, August 3, new AFP chief Lieutenant General Gilbert Gapay said that the armed forces want to regulate social media use as part of the anti-terror law which was signed by the President Rodrigo Duterte on early July. The terror law has been slammed by lawyers and rights activists by giving unprecedented powers to the executive. The authorities argued that the country need to have specific provisions on the use of social media to stop terrorism when the terrorist are planning crimes through different social media platforms. NUJP, in its statement, said it rejected the proposal since the regulation will threaten freedom of expression. Social media has given so many once voiceless Filipinos a platform to openly air their views on matters of public interest. Yet it is not inconceivable that a president who abhors criticism and dissent to the point that well-intentioned pleas are interpreted as calls for "revolution" would consider this an existential threat. Supporting democracy means the country needs more freedom. We do not dispute the need to fight terrorism. But how, we ask, does stifling people's rights and liberties achieve that goal? NUJP added. NUJP together with journalists from Rappler, ABS-CBN, civil society groups and artists have filed a petition for certiorari and prohibition of the controversial Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020. The petition was filed as GR No. 252747 and is the 13th to be filed in the Supreme Court. Other human rights organisations and freedom of expression defenders as well as youth groups have also submitted petitions to the Supreme Court, arguing that several of the provisions in the law are unconstitutional. The IFJ said:The introduction of anti-terror law already means authorities have sweeping powers to arrest without the warrants. To then extend this punitive law to criminalise social media users, is clearly intended to silence critical voices. The IFJ stands with NUJP in urging the authorities to reconsider the law and the harsh penalties that impede freedom of expression. Abhishek Saraf, 28, from Bhopal secured eighth position in UPSC civil services exam, results of which were announced on Tuesday. Abhishek, who had been selected in Indian revenue services in 2018, is a graduate from IIT Kanpur. Abhishek in Orange T-Shirt Abhishek lost his father Arvind Saraf when he was 10-month-old. My mother Pratibha Saraf played the role of both mother and father for me and my brother, who is working as a business development manager with a private company. My mother is a pillar of strength for me and she motivated me to reappear in the exam after he was selected as IRS, said Abhishek. He wanted to be an IAS officer to work in the field of education and skill development. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Its annual study into UK media habits suggested adults many stuck indoors spent 40% of their waking hours in front of a screen, on average. Time spent on subscription streaming services also doubled during April. At the height of lockdown, adults spent an average of six hours and 25 minutes each day staring at screens. Screen time overall was up almost a third (31%) on last year. BBC OTTAWAMichael Levitt is resigning as the Liberal MP for the Toronto-area riding of York Centre. Levitt, first elected in 2015, says he has informed the Speaker of the House of Commons that hell give up his seat as of Sept. 1. In a Facebook post, Levitt says he has loved being a Member of Parliament but the intense, all-encompassing job has taken a toll on his family especially since the COVID-19 crisis hit Canada five months ago. He says its time to put family first and come back home, both physically and mentally. Levitt says he will soon begin a new career as president and CEO of the Canadian Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Centre, an organization devoted to combating anti-Semitism and promoting human rights. He say he hopes to use his new position to continue fighting systemic racism in Canada. Read more about: The coronavirus crisis has pulverised Spains economy, triggering its worst recession since the civil war, with collapsed tourism numbers boding ill for hopes of a swift rebound. Hit by one of Europes worst outbreaks and strictest lockdowns, the economy came to a virtual halt in March and remained paralysed until the end of June. It shrank 18.5% in the second quarter, a drop so harsh it wiped out all the recovery achieved since the 2008 global financial crisis, figures from the National Statistics Institute showed on Friday. Its a war economy, said one Mallorca hotelier, Lluis Rullan, who has only reopened one of his two establishments and was limiting costs and staff to a minimum due to scant visitors. An elderly couple walk down Las Ramblas in Barcelona, Spain, on Saturday, Aug. 1, 2020. (Bloomberg) The government had counted on tourists from northern Europe and further afield driving a third quarter recovery, but quarantines and travel advisories have dashed hopes as Spain battles with new localised outbreaks of the COVID-19 disease. Rullan, who operates in Soller in northwest Mallorca, had planned for 60% occupancy for August but now expects barely 20% for what should be the high summer season. Also read | Catalonia, Navarre, Aragon: Germany warns against travel to three virus-hit Spanish regions After Britain required travellers to Spain to quarantine on return, Germany dealt another blow on Friday, putting three Spanish regions - including Catalonia, home to Barcelona - on its list of high-risk areas. Not only has the Spanish economy been one of the worst hit in the euro zone by the pandemic, it also looks set to make a much weaker recovery than its neighbours, said analysts at Capital Economics. Customers sit at tables in the outdoor terrace area of a bar in the Moll de Gregal area of Barcelona, Spain on Sunday, Aug. 2, 2020. (Bloomberg) Spain normally received about 80 million visitors annually and has depended on tourism for about 12% of economic output. EVERYTHING IS EMPTY The government has forecast contraction of 9.2% in 2020 as a whole, surpassing the fall during Spains 2008-2013 financial crisis, but expects 6.8% growth in 2021. I fear something worse because in the previous crisis we had health and now we dont, said pensioner Amelia Martin, walking in Madrid with a mask on. ALSO SEE | PHOTOS: Amid coronavirus pandemic, Spains tourism woes bode ill for rebound Spain insists it is not experiencing a second wave of the coronavirus and recent increases are still far from the peak. But Alex Lazarowicz, a British artisan brewer in Barcelona, whose business has suffered from the local resurgence in cases, said things were not improving: Everything is empty. People no longer go inside the bar. With the economy hibernating and most shops closed until reopening began in May, private spending and investment plummeted in the second quarter, inflicting a much greater blow on Spains economy than European counterparts including Germany, France and Italy, the data showed. A swimmer jumps into the water from the rocks at the Port Olimpic area of Barcelona, Spain on Sunday, Aug. 2, 2020. (Bloomberg) The second-quarter contraction came after a 5.2% drop in the first three months, at that stage the worst quarter in modern records. Historians say only the 1936-39 civil war hit harder. The third quarter will now be weaker than expected, said Raymond Torres, chief economist of think tank Funcas, forecasting that Spain might manage to rake in from tourist income for the whole year what it usually gets in the third quarter alone. Some sectors, though, recorded positive data in the second quarter, such as agriculture, driven by strong demand for food. A stimulus package and health measures also helped boost public spending. Lets be positive, fight and think that if everybody pushes, we will get Spain out of this, said retail shops owner Inigo Crespo, who had to close one shop after the lockdown started and is unsure if can keep his other businesses running. (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 Tesla is coming to Texas. As a proud San Antonian, I must overcome the urge to put several exclamation points at the end of that sentence. This is the exact opportunity for which our region has been preparing. City, county and private investments in a skilled workforce, supplier networks and international relations have quietly built an environment for the worlds makers to thrive. Its likely that anyone living in San Antonio since 2003 knows this area is an automotive manufacturing hub. San Antonio has been making everything from taco seasoning to germ-zapping robots for generations. Because we are Military City, U.S.A., youll find standard-issue shoes, helmets, F-18s and military weaponry rolling off our production lines. This history fuels my passion and has driven much of my career. Ive spent many years in economic development, most recently as Texas secretary of state working to build international relationships and grow economic opportunity for all Texans. Im also in the fortunate position to co-chair the San Antonio Economic Development Foundations International Advisory Council and serve on the organizations executive committee. In my short time with the organization, weve further developed what was already a robust manufacturing cluster. Weve continued to grow our relationships and position the corridor from Austin, through San Antonio and down to Mexico as an attractive region for the many companies considering reshoring operations to North America. Of course, our geography gives us an advantage, as does our infrastructure, but our supplier networks and relationships with Canada and Mexico will prove most valuable to future development. The diversity of goods produced the fact that we manufacture on such a broad spectrum and innovate in the automotive and aerospace sectors speaks to our ability to grow a sector that has been shrinking across the country. Through the efforts of the SAEDF, SA Works and their partners, were able to better understand what companies need, and ensure our training and education providers teach our labor force the advanced skills to have fulfilling careers producing American-made goods. Back to Tesla. Some have expressed disappointment with Elon Musks decision to locate in Austin instead of San Antonio. To which I reply: We are always stronger together as a region. Tesla is building its gigafactory in Austin, which is well within the corridor. This benefits the region. Our regional workforce and supplier network are very attractive. This is an opportunity to think strategically and operate as a mega-region by leveraging the tremendous assets of one of the fastest-growing economies in the country. We look forward to working with leaders in Travis County to help replicate Bexar Countys success with Toyota as they seek to build a strong manufacturing ecosystem around Tesla. I see nothing but potential to make Central Texas a highly competitive and powerful automotive innovation cluster. SAEDF is ready for the opportunity, and we need everyone to lean in with us. Even during a pandemic, our leading economic development entity has a healthy pipeline of companies looking to expand or locate in San Antonio. Forty percent of the active projects are in manufacturing, and one-third of those projects are international a direct result of companies such as Toyota, Aisin AW and Navistar investing in our region and people. Welcome, Tesla. Welcome to the Lone Star State. Come and Make It. Rolando Pablos is co-chair the San Antonio Economic Development Foundations International Advisory Council. Curfew-like restrictions, mainly to contain the COVID-19 pandemic, remained enforced in Kashmir on Wednesday as the union territory marks the first anniversary of revocation of special status of Jammu and Kashmir. Police and CRPF personnel were deployed in strength across the valley, especially Srinagar city, to ensure that the plans of separatists to disturb peace do not succeed, officials said. The officials said police vehicles, fitted with public address system, went around localities soon after daybreak announcing the imposition of strict restrictions for combating COVID-19 spread. "There is a ban on assembly of more than three persons and people are requested not to violate the law and stay indoors," the police said. Barricades have been set up at hundreds of places in the valley including Srinagar city to regulate movement of essential services and emergencies, while concertina wires have been laid to block some parts of the roads, the officials said. Authorities in Srinagar had on Monday announced that curfew will be imposed in Srinagar city in view of inputs about violent protests endangering public life and property as the separatist and Pakistan-sponsored groups were planning to observe 5 August, the first anniversary of the revocation of Jammu and Kashmir's special status as a 'Black Day'. However, the order imposing curfew was suddenly withdrawn on Tuesday evening. An official spokesman said the decision to revoke the curfew order was taken as Tuesday passed off with any untoward incident. WASHINGTON - In an abrupt reversal, President Donald Trump is encouraging voters in the critical swing state of Florida to vote by mail after months of criticizing the practice and while his campaign and the GOP challenge Nevada over its new vote-by-mail law. Democratic requests to vote by mail have surged in Florida, a state that Trump almost certainly must win to secure a second term. Democrats currently have about 1.9 million Floridians signed up to vote by mail this November, almost 600,000 more than the Republicans 1.3 million, according to the Florida secretary of state. In 2016, both sides had about 1.3 million signed up before the general election. Whether you call it Vote by Mail or Absentee Voting, in Florida the election system is Safe and Secure, Tried and True, Trump tweeted Tuesday. Floridas Voting system has been cleaned up (we defeated Democrats attempts at change), so in Florida I encourage all to request a Ballot & Vote by Mail! White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany rejected the notion that the Republican president has changed his views. She said Trump supports absentee voting by mail for a reason, as opposed to states mailing out ballots to all voters regardless of whether they requested them. Most election officials say there is little effective difference between absentee voting and voting by mail. Trump elaborated Tuesday on why he supports voting by mail in Florida but not elsewhere. Theyve been doing this over many years, and theyve made it really terrific, he said during a news conference. This took years to do, he added. This doesnt take weeks or months. In the case of Nevada, theyre going to be voting in a matter of weeks. And you cant do that. Nevada officials joined several states that plan on automatically sending voters mail ballots. Two states, California and Vermont, moved earlier this summer to adopt automatic mail ballot policies. With the bill passed by lawmakers on Sunday, Nevada Gov. Steve Sisolak, a Democrat, signed it into law on Monday. In a tweet Trump called the bills passage an illegal late night coup and accused Sisolak of exploiting the coronavirus pandemic to ensure votes would favour Democrats. Making good on Trumps threat of legal action, his campaign and the national and state GOP filed suit Tuesday in U.S. District Court in Nevada against the secretary of state to stop the plan. Contending the new law would undermine the elections integrity, the suit included the argument that Nevada would violate federal and constitutional law by requiring election officials to accept and count ballots received after Election Day even when those ballots lacked objective evidence that they were cast on or before that day. Trumps praise of its voting aside, Florida hardly has a history of flawless elections, most notably in 2000, when the states disputed vote count had to be resolved by the U.S. Supreme Court, delivering the presidency to Republican George W. Bush over Democrat Al Gore. Trump cited a New York race as an example of what can go wrong, claiming no one could know the winner. In that race, a judge ruled Monday that about 1,000 disputed ballots should be counted. That will likely not affect the outcome since the incumbent, longtime Democratic Rep. Carolyn Maloney, is leading her closest challenger by about 3,700 votes. I think they have to do the election over, Trump said. That election is no good. More voters during this years primary elections opted to vote by mail, and several states relaxed restrictions for voting absentee through the mail. Trump himself voted by mail in the Florida primary this year. Five states have relied on mail-in ballots since even before the coronavirus pandemic raised concerns about voting in person, but there is no evidence to support Trumps assertion that voting by mail leads to widespread fraud. Trump has gone so far as to suggest by tweet that the November election should be delayed until people can properly, securely and safely vote. States that use mail-in votes exclusively say they have necessary safeguards in place to ensure that a hostile foreign actor doesnt disrupt the vote. Election security experts say voter fraud is rare in all forms of balloting, including by mail. With Floridas large retirement population, voting by mail is expected to become a more popular option this November. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., was asked Saturday if he had concerns about the option. No, Im not concerned about mail-in voting in Florida, he said tersely. Florida GOP officials welcomed Trumps tweet. Thank you for the clarification Mr President! This is very helpful, said Joe Gruters, the chair of Floridas Republican Party. Florida will deliver you the 29 electoral votes! Floridas presidential contests are usually close, with Trump winning by just 1.2 percentage points in 2016 and George W. Bush winning by just 537 votes in 2000. ___ Associated Press writers Bobby Caina Calvan in Tallahassee, Florida, and Terry Spencer in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, contributed to this report. Swiss health authorities on Wednesday said they will impose a 10-day quarantine on travelers from Spain, except those coming from the Canary and Balearic islands. The measure will go into effect this coming Saturday, and health authorities warned that self-isolation will be mandatory even with a negative Covid-19 test. The Valencia region, Catalonia and Andalusia stand to lose the most from the decision. Switzerland ranks 11th on the list of source countries for tourists visiting Spain. Last year, 1.82 million Swiss citizens out of a nation of 8.5 million people went on vacation to Spain. While statistics show that most Swiss visitors go to the Canary and Balearic islands, which are excluded from the quarantine rule, in August of last year there were 40,138 Swiss visitors in the Valencia region, 27,070 in Catalonia and 25,225 in Andalusia. Switzerland joins a growing list of countries that have placed travel restrictions on visitors from Spain, and which includes Norway and the United Kingdom. Health authorities in Hungary on Wednesday removed Spain from a list of countries considered safe destinations. The decision means that from Friday, August 7, travelers from Spain who arrive in Hungary will have to either quarantine for 14 days or show two negative coronavirus tests 48 hours apart taken within the previous five days. The French government on Thursday recommended against travel to the Spanish region of Aragon, which has seen a sharp spike in Covid-19 cases. Aragon is the second Spanish region to receive a travel warning on July 24, French authorities also advised against non-essential trips to Catalonia. Also on Thursday, German authorities announced that as of Saturday it will be mandatory for travelers from Spanish regions of Aragon, Catalonia and Navarre to take a coronavirus test upon entering the country. And in the Czech Republic, Spanish workers arriving from Spain will have to self-isolate for two weeks or test negative for Covid-19. This requirement will not be imposed on tourists from Spain. Coverage in the Canaries Regional tourism chief Yaiza Castilla with two representatives from the insurance company AXA. Miguel Barreto In a bid to attract much-needed tourism, the regional government of the Canary Islands has announced that it will cover all coronavirus-related costs of visitors to the archipelago who contract the disease, regardless of whether they are Spaniards or citizens of other countries. Under the terms of the insurance deal struck by regional authorities with AXA Espana for 450,000, any tourist who tests positive for Covid-19 during their stay in the Canaries will be eligible for free medical treatment, travel assistance, repatriation and additional accommodation due to mandatory quarantine measures. Only visitors with no prior knowledge that they were Covid-19 positive will be eligible, and the policy will only be activated if the tourist does not have any personal insurance to cover the costs. The regional tourism chief, Yaiza Castilla, said in a media release that the Canaries are the first Spanish region to offer this type of coverage. In the Balearic Islands, regional premier Francina Armengol underscored that 70% of all diagnosed cases in the archipelago are asymptomatic, and she asked people not to let their guard down. Spains tourism industry continues to feel the impact of the coronavirus crisis. According to figures published Monday by the National Statistics Institute (INE), just 204,926 international visitors arrived in Spain in June, a drop of 97.7% from the same month in 2019. New cases Seasonal workers were housed in Albacete's trade fair center on July 22 after a coronavirus outbreak was detected in a makeshift camp in the city outskirts. Manu (EFE) The Health Ministry on Wednesday reported 1.772 new daily cases and one fatality. The region of Aragon recorded 614 infections, Madrid reported 539 and Catalonia 146. On Tuesday, the Spanish Health Ministry had reported 1,178 Covid-19 cases in the previous 24 hours. In Albacete, local police have cut off a road leading to the citys trade fair center after several seasonal workers who were being housed there fled the premises on Wednesday morning. The center is being used to quarantine around 230 immigrants after a coronavirus outbreak was detected at a makeshift camp in the city outskirts 15 days ago. The Catalan regional government has shut down a business in Lleida province after a work inspection found that 19 people with Covid-19 were still working there even though it was known they had tested positive for the disease. Coronavirus outbreaks among seasonal fruit pickers has underscored the plight of migrant workers in Spain. Back to school The Education Ministry has created a committee to evaluate the impact of Covid-19 on non-university studies and adopt the necessary measures ahead of the new academic year. Andalusian education officials said on Wednesday that schools across the region will offer in-person classes and that the regional government will conduct 143,000 tests on teachers, as well as hand out three million face masks a month. The issue of whether and how to reopen schools in the fall has proven a divisive issue in a country where powers over education are devolved to the regions. In Madrid, the regional government recently issued instructions for reopening that school principals are describing as impossible to observe. English version by Susana Urra. Sri Lankans voted in large numbers Wednesday despite the coronavirus pandemic as the ruling Rajapaksa brothers sought to expand their mandate through the virus-delayed parliamentary polls. The election -- postponed twice due to the epidemic -- closed at 5:00 pm local time (1130 GMT) after 10 hours of voting, with strict hygiene measures in place to prevent the spread of the disease. President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and his older brother Mahinda, the prime minister, are seeking a two-thirds parliamentary majority to roll back constitutional changes introduced by the previous administration that limit the president's powers. Analysts expect them to easily secure a majority in the 225-seat parliament. Counting begins early Thursday and the first results are expected by Thursday evening. The final results are due late Friday. More than 70 percent of the 16.23 million electorate was estimated to have turned out to vote, Election Commission chief Mahinda Deshapriya told reporters. Turnout in the November presidential election was more than 83 percent. Deshapriya said there were "no major issues anywhere" to warrant the annulation of results from any booths, adding there were only minor complaints of voter intimidation. People had begun lining up outside polling stations even before they opened across the island. Deshapriya was among the first to vote, saying he wanted to send a message that it was safe and that authorities had made detailed preparations to guard against the virus. Face masks were mandatory, voters were required to keep a social distance, and had to bring their own pen or pencil to mark their ballot papers. The health measures made the poll Sri Lanka's most expensive at 10 billion rupees ($54 million), the Election Commission said. - Growing economic pain - After winning the presidency in November, Gotabaya appointed his brother Mahinda, a former president, as prime minister in a minority government. Since then Sri Lankans have largely embraced their populist platform, which emerged from a wave of nationalism in the wake of the deadly 2019 Easter bombings by Muslim radicals that killed 279 people. The brothers are also viewed as heroes by the Sinhalese majority for orchestrating the military's ruthless campaign that ended the decades-long Tamil separatist war in 2009 during Mahinda's presidency. Huge economic challenges await the new parliament. The economy had scarcely recovered from the blow of the deadly bombings before the coronavirus epidemic struck. On Wednesday, official figures showed that growth contracted by 1.6 percent in the first quarter of this year. The Asian Development Bank expects the island's economy to shrink by an unprecedented 6.1 percent this year. Still, Sri Lanka appears to have escaped the worst of the contagion. Test result figures are considered dubious by opposition parties, but authorities have reported just 11 deaths from fewer than 3,000 cases. "They will win by a huge margin but the economic and social problems post-COVID-19 will be huge," political analyst Kusal Perera told AFP. Mahinda is expected to lean heavily on China for economic assistance -- as he did during a decade as president until 2015 -- but also increasingly on neighbouring India. A Sri Lanka Special Task Force soldier stands guard as electoral officials collect ballot papers and boxes from a distribution centre in Colombo Officials collect ballot papers and boxes from a distribution centre in Colombo A former Deputy Communications Minister, Felix Kwakye Ofusu says he wasnt part of any grooming of persons to attack the founder of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Jerry John Rawlings. Kwakye Ofosu issued the disclaimer following claims made in a book authored by an NDC stalwart, Professor Kwamena Ahwoi titled Working with Rawlings. Prof. Ahwoi, a former Local Government Minister had among other things claimed that he together with other NDC kingpins, groomed a number of the young NDC communicators including Kwakye Ofosu with the view of taming Rawlings, who gave President John Atta Mills of blessed memory a tough time governing the country with his scathing attacks. According to Prof. Ahwoi, Rawlings criticisms affected Mills to the extent where he almost resigned as President of Ghana. Although Kwakye Ofosu believes the media reports during the aftermath of the launch of the book had been overly exaggerated, he denied being part of any such recruitment. While acknowledging that the media reports are at best an exaggeration of portions of a book authored by the highly respected Prof Kwamena Ahwoi, I wish to place on record that at no point have I been part of any plot, recruitment exercise or strategy to talk back at President Rawlings, he said in a statement. The former Deputy Minister also insisted that his contributions to topical issues have always been devoid of insults. All my contributions in the said matter were devoid of insults or aspersions as claimed by the media reports. It is worth noting that the book in question speaks about our resort to logic rather than insults. He also insisted that I have never required prompting or goading to speak about what I believe to be right or wrong. Below is the disclaimer from Felix Kwakye Ofosu I have become aware of media reports suggesting that I was recruited together with others to denigrate or attack President Jerry John Rawlings following his criticism of the late President John Evans Atta Mills of blessed memory. While acknowledging that the media reports are at best an exaggeration of portions of a book authored by the highly respected Prof Kwamena Ahwoi,I wish to place on record that at no point have I been part of any plot, recruitment exercise or strategy to talk back at President Rawlings. It is a matter of public knowledge that I and others have rallied in the past to correct misimpressions created about the late President Mills during his tenure. My contribution to any such effort was based purely on principle, conviction, and loyalty to the then President of Ghana and the leader of the NDC. I have never required prompting or goading to speak about what I believe to be right or wrong. All my contributions in the said matter were devoid of insults or aspersions as claimed by the media reports. It is worth noting that the book in question speaks about our resort to logic rather than insults. Any claim therefore that there was a grand design to malign anyone for criticizing President Mills is inaccurate. Felix Kwakye Ofosu Former Deputy Communications Minister 5th August 2020 ---citinewsroom An outbreak of the coronavirus in Cresskill may have been caused by numerous house parties, according to the boroughs emergency management coordinator. Christopher S. Ulshoefer wrote on Monday that the parties along with improper social distancing may be related to an outbreak of COVID-19 in our community. His four-paragraph press release did not get into details, but Ulshoefer told The Record of Bergen County that 20 teens may have tested positive for the coronavirus. Ulshoefer, who is Cresskills fire chief, told the newspaper that numerous parties had been held in recent weeks. He did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Gov. Phil Murphy tightened restrictions on indoor gatherings Monday amid concerns that house parties and other events are contributing to the coronavirus spread in New Jersey. Cresskill is home to 8,700 and covers just over 2 square miles. Please subscribe now and support the local journalism YOU rely on and trust. Rob Jennings may be reached at rjennings@njadvancemedia.com. The San Francisco Unified School District has received a $10 million donation from a local tech entrepreneur just two weeks before the new school year begins. This is the second gift from Twitter co-founder Evan Williams and his wife Sara since the pandemic. The couple gave $1.1 million in March to support the districts efforts to alleviate food insecurity for students and families most severely impacted by the economic fallout. Weve been supporting SFUSD for years because public education is fundamental and SFUSD shares our commitment to equity and innovation, said Sara Williams. This moment calls for all of us to support our community even more to ensure that all kids have the access that they need to be prepared for the future. The donation will go toward an initial distribution of 15,000 digital devices and hotspots, which includes touch screen Chromebooks, for students in pre-kindergarten to second grade. When schools shut down in March, the district distributed 13,000 laptops and nearly 4,000 WiFi hotspots to students in grades 3-12 by utilizing donations and public relief aid. Of the SFUSD student population, 55% lives at or below the poverty line. SF Unified Access seeks to raise $25 million to continue its efforts toward tech equity in San Franciscos public schools, which includes prioritizing English Language Learners, students with disabilities, foster and homeless children, as well as African American and Asian and Pacific Islander students in all grades; an estimated 60% of whom do not have access to a dedicated device, and 68% of whom are in need of WiFi. SFUSD also reports that it is working with teachers and principals to enhance training on how best to use technology to support their lessons. More for you The rise in 'learning pods' could leave some students behind Technology access is as much a necessity for distance learning this fall as it is in the long term. It is critical to preparing students for full participation in the 21st century, said San Francisco Unified School District spokeswoman Gentle Blythe. Without access to a device and wifi at home and at school, inequity only grows. Due to persistent structural underfunding from public resources, the district often relies on private support to achieve its goals and tech entrepreneurs have often picked up the slack. Through their charitable organization the Someland Foundation, the Williams have been SFUSD supporters and donors since 2015. Tessa McLean is a digital editor with SFGATE. Email her at tessa.mclean@sfgate.com or follow her on Twitter @mcleantessa. Isaias has left at least five people dead after ravaging through the US's Atlantic coast, and is now in Canada. The Effects of Isaias A tornado killed two people when it struck a North Carolina mobile home park; three more people died in Delaware, Maryland, and New York. Isaias has now moved to Canada's southeastern region, and has now been downgraded as a post-tropical cyclone. The Canadian Hurricane Center issued a warning for heavy rainfall in southern Quebec. Isaias is this year's ninth storm that has been named, hitting Haiti, the Dominican Republic, and Puerto Rico last week with winds having the strength of a hurricane, where it killed at least two. Isaias also destroyed crops, uprooted trees, destroyed homes, and brought landslides and floods. READ: Isaias has Again Strengthened Into a Hurricane, Landfall Expected as it Heads to the Carolinas From Hurricane to Cyclone to Category 1 Hurricane After it passed from the Caribbean islands, it was downgraded into tropical storm status. However, it was again re-categorized into category 1 hurricane when it approached the Carolina states last Monday. Its ravaging path across North Carolina and on to the state of New York left over 3.4 million people without electric power. Isaias also caused tornadoes and fires, destroyed homes, uprooted trees, and brought widespread flooding. Destruction by Falling Trees The northeast coast up to the state of Maine have received a warning for a tropical storm. This warning covered major cities such as New York, Washington, and Philadelphia. New York City police reported of a man killed by a falling tree in Queens while he was in his vehicle. Meanwhile, a Maryland driver was also reported dead as a tree was brought down and onto his car during the storm. An 83-year-old Delaware woman was found near her home under a huge tree branch, which presumably caused her death. READ ALSO: Hurricane Isaias Goes Through the Atlantic as Florida and the Bahamas Brace for Disaster Disaster Preparations A state of emergency was declared by Phil Murphy, governor of New Jersey. All state offices were closed last Tuesday. In adjacent New York, the state authorities distributed emergency supplies such as chainsaws, pumps, sandbags, and bottled water across the state. Preparing for Isaias While Managing the Pandemic For regions preparing for this season's hurricanes, state officials grappled with the need to open shelters that are compliant with regulations for social distancing. Disaster agencies in the country have made updates to the evacuation and preparedness guidelines for the COVID-19 pandemic. The CDC or Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that families include items in their disaster kit, which also takes the pandemic into consideration. These items include: hand sanitizer; disinfectant wipes; liquid soap or bar soap; and a minimum of two masks or face coverings for each person. Take note that masksmust not be put on children below two years of age and unconscious individuals. Some guidelines for ensuring everyone's protection against COVID-19 while managing the storm or evacuating towards a shelter must be kept in mind. These include: washing hands often; keeping a minimum of two meters or six feet from people outside one's household; wearing a mask or face covering as well as regularly washing it; avoiding sharing drinks and food; and frequently disinfecting the shelter area including the items on it, including electronics and toys. READ NEXT: Deadliest Year for Environmental Defenders; 212 Death Toll in 2019 Representative Roger Marshall won the Kansas Republican primary for the Senate on Tuesday, defeating anti-immigration firebrand Kris Kobach with the help of the party establishment, which feared Kobach would hurt Republican chances in the fall. The race was among a number of Congressional primary contests in five U.S. states on Tuesday. In Missouri, incumbent Representative William Lacy Clay was ousted by progressive challenger Cori Bush in the Democratic primary. Bush, a nurse, became a community activist after Black man Michael Brown was fatally shot by police in 2014. The Republican establishment weighed in for Marshall, banking that he has a stronger chance to take on Democratic state Sen. Barbara Bollier in November. Roger Marshall pumps his fist after speaking to supporters near Pawnee Rock, Kan., Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2020, after defeating Kris Kobach in the Republican primary for U.S. Senate Kobach has hardline immigration posture and ran a commission on voter fraud early in the Trump administration that was disbanded. He represents the state's 'Big 1st' congressional district. GOP leaders believe he has a better chance of keeping the seat of retiring Sen. Pat Roberts. The seat has been in Republican hands for generations. Marshall was backed by Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, but President Trump said out of the race. In Michigan, prominent progressive Representative Rashida Tlaib said she was confident she would hold off a challenge from local Black leader Brenda Jones, but results were trickling in. President Donald Trump stayed out of the race. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell backed Marshall The outcomes in Kansas, Michigan, Arizona, Missouri and Washington will establish the nominees for the Nov. 3 elections to the House of Representatives and Senate that will determine the balance of power in Congress. Marshall, 59, was supported by establishment Republicans who feared a polarizing figure like Kobach, a Trump ally, could lose the traditionally Republican seat, giving Democrats a better chance of gaining control of the Senate. A doctor who has represented western Kansas in the House since 2017, Marshall beat a crowded field. With 3,217 of 3,577 precincts reporting, he had 40% of the vote, with Kobach at 26%, results from the Kansas secretary of state said. A third candidate, Bob Hamilton, had 19%. Kris Kobach had just 26 per cent of the vote Senator Pat Roberts (R-KS) is retiring Marshall will run in November against the Democratic nominee state Senator Barbara Bollier, a former Republican who won her primary easily. In an early morning tweet on Wednesday, U.S. President Donald Trump praised Marshall for his "great race" and gave him "my Complete and Total Endorsement." "This is not the opponent the Democrats wanted!" Trump added. Republicans currently have a 53-47 Senate majority, and non-partisan analysts see the competition for Senate control as either a toss-up or slightly favoring Democrats. The Senate Leadership Fund (SLF), a political action committee aligned with Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, spent $2.1 million in the primary to boost Marshall. "SLF has been adamant from the day Kobach got in the race that he would endanger Republican control of the Senate majority," the group said in a statement. Kobach had advised Trump's 2016 presidential campaign on immigration. The Kobach and Tlaib races, as well as Bush's upset of Clay in Missouri, are testing whether each party will steer to the right or left, or stay closer to the political center. Bush, 44, won the Democratic primary in Missouri's 1st congressional district, which includes part of St. Louis, with 48.6% of the vote to 45.5% for Clay, the New York Times said. She was endorsed by the Justice Democrats, the same left-wing group that helped launch progressive Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez in 2018. Both Bush and Clay are Black, and Clay or his father have represented the district since 1969. In November, Bush will face Anthony Rogers, who won the Republican primary. "Tonight, Missouris 1st has decided that an incremental approach isnt going to work any longer," Bush told her supporters. Another Justice Democrat-backed candidate, Jamaal Bowman, recently ousted Representative Eliot Engel in the New York primary. In Kansas, Representative Steve Watkins of Kansas, who faces felony charges of illegal voting, was defeated in the Republican primary by the state treasurer, Jake LaTurner. In Michigan, Tlaib is in a rematch against Jones, the Detroit City Council President, who lost to Tlaib by fewer than 1,000 votes two years ago. Tlaib, 44, is a member of the "Squad," four female freshmen, including Ocasio-Cortez, who have become the face of the House's liberal wing. In Arizona, Republican primary voters picked Senator Martha McSally over challenger Daniel McCarthy, the New York Times said. McSally trails astronaut Mark Kelly, who won the Democratic nomination uncontested, in the polls and has about half of his $21 million campaign war chest. However, the absolute number of non-performing loans (NPLs) showed an increase and there was still a gloomy forecast for rise in bad debts in the next two quarters, in the wake of the current unpredictability of the Covid-19 pandemic. Saigon Investment held a talk with Dr. Nguyen Tri Hieu, a financial expert, on this issue. JOURNALIST: - Sir, the bad debt ratio in banks has not increased much, but in absolute numbers, bad debt in some banks has increased by 10% to 30% in the first half of the year. What is your opinion on this? Dr. NGUYEN TRI HIEU: - By the end of the second quarter, banks still kept the number of non-performing loans in total outstanding loans at a low level, but the absolute number of bad debts have increased. In quantitative terms, when outstanding loans increase from VND 100 to VND 110, bad debt increases from VND 1 to VND 5. Thus, bad debt divided by the denominator is the total outstanding debt, which produces a low ratio of bad debts, but in fact the absolute figure can increase five times. According to Circular 01 of the State Bank of Vietnam, banks are allowed to freeze debts and not transfer debt groups. So, in the current normal debts, there may be a lot of bad debts that banks are allowed to freeze, but not able to convert. Therefore, I think that the number of bad debts in the second quarter are not really accurate. - Sir, how would you forecast the bad debt situation this year? - The Covid-19 pandemic appeared at the beginning of the year, but Vietnam was only affected by it in March and April, and in May we had managed to reopen. When we reopened, we were excited, but reality shows that many businesses were by then strongly impacted, not only in March and April but this has affected us until now. Especially for export companies, they have been severely affected as they have lost many orders from abroad. Now, we are facing a high risk of a second wave of the disease. In such a situation, many businesses may again be affected, which will make us even weaker than in the first two quarters of the year. Therefore, bad debt of businesses is likely to increase very strongly this year. However, at this time, it is not possible to make specific predictions about the bad debt situation, as there are many debts that are being restructured, frozen, and not transferred to debt groups. Therefore, even the management agencies do not know the actual number of bad debts, and only banks are aware of the real situation. - Sir, what solution would you suggest for banks to effectively control bad debts when the banking sector is restructuring the debt term, keeping the debt group under Circular 01 of the State Bank of Vietnam, because this solution can still push risk toward banks? - Perhaps we return to the basic problem whether banks should have a sub-book along with its existing ledger to record issues related to bad debt, so that collection departments can look at the main and sub-book to understand the bad debt status. If the bank restructures the repayment term, not transfer the debt group and push all up on the balance sheet, it will erase some information on bad debts. As such, the information shown on the balance sheet maybe very good, but in reality these are bad assets and can also create a partial status of virtual assets, leading to virtual profits. I think banks have learnt a lot from the lessons of bad debts in the past, so they will be more cautious in lending so as not to fall into the cycle of bad debts. However, right now, banks using the State Bank of Vietnam policy to restructure the repayment term and not transfer the debt group, need to do so seriously and carefully, especially to avoid the problem of abuse of policies to hide bad debt. In my opinion, banks should have supplementary books to have accurate monitoring of bad debt status, instead of giving an optimistic picture. - Sir, recently, banks have been liquidating assets such as real estate, machinery, production equipment, cars from popular to luxury brands. What do you think of this move? - It is a good thing that banks are liquidating collaterals to recover debts. Instead of keeping them in debt form by keeping their collateral, banks sell the assets to recover money. If not, they will face extraordinary expenses. This will clear the bank books, when bad debts are liquidated through the recovery of collaterals. However, this move also proves that banks are very worried about the problem of bad debts. Therefore, if any items can be liquidated, those banks will certainly liquidate, because it is expected that bad debts will increase in coming months. At the same time, in some markets such as real estate and cars, prices have become more unfavorable during the Covid-19 pandemic. Therefore, banks are trying to recover debts as soon as possible. - Sir, when credit growth is low why do many banks still ask for credit limit? - This is very interesting. In my opinion, there are still some banks that want a high credit growth limit because they have used up their credit and need more support from the State Bank of Vietnam. However, banks use credit extension as a propaganda tool, to prove that they still have strong growth ability. I think that if they are not careful, these banks will push credit to high profit or high risk areas, such as in real estate and securities. Therefore, if the State Bank of Vietnam supports these banks, it is also necessary to force these banks to provide an accurate report on the use of this capital flow. - Thank you very much. Do Linh (interviewer) Global warming will modify the distribution and abundance of fish worldwide, with effects on the structure and dynamics of food networks. However, making precise predictions on the consequences of this global phenomenon is hard without having a wide historical perspective. A study carried out at the University of Barcelona and the Southern Centre for Scientific Research (CADIC-CONICET, Argentina), analysed the potential implications in the distribution of the Argentinian hake (Merluccius hubbsi), caused by the warming of marine waters. The study is based on the analysis of the structure of the marine ecosystems from 6,000 to 500 years ago, when temperatures were warmer than now. The results show this species could expand towards south and reach the coast of the South America extreme southern area, like it happened in the past. According to the researchers, this approach allows researchers to make predictions on the transformations to be caused by the climate change in the marine environment with important ecogical and economic implications. The study, published in the journal Oecologia, is part of the doctoral thesis by the researcher Maria Bas, member of CADIC-CONICET and the Biodiversity Research Institute (IRBio) of the University of Barcelona, co-supervised by the tenure-track 2 lecturer Lluis Cardona, from the Research Groups on Large Marine Vertebrates at the Department of Evolutionary Biology, Ecology and Environmental Sciences of the Faculty of Biology and IRBio, and by the expert Ivan Briz i Godino, from CADIC-CONICET. York University (United Kingdom) and British Columbia University (Canada) have also taken part in the study. The Middle Holocene, a plausible view of the future Researchers focused on the Atlantic coast of Isla Grande in Tierra del Fuego, in the extreme south of Argentina, where the hake is a key species for industrial fisheries. They collected samples from two archaeological sites dating from the Middle Holocene, that is, between 6,000 and 500 years ago, a period when temperatures would be analogous to those we are heading to in the future -according to climate models. "Remains from fish that lived in the warmest periods of the Holocene are specially interesting since they offer a plausible view of the future in the context of global warming. At the moment, the average annual temperature of the sea surface in Tierra del Fuego is about 7C, but during the Middle Holocene it reached 11 and 12C. Therefore, data on the biology of the hake during this period can provide information on the distribution of this species in a near future," note the authors. The presence of remains from other models of hake in the archaeological site Rio Chico 1, in the north of Tierra del Fuego (Argentina), show the existence of a large population of hake in the northern east of Tierra del Fuego during the Middle Holocene. Since then, this population disappeared due to the cooling temperatures and their habitat was unknown. Changes in the distribution of the Argentinian hake In order to discover the habitat of these fish, the first step in the study was to identify the remains through the mitochondrial DNA analysis and make a reconstruction of the size of old models. Then, researchers used the technique of carbon and nitrogen stable isotope analysis to study changes in the trophic position and the use of the habitat over time. This technique enables researchers to get information on the food intake, and the environment of the species that lived in a recent past, since the information is registered in the bone isotopic signal. Results show that Argentinian hake that lived in the Atlantic coast of Tierra del Fuego during the Middle Holocene had a broader isotopic niche and fed in more coastal habitats compared to those in current times. "This information, combined with strong winds and currents of the region, together with the lack of sailing technology during the Middle Holocene suggest that groups of aboriginal hunter-fisher-gatherers were likely to fish in the shore," note the authors. If the environmental conditions of a warmer world coincide with what prevails in the Middle Holocene, the Argentinian hake could be more abundant in the continental Argentinian platform of Tierra del Fuego. "From a fishing perspective, this situation suggests a potential increase of resources in shallow waters regarding Tierra del Fuego with important changes in the fishing industry in this region," highlights Lluis Cardona. According to the researchers, this methodology can be used with other species and in other areas of the planet. "In the future, we would like to know the changes that have taken place in the distribution and ecological niche of the hake and the cod in European waters," concludes the researcher. AMLO wants to reverse energy privatizacion ridnoticias AMLO Inches Toward Reversing Energy Opening to Keep Pemex and CFE Grip - Mexican president writes memo suggesting new energy laws - Pemex seen expanding output to 2.2m barrels per day by 2024 By Justin Villamil and Nacha Cattan/Bloomberg MEXICO CITY Petroleumworld 08 05 2020 President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador said Mexico may need to change the rules governing the country's energy industry and reverse the opening to private companies to save state oil giant Petroleos Mexicanos , according to a memorandum seen by Bloomberg News. In a July 22 document addressed to government officials and energy regulators, Lopez Obrador writes that a constitutional change should not be ruled out in order to reach the higher goal of his administration: recover Mexico's control over its oil and electricity industries, including state owned Comision Federal de Electricidad , or CFE. We must advance to the limit permitted by the current legal framework. However, if in order to apply the new rescue policy to Pemex and CFE we need to propose a new energy reform, we don't rule out that possibility, AMLO, as the president is known, writes in the document. The veracity of the presidential memo was confirmed by an official familiar with the publication. The document is the latest salvo in the administration's effort to help the country's embattled state-run energy companies at the expense of international companies that have invested billions since the end of the state monopoly in 2014. Early in his tenure, Lopez Obrador suspended oil bloc auctions and his Energy Ministry tried to introduce new measures to slow down private clean energy generation earlier this year. Still, a constitutional change would be a new departure for the administration, which has so far resisted such a measure even though Lopez Obrador's alliance of parties has a majority in both chambers of congress. The president first floated the idea of amending the constitution in a press conference last week. The energy reform, which allowed awarding more than 100 contracts to private firms, was akin to politics of pillage, AMLO writes in the document, saying that it was only possible thanks to bribes given to the majority of lawmakers and through media deception. Among the 16 measures mentioned in the memorandum is a proposal to increase Mexico's crude oil production to 1.8 million barrels per day this year and 2.2 million by 2024. The president would also build and revamp electrical plants in the country's southeast to address scarcity, and increase the use of hydroelectric power, capping private sector electricity generation at 46% of the country's consumption. PROVO, Utah, Aug. 5, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Nu Skin Enterprises, Inc. (NYSE: NUS) today announced second-quarter results above expectations and raised its revenue and earnings per share guidance for 2020. Executive Summary Q2 2020 vs. Prior-Year Quarter Revenue: $612.4 million; (2%) (3%) fx impact or ($19.8) million Earnings Per Share (EPS): $0.81; (2%) Sales Leaders: 56,036; (9%) Customers: 1,499,900; +29% "Our business performed well above expectations in the second quarter of 2020 driven by our socially enabled business model, strategic investments in technology and manufacturing, and our balanced product portfolio," said Ritch Wood, chief executive officer. "Strong global customer growth of 29 percent in the quarter, driven by our focus on empowering sales leaders to reach more customers, resulted in constant currency revenue growth due to the strength of our business in the Americas and Europe. Our Mainland China business continues to recover with slight sequential revenue improvement and strong customer growth. "I am particularly proud of the way our global sales leaders have embraced socially enabled commerce, with more than 85 percent of revenue in the quarter coming through digital transactions. In addition, our manufacturing division generated 20 percent revenue growth and increased stability in our supply chain. In the first half, we generated strong cash from operations, raised our dividend, strengthened our balance sheet and reduced our outstanding shares by nearly eight percent." Q2 2020 Year-Over-Year Operating Results Revenue: $612.4 million compared to $623.5 million (3%) fx impact or ($19.8) million Gross Margin: 74.8% compared to 75.3% Nu Skin business was 77.6% compared to 77.8% Selling Expenses: 40.6% compared to 39.4% Nu Skin business was 43.3% compared to 41.5% G&A Expenses: 24.7% compared to 24.0% Operating Margin: 9.5% compared to 11.9% Other Income / (Expense): $1.6 million compared to ($3.3) million Income Tax Rate: 29.8% compared to 34.6% EPS: $0.81 compared to $0.83 Stockholder Value Dividend Payments: $19.4 million Stock Repurchases: $46.5 million $362.8 million remaining in authorization Q3 and Full-Year 2020 Outlook Q3 2020 Revenue: $605 to $635 million; +3 to 8% Approximately (1 to 2%) fx impact Q3 2020 EPS: $0.78 to $0.88 2020 Revenue: $2.37 to $2.45 billion; (2%) to +1% Approximately (2 to 3%) fx impact 2020 EPS $2.85 to $3.10 "Our performance so far this year gives us confidence for the second half and momentum as we move into 2021. We believe the improved productivity of our sales leaders is driving strong customer growth and will lead to sales force expansion as we move toward the introduction of our ageLOC Boost device and Nutricentials Bioadaptive Skin Care in the second half. We will continue to focus on the expansion of our socially enabled business around the world with the release of our latest digital tool, Vera, a personal product recommendation app. Overall, we are confident in the direction of our strategy and the future ahead," Wood concluded. Mark Lawrence, chief financial officer, added, "We delivered results above expectations and achieved constant currency revenue growth ahead of schedule. Given our performance in the first half and continued trends in our customer and sales leader pipeline, we are raising our guidance for the year. As we look ahead to the third quarter, we anticipate revenue of $605 to $635 million, which includes 1 to 2 percent unfavorable foreign currency impact, and earnings per share of $0.78 to $0.88. We are raising our 2020 revenue guidance to $2.37 to $2.45 billion, which reflects a negative foreign currency impact of 2 to 3 percent, and we anticipate annual earnings per share of $2.85 to $3.10." Conference Call The Nu Skin Enterprises management team will host a conference call with the investment community today at 5 p.m. (ET). Those wishing to access the webcast, as well as the financial information presented during the call, can visit the Investor Relations page on the company's website at ir.nuskin.com. A replay of the webcast will be available at the same URL through Aug. 19, 2020. About Nu Skin Enterprises, Inc. Founded more than 35 years ago, Nu Skin Enterprises, Inc. (NSE) empowers innovative companies to change the world with sustainable solutions, opportunities, technologies and life-improving values. The company currently focuses its efforts around innovative consumer products, product manufacturing and controlled environment agriculture technology. The NSE family of companies includes Nu Skin, which develops and distributes a comprehensive line of premium-quality beauty and wellness solutions through a global network of sales leaders in Asia, the Americas, Europe, Africa and the Pacific; and Rhyz, our strategic investment arm that includes a collection of sustainable manufacturing and technology innovation companies. Nu Skin Enterprises is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "NUS." More information is available at nuskinenterprises.com. Important Information Regarding Forward-Looking Statements: This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, that represent the company's current expectations and beliefs. All statements other than statements of historical fact are "forward-looking statements" for purposes of federal and state securities laws and include, but are not limited to, statements of management's expectations regarding the company's performance, growth, product launches, customers and sales leaders, benefits to shareholders, strategies and initiatives; statements of management's expectations regarding the future status of the COVID-19 pandemic globally and across the company's markets, and government and public behavior in response to such status; projections regarding revenue, earnings per share, foreign currency fluctuations and other financial items; statements of belief; and statements of assumptions underlying any of the foregoing. In some cases, you can identify these statements by forward-looking words such as "believe," "expect," "continue," "anticipate," "project," "outlook," "guidance," "plan," "continue," "will," "would," "could," "may," "might," the negative of these words and other similar words. The forward-looking statements and related assumptions involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results and outcomes to differ materially from any forward-looking statements or views expressed herein. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the following: risk that epidemics, including the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak, and other crises could negatively impact our business; adverse publicity related to the company's business, products, industry or any legal actions or complaints by the company's sales force or others; risk that direct selling laws and regulations in any of the company's markets, including the United States and Mainland China, may be modified, interpreted or enforced in a manner that results in negative changes to the company's business model or negatively impacts its revenue, sales force or business, including through the interruption of sales activities, loss of licenses, imposition of fines, or any other adverse actions or events; any failure of current or planned initiatives or products to generate interest among the company's sales force and customers and generate sponsoring and selling activities on a sustained basis; political, legal, tax and regulatory uncertainties associated with operating in international markets, including Mainland China; uncertainty regarding meeting restrictions and other government scrutiny in Mainland China, as well as negative media and consumer sentiment in Mainland China on our business operations and results; risk of foreign-currency fluctuations and the currency translation impact on the company's business associated with these fluctuations; uncertainties regarding the future financial performance of the businesses the company has acquired; risks related to accurately predicting, delivering or maintaining sufficient quantities of products to support planned initiatives or launch strategies, and increased risk of inventory write-offs if the company over-forecasts demand for a product or changes its planned initiatives or launch strategies; regulatory risks associated with the company's products, which could require the company to modify its claims or inhibit its ability to import or continue selling a product in a market if the product is determined to be a medical device or if the company is unable to register the product in a timely manner under applicable regulatory requirements; unpredictable economic conditions and events globally, including trade policies and tariffs; uncertainties related to interpretation of, and forthcoming regulations under, the recently enacted U.S. tax reform legislation; the company's future tax-planning initiatives; any prospective or retrospective increases in duties on the company's products imported into the company's markets outside of the United States ; and any adverse results of tax audits or unfavorable changes to tax laws in the company's various markets; and continued competitive pressures in the company's markets. The company's financial performance and the forward-looking statements contained herein are further qualified by a detailed discussion of associated risks set forth in the documents filed by the company with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The forward-looking statements set forth the company's beliefs as of the date that such information was first provided, and the company assumes no duty to update the forward-looking statements contained in this release to reflect any change except as required by law. Non-GAAP Financial Measures: Constant-currency revenue change is a non-GAAP financial measure that removes the impact of fluctuations in foreign-currency exchange rates, thereby facilitating period-to-period comparisons of the company's performance. It is calculated by translating the current period's revenue at the same average exchange rates in effect during the applicable prior-year period and then comparing that amount to the prior-year period's revenue. The company believes that constant-currency revenue change is useful to investors, lenders and analysts because such information enables them to gauge the impact of foreign-currency fluctuations on the company's revenue from period to period. The following table sets forth revenue for the three-month periods ended June 30, 2020 and 2019 for each of our reportable segments (U.S. dollars in thousands): Three Months Ended June 30, Constant- Currency 2020 2019 Change Change Nu Skin Mainland China $ 146,332 $ 185,333 (21%) (18%) Americas/Pacific 127,919 92,841 38% 48% South Korea 76,915 84,732 (9%) (5%) Southeast Asia 66,829 75,395 (11%) (9%) Japan 68,291 65,251 5% 2% EMEA 50,776 43,400 17% 21% Hong Kong/Taiwan 37,161 43,712 (15%) (17%) Other (85) 1,249 (107%) (107%) Total Nu Skin 574,138 591,913 (3%) Manufacturing 37,918 31,557 20% 20% Grow Tech 310 30 933% 933% Total $ 612,366 $ 623,500 (2%) 1% The following table sets forth revenue for the six-month periods ended June 30, 2020 and 2019 for each of our reportable segments (U.S. dollars in thousands): Six Months Ended June 30, Constant- Currency 2020 2019 Change Change Nu Skin Mainland China $ 284,028 $ 393,821 (28%) (25%) Americas/Pacific 202,492 179,297 13% 21% South Korea 152,634 168,585 (9%) (5%) Southeast Asia 136,415 147,890 (8%) (6%) Japan 129,591 127,360 2% EMEA 86,179 85,218 1% 4% Hong Kong/Taiwan 72,988 84,270 (13%) (15%) Other 688 (177) (489%) (488%) Total Nu Skin 1,065,015 1,186,264 (10%) (7%) Manufacturing 65,065 60,829 7% 7% Grow Tech 314 30 947% 947% Total $ 1,130,394 $ 1,247,123 (9%) (7%) The company's Customers and Sales Leaders statistics by segment as of June 30, 2020 and 2019 are presented in the following table: As of June 30, 2020 As of June 30, 2019 % Increase (Decrease) Customers Sales Leaders Customers Sales Leaders Customers Sales Leaders Mainland China 321,946 17,104 226,877 24,336 42% (30%) Americas/Pacific 424,236 10,787 253,684 8,161 67% 32% South Korea 159,926 6,881 180,365 7,239 (11%) (5%) Southeast Asia 155,822 6,790 137,450 7,417 13% (8%) Japan 125,332 6,011 127,900 5,931 (2%) 1% EMEA 247,057 5,120 164,055 4,256 51% 20% Hong Kong/Taiwan 65,581 3,343 70,089 4,223 (6%) (21%) Total 1,499,900 56,036 1,160,420 61,563 29% (9%) "Customers" are persons who purchased products directly from the company during the previous three months. Our Customer numbers do not include consumers who purchase products directly from members of our sales force. "Sales Leaders" are independent distributors, and sales employees and independent marketers in China, who achieve certain qualification requirements. NU SKIN ENTERPRISES, INC. Consolidated Statements of Income (Unaudited) (U.S. dollars in thousands, except per share amounts) Three Months Ended June 30, Six Months Ended June 30, 2020 2019 2020 2019 Revenue $ 612,366 $ 623,500 $ 1,130,394 $ 1,247,123 Cost of sales 154,110 154,028 279,903 300,692 Gross profit 458,256 469,472 850,491 946,431 Operating expenses: Selling expenses 248,628 245,828 454,670 495,536 General and administrative expenses 151,554 149,442 301,182 308,040 Total operating expenses 400,182 395,270 755,852 803,576 Operating income 58,074 74,202 94,639 142,855 Other income (expense), net 1,581 (3,326) (4,593) (6,174) Income before provision for income taxes 59,655 70,876 90,046 136,681 Provision for income taxes 17,804 24,527 28,465 47,330 Net income $ 41,851 $ 46,349 $ 61,581 $ 89,351 Net income per share: Basic $ 0.81 $ 0.83 $ 1.15 $ 1.61 Diluted $ 0.81 $ 0.83 $ 1.15 $ 1.59 Weighted-average common shares outstanding (000s): Basic 51,872 55,536 53,466 55,486 Diluted 51,925 55,943 53,502 56,030 NU SKIN ENTERPRISES, INC. Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited) (U.S. dollars in thousands) June 30, 2020 December 31, 2019 ASSETS Current assets: Cash and cash equivalents $ 375,512 $ 335,630 Current investments 10,788 8,413 Accounts receivable, net 64,371 50,378 Inventories, net 261,969 275,891 Prepaid expenses and other 73,200 69,854 Total current assets 785,840 740,166 Property and equipment, net 444,848 453,604 Right-of-use assets 142,700 144,326 Goodwill 196,573 196,573 Other intangible assets, net 76,161 80,321 Other assets 148,371 154,016 Total assets $ 1,794,493 $ 1,769,006 LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY Current liabilities: Accounts payable $ 51,655 $ 38,979 Accrued expenses 337,980 290,281 Current portion of long-term debt 95,000 27,500 Total current liabilities 484,635 356,760 Operating lease liabilities 103,043 105,701 Long-term debt 319,932 334,461 Other liabilities 94,871 96,795 Total liabilities 1,002,481 893,717 Stockholders' equity: Class A common stock 91 91 Additional paid-in capital 563,115 557,544 Treasury stock, at cost (1,427,064) (1,324,826) Accumulated other comprehensive loss (93,441) (85,292) Retained earnings 1,749,311 1,727,772 Total stockholders' equity 792,012 875,289 Total liabilities and stockholders' equity $ 1,794,493 $ 1,769,006 SOURCE Nu Skin Enterprises, Inc. Related Links http://www.nuskin.com (Newser) A woman using a copy machine at a New Jersey Staples store last week ended up with a broken leg after she asked a fellow customer to put on her face mask. The alleged victim, 54-year-old Margot Kagan, says 25-year-old Terri Thomas came up to the machine next to hers with her mask pulled down below her mouth. When Kagan asked her to pull it back up, police say Thomas angrily shouted at Kagan, then threw her to the floor, NJ.com reports. On Tuesday, Thomas was arrested; she's charged with second-degree aggravated assault, NBC News reports. Kagan, who walks with a cane and can be seen using it to fend Thomas off in surveillance video of the incident, had a liver transplant four months ago. (Read more coronavirus stories.) MUSKEGON COUNTY, MI An unusual primary election on Tuesday evening saw quiet polling places as many voters chose to submit absentee ballots. Those who did cast in-person ballots saw heightened safety measures to prevent the spread of coronavirus as Muskegon-area residents exercised their suffrage rights. Voters on Tuesday supported candidates seeking party nominations in local, state and national races, and in a nonpartisan district court judge race. Tax proposals for local schools and townships were also on the ballot. Because of the high rate of absentee voting, some results have been delayed. In the meantime, here is what we know as of early Wednesday morning from unofficial returns posted by the Muskegon County clerks office in the Aug. 4 primary election. Running in the Aug. 4, 2020, primary for 60th District judge in Muskegon County are, from left to right, Marc Curtis, Matthew Kacel, Jason D. Kolkema and Paula Baker Mathes. District Court contenders will be whittled from four to two Four candidates for an open seat on the 60th District Court will become two, but the final results have not yet been declared in that nonpartisan primary. Early Wednesday morning, with 66 of 67 precincts reporting, Paula Baker Mathes led the race with 10,175 votes (37.% of the vote), followed by Jason D. Kolkema (5,935 votes, or 22.06% of the vote); Matthew Kacel (5,795 votes, or 21.54%); and Marc Curtis (4,995 votes, or 18.57%). The top two vote-getters will square off in November to replace Muskegon County District Judge Harold F. Closz, III, who did not seek reelection after more than 17 years on the bench. The term lasts for six years. District Court judges oversee civil lawsuits $25,000 and under, adult criminal misdemeanor cases punishable by up to one year in jail, civil infractions and traffic violations, landlord/tenant disputes, small claims and land contract forfeitures. They also handle felony arraignments and preliminary examinations to determine if there is enough evidence for trial in Circuit Court. Read more: Four running for open Muskegon County district judge seat State Representative Terry Sabo stand in observance of the Memorial Day service at Hackley Park in downtown Muskegon, Michigan on Monday, May 25, 2020. Alison Zywicki | azywicki@mlive.com Rep. Terry Sabo to face off against Muskegon city commission mainstay Michael Hauesien Incumbent Rep. Terry Sabo was unchallenged in the Democratic primary for his current seat in the state legislature. After a close race, his Republican opponent for the November race has emerged as Michael Hauesien. According to unofficial election results, Hauesien won the Republican contest with 2,157 votes, over Michael Del Percios 1,799 votes. He will face off against Sabo, a former police officer and firefighter, who has held the 92nd House seat since 2016. Hauesien, 66, is a familiar face to anyone who attends Muskegon City Commission meetings, and describes himself as an event specialist who works part time in retail, and served on the city income tax review board. The 92nd House district includes the cities of Muskegon, Muskegon Heights and North Muskegon and the townships of Muskegon, Laketon, Whitehall and Fruitland. The term is for two years. Read more: Michael Hauesien wins Republican primary in race for Muskegons state representative seat Muskegon County Sheriff Michael Poulin looks on as hundreds of people peacefully protest outside the Muskegon county building, 990 Terrace Street, on Sunday, May 31. (Anya van Wagtendonk | MLive.com) Incumbent Muskegon County Sheriff Michael Poulin holds substantial lead Incumbent Sheriff Michael Poulin currently holds a substantial lead over challenger Mirelda Sanchez Tokarczyk in the Democratic primary. With 66 of 67 precincts reporting, as of 1:13 a.m. on Wednesday morning, Poulin has more than 70% of the vote, with 14,169 votes cast, ahead of 5,760 cast for Sanchez Tokarczyk. Whoever wins this primary will go up against Jason Hall, a Republican who ran uncontested in the primary Tuesday, in the Nov. 3 general election for a four-year term of office. Poulin was elected to his first term in 2016. The North Muskegon resident, 54, received statewide recognition when he marched alongside protesters at a Black Lives Matter demonstration in front of the county courthouse in late May. He has also received criticism for deaths that occurred in the county jail during his tenure. Tokarczyk, 42, of Roosevelt Park, is a certified police officer and business owner, and former Roosevelt Park City Council member from 2016-19. She has served as a police officer for Pentwater and Roosevelt Park and as a case manager and surveillance officer for the 60th District Sobriety Court. Read more: Muskegon County sheriff leads substantially in Democratic primary Muskegon county's Michael E. Kobza Hall of Justice located at 990 Terrace St., in Muskegon on Friday, April 12, 2019. Kayla Renie | MLive.comKayla Renie | MLive.com Several incumbent county commissioners win their primaries District 1 Incumbent Rillastine Wilkins, a 10-year veteran of the county board, defeated challenger Willie Watson by an unofficial tally of 989 votes to 546. Next, Wilkins will go up against Republican DeMario Phillips on Nov. 3, to represent a district that includes the city of Muskegon Heights and parts of Norton Shores and Muskegon. Read more: 10-year Muskegon County board veteran faces primary challenger District 2 In District 2, which covers the city of Roosevelt Park and the Bluffton-Beachwood, Glenside, Lakeside, Campbell Field, Nims and a portion of Marsh Field neighborhoods in the city of Muskegon, incumbent candidate Marcia Hovey-Wright will move on after claiming victory over her challenger, Ben Cross, on Tuesday. Hovey-Wright, who has served as commissioner since 2018, won the Democratic contest with 2,162 votes, compared to Cross 845 votes. The two last faced off in the 2018 Democratic primary. Hovey-Wright will next face Republican Nathan Wood, who has no primary opponent, in November, for the two-year term. Read more: Incumbent Muskegon County commissioner defeats challenger in Democratic primary District 3 Susie Hughes, the current board chair, won her Democratic primary for the District 3 commissioner role. Hughes, of Muskegon Township, beat opponent L. Kip Smith by an unofficial vote tally of 1,290 to 720. In the Republican primary for that seat, Chris Kaijala narrowly defeated KH Hartell, III, by an unofficial vote total of 487 to 473. Hughes and Kaijala will now square off in the November election. Read more: Three trying to unseat Muskegon County board chair District 4 Incumbent Robert Scolnik won the District 4 race against his Republican primary challenger, James Riley, by an unofficial tally of 1,305 votes to Rileys 952. With no Democratic challenger, Scolnik is likely to retain his seat representing the city of Norton Shores. Scolnik has served as a county commissioner since 2002, and was a Norton Shores City Council member from 1991-2001. Read more: Norton Shores Muskegon County commissioner faces primary challenger District 5 Republican incumbent Zach Lahring overcame a primary challenge by Russell K. Stressman, receiving 1,460 votes to Stressmans 634. Lahring will face Democrat Ashley Podein, who had no primary opponent, in November, to retain his seat representing a district that includes Sullivan, Ravenna and Fruitport townships. Lahring has represented District 5 since 2018, and is a construction superintendent and a local beef farmer. Read more: Commissioner representing eastern Muskegon County faces primary challenger District 7 Incumbent Republican Gary Foster faced a challenge from Malinda Pego in the Republican primary. With six of seven precincts reporting, as of 1:13 a.m. Wednesday morning, Pego held a slight lead of 832 votes to Fosters 648. Whoever takes the primary is likely to take the general, as no Democratic candidate has filed for the seat, which covers Cedar Creek, Casnovia, Egelston, Moorland and Holton townships. Read more: Republican primary to decide commissioner for northeastern Muskegon County District 9 Two new Republican candidates, Kim Cyr and Andrew Heykoop, met in the primary, to determine who would challenge incumbent Kenneth Mahoney, who was unopposed in his own Democratic primary. Cyr, a retired businessperson, emerged victorious with 1,109 votes to Heykoops 983. District 9 covers the northern portion of Muskegon County, including the cities of Whitehall and Montague, the village of Lakewood Club and White River, Montague, Whitehall, Dalton and Blue Lake townships. Read more: 2 Republicans battle for chance to challenge commissioner for northern Muskegon County Wilcox Street remains partially submerged by flood waters, despite instillation of sand bags, in Muskegon on Friday, May 29, 2020. Alison Zywicki | azywicki@mlive.com County drain commissioner Democratic primary still undecided In a community increasingly touched by flooding, the county drain commissioner, responsible for more than 130 county drains to prevent flooding and protect property, is a consequential position. With 66 of 67 precincts reporting, incumbent Brenda M. Moore held a lead over her rival in the Democratic primary, Tim DeMumbrum. The unofficial tally, as of 1:13 a.m. Wednesday morning, saw Moore, who has served as county drain commissioner since 2013, holding a significant lead, with 13,296 votes to DeMumbrums 5,928. Whoever emerges from Tuesdays race will go up against Republican Chris Seastrom, who was unopposed in his own primary contest, in November. They will compete for a four-year term overseeing water quality, controlling soil erosion and sedimentation, and working with municipal storm water permits. The Muskegon County Township Offices sign in Muskegon, Michigan on Friday, April 10, 2020. Alison Zywicki | azywicki Carrie Westbrook wins primary for Muskegon Township Clerk Carrie Westbrook, a trauma registrar for Mercy Health, won the Democratic primary for Muskegon Township Clerk, beating Brenda Wojton, a loan officer with First General Credit Union, by an unofficial count of 1,157 to 759. Incumbent Ann Oakes is not seeking reelection and no Republican has filed for the position. Westbrook will either run unopposed, or face an independent candidate or write-in campaign in the fall. Township clerks are responsible for record-keeping, election administration and oversight of the townships financial management. The clerk also is a voting member of the township board of trustees. The term of the position is four years. Its been a long few months, but I had a good time campaigning and talking to residents of Muskegon Township and meeting a bunch of new people, Westbrook told MLive. Read more: Carrie Westbrook wins Democratic primary for Muskegon Township clerk The back of the Ravenna Township welcome sign in Ravenna, Michigan on Saturday, April 18, 2020. Alison Zywicki | azywicki Several townships renewed their millages, but requests for increases were a mixed bag Voters by and large opted to maintain certain property taxes in their communities, but several requests for increased tax rates were voted down. Muskegon Township voters renewed millages for fire, police and street lighting funding. The police and fire request passed 2,524 yes to 834 no, and the street lighting millage passed 2,199 yes to 1,136 no, according to unofficial results posted Tuesday night. Both tax rates are in effect for five years. The public safety millage is in the amount of 2.75 mill, and is expected to raise $1.04 million in its first year. It includes funding for police officers at Reeths-Puffer and Orchard View high school. The street lighting millage is in the amount of 0.7 mill, and will raise about $265,000 in its first year, according to township figures. Our township board and staff work had to provide great services to our residents and these millage renewals will allow us to continue to do so, Township Supervisor Jennifer Hodges told MLive early Wednesday morning. We cant thank our residents enough for their trust and support. Voters in Ravenna Township approved an increase of 0.0240 mills for their fire department, by a vote of 595 yes to 149 no. That tax rate added to the current tax rate of 1.976 mills, for a total tax rate of 2 mills, for a period of four years, to maintain and operate the local fire department. But White River Township voters narrowly declined to increase their millage, by a vote of 227 against to 208 in favor. The ballot proposal would have restored a previous tax rate that had been rolled back, such that residents would have paid a 1-mill rate. The increase of 0.2491, would have raised $28,878 in its first year, according to the ballot proposal, over 20 years, for township operations. Read more: Voters pass Muskegon Township tax proposals for public safety, street lighting The Charles H. Hackley statue in front of the Culinary Institute of Michigan wears a mask in downtown Muskegon, Michigan on Thursday, May 28, 2020. Muskegon cultural institutions saw their funding renewed Voters opted to renew the millage rates that support the Hackley Public Library, and voters in the vicinity of the White Lake Community Library opted to raise their taxes to pay for library improvements. Muskegon voters voted to renew the Hackley Public Library millage rate of 2.4 mills by a vote of 4,629 yes to 1,403 no. The rate will replace the expiring millage, last for 10 years, and is expected to raise $1.4 million in its first year, in support of library operations. And residents of the Whitehall school district voted to increase their taxes in support of the White Lake Community Library, which requested a 0.25-mill increase for 10 years, on top of an existing 0.68-mill rate that covers operations. The increase is expected to generate $126,000 annually, which library officials say will go towards building upgrades, including new boilers, new roof, and carpeting, technology needs and program expansion. County voters also voted on a millage renewal at the Lakeshore Museum Center. As proposed, the 0.3221-mill rate would last for 10 years, and is expected to generate $1.43 million for the museum in 2021. The results of that request were not completely reported as of 1:13 a.m. on Wednesday. With 66 of 67 county precincts reported, 21,469 votes had been cast in favor of maintaining the museums tax rate, with 12,590 votes cast against. Click here for more of MLives Election Day coverage from across the state, or here for full coverage of Muskegon-area elections. More on MLive: Learn about candidates, millages on Muskegon County primary ballot Tuesday Live election results from Aug 4. primary in Muskegon County Michigan reports 664 new coronavirus cases, 8 new deaths Voters pass Muskegon Township tax proposals for public safety, street lighting By Akbar Mammadov Azerbaijans Foreign Ministry has conveyed condolences to Lebanon regarding the massive explosion that hit its capital city Beirut yesterday. We are deeply saddened by the news on the horrendous explosions at the port of Beirut. Our condolences go to the families of the victims, as well as to the people of Lebanon. Wishing a speedy recovery to all those injured, a post published in the ministry's official Twitter page on August 5 reads. In the meantime, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Leyla Abdullayeva said that no information is available about the presence of Azerbaijani citizens among the victims of the explosion in Beirut. Lebanons Health Minister Hamad Hassan announced today that at least 80 people lost their lives and over 4,000 were wounded as a result of the large-scale explosion that hit Beirut's port on July 4. --- Akbar Mammadov is AzerNews staff journalist, follow him on Twitter: @AkbarMammadov97 Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz Make them an offer they cant refuse. Donald Trump extorts Chinas ByteDance into selling the TikTok app to Microsoft by Sept. 15, or else he threatens to shut it down in the US. Zhang Yiming, ByteDance CEO and founder of TikTok, told employees he had no choice but to comply with Trumps demands to sell the app. The Don then upped the ante, saying the US deserves a piece of the action. The US should get a very large percentage of that price, because were making it possible, said Trump. It would come from the sale, which nobody else would be thinking about but me, but thats the way I think, and I think its very fair. The president got that right. Nobody thinks the US government should get involved in shaking down private companies. And who is going to fork over the cash? Microsoft or TikTok? And where does the money go? The US Treasury or Trump Organization? Eric Lutz of Vanity Fair believes the TikTok move is an example of Trumps transactional approach, one that feels more mafia-like than business-like, akin to the oil he wanted to keep as a souvenir for Americas Middle East adventures or the medical supplies during the coronavirus crisis hes seemed to disburse to states based on how willing their governors were to kiss his ring. With Trump, it all boils down to the belief that he or his government should be getting something in return," wrote Lutz. The Chinese media have attacked Trump for the attempted smash and grab of TikTok. Wang Wenbin, a Foreign Ministry of Affairs spokesperson, also warned: If everyone were to follow the USs practice, then anyone can invoke national security to take similar measures against a US company. The US should not open this Pandoras box otherwise it will swallow the bitter fruit. Trump's TikTok shakedown adds to the tensions between the US and China. He will certainly step up his China-bashing as Election Day draws near. With the raging COVID-19 pandemic and economic collapse, Trump views the China card as part of a winning hand. The World Health Organisation (WHO's) recent revision of its tuberculosis guidelines, allowing inclusion of both bedaquiline and delamnind for treatment of patients suffering from drug-resistant tuberculosis (DR-TB), has been welcomed by healthcare activist groups. The drugs bedaquiline and delamanid were the first new TB treatments to become available in half a century. The June release of the WHOs Consolidated guidelines on tuberculosis- treatment of DRTB finally provided for the concurrent use of bedaquiline and delamanid among patients who have limited treatment options. Bedaquiline is sold by US drug maker Johnson & Johnson and delamanid by Otsuka The WHO update will now help fast-track inclusion of these approaches in the national guidelines. The inclusion of the oral drugs such as bedaquiline and delamanid shortens the treatment regimen and helps reduce the pill burden on DR-TB patients. Medecins Sans Frontieres/Doctors Without Borders (MSF) has welcomed the revision made by WHO to its tuberculosis (TB) guidelines, allowing for safe use of a treatment regimen including both bedaquiline and delamanid for patients suffering from drug-resistant tuberculosis (DR-TB), while urging a faster uptake in India for patients with extensively drug-resistant TB (XDR-TB). Data from MSFs DR-TB project in Mumbai contributed to generate the evidence. The new regimen has shown treatment success rates of up to 70 percent for the severest of DR-TB cases. In India the National Institute of Tuberculosis and Respiratory Disease (NITRD) published a study on bedaquiline and delamanid given together in a salvage regimen and found it is efficacious with a low rate of adverse events and recommended that the new drugs should be provided as a life-saving option to DR-TB patients with limited treatment options. Its critical that the national TB programme now make both the new TB drugs available concurrently to patients who need them to help accelerate access to life saving treatment for DR-TB patients. This is also in line with WHOs push to countries to scale-up use of injectable-free regimens so that DR-TB patients can be treated in the safety of their homes during the COVID-19 epidemic, says Leena Menghaney, South Asia Head of MSF Access Campaign. While shortening its duration, MSF is also focusing on improving existing treatment regimens for infants and children with DR-TB. However, the registration for paediatric use of bedaquiline and delamanid for children aged 3 to 6 years old by J&J and Otsuka, respectively, is still pending. This limits the options for children with DR-TB, who are at the greatest risk of life-long disability due to hearing loss from the continued use of injectables. Otsuka and J&J need to expand the registration of new drugs in India for paediatric use, so that they can be scaled-up for adolescents and younger children who need it. MSF has advocated for several years with the National TB Elimination Programme (NTEP) in India to allow access to newer treatment regimens for its patients. In 2019, it received support to procure bedaquiline, delamanid as well as Imipenem in bulk from the Global Drug Facility for 324 DR-TB patients in Mumbai with extensive drug resistance, who cannot be treated by usual treatment regimens. As a result, the cost of a combined regimen known as combo has come down for the organisation to less than 10,175 euro (Rs 9 lakh) from more than 19,220 euro (Rs 17 lakh) per patient. With an estimated 130,000 DR-TB cases each year, India has the highest burden in the world. In Mumbai, MSF has been providing not just medical treatment but holistic care to people living with DR-TB. The Red Cross Society of China (RCSC) has initiated 36 rounds of emergency responses, and allocated disaster relief materials and funds to help flood-affected regions, the RCSC said Tuesday. Disaster relief supplies, such as tents and folding beds, as well as emergency relief funds, have been sent to 12 provincial-level regions, including Jiangxi, Anhui, and Hubei, with a total value of 41.22 million yuan (about 5.9 million U.S. dollars), according to the RCSC. The RCSC will continue to monitor the distribution of materials and funds to make sure people in the flood-stricken areas receive disaster relief resources timely, it said. Thats bad news for anyone hoping for a full regulatory reckoning with Silicon Valleys and Seattles giants over their monopolistic tendencies. Washington lawmakers see their job as protecting the consumer first and foremost, while Brussels wants to make sure other companies are allowed to compete with the incumbents. Sadly for Europe, the Americans have all the power but their approach is unlikely to produce radical change (as my Opinion colleague Tara Lachapelle ... 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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 When Spring resident Laurie Delgatto-Whitten began to experience shortness of breath and chest pain, she decided it was time to get a drive-thru COVID-19 test. What she thought would be a quick, no-fuss $150 test turned into a staggering $3,165 insurance bill. "I'm floored," Delgatto-Whitten said. "I felt like this was a scam. I called the insurance and called my healthcare provider. If you don't have insurance, it's $150 in cash. If you do have insurance, that all gets done online when you book an appointment." MASSIVE SHOPPING SPREE: Houston entrepreneur accused of spending $1.6M in CARES Act Money on Lamborghini, strip clubs Delgatto-Whitten said she had visited the United Memorial Medical Center testing site on the 20000 block of Kuykendahl Road. When she drove up, she said a nurse came out and swabbed her nose, summing up the testing experience. Two months later, Delgatt0-Whitten discovered she was billed $3,165 for the 3-minute COVID-19 test. When she broke down the charges, it included $2,113 for an emergency visit and $602 for a physician's diagnosis, Delgatto-Whitten said. In addition to those charges, there were $450 in lab fees for approximately seven tests that she says were done without her permission. "This is a racket," Delgatto-Whitten said. "It was deceitful. The more I've learned about this it's just illegal. They're ripping people off. How many people out there are like me?" Dr. Joseph Varon, chief medical officer at UMMC, said he was trying to track down the issue with Delgatto-Whitten's bill. "I'm looking into this matter," Varon said. "We haven't done anything wrong. We'll fix whatever happened with this patient's bill." Varon added that he's dedicated to finding out what happened on the billing end and whether this is a rare issue with patient charges. "I'll put an end to it if there's any error and make sure it was not replicated anywhere else," Varon said. UMMC has completed more than 140,000 COVID-19 tests thus far in the pandemic, according to Varon. United Healthcare issued a statement saying it was taking a deeper look into Delgatto-Whitten's bill as well as others'. "In addition to looking at this center's billing practices, we are conducting a broader review of egregious and inappropriate provider billing, particularly as it relates to free-standing clinics and coding for COVID-19 testing and treatment," it said in the statement. Delgatto-Whitten didn't have to pay any part of the bill, but she said she's worried her premium will increase as a result. "I just think it's absolutely shameful that this is happening," Delgatto-Whitten said. "It felt like price-gouging. I'm concerned that a company is committing insurance-fraud. Peoples' premiums are already so high. Does this have the potential of affecting people because premiums go up?" alison.medley@chron.com Chinese officials say their approach is necessary to preserve the stability of a vast country undergoing rapid economic and social changes. Xi, who chairs Chinas top policy-setting body for cyberspace, also has repeatedly underscored the importance of building an independent cyberspace that foreigners cant disrupt. Russian President Vladimir Putin has called his countrys 2019 law a response to the threat of surveillance by the U.S. The national security argument carries over into infrastructure and equipment. Trump cited fears about potential spyware and hidden back doors when he moved to effectively bar Huawei Technologies Co., Chinas largest tech company, from the U.S. market and has been pressing U.S. allies to do the same. Ex-Google Chief Executive Officer Eric Schmidt predicted in 2018 that within a decade, the internet will split in two, with one led by the U.S. and the other by China. Tech companies worry that a profusion of regulatory regimes would hinder innovation and raise costs. The Asia Internet Coalition, which counts Google, Amazon, Apple, Line, Grab and Rakuten among its members, warned Vietnam that the requirement in its new law to store data locally would have serious consequences for economic growth, investor confidence and opportunities for local businesses. More governments, though, are viewing data as a resource to be protected not only for privacy but to help in developing technologies such as artificial intelligence. European companies and the French and German governments have created a cloud computing initiative, known as Gaia-X, that aims to provide a homegrown alternative by 2021 to U.S. technology giants. A draft of Indias nascent e-commerce law stated: Indian citizens and companies should get the economic benefits from the monetization of data. A number of important measures have been introduced for the safety of patients and staff at the Cancer Services Department in University Hospital Limerick (UHL), including additional screening and temperature checks for patients, and reconfiguration of waiting areas, treatment areas and office space to guarantee safe physical distancing. The new measures at the Department are in line with the guidance of the National Cancer Control Programme (NCCP), and form part of the UL Hospitals Groups strategy for management of the safe resumption and delivery of services across all its hospital sites. For the patient, the process now begins the day before an appointment, with a telephone call from a member of the hospitals Cancer Services team to assess the patients well-being, and to check for any possible COVID-19 symptoms, including high temperature, coughing and runny nose, shortness of breath, changes in taste, and generally feeling unwell. Aine Collins, Clinical Nurse Manager, Cancer Services, University Hospital Limerick explains the additional important measures for patients before #cancer treatment commences. These checks are in place to keep patients & staff safe.#StaySafe #ProtectEachOther #MidwestTogether pic.twitter.com/3JKCXuAYjE UL Hospitals (@ULHospitals) August 4, 2020 When the patient arrives at UHL the next day for their appointment, they are asked to wear a face covering, and ring the Cancer Information & Support Centre from the car park, and be triaged over the phone. Staff will use the same COVID-19 screening checklist as the day before, to ensure there has been no change in the patients condition. After this phone triage is complete, the patient, wearing their face covering, will enter the Cancer Information & Support Centre for a manual temperature check. If the temperature reading is normal, the patient will then go to the Mid-Western Cancer Centre, where their temperature is checked once more by the new Thermal Temperature Scanner at reception, before starting their treatment as normal. All of these measures have been introduced to keep our patients and our staff safe at this time, said Aine Collins, Clinical Nurse Manager in Cancer Services, UHL. We are grateful to the public in the Mid-West for their cooperation with public health guidelines during the pandemic, and thank them for their continued support in this. (Natural News) New research is warning that the aerosol transmission of the Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) is being underestimated, possibly affecting guidelines on social distancing, ventilation and shared spaces. Using a newly developed mathematical model of coronavirus droplet migration, researchers at the Heriot-Watt University and the University of Edinburgh have found that small, virus-laden aerosol particles are traveling further than expected. The flow physics of someone coughing is complex, involving turbulent jets and droplet evaporation, stated Dr. Cathal Cummins, assistant professor at Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh. And the rise of COVID-19 has revealed the gaps in our knowledge of the physics of transmission and mitigation strategies. First study to use physics to model the spread of virus-laden aerosol particles Previous studies have approached the question of how the coronavirus spreads through the air from a physiological perspective. This new study is the first time that researchers are approaching it from a physical perspective. (Related: Just a minute of talking can launch over 1,000 coronavirus-carrying droplets in the air, says study.) We wanted to develop a mathematical model of someone breathing that could be explored analytically to examine the dominant physics at play, stated Cummins. Using a mathematical model that clearly shows small, intermediate and large-sized droplets, the researchers found that simple formulas could be used to determine a droplets mathematical range. We represent breathing as a point source of both air and droplets and include a point sink to model the effect of extraction of air and droplets, Cummins explained. To take their size and density differences into account, we use the Maxey-Riley equation, which describes the motion of a small but finite-sized rigid sphere through a fluid. The modeling showed that medium-sized particles fall very close to the source, as shown in previous studies. In addition, they also found that both large- and small-sized particles traveled much further. Of the two, its the latter, smaller-sized particles that are of particular worry. The researchers warn that while personal protective equipment (PPE) such as face masks were an effective barrier against the larger droplets, they may be less effective against the smaller ones. We cant afford to be complacent about small droplets, stated co-author Dr. Felicity Mehendale, an academic surgeon at the University of Edinburgh. PPE is an effective barrier to large droplets but may be less effective for small ones. Airborne transmission is underestimated, but the researchers have a solution Even before the study came out, the World Health Organization (WHO) had already acknowledged that airborne transmission of the virus may be underestimated. The admission came after a group of more than 200 scientists sent an open letter to the WHO on the matter. In healthcare settings, if aerosol transmission poses a risk then we understand healthcare workers should really be wearing the best possible preventive equipment and actually the World Health Organization said that one of the reasons they were not keen to talk about aerosol transmission of COVID-19 is because theres not a sufficient number of these kind of specialized masks for many parts of the world, stated Benjamin Cowling, a professor at Hong Kong University and one of the signatories of the open letter. Looking to address the problem of these small, virus-laden aerosol droplets spreading the disease in healthcare settings, Mehendale has come up with the idea of an aerosol extractor device. These would keep healthcare workers safe during a wide range of aerosol-generating procedures (AGP) that are routinely performed in medicine and dentistry. The team is currently working on plans to manufacture these extraction units, which, when placed close to their sources, should be able to effectively trap droplets, as long as their diameters are less than about half that of a human hair. This has important implications for the COVID-19 pandemic, said Cummins. Larger droplets would be easily captured by PPE, such as masks and face shields. But smaller droplets may penetrate some forms of PPE, so an extractor could help reduce the weakness in our current defense against COVID-19 and future pandemics. Until the extraction units are made available and have been confirmed to actually work, however, the study may mean that guidelines for social distancing, wearing masks and even ventilation systems may have to be reconsidered. That said, the team stated that a better understanding of the behavior of droplets would help out in formulating safety guidelines not just for the current pandemic, but for future ones as well. Learn more about new discoveries about the coronavirus over at Pandemic.news. Sources include: DailyMail.co.uk HW.ac.uk IrishExaminer.com BBC.com Why it matters: Will Nvidia buy Arm? Such a move has the potential to shake up the tech world like nothing before, and a lot of people think it would be bad for the industryincluding the UK company's co-founder, Hermann Hauser. We heard last month that Nvidia was considering a bid for Arm, which was acquired by Softbank back in 2016 for around $31 billion. The Japanese conglomerate has been offloading some assets recently to help lessen the impact of the Coronavirus-related economic downturn and is looking to sell part or all of its stake in Arm. Later reports claimed that Nvidia was moving closer to an acquisition, and was in talks with Softbank to buy Arm in a cash-and-stock deal that would value the firm at more than $32 billion. But Arm co-founder Hauser believes the sale would be a disaster. Speaker to the BBC, Hauser said: "It's one of the fundamental assumptions of the ARM business model that it can sell to everybody. The one saving grace about Softbank was that it wasn't a chip company, and retained ARM's neutrality. If it becomes part of Nvidia, most of the licensees are competitors of Nvidia, and will of course then look for an alternative to ARM." Largest tech deals in history: Company Acquisition Price Year Dell EMC $64 billion 2015 Avago Technologies Broadcom $37 billion 2015 IBM Red Hat $34 billion 2018 Softbank ARM Holdings $31.4 billion 2016 Microsoft LinkedIn $26.2 billion 2016 Hauser opposed Softbank's purchase of Arm in 2016, but admits it kept its promise to keep the focus of Arm's R&D at Cambridgesomething he believes Nvidia will not do. "It will become one of the Nvidia divisions, and all the decisions will be made in America, no longer in Cambridge." Arm licenses its technology to many of the world's tech giants, including Apple, Intel, Qualcomm, TSMC, Samsung, and others. The fact that several of these compete with Nvidia, which already produces Arm-based chips, means a purchase by team green would bring issues, especially if it increases licensing costs . Hauser also believes the UK government should step in: "The great opportunity that the cash needs of Softbank presents is to bring Arm back home and take it public, with the support of the British government." He added that he would like to see it listed on both the London and New York Stock Exchanges. Nvidia would face a number of regulatory hurdles before a deal went through, and recent reports suggest the company might just take a stake in Arm, rather than pursuing an outright purchase. We've also heard that Samsung is considering acquiring a small stake in the chip designer. The situation should become clearer in the next few weeks. Rosie Huntington-Whiteley looked incredible as she shared snaps from her US road trip to Utah with bestie Matt Holloway on Wednesday. The supermodel, 33, took to Instagram to post a collection of stunning shots as she posed in the picturesque location. In one photo, Rosie displayed her washboard abs in a tiny black bikini as she perched on the side of a wall with a jaw-dropping canyon behind her. Wow: Rosie Huntington-Whiteley looked incredible as she shared snaps from her US road trip to Utah with bestie Matt Holloway on Wednesday Another snap saw the model pose in a gold silk kimono with a daring thigh-high slit in front of an incredible stone wall inside their accommodation. Rosie also used the picturesque background for a different stunning shot where she smouldered in a white crochet midi dress and black sunglasses. The mother-of-one and her BFF Matt also took part in several fun activities during their getaway which included kayaking, swimming and horseriding. In three different snaps, Rosie wore a black plunging crop top and gym shorts as she posed from their kayak. Gorgeous: The supermodel, 33, took to Instagram to post a collection of stunning shots as she posed in the picturesque location Wow: In one photo, Rosie displayed her toned figure in white crochet midi dress as she posed in front of an incredible stone wall inside their accommodation and rocks in the background For one photo, the model posed with her bestie, another was an action shot as she held her paddle in the air and a final snap was of her toned legs in the watercraft. While Rosie also posed for a fun picture with Matt on horses as they explored a stunning canyon during their trip. The British star captioned the photos with: 'Road trip with my bestie' followed by a yellow heart emoji. Besties! The mother-of-one and her BFF Matt also took part in several fun activities during their getaway which included kayaking, swimming and horseriding Action shot! In three different snaps, Rosie wore a black plunging crop top and gym shorts as she posed from their kayak Idyllic: For one photo, the model posed with her bestie, another was an action shot as she held her paddle in the air and a final snap was of her toned legs in the watercraft Rosie's snaps come after she shared a collection of stunning swimming pool shots to Instagram on Tuesday from her Utah trip. The supermodel looked radiant as she displayed her toned figure in a tiny brown bikini for the majestic snaps. Rosie appeared to go makeup-free as she showcased her flawless complexion and swept her wet blonde locks away from her face. Nature: While Rosie also posed for a fun picture with Matt on horses as they explored a stunning canyon during their trip Gorgeous: Rosie opted for an all-black ensemble as she posed on her horse for another picturesque snap from her getaway Sweet: The British star captioned the photos with: 'Road trip with my bestie' followed by a yellow heart emoji Adding some finishing touches to her look, the British star accessorised with delicate gold jewellery. Rosie knew how to work her best angles as she posed up a storm in the swimming pool for a collection of stunning shots. Posting the photos to her Instagram account, she simply captioned them with: 'Magic dip.' Lovely: And after all the activities, Rosie made sure she sunbathed and took some time to reflect Reflective: Rosie's snaps come after she shared a collection of stunning swimming pool shots to Instagram on Tuesday from her Utah trip Radiant: The supermodel looked radiant as she displayed her toned figure in a tiny brown bikini for the majestic snaps In April, Rosie revealed details about life during lockdown with her family in a candid Q&A session in April. Among the highlights of her sharing, the blonde bombshell revealed how she first met Jason, that they want more children and that she is proud their son has a 'proper' English accent despite living in the US. Talking about Jason, she divulged: 'We met at a party in London in 2009! It was instant chemistry,' Rosie wrote over a picture of Jason trying on clothes in a fitting room. Gorgeous: Rosie knew how to work her best angles as she posed up a storm in the swimming pool for a collection of stunning shots The couple started dating in 2010 and got engaged in 2016 before welcoming Jack in 2017. Meanwhile, the media personality gave an update on her son Jack saying he's doing 'great' amid the current pandemic: 'We are lucky to be enjoying lots of family time together at the moment.' She added: 'He's turning three in a few months which I can't believe. Currently we are attempting potty training!' All the motorway bridges were displaying flashing signs. Yellow Warning: Heavy Rain. Caution: Surface Water. We were on the M8 in Scotland in a rainstorm, so there was nothing unusual about that. Still, as we aquaplaned past the exit to Renfrew, I took a picture through the windscreen from the passenger seat, on my phone, of the three words you most dread, when you have taken an executive decision to go on a staycation, and forced your three children to come with you rather than go somewhere lovely and sunny like Greece. Heavy Rain Forecast. Rachel Johnson who had rainy staycations with her family as a child, explains why she won't be staying in the UK next summer. Pictured: Rachel and her brother Boris Johnson I toyed with the idea of posting the smeary waterlogged image online, as an ironic riposte to those flooding my Instagram feed from friends lolling poolside in Mustique, France and Italy, but in the end couldnt be bothered. What would be fresh or clever in pointing out the first rule of most staycations; that wherever you go it will pour (it rained in Cornwall in the five days I was there in July) in spirit-lowering contrast to the Med or the Caribbean, basking in unbroken radiant sunshine? I had tried to do my bit by staying on British soil. After the sacrifices so many have made for us in this pandemic, I made a promise I would not complain if the weather in Scotland was Scottish. My own brother was flying the flag and taking a brief holiday in the UK, and, for once, I was doing what the PM ordered. There are all sorts of fantastic destinations, the best in the world, I would say, he told the nation last Friday, if memory serves. All my happiest holiday memories are of holiday vacations here in the UK, bucket-and-spade jobs or whatever. I racked my brains to think which holidays he meant. The time it rained in Ireland or on Mull? Or one of the childhood summers in West Somerset, one of the wettest places in the kingdom? But I agreed with him in principle. You cant beat Blighty! I resolved to take it like tea from the pot: as it comes. I would not be like Larry, the furious eldest son in My Family And Other Animals (who triggers the familys move to sunsoaked Corfu from rainy Bournemouth by shouting: Why do we stand this bloody climate? what we need is sunshine!). After all, even the Queen is enjoying her own annual Scottish staycation, at Balmoral. Rachel (pictured) said she hoped for the best but packed for the worst, for her staycation in Scotland this summer I hoped for the best, but I packed for the worst. The result is that my staycation required significantly more baggage than any foreign trip. While I like to boast I take only hand luggage to Greece (Ive got it down to two bikinis, a Kindle and a kaftan), for this trip I packed as if going on an expedition to the North Pole, stuffing my Globe-Trotter trunk with waterproofs, jeans, walking boots Reader, this still didnt prepare me for conditions on the west coast of Scotland not up the glen or on the moor, or on the beach, but inside the house. It was so cold that fires were lit at breakfast, I kept my coat on at all times, even in bed, and I had to crouch by the electric fire in my room to stay alive. And before you accuse me of being a softie southern townie, I grew up in a farmhouse so cold, one guest claimed that in the night it snowed on my head. Im afraid to report not all our efforts to support the local economy were successful; we tried to rent a boat, but the rib place (as in rigid inflatable) had not emerged from lockdown, and when I tried to buy a windproof jersey in a large chandlery, empty but for two customers, I was told I couldnt come in because of regulations. Over breakfast, I asked a Glaswegian how he could stand it (hed just informed me a heatwave in Scotland is defined as three days in a row that the mercury rises past 15 degrees). Jodie Comer (pictured) told her 1.7 million Instagram followers that she achieves her glowing skin with a 235 serum from a skincare range for whom she is ambassador As I write, I am looking out over the River Clyde, the rain is lashing down, and the hills are so green and lush I have to shield my eyes. So yes, it is all the above and so are many glorious parts of the British Isles, but all I can think is this: if its alright with everyone else, Id like to do a Durrell and pack up and go to Greece. And if anyone suggests another patriotic staycation next year, they can take a hike. Forget 235 serums, this is glowing Jodies secret! Jodie Comer, pictured, reveals the secret of her glowy, bronzed face and embonpoint to her 1.7 million Instagram followers, and in an uncanny coincidence, its a 235 serum from a luxury skincare range for whom she is ambassador. Ill let you into the real secret of Comers satiny skin. Are you sitting down? Jodie Comer is 27. Its called youth. However much you spend, you cant get it in a bottle. Why we should all fear the plastic Armageddon, not the pandemic Rachel said she understands the need to protect human health, but we should be shielding the planet from suffocating on a blizzard of plastic (file image) Anyone else more panicky about the plastic Armageddon than the pandemic? On my BA flight to Glasgow, on-board catering was a snack bag containing water, pretzels, crisps, and yet another bag containing a sachet of hand sanitiser. Every single item was plastic-wrapped. I handed it back. Please recycle, I said. We dont recycle any of it, the stewardess replied, as I mentally cursed British Airways for adding to the snowstorm of visors, Perspex shields, gloves, masks, goggles that is blanketing the globe. Its not just airlines. When I went for a coffee, the waitress placed a surgical blue item next to my flat white. A wee bag for your waste, she said. As I was drinking from a thick china cup, she must have meant my paper napkin. I understand the need to protect human health. Cant we also shield the planet from this suffocating blizzard of plastic that will be here centuries after this horrible year is a footnote in history? Sean gets the girl (28) Rachel said it would've been nicer if Sean Penn, 59, had put a ring on a woman more his own age, instead of Leila George, 28 (pictured) Sean Penn, 59, has married the daughter of the actress Greta Scacchi, 60. Obviously, it would have been nicer for us matrons if hed put a ring on a woman more his own age, but hes a movie star. We all know why Sean Penn is marrying Leila George, a fawnlike 28-year-old, who could be his own daughter. Hes got ripped T-shirts older than his new wife. Thats why. And because hes Sean Penn. Weve seen this movie before and we know how it ends badly. The second-in-command Justice Department official in the Obama administration told Congress that President Donald Trumps former national security adviser informed a Russian diplomat in 2016 that the incoming Trump administration would essentially neutralise US sanctions imposed on Russia for its election interference. Sally Yates, President Barack Obamas deputy attorney general, told a United States Senate committee on Wednesday that it was highly irregular for Trump adviser Michael Flynn to tell a Russian ambassador that the incoming administration hoped Russia would minimise its response. In late December 2016, Obama expelled 35 suspected Russian spies in response to Russias hacks of Hillary Clinton and Democratic Party emails and exploitation of social media to damage Clinton and boost Trump. This was an attack on our democracy. This attack was absolutely unprecedented, Yates told the Senate Judiciary Committee. After the sanctions were announced at the end of December 2016, Flynn relayed messages from Trumps team huddled with the president-elect at his Mar-a-Lago Club resort in Florida to Russian US Ambassador Sergei Kislyak urging Moscow not to react. Flynn, a retired Army lieutenant general, later lied about those contacts with Kislyak in interviews with the FBI and was charged criminally by Special Counsel Robert Mueller as part of his probe into the Russian interference. Michael Flynn, twice pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI about his conversations with Kislyak but subsequently switched lawyers and has accused the FBI of setting him up [File: Manuel Balce Ceneta/AP Photo] Flynn has now asked a federal judge to dismiss the criminal case against him. The dismissal request, backed by Trumps Justice Department, is pending before a US appeals court in Washington, DC. Yates said she was not aware of anyone at the Department of Justice trying to keep Donald Trump from becoming president. President Trump said on Twitter that Yates has zero credibility. Sally Yates has zero credibility. She was a part of the greatest political crime of the Century, and ObamaBiden knew EVERYTHING! Sally Yates leaked the General Flynn conversation? Ask her under oath. Republicans should start playing the Democrats game! Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 5, 2020 Yates rejected allegations by Republicans on the Senate panel that former President Obama and then-Vice President Joe Biden had deliberately targeted Flynn for prosecution. My memory is clear, Yates said, describing a January 5, 2017, White House meeting on Russian interference that Republicans have focused on. No such thing happened, Yates said. That meeting was not about an investigation at all. That would have set off alarms for me, she said. Former US Deputy Attorney General Sally Yates responds to questions from Republican Senator John Kennedy about her personal feelings towards President Trump during a Senate Judiciary Committee oversight hearing in Washington, DC [Erin Schaff/Pool via Reuters] Committee Republicans used Wednesdays hearing to air complaints by Trump that the Obama-era Justice Department had used the controversial Steele dossier to spy on his campaign. The private dossier on alleged links between Trump and Russia was produced for an opposition research firm during the 2016 campaign by Christopher Steele, a former head of the Russia desk at MI6, the United Kingdoms intelligence agency. Republican legislator repeatedly pressed Yates about faulty information in surveillance applications for Carter Page, who served as an energy adviser to the Trump campaign, according to National Public Radio. We have a deliberate and systematic misleading of a federal court here, claimed Senator Josh Hawley, a Republican who is a former state prosecutor in Missouri. Barbara McQuade, a former federal prosecutor and law professor a the University of Michigan, commented on Twitter that Republican senators were trying to create a false narrative with their questions. Future lawyers watching Senate hearing with @SallyQYates take note, what these senators do would never fly in court. @HawleyMO might be the worst with deliberate efforts to create misleading impressions. Opposing counsel would tear him to shreds & a judge would impose sanctions. Barb McQuade (@BarbMcQuade) August 5, 2020 An internal review by Justice Department Inspector General Michael Horowitz found there was no evidence of political bias in the FBIs initiation of its investigation into Russia interference in the 2016 campaign which the IG found had been justified by the facts. However, officials now say some source material used by the FBI in its applications for surveillance warrants on Page amounted to gossip and bar talk that has since been disavowed, although the FBI knew Russian intelligence had previously tried to recruit Page as a potential asset. Yates agreed with Republicans that the FBI had not provided completely accurate information in its secret wiretap applications. The Ministry of Health of Israel calls on Ukraine to ban this year's Hasidic pilgrimage to the town of Uman on the Jewish New Year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. "Our professional position is that the event should be banned as it would be a gathering of 30,000 people. The appropriate measures taken by the Ukrainian authorities are the only way to stop it," Asher Shalmon, the Director of the International Relations Division of Israels Ministry of Health, said on Tuesday, DW reports. Earlier, Uman town mayor Oleksandr Tsebriy argued against the arrival of Hasidic pilgrims to celebrate the Jewish New Year - Rosh Hashanah - this autumn. He believes it could cause a coronavirus outbreak in the town. At an interdepartmental meeting at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine on July 9, it was agreed that the arrival of tens of thousands of Hasidic pilgrims in the town of Uman for traditional celebrations is impossible, so there is a need to create an alternative format. Rebbe Nachman of Breslov, the founder of the Breslov Hasidic movement, was buried in the town of Uman in Cherkasy region, central Ukraine. The town became a place of massive pilgrimage. Each autumn, 20-30 thousand pilgrims from different countries come here to celebrate the Jewish New Year. In 2020, Rosh Hashanah will be celebrated on September 18-20. ol Five people are dead, including two children, in an early morning house fire that Denver police and fire officials say appears to be arson. The fire was reported around 2:40 a.m. local time, the Denver Fire Department said. Responding officers tried to get people out of the house but the intense heat pushed them back, the police department said. MORE: Home fires spike over the holidays. What you can do to get out alive Three people escaped the fire by jumping from the second story of the suburban home, according to a Denver Fire Department spokesperson. They are not believed to be significantly injured. A toddler, a child and three adults were killed, according to the fire department. They were all found on the first floor, fire officials said at a news conference. PHOTO: Firefighters battle a fatal house fire in Denver, Aug. 4, 2020. (Denver Fire Department via Twitter) PHOTO: Firefighters battle a fatal house fire in Denver, Aug. 4, 2020. (Denver Fire Department via Twitter) "We have indication through some evidence that it was an arson," Joe Montoya, Denver police Division Chief of Investigations, said at a Wednesday morning news conference. He did not provide further information on the evidence. The fire "will be investigated ... as a homicide investigation," Montoya said. 2 kids among 5 dead in Denver house fire, arson suspected originally appeared on abcnews.go.com Audiences at performance venues across Northern Ireland may be required to wear face masks when they reopen, according to new guidance. While such venues have not been given a date when they can reopen for indoor performances, the Arts Council of Northern Ireland has issued a comprehensive guidance manual which provides an extensive range of practical measures that will enable performance spaces including theatres, arts centres, galleries, studios and arts hubs to reopen to the public safely. Taking its title from lines of a poem by Northern Ireland poet Miriam Gamble, In The Bubble of Our Making: Reopening the Arts in Northern Ireland, covers all aspects of reopening, including risk assessments, staff training, capacity considerations and special provisions so audiences can be reassured that all the appropriate measures are in place and the environment they are entering is safe. The guidance was commissioned from SLUA Event Safety Consultancy and sets out the protocols, adjustments and equipment that will be required by venues to maintain social distancing and protect the health and wellbeing of audiences, performers, staff and participants. A section within the manual, titled creating work, offers guidance for organisations, arts groups, individual practitioners and everyone engaged within the arts in taking steps back into working together safely to present public performances. Recommendations include the introduction of a one-way system, hand sanitisers and removing seats to create audience "pods". Venues have also been advised they can introduce temperature checks for audiences, however this is not mandatory. Smaller productions, such as one-person shows, and more online performances have also been mooted. Venues have been advised to keep recordings of anyone attending for 21 days to help with contact tracing. Other measures include: Booking appointments to visit galleries and exhibitions Reduction of audience sizes to allow for social distancing Shorter performances and more outdoor shows In terms of face coverings, the guidance states: "Based on your risk assessment and taking into account audience expectation, you may decide that you will require all visiting public to wear face coverings as part of your new entry conditions. "Current guidance states that wearing a face covering is recommended in situations where it is difficult to practice social distancing e.g. on public transport or in enclosed public spaces." Roisin McDonough, Chief Executive of the Arts Council of Northern Ireland, said there is "an enormous appetite" for a return to live arts. "We want to make sure that our venues have the most up-to-date guidance that will allow them to safely open their doors and welcome back audiences," she said. "We are also keen to see arts organisations continue to develop the astonishing aptitude they have shown during the lockdown for adapting to circumstances and finding novel ways of reaching out to audiences." Roisin added: "We can use this experience alongside the new guidance to expand our horizons and re-engage audiences in different ways, in different shapes and in different places. Out of the current challenges could emerge an altogether new and complementary model of how we make and present the arts in Northern Ireland. The guidance comes after it was announced that Belfast's Grand Opera House would be forced to delay its reopening and cancel the annual Christmas pantomime. The theatre shut in January ahead of the pandemic and lockdown to undergo a major restoration and development project, and was due to reopen in November in time for the panto season. To download the manual, In the bubble of our making: reopening the arts in Northern Ireland, visit www.artscouncil-ni.org A second man has been charged with the bashing murder of Mark Boyce in Adelaide in 2017 A second man has been charged with the bashing murder of Mark Boyce in Adelaide in 2017. The 31-year-old was arrested over the killing on Wednesday and is expected to face Adelaide Magistrates Court. His arrest follows last year's conviction of Hells Angels bikie Joshua Grant, who is serving a minimum 20-year jail sentence. Mr Boyce, 36, suffered a fatal brain injury when he was punched, kicked and stomped on outside his home at Elizabeth South, in Adelaide's north, in January 2017. He was admitted to hospital but died from his injuries about a week later. Sentencing Grant last year, Supreme Court Justice Tim Stanley described the attack as savage, brutal and completely unjustified. 'The utter pointlessness of his death can only accentuate the grief of those who knew and loved him,' the judge said. On Wednesday, police said two vehicles transported Mr Boyce's three assailants to and from the scene. In September last year, one of the vehicles, a Toyota Echo was found four metres underground, cut up and burned, on a Hells Angels Motorcycle Club property. In September last year, one of the vehicles, a Toyota Echo was found four metres underground, cut up and burned, on a Hells Angels Motorcycle Club property Police allege the owner of that vehicle is the second man arrested and charged with murder. Detectives are still searching for the second vehicle, a Toyota Rav 4. 'This has been a challenging and lengthy inquiry, which will continue as we seek to build a brief of evidence against the third suspect,' Detective Superintendent Des Bray said. Former U.S. Marine Paul Whelan, sentenced by a Russian court to 16 years on espionage charges that he rejects, has arrived at a penal colony in the region of Mordovia -- an area historically known as the location of Russia's toughest prisons, including Soviet-era labor camps for political prisoners. Valery Krutov, chairman of the Mordovia branch of the Public Monitoring Commission rights group, said on August 5 that Whelan had arrived at Correctional Colony No. 18 in Mordovia. Krutov said he is meant to stay at that facility for about two weeks before being transferred to Correctional Colony No. 17 to serve his sentence. Whelan's lawyer, Olga Karlova, said on August 4 that Whelan had been moved from the Lefortovo detention center in Moscow days earlier and was being sent to a Mordovian penal colony. Karlova said she had received the information from Whelans brother David, who had been informed of his transfer by the British Embassy. Whelan holds U.S., Canadian, British, and Irish passports. Whelan's relatives and lawyers had said earlier that the ex-U.S. Marine would most likely be held in Lefortovo for a longer time as it was expected he may be exchanged in September for Russian citizens imprisoned in the United States. Reports in June said Russian and U.S. officials were in talks about a possible swap of Whelan for two Russians -- Viktor Bout and Konstantin Yaroshenko -- who are serving lengthy sentences in U.S. prisons. However, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said on August 4 that the issue of Whelan's exchange for Russian citizens had not yet been discussed with U.S. officials. The notorious system of correctional colonies in Mordovia, established during the 1930s as part of the Soviet Union's feared gulag system, is still known as one of the toughest prison systems in the former Soviet Union. The process of transferring convicts in Russia, known as "etap," involves trains specifically designed for prisoners. The transfers can take days or even weeks. Prisoners who travel in such trains are crowded into caged compartments with little fresh air, no showers, and only limited access to a toilet or food. On June 15, the Moscow City Court convicted and sentenced Whelan to 16 years on espionage charges. The trial was held behind closed doors due to what Russian authorities claimed was "classified" evidence and coronavirus restrictions. The United States has called the proceedings a mockery of justice and demanded Whelans immediate release. Russia's Foreign Ministry has rejected complaints about the "unfairness and excessive harshness of the sentence. The 50-year-old Whelan was arrested in Moscow in December 2018. Russian prosecutors claimed that a flash memory stick found in Whelan's possession contained classified information. Whelan says he was framed when he took the memory stick from an acquaintance thinking it contained holiday photos. He has also accused his prison guards of mistreatment. Whelan was head of global security at a U.S. auto-parts supplier when he was arrested. He and his relatives insist he visited Russia to attend a wedding. Before the Moscow court announced its verdict, U.S. officials criticized Russian authorities for their "shameful treatment" of Whelan. With reporting by Interfax and TASS Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-06 00:01:58|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close by Martina Fuchs GENEVA, Aug. 5 (Xinhua) -- Eygpt's candidate to lead the World Trade Organization (WTO) has called for the reactivation of the Geneva-based body's negotiation function, saying "the world needs a strong WTO" to help it recover from the coronavirus crisis. Egypt's Abdel-Hamid Mamdouh, one of the three Africans vying for the top post of director-general at the WTO, told Xinhua that reviving the organization's negotiation function was paramount. The main function of the WTO, which deals with the global rules of trade between nations, is to ensure that trade flows as smoothly, predictably and freely as possible. Mamdouh, an attorney at the King & Spalding and former WTO official, previously led trade negotiations in the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT), the forerunner of the WTO. During the Uruguay Round negotiations, his responsibilities included legal matters relating to the negotiation and drafting of the General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS). In his statement to the General Council in July, Mamdouh stressed that the conversation about reforms should not be about "the future of the WTO", but about "the WTO of the future". The post of WTO chief became vacant after the incumbent WTO Director-General Roberto Azevedo announced in May that he would resign from the role on Aug. 31, a year before the official end of his term. His successor will face an unprecedented set of challenges, such as intensifying global trade tensions, rising protectionism, and a coronavirus-induced dive in global trade. Mamdouh stressed that the incoming chief would need to be an "honest broker" and play the role of "facilitator". Asked about how he would negotiate in the trade tensions between the United States and China, he explained that "the trade tensions that we see now to a large extent are due to malfunctions in the system." "We can reset the system and invite them both to the table and try to separate the trade tensions from the broader geopolitical tensions that we have, and try to look at the trade agenda from the point of view of having a win-win outcome for both of them," he said. FIXING THE WTO The WTO forecast in April that global trade in goods would plunge by between 13 percent and 32 percent in 2020 due to the coronavirus, before rebounding by 21 percent to 24 percent in 2021. The role of the WTO should be both short-term and long-term, Mamdouh said. "In the short-term, the WTO must play its role as the framework that ensures that every measure by governments in the face of this crisis is consistent with WTO rules, is transparent, and is subject to monitoring," he said. "In the long run, in order to support economic recovery post-pandemic, the world needs a strong WTO, because a strong WTO guarantees the stability and predictability of trade conditions and this is necessary for trade growth." Asked about new international cooperation mechanisms, he said, "On the trade front: Fix the WTO, please -- because you need a strong WTO. This is the first, second and third priority. And it is of such urgency that we need to hit the ground running." The second phase of the selection process in which the candidates "make themselves known to members" will end on Sept. 7. The General Council chairperson will then consult with all WTO members before making the final decision. Enditem Rowan University will begin the fall semester with nearly all of its courses online in an effort to slow the spread of the coronavirus. The school follows Rutgers University and The College of New Jersey, which have announced plans to offer nearly all of their courses remotely. Rowan had planned a full return to campus this fall, but delays in the states progress past stage 2 of reopening led the university to reconsider its plan, said president Ali Houshmand. Only courses that require clinical, lab and technical work will begin on campus, according to the announcement. When the state moves beyond stage 2 of its reopening, the school will allow in-person instruction for hands-on courses like theater, physical education, music and dance. Traditional lectures will begin remotely, but could also transition when authorized by the state, Houshmands statement said. Once classes begin in person, students can choose to stay remote or to enroll in a flexible combination of in-person and online instruction. Students can still live on campus, according to the announcement. The university has spent the summer adjusting residence halls to comply with social distancing regulations. Starting the fall semester with more limits than we hoped for is unfortunate, but the good news is we are ready to shift immediately to fewer restrictions as the state makes progress, Houshmand said. Until then, Rowan University will be the best model of an academic community that we can: dedicated to rigorous study and research, supportive of every member of the Rowan family, and resilient, creative and agile in the face of uncertainty and challenge. 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. A commitment to peace in Northern Ireland must be John Hume's lasting legacy, the priest who will celebrate his Requiem Mass on Wednesday has said. The former SDLP leader, recognised as one of Ireland's greatest politicians, passed away on Monday after a long illness. His funeral will take place in his home city of Londonderry on Wednesday morning. In accordance with coronavirus regulations, only immediate family will be inside St Eugene's Cathedral, where Fr Paul Farren will be the chief celebrant. Expand Close Mourners including Mayor of Derry Brian Tierney, former SDLP leader Mark Durkan and current leader Colum Eastwood pay their respects / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Mourners including Mayor of Derry Brian Tierney, former SDLP leader Mark Durkan and current leader Colum Eastwood pay their respects On Tuesday night, Mr Hume's remains were brought from his home near Moville in Co Donegal to St Eugene's. People were urged not to line the streets, with the Hume family, including his widow Pat, urging mourners to pay their respects by taking part in a "Celebration of Light for Peace in their own homes. Fr Farren said: "How we remember John is very important. He can't just be a memory - his legacy has to be our commitment to peace. "Pat and her family are very grateful for the outpouring of love and support following the death of their beloved John. Expand Close John Hume Getty Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp John Hume "The family are anxious that a public gathering for John's funeral might inadvertently put someone's health at risk. Fr Farren added the Celebration of Light for Peace was a fitting tribute "to a much-loved and distinguished Irishman." On Tuesday night Mr Hume's family said they had been strengthened by the countless tributes paid to him and by how people had largely respected their request not to line the streets. Expand Close Friends and family form a guard of honour as the coffin of John Hume arrives at the cathedral PA / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Friends and family form a guard of honour as the coffin of John Hume arrives at the cathedral In a statement, Mr Hume's widow and constant stalwart in life Pat and their sons and daughters Therese, Aine, Aidan, John and Mo said: "John loved the people of Derry and Donegal. "The heartfelt and sincere condolences that we have received from people from across the island, but particularly from the communities John loved being a part of, have been immensely comforting to us." Earlier in Moville, the desire to do as the Hume family requested was first and foremost in people's thoughts despite many wanting to keep to the tradition of visiting the wake house. Local woman Roisin Doherty was typical of many residents when she said she was greatly saddened at the lack of opportunity to pay respect to Mr Hume. "From the time John and Pat came to Moville, they have been part of the fabric of the town... John was just too unwell to be out and about, but he was as loved and respected here as he was anywhere else," she added. Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Previous Next John Hume 1937 - 2020: A life in pictures Close John Hume playing with his children John Hume is carried aloft through Londonderry city centre after being returned as MP for Foyle in 1987 John Hume on his wedding day with wife Pat John Hume is detained by soldiers during a civil rights protest in Londonderry in August 1971. John Hume John Hume in thoughtful mood at the SDLP party conference in Newcastle in 1979 Bertie Ahern and John Hume as they took part in a press conference on the 10th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement in Belfast. Picture Charles McQuillan/Pacemaker. U2 star Bono is flanked by David Trimble and John Hume on stage during a special concert in Belfast to promote the Yes vote in the referendum on the Good Friday Agreement (Chris Bacon/PA) PA John Hume with his good friend, Senator Ted Kennedy, in the Bogside John Hume with UN Secretary General Kofi Annan John Hume and his wife Pat at the Foyle Arts Centre in Londonderry after hearing that he and David Trimble were to share the Nobel Peace Prize Photopress Belfast John Hume with party colleague Seamus Mallon John Hume and David Trimble with U2 frontman Bono celebrating the Good Friday Agreement The SDLP team led by leader John Hume arrives at Stormont in 1999 to start the process of selecting ministers for the devolved government John Hume waiting for the verdict of the referendum on the Good Friday Agreement, David Trimble, Tony Blair and John Hume at Dunadry in Co Antrim Photopress Belfast John Hume waiting for the verdict of the referendum on the Good Friday Agreement, David Trimble, Tony Blair and John Hume at Dunadry in Co Antrim Photopress Belfast Hometown heroes: John Hume celebrates with Derry City players after their 2010 First Division win SPORTSFILE Former SDLP leader John Hume and Bill Clinton pictured in front of the Guildhall. Photo-Jonathan Porter/Presseye. Photo by Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye. Sinn Fein president Gerry Adams (left) and SDLP leader John Hume (Chris Bacon/PA) PA John Hume worked with Ian Paisley PA SDLP leader John Hume with his wife Pat speak to the media after he and David Trimble won the Nobel Peace Prize (PA) PA John Hume in front of the Stormont Building in 2002 (Paul Faith/PA) John Hume with David Trimble (PA) PA Bill Clinton in front of the Guildhall with former SDLP leader John Hume and his wife Pat. Photo-Jonathan Porter/Presseye. Photo by Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye. SDLP Conference, St Columb's Hall, Derry 12th March 2016. SDLP Leader Colm Eastwood John Hume at the conclusion of the conference Photo:Presseye. Photo by Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye. File photo dated 19/10/2000 of the Dalai Lama (left) meeting with fellow Nobel peace laureate John Hume, the former SDLP leader has died at the age of 83. Photo: Martin McCullough/PA Wire PA File photo dated 24/08/2014 of John Hume and his wife Pat, the former SDLP leader has died at the age of 83. PA Photo.Photo: Niall Carson/PA Wire PA Handout File photo dated 12/04/2000 of Former South African President Nelson Mandela meeting John Hume at the South African Embassy in Dublin Photo: PA Wire PA / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp John Hume playing with his children "It would be the natural thing to go to the wake and pay respects, but Pat's wishes are what are important now. Out of respect to her and the family, I will stay at home and light a candle in his memory." Mr Hume's remains were taken into the cathedral and placed at the foot of the altar where Fr Paul Farren will celebrate Requiem Mass on Wednesday. Expand Close Ten-year-old Millie McHugh, from Derry, holds a candle in memory of Nobel laureate John Hume on Derrys Walls this evening. Photo by Lorcan Doherty / Press Eye Photo by Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye. / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Ten-year-old Millie McHugh, from Derry, holds a candle in memory of Nobel laureate John Hume on Derrys Walls this evening. Photo by Lorcan Doherty / Press Eye The grounds of St Eugene's Cathedral will remain closed to the public before and during the funeral service. Parking restrictions will also be in place in the surrounding streets. Members of the public have been warned that, in line with guidelines around coronavirus, the City Cemetery will remain closed throughout the morning. Earlier on Tuesday, tributes continued to pour in from around the world, including from US President Donald Trump's administration and presidential candidate Joe Biden. Expand Close Mourners hold candles as they prepare for the arrival of the funeral cortege of John Hume in the grounds of St Eugene's Cathedral. Picture Martin McKeown. 04.08.20 / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Mourners hold candles as they prepare for the arrival of the funeral cortege of John Hume in the grounds of St Eugene's Cathedral. Picture Martin McKeown. 04.08.20 US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Mr Hume displayed "integrity and courage" and played a "profoundly important role" in Northern Ireland's transition from violence to peace. "Throughout his career, John Hume believed that just and lasting political solutions could only be achieved through peaceful means, and as a central architect of the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement, he worked tirelessly to make these aspirations a reality," he added. "Mr Hume's influence extended far beyond the shores where he lived." Expand Close Family members watch as the coffin of John Hume is taken into St Eugenes Cathedral in Londonderry (Niall Carson/PA) PA / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Family members watch as the coffin of John Hume is taken into St Eugenes Cathedral in Londonderry (Niall Carson/PA) Former US Vice-President and Democrat presidential candidate Joe Biden said the world had lost a "great man of peace". "John Hume committed his life to the principles of non-violence, and through his faith, statesmanship, and perseverance, he helped bring Northern Ireland through the Troubles to a better tomorrow," he added. "Jill (Mr Biden's wife) and I send our condolences to the entire Hume family. Expand Close US presidential candidate Joe Biden / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp US presidential candidate Joe Biden "May his leadership and the example of his life continue to inspire future generations of peacemakers and patriots to create a world more grounded in civil rights, tolerance, equality, and democratic freedoms." Former US Senator George Mitchell, who presided over the fraught political talks that eventually led to the 1998 Agreement, described Mr Hume as a dear friend who would be remembered for centuries to come. "He was not just someone who I'd worked with closely over a period of many years. He was, I think - and most people acknowledge - one of the great persons in all of Irish history," he said. Expand Close John Hume's funeral arrives in Derry. Credit: Martin McKeown / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp John Hume's funeral arrives in Derry. Credit: Martin McKeown The Requiem Mass will be livestreamed on the BBC and broadcast live by RTE. It will also be available to view on the cathedral's webcam at 11.30, with people able to hear Fr Farren's homily and Bishop of Derry Donal McKeown's final address. The $1,500 'disaster payment' could be extended to all Aussies. Source: Getty All Australians could potentially have access to the $1,500 disaster payment available to Victorians, after the Prime Minister revealed it was not out of the question for other states. The fortnightly payment was unveiled on Monday, but at the time Scott Morrison said it was only available to Victorian workers. This is a disaster payment, he said. If another state were to be in a position and God forbid they were that there was a disaster of the scale that we're seeing in Victoria, then a disaster payment of this nature would be entered into, but that would be done on the same basis of what will be established with Victoria. But now Morrison has confirmed if other states wanted to offer the sick leave substitute, they could. "If other states or territories want to enter into a similar arrangement, then I'll be making that offer to the states and territories if they wish to do that," he told Sevens Sunrise program on Wednesday. "Of course, they are not facing the same level of challenge. The health advice we had out of Victoria was to do this." Morrisons comments follow pressure from unions and businesses outside of Victoria for the Government to extend leave payments to the entire nation. It also comes amid criticism from unions that the payment would leave holes in Australias defences against the spread of the virus. "It's actually set at the rate of pretty close to the minimum wage, which is less than half the average wage," ACTU president Michele O'Neil told Seven on Tuesday. "We want to make sure it works like sick leave. If you need to stop work and isolate you should get your normal pay and the government should reimburse businesses that can't afford to pay that." Currently, under a federal-state agreement, the Commonwealth is footing the bill for the fortnightly payments of Australian citizens, and the state is paying for short-term visa holders. There is no legislated end-date either, with the payment set to remain in place for as long as is necessary. We anticipate that this payment will be needed for some time, and it will be made available for as long as it's necessary. Are you a millennial or Gen Z-er interested in joining a community where you can learn how to take control of your money? Join us at The Broke Millennials Club on Facebook! Every Commerce Bank client that applied was approved. Let me say that again 100% approval. Word spread in the business community. Soon, large bank clients were coming to Commerce Bank for help. When clients of larger banks called their own bank for help, they got voicemail. When they called Commerce Bank for help, they spoke with a person. The Commerce team stayed focused on task. They continually communicated with clients, old and new. They monitored the ever-changing eligibility requirements of PPP, making sure each new application had the highest probability of being approved. Through these efforts Commerce was able to bring in 60-plus new clients. Both Lewis and Tees emphasized that relationships matter before everything else. Each one of Commerces clients has a relationship with their Commerce banker. They know each local business and its owner firsthand. They do whatever it takes to create an environment in which the business and the community can thrive. Commerce Bank is a true community bank, and a different flavor from larger banks. Not better, not worse, just different. In this current economic crisis, Commerce Bank clients are able to depend on their banker to get them the help they need because the in-depth relationships are already in place. Its the strength of relationships that makes the difference, in both good times and bad. Ken Cook is the co-founder of How to Who, a program on how to build strong business relationships. Learn more at howtowho.com. Check out the companies making headlines after the bell: Roku Shares of the streaming platform fell 1% after the market closed. Roku reported second-quarter financial results after hours, posting a loss of 35 cents per share on revenues of $356 million, compared to predictions of analysts surveyed by Refinitiv for a loss of 50 cents per share on revenues of $315 million. Roku said it added 3.2 million incremental active accounts in the second quarter, reaching 43 million. Etsy The marketplace company's stock whipsawed in extended trading after the company released its second-quarter earnings. Etsy said it had earnings of 75 cents per share with revenue of $429 million, while analysts estimated earnings of 39 cents per share on revenues of $330 million. Teladoc, Livongo Shares of both Teladoc and Livongo gained 2% and 1% respectively in after hours after both stocks tumbled throughout the day. Teladoc announced it was acquiring digital health company Livongo Wednesday. The deal values Livongo at $18.5 billion. Novavax Shares of the pharmaceutical company dropped 1% in extended trading after climbing 10% earlier in the day. The stock has seen movement following released data yesterday from its coronavirus vaccine trial showing promising results. Twilio The cloud communications company's stock fell 2% in after-hours trading. In an SEC filing, Twilio said the company is offering $1.25 billion of Class A common stock. Live Nation Shares of Live Nation shot down 1% after the closing bell following the release of second-quarter financial results that missed Wall Street projections. Live Nation said it saw second-quarter revenue of $74 million, far below the $268 million analysts had predicted, according to Refinitiv. Live Nation reported a second quarter loss of $2.67 per share, also missing estimates of a loss of $2.08 per share. The company said it expects live events will return at scale in the summer of 2021. Fitbit Fitbit's stock rose 1% in extended trading after the company released its second-quarter financial results. Fitbit reported a loss of 12 cents per share excluding certain items and revenues of $261.3 million, compared to FactSet analysts' estimate of a loss of 22 cents per share and revenues of $194.2 million. The EU launched an investigation into Google's proposed acquisition of Fitbit on Tuesday. Western Digital The data storage company's stock plunged 12% in extended trading after Western Digital announced its fourth-quarter financial results. Western Digital posted earnings of $1.23 per share on revenues of $4.29 billion, while analysts polled by Refinitiv had expected earnings of $1.22 per share on revenues of $4.34 billion. Zynga Shares of the social game developer jumped 6% higher in extended trading after Zynga announced its second-quarter financial results. Zynga's revenues of $518 million surpassed Refinitiv analysts' estimate of $503 million. Voters flocked to voting centres as President Gotabaya Rajapaksa seeks a fresh mandate to boost his power. Sri Lankans voted on Wednesday to elect a new parliament, wearing masks and adhering to strict social distancing guidelines at polling stations across the country, in an election President Gotabaya Rajapaksa hopes will boost his powers. More than 16 million people are eligible to vote in the island nation, whose economy is heavily dependent on tourism and has struggled deeply since deadly attacks on hotels and churches last year killed more than 260 people. This year, strict curfews and lockdowns in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic have further slowed economic growth, with the World Bank estimating the countrys GDP could contract by as much as 3 percent in 2020. Polls opened at 07:00 local time (01:30 GMT), with voters forming queues outside polling stations as per the Election Commissions (EC) coronavirus guidelines. More than 750,000 Sri Lankans voted by postal ballot this year, according to the ECs data. Police spokesman Priyantha Weerasuriya said the voting, which ended at 5 pm, was largely peaceful and that police officers were escorting the ballot boxes to the counting centres. Votes are to be counted on Thursday and the results should be known later that day. Constitutional changes Rajapaksa, 71, was elected in November after a landslide victory in a presidential poll, and is seeking a two-thirds majority for his Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) and its Sri Lanka Peoples Freedom Alliance (SLPFA) in the 225-member parliament. Since coming to power, Gotabaya Rajapaksa said he has felt hobbled by the constitutional amendment that reduced presidents powers [File: Dinuka Liyanawatte/Reuters] More than 7,400 candidates are standing for 196 seats in Wednesdays poll, with the remaining 29 to be filled by proportional representation based on the results of the election. Gaining more than 150 seats in total would allow Rajapaksa to enact constitutional changes, and potentially revoke the countrys 19th constitutional amendment, a long-standing campaign promise from last year. The amendment, enacted in 2015 following 10 years of rule by Gotabayas elder brother, Mahinda Rajapaksa, curtailed the powers of the president, distributing them more evenly with the prime minister and other democratic institutions. Mahinda Rajapaksa is the SLPFAs prime ministerial candidate, and the current incumbent in the position after former Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe resigned after his opposition United National Partys (UNP) humiliating defeat in the November presidential poll. The aftermath of the poll saw deepening divisions within the UNP, with the partys presidential candidate Sajith Premadasa leading a split from the party in February, forming the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) and taking the majority of UNP legislators with him. Strict social distancing rules At the polls on Wednesday, election officials wore transparent face shields while medical personnel ensured voters adhered to strict social distancing rules to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. There will be no chance of you getting infected by the coronavirus at polling stations, said Election Commission Chairman Mahinda Deshapriya, who was among the first to vote at a Colombo school early on Wednesday. The polling station is safer than the beach, the restaurant and the marketplace, its totally corona free. Sri Lanka had reported 2,834 cases of the coronavirus and 11 deaths as of Tuesday, as per the countrys health ministry. President Gotabayas older brother and former two-time president, Mahinda Rajapaksa, right, is the prime ministerial candidate for the governing party [File: Lakruwan Wanniarachchi /AFP] Rajapaksa claimed credit for controlling the outbreak with strict lockdowns, and the relatively low numbers have seen his public support grow. Election observers said it was unclear what effect, if any, the coronavirus outbreak would have on voter turnout, which is generally high in the island nation. Normally, Sri Lankans are much interested in three things: cricket, religious activities and elections, Manjula Gajanayake, national coordinator for the Colombo-based Centre for Monitoring Election Violence (CMEV) told Al Jazeera. We always have a good turnout, but due to COVID19 it is very difficult to predict. Gajanayake said the CMEV was satisfied with the election commissions guidelines for conducting the poll safely. The poll had been twice-delayed due to the coronavirus pandemic, with the opposition protesting against the extended period of direct rule by the president after he dissolved Parliament in March. Buddhist nationalism The Rajapaksa brothers have built their political careers as nationalist champions of the countrys majority Sinhala Buddhist community, which forms roughly 70 percent of the population. They are best known for having crushed an ethnic minority Tamil armed separatist rebellion in the north of the country, which raged for more than three decades as armed groups fought for independence for the islands north and east. The conflict ended in 2009 when Mahinda Rajapaksa was president and Gotabaya was defence minister, amid allegations of torture, civilian killings and war crimes in the final stages of the war. Mahinda Rajapaksa was defeated in a presidential election in 2015, which saw former ally Maithripala Sirisena ascend as president, with the UNP in control in Parliament. Years of economic and governance mismanagement, however, saw the UNP perform poorly in the 2019 presidential poll. Since coming to power, Gotabaya Rajapaksa said he has felt hobbled by the constitutional amendment that reduced his powers. He has appointed a number of presidential task forces, putting serving and former military officers in key bureaucratic and other positions. I need power to implement my economic programme which you voted for, he told supporters last week. Ahead of Wednesdays poll, 10 international rights groups including Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch and Reporters Without Borders called on Sri Lankas government to end the targeted arrests, intimidation and threats against the lives and physical security of lawyers, activists, human rights defenders and journalists. Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-05 23:45:40|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close BEIJING, Aug. 5 (Xinhua) -- The following are the updates on the global fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. - - - - BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN -- Brunei reported no new cases of COVID-19 on Wednesday, with the national tally of cases standing at 141. It marked the 90th consecutive day without new cases since May 7. According to Brunei's Ministry of Health, no active cases are being treated at the National Isolation Center. - - - - KUWAIT CITY -- Kuwait on Wednesday reported 651 new COVID-19 cases and three more deaths, raising the tally of infections to 69,425 and the death toll to 468, the Health Ministry said in a statement. Currently, 8,051 patients are receiving treatment, including 128 in ICU, the statement added. The ministry also announced the recovery of 580 more patients, raising the total recoveries in the country to 60,906. - - - - MALE -- New restrictions have been placed on travel into and out of the Greater Male region of the Maldives as the country's COVID-19 cases continue to rise amid a possible second wave, local media reported on Wednesday. Starting Tuesday, travel into and out of the Greater Male region will be possible only with a special permit provided for essential purposes. Meanwhile, curfew in the region will be imposed from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. local time, with a police permit required to travel outside during these hours. - - - - ADDIS ABABA -- The number of confirmed COVID-19 cases across the African continent reached 976,028 on Wednesday, the Africa Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) said. The Africa CDC, a specialized healthcare agency of the 55-member African Union (AU) Commission, in its latest situation update issued on Wednesday, said that the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases across the continent rose from 968,020 on Tuesday to 976,028 as of Wednesday. The Africa CDC report also said that the number of deaths related to the COVID-19 pandemic rose to 21,050 deaths on Wednesday, up from 20,612 on Tuesday. - - - - MINSK -- Belarus reported 126 new confirmed COVID-19 cases on Wednesday, taking its total to 68,376, according to the country's health ministry. There have been 262 new recoveries in the past 24 hours, bringing the total to 63,425, the ministry added. So far, 577 people have died of the disease in the country, including three more over the past 24 hours, it said. - - - - ACCRA -- Ghanaian health authorities confirmed 1,263 more infections of the novel coronavirus on Wednesday, raising the country's total case count to 39,075, according to the latest update by the Ghana Health Service (GHS). The number of recoveries rose by 1,250 to reach 35,563. Eight more deaths were reported, bringing the COVID-19 toll to 199, with 3,313 active cases. - - - - TEHRAN -- Iran's confirmed total COVID-19 cases rose to 317,483 on Wednesday after an overnight registration of 2,697 new infections, according to official IRNA news agency. During her daily briefing, Sima Sadat Lari, the spokeswoman for Iran's Ministry of Health and Medical Education, said out of the new cases in the past 24 hours, 1,331 were hospitalized. The novel coronavirus pandemic has so far claimed the lives of 17,802 in Iran, up by 185 in the past 24 hours, she said. - - - - HANOI -- Vietnam reported 43 new cases of COVID-19 infection on Wednesday, bringing its total confirmed cases to 713, with eight deaths from the disease so far, according to the Ministry of Health. Only one case has recently returned to Vietnam from abroad and being quarantined upon arrival while the rest were recorded domestically, according to the ministry. - - - - YANGON -- Myanmar reported two more imported cases of COVID-19 on Wednesday, bringing the number of infections to 357 in total, according to a release from the Ministry of Health and Sports. According to the release, the newly confirmed cases are returnees who were under quarantine in Yangon region and Chin state after their recent arrivals from abroad. - - - - YEREVAN -- Armenia on Wednesday reported 288 new COVID-19 cases, bringing its total to 39,586, according to the National Center for Disease Control. Data from the center also showed that 478 more patients have recovered in the past 24 hours, bringing the total number of recoveries to 30,850. Meanwhile, two people died in the same period, raising the death toll to 770. - - - - LUSAKA -- Zambia's cumulative COVID-19 cases have surpassed 7,000 as 229 more cases were reported in the last 24 hours, its health ministry said on Wednesday. The new cases were recorded out of 1,112 tests conducted in the last 24 hours, according to the Ministry of Health Spokesperson Able Kabalo. - - - - WINDHOEK -- Namibia Minister of Health Kalumbi Shangula on Wednesday announced a record daily number of COVID-19 recoveries of 345 cases which he said have now been discharged. Shangula said that the recoveries again are a result of the government's shift in the de-isolation policy. Enditem Eric Lolo is taking Drakenstein Municipality and the provincial department of Human Settlements to court. He says they have failed to meet their Constitutional obligation by not providing adequate emergency housing to families facing eviction. Archive photo: Barbara Maregele The case against Drakenstein Municipality's "failure to meet its constitutional obligation by not providing adequate emergency housing" to families facing eviction will be argued in court this week. Lawyers for farm worker Eric Lolo will argue that the municipality "breached its constitutional and statutory obligations by failing to take reasonable measures to provide emergency housing for people living within its area of jurisdiction". The other respondents in the case are the provincial MEC for Human Settlements, the Minister for Human Settlements, and Greenwillows Properties - the farm owners. GroundUp reported that in 2015, Lolo was served with an eviction order from Greenwillows Properties, which owns Langkloof Roses farm in Wellington, where Lolo was staying with his daughter Berenice Fransman and her child. Lolo is acting as a representative of many farm dwellers in the region who have had similar experiences. In the court application the lawyers note that evictions in the area have reached "crisis proportions" and that there is "a dire shortage of emergency housing for evictees". According to attorney Johan van der Merwe, who is acting on behalf of Lolo, the municipality has not provided adequate housing solutions to farm dwellers in the region. Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines South Africa Legal Affairs Urban Issues By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later. "[The court case] is about improving those minimum standards and taking the municipality to task for not really progressing beyond those minimum standards," said van der Merwe. "There should be more and quicker access to low-income housing, and the informal settlements need to be improved." Seraj Johaar, the municipality's executive director of Corporate Services said there was not enough support and funding from the national government. "It is difficult for us to keep up with the need without the proper support. We fully understand our obligation in respect of emergency housing. "We are challenged to provide brick-and-mortar housing, but we provide emergency housing to the best of our ability," said Johaar. "A favourable outcome is for [the municipality] and Mr Lolo to settle the dust, so that he can continue his life in a better structure than he is currently living in," said Johaar. Carmen Louw of Women on Farms Project who is an amicus curiae in the case said the case would also bring to light the municipality's dependency on the provincial budget received for emergency housing. "Drakenstein doesn't have a specific plan for farm evictees," said Louw. She said there are farm dwellers "living in appalling conditions" in the emergency housing provided. GroundUp is being sued after we exposed dodgy Lottery deals involving millions of rands. Please help fund our defence. You can support us via Givengain, Snapscan, EFT, PayPal or PayFast. SPRINGFIELD The Indian Orchard Citizens Council has awarded grants to an additional 10 small businesses in the neighborhood funded by the Eastman Foundation to provide coronavirus relief. The latest grants of $500 each marks the second round of a $20,000 grant relief program announced by the citizens council and foundation a month ago. The foundation is the charitable arm of Eastman Chemical Co. Thirteen businesses were awarded the grants in July in the first round. The Indian Orchard Citizens Council distributed the grants on behalf of the foundation. Paul Caron, interim chairman of the Indian Orchard, Business Connections Committee, which evaluated applications, said he knows the relief grants are small in comparison to the overall financial challenges that are being faced by many of our small businesses. To a person, every small business that we have spoken to have said that they are thankful for the Eastman Foundations generosity, as every little bit helps, Caron said. The Second Round $500 Eastman Foundation Grants were awarded to: WellSpring Harvest; Youthful Expressions; Brickhouse Tavern; Supreme Mart; The Pleasant Snackbar; Nails Model; Light Touch Upholstery; Carlos Pinchos; Debugged Exterminating; and Garten Landscaping. Thirteen small businesses in Indian Orchard received the grants in the first round. The grants are intended to help the businesses meet the many unanticipated expenses that have been placed upon them as a condition for re-opening', said Zaida Govan, president of the Indian Orchard Citizens Council. The Eastman Foundation awarded a total of $105,000 in grants to organizations in the Springfield area providing access to food, shelter and economic support, the foundation said. Worldwide, the foundation has granted more $1 million in supporting communities where Eastman operates. Govan said the grants are intended to help the businesses pay for the unanticipated costs that have been upon them imposed by the Coronavirus as a condition of re-opening. Mari Tarpinian, of Ricks Auto Body, on the application evaluation board, said she was truly impressed by the community spirit being expressed by many of these small business owners. The grants are for non-salary expenses faced by businesses reopening during the pandemic such as the installation of plexiglass shields at the counters, hand sanitizers, personal protective equipment, such as masks and gloves, additional cleaning supplies, and necessary additional signage. To further help the 23 businesses selected in the first two rounds, the Indian Orchard Business Connections Committee decided to equally apportion the remaining $8,000 in foundation funds to those selected businesses, Caron said. Thus, each business received an additional $369.50, bringing their total grant to $869.50, he said. Once again, we would like to thank, Eastman Chemical, for their generosity, Caron said. They have truly provided an unexpected boost of morale to many of our Indian Orchard small businesses, who thought they were alone in facing this Pandemic crisis. Cars are buried under the remains of a fallen tree in the Greenpoint area of Brooklyn New York on August 4, 2020 Tropical storm Isaias left at least five people dead as it pounded the US eastern seaboard with driving winds and heavy rain, leaving millions without power, before moving across Canada on Wednesday. Isaias was downgraded to a post-tropical cyclone late Tuesday as as it streaked across the border into south-eastern Canada after wreaking havoc across several US states. A tornado ripped through a mobile home park in North Carolina killing two people while two more died as trees fell on their carsone in New York and one in Maryland. In Delaware, an 83-year-old woman was found dead under a large branch close to her home. Forecasters warned of heavy rain across Quebec and wind gusts up to 50 miles (80 kilometers) per hour after the storm littered streets with debris and forced the cancellation of scores of flights in the US. Video footage from New Jersey showed a roof being torn off a house as residents were told to stay indoors because of a threat of tornadoes. About three million houses were without power by early Wednesday, utilities companies reportedwith New Jersey and New York worst hit by the outages. Isaias quickly moved up the East Coast after slamming into the coast of North Carolina at hurricane strength. Workers erected temporary flood barriers in the South Street Seaport neighborhood in New York City "Isaias hit North Carolina head-on," Governor Cooper, adding that roads were being cleared and electricity restored. "As clean-up continues, don't forget the pandemic is still with us. So help your neighbor, but do it safely by wearing your mask, keeping your distance and bringing your hand sanitizer." New York authorities, ever-wary of the devastating damage caused by Superstorm Sandy in 2012, set up temporary flood barriers in Lower Manhattan in case of storm surge. The orange flexible tubes known as "Tiger Dams" were put up in low-lying areas. Public transport services were also briefly suspended including New York's famous Staten Island ferry. But the rain turned out to be less heavy than feared. "The storm has been much more of a wind event than flooding so far, thank God," New York mayor Bill de Blasio told local news station NY1. Forecast path of tropical storm Isaias New Jersey was one of the states badly hit by the storm Tornado warnings At least 78 flights were canceled at New York's LaGuardia Airport. There were 55 cancelations at JFK. Washington, Baltimore and other cities on or near the Atlantic coast experienced heavy rainfall. The storm is expected to dissipate over north-eastern Canada late Wednesday or early Thursday. It earlier dumped torrential rain on the Bahamas, felling trees and flooding streets, before emergency management officials on Sunday gave the all-clear. At least one person died in Puerto Rico and the storm also lashed Haiti and the Dominican Republic. Explore further New York takes flood measures as storm pounds US East Coast 2020 AFP Jerry O'Connell is showering Katie Holmes with high praise on a number of fronts, which included her loving skills as a single parent to 14-year-old daughter Suri, who she shares with ex-husband Tom Cruise. The actor got an up-close look at Holmes interacting with her daughter on a day-to day basis during the shooting of their new drama film The Secret: Dare to Dream. 'Katie Holmes is really maybe the loveliest [person],' O'Connell said in an interview with Us Weekly. High praise Jerry O'Connell called Katie Holmes a 'great mom and 'inspirational parent to her daughter Suri, 14, in an interview with Us Weekly 'Just a few takeaways I got from working with Katie Holmes obviously [she's] a great actress, obviously beautiful. But a great mom, a really great mom. Actually, like, an inspiring parent.' Holmes filed for divorce from Cruise in New York after five-and-a-half years of marriage in June 2012, and despite her busy and demanding career has made Suri her number one priority. 'Watching the time Katie took with her daughter when we were at work, you know, it was really inspiring. It made me realize, like, I don't stay in contact enough with my children [when at] work, you know?' O'Connell, 46, continued. 'Katie is a great person, a great mom. I really enjoyed working with her. We had a fun time.' Doting mother: Holmes, 41, divorced ex-husband Tom Cruise in 2012 and has made daughter Suri her number one priority, despite her busy career Earlier this year, the Dawson's Creek alum opened up about the intensity of being a single mother to a teenager in the public eye following her divorce from Cruise. 'It was a lot of attention and I had a little child on top of it,' she told InStyle in March. '[I want] to make sure she is 100 percent herself and strong, confident, and able. And to know it. She came out very strong she's always been a strong personality. She's very focused and a hard worker.' Just this past April, Holmes gushed about being Suri's mother when she wished her a happy 14 birthday on social media. 'Happy Birthday Sweetheart!!!!!!! I am so blessed to be your mom. May this year be incredible!' O'Connell and Rebecca Romjin have neen married for 13-years and are the parents to twins 11-year-old twins Dolly and Charlie O'Connell, who has 11-year-old twins Dolly and Charlie with his wife of 13-years, Rebecca Romjin, admitted their marriage has genuinely been tested during the still ongoing coronavirus crisis. 'I have to say - I'm going to get in trouble for this - when quarantine [began] I was like, 'I'm not sure how, not only is our family going to make it, but can my marriage handle this?' he told Us Weekly. 'And dare I say, it's been kind of fun. We might just make it.' The Secret: Dare to Dream was originally supposed to premiere in April, but in the wake of the pandemic the movie, that also stars Josh Lucas, was moved to video on-demand on July 31. (Newser) The State Departments acting inspector general resigned abruptly on Wednesday following the firing of his predecessor in circumstances now being investigated by Congress. Stephen Akard announced his resignation just two days after Democrats issued subpoenas for several of Secretary of State Mike Pompeo's top aides to answer questions about the shakeup in the watchdog's office, the AP reports. The department said Akard would return to the private sector but offered no other reason for his departure. Akard's deputy, Diana Shaw, will serve as the new acting inspector general once Akard leaves on Friday. story continues below Although Akard had not been expected to become the permanent inspector general, his departure underscores the tumult and uncertainty in the office, which has been wracked by Republican charges of leaks and politically biased investigations. Democrats have alleged that Pompeo sought the ouster of Akards predecessor, Stephen Linick, because Linick was investigating allegations of impropriety by Pompeo. Inspectors general are independent watchdogs empowered by Congress to evaluate the performance of executive branch agencies and investigate allegations of wrongdoing by government officials. President Trump has taken exception to the work of several of the inspectors general and removed them despite congressional objections. (Read more State Department stories.) The U.S. government threatened to ban Chinese firm ByteDance's TikTok video app on Monday under the pretext of maintaining a free and fair market as well as national security concerns, an excuse widely used to discriminate against Chinese companies and investment. Speaking to reporters at the White House briefing, U.S. President Donald Trump confirmed that he is open to a deal in which Microsoft Corp. or other U.S. companies buys one of the world's most popular video-sharing apps. Trump set Sept. 15 as the deadline for TikTok to find a U.S. buyer or face shutdown in the country. The forced sale reveals Washington's intentions to control the tech economy and runs counter to the principles of a free market. Furthermore, it violates the World Trade Organization's principles of openness, transparency and non-discrimination. FREE MARKET FRAUD Since 2017, the United States has investigated ByteDance over its acquisition of a social media app Musical.ly, which was fully rebranded as part of TikTok in 2018. Yet the White House has found no evidence indicating violation of any regulations by the Chinese company. "We have faced all kinds of complex and unimaginable difficulties, including the tense international political environment, collision and conflict of different cultures and plagiarism and smears from competitor Facebook ... We strictly abide by local laws, and will actively use the rights granted by the law to protect the legitimate rights and interests of the company," ByteDance has said in response to Washington's threat. "Chinese companies have been accused of incredible activities that have nothing to do with their commercial operations ... It appears that Washington is using every opportunity to use non-market and extraterritorial methods and illicit techniques to elbow a strong high-tech rival out of the market," Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova said in the weekly press briefing on July 23. "The fate of the platform remains uncertain, but one thing is clear: Banning it would upturn fundamental principles of democracy," wrote Nicholas Thompson, editor in chief of Wired, in the article The Rank Hypocrisy of a TikTok Ban on Monday. "It's a rare feat to upturn two such fundamental democratic values -- free speech and free markets -- at the same time," Thompson said. "And since TikTok is one of the only recent social media startups to compete with tech giants like Facebook, weakening TikTok could further reinforce what many argue is the monopolistic nature of the U.S. tech economy," said Shirin Ghaffary in a story posted by VOX Saturday. NATIONAL SECURITY LIES "This is a purchase that wouldn't be necessary but for the Trump administration's hostility to Chinese ownership of any tech companies," said Mark Lemley, director of Stanford University's program in law, science and technology. There isn't "real evidence" that the app's Chinese ownership presents a security threat, Lemley added. "If a deal goes through (between Microsoft and TikTok), it would mark a dramatic intervention by the U.S. government in private enterprise and alter the global technology landscape," wrote Shelly Banjo and Dina Bass in a Bloomberg report. Banning TikTok also "would likely be against the U.S.'s commercial interests," warned Samm Sacks, a senior cybersecurity policy fellow at Yale Law School's Paul Tsai China Center and New America, recently. "It offers a blueprint for others around the world to think, 'Maybe we don't trust the way that Silicon Valley companies are handling our data, so let's just ban them, too ... If we are increasingly closed out of markets around the world and access to that data because we've helped create a blueprint for how to do it with China, I could see those same tools turned around on us,'" she said. "There are also reasons to be skeptical of the motives of TikTok's biggest critics," said Kevin Roose, Tech columnist for the New York Times, in a story posted on Monday. "Many conservative politicians, including Mr. Trump, appear to care more about appearing tough on China than preventing potential harm to TikTok users. And Silicon Valley tech companies like Facebook, whose executives have warned of the dangers of a Chinese tech takeover, would surely like to see regulators kneecap one of their major competitors," he said, stressing that TikTok is not an urgent threat to America's national security. OUTPOURING OF ANGER Washington's TikTok ban has provoked outrage with a hashtag #savetiktok2020 created among about 70 million monthly active users of TikTok in the United States. Videos with the hashtag #ban had more than 620 million views by Sunday night on TikTok. Many of the users have grown to depend on TikTok as a way to build a career in social media and earn a living. Since September 2018, TikTok usage among adults in the United States has increased exponentially, doubling and reaching 14.3 million in just six months, the third highest number of downloads in the world. As of April, the app has been downloaded more than 2 billion times worldwide on both the Apple App Store and Google Play. TikTok's U.S. job growth has already nearly tripled this year, going from almost 500 employees on Jan. 1 to just under 1,400. "We're not planning on going anywhere," said TikTok's U.S. General Manager Vanessa Pappas thanking American users for their "outpouring of support" in a video posted on its official TikTok account after the ban. "When it comes to safety and security, we're building the safest app because we know it's the right thing to do ... We're here for the long run. Continue to share your voice here and let's stand for TikTok," said Pappas. For weeks, the Trump administration has repeatedly targeted TikTok citing concerns over the privacy and security of its American users. TikTok has denied the allegations and said it has an American CEO and that its servers reside in the United States. "TikTok has enabled the kinds of interactions that could never take place on the likes of Facebook and Instagram," a group of nine TikTok creators with a collective 54 million followers wrote in an open letter to Trump on Sunday. "Our generation has grown up on the internet, but our vision of the internet is going to require more than two gatekeepers. Why not use this as an opportunity to level the playing field?" they said. A Morning Consult poll released in July showed that 33 percent of U.S. adults opposed the ban, with the strongest opposition coming from adults between 18 and 29 years old. In a statement published Wednesday, Kevin Mayer, former Disney executive who became the CEO of TikTok in May, said that "we are not political, we do not accept political advertising and have no agenda -- our only objective is to remain a vibrant, dynamic platform for everyone to enjoy." "Without TikTok, American advertisers would again be left with few choices. Competition would dry up and so too will an outlet for America's creative energy," Mayer said. To ensure jawans spend time with their families, Amit Shah provides a healing touch Woman soldiers deployed for first time in Kashmir: Assam Rifles India oi-Vicky Nanjappa New Delhi, Aug 05: The Assam Rifles said that for the first time in Kashmir, Rifle Women have been deployed on duty. In a tweet, Assam Rifles said, "Women soldiers of Assam Rifles deployed for the first time in Kashmir make a positive impact on the local populace in a matter of days. Smiling faces of locals is a testimony of professionalism of the Riflewomen of Assam Rifles." Top Indian military and strategic brass review situation in eastern Ladakh This is a unit of the Assam Rifle, which is the oldest paramilitary force of India. Meanwhile, as it has been a year since the Indian Parliament took a historic decision to abrogate Article 370 in the J&K, the security forces have largely managed to stabilise the situation. PM Modi lays foundation of Ram Temple, says 'finally a temple for Ram Lalla' | Oneindia News As per the data, after the abrogation, the number of youth joining terror groups dropped by 40 per cent. The year only witnessed 67 youth taking to terror. Hospitals, Nursing Homes, and Nursing/Rehabilitation facilities throughout the Southeast are stepping up their commitment to decrease the spread of Human Coronavirus and other deadly pathogens by incorporating the multi- patented PathO 3 Gen Solutions UVZone shoe sanitizing stations. AdventHealth, Clear Choice Health Care, Norton Healthcare, Agape Nursing & Rehabilitation Center, Cornerstone Village, Christian Care Centers of Memphis, Christian Care Center of Kuttawa , and Sweetwater Nursing and Rehabilitation have implemented the cutting-edge technology in their fight to control coronavirus spread and reduce Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs). About UVZone Four (4) patents UL-Certified ISO 9001 facility Made in the U.S.A. E liminates up to 99.999% of infectious bacteria, virus, and fungi including MRSA, C. diff, E. coli, Candida Auris and Klebsiella Pneumoniae Eight (8) seconds to use Zero (0) Human coronavirus residue on footwear after use 110 times more effective than UVC light against pathogens Over 24 times more effective than UVC light at eliminating Human coronavirus AdventHealth Connerton (FL) has incorporated eight (8) shoe sanitizing stations and is seeing dramatically reduced infection rates. AdventHealth Connerton VP and COO Debi Martoccio explains the benefits they have seen: "We have updated our HAI rate graphs and the reduction that we've seen since Feb 2019 (PathO 3 Gen Solutions UVZone shoe disinfection technology implementation date) is 53% through March 2020. We have always had a lower than expected HAI rate at our facility. However, since the inception of the PathO 3 Gen Solutions UVZone shoe disinfection technology and other infection control measures, we have reduced our HAI rate by 53%." Clear Choice Health Care, LLC (Melbourne, FL) was the first in Florida to create a COVID-ONLY facility, Dolphin Pointe Health Center, a first of its kind transitional facility in Jacksonville, FL. Clear Choice manages eleven (11) Skilled Nursing and Assisted Living facilities in Florida, all of which have implemented the UVZone shoe sanitizing stations. Geoff Fraser, Partner, Clear Choice Health Care, LLC says, "We at Clear Choice Health Care believe so strongly in the PathO 3 Gen Solutions Ozone+UVC disinfection technology that I recommended all eleven (11) of the facilities we manage implement the UVZone to ensure that each facility was doing all they could to provide a visible sign of safety and maintain cleaner environments. Being the first in Florida to create an All-Covid facility (Dolphin Pointe Health Care), I was excited to find this new technology to help stop the spread of pathogens, including coronavirus." Louisville-based Be U.V. Well, LLC, a distributor of the PathO 3 Gen UVZone shoe sanitizing station, supplied units to the Tennessee and Kentucky region. Vice President, Ed Marcellino says, "Be U.V. Well prides ourselves on representing new and innovative technology. Bringing PathO 3 Gen Solutions UVZone shoe sanitizing stations to the Southeast region, when and where we are really needing it, is very satisfying for me. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, our company was convinced the UVZone has applications in healthcare but also food, manufacturing, hospitality, and nursing homes. The plug and play installation is a great feature, allowing facilities to easily put these units anywhere they are needed." Ten (10) additional facilities including Agape Nursing & Rehabilitation Center (Tennessee), Cornerstone Village (Tennessee), Christian Care Centers of Memphis (Tennessee), Christian Care Center of Kuttawa (Kentucky), and Sweetwater Nursing and Rehabilitation (Tennessee) have acquired the UVZone shoe sanitizing stations. "It's been great to be able to show the community our commitment to safety by incorporating the PathO 3 Gen Solutions UVZone Shoe Sanitizing Station. It's so simple to use and takes only a few seconds to increase our safety protocols." -- Bartlee Norton, Administrator, Sweetwater Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, Sweetwater, TN. Norton Healthcare (Louisville, KY) installed twenty-five (25) UVZone shoe sanitizing stations at six (6) locations throughout Louisville as part of their ongoing effort to increase safety protocols. Norton Healthcare has started using the UVZone shoe sanitizers at entryways because soles carry pathogens that could spread throughout the hospital. These sanitizers deliver a dose of ozone and higher-frequency ultraviolet light to kill 99.999% of infection-causing germs in seconds. "I would feel comfortable having a member of my family as a patient at Norton Healthcare due in large part to the increased awareness of cleanliness practices," said Justin Thornsberry, R.N., director of quality and clinical effectiveness for Norton Audubon Hospital. "We use all available technology to keep the environment safer for patients and employees." From Scott Beal, COO, PathO 3 Gen Solutions: "The goal of PathO 3 Gen Solutions is to prevent infections and save lives by creating cleaner and safer environments. There is nothing more rewarding for us than seeing our UVZone shoe disinfection technology on the ground, when and where it really matters the most." About UVZone The UVZone shoe disinfection technology is the first and only UL Certified, proactive disinfection equipment using an exclusive and multi-patented combination of Ozone (O 3 ) + UVC. The patented technology is proven to be 110x more effective against deadly pathogens, and over 24x more effective at eliminating Human Coronavirus, than UVC alone. It eliminates up to 99.999% of the deadliest pathogens, including bacteria and fungi, and leaves zero (0) Human Coronavirus residue on footwear. The UVZone shoe sanitizing station is easy to use with any footwear or shoe cover and plugs into a standard outlet. About PathO 3 Gen Solutions PathO 3 Gen Solutions sole mission is to prevent infections and save lives by creating cleaner and safer environments. The privately held Florida-based company holds multiple patents on their technology and equipment. The UVZone shoe sanitizing station is UL Certified and manufactured by an IS0 9001 facility in the U.S.A. www.patho3gen.com SOURCE PathO3Gen Solutions Related Links http://www.patho3gen.com 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. SANTA CLARA, Calif., Aug. 5, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Tintri, provider of Intelligent Infrastructure for virtualized and non-virtualized enterprise IT environments, today announced it will be hosting a free webcast that covers the topic of Intelligent Infrastructure from customer, vendor and analyst perspectives. The webcast, titled "What is Intelligent Infrastructure?", will include presenters from Tintri and Gartner, Inc., a leading global research and advisory company. It will also feature a speaker representing a prominent Tintri customer. This dynamic webcast will offer insights into the differentiated architecture and machine-learning (ML) capabilities of Intelligent Infrastructure and explain how these attributes enable AIOps Artificial Intelligence (AI) for IT Operations and automation in the data center to improve operational simplicity, business agility and cost-efficiency. "The world's largest IT companies as well as leading industry analyst firms like Gartner are increasingly talking about the importance of Intelligent Infrastructure in the modern data center. Many of our storage competitors have also claimed that their products and solutions are intelligent, when in fact they represent standard infrastructure," said Erwin Daria, field CTO, Tintri. "This webcast will share real-world insights from Tintri and Gartner, as well as from an actual Tintri customer. Attendees will have an opportunity to learn how true Intelligent Infrastructure provides a differentiated experience one that reduces administrative overhead by up to 95%." In addition to Daria, the webcast will feature Gartner VP of Research Phil Dawson and a speaker from one of Tintri's customers, a global mobile wireless services company. It will be held on Wednesday, August 12, 2020 at 10 a.m. PST, and will cover the following topics: Definitions and experiences of Intelligent Infrastructure from customer, vendor, and analyst perspectives Different approaches and capabilities of Intelligent Infrastructure versus standard infrastructure Use cases and scenarios for leveraging Intelligent Infrastructure today Real-world examples and associated benefits of Intelligent Infrastructure in practice To register for this free webcast, visit: https://mkt.tintri.com/gartner-what-is-II-webcast. About Tintri Based in Silicon Valley, Tintri is a wholly owned subsidiary of DataDirect Networks (DDN), the data-at-scale powerhouse and world's largest privately held storage company. Tintri delivers unique outcomes in Enterprise data centers. Tintri's AI-enabled intelligent infrastructure learns your environment to drive automation. Analytical insights help you simplify and accelerate your operations and empower data-driven business insights. Thousands of Tintri customers have saved millions of management hours using Tintri. Choose differently, the choice is yours. Learn more about the Tintri portfolio of solutions at https://www.tintri.com/products. Contact: Press Relations at DDN [email protected] Walt & Company, on behalf of Tintri Sharon Sumrit, 408.369.7200 x2981 [email protected] 2020 All rights reserved. Tintri and VMstore are trademarks or registered trademarks owned by DataDirect Networks. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. SOURCE Tintri by DDN Related Links https://tintri.com CREVE COEUR, Mo., Aug. 5, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- The program is designed to purchase surplus assets and/or enter into both long and short-term sale leasebacks. Bamboo Equity Partners, a private equity real estate investment firm that acquires, develops and operates office and industrial properties throughout the United States has announced its corporate real estate solution initiative. Under this umbrella, Bamboo Equity Partners will help companies improve their balance sheets by purchasing office and industrial real estate assets and entering into both long and short-term sale leasebacks. "Many companies have a large portion of their equity tied up in their real estate assets, despite not being in the business of real estate. In a sale-leaseback, a company sells its real estate to an investor like Bamboo Equity Partners for cash and simultaneously enters into a new lease on the property. In doing so, the company extracts 100% of the property's value and converts an otherwise illiquid asset into working capital to help grow its core business, while maintaining full operational control," remarked Dan Dokovic, Managing Principal and Founder of Bamboo Equity Partners. "Additionally, now more than ever corporate real estate needs are rapidly evolving. Whether caused by a pandemic such as COVID-19, geopolitical uncertainties, or supply disruptions, corporations need flexibility in order to remain competitive. Bamboo Equity Partners will offer its years of experience as well as its access to capital markets to help corporations retool for a new real estate reality." Based on its entrepreneurial values, Bamboo will assist corporations with its knowledge of today's real estate landscape. "We want to help corporations adjust and thrive in these unprecedented times. Our program can help businesses reimagine their supply and delivery channels by reducing the lead time between capturing and delivering an order. It is increasingly more important for retailers to adapt to today's competitive pressure by cutting costs and supporting the delivery chain," explained Alice Benner, Bamboo's Principal and Managing Director. The criteria for the program are: - Size: $1 to $50 million purchase price - Locations: Top 100 MSAs - Property Types: Distribution, manufacturing, light industrial, R and D, office, flex - Transaction Types: Surplus assets and long and short-term sale leasebacks - Credit: Investment grade or non-investment grade Broker Submittals: Media Contact: Dan Dokovic Kaitie Herbranson Managing Principal Marketing Director 314-270-5991 314-744-8976 [email protected] [email protected] SOURCE Bamboo Equity Partners - Bi Stella said she started selling her body when her parents passed away - Her mum's sister was the one who introduced her to the nightlife and taught the lady how to lure men - Stella claimed she had the power to bed the wealthiest men she could find and use their money whenever she wanted to Bi Stella, a reformed twilight woman, has said she had the support of darker powers whenever she wanted to bag an expensive client. The lady who was forced into a hard knock life at a young age revealed her aunt introduced her to prostitution and soon after, it became her mode of survival. READ ALSO: Photo of well-built, handsome Barrack Obama leaves women thirsting like lovestruck teens Stella took her first sip of alcohol at four years. Photo: Radio Jambo Source: UGC READ ALSO: Akothee says she plans to sleep with one of her unmarried baby daddies Speaking to Radio Jambo, the woman explained that she only dealt with high-end customers who included powerful ministers and loaded men. "I never hawked my body in the streets. I just went to clubs and would get any man I want. My aunt is the one who taught me about charms I could use to lure men into my traps," Stella said. The woman added that the odds were always in her favour and she was never embroiled with guys who could not pay handsomely whenever she was done rendering her services. READ ALSO: Jubilee VC David Murathe's daughter June Tuto flaunts mzungu bae in cute photos Her aunt would deny her food if she did not bring in any money. Photo: Radio Jambo Source: UGC READ ALSO: Montez Ford: Panic grips WWE as wrestling star collapses during match The fearless chick claimed none of her clients ever suspected a thing and they always saw her as a friendly face they would be lucky to interact with. Stella further explained she had the ability to have a man whenever she wanted and even rope him into wiring KSh 500,000 into her account. Once she was done with the guy, she would dump his sorry behind and make him lose interest in her. READ ALSO: Uchaguzi Uganda: Kampeni, mikutano ya kisiasa yapigwa marufuku "If I wanted a man to pay my rent I could easily just call him up and say so. I had the power to manipulate wealthy men," she added. In other news, Kisumu Governor Anyang' Nyong'o's son Junior Nyong'o and his wife opted for a simple getaway to celebrate their honeymoon. The two lovebirds travelled to Lamy to enjoy their first days as a married couple and they had a time of their lives. Wanja Wohoro's staple attire was a cute bikini suit that showed off all her beautiful curves. The duo even learnt a huge lesson on sharing after being gifted a single gaming machine by a friend. Do you have a groundbreaking story you would like us to publish? Please reach us through news@tuko.co.ke or WhatsApp: 0732482690. Contact Tuko.co.ke instantly. My husband's family took everything from me after he died and called my children garbage | Tuko TV Source: TUKO.co.ke Trying to get 16-, 17-, 18-year-olds up for school is hard, Rawls wrote. Trying to get them up to log on is impossible. When you are statically in last place, you dont have the luxury to take off or do what others are doing. On your best day, you are still last. Being out in Chicago is more dangerous than COVID-19. Guns have killed more youth than corona(virus). How does a single working mother of two manage a job, household, and two kids sharing a Chromebook? GOQii Smart Vital is a revolutionary device with an integrated Pulse Oximeter that will measure the rate of oxygen in your blood and will give real-time updates of variation in blood oxygen levels Mumbai based GOQii has announced its entry into the smart watch category with GOQii Smart Vital. GOQii Smart Vital is a revolutionary device with an integrated Pulse Oximeter that will measure the rate of oxygen in your blood and will give real-time updates of variation in blood oxygen levels. According to medical experts, COVID-19 patients are found to have a lower oxygen rate, hence the device is crucial in diagnosing and monitoring COVID-19 symptoms. With the smart watch, an individual can immediately get a sense of changes in their vitals and co-relate to a bigger health problem. Due to its unique features of detecting sleep, steps, calories, and heart rate, it also gives users a glimpse into various parameters that reflect the health and fitness of an individual. GOQii has been involved with several projects in the remote health monitoring space across the country. GOQii has strived to be proactive in offering robust solutions for those working in the frontline. The company reached out to the Police when there were less than 100 confirmed cases of COVID-19 infection in Maharashtra. Now, GOQii counts the Mumbai, Jalandhar and Nashik Police as early users on the remote monitoring solution. The Police are using the solution to ensure that frontline corona warriors are removed from the frontline on the first sign of infection and are provided timely healthcare interventions. A torched hijacked van on New Road in Derry, near St Eugenes Cathedral in the city Republican dissidents have disrespected the memory of John Hume by hijacking and burning out two vans in Derry. The armed seizures by paramilitaries came hours before the remains of the Nobel prizewinner were due to be received at St Eugene's Cathedral in the city. The first van was left burnt-out and blocking the New Road in the Creggan, about 100 metres from where journalist Lyra McKee was shot dead in April 2019. Its smoking hulk blocked traffic within 500 yards of St Eugene's Cathedral on the upper Bogside. The second van was set on fire outside the Holy Child primary school in the heart of the Creggan as groups of youths congregated to watch. The incidents happened between 4.30pm and 5pm, the latter the original time planned for the reception of Mr Hume's remains in his native city. One driver was robbed of his mobile phone and other personal possessions after initial attempts to resist the seizure of his vehicle. "They (the dissidents) are doing it to say that we're still here," Bishop of Derry Donal McKeown said after he attended both scenes. He was repeatedly approached by local people expressing their disgust at the insult to the statesman's memory. One woman, who spoke anonymously, said: "We're sick of it. They couldn't leave it alone for one day. It is just attention seeking. John Hume brought us peace, and there are mindless people who just want to go back." One of the blazing vans had its flames extinguished by a local fire brigade tender, but the other at Creggan shops was allowed to burn itself out. No PSNI units attended. BAY CITY, MI Michigan Sugar is hiring general laborers starting at $11.16 per hour in preparation for its upcoming sugar beet slicing campaign. Company officials announced the jobs and others via the Michigan Sugar Facebook page. There are openings in administration, agriculture, operations, packaging and warehousing. The open positions in Bay City, Carrollton, Caro, Croswell and Sebewaing include sugar specialist, general laborer, lead electrician, mechanic, project engineer, corporate process engineer, maintenance supervisor, welder, shift supervisor, general sugar packer and more. Michigan Sugar Company has a variety of positions available across our company footprint. You can find information about those jobs and apply at www.michigansugar.com/careers, said Rob Clark, director of communications and community relations. More specifically, we are in great need this year of general laborers at our factories in Bay City, Caro, Croswell and Sebewaing. General laborers are responsible for a variety of tasks and work throughout the factory during campaign, which generally lasts from mid-August to mid-March. Bay City-based Michigan Sugar is a grower-owned sugar cooperative. Michigan Sugar made more than 1 billion pounds of sugar during its 2019-2020 sugar beet slicing campaign, which began in early September and wrapped up in early April. Its products are sold in wholesale and retail quantities under the Pioneer Sugar and Big Chief Sugar brands. The company recently revamped its brand, unveiling new red bags, refreshing its Pioneer Sugar Facebook page and brand website, www.pioneersugar.com, and launching a Pioneer Sugar Instagram page. Sugar beet harvest begins in the fall. Over the course of last years campaign, Michigan Sugar sliced 4.1 million tons of sugar beets. In addition to producing more than 1 billion pounds of sugar, the campaign yielded more than 158,000 tons of molasses and 122,000 tons of dry pulp products, both of which are sold as livestock feed, according to company officials. Michigan Sugar aims to hire 22 general laborers in Bay City, 18 in Caro, 15 in Croswell and 21 in Sebewaing. Newly-hired employees will begin working as soon as Aug. 10, Clark said. Michigan Sugar does not provide health benefits to general laborers, but they are eligible for the companys Employee Assistance Program, which offers confidential counseling services for a variety of issues, including marital or family discord, illness, financial difficulties, mental or emotional distress, alcohol or drug abuse and legal problems. Clark said the top quality Michigan Sugar looks for in general laborers is reliability. We need people who show up to work every day. In addition, we are looking for candidates who work hard, are honest, and are willing to work in a variety of roles with different responsibilities, he said. Employees who perform well have the opportunity for advancement within the facility, provided advancement is available. Campaign positions also allow for the employee to return year after year, provided they left the company previously in good standing. We have many regular, full-time employees who started with the company as campaign workers and turned it into a career. Click here to learn more or apply for a job with Michigan Sugar. Read more on MLive: Thousands of good jobs are available in mid-Michigan and heres how to get one Michigan Sugar reveals new red bags hitting store shelves, says demand way up Michigan Sugar buys $131,000 in restaurant gift cards for employees New Michigan tool designed to teach unemployed workers new skills Michigan unemployment checks will shrink as extra $600 benefit expires this weekend Why coins are in short supply during the coronavirus pandemic Fresh project rejuvenating Vietnamese cities nightlife Key contents of the project aim to raise awareness of the benefits and risks of nightlife, present suitable policies, suggest master plans to operate nightlife, as well as the pilot project to extend night-time services to 6am of the next morning at some tourism areas like Hanoi, Quang Ninh, Haiphong, Ho Chi Minh City, Danang, Hoi An, Hue, Can Tho, Dalat, and Phu Quoc. Night-time services have been present for many years, especially in popular areas of larger cities like Ho Chi Minh Citys Bui Vien and Pham Ngu Lao streets and Hanois Old Quarter. People who are living in these areas do business in various sectors like clothes, souvenirs, restaurants, bars, hotels, convenience stores, coffee shops, and other services and normally also serve many foreign visitors. Expressing the happiness for the approval of the night-time economy project, Nguyen Thi Duyen, a shop owner on Hanois Ta Hien street, said that the policy would remove a lot of challenges to their business. Tourists arriving here want to discover more and more things related to our life and culture. However, the current regulations on the early closing time are barriers hindering our business. Parties also have to stop at some point, reducing the enjoyment of visitors, which does not benefit anyone, said Duyen. Although the revenue of Tran Quoc Dats pub on Ho Chi Minh Citys Bui Vien street has been reduced by almost 80 per cent in recent months, he smiled as he got asked about the new policy. Despite being hit hard by the pandemic, we spent most of the time during social distancing to fix and repair the pub and restructure our business plan to welcome foreign customers after international flights have resumed. Now, we are further motivated by the new policy of the government, said Dat. Sharing the same opinion with the businesspeople in these areas, Mathew, a foreign expert working in Vietnam, who usually visits Hanois Old Quarter every weekend with his friends, highly appreciates the approval of the new project. I and my friends love Hanois Old Quarter very much and would like to enjoy it as long as possible. So the decision comes at the right time and will benefit the state a lot and contribute to developing tourism faster and stronger after the pandemic, Mathew said. In the larger cities, nightlife is mostly limited to areas like the Old Quarter and several other streets. However, in touristic areas like Quang Ninh, Danang, Khanh Hoa, and Kien Giang, other projects like casinos are also contributing to the options for local and foreign visitors. Commenting on the importance of the night-time economy, Tran Dinh Quy, chairman of the Real Estate Brokers Association in Khanh Hoa province told Timeout, The night-time economy is the key to opening the door to huge profits and creating remarkable growth for tourism. Therefore, it should be integrated into every resort project to increase their value and attract more tourists. Vietnam is following New York, Sydney, Paris, Amsterdam, and Bangkok in developing nightlife, so I hope nightlife development will be carried out well when the legal framework is ready. The government has urged cities and provinces to research and build up their own night-time economy model, which is suitable for each localitys conditions like infrastructure, resources, and the ability of mobilising investment to promote the advantages of the locality. From there, localities could provide new experiences to visitors as well as contribute to the performance of tourism and related services. GUILDFORD, SURREY / ACCESSWIRE / August 5, 2020 / ANGLE plc (AIM:AGL)(OTCQX:ANPCY), a world-leading liquid biopsy company, announces that its Annual General Meeting (AGM) will be held at 2:00 pm on Thursday 27 August 2020 as a closed meeting at ANGLE plc, 10 Nugent Road, Surrey Research Park, Guildford, GU2 7AF. The AGM will be convened with the minimum necessary quorum of two shareholders with the Chief Executive and Finance Director attending in person while the rest of the Board attend remotely. Due to the unprecedented situation with COVID-19 and in line with the UK Government's measures to maintain social distancing, shareholders and any other persons will not be permitted to attend the AGM in person or vote during the Meeting and shareholders are therefore strongly encouraged to submit their proxy votes online via www.signalshares.com or CREST where applicable. The AGM will be streamed online and shareholders will be able to watch the AGM remotely via an electronic platform, details of which are provided in the Notice of AGM. The Company will also be hosting a business update presentation for shareholders after the formalities of the AGM are concluded. Shareholders may submit questions to the Board in advance of the AGM and business update presentation by email to investor@angleplc.com before 5.00 pm on Wednesday 26 August 2020. The Board will not be able to answer all individual questions but will Group the questions into themes and will endeavour to answer these during the presentation or as part of concluding matters. The Annual Report and Accounts for the eight month period ended 31 December 2019 and Notice of AGM were posted to shareholders on 4 August 2020, both of which are available for download on the Company's website, www.angleplc.com For further information: ANGLE plc +44 (0) 1483 343434 Andrew Newland, Chief Executive Ian Griffiths, Finance Director finnCap Ltd (NOMAD and Joint Broker) Corporate Finance - Carl Holmes, Simon Hicks ECM - Alice Lane, Sunila de Silva +44 (0)20 7220 0500 WG Partners (Joint Broker) Nigel Barnes, Nigel Birks, Andrew Craig, Chris Lee +44 (0) 203 705 9330 FTI Consulting Simon Conway, Ciara Martin Matthew Ventimiglia (US) +44 (0) 203 727 1000 +1 (212) 850 5624 For Frequently Used Terms, please see the Company's website on https://angleplc.com/investor-relations/glossary/ Notes for editors About ANGLE plc www.angleplc.com ANGLE is a world leading liquid biopsy company with sample-to-answer solutions. ANGLE's proven patent protected platforms include a circulating tumor cell (CTC) harvesting technology and a downstream analysis system for cost effective, highly multiplexed analysis of nucleic acids and proteins. ANGLE's cell separation technology is called the Parsortix system, and it enables a liquid biopsy (a simple blood test) to be used to provide the cells of interest to the user in a format suitable for multiple types of downstream analyses. The system is based on a microfluidic device that captures cells based on a combination of their size and compressibility. The system is epitope independent and can capture all types of CTCs as well as CTC clusters in a viable form (alive). CTCs enable the complete picture of a cancer to be seen as being a complete cell they allow DNA, RNA and protein analysis and the live cells harvested can be cultured. The Parsortix technology is the subject of 24 granted patents in Europe, the United States, China, Australia, Canada, India, Japan and Mexico with three extensive families of patents are being progressed worldwide. The Parsortix system has a CE Mark in Europe for the indicated use and FDA clearance is in process for the United States with a 400 subject clinical study and associated analytical studies in metastatic breast cancer. ANGLE is seeking to be the first ever FDA cleared CTC harvesting system and only the third ever FDA cleared liquid biopsy test. ANGLE has already undertaken two separate 200 subject clinical studies under a program designed to develop an ovarian cancer pelvic mass triage test, with the results showing best in class accuracy (AUC-ROC) of 95.1%. The pelvic mass triage assay has undergone further refinement and optimisation, and is currently in the process of a 200 patient clinical verification study. ANGLE's technology for the multiplex evaluation of proteins and nucleic acids of all types is called the HyCEADTM Ziplex platform and is based on a patented flow through array technology. It provides for low cost, highly multiplexed, rapid and sensitive capture of targets from a wide variety of sample types. A proprietary chemistry approach (the HyCEAD method) allows for the capture and amplification of over 100 biomarkers simultaneously in a single reaction. The HyCEAD Ziplex system is extremely sensitive and is ideal for measuring gene expression and other markers directly from Parsortix harvests and was used in the ovarian cancer pelvic mass triage test to achieve best in class accuracy (AUC-ROC) of 95.1%. ANGLE's proprietary technologies can be combined to provide automated, sample-to-answer results in both centralised laboratory and point-of-use cartridge formats. ANGLE has established formal collaborations with world-class cancer centres and major corporates such as Abbott, Philips and QIAGEN, and works closely with leading CTC translational research customers. These Key Opinion Leaders (KOLs) are working to identify applications with medical utility (clear benefit to patients), and to secure clinical data that demonstrates that utility in patient studies. The body of evidence as to the benefits of the Parsortix system is growing rapidly from our own clinical studies in metastatic breast cancer and ovarian cancer and also from KOLs with 34 peer-reviewed publications and numerous publicly available posters, available on our website. This information is provided by RNS, the news service of the London Stock Exchange. RNS is approved by the Financial Conduct Authority to act as a Primary Information Provider in the United Kingdom. Terms and conditions relating to the use and distribution of this information may apply. For further information, please contact rns@lseg.com or visit www.rns.com. SOURCE: Angle PLC View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/600333/Angle-PLC-Announces-Notice-of-AGM-and-Posting-of-Annual-Report A year ago, a massive study of transgender surgeries in Sweden claimed that people with body dysphoria who had the surgery were psychologically more healthy than those who did not have surgery. The same journal that published that finding just retracted it. Over the years, in large part because I lived in the San Francisco Bay Area, I met several people who had taken hormones and had surgery to turn themselves into a rough and stereotypical version of someone who was the opposite of their biological sex. Consistently, they were the most unhappy people I had ever met. That was a small and unscientific sample, but it was pretty clear to me that fulfilling their desire to present to the world as the opposite of their biological sex did nothing to make the people I met happy. In retrospect, I realize that I was looking at the type of people Walt Heyer talks about in a fascinating interview with Candace Owens. Like the people I had met, Heyer also thought he would be happier if he could have surgery and hormones that would "transform" him into the opposite of his biological sex. The fact that he had male DNA did not stop him from thinking modern science could fundamentally change him. The medical establishment didn't bother giving Heyer psychotherapy to see if his body dysphoria was a sign of a deeper issue. Instead, his doctors put Heyer on estrogen and scheduled surgery. Once on the estrogen, Heyer felt happier. What he didn't know is that estrogen is something of a mood-tranquilizer or suppressor. If women didn't have estrogen, they'd probably kill their babies (and I do not mean that figuratively; I mean it literally). After the mutilating surgery, which removed Heyer's male sex organs and created a weird simulacrum of women's external sex organs, the doctors backed him off the high estrogen doses. Suddenly, all the feelings of deep unhappiness that the drugs and surgery were supposed to fix came flooding back. Contrary to accepted wisdom in the medical world, the damage done to Heyer's healthy male body did nothing to make him happier. Heyer has since done whatever he could to heal his male body and now works to help people who regret having gone through the same process. Heyer presented to his doctors decades ago, at which time increasing numbers of physicians and therapists were going with the flow. There was no science to justify their belief that every person with gender dysphoria had to be "converted" into the opposite sex. Instead, the science boiled down to a whole lot of assumptions, including relying upon a childlike book put together by non-scientists. That seemingly changed in October 2019, though, when the American Journal of Psychiatry published what it claimed was a study that proved that "gender-affirming surgeries" reduced mental health problems in the post-surgical population. This impressive assertion was supported by the fact that the study's authors reviewed a dataset comprising 9.7 million people, 2,679 of whom were diagnosed with gender dysphoria, with 1,000 the latter having surgery. It was those 2,679 dysphoric people that the study relied upon to reach the conclusion about surgery's benefits. Not long after, Mark Regnerus, a sociology professor at the University of Texas in Austin, noticed that the numbers were funny. It turned out that the study's entire conclusion turned on the outcomes of just three people. Regnerus was right the study was hinky. This past weekend, the journal issued a correction. Ryan T. Anderson explains how significant a correction it is: Well, over the weekend, the editors of the journal and the authors of the paper issued a correction. In the words of the authors, "the results demonstrated no advantage of surgery in relation to subsequent mood or anxiety disorder-related health care." But it's actually worse than that. The original results already demonstrated no benefits to hormonal transition. That part didn't need a correction. So, the bottom line: The largest dataset on sex-reassignment proceduresboth hormonal and surgicalreveals that such procedures do not bring the promised mental health benefits. I could have told them that. Here's my theory, for what it's worth. Many people who claim to be transgender prove instead to have suffered deeply traumatic events in their childhood or to have been raised by mentally ill caretakers who thrust transgenderism upon them. I also wonder, based on nothing but instinct, whether women who get pregnant while on the Pill or shortly after going off the Pill bathe the in utero infant in an unnatural wash of hormones. The logical thing to do with these troubled souls would be to give them hormones that align with their biological sex and therapy that helps them accept who and what they are. Our leftist-dominated social institutions, however, are waging war on normalcy wherever and whenever they can. If that means chemically sterilizing or castrating healthy young bodies and giving them mutilating surgery, they will. For the left, anything that upsets the old order and makes way for the new is worth destroying lives. After all, what's one individual's happiness when balanced against a socialist paradise? Image: Bookworm Room. President Donald Trump on Tuesday signed the Great American Outdoors Act, a bipartisan conservation funding bill that could trickle down to such Napa County open space efforts as trying to buy Skyline Wilderness Park. Among other things, the act fully funds the Land and Water Conservation Fund at $900 million annually, an amount thats rarely been reached since Congress established the fund in 1964. Local officials said money could potentially restore south county wetlands and enlarge local state parks. Rep. Mike Thompson, D-St. Helena, said in a press release the Great American Outdoors Act is a win for our district, providing funding for preservation and park expansion projects in our communities and our public lands. Thompson was a co-author. John Woodbury, general manager of the Napa County Regional Park and Open Space District, said the Great American Outdoors Act money could help with Skyline Wilderness Park. Napa County for years has wanted to buy the 850-acre park along Imola Avenue, with its 25 miles of trails and destinations such as Lake Marie. The county has leased the land from the state since 1980 and wants to ensure the park continues beyond the lease expiration in 2030. State Sen. Bill Dodd, D-Napa, last year carried legislation authorizing a sale. Woodbury said county and state officials on Monday began discussing how to determine the worth of the property. If secured, a Land and Water Conservation Fund grant from the state probably wouldnt be large enough to buy Skyline, Woodbury said. But it could be an important source for the purchase. Thompson in a press release mentioned the McCormick Ranch project as a possible beneficiary. This is a 654-acre ranch at the top of the Mayacamas Mountains west of St. Helena in Napa and Sonoma counties and is targeted to become an open space park. The Sonoma Land Trust is attempting the purchase for $14.5 million. It needs to raise $1.4 million by November, when the deal is to close. Wendy Eliot of the Sonoma Land Trust said the Great American Outdoors Act wont provide money soon enough to meet this deadline. But, if the closing is delayed, money from the Land and Water Conservation Fund might come into play. Im not saying it isnt a possibility .... It is another way, she said. It is a very appropriate source. For now, though, the Sonoma Land Trusts goal remains buying the McCormick property in November. We are still optimistic we will be able to fill the $1.4 million gap, she said. Maybe there is a park champion out there who wants to step up and be a hero or heroine. The nonprofit Land Trust of Napa County could also benefit from the Great American Outdoors Act. Land Trust CEO Doug Parker mentioned the scenario of the Land Trust buying land to turn over to the Bureau of Land Management or California State Parks. The agencies could then repay the Land Trust using Land and Water Conservation Fund money. Possible projects might be adding land to Bothe-Napa Valley State Park or the Cedar Rough Wilderness Area or Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument. The Land Trust has played such a role before. In 2004, it bought private land amid Robert Louis Stevenson State Park at Mount St. Helena to save it from mansion development. California State Parks, which became the eventual owner, had been unprepared to make the purchase so quickly. In a year or two, maybe we can do several projects we couldnt have otherwise done, Parker said. The Land and Water Conservation Fund over the years has done such things as help with Kennedy Park development, add land to Robert Louis Stevenson State Park, preserve land near Lake Berryessa and develop campgrounds at Bothe-Napa Valley State Park. Watch Now: On the Napa River Trail with Carol and Gail You can reach Barry Eberling at 256-2253 or beberling@napanews.com. Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. KYIV Ukraines President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Wednesday he hoped Belarus would hand over suspected Russian mercenaries to Ukraine for future prosecution. I hope that the suspects in terrorist activities on the territory of #Ukraine will be handed over to us for criminal prosecution in accordance with current international legal documents," Zelenskiy said on Twitter. Belarusian security forces last week detained a group of suspected Russian mercenaries near Minsk. Ukrainian authorities last week ask Belarus to extradite 28 people, including nine Ukrainian citizens, whom Kyiv suspects of participating in the conflict in eastern Ukraine. Disclaimer: This post has been auto-published from an agency feed without any modifications to the text and has not been reviewed by an editor Since Monday, a movement of strikes and blockades of main roads by workers and peasants has been spreading in Bolivia. Protesters are opposing a decree that further postpones general elections, threatening to maintain the de facto government of Jeanine Anez indefinitely in power. This weeks actions are a continuation of massive demonstrations that took place last week, on July 28, shortly after the Supreme Electoral Court (TSE) announced the cancellation of the elections scheduled for September. Amidst a protest in El Alto, a traditionally militant working class section of the capital city of La Paz, the Bolivian Workers Central (COB) called a general strike and blockades on August 3 if the court did not back down. Workers march in a protest against the postponement of the upcoming presidential election, in El Alto, Bolivia. (AP Photo/Juan Karita) According to the COB, blockades were erected at 75 locations in the country on Monday, including strategic points in the Santa Cruz, La Paz, Cochabamba, Potosi, Oruro and Sucre regions. Marches by miners, peasants, indigenous people and poor urban workers took place. In Potosi and El Alto, police forces clashed with demonstrators, throwing gas bombs and arresting people. In La Paz, a number of young people who were on hunger strike in front of the TSE were arrested and taken into custody by two police buses. The anger of Bolivian workers and peasants against the coup regime has grown substantially in the course of the COVID-19 pandemic. The devastation of the virus is intersecting with the substantial increase in poverty in the country. Unemployment has exploded in Bolivia, rising from 4.8 percent at the end of 2019 to 8.1 percent in May in urban areas. The Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (Cepal) predicts that by the end of the year some 500,000 Bolivians will be driven into extreme poverty and 36 percent of the population will be poor. Under these conditions, the government has used the prospect of infection by the coronavirus to implement police state measures and postpone the date of the elections three times, while proving absolutely incapable of containing the spread of disease and hunger among Bolivians. Over the past month, the number of COVID-19 infections has more than doubled, having already exceeded 80,000 confirmed cases. The number of deaths has risen even more sharply. With a record 89 deaths in a single day recorded on Sunday, the total number of deaths tripled in July to over 3,000. These figures are a gross underestimate of the real situation, as the country has one of the lowest testing rates in the world. The recent explosion in the number of cases is directly associated with the anarchic resumption of economic activity, promoted by the government since June in the interests of the bourgeoisie. Its most terrible results have been demonstrated in the collapse of the precarious Bolivian health care system. Most hospitals have already been forced to close their doors temporarily after the widespread contamination of their staff. The latest case occurred at the 9 April clinic in La Paz, which declared a state of emergency on Monday after 70 percent of nurses and 60 percent of doctors were found to be possibly ill with COVID-19. The collapse of the funeral system, which is simultaneously occurring, was graphically expressed in the recent implementation of portable crematoria fixed on the back of vehicles that circulate on the streets of Bolivian cities. In Bolivian prisons, which hold 18,000 people, most of them on a pre-trial basis, the government has already counted more than 150 cases and 40 deaths. Last week, a rebellion broke out simultaneously in four jails in Cochabamba, demanding medical assistance and measures to prevent the transmission of the virus. Doctors and health professionals have protested against the general lack of personal protective equipment, which is resulting in the extremely high illness and death tolls of these workers. Groups of these professionals have been seen participating in this weeks demonstrations. The coup regime is terrified that the growing demonstrations will get out of control and threaten to overthrow its power. Its desperate response is to promote an escalation of violence. Making clear the governments preparation for military intervention against the protests, the Government Minister Arturo Murillos threatened the protesters this Tuesday: Lift the blockades, or we will lift them ourselves. Murillo has been one of the main officials responsible for the governments fascistic tirades. In recent months, he has attacked the blockades of residents already taking place in the poor district of Cochabamba, Kara Kara, as being orchestrated by the narco-terrorist Evo Morales. The conspiratorial accusations of all the opposition as terrorists, which justifies the permanent maintenance of Anez and her allies in power, are growing in direct proportion to the social opposition. Last week, Defense Minister Fernando Lopez appeared on a television program accusing the massive protests growing in the outskirts of La Paz of being in fact a biological terrorist attack by peasants, supposedly contaminated with COVID-19, against the cities. Its not a protest it is the people of Chapare who have come to El Alto to hack down, they are coming to infect the people of El Alto and La Paz, he said. The threat of a brutal repression of the Bolivian masses on the streets cannot be overestimated. The government is preparing even greater violence than that employed by the military in the aftermath of the coup, when at least 23 demonstrators were killed and more than 230 wounded. In the same way that he abandoned those who were fighting against the coup in the streets last year, Morales is negotiating a deal between the COB and the Movement Towards Socialism (MAS) and the bourgeoisie. The meetings between TSE Bolivia and COB should not be just a greeting; dialogue is important to reach consensus on a unilateral decision by the electoral authority with dramatic consequences on the population such as postponing elections again and again, declared Morales on Twitter at Monday. The agreement being prepared by Morales with the same forces that promoted the coup will only pave the way for the crushing of the working class and peasant forces. In order to fight against the fascist threats, against the miserable conditions and the coronavirus that plagues the population, Bolivian workers need to advance an independent political perspective towards socialism, unified with their brothers and sisters in Latin America and globally. From the Archive Love of the Lingo Renowned Myanmar language teacher John Okell is still inspiring students, five decades on. John Okell, a much-admired British scholar and instructor of the Burmese language, died on Monday at the age of 86. A simple inquiry by Okell about language lessons at the British Foreign Office in 1959 sparked a love affair with Burmese and Myanmar that would last for more than half a century. After a spell living in Myanmar in the 1960s, Okell taught Burmese to diplomats at the prestigious SOAS University of London, while frequently visiting the country. He later became a sought-after teacher among foreigners studying Burmese in Thailand. Okell was particularly admired by his students for his passionate, humorous approach to instruction and his limitless fascination with the intricacies of the Burmese language. To mark his passing, we revisit this profile of the teacher published by The Irrawaddy in June 2015. His pupils describe him as brilliant and incredible, and when you listen to him speak the Myanmar language with the ease and fluency of a local, its easy to see why. John Okell has taught the Myanmar tongue for more than five decades. Now 80, the British lecturers passion for the language has not diminished and the classes he runs twice a yearin Chiang Mai, Thailand and in Yangonare highly sought after by prospective students. His long association with the language began fortuitously in 1959 when he inquired about courses through the British foreign office. They were looking for someone to be taught Burmese, Okell recalled. I applied to the program as I was interested in languages and they chose me and trained me. After one and a half years of study at SOAS, University of London with teacher Hla Pe and phonetic lecturer Keith Sprigg, he was sent to Myanmar to practice his blossoming language skills. He stayed in the country for one year from 1960, including a month-long stay in a village in Amarapura in central Myanmar where he learned more about the intricacies of the language and the local culture. I was lucky that Saya Hla Pe was very kind and introduced me to a lot of friends, Okell said. He returned to teach Myanmar at the SOAS and to foreign diplomats, while also making frequent trips to the country at least every five years. Following his retirement at 65, Mr. Okell was invited by foreigners working on Myanmar issues in Thailand to provide them with language traininga role he still performs passionately today. Former student Marisa Charles, a senior program manager at the Myanmar Institute for Integrated Development, took classes under Okell in 2008, 2009 and 2011 in Chiang Mai. He is a true teacher at heart, she said of Okell. He always has an interesting or funny quip or story to help us understand the history from which the language emerged, and the playful way that Myanmar people creatively use their language today. Gabrielle Galanek, another former student and now a communications consultant in Bangkok, spoke of Okells love of the language. His passion was infectious. He spoke so eloquently about the details of the language and how fascinating the structure was, the tones, she said. In 2009, Okell was invited to teach three-week intensive classes in Yangon, but he was initially reluctant. I felt ashamed as they have got plenty of Burmese around them, [while] I was offered to go and teach. But his pupils say they are grateful to have him, as are other lecturers in the language. When you study with John, the last thing you want to do is disappoint him, so in that way hes one of the most inspiring and motivating teachers Ive ever met, said Kirt Mausert, senior program trainer for the Institute for Political and Civic Engagement based at the American Center. Mausert was first introduced to the renowned language teacher in a bookstore on Yangons Bogyoke Aung San Road where he found a copy of Okells First Steps in Burmese. John is by far the most patient and understanding teacher of any subject Ive ever seen. His passion for teaching Burmese inspires all of his students, said Mausert, who is now Okells course coordinator in Yangon. According to Ma Yamin Shwe Sin Htaik, a Myanmar language lecturer at Chiang Mai University, Okell is the best teacher among foreigners teaching the language. He knows the language deeply, she said, and although he speaks in very polite Myanmar, he is not old fashioned and keeps up to date with new words whenever he can. He has an encyclopedic knowledge of the language that is unparalleled, Mausert said. Although, since he is also a paragon of humility, I expect he would be the first to claim that his knowledge of the language is far from perfect. Aside from the educational language books and scholarly articles he has written, Okell has no interest in penning an autobiography, despite the fascinating life of teaching and learning he has led. It is not very interesting to write about oneself, he said. Although he lives for most of each year in England, he is well-connected with the Myanmar community and is knowledgeable about current Myanmar affairs. Asked his opinion on recent developments in the country, he remarked: I think the most striking change has been free speech. At one time, people were nervous about what they said. Other changes you have are a different economic situation, better income, more choice of goods and services. [But] most people I know are saying all of them [the reforms] are the same as before, he said. Another difference he has noticed is that these days on the streets of Yangon, people will speak to him in Myanmar whereas when he first arrived in the then-capital, more than 50 years ago, Yangon residents invariably addressed him in English. This article originally appeared in the June 2015 issue of The Irrawaddy magazine. SAN RAFAEL, Calif., Aug. 5, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- National Agent Orange Day is August 10. While COVID-19 races through the U.S. population, another invisible killer continues to rage among our already endangered population. Agent Orange continues to contaminate and kill civilians and veterans more than 50 years after spraying. Now, two Marines have published a personal account detailing damage done to both body and soul. Agent Orange Roundup: Living with a Foot in Two Worlds tells of the loss of innocence, betrayal and final acceptance of Stage 4 cancer 50 years after their tour of duty. The Department of Veteran Affairs estimates over 300,000 Vietnam Veterans have died from the herbicidal defoliant known as Agent Orange; The Vietnamese casualties are in the millions. This collection of powerful art, prose and poetry captures their journey from the home front, into the meat grinder and the long struggle for recovery. Designed to eliminate forest cover for the enemy and to destroy crops, AO's widespread use from 1961 to 1971, has resulted in birth defects that are multi-generational affecting both cultures. TCDD in Agent Orange is the most toxic of dioxins for it does not readily break down or decompose. If dioxin is the most toxic compound, glyphosate in Round Up is the second. Both herbicides are known cancer causing agents. Perhaps most disturbing is the documentation of the ongoing involvement and of a chemical conglomerate involved in Mustard Gas, Zyklon B, (Auschwitz), Agent Orange, Roundup and now, Dicamba. "We live, slowly die and struggle with these warrior poets who across decades of soul surrendering poetry take us from innocence and idealistic childhood into war. We follow them (the authors) through moral awakening homecoming discovery of their cancers and ultimately their spiritual awakening." From the foreword by Dr. Ed Tick, psychotherapist, founder of Soldier's Heart. Author of, War and the Soul and Warriors Return. Lt. Charles "Sandy" Scull, a transpersonal psychologist and Cpl. Brent MacKinnon, M.A., a non-profit nomad, will join the hundreds of thousands felled by dioxin. This work is offered as a public service and a testimonial for the many veterans who have left us, the many affected still among us and their families. The book is available on August 10 from Amazon, Kindle, and Bookstand Publishing. It is also discussed publicly in the Facebook group: Agent Orange Roundup. Lt. Charles "Sandy" Scull, a transpersonal psychologist and Cpl. Brent MacKinnon, M.A. a non-profit nomad, will soon join the hundreds of thousands felled by dioxin. Scull's poems have appeared in poetry journals and anthologies, and appeared on Book's TV and Bill Moyers Journal. He appeared on the Oprah Winfrey Show as an expert guest for his anthology, Father, Sons & Daughters (Tarcher/Putnam). He and MacKinnon met on a trip in 1988 to Russia and Kazakhstan to offer counsel to veterans of their war in Afghanistan. MacKinnon has worked with Native Americans, Vietnamese, Latinos, prisoners and CAP poverty projects. He has published several books on his journey of wartime survival. An exile from his own culture, he served two tours in the Peace Corps. While in the Marine infantry he was assigned to live alone in the village of Nong Son. That experience began his teaching career. The book is available on August 10 from Amazon, Kindle, Bookstand Publishing and the topic is discussed on a Facebook group: Agent Orange Roundup Contact: Agent Orange Roundup Authors, Scull & Mac [email protected] Ph. 5302088837 SOURCE Lt. Charles Sandy Scull and Cpl. Brent MacKinnon But its been a slow churn for JUSTice Cream. Gutierrez founded it as a passion project in 2017, but was sidetracked by the demands of school and work. This year she started the New Leaders Council Fellowship, a program that requires a capstone project. She decided to build out JUSTice Cream with the help of a few friends. The number of residents whove recovered from the coronavirus in and around Beaumont has exceeded the number of people still infected for the first time since health authorities began reporting that statistic. The news follows a recent change in guidance from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on how public health officials can determine whether an individual has recovered. Beaumont Public Health Director Sherry Ulmer said the sharp increase also was the result of a renewed focus to report those numbers. On Monday, 1,647 northern Jefferson County residents were listed as recovered on the daily report from the Health Department, compared with 1,079 still isolated. However, a full picture of whether that new guidance is doing more harm than good, and potentially allowing still-contagious individuals to interact with others, likely wont come for two more weeks. In part because of the increased potential for another shortage of coronavirus tests as well as additional study, the CDC now recommends most coronavirus-positive individuals be allowed to leave quarantine 10 days after they first experience symptoms. Related: ICU doc describes caregiver exhaustion More Information Coronavirus testing sites When: Noon to 4 p.m. Tuesday; 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday Where: Carl A. Parker Multipurpose Center, 1800 Lakeshore Drive, Port Arthur When: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday Where: Orange County Convention and Expo center, 11475 Farm Road 1442, Orange See More Collapse According to the national public health agency, a growing body of research is showing that individuals with mild to moderate COVID-19 are unlikely to be communicable 10 days after the first onset of symptoms. Those with more severe or critical symptoms likely cannot infect others more than 20 days after they first experience symptoms. These findings strengthen the justification for relying on a symptom-based, rather than a test-based strategy for ending isolation of these patients, so that persons who are by current evidence no longer infectious are not kept unnecessarily isolated and excluded from work or other responsibilities, the agency says. Previously, the CDC had recommended an individual not be considered recovered until theyve had two negative coronavirus tests. CDC guidance also has changed from an individual needing to be fever-free for 72 hours to just 24 hours without a fever or using fever-reducing medication. Ulmer said the new approach ultimately will be easier from an operational standpoint. Related: Oil giants lost billions as pandemic crushed demand for fuel But, she added, she said her office has some concerns about relying on the symptom-based strategy alone. Ulmer said many individuals have been seen to show symptoms more more than 14 days. Additionally, shes concerned that people will prematurely return to work or their regular routine after 10 days, regardless of whether they have a fever or other symptoms. We dont want people to think they can just go back to their normal activities at 10 days, she said. They have to be fever-free for at least 24 hours. And if they had symptoms, whatever they may have had needs to be improved. Individuals who never experienced symptoms have to wait only 10 days after they were tested for the virus under the new guidance. Port Arthur Public Health Director Judith Smith isnt concerned about most of the CDC changes, although shes not yet sure about lowering the time frame for being free of fever. Specifically, she said children often dont consistently run a fever. So, its possible they could be fever-free for 24 hours but again develop a fever on the 25th. She also added that some employers still are requiring at least one negative test before an individual can return to work. Top hits: Get Beaumont Enterprise stories sent directly to your inbox Referencing her experience as a nurse caring for tuberculosis patients, Smith noted that science isnt yet sure that a positive test several days after an individual is first symptomatic actually means they can still transmit the disease. With TB, when an individual still had a positive test months later but their (smear tests) were negative, it was just thought that they were still shedding some of that bacteria, but they werent contagious, she said. This is not cut and dried, you just dont know. But the research is showing that after the 10-day time period, they arent contagious anymore. So, its possible that relying on testing alone could keep individuals who are no longer contagious home, instead of allowing them to return to work. This guideline change is just one of the most recent in a long list that public health officials have had to keep track of while fighting the pandemic. Despite Ulmers concerns, she said she hopes this change works out like masks seem to be - keeping the number of cases being confirmed each day down while also allowing people to go back to work. Related: When will my next stimulus check arrive? Confirmed cases over the weekend and on Monday seemed to continue to show the efficacy of wearing masks with northern Jefferson County reporting just 24 cases over the weekend and 42 on Monday. The combined 66 cases over the three-day time period is the lowest since July 11-13. The city of Beaumont on Monday also recorded its 50th coronavirus-related death. A 67-year-old man was reported dead as a result of the virus. That brings Jefferson County to 4,108 cases and 70 deaths, not including Monday cases for Mid- and South-County. The Port Arthur Public Health Department did not release updated case numbers before print deadline. This testing data will help give public health officials and elected leaders a better idea of whether the region has truly gotten a handle on the virus or if the current this is a lull before another surge. Kaitlin Bain is the Government Reporter for the Beaumont Enterprise. Contact her at Kaitlin.Bain@BeaumontEnterprise.com or on Twitter by clicking here. Don't miss a thing: Sign up for our Daily Headlines newsletter. Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-05 22:48:42|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close BERLIN, Aug. 5 (Xinhua) -- Retailers in Germany called for a governmental support program amounting to 100 million euros (119 million U.S. dollars) in order to enable the digitalization of the country's retail trade, the German Retail Federation (HDE) announced on Wednesday. Without governmental support in the middle of the COVID-19 crisis, many medium-sized retailers in Germany would not have the financial means to make their businesses future-proof, according to HDE. "In this precarious situation with very limited financial resources, the necessary investments in digitalization cannot be made in many places at present. Therefore, support is urgently needed here," said HDE President Josef Sanktjohanser. While nominal sales of German retailers in June were down 1.6 percent month-on-month, internet and mail order business achieved sales growth of more than 30 percent at the same time, the Federal Statistical Office (Destatis) announced last week. Although online trade had already been growing at high rates in Germany over the last years, Destatis largely attributed the strong increase to the "special influence" of the COVID-19 pandemic. Enditem Samsung Galaxy Unpacked 2020 event will be held today at 10AM EST (or 7:30PM IST). At the event, Samsung will launch the Galaxy Note 20 series smartphones, Galaxy Fold 2, Galaxy Watch 3, Galaxy Buds Live and Galaxy Tab S7 tablet. Its happening today! Samsung is set to host its Galaxy Unpacked 2020 event today wherein it will launch its next-generation Note 20 series smartphones, Galaxy Fold 2 and bunch of other devices, which includes Galaxy Tab S7 tablet, Galaxy Watch 3 and Galaxy Buds Live TWS earphones. How to watch the event Samsung, traditionally, hosts a physical launch event for its premium budget Galaxy Note smartphone. However, this time the company is hosting a virtual event owing to the Covid-19 pandemic. The Galaxy Unpacked 2020 event will begin at 10AM EST (or 7:30PM IST). The company will be live-streaming the event on its Samsung Global Newsroom and Samsung.com websites. The company will also be streaming the event via its official Samsung Newsroom and Samsung Global Facebook pages What to expect Galaxy Note 20 As mentioned earlier, Samsung will be launching its Galaxy Note 20 series smartphone at the event. The Galaxy Note 20 series consists of two smartphones, that is, the Galaxy Note 20 and the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra. The Galaxy Note 20 series is tipped to be powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 865+ chipset with a 108-megapixel primary camera. It is expected to be available in both 4G and 5G variants with the 4G variant of the Galaxy Note 20 costing EUR 999 ( 87,900 approx). The upcoming series is expected to be available in a new Mystic Bronze colour variant. Galaxy Z Fold 2 Samsung will also be launching the Galaxy Fold successor, the Galaxy Fold 2, today. It is expected to come with a 7.7-inch display with a refresh rate of 120Hz on the inside and a 6.23-inch display on the outside. It is expected to be powered by Snapdragon 865+ SoC. On the inside, it is tipped to get a 10-megapixel camera and on the outside, it is expected to get a 64-megapixel, a 12-megapixel and a 12-megapixel camera setup. Wearables and others Samsung will also be launching Galaxy Buds Live TWS earphones. They are tipped to get active noise cancellation feature along with a battery life of 4.5 hours. Samsung will also be launching Galaxy Watch 3 smartwatch, which has been a subject of numerous leaks in the past. The smartwatch is expected to be available in 41mm and 45mm models with a screen size of 1.2-inch and 1.4-inch respectively. It will run on the latest version of Tizen OS and come with up to 1GB of RAM, up to 8GB of storage space and a 247mAh battery. Lastly, the company will also be launching the Galaxy Tab S7 series comprising of the Galaxy Tab S7 and the Galaxy Tab S7+, which is expected to come with a 12.4-inch screen, Snapdragon 865 processor and a 9,800mAh battery. New Delhi, Aug 6 : The 'bhumi pujan' ceremony for the proposed Ram temple in Ayodhya on Wednesday turned into Diwali celebration in the national capital and the surrounding regions as people burst fire crackers and lit earthen lamps to express their euphoria. The celebrations came after Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid down the first brick of Ram temple in Ayodhya earlier on Wednesday. The event set the ball rolling for the construction of the grand Ram Temple, a key electoral promise of the ruling party. "The wait for centuries has ended and India is creating a golden chapter in Ayodhya," the Prime Minister said, adding that it is an emotional moment for the entire country. Resonating with the Prime Minister, people decorated their houses and created an atmosphere of celebration by lighting earthen lamps and bursting high-decibel fire crackers. "This is a big and auspicious day for all the Indians. Ram ji has finally come to Ayodhya," said Manisha Mehta, a resident Ghaziabad. People also took to micro-blogging site Twitter to express their exuberance. One tweetrati named Sachin Yaduvanshi wrote, "It looks like we are celebrating Diwali. Everyone is lighting diyas and bursting crackers. Jai Shree Ram." Another person scribbled, "Feeling very happy, we all lit up some diyas to celebrate the bhoomi pujan at Ayodhya. Saw people in my locality doing with same and burning crackers to enjoy the beautiful day." Latest updates on Ayodhya Ram Temple Bhumi Pujan -- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text By Express News Service VIJAYAWADA: Kaikaluru police gave a warm welcome to their colleagues who resumed duty on Tuesday after defeating Covid-19. Sub-Inspector Gayatri and police constables Ravi Kumar and Kishore contracted coronavirus while discharging their duties. They underwent treatment at the Government General Hospital in Vijayawada and fully recovered from the virus. Kaikaluru Circle Inspector YVL Naidu said they welcomed the three cops with a guard of honour for winning the battle against coronavirus. Krishna district SP M Ravindranath Babu congratulated the three cops for emerging victorious against Covid-19. The SP urged police personnel to strictly adhere to Covid safety measures to protect themselves from the virus. No factual evidence whatsoever has been presented to back the claims. Following a deadly blast in Beirut seaport that has killed dozens and left thousands injured and many homes destroyed, Russian propaganda pundits have claimed two Ukrainian vessels, which could reportedly be in the immediate vicinity to the incident site, allegedly transported explosives, which caused the tragedy. The fake spin has initially been posted by the Tsargrad website owned by Russian billionaire Konstantin Malofeev. "The blast in the port of Beirut may have a 'Ukrainian origin.' There is information that a ship that arrived in Lebanon from Ukraine was moored by the epicenter of the blast," propagandists claimed, hinting the ship was heading from the city of Mariupol, which they mentioned "is in close proximity to the conflict zone in Donbas." Read alsoUkraine's top intelligence official talks Russian threats in media domain At the same time, Russians have failed to back their allegations (namely that the ships transported explosive substances) with any facts and neither did they reveal their source, referring to some "open sources." As UNIAN reported earlier, a huge explosion ripped through Lebanon capital Beirut's seaport and the surrounding area on August 4. Ukraine's Ministry of Foreign Affairs says there is no information yet whether there are Ukrainian citizens among victims of a recent explosion in the Lebanese capital of Beirut. The death toll after an explosion in Beirut, Lebanon, on August 4 has grown to over 50, according to an update, while the number of those injured in the blast has reached at least 2,750. According to Al Jazeera, the Lebanese Interior Minister has said that ammonium nitrate was stored in the port, which is what caused the explosion. Despite having a world of resources available, professional experts play an influential role when a student decides to embark on the journey of international education. An education fair can be one of the best opportunities for current students and potential bachelor's, master's, and research applicants to discover their dream programme or to get a feel of other suitable study options. It allows study aspirants to meet university representatives in person as well as peers who may have similar goals for their education or career, thus making it worthy of their time. While the world is taking on day-to-day activities in new ways and working with new circumstances while undergoing an unprecedented challenge, Manya Education, a leading admissions consulting & test preparation services company conducted the 'First edition of the Virtual Global Admissions Fair' 20' on Sunday, July 26th. It was for students looking out to pursue higher education in the USA, UK, Canada, the European Union (EU) and Australia for September 2020/January 2021 intake. The event was a resounding success; more than 50 universities participated in the fair and it offered an interactive platform to more than 600 students. There were interactive sessions for students, parents and interested professionals, where international education experts from Manya and respective university consultants explained measures they have taken during Covid-19 to safeguard the international student community studying at present. Followed by a super successful first edition of the fair, Manya is hosting its 'Second Virtual Global Admissions Fair'20' on August 9th 2020, from 2:00 PM to 6:00 PM. 30 plus universities and 50 plus experts will be participating in this four-hour event. Highlights include specialized help desks for students looking to do a PhD, destination-wise counselling desks (US, UK, Canada, Australia and Germany), Test Prep, Ivy League Counselling & International Internship. From the US, representatives from North-eastern University, Colorado State University, Tiffin University, UMASS LOWELL, University of Idaho, University of Bridgeport and University of North Texas will be present to guide aspirants. From the UK, experts from the University of Portsmouth and Anglia Ruskin University, along with specialists from Brock University, Algoma University in Canada are expected to mark their presence. University experts from France and Germany will also be present to assist study abroad aspirants and provide seasoned and accurate advice. "We are happy to announce the second edition of the global admissions fair. The fair is becoming a perfect platform to offer students real-time face-to-face interaction, live Q & A sessions, high-quality video & audio chats which will help students to maximise engagement with international experts & counsellors, in an improvised and thus, more effective manner," said Aradhana Mahna, MD Manya Education. To provide additional value to attendees, this virtual fair will also have expert consultants who can offer guidance regarding different aspects of a university application. These consultants are equipped with excellent knowledge of their niche and the current competition in terms of test scores. Further, they will filter out the crucial details students need to know to begin their preparation and they will be able to assess each case individually. For all queries regarding eligibility criteria, visa process, stay-back options, post-study work rights, this is a never-to-miss opportunity. Save the Date: August 9th, 2020, Sunday. This story is provided by BusinessWire India. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of this article. DISCLAIMER (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) John A. Charles, Jr. Charles is president and chief executive of Cascade Policy Institute in Portland. He lives in Tigard. Last month, the Metro Council voted to send a regional payroll tax to the November ballot. The rationale for the new $250-million-a-year tax is primarily to help fund a 12-mile light rail extension from Portland to Bridgeport Village in Tigard. It will also pay for a smattering of minor transportation projects throughout the region, but those are just ornaments on the tree. There are at least three problems with this proposal. The first is that we already pay two transit taxes: the TriMet payroll tax assessed on employers, and the statewide transit tax collected from employees paychecks that was adopted by the Legislature in 2017. Most people dont benefit from either one, because they dont use transit. Adding a third tax to pay for light rail to Tigard called the Southwest Corridor project makes no sense. Second, light rail ridership peaked in 2012 and has been dropping ever since. Now, amid the coronavirus pandemic, it is down about 70% from last July, according to TriMet ridership numbers. With many worried about the inability to physically distance on public transit and the prospect that some may work from home permanently, more rail is the wrong project at the wrong time. Third, if the Metro tax is approved, TriMet could bulldoze nearly 300 homes and up to 156 businesses for the right-of-way, according to its environmental impact statement. Roughly as many as 1,990 employees will be forced to leave the area, the analysis states. This ghastly level of destruction recalls the heavy-handed actions of the government when it rammed I-5 through the Albina neighborhood in the 1960s, an act that reverberates today as the state aims to widen the highway in that same stretch. Portland City Commissioner Chloe Eudaly, who resigned from the Oregon Department of Transportations steering committee for the I-5 project in June, emphasized this in her resignation letter: In 1962, ODOT dug a trench through Oregons largest Black community, demolishing 300+ homes, disrupting and destabilizing the community, and polluting the environment. While the Southwest Corridor is not Albina and Commissioner Eudaly cannot undo history, she can help prevent a similar bulldozing of peoples homes. She is currently a member of the steering committee for the SW Corridor Project. If she really cares about protecting homes and businesses, she should resign from the SW Corridor Steering Committee and actively oppose more light rail construction. The other commissioners should join her. But voters dont need to wait for the Portland City Council to do the right thing. They will have the opportunity to reject Metros new tax in November, and they should. Subscribe to our free weekly Oregon Opinion newsletter. Email: Thiruvananthapuram, August 05 : A resolution passed at an emergency meeting of the national executive of the Indian union muslim league (IUML) on Wednesday termed as inappropriate and inopportune the comments made by congress national general secretary Priyanka Gandhi on the construction of the Ram temple in Ayodhya. Ms. Gandhi had in a statement the other day opined that the Ram temple in Ayodhya could pave the way for national unity and cultural harmony. Even as the IUML took exception to Ms. Gandhis comments, party national general secretary P K Kunhalikutty on Wednesday refused to be drawn further on the issue, saying that the party did not wish to create a new controversy over the issue. Congress leaders in Kerala had on Tuesday scrambled to pacify the IUML leadership. Congress general secretary K C Venugopal reportedly reached out to the IUML leadership following the latters expressing displeasure at Priyankas statement. Kunhalikutty also told reporters that the IUML would discuss the issue with the congress leadership. IUML leader E T Muhammed Basheer said that the Ayodhya dispute was a closed chapter following the supreme court verdict. Muslim league had always taken the stand that it would respect the verdict of the apex court. The party did not intend to rake up a fresh controversy over the issue, he added. Several congress leaders at the national level including Kamal Nath and Digvijay Singh had made statements expressing happiness over the impending construction of the Ram temple in Ayodhya, much to the dismay of the IUML. The congress also complained about its national leadership not being invited to the bhoomi pujan ceremony of the temple. Michelle Jones is hoping her daughter might be the last vulnerable woman to die in an alleged domestic homicide before Ontarios bail system sees serious reform. Darian Hailey Henderson-Bellman, 25, was shot dead in Brampton last week, allegedly killed by her ex-partner, who was found also suffering from gunshot wounds and is still in hospital. According to police, Darnell Reid, 27, had been arrested four times previously for violating his bail terms by contacting the victim following a domestic incident; he was recently granted bail after an unrelated arrest on charges of possessing an illegal firearm. He had a no-contact order, so he was not supposed to be around her, Jones said. She still wasnt protected. In the wake of her daughters killing one in a series of recent intimate-partner killings in Brampton police and politicians have joined Jones in calling for reform. At a Wednesday news conference, Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown slammed the court system that left Reid in the community, saying Henderson-Bellman had her life stolen in an unacceptable and preventable act. I dont understand how we can have loopholes in our justice system that would allow an individual thats a dangerous offender to wander the community, Brown said. It speaks to why we desperately need bail reforms and stronger sentences. According to Peel police, Reid was most recently granted bail this year after six days in custody following a May arrest for possession of an illegal firearm. Police say he was released with a GPS monitoring device despite clear concerns regarding his risk to the victim. Last week, Peel police chief Nishan Duraiappah called the case a complete failure of our justice system. Generally, the charter guarantees an accused person the right not to be denied reasonable bail without just cause. In cases in which an accused persons release poses a risk to public safety, prosecutors can argue they should be denied bail and kept in custody until their trial. The ultimate decision on release and any conditions is up to the discretion of the court. Reid is now facing charges of second-degree murder, possession of loaded firearm and two counts of failure to comply with release order. He was admitted to hospital in critical condition. Peel police have not updated his condition. Jones said she saw warning signs in May on Mothers Day when Henderson-Bellman arrived at her Listowel, Ont., home seeking refuge during another rough period in her on-again-off-again relationship with Reid. It was toxic, Jones said of her daughters relationship. She always said she would never go back. In the hours after her death, Jones said she could only identify her daughter to police by the tattoo on her hand her fathers birthday and date of death. Henderson-Bellmans dad died of an overdose in October 2012, Jones said. Henderson-Bellman had most recently been staying with her grandparents, who raised her. Her last words to me before she walked out the driveway were Papa, I love you and Ill see you later, her grandfather Paul Henderson told the Star last week. On Wednesday, Peel Deputy Chief Nick Milinovich said Reid had earlier been released on bail with an order to have no contact with Henderson-Bellman. After the later gun charge, Reids release was vigorously opposed by our Crowns over the risk to Henderson-Bellman, Milinovich said. In the end, Reid was granted bail with two sureties and a court order to wear a GPS tracking device, but it wasnt enough to protect the victim, he said. The Star has not been able to independently verify details of Reids latest bail hearing. At his Wednesday news conference, Brown said the COVID-19 pandemic has amplified the need for bail reform. Were seeing the consequences of not seeing that reform, Brown said. Experts and workers at Canadian womens shelters have said the pandemic is putting more women in vulnerable positions as theyre forced to stay home with their abusers. Meanwhile, courts have been under pressure to release more accused persons on bail, rather than send them to jails that may be at risk of outbreak. Of the 31 homicides recorded in Peel last year, 13 were the result of domestic violence, police say. So far this year, there have been three such killings, police say. Jason Miller is a Toronto-based reporter for the Star covering crime and justice in the Peel Region. His reporting is funded by the Canadian government through its Local Journalism Initiative. Reach him on email: jasonmiller@thestar.ca or follow him on Twitter: @millermotionpic Read more about: An Ogden District officer was shot in the thigh about 3:40 a.m. Wednesday in the 1300 block of South Lawndale Avenue in the Lawndale neighborhood, police said. The officer, who has been with the department for two to three years, was taken to Mount Sinai Hospital in serious condition. The vessel is owned by a businessman, a native of Khabarovsk and Cyprus resident Igor Grechushkin. The authorities in Beirut believe welding works at the seaport warehouse, where 2,750 tonnes of ammonium nitrate was stored, are what caused a deadly blast that claimed dozens of lives and left thousands wounded. The cargo of ammonium nitrate arrived in Lebanon in September 2013, on board a Russian-owned cargo vessel flying a Moldovan Flag. The Rhosus, according to information from the ship-tracking site, Fleetmon, was heading from Georgia to Mozambique, Al Jazeera reports. It was forced to dock in Beirut after facing technical problems at sea, according to (PDF) lawyers representing the boat's crew. But Lebanese officials prevented the vessel from sailing, and eventually, it was abandoned by its owners and crew - information partially corroborated by Fleetmon. The ship's dangerous cargo was then offloaded and placed in Hangar 12 of Beirut port. Months later, on June 27, 2014, then-director of Lebanese Customs Shafik Merhi sent a letter addressed to an unnamed "Urgent Matters judge", asking for a solution to the cargo, according to documents shared online. Customs officials sent at least five more letters over the next three years asking for guidance. They proposed three options: export the ammonium nitrate, hand it over to the Lebanese Army, or sell it to the privately-owned Lebanese Explosives Company. Nearly three years later, the ammonium nitrate was still in the hangar. Lebanon's Prime Minister Hassan Diab on Tuesday declared the explosion at the port a "great national disaster" and promised that "all those responsible for this catastrophe will pay the price". Lebanese President Michel Aoun called the failure to deal with the ammonium nitrate "unacceptable" and vowed the "harshest punishment" for those responsible. An investigation has now been launched, and the committee is to refer its findings to the judiciary within five days. The cause of the explosion is still not clear, but many Lebanese were quick to point out what they believe to be the root causes; immense mismanagement in a broken state run by a corrupt political class who they say treat the country's inhabitants with contempt. Explosion at the port near the center of Beirut killed dozens and sent shockwaves across the Lebanese capital, shattering windows in people's homes and knocking off balconies. Over 100,000 people are believed to be left homeless in devastating aftermath of the blast. TAMPA, Fla. - The online bond hearing for a Florida teen accused of hacking prominent Twitter accounts was interrupted Wednesday by rap music and pornographic videos from users who apparently disguised their names. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 5/8/2020 (531 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. TAMPA, Fla. - The online bond hearing for a Florida teen accused of hacking prominent Twitter accounts was interrupted Wednesday by rap music and pornographic videos from users who apparently disguised their names. The interruptions including one by a user who shared a screen and took over the hearing with a porn video forced Hillsborough County Judge Christopher C. Nash to temporarily halt the session for Graham Ivan Clark, 17. Nash reopened the hearing, but the users continued their disruptions. He ultimately declined to lower Clark's bail, which was set at $725,000 when he was arrested on Friday. Prosecutors allege that Clark was the mastermind of the scheme that hacked accounts of celebrities and politicians, and sent tweets from their accounts seeking payments of Bitcoin, the Tampa Bay Times reported. Clark's attorney, David Weisbrok, argued it wasn't reasonable to set bail at six times the amount his client is accused of stealing. Lawyers have said he has $3 million in Bitcoin under his control, the newspaper reported. Prosecutors had sought to have Clark held on $30 million, which is $1 million for each charge Clark faces 17 counts of communications fraud, 11 counts of fraudulent use of personal information, and one count each of organized fraud of more than $5,000 and accessing computers or electronic devices without authority. Officials said Clark poses a threat to society if he has access to a computer. The state attorney's office is prosecuting him as an adult. 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. They want Clark to prove the money he puts up for bail was obtained legitimately rather than through criminal activity. Two other men also were charged in the case. Mason Sheppard, 19, of Bognor Regis, United Kingdom, and Nima Fazeli, 22, of Orlando, were charged separately last week in California federal court. Fazelis father told The Associated Press on Friday that hes absolutely certain his son is innocent. "Hes a very good person, very honest, very smart and loyal," Mohamad Fazeli said. "We are as shocked as everybody else. "Im sure this is a mix up." Federal court records didnt list attorneys for Sheppard or Fazeli. During the high-profile security breach on July 15, authorities say, tweets were sent from the accounts of 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. Celebrities Kanye West and his wife, Kim Kardashian West, also were hacked. French President Emmanuel Macron announced on Tuesday a 1,000 bonus for carers who assist elderly and handicapped people in their homes. This rankled with unions representing security workers who on Wednesday protested in Lyon to show their anger over being left out of the bonus scheme. On a visit to Toulon, in southern France on Tuesday, French President Emmanuel Macron admitted that employees who help fragile and elderly patients at home had been largely overlooked in the Covid-19 crisis and deserved a 'Covid bonus' of 1,000. He announced a 160 million package which would allow workers in this field of work to receive their bonus by the end of the year. "These men and women were forgotten when the Covid bonus was being handed out," said Macron, greeting workers and patients. This measure, demanded by the workers for some time now, will apply to 320,000 home care assistants, who look after over 1 miillion elderly and handicapped people in France. A long struggle to be recognised In April, the government announced a bonus package for hospital and health workers on the front line in the fight against Covid-19. 500 was allocated for hospital staff and 1,500 for health workers in the 40 departments most affected by the epidemic, between 1 March and 30 April 2020. In June, the federation for home care workers 97% of whom are women - expressed their anger over the fact that they were not included in the bonus package delivered to hospital and medical staff, even though they were also on the front line. Despite Tuesday's announcement, some in the sector are hoping for a permanent salary raise, which in turn would attract new recruits to the profession in the future. "It's never enough, but it's important to rectify the situation with home carers, who need to be recognised," the minister for solidarity, health and autonomy, Brigitte Bourgignon said on Tuesday. She said a consultation period would begin with ministers in September, after the summer vacation, in order to discuss the creation of a fifth branch of social security dedicated to the needs of elderly citizens. Security workers want compensation Meanwhile, the CGT union representing workers in the security sector protested in Lyon on Wednesday morning to demand their share of the Covid bonus and payment for overtime during the height of the crisis. The employees of BSL Securite gathered near central Lyon's train station to draw attention to the fact that they were also overlooked when the initial government package was announced, and are calling for a bonus of 2,000.. "It's about time the professionalism of the BSL staff was recognised," the CGT statement said. "Even when faced with an extremely difficult situation, they never failed to show up for duty, and continue to do so." "We've been on the front line since the beginning. We were alongside all the other workers who kept the country going during confinement," a union member Philippe Boislandon told BFM on Wednesday. MOUNT AIRY, N.C., Aug. 4, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- United Sewing Automation, Inc. (USA) today announces the official opening of their new automated manufacturing facility in Mount Airy, NC to produce disposable PPE facemasks made from USA sourced materials. With the onset of the Coronavirus pandemic, America's reliance on imported PPE has caused great distress for frontline healthcare workers. In addition, the United States has been flooded with cheap inferior facemasks imported from China that do not provide the protection needed to fight the spread of the Covid-19 virus. As a result, USA's ownership team took the initiative to invest in automated equipment to manufacture American made medical grade masks to provide proper protection for Americans. Made from high quality USA sourced materials, USA's facemasks feature a three-ply design with a built-in adjustable nose bridge and ear loop straps made of nylon and elastic cord to provide a better fit than traditional disposable masks. USA's medical grade facemasks are tested for protection against bacterial and other airborne particulates, liquid barrier protection, breathability, and is rated as the best Class 1 for Flammability. USA's FDA registered manufacturing facility is located in Mt. Airy, North Carolina. "Due to the significant shortage of personal protective equipment caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, we decided to do our part to help fill this void by manufacturing medical grade facemasks at our facility in Mount Airy," said Ben Webb, USA's CEO. "We've installed new high-tech automated production equipment that now produces large amounts of face masks quickly and efficiently. We believe that Americans deserve the highest quality facemask protection and we are committed to providing them to America's families. Our masks are not available for export until this pandemic is over. We will continue to work until the demand is met. Our goal is to provide a mask for every face in America every time one is needed. We are all in this together." USA's ownership team has many years of experience in the textile and apparel industry and had the vision in 2017 to bring apparel manufacturing back to Mount Airy, NC through automation. USA recently installed high-tech Ultrasonic welding machines and automated production equipment capable of producing 1,000,000+ facemasks per week. For More Information https://www.madeinusafacemask.org/ About United United Sewing Automation, Inc., USA, manufactures Face Masks, Product Code QKR and FXX for use by the General Public or Healthcare Professionals in accordance with FDA's Immediate in Effect Guidance (May 2020) to address the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) public health emergency. Due to the significant shortage of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, USA is proud to provide High-Quality, Single-Use, Disposable Facemasks made in our facility located in Mount Airy, North Carolina, U.S.A also known as Mayberry, the fictional town made famous by Andy Griffith. SOURCE United Sewing Automation OTTAWAAnswering criticism that the federal COVID Alert app only works on newer smartphones, Dr. Theresa Tam says its one of many tools in fighting the coronavirus. The app released last week is meant to tell users if their phones have recently been close to a phone registered to someone who volunteers that theyve tested positive for COVID-19. But it works only on phones released in the last five years or so because it needs a relatively recent operating system. Critics say that will leave out poorer and older Canadians, who are more likely to use older devices and suffer worse effects from the virus. Tam said shes heard that criticism and understands it, but the app isnt supposed to be a comprehensive solution to the pandemic. It may not be the broadest coverage that you need, Tam said in an Ottawa news conference Tuesday, but what if, for example, before you walked into a pub, before you walked into a nightclub or places where there may be a bunch of people you may not know, who are not in your specific social circle, where notification is particularly important? Younger people with newer phones are an extremely relevant target for the app, she said, as are people working in offices who might have more current employer-issued devices. Despite these gaps, we need to have a go at using it, Tam said. A spokesperson for the Treasury Board said Tuesday that as of Monday evening, the app had been downloaded 1.3 million times. He said its not possible to track how many exposure alerts had been sent out. Tam said we need to use every tool we have to fight the pandemic, even if they arent perfect. For the hard-to-reach populations, public health will still be doing, as rapid as possible, the contact tracing ... thats required, Tam said. Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State has said the people of Edo State cant be deceived by Adams Oshiomhole, former National Chairman of... Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State has said the people of Edo State cant be deceived by Adams Oshiomhole, former National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, APC. Wike spoke while accusing Oshiomhole of insulting the people of Edo State by asking them to vote for APCs governorship candidate, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu. Speaking on Channels television, Wike wondered why Oshiomhole would be campaigning for Ize-Iyamu whom he once accused of theft. Stressing that the former APC National Chairman lacks integrity, Wike recalled how Oshiomhole once accused Ize-Iyamu of looting, being a fake pastor who should not be trusted with the role of a governor. He, however, expressed optimism that the PDPs governorship candidate, Godwin Obaseki would be reelected. According to Wike: Obaseki will be reelected, as the people of Edo state cannot be swayed to the contrary by the deceptions, lies and antics of the sacked National Chairman of the APC, Adams Oshiomhole. Osteoporosis is the most common age-related bone disease which affects hundreds of millions of individuals worldwide. It is estimated that one in three women and one in five men aged over 50 suffer from osteoporotic bone fractures. Osteoporosis is caused by excessive activity of bone resorbing cells, while activity of bone-forming cells is reduced. In healthy individuals, a balanced activity of these two cell types allows constant bone turnover to maintain healthy and strong bones. In osteoporosis, disproportionate bone resorption leads to low bone mineral density and consequently weak and fracture-prone bones. When new bone formation is unable to catch up with bone loss, bone eventually weakens, and becomes more prone to fractures. Current medicines have disadvantages Most current osteoporosis therapies include the use of bisphosphonates, which block the activity of bone resorbing cells, and thus prevent excessive bone resorption. However, prolonged treatment with these drugs eliminates the necessary bone turn-over leading to increased fracture risk and other unwanted side effects. Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop new strategies that overcome the limitations of current treatments. There are now new progresses in this area. They have been developed in a cooperation of Professors Christoph Winkler (Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, NUS) and Manfred Schartl (Biocenter, Julius-Maximilians-Universitat Wurzburg, JMU, Germany); the results have been published in the journal PNAS. Small protein mobilises bone resorbing cells Using genetic analysis in a small laboratory fish model, the Japanese medaka (Oryzias latipes), the research team identified a small protein, the chemokine CXCL9, that, under osteoporotic conditions, diffuses towards reservoirs that hold bone resorbing cell precursors. These precursors produce a receptor, CXCR3, on their cell surface. Upon activation by CXCL9, the precursors are mobilised and migrate long distances in a highly directed fashion towards the bone matrix, where they start resorbing bone. Known inhibitors are highly effective Both CXCL9 and its receptor CXCR3 have long been known to modulate the migration of immune cells to inflammation sites, for example in psoriasis and rheumatoid arthritis. There are several chemical inhibitors blocking CXCR3 activity that have had little success in clinical tests for the treatment of psoriasis. The research team showed that these inhibitors are highly effective in blocking bone resorbing cells' recruitment and protecting bone from osteoporotic insult. Finely tuned therapies seem possible The conclusion of the professors Schartl and Winkler: "Our studies provided new avenues to osteoporosis therapy. The new strategy allows a fine-tuned modulation of osteoclast numbers that are recruited to bone matrix rather than a widespread blockage of osteoclast activity as in traditional therapies. This has major advantages as excessive bone resorption can be prevented in a targeted manner but normal bone turn-over will still continue. This offers potential to avoid increased fracture risks in osteoporosis patients and to maintain healthy bone for improved quality of life." Christoph Winkler is an alumnus of JMU. He was a PhD student and research assistant in Manfred Schartl's team and followed the call for a professorship in Singapore in 2007. He returned to JMU for a while in 2016 - for a sabbatical, financially supported by the Wurzburg University Board. During this time, the ground was prepared for the cooperation the results of which can now be read in PNAS. ### The Tomball City Council unanimously approved terminating the lease of land where the Texas Railroading Heritage Museum was planned to be at the request of the museum board. City Manager Rob Hauck said he had talked to Bill Capdevielle, THRM President, who made the request, as they no longer consider the project viable. Company picks Tomball for new headquarters: JDR Cable Systems begins building facility Theyre incredibly appreciative of the city of Tomball and the work we have done to try to make this a reality, from purchasing property and planning to assisting with the county and so on, but theyve come to the determination that it is just simply not a viable project, Hauck said. Council Member Lori Klein Quinn said she was disappointed that the museum couldnt happen, and said it was a loss for the city. Capdevielle called the lease termination a difficult decision but said the museum board was rapidly running out of the funds required to store the rail cars where they are now and said BNSF, who owns the railroad, could not be convinced to move the trains to a storage place north of Tomball without a building. On HoustonChronicle.com: Plains All American Pipeline sees profits fall by two-thirds as pandemic persists We had three to four months to come up with $3.5 million and we couldnt do it, Capdevielle said. The railcars are gonna go to other museums or the scrapyard if we dont find a place real soon to store them. The nonprofit was established in 2011 by the Gulf Coast Chapter of the National Railway Historical Society to create the museum, the museum website states, featuring items from the regions railroading history, including the vintage railcars currently being stored. The City of Tomball made an agreement with the chapter in 2015 for the museum to be built next to the Tomball Depot Museum, including a 14,000-square-foot museum and education building, a shed structure to cover the railcar area and more than 3,200 square feet of track for the vintage railcars. THRMs agreement with the city stipulated an annual $1 lease for the land where the museum would be, with Harris County funding the design of the sites drainage plan up to $65,000. Capdevielle said there would be a board meeting Thursday night with the Gulf Coast Chapter to determine the fate of the rail cars and the museum. In the meantime, Capdevielle said TRHM is still looking for a new location for the museum in the city of Houston, and donations to help start over. We do want people to know that we are looking for a place to land on our feet and hit the deck running, he said. I think the efforts in Tomball were a bit parochial and didnt involve Houston enough, and I think its desirable to start letting Houston know whats going on. Its a very unfortunate circumstance, he said. We were all very excited about the museum, the Tomball location, the work the design team and the architect did. We spent a lot of money getting to this point and we sort of felt like we got the rug pulled out from under us. The land where the museum was to be built is owned by the city by the railroad depot in Old Town. Hauck said one possible use for the land now could be additional parking or usable space for the depot itself, but not a lot of discussion has gone into it yet. paul.wedding@hcnonline.com MAASAI MARA, Kenya - One of natures most spectacular sights, East Africas great wildebeest migration, went largely unwatched this year as the effects of the coronavirus pandemic are felt as far as the continents wilderness. Travel restrictions kept tourists away for the annual wildlife migration in Kenyas Maasai Mara National Reserve and only a handful of guides and park wardens were there to watch thousands of wildebeest antelopes make their famous trek in search of new grazing pastures. Tour guide Milton Siloma has worked in the world-famous reserve on Kenyas southern border for 30 years and said hes never seen it so quiet. We are alone, he said. We are supposed to have thousands and thousands of tourists around watching this phenomenon. Although the absence of tourists makes little difference to the giant herd of wildebeest moving between Kenya and neighbouring Tanzania, its a serious problem for the park, the local government and the surrounding community. Without tourists there is no income from park entry fees, scenic hot air balloon rides a specialty of the park and tourist lodges. COVID(-19) has really affected so many operations for us here in the reserve in the sense that the revenue, the funds, that the county government was collecting from Maasai Mara National Reserve has gone to zero, said chief warden James Sindiyo. The effect for the people who live on the edge of the park and who rely on tourism is also significant. Kadele Kasare, one of the local Maasai people, said they depend on the money they earn from visitors. The biggest problem is food, he said. We are not getting enough food and at times when there is no money from the tourists, we sell our cows, livestock. But now even the market has been closed. So, we are facing a lot of difficulties. That has also started to harm the park. Chief warden Sindiyo said some hungry community members have begun to illegally hunt animals in the park for meat and there have been a number of arrests. They kill just because they are desperate to get meat, Sindiyo said. The wardens fear a larger problem could be on the horizon poachers trying to take advantage of the situation by targeting the Maasai Maras elephants or endangered rhinos. Scottish farmers and crofters have started to receive loan scheme offer letters from Scottish government and NFU Scotland is urging recipients to opt in. The 2020 National Basic Payment Support Scheme (NPBS) offers recipients the opportunity to receive up to 95% of their Basic Payment Scheme and Greening payments in advance Around 17,300 businesses are expected to receive a loan offer and around 16,000 letters are in the first round. Those looking to accept the offer and receive payment without delay are asked to respond by 4 September. As with previous loan schemes, the opt in acceptance can be completed by email or by post. All payments will be made in sterling. NFU Scotland president Andrew McCornick said the announcement would add 'certainty and stability' across Scottish agriculture at a time of 'great change'. Previous loan schemes have provided an invaluable boost to the rural economy each autumn, stimulating investment in farms and crofts across the country. "This year, as we recover from Covid-19, the scheme will also provide much-needed cash flow ahead of an unknown winter that will undoubtedly be dominated by Brexit." He said the ability for Scottish government to bring forward the loan scheme several weeks earlier than previous loan schemes was a testament to the commitment undertaken by farmers and crofters. I would urge all to opt into this years scheme and to do so by email where possible to ensure payments are processed and made as soon as possible, Mr McCornick said. Women in several cities call government to not withdraw from landmark treaty key to combating rising domestic violence. Thousands of women have taken to the streets of several Turkish cities to protest against gender-based violence and demand the country remain a signatory to an international pact against such attacks. The rallies on Wednesday were the biggest in recent weeks amid growing anger about the rising number of women killed by men in recent years and speculation that Turkey might withdraw from the 2011 Council of Europe accord, known as the Istanbul Convention. The convention, which came into force in 2014, is the worlds first binding instrument to prevent and combat violence against women from marital rape to female genital mutilation. Turkey was the first country to ratify it. In Istanbul, hundreds of women rallied in support of the accord, holding placards saying Women will not forgive violence, Apply the Istanbul Convention and Long live womens solidarity. In Izmir, police intervened to stop a womens rally, and dozens chose to start a sit-in protest, womens rights group Nar Womens Solidarity said on Twitter. The group said 10 women had been detained. There were also protests in Ankara and in the southern cities of Adana and Antalya. The governing AK Party is considering to withdraw from the Council of Europes Istanbul Convention which is aimed at curbing violence against women [Murad Sezer/Reuters] According to We Will Stop Femicides Platform, a rights group that monitors violence against women, at least 474 women were murdered in Turkey last year, most of them by current or former partners, family members, or unrelated men who wanted a relationship with them. Last month, the brutal killing of Pinar Gultekin, a 27-year-old student in the southwestern province of Mugla, sparked widespread outrage in the country and prompted many to take to the streets. An ex-boyfriend has been charged with murder and jailed pending trial. Police said he confessed to the killing during questioning, according to local media. Deeply worrying Wednesdays rallies came amid reports President Recep Tayyip Erdogans Justice and Development Party (AK Party) was considering whether to pull out of the Istanbul Convention. The governing partys executive committee is expected to meet for discussions next week. The dispute has even reached Erdogans family, with two of his children involved in groups on either side of the debate about the Istanbul Convention. Women shout slogans during a protest against femicide and domestic violence, in Istanbul, Turkey [Murad Sezer/Reuters] Many conservatives in Turkey said the accord encourages violence by undermining family structures. It is our religion which determines our fundamental values, our view of the family, said the Turkish Youth Foundation, whose advisory board includes the presidents son, Bilal Erdogan. It called for Turkey to withdraw from the accord. Their opponents argued that the convention, and legislation adopted in 2012 to prevent violence against women, need to be implemented more stringently. We can no longer talk about familyin a relationship where one side is oppressed and subject to violence, said the Women and Democracy Association (KADEM), of which Erdogans daughter Sumeyye is deputy chairwoman. In a statement on Wednesday, Anna Bus, womens rights researcher at Amnesty International, said it was a bitter irony that the Turkish authorities were considering withdrawing from a convention bearing the name of Istanbul. This discussion is deeply worrying, coming at a time when COVID-19 measures, such as lockdown, have led to a spike in reports of violence against women and girls with many women and girls trapped at home with their abusers or unable to easily access safety and support services. Your tax-deductible gift today powers our reporters and keeps us independent. We rely on you, our reader, not paywalls to stay funded because we believe important news and information should be freely accessible to all. Start your day with LAist Sign up for the Morning Brief, delivered weekdays. Subscribe Advocates of rent control collected 7,749 signatures to put a rent control ballot measure before voters in Burbank this November. The effort has a real shot: A majority of households in the city are renters, and a California-wide proposition to pave the way for rent control captured 54% of the votes in the city in 2018, even as it failed badly statewide. But the rent control measure has been met with waves of resistance from Burbank's elected officials. First, the city clerk filed a legal challenge over the language on the petition. Then, Burbank's City Council -- which earlier this year formalized their opposition to rent control -- added their own challenge, charging that the initiative "fatally conflicts" with the city's charter. In July, a judge found the city clerk's legal arguments "not persuasive." On Friday -- the last day for ballot measures to appear in November -- she'll hold a hearing on the city council's objections. What she decides will determine whether Burbank voters have a chance to weigh in on rent control in their city, which would apply to units built before 1995. The measure would also give new powers to a Landlord-Tenant Commission and create new barriers to evictions. icon DON'T MISS ANY L.A. CORONAVIRUS NEWS Get our daily newsletters for the latest on COVID-19 and other top local headlines. Terms of Use and Privacy Policy BATTLE OVER BALLOT When Margo Rowder moved from East Hollywood to Burbank in 2017, she felt "sheer terror" about moving into a city without rent control, where landlords can evict without a stated reason. Rowder had been active in Burbank politics even before she arrived, working on the campaign of city council candidate Konstantine Anthony. After moving to town, she founded the Burbank Tenants Rights Committee in 2019 and began collecting signatures for a ballot initiative on rent control. "It's time to really think about -- and do more than think about, actually help -- the folks who are the backbone of our city stay in their homes," she told LAist. Rowder personally gathered about 2,000 signatures, and Anthony collected another 3,000, she says. (Anthony is running for city council again this year; Rowder is managing his campaign.) Burbank City Hall (City of Burbank) Altogether, the county registrar found that the effort collected the 7,749 verified signatures -- more than enough to qualify for the November ballot. So Rowder was surprised when she learned about the city clerk's objections. So was attorney Fred Woocher, who represents the Burbank Tenants Rights Committee. "When this first came to me, my take on the city clerk's position was 'this is just crazy'," Woocher said. In a legal filing, attorneys for the city and clerk Zizette Mullins argue that the copy of the initiative that voters signed left out required language. So did a version published in the local newspaper. Judge Mary H. Strobel rejected that argument and ordered Mullins to certify the initiative. Mullins declined an interview request for this story. But, by the time the judge ruled, Burbank's city council had filed their legal challenge. They argued that the initiative conflicts with the city's charter, and that the revamped Landlord-Tenant Commission "would create an entirely new branch of government in the City -- with powers greater even than the City Council." The opposition from Burbank's council comes a few months after they voted to adopt a legislative platform that opposes rent control. While discussing the platform, Burbank Mayor Sharon Springer made her position clear: "I think it's just detrimental," she said, arguing that rent control disincentivizes new housing construction. Springer declined an interview but said in a statement that "Burbank is committed to our housing and affordable housing goals." Woocher, the attorney for the tenants group, is wary of the council's legal arguments, calling it part of a "gauntlet of meritless legal challenges" in a court filing. He questioned why the city is using public funds to fight the measure, instead of letting voters decide. "It sure looks to me like people are just coming up with some excuse after another to try and prevent this thing from going to a vote," he said in an interview. Rowder, the advocate, was more succinct. "The claws have come out," she said. Judge Strobel will decide on Friday whether voters in Burbank -- with more than 100,000 people, one of L.A. County's more populous cities -- will see the initiative on their ballots in November. HOUSING POLITICS HEATING UP ACROSS CALIFORNIA Tenants across California have been squeezed by soaring rents in recent years, but the issues have festered for decades. "Rents are star-bound, squeezing the budgets of low- and fixed-income residents," declared a 1980 Los Angeles Times article. "The housing scene in the Glendale-Burbank area is bleak and authorities see little improvement in sight. Especially hard hit are renters." "Rents are star-bound, squeezing the budgets of low- and fixed-income residents ... Housing has evolved as a major political issue at the municipal level." @latimes in March, 1980 pic.twitter.com/ttrfIJOejk Aaron Mendelson (@a_mendelson) July 28, 2020 Then and now, tenant advocates pitched rent control as a means of addressing the issue. Burbank's neighbor, Los Angeles, enacted rent control in the 1970s. Its other neighbor, Glendale, limited rent increases in 2018, stopping short of full rent control. Landlords fiercely oppose it. "It just becomes a disaster for everybody living in a city," said Dan Yukelson of the Apartment Association of Greater Los Angeles. He said it would lead to substantial overhead costs for the city, large corporations snapping up more properties, and less new housing. He said that Burbank should give last year's AB 1482 -- a statewide measure that caps rent increases at a maximum of 10 percent for many units -- a chance to work. The politics of housing have been heating up all over the state. "Calls for rent control in more places have probably gotten louder and more consistent," said Mike Lens, who studies housing at UCLA. "Policymakers are paying more serious attention to [rent control] as kind of an emergency response to these various rental affordability crises." But it's a break-glass-in-case-of-emergency type of solution, Lens added. Right now, Angelenos are contending with a shortage of affordable housing and rising homelessness. And that was before a pandemic and recession. Fewer than 20 of California's 482 cities have rent control measures, according to the advocacy group Tenants Together. Beverly Hills, West Hollywood and Los Angeles are among them, though the specifics differ from city to city. Politicians often look less favorably on rent control measures than their constituents, Lens said. Partly, that's because landlords have more political power than their tenants, and are often big campaign donors and well-connected in city government. Lens pointed to the tens of millions that landlord groups spent to defeat Proposition 10, the 2018 ballot measure that attracted majority support in Burbank. (A sequel to that measure, Proposition 21, will appear before California voters in November.) In Burbank, a small number of property owners control big chunks of commercial and residential land. Similar pressures motivated Sacramento activists to collect signatures for a rent control ballot measure this year. It faced a legal challenge from the city council, as in Burbank. Last week, a judge granted the city's request to keep the measure off the ballot. Tenants there said they would lodge another legal challenge. MORE OF AARON MENDELSON'S REPORTING: WE LOVE TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTIONS The Supreme Court is hearing a plea by Bollywood actress Rhea Chakraborty who is seeking transfer of an FIR concerning Sushant Singh Rajput's death from Patna to Mumbai. The Centre Wednesday informed the Supreme Court that it has accepted the Bihar governments recommendation for the Central Bureau of Investigation to take over the case of Sushant Singh Rajput's death. A bench of Justice Hrishikesh Roy observed that the truth behind the actors death should come out. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Centre, told the court that the Bihar governments recommendation for CBI investigation in the case has been accepted. The top court is hearing a plea by Bollywood actress Rhea Chakraborty who is seeking transfer of an FIR, accusing her of abetting the suicide of Rajput, from Patna to Mumbai. Meanwhile, Vikas Singh, the lawyer of Sushant Singh Rajput's father KK Singh claimed that quarantine due to the coronavirus outbreak is to destroy evidence. He pleased to the SC for Mumbai police to cooperate with the Bihar Police in the case. Here is ANI's update #SushantSinghRajput: Vikas Singh, lawyer of Sushant Singh Rajput's father tells Supreme Court that quarantine (of Bihar IPS Officer Vinay Tiwari in Mumbai) is only to destroy the evidence. He also pleaded for a direction to Mumbai police to cooperate with Bihar police in the case ANI (@ANI) August 5, 2020 According to Hindustan Times, he even mentioned that Chakraborty had siphoned Rs 15 crore from Rajput's bank account. However, the Mumbai police said that while the money was withdrawn, it was not transacted into Chakraborty's account. He also accused that the Mumbai police is derailing the investigation by giving more weightage to the nepotism narrative. Rajput, aged 34, died by suicide on 14 June and since then the Mumbai police has been probing the case keeping in mind various angles. (With inputs from agencies) * OP-ED by Austrian-Georgian relations go way back to the times when Austria was still a monarchy. In the late 19th century Georgia was a transit country for oil from the Caspian Sea towards the Black Sea and about 200 Austro-Hungarian citizens settled in Tbilisi and Batumi. One of the settlers that had nothing to do with oil was a writer and peace activist, Bertha von Suttner. She stayed for nine years in Georgia and the experiences she made during the Ottoman-Russian war led her to become a pacifist. She won the Noble Peace Price in 1905, Austrian Ambassador to Georgia Arad Benko said, Trend reports citing Georgiatoday.ge. During the Soviet Union era our bilateral relations were mostly of a cultural nature and reflected that both countries are small in size but big in the world of culture and art. In 2016 we opened the Embassy for various reasons. On the one hand we had witnessed a strong increase of bilateral activities from development aid, cultural and scientific corporation, coordination in police matters as well as in the business sector. On the other hand Georgia had signed an Association Agreement with the EU and made significant progress in her rapprochement towards Europe including visa liberalization. We support this process of Georgia getting closer to the EU both politically and via our development aid. What we like our partners in the EU try to support in Georgia is not only the transformation in the agricultural or forestry sector, two of the three priorities of the Austrian Development Cooperation. Good governance, rule of law, a resilient and trustable justice sector and social standards are key to make this country a reliable partner for Europe and attractive for investments. Therefore Austria is engaged in all these areas. There are some areas which might not seem to be important at a first glance but are nevertheless crucial in our opinion: We firmly believe that the empowerment of women to take more part in the economy, in politics and other fields is key for the exploitation of Georgias full potential. And we also believe that the principle of subsidiarity and regionalization will help Georgia to achieve faster progress in fighting unemployment and improve the health sector. Austrias economic presence in Georgia is mostly concentrated in logistics and energy. The most important investors transport goods from Europe via Tbilisi to the South Caucasus and beyond, making Georgia the hub in the region. Many hydro power stations include Austrian technology or are being financed by Austrian banks or private investors. Furthermore Austrians are active in the fruit juice sector and tourism industry with an obvious focus on skilifts. Of course every Georgian knows that the first western-style hotels in Tbilisi (the Metekhi) and Gudauri (Marco Polo) were Austrian investments A considerable part of the investments are linked to development programmes and soft loans. So when there is less money in this system also our investment drops as we can see in the statistics. After a very successful year 2018 with an impressive growth from Euro 55m to Euro 96m in our trade balance we have seen a decline in 2019 back to 73m. Still we feel that Georgia remains a very attractive country and Austrian companies are increasingly interested in making business here. Of course, the Corona crisis represents a shock to the global economy. Georgia like other countries suffers a lot in terms of a sharp short-term decline of tourism, reduction of investment and remittances. The government is in the difficult situation to navigate the economy in pre-election times and with the permanent threat of new outbreaks of the virus. With unemployment inevitable rising in the next months to come there have been a lot of discussions about investment in education and vocational training. And indeed I believe this is key for the long-term development of the Georgian labour force. Sure: Establishing Georgia as regional hub and deepen cooperation with other countries makes sense for a small country. But in my opinion, without investing more in the workforces qualifications Georgia might not be able to attract larger-scale investors. They expect a safe political environment, a reliable and transparent legal framework and attractive business conditions. It is promising that Georgia has started to make its public administration more efficient. Continuity and sustainability are highly important assets to make the State a reliable partner for citizens. In general I believe that Georgia is on the right track to democracy and free market. With a strong voice of civil society and a political class that listens, with the respect of European standards of human rights and rule of law Georgia has very good chances to succeed. August 4, 2020 Release Readout of Secretary of Defense Dr. Mark T. Esper's Phone Call with Indonesian Minister of Defense Prabowo Subianto Today, Secretary of Defense Dr. Mark T. Esper spoke on the phone with his Indonesian counterpart, Minister of Defense Prabowo Subianto, to discuss U.S. and Indonesian military cooperation in the age of COVID-19. Secretary Esper and Minister Prabowo discussed maritime security, defense acquisitions, and military exercises. Both the Secretary and Minister Prabowo conveyed their desire to meet in-person soon. Both leaders expressed concern for those that COVID-19 has affected in the United States and Indonesia. Minister Prabowo thanked the American people for providing ventilators and $12.3 million in COVID relief funding to Indonesia. https://www.defense.gov/Newsroom/Releases/Release/Article/2299294/ NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address BOSTON, Aug. 5, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Tusk Philanthropies yesterday applauded Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker for signing Breakfast After the Bell legislation into law (H.4218). The bill goes into effect immediately due to an attached emergency preamble. This legislation will be officially implemented in the 2022-2023 school year. It will require all public K-12 schools in Massachusetts with 60% or more students eligible for free or reduced-price meals under the federal National School Lunch Program to offer breakfast after the school day has begun. Serving breakfast for all students after the bell, as part of the school day, has a proven track record of dramatically increasing breakfast participation among the children that need it most. Before the pandemic, 1 in 9 children faced food insecurity in Massachusetts. Now, that number is 1 in 5. Massachusetts law requires high-poverty schools to provide breakfast to eligible students. But because breakfast is typically offered before the school day begins, just 40% of eligible students participate. More than ever, we are aware that solving the challenges contributing to lower participation is critical as communities struggle to recover from this crisis. "This is a win for Massachusetts. Pre-pandemic, this bill made a lot of sense. The pandemic has only furthered the urgency and need for this bill, as we grapple with rising food insecurity, school funding challenges, and the need to limit cafeteria use to contain the virus. For years to come, we know Breakfast After the Bell will help close achievement gaps, improve physical and mental health, and even better students' earning potential as adults," said bill sponsor Rep. Andy Vargas. "In a time of uncertainty, we must give the children of Massachusetts the best opportunities and means to succeed." "150,000 students will now have access to breakfast. This legislation is the most impactful way to ensure that kids eat breakfast at school, while also tapping into an estimated $25 million in USDA reimbursements every year. This was the win we needed right now," said bill sponsor Rep. Aaron Vega. "No child who shows up to school hungry can possibly be ready to learn," said Senator Sal DiDomenico (D-Everett). "I have seen firsthand the success of breakfast after the bell in my own district, and I am confident this new law will ensure that thousands of children across Massachusetts will now have access to the nutritious and stigma-free breakfast that they need to start their day. This policy has been one of my foremost legislative priorities for many years now, and I am grateful to everyone who played a role in making this day a reality for our Commonwealth's students." Project Bread led the legislative effort in partnership with Tusk Philanthropies, the family foundation of venture capitalist and political strategist Bradley Tusk. Tusk Philanthropies has seen recent success securing Breakfast After the Bell for students in Maine, New Jersey, Tennessee, Washington, Illinois, and Pennsylvania, and expanded access to food stamps in North Carolina. For nearly 25 years, Project Bread has been partnering with the MA Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to implement breakfast after the bell programs in districts and schools across the state. Their efforts to pass Breakfast After the Bell legislation have been supported by the Greater Boston Food Bank and non-profit partners in the Rise & Shine coalition. "Getting this bill over the finish line has never been more timely. In a time of unprecedented unemployment and food insecurity, this legislation will contribute to children's well-being and educational success in Massachusetts," said Tusk. "I want to thank Governor Charlie Baker for signing this much-needed effort into law and to Senator Sal DiDomenico and Representatives Aaron Vega and Andy Vargas for sponsoring the bill. Thank you also to the Chairs of the Joint Committee on Education Senator Jason Lewis and Representative Alice Peisch, as well as Senate President Karen Spilka and Speaker Robert DeLeo, and Ways and Means Chairs Senator Michael Rodrigues and Representative Aaron Michelwitz. "Breakfast after the Bell will have an enormous impact on the health and food security of our kids in Massachusetts at what a time when more families than ever are at risk of experiencing hunger. School Breakfast fuels learning for the day and relieves the household grocery budget to help families afford other living expenses," said Erin McAleer, President at Project Bread. "We have been working school by school, district by district for over a decade to increase access to Breakfast because the potential benefit is so significant. Now we can scale that work with urgency so that all students have the chance to learn unencumbered by hunger." Media Contact: Dani Frese | [email protected] SOURCE Tusk / Montgomery Philanthropies Dining Car diner along Frankford Avenue is open and has adjusted to the coronavirus pandemic with outdoor dining using tents and tables separated for social distancing on Saturday, July 25, 2020. Read more Breakfast at the Melrose Diner eggs over medium, rye toast, freshly griddled pork roll, hash browns begging for hot sauce still hits the spot. But the scenery has changed. Meals are served on plastic plates under a catering tent in the parking lot. The behind-the-counter theater is gone, the dance of coffee pot-wielding waitresses put on an indefinite hold. The sound of clinking silverware or clattering dishes has been replaced by traffic whizzing past this wedge of West Passyunk Avenue. Even before COVID-19, Phillys diner scene was evolving. There have been transformations (the Continental, Silk City, Midtown IV) and losses: Midtown II, Little Petes, Oak Lane, two locations of the Trolley Car. Hours at many establishments have been scaled back as fast-casual chains and 24/7 convenience stores have flourished. Diners are not like they used to be, says Michael Petrogiannis, who owns nine area diners, including the Melrose, the Country Club, Tiffanys, and Warminster West. Like all restaurants, diners have been forced to adapt, moving outdoors, beefing up takeout operations, struggling to break even however they can. But will customers come to eat pancakes in a parking lot? How long can takeout club sandwiches and dinner specials sustain restaurants used to seating 100 customers at a time? And if they cant make ends meet in a pandemic, will diners a waning American institution fade even faster? Empty counters and tables Abdul Elkhouly started operating Coatesvilles Double D Diner in 2002, and for many years, business was encouraging. Customers would stand outside the Lincoln Highway establishment in the morning, waiting for it to open at 6 a.m. The Double D, outfitted in requisite vinyl and stainless steel, did well enough that Elkhouly bought two other properties, Rams Diner in West Chester and Downingtown Diner, in 2015. The business was good until what is happening now, Elkhouly says. All the business I have, all the good stuff I have for the last 20 years gone. He spoke while sitting in the Double D, empty except for him and a lone server. They wait for customers who often dont show, even though Pennsylvanias reopening guidelines allow for 25% capacity indoors. Takeout sales only account for 15% or so of what the diners used to do. READ MORE: Drive up for takeout dining: A restaurant owner offers carhop service I dont know if Im going to survive or not, really, Elkhouly says. If it stays like this, its not worth it just to waste my time. Better just to go stay with my kids. Elkhouly tried setting up tables outside, but there werent many takers in the sweltering heat. Nick Fifis, of Ponzios Diner in Cherry Hill, echoed the sentiment. Its 90 degrees outside. Drinking coffee and eating eggs in a parking lot next to Route 70, you know, its not like drinking a beer outside. Fifis is part of the second generation that runs Ponzios, a 56-year-old anchor of Cherry Hills dining scene. Theyve resisted making a significant investment in outdoor dining so far, but Fifis acknowledges they might have to, especially after Gov. Phil Murphy postponed indoor dining indefinitely. For now, Ponzios is open only for takeout. Loyal customers have been ordering chicken Maryann, eggplant Parmesan, peach cream pie, and other baked goods. But with a $10,000-a-month electric bill (at baseline), 110 employees, and vendors to pay, Fifis is holding out hope Ponzios will welcome people back inside this year. When you see a family business for 56 years in a situation like this, its heartbreaking, Fifis says. Its like watching your business on fire, and its surrounded by firefighters with hoses in their hands, and youre just waiting for them to spray the water. Diner economics 101 Diners are known for 24-hour service, modest prices, and expansive menus that offer something for everyone. But in recent decades, competitors in other categories fast-casual chains like Panera Bread and Chipotle, retailers from Wawa and Wegmans offering grab-and-go food have been horning in on the market, peeling away customers at lunch and dinner. That means diners increasingly rely on breakfast as a profit-driver. And with breakfast, you need to do high volume in order to make good money, Fifis says. Youve got to be able to turn tables quickly. But those two pillars of diner profits breakfast and volume have been knocked down by the pandemic, says Rick Aurite, president of the Delaware Valley Purchasing Group, a nonprofit cooperative with 1,300 restaurant members in six states, many of them diners. Youre not going to get your eggs over light in a foam container, Aurite says. Its a double whammy because [breakfast] doesnt travel well, and thats one of their highest-volume meal segments. Some diners were designed to seat hundreds of customers or more. In such cases, theyre just so big of an establishment, its hard to to cover overhead cost with just takeout or just one meal segment, Aurite says. Fifis thinks Ponzios could succeed if indoor dining returned; at 25% capacity, the 420-seat restaurant could host 125 customers at once. But smaller diners operating at that rate would likely struggle. Nobody builds a building thats 5,000 square feet and then says, OK, were only going to put 25 tables in, says Nancy Morozin, the general manager of the Dining Car in Northeast Philadelphia. Keeping legacies alive Morozin took over for her father, Joe, who opened the iconic Frankford Avenue diner in 1961. Shes determined to keep the diner going. Sixty years in business, she says, I cant imagine anything youre going to put in front of me is going to stop me. Limited to outdoor dining by Philadelphias COVID regulations, she transformed the Dining Cars parking lot with planters, red tents, occasional live music, even a socially distanced watercolor painting class. We zhushed up that parking lot as much as you can zhush up a parking lot, Morozin says. When its beautiful out, let me tell you, it is beautiful. A few years ago, Morozin announced that the Dining Car would no longer be open 24/7. There was so much pushback from customers some even sent letters to her fathers house that she relented, keeping the diner open 24 hours a day on weekends. The heart and soul of a diner is to follow what the customers want, she says. Regulars keep diners running, says Aurite. They come in four days a week or more and have opinions on the food, the service, even the color of the paint. Their expectations are part of the reason diners keep long hours and novel-sized menus. But another reason is legacy. Second-generation owners like Fifis and Morozin are upholding traditions. In a way, so is Petrogiannis, who immigrated to the U.S. from Greece, got into the diner business in 1980 as a dishwasher, and went on to amass an empire by buying diners from second- or third-generation owners who didnt want the same kind of lifestyle as their parents. Hes made changes, but his diners still bear all the hallmarks of a diner. Im old-fashioned, Petrogiannis says. Aurite says he can count on two hands the number of new diners that have opened in the area in the past five years. Petrogiannis says one hand would suffice. READ MORE: Phillys dive bars have stayed the same for decades. Will the pandemic change them? Where theres a will If diners are winnowed out by coronavirus, will new owners step up to revive them later? Or are they too outmoded? Paul Markert doesnt think so. He and his business partner, Scott Edwards, bought Doylestowns Cross Keys Diner in 2008. Markert says he and Edwards, who had cooked together at fine-dining restaurants in Bucks County, had always wanted to own a restaurant. When the opportunity to take over the Cross Keys presented itself, he didnt have any hesitation. This was my favorite restaurant, he says. I had my first date with my wife here. My sister used to work here. Markert and Edwards still do all the cooking, splitting weekdays and tag-teaming weekends, turning out eggs Benedicts and turkey specials. The pandemic has made service unpredictable, which makes the job harder, but customers are still coming. On a recent Monday, between its limited indoor and outdoor seating, the diner served 190 customers between 7 a.m. and 2 p.m. The suggestion that diners are dated comes as a surprise to him: I never thought no one ever said that. I dont is it? he asks. Maybe its a city thing, I offer, explaining what my reporting has indicated: that young kids arent coming in as much, that customers are going elsewhere for lunch and dinner. I can see that, Markert says. But I do think that there are more people than you think there are that want to go to a diner, that want that personable, mom-and-pop kind of situation. He isnt speaking as an owner, he explains, but as a fan of that sort of place himself. I do like these places, and I seek them out, he says. There may be hope for diners yet. Note: The Chestnut Diner, which opened in February across from Liberty Place at 1614 Chestnut St., has closed permanently. Neutrolis, a biotechnology company developing therapeutics that target neutrophils, the most abundant immune cells in the body, today announced the development of NTR-441, a first-in-class DNASE1L3 enzyme analog that has the potential to rapidly and systemically clear neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) for severe cases of COVID-19. NETs are a fundamental arm of the immune system and play an important role in chronic and acute diseases. We believe NETs are the common factor that explains the mysterious multisystem complications of COVID-19. Our lead compound, NTR-441, and other molecules from our Chromatinase platform are the only drugs currently in development that could systemically remove NETs from the body. Thanks in part to competitive funding from the National Institutes of Health (R43HL150944), we will test whether NTR-441 is effective in ARDS, the most lethal manifestation of COVID-19." Toby Fox, Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder of Neutrolis Several independent investigators have observed NETs in the lungs of autopsied COVID-19 patients, and observed that NETs biomarkers in patient blood correlate with the clinical severity of COVID-19. "We just published a study of patients who succumbed to COVID-19 in EBioMedicine published by The Lancet. Surprisingly, we found NETs congesting blood vessels in the lungs of all patients. Clearing these NETs with NTR-441 to restore blood flow may help patients survive COVID-19," said Martin Herrmann, M.D., Ph.D., Professor of Experimental Medicine from the University Hospital Erlangen in Germany, who has studied NETs extensively for the past 15 years. "NETs may also induce microthrombosis in many organs causing organ failure or strokes. All of these thrombotic events are highly prevalent in COVID-19 patients," said Denisa Wagner, Ph.D., Edwin Cohn Professor of Pediatrics at Boston Children's Hospital (BCH), Harvard Medical School, which licensed Neutrolis some of the intellectual property that underpins the Chromatinase platform. NETs are a fundamental but unaddressed culprit in a wide array of human diseases. As a critical care specialist and pulmonologist, I think that an efficient therapy against NETs will be important for patients with COVID-19 and other causes of ARDS. If proven safe and effective, NTR-441 could benefit a wide array of patients long after the coronavirus pandemic has ended." Mark Looney, M.D., Professor of Medicine at University of California, San Francisco and an expert in ARDS About NTR-441 NTR-441an engineered analog of the natural NET-destroying enzyme DNASE1L3is the world's first investigational drug that can be systemically delivered to accurately target NETs. In patients with severe COVID-19, the circulating levels of DNASE1L3 are not adequate to counteract the rapid and systemic formation of NETs. NTR-441 has the potential to systemically clear NETs in the vasculature and end organs like the lungs in patients suffering from severe COVID-19. About NETs NETs are sticky, web-like structures made of chromatinDNA studded with structural proteinsand expelled by suicidal neutrophils. NETs block air sacs and blood vessels in the lungs, trigger hyperinflammation and blood clotting (thrombosis), potentially causing irreversible end-organ damage and death. Two German newlyweds have disappeared after taking a trip deep into the West Australian wilderness. Benjamin Kress, 29, and Nathalie Kress, 26, are travelling together in the Kimberley region in the north-west of the state. The couple were last heard from at 80 Mile Beach between Broome and Port Hedland on July 21. Benjamin Kress and Nathalie Kress (pictured together) have gone missing in Western Australia's Kimberley region The newlyweds were last heard from at 80 Mile Beach between Broome and Port Hedland on July 21 after telling their family they were heading to travel on the Gibb River Road Their family were told they were intending to travel along the Gibb River Road in their 2002 Nissan Patrol. Their car is silver and has Victorian number plates reading 1MF9YK. No one from the family has had contact with the couple in more than two weeks, leaving them concerned for their safety. The young couple were married in Kalgoorlie just last month. The 'Gibb' is a 660km stretch of road that travels from Derby on the west coast to Kununurra on the Northern Territory border and is considered one of the most spectacular overland trips in Australia. The route traverses through amazing waterfalls, rock pools, Indigenous sites, national parks, broad open ranges and dramatic gorges. Ms Kress' social media shows the young couple are avid travellers. Pictured: Ms Kress in San Pedro de Atacama in Chile in June 2019 Rare flora and fauna can be seen along the scenic roadway along with geological formations with major attractions including the Windjana Gorge National Park, Manning Gorge and King Leopold Ranges. The roadway is incredibly remote, with accommodation available in various cattle stations along the route. Only highly experienced four wheel drivers and campers recommended to tackle the challenging terrain. West Australian police have urged anyone in the public who sees the pair, their car or has knowledge of their whereabouts to contact them. Chinese Executive: Forced Sale of TikTok May Be Inevitable Amid US Scrutiny By John Xie August 04, 2020 The Chinese company that owns popular video-sharing app TikTok is exploring all possibilities to ensure that its subsidiary can continue operating in the United States, according to a memo sent out Monday by Chief Executive Officer Zhang Yiming. Beijing-based ByteDance has come under pressure from Washington to sell off its U.S. TikTok operations over concerns that the company's links to the Chinese government threaten the privacy of U.S. citizens. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo told Fox News on Sunday that President Donald Trump is likely to take action in the coming days. People familiar with the matter told Reuters that Trump agreed to give ByteDance 45 days to negotiate a sale to Microsoft. In the meantime, Microsoft said in a blog post Sunday that its CEO, Satya Nadella, and Trump had a conversation on the potential acquisition and "Microsoft is prepared to continue discussions to explore a purchase of TikTok in the United States." Zhang, who founded ByteDance in 2012, said Monday that his teams are working around-the-clock "for the best outcome." Without naming Microsoft directly, Zhang acknowledged that ByteDance is in negotiations with a tech firm, but "we have not decided on the final solution yet. The attention of the outside world and rumors around TikTok might last for a while," he said. According to the memo that was reported in the Chinese media, Zhang complained to his employees that "the current geopolitical and public opinion environment is becoming more and more complex. TikTok's U.S. business is facing the possibility of being forced to sell by CFIUS, or TikTok products may be banned in the United States due to administrative orders." CFIUS, or the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States, opened a review last year of the Musical.ly purchase that led to TikTok's creation. Zhang also said that despite their willingness to adopt more technical solutions to allay Washington's concerns, the company believes CFIUS will require it to sell the TikTok U.S. operation. "We do not agree with this decision," he said. As TikTok surged to become one of the most popular apps in the world, Washington began calling for a national security investigation into the app. White House officials and lawmakers are worried what information TikTok shares with the Chinese government about the app's roughly 100 million American users. Zhang emphasized again that TikTok is a privately run business. "We've always firmly protected the security of users' data, the platform's independence and transparency," he said. U.S. officials have argued that such guarantees mean little because Chinese companies generally have no choice but to bend to Communist Party demands. On Monday China's foreign ministry said it strongly opposed any U.S. actions against Chinese software companies, and it hoped the U.S. could stop its "discriminatory policies." In an interview Monday with U.S. business news network CNBC, former Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer called the company's pursuit of TikTok "exciting." "Price is important, as well as whatever restrictions come with it from a government perspective, but I think it's an exciting avenue for Microsoft to really increase its consumer base," he said. In the meantime, U.S. Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer on Monday called for a U.S. company to purchase TikTok. "A U.S. company should buy TikTok so everyone can keep using it and your data is safe," he said in a tweet, "With TikTok in China, it's subject to Chinese Communist Party laws that may require handing over data to their government." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Bradshaw Sumners watched throughout February as COVID-19 hot spots developed in major American cities, waiting to see when the coronavirus pandemic would manifest in Montana. When it finally did, life for the Livingston resident and father of two changed dramatically. His daughters, 8 and 4 years old, were suddenly home from school. The restaurant group where Sumners works maintenance shut down, thrusting him onto unemployment alongside legions of workers nationwide. Despite his life being upended, Sumners backed Gov. Steve Bullock's decision to lock down the state, and Montana saw relatively few cases through the spring. That response, echoed by others across the state who approved of how Bullock had handled the pandemic, was good news for the governor's nascent campaign to unseat Republican Sen. Steve Daines in a key race for control of the U.S. Senate. Republicans, who hold a slim three-seat majority in the Senate, considered Montana a safe seat until Bullock's last-minute entry in March. The term-limited governor had repeatedly rejected the idea of challenging Daines, a first-term incumbent seeking reelection in a state that President Donald Trump won by 20 percentage points in 2016. Bullock reconsidered after dropping his long-shot presidential bid and being wooed by top Democrats, including former President Barack Obama and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer. The pandemic has shaped the race beyond simply focusing the public's attention on health directives and congressional stimulus packages. Health care in general has rocketed to the forefront of both candidates' campaigns. Television ads have touted and attacked Bullock's push to expand Medicaid, Daines' opposition to the Affordable Care Act and Daines' plan for lowering prescription drug prices. That dynamic has national implications, said Jessica Taylor, the Senate and governors editor for The Cook Political Report. A decade ago, health care and a campaign to repeal and replace the ACA helped Republicans wrest control of the House and then four years later the Senate. In 2018, health issues aided Democrats in taking back the House. Now the pandemic could play into a power flip in the Senate, sweeping many of the GOP's strongest knocks against Bullock, such as his support for a ban on assault weapons, off the table in favor of a policy debate that Republicans have lost ground on. But matters have grown more complicated for Bullock as the pandemic continues. When coronavirus cases began to rise in Montana in June, hundreds of people from across the state wrote to Bullock's office. According to emails, released by the governor's office under a public records request, many criticized the governor for not issuing a statewide mask mandate early enough and questioned his motives in other pandemic-related decisions. Sumners wrote Bullock twice. He strongly disagreed when the governor in June lifted the 14-day quarantine rule for out-of-state visitors. Later, he felt Bullock was taking too long to issue the mask order, which didn't come until July 15. Sumners, who said he still supports Bullock, began to suspect that the governor's political ambitions were coloring his response to the crisis. He wrote to the governor's office and urged him to "put your politics aside" and issue the mask order. "I think he's been trying to play the political game a little too much, to his own benefit," Sumners said in a recent interview. That the early sheen of public praise lavished on governors in their battles against COVID-19 would gradually scuff and wear was a foregone conclusion. The pandemic continues to bring fresh challenges around the country, from rising case counts and testing delays to quandaries over what to mandate and what to reopen. Rob Saldin, a political scientist at the University of Montana, said Bullock's very presence on the ballot means his actions on the outbreak will be seen through a political lens. That worked in his favor early on when constant media coverage of all things COVID put Bullock in a spotlight that would not otherwise have existed for a lame-duck governor. Even with the recent criticism over the timing of the face mask order, Saldin speculated that Bullock's supporters will still back him. Whether voters continue to see Bullock as an effective and reliable leader into the fall is the real question hanging over Election Day. "It is really kind of a 'damned if you do, damned if you don't' situation he finds himself in," Saldin said. "This is such a highly charged issue that's impacting everybody's lives that it just does raise the salience of this thing." Bullock refuses to give the notion of a campaign calculus in his pandemic response much note, saying, "None of that is politics. That's just trying to do the job that I'm fortunate that I've gotten to do for eight years." If it took time to issue a face mask mandate, Bullock said in a phone interview, it's because lining up support from Montana business leaders and stoking public acceptance were critical to ensuring the order would have the intended effect. Daines appears equally reluctant to marry the pandemic to the campaign. According to the Associated Press, one unnamed Daines campaign staffer accused Bullock in early July of staging photo-ops at COVID testing sites, a charge Bullock's team countered was baseless. So far, however, that salvo has been a one-off. Daines declined to be interviewed, but spokesperson Julia Doyle said in an email that his response to the pandemic is not political. "It's about ensuring Montanans have the resources to protect their health, help our small businesses, and [getting] Montanans safely back to work," she said. For now, Daines and Bullock as candidates are largely keeping their talk about the coronavirus confined to their own roles. Daines' tele-town halls and in-state visits have centered on his work securing federal relief funding for Montana workers and businesses. Bullock, meanwhile, has his attention trained on health directives and economic aid programs. He said criticism of his coronavirus policies is not affecting his plans. "My responses and my efforts can't be defined by the individuals that were upset that we didn't do a masking order earlier, or can't be defined by the individuals that were protesting around the Capitol or the [governor's] residence," Bullock said. "You just have to do the best you can with everything you know." New Delhi: The Central Industrial Security Forces (CISF) on Friday seized Rs 39.11 crore cash, jewellery worth Rs 40 lakhs, silver worth Rs 7.5 lakhs, 163.572 Kg gold from airports across the country. Post demonetisation move by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on November 8, the CISF has been keeping a vigilant watch across the country. In seperate incident, Karnataka Police seized Rs 71 lakh in new Rs 2,000 currency notes from a car in Bailoor area. The police have arrested three persons in this regard. The matter has been handed over to the income tax department for further investigation. On Thursday, the income tax sleuths had seized more than Rs 4.7 crore in new currency notes after conducting searches in premises of two individuals in Bengaluru. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Email Whatsapp Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment The United Nations Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide went into effect in 1951. At the time, the Convention defined genocide as actions committed with intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnical, racial or religious group. This definition includes deliberately inflicting on the group conditions of life calculated to bring about its physical destruction in whole or in part, and imposing measures intended to prevent births within the group. As in the case of any other activity deemed a crime, laws against genocide will not enforce themselves. People, or in this case nations, have to be willing to use the label genocide when necessary, and also to take action. Tragically, since 1951, the international community is batting close to zero. Besides the genocides in Cambodia and Rwanda, there have been at least a dozen other campaigns of extermination that arguably met the Conventions definition of genocide. With the possible exception of the horrific events in former Yugoslavia, no one did anything. China, of course, has an atrocious human rights record. Given the lack of consequences the nation has faced time after time, its no surprise that the Peoples Republic would flout the Convention and the international community. And they are. Beijings treatment of the Uighur minority in Xinjiang Province qualifies, in every way, as genocide. Writing in Newsweek, Israeli Human Rights Lawyer Arsen Ostrovsky didnt hesitate to call the Communist Partys actions genocide, pointing especially to the forced sterilizations, abortions and intrusive birth prevention. These actions alone meet the requirement for genocide and have led to the population growth rates in the two largest Uyghur prefectures [to fall] by 84% between 2015 and 2018. But theres more. According to the State Department, Over a million Uighurs have now been detained by China in camps, where they are starved, abused, tortured, electrocuted, raped and even killed. Recent video footage showed Uighurs, with heads shaven, being blindfolded, shackled and herded onto trains, headed for these camps. Ostrovsky, who lost family in the Holocaust, admits that he is loath to draw comparisons, but in this case, finds it impossible not to draw such parallels in the face of overwhelming evidence of state-sponsored ethnic cleansing and genocide by Chinas Communist regime. Of course, it was equally impossible during the Cambodian and Rwandan genocides, when the world did next to nothing other than some hand-wringing and expressing regret long after it was too late. This time, however, there are signs it may be different, though not from the Uighurs fellow Muslims, whose conspicuous willingness to be bought by Beijing should embarrass them. Instead, resistance to Chinas genocidal policies are coming from countries finally fed up with Chinas bad actions. Even some not concerned with Chinas terrible treatment of religious minorities or its crackdown on Hong Kong, have concluded that Beijing must be knocked down a peg or ten. For example, Japan is paying Japanese firms to move production out of China for reasons part economic, part national security and, part desire to reign in Chinese ambitions. Another example is India who, after a recent border clash in the Himalayas, is courting companies to relocate production from China. Apple is in the process of moving 20 percent of its production to India from China. India has also banned Chinese apps, including the insanely popular Tik-Tok, something President Trump also threatened to do for national security reasons. Though none of these moves is in direct response to Uighur persecution, it illustrates that countries dont have to appease Beijing. Civilized nations have both the means and the cause to punish China for its actions. People of good conscience, led by Christians, must make it clear to our leaders that business-as-usual is intolerable. Otherwise, we can never say the phrase Never Again! ever again. At least not with a clear conscience. Originally posted at breakpoint.org Seasons looks forward to the efficiencies and tools that Forcura will bring to our organization. Ultimately this suite of tools will help us provide high-quality coordinated care and streamline key back-office functions, says David Donenberg, Chief Financial Officer for Seasons. Forcura, a leading healthcare technology company that empowers better patient care, announces that Seasons Hospice and Palliative Care (Seasons), one of the nations largest providers of hospice services, has chosen the full suite of Forcuras products to streamline workflows, coordinate care team communications, and benefit from Forcuras new Analytics platform. Together, these tools translate to faster care transitions for patients and increased revenues and optimized cash flows for the hospice agency. The Forcura platform allows post-acute care providers to manage the flow of patient information and documentation for all lines of business through seamless integration with electronic health records (EHRs). Forcura is committed to transitioning the post-acute industry from a document-intensive to a data-driven segment of healthcare. Forcura is an integrated partner of Seasons EHR, Homecare Homebase (HCHB.) Founded in 1997, Seasons Hospice & Palliative Care has a national office in Rosemont, Illinois, and operates 29 Medicare-certified sites across 19 states, with an additional 18 inpatient centers. In 2019, they provided an incredible 1.85 million days of care to over 30,900 patients and families. They are known for their adoption and utilization of best-in-class technology, being early adopters of the electronic health record, and offer a diverse range of industry-leading clinical programs in the hospice and palliative care fields. Seasons looks forward to the efficiencies and tools that Forcura will bring to our organization. Ultimately this suite of tools will help us provide high-quality coordinated care and streamline key back-office functions, says David Donenberg, Chief Financial Officer for Seasons. Seasons will deploy Forcura to centralize and digitize their referrals and orders management workflows, as well as use the Forcura mobile app to coordinate care team communications in the field. Forcuras Analytics platform will also enable managers and decision makers within Seasons to easily track referrals and orders volumes, gain insights on workflow bottlenecks, and monitor staff performance across their enterprise. Knowing the value Seasons places on technology, we are honored that this leading-edge hospice and palliative care provider has selected Forcura to help them provide compassionate, patient-centered care, says Craig Mandeville, founder and CEO of Forcura. We strive to offer the most innovative solution so that the post-acute industry can be data-driven, which makes Seasons an excellent partner. We look forward to empowering them to deliver even better patient care. About Seasons Hospice Seasons Hospice is a community-based organization with an ongoing vision to find creative solutions that add quality to end-of-life care. The professionals at Seasons Hospice hold steadfast to the patient/family focus of hospice care. We recognize that individuals and families are the experts in their own care, and we continuously strive for excellence beyond accepted standards. We are born into a world of comfort, warmth and love, and it is our belief that we should all leave this world in the same way. To further that goal, we work with communities to increase the awareness of hospice as part of the continuum of care. Seasons is the largest privately held hospice in the United States. We have the honor of serving over 30,000 patients and their families every year via our 31 sites in 19 states. Seasons is an innovative community leader, with cutting edge specialty programs such as Namaste care, childrens grief camps, and music therapy. Seasons is the largest employer of board-certified music therapists in the United States. Organizational facts: https://www.seasons.org/about/organization-facts/ About Forcura: Forcura, a leading healthcare technology company headquartered in Jacksonville, Florida, facilitates continuity of care via technology, analytics and a deep commitment to enabling better patient care. The Forcura suite of tools is powered by Forcura Connect, a proprietary framework for standardizing interoperability and integration among post-acute health care organizations, physicians, electronic health records (EHRs) and other supporting technology vendors. Through our technology and analytics solutions, we are a step closer every day to elevating the opportunities of post-acute care. The company has received awards for Fastest Growing Company for the fourth consecutive year, Best Use of Cloud Computing, Best CEO, and Best Places to Work by Inc. Magazine. For more information visit http://www.forcura.com, call 800-378-0596 or follow Forcura on LinkedIn. The Ministry in charge of Emergency Management (MINEMA) has said that Rwanda reaffirms the principle of voluntary repatriation as a durable solution for refugees, in accordance with international and Rwandan law. The Ministry issued the statement on voluntary repatriation of refugees on August 3, 2020 following an appeal of more than 330 Burundian refugees who petitioned Burundian President Evariste Ndayishimiye seeking a dignified and lawful return to their home country. The New Times understands that the petition drawn up on July 26, 2020, was signed by five Burundian refugees representing the 331 refugees who support it. "Rwanda reiterates its commitment to the protection of refugees on its territory, and stands ready to facilitate the safe and dignified return of those who choose to repatriate, in collaboration with UNHCR [a UN agency mandated to protect refugees] and relevant governments," the statement reads. They also copied the Government of Rwanda (the Ministry of Emergency Management), and the UN agency for refugees (UNHCR). "We wish for bilateral talks between Burundi and Rwanda in the presence of UNHCR so that we gain our rights and dignity and return home," reads part of the petition. Emmanuel Bizimana, and Celeus Hatungimana, two of the co-signatories to the petition, told The New Times that they fled because of the political crisis and insecurity stemming mainly from former Burundian President Pierre Nkurunziza's bid to serve a controversial third term. Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Rwanda Refugees Burundi By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later. But, they contended that peace has been restored in their country based on the fact that the third term threat was over, and an elected President is currently leading the country. Nkurunziza, who died on June 8 this year (2020), was replaced by Evariste Ndayishimiye. Article 17 of the law relating to refugees which was enacted in 2014 provides six conditions for the cessation of refugee status. They include that refugee status shall cease for any person who has voluntarily re-availed him/herself of the protection of the country of his/her nationality. Data from UNHCR show that Rwanda is hosting around 77,000 refugees from DRC, and 71,000 refugees from Burundi among others, in camps and urban settings. According to UNHCR, as a result of election-related tensions in neighbouring Burundi, Rwanda opened its border to Burundian refugees who have fled the country since April 2015. Mahama Refugee Camp located in Kirehe District in the Eastern Province has become the country's largest camp - hosting Burundian refugees since the emergency. It has a population of around 60,000 refugees. H opes of an autumn bounce back for West End shops, hotels and restaurants were dealt a blow today by figures showing flight bookings from abroad are almost 90 per cent down in September. Figures from analysts ForwardKeys reveal travel agent sales of tickets to UK airports for next month are 89 per cent lower than last year. About half of all foreign tourist visits are to the capital. Although this marks a slight improvement from the 95 per cent shortfall in August, such a modest recovery in September will be seen as a setback for central Londons retail and hospitality sectors, which are heavily dependant on spending by foreign tourists. Tom Jenkins, chief executive of European tourism body ETOA, said: A lot of people are now saying they will tear your arm off to get 50 to 60 per cent of 2019 levels in 2021. "They are not expecting a return of some kind of normal until 2022. There was better news for the national economy, with both the services and car manufacturing sectors showing signs of robust growth last month as lockdown measures were eased. The IHS Markit/CIPS services index showed a reading of 56.5 in July, signalling the fastest rate of increase in activity for five years in a sector that accounts for almost 80 per cent of GDP. London's West End Theatres go dark during coronavirus - In pictures 1 /25 London's West End Theatres go dark during coronavirus - In pictures A woman wearing a face mask waits for an evening show of "Les Miserables" at Queen's Theatre AFP via Getty Images Staff from The Prince of Wales Theatre, London, inform patrons, as it shuts its doors, following a statement from Pime Minister Boris Johnson PA A notice outside The Apollo Theatre, London, informing patrons, that it has shut its doors, following a statement from Pime Minister Boris Johnson PA Staff from The Sondheim Theatre, London, inform patrons, as it shuts its doors, following a statement from Pime Minister Boris Johnson today PA Staff from The Lyric Theatre, London, inform patrons, as it shuts its doors, following a statement from Pime Minister Boris Johnson today PA Staff from The Lyric Theatre, London, inform patrons, as it shuts its doors, following a statement from Pime Minister Boris Johnson PA A notice outside The Prince Edward Theatre, London, informing patrons, that it has shut its doors, following a statement from Pime Minister Boris Johnson PA Staff from The Prince Edward Theatre, London, inform patrons, as it shuts its doors, following a statement from Pime Minister Boris Johnson PA A notice outside The Apollo Theatre, London, informing patrons, that it has shut its doors, following a statement from Pime Minister Boris Johnso PA Pretty Woman at Piccadilly Theatre SplashNews.com Jamie at The Apollo SplashNews.com The Seagull at The Playhouse Theatre SplashNews.com Thriller at The Lyric SplashNews.com Thriller at The Lyric SplashNews.com Thriller at The Lyric SplashNews.com Thriller at The Lyric SplashNews.com SplashNews.com The Seagull at The Playhouse Theatre SplashNews.com Pretty Woman at Piccadilly Theatre SplashNews.com New car registrations rose year on year for the first time in 2020, with sales up 11.3 per cent in July, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders. Almost 175,000 cars were registered as dealerships across the whole of the UK opened for their first full month of trading since February. The stark contrast between the state of the economies in central London and the rest of the country was underlined by trading figures from brewery and pub chain BrewDog. Loading.... Sales in England outside London are now only 34 per cent down on last year, but in central London they are 74 per cent lower. In the hotel sector, occupancy rose to 37 per cent across the UK but was stuck at 24 per cent in London in the last full week of July, according to data from analysts STR. Rise offers a modern online booking technology with fast setup and cost-saving options, available now through Travel Management Companies San Francisco, CA, Aug. 05, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Deem, a leading mobile and cloud technology provider for the corporate travel industry, announced its corporate travel booking software for TMC resale, Deem Rise. Rise is a robust travel technology solution tailored for the Small and Medium Business (SMB) market. With new features for TMCs and self-onboarding that can be handled in just minutes, Rise helps SMBs manage their business travel and save money. The new platform is available now through travel management companies. SMBs already know how cloud software helps level the competitive playing field for them, said John F. Rizzo, CEO, Deem. Now, SMBs can get the efficiency and cost savings opportunities of planning travel the way big companies do, without an overwhelming process or price tag. Deem Rise is the perfect solution for Direct Travel, given our focus on the mid-market client, said John Coffman, CFO at Direct Travel. This powerful new technology not only increases policy compliance, but ensures our customers maximize their savings potential. TMCs can already help small and mid-size businesses negotiate rates with their favored suppliers. Now, with the new preferred rates feature in Rise, TMCs can apply custom or specific rates per corporation. Combined with an easy way to keep travelers in compliance with its travel program, an SMB has the potential to save a significant amount on overall costs by using Rise with a TMC partner. For an SMB that may not have a full travel staff, partnering with a TMC provides many benefits, including guidance on travel requirements, which are currently in rapid flux, duty of care support and assistance to travelers if something goes wrong during trips, and help with creating cost-saving policies and managing the online booking tool if needed. Story continues Deem Rise is an online booking and management system for desktop and mobile platforms. Using Rise, small and medium-sized companies can offer the travel content they know their travelers want and need while managing policies, approvals and more. This modern solution enables travelers to seamlessly shop for and book airfare, hotels and ground transportation options that are permitted within a companys policies and approved rate structures. Rise eliminates the need to book each segment individually travelers will be relieved to accomplish all of their booking in one streamlined motion. The Rise platform offers users airfares sourced through Google ITA search for faster and more varied flight options, airfare comparisons and flight restrictions, TripAdvisor hotel reviews within hotel content, and hotel and car rental options that are automatically based on availability for the selected trip dates. The wealth of content provided in its elegant, intuitive design delivers an elevated user experience of which travelers will want to take advantage. About Deem Deem is on a mission to transform travel. With its corporate travel booking and management platform that allows travel managers to customize their programs, Deem offers employees everything they need to easily make the right travel decisions for themselves and their company. Deems travel technology plugs into major travel agencies and expense solution providers, enabling more corporate customers and the worlds largest travel management companies. Deem, a wholly owned and independently run subsidiary of Enterprise Holdings, is now part of the fifth largest travel company in the world. The company is headquartered in Silicon Valley, California, with offices in Dublin, Ireland and Bangalore, India. Learn more at Deem.com. CONTACT: Diana Brandon Deem 415-590-8414 dbrandon@deem.com The Supreme Court on Wednesday cleared the way for deposed Jalandhar Bishop Franco Mulakkal to stand trial in a rape case involving a Kerala nun. The Court dismissed his plea seeking discharge from the case on a claim that he was being falsely implicated after he initiated disciplinary proceedings against the nun for financial irregularities. Appearing for Mulakkal, senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi sought to convince a bench headed by Chief Justice of India (CJI) SA Bobde that his client was being made a victim for action taken against the nun. The bench, also comprising justices AS Bopanna and V Ramasubramanian, was not convinced. You dont have a case, We do not see any merit in your petition, the bench said, dismissing the plea filed by Mulakkal, who now must stand trial. Mulakkal, while serving as Bishop of the Jalandhar Diocese of the Roman Catholic Church, was accused of raping a nun belonging to the Missionaries of Jesus congregation in a complaint filed with the Kerala Police in June 2018. Mulakkal was accused of raping the 43-year old nun on 13 occasions during his visits to the Kerala convent between 2014 and 2016. Mulakkal was later removed from the charge of the Jalandhar diocese. He first approached a local court in Kerala praying for his discharge. In his plea, he claimed that he was being falsely implicated by the victim after he initiated disciplinary proceedings against her for alleged financial misdemeanour. His plea was dismissed in March this year following which he approached Kerala high court. His petition before the HC stated, Due to the disciplinary proceedings initiated by the petitioner (Mulakkal) against the sister, she has maliciously and falsely implicated him with an ulterior motive to wreak vengeance on him and cooked up this story just because of her personal grudge towards him, without any justification. After examining the evidence against him, on July 7, the high court dismissed his petition, noting, Rape is the most revolting, cruel and hated crime to a woman Thus when the records indicate that prima facie materials are available to show that the Sister was subjected to sexual assault including rape from the hands of the superior authority who is the Bishop of the Diocese, it is not possible to infer that this Bishop was falsely implicated by the Mother Superior of the Home functioning under him, on mere enmity as contended by him. The Kerala government had filed a caveat in Supreme Court anticipating an order on his plea. The state police filed a charge-sheet in April 2019 naming Mulakkal. Even the Kerala high court had said that the antecedents of the victim do not make out a case to doubt the prosecution story. (Natural News) A swarm of mystery drones recently descended on the Palo Verde Nuclear Generation Station near Tonopah, Arizona, located about 25 miles west of Phoenix, and nobody knows where they came from or why they were there. The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) described the incident as drone-a-palooza, expressing worry that drones might be used in the future to conduct an adversarial attack against a high-level target such as a nuclear power plant. With the popularity of civilian drones on the rise, experts say that their potential use for nefarious purposes is a growing concern, and yet one that is not being taken as seriously as some think it should be. Earlier this year in Colorado and Nebraska, swarms of unmarked drones were observed in numerous remote areas on multiple occasions. Their origin still remains a mystery to this day. These events are occurring as lower-end and lower-performance unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) have become weaponized to [an] increasingly remarkable degree in recent years, writes Tyler Rogoway and Joseph Trevithick for The Drive. Even those built-in sheds in the middle of warzones have been employed with not only deadly, but also a (sic) highly disrupted effects, they add. There was one incident a few months back where drones caused major damage to the countrys oil production. They have also reportedly been used to try to assassinate world leaders. Relatively inexpensive and easy-to-obtain drones can be modified to carry weaponry and explosives and have the potential to be unleashed in droves to carry out attack missions. While other countries have been assessing and responding to the threat of this, the United States is said to be lagging behind and is now having to play catch-up. It wasnt before weaponized drones were careening into and dropping bomblets on Iraq soldiers heads during the Battle of Mosul that the U.S. military had no choice but to begin to take the issue seriously, Rogoway and Trevithick further explain. Today, American soldiers deal with the ominous presence of drones overhead and even dropping munitions daily in overseas hotspots. Does the U.S. need more drone detection systems to prevent attacks? It would seem as though the future of flight, including for military purposes, is vertical and unmanned. And the presence of unmanned drones at the Palo Verde Nuclear Generation Station recently serves as yet another reminder of this. While much of the threat has been observed overseas on the battlefield, we are now starting to see that threat migrate onto U.S. soil. Some say that it is only a matter of time before unmanned drones are used to attack civilians or civilian sites somewhere here in America. It could be tomorrow, next year, or 10 years from now, but it is coming, according to the experts. There have apparently been numerous incidents at the Palo Verde Nuclear Generation Station that suggest an attack will occur sooner rather than later. This is why drone detection systems must be a critical part of our national security apparatus, some experts say. One such drone detection system, known as Area Armor, was in the process of being deployed at the Palo Verde Nuclear Generation Station when a recent spate of drones appeared on the premises. This technology apparently has a 13-mile radius and can determine the specific point from which the UAVs were launched so that LLEA / site security can locate the operator(s), an internal email about the technology reads. I confirmed with the licensee that they have coordinated the use of this [counter-drone] technology with FAA, and they informed me that this technology only locates the UAVs; it does not interfere with the flight pattern of those UAVs in any way. For more related news, check out Robotics.news. Sources for this article include: TheDrive.com NaturalNews.com Russia's worst-ever serial killer, who has confessed to killing 83 women and has been branded The Werewolf, has said he wishes he had been executed. Former policeman Mikhail Popkov, 56, is currently serving a life sentence at a penal colony in Mordovia after being convicted of killing 81 women - many of whom he also raped. The serial killer, who only recently admitted to another two murders in the 1990s, has now expressed 'regret' for the first time over his reign of terror. But police believe his final toll will be higher still with a senior investigator working on the case predicting more than 100 and possibly 'closer to 200'. Speaking about his life in the Russian penal system, the father-of-one said: 'There were moments when I thought the death penalty was better.' 'I have a lot to regret. For example, that none of this had happened, that I had not done -these things],' he told local news site Vesti Irkutsk. 'It is a natural desire of any person - to regret. I have had a lot of time to think.' Popkov remains evasive about the number of women he killed. 'I did not count the number of my victims,' he said. Former policeman Mikhail Popkov, 56, (pictured) is currently serving a life sentence at a penal colony in Mordovia after being convicted of killing 81 women - many of whom he also raped The serial killer, who only recently admitted to another two murders in the 1990s, has now expressed 'regret' for the first time over his reign of terror. Pictured: The skeleton of one of his female victims Popkov routinely used his police car to offer lifts to lone women as they walked home after a night out in his home city Angarsk. 'I cannot tell you the details of the episodes but everything was the same - in the city, late in the evening, at night, being drunk. 'I stopped then I felt fear that I would be caught.' A law enforcement video shows Popkov at a murder scene as he explained how he killed one of the two victims he recently admitted. He confessed to forcing her to have sex and told a detective: 'We quarrelled and I murdered her. 'I hit her on the top of her head... She fell down and did not show any signs of life.' There is concern that Popkov is rationing his confessions in order to be regularly moved back to the Siberian crime scenes from his hard labour penal colony called Torbeyevsky Tsentral in Mordovia (pictured) He said: 'I had been working in Torbeyevsky Tsentral for 10 months and just wanted a vacation, so I wrote a confession'. Pictured: Interior of the penal colony Lt-Col Evgeny Karchevsky, lead investigator on the mass murder case, previously said: 'I am more than sure that Popkov committed 100-plus crimes, if not closer to 200,. 'It was impossible for him to stop halfway.' There is concern that Popkov is rationing his confessions in order to be regularly moved back to the Siberian crime scenes from his hard labour penal colony called Torbeyevsky Tsentral in Mordovia. He said: 'I had been working in Torbeyevsky Tsentral for 10 months and just wanted a vacation, so I wrote a confession. 'I knew that I would be brought to Irkutsk.' Popkov is currently being put to work sewing uniforms and making face masks amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. press release The Department of Employment and Labour in Mpumalanga has on Monday, 03 August 2020 closed Mbombela Office due to a confirmed Covid-19 positive case. According to Chief Director Provincial Operations, Ms Mazibuko, one official from Mbombela Office tested positive to COVID-19 and was in contact with nine employees due to the proximity of their work. A number of officials, inclusive of her, are expected to go on mandatory self-isolation, of which after completion will be expected to report back to duty. The matter has been reported to the Department of Health. Director-General of the department has previously stated that the safety of staff remains paramount. "Our officials are an important cog of the working of the South African economy and as such, we will also ensure that they are as safe as possible," said Mr Lamati. The office will remain closed and a drop box is being used for continuation of service to the public. The office has been closed with effect from Monday, 03 August to 04 August 2020 for necessary decontamination to take place. The office is expected to reopen on Wednesday, 05 August 2020. A boat carrying migrants across the English Channel from France to the UK has been been caught on camera and broadcast on breakfast television. Good Morning Britain (GMB) broadcast the live footage on Tuesday, showing a dinghy packed with people trying to make it to Britain. The ITV programmes senior news correspondent, Jonathan Swain, was reporting from a boat on the Channel while the dinghy passed in the background. A boat filled with migrants was filmed crossing the English Channel by Good Morning Britain (ITV/GMB) His report came after a record number of migrant crossings last week, as the UK and French governments remain at loggerheads over a plan of action. Hundreds of discarded boats, believed to have been used by migrants, were found in Dover last month. Read more: Schools reopening in autumn 'not up for debate' insists government There were about a dozen migrants wearing life jackets on the small dinghy in the GMB report. Swain said it was just one of four or five small boats spotted in the Channel on Tuesday morning. He told viewers that his boat were not allowed to rescue the migrants, and the ITV vessel was later instructed to move on when border control arrived. Good Morning Britain reporter Jonathan Swain looks out at the boat filled with migrants (ITV/GMB) In his report, Swain said: "These are the lengths that they are prepared to take. "Often, I should say, they only have enough fuel just to get them into the English waters." "It is like, literally, running around the M25. Back in the GMB studio, presenter Kate Garraway said: "It's extraordinary isn't it? The risks people are prepared to take. Even on a calm sunny morning you can see the jeopardy there." The boat was filled with about a dozen migrants (ITV/GMB) The dinghy was later towed to the shore by a UK Border Force boat. Last Thursday, at least 202 migrants managed to cross to Britain in about 20 boats, a record for a single day. Read more: Mars was once covered in ice sheets Tony Smith, the former head of UK Border Force said the UK and France need to agree a treaty with a joint patrol whereby migrants picked up in the Channel can be returned to France to have asylum claims considered there. He said: If they want to come to the UK they need to make their case on the French side, and if they are found in the waterways or even make it as far as Dover we say Im sorry but you go back there and thats where you will be interviewed and processed, on the French side. Last month, home secretary Priti Patel blamed France for the unacceptable numbers of people making the perilous journey in small boats. She said migrant boats should be intercepted near the French coast and sent back. New BMC Commissioner Iqbal Singh Chahal on saturday visited the BYL Nair Hospital, one of the major Covid-19 facilities in the city, on the first day after taking his new charge. Image Source: IANS News Mumbai, Aug 5 : Maharashtra on Wednesday witnessed a new high of 334 Covid-19 deaths in a day even as the new coronavirus cases across the state zoomed above 10K-mark, health officials said here. The previous peak of 322 deaths was recorded on August 1 in the western state, which recorded 10,309 new coronavirus cases in a day. However, it is lower than the July 30 peak of 11,147 cases. With 334 more fatalities, the state's death toll shot up from 16,142 a day earlier to 16,476 on Wednesday, while the total cases touched 468,265 -- both figures being the highest in the country. According to Wednesday's figures, there was one death roughly every 4 minutes and an alarming 430 new cases every hour added to the state's tally. Maharashtra's recovery rate decreased marginally after nine days, dropping from 65.37 per cent to 65.25 per cent on Wednesday, while the current mortality (death) rate stood stable at 3.52 per cent. The Health Department said that of the total cases, 145,961 are active cases, and that this number is lower (favourable) vis-a-vis the number of patients cured and discharged, which is a positive sign. On another positive note, 6,165 recovered patients were discharged on Wednesday, taking the total such cases to 305,521 -- considerably higher than the 145,961 'active cases' currently in the state. Of the total 334 fatalities, Pune recorded the highest 92 deaths, followed by Thane's 69, both pushing behind Mumbai. Mumbai's deaths again dropped in the sub-50 range. With 42 more fatalities, the city's death toll increased from 6,549 to 6,591 and the number of new corona cases increased by 1,125 to 119,240. Besides, there were 36 deaths in Raigad, 12 in Kolhapur, 10 in Nashik, 9 in Solapur, 8 in Palghar, 7 each in Sangli and Nagpur, 5 each in Aurangabad and Nanded, 4 each in Jalgaon and Nandurbar, 3 each in Ahmednagar, Satara, Latur, Osmanabad and Wardha, 2 each in Dhule, Ratnagiri and Beed, and one each in Jalna and Amravati, besides one from another state. The MMR (Thane division, comprising Mumbai, Thane, Palghar and Raigad) remains on the edge as cases pile up and the death toll shot up sharply by 155 to touch 10,243 fatalities. As many as 3,228 new cases pushed up the total to 254,365. Pune district's cases overshot the 1-lakh mark with a total of 101,262 cases, and its death toll increased from 2,342 a day earlier to 2,434 on Wednesday. Cases in Thane district climbed up to 99,563 apart from 2,823 fatalities to make it the third worst-hit district after Mumbai and Pune. With 104 more fatalities, the death toll of Pune division(comprising Pune, Solapur and Satara districts) reached 3,130. As many as 2,870 new cases took its tally to 116,364, though it remains far behind MMR. Another area of major concern is Nashik division with 1,306 fatalities and 40,659 cases, followed by Aurangabad division with 642 deaths and 18,428 cases, and Kolhapur division with 353 fatalities and 13,058 cases. Next on the list is Latur division, that has recorded 297 fatalities and 7,944 cases, Akola division with 286 fatalities and 8,703 cases, and Nagpur division with 166 deaths and 8,288 cases. Meanwhile, the number of people sent to home quarantine in Maharashtra decreased from 944,442 to 943,658, while those in institutional quarantine went down from 43,906 to 36,466 on Wednesday. Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19) People have their temperatures checked before boarding a bus during the first day of a more relaxed lockdown in Manila, Philippines (Aaron Favila/AP) ALL PEOPLE arriving into Ireland should have their temperatures checked as part of efforts to prevent new cases of Covid-19 entering the country, a cross-party committee has said. The measure is among the recommendations made by the Dail's Special Committee on Covid-19 Response in its interim report on testing and tracing, which was published today. The TDs say that infections entering the country through travel from overseas is a "strong risk" and all entrants should be temperature screened on arrival. Read More They also recommend that the overseas visitors be tested at least twice during their stay in Ireland "due to the limitations of point-in-time testing". The committee also recommends that mandatory quarantine upon entry "should be monitored more closely". The TDs say: "Quarantine should be enforced so that entrants are required to prove that they are compliant with this public health imperative." The committee is calling for changes to the current Covid-19 testing and contact tracing system to make it "more robust and efficient". Among 22 recommendations is also a call for the regular testing of all healthcare workers to identify asymptomatic carriers of the virus. Committee Chairman Michael McNamara TD, said: "The Committee understands that the system that was put in place in March was done in a hurry and a lot of contingency measures had to be taken given the risk of a pandemic sweeping the State. "Because of the efforts of all our people, those measures were not needed, but what became clear to the Committee is that another lockdown would be unsustainable. "Testing and contact tracing will allow the State to live with and treat outbreaks of Covid as they arise." The Committee report welcomes the work of the HSE to design a new and test and trace service model and states that the detail of this plan will be crucial to public health outcomes. But it also warns that the potential for hospital overcrowding to negatively impact on virus containment is a serious risk. The report says the test and trace system is facing two "severe stress tests" in the coming months: travel into and within the State, and flu season. Deputy McNamara said: "We will need a system that has capacity to deal with a sudden surge in demand which will happen if we get a flu epidemic in the Autumn given the overlap on symptoms between the flu and Covid-19 and our already over-crowded hospitals and A&E Departments." Other recommendations include: Jammu, Aug 5 : Pakistan troops indulged in unprovoked ceasefire violation on the Line of Control (LoC) for the third consecutive day on Wednesday in Jammu and Kashmir. Defence Ministry spokesman Colonel Devender Anand said Pakistan troops started firing with small arms around 7 pm and shelling with mortars along the LoC in Mankote Sector in Poonch district, to which the "Indian Army is retaliating befittingly". Till the last reports came in, heavy firing and shelling were continuing from both the sides. Pakistan has been violating bilateral ceasefire on the LoC in Jammu and Kashmir with impunity since the beginning of this year. So far, over 2,720 ceasefire violations have been recorded, in which 21 civilians have died and 94 others injured. Illustrative photo (Source: VNA) Hoa Binh - The Centre for Disease Control in the northern province of Hoa Binh on August 4 said that four COVID-19 patients have fully recovered and discharged from the provincial general hospital. The four were among 85 Vietnamese students returning to Vietnam from Russia on July 17 and were immediately quarantined upon arrival. Aged 24 and 25, the patients are from Hanoi as well as the northern provinces of Hung Yen and Nam Dinh.According to the hospitals director Bui Thu Hang, all tested negative three times for the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 as of August 3, and as such qualified to be discharged. One man was killed and two others wounded in a shooting in Salem City early Tuesday. Police responded to West Side Court shortly after 2 a.m. for a report of a shooting and found three victims. Quamere Redding, 29, of Bridgeton, suffered wounds to the torso and an arm and was transported to Salem Medical Center, where he was later pronounced dead, police said. The other victims were taken to Christiana Hospital, in Delaware, with one suffering wounds to the legs and the other with wounds to his torso and legs. A motive for the shooting has not been determined and neither survivor could provide information on who shot them and why, according to Salem Police Chief John Pelura III. Investigators learned that a party was being held near the location of the incident. We suspect there were several people who witnessed the shooting, however no one has provided information as of yet, Pelura said. We are working diligently in order to convince witnesses to come forward so we can provide some closure for the family. Police arent sure yet if multiple shooters were involved and its not clear if this case is tied to recent gang violence in Salem, Pelura said. Salem Police and the Salem County Prosecutors Office are handling the investigation. New Jersey State Police troopers and officers from Pennsville and Lower Alloways Creek police departments responded to assist with crowd control. Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Sgt. Sean Simpkins at 856-935-0033 or Investigator Fritz McIntosh at 856-769-0235, ext. 16 or 856-935-2TIP. Redding was released from prison in April after serving more than three years for a weapons charge related to a 2015 fatal shooting in Bridgeton. He was originally charged with murder in the death of 24-year-old Earikeem Lewis outside of the Las Palmas Tequila Bar. Redding later pleaded guilty to a charge of certain persons not to possess a weapon. The men had gotten into a fight prior to the shooting and both were wounded. Reddings killing marked the eighth homicide in Salem City this year. Seven of those victims died by gunfire. The most recent case was a double homicide on July 12. Authorities charged a Salem County man in those killings. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. Matt Gray may be reached at mgray@njadvancemedia.com. Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-05 10:09:14|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close TAIPEI, Aug. 5 (Xinhua) -- A Taipei court on Tuesday afternoon granted a prosecutors' request to detain three lawmakers involved in a bribery case after a two-day hearing. The Taipei District Court agreed to detain Su Chen-ching, a lawmaker of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), as well as Chen Chao-ming and Liao Kuo-tung of the Kuomintang. The court also ordered former New Power Party lawmaker Hsu Yung-ming to be released on bail. Another former DPP lawmaker, Mark Chen, who was implicated in the same graft case, was released on bail on Friday. According to the prosecutors, the three lawmakers and two former lawmakers were suspected of taking bribes in an enterprise ownership dispute. Enditem After the heated situation near the site of the Amulsar gold mine project in Armenia Tuesday, Lydian Armeniathe operator of this projectissued a statement Wednesday, noting that it will not become a political card for any force. Its statement reads as follows: "Lydian Armenia officially announces that the company will continue to be one of the exclusive companies in Armenia that will not deviate from the letter of the law in any case, no matter how difficult it may be. The company will not negotiate on any matter beyond the law. The company will continue to fight to restore its legal rights, despite all the forces that are trying to thwartthrough illegal actionsthe country's largest and most exemplary investment. Lydian Armenia declares that it will not become a political card for any force. For two years now, the whole world has been following this unprecedented illegality which has left a stigma on Armenia's standing. Lydian Armenia calls on the [Armenian] government and the police to restore the law, and to stand with the rights of thousands of citizens who have suffered by the two-year violation of the law." Singaporean Ambassador to Vietnam Catherine Wong Siow Ping COVID-19 continues to cause headaches globally and regionally. How has Singapore dealt with the pandemic, how have Vietnam and Singapore worked together on this issue, and how important is regional cooperation within the ASEAN in controlling the crisis? This once-in-a-generation crisis has changed the way we live, work, and play. Following a circuit breaker from April 7 to June 1 with stringent restrictions on social interactions, Singapore has controlled the spread of COVID-19. We are gradually reopening our economy and society: retail stores and restaurants have reopened while international passengers can transit through Changi Airport. At the same time, safety remains a top priority, with safe distancing requirements and restrictions on large-scale social gatherings. A key pillar of our COVID-19 strategy is taking an active and rigorous testing approach. We are increasing our testing capacity from around 13,000 tests per day currently to 40,000 tests per day by the end of 2020. We are proactively testing population groups that are deemed vulnerable or have a higher risk of exposure to COVID-19. While this means more cases are being detected, this enables us to identify and ringfence new cases early, thus preventing further transmission. We are also strengthening our contact tracing capabilities by leveraging on technology. Consequently, the number of new cases in the community has declined. Most importantly, we have kept the mortality rate lower than 0.1 per cent amongst the lowest worldwide. Through these efforts, Singapore remains a safe hub for business, investment, and trade. We are committed to keeping our seaports and airports open and to continuing our critical role in facilitating global trade in essential goods and services. We are also looking to progressively reopen our borders with the necessary health safeguards in place. Singapore has cooperated closely with Vietnam since the early stages of the pandemic, both bilaterally and within the ASEAN. We greatly appreciate the donations of medical equipment from Vietnamese government agencies and private organisations. To facilitate our growing trade and business links, both countries are discussing how to safely reopen borders for essential business travel in due course. In the ASEAN, Singapore has strongly supported Vietnams chair role, with the aim of coordinating a regional response to the pandemic and developing an economic recovery plan. Vietnam successfully organised high-level physical and virtual meetings, such as the Special ASEAN and ASEAN+3 summits on COVID-19 and the 36th ASEAN Summit, which produced actionable plans on managing and moving forward from the crisis. More needs to be done, and Vietnam can count on Singapores support. What are the most significant points in Vietnam-Singapore economic ties since the ASEAN Community was established in 2015? The realisation of the ASEAN Economic Community was a major milestone in the blocs efforts to create a highly integrated and cohesive economy. We need to continue these integration efforts for ASEAN to be an attractive partner and bring benefits to our people. In line with this, Vietnam-Singapore economic ties have grown steadily over the years, with bilateral trade reaching $22.7 billion in 2019. Singapore is also Vietnams third-largest foreign investor, with cumulative investment of over $47 billion in more than 2,000 projects. Singapore companies are increasingly interested to expand into Vietnam, with our business community recently identifying Vietnam as their top market of interest. Prior to the pandemic outbreak, tourism was also growing, with over 590,000 Vietnamese visitors to Singapore in 2019. Building on our Strategic Partnership, we will continue strengthening cooperation in traditional economic sectors while exploring new sectors. Singaporean companies are deepening their presence in Vietnam, with UOB Vietnam opening its first branch in Hanoi last year Could you elaborate on these new sectors of investment? Vietnams rapid development has provided new opportunities for Singaporean companies, particularly in the following sectors: firstly, infrastructure and urban solutions. Our companies are looking to partner with Vietnam to develop sustainable, smart townships. For example, video analytics company XRVision has embarked on projects with Vietnamese companies Viettel and AIC. Singaporean companies like Sembcorp, Sunseap, and The Blue Circle are also interested in working with Vietnam to explore new energy sources, such as renewables and liquefied natural gas. For instance, Sunseap completed a 168MW solar farm project in the south-central province of Ninh Thuan in 2019, and is investing in new projects of over 350MW in Vietnam. Secondly, innovation and startups. Singapores Global Innovation Alliance (GIA), which seeks to create overseas collaboration opportunities for Singapore enterprises, was launched in Ho Chi Minh City last year. The first GIA Acceleration Programme, comprising mentorship and business matching activities for Singapore and Vietnamese tech startups and small- and medium-sized enterprises, was launched in July. Separately, NUS Enterprise, the entrepreneurial arm of the National University of Singapore, is partnering Becamex IDC Corporation to establish BLOCK71 in Ho Chi Minh City to encourage Vietnam-Singapore startup exchanges. Beyond these initiatives, Singapore startups have shown keen interest to expand into Vietnam. For example, edutech company Aculearns online training platform has gained promising traction in Vietnam through successful partnerships with Vietnamese companies. Third is e-commerce. Due to COVID-19, many businesses have moved online to supplement their sales and services. Furthermore, in May Vietnam launched the National Masterplan for E-Commerce Development, which targets e-commerce revenue to reach $35 billion and comprise 10 per cent of national retail and services earnings by 2025. These developments have created exciting opportunities for Singapores companies in areas like food, retail, and leisure services. Singaporean brands are interested to tap into Vietnams e-commerce market to promote their products, and our fintech and logistics companies are keen to explore investment opportunities to support the growing online retail space. And fourth is high-tech manufacturing. As Vietnam develops its national Industry 4.0 Strategy, Singaporean companies can offer local manufacturers solutions in areas like automation, robotics, additive manufacturing, and the industrial Internet of Things. The ASEAN Smart Cities Network (ASCN), established during Singapores 2018 ASEAN chairmanship, has presented new opportunities for Singapore to share its Smart Nation experiences with Vietnam. How has and will the city-state work with Vietnam in this area? The ASCN aims to facilitate cooperation in developing smart cities through sharing best practices and developing action plans, catalysing bankable projects with the private sector, and securing support from the ASEANs external partners. Indeed, external partners have shown growing interest to form partnerships, with countries like the United States, Australia, Japan, and South Korea establishing initiatives to engage the ASCN. Last year, Singapore was appointed ASCN Shepherd for two years. We will work with Vietnam (as ASCN chair) to strengthen the ASCN and further develop interoperability. We support Vietnams ASCN priorities, such as promoting green and sustainable growth and using international investment to implement the smart city action plans, and are confident that Vietnam will make good progress in these areas. Vietnam, as ASEAN chair, is aiming to help the region boost intra-connectivity and cooperation, especially in terms of trade and investment. What is your assessment of Vietnams role in this regard, and how has and will Singapore combine with Vietnam and other member states to drive the bloc forwards? Under Vietnams leadership, the ASEAN has collaborated to chart the course ahead, especially in view of the pandemic. In June, the ASEAN adopted the Hanoi Plan of Action on Strengthening ASEAN Economic Co-operation and Supply Chain Connectivity in response to the COVID-19 Pandemic. This reflects ASEAN countries commitment to work closely to enable the free flow of essential goods, and keep critical infrastructure and trading routes open. Singapore and Vietnam share a commitment to upholding free trade, supply chain connectivity and the rules-based multilateral trading system. This gives us the best chance of accelerating the regional economic recovery from the crisis. It is important for the ASEAN to show the world that we are open for business, with a stable and integrated economy conducive for foreign investment. We therefore hope that the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership will be signed this year. Singapore will continue working closely with participating countries to make it a reality. This will send a resounding message of ASEAN unity and centrality, while boosting confidence in the stability and integration of the regional economy. WASHINGTON, Aug. 5, 2020 /PRNewswire/ - Today, Uranium Producers of America President and Chief Operating Officer of Energy Fuels Inc. (NYSE AMERICAN: UUUU; TSX: EFR), Paul Goranson, testified before a U.S. Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works (EPW) hearing in support of the American Nuclear Infrastructure Act, draft legislation released by EPW Chairman John Barrasso (R-WY) to help revitalize the domestic uranium industry and reclaim American nuclear leadership globally. Below are Mr. Goranson's remarks as prepared for delivery: "Chairman Barrasso and Ranking Member Carper, thank you for holding this hearing on the American Nuclear Infrastructure Act of 2020. I am the President of the Uranium Producers of America, the trade association representing the domestic uranium mining and conversion industry. I am also the Chief Operating Officer for Energy Fuels Resources, and I have worked in the U.S. uranium industry for over 30 years. The UPA strongly supports this bill, which will help reclaim America's leadership in global nuclear markets. "As I was starting my career, the U.S. led the world in uranium production, employing over 20,000 workers and supplying almost all our own nuclear fuel, and we were a net exporter of uranium. "Today, commercial reactors in the US import more than 90% of annual demand and less than one percent of the uranium they use is mined in the United States. This has left domestic production on the brink of collapse. "Earlier this year, the multi-agency Nuclear Fuel Working Group recommended immediate government actions to address the predatory market tactics of state-owned uranium enterprises. "U.S. mined production in 2019 is the lowest since 1949. The U.S. mined only a fraction of the uranium needed to fuel even one of our 95 commercial nuclear reactors. Employment is at an all-time low, we are almost entirely dependent on imported uranium, and we rely heavily on strategic competitors to sell us uranium. "Uranium imports from countries in the Former Soviet Union: Russia, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan, represent almost half of the fuel used by America's nuclear reactor fleet. "Let me be clear we have more than ample uranium supply in the U.S. We have over 40 million pounds of licensed and partially licensed capacity, almost enough to fuel America's entire commercial nuclear fleet. "When normal market forces are in play, U.S. mines are cost-competitive globally. We have abundant, high-quality uranium resources for the future. "The challenge today for any free market uranium company, whether in the U.S., Canada, or Australia, is that we are not competing with other free-market companies. We are competing with governments that seek to use energy as political capital. "State-owned enterprises are not price sensitive. When global prices plummeted a decade ago, free market companies were forced to reduce production and lay off workers, while Russia, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan increased their production, drove down prices, and took control of global supply chains. "The potential expiration of the Russian Suspension Agreement at the end of 2020 will only hasten the demise of the U.S. industry. The agreement already guarantees Russia 20 percent of the U.S. market, but Russia has already contracted to increase imports significantly should the agreement expire. "The UPA strongly supports the Commerce Department's efforts to extend the RSA with protections for the domestic industry, as well as legislation to codify more restrictive limits on Russian uranium. We appreciate the support of Chairman Barrasso in leading a bipartisan effort to reign in Russian uranium imports. "It's not just Russia, China is increasingly dumping underpriced uranium onto the global market. Data from the Departments of Energy and Commerce show that tens of millions of dollars' worth of Chinese uranium has entered U.S. reactors in recent years. "The U.S. must immediately take bold action to preserve a domestic supply chain for nuclear fuel in the United States. "The UPA strongly supports the draft American Nuclear Infrastructure Act. Section 402 would codify the Nuclear Fuel Working Group's proposal to establish a Strategic Uranium Reserve. This reserve would ensure domestic uranium supply in the event of a market disruption and reduce our reliance on state-owned enterprises. "The Department of Energy's Fiscal Year 2021 budget requests $150 million for the uranium reserve, a modest investment considering it will preserve the nuclear fuel cycle in the U.S., instead of ceding it to Russia, China, and their allies. "The UPA also supports the U.S. nuclear fleet, our nation's largest source of carbon-free, baseload power. Section 301 of the draft bill would provide financial incentives to prevent the premature shutdown of nuclear power facilities. "We appreciate the draft's recognition that such facilities should be buying American uranium, and we look forward to working with the committee to strengthen this requirement and ensure that nuclear power facilities receiving taxpayer funds procure U.S.-mined and -converted uranium. "Also, codifying the recent MOU signed by the EPA and NRC would further strengthen this legislation by providing certainty and robust, effective regulation of in situ uranium recovery. "Thank you again Chairman Barrasso, Ranking Member Carper, and Members of the Committee. I look forward to your questions and working with the committee to address these important issues." SOURCE Uranium Producers of America Even teleprompter could not take so many lies: Rahul's dig at PM Modis Davos speech Bhumi Pujan: Why PM Modis inner security ring will have cops who recovered from COVID-19 India oi-Vicky Nanjappa New Delhi, Aug 05: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will have a special ring of protection of the local police personnel when he lands at the Saket College helipad at Ayodhya in Uttar Pradesh today. The local police personnel who have recovered from COVID-19. According to experts those who recover from COVID-19 develop antibodies to the disease and are therefore unlikely to contract the infection or spread it at least for a few months. The PM will spend around 3 hours in Ayodhya for the groundbreaking ceremony of the Ram Mandir. It is the protocol for protecting the Prime Minister that he must be guarded by healthy personnel. In these times, what can be healthier that a COVID-19 warrior, the Deepak Kumar, the deputy inspector general of police, Uttar Pradesh said. This is the method, PM Modi would use to plant the Parijat sapling in Ayodhya PM Modi lays foundation of Ram Temple, says 'finally a temple for Ram Lalla' | Oneindia News Kumar said that he had written to the UP DGP, Hitesh Chandra Awasthy on July 29 and made a special request that around 150 UP police personnel who had contracted the disease and recovered by July 25 make their way to Ayodhya. The request was allowed immediately. I had the entire list of those who had been impacted by COVID-19 and the ADG (Law and Order) okayed the request. Kumar said that 150 personnel were not enough to protect the PM in such a high profile event. He, however, added that the larger security detail would comprise 400 personnel who have tested negative for COVID-19 in the past 48 hours and then been isolated. Appointment comes after former minister was sacked over corruption allegations related to COVID-19 testing kits. Zimbabwes Vice President Constantino Chiwenga has been appointed the health minister, a month after his predecessor was fired over corruption allegations related to coronavirus testing kits. Chiwenga replaces former Minister of Health Obadiah Moyo, who is accused of illegally awarding a $20m contract for coronavirus testing. He was arrested in June and was freed on bail pending trial. President [Emmerson Mnangagwa] has noted the urgent need to stabilise, restructure and reform the national health delivery system to better cope with challenges of the global COVID-19 pandemic, the presidents office said in a statement on Tuesday. The main opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) immediately criticised the appointment, saying Chiwenga was not the right man for the job as the country faced a pandemic. Zimbabwe, whose healthcare system has been struggling from years of neglect, has recorded more than 4,000 COVID-19 cases and at least 80 related deaths, although those figures are believed to be underestimated due to lack of testing. Health officials say infections will continue to rise for some time in the country. Experts estimate the peak of the pandemic has yet to hit the African continent, which is approaching one million cases. Most public hospitals in Zimbabwe are without administrative heads following their dismissal en-masse last month as part of a restructuring exercise, shortly after the former minister was fired. Moyo is facing charges of corruption and criminal abuse of office over his role in a deal with a United Arab Emirates-based company to supply personal protective equipment and COVID-19 test kits. After Zimbabwes opposition condemned the deal, which saw the medical supplies being sold at inflated prices, the government cancelled all contracts with the company, according to local media reports. The case has received a great deal of attention in a country facing a deepening economic crisis, with nurses and doctors demanding better pay and adequate protective gear to help cope with the pandemic. The MDC said that, in appointing Chiwenga, Mnangagwa had shown a gross display of incompetence. Chiwenga spent four months in China receiving medical treatment for an unknown illness until November last year. He has returned three times since then for medical check-ups, according to government officials. Ebrima G Sankareh The Gambia Government Spokesperson said Tuesday Minister of Health, Dr Ahmadou Lamin Samateh has moved into a quarantine facility. Sankareh said this development came the COVID-19 positive test results of three of his close working contacts. He added: "The preliminary results of his first COVID-19 tests are inconclusive. While awaiting additional tests, Dr. Samateh who is in high spirits, will continue to lead the operations of the Health Ministry from quarantine." "Dr. Samateh reminds Gambians and all residents to accept the seriousness of the COVID-19 virus." Despite being a childless, science fictionloving grad student with nothing but time on my hands back in 2008, I somehow missed Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles when it was on TV. Created by Josh Friedman, The Sarah Connor Chronicles was canceled after two seasons and 31 episodes, despite mostly positive critical reception. Bingeing it under pandemic conditions, as I have been doing recently, has been unexpectedly cathartic. This is a show about people living in a sunny, beautiful, Southern Californian present day while haunted by the knowledge that a grim future might be coming unless they change it by their actions. Its also about parenting under stress and feeling constantly under siege by inescapable circumstance, whichwell, if thats too real, you can always focus on the nifty killer cyborgs instead. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The haunted, hard-pressed characters on this show are nonetheless fun to watch. The Sarah Connor Chronicles stars Lena Headey as Sarah, the monomaniacal mama bear originally played by Linda Hamilton. Sarah Connor has a bit in common with Game of Thrones Cersei Lannister, now Headeys most famous role, in that both characters are driven to protect their families, but compared with Sarah Connor, Cersei is a beam of sunshine. Sarah Connor has but one single purpose, or at least a related set of themworry about Skynet, find out Skynets plans, thwart Skynetand that makes her understandably a little bit of a tough hang. Sign up for the Slate Culture newsletter The best of movies, TV, books, music, and more, delivered to your inbox three times a week. 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. Luckily, the other main cast members are delightful. John Connor, played by Thomas Dekker, is a teenager whos growing into his charisma and strength, all the while wishing there were some way out of his fate. Summer Glau, who put in some serious time in the science fiction TV mines in the 2000s and 2010s with Firefly, Dollhouse, The 4400, Alphas, and Arrow, might be my favorite Terminator in the whole Terminatorverseshes so icy and strange, with perfect skin and an intense, deadpan gaze. The casting director was clearly great at picking actors who can tap into the uncanny valley. (Garret Dillahunt, a wonderful hey, its that guy actor who plays the first seasons Big Bad, also has this gift.) And when Johns uncle Derek Reese appears, sent back from the future to help the Connors survive, you can enjoy the sight of Brian Austin Green convincingly playing a battle-hardened, tattoo-covered resistance fighter, offering world-class handsome uncle from out of town vibes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The episode I recommend to the Sarah Connor Chroniclescurious out there is the second season premiere, Samson & Delilah. The action starts with an explosion: Glaus character, Cameron, the Terminator assigned to protect John, has been car-bombed, and her chip is damaged, causing her to turn on him and try to kill him. Samson & Delilah showcases Glaus creepy, quiet strength as well as plenty of run run run, shoot shoot shoot, drive drive drive. Theres a lot of action in Samson & Delilah, including some cool callbacks to the surprise special effects that made Terminator 2: Judgment Daythe best Terminator movie, dont @ meso memorable. Advertisement Advertisement Working together, John and Sarah figure out how to trap Cameron and force her to reboot, giving them some time to access her head, open up her scalp, and take her chip out. John cuts into her, but before he takes her chip out of her head, she begs him not to, saying over and over, in a girls robotic voice, I love you! I love you! John goes ahead, then cleans her chip, and in the episodes climactic scene, as every trusted adult in his life warns him not to do it, reinserts it. Johnwho knows he will one day be the leader of the human resistanceoften struggles to understand how his future self would handle a problem, a dynamic thats not as well explored in the other Terminator films. What would it do to a person to know that hes going to grow into a leader everyone trustssomebody whom people will willingly die for? A future John Connor (this show posits the existence of multiple timelines) sent Cameron back to help his younger self survive. But his family tells young John that no metal can be trusted. Who is right? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The rest of Season 2 will see a lot of tragedy unfold because of the mistrust between Cameron and the adults who are protecting John and fighting Skynet. There are deep meditations about the meaning of humanity, tests of familial bonds, and revelations about peoples capacity to collaborate with evil. But most interesting of all is watching John, a dippy kid with messy hair, become John Connor. Im just sorry this show got canceled before we got to see where it wouldve taken him next. PORTLAND, Maine, Aug. 5, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Fintech and automated loss mitigation provider Constant has announced the launch of AutoCare , an innovative module on its cloud-native SaaS platform designed to fend off auto loan delinquency and prevent involuntary repossessions. With auto loans emerging as one of the hardest-hit categories of credit amid the coronavirus pandemic, the ability to offer loan modifications, typically applied to higher dollar debt such as mortgage loans, is a game-changer for the auto loan industry: it can mean the difference between margin retention and partial or total loss for lenders. AutoCare includes a fully automated voluntary repossession feature for borrowers not able to retain their vehicle. AutoCare is first to market introducing automated loan modifications to the consumer, auto financing space. "Historically, it has not been cost-effective to offer mortgage-style hardship relief for small dollar loans," said Carissa Robb, President and COO at Constant. "The timeline to collect and record a total loss is shorter for auto loans, as compared to real estate secured loans. As relief options tighten, delinquency worsens and charge offs accelerate, few relief options are available to restructure and return borrowers to performing. Until now." Robb adds: "Offering mortgage-style relief options on auto loans can help reduce delinquency roll rates, charge-offs, and bankruptcy. Where appropriate, offering non-retention options like an automated repossession tool that allows borrowers to voluntarily surrender their vehicle if a workout option is not appropriate, protects asset value." Early in the coronavirus pandemic, regulators issued guidance allowing for short term extensions and forbearance plans without proof of hardship, ability to pay or information about how to sustain payments at the expiration. According to the Wall Street Journal, auto borrowers were big beneficiaries of lenders' forbearance . Large banks and lenders reported the median amount of lending volume in forbearance after the first quarter at 7.5% for auto loans, compared with 3.6% for credit cards. Transunion cites just over 7% of auto loans are in some type of financial hardship program as of June. According to the top new and used car lender, Ally Financial's 2Q 2020 Earnings Review, 1.1 million of its retail auto loan customers, or 25% of its accounts, are using its deferral program . Swift government stimulus together with lender hardship relief programs mitigated sharp increases to delinquency rates. As collection moratoriums are being lifted and short-term payment extensions expire, more complex loss mitigation options will follow. Lenders that have been tracking extensions and deferrals on Excel spreadsheets or rudimentary tracking systems are most at risk of accelerating delinquency roll rates and compliance errors. AutoCare tackles the most complex part of offering a loan modification: determining willingness and ability to pay. Constant's software provides lenders with a real-time view of a borrower's financial situation through multiple data sources - avoiding credit blindspots - determines their ability to pay, and presents a sustainable relief option based on investor rules that can be accepted and signed, all in minutes. "By offering a 24/7 self-service option to engage with the borrower and incorporating their responses into a complex, proprietary decision engine, lenders are able to understand the duration and severity of a financial hardship," concludes Robb. "This precision allows for an appropriate recommendation to manage the outstanding debt, with the least amount of disruption to the customer and the lender." Notes to Editors: For further information on Constant and its hardship relief solutions, and to speak to Constant principal(s), please contact Mary Beltrante at [email protected] or (207) 807-0212 About Constant: https://www.constant.ai/ Constant leverages extensive experience in debt servicing, loss mitigation and innovative technology to drive ground-breaking, cloud native SaaS solutions in a sector that is mostly manual and reliant on legacy systems and large call centers: loan servicing and loss mitigation. Through its componentized, self-service approach, Constant helps bank and non-bank lenders mitigate delinquency and charge-off, expand loss savings, and encourage borrower payment performance. About Carissa Robb Carissa serves as President and COO of Constant. She most recently served as Senior Vice President and Head of US Loan Servicing for TD Bank, overseeing operational units responsible for servicing a $150 billion dollar portfolio of Auto, Consumer, Residential and Commercial accounts. She joined TD Bank in 2009 to develop the Loss Mitigation program for distressed Real Estate and built the governance and control framework for TD Bank's Loan Servicing and Collections division. SOURCE Constant. Related Links http://www.constant.ai Grab announced today that its financial unit, which previously focused mainly on services for entrepreneurs and small businesses, is launching a slew of consumer products, including micro-investments, loans, health insurance and a pay-later program. Based in Singapore, Grab began in 2012 as a ride-hailing company before expanding into on-demand deliveries and other services. In January 2019, it formed a joint venture with ZhongAn Insurance to build a digital insurance marketplace. Since then, its financial services portfolio has grown through a series of partnerships and the acquisition of Bento, which allowed it to offer investment and wealth management services as well. In February, Grab announced that it had raised up to $856 million to speed up development of its payments and financial services. Yesterday, Bloomberg reported that Grab raised $200 million from South Korean private equity firm Stic, bringing its total funding so far to more than $10 billion at a valuation of about $14.3 billion. A Grab spokesperson declined TechCrunchs request for comment on that raise. Tapping into a growing market During a call with reporters today, when asked if Grab has a timeline for reaching profitability, Reuben Lai, senior managing director at Grab Financial Group, said there isnt one yet, but "research has shown that there is a real demand for the products we are launching today. What we really want to do is focus on consumers and make sure we deliver products they use. We think profitability and sustainability will follow." Grab Financial Group's new products include AutoInvest, a platform that allows consumers to invest small sums of money through Grabs app; consumer loans; a buy now, pay later program; and expanded insurance offerings, including hospital insurance that will first launch in Indonesia. While Grab's new consumer products were in the works before the COVID-19 pandemic, Lai said the crisis has accelerated demand for services like online shopping, digital payments and insurance. Story continues Grabs consumer products will compete with services like StashAway, an online investment platform based in Singapore, but Lai said Grab Financial Groups competitive edge is that there are already millions of Grab users in Southeast Asia. This gives it a built-in consumer base and also data to continually refresh the scoring models it uses to determine creditworthiness. According to a 2019 report by e-Conomy Asia, a research program run by Google and Temasek, about 70% of people in Southeast Asia are "underbanked," meaning that they lack access to credit cards or long-term savings products. Even in Singapore, one of Asias financial centers, about 40% of consumers qualify as underbanked. Bain and e-Conomy estimate that the digital financial services in Southeast Asia can generate $60 billion in revenue by 2025, making it a lucrative market for Grab. Micro-investing and insurance Most of the units insurance was previously focused on Grabs ecosystem, including drivers and merchants on its platform. But new products, like hospital coverage that will launch in Indonesia first to supplement the countrys national healthcare system, are targeted at consumers. Chandrima Das, who founded Bento in 2016 and is now head of GrabInvest, said Grabs new micro-investment solution will be accessible through Grabs digital wallet. It allows users to invest as little as SGD $1 at a time into liquid fixed-income funds managed by Fullerton Fund Management and UOB Asset Management, with the potential to earn returns of about 1.8%. It will launch first in Singapore at the beginning of September. While Grab Financial Group already offers working capital loans to drivers and financing for merchants on its platform, its new consumer credit products include PayLater, which allows users to pay for Grab services at the end of each month, and will first be available in Singapore and Malaysia. The company is also offering consumer loans from third-party licensed banks and financial institutions with an application process that Ankur Mehrotra, Grab Financial Groups head of lending, says is so simple "you can do it while sitting on your couch watching Netflix." Mehrotra said benefits of the program for merchants include increased gross merchandise value, larger basket sizes and lower cart abandonment rates. Lockdown has disrupted the routines of children up and down the country. (Getty Images) A new report has shone a light on the disproportionate impact the coronavirus lockdown has had on women who are pregnant, giving birth or at home with a baby or toddler. The Babies In Lockdown report, produced by Best Beginnings, Home-Start UK, and the Parent-Infant Foundation UK, surveyed thousands of mums across the United Kingdom. It gained insight on how babies, toddlers and parents of all backgrounds were really being affected by such a seismic change to their everyday routines. With an estimated 200,000 babies born in the height of lockdown and many millions of parents impacted by the restrictions, the report found that the pandemic could leave a severe and long-lasting effect on children. Read more: Ashley Graham shows off postpartum stretch-marks Babies in lockdown Seven in 10 new parents have highlighted that the development of their babies has suffered because of the global pandemic. Aside from babies struggling to develop, parents have also struggled to cope with their babies change in attitude towards them, with a quarter of new parents admitting to feeling concerned about their relationship with their baby. Below are some testimonies from mothers who participated in the survey. My two-year-old has become violent and upset quite a lot of the time due to this. Hes finding it hard just seeing and being in contact with two people. I fear for the effects this lockdown will have on him later in life. Mum, 24, Scotland. I have been crying for hours on end, having anxiety and panic attacks which are all out of the ordinary for me. This has affected my nine-month-old son who has seen me experience this and has been more tearful and clingy with me. My son is hating me working from home because he doesnt understand why mama is ignoring him when he can hear me and is now super clingy with me. He had never had screen time or seen me use a mobile before this. Now most of his social interactions are online and he doesnt understand why I am locked away 35 hours a week in the bedroom. Mum, 38, Scotland. Story continues Parents say their mental health has suffered considerably. (Getty Images) The impact on parents Looking after children who are restricted from leaving the house is no easy feat and it has had a significant impact on as many as six in 10 parents. Despite needing support during this time, only three in 10 parents felt they could find help for their mental health if they needed it. My anxiety is through the roof and Im trying to get professional help with it to manage, but Ive been told there is a long waiting list. Mum, 39, South East England. I feel lost in the world. I am mentally, psychologically and emotionally in a standstill. Mum, 32, North West England. Struggling with accessing mental health support during my pregnancy not sure who I am able to call. I was told I would be referred to perinatal mental health services, but was told nothing about when they would contact me and I have no idea how to get hold of them. I am struggling so bad right now and the worst part is I have extreme anxiety when it comes to phone calls which seems to be the only option at the moment. Pregnant mum, 29. Read more: Hearing problems emerging as coronavirus complication COVID-19 and pregnancy For pregnant women, the main cause for concern has been in relation to the care they received during lockdown, with four in 10 concerned about who to turn to for reliable advice. Women in the lowest income bracket of the report suffered the most and over a third of pregnant women said the care they received at birth was not as planned. I feel Ive had little support from my epilepsy team during pregnancy. Pregnancy-related appointments for my epilepsy have been cancelled with no rescheduled date why couldnt this be done via phone? Mum, 34, South West England. There is very little information on how COVID-19 can affect myself or my baby if I get it. I also waited a long time for contact with the midwife despite having serious complications in past pregnancy. Pregnant woman, 26, North West England. Over a quarter of breastfeeding mums have not had the help the needed. (Getty Images) Support after giving birth Just one in 10 parents with children under two have seen a health visitor face-to-face since the coronavirus lockdown. With women reporting a lack of support with everything from breastfeeding to post-natal depression, its clear that for many, the impact of COVID-19 has tarnished their new mum experience. Not having face-to-face visits with health visitors or midwives in the weeks following the birth, makes me anxious that she hadnt been checked for any potential health concerns which may have arisen after birth. e.g. skin conditions, feeding, weight gain or loss. Mum, 31, North West England. Baby not feeding so sent home with care plan. This failed as midwife refused to come to the home to provide breast pump (couldnt buy one as shops shut) resulting in no way to feed baby. Midwife over phone essentially just said youll have to bottle feed! Mum, 34, West Midlands. Im pretty sure I have PND but I dont feel the NHS has the time to help me at the moment. Mum, 36, North West England. The Longford branch of the Marys Meals movement are reaching out to the local community in the hope that they will join them for a virtual walk in the county this August taking in up to 245km over nine days. The Marys Meals movement began in 2002 when Magnus McFarlane Barrow was visiting a famine ravaged Malawi. She met with a young mother called Emma, who was dying from Aids. She desperately pleaded with Magnus to find somebody to look after her four children as she lay on her death bed. CLICK HERE FOR PHOTO GALLERY FROM 2019 MARY'S MEALS WALK AS IT ARRIVED IN LONGFORD That was the start of an incredible mission and soon she was feeding up to 200 children in local schools. Today the movement feeds 1.7m children in twenty countries and it is an extraordinary achievement with each child fed a meal a day in their school for just 18.30 per annum. But Marys Meals realises that there is so much more work to do with at least 60m children worldwide at risk of food poverty. Here in Longford there is a very active Marys Meals movement and they would have been planning to take part in the annual fundraiser which would have seen members from across Ireland walk all the way to Our Ladys Shine in Knock over a nine day period, August 7-15. Owing to Covid-19 however it is not possible for a group to walk this year and instead local members intend to do a virtual walk locally and they are hoping that local clubs, groups, walkers and members of the public will join them and complete the walk of part of it in their own time. The annual trek to Knock is the groups main fundraiser and obviously money will be badly needed if they are to sustain their massive commitment to hungry children worldwide. The trip to Knock is 245km and members of the public in Longford can get sponsorship cards from any local members of Marys Meals or from Herterichs shop on Ballymahon St in Longford town. All money raised will go towards alleviating child hunger. Also read from 2019: Mary's Meals walkers to meet in Edgeworthstown and proceed to Longford town for reception CHICAGO, Aug. 5, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Fewer people would die of colorectal cancer if health care providers adopted a new model of screening that combines better risk assessment, more options for noninvasive testing and more targeted referrals for colonoscopy. That's the course laid out by the American Gastroenterological Association (AGA) in the recently published white paper " Roadmap for the Future of Colorectal Cancer Screening in the United States ." The lead author is Joshua Melson, MD, MPH, Rush Unversity Medical Center gastroenterologist and a member of the AGA Center for GI Innovation and Technology. "If we offered tests that were convenient, accurate and lower cost, and we could help people choose the best option based on their individual cancer risks, we would save more lives," said Melson. The paper sets the target and the steps for scientists and industry partners to take in exploring new biomarkers and developing tests that will turn the tide. More people tested, more lives saved At least one in four Americans who should be screened for colorectal cancer has never been tested. Yet colorectal cancer, the nation's second deadliest cancer, is highly preventable and treatable when found early. That's after years of effort to increase compliance with testing recommendations. The AGA gathered 60 experts in gastroenterology and research to envision how screening could reach its full potential. Their conclusion: To significantly reduce the number of colorectal cancer cases and deaths would require a universal approach to screening that reaches more people and offers alternatives in addition to colonoscopy . "Approximately 67% of eligible Americans are screened for colorectal cancer. We need to improve our strategies to curb the cancer that ranks second for deaths in the U.S.," said Sri Komanduri, MD, AGAF, chair of the AGA Center for GI Innovation and Technology. "AGA is proud to introduce this white paper -- the first step in our mission to develop a more structured screening program that can increase screening rates, catch more colorectal cancers early, and save countless lives." Currently, colorectal cancer screening usually begins when a physician recommends a colonoscopy based on the patient's age or other risk factors. The colonoscopy allows the gastroenterologist to fully examine the colon and remove any precancerous polyps that are found. Polyps are found about a quarter of the time. But having a colonoscopy requires scheduling well ahead of time, taking time off work, arranging a ride home and going through a bowel-emptying routine. New approach A new approach would: Offer noninvasive testing up front, such as stool testing, and integrate these options with colonoscopy. Share decision-making with the patient and consider personal risk factors: colonoscopy for those at high risk, or initial noninvasive testing for those at lower risk. Assign colonoscopy when it would provide the greatest benefit, rather than as the default screening method. This would improve access to patients who most need a colonoscopy. Systematically initiate screening, follow-up testing and surveillance, rather than rely only on a physician's recommendation. Ensure appropriate screening is readily available to at-risk individuals, with no social, racial or economic disparities. To make this vision a reality, the authors set a course for development of affordable, highly accurate, easy-to-use noninvasive tests, as well as research into how best to integrate the different types of tests and who would benefit most from each based on individual risk factors. Two noninvasive tests in use today are the stool-based fecal immunochemical test (FIT) and the multi-target stool DNA test (MT-sDNA). FIT, which looks for hidden blood in the stool, is the most readily available. The MT-sDNA has emerged as an alternative to FIT that is more sensitive in detecting colorectal cancer but less specific in its findings. Both tests can identify markers of large colon polyps and cancer. MT-sDNA tests carry a higher price -- more than $500 compared to about $25 for FIT. "The ideal test needs to be highly sensitive and highly specific, as well as convenient, with low risk and low cost," Melson said. "It would identify lesions that have a high potential to progress to colorectal cancer in the short term." Defined targets To achieve that goal, the AGA initiative defined targets for industry partners and scientists who are developing colorectal cancer screening tests and exploring novel molecular biomarkers, including biochemical, microbiome, genomic, proteomic or epigenomic markers. With input from the major endoscopic and noninvasive testing companies, the authors defined criteria for meaningful endpoints of what are the important lesions a noninvasive marker would be able to detect and at what level of accuracy, in an affordable way. The authors set forth the aspirational goal of developing a minimally invasive, easy-to-use test that will "detect advanced adenomas and advanced serrated lesions with a one-time sensitivity and specificity of no less than 90%." In addition, all types of colorectal cancer screening would benefit from a better understanding and more thorough identification of risk factors to help identify the most appropriate screening for the individual patient. Thanks to advancements in electronic health records, health care providers can share information across institutions that will provide a full picture of the patient's medical history, including screening history and results. This would allow for more accurate risk assessment paradigms that include past colonoscopy polyp data, molecular markers if found, and family history. With a clearer risk assessment, the provider and patient could share in deciding the most appropriate test - colonoscopy for those at high risk, or initial noninvasive testing for those at lower risk. Also, more thorough risk assessment would reduce the number of colonoscopies performed that provide little benefit and flag those patients who would benefit most from colonoscopy. Test rates would benefit from patient buy-in and from easier access. Ultimately, these advances will support the development of organized screening programs that can identify and connect people who need to be screened with the testing best suited for them. This news release was issued on behalf of Newswise(TM). For more information, visit http://www.newswise.com. SOURCE Rush University Medical Center Related Links http://www.rush.edu Resistance to artemisinin, the main component of the current antimalarial treatments recommended by WHO, is already widespread in South-East Asia, but it had not previously been described in Africa. Scientists from the Institut Pasteur, in collaboration with the National Malaria Control Program in Rwanda (Rwanda Biomedical Center), the World Health Organization (WHO), Cochin Hospital and Columbia University (New York, USA), recently detected the emergence and spread of malaria parasites capable of resisting artemisinin derivatives for the first time in Rwanda. The results of the research were published on August 3, 2020 in Nature Medicine. Malaria, caused by parasites of the genus Plasmodium, represents a major public health problem. Almost 3.2 billion people (virtually half the world's population) in 89 countries are at risk of contracting the disease, for which there is currently no vaccine. Every year, over 200 million cases and over 400,000 deaths are recorded. For more than 15 years, treatment of malaria episodes (typical cycles of the disease alternating between fever, shivering and chills, and severe sweating) caused by Plasmodium falciparum has depended on artemisinin-based combination therapies (ACTs), which combine a fast-acting artemisinin derivative and a partner drug with a long half-life. Since 2008, parasites capable of resisting artemisinin derivatives in South-East Asia (Cambodia, Thailand, Vietnam, Myanmar and Laos) have become increasingly prevalent. This resistance, which leads to a delay in the clearance of parasites from the bloodstream of individuals treated with an ACT, is currently a serious threat that may hinder efforts to tackle the disease. A major concern is that these resistant parasites will spread through Sub-Saharan Africa, the continent most affected by malaria (>90% of cases), as was the case with previous generations of antimalarial treatments (chloroquine and folic acid antagonists). In the 1980s, the reduced efficacy of chloroquine is thought to have contributed to several million additional deaths from malaria in young African children. Since 2014, the geographical distribution of artemisinin resistance has been monitored based on the detection of mutations in the Kelch13 gene in parasites. These mutations are believed to reduce the function of the Kelch13 protein, thought to be involved in hemoglobin degradation in infected red blood cells. Currently, the most widespread resistant parasites in South-East Asia have the C580Y mutation. Recently, C580Y mutant parasites have also been detected in Guyana and Papua New Guinea. In Africa, where ACTs remain very effective, Kelch13 mutant parasites have remained rare. For instance, the KARMA study, the first global map of artemisinin resistance, showed that less than 5% of African samples had mutations and that more than 50% of the mutants detected had only been observed once. Scientists also demonstrated that the most frequently observed mutation in Africa (A578S) did not confer artemisinin resistance to gene-edited Asian parasites. Scientists from the Institut Pasteur, involved in a WHO-supported project on molecular monitoring of resistance in Africa, recently identified the first signs of emergence of artemisinin-resistant Kelch13 mutant parasites in Africa. The results describe significant proportions of parasites carrying the R561H mutation in two locations 100km apart (prevalences of 7.4% in Masaka and 0.7% in Rukara, respectively). Whole-genome sequencing of these parasites indicates that the R561H mutants were selected from Rwandan parasite populations and that they had not spread from Asian parasites (from Thailand or Myanmar, where the R561H mutation has previously been observed). These unexpected results contrast with previous scenarios in which the emergence of chloroquine- or pyrimethamine-resistant parasites in Africa was caused by the spread of resistant parasites from South-East Asia. It was thought that a similar scenario would apply for the emergence of artemisinin-resistant parasites in Africa." Didier Menard, Head of the Malaria Genetics and Resistance Unit, Institut Pasteur The fact that this resistant strain has spread between several places in Rwanda and its ability to resist artemisinin in vitro have major public health implications. In the absence of effective measures to contain the spread of resistant parasites in Rwanda and neighboring countries, there is a risk that over time they will acquire the ability to resist the partner drugs used in ACTs. This would mean that the only available treatments would become ineffective, as has occurred in South-East Asia. A model of this scenario, in which no measures are taken, recently predicted that the inefficacy of ACTs in Africa could be responsible for 78 million additional cases and 116,000 additional deaths over a five-year period. Armenia expressed readiness on Wednesday to send humanitarian aid to Lebanon following a massive explosion in Beirut which killed at least 100 people, including several ethnic Armenians, and injured thousands of others. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian communicated the offer to Lebanese President Michel Aoun in a phone call reported by his office. Pashinian expressed shock late on Tuesday over the explosion at Beirut port warehouses that sent a devastating blast wave across the Lebanese capital. We extend out solidarity and support to the brotherly people of Lebanon, he wrote on his Twitter page. Armenia is ready to urgently provide assistance to Lebanon and its people, Foreign Minister Zohrab Mnatsakanian tweeted the following morning. Beirut glory will definitely be restored. The Armenian Foreign Ministry announced separately that it has set up a working group that will coordinate the provision of targeted assistance to Lebanon with a Lebanese crisis agency. The Armenian Embassy in Lebanon is in constant touch with relevant Lebanese bodies to jointly assess the needs of the Lebanese side and the scope of assistance, said the ministry spokeswoman, Anna Naghdalian. Naghdalian added that the embassy is also assessing the needs of Lebanons sizable and influential Armenian community. According to her, at least six Lebanese Armenians were killed and around 100 others injured by the blast which Lebanese leaders say was likely caused by highly explosive material stored at port warehouses. Naghdalian reported earlier on Wednesday that the blast caused large-scale devastation in Beiruts Armenian-populated neighborhoods. It reportedly damaged the main local cathedral of the Armenian Apostolic Church. Armenias President Armen Sarkissian telephoned the Lebanese-based Catholicos Aram I, the number two figure in the churchs worldwide hierarchy, to inquire about the damage and the plight of the Lebanese-Armenian community. Sarkissian expressed readiness to help the community, according to the presidential press office. Philippine Navy personnel watch as the USS WASP cruises past off the coast of Zambales province during the joint training exercise Balikatan 2019, April 11, 2019. President Rodrigo Duterte has barred the Philippine military from joining naval exercises in international waters of the South China Sea, officials said Tuesday, indicating the Philippines wanted to avoid taking sides between China and the United States amid rising tensions in the region. Presidential spokesman Harry Roque discussed Dutertes stance on Tuesday, a day after Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana announced the order. The president has long had an independent foreign policy, Roque told reporters. We are friends to everyone and an enemy to none. If what the superpowers are doing would result in increased tension, we will avoid joining them, he said. In recent weeks, China and the United States have conducted naval maneuvers and exercises in the South China Sea, while being embroiled in a war of words over the contested waterway after U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo in mid-July declared Beijings sweeping claims there illegal. Last month, the U.S. deployed two aircraft carriers, the USS Nimitz and the USS Ronald Reagan along with their strike groups to the South China Sea. The deployment, the first in several years, followed a Chinese military exercise around the disputed Paracel islands. On Monday, Lorenzana revealed that Duterte had told the military to refrain from joining other countries, including the United States and Australia, in maritime drills in the seas international waters. President Rodrigo Duterte has a standing order to us, to me, that we should not involve ourselves in naval exercises in the South China Sea except our national waters, the 12-mile distance from our shores, Lorenzana told reporters, according to Philippine media. The defense secretary did not immediately respond to several requests for comment Tuesday from BenarNews, an RFA-affiliated online news service. National address During his annual State of the Nation Address last week, Duterte said he was powerless to enforce Manilas sovereignty over disputed islands in the South China Sea. He added that China already occupied the islands and the Philippines could not counter Chinese aggression. China occupies and has fortified islands in the South China Sea. China, Brunei, the Philippines, Malaysia, Vietnam and Beijings rival, Taiwan, have overlapping claims to maritime region. Dutertes speech came four years after the Hague-based Permanent Court of Arbitration ruled for Manila and against Beijing in dismissing Chinas extensive claims to the sea region. Instead of enforcing the 2016 ruling, which was handed down a few weeks before he took office, Duterte set it aside in favor of closer ties with Beijing while distancing Manila from Washington, its traditional ally. Over the past two weeks, Duterte said he had spoken recently with Chinese leader Xi Jinping, whom he said had promised that the Philippines would be among the first countries on the list to receive a COVID-19 vaccine, should one be developed. Last week, Chinas ambassador to Manila, Huang Xilian, said the two nations should not allow others to affect their relationship. China and the Philippines should not allow external powers to roil the waters in the South China Sea, nor waver [in] our commitment [in] pursuance of an independent foreign policy and China-Philippine friendly relations, Huang told an online forum. The Philippines future will not float anywhere, but will be deeply rooted in its own national development, in a stable and amicable neighborhood, and in a peaceful and prosperous Asian region, the envoy said in a statement posted on the embassys Facebook page on July 29. Without naming another country, the ambassador said that a superpower was locked in a cold-war mentality and trying to suppress China in every possible way, as well as to sow discord among countries in the region. Exercises with other nations Later this month, the U.S. will be hosting a multi-nation exercise, Rim of the Pacific, near Hawaii, far from the South China Sea. A Philippine Navy ship has set sail to join the exercises. In January, coast guard ships from the Philippines and China staged their first drill an exercise involving rescuing victims after a ship caught fire in its cargo hold in waters off Manila. The next month, Duterte announced that the Philippines would terminate its 1999 Visiting Forces Agreement with the U.S. The bilateral pact has allowed large-scale joint military drills with U.S. forces, which defense analysts said were vital to the Philippines as it faces a challenge from China over claims in the South China Sea. A month later, the U.S. said the COVID-19 pandemic had forced it to cancel the Balikatan exercise scheduled for May. The annual shoulder-to-shoulder military exercises normally draw thousands of troops from both nations along with Australian forces who have been invited to participate. In June, Philippine Foreign Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. announced that his nation, in an effort to reinvigorate ties with the U.S. in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, was holding off on withdrawing from the VFA for at least six months. The U.S. Embassy in Manila welcomed Locsins diplomatic note about the change. Our longstanding alliance has benefited both countries, and we look forward to continued close security and defense cooperation with the Philippines, it said in a statement at the time. Reported by BenarNews, an RFA-affiliated online news service. New Delhi: Union Minister Venkaiah Naidu on Friday termed TMC chief and West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee's demands to remove army from checkpoints in the state as attempts of diversion from the main issue at hand - demonetisation.A Speaking ahead of another day of Winter Session of Parliament in New Delhi, Naidu said Army is just doing regular exercise which will continue for another 3 days.A Mamata banerjee camps out at office In dramatic turn of events on Thursday night, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee spent the night locked up inside her office a state secretariat aNabanaa in Kolkata demanding removal of Army soldiers deployed on different toll plazas in throughout the state. According to reports, the army soldiers have since vacated the toll plazas in Kolkata, but West Bengal CM is still in her office claiming that there are similar deployments in 18 other inner districts.A However, Army has termed it a routine exercise.A The incident, she termed as military coup, comes only hours after TMC and other opposition parties raised issue of aattempt to murdera on her in Parliament.A West Bengal CM had on Wednesday claimed that her plane was aforced to hover 30-40mins without sufficient fuela on her way to Bhubaneswar for a rally.A Here are the latest updates:A 1:00pm: In repsonse to Indian Army's letters, Supratim Sarkar, Additional CP of Kolkata Police, released a letter saying they did not give permission to army for the routine exercise. @KolkataPolice has released a letter showing that they had denied required permission to #IndianArmy for carrying out 'exercise' in Nabana pic.twitter.com/nF6UIZ4srk a News Nation (@NewsNationTV) December 2, 2016 11:45am: Newsnation gets letter that Indian Army sent to concerned authorities to seek intimate about excercisesA #IndianArmy intimated Kolkata Police Commissioner, Road Transport Authority & other govt agencies abt carrying out 'exercise' frm Nov 28-30 pic.twitter.com/xqIkOcMIMX a News Nation (@NewsNationTV) December 2, 2016 A Howrah DM and several other agencies were informed by #IndianArmy before exercise in West Bengal pic.twitter.com/L96rqF87EQ a News Nation (@NewsNationTV) December 2, 2016 A #IndianArmy intimated govt agencies abt carrying out 'exercise' frm Nov 28-30 pic.twitter.com/soQ8X5ZyaE a News Nation (@NewsNationTV) December 2, 2016 11:20 am: Major General Sunil Yadav on army collecting money from people at the toll counters in WB A #Similar exercise also been carried out in Jharkhand, UP and Bihar from 26th September to 1st October this year #They're only collecting data of heavy vehicles,this is an annual exercise carried out every year #Over 80 such collection data points established in entire region, personnel of army consisting of 5-6 at each point are unarmed #Exercise involves collection of data in all NE states, including Assam,Arunachal,WB,Manipur,Nagaland,Meghalaya,Tripura,Mizoram,Sikkim #Army formations in Eastern command at local levels are carrying out routine annual data collection exercises #This is baseless, we deny this charge #This is an exercise carried out for our operational purposes 10:25 am:A Eastern command said its a regular exercise, will do this for 3 days. Fine if they want to divert from main issues,or raise in Parl: Venkaiah Naidu, Union MinisterA Sudip Bandyopadhyay, TMC on the issue 10:06am:A Suddenly it was seen that army was covering big important toll plazas, controlling bridges under WB GovtA 10:04am:A Want a clarification by Def Min on army deployment in Bengal, we will be very vocal about this in both the houses 10:02am:A It is a grave situation when a CM is being continuously harassed and her life is in danger 10:00am:A Without intimating state Govt, way they are operating whole system,is unbelievable as if some emergency is going to be proclaimed in WB 9:25am:A Indian Army sighted conducting checks in Siliguri, West Bengal Military police conducting checks in Siliguri (West Bengal)A pic.twitter.com/Ot1tRLfP3N a ANI (@ANI_news)A December 2, 2016 A Hereas the time line of the drama that unfolded through Thursday night: Friday, Dec 2 7:30am: TMC to raise the issue of "army deployment in West Bengal" in both the houses of Parliament today. 7:00am: TMC announced that Mamata Banerjee will meet President Pranab Mukherjee to discuss this issue on Friday.A 1:30am: Past midnight, the West Bengal CM conducted a hurried press conference where she accused Centre of creating a situation aworse than emergencya. She also rubbished the claim of defence ministry spokesperson that it was a routine exercise.A When told that Army has been removed the toll plazas, she said she cannot leave yet as there are similar deployments in 18 other inner district and she has a duty to protect democracy in the state.A Thursday, Dec 1 12:00am a 1:30am: Somewhere before Mamata Banerjeeas late night press conference, media journalists went to the toll plaza near Nabanna and found that the Armymen were no longer there. A temporary shed set up for them was also removed. There was no official version of the Army about the removal.A 11:45pm: Soon the WB CM noted that there were more army deployments in the inner district on the state. A More army deployment in diff Bengal districts Jalpaiguri,Alipurduar, Darjeeling,Barrackpur, N24Pgs, Howrah,Hooghly,Kol,Murshidabad Burdwan a Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) December 1, 2016 11:34pm: Backing Derek OaBrien and Mamata Banerjeeas argument, West Bengal Police also took to Twitter and denied giving consent to the army presence or exercise and claimed that they had in fact issued a written objection to any such activity.A aArmy exercise (sic) at Toll Plaza was objected to in writing by Kolkata Police, citing security reasons & traffic inconvenience. @easterncomd,a @KolkataPolice tweeted. Army excercise at Toll Plaza was objected to in writing by Kolkata Police, citing security reasons & traffic inconvenience.@easterncomd a Kolkata Police (@KolkataPolice) December 1, 2016 11:31pm: Mamata Banerjee dismissed Indian Armyas claim and prior information and A accused them of misleading the public, aAbsolutely wrong and misleading facts by @easterncomd We have great respect for you, but please please don't mislead the people.a Absolutely wrong and misleading facts by @easterncomd We have great respect for you, but please please don't mislead the people a Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) December 1, 2016 11:24 pm: Jumping into the quagmire, TMCas senior leader Derek OaBrien dismissed Armyas claim and termed it incorrect.A Absolutely incorrect. Do not spread misinformation. Please https://t.co/guiFZ8YnG1 a Derek O'Brien (@quizderek) December 1, 2016 10:57pm: Few minutes later Indian Armyas Eastern Command reacted to the escalating situation and clarified that it was just a routine exercise being conducted with consent of state police: aArmy conducting routine exercise with full knowledge and coordination with WB Police. Speculation of army taking over toll plaza incorrect.a Army conducting routine exercise with full knowledge & coord with WB Police. Speculation of army taking over toll plaza incorrect @adgpi a EasternCommand_IA (@easterncomd) December 1, 2016 10:38pm:A About an hour later the state chief minister announced that she will stay put in her office until the army deployment is not removed from all toll plazas.A aUntil and unless the Army stationed in front of Nabanno, the Bengal state govt secretariat, is withdrawn I will be staying at my Secretariat to guard our democracy,a he tweet said. Until and unless the Army stationed in front of Nabanno, the Bengal state govt secretariat, is withdrawn 1/2 a Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) December 1, 2016 ... I will be staying at my Secretariat to guard our democracy 2/2 a Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) December 1, 2016 9:51pm: Mamata Banerjee noted the presence of Indian Army near her secretariat late on Thursday night and remarked that such a presence was without state policeas consent, aVery unfortunate. Army stationed in front of Nabanno, the Bengal State Secretariat in a high security zone, inspite of Police objection. I am waiting here at the Secretariat and watching, to guard our democracy,a she tweeted. Very unfortunate. Army stationed in front of Nabanno, the Bengal State Secretariat in a high security zone, inspite of Police objection 1/2 a Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) December 1, 2016A ... I am waiting here at the Secretariat and watching, to guard our democracy 2/2 a Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) December 1, 2016 6:24pm:A TMC leader Derek O'Bren raised the concern of Indian Army collecting toll at the plazas in Kolkata:A Is it Army's duty ? Is this interference part of a plan to start an internal war? Proof on this VIDEO #DeMonetisation #emergency #notesban pic.twitter.com/LxM1EvcZb6 a Derek O'Brien (@quizderek) December 1, 2016 A #BREAKING Situation has got worse. How is the Army collecting tolls at a toll plaza near the Bengal secretariat, a high security zone ? 1/2 a Derek O'Brien (@quizderek) December 1, 2016 What is the Army doing at toll plazas in Bengal without Centre informing State. Watch video 2/2 pic.twitter.com/3Kxb9yYa85 a Derek O'Brien (@quizderek) December 1, 2016 For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. I just quit my job of three years amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. Why would someone who has no potential job prospects (and virtually no financial security) do that during one of the most uncertain times for workers? Allow me to paint a picture of the toxic culture and unsafe conditions that I, and many other hospitality workers, endure every day. Hospitality workers struggle to make a living wage at the best of times, a situation only worsened by the pandemic. This is an industry that vastly plagued by sexist wage inequality, racism, lack of paid overtime hours, and dependence on tips to get by. In Ontario, the expectation of tips dictates that servers are only paid a minimum of $12.20 to $14.00 per hour. Your boss and your patrons decide, seemingly at random, what you are worth and how much you will make each month. Tipping is problematic for many reasons, especially if your boss or patrons are sexist, racist, homophobic, transphobic, or just feel like paying you less. At its core, tipping is discriminatory, and keeps service workers below the poverty line with the expectation that tips will beef up earnings. Minimum wage creates the societal perception that service workers are unskilled, while at the same time being offered extra money in tips to incentivize a job as worthy, without business owners having to actually pay for increased wages themselves. Those who work front and back of house often do not receive benefits or paid sick leave. In addition to this, tip money often isnt declared, which is an issue now more than ever when workers are jobless and trying to get EI and CERB. Tips and inadequate pay leave service workers with virtually no financial support when they cannot work because of COVID-19. Furthermore, when the general public is responsible for making up your gap in wages through tipping, the lives of all service and hospitality workers are put at risk. Most businesses do not have a plan for if an employee falls sick with COVID-19. There is often little transparency or communication between employers and employees on what hours employees are comfortable with working and other safety concerns. I was put into a situation where I had to decide to work full-time for my employer and come off of CERB, or lose my full-time hours after the pandemic. This is the sad reality for many service workers who make more on CERB than they do in wages. The system that is in place needs to change, and the safety of service and hospitality workers needs to become a priority. Tipping needs to be abolished to make room for paying us a living wage. There need to be consequences for business owners who threaten and disrespect employees. If we cant change the behaviour of our employers, then hopefully we can change the industry. By AFP PARIS: France will send three planes to Beirut Wednesday with rescuers, medical equipment and a mobile clinic, followed by a visit Thursday by President Emmanuel Macron to the city devastated by a massive blast, the government said. The presidency announced that two military planes would leave Charles de Gaulle airport outside Paris around midday (1000 GMT) to arrive in the Lebanese capital late afternoon with 55 search and rescue personnel on board, it said. The planes would also bring 25 tonnes of sanitary equipment and a mobile clinic equipped to treat 500 injured people. A dozen emergency personnel will also be sent to Beirut shortly "to reinforce hospitals in the Lebanese capital," said the presidency. READ| Around 300,000 people displaced after deadly Beirut blast: Governor Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian later said a third, private humanitarian plane will leave from Marseille in the south of France with teams of medical workers who would be "immediately operational". The fire department of Marseille said it had made available material and nine staff -- four emergency doctors, three nurses and two marine firefighters. A cataclysmic explosion at Beirut port sowed devastation across entire neighbourhoods, killing more than 100 people and wounding thousands. The blast appeared to have been caused by a fire igniting 2,750 tonnes of ammonium nitrate left unsecured in a warehouse. "It is during trials that friends are there, and we are there," Le Drian said after a telephone conversation with his Lebanese counterpart Charbel Wehbe. President Emmanuel Macron called his Lebanese counterpart Michel Aoun late Tuesday to express France's support for the Lebanese people and promise a dispatch of French aid. On Thursday, Macron will travel to Beirut to "meet all political actors", including Aoun and Prime Minister Hassan Diab, the Elysee announced. Le Drian said France will continue mobilising assistance as needed. "For now, it is time to ensure international solidarity" with Lebanon, he told the LCI broadcaster, pointing out that food aid will be high on the list as the blast in the port of Beirut had destroyed crucial wheat silos. The UN's Food and Agriculture Organization expressed fear Wednesday that the destruction of the silos would result in critical severe flour shortages. The 55 rescuers being deployed from Paris Wednesday are specialists in post-disaster rubble clearing and rescue, said the Elysee, adding France was working to "identify additional needs" on the ground in Beirut. French Prime Minister Jean Castex will gather ministers Wednesday responsible for coordinating aid to Beirut. 3 Bangladeshi killed in Beirut blast Three Bangladesh nationals were killed in the explosion in Lebanon's capital on Tuesday. Bangladesh Embassy in Beirut confirmed it citing hospital source. The Embassy also urged all to inform the Embassy through its hotline number if they come to know any more casualties. Besides, twenty-one members of Bangladesh Navy were injured in the massive explosion. The Navy personnel were on duty under the Maritime Task Force (MTF) deployed as part of the United Nations Peacekeeping Mission. The condition of Harun-Or-Rashid (senior warrant officer) has been described as critical and he was undergoing treatment at American University of Beirut Medical Centre, said a press release of ISPR on Wednesday. The other victims were taken to Hamoud Hospital after they were given first aid under the supervision of United Nations Interim Force In Lebanon (UNIFIL). All the victims are the crew members of Bangladesh Navy's ship 'Bijoy. The authorities concerned are now assessing the losses caused by the explosion and Head of Mission and Force Commander and Maritime Taskfoce Commander of UNIFIL are supervising it closely. Major General Jahangir Al Mustahidur Rahman, Bangladesh Ambassador in Lebanon visited the BN Bijoy and provided all-out support to ensure treatment of the victims. The warship of Bangladesh Navy has been participating in United Nations Peacekeeping Mission in Lebanon since 2010. Bangladesh Navy had 110 members deployed in the UN peacekeeping mission in Beirut BANCON-8 in 2018. Now they are serving as BANCON-10 Contingent from July 8, 2019. At least 100 people were killed and several thousand injured in Tuesday's massive explosion, officials said on Wednesday. An official with the Lebanese Red Cross said at least 100 people were killed and more than 4,000 were wounded. Source: UNB News A suspect in the death of a bikie boss has been nabbed by police after attending a Canberra hospital with another man seeking help for gunshot wounds. Comanchero commander Pitasoni Ulavalu was killed in an early morning bar brawl at the Kokomo's bar in the city last month. A 26-year-old will be charged with the stabbing after being arrested on Wednesday morning. He is due to face court on Thursday. Comanchero commander Pitasoni Ulavalu was killed in an early morning bar brawl at the Kokomo's bar in the city last month 'A man presented at hospital with multiple gunshot wounds, at the time he was accompanied by the man that will face the court for murdering Pitasoni Ulavalu,' Detective Superintendent Scott Moller told reporters. 'We've been looking at a group of men for some time and the opportunity at the hospital presented itself and he was arrested.' Two other men, aged 22 and 23, were also arrested and will face court charged with affray. Police will oppose bail for all three men. Det Supt Moller expects further charges to be laid over the bikie boss's death. 'The really troubling factor of this is that it involves members of outlaw motorcycle gangs, they're not willing to discuss things with police usually so this is a particularly complex matter,' he said. Photos showed what appeared to be a body covered by a white cloth The arrested men have links to the Comancheros and police expect the killing to have both local and international ramifications. 'What we're seeing locally is the violence playing out, and as police we're doing everything we can now to stop it,' Det Supt Moller said. The ACT has 35 active bikie members, about 50 per cent less than a year ago. 'We need to stop the recruitment of people into these gangs because realistically they're not delivering teddy bears at Christmas,' he said. 'They're shooting people, they're stabbing people, they're bashing people.' The man who went to hospital with gunshot wounds is in a stable condition after undergoing surgery. NEW YORK, Aug. 5, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Hunt Companies Finance Trust, Inc. (NYSE: HCFT) ("HCFT" or the "Company") announced today that it expects to file its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2020 with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 7, 2020, after the market closes, and it invites investors and other interested parties to listen to its live conference call via telephone or webcast on Monday, August 10, 2020, at 8:30 a.m. Eastern Time. The conference call may be accessed by dialing 1-877-870-4263 (US) or 1-412-317-0790 (International). Note: there is no passcode; please ask the operator to be joined into the Hunt Companies Finance Trust call. A live webcast, on a listen-only basis, is also available and can be accessed through the URL: https://www.webcaster4.com/Webcast/Page/2022/36493 For those unable to listen to the live broadcast, a recorded replay will be available for on-demand viewing approximately one hour after the end of the event through the Company's website https://huntcompaniesfinancetrust.com/ and by telephone dial-in. The replay call-in number is 1-877-344-7529 (US) or 1-412-317-0088 (International) with passcode 10147140. About Hunt Companies Finance Trust, Inc. Hunt Companies Finance Trust, Inc. is a Maryland corporation focused on investing in, financing and managing a portfolio of commercial real estate debt investments. The Company primarily invests in transitional floating rate commercial mortgage loans with an emphasis on middle-market multi-family assets. Investors, security holders and other interested persons may find additional information regarding the Company at the SEC's Internet site at http://www.sec.gov/ or the Company website https://huntcompaniesfinancetrust.com/ or by directing requests to: Hunt Companies Finance Trust, Inc., 230 Park Avenue, 19th Floor, New York, NY 10169, Attention: Investor Relations. Hunt Companies Finance Trust, Inc. is externally managed and advised by OREC Investment Management, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company. For additional information regarding OREC Investment Management, LLC, please see its Form ADV and brochure (Part 2A of Form ADV) available at www.adviserinfo.sec.gov. Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information Certain statements included in this press release, any related webcast / conference call, and other oral statements made by our representatives from time to time may constitute forward-looking statements intended to qualify for the safe harbor contained in Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act, as amended. Forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties. These forward-looking statements include information about possible or assumed future results of our business, financial condition, liquidity, results of operations, plans and objectives. You can identify forward-looking statements by use of words such as "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "project," "estimate," "plan," "continue," "intend," "should," "may," "will," "seek," "would," "could," or similar expressions or other comparable terms, or by discussions of strategy, plans or intentions. Statements regarding the following subjects, among others, may be forward-looking: the return on equity; the yield on investments; the ability to borrow to finance assets; and risks associated with investing in real estate assets, including changes in business conditions and the general economy. Forward-looking statements are based on our beliefs, assumptions and expectations of our future performance, taking into account all information currently available to us on the date of this press release or the date on which such statements are first made. Actual results may differ from expectations, estimates and projections. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements in this press release and/or any related webcast / conference call and should consider carefully the factors described in Part I, Item IA "Risk Factors" in our annual reports on Form 10-K, our quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, and other current or periodic filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"), when evaluating these forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are subject to substantial risks and uncertainties, many of which are difficult to predict and are generally beyond our control. Additionally, many of these risks and uncertainties are currently amplified by and will continue to be amplified by, or in the future may be amplified by, the COVID-19 outbreak. It is not possible to predict or identify all such risks. Additional information concerning these and other risk factors are contained in our 2019 10-K which is available on the Securities and Exchange Commission's website at www.sec.gov. Except as required by applicable law, we disclaim any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. SOURCE Hunt Companies Finance Trust, Inc. Related Links https://huntcompaniesfinancetrust.com/ TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) - Kansas Republicans on Tuesday nominated Rep. Roger Marshall for the Senate over polarizing conservative Kris Kobach, heeding the party establishments advice as it tries to keep a normally safe seat out of play in what could be a difficult year for the GOP. Marshall prevailed comfortably in a crowded primary field with the backing of major farm, business and anti-abortion groups but without a pre-election endorsement from President Donald Trump sought by Senate Majority Mitch McConnell and others for the two-term congressman for western and central Kansas. Marshall overcame Kobachs reputation as a conservative firebrand and informal adviser to Trump. Marshall will face Democratic state Sen. Barbara Bollier, a former lifelong moderate Republican who received national attention at the end of 2018 by switching parties. GOP leaders have worried for months about Bollier's ability so far to raise more in contributions than the top GOP candidates combined. Kobach, the former Kansas secretary of state, is nationally known for advocating restrictive immigration policies and alienated independent and moderate GOP voters in losing the Kansas governors race in 2018. Marshall and his allies made that loss a key issue as he and Kobach battled atop the GOP field. Bob and Debbie Rosenberger said Kobach's loss in 2018 was on their minds as they cast their Republican primary ballots for Marshall at a southwest Topeka church. The retired 62-year-old postal worker and his wife, a retired, 63-year-old nursing home supervisor, said they are Trump supporters and believe Marshall will help him in the Senate. As for Kobach, Bob Rosenberger said, "Bottom line, I just dont trust him as much as Roger Marshall." Roger Marshall pumps his fist after speaking to supporters near Pawnee Rock, Kan., Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2020, after defeating Kris Kobach in the Republican primary for U.S. Senate. (Travis Heying/The Wichita Eagle via AP) The race for retiring four-term Republican Sen. Pat Roberts seat had national implications even though the GOP hasnt lost a Senate contest in Kansas since 1932. Republicans are trying to keep their 53-47 Senate majority with competitive races in other states, including Arizona, Colorado and Maine. Marshall immediately called for party unity at a watch party at a winery southwest of his central Kansas hometown of Great Bend. He told his supporters that the GOP's Senate majority is at stake in his race and said he was strengthened by the contentious primary. "I've always believed in this iron sharpening iron," Marshall said in his livestreamed remarks. "After this primary, our swords are sharp and our shields are thick." Kobach said in his concession speech that he had faced a "very steep, uphill struggle" after telling reporters earlier in the day that the GOP establishment had a recent history of crushing conservatives like him. But he urged Republicans to get behind Marshall. "We will hold this seat, and I will do everything I can to make sure that happens for the Republican Party," Kobach said, speaking from Leavenworth, where he kicked off his campaign more than a year ago. Even with Marshall as the nominee, the GOP faces a potentially competitive Senate race. Bollier had raised more than $8 million through July - and her campaign said Tuesday night that the total is now $9 million - a big sum in a low-cost media state like Kansas, with donations flooding in from outside the state. Bollier said in an online primary victory speech each of the Republican candidates demonstrated that he would be a "yes man" for the party, calling it "the last thing we need right now." Bollier has positioned herself as a "commonsense" political moderate, but the GOP is likely to try to paint her as too liberal for the state. Bollier is a retired Kansas City-area anesthesiologist, while Marshall is an obstetrician. Marshall raised about $2.9 million and Kobach, a little more than $1 million. Bob Hamilton, the founder of a Kansas City-area plumbing company, largely self-funded a campaign heavy on television ads with $3.5 million in personal loans. Those figures were all dwarfed by PAC spending in the primary, which totaled about $11 million. Hamilton had a strong showing in running behind Kobach and Marshall in early returns. Marshall, Kobach and Hamilton and eight other candidates made the field the largest for the GOP since the state began holding Senate primaries more than 100 years ago. Kansas has no runoff elections, so Marshall could win the nomination with 40% or less of the vote. Dean Crenshaw, a 53-year-old welder from Belle Plaine in south-central Kansas, voted for Kobach for his conservative views despite believing that Democrats preferred to have Bollier face Kobach. He said he was torn between voting for Kobach and Marshall but didn't know much about Marshall and he "just voted for the guy I knew the most about." McConnells first choice in the race was U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, a former Wichita-area congressman, but while Pompeo made multiple visits to Kansas suggesting interest, he definitely declared himself out in January. Kobach argued that the issues hes often emphasized - particularly immigration - would play better in a fall Senate campaign and said hed benefit from a flood of pro-Trump voters going to the polls in November after skipping voting in the 2018 mid-terms. But many Republicans didn't buy those arguments. Roberts declared his support for Marshall after the congressman had picked up endorsements from the U.S Chamber of Commerce, the Kansas Farm Bureau, the National Right to Life Committee and Kansans for Life, the states most influential anti-abortion group. Marshall also had the backing of 97-year-old political icon Bob Dole, the former U.S. Senate majority leader and 1996 GOP presidential nominee. ____ Follow John Hanna on Twitter: https://twitter.com/apjdhanna DELETES INCORRECT NAME OF PRIMARY WINNER - Kris Kobach, right, candidate for the Republican nomination for U.S. Senate, concedes the primary, in Leavenworth, Kan., Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2020. His wife, Heather Kobach, is at left. (AP Photo/Orlin Wagner) Rep. Roger Marshall, R-Kan., joined by his wife, Laina Marshall, speaks to supporters near Pawnee Rock, Kan., Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2020, after defeating Kris Kobach in the Republican primary for U.S. Senate. (Travis Heying/The Wichita Eagle via AP) DELETES INCORRECT NAME OF PRIMARY WINNER - Kris Kobach, who was running for the Republican nomination to the U.S. Senate, hugs a supporter after conceding the race, Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2020, in Leavenworth, Kan. (AP Photo/Orlin Wagner) Republican congressman Roger Marshall of Kansas' 1st congressional district, speaks to the media at his election night party at Rosewood Winery near Pawnee Rock, Ks., on Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2020. Marshall is running against former Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach for the Republican nomination to replace retiring Kansas senator Pat Roberts. (Travis Heying/The Wichita Eagle via AP) Republican congressman Roger Marshall of Kansas' 1st congressional district, speaks with supporters at his election night party at Rosewood Winery near Pawnee Rock, Ks., on Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2020. Marshall is running against former Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach for the Republican nomination to replace retiring Kansas senator Pat Roberts. (Travis Heying/The Wichita Eagle via AP) Kris Kobach, a candidate for the Republican nomination for U.S. Senate, talks with reporters at his primary watch party in Leavenworth, Kan., Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2020. (AP Photo/Orlin Wagner) Years before a devastating blast killed at least 100 people and injured more than 4,000 in Beirut Tuesday, a maritime analyst issued a public warning that a Russian floating bomb was languishing in the citys docks. Maritime monitoring systems tracked the Rhosus into port in Beirut in September 2013. The ship, which was flagged in Moldova, listed its official cargo as agricultural commodities. The 2,750 metric ton cargo of ammonium nitrate would primarily be used for fertilizers or high power explosives. To put it in context, less than two metric tons of ammonium nitrate was used in the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing. The Russian-owned cargo ship called into port in Beirut for reasons unknown, possibly after running into trouble at sea en route from Georgia to Mozambique. Beirut authorities blocked it from leaving and the dangerous cargo was offloaded and stored in Hanger 12 in the port a year later, according to the maritime monitoring website Fleetmon. Mikhail Voytenko, a Russian maritime analyst based in Thailand, warned in July 2014 that the ship, which he said was owned by a Russian operator, was effectively a floating bomb. Voytenko said the ships owners had abandoned the ship and its crew, and the Lebanese authorities had failed to protect the deadly cargo. There are a lot of restrictions, regulations and rules to stick to when talking about storing explosives like ammonium but they just stored it in a warehouse and forgot about it, he told The Daily Beast by phone from close to the Laem Chabang port in Thailand where he works. The Russian captain of the abandoned ship, Boris Prokoshev, and three Ukrainian crew members Valery Lupol, 3rd mechanic Andrey Golovyoshkin and boatswain Boris Musinchak, were made to stay on the ship with the deadly cargo after the other six crew members were released. They launched an appeal to get out, writing to Russian and Ukrainian journalists and to a group that supports seamen. The shipowner abandoned the vessel. The cargo owner has ammonium nitrate in the hold, Musinchak wrote in an email to both the Assol Seamen Aid Foundation and the diplomatic services of Ukraine. It is an explosive substance... This is how we live for free on a powder keg for 10 months. Story continues A Lebanese court then reportedly gave permission to unload the cargo, but not before asking the sailors to find a buyer for it themselves, which they claimed in the email they could not because all communication was stripped from the ship. On Wednesday, Prokoshev appeared on Russian television, insisting that even the lawyer who tried to free them was corrupt and not concerned about the fate of the ammonium nitrate. For some reason, the consignee did not lift a finger to get his cargo out, he said. AFP via Getty Images The ship was owned and operated by Igor Grechushkin, a Russian, who now moved to Cyprus, according to the stranded sailors. Calls to Grechushkin were not immediately answered. As well as the public warning, Lebanese officials had repeatedly ignored warnings by port authorities about the ammonium nitrate that sparked the devastating explosion. Badri Daher, the current head of Lebanons customs authority, told reporters on the scene that the explosion was linked to the ammonium nitrate. Several people in the open source intelligence community later tweeted photos of loosely packed bags of white powder, assumed to be the substance. The Daily Beast has not verified the authenticity of the photos. On June 27, 2014, Shafik Merhi, then head of the Lebanese Customs Authority wrote to Lebanese officials under the heading urgent matters, asking for help to secure the explosives, according to a copy of the letter shared on Twitter by human rights activist Wadih Al Asmar. Merhi then reportedly sent five more letters, in December 5, 2014, May 6, 2015, May 20, 2016, October 13, 2016, and October 27, 2017, pleading for help, according to Al Jazeera, which reports one as saying, In view of the serious danger of keeping these goods in the hangar in unsuitable climatic conditions, we reaffirm our request to please request the marine agency to re-export these goods immediately to preserve the safety of the port and those working in it, or to look into agreeing to sell this amount. Another letter, this time written by Daher, the incoming head of Lebanese Customs Authority reiterated the warning of the danger of leaving these goods in the place they are, and to those working there. Lebanons new prime minister Hassan Diab, who came to the job in January 2020, alluded to the theory that the devastation could have been avoided, promising that all those responsible for this catastrophe will pay a price. Satellite image 2020 Maxar Technologies. President Donald Trump referred to the explosion as an attack, though local authorities say it was likely set off by a welder working nearby. Ive met with some of our great generals and they just seem to feel that . . . this was not some kind of a manufacturing explosion type of event, Trump said at a White House briefing. They seem to think it was an attack. It was a bomb of some kind. On Wednesday, hundreds were still reported missing from the massive explosion, which generated seismic waves similar to a 3.3 magnitude earthquake. Beirut port, which is dubiously nicknamed the Cave of Ali Baba and the 40 Thieves because of the alleged corruption tied to its management, has been under intense scrutiny in recent months after the October Revolution began last fall. Read more at The Daily Beast. Got a tip? Send it to The Daily Beast here Get our top stories in your inbox every day. Sign up now! Daily Beast Membership: Beast Inside goes deeper on the stories that matter to you. Learn more. NEW YORK - As a Girl Scout growing up in upstate New York, Alice Weiss-Russell says she lived with a dark secret: The husband of her troop leader was sexually abusing her in the bathroom of a church basement where scout meetings were held in the 1980s. Weiss-Russell has detailed her alleged ordeal in a new lawsuit filed against Girl Scouts of the USA, part of a flurry of child sex-abuse cases in New York using a look back window for making civil claims against abusers. For me, it gives me a chance to be heard because I didnt have that chance when I was young and hold the Girl Scouts accountable for what happened to me, Weiss-Russell told The Associated Press in a phone interview on Tuesday. The AP does not typically identify people who say they are victims of sex crimes unless they grant permission. Another lawsuit, also filed Wednesday, accuses a Manhattan research centre of similarly looking the other way as a prominent physician abused dozens of children he was studying and treating for being small for their age. The two lawsuits come after Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo signed a bill earlier this week granting a one-year extension to the states Child Victims Act. The law temporarily lifts the usual time limits on filing lawsuits for anyone suing over childhood sexual abuse. The window to file had been due to close this month. But advocates for sex-abuse survivors pushed for the extension, in part by arguing that the coronavirus pandemic made it difficult to put cases together in time to meet the deadline. Hundreds of lawsuits have already been filed statewide under the act that name defendants including disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein, the Roman Catholic Church and the Boy Scouts of America. The lawsuit against The Rockefeller University centres on allegations against a researcher at its hospital, Dr. Reginald Archibald, that began surfacing a decade after his 2007 death. The abuse consisted of Archibald photographing his child patients in sexually suggestive and lewd positions and masturbating his male and female child patients, says the suit filed by attorneys with the Marsh Law Firm. It alleges he once took a patient to his cabin in Canada, where he where he drugged and penetrated the child. A message was left Thursday with The Rockefeller University and its hospital. Weiss-Russells suit, also filed by The Marsh Law Firm along with Pfau Cochran Vertetis Amala, stands out because it appears to be one of the first of its kind against the Girl Scouts, said her lawyer, Jennifer Freeman. Weiss-Russell, 48, of Syracuse, is accusing the organization of failing to protect her from a man described as a volunteer co-troop leader when she became a scout at age 11 in the mid-1980s. Freeman said the Girl Scouts organization violated its own policies at the time by allowing the man, whose wife co-led the troop, to be involved with her troop. At the time, Weiss-Russell grew motivated to be a top-seller of cookies so she could earn the right to attend Girl Scout camps and get away from her abuser, she said in the interview. But once back in the church basement, the man would make her touch him sexually, according to the lawsuit, which also accuses him of raping her. The abuse continued even after the abusers wife was alerted to her husbands misconduct, Weiss-Russells lawyers say. I feared him, she said. He threatened to harm her and her family if she reported him and he was always telling me that no one would believe me anyway, she said. Around the time she was 18 and a few years removed from the scouts, Weiss-Russell finally revealed to her mother what had happened, she said. She later tried to report the man to prosecutors, but was informed the statute of limitations had run out. More recently, a counsellor encouraged her to take advantage of the Child Victims Act as a way to get closure. Girl Scouts of the USA is aware of a complaint that was filed in New York alleging that a Girl Scout was harmed in the 1980s during Girl Scout activities, the organization said in a statement. At Girl Scouts, there is nothing we take more seriously than the safety and wellbeing of our girls, and we maintain rigorous safety protocols. We are looking into this complaint and will address the matter with the utmost care and concern. Weiss-Russell said she still runs into her alleged abuser, who lives near her in Syracuse. She recalled how he once approached her at a gas station and put his hand on her shoulder while saying hello. I froze up like the child, like the child I was when he was victimizing me, like I had no power, she said. He still to this day has power over me and Im hoping through all this he wont have power over me. When the world has an approved COVID-19 vaccine, who should get that life-saving vaccine first? U.S. health authorities are hoping to release a draft of guidance on prioritization and how to best ration the initial doses by late August, according to the New York Times. But now we're a getting glimpse at who will be at the front of the line. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention introduced this opening recommendation last week: First, vaccinate 12 million of the most critical health, essential, national security workers. Next on the list would be the 110 million people at high risk from the coronavirus, including people over age 65 who live in long-term care facilities or people of any age who are in jeopardy with certain health risks or who are identified as essential workers. Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni has released a second home workout video in a bid to encourage people to keep fit at home during the coronavirus pandemic. The 75-year-old appears jogging barefoot in a spacious living room, before performing 40 push-ups as a younger voice counts. He said it was a challenge to his bazukulu - an informal Ugandan reference to youth, but which some people find patronising. After work last night, I challenged my Bazukulu to an indoor work-out. We did Forty Push-ups. Just like I have always advised, even at your own home, you can stay safe, and remain fit and healthy. pic.twitter.com/LKjqwViwlE Yoweri K Museveni (@KagutaMuseveni) August 5, 2020 President Museveni released a similar workout in April after he had banned outdoor exercise to curb the spread of the virus. The ban was lifted in June.The country is set for an election in January 2021 and the electoral commission has banned campaign rallies, urging candidates to reach to their supporters through TV and radio instead. 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 The director of the Oregon Zoo announced this week that he will retire at the end of August after more than four decades in animal care and management. Don Moore, who has led the zoo for the past four years, said the coronavirus pandemic has given him a chance to reflect, and he came to the conclusion that he wanted to spend more time with his family, many of whom live on the east coast. With travel back and forth from Portland less feasible, he decided it was time to step down from his position leading the zoo. Like a lot of us, COVID-19 has offered me a chance to step back and have some deep personal reflection, he said. For a while, we thought it was going to be kind of short, but it looks like it will be with us a little longer. I started to think about whats important. For me thats family. Im here, and they are there, he added. Life is short, and Im not getting any younger. Moore, known by people in the zoo world as Dr. Don, got his start in zoos at an early age, volunteering at the zoo in Syracuse, New York, where he grew up. After he graduated from college, the zoo hired him full time, and he would go on to work in zoos in New York City, Washington, D.C., and as co-chair of the Wildlife Conservation Societys renowned Animal Enrichment Program before he came to Portland in 2016. Under his leadership, the Oregon Zoo continued its conservation work, focused on endangered animals both native to Oregon and from more exotic locations. The zoo has breeding programs for California condors, the western pond turtle and the silverspot butterfly. It also contributes to science that benefits wild populations of Asian elephants, polar bears and giraffes. The Oregon Zoo encompasses 64 acres in Portlands West Hills, small in comparison to some other cities zoos. But Moore said, like the city itself, the zoo on the hill punches above its weight. The Oregon Zoo is small and mighty, like Portland, he said. We may be a small place, but were a player on the national stage. Like any such facility, the Oregon Zoo has been hit with criticism from animal welfare advocates, specifically about the zoos elephant herd. Even with the relatively new addition of the Elephant Lands enclosure, which was a vast upgrade to the previous home for the herd, critics have repeatedly called for the zoos pachyderms to be moved to a sanctuary where they would have more room to roam. Periodic outbreaks of tuberculosis among the animals have only sharpened critiques from advocates. Moore defended the zoo. We respectfully disagree that a sanctuary is better than our beautiful Elephant Lands habitat, he said. We have an expert vet team and a good social group of elephants. Yes, we have had cases of TB and herpes virus, and that is unfortunate, but the flip side is that our vet staff is very well-known for their knowledge of elephant diseases. Moore said that, when an elephant in a zoo gets sick, vets are able to study the illness in ways that would never be possible in the wild. The knowledge gained from that, he said, helped the captive elephants counterparts in the wild. Asian and African elephants are not doing well, he said. Its tragic when an elephant has a disease and dies, but the flip side is it adds to our understanding. We are deeply committed to our animals at the zoo and their relatives in nature. Moore also said he was proud of the partnerships that the zoo has forged during his tenure, specifically with state and federal wildlife agencies. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has a biologist that works full time at the zoos education center, and the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife often sends staff to give talks to youngsters. Were a scientific action organization, but were also a storefront window, he said. We work with (the agencies) in the field to save species, but theyve also been able to come into the zoo to tell their stories to the more than 1 million visitors that come through our gates every year. Moore plans to stay in his role through the end of the month then transition to a director emeritus role with the Oregon Zoo Foundation to help with fundraising. -- Kale Williams; kwilliams@oregonian.com; 503-294-4048; @sfkale Subscribe to Oregonian/OregonLive newsletters and podcasts for the latest news and top stories. A committee says the Government's "inexplicable" decision to lift restrictions on about one million people who arrived in the UK contributed to the scale of the outbreak - ANDY RAIN/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock Failure to introduce quarantine at the start of the outbreak saw up to 10,000 infected people enter the UK, accelerating the spread of disease, an investigation by MPs have said. The all-party home affairs committee today (Wed) said the Governments inexplicable decision to lift restrictions on some one million people who arrived in the UK between March 13 and lockdown on March 23 contributed to the pace and scale of the Covid-19 outbreak in Britain They said this highly unusual approach to the pandemic contrasted with other countries from Singapore and New Zealand to Spain which were at the time introducing more comprehensive measures including quarantine and self-isolation for international arrivals. Leading experts from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine told the MPs that they calculated up to 10,000 infected people largely from Spain, France and Italy - including families returning from half-term breaks - imported Covid-19 into the UK. This was confirmed by Sir Patrick Vallance, the Government's chief scientific officer, who pointed to evidence that hundreds of different strains of Covid-19 were brought into the UK after the Government abandoned special measures for international arrivals on March 13. "The UK's experience of Covid-19 has been far worse as a result of the Government's decision not to require quarantine during March, which would have reduced the number of imported infections," said the MPs. Evidence shows it is highly likely that uncontrolled importations of the virus from European countries contributed to the rapid increase in the spread of the virus in mid-March, and the overall scale of the outbreak in the UK. The failure to have any special border measures during this period was a serious mistake that significantly increased both the pace and the scale of the epidemic in the UK, and meant that many more people caught COVID-19. From mid February until March 13, the Government told arrivals from countries including China, Iran and South Korea to self-isolate even if asymptomatic. A second category of countries such as Japan, Malaysia and Northern Italy recommended self-isolation if people developed symptoms. Story continues These were abandoned in favour of voluntary stay at home guidance until full, legally-enforced lockdown was introduced on March 23. The committee, however, said it did not accept the argument that the introduction of voluntary stay at home guidance for households with possible coronavirus infection on 13 March was enough reason to withdraw all guidance for returning travellers or visitors. Nor do we accept that falling numbers of arrivals justified the lifting of border measures in mid-March. The committee said it was "very critical" of the lack of transparency over Government border decisions. It raised concerns about the scientific advice being provided and said ministers appeared to make decisions without "critical information" being available. It was still not clear who was responsible for some decisions and on what basis they were being made, and no Cabinet minister or official has so far been able to provide an explanation, according to the report. The committee said it had been "unable to find any scientific basis or analysis behind the decision to lift border controls on March 13", which it branded "unacceptable" after making nine different formal requests for information and despite Government promises to make this available. While supportive of the introduction of travel corridors, the committee urged the Government to publish the information on which it bases its decisions. It welcomed the restrictions imposed on those travelling to Spain but added: "This has undoubtedly been extremely difficult for many travellers who paid for holidays in Spain following Government guidance in the expectation that they would be able to return to work, caring responsibilities, medical appointments or family events on their return. "There should be significant changes to the way such decisions are handled and communicated in future." The MPs also recommended the Government should investigate the viability of widespread or targeted testing at the border which is in place in countries like Iceland, Hong Kong and South Korea. They were unconvinced by Home Office estimates that the compliance rate for quarantine was 99.9 per cent. A Government spokesman said: The Home Affairs Select Committee are incorrect in their assertions. All of our decisions throughout the pandemic have been guided by the science, with appropriate measures introduced at the right time to keep us all safe. And with passengers numbers significantly reduced, the scientific advice was clear that quarantine measures for those entering the country from abroad would be most effective when the UK has a lower level of infection. Therefore, as the virus was brought under control here, border measures were introduced on June 8 to protect public health and help avoid a second peak that would overwhelm the NHS. Good morning. This year, as the University of California faces rising calls on a number of fronts to operate more equitably, it achieved a milestone: For the first time in the universitys history, Chicano or Latino students made up the greatest share of Californians admitted to the freshman class, 36 percent. Admission offers to transfer students from California Community Colleges also increased to the largest number ever. The incoming class will be one of our most talented and diverse yet, Janet Napolitano, who was president of the university, said in a statement. U.C. is proud to invite them to join us. At the start of this month, Ms. Napolitano officially stepped down and was replaced by Michael V. Drake, the first Black president in the systems history. Janmabhoomi Liberated Today: Ram Temple Construction Begins in Ayodhya With Silver Brick Laid by PM Modi Declaring August 5 as a golden day in Indias history, Prime Minister Narendra Modi broke ground and laid a silver brick, the first in the construction of a Ram Temple in Ayodhya at the site believed to be the Hindu gods birthplace and where the Babri Masjid once stood. Modi offered prayers to nine stone blocks with Lord Ram inscribed on it amid chanting of religious hymns to symbolise the start of construction, which is expected to take three and a half years. READ MORE Sushant Singh Rajput Case: Centre Gives Nod for CBI Probe, SC Says Truth Should Come Out The Supreme Court on Wednesday said the truth behind the death of actor Sushant Singh Rajput should come out, even as the Centre informed that it has accepted the recommendation of the Bihar government for a CBI probe in the matter. The court also directed Maharashtra and Bihar governments, and Rajput's father Krishna Kishore Singh to file their replies within three days on a plea by actress Rhea Chakraborty who is seeking transfer of an FIR, accusing her of abetting suicide of Rajput, from Patna to Mumbai. READ MORE After Massive Blast that Killed Over 100, Lebanon Has Less Than a Month's Reserves of Grain Left Lebanons main grain silo at Beirut port was destroyed in a blast, leaving the nation with less than a months reserves of the grain but still with enough flour to avoid a crisis, the economy minister said on Wednesday. Lebanese rescue workers have continued to dig through the mangled wreckage of buildings looking for survivors after the massive warehouse explosion sent a devastating blast wave across the city, killing at least 100 people and injuring nearly 4,000. READ MORE 'Superhero' 6-Year-Old Who Saved Sister From Lethal Dog Attack Celebrates Raksha Bandhan Bridger Walker and his bravery is already well-known to netizens. The six-year-old won hearts when he saved his younger sister from a brutal dog attack, sustaining grievous injury himself. Walker, who received 90 stitches and was made Honorary World Champ, celebrated Raksha Bandhan recently with his sister. His aunt shared a photo of the sweet moment on Twitter, inviting others also to celebrate with them. READ MORE Photo of Mask-less Students Crammed in US School That Reopened after Covid-19 Causes Outrage With some schools in the state of Georgia in United States opening for the first time since the coronavirus lockdown, parents are becoming increasingly worried about their children's safety. And images going viral from a school where maskless children can be seem crammed in a hallway without maintaining social distancing is only adding to the concerns. In a viral photo from Georgia's Paulding County, children can be seen crowding a packed hallway in North Paulding High School in Dallas which opened on Monday. In-person schools were also opened in two suburban Atlanta school districts. READ MORE Even a week after the mysterious death of a farmer at Pathanamthitta district in Kerala, his family is unwilling to conduct his funeral demanding the arrest of all the forest officials accused. P P Mathai of Kudappanna near Chittar, about 30 kilometres from Pathanamthitta town, was found dead in a well on July 28 night, hours after he was taken into custody by a team of forest officials on charges of damaging surveillance cameras in the forest. While the forest officials claimed that Mathai jumped into the well after escaping from custody, the family alleged that it was a murder. Mathai's wife Sheeba said that the funeral would not be performed until all the accused were arrested and brought before the law. Mathai, who was running a farm, was the sole breadwinner of the family comprising his wife, two daughters, aged mother and two sisters. Sheeba said that if the family did not receive justice, they would have no option other than ending their lives. The post-mortem report suggested that Mathai died due to drowning and there were no other unnatural injuries on the body. Two forest officials were placed under suspension. While the police are probing into the mystery behind the death, the forest department is also probing into the alleged procedural lapses in taking Mathai into custody and the subsequent manipulations made in forest records. Pathanamthitta district police chief K G Simon said that the investigating officers had informed the family that a proper investigation was progressing and all accused would be brought before the law. Now it is for the family to make a decision on conducting the funeral. The body is kept in the mortuary of a private hospital. AICC general secretary and former Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy called on Mathai's family the other day. He later sent a letter to Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan seeking urgent intervention into the matter. He alleged that the forest officials did not follow norms for taking a person into custody. No efforts were made by the government to console the family, Chandy said. Study suggests optimal social networks of no more than 150 people RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C. -- New rules of engagement on the battlefield will require a deep understanding of networks and how they operate according to new Army research. Researchers confirmed a theory that find that networks of no more than 150 are optimal for efficient information exchange. "This is the beginning of a new way to address competition and conflict in today's complex world," said Dr. Bruce West, senior scientist, Army Research Office, an element of the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command's Army Research Laboratory. "To increase the utility of the Army's evolving network structures in terms of robustness, resilience, adaptability and efficiency, requires a deeper understanding of how networks actually function, both ours and those of our adversary." Researchers at ARO and the University of North Texas tested a theory proposed by British anthropologist Robin Dunbar in the 1990s, which suggested that 150 was the largest group that humans can maintain stable social relations. In the vicinity of this size the social group becomes unstable and splinters into smaller groups. "It takes a network to defeat a network," wrote retired Army Gen. Stanley McChrystal, in his book Team of Teams. He discusses understanding the implications of the theory, abstracting from battlefield experiences in Iraq battling the loosely networked but effective terrorist organization Al Qaeda. Researchers published their findings in the peer-reviewed Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America. In their study, they prove Dunbar's conjecture, demonstrating that certain sized network has better information transport properties than others, and that networks of no more than 150 are optimal for internally sharing information. "A fundamental property of a network is the relation between its functionality and size, which is why understanding the source of the Dunbar Number is important," said West, a co-author of the paper. The researchers propose that the number 150 arises as a consequence of internal dynamics of a complex network self-organizing within a social system. Based on that theory, the researchers also indicated that a peaceful demonstration can be turned into a mob by just a few agitators, with the size of 150 being the most vulnerable to such disruption. "The 150 optimum has been observed by Dunbar and others, but Dr. West and colleagues are the first to computationally capture the theorized process of information dynamics, which are fundamental to problem-solving, development of group factions, and formation of cohesive groups," said Dr. Lisa Troyer, who manages ARO's social and behavioral sciences research program. "This is an important leap forward by for social science theory and will likely lead to further research and insights on collective action." Dunbar predicted that social groups have optimal sizes. He referred to these group sizes as nested layering and that they have a scaling ratio of approximately three. Consequently, he identified the sequence of sizes of cognitively efficient social groups 5, 15, 50, 150 and 500, explaining that these layers were not equal in terms of strength of relationships. "The layering sequence is interesting because each number in the sequence is within a factor of two of the empirical magnitudes of entity sizes in the U.S. Army, ranging from a squad of roughly 15 to a platoon of approximately three times the squad size, next to a company consisting of three platoons and followed by a brigade the size of roughly three companies and so on," West said. "This is the intuition on which armies have been hierarchically constructed by military leaders since the Roman Empire." According to West, understanding how information flows within, is analyzed by, and is accepted or rejected from groups of various sizes is crucial in the training of teams. He said that this is not only true in the development of a single team, but is just as important for the training of teams to work together, to form teams-of-teams. "The size of a team may be the determining factor in the potential success of a complex mission that depends on adaptability and collective problem solving," West said. "The same understanding can be applied to the reverse process, that of insinuating disinformation within an adversarial group. The size of the group may at times be more important than the form the lie takes for its acceptance and immediate transmission, witness the recent riots." ### CCDC Army Research Laboratory is an element of the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command. As the Army's corporate research laboratory, ARL discovers, innovates and transitions science and technology to ensure dominant strategic land power. Through collaboration across the command's core technical competencies, CCDC leads in the discovery, development and delivery of the technology-based capabilities required to make Soldiers more lethal to win the nation's wars and come home safely. CCDC is a major subordinate command of the U.S. Army Futures Command. This story has been published on: 2020-08-05. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. Lebanese rescue workers dug through rubble looking for survivors of a powerful warehouse explosion that shook the capital Beirut, killing 100 people and injuring nearly 4,000 in a toll that officials expected to rise. Tuesday`s blast at port warehouses storing highly explosive material was the most powerful in years in Beirut, already reeling from an economic crisis and a surge in coronavirus infections. President Michel Aoun said that 2,750 tonnes of ammonium nitrate, used in fertilisers and bombs, had been stored for six years at the port without safety measures, and he said that was "unacceptable". He called for an emergency cabinet meeting on Wednesday. Officials did not say what caused the blaze that set off the blast. A security source and media said it was started by welding work being carried out on a hole in the warehouse. "It`s like a war zone. I`m speechless," Beirut`s mayor, Jamal Itani, told Reuters while inspecting damage on Wednesday that he estimated would cost billions of dollars. "This is a catastrophe for Beirut and Lebanon." The head of Lebanon`s Red Cross, George Kettani, said at least 100 people had been killed. "We are still sweeping the area. There could still be victims. I hope not," he said. Kettani earlier told broadcaster LBCI that the Red Cross was coordinating with the health ministry to set up morgues because hospitals were overwhelmed. Hours after the blast, which went off shortly after 6 p.m. (1500 GMT), a fire blazed in the port district, casting an orange glow across the night sky as helicopters hovered and ambulance sirens sounded across the capital. The blast was heard throughout Cyprus, which is about 100 miles (160 km) away. It revived memories of a 1975-90 civil war and its aftermath, when Lebanese endured heavy shelling, car bombings and Israeli air raids. Some residents thought an earthquake had struck. Dazed, weeping and injured people walked through streets searching for relatives. "The blast blew me metres away. I was in a daze and was all covered in blood. It brought back the vision of another explosion I witnessed against the U.S. embassy in 1983," said Huda Baroudi, a Beirut designer. Prime Minister Hassan Diab promised there would be accountability for the blast at the "dangerous warehouse", adding "those responsible will pay the price". The U.S. embassy in Beirut warned residents about reports of toxic gases released by the blast, urging people to stay indoors and wear masks. MANY MISSING "There are many people missing. People are asking the emergency department about their loved ones and it is difficult to search at night because there is no electricity," Health Minister Hamad Hasan told Reuters late on Tuesday. Footage of the explosion posted on social media showed a column of smoke rising from the port, followed by an enormous blast, sending a white cloud and a fireball into the sky. Those filming the incident from high buildings 2 km (one mile) from the port were thrown backwards by the shock. Bleeding people were seen running and shouting for help in clouds of smoke and dust in streets littered with damaged buildings, flying debris, and wrecked cars and furniture. The explosion came three days before a U.N.-backed court is due to deliver a verdict in the trial of four suspects from the Shi`ite Muslim group Hezbollah over a 2005 bombing that killed former Prime Minister Rafik al-Hariri and 21 others. Hariri was killed by a huge truck bomb on the same waterfront, about 2 km (about one mile) from the port. Officials in Israel, which has fought several wars with Lebanon, said it had nothing to do with the blast and said their country was ready to give humanitarian and medical assistance. Shi`ite Iran, the main backer of Hezbollah, also offered support, as did Tehran`s regional rival Saudi Arabia, a leading Sunni power. Cyprus said it was ready to offer medical aid. At a White House briefing, U.S. President Donald Trump indicated that the blast was a possible attack, but two U.S. officials said initial information contradicted Trump`s view. Information minister says army will oversee house arrest of those responsible for storage and guarding at Beirut port. Lebanons cabinet declared a two-week state of emergency in the capital city and handed control of security in the capital to the military following a massive explosion in Beirut that killed at least 135 people and injured 5,000 others. The explosion on Tuesday sent shockwaves across the city, causing widespread damage as far as the outskirts of Beirut. Officials said they expect the death toll to rise further as emergency workers dig through the rubble to search for survivors. Beiruts city governor Marwan Abboud said up to 300,000 people have lost their homes and authorities are working on providing them with food, water and shelter. The cause of the explosion was not immediately clear. Officials linked the blast to some 2,750 tonnes of confiscated ammonium nitrate that were being stored in a warehouse at the port for six years. Here are the latest updates: For Thursday, August 6 updates, click here. Wednesday, August 5 23:11 GMT 10 of 11 missing Filipino seafarers near Beirut blast site found safe The Philippine embassy in Lebanon has reported that 10 of the 11 seafarers, who were intially reported missing following the massive blast in Beirut, have been found. According to a statement from the Philippine government, the seafarers suffered minor injuries and are now being looked after their shipping company. One seafarer remains missing. Earlier, the Philippine government reported at least two Filipino workers were killed and six others injured in the explosion. 20:50 GMT World Bank says ready to mobilise financing for Lebanon blast recovery The World Bank Group said it stands ready to assess Lebanons damage and needs after a devastating Beirut port explosion and work with the countrys partners to mobilise public and private financing for reconstruction and recovery. The World Bank said in a statement that it would be also willing to reprogram existing resources and explore additional financing to support rebuilding lives and livelihoods of people impacted by this disaster. 20:15 GMT Support for hospitals and trauma response is a top priority: UN The United Nations is working closely with the authorities in Lebanon to support ongoing response in the aftermath of the massive explosion, UN Deputy Spokesperson Farhan Haq told reporters. The World Health Organization is working closely with the Lebanese Ministry of Health to conduct an assessment of hospital facilities in Beirut, their functionality and needs for additional support, particularly amid the COVID-19 pandemic, he said. Specialists are being dispatched to Beirut at the moment to assist in the emergency response, both from the United Nations and multiple Member States. Experts are en route to support urban search and rescue operations. Teams are also equipped to conduct rapid assessments about the situation on the ground and help coordinate emergency response activities. Protective gloves are scattered on the ground at a damaged hospital following Tuesdays blast in Beirut, Lebanon [Mohamed Azakir/Reuters] 19:12 GMT Baghdad will provide fuel aid to Beirut An Iraqi delegation headed by the Iraqi oil minister met the Lebanese Prime Minister Hassan Diab, and informed him that Baghdad will provide fuel aid to Beirut, according to a statement by the Lebanese government. Lebanese local media also said that an amount of wheat will arrive on Friday from Iraq as an aid after the blast left the Lebanese capital short on wheat, according to the governor. 18:10 GMT Explosion must be independently investigated: Amnesty International Amnesty International called for an independent into Beiruts deadly blast and urged the international community to increase humanitarian aid at this time. Julie Verhaar, acting secretary-general of the UK-based rights group, said, Whatever may have caused the explosion, including the possibility of a large amount of ammonium nitrate stored unsafely, Amnesty International is calling for an international mechanism to be promptly set up to investigate how this happened. Amnesty International also calls on the international community to urgently increase humanitarian aid to Lebanon at a time when the country was already struggling with the severe economic crisis, as well as the COVID-19 pandemic. A general view shows the damage at the site of Tuesdays blast in Beiruts port area, Lebanon [Mohamed Azakir/Reuters] 18:01 GMT Beirut collective losses after blast may reach $15bn: governor Beiruts governor told Al Hadath TV that collective losses after Beiruts blast may reach $10bn to $15bn, with the governor explaining the number includes both direct and indirect losses related to business. The governor also said that amounts of available wheat are currently limited and he thinks a crisis might take place without international interference. 16:56 GMT Pompeo in call with Lebanese PM reaffirms US commitment to assist US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo in a call with Lebanese Prime Minister Hassan Diab reiterated steadfast commitment to assist the Lebanese people, the State Department said. He further stressed our solidarity with and support for the Lebanese people as they strive for the dignity, prosperity and security they deserve. 16:38 GMT UK to provide five million pounds of aid to Beirut: Raab Britain will provide a five million pound ($6.6m) aid package to Beirut, including search and rescue help and expert medical support, Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said. We are going to stand by the Lebanese people in their time of need; we are going to provide immediate response and an aid package an assistance package search and rescue, humanitarian assistance up to 5 million pounds, as well as expert medical support, he said. A man pushes his belongings along a street as he evacuates his damaged house, following Tuesdays blast in Beiruts port area, Lebanon [Aziz Taher/Reuters] 16:37 GMT Lebanon Tribunal postpones verdict in Hariri case to August 18 The Special Tribunal for Lebanon said it would postpone its verdict in the trial over the 2005 bombing that killed former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik al-Hariri to August 18, following the huge explosion in Beiruts port. The verdict in the trial of the four men who stand accused over the 2005 Beirut bombing was scheduled for this Friday, August 7. 16:07 GMT Beirut blast toll rises to 135 killed, 5,000 injured, health minister says The death toll from the massive explosion in Beirut has risen to 135, with some 5,000 wounded and tens still missing, Lebanons health minister told Al Manar television. People wearing face masks move a gurney at a damaged hospital following Tuesdays blast in Beirut, Lebanon [Mohamed Azakir/Reuters] 15:54 GMT Bolsonaro says Brazil will send help to Lebanon Brazil is going to do more than a gesture, something concrete, to assist, in part, those tens of thousands of people who are in a very tough situation, Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro said at the end of a ministerial ceremony. Bolsonaro said he had called the Lebanese ambassador to Brazil. On leaving the ceremony, he told reporters that his government is in contact with representatives of the Lebanese community in Sao Paulo to decide what kind of aid will be sent. Bolsonaro said a military aircraft is available for transport. 15:46 GMT Former parliamentarian calls for independent inquiry committee Marwan Hamadeh, a former Lebanese member of parliament who resigned on Tuesday, said the United Nations Security Council should consider creating an international inquiry committee to investigate the blast. His remarks come a day after the Lebanese government formed a special committee tasked with investigating the deadly blast. It is headed by the justice minister, the prime minister and the heads of major security agencies. Everybody has been appointed by the parties in power, and therefore, no judge is able to carry out an investigation on this really serious explosion, Hamadeh told Al Jazeera. Never have we witnessed such a catastrophe, he said. No body wants to hear anything. We have this dictatorship Hezbollah on one side, and the party of the president (Aoun) on the other. 15:30 GMT France opens probe into blast after 21 citizens wounded: prosecutors Prosecutors in France opened an investigation after 21 French citizens were wounded in the devastating blast in Beirut, the Paris prosecutor said. The prosecutors opened a probe into involuntary injury using their jurisdiction to investigate acts committed abroad, Paris prosecutor Remy Heintz said in a statement. Heitz said an initial count had shown that 21 French citizens were wounded in the blast, which killed at least 113 people and injured some 4,000 others. Dozens remain missing. People inspect their car that was damaged in Tuesdays enormous explosion in Beirut [Bilal Hussein/AP] 15:16 GMT #OurHomesAreOpen: Lebanese offer spare beds to Beirut blast victims Using social media, hundreds of Lebanese have offered shelter in a bid to assist the some 250,000 displaced strangers. Using the hashtag #OurHomesAreOpen in Arabic and English, social media users have freely offered up spare beds and empty properties to victims, providing their names, phone numbers and details on the size and location of the accommodation. I wanted to do something about it, I was going crazy, said the founder of the platform ThawraMap, originally used to identify protest locations, which is curating a list of available beds, including free accommodation from hotels. Today, a lot more people are going to be homeless. They go to their family or friends for a day or two and then what are they going to do? the anti-government activist told Reuters News Agency. A woman stands inside her damaged home following Tuesdays blast in Beiruts port area, Lebanon [Mohamed Azakir/Reuters] 15:03 GMT Turkeys parliament speakers offers condolences The head of the Turkish parliament offered his condolences to his Lebanese counterpart and expressed Turkeys willingness to send help. Turkey has always stood by Lebanon. In this difficult period, we are ready to offer support and aid for Lebanon with every means available, Mustafa Sentop told Nabih Berri in a phone talk, according to a statement. For his part, Berri thanked Sentop for his call and said, The friendship becomes evident in such hard times. 14:55 GMT Lebanon declares emergency in Beirut, approves urgent funding Lebanons cabinet declared a two-week state of emergency in Beirut and handed control of security in the capital to the military. The cabinet approved an exceptional allocation of 100 billion Lebanese pounds to deal with the crisis. The sum is notionally worth $66m based on the official exchange rate of 1,500 pounds to the dollar, but is effectively worth some $13m based on the latest rate on the parallel market, which stood at around 7,500 in the days before the explosion. 14:33 GMT Information minister says army to oversee house arrests of port offiicals Lebanons Information Minister Manal Abdelsamad said that the military would oversee the house arrest of those responsible for storage and guarding at the Beirut port since June 2014. Abdelsamad told reporters that these poeople would be put under house arrest as soon as possible after their identities were determined by an investigative committee that was formed followinf the blast. The committee is headed by the justice minister and includes the prime minister and the heads of major security agencies. The house arrests would be done within the next five days, which is when the committe is expected to reveal its findings and hand them over to the judiciary. 13:45 GMT Lebanons cabinet to place port officials under house arrest: government source The Lebanese cabinet has decided to place port officials under house arrest until investigations determine who is responsible for the blast, a governmental source told Al Jazeera following an emergency session. An official announcement is expected to be made shortly. It was not clear how many officials would be included or their seniority level. According to Reuters News Agency, the army will oversee the house arrest of the officials who have overseen storage and security since 2014. 13:07 GMT Frances president says he is traveling to Lebanon with rescue workers French President Emmanuel Macron announced he would fly to Beirut, and two planeloads of French rescue workers and aid were expected to touch down on Wednesday afternoon. Macrons office told The Associated Press that the French leader will meet with Lebanese political leaders but provided no further details. Lebanon is a former French protectorate and the countries retain close political and economic ties. Meanwhile, the EU commission said the plan is to urgently dispatch over 100 firefighters with vehicles, sniffer dogs and equipment designed to find people trapped in urban areas. The Czech Republic, France, Germany, Greece, Poland and the Netherlands are taking part in the effort and other countries are expected to join. Hello, this is Farah Najjar taking over from my colleague Linah Alsaafin. 12:30 GMT What we know about deadly Beirut explosion, in 500 words An initial large explosion in the port area of Beirut took place around 6:00pm local time (15:00 GMT) on Tuesday, resulting in a fire, several small blasts and then a colossal explosion that flattened the harbour front and surrounding buildings. Seismologists measured the event, which blew out windows at the citys international airport nine kilometres (more than five miles) away, as the equivalent of a magnitude-3.3 earthquake. Read more here. 12:15 GMT Stay strong, Lebanon: Global support over deadly Beirut blast Emergency medical aid and pop-up field hospitals have been dispatched to Lebanon as the world offers its support and pays tribute to the victims of the huge explosion that devastated Beirut. Lebanons Prime Minister Hassan Diab has called on friendly countries to support the nation already reeling from its worst economic crisis in decades as well as the coronavirus pandemic. Gulf states were among the first to respond, with Qatar announcing it would send field hospitals to ease pressure on Lebanons strained medical system. Read more here. 12:00 GMT Beirut port head said explosive material was warehoused based on court order Beirut ports general manager said the facility had warehoused highly explosive material, blamed for the powerful blast that rocked Beirut, six years ago based on a court order, local broadcaster OTV reported. The broadcaster quoted Hassan Koraytem as telling it that the customs department and state security had asked authorities for the material to be exported or removed, but that nothing happened. 11:45 GMT Australia to donate $1.4mn to Lebanon Australia says it will donate two million Australian dollars ($1.4m) in humanitarian support to Lebanon to help Beirut recover from Tuesdays massive explosion. Australian Foreign Minister Marise Payne says in a statement the money will go to the World Food Programme and the Red Cross to help ensure food, medical care and essential items are provided to those affected. She says Australia and Lebanon have a strong relationship built on extensive community ties, and more than 230,000 Australians have Lebanese heritage. An Australian was killed and the Australian Embassy in Lebanon was damaged in the explosion. 11:30 GMT After blast, Lebanon has less than a months grain reserves Lebanons main grain silo at Beirut port was destroyed in a blast, leaving the nation with less than a months reserves of the grain but still with enough flour to avoid a crisis, the economy minister said. Raoul Nehme told Reuters a day after Tuesdays devastating explosion that Lebanon needed reserves for at least three months to ensure food security and was looking at other storage areas. There is no bread or flour crisis, the minister said. We have enough inventory and boats on their way to cover the needs of Lebanon on the long term. He said grain reserves in Lebanons remaining silos stood at a bit less than a month but said the destroyed silos had only held 15,000 tonnes of the grain at the time, much less than capacity which one official put at 120,000 tonnes. 11:15 GMT Lebanese president promises transparent inquiry into Beirut blast Lebanons president said an investigation into a powerful blast that rocked Beirut would reveal the circumstances of what happened as soon as possible, and that the results would be revealed transparently. In a televised speech at the start of a cabinet meeting, Michel Aoun also appealed to other nations to speed up assistance to Lebanon, which was already grappling with an economic meltdown. We are determined to investigate and reveal what happened as soon as possible, to mete out punishment, Aoun said. 11:00 GMT Lebanon blast a real catastrophe, analyst says An analyst said Beiruts massive explosion is like nothing he has seen in his life. This is a real catastrophe. What weve seen is cataclysmic, Sami Nader, director of the Levant Institute for Strategic Affairs said. The magnitude, the impact of the explosion is beyond belief. I went through the civil war in Lebanon, I was witness to the [2005 former Prime Minister Rafik] Hariri bombing, to other bombings that targeted politicians, but nothing of this scale I have seen in my life. The port is the major route of trade for Lebanon, the point where we get our wheat, our gas oil, our medicine this infrastructure is totally destroyed. At the moment, we are in deep need of one single dollar to come into Lebanon. 10:40 GMT Pope Francis offers prayers for Beirut victims Pope Francis has offered prayers for the victims, their families, and for Lebanon. The pontiff appealed that through the dedication of all the social, political and religious elements, Lebanon might face this extremely tragic and painful moment and, with the help of the international community, overcome the grave crisis they are experiencing. 10:15 GMT In Pictures: Beirut like a war zone after deadly blast Tuesdays blast at port warehouses storing highly explosive material was the most powerful in years in Beirut, already reeling from an economic crisis and a surge in coronavirus infections. Its like a warzone. Im speechless, Beiruts mayor, Jamal Itani, told the Reuters News Agency while inspecting the damage on Wednesday that he estimated would cost billions of dollars. A man inspects the damage following Tuesdays blast in Beiruts port area [Mohamed Azakir/Reuters] See more here. 10:00 GMT France sends rescuers, equipment to Lebanon France will send two military planes to Lebanon with search and rescue experts, 15 tonnes of sanitary equipment and a mobile clinic equipped to treat 500 people injured in Tuesdays monster blast at Beirut port, the presidency said. The planes will leave from Charles de Gaulle airport outside Paris around midday (10:00 GMT) to arrive in Beirut late afternoon with 55 civil security personnel on board, it said. A dozen emergency personnel will also be sent to Beirut shortly to reinforce hospitals in the Lebanese capital, said the presidency. 09:45 GMT Beirut governor: more than 200,000 people lost their homes after blast Marwan Abboud , the governor of Beirut, said ore than 200,000 people have become homeless after a massive blast at Beirut port destroyed many buildings. Abboud told MTV news that between 200,000 and 250,000 people had lost their homes and authorities are working on providing them with food, water and shelter. We lost 10 members of the Beirut Fire Brigade and damages range between 3 [billion] and 5 billion dollars and maybe more, he said. The governor had revealed that a security report from 2014 warned of the possibility of an explosion in Lebanons capital as highly explosive materials had not been stored in a way to ensure public safety. 09:30 GMT Turkish aid group helps Beirut victims, Ankara offers field hospital Turkeys Humanitarian Relief Foundation (IHH) is among those searching for survivors in Beirut, and Ankara has offered to build a field hospital and help as needed. Weve relayed our offer to help [and] we are expecting a response from the Lebanese side, a senior Turkish official told Reuters. Members of the IHH group were digging through debris to look for people and recover bodies, and the group mobilised a kitchen at a Palestinian refugee camp to deliver food to those in need, said Mustafa Ozbek, an Istanbul-based official from the group. We are providing assistance with one ambulance to transfer patients. We may provide help according to the needs of the hospital, he said. 09:05 GMT Pakistan voices solidarity with Lebanon after explosion Pakistans prime minister on Wednesday expressed sorrow over loss of over 100 lives in a massive explosion that rocked Beirut. Deeply pained to hear of the massive explosions in Beirut with precious lives lost & thousand injured, Khan said in a tweet. We stand in solidarity with our Lebanese brethren in their difficult hour, sharing their sorrow & grief. Deeply pained to hear of the massive explosions in Beirut with precious lives lost & thousand injured.We stand in solidarity with our Lebanese brethren in their difficult hour, sharing their sorrow & grief. May Allah grant speedy recovery to the injured & strength to the bereaved Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) August 5, 2020 08:45 GMT Lebanese PM appeals for help after Beirut blast Prime Minister Hassan Diab, in a short televised speech, has appealed to all countries and friends of Lebanon to extend help to the small nation. We are witnessing a real catastrophe, he said, before reiterating his pledge that those responsible for the massive explosion at Beiruts port will pay the price. Diab also said it was unacceptable that a shipment of approximately 2,750 tonnes of ammonium nitrate believed by authorities to be the trigger of the explosion was stored in a warehouse in Beiruts port for six years without safety measures. 08:15 GMT What is ammonium nitrate? Bags containing ammonium nitrate fertilizer [File: Stephane Mahe/Reuters] Ammonium nitrate, which Lebanese authorities have said caused the devastating Beirut blast, is an odorless crystalline substance commonly used as a fertilizer that has been the cause of numerous industrial explosions over the decades. When combined with fuel oils, ammonium nitrate creates a potent explosive widely used in the construction industry, but also by armed groups such as the Taliban for improvised explosives. Under normal storage conditions and without very high heat, it is difficult to ignite ammonium nitrate. That is because it is an oxidizer it intensifies combustion and allows other substances to ignite more readily, but is not itself very combustible. Read more here. 07:45 GMT Beirut blast: Tracing the explosives that tore apart the capital It was only after a massive explosion ripped through Beirut that most people in Lebanon learned about the 2,750 tonnes of ammonium nitrate stored in a hangar at the citys port. However, analysis of public records and documents published online show senior Lebanese officials knew for more than six years that the ammonium nitrate was stored in Hangar 12 of Beiruts port. And they were well aware of the dangers it posed. Read more here. 07:05 GMT Iran offers to treat people injured in Beirut blast Irans president has offered to send medical aid to Lebanon and treat people injured in the massive blast that killed at least 100 people in Beirut. Iran announces its readiness to send medical aid to Lebanon and also offers treatment of the injured and other necessary medical assistance, Hassan Rouhani said, according to state TV. We hope that the circumstances of this incident will be determined as soon as possible and that peace will return to Beirut. 06:45 GMT UK says too early to speculate on cause of massive blast in Beirut The United Kingdom has said it was too early to speculate on the cause of a massive blast that ripped through Beirut. When asked about speculation about the causes of the blast, British junior education minister Nick Gibb said: The Lebanese authorities are of course investigating the cause of that tragedy and before we have the results of that inquiry it is premature to speculate. Gibb also told Sky that Britain was discussing what technical and financial assistance could be offered to Lebanon. 05:55 GMT Lebanese Red Cross death toll rises to more than 100 People run for cover following an explosion in Beiruts port area [Mohamed Azakir/Reuters] George Kettaneh, the head of the Lebanese Red Cross, has said at least 100 people were killed and more than 4,000 wounded in the massive explosion in Beirut on Tuesday. Kettaneh added the toll could rise further, and that the Red Cross was coordinating with the health ministry for morgues to take victims because hospitals were overwhelmed. Hello, this is Linah Alsaafin in Doha taking over from my colleague Ted Regencia. 05:40 GMT Australia mourns Lebanon disaster, one national killed Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison confirmed on Wednesday the death of one Australian after a massive blast ripped through the Lebanese capital, Beirut. Our hearts go out to all of those in Lebanon and in Beirut in particular at the moment, he said, adding that the Australian embassy had been significantly impacted. Officials said they expect the death toll to rise further as emergency workers dig through the rubble to search for survivors. 05:20 GMT Cyprus says ready to send medical teams to Lebanon Cyprus says it stands ready to offer medical aid to neighbouring Lebanon after a massive explosion ripped through Beirut port, killing at least 78 people and injuring thousands, Reuters news agency reported on Wednesday. Cypriot Foreign Minister Nikos Christodoulides told state broadcaster CyBCthe Cypriot embassy in Beirut, which was closed at the time of the blast, was badly damaged. Tuesdays explosion was heard throughout Cyprus, which lies more than 200km (124 miles) away. 04:50 GMT Indias Modi saddened by Beirut explosion Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi was shocked and saddened after learning of the large and deadly explosion that hit the Lebanese capital, Beirut, his office said on Wednesday. Our thoughts and prayers are with the bereaved families and the injured, the prime ministers office added. It was unclear if there were Indian nationals affected by the blast that killed at least 78 people and injured about 4,000 others. 04:12 GMT At least three Beirut hospitals destroyed, two damaged Dr Mirna Doumit, president of the Order of Nurses in Beirut, said three of the citys hospitals had been destroyed. So we had to evacuate patients who were in those hospitals to others. In addition, we have two other hospitals that were partially destroyed. So it was a catastrophe and a big hit to the healthcare system, which was already bleeding, she told Al Jazeera from the Lebanese capital. We lost three nurses working in the hospitals. I dont find words to describe what happened. Its like we are in a horror film. People gather outside American University of Beirut medical centre [Yara Abi Nader/ Reuters] Medics move an injured person from Najjar Hospital to another hospital in the Hamra area in Beirut [Nabil Mounzer/EPA] 04:01 GMT Analyst: Lebanon needs international help to deal with disaster Nasser Yassin, professor at the American University of Beirut, told Al Jazeera he doubts the Lebanese government will be able to deal with this disaster on its own and called on the international community to provide food support, noting major grain silos had been destroyed in the blast. Weve seen the Lebanese government not taking the right decisions when it comes to the economy, or finances or social issues. And I can imagine that this disaster, this catastrophe, will be dealt by the way Lebanese people do relying on themselves and the support of their communities, he said. For the coming days and months, we will be dealing with the immediate aftermath, and after that, we really need to look into new ways and new people to govern this country, he said, adding: We need more responsible leaders and we need the engagement of the international community to deal with this disaster. 03:00 GMT Malaysia offers to help in any way we can Malaysian Foreign Minister Hishammuddin Hussein expressed his countrys grief over the Beirut blast, and offered to help in any way we can. Malaysia stands together in grief as our thoughts and prayers accompany the strong people of Lebanon, he said in a Twitter post. We stand ready to support any way we can. Malaysia stands together in grief as our thoughts and prayers accompany the strong people of Lebanon. We stand ready to support any way we can. Initial reports from our @MYEmbBeirut show that all Malaysians there are safe and have been advised to stay at home #PrayForLebanon pic.twitter.com/tpJJ8HAo5x Hishammuddin Hussein (@HishammuddinH2O) August 5, 2020 02:25 GMT At least two Filipinos among the dead At least two Filipino nationals were among the dead in the massive explosion in Beirut, according to the Philippine Embassy in Lebanon. The embassy statement also said six other Filipinos were injured in the blast. More than 27,000 Filipinos are working in Lebanon, according to the latest figures of the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs. 02:12 GMT Customs office blames Beirut port chief for storage of explosives Badri Daher, the director of Lebanons customs office, said his agency was not responsible for the ammonium nitrate stores that triggered a massive explosion that left dozens dead. In an interview with Al Jazeera, Daher pointed the finger instead at Hassan Koraytem, head of the port. Koraytem could not be reached for comment. The Port Directorate is under the authority of the Public Works and Transport Ministry. 01:40 GMT Beirut explosion triggers 3.5 earthquake The massive explosion in Beirut triggered a 3.5 magnitude earthquake, according to Germanys geosciences centre GFZ. The explosion, which killed at least 78 people and injured about 4,000 others, was heard and felt as far away as Cyprus more than 200km (124 miles) away across the Mediterranean. 00:01 GMT Lebanon defence council recommends army oversee Beiruts security Lebanons Supreme Defence Council recommended declaring a two-week state of emergency in the capital and handing over security responsibility to military authorities. A council statement, read live on television, said President Michel Aoun has decided to release 100 billion Lebanese pounds ($66m) in emergency allocations from the 2020 budget. It also recommended, in advance of a Cabinet meeting on Wednesday, that a committee be tasked with investigating the explosion and present its findings within five days to mete out the maximum punishment to those responsible. ____________________________________________________________ Hello and welcome to Al Jazeeras continuing coverage of the massive explosion in Beirut, Lebanon. Im Ted Regencia in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. For other key developments related to the Beirut explosion from yesterday, August 4, click here. Representative image Former Reserve Bank of India (RBI) governor, Raghuram Rajan has not had any 'terrible experience' in any role in his career including the stint at the Indian central bank, the globally renowned economist said in an interview. I have been lucky to have not had any terrible experience in any role. I have enjoyed every role. At RBI, one of the most joyous things was that at the end of the day you felt you have moved the needle, Rajan said. Recalling his term at RBI, Rajan said: You were relatively autonomous to do things on your own. You don't have to depend on permissions from elsewhere. There were a number of days when you went back home and you felt you really did something today. It is hard to beat that, said Rajan. Rajan, a former chief economist with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), was RBI governor between 2013 September and 2016. Rajan embraced controversies during his tenure on account of his outspokenness on a range of issues. There was a campaign against Rajan by BJP leader Subramanian Swamy that involved personal attacks against Rajan. During his tenure at RBI and after, Rajan has always stressed the need for operational autonomy for the RBI. After Rajans exit, his successor Urjit Patel engaged in a major public spat with the government on a range of issues including the central bank autonomy, dual regulation of public sector banks and transfer of RBIs reserves to the government. The differences worsened when Viral Acharya, one of Patels deputy governors at that point, made a public speech criticizing the government on RBI autonomy. In his speech, Acharya had warned of the wrath of the markets if the autonomy of a central bank was compromised. Ultimately, Patel resigned ahead of his term citing personal reasons. Dont put all money in markets To a question, Rajan said retail investors need to be quite well diversified in markets as they are least informed. The best thing to do is to be reasonably well-diversified given that a lot of easy money has already been made in the market, Rajan said. So, just for the fear of missing out, do not enter a party when it is going to end, Rajan said. If you close to retirement, do not put all your money into the markets. There is some probability, it may not and things may be much worse, Rajan said. If I was relatively young, I could take some more risk, but I would not put everything in the market because I could be left empty handed if it collapses. So, diversification across sectors and instruments is important, Rajan said. One of Princess Dianas bridesmaids last night told of her very lucky escape after she was a guest on Jeffrey Epsteins island. Clemmie Hambro also took two flights on the paedophiles jet, part of a fleet he owned, including one dubbed the Lolita Express. On both occasions she had been at Epsteins luxury homes where he spent many years abusing young girls. One of them was on Little St James in the US Virgin Islands, known to locals as Paedo Island. Clemmie Hambro last night told of her very lucky escape after she was a guest on Jeffrey Epstein's 'Paedo island' Miss Hambro, a great-granddaughter of Sir Winston Churchill, said she has been completely horrified by the revelations about the financiers conduct and her heart breaks for all the survivors. The now married mother of four said she did not suffer or witness any abuse, but added that she hopes those who were raped and molested get the justice they so deserve. Miss Hambro, now 44, issued a statement after the logs, released as part of court proceedings, revealed she flew on Epsteins Gulfstream jet following visits to his ranch in New Mexico and Little St James. At the point she made the trips in 1999, Miss Hambro was a 23-year-old employee at Christies auction house in New York. The now married mother of four, who was one of Princess Diana s bridesmaids, said she did not suffer or witness any abuse, but added that she hopes those who were raped and molested get the justice they so deserve One was a work trip to help Epstein decide what art he wanted to buy for his ranch, while another was a personal invitation to Little St James. The island, bought by the former Wall Street financier for just under 5million, is at the centre of appalling allegations of abuse by Epstein, who killed himself in jail a year ago. Epstein would ferry his victims around the world on his jets. Records show Epstein, then eight years before his conviction, was with Miss Hambro on both flights, and that his alleged madam, British socialite Ghislaine Maxwell, 58, was also present for one trip. Writer Miss Hambros contact details were also listed in the disgraced tycoons infamous little black book. She was the youngest bridesmaid at the wedding of Lady Diana Spencer and Prince Charles in July 1981. The daughter of Richard Hambro from the banking family, she was just five at the time. She also took two flights on the paedophiles jet, part of a fleet he owned, including one dubbed the Lolita Express. One of the flight was from Little St James in the US Virgin Islands, known to locals as Paedo Island. The flight logs unearthed by the Mail reveal that on February 21, 1999, Miss Hambro flew with Epstein, Maxwell and two other women from Santa Fe, where Epstein had his Zorro Ranch, to New Yorks Teterboro airport. A month later, on March 21, she was on his jet from St Thomas, used by Epstein to access Little St James, to Teterboro. With her were Epstein and two women including a New York socialite. In a statement last night, Miss Hambro said: The first flight was a work trip with female colleagues to look at Epsteins new home in Santa Fe to discuss what art he was going to buy. 'The second trip, to Little St James, was a personal invitation, which I thought would be fun to accept, but I didnt know anyone there, didnt really enjoy myself, and never went back. My heart breaks for all the survivors, now I know what happened on that island. Miss Hambro, now 44, issued a statement after the logs, released as part of court proceedings ahead of Ghislaine Maxwell's trial, revealed she flew on Epsteins Gulfstream jet following visits to his ranch in New Mexico and Little St James In the course of those two trips, I was not abused, nor did I see anyone abused, or anything untoward happen, with minors or otherwise. I have been completely horrified about the revelations of his conduct since then. I was clearly very lucky, my heart goes out to those who were abused by him, and I trust they get the justice they so deserve. She added: I was young and naive, and could not conceive of what was to unfold. She only travelled on Epsteins jet, logs show, when leaving his homes. It is not known how she arrived. Details came days after it emerged another British woman, described as Epsteins former secret girlfriend, flew on his jets 35 times. Now 43, Shelley Anne Lewis is a spiritual entrepreneur. There is no suggestion she was involved in any wrongdoing. And the wife of an aristocrat whose family are worth 900 million also flew more than 30 times on Epsteins Lolita Express. Clare Hazell took 32 flights between 1998 and 2000, including trips to his luxury homes. She became Countess of Iveagh in 2001 when she married Edward Guinness, part of the famous brewing dynasty. While there is no suggestion she had any knowledge of any wrongdoing, Epsteins victims are understood to have approached her as a possible witness. In 2015, Miss Hambro, whose husband's stepfather was Harold Pinter, wrote movingly in the Mail of the day she was Dianas bridesmaid. She said: Like Charlie in his Chocolate Factory, Id won the golden ticket. Maxwell is awaiting trial for helping Epstein in his abuse. She denies all the allegations. Burma Chair of Myanmar Military Proxy Party Will Run for Parliament Union Solidarity and Development Party chair U Than Htay at a party conference. / Htet Naing Zaw / The Irrawaddy NAYPYITAWThe chairman of the opposition Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP), U Than Htay, will run for a seat in the Lower House of the Union Parliament in Naypyitaws Zayarthiri Township in Novembers election. U Than Htays representative submitted his candidacy application to the Naypyitaw election office on Wednesday. We have chosen a constituency for him where he will definitely win, a source from the USDP told The Irrawaddy on condition of anonymity. Zayarthiri Township is home to many military institutions including the Office of the Commander-in-Chief of Defense Services. The USDP, which is widely viewed as the proxy of the Myanmar military, won in Zayarthiri in both the 2010 and 2015 general elections. In each election, one of Myanmars top generals ran as a USDP candidate for the townships Lower House seat and won: former General U Shwe Mann won in 2010 and former General U Hla Htay Win won in 2015. Both were serving as the Chief of General Staff (Army, Navy and Air) before they retired from the military to join the USDP and run for office. U Hla Htay Win currently holds the Zayarthiri Lower House position. U Shwe Mann served as the Parliament speaker under the previous government but was ousted from the USDP chair position in a power struggle with former President U Thein Sein. He founded the Union Betterment Party last year and is planning to run in the election at the national level. U Than Htay ran in the 2015 general election in his native Myanaung Township in Ayeyarwady Region but lost to a National League for Democracy (NLD) candidate. He then became the USDP chairman when U Thein Sein retired. U Than Htay is also a former military officer, having graduated from Intake 18 of the Defense Services Academy. He served as commander of the 77th Light Infantry Division as a Brigadier General before being appointed deputy minister and then Minister of Energy as well as Minister for Rail Transport. The 66 year-old received a bachelors degree in art and a post-graduate degree in defense. He currently lives in Raja Thingaha Housing Estate in Naypyitaws Ottarathiri Township. The ruling NLD will also field a candidate in Zayarthiri Township. For Lower House seats representing Naypyitaws other townships, the USDP will field former Foreign Minister U Wunna Maung Lwin in Zabuthiri Township, former Finance Minister U Win Shein in Ottarathiri Township and former Agriculture and Livestock Minister U Myint Hlaing in Dekkhinathiri Township. Former Defense Minister and General Wai Lwin will run in Pobbathiri Township. The USDP candidates for Naypyitaws Pyinmana, Tatkon and Lewe townships are civilians. The USDP will also contest both Upper House seats for Naypyitaw. Besides the USDP and the NLD, the United Democratic Party, the National Unity Party, the National United Democratic Party, the Peoples Pioneer Party and independent candidates will run in elections in Naypyitaw. Translated from Burmese by Thet Ko Ko. You may also like these stories: Myanmars NLD Unveils Election Candidate Lineup With More Women, Muslims Karen Parties Coordinate Campaigns to Maximize Votes in Myanmar Election UPDATE: Hoadley wins with 52% of the vote; expert says Democrats will need blue wave to beat Upton in November KALAMAZOO, MI State Rep. Jon Hoadley has pulled back in front of Jen Richardson in the Democratic primary in Michigans 6th Congressional District, according to unofficial results reported by the Associated Press. The winner of the Democratic primary will face U.S. Rep. Fred Upton, who beat challenger Elena Oelke in the GOP primary Tuesday. With 97.6% of votes in and 283 of 290 precincts reporting as of 7:45 a.m. Wednesday, Hoadley has secured 52% of the vote to Richardsons 48%. Hoadley, at last tally, had collected 29,876 votes to Richardsons 27,576. In just Kalamazoo County, Hoadley secured 61% of the vote, picking up 20,843 votes to Richardsons 13,177 with all 107 of the countys precincts reporting as of 7:45 a.m. Michigans 6th Congressional District covers much of Southwest Michigan, including the counties of Kalamazoo, Van Buren, Cass, St. Joseph, Berrien and Allegan. The AP called Uptons race at 11:45 p.m. Tuesday night. As of 7:45 a.m. Aug. 5, the incumbent had secured 62% of the vote to Oelkes 38%. At last count, Upton has collected 49,711 votes to Oelkes 30,505. Hoadley is currently serving his final term in the state House representing District 60, which encompasses the entire city of Kalamazoo and the majority of Kalamazoo Township. He was first elected in 2014, and reelected in 2016 and 2018. Richardson is the research director and a science teacher at the Kalamazoo Area Math and Science Center. Click here for more of MLives Election Day coverage from across the state, or here for full coverage of Kalamazoo-area elections. Patanjali's Coronil kit demand at 10 lakh packs a day, says Yoga guru Baba Ramdev India oi-Madhuri Adnal New Delhi, Aug 05: Patanjali Ayurved is witnessing demand of around 10 lakh packs daily for its controversial COVID-19 immunity booster medicine Coronil, according to Yoga Guru Ramdev. The Haridwar-based company is struggling to meet the demand as it is able to supply only around one lakh packs, Ramdev said on Wednesday. Patanjali's Coronil kit available in stores across India from today: Baba Ramdev "Today we have a demand of 10 lakh packs of Coronil daily and we are able to supply only one lakh," he claimed. Stressing that Patanjali Ayurved had priced it only at Rs 500, Ramdev said, "Had we put a higher price of even Rs 5,000, in this COVID-19 times, we could have easily earned up to Rs 5,000 crore from this. But we have not done so." The yoga guru behind the ayurved enterprise was speaking at a virtual series organised by industry body ASSOCHAM on Aatmanirbhar Bharat - 'Vocal for Local'. Earlier in June, Ramdev had claimed that Coronil can cure Covid-19 patients. However, the AYUSH Ministry immediately put restrictions on Patanjali overselling it. Later, the Union ministry confirmed that Patanjali can sell the product only as immunity booster but not as a cure for COVID-19. India bans more Chinese apps | Ram mandir foundation laid & more news | Oneindia News The Madras High Court had restrained Patanjali from using Coronil trademark till July 30, over a petition filed a Chennai-based company. Ramdev suggested industry leaders to work with honesty to build a brand on which the people have trust and it needs a long term approach. "To maintain that trust, you have to work honestly with dedication," he said. He also asked people to have patience during the pandemic in order to come out of the health crisis. According to him, Patanjali has become a brand, which is a combined result of efforts, respect for traditional knowledge and hard work. "Now Patanjali has become a big brand.... the success mantra of Patanjali is - knowledge, faith, respect and efforts only," he said. Several companies mocked on us with derision saying that Patanjali has faith but not science, he added. "Today we have over 500 scientists working for us. We could not have done this, if we had no knowledge about it," he said. According to him though he believes in guru-shishya tradition, religion and culture but also believe in scientific temperament. Don't mislead people on Coronil: Minister warns Patanjali "We have made our cow ghee a Rs 1,300-1,400 crore annual brand," he said adding that several companies, operating in the segment, failed to create such a big brand in the segment. Patanjali group has an estimated turnover of around 10,500 crore. It had acquired debt-ridden Ruchi Soya in a corporate insolvency resolution process for around Rs 4,350 crore after competing with Adani Group. Ayurved had reported a turnover of Rs 8,329 crore in FY2018-19. However, total turnover of the group was higher as Patanjali Ayurved consists of its FMCG business and Ayurvedic medicines. Businesses like biscuits, noodles, dairy business, solar panels and apparels are not part of Patanjali Ayurved Ltd. Do vaginal infections stem from penile bacteria transmitted during sex? A new study out of the United States has examined this question. Bacterial vaginosis is an infection which affects more than 20% of women worldwide. Caused by an imbalance in the normal vaginal microbiome, this infection can increase the risk of premature birth when it occurs during pregnancy. Although previous studies have provided strong evidence that the genital bacteria of sex partners can be exchanged in the event of bacterial vaginosis, the question of whether bacteria present on the penis is a cause of this infection has not, until now, been examined in depth. Scientists at the University of Illinois at Chicago compared the microbiota of 168 heterosexual couples in Kenya. At the beginning of the study, none of the participants had bacterial vaginosis, but a year later, more than 31% of the women had developed it. Published in the journal Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology, the study's results suggest a link between the overall makeup of a man's microbiome and the appearance of bacterial vaginosis in his female partner in the following year. For the authors of the study, there are two possible scenarios: either certain of the bacteria found in the microbiome of some men are transmitted to the vagina during intercourse, or the penile bacteria can contribute to a more general disruption in the natural balance of the vaginal microbiome and lead to bacterial vaginosis in the long term. They stated that further study is required to clarify this process. "I would like for clinicians, researchers, and the public to be inclusive of male sex partners in their efforts to improve women's reproductive health. Not to place directionality or blame on one partner or another, but to increase the options and opportunity for improved reproductive health, and hopefully reduce stigma from BV," said Dr. Supriya D. Mehta, an epidemiologist at the University of Illinois at Chicago and first author of the study. For many women, the experience of childbirth leaves a scar deep in their minds. Tales of 32 hours in screaming agony and desperate pleas for an epidural, with all thoughts of a natural birth abandoned, are all too common. So when Jo Cameron was first pregnant aged 30, she fully intended to take any pain relief on offer. Except that this labour, and her second one years later, passed without her needing so much as a sniff of gas and air, never mind any stronger form of pain relief. I had sensations, says Jo. I could feel my body stretching. I can only describe it as the feeling you get when you put your fingers in your mouth to stretch it into a funny face as a child. But there was no pain. I thought it was completely normal. I just thought this was me and that other women simply had worse symptoms. Many mother will tell you childbirth without pain isnt normal. Yet, miraculously, for Jo it was. Pain is not part of her world. The mother of two, now 72, has never had a headache. She didnt realise she had broken her arm for three days, only discovered shed suffered an enormous flesh-tearing burn hours after spilling boiling coffee on herself and happily continued her walks in the Scottish mountains on an arthritic hip bone that had all but disintegrated. I regularly burn and cut myself badly and I dont know Im doing it, she says. British women who didn't experience pain during child birth shared their experiences, including mother-of-two Jo Cameron (pictured) Her seemingly superhuman ability is down to a complex genetic condition of which Jo, it was revealed in the British Journal of Anaesthesia, is the first known carrier. She has a mutation in the FAAH gene, which picks up pain signals from injury, and a partial deletion of a previously unidentified sister gene called FAAH-OUT, which is believed to help switch on the FAAH gene. As such, she is a medical phenomenon, uniquely protected from pain. But it appears Jo is not entirely alone. Researchers at Cambridge University have found that roughly one in 100 women have another genetic quirk that means they have no pain during childbirth. Described as a natural epidural, this variation in a gene called KCNG4 seems to make it more difficult for pain signals to pass to the brain, meaning the bearers have a higher pain threshold. However, though they could bear more pain than you or I being able to withstand tests such as touching a hot metal block or plunging their hands into ice cold water these women did still experience it. Jo can only imagine what these sensations might be like. Astonishingly, until six years ago, Jo a retired teacher who is married to Jim, 73, a retired headmaster had no idea her impermeable pain threshold was a medical condition, assuming she was accident-prone and lucky. It was only after an anaesthetist at her local hospital became bewildered that she could cope with an agonising operation to fix an arthritic thumb without so much as a paracetamol, that she was referred for tests. When doctors at The Molecular Nociception Group at University College London, which focuses on genetic approaches to understanding the biology of pain and touch, told her she had a never-seen-before gene deletion, everything slotted into place. My first reaction was that I wasnt stupid or clumsy, she says. There was a reason for it. Jo who lives in the village of Whitebridge, Scotland, said no one asked why she didn't complain about pain while in labour (file image) Twenty people have since come forward to report similar conditions, and Jo hopes her case will help doctors develop new treatments for people suffering from chronic pain. Jo, who lives in the village of Whitebridge, Scotland, with Jim, has two children from her first marriage Jeremy, 43, and Amy, 30. Throughout her childhood, Jo was covered in cuts and bruises from accidents her brain never registered, so she couldnt learn not to repeat them. I assumed I was clumsy but very fit, which was why I didnt get aches and pains, she says. She was eight when she broke her arm roller-skating. I carried on and didnt say anything, recalls Jo. Three days later, Mum said my arm was a funny shape. My GP said Id broken it. I had no pain but thought it was completely normal... It sounds incredible that no one thought to question Jos extreme resilience. Mum accepted it she was quite pragmatic, she says. Shed ask if I wanted medicine; Id say no and shed leave it. Surely her midwife at least was surprised that her patient appeared so unflummoxed by labour? When you dont complain, no one is going to ask you why, are they? says Jo. Neither was sleep deprivation in early motherhood an issue Jos condition means she never gets tired or sleeps for longer than six hours. The biggest test to her unassailable optimism came when her first husband died when their daughter was only one. The tragedy would have destroyed many women, but Jos emotional resilience gave her the strength to carry on. Jo recalls being unaware that she needed a hip replacement until her daughter noticed that she was walking funny and her left hip would click (file image) I was very sad, but practical, she recalls. I dont suddenly go hysterical. Im very even. Jim, whom she married in 1994, has a normal pain threshold. He gets man flu, she says. Hell stub his toe and say Ow! Three years ago, after Jos car overturned twice and plunged into a ditch, it was a badly bruised Jo who comforted the man whose vehicle had crashed into hers. I was so calm. People couldnt understand why I wasnt angry. Of course, without pain to act as a precursor, more serious illness can remain undetected, as Jo discovered at the age of 65, when an arthritic hip disintegrated without her realising anything was wrong. My daughter said I was walking in a funny way and my left hip would click, but I ignored it, says Jo, who went to her GP three times to report her condition, and was told each time to come back when it was painful which, of course, it never was. It was only on her fourth visit in 2013 that she was referred to hospital, where an X-ray found her hip bone was as bad as it gets and she was given a hip replacement. Id begun to think there was something seriously wrong with me, she says. But when they said theyd found this deletion that had never been found before, my husband said straight away that it explains everything. Jos family were then all tested for the gene mutation. Her mother, who died two years ago aged 100, tested negative, as did her daughter, but her son has the deletion in the FAAH-OUT gene, but not the mutation in the FAAH. He feels less pain, says Jo. Although the increased risk of injury and undetected illness doesnt concern her, she admits that her worried family now watch her like a hawk. Although she may get no warning when her time is up, she doesnt fear death. Everyone has to go at some stage, she says, adding: My philosophy is to be happy until something bad happens and dont worry about anything. Here, two other women tell their stories. Three babies with only a twinge Candice Sher, 48, is a teaching assistant. She is divorced and lives in Northamptonshire with her children Hugo, eight, Cooper, seven, and Isla, five. She says: Candice Sher, 48, from Northamptonshire, who is mother to Hugo, eight, Cooper, seven, and Isla, five, revealed she didn't feel a thing when she gave birth to Cooper (pictured) None of the doctors and nurses could believe how painlessly and quickly I had each baby. One of the more experienced midwives said shed never seen anything like it in her long career. I barely felt a thing and gave birth to each in minutes. I always knew I had a high pain threshold because Ive broken bones in the past and had never been in agony with those, but when I first got pregnant with Hugo I was nervous about the birth. I went into labour while shopping and felt a sharp twinge across my stomach, but I wouldnt say it was painful. I carried on shopping then went home where Id invited a friend around to tea. I said to her: I think I might be in labour, but its fine, Im ok. It wasnt until I noticed the twinges getting more regular that I thought I should phone my husband at work and tell him to come home. But when we phoned the hospital the midwives said I didnt need to come in because I clearly wasnt in that much pain because I could speak so well. When we finally went to the hospital I was 3cm dilated so I went for a 10-minute walk and by the time I came back, I was 10cm. The midwives were shocked. I got into the birthing pool and within three to four pushes, Hugo popped out like a rugby ball, still in the sac. With Cooper, it was similarly fast. I didnt feel a thing, even when he crowned. Islas birth was a little different. I was having a stressful time in my life and so my labour kept stopping and starting. But the actual birth only took ten or 15 minutes and I barely felt a thing. Horrific labour? I just lay back eating Pringles Emily Madely, 24, is about to start a teaching degree. She is single and lives in Oldham, Greater Manchester, with her son Alfie, four, right. She says: Emily Madely, 24, (pictured) who lives in Oldham, Greater Manchester, said the doctors couldn't explain her lack of pain when she gave birth to Alfie People tell you horror stories of how painful birth can be so when I discovered I was pregnant, I was scared. I went two weeks overdue and the night before I was due to be induced I got pins and needles in my stomach. My dad was with me and when I kept talking about pins and needles he started timing them. We realised they were regular and probably contractions so I rang the hospital. The midwife said I clearly wasnt in pain so I should stay at home and come in the next morning for my induction. Next day I went to the maternity ward, still in no pain. They hooked me up to monitors and examined me and I was 8cm dilated. The midwife said: Cant you feel that? The machine was going crazy, indicating that I was having lots of contractions but I couldnt feel a thing. I sat there eating Pringles watching Coronation Street. The word was getting around the nurses that there was a woman in labour in no pain because they kept coming into my room to see what was going on. At one point I became scared. Clearly I was supposed to be feeling some kind of discomfort and pain, but there was nothing so was something wrong with the baby? Id been told that the baby was back-to-back so the birth might not be easy. At one point the midwife left and Alfies father was with me. I felt as if something was falling out of me and said to him: I need to push. The midwife came back in and said: We can see the head! With one more push, Alfie was out. I felt no pain and Alfie, a healthy 7lb 12oz, was born. Hed come out with his elbows out but when I was examined, I had no tears or rips. Within three hours I was on my way home with my baby. The doctors couldnt explain my lack of pain but my whole family have noticed that since having Alfie, my pain threshold is worryingly high. Not long ago I got third degree burns from a hot metal container and didnt feel a thing. Ive no idea if Ive got this gene that means I dont feel pain because when I was younger I certainly felt it. Im actually scared to have another child in case I was just lucky this time and next time it will really hurt! Mental state can ease the fear Shazia Malik is a consultant gynaecologist and obstetrician at the Portland Hospital in London. She says: Shazia Malik (pictured) who is a consultant gynaecologist and obstetrician at the Portland Hospital in London, said in the 25 years of doing her job it has been very rare for a woman to say she's had no pain whatsoever I think its common knowledge that different people have different pain thresholds. We know that some people are utterly debilitated by small injuries, while others have crippling arthritis but dont complain of any pain. We all react differently. Now researchers at Cambridge University have discovered that around one in 100 women carry a variation of a gene called KCNG4 that is thought to raise their pain threshold, and act like a natural epidural. As for the idea that you can be genetically predisposed not to find childbirth painful, I think the estimation that one per cent of women carry this gene variation seems . . . generous. Ive been doing this job for 25 years and have been at thousands of births and it is very rare for a woman to say shes had no pain whatsoever. Ive seen a lot of women who can breathe through it, or manage the pain better than others, but its very rare for a woman to say shes had an entirely pain-free experience. I think a lot of the way women react is not dictated by their own pain threshold, but is about how they have prepared for the birth and their emotional and mental state. A lot of women may have been frightened by horror stories from friends and relatives or read online, and that can mean theyre more primed to feel pain. So I think its about managing expectations. I suppose what it comes down to is that its not only different from woman to woman, but also from birth to birth. Interviews: Jill Foster and Claire Coleman The Orange County Jail. (Stuart Palley / For The Times) The U.S. Supreme Court on Wednesday freed Orange County jails from a federal judge's order that required social distancing among inmates, regular testing and distribution of cleaning supplies and hand sanitizers. Acting by a 5-4 vote, the justices granted an emergency appeal from the county's lawyers and put on hold an order issued in late May by U.S. District Judge Jesus G. Bernal. As usual, the justices in the majority did not explain their decision. The four liberal justices dissented. Justice Sonia Sotomayor said inmates had filed statements with the judge contradicting the claims of county jailers that CDC guidelines were being closely followed. "This court normally does not reward bad behavior, and certainly not with extraordinary equitable relief," she wrote in a dissent joined by Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. "Despite knowing the severe threat posed by COVID19 and contrary to its own apparent policies, the jail exposed its inmates to significant risks from a highly contagious and potentially deadly disease." In its appeal two weeks ago, the county said it had released 2,300 inmates, or 53% of the total, in response to the pandemic, and asserted there is "currently zero transmission" of the virus inside the jails. "There is no doubt that there are significant and dangerous outbreaks in some custodial institutions in this country. The Orange County Jails are not one of them, and the use of a federal injunction to micromanage their daily operations is unsupported in fact or law," the county said in the case of Ahlman vs. Barnes. Lawyers representing the inmates said Bernal's intervention was crucial. They said inmates had been crowded together during the day, resulting in more than 300 inmates testing positive for the virus in late May. They said inmates had been "provided watered-down disinfectant and make-shift masks made from blood-stained sheets; and symptomatic detainees were being denied tests." Story continues Wednesday's order is consistent with the court's hands-off approach to disputes arising from the coronavirus. Led by Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr., the high court has issued a series of recent rulings that have told federal judges to defer to state and local officials involving elections, church gatherings and prisons. Roberts was sharply criticized by his conservative colleagues and by religious rights advocates for decisions that left in place rules set by Democratic governors in Nevada, California and Illinois that limited the number of people at indoor church services. He was also criticized by the liberal justices and progressives for decisions that blocked judges in Wisconsin, Texas and Alabama from relaxing Republican-led state election rules to make it easier for voters to cast ballots. In all those cases, including three involving prisons, the chief justice voted for allowing state or local officials, not federal judges, to decide on how to handle the pandemic. He explained his view in late May when the court, by a 5-4 vote, rejected a San Diego church's challenge to an order by California Gov. Gavin Newsom that temporarily restricted church worship services to a maximum of 100 people. This rule did not discriminate based on religion, Roberts wrote, because "similar or more severe restrictions apply to comparable secular gatherings, including lectures, concerts, movie showings, spectator sports, and theatrical performances, where large groups of people gather in close proximity for extended periods of time." "The precise question of when restrictions on particular social activities should be lifted during the pandemic is a dynamic and fact-intensive matter subject to reasonable disagreement. Our Constitution principally entrusts the safety and the health of the people to the politically accountable officials of the states to guard and protect," he wrote in South Bay United Pentecostal Church vs. Newsom. In general, their rules "should not be subject to second-guessing by an unelected federal judiciary, which lacks the background, competence, and expertise to assess public health and is not accountable to the people." In the case of the Orange County jails, Roberts joined Justices Clarence Thomas, Samuel A. Alito Jr., Neil M. Gorsuch and Brett M. Kavanaugh to grant the appeal. Germany has long had a complicated relationship with private equity. Sometimes politicians have vilified buyout firms as locusts stripping the German economy; other times, private equity money has been a welcome lifeline for troubled companies. That was the case in July when private equity firms Advent International and Cinven bought Thyssenkrupps elevator business for 17.2 billion euros, or $20.2 billion. Cerberus bought 5 percent of Commerzbank and 3 percent of Deutsche Bank in 2017, wagering that the worst of their problems were over and they were ripe for turnaround. Commerzbank was crawling out from under a pile of bad loans to the shipping industry, and digesting an ill-advised merger with rival Dresdner Bank. Deutsche Bank was whittling down its holdings of high-risk derivatives. The optimism was premature. The banks shares have since lost half their value, wiping out hundreds of millions of euros of Cerberuss investment. An attempt to merge the two banks failed last year. Cerberuss attempt to wring some profit out of the two banks pits it against a German banking system structured to provide cheap credit to industry, not returns for investors. Germany has more banks than it needs, and lending is dominated by quasi-public savings institutions and cooperative banks driven as much by political imperatives as commercial interests. Strict labor laws and powerful unions make it difficult to lay off workers and cut costs. Change does not happen quickly. This year, Commerzbank and Deutsche Bank, like most European and American banks, have had to set aside hundreds of millions of euros to cover losses from problem loans. Low interest rates have made it difficult for them to make money issuing loans. On top of that, Deutsche Bank is still recovering from past wrongdoing, including rigging interest rates, laundering money and violating United States sanctions against countries like Iran. On Wednesday Commerzbank reported a net profit of 220 million euros ($260 million) for the second quarter, down 20 percent from a year earlier. The bank said it would end the year in the red because of restructuring measures that it did not specify, but are likely to include job cuts and closing of branch offices. One day after Tropical Storm Isaias swept through the New York region, snapping trees and branches, utility crews were struggling to restore power to nearly 2.5 million customers as officials acknowledged that some outages could linger for days. As of 8 a.m. Wednesday, the most widespread outages were reported in northern New Jersey, suburbs just north of New York City and much of the entire state of Connecticut. The scale of the damage was extensive: Con Edison reported that the outage in its service area in New York City and Westchester County was second only to Hurricane Sandy in 2012. Weve had over 16,000 service requests for downed trees, which I think is the most weve ever had in the city, Deanne Criswell, the citys emergency management commissioner, said in an interview on Wednesday morning with the television station WPIX. Gov. Philip Murphy of New Jersey said Tuesday night that some of the outages may last for a few days due to the severity of the storm. But the governor said Wednesday morning that the damage could have been worse if the storm had not moved so quickly through the area. Like a knife through hot butter, he told a local radio station. By Wednesday morning, the immediate threat of strong winds and heavy rains had passed, as the storm had crossed into Canada and was expected to dissipate on Thursday. But reports of damage could be found all along the path that Isaias took up the East Coast on Tuesday after making landfall in North Carolina. The storm left a trail of flood and fires, with some of its most devastating effects caused by a series of tornadoes that it spawned in several states. Two people who were killed when a tornado struck a neighborhood in northeast North Carolina. A woman died in St. Marys County, Maryland, when a tree toppled by the winds landed on her vehicle. In New York City, a 60-year-old man who was sitting on the passenger side of a car in Briarwood, Queens, was killed on Tuesday when a tree fell on the vehicle and a 49-year-old woman was critically injured when she was struck by a falling tree branch in Brooklyn, police said. On Wednesday morning, residents emerged from their homes to find toppled trees, downed power lines and broken branches littering the streets. Many streets were still blocked off to vehicles by trees. Some rail service was still suspended as workers cleared tracks of trees and other debris and repair signals, according to the Long Island Rail Road. Chief Paul J. Rickard of the Mount Hope Police Department in Orange County, New York, said in a video on Wednesday morning that the countys 9-1-1 emergency line had still not been restored after being knocked out by the storm. We still have a great number of people in town without phone and electrical service, Rickard said. This article originally appeared in The New York Times. Germany is already contending with a second wave of the coronavirus and risks squandering its early success by flouting social distancing rules, the head of the German doctors' union has said. The number of daily confirmed coronavirus cases has ticked up steadily in recent weeks, with health experts warning lax adherence to hygiene and distancing rules among some of the public is spreading the virus across communities. 'We are already in a second, shallow upswing,' Susanne Johna, president of Marburger Bund, which represents doctors in Germany, told the Augsburger Allgemeine newspaper in an interview published on Tuesday. The number of daily confirmed coronavirus cases has ticked up steadily in recent weeks Germany is already contending with a second wave of the coronavirus and risks squandering its early success by flouting social distancing rules, the head of the German doctors' union has said. Above, demonstrators stand in front of a display reading 'corona' during a protest against coronavirus pandemic regulations in Berlin She said there was a danger that a longing to return to normality and a suppression of containment measures would fritter away the success Germany had achieved so far, urging people to stick to social distancing and hygiene rules and wear masks. Europe's biggest economy has so far withstood the pandemic with far fewer deaths than some large neighbours like France and Italy, owing to widespread testing, a well-equipped healthcare system and good adherence to social distancing. The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Germany increased by 879 to 211,281, data from the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) for infectious diseases showed on Tuesday. The reported death toll rose by eight to 9,156, the tally showed. Johna said hospitals were prepared and would make intensive care beds available to COVID-19 patients on a staggered basis, while at the same time gradually reducing the number of planned admissions to normal wards. According to the DIVI intensive care register there are almost 21,000 intensive care beds in Germany, of which some 12,200 are currently free. As of Monday, there were 270 COVID-19 patients in intensive care, of whom 130 were being ventilated. On Saturday, just under 20,000 people gathered in Berlin to protest against Germany's coronavirus regulations A survey of 3,600 people carried out by Mannheim University found that pandemic fatigue was beginning to take hold, and roughly 50 per cent of those involved now socialise several times a week, in comparison with 30 per cent in May and just 10 per cent in late March. On Saturday, just under 20,000 people gathered in Berlin to protest against Germany's coronavirus regulations. Many flouted guidance on wearing masks and physical distancing during the demonstration dubbed 'Day of Freedom'. After hearing arguments for three hours on Wednesday, a single bench of Rajasthan High Court reserved its order on the petition filed on July 28 seeking quashing of a lower court order that directed investigation against Union minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat and others in a cooperative society scam case. Jaipur additional district judge no. 8 Pawan Kumar, on July 21, directed the Special Operations Group (SOG) of Rajasthan Police to probe the alleged role of the Union minister, his wife Naunad Kanwar and their alleged friends Rajendra Baheti and Kevalchand Dakliya in the Rs 884-crore Sanjivani Credit Cooperative Society fraud case. The fraud case was registered by the SOG in August 2019. Also read: Rajasthan HC issues notice to Speaker on appeal seeking stay on merger of six BSP MLAs The lower court issued the order on the basis of a revision petition filed by two complainants, Ladu Singh and Guman Singh from Barmer, who had invested Rs 68 lakh in the co-operative society and were denied their dues upon maturity of the sum. The petition to quash the lower courts order was filed in the HC by Kevalchand Dakliya who is allegedly Shekhawats friend and a shareholder in Sanjivani Credit Cooperative Society After arguments, the court has reserved its orders, said Vivek Bajwa, counsel for Dakliya. Also read: MP CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan discharged from hospital after recovering from Covid-19 Ladu Singhs counsel, AK Jain, said that the argument started at around 12.30 pm and ended around 3.30 pm after which the single bench of justice Satish Kumar Sharma reserved its orders. My arguments were that the HC should not intervene in the case as its not a matter of injustice. The lower court has not taken any cognizance in the case but only issued directions, Jain said. The SOG had registered the case against the co-operative society on August 23, 2019, after a preliminary inquiry on the basis of the complaints by investors. The SOG had found that 50,000 investors were defrauded of Rs 884 crore. Meanwhile, the hearing on the bail application of Sanjay Jain, a power broker arrested on charges of toppling the government, will take place in the lower court on Thursday. Jain was arrested on the night of July 17 by the SOG. 30 injured in attack in Pakistan at Kashmir rally: At least 30 people were injured in a grenade attack on a protest in Pakistan's port city of Karachi marking the first anniversary of India's revocation of semiautonomy in Kashmir, a Himalayan region split between India and Pakistan but claimed in its entirety by both. The Sindhudesh Revolutionary Army, a separatist outfit that has become active in the past months, asserted responsibility for the attack. In June, four people were killed in three explosions claimed by the SRA. The group wants Sindh province, of which Karachi is the capital, to break from the Pakistani federation. Family members of a patient who died from coronavirus (Covid-19) on Friday in Likoma on Monday assaulted health workers who went to collect blood samples from them. The 60-year-old woman died at St Peters Anglican Hospital hours after she tested positive fro the virus. However, when health workers requested family members for blood samples, they refused, accusing them of spreading lies that their relation had succumbed to Covid-19. Likoma District Medical Officer (DMO), Matthias Londo confirmed the incident. "It is true one of our health workers was assaulted in presence of the man who invited us to go and get the samples. "We faced a lot of resistance from the deceased family members. We tried to engage the village head but we were not successful. On Sunday, our team went for sample collection but they were sent back," Londo said Londo said they also involved Member of Parliament (MP) for Likoma and one of the Ward Councillors to persuade the family to accept giving blood samples for the test. He said the family members gave in and allowed the health authorities to collect the specimen but the situation turned violent as the health workers were stoned upon arrival in the village regardless getting consent from the family through the MP. "We have since reported the matter to police for assistance," Londo added. Likoma Police Publicist, Mcliff Ngulube said they received a report from hospital officials and are yet to investigate and arrest the suspects. Uma Bharti to stay away from Ayodhya event as COVID-19 precaution Covid positive Uma Bharti hospitalised, says wants to appear for Babri case verdict BJP became elder brother by climbing up Nitish's ladder: Uma Bharti on Bihar results Uma Bharati's Bureaucracy is there to pick up our chappals remarks sparks controversy Uma Bharti in Ayodhya for Ram temple's bhumi pujan, after saying no India oi-Deepika S Lucknow, Aug 05: Former union minister Uma Bharti who had earlier said she would skip the bhoomi pujan event in Ayodhya, has said she will be attending the Ram Temple bhoomi pujan. In a tweet, Uma Bharti said, "I am devoted to Lord Ram. I have been instructed by senior officer of Ram Janmabhoomi Trust to be present at the foundation stone. This is why I will be present in this programme." Bharti was among the leaders of the Ram Janambhoomi agitation and is an accused in the Babri mosque demolition case. PM Modi lays foundation of Ram Temple, says 'finally a temple for Ram Lalla' | Oneindia News Ram Mandir Bhumi Pujan: Full text of PM Narendra Modis speech The mosque in Ayodhya was demolished in December 1992 by 'kar sevaks' who claimed an ancient Ram temple had stood on the same site. In November last year, the Supreme Court paved the way for the construction of Ram temple at the disputed site in Ayodhya, and directed the Centre to allot an alternative five-acre plot to the Sunni Waqf Board for building a new mosque at a "prominent" place in the holy town. The Bellaire City Council met on Monday night to discuss possible action on an ordinance to pay AARK Engineering an additional $116,000 for street and drainage improvements. The city is working to determine if it is responsible for labor costs associated with excess days required to complete the project. After a closed-door meeting with the city attorney, the city council continued to delay any action on the measure. Related: Amended noise ordinance extends quiet hours, limits noises from leaf blowers in West University The firm was contracted to make repairs to the intersection of 5th and Spruce in addition to Maple and Bolivar streets as part of the Bonds for Better Bellaire program. While the Public Works department submitted the request and believes the firm is owed the $116,000, council officials are examining the contract to make a determination, according to the agenda. Council was also updated with Bellaires COVID-19 data by interim city manager Brant Gary. Bellaire currently has 13 city employees who are or have ever tested positive for coronavirus, with 11 employees having recovered. The entire city has 74 confirmed COVID-19 cases as of July 30, with 56 recoveries and zero deaths. Meanwhile, Chief Financial Officer Terrence Beaman delivered Bellaires third quarterly report for the fiscal year 2020. As predicted, the citys revenue was impacted due to COVID-19 and the general funds projected end-of-year revenue is going to be $78,073 under budget. The projections are based on assumptions about how state and county orders will impact Bellaires revenues and operations. Certain revenues will be impacted as a result of COVID, said Beeman. That will impact our fiscal 2020, but we are not assuming that will continue on, as of today, into our fiscal 2021 year. The general funds expenditures also came in under budget at $537,525 as the largest expenditure reduction is due to a reduction in part-time labor in the Parks, Recreation, and Facilities department. Council also voted on an ordinance that would authorize the city to purchase a 2020 Freightliner vehicle for an amount not to exceed $299,573. According to Public Works Director Michael Leech, the purchase would allow city staff to operate more efficiently, resolving common issues and performing maintenance and not rely on outside contractors. ryan.nickerson@hcnonline.com Since then, the Blues Camp has been matching 20% of each events tip jar in donations to the Firehouse Community Arts Center. The centers mission is to interrupt the cycle of violence among youth and young adults in North Lawndale through the power of the arts and faith. Its also been helping to feed hundreds of local residents this summer, according to Weil. Rock debris cover on glaciers in the Alaska Range. Credit: Northumbria University, Newcastle A new study which provides a global estimate of rock cover on the Earth's glaciers has revealed that the expanse of rock debris on glaciers, a factor that has been ignored in models of glacier melt and sea level rise, could be significant. The Northumbria University study, which has been published in Nature Geoscience this week, is the first to manually verify the rock debris cover on every one of the Earth's glaciers. As glaciers shrink, their surrounding mountain slopes become exposed and eroded rock debris slides down and accumulates on glacier surfaces. This debris forms a protective layer that can be many metres thick, reducing the rate at which the ice below melts. Although the effects of this protective cover are known, it has never been carefully mapped until now, and so has not been included in global glacier models. As well as revealing where rock debris is located on Earth's glaciers, the researchers also found and corrected key errors within the Randolph Glacier Inventorya global inventory of glacier outlines on which hundreds of studies are based. Using Landsat imagery, the research team from Northumbria University's Department of Geography and Environmental Sciences and the Swiss Federal Research Institute WSL spent three years painstakingly examining and manually verifying more than 923,000 square kilometres of glacier worldwide. The exercise allowed them to analyse the debris cover on a global-, regional-, as well as individual glacier-scale and created the world's first baseline dataset of glaciers in their current state. They found more than 29,000 square kilometres of the world's mountain glacier area is covered in rock debrisan area equivalent to almost 500 Manhattan Islands. Lead researcher Sam Herreid undertook the study for his Ph.D. at Northumbria University and is now believed to be the only person who has examined every glacier on Earth, manually correcting the Randolph Glacier Inventory and bringing a level of consistency that has never before been present in a global glacier dataset. He explained: "The structure of the debris cover of each glacier is unique and sensitive to climate, but until now, global glacier models have omitted debris cover from their forecasts of how glaciers respond to a changing climate. "We now know that debris cover is present on almost half of Earth's glaciers, with 7.3% of the world's total mountain glacier area being debris covered. "When we consider that much of this debris cover is located at the terminus, or toe, of a glacier where melt would usually be at its highest, this percentage becomes particularly important with respect to predicting future water resources and sea level rise." The young vs. old spectrum of debris cover: Young debris cover in SE Greenland (left) and old cover in the Everest region of the Himalaya, with the arrow pointing to one of the debris covered glacier tongues. It is believed that the debris bands in the Everest region would have looked similar to Greenland many hundreds of years ago, but have widened over time, filling the full width of the glacier with rocks. Credit: Northumbria University, Newcastle The study also uncovered errors within the Randolph Glacier Inventory, finding an error rate of 3.3%. One of their findings revealed that 10,000 square kilometres of mapped glacier area was not actually glacier, but rather bedrock or vegetated ground that was either incorrectly mapped previously or glacier area that has since melted away. This, combined with the melt reduction from debris insulating the ice below, means that all past global glacier models based on the Inventory are likely to have overestimated the true volume of glacier melt, run off and subsequent contribution to global sea level rise. They described the 10.6% of glacier area that requires an updated approach to estimating melt as "an alarmingly high number" and said that their work provides a key dataset for revising, and likely lowering, the glacier contribution to sea level rise. The team also devised a way to analyse how the world's debris-covered glaciers will evolve over the coming centuries. By comparing the many states of glaciers present on Earth today, from those considered to be 'young' and icy in Greenland, to 'old' and rock covered in the Himalaya, they were able to piece together a conceptual timeline which they believe outlines how a glacier might evolve in the future. Their timeline reveals that many glaciers are at the older end of the spectrum and can therefore be considered to be on the decline. Co-author Francesca Pellicciotti of the Swiss Federal Research Institute WSL and an Associate Professor at Northumbria University, explained: "The upper levels of the glaciers are constantly accumulating snow and will always be debris free, so we looked only at the lower levels of glaciers which is where rock debris can accumulate. "Ice melts and flows away as water, but the rocks do not, and accumulate at the surface. Changes in the rate of mountain erosion as well as glacier changes in a warming climate will affect the size and shape of the rock layer at the surface of a glacier at any one time. "Although we can't say exactly what year a glacier will evolve to a certain state, say, a state where it is almost entirely covered in rocks, we were able to place each glacier on a conceptual timeline and learn roughly how far along this line each glacier is to becoming almost entirely covered in rocks. She added: "We found that the bulk of glaciers that have a debris cover today are beyond a peak debris cover formation state and are trending closer to the "old" Himalayan glaciers that might not be around for much longer. "From a climate change perspective this is one more indication of the toll a warming climate is having on Earth's glaciers. However, we now have a benchmark measurement of debris cover for all of Earth's glaciers and new tools to monitor and predict the rate of changes couple to a warming climate." The study, "The state of rock debris covering Earth's glaciers," is now available in Nature Geoscience. Explore further Scientists evaluate spatiotemporal characteristics of glacier service value in Qilian Mountains More information: Sam Herreid et al. The state of rock debris covering Earth's glaciers, Nature Geoscience (2020). Journal information: Nature Geoscience Sam Herreid et al. The state of rock debris covering Earth's glaciers,(2020). DOI: 10.1038/s41561-020-0615-0 York Regional police have charged a 52-year-old employee of a long-term-care home in Richmond Hill in connection to the sexual assault of an 82-year-old resident of the home. In a release on Wednesday afternoon, police said they were called to a long-term-care home on Trench Street in Richmond Hill for a report of a sexual assault. Police say a staff member reported witnessing a colleague kissing an 82-year-old woman against her will. Officers then arrested a 52-year-old man who works as a recreational co-ordinator at the home. Duane Doucet of Vaughan was charged with sexual assault. Hes set to appear in court in Newmarket on Nov. 18. Investigators want to ensure that there are no other victims and are asking anyone with information contact the York Regional Police #2 District Criminal Investigation Bureau at 1-866-876-5423, ext. 7241, or call Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-TIPS, or leave an anonymous tip online at www.1800222tips.com. Read more about: A massive spike has been witnessed in the arrest of and terror suspects from the Kashmir Valley since August last year when the Centre abrogated Article 370, which gave special status to According to the data compiled by security forces, this year even while the whole world is busy fighting COVID-19, security forces were busy in nabbing or suspects involved in promoting terrorism in the Valley. From January till July 15 this year, a total of 150 suspects/ have been arrested from the Valley. The spike in the arrest of terrorists also helped security forces to gather information about other terrorists/suspects active in Prominent among these would be the case of Riyaz Naikoo, who was eliminated by security forces in May this year on the basis of a tip-off they received from arrested terrorists. In August last year, forces had nabbed eight terrorists/suspects and in the next four months managed to catch 18, 10, 11 and six terrorists/suspects for being allegedly involved in terror activities. But this year since January security forces have been consistently busy in various encounters and a visible spike has been noticed in the arrests made by them. In January, the forces nabbed 28 suspects and for next five months 17, 17, 25, 29 and 26 suspects/terrorists were arrested. Furthermore, in July, a suspect has been arrested on every other day. Though there has been a very marginal rate of surrender by terrorists in the Valley with just three putting down their arms in the first six months but the increase in arrests has been almost threefold in January-June this year when compared to the figures in the same phase in 2019. (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.) If you dont know Jonathan Swan, hes an Australian reporter, which is fun because we got to see a Trump interview go down the drain in the opposite direction. JIMMY FALLON The interview was such a disaster, at one point FEMA showed up and wrapped Trump in a foil blanket. JIMMY FALLON In a new interview, President Trump said the coronavirus pandemic is, quote, under control as much as you can control it. What? Youre not controlling it at all. Youre handling the pandemic the way parents handle a third child: Eh, gotta get tired eventually. Just, uh, just turn the TV up. SETH MEYERS When asked in a new interview how history will remember late civil rights leader Congressman John Lewis, President Trump said he did not know because he doesnt know John Lewis. I guess in the same way Republicans suddenly wont know Trump after Nov. 4. SETH MEYERS Trump did so poorly the only HBO interview hell do now is Elmos late-night talk show. JIMMY FALLON Thats right, the interview was on HBO, which is why beforehand they showed this graphic: Adult content, child language, brief stupidity. JIMMY FALLON Former New Patriotic Party (NPP) Member of Parliament (MP) for Upper Denkyira West, Benjamin Aryeh has chastised the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) for criticizing President Akufo-Addo following his comments on the voters' registration exercise. The President is reported to have said that he has no knowledge of some irregularities and pockets of violence that occurred in some registration centres. One thing that excites me most is that the registration exercise in Ashanti region and other areas has been very peaceful, I havent heard of any person being denied the opportunity to register on grounds that you are not this or what so go we can't register you, every person has the right to go and register. What I have heard is that the exercise is going on smoothly in Asawase and Asokore-Mampong, we thank God for that. That is the most important thing to us all to live in unity and peace," President Akufo-Addo is quoted to have said. However, former Member of Parliament for Adenta constituency, Kojo Adu Asare thinks the President's comment is sad. Speaking on Neat FM's 'Me Man Nti' programme, he said Akufo-Addo's remark is proof that he doesn't care about Ghanaians. Ben Aryeh responding to this on the same platform, said there's nothing wrong with the President's comment. "What's the big deal"? he asked and added that "the President is not God" to know everything going on in the country. Listen to him in the video below Source: Peacefmonline.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Andersen AFB KC-135 crew locates missing mariners on lone Pacific island By Master Sgt. Richard P. Ebensberger, 36th Wing Public Affairs / Published August 04, 2020 ANDERSEN AIR FORCE BASE, Guam (AFNS) -- Guardsmen from the 203rd Air Refueling Squadron, Hawaii Air National Guard and the 171st Air Refueling Wing, Pennsylvania ANG deployed to Andersen Air Force Base, were the first to locate three missing mariners during a search and rescue mission in the Federated States of Micronesia southwest of Guam, Aug. 2. On July 29, three mariners aboard a 23-foot white and blue skiff departed Puluwat Atoll intending to travel approximately 21 nautical miles to Pulap, Chuuk. However, they never made it to their destination and were reported missing. "Joint Rescue Sub-Center Guam received notification of an overdue skiff last seen in the vicinity of Chuuk and requested our assistance," said Maj. Shaun McRoberts, 506th Air Expeditionary Aerial Refueling Squadron assistant director of operations. "Once notified, we began immediately working a plan to launch crews to locate the missing vessel." Lt. Col. Jason Palmeira-Yen, Maj. Byron Kamikawa and Tech. Sgt. Shane Williams, Hawaii Air National Guardsmen, along with Tech. Sgt. Rodney Joseph and Senior Airman Jeremy Williams, Pennsylvania Air National Guardsmen, took off from Andersen AFB in their KC-135 Stratotanker destined to locate the missing vessel. After almost three hours into their mission, and flying at about 1,500 feet, the crew located the mariners on the tiny island of Pikelot, Yap. "We were toward the end of our search pattern," said Lt. Col. Jason Palmeira-Yen, the KC-135 pilot. "We turned to avoid some rain showers and that's when we looked down and saw an island, so we decided to check it out and that's when we saw SOS and a boat right next to it on the beach. From there we called in the Australian Navy because they had two helicopters nearby that could assist and land on the island." The Royal Australian Navy ship HMAS Canberra (L02) was also in the region and agreed to divert and provide search sorties with embarked helicopters while the FSS Independence departed from Yap to assist. A helicopter crew from HMAS Canberra delivered supplies to the stranded mariners while a U.S. Coast Guard HC-130 Hercules from Air Station Barbers Point, Hawaii, airdropped a radio and message block informing them the FSS Independence was en-route to rescue and return them home. "Partnerships" said U.S Coast Guard Capt. Christopher Chase, Coast Guard Sector Guam, commander. "This is what made this search and rescue case successful. Through coordination with multiple response organizations, we were able to save three members of our community and bring them back home to their families." At 12 a.m., August 3, the Independence arrived on scene, launched a small boat crew and rescued the mariners. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Missouri House leadership immediately condemned a controversial Kansas City -area Republican who entered a state House race this week. "Steve West's shocking and vile comments do not reflect the position of the Missouri Republican Party or indeed of any decent individual," House Speaker Elijah Haahr, Majority Leader Rob Vescovo, and Speaker Pro Tem John Wiemann said in a joint statement Wednesday. It was their second conversation over telephone in the past three months. PM Phuc said Vietnam is continuing to implement drastic measures to respond to COVID-19 and has gradually put the pandemic under control. He thanked Japan for providing support for Vietnam and asked the Japanese Government to continue assisting the Vietnamese community in Japan. PM Abe thanked the Vietnamese Government and people for providing medical masks for Japan and expressed his admiration for the Vietnamese Governments efforts to control the disease. The Vietnamese PM welcomed Japans selection of Vietnam as one of the first countries to relax travel restrictions, adding that Vietnam is creating favourable conditions for Japanese experts, investors and managers to come to Vietnam. He proposed that both sides continue discussing the resumption of air services in the near future. PM Abe spoke highly of the two countries' agreement to step-by-step resume travelling for their people, adding that he hopes to continue further expanding travelling between the two nations while ensuring pandemic prevention and control. He informed PM Phuc that half of the Japanese businesses that receive support from the Government to expand supply chains, have chosen Vietnam, and the Japanese Government will continue assisting firms in diversifying supply chain. Japan also stays ready to help Vietnam fight drought and saltwater intrusion, PM Abe said. PM Phuc said the Vietnamese Government has established a special working group on investment cooperation, which he said will offer support to Japanese enterprises to do successful business in the country. He suggested PM Abe continue encouraging Japanese firms to enhance investment in Vietnam. Both sides agreed to work closely together to carry out the Vietnam - Japan university project, promote regional trade and investment, including the implementation of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP). They vowed to continue with mutual liaison at multilateral forums and on regional and global issues of shared concern, as well as to promote cooperation within the Mekong - Japan framework. The Vietnamese Government leader pledged to work closely with Japan to promote the universal health coverage initiative as well as Japans initiative to establish the ASEAN Centre for emerging diseases and public health emergencies. Hailing Vietnams efforts in its role as ASEAN Chair, PM Abe said Japan will work closely with Vietnam to successfully hold ASEANs related meetings. He also looked forward to visiting Vietnam to attend the ASEAN Summit and hold discussion with PM Phuc. What lies beyond the pandemic? MassForward is MassLives series examining the journey of Massachusetts businesses through and beyond the coronavirus pandemic. ___________ The Hanover Theatre will remain empty for the remainder of 2020. Months ago, the performing arts center in Worcester rescheduled many of its spring shows to late summer or the fall. Then the reality of the coronavirus set in. Massachusetts reopening plans remain in Phase 3, which prohibits indoor gathers of more than 25 people until a vaccine is available - regulations not sustainable for a large theater. Its about when will the state allow us to return? When will the shows come back and when will the audiences be willing to return? president and CEO of the theater Troy Siebels said. We need all three of those things to really come back. Thats not to say Siebels doesnt envision a path to reopening. The president and CEO of the Hanover Theatre remains hopeful that at the start of 2021, patrons can return inside the facility and enjoy shows safely. Returning to a place where patrons fill the seats and watch performers on stage wont likely resemble much of how the facility operated before the pandemic. But the facility has blueprints to follow. The London Palladium is beginning to host performances again. In South Korea, Siebels said, shows never stopped. The Hanover Theatre has already discussed whats worked and what needs tinkering with the London Palladium. Those conversations will directly lead to constructing a reopening strategy for the Hanover Theatre. What they do matters it us, absolutely, because we learn from that, Siebels said. Every theater in the world is going through this right now. We dont have to try everything and fail 50 times before we can be successful once. Fifty theaters each have to fail once before we can all be successful. So theres a lot we can learn from others. In London, patrons walk through sanitizing misters before entering. Siebels envisions a contactless ticketing system as well as staggered arrivals. Each seat or section will correspond with a specific entry time to avoid a rush at the entrance. The use of all exits will prevent bottlenecking after the show. Once seated, there will be few reasons to leave the seats as patrons can order concessions from their seats. These measures would coincide with a fraction of the capacity crowds that entered the Hanover Theatre prior to the pandemic. Siebels estimates the Hanover Theatre could reopen with a capacity of 600 people, about a quarter of what it normally holds. Its still a massive number in time of a pandemic. But unlike restaurants, bars or gyms, patrons can wear masks throughout the event. Tickets to the shows also offers a method of contact tracing. You know exactly who was sitting where and you can track that person down the next day, Siebels said. Youre tracking and tracing which everybody says is the most important thing. We have information about our audience, where they came from and where they bought the ticket, who they were sitting next to. Were a tracking and tracing gold mine. The Brick Box Theatre at 20 Franklin St., which the Hanover Theatre also operates, would likely be the live performance venue to open. A sustainable number of attendees could start at with at 100 people - one-third of its normal capacity. That feels like its in the realm of what people might accept right now, Seibels said. The Brick Box Theatre and the Hanover Theatre and may still represent the second and third steps respectively of a possible reopening. Performances may return to the Hanover Theatre in a digital format. The digital musical, A Killer Party, features performers who starred in shows like Hamilton, Wicked, Waitress and The Book of Mormon. The murder mystery can be purchased through the Hanover Theatre. The nine-part series is $9.99 before Aug. 5 and $12.99 after. Each purchase generates revenue for the Hanover Theatre. We dont create our own content being a presenter, Siebels said. The shows come into our building. But when we have opportunities to connect our audiences with content, then we will do that. In having its doors closed since March, the theatre has lost about $5 million in revenue. However, since shows are canceled and employees have been furloughed, Siebels said losses are closer to about $1.8 million. To help erase those losses, the theater received $670,000 from the Paycheck Protection Program. Repurposed capital contributions made up for another $600,000. Another $350,000 came from its Resiliency Fund. Overall, the funding equates to about $1.6 million leaving about $200,000 the theater continues to try to make up. We are very mindful that thats not the only gap, Siebels said. Our audience is not going to come back in full force the day we reopen so we are going to need to continue to seek support to help us come back. Siebels believes the difficult road ahead for the theater could linger for a couple of years. While hes been awestruck by the support of the Worcester community in donating the costs of their tickets to the theater after the shows were canceled, Siebels hopes more help will come from the government. Any reopening strategy will include investments ranging from advanced cleaning supplies like electrostatic guns to contactless ticketing apps. Siebels said at a state level, the legislature has measures in front of it that would help fund access to virtual programming in schools as well as funding improvements for a return. On a federal level, the Save Our Stages Act looks to help fund live performances venues through the pandemic. Separately, state and federal level funding may not be enough. Combined together with the communitys help, though, creates a path of sustainability for the theater. We are going to need the help. Theres no question about it, Siebels said. Were going to need the help and private philanthropy is stepping up to the plate but this is a scale that is just beyond anything weve dealt with. Related Content: Clip Studio Paint is finally coming to Android and will be arriving on the new Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 and Tab S7+ first. More concisely, its arriving there first as a timed-exclusive, according to recent reports stemming from Samsungs announcement. That means that, at least for a time following the new tablets launch, it wont be available anywhere else. Samsung hasnt provided in-depth information about the exclusivity period. But at least some clues might be found in the details about associated deals. Specifically, Samsung indicates that its going to be offering a free trial for the apps subscription service for buyers. Thats a 6-month Clip Studio Paint EX subscription at no cost with the Galaxy Tab S7 and S7+. The app will also be pre-installed on the new tablets. So the exclusivity period could also run as long as 6-months before Clip Studio Paint is available on other devices. Advertisement What is Clip Studio Paint on the Galaxy Tab S7 series? Now, Samsungs new Galaxy Tab S7 and S7+ are undeniably going to be the best devices to experience Clip Studio Paint or the subscription. Thats down to the 11-inch and 12.4-inch displays having a 120Hz refresh rate. But also because the new S-Pen is redesigned to look and feel like a real pen. The company has even reduced input latency from over 40ms to around 9ms. The fully-featured graphics and art software from Japanese company Celsys. Its meant for use to design and draw comics, general illustration, and 2D animations. And there are two subscription levels that pack in more features. First, the company offers a Pro variant thats made for character art, concept art, and illustrations. The mobile-friendly EX subscription is billed as being better for manga & comics, animations according to the companys site. But in either case, this is a very popular art app with over seven million users as of 2015. And it should integrate nicely with the new S Pen on both Samsung tablets better than anywhere else on Android. Advertisement How much is this deal worth for users? The subscription detailed above, on iOS devices, typically costs around $8.99 per month for a single device across all available platforms. Or around $2.49 per month for a single iPhone. Now, for use across multiple devices simultaneously, the cost of the subscription license is higher. It can rise as high as $14.99 per month for four devices to have access. And it isnt immediately clear which subscription Samsung is providing. While pricing on Android wont necessarily be the same as iOS, that potentially puts the deals value at between $14.94 and $89.94. BYTEDANCE founder Zhang Yiming told employees yesterday that there were misunderstandings on Chinese social media about TikTok's situation in the United States and that the company could face more difficulties as anti-Chinese sentiment rose abroad. His comments in a letter to ByteDance's Chinese employees came after the company and Mr Zhang were heavily criticised on Chinese social media for entering into talks with Microsoft to sell TikTok's US operations. Chinese media first reported the contents of the internal letter and Reuters confirmed its contents. ByteDance did not immediately respond to a request for comment. "I actually understand [the criticism]," Mr Zhang said in the letter. "People have high expectations of a company founded by a Chinese person which is going global but have little information about it. With lots of grievances towards the US government, they tend to lash out at us with harsh criticism." Since Monday, some users of China's Twitter-like Weibo have said they would uninstall ByteDance's Chinese short video app 'Douyin' and news aggregator 'Jinri Toutiao' because they believed ByteDance had given in too quickly to Washington. Others urged ByteDance to learn from US giant Google, which opted to pull its search engine out of the Chinese market in 2010 after China asked it to censor its search results. Mr Zhang said some had misunderstood the US situation. He said Washington's goal was not to force a sale of TikTok's US operations but to ban the app, and there was a legal process that ByteDance had to follow. Zhang also told employees that over the last two years, anti-Chinese sentiment had risen in many countries and the company must brace for more difficulties in the current atmosphere. Reuters North Korea Sends Special Forces to Ryanggang Province Border With China 2020-08-03 -- North Korea has deployed 1,500 elite special forces soldiers to the Sino-Korean border area of northern Ryanggang province to target corruption and smuggling while preventing citizens from escaping to China, sources in the region told RFA. The soldiers, part of an official counter-terrorism unit in North Korea's military, are seen as an annoyance to residents of the area, who have been chafing under extreme scrutiny since the outbreak of COVID-19, sources said. "On the 2nd, 1,500 special forces soldiers arrived in Hyesan," a Ryanggang military official, who requested anonymity for security reasons, told RFA's Korean Service Monday. "Upon arrival, the soldiers were dispersed all along the Sino-Korean border line in Ryanggang province. [They] are known to be highly trained and educated in political ideology," the source said. Some of the special forces unit will be tasked with reining in corruption, cracking down on border security agents who accepting bribes from small-time smugglers or who engage in smuggling themselves. Since the onset of the coronavirus pandemic in January, North Korean and Chinese authorities have closed borders, and North Korea has severely cracked down on smuggling. Illegally moving goods in and out of China has been the lifeblood of North Korea's nascent market economy, especially in the face of U.S. and U.N. sanctions aimed at depriving Pyongyang of cash and resources for its nuclear and missile programs. The deployment comes amid a campaign to tighten border controls in the face of suspected cases of coronavirus and after a major corruption case was revealed in Ryanggang. RFA reported last month that an unknown number of government and border security officials were implicated in a case in which smugglers were caught trying to move gold and platinum into China from Ryanggang. Now, border officials will be policed by elite soldiers, who have the authority to "crack down on all illegal and anti-state activities in the border area," according to the source. "Groups of between 150 and 300 of the soldiers were deployed to each military unit along the border, including in the city of Hyesan, and in Pochon county," the source said. "Members of law enforcement agencies and border guards here in Ryanggang are also on high alert as they are under the control of the special forces, at least in the border area," said the source. A resident of Pochon county confirmed to RFA that 300 of the elite troops arrived Sunday evening and began work Monday. They were deployed in groups at border guard posts, camping with the guards. "From the 3rd, these special forces soldiers began a crackdown on the movement of residents and on various illegal activities in the border area of Pochon country," said the second source, who requested anonymity to speak freely. "They seem to have been sent to the North Korea-China border to strengthen control over North Korean escapees, while keeping an eye on border guards and other law enforcement agencies in the border area," the second source said. The Pochon county source said the presence of elite troops on their doorstep is "creating a more intense atmosphere and residents are starting to panic." "Ryanggang has already seen security doubled and tripled due to the coronavirus crisis, but now that the special forces are here, the citizens are even more incensed." The special forces sent to Ryanggang are part of the XI Corps of the Korean People's Army, which considers among its forbears a unit that is notorious in South Korea. The 124th army sent 31 North Korean commandos dressed in South Korean army uniforms to attack on the presidential Blue House in Seoul, in a failed bid to assassinate President Park Chung Hee on January 21, 1968. Reported by Sewon Kim for RFA's Korean Service. Translated by Leejin Jun. Written in English by Eugene Whong. Copyright 1998-2016, RFA. Used with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. For any commercial use of RFA content please send an email to: mahajanr@rfa.org. RFA content August not be used in a manner which would give the appearance of any endorsement of any product or support of any issue or political position. Please read the full text of our Terms of Use. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address A watchdog group has filed a complaint against President Trump's campaign, but the agency tasked with enforcing campaign finance laws can't meet to discuss it. (Patrick Semansky / Associated Press) When President Trump tweeted that the U.S. may need to delay the November election, the longest-serving member on the Federal Election Commission joined the chorus of voices pointing out that he does not have the authority to make that decision. "No, Mr. President. No," Ellen Weintraub wrote. "You don't have the power to move the election. Nor should it be moved. States and localities are asking you and Congress for funds so they can properly run the safe and secure elections all Americans want. Why don't you work on that?" Weintraub, a Democrat, holds one of six positions on the FEC, the independent agency tasked with overseeing the country's campaign finance laws. But the FEC, three months before a presidential election, can't even call a meeting. Under normal circumstances, the commission would have at least four members, the minimum required to meet, issue advisory opinions and approve enforcement action. But circumstances at the agency aren't normal: For most of the last year the FEC has only had three members, rendering it nearly powerless. It's unlikely the Senate will confirm a fourth member before the November election the president's last nominee waited nearly three years for a Senate vote. Even if a new commissioner were confirmed, campaign finance reform advocates have lamented for years that the agency has been hampered by structural issues, a lack of resources and partisanship that have weakened its ability to enforce the law and deter illegal election spending. They say the problem has been exacerbated by Republican leaders opposed to limits on campaign spending, who have sought to weaken the agency. Without a strong commission, some have felt free to defy campaign finance laws without fear of punishment, said former Democratic FEC Commissioner Ann Ravel. They knew that they could flagrantly violate the law and there would be absolutely no consequences, or if there ever was a consequence, that it was going to be so small, that it was essentially a cost of doing business," she said. Story continues Meanwhile, the backlog of cases continues to grow. The FEC had more than 300 pending cases at the end of March, including 90 in which the five-year statute of limitations was set to expire in the next 18 months, according to a May 2020 memo from the agency's acting general counsel. "The agency charged with administering and enforcing the federal campaign laws that will govern the 2020 election remains without the four Commissioners it needs to make most of its major decisions," Weintraub wrote in December 2019. "It is, to be charitable, less than ideal." What does Watergate have to do with the FEC? The FEC was formed in 1974 after the Watergate scandal to enforce the country's new election spending laws and the campaign finance abuses of the presidential race two years earlier. The bipartisan, independent agency was designed to ideally investigate potential cases of illegal campaign spending, issue advisory opinions where the law is murky, administer public funding for presidential campaigns and disclose campaign finance data to the public. The establishing statute calls for six commissioners no more than three from the same party who are nominated by the president and confirmed by the Senate for six-year terms. That structure was intended to prevent one party from taking over the commission, but Democratic commissioners say Republicans have used the structure to block aggressive enforcement, while Republicans say Democrats have attempted to overstep their bounds and stifle free speech. Feuding on the FEC The debate played out in letters commissioners sent to House Administration Committee Chair Zoe Lofgren (D-San Jose) last year after her panel asked what the agency's biggest hurdle has been in completing its mission, Weintraub pointed to her Republican colleagues: "For the past 11 years, the Federal Election Commission has been severely challenged from the inside by a group of commissioners who harbor ideological opposition to the very nature of the agency and the law we are charged with enforcing." Commissioners Matthew Petersen and Caroline Hunter Republicans who have since resigned wrote that the greatest challenge was "the common misperception that adherence to the rule of law and sensitivity to Americans' 1st Amendment rights reflect hostility towards enforcing the law or, even, towards the Commission itself." Why are there still vacancies? Four commissioners have left the agency since 2017. Ravel left in February 2017, Republican Lee E. Goodman in February 2018 and Petersen in August 2019. Petersen's departure left the commission without a quorum for nine months, the longest period in its history. The FEC has lacked a quorum only three times since it began operating in 1975: during a six-month period in 2008, from late August 2019 to May 2020, and from July 4, 2020, to the present. In May 2020, the Senate confirmed Republican James "Trey" Trainor, a Texas elections attorney first nominated by Trump in 2017, briefly restoring the FEC's powers. But on June 26, Hunter announced she was resigning effective July 3 to work for Stand Together, the nonprofit network funded by the billionaire industrialist Charles Koch, whose political spending helped create a right-wing libertarian movement. On the day Hunter's departure was revealed, the president announced his intent to nominate to the commission Allen Dickerson, legal director of the Institute for Free Speech, which supports less aggressive regulation of campaign finance laws. Neither the White House nor the Senate had announced that the nomination had been sent to the Senate, based on a review of recent nomination announcements. The White House and a representative for Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) declined to comment on the record. What about all those cases? Without a quorum of four, the commission cannot meet, much less change rules, issue advisory opinions, defend itself in legal matters or make enforcement decisions, according to the Congressional Research Service. And even if there were a quorum, it would take four yes votes to approve any high-level business. The agency's backlog continues to grow as new complaints are filed leading up to the November election. The Campaign Legal Center, a nonpartisan group founded by former Republican FEC Commissioner Trevor Potter, filed a complaint July 28 alleging that the Trump campaign had laundered $170 million in campaign funds through firms run by his former campaign manager Brad Parscale and campaign lawyers. The complaint alleges that the campaign's tactics hid the ultimate recipients of the funds, in violation of disclosure laws. Theres little chance the FEC would have a ruling by November, even if it were fully staffed. "It's not at all uncommon for them to take two to three years, even when there is a full quorum on the commission," said Brendan Fischer of the Campaign Legal Center. "There are still a number of complaints that we have that are still pending from the 2016 election, and absent the FEC resolving those complaints, we have seen the activity repeated." The lack of quorum has also stopped the commission from providing timely advisory opinions in response to questions posed to the agency. After campaign finance reform groups questioned the legality of former Democratic presidential candidate Michael R. Bloomberg's decision to transfer $18 million from his suspended campaign to the Democratic National Committee and Andrew Yang's pledge to give a "freedom dividend" of $12,000 spread out over a year to 10 U.S. families, the candidates could have asked the FEC to weigh in. "At least with four you could get some agreement on those advisory opinions. And now you cannot," Ravel said. "Even people of good will aren't going to know how they should be able to comply with the law." What changes do reformers want to see at the FEC? In a statement after her resignation, Hunter spoke of her "strong belief in the need to protect Americans against unnecessary and overzealous government intrusion." In her resignation letter, she pointed to the deep ideological divisions between Democratic and Republican commissioners, specifically criticizing Weintraub, whom she clashed with publicly, saying Weintraub "routinely mischaracterizes disagreements among Commissioners about the law as 'dysfunction,' rather than a natural consequence of the FECs unique structure." But while Republicans have defended that structure, Democrats have advocated for fundamental changes. House Democrats sought to reshape the commission in the campaign finance and ethics reform bill passed last year. The bill would turn the commission into a five-person panel, with no more than two from the same party (leaving the fifth spot open to an independent or third-party option), putting an end to deadlocked votes. A quorum would consist of a majority of members and decisions would be made with a simple majority. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) opposes limits on political spending and has made clear he does not plan to bring up an FEC reform bill in the Senate. (J. Scott Applewhite / Associated Press) The bill also calls for a panel of experts to nominate new commissioners, whereas now presidents defer to congressional leadership. McConnell, a firm opponent of limiting political spending, has made it clear that he has no plans to bring up the legislation in the Senate. He has said that the problem with the commission isn't its bipartisan makeup, but the fact that most of its members are serving long past the ends of their terms. Both Weintraub and independent Steven Walther have stayed on for years past the end of their terms because no one was confirmed to replace them. "I'd suggest what we actually need to do is have the commission fully functioning as it already exists: totally filled out, with a clean slate of commissioners, all serving on real unexpired terms, to bring new energy, build new relationships and inject some new perspective," McConnell said at the March 10 Senate Rules Committee hearing on Trainor's nomination. Senate Democrats recommended Shana Broussard, a lawyer and executive assistant to Commissioner Walther, for nomination last year, according to multiple reports, but the Trump administration has not acted. Supporters of campaign finance regulation say McConnell has undermined the agency to prevent aggressive regulation of campaign spending. "I think he knows at this point that he's going to have a really hard time deregulating campaign finance laws through Congress," Fischer said. "But he realized that if he can neuter the FEC, if he can get three ideological opponents of campaign finance on the FEC, he can basically undermine the law from within." Fischer said that although it's "certainly a problem" that the FEC doesn't have a quorum, it's more important "that the individuals who are on the FEC should be committed to the mission of the agency and committed to enforcing these important anticorruption laws." Lebanon's prime minister Hassan Diab pledged on Tuesday to track down the people responsible for two massive blasts in northern Beirut which killed at least 73 people and injured nearly 3,000. In a televised address to the nation, Diab said: "What happened today will not pass without accountability. Those responsible for this catastrophe will pay the price. Diab also appealed for international assistance to help Lebanon, which is suffering its worst economic crisis in decades. France was among the nations which responded to the call. French foreign minister, Jean-Yves Le Drian, said in a tweet: "France stands and will always stand by the side of Lebanon and the Lebanese." Israel's defence minister, Benny Gantz, and foreign minister, Gabi Ashkenazi, issued a joint statement offering medical and humanitarian aid via international intermediaries. Gulf nations also responded to the appeal. Qatar and Kuwait promised to send field hospitals to support the medical response. "Our thoughts and prayers are with the great and resilient people of Lebanon," Iran's foreign minister Mohammad Javad Zarif tweeted. "Stay strong, Lebanon." Blasts The initial explosion happened just after 6pm local time. Video footage of the second blast showed an enormous orange fireball that consumed nearby buildings and sent a shockwave through the city. General security chief Abbas Ibrahim said the blasts may have been caused by explosive materials confiscated years ago and stored at the city's port. "We heard an explosion, then we saw the mushroom," said one resident who witnessed the second explosion from her balcony in the city's Mansourieh district. "The force of the blast threw us backwards into the apartment," she added. The Lebanese media carried images of people trapped under rubble. Injured survivors roamed the streets while outside the Clemenceau Medical Centre, dozens of wounded waited for treatment. The port zone was cordoned off by the security forces, allowing access only to ambulances and fire trucks. Kriti took to Instagram, where she posted a picture of a platter that has cheese with some olives, bread and hummus. Mumbai, Aug 5 (IANS) Kriti Kharbanda has described her day as cheesy. Kriti took to Instagram, where she posted a picture of a platter that has cheese with some olives, bread and hummus. She captioned it: "Cheesy kinda day!" Last month, Kriti spoke about true love and pet passions in a social media post. In a picture she posted on Instagram, Kriti kisses rumoured beau Pulkit Samrat's pet dog Drogo. On the work front, Kriti was last seen on screen in Anees Bazmee's comedy caper "Pagalpanti", which also stars her Pulkit, John Abraham, Arshad Warsi, Anil Kapoor, Ileana D'cruz and Saurabh Shukla. She will next be seen in Bejoy Nambiar's revenge drama titled "Taish", where she once again stars with Pulkit. The film is slated to release next year. Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-05 17:47:29|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close BEIJING, Aug. 5 (Xinhua) -- A health official said Wednesday China has effectively contained the rapid expansion of COVID-19 cases in Urumqi, capital of northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, and Dalian of Liaoning Province in the northeast. Experts have been working to isolate the virus and confirm its genome sequence, said Jiao Yahui, an official with the National Health Commission, at a press conference. Since late July, cluster infections have been reported in Urumqi and Dalian. From July 16 to Aug. 4, a total of 670 confirmed cases had been reported in Xinjiang and 90 in Liaoning Province, said Jiao. The new round of COVID-19 epidemic in the two places has several things in common, including rapid rise in the initial stages, Jiao said. Besides, the average age of confirmed patients in Xinjiang was only 35 and that in Dalian 41. Most patients showed mild or normal symptoms, Jiao added. The two places conducted epidemiological investigations rapidly and improved their nucleic acid testing capabilities, Jiao said. Enditem Former Colombian president Alvaro Uribe arrives for a hearing before the Supreme Court in Bogota in October 2019 (AFP Photo/Raul ARBOLEDA) Bogota (AFP) - Former Colombia president Alvaro Uribe tested positive for coronavirus a day before the Supreme Court placed him under house arrest, his political party said on Wednesday. Uribe was "in good health" despite his diagnosis, the Democratic Center party told AFP. The court, which held a hearing Tuesday into witness tampering accusations, ordered the 68-year-old to be put under house arrest after deeming there were "possible risks" he would attempt to obstruct justice. Local media had speculated about his health after spotting a medical team entering his home in the northern Cordoba department. Uribe, currently a senator, faces bribery and procedural fraud charges and could serve up to eight years in prison if convicted of allegations that he used his position as a lawmaker to tamper with a witness. He has always insisted on his innocence and enjoys strong popular support due to his hardline stance on fighting the country's leftist guerrillas, especially the once-powerful Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC). News of his house arrest brought rival demonstrators out into the streets both in support and against Uribe. The right-wing politician was questioned by judges in October 2019 -- the first time a former president had appeared before Colombia's highest court. In 2012, Uribe filed a complaint against leftist senator Ivan Cepeda, who Uribe says hatched a plot to falsely link him to paramilitary groups. But in 2018, the court instead opened a witness tampering investigation against Uribe, who was president from 2002-2010. Dan Osborne has jetted to Turkey to 'get his teeth done' at the same clinic Katie Price was seen at last week. The reality hunk, 29, left wife Jacqueline Jossa at home with their children - Ella, five, and Mia, two - in Essex while he whisked his mother and a friend off to the Anatolian peninsula for a three-person round of dental work. Splashing out for the trip, Dan took to Instagram to film himself in the pool with his friend. Pearly whites! Dan Osborne has jetted to Turkey to 'get his teeth done' Not only are they using Katie's dentist, they're also staying at the same resort she has just returned from, after breaking both her feet on holiday with her new boyfriend and two of her children. Talking to his followers from the five-star Akra Hotel in Antalya, Dan said: 'I'm here getting a couple of my teeth done at the back. 'My mum is getting so much work done and my mate Sam is getting a full set of gnashers and I bought them out to Dental Centre Turkey. 'The treatment is unbelievable. I'm more than happy with mine!' Holding the babies: The reality hunk, 29, left wife Jacqueline Jossa at home with their children - Ella, five, and Mia, two - in Essex Whiter than white: He whisked his mother and a friend off to the Anatolian peninsula for a three-person round of dental work Oh dear! Katie Price showed off her real teeth after getting her veneers removed at the same clinic as Dan It was far from the same story for Jacqueline back home, who was woken at 6AM by her youngest daughter - deciding to document her contrasting morning on Instagram. She said: 'I have been up for two hours already this morning. Very tired. Monday is my favourite day. It always is. 'Actually that's not true, not always. It's my favourite day since working as an adult working. It never used to be at school. 'If you are wondering why I've been up it's because Mia has been up. I need a coffee.' Keep it natural: Jacqueline shared a candid makeup free selfie on Monday despite feeling very tired after her daughter, Mia, two, woke her up at 6AM Back over in Turkey, Katie shocked fans when she flashed her real teeth after getting her veneers removed. The television personality, 42, looked dramatically different as she talked to the camera after having her pearly whites taken off. Joking about the condition of her teeth, Katie said to the camera, 'I love it when you talk dirty to me,' as she sat in the dentist chair. The former glamour model jetted to Turkey with her new boyfriend Carl Woods and her children Junior, 15, and Princess, 13, to undergo the procedure. The couple were spotted leaving a dental surgery after getting 'his and her' teeth. Pearly whites: Katie flew to Turkey to have matching his and hers veneers with her boyfriend Carl Woods (pictured just before her holiday) Unrecognisable: The television personality, 42, looked dramatically different as she talked to the camera after having her pearly whites taken off in Turkey Smile: In a teaser clip for her upcoming YouTube video, Katie documented the process of getting her new veneers put in Katie shared a picture of herself wearing a tooth mould in a dental chair to her Instagram and wrote: 'Here it goes @dental_centre_turkey a brand new colour and new teeth' followed by a tooth emoji.' The reality star has been on a quest for a perfect smile for years, and in 2017, her first set of teeth left her with a mouth full of ulcers and unable to speak. In 2019, Katie jetted off to Turkey once again with ex Kris Boyson where they both received matching 7,000 veneers. The holiday hasn't been plain sailing after the mother-of-five suffered a nasty fall and broke her feet and ankles. DicKy Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Thiruvanthapuram Posts: 2,443 Thanked: 5,107 Times Re: Rumour: Tata Motors (passenger cars) to get a new partner, probably Chinese But then, it's business. Really pained me when Autocarindia gave the death knell of Tata motors. Their copies are free to download for the past two-three months. And twice they said, Tata's glory days are over and they won't recover from this. As regarding partner choice. The only one that could help rival Suzuki in small car expertise is Daihatsu. Alas, they are under Toyota now, and virtually blocked from the Indian market. Other than Volkswagen, only Chinese companies are left with enough money. Funny how a couple of years ago, didn't want the Tata-VW JV to go through, for fear of VW swallowing Tata up. And now praying it better be VW than the Chinese. If JLR was in the package too, VW would have definitely voluntered, regardless of post-dieselgate finance. Though just imagine. Maruti and Tata being proxies for the giants ( Toyota vs VW ) battles in the Indian market. Thought that the phase was over, and Tata was giving another chance for itself, to turn around in 1-2 years. Even if their excruciatingly long product development cycle is not taken care of, atleast their sales and after sales service should be given a Ford India like makeover.But then, it's business.Really pained me when Autocarindia gave the death knell of Tata motors. Their copies are free to download for the past two-three months. And twice they said, Tata's glory days are over and they won't recover from this.As regarding partner choice. The only one that could help rival Suzuki in small car expertise is Daihatsu. Alas, they are under Toyota now, and virtually blocked from the Indian market.Other than Volkswagen, only Chinese companies are left with enough money. Funny how a couple of years ago, didn't want the Tata-VW JV to go through, for fear of VW swallowing Tata up. And now praying it better be VW than the Chinese.If JLR was in the package too, VW would have definitely voluntered, regardless of post-finance.Though just imagine. Maruti and Tata being proxies for the giants ( Toyota vs VW ) battles in the Indian market. 05.08.2020 LISTEN The Speaker of Parliament, Prof. Aaron Mike Oquaye has once again waded into the debate on who should be credited and celebrated for Ghanas independence from British rule. Delivering the keynote address at a public lecture to mark the 2020 Founders Day, Prof. Oquaye said all persons who contributed to Ghana's independence needs to be accorded the needed recognition in the country's history and not just one individual. He said although Ghanas first president, Kwame Nkrumah played a part in the country's quest to become an independent state, he cannot be described as the founder of the country. Independence was not a one-man show. It was a collective effort and it is important for us to continue to appreciate the full dynamics thereof and the various ingredients that make a beautiful melody. That made this nation the first Africa country to win independence from the British, he said. The celebration remains a controversial one due to the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and Convention People's Party's (CPP) opposition to it. The opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) has already indicated its intention to cancel the August 4 observation of Founders it returns to power. The August 4 holiday replaced Founder's Day which was celebrated on September 21 every year, known as Founders day to mark the birthday of Ghana's first President, Kwame Nkrumah. According to the NDC, the August 4 holiday is not a true representation of historical facts and is a deliberate attempt by the Akufo-Addo government to rewrite the country's history and give prominence to his uncle JB Danquah who was a leader in the United Gold Coast Convention (UGCC), the political party from which Kwame Nkrumah broke away to form the CPP which won him the election that saw him become Leader of Government Business and Prime Minister and eventually the first president of Ghana. The Convention People's Party (CPP), the political party Kwame Nkrumah founded has also decided not to recognize the August 4 holiday. The party leadership believes that the August 4 celebration is an attempt to undermine the role of Ghana's first president, Kwame Nkrumah, in the fight for Ghana's independence. --citinewsroom REDMOND, Wash., Aug. 5, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Mill Creek Residential, a leading multifamily developer and operator specializing in premier apartment communities across the U.S., today announced the groundbreaking of Modera Overlake, a luxe mixed-use apartment community in Eastside Seattle near the Redmond Microsoft Campus. The community, which will feature 288 apartment homes and 3,600 feet of ground-floor retail space, is located 13 miles east of Seattle along the Redmond/Bellevue border. The property is within a 10-minute walk from the future Overlake Village Light Rail Station and Microsoft's World Headquarters. "With Microsoft rapidly expanding its headquarters, demand for quality housing in the area will be high," said Steve Yoon, managing director of development for Seattle for Mill Creek. "We have always been a fan of the Overlake neighborhood, with its plentiful amenities and transportation access to the greater Puget Sound marketplace. With the commencement of construction on Modera Overlake, we are eager to help address the neighborhood's impending demand and offer a high-quality living experience to our future residents." Situated at 15350 Bel-Red Road, Modera Overlake will offer studio, one- and two-bedroom homes with select den and townhouse layouts available. The community will feature a deluxe array of community amenities, highlighted by an eighth-floor rooftop clubhouse with expansive deck and panoramic views of Bellevue and Redmond. The community will also include an outdoor plaza, spacious lobby with vaulted ceilings, conference room, co-working lounge, coffee bar, clubhouse, theater room, DIY room, and a fitness center. Residents will also have access to dedicated bike storage, automated package lockers, and secure resident storage in the lobby and garage areas. Apartment interiors will be delivered with stainless-steel gas ranges, quartz countertops, wood-plank flooring, kitchen tile backsplashes, upgraded fixtures and roller shades. Select homes will include private patios or balconies, separate dining areas, breakfast bars and walk-in closets. Residents will also be equipped with a controlled-access guest system. Modera Overlake marks Mill Creek's third community in Redmond, joining Modera Redmond and Modera River Trail. Modera Redmond is located about five miles to the northeast near Bella Bottega Shopping Center and began leasing in winter 2019. Modera River Trail, located across the street from Redmond City Hall and one block from the Sammamish River Trail, is under construction with an anticipated completion in early 2022. About Mill Creek Residential Mill Creek Residential Trust LLC is a national multifamily company focused on the development, acquisition and operation of apartment communities in targeted markets nationwide. The national multifamily company, headquartered in Boca Raton, Florida proactively develops, acquires, constructs and operates multifamily communities through its seasoned team of real estate professionals in offices across the United States. Mill Creek is building its portfolio in many of the nation's most desirable apartment markets in Seattle, Portland, the San Francisco Bay area, Southern California, Denver, Dallas, Austin, Houston, South Florida, Tampa, Orlando, Atlanta, Nashville, Charlotte, Raleigh, Washington, D.C., New Jersey, New York, and Boston. As of March 31, 2020, the company's portfolio is comprised of 79 communities representing over 21,300 apartment homes that are operating and/or under construction. For more information, please visit www.MillCreekPlaces.com. Media Contact Samantha Chalmers LinnellTaylor Marketing (303) 682-5001 [email protected] SOURCE Mill Creek Residential Related Links http://www.millcreekplaces.com Mehrdad Oskoueis latest documentary, Sunless Shadows, is a startling, raw confrontation with Irans patriarchy. A poignant follow-up to his 2016 Starless Dreams, about teenage girls in a Tehran juvenile detention center, the new movie focuses on a group of adolescent girls and older women imprisoned for murdering male relatives. (Both documentaries are part of a virtual Oskouei retrospective at the Museum of the Moving Image, running Aug. 5-30.) The killers in Sunless Shadows are destigmatized. In day-to-day verite footage, they are seen caring for one another and communally raising a baby in the detention center. As the prisoners discuss their suffering under the hands of their abusers some were brutally beaten, while others were children when they were forced to marry older men its clear they are victims, too. The Strawhecker Group (TSG) is pleased to recognize a selection of payment gateways for their exceptional performance across several key areas, critical to a successful payment platform. Powered by TSGs Gateway Enterprise Metrics (GEM) platform, GEM uses pings and real transactions to monitor each gateways performance from over 20 different global locations 24/7/365. All transaction metrics are calculated by utilizing real TSG cards, at real TSG merchants, to complete transactions. COVID-19 has disrupted spending habits. As the landscape changes, the rise in eCommerce has accelerated the shift of sales volume away from brick-and-mortar. As the payments industry looks to adapt to this new normal, it is now more important than ever for payment gateways to be cognizant of performance versus others in the market. From week-to-week, performance fluctuates, and gateways must pinpoint issues to avoid interruptions for the merchant and the consumer, says Mike Strawhecker, President of TSG. Our clients use GEM to make tangible adjustments to improve their platforms and integrations, while benchmarking against other leading payment gateways. Performance data was assessed across more than twenty industry leading payments providers for six consecutive months (January to June 2020) to determine the Real Transaction Metrics Awards. See below for the winners, as well as runners-ups in each category. TSG will be announcing the annual Merchant Experience Awards in October. Real Transaction Metrics Awards Best Performing Gateway Worldpay from FIS (U.S. eCom Platform) The Best Performing Gateway award is based on the GEM Index, an overall scorecard for gateway metrics based on five key areas (gateway minute outage, gateway uptime, transaction speed, transaction success rate, and authorization rate). Worldpay from FISs U.S. eCom Platform received this award due to their exceptional performance across transaction and gateway check benchmarks. Runner-Ups: Elavon (Fusebox) / Worldpay from FIS (Express) Highest Authorization Rate Authorize.Net (A Visa Solution) GEM tracks the percentage of authorization failures a gateway experiences each day that are unrelated to the issuer, network, or cardholder. Authorize.Net received this award for having the highest rate of successful authorizations. Runner-Ups: Fluid Pay / Worldpay from FIS (U.S. eCom Platform) Fastest Transactions Elavon (Fusebox) GEM measures the time it takes for a transaction authorization to complete using a real signature debit card, just as a consumer would experience at the merchant. Elavons Fusebox received this award for having the fastest average transaction speed. Runner-Ups: Worldpay from FIS (Express) / Worldpay from FIS (U.S. eCom Platform) Gateway Uptime Worldpay from FIS (U.S. eCom Platform) GEM pings gateways every minute from over 20 different global locations (31,680 pings a day per gateway) to uncover uptime issues. Worldpay from FISs U.S. eCom Platform received this award due to having the highest uptime percentage. Runner-Ups: EpicPay / Authorize.Net (A Visa Solution) Gateway Minute Outage Cybersource (A Visa Solution) / Worldpay from FIS (U.S. eCom Platform) In addition to Gateway Uptime, GEM uses pings at multiple locations to determine minute outages. If at least 33% of location checks fail at the same time, an outage is recorded. Cybersource and Worldpay from FISs U.S. eCom Platform received this award due to having the fewest minute outages. Runner-Up: Clearent TSGs GEM platform annually honors leading payment providers. Past winners have included companies such as BluePay (Fiserv), Braintree (A PayPal Company), Square, and Shopify. Companies and/or products considered for any TSG awards may or may not include clients of TSG and does not necessarily represent all companies or products in the market. This analysis is based upon information we consider reliable, but its accuracy and completeness cannot be guaranteed. Information provided is not all inclusive. All information listed is as available from January 1, 2020 to June 30, 2020. The Strawhecker Group (TSG) is not and/or may not be endorsed, sponsored by, or in any other way affiliated with the any companies or their logos illustrated in this presentation. The trademarks shown are registered and their own. This document has not been prepared by any entity displayed. About TSG The Strawhecker Group (TSG) is the largest analytics and consulting firm focused on the payments acceptance industry. TSG serves the entire payments ecosystem and has experience in working on large-scale projects for the worlds biggest payment players. The firm has worked with all card networks, nine of the top ten merchant acquirers in the U.S., as well as leading private equity firms and investment banks. The firms 50-person workforce is primarily in Omaha with satellite offices in Sacramento, Denver, and London. For more information please visit http://www.TheStrawGroup.com.